[CLOSED] A Warm (and delicious) Welcome

Oh my, do I spy a pragmatist amidst the sea of idealists? 

Akasha says coyly as she struts towards Killasandra. 

Few of those join rebellions because of righteous cause. So I wonder what draws a young girl into this realm of conflict and turmoil? Oh, but where are my manners. Introductions are in order. You may call Akasha.

Akasha extends her right.

Arlen scratches the back of his lengthy red hair, admitting defeat with a smile; on this topic because she was right. The city hasn't been destroyed yet and they can only get stronger from this point onward. Since that debacle and failure at the cultist temple, the young man's had a lot of time to think on his actions, his thoughts and his feelings. With all the things considered, there was still hope, burning within the heart of this young and reckless man. His facial features softened as the smile spread, relaxing one hand on his lap while the other grasped his glass but with more gentle care.

"Apologies, it's a habit of mine. You are right; the mission isn't lost because the city hasn't been lost yet. There's still plenty of fight left in me... In all of us. At least i'm certainly going to try; I don't want to see a city burn."

Killashandra's intense stare would be enough to unsettle many others, but as he looked closer, Arlen noticed a hate-filled internal struggle. The woman almost betrayed her motives purely on gaze alone, but without mind-reading capabilities, that was never truly going to be a problem.

"Failure is a difficult and bitter medicine to swallow, but some of us are foolish enough to keep trying even against odds that are out of our control."

He examined the book page carefully, which reminded him of the foul creature he had fought not too long ago. If Arlen didn't know any better, he could safely assume that Aiden was fascinated with his abilities and blessings... With good reason of course; they are powerful boons to a true believer of a god's cause, or a righteous hero-in-training. He let out a soft chuckle, which was rare these past few days and it certainly helped the Paladin get a little more comfortable with the tenuous situation. Arlen looked upon the picture for a lengthy amount of time, for he always dreamed of becoming something like this, that his mother read to him in stories. There was still a long way to go for himself, with the first hurdles of his holy journey being considerably arduous, like a series of stairs that just kept escalating far into the heavens with no sign of stopping... The dark pits of the abyss waiting to below to snatch up any hapless soul. But not this one, not Arlen's. Snapping back to reality, he violently shook his head and pinched his cheeks.

"Oh, sorry! Just a little daydream there Sir... Hmm... When I fought that creature, I did indeed hurt it; I could feel it's agony as my holy blade burned its flesh... If it looked like flesh. There are plenty of ways to anoint a weapon for the cause of good and justice: holy water, magical potions, or even becoming a holy warrior yourself."

Upon noticing the beautiful-looking woman and her companion, listening to Aiden's queries, Arlen took a good look: clothes made of fine fabric, softer than the features on her face and quite the exotic woman in comparison to the plethora of Alexian presence here. Unfortunately, Arlen doubted he could tend to the man's leg, so he shook his head firmly.

"Injuries like those are difficult to heal, if possible at all... Still, he might have gone to get assistance from our infirmary and I trust the clerics there."

As the woman approached their table, bold as can be and with purpose in her stride, he suddenly got up from the table and moved to the side to allow the woman to sit. Gesturing to the now empty seat, he shuffled to the side with his glass in hand and stood a little closer to Aiden in order to provide a comfortable hearing distance. He wasn't quite prepared to interject himself, even politely, with the woman that recently approaching; saving his opportunity to speak when spoken to. Killashandra however had a knack for breaking the ice and opening up, especially after a few drinks it seems. But regardless of the influence from liquid courage, her purpose brought a frown to Arlen's lips; one of sadness and empathy. He knew all too well what it's like to have lost someone so close to you... Knowing them all your life and then they;re gone, never to grace this world with their beauty or charm ever again. Oh, how he missed his dearly departed loved ones. Killashandra's comment rang true with the paladin and shook him up inside. In the most warming and comforting tone he could muster up, Arlen tried to console her.

"I'm sorry to hear that Miss. It hurts to lose someone we love... I know I have, as many others here have... Oroboros will look after your loved one, until the day that you can see her again. Be sure to make your loved one proud while you're still here with us, right Miss?"

Arlen puts his glass down and stands at attention, then offers a bow in response to Akasha, his holy symbol dangling upon a steel-link chain. Her comment definitely pointed out the fact that Arlen always seems to be wearing his armor, but he didn't particularly have a problem with it.

"Arlen Senshi Seiichi, Miss. Holy warrior who follows Oroboros. I'm no knight... But I aspire to be knighted one day. Thank you for the compliments, Miss; I do try my best to train every day."

He returns to his vigilant posture, but with a worrisome frown on his face, considerate of the lady's troubling confessions. Still, Arlen remains firm in his stance but he picks up the glass of water he'd been savouring and took another swig before placing it calmly back on the table. Taking a look around, the tavern was still largely active and no other person in particular was paying too much attention to the large group; all of them absorbed in their own merriment with their close friends, such is the way it should be in times of war and revolution.

"That is troubling to hear, Miss... A lot worse than what the crown or the council has done to me or my family. Rest assured, there are still good men and women in the world... The bad ones will face the justice they are due."

Arlen runs his hand through his hair, keeping his face clear and in complete view, sending that hand backwards to scratch the back of his head. He offers the woman a smile, whether it is a welcomed gesture or not.

"Unfortunately, I'm an one of those idealists. I do apologize for that, but I hope that means we can work on good terms with each other in the future."

Turning his head to look at Killashandra, his expression remains very much the same; a warm smile with a hand on his chest-plate, assumed above the heart. The cloak draped down his back as if it was painting a scene behind the armor-clad man, hoping to catch his heroic side... It almost looked comical, save for the fact that his tone was calm and well-mannered.

"What matters most is that you have the will to hold fast to your beliefs and fight for a better tomorrow. That is something that every person here needs; the strength to fight and the willpower to keep performing against the odds. Granted, this doesn't always have to be a conflict... It could be metaphorical battle, or quelling turmoil in your mind. I'm sorry to hear that it was Knights who caused you and your loved ones so much pain. I hope you don't look down on me when I say I want to be knighted myself, that kind of conduct is something I can't condone for a person who's supposed to protect the people."

After going too serious and hitting some sensitive notes with the gathering at the table, Arlen decides to relax and calm down a little bit. Despite his habit of using gentlemanly manners, he couldn't help but laugh and add on to the antics of making Mr. Fisher bashful in front of company. At the very least it was causing no harm to him and it all appeared to be in good spirits.

"Be sure to treat the ladies with respect and care, Mr. Fisher. Most women like a man with good manners and NOT sweating profusely, like after a battle. Make sure to wash your face before you go on a date too!"

Catching the coin, Arlen gripped onto it tightly as he addressed the woman in a straightforward manner. His expression was stern but not standoffish.

"I have no intention of stabbing my companions in the back, n'or betraying Mr. Hiroshi's trust. These men and women are responsible for giving me a home and giving me something else to hold onto hope for."

Arlen nodded his head with affirmation and confidence, satisfied with his response. He couldn't seem to understand Akasha's angle, despite how simple it sounds, but then again it was not his business to pry or speculate too much on the matter. As he slowly opened his hand to reveal the coin, it reminded him that all of this; the new dawn rebellion, his personal goals, everything... All of it rested on a coin toss that could go wrong, or go exactly the way they dreamed. Some people's lives have been dictated by a coin toss, the gamble too tempting to avoid the risk... And many pay for it. He sighed as his gauntlet-covered fingers unfurled.

3ZZLYpA21-2 2 is heads.1-2

He flipped the coin over with a raised eyebrow, then laughed at his own folly as she was proved right; a two-sided tails coin. 

"Well played Miss. But like a true coin, we won't have complete control all the time. I would dare not say that i'm on the cusp of a great victory, and I would dare not say that being fixated on a goal makes me blind..."

Arlen runs a few fingers through his hair then stands up straight, moving around the table to present himself before Akasha more directly. He looks her dead in the eyes, now the smile returning to his facial features. His long, red cloak drifted gently and idly with the breeze that came in through the door, and you could honestly take this for some picturesque moment in time.

"... It gives my every step purpose and motivation; a reason to keep going despite everything that seeks to tear me down. I help bystanders because I wish to be a good person, I wish to be knighted so I can continue serving the people... And importantly, I'm here with the New Dawn to save the people. There are definitely lessons to be learned at every step, good or bad, but I take them in good stride and I keep going. Because if I stop, if I lie to myself much like this coin does, then i'm not in the right mindset to save anyone Miss."

He holds out his hand and offers the coin to her in a gentlemanly manner, having not broken his friendly facial expression. 

"Truth be told, i've learned things the hard way more than once... And I'll probably continue to do so; because the right choices are often the most difficult ones to make. I hope I can help you achieve the security that you want for the future."

Akasha waves the coin away.

"Keep it. As a memento of our encounter. Let it serve as reminder that not everyone is playing the same game you are. I wish you the best of luck in your quest to save people, but you can't always save everyone. Even with the most steadfast resolve, you sometimes can't even save the ones you love; you should be ready for that moment: Be ready to let go of the resolve before it shatters, lest it crushes you like it did Mr. Moriarty in process."

Akasha noticing Killashandra struggling.

"I should give the girl a hand before she injures someone, most likely herself. It has been a pleasure meeting you Arlen. Let me know if you ever wish me to teach you how to play the game. My office is the basement of the brothel. Ask for Mr. Moriarty when you get there."

Akasha stands flicking her hair backwards and readjusting it as she does. She then proceeds to gracefully strut over to Killasharda and offers her hand to help her balance.