04 ❥

[requiems]

let's do a thing!
• comment with your character. pick a respondent. any situation, any time.
first meetings, fighting together, first dates, whatever.
identify your universe, though! (original, au, game canon...)
• let's do a psl.
• ???
• profit!!

Comments

[niakheras]

Some, but not many. [She considers.] Many that were once used are not irrelevant for making lives of those in cities easier. But perhaps battle artes were perfected in this manner, through warring clans, and warring countries.

[ridethelightning]

In this case, it was because we were involved in a long war. We needed to be able to transport soldiers quickly and efficiently, thus we worked hard to improve our mass transportation systems. Now that the war is over, the general populace gets to reap the benefits of our wartime research.

[niakheras]

That makes sense. Sometimes the result of war can be profitable for the populace. That's something I'll have to consider... I've never thought of it to have positive aspects before.

[ridethelightning]

Indeed. That is one of the very, very few good things that that war has brought us. Unfortunately, I would not consider it worthwhile. I would have preferred humanity had not had to fight, but our enemies gave us no choice.

[niakheras]

It is something mankind has an apptitude for, unfortunately. [She sighs softly.] But there are many other reasons why I am fond of humans. Why it makes it worthwhile to know of you.

[ridethelightning]

[Ky quickly scans the rest of the car's interior. None of the other passengers seem to have heard her, thankfully. He lowers his voice a little as he asks his next question.]

Such as? If you don't mind my asking.

[niakheras]

Your curiosity, determination, and resourcefulness. They are all fine qualities to have.

[ridethelightning]

[That gets a nod.]

I feel many emotions when it comes to my fellow humans and what they do or fail to do. But what you just mentioned is something I will always be proud of. No matter what adversity we're faced with, we always rise to the challenge to meet it. And if we do take losses, we always recover them.

[niakheras]

Rising against adversity. [That gains a chuckle.] Yes. That is perhaps my favourite trait for you humans.

[ridethelightning]

And we've made it something of a habit. It's been happening again and again since time immemorial. Probably for as long as humans as a species have existed.

[The train begins to slow down.]

This is our stop. Wait until the doors open.

[The doors open soon enough, and Ky stands from his seat and walks out.]

[niakheras]

I couldn't agree more. For as long as Maxwell has saught to protect you.

[She trails off into a thoughtful silence, but she snaps to attention as the train begins to slow; interesting, how her body sways because of the slowing speed.

But she stands a second after Ky does and follows him out, putting distance between herself and the train as it begins preperations to leave again. She folds her arms and looks at it for a second longer, expression amiable.]

I might have to ride this again, sometime.

[ridethelightning]

[That gets Ky to smile. He'd never thought much of it, but he also grew up in Paris.]

Well, you'll certainly get the chance. Now, follow me.

[He leads Milla out of the Métro station and back up onto the Parisian streets. And this time, things looked much wealthier than back around HQ. They were in one of the high-end districts of western Paris now.]

[niakheras]

[Human things are great. Human things are especially great when they're not harming her and/or spirits. So says the thoughts of Milla, first edition.

She follows after, sticking close as instructed, and even though she's hardly paying much attention to the pavement under her feet she manages not to fall as she takes it all in. Her stomach is reminding her that it is hungry, though with a punctuated growl, which is likely the reason she doesn't actually stop.]

Hmm. This is wealthier than the places we just came from, isn't it? Each house is much more grand. I've heard of this. Flaunting your wealth, I think it was called.

[ridethelightning]

...Ah.

[Ky was wealthy; there was no beating around the bush with that. But he still would get embarrassed when anyone pointed out the wealth of where he lives. He knows himself that he lives frugally and regularly donates an appropriate portion of his earnings to the Church, with the main reason he lives in this neighborhood being security, but from the neighborhood he lives in, it's hard to tell.]

Er, yes, some with wealth do prefer to do that. But not all. There are those here who closely manage their expenses, as well.

[niakheras]

[There's no malice at all - it's really nothing personal. Milla's education mostly comes from books and of course that forms a rather narrow minded world view. She also tends to take things at face value unless prompted to look deeper. It's not so much being shallow, but not being corrected or having the opportunity to have those opinions be more informed.

So when Ky mentions that's not the case, she takes it on board and to heart.] I see. Are you one of those, Ky?

[Call it curiosity. Her reaction is most likely set no matter what he resopnds with, but she would, to some degree, prefer the latter. She imagines so from what she's seen and heard.]

[ridethelightning]

[A brief pause, then a nod.]

I am. I live in this neighborhood primarily for security. I make more money than I need, so what I don't need I either deposit in the bank to collect interest or donate it to the church.

[niakheras]

[All she does is nod in return, though there's a brief, private smile.

She's glad to hear that, oddly enough.]

That is good of you. I am glad to know you do such things with your excess money. [Though another thought crosses her mind and she strays to that immediately.] I assume a church is built for a deity, correct? Whom is it for?

[ridethelightning]

The one God.

[Ky leads his explanation with that very matter-of-fact statement.]

I belong to the Roman Catholic Church, who teaches that there is one God who governs all. He created the universe, and created mankind in His image. The Catholic Church is dedicated to spreading His word, and is the largest religious organization in the world today.

[niakheras]

[The notion of there being only one God is one Milla can understand, but not accept. One journey into the spirit world, and not only was there her herself, Maxwell, lord of spirits, but many, many others. The Four, other minor spirits that worked for her, that she channeled, that others channeled into artes... even if Maxwell was the most important of them.

But she doesn't voice anything against it. No, belief is important and just because it's not something she's used to doesn't mean she'll squander it or call it false. This is a world where Maxwell might be known, but he isn't its creator.]

I have heard similar stories from my own world. Though they themselves vary.

[ridethelightning]

Oh?

[Ky may be a devout Catholic, but he still enjoys learning about other faiths. No harm in taking a scholarly interest, right?]

You have me curious. How do they vary?

[niakheras]

It is believed Maxwell protects human and spirit kind alike. [Less story and more truth, but the story part is to follow.] He created Rieze Maxia in which humans and spirits live in harmony. Some worship him. Others do not. But his existance is one that cannot be denied.

[ridethelightning]

...If that's the case, then I don't completely understand. If his evidence is confirmed, why would there be those who would not worship him?