➹.20

[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

[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.

[arrowonthewind.livejournal.com]

[Work harder ... I believe in you Hinata!!!!]

I have faith you will continue to help, as well. Not only myself, but the rest of Paradisa.

[hyuuga]

[She shall try----Wait, what. Too much...responsibility...]

Um...Um. I'll do my best then. It's only right to continue helping, I-I suppose.

[arrowonthewind.livejournal.com]

[oh... no.........]

Of course. And I will be there to aid you, should you need it.

[hyuuga]

[Suddenly, so relieved! So long as it's not entirely on her shoulders to help out without someone there to help when she fails..]

I'm glad that you will be...and thank you.