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.
Don't say you're going to do something and then make me do it instead!
[puts Charon in a headlock for mentioning his skills. it is terrible that this actually works, though, because he thinks Charon delegating work to him is sexy
points at Minuet, almost accusingly]
You. No whining. Be graceful enough to accept what others see in you.
...Jeez, it's all stuff I've already said before, isn't it? You two are...really suited to each other. You both have the heart to do something worthwhile, the stubbornness to follow your ideals, and the intelligence and resourcefulness to make your dreams reality. It's honestly annoying to see someone so perfect exists in the world. And it's frustrating to meet someone so altruistic that I find myself falling short. I know that sounds like a backhanded compliment, but I don't mean it that way...uhm, it's more like, when you see someone stand by their ideals no matter what, it's amazing and harsh at the same time. It makes me want to do better too. You're strong, you're kind, you're resourceful, and you see the good in others far more than I ever could. You seem even more amazing because I know you haven't had it easy all this time. It's harder to stay optimistic when the universe keeps beating you down. If...I can help you live an easy, comfortable life without hardships, then I'll know I did something right in this lifetime.
[makes like no effort to escape the headlock, which makes this tableau very funny]
...
Maybe you're not ready to hear this, but I do truly think your mothers and sisters would be proud of you. Not just everything you have tried to do for them, for your world, to try for love and peace in the barren desert. To try to save all that you can, so others can start to scrape hopeful life from destruction with their own hands.
But also...that you did not even give up, when new roads opened up. You chose to turn upon them, when you have every right to lay you down and sleep. You are still...trying now, to see what it is to live instead of hard-using yourself and fading. To see how to live with strength you have already seen the consequences of; if there is a better way. To love without knives at your throat.
I don't think they gave you the power that they did because they thought you would use it poorly. I don't think they would believe you did. I hope you ask that question of them, when you return to them.
I am proud of you. To know you. If I can see you happy in your changed circumstances, I too will know I did something correct.
Minuet sinks behind his hands, a few wings sprouting out of his neck and cheeks to join in covering up. The leaves on the trees seem to tremble a little. ]
The emotions float through them like a breeze: embarrassment, but also an affection that aches to the core, like a bruised bone. Protectiveness, territorial and sharper-edged. Admiration and respect. Concern and exasperation. But also love, a deep well of it that could overwhelm if you stepped too far into it. ]
[he only has human arms to hold them both, so he wraps his arms around them and hugs them tight, his fingers tangling into feathers to the point that they can't easily pull away.]
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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
No one needs to compliment me
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
[puts Charon in a headlock for mentioning his skills. it is terrible that this actually works, though, because he thinks Charon delegating work to him is sexy
points at Minuet, almost accusingly]
You. No whining. Be graceful enough to accept what others see in you.
...Jeez, it's all stuff I've already said before, isn't it? You two are...really suited to each other. You both have the heart to do something worthwhile, the stubbornness to follow your ideals, and the intelligence and resourcefulness to make your dreams reality. It's honestly annoying to see someone so perfect exists in the world. And it's frustrating to meet someone so altruistic that I find myself falling short. I know that sounds like a backhanded compliment, but I don't mean it that way...uhm, it's more like, when you see someone stand by their ideals no matter what, it's amazing and harsh at the same time. It makes me want to do better too. You're strong, you're kind, you're resourceful, and you see the good in others far more than I ever could. You seem even more amazing because I know you haven't had it easy all this time. It's harder to stay optimistic when the universe keeps beating you down. If...I can help you live an easy, comfortable life without hardships, then I'll know I did something right in this lifetime.
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
...
Maybe you're not ready to hear this, but I do truly think your mothers and sisters would be proud of you. Not just everything you have tried to do for them, for your world, to try for love and peace in the barren desert. To try to save all that you can, so others can start to scrape hopeful life from destruction with their own hands.
But also...that you did not even give up, when new roads opened up. You chose to turn upon them, when you have every right to lay you down and sleep. You are still...trying now, to see what it is to live instead of hard-using yourself and fading. To see how to live with strength you have already seen the consequences of; if there is a better way. To love without knives at your throat.
I don't think they gave you the power that they did because they thought you would use it poorly. I don't think they would believe you did. I hope you ask that question of them, when you return to them.
I am proud of you. To know you. If I can see you happy in your changed circumstances, I too will know I did something correct.
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
Minuet sinks behind his hands, a few wings sprouting out of his neck and cheeks to join in covering up. The leaves on the trees seem to tremble a little. ]
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
[gestures to Minuet as if it say, ok, go on, you can hug him]
1/2
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
manifests whole ass dragon wings in this mindscape so he can just drag them BOTH in, christ]
1/2
He folds into it easily, a few stray feathers curling around whatever parts of them are closest. It almost seems unconsciously done. ]
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
The emotions float through them like a breeze: embarrassment, but also an affection that aches to the core, like a bruised bone. Protectiveness, territorial and sharper-edged. Admiration and respect. Concern and exasperation. But also love, a deep well of it that could overwhelm if you stepped too far into it. ]
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise
[he only has human arms to hold them both, so he wraps his arms around them and hugs them tight, his fingers tangling into feathers to the point that they can't easily pull away.]
Re: day 9?, into the mist after moonrise