( OPEN ) | been stung by this hurt

[swordproof]

WHO: Six + open
WHAT: Six has her powers back and has a few emotions
WHEN: Over the month (catch all)
WHERE: Here, there, everywhere
NOTES: Possible references to abuse might come up!

GARDENS.

Six wakes from her dream and feels an immediate sense of power, something she had not felt in the months since she had first arrived in Thedas.

It feels as if a part of her has been returned, a missing piece of her soul given back. In her minds eye she can still see the image of the spirit she had met not so many weeks before now, the gentle touch of a being that was so close to being Sarenrae but so distant all at once, a Faith she could not deny. Knowing that gentle touch for what it was, a dream that gave her so much, all Six can do is rush out in the light of the early morning and settle herself down for prayers.

She kneels for hours, dressed only in her light linen shirt and her breeches, her hair a tangle around her face - she hadn’t even bothered to comb her hair or tie it back away from her face, the curls of it sticking to her cheeks as the tears stain her skin.

They are not, at least, the tears of an upset woman - Six has cried enough of those in the last few months that she thinks people might be able to tell the difference now. With her hands clasped as they are it’s clear that she is bowing her head, offering her whispered words to a Goddess she does not think is truly able to hear her despite the power that now settles inside of her, making her feel strong and remarkable all over again.

As she prays she tries, just a little, summoning some of her divine strength - and her hands glow as the tears fall on them, her laughter coming as she realises that she is truly herself once more.

GALLOWS.

With her powers in hand Six returns to the Gallows immediately, drawing the greatsword from her back and rising herself to her full height.

She has to take a few moments to centre herself, to focus, to summon what she knows as familiar inside of herself. It’s been so long since she called upon the powers that Sarenrae gave her - a year has gone by, a year stolen from her, a year where she had felt bereft and wrong. When she holds the hilt of her blade she feels as though she is on fire, and when she opens her eyes again the blade is lit up with the flames of her faith, flickering as her eyes widen.

When she laughs it’s a giddy, desperate noise, blade twisting as she slams down and brings the blade into the heart of the training dummy, the flames disappearing as she does, calming as she brings it back.

If anyone notices her she does nothing to dissuade them from watching her, twisting and pressing her body forward. It’s clear that she is excited, that she thrumming with her joy and her passion, and she doesn’t stop for a moment - unless, of course, someone wants to challenge her to a spar.

STABLES.

On the heel of her successes comes the need to make sure all her animals are content, are happy, are being well taken care of. She has Two with her at all times, the kitten she stole from the barn sleeping on her bed more often than not - and she knows she needs to name it, but there’s a sense of uncertainty that she can’t quite swallow - and Sir in his stable, waiting for her to come with treats and a promise of a grooming.

When she comes into the stables, a Mabari on her heels, all she can do is go straight to her horse and reach up to pat at his face and scratch at his neck, a fond expression on her face. It’s obvious which horse is hers from a distance, a huge beast that is strong enough to carry a woman of her weight and height without crumbling under her. She feeds him carrots, takes him out to be groomed, and walks him around, sometimes taking him out to ride if she has the company for it.

She spends a great deal of time around the stables, playing with Two, taking care of her horse, talking to anyone who will listen to her about the animals she cares for; she is clearly an animal person and she has no hesitation showing it.

WILDCARD.

( Find Six hanging around anywhere or msg me for something personal! )

Comments

[shri]

Little rose girls, all of them, flushing over their bodies like it was something so shameful to know. Rubbish. Utter rubbish, as far as she is and will always be concerned. A woman's body was her pride, her strength, as much as men were their own.

But for now she says nothing, taking no shame in herself, and never would as she continues reaching for what she does her hair with. A warmed oil that she tips into her palm. Spreading it between her fingers, coconut and flowers, from the smell of it.

"A paladin, indeed." She's suitably impressed. "My word, Six, that is feats worth a King's court, tell me again why it is how you do not call yourself a knight?" Lakshmi teases it, a croon in her words that says she will have not a bar of any fumbled humility, Six deserved every bit of praise she got.

[swordproof]

It's clear that Six, if not entirely naive, is more modest than Lakshmi might have imagined her to be. Yes, she had been a mercenary, yes, she had been a Paladin, but she had always tried to bathe alone, had always kept to herself. She was ashamed of her body, of how tall she was, how strong and thick and well muscled. Others might take it as something for pride - and she was proud of her strength - but she had no arrogant thoughts towards how she looked.

Gangly and strange since youth, she thinks idly, shaking her head and frowning.

At least Lakshmi's words bring her out of it and she looks over, hesitant for a moment before she breathes out and finds the words to speak. Each compliment people see fit to give her both embarrasses and thrills her, locking them safely in her heart.

"I have not been knighted by a king," Six says plainly, lips twitching. "I am devoted to my God and little else. That is not worth such lofty titles."