"The Speaker is...an unofficial leader, I suppose. He advises a lot of us. While the Vanguard are the military leaders, the Speaker is the political and spiritual leader. He's the Voice of the Traveler," Declan tried to answer, nodding towards the massive orb in the sky.
"He's been around for as long as anyone can remember, really. He heads the Consensus of ruling factions and keeps the peace, and advises Guardians in matters not pertaining directly to battle. That's left to the Vanguard. He's...well, you'll see. He's a good man," Declan floundered for a response, shrugging slightly and gesturing with one hand towards the back of the courtyard. They passed trade buildings, a postal office of sorts, a large computerized board full of statistics and other details that Guardians talked in front of and negotiated assignments from. There were beautiful red-leafed trees and tended grass between smooth stone walkways; all a quiet space for Guardians to live, where otherwise their lives were full of chaos and combat.
Passing through a massive gate and walking down a much less busy path, Declan led Aoba out to the other side of the tower that faced beyond the wall of the city, looking out into forest, fields and mountains. The view was even more stunning, and certainly an enormous difference from the cityscape.
"Wait here. Try to collect yourself. I'll be back to collect you and take you to the Speaker, then I'll leave you with him to talk for a bit. Afterwards I'll take you home, alright?" He waited for an answer, patient and respectful, knowing it was all probably a lot to take in. He had no reason to rush beyond wanting to make sure he did everything by the book and covered all his bases. As soon as he was sure Aoba would be alright alone, Declan departed. It was a good half an hour before he returned, indicating the path with one hand and guiding Aoba to a massive solarium of sorts.
"I'll be right back. I promise," Declan murmured, resting his heavy hand on Aoba's shoulder before stepping away and leaving the blue-haired man to explore. It was a short time after that a robed figured descended stairs to the side. He watched Aoba, head tilting slightly before he spoke up, detailing things that he had explained to innumerable Guardians over the course of countless years. With a few changes to meet the circumstances, of course. He didn't think aoba was a Guardian. Not yet, at any rate.
"Declan vouches for you. He's a very loyal and respectable man. Trusting. Perhaps too much, sometimes, but he has good intuition. Do you want to stay with him?" the Speaker asked in his soothing, grandfatherly manner, masked face gazing towards Aoba.
"You may have quarters of your own - we have the space. He is not aware of this, so I pose the question to you."
It was obviously some sort of test, though the purpose of which Aoba could only guess. Declan was nowhere to be found, leaving the entire decision up to the young man, out of time and space.
no subject
"He's been around for as long as anyone can remember, really. He heads the Consensus of ruling factions and keeps the peace, and advises Guardians in matters not pertaining directly to battle. That's left to the Vanguard. He's...well, you'll see. He's a good man," Declan floundered for a response, shrugging slightly and gesturing with one hand towards the back of the courtyard. They passed trade buildings, a postal office of sorts, a large computerized board full of statistics and other details that Guardians talked in front of and negotiated assignments from. There were beautiful red-leafed trees and tended grass between smooth stone walkways; all a quiet space for Guardians to live, where otherwise their lives were full of chaos and combat.
Passing through a massive gate and walking down a much less busy path, Declan led Aoba out to the other side of the tower that faced beyond the wall of the city, looking out into forest, fields and mountains. The view was even more stunning, and certainly an enormous difference from the cityscape.
"Wait here. Try to collect yourself. I'll be back to collect you and take you to the Speaker, then I'll leave you with him to talk for a bit. Afterwards I'll take you home, alright?" He waited for an answer, patient and respectful, knowing it was all probably a lot to take in. He had no reason to rush beyond wanting to make sure he did everything by the book and covered all his bases. As soon as he was sure Aoba would be alright alone, Declan departed. It was a good half an hour before he returned, indicating the path with one hand and guiding Aoba to a massive solarium of sorts.
"I'll be right back. I promise," Declan murmured, resting his heavy hand on Aoba's shoulder before stepping away and leaving the blue-haired man to explore. It was a short time after that a robed figured descended stairs to the side. He watched Aoba, head tilting slightly before he spoke up, detailing things that he had explained to innumerable Guardians over the course of countless years. With a few changes to meet the circumstances, of course. He didn't think aoba was a Guardian. Not yet, at any rate.
"Declan vouches for you. He's a very loyal and respectable man. Trusting. Perhaps too much, sometimes, but he has good intuition. Do you want to stay with him?" the Speaker asked in his soothing, grandfatherly manner, masked face gazing towards Aoba.
"You may have quarters of your own - we have the space. He is not aware of this, so I pose the question to you."
It was obviously some sort of test, though the purpose of which Aoba could only guess. Declan was nowhere to be found, leaving the entire decision up to the young man, out of time and space.