Welcome to Gaia! ::

*Dragonbait lays his fingertips on the nearby parchment, watching the quill scribble out "two tall lemonades" as their order.* Okay, you're older than you look ... I can sympathize, so far.

*Before he can comment further, a tray floats into view, carrying two tall glasses of lemonade. Staring at the glasses in a mix of surprise and disappointment, 'Bait touches the parchment again, and the quill scratches out "bring the pitcher" as he takes the glasses. He sets one before Niana, beckoning her to continue.

OOC: Oh, yes, the scabbard; I even made mention of the sword being trapped between them, if you'll recall.

OOC: stressed I forgot that bit.

On a rather perverted note, it seems amusing that I won a hundred gold through your aquarium just now. Yes, I grabbed your booty. Really, folks, this isn't my fault.

BIC: *'Bait shrugs.* So, you've a long life; that would make both of us. I can understand the boredom making folks think individual moments are pointless. But ... I've never had any doubt about the end, myself. And pardon me, but I think it shortsighted indeed to imagine that we have only one purpose. Do you think your usefulness to ... whoever you serve, will end after only one event?

*He takes a sip of his drink.* Before you ask ... no, I don't know what mine is. I don't need to know. The Almighty's got it planned, and that's enough for me.

OOC: Hey, it was offered.

BIC: But ... how do you know when you've finished a goal, fulfilled a purpose? And why do you assume that there's only the one, at any given time? That's what I'm asking here. I mean ...

*'Bait pauses, reviewing everything in his mind before realizing that he's probably getting nowhere ... and that this demoness is starting to realize he's not quite normal. Well, 'tis about time, but he'll worry on that later.*

... there's always a purpose, every second of our lives Usually, more like three or four purposes at once. Sometimes, even after our lives. The Almighty allows nothing without good reason. So why live from event to event? I'm not criticizing, I'm questioning.

OOC: ... she'd ask for details, and ... okay, maybe "details" was a poor choice of words, but ... I'd explain it, then giggle when she punched me.

BIC: *Surprisingly, 'Bait winces.* A lot of people think that, but no.

*He points skyward.* He's the holy one. I'm just a man in His service. Dragonbait, paladin of Yeshua. But getting back to you ... you yourself are a being of supernatural origins. You, more than most, should have assurance of plans and purposes, of confidence and faith. But ... you don't?

*Somehow, that concept seems more baffling to him than her earlier excitement.*

*He chuckles softly, ignoring the comment on his status; it's not worth the effort of correction, anyway.* I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't laugh, but ... well, you'll concede it sounds amusing on the surface.

*'Bait takes another sip of his drink as a moogle brings out the pitcher.* Well, 'tis not my place to tell you how to live your life -- after all, traditionally, your people and mine are enemies, and I've no reason to trust you any more than you have reason to trust me -- but it almost sounds to me like you're being given a unique opportunity to stand against your own people. And before you criticize me for thinking you should swap over to my side ... I stand against my own race, as well.

OOC: Heading out now; back tomorrow.

OOC: Sorry for the delay; yesterday was kinda hectic.

BIC: *Dragonbait nods, sipping his drink once more.* Rather, I stand against humanity ... and elvendom and centaurity amd mooglity and all the rest. Humans have high aspirations as individuals, but as a race, we fall so far short it's no longer laughable. We condemn each other based on the color of our skin, we seek to destroy anything different while at the same time embracing difference, we either crush those people we don't like en masse or we bend over backwards to avoid offending them, we blame others for our own mistakes and never accept the blame ourselves ... in short, we stand for nothing, and thus we fall for everything.

When we were most in need, humanity received a savior. What we deserved was a steel-toed, rock-filled, dragon-sized boot to our collective head.

*He waves a finger back and forth between himself and Niana.* Look at us. Demoness and paladin. Traditionally, we're enemies. But here we are, having a civil drink together, discussing philosophy. I won't lie and say we're friends, and we've no reason to trust each other at all, let alone like each other, but ... obviously, we're capable of setting aside our problems and treating each other with respect. I'm even capable of being, um ... I think the word is "glomped" ... by you and not taking it as an attack -- though I admit I did check to see if my money pouch was intact wink . And if humanity -- if any of the so-called "sentient" races -- would do that once in a while, we might be a wee bit better off.

*He sets his drink down and reaches for the pitcher, refilling the woman's glass first.* So, to summarize ... yes, I'm human. No, I don't trust you. No, I don't expect you to trust me. Yes, we'll probably end up at odds. And no, I won't slaughter you in your sleep or intentionally do anything to drive you off; I'm more likely to challenge you to a game of chess. I won't call us inseparable chums, but neither will I call us enemies. Does this make sense?

OOC: And today's not being a great improvement.

And "the female", "the male" ... I feel like I'm reading an anthropologist's field report.


BIC: *He raises a finger in mock warning.* Easy there, girl. Let's hold off on "friend" until we see how we get along, long-term. You may decide you can't stand me.

*Dealing with a bird-cat-human thing; putting up with friendly werewolves; being questioned by demons; getting kicked in the head by a naked centaur; knowing he's several miles above the ground ... all of this pales in significance when compared to how unnerving that tiny hint of blush on Niana's cheeks appears to 'Bait. He can't be blamed for wanting to avoid this one ... besides, 'tis an unpleasant subject for him. He quickly averts his eyes.*

As for why I'm talking with you, you've thus far done nothing to cause me to do otherwise. Demonic you are ... though that amnesia you claim does put an amusing twist on things ... and a knight in God's service I am, and neither of those is likely to change. But, at this instant, there's no reason to fight ... and thus, my sword stays in its sheath.

*His fingers drift lazily down to touch the scabbarded katana, but he doesn't draw it; even a partial pull on a holy artifact could have an unfortunate effect on the demoness before him. And he is trying to be nice ... which doesn't explain why he grins wickedly.*

Besides ... you've said it yourself. Most people judge or attack you. You're used to it, you know how to deal with it. Me, I'm being nice ... and you don't know how to deal with that one. Heh heh ... there's more than one interpretation to "killing with kindness", you know.

OOC: My aquari-- wait, what? *Glances back.* How the ... that's gotta be a glitch.