crescentview | 🌸FALL CATCHALL🌸

[ Ah, about that.

Trahearne's unease and disappointment in himself had eased these past few days; the cruise, it turned out, had been a good distraction. As refreshing as it has been, he can't lose sight of his goal. ]

Not at all. There's no need to apologise.

I have enjoyed my time on the ship, and I have enjoyed spending time with and getting to know both you and Pyra. Though I'd hardly count our time spent here as romantic, I still value it nonetheless.

[ There's a little pause. ]

To be honest, I was not expecting this whole ordeal to be so...serious. Considering our previous town events were not.

[There'a a visible ease to the Touken's shoulders as he nods his understanding, one hand rubbing absent-mindedly at his neck as he lets the pieces of the auction play back through his memory.]

I don't know if it was intended to be. Things just spiraled out of control pretty fast on a few different avenues. I don't know if anyone could have guessed that much.

The goddess is pretty insistent we get married to someone by the end of all this, though. Who knows what will happen if she gets impatient. Maybe she will want us to be more serious.

Though... [And his voice drops to a mutter.] I wish she'd get the message that some of us just can't commit to that.

Edited 2023-02-04 06:53 (UTC)

[ There's a part of him that wonders if this cruise is meant to show that things are about to be more serious--though Trahearne had always only ever had sights set on one person, his own doubts and questions had held him back. And that led him to what felt like aimless wandering. But what has happened in the past few days has been enough for him to start taking this seriously, and that his attitude about this had been wrong.

And so he nods at that.

What Otegine says last, however, sets off those quiet alarm bells again. He looks over at him with a concerned frown. ]

Why do you say that, Otegine?

[...]

What do they call it now... a "conflict of interests", I guess?

[There's more he wants to say, but he bites his tongue. No, he knows better. He can be smarter about this.]

Remembering what might be waiting at home makes it hard to make promises. Responsibilities, and just... how things have to be...

War doesn't leave room for much else. That's why those who can fight, do. So others can make those memories and chart history, even if we can't promise to join them.

[Trahearne's a soldier, isn't he? Surely he can understand that much, even if Otegine's coming at it from a perspective far different than a regular footman.]

That's all I meant.

[ Right.

Trahearne's head and gaze snap slightly out towards the sunset again, as though trying to ignore his own questions regarding the matter. That's how his entire life has been thus far, and why he had been perfectly content to set aside the frivolous thought of romance. But now? Given another life and another chance? If he's doomed to return to the exact moment whence he came, then is it even fair to him or any other at this point?

He idly wonders if he'd been better off left to oblivion in that case. ]

I see.

[ His voice is quiet in understanding, because this sounds so familiar. Even if it does not quite apply to him one hundred percent. ]

Even if given the opportunity to travel with another to their world, [ He doesn't know how it works for those who come from different realities. ] would you find it hard to abandon your duties at home?

[ Even Trahearne, at the end of the day, would still want to go back. Even if he isn't needed anymore. ]

[...]

Yeah. To be honest, I don't even know if it's possible. I... probably shouldn't dwell on if it's possible, really.

[A tsukumogami set loose from its confines, without a master to keep its new body whole, without a check on its emotions, without a purpose to keep it grounded... he wonders if he'd become nothing more than a ghost of what he is now, if that.]

Our citadel gets used to passing through others lives like this. So it's not exactly a new situation. All we can really do is do our job, and help where we can. [Things like staying behind, falling in love... not so much.]

...

Uh. Actually, speaking of that, though... [He starts rummaging through the pockets of his jacket, eventually producing a small leather pouch.] If you don't mind, sir... I have something for you.

Edited 2023-02-06 16:26 (UTC)

[ In the pause, Trahearne studies Otegine, a hint of sympathy in his eyes. Though he isn't exactly sure of the particulars...it sounds like a lonely existence, one marked by a singular purpose. To wait for orders and enact war--surely, he thinks, Otegine deserves better than this.

His thoughts are so concentrated on Otegine, though, that he's a bit surprised when the other turns the conversation to him. To a gift. For him?

Trahearne's head tilts, brows knitting lightly in his puzzlement. ]

You do?

[He nods and holds the pouch out.]

Just something that I thought could be useful to you. You could think of it as cultural exchanges, too, I guess.

Please.

Edited 2023-02-06 17:10 (UTC)

Oh.

[ Trahearne eyes it curiously, then gingerly takes it in his hand. He looks at it, turning it over in his palm. It certainly is...unique. He's never seen anything like it before. ]

What is it?

[ cultural exchange indeed ]

[It's definitely not a pretty item! The clumsy etchings of kanji into the leather have been done by hand, a circular crest one one side with a crossed shape through the center. The knot of the straps decorating the top is a little messy, but rather secure.]

It's called omamori. It's a charm meant to give luck, protection and good fortune. This one is for shiawase - a blessing from the gods for someone's happiness.

[A pause, and his smile quirks.]

Just don't open it. Normally at home, they're filled with a prayer and blessed by the gods or their priests. Opening it breaks the blessing. Our master will send them with us to help protect us in battle-- [Not commander. Master.] -- but since we don't have him around...

[He shrugs, slipping his hands into his pockets.]

It's kind of out of my power, so I can't promise it's anything more than a charm like this. But I figured you deserved to have something out there looking out for you.

[Would a spirit as minor as him be able to do anything at all? He's not sure. But maybe, at least... it could keep them from losing heart.]

[ For happiness.

Trahearne stares at the little charm in his hand, and its purpose, its function weighs on him in a strange way. It takes a bit longer for it all to register in his mind, admittedly, to put it all together. His fingers curl lightly around it, a subconscious sign of acceptance of the gift.

He had no idea Syrlya's housemate was thinking of him like this. He feels a little lump in his throat. ]

Otegine, this is...so thoughtful of you. And incredibly kind. [ Allowing himself to tell himself that he does deserve normal happiness, that he can selfishly work towards gaining some for himself instead of working towards others' constantly, has been a battle. One he's waged quietly with himself, with some helpful words from others, and it really starts to put into perspective what he thinks is deserved and what isn't. Perhaps Otegine doesn't realize how much this means to him. ]

Thank you.

[ When he looks up, there's a whole mix of emotions on his face. ]

I did not know you were a god of sorts. Even if your powers are not as effective here, the gesture is still appreciated nonetheless.

Ah... nah, you're giving me too much credit, Trahearne. I'm pretty minor in the bigger scheme of things.

Tsukumogami don't get power or authority like regular kami. Not all of us are sacred, either. We're more... artifact spirits.

[His head cocks a bit to the side, looking out towards the ocean.]

It's my job to protect the living. So, you know... even if I don't have much power the way I am, or don't always understand what I can do like this for any of you... at least I can stick to what I know.

[ Too much credit? Otegine is a literal spirit with blessing powers and Trahearne is giving him too much credit? A wry smile slowly crosses his face as Otegine speaks, and he grips the omamori as his hand drops. ]

I am no spirit, I have no supernatural powers to bless others or anything of the sort. I believe I am giving you the right amount of credit, Otegine. Please, I would wish that you would pay yourself the same kindness.

[ Trahearne is always the first to humble himself, but he'll readily admit that he knows more about Orr than anyone else on Tyria, or that he has sway with the Pale Tree that some of his other siblings might not have. It's a bit bewildering to know someone who is constantly humbling himself.

He takes a step towards Otegine before he looks over at the sunset as well. ]

But you are an artifact spirit. I sort of understand now. [ And back to Otegine his gaze goes. ] Thank you for telling me. I'm glad to know more about you.

N-no, no, I mean it... I'm just a spear, sir, I can't really bless anything like an actual god, so... uh... it's why I hope what little I can do is still something serviceable for you. For Syrlya, too.

[He doesn't want Traheaene leaving with a nice lie over a misunderstanding of Otegine's own phrasing. A verbal blessing, a written blessing and an actual defied blessing were all such different things...

...

]

You're welcome.

I... ask that you keep it between us. Only a couple people know right now, including Syrlya, but... please believe me when I say it's for the better that way.

Syr's said you have magic back where you're from. But he's never really talked about gods

[ "Just a spear"?

...

Ah. All the talk they've had about war and usefulness finally make sense--it all falls into place. If Otegine is a spear spirit, then of course he would be concerned about finding purpose outside of battle. And that he might not consider himself suitable for farming or romance. Trahearne's eyes settle on Otegine, and they narrow slightly as he studies him. Perhaps he is a spear, yes, but all he sees before him is a perfectly human-looking person. It's...hard to think past that. Perhaps that's his own shortcoming. ]

You have my word. [ He dips his head in a bow, a show of his promise and the genuine intent behind it. That might alarm Otegine, but Trahearne's Tyrian ass doesn't know that. ] This knowledge is safe with me.

[ Ah, the gods. A little smile crosses Trahearne's face before he looks out over the ocean. Tangentially an area of expertise for him. ]

There are gods on Tyria, yes. In the strictest sense of the word, The Six are beings that only the humans worship. Other races look to different all-powerful beings for guidance--the norn, for example, have the Spirits of the Wild. [ A pause in thought. ] Which do you mean?

[Trahearne bows, and Otegine lowers his head in polite return. It's not often someone shows this sort of respect, and it does leave an awkward taste in the mouth when he does still consider this Sylvari in front of him a commander ]

I'll hold you to that. Thank you.

[Trahearne dives into a topic of intelligence, and Otegine is left to chuckle as he tries to keep up.]

Ah, I didn't have any specific kind in mind, really. We have thousands in my country alone.

I guess... which do you know the best?

Thousands?

[ The parroting comes unwittingly. Trahearne can't imagine what it must be like to have thousands of gods to whom one must offer worship. He often figures humans have trouble keeping up with six. Thousands?

Slowly, he begins to tap his finger against the railing as he thinks. Otegine's lack of specification has made this a difficult question to answer for his scholar's mind. And considering the perspectives among races as to what counts as a "worshippable" entity doubtlessly varies; while he would never consider the Pale Tree a deity, there were likely some non-sylvari out there who did. That's silly. She's their mother. ]

A significant part of my studies included the human gods. [ Trahearne's ultimate answer is measured as he chooses his words carefully. ] You may remember this as I spoke of it on stage at the goddess's contest, but before the Kingdom of Orr fell and succumbed to corruption, it was said to be home to the Six.

[ He glances at Otegine again. ] My knowledge of the human gods is purely academic and historical. Worship on Tyria is diverse and complicated, and I'm afraid I won't have every answer.

[ Best make it clear where his limits lie before Otegine keeps asking questions--he's not sure if this is leading somewhere. ]

Mn. Some are major with followers across the entire world, and some, like me, are very minor. I had plenty of care as an artifact, but I'm not one of the ones important enough to be worshipped.

[He won't go into why. It can be left for another time.

He patiently lets Trahearne consider his options, a chuckle from his lips with the Sylvari's warning.]

It's fine, Trahearne. I'm not here to judge. That's for way more important deities out there.

I'd just like to know more about what you know. As a friend.

Edited (Hello?? Wally??? Anyway I fixed it) 2023-02-11 03:22 (UTC)

[ Not important enough to be worshipped... That's kind of sad, in a way. Trahearne's brow twitches in a furrow. While admittedly, they're not very close, he's finding himself thinking that Otegine deserves a lot better than what he's been given.

But when he hears the other's sentiment, his brows raise in surprise, the worry instantly vanishing. So often was he used to people coming to him because of his expertise, because he had insight that might take others years to collect. He is not used to people asking what he thinks simply because they want to get to know him.

When he smiles, it comes out lopsided. ]

I'm...touched, Otegine.

[ He thinks for a moment. This puts all of his knowledge in an entirely new light... Where does he even begin? ]

...Before I took up my position as marshal, I was an independent scholar. I would consider myself a seeker of knowledge over a soldier, you know. Most of my life was spent among books. [ And lots of "you look wilted" comments.

He studies Otegine for a moment. ] I've always wondered what it would be like to meet a god. But now I'm glad to count one among my friends.

[He laughs brightly.]

Is that right?

Ah, well... I never really got around much in my old life, so it's not like I know much of anything other than what I was made for. Hearing stories from other people can be fun, though. If you're a scholar, I'd imagine you know far more than something like me ever would.

Not all the gods are all-knowing, even if we wish we were. So... I'd like to hear a story or two, if you're ever okay with it.

[The sunset sure is getting vibrant, isn't it? Pinks and oranges that start to blossom like a flower on the horizon, expanding over the reflection of the water... Damn if that ain't pretty.]

I guess... it's part of what makes this place nice. Like seeing the sun set over the ocean. I don't know how much of this I would ever get to know otherwise...

[Has he ever seen a sky quite like... this...

...]

Edited 2023-02-15 12:45 (UTC)

[His eyes don't leave the ocean.

But Otegine goes very, very still.

The heat eats at his back. The rush of the waves like flames to wood. He can't run.]

[ When Otegine directs his gaze over the brilliant red ocean, Trahearne does the same. ]

I agree. You know, I don't mind telling you a story now. [ He leans over the railing, feeling the breeze in his hair. ] This reminds me of Malchor. He was said to be the greatest Orrian sculptor of his time, and was commissioned to sculpt the likenesses of the gods while they still resided in Orr. It was said he'd fallen in love with...

[ He trails, realizing that the man next to him is oddly still and quiet.

He looks up, slightly alarmed by how still Otegine is. ]

Otegine?

[...

...

It takes a moment to realize his name has been called. Otegine starts, as though woken up from sleep, suddenly out of breath.]

Ah...

[A look toward Trahearne, with a shameful expression of clarity settling as he realizes what just happened. Again. But the expression rips away, right into overcompensation.]

A-ah, right! Right. Sorry, ahahah...

[It's not quite a genuine laugh, but he still promptly turns himself on his heel with his back to the railing, crossing his arms a little too tight and trying his best to ignore the cold sweat he always felt after drifting away.]

You said something about, uh... it was Malchor, right? Sorry, my attention kind of slipped.

[ Trahearne straightens himself off the railing, regarding the other curiously.

That...wasn't normal, was it? He seems tense. Even without the empathy connection, something seems off. He studies him for a moment, how his arms are tightly crossed over his chest, thinking about the strange hollow of his laugh.

Malchor can wait. ]

Is everything all right? [ Did he forget something? Remember something? His head tilts out of sympathy and concern. ]

Y-yeah. Of course!

[Said as his shoulders tense. One hand raises to run through his own hair. He's fine. He's fine. A dream is a dream and this is now and Trahearne is here and his voice was roaming purposefully like a river through the ground...

There's an apologetic glint in his eyes as his smile dies a bit.]

Please, I didn't mean to interrupt you. I'd like to listen.

(no subject)

pactmarshal - 2023-02-16 19:59 (UTC) - Expand

🌸FALL CATCHALL🌸

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

1/2

/2

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)