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[earwiggle]

[Well, this is a new username! Meaning this is clearly a new person. His text comes off as mostly curious. Inquisitive as he might be, he hoped this won’t come across as intrusive. ]

Hello there, as I have come to understand…this place is comprised of many people from many worlds.

Call it being curious, but won’t some of you tell me about your home worlds? Do you wish to return to them? It’s quite alright if you don’t wish to answer, call this satisfying my own curiosity.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Comments

[menphina]

Which time? You've made a fool of yourself quite often, actually.

[ Teasing- but she does let him hug her, resting her head against his shoulder and the side of his head as she holds him tight. ]

But aye, you did promise. You did... I've just... wished to be back home as I know it so much. Full glad I am that you're here, though.

[earwiggle]

I have a tendency to do such, don’t I?

[ Though he would do it for such stupid and unfounded reasons.]

We can find our way home together. No matter how long it takes.

[There are so many unspoken things between them, but right now isn’t the right time for it all. ]

[menphina]

[ Fellatioing an ice cream wasn't crazy enough? :)

But she nods against him, inhaling his scent and pulling back just enough to look at his face. ]

Even should you disappear from this place on the morrow, I shall be glad to have had this moment at all, my friend.

[ She's being emotional but look. ]

... you're probably feeling mine reactions to be strange, aren't you?

[earwiggle]

[HE HAD TO DO SOMETHING.

He looks over her expressions. Measuring how she might be feeling. ]

It pains me that your reactions are so defeated, my friend.

[ His friend, huh. Do friends hold each other like this? They do today! ]

I wish that you hadn’t needed to suffer through like this for so long. I wish there was more I could do for you.

[menphina]

Forgive me for being so morose. Before we go inside, there is something you need to know. Perhaps it will explain mine attitude right now...

[ Motioning him to one of the garden benches, so he can sit under the shade of a wisteria tree and they can talk. ]


... you know most of our Ancient companions are here. And you know I've spent long with them, too.

I... also learnt some things, and grew closer to a few. A lot has happened. Will you hear me out?

[earwiggle]

Of course, I am listening.

[He settles on the bench with her, turning so that he can give her his full attention. ]

Tell me all you see fit, because I will always hear you out.

[menphina]

[ She tells him, then... about her time in Noctium, a world where she lived and met with friends like Hythlodaeus and even Hermes, as well as Warriors like Mira- and where her memory of others, save Haurchefant, is blurred- something that carried over to the dream Prison of Reverie, where she remembers Venat and Emet and Gaius, and knows she knew more, but cannot entirely recall them.

Finally... ]

... Some of them ended here, with the same recollections. And... our interactions changed, as well.

Emet-Selch and I- who met in the dream Prison of Reverie, were courting, until he married the Hythlodaeus I met in Noctium... when we arrived here. I officiated it. Then Hythlodaeus- left, until but a few suns ago, when we rekindled our courtship.

As of right now, I've no label to where I stand, because I do not wish to impose mineself on Hythlodaeus' relationship with Hades, and perhaps I need none. I've no qualms with anyone having multiple partners... but 'tis been a trying time, having to be the one stepping back. Fair, perhaps... but trying, all the same.

[earwiggle]

[ He listens to her as intent, if not even moreso, as he promised he would. He doesn't know how she experienced all of this, and yet he just saw her at home. Something about time working different. It's something he would have to wrap his head around. He knows in the end he will be able to.

He nods again, ears wiggle a little at her. ]

It does sound trying, and I cannot claim to know how multiple relationships work in great detail of course...though it is not a subject uncommon to our kind.

Though Emet-Selch and I have a strained relationship, I imagine he wouldn't be adverse to delving into the matter of where you stand. But...I feel there is a little more to it?

[menphina]

[ Just relate it to how the dome took thirty years away, except without the aging.

She looks down at their hands, ears lowered. ]

... I can only have their company here, in this world. They're all... returned to the Lifestream, as you know. Venat and I have a relationship here, as well- yet even she will return, and I...

I won't be selfish, and this isn't like what Sphene tried to do. As long as they're all here, they live, with no burden on the lives of anyone else. But once they're all gone...

[ She looks up. ]

That'll be it. It'll be over. And there's a chance, should I leave here... I won't even remember having them here, or this place. 'tis very difficult to wrap one's heart around.

[earwiggle]

No, I gathered that this place was not like Living Memory. But I think that you need to be okay with being just a touch more selfish. If they are here and you have the chance to spend time with them…then do it. Enjoy your bonds and relationships with them.

[He gently picks up her hands, squeezing them, cradling them in his own. He would be gentle with her, always and forever. He would also be honest with her.]


Your heart aches for something that has not yet happened, and you cannot dwell on the if or when. Enjoy what you have right now. If you need reminding of that…I am here to give you that gentle nudge that you need. Less gentle if you request it of course.

[menphina]

[ It feels so nice to have him hold her hands like this... she blinks at his words, though, and smiles weakly, falling silent and just enjoying the warmth of his presence. After a few... she finally speaks with a flick of her ears. ]

You always have the right words, don't you? Thank you, my friend.

[ She then lifts an eyebrow- ]

What kinds of things are you imagining, now? I could still rough you up in return if I wanted, you know!

[ Teasing. ]

... but I welcome your actions. Gentle, or rough. Or actions. Seems like you're alright with going hard, anyroad.

[ WINK. ]

[earwiggle]

I-i am not imagining anything! I swear it!

[ His cheeks are as red as his face, unfortunately. He cannot hide that he has a massive crush on her. But he can just simply not say anything about it! Right! ]

I was simply implying that if you needed someone to tell you it was okay to be selfish, I would be the one to do it.

[menphina]

You would, would you? But... I couldn't possibly. Not when you're not being selfish yourself...

[ She's doing a very convincing pretend-worry that he's welcome to take as actual worry because she is a SNEAK. ]

[earwiggle]

I’ve no reason to be selfish, now do I?

[ Maybe he has plenty of reasons, but, he doesn’t really want to get into that. This is about her after all. G’raha doesn’t need to focus on himself right now.]

[menphina]

[ Puffing her cheeks- then reaching out and grabbing his face with both hands and making him do duck lips. ]


Everyone has reason to be selfish and I shan't have someone I love so dearly deny that!

Besides, if you won't be, then I won't, so there.

[earwiggle]

Very well, you win this round. When the time comes, rest assured that I will be selfish.

I would do well to listen to you, hm?

[ He WANTS to be selfish, but he’s just arrived. He can’t so soon.]

[menphina]

That's right! The Radiant Matriarch must be obeyed!


[ And she will bump her forehead against his. ]

... so stay with me. Now and always. Until we can go home... just because we're stuck her doesn't mean we can't make the most of it.