[ We find Istvan just finishing a project at his forge in the basement of the Flying Couches home, when there is a polite knock at the door. Minisession start! ] * Istvan is putting the finishing touches on a set of throwing axes, carving a dwarven clan insignia into each, when he hears the knock. *mutters* "Not again... C'min!" [ Kardos opens the door a bit and pokes his head in. "I hope I'm not disturbing anything." ] * Istvan sees Kardos, untenses, and waves him in. "Nah. Just finishing up. Got some gear you need fixed?" [ Kardos enters. "No. Trully, I have no equipment save my sword, which I've never known to need repair." ] No armor? [ "None." ] Is that part of your paladin code, or do you just not have any? 'cause if it's the latter, I can put somethin' together for ya, free of charge. [ "It is not part of the Paladin's code. Rather, it is another vow I have taken parallel to that." ] * Istvan shrugs. "You're a better man than I, going into battle with no armor." So what brings you down here? [ Kardos shrugs. "My faith protects me. And I am here to discuss certain matters with you, Istvan." ] Not really. I understand the basic idea... just not something I could do. * Istvan frowns. "And by 'certain matters', I assume you've been talkin' to Alci?" [ "Yes, I have." ] [ "What she has said about what has transpired here recently worries me." ] * Istvan frowns more. "Prolly would, if you were listening to her side of the story." Hell, I'm not even completely sure what the hell happened. [ "Why not tell me your side, then?" ] * Istvan sighs, nods, and pushes a stool over to Kardos. "Siddown. This is gonna take a bit." [ Kardos has a seat on the stool. ] Right. So I was down here, finishing up repairs on Alci's armor. Kenji and Alci show up, wantin' to talk. No big deal so far. Then, outta nowhere, they both start layin' into me, all but callin' me a useless piece of crap, sayin' I'm holdin' down the team, ain't carryin' my weight... Which is complete crap. The point of it all, I think, was that they were sayin' that I ain't motivated enough, that my heart ain't in adventurin', and because of that I'm a liability. Which, again, is crap. Then Kenji said that, if I tried to come on our next quest, he'd kill me. I told him that he'd better do it right then, while I was unarmed and had my back turned, because if he tried it when I was ready he'd lose. * Istvan rubs his back. "So the rat bastard slashed me in the back." [ Kardos holds up his hand. "A moment, please." ] Alci stitched me up... no magic, of course, just needle and thread... and basically contined callin' me useless, just 'cause I ain't as gung-ho as the- *stops* * Istvan waits for Kardos to collect his thoughts. [ "Motivation is a serious issue, Istvan. Motivation can make or break an adventurer; I have heard enough grizzled veterans say this that I accept it as fact. Know that without food or drink, motivation sustains me, and motivation alone keeps me warm when the snows of winter come. Do you have no motivation, Istvan?" There is nothing accusatory or demeaning in the way he says any of this. ] Sure I'm motivated. Not as much as someone like Alci or Kenji, sure, but I got reasons. I fight 'cause we're all boned if the bad guys get their hands on the altar and invade. I fight 'cause I wanna protect my... *frowns* ... friends. I'd be lyin' if I said I enjoyed it... but s'my lot in life. Might as well do it well. [ Kardos tilts his head to the side in a surprisingly avian gesture of curiosity. "Your lot in life?" ] Yeah. Bein' an adventurer wasn't what I wanted to do with my life... hell, it was near the bottom. But I got forced into it. Was bitter at first, but I've accepted it. I deal. And I don't see a problem with that. Just 'cause I ain't fightin' in the name of a god, or for some code of honor, it don't make me useless. [ "And yet, you do not wish to do it. And one never excels at something they do not wish to do. Why should they?" He looks thoughtful for a moment. "What forced you into a life of adventure, Istvan?" ] You excel 'cause you gotta to survive in this line'a business. *pauses; frowns* And, no offense Kardos, but I don't talk about that. [ "Perhaps you should," says the shy Paladin. ] * Istvan frowns a bit deeper. "I don't." [ "Something positively motivated you to be an adventurer, Istvan. You are not the type to do anything because you are forced to." ] Well, I fought it. Lost. So I'm here. And I don't talk about my past 'cause it's what got me here. [ "Then that, Istvan, is exactly what you must talk about." ] * Istvan rubs his temples. "I don't even see what their problem is. People are motivated by all sorts'a stuff... money, fame, beer... how's mine any worse?" [ "Because you don't want it, Istvan. One who adventures for money wants to adventure because it will make them rich. Those who adventure for fame want to, because it will make them famous. Daphne adventures for alcohol, and she wants to, and it makes her quite marvellously drunk." ] [ "But whatever you think forces you to adventure, you want no part of it. That is a very important distinction." ] Well, I wanna protect my friends, and I wanna not have the canyons overrun by drow. *mutters* Fucking drow. [ "Those are fine reasons, Istvan, but they are not what motivates you to adventure." ] * Istvan throws up his hands. "Why does everyone think they know what motivates me better'n I do? It's like they did with my parents..." *pauses; eyes go wide* [ "Istvan, what did happen to your parents?" asks Kardos, the very picture of calm. ] * Istvan facepalms. He stands up, shuts the door, and sits back down, looking pale. "I'm not gonna ask for an oath or anything, 'cause I know you're a stand- up guy. I'm just gonna ask you not to repeat anything I'm about to say." [ "Of course," says Kardos as if it didn't even require asking. ] Okay. *deep breath* Ever hear of the Fist of the Tankard? Adventuring party, has a statue here in Brighthome dedicated to them? [ Kardos nods. ] You know about why they got that statue, right? They held off an entire drow war party for almost two days to keep them from getting their hands on a ridiculously powerful artifact called the Titan's Pick. [ Kardos nods. ] * Istvan scowls. "Two of 'em didn't make it. My folks. Rendor and Ilona Magyarson." [Kardos nods, although this one has a little bit of 'ah ha' thrown in.] See, everyone always assumes the Fist of the Tankard were some great heroic evil-fighters. But they weren't. They fought for three things: gold, grog, and fame. But if they saw evil going on... they weren't crusaders, but they weren't cowards, either. [ Kardos nods again. He seems to silently encourage you to continue. ] * Istvan gets up, and starts pacing, obviously agitated. "When they had me, they retired. They were already rich as hell. Set for life. But they missed the excitement, the feeling of opening up a treasure chest, the thrill of the fight. So they went back to adventuring, and left me with a nanny." Sure, they'd come back every so often, but they were never there. They were always out chasing after this treasure, or that treasure... * Istvan pauses, and kicks over his stool. "And then they were dead, all 'cause they couldn't fucking leave it. I swore I'd never put myself in that position, where I'd die and leave the people that cared about me alone... but it wasn't up to me." [ Kardos tilts his head again. ] When you're the only kid of heroes, people expect you to wanna follow in their footsteps. Be like them. But I wanted nothin' to do with that life. *paces faster* But they didn't care. Everyone was like 'So sorry about your folks. So when are you taking up adventuring? Gotta fight evil like them!' * Istvan stops, takes a deep breath, picks up his stool, and sits back down slowly. "It just... it just never stopped. Everyone was expecting me to be this great hero, and I didn't wanna be one. I just wanted to have a life. But everywhere I went... I couldn't get away from the expectations." My uncle... I call all the guys from the Fist my uncles, but this was my dwarven uncle... saw that it was driving me nuts, and took me back to Moradin's Depp with him. Started teaching me to forge, had me workin' in the mines with the other dwarves. * Istvan smiles a bit. "Best time of my life. Long as you work hard, dwarves'll accept you for who you are, and they don't ask questions. Was... peaceful." Then some orcs attacked my mining party. We were fightin' 'em off... ain't many things tougher'n a dwarven miner... but we were losin'. Until I put my pick through the orc leader's head. His lieutenant stepped up, and I practically tore out his chest with one shot. After that, the orcs ran, I was a hero... and people started askin' who I was. * Istvan scowls. "Jig was up. And it all started again. The expecations... the questions... like a constant cave-in crushing me." Finally, I couldn't take it. So I gave in. And here I am. [ "You gave in. I see." ] * Istvan nods. "But I've dealt. It's my life, and I gotta live it. So I do. And I do it damn well." Which is why I can't figure out why everyone's suddenly turnin' on me. [ Kardos frowns in confusion. "Istvan... do you mean to tell me that you adventure because you are too weak to not adventure?" He sounds dubious. ] ... no. I started because I was too weak to resist. [ "It is the same thing. Istvan, that is a terrible reason to go out and risk your life. Do you have none better?" ] I'm still doin' it because I've found reasons to. *scowls* But my reasons apparently ain't good enough for anyone. [ "What reasons are those?" ] What I said 'fore. 'cause I wanna protect my friends. 'cause I don't wanna see the canyons overrun. ... 'cause I don't wanna see more kids end up like me. [ "Truly? Is that not something worth fighting for with all your soul, Istvan?" ] * Istvan pounds his fists on the table. "I *do* fight as hard as I can, dammit! I may not train as much as someone like Kenji, but I train a lot! And the more of the secret dwarven smithing techniques I master, the better gear I can make for the group, for our allies..." Why do you think I'm willing to go kick Kenji's ass just to go on this damn quest? You think I'd fight a psychopath like him if I wasn't committed to getting this altar together? [ "Istvan, what have you been studying lately?" ] Like I said. Smithing. 'cause I realized that, skillwise, I'm never gonna be on the level of someone like Kenji. He's been training all his life; I've been training for only a few years now. [ "When you are in the middle of a mammoth dungeon surrounded on all sides by hook-horrors, how much good will knowing how to work metal do?" ] [ Kardos shakes his head. "See, there again, Istvan, you are surrendering." ] It'll help if I've made myself the best possible equipment. It'll help because working the forge builds strength, endurance, and overall toughness. [ "You are admitting defeat to Kenji, of all people. Does this not bother you?" ] Hell no. He's a more skilled fighter than I am. That's just a fact. I still think I can beat him, 'cause I got more natural physical talent, and 'cause forging has made me damn tough. Fightin' ain't all skill. [ "But skill is what gives you the edge over trolls and ogres." ] And my uncle Forgehammer was a warrior smith, just like me. Just 'cause I'm studying smithing techniques doesn't mean I'm not gettin' better as a fighter. I am. People seem to think it's either or. I can do both. And both help. * Istvan rubs his head. "If they wanted to suggest I spend more time each day workin' on my fightin' technique, I woulda said fine. It's a fair point. These last few weeks, I've been slacking a bit, because I'm really caught up trying to master these smithing techniques." But they didn't come in with friendly suggestions. They came in lecturing me, berating me, ordering me around... and I fucking *hate* that. [ "Perhaps you should. I'm sure there are Dwarven masters of pick- fighting whose techniques would be enlightning." ] [ "And they did all that because they care for you, Istvan." ] * Istvan scowls. "Not to mention slashing me in the back, and Alci shoving me into a wall and busting my stitches." Like hell they do. If they cared, they woulda talked to me like a man. Like an equal. They came in there and treated me like a disobedient child. Like I was less than they were. [ Kardos shrugs. "They did what they thought best. If they were in error, it was not trully their fault." ] * Istvan pounds his fist on the table. "Maybe, deep down somewhere, they care. But all I'm seeing is contempt and sanctimony." And you don't get people to see your positions by attackin' 'em. [ "No, Istvan, but that is how you get people to change. Normally, at least. Being gentle with someone who likes their particular stasis will only get you ignored." ] That ain't how it works with me. And they should know that. Kenji in particular. You come at me angry, that just gets me angry. * Istvan softens a bit. "If someone, like you, treats me with respect, and actually *talks* to me, and listens..." I'm a reasonable guy. I listen to reasonable arguments. I don't listen to insults and orders. [ "But you are angry anyway, Istvan." ] I'm angry because of them. Not at you. You've been nothin' but decent to me. [ "Of course." ] * Istvan sighs, and deflates somewhat. "Listen, man. I may not enjoy this life. It may not have been my ideal life. But it's my life, and I'm committed to it now. And while I'm never gonna be a crusading force for good, I'm never gonna ignore an evil that's staring me in the face. Ain't that good enough?" 'cause if I don't, some other poor guy has to. And that other poor guy ain't gonna be as good as me. And he's gonna die, and he's gonna leave some poor kid without parents. And there is no fucking way in hell I'm gonna let some kid go through what I did, just 'cause I this ain't my ideal life. [ Kardos eyes Istvan. "I believe an additional perspective is required on this." Session Resume! ] ... you're a great guy, Kardos, but if you suggest going to talk to Kenji, I'm going to have to noogie you. [ Kardos shakes his head. "No, Kenji is not the one you need to talk to. Come." He heads for the door. ] * Istvan hesitates, but follows after a moment. "You've been straight with me so far, so I'll give you the benefit of the doubt here.' [ "Know that I do this for your benefit, and for no other reason." He leads up the stairs to the main floor (kitchen, common room, storage), up to the second floor (most of the rooms of people who live here; a few are on the third floor). He stops in front of Alcinoe's room and knocks his tentative, polite knock. ] ... this is Alci's room. [ "Yes. You may be surprised to hear it, but she does not hate you. And her words, although harsh, will be a benefit if you listen to them." ] * Alcinoe speaks from inside, "Door's unlocked." [ "Trust me," he says just before opening the door and pushing Istvan in. ] * Istvan is shoved in. He has enough presence of mind, however, to drag Kardos in with him. * Alcinoe is sitting sideways on her bed, shoes off, reading her book. As the door opens, she puts in a bookmark and blinks. "Istvan?" And then she spots Kardos and looks a bit less surprised. [ Kardos follows in of his own accord, actually, and closes the door behind him. "Now. Istvan, tell Alcinoe what you told me. Her expectations will not change. She will tell no-one about it without your permission. Is that not so, Alcinoe?" ] * Alcinoe looks at Kardos, then Istvan, then nods. "Whatever it is, you've got mah promise." ... right. *pulls up a chair; sits* * Alcinoe sets her book aside and sits up straight. "Before ya go into it, Istvan." Pause. "Whatever it is." * Istvan eyes Alci, then Kardos, then Alci... "Hmm?" [ Kardos has a certain measure of grim determination on his face. ] * Alcinoe smiles, just a bit crookedly. "Ah wanted ta apologize to ya fer shovin' ya like that a few days ago." While Ah was tryin' ta do the right thing, Ah do get angry, an' that was uncalled for. Ah should've just left before it happened. * Istvan untenses slightly. "... apology accepted." * Alcinoe nods. Okay... so, my motivations, right? If that's what this is about, then sure. * Istvan tilts his head slightly. "You tell me. This is all about my motivations, and them not being motivating enough, right?" This. Ya mean me refusin' ta let ya come? Yeah. I may not exactly have been listening closely once things got nasty, but the gist I got was that you guys didn't think my heart was in all this, and because of that I'm some kinda liability. It ain't that yer a liability so much as... * Alcinoe frowns, thinking things over, then she just nods. "Could say motivation's at the heart of it, yeah." Right then. You gotta understand two things as I tell you what I'm about to tell you... I hate adventuring. Hate it. But nothing short of being eaten by a gelatinous cube is would get me to quit it. * Istvan closes his eyes, and takes a deep breath. "Ever hear of the Fist of the Tankard? Famous adventuring party, saved the world, statue of them near here?" * Alcinoe nods. "Yeah." The two of them that died keeping that drow war party from getting their hands on the Titan's Pick? My folks. * Alcinoe tilts her head. "Yer parents?" They'd retired from adventuring when I was born... but they were addicted to it. The gold, the grog, the fame... begged them to quit, even as a little kid, but they wouldn't listen. * Alcinoe lets out a faint huh. But she's still listening. And then they were dead. Sure, they saved the world. But that ain't much consolation. * Istvan nods. "Rendor and Ilona Magyarson." I'd always hated the idea of adventurin' as a kid, 'cause my parents were never around... when they died, I hated it even more. Swore up'n down I'd never get into that life... never wanted to be in a situation where I'd leave the people I cared about all alone. All right. Wasn't that easy, though. My folks... they weren't like you'n Kardos, seeking out evil in whatever dark cave it hid. They fought for money'n fame. But after they died, everyone was callin' 'em these great heroes... and expectin' me to follow in their footsteps. Tried to ignore it... but it was everywhere. Everyone I met asked me the same questions... 'When are you going to start training?' 'Don't you wanna be like your parents?' Stuff like that. And I could see it in their eyes... they expected me to be like them, and they wouldn't accept anything else. * Alcinoe clucks her tongue. She nods again. * Istvan rubs his head. "So my uncle Forgehammer took me back to Moradin's Deep with him. Nobody knew me there, so I was able to just live my life. Learned forgin'. Worked in the mines. Damn hard work, but nobody bothered me, and I enjoyed it." Long story short, I was in the mines one day, some orcs attacked my mining group, I killed their leader and lieutenant, got famous, everyone found out who I was... * Istvan scowls. "And all the shit started back up again. 'cept this time, I couldn't hold up against it." * Istvan leans back in his chair. "That's my story. s'why I hate adventurin' so much." * Alcinoe thinks that over. Interestin' story. So ya gave up and came here? Trained for about a year back in Moradin's Deep, but yeah. An' after ya came here, ya figured ya had no choice but ta go inta adventurin'. Couldn't ya have pretended ya weren't? Hmm? * Alcinoe shrugs easily. "A lotta the students here don't go on adventures nearly as deadly as ours." She looks to Kardos. "Ain't that right?" Ah. I'm gettin' to that. [ Kardos nods. "There are even a few who do not adventure at all. Some just want a degree." ] * Alcinoe nods. "Like Max. So, ya could've certainly done that, Istvan. It ain't like this is what ya *wanted*. Ya hated the idea." Like I said. I'm about to get to that. * Alcinoe waves for Istvan to get to it, then. See, when I got here, I realized I was pretty good at this fightin' stuff, even though I was just kinda coastin' on natural talent, and not workin' that hard. And I got to thinkin'... * Istvan leans forward in his chair. "I'm good at what I do. I can make a difference out there. But if I don't... if I did what you just talked about, didn't adventure... someone else would have to. Lotsa someone elses, maybe. Especially if this invasion happens... gonna be a lotta people without my skill fightin', and dyin'." * Istvan looks Alci right in the eye. "I may hate this life, but I will be damned to whatever fucking demon place you can think of if I'll let some poor kid lose his folks like I did, just 'cause I didn't have the stomach to force myself to do something I don't enjoy." * Alcinoe holds up her hand. "So do ya wanna do it or not? Ya can't have it both ways, Istvan." If ya do what ya do, ya can't go an' blame others for makin' ya. It's yer choice. Yer destiny is always open, an' it always has been. If ya don't... who knows, maybe things'll work out all right, maybe they won't. * Istvan shakes his head. "That's what I'm sayin'. Nobody's forcing me now. I'm doing it because I wanna, DESPITE the fact that I hate it." Do ya really believe they were forcin' ya then? Back then, yeah. They were. But I found a reason to do it. ... and now you're prolly wondering why I'm not more dedicated to my trainin' if I'm that motivated, right? * Alcinoe nods. "Yeah. Ah could. An' Istvan, can't ya say that you're bein' forced again?" She moves, getting to her feet, and walks around Istvan, looking down at him. "Yer bein' forced," she says, "because of yer conscience. Yer bein' forced inta somethin' ya hate 'cause you think people might die. But ya don't know fer sure." Couldn't someone say that? If ya were pretty sure someone else would take yer place, someone as good as you, someone who could make as much a difference as you, wouldn't ya sit back and let 'em do it? No, Because then I wouldn't be doin' my part. I wouldn't be doin' everything I could to make sure... *pauses* ... to make sure more kids don't end up as fucked up as me. I got the skills to help. I couldn't live with myself if I didn't use 'em. * Alcinoe walks away from him, standing by the window, and turns and folds her arms. "Then why don't ya use 'em? Why don't ya use 'em to their fullest, to their greatest?" ... because I ain't always strong enough to push myself. Sometimes... the hate for the life creeps through, and I start slacking. It's a constant struggle. That's doubt. Doubt happens. Ah doubt. * Alcinoe nods to Kardos. "He does." She looks to Istvan. "An' so do you. But you've gotta decide what it is you *really* want, 'cause yer doubt stoppin' ya is exactly what's gettin' in yer way." * Istvan runs his hands through his hair. "These last few weeks... I really love smithing. I got so caught up with mastering those dwarven techniques, that I just started slacking off on my training. I know I shouldn't, but... I ain't nearly as strong mentally as I am physically." Sayin' yer not strong enough is no excuse, Istvan. Wasn't meant as one. It's an explanation. I know I need to push myself harder... * Istvan scowls. "Fuck that. I *am* gonna push myself harder." * Alcinoe smirks. "Better. Want me ta help?" Actually, I was thinking of stealing one of Kenji's robes and putting it on Kardos. But that works too. Ah'll start trainin' ya later today, then. We'll go over things. Ah'll push you. If ya ever start ta feel that hate, that doubt, go ahead an' let me know. Take it out on me, if ya want. [ Kardos blinks in confusion. ] * Alcinoe smiles. "But you'll be reminded that this is what ya want." This *is* what ya want, right Istvan? Yeah. I do. Nobody is forcin' ya. Nobody was *ever* forcin' ya. People have will fer a reason. Not exercising that will is a choice. ... I disagree on that point, but it doesn't matter. That's the past. Nobody's forcing me now. No, it does matter. If ya let yerself believe someone can force ya, it'll happen. * Istvan smirks. "I was a kid back then. I ain't anymore. If I was the same guy I was back then, I'd have quit as soon as you guys started getting on me." * Alcinoe shakes her head. "Even then, Istvan. Ya chose to come here instead of go on with their words. Ya chose ta join this house and go adventurin' instead of just sit tight an' get a degree, or to lie to them and go somewhere other than the university. Whatever yer reasons, whether ya thought it was just easier this way or whatever, it's what ya chose." Is it really that hard to admit to? * Istvan shrugs. "I can't admit what I don't believe, Alci." * Alcinoe sighs. Then... listen to what Ah said instead of shuttin' it out, an' hopefully yer belief will come before long. Fer now, though, this is what ya choose. An' this is what ya *want* to do. Ah hope ya can prove it. Not for yer parents' legacy or anythin' like that, but for yerself. Actually, what I wanna do right now is hit something. * Alcinoe raises an eyebrow. Then we can start early. Ah'll let Patrick know not ta kick ya out of the house. Clean up an' Ah'll see ya outside. * Istvan nods, and heads out. ( Also, tell Kenji he doesn't have to kill him. ;) ) * Istvan pauses in the doorway, and looks back. One question, 'fore I leave. Yeah? [ Kardos looks at Istvan. ] When you came down to my forge... why couldn't you have talked to me like this? * Alcinoe chuckles. Istvan, Ah've talked ta ya calmly about these things before. Maybe ya just don't remember. * Istvan rubs his head. "I don't, actually." Probably stubbornly shut me out then, like ya did a few days ago. Fer someone who thinks he gets forced inta all sorts of things, yer very good at ignoring things ya don't agree with. * Istvan grins. "Like I said. I ain't the guy I was back then." *pauses* "And it's a lot easier to ignore what someone's saying when Kenji's agreeing with 'em." * Istvan heads downstairs. [ Kardos remains in the room. ] * Alcinoe watches him go, then turns to Kardos. "What do ya think?" [ "I think that it might work out, now. Perhaps. You said the things I could not, and they seemed to have an affect on him." ] Not enough of one. * Alcinoe goes back to her bed and sits with a sigh. "Ah dunno how Rian ever had that sort of patience." [ Kardos frowns. "Perhaps through training you can affect him more." ] [ "And patience is a difficult thing to master, yes." ] * Alcinoe snickers. "Ya mean beat it inta him?" [ "More or less." ] [ "Good training is as much about conditioning the mind as the body." ] * Alcinoe nods. "We'll see. He can, but..." She gets that crooked grin again. "Istvan's got a history of not realizin' that potential everyone says he's got." [ Kardos nods. "And that is what must change. Unrealized potential is a sad thing." ] * Alcinoe gets to her feet again, and she starts going about putting on her armor. "Happens all the time." [ Kardos shrugs. "That does not make it less sad." ] Nope. Don't mean we gotta accept it, either. [ Kardos nods. ] But he ain't gonna change unless that's what he wants. [ Kardos nods again. "This is so." ] * Alcinoe finishes, then pulls on the Best Sword Ever and grabs her shield. She clanks over to Kardos, taking a moment to squeeze his shoulder. "Thanks." She smiles. "Ya were a big help." [ Kardos smiles, a little. "You did most of the work, really. But your welcome." ] * Alcinoe laughs. "Not gettin' inta that argument." She musses the other paladin's hair. "Gonna find Patrick now." And then she clanks out. Because, really, it's not like Kardos is going to take anything from her room. [ "Also," he says, "I'd like to thank you for dinner the other night. It was... pleasant." ] Hm? * Alcinoe looks back, then grins. "Hey, sure. If ya wanna do it some other time, let me know." We don't have a lot of time 'fore everyone's off adventurin' again. [ Kardos nods. "That would be nice. We'll arrange a time later; your training is important." ] * Alcinoe nods. "Sure. Ain't like we don't know where ta find each other." [ Kardos nods back. ] * Alcinoe waves, then really does go to find Patrick now. [ Session End! ]