2023-01-30: Drifting

• Log: Drifting
• Cast: Ruth Pauling, Rixia, Eleanor Klein, Acacia Saitani
• Where: Klein Central Ward
• Date: January 30, 2023
• Summary: Rixia has fled Lunar, arriving at Klein Manor. There, she meets Acacia, Ruth and Eleanor...

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============================<* Klein Central Ward *>============================

The central ward of Klein City is dominated by the great, imposing castle of House Klein, black stones with great spires stretching up to the sky atop a high cliff overlooking the rest of the city, with a fine view of the sea far below. ...But while the fortress could be imposing, it is largely open to the public, the government offices of the city sprawling from within the castle itself into the sprawling buildings that have sprung up somewhat less securely. The bureaucratic machine that oversees most of the trade of Meria Boule with other nations requires a great deal of upkeep, and many industries have sprung up to provide for and cater to the officials and merchants involved in the process. Klein City occupies a notable place at the east coast of Meria Boule, and it is in many ways its gateway to the rest of Filgaia, particularly outside Aquvy. Accordingly it is fairly cosmopolitan, favoring bright fashions and a sophistication that can sometimes grate on those who prefer more straightforward talk and manner. The rocky terrain means people are often closer together than not, but it is not known for its great machinery or production as a rule, even if it is one of the more bustling cities of Meria Boule.

BGM: Chrono Cross - Another Termina

<Pose Tracker> Ruth Pauling has posed.

    Ever since the events of that tomb, well... the loved ones recovered need to be tended to. It was a near-miss for the horrible dark sorceries that nearly took their lives for the sake of enslaving a people who no longer want any part in what their King has planned. No one should.
 
     As pertains an expectant mother-to-be at Klein Manor, things are all the more tense and worrisome not only for the health of the mother but of the unborn child. There's no telling what more will unfold underneath the careful(?) watch(?) of Vinsfeld Rhadamanthus and an Odessa that has seen its elite Cocytus unit laid low... or those other powers that pledged to fight underneath this banner. Between this and worrisome events on Lunar's three continents, there has been no time for rest. No time to really, truly unwind.
 
     After all, Kamui herself remains in peril, on top of that.
 
     It's an overcast morning on Klein Manor, and Ruth has not moved from her place on the roof in some time. She's holding her elven shape like it's precious spiritual camouflage in case evil spirits decide to come menace Eleanor and her loved ones. (If the Manor has decorative statues of cloaked figures... she's got a light gray sheet to match. You may refer to it as a... TACTICOOL * SNUGGIE !)Those who left the chamber where the shade of Ganondorf was overturned saw her act in that capacity against those enthralled hordes that rose from the spirits of the restless servants.
 
     The Manor will be kept safe, even if those who come and go might not quite feel that way.

<Pose Tracker> Rixia has posed.

    Filgaia and Lunar; the Blue and Silver Star. On each, a time of peril and great trial ensued, positively without regard to one another. A tale of the King of Evil and dark sorcery, and a near-miss with loved ones; and on Lunar, a tale of the chain of tragedy, sacrifice and vengeance throughout generations.

    Rixia's had enough of her tragedy; after Shalune and Margaret bailed her out of prison, she found her way to an Elw Teleporter and... remembered Eleanor. Specifically, she remembered her offer to seek her or Xiumei out in Klein if she needed help, though it was under other circumstances that were more jovial and goofy.

    The fox girl is hobbling a little by the time she locates Klein manor, perhaps on account of some help; she looks like she's been on the road for days, which given the state of her and her shoes might not be an exaggeration. She probably doesn't know there's much more choices for public transportation in Filgaia! (And perhaps she's a bit scared of trains, after last time.)

    "This is... it...?" Rixia whispers, staring up blearily. "Hopefully Miss Eleanor or Miss Xiumei is here..."

<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.

Eleanor Klein has been busy. Oh, her mother has doctors already, and they are very good at their jobs, but the Marchioness of Klein has been through a significant ordeal in a sensitive condition, and so Eleanor has been using her knowledge as a Sage to counteract the dark magic that was used.

...But that was then; her mother is stable, and Eleanor is tired.

But she comes to check with Ruth, who is standing sentinel over her home. The Manor does have decorated statues, and why not give some cloaks? She at least finds Ruth's presence reassuring.

So, the young elf, fatigue obvious in her eyes, comes out and smiles at her friend, the Hellion. "Thank you," she says to Ruth, "For looking out for us." "I..."

She pauses, then, and turns, as she notices movement well below; she's on the battlements, looking up at Ruth on the roof; then, there is...

"Oh!"

Rixia may be surprised when of all things an owl sweeps down from the castle's walls swooping down next to her and gathering in her wings on the ground, before whirling to become--

Eleanor!

"Oh, Rixia," she says. "You must be so tired!" Nevermind that Eleanor is too. "Come in, come in. How are you feeling?"

<Pose Tracker> Acacia Saitani has posed.

    At least Kamui has several lights in the darkness. One of them can be seen in the grounds of the manor below where Ruth sits, where a certain reporter and general ARMS ally is neatly picked out amongst the gardens and the muted black of her clothes by a shock of red hair as she moves up the path towards the manor proper.

    Acacia's spent a lot of time recently doing what she can to ensure that Kamui has access to any number of reminders about the people waiting for her. If the virus causes a feedback loop of negative thoughts, the reporter's contrarian answer to that is simple: provide as many positive as possible. So she's been guiding people on visits to the ruins, taking photographs and mementos of the Meria Boule populace, and generally ignoring the fact that Kamui's sealed ruins are supposed to be, well, sealed.

    This has come at a slight cost to her participation in ARMS maneuvers, but Vinsfeld has yet to call her out on it. Given what her response would be, maybe that's for the best.

    It was on the way back from one trip that she encountered a bedraggled figure, and it's not like she could have just left someone so beat up alone. She's got the fox girl on her shoulder as she navigates the two of them down the path, propping her up with brute strength and as much care as she can manage given that she's not exactly the best person to ask for first aid.

    "This is it," she confirms, and glances up towards the roof, cupping a hand to her mouth. She's at least picked up on the recent protective streak around the manor. "Heeey! You've got guests! Anyone lost a--" It's definitely for the best that she doesn't finish that question, as insensitive as it would be, but she takes the owl and its approach in stride. "Ta-dah."

<Pose Tracker> Ruth Pauling has posed.

    Ruth works up a short nod at Eleanor's presence and thanks without meeting her eyes. The Sage of Light has many allies, which was true even before her awakening. She doesn't speak over or interrupt her, as she can feel something approaching moments before her keen eyes catch it.
 
     "Down there," she says moments before the 'oh!'
 
     Where Eleanor takes a graceful approach with the form of an owl, Ruth just hauls off and leaps off the roof with all the suddenness of a hungry predator about to score their next meal.
 
     She doesn't land too close by, given Acacia and Kamui's collective struggle to approach. The cloak is thrown off, to flutter off to a corner of the grounds that doesn't see much direct foot traffic.
 
     There's a faint - faint! - whiff of Malevolence. The cloak was in brief use shortly before this sequence of events, and none of the Seers have been around to give it a freshening up. Without it being on Ruth's person, that particular spiritual presence can't be suppressed. Despite this...
 
     The other approaching elf's manner seems gentle and restrained beyond the sudden appearance, wearing (collectively) heavy, oversized clothing with her shawl hood down and a rifle prominently wrapped at her back.
 
     "She's exhausted," something Eleanor already acknowledges. Her gaze tracks to Rixia without quite meeting her eyes dead on. There's a smile there. "It's all right. You're safe."
 
     While they don't talk much, Ruth does recognize Acacia as being one of Kamui's most stalwart friends and allies in her time of need. "Did something happen out there?"
l ruth
Ruth Pauling
    (temp desc)
 
     Ruth Pauling was a 5'8" elf of fair skin, copper hair that goes down her shoulders in front of her, gray eyes, and lengthy pointed ears. She's truly something else now, but for the most part this is how she is seen. Her face is narrow and her features harsh, and it seems signs of aging have caught up with her a lot sooner than it does for most elves (~30s, she is in her mid 40s). She makes an honest effort to smile, and sometimes struggles to keep eye contact.
 
     She wears a necklace with her tags on it atop a mid-light gray shawl, said shawl having a hood that she sometimes wears. It is in turn worn over a light blue-gray overcoat resembling a clearing overcast sky, which seems much too large on her (and appears to be tied up underneath said shawl so that it fits as well as it's going to - it's like it was meant for someone at least a head taller than her). It makes her actual build difficult to determine, but she doesn't seem too troubled by the weight of everything she wears and carries (aside from a having a slouchy posture by habit rather than encumbrance).
 
     Both her hands wear black gloves and are typically doing something else other than hanging out in the open idly, often hiding inside her coat somewhere. Her right sleeve is rolled up, exposing a Granasian rosary wrapped around it. She also wears a long dark green skirt underneath that can appear brown under certain lighting conditions, and traveling boots of such shoddy quality they may even be considered 'third-hand.'
 
     A revolver is in a holster directly sewn into said overcoat. There seems to be a slit that goes down her upper back, also a ways up from the back of the coat and dress. A large sniper rifle is wrapped up in a blanket, strapped to her back. Only the stock and grip are exposed, in reach of her left hand if she leans back far enough.
 
     Due to significant deafness in her left ear, she tends to stand to the left of people where she can help it, and seems hesitant to do much heavy lifting with her left arm (aside from going for the rifle).
 
     Sometimes she's something else! Even then... most of the description remains accurate.
l

<Pose Tracker> Rixia has posed.

    Rixia's not so exhausted that she doesn't have the energy to scowl and go, "Who're you calling a--" to Acacia, before the combination of owl that emerges into Eleanor and Ruth's dramatic landing startles her just a little bit; she has to wonder if she's seeing things, but she also just assumes Eleanor is a spellcaster of great merit because... actually, a lot of people in her life are spellcasters of great merit.

    Ruth offers her a smile and a reassurance of safety, and Rixia slips very gently from Acacia to stand on her own two feet, as if to just test herself. She doesn't instantly fall over, so it's good enough for her. "Thank you. R-really tired... I walked from a small desert town called, um... ... Damzen. I had to go through a lot of tunnels and they weren't all safe."

    That's all the way over from the other side of the Merian island...!!

    She looks down to the ground for a moment, then admits, "Sorry, but... I kinda... ran away. It's a long, complicated story, but I kinda... don't want to be in the Silver Star at the moment. I remembered when we first met at that train station when you offered me a place and..."

    A hesitant pause, as she pumps her hands together. "I can work! I'm, uh, really good at mixing drinks, if any of your parties need spicing up."

<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.

"Oh, Acacia!" Eleanor spots, once she's done zeroing in on the Girl In Danger. She smiles at her. "You did the right thing," she tells her friend about bringing Rixia.

Of course, she wouldn't have noticed Rixia if not for Ruth's keen eyes in the first place. But now that she's down here...

"Oh, no, that's not safe at all," Eleanor agrees with immediate sympathy. But that pause...

"Well," Eleanor says, "I appreciate that! And indeed you might get a chance to use your skills, if you like. ...But I wouldn't dream of making my guest work for her bed. I invited you freely, and you may stay freely."

Eleanor reaches out--and moves to offer Rixia a hug. "It's all right. You don't have to be there, then. You can be here."

She smiles at Ruth, who says she's safe. Then Acacia. "...Hmmm at this hour the maids are largely asleep," she says, "But I'll find whoever's on duty and we'll get you a bed. For now, why don't we retire to the sitting-room?"

If allowed, Eleanor will guide people through the door and into a lounge very close by the entrance, where there are couches!

<Pose Tracker> Acacia Saitani has posed.

    Acacia probably has dossiers on most of ARMS - or at least has the wit and guile to sneak into the organization's record room if she really has to. Not that she would; she places a lot of stock in being a 'good' reporter, and there are some lines she wouldn't cross without a damn good reason. She knows enough to nod towards Ruth in recognition, at least, and then immediately shrug her shoulders. "If it did, it was before I came along. I'm not all that sure when she last ate, though, and that's definitely not helping. All I had was trail snacks."

    The reporter just smirks brightly without shame at Rixia's scowl, obviously working off of an age-old lecture in her bones about what it means if you've got enough energy to complain. Maybe something about the fox girl reminds her of someone else whose life she enjoys making hell. "Oh, there we go, signs of life. Alright--" she adds as Rixia starts to try to stand on her own power; though Acacia moves away to give Rixia some space her expression sharpens, and she's clearly ready in case Rixia's body disagrees with her.

    As Rixia mentions the path she's taken through the wilderness, the reporter levels a flat stare of 'see?' towards Eleanor and her guard, and there's the faintest shrug of one shoulder as she puts on a lopsided smile. It's when the rest of Rixia's story comes out that she actually pauses to puff out a breath. "Okay, that's a lot further than Damzen. ... not that I can blame you, really," she mutters as she glances up towards the skies above.

    She slowly raises her eyebrows at Eleanor. "As if you'd let people being on duty or not stop you," she notes, and-- follows along. Isn't her job here technically done? Maybe she's going to be a nuisance. "I dunno that your parties need spicing up any more than they already are, though. The last one had someone elope," she adds in a deadpan that gives nothing away.

<Pose Tracker> Ruth Pauling has posed.

    "From Damzen?" Ruth asks in muted surprise, watching Rixia keep to her feet and find her (uncountable) wind, some life and vigor at wanting to mix drinks to make up for being offered a kindness. She doesn't get in-between the calming, reassuring hug.
 
     Eleanor's not in any danger here.
 
     On the invitation to retire to the sitting-room, Ruth takes a moment to consider as she looks up to the skies in following Acacia's earlier gaze, and the ways beyond to the rest of Klein.
 
     "I won't turn down that kindness," as if talking herself into taking it.
 
     "So it did," she echoes. She wasn't there for it, but... "I'm not sure when is the last time I ate, myself."
 
     It was right when Eleanor and her mother came here. It's been a few days.

<Pose Tracker> Rixia has posed.

    Rixia blinks a few times in bashfulness as Eleanor insists that she can stay freely; she doesn't argue the point, though, because it is her manor, after all, and she doesn't clearly remember the terms of the promise. And... well, a hug feels really good right now, even if she's technically been leaning off off Acacia for the last hour or so.

    "Sorry for the trouble... sitting down sounds really good right now."

    She scratches her head gently, pawing away at her right fuzzy ear atop her head for a moment. "Wait, eloped? Who?" Oh, Rixia has a lot to catch up on, huh?

    The fox girl catches herself, though, and assuming Ruth to be a member of the household, she bows her head and says, "I'm Rixia, from... from, well, the Silver Star." She hesitates for a moment, then admits to Eleanor, "I think... I don't think Pendrago guards know how to operate the teleporter, but I might've gotten in trouble with some nobility, just in case that comes up. I don't want your house reputation or anything to go down on account of me or ... oogh ..." Her stomach starts rumbling. Food would, indeed, be good, just like Ruth.

<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.

"We'll definitely have to get some food," Eleanor says to Acacia at that. But--At Acacia's crack about their parties, Eleanor blushes furiously and looks away. "Well--that's--ahem!" Pause. "...That's not technically true," the young noblewoman insists, studiously staring at the door away from Acacia.

Rixia probably won't, but might, notice Eleanor absently fiddling with her engagement ring.

Ruth won't turn down that kindness. Eleanor recognizes her way. "Good," she says. "Because you're quite welcome, too." But Eleanor looks to Rixia thoughtfully. "Pendrago... Hmm. Well, we don't have any ties with them," Eleanor admits, "So it's probably fine. You'll be under my protection regardless. It's not a problem." Well, probably not. She assumes Rixia means 'a little trouble' not 'butchered an inn.'

In the meantime, they reach the sitting room, and Eleanor opens it up to the others. "Come in," she says, "Take some seats! If you're hungry... Oh, and you too Ruth--"

She looks around, and sees a woman in black and white approaching. "Oh, Clara!" she greets, "Good morning! Would you see if the kitchens can find something for my friend to eat? She's been on the road for some time..."

The conversation between Eleanor and the maid outside continues for a few moments, but everyone else is welcome to settle into the sitting-room! Couches, and chairs, all plus, some paintings on the walls... It's a lovely room.

<Pose Tracker> Acacia Saitani has posed.

    Acacia's expression goes abruptly flat at Ruth's admission, and she glances back towards Eleanor with the expression of 'why haven't you grabbed this person by the ear and pulled yet'. You'd think that would be a complex emotion to convey - but between Kamui, Xiumei, Yue, and even herself she's had a whole lot of experience in delivering that sort of expression.

    She almost opens her mouth to quip about Rixia's self-introduction and 'being from the Silver Star' - but she clamps her mouth shut the next moment to frown thoughtfully to herself. With how prevalent the Althenan Guard is, maybe it's fair enough to introduce yourself in that way, and it's not like Spira really registered to her as being the same location. "I don't think any of us are gonna worry about where you're from. There's a couple places on Filgaia where people will care, but most of us free-wheel it."

    "It is absolutely true," she adds, because she's found something she can pin Eleanor with and she's not about to give up on it so easily, nudging Rixia in the arm as she nods. "I'm a reporter, trust me. It was very steamy." If she lets it go abruptly, it's only because her thoughts swing in a similar direction to the noble's. "I can keep an ear open to the ground. Even if they knew how the teleporter worked, I don't believe you could get an army through it in any kind of sensible timeframe. Someone'd spot them."

    She pauses. "And even then, that's probably me worrying too much."

<Pose Tracker> Ruth Pauling has posed.

    Ruth misses the implication as to why she's being bowed to, or the assocation that might stem from also (formerly) being an elf. Her manner of dress is less refined than Eleanor's, significantly more well-traveled.
 
     "I'm Ruth," she says. "It's nice to meet you." For someone who has stated they haven't eaten in a few days, her manner is incredibly well-composed in the moment. This is one of those little things that's actually scary in practice, but... it's fine. In the present, anyway.
 
     It's a good thing Eleanor points her out specifically to take a seat, lest she decide she's going to stand along with some of the other statues here or some such. She takes a seat in one of the couches.
 
     "There are places far less kind for her," Ruth says to Acacia - almost certainly referring to Rixia's Beastfolk traits. "But here... here, she is safe." Like she has to tell herself that, in some form.
 
     "There's the Al Bhed from Spira." Ruth says. They are the ones who mastered a way to make the teleport network, well, work! They're further invaluable for supplies for maintaining ARMs out there, at that - the best friends a Filgaian gunslinging traveler can have. When both parties understand one another's speech, anyway. "Sometimes they play games in the harbors of Sylvaland. That's the most... organized I've seen coming from the teleporters."
 
     It's true, Blitzball happens there sometimes. It's a place far removed from the prejudices of Spira, the water's the cleanest in all of Filgaia (generally), it's win-win.
 
     Keeping seated, Ruth's body language remains reserved and cautious compared to the more lively and inquisitive Acacia and the tired, starving Rixia. A little distant, but not cold.
 
     "You've been through much, haven't you," she says to Rixia.

<Pose Tracker> Rixia has posed.

    Rixia nods somewhat numbly at Eleanor's assurance that she'll be under her protection; she does feel like she needs to morally compensate a little, though. "It was a drunken fight at a noble party I had to stand guard for. I might've thrown a noble lady onto a table... I woke up in a prison and some Drifters broke me out." It's fine, Rixia. The most dangerous outcome of that is that she finds that very attractive and becomes a persistent rival.

    She does take a seat and basically melts into it, before cutely jerking up again to bow at Clara, as if already mentally ranking herself below a senior servant. "S-sorry for the trouble!"

    Still, the gravity of chair is powerful. Acacia calls herself a reporter and dangerous words come out.

    "Oh... um," she pauses. "That's like the town crier, right?" A sibling-style fight might break out. "Wow, a steamy affair of eloping... ... it's like the kind of stories you hear about nobles, but I didn't think they'd be true over here."

    She regards Ruth on the topic of places that are far less kind, and... she understands what she means, without her having to spell it out. "... thank you," she answers, in a tone that suggests she knows.

    The Al Bhed... she really needs to go back to Spira and resume her search, but things have been so difficult and stressful. "I still have something I need to do in Spira, but with everything..."

    Ruth cuts to the core of her, though. Something about those simple words makes her tremble, and she quietly nods. If Ruth's able to feel it, even, her Malevolence feels... thicker than the norm -- she's been exposed to so much of it, though it doesn't look like she's about to be overwhelmed by it.

    "... yeah. To be honest, um-- I was part of a group who took the fight to the Lord of Calamity. It was a really difficult and scary struggle, and though we came out of it alive in the end, there were..." She frowns, trying to find the words. Her expression scrunches up, and she's on the cusp of not crying. "People were horribly injured. I learnt of so much grief from so many years, decades ago. Important people to me bore sacrifices to end it all, and yet..."

    That ghostly expression comes back to her, like a mixture of fatigue and frustration are fighting with each other. "Those nobles... those nobles had the gall to say 'I'm so glad that business is over with'. 'Good thing we had such heroes to protect us,' smiling but their hearts didn't care one bit! I got so mad and frustrated..."

    Then the anger leaves her, spent on her seat. "It's like 'heroes' are disposable servants to them..."

<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.

Eleanor's been busy!! Also, Ruth doesn't technically need food. Eleanor expresses this mostly with a harried look back at Acacia in the meantime. But... it's true that they aren't that worried about where they're from. Here, though--here, Ruth is right. They are safe. But--

"We aren't married yet!" Eleanor protests. "..Well." She glances at Rixia, and she can't help but enjoy a little mischief herself, even at her own expense. "...It might've been a little steamy, though."

"That's true though," she says of an army, and nods to Ruth at the matter of the Al Bhed. Games in the harbors... Yes, that sounds right. "I'm very fond of Blitzball," Eleanor reflects.

It might be more accurate to say she's fond of Blitzball players...

"Oh. Oh, dear," Eleanor says, at Rixia's explanation. But she doesn't revoke her hospitality! No, it was probably a misunderstanding of some kind...

Clara, though, smiles at Rixia. "It's no trouble, dear. We'll get you sorted."

Something to do in Spira... But--

"Oh, you were with that group?" Eleanor wonders. "...Yes, that would've been very difficult..."

She pauses. The nobles who...

Eleanor frowns. "I see. Well, while I don't condone throwing around ladies," she admits, "...That was dreadful of them. Some people are like that, unfortunately."

"...A 'hero'," she sighs. "Well."

She finishes conferring with Clara. "Thank you, Clara. I'll see to her until you can get her room arranged."

Then she looks back to Rixia. "It's easy to be rude and callous when you're insulated from the problems that other people have to deal with. Unfortunately, many nobles are that way, when in fact we should be the ones trying to spare our people such things."

<Pose Tracker> Acacia Saitani has posed.

    "Oh, sure," the reporter sighs as she scratches at her hair, and nods to Ruth's comment. "Let's see-- I wouldn't go near Ignas, I guess, even if it has quietened down. It's hot and crappy there anyway, and there might still be some of the Guard around Adlehyde. Most Baskar wouldn't bat an eye at the ears, but they'd be cautious about anyone on general principles. Obviously there's Elru, and Solaris besides. Also, I kind of get the feeling that Guild Galad would make her explode."

    "I've got a couple of spare almanacs sitting in a box back home, actually," the reporter thoughtfully hums, meeting Rixia with a nod as the thought strikes her. "It'll be a bit easier to get around when you've got a map on you and a bit of an introduction to each place, and I can scribble over the margins with some useful information as a bonus. --I'll even be nice enough to forgive the 'town crier' crack," she adds with relish in her grin. "What am I, one of those loud old grandads without much else to do? I'm too busy to rattle off a 'hello, welcome to Meria Boule' every time someone rolls into town."

    Acacia is, fundamentally, someone who left behind an upper crust lifestyle in Guild Galad to come to Meria Boule and become a Yakuza protagonist. There may not be endless people picking a fight with her, but she's definitely thrown away some of the luxury for the sake of carving out her own life and also filling out her life of all the places to eat around the city. What this mostly means is that she listens carefully to Rixia's tale - and then nods in firm support.

    "... you'll still get some of that here," she's forced to admit with a puff of air. "But it's kind of the other way around. There's a lot of people just trying to live their life, and a lot of them don't really know about anything Filgaia as a planet goes through." She wrinkles her nose. "I don't know if that's 'better' or just 'different'. Eleanor's got her head screwed on right, though."

<Pose Tracker> Ruth Pauling has posed.

    Ruth's attention bears down on Rixia as she lets out her feelings as they are. Her gloved hands squeeze a little tighter as she looks down to the rosary about her forearm for a moment as the young Beastfolk speaks of being company to a world-shattering event.
 
     Somewhere towards the end of all that, Ruth's right hand is over her chest as she considers what the young woman went through. War more directly became part of her life when she was twenty - an adult - though the years leading up to that were filled with unrest and violence about Celesti regardless.
 
     "If you need to cry... then cry." Ruth says, of someone given too harsh a hand far too soon in their life. She rises from her seat to come closer to Rixia, as Eleanor sees to arrangements being made for her. There is much that could be said. Ruth recognizes all she could say comparatively would only serve to make Rixia feel smaller, that her feelings aren't 'as real' compared to what she's been through.
 
     She takes a new seat closer to where she is. Her smile is gentle, but if Rixia can see her eyes, the smile doesn't reach it. It's not too far off from Georg Heldalf's own, when he presented himself as anything but the monster he embraced being. She's sitting with her right side facing Rixia, where she can prominently see the (unfamiliar) religious accessory adorning her forearm.
 
     "...We are raised to adhere to virtues of patience... gentleness... forgiveness. Until we cannot. Then it feels like it all slips away, and you're taken with it." Ruth says. "Some days... it feels like everyone wants a shadow to hide behind. Is it the shadow that lets them be unseen, or is it the trust in the hero - or monster - who casts it for them?"
 
     "What happens when it is this hero - or monster - that desires shade themselves?" She starts to trail off, bowing her head and closing her eyes. "I don't see you left wanting for it, with friends like you seem to have."
 
     She doesn't muse on what might happen should the day come Rixia decides she's undeserving of warmth or comfort.
 
     Telling her she can cry if she needs is the best detour she can provide.