[Isvelle/Josh] - the worst liar
Who:
Isvelle
Joshua
When: After Josh runs into Erme.
Where: The Citadel
Rating & Warnings: G
Isvelle comes across Joshua after he's been blinded by Erme.
Sightless. Not how Joshua had planned on spending his afternoon. And certainly not in the storeroom. Someone would show up sooner or later, he knew. Once the witch had left, he'd stood in the space to let himself get over not being able to see and the first clutches of panic about it possibly never returning, then listened intently to make sure the hall was empty before he crept out.
He had the layout of the building memorized, at least, and had been making his way down the hall towards his room, intent on hiding and praying to Cita in the hopes that his vision would return to him. His hand trailed the wall as he walked, which helped his steps seem more confident, and he kept his head lowered as though he were simply lost in thought. Fortunately anyone who came by made enough noise that he had time to lean against the wall and play at simply being thoughtful - something he was often found doing anyway.
Isvelle, however, made no noise at all as she passed the Cancellarius in the hallway, and so his playing at being thoughtful did not serve as a cover. She passed right through his line of sight unnoticed, and paused a few steps down the hall when she realized he hadn't reacted. Not even a glance up at her. Was he so distracted by his thoughts? How heavily must they weigh on him for him to not even have noticed her passage.
"Brother Powell?" she questioned, turning back to him. "Is everything all right?"
Joshua paused, his head tilting towards her, though he kept his gaze downward. Isvelle? How had she-
"Everything is fine, Sister," he replied, a bit too quickly. At least he managed to keep his concern out of his voice. Mostly.
Her brow creased with a thoughtful frown. "Then why do you walk so, with your gaze downcast? Are you troubled, brother?"
Troubled was something of an understatement. How had she snuck up on him? This was not a conversation he'd wished to have.
"I do not-" Joshua paused, his hand pulling away from the wall to rub over his eyes. He could try to pass it off, but it would be pretty obvious that there was something wrong if he refused to look at her. He always looked at those he spoke to. He didn't even know how visible the lack of vision was but he'd probably find out.
His hand dropped to his side as he turned to face Isvelle, unseeing, face full of worry and perhaps the faintest hint of fear.
Her own eyes went wide when she saw his. It looked like a fog had clouded over them, contained in the sockets. One hand rose, gloved fingertips covering her mouth, coming to rest on the tip of her nose. "What happened?" she asked, her voice a concerned whisper. Something awful, by the expression he wore.
He had meant it when he'd told the girl he would not speak of it, but he'd already come up with an alternative.
Joshua turned away again, eyes closing. "I visited the Hour a few days ago. Perhaps one of their members thought to teach me a lesson. Keep me from attempting to visit again." It wasn't what had happened that bothered him so much as not knowing if it would pass. He'd make for a lousy Cancellari if he couldn't see those he had to fend off. "I do not know if it will last, but I'd rather... no one else find out. Not yet."
The corner of her mouth drew down, lips parting to show the faintest hint of teeth, as her brow furrowed deeply. It was a look of concern and dismay, which came out in her voice. "Simply because you dared to step through their doors?" That was unacceptable. The Hour went too far, if they would do this to the Cancellari simply for walking inside.
He shrugged. "Not all within the Hour feel the same." A faint smile crept across his lips, though it faded quickly. "I spoke with one who seemed interested in speaking again, in fact. But we already know there are those within the Hour that would just as soon see us gone, as there are those within our own ranks who would like nothing more than to abolish the entire Hour."
His gaze turned towards her again, out of habit, and he quickly turned away. "I do not hold the Hour accountable for the actions of one person."
Her hand fell, fingers twisting the fabric of her robe. She did not often feel anger, and this was more a combination of worry and upset than true anger. "Even so," she said, "any human who came to the Citadel would not be attacked simply for gracing our doorstep, regardless of whether they were a Vanjalist or not. Even a Magistrate could walk through our doors and feel safe, if not comfortable.
"It is unacceptable that one saw fit to do this you, brother, if you had done nothing more than appear in their halls. Even if it is the actions of only one, it reflects poorly on the entirety of the Hour, that those under their roof are not instructed against such actions."
"Being instructed not to take action does not mean they will listen. The Hour may harbour Others, but not all of them hold to the same ideals as the rest." Again he looked towards her, but this time he did not turn away as he spoke. "We do not hold the Guard responsible for the actions of the one that took part in the mob that killed humans as well as Others. No group, no matter how disciplined, can control everyone associated with them. Not even us. We snipe at them over the ledgers, we call them out for harbouring what we consider evil. Is it any wonder at least one from there would do something?"
Joshua shook his head, finally lowering it. "If it fades, then we will do nothing to retaliate, or it will only provoke them into further action. I do not want another horde of angry and confused citizens wandering the streets looking for anything that does not fit it."
"The situation with the Guard is different--it did not happen within their walls." And then she paused, her fingers loosening in her skirts. "How did you make it back from the Hour, brother, if you were blinded for being there?"
He gave her a perplexed look. "It did not happen within their walls. I was there a few days ago, it only happened within the last hour." Someone would surely have noticed before now if it had. "I only assume it was someone who'd seen me there."
Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. So he had been at the Hour a few days ago, but had only suffered this affliction within the past hour? "I do wonder why they would have waited so long, brother, if what you say is true. And why you would assume it was a warning not to return, if the time between your visit and your affliction was so long." Her words were gentle, but measured. "If you know more than you are telling me, then please understand that withholding information creates misunderstandings, and misunderstandings are the basis of conflict."
Joshua became pensive. He'd be studying her if he could see her, but without being able to see it makes some things difficult. This, of course, brought back his concern of his sight not returning.
"If you wish to debate this further, could we at least do it in my room? I'd rather not have such a conversation in the hall." He started down the hall again, putting his hand back to the wall, then paused. After a moment of thought, his head tilted towards her. "Would you help me find my way?" While he was certain he could make it on his own, he'd likely trip up at some point.
"Very well," she answered. Then he was keeping something from her, something he didn't want to be overheard. She did not judge him for that, only wondered what it was he was trying to protect.
Helping to lead him back was the right thing to do, but she was hesitant. Her gloves were as icy as her hands, and he did not wear his own to insulate against her temperature. He would notice.
"Of course, brother." She gently laid her hand against his arm, with the Cancellari cloak between her fingers and his sleeve, and hoped that would be insulation enough against her cold as she led him toward the stairs.
It was not too far from his room, fortunately. It was also fortunate that the halls were relatively empty for the moment, or at least anyone who did notice made themselves scarce. He wondered what would be whispered in the halls come tomorrow.
When they stopped outside the room, Joshua waited, hearing her open the door, then entered. "Thank you, sister," he offered. He knew the layout well enough that he no longer needed her aid, but not being able to see it with his own eyes was discomforting, to say the least. Worry creased his brow as he strode across to the bed, sitting upon the edge of it and turning his eyes towards the desk, then the wardrobe, picturing them there in his mind.
He hadn't noticed, it seemed. Thank goodness. "It is no trouble, brother," she told him.
She followed him in and clicked the door shut behind herself. Was it too presumptuous to sit beside a Cancellarius on his bed? He would tell her, if so, and it seemed best to be close to keep from being overheard. She walked over and sat, and waited for him to speak.
He glanced towards her as she sat, opening his mouth to speak, but then shut it again and turned away. His thoughts were scattered. Surely it would fade as the other had, he told himself. She was just a girl.
"There was a girl in the Citadel. She was after a quill." He shook his head. It was difficult to keep from facing those he spoke to, but after hearing her reaction earlier he did so. "I found her in the storeroom. I think she was scared is all, she reacted before thinking so she could flee."
Isvelle frowned at the information. That was certainly a far cry from being blinded as a warning for daring to step foot inside the Golden Hour. Why in the world had the Cancellarius given her such a serious lie? She understood the desire to protect a child, but... "A frightened girl is much different from a vicious warning."
It was easy for her to imagine an Other--a witch, to have cursed him?--who was only frightened and seeking to protect herself. It would be best if she had never stepped foot in the Citadel, and Isvelle's heart twisted to think of what would have happened to her if it had been someone other than Brother Powell who had found her. Even if she was an Other, a scared child of any sort was still only a scared child.
"You wished to protect her?" She hesitated, running a finger along the line of her leg to rest her palm over her knee. "It seems unwise to do so by pinning the blame for it on the Hour as a whole, brother. I apologize for my reaction. If the curse fades, I will not speak of it. A frightened child does not deserve to be hunted down."
Joshua's head lowered, the man solemn as he gave a nod. "It was not my intent. I had only meant to avoid mentioning the girl." He paused to let out a chuckle. "Lying has never been a strong suit." In truth, he felt guilty enough not giving her the entire story, but it was easier than an outright lie. The guilt of that would have eaten at him, especially if she'd done something about it. "I am sorry."
He nodded, smiling faintly. "Thank you, sister. If it does not fade... I will give the other Cancellari details and let them do as they see fit." If it didn't fade, he wouldn't be Cancellari for much longer.
"No worries, brother. Everyone's heart will lead them to an unwise decision at some point." Just as the girl's had led her to enter the Citadel in the first place, she suspected. "I am only glad to have the truth, to avoid my own unwise decision."
Hopefully it would fade. She did not look forward to the conflict it would bring if the other Cancellari were pressed into a hunt. But rather than comment on that, she asked, "Shall I bring your supper for you tonight? So you may avoid needing to be led to your chambers again."
It seemed life was full of unwise decisions lately, and not just for him.
"I would appreciate it, sister. Thank you." It would also mean avoiding anyone else that might question his lack of sight. He'd much rather not speak of it to anyone else.
"It is no trouble," she assured him. "Hopefully the curse will fade soon enough." She rose, moving to the door. "Farewell, brother."
Isvelle
Joshua
When: After Josh runs into Erme.
Where: The Citadel
Rating & Warnings: G
Isvelle comes across Joshua after he's been blinded by Erme.
Sightless. Not how Joshua had planned on spending his afternoon. And certainly not in the storeroom. Someone would show up sooner or later, he knew. Once the witch had left, he'd stood in the space to let himself get over not being able to see and the first clutches of panic about it possibly never returning, then listened intently to make sure the hall was empty before he crept out.
He had the layout of the building memorized, at least, and had been making his way down the hall towards his room, intent on hiding and praying to Cita in the hopes that his vision would return to him. His hand trailed the wall as he walked, which helped his steps seem more confident, and he kept his head lowered as though he were simply lost in thought. Fortunately anyone who came by made enough noise that he had time to lean against the wall and play at simply being thoughtful - something he was often found doing anyway.
Isvelle, however, made no noise at all as she passed the Cancellarius in the hallway, and so his playing at being thoughtful did not serve as a cover. She passed right through his line of sight unnoticed, and paused a few steps down the hall when she realized he hadn't reacted. Not even a glance up at her. Was he so distracted by his thoughts? How heavily must they weigh on him for him to not even have noticed her passage.
"Brother Powell?" she questioned, turning back to him. "Is everything all right?"
Joshua paused, his head tilting towards her, though he kept his gaze downward. Isvelle? How had she-
"Everything is fine, Sister," he replied, a bit too quickly. At least he managed to keep his concern out of his voice. Mostly.
Her brow creased with a thoughtful frown. "Then why do you walk so, with your gaze downcast? Are you troubled, brother?"
Troubled was something of an understatement. How had she snuck up on him? This was not a conversation he'd wished to have.
"I do not-" Joshua paused, his hand pulling away from the wall to rub over his eyes. He could try to pass it off, but it would be pretty obvious that there was something wrong if he refused to look at her. He always looked at those he spoke to. He didn't even know how visible the lack of vision was but he'd probably find out.
His hand dropped to his side as he turned to face Isvelle, unseeing, face full of worry and perhaps the faintest hint of fear.
Her own eyes went wide when she saw his. It looked like a fog had clouded over them, contained in the sockets. One hand rose, gloved fingertips covering her mouth, coming to rest on the tip of her nose. "What happened?" she asked, her voice a concerned whisper. Something awful, by the expression he wore.
He had meant it when he'd told the girl he would not speak of it, but he'd already come up with an alternative.
Joshua turned away again, eyes closing. "I visited the Hour a few days ago. Perhaps one of their members thought to teach me a lesson. Keep me from attempting to visit again." It wasn't what had happened that bothered him so much as not knowing if it would pass. He'd make for a lousy Cancellari if he couldn't see those he had to fend off. "I do not know if it will last, but I'd rather... no one else find out. Not yet."
The corner of her mouth drew down, lips parting to show the faintest hint of teeth, as her brow furrowed deeply. It was a look of concern and dismay, which came out in her voice. "Simply because you dared to step through their doors?" That was unacceptable. The Hour went too far, if they would do this to the Cancellari simply for walking inside.
He shrugged. "Not all within the Hour feel the same." A faint smile crept across his lips, though it faded quickly. "I spoke with one who seemed interested in speaking again, in fact. But we already know there are those within the Hour that would just as soon see us gone, as there are those within our own ranks who would like nothing more than to abolish the entire Hour."
His gaze turned towards her again, out of habit, and he quickly turned away. "I do not hold the Hour accountable for the actions of one person."
Her hand fell, fingers twisting the fabric of her robe. She did not often feel anger, and this was more a combination of worry and upset than true anger. "Even so," she said, "any human who came to the Citadel would not be attacked simply for gracing our doorstep, regardless of whether they were a Vanjalist or not. Even a Magistrate could walk through our doors and feel safe, if not comfortable.
"It is unacceptable that one saw fit to do this you, brother, if you had done nothing more than appear in their halls. Even if it is the actions of only one, it reflects poorly on the entirety of the Hour, that those under their roof are not instructed against such actions."
"Being instructed not to take action does not mean they will listen. The Hour may harbour Others, but not all of them hold to the same ideals as the rest." Again he looked towards her, but this time he did not turn away as he spoke. "We do not hold the Guard responsible for the actions of the one that took part in the mob that killed humans as well as Others. No group, no matter how disciplined, can control everyone associated with them. Not even us. We snipe at them over the ledgers, we call them out for harbouring what we consider evil. Is it any wonder at least one from there would do something?"
Joshua shook his head, finally lowering it. "If it fades, then we will do nothing to retaliate, or it will only provoke them into further action. I do not want another horde of angry and confused citizens wandering the streets looking for anything that does not fit it."
"The situation with the Guard is different--it did not happen within their walls." And then she paused, her fingers loosening in her skirts. "How did you make it back from the Hour, brother, if you were blinded for being there?"
He gave her a perplexed look. "It did not happen within their walls. I was there a few days ago, it only happened within the last hour." Someone would surely have noticed before now if it had. "I only assume it was someone who'd seen me there."
Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. So he had been at the Hour a few days ago, but had only suffered this affliction within the past hour? "I do wonder why they would have waited so long, brother, if what you say is true. And why you would assume it was a warning not to return, if the time between your visit and your affliction was so long." Her words were gentle, but measured. "If you know more than you are telling me, then please understand that withholding information creates misunderstandings, and misunderstandings are the basis of conflict."
Joshua became pensive. He'd be studying her if he could see her, but without being able to see it makes some things difficult. This, of course, brought back his concern of his sight not returning.
"If you wish to debate this further, could we at least do it in my room? I'd rather not have such a conversation in the hall." He started down the hall again, putting his hand back to the wall, then paused. After a moment of thought, his head tilted towards her. "Would you help me find my way?" While he was certain he could make it on his own, he'd likely trip up at some point.
"Very well," she answered. Then he was keeping something from her, something he didn't want to be overheard. She did not judge him for that, only wondered what it was he was trying to protect.
Helping to lead him back was the right thing to do, but she was hesitant. Her gloves were as icy as her hands, and he did not wear his own to insulate against her temperature. He would notice.
"Of course, brother." She gently laid her hand against his arm, with the Cancellari cloak between her fingers and his sleeve, and hoped that would be insulation enough against her cold as she led him toward the stairs.
It was not too far from his room, fortunately. It was also fortunate that the halls were relatively empty for the moment, or at least anyone who did notice made themselves scarce. He wondered what would be whispered in the halls come tomorrow.
When they stopped outside the room, Joshua waited, hearing her open the door, then entered. "Thank you, sister," he offered. He knew the layout well enough that he no longer needed her aid, but not being able to see it with his own eyes was discomforting, to say the least. Worry creased his brow as he strode across to the bed, sitting upon the edge of it and turning his eyes towards the desk, then the wardrobe, picturing them there in his mind.
He hadn't noticed, it seemed. Thank goodness. "It is no trouble, brother," she told him.
She followed him in and clicked the door shut behind herself. Was it too presumptuous to sit beside a Cancellarius on his bed? He would tell her, if so, and it seemed best to be close to keep from being overheard. She walked over and sat, and waited for him to speak.
He glanced towards her as she sat, opening his mouth to speak, but then shut it again and turned away. His thoughts were scattered. Surely it would fade as the other had, he told himself. She was just a girl.
"There was a girl in the Citadel. She was after a quill." He shook his head. It was difficult to keep from facing those he spoke to, but after hearing her reaction earlier he did so. "I found her in the storeroom. I think she was scared is all, she reacted before thinking so she could flee."
Isvelle frowned at the information. That was certainly a far cry from being blinded as a warning for daring to step foot inside the Golden Hour. Why in the world had the Cancellarius given her such a serious lie? She understood the desire to protect a child, but... "A frightened girl is much different from a vicious warning."
It was easy for her to imagine an Other--a witch, to have cursed him?--who was only frightened and seeking to protect herself. It would be best if she had never stepped foot in the Citadel, and Isvelle's heart twisted to think of what would have happened to her if it had been someone other than Brother Powell who had found her. Even if she was an Other, a scared child of any sort was still only a scared child.
"You wished to protect her?" She hesitated, running a finger along the line of her leg to rest her palm over her knee. "It seems unwise to do so by pinning the blame for it on the Hour as a whole, brother. I apologize for my reaction. If the curse fades, I will not speak of it. A frightened child does not deserve to be hunted down."
Joshua's head lowered, the man solemn as he gave a nod. "It was not my intent. I had only meant to avoid mentioning the girl." He paused to let out a chuckle. "Lying has never been a strong suit." In truth, he felt guilty enough not giving her the entire story, but it was easier than an outright lie. The guilt of that would have eaten at him, especially if she'd done something about it. "I am sorry."
He nodded, smiling faintly. "Thank you, sister. If it does not fade... I will give the other Cancellari details and let them do as they see fit." If it didn't fade, he wouldn't be Cancellari for much longer.
"No worries, brother. Everyone's heart will lead them to an unwise decision at some point." Just as the girl's had led her to enter the Citadel in the first place, she suspected. "I am only glad to have the truth, to avoid my own unwise decision."
Hopefully it would fade. She did not look forward to the conflict it would bring if the other Cancellari were pressed into a hunt. But rather than comment on that, she asked, "Shall I bring your supper for you tonight? So you may avoid needing to be led to your chambers again."
It seemed life was full of unwise decisions lately, and not just for him.
"I would appreciate it, sister. Thank you." It would also mean avoiding anyone else that might question his lack of sight. He'd much rather not speak of it to anyone else.
"It is no trouble," she assured him. "Hopefully the curse will fade soon enough." She rose, moving to the door. "Farewell, brother."