Characters involved are: Brin (RED), Ildon (ORANGE),
Logged by Brin
Blackmoon Forest
This area is so dark and grim that you find yourself struggling to stay upon the main trail. Small pockets of light pentetrate the thick canopy above, but you still find travel through here difficult. Animals cry out from all around you, although you can see nothing through the darkness around you. Admittedly, its incredibly unnerving. The path you stand upon seems to curve its way <west> through the forest, while a welcome burst of light awaits you to the <east>, down the trail to the eastern edge of the forest. You realize that a huge, nearby <log> appears to be climbable, and a seperate <path> leads off from this main one.
Contents:
Ildon
Brin steps cautiously from the large, murky tunnel, and emerges onto the only slightly more open path. His caution of step is due more to uncertainty then fear of any danger, as he ponders the quality of his directions here. Yet somehow he must find his new friend outside Dazil. His mention of this place is ... understandable. Brin feels a little more relaxed at the calmness of the scene, and feels better for having come here, even if it is in vain. He continues down the path, occasionally looking about for any sign of human life.
Ildon sits in what has become his constant sitting spot, beside a rather large tree. Small hobgobs run about him, not bothering him, perhaps wary of what he practices. In his hand is a small ball of white Ether energy, he is looking at it curiously, yet knowingly. Over the past few weeks he has come to terms with himself, and has learned how to properly conduct this energy. He has also forgiven himself for what he did all that time ago. With this thought, he becomes distracted and the ball explodes, not a large or damaging explosion, but rather loud. The hobgobs scatter into the trees. He frowns. It's getting to the point where even the animals fear me...
Brin edges to the side of the path, and his ears prick up slightly. The report echoes through the forest, making its source somewhat difficult to pinpoint. Ahead somewhere. Brin's progress forwards, slows to a crawl, as he edges forward, crouching slightly. As he rounds a slight turn in the path, his gait straightens up, and he saunters calmly out to the center of the path, perhaps foolishly if he is mistaken about the source of the noise, but he is too pleased now to care. "Ildon. Always a pleasure..." he beams quietly, as he draws up to the natural seat, hand extended in greeting. Success.
Ildon looks off into the distance before him. He hasn't seen this man in a long time, and in a way, this man has never seen him before. He is different than he once was, his perceptions much changed over the last week or so of reflection. He looks up at the man politely. "Brin..." he says, cracking his voice as he speaks, for having not used it in so long. "It truly has been a while. How is your work? I trust that you are well?" He turns back to his small ether-fidgeting, creating several small balls of energy this time and allowing them to dance in midair like small pixies in the dark, quite an impressive scene. Ether as entertainment. Ildon nearly laughs out loud at this though.
Brin looks down at the tiny spectacle before him, and feels relieved. If anything, Ildon seems more comfortable with his skill, although this little light-show demonstrates...almost a familiarity. "Indeed. My work goes well, and I'm fine, notwithstanding one or two small incidents..." answering seems not to be his concern, however, as he regards Ildon, with what is almost a bemused look. "I see you...appear to have been practicing..." he says quietly, trying not to break Ildon's concentration. "It's good that you feel more comfortable with it, at least..." He smiles.
Ildon smiles to himself as well. He had been expecting this, an encounter with humanity after this long isolation. "I have been practicing, indeed. It started out as a form of self-defense against some of the unfriendly forest elves that can be seen lurking in the depths. Now they leave me alone. Can you guess why?" He looks Brin in the eyes, an action, he feels much more comfortable with now. "The animals of the forest taught me something, Brin. We can't escape our nature. And to attempt to do so is foolish. Childish." He almost spits at the thought. "The animals of the forest are just like us, Brin. They hurt one another, love one another, and consume one another just to survive, and also to satisfy their natures. And who am I? I am nothing special, my friend. I am nothing more than an animal, as are we all." He stands up, the small energy "pixies" dissolving in midair as he does. He walks over to a hobgob, cowering in the bushes, and picks it up in his arms. "Look at her. She has done much for her family, and herself. She has killed to feed her cubs. Is she evil?" He puts the creature down gently.
Brin looks at Ildon for a long time. In truth, a speech, and such undeniable logic would have escaped even him. Only by observing, and sitting back from the action for a while, could a realisation such as this occur, and he is almost glad he didn't find anyone at 'Ethos' to help Ildon. Through pure reflection and thought, Ildon had achieved what Brin thought was hopeless. He smiles still, a sincere smile of contentment and relief. "I...I couldn't have put it better myself. Each creature has their strengths and weaknesses, based on need, for defence or offence..." he regards the creature. "Perhaps someday you may need your power. Perhaps not. And if you don't, will you be any less satisfied?". He looks up at Ildon, and grins.
Ildon simply looks at Brin and turns back to the mother Hobgob on the ground. He kneels over and places a hand on its back. "My ether abilities are my nature, Brin. I can't escape them, ever. In fact, it is best that I embrace them." He stands, and turns back to Brin, slowly walking a bit nearer to him, so that he needs not shout. "This forest is a wonderful place, my friend. Watch this." He closes his eyes and raises his hands slightly. The breeze about the forest quickens somewhat, and the rustling of the trees causes many birds to fly out from their places of rest, and up above the forest, flying around for awhile, judging the safety of a landing. "Everything is not what it seems. We can either hide in the trees, or we can take off and fly. A hobgob would fly if it could. And if a hobgob had wings, and didn't fly, would this be fair to the others?" He looks directly at Brin once again. "Would it be fair to keep my powers under wraps, when others would kill for them? I need to use them, Brin.I need a reason to fly. I look at the war that you are participating in. You are a wise man, Brin. And much like myself. I trust that you are on the right side of the battle. My time here has taught me that all things must end, regardless of the methoding behind it. The ends justify the means. So I wonder if I can, in any way, offer you my assistance."
Brin looks at the forest floor at his feet, scratching his chin lightly. "Hm. I am really not sure. While your enthusiasm is admirable, I'm curious as to the reasoning. Many people possess ether power, and do not use it. Although to an extent, I can see your point..." he looks up at Ildon, wishing to make his next point clear. "Know, however, that my participation in this war, if any, is purely neutral. I support neither the rebels, nor Gebler..." o 0 ( ...in theory... ) "A wiser man than I told me recently, that there are three sides to every conflict, with one of these on the side of peace, impartiality, and protection of the innocent. As far as I know so far, I comprise that side, operating outside the conflict, since I believe war is a waste, nothing more."...
Brin shifts from one foot to the other. "If you feel that somehow you must contribute, or aid me. Then perhaps the third side in this war can use an extra soldier..."
Ildon smiles slightly, knowing that he once would have agreed far more with this man. Still, he understands what is being said. "I know not enough about this war, admittedly. But didn't you say that you were aiding a group of rebels as a part of your business here?"
Brin shakes his head. "The fact that I was assigned to aid them was...not my decision..." he stares off behind Ildon for a second, a wry smile flashing across his face. "To put it bluntly, the fact that they are at conflict with anyone was...immaterial... I simply helped them in a more spiritual sense...", he apuses again o 0 ( ...Yes. It aids the spirit to learn your enemy's secrets... ). "If I aid them in any way, it is to further the cause of peace, to prevent deaths. No more..." he realises these words, which have become his mantra over the last few weeks, seem pale and almost unbelievable now. Since no-one currently believes them but him, they are calm and almost monotonous in their delivery. Brin sighs. "Impartiality is...difficult to achieve. But I try...".
Ildon looks oddly at the man. What he had seen that night, all those days ago, was a man who was willing to fire his gun in order to save the life of a perfect stranger. This man he now saw, preaching peace, seemed almost different. Almost... like he, himself, had once sounded, perhaps. "I need to find out more about the state of things. Please, Brin, I need some time to think about this. I have many sides to hear from, you understand." That man he had met in Dazil, Colonel Joseph. The man he had met in the desert, with the eyepatch, who didn't give him a name. And so many people that he had yet to meet. "I hope that you understand, my friend. Please, let me have some time to myself to consider this." He slumps back into his familiar seat next to the tree, and lifts a hand to make the leaves dance in the air before him. He looks slightly over to see if the man has yet departed.
Brin sees into Ildon's troubled state, for a split second knowing how he feels. Although he was predestined for his current neutral state, he too had to make deciaions about where most he laid his trust. "I realise what you are going through..." are his only word, as he decides to leave this troubled soul to his thoughts. At least he is all right. Brin half-turns. "Good day." he intones, almost in a murmur, and begins to walk, with a less troubled demeanour visible in his gait. He slowly disappears into the tunnel, back to where he came.