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]

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.