Elidibus would absolutely lie through his teeth if it was perceived to be the better decision to make at that moment. If Irhya wants to believe otherwise, he won't dissuade her.
Briefly, the Ascian narrows his eyes. "Oh yes. He did learn that." Elidibus sighs while closing his eyes. "I suppose I should consider the same of you." It's a hint that the Emissary does still see Irhya as somewhat... separate to the one Warrior of Darkness he's connected to in his time. Which is probably for the best.
But there is some frustration that least into his words. Once again his eyes snap open. "Think! I know you are capable of it," Elidibus collects himself, though his words are given no less strength. "You wanted to bear the burden of truth." The Emissary turns enough to sweep his hand toward the ornate saddle and its finished design. This whole meeting was designed to expose him, clumsy though it might have been by an Ascian's standards. "Only to beg me to pull the veil of illusion once more across your eyes by making a hollow promise?" By her own words at that.
"I think not. What do you really want, Warrior of Light? Irhya?" Elidibus stresses her name. Not maliciously or condescendingly. As if he were talking to the person. "You are aware I can acceptably fulfill the role." He is the first Warrior of Light. He has been others, stood with them, taught them. "The battle waiting for us is not here in this prison. The only matter for us to consider here is survival and escape. It is not I who am unwilling to compromise, here."
He will maintain the guise of 'Ardbert'. Or at least what's sufficient for this world. There really shouldn't be any worry about it. Elidibus can't be the real Ardbert, but he certainly can play the role of a Warrior of Light.
He is willing to not play out their battle to save the world here, though the Warrior of Light before him seems to grasp at straws as if it were some sacrifice that she likewise hold back. One might argue that he's leaving out the notion that it would be 'useful' for either side if the Unsundered or the Warrior of Light remains imprisoned. But that's hardly a thing to bring up and not sound even more threatening.
Not to mention, with these twisting possibilities of Time, utterly fruitless for one's own world. Somewhere, the Warrior of Light is saved from the brink and succeeds in preventing the Eighth Umbral Calamity. Elsewhere they fall.
So yes, Elidibus is aware Irhya is holding something back, that this anger of hers is about something she's not saying. It is a sign he has some small hope for the Source's Warrior of Light, that he was frustrated by her foolish, mortal efforts to try and hide it by pretending she wished to hide her head in the dirt. Here! In front of him.
Her shoulders tighten. Damn it, this is why they don't let her try to negotiate anything. To argue it further just makes her sound like she's angry that everything isn't organized in a way she approves of.
Bloody hell, sometimes she hates her own temper. Her nails scrape the wood of the table as she curls them inward.
"Fine. Not like I want to go to the trouble of spreading ill rumors about you, anyway."
Curt and definitely not making eye contact. It'd be useless to ask him if he understands how she feels, though, not when he feels so little anymore. She turns her back to him and saunters back around the other side of the table.
"I'll keep working on this, at any rate. Maybe someday, it will remind you of something more pleasant."
Elidibus closes his eyes and sighs. It's audible even though Irhya retreats. Is that disappointment? Perhaps. But it is also resignation.
"It seems for now I too must ask no more about the matter," the Ascian answers when Irhya pointedly does not answer his question. "For now."
It seems it will only be a short reprieve. He has no way of knowing why the miqo'te Warrior of Light is refusing to explain what's really on her mind. She may well be right, that Elidibus would not comprehend such an explanation. And there's every right to expect that it may anger him to suggest she 'knows' him.
Perhaps if he ever grasps hold of some emotions he is willing to keep, then one day...
But for now, Elidibus watches Irhya move around the room. "Memories are fleeting. I know not why there is such insistence that I may somehow find 'joy' in the reminder." His voice has taken on a cadence which suggests he's speaking in half-rhetoric. And although he does not clarify, it is not just Irhya's insistence he speaks of.
With a little more focus and this time to the miqo'te, Elidibus then suggests, "If you wish to remain here, I will see to the saddle's fitting." Oh yes, there is still that, isn't there. "I will inform you if there is aught which does not fit Filia." He turns and walks toward the finished saddle, meaning to pick it up. Well, the opportunity is given, should Irhya wish to be alone.
"I do still suggest you show Emet-Selch your work. He may well appreciate the homage to his creation." Or maybe not. Sometimes it's hard to tell with the prickly Architect.
A few harsh words touch the tip of her tongue, but she manages not to unleash them. For now, as he says. She leans forward, dipping her head down, and waves a hand at him in a suspiciously Emet-like gesture.
"Do as you will." Maybe it is a worthy idea to show him the saddle, if only to pester him for more information she can actually do something with. His memories of Elidibus won't help when the man himself does not actually remember any of it, and has probably lost a great deal of his personality in the process of forgetting.
As he takes the finished saddle, she picks her head up and says one more thing in parting as he reaches the door. "Someday, I might be able to speak more about it. But today is not that day."
That was certainly familiar. But Elidibus knows Bonded share emotions and dreams, in a manner of speaking. Is it really a stretch to think mannerisms might leak across? Well, it's something to ponder over. Imagine if Lahabrea started to pick up Elidibus's habitual... ticks.
Come to think of it, would anything really change? A calm, still, and somewhat stoic Lahabrea? Elidibus can't imagine the comparison. He shakes his head free of such strange imaginings.
For now, he is content to depart, though pauses at the door when Irhya calls after him. The Ascian looks over his shoulder with a hint of interest. "I will be waiting to hear what you have to say, then," he answers in acceptance. He has plenty of time to wait, or so he is in habit of believing. What are a few centuries... ah, but does Irhya have time? He'll have to remember to look into the 'lifespan' of the vampires.
He leaves. And proves competent enough to fit saddle and bridle to not need help with that. The measurements done in a previous meeting have proved sound and while Irhya may be called out to see the final fit for the sake of satisfaction, it is probably a short and businesslike exchange.
What price remains to be paid is exchanged and Elidibus takes advantage of the newly saddled Filia to ride quickly out of sight. If no one else might be satisfied, at least the amaro looks happy. An excellent fit saddle and finally being able to trot along at a pace that isn't to match a hyur's walking speed. What more can be wanted out of life at that moment?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 12 Feb 2021 17:38 (UTC)Briefly, the Ascian narrows his eyes. "Oh yes. He did learn that." Elidibus sighs while closing his eyes. "I suppose I should consider the same of you." It's a hint that the Emissary does still see Irhya as somewhat... separate to the one Warrior of Darkness he's connected to in his time. Which is probably for the best.
But there is some frustration that least into his words. Once again his eyes snap open. "Think! I know you are capable of it," Elidibus collects himself, though his words are given no less strength. "You wanted to bear the burden of truth." The Emissary turns enough to sweep his hand toward the ornate saddle and its finished design. This whole meeting was designed to expose him, clumsy though it might have been by an Ascian's standards. "Only to beg me to pull the veil of illusion once more across your eyes by making a hollow promise?" By her own words at that.
"I think not. What do you really want, Warrior of Light? Irhya?" Elidibus stresses her name. Not maliciously or condescendingly. As if he were talking to the person. "You are aware I can acceptably fulfill the role." He is the first Warrior of Light. He has been others, stood with them, taught them. "The battle waiting for us is not here in this prison. The only matter for us to consider here is survival and escape. It is not I who am unwilling to compromise, here."
He will maintain the guise of 'Ardbert'. Or at least what's sufficient for this world. There really shouldn't be any worry about it. Elidibus can't be the real Ardbert, but he certainly can play the role of a Warrior of Light.
He is willing to not play out their battle to save the world here, though the Warrior of Light before him seems to grasp at straws as if it were some sacrifice that she likewise hold back. One might argue that he's leaving out the notion that it would be 'useful' for either side if the Unsundered or the Warrior of Light remains imprisoned. But that's hardly a thing to bring up and not sound even more threatening.
Not to mention, with these twisting possibilities of Time, utterly fruitless for one's own world. Somewhere, the Warrior of Light is saved from the brink and succeeds in preventing the Eighth Umbral Calamity. Elsewhere they fall.
So yes, Elidibus is aware Irhya is holding something back, that this anger of hers is about something she's not saying. It is a sign he has some small hope for the Source's Warrior of Light, that he was frustrated by her foolish, mortal efforts to try and hide it by pretending she wished to hide her head in the dirt. Here! In front of him.
no subject
Date: 18 Feb 2021 07:38 (UTC)Bloody hell, sometimes she hates her own temper. Her nails scrape the wood of the table as she curls them inward.
"Fine. Not like I want to go to the trouble of spreading ill rumors about you, anyway."
Curt and definitely not making eye contact. It'd be useless to ask him if he understands how she feels, though, not when he feels so little anymore. She turns her back to him and saunters back around the other side of the table.
"I'll keep working on this, at any rate. Maybe someday, it will remind you of something more pleasant."
no subject
Date: 19 Feb 2021 02:39 (UTC)"It seems for now I too must ask no more about the matter," the Ascian answers when Irhya pointedly does not answer his question. "For now."
It seems it will only be a short reprieve. He has no way of knowing why the miqo'te Warrior of Light is refusing to explain what's really on her mind. She may well be right, that Elidibus would not comprehend such an explanation. And there's every right to expect that it may anger him to suggest she 'knows' him.
Perhaps if he ever grasps hold of some emotions he is willing to keep, then one day...
But for now, Elidibus watches Irhya move around the room. "Memories are fleeting. I know not why there is such insistence that I may somehow find 'joy' in the reminder." His voice has taken on a cadence which suggests he's speaking in half-rhetoric. And although he does not clarify, it is not just Irhya's insistence he speaks of.
With a little more focus and this time to the miqo'te, Elidibus then suggests, "If you wish to remain here, I will see to the saddle's fitting." Oh yes, there is still that, isn't there. "I will inform you if there is aught which does not fit Filia." He turns and walks toward the finished saddle, meaning to pick it up. Well, the opportunity is given, should Irhya wish to be alone.
"I do still suggest you show Emet-Selch your work. He may well appreciate the homage to his creation." Or maybe not. Sometimes it's hard to tell with the prickly Architect.
no subject
Date: 19 Feb 2021 10:26 (UTC)"Do as you will." Maybe it is a worthy idea to show him the saddle, if only to pester him for more information she can actually do something with. His memories of Elidibus won't help when the man himself does not actually remember any of it, and has probably lost a great deal of his personality in the process of forgetting.
As he takes the finished saddle, she picks her head up and says one more thing in parting as he reaches the door. "Someday, I might be able to speak more about it. But today is not that day."
no subject
Date: 20 Feb 2021 22:02 (UTC)Come to think of it, would anything really change? A calm, still, and somewhat stoic Lahabrea? Elidibus can't imagine the comparison. He shakes his head free of such strange imaginings.
For now, he is content to depart, though pauses at the door when Irhya calls after him. The Ascian looks over his shoulder with a hint of interest. "I will be waiting to hear what you have to say, then," he answers in acceptance. He has plenty of time to wait, or so he is in habit of believing. What are a few centuries... ah, but does Irhya have time? He'll have to remember to look into the 'lifespan' of the vampires.
He leaves. And proves competent enough to fit saddle and bridle to not need help with that. The measurements done in a previous meeting have proved sound and while Irhya may be called out to see the final fit for the sake of satisfaction, it is probably a short and businesslike exchange.
What price remains to be paid is exchanged and Elidibus takes advantage of the newly saddled Filia to ride quickly out of sight. If no one else might be satisfied, at least the amaro looks happy. An excellent fit saddle and finally being able to trot along at a pace that isn't to match a hyur's walking speed. What more can be wanted out of life at that moment?