nexus_sages | Sometimes, lying isn't an option

Entry tags:

Sometimes, lying isn't an option

The Nexus' resident rogue seems to be in a strange mood today as she paces along one of the main streets of the Forum. Despite her rather severe expression, she seems to be in better spirits than the last time she asked a question, if the lack of weapons has anything to say about it. True, she's still sporting a few daggers and her slingshot, but that appears to be all. She also lacks the chest armor she normally wears over her shirt and corset, though the very modest neckline of her shirt should keep anyone from suspecting she's trying some new angle on them. Something seems amiss, though. While she paces, her gaze is fixed on the paved street under her feet and her hands are clasped firmly together behind her back.

After a few minutes of this she stops in her pacing and looks up to the Forum at large.

"I'm not very good at being honest about certain things, and that makes it difficult to get my point across when I am telling the truth." A small frown plays at her lips and her brow furrows with thought. This is a much more difficult topic for her than for others, it seems. "How do I convince someone that the apology I owe them is honest? That it comes not from a need to buy my way into their good graces, but from an honest need to make things right?" Because she's going to need this kind of help when she actually gets around to the owed apology.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The hand bumping gets a small shakes of her head and a smile. "No harm, no foul. If you're not hurt, then neither am I."

She quickly reads his writing and hands the pamphlet back, sighing again. "It's hard to hope for future actions to make things better if I'm not given the chance to show that I'm being sincere." Another frown, but it doesn't last very long.

"My name's Amelia. It's nice to meet you." She offers a hand for a shake, but she won't be offended if he doesn't take it, given the fervent apology when he merely brushed her hand before.

Rando seems as uncertain as ever about taking that hand, but finally does so when it's clear through her smile and actions that she would not mind. His hand is large and calloused, the knuckles scarred. The hand of a fighter. But his touch is gentle and careful.

When the shake is concluded, he writes once more.

Sometimes people will demand you go separate ways because of their offense. You must let them do what they will. Hope that, given time, they will remember you apologized and come back when they are ready.

It is more important to remember you hurt them then the fact you are hurt by their rejection.

Amelia's hands are equally calloused, though in odd spots for a single person to have. There are callouses from hours of writing, fighting, and picking locks. Seems she has many stories she could tell, were the desire to strike her. She'll offer another small smile when he shakes her hand - a clear sign that she's fine with taking things at his pace.

"I've never dealt with rejection that would cause this much... discomfort before," she says as she hands the pamphlet back. "This isn't some customer or client who can be easily replaced. This is someone who actually matters to me. I would be very hard on myself for driving them away."

He nods, then writes again, more rapidly than the times before.

Family? I have been in the same position. Felt I have ruined things beyond repair because I was not good enough. Or I had messed up too badly. I sympathize.

Time cures all wounds, they say.

She shakes her head as she reads. "No, not family. A..."

There's a long pause while she debates the correct word to use. What was this person to her? She had sworn to protect them. They had offered to help her with several projects while she stayed in the Nexus. Client didn't make sense, nor did ward or charge. Acquaintance was too vague and formal and companion didn't make sense given how she used the term back home. That really only left one option.

"A friend. One I fear I didn't know I had and that I may very well have already lost without knowing it."

Rando nods again and hurries to write once more. He feels awkward when she's left waiting for him to scribble out his thoughts. But it must be less awkward than the alternative.

I'm sorry for assuming.

I think it would still be best to offer your apology as sincerely as you can and let your friend decide when and how to proceed. The waiting is the hard part, but it may be necessary for things to mend. In the meantime, you can think about how to act that will help them no longer doubt your honesty.

There's no signs that she's rushing him. Her face is neutral as she watches him write. If this is how he communicates, then she's going to let him take his time with it. Rushing him would only cause him to get flustered and she certainly doesn't want that.

"It's a natural assumption to make - there's no need to apologize for it." There's a small, sad smile on her face as she hands back the pamphlet. "I'm not very good at waiting, but you have a good point. I only hope they give me a chance to show them my honesty."

If only she knew how flustered he actually was under that mask and cowl! Talking to girls is hard for a lot of strange reasons. The pamphlet he's been writing on is starting to fill up with his careful handwriting, so he switches to a fresh one. Sorry, pamphlets.

I hope he gives you that chance as well. It can be frustrating and sad to be denied it, but you cannot blame them either. People withdraw when they're hurt. Regardless of if you meant to or not.

Maybe it's best she doesn't, then. She would hate for him to get embarrassed by the mere act of writing to her.

"I understand. I've been known to do the same thing. I guess the best thing I can hope for is a chance, then." She gives Rando another small smile. "Thank you, for reminding me of these things. I can forget to take all factors into account when it comes to the more complicated matters of relationships sometimes."

He nods again, the action deeper than the ones before. An improvised bow as he hands her the paper once more.

You're welcome. Sometimes it's hard to remember these things when you're too deep in the problem. Since it's very fretful and upsetting.

I hope you and your friend will be able to make amends in time.

The next part is further down, a few ink dots here and there, where, had she been watching, Rando has hesitated and mulled before adding.

. . . Are you safe here?

She had seen the movements, but didn't understand their meaning. Now that she sees the writing, she knows what he was doing, but not why he did it.

"Here? In the Nexus?" She nods slowly. "So long as you check the food before you eat it, this place is safe. Other worlds you might venture into, however, are not necessarily safe. Unless... you're asking about me personally?" If so, she's rather surprised. Having just met, she doesn't expect him to care about her well being.

He nods, a bit sheepishly, pointing at Amelia now. Yes, referring to you in particular, miss. He flaps a hand briefly, flustered and hurrying to write an explanation. His handwriting looks appropriately rushed and stilted.

I come from a place where women are

rare.

I'm sorry for asking. This is just very strange for me. And my conscience wouldn't feel right if I left and didn't make sure you wer

I'm sorry. I must seem foolish.

When he points at her, a small blush comes to her cheeks. The attention is obviously unexpected. His words on the pamphlet cause her to blush a bit more before she hands it back and shakes her head.

"No, there's nothing wrong with the worry. Your world is different than mine and you have different customs. There is no reason to feel ashamed or to apologize. I'm not offended by you asking, knowing the difference between your world and mine. I can take care of myself, and have been for many years, but your concern for my well being is taken with nothing but appreciation."

She smiles to emphasize her point. Really, if she were offended - and she might have been had his explanation been very different - he would have known right away. As it stands, she's rather touched.

He nods, his shoulders relaxing in something akin to relief that his strange question was taken in the spirit intended. A new reply is penned, the handwriting equally relaxed once more with less strange pauses.

That is good.

I'm still not entirely sure where my world ends and this one begins. I have never experienced a place like this. But I'm sure answers will come with time.

"Unless you have a specific door that you came through, it's difficult to know where you came from," she agrees. "I suggest taking some time to explore. It seems to be the best way to find answers - and to find something to eat or drink along the way." She chuckles softly and gives him a quick wink. No, she's not suggesting anything, but it may certainly come across that way if someone isn't used to the kind of subtlety she deals in every day.

So there is safe food and water here? I have some rations with me still, even if there wasn't.

You are very kind, Amelia. Thank you.

He hands over this writing with a ducked head, feeling a little flustered from that wink. Well, more flustered.

She smiles and nods. "There are some caveats to that, but it is, in general, safe. I can show you, if you'd like. Maybe even help you find something specific if you have something you want."

It's probably a good thing she can't tell how flustered he is - she might be even more playful on purpose if she knew. Just one of her many little quirks.

Rando shakes a hand, quickly penning his next response.

That shouldn't be necessary. I don't want to take your time. And as you said, exploring should be good. I need to figure out this place.

He seems to hesitate, his weight shifting slightly, before there is the softest, "Th-...Thank you," from under that mask and cowl. So quiet and halting it's nearly too easy to miss.

"All right, but if you worry about the food or the water being safe, ask the person selling it to try it first. That's a sure way to know if it's safe." She smiles as she hands the pamphlet back to him.

It takes a moment for his quiet thank you to register, but when it does, her smile broadens across her whole face. Were she not a rogue used to sneaking around places as quietly as possible, she most certainly would have missed it. "You're most welcome. If you ever need help with something, let me know. There's an inn called The Fox and Crosier in the Commercial District. Should you ever need me, you can find me there or leave notice with the proprietors and I'll be along as soon as I can."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Sometimes, lying isn't an option

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject