[2:01 AM] Kwakado: Today, Sula came into the market without his mount, to keep from disturbing onlookers. Hearing the nearby ravings of a particularly...pushy jewelry store owner, Sula grinned to himself. Perhaps there was a solution after all...
[2:12 AM] Mango: Elwyn came from the direction of the jewelry store. He wasn't quite pleased. "I may have gotten what I needed but Gods was that man pushy..."
[2:13 AM] Kwakado: Elwyn can hear the jewler moving on to his next mark, who is being particularly difficult. "Yeah, yeah, we don't do trades. You gonna take this fine necklace or let the next guy snatch it?"
Sula smirked. "I know, I know...but what about this?" He detached a small wooden ball from his robe with a trio of Shimi's feathers extending from it.
"The feathers of a dark pegasus. They once roamed the wastelands of Nohr...but now they are little but legend, sir. You will never get another chance at these-"
"It's a fine story, sir, but if you think you can just pawn off some crow feathers-"
"No, sir. These are crow feathers." Sula pulled a second set of feathers from one of the pouches of his robe.
[2:15 AM] Kwakado: The Dwabi leaned in close, waving the crow feathers. "See how the light sinks into them, desperate, needy. But look at how these ones reject the light. How they sparkle...with Nanyo magic. These are not just pretty, they are powerful, sir. I'll give you three for 30 pearls."
[2:19 AM] Kwakado: The jeweler sighed, still hesitant. Sula didn't miss a beat.
"I see, I see. This humble Aishatu is on an urgent mission of the gods, so I have no choice...3 feathers, for.." His voice quivered. "T-ten pearls--"
"Deal!" The jewelry store owner slammed his hand down wildly, his other hand snatching the feathers away. "Take 'em!"
[2:20 AM] Kwakado: Sula walked away, humming, as he stashed the pearls away in a pocket. "Oh! El-wyn! Kwemo!"
[2:21 AM] Mango: "Oh, Sula..."
[2:22 AM] Kwakado: He smiled sheepishly. "Remember - watch out for lying holy men, ha ha ha. And stupid shopkeepers."
[2:24 AM] Mango: "He's quite a hassle, isn't he? I'm surprised you managed to take him down so quickly..."
[2:26 AM] Kwakado: "Just as long as they are more interested in you than you are in them. The rest is easy." Sula, a bit sour, propped himself up on his broom-handle-turned-sage's-staff.(edited)
[2:29 AM] Kwakado: "Finding more parts for your own charms, El-wyn?"(edited)
[2:34 AM] Mango: "Yes, I used all of my best parts up."
[2:35 AM] Kwakado: Sula nods, holding his depleted sleeve in his other hand. "...So have I."
[2:37 AM] Mango: Elwyn sighed. "I used them to make a charm for the one I love. I do hope he likes it..."
[2:39 AM] Kwakado: Sula's eyes narrow. "...Truly? You feel this way?"(edited)
[2:43 AM] Mango: "Yes." Elwyn smiled. "I made it with all I had so I could try and give him a life of fortune, protection, and calm..."
[2:43 AM] Mango: "Manaketes do live for a long time, so I hope it's useful to him." He put his hands together.
[2:44 AM] Kwakado: Sula gasped a bit. "...Mana-kete. You speak of the...dragons?"
[2:45 AM] Mango: "Mhm."
[2:46 AM] Kwakado: Sula smiled. "You speak with such loyalty. I had thought only Dwabi could truly understand it..."
[2:46 AM] Mango: "If there was anyone else, I would rather it be him."
[2:47 AM] Mango: "Ah, Kazama..." Elwyn sighed wistfully.
[2:48 AM] Kwakado: Sula nods. "I...am glad to hear it. When he told me it was a big surprise, ha!"(edited)
[2:49 AM] Mango: "What did he tell you?"
[2:50 AM] Kwakado: Sula looks around, speaking softly. "That he is Ayida. A...mana-kete. I still am not sure how to show him this sort of...love."
[2:51 AM] Mango: "Sula..."
[2:51 AM] Mango: "Feelings of love are natural. When you would do anything and give everything just for them..."
[2:52 AM] Mango: "However. You're mostly feeling admiration."
[2:54 AM] Mango: "The feelings I've mentioned however, are what I feel for him." He smiled. "You're going to have to face me if you're going to try and show him something like that."
[2:56 AM] Kwakado: Sula folds his hands together. "El-wyn, you speak of Kaza-mo as if--"
He hums.
"...haa. El-wyn, you wish to be his mate? His lover?"(edited)
[2:57 AM] Mango: "Did I not make that clear from how I spoke about him?"
[2:59 AM] Kwakado: "But...for a human...Forgive me, El-wyn. I...have never wondered before about what it means for one to be both man and god."
[2:59 AM] Kwakado: He smiles. "For one as Kwemo as you, of course it would be possible."
[3:01 AM] Mango: "Love between humans and manaketes...is quite depressing, don't you think?" Elwyn sat down.
[3:02 AM] Kwakado: Sula hums, his mind dancing with the idea. "You said they live for a long time. Much longer than even you."
[3:04 AM] Kwakado: "...then the more your Keiji-i grows, the hotter the flame...when it all burns up."(edited)
[3:06 AM] Mango: "I wonder why they were given such things by the Gods..." He rested his head on his hands. "To live until they either sacrifice power, or become a mindless monster. Was their long lifespan punishment? Or a gift?"
[3:07 AM] Kwakado: Sula smiles. "Every blessing is a duty. Every power is a sacrifice. To turn away from this brings only madness. I wonder if the Mana-kete have been given the power to choose their own death?"
[3:08 AM] Mango: "Whatever the answer may be..."
[3:08 AM] Mango: "I do not wish to bring Kazama grief during my last moments."
[3:12 AM] Mango: "I suppose that's why I gave him the charm. I...want to be with him, but if I can't...I can only hope that kind spirits watch over his journey." Elwyn stood up. "Men and beastkind lived in harmony. They had their similarities, but had many differences... And now, we rarely ever meet them."
[3:12 AM] Mango: Elwyn took Sula's hand. "Come with me."
[3:12 AM] Kwakado: Sula nods, something in Elwyn's last words resonating with him as he follows. "Truly!"(edited)
[3:13 AM] Mango: "Are you aware of how Vivianna feels for you?"
[3:13 AM] Kwakado: Sula nods. "Yes, she makes herself quite clear, ha ha ha."
[3:14 AM] Mango: "And what of you?"
[3:14 AM] Mango: "How do you really feel?"
[3:15 AM] Kwakado: He hums. "Vivi-i is...it has not been very long since we met. But already it feels much longer."(edited)
[3:18 AM] Kwakado: "Maybe this is because of Este-i, but it is as if she is...family, to me. Do you understand?"
[3:18 AM] Mango: "..." Elwyn smiles. "Very."
[3:18 AM] Mango: "It really seems like you're her husband while Este is your child..."
[3:18 AM] Kwakado: "Ha ha ha ha ha ha!"
[3:19 AM] Kwakado: Sula almost doubles over. "Beautiful, Elwyn!"
[3:19 AM] Mango: "Perhaps."
[3:19 AM] Mango: "May you allow me to assist you?"
[3:20 AM] Kwakado: Sula inhales, his laughter slowing down. "If you have another joke that strong, I would love to taste it, El-wyn."
[3:22 AM] Mango: "If you will, I will help you get closer to Vivianna and perhaps have you reveal your own feelings to yourself."
[3:22 AM] Mango: "Love is not a joke."
[3:23 AM] Mango: "If Vivianna was here, do you think she would laugh?"
[3:24 AM] Kwakado: Sula shakes his head, smiling. "El-wyn, I understand my own heart more than anyone. Though it is difficult to speak it out loud....it sounds a little strange."
[3:25 AM] Kwakado: "Vivi-i is...Omm.."(edited)
[3:26 AM] Kwakado: "Something like a daughter, to me."(edited)
[3:27 AM] Kwakado: His smile brightens. "Now, what were you saying about getting closer?"(edited)
[3:28 AM] Mango: "That's quite awkward to explain then..."
[3:29 AM] Mango: "Oh, never mind that. You know how she felt with the necklace incident, right?"
[3:29 AM] Mango: "Why don't we create a more dazzling one just for her?"
[3:32 AM] Kwakado: "Are you sure you are not a Mana-kete, El-wyn?" Sula gives his shoulder a hearty pat. "Anything less would be Nanyo! Let's go!"(edited)
[3:45 AM] Mango: "I'm fairly sure I have no relation with any dragons, but I'm glad you agreed to going."
[3:46 AM] Kwakado: As they went through the streets, Sula focused as much on keeping off his foot as he did surveying the stands. "El-wyn, you are travelling to Nohr after this. Do you...know, about it?"
[3:48 AM] Mango: "Yes. I'll be showing Leodin around as he mentioned he had Nohrian ancestors. I know a lot about it, it is my birthplace after all."
[3:50 AM] Kwakado: "Ba-bi! Is everyone in Nanya so beautiful?!" Sula laughs rhythmically. "Even the Dwabi know of the legend. Of the great war."
[3:50 AM] Mango: "Beautiful...?"
[3:51 AM] Kwakado: Sula nods. "Truly."
[3:51 AM] Mango: "Where did you get that thought?"
[3:54 AM] Kwakado: "Sometimes the eyes receive truth, El-wyn." Sula smirks. "Your face could charm even the gods."
[3:55 AM] Mango: "..."
[3:55 AM] Mango: "I'm flattered, Sula. But...I'm reserved."
[3:56 AM] Mango: "I'm sure Vivianna or Kazama wouldn't appriciate what would happen if this went further..."(edited)
[3:57 AM] Kwakado: "Uu?" Sula glanced at a less-than-stellar dumpling stand. "But Vivi-i agrees. And surely Kaza-mo would think the same."
[3:59 AM] Mango: "Anyways..."
[4:00 AM] Mango: "Nohr is somewhat like Freyzenwald in structure. More darker, though."
[4:00 AM] Kwakado: "That...sounds like what I learned. A kingdom of pure Nanyo, where plants cannot grow and the people know only of war and death.."(edited)
[4:07 AM] Kwakado: "A kingdom that hated their Kwemo neighbors so much, that they tried to destroy them."
[4:07 AM] Mango: "Oh, that's not completely true."
[4:08 AM] Mango: "The Nohrian rulers never hated our neighbors. There's a few citizens that do have some racist tendencies, but overall we're just..neutral. The war was simply for resources."
[4:09 AM] Mango: "Everything was lively and fun back there. As much as I would like to go back, I found that Izumo is more of where I'd like to be."
[4:11 AM] Kwakado: "But what about the barren land? The dark skies? How do the people find joy in such a...poisoned kingdom? "
[4:13 AM] Mango: "...I don't know who taught you." He narrowed his eyes. "But it was never poisoned."
[4:15 AM] Kwakado: "Forgive me." Sula watches a passing knight's white horse. "But then, why did they need resources?"(edited)
[4:17 AM] Mango: "The land was simply not suited for farming. We had meat and the like, but not enough vegetation."
[4:18 AM] Mango: "The lands in Nohr were always dark due to the sun's rays not reaching. Without fruits or vegetables, how would your body get what it needs?"
[4:20 AM] Kwakado: Sula nods, recognizing this part. "Truly, Nanyo always spreads. Into the land, into the sky, into the heart. But when I meet you, and Vivi, and Claire, I do not see people living without the food they need..."
[4:22 AM] Mango: "The difference is that Vivi and I had certain circumstances and that Claire worked in the army."
[4:22 AM] Mango: "We all ended up travelling too."
[4:23 AM] Mango: "Even without proper vegetation, in Nohr, we managed to get by well enough with what we have. Whether the vegetation was fully grown or not."
[4:24 AM] Mango: "Hoshido chose not to share resources, despite having an abundance."
[4:25 AM] Kwakado: "I see. What do they wear, in Nohr?"
[4:25 AM] Mango: "Well, clothes."
[4:29 AM] Mango: "Much like you see on the citizens around here."
[4:29 AM] Kwakado: Sula hums. "I want to understand your home. I want to make a necklace that would look right...for a lady of Nohr."
[4:30 AM] Kwakado: "Vivian-ni reminds me so much of home, that I simply made her a Dwabi necklace. But that tastes to me...almost like a lie, uu?"(edited)
[4:31 AM] Mango: "Hm..."
[4:31 AM] Mango: "I can give you directions on how to make a necklace with Nohrian designs then."
[4:32 AM] Kwakado: "Oh, Kwemo, El-wyn!"
[4:33 AM] Kwakado: The Dwabi looks elated, hia fingers flaring out.
[4:34 AM] Kwakado: "What kind of chain would look correct? Something like this?" Sula points to a bright, gold chain, almost solar in its sheen.
[4:35 AM] Mango: "Ooh. That's a good looking one..."
[4:36 AM] Kwakado: "Ah, but it does look a lot like Inte-tsu fashion... ha ha ha." Sula glances at his own golden sleeves. "But it does look nice."
[4:37 AM] Mango: "They have their similarities. I would even dare to say that they might have inherited the same designs if I didn't know any better."
[4:39 AM] Kwakado: "Is it...simple enough? I wonder if Vivi-i would want something so flashy." Sula hums, looking at other caravans' tables for a moment
[4:41 AM] Mango: "Sometimes simplicity is the best."
[4:42 AM] Kwakado: "Most of the time I just use a reed...but how can Sula-o make a Nanya girl wear vegetables?" Sula furrows his brow, smiling anyway. "Do you see anything good?"(edited)
[4:46 AM] Mango: "This is good enough." Elwyn picked up the same gold chain.
[4:49 AM] Kwakado: "Ommm..." Sula strokes the metal, making the salesman nervous. "Close, close....Sir, do you have a silver one like this?"
[4:51 AM] Kwakado: Examining its counterpart, Sula hummed, and sighed. "...I think this one is right." Sula reached for a small bag of gold and began counting out the coins.
[4:53 AM] Kwakado: He held the silver chain up to Elwyn. It shined just as bright.
"It looks good, uu, El-wyn? I hope it can make her smile as much as the first one."(edited)
[4:58 AM] Mango: "It would match her quite nicely."
[5:01 AM] Kwakado: Sula stows the chain, giving his friend a deliberate bow. "You bring me Kwemo, holy man of Izu-mo. I am glad to be able to talk with someone about all of this."(edited)
[5:05 AM] Mango: "What are friends for? I'm only doing what friends do."
[5:07 AM] Kwakado: "Yes, but.." Sula decided it would be best not to burden the man with such thoughts. "No, you speak truly. The only friend I know who would not do that...is my Shimi-e."(edited)
[5:13 AM] Mango: "Oh, speaking of Shimi. I have a question."
[5:13 AM] Kwakado: "Of course."
[5:16 AM] Mango: "How exactly did you gain ownership of her? As far as I know, black pegasi are rare these days..."
[5:17 AM] Kwakado: Sula smiles. "A certain lady of Inte-tsu purchased her for an enormous amount of money."
[5:17 AM] Kwakado: "Perhaps more than that entire caravan was worth."
[5:19 AM] Kwakado: Sula closes his eyes, thinking back to the shadowy halls of the Stormblades. "They did not know...The few dark ones that remain, are not raised in peace. Or by humans. They are wild, unstoppable beasts."
[5:19 AM] Kwakado: "No one can control Shimi. No one could even get close to her, back then."
[5:20 AM] Mango: "Oh, my..."
[5:21 AM] Kwakado: "But they had spent too much on their trinket to simply throw her away. So the lady sent a summons throughout the land, for those who were gifted with animals...or with dark magic."
[5:22 AM] Kwakado: "And so a certain...holy man, a fortune teller, who could make animals dance and sing with the wind, answered the call."
[5:24 AM] Kwakado: "When I made my way to the highest levels of the city, waiting for each of the others to try their tricks, I thought that it was just another chance to meet more nobles, see more sights."
[5:24 AM] Kwakado: "But when I saw her...Ommm....."
[5:25 AM] Kwakado: Sula sighed with elation. "I think we both knew, then."
[5:27 AM] Kwakado: Sula's bad foot lowers to the street. He can feel the Stormblades' carpet once more, the distant whinnies of the monster, the magicians' desperate incantations....
[5:28 AM] Mango: "What an interesting story...how did you tame Shimi?
[5:30 AM] Kwakado: Sula chuckles. Yet it sounds more genuine than any of his laughs today. "That's the mystery of it...I never did."
[5:31 AM] Kwakado: "All I did was sing her a Dwabi love song, and she stopped charging around and came over to listen."
[5:35 AM] Kwakado: "When Shimi-e heard, she understood what I did."
[5:35 AM] Kwakado: Sula shakes his head.
[5:35 AM] Mango: "A Dwabi love song...? Who knows, perhaps Shimi came from a line of pegasi taken care of by the Dwabi."
[5:36 AM] Kwakado: "No, no. No creature like her ever visited the Dwabi, I am sure. It is...more than that. It is our fate."(edited)
[5:37 AM] Kwakado: Sula's eyelids gave way, and his smile died down. But not the joy behind those grey eyes.
[5:37 AM] Kwakado: "That I would belong to Shimi-e until the day that I die."
[5:45 AM] Mango: "I see...that must be why you're so close.
[5:46 AM] Kwakado: "We had no choice. The gods have woven our fates together." Sula seems almost unaware of how strange this must sound.(edited)
[5:52 AM] Mango: "Well, you two enjoy eachothers company. So it isn't that bad as what you said made it sound."
[5:53 AM] Kwakado: Sula nods. "But...the pegasus lives for a long time. Long enough to see a kingdom rise and fall. Far beyond any human."
[6:01 AM] Kwakado: "That is why I have brought her out this far...so she can learn to be ready for a new rider, after Sula-e."
[6:02 AM] Mango: "I suppose we have the same feelings. Kind of."
[6:04 AM] Kwakado: "I wonder which of us has the more difficult duty, then? A Nanyo pegasus, or a Kwemo Mana-kete?"
Sula clasps his palms together. "Although Kaza-mo may be much wiser than Shimi-e...I am glad that I am not in your position."
[6:04 AM] Mango: "Why is that?"
[6:05 AM] Kwakado: "That kind of love...must make it very hard."
[6:06 AM] Kwakado: "To face your death, despite your love. But also, to face your love, despite your death."
[6:07 AM] Kwakado: Sula looks up. "I must thank the gods that it is you who has that burden, and not Sula-i."(edited)
[6:11 AM] Mango: "You do realise...how insensitive that just sounds, right?"
[6:11 AM] Kwakado: Sula shakes his head. "Of course not. I am Aishatu. But you, Elwyn...are much stronger than I. You are someone who can truly love another. That is what I am trying to say."(edited)
[6:17 AM] Mango: "I...see."
[6:19 AM] Kwakado: "Forgive me, please. I am just a crazy old man who has spent too many days in these Frey-zen streets."(edited)
[6:25 AM] Mango: "I see. I suppose I'll just have to escort this old man to the nursing home."
[6:27 AM] Kwakado: "Ha ha ha! No, no, this foot will be healed soon."
[6:36 AM] Mango: "Really? I thought the years were catching up on you..."
[10:57 AM] Kwakado: "Only the days, ha ha ha. But, El-wyn, I still remember what the Dwabi say about a Kwemo heart like yours."
[10:57 AM] Mango: "What do they say?"
[11:03 AM] Kwakado: "A Kwemo heart speaks the truth. El-wyn, your thoughts are always on your friends, on doing what is right...I believe you can trust your heart. You are not a liar."
[11:05 AM] Mango: "That's a nicer thing than what you've told me before then." He smiled.
[11:07 AM] Kwakado: Sula nods. "Not everyone's heart is so...reliable, we can see. Ha. But a single Dark Pegasus? That is enough for Sula-o."(edited)
[11:10 AM] Mango: "Not even anything else?"
[11:12 AM] Kwakado: "Omm...." He feels the silvery chain in his pouch. "Perhaps a few necklaces. A few friends." Sula looks to Elwyn.
[11:12 AM] Mango: "Now that's more reasonable than a single pegasus."
[11:14 AM] Kwakado: Sula gives him a gentle hug. "You are such a remarkable man...The Izu-mo should be proud."
[11:22 AM] Kwakado: He backed away. "I will pray for your success, and your happiness. That the gods will tell you what to do. And if you ever need your fortune told..."
[11:25 AM] Kwakado: "...Well, you should think carefully on that one, ha."
[11:33 AM] Mango: "Your prayers are better suited for one who needs it more than myself." Elwyn smiled.
[11:33 AM] Kwakado: "...then I won't take too much time with them. Still...that is what friends are for. I must."
[11:35 AM] Kwakado: Sula bows. "Kwemo, Elwyn-o."
[11:37 AM] Mango: "Kwemo, Sula."
[11:37 AM] Mango: "...Did I say that correctly?"
[11:38 AM] Kwakado: "Close enough for kingdom, ha ha ha. Perhaps...more 'eh'. Less 'ayee.' But it was good."
[11:40 AM] Kwakado: Sula looks over at the castle. "Shimi-e is waiting. And Este-i."
[11:44 AM] Mango: "I see...then I suppose it's goodbye for now. Be sure to come to me if you need help with the necklaces."
[11:45 AM] Kwakado: Sula nods. "Thank you." He thought about returning an offer, but it felt too hollow coming from him.
[11:46 AM] Kwakado: He turns toward the castle and begins walking away, softly singing. "Shimi-eeee....Sula ba-ba-e, Shimi-eeeee....."
[11:50 AM] Mango: =RP End I guess=
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