Post by Rennia Trayvold on Aug 5, 2013 1:29:54 GMT -5
The woman's gaze lifts off the fire and turns to stare straight across to where the man's eyes should have been. It was a long, hard stare that would likely make most uneasy. However, it was also one that seemed entirely devoid of emotion. It didn't contain any malice, judgement, anger, or pain, but it also lacked any sense of remorse, guilt, dread or any other emotion one might find in any normal being sent to kill another person. It was simply an empty, solid stare.
After a long silence she finally answered his question... with another question. "Does it really matter?" Perhaps at the very least, her question gave an answer to another question he might have had, if he wasn't convinced it had been answered already. "In the end the result will be the same. Either it lives or it dies. The how and the why make very little difference in the grand scheme of things. It lives... it creates attention, people get called.... It dies. It's a cycle that has been repeating itself for thousands of years. Why should it change? It's a system that works."
"Needless to say... I was called. What happens now is resolute. The path has been set. So long as I don't make one horrendous mistake... The outcome will be inevitable."
She might have been a being that hinged entirely too much on technicalities, but she also appeared to have a habit of being extraordinary vague yet strikingly direct at the same time. She never outright gave clear answers, yet her habit of beating around the bush had a habit of answering questions and creating others.
Now she had answered the question, and tossed the ball back into the other being's court. That cold gaze would linger on with one emotion, albeit entirely hidden.... curiosity.
Post by Richard G. Hale on Aug 5, 2013 2:38:18 GMT -5
The lifeless and dull gray eyes that rested beneath the bandages covering the man's face stared back, unblinking. Combined with the expressionless mask of bandages, Richard's face stared back with a matching lack of feeling. He simply stared back, and listened silently.
The man himself felt a twinge of pity for the woman, who seemed to him a very old soul. He guessed that hers was a long history, filled with similar hunts to this.He wondered just how old she really was under her skin, and at the same time he wondered just what she was. She clearly wasn't one of his own kind, and she lacked any distinguishing features like fur, or pointed ears.
Richard snapped back into reality with another set of questions, once again softly spoken, and deliberate.
"When did it cease to matter? At what point in your life, did you resolve to become part of the scenery? A stone set in the bottom of the river?"
The man sighs as his gaze returns to the glowering embers of the now dead fire. "One can only remain a such a thing for so long before the cycle breaks them. The winding waters erode and chip away at you until all you are left with is sand."
Post by Rennia Trayvold on Aug 5, 2013 3:14:05 GMT -5
Those eyes slowly closed for a moment before the fiend tilted her head and gazed up and to the side, pondering his next series of questions. She gazed up at the darkened sky, able to make out tiny pinpricks of light as the stars started breaking through. Her chest expanded as she took in a deep breath and let it out, enjoying the cool, fresh night air, despite the being sat next to her.
"I truly wonder when it started to matter in the first place. Did it ever truly? Death is simply a part of the cycle isn't it? Someone's born. They live thirty... sixty years, then they die. Be it from an automobile accident, poor lifestyle, disease... cancer. No matter what humanity does, it is always presented with the final end at some point. So why should one be hesitant to bring it? So long as order is not disrupted by the end, why should it matter?"
"As for your second and third question. A long time ago. You never quite understand what it's like to be at the center of things until you're there. Some people... Some delusional, broken, messed up people, enjoy it. Other more sensible ones like myself take it for a while, then decide that living life in the shadows is the better choice. Though I'm not sure when this became tell your life story around a campfire night... but if that's the case, why don't we look at you? What's your story? Why do you go to such great lengths to avoid society? Don't try to deny it either. I might be unsettling at times, but I should hardly believe enough to set you on edge before I really even open my mouth."
Post by Richard G. Hale on Aug 5, 2013 3:46:50 GMT -5
The man is silent for a long period of time, simply staring at the faintly glowing embers that used to be a fire and thinking to himself. It was the first time anyone had ever bothered to ask about his own history, and the obligation to answer presented an odd array of feelings. Curiosity, happiness, and fear being at the forefront of said feelings.
Eventually the man speaks up, again with the quiet, soft tone. "My story? My story is long, and boring. I was born into the world in a time of conflict, and of great despair for the people around me. I used the raids as an excuse to plunder what I needed when I could get it, and I remained hidden for the rest of the time. After that, well, I left. I have been traveling many years. Perhaps too many, as I think of it. I find the solace of the open plains that I roam through comforting in their own way. It is... A Peaceful life."
The man continues to stare at the embers for another short period of time. He remains still as he sits and thinks.
"As for my preference of solitude... It is more out of necessity. I do not get along well with certain members of humanity. The few occasions I have attempted to rectify the problem end with suspicion, if not conflict itself."
Post by Rennia Trayvold on Aug 5, 2013 4:27:56 GMT -5
Rennia listened silently as the man spoke what few words he did about his past. It wasn't much, but then again Rennia hadn't really told much about herself either. Still it brought a smirk about the woman's face as she waited for him to finish. After waiting a few moments from his final words, she spoke once more.
"We're not entirely different I suppose. I too came into being during a time of conflict and strife. However I suppose our paths diverge there. Where you tried to avoid it all, I was cast into it. I was pushed into the conflict to do what I do best. I suppose they developed a concept for it. Necessary evil. I simply saw it as doing a job. It was all the same to me."
"As to your problem with civilization... People fear what they don't understand. They don't understand you. There will always be those who wish to understand and do what they can to bring about that understanding, but society as a whole is generally too wrapped up in the comfortable beliefs they've been fed their entire lives to live outside what they consider ordinary. So to them you're an enigma. Something they associate terrible things with. Throughout humanity there have been many focuses for them to do lash out against. The Jews, black people, even Asians.. just to name a few. And let us not forget communism. I have my own views on that topic, but needless to say as a mindset it's not something that should be hated... but it is. Regardless of whether or not it could work, it has become a hated idea... simply because it's different."
"So... You are not alone in the fact you need to insulate yourself from civilization. I am however curios as to the method you seem to have chosen to do that. It vaguely reminds me of the wall....."
Post by Richard G. Hale on Aug 5, 2013 4:51:47 GMT -5
Richard continued to stare at the fire as he quietly listened, and pondered over the words spoken by the woman. He rolled them over in his mind as he considered what she had said to him, and almost laughed at at the mention of being 'misunderstood' by society. It was more of a complete and utter revulsion to him and his kind, but he would use his tongue for better words.
"My method of 'insulation'? you're going to have to be a little more specific, I have a few of those. In a way, insulating one's self from anything at all resembles a wall. The purpose of insulation itself is to act as a barrier."
The man removed the revolver on his leg after he spoke, and examined it in the light shed by the moon, and stars. The fire had since died, and the embers had been drained of their own dim light. The black finished metal gleamed in the few rays of light that fell on it as he held it passively in his hands.
Post by Rennia Trayvold on Aug 5, 2013 5:14:59 GMT -5
Another chuckle would escape the daemoness and she would shake her head slowly. She was slightly amused that one such as him, given his English accent did not get her reference. Though she supposed not everyone would....
"The Wall." She emphasized to him before pausing a moment. She contemplated explaining just what she meant, but decided against it. "I was referring to your decision to completely isolate yourself from people. Many have learned to simply blend in with society, even if society would never truly accept them for what they were, if they ever found out. They've learned how to live a life with others without removing people from their norm."
"You on the other hand chose extreme caution. Instead of risk being found out, being discovered and shunned, to simply live away from society. If I may... I have a question that I do feel worth asking. What has your life gotten you this far? Can you honestly look me in the eyes and tell me that you're truly content with the life you're currently living...?"
The daemoness trailed off. By now it was severely dark, but between the faint light of the dying embers and the stars, as well as her own night vision, as imperfect as it was, she was still able to make him out as well as she needed to to be sure he wasn't moving in on her.
Post by Richard G. Hale on Aug 5, 2013 12:55:34 GMT -5
Richard sat and thought on the woman's words for a characteristically long time, and continued to roll his revolver around with his hands. His eyes wandered around the tundra's landscape as he thought, his eyes long since having adjusted themselves. He almost laughed at the prospect of 'not being accepted' if he was found out. The poor people that did find out were more likely to retaliate for crime uncommitted, or flee the area entirely.
"If I were completely isolating myself we wouldn't be talking right now. Though I see what you are saying. I live out here, because it is impossible to hide myself from anyone for long. My features make that impossible. My life Has been fulfilling thus far however."
The man look up at the nearby woman again as he next spoke. "What about you? Are you content with being nothing more than the means to an end? Has it gotten you anywhere in life? You put anyone close to you in danger of retribution by any one of the parties that you may have angered over the years. Or maybe you live alone, in solitude, like I have chosen to do?"
Post by Rennia Trayvold on Aug 5, 2013 14:34:20 GMT -5
The woman perked a brow as she gazed towards the man. She gave a merry chuckle and shook her head side to side. "Impossible is nothing. Where there is a will there is a way. If you truly wanted to blend in, you could. It might mean covering yourself up and never letting anyone know the true you... but do you think that anyone could get far in life if they didn't take the chance to mix with others?"
"My home may be empty, but I do not live in extreme solitude, like you do. Granted I don't mingle with people every day of my life, but that's more out of choice than necessity. There is the possibility that it is because that I don't care for people. They have a habit of being nothing but annoying on a general scale. I do tend to give people a chance before I judge them individually but I rarely go out of my way to make relationships. "
"And anyone I've ever put at risk with my choice of lifestyle has always been prepared to take that risk. But then that's part of life isn't it. Living carries the risk of death with it, every single day. As for if I'm content and if it's gotten me anywhere... I could tell you that I don't have any regrets. The job I've done has satisfied me. With the exception of one event that went... horribly wrong.. I can't say that any part of my life has been wasted. Also I do have a decent house, a nice ride, good equipment, and I've done my job. I'd say it's gotten me pretty far. A means to an end or not... I do my job... and I do it well."
"Can you say the same?" The woman trailed off, gazing in his direction with a penetrating stare.
Post by Richard G. Hale on Aug 5, 2013 16:06:09 GMT -5
"Do not mistake my choice of solitude for the lack of a purpose, or for that matter, a past of regrets. I assist where I can when I am needed, and I am content with doing so." His tone hardens as he speaks, though his body remains still in it's spot, his head turned upwards to the dark sky above.
Eventually the man starts up again. "I have learned many things as I have wandered, and I have had time enough to learn that some things just don't mix. Oil and vinegar come to mind. You cannot mask vinegar from oil, nor can you mask a wolf in a sheep's skin. Which is, I imagine, something that we both do when required. "
Richard sighs to himself quietly as he thinks, his head drops as hi attention returns to the revolver resting in his hands. The weapon continues to gleam ever so slightly in the moonlight as the man toys with it.
Post by Rennia Trayvold on Aug 5, 2013 16:46:35 GMT -5
"Mmmm the question was more of a general one. Not to anything specific. Though people will do as they always do...."
The woman turned her gaze out into the darkness, gazing off into it for a long time before looking back. "I suppose we'll have to agree to disagree. Society has always been about the pooling of ideas. Sometimes ideas conflict, but in the end it always works out doesn't it? Things... people.. ideas... advance. On occasion one idea gets pushed back, but is it ever truly eliminated? So long as you don't directly clash with another, no matter how different you are. I hardly think you shouldn't be able to manage. Look at me... I manage. I manage quite readily. I can go out in public without fear. It just takes knowing how to avoid the wrong kind of attention. Trust me.... if people knew what I truly was... I have no doubt in my mind that they would try to hunt me down. That's why I don't let them find out, but it doesn't require me to track five miles around the nearest town."
The daemoness began looking around for a stick with which she could prod the fire with. finding one, she begins to prod at the embers, stoking just a little bit more out of them before she began a second search for more small pieces of timber to add to the smouldering remains of the late campfire. "How is it I always get dragged into philosophical conversations with random people?" The question was uttered aloud but it was clear from the half mumble that she was actually speaking to herself and not to the other being, though he'd likely still be able to make it out clearly.
Post by Richard G. Hale on Aug 5, 2013 17:19:00 GMT -5
The man remains silent on his perch as he listens, and watches as the woman pokes at his fire with a stick, and then looks around some more. He smiles to himself as he hears her last few words, and then slides his pistol into it's holster inside his jacket.
Richard began to let his thoughts wander about once more as he sat, thinking about not much, yet everything at the same time. Eventually his thoughts congealed around something enough to ask about it.
"What exactly are you, then? You don't look like you've been starving yourself for years, nor do you look like you have a severe case of anorexia, so you can't be one of my kind. At the same time, you are a little too tall to be within the height range of a normal human, and I get the sense that you've lived for a longer time than most."
Post by Rennia Trayvold on Aug 5, 2013 17:48:41 GMT -5
Discovering a few loose pieces within reach, the woman would dump her find onto the pit. She starts to agitate the embers until small flames begin to lick at her findings and light once more returns to the camp. Along with the light came the faint crackling as the flames devoured their new found source of energy, slowly beginning the process to turn wood into carbon ash.
Rennia looked up at the man as he asked the question. She took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. "That depends.... Is One thousand three hundred and ninety-one years a long time?" Rennia would furrow her brow as if considering the question herself. "I suppose you can call me a relic of an older world. A relic that many would seek to destroy if they had the chance. History and secrets they'd like forgotten...." As she continues to speak, her gaze becomes distant as she looks into the flames.
"I'm at no risk of starvation, though I'm also nowhere likely to end up overweight either. And no.. I'm not one of your kind. And if you're curious how I know, you're not the first one I've encountered. The self-deprecation, long life, and appearance kinda give it away...." She turns her gaze back to him, a soft chuckle ringing out as she trails off once more.
Post by Richard G. Hale on Aug 5, 2013 18:31:21 GMT -5
The man sighed as he took his old fedora in hand, and started the process of pulling the thick layer of bandages from around his head. He remained silent as he worked, and pulled the fake set of eyes from his sockets as the last of the bandages rested in his hand. He finished the transformation by replacing his hat, and fixing it into position.
"I suppose keeping myself suffocated in bandages is about as pointless as putting them on in the first place anymore, if that's the case." He adjusts his hat and flexes his jaw after he speaks.
The fire in front of him illuminates the stark white features of his bony face, which remains blank as he thinks. The fedora on his head shades the upper half of his eyes where it sits, contrasting with the rest of his head.
"I've never met someone such as myself in my travels. I suppose that could be both good and bad."
The man removes his gaze from the new flames, and turns it to the woman as he speaks. "What were they like?"
Post by Rennia Trayvold on Aug 5, 2013 18:47:53 GMT -5
Rennia watched as the man removed his superficial disguise. As she saw the real him, a small smirk pulled at the corners of her lips. Instead of shying away from the man, she simply gave a nod of recognition of his true appearance. Then she pulled her hood down. If he couldn't see her features before, now he'd get a full glimpse of that unusual figure she herself had.
Blood red hair fell down to her chin and shifted with each motion of her head. Then there was the bluish-grey skin that covered her own muscle and bone. There were no visible scars on that skin, and given how smooth it was, barring knowing she was anything but human, there would likely be no way anyone would believe the age figure she had given previously. She had strong, but not quite masculine features about her. And the eyes... Twin red orbs gazed out with their own faint light, gazing upon the other being. Were it not for the odd coloration, the lack of horns might have hinted her more towards an angel than what she really was. A Daemon of the old world.
"Don't count yourself out so easily. The largest tell was the air you present about your own existence. No offense but you seem to have a habit of lowering yourself. That and my previous experience as noted..."
The woman fell silent as she watched him and listened to his comment on not having encountered others like him. Those eyes gave a faint, knowing, twinkle.
"Your kind have always preferred solitude. And I can understand why. You feel it'd be hard to fit in with society... and you're right it is. However, you're not the only ones with hard features to hide. As for the others. As with humans you'll always have diversity. I've known some truly remarkable reapers. Some of them managed to mingle with society in time. Others like yourself chose a life of solitude. Others still... caused problems. Often times reapers take care of their own when this happens...but there are times when others have to become involved.... Like me. I won't lie... I have killed a reaper or two in my day. But such is life as they say. As a whole reapers have filled a fundamental role in history and the continuation of this planet... That is not something you should so readily doubt...."
The woman let the last sentence hang, her thoughts turning to various memories of said individuals she had mentioned. Both the good and the bad came to mind as she remembered working with and against those of the that world. She also remembered the rise of the legends... the grim reapers....
