of knights, dogs, and yakitori

[beathollow]

( another week, another palace- and far be it from us to deny tradition. through bickering, wandering and other shenanigans, the group from argenti's palace will find themselves at an agreeable izakaya- not entirely meals, and they definitely have to make an argument for the younger teens, thank you izou, but the atmosphere is light and more importantly, this bad boy can fit so many customers at one group table. it was a hard battle- so now it's time to rest hard, too.

...

please consult here for menu ideas. this is not a dennihop. )

Comments

[chimken]

I am glad you are back, I don't care about any trouble you may or may not have caused. [ She pulls back as she smiled warmly to him. ]

You were hurting so much, I think a little trouble is worth it to help you.

[beautifulknight]

[ She is such a kind person. Truly...that is why Argenti has no trouble believing her words; not that he has had trouble when others have shown him such kindness, though he notes it nonetheless. ]

...Thank you. It is strange for me to admit that I was hurting at all, but I suppose that I am only human.

[ He says gently, albeit quietly for a moment. But he then manages another smile. ]

I hope you have been able to enjoy the atmosphere of this place as well. I do not oft frequent establishments such as these, but we all seem to have settled nicely into it just fine, yes?

[chimken]

We have! Plus, we are all celebrating you coming back, which is the most important part of being here. [ Falin went back to her seat, sipping her beer. ]

It's okay to hurt, by the way. Sometimes we've experienced things that we don't want to talk about, sure, but it's even more important to lean on your friends during the times that you are hurting! You're not alone!

[ She wanted to make sure she nailed it home for the other - just knowing how that hurt could affect him worried her. ]

[beautifulknight]

[ Falin does...certainly have a point. It's a celebration of his return, which makes it one important reason for everyone to be here - or well, the most, truly.

Though what she says next gives him pause. ]

...Yes, you're correct. I suppose before all of this I have not had people so close that I could confide about any of my struggles.

It did not feel right, to burden anyone with any of them - on top of myself not exactly accepting I was hurting. Now that I know, I believe I can try to be more open, even if it feels a bit...scary. But if I am ever too much, I am certain someone will say.

[chimken]

Of course. I have a friend back home who my brother is very close to. He has let my brother know many times how he feels and is very honest with him. [ Falin pauses. ]

I think it's also about trust. Trust that your friends will let you know if something is too much.

[ Falin blushed a little bit and waved her hands. ]

N-Not that I'm saying that you don't trust us! It's just my observation!!

[beautifulknight]

...Yes, that is the best way to go about it, I believe. To be unflinchingly honest with one another, even if it may be painful.

[ Argenti tries his best to be as much himself, though...her point about trust makes him smile a little sadly even as she backtracks a bit. ]

No, you're correct. I have to be willing to trust in my dear companions.

It does also remind me of something someone pointed out to me so early on. Regarding trust, and my lack of it in certain respects - particularly when it came to allowing others to assist me. I was a little shocked when someone pointed it out, but it was true.

[ The sad smile turns warm and soft. ]

Even if I will use my careful judgment in such matters, I will continue to trust that they will be willing to speak up, to be as honest with me as they have been. So, I thank you...for saying these things. It means you are a sweet and very thoughtful friend.

[chimken]

[ Falin merely blushes more, waving her hands as she tried to look apologetic. ]

N-No, I'm just a friend! I know when things hurt and how it feels so I guess I have experience to speak on these friends.

[ Wait no you're supposed to thank people for compliments. ]

I mean...I mean thank you for saying so!

[ Falin don't try to bow while sitting down. ]

[beautifulknight]

[ Falin...he laughs and shakes his head at this, but it is not mocking; it's light, gentle, and friendly as ever.

He hasn't meant to fluster her so, but he does take it all in good spirit. It is just how she is, he believes. Still, he wishes to reassure her as soon as possible, and so he hurries to do so. ]

It is no problem at all.

...And I do mean it - there is no need to be formal. I was only saying what was on my mind, and I was truly grateful myself.

Speaking of friends, though, I am a little curious. You've mentioned dungeons before and traveling with friends to them...what inspired you to go adventuring?

[ Her and her brother, really. There was that whole learning about eating monsters and all that but he imagined that isn't something that necessarily started the journey. Or, maybe it was. ]

[chimken]

Oh, Yes! Actually, they are a little similar to these palaces. [ Falin thought for a moment about Argenti's question. ]

Well...if I have to be honest, my brother. He always wanted to see how things work, how things can be different. He always inspires me to want to be a little braver, actually.

[beautifulknight]

Ah, I see.

I do find it quite splendid that he serves as your inspiration. That he is essentially one who motivates you to push forward.

[ Speaking truthfully! Argenti doesn't know what it's like to have sibling, not really (if he had one, he certainly doesn't have recollection of it), but he understands the concept - or so he thinks. ]

Though, while we're also somewhat talking on dungeons...what ways are they similar to palaces and what aspects are different, if any?

[chimken]

[ Falin thought for a moment, her hand on her cheek. How were they different... ]

The Palaces don't seem to be the cause of other beings traversing through dimensions. The Rulers could be like the Mages who create dungeons but they don't seem to have full control of the palace, only the aesthetics based on what their true self reflects...

The biggest difference is the monsters. We don't have anything like the shadows back home. A lot of what we have is like...living armor and dragons.

[beautifulknight]

[ ...Well then! Argenti does not know much about palaces in retrospect but he thinks he can agree that it doesn't seem to be cause of other beings' travel through dimensions. ]

...Yes. I remember just vaguely snippets of my time in the Palace and it didn't feel like I ever had full reign or control - though I was not myself most of the time in some ways, which you all did see.

[ So maybe it is something to add to evidence. But while dragons are a familiar concept, one of those is not, so he asks: ]

What is living armor, exactly?

[chimken]

[ Falin looks excited now. She was always wanting to talk about what Laios learned about monsters in the dungeon. ]

Living Armor is armor that moves on its own! It's meant to protect areas od the dungeon. Come to find out it's controlled by a mollusk type monster that uses the armor like a shell!

[beautifulknight]

[ Argenti finds himself smiling brightly at that once more.

If he can bring that level of excitement and cheer, then certainly he is doing well in spreading Beauty in another world with relative ease once more. ]

How intriguing! I have never heard of such a thing before. Not at all.

These Mages that create the dungeon must be quite thoughtful, are they not? To come up with such uniquely wonderfully and doubtlessly beautiful creatures...

[ How that is beautiful is anyone's guess. Maybe it is because it "protects" a spot of a place and he can already imagine it must have equal parts the determination of a knight that protects others. ]

[chimken]

Some of them are...some of them end up being controlled by a demon... which isn't their fault! It really depends on the Mage who helps with the dungeon.

[ Falin smiled in return. ]

What about you? Your palace was so beautiful and grand! Do you have places like that at your home?

[beautifulknight]

...Do you mean my home universe?

Where I'm from originally - well, I am certain there may have been. But, they were bound to be no more.

[ Since his original home got obliterated. She can always ask for clarification about that, though. ]

But, in the vast reaches of the galaxy, there are certainly worlds where there are beautiful buildings that speak to one's heart and dazzle the mind. Such as Penacony's, for example.

[chimken]

[ Falin gasps suddenly and takes Argenti's hands, pulling on them for him to settle in more. ]

Space?! Did you mention space before? What's it like? What are the stars like?