[center][color=3d5a88][h2] Niallus Saberhagen[/H2][/color]
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[color=3d5a88] Event:[/color] One's Purpose
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[color=3d5a88] Location:[/color] Zarinas party.
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After some time. Niallus approached Jocasta and Yalen. It had been a while since he talked to either one. [color=3d5a88]"Yalan, Jocasta."[/color] he almost called her by her title as Zeno. Luckily he managed to save himself. He wasn't exactly sure what to say. So he took a little breath to help him relax then spoke.

 [color=3d5a88]"So, how long until the wedding? so I have time to pick out a suitable gift for you both."[/color] a slight chuckle escaped his lips.

Jocasta seemed to slump visibly. [color=ffdead]"That's number thirty-seven?"[/color] she inquired with a dullness in her voice. Yalen, beside her, consulted a small piece of parchment. "Thirty-six, actually." He shook his head and smiled. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves, dearest."

Then, he turned to Niallus. "Many thanks." He rose and shook the much taller youth's hand. [color=ffdead]"It's in a couple months, on the First of Ardanes,"[/color] Jocasta piped up, rolling around the table a bit to be closer. "Fortuna," Yalen added. "She [i]*insisted*[/i] it be on an auspicious day," he teased. "Never knew she was so superstitious."

[color=ffdead]"I'm going to go rub Penny for good luck later,"[/color] Jocasta replied, deadpan.  

"See?" Yalen offered, with a helpless shake of his head. "Anyhow, don't spend all your money on us, [i]*really*[/i]. She makes a decent enough wage as a Tan-Zeno and I come from a rich family."

Jocasta shot him a look and Niallus could only guess at the dynamic behind it. "So, how about you?" Yalen continued, changing tracks. "Haven't seen you around much, except in the Trials."

Jocasta nodded eagerly.  [color=ffdead]"Your relationship -"[/color] Yalen's hand covered her mouth with incredible speed, muffling whatever she'd have said next. Jocasta batted it away and shot him a second stabbing look.  [color=ffdead]"Your relationship with the school: any better than all the other Eskandr? The other day was... nuts, and now everyone who's on that 'side' is busy raising a ruckus over it."[/color]

"Sweetie, do we really have to talk politics?" whined Yalen.

"Why yes, dear," Jocasta responded, "Because I'm going to rip someone's intestines out through their mouth if I have to have one more conversation about wedding dresses."

"I never knew girls could get tired of that," Yalen mumbled.

 [color=ffdead]"I'm spiritually kicking you in the balls right now, dearest."[/color]

"I'm grateful it is only spiritually." Then, Yalen turned back to Niallus. "Ah, yes, sorry!" he chirped. "So about your whole take on the issue...?”
Niallus couldn't help but chuckle. He didn't think Jocasta was superstitious, then again it was Jocasta, the woman was full of surprises. But he raised an eyebrow, when Yalen covered his fiancé's mouth. [color=3d5a88]"My relationship with other Eskandr is ok, mostly because of my family's services."[/color]


Watching Jocasta go off to rub a Penny. [color=3d5a88]"She never changes."[/color] a smile breaking across his face. Getting back to what Yalen had mentioned, [color=3d5a88]"Indeed. The other day was crazy. I did have some trouble with some Eskandishmen. I tried my best not to anger them, since chaos was already going everywhere. Luckily the students and the Zenos were able to defuse it. At least for the time being."[/color]

He sat down on a chair offering Yalen to sit opposite him. [color=3d5a88]"So where were you during all that. But I know you, you would have tried to keep order."[/color]

Jocasta arched an eyebrow at Niallus. [color=ffdead]"I'm right here, genius."[/color] She rolled her eyes. [color=ffdead]"It was a joke."[/color] She regarded Niallus for a moment. [color=ffdead]"You alright?"[/color] Yalen nodded along. I wouldn't listen to idiots like that, except that they may end up in charge before very long." He sighed and downed some of his drink. Jocasta took a bit of hers as well, testing it for poisons first, of course, [i]*always*[/i] testing it. [color=ffdead]"He was in Belleville, dealing with the... over a thousand refugees from Tanso, Parmoy, and Yarsoc there now?"[/color] She shook her head. [color=ffdead]"I was there with him. While we're busy bickering amongst ourselves, the world outside hasn't stopped moving. The Tarlonese everyone seems eager to cozy up with here are still invading, charm offensive or not."[/color] 

"How about you, Niallus?" Asked Yalen, verbatim. "What do you stand for?" Jocasta nodded. [color=ffdead]"What's your cause?"[/color] she asked. [color=ffdead]"Seems like everyone needs to have one these days."[/color]

Listening to what the pair were saying. Seems that everyone has their hands full during these difficult times [color=3d5a88]"Over a Thousand..."[/color] resting his drink down on the table. Clasping his hands together. [color=3d5a88]"I honestly feel like this is just the beginning, no doubt those numbers will increase. It'll only be a matter of time before it's everywhere."[/color]

Hearing Yalen and Jocasta ask him, What does he stand for? What's his cause? [color=3d5a88]"My cause?"[/color]
Leaning back into his seat, tilting his head back, thinking about it. [color=3d5a88]"I haven't given it much thought. I've been wrapped up in too much trying to live up to the standards that my family and other Eskandr that have close ties. Sometimes I wonder If I can't even do that."[/color] leaning his head forward to face the two once more. 

[color=3d5a88]"I suppose It'll take some time to think about it. When I need it the most, it'll probably become more clear then."[/color] disappointed that he couldn't give a real answer to their question. But he wondered if he listened to what they had to say on the topic, it could give him some insight on finding his own.
[color=3d5a88]"Can I ask you both the same question?"[/color]

"I know it's a bit of a lame answer," Yalen replied, "and probably the expected one, but... to do justice." He shrugged. "Just because I've left the order doesn't mean that I've left all of its tenets behind." He shook his head. "On the contrary, I think I'm headed someplace where I can do more and do it immediately." Jocasta glanced his was and he glanced back at her. They exchanged a small, knowing smile.

[color=ffdead]"I guess I'm like you, big guy,"[/color] she addressed Niallus, [color=ffdead]"floating about without any direction."[/color] She swirled the drink in her wine glass pensively. [color=ffdead]"Though I guess I'm following his lead for now."[/color] She reached out and squeezed Yalen's hand. [color=ffdead]"He's my purpose."[/color]

Niallus appeared to have received his answers, but would they lead him anywhere? Give him anything? A gust of wind buffeted him and caused all of the little banners strung up above and all of the posters and notices festooning the fence, which they were quite near. Two ripped off and fluttered right into him. Jocasta batted another away and it fell by one of her front wheels. 

Presently, she bent over to retrieve it before another gust came and blew it out of her reach. [color=ffdead]"Well, well..."[/color] she exclaimed, trailing off for dramatic effect as she straightened. [color=ffdead]"If that isn't Dami sending a message, I don't know what is."[/color] Hers was a protest pamphlet, outlining the charges of 'The Conderned Student Body' against 'The Brazen Corruption of the School Administration.' 

Niallus' was a recruitment poster from the Lamplighters: 'Calling All Good-Natured, Law-Abiding Students to the Defense of Our Academy Against these Violent Protests that hath Disturbed the Peace of Late.' The final one was a missing cat poster, with a reward of two magus.

Listening to what both Yalen and Jocasta had to say about their purposes. He smiled at them. They managed to give him some idea of what his could be. [color=3d5a88]"Thank you both for your insight. You two are really perfect for each other."[/color] he said to them both. 

Upon Jocasta showing him the poster of himself for the Lamplighters. He was grabbing the other flyer that she couldn't reach. Upon see the recruitment poster. He paused for a few seconds [color=3d5a88]"Wow..."[/color] he simply said to it. After his eyes read the missing cat poster.
[color=3d5a88]"I might go into this Lamplighter poster. Or this corruption thing. Might help me think about what you two have said, Maybe it might prove fortunate.."[/color] he finished his drink before standing up
[color=3d5a88]"Thank you both for your time. I'll put them back on the wall."[/color]

Jocasta handed him the final paper and offered up a parting smile and a wave. [color=ffdead]"You stay safe, Niallus!"[/color] Yalen downed some wine. "You stay awesome!""

He now held, in his hands, the opportunity to go and do something impactful, to be part of something that could change or save the status quo. Or... he could go save a cat for two magus.

Niallus looked at both posters. His decision was easy. He went back to the board and stuck the cat poster back on it [color=3d5a88]"There we go."[/color] keeping the other poster. [color=3d5a88]"After the party, I'll pay a visit to the Lamplighters."[/color] he said to himself. Then, the cat girl steals the cat poster. She brings it over for Raffie to look at. "Look, kitties!”