Welcome to Gaia! ::

The prioritization of comfort at such a high level of importance struck a nerve, and she was so prepared with her vehement disagreement in the matter that it nearly leapt from her throat before she had any time to stop it. But she had, because when she took one moment longer to consider it...comfort was her priority as well. Comfort was, ultimately, what she sought from her sense of belonging. Maybe others sought other comforts, and she could not fault them for fighting to maintain that as she fought to obtain her own.

"I understand," she murmured, still fidgeting in spite of her agreement and concession. Something was still bothering her, whether or not she chose to acknowledge it aloud. "It is a place of belonging. The cycle requires participants, from Kings to Knights to subjects in a range of categorical variants, and each are afforded a consistent, permanent place there. For as long as the cycle remains."

Then was it wrong to want to break it? What were her chances of simply escaping it while still preserving that in which she belonged?

"But if you are born for glory..." Her name was so pleasant to hear in his voice, so much so that it pained her as it met the rest of her thoughts. "How do you believe that we share our destiny? How do you believe that I could give you glory?"

Throughout the duration of time that she was aware of knowing him, he'd been far more attentive of her grooming than she had; she didn't mind the accumulation of twigs or insects or, in this case, petals, but she didn't mind that he was attentive enough to want to remove them either. It was admittedly pleasant to have someone tending to the things she didn't want to do, especially as that same someone was now just as willing to allow her to take care of her own tasks when they interested her. He seemed to have learned very well when to push and when to pull, and they worked so excellently in tandem once they ceased their collisions of misunderstanding.

So she paid no particular attention to his inclination to do so now, until he brushed the petal against her face, and she responded with a wrinkled nose and a soft snort of laughter. Whether this ruined the mood or improved it was up for interpretation.

"You do," she replied, sincere despite her subsiding giggle. "And you will. We will have what we want - together. And it will be more than this."

She moved in preparation of standing, but didn't just yet, waiting with watchful, hesitant eyes to be certain that he did not want to be near this circle.

"Nonetheless, I do think that Lancelot's suggestion in regards to making use of this quiet is something that I will admit to agreeing upon." Her smile spread, sly around the edges once more. "If you are so inclined..."

[ Joy is volunteering | Blue | proof ]

There were so many who had stepped forward, Joy didn't think she stood a chance at being chosen. She hadn't done enough, not nearly enough. So many had fallen, so many had perished, but what's passed has passed and all she can do is keep moving forward. In their honor, in their memory.

Her heart ached, her soul screamed in despair, not enough. But she would be if they would allow her. She was a Knight, Great or no, she had a duty and she was going to fulfill it to the best of her capabilities. That was all there was to it. Whether she was worthy was out of her hands, she'd done all she could to serve. She would do more if she could, if she knew what could be done.

"I don't know how to pretty my words, not really good at talking like most other folks but I will protect every one with all I can. Even if it costs me my own life. I am not afraid of pain or death. I do not fear the shadows. I will meet them headlong and they will pay for all the suffering they've caused."

Caoineadh is volunteering. Color: GREEN.

She had been almost stricken with paralysis as she stood in the corridor not knowing what to do, the call of the chalice was more than she could resist and for a time she knew she had been locked there.

Before she knew it though, she found herself upon a steed racing far from Camelot, and as she looked back, she felt pain and dread. How could such a place fall so badly. It was as if.. no not just as if, it was the work of all who held peace and happiness as nothing more than a play thing. She closed her eyes tight and waited for the steed to stop.

There before her stood Lancelot, and the news he carried was like a physical blow to her. For the King to fall, for all the Knights to have fell, and for them to be what was left... so few from what was a great and mighty kingdom. Granted they were not the sole survivors but still... it was but a fraction of the whole that had made the Kingdom.

Lancelot said they needed people to volunteer. She knew that she was willing to put everything on the line for the sake of the greater good, she had known that since the moment she had first took her vow. It was in her soul that she needed to do something.

Moving forward she lowered herself to her knees, putting her fist over her heart and bowing her head, Longbow laying at her side, the chain linked around her wrist showing her steadfast willingness to help.

"I am not the strongest, I am not the bravest, that I know, but I am willing to lay everything on the line for the sake of the kingdom, to make things right again. I ask that you at least consider me." Looking up a moment she took a deep breath. "I wish to do everything I can."

There was no real way of knowing what would happen but whatever it was, she was willing to face it.

[ Abbi is Volunteering! - Blue ]

Everything had gone a bit whirlwindy after Abbi had gotten her weapon back, and she was quickly deposited by a lake shortly thereafter. That was fine, she guessed, mostly because she wasn't in any sort of position to argue about the going ons around her. In a way she's glad for this momentary reprieve, even if she still finds herself worrying over taking this momentary peace. Once she'd gotten herself back up and dusted off, the girl took only a moment to look at the lake before Lancelot began.
It was all very disheartening and the girl frowned down at the ground for a long moment. She'd been trying so hard but they were still coming up short. Their efforts were just a temporary bandage on a quickly worsening situation. Maybe that is why when the Great Knight speaks of seven stepping forward to pledge and serve, Abbi literally jumps into the air.

With fists clenched she waits on dancing toes for the other knights to file forward and offer themselves, skittishly patient as she tries to think of what she wants to say. By the time it is her turn she has decided on something and steps forward to speak, clattering to one knee in her exuberance.
"I would like to pledge myself to the protection of this world and all its people! I am small, but my wit is large, and I will fight as hard as I must. Perhaps I am not the strongest, but I will do whatever I can to help and to offer sanctuary to those in need." She paused, blinking at the grass as something tickled in her memory before she rose her head. "Everyone ought to live a life free of terror, and I will gladly give myself so they might have that opportunity." Abbi nodded and stood, promptly flushed and hurried off so another knight could have their turn.

Matthias was still looking at the palm of his hand when a group of knights ushered everyone out of the corridor and into the bright sun. Shying away from the light he tried to see what was going on, and tried to figure why a white horse had just kneeled before him. The horse on his quest previous was some old nag that was more than willing to leave him for dead out in the middle of the forest which had pretty much told him that he had lacked any ability to judge what a good horse. Glancing over he saw Lancelot but before he could even say a word or at least get a better look he was ushered up on the steed that plunged straight forward into the woods.

He wanted to turn around, to take another look at Camelot before they left but he couldn’t. They were abandoning it, no, it had failed what it was suppose to do. It was suppose to be somewhere safe somewhere they could trust where they could make some sort of stand against the shadows but they had easily lost it. Everything had gone wrong, they had all turned on one another, some easily then others, and some had merely lost their lives to some. Percival, if he was corrupt or not he did not know, he was easily torn away by what was suppose to be an ally. Even with his back turned he could feel it, corruption seeping farther and farther into the castle, it wouldn’t be long before it would be as black as night.

What where they going to do?

The horse continued forward, swiftly weaving in and out of the woods until it reached a lake where they were easily bucked their riders off and disappeared into the wisps of fog that lingered along the edge. In front of them was five mounds of earth, and as Lancelot spoke the less Matthias could take his eyes away. The Great King, the Great Knights, even Merlin what were they going to do now.

Who would take their place, who would even Sir Percival’s place. Would he even follow them? How would he even know that they were corrupt, he could feel the doubt sinking further and further in as he remained motionless.

Scribes! The writers of history. Truly, a worthy task for someone of obvious destiny like Kitty. She puffed out her chest and strode on toward the tree.