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On the boat, Illena quickly accepts Jeanuel's apology, understanding the situation that they had been put into. "I am sure you took a risk for me, and I won't forget that." She replies. "But why all this secrecy?" ---
Unlike many of the others waiting in line, Illena is chipper, still surprised to be here after the heartbreak of being told she wasn't coming. Still, she wasn't looking forward to another interview, especially one with her new (and still unfamiliar) identity.
Illena looks shocked and irate at the man who approaches her, opening her mouth to tell him to carry his own damn pack, before he leans in to tell her about the secret items. Her anger quickly fades and is replaced by a combination of fear and curiosity. "Of course, sir." She nods, taking the pack. Her mind reels, wondering why it was necessary that she should need a new identity. It wasn't as though she had enemies - she was only a historian! "A-are you ready to board, then, sir?" Her voice was pleasant, but her eyes revealed the truth - that he'd better tell her what was going on as soon as they were safe.
It's with a broken heart and tears in her eyes that Illena nods to the panel. "Of course, I understand. Thank you for your time." As much as she wishes she'd walked out earlier and spared herself the embarrassment, she's happy to have at least tried. As she stands up, she pauses for a second and takes a big breath, considering fighting it, making them understand how valued she would be. Instead, she gives a shake of her head and sighs out the breath. "Good day." She says meekly. Trying to carry herself strongly, and keep the tears from falling while she's still within sight of them, she moves towards the exit. When Master Zey's voice sounds in her ear, she thinks for a second that she must be imagining it, and it takes a moment for her to understand what he's saying. Her heart begins to soar. They need her? She nods silently, feeling a rush of excitement, and makes her way outside. Her heartbeat races as she collects her belongings and makes her way immediately to the docks, wondering why the secrecy, wondering what what excitement lay in store...
The Test: Illena is late going into the test, having nearly walked out several times, thinking she was ill-suited to the tasks ahead, before forcing herself to calm down and at least go through the test. Whether or not she was meant for this was for others to decide, the most that was up to her was whether she had prepared enough. She heads back in, and despite a pep-talk to herself, is quite antsy as Ambrus explains the test, finding herself to be exceptionally nervous when put on the spot in front of so many prestigious individuals. As the questions begin to flow, however, she becomes more and more comfortable, as saying her qualifications aloud makes her realise how much she actually is right for this expedition. What kind of experience do you have studying objects and structures recovered by excavation to identify, date, and authenticate them and to interpret their significance? "Well, I've been a historian, scholar, and professor for years. Part of my duties have been authenticating items that have been brought to the university. I've never been to a dig site before, myself... but, even so, I have uncovered some fraudulences before!" What skills do you possess that would be an asset to a colony with no readily available resources?
Illena frowns at this. "...Little experience, but! I speak a variety of languages, I can tell you which plants are poison and which are safe to eat, which will cause rashes and which will close wounds. I can say the same for wildlife - though rarely will any of those creatures close wounds." She grins, but it quickly fades. "I'm passable with a sword, an experienced medic, and a cartographer. Oh, and I've studied Azlanti lore and history." Provide an example of a time when you successfully organized a diverse group of people to accomplish a task.
Here Illena smiles outright. "Haven't you ever taught before? I can think of no more a diverse group than students who have come from all over for different reasons and with different intents. The key to organizing them is to make each feel valued. Roles within a team are important. Everyone has a share of responsibility - not so much to be crushing - but enough that they feel they have value." Illena goes off into a story about a particular student once, who'd only come to the school because his father wanted him to. He'd never felt like part of a team before, never been relied on, and though it was tough to get through to him, by the end of the semester he was closer to his classmates than he'd been with his family. Finally, why do YOU want to be a part of this Expedition? Illena choses her words carefully here, not wanting to seem too self-serving. "My... years so far have been in the pursuit of knowledge more than experience. I've studied and learned and taught, and in doing so, I've made the choice to put other things on hold. This is the furthest I've been from home in years...." "You asked if I had experience surviving in tropical climates. I don't, but I want that experience. I want to see more of the world before us. I want to put my knowledge to use, to feel like what I've studied has put me in a place where I have value. I believe it does, I believe that I'd be an asset. But I still want to know for sure. And while I may return to teach for the remainder of my years, I want those memories, and I want the knowledge I can't get from a book, that when danger was at the gates, I knew what to do."
Illena nods and politely smiles at the master, even as she feels her heart drop into her stomach. Walking away from him she notices how many people are standing around, and if they were all here to try and prove their case... She sighs, unsure of what hope she has. It's not a question of qualifications, she knows, it's about how you present yourself, and she's far from the bragging type. Besides, she thinks as her eyes pass over the crowd, any one of them could easily lie about their own abilities. Pausing for a moment, she wonders what Ailson would do in this circumstance, before swatting the thought away. She reminds herself for what may be the thousandth time that she's not Ailson, and that she can do things her own way. She begins walking towards Skyreach, ears open to those around her, trying to determine what skills the others have, and whether there may be a place for her yet.
Prologue: Illena stands in the courtyard of the Grand Lodge, watching the other members for a few moments to try and best gauge the appropriate way to act. Frowning at herself, she casts those thoughts aside. "This is not a place to be worried about being proper." She scolds herself. "You must act your new role."
Nodding to herself, she walks towards Kreighton Shaine, first attempting to feign a swagger, before realising no one is looking anyway, and abandoning the silly plan to simply walk as she usually would. She gives a short bow as she approaches, "Master Shaine, I presume? My name is Illena Merriweather, I'd like to join the Peregrine" Taking care to keep the Pathfinder Society out of her introduction this time, she flashes a nervous but still quite warm smile.
Alias is together! Very excited to play with y'all. |
