[a heart.]

[antreegonist]

There's a moment of nothing but light and sensation. Someone's looking you over and the scrutiny prickles and burns – it's nearly a physical pain, like fine little hooks digging past your skin, into the very meat of you. I know who you are, it says, and I know what you are, and that you don't have any business here --

“But you do,” says Mithos behind you. He's a tired, steady voice in your ear, a light hand on your shoulder. “I don't know what Dream's thinking, but everyone is welcome here in my heart; just keep in mind it's a real mess right now.”

Your vision clears.

((assume your characters wandered in here through a dream. also join #ihateyouihateyouiwanttocuddle on irc if you can!))

Comments

Re: [past - mind]

[antreegonist]

You can hear the clash of swords -- Yuan and Kratos fighting the assassin back -- 'do you wish that badly to control the mana for yourselves?!' -- Mithos pleading -- 'Martel, Martel, stay with me, it'll be all right, no' --

"You see."

Re: [past - mind]

[oneknightstands]

[god, can't even. forcing his voice to remain even]

They do not stand for all of us. There are others.

Re: [past - mind]

[antreegonist]

"A cityful of people died. Of course an army wasn't coming their way. Half-elves are such liars. Human have been fighting for nine centuries . . . sucking all the life and magic out of the world little by little . . . never thinking about what they're doing, even when it's killing themselves.

Are there really others? Where were they?"

Re: [past - mind]

[oneknightstands]

Those with the power to wage wars against one another do not always represent the best interests of the people they command. The families of those sent to die, the children who suffer from the taxation of those in power, though they lack the power themselves, if given the chance, they would not do the same as those who have oppressed them.

Re: [past - mind]

[antreegonist]

"Power? Who needed power to hate? Who needs authority to shut a door?"

Re: [past - mind]

[oneknightstands]

Not every door is closed to you, not all in this world and others bear you hatred, Mithos.

Re: [past - mind]

[antreegonist]

He's silent.

"I don't know if I can believe that anymore."

Re: [past - mind]

[oneknightstands]

If for no one else, I can speak for myself. I would open my door to you at any time if you asked it of me. I bear you no ill intent, even after all I have seen here.

Re: [past - mind]

[antreegonist]

"I don't care whether you do or not. . ."

Re: [past - mind]

[oneknightstands]

Betrayal and loss may hurt, but I don't believe that she would have wanted you to live your life alone.

Re: [past - mind]

[antreegonist]

". . ."

Re: [past - mind]

[oneknightstands]

The pain of facing the difficulties of the world without a companion are hardly anything insignificant.

Re: [past - mind]

[antreegonist]

"Do you know what it's like?"

Re: [past - mind]

[oneknightstands]

Not to the extent that you do.

Re: [past - mind]

[antreegonist]

"Mm . . ."

He sighs.

Re: [past - mind]

[oneknightstands]

[quietly runs his thumb in a small circle against the inside of Mithos's wrist]

Re: [past - mind]

[antreegonist]

"I'm tired," he says.

Re: [past - mind]

[oneknightstands]

I'm sorry.

It takes time.

Re: [past - mind]

[antreegonist]

"Time..."

Re: [past - mind]

[oneknightstands]

Time to trust again, to recover from what's happened, to adapt to life with what you've lost.

Re: [past - mind]

[antreegonist]

"There's no more time."

Re: [past - mind]

[oneknightstands]

What do you mean?

Re: [past - mind]

[antreegonist]

"I'd have to want it."

Re: [past - mind]

[oneknightstands]

I think she would want it for you.

Re: [past - mind]

[antreegonist]

His hand spasms a bit; that's a definite moment of hesitation.