1 ☣ arrival

[freewolfmoon.livejournal.com]

[Lunch is almost over, and cadets are just starting to filter (reluctantly or otherwise) back to their classes when a distinctive newcomer walks in from the front gate. Take your pick of what makes him so distinctive: the spiky black armor and huge sword slung across his back, the tense scowl, or the pointed ears. He moves slowly at first, with a tension-filled caution, but picks up speed as he makes his way into the lobby. In one hand he holds a course catalog--at a slight distance from his body, as if he finds it distasteful. He finally stops not far from the directory.]

Venhidis.

[The foreign word is spat out in a low and bitter voice like the swear it probably is. Then his hand tightens on the course catalog, the sharp claw-like fingers of his gauntlet puncturing it, and with a jerk of his arm he flings it off to the side. But none of the tension leaves his body, and when he strides forward to scan the directory, he continues to glower.]

They do not lie, I see. Their Garden even spreads out like a wheel, the better to crush the weak beneath it.

[Fenris is rarely in a good mood, but the past few days of acclimatizing to this new world, learning what goes on within it, and resigning himself to accompanying Balamb Garden in its travels have left him more bitter than ever. This is hell, and he is not out of it.]

Comments

[freewolfmoon.livejournal.com]

[All of a sudden his gaze isn't directed upwards anymore, it's snapping back down to her and suddenly ablaze with hate.]

How do you call this "in no way encouraging its use"?

[His low, deep voice drips with contempt.]

They arm dozens, hundreds of men, women, and children with demons, allow them to use magic at will.

You say bad magic as if there is another kind. There is not.

[ofherfate.livejournal.com]

[Oh. She's dealt with many politicians like you in the past; she can handle this, and begins to by placing a calming expression on her visage and keeping her tone calm but even.]

Then it might be best to call it a means of 'aggressive negotiation'.

[Padmé holds his gaze for a moment longer and then looks off towards the elevator that would lead them to the Headmaster's offices on the 3F.]

Tell me-- how should one go about fighting another when it involves some form of magic?

[freewolfmoon.livejournal.com]

[He can tell, distantly, that she's humoring him, and it just disgusts him more--more at himself for needing it than anything else. He grits his teeth and forces himself to calm down.]

Mages and spirits will fall to the sword as will anyone else.

[ofherfate.livejournal.com]

[Maybe it's a good thing Fenris has yet to be introduced to a lightsaber...]

Yes, however, the chances of anyone wielding a sword against magic and surviving are very slim. Do I agree with the methods of Garden? No. No, of course not. I would prefer that these matters between the Gardens and whatever sorceress threatens this world be discussed without bloodshed and peacefully.

[freewolfmoon.livejournal.com]

[They don't make lightsabers big enough for him.]

I do it frequently. But perhaps I am not the best example.

[He looks down at his arm, gaze traveling over the white markings and darkening as it does so. After a moment, he looks back up at Padme and--forcing himself once again--levelly changes the subject.]

I've heard only murmurs about these sorceresses since arriving here. The people prefer not to speak freely about them to someone like me, it seems.

[ofherfate.livejournal.com]

[She sees him look downwards and so her gaze follows. She takes in the markings that are visible and only looks up once he's speaking again.]

The natives of this world are fearful of us, that's all. With time I believe they will grow to accept and welcome us. If we give them no reason to be afraid that is...

[A brief pause.] You say you would not be the best example... Then you've fought magic with a blade and lived without consequence?

[freewolfmoon.livejournal.com]

And the masters of Garden have decided to help that situation, I see.

[The bitter sarcasm is obvious there. He closes his eyes at her question.]

I would not say without consequence.

[ofherfate.livejournal.com]

The Headmaster wants nothing but the best for us all as we arrive through the Time Compression. Would you prefer to leave the sanctuary which Garden provides and be at the mercy of those who discriminate against us?

[Padmé sighs softly to herself. She can only hope that one day he'll come to understand.]

I... see. [Quietly:] I'm sorry...

[freewolfmoon.livejournal.com]

[He makes a small, controlled noise of contempt.]

This is no sanctuary, and I am not here out of fear. Your Garden is the only place I have...a chance of finding my way home. So I contend with the demons. I only hope there are others here with as much skill in containing them.

[Now the contempt is in his eyes and leveled squarely at her.]

Keep your apologies. You did not inflict this on me.

[ofherfate.livejournal.com]

[She locks eyes with him, returning the stare only she holds no contempt at all, only determination.]

It's not mandatory for you to take on a Guardian Force, only recommended. The choice is entirely yours.

[freewolfmoon.livejournal.com]

True enough, for me. I can choose.

Is the same true for the children given the things? How well can they choose?

[He scissors a hand through the air.]

I am not convinced.

[He turns and starts to walk away.]

[ofherfate.livejournal.com]

And just like that, you'll walk away without any means of acceptance?

[freewolfmoon.livejournal.com]

Yes.

[He is utterly unfazed by her plaintive question, and he just...keeps walking away.]

[ofherfate.livejournal.com]

[She sighs to herself, shakes her head annnnnd walks off in the opposite direction.]