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 Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 7:21 am
Too much information to bestow on him, perhaps? He couldn't be the judge and nor could he question her decisions. It was her preference and choice to inform him that in recent weeks she had been more than a little abrasive. Obnoxious, spoiled, depressed...there could be an array of reasons and frankly he hadn't the patience (or interest) to decipher which it was. While she provided relatively decent conversation the encounter would be fleeting; he rarely stayed in the company of others for long. Thus, becoming acquainted with them on a more 'personal' level was a little foolish. It was better for him to remain indifferent to their circumstances - he dealt with enough drama and complicated puzzles during his studies.
Besides, emotional issues and drama were highly illogical. If one individual was arguing to another over who loved who, really he would have pointed out the most simplistic option...would have been to find an entirely new mate. There was no point in two males fighting over one female or vice versa, there were plenty more idiots lying about to adopt as a mate. Really, what was the problem? Technically speaking it would have been in there best interests to mate based on coat colour, if the coat matched then the pairing would be a success.
...Or that's what he had observed!
Shaking his head to dismiss the thoughts, he eventually began to feel the 'puffy' fur subsiding. As the rising sun began to warm his coat, the fur began to flatten and dry. He praised it (albeit silently) as the itches began to flee from his form and he really was granted reprieve. Alright so he would have to bribe a squirrel to comb his hair later but at the very least he was clean!
"I am well aware of how comical I look, m'lady..." he shook his head slowly and offered a wry smile. He wasn't thrilled with his overall appearance but it was an improvement based on how awkward he had looked a few minutes ago. "And while I appreciate your attempts to surpress your amusement I cope better with out right humiliation - at the very least I can answer for it," he pointed out calmly.
However, as she made reference to his demeanor he merely gave a knowing smile. "I will not lie to you, I do find such things painful to say given that the majority of individuals automatically give me a headache - I find all social gatherings to be somewhat...testing."
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Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 7:37 am
Luckily Meena wasn't a mind reader, for she most likely wouldn't have appreciated his musings. She had professed to not liking being put under scrutiny by everyone she met, but she also had to admit that when you had a personal problem, talking to a good, and close friend did often help you sort through it.
'I wouldn't want to humiliate you!' Meena was shocked by his suggestion that she would laugh to make fun of him.
'Can't amusement be mutual? You said yourself you know how you look, so my finding it funny myself shouldn't surprise you, nor be taken that way.'
How terrible that he should think so negatively! Maybe he did have a slight extreme, prone to looking at things the wrong way.
'I wonder then, that you come out into public at all? It's hard to avoid anyone for long in these parts, and we do so bug you.'
Okay, now she was teasing him slightly. She couldn't help it!
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Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 7:55 am
It depended on an individuals preference - Raniero was not one to confess his problems to anyone that may have been considered a 'friend'. Instead he spoke often with his father, made his issues known and they were dealt with accordingly. It satisfied him and ensured he remained reasonably optimistic in regards to his own goals. So he might be somewhat anti-social and might prefer solitude over parties...he wasn't a touchy-feely stallion and preferred it that way.
He was ruled by logic, it was just that simple.
Emotions didn't play a role in his life. He looked at every situation as a problem that generally needed to be solved. If it wasn't a complex issue, or seemed to be an illogical one that merely shouldn't exist then he would remain indifferent towards it. This didn't mean he couldn't appear to be a decent sort though - he could jest but he was never a fan of portraying a false face. No, the only time he would do that was when he returned home and took up his position as leader of the herd.
"Being aware of how ridiculous one looks does not mean they find it amusing," he permitted himself to speak again and shook his head slowly. "Based on the assumption that the general population of the Kawani lands are amused by the odd 'quirks' of another - it is logic to assume therefore that their simple minds find it entertaining."
Ouch, now there was an insult if anyone had ever seen one!
"That is not to say I will not humour individuals for the sake of my own research though. Social gatherings are necessary for gathering resources."
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Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 8:03 am
'But lacking a sense of humour means that others could find you boring. Or stuffy,' Meena commented, her eyebrow arched even higher this time. Was he actually trying to antagonise her, or did he simply believe that he was superior to everyone he met? Her opinion of him was changing all the time, the longer she spoke with him.
'So you don't possess the good grace to laugh at yourself, even when you know, you know that your appearance isn't perfect, and could be considered amusing by others?' she asked, more curious than anything now. How did he get along without the ability to laugh at the nonsense in the world? Sometimes that was all you could do, that or to cry.
'I see. So now you are calling me simple, because I have an emotional range beyond that of a blade of grass? Does your research also tell you how to converse without sounding as though you aren't tactless?'
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Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 8:20 am
"In a round about way, yes..." he replied smoothly, referring directly to her enquiry as to whether or not he considered her simple. To him everything was simple, a mere subject to be researched and observed. Thus, her reactions served only to provide him with further research notes to be compiled in the future. Though she appeared to lack some intelligence it appeared that a small portion of this mare was also ruled by emotion. She relied heavily upon it with those who were able to surpress such trivial expressions to be odd.
He had been told he must've been raised without a childhood before. However if any individual had met his mother they would realise this was not the case. Over the years he had merely adopted the role of a scholar, fascinated by the behaviour of others. The vulnerabilities they were prepared to show to mere strangers was astonishing, if a little foolish. He failed to admire them or see a use for such weak connections...so one soquili had experienced the same issue with a predator as the second - the same could be said for a multitude.
It was old news.
A moot point.
Nevertheless he mirrored her expression by raising a brow of his own as she continued to draw her own assumptions based on his actions. Again they were largely inaccurate, stereotypes that revolved around soquili she had met prior to him. She was basing her assumptions on Soquili that permitted themselves to be ruled by their 'hearts' - therefore they would actually consider all forms of emotion to be important. Given he didn't care...
"To be entirely honest the very fact I can recognise that it is a point of humour indicates that I have a sense of humour," Raniero continued to speak at last and released a soft sigh. "Well, in a manner of speaking at least -" he paused again and offered a somewhat dark smile. It was an indication that he could express himself, he simply chose not to.
"However if I were to permit myself to be ruled by how others perceive me, I should think I would find my studies would have ground to a halt by now," he sauntered towards the mare, stopping at her nose as he snorted abruptly towards her. "I would say I have better things to do with my time than discuss the weather or seasons with every soquili I encounter - there are plenty of soquili in the world to discuss trivial topics."
"You might perceive me to be boring or stuffy - I consider those who care to discuss the same moot topic over again to be equally so. It is a matter of opinion." He flicked his tail against his flank and withdrew once again, glancing briefly at his appearance before shaking his head.
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Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 8:33 am
'Actually it doesn't' Meena replied, infuriated beyond herself now by this stallion. So what if he was attractive? His pompous attitude stunk. Did he honestly think that everyone was just there for him to study? And what happened after that, did he even have a life beyond making withering observations about other Soquili? She also didn't care that she was emotional. Love and generosity were emotions, they were far from worthless.
'You can recognise a bumblebee if you see one I am sure, that doesn't mean you are a noise making insect.' she snorted slightly.
'Though of course, you did look like one a little while ago.'
Her nose coloured as he drew close, and annoyed with that reaction she bit back at his words.
'And so where are your manners? I know I said that I found that incessant questioning can become annoying, but that trivial talk cements a relationship. I enjoy having an idle chat with my mother, just because what we say might not be considered what you believe to be an intelligent conversation doesn't make it worthless.' she paused as he backed away, calming herself.
'Raniero, this isn't research, it isn't finding out how people think. It's you, judging others for not seeing the world as you do.'
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Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 9:00 am
In short...Hand on heart, that was exactly what the world was there for. In his eyes, everything was a subject to be investigated and recorded. He refrained from immediately judging anyone, taking note of the stereotypes they fell under. This didn't necessarily mean he immediately stereotyped them, so much as placed them in a category for future reference. To judge someone was to be detrimental to their character - the observations were not for their benefit, they were for him alone. It was their choice not to perceive the world in the manner he did, he had nothing against them... simply noted that they had made themselves more vulnerable to others in doing so.
It was practical, it was logical and it worked.
Smiling faintly as the mare continued to bluster at his observations, he could very easily place her in one of those stereotypical categories. Intelligent she might be but she was easily taunted - a firey mare, a creature who had yet to fully experience the world and what it had to offer. She was in essence a blank canvas with the potential to develop into something fairly decent if she removed the rose tinted goggles and opened her eyes. The world wasn't black and white, but it also didn't rely solely on emotion to function either. The world needed analysed, strategists and individuals who could lead those who lacked vision. Born as an heir, it was his duty to lead...it had just been pure luck that he had grown to love his studies.
A part of him fought back the urge to thank the mare for providing him with further notes for his studies. No doubt it would have ticked her off to the point of a furious rant, but another part was insanely curious as to how entertaining it might be. Depending on the words she spat out while angered, there was a slight possibility that he might be able to categorise her further before drawing a conclusion.
Should he, could he, would he?
Oh gods, yes.
"Your choice of words only serves to further prove my point," Raniero replied smoothly and released a soft chuckle. If he had worn glasses he probably would have pushed them up his nose until they shone. "As you can see your irrational behaviour, this being that of anger has made you vulnerable to the point of arguing a moot point," he shook his head slowly and released a bemused sigh. "As I said previously it is entirely up to the individual on how they choose to act and portray themselves, their choices are of no concern to me."
"I merely intend to analyse them and their activities, find their strengths and their weaknesses so that they might be reviewed at a later date for potential risks or uses," he tossed his mane away from the dark band around his head and closed his eyes for a few moments. It wasn't so much to regain his composure as it was to consider his next words. That being said his lack of tact would be enough to drive her over the edge regardless.
"You leap to conclusions, make your assumptions and base them on what grounds?" He tilts his head to the side and smirked. "You have only met me this once, have faield to observe many of my characteristics. Just because I study a creature does not mean I judge it immediately based on initial behaviour. My research is a little more complex than that."
"However..." he paused for a few moments and then finally raised a brow. "Might I point out that it is unwise of you to mention your mother in such a manner. Referring to her as an individual who savours 'idle chit chat' will ensure that every predator recognises she is an easy target." His brow raised higher and his smirk grew darker at his little experiment.
"I must thank you though, you have provided me with invaluable information in terms of your kind. You have the pleasure of creating a subcategory of your very own amongst my subjects."
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Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 9:12 am
She wasn't about to let him go, not after saying so many things that she thought of as deeply flawed. She wondered if he stumbled into objects when he walked, his head was so inflated. He had..ego, that was it. Was she feeding it? Maybe, he seemed to enjoy his feeling of superiority over her, over everyone he met. He was slowly going from infuriating to laughable.
'I can admit to being emotional, I'm big enough to admit my flaws. But I am not irrational. Because I don't accept what you say as being the truth? Fine, peg me as you want to, but you don't get away with speaking your mind and expecting me to take it.'
She drew breath before addressing him again.
'If you don't care what others do, why are you here? Why aren't you off somewhere hidden with your head stuck in the mud? And you have met me 'this once', and you are judging me from this one meeting. If I had judged you from when I first laid eyes on you I would think you were a disgusting, ill mannered stallion who had no regard for personal hygiene. But I didn't. I spoke to you first.'
She paused, and then gave a loud laugh at his increasing overblown theories.
'My goodness! You really do think you know everything. That she enjoys to talk says nothing of her physical abilities.'
Meena knew that Ardia had personally rescued one of her children from a Kalona. Her maternal instinct was such that she had no fear when it came to protecting them.
'Make sure in your silly little 'subcategory' you spell my name right. Meena, two 'e's.'
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Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 9:36 am
"I never said I was incapable of admitting I had flaws," Raniero once again chose to twist her words and to point out her own faults. Again she had leapt to an immediate assumption that he couldn't do it. It wasn't that he lacked the ability to, he simply chose to accept them and refrained from discussing them. His ability to distinguish between what was necessary and what was trivial set him apart from all others - this was why he found others so fascinating.
For example, even now she failed to realise that his actions were designed purely to receive a reaction from her. All that he said was intended to provoke her further, to test her. She was a subject and as such would be experimented upon. Her ranting, her ravings and her assumptions merely aided him in deciding which category she should be placed under. He had made observations, it had been her decision to interpret his words and to blow them out of proportion.
She was incredibly open to suggestion. She was vulnerable and he knew of many who could toy with her. Based on her already irrational words and her interpretation of his words she had proven this. All he had said had no ulterior motive, his observations were just that...they were not intended to accuse or to subject another to criticism. A kalona, a mutant or a skinwalker WOULD assume her mother was an easy target based on her simplistic description - he had meant no insult to her mother. She had (as with all in the Kawani lands) merely leapt to a conclusion.
She assumed to much.
So easy to read, it was almost pitiful.
"Nor did I say that your mother lacked any form of combat expertise," he raised a brow as she continued to rant, sassing him at every opportunity. It was only when she seemed to have exhausted her tongue that he offered another of his bemused smiles. "All that you now say is based entirely on how you perceive the world. I made no move to question your mother's ability and to why I am here..."
"Clearly you have developed cloth ears, I stated previously that I enjoy studying others. To do that I am required to at least be present," he chuckled softly at her failure to connect the simplest fragments of information together. "You may choose to perceive individuals in whatever way you want - as is the entitlement of all creatures." A hapless shrug and he flicked his tail against his side.
"However to look too much into another's words is somewhat unwise," he was of course referring to the number of reckless assumptions she had made. She had drawn her own conclusions, woven her own ideas of what his words should been interpreted as. Really he had meant them exactly as they had been expressed, no more and no less.
"If my presence troubles you so terribly then simply...pretend you do not see me."
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Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 9:47 am
'Everytime you open your mouth, you show me your flaws. You think I'm not listening, but I am. You go on and on about studying others, but do you have any friends? Do you have anyone that would even care to hear what you discover? What's the point of doing all this if it only rattles around in your brain?' Meena still couldn't fathom the stallion out, and it was this curiosity that was keeping her there. Not just that, that she couldn't believe that he could be so verbally spiteful and not be a Kalona.
He thought he was being cool and logical. He just sounded judgmental. No matter what he said that's how he sounded.
'You implied that because she liked idle chatter she would be an easy target, and no Kalona would give a damn how somebody spoke. They care only if you are easy to to kill, and that is where the physical comes in.'
She shook her head;
'Oh no, I see you all too well, and that's the problem isn't it? You've observed me, you think you know me, now you leave. I've got nothing to be ashamed of. I am who I am. I was polite, you were rude.'
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Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 10:07 am
"You think that I implied such things," he corrected calmly, his expression unreadable as he permitted her to butcher his personality further. Those who were guided by their emotions would never grasp the complex thought processes that went on in the mind of a Soquili like him. She wasn't the first to assume he had no friends and she would most certainly not be the last. However, while she favoured idle chit chat there were those who favoured hobbies that were nearly identical to his own. He didn't require friends so much as acquaintances to prepare notes with - there was a difference.
He sincerely doubted that she would ever be able to grasp such things. His logic evaded her, as it evaded many others. She simply couldn't connect to a creature that expressed no emotion and perhaps this was one of the reasons she was so reckless with her words. "You assume that I implied something when I meant nothing by it. It was a simplistic observation, one intended to link to a stereotype that another predatorial Soquili would associate with. Whether your mother is in reality weak or strong is completely irrelevant to the statement."
Ah, but alas her statements were becoming repetitive and with a soft sigh he did little more than to turn his back to her. Taking a few moments to shake the 'poof' into a more settled manner. The fur puffed up briefly, prickled and then began to flatten, his coat becoming smooth and almost glossy - he would require a rub down but he would be in good form soon. With his appearance fixed to his personal liking, he could then go about his daily business again.
"You also think that your assumptions that I believe I know you through and through are correct as well.," he paused and glanced over his shoulder for a few moments. "If you have nothing to be ashamed of you would not have defended yourself so feverently, your decision is of no relevance to my studies either."
"However I might warn you that implicating an individual in something that is a falsity is both an affront and exceptionally dangerous," turning his head away from the mare he began to trace his way down the river again, his pace an idle saunter. "Try to remember that."
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