Senkha & Chadley: July 9 Log
Senkha drops a few coins into the fountain with a series of quiet plunks. She smiles to herself, turning towards the Harbor and spotting Chadley. "Oh!"
Senkha says: Chadley! Light's sake, it's been a while, hasn't it?
Chadley clutches a waterlogged book in his hands, the tattered leather covering still dark from being wet. He stares at it sulkily, and only looks up at the sound of his name. "... Ah. I remember you. Hello."
Chadley says: Senny, you said your name was?
Senkha says: Sennie, yes. Are you alright? You look... well, like the world's kicked you in the nuts, if you'll pardon my Thalassian.
Chadley says: Do I make it that obvious? Pardon my manner. I'm currently debating on whether or not I should disappear forever without a word.
Senkha approaches quietly and somewhat hesitantly, though on sure feet and without anymore pain. "Do you mind if I ask why? That seems a rather permanent solution."
Chadley holds up the book, a few drops of water plitting down to the bricks when he does. "I've ruined an artifact," he states dryly.
Senkha comes a bit closer and looks at the book. "...is it still legible?" she asks, holding her hand back to keep from touching the tome.
Chadley manages the dullest of smiles. "Not in the least." He lowers it back down onto his lap, placing a hand atop it. "I fear my consequences. I see your leg is doing better." Quick subject change is quick!
Senkha winces about the book but nods, accepting the subject change. "My mending and therapy went spectacularly well. I'm almost back to where I was before the dragon, which tends to scare the shit out of people... at least when I jump off of buildings."
Senkha says: How's your training going? Presumably well, if you have that book.
Chadley 's cheek twitches, the subject already back to himself. That was fast. "Quite the opposite, really. I've found an opportunity to progress but have currently stagnated. My previous trainer disappeared without a word, so I'm rather stuck."
Chadley says: I'm... just waiting.
Senkha tilts her head and approaches the planter, sitting a good few feet away from Chadley. "Why are you waiting?" she asks after a beat.
Chadley says: ... Simply to progress. A paladin by the name of Lady Sunward has offered to help me find a trainer, but cannot do so herself. But there are apparently other things I must go through.
Chadley says: Basically, I have to jump through five hoops for every one that everybody else does, and I'm not sure why.
Senkha says: What other things does Lady Sunward wish you to go through before you progress on your training?
Chadley says: A number of things, ranging from reasonable- like taking up a job in her unit- to downright bizarre, like having to gain several pounds.
Chadley says: Everyone that can help me is a lunatic. Maybe every paladin is a lunatic.
Senkha snorts at this, and it doesn't take long for that snort to turn into an outright laugh. It sounds oddly like the way Oliver laughs. "I'd believe that. Most of the paladins I've met are lunatics."
Gave Delahan From The Future says: You there!
Chadley blinks at Gave Delahan From The Future.
Gave Delahan From The Future says: I am need of aid. Pass our differences aside as enemies and heed my warning!
Senkha says: What.
Chadley says: ... Enemies? Do I even know you?
Gave Delahan From The Future says: I am Gave Delahan, of the most prestigious military in Azeroth... Atleast in this present time.
Senkha snorts again. "If by 'prestigious' you mean 'whiny pricks who stand around lamps pretending to be interesting,' then yes."
Gave Delahan From The Future says: The Infinite Dragons... They skulk every corner. Eyes, EVERYWHERE!
Chadley says: The Delahan Division is a bunch of fuckwits. I'll remain seated.
Gave Delahan From The Future says: You're going to die... ALL DIE I SWEAR IT!
Gave Delahan From The Future says: MuahaaaaAAaqaAAAaaAAaA
Gave Delahan From The Future roars with bestial vigor. So fierce!
Chadley says: I hate this city.
Senkha says: ...then again, maybe everyone in this city is mad.
Senkha gives Chadley a wry grin.
Chadley says: I'd not discount that theory. You strike me as sane enough, though.
Senkha laughs self-consciously. "We're all mad in our own ways. I'll bet if you saw some of my early morning rituals, you'd write me up with... whoever that was."
Chadley says: What people do in the sanctity of their own homes and out of my eyes is not for me to judge.
Senkha laughs again. "Fair enough, fair enough. Back to the subject of paladins being mad, though... why does this one want you to gain weight?"
Chadley says: She says I'm scrawny.
Senkha says: You're not -that- scrawny. Not for someone who's eighteen. And not for a healer.
Chadley says: I don't intend on staying a healer.
Senkha says: That's right, you told me you wanted to be a protector. You -might- need to bulk up a bit more for that, but... well, if you play your cards right, you could work protection blessings with your form.
Chadley says: I figured any required weight gain would just happen as the training went along. Call me paranoid, but I suspect she's stalling because there's nobody that can take me.
Senkha says: That might be the case, but it's also true that fighters burn through more kinetic energy than healers do. You'll need a little more meat on your frame so your body doesn't start eating away at muscle. You... I'm sorry, I don't want to assume.
Senkha says: But you don't seem the type to eat much.
Senkha laughs and covers her face. "Light, I'm sorry. You probably don't want to hear me advising you on gaining weight. I'll stop now."'
Chadley sighs. "Yeah, I know it's fairly necessary. But how a girl half my size can be ordained as a protector while I struggle to even get my superiors to look at me can grow disheartening."
Senkha 's expression falls to a wry smile. "Sounds like me growing up. My mother wanted so badly for me to be a mage, and I could never understand how my sister could practically burn the town down and I couldn't even light a candle."
Senkha says: ...I know it's not the same, but.
Chadley gives an awkward smile in return. "By the weapons at your hips, I assume you've done well for yourself in other ways." He pats the soggy book again. "Me? I have some amount of talent. I just seem to have even more rotten luck."
Senkha says: At least you've yet to be kidnapped by cultists or some other unbelievable poppycock circumstance. But you do seem to be... struggling. Do you think there's anything I can do? To help, I mean.
Chadley says: I hope you don't speak from experience. And-- I doubt it, unless you've the magical ability to restore leather and paper.
Senkha says: --would that I possessed any magical ability. And would that I didn't speak from experience. In this world... well, your brand of unluckiness is probably preferable.
Chadley says: It's why I try not to discuss it too often; I know the terrors people in this day and age face. All I have to do is mend them. I- so you've been taken by the Twilight's Hammer?
Senkha sighs and looks down at her hands. She removes her glove so that Chadley can see the purple scars twisting on her right hand. "For a week. Yes."
Chadley blinks at the bizarre scarring, a hand lifting by healer's instinct- but he lets it drop. "How did you survive?"
Senkha says: I nearly didn't. Right before I was rescued, I... gave up. I didn't think there was any hope left, so I gave up. You have to understand... my leg was in agony. I had a horrible fever. I... I was watching someone who looked -exactly like-...
Senkha sighs and shakes her head. "I only stayed alive because I knew I had people fighting for me outside. I didn't want to disappoint them."
Chadley quietly clears his throat. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked. I don't know why I did."
Senkha says: It's alright. I don't mind. Most of my memories from that time are pretty fuzzy, anyway.
Chadley says: ... I suppose that's a good thing. But so that's why your leg was damaged? Because of the Hammer?
Senkha nods. "A black dragon," she clarifies. "The first night they had me, my mentor was still able to speak to me. They didn't like him speaking to me, so they told the dragon to chew. And, well."
Chadley says: ... A punishment. How were you able to communicate in the first place?
Senkha cringes at this question. "You'll change your mind about me being mad if I tell you."
Chadley says: Will I? Frankly, I'm surprised you're as well as you are after enduring such a thing. I've seen patients the Hammer's dealt with.
Senkha laughs awkwardly, wiping her hands on her leggings. "I'm not all -that- well. But..." She takes a deep breath and closes her eyes. "I have... mental powers. Telepathy, telekinesis... things like that. I... I don't even know how to explain it beyond that."
Chadley 's head slowly cants to the side. "... You're- whatnow? Tele- as in, moving things and speaking with your mind?" He gives a short, incredulous laugh. "And you were worried about being unable to conjure a flame? I'd say that's a rarer magic."
Senkha smiles self-consciously. "It's not really magic; it doesn't derive from either school. It just... it's peculiar. Highly peculiar. But that was how I kept in touch with my mentor and my husband."
Senkha says: Somehow... somehow, they didn't catch it.
Chadley says: This is going to sound like a tasteless request, but if you can really do what you say, would you be able to show me? I've never seen such a thing before, simply heard tell.
Senkha hesitates and then finally nods, canting her head to the side for a moment as if to shake something out. "Sure, I suppose. What would you like me to do? I... there really aren't any limits."
Chadley says: I- well, I'm not even sure how such a thing works. How about you tell me something about myself. Read my mind, or whatever the real term for it is.
Senkha says: Alright.
To Chadley: He probably wouldn't even feel the intrusion, that's how good she's gotten. She ignores most of the things she'd want to know if she wasn't being sneaky--how he really feels about Oliver, how he'd feel about having her for a stepmother--and simply looks for something he'd never tell anyone.
Chadley whispers: Chadley doesn't know a damned thing about this brain business. Entering his mind is about as easy as sticking her hand into water, and finding the deepest portions of it is just as simple. Here live all the Naughty Secrets, which in his case are ... not particularly naughty. Being that he doesn't talk much about himself, there's a lot he'd "never tell anyone", but standing out the most of all? His sexuality. He's never been particularly fond of women, despite everybody being quite insistant.
Senkha blinks a few times and gives a soft laugh. Not really one of derision, just one of surprise. "You're gay?" she asks quietly. Show me, indeed.
Chadley snorts as she announces this discovery, clearly caught off-guard by it. "I-- okay."
Chadley says: So you're not full of shit. Hm.
Chadley says: Don't- say anything. It's not something I care to speak about.
Senkha shrugs and smiles sheepishly. "Not full of shit," she confirms. "Don't worry, I've no desire to broadcast your preferences to anyone. That's yours to do."
Chadley says: ... This just became highly awkward. Though I asked for it.
Senkha just grins and pats the air in Chadley's general direction. "Don't feel awkward about it. I'll... assume you don't want this to be a 'tit for tat' arrangement and spare you those details. And to change the subject slightly..."
Chadley raises his eyebrow inquisitively at you.
Senkha says: ...I can also make people see things, lift objects, mend flesh, make people experience sensations... it's kind of terrifying.
Chadley says: How does one even-- how do you learn such things? I could probably ask about this all night, I've never seen anything like it.
Senkha hesitates and then explains. "My husband... he has extensive nerve damage. He can't feel it when he kisses me, and I wanted to find some way to change that. I started reading about telepathy and... well. Apparently, I'm gifted."
Senkha says: I've been training for more than a year now.
Chadley says: Huh. An interesting reason to take up a study. Not a bad one at all, mind, but it's- hm. I think gifted is a good choice of words. I keep saying this, but I've never seen anything like it.
Senkha smiles, a touch of color coming to her cheeks. "Well, to be fair, I've not seen many people who are as connected with the Light as you are, so."
Chadley says: ... All I really did was heal you. Hundreds-- more like thousands share that gift.
Senkha says: Mm, it felt... I don't know. More natural coming from you? Like... well, okay. Have you ever read something that just flowed really smoothly and was beautifully written and you knew that even though thousands of other people can write, that person has a gift?
Chadley looks down at the bricks and frowns. "I'm not sure I'd compare a connection with the Light to something as mundane and common as writing, but... I think I understand what you mean." His voice is low, and lacking his usual bite.
Senkha chuckles. "Depends on the writing. Some hymns feel like they come awfully close to the divine. Anyway: I could tell there was a difference is all I'm trying to say."
Chadley doesn't look back at her, but he does quietly say, "Well. Thank you. I'll keep that in mind." Who the heck is this woman? She's friendly and compliments him without being condescending and also can read his mind.
Senkha is the best stepmom and also a liar. But ignoring that, she leans back on her hands. "Did you inherit your gifts with the Light from your father?"
Senkha says: You said he was a paladin, right?
Chadley says: I suppose so. I don't know if relation has anything to do with it. It could have simply been my desire to be like him.
Senkha says: Could-- I don't mean to be really, well. Nosy or anything, but would you mind telling me about him?
Chadley says: ... Not sure how much there is to tell. I admired him, but I rarely actually spent time with- or even saw him. When he'd come home, though... he'd always make time for me. I remember that. We'd go off and fish, or hike, and everything else that I couldn't really do with my mother.
Senkha grins and leans forward again, arms on her knees. "Mothers are never much good for fishing or hiking, or at least mine wasn't." She sighs again. "Sucks that he wasn't able to be around as much as he obviously wanted to be."
Chadley says: He had a chance. Many paladins remained stationed as defense in their hometowns. He easily could have done so himself, but he chose the battlefield and the chapels.
Senkha says: Do you think maybe that paid more? Maybe he thought he could provide a better life for you that way. Either way, it's shitty for both of you.
Chadley says: I don't recall the pay; I was too young to know. All I knew is I looked forward to the day I could go with him.
Senkha smiles sadly at this. "I'll bet he would've been proud to have you by his side."
Chadley grunts. "Time's long past for that. He's still around, technically. He walks as one of the undead, out of the Light's favor."
Senkha blinks and responds with a simple, "...oh."
Senkha says: That must be pretty hard on you.
Chadley says: As is everything else. Just another pile of horseshit to step around.
Senkha can't help herself; she laughs at this. "That's one way to look at it, I guess. Maybe it's less horseshit and more ladder rung, yeah?"
Chadley says: No. I'm pretty sure it's horseshit.
Senkha says: Do you have a lot of experience with that?
Chadley says: I do, as a matter of fact.
Alexaunder yells: Those of you who walk the path of the Light, please come to the front of the Cathedral! I bear news of the Bishop's fate!
Senkha stares at the Cathedral. "Oh for fuck's sake, what now."
Chadley says: That voice echoes unnaturally in my ears. A deader yelling on the Cathedral steps, how unique.
Senkha makes a face. "That type only make it worse on themselves. They're the reason those riots happened and were so... well. Bad."
Chadley says: ... I did not support the riots, but they can all burn.
Senkha says: I know a lot of people who feel the same way. It's a dangerous--if justified--feeling to have.
Chadley says: I don't see any danger in sticking to my faith.
Senkha says: It's less the words and belief and more the action that concerns me. People have fallen far from the Light's grace because of the actions they took under that same creed. I don't think everyone who believes that way is the same, but the danger remains.
Chadley says: Don't be concerned for me. I may be contemptuous, but I'll respect the accord between the Alliance and the Ebon Blade.
Chadley says: I simply wish they'd be barred from the cities.
Senkha says: Fair enough. They do harbor a -lot- of disease.
Senkha says: Though I'd heard of a few adopting children. Not sure what the city was thinking when they allowed for that.
Chadley says: You have a knack for saying the exact -
Chadley says: Are you reading my mind.
Senkha holds up her hands and shakes her head. "Not this time. Just, well. My experiences with Death Knights often lead me to believe that they shouldn't be around children, at least not below a certain age. Most of the ones I know, though, agree."
Chadley says: I discovered some months ago that the thing with my father's face was allowed to become a child's caretaker. I'm fairly certain the child is retarded, which is probably why they allowed a death knight to take it.
Senkha shifts uncomfortably, looking down at the planter. She doesn't much respond to this, mostly because there's nothing she can say without implicating herself or making herself look like a Very Bad Person.
Chadley says: ... I apologize for my rudeness.
Senkha sighs and shrugs. "It's fine. Just... weird circumstances in my life, that sort of thing. I should get going." She looks up and gives Chadley a warm smile. "No hard feelings, Chadley. And hey, if I can help you with any of those tasks Lady Sunward has laid before you, just let me know." She stands quickly and brushes her hands off on her leggings.
Chadley looks up at her, though fails to make genuine eye contact. His awkward half-smile returns. "I think I'll manage. I'll be sure to say hello if I see you again."
Senkha grins more widely to make up for Chadley's fail!smile. "I look forward to it. Light bless, Chadley."
Chadley inclines his head. "Light bless."
Senkha says: Chadley! Light's sake, it's been a while, hasn't it?
Chadley clutches a waterlogged book in his hands, the tattered leather covering still dark from being wet. He stares at it sulkily, and only looks up at the sound of his name. "... Ah. I remember you. Hello."
Chadley says: Senny, you said your name was?
Senkha says: Sennie, yes. Are you alright? You look... well, like the world's kicked you in the nuts, if you'll pardon my Thalassian.
Chadley says: Do I make it that obvious? Pardon my manner. I'm currently debating on whether or not I should disappear forever without a word.
Senkha approaches quietly and somewhat hesitantly, though on sure feet and without anymore pain. "Do you mind if I ask why? That seems a rather permanent solution."
Chadley holds up the book, a few drops of water plitting down to the bricks when he does. "I've ruined an artifact," he states dryly.
Senkha comes a bit closer and looks at the book. "...is it still legible?" she asks, holding her hand back to keep from touching the tome.
Chadley manages the dullest of smiles. "Not in the least." He lowers it back down onto his lap, placing a hand atop it. "I fear my consequences. I see your leg is doing better." Quick subject change is quick!
Senkha winces about the book but nods, accepting the subject change. "My mending and therapy went spectacularly well. I'm almost back to where I was before the dragon, which tends to scare the shit out of people... at least when I jump off of buildings."
Senkha says: How's your training going? Presumably well, if you have that book.
Chadley 's cheek twitches, the subject already back to himself. That was fast. "Quite the opposite, really. I've found an opportunity to progress but have currently stagnated. My previous trainer disappeared without a word, so I'm rather stuck."
Chadley says: I'm... just waiting.
Senkha tilts her head and approaches the planter, sitting a good few feet away from Chadley. "Why are you waiting?" she asks after a beat.
Chadley says: ... Simply to progress. A paladin by the name of Lady Sunward has offered to help me find a trainer, but cannot do so herself. But there are apparently other things I must go through.
Chadley says: Basically, I have to jump through five hoops for every one that everybody else does, and I'm not sure why.
Senkha says: What other things does Lady Sunward wish you to go through before you progress on your training?
Chadley says: A number of things, ranging from reasonable- like taking up a job in her unit- to downright bizarre, like having to gain several pounds.
Chadley says: Everyone that can help me is a lunatic. Maybe every paladin is a lunatic.
Senkha snorts at this, and it doesn't take long for that snort to turn into an outright laugh. It sounds oddly like the way Oliver laughs. "I'd believe that. Most of the paladins I've met are lunatics."
Gave Delahan From The Future says: You there!
Chadley blinks at Gave Delahan From The Future.
Gave Delahan From The Future says: I am need of aid. Pass our differences aside as enemies and heed my warning!
Senkha says: What.
Chadley says: ... Enemies? Do I even know you?
Gave Delahan From The Future says: I am Gave Delahan, of the most prestigious military in Azeroth... Atleast in this present time.
Senkha snorts again. "If by 'prestigious' you mean 'whiny pricks who stand around lamps pretending to be interesting,' then yes."
Gave Delahan From The Future says: The Infinite Dragons... They skulk every corner. Eyes, EVERYWHERE!
Chadley says: The Delahan Division is a bunch of fuckwits. I'll remain seated.
Gave Delahan From The Future says: You're going to die... ALL DIE I SWEAR IT!
Gave Delahan From The Future says: MuahaaaaAAaqaAAAaaAAaA
Gave Delahan From The Future roars with bestial vigor. So fierce!
Chadley says: I hate this city.
Senkha says: ...then again, maybe everyone in this city is mad.
Senkha gives Chadley a wry grin.
Chadley says: I'd not discount that theory. You strike me as sane enough, though.
Senkha laughs self-consciously. "We're all mad in our own ways. I'll bet if you saw some of my early morning rituals, you'd write me up with... whoever that was."
Chadley says: What people do in the sanctity of their own homes and out of my eyes is not for me to judge.
Senkha laughs again. "Fair enough, fair enough. Back to the subject of paladins being mad, though... why does this one want you to gain weight?"
Chadley says: She says I'm scrawny.
Senkha says: You're not -that- scrawny. Not for someone who's eighteen. And not for a healer.
Chadley says: I don't intend on staying a healer.
Senkha says: That's right, you told me you wanted to be a protector. You -might- need to bulk up a bit more for that, but... well, if you play your cards right, you could work protection blessings with your form.
Chadley says: I figured any required weight gain would just happen as the training went along. Call me paranoid, but I suspect she's stalling because there's nobody that can take me.
Senkha says: That might be the case, but it's also true that fighters burn through more kinetic energy than healers do. You'll need a little more meat on your frame so your body doesn't start eating away at muscle. You... I'm sorry, I don't want to assume.
Senkha says: But you don't seem the type to eat much.
Senkha laughs and covers her face. "Light, I'm sorry. You probably don't want to hear me advising you on gaining weight. I'll stop now."'
Chadley sighs. "Yeah, I know it's fairly necessary. But how a girl half my size can be ordained as a protector while I struggle to even get my superiors to look at me can grow disheartening."
Senkha 's expression falls to a wry smile. "Sounds like me growing up. My mother wanted so badly for me to be a mage, and I could never understand how my sister could practically burn the town down and I couldn't even light a candle."
Senkha says: ...I know it's not the same, but.
Chadley gives an awkward smile in return. "By the weapons at your hips, I assume you've done well for yourself in other ways." He pats the soggy book again. "Me? I have some amount of talent. I just seem to have even more rotten luck."
Senkha says: At least you've yet to be kidnapped by cultists or some other unbelievable poppycock circumstance. But you do seem to be... struggling. Do you think there's anything I can do? To help, I mean.
Chadley says: I hope you don't speak from experience. And-- I doubt it, unless you've the magical ability to restore leather and paper.
Senkha says: --would that I possessed any magical ability. And would that I didn't speak from experience. In this world... well, your brand of unluckiness is probably preferable.
Chadley says: It's why I try not to discuss it too often; I know the terrors people in this day and age face. All I have to do is mend them. I- so you've been taken by the Twilight's Hammer?
Senkha sighs and looks down at her hands. She removes her glove so that Chadley can see the purple scars twisting on her right hand. "For a week. Yes."
Chadley blinks at the bizarre scarring, a hand lifting by healer's instinct- but he lets it drop. "How did you survive?"
Senkha says: I nearly didn't. Right before I was rescued, I... gave up. I didn't think there was any hope left, so I gave up. You have to understand... my leg was in agony. I had a horrible fever. I... I was watching someone who looked -exactly like-...
Senkha sighs and shakes her head. "I only stayed alive because I knew I had people fighting for me outside. I didn't want to disappoint them."
Chadley quietly clears his throat. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked. I don't know why I did."
Senkha says: It's alright. I don't mind. Most of my memories from that time are pretty fuzzy, anyway.
Chadley says: ... I suppose that's a good thing. But so that's why your leg was damaged? Because of the Hammer?
Senkha nods. "A black dragon," she clarifies. "The first night they had me, my mentor was still able to speak to me. They didn't like him speaking to me, so they told the dragon to chew. And, well."
Chadley says: ... A punishment. How were you able to communicate in the first place?
Senkha cringes at this question. "You'll change your mind about me being mad if I tell you."
Chadley says: Will I? Frankly, I'm surprised you're as well as you are after enduring such a thing. I've seen patients the Hammer's dealt with.
Senkha laughs awkwardly, wiping her hands on her leggings. "I'm not all -that- well. But..." She takes a deep breath and closes her eyes. "I have... mental powers. Telepathy, telekinesis... things like that. I... I don't even know how to explain it beyond that."
Chadley 's head slowly cants to the side. "... You're- whatnow? Tele- as in, moving things and speaking with your mind?" He gives a short, incredulous laugh. "And you were worried about being unable to conjure a flame? I'd say that's a rarer magic."
Senkha smiles self-consciously. "It's not really magic; it doesn't derive from either school. It just... it's peculiar. Highly peculiar. But that was how I kept in touch with my mentor and my husband."
Senkha says: Somehow... somehow, they didn't catch it.
Chadley says: This is going to sound like a tasteless request, but if you can really do what you say, would you be able to show me? I've never seen such a thing before, simply heard tell.
Senkha hesitates and then finally nods, canting her head to the side for a moment as if to shake something out. "Sure, I suppose. What would you like me to do? I... there really aren't any limits."
Chadley says: I- well, I'm not even sure how such a thing works. How about you tell me something about myself. Read my mind, or whatever the real term for it is.
Senkha says: Alright.
To Chadley: He probably wouldn't even feel the intrusion, that's how good she's gotten. She ignores most of the things she'd want to know if she wasn't being sneaky--how he really feels about Oliver, how he'd feel about having her for a stepmother--and simply looks for something he'd never tell anyone.
Chadley whispers: Chadley doesn't know a damned thing about this brain business. Entering his mind is about as easy as sticking her hand into water, and finding the deepest portions of it is just as simple. Here live all the Naughty Secrets, which in his case are ... not particularly naughty. Being that he doesn't talk much about himself, there's a lot he'd "never tell anyone", but standing out the most of all? His sexuality. He's never been particularly fond of women, despite everybody being quite insistant.
Senkha blinks a few times and gives a soft laugh. Not really one of derision, just one of surprise. "You're gay?" she asks quietly. Show me, indeed.
Chadley snorts as she announces this discovery, clearly caught off-guard by it. "I-- okay."
Chadley says: So you're not full of shit. Hm.
Chadley says: Don't- say anything. It's not something I care to speak about.
Senkha shrugs and smiles sheepishly. "Not full of shit," she confirms. "Don't worry, I've no desire to broadcast your preferences to anyone. That's yours to do."
Chadley says: ... This just became highly awkward. Though I asked for it.
Senkha just grins and pats the air in Chadley's general direction. "Don't feel awkward about it. I'll... assume you don't want this to be a 'tit for tat' arrangement and spare you those details. And to change the subject slightly..."
Chadley raises his eyebrow inquisitively at you.
Senkha says: ...I can also make people see things, lift objects, mend flesh, make people experience sensations... it's kind of terrifying.
Chadley says: How does one even-- how do you learn such things? I could probably ask about this all night, I've never seen anything like it.
Senkha hesitates and then explains. "My husband... he has extensive nerve damage. He can't feel it when he kisses me, and I wanted to find some way to change that. I started reading about telepathy and... well. Apparently, I'm gifted."
Senkha says: I've been training for more than a year now.
Chadley says: Huh. An interesting reason to take up a study. Not a bad one at all, mind, but it's- hm. I think gifted is a good choice of words. I keep saying this, but I've never seen anything like it.
Senkha smiles, a touch of color coming to her cheeks. "Well, to be fair, I've not seen many people who are as connected with the Light as you are, so."
Chadley says: ... All I really did was heal you. Hundreds-- more like thousands share that gift.
Senkha says: Mm, it felt... I don't know. More natural coming from you? Like... well, okay. Have you ever read something that just flowed really smoothly and was beautifully written and you knew that even though thousands of other people can write, that person has a gift?
Chadley looks down at the bricks and frowns. "I'm not sure I'd compare a connection with the Light to something as mundane and common as writing, but... I think I understand what you mean." His voice is low, and lacking his usual bite.
Senkha chuckles. "Depends on the writing. Some hymns feel like they come awfully close to the divine. Anyway: I could tell there was a difference is all I'm trying to say."
Chadley doesn't look back at her, but he does quietly say, "Well. Thank you. I'll keep that in mind." Who the heck is this woman? She's friendly and compliments him without being condescending and also can read his mind.
Senkha is the best stepmom and also a liar. But ignoring that, she leans back on her hands. "Did you inherit your gifts with the Light from your father?"
Senkha says: You said he was a paladin, right?
Chadley says: I suppose so. I don't know if relation has anything to do with it. It could have simply been my desire to be like him.
Senkha says: Could-- I don't mean to be really, well. Nosy or anything, but would you mind telling me about him?
Chadley says: ... Not sure how much there is to tell. I admired him, but I rarely actually spent time with- or even saw him. When he'd come home, though... he'd always make time for me. I remember that. We'd go off and fish, or hike, and everything else that I couldn't really do with my mother.
Senkha grins and leans forward again, arms on her knees. "Mothers are never much good for fishing or hiking, or at least mine wasn't." She sighs again. "Sucks that he wasn't able to be around as much as he obviously wanted to be."
Chadley says: He had a chance. Many paladins remained stationed as defense in their hometowns. He easily could have done so himself, but he chose the battlefield and the chapels.
Senkha says: Do you think maybe that paid more? Maybe he thought he could provide a better life for you that way. Either way, it's shitty for both of you.
Chadley says: I don't recall the pay; I was too young to know. All I knew is I looked forward to the day I could go with him.
Senkha smiles sadly at this. "I'll bet he would've been proud to have you by his side."
Chadley grunts. "Time's long past for that. He's still around, technically. He walks as one of the undead, out of the Light's favor."
Senkha blinks and responds with a simple, "...oh."
Senkha says: That must be pretty hard on you.
Chadley says: As is everything else. Just another pile of horseshit to step around.
Senkha can't help herself; she laughs at this. "That's one way to look at it, I guess. Maybe it's less horseshit and more ladder rung, yeah?"
Chadley says: No. I'm pretty sure it's horseshit.
Senkha says: Do you have a lot of experience with that?
Chadley says: I do, as a matter of fact.
Alexaunder yells: Those of you who walk the path of the Light, please come to the front of the Cathedral! I bear news of the Bishop's fate!
Senkha stares at the Cathedral. "Oh for fuck's sake, what now."
Chadley says: That voice echoes unnaturally in my ears. A deader yelling on the Cathedral steps, how unique.
Senkha makes a face. "That type only make it worse on themselves. They're the reason those riots happened and were so... well. Bad."
Chadley says: ... I did not support the riots, but they can all burn.
Senkha says: I know a lot of people who feel the same way. It's a dangerous--if justified--feeling to have.
Chadley says: I don't see any danger in sticking to my faith.
Senkha says: It's less the words and belief and more the action that concerns me. People have fallen far from the Light's grace because of the actions they took under that same creed. I don't think everyone who believes that way is the same, but the danger remains.
Chadley says: Don't be concerned for me. I may be contemptuous, but I'll respect the accord between the Alliance and the Ebon Blade.
Chadley says: I simply wish they'd be barred from the cities.
Senkha says: Fair enough. They do harbor a -lot- of disease.
Senkha says: Though I'd heard of a few adopting children. Not sure what the city was thinking when they allowed for that.
Chadley says: You have a knack for saying the exact -
Chadley says: Are you reading my mind.
Senkha holds up her hands and shakes her head. "Not this time. Just, well. My experiences with Death Knights often lead me to believe that they shouldn't be around children, at least not below a certain age. Most of the ones I know, though, agree."
Chadley says: I discovered some months ago that the thing with my father's face was allowed to become a child's caretaker. I'm fairly certain the child is retarded, which is probably why they allowed a death knight to take it.
Senkha shifts uncomfortably, looking down at the planter. She doesn't much respond to this, mostly because there's nothing she can say without implicating herself or making herself look like a Very Bad Person.
Chadley says: ... I apologize for my rudeness.
Senkha sighs and shrugs. "It's fine. Just... weird circumstances in my life, that sort of thing. I should get going." She looks up and gives Chadley a warm smile. "No hard feelings, Chadley. And hey, if I can help you with any of those tasks Lady Sunward has laid before you, just let me know." She stands quickly and brushes her hands off on her leggings.
Chadley looks up at her, though fails to make genuine eye contact. His awkward half-smile returns. "I think I'll manage. I'll be sure to say hello if I see you again."
Senkha grins more widely to make up for Chadley's fail!smile. "I look forward to it. Light bless, Chadley."
Chadley inclines his head. "Light bless."