Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"
With Garland following him Alex stopped at the edge of one of the tables, leaning lightly against it the heavy metal plates of his creaking against the wooden bench. Garlands words as usual sounded like a mix of jealousy and idealism.
“Having a mind like mine is all well and good, except it leads to some uncomfortable situations and some really dark memories. Garland you should be happy being the hard head you are. As for being sentimental, don’t worry about it. As for getting in Garland I’m sure you’d have done so with your own merits. You’re a good guy and a have a well-adjusted sense of justice. Just don’t let it abandon you.” Alex turned his head to stare wistfully out of one of the nearby windows, the smooth glass flaring the light into a streaked ray through the light dust.
Listening to Garland talk about his youth and how he was before the knights knocked some sense into him was almost charming.
“Sounds about on par with how I imagined you to be prior. And odds are pretty good. Just don’t lose that sense of humour when you climb the rungs on the ladder.” Alex shifted his hands lightly, folding them across his chest.
“As for Greyheart and Catherine the two of them, will probably be the only knights who actually care that I’m gone. I’m sure they’ll be alright.” Alex smiled to himself, the slight peasantness to his practiced one gone, this was one of a long mournful saddened one.
“Y’know Garland I’m twenty years old now. And my nineteenth, was the first one I celebrated totally alone. No friends, no family, nothing. Lost my mother five years ago, and my father abandoned me last year. I joined the knights shortly after that, mostly due to a crippling fear of being alone. Being out in the world by myself. Now though… I’ve just had my second one. Again, alone. Except this time I feel stronger for it.” He looked stronger harder, less like a small unassuming pebble on the beach but now starting to show a glint of light from within.
Listening to garland continue one about getting a shield was all well and good but Alex just gestured to the one strapped to his arm, the one he had used when he and garland first sparred. And his own one at that. Though Garland spoke the truth with his next words, Alex never expected the best out of people. Though the dark look that Alex got out of garland was one that he knew all too well. He didn’t return the look at least not yet.
“I know your price Garland. You forget one of my best traits is being able to size people up. And I’d understand if you tried with their lives on the line. Cos you’re a father who cares…Kinda wish mine was like that.”Alex held a moment before following forwards with his sentiments.
“Garland, I’ve never told you the full truth.” Alex let those words hang in the air like a shadow growing slowly. A looming spectre of dread.
“I’m a Ravokian. Born and bred.” Alex twisted his head around from glanceing out the window to now shift his glare towards Garland. Something between respect and malevolence behind his eyes. The lurking spectre of violence that he always kept in check.
“My father was a well-respected hitman, working for one of the great families in Ravok. My mother was before her passing. An Ebonstryfe paladin. Which makes me the spawn of two of the greatest evils that I now know of. And you wonder why I put on such a radiant glow. An air of honour and valour.” Alex stepped forwards now using his full height to impose over garland just how much weight these words carried.
“I know, as much as I’m capable of doing good, I am infinitely more capable of causing harm. I thought when I joined the knights that would help keep my anger in check, it hasn’t. In fact it’s done quite the opposite. I’ve never felt closer to losing my composure than I have in the last year.” His hands moved to rest on the blades at his sides.
“Garland if your kids were in trouble, and you had to kill me to get them back. I’d hope that you’d at least talk first, because as much as you think you could kill someone you know, I don’t think you’ve ever done it.” Alex’s tone changed, the usual light and soft ring to his words gone, now they felt cold, almost hollow. An emptiness behind them that spoke of someone who’d done something they didn’t think they’d ever have too.
“I have…” He let the words just hang in the air like the stark shadow that had begun to grow.