[NOT THIS FUCKING CAGED BIRD BASS BOOSTED MEMORY I HATE IT HERE MOM COME PICK ME UP
Well. That's a lot! That is so much! My god! Some of his assumptions were so right and some of his assumptions were so wrong! And he's thinking back on that execution and the way in which this woman had appeared, had used Taair even then and there, even after his own death, even within the sanctuary that Heaven is supposed to provide, and he feels a stirring of something close to anger in the depths of his heart, because what cruelty. What cruelty, to make it to paradise only to suffer so much. What cruelty to be given such a kind and gentle hand, only to find that the hand is only gentle to keep you placated and under control.
Why do the children suffer so. A thought that's been brought to his mind time and time again. Why are the worlds in which they inhabit such cruel places, and why do the children always suffer for it?
As the memory begins to loop again, Lucas turns to face Taair, and there is a crease of something deeply sorrowful and sympathetic in his expression. He doesn't say anything right away, but he does take a few steps closer, reaching out to lightly touch his arm if allowed. Then, after a few seconds of silence:]
...The heart that you possess is both pure and true, dear Taair. It's an admirable strength. A beautiful thing to see.
[To learn of so many horrible truths and immediately turn that and years of painful isolation into a strength to be used to help others? Lucas believes it well worth a God's divine blessing.]
[ sometimes you are rapunzel but you're also quasimodo at the same time :D
anyway. as it is, this is a familiar memory by now - when lucas turns, he'll see taair with his hand on the glass, focusing hard on the blurry memories of the very beginning. this is the worst of it all - these are the things he does not remember, his childhood stolen away by trauma, and it's frustrating, to barely remember a time before. no matter how much he stares at the glass, though, nothing comes back. it never does. all of his memories are just golden bars and the papal states, and birds that don't want to sing.
the touch on the arm is what startles him out of it. he blinks, and looks over - as if he'd almost forgotten lucas was there. ]
Ah... [ a pure and true heart, huh. taair smiles a little, finally pulling his hand away from the glass. ] I don't know that I would call it very strong. But...thank you.
There's a bit of an apologetic look as he startles, though. Lucas pulls his hand back, glancing at the mirrors and the smudgy, indecipherable beginnings of a life steeped in a quiet loneliness, protected but caged. He looks back toward Taair at the question, and there's a light frown on his face.]
I have seen a great many hearts in my time, and I would say that yours is quite strong, indeed. ...But it's a tragedy. Children should never be forced to shoulder the burden of the adults in their lives, and yet it happens far too often...
[In every world, it seems. A tragedy, a terrible tragedy.]
he smiles a little further, but it's thin, and looks down. taair then shakes his head. there's no point in looking at the mirrors. he knows for a fact there's no memories there to be seen, no matter how long he stares. ]
...No. [ quiet. ] I intended to travel all across Iria and collect interviews and local legends for ten years, but... I never made it that far.
[ taair reaches down and sets a hand against the holster at his side, where the book rests. ] It's only half complete.
[Ah. THIS HOLSTER BOOK JUST GOT SO MUCH LESS HILARIOUS FOR ME, AKI.
Lucas just glances down on it, quiet for a few moments. A half-completed mission.]
...Then you intend to finish it once you return, correct?
[Not if, but once, because he'll always believe in the mercy of a kind and loving God, and has no reason to believe that this god won't be able to give them all a second chance properly once the souls of their lost are retrieved. If they may all take part in these trials and in judgment day, then there's no reason to fear whether or not anyone will succeed when he's sure they all will.]
taair's mouth opens, then closes. he looks at lucas - with just a soft huff and a humorless smile. it's answer enough, isn't it? no. no, he won't be able to finish it. ]
... Iria is at war. Should I return, I will be playing a far different role - I will not be able to return to my studies. That I even had my book was a surprise... I gifted it to someone, because I knew it was unlikely I'd ever be able to touch it again.
Edited (not the icon repeat) 2025-03-05 03:22 (UTC)
ALSO WHY DOES IT KEEP GETTING WORSE! If nothing else, that's the one thing Arpechele has going for it as a hugely isolated nation. They've never known foreign war in all their time, since no other country has ever been able to pass their waters and no one would ever want to. But he still understands war as a concept, and he's quiet for a second.]
...I see. [GIRL WHY IS YOUR NATION ALWAYS IN TURMOIL.] Is this war what landed you here in the first place?
[ girl why IS the nation always in turmoil. that's a great fucking question and also the plot of sword of convallaria.
he thinks about it. that's kind of a complicated question to answer, actually. it's also a memory i will likely give you later on in this thread i believe in double memories forever. ]
No, it... well... sort of. [ taair absently lifts a hand and rubs his chest, recalling his final moments of life with a bit of a wince. ] It's hard to explain, but... I was not on the battlefield, or anything like that. I was at the palace.
Anyway there is something very sad about him narrowly avoiding being fucking murdered in a palace all those years ago only to die in another, different, arguably worse palace so many years into the future, after unveiling all of these heavy truths. He watches the gesture, frowning faintly over the implications.]
...I see. I can only imagine the sort of frustration that must have brought about...
[Like, in addition to all of the other horrible emotions surrounding dying in general. Just this idea that he hadn't even made it out once to do the good he aimed for.]
[ okay well now you've just set me up for this so FINE A DOUBLE MEMORY but you better give me a lucas one :beegun:
anyway. taair's not really paying attention to it until it's too late, and the mirrors shift to show precisely what happened in that palace. a bird's final flight. ]
[Oh. WELL. THIS ISN'T THE FRUSTRATION HE WAS EXPECTING BUT THIS IS ARGUABLY WORSE IN MANY WAYS!!!!!
Or rather, it's just... more of a sorrowful thing. To see someone pushed to the point where they'd take an arrow both out of the kindness of wanting to do something to save another life, but also out of sheer exhaustion from being trapped for so long, and seeing a future that consists of only gilded bars.
Taair is able to die seeing the beautiful river, but even as the emotions bleed out through the mirrors, Lucas' own exist alongside them. Tragic... Tragic, what a tragic thing. A tragic story, a tragic life. People do such horrendous things for greed and power and selfish want for more, and even though he sees it in his own home, it takes a vastly different form compared to places that know war.
Seeing his final interactions, seeing the way the woman - Samantha - attempts so desperately to save him... Knowing that he slipped away to Heaven, only for it to fall so shy of the ideal so many of them had hoped for...
All of it is just. Tragic.]
...Your final moments, at least, were ones that you chose for yourself.
[Soft, first. He'll hold a hand out after a moment; palm up and open, an invitation.]
I do wish that there had been another path for you. Will you return to change things?
[ at this point, it's just kind of resignation - it's a little easier than trying to explain. maybe it's better than trying to lie, to agree kindly that yes, it was frustrating, of course, of course i felt that way, who wouldn't feel frustrated at their death.
but he didn't. all he felt was relief. right up until he got here, of course. right up until it got ruined. it is a tragedy - from beginning to end, taair khalisa nasir's life has been nothing but a tragedy, a long series of birdcages. a trapped prey animal, who never once had the chance to fly free. each moment of it felt like a gift.
he smiles a little to lucas' first comment - saying nothing, but it's a knowing smile, a soft one of agreement, and as he looks at the hand... eventually, he gently sets his in lucas'. delicate fingers. delicate little life. ]
I saved someone important to me. I don't regret the choices that I've made. [ but, of course the biggest choice of all remains.
he's quiet for a second, biting his lip. ] ...Yes. I... must. Iria needs a leader, and... I was working as much as I could to try and undermine things, though... things are very dire. But... if I stay in the heavens, or my soul gets lost, then I would just be running away.
[Sometimes you just get a real shit hand in life and have to do the best with it. It's a tragedy, but Lucas doesn't pity Taair for it. Rather, as he lets his fingers gently curl around the hand in his own, he thinks about the type of strength that it takes to endure such a life. Would he have been able to? Doing your best all by yourself is such a difficult thing.]
I should expect not. [Faintly, almost lightly, a bit of levity in an otherwise dark and dire situation. He would certainly not expect Taair to ever regret throwing away his own life to safe the life of another.
At the rest, though, he's quiet again. Many people are choosing to pass up on their chance at paradise, and he isn't surprised to hear it. It's a bit sad, too, but it's not surprising at all. He could say a lot, and a few things drift through his mind and land on his tongue, but eventually, he settles with something simple first.]
Yours is a brave and strong heart, my dear. When you return- [When, not if.] -then I will pray that the future you forge your way toward is a beautiful one, where you can properly spread your wings.
[ weh. it's sweet - though he's worried for what will become of him, taair is the most worried for his beloved homeland and the stress it will be under. it's one of those problems he shares with several others here, where the last thing he ever thinks about is himself, but... so long as he makes it to the end, there is time to make that decide.
lucas' kindnesses are as always appreciated, and his expression softens in return - his hand curls gently where lucas is holding it, squeezing. the levity gets him to duck his head briefly, too, a soft little huff escaping even in the dark moment of the maze. ]
You are too kind, my dear friend. [ truly. ] With the hopes of such kind people like you to lift it, I'm sure that it will. I think that Gamaliel will have my head, if I do not at least find a way to try.
[ gamaliel and like. four other people ]
And no matter what, I've found my way to this place, and to spend time with our group. It makes me feel a bit lucky, truthfully: even the worst of our moments here cannot damper my joy at getting to know and to learn all of you.
[TRULY THERE ARE SO MANY SELF-SACRIFICIAL FUCKERS IN THESE WOODS GET OUTTA HERE.
But people will be people. All anyone can do is their best, in the end; he isn't worried about Taair not doing that, at least.]
Only Gamaliel? [JUST CALLS HIM OUT he's so sure so many people would be on his ass. Even Lucas would be standing there frowning gently about it. But it really isn't a concern. He does think that Taair has the strength that it takes to forge his way to something better, both for the people he cares so dearly for and for himself.]
...I find myself feeling much the same, though. I don't find my time here to be a waste or a burden. The trials that we face are surely much more difficult than any person should have to handle, but it doesn't diminish the bonds or the good in what we've been able to have.
[Heaven isn't always good but you know what is? Friendship.]
which. he. laughs a little sheepishly about being called out, ducking his head. ha ha ha.... ]
Fair enough... [ yeah. more than gamaliel. a lot, actually. ] ... I think... I don't know. The situation is complex - I... don't really get to think just for myself, but for the good of the people around me. For the good of people of Iria, too. I have to make whatever choice will be the best for them, even if things at home are dire.
[ the best choice is actually probably staying here but convincing him of that is a long road.
lucas's comment makes him smile, though, and taair nods - reaching to clasp the hand he is holding in both of his own and give it a squeeze. ]
Yes. Yes, I agree entirely. And... Lucas, thank you - for yours, and for your kindness. I am better for having known you, my dear friend.
[NOT THE WAY STAYING WOULD BE BEST!!!!!! DAMMIT DANIEL. Lucas wouldn't even think to try to convince him since he's sure that Taair will choose the best option even though actually what he's seen of Taair so far indicates that he gets his own ass into trouble a lot. Girl.]
It sounds like a very complex situation to be in, but I have faith that you'll be able to make the right calls and do what you feel is necessary. [Said with a little smile.] I just pray that this time, you'll be able to reap the benefits of your own kindness...
[Hand sandwich... He looks touched at the gesture ueueue.]
You've stolen my words, my dear! Knowing you is a blessing, undoubtedly. [But he will gently gesture toward one of the corridors.] Let's find our way back out, shall we?
[ listen. it's fine. he would never do something like challenge a bunch of strong ass cultists to a fight by claiming to be a swordsman. who would do that. a crazy person.
anyway. he matches that little smile - and it grows further, when lucas makes his suggestion and his kindness alike. ]
Yes. Let's.
[ more assured and more bolstered, taair nods as he releases lucas' hand with one of his. we can stay hand in paw for now, to lead around a maze corner where surely, surely, another memshare won't be waiting..... ]
[Around the maze corner they go! And when they turn it... It's a memory of Lucas just failing to cut vegetables in the kitchen while making soup. He blinks.]
Oh, my.
[Oh, my...
i will memshare you properly later unless you're the KILLER in which case i'll backtag memshare you eyes narrow.......]
[ ok if YOU'RE the killer for not giving me GOOD MEMSHARES no im kidding because aki took mercy on me ANYWAY.
this is. well. this is a lot! it's familiar, is the thing. the doctrine of the church that lucas attends feels way too familiar - the chill of it curls down his spine, because it reminds him of caris, of samantha, of the Radiant. the radiant has brought so much goodness to many people, because the miracles of magical healing have saved many, many lives, but its dark sides are vicious and too familiar to taair, who lives in their golden birdcage.
the love for a sister, clearly ill, resonates too. and though the blood and the gore is not entirely unfamiliar after weeks here, there's something aching about watching lucas' hope restored by the action, the sacrifice of heart for health. it reminds him so, so much of the papal states, the way lucas reminds him of samantha, and it's -
he takes a deep breath as it finishes, and as the minister holds lucas teetering steady, taair tightens his grip on his hand. ]
[I WAS NICE TO MIETTE!!!!! I STOPPED KICKING MIETTE!!!!!!!
Anyway yeah that sure is a lot HUH. SOMETIMES THE CHURCH IS THE SAME EVERYWHERE. But it's fine, because Lucas doesn't watch this memory with anything other than the same faint calm he's watched almost all of his memories with. The ones that aren't false, anyway - strange fabrications that confuse him every time they appear.
For this, though, he just sighs and then looks toward Taair, giving his hands a little squeeze in return. There's something a little sympathetic in his expression.]
[ you were and then miette didnt tag you for a day because im the devil
anyway. boy howdy. he glances away from the glass as the memory finally stops, and continues to cycle again, expression a complicated mix of sorrow and understanding and... worry, the most. he squeezes lucas' hand where he's holding it, and then clasps it again between both of his. ]
...I am glad for your sister's health. [ first, immediately - very glad for that. ] It is no strangeness to me that the in our world, the Light of Sanctuary performs miracles, but...[ they do not involve (sisi's student voice) ripping out hearts, but they're not great either. samantha's warm hands, her healing, are a vast difference to what goes on in the dark of the mine pit. ]
How...long ago was this...? This is the same church that we visited when you and I were in the cave...?
It's fine though. Sometimes people just (sisi's student voice) rip hearts out. At least they are not then eating the hearts. He does, at least, look happy for the fact that Taair is glad for Nadia's health.]
...I understand that the church in your world is... flawed. [IT'S RUN BY A POWER-HUNGRY BOZO. He's trying to word it more delicately than that.] But I promise you that that isn't the case here. [A glance back toward the mirrors.]
He found my sister and I when I was on the run from our parents. I was fourteen at the time... And yes, it is. That church is used by members of many different faiths, and serves as a gathering point even for those who don't pray, but the Society of Exorcists did build it.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
week 3 tuesday
there's a maze there
oh no, it's a memory! actually, the beginning of this doesn't seem like much of a memory at all. ]
no subject
Well. That's a lot! That is so much! My god! Some of his assumptions were so right and some of his assumptions were so wrong! And he's thinking back on that execution and the way in which this woman had appeared, had used Taair even then and there, even after his own death, even within the sanctuary that Heaven is supposed to provide, and he feels a stirring of something close to anger in the depths of his heart, because what cruelty. What cruelty, to make it to paradise only to suffer so much. What cruelty to be given such a kind and gentle hand, only to find that the hand is only gentle to keep you placated and under control.
Why do the children suffer so. A thought that's been brought to his mind time and time again. Why are the worlds in which they inhabit such cruel places, and why do the children always suffer for it?
As the memory begins to loop again, Lucas turns to face Taair, and there is a crease of something deeply sorrowful and sympathetic in his expression. He doesn't say anything right away, but he does take a few steps closer, reaching out to lightly touch his arm if allowed. Then, after a few seconds of silence:]
...The heart that you possess is both pure and true, dear Taair. It's an admirable strength. A beautiful thing to see.
[To learn of so many horrible truths and immediately turn that and years of painful isolation into a strength to be used to help others? Lucas believes it well worth a God's divine blessing.]
no subject
anyway. as it is, this is a familiar memory by now - when lucas turns, he'll see taair with his hand on the glass, focusing hard on the blurry memories of the very beginning. this is the worst of it all - these are the things he does not remember, his childhood stolen away by trauma, and it's frustrating, to barely remember a time before. no matter how much he stares at the glass, though, nothing comes back. it never does. all of his memories are just golden bars and the papal states, and birds that don't want to sing.
the touch on the arm is what startles him out of it. he blinks, and looks over - as if he'd almost forgotten lucas was there. ]
Ah... [ a pure and true heart, huh. taair smiles a little, finally pulling his hand away from the glass. ] I don't know that I would call it very strong. But...thank you.
[ ... ]
It is a sad state, isn't it? Haha.
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There's a bit of an apologetic look as he startles, though. Lucas pulls his hand back, glancing at the mirrors and the smudgy, indecipherable beginnings of a life steeped in a quiet loneliness, protected but caged. He looks back toward Taair at the question, and there's a light frown on his face.]
I have seen a great many hearts in my time, and I would say that yours is quite strong, indeed. ...But it's a tragedy. Children should never be forced to shoulder the burden of the adults in their lives, and yet it happens far too often...
[In every world, it seems. A tragedy, a terrible tragedy.]
...Were you able to finish that book?
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he smiles a little further, but it's thin, and looks down. taair then shakes his head. there's no point in looking at the mirrors. he knows for a fact there's no memories there to be seen, no matter how long he stares. ]
...No. [ quiet. ] I intended to travel all across Iria and collect interviews and local legends for ten years, but... I never made it that far.
[ taair reaches down and sets a hand against the holster at his side, where the book rests. ] It's only half complete.
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Lucas just glances down on it, quiet for a few moments. A half-completed mission.]
...Then you intend to finish it once you return, correct?
[Not if, but once, because he'll always believe in the mercy of a kind and loving God, and has no reason to believe that this god won't be able to give them all a second chance properly once the souls of their lost are retrieved. If they may all take part in these trials and in judgment day, then there's no reason to fear whether or not anyone will succeed when he's sure they all will.]
no subject
taair's mouth opens, then closes. he looks at lucas - with just a soft huff and a humorless smile. it's answer enough, isn't it? no. no, he won't be able to finish it. ]
... Iria is at war. Should I return, I will be playing a far different role - I will not be able to return to my studies. That I even had my book was a surprise... I gifted it to someone, because I knew it was unlikely I'd ever be able to touch it again.
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ALSO WHY DOES IT KEEP GETTING WORSE! If nothing else, that's the one thing Arpechele has going for it as a hugely isolated nation. They've never known foreign war in all their time, since no other country has ever been able to pass their waters and no one would ever want to. But he still understands war as a concept, and he's quiet for a second.]
...I see. [GIRL WHY IS YOUR NATION ALWAYS IN TURMOIL.] Is this war what landed you here in the first place?
no subject
he thinks about it. that's kind of a complicated question to answer, actually. it's also a memory i will likely give you later on in this thread i believe in double memories forever. ]
No, it... well... sort of. [ taair absently lifts a hand and rubs his chest, recalling his final moments of life with a bit of a wince. ] It's hard to explain, but... I was not on the battlefield, or anything like that. I was at the palace.
[ died in the cage he'd always lived in. ]
no subject
Anyway there is something very sad about him narrowly avoiding being fucking murdered in a palace all those years ago only to die in another, different, arguably worse palace so many years into the future, after unveiling all of these heavy truths. He watches the gesture, frowning faintly over the implications.]
...I see. I can only imagine the sort of frustration that must have brought about...
[Like, in addition to all of the other horrible emotions surrounding dying in general. Just this idea that he hadn't even made it out once to do the good he aimed for.]
no subject
anyway. taair's not really paying attention to it until it's too late, and the mirrors shift to show precisely what happened in that palace. a bird's final flight. ]
no subject
Or rather, it's just... more of a sorrowful thing. To see someone pushed to the point where they'd take an arrow both out of the kindness of wanting to do something to save another life, but also out of sheer exhaustion from being trapped for so long, and seeing a future that consists of only gilded bars.
Taair is able to die seeing the beautiful river, but even as the emotions bleed out through the mirrors, Lucas' own exist alongside them. Tragic... Tragic, what a tragic thing. A tragic story, a tragic life. People do such horrendous things for greed and power and selfish want for more, and even though he sees it in his own home, it takes a vastly different form compared to places that know war.
Seeing his final interactions, seeing the way the woman - Samantha - attempts so desperately to save him... Knowing that he slipped away to Heaven, only for it to fall so shy of the ideal so many of them had hoped for...
All of it is just. Tragic.]
...Your final moments, at least, were ones that you chose for yourself.
[Soft, first. He'll hold a hand out after a moment; palm up and open, an invitation.]
I do wish that there had been another path for you. Will you return to change things?
no subject
but he didn't. all he felt was relief. right up until he got here, of course. right up until it got ruined. it is a tragedy - from beginning to end, taair khalisa nasir's life has been nothing but a tragedy, a long series of birdcages. a trapped prey animal, who never once had the chance to fly free. each moment of it felt like a gift.
he smiles a little to lucas' first comment - saying nothing, but it's a knowing smile, a soft one of agreement, and as he looks at the hand... eventually, he gently sets his in lucas'. delicate fingers. delicate little life. ]
I saved someone important to me. I don't regret the choices that I've made. [ but, of course the biggest choice of all remains.
he's quiet for a second, biting his lip. ] ...Yes. I... must. Iria needs a leader, and... I was working as much as I could to try and undermine things, though... things are very dire. But... if I stay in the heavens, or my soul gets lost, then I would just be running away.
no subject
I should expect not. [Faintly, almost lightly, a bit of levity in an otherwise dark and dire situation. He would certainly not expect Taair to ever regret throwing away his own life to safe the life of another.
At the rest, though, he's quiet again. Many people are choosing to pass up on their chance at paradise, and he isn't surprised to hear it. It's a bit sad, too, but it's not surprising at all. He could say a lot, and a few things drift through his mind and land on his tongue, but eventually, he settles with something simple first.]
Yours is a brave and strong heart, my dear. When you return- [When, not if.] -then I will pray that the future you forge your way toward is a beautiful one, where you can properly spread your wings.
no subject
lucas' kindnesses are as always appreciated, and his expression softens in return - his hand curls gently where lucas is holding it, squeezing. the levity gets him to duck his head briefly, too, a soft little huff escaping even in the dark moment of the maze. ]
You are too kind, my dear friend. [ truly. ] With the hopes of such kind people like you to lift it, I'm sure that it will. I think that Gamaliel will have my head, if I do not at least find a way to try.
[ gamaliel and like. four other people ]
And no matter what, I've found my way to this place, and to spend time with our group. It makes me feel a bit lucky, truthfully: even the worst of our moments here cannot damper my joy at getting to know and to learn all of you.
no subject
But people will be people. All anyone can do is their best, in the end; he isn't worried about Taair not doing that, at least.]
Only Gamaliel? [JUST CALLS HIM OUT he's so sure so many people would be on his ass. Even Lucas would be standing there frowning gently about it. But it really isn't a concern. He does think that Taair has the strength that it takes to forge his way to something better, both for the people he cares so dearly for and for himself.]
...I find myself feeling much the same, though. I don't find my time here to be a waste or a burden. The trials that we face are surely much more difficult than any person should have to handle, but it doesn't diminish the bonds or the good in what we've been able to have.
[Heaven isn't always good but you know what is? Friendship.]
no subject
which. he. laughs a little sheepishly about being called out, ducking his head. ha ha ha.... ]
Fair enough... [ yeah. more than gamaliel. a lot, actually. ] ... I think... I don't know. The situation is complex - I... don't really get to think just for myself, but for the good of the people around me. For the good of people of Iria, too. I have to make whatever choice will be the best for them, even if things at home are dire.
[ the best choice is actually probably staying here but convincing him of that is a long road.
lucas's comment makes him smile, though, and taair nods - reaching to clasp the hand he is holding in both of his own and give it a squeeze. ]
Yes. Yes, I agree entirely. And... Lucas, thank you - for yours, and for your kindness. I am better for having known you, my dear friend.
no subject
It sounds like a very complex situation to be in, but I have faith that you'll be able to make the right calls and do what you feel is necessary. [Said with a little smile.] I just pray that this time, you'll be able to reap the benefits of your own kindness...
[Hand sandwich... He looks touched at the gesture ueueue.]
You've stolen my words, my dear! Knowing you is a blessing, undoubtedly. [But he will gently gesture toward one of the corridors.] Let's find our way back out, shall we?
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anyway. he matches that little smile - and it grows further, when lucas makes his suggestion and his kindness alike. ]
Yes. Let's.
[ more assured and more bolstered, taair nods as he releases lucas' hand with one of his. we can stay hand in paw for now, to lead around a maze corner where surely, surely, another memshare won't be waiting..... ]
no subject
Oh, my.
[Oh, my...
i will memshare you properly later unless you're the KILLER in which case i'll backtag memshare you eyes narrow.......]
no subject
no subject
this is. well. this is a lot! it's familiar, is the thing. the doctrine of the church that lucas attends feels way too familiar - the chill of it curls down his spine, because it reminds him of caris, of samantha, of the Radiant. the radiant has brought so much goodness to many people, because the miracles of magical healing have saved many, many lives, but its dark sides are vicious and too familiar to taair, who lives in their golden birdcage.
the love for a sister, clearly ill, resonates too. and though the blood and the gore is not entirely unfamiliar after weeks here, there's something aching about watching lucas' hope restored by the action, the sacrifice of heart for health. it reminds him so, so much of the papal states, the way lucas reminds him of samantha, and it's -
he takes a deep breath as it finishes, and as the minister holds lucas teetering steady, taair tightens his grip on his hand. ]
...Oh, Lucas...
no subject
Anyway yeah that sure is a lot HUH. SOMETIMES THE CHURCH IS THE SAME EVERYWHERE. But it's fine, because Lucas doesn't watch this memory with anything other than the same faint calm he's watched almost all of his memories with. The ones that aren't false, anyway - strange fabrications that confuse him every time they appear.
For this, though, he just sighs and then looks toward Taair, giving his hands a little squeeze in return. There's something a little sympathetic in his expression.]
There's no need to sound so sad, my dear.
[What he witnessed was a miracle, after all.]
no subject
anyway. boy howdy. he glances away from the glass as the memory finally stops, and continues to cycle again, expression a complicated mix of sorrow and understanding and... worry, the most. he squeezes lucas' hand where he's holding it, and then clasps it again between both of his. ]
...I am glad for your sister's health. [ first, immediately - very glad for that. ] It is no strangeness to me that the in our world, the Light of Sanctuary performs miracles, but...[ they do not involve (sisi's student voice) ripping out hearts, but they're not great either. samantha's warm hands, her healing, are a vast difference to what goes on in the dark of the mine pit. ]
How...long ago was this...? This is the same church that we visited when you and I were in the cave...?
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It's fine though. Sometimes people just (sisi's student voice) rip hearts out. At least they are not then eating the hearts. He does, at least, look happy for the fact that Taair is glad for Nadia's health.]
...I understand that the church in your world is... flawed. [IT'S RUN BY A POWER-HUNGRY BOZO. He's trying to word it more delicately than that.] But I promise you that that isn't the case here. [A glance back toward the mirrors.]
He found my sister and I when I was on the run from our parents. I was fourteen at the time... And yes, it is. That church is used by members of many different faiths, and serves as a gathering point even for those who don't pray, but the Society of Exorcists did build it.
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