In this world, Magic is Everything. All people, all races, are granted with the power to perform mystical and magical feats via grimories, mystical tomes granted to each and every child on their 15th birthday. Those blessed by the mana can have their names written down in legend.
Shattered Grimoires is the work of the mind(s) of Ardere & Shattered Grimoire's staff. All characters and content are copyright their creators, and may not be replicated without their creators' permission. Black Clover is owned by Yuki Tabata and published by Viz Shonen Jump. All images belong to their original owners. The theme you are currently viewing was made by Eliza of ElizaCodes exclusively for Shattered Grimoires.
Post by Joseph Ravencrest✾ on Oct 3, 2021 3:39:43 GMT -5
So many thoughts were running through their head before sleep took him in the night. This lead to many restless hours of torrent thoughts thrashing through the mind. He was somehow up before the first light, awake enough to shower and dress, but not entirely there. There was only one thing he could do, accept that he couldn't trust Lydia and had no logical reason to do so. He knew how important facts and data were, information itself was what his carbon matter magic used to build itself. This entire time he had been trying to fight against the core of his being just to not do what could very well be the undoing of the only dream he has ever had. The young mans conviction ran deep enough that he had even given up the love of their family to pursue it. There was nowhere for him to turn to if he left the azure deer. Then again, maybe its been that way for a long time already. The only person he was able to rely on before was Naxel Blake, a help that has been missing for more than a year now. The only things that would be different was the loss of his dream and current home, but each one of those was a big deal. He couldn't be an azure deer anymore. He got dressed before folding each of his pieces of clothing and neatly putting them into a bag. Doing a good job packing was the perfect temporary distraction.
Packing was too temporary. Besides clothes that all matched each other, his only other belongings only existed so he could better blend in. After a bit of thought, he took those as well, stuffing his riding gloves, grace of the fallen, and starlight fallen into the bag. A brush was tossed in before that was really it, the bag didn't even look completely full. At least this meant he was less likely to have anything stolen from him. He sat down and started to write out an official resignation letter. After everything looked right, he started getting ready to go. Just peachy was put on his back, the bag going on next. So he left, the filled paper and the azure deer mantle in his arms. It didn't take long to leave the quarters area and enter the base, heading straight to the office room. The person at the desk was yawning, having clearly just popped in for the morning to start the day. “please make this official immediately.” The next few minutes were a blur. By the time his mind had come two, the riding gloves were out of his bag, the spell nightmare already in use. He was outside, the base quickly vanishing from sight. His tired eyes were soaked in tears, his long hair waving around wildly as everything passed by. Before he vanishes off to figure out what to do, if it was even worth life or not, he should at least stop stalling on a thing or two.
Joseph still felt the need to thank Zaven for saving his life in Kikka. It would be nice to fulfill his word to Hinota, but it would be bad to try to become a friend before vanishing, wouldn't it? That would be something only horrible people would do. “Maybe I should have tied my hair up...” He was sure there was a time he could recall why tying it up was important, a basic piece of information that would repeat every day. The young man couldn't recall it for the life of him. The thick deep orange locks had only gotten longer in the two years he had been a magic knight, the light causing the deep color to be mostly lost in a pale yellow gradient caused by the shimmering sunlight. The hair not being tied caused bits of the hair to be able to hide itself from the light, keeping its far darker orange coloration. It was already dawn by the time he had gotten to the capital. Was that where he had been heading? Soon enough the spell was stopped, the gloves tucked away back into their bag. His hair certainly stood out far more when left untied, its gentle colors of the sunrise holding a bit more contrast and movement. It was as if the colors of the waking morning were dancing within the hair. His eyes in contrast had an almost lifeless look, not even feeling a reason to be weary.
There's no reason to fear for your safety if you don't even know if you want to be safe anymore, right? Who knows how many years it had been since going anywhere unguarded in any sense, the music of the world reaching the mind but not his heart. His body moved with a tiredness and a sense of loss that was far deeper than the two years could have given him. An old veteran that had finally given up on everything would resemble the youths body language far more closely than anything resembling inexperience. He wasn't even trying to hide it anymore, not that it mattered. At some point it mattered a lot that nobody knew he had far too much experience, all stemming from years before he had a grimiore. It didn't help him become a stronger mage, it had only become many steps he had ended up having to conquer before trying to become a magic knight. What good was all that effort now? It didn't take him long to reach the golden dawns base, but it was only after entering did he realize that he had no idea if the man would even be awake at this hour. “Maybe this was a bad idea. I don't want to bother Zaven if hes resting, most don't wake up this early.” And yet it was only than did he sign a certain word, a singing spell complete with a map appearing. For some reason he was still trying.
The symbol ~ will be used in the post to reference when sign language is being used. Spells being used: Reverberating Elemental Type: Carbon Matter Rank & Spell Type: Intermediate/Sensory Range & Speed: 20 m + [sensory x4] | 20 m/s Mana Cost: 20 | 10 Stats Effected: n/a Applicable Perks: Elemental Oddity(sound), Heighten Senses Description: The spells name is signed with their hands to activate it. Carbon matter is formed from his magic, creating a map of the area he is located in. While not very colorful, it is detailed. Items or people on the map with magical signatures will have a musical note shape above them. How much of the musical note shows signifies the general magic level of the person. The range of the spell is 20 + [sensory x4]. The tracking spell can find any persons using a skill or spell hiding that person or persons presence in the case that the sensory is 20+ more than the targets control if its one rank lower than the targets spell, 10+ more sensory than the targets if both are the same level, or 5+ more control if the spell is a rank higher than the targets spell.
[attr="class","zavenreescroll"] Zaven Blake was awake as always with his normal routine. He had woken up and bathed, dressing in his training clothes he proceeded to work on his physical body; taking the necessary steps to ensure that he was ready for anything should the need for the Shadow of Dawn arise. He had just finished his five hundred one handed push ups with his right arm, totaling out at one thousand between the two arms, and next up was to climb to the top of the study tower, the tallest point in the Golden Dawn...an estimated fifty thousand steps to reach the top...and he wanted to go up and then back down. The sun was starting to peek in over the horizon and he did not delay as he knew that the spire held a wonderful view two times a day. One at complete sunrise, when the world would be bathed in that warm glow, and one at sunset when the moon would overtake the light, casting everything within eyesight into darkness and pale glow. The duality of it was beautiful and since he had let go of his earthly...desires...he had learned to ground himself in the natural energy that surrounded the world so that he could get stronger with Hraban at his side. [break][break]
He made it to the top of the spire just as the sun fully shone into the spire, illuminating his face with that warm glow. He took in the sight...it was beautiful and he took it in as he had a feeling that his days were...numbered for some reason. ”You seem troubled Zaven...even though I can peek into your mind I still value privacy...is there anything I can do?” The spirit asked and looked at his partner. Zaven just shook his head. ”I think that there is trouble on the horizon and I cannot shake the feeling that I might not be here in a year's time...then again fate is cruel and at times...twisted...so do not pay me any mind. LEt us head back down so that we can eat.” Zaven retorted as he silently turned from the window and began his descent. [break][break]
After making it back to the bottom the sweat was wiped from his face before he made his way back to his personal room. He showered off, making sure to get all of the impurities and Body Odor gone. Dressing for the day in his usual black, shirt, pants, boots and mantle go to. He went to the mess hall to eat, having breakfast alone as usual due to the fact that everyone was just starting their day as well. A peculiar feeling hit his senses as mana began to fill the air near his body. ”Hraban will you please go fetch our guest at the gates, let the guards know that he is supposed to be here.” He was still eating and he was not going to move from that spot for a moment as he knew that he was regaining energy from the morning workout.
Post by Joseph Ravencrest✾ on Oct 18, 2021 13:24:33 GMT -5
Breath in and out. Focusing was one of the basics in his magic that required a lot of information, control, and attention to details around him. He could barely notice anything around him at the moment and focus was certainly shot, for the most part. How can one truly say they were focused when they couldn't remember everything? Even if it got done, it didn't change how many details were missing, nor the missing bits of memory as a whole from the day. There were mental exercises that the man used to do every day to help him focus that also helped keep their mind on task. Was that signing everything? Why was he still even signing anything? His comfort zone and place of centering was typically not one entered by others. This didn't matter, it wasn't common enough for others to understand for it to matter. Did trying to stabilize the mind matter when he might not be around for much longer anyway? It was only when there was another empty spot in their memories that concern started to actually form. The spell was no longer in front of him, and their face much drier. Though the tears had stopped falling and had been wiped off at some point... likely by himself? Probably? The fact that he couldn't be sure wasn't a good thing when he considered being mentally aware for apologizing to be an important thing.
~An apology doesn't count if you aren't aware at the time.~ He signed these words in a slightly frantic manner. Speaking using sign language came so naturally to him that all emotion put into words were one so without trying, as subconsciously as a normal person would do that. His eyes were red and puffy, an agitation left behind from all the tears having been ignored previously. Most things were, one of the reasons reality seemed to fade in and out. It was hard to notice any details, or even care about them. The young man had to care, at least for a few minutes. Not knowing when or how you got in a building, if you did or didn't use your spell to track the person, these were all bad signs. ~I don't care if I’m falling apart. I'm just the gentle sunrise born from a dramatic sunset. Focus so you can be aware for a few minutes Joseph.~ He was trying a focus tactic that was barely remembered, that he had been mentally insulting and dismissing only moments ago. But before he didn't have a reason to want to hold anything together because the idea of not remembering this would feel a bit like the words spoken were hollow. That isn't how you treat the person who saved your life, no matter what's going on with or around you. There was no point in mentioning that he couldn't recall how he got to the room where Zaven was, nor how long it took.
~Breath in, breath out, focus.~ His eyes with the fogged look of an aged veteran with nothing left had finally started to change their expression. It may have just been a bit less lost looking and a bit more focused, but even that was quite an improvement. It wasn't an expression just anyone could make that could be won away with half hearted words or actions. Finally, he started walking towards the captain of the golden dawn. This was a dining area, was he interrupting their breakfast? The closer he got, the more it looked to be the case. “Sorry for interrupting your breakfast sir. I quit the Azure Deers today, so its unlikely that I have any right to even stand here in any way, but if I don't do it now then I’m not sure if I ever will. Thank you for saving me at Kikka, despite that doing so got you injured in the process. Sorry for not saying anything to you about Naxel, we were on a basic mission after Raque when he vanished. I mean it was in the report regarding that mission, but that's not really the same as saying anything in person?” Why did it feel like he was rambling? Because he was. Someone who didn't feel comfortable speaking vocally was rambling vocally because it felt he was horrible to a good person by not saying anything. “Ah... sorry for bothering you and thank you again. I'm just going to... go now... I hope you have a wonderful day.”
Why did this all feel horrible and awkward?! Books made it sound like only talking to someone you were attracted to or were intimidated by could get like this, but thats definitely not the case. His emotions towards the man were neither of those things, but man this did not change the intense foot in mouth sensation.
[attr="class","zavenreescroll"] Zaven saw Joseph walking towards him before the young mage could even realize that Hraban had left to go fetch him, floating behind him and keeping an eye on his aura, but the Shadow of Dawn stood up and was about to greet him when the usually mute young Azure Deer spoke. His words were sincere and Zaven knew they were, but they seemed troubled and with the recent shake ups in movements with Lydia going to the Azure Deer it was bound to cause ripples at some time. When he apologized about Naxel and thanked the man for what happened in Kikka it was an almost abrupt ending as if the young man did not know how to have a normal conversation. [break][break]
That is when Zaven just smiled and Hraban landed on the young mage’s shoulder. ”Please take a seat.” Zaven said, however it was not vocally...it was signed to Joseph and Zaven took a seat and waited for the young man to do the same. Zaven was not super skilled in signing but he was doing his best even if a few things were misinterpreted or misspoke. ”First of all, I was doing my job in Kikka and I did not want any losses.” It sounded insincere but then again he may have made a mistake. ”Everything I do is so that mages like you...never have to suffer. If you left the Azure Deer then you need to find a new home...or else it will be a great loss that Clover is losing such a valuable asset.” He said as another one of the cooks came up and placed a plate before the Azure Deer, filled with granola, a sweet pastry that was lightly toasted, some soft, fluffy pancakes, and some eggs. He then tried to sign that he was thankful, but after a few moments the Golden Dawn captain was a little agitated at his own inability to properly communicate. ”At the end of the day Joseph, you are a talented mage and you deserve happiness and to have a place where you can grow as a person and as a mage. There is no need for thanks...I am not in this line of work for the thank you’s. Please eat, relax for a moment and think. What would Joseph Cobborn like to do with his future?” Zaven said as he took a bite of his food, the man seemed comfortable and he was not taking a refusal as an answer as it was obvious.
Post by Joseph Ravencrest✾ on Nov 2, 2021 19:17:44 GMT -5
Rejection would have made more sense, or ignoring the ex knights presence completely. That wasn't what happened in the slightest. He had touched their shoulder instead, even speaking with hands. How could Joseph reject that, even in this state? This was how he ended up sitting at the table instead of leaving. Zaven calling him a valuable asset was a strange sensation that they hadn't experience since the beginning of joining the magic knights in the first place. The only sensation that had felt better was in Raque when the small child was latching onto him. A strange sensation of realizing that he was a hero to at least one person out there, trusted as a protector. Never have to suffer though? “I'm sorry Zaven.” That failed long before he had ever become a magic knight, before either of them had. The plate that was placed before him smelled nice and was certainly more than he typically ate. It would taste wonderful if he could experience flavor. The next words he signed out were a bit slower than normal, part of him trying to be considerate to such a kind person. ~That failed before you even became a magic knight, something no current knight could have possibly helped prevent pain. So many years are missing. Being more comfortable and familiar with signing than verbal communication is just one of the symptoms I don't think will ever fully leave my system.~
The Young man smelled the food again. It looked like it would have wonderful texture and smelled of fresh quality ingredients put together well. How would it taste if he could? “One of the few things I remember from my younger years is the feel of my magic changing from sound to carbon matter with a sound elemental oddity. The world went from as silent as a filled grave to a world of sounds. Experiencing the information of everything nearby all at once was as consuming as it was confusing. That was when I decided I wanted to be a magic knight and protect others. No matter what happened to me, I couldn't become a magic knight if I didn't live. I couldn't become one if I didn't get better after those years. There are many magic knights I trust, Chisana of the black bulls, the idiot Yugo of the silver eagles, Sol of the green mantis, Willow of the blue roses, you, Cyrus, and Hinota... But I can't trust Lydia. I couldn't stay as an azure deer if she was going to become the new captain. I don't want to quit being a magic knight, nor do I want to imagine my life not trying to improve myself to become a better one. I didn't want to quit, it feels like betraying something... I want to keep serving the country, the people in it. If I wanted money, I would have become a singer like my mother was. I have less than no interest in a life without aiding the people of the clover kingdom.”
Life could be strange and ironic. He had hair and eyes colored so much like the sunrise. This wasn't something done with any sort of dye, it gave the young man quite an innocent look, as like someone who had never suffered. Did you still count as young and talented when most of the things that stood out about you in being new could be explained by experience? “I... don't know how to be around others as well as it seems, I just want to get better at it and bond with others. I don't know how to take breaks properly. Most of the time I can't taste food because of my own emotions. This does smell very good though... Sorry, I don't know why all of this is coming out.” This is what happens when someone breaks, even if temporarily. Things will leak out until everything can be placed back together. The story of the need and want to one day joining the magic knights was one of both hope and trauma. Clearly something bad caused the change, otherwise it wouldn't be one of the few things remembered of that time. The experience of the change was as life altering as one might expect, a magic born of trauma that would pick up the 'sounds' of others where his own had faded away. He picked up a piece of the granola from the plate, unsure of what he himself was feeling or thinking anymore.
Like maybe things will be okay? “Why... have I started calming down in such a short time here with you?” This wasn't what they had been expecting, but life wasn't always predictable. He didn't realize how freeing ranting would be, possibly because he never spilled so many private things about himself until now. The opening had been made for it and his mind was broken enough to not care about releasing things that were firmly locked within the mind previously.
[attr="class","zavenreescroll"] Zaven knew that the conversation was not over, but at least Joseph was at least amicable and sat down as the plate of food was brought out, but starting it off with a sorry than an explanation of Zaven’s ideals as a failure just brought a smile to the Shadow of Dawn’s face as he listened to the troubles of the young mage. He was not angry or resentful, but the conviction in Joseph’s words made him really believe that perhaps...he was just another hopeful idiot. Hraban was the first to interject, however his voice was more linked to Joseph’s head than out loud. ”You know...your troubles and where they stem from...Zaven is trying to stop that, he grew up in a place that was...dark, and haunts him to this day. Your trauma can also become your greatest strength if you have the will to see past it.” Zaven stared at Hraban, the little shadow spirit stared back at his partner and did not say a word as there was some sort of connection and Zaven let out a sigh. [break][break]
The next moment Joseph began to sign, he was naturally better at it than Zaven so when he began, Zaven had to breathe and focus continuously to keep it all together. There were no mistakes, but the former Azure Deer was beginning to ramble a little and Zaven wanted to make sure that he was alright...then he came to name Lydia as a person that he could not trust. ”Lydia...Joseph, you don’t know this but there are very few in this world that I would trust to have my back...and that would look out for my best interests...even my own squad, family, and in Regnum Umbra. My life is a lonely one, but I know when you find someone you can truly not trust...it makes just being in the vicinity with them a chore that one would most like to see themselves removed from.” He began to answer when Joseph went on and even claimed that the food smelled good, and Zaven chuckled before honestly looking like this was at least a pleasant thing to experience. Finally coming down to signing that he did not know why he was telling the captain all of this. Zaven held up a hand. ”It is because you are comfortable here, or at least around me. Joseph, have you put any thought into perhaps joining another squad, somewhere where you can ACTUALLY grow and become someone that is strong, and not be held back by your peers? If you have, then there is in fact a reason you are here...You wish to become a member of the Golden Dawn.” Zaven came to this little odd answer of his own accord even if it was the wrong one...he was going to say it and he was going to help this young mage grow. After all...he did say he trusted Zaven, so why should the Shadow of Dawn not be the person that helps light a pathway?
Post by Joseph Ravencrest✾ on Nov 5, 2021 1:15:22 GMT -5
Eyes looked towards the strange being. He didn't feel or look surprised by its appearance, despite this being the first time a spirit addressed him. Maybe the mind was just a bit too worn to care about things like that at the moment. An Ally was an ally. What mattered more was its words. See past the trauma? Had he been doing that so far? “...I think I've been ignoring the trauma, it was the only way I knew how to go on the path of recovery. A large chunk of my memories are gone, a lot of questions left in the air, but I recovered a lot mentally and emotionally.” That was spoken verbally, but it didn't mean he thought that's what they meant. It had been a temporary action to allow better and quicker recovery. “...I'm not sure I can look past them without help figuring out how. The more memories appear, the harder it is for me to figure out what to do with it, like horrible uncomfortable truths are hidden away.” But isn't that the point of locked away memories? He knew it, but admitting it out loud was a bit different than quietly suffering. “I don't know if I'm strong enough, but I never want to give up.” He always knew something like that would be hard, if it was even possible for him. Somehow someone acknowledging that it would be hard made it feel possible, he was clearly not there yet.
It was strange to think of the trauma being a key to his strength when it had stood in the way so immensely. It made it hard to do the most basic of things sometimes, leaving a bitter taste of frustration and the sulfuric taste of anger at himself. Pale pink eyes seemed to look back to Zaven as soon as the captain started to speak again. He didn't feel shamed for not trusting her, despite how well known she was as a good magic knight. Even he had known about her before joining the magic knights. Meeting her had seemed like a dream the first time in Raque. How she acted after popping up in out of nowhere in Raque... “Myself, Sol, and Verena were in a group when the deamons scattered everyone apart. We knew what we had to do but needed a push to move forward that I hadn't been adequate at doing. Lydia popped out of nowhere, listened to nothing any of us said, dismissing it as words of the inexperienced, as in her mind the experienced can't not have a way of attack...despite that my experience makes it impossible for my magic to attack. She almost got us killed, the deamon admitting to us at the time that we only lived because of a deal it made with someone. It was like her brain was a wall that couldn't comprehend that the two younger deamons had no interest in their fathers plans. They could both be evil and helpful because they wanted to get at their father.”
Yet she didn't listen to any of them. “I've wondered since then who made a deal with a deamon. I should feel glad as it is why I'm alive, but it would be like being grateful that someone suffered a terrible fate and that this is why you live. I hoped she would show some signs of knowing she was in the wrong, a regret for almost causing very avoidable deaths just because she couldn't see past her line of sight, but that hasn't happened. It feels more like she will say any excuse she can to make herself feel in the right. A person blinded from the truth and responsibility... You're right, I can't stand to even be near her. I used to look up to her.” He can't look up to someone that he can't even trust. The young man couldn't even be fully happy for surviving. What kind of deal was made? What was the price? Not knowing these things were a little haunting to some extent, akin to being saved by some unknown curse that someone possibly inflicted upon their own person. This was when the Captain of the golden dawn suggested something that Cobborn never expected to be hearing. Only the gifted nobility got in, right? He knew his magic had potential, but he definitely got in his own way. He was technically a lesser noble, but had lived life as a commoner.
The idea of even being qualified to join didn't cross their mind before Zaven said anything. It was enough shock for him to drop the piece of granola from the fingers that had been holding it, the piece of food falling back to its plate. He had no reason to say no, nor to want to say no. Everyone he had men from this squad had been good trustworthy people. He could trust Zaven, even after having a mental breakdown and spilling out many of his darkest secrets. His pink eyes looked up towards Zaven. Slowly starting to feel like maybe it was worth not dying today. “I never even imagined being able to join the Golden Dawn, that would be amazing. I would be honored if I could serve the kingdom as a member of the golden dawn.”
[attr="class","zavenreescroll"] Listening to Joseph speak was like it was a therapy session, and from the sound of it…her really did need it to move on with his life so he let him spew those words. He mentioned the horrible things that transpired at Kikka and Raque and honestly he knew the information in the inquiry that he presented but it was not his place to just tell people about the deals with daemons…Zaven was just now coming to terms with his own actual demons and receiving power in trade for something that was intangible is something that was…well he did not know the answer yet. When he spoke about Lydia though, it was like listening to the thoughts of many others that came before. He understood the plight for sure and even smirked a bit at how the answer came. However when he asked Joseph about joining the Golden Dawn there was shock, the shock of someone that really did not know what to say…but yet the talkative mute boy was saying he was honored and would be happy to serve as a member of the Golden Dawn Zaven gave a soft nod and stood up and looked at him.
”Then follow me, there is a room in the barracks that I can assign to you and have a mantle delivered when you are ready. Unless you have other pressing matters to attend to first?” He stated with a smile on his face, it seemed the captain of the Golden Dawn was not just messing with the young man and was actually serious enough to offer him a room right then and there. ”Just know that the Golden Dawn, while having its perks…we are no pushovers, and I will expect you to work just as hard if not more so than before.” He said these last words not to dissuade the young knight, but to make sure he really did see that conviction.
Post by Joseph Ravencrest✾ on Dec 11, 2021 2:58:32 GMT -5
Working hard was something he knew better than eating well or sleeping well, or even relaxing. It was too easy to let the mind wander, to get entrapped by the symphony of the world, a musical endless world of information. It was so tempting so many other times, because anything is better than the silence of their own mind. It was tempting enough that even while fully focused on the now, he would typically carry a tune with their body movements and voice. This just felt amazing. “I know how to work hard, but just as importantly I know my limits.” When the bodies true limits are broken, it can cause the flesh to permanently weaken without immediate action. He never intended to ever purposely push himself past that point. To train hard was good and would strengthen mind and body, but to over train would cause the oppose. Joseph got up from the chair, standing up. This was really happening. “My magic is best trained by research, as it information based. At the same time, I need to learn physical combat. Even if its something my magic will never work with, I made a vow when first joining the magic knights that I would be willing to fight when the time came. I also have a relic that I feel cannot grow with me until I learn to fight, the plain looking peach wood spear with me.”
The young man was excited. His lifelong dream wasn't dead, this was real. After thinking there was nothing left early in the day, it now felt like he had somehow ended up somewhere better. “I want to join as soon as possible. Honestly I gave everything to become a magic knight, might be part of why I had a breakdown. Helping the people of the country and helping to protect the clover kingdom was something I gave up all ties to my fathers family for. They hate magic knights and disowned me as soon as I became an azure deer. I can't imagine myself as anything but a magic knight putting their everything in to do their job well. It's all I ever worked for, all I can imagine myself working towards. To be a member of the golden dawn would be... an honor I never expected. My fathers family are all gold tier, but they are all sound users that work around music in some way or another. I was raised being taught how to avoid trouble with nobles, as it was pretty common for them to be employed during events. I found out my mother was a Shengxiao at some time after Kikka. One that was born in a noble lifestyle.” It explained how she was able to afford doctors so often, top quality, though they were wasted on her. She wasted her money so stupidly, never listening to doctors. Why hire them then? But that was not what this was about.
“The golden dawn is known to be the cream of the crop, but mainly of nobility. Being part of the golden dawn wasn't even something I considered possible for me. Will I need to learn more about high society, or is it fine to focus only on doing my best as a magic knight?” Then again, there was something he said earlier that Joseph wasn't thinking about. Learning how to act properly in certain settings would help his magic improve, as understanding the world and the things in it was the main thing that improved his magics strength. There wasn't be a downside if he had to, outside of what would likely be discomfort. Still, there was a conviction in him that was very deep, the only thing that might be able to argue with it was his own morality. For a magic knight though? This wasn't a bad thing, especially not when applying for a job that required at least some amount of morality.
[attr="class","zavenreescroll"] Joseph was doing his best to contain the excitement and it was easy to see. Zaven looked at him as he spoke that line of knowing one’s limits and working hard. ”Sometimes it is about pushing past those limits to get stronger, the body only grows weak when there is no longer any use to protect something, or to prove yourself. Yet I do understand where you are coming from.” He said with a smile as Joseph continued on, it felt like the young mage barely took a breath between sentences and he had to keep up with him, which at times if he was not used to how fast the world worked…would have been a chore. Since he wanted to start right away, there was no sense in keeping him tied down and waiting for some paperwork when he could get that done for him. He followed up with his own questions about having to learn social etiquette considering the standing of the Golden Dawn and Zaven did actually chuckle. ”Honestly if that was an actual requirement…I probably would have been removed a long time ago. Just continue to do your best Joseph and everything will fall into place, but if you feel the need to learn high noble etiquette I am sure it will not hurt you. Now here is your key, it is in the eastern barracks and the room number is listed. It will be on the third floor. Hraban will watch over you as you go. Once you settle in and your mantle is delivered to you, please stop by my office so that we can formally sign the documents that I must deliver to the central offices and the Wizard King.” The Shadow of Dawn said before handing the key out in his right hand.
Post by Joseph Ravencrest✾ on Dec 21, 2021 2:11:15 GMT -5
This had become the best day of his life. This was so strange and amazing how things could change so fast. “A goal works too.” A goal was something he used as far back as he could remember to get through things. He wasn't sure how much person he even was without that goal through the silence of the mind. It was 'I want to become a magic knight that saves others', but changed to 'I want to improve and save more people'. Perhaps that was one of the reasons why he had crashed so hard after leaving the magic knights. His currently goal had been to be a good magic knight, not to become one. Had he been pushing himself more mentally than he knew? The young man had been talking more often in situations where non verbal communication would have been preferred by him. Perhaps they had given up on the idea that other magic knights would understand sign language, unless proven otherwise. There had been a lot of focus by him to go out of his way to improve communicating with others on the other peoples terms, not his own. Even during times when it felt suffocating to hear anything come from their own mouth, he had still pushed forward. Maybe it would be better to focus less on that and more on other things. It did feel horrible during Raque when he couldn't get anything out and only one person could understand him.
This didn't mean he should use the same amount of strain every time he contacted others. It might be holding him back in other regards. What else could he focus on if he didn't push so much on that? Maybe Joseph would be able to find out during this new change in his life as a member of the Golden Dawn. Focus less on things that are more inconsequential than other details in the long run and focus more on what was important to focus on now. Long time planning was important, but it was also vital to not get impatient. With communicating with others perhaps he had let himself try to skip a lot of time and progress, but that had certainly carried a toll, right? Practicing on his magic and working on that would never have the same sort of mental toll, not that he could really ever foresee. In any case, he was on cloud nine. A hard worker that always had a certain direction, but not really the best and figuring out which way they should go about it. More experienced than they should be, but not exactly the strongest. Wanting to fight, but with a fear that stopped him from using any form of attacks in his magic. Focusing too much on blending in when he didn't naturally blend in at all. There were certainly no issues in finding his flaws, but at least one good thing was that he knew what these flaws were.
It was a bit reassuring to know that he wouldn't have to learn about proper mannerisms and anything else concerning nobility. Still, maybe he should? Well, Zaven was far more amazing then himself. If they didn't have to worry about it, then perhaps the young peachy colored man was fine as well. Fears and concerns could be for a later date. What mattered most is that he wanted to be his best and work his hardest, and he could continue to be a magic knight that wants to save lives and be better. This wasn't the azure deers anymore though, the group that had specialized in gathering information. Maybe it meant when he was seeking help in training, this time he would get it. This was something he didn't get in his last squad. The only person who had seemed they might have wanted to help with that had been Naxel, who wasn't even a magic knight anymore. That didn't go far, just showing him the bare basics really. That was also the last person who had called him talented. Maybe it was about time he believed that he was talented in something besides music or tracking as well. ~Learning to ask for help in training would be weird, but it shouldn't be too hard. I'll do that after everything has gone through and I’ve introduced myself to the other members.~ He wasn't sure how many he already knew, or if they cared enough to remember him.
It's been awhile since he spoke to Cyrus or Hinota. The last time he spoke to Hinota, the orangey haired man had been a bit of a fool. That couldn't be taken back, but that didn't mean he couldn't try to make up for it. Everything would be okay. This was probably the first time in a long while that he actually believed that. When was that? Before, during, and after Raque. That had been such dark and uncertain chaos, but during than he had always been so sure that everything would be alright. Maybe it was time to reconnect with that feeling again. Of course Joseph took the key he was handed, his fingers wrapping around the item a bit. Zavens words were like music to his ears. “Thank you, I'll do just that.” Eastern barracks certainly gave Cobborn a direction to go in, but it seemed that wasn't needed. Following Hraban wouldn't get any fuss out of him. Then again, they were Zavens spirit, right? One that was partners with the captain. So he followed the being, but this time being able to actually remember doing it.
Post by Zaven Blake✧ on Dec 28, 2021 16:18:39 GMT -5
Sometime later…
Zaven had not been done with his meal for long when an urgent message came in for him, the magic knight bowed before saluting and handing Zaven a file to read. Without a moment's hesitation he did in fact give it a read through before looking up at the knight ”Fetch the new knight, Joseph…we are going out on a subjugation mission. Tell him to be up at my office with the mantle and be ready to go.” Zaven ordered the knight before taking his leave to go and prepare for the dungeon mission that he was about to embark on.
[exit]
WC:105 TWC:2,215
Will transition into a dungeon with Ozma, Joesph, and Zaven