reallybadeggs | Test Drive for January 2014 Apps

[Well now if this isn't a strange sight. There's no tome in her hands, but Naesala assumes it must be some form of magic. He should probably be more careful just in case. He eyes the trail she leaves now that he's adjusted a bit more to the light from the ship.]

You certainly sound sincere. [Said not unkindly, with a hint of a question.] However, saying things like that, someone might mistake it for a threat. A bit inconsistent with your rather generous offer.

[Elsa offers a small smile at his words and nods, knowing well how her words sounded.]

It's not a threat, but a warning. I'm afraid that I'm not someone around whom... Anyone would be safe. Regardless of my intentions.

[She gestures to the trail she leaves as she moves as she speaks.]

As much as I regret it, the only help I may offer is little and temporal. My powers are something that can't be controlled, and they are dangerous. I do not wish to cause anyone any harm. Please, accept my apologies for it.

[She inclines herself softly to accompany her words and accentuate the apology.]

Where I come from, when one starts conjuring the elements from thin air, they're usually practiced enough to know how to stop. [A little more condescending than he should probably be, talking to what appears to be a magic-user. He's visibly tensed up in the case of needing to flee, but really, where would he go?

Plus, now he's just curious.]

You're on a ship, so there must be a crew. Surely you have control enough that they all haven't already perished?

Unfortunately, that's not my case. I didn't study to have those powers, I was born with them. I know how to use them, make them stronger or weaker, but not how to stop them. Or undo the damage they may cause.

[Her tone acquires a pained note at that, specially the last part, the memory of how she had failed Anna, how she had been unable to catch her and instead had hurt her... She had almost died, all because of her fault. The ice around her seems to increase at the memory, but it's only for a moment as she quickly takes a deep breath and closes her eyes to focus and concentrate.]

There is a crew, indeed, but now they are sleeping below. During the day, while they are up, I keep myself in my room. It's frozen, but so long as no one enters, they will be safe.

It will be better as soon as we reach an island with no habitant.

[He's about to say that it's not possible, all this magic wielding and power nonsense without a tome -

but stops himself because, hey, he's seen plenty of impossible things lately. The woman is certainly sure enough about it, and it's not like he can refute the ice appearing before his eyes.] I see. They're a part of you, then? Interesting.

Hiding yourself away and forcing everyone to keep their distance... You seem ashamed of your own capabilities.

[Oh, that puts the finger in the wound quite well. And what a wound, she looks visibly pained at his words before she shakes her head.]

No... No. That's not it. I'm just worried of the damage they may cause to others, it has already happened before.

They are part of me, as you said, the ice has always been there, and I never saw anything bad in it. I saw it as a source of fun, I could play in the snow in the middle of summer! Keep my room fresh no matter how hot the day was! I can create staircases of ice, skate over it no matter where. Cross lakes by walking over them as the water freezes under my feet. I can make really beautiful things with my power and I loved to share it with others...

[As she talks her voice fills with constrained joy and she opens one of her hands in front of her, a burst of ice and snow coming out from it, taking a beautiful shape before it vanishes and falls to the floor. She bites her lip then, worry crawling over her expression again.]

But then I hurt someone, I almost lost someone dear to me. And I was told that my powers would bring doom to me and others. Only when I'm alone, somewhere far from others, I can avoid hurting them. Even when I caused no harm, when my power got a bit out of control and caused ice to crawl all around... I was called a monster and avoided by people. It's just the way things are, some things are dangerous, no matter what. I'm not ashamed of my power, but I'm aware of the danger they pose, that's all.

[There's a defeated sigh as she says that.]

[Dammit, he just stopped for a quick rest and now look what happened.

There's a moment of hesitation as he weighs the pros and cons - most notably the con of there's no reward for this sort of interaction, just ignore it - but decides, what the hell, he's stuck here for the time being anyway. There's no harm in getting a closer look, at the very least.

Naesala jumps down with ease and lands on the deck a little ways near her. His wings fluff out a little, and a few black feathers fall into the snow.]

It will never cease to amaze me how you huma-- beorc, rather - you all have a tendency to cast off the unknown simply because you don't take the time to understand it. Label things as to be feared. Monstrous.

So, you can't stop it, but you claim to be able to weaken the ability. [looks around almost facetiously] I don't see you off on some uncontrollable rampage, burying the world under ice. Yet you still hide? A few slip-ups does not a monster make.

[She steps back out of reflex, folding her arms around her, when he jumps down. She does not stare, but she looks with admiration at his wings, she has never seen a being like this but she's not afraid of him, not more than of most people at least. She takes note of the strange word he says "beorc" and how he corrects himself and uses it instead of "human", as if that was an inappropriate word to use.

Elsa can't help to smile at his words, she's not sure if it's his intention to make her feel better, but it's having that effect. And he's right, terribly so.]

You're right... I would like to say that not every... Beorc? Is like that, but the only examples I can think of as being different are people that didn't have much of a choice. My parents and myself, but as I said we weren't left with many choices.

[She looks around, a soft smile on her lips.]

I may not be a monster, I don't feel like one, but that doesn't deny that I may be dangerous. Right now I'm pretty calm, but I assure you it's not always this way. I was told once that fear was my enemy, and it's true, my power seems to be tied to my emotions. So if I'm scared, or feel threatened... They go rampant. I guess that being called a monster and chased didn't help at that time.

[She pauses and frowns a bit, peering at him curiously.]

Forgive me for asking, and please ignore it if you do not wish to answer but... Have you been called a monster too?

Give anybody enough of a reason, and they'll have trouble keeping their emotions in check, I suppose. [A wistful tone of voice implies he knows that kind of situation too well.] It just seems silly to avoid anyone and everyone just for that reason.

[And then he notices her glance over his wings and realizes he's forgotten than he hasn't seen other laguz since he showed up. It would certainly explain the confusion. Not that he minds - as long as it isn't negative attention, he doesn't care who stares.]

Monster? Never by my own kind; not for the reason I'm inferring you ask. [There are plenty of other reasons his own kind would call him monster, though she doesn't need to know that.] From beorc, though? Oh, yes. I'm quite sure I've heard it more than once, wrapped up in other fear-based insults. Though "sub-human" is much more the norm.

What would you suggest me to do, then? Keep living as if nothing was different? I'm sorry but... I think it's something easier said than done. At least for me.

[Upon hearing the term "sub-human", Elsa blinks and shakes her head in confusion.]

Sub... I'm sorry, and I'm aware this will probably sound empty to you, but I have to say that such a term is far worse than a mere insult. I admit that I've never seen one of your kind, but I wouldn't have considered such a term acceptable in any way. Even as an insult.

[It was degrading. It felt as if it denied his existence as a different type of living being than humans.

She takes a shaky breath.]

I'm sorry, you probably have no need or wish to hear that from the likes of me.

Perhaps I don't see the point in living in fear over your own emotional response. [He then shrugs, not planning on arguing the point further. It's just not something he understands.

On another note, this woman was full of surprises. As of late back home, he'd met many who refused to use the term on the same grounds, though none had explained the reason point-blank to his face like that. It was...oddly refreshing?]

Hah! I've never heard an apology for something such as this.

But it's unneeded. You were not brought up thinking it was the proper name for my species as they do where I'm from. At least you're smart enough to recognize it's not terribly flattering hm? [Because some people aren't.] Imagine that.

It's laguz, by the way - just as I use beorc instead of human.

There's none, really. But that's why I want to find an empty island, there I won't have to worry about my powers or others.

[The time she had spent in her ice palace, back at her world, had been just wonderful. To be finally free, without fearing for what was seen, for what may happen. It had been the first time since she was a little girl that she had felt truly happy.

She can barely constrain a noise of shocked disbelief at his next words. Imagine that, he says, no, she can not even start to imagine that.]

That's... Oh, God, I don't even know where to start with how wrong that is! To be raised thinking such a thing? That's just so arrogant, selfish, insensitive... Are the beorc from your world so insignificant and insecure?! I'm not going to defend my species, I know we are far from wonderful, but, I would have never thought... Even animals would be treated better with the use of that term!

Have laguz and beorc met recently in your world? As in a few generations ago?

[She could imagine it then, if suddenly out of nowhere creatures like him appeared, she could imagine some people calling them monsters and the like, out of fear and refusal to accept what was different. But with time, with generations, such a mindset would have to vanish, or so she hopes at least.]

Well whatever your decision, I imagine it will be rather lonely. [Not a proposition, more like an actual concern.]

Animals? We are just that to them. Years of conditioning overrides common sense, calling us savage animals to our faces at the same time we're clearly communicating intelligently. [snort] Ridiculous.

And no, our territories have bordered each others' for many, many generations. Even if most of us would rather forget it. [That's not counting how many more generations the laguz have on the beorc.] The prejudice runs deep on both sides at this point, I'm afraid. It was only several years ago I met any beorc with manners, and started to use "human" less, myself.

[It will be very lonely. But she knows that such is the price for freedom. She has tried for so long, for so many years and all she could achieve was... Nothing. She had failed, she had failed the trust her parents had put on her, her sister, her people. She had failed herself. Isolation and solitude is all she can aspire to, and she accepts it.

As he continues talking it just sounds more and more horrific to her. At least now she knows why his reticence to accept refuge in that ship. She wouldn't have been willing to accept it easily herself had she been in his position. She had imagined, when he had corrected himself, that "human" was used negatively somehow, that or the word "beorc" was, but the rest of his attitude had made her doubt that. He was being polite and well mannered, if wary, and no one could blame him for that. She shakes her head softly at his words.]

That's simply terrible. In the place where I'm from, animals aren't viewed as beorc, but they are treated with kindness and respect. They may be different than us, but that doesn't mean they aren't intelligent in their own way. Sometimes maybe even more than us, in fact.

I can see how such a thing would run in both sides, quite deep after so many generations. At least now I understand why you said what you did when I offered you refuge. Thank you.

[She inclines slightly to show her gratitude. He certainly didn't have to answer her question or explain it so well, but he did and it's only adequate to be grateful for it.]

[Apologies and gratitude? Maybe he hit his head without realizing it. Or maybe his decision to not be a jerk right off the bat paid off better than expected. Figuratively, of course.

Either way, having a calm conversation with a stranger was much better than the risk of being chased off with arrows or magic. Recognizing how awful "sub-human" was automatically bought her some good points as well.]

Normal animals are treated better than laguz, at any rate, but the sentiment is still a nice one.

I'd initially thought your kindness a trick, if we're being...honest. Your thanks are not necessary. Consider it in return for your information of the delicate situation you find yourself in. [She didn't have to explain her story, either. It was the least he could do.]

[Yes, she could see people treating animals better than laguz, and it was just even more awful. She had been unsure of using in her mind the term "creature", finding it cruel and ignorant, but compared to "sub-human" it sounded as something far preferable. Even "monster" was a better term as it evoked fear and the respect that was born from it, it acknowledged them as a threat, a danger, something worth to be wary off. "Sub-human" did none of that, it degraded them, stripped away any resemblance of acknowledgement to them as individuals. Elsa shakes her head to herself.]

Sometimes I really have to wonder where does the common sense run off to.

[And to think that she had found ridiculous and outrageous that Anna wanted to marry a man she had just met. She still thinks of it that way, but this was far worse.

She makes a dismissive gesture as his next words, offering a soft smile for him.]

Worry not, had I been in your situation I wouldn't have trusted the offer either, even in a world different from mine. Beorcs are beorcs, and it's very probable that they share the same faults across the different worlds, you have all the right to not trust any of us. And I know well how badly my words helped to change that, I hope that now you understand why I said that. Or that at least you know that it's nothing personal or any animosity against your kind.

If it's not too forward, could I have your name? I would like to know it, and if you care mine is Elsa... [Queen of nothing. Elsa of nowhere. One day she will get used to not talk as if her name is going to be followed by something else.] Just Elsa.

[Had it been several years earlier, it would be safe to say this conversation would have had a very different turn. On his part, at least, he'd have been much less polite, and probably would've tried to loot the ship's cargo for his own gain.

While he hadn't expected to have such a friendly chat, it turned out for the best. Not that he'd admit it out loud.

Nevermind the fact that where he's from, he's not exactly trusted himself.] Not a problem. For a laguz you've never seen, I can say you've handled yourself quite well.

[This guy, on the other hand...] King Naesala of Kilvas. [And then a pause, because the answer was just an automatic response.] Er, just Naesala. There's not really anything for me to be king of, here.

[She stifles a laugh at the comment of her handling herself decently.]

Laguz may be a species I've never seen before, but in my kingdom we had trolls. A species different from beorcs yet similar, with intellect on par, if not higher than us. Their bodies are hard like stone and most of the time they appear as mere rocks to us. They are also very wise and have helped us when it was needed, I owe to them my sister's life. So different species from beorcs aren't really something I'm not used to.

[And, in fact, what she's used to is something that makes her respect those different species rather than fear them. Even if she had never seen again the trolls, they had caused quite an impression, and she had never forgot them, their help and their warnings.]

Maybe there's nothing here. But you will still be king when you return, and so even if you're not there it's only proper to acknowledge your status. It's a pleasure to meet you, King Naesala.

[She bows, this time it's more accentuated as it's proper to do when meeting members of the royalty. She's not queen of anything anymore, she abandoned Arendelle because she couldn't stay there, she was dangerous to them. But she doubts that's the case for him, and thus she respects the title and acknowledges it as it's appropriate.]

Ah, you've a good reason, then. [Trolls sound like the strangest race to him. An entire species of rocks? Sentient rocks? ...Alright, he probably shouldn't judge.] Regardless, it's not a skill most are good at. That's still on you.

And, a pleasure. Hm. [It's not something he'd have asked for, and it's certainly not something he'd seen a beorc do for a laguz royal, bigotry or no. Though Naesala's not going to complain. This is probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him, and he lives for hundreds of years.

But just because he isn't complaining doesn't mean he won't appear taken aback for a small moment.] It's...appreciated.

[She can't help to notice that he seems taken aback for a moment, and she does so with slight worry and regret. Elsa offers a smile again, small and sad.]

I suppose it would be naive to expect the beorc of your world to at least know how to pay proper respect to a laguz royal, right?

I'm simply surprised. I know a handful that do to several other royals, though I may be a special case as to why they wouldn't. [Clears his throat and waves a hand csaually before replacing his frown with a smirk.] It is incredibly refreshing to see it from someone other than my own countrymen, however.

[A "special case"? Elsa pauses at that and considers it a moment before she frowns slightly.]

I apologize, but I can't approve of that. No matter the circumstances a king is a king and deserves the proper respect and acknowledgement for it. I understand that there may be many reasons as to why relationships between two kingdoms or royal members wouldn't be pleasant, but none of those are above respect and manners. Just because I wouldn't get involved in trade with a kingdom or forge an alliance with them doesn't mean that disrespect is adequate.

[No matter what, Elsa thinks that being proper and well mannered is important. Even when dictating that one would never again establish trade with another land.]

Our species have been purposefully kept separate for a long time. I wouldn't pay automatic respect to beorc royalty, so why would they do the same for me? It's not as if we have all of your kind's ridiculous traditions of nobility, either. So your approval or not, it's barely something to get worked up over.

[He just shrugs again. She keeps getting offended on the behalf of the laguz, something that, for the most part, he doesn't even do.]

I'll give you that it's an honorable mindset, at least. Albeit one I have never understood.

[Even keeping in mind the rift between laguz and beorc, Elsa finds it difficult to see it as anything but different countries and cultures. She knows that people have been sneered at, ignored, persecuted and punished just because of their culture, she won't say that beorc don't do that kind of thing because they do. But she would like to think that if everything had been as it should, that if she had been normal or able to control her powers and come to rule Arendelle, she wouldn't be the type of royalty to disrespect others. No matter how strange or different they or their culture was from hers.]

I suppose it's because I was raised into thinking that it's always best to treat others the way one wishes to be treated, and that even if one is disrespected that doesn't mean they should do the same. But you're right, it's of little consequence, and it's not my place to talk about your world, even if I don't approve of it.

[This time, though, she won't apologize for speaking her mind. Not even as a polite apologize.]

Ha! The noble view becomes even more so. Surely you realize it can't always be handled that way? That's something many kingdoms would gladly take advantage of.

[Wait, he's not done, because that kind of goody-two-shoes attitude has always bugged him, and now he's finally gotten a chance to speak his mind about it to someone other than the damn hawk king. That's not to say he's trying to be difficult, he just thinks that's an incredibly naive standpoint. Being nice all the time! Who could imagine??]

Alright. Forget about my world for a moment, as I'm assuming it's the same in yours. Beorc choose their royalty by birth, yes? By class? [It's worded rhetorically, as he's pretty sure already knows the answer.] They're taught to be exceptionally kind to another country's noblemen simply because they had the luck to be born into aristocracy. Throw one bad egg into the family and suddenly you're paying respects to someone one day who might try to brutally annex your kingdom the next. It doesn't make sense. Respect isn't earned, it's automatically given.

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