"Hmmmmmm", she mused hearing Skald's words. Effort in its own reward? Yes. Yes that was indeed true, when it came to some things at least. Normally Jikan thought of working out or practicing her martial arts. In a way, it could be similar with this aspect though. "Indeed it is. A reward that is appreciated in the journey. The end results just make it sweeter. Either way, I think that the effort of what is given is a nice joy at the end too". It was a strange thing, talking of effort as if it held a merit by itself. It had a power mentally yes, but unfortunately the world did exist in the way of what did exist. Walking towards goals, working, was good. But, Jikan was fully aware that a person had to deal with how things were around them. The views of her and Sleeping Calamity before anything even started was enough of that fact. Although she spoke in a sweet soft voice that held a deep roughness within her. Such a desperation of people to do good that they themselves caused the evil that came after them. Well, things would come in time and be how they were. As long as Jikan's people and subjects were fine, and her way of life was not trialed with, it did not really matter.
An essence that came out to Skald when he asked what made them, dark. "In the terms of us being viewed as a dark guild. Well, where to start? Was it the fact that some of the founders of the guild had extremely bad reputations? Infamy that was far and wide in the terms of their relative power at the time. Or the bounties on their head. Myself, just a small neutral player as a founder, and the others, Knuckles, being largely unknown yet. There was no other information about the guild after word spread of the name. A strange fact though in the terms that issues happened even before we were founded, or, even had a meeting completed. That day with Ariael, Miyamoto, Knuckles, and I barely being started before the former high ranking leaders of the Rune Knights; Shichiro, Seika, and Hitomi crashed the start of on that day to capture bounties and other items", she gave a pause thinking back to that day. It was a mess getting out of that jail and such a long time of not hearing about the others. She had really wondered if they had died in prison or were put in the deepest parts to see no light. Only Miyamoto did die while was imprisoned, the others eventually were released or broke out.
"The mysterious stone I came upon before heading there, that I would later discover was known as a Magharedes' Rune that held some sort I wish granting power. Given that was not among my personal items when I escaped, I guess they had eyes and ears looking for them and took the chance for that as well. Given that I chose to fight against sudden aggressors, combined with the basic first glance they got due to association. Well, there was just a lot more negative than positive before anyone could choose to do anything really. Refusing to bend the knee to the King, did what they liked for the most part, and sought power. Were all sensitive topics that only seemed to further this evil label on them as well in Jikan's experience when it came to the populous. Two...three years of that, and oh well. Who cares?", she said trying to say it in a light hearted tone and wave of her hand.
"We are who we are. I wont deny we don't have some fickle people in our guild like myself, or some moral beings attempting to bring justice, or people who are dark and definite evil. Not many but they are there. Such a mix is volatile in the view of us depending on roles filled or cumulative actions done. Either way, that is just how we are, as long as we seek strength and have that ideology uniting us. We are Sleeping Calamity; wouldn't you say Skald?".
Dark or evil. Light or good. It was funny how it was played as if a person was one the whole time. Their whole life. Their whole personality identity. In the world, was it all about doing what was legal or illegal, or was it really about who toes you stepped on? Who stepped on yours and how you responded?
As she saw his puzzled look, the gaze towards his hands. It seemed her words hit him. Skald had value to her due to who he was as well as what he represented. Jikan, saw people as people. Demi human, vampire,werewolf, human, dwarf, daemon. Every species had a place in Sleeping Calamity if they wished and held the goal to grow. Sweet people could be mixed in, just as jerks could be as well. Variety, diverse and yet connected.
She knew that Fiore was a better place when it came to this overall when it came to other nations. She also knew that not every city, town, and village was open and welcoming as the average. But here, in Orchidia. It was, and had been furthered in the years since the guild's founding. Jobs needing to be filled and coins exchanged had no real care about what someone was after all. As he let out a soft chuckle. She continued to gaze at him with those blue green eyes of hers. His words causing her to nod her head and let out a pleased laugh of her own. "Good, problems of the past should be conquered. I know not all can be solved always, and not all in the way everyone likes. But, there are more things to worry about as you can imagine".
The next moments held many signs. Ones that she did catch this time while Skald looked over the list. The flickering ears, attentive to her words. An intense focus of flicking eyes at the mention of certain words as well as sentences. The clearing of his throat after she pointed a finger at him and said 'hers'. Â Her hand reached out, gently taking the list back from Skald after he held the list back out to her after finishing his examination. Once again he looked at his hands, still and firm. Face hardening like a stone. "A simple start is that. A start. It would be wonderful if you continued on that goal if your heart wished. As time comes and things happen. More and more doors will open, as well as close before you. I do wonder, in the end, will you regret meeting me and owning a life debt? Or will you cherish this change in your life forever", Jikan mused softly. "Either way, I say dont down play your goals in comparison to anyone. Walk towards it. ....I won't lie that the other things are desirable to me though all the same", she said with a smile. Liking the fire intensity in his words of that of a man on a mission.
She then moved off the way, letting herself bounce a little as her smile remained ever so pleased and she gave a little clap of her hands. "Alright. Come. It is early in the day and it is getting close to breakfast time. Have you eaten yet Skald?".
[Exit]