...I do hope so. I know I'm much better prepared now, but I bet they'll find ways to pull the rug from under us even so. There's only so much we can predict and prepare for.
[She hesitates. Then comes up to join him proper at his side.]
So. The best plan I can think of for now is find ways to trust one another. Even if that trust might get betrayed later, by our own doing or...some kind of crazy possession again.
I know that just because we came from the same place before doesn't mean we can assume anything about each other. Especially if we're all going to be split into teams, somehow. But I'd like to get to know you for real this time, Artemy. Would that be all right?
[ glancing to her and offering a slightly strained smile. he has so many things going through his head right now, the idea that they most likely won't be placed together, that they'll have to work with and against each other simultaneously.
it's a lot to take in. to balance. but it must be done. ]
Trust is what we have, [ looking outwards ] as a Menkhu, I believe our connections are the strongest things that we have as beings of thought and emotion. Our desire to become interconnected with one another is what makes us strong.
[ as she says that last part however, his expression softens towards her, and maybe there's the faintest bit of a smile there. ]
Only if it would be alright that I do the same. [ his eyes lower ] You fought like hell every day aboard the ship. I hold nothing but respect for your spirit - your Lines are strong. I don't have to see them to know that.
Menkhu? [She cants her head, curious.] I do agree. It's what makes life worth living, making friends and finding family. Or just spending time with the family you have? Things are different for everyone, depends on the situation.
[There's a slight fluster at his kind words. She glances away, tucking a hair behind her ear.]
I don't know if I'd say that. I was very...unsettled. I really made a mess of things back then.
But I know much better now. About many things. And we've all been through quite a lot, so I think we can be at least a little prepared for what might be coming.
"One who knows the Lines" ... someone who sees the interconnectedness of life. Bodies. People. Things. It is a title given to the equivalent of a surgeon to the Kin where I am from...
[ he certainly doesn't get to see those lines now, which is frustrating as all hell, but he's dealing with it. he's been without before, he can be without again. he waves his hand a little bit. ]
And we all made our own messes, you cannot be at fault for everything, and shouldn't hold yourself to that... but you cannot deny your own tenacity. And kindness.
[ a light nudge, shoulder to shoulder. there's remorse there. ]
But you're right - we can take what we've learned and apply it. As much as I hate that we're going through this once again, we at least know the name of the game. Maybe none of its rules just yet, but we know there will be, and that's half of what we need to walk into this.
That sounds a bit like being a witch. Like my friend Timothy! Though it's not quite the same thing, just that magic can give you a very different perspective on things. Understanding, too.
[Aaaaah no this is too nice. She ducks her head away, smiling.]
...Thank you, Artemy. You're really too much. You know, it only makes me regret not trying harder to speak to you before, but again! I'll stop apologizing.
We can make it. Get our prizes back and everything. I know it.
no subject
[ a sigh. ]
Nothing. We don't owe them anything... but to make sure everything remains as it should be, we have to be aligned and agree to play as a whole.
[ he looks to her, a thin smile on his lips. ]
But if we did it once, what's to say we can't do it again. The bones of the game are the same. We have the will, the way will come.
no subject
[She hesitates. Then comes up to join him proper at his side.]
So. The best plan I can think of for now is find ways to trust one another. Even if that trust might get betrayed later, by our own doing or...some kind of crazy possession again.
I know that just because we came from the same place before doesn't mean we can assume anything about each other. Especially if we're all going to be split into teams, somehow. But I'd like to get to know you for real this time, Artemy. Would that be all right?
no subject
it's a lot to take in. to balance. but it must be done. ]
Trust is what we have, [ looking outwards ] as a Menkhu, I believe our connections are the strongest things that we have as beings of thought and emotion. Our desire to become interconnected with one another is what makes us strong.
[ as she says that last part however, his expression softens towards her, and maybe there's the faintest bit of a smile there. ]
Only if it would be alright that I do the same. [ his eyes lower ] You fought like hell every day aboard the ship. I hold nothing but respect for your spirit - your Lines are strong. I don't have to see them to know that.
no subject
[There's a slight fluster at his kind words. She glances away, tucking a hair behind her ear.]
I don't know if I'd say that. I was very...unsettled. I really made a mess of things back then.
But I know much better now. About many things. And we've all been through quite a lot, so I think we can be at least a little prepared for what might be coming.
no subject
[ he certainly doesn't get to see those lines now, which is frustrating as all hell, but he's dealing with it. he's been without before, he can be without again. he waves his hand a little bit. ]
And we all made our own messes, you cannot be at fault for everything, and shouldn't hold yourself to that... but you cannot deny your own tenacity. And kindness.
[ a light nudge, shoulder to shoulder. there's remorse there. ]
But you're right - we can take what we've learned and apply it. As much as I hate that we're going through this once again, we at least know the name of the game. Maybe none of its rules just yet, but we know there will be, and that's half of what we need to walk into this.
no subject
[Aaaaah no this is too nice. She ducks her head away, smiling.]
...Thank you, Artemy. You're really too much. You know, it only makes me regret not trying harder to speak to you before, but again! I'll stop apologizing.
We can make it. Get our prizes back and everything. I know it.