[it is a perfectly reasonable thing to ask! clearly! and they'd surely listen!]
Honestly, I'm excited to meet them. They seem nice. Usually the people I meet from other worlds have their own agenda, you know? I like being able to talk to people who are just normal.
Isn't it normal to want to meet them? They're your family.
Charon's thinking way ahead of me, though. I'm guessing we'd have to get a house set up for them before we let them all out, if that's what they want. It'll take time.
You should ask them what they want to do. There will be many options, I think.
No need for thanks, though. I just…want to help you do right by them? It doesn’t sound like you could have a lot of help with that normally, without magic in the mix.
They're like you, right? Then whatever they want to do is possible. Between me and Charon I bet we can handle anything they want to do. And you too, of course.
Is that what you want to use this precious time for? It's fine as long as we get to compliment you back. Maybe this counts as mental fortitude training.
You are one of a very small handful of people I would trust with my life. You view your lack of combat skill by your world's standards as holding you back, but soldiers and strength can be raised anywhere, in any world. The capacity to fight and kill is an easy one to find in the hearts of men. The capacity to love and care so much that you step forward to change the world for it is rare, and far dearer. In my world, I suspect, it would make you a hero in the eyes of the stars, enviable and accursed. In yours, and here, you are so in the eyes of your children and loved ones, though I pray without that mark of heavy fate.
I have seen your memories. I have seen your fear. You provide the care and the laughter, the warmth that must fill the void after combat, lest it ring hollow. You provide the resourcefulness: when men have power, they tend to see it as a hammer and all obstacles as nails, but you see the other tools that lie for the taking. You provide perspective. It is harder, far harder, to fight from a position of weakness; to not know if something can be done before you do it and to step forward to the task regardless, all unknowing.
...
Do not misunderstand. While all of these virtues lie in the value of what you provide others, you yourself have always been worth knowing. Worth being given love, and not only giving it away. Stout and generous heart, tenacious mind. I hope to know you all my days.
[squirms in his spot, ears pink. ok that was embarrassing. looks up at the branches of the tree to compose himself; a few pink blossoms sprout on the lowest branches]
Thank you for saying so. You're pretty biased since you've only known me here. It's easier to show the uglier parts of yourself when you have to deal with society. So please don't set your expectations too high.
But that straightforward sincerity of yours is one of the reasons I like you. I don't think I can praise you as eloquently as you praised me, but...I know you work hard even when you make everything seem easy. I admire your steadfast determination to see things through to the end. You're smart and refined and always kinder than you think you are. From a distance you seem put together and unruffled by anything, and I can't help but like that reassuring side of you too. Who doesn't like standing next to capable people? But still, the human parts of you stand out just as much. You're willing to learn to reach out with a hug, or pull a dangerous stunt in the hopes that it will help us move forward, or shamelessly wield your anger to achieve results. Maybe it's insulting to hear...but I really like your clumsy efforts to do the things you're not good at, just as much as I like seeing you perfectly handle the things you are good at. Seeing you be so fully human makes it feel like you're within my reach. I'm lucky to know you, and even luckier to be able to stay by your side.
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Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
[it is a perfectly reasonable thing to ask! clearly! and they'd surely listen!]
Honestly, I'm excited to meet them. They seem nice. Usually the people I meet from other worlds have their own agenda, you know? I like being able to talk to people who are just normal.
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
I had been thinking about how to free them from their confinement and programming, as well.
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
. . . Thank you for wanting to. Both of you.
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
Isn't it normal to want to meet them? They're your family.
Charon's thinking way ahead of me, though. I'm guessing we'd have to get a house set up for them before we let them all out, if that's what they want. It'll take time.
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
No need for thanks, though. I just…want to help you do right by them? It doesn’t sound like you could have a lot of help with that normally, without magic in the mix.
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
My sisters are the magic. The outside help changes everything.
To decide what they want, though -- well . . . we would probably need to show them what's possible.
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
[smiles at them both, a small brief thing]
What else did we wish to tell each other, while we are here…?
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
You tell me.
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
I could start complimenting both of you while you can’t escape.
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
Charon.
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
I’m hearing mixed messages.
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
Do Lethe.
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
It's only fair to do both of us, but start in whatever order you want. I can handle a few compliments. I know I'm pretty capable.
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
You are one of a very small handful of people I would trust with my life. You view your lack of combat skill by your world's standards as holding you back, but soldiers and strength can be raised anywhere, in any world. The capacity to fight and kill is an easy one to find in the hearts of men. The capacity to love and care so much that you step forward to change the world for it is rare, and far dearer. In my world, I suspect, it would make you a hero in the eyes of the stars, enviable and accursed. In yours, and here, you are so in the eyes of your children and loved ones, though I pray without that mark of heavy fate.
I have seen your memories. I have seen your fear. You provide the care and the laughter, the warmth that must fill the void after combat, lest it ring hollow. You provide the resourcefulness: when men have power, they tend to see it as a hammer and all obstacles as nails, but you see the other tools that lie for the taking. You provide perspective. It is harder, far harder, to fight from a position of weakness; to not know if something can be done before you do it and to step forward to the task regardless, all unknowing.
...
Do not misunderstand. While all of these virtues lie in the value of what you provide others, you yourself have always been worth knowing. Worth being given love, and not only giving it away. Stout and generous heart, tenacious mind. I hope to know you all my days.
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
JUST LOOKS BETWEEN THEM ]
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
Thank you for saying so. You're pretty biased since you've only known me here. It's easier to show the uglier parts of yourself when you have to deal with society. So please don't set your expectations too high.
But that straightforward sincerity of yours is one of the reasons I like you. I don't think I can praise you as eloquently as you praised me, but...I know you work hard even when you make everything seem easy. I admire your steadfast determination to see things through to the end. You're smart and refined and always kinder than you think you are. From a distance you seem put together and unruffled by anything, and I can't help but like that reassuring side of you too. Who doesn't like standing next to capable people? But still, the human parts of you stand out just as much. You're willing to learn to reach out with a hug, or pull a dangerous stunt in the hopes that it will help us move forward, or shamelessly wield your anger to achieve results. Maybe it's insulting to hear...but I really like your clumsy efforts to do the things you're not good at, just as much as I like seeing you perfectly handle the things you are good at. Seeing you be so fully human makes it feel like you're within my reach. I'm lucky to know you, and even luckier to be able to stay by your side.
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
looks firmly away, colour rising along his cheekbones. stiff, too formal:]
Thank you.
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
[glances at Charon's face and then back up at the tree, continuing to add apple blossoms to it]
Don't forget to compliment Minuet, too. He'll try to wiggle out of it if you don't act fast.
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
Why me?! I need more time to emotionally prepare than that! Not everyone can spout off sincere virtues at the drop of a hat!
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
1/2
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
1/2
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise