Adarl just stared back at Saffron a moment, closing his eyes and remaining silent for a moment. Then he opened them, his expression blank as he looked back at the man.
"You wish to command armies, and dominate the world? And force your way onto others, giving them no say in the matter?"
As the half-drow spoke, it became clear to Saffron the man's gaze was becoming much harder, and angry.
"There is a man like that I know of, right now as a matter of fact. A drow, who believes his kind are superior to all other races. So much so, that many years ago, he was willing to overrun a small farming village of humans. They posed no threat to him, and carried little in the way of arms. Yet his men descended upon their town, killing nearly all the able-bodied young men and farmers. They only left a few of the young children and women alive. Not much of a true show of strength, I'm sure you'd agree."
Adarl stopped to collect himself a moment, his gaze becoming harder as he continued.
"But that was not enough for the man. Not at all. He still had 'needs' he wished fulfilled, as they planned and strategized their next move. And despite his claims of superiority, he was more than willing to use a lowly human to satisfy those needs. No amount of protest, or yelling, or self-defense could stop the man from u..."
Adarl stops a moment again, grimacing and wincing his eyes before he can continue.
"...using... her... for his needs. When he was finally forced to withdraw out of the village, this woman thought her nightmarish ordeal would finally be over. But it was not to be, for the drow had left his seed in her, to grow and develop."
Adarl takes a step back, holding out his palms at his sides, as if to present himself.
"...And you are looking upon the result of that, right before you."
He seems to give Saffron a moment to react, then continues before waiting for a response.
"It's quite... unsettling... I suppose that is the best way I can think of to describe it. To grow up, knowing the ones responsible for your birth held no love for one another. Knowing that every time your mother looked at you, you were a constant reminder of the horror she had to endure. To know you're a constant reminder to the slain villager's families of what they lost, and the one responsible. To grow up being hated for what you are, something completely out of my control. I suppose it is why I find it so hard to be compassionate at times, especially with humans."
Adarl closes his eyes again a moment to think, then continues once more.
"But despite all this...she taught me something very important, as I was growing up. Even without the strength or skills to carry a weapon, she is far stronger than I could EVER hope to be. Even when she cried herself to sleep sometimes, she never looked upon me with hatred, or disgust, or sorrow. Even thought I was a reminder of the hell she went though, she always felt I was a great blessing in her life. And I always knew, no matter what the villagers thought of me, that she loved me, and I was a source of great joy in her life."
Adarl takes a few steps forward, practically nose to nose with the swordsman as he glares.
"I would rather be like her, than EVER be like that son of bitch who shares my blood. She showed me that strength is not simply physical prowess alone, but all aspects of a person rolled together. I have met mages barely able to lift a finger, but so full of magical talent I could not hope to best them. I have come across individual lacking any combat skill whatsoever, but incredibly knowledgeable about a topic, in ways that I could never hope to understand them, even if I spent a lifetime trying. There is no one way to judge a person's strength."
The half-drow stops again, clenching a fist tight as he closes his eyes for a moment. Then he opens his eyes, his expression softened from anger to what seemed a mix of regret, and pity.
"You said a long time ago, that I seemed like someone who appreciated strength, like yourself. You were somewhat right. And I suppose that is part of what drew me to you, and why I wanted to help you so badly when we were together. But it seems we are not as alike as you wanted to believe. Or I wanted to believe either."
He stops and closes his eyes again, finally opening them with a pained expression in his eyes.
"I do not wish the prize of this tournament, or desire control over the people of our world. I had hoped such a competition would draw my father out. It seems thus far, that was not the case. But when I do find him... I will prove my point to him with my own strength, when the times comes. And I will continue to do so, no matter what I face in my life. If you truly believe you can do good for the world by winning the tournament, then I wish you the best. But if our paths should cross, and we are on opposing sides once more, then I suppose.... we will have to settle who is correct about strength. That is my answer to you."
Adarl brings himself close to the swordsman, wrapping his arms around the man. He leans close, placing a long kiss to the man's lips, before pulling away, a look of sadness in his green eyes.
"....goodbye Saffron."
He places one more brief kiss to his lips before pulling away, turning around and starting down the corridor toward the doors.
...perhaps... I was never meant to have someone.... he thinks to himself.
Edited by: FF Fanatic 80 at: 12/19/04 1:10