Tales of Symphonia RP

*smile* Hey, it was my obligation to do what was right. As Janus said I might follow my principles but I do not believe genocide is a solution. Now then, not now, nor ever. *nod* But you're welcome...I guess. Wish I could do more, but I was banished myself so there is nothing much I can do now.

*glare at Shin surprised* No, you're not in my debt. *smile* I would keep doing what I can regardless. You just do me a favour and never give up on what you are. Is that a deal?

"Excuse me. I need to get some fresh air..."
Janus immediately stood, left the table, and headed straight for the door.

The moment he was outside, he took a deep breath.

How could I have forgotten? The half-blood hunts...
Drawing his sword, the mercenary began cleaning his blade with a rag. Yes, again.

But no matter what he did to it, Janus swore he could still see the dried blood on it.
Every time he saw that blood, he would instantly be reminded that he was no hero... Just a dirty sellsword, with his only allegiance being to the one with the fattest purse.

"..."

The sellsword closed his eyes and drove all of these thoughts out of his head, entering a serene state of mind.
In this state, he felt nothing. His heart and mind were entirely calm as he absentmindedly continued a pointless effort to clean off his sabre.

Eldrid: *after they all went out sigh and get up cleaning the table* What a day indeed. *yawn a bit but chase it away* No Eldrid, you still have work to do. *after cleaning the table, get into personal room, get into more comfortable night dress and take out all of homework kids did* Vvery well, let us make myself useful then.

Mildred: *get back to the cottage and notice Janus outside. Approach asking calmly* What are you doing here anyway? *sit near him staring at his sabre* Shouldn't you be with your people or something? I mean I don't judge you. Eldrid said you're fine so you probably are but...I thought humans stick together.

"I've lost complete faith in humanity." Was all Janus said, not even opening his eyes.

A minute or two later, he snapped out of his trance, looking Mildred straight in the eyes.
"I'm surprised, though, and a little bit curious... How can any of you trust me? The only thing keeping me to my word is a silly wager that I lost. I'm just a filthy sellsword, loyal only to the highest bidder. How do any of you knife-ears know I won't immediately sell you out the first chance I get?"

Eldrid: *my sensitive ears catch a faint sound of Shin's monologue through the opened window. Sit calmly and listen* So...devastating. *listen further while continuing work*

Mildred: *return glare to Janus and smile faintly* You know, one thing I learned from everything that happened to me is that most of the time people who say stuff like you do about themselves, are actually the best ones to rely on. *smirk* The only question I have to ask you is, would you really like to do that? Like, sell us to the highest bidder? *chuckle* I know the answer. Question is, do you know it?

Janus shrugged, returning to the act of cleaning his sabre. Nevermind the fact it was almost shining in the fading sunlight.

"Perhaps not. But I'd deny it anyway even if I would. I'm just confused that anyone even remotely elven would place so much trust in me, a human, without any real proof of sincerity. And before you say anything, helping the other two escape the city doesn't count, they'd most likely have gotten out with or without me."

Mildred: *chuckle and nod* Indeed you have a point there. However you could have easily get rid of them on a spot with all those guards around and not allow them to take you somewhere where they can handle the situation. I do not know about Shin, but Eldrid wouldn't surrender without a good fight. Besides I guess I have some kind of sixth sense when it comes to accepting someone's claiming of something or not. *turn to the last rays of setting sun enjoying it* Here's a dare for you. If you really play us all along, here is your chance. No one is around. You could easily pick me up and earn some money.

Eldrid: *finish off the work and yawn, stretch in a chair before getting up* Next with the dishes then. *get out of the room and ran onto Shin getting back in* Oh, hey there. *smile sweetly* Had a good practice? *get to the sink to finish the chore* I hope so. The forest is quite a place to gain piece of mind in any moment.

"Don't insult me." Janus said, without any real rudeness in his tone. Just the calm, neutral one he always used.
"I'm not one to against Lady luck. I may cheat, but I'll never worm my way out of a wager."

He pushed himself off the wall he'd been leaning against.
"I'm going to practice, I don't want to get rusty. If you decide to follow me or not, that's your choice."

Janus then casually walked into the nearby forest.

Mildred: Huh? W-wait, I didn't mean to... *sigh and follow not able to help her curiosity, mumbling quietly* Men...of all races just...men...

Eldrid: *chuckle hearing Mildred's mumbling and proceed with her work, humming quietly not to disturb Shin*

Janus paid no mind to the elven girl trailing behind him. Eventually, he stopped in a clearing.
"A bit risky following me. What would you have done if my intention was to lure you away?"

He shook his head.
"Ah well, it doesn't matter anyway."

Without another word, the swordsman held his blade out in front of him, eyes closed.
Calm my heart and mind...

Then, he began his practice with the blade, dueling against an imaginary opponent.
The swordsman's slashes were executed gracefully, and his footwork flawless. It seemed almost as if he were dancing rather than fighting.

This "spar" against his imaginary opponent lasted for quite some time. But eventually, he decided it was time to wrap up. He sheathed his blade, looking very much like he was finished.
"Along the flow..." He said calmly. "Serene demon sword!"

He drew the blade out of his sheath, at the same time lunging forward and slashing with it. And, like a bolt of lightning, he slashed again as he returned the sabre to it's scabbard.
The attack left two huge gashes in the tree he used as a target.

Only then did his eyes open, and he saw the damage he inflicted.
"Probably a good thing I didn't have a sparring partner. Then again, I'd have used wooden blades."

Eldrid: *peek out and approach Shin* Hey. *sit beside him shaking his shoulder gently while calling out quietly* Shin, hey. Is everything alright?

Mildred: *cross arms and pout on Janus's question now carefree and loose as usual* Well make up your mind then, and we will see how that goes for you. *stick tongue out teasingly after he turned his back* Of course it doesn't matter. *become silent once she started observing the practice amused and amazed* Quite a skill for just a mercenary. *clap at the end* That was truly something I have to hand it to you. *approach the tree and put hand on it using healing powers on it* There we go. No one will ever know. *turn to Janus* How do you know all those skills? They require decent amount of studying and practice, right?