Chow Time! (Open to All CoL)

[claireducky]

Evelyn pushed her hair back out of her eyes as she took her plate to a nearby table. Chicken and barley stew with a large chunk of fresh bread and soft butter tantalized her with its aroma, and her other hand held a mug of hot and sweet tea.

 

As she took her seat, a group of rather boisterous men entered the Kitchens. They were wearing plain white cloaks with no Sunburst, and Evelyn did not recognize any of their faces.

 

Ah, so a new group of Recruits must have arrived today. I wonder if any of them will have what it takes to join the Hand? 

 

She turned her attention to her meal, wondering if any of the new Recruits would have the guts to approach her. It was not often you saw a woman in a position of power in a military organization, and she was well aware of the impression the red shepherd's crook and red-banded arms of her tunic gave.

 

 

 

OOC: Evelyn's bio for anyone who needs it.  Dig in, everyone! Let's have a family style CoL sit-down! 

[WolfbrotherKronos]

Kyle Kirnan entered the tent for his first meal at the fortress.  He had spoken to Roudal a bit after the orientation about learning how to read and write, so he got into the mess hall a little later than the rest.  He moved to the line and got his meal.

 

When he turned to sit, there were not many open seats.  Kyle chose a seat across from a woman wearing a tunic with red banded arms and a shepherd's crook on it.

 

Kyle looked at her for a moment and the first thing he noticed was an air of confidence.  It made him shy back a little bit.  She was athletic, had dark honey eyes, and dark that hung in curls.

 

Kyle looked back up at her.  He had a goal to try to become more outgoing, so he said, "Hello, I'm Kyle Kirnan, a new recruit."

Edited February 3, 2013 by WolfbrotherKronos

[Guest]

Eoghann entered the kitchens and stopped in the doorway to stare at the occupants in consideration for a moment in his typical, unblinking, almost-bored gaze. It was nearly a ritual of his, to stop and inspect who was in a room before he entered it, perhaps to assess how uncomfortable the social situation would be before he had to pass into it. No one he knew, he acknowledged - almost all recruits, which he often avoided. There were those who were used to his unpleasant appearance and didn't
take it into much account, on the surface at least, and then there were those who weren't, and those who weren't often made much of gawking at him, which he could barely tolerate. And then there was Evelyn, his trainer in the ways of the Hand of the Light, whom he greatly respected, even if in his opinion she needed more zeal. It was impossible not to respect the one who had mentoured him along in his training ever since joining the Hand, who had introduced him to the art of questioning and the study and enforcing of the Children's laws.

 

At first he considered leaving and coming back when the recruits were draining out, but then he decided against it, and walked into the room to collect his meal. They were going to see him and gawk sooner or later - it might as well be sooner. A mild look of annoyance, a staple to his face in any large group of people, possessed him as he went to gather his meal, which consisted of a bowl of soup with as much meat as he could ladle into it, several oat rolls, and hot cider loathing the invariable quiet amongst the nearby recruits, a projection of their apprehension, for the red crook and bands of rank, and confusion, for his short height and physical deformity. He would eat and then leave probably without saying much to anyone as usual.

 

As he expected, there was an area of vacancy radiating around Evelyn - it seemed a common, convenient aspect of being in the Hand, one was given plenty of space wherever they might go. He was sure that if he sat in one of the few seats situated sparingly amongst the other tables, it would be vacated rather quickly, whilst making the ones who sat there as uncomfortable as possible in the meantime. But he decided to take advantage of a preexisting void, and he went to take a seat besides the young recruit across from Evelyn. He had never liked talking when it was not necessary, but from what he understood, to outsiders it was a required and obtuse form of social interaction - manners. "Inquisitor Evelyn, the Light shine on you," he said, some of his sounds skewed by his absence of a completed upper lip.

 

He then looked at the recruit sitting right next to him, and stared for what might have been an inappropriate amount of time, he was not sure. Much taller than him, black hair, blue eyes, much younger. He could not quite tell where he was from. He supposed it was manners to acknowledge him as well, and so he said in his usual, halting way with those he had no familiarity with whatsoever amongst the Children, "Hello...I am Arbiter Eoghann." Then belatedly he added, "Your name?"

 

OOC: lol corect me if said anythin that dosnt seem in place

[Aekold]

As the peaks of the Fortress of Light began to loom ahead, Damon felt that calming feeling of home flow through him. Although born in Amador city he spent most of his life, man and boy, within its walls. The Fortress was the bastion for everything he held dear in life and proudly defended her honour and the Light across the lands. His last patrol, while pro-longed, was pretty uneventful. Some small time bandits just north of Tear were the only notable event and they were subdued and captured for trial under the Light. The world seemed to be holding its breath for the time being and the shadow keeping its cards close to its chest, it made Damon uneasy. His Legion had crossed the borders into Amadicia that morning and knowing that home was near had ridden hard the rest of the way. Now they were here, thank the Light.

 

As they rode through the gates Damon nodded to the guards in reply to their salute but didn’t recognise any of them. The Children were not as great in number as they had been but were not few by any means but so many friends and comrades had fallen over the years and familiar faces were becoming few and far between outside his own men.

 

Dismissing the Children and handing the reigns of ‘Dazar’ over to the stable lad, he made his way over to the Dome of truth to submit his reports and to offer a prayer under the sun that resides within. The Dome itself was a spectacle which never ceased to amaze him and today was no different. He stood within the centre columns and gave thanks to the Creator and asked for his protection for all those within the Light while holding the book his father had given him so long ago yet never left his side.

 

Going against custom Damon made his way to the mess hall rather than his quarters. He felt more hungry than travel stained and it was a hard ride with little to break their fast. The hall was bustle of activity. Many young men still in farm clothes sat together laughing and boasting, other tables held uniformed Children some newly returned with him. He nodded in greeting but knew better than to sit with them, men deserved the privacy without fear of reprimand from their Captain. Smiling knowingly he sought elsewhere for a place to sit. One table had an almost imperceptible bubble around it where many of the men and women chose not to enter. One young man sat with two members of the Hand of Light. Judging by their red crooks and armbands the male was an Arbiter and the
woman an Inquisitor.  Damon decided to sit with them. The Children needed to be cohesive in order to serve the Light effectively and this distance between the Hand and Army needed to be dispelled.

 

Damon strode over casually and nodded his head to the two men but bowed lightly towards the Inquisitor. They were equal in rank but some of the Hand put on airs and graces and Damon saw little point in ruffling feathers if peace came at such a small price.

 

“Greetings Inquisitor, may I join your table?”

OOC: Damon's Bio

Edited February 4, 2013 by Aekold

[Guest]

Eoghann had scarcely spoken to the recruit when another man approached the table - a Captain, he knew instantly by the sigils of rank, though not someone he was familiar with - and nodded at him and the recruit. A giant, he by habit categorised him as, though he was well aware he himself was lacking in height. 

 

It's getting crowded, he noted, in the beginnings of his characteristic anxiety for casual social scenarios, as the man asked to join their table, and for a moment he thought about leaving, but he held still with an air of mild bemusement. He assumed it would be..."rude" to go without having gotten the recruit's name when he had asked for it, and maybe the situation would resolve not so uncomfortably as to prevent him from eating a quick meal in relative ease.

Edited February 5, 2013 by WildTaltos

[claireducky]

Evelyn had scarcely begun her meal when one of the Recruits approached her table. She looked up to behold a tall and somewhat handsome young man, with coal-black hair and eyes the color of ice.

 

He must be a bold one, to not be intimidated by a woman wearing the shepherd's crook and red bands of an Inquisitor.

 

The boy took a seat across from her, and introduced himself.  "Hello, I'm Kyle Kirnan, a new recruit."

 

Evelyn put on what she thought was an amiable enough smile and replied, "Hello, Kyle Kirnan. I am Evelyn Shirale, an Inquisitor for the Hand of the Light. You may call me Inquisitor Shirale. How are you enjoying your stay at the Fortress so far?"

 

Before the boy could reply, Evelyn noticed movement approaching their table once more. This time it was Arbiter Eoghann, one of her trainees in the Hand of the Light. He was an awkward sort around strangers, but it impressed Evelyn that he was making an effort to be sociable by joining them.

 

The man took a seat next to Kyle, the bells in his long red braids tinkling faintly as he seated himself on the bench. "Inquisitor Evelyn, the Light shine on you," he said, the words slightly difficult to understand if you were not used to his manner of speaking. The Arbiter then turned to regard the new Recruit, and after a pause he added, "Hello...I am Arbiter Eoghann. Your name?"

 

Again, before the boy could reply, Evelyn caught movement out of the corner of her eye, and all three turned to see who was approaching. If Evelyn didn't know better, she'd name the man approaching as the father or at least a relative of Kyle-- the grizzled soldier had the same raven hair and ice blue eyes as the new Recruit, although Captain Shinin's face was careworn and marked by the hazards of war; he had a puckered scar edging down the left side of his face. Evelyn knew who the Captain was, through his reputation, although she didn't believe they had met before.

 

Damon slowed as he neared them, and said to Evelyn, “Greetings Inquisitor, may I join your table?”

 

Evelyn burst out laughing, the absurdity of the situation hitting her suddenly. The Recruit across from her had a bemused look on his face-- he'd been engaged in conversation at least two different times now, but each time before he could get a word in edgewise, someone else had interrupted the poor boy. She nodded at Damon through her laughter, wiping away the tears at the corner of her eyes and gesturing to the open seat next to her.

 

"Of course, Captain Shinin, have a seat here next to me. I am not laughing at you, by the way-- but this poor Recruit across from me has not had a chance to even tell me more than his name yet as more people have joined our table. So let me save us all some time and introductions. I am Inquisitor Evelyn Shirale, of the Hand of the Light."

 

She gestured to the young man seated across from her, who seemed embarrassed by the attention. "This is Kyle Kirnan, a new Recruit, although I have no idea how new, as we haven't had a chance to speak of it yet." 

 

Then she pointed to Eoghann, seated across from Damon. Eoghann shifted uncomfortably, likely not too pleased with the number of eyes regarding him. "This is Arbiter Eoghann, who is one of my trainees in the Hand. I misremember if the two of you have met before, Captain, so my apologies if you have." 

 

Evelyn turned her attention back to the pair seated across from herself and Damon. Pointing the Captain, she said, "And this is Captain Damon Shinin, who commands some of the best troops the Army of the Light has to offer."

 

Looking the new Recruit in his ice blue eyes, she said, "Now, Kyle Kirnan, why don't you tell us a little about yourself and why you have come to join the Children? We will stuff our faces with food while you talk, so you won't be interrupted again," she added playfully.

 

With that, Evelyn began to attack the bread on her plate, an ear tuned to the conversation.

 

OOC: Your turn, finally, Wolfbrother!

 

Edit: realized that Damon didn't know Evelyn, so edited a bit so it made more sense why she knew who he was.

Edited February 6, 2013 by claireducky

[WolfbrotherKronos]

Kyle was put into a situation that he wasn't used to.  All attention was on him.

 

"Ummm...," Kyle said nervously. "I only arrived today and just got done with my orientation.  I learned of the Children by chance actually.  I was huddled in a corner of an alleyway when some Children went into an inn.  I overheard some of their discussion.  They were talking about the..." he said the next words with malice "Tar Valon Witches.  I had never met any who felt the same way.  I went in to talk with them.  That led to my arrival here."

 

He took this time to start eating his meal.  He wasn't used to talking much and decided to wait and see what the others said.

[Aekold]

Damon blinked in surprise as the Inquisitor suddenly burst out laughing. Had things progressed to such a level where the Hand laughed openly at the military? Confused he studied the woman’s face, pretty and confident brown eyes narrowed with amusement but he could see no signs of contempt or malice on her face. The Inquisitor must have read something in his features as she began to explain her outburst.

 

"Of course, Captain Shinin, have a seat here next to me. I am not laughing at you, by the way-- but this poor Recruit across from me has not had a chance to even tell me more than his name yet as more people have joined our table. So let me save us all some time and introductions. I am Inquisitor Evelyn Shirale, of the Hand of the Light."

 

Damon relaxed and broke a smile himself it was a ludicrous situation. The poor lad had found himself at a table of three ranking children and unable to get a word in through all the interruptions. Damon nodded in greeting as each of the two men was introduced in turn. Recruit Kirnan looked nervous but held his head up and met their gaze, there was mettle to this one and Damon found himself wondering which path of Light the boy would find himself on.

"This is Arbiter Eoghann, who is one of my trainees in the Hand. I misremember if the two of you have met before, Captain, so my apologies if you have."

 

Damon had not met the man from Arafel before but was in the Fortress when he had first arrived. He had heard the men gossip about the strange fellow but one thing that always crept through was his dedication and zeal for learning and the teachings of the Children. He found himself respecting the Arbiter, despite the inevitable mockery from his peers he has risen above and from the fond tones of the inquisitor, seems likely to continue to rise.

Damon taking his cue from Inquisitor Evelyn he started his own meal and relished every bite. It had been a long rotation in the field and it was nice to eat something that wasn’t jerked, salted or scavenged in the wilderness.

Damon listened to the boy’s story as he ate and lowered his gaze as the recruit filled the word witched with a pure hatred that was common amongst the Children. Oh yes this one will do well. Was I ever this filled with loathing? He decided not to interrupt any further and listen to what the rest of the company had to say.

 

Edited February 6, 2013 by Aekold

[WolfbrotherKronos]

Kyle waited...but the rest of the group seemed silent. He felt like maybe they wanted him to say something more. He kept eating and began to speak a moment later.

 

"I'm new here and just learned that there are different divisions of the Chrildren of the Light. Would any of you be willing to share with me why you joined your division. I still don't know where I'll fit in."

[Aekold]

Damon watched his companions as he ate, their faces told different stories. Eoghann looked uncomfortable and unsure if he wanted to remain at the table, Evelyn seemed amused by the situation and the boy, Kyle seemed a little unsure. The two Hands, showed no intention to answer first if at all, the Questioners found the truth from others but rarely gave it if they could avoid it. Damon silently admonished himself for the thought. A moment ago he was disgusted with the divide within the Children and here he was thinking thoughts which if spoken could ignite all those present and rightly so. He would atone for this mental slip later but for now he would put himself forward to answer the young man's question. Most new recruits were curious about senior officers but rarely had the gumption to follow their inquisitiveness. 

 

"The decision I made to join the Children was an easy one, lad. My Father served among the army before me and I was practically raised within the fortress. So it was from a very young age I knew my path lay within the Warriors of the Light. I was too large and excitable for the Eyes," he laughed, "and I always found spreading the through deed more appealing than the study and meticulous practice needed for the hand." Damon gestured to his fellow officers. He couldn't say that he thought torturing an already captured dark friend next to cowardly and always preferred to face a foe head on. How a man fights for his life and freedom is usually enough evidence as to his honour.

 

"Being gifted with sword and horse also helped though I'll admit." he laughed.

 

Edited February 21, 2013 by Aekold

[Sherper]

Holding one hand out to cover his mouth, Ackley Carnel let out another long yawn. It was early morning and as usual, the Hundredman to the newly formed company of crossbows, didn’t get much in terms of sleep. A long strew of paper work had kept him up most of last night and a bit into the early hours of the morning, yet he knew his work was far from over. The snowy white cloak which all Children of the Light wore as part of their uniform, hung from his shoulders in rumpled heaps, its fabric as haggard from lack of ironing as the Ackley’s eyes were from a lack of sleep. It had startled him when O’Reilly barged into his office a few hours after first sunrise, to find he had fallen asleep on top of a large pile of inventory accounts and reports. Not for the first time since his new postings, Ackley wondered what had made him take on the duties of a Hundredman. It definitely wasn’t the pay, he decided after blinking back tears of weariness.

 

He had decided he was at least get breakfast before going back to tackle his work, yet the meal line was moving at a rate that did not particularly suit his already wobbly legs. He glared at the back of a squadman’s head, as the man showed particular hesitancy over whether or not to add honey to his porridge. The man turned slightly, noticing the look he was receiving from Ackley and hurriedly decided his meal had been sweet enough as it is. Sighing, he did seem to be doing that a lot lately, he loaded his own tray with whatever was presented in front of him then looked around the mess for a place to sit.

 

Most of the seats were taken, much to his dissatisfaction, apart from a section on one of the long tables where he saw an odd assortment of people gathered. Two red Sheppard’s croaks stood out clearly in the small circle of four gathered around one another, which meant questioners. Ackley had never been very fond of questioners. True, they never bothered him and he in turn – them. But Ackley in truth never really trusted people who took the Children’s cause to a degree of fanatical fervour, and Questioners nearly always fell under that category of nut jobs in the citadel he steered clear from.

 

Yet he saw no other seat available to him without having to start pulling rank and drag a sullen trooper from his spot, so he took his tray and went to join the four at their seats. The other two who did not wear the Sheppard’s croak and thus were not Questioners, were conversing with each other when he went to join them, though they all appear to talking about the same subject. One was a Captain of the army; though not his captain - thank the light. And the other looked to be a fresh recruit, from the lack of sunburst across his chest, though his uniform was kept a lot cleaner than Ackley’s.

 

“Don’t mind if I join you gents – and ladies” he added, noticing one of the questioners was in fact a woman. Why would any woman voluntarily choose to join the Hand of the Light? He wondered to himself as he sat down, without waiting to hear a reply. He guessed it was only logical to have fanatics from the opposite sex, than just from men alone. Maybe it even helped to have a few female questioners. Women were naturally crazy anyway.

 

The four already seated gave him a mix assortment of looks as he settled down to eat his meal; some remaining moderately passive, whilst others showing a little bit more than disapproval across their faces. The one other questioner seated, Ackley couldn’t tell what the man felt about his presence. It was hard to concentrate on reading emotions when presented with such an unsightly face. Ackley instead, concentrated on his stew to not make it look like he was staring too much. What was a Lord Captain doing talking to two questioners, and a recruit? He wondered as the conversations started up again.

 

 

~Ackley Carnel
Hundredman in the Army of the Light

[WolfbrotherKronos]

Kyle continued eating as a new man sat down to join them for the meal.  Kyle had to admit to himself that he was getting somewhat overwhelmed by the amount of people setting down at the table, so much so that he didn't know if he should stand for the arrival of the man who was clearly of a higher rank.  Before he could decide, the man sit down.  He had the look of a trained soldier about him.  He sat down.and began eating his stew.

 

Kyle used his fork to push around the peas on his plate nervously.  He was unsure whether or not to continue the conversation.  Captain Shinnin had finished explaining why he joined the Army of the Light.  This man looked as if he was also a member of the Army.

 

It had been a long day for Kyle, a significant amount of socializing always made him uncomfortable.  Kyle ate some of the peas on his plate before continuing his discussion.

 

"Hello, Sir." Kyle said to the new arrival.  "I'm Kyle Kirnan.  I just arrived at the Fortress of Light today.  Captain Shinnin just told me why he joined the Army of the Light, I was wondering if you might share your experiences as well."

 

Kyle nervously picked at his food, wondering if he was courteous enough.  Having grown up in Andor, he should have been well mannered, but a life of poverty and living on the streets denied him the proper manners of his people.  As a new person to this organization he did not know the etiquette he should display to a higher ranking officer yet.

 

Kyle continued to pick as his food, finally deciding to eat a little more while he waited for the soldier to answer.

[Sherper]

Ackley didn’t particularly feel like engaging in conversation at that instant, but when the young faced recruit turned to face him he decided it was probably for the best to get to know the lad. So with a conscious effort, he put on the best encouraging smile he could muster and turned to face the newcomer. Light, but he felt tired. He could literally feel the backbones creek as he moved to face the youth.

 

“Hello, sir. I’m Kyle Kirnan.” The boy said as soon as he saw Ackley was looking. “I just arrived at the Fortress of the Light today.”
Kyle. He mused; he thought he knew a man named Kyle once.

 

It had been a calm morning, with nothing but the sound of hooves and the creaking of wagon wheels to disrupt the peace. They had been ordered to escort the supply carts, carrying food and other much needed equipment across the Altarian highway to a small outpost that acted as lookout to any enemy activity in the area. When they rounded a particularly steep bend in the wooded dirt path, suddenly and without warning, bow shafts and crossbow quarrels seemed to materialise out of thin air – killing men and animals alike in a deadly crossfire. Kyle had been among the first ones hit, and Ackley could still see the look of surprise as the man clutched his throat and tried breathing through the black feathered shaft protruding from his neck. The man had died staring at him as he slowly suffocated in his own blood - terror and dread a still frame painting on his milky white pupils, even after his body had taken a last shuddering breath. Dying never was what the gleeman’s tales tries to make it out to be; a man that realise he was going to die never had a place in them. 

 

Ackley shuddered, and then promptly tried smoothing his features from the grimace he knew he must be wearing. He hoped the others didn’t notice his small lapse in response, or took it to mean anything as he quickly tried to remember what the boy had just said.
“Sorry lad, I got slightly distracted. What was your question again?” Light, the boy had Kyle’s eyes too - right down to the texture and the way he looks at people. Ackley remembered those eyes all too well, as they often visited him during his sleepless nights.

 

“I was asking if you would care to share how you came to join the Army of the Light.” The boy said, still with that eager look Ackley saw way too often.  

 

“I joined the children cause of the grub.” He replied plainly, if a little sullenly.

 

He was too tired to even care if it had been an appropriate answer to be giving in front of two questioners - who might take it in their heads to ‘re-educate’ him about the virtues of the light. But the man and the woman wearing the red slanted Sheppard’s croak, only stared at him – their faces a mask of emotions. The male’s perhaps more so, though Ackley suspected maybe he had that look plastered on permanently.

 

Gutting two peas with the tongs of his fork, he applied himself to swallowing a few more mouthfuls of food and stew before going on. Out of the corner of his eyes, he observed the confused look the boy was giving him, and knew there was more he needed to tell him.

 

“We join the cause of the light for different reasons,” he continued, swallowing yet another mouthful of green peas. “Some with less… ‘Honourable’ motives than others.” He shot the questioners a look.
“What is important is you understand and accepted who you are. Who you really are. And once you know for certain – to never let anyone change it, no matter who they are or what they do.”

 

He hadn’t intended to say as much as he did, or be so open about it - yet from the moment he laid eyes on this kid; he wanted to help the young man succeed. There were things in life worse than death and Ackley didn’t want him to stumble across them like he did.

 

 

~Ackley Carnel
Hundredman in the Army of the Light

Edited October 22, 2013 by Sherper

[WolfbrotherKronos]

Kyle was almost taken aback when the officer said he had joined for the food, but as the man continued his conversation, Kyle wondered if he was saying a joke.  Kyle assumed the man to be confident as he was willing to joke around members of the Hand of the Light.

 

"What is important is you understand and accept who you are.  Who you really are. And once you know for certain - to never let anyone change it, no matter who they are or what they do."

 

Kyle puzzled over this for a minute, and for the first time in his life, Kyle wondered who he really was.  He spent a significant portion of his life trying to just survive.  He didn't come here for the food, although that was a welcome bonus.  He came here because of the ideals of the Children of the Light and their beliefs on the Tar Valon witches.  He finally found a place he could call home, but who was he?

 

"If I may ask, sir, how do you know who you really are?" Kyle asked, a sense of seriousness coming into his voice.  Hopefully the man wouldn't take offense to his question, but Kyle had only just become a man in the last year.  How was he supposed to know who he was?

[Sherper]

Ackley realised he didn’t actually feel like eating anything as he sat and listened to the recruit continue his round of questions. What had only a moment ago tasted like food – now only felt like ash in his mouth.

 

“How do you find yourself lad?” he said, staring at the recruit from across him with hollow eyes. “I ask myself that question every day.” Light, but he felt tired: Tired of his work, tired of his straggly uniform and even more tired of his muddled sense of purpose. What was he doing serving the Children of the Light?
“Believe me though; it is something that is definitely worth looking – even if you never find the answer.”

 

He wasn’t sure if the recruit knew what he was talking about. Light, Ackley wasn’t sure himself if he knew for sure. Yet there were definitely things in the world that was beyond mere logic and words. Death and meeting with death had that strange effect on people. Death brought people together – towards enlightenment, though knowledge was definitely not a gift – but a curse.

 

He had often been asked by fresh eyed recruits what it would take for them to become ‘a veteran’ or at least look like one. Ackley had seen plenty of veterans in his days, perhaps even considered himself one to some lesser extent. But it was definitely not the age that determined the merit of that title. He had seen youths that did not need to shave once a week, who he would call without hesitation ‘Battle hardened’.

 

No, it wasn’t the face or the age – but the eyes, he decided. All battles will eventually eat your soul. Seeing your men die, your friends perish by arrows, spears and swords, hearing their screams as they’re trampled under the hooves of the charging cavalry, their blood curdling wails for their mothers and the mercy of the creator to just – end – it – All.

 

That. Was what made veterans.

 

He would not say all that out loud of course. No would understand. They’d think him mad. No one would understand – expect only those who have experienced it. It was the basis for why soldiers respected one another. It was because of that they sticked together. It was their own individual piece of madness that they all shared and learned to live with.  

 

~Ackley Carnel
Hundredman in the Army of the Light. 

 

 

OCC: (Lets see how progressively more dark I can turn this thread into. *chuckles*)

[WolfbrotherKronos]

Kyle frowned, not sure he understood.

 

A darkness seemed to form in the eyes of the man, and Kyle saw a little of himself in there.  His own darkness that he had not faced for many years.  He heard his mother's screams and his father's insane laughter.  He saw a young boy crying in the ruins of his house.

 

Kyle remained silent, suddenly feeling his appetite disappear.  Kyle pushed his plate slightly forward as his frown deepened.  His hands clenched reflexively.  Kyle thought he had put all of that behind him when he started his new life with the Children.  The memories lurked still and Kyle repressed a feeling of anger - anger at the One Power and all those who could wield it.  It wouldn't do for him to lose his cool here.

 

He turned and faced the newcomer, pain etched across his face and said, "What about the past - can you set it aside and become something better than what you once were?"

[Sherper]

Ackley shook his head and tried clearing his mind of the ill begotten thoughts that plagued it. He turned and saw concern in those eyes that once belonged to the Kyle he knew. He had once heard that the pattern allowed the souls attached to it, to be reborn and to live another life. If that was the case, maybe this scruffy faced youth of a child was that same Kyle he once knew. Come back to haunt him again.

 

He sighed inwardly and looked back to his soup and peas. Begrudgingly, he picked up his fork and spoon again and began to eat. It never did to waste any food when it was offered. A haunted look had reached into the youth’s eyes. Ackley was sure, that look had been on his own before, though he often tried hard to hide it. Kyle might have had a troubled past. Kyle…

 

“You can’t run from your past, lad. It always catches you in the end.” He paused, sipping at his warm broth with the spoon. “What you can do.. Is to face it. I won’t ask what your past is, or why you would want to avoid it. But know this. Only when you have defeated, or come to accept who you were, may you begin to understand who you are. I…”

 

He stopped and looked at the boy.
“I’m sorry, boy. I probably have said too much. Forgive me.”
Ackley you fool. He berated himself. This boy doesn’t need to know the scars you bear. He probably have just scarred the boy’s pride somehow. It would have probably been better to just let the boy run his course, instead of having a bumbling fool of a Hundredman telling him what he should and shouldn’t do. Ackley you fool.

 

It was then that he realised all the table’s other occupants were staring at him. Even the two Questioners. Light, what has he done now?

 

~Ackley Carnel
Hundredman in the Army of the Light.

[WolfbrotherKronos]

Kyle was confused as to why the man would apologize.  He was after all just trying to be helpful.

 

"No apology necessary, sir," Kyle said very politely.  "My life has changed rather drastically in the past few weeks."

 

Kyle rubbed thoughfully at his chin and then brought his plate back to him.  He never turned down free food.  It was a rule when you grew up on the street.  Kyle finished his meal quitely while some of the other officers left.  Soon enough, it was just Kyle and the Hundredman left - Kyle did his best to remember his name, but couldn't even think of it.

 

"Excuse me sir," Kyle said quietly and shyly.  "If it wouldn't be an inconvenience to you, I'd like to talk more.  Forgive me if I've read you wrong, but it seems like you've had a difficult past, and well I have too.  I'd like to try to deal with it, but it's difficult."

 

Kyle's mind reverted back to his childhood again - his mother's screams echoing in his ears as his father tore her apart with the One Power.  Kyle didn't realize his hands were shaking.

 

"I think you could teach me some things, and I know it might not work with my training, but I'd like to try if you are willing."

[Sherper]

Ackley caught himself smiling at the youth. “Of course I’m willing to help you lad, it won’t be an inconvenience at all.” Light, did it feel good to have something to do again. The duties of a Hundredman were dull, mundane, boring, as outright exasperating at times. But Ackley had nearly forgotten why he had taken the post in the first place; forgotten his own purpose.

 

The youth: Kyle – beamed up at him as he said it. It had been some time since Ackley remembered himself smiling at anything. Yes, Ackley remember now. Remember why he had chosen this path over others.

 

“I’ll be conducting weapon training classes for new recruits starting three days from now, as well as some rudimentary history and geography, if you’re interesting in attending. I’ll also be staying to answer any questions you might have about – well… pretty much anything. My office is on the second floor above the west wing barracks. Feel free to come visit, if you ever get the inclination.”

 

With that he stood up, wiping away the last remnants of the stew with a wedge of bread, and depositing it in his mouth. He extended a hand and found himself shaking Kyle’s.
“It was a pleasure in meeting you Kyle, but I must be off now.”

 

He released the hand after hearing the recruit give his own farewell, and walked back towards the direction of his office – feeling all of a sudden more alive than he had felt in weeks.

 

~Ackley Carnel
Hundredman in the Army of the Light.