Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Avie]

'Ettie fusses with the compass, turning it over in hands still pudgy with lingering toddlerhood, but starting to take the slender shape of childhood.

"What does this do, Mr. Traf? Will you show me how to work it?"  and she strides confidently in a direction they can only assume will bring them to Andromache. 

[Trafalager]

"Certainly my dear.  What you have there is a soldiers compass.  Its a device for finding your way when travelling."

He'll take the compass from here and bend down on one knee.  He opens the cover and points the the inner dial.

"You see, inside, under the glass is a dial surrounded by the initials of the cardinal directions.  One end of that pin always points in the Northward direction, no matter what direction you face." 

He'll turn the compass around in his hand to show her how it always points in one direction while the dial with Letters on it turns with the casing.

"So to use it you hold it like this, with this notch pointed towards your chest, and the N pointed directly away from you.  Then you read where the pin points on the dial and it tells you what direction you are facing."

He'll hand her the compass again, helping her till shes holding it just right, then he'll gently turn her by the shoulders till she's facing back towards Green and the picnic.  He'll then point to the reading on the compass and explain, "So, if you look now you can see that Lady Green and Friends are [insert correct direction here]."

His face will turn serious for a second, "Now being a navigator is a big responsibility.  Getting lost in an unknown land can be dangerous.  Its always important to know where you are and where you're going.  As we travel track our direction, and if you get confused I'll help you.  Using a compass is a fundamental skill for any aspiring adventurer."

He'll smile, "Now, would you like to ride on my shoulders?  A bird's eye view for our navigator."

[Avie]

'Ettie gives a considering look, weighing her options.  On one hand, he's almost patronizing, but he's so cheerful and polite doing so that she's hard-pressed to take issue.  Plus, new toy.  And shoulder rides. For a dignified and important reason.  "Yay! Do I get a hat?" She grins, her features both wise and impish at once.

She looks down at the compass, which spins wildly until she holds it a little out from her body, then settles into a predictable Terran reading. 

[Trafalager]

Traff laughs with enjoyment, immensely enjoying the company of the high spirited little girl.  He'll carefully lift her off the ground and help her climb onto his shoulders.  Once situated she'll actually find that his plate shoulder pads provide excellent seating because of their width.

He'll then look up and joke, "my word you've gotten tall since last we spoke.  So which way she we go?"

[Avie]

Ettie consults the compass, considering carefully.

"That way!" she points broadly away from the group behind them and to the right.  "Ms. Andromache has two girls, just about my age. Kay and Thea.  They're great fun! And their Daddy is Sigma. He's a Galahad.  I bet Ms. Andromache and Mr. Sigma are going to make Kay and Thea wait to pick Houses until they're growed up. How did you pick your House, Mr. Traf?"

[Trafalager]

"Well my dear, the answer to that question isn't so simple, but I trust you'll understand.  When I first arrived I met many different Avatars, with many different explanations of this place, the Houses, and their various roles in the Nexus.  After much talking, and thinking I concluded that choosing a House represents how I would define my identity and actions in my new home.  I decided that to me that meant thinking about who I had been, what my life had been about.  Where I had come from and where I had gone.  What values had I gained, which values had I lost.  The poeple I had loved and the pople I had hurt.  I had to think about what House was THAT man.  In the end I had concluded that he would either be an Ares, for I was a soldier and my experiences are all that of a soldier.  There was also Delphi, because I've always been driven to learn.  As Malazan Soldiers we knew the value of the intelligence of individual soldiers.  Lots of armies were big, strong, and dumb, and succeeded or failed on the backs of their leaders alone.  The Malazans knew that 10000 intelligent, well trained, soldiers will last a lot longer than 100000 idiots and 1 leader.  And lastly was Galahad, but I know deep down thats just because every soldier would like to think what they do is defending someone, somewhere, just to take the edge off our actions at times."

He'll pause for a second for any questions so far.

"Then I had to think about how I would define myself here in my new home.  I knew I wasn't a Galahad.  While I do believe in the defense of others, I don't believe I will find a true reflection of myself in a commitment to self sacrifice for others.  The decision between House Delphi and House Ares was a difficult one.  House Delphi appeals to my constant, raw curiosity and my belief that the greatest warrior sharpen their minds as often as their blades.  But upon final reflection I knew that the House I belonged in was Ares.  I was a Bridgeburner, I am a Bridgeburner, and tomorrow I will still be a Bridgeburner.  And the Bridgeburners were Soldiers, plain and simple.  Everything I do, from when I eat and sleep, what I wear, how I study the world around me, and what I learn is all done as a Soldier."

Again he'll pause

"So Ettie, to answer the question simply I guess, I joined House Ares because I AM an Ares.  In my home all of my Family was slain, and Ascendant to sit in High House War.  And so, in this place, I will sit alongside my new Family, in High House War."

[Avie]

'Ettie giggles happily, thrilled with his thorough and complete answer. "Sounds like you have the heart of a True Ares.  Besides, Daddy says everybody with a brain in their head is a Delphi deep down, and Delphi accepts may as friend and family who are not House.  So it's not like you gave anything up, right?" 

The little girl snags a puff of dandelion fluff out of the air as it floats past. 

"I haven't met very many Ares. I don't get to come into Proper very often." 

As Traf walks, the surrounding area is consistently mid-spring terran - green grass, gently rolling hills. tiny wild flowers.  It's fresh and fragrant and clean.

Off in the distance, the Bazaar and Sanctuary appear on the horizon.  "Ooo! Sanctuary is to the East, just like it should be!" 'Ettie squeals with delight when the compass gives her data to support her understanding of the world.  "I think this is even cooler than my data pad!"

[Azure]

Azure, having silently trailed along with Traf to this point, perks up when talk of House choice comes up. "I have been told I belong in House Avalon. Though I have yet to meet anyone from that House to speak with. I spoke to Willow and Holly from House Renaissance as I was told that I might also fit there. I'm hoping to talk to Andromache for some further insight before making a final choice."

[AndromacheNY]

Azure, having silently trailed along with Traf to this point, perks up when talk of House choice comes up. "I have been told I belong in House Avalon. Though I have yet to meet anyone from that House to speak with. I spoke to Willow and Holly from House Renaissance as I was told that I might also fit there. I'm hoping to talk to Andromache for some further insight before making a final choice."

[OOC:  I'm starting to feel a little bit like the Nexus Guidance Councilor I kinda like it!]

[Avie]

'Ettie solemnly considers Azure's words. "I think Andromache will be a good person to speak with. She's very wise.  When I was collecting furmones from cats to make people happy, she suggested that maybe I could buy them using my 'llowance instead of rubbing kittens on wallpaper."  She nods, pondering. "I found out that it's easier to get replicated furmones than it is to scrape it off wallpaper.  She's VERY smart."

[Trafalager]

Traff will laugh at the mental image of the girl rubbing cats against walls.

"Ettie, my dear, you strike me as a very singular personality.  I'm very pleased to have met you.  And you're very right, when I picked my House I didn't elevated one aspect of myself while neglecting the rest.  I simply set myself into a reference that the Nexus and other Avatars can....relate to."

[Avie]

'Ettie considers. "Singular. ... There's only one of me..." she chews her bottom lip and considers.  "Well, I'm glad to meet you, too, Mr. Traf.  And you, too, Mr. Azure, sir." she nods firmly. "Even if there are more than one of you."

She consults the compass and leans over to make sure Traf can see her point. "I think it's that way."

as they continue along, she asks, "Did either of you learn any songs from home you could teach me? Mama sings to me all the time and I like learning new songs."

[Azure]

"Songs? Hmmm, well, I was never very musically talented but my mum used to sing me to sleep at night. Let's see if I can remember the words..." Azure's brow furrows in concentration, "Ah yes!
Moon moon moon, shining bright
Moon moon moon, my nightlight
Moon moon moon, I can see
Moon moon moon, you're taking care of me

Look up, it's the moon
Look up, it's the moon
Look up it's the moon up in the sky
She's big and round and I have found
That she looks just like a lemon pie."
There are tears standing in Azure's eyes and his voice breaks at the end but then he smiles, "I haven't thought of that song in years." and then he lapses in to silence.

 

[Trafalager]

Ettie's question seems to take Traff a little off guard, and he's glad when his friend can cover for him for the moment.  He walks quietly listening to Azure's song.

"Hmmm, Lass, perhaps I know one song that you would like.  Unfortunately I was never a musical lad, that was Fiddler's department, but I'll see if I can remember the words."

(OCC: link to the song, actually from the books too http://kitsmusic.bandcamp.com/album/like-a-dancer-unstrung  Its the first song, dancer unstrung)

Cut your shadow loose
And run
Like a dancer unstrung

I don’t want things to thin
I don’t want to hang by a thread
Whatever we knew
In the here and now
Don’t matter
When it’s when

You got to choose

Cut your shadow loose
And run
Like a dancer unstrung
Like a dancer unstrung

It’s the only race you need to win
The only line you gotta cross
Whatever you knew
In the there and then
Don’t matter
In the end

You got to choose

Cut your shadow loose
And run
Like a dancer unstrung
Like a dancer unstrung
Like a dancer unstrung

"And what of you my Dear, would you share with us a song of yours?"

[Avie]

'Ettie is surprised by having the tables turned on her. 

She has listened raptly as her two new friends have shared of themselves, but it hasn't occurred to her that she should have a selection prepared.  "Yours were both so ... special."  She breathes it with the awe that only a young child can manage. 

"I have ... a super special friend, who sings this song to herself when things are hard.

    Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
    Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
    Where there is injury, pardon.
    Where there is doubt, faith.
    Where there is despair, hope.
    Where there is darkness, light.
    Where there is sadness, joy.

    O Divine Master,
    grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
    to be understood, as to understand;
    to be loved, as to love.
    For it is in giving that we receive.
    It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
    and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life."

Her sweet, reedy little voice warbles the hymn with conviction.  The last notes disappear into the distance, and she speaks after a few moments.  "I'm trying to teach her Amazing Grace, but it's tricky, because she doesn't think of herself as a member of the Court of Kings, so she usually doesn't worship with music. Just that one song."