crescentview | winter catch-all

...

[He blows out a breath, purposefully slow. What was it about these emotions that made it so hard for everyone else to read him, but not the other way around? Unfair, really.]

Sorry. I'm... I'm just angry. Someone I care about is in trouble, and the goddess and I fought about a solution. She won't let me near her pond right now, so you could say we're not exactly on good terms anymore.

[That it took four months is a miracle.]

Ah. [Syrlya's voice travels from the kitchen. Yes, the goddess, his perpetual irritation. Though even he has seen that the speed of his ire was a but anomalous. Others were more inclined to give her a chance.

Anyway, he'll quickly brew up some green tea and bring the mug around to Otegine.] Do you want to talk about it? I may not have a solution but sometimes verbalizing can help you find the right path.

[He gratefully takes the mug between his fingers.]

Um.

Well, sorry for clearing out all the good crops from storage, for starters...

[... All of it?]

How much do we have left to eat through the winter?

...Eh?

[internal screaming

His hands are immediately up, waving that idea down.]

N-no, no no, we have plenty! I wasn't talking literally!

I-I made a bigger offering than normal, so I... tried to just find the best of what we had left from what I helped out with, that's all...

Oh. [Well, okay. But he's still going to check their food stores later.] It must have been important, whatever it was.

...Yeah, it was. To me, anyway.

[Talking about Owen's looming handicap doesn't feel right, though, still raw under the rejection. So he mulls over how to shift the topic, his mug brought to his lips.]

Syr... I know this is probably a dumb question at this point, but...

Are you hoping to go home, after this month is over?

[Syrlya pauses, realization on his face. Right, he hasn't mentioned it yet but the whole town does seen very focused on weddings.]

Well I--I don't have an exact timeline as we haven't planned anything yet, but... Trahearne did propose recently. So she we've fulfilled the Goddess' desire for a marriage... I am expecting to return to Tyria.

[He brightens up almost immediately.]

Syr -- hey, no, that's great news!! Congratulations to the both of you! I know stuff was a little rocky there at the end of the summer, so I'm glad you both found the words needed for each other.

How was it? Did he go over the top for you again?

Again? [What did he tell Otegine he did before? Syrlya had no idea. Is that what over the top counts as?]

I don't know--I mean, I don't know if it counts as over the top. It went well. He brought pie and wrote a poem.

[Syrlya realizes he really had no idea how to talk about his love life. How do people do this?]

Ah, you know. The auction and all that.

[Otegine has been saved from seeing Trahearne in a true state of nonstop adoration... he can continue to live in ignorant bliss.]

Definitely doesn't sound like it was too much, though. So long as it was memorable and meaningful...

I'm glad you both worked it out between yourselves. Maybe it's a little biased of me, but I've been wanting to see you happy, Syrlya.

[Syrlya pauses, a little taken aback. Not badly, just--he hadn't even considered, that his happiness was something Otegine was occupied with.

After a moment to recover his bearings, he smiles.] Yes, I think we've worked things out now.

But... should I assume you are going to be staying here a while longer, Otegine?

[His eyes flick to the watch around his wrist - a gift from Pyra, who had vanished into the coolness of autumn shortly after their last date. He thinks of Ori, and her comfort in the hands of another, an ache of the heart that was fleeting and short and over before it began. He thinks of Owen, and a promise he wants to keep, but one that cannot be blessed in a way the goddess wants to hear.

...]

Yeah. For now, anyway.

I came to peace with it a while ago, so it's okay. I know how it feels to be loved, but... I guess I still can't really give it in return. Not the way the goddess wants to see.

I've got nothing but time right now, though. So I want to focus on everybody else, before you all find your way home.

I see. [The gears are already turning in Syrlya's head. He has a lot of bingo squares he's never submitted. If Otegine will be staying... why not make sure his home is as secure as possible?

Well, he'll look into that later. For now, he leans over to put a reassuring hand on Otegine's arm.] Do not take it as any reflection on you. Her expectations are particular, but love isn't defined by anyone's idea of a marriage.

I don't believe Trahearne and I will be doing much, but whatever we do... I would like you to be there.

Yeah, I-- I'd like to think it's not about me, but... She's never really been that impressed with me from the start, hah. It's... more a clash of expectations right now. She can think what she wants of me, but I still can't ask for her blessing in good faith without figuring something else out first. She, uh... she made it very clear she wasn't going to budge on helping with that. So I'm on my own.

[He gives a tired wave of his hand.] That's for me to figure out, though. Not you guys. [His smile brightens, up to his eyes.]

I'd love to come, Syr. Just let me know when - I'll be there to see you off.

I can't deny this marriage is out of practicality as well... [Neither of them are totally ready for it, but Syrlya has to get back to Tyria. And he has to ensure Adelis and Mishka have that path to it as well.]

But of course, you'll be the first to know what we decide when it's happening. And what.

I don't think there's anything wrong with that. So long as we're not making feelings up for the goddess or anything, I guess she doesn't mind if the details of it all have to happen outside of her reach.

[His problem unfortunately lies in making the vow to start with. A bummer... but it's not for this conversation.]

Mn, I'm honored. If you find yourself busy and need me to cover something with the crops or chickens or anything, just say so.

With everyone getting ready to separate soon, I think it might be nice to put something together from everyone's memories. Like, uh... notes and pictures, maybe in a book to stay in the library.

[Syrlya shakes his head.] I can't imagine we'll do anything that demanding. And I would be happy to leave a piece of myself behind for you--and others who may not yet be ready to leave.

Mn... I'd love to always try and keep you to memory, Syr. I'd be pretty lost in this town without your help.

I'm really going to miss you, when you move on.

[His smile is warm, a little cheeky to fight the melancholy tinge to the statement, before bringing the mug back to his lips.]

We have a few weeks still, so take your time. I need to still figure a couple things out... I'm gonna see if I can help Ori with her workload over at the flower shop and see if she can help me with ideas. The last thing I want is to take attention away from everyone that's planning a ceremony.

[Syrlya nods slowly pursing his lips. He is going to miss Otegine. He only holds himself back from hugging him because he's holding tea.]

What I know is more... murals for the fallen, but if you need any help you just have to ask. There's still weeks ahead.

[Which probably feels much longer to Syrlya, the ten year old, than to Otegine, the four hundred year old.]

[A snort, quiet and amused.] Well, no need to make it a burial ceremony or anything. We're just passing through each other's lives, not passing on entirely.

[Not for a while, anyway. Not yet. He can only hope.]

Most of what I'd need is just some extra words of mouth, if it comes up. I'm not thinking anything too grand, but... even just notes of thanks or remembrance to the town would be good enough!

Maybe Trahearne could write up poetry, if he's in the mood?

I could certainly ask him. He's quite the wordsmith. [As they've both just discovered.] You just tell me where it's happening and I'll get word around and contribute.

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