Jun 27 01:38:21 106 PA - Desmond Advises Kesslan

From Chronicles

The current game time is: Mon Jun 27 01:38:21 106 PA.

Late late Sunday, near to midnight. Just a few more hours there are before the clock turns over and the slow slide towards 2 AM signals the closing of the Alibi before the Monday silence that comes each week. As usual, there is a little extra edge to the revelry as the clock counts down, but its a peaceful chaos that exists now and off to the side, Desmond stands observing it quietly. He's not armored, clad in his comfortable denims.

Arriving earlier in the day in his old armor Kesslan, after having been gone for a few days had returned looking no worse for the wear, though his suit of armor presently being hidden from Aimee would tell a far, far different tale. It's surface pitted with weapon strikes and gouged by vibro blade strikes and other clear signs of having saved his life. Outwardly Kesslan has also been.. unusually detatched as of late. Not just from others as he often may be around strangers, but even Desmond this day. Something clearly nagging at the feline though as usual not speaking of things that bother him. Certainly not while there's work to be done at least, and so he'd thrown himself into his duties as an owner of the club and member of the security team to make sure the night went smoothly. Even now however, as things slow down, he shows few signs of really slowing down. Nor does he seem to have taken so much as a single minute's time for a break the whole night.

-Kesslan, come to speak with me, to the left of the stage- Desmond's voice will come over the radio of the armored suit he wears today. The big feline casually pockets the communicator after having given that prompting call. His arms lifted to cross his chest once more. Spending the time until he's responded to by considering the dancefloor. Carefully considering individuals amongst the dancers, though without singling out anyone. No questionable sorts today. A good thing.

There's no response to Desmond's radio call save a slight click to acknowledge reciept. There rarely ever is unless an actual response is required while he's working. So that's at least no different. And, as ever Kesslan does as Desmond asks him to. This too has been a constant for as long as they've been in their somewhat unusual relationship. THough it takes a little while as the Pantheran finishes his rounds first before finally arriving to come stand near Desmond. However, to some one who knows him so well, even he cant hide the fact that he's still seeming some how.. distracted.

Desmond turns his attention to Kesslan with he arrives, holding his own silence for a brief span before he rumbles deeply, "We have not yet spoken of your trip. Perhaps now would be a proper time?" His head cants slightly as he adds, "The evening is quieting and Aimee does papers in the office. They will hold her attention for some hours. It is clear something troubles your thoughts. Such troubles are best shared."

Kesslan's ears flatten a little at that. He'd been secretly dreading this part in a way, though even he'd not really realized it untill Desmond speaks of it. "Too late were we by much time." he says softly. "Though we lost none of our own much happened, so too has it.." he trails off then not certain what to say or how to say what he wants to. And so the sentence goes unfinished, punctuated with a barely noticeable sigh.

"A successful operation is usually cause for celebration, though perhaps not as successful as desired," Desmond offers. "I am sorry for your lost companion. But there was at least the chance. Before there had been none at all." He then lifts a hand, palm up in symbolic offer. "But there is more.. tell me, Kesslan. Share your thoughts and I shall share mine, as it always has been between us."

"I feel.. I have.." The pantheran trails off again, it seems for a little while that Kesslan will not again finish his words but he finally pipes up again "I feel as if I have slipped too far." he says at last, though he doesnt at least, as of yet define what he means by that.

Desmond considers this for a few moments. "What happened to prompt this thought? And from what do you think you have parted from in particular? There is much I might think of in this." He lifts that hand again, settling it on Kesslan's shoulder as he notes firmly, "If you fear my reaction, do not. Even should you ever do something questionable, my first thought would be to pull you back from it. Not shun or turn away from you. Just as I did before."

"There was time belived I as others of my kind do. Pretended no I, but really belived. To give, to sacrifice, to work for greater good." Kesslan explains soflty. "Then time of Atorian come from stars. Take away much of this. In Honour. Duty taught always we. But Atorian not so. Those under them some of who trianed us in such thing belived did they yes, but so too do they not forgive. Harsh, cruel punishment in return for not obey. Revenge most bloody for that which transgressed is." the words slowly flowing out as he picks through what's troubling him, as if he had no true solid sense of it quite either. "Jarr-tek recovered was. Ashes now as Sakt-krish-sa. In urn for return to Seriv should day come as Kesslan hope. But.. these Coalition clan. Kill, cut up. Defile." anger growing with his words near the end. "Kesslan would killed many defenceless of the Coalition clan in vengence. Would ahve but for words spoken by of others around."

Desmond listens quietly to what is said, save the occasional nod of head, his focused and even expression lingering throughout. And for a few moments after as he considers before his next words. "You question the urge to kill them then." He nods his head once, thoughtful on the matter. "It is a quandary, this is true. In most cases, I would think there no honor in the destruction of those who cannot defend themselves. Yet.. they are part of the same entity that has done just the same to many others without restraint. And perhaps amongst them the ones that defiled your comrade. But likely not all." He pauses after phrasing the issue as he sees it, then offers, "Perhaps in a case such as this, one must fall back on a single principal. When one is to kill, they should kill with purpose."

"Truth yes. One lived by have I always, but so too was I taught by Atorian that revenge reason was. But this is not what Pantheran teach. Kill because other give no choice. Mercy, justice, truth. This all Pantheran teach. But this is not how Kesslan acted always has. With honour try I act, but at time compromise of sort made I have too so that job saw I that to do needed done was." The smaller feline finally leaning back slightly against Desmond. "So how far have Kesslan fall from way of Pantheran?"

"That is a question you must muse deeply," Desmond rumbles, nodding once as an arm moves around Kesslan lightly. "Revenge is a thing that must be handled with care. It invites the feral edge that can bring dishonor. Even so, there are times when a slight must be answered." He pauses, considering before he adds, "Mercy is also a thing that is to be handled carefully. There are times when a firm hand is required. Unfortunately, they are matters of judgement that are not so easy to define." "Truth. Perhaps I worry of this for nothing." Kesslan says, though he doesnt sound terribly convinced of his own words. "Still, there is much to yet be done. Some time need I to more search but two others left there are to recover then the paw will again be whole, if only in death." his ears flatten back a little more at his own words, never having perked up again since they flattened back the first time. "Save Kesslan who yet lives."

"Such is the way of war," Desmond rumbles deeply. "Which is why I am not grieved to have left it to others in the now. You should not let their fall weigh upon you. Remember them, but do not let the dark emotions cling. One who wallows in the darkness of death sees only darkness. You have life and it should not be wasted in letting mourning linger overlong. Grieve for them, but honor their sacrifice by living well in your way."

"It is because of these things say you I am glad to call you friend and more." Kesslan says softly, turning then to face Desmond and warmly embrace him. Leaning his head against the larger feline's chest. "Still, hurts does it to think of all that past has. Worry ever do I that one day forget that which important is."

"Then you need something to carry with you," Desmond offers as he wraps Kesslan in a firm embrace. "Small and simple. Something that will remind you when you see it. A memento that is closely tied to what is lost, but not forgotten. Then you shall not forget and perhaps it will aid you in walking the path of honor and strength with more certainty."

Kesslan nods slightly tilting his head up to rub under Desmond's chin softly, his ears slowly swining back up though not qutie fully up once more. "Said it is that need only a pantheran to carry truth in heart, and then listen to it." he says softly "But much of the teachings have I not had. In this I regret much..." there's a soft dismissive snort then before he adds. "But enough of this now for a time. Time more should I spend with you and Aimee. Away much have I been of recent past."

"You will come with us tonight," Desmond rumbles deeply, his grip relaxing slowly. "There will be proper food and proper company. We will celebrate a victory won and leave further delving into dark topics for another day. There is plenty enough time for that, as ever."

Kesslan shakes his head slightly "No. Not of victory. No victory was had to be." he says in response to that, firmly so. His tone softens however with his next words "But of friendship. Of fortuante being to have company as good as you two. More than deserve Kesslan."

"So it shall be," Desmond replies. He leans forward to offer a brief nuzzle before he adds, "I will see to Aimee. Tell her of what will be this evening. I have no doubt she will be pleased. There is little left of the evening, be ready to usher out the lingerers." A request before he steps back.

Kesslan simply nods to Desmond, before turning to see to the assigned task. The feline falling back to silence though at least he doestn seem quite so.. lost in thought as before. There's still a lingering sense of it but it's not so deep or noticeable now.