asgardeventide | [ video / action for library, arena ] ⚡ [ night 72 ]

[ Live from Asgard's 'Great Library' this evening, a set of bookshelves taking up the majority of the background behind her, is a familiar, serious-looking face-- albeit one that's been lying pretty low outside her job at the hospital for the last little while. Despite the rather close set of the 'camera,' it's fairly obvious where she is... although for some reason she appears to be standing rather than sitting, and keeps glancing off and down at something she must be following some kind of directions off of.

Actually, she... seems to be wrapping her hands, using a long, dark red something, her slim fingers flashing into frame occasionally as she calmly addresses her bracelet- ]

How many of you are familiar with sparring, without the use of weapons?

[ ... Was it mentioned she was in the library during this? Yes? Well, hopefully she isn't bothering anyone too much, then. Eventually, she does take her leave of the place, heading over to where she fits in better instead: the arena, where she can be found frowning and outright attacking some hapless punching bag late into the night.

Perhaps someone forgot to tell her you're supposed to take it easy and primp the day before a party?? ]

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[ There's a beat or two as Lightning tries to place the voice here and the name attached to the message along with it. It seems familiar, but apparently not something that left quite enough of an impression for her to recall all at once. ]

In a way, yes.

[ Aether, on the other hand, recognizes her appearance and... simply doesn't voice it. It may be for the best if she doesn't remember who he is. The art of being the Black Knight lies in keeping himself absent from the pages of history. ]

I can help you, then. There is but one condition.

Condition?

[ Consider that dubious, with the slight raise of her eyebrows obvious even without the picture to go along with it. Already she's weighing her options in taking his offer... ]

Yes. It's simple to fulfill, really.

[ He doesn't explain himself, doesn't provide a shred of context. He simply goes ahead with the question. ]

Why do you fight?

[ Why? Is that the condition- answering this question? Or, is it simply leading up to something else? Her wariness can't be seen or heard except in the way she pauses, but it could be thoughtful too-- is thoughtful. The last thing she is is dishonest, and her voice is steady, slow but firm, when she replies. ]

If I chose not to, I would have to live with the knowledge that I did nothing to stop humanity from dying out... that I allowed the potential for history itself to be destroyed.

Is that so?

[ His words come out as a sigh, one thoughtful and just a bit... disappointed. Hers is a good cause, but it's so tiresomely selfless from the way it's spoken. Is that her sole reason? Were there no personal passions to consider? ]

I'll say it simply. I only share knowledge of combat with those who choose to fight for a good reason.

[ Nope, for all of her abrasiveness here and there, Lightning here is basically the most selfless a person can get without turning into a doormat somewhere along the way. She's certainly not at all short of passion, but in the end... everything she does is still for the sake of someone else beside herself. ]

You do not consider that to be a worthy reason?

[ Oh so neutral. ]

I've never met someone who fought for it alone.

[ There has always been an underlying drive beneath it all, a desire that shaped the selfless actions. From his personal experience, it has always been something simple. As cheesy as they sound, love and peace are far from unworthy pursuits. ]

Is that so surprising?

.... I guess you haven't spent much time... getting to know those claimed here by 'Heimdall,' then.

[ Answer courtesy of not... knowing what else to say. She was telling the truth, after all, just like always- to the point of readily dropping information she normally wouldn't without the right prompting. What more does he want? ]

You are not wrong. This blade belongs to Sigyn's cause.

[ It is a statement laughable in its hypocrisy. How could a trained soldier like him fit into the house of healers? It's a matter he found baffling ever since his arrival and has already given up on ever resolving.

If he is expected to fight and kill in the name of kindness, he shall do that much. ]

But if that truly is your reason, that is good enough. I'm willing to teach you whatever I can.

[ Lightning doesn't even think twice about that admission, however- after all, her sister is-- was in Sigyn. And she doesn't exactly know much else about this guy outside of what he's told her; maybe she'll wonder later but for now she simply lets it slide on by.

At his eventual agreement she indulges in a moment of ironic amusement at this whole runaround, but by the time she responds herself she's sobered enough for it to not be all that obvious by tone of voice alone. ]

Thank you.

[ video / action for library, arena ] ⚡ [ night 72 ]

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