[ Jeanne closes her eyes for a brief moment. Even as they continue their walk deeper in the forest, it's something she has to do to gather her thoughts. It's something she's thought about over and over.
When she opens her eyes again, her expression and voice are resolute. ]
It is too easy to think of enemies as demons, as evil beings whose deaths are just, but I can't think like that. I have to acknowledge them as they are—human, someone with wishes that aren't wrong, someone who's loved, someone who also wants to protect.
It won't change the blood that is spilled. It won't hide the blood that is on my hands.
[ It does not erase that she is not a— ]
One choice may rob someone else of one. It may rob someone of something too precious.
But it is admirable to make as many as you can happy. To hear the voices of the people around you and to help them—there's no way I can say that's wrong. It's only the actions you do to bring that into reality that may be.
It would be easier if the stories we were told as children were so simple - when enemy soldiers vanquished in war were villains, rather than other people with families and dreams, no? But perhaps that's what it means to no longer be a child.
[though he thinks that perhaps he did not believe in those stories for very long, even young as he was - but that is what happens when you study tactics alongside your bedtime stories, perhaps.
even so he offers her a soft smile]
You'll have to forgive me - I neglected to introduce myself in turn. My name is Soo-won, but I'd like to ask that you'd call me Won.
[so similar to the introduction he'd given others - and yet it rings slightly different. for this person, he thinks that a little bit more truth can't hurt.
just a little bit.]
I hope that I will never have to face you as an adjudicator, then.
[if she ever had to intervene should he do something so terrible that it would endanger innocents - he's never intended to do so, not once, but.
even now, even after repairing the fire nation's crops and the water tribe's crisis and the earth tribe's morale, soo-won thinks - il never meant harm either.]
But if I do, I suppose that'll be an answer for my choices in and of themselves.
[ Her smile is a little sad. Has she ever believed in those stories?
It sits a little differently now, after becoming someone stories are told about, after becoming someone who meets heroes, after fighting with the people who became legends. ]
It is easy to justify things in story, easier still to write matters in a way that won't lead to heartbreak.
[ She understands, but she has never been one to lie to herself, at least knowingly. ]
I pray that you'll never need me as an adjudicator, Won. I hope you won't be put in such dire straits that I won't be able to stand still.
It's only one conversation, but I don't think our ideals conflict. I—
[ And she walks straight into the forest barrier. Oof. ]
Ah - he looks a little startled at that and pauses just half a step before. One hand moves to her between her shoulder blades to steady her in case she stumbles, while the other reaches out to press against the.
Air?
Solid air?]
Oh.
Were we really speaking for so long that our captors thought to bodily stop us?
Normally, that would be, hmm, quite large? But right now, it's...
[ Something a little more human. Anyway, she is halfway up the tree, and there's a CRACK as she breaks off quite a sizeable branch that's probably as hefty and as long as a sword. ]
Oh—
[ The branch is falling down. ]
Timber!
[ She's not cutting a tree down, but she's always wanted to say that?
well soo-won's going to swing his like a sword and match jeanne's peace, aiming to impact at the exact moment that she does so that it can be twice the amount of force--
that will repel them and shoot confetti in their faces. or bubbles. pick one.
whatever it is, one got in soo-won's mouth and he's coughing]
[wow what a terrible party! but soo-won is just going to turn his face away from her so he can cough out a piece of confetti and then look a bit sheepish]
Mm, I'm fine - I think their party favor almost did more damage than the recoil.
A higher vantage point might help - and we can see if what we throw upward hits a ceiling? Alternatively, if the barrier goes straight up then we can determine if it's possible to vault over.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[ Jeanne closes her eyes for a brief moment. Even as they continue their walk deeper in the forest, it's something she has to do to gather her thoughts. It's something she's thought about over and over.
When she opens her eyes again, her expression and voice are resolute. ]
It is too easy to think of enemies as demons, as evil beings whose deaths are just, but I can't think like that. I have to acknowledge them as they are—human, someone with wishes that aren't wrong, someone who's loved, someone who also wants to protect.
It won't change the blood that is spilled. It won't hide the blood that is on my hands.
[ It does not erase that she is not a— ]
One choice may rob someone else of one. It may rob someone of something too precious.
But it is admirable to make as many as you can happy. To hear the voices of the people around you and to help them—there's no way I can say that's wrong. It's only the actions you do to bring that into reality that may be.
no subject
[though he thinks that perhaps he did not believe in those stories for very long, even young as he was - but that is what happens when you study tactics alongside your bedtime stories, perhaps.
even so he offers her a soft smile]
You'll have to forgive me - I neglected to introduce myself in turn. My name is Soo-won, but I'd like to ask that you'd call me Won.
[so similar to the introduction he'd given others - and yet it rings slightly different. for this person, he thinks that a little bit more truth can't hurt.
just a little bit.]
I hope that I will never have to face you as an adjudicator, then.
[if she ever had to intervene should he do something so terrible that it would endanger innocents - he's never intended to do so, not once, but.
even now, even after repairing the fire nation's crops and the water tribe's crisis and the earth tribe's morale, soo-won thinks - il never meant harm either.]
But if I do, I suppose that'll be an answer for my choices in and of themselves.
no subject
It sits a little differently now, after becoming someone stories are told about, after becoming someone who meets heroes, after fighting with the people who became legends. ]
It is easy to justify things in story, easier still to write matters in a way that won't lead to heartbreak.
[ She understands, but she has never been one to lie to herself, at least knowingly. ]
I pray that you'll never need me as an adjudicator, Won. I hope you won't be put in such dire straits that I won't be able to stand still.
It's only one conversation, but I don't think our ideals conflict. I—
[ And she walks straight into the forest barrier. Oof. ]
no subject
Ah - he looks a little startled at that and pauses just half a step before. One hand moves to her between her shoulder blades to steady her in case she stumbles, while the other reaches out to press against the.
Air?
Solid air?]
Oh.
Were we really speaking for so long that our captors thought to bodily stop us?
[no that was ara]
no subject
She stumbles a little but is quick to regain her balance. She also reaches out to touch the barrier. ]
I don't see why they'd have to cut off our conversation when all I wanted was to express my belief in you.
[ She frowns. ]
Shall I see if force can break through?
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[that said he's not very interested in giving up so
he'll turn to her]
Mm. Would you like a hand?
[he doesn't have any weapons on him but he can still try to help]
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I won't turn a hand away.
[ She faces a tree and
well
She starts climbing it. ]
How large of a branch do you think will be enough force?
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Hmm.... the largest one you can find - that you can also swing at full momentum without impediment to yourself.
no subject
[ Something a little more human. Anyway, she is halfway up the tree, and there's a CRACK as she breaks off quite a sizeable branch that's probably as hefty and as long as a sword. ]
Oh—
[ The branch is falling down. ]
Timber!
[ She's not cutting a tree down, but she's always wanted to say that?
Look fast, Soo-Won! ]
no subject
ah
but he's going to catch the branch, because he thinks joo-doh would kill him if he couldn't manage that much]
Received! Ow.
[splinter]
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Jeanne breaks off another branch and throws it far away from where she heard his voice, and she quickly makes her way down. ]
I'm very sorry! I thought you would dodge. Are you all right?
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Ahaha, I'm fine, it's just a splinter. You don't need to apologize for that.
We can try to see if we make any progress with the barrier, and then I'll get it looked at.
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I am sorry all the same, but as long as you truly will get it looked at if after, I won't push it more than that.
[ What's done is done, and they do have an objective.
She picks up the other branch she broke off, holding it a bit more like a polearm than a sword before she takes a swing at the barrier. ]
no subject
well soo-won's going to swing his like a sword and match jeanne's peace, aiming to impact at the exact moment that she does so that it can be twice the amount of force--
that will repel them and shoot confetti in their faces. or bubbles. pick one.
whatever it is, one got in soo-won's mouth and he's coughing]
no subject
It's a party. Jeanne gets hit full force in the face, and some confetti gets stuck in her long braid. It's fine.
She sputters. ]
A-Are you all right?
[ As she tries to sweep it all off her face and clothes and litter the ground. ]
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Mm, I'm fine - I think their party favor almost did more damage than the recoil.
Are you?
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[ She's never cared too much for dignity, but. ]
The... confetti took me aback more than anything else, but at least that answers one question.
[ She looks up. ]
Perhaps I should have stayed in the tree to test how high the barrier goes.
[ But she thinks the barrier is spherical. ]
no subject
A higher vantage point might help - and we can see if what we throw upward hits a ceiling? Alternatively, if the barrier goes straight up then we can determine if it's possible to vault over.
[so both hypotheses get a test]
no subject
back up the tree she goes again! ]
no subject
soo-won takes about 2 seconds to think about trying to remove his splinter
before shrugging because he might end up with more and goes to climb up after her.
it's a little nostalgic, it's been a while since he got to scale trees]