Unexpected Meeting in Bevelle

Unexpected Meeting in Bevelle
Date of Scene:	10 December 2012
Location:	Bevelle
Synopsis:	Jasmine and her party finally arrive in Bevelle...
Thanks to:	Garland as Rallius Vespar
Cast of Characters:	Jasmine, Faris Scherwiz, Avira, Maira, Angantyr Vespar, Rallius Vespar

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Angantyr Vespar has posed:
The boat ride from Costa Del Sol to Bevelle was...eventful to say the least. Many things had happened, many more things have caused problems for the various travelers, but right now Angantyr and his allies have managed to finally arrive at Bevelle, finally stepping out of the boat, the Dark Knight stretches, finally free to move how he wants, and not having to worry about throwing himself off a boat. He's been distant from the party for the last few days, given the...incident, but now he doesn't have a choice but to be sociable now.

He turns to start walking, leading the group towards the cathedral. He is sure to get various stares from people...dark knights are rare up here, rarer still are the ones willing to walk right into the center of religion for all of Spira. But here he is...

"Lets just get this over with...I think you'll get some answers, or at least lead us to where you can get more." he speaks towards Jasmine.

The Cathedral was just ahead. Certainly nothing will go wrong.

Jasmine has posed:
To say that Jasmine is impressed by Bevelle would be an understatement.

Spires in the clouds! Domed rooftops! Colorful banners! Stained glass! Flying buttresses! Solemn scholars! Reverent priests! Joyful pilgrims!

To say that she has a bad feeling about this would be even more of an understatement.

As taken as she is by the many marvels of the grand capital of the world of Spira -- and she's very much so, her eyes wide and full of wonder, her steps across the Highbridge often arrested as she stands, transfixed by yet another spectacular sight, breath caught in her throat -- she can't help but worry that her presence is a harbinger of doom. To see this magnificent citadel shattered by the Heartless on her account would be more than she could bear. Coming here at all was distinctly not her idea, but she's chosen to trust Angantyr Vespar's twin promises: first that Yevon can take care of itself, in terms of its defenses, and second that here she might finally get some answers to the many questions she embodies. Who better to instruct her in matters of grace than the high holies of a noble faith? (DO HO HO HO HO...)

A slight figure surrounded by great monoliths, wrapped in her shabby brown robe and beige veil, she is very, very quiet as they make their way towards the heart of the city.

"I hope so," she replies to Angantyr in a voice hushed with awe. And, truly she does, with every ounce of her spirit. Her gait is a bit strange, rolling with a wavetossed deck that's no longer beneath her; she may have left the sea, but the events on that ship will never leave her, not completely. Friendships were made, monsters, and more importantly, fears, were fought. "Thank you again for bringing me here. All of you."

Her smile ignites, a tiny spark containing endless warmth, as she meets everyone's eyes in turn. It's as joyful and reassuring an expression as ever... so why does it feel so final?

Faris Scherwiz has posed:
Jasmine has gained: 1x Pirate.
Said Pirate comes with a mythril blade, some magic, and a whole heckuva lot of badassery. Faris Scherwiz makes up the rear of the party, letting Jasmine stay between her and Angantyr. This is due to a variety of things:

1) It's easier to see Jasmine this way
2) It's easier to protect Jasmine this way
3) It's easier to see whatever would dare attack Jasmine this way.

Paranoid?

Faris?

Nah.

Instead, she strolls along, looking around every few seconds. She's half ninja; she almost expects one to show up.

Avira has posed:
Jasmine is not the only one experiencing Bevelle for the first time. Avira too is struck with stimuli overload and has been quite distracted since arriving, looking around at everything here. The rough occurances of the trip have been all but forgotten in the face of childlike joy. She even no longer seems wary around Angantyr!

"It's been quite an...experience, Jasmine." Avira says, sounding chipper as usual, but notably quite more restrained in her words. Awesome didn't quite describe it. Neither did 'fun', but it was something that happened that was meaningful on a multitude of levels. That meaning would only grow further in the coming days, really.

Long trips at sea will also be avoided in the future. Airships are not nearly as rough, which is why becoming a Sky Pirate was vastly preferable.

She watches Jasmine with a hint of sadness, knowing full well that eventually their time together will come to an end. The princess will, quite bluntly, ditch them and she's stated as such to her privately. This is on her mind as Jasmine turns to smile at her and Avira returns the smile with a wry one of her own.

Rallius Vespar has posed:
There's someone waiting for the ship at Bevelle. But then, that made sense; a princess from another world is arriving, and there needed to be an escort! What if something happened to the lady? What if something went wrong? All sorts of bad things happened in the big city, even one like Bevelle - you never knew what sort of horrible people were lurking in the shadows just around the corner. Why, just because it's a place of kindness and healing doesn't mean anything - oftentimes, the most desperate people, the sort who WOULD attack a lady in broad daylight, wait just in the shadow of the brightest light.

As the group crosses the bridge, the man waiting for them holds up his flag. He's clad in the armor of one of the Judges of Archadea, the bright white armor melding with his blonde hair quite flawlessly; a pair of hazel eyes stare out from a sharp face, and a smile is quirked on his face as they approach, just around the cropped blonde beard growing around a strong jawline. There's a massive silver shield slung over his shoulder - it's easily the size of a man - and no weapons. Around him is a faint nimbus of light; it's comfortable, trustworthy, to look upon. He's handsome, but it's the light that really sells him - the light of a faithful Paladin, a kind, gentle, but nonetheless stern light, a light dedicated to protecting people. A light that could be turned on the guilty as a weapon, in protection of the laws and the innocent that made up the world.

"Ho there! Are you Princess Jasmine's party? I've been sent to escort you; the Archadean government, and my master, have asked that I ensure your safety."

"I am Judge Rallius Vespar, of the Archadaean Judge Corps; the pleasure is mine, Princess Jasmine, and escorts. Thank you for making certain that the lady arrived safely - you have my thanks, and the thanks of my government."

Avira has posed:
Hopefully the brave templars and priests residing here would not allow a lady to be ATTACKED in broad daylight. But honestly, you never know. You never know that accidentally calling a Seeq a pigman is going to start an unpleasant brawl in the streets that nearly gets all parties thrown in jail by Judges.

Looking away from Jasmine, her gaze swings to across the bridge ahead. Upon spotting a man in what is clearly Judge plate of Archadia, Avira doubletakes, then slows her gait considerably. What threw her off even further was that she could see this Judge's face-a very rare thing indeed (unless you are Cirra at least), as far as Judges appearing in public went. Even during most public relations events, they would be helmeted. What continues to throw her off is the 'light' about him, which contrasted sharply with Avira's mental schema of "Archadian Judge."

"What the..." she murmurs, her muscles immediately tensing, "What is HE doing here?"

Then the man speaks his name and Avira's eyes widen sharply. "What..no, no way, how they know we were coming HERE?" Right away, she glances to Angantyr, a terrified look on her face.

Jasmine has posed:
Jasmine values the protection of Angantyr, Faris and Avira, but treasures their friendship far more -- and their safety, even more highly. Their faces haunt her dreams as readily as that of her enemies, as they're struck down trying to defend her. She glances back at Faris nearly as often as she pauses to look at some lovely detail of the city, as much to reassure herself that the pirate lord is safe as to point out, with a jerk of her chin, the architectural facet in question. Avira's joy magnifies her own, and her sadness she feels very fiercely... but it diminishes her gladness of the moment not at all.

Emotions, to Jasmine, are not a zero-sum game.

But when another party approaches them, her first reaction -- the reaction of a true fugitive -- is alarm. This was /not/ an official trip; as far as she knows, no word was sent ahead of her arrival. That very question is posed by her eyebrows, which fly upwards towards her hairline, as she looks between the members of her group for an explanation... with an added flash of desperate concern for Angantyr's well-being. She caught that name, and knows his history.

It's a brief look, however, for a princess is gracious under pressure. And it's also true that her sense of the Paladin's light is very reassurring; washing over her, like calls to like, and her graceful bow of greeting is genuinely friendly. She takes a few steps forward, out of the cluster of the group, spreading her hands widely, as much a shield as a greeting, in that she's interposed herself between the Judge and her friends.

Her message couldn't be clearer: please don't start anything -- I'll protect you.

Typical.

"I am Jasmine," she confirms softly, with a pleasant ring that cannot be counterfeited by mere diplomacy; what point is there in denying who she is? Then her tones shift towards the reluctantly apologetic end of the spectrum. "But I fear there has been a mistake, Judge Vespar. I come to Bevelle to entreat the wisdom of its ministers. This is not an Archaedean matter, and I must respectfully decline your offer of escort, though gladly would I speak with you after I have seen the Maesters."

Faris Scherwiz has posed:
Faris smiles when Jasmine points something out, but the smile slips away when the Judge and his enterouge make themselves known. Faris is not pleased.

She's also not that willing to just hand Jasmine off to anything, and, touch a small bag she brought with her, she frowns. She wouldn't want to, but if she needs to play Sarisa to make sure Jasmine doesn't end up maimed or something, well...

Faris will be doing so.

She does, however, step closer to Jasmine. She plays the Bad Cop game. She's the Bad Cop, and Ang is the Worse Cop.

Angantyr Vespar has posed:
That light...

Years ago, that light fought the darkness. It's a memory that triggers a automatic response from the dark knight. To counter the light, a faint dark glow comes from him. It is automatic, as if being exposed to this specific light causes the reaction. He growls, it is not a pleasent sound as he moves, Avira can see it. She KNOWS his story the best, Jasmine is a close second. His eyes narrowed, before he moves to get between Jasmine and Rallius.

"What are you doing here, Rallius." he says, unpleasant. "This isn't a matter for you or your empire. Now get out of my way before I make you move." he says, barely containing himself. It is very likely that the only thing holding him back was the safety of the people he was with...he knows Arcadia's tender mercies when it comes to these things.

"You hold no authority here." his eyes narrowed, Wait...oh no, he reviewed the words again, oh no...

Rallius Vespar has posed:
"Princess, with all due respect, it's for your own protection. I'm not here to put you under arrest, I assure you; all I want is to carry through with the orders I was given and get you safely to your destination. As I understand it, several of the ministers are currently away overseas; therefore, to avoid inconveniencing your allies, my master sent me with intent of protecting you from the forces of Darkness while you waited for them. Upon their imminent return, I will then-"

Rallius pauses for a moment, sensing the sheer hostility of the various escorts to his words. He frowns a bit, his smile disappearing into his well-cropped beard instantly. Between Faris and Avira, and Jasmine's words, he can sense exactly how much they don't want him around. He coughs into his hand, attempting to redeem himself and look somewhat more regal. "I understand that this isn't a situation in which you're officially making a visit, and that you have no interest in Archadean assistance. You likely don't trust me, and I understand that, too; some Judges don't exactly give much reason to trust. But I swear to you that I mean you no harm, nor your party; I am here diplomatically, not officially, and you have nothing to fear from me."

Which is a quaint way of saying, to those with royal training, that he's not here because his nation ordered him to be here - he's here because someone else is pulling his strings for some other purpose.

That may or may not be much comfort.

Rallius's eyes swing around to Angantyr, staring at his brother for a moment. His face is an unreadable mask, a frown and nothing more for a very long moment. Then he breaks into a wide, broad smile.

"Brother. I prayed every night that you would be safe...after our last brawl, I feared the worst, but here you are. Master certainly works in mysterious ways." He laughs, a pleasant, honest tone. "Thank all the gods that you live to stand before me. I had read the logs, but there's such a difference between seeing you in person and reading of your exploits...I could honestly not believe it until I saw it with my own eyes."

Maira has posed:
Maira is there. Of course she is there. Maybe you just forgot, okay?

She steps out from behind Angantyr, because seriously, standing behind him no one would have known she was there!

"Angantyr, this is your brother!?" she asks, completely failing to notice the tense greeting and mention of brawling. She really stopped listening at "brother". Maira steps toward Rallius, smiling brightly. "Hello! I'm Maira," she introduces. She then glances between Angan and his brother to see if they look alike. Hmmm...

Avira has posed:
Avira knows his story very well. She's actually heard it multiple times, with each time Angantyr revealing new details to her. It would be a lie to say that it didn't have an effect on her, shaping the way she viewed the Archadian Empire and their Judges. Critical, really, for someone who was not a native of Ivalice whatosever.

Therefore her suspicion and tension is quite palpable. As she watches Angantyr and listens to him, part of her begins to worry that they'll be an altercation very soon. Of course, she would gladly fight with Angantyr but the others here...

It would reflect poorly in this new place. Avira moves, reaching out to gently place a hand against Angantyr's upper arm, as if her touch could somehow prevent him from flying off the handle at his brother.

As she had hoped, Jasmine is very well spoken in this moment. As someone of royal station, it's to be expected, but at this point Avira is relying on the Princess heavily. Surely she would be able to solve this diplomatically without falling into the hands of the Archadian Empire.

"Logs?" Avira says quietly, looking to Rallius. "How, exactly, are his exploits being chronicled?"

Jasmine has posed:
Jasmine gives Angantyr a reproachful look as he puts himself in the way and spits out some hostilities, to say nothing of some darkness. She isn't at all /surprised/ -- he'd not be her first choice for a diplomatic mission, that's for sure -- though his behavior is completely understandable to her. But this is a delicate situation. When Avira moves up to support and/or comfort and/or contain him, Jasmine gratefully inclines her head very slightly to the VALKYRI. Would that she was free to do the same.

With the effortlessly majestic poise of a princess, she listens to Rallius' explanation both patiently and intently, giving him her full attention, when he speaks, and thus making herself a big fat ninja target; good thing Faris has her back. Her hands clasp together at thigh-level, arms loose; the very opposite of a combat-ready stance, tranquility rolls off of her. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 'Brother' is not a surprising revelation. Nor one likely to improve the situation, but all the same, for the feelings she bears the Dark Knight, her gentle smile widens slightly when it's said. How can she not be truly glad that his family yet lives, amid the shattered worlds, when she fears so for her own? Maira's cheerful introduction elicits a fond glance, though she makes no move, herself, to extend further greetings; there are members of this party who may not want their names borne into Judges' ears on the wings of propriety, and she won't be the one to betray them.

Instead she asks a second salient question, her serene voice cutting through the rising tension like a hot knife through butter: "Pardon me, sir, but who is your Master?"

Faris Scherwiz has posed:
Faris has a look on her face. It is a bland poker face; she knows perfectly well she could be getting arrested right about now, but there's always royal diplomacy, if push comes to shove.

Please, o gods of this world of multiverses, don't let it come to shove.

However, after a few seconds, Faris starts to smile. It is very likely that she doesn't know anything, and it's a ploy, but the captain looks around serently, lazily polishing a few shiny baubles from her pocket.

Angantyr Vespar has posed:
Angantyr still levels a glance of contempt at his brother. Not surprised to hear they had been monitoring him...hilarious that the other Meister did not see fit to remember that...Angantyr wonders if it was deception or favor that was the issue with that one. Still, he held the gaze, even after feeling the arm on his shoulder. It's an act of will to not shrug her off, it is another completely seperate act of will that keeps this situation from escalating. His displeasure is something that he does not hide, not even a little bit.

"Spare me." he tells him, "Our last fight was not a tussel, it wasn't friendly, it was to the death, and only by fate that I was not the one to fall that day." he fights to keep his voice anything but a growl.

"You know what happened to me, what YOU did..." he spits, "And now you are here following the orders of Solidor like a trained dog. Have you no self respect? Or was everything you did to simply gain more influence over our home? How many men died, 'brother'? Did their lives mean nothing to you? Men, like me, who's only crime was to fight for their home..."

He cuts himself off, trying to stand down.

"Get out of our way. We don't want, or need your help, or the help from Arcadia. They have nothing to do here, or with Yevon...or are you trying to say the situation has changed?"

Rallius Vespar has posed:
Rallius nods at Maira, placing his hand across his chest. "A pleasure to meet you, madam. I am Rallius Vespar, Judge of Archadea. I wish we could have met under better circumstances; I should much like to hear of my brother's exploits from one who was actually present. He seems to have grown quite a bit in my absence; he's becoming a fine man, no doubt. If...not one that our late parents may have approved of, admittedly." A frown crosses his face briefly. "Our family has a pride about us, and we are not prone to...common mercenary work, if you will please forgive my vague rudeness. I have no judgement to cast upon your ilk, of course, I simply...our parents would not have approved of his course of action."

Rallius coughs into his hand, looking quite uncomfortable. At least he's got a pretty good sense of personability; he's not standing in any hostile manner, holds no weapon nor sheathe (though that shield could be a weapon all its own...it's huge!), and his body language is entirely warm and welcoming. For a Judge, he's either a very unusual specimen, or a very trusted one; it's an extremely rare judge that could get away without their helmet and weapon this deep into non-Archadean territory. He's clearly a skilled diplomat, trained extensively in the ways of nobility. "Not, admittedly, that I disagree with him. A man must find his earnings however he can, and if he still rejects the offering of his house - though his house needs him now," Rallius gives Angantyr a pointed look, "Then I cannot argue with him."

Rallius looks a bit uncomfortable as Jasmine asks him that. "Ah, well. By rights, I should tell you that my master is the government of Archadea, but when I say Master, I in fact mean my combat tutor. Though the Judge curriculums are certainly challenging, I find that Master Garland's lessons have improved me drastically...I owe him quite a bit of my position in the Empire as it stands, actually." He laughs cheerfully, then shifts his stance a little. "In any case, this is no official meeting, simply a favor for my Master."

Rallius holds up his hand as Angantyr cuts himself off. His own gaze hardens. "Angantyr, you may think me a monster all you like, but our people persist inside the Empire because of my decision. If you had been in my place, you would have made the same, and I'll say no more of that, save that responsibility is hardly something you seem accustomed to or interested in taking." He frowns hard at his brother. "As for our fight being to the death, maybe you thought it was to the death, but I intended to bring you down and protect you. You are my brother, Angantyr - I would only have killed you if there was no other way. Uneasy the head that hangs the crown, I understand other worlds say."

His lips draw a hard line behind his beard. "And I promise you that it would not have been an easy decision regardless, and I am thankful to no end that it did not come to that."

Maira has posed:
When Angantyr speaks to his brother, all is made clear, and Maira feels pretty darn silly. Flushing with embarrassment, she steps back, deciding she probably should just keep her big, friendly mouth shut.

Alas, but curiosity always wins. Maira blinks at the mention of Garland, looking back to Angantyr. "Garland is your teacher too?" she asks. She is, understandably, confused.

Seeing as she can't figure out what is between Angantyr and his brother, she will take her lead from Avira and Jasmine, chewing her lip anxiously as she wonders what happens next.

Faris Scherwiz has posed:
"Jasmine, we should be moving on." Faris counsels, her voice as warm as ever - which is to say, it is not.

"We can have this discussion in private as well as we can in public, and I daresay this is going to turn worse if more of the public tries to play ninjas and listen in on us."

Faris promptly offers the princess his(her) arm, to guide her onwards.

Avira has posed:
Avira's hand upon Angantyr's arm tightens a little more as the heated words between brothers are exchanged-or rather, Angantyr's heated words. It does not go unnoticed that Rallius seems to remain perfectly poised in this exchange. Shining and diplomatic. The White Knight to Angantyr's Black Knight. She edges a little closer to Angantyr.

Her question goes unanswered, but Jasmine's fortunately does not. Avira had assumed the man was referring to a Judge Magister or someone higher up in the food chain of the Archadian Empire. That Empire did so love their ranks and castes. But the clarification that comes is a shock. Such a shock that Avira cannot restrain her inevitable outburst.

"WHAT? Garland?!" Just how many people was this guy brutally beating into ultimate warriors?! Though she had to admit, looking at Angantyr and his brother, it certainly did work. She herself could be like that one day if this continues.

Avira glances to Maira-yes, that's right, she was present that day when Garland was around and Angantyr referred to him as "master."

Jasmine has posed:
While she smiles and nods, Jasmine's brain translates a wall of diplomatic doublespeech as follows:

'I love my brother, but mercenary work ill-befits a member of a noble house, a house that needs him.'

'Brother, I did what I had to do to save my country, and I never would have hurt you.'

Wait, rewind--

'My master is Garland, and I'm here on his behalf.'

The princess' eyes widen with pain, then close for a long moment, as she allows Angantyr's fury, Maira's confusion, Faris' gambit, Avira's shock, to flow around her, as though she's the eye of the storm, a pillar of calm in a morass of heightened emotions. When they open, they're determined. Her voice is a study in control, perfectly neutral with just the faintest hint of its original sweetness. What remains is for the knight's sake, not politeness'. He seems as good a man as his brother, Avira, or anyone else that Garland seems to target.

"Sir Rallius--" she hasn't called him Judge, not once, since he first explained that he wasn't here on national business, "--please deliver my regards to your Master next time you meet, and consider your favor discharged."

She takes Faris' arm, smoothly laying hers over his elbow in the proper manner. Before she allows herself to be led away, she adds, "It was very pleasant to meet you. Everyone, by all means stay and chat, but I really must be going."

Angantyr Vespar has posed:
Angantyr could not hide the shock in his eyes when this was all revealed to him...everything else, what he said to defend himself, the various matters of the house, everything else was completely shut down by those words. 'My master is Garland, and I'm here on his behalf.'

Angantyr looks like he's about to explode, and then...suddenly...

It was gone. EVERYTHING was gone, the whisps of darkness, the fury from his brow...everything. In a moment of sheer willpower, it was squashed like that. He gives Rallius a cold stare, draining the emotion from his mind for a moment.

Then Maira makes everything better. Damn it!

He moves, he doesn't even acknowledge his brother. He pushes past him, not even remotely kindly if he continues to block the path, and moves forward after Jasmine and Faris. "We're done here. Don't talk to me anymore." he says stone cold.

He had to think about this, this revilation, and consider his next course of action...

Rallius Vespar has posed:
"I agree," Rallius adds in the direction of Faris, "This is no place to speak. Bevelle may be comfortable, but it is not without its shadow; indeed, the light often casts the deepest shadows right beneath its feet. Isn't that right, Brother?" It wasn't meant to be a jab, but it kind of sounded like one anyway.

Rallius pauses, his eyes narrowing as he glances at Avira and Maira. "'Too'?" Given that he sounds as confused as they are, there's certainly probably SOMETHING being kept from him. "I wasn't aware that the Master had other students."

Jasmine makes her declaration. Rallius frowns, deeply. "Princess, I may be a Judge, but I am also a knight; it is my duty to see you at least to the chapel, whatever your feelings towards my master and I - and I can see that those feelings are complicated indeed, and I shall, respectfully, not pry. Nonetheless, I made a promise; even if you will not accept my assistance formally, I will ensure your safety, whether you like it or not." He may be a kind man, but he's also just as pushy as Angantyr can be; clearly it runs in the family. The frown that's spread itself across Rallius's face also looks quite a bit like Angantyr; at least, if you gave him blonde hair and a beard, it would. "I can understand your hesitation. You see me as a judge, no doubt your opinion of the station poisoned by my brother's own opinion, and have some history with my master I do not know; nonetheless, I have sworn not to leave your side until my task is complete. The ministers are *not present*, and it is not a safe time to be in Bevelle alone; unless your companions are particularly eager to stay here for an extended stay, I do not think it wise for a foreign princess to be unescorted in any land. Even if my brother..."

Rallius sighs at Angantyr's near-outburst of darkness, his hand going to his beard. "This is why you aren't the head of the house, 'Tyr. You've always been...volatile. But with mother and father gone, I really could use you back. You should think about it, 'Tyr."

He doesn't, however, follow them. He'd just remain in the city for a few days longer, and keep an eye on Jasmine's house from a distance, perhaps through some informants. If she got in trouble, he'd come to her rescue; otherwise, he might as well just let them believe they were alone. It was probably easier that way.

"Very well. Please enjoy your stay in Bevelle. If you have need of anything, please do not hesitate to send for me. Whatever opinion 'Tyr may have given you of the Empire and I, I promise you that my only desire at the moment is your aid."

Maira has posed:
Well, this has been an interesting day already. Maira is pretty sure she said something wrong. Was it a secret that Angantyr was Garland's student? Apparently, they certainly didn't know about each other! Aaawkwaaard....

Maira shuffles her feet some, keeping her mouth shut. Successfully. She doesn't want to make this any worse.

Avira has posed:
Interesting. They weren't aware of each other's status as students? Surely Garland had been explained why Angantyr hates Archadia so much. So why would he take on Angantyr's technically Archadian brother? Something was up here.

Something that fortunately ends with a Diplomacy Smash from Jasmine who politely dismisses Rallius's help. Then she walks off on the arm of a handsome pirate lord. Nice!

"Maybe we will stay a little while." Until Jasmine ditches all of them like she's promised. As long as it gets her away from suspicious people and removes populated places from danger, right?

Angantyr's sudden mood swing gets an odd look from Avira. But rather than stand there, questioning it, she gladly walks along with Angantyr, passing his brother a look as she does so.

Rallius Vespar has posed:
"Sometimes, Angantyr," Rallius says as Ang and Avira pass, "You have to make the hard choices to protect those you care about."

He doesn't say anything else to them, nor does he expect Angantyr to actually reply to him. He smiles politely at Maira, though it's clear he's rather troubled by his brother's actions, and the information he just received; that his master had known his younger brother's presence all along was nothing short of galling. That his master would likely give him the same response he gave Angantyr when the other demanded an explanation - that is to say, a cold stare and something about having his reasons - did not do him well, either.

"I...am sorry you had to witness that. Again, if there is anything I can do for you, please, do not hesitate to call upon me."

Jasmine has posed:
Jasmine pauses, turns, and shakes her head at Rallius' frowning declaration. Her veil flies off -- it does seem to do that, at the slightest provocation, revealing her circlet shining beneath, and her expanse of dark hair, shimmering in the light. Also her smile, which shines on, tenderly. "I have no opinion, for good or ill, on the Empire Archades; their actions will speak louder than any words, when someday I encounter them. Certainly your behavior, as the first Judge I've ever met," that isn't strictly true but she doesn't actually know that, being uneducated in the matter of their special armor, "Speaks well of your nation, and of you, personally. So too must I respect your loyalty to Garland's whim, though you are mistaken if you think I stand alone."

Lifting her chin, she gestures at the group of friends and allies who surround her.

"Nevertheless, if you plan to remain in my company in the coming days, you may as well remain openly. I would not cause you undue discomfort, nor make your task more difficult than it need be. And," she looks up at Angantyr, then back to his brother, "I confess I am glad that you have this opportunity to reunite. I think you should not be so hasty to throw it away." That was to the former, not the latter, reasonably enough; now she feels free to take his arm with her free hand, and squeeze it gently, very warmly. "I know you had nothing to do with this, Angantyr," she murmurs with the adamant surety that she might discuss the inevitability of love's victory or the triumph of hope over despair. "It's okay. Let's just... get inside. Please."

Angantyr Vespar has posed:
Angantyr is cold right now. Especially to the touch, you can tell by looking at him he is trying to suppress a great deal of things, but with that sheer willpower he does seem to faulter for a moment when he speaks of his home, and of responsibility. His teeth grate for a moment, and then the moment is passed. Jasmine moves to try and sooth him, but it's done...the damage is done. Doubt is already there, and he can feel it...

If not her in him, then him in himself...possibly the others. He takes a breath, not responding to the younger Vespar, and contineus forward. Not to deny his claims of why he wasn't the head of the house, or his jabs about his darkness, or his comment about his parents...

The devil with them anyway.

He just walks forward, towards the chappel. He doesn't acknowledge Rallius, as if he were a blindspot in his vision. He is waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Faris Scherwiz has posed:
@emit
Faris does not lead Jasmine as much as the taller pirate carefully escorts her away. "Come, now." She says, softly.

"I promise you safe passage to people that I would feel safe leaving you with; and I'm afraid if we dilly-dally much longer, I may take you back to the ship, and make you permanent crew."

Double edged barb? Yes. Faris refuses to leave Jasmine without guaranteeing her safety, but also, that she doesn't trust anyone she's seen in this city so far. Hmph.

(She's a /good/ pirate, though - she just threatened to kidnap Jasmine!)

Avira has posed:
Funny...

For a second there, it almost felt like Rallius was talking to both Angantyr and Avira. But no, that's stilly. This Rallius fellow hardly knows her, surely he didn't know how close she had grown with the Dark Knight, right? Following Angantyr's lead, Avira too has no further words to spare the judge.

"That was good." Avira whispers quietly to Angantyr after they have passed his brother. "Your willpower is pretty amazing." Yes, she knows Angantyr well enough to know that walking away from that confrontation without staring a spat was commendable.

Jasmine has posed:
Jasmine looks between the two brothers, her eyes glimmering with sorrow. "I'm sorry," she says, to both of them. For both of them. Serious familial strife is not something she's familiar with on a personal level -- she's known tons of dysfunctional royal families, but hers was a bastion of stability simply by dint of its size of 'two'. She, too, appreciates this display of Angantyr's relative self-control, but gives him his space, falling back to approach the cathedral in the company of Maira, the pirate lord, and maybe Rallius.

Jasmine has posed:
Jasmine says, "Thank you," she adds, to Faris, finding a hint of dry humor somewhere in her indefatigable spirit. "I don't think that will become necessary.""