Garden of Thought

There's no snow on the ground, at least not here. Not in the green where the world was eternally spring. That doesn't mean that it's not cold, and the cold bursts of air have kept most people away from the guardens this evening. Not Karasu however, who seems to be enjoying the peace and quiet. He sits on one of the many empty benches watching the flowers with a mild expression as his crow Wuya hops along on the path pecking now and again as though he's found something interesting though Karasu can tell he's found no such thing.

The Gobbo appears to love the gardens, despite the gusts of wind, walks about barefoot. She in her leathers, with nary a skin or fur for extra warmth. Those in the gardens might recognize the light and cheerful song she plays on her violin, a Lucht song of comfortable roads to travel, and the expectation of arriving home. Karasu's peace and quiet is more rudely interrupted when the Gobbo suddenly lands in a crouch beside him, the song still played as she does so. Karasu says nothing as he's joined by the little goblin, allowing her to play her song in silence. When she doesn't seem like she's going to move anytime soon Karasu pulls a few coins out of his pocket and offers them to her silently. Wuya on the other hand shakes his tail feathers and otherwise ruffles his feathers and hops curiously closer to the minature musician.

The music pauses as the Gobbo gasps. She blinks at the coins offered and takes them carefully. "Thank you.", she says in a sing-song voice, with a rather scratchy quality to the words. She bites each coin in turn, and they disappear into a small pouch on her belt when they have met her approval. None are rejected. "Hello!", she says cheerfully, settling down on her behind. "You are Karasu, yes?"

"Yes, I am Karasu." The raven caws indignantly and hops closer causing Karasu to nod once as if in understanding. "And that is Wuya. I do not believe I caught your name last night when the paladin was talking to everyone."

Acedia grins brightly at Karasu, and offers up a hand for shaking. "I am Acedia!", she says cheerfully. The Gobbo eyes the raven and smiles, offering a hand to the bird. "Nice to meet you too, Wuya. Keeping Karasu safe?" The raven crows and eyes Karasu, but the man seems to be ignoring him. Ignoring the fact that he might need protection from and be protected by a raven of all things. He takes her hand instead and shakes it with in a way that suggests that he doesn't shake hands very often, but isn't bad enough at it to merit comment on the matter. "A pleasure to meet you."

"Have you known Seldan long?", she wonders, smiling brightly with an effort made to not have too many teeth prominent. "And indeed, it was a pleasure to meet you. Your tea was very tasty." "Not at all. I met him that very evening for the first time." Karasu nods politely to Acedia at her complement. "It was merely tea from my homeland. A vendor near here sells it for a reasonable price."

The Gobbo nods. "Oh? Where is your homeland?" She sits up a little, her ears perking up. "What is the tea called? She fusses with her hair a moment, impulsively brushing a bit of it behind one ear. "I ask, because you seem to be able to deal with him very well. Firm. Guiding him to the next logical step along the way, you know? Nudging him to finish his bath, get dressed, and so on, while he's going on about what he wanted to say." "I am from Xian, and the tea is called Oolong. It is a traditional drink where I am from." He is silent a moment and then Karasu continues. "I think that you are the first person to suggest that I am... good at taking care of someone else in that way." In spite of the fact that no expression shows on his face he seems somehow surprised by this fact.

"Oooolong?", she wonders, canting her head. "It's made like normal tea, then?" The Gobbo reaches up to rub one of her pointed ears. "Are you saying you are not capable? Or that others think of you as not capable of caring for someone?" "Oolong." Karasu corrects gently. "It is a bit different than the tea you drink here, but similiar." The dark haired man seems for a long time like he's not going to answer the rest of her questions, but just as the pause grows too long he continues. "I have never thought to try, and I do not think it has ever been expected of me."

"Oolong.", she says, mimicking his accent slightly. "I am not much of a tea-drinker, but it is very nice on cold days. And it does taste different from the tea I have had before. I suppose it is like other drinks, beer and ale... different ways in making it changes the flavour in interesting ways." Acedia cants her head slightly. "Have you been alone a long time?", she wonders. The question brings out another well of silence from Karasu, his dark eyes falling on Acedia. "You ask a lot of very personal questions." The statement is a polite way of not actually answering the question that she asked. Or perhaps not as polite. Wuya caws quietly as if in rebuke, but Karasu doesn't pay the bird any mind.

The Gobbo blinks a few times, her expression slowly changing to one of upset. "I... I'm sorry. I was just making conversation. It just... sounds like you have been a loner, that's all. I meant no harm. I, too, have come from afar. By myself." "There is no need to apologize. You can ask as you like." Karasu looks away toward the flowers that are all over the place. Blooming even in the winter. "I think I have always been alone, so you are acurrate in your observation." Wuya caws and hops closer, tilting his head to the side and looking at Karasu. "You are company Wuya, yes, but you are not a person."

Acedia spends a few long moments in silence, her expression slowly improving towards its original cheerfulness. "I do suppose I was a bit abrupt, yes?", she offers quietly. "Then I am glad you have met Seldan. And myself. We would count you as friend. Also, Seldan has a companion, one Malik. He is similar to you in disposition. A bit wise. Guarded. Patient." Karasu makes a noise that's noncommetial and looks at Acedia. "You would count me friend so readily? You hardly know me at all. What if I were an assassin in a previous life?"

The Gobbo snorts. "An assassin? Why does that have any bearing to this conversation? I mean, I'm a bard. I have magics and blades and a dragonspitter. Knowledge of how to hurt a person and how to kill a person. Not that I want to do so, but I cooooulld." Acedia shrugs. "I mean, okay, let's say you were? The way you say so makes me think you regret such a previous life. Perhaps, then, you have been thinking of making amends? You can never.. unkill someone, but this doesn't mean you cannot do good deeds. Bring happiness to the world. Use your knowledge of assassins to unmask and defeat other assassins. Right?"

The Gobbo shrugs and gestures with her hands. "So maybe you're not an assassin, but you've done some bad things in the past...? It's the past. You gotta live in the now. What matters then... is what are you going to do with your time left?"

Wuya crows and Karasu rolls his shoulders in a soft shrug. "My point is made, you do not know me, but you rush to judgement that I am worthy to call a friend. I could after all be an assassin now." Wuya makes a short call and Karasu makes a simple outward hand gesture toward the bird that makes Wuya flap his wings irritably. "You should beware making such fast judgements of people, if you wish my opinion. Which of course you are welcome to ignore as you will."

Both of the Gobbo's eyebrows rise up, her eyes widening. "Sure, you could be an assassin." She shrugs. "Yet you made tea for guests, and as you can see.. I'm very much alive. As is Seldan." She stands and puts her hands on her hips. "I think Wuya is right. You are being too harsh." Acedia hmms. "I forgive you. Whatever your past deeds, you are forgiven." "So it does not matter who I have or will kill so long as it is not you or those you care about?" Now there is amusement in Karasu's tone, and he watches her as she stands up, ruffled as much as Wuya is. "You can not grant me forgivness for what I have done Acedia. Only those I have harmed can do so... or perhaps Vardama when she weighs my soul." Karasu seems perhaps too comfortable in his seat, as if nothing he has said has bothered him at all. He merely blinks black eyes at her emotionlessly and awaits her response.

"I bloody well can forgive you. Does it surprise you that someone could say so, sight unseen of your past deeds? And yes, it would matter who you have or will kill... I would try to stop you in most cases. This does not mean I could not understand... or that I couldn't forgive." Acedia huffs and taps impatiently with her clawed toes upon the bench. "You have been alone for too long, perhaps, to push away a freely given offer of friendship, with no price tag attached."

Karasu is silent again, eyes flickering toward Wuya who seems to be reading him like an open book for all the man seems to have no tells. Finally Karasu let out the softest of sighs and makes a small motion with his hand. One that causes Wuya to hop onto the bench to nuzzle into his fingers. Karasu treats the bird gently, rubbing his fingers over the raven's crest. "Perhaps you are right. Perhaps I am too far removed from people to understand what such open-ended sentiment can have in the way of meaning. I think you brave to walk into the unknown so easily, but foolhardy perhaps as well." He says this not unkindly.

"It isn't s'bad, Acleese. You just..." Here, the young priest stops, and tugs at the kite he's holding.

"I'm sure the flying papercuts aren't at all dangerous, ser," the arvek behind him says. Tall, lean, Acleese wears a clerk's outfit and a set of glasses. He stands behind the priest, as though this might help him not be noticed.

"Well, I'm sure it isn't that bad. Even children can do it."

"Children also eat paint, ser."

The two are meandering through the gardens

"Fortune favours the bold and the foolish. They are not mutually exclusive.", she says him, her bright grin returning.

Acedia stands on a park bench, next to Karasu. Their postures seem to indicate some small conflict.

The Gobbo is momentarily distracted by a flash of colour above the trees, before glancing back to Karasu. "The world is too dangerous to take long to decide whether one is worthy of friendship or not. I'd rather give it freely and be betrayed, than be stingy with it... and not be there in someone's hour of need."

"Do need and friendship have so much in common as to be mutually exculsive?" Asks Karasu, his tone interested, but his expression still blank. He sits petting a raven at his side, watching Acedia with his black eyes. "One hardly needs to be a friend to be there in someone's 'hour of need'." In this at least he sounds the voice of experience, but not perhaps in the expected way. The grim way he says it suggests something else entirely, but without some expression it's hard to say what that is.

"We all start somewhere, I s'pose," the priest responds warmly. He adjusts his own lenses, and the bespeckled pair share a bemused look--two friends on the other side of the fence about this, it seems.

But, not the first time. Not close.

Kerbasi gives the kite another tug--the wind teases it, near rips it out of his hands. Then, it does--and it goes flying, with an, "Eh!" from the man, and scoots and floats along the pathway of the garden.

"...Heh. Loose kite, I'm afraid. ...sorry about that!" the priest calls out.

Acedia shakes her head to Karasu. "Hmm, I did not mean some dire end of the world situation. What I mean is that friends go to other friends for help, when they might be embarrassed or too proud to appeal to strangers. Or that you, as a friend, might notice that I am pained or hiding something, and you might wonder and ask what the matter is."

She stretches, her back popping in several places and she grunts. "But, in that vein... it takes a lot of trust to ask someone for help. If someone IS in dire need, and ask you for help... they are trusting you to not abuse their vulnerable position, yes? It is the very nature of trust, easier to lose than to earn, usually."

The Gobbo blinks and squeaks, suddenly running off and jumping, snagging the kite's trailing string, and landing with a crouch. Its flight arrested, it curls suddenly downwards and smacks Acedia in the side of the face. "Ow!"

At the gobber's exclamation, the arvek raises a brow.

Then, looks akant at the priest, as though to say: Do you see. Papercuts. Kites are living death machines.

"Ah...heh. Are y'doin' well over there? M'apologies if the kite flew your way--"

"Death machines, ser."

"--it heh. Got a bit away from me," the priest says. He elbows the arvek lightly. Hopefully no one saw that. He wears the robes of a man of Vardama, though frayed at the edges. A bit of mud at the hem, and a workman's boots peeking out from underneath. "I'm Mourner Kerbasi d'Bahjat. Is there a way I can be of service?"

Whatever Karasu would have said to Acedia is lost to time because she runs off suddenly leaving him with his raven. Wuya flaps his wings at Karasu, but the man doesn't move from his place on his bench as she catches the kite... somewhat haphazardly. Though he does wince slightly when it smacks her in the face.

Acedia sullenly rubs at her cheek, and walks the kite over to the priest. She thrusts it towards him. "Here.", she mutters, rubbing at her eye. "Should be careful with all the trees around. And the risk of lightning."

She walks back to the bench, and sits down with a thump next to Karasu. The Gobbo doesn't make eye contact with anyone, instead peering down at her feet.

The arvek sniffs, of course. A tiny sound. He doesn't seem a very...brave arvek. Kerbasi's smile slips, though just for a moment. Then...it lights up his face, warming the expression as a priest's should.

Kittens and rainbows. Warmed socks slightly chewed upon.

They make them practice it in mirrors, you know.

"Heh, well, I am sorry for that. I'm just getting used to it, I'm afraid. Not s'many opportunities where I came from. Though, it could have been that I'm just clumsy." Kerbasi puts the kite behind him. Then, "...might I offer either of you a few cookies? They pale in comparison t'a papercut, I'm afraid, but..."

The arvek nar looks like he wants to say 'death machines' again!

Karasu remains quiet, watching the interaction between Acedia and the arvek who has happened upon their conversation. When Acedia doesn't seem inclined to answer immediately he prompts her somewhat. "Are you hurt Acedia?" It is difficult to see her injury from his perspective.

Acedia moves her hand away, revealing a sizable welt. No blood, and it missed her eye. "Yes.", she says, with a voice that sounds like she is on the verge of tears. "But no." She looks to Kerbasi and Acleese and gestures with a hand. "It is fine. And no thank you, I do not wish any cookies. Thank you, though." She pulls her knees up and rests her chin upon them, and then glances to Karasu.

"So. You were saying?"

"Absolutely nothing of importance." Karasu replies to her words steadily, motioning towards the other man who is looking at her worriedly. "This man is worried about you, will you leave him so concerned?"

"Heh. Well, it happens, I suppose. At least it isn't a missing limb I uh...heh. Too much time on th' battlefield, I suppose. I ah--" and the young priest looks awkward a mite. He runs a hand through his hair. Clears his throat.

"Now, just a minute," Kerbasi says. Then, a careful wave of long fingers and...the Lady responds, clearing away the bruise. It vanishes swiftly, and takes the pain with it, with only a faint earthen scent left behind. "Sorry for that. I suppose I somewhat interrupted things between th' two of y'. ...th' two?" he asks, and gestures between Acedia and Karasu.

The Gobbo peers at Karasu, and crosses her arms. "And this Gobbo is worried about you.", she says to man, before looking to Kerbasi in surprise. Her hand reaches up to pat at her cheek. "Oh.", she says softly. "Well, that feels better." Acedia grins at the priest. "It's not really an interruption. He's being a grump and I was trying to cheer him up.", she says of Karasu.

"Were you?" Karasu's tone is surprised, and his eyes show a touch of it as well. Perhaps the most emotion that she has seen from him as of yet. "I did not realize that you were trying to cheer me up. I woud have informed you that it was unnecessary." His eyes flicker toward Kerbasi and he inclines his head slightly in a half-bow. "I am Karasu, and this is Acedia.... And Wuya." The last is said with a small motion to the raven who caws a greeting.

"Heh. Well, I'm glad t'make your acquaintance," the priest says. Kerbasi adjusts his lenses with a warmth that seems at odds with the robes he wears.

"Acquaintances aside, ser. The limb restoration. Your 'joke' from earlier was timely." Does the arvek ever smile?

CAN arveks smile? ...does this one, Acleese, even use inflection?

Perhaps: No.

"Ah, right. That. Heh. ...well, adventurers will be adventurers, I suppose. I hope you're never in need of m'services, for what it is worth." The priest pauses, then adds. "And if I can't offer either of y'cookies--perhaps you'll hear somethin' from a Mourner."

"Life's too short. Give th' small one a hug, Karasu." He steps back then, and takes off his lenses. Smiles warmly at them both. He looks too-young without them. To be a priest, at least.

"I, too, hope to not require your services, sir.", Acedia offers to the priest. She straightens up, settled on a park bench next to Karasu. "I am capable of some healing magics, myself, and I hope never to exceed my capabilities in repairing harm." The Gobbo peers at the priest in surprise at his suggestion. "What?", she says lightly, her head canted slightly. She looks to Karasu and nods. "Yes, I was attempting to. It sounded like you might like to be cheered up."

"Your words are appreciated." Karasu offers to Kerbasi. "If I have need of your skill I will let you know." It was an unspoken agreement with Aceida however, that it should never be needed. With that he offers the man a small hand of farewell, a slightly awkward wave that's clearly a gesture he's not terribly familiar with; and returns his attention to Acedia. "I have no need of cheering." It's more gently spoken.

"Oh, just drop on by anytime. Though, forgive me for sayin so again, I also hope you don't. Love's a rare thing, anyway." The Mourner replaces his lenses. He's not the sort to wink perhaps, not often. If he was...ah. Well.

He looks to Acleese then and for once, the arvek bends. ...enough to nod, and the two, the mismatched pair, head down the way.

But, there's a small coffin left behind on the bench. Somehow. It smells of earth, and sugar, and warmth. It's shaped like a tin coffin. ...the cookies inside? Warm, sugar cookies covered in dark, edible sprinkles. Also shaped like coffins, with tiny little designs.

The Gobbo offers a wave to the pair as they walk off. She blinks and peers at the tin. "Not creepy in the slightest.", she comments. The tin is taken up and sniffed at. She even bites at it a little. "But what if I like cheering people up?", she offers to Karasu, eyeing him a moment before continuing her examination of the tin. It's open and she ooohs. "Okay... these look and smell tasty." Acedia offers the tin to Karasu, wiggling it slightly. "Want to check and see if they are poisoned?"

Kaydin makes his way along the road and he smiles at Acedia. "Eating some cookies?" He asks as he looks to Karasu and bows his head. "So what brings you two here?" He asks curiously.

"No thank you." Karasu says to the offer of cookies, shaking his head slightly and then looking up as they are approached by yet another person. This time he rises to his feet, taking Wuya with him. "I was enjoying the peace, and now I return to my duties." He nods low to them both and with that he takes his leave.

-End