[Day 162] Open. Power, responsibility, etc.

[dragonform]

Who: Ryu, and anyone else who finds him.
Open: Open
When: Day 162
Where: Walking around the Bastion.  Later on, the training building.
What: Ryu sorting himself out, and preparing for Colin's strike team.
Format: I'll match.
Warnings: Possible serious discussions, talks of violence, loss, sadness.

 

 

The last few days have been a whirlwind of activity for him.  Losing everything, meeting all of these people who were hurting the same as he is.  Grieving did eventually come to Ryu.  In the quiet of his room, he felt the tears come.  The memories.  The possibility that no matter how much he hopes, his friends may be well and truly gone for good.  However, he doesn't want to let this thought keep him from doing what he needs to do.  There's far too much at stake for him to keep grieving.  Beneath the usually cheerful exterior the teen had managed to build over time, there is still a lot that weighs him down.

He wants a way to preserve the memory of his friends, and his people.  It is only a short time he had been given to know the remnants of the Brood, but those were one of the few times he felt he completely understood everything about himself, and his place in the world.  Though the title given to him as Prince of Dragons would mean nothing to the other residents of the Bastion, it's the memory he wants to keep alive.  His daily rituals have slowly begun to include visiting the Memorial and Shrine.  Something to ensure he never forgets the people lost, and a quiet prayer to Ladon, the Dragon God.  The spirit who watched over his people since before Myria's purge, and the one who gave him strength to carry on and gain mastery over the power of Infinity.

He had no idea if Ladon would ever know these prayers, but it felt like the right thing to do.  With his business finished there, Ryu felt it best to take a walk.  Hopefully trying to find a way to clear his mind, and prepare himself for accompanying Colin on his mission.  To that end, he would seek the training building once he truly finds his resolve.  Anyone who comes to find him in the training hall would see Ryu drilling himself through what appears to be slightly unconventional swordsmanship.

But in the middle of all of his thoughts and musings, he'll be found walking around the Bastion.  Thinking things over and trying to clear his head.

 

Comments

[dragonform]

I know my people can die. When I found out who I am, most of them had already been wiped out.

Are you saying you can come back from the dead?

[wayofvoice]

I would need another who knows the Thu'um... and who is powerful.

[There's a pause and he looks away to stare into the void.]

My zeymah- my brother... I believe he was one of the only ones among us who could do such a thing.

[Paarthurnax has never tried.]

[dragonform]

What was he like? If you don't mind me asking, that is.

[He continues with a sad smile, unable to bring himself to look Paarthunax in the eye.]

I hope you two had a better relationship than I did with my brother who had the same power.

[wayofvoice]

[The lengthy silence that hangs about Paarthurnax probably says all it needs to before he speaks.]

We were once close. Yet we soon diverged from the paths we were set on. We became opposites, and his gluttony for power made him forget his role. It lead to a true death in the end.

[His tone is heavy and sad. For all that Alduin had done, Paarthurnax cannot hate his brother. His death cannot truly be a thing to celebrate. Not for him.]

[Alduin had been so powerful and there had been so much he could have been even if not his role as world eater... But in the end, he is now nothing more than ashes. A memory. A legend.]

[He misses that there would be no more chances for the two of them to talk as they did once upon a time, when they and the world were so much younger.]

[dragonform]

[Ryu is taken aback, silent for a moment, then rests his hand against the arm closest to him, trying to offer some sort of consoling.]

I can relate... My brother, Teepo. He was convinced by the Goddess that our people were evil and should have been contained. We had to fight, and...

[He looks away, unable to face Paarthunax as he continues.]

You know what he told me? All he wanted was to find his family again. To find Rei and I.

[It all comes out a bit broken. The boy's composure from the memory is shaken.]

[wayofvoice]

[A warm gust of air will blow against Ryu's back.]

Even kind desires can be twisted and bring sadness. So little is truly black and white.

[dragonform]

It's one of the few times I've ever used my power in anger.

[He takes a seat on the grass, still facing away from Paarthunax.]

She wanted to take away what friends and family I had left.

[wayofvoice]

For what reason?

[He can make a decent enough guess, but he doesn't want to assume.]

[dragonform]

She felt like she was protecting the world from itself. Anything with power too great should have been contained and controlled. She didn't think anyone but her could handle such a responsibility.

[wayofvoice]

Do you believe the same? That power should be contained?

[dragonform]

If she was right, I could have destroyed whole cities with it, couldn't I?

[Ryu turns to look at Paarthunax.]

It wasn't my choice to have it, but it's part of me, and it is my choice what I do with my power.

[wayofvoice]

[Just a nod, thoughtful and slow.]

Power... is a more complicated thing than some might think, I have come to realize. Yet so many put so much into the idea of it.

[dragonform]

I've seen an awful lot of greedy people do awful things with their power. All I want to do is settle down and go fishing. Maybe give kids a place to call home.

[He shakes his head.]

But people can never stop wanting more, I suppose.

[wayofvoice]

It is the nature of many things... Nord or Altmer, Khajiit or Dunmer, human or dragon...

One must learn to find a balance within themselves.

[dragonform]

How did your kind see it, Paarthunax?

[wayofvoice]

Power... was a thing much desired. My brother's power is what made so many others listen to him. When he showed cowardice, that was weakness, and some no longer cared for him.

To destroy and to dominate... That is in our nature. I know that, and have spent much of my life to control it.

[dragonform]

I guess that makes us a bit alike. I never wanted to hurt anyone, but there were times I wasn't in complete control.

[He shakes his head.]

But I've long since learned to control it.

[wayofvoice]

That is a good thing. Many have not learned such a skill.

[dragonform]

I know. I've offered to help a few who are still training.

[Paarthunax may be aware of the problem his counterpart has.]