Heart to Heart

[warriorchief]

Mundane...

I appreciate that you feel this will bring me closer to my children and their friends. In many ways, I'm sure you're right, but I worry that neither of us have thought this through thoroughly. You don't have the time, you've admitted that before, and...

[A sigh.]

A glimpse into my children's lives would be nice, I will admit that; however, they are and have always been very independent, willful individuals. If having me around means any determent to that growth, then I think I'd rather remain behind. I've made my mark, and now they deserve a chance to do the same.

Please, take some time to consider how this would not only affect the both of us, but also those we hold close.

Comments

[warriorchief]

[There's a long pause here. Obviously he hasn't thought about that angle.]

[He smiles.]

You're absolutely right. There isn't a person who can't benefit from a little personal growth. Thank you for that.

I am Hakoda, of the Southern Water Tribe. What do they call you?

[charge_sword]

[The knight returns the smile. He likes helping people.]

I was just trying to be logical, but I'm glad I helped.

I'm just a nameless knight, but most people give me a nickname around the colour red. [Not surprising, considering his red cloak, red plume, red parts of his armour and, not that it can be seen right now, red hair and eyes.] Or they call me Arthur.

[warriorchief]

I think I will call you Arthur, if it's all the same to you. I don't feel I know you well enough yet to assign a nickname.

[charge_sword]

Well, that might be awkward because I hate being called Arthur. He was apparently some famous knight, but he had a very nasty end and I'd rather not be associated with it.

...Sorry about that.

[warriorchief]

[Hakoda laughs.] In that case, I'm sorry as well. Perhaps I can call you friend until something more appropriate comes to mind?

[charge_sword]

[Despite his helmet hiding everything but his lower jaw, he manages to look quite surprised.] If you consider me a friend, then I'd be honoured to be called as such.

[warriorchief]

In that case, the honor would fall to us both, friend.

Your sage advice: Does it stem from your experiences at home, or from your experiences in these "games" everyone appears to be interested in?

[charge_sword]

To be honest, I'm just making it up as I go along. [There's that smile again.] But since the topic is growing, any experience would do.

[warriorchief]

Some find it easier than others, I suppose.

If you don't mind telling me, I'd like to know something of the trials that have brought about growth. Can you name one of the... tougher situations you've been forced to experience?

So sorry for the giant tag, he rambles on this whenever it comes up.

[charge_sword]

Hmmm. Well, I have been in many-I am a warrior as well and I have spent more time fighting than not. I suppose the one that made me grow the most would be the time I slew the Demon Lord. The Princess of my kingdom was kidnapped while I was slaying dragons elsewhere; due to my neglect of the absolute duty of protecting her, when I returned I was assigned to save her.

[He pauses. It's not like he doesn't tell this story to anyone who asks, but it needs a bit of background first.]

I suppose I should tell you that walking onto the battlefield against the dragons was the first thing I had every done, my earliest action. I was created as you see me now. I entered a war against so many enemies I could not see the ground nor sky.

When I had slain my thousandth dragon and noticed I was the only survivor, I finally looked up and saw the endless grey expanse. For the first time I realised I was alive, but it all seemed pointless. Everything was just grey. Why bother fighting for a world that was not worth living in?

Regardless, I could not think of anything to do but follow orders. Against the odds, I killed the Demon Lord it still seemed pointless. What would happen tomorrow? I'd be fighting something else, a dragon or a giant or a demon. Or maybe I would die. Who knew? No one would care. I wouldn't.

But when I met the princess, my world filled with colours. It became apparent to me that fighting and even the world is nothing. But there are things to care for that make it worth living.

I thoroughly enjoyed it!

[warriorchief]

[Hakoda listens, as it's quite a tale to hear, and when this new friend is finished, he can't help but smile at the obvious lesson behind the tale.]

Truly, a fantastical story, but one with much merit. I can very much sympathize with your plight, my friend. I have seen the bleakness as well as the color.

[A pause full with thought comes next.]

Darkness takes the hand of light and together they walk. You are a wise man to know one does not exist without the other.

[charge_sword]

Hah-hah...

[He raises a hand to rub at the back of his helmet, a faint hint of colour visible on the edges of his cheeks that are visible.]

I'm not so wise as all that. I just try to be logical.

[warriorchief]

I feel the older one gets, the more they come to realize logic and wisdom go hand-in-hand. Knowing what is probable allows for good decision making.