Dedication (Nina / BlueSlime)

[Guan Yu]

Re: Dedication (Nina / BlueSlime)

"Oh. That seems unusual, though a bit sad. My condolences..." Isane was quick to offer her sympathies, even if they weren't necessarily needed.

Once made aware of the reduced level of light, the sorceress got up mostly by herself once more, not denying Nina's help either. She used the bedsheet as a makeshift cowl, allowing herself to open her eyes and look around somewhat with the shadow it provided. While she did reach for the food at first, Isane allowed herself to be fed once the maid-knight intercepted. There had been a brief visual analysis at the bowl to see what it contained, but apparently it was alright since the food started to vanish as Nina offered it.

With the meal finished, Isane dropped back to her resting position again, the golden eyes looking at the two as she thanked them profusely. "I hope that I'm not a bother..."

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Dedication (Nina / BlueSlime)

"Not a bother? Are you kidding? If I were locked up for 5,000 years, the least I'd hope for would be a nice mat to rest my head on and a bowl of porridge. If we were at my lady's estate, you'd be in the finest rooms we could offer you, and we'd have the best healer getting you back into fighting fit shape. As it is, I only wish we could do more. Now you just focus on getting better, miss sorceress. Leave the caring to us, it's not a bother, it's a privilege." Nina smiled cheerily, genuinely happy to take care of someone like this and to be a good servant. She was reflecting well on Yura's temple, and House Einzbern, and that was important to her. Most importantly of all though, was that she was helping out this woman when she was in need - a good deed was it's own reward.

"If there's anything else you might require, or even simply want, I'll get it for you if it's within my power."

 

[Guan Yu]

Re: Dedication (Nina / BlueSlime)

The sorceress looked back at Nina upon hearing her answer, that golden gaze peering at her from within the blanket-cowl. "I suppose that's correct. My apologies, it was an inconsiderate thing for me to say. There's nothing needed really, I'll gather up my strenght and see if I can get moving around today, maybe wash myself in the evening if can manage that. Otherwise I just might have to ask you people..."

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Dedication (Nina / BlueSlime)

Nina waved off Isane's hesitation.

"You're not being inconsiderate, silly. And oh my yes, we should probably get you bathed shouldn't we? Don't worry, there aren't that many men at the temple currently - just the one in fact, Sir Galeon. He carried you all the way from the depths where we found you, back to this very bedroom. He's quite a gentlemen and you won't have to worry about him. As for needing our help in the bath, again it's not a trouble, and you won't need to feel embarrassed about it if you're not used to that sort of thing -- I'm very professional."

Nina mentally giggled at how untrue that statement probably was, given the amount of fooling around she'd done with Iliana in the bathhouses back at the Einzbern Estate. Still, the maid was convinced that she could and would be the epitome of a professional maid with Isane. She didn't want to make the sorceress uncomfortable.

 

[Guan Yu]

Re: Dedication (Nina / BlueSlime)

The mention of men caused a small chuckle from Isane. "You think I have troubles with men?" she asked, briefly pausing. "I might have been imprisoned by a totally male group of people, but that doesn't alter my views on the gender thing. My former group was almost entirely men. There was only one other woman among us besides me, and we had no serious issues despite that. We did everything together back then..." the sorceress found a remainder of her former time in the past from within Nina's words, creating another pause. This one lasted for some time, Isane's expression just barely holding itself together as an apparent sadness crept into the sorceress' mind. "A-alright... We'll see that in the evening then..."

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Dedication (Nina / BlueSlime)

Nina felt sorry for the sorceress, knowing what she must be thinking. Everyone she ever knew was gone. She was absolutely alone. The idea made Nina uncomfortable, as she thought what it might be like to suddenly know that she would never see Iliana or Iris again.

"Hey Isane, I just want you to know that you're among friends here. It may take you some time to get to know us, but we're gonna help you okay? So um... just know that you're not alone. Kay?"

 

[Guan Yu]

Re: Dedication (Nina / BlueSlime)

A few small nodding motions signalled Isane's understanding, though she seemed saddened still. "Yes... I understand that... if a group is considerate enough to free and take care of me like this... I can't count them as anything other than friends..." the sorceress gave a reply, remaining quiet afterwards, most likely going through the emotions that this sort of situation caused in her mind.

Iris was looking like she was ready and willing to go for now, most likely sensing the atmosphere in the room. No doubt she too had realized what Isane was processing right now.

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Dedication (Nina / BlueSlime)

Nina left Isane to be alone with her thoughts, feeling sorry for the sorceress' sense of loss but knowing that she would have to accept it in her own way. She and Iris left the room and reconvened with Iliana and the others. Nina gave a brief update of Isane's condition and state of mind.

"I don't know what to do next except wait for her to get herself sorted out," Nina said at the end of her summation. "What do you all think?"

 

[Guan Yu]

Re: Dedication (Nina / BlueSlime)

With Iris following her, Nina quietly left the room behind. It was most likely best this way, let Isane deal with the loss of her former life and friends in peace. A somewhat ominous air was left behind, but it was likely just in the green-haired girl's mind.

Seeing it best to gather the others, Nina went about the different rooms to wake people up if it was needed. Only Iliana was still snoozing away, but woke up easily enough. After they had gotten suitably ready, all of them gathered around the most obvious place, the dinner table. The group seemed to be in full support of her thought. Still, Yura spoke up. "I agree, though I think we need to keep an eye on her. If the emotions go over the top, who knows what we will end up facing. Her abilities are still unknown, and wizardly types are many in ability."

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Dedication (Nina / BlueSlime)

"You have a point, Sensei. We shouldn't leave her alone too much. Perhaps one of you would like to take some time to introduce yourselves and have a chat with her? Yura, I'm certain you have a lot of experience on which you can draw - you're as powerful a warrior as she is a sorcerer, so your excelling in your own fields is something you share in common." Nina suggested.

 

[Guan Yu]

Re: Dedication (Nina / BlueSlime)

"Hmm, that might be a suitable thing to chat about. Still too bad that I can't really talk to her about the wizardly arts, those ain't in my sphere of abilities. Wouldn't be able to make a conversation that she'd find suitable." Yura agreed, picking up her porridge bowl and excusing herself. Looked like she was going to have that chat right now. After the weapon master's departure, only Nina's group, Galeon and porridge remained in the dining hall.

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Dedication (Nina / BlueSlime)

Nina twiddled her thumbs, having taken her own desired share of the porridge and eating it swiftly. "So, what shall we do in the mean time?" She turned to look at Iliana with hopeful eyes, wondering if the mistress would have something inspiring and fun in mind. Not that Iliana could be expected to always be on her toes, but Nina just couldn't stand the waiting. She didn't want to overburden Isane with her presence but at the same time she really wanted to do all in her power to make the sorceress get well, both physically and mentally.

If she couldn't do that then she needed someone else to focus her dedication on and her favorite person in the whole wide world was sitting right next to her so she just looked to the Lady Einzbern for a suggestion.

 

[Guan Yu]

Re: Dedication (Nina / BlueSlime)

The remaining group still ate in their desired paces, Nina having to watch for a bit. Still, that didn't stop Iliana from speaking. "Not sure what we should do, this place just doesn't seem to support entertainment." the mistress replied, finishing her bit after that while Iris still ate her customary second bowl that had been stuffed over the brim so it barely managed to stay in the container. "I've been meaning to ask, did Yura say how long she had planned to train you? Do you have an idea?" she asked shortly afterwards, doing that lay-down maneuver that the horned woman seemed to do every time she finished a meal. "And finally, what do you think about your improvement?"

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Dedication (Nina / BlueSlime)

"I've learned a great deal about the philosophy and theory of various weapons, but especially so about my sword and shield style. It's really helped. And my experience with Karin has brought me closer to understanding my spiritual side as well - which could open a lot of doors. Sensei Yura hasn't said how long she'd train me for, probably as long as I was willing to stay - but I know that your duties won't let you stay here for long, and Yura is bound by her oath to stay here in the temple. That means that I'll leave whenever you say we must go, Lady Einzbern."

 

[Guan Yu]

Re: Dedication (Nina / BlueSlime)

"This is good, sending you here was the right choice. We will have to depart soon, the situation with those desert monsters requires my attention after all. The town might be at risk this very moment. I think it's not that probable, but the possibility still exists." the mistress spoke up, seemingly quite pleased with the events around the temple complex. "It will likely take some time, we need to travel down the mountain paths to reach the waystation of the wagons. There's no carriage coming in the current situation. Then, there is the deal with this mage friend of ours, still need to decide how we will go with that."

While the two of them discussed, Iris sought to finish her bowl of food. The small girl had such a vast appetite these days, it was almost comical in a way.

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Dedication (Nina / BlueSlime)

"I was thinking that we might take her with us, if she's well enough to travel. She could be of great use to us in dealing with the desert monsters once she gets her powers back, plus there's the tie she has to whatever's inside Iris -- and if she can solve that problem, she can probably also figure out what the deal is with the spirit inside of Patch back at the estate. Also, Elise is the best healer we know around here, so if she can travel back to the desert, we can get her the help she needs to fully recover in as quick a manner as possible. Everybody wins."

Nina shrugged happily before looking at Iris. "Wow, you're hungry these days... it's like you're eating for two."

 

[Guan Yu]

Re: Dedication (Nina / BlueSlime)

"That's what I had in mind as well. It will most likely be the best course of action for both her and ourselves in more than the few ways we can imagine right now. If it takes a day or two to get her into walking condition, we might have to wait for that." Iliana agreed, getting up once more. "Maybe it will be a day or two of training, then we'll likely be going." she continued, showing that somewhat mischievious look that had not been on her beautiful features for some time.

When talked to about her new eating habits, Iris acknowledged it by nodding, but still seemed to be somewhat embarassed about it as she gained a little red on her face.

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Dedication (Nina / BlueSlime)

"Aw, nothing to be embarrassed about cutie. I'm very flattered that you would like my cooking so much. It makes me happy."

Ruffling Iris' hair in a friendly manner, Nina stood up, noticing the mischievous glint in her mistress' eyes.

"What sort of training did you have in mind, my lady?"

 

[Guan Yu]

Re: Dedication (Nina / BlueSlime)

Iliana didn't lose her smirk when the question was asked. "The ones you and Yura do. She still might want some development, will have to ask her when the discussion between her and Isane is over. There's still time to spend here, so we'll spend it creatively. Maybe Iris and myself will take part as well, should help." she answered, leaning against the table.

After that particular breakfast, there was not a lot out of the ordinary that Nina had gotten used to in Yura's training grounds. They ate, trained, washed themselves and relaxed in pretty periodic timetables. Isane did not recover her walking ability during the first day, but at the second she could manage going around with the help of a walking staff. On the third day, everyone stood at the gate, the group ready for departure while the weapon master was sending them off. But it was not to be that easy, as she wanted to get some parting comments from Nina before the group started making their way down the mountainsides.

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Dedication (Nina / BlueSlime)

Nina bowed her head respectfully before Yura, then looked up with bright eyes, smiling gratefully and happily.

"Thank you so much Sensei Yura. You've been the best teacher I could ever have hoped for. You're kind, you're understanding, you're amazingly skilled and knowledgeable, and most of all you're fun to hang around with outside of training. I'm sad to be parted with you so soon, as I know there's so much more that you could teach me. Truthfully, I've only just begun to scratch the barest surface of my potential - but you've set me on the right path and for that I'm truly thankful. When I get the opportunity to visit you again, I will certainly do so. It would be worth the journey every time. I hope you won't be lonely when we go. In truth, someone as great as you should have more students. It's shocking that you wouldn't. You're a natural teacher. But again, thank you so much. I must go with my Lady, but I will come back. I promise."