[ And from the brief sense of anticipation mingling with hunger there (as well as something about hot apple and strawberry slices), it's something he plans to eat a.s.a.p. ]
This is a sensation that can only be described as giving a person that birthday present they always wanted. ]
Ten minutes! [ It loosens Red up in a way where he isn't hiding so well his emotions, and he doesn't even properly give a 'see you', more than he does a feeling of it. That's the great thing about mental links--you can always tell someone something by just thinking it, and moving on.
And ten minutes is plenty time for Red to get to the small pastry shop, the time of day around where they're rather busy inside, and so he won't wait for Penelo to arrive to go in, evident by the...two filled paper bags he can be found hugging to his lap outside, cheekily using one of the seats from the coffee shop next door in his wait for the blonde-haired girl.
It gives him a good place to look out for her, and for him to wave a hand for her to notice him and to come over, removing what definitely isn't a bear claw from his mouth to balance on the table, and to get out for her a whole bear claw. Totally different from what he was eating. ]
I went in to beat the queues! I've got some other ones too, they're still warm!
[She is...actually kind of amazed by Red right now. He went through a lot of effort to get her that stupid bear claw, and at the same time had clearly picked up on her emotions enough to know she'd wanted that specific thing. It's ridiculous.
Who is this kid...? Why is he the nicest person ever?]
Oh my goodness. Thank you, Red.
[Why is his name a color.]
I owe you, for the pastry.
[Sitting down across from him, she tugs one bear-toe off and nibbles at it, the candied nut crunching as the air around her lightens up, the scent of lilies drifting around them.]
Is that a sweet tooth joke? [ With the two bags of treats it's deserved, and he accepts it as such happily, as well as picking up his own bear claw spoilers it was a bear clear after all. ]
I was going to buy the apple and strawberry slices they sell, but when you started thinking about these, I had to get one! [ Or five. ] It's the least I can give you too, for helping me out. I know you said you were just doing the right thing, but I appreciate it. Being new and dealing with all that emotion trying to influence you... I asked a lot of people, you and Rocket...
It was really tough on some people, especially on that mountain.
[She takes another bite, chowing down a bit and letting him talk, using the moments to mull over what he's saying. When he finishes, she shakes her head and reaches out towards him, putting a hand on his.]
You asked nothing we didn't give willingly. I really did agree with Rocket, that the cavern was probably a trap, and I got scared. But it was the least I could do. I haven't been here that long, but you know, I've seen what happens when people sit around and do nothing when they have some capacity to do a little good. I think he has too.
[Despite all the protestations to the contrary.]
I'm glad I was able to help, even if it was just a little bit. Because that was the right thing to do. For all these people.
[ He smiles at her and that warm hand of hers, a speck of the pastry at the side of his mouth, and he retains the smile (and the crumb) as he gives a short shake of his head. ]
It was definitely a trap, one way or another, but you weren't going to make anyone turn back after getting all the way up there... too many people were upset. [ Or insulted. But let's not get into that. ] I don't blame anyone for sticking behind. It was stupid to go in, but even if we didn't, I think Elios would've sent his birds after us with the state he was in.
[ He shrugs as he shares the possibility, the thought something he had considered when asked about the right thing to do in that situation. His own reason for going in was to protect the others, but he had doubts about their success, even with as optimistic as he could be.
(But maybe he was hoping for the best, too.) ]
He's a good guy, normally. I know you've never seen it for yourself, but Elios... it's the reason we've got to be careful about an Arehtei's health, and balance. He probably wishes we didn't leave or disappear, but he wouldn't go crazy like that.
[Nibbling, she smiles at Red and reaches out to brush aside the crumb on his cheek. That's just weird.]
I believe you. I don't know any of the Arehtei, but the closest things we have in my world are just as mercurial and dangerous. I can tell that Elios isn't...like them. The Occuria wouldn't have just left like that, but they're also less tied to something outside their control.
[Honestly all they want is control.]
Elios and the others seems reasonable enough. But more like forces of nature than anything else.
He touches at his own cheek afterwards, but briefly, just echoing where her hand had been. ]
They're bound by how we feel, when it comes down to it. If they start going one way or another, it's because that's what we're sending them, but it takes time for them to lose control. It isn't fair for anyone, but...that's the way it is.
[ He says it a little uncomfortably, a fact of life in this world , and after a quick pause he looks over Penelo once, as if searching for something. ]
Do you know who you're aligned to?
[ He remembers she isn't an Elios aligned, or hadn't said herself to be. Those they had asked to be careful out there at the mountain and how Elios could influence them easier. ]
[She'd...filled up a portion of the crystal pretty quickly, all things considered. Touching the little bracelet she'd woken up with, she smiles fondly.]
Thras. Fear and Courage. Which...given how much some friends at home tease me for being overcautious...seems fitting enough.
[None of them have praised her to her face, at any rate. But they all think she's brave.]
[ He eyes for a moment where she touches, smiling a little himself. ]
Did you like him? Guess there wasn't really a lot of time to get to know him out there, [ he admits, pausing for a second and then adding: ] I was aligned to him too when I came here. He's nice. He thinks other people don't like him, but I do.
[ And that's that, apparently, Red biting into the claw. ]
He did say that a while back, [ so maybe his feelings aren't exaaaactly the same ] but you should! He says he wants to learn more about the people who come here--and you're aligned, so I bet he'd be extra interested! And he'll tell you anything you want to know too.
[ The chipper expression hasn't left him, not until his eyes widen and then he suddenly leans in, voice hushing some. ]
Oh, but... I don't know if you should tell him I told you he's been feeling lonely. You should want to visit him to get to know him, right? [ Not out of pity, is the implication. Red leans back. ]
But if you ever need to speak to an Arehtei, he's a good guy to go to!
Well yes? That seems like something that should be done, and not just because he may be lonely. He obviously deserves respect, too. And I'm interested in learning more about this world, even if I don't want to stay here forever.
[She can only imagine the kinds of stories a dragon-creature like Thras could tell. And even if she is an adult, she's a kid at heart.]
Well...no, I just want to ask if he has any stories from the world that was. Like...legends and stuff. That seems like something a dragon would think is silly though.
[ He nods, and putting his hands around the bags still sitting on his lap... ]
So it starts of with... all the humans in the world stopped moving! Maybe everything? Or, they started to; this was because the first Arehtei wanted all the emotion to the world, so the people... the ones that weren't as still as statues, they pleaded to the Arehtei to let them have emotion too. So they could live!
But the Arehtei said no -- they wanted to keep it all. To keep it safe. So when the Arehtei were sleeping, the people cooked up a plan. [ He raises a hand, holding something invisible. ] They took up scisses-- [ um. ] A blade. And they went to the sleeping Arehtei, and they cut a hole in them!
[ He makes a straight motion in the air... someone doesn't mind getting into the storytelling spirit. ]
When they awoke and flew in the morning, one by one, emotion poured over the land. Everything filled with life once more! The sky was as red as a fire...
[ He waves a hand, gaze drifting side-eyes--it has a few times, to remember what he can of such a long ago tale. ]
The last Arehtei, they were the only one to look back to everyone, and said... 'Your plan worked. And now you have to live with that... how your emotions will burn the world.'
[Pen listens quietly, letting Red talk and not daring to interrupt. he's so animated, and it's nice, even if he is younger than her. He clearly paid attention, and she respects anyone that can tell a good story.]
That. that sounds pretty wild.
[Like a few legends back home.]
You think it's a cautionary tale? A warning from the Arehtei about emotions? Because it sure sounds like it.
Dunno! [ He answers honestly. ] She kept mentioning the first Arehtei at the time and I asked her to tell me. Because stories from the past... there's a reason to remember them.
[ Which reminds him of what she just said--a legend can tell a lot about the people. ]
What would the warning be? Too much emotion is a bad thing? It sounds like the Arehtei didn't trusted the humans with their own emotions. Or they thought they knew better.
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mincingminuet) wrote1998-05-06 11:36 pm
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[ And from the brief sense of anticipation mingling with hunger there (as well as something about hot apple and strawberry slices), it's something he plans to eat a.s.a.p. ]
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Absolutely. I'm not far from there, and I'm hungry too. I like that bakery, if it's the one I'm thinking of.
[For her part, she'll actually deliberately send him an image of a bear claw, with candied almonds for each claw on the foot.]
Give me...ten minutes?
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This is a sensation that can only be described as giving a person that birthday present they always wanted. ]
Ten minutes! [ It loosens Red up in a way where he isn't hiding so well his emotions, and he doesn't even properly give a 'see you', more than he does a feeling of it. That's the great thing about mental links--you can always tell someone something by just thinking it, and moving on.
And ten minutes is plenty time for Red to get to the small pastry shop, the time of day around where they're rather busy inside, and so he won't wait for Penelo to arrive to go in, evident by the...two filled paper bags he can be found hugging to his lap outside, cheekily using one of the seats from the coffee shop next door in his wait for the blonde-haired girl.
It gives him a good place to look out for her, and for him to wave a hand for her to notice him and to come over, removing what definitely isn't a bear claw from his mouth to balance on the table, and to get out for her a whole bear claw. Totally different from what he was eating. ]
I went in to beat the queues! I've got some other ones too, they're still warm!
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Who is this kid...? Why is he the nicest person ever?]
Oh my goodness. Thank you, Red.
[Why is his name a color.]
I owe you, for the pastry.
[Sitting down across from him, she tugs one bear-toe off and nibbles at it, the candied nut crunching as the air around her lightens up, the scent of lilies drifting around them.]
Has anyone ever told you you're insanely sweet?
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I was going to buy the apple and strawberry slices they sell, but when you started thinking about these, I had to get one! [ Or five. ] It's the least I can give you too, for helping me out. I know you said you were just doing the right thing, but I appreciate it. Being new and dealing with all that emotion trying to influence you... I asked a lot of people, you and Rocket...
It was really tough on some people, especially on that mountain.
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[She takes another bite, chowing down a bit and letting him talk, using the moments to mull over what he's saying. When he finishes, she shakes her head and reaches out towards him, putting a hand on his.]
You asked nothing we didn't give willingly. I really did agree with Rocket, that the cavern was probably a trap, and I got scared. But it was the least I could do. I haven't been here that long, but you know, I've seen what happens when people sit around and do nothing when they have some capacity to do a little good. I think he has too.
[Despite all the protestations to the contrary.]
I'm glad I was able to help, even if it was just a little bit. Because that was the right thing to do. For all these people.
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It was definitely a trap, one way or another, but you weren't going to make anyone turn back after getting all the way up there... too many people were upset. [ Or insulted. But let's not get into that. ] I don't blame anyone for sticking behind. It was stupid to go in, but even if we didn't, I think Elios would've sent his birds after us with the state he was in.
[ He shrugs as he shares the possibility, the thought something he had considered when asked about the right thing to do in that situation. His own reason for going in was to protect the others, but he had doubts about their success, even with as optimistic as he could be.
(But maybe he was hoping for the best, too.) ]
He's a good guy, normally. I know you've never seen it for yourself, but Elios... it's the reason we've got to be careful about an Arehtei's health, and balance. He probably wishes we didn't leave or disappear, but he wouldn't go crazy like that.
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I believe you. I don't know any of the Arehtei, but the closest things we have in my world are just as mercurial and dangerous. I can tell that Elios isn't...like them. The Occuria wouldn't have just left like that, but they're also less tied to something outside their control.
[Honestly all they want is control.]
Elios and the others seems reasonable enough. But more like forces of nature than anything else.
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He touches at his own cheek afterwards, but briefly, just echoing where her hand had been. ]
They're bound by how we feel, when it comes down to it. If they start going one way or another, it's because that's what we're sending them, but it takes time for them to lose control. It isn't fair for anyone, but...that's the way it is.
[ He says it a little uncomfortably, a fact of life in this world , and after a quick pause he looks over Penelo once, as if searching for something. ]
Do you know who you're aligned to?
[ He remembers she isn't an Elios aligned, or hadn't said herself to be. Those they had asked to be careful out there at the mountain and how Elios could influence them easier. ]
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[She'd...filled up a portion of the crystal pretty quickly, all things considered. Touching the little bracelet she'd woken up with, she smiles fondly.]
Thras. Fear and Courage. Which...given how much some friends at home tease me for being overcautious...seems fitting enough.
[None of them have praised her to her face, at any rate. But they all think she's brave.]
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Did you like him? Guess there wasn't really a lot of time to get to know him out there, [ he admits, pausing for a second and then adding: ] I was aligned to him too when I came here. He's nice. He thinks other people don't like him, but I do.
[ And that's that, apparently, Red biting into the claw. ]
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[She takes a bite as well. Nom.]
I should probably try and speak to him more often, if he feels like nobody likes him.
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He did say that a while back, [ so maybe his feelings aren't exaaaactly the same ] but you should! He says he wants to learn more about the people who come here--and you're aligned, so I bet he'd be extra interested! And he'll tell you anything you want to know too.
[ The chipper expression hasn't left him, not until his eyes widen and then he suddenly leans in, voice hushing some. ]
Oh, but... I don't know if you should tell him I told you he's been feeling lonely. You should want to visit him to get to know him, right? [ Not out of pity, is the implication. Red leans back. ]
But if you ever need to speak to an Arehtei, he's a good guy to go to!
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[She can only imagine the kinds of stories a dragon-creature like Thras could tell. And even if she is an adult, she's a kid at heart.]
I wonder if he'd even entertain that notion.
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[ Is that what she means? ]
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[Being a super cool dragon and all!]
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What would you ask about? You said the world... [ But that's a rather broad subject, isn't it. ]
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But it's worth a shot! I've never asked him anything like that before. [ To confirm--- ] Actual stories that people used to pass down?
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I know one! I asked Sosyne about the first ever Arehtei a long time ago, and she gave me a story that children were listening to. It was a memory.
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[That sounds really interesting!]
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So it starts of with... all the humans in the world stopped moving! Maybe everything? Or, they started to; this was because the first Arehtei wanted all the emotion to the world, so the people... the ones that weren't as still as statues, they pleaded to the Arehtei to let them have emotion too. So they could live!
But the Arehtei said no -- they wanted to keep it all. To keep it safe. So when the Arehtei were sleeping, the people cooked up a plan. [ He raises a hand, holding something invisible. ] They took up scisses-- [ um. ] A blade. And they went to the sleeping Arehtei, and they cut a hole in them!
[ He makes a straight motion in the air... someone doesn't mind getting into the storytelling spirit. ]
When they awoke and flew in the morning, one by one, emotion poured over the land. Everything filled with life once more! The sky was as red as a fire...
[ He waves a hand, gaze drifting side-eyes--it has a few times, to remember what he can of such a long ago tale. ]
The last Arehtei, they were the only one to look back to everyone, and said... 'Your plan worked. And now you have to live with that... how your emotions will burn the world.'
...
Something like that!
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That. that sounds pretty wild.
[Like a few legends back home.]
You think it's a cautionary tale? A warning from the Arehtei about emotions? Because it sure sounds like it.
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[ Which reminds him of what she just said--a legend can tell a lot about the people. ]
What would the warning be? Too much emotion is a bad thing? It sounds like the Arehtei didn't trusted the humans with their own emotions. Or they thought they knew better.
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