(Untitled)

[bound_skyward]

Who: Kain Highwind and OPEN
When: Right now, more or less
Where: World of Darkness [Neutral Territory]
What: The dragoon is more agitated than usual. He needs to take it out somehow...
Type: Action and Log are both good!
Notes/Warnings: Both Chaos and Cosmos people are welcome. Anything goes! I'd especially looove to get some fighting/rivalry/

Comments

[swearbymyname]

While Hilde had managed to move safely between a couple areas in testing the crystals' odd power, the sensation that had overtaken her upon stepping into this place was a warning one, putting her on guard immediately. It was not an entirely unpleasant feeling--merely one of unfamiliarity, an instinct that told her to watch herself more than usual. This was not Cosmos territory.

The shifting of her armor was not necessarily loud, but in an area as enclosed and tight as this, anyone in the immediate area would be aware of her presence fairly quickly. With her hand on the hilt of her short sword, she had proceeded warily, watching for any of the beings that Terra had described while also making a note of the area, memorizing its appearance and paths.

When a second presence caught her attention, Hilde turned towards it without pause. The darkness certainly did not help, but she immediately failed to recognize the other--which was not saying much, considering she could name few faces so far. Her usual authority in her tone, she asked, "Who goes there?"

[bound_skyward]

Kain was instantly on edge when he noticed the presence of another. He turned at once to face her, spear raised as he took a defensive stance. It was impossible to tell friend from foe around here... and indeed, even some who were supposed to be allies didn't seem to be. So he couldn't tell right now whether he was in the presence of someone who'd become a threat. She certainly looked like she'd be able to handle a battle if it came to it...

"I could ask the same of you."

[swearbymyname]

A spear, and on top of the armor he bore. Hilde's grip on her hilt remained ready, but still she did not draw.

"My name is Hildegard von Krone," she replied solidly, confidently. If this were truly another world that she had found herself in, she doubted her name would mean anything, but he had asked, and it was ony honorable to state one's name upon meeting, whatever the circumstances.

[bound_skyward]

Kain similarly kept wary, tensed to spring in an instant if needed. He knew well enough to remain cautious around here. His bitter mood didn't exactly help matters any, either... but he would at least try to keep it contained.

"...I'm Kain Highwind," he offered after a brief pause. He still wasn't sure he could place her from that initial meeting, but knew that there'd been other arrivals since.

[swearbymyname]

No name she recognized, but again, no great surprise there. Despite Hilde's tensed poise, her voice was even and neutral, however commanding her tone remained out of habit.

"And with whom do you side, Kain Highwind?" she inquired, unable to avoid bluntness. From his voice, he seemed to be around her own age; as such, going by his appearance as a soldier, it was also habit for her to address him casually.

[bound_skyward]

"I hardly see that it matters..." Mainly because he was still having doubts about his alignment. But Kain understood the need to ask about it, he was wondering as much about her, as well. He stared at her in a tense silence, before he added further explanation. "...but I was brought to fight for Chaos."

[swearbymyname]

"...I see."

He was wary; had he already figured she was on Cosmos' side? Or was he being cautious?

"Then I am afraid we differ in that regard," Hilde remarked, but emotionlessly, and without moving. "Regardless, I mean you no harm."

[bound_skyward]

Kain kept his gaze focused directly on her. He hadn't known what to expect, but realized that he was right to be cautious. He remained in place as well, but was prepared to attack if he had to.

"Then you've no intention to fight this war?"

[swearbymyname]

"I intend to do all that I can to stop Chaos," Hilde replied in the same continuing tone, "if he truly harbors as much ill intent as I have heard tale of.

"But until that battle is upon us, I will not raise my hand against you without provocation." She was wary, in short, of both Kain and his side, but this was not a situation demanding bloodshed.

[bound_skyward]

"When that time comes, you may have to." Kain meant that more as a warning than a threat, knowing that if and when such a battle arose, he might not be able to control himself. "...even though I didn't choose this."

[swearbymyname]

Hilde was hesitant, wary, but not close-minded. If Cosmos had summoned her soldiers, at apparent random, to fight for her... could Chaos have committed the same?

"You fight for him against your will?" she asked. "For what reason?"

[bound_skyward]

Kain wasn't even sure he had a good answer for that. "I was brought here, to Chaos' domain..." And instructed by Chaos' voice, although he wasn't exactly thrilled to admit that part. "...and I assume that means that Cosmos wouldn't have me."

There was that side of him that would gladly serve Chaos, but again it wasn't anything he wanted to speak of right away.

[swearbymyname]

As surprised as Hilde was, she was not untouched by that. "Not necessarily," she said coolly. "We--my side, at the least--are unaware as to how Chaos recruits his forces, but there is nothing to say you were not chosen by him rather than refused by her.

"If you hold no ties to his cause, then you are not bound by any loyalty." Something in her mind seemed to tell her that her next inquiry was pointless, but she asked regardless. "Why side with him thus? Why not break away to your own path?"

[bound_skyward]

Kain shook his head. "I don't see how it's possible. Chaos has spoken to me." He scowled at that notion, obviously displeased. "I may not want to serve him now, but there's a possibility my opinion could change eventually. I don't want that, but... it's fully possible..."

[swearbymyname]

"We always have a choice. They may be difficult, and they may not end as we foresee them, but we always have the liberty of choosing our paths." Hilde's voice hadn't softened, but it was more conversational, less commanding. "Even if he has chosen you, you alone are the master of your actions."

[bound_skyward]

Not always, he thought, knowing how easy it was for Zemus to take over his mind. The same could always happen with Chaos or one of Chaos' other warriors. "I suppose I'll find the truth of that soon enough."