they'll leave you speechless

[peacockherald]

Who: SS Starstruck & Anyone visiting!
Broadcast: y/n/m - up to the mingle peeps
Action: SS Starstruck
When: Uh, any time this month?

[ It's a mingle post for the SS Starstruck! We've lost a few and we've gained a few +1 gay mage, yeah!, so now's a time to get to know each other, deal with the results of the Iskaulit, or just general crew and visitor shenanigans! ]

Comments

[lord_wizard]

If only more soldiers accepted payment in desserts.

[He took another nibble of the sweet, taking his time with a delicacy]

Haven was your headquarters?

[peacockherald]

Well, I am paid by the crown, so I did not need reimbursement, but it is hard to resist a treat after days on the road.

_{[ He nodded. ]}

Yes, that is the way of putting it. It is also the capital of my country, where the King or Queen sits and most of the government, and where all new Heralds, Bards, Healers, and Guards train.

[lord_wizard]

[Felix nodded as well. It was similar to Marathat, though their methods were very different, and the Mirador did not stretch it's resources to help train everyone that needed it. His classes had been a step towards fixing that, and for a moment he hopes they will be okay without him. How long had he be been concerned only about his own fate?

The thought takes him a moment to break free of.]

...hm. And is everyone that trains there beholden to the monarchy as you are?

[peacockherald]

Well, I suppose so, yes. We serve the monarchy and therefore Valdemar. That is the point of the Collegiums - to train those to help protect and aid the kingdom.

[lord_wizard]

I suppose I was wondering where people can receive training if they don't wish to be soldiers.

[peacockherald]

Well, mostly the lords would take care of that in their own langs. The Guard are those who protect Haven, but they can also serve the army as well. My sister is a captain, actually. Before that I was receiving private lessons on my father's home with a tutor and he taught other young men on my father's land.

[lord_wizard]

That's all well and good for conventional troops, but for those with Gifts?

[peacockherald]

If you have a Gift, you could come to Haven to see it trained. It is hard to receive it otherwise, since a Gift is not altogether common. Bardic and Healer, if they are strong enough, can receive training. The other Gifts generally tend to go to Heralds. I cannot recall a Herald being Chosen without a Gift.

[lord_wizard]

That's the point I suppose I'm trying to make here. It seems to me that having any kind of Gift endebts their holders to your government.

[peacockherald]

You can refuse. But Heralds all have this need to help. Myself included. The government does not use it as a leash though. We are awarded for our services - paid, that is. And some Healers choose to go and serve communities or open private practices. The government would simply rather see those with Gifts trained rather than left to struggle on their own and either lose control or go mad. And believe me, the latter is a real possibility for some.

[lord_wizard]

I wouldn't doubt it.

[His gaze grew distant for a moment, and he shrugged ruefully, chasing away painful memories]

Forgive me for the pointed questioning. It's something of an old thorn. One of our political and magical rivals chooses to forcefully conscript any wizards of burgeoning talent. They treat them like soldiers, regardless of their desires otherwise.

[He sighed]

Though perhaps the Mirador isn't much better.

[peacockherald]

It is no trouble. If there is anyone I would answer a question for you, it is you my friend.

_{[ He smiled gently at him, pleased to be able to share these things with Felix. ]}

Perhaps, when you return home, you can offer ways to make your Mirador better?

[lord_wizard]

[At least on his end, there is an uncomfortable pause, before he answers sullenly -]

I find that rather unlikely.

[peacockherald]

_{[ He cocks his head somewhat at the way he spoke, wondering if he had overstepped a line. ]}

I am sure you shall find some solution. I have always thought a clever sort of man, after all.

[lord_wizard]

I appreciate the compliment, but the fact of the matter is I won't be going back.

[The chance was remote it there was one, in any case. He still had no idea what the Caloxans would do with him. Perhaps he could appeal his case eventually, but he was no longer sure if that was something he wanted. And yet, it was home.]

[peacockherald]

Well, not your Mirador, but to your world. Perhaps you can offer a solution to those who would leave the Mirador.

_{[ He gave an elegant sort of shrug. ]}

I have often wondered if we do in fact return with memories of these places to our homes, and how we might use them to change them.

[lord_wizard]

[That still isn't what he meant, but he's happy to gloss over his exile if Vanyel has other ideas]

I'd never considered that to be an option, but...if that were the case...would you have anything to change?