[Cantarella eventually makes her way to the Central Field on Monday, working against whatever discomfort seems to be holding her back. The tendrils that have emerged where her long waves of hair should end float a little, as if she were swimming in midair.
She has a seat on one of the lounges neighboring the meticulously tended garden, bending to look at some of the herbs.]
Oh, who's there? You can come a bit closer, but be careful.
[ Compared to some, there have been changes that are more on the lines of something 'pleasant' - white horns sit back atop Anaxagoras' head, evidently to resemble a hint of something dragon-like. Dromas superiority, after all.
He takes in the woman's appearance and the slight changes she's sporting within a glance, and then answers. ]
Anaxagoras.
...It appears that this alteration is universal. I wonder if there is some kind of irony behind it as well.
That it does. Whether this should be a relief or a worry remains to be seen, though I'm inclined not to incite unnecessary panic before it's due.
[After Sunday, this is pretty alarming... but Cantarella seems committed to not making the whole group fall apart in a froth. Her hand rests lightly against her chest as she takes a deep inhale.]
This is not my first jellyfish accusation... but what on earth are you meant to be? If I didn't know better, I'd mistake you for a loong, the great dragon Sentinel of Jinzhou.
I could say it's aggravating, but...I believe it wasn't exactly a strike of misfortune in my case.
[ Anaxagoras is indeed worried, to a logical extent, though he knows that there is only so much that they can do. Though, he raises a brow at 'jellyfish accusation'. ]
I hope the last time was in better circumstances for you, at the least. [ ... ] I've also never heard of 'a great draon Sentinel of Jinzhou'.
Anyway, the horns you see are representative of a dromas. They are quite a sight, large and towering, a lizard species of the land first and foremost - ah, it is a shame no one can see a proper one.
[ He actually shifts between excitement talking about dromas and disappointment that there aren't any, alas... ]
[Was the last time under better circumstances? It gets a sneaky little smile out of Cantarella, at least. It can't be all bad, judging from that kind of expression.] I did look that way from behind a door.
[She listens to his description of the creature that's modeled his horns. Familiar only to him, then, most likely; or at least a select few... This is something, then, that must have come from them in whatever small way, shape, or form.]
Though I've never seen one either, I'm inclined to agree. Your description paints a most magnificent portrait. Do you hold some particular fondness for the dromas?
[ That does tell a tale in of itself. Anaxagoras has no need to imagine that it was something, hrm...unfortunate.
Though it must have been quite the experience if she was like that before? ]
I merely see the positives of their existence. [ In other words, yes. ] They are not only inclined to be peaceful, and intelligent. There are more aspects that define them to be without doubt the pinnacle of any being created on Amphoreus.
What can you tell me about this Sentinel of Jinzhou?
It sounds as if you like them. [She'll just translate that speech for him with a smile.]
Jue is the guardian of the Jinzhou region of Huanglong, a country far away from mine across the sea. Unfortunately, you'd learn much more from a good friend of mine if she happened to be here.
They assume the form of a great dragon. [Her expression becomes slightly pensive.] I heard that recently They have been gravely injured, so They are currently recovering and relying on their human Resonator to care for the people of Jinzhou.
[ Anaxagoras' eye closes for a moment as he considers her words here.....because, well, it's true. He decides that it would be foolishness to deny it, so he simply doesn't bother. ]
I won't deny that they're well worth praise.
[ Help. ]
This guardian sounds rather interesting. A shame I can't have a glance at it.
Is this 'human Resonator' supposed to be a representative for it as well?
[Buddy they're not here to hear you acting tsundere about them...]
Yes, I'd have rather liked the chance to meet Them, too. [She hums thoughtfully.] Sadly, it was not in the cards.
[Perhaps one day she'll be able to travel the planet for a different reason.]
It's something like that. Each Sentinel has but one chosen Resonator, and one alone. They're bound together, and their worthiness grants them a specific connection and considerable power beyond that of most other Resonators. In Jinzhou, she is the Magistrate and guides the people of the city in the Sentinel's name.
I think it does. [Which...might imply the answer is somewhat complicated or at least in the middle of the road. At the very least, nothing in Cantarella's tone implies that this is either fine or good.]
My family is very traditional, and our commitment to Imperator is absolute. So has it been for centuries. [She tilts her head.] What's driving your curiosity?
[ Most people may be content to carry on, but considering her family is now being brought up, he considers the inquiry in return reasonable. ]
There's a logic to getting to know a little bit about one another.
I won't go ahead and dig up your entire past, if that's what you're concerned about.
[ ...Anaxagoras doesn't really think it will help if he does anything other than say the truth. He hasn't really spoken much to Cantarella before this, and he has heard of different, unknown concepts, so... he has decided to ask. ]
[Fair play. The deep, sea-dark sapphire of her eyes twinkles a little, and Cantarella's posture relaxes a bit.]
You might have to bring a sturdy shovel if you were going to try that. Thirty-six generations is very far to dig. Tell me, if most people aren't even aware that something is missing, do you suppose its absence is a problem, or can the afterimage sustain?
[ A question that makes him wonder just the same. He personally never had prestige that went so far back in the first place. When it comes to lineage, anyway.
Ironically, the question asked is one he had been pondering on himself. But, now he might have an answer. ]
Very far indeed.
...it depends on what is "missing". A tree will not notice if a single leaf is plucked from one of its smaller branches, continuing on as it were.
Eventually, that leaf will regrow in the place of the previous left behind.
Now, if a small branch is similar plucked, it can be more noticeable. Over time, it can be forgotten, as the tree itself can recover that very branch.
However, what happens if you take away a part of its roots? Something so integral to the livelihood of the tree can cause it to stagnate and decay. Even if it might have forgotten how it lost it in the first place.
Ergo, the afterimage sustaining successfully depends on "what" the absence is in the first place.
[It's as she said...The Fisalia family is very traditional, and those traditions have very deep roots.]
Like most plants, trees can still be grafted onto nearly anything that's been purged. The rest grows in as if nothing was ever removed, but the tree is changed forever. [The metaphor only extends so far, and she can really only say so much.]
Before you distract yourself too much with that puzzle, I'd also like to know a little bit more about you.
[ The roots must indeed run deep, but at that point what can be said of their identity as time goes by?
Well, that can be a common question for even any long-lived folk - though, particularly any lineage that so happens to extend far enough that changes have been vast and incomprehensible.
He'll willingly take a pause on that regardless. ]
Very well. I'll leave the puzzle aside for now, and return to it later.
[It's possible for just about any question to lift the corner on something tender, but it isn't her intention to do that. Right now, she's only seeking to add more strands to the threads that connect them all.]
While I could listen to more about your favorite creatures, [she teases, winking,] I'll save it for another time when it might not be like complimenting yourself. Where would you like to live, if you could choose anywhere?
[ ...that is fair, getting back at him for his Dromas-obsession, while keeping in mind his current appearance.
Anaxagoras lets out a small sigh at her reaction to it in the first place. ]
...My preferences as to where I'd like to live would be somewhere reasonably warm. Where the sun shines regularly, and seasons are pleasant all year round.
Oh, and of course, somewhere the stars can usually be visible at night. What is the point of a sky if you can't properly see most of it?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
w1, monday
She has a seat on one of the lounges neighboring the meticulously tended garden, bending to look at some of the herbs.]
Oh, who's there? You can come a bit closer, but be careful.
no subject
He takes in the woman's appearance and the slight changes she's sporting within a glance, and then answers. ]
Anaxagoras.
...It appears that this alteration is universal. I wonder if there is some kind of irony behind it as well.
no subject
[After Sunday, this is pretty alarming... but Cantarella seems committed to not making the whole group fall apart in a froth. Her hand rests lightly against her chest as she takes a deep inhale.]
This is not my first jellyfish accusation... but what on earth are you meant to be? If I didn't know better, I'd mistake you for a loong, the great dragon Sentinel of Jinzhou.
no subject
I could say it's aggravating, but...I believe it wasn't exactly a strike of misfortune in my case.
[ Anaxagoras is indeed worried, to a logical extent, though he knows that there is only so much that they can do. Though, he raises a brow at 'jellyfish accusation'. ]
I hope the last time was in better circumstances for you, at the least. [ ... ] I've also never heard of 'a great draon Sentinel of Jinzhou'.
Anyway, the horns you see are representative of a dromas. They are quite a sight, large and towering, a lizard species of the land first and foremost - ah, it is a shame no one can see a proper one.
[ He actually shifts between excitement talking about dromas and disappointment that there aren't any, alas... ]
no subject
[She listens to his description of the creature that's modeled his horns. Familiar only to him, then, most likely; or at least a select few... This is something, then, that must have come from them in whatever small way, shape, or form.]
Though I've never seen one either, I'm inclined to agree. Your description paints a most magnificent portrait. Do you hold some particular fondness for the dromas?
no subject
[ That does tell a tale in of itself. Anaxagoras has no need to imagine that it was something, hrm...unfortunate.
Though it must have been quite the experience if she was like that before? ]
I merely see the positives of their existence. [ In other words, yes. ] They are not only inclined to be peaceful, and intelligent. There are more aspects that define them to be without doubt the pinnacle of any being created on Amphoreus.
What can you tell me about this Sentinel of Jinzhou?
no subject
Jue is the guardian of the Jinzhou region of Huanglong, a country far away from mine across the sea. Unfortunately, you'd learn much more from a good friend of mine if she happened to be here.
They assume the form of a great dragon. [Her expression becomes slightly pensive.] I heard that recently They have been gravely injured, so They are currently recovering and relying on their human Resonator to care for the people of Jinzhou.
no subject
I won't deny that they're well worth praise.
[ Help. ]
This guardian sounds rather interesting. A shame I can't have a glance at it.
Is this 'human Resonator' supposed to be a representative for it as well?
no subject
Yes, I'd have rather liked the chance to meet Them, too. [She hums thoughtfully.] Sadly, it was not in the cards.
[Perhaps one day she'll be able to travel the planet for a different reason.]
It's something like that. Each Sentinel has but one chosen Resonator, and one alone. They're bound together, and their worthiness grants them a specific connection and considerable power beyond that of most other Resonators. In Jinzhou, she is the Magistrate and guides the people of the city in the Sentinel's name.
no subject
Jests aside, Anaxagoras is listening as she explains the details about these so-called Resonators and Sentinels. ]
As with all such roles with great power, so do comes responsibility with it, correct?
Do you know this Resonator personally as well? Or others?
no subject
[Though she smiles, there is a distant pensiveness to it.]
As for Rinascita... No, the Blessed Maiden has been gone for a long while. No Resonator has demonstrated the ability to be chosen.
no subject
[ Anaxagoras doesn't know if a Resonator is always necessarily required, per say, so he'll ask it to see if that's the case.
It could be a make it or break it situation - or simply a matter of people managing just fine. ]
no subject
My family is very traditional, and our commitment to Imperator is absolute. So has it been for centuries. [She tilts her head.] What's driving your curiosity?
no subject
There's a logic to getting to know a little bit about one another.
I won't go ahead and dig up your entire past, if that's what you're concerned about.
[ ...Anaxagoras doesn't really think it will help if he does anything other than say the truth. He hasn't really spoken much to Cantarella before this, and he has heard of different, unknown concepts, so... he has decided to ask. ]
no subject
You might have to bring a sturdy shovel if you were going to try that. Thirty-six generations is very far to dig. Tell me, if most people aren't even aware that something is missing, do you suppose its absence is a problem, or can the afterimage sustain?
no subject
Ironically, the question asked is one he had been pondering on himself. But, now he might have an answer. ]
Very far indeed.
...it depends on what is "missing". A tree will not notice if a single leaf is plucked from one of its smaller branches, continuing on as it were.
Eventually, that leaf will regrow in the place of the previous left behind.
Now, if a small branch is similar plucked, it can be more noticeable. Over time, it can be forgotten, as the tree itself can recover that very branch.
However, what happens if you take away a part of its roots? Something so integral to the livelihood of the tree can cause it to stagnate and decay. Even if it might have forgotten how it lost it in the first place.
Ergo, the afterimage sustaining successfully depends on "what" the absence is in the first place.
no subject
Like most plants, trees can still be grafted onto nearly anything that's been purged. The rest grows in as if nothing was ever removed, but the tree is changed forever. [The metaphor only extends so far, and she can really only say so much.]
Before you distract yourself too much with that puzzle, I'd also like to know a little bit more about you.
no subject
Well, that can be a common question for even any long-lived folk - though, particularly any lineage that so happens to extend far enough that changes have been vast and incomprehensible.
He'll willingly take a pause on that regardless. ]
Very well. I'll leave the puzzle aside for now, and return to it later.
What do you want to know?
no subject
While I could listen to more about your favorite creatures, [she teases, winking,] I'll save it for another time when it might not be like complimenting yourself. Where would you like to live, if you could choose anywhere?
no subject
Anaxagoras lets out a small sigh at her reaction to it in the first place. ]
...My preferences as to where I'd like to live would be somewhere reasonably warm. Where the sun shines regularly, and seasons are pleasant all year round.
Oh, and of course, somewhere the stars can usually be visible at night. What is the point of a sky if you can't properly see most of it?