Room 504, Friday Late Afternoon

[intraspective]

After her talk with Annette, Ino had retreated to her room and was flipping through a magazine as she tried to decide how to spend her night.

She would’ve liked to go. Stupid Kabuto and his avoiding her.

Ino sighed, and pondered other options. Surely she could do something fun for the evening.

[Expecting one, but totally open.]

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[intraspective]

She grinned a bit at that and--very daringly--tried to kiss Altra on the head. "Thank you, Altra. And you can come visit my garden anytime you want."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Altra looked even smugger, going to rub his head on her chin after she kissed him. :I will. And I'll bring Karal. You can make him do the weeding.:

[intraspective]

"I totally will," she told them both, giggling a bit at the chin-rub and petting Altra in response. "Once I make sure you know what you're doing."

That last bit was directed, with a sly grin, at Karal.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal sighed and hung his head, trying not to smile. "So long as you're willing to be patient, I'm sure I can learn what not to pull out of the ground, and I'm a good hand at shovelling stable muck."

[intraspective]

Ino could be surprisingly patient when it came to helping other people, really. "Oh, you will," she blithely assured him. "I'll make sure of it."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal chuckled and Altra flicked his ears in amusement. "As soon as I return, I'll present myself to you, ready to learn."

[intraspective]

She grinned, then her mood changed in the blink of an eye becoming much more serious. "Is it dangerous, what you're going to go and do?"

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

He bit his lip, ready to deny it, but he couldn't quite make himself lie. Instead, he gave her a small nod. "But I trust in Vkandis Sunlord." To do what, he didn't specify.

[intraspective]

"Trust in yourself too," she urged him, glad he hadn't lied to her.

"Back home, in my village, we mostly believe in the 'Will of Fire' and that means that we all carry the 'will' of our village in every breath. It's in our determination, our drive to get things done. And even if one goes down, the fire doesn't go out and time and time again we'll keep going. Even just a spark can burn brightly enough to save someone." Ino flushed a bit, at her babbling. "I mean, I know you've your own beliefs but I think that much at last can be universal."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal nodded. "It is, I think. Vkandis Sunlord prizes free will above all else. He expects that His people will think for themselves, act for themselves, not simply sit and wait for Him to fix things. People have to work together, strive together, united by their faith, and that faith lasts even if the people die."

Altra flowed down off Ino's bed to press against Karal's legs and Karal crouched to stroke him. "And I know if it goes wrong, He will be waiting for me." He wasn't sure why he was telling Ino this, except that, somehow, it felt like she'd understand. "It could happen, I know it could, but if it does, if it's the price for this to work, I will pay it."

[intraspective]

"Sometimes dying is worth it," she said, blue eyes clear and calm, "and sometimes you can't know if it'll be worth it until it has come to pass and you can only hope you're doing the right thing. But that right thing, even just that hope of it being the right thing, that'll it'll work out is the most important thing. Go with pride, if you must go, not despair."

"Of course," Ino added, "I rather hope you don't die."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal bowed his head, then straightened. "Thank you," he said quietly, and smiled. It wasn't a great smile, but it was a real one. "I rather hope I don't either. There's weeds to learn about and a garden to unleash me on."

[intraspective]

"And, if you wish it, a story to tell." She wouldn't pry though, not about something like this. "I'll keep you in my thoughts, while you're gone."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"When I come back, I'll gladly tell you the whole story," he said as Altra gave Ino a look of clear approval. "We will be riding for days across the plains in the middle of winter, so there will probably be a lot about snow and saddle sores. Which should be absolutely riveting."

[intraspective]

"Oh, totally riveting," Ino assured him, trying not to laugh. "I'll hang on your every word." A beat. "Yours too, Altra."

"When are you leaving?" she asked, tugging at her hair a little. "I mean, if it wouldn't be a bother to you, I'd totally come see you off."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Altra flicked his ears, looking very amused. :I should think so.:

"Tuesday morning, before dawn, by portal from the Causeway," Karal replied. "And I'd like that, if it's not too early for you."

[intraspective]

"Oh, totally," she grinned at Altra. "You'll have all the best dirt to dish on the whole thing."

Then she looked at Karal. "I'll be there for sure."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

:Of course I will,: he said smugly. :I'm a cat.:

"I'll be waiting," Karal told her. "And I should probably go, else Evey will be waiting for me, and that's not a good thing."

[intraspective]

"Go on, the both of you," Ino said, smiling, "and have fun."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"We will," he said and turned to go, then hesitated in the doorway. "Ino? Thank you." Karal was certain he didn't have to say for what, and he gave her another quick smile before he and Altra disappeared.