reallybadeggs | Test Drive for January 2014 Apps

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.

[She listens with attention to his example, trying to understand his point and the reasons behind it. She almost has to stifle a laugh when he's done, almost, but she doesn't need to and instead just smiles at him. For a random encounter she's personally enjoying talking to him quite a lot, specially when he voices his opinion like that. She says nothing regarding how royalty is chosen in her world, after all he's right.]

King Naesala, I'm afraid you are misunderstanding me. Just because I think that respect must always be given, and positions acknowledged no matter the circumstances, doesn't mean that I am "exceptionally kind" to them, neither I was raised to be so. My respect is something that I'm willing to give without asking for anything back, my kindness, however, must be earned. Don't mistake respect with kindness or weakness, I don't doubt that for some it may be so, but in my case it's far from it.

In the example you offered just now you said that one may find themselves paying respects to someone one day who might try to annex our kingdom the next. That's true, you may also pay respects to someone who might try to steal all the riches of your country through misleading trade agreements. Or to someone who may the next day just plainly try to take your life. But I think that the key word in all those situations is "try". Just because I pay respects to someone it doesn't mean I have to lower my guard when around them, or that I would allow them to get away with their intentions in general. I do believe that any situation can be handled while remaining respectful to the others, but not every situation can be handled with kindness unless one wishes to appear weak to others.

[And there's nothing worse than to show a weakness. One little slip and everything may fall down. Elsa knows that well.]

[Alright, she's got him there. Even he can admit he respects several of his peers, and he treats them as belligerently as anyone else.] Perhaps "kindness" was a poor choice of words. However, you've still missed my original point. You're still doling out respect to anyone with royal bearings without any other credentials.

A king could have done nothing but come next in the family line; have no merits to his name and serve as an overall mediocre ruler, and you'd still give a bow because of his title. And that's where I lose all understanding. Why give your respect so freely, but hold kindness until it's earned? Where's the logic in that?

[No, really, he doesn't understand. It only works that way with one laguz species, and they're a very special case so far removed from beorc. She's explained well so far that he has a hint of her class standing, even if she didn't introduce herself with a title.]

[Her smile doesn't falter though her expression softens to show that she understands the correction and acknowledges it.]

I see, I apologize for not understanding it better before. You're right, to pay respect to someone just because of their birthright may be considered a waste and a foolish attitude. In fact, it could happen that someone were to introduce themselves to me as royalty without being so, and I would be bowing and paying respects to a man whose only merit was to procure fancy clothes to go with his pretense. I am aware of that, and I can't see why it would be something to confuse you as well as seem pointless.

But I try to be respectful to everyone, it's true that I enforce it more with royalty, and I won't say that I don't slip and act arrogantly at times. But I do my best. And I know that for some, "respect" is a huge thing, something important, and that shouldn't be handed cheaply. But in my opinion, kindness is more valuable. It's true, I will end bowing and showing respect to people who deserve none and are mediocre at best, but unless they earn my kindness, that's all they will get from me. And no one will be able to accuse me of being inconsiderate or dishonorable if I maintain respectful manners to them.

[She pauses and simply shakes her head to herself.]

I don't pretend you to understand it, I admit it probably there's nothing to understand. It's just the way I've chosen to be, the way I was raised. I don't think it's better or worse than any other way, so long as the objective is the same, which is the well being of those who depend on you.

Come on, now. You admit it doesn't make sense, though you aim to continue doing so anyway? [Beorc confuse the hell out of him.] I was expecting some sort of excuse, perhaps a convoluted tradition started ages ago when the ridiculous class system of yours was set in place; not an agreement, of all things.

[It looks like he's prepared to argue further, but when she mentions the "objective of those who depend on you", he stops. Because she's right, and he knows that far, far too well, and sometimes respect is something you have to give out whether you like it or not.]

I can admire your...dedication to such a bizarre practice, at the very least. Just as it's not your place to talk about my world, maybe I should leave beorc customs enough alone.

[Runs a hand through his hair, a little exasperated. Landed here not too long ago and already discussing intricacies of customs.] I didn't mean to hinder what was meant to be simple introductions so, but goddess above, there is so little about your kind that makes sense.

[Elsa laughs softly, not mockingly but calmly.]

No, there are no excuses, other than that it's a decision I have made, conscious of the cons it presents. I don't doubt that there are many things that don't make sense about us to you. But probably the same holds true the other way around. If that wasn't the case, we wouldn't be different kinds and cultures.

[And wouldn't that be boring, and troublesome as well, because just as sometimes problems came from differences, solutions came from them as well. Just as the trolls had been able to save Anna when no human would have been able to.]

I didn't mean this talk to take such a turn, but I would lie if I said that I haven't enjoyed it and so I won't apologize for it. It's mostly my own fault, but I don't have often the chance to have an interesting talk with someone, beorc or of any other kind, so I appreciate this casual chance.

Now, if my babbling hasn't annoyed you enough to make you decide to leave immediately, I would like to repeat my offer of refuge for the night. You may stay out if you feel more comfortable that way, and I will provide you whatever you may need, or you may take advantage of one of the empty rooms below. As well as of the food we have so long as you don't leave us with nothing for the following days. I assure you I won't bother you anymore if you wish so, and I will make sure that the same stays true for the rest of the crew.

As tempting as it sounds, I'll probably stay as out-of-the-way as I can, if it's all the same to you. Dawn will shed enough light to find my way back, and I can find something in the wild to peck at then, if need be. [Literally. Though he does nod towards her, in gratitude.] I do believe my thanks are still in order for the offer. And for not chasing me off.

There's no need to hide away on my account, however. Our chat went much better than I'd originally feared, and I've certainly meant far worse conversation partners. [He...means that as a compliment, really.] Do whatever you like. I'm the one intruding on the nightly routine, here.

Well if you had arrived with blood covered weapons and demanding our supplies, I would have definitively had to chase you off. But a man that just needs a place to rest until light returns isn't someone I would chase off, no matter the circumstances.

[She smiles at his next comments, taking his words as a compliment even if it's not clear if it is. Maybe it isn't, but she isn't going to question the matter and so she's happy with her assumption of it being something relatively nice.]

Then, I will stay out here a bit more. The night air is so nice and comforting that it makes it hard to return to my room.

[It may be a bit colder than what most people would prefer, but given her powers it's no surprise that she enjoys it this way as much as if it was summer.]

I'm lucky to have picked the right ship. Perhaps luckier that one of your crew wasn't out and about instead of you. [He shrugs, turning back to the water, trying to make out anything of note that might help him locate his original flight point.] Hopefully this won't happen again, though. As comfortable a night as it is, habit of landing on others' vessels unannounced is not one I want to make.

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