INBOX | TEXT/VOICE/VIDEO

[aladyofqualityswords]

"You have reached in the inbox of-- oh, um, Katherine-- please leave your message at the tone."

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text ↪ un: sorryconstant (backdated pre-event)

[starfares]

Katherine,

I hope you have been well since last we spoke.

[aladyofqualityswords]

[Katherine has been enjoying these little devices and using them to take pictures of most everything she's finds interesting, but her texting is still a bit slow. She's always happy to practice, though she's never quite sure how formal she should be.]

Hello Rev,

I have been doing fairly well, thank you. I hope that you've been well too?

[starfares]

I have no complaints. Duplicity is certainly never boring.

One of my siblings has arrived. The youngest, Dire Symphony. I believe you would enjoy his company, should you have cause to meet.

Presently, he is looking for someone adept with a sword to train with his dominant. Is that something you might be interested in? I thought you might appreciate having a broader range of sparring partners.

[aladyofqualityswords]

Oh! I would love to meet him, when I have the chance. I hope it is not uncomfortable that he is here?

I would be interested, certainly. There are many more people here with sword training than I would have thought, but I enjoy sparring with as many as possible.

[starfares]

I did not anticipate his arrival, but no, it is not uncomfortable. Dire and I were designed by those that made us to be adaptable, and to blend with local culture. He will have no more difficulty acclimating to this place than I have had. Naturally, I do not believe any of us wish for those we care for to be brought here, but he will be all right.

It does seem to be quite common, doesn't it? I suppose it comes from the fact most cultures are accustomed to war and its many associated methods of combat.

Did you expect to ever fight sincerely for your life, or was it more a point of curiosity? I don't believe I asked before.

[aladyofqualityswords]

I am glad, then, that you have each other. I know it is easy for you to adapt, but I'm sure it is nice to see him all the same.

It is somewhat complicated. Much of the nobles where I live resolve disputes through swordsman. To my knowledge I am the only one who could be my own swordsman, and it was considered ridiculous that I was my uncle's when he was Duke, both because I am a noble myself and a woman. Duels are usually not fought to the death but they can be. I have never fought in one like that, and I do not wish to, but I cannot say for sure that I will never.

[starfares]

It is. When I left Ng'tati, it was the knowledge that I would not see him again for many centuries that most made me hesitate. He is the favourite of mine among my siblings, though I am fond of all of them.

Your uncle must have been an unusual man, then, to have named you so. Was he as progressive in other avenues of thought as well, then?

[aladyofqualityswords]

[There is a lengthy pause as Katherine tries to figure out how to explain the Mad Duke, Alec Campion.]

I suppose he was, in a way. Progressive I mean. [He was definitely unusual.] I do not think he had me trained as a purely 'progressive' move so much as one that would annoy and confuse some people he did not care for.

[She debates explaining more, the conditions of how she came to be with him in the first place, but... it's an awful lot to type.]

[starfares]

So you were a weapon?

[aladyofqualityswords]

[there's another long pause, as Katherine considers this.]

I don't think that was entirely his reasoning other.



It is somewhat complicated.

[starfares]

I understand.

I won't inquire further if it discomfits you.

[aladyofqualityswords]

I don't mind talking about it with you. I think it is just the kind of thing that's harder over these devices. If you wanted, I could tell you in person sometime?

[starfares]

I would like that.

Not necessarily to that purpose, but would you like to meet me for tea?

[aladyofqualityswords]

That sounds lovely. When and where would be best for you?

[starfares]

There is a small place in the Down we can visit. I prefer to patronize their shops whenever possible. I will send you a location presently, and we can meet in an hour?

( he sends her a gps pin for one of the little shops that i'm not bothering to look up Assume Something Is Here etc etc. )

[aladyofqualityswords]

I will see you there.

[And she will be prompt, waiting politely outside until she spots him, smiling as she waves.]

It is good to see you again.

[starfares]

( he's wearing his hair down today, dressed well but plainly in gray. he returns her wave easily and upon coming closer, takes up one of her hands in his so that he can stoop to kiss the back of it. )

Lady Katherine. You as well. Come, shall we?

( he steps forward to pull the door open and hold it for her that she may step past him. it's less about chivalry and more about being polite — he's just that kinda way. )

[aladyofqualityswords]

[There are people whom Katherine would assume the intent was to patronize, but she knows that Rev doesn't mean it that and instead it comes off as very charming. She can't help but smile.]

Of course.

[She steps into the little shop and finds a table for two, seated along the edge and out of the main bustle. Everything in the Down is always a bit shabby, but it's done its best.] How have you been?

[starfares]

﹙ he pulls the chair out for her, and once she's seated he does the same opposite her. he does catch the attention of a nearby server, and use that as an opportunity for both of them to place an order. once that's done, he focuses on her once again. ﹚

I've mostly been engaged in helping others recently. The heat wave was quite difficult on most humans.

[aladyofqualityswords]

[Katherine nods, wincing a little.] Yes, that was... difficult. It seems you always go out of your way to help people.

[She knows in a sense that that's what he is made for, he told her as much. But... she can't help but think the kindness he shows is more than that.]

These sort of things seem to happen fairly often from what I've heard.

[starfares]

﹙ he folds his arms on the table, leaning forward so as to give her his undivided attention. ﹚

They do. It seems as if roughly once a month there is some manner of event that affects us. They are generally geared towards inspiring either nakedness or copulation, which I suppose at least follows the city's overall theme.

[aladyofqualityswords]

Yes... that is roughly what I've heard. I suppose it shouldn't surprise me, but...

[Even thinking about it makes her angry, and the knowledge that they're very much in public keeps the following outburst much, much quieter than she would be inclined in private.]

How dare they, really? There are-- I certainly mind what they want from us, or most of it anyway, less than other people, but that doesn't change the fact that it's horrible. People should be allowed to make their own decisions about these things!

[starfares]

They should be.

﹙ the ch'tat may have had emphasis on the community over the self, but free will was still a strongly held component of their belief-system. perhaps as a direct result of that, he too cleaves strongly to the ideal of self-governance. as their drinks arrive, he shifts one arm back to make room, and then curls his hand around the cup. it's warm, with scents of rose and black tea wafting upwards in the sinuous steam. ﹚

Unfortunately, as is often the case, those who have power over others seek to use it in ways advantageous to themselves, often without consideration for those they see as being beneath them. I believe that to be the case here.

[aladyofqualityswords]

[Katherine cups the drink in her hands, huffing as if that that will dim her temper. It does not.]

Well, they're obviously wrong. I think hardly anyone is beneath anyone else.

[It might be better for her to say that no one is, but really this is an unusual stance from a noble in her world as is. Especially since the person she thinks would be beneath others is (was) also a noble.]

[starfares]

﹙ he considers that. it is not his nature to play devil's advocate intentionally, but — ﹚

I think all sentient creatures should be inherently equal by their very nature, but I do believe that one can come to be lesser by one's own actions. If I found myself in a situation where I had to choose between two lives, and only one could be saved, I do believe my decision would be biased against a murderer. Is that very terrible of me?

﹙ he understands his own morality. takes no issue with it. he would, of course, prefer to save both. a murderer may be a terrible sort of person but he holds true to the idea that someone still deserves the opportunity to better one's self, which one cannot by nature do when one is dead. but were that not an option, then he would not lose (metaphoric) sleep over the outcome. ﹚