a helpful hand.

[bornstrong]

Maybe it's the fact that she's recently learned how to cook here in the Nexus, or maybe it's just that the whole royalty thing doesn't hold much weight any longer, but Iphigenia has (surprise, surprise) a question for anyone in the Forum who will listen.

"How do you determine if you are useful or not?"

She pauses a moment, half-regretting her wording. This isn't coming out right.

"What I mean to say--or ask, rather--is: what is helpful to you, coming from others? And do you let people help you in the first place?"

Comments

[bornstrong]

Iphigenia nods, understanding. It takes time, she thinks. It always does.

"Well," she begins, trying to sound cheerier, "I've been trying to become more independent. In a way." She laughs a little. "I can make porridge now."

[brave_heart_verity]

Time and good changes of subject. "That's a good start. You'll be making all kinds of things in no time, I bet. How does it feel to be independent?"

[bornstrong]

"It's...it's a bit scary sometimes, because I'm not yet used to it. But I think with time, I'll grow to really like it."

But she does miss her family, she thinks.

[brave_heart_verity]

"It can be scary," she agrees, "but I find it helps knowing there are people who will help me when I need it. And you have friends here who will help you."

Skills in circular conversation are vital when you're friends with a trickster god.

[bornstrong]

"I know, and that makes me feel better," she replies. "I guess it's just strange because my whole life, I had--well, I had servants. And now I don't."

She laughs a little.

"I suppose I must sound spoiled."

[brave_heart_verity]

Ver shakes her head at that last part. "No, you don't sound spoiled. Spoiled would be refusing to even try to do it yourself now. It's okay to feel disconcerted when your whole life has changed so drastically."

[bornstrong]

"I suppose so, but I was so privileged, back home. I know that now. I had no idea before."

[brave_heart_verity]

"It's hard to see past the end of our own nose." Verity offers the cryptic advice with a shrug. "We get used to the world we live in, the life we shape within it, that it gets really hard to see past those boundaries."

[bornstrong]

"I guess it takes something big, then, to change things," she says. "Without what happened to me in Aulis, I would have stayed the same my whole life. I would have never have known any different."

[brave_heart_verity]

"Usually, yeah, it takes something big to make a big change. But people change in little ways every day."

[bornstrong]

"Yes, you're right. I know I've changed since I arrived here."

She smiles.

"Mainly because of people I've met."

[brave_heart_verity]

"And because you're willing." Iphi's not getting out of her share of the credit that easily.

[bornstrong]

She blushes a little, ducking her head.

"I suppose I am."

[brave_heart_verity]

"Iphigenia, it's okay to be proud of the things you accomplish. You should be proud, you've survived something that most people couldn't. Not only that, you're thriving." If Iphi's going to blush, she's going to do it properly.

[bornstrong]

And now she's really red, almost teary, in fact--but she's smiling.

"Thank you," is what she finally manages to say.

[brave_heart_verity]

Verity's got pockets full of tissues. She'll pull a fresh one out for Iphi and offers it without comment.

"You're welcome."

[bornstrong]

She takes it, sniffling, and wipes her tears.

"I never thought to give myself any credit."

[brave_heart_verity]

"Because people did so much for you?" It's an obvious conclusion. "Now you get the credit for what you choose to do."

[bornstrong]

"But isn't it vain to say so myself?" she asks.

[brave_heart_verity]

"I think it's one of those things where you have to find the happy medium. Never taking credit is just as bad as taking too much credit."

[bornstrong]

Iphigenia shrugs.

"Perhaps that's true." She's just not used to this feeling, Verity. It's a little strange to her.

[brave_heart_verity]

Verity's sure she'll come to terms with the new feelings. But no need to continue down that path if she'd rather not.

"You'll find what's right for you."

[bornstrong]

"I think I will."

And there, look, a smile reappears on her face.