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NESSETH'S HOUSE - EVENING
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Dyvrisse has been in respite for a few weeks, still waiting on The Furious One to recover from her current 'condition'. She has the patience, though she harbours doubts that it may be misplaced. She has done her best to remain away from the townsfolk, instead being outside the walls with the majority of the other Saur populace as she awaits news. Despite being around her own kind, however, she feels more alone than ever. She's currently outside of her tent, smoke rising from the small forge a few of the other Saurs helped her get together. It's nothing like her old setup, nor like any of the ones in town. She usually finds solace in her metalworking, hammering away at the red-hot bar of metal before her. She pauses, with a sigh, and briefly, she stares off to the distance, where Yzzayt's Prominence once stood. After a moment of contemplation, her brow furrows, looking back down to her work sullenly. She pushes it off the crude anvil and into the troth of water next to it, the sound of water flash-boiling hissing into the air.
Aerdrid has been spending his time continuing to help the construction workers build up housing for the Saurs that live in town, the muscles and conditioning he'd built up while toiling away at the crater - known now as Yzzayt's Transgression to his kin - coming in quite handy in his efforts. At the moment, he's more or less finished with his work for the day, but the sound of a blacksmith draws his attention. He makes his way towards the source of the sound nearby, but blinks when he spots a familiar figure in a most familiar situation. "...Dyvrisse? When did you...?"
Dyvrisse, despite hearing the voice, continues to stare into the hissing water troth for a few seconds, both to finish her thought and work up the mental strength to engage in conversation. She finalizes her mind with a deep breath, turning around to face Aerdrid. "A cycle ago." She states. "Hello Aerdrid. You look well. This life suits you?" She questions.
Aerdrid approaches Dyvrisse as she responds, only to shrug at her question. He's dressed in clothing that's a less "Saur" in appearance, but still clearly designed for his kind's somewhat unique requirements. He's still wearing a lot of the odds and ends typical of a Saur, though. "I adapted well enough. There is not much call for capable warriors, right now, so I help our kin where I am able." He trails off for a moment, then smiles with a small, respectful bow, "It is good to see you again, Dyvrisse."
Dyvrisse: Not much call for Warriors. Hm. Dyvrisse analyzes the bow with her stoic gaze, trying to decipher in a brief instant if it was merely a friendly gesture, or one of respect to her previous rank. Ultimately, she decides to bow back, with slight unease. "The shrine. Many from Copse have made the pilgrimage. You have their thanks."
Aerdrid hums as he straightens up, his bow having been a gesture of friendship and respect both. He dips his head in acknowledgement of the sentiments from the Saurs living in Copse. "I am glad to have helped them find solace in some small way. It was all I could think to do, when I arrived at the Prominence to find nothing but a crater."
Dyvrisse nods. "Many have. . .Healed. As much as they may ever might, at least." Dyvrisse sighs slightly, glancing away. As stoic as she always is, her troubled mind slips through, ever so slightly, "But. . .I am not one of them."
Aerdrid tilts his head a bit, then shifts his position to one a bit more companionable, as he leans a bit against a post near the forge. "The past weighs upon you still, as well?"
Dyvrisse: "And the future." Dyvrisse pauses, "I. . .Do not feel welcome. Not here. Not at Copse. The Saurs at Copse. Some that revere me, I wish do not. Those that do not, avoid me instead. Few offer any meaningful companionship." Dyvrisse sighs. "And it is worse here. Especially those of Respite's blood." Dyvrisse pauses, ". . .I never wanted a war with Respite. But I could not stop Xeilzrus. The actions I took, to minimize loss and harm, to hold Xeilzrus back just a little bit. . ." She sighs. "Perhaps death would have been more merciful."
Aerdrid tucks his beak against his chest in thought, though he bobs it in understanding as he listens to Dyvrisse. "I can... understand the sentiment, Dyvrisse. When I was captured and taken back here, I was thrown into a cell near their warriors' lodgings. I could not understand why they did not just kill me and be done with it, though..." He lifts a hand and rubs at the faint outline of a scar on his neck, where one of the Respite guards strangled him with their broken bow's string, "...They most certainly could have. I left Respite to return to the Prominence, because I did not feel as though I was welcome here. When I returned, I did what I could to help our kin, and... perhaps show others that we are also a peaceful and productive sort, just as they are."
Dyvrisse's gaze follows Aerdrid's hand, only barely registering the scar. She nods, "They were lenient with you. And to the others. They are with me as well, but" She pauses, her facade slipping further. "I have helped all I feel I can, with Copse. They no longer need me. And. . .I do not want to be needed." She admits, her expression finally giving way into a proper emotion. "The way I am looked at here. Fear, anger, contempt. Saur and Respite alike. Eyes that pierce me, seemingly to look within. . ." She hesitates, placing a hand on her own throat, letting it glow slightly to emphasize, rather than speaking Yzzayt's name. She then looks back to her metalworking behind her, "I am lost, Aerdrid." Her voice wavers.
Aerdrid nods as he lets his hand drop away again. "That is a feeling I am... at least somewhat familiar with..." He looks around at the folks going about their day in a nearby lane, then sighs, "When I returned here from Copse, there were many in Respite who still looked upon me with fear and hate. I remember there were even whispers that a few of our kin suspected I had turned traitor during my time in captivity." He slowly moves from his spot at the post and goes to place a gentle hand on Dyvrisse's shoulder, a feat only made possible by the fact that she's sitting down at the moment, "I have heard more than once that Respite is a place of second chances, though. Given time, our kin and the people of Respite will come to accept you, as they did myself and Usid... and many others besides. Others may not be quite so ready to accept, but at the very least, Usid and I welcome you, if you choose to make this place your home."
Dyvrisse: The physical contact makes Dyvrisse even uneasier than she is. She's not particularly practiced in allowing herself to show emotion, or be vulnerable. "I am. . .Not sure if I will be staying, or for how much longer, but. . ." She timidly reaches a hand of her own to place it, very gently, atop Aerdrid's. "You have my thanks, Aerdrid."
Aerdrid smiles kindly, though there's curiosity in his eyes at her statement. "Then... if you plan to move on from here, you should talk with Usid if you have not yet. He has taken steps to regain control of his own life after everything that has happened, and I think he would like to see you again." He pauses, then asks the question that he'd been intending to ask, "Where do you plan to go if you leave Respite? Back to Copse?"
Dyvrisse nods. She knows Usid is around, though hasn't wanted to seek him out. She removes her hand from Aerdrid's. "I have no plans. This uncertainty. It is the most it has been." She sighs. "I had come to learn something, from someone. It is the only thing I could think to do. Beyond that, nothing."
Aerdrid hums quietly, giving Dyvrisse's shoulder a gentle squeeze (though if she can feel it is another matter entirely) and a pat before he removes his hand. "Learning is always good, Dyvrisse. But there is nothing to be fearful of, as there is plenty to do and learn, even if it might not seem so." He gestures at the nearby houses, all of which have been recently built, "You know my kind are not particularly capable of physical feats... but yet, I helped build several of these dwellings with my own two hands. There is... so much for us to do, though we were both once warriors."
Dyvrisse's gaze follows Aerdrid's gesturing, gazing upon the houses closest to her tent. She's silent for a few moments, before quietly, ". . .Do you ever think about your squad? Had they been captured instead, here with you?"
Aerdrid 's smile fades as he nods. "I think about my companions every day, still, yes. Every evening, I offer up prayers to any gods that may be listening, if only to help my kin find solace wherever they may be." He pauses, then sighs, "Even for Nyzai, as arrogant as she might have been. She did not deserve the fate Xeilzrus granted her and the rest."
Dyvrisse nods. "Zealous as Nyzai was. . ." She sighs, "Xeilzrus perverted our beliefs." She pauses, "Aerdrid. If I may make a request."
Aerdrid dips his head again. "Of course, Dyvrisse. I will help however I can."
Dyvrisse: "These houses. You say you helped build them. Different than those of the Saur." That is to say, better. "Can you teach?"
Aerdrid tilts his head at the question. "Teach... to build such a house? I... think I would be able to, yes. I have helped with building them from the start to the end and... I can remember the methods well enough, yes."
Dyvrisse: "I would appreciate that." Dyvrisse states. "To craft is my solace."
Aerdrid smiles a bit. "Then... I hope my meager knowledge will set you on a path to craft truly great things, Dyvrisse. You have my word, that I will help you learn as much as I am able to."
Dyvrisse: "Thank you, Aerdrid. I can start when you are ready for me."
Aerdrid: "I am happy to help one I would like to call a friend, Dyvrisse. Would you prefer to learn while I work, or would you rather learn with a bit more guidance?" He looks over at the forge Dyvrisse has been working, "As for when... perhaps when you have the time? I would not want to interrupt your forging."
Dyvrisse: "As much guidance as you are willing to give. There is no shame in being an apprentice." Dvyrisse glances to the long-cooled metal in her water troth. "Worthless scrap." She looks back to Aerdrid, "Merely to pass time."
Aerdrid nods again. "Then once we begin, I will teach you all that I know. Any gaps in my memory can be readily filled by the people I work with, who are all quite knowledgeable."
Dyvrisse nods. "Until then." She farewells.
Aerdrid dips into another little bow before going about his way again. "Until then, Dyvrisse. Clear skies, to you."