[ The first words from him are soft, a relieved sigh accompanied by the press of a dark hand against a pale tunic. Looking upon Joshua is, in fact, is a reminder of the kindness of others — of a city that was too loud, too bright, too much for him after so long. Of cool water and a gentle hand that pulled him back from the panicked, overstimulated edge he'd been on.
He remembers this face, with purpose and clarity. It's been a few weeks, since Drizzt simply vanished from the face of the world ( since he'd gone away, to sort himself out and returned to his own mind disoriented and unsure that he'd accomplished anything like that — ) and now, he has found someone he'd thought of, when he'd come back to himself. So, he dives across the world of Kenos in the hopes of finding Joshua again, although his approach is polite and hesitant.
( He'd hate to impose. ) ]
I believe I owe you a drink. I apologize that it's a little overdue.
[ What a surprising run-in and definitely welcomed. Joshua had wondered what had happened to Drizzt after their initial meeting and had hoped that his newfound friend had recovered from his panic enough to take cover somewhere.
It seems that might have indeed been the case as Joshua blinks a few times to reorient himself from his shock, having been caught somewhat unaware while doing his usual wandering from bookstore to bookstore. ]
As are you, though you need not worry about recompense. I would have never forgiven myself had I ignored someone in need.
[ Especially given the unusual circumstances that surrounded both of their appearances in this world. ]
However, if it is my companionship you seek, I would gladly accept.
[ There's nowhere else for him to be, and he is interested to know more about Drizzt and his world. ]
[ The flick of his ears ( forward, to catch Joshua's tone, then back, in gentle surprise ) precedes his faint smile; the terse, fleeting thing that accompanies the way he presses his hands together behind his back. A bit like coming to parade rest, or keeping nimble fingers away from temptations. ]
You are very kind. I failed to introduce myself before — Drizzt Do'urden, well met.
[ The words are sincere, warm and hazy with a dazed sort of pleasure. Honored, that Joshua has come to bequeath such sentiments on him. It's not the norm, for him. Not from humans, or even other surface-dwellers. ]
I would be agreeable to your company, without a doubt. Have you been well? Eating and finding your way without too much struggle?
[ The bookstore is a curiosity to him, and Joshua's interest in it is of interest to the dark elf, too. He does gesture aside, as if to draw out of the street and into a quieter alcove, where they won't be in the way or easy to sneak up upon. ]
[ Joshua follows the elf's lead and moves with him to a quieter spot with less foot traffic as he replies– ]
Joshua Rosfield. [ He doesn't know if he mentioned it before, and even if he did, he's not sure if his name was remembered. ] A pleasure, and I have been about as well as I could be, all circumstances considered.
[ He hasn't coughed up an extraneous amount of blood in a while nor is his chest aching from housing anything untoward inside. All in all, he feels better health-wise than he ever did in his own world, which still does very little to compensate for the loneliness he feels being so far from the familiar. ]
How about you? Have you pledged yourself to either faction yet?
[ The struggle of finding one's footing in a new world is not unknown to Drizzt, who once bore the weight of the indoctrinating teachings of the Lolth-loyal drow and the legacy their xenophobic hatred of the surface had left for him to navigate. He'd spent years in the company of many races, traveled to many realms and locations, and did his best to be well-rounded and respectful of his own biases, his prejudices.
He misses the Sword Coast, but especially, he misses Mithril Hall. He misses so much, and the pain of the passing of friends and the loss of his world haunts him, quiet and understated on his gently stoic face. ]
Not yet. I am taking my time, while I can. I am considering Zenith at the moment, though. What about you? Have you put any thought to where you might wish to align your hopes?
[ If only he had a more assured answer to that question, but really, he's determined the difference between factions too minute to matter –not without a better guarantee that their respective ambitions are more than just delusions. Placing blind faith in anything has never been a strength of his, and he's been disappointed far too many times by those who held power in their world. ]
I remain undecided, but I was assured such loyalty is not expected to be permanent. I doubt any potential allies I were to gain or lose would see it the same way however.
[ He himself wouldn't trust anyone who was regularly changing sides for their own gain. ]
Choosing has yet to become a necessity. I do not expect that to be the case forever, but I have made some friends within both factions.
I think, when I make my decision, I would like to be ready to not waver. Lest my choice comes to be utterly incompatible with my beliefs, I would like to enter covenant prepared for it.
[ Perhaps the newer members of Factions were expected to waver and wobble, but the elders were probably immovable in faith. Like Joshua, he doesn't want to be someone who is untrustworthy. ]
I have as well. Both factions have thoughtful and strong people representing them, and I have not felt rushed into anything. I spend my current freedoms familiarizing myself with the environment and lives of the non-combatants... is that why you spend your time reading?
Part of the reason, I would say. The other part is trying to find a simpler way to return to or rebuild our worlds that would not necessitate any war for resources.
[ He's already seen the aftermath of such wars in his own world and doesn't want to see the same repeated here. Desperation does breed a lot of terrible decision-making from those in power who seek only to have the needs of their people met. Joshua can't begrudge anyone who is driven by those circumstances, but there has to be a more diplomatic way to move forward. ]
I had spent a lot of time researching the history of my own world, trying to understand the blight that had afflicted it, and the root cause had turned out to be something insidious that needed to be destroyed to truly unbind us from the cycle that has had us ensnared for centuries.
[ Though he's not sure if this world has a simplified, common enemy of any sort. Maybe he's naive in thinking he could ever find a better way than what already exists. ]
You would seek an answer that would satisfy everyone?
[ Joshua truly is kind, he thinks. The tender parts of Drizzt's heart embrace such an ideal, his fragile hope and old idea of fighting for the defense of all who need it swell within him. Were there a way to do that, he would be glad to contribute to such a just and gentle cause. Maybe he can, for Joshua's sake? A way to reframe the argument that faces Meridian and Zenith, to save them all from one another. ]
My first home — was a world that had embittered itself, caught in a predatory cycle of seeking favor with a chaotic and self-aggrandizing goddess. They loathed one another, and could only rally in the face of manufactured enemies. When I left it behind, it took me years and years to fully untether myself from that painful, miserable cycle. Kenos seems to be no different, except that I do not know if we have the time to find the root of its affliction.
[ Though his tone is stern and low, the soft violet of his eyes do not harden. If anything, they soften when he looks upon Joshua and truly examines his face, the color and fall of his hair. The pads of his palms and fingers, as if seeking scars or calluses that would tell him of his work. ]
Still, I would try. I haven't the heart to turn away from these people, if this is where I am to be.
As would I. Whether in this world or my own, doing nothing and allowing misery to consume me is never the correct option, although many may think me a fool for thinking so.
[ However, he couldn't live with himself if he simply accepted that everything was gone, and if he started doing things only to serve himself. That would go too far against his own nature, and his father had ingrained into him so many lessons about being a good ruler –lessons of being kind, strong-minded, and putting the Duchy ahead of his own interests.
He just wishes he had the power and strength to be more productive in his pursuit of answers in this world. With his body still rather frail, his wits are doing a lot of the heavy lifting in keeping him alive. ]
I am glad we see eye to eye, though I mean not to burden you with philosophical quandaries at this hour. Perhaps, we can speak of something a little lighter in topic for a while. Your favorite foods, for instance...
[ Very suddenly, there’s a sense of Communion touching your character’s mind. However, it’s as if they connect with the mind of a shared Aspect, as they’re not able to block out the brief, but sharp memory that comes to them. ]
A Shard-Bearer sullenly watches their faction-mates mill about as new Shard-Bearers are welcomed to Highstorm. This place had never felt like home to them, and their laughter echoed with a hint of ridicule in their ears.
[ ooc note — Just to avoid OOC confusion/misinterpretation, the details included in this memory are random and are not necessarily interconnected or plot meaningful beyond a surface level. However, your character is free to interpret this random memory however they’d like! This event will also be touched on somewhat during today’s NPC Communion Post. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ACTION.
[ The first words from him are soft, a relieved sigh accompanied by the press of a dark hand against a pale tunic. Looking upon Joshua is, in fact, is a reminder of the kindness of others — of a city that was too loud, too bright, too much for him after so long. Of cool water and a gentle hand that pulled him back from the panicked, overstimulated edge he'd been on.
He remembers this face, with purpose and clarity. It's been a few weeks, since Drizzt simply vanished from the face of the world ( since he'd gone away, to sort himself out and returned to his own mind disoriented and unsure that he'd accomplished anything like that — ) and now, he has found someone he'd thought of, when he'd come back to himself. So, he dives across the world of Kenos in the hopes of finding Joshua again, although his approach is polite and hesitant.
( He'd hate to impose. ) ]
I believe I owe you a drink. I apologize that it's a little overdue.
no subject
It seems that might have indeed been the case as Joshua blinks a few times to reorient himself from his shock, having been caught somewhat unaware while doing his usual wandering from bookstore to bookstore. ]
As are you, though you need not worry about recompense. I would have never forgiven myself had I ignored someone in need.
[ Especially given the unusual circumstances that surrounded both of their appearances in this world. ]
However, if it is my companionship you seek, I would gladly accept.
[ There's nowhere else for him to be, and he is interested to know more about Drizzt and his world. ]
no subject
You are very kind. I failed to introduce myself before — Drizzt Do'urden, well met.
[ The words are sincere, warm and hazy with a dazed sort of pleasure. Honored, that Joshua has come to bequeath such sentiments on him. It's not the norm, for him. Not from humans, or even other surface-dwellers. ]
I would be agreeable to your company, without a doubt. Have you been well? Eating and finding your way without too much struggle?
[ The bookstore is a curiosity to him, and Joshua's interest in it is of interest to the dark elf, too. He does gesture aside, as if to draw out of the street and into a quieter alcove, where they won't be in the way or easy to sneak up upon. ]
no subject
Joshua Rosfield. [ He doesn't know if he mentioned it before, and even if he did, he's not sure if his name was remembered. ] A pleasure, and I have been about as well as I could be, all circumstances considered.
[ He hasn't coughed up an extraneous amount of blood in a while nor is his chest aching from housing anything untoward inside. All in all, he feels better health-wise than he ever did in his own world, which still does very little to compensate for the loneliness he feels being so far from the familiar. ]
How about you? Have you pledged yourself to either faction yet?
no subject
[ The struggle of finding one's footing in a new world is not unknown to Drizzt, who once bore the weight of the indoctrinating teachings of the Lolth-loyal drow and the legacy their xenophobic hatred of the surface had left for him to navigate. He'd spent years in the company of many races, traveled to many realms and locations, and did his best to be well-rounded and respectful of his own biases, his prejudices.
He misses the Sword Coast, but especially, he misses Mithril Hall. He misses so much, and the pain of the passing of friends and the loss of his world haunts him, quiet and understated on his gently stoic face. ]
Not yet. I am taking my time, while I can. I am considering Zenith at the moment, though. What about you? Have you put any thought to where you might wish to align your hopes?
no subject
I remain undecided, but I was assured such loyalty is not expected to be permanent. I doubt any potential allies I were to gain or lose would see it the same way however.
[ He himself wouldn't trust anyone who was regularly changing sides for their own gain. ]
Choosing has yet to become a necessity. I do not expect that to be the case forever, but I have made some friends within both factions.
no subject
[ Perhaps the newer members of Factions were expected to waver and wobble, but the elders were probably immovable in faith. Like Joshua, he doesn't want to be someone who is untrustworthy. ]
I have as well. Both factions have thoughtful and strong people representing them, and I have not felt rushed into anything. I spend my current freedoms familiarizing myself with the environment and lives of the non-combatants... is that why you spend your time reading?
no subject
[ He's already seen the aftermath of such wars in his own world and doesn't want to see the same repeated here. Desperation does breed a lot of terrible decision-making from those in power who seek only to have the needs of their people met. Joshua can't begrudge anyone who is driven by those circumstances, but there has to be a more diplomatic way to move forward. ]
I had spent a lot of time researching the history of my own world, trying to understand the blight that had afflicted it, and the root cause had turned out to be something insidious that needed to be destroyed to truly unbind us from the cycle that has had us ensnared for centuries.
[ Though he's not sure if this world has a simplified, common enemy of any sort. Maybe he's naive in thinking he could ever find a better way than what already exists. ]
no subject
[ Joshua truly is kind, he thinks. The tender parts of Drizzt's heart embrace such an ideal, his fragile hope and old idea of fighting for the defense of all who need it swell within him. Were there a way to do that, he would be glad to contribute to such a just and gentle cause. Maybe he can, for Joshua's sake? A way to reframe the argument that faces Meridian and Zenith, to save them all from one another. ]
My first home — was a world that had embittered itself, caught in a predatory cycle of seeking favor with a chaotic and self-aggrandizing goddess. They loathed one another, and could only rally in the face of manufactured enemies. When I left it behind, it took me years and years to fully untether myself from that painful, miserable cycle. Kenos seems to be no different, except that I do not know if we have the time to find the root of its affliction.
[ Though his tone is stern and low, the soft violet of his eyes do not harden. If anything, they soften when he looks upon Joshua and truly examines his face, the color and fall of his hair. The pads of his palms and fingers, as if seeking scars or calluses that would tell him of his work. ]
Still, I would try. I haven't the heart to turn away from these people, if this is where I am to be.
no subject
[ However, he couldn't live with himself if he simply accepted that everything was gone, and if he started doing things only to serve himself. That would go too far against his own nature, and his father had ingrained into him so many lessons about being a good ruler –lessons of being kind, strong-minded, and putting the Duchy ahead of his own interests.
He just wishes he had the power and strength to be more productive in his pursuit of answers in this world. With his body still rather frail, his wits are doing a lot of the heavy lifting in keeping him alive. ]
I am glad we see eye to eye, though I mean not to burden you with philosophical quandaries at this hour. Perhaps, we can speak of something a little lighter in topic for a while. Your favorite foods, for instance...
a memory—
A Shard-Bearer sullenly watches their faction-mates mill about as new Shard-Bearers are welcomed to Highstorm. This place had never felt like home to them, and their laughter echoed with a hint of ridicule in their ears.
[ ooc note — Just to avoid OOC confusion/misinterpretation, the details included in this memory are random and are not necessarily interconnected or plot meaningful beyond a surface level. However, your character is free to interpret this random memory however they’d like! This event will also be touched on somewhat during today’s NPC Communion Post. ]