9 ♐ Voice/Action ♐ The leaves of memory

[aim_exorable]

[In the background, the faint sound of leaves rustling and the soothing waves of the ocean can be heard before Darkleer speaks.]

Tell me, if any are so willing, but what do your people do to honor the deceased long after they have passed, whether out of respect or simply to calm any vengeful spirits?

[Action]

[Anyone wandering about by the beach this evening may notice a certain tall troll sitting cross-legged on the sands. Before him are two very small fires, and two small rocky platforms set in the sand. It takes a bit to go and see what is on them- both items are very small, a pen and a hairclip.]

[In the meantime, Darkleer himself seems to be in the process of making a pair of arrows. He's a lot more absorbed in the task than one might think. High up in the air, a large white bird circles about.]

[He won't be much bothered by any company, should someone care to come closer to him.]

Comments

[aim_exorable]

I'd rather them gone.

[His voice gains that determined, stoic tone that he's a bit more known for.]

For them to be remembered is one thing. Yet I do not wish for them to be stirred from their death. They deserve peace, if nothing else. To rouse them would lead them to be stuck to this world until they could be dismissed, or find a way back, and that would be an afterlife of suffering.

[His voice drops low again as he lowers the arrows down to their respective little stone places: the blue besides a worn, oft used pen and the teal to the hairclib, which is the same color and in the shape of a half circle, with a design in it.]

At least, that is what I was told by someone I believe would know.

[withoutasign]

[Signless listens closely and carefully to what Darkleer says, then reaches out and puts a hand on his shoulder.]

That's a fine and noble thing to wish, as well. What wise troll told you that?

[aim_exorable]

[Another pause, and Darkleer just finds himself staring down at the hand on his shoulder. He doesn't particularly want to tell him, for reasons which will become obvious after a moment.]

...She was my slave.

[withoutasign]

[Blink blink.]

A lowblood?

[aim_exorable]

A maroonblood, yes.

[withoutasign]

[This isn't the first time Signless has talked to a highblood about a slave, and the fact that Darkleer is hesitant to speak of her indicates that he perhaps recognizes some of the injustice of her fate. It's a good sign.]

She must have been important to you if you remember her words so well. What was she like? What was her name?

[aim_exorable]

I wouldn't... say that. [A rather helpless shrug.] I simply remembered her well. She had a unique talent. Her name was Nahual. She was very much prone to moondreaming, although I do think her connection with the dead did not help with that matter much. Very quiet when most others were about, with good reasons I imagine. She could also create... [He makes a slight gesture.] These beasts. Generally canine in nature. She called them Blackbeasts.

[withoutasign]

That's not uncommon with maroonbloods, having that connection to the dead. Some would argue that's why they don't live as long, because they spend their entire lives with one foot in the world beyond.

[Signless gestures to the arrows.]

Why don't you have one for her?

[aim_exorable]

Because she didn't die around this time.

[Duh, Signless.]

Sila and Eerin, however, did. At least, I am relatively certain of this. I had to do some calculations; the nights pass rather differently here than on Alternia.

[withoutasign]

[So there will be another arrow for her sometime in the future then?]

[Signless accepts that answer readily enough.]

What happened to them?

[aim_exorable]

[Maaaaybe. It's not exactly the sort of thing you make public. Or... made public... This isn't Alternia, he knows, but old habits will always die hard.]

...They died. [It's hard to talk about these things; others don't generally ask back on Alternia.] Sila... during his duty, and... Eerin during a dispute.

[withoutasign]

I'm sorry.

[Signless squeezes Darkleer's shoulder.]

Would you tell me about them?

[aim_exorable]

What would you want to know?

[A legitimate question from his point of view.]

Sila was an Archeradicator under my command. Eerin... made quadrants her business. They were both good trolls.

[withoutasign]

Why they meant so much to you that you remember them and honor them in this way.

[aim_exorable]

[If Darkleer wasn't wear his shades, Signless would probably be able to see the deadpan look he sends him.]

Sila was a squadmate. [As if that answers everything.] We knew each other well. The Archeradicators stay a secret to most and there is a reason they are so successful at it. We only have one another. When I was promoted, Sila Ritalis was one of the trolls I chose to come with me.

[withoutasign]

[Yeah, yeah, tough stoic highblood. He knows.]

What made her so exceptional?

[Because all Archeradicators are exceptional, obviously.]

[aim_exorable]

[For a brief moment, Darkleer smiles.]

Sila was our stealth expert. If you needed someone to get through a locked building without tripping any of the alarms, or slip past guards whether of troll or anything else, Sila was on of those you went to in the Archeradicators. He made a name for himself very early on. He could have lead his own squadron, if he so wished, but instead he accepted my invitation.

[withoutasign]

[That's the first time Signless has seen Darkleer smile! It completely transforms his face, making him look sweeps younger.]

He must have really believed in your leadership.

[aim_exorable]

I am thankful for that. He was a good troll.

[A pause as he glances over to Signless, looking him over and thinking on the words he's about to say.]

He... might have liked you, if not for your blatantly obvious rebel ways and mutant blood. [What. It's true.] He was something of a wordsmith. Poetry and speeches- he was into such things. He would have been interested in your words.

[withoutasign]

[Signless smiles, not offended. Such is the way of the world.]

Then I suppose I would have had to wear him down, convince him with my other charms.

Do you remember any of his poems?

[aim_exorable]

If he ever manages to find himself here, please do not encourage him to shoot you. That is unfortunately also a part of your charm at time.

[Which... isn't really charming at all...]

Not many, no. He gave most of them to his moirail.

[withoutasign]

I can't help that I just look so very shootable!

[Okay, that's enough teasing.]

Do you remember any? I'd like to hear one, whatever you can recall.