exsilium | ⤛ o o 1 ⤜⤛ v i d e o ⤜

[ the image appears shaky at first - a sure result of complete ignorance on how to actually handle the blighted device - before it is moving to show an elf eying it with suspicious distaste. ]

I've questions. For those who've been here longer than I. [ he shifts, a subtle frown over his otherwise unreadably solemn expression; his tone is level and steeled, albeit sharp. ] What does this - Initiative expect us to do?

Fight their battles? I do not know what manner of magic - [ there's a twist to his lip that can only mark disgust. ] - they posses that was used to trap us here but -

They cannot win this war of their on their own without forcefully involving others. Yet some of you are quick enough to trust them, to think they will send us all back. Why? [ He sighs, bright olive eyes narrow, harden. ] They seek nothing but power to further their own gains. A situation I have seen far too often where I am from.

What have they made all of you do in your time here, I wonder?

[ There is a pause, then. A break. If he knew how to make a filter - if he knew what that was- he'd be making it right now.

A new expression passes his brows now - reminiscent of pain, though it appears as a flinch. his hand curls into a fist on the table he is sitting at. ] Hawke. I need to speak with you.

[ because pride stops him from openly asking for help he secretly may need. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[the first thing she noticed was the tone of disgust he used when he mentioned magic]

Do you not like magic?

[ and there is far more where that came from.

his lip - very briefly - twitches into something of a scowl before settling for simply grim. ]

No. I do not like magic.

[ which is putting it lightly, though he supposes he should attempt at biting his tongue. ] It corrupts just as any sickness.

[she struck a chord, didn't she? she could hear it in his voice & see the way his face contorts while he speaks]

But not... all magic is like that! [she leans into the feed to offer him a kind smile] If used correctly, it can heal & make others happy.

[ that she did. and he isn't about to back down from his point. ]

At what price? [ he scoffs. ] You will be surprised how often I had heard that, and how often it was not true.

A price? [she thinks about what he could possibly mean. there wasn't any sort of price one had to pay to use magic. well, maybe gemstones, but other than that...

ah, wait a minute. now thinks she understands. her smile falls some, but instead of frowning completely, there's a look of sympathy]

I'm sorry... if magic has brought you any tragedy in your life.. but I can promise that not all magic is bad.

[ the look - of sympathy - only makes his spine tenser.

she seems sincere, which makes it all the grating.

yet his voice is even enough; a hard tone, though without the usual bite. ]

A promise which rings empty, I'm afraid. Even under the guise of a thing such as healing, one can easily turn to something far darker, if only tempted by more power.

[ A beat. ] Is that not so where you are from? [ It is unlikely he would believe a...positive answer anyway, but the question must be asked either way. ]

I don't intend to make empty promises. [her lips curl into a smile. something about the way he spoke reminded her of why she became a priest in the first place, why she chose this path]

I believe magic is just like all tools - only its user makes it what it is seen as. You can use a broom to clean but you can also hit someone with it, right? Isn't it the same?

[of course she's not comparing the devastation magic can really do. she understands that much at least] Where I'm from, magic can do so much... but I use it to help people, to soothe pain, to heal wounds. It makes others happy & it certainly makes me happy. Does that make it wicked?

Except a broom cannot turn you into an Abomination. [ As 'good' as her points may seem, it simply...

isn't enough. ] It is not wicked but...

I have seen magic be used for harm more often than good. [ She seems sincere, and yet. His view of things has been skewed by his experiences.

He may apologize later, for misjudging, but for now, all he has to go on is her words. Which cannot be enough for him yet. ]

An abomination? [this is where she gets lost, though it certainly isn't his fault. apparently they are speaking of two different types of magic.

she looks down for a moment] I haven't heard of magic like that. [her voice is soft, almost a little scared] I'm... sorry I assumed so much. It's clear to me now that we are on different levels.

But—! I'd like to know! If it isn't too much trouble, maybe you can tell me about it? I would like to understand how you feel.

Evidently. [ He pushes out a sigh. He should apologize, and yet, he cannot. Not yet.

He does pause, avert his gaze - considering. Get ready for biased description in 3...2...]

Magic...is 'meant to serve man, and not rule over him'. And yet, it's too often that that is not so. Magic is power, and a curse.[ His opinion, at any rate. ] It serves as a connection with the Fade - through which demons may come and possess the mage.

Some mages willingly turn to blood magic - to attain more power. And when their own blood stops giving them the power they need, they bring forth sacrifices.

[ A beat, jaw set. ] There is an entire nation, where I'm from, ruled by such mages. I've lived there - seen first hand what those blinded by power can and will do. Lived it.

And everywhere else...A mage will always be tempted. A demon can easily possess one desperate enough - and turn them into an Abomination. That is why they need to be closely watched.

[she listens to him speak, every single word he utters. while there are some points she disagrees with, she bites her tongue & continues to listen to his point of view, why he feels the way he does.

he certainly has a sound reason by the looks of it. it's not like he's hating it without knowing what he's talking about.

as she listens her hands fold and tighten, a small frown settling in. what has made her so happy in her life, in her own world has made someone else in another world so miserable. she can't help but... feel sorry for him]

I'm... I'm so sorry. In my world, magic has done so much to help others but it's clear that it doesn't work that way in other worlds.

[her hands tighten] I joined the priesthood because I didn't agree of the use of magic to cause pain to others. My family was raised to be mages & wizards & even though they're an exception, I've seen how powerful magic can... change people. As you've said, people can be tempted when such power is easily accessible.

[her gaze returns to the camera] But that's why I'm so determined to use magic for good, to help people. I know promises can only do so much but... I swear, I want to show you that it's not that way for everyone.

[a small smile, her voice soft] I'd like to understand you better & maybe in turn, you can understand me.

⤛ o o 1 ⤜⤛ v i d e o ⤜

VIDEO

VIDEO; i should apologize for him in advance...

VIDEO; dude no i love him bring all the fury

VIDEO;

VIDEO;

VIDEO;

VIDEO;

VIDEO;

VIDEO;

VIDEO;

VIDEO; 1/2

no subject