005 [Voice/Action]

[swordprincess]

[Karla is...confused, to say the least. She didn't know who she was...but she hasn't thought about it either. She only thought of herself as just a girl, looking for her big brother. Others saw her as the Princess of Swords, a devastating warrior whose skill and beauty was talked about all over Elibe. She didn't care too much for that reputation, because she didn't care about fighting. The only thing on her mind was finding her brother.]

[But Zompano's recent takeover allowed her to become something else entirely. A wife and a mother with a family. She had to admit that she liked it while it lasted.]

[Her voice is filled with sadness and disappointment as she casually speaks into her journal.]

To be a wife and a mother, even for a short time, was...quite an illuminating experience. That's a kind of life I would have liked to live.

[At some point during the day, the Sword Princess can be found at the Battle Dome in yet another "bandits raiding the village" scenario. There are three bandits facing her now. They move in to attack, mercilessly swinging their axes at her. Karla dodges their attacks easily, as if they were moving in slow motion. And then three strokes from her sword led to three fallen bandits. The setting fades back into the usual empty room. Karla sighs as she sheaths her sword. Asch had shown her how to use the Battle Dome, but now she needs to learn how to make the scenarios more challenging.]

[Later on, she takes a break, sitting on the edge of the fountain in the plaza. She cradles her sword in her lap, stroking the smooth blade with her fingers. It's strange, having to get used to the sword all over again after temporarily forgetting her skill. As usual, she remains oblivious to the world around her. Approach her anyway?]

Comments

[swordprincess]

But...my brother...this is the only way to be close to him.

[Karel, the very center of her world, her life. Why did he have to pursue the way of the sword like this? Why couldn't they just stay home and be together, like they were as kids?]

[winds_voice]

... [Perhaps he was focussing too much on the weapon after all. He could see there was something far more personal and symbolic in that blade than something used to slay others.]

Your brother must be very important to you. But... while he is not here, you should try to let go. If you cling too tightly you will miss other opportunities and I am sure it will do you no good in the end.

[swordprincess]

Let go...

[How can she? Her brother is all she has.]

I can't let go...no matter how I try. Even if I did...what would I do?

[winds_voice]

Concentrate on where you are. There are many things in Luceti and many people. Until you meet your brother again or return home, this is all you can do.

[He also had people he wanted to return to... but at the same time he had made good friends here and learned far more than he ever would have on Aether.

He turns to her, a hint of concern in his eyes.]

Who are your friends?

[swordprincess]

Friends?

[She asks as though the word is completely foreign to her. She can be pleasant in conversation, but friendship always eludes her. She had spoken with people during her travels, but then she would move on, forgetting them. In Luceti, there was nowhere to move on to. She was stuck with the same people. Does that make them friends? There was Effie...while Karla does sympathize with the woman, she doesn't feel any strong attachment to her. Thus, she can't call Effie a friend either.]

I...don't have any friends...

[She'd never thought about it back home. She'd never thought about anything other than finding her brother. But Luceti forces her to think, and she's not sure if she likes it.]

[winds_voice]

Well... I am sure there are plenty of people here who can grow to be your friends. You must have spoken to at least some people here, yes? If there is anyone you seemed to get along with, perhaps you should do more with them. That... seemed to help me when I felt lost.

[Eley wasn't one to have many friends when he first came here but now he has enough to keep him busy. And somehow he felt happier that way.]

[swordprincess]

I have spoken with some people...

[She trails off as she recalls some people she's spoken to more than once. Effie, but she seems to be in a lot of trouble. Katniss, who only seemed to push her away. It hurt Karla more than she let on...perhaps even more than she realized. There was Cato...he seemed to have a lot in common with her, and they seemed to get along well. Again, she probably felt more sympathy for him than an actual fondness. Jack Horner, whom she doesn't even know what to make of. Maybe she's just speaking with the wrong people?]

...Who are your friends? What all do you do?

[winds_voice]

There are a fair few now that I would consider 'friend'. Often I enjoy simple conversations with them and they teach me the ways of humans, something I am not especially familiar with. Sometimes we might share tea or food or take a walk together. It does not have to be anything... grand or life-changing. Above all, they have a great respect for me and care for my well-being. I have found that I also feel the same towards them.

[It was good that she had spoken to some people at least, but Eley knew that talking to the right people made a lot of difference. He hoped that if she didn't feel particularly close to anyone yet, those bonds might grow stronger in future.]

[swordprincess]

...You don't know the ways of humans?

[She's not sure if she knows either, but it still feels strange to meet someone else like that.]

Taking a walk...that's something I like to do...

[winds_voice]

...I am a Spirit. A being who lives apart from humans, and one who should not usually share their emotions. Yet here I have grown closer to humans and have begun to understand more about how they live... and feel.

[Eley thinks for a moment. He didn't really know her that well... perhaps this would be a good opportunity for the both of them.]

Would you like to take a walk now?

[swordprincess]

...A Spirit? That's...interesting...

[She reaches out slowly, tentatively reaching for his hand, wondering if it's even possible to touch him, or if her hand would simply pass through him.]

I suppose taking a walk isn't a bad idea...

[winds_voice]

[Eley looks at that hand for a long while before hesitantly taking it himself. He's solid of course... he may be a Spirit but here he has a physical form, at least at present. Should she have passed through him, Eley would certainly have cause for concern.

He pulls her to her feet and begins to head in the direction hills.]

I am a Wind Spirit... who has been given a human form in Luceti. As such I am trying to learn what I can about what it means to be human, as well as how to interact with them.

[swordprincess]

...A Wind Spirit? That is...interesting. I'm not sure if I could help with what it means to be human, though...

[Because at times, she questions just how human she is herself.]

[Regardless, she stands with Eley, flashing a semi-bright smile. Nothing like one would expect from a real killer.]

[winds_voice]

[Those words earn her a rather bemused look. Then again, maybe he shouldn't be all that surprised... there were many different kinds of people in Luceti and things were not always as they seemed.]

Are you not human? I admit that I have a habit of assuming all are human here unless there is something to set them apart from the rest...

[swordprincess]

I am...technically. Sometimes I forget...

[Her voice becomes gloomy again as she walks, focusing ahead.]

[winds_voice]

[Eley glances to her at that.]

You forget that you are human? That does not sound right... What else would you think yourself?

[swordprincess]

...A weapon.

[She stops, her face expressionless. Her voice becomes mostly expressionless as well, but with a small hint of sadness.]

When I fight...I focus solely on the battle itself. I forget everything else...my pain, my fatigue, my own human limits. I become the same as my blade. No thoughts or emotions, just the purpose of fighting.

[A pause as she lets out a deep sigh.]

I don't kill my opponents if I can help it, but...perhaps you are right about me.

[winds_voice]

[Eley listens carefully. From her explanation, he can certainly see why she would assume that he would think of her as nothing but a killer. Maybe he does if he's being honest. Yet she already said that she didn't want to live for the blade anymore, right? Besides that, she just told him that she tries not to kill. That was important.]

Even the knights of Agkelos, a race born to uphold peace, have had to take lives against their will. They try not to and that is all I can ask of them. Sometimes... people must fight to protect themselves and to protect others. I do not like it and long for a time when it will not be necessary... but I cannot totally condemn anyone who acknowledges that killing is something they wish to avoid.

What really matters is if you are trying to improve... if you can control yourself.

[swordprincess]

[Knights, upholders of peace. At least Karla has some familiarity with those.]

But I'm not...like that. I don't fight to protect myself or others...

[Though she has found herself doing that more in Luceti. She's already explained her reason for fighting, so she won't repeat herself. At least she has already mastered the control of her strength, out of fear of losing her own sanity, if nothing else.]

[winds_voice]

...in that case, all I can say is that it is not always too late for people to change.

[There's certainly a renewed wariness about the Spirit now. What good was fighting if it wasn't for protection? It didn't matter how personal the reason or otherwise, to fight, but not for others, was not acceptable in his mind.]

Luceti has taught me many things. Perhaps it will teach you as well.

[swordprincess]

[But does she want to change? That is the question... Perhaps Eley is right about Luceti teaching her things, but she doesn't want to lose her dream either. She already hates being forced to think about these things.]

...Is it possible...is it possible to change without losing my dream?

[winds_voice]

What is your dream?

[To find her brother? To become like him? To surpass him? He could see any of those things being true... but in order to answer her, he has to know where she's coming from.]

[swordprincess]

...To find my brother. And hopefully bring him home again...

[She wouldn't force Karel to come home again, but she just desperately wants to see him again...]

[winds_voice]

From what I have heard about your brother it seems that it may be difficult. But... it is not hopeless. I do not see how a personal change would prevent you from doing what you wish to do. After all, it will not change your connection with him. Nothing will change that.

[That was something he had learned about families. Even the family he had had, the family that was a lie, is something he will never forget]

[swordprincess]

[As much as she believes him, she wonders if Karel believes the same thing.]

My brother has been gone for a long time. He only seeks out strong opponents. I wonder...if I even exist to him anymore...