the fairy tales and little lies can't drown out all the sound [closed]

[cointosser]

Who: Jaskier + Co.
When: September Catch-All
Where: Horizon and Cadens
What: Questing things, hiring manager things, new Horizon developments!
Warnings: N/A.

Comments

[monomachy]

[She can see the change in him, and if this line of conversation helps him feel better, she's more than happy to follow it. But the question does catch her a little off guard, and she lapses into silence as she considers.

After a minute or so, she lies back on the sand, looking up at the clear sky.]

I have never thought about another life. My mother wished for me to succeed her someday, but I pray I would never have to. [She rolls on her side to face him, her head pillowed on her arm.] My experience with other professions is limited to what I learned from tutors as a child. I just know that all I ever wanted was to help people. [She does smile a bit, then.] But perhaps I really would be a farmer.

[cointosser]

[It isn't so terrible. He is content to wait, turning to the waves to watch them roll, rubbing a gentle hand against his throat. His fingertips glow a gentle blue as he works a healing magic against himself, now he's caught enough energy to attempt to.]

Yech. [He wrinkles his nose, his hand sliding down his throat, now less stinging, salted pain inside it.] Parental expectations. I never did well with them, either. I lived only to be a disappointment.

[He turns to meet her, too, his smile like a private joke between them.] If you ever do wish to start, I would be honored to spread your seeds. [He holds a hand out, growing from it a white anemone in his hand. He offers the flower to her.] Or make them. I mean, er, quite literally. Especially when you've proven how well you can help people, and I wish to repay you.

[monomachy]

[She smiles a little sadly at that, and sighs deeply, settling into the sand.]

I...think my mother was disappointed in me as well. She never said as much aloud, but I know that I did not follow the path she wanted for me. I do not think that is something she was able to fully accept before I left.

[And it hurts to say it aloud, but she knows it is the truth. As much as a part of her may want to, she can't blame Hippolyta for it; she had carried the knowledge of her daughter's true nature for thousands of years, and had wanted to do everything she could to save her from what she imagined was a terrible fate.

She's distracted from her melancholy by the magic plant growing in his hand, and she sits up a bit, eyes wide and lips parted in wonder. She takes the plant delicately, cradling it in both palms as if it's the most precious gift she's ever received. A smile blooms across her lips, and her eyes spark with gratitude when she looks back to him.]

Thank you. You will be the first person I call. As far as repayment, you being safe and hale is more than enough.

[cointosser]

Ah. [He waves a hand.] We can barely fault them for wanting us to be our best selves, but oftentimes one must live long enough to decide whether freedom or fulfilling their expectations is the better choice.

[A choice that everyone inevitably goes through.

Jaskier, at least, he can speak for himself -- freedom was always the choice he was meant to make.

He smiles back at her, noting that her delight is as innocent as a child's. As if she's barely seen flowers in her life. He doesn't tell her that one will live as long as he will -- he'd rather it be a surprise.] I'm hardly ever safe, but I do manage to keep myself alive, despite it all. You needn't worry about me, dear lady! A life too safe is a life too boring.