Meeting The Light (Xalet)

[Sahashkalila]

Timestamp: 9th of Summer, 512AV Location: Talderan Wilderness, Mid Afternoon They had traveled through much of the wilderness that morning, Shurk setting a hard pace that day as they continued towards their goal. Kalila did not mind the pace though, in fact, she didn't mind much of anything on that day in particular. She felt as if she was on a perpetual high, her mood happy and content as she walked next to her bondmate. They had both shared a night that she was never going to forget, and her hand strayed to the mark on her neck with a smile. She was marked yet again by a goddess, and she was going to treasure every moment of it. But as much as she didn't mind the trek today, she was grateful when Shurk called a halt for some lunch and a few hours of rest, she was more tired than she let on. After Stigandr let her know that he was going for a run, Kalila decided she was going to take a quick lunch underneath a shaded tree, bringing her notebook with her to write of their travels and things that she had learned. She settled herself against the tree comfortable and took an apple out of her pack, taking a bit as she set her notebook in her lap and began to write. To be honest, she was incredibly nervous about the quest they were on, because the outcome did not seem certain at all. She had written about her fears many times in the little notebook she carried, worried that when they reached their destination that she was not going to find anyone to help or take care out, their chance of survival very slim. She didn't speak of her fears with anyone, not wanting to upset then, although she was sure that they had thought the same thing once or twice. She shook her head though and huffed, taking another bit of the apple and pulling her cloak tighter around her. She then flipped back through her notes to a small map that she was trying to sketch of the area, hoping to let that be used for future reference should she ever get lost or someone else did. She sat there quietly munching the apple and continuing to scratch out the basics of where they were, ignoring the rest of her companions around her unless they needed her.

[Xalet]

Being the light side of a proverbial soul coin was hard work. Beyond being the moral compass, trying so desperately to keep his 'brother' from going 'too far', Xalet often felt a need to at the very least explain any previous actions his dark brother had taken during his time out. A reputation was a difficult thing to maintain, and although Xalet realized that forging a working alliance with his dark half meant his honor would never be completely spotless, he could at least do some routine maintenance now and again. Polish up the blemishes, so to speak. Making Sahashkalila the first order of business seemed rather fitting, especially considering they were stuck traveling with one another for an as of yet undetermined amount of time. During one of the breaks, the towering Akalak sought out the Dhani, finding her beneath a wide shade tree. "Hello ma'am." Xalet started things off rather formally, as he always did. The different between him and Xuphim was fairly startling, even though they both wore the same skin. It wasn't just personality, ethics, or values, there was actually visual cues a keen eye could pick out. Xalet had impeccable posture, and almost marched rather than walked. His voice was a great deal softer, both in volume and in tone. Lastly his speech itself, the very dialect and the accent it was spoken with was completely dissimilar. To Xalet there was something improper about looming over another while speaking with them. Much in the way he typically dismounted his horse when he spoke with civilians in Syliras, he lowered himself down upon his knees, leaning back slightly to rest his backside against his heels. He seemed fairly comfortable doing it, thanks to all of the flexibility training he had endured during his time studying both Body Building and the martial arts. "I apologize for any previous inappropriate or degrading remarks." his sentence structure was also rather different from Xuphim. Xalet spoke in short, brief sentences, only saying enough to get his point across. "You have told much to me. So I will tell you, I am Xalet, brother to Xuphim. Together we are the man before you."

[Sahashkalila]

Taking another bite of the apple, she heard a slight shuffling off to her side before a pair of booted feet appeared on the edge of her vision, and she looked up from her notes to find one of her traveling companions looking down at her. It was Xuphim, the man that she had met at the supply store and had a rather unusual introduction to. The memory put a smile on her lips, and she had noticed that he had barely spoken to her since that incident, she had often wondered if she had done something to anger him. She had no idea what it was though if she did....unless it was because she had refused his "offer".

His use of ma'am though took her by surprise, as well as his whole tone. He seemed....different, and she couldn't quite figure out what the difference was. His voice had gotten softer and his speech was slightly different, and she raised an eyebrow at him as she took another bite of the apple. Was he trying to make up for his behavior? She hadn't minded the way that he had acted, it had amused her more than anything else, so she didn't see why he was apologizing for what happened after he had lowered himself to the ground. The fact was that he seemed so much more...rigid now than he was before, there was no relaxed ease that he seemed to exude before.

She shook her head and huffed, reaching into her bag and tossing him an apple as they both sat there. "There iss no need to apologisse, I can't remember the lasst time that I laughed sso hard,"she said with a chuckle, still not sure what was wrong with him. "Pleassse don't apologisse for contributing to my amussement." As he continued with his explanation though she frowned, not understanding what he was saying. There was only one person here in front of her and she had only met one person, Xuphim. Perhaps there was something more to his race, whatever it was, that she didn't know about? Or maybe he had hit his head on something and was spouting nonsense. Growing concerned she closed her notebook and got up on her knees, shuffling forward and placing her palms gently on his temples and letting her fingers feel his head through his dark hair. "I'm not ssure what you are ssaying.....you haven't hit your head on anything have you? Becausse you sshould have come to me at once asss ssoon asss you did,"she scolded gently, her eyes meeting his as she frowned at him and continued her gentle probing.

[Xalet]

Xalet's eyes moved upward as he watched the Dhani's hands coming toward him. He didn't make any movement to dodge or dissuade them, letting them come to rest upon his head. The corners of his lips turned upward slightly. It was a grin, though one would need to be quite adept at reading facial expressions in order to be absolutely certain. "No, there is no injury. I will explain." he began. Luckily the Syliran had already planned for this particular bit of confusion. Anyone not of the Akalak race often struggled to understand exactly what made up a single Akalak. "A Kelvic is a creature with two forms, yet one soul. An Akalak is a creature with one form and two souls. Within an Akalak is two souls, both an important half of a whole. One soul is focused with emotion, passion, and freedom. One soul is focused with restrain, discipline, and structure. Some consider them the dark and the light." as he described this unusual situation, even Xalet was not certain if it would be appropriate to call his brother 'dark'. Emotion and passion could often lead to negativity, but that wasn't always the case. Dealing with Xuphim was often seen as a struggle, but he was no less honest or valorous than Xalet. His immediate priorities were simply a bit...different. "You can imagine then, the passionate one is Xuphim, whom you have met. I exercise the restraint, and I am Xalet. This is often difficult for one not familiar with Akalak culture to understand. I will also mention that Xuphim is drawn to you, though he does not have complete control over this. The women I look up to the most are my own mother, and the Goddess Priskil. Both of these women have certain traits. They are fair, delicate framed females with dark eyes and dark hair. It is difficult for Xuphim and I to remain completely separate, so in some instances, the things I favor are the things he favors. That is to say...fair women with delicate frames, dark eyes and dark hair." trying to find words to exactly explain what two sets of thoughts existing in one place within a body was difficult. Xalet mostly knew what were his, and what were his brothers, but there was still an impact that all thoughts and feelings had. Xuphim's anger was felt by Xalet, and Xalet's drive and ambition was felt by Xuphim. It allowed Xuphim to continue on the Knightly path, even if it was more restrictive than his own personal priorities would have favored.

[Sahashkalila]

Kalila frowned in concentration as she continued to search for any sort of swelling on his skull. She could not feel anything with her gentle probing, and could only assume that there wasn't an injury.....which he confirmed her suspicions. Suddenly self conscious, she blushed and lowered her hands, scooting back from him and folding her hands in her lap. "I'm ssorry, I couldn't help but worry,"she said with a shrug, intent on hearing his explanation. Perhaps something else was wrong with him, like a brain fever or something that went deeper. So she sat there quietly as he explained, her eyes widening in surprise at the new information.

She knew a little more about Kelvics than she did of Akalaks, the word sounding awkward to her. Her bondmate was a Kelvic and so she understood that they had more than one form, but they still were the same person on the inside, just like her. But this man had two souls inside of him? It was a little hard to wrap her mind around, and couldn't imagine what it would be like to have two personalities inside of her....if that was even possible. Questions popped into her mind that she couldn't stop. Was it painful? How did he function like that? Did he get headaches? Where were the souls even located? She shook her head, not wanting to think about it too hard in fear she would get a headache herself. She had three forms herself but yet she was one being....so what was being explained to her was a little hard for her to grasp it entirely. Of course she accepted the fact that there would always be things that she would not understand....so she just accepted it in a way that she felt comfortable with.

"Well....letss jusst ssay you have permanent brain fever and leave it at that," she said with a chuckle, looking at him with a smile , a faint blush forming at his roundabout compliment. Even if it was about another woman....this Priskil. "I would ssay that iss a compliment sso thank you, that iss very kind of you. Although I believe Xuphim had a sslightly different way of ssaying it." She then winked at him and fell silent, growing serious once more. Moving forward hesitantly again, she reached a hand out, placing it on his chest over his heart.

"Two ssoulss in one body, two ssetss of emotionss and valuess....it sseemss like a heavy burden,"she said softly, her brows furrowed in concentration. "How do you....how do you know what really liess in your heart if two people share it?" She did not expect a real answer to her question, and she surprised herself by asking it. But she wanted to know the answer.

[Xalet]

"That is like asking a blind man the color of the ocean. I have lived my life only ever knowing the fact that I am one body with two halves. So you might ask, 'how can two souls share a heart?' But I can only reply, 'how can they not?' That phrase itself was Xalet, in the most precise way of explaining him as a man. Simple, concise, certain. The question was never 'why' but 'why not'. With the eyes of an Akalak, it was possible that Xalet saw the world in more colors than most people could ever imagine, but it didn't stop him from painting situations with thick coats of black and white. "But I can try to answer as I would to a Human. If there was someone you loved, someone that you had been with for years, would their values not begin to become a part of you? Would their interests not start to become some of your own? If you saw an interest in something you had none in before you met them, is it really your own interest, or their's bleeding upon you? I suppose that may exist as a more definitive explanation." his leveled words seemed so rehearsed, almost as if they were strictly maintaining a level of equality throughout each sentence he spoke. He glanced down at his chest, the massive width of his frame where his heart no doubt rested. Her hand seemed so small compared to it. "There may come a time where you may be in danger, Xuphim would compel me to inform you to simply call upon me as you would him. He is as he is, and I am as I am, but we both exist simultaneously and have benefited completely from the training of our body, regardless of whom is control. I realize what my purpose is in this group. I believe Xuphim once told you a Knights job is to 'die so others don't have to'. The hardship of combat is not meant to be shared by everyone, the Knights exist to shoulder that hardship." For the first time, a small smirk could be seen crossing Xalet's features. It would take a keen eye to notice it, but it was definitely there. "I've heard once a Knight called a coward for carrying his shield. My Patron told me something important long ago. The shield does not exist for us to stand behind, we merely carry it. The shield exists for the people to stand behind, to feel safe in its shadow. I believe that may be what he was trying to get across when he spoke to you."

[Sahashkalila]

It was interesting to hear him speak of something that he had always dealt with, his logic making sense to her even though all she really imagined was two people battling for his turn within his heart. She supposed it was much like her own transformation, strange and unnatural to some, but that was all she had ever known. So how could she imagine living any other way? Her brows furrowed as she got lost in her train of thought, staring at the hand over his heart. Was he right about thoughts and wishes mixing with those of someone that she loves? She thought about her and Stigandr, friend and bondmate, and the only man who ever saw what resided in her heart. She supposed that over time their desires would be one and the same, when they are fully one.

"I do remember that converssation,"she said softly, moving her hand from his chest and sitting back, crossing her legs underneath her. They had a similar conversation when they met the first time in Centroc's store, and at the time she didn't believe the man that she had met then was a model knight. The man she sat with now seemed to reflect what she had heard in the stories, and it still amazed her the complete difference between them. She watched him closely as he spoke, noticing a slight quirk of his lips. He did not seem one to laugh or smile much, and so the slight quirk made her smile as well, appreciating the small chance to see his emotions. "You put it in a better persspective than he did. I wissh that battle wass not ssomething that iss required in life, that everyone could live in harmony. But people will alwayss live sselfish livess, and there will alwayss be another fight and another patient. Your Patron did well to tell you what sshe did, and I am grateful to thosse that do sstand to keep people ssafe,"she said, turning her attention to the sky, growing thoughtful.

He seemed so sure of his purpose and what resided in his heart, even though it was strange for others. He was very different from her....so why was it so hard for her to figure out what was in her own heart. Who was she to identify herself as? "I appreciate your offer, and perhapss there may be a time where I do need your help. But I can asssure you that I can manage at the besst of timess,"she said, glancing his way before turning her attention back to the sky. "Mosst ssay that I am a monsster, and they would be right I ssupposse. I can't change what I am." She hesitated for a moment, reaching up to tangle her fingers in her curls and twirl them in her hand absently. "You sseem sso sure of who you are and what ressidess in your own heart, and I admire you for that. The Goddesss sseemss to know what is in mine, and hass given me a great gift for it. But how am I.....will I be able to....am I enough for her?" She felt a blush rise into her cheeks and she reached up to touch the mark at her temple, something she seemed to be doing as of late. She turned and looked at him suddenly, her fingers still twirling her hair. "Did you find your purposse.....or did it find you?

[Xalet]

"My purpose started as necessity, and then grew." he began. To adequately describe exactly why he had begun as a Knight wasn't exactly the awe-inspiring, compelling tale that other children could have had. The fact was only one other man in his family, his uncle on his mothers side, had anything to do with the Knighthood. His mother was a Human, and of course his father was Akalak. This meant that no matter which society he would have ended up growing into, he would be missing out from the benefit of the other. Thus was the way of having a family consisting of two separate races. "From a young age an Akalak is trained to understand both their dark and light sides. They exist in a highly competitive society, and they must improve to gain recognition and status, so one is very compelled to learn to work together with their opposite Soul. However, my father died when I was very young, leaving my mother to move back to Syliras where the rest of her family lived." The young Xalet never considered himself much of a tale-spinner, but when it came to thinks he had experienced, he could recall them with startling clarity, a skill developed from years of recounting lessons and completing reports for his superiors. "It is said an Akalak must be raised in an environment with other Akalaks, so they can understand discipline. I did not have this. In order to learn discipline, it was necessary that I joined the Knighthood. If one Soul attempts to dominate the other due to a lack of understanding and discipline, then there is imbalance." That was quite an ironic statement, considering attempting to erase Xuphim was exactly what Xalet had tried for years, both ignorant and afraid of exactly what his darker half represented. If only he understood sooner, he had no doubt he could have progressed through the skills of Knighthood much quicker. "I was a terrible Squire. Last in all aspects of a Knight. I was different. I was avoided." he admitted, although he didn't seem embarrassed by this stagnation, the cycle of failure he had been apart of for so long. "I met the Lady Priskil one day, and her light illuminated my path. What was so dark before had become so clear. My uncertainty was filled with reassurance. Those of Akalak blood crave competition. We desire to become skilled, it was through her I understood that the Knights were my road, but I had been afraid to walk forward. She was my very first friend. Much later I met with the God Wysar. Without another Akalak to question about my second Soul, he taught me not to restrict Xuphim, but to embrace him. There are things that I understand that Xuphim does not, and there are things that Xuphim understands that I do not. When we work together, we are complete." Was Sahashkalila a monster? Xalet didn't seem to believe that. He had met true monsters, and they were defined by their desires, not by their appearance. "People react with avoidance and fear to that which can be different, but you are not a monster. If your desires are pure, then it is only a matter of time before others realize your goodness. No matter your shape, if you remain upon that path of righteousness for long enough, you will change the opinions of others."

[Sahashkalila]

It was fascinating to listen to him describe his early life, for it seemed that he had his own sort of troubles, despite being the Knight that he was now. He was driven towards his purpose do to the lack of guidance his young mind needed, and for Kalila, that was something that she had never experienced. Growing up in the nest, there was always someone there to help guide the young, whether it was a hunting lesson or a lesson in describing how to change from one state to the other. Her community was a small one, often filled with violence and deceit, but guidance was always given to the young. She did not know much about the Akalak community, but from the way he describe his...little quirk, she could understand why he needed it at a young age.

"I cannot imagine you being terrible at what you are sso clearly meant for,"she said with a chuckle, his tale growing more interesting. He had some important figures to guide him in his own life, and Kalila knew that he valued them more than he let on. There was an undertone there of great respect and gratefulness that came through his words despite the way he casually spoke of them, and she was grateful to know that he wasn't struggling anymore. "Purposse born from necesssity, I can sssee why you chosse thisss path. But then again, maybe thisss path wass already laid out before you, you jusst needed to find it,"she said softly, pondering over everything that he had said. His path was made clear by the right people and circumstance, and she supposed hers was born through tragedy.

She widened her eyes at his last statement, surprised at what he had to say. Deep down she knew he was right, even though the road was a hard one. She had always tried so hard to make people understand that she was only there to help, and she had convinced a few.....and those people had become dear friends. She reached over slowly and grasped his hand, her hand tiny compared to his, and squeezed. "Thank you Xalet,"she said, a smile on her face. "I will sshow the world that I am here to help them, and I will prove it to everyone. Then ssomeday I will be the greatessst, that isss my dream."

[Xalet]

She wasn't the first to say that, to speak about Xalet's Knightly inabilities. Most assumed his overall size gave him a direct advantage, but the Knights were a skilled organization, with many men and women that had overcome adversity not through magic, but through martial training and experience. "It is as it is, and now I am with the Knighthood for the rest of my days, but I would ask for nothing more. Syliras has given a great deal to me, and now is the opportunity to give something back. Times like these though, to give something elsewhere like the Spires are rare times. I had not left the lands surrounding Syliras since I had arrived with my mother, all those years ago." Feeling her small hand clasp his, he could feel her softness, and she could feel his warmth. He covered that hand with his other, bowing his head slightly. "I feel that, here and there, you may have already changed the opinion of others. And...it seems the Akalak are not he only ones whom keep a strong competitive nature. Keep to the path of the healer. The darkness requires two very separate sets of skills to conquer. A blade to banish it, and healing hands to help those recover from its infection." Rocking backward slightly from his knees, the large Syliras released Kalila's hand and rose upward to his feet. "That is what I wished to say." he mentioned, indicating his conclusion verbally. After any response from her, he turned and went on his way, they would have time to speak again, he was sure of it.