RP:Kain and Somnium Talk About Providence

• RP: KAIN AND SOMNIUM TALK ABOUT PROVIDENCE

• Red Ogre Inn (Larket)

You are surprised to say the least when you enter this room. From the outside, the Inn looked friendly, but a bit run down and certainly nothing like this. A marble counter is at the opposite end of the room, behind it a middle aged, cheerful looking man stands. He has a guest book, bound in red leather in front of him, and a peacock quill in his hand. A giant stands next to the counter, most likely to carry your bags and to dispose of any troublemakers. Lavish red carpets furnish the marble floor, and gleaming white pillars support the roof. Lining every wall are long luxurious couches with expensive looking polished metal armrests. Scattered all around the inn are small circular tables with marble tabletops around which are well-crafted wooden chairs. These tables have been placed at a decent distance from others allowing a comfortable sense of privacy for those sitting and conversing at them. Some of the chairs are empty but many are filled with patrons of the inn and a few locals who have popped in for a drink or meal. A few potted plants are placed around to add a bit more color. To the east, through two large mahogany doors, is the paved road.

Somnium sits in the corner, next to the window, gazing out at the horizon. His death knight's armor crawls with black, and yet does not smell of blood... Odd for someone of that class. Infinite sorrow is all that is in his eyes. Hearing the door open, he flicks one of his two dragon's wings in a gesture to sit.

Kain steps into the Red Ogre Inn and nods to the single patron. "Ello sir." He strokes his beard, then adds, "Ye look familiar, but I'm not fer certain we've met. Name's Kain, Prime smith 'o Larket."

Kain looked at Somnium.

Somnium grants the one named Kain a passing glance, showing the sadness in his silver eyes. "We have not met," he says in a tone of finality, tinged with despair. "I had sent for you through one named Nikita. She told me to seek you out, should I wish to become... Something else."

Kain nods. "Nikita be part 'o me family now." Taking a seat, Kain strokes his beard in thought. "Makes me think ye be wantin' ta become... Somethin' else? I suppose we should start at the beginnin' ta see what be makin' sense."

Somnium nods, gazing at Kain directly into the eyes. "Look into my eyes, and behold the despair I carry. That despair has made me a death knight. As I am, I can only destroy, and never love, create, or anything joyful. For this reason, I want to change, but... I can find no light in my heart to change with."

Kain nods. "I see." Kain slowly strokes his beard in thought. "Kin ye have friends?"

Somnium seems to ponder this for a moment, and then asks, "What is a friend?" Of course, being a death knight trapped in his own despair, the draconian would have no idea what friendship even was.

Kain said to Somnium, "Someone ye spend time 'n conversation with. Someone that ye be interrested in, knowin' what they been doing, who they be seein', 'n who they been spendin' time with. a friend be someone that ye look out fer, 'n who looks after ye, but not so closely as family."

Somnium ponders this for a time, and nods after a few minutes. "In that case, may I be your friend?" he asks, his voice having a tint of hope in it now.

Kain nods, extending his right hand. "Aye, that ye can. It be good ta have friends. What be yer name, 'r least the name ye'd like fer me ta call ye?"

Somnium shakes the man's hand, answering with only one word: "Somnium."

Kain smiles. "Well Somnium. I suppose the next step would be figgurin' what ye wants ta be. I be knowin' that Lucia be lookin' fer those willin' ta join 'er Knighthood 'n help restore law 'n order ta the Kelay region. There be a number 'o clans lookin' fer new members, I could teach ye a bit 'bout forgin' if ye like. It be yer choice though. What be ye wantin' ta become?"

Somnium looks up at the full moon, thinking. "For what reason does the moon steal light from the sun to shine?" he asks Kain. "Why would something dark want to shine brightly at all?"

Kain chuckles. "Because light reveals the truth, 'n truth be needed ta make a proper decision on matters that would otherwise lead ta chaos, 'n many more people gittin' hurt 'r killed. Take me sister Sammi fer instance. She had 'er arms 'n tail cut off, but instead 'o goin' after the queen 'o Larket 'n Rawnie fer vengance, I went lookin' ta learn the truth, so I could make 'n informed decision."

Somnium gazes at the full moon, watching how its light illuminates the otherwise pitch-black night. "I see... Then I say that I am like the moon; totally dark, borrowing light from the sun to shine, and with that light, to find the truth."

You said to Somnium, "Aye. Truth kin set ye free, 'r so I've heard. What does ye want ta be now that ye be droppin' yer darkness, 'n makin' a new life? As I be assumin' that be what ye be tryin' ta do, start a new life,"

Somnium gazes at his left hand, making it enshrouded in black energy. "Yes, but I don't believe I can ever be fully rid of my darkness... So instead, I want to balance it with light." At my words, I hold my right hand level with my left, but there is no white energy to pair with the dark. As the energy fades back into nothing, Somnium drops his hands back to his sides. "It is difficult, since I have never before known light."

Kain nods. "Aye, balance be likely the best ye kin try for right now. N don't worry that ye can't make light just yet. Ye got a spark inside ye now, 'n in time, that spark kin grow inta 'n ember, then a small flame, like a candle. Once ye git ta that point, I be thinkin' ye be able ta start showin' the light within' ye. Fer now, nurturin' that spark be what important." Kain nods. "Aye, what ye be needin' now be a purpose, somethin' ta focus on." He strokes his beard, thinking.

Somnium simply nods, wondering what this Kain has in mind.

Kain continues stroking his beard for several long minutes. "Ye mentioned Nikita sent ye ta me. How does ye know her, 'n would ye be considerin' her a friend?"

Somnium nods, stating simply, "She found me, and helped me realize that even someone like me had a light deep inside my heart. So yes, I would consider her my friend."

Kain nods. "Then ye could consider yerself ta be a friend 'o me family. Would it bother ye ta see a child like Sammi? Having no arms, 'n 'er tail cut off?"

Somnium wonders for a moment, then answers, "Only if I cared about the person. If it were an enemy, I would say that he, she, or it got what was deserved."

Kain nods. "But ye don't know Sammi. That be the thing. Neither friend, nor enemy. Just a little girl who were maimed 'n tortured. Would it bother ye ta see 'er?" he asks softly.

Somnium thinks it over, and finally replies, "It bothers me already to know someone so young has had to endure such pain."

Kain smiles softly. "Then Nikita be right. Ye does already have some light in yer heart, cause that be what produces that feelin'. If yer heart were all black, then ye'd feel nothin', 'r even joy at seein' 'n innocent suffer. Now, I be thinkin' that spark be startin' ta glow just a tad more brightly."

Somnium nods in understanding, staring up at the moon once more. "The moon changes phases with the seasons... Sometimes, it is completely black. Sometimes, completely white. But no matter its phase, it's always there, always changing..."

Kain said to Somnium, "Aye, just as you 'n I change a bit day by day, 'n week by week. There be times when good people do bad things, 'n times when evil people perform good deeds. But a person's core changes more slowly, 'n don't fluctuate so much. It takes longer ta change someone's core personality, then their emotions 'n attitude. Still, one kin change their whole being, should the person be wantin' ta change."

Somnium stares at his right hand again. "And thus, I must change to accomodate both light and shadow..."

Kain said to Somnium, "Aye, but it be seemin' ta me that ye already be doin' that. Be ye one that be inquisitive? It seems there be someone lookin' like 'n orc, that done assaulted Lucia. She be tryin' ta restore law 'n order ta the Kelay region. Seems ta me, if ye be interrested 'o course, joinin' 'er Order 'o the Violet Rose could prove ta be a good start in findin' balance. Seekin' the truth, 'n protectin' the innocent. Upholdin' law, 'n helpin' bring the guilty ta justice. I be thinkin' 'bout joinin' meself."

Somnium ponders this, and decides on returning to Kelay for the time being. "All right, then I will go find her... But I'd like you to come with me. A lone death knight is likely to be attacked on sight."

Kain nods. "I'll write a letter of commendation to Lucia, in case she not be around. Then ye kin send 'er the letter 'n mebbe have her come ta ye, if that be acceptable?" Kain asks, drawing out a sheet of parchment, and pulling a stick of coal from his beard.

Somnium nods in reply, standing up and stretching his wings. "That would probably be best, yes," he answers. Taking another look at the moon, Somnium wonders what he'll become, if not a death knight...