video; un: shepherdess

[troubadamsel]

Greetings, one and all. I have an... inquiry, I suppose I'd put it, about the ... rather ghastly quests we've been offered.

For those who've been here longer than I... are these type of quests normal for this place? Manipulating emotions like a child's plaything to outright murder... If we are supposed to be heroes intent on saving all the realms, I must say these actions hardly seem heroic at all!

[ After a moment, there's the gentle 'coo' of a bird off-screen. Maribelle hesitates, then sighs. ]

... All right, there is another reason I'm using this device. During the tournament, it appears my behavior was... less than savory. If I offended anyone - 

[ The 'coo' is a bit louder this time. Maribelle bites her lower lip, then resigns herself. ]

... To those I did offend, I offer my most sincere apologies. I should have known entering would have brought out the worst of me, and yet I did it anyway, for the sake of greed. As a representative of my world, it is my duty to ensure I leave a good impression on all, and behave much less like a snob.

... Admittedly, the latter is difficult for me. For those who struggle with a similar behavior, I ask for advice on tempering it, lest I offend others again.

Comments

[kiss_it_better]

With that sort of attitude, I'd say you are making a good impression.

[He's calm but that doesn't detract from the sincerity of his words.]

As for how to temper these things...I can't say I've struggled with such things but that's because I grew up in the countryside. I also spent four years wondering the country and if nothing else, that certainly had taught me many things. Broadening our own horizons and learning about others...I think that's certainly a good place to start.

[troubadamsel]

Hm...education is not a bad idea. Not even a little bit - I've done this before to try and connect with my comrades back home. There's no reason I shouldn't do the same here!

[kiss_it_better]

If it worked before there's no reason not to do something similar.

[Why reinvent the wheel, after all.]

Though your comrades must have been very special to you, for you to go through the trouble to educate yourself for their sake.

[troubadamsel]

But of course. I'm a member of the Kingdom of Ylisse's official army, the Shepherds. If we couldn't understand one another, we'd be sitting ducks on the battlefield.

[kiss_it_better]

[Women in the army? That isn't generally how it is in Great Liang though personally he didn't see why it shouldn't be allowed when he thought of it. After all, isn't Miss Chen slated to become the next head of her family?]

Among soldiers trust and camaraderie are certainly invaluable. That was a wise decision.

[He has a soft spot for soldiers as well.]

How long have you been in the army?

[troubadamsel]

Several years now. I'm a healer, but I used to be able to fight with offensive tomes as well... before I came here, and found myself weakened.

[kiss_it_better]

That seems to be a common thing here.

[People who had more powers who had less now.]

May I ask, does previously having healing magic make learning it here easier?

[troubadamsel]

Not quite... even the healing magic here is very different than what I'm used to. We use our magic primarily through tools, for instance, not our bare hands.

[kiss_it_better]

What sort of tools? Magic doesn't exist at all where I'm from so I'm curious how it is in other places.

[troubadamsel]

Well, as a healer, I primarily channel my magic through staffs. However, because I can also use offensive magic, I can also use elemental tomes - think of them as weaponry. They can be bought and cold in any marketplace alongside swords and axes.

[kiss_it_better]

I see. Can anyone use magic if they buy the tomes or is it a skill only certain individuals have?

[troubadamsel]

In theory, everyone could use one - but that doesn't translate into natural talent. Just as anyone can pick up a sword, but that doesn't mean they'll become a natural swordsman in a swing or two.

[kiss_it_better]

So it's something that can be learned...is the division of what type of magic one can use as rigid as it seems to be here?

['Seems to be' because he doesn't know if it truly is since he's only been here such a short amount of time.]

[troubadamsel]

In a sense. I'm better attuned to healing magic, but when it comes to dark magic, I'm positively worthless. I couldn't claim a curse if my life depended on it.

[kiss_it_better]

So there's a degree of talent involved...but if someone tried could they over come such limitations?

[troubadamsel]

They could, but they could never be as powerful as one born with innate talent.

[kiss_it_better]

Sp innate talent makes a large difference, it seems. Though I assume that if someone with talent doesn't put in the work their skills won't grow properly?

[troubadamsel]

Well, that should go without saying! And I'd hope it be the same in any world! Laziness benefits no one.

[kiss_it_better]

That is definitely the case where I'm from...though some are born in more fortunate circumstances as well.