( catch-all ) sailin' away on the crest of a wave

[sorser]

WHO: Stephen and various
WHAT: A catch-all for misc. things!
WHERE: In and around Castle Thorne, maybe the Horizon
WHEN: Throughout the month
WARNINGS: Will add as they come up!

(( closed starters and assorted things below! feel free to PM me if you wanted something specific with Stephen, or if you wanted to plot! ))

Comments

[sorser]

No.

[No, Stephen is not so idealistic, or optimistic, to think that'll come to pass. He already knows that there are some who'd prefer war in this place. Those who are pushing for it as they speak.]

Because that'd be too easy, wouldn't it? I don't expect anything. But I hope there will be enough who'll take into consideration the consequences the Singularity could have on our worlds and decide what to do from there, instead of taking what our hosts say at face value.

[leitstern]

People are easily fooled. Most shall follow this conflict towards its bitter end without consideration.

[It is a simple matter to share his opinion about their situation. Less simple to admit he had fooled his closest friend for over a decade; a man without a shred of guile. The guilt weighs down his shoulders - a stone inside his chest.

He holds his breath a moment. Exhales and makes an observation.]

It seems that bothers you.

[It should upset him. It doesn't.]

[sorser]

[The reply is easy, a little challenging, keen to push out certain opinions in those who would rather hold onto them too tightly.]

It doesn’t bother you?

[leitstern]

[Jasper wrinkles his nose and seizes the reins when questioned; an interrogation that is both obvious and unwelcome. Knuckles whiten and he braces in the saddle. He sits looking at human hands with a human temper and anger. It is an image that steals his attention for one second.]

It is what it is. I doubt crying over the matter helps anyone.

[His reply, too, is easy, refusing to reveal much emotion for an issue that affects him deeply.]

[sorser]

It should bother you.

[Plain and simple. He feels as though this needn’t even be a discussion, but is unsurprised to be having it.]

The outcome of a war will affect everyone, and not just in this world. Many worlds beyond it. Your own, even.

This is beyond the scope of one nation vying for power over the other. People who boil it down to that alone are being willfully blind.

[leitstern]

[The man assumes his world is as fraught as anyone's - and he personally knows that is the case for him. It would be much too stress. His concern is less for the chaos that will ensue as the fact his master would expect him to wage war against everyone to secure that power.

It takes a second before he visibly falters and corrects himself. His master who had cast him aside for one failure.

He shakes his head. Better not think about that.]

Blind? I assume they wish to avoid the stress.

[Hands grasp the reins as he elaborates.]

Enjoy a warm beach somewhere. You must comprehend people want comfortable lives.

[sorser]

There's a difference between wanting a comfortable life versus burying your head in the sand and saying 'it'll turn out fine on its own.' Reality doesn't change just because some people prefer complacency.

[But Jasper is speaking to a man with heroic tendencies, as some may describe him. As some may describe many from his world, several of which reside in Abraxas, too.]

[leitstern]

I beg to differ. Reality veers off course because people cannot bother themselves to notice others changing before their eyes.

[Carnelian had changed before his own; he had changed over time in similar fashion. Nobody had noticed the deception.]

Humanity can watch the world crumble and remain entirely indifferent.

[sorser]

And you're saying that things turn out for the worst with a healthy dose of complacency. [He rolls his eyes, reaching a point where he can't help himself.] Not exactly disproving my point.

[leitstern]

[His own eyes narrow, refusing to roll in similar fashion. His mood remains fraught and ridden with nerves gripped as tightly as the reins within his fists. Though he is confident in his point he is also exceptionally stubborn when it comes to accepting others.]

Then perhaps you and I hold exceptionally different interpretations of reality.

[sorser]

Guess so.

[The castle gates are before them now. Stephen urges his horse into a faster gait, eager to deposit their bags of herbs with the mages within, and warm himself by the nearest fire.]

One way or another, change is on the Horizon. We’ll see what happens sooner rather than later.

[But as for more mundane outings-]

I’m going to assume you’re up for more guardwork if I need to head out again?

[leitstern]

[Jasper visibly relaxes as they approach the great gate; impatient to remove his boots and change into clean tunic and trousers. His stinking, swetting skin demands a bath - to remove dirt and grime and the foul odour of his horse if nothing else.]

If needs must. I hardly have other arrangements to endure at this moment.

[That would be yes, long as his acquitance refuses to make a habit out of it.]