4th letter | text

[powerandstatus]

[Marcello was ungrateful for the rest he had been given. It was no fun depending on others or on anyone who you found it easier to detest. So he had packed his things and gone almost as quickly as his vision returned to his eyes. He had left without saying a word. It was not easy.

This time, he gave up trying to hurt his brother with words of his own. He sought those of others instead - but not to use them against Angelo, either.]

Greetings. Now I have recovered my health, I will ask this question: in this city, what parts are there to play for a man trained in the holy orders? The boredom of leisure is intolerable. I cannot see myself sat here doing nothing.

Regardless, I speak primarily of martial combat. I am also familiar with a wide range of literature. I equally acquainted with my world's scriptures, though that area is... Faith no longer interests me. I am perfectly willing to detail them for those who are interested, however.

Comments

voice

[bufudine]

There is the Defense Force, if you're not opposed to it.

[He figures there doesn't really need to be that much preamble, given their dealings. But he doesn't terribly expect Marcello to take him up on the offer, given Angelo's involvement in the same Defense Force.]

Regardless of your decision, I'd like to test your combat abilities.

[Even though he's strayed so far from his original purpose, Serph has to admit that he takes a certain amount of enjoyment from fighting.]

Re: voice

[powerandstatus]

Such an organization is perhaps... unsuited for me.

[He was quite astonished the offer had been made at all, and he had no real desire to share more space with his brother.]

And I am curious. Why would you make such a request?

voice

[bufudine]

I enjoy combat.

[That's the short answer.]

Re: voice

[powerandstatus]

Well, I have no enjoyment in a fight without purpose. Why should I spar with you?

[He has no quarrel with you, Serph.]

voice

[bufudine]

An opportunity to improve. Fighters from different worlds use different tools and techniques. It's best to be prepared in this unstable world.

[stayb100ponyboy]

What kind of literature do you enjoy?

[don't say poetry if you value your sanity]

[powerandstatus]

I enjoy all decent works that provide something of value, whether it be for knowledge or pleasure. History and weaponry and warfare, and society and mythology.

In short: epic sagas and factual works.

[stayb100ponyboy]

So... basically everything?

How do you feel about poetry?

[powerandstatus]

Everything is a wide description, but perhaps the one best befitting. In truth, I find most books equally interesting.

Poetry is an art form I am less versed in, but it is familiar to me. I am interested in it as long as it has something important to say.

[stayb100ponyboy]

I know quite a bit about poetry. I could share some of the more exceptional examples of it with you, if you like.

[ voice ]

[beauchevalier]

[Because he's lazy, Marcello gets a voice reply from him.]

I'd hire you for the club I run partly, but I have to think of our customers first and the possibility of you scaring them away with your attitude.

[Yeah, he's being snarky.]

[ voice ]

[powerandstatus]

Really now, do you think the two of us working together in any capacity would be a happy and pleasant experience?

[Why even joke about it? He wants work that takes him far far away from you, bro.]

And I'd treat your customers no worse than visitors to such establishments deserve.

[ voice ]

[beauchevalier]

We did work and live together back at the Abbey, it wouldn't be any different except that I'll be your boss. I'm sure that sounds so fun to you.

[He can't help it, it's in his nature to tease you.]

If you insist, I have no interest in people that have poles up their rear ends anyway.

[ voice ]

[powerandstatus]

[Whatever his thoughts on Angelo had been, his brother's matured at least a little. Surprising. And Angelo's kind offer is something he can ignore as easily.]

How on earth could you even think that I would-

Ugh. What idiot made you the boss of anything?

[Please, he really wants to know.]

[ voice ]

[beauchevalier]

[He's sparkling even if Marcello can't see him, it's quite evident in his voice.]

Someone who saw my charming personality as an major asset, so I was promoted to a management position. It's just like back home, you could say. I became known as the Angel of Maella for a reason, brother. My personality shines brightly as if I'm an angel from the Goddess herself and people adore me to give me everything I want if not more.

[Voice]

[dontyoujustwish]

When you say holy orders, do you mean the type of person who exorcises demons, or someone who marries people when both of them can manage to walk down the aisle? Or maybe like that man who rides around in the strange bubble car...

[Voice]

[powerandstatus]

The Templars I was part of have most definitely have exterminated demons, and even then it was hardly exorcism as much as putting them to the sword. The exorcism of such things was performed by the monks of our Abbey. The both of us were authorized to perform martial ceremonies.

... But, excuse me. A bubble... car? Really?

[What the hell is that?]

[Voice]

[dontyoujustwish]

The sword, of course.

Really. I've only seen it on television, but he has this special automobile with a big glass compartment on the back.

[Voice]

[powerandstatus]

By all means tell me about this contraption. I have read about stranger things.

And the sword is inconsequential; the concerns of my order are no longer my own.

[Voice]

[dontyoujustwish]

Do you even have automobiles wherever you come from?

And I guess that means you're fine with ex-demons, right?

Video

[closedcircuit]

This...faith that doesn't interest you... How can you call yourself trained in the holy orders if you refuse it?

Video

[powerandstatus]

Training consists of learning what is written and shown; men can be trained in an order's methods without believing in them.

[He had invited such people into his order. But he had held some belief in the Goddess at the time, however. His expression goes quiet.]

Faith does not prove anything. It is wanting to believe in something that isn't true and isn't there. [His tone is polite but scathing.] Our so-called divines always make promises that are too good to be true.

Re: Video

[closedcircuit]

So when you say you're trained in the holy orders you refer only to...a fighting technique?

[It is true that men can serve God without themselves having faith, and not everyone in the Sacred Order of Holy Knights had believed in the higher cause. But by holy orders, Ky had assumed he meant some sort of priestly duties. Perhaps he'd assumed wrong.]

Regardless, if you doubt something simply because it is good, then I cannot understand that, can't see why you would wish to be so embittered against the world.

Video: sorry for the late reply, didn't want to give a LQ tag

[powerandstatus]

No. My position as Captain of the Templars gave me training in verse, scripture and martial and spiritual combat.

[Marcello threw his truth on the ground and how Ky reacted to it was his problem. He remembered his training in politics too. All in all, he had done more than fight.]

In all honesty, there is not much I have to tell you; my faith is, as they say, my business. I do not think you, or anyone else, shall understand my decisions. Nor do I ask you to try.

Video

[closedcircuit]

What if I wish to try?

[Ky's eyes were blue-green, and bright with emotion.]

Faith seems a terrible thing to be without, and I'm sorry for your loss. But you can't actually suggest that one should recite verse and scripture as if they are just recitations, as if they mean nothing.