ventitrè || audio

[betrayedblade]

...perhaps I miss the old routine a bit much. This new one, while nice and cozy, makes only for a decent vacation. Yes, even despite the odd happenstances here and there. It is too...boring.

[He pauses. He's complaining. And he realizes he's turned the communicator without much thinking about it. He was past due for an update anyway, before he discovered for himself just what sort of energy the device packed, and had been thinking about it before he started in on the complaints of this place. Ah well.]

Boring. Listen to me--complaining like some sort of youngster who has nothing better than to get into trouble every day. I converse much too often with giovani here and start to reminiscence on my old lifestyle as if I could get away with what I used to.

[He sighs.] I am getting old. When you start saying 'I'm getting too old for this' it is well past time you are too old for...things.

...Ugh. Now I'm using circular arguments and boring unto death those silly enough to listen to these devices.

[...]

Though I can't help but to miss the action back home. Not just the routine... but the purpose. What purpose is there here?

Comments

[betrayedblade.livejournal.com]

No, nor should it.

And succumb to it?

[crystal-eyed.livejournal.com]

...I don't know. I try not to, but I suppose when you're powerless you can't help but be afraid.

[betrayedblade.livejournal.com]

There is no such thing as "powerless." I know tiny women less afraid than you. You can hardly excuse that...

[crystal-eyed.livejournal.com]

How can I not be? This body is frail and weak, and though my mind may be tempered and powerful there's an Altana-forsaken chip keeping me from putting it to any potent use. How am I not powerless if I can do nothing?

[betrayedblade.livejournal.com]

I have no powers for this supposed chip to affect, giovane. And yet I am not so powerless as you would have me for.

[crystal-eyed.livejournal.com]

I know you aren't. From what I can perceive, you have your own power that the chip does not seal off. Everything that I had was gone the moment I stepped into the city. I am powerless, Giovanni. I hate it, and I fear it. At least you have more than a year's experience wielding a blade; I've barely half that.

[ And he THOUGHT he was decent at it until Leo kicked his butt. So much for that. ]

[betrayedblade.livejournal.com]

[Leo's ridiculous though. Not to mention well trained. That's understandable.]

So you learn. And grow. There is no excuse for being weak but one's own lack of will-power.

[crystal-eyed.livejournal.com]

[ He'll meet his match when he's up against an unchipped Eald. Trufax.

...his voice softens significantly, as though he actually is a child this time, rather than an old mage speaking through one. ]

...I hope you're right. I'm tired of being afraid.

[betrayedblade.livejournal.com]

Then do not fear. Fight.

[crystal-eyed.livejournal.com]

Fight?

You make it sound so simple.

[betrayedblade.livejournal.com]

I have been trained from a young age. It was fight or be disgraced.

I do not know the meaning of giving up.

[crystal-eyed.livejournal.com]

...

I suppose...that's one way to look at it. Then, to persevere, and fight...that would overcome fear, then?

[ He's starting to get it. He thinks. ]

[betrayedblade.livejournal.com]

It would be the true meaning of the word 'brave.' If that is not a feat then I do not know what is, giovane.

[crystal-eyed.livejournal.com]

[ You might not see it but he is smiling a bit more brightly right now. ]

I will remember those words well. Thank you, Giovanni.

[betrayedblade.livejournal.com]

You are very welcome, Eald'narche. [He says it with all the affection possible.]

[crystal-eyed.livejournal.com]

[ You've made his day much much better, Giovanni. He'll thank you for that, too, someday. Sooner than you think. Really! For now though there's a happy little chuckle coming from him. ]