OPEN NETWORK

[refire]

Sender: Alphen
To: Everyone


Hey there! You can just call me Alphen. I've already encountered many warriors and seasoned soldiers. We have strong fighters here.

I'm interested in seeing weaponry or combat gear. There are some really neat swords with intriguing designs. Still, I know that a weapon can be lethal all the same. So I've been meaning to ask a question as well.

For what reason would you fight?

I fight to protect my friends. I want to use my strength for the right reasons.

Granted, all I know how to do is wield a sword. I'd be more than glad to put those skills to use. I'm willing to spar and exchange combat moves with someone. Maybe we can learn with one another. I can't exactly let my blade rust when seriously powerful beasts could attack at any moment. 

Comments

Sender: Dohalim

[menancia]

I hope you will find sparring partners who suit your needs here, Alphen. If I am ever able to provide assistance in that area, you know I am always willing to train, though our styles are quite different.

Have you been shown any particularly interesting weapons as of yet? I know how very deep an appreciation you have for such things.

[refire]

Why don't we test our skills and see if we can develop any new techniques while we're here?

I had the opportunity to see some unique weapons! I'm thankful for that. It's a once in a lifetime experience.

[menancia]

That seems as though it would be an excellent use of our time. Very well then; I am game.

Were any of them enough to tempt you to try something beyond your sword, I wonder?

[Somehow, he doubts that.]

[refire]

Not a chance. I might like weapons, but the sword is just easy to use. I'm more interested in just sticking to what I know. It's been reliable so far.

[ Alphen's loyal to the blade. It's thanks to both Shionne and Blazing Sword that he even has the power to fight. ]

When do you think you'll be free to train?

[menancia]

My schedule is quite open. I confess, I have not yet found a task to dedicate myself to in full. I should remedy that... I cannot subsist on odd jobs forever.

[refire]

It works out just fine then. There's plenty of time to train!

We should probably eat something good before we go into battle. Fighting takes up a lot of energy.

[menancia]

An excellent idea. It has been some time since I've made the beef stew recipe from the kitchens of the palace in Viscint— perhaps it's time for a reprise?

[Kisara isn't here to look after them, so he ought to keep on top of his cooking skills, specific and limited as they may be. He's gotten quite good at a few favored dishes.]

[refire]

Oh hell yeah!! Beef stew is great!

The food in Viscint is incredible. Now we're talking about fancy dining.

I enjoyed the drinks that were served during our last big gathering. Maybe we can save the alcoholic beverages for later though.

[ He misses Kisara's cooking too. She would always bring them fish and it was delicious. ]

[menancia]

Yes, I think that would be best. Alcohol will only dull the senses and slow our reflexes, enjoyable though it may be. A reward to be earned, but we'll want to train unhindered.

[If they're to sharpen their skills, they need to be at their very best.]

I will start preparing the meal at home, and ensure we have enough for the others whenever they happen to find their way back, as well. You can meet me there at your leisure.

[refire]

If I'm being honest this isn't just about getting stronger for me.

I'm afraid of what might happen when I can't control my own power. Sorry to burden you with this Dohalim.

We can talk more at home.

[menancia]

You needn't apologize. It is something we must all take into consideration, especially in this place, where our powers are newly altered and unpredictable.

But we will speak of it further another time. Very well; I will see you there.

> action !!!

[refire]

Thank you, I'll see you soon.

[ Alphen returns home sometime shortly after sending that message. He doesn't appear to be in high spirits. In fact, he looks so angry that he could break something in half. His irritable mood might be more than noticeable. He'll try to calm himself when he sees Dohalim. ]

Hey, Dohalim. Do you have a minute? We can talk more if you have time.

[menancia]

[Dohalim is, in fact, in the kitchen and already steadily working at preparing one of the few dishes he has made himself an expert in, and is partway through cutting potatoes when he looks up at Alphen's entrance, his own expression suddenly shifting to one of concern.]

Of course— you seem a bit on edge.

[That's... putting things mildly, actually.]

Did something happen since we spoke?

[refire]

Actually, yeah. I had a nightmare about my past and I'm still unsettled by it. It'll be fine because I spoke to Shionne. She helped me.


[ His past is filled with a lot of traumatic memories. When Alphen still wore the mask he couldn't recall a thing about himself. He couldn't even feel pain for that matter. Since he's regained his senses things are a little different than before.]

I just need time to calm down. How about you? Are you okay?

[menancia]

[That would certainly cause the unexpected shift in mood. Dohalim's brow remains furrowed for a moment, laying the knife he'd been slicing potatoes with down against the cutting board.]

I see. Were these newly uncovered memories?

[Given how much Alphen had forgotten, it seemed unlikely that everything had come back at once right at the start. Either way, the situation was worrisome.]

You're free to unburden yourself here, if there is more you would like to say.

[refire]

They were memories from several centuries ago.

[  Was it really centuries ago? His perception of time is slightly off. Alphen's not even entirely sure of what he's saying anymore because he's still in some state of shock. ]

At that time I wanted to get back at those bastards who kidnapped me from my home in Dahna. Thoughts of anger and vengeance just took over my mind then. Rage consumed me and I'm scared that I'll try to take my frustrations out on everything.

It's too easy to fall into that mindset but I know I can't fight with just anger alone.  So I'm thankful to have your support at a time like this. It's reassuring to have you here, Dohalim.

[menancia]

I would share that fear, if I knew you to be a person so easily given over to your emotions.

[Alphen feels them, certainly, but even when anger or vengeance rear their heads, Dohalim has always known the leader of their little band to temper such things with his kind and compassionate heart.]

That you are aware of it at all speaks well of your character— the fact that you are concerned means you are not in such danger as you fear.

[He smiles faintly, his countenance calm, as it so often is.]

I have seen you choose the right course of action again and again. I've no doubt that will continue.

[refire]

Well, I can't take any credit for that. Whenever I feel lost everyone sets me on straight on the right path. You've helped out more times than I can count.

[ He could barely manage anything on his own. That was even more true when he still wore his mask and couldn't even tell when he was hurt. ]

We'll continue to support each other. So I'll be there if you ever need a hand.

[menancia]

An offer I very much appreciate— I feel quite the same, and at this moment, I am not the one in need of support.

[Actually, he's doing quite well for himself here, taking everything this world has to offer in stride and examining it with a healthy dose of curiosity.]

If you'd like to talk more about what you saw, I am happy to listen. We've some time before our meal is finished.

[refire]

Right so, we can continue our discussion. It's like I can feel my memories are there but my sense of time feels off somehow.

[ Dohalim might understand why Alphen's feeling that way too. ]

I can't really connect with it and it's almost as if there's something that doesn't add up. It's possible I could be over thinking it.

[menancia]

That makes sense. It's not as though you lived through those three hundred years. It's natural that things may feel unaligned.

[He offers his thoughts easily as he turns back to neatly slicing potatoes.]

Instead, you were asleep. What you remember, and what still lies dormant— those memories are in the distant past, only it wasn't quite so far away, for you. Only because your memories were suppressed.

[refire]

Three hundred years is a long time. My memories feel so recent when I know that centuries have passed since then.

[ Alphen seems bothered by the whole thing but talking things through with Dohalim is helping. He feels reassured by having friends and sees the importance of their bonds. He just goes over to the side and looks a little more serious than before. ]

The fact remains that I'm still the Sovereign. Do you think something like that would hold any meaning here, Dohalim?

[ their titles and rankings from home likely have no bearing in this place. ]

[menancia]

[At first, he simply nods his understanding as he continues preparing ingredients— yes, he has no doubt that the discrepancy between what Alphen feels and the reality of the passage of time must be surreal, at best.

As for the question that follows, he pauses for a moment, thoughtful as he chooses his words with care before answering.]

No, I don't believe so. Titles only have meaning because we give them meaning. 'Sovereign' means something to the people of our world, but here, you are only Alphen, just as I am only Dohalim. No longer a Lord, and none here have ever known me as such. It is refreshing, in a way.

[refire]

We can just be ourselves as long as we're here. It's refreshing, you're right. I'm more than willing to welcome this change.

[ They are no longer burdened by the Crown Contest. Alphen seems a little more relaxed after hearing that answer. His stomach growls slightly. Oops. ]

It hardly matters if we're Dahnan or Renan as well. I hope that someday we can live in the brighter future that we all dreamed of.

[menancia]

Our titles come with expectations, different though they may be. While I would never dream of turning my back on those responsibilities so long as it was within my power to meet them, this place is a welcome reprieve.

[He hopes his own willingness to enjoy the opportunity for some distance will encourage Alphen to learn a bit more about who he is apart from being the Sovereign, as well— he had gone so long without his memories, that Dohalim imagines they are still quite a force to contend with.]

Perhaps we should think of this place as being a practice run for co-existence. Certainly, there are more differences between the people here than there are even between Dahnans and Renans.