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Post by Admin on Sept 20, 2013 22:04:42 GMT -6
Hearing the age of her prisoner, Kirsten blinked and looked up, eyes wide. Then continued to bathe the injuries. "It matters not if you've had worse. These, at the very least, I can tend. And I DO wish I could help heal the scars and your wing. Sadly, you're likely right. I doubt the Goddess would grant me the chance to repair the loss. Its been too long." True sorrow coloured her words of regret, as she tended then bandaged the wounds around the ankles. Wishing desperately that she could fix things, knowing she couldn't made her ache.
Finally, when done, Kirsten returned the basin and bandages to the alcove. She turned back to look at Destael. "You would return to your previous behavior, you said. Hunting and harming people who's only wish is to build homes and lives and a future. Is this because you WANT to, or because it is in your nature to do so?" She took a fruit and broke it in two, offering both to Destael.
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Post by Admin on Sept 20, 2013 22:04:59 GMT -6
The demon shook her head. "My metabolism is different than yours. I don't need much sustenance often." This was true of course, but mostly she felt odd accepting any type of charity. She grew up only providing for herself, only depending on herself. What made if feel even worse was this was charity from someone who was her captor.
Frowning the demon crossed her arms. "Let me paint you a picture here. Imagine a world; dark, desolate, barren, and stony. Not a living plant.... barely any open bodies of water. The cycle from day to night is only the sky changing from the dark red of near dried blood to the bright red of fresh blood.
"There is only war, the dust on the stoney ground constantly wet with blood from hundreds of thousands of battles waged over the years. Every single day from the moment you are born is a fight for survival, for some form of freedom."
Des bit her lip before continuing. "And then imagine...being summoned to a place so bright and alive...and beautiful...But as you travel...You witness the creatures from that place...tearing it up. Not only in pointless battles that remind you so much of home...but for industry.
"And it dawns on you, that those creatures don't realize quite what they have. And even if they do they don't care what they're doing. So you tell me, Kirsten of the White Temple. Would you watch silently for a century, and let that happen? There will be no future for your plane."
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Post by Admin on Sept 20, 2013 22:05:19 GMT -6
Kirsten sat down hard, shocked at the words. Destael's plane was far far worse than she had ever feared. And the words about her own plane struck home. Weary from shock and dismay, she looked up into the golden eyes of the demon. "No, I would not stay still. I would do something about it. What, I have no idea. But I would make an effort to do something."
She sat shivering, on the stool, the image of her own world falling into such stark bleakness....
"I'm part elf, and so I ache when I see the lands corrupted from things that are in complete contrast of nature. But I'm also part human, so I do see and understand why humans do what they do. Its part of the reason I withdrew into the Temple. I refused to join in the plans for desecrating the lands of my birth. And in the Temple, is when I found peace and eventually, my children."
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Post by Admin on Sept 20, 2013 22:05:33 GMT -6
The demon leaned forward, weaving her fingers together and resting her elbows on her knees. "So here are your options. You can either let me go and I will continue doing what I was doing until I either succeed or get killed trying; or you can keep me here indefinitely."
"You should know that my soul is screaming at me to kill you and be off right now, but I know better than to attack the person who could easily end me. So here's a warning. The longer I stay in captivity, the less civil I become." There was a built in instinct with her species, an express need to kill, something that she had failed to mention. During the past century she had channeled that need and used it to her advantage....but things were a little different in this circumstance.
It wouldn't upset her by any means killing this woman. Despite the kindness she showed, Des doubted she would be able to trust anyone other than Halizar again. Not to mention this was someone who had tortured her in the past. No....She wouldn't be upset at all...but that didn't change the fact that she couldn't leave the room easily, and those who came to check on her next wouldn't be pleased to find the scene of a murder.
The demon's piercing gaze fell on the white lady as she listened intently for her next words.
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Post by Admin on Sept 20, 2013 22:05:58 GMT -6
Taking a deep breath, Kirsten looked up into the golden eyes. She thought about things and offered, "Can we come to some sort of compromise about WHO and WHAT you take down in your efforts to protect the land? Specifically channel them into taking out and controlling those who actually destroy or corrupt the land and animals?"
She hoped that this would interest Destael. To work WITH those who wish to keep the lands healthy and productive and not against every single person who lived there.
"For example, for every tree cut down, ensure that 4 more are planted. For every field of crops sown, ensure some corner is left wild and untamed. To manage the amount of rock hewn from the cliffs, so that the integrity and stablility remains. Become the warden of the land, rather than the destroyer of people."
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Post by Admin on Sept 20, 2013 22:06:17 GMT -6
The demon raised a brow. "You think that I'm actually going to be able to play nice with others?" She snorted a laugh. "I am a warlord, not a warden. I don't work in a team and I don't trust anyone.
"And even if I did somehow manage to rise above my nature do you really think that all of those people out there would actually allow me to run free? No...."
Des stood, clasping her hands behind her back and began to pace. "The label 'Destroyer of people' has already latched onto me."
This was starting to get exasperating. She really should have just done what she did best and lie through her teeth until she was let free. In fact, she was kicking herself mentally for not using that strategy. She supposed that the surprise of actually being treated with kindness had caught her off guard.
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Post by Admin on Sept 20, 2013 22:06:48 GMT -6
Watching Destael pace, Kirsten sighed sadly. "If I release you as is, you will return to your destructive ways. If I keep you here, you will get violent and anyone attempting to bring you food and drink and water to wash will be at risk. Destael, I want to release you, but I can't. Not knowing what you will do."
Frustration at her inability to find a solution coloured both her tone and her visage. She stood as well and walked towards the entrance, pausing as she crossed the holy boundary, "I want so much to make things right. For you, for me, for our home. What do I do, Destael? How can I make things work for the majority of the people here?" She gazed at the prisoner, sadness equal to frustration, in her eyes. "I was approached, last autumn, whether I would accept the acclamation of a faction here. They want to raise me up as Queen. They want ME to lead the people to a united populace. They felt that I was the one who would be able to do it. To unite humans, elves and kinto into one nation."
Her lips twisted, "I tested myself, repeatedly. I could do it. I could lead. I was born to do so. I was raised to do so. The Mother Temple told me to follow my conscience and the will of our Goddess. But if I can't get an agreement with YOU.....some sort of agreement to work with me, how can I possibly trust myself to do it?"
She watched the demon woman, wishing so much to find a way to befriend her, to be able to work WITH her. With Destael's power and conviction, she could have made the lands surrounding Wildgard a safe, productive, positive place.
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Post by Admin on Sept 20, 2013 22:07:17 GMT -6
Watching Destael pace, Kirsten sighed sadly. "If I release you as is, you will return to your destructive ways. If I keep you here, you will get violent and anyone attempting to bring you food and drink and water to wash will be at risk. Destael, I want to release you, but I can't. Not knowing what you will do."
Frustration at her inability to find a solution coloured both her tone and her visage. She stood as well and walked towards the entrance, pausing as she crossed the holy boundary, "I want so much to make things right. For you, for me, for our home. What do I do, Destael? How can I make things work for the majority of the people here?" She gazed at the prisoner, sadness equal to frustration, in her eyes. "I was approached, last autumn, whether I would accept the acclamation of a faction here. They want to raise me up as Queen. They want ME to lead the people to a united populace. They felt that I was the one who would be able to do it. To unite humans, elves and kinto into one nation."
Her lips twisted, "I tested myself, repeatedly. I could do it. I could lead. I was born to do so. I was raised to do so. The Mother Temple told me to follow my conscience and the will of our Goddess. But if I can't get an agreement with YOU.....some sort of agreement to work with me, how can I possibly trust myself to do it?"
She watched the demon woman, wishing so much to find a way to befriend her, to be able to work WITH her. With Destael's power and conviction, she could have made the lands surrounding Wildgard a safe, productive, positive place.
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Post by Admin on Sept 20, 2013 22:07:36 GMT -6
The demon stopped walking and watched the white lady step over the thresh hold and out of her reach. Eyes piercing, she spoke "Some advice from someone who has ruled. You cannot please everyone, and you most definitely can't save everyone you want to. You also cannot be 'kind' with some of the decisions that will come to you. I may be biased because of the race that I ruled, but you have to be tough to take charge. Are you sure you have that in you if you can't even deal with me?"
She looked away. "I don't want to die, I will fight that with all the power that I have. But everything I told you today was, against my better judgement, honest."
"Perhaps you should just set me free and let fate take its course." Her words were spoken mostly with sarcasm. It wouldn't matter what she said now...there would be no leaving this place.
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Post by Admin on Sept 20, 2013 22:08:06 GMT -6
The lady dropped her eyes to the stone floor of the cavern. "Your words only reinforce what I already suspected. You are quite correct. I can't please everyone. I will have to make hard decisions. Painful ones." She took a deep breath and raised her gaze to look at Destael, saddened by what she was about to say. Tears brimmed in her pained eyes,
"Until I have a way to keep you from ravaging the lands, you will remain here. I deeply regret that I must do this. I will ensure you get food and fresh water to both drink and bathe with. I will bring you books, if you wish." She regretted each word. "I want so much to find a way to coexist, Destael. You can't imagine how much I do. But until you're willing to at least TRY to work with me, nothing can be done. You'll stay here. Alone. I promise, I will come down to speak with you daily. I myself will bring your supplies."
She passed a hand across her face, wiping the tears of frustration and regret from her cheeks. "Please, Destael, think about my offer. Consider it seriously, so that I might release you and set you free to walk under the warm golden sun and the bright blue skies."
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Post by Admin on Sept 20, 2013 22:08:24 GMT -6
The demon turned her back on the woman. "You ask me to change my nature. Yes, I have a reason and a motive for what I do. However...." She glanced over her shoulder, golden eyes piercing. "I enjoy it."
"I think you forget who you're dealing with. If you are going to keep me prisoner then act like I'm your prisoner, not your friend. I don't have friends, I don't need them."
Back still turned she crossed her arms, pausing to think before speaking once more. "The only way you are going to stop me...is to kill me. I cannot be more honest with you."
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Post by Admin on Sept 20, 2013 22:08:43 GMT -6
Her voice cracking on a sob, Kirsten then cleared her throat, "So be it. Here you remain, a prisoner. And the first of many painful decisions, I will have to face. If you change your mind, you can tell me tomorrow."
She wiped her tears away again, and with a gesture, caused a large rock to roll in front of the entrance to the demon's chamber, leaving only a small crack exposed, allowing fresh air to circulate.
"Goddess, forgive me. She gave me little choice." She turned and walked away, towards the steps that led back above ground, knowing she would spend the night on her knees, praying for forgiveness and for Destael to change her mind.
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Post by Admin on Sept 20, 2013 22:09:19 GMT -6
Des lowered her head, staring at the ground. Minutes passed as she stood unmoving, thoughts racing. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Why didn't she just lie and get herself out of here? It would have been so easy! But no....Her honesty kept her here...a prisoner of wildgard and her own stupidity.
Glancing around the dark room which was lit by the flicker of a single candel, the demon finally moved. Stepping towards the corner, she curled up on the ground, wrapping her wing around herself protectively. It could be worse, she supposed. The last time she spent time in a cell, she was left chained, bloody and in pain. It seemed that the lady of the white temple intended to be completely civil. Wondering if Kirsten did actually want to befriend her or if it was just a guise to get her way, Des closed her eyes.
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