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[arrowonthewind.livejournal.com]

[Today, Alleria is seeking refuge among the branches in the courtyard. Ordinarily, she finds pleasure in being outdoors, of course, but the mountains of leaves are not very conducive to taking thoughtful walks.

Instead, she sits high up in a tree, legs hanging off the edge of the limb, taking a whetstone to her sword. The journal lies open next to her, and it may pick up a few minutes of rhythmic scraping as she sharpens the blade in silence, mulling her words over before she speaks them aloud.

Tender emotions were not a thing that came easily to a Windrunner, after all.]

I have been here over a year, trapped in this place. I have seen allies and enemies alike come and go, and still others have stayed here, as I have.

I am sure this is a question that is asked frequently, but I still wonder: what is it that keeps some here, while others are expelled? Does the castle grow bored of us after a time? Does it give and take our loved ones so freely so as to make us hurt? Is it even capable of such sentience?

[A pause, and the scraping sound stops as she examines her blade.]

Will we ever get answers to these questions, or at the very least find someone who can give them to us?

Comments

[hyuuga]

If I've learned anything here, I...I think even if we were focused on combating this place that we would still bicker with each other. But on how to deal with everything that happens. There are always differing opinions here, it seems.

[arrowonthewind.livejournal.com]

[A soft 'hum' as she thinks that over.]

True ... it would be unnatural for everyone to agree on everything, of course. It is our disagreements and bickering that makes us stronger, I think, that pushes us toward a better conclusion than if we all were of the same opinions.

[hyuuga]

Right.. Such things can make us stronger. But sometimes-- [She kind of cuts herself off as something occurs to her.] --ah, maybe...maybe that's part of what the castle wants. For us to learn how to work together better, and...and be stronger for it.

...Or maybe I'm being a little optimistic there.

[arrowonthewind.livejournal.com]

Hmm. It is an interesting theory.

I just think there are better ways to go about doing it. Ways that do not involve kidnap and grievous danger.

ahah, what is html

[hyuuga]

There most likely are... I-I suppose it might want the lesson to stick?

shhhh /pets

[arrowonthewind.livejournal.com]

It is possible. [There's a bit of dry humor in her tone as she continues.] I've had instructors like that, of course. The more difficult the lesson, the more likely you are to remember it, they think.

/purrs

[hyuuga]

Mm, I've had similar...instructors. [Read: her father] It's not the best way, but...I-I think it's the only way they know how to teach something.

[arrowonthewind.livejournal.com]

Such teaching methods seem to be a constant, then. Even in terms of magical castles.

[hyuuga]

I think it might be a constant every world has. It's...nice in a way. Um, or I-I should say, it's nice to look at it that way. It makes things a little bit easier to deal with.

[arrowonthewind.livejournal.com]

Yes. Though this place is far from pleasant, the idea that some things stay the same in the myriad of worlds represented -- it is somewhat comforting, I suppose. At the very least we've yet to run across anything supremely alien.

[hyuuga]

Universal enough that it appears even here is...comforting too. It makes some things easier to deal with. [Even if that was a terrifying thought. Because it meant getting used to the castle.]

And, um, it is nice that there really hasn't been anything really strange or alien here yet. Because then no one might know how to deal with it.

[arrowonthewind.livejournal.com]

True enough. Which reminds me of what we'd discussed in the, ah ... prison, I suppose. Not to dredge up bad memories.

It is still important that we not allow ourselves to become placated. Though as to how we'd instruct others in being prepared for something we'd not yet experienced ...

[hyuuga]

You aren't bringing up bad memories...just a-a slightly embarrassing learning experience.

It is hard to know how to do that, though.. Maybe if we kept it to the basics, something flexible so it can be easily adapted..?

[arrowonthewind.livejournal.com]

A sort of emergency plan, perhaps? In case of attack, where to assemble and whom to defer to, that sort of thing?

[hyuuga]

Yes, like that. It certainly would help out quite a bit if even a couple people read it...or even new arrivals.

[arrowonthewind.livejournal.com]

[She sounds thoughtful now, hmmm] Yes ... I find it hard to imagine this wasn't thought of sooner.

Do you know of anyone else we should include in these discussions? I am not extremely experienced in civilian maneuvers, and input from others would be helpful, I think.

[hyuuga]

To be honest, I'm...not entirely either. Um, the only ones I can think of would be Ino and Sakura. They know a little bit more about such things than I do.

[arrowonthewind.livejournal.com]

Hmm, yes. Ino is a good choice, I think, and I have had a fruitful discussion with Sakura in the past.

[hyuuga]

Mm. From what I remember of them back home, they...are intelligent when it comes to such things. And will probably think of things we wouldn't.

[arrowonthewind.livejournal.com]

Ah -- they are from your world? Both of them?

[hyuuga]

Yes, we were in the same class together.

[arrowonthewind.livejournal.com]

How lucky you are. Familiarity is a rare gem in this place.

[hyuuga]

Yes, it...it really is. Um, but they should be a bit more helpful than I in that area..

[arrowonthewind.livejournal.com]

Oh, nonsense. You have been incredibly helpful to me. [GET MORE SELF ESTEEM, LADY]

[hyuuga]

[She's...working on it. For the most part.]

Um, well, I'm glad then. That I could help out.