Trouble Empathizing

JP with Omni and Jaxx

The Arbiter wasn't sure how to Hunter's words. Other zealots... Not a word Voah necessarily wanted to be associated with. Regardless, it was true too an extent. She wasn't bloodthirsty. At least, not like she used to be. She loved the Pillars, but she was not a radical. Was she?

There was a time she wanted blood more than anything, but her vengeance had been paid many times over and after her father died, the red had faded and things were changing... Now she was letting Cambena's lessons speak to her more than ever.

Be free.

One of her greatest fears was a cage. To not be free. But now she herself sought to put a witch in one. For their own good, and the good of others. The Pillars was her cage, but it was the only one she was comfortable in. It was like home.

"I don't enjoy killing..." she turned away and stared off into the past.

"But I will admit that I always felt justified when doing that ghastly business... until I came here. The Duke said this place would take something from me and I fear that it already has."

There was a tinge of sadness and loss in the words. She withdrew then, as if she wanted to say more but knew better of it.

Hunter continued to work on the wood statue. He then spoke up, “I don’t enjoy it either. Sadly I was trained to do it. I was encouraged to do it and I would be killed if I didn’t do it. We all have done things we don’t like. Once I had to kill a rich merchant just so the Duke could take his daughter as a concubine. She killed herself before he could have his way with her. The guard who captured her was executed for not disarming her and denying the Duke his trophy“. Hunter then stopped and looked at Voah for a moment before he said, “It was easier for me when I had no feelings, but now... It’s different.”

"I think I know what you mean... In my past I had no regrets, no question... and for the most part I still don't regret my past. It was righteous by most anyone's standards." she paused and swallowed hard but the confession wouldn't be pushed down.

"I thought I was killing for the Pillars... and I was... but mostly... It was personal... I was killing for ME, for my family, for revenge..."

She searched the heavens with her eyes and swallowed back tears.

"But here. Sometimes it feels like something is wrong. Like it's some mistake."

Then her tone shifted to bitterness. "Here it feels like I MUST kill... for the wrong reasons. Kill because of failure. Failure of the Inquisition of the past... failure of the established church and the failure of the nobility. I have to kill to make an example. Here... I have to kill with regret."

Then she shifted back to a tone of hope, "Pillars, if only it was as easy as Sentinel Island. There, we did what we had to do in order to survive..."

She took her waterskin out of her pack and took a drink before continuing.

"I have been studying the field journal of Saint Iker Pahadron. The answers behind the hatred for magik are revealed within. The truth is that the faithful of the Pillars were not always so absolute against magik, in fact, they lived in a sort of balance for centuries. But what I'm learning for the first time, is that the Inquisition was officially finalized due to the magik users' persecution of a group of people known as the Children of the Void. The Vaux. To my understanding they were like mediators of some kind who kept the balance and diplomacy between cultures. Until the sorcerers attempted to be rid of them... a genocide. Many of them were killed. When the Inquisition began, many of them joined... but I fear that somehow, their trust may have been betrayed."

Hunter paused for a moment to take in what Voah said before he went back to work. He replied, “Interesting. You know I was loaned to a Prelate a few times to kill a few threats of his. He was no different from the greedy Nobles. However, he made a snide comment that I was barely ranked above heathens Did you know he collected their eyes as trophies?” I think because of my training and my past experiences that I struggle to empathize with others when they are struggling. I am sure that is why I am in the bad situation with Nora and Cora."

Hunter’s response confusticated her at first. She thought maybe he was trying to make a point that enemies are everywhere and no one is innocent. But his second remark about trouble empathizing certainly made it clear to her why some of their interactions felt awkward.

“It is part of an Inquisitor’s job to stop corruption inside the church as well. I’ll be sure to mention that Prelate so they can pay them a visit.”

Seeing as Hunter had already lit the seashell oil braziers they created, Voah took out a rush stick and lit her censer on the altar they had created.

“And what about Cora? If she needs someone to take care of her… I’m not trying to take you away from her. And I wouldn’t want her to waste away without a sister or a partner.”

Hunter sighed as he didn’t know what to do. He asked, “I wish I knew what to do with her. I am just learning how to feel and she is dying from a broken heart. I am out of my element on this topic. You can try to talk to her but I don’t know what will happen.”

Voah put her hand on his shoulder.

"I can't take care of this one for you. It is your responsibility. You have to make that decision."

Hunter nodded as he continued his work on the wooden statue in silence.