Damien|Naurorod

[Kender Bard]

Charisma swoops down to Clan Fira's grounds and looks around curiously. In the distance, Essence gives a welcoming bellow, and Charisma just waves a paw in kind then goes looking for Damien.

[Northen Light36]

Damien is outside his home preparing some meat to be stored and occassionally giving some of the result of his hunting to the children who come up to them so that they can take it home to their families. "Careful there," he laughs, catching some meat a young girl dropped before it hits the sand. "It doesn't taste as nice if it's dirty." Laughing happily, the little girl takes back her meat then gasps and points when she sees Charisma.
"Dragon!" she tells Damien and he frowns.
"So I see. Go back to your parents, little one. Quickly," he orders her. As the girl runs off, Damien watches Charisma approach, his expression wary but making no move to even bring his signs together.

[jhaal]

Jhaal is more than a little frightened to be here among the Fires, wary even though he is most likely protected by the presence of Charisma. Unsure of whether he can bring himself to speak to the man most Clears hold entirely responsible for the destruction of their city, the former merchant steels himself and does his best to appear calm and collected.

[Northen Light36]

Damien frowns slightly at feeling the presence of a Clear, but he isn't making any hostile moves... yet. "I assume you have a reason for being here Clear?" he asks, his tone cold, as Charisma and Jhaal. While he doesn't say it aloud, there's a definate note of 'This better be good' in Damien's tone.

[Kender Bard]

Charisma feels a touch of pity for Jhaal and nudges him very gently with her snout, lending her support. To Damien she says, "I present Jhaal of the Clears of Reave, whom you and your people are sworn to help."

[Northen Light36]

"And whom I believe we are helping," replies Damien smoothly. "Is there a problem?"

[jhaal]

"Believe me, it would take some great reason for me to come here, as I have no real guarantee of my safety. I have no real desire to meet with you who commanded genocide, just as you mistrust me as a Clear even though we have never before met," Jhaal says cooly.
"However, we are charged to seek forgiveness from the Elements for the actions of those Clears who fought against them in the hope that a better understanding can be reached between our peoples, and further than that, we must forgive your people for your actions."

With a deep intake of breath, the Clear attempts to make eye-contact with Damien. Forgiveness should always be a genuine feeling, and he is not prepared to grant the Fires simple words carrying no truth.

"I very much wish to believe you are making amends, just as my people will do as soon as they no longer have to struggle to survive. Tell me, what aid are you offering the people of Reave? To what extent will you aid us as you are bound to do? Can I tell my people that we should forgive those who massacred innocent men, women and even children because they regret their actions as we regret the actions of the Clears who waged war against you?"

[Northen Light36]

Damien's eyes blaze but his voice is calm. "We are helping your people rebuild and learn to fend for theirselves. However we do this out of duty, because we feel it right to help in peacetime those who were harmed by war. We do not help your peopl out of a wish for forgiveness." He pauses a moment then asks, "Are there any innocents in this, aside from the children?" His dark eyes angry, Damien stares into Jhaal's. "Tell me, you claim you wanted no part of the war? That you regret that some of your people kiddnapped mine from their homes and forced them to be puppets in a war we Fires had wanted no part of? Then tell me, Jhaal of the Clears, what did you do to try to prevent such a thing?"

[jhaal]

"Very little. I was largely unaware of the situation until the attack on our city," the former merchant admits, a little uneasily. "You must remember that we have very little contact with Elementals. The truth was distorted and watered down until the majority of the population didn't realise what was really going on. I am no fighter, and certainly not a diplomat... but I fully regret not doing everything in my albeit limited power to stop the war."

Trying not to let fears get a hold on him, Jhaal clears his throat and steadies himself. It seems unlikely Damien will attack, but he can't quite get the image of his screaming body thrashing around on the ground in agony as it burns to death out of his head. In any case, it would be foolish to come this far and not complete the task Charisma has set him.

"I am sure our people appreciate your aid, and I'm glad to hear you talk of peace. Is there however nothing our people do to gain your forgiveness? Despite the common belief, we are not some barbaric nation of murderers and slavers, and we are very much willing to work for peaceful relations between our peoples, should we be given the opportunity."

[Kender Bard]

"The other elemental leaders have given their forgiveness, with strings attached," Charisma adds. "And I do not blame them. But to let pride slap away the hand of friendship is a foolish thing indeed." With a curl of her lip that could almost be called a smirk, she continues, "The dead are not going to rise from their resting places and take up arms against one another. Why should not all the hurt and mistakes remain buried as well?"

[Northen Light36]

"Tell that to the families who lost sons, daughter, mothers or fathers because of that war," Damien growls at Charisma before turning his attention to Jhaal. "You want forgiveness Jhaal of the Clears?" He looks at Jhaal for a long moment, his expression considering but not as angry as it was. "Perhaps it is possible... Will you acompany me on a brief stroll, Jhaal? I give you my word no harm shall come to you from myself nor any of my people."

[jhaal]

After a moment of pure panic, Jhaal swallows hard and looks at Charisma searchingly. He's not so worried about Damien himself setting the Clear alight, but can the Fire leader stop the others from attacking him on sight, in enough time that he won't be harmed?

[Northen Light36]

"No one here will harm you," Damien repeats, seeing the Clear's fear. "I will make sure of it. But I would like to introduce you to someone and I fear your Dragon companion would terrify her."

[Kender Bard]

Sighing, Charisma gives a slight nod to Jhaal. "I do not like it. If Jhaal does not come back perfectly safe, I will have words with Essence."

[Northen Light36]

Damien looks up at Charisma and smiles slightly. "I assure you, the only way he'll come back with his clothes so much as singed is if he decides to jump into a campfire," he tells her. "He'll be perfectly safe here while under my protection." Glancing at Jhaal, he adds, "Come on. This shouldn't take too long."