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Post by Dionisia on Oct 12, 2022 18:39:19 GMT
Dio has been at the estate of Lord Suhuy as a guest now for a while. She has been send there with little instructions other then to listen to Lord Suhuy and follow his lessons and instructions to the letter.
Dio had to get used though to the freedom she had here, as a guest in the house. At first she did not dare to leave her room. But now after a while and the training and lessons going well she felt more at ease to wander hallways and the gardens.
It is on such a day when she was walking with a book in one hand that she heard a strange sound on the outer edge of a part of the garden. Curious as she is she walks to the strange sound. Thinking it would be a stray animal or a smaller imp or demon she did not think to encounter a young man.
Closing her book she tilts her head curiously. Her white hair partially in a braid behind her ears and wearing a light colored sundress.
"Uhm hello there, can i help you?"
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Post by Cody D'Avalon on Oct 12, 2022 19:35:14 GMT
A young man with very long black hair (Although it appears that some of it may have been torn out recently revealing scabbed patches of scalp) and very blue eyes (One is blackened)... Along with other cuts and contusions on his face. He is otherwise covered from head to foot in an old Monk's Habit but you can tell that he's got other concealed injuries from the way he moves. (Limps) There appears to be some sort of prosthetic implants on his temples. But he has an otherwise clear complexion and good bone structure. The Habit is not long enough on him and reveals battered and bruised legs from the knees down. There are prosthetic implants on his ankles as well.
He speaks Thari, but with a very foreign and brash accent you can't place. Although the accent is brash, he speaks softly and suppliantly.
"Pardon, gracious woman. I'm but a novice newly come unto the Serpent. I believe that I may be lost. I am trying to return to The Sheltering Coils Temple and Mission House and I have yet to learn my path through the Ways."
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Post by Dionisia on Oct 12, 2022 19:45:18 GMT
Dio looks at the young man. Clearly looks over his battered state. Tilting her head to the other side she studies him for a while.
Laying her book on a bench near her she then walks closer showing her hands as hopefully a universal sign she means no harm.
"You seem lost in more then one way, what had happened to you?"
She jerks back with her head to the estate behind her. "This is the residence of Lord Suhuy i do not know if you can freely walk on here. But if you stay there. and give me a moment. I can return with something to care for your wounds and perhaps some food."
She has a pleasant and young smile. Her light blue eyes possess a certain sparkle and light. "will you wait?"
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Post by Cody D'Avalon on Oct 12, 2022 20:27:25 GMT
The young man knees, partly in supplication and mostly to rest.
"It would be my honour to wait upon you. To honour the Matriarchy brings Lilith's blessings.
I thank you, but no need for wound care. I've been advised to let them breath as they no longer weep.
I have been into the Abyss.
And pulled back out.
Some alms for the Temple and a small morsel will be more than generous."
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Post by Dionisia on Oct 12, 2022 20:33:24 GMT
Dio nods takes up her book again and hurries away. It does not take long until she is back with a little parcel hidden under a scarf she now carries over her shoulders and arms. KNeeling near the man she opens the parcel and pushes it towards him.
"Eat. Drink." She nods to the food and a skin of water.
"What is your name if i may ask? and if the wounds are already treated.. why don't you heal them? "
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Post by Cody D'Avalon on Oct 12, 2022 21:21:25 GMT
Head bowing.
"Pardon my rough manner and appearance. I am Cody D'Avalon.
We thank you for this sustenance. Myself especially."[/font]
Receiving the proffered food he eats as quickly as decency allows.
"Your question puzzles me. I heal very rapidly by comparison to others; On Station where I come from. I can only heal as quickly as nature allows."
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Post by Dionisia on Oct 12, 2022 21:34:15 GMT
Dio laughs softly an amused laugh.
"oh no need to apologize. be careful that might be seen as a sign of weakness. "
She sits and puts her hands under her chin watching the young man eat.
"Though you seem not to be weak, if you have survived the Abyss you must have great skills. Perhaps after food you can shift your wounds away, Cody "
she lets a moment pass and then adds.
"ah where are my manners. my name is Dionisia.. though most do call me Dio. suppose it is easier and shorter to shout when i've done wrong."
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Post by Cody D'Avalon on Oct 13, 2022 1:02:22 GMT
Between bites he softly says.
"You grace me with your also kneeling. But please don't soil your lovely gown."
He attempts to extend the hem of his own frock for her to kneel on but it's not long enough.
"Apologies are a strength, not a weakness."
"Yes, it's a bit rough in the Pit. But it is incredibly beautiful."
He has a far off gaze as he talks about the Abyss.
"It's so much like flying in the Flux..."
"Dionisia: Lovely. Saintly."
Or parasitic?
"I doubt very much that you are often yelled at."
"But I still don't understand what you mean by 'shifting my wounds'?"
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Post by Cody D'Avalon on Oct 13, 2022 1:44:10 GMT
While he eats, you can see his hands are especially battered, like he punched and clawed his way out of a collapsed mine.
There are also prosthetic cybernetic implants on his wrists that match the ones on his ankles and temples.
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Post by Dionisia on Oct 13, 2022 5:52:03 GMT
Dio laughs soft a friendly laugh.
"Oh dear Cody you give me to much credit. You treat me as if i'm of one of the important housed in the courts. I am not. When my training is done here i will be put back in a habit and i will have to do my chores as one of the girls in the convent."
Her smile didn't fade as she says that.
"But for now i am here being trained and schooled. So eat and don't grovel around me. No need. And my name. Hm would have to ask the one who named which of it is... saintly or parasitic." She winks.
Then holding out her hand she takes a little knife and shows the blood. Letting it drip on the cloth she had wrapped things in.
She then focusses and her hand shifts form subtly the bleeding stops and she closes the wound.
"I mean shapeshifting, many here can. I am being trained in it among other things."
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Post by Cody D'Avalon on Oct 13, 2022 14:05:21 GMT
"As I said, there is strength in being able to freely and earnestly apologize. Only a weak and fragile soul is unable to humble itself before itself and others."
"This is related to your worth: To yourself and others."
"Please, never forget that you are very important. A Master is worthless without Servants. Even gods get cast into obscurity when there is no one left to worship them."
"Let the Three Philosophies sustain and guide you: Know Thyself, Be Thyself, Give Thyself."
"If you are receiving training, here and now, you are being recognized as something greater than you give yourself credit for."
"When you are returned to the Habit, you will be more than you were before."
"I am certain that you are, and always have been worthy of respect."
"You give yourself by aiding me. For this I am very grateful."
"You have, by your gestures, become important to me.
He is startled when Dionisia alludes to her name's second meaning. It was only a passing thought he had as his mind flipped through the many pages of sometimes useless knowledge that he has acquired. Does she read minds, he wonders? He chokes a bit on his last swallow and blushes slightly at the thought. His other thoughts, those of a young man, intrude his mind and he hopes she can't read them. Just to say that, as a young man he recognizes and appreciates her beauty.
More shocking, his eyes go wide with horror as Dionisia casually opens her flesh with a knife. He gasps!
Reflexively he drops what he is holding and his hands twitch with the desire to with one hand remove the knife from hers and throw it away and to grasp her wounded hand in his other to apply pressure and staunch the flow of blood. However her casual calmness in this act somehow calms him and keeps him from reacting this way.
Horror turns quickly to fascination as he watches the bloom of blood fade as her skin stitches itself back together.
"This... This magic can be learned?"
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Post by Dionisia on Oct 13, 2022 18:46:54 GMT
Dio listens almost enthralled by the young man's words. All the while she listens a pleasant and warm smile on her face.
"And you should give yourself some credit as well. You speak wise words. Though sometimes things go differently.. If i were to show weakness or submissiveness to any of the other girls in the convent, they would not hesitate to harm me or kill me. "
She shrugs light
"These are the ways. But for now l, yes i am here learning. Being taught sorcery currently. My lessons in shapeshifting as it is called are done."
She looks over the young man's wounds and bruises.
"You need to learn lest you survive the Abyss. I could teach you. Mind you i am.merely just a finished student but if i teach you the basics you can at least practice further yourself."
Dio looks around suspiciously. "How often can yiu come here? "
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Post by Cody D'Avalon on Oct 13, 2022 20:19:44 GMT
"Thank You. My wise words are mostly parroted. I am attempting to live these words."
"Not always successfully."
He glances at his knuckles and then down at the ground before resuming eye contact.
"If the Universe conspires to kill you for being kind and generous, it is truly a cruel one."
His eyes widen at the mention of sorcery.
"So, your first lessons in Sorcery involve this ShapeShifting that allow you to magically heal yourself?"
"To parrot a few more wise words, it is said that 'you can learn best by teaching others.' Teaching me will also enhance your own understanding."
He grins at his own hopefully persuasive cleverness.
"Although I have pledged to serve the Temple, no one as of yet has exerted any authority over me and as far as I know, I am free to come and go as I please."
"How may I serve you in return for tutoring me to ShapeShift?"
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Post by Dionisia on Oct 13, 2022 20:29:51 GMT
"Parotted words are still taking up a place in your mind and fall from your tongue. Which means they hold meaning to you and you want to share the wisdom. So even if they do not originate from you, they do live through you."
She smiles .
"Sorcery and shapeshifting can live side by side. One does not exclude the other. Though they are not mandatory to eachother.
I do not know why i am taught things in this order. Who am i to question my teacher and mother superior."
She folds her hands in her lap as she watches Cody.
"I do not know what i ask in return. I think the joy of someone else to talk to is a good start of payment. I can show you and teach what i ahve been taught but we have to keep it hidden. Do not know what my teacher woukd think of it." .she smiles "Doubt i'll get in big trouble."
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Post by Cody D'Avalon on Oct 14, 2022 1:53:51 GMT
"Now it is you who is wise."
He smiles back.
"We shall form that which my M-unit calls a 'Mutual Admiration Club'."
There's a catch in his voice when he says 'M-unit' and his eyes well up with tears as he tries to smile through the pain.
"Pardon me. I find myself recently orphaned."
"Selfish, I know. My grief is not just my own. There are too many widows and orphans recently, from the Black Road War. Just not myself."
"May I assume that you are also orphaned? To be so young and to be cloistered in a nunnery?"
He fears that he may have gone too far, gotten too personal. He breaks eye contact and bows his head.
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