avalononline | (Video; UN: amidala)

As someone who has been knighted here, I'd have to say showing dedication helps. Well that and a bit of martial skill as well.

I am ready to dedicate myself and as for training my martial skills... (She is working on it.) I have acquired a few teachers.

Hm... then I guess the next part is figuring out why you want to. What's pulling you towards it, and if it's something that you really want to do.

I want to protect others. I spent time as a queen of my planet and then a senator. I have always had others to protect me and... I feel like it's my turn.

Politics are important, but Camelot needs those that are willing to fight - and I am.

That's nice, but there are always other ways to help and protect others. Some of them would be far better and more helpful. And I'm not talking about politics alone...

Sooo... why else? Remember, it's also a duty you're giving yourself up for and trusted to hold. I'm not questioning you're willingness to fight, most of us are.

Tell me more about other ways to help others? (She is always open to ideas of that nature.) My family could arrive at any moment - I expect them to - and I want to protect them. My husband was...like a knight. He saved my life numerous times. When I think of being a true defender, I imagine what he did.

Edited 2022-02-18 12:22 (UTC)

Most of what comes to my mind is volunteer work. Like helping to keep the community clean, helping out an animal, women, or homeless shelter. Reading to children, helping to pass out food and medicine, and the like. Things like that are way too often overlooked in their overall impact on the larger scale of things.

A knight can help with all of that, but that's not really the purpose of a knight. All it really takes is a regular person wanting to help. And they can do all of the above and do a better job of it.

As for your husband... I think I understand why you're interested in it now.

I did volunteer work when I was a child. As fulfilling as it felt at the time, I wasn't able to do anything when the people I aided perished. Why can't I be a knight who does volunteer work? Then I can defend those I aid as well as make sure they have food and healing.

[She...is a mother. A new mother who wants to make this world safe for her children if...they come.]

He's very powerful. I will never match his skill, but I know I can help.

You can, but you can also do all of it without being one. Often times you can do a better job as you're not weighted down by the expectations that the title wants from you. In addition to whatever else you have going on off on the side.

Usually the best way to defend somebody isn't through force, but through building roads and maintaining them. Making certain they're given clean water, food, and clothes. A sword can't do that.

[Another smile here.]

I know you can too. You seem really dead set on it!

Titles don't frighten me. I have always done what I thought right regardless of what others told me or expected of me. Believe me, I caused my bodyguards a lot of stress, though they were kind enough to understand why I did what I did.

(But swords can protect lives in ways water, food and clothes can't.)

My children are in danger. My husband is in danger. Giving them water, food and clothes won't save them. I need to be strong enough to face the one who threatens them.

Ah- there it is. The actual reason why you're interested.

It's not meant to frighten you, but it is meant to hold you up to a higher standard and expect you to not only live up to it. But to also perform what is asked of you without question, first and foremost.

You have to still remember; danger comes in all forms to everyone. Not all of them can be handled through military means. Or should be. Giving water, food, clean clothes and shelter is what ultimately saves lives. And exist solely to do just that, while a weapon is meant to take lives and only that. It's up to the person that's using it to decide what to harm.

I'm not telling you to not do it. The reason you want to is quite nice and sound and your heart's in the right place. But maybe think about it a bit more.

Well, one way would be to marry me, but I think that might annoy my girlfriend.

[Morgan is a bad person.]

(Ooof bad joke, Morgan.)

I am already married. Your girlfriend needn't worry.

You say that like I don't know a whole bunch of poly couples.

[But now for the real answer!]

Truth is, as near as I can tell, the qualification really is to just do knightly deeds. There don't seem to be any obligations of chivalry, valor, noble birth, or sponsorship.

I swore myself to one and since he isn't here, it will remain that way.

(Because she is loyal like that.)

I'm glad to hear it won't be impossible. I have no way of proving myself except through my actions.

[Her first mistake is taking him the slightest bit seriously!]

I don't know that it's necessarily ideal, but it's probably the fairest way. What people consider good and fair can vary so much from culture to culture, let alone world to world, that in the end we can only really judge by the outcome.

I should see if I've done enough to be worthy, come to think of it... but either way, if you ever need some help on your knighthood quest, don't hesitate to ask. I swear I can be of more use than just providing a questionable sense of humor!

(She tends to take everyone seriously until she knows otherwise.)

People can say a lot of things about themselves. Their actions might prove their words a lie. Basing decisions off of actions is fairer in my mind. At least then they have proven they can be trusted in some capacity.

(And if they then, turn around, and mar that image, steps can be taken to hold them accountable.)

If a quest appeals to me, would you be open to accompanying me?

[The question makes Morgan grin.]

I just offered, didn't I? Most of the quests I've seen put out there are exactly the sort of thing I do anyway.

[He doesn't need the reward money any more, and honestly sometimes he wonders how he can fit them in with everything else going on -- but you can't just ignore needs like that, or trust that others will do them.]

(Padmé feels guilty for needing so long to heal. However her strength is returning and she knows she wants to push herself harder.)

How heroic.

(Those words are dry.)

Maybe I can learn something from you, fellow knight.

Everything is a learning opportunity! That's why I know I'll learn something from you!

[The abrupt shift to boyish glee might be surprising, but that's just how Morgan is when it comes to learning -- which is the same thing as martial arts, which is and always will be his truest passion and energy.]

Whatever it turns out to be, I'm looking forward to see it!

(She is an ambitious learner too and, yes, she needs more training in martial arts. Padmé might not ever be able to overcome her small stature, but she can become swift and make her blows count.)

I will contact you when I see one I feel capable of accomplishing.

(Her gaze drifts to her sword.)

I have a sword, but it needs to be sharpened.

[With great force of will and immense effort, Morgan somehow refrains from immediately and reflexively responding, "That's what she said."]

If I knew what magic you had at one point, it's completely slipped my mind.

(She will find the only lightsaber in Camelot, she swears to...the stars? The Force? Whatever. She'll find it.)

I don't expect you to remember. Light and Siphon are my powers.

I do. I'll not forget again. Especially since that's a good set. Defense and offense both in ways difficult to overcome!

[Siphoning in particular -- what a useful talent in this world!]

I have been practicing both and they are becoming easier for me to use defensively especially. (She likes the idea of shields; it gives her time to consider a situation tactically instead of running solely on her fear or her anxiety.)

What about illusions? I hear light magic is really good for that.

Prisms...reflections...bouncing the light over various objects...

I can make it confusing.

Can't ask for much better than that against an enemy that relies on vision! Might want some practice with anyone you're working with to get them used to it, though.

I don't plan on surprising them mid-battle. That would be rude.

[He earns a small smile.]

I want to be a shield. I think I can give a strong fighter a chance to land more blows.

Hmm. [Morgan curls a hand below his chin, running a finger over his lips as he gives her statement thought. It takes him a moment to drill down through the nuance and ramification to figure out exactly why that doesn't sound right, and when he does, he grins. Today he's learned something new and understood himself a little better, and that always delights him.]

There's nothing wrong with specializing and focusing your skills. The real challenge is not to limit yourself. If you think of yourself as a shield, you might neglect those times where you'd be better off as a sword, you know?

(His grin makes her feel...exposed. Morgan, you are a dangerous man. Padmé can't quite help grinning, briefly, before she forces herself to be...serious. Solemn. As much as she needs to laugh, is now the time?

When is it time to laugh? She doesn't know anymore.)

I have been taking lessons in sword fighting.

['Dangerous' is something he doesn't consider himself -- being a giant dumbass as he is. She just hasn't gotten the chance to see him forget he's holding his phone or catch an orange and carry it around for ten minutes before he realizes he has an orange for some reason.]

What style? What kind of sword, I mean.

I guess it also kind of depends on your motivation. Like... what are you hoping to achieve by becoming one?

I want to protect others. If my family or my friends arrive, I want to be their shield.

[Keith nodded.]

That was my motivation, too. [And really, now he had Avalon's version of his home title anyway.] I think you'll do fine, then. Learning combat is part of it, but you also have to have the right motives. You're already on your way. [He gave her a small smile.]

That said, if you ever want to train, I'm willing to help.

I have encountered combat before - only I didn't use a sword. (That's where she needs the most work.) I'm in no position to turn down an offer for training. Avalon must have taught you a great deal.

It has in the way of magic. As for sword fighting, that's what I use to fight back home. [Keith shrugged a little.] I guess I'm used to it now.

I have used my husband's lightsaber once or twice, but a metal sword is new to me. I have one that is lighter and smaller, so it won't fatigue me. Even so, fighting with any weapon is an art-form.

Do you have any tips?

Edited 2022-02-25 10:51 (UTC)

"Lightsaber"? [That sounded... interesting.]

Ah, well... Always be aware of your body position. Also, watch for patterns in your opponent's movements. You can start to predict their next move if you can figure out their fighting style. People are prone to falling into a rhythm sometimes.

[ Gareth is doing video despite the obvious wolf ears and general... fuzziness she has going on, given the current moon cycle, because hey, this is important and needs to be discussed frankly, right? ]

I hold no title in this world, but I am a knight... Are you asking in practical matters, or something that's less... concrete? Like the concept of chivalry, and what it means to uphold it?

(She doesn't mind her appearance. In fact, she probably assumes this is normal for Gareth, so have a welcoming smile.)

Both, I think. I want to be worthy of the title whether it's official or not. My husband was a knight (a Jedi Knight) and I remember everything he had to sacrifice to protect others.

Even so, the conviction needed to do what a knight must requires more than simply a good role model for such behavior.

Is it the same conviction that a royal or politician might have? I want to help people. I want to protect them.

Hm... [ Gareth rubbed at her chin, considering. ]

My king was certainly a knight, so much as they called them the King of Knights, but not all kings could be considered as much, certainly not all of noble bearing...

I do think it's distinct.

I understand what you mean. Being a good ruler and devoting yourself to knighthood are similar - you must be selfless and entirely focused for both - however when I was a queen, I was often protected. As a knight, I must do the protecting.

(Physically and not only with her voice in a Senate chamber.)

[ A big nod. ]

And that requires a lot of physical discipline! And then, of course, there is the philosophy of Chivalry.

Do you know much about it?

(Video; UN: amidala)

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