[ He figures the studying must be a way to simply keep busy; in the face of everything, it isn't unexpected. ]
...Raha.
[ Blade repeats the name just so after that, testing its weight, the novelty of speaking it. He understands the significance - in Xianzhou culture there are more familiar ways to address people, depending. And although much of his memory as his time on the Xianzhou has faded, he is vaguely aware of this.
Who knew two weeks could cause such great change? But, he certainly feels that so happens to be the case here. ]
[ That's much better. For a moment, he feels like he's being addressed by Krile back home, one of the only fellow scholars in the School of Baldesion that calls him Raha. ]
Making an attempt.
[ But focusing is hard between the subject of the execution and the events during. His thoughts race and his mind can barely keep up, to the point that the numbers and words on the scrolls turn into nothing meaningful. ]
[ Just looked up this person and was super amused to see how small she is. Blade has no idea he is being compared to a tiny scholar. But, it's fine.
He gestures instead towards the telescope. ]
Taking a look towards the sky might distract better than scrolls.
[ Blade is...actually for once trying to lend a hand. He doesn't think it'll work, but there is something to be said for making an attempt. Even if it will amount to nothing.
Such to that point, he answers G'raha's question just fine. ]
I was restless. Keeping busy is the only way to try to reach something like the illusion of satisfaction. Even if it will be far from my reach.
...As long as we can ensure that nothing like this ever occurs again, whatever may come to pass afterward will come to pass.
[ G'raha will always allow for mercy when a party intends to abide by the rules of said mercy, but he wouldn't blame anyone who chose to kill Ish either. ]
[ Blade isn't as merciful as G'raha, but to expect everyone to be on the same page is impossible.
...Though, that doesn't change his perspective on him. Not in the slightest. So, he lets out at first a dark chuckle to G'raha's initial response, knowing the other man disagrees with his methods. But at the second comment... ]
You're being overly optimistic again.
[ A little smile, despite the little bit of mania a short bit ago, though. His moods change like the wind; but he can't help that aspect. ]
Maybe...if you keep at it, everyone else will be convinced to do the same. There isn't much to be done if people keep acting, but I know as part of a team, morale is important. With the Stellaron Hunters, we were balanced by keeping our wits about us - and even if I couldn't always manage it, our minds clear.
[ Blade can't believe he's saying this. He will absolutely deny it himself in public, though. ]
[ Blade... being encouraging? It's more likely than you think!
It's definitely more than G'raha ever anticipated, his eyes widening and his ears flicking slightly. ]
My hope is that everyone would follow suit, but like you, I have my doubts. [ He smiles, somewhat sheepish. ] I have held leadership roles before, but this is quite different. Ensuring that morale remains high will be difficult, and understandably so. We've lost an innocent, after all.
[ Not only morale, but he knows there's tension that permeates the group too. He can see it during trials, sense it during other interactions. ]
I have no hope that in a few days' time we won't see another body. But mayhap we can end this cycle not long after.
[ Enjoy it while it lasts, G'raha, especially because the future is apparently looking pretty grissly...closes eyes.
Anyway, Blade's more or less in a space of some sort - what happened still isn't so distant, but it's balanced out by the fact that the showing of willpower indicated they're not powerless. Something bittersweet, although initially frustrating in of itself, but still tangible. ]
It'll take awhile.
[ For some people's spirits to bounce back. Some may not do so at all and he recognizes this. He isn't a fool. He can't be. And...he knows what happened recently did well in causing animosity to form. Still. ]
As for ending the cycle, that will depend on the mindset of others. What will convince everyone most is playing along isn't worth it.
[ That, perhaps, more than anything, may be the hardest challenge to clear. But, well, Blade would like to say spite more than hope is what compels him right now. ]
You are right. It will take a while. To say my spirit hasn't been dampened would be a lie.
[ Watching Siffrin die after their last meeting was... nearly more than he could handle, and it was only made bearable by Siffrin's own demonstration of willpower in managing to illustrate that Ish was not infallible or indestructible. ]
As for what would convince everyone else... I do not know. I fear we may be too far gone to expect nothing to happen after what we witnessed. Yet I believe we will break this cycle nevertheless. We must.
[ Blade remembers stepping into the observatory and seeing G'raha initially so caught up in his work. But he knew what working to distract oneself looked like...
And okay, admittedly, he wasn't the person in Stellaron Hunters to get people to be happy or motivated. But, he doesn't need to be anything different.
He thinks...he just needs to be himself. ]
Not surprised even yours was down.
[ Even so, he says this. G'raha's tough spirit is what helped him truck along, probably. ]
...I'm not good at convincing anyone of anything. At best, I'm a weapon.
But, I've done intelligence gathering on orders before. Maybe, if I focus my efforts there and spread what I learn, that can convince others, and they would be able to move on to their own plans from there. [ He huffs. ] Sounds naive, but it's the best plan I have.
And I'm no strategist, either.
[ Blade looks at G'raha as he says this. Ironically, he supposes it's a loose plan. Empowering people to take action with knowledge; maybe in the end, someone can come up with a solution that helps them do something. It...might be enough to circle around to helping in breaking the cycle, but he's still not the type to say hope springs eternal. ]
Naive or not... the idea that you would do so much warms my heart nevertheless, friend.
[ And if the soft smile that blooms over his face certainly expresses his sincerity. ]
I would be honored to assist you as well. 'Tis important that we do everything in our power to ensure that we break this cycle. I would like to save as many as we can... even if I have no inkling where to begin.
[ A gruff response, yet he is trying to handle such expressions with grace in his own way. Though...he's glad he can make him smile. That gentle spot of happiness is a good sign - however, he refuses to become too sentimental here. ]
Then...we'll continue to navigate this together.
I won't accept no results from our efforts.
[ It's like accepting a long version of a mission as a Stellaron Hunter. Come to think of it, if he's visiting that place for a bit, he supposes G'raha might meet them someday. Just an idle thought. ]
Blade looks at G'raha for a moment - especially when he mentions the part about him not liking losing. It gives rise to something like a spark of amusement, perhaps. Or, somehow, encouragement. ]
Not right now.
Even if giving up is easy.
[ But, funny enough, there is no intention of that on his end, despite, you know what lies ahead in the future. ]
But, I don't intend to lose. Like a fight or a mission. And those, I give it my all. This will be no different.
Funny, he never thought too much about how many crimes he's committed as a Stellaron Hunter. But here, it'd be doing something otherwise. ]
...It should be.
[ An echo of his previous self's arrogance - or maybe just plain good confidence. ]
Looking forward to your efforts as well. You said you'll give it your all too. You seem to get noteworthy results. So, it will be disappointing if you suddenly started to slack.
[ He... really likes this encouragement, honestly. There's something especially uplifting about it coming from Blade, like G'raha has truly earned this side of him.
It's nice. It makes the sting of the trial and the execution and all of its aftermath a little less painful. ]
You really put a large amount of faith in me, friend. I only hope that I can live up to the high standard you have set.
[ G'raha's deserved it, more or less. So, congratulations on that.
Blade's...grateful to G'raha for so many things. Even if it has only been two weeks, the man has done more for him than some people he has known longer than the red head.
Though, he thinks this all isn't conditionally based on owing a debt. It feels natural. ]
...We'll see.
[ Blade adds, though, with a little playful smirk and a slight tease, but good-hearted all the while. Though, around this time he begins to inquire to the other if he has found any intriguing books on craftsmanship...and whatever light conversation they have, he will engage until they part ways.
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Naturally, it doesn't.
But he lifts his head when Blade says his name... which, really, is a surprise. ]
Raha. I would prefer Raha, if you will.
[ They're friends, and after the hell they've been through these last two weeks, he feels Blade has earned dropping the "G". ]
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...Raha.
[ Blade repeats the name just so after that, testing its weight, the novelty of speaking it. He understands the significance - in Xianzhou culture there are more familiar ways to address people, depending. And although much of his memory as his time on the Xianzhou has faded, he is vaguely aware of this.
Who knew two weeks could cause such great change? But, he certainly feels that so happens to be the case here. ]
Keeping busy?
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Making an attempt.
[ But focusing is hard between the subject of the execution and the events during. His thoughts race and his mind can barely keep up, to the point that the numbers and words on the scrolls turn into nothing meaningful. ]
I presume that you are as well?
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He gestures instead towards the telescope. ]
Taking a look towards the sky might distract better than scrolls.
[ Blade is...actually for once trying to lend a hand. He doesn't think it'll work, but there is something to be said for making an attempt. Even if it will amount to nothing.
Such to that point, he answers G'raha's question just fine. ]
I was restless. Keeping busy is the only way to try to reach something like the illusion of satisfaction. Even if it will be far from my reach.
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Blade is right, though. Looking at the sky will help him more than anything else, even if...
Part of it serves as a reminder, in a way, but perhaps that's also what he needs right this moment. ]
Allow me to hazard a guess. You will not be satisfied until Ish has met his end.
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[ Blade certainly hears that in the midst of all this. Oh, he knows what would bring him satisfaction alright. ]
...I've made it clear that it's what I want. I've also made it clear I would be fine with another conclusion.
It depends on which one will be fulfilled.
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...As long as we can ensure that nothing like this ever occurs again, whatever may come to pass afterward will come to pass.
[ G'raha will always allow for mercy when a party intends to abide by the rules of said mercy, but he wouldn't blame anyone who chose to kill Ish either. ]
I refuse to see another innocent life be lost.
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...Though, that doesn't change his perspective on him. Not in the slightest. So, he lets out at first a dark chuckle to G'raha's initial response, knowing the other man disagrees with his methods. But at the second comment... ]
You're being overly optimistic again.
[ A little smile, despite the little bit of mania a short bit ago, though. His moods change like the wind; but he can't help that aspect. ]
Maybe...if you keep at it, everyone else will be convinced to do the same. There isn't much to be done if people keep acting, but I know as part of a team, morale is important. With the Stellaron Hunters, we were balanced by keeping our wits about us - and even if I couldn't always manage it, our minds clear.
[ Blade can't believe he's saying this. He will absolutely deny it himself in public, though. ]
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It's definitely more than G'raha ever anticipated, his eyes widening and his ears flicking slightly. ]
My hope is that everyone would follow suit, but like you, I have my doubts. [ He smiles, somewhat sheepish. ] I have held leadership roles before, but this is quite different. Ensuring that morale remains high will be difficult, and understandably so. We've lost an innocent, after all.
[ Not only morale, but he knows there's tension that permeates the group too. He can see it during trials, sense it during other interactions. ]
I have no hope that in a few days' time we won't see another body. But mayhap we can end this cycle not long after.
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Anyway, Blade's more or less in a space of some sort - what happened still isn't so distant, but it's balanced out by the fact that the showing of willpower indicated they're not powerless. Something bittersweet, although initially frustrating in of itself, but still tangible. ]
It'll take awhile.
[ For some people's spirits to bounce back. Some may not do so at all and he recognizes this. He isn't a fool. He can't be. And...he knows what happened recently did well in causing animosity to form. Still. ]
As for ending the cycle, that will depend on the mindset of others. What will convince everyone most is playing along isn't worth it.
[ That, perhaps, more than anything, may be the hardest challenge to clear. But, well, Blade would like to say spite more than hope is what compels him right now. ]
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[ Watching Siffrin die after their last meeting was... nearly more than he could handle, and it was only made bearable by Siffrin's own demonstration of willpower in managing to illustrate that Ish was not infallible or indestructible. ]
As for what would convince everyone else... I do not know. I fear we may be too far gone to expect nothing to happen after what we witnessed. Yet I believe we will break this cycle nevertheless. We must.
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And okay, admittedly, he wasn't the person in Stellaron Hunters to get people to be happy or motivated. But, he doesn't need to be anything different.
He thinks...he just needs to be himself. ]
Not surprised even yours was down.
[ Even so, he says this. G'raha's tough spirit is what helped him truck along, probably. ]
...I'm not good at convincing anyone of anything. At best, I'm a weapon.
But, I've done intelligence gathering on orders before. Maybe, if I focus my efforts there and spread what I learn, that can convince others, and they would be able to move on to their own plans from there. [ He huffs. ] Sounds naive, but it's the best plan I have.
And I'm no strategist, either.
[ Blade looks at G'raha as he says this. Ironically, he supposes it's a loose plan. Empowering people to take action with knowledge; maybe in the end, someone can come up with a solution that helps them do something. It...might be enough to circle around to helping in breaking the cycle, but he's still not the type to say hope springs eternal. ]
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[ And if the soft smile that blooms over his face certainly expresses his sincerity. ]
I would be honored to assist you as well. 'Tis important that we do everything in our power to ensure that we break this cycle. I would like to save as many as we can... even if I have no inkling where to begin.
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[ A gruff response, yet he is trying to handle such expressions with grace in his own way. Though...he's glad he can make him smile. That gentle spot of happiness is a good sign - however, he refuses to become too sentimental here. ]
Then...we'll continue to navigate this together.
I won't accept no results from our efforts.
[ It's like accepting a long version of a mission as a Stellaron Hunter. Come to think of it, if he's visiting that place for a bit, he supposes G'raha might meet them someday. Just an idle thought. ]
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[ Even if it happens once, twice, three times more. They'll get this figured out.
They have to. ]
I take it you dislike losing, Blade? I am not much for competition, but I refuse to give up without first giving my all.
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Blade looks at G'raha for a moment - especially when he mentions the part about him not liking losing. It gives rise to something like a spark of amusement, perhaps. Or, somehow, encouragement. ]
Not right now.
Even if giving up is easy.
[ But, funny enough, there is no intention of that on his end, despite, you know what lies ahead in the future. ]
But, I don't intend to lose. Like a fight or a mission. And those, I give it my all. This will be no different.
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[ He's curious what a Blade that fights for a good cause looks like. Will he be sharp and focused and pointed, an embodiment of his name? ]
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Funny, he never thought too much about how many crimes he's committed as a Stellaron Hunter. But here, it'd be doing something otherwise. ]
...It should be.
[ An echo of his previous self's arrogance - or maybe just plain good confidence. ]
Looking forward to your efforts as well. You said you'll give it your all too. You seem to get noteworthy results. So, it will be disappointing if you suddenly started to slack.
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It's nice. It makes the sting of the trial and the execution and all of its aftermath a little less painful. ]
You really put a large amount of faith in me, friend. I only hope that I can live up to the high standard you have set.
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Blade's...grateful to G'raha for so many things. Even if it has only been two weeks, the man has done more for him than some people he has known longer than the red head.
Though, he thinks this all isn't conditionally based on owing a debt. It feels natural. ]
...We'll see.
[ Blade adds, though, with a little playful smirk and a slight tease, but good-hearted all the while. Though, around this time he begins to inquire to the other if he has found any intriguing books on craftsmanship...and whatever light conversation they have, he will engage until they part ways.
(This is a wrap!) ]