In which Winter has a thematically appropriate query

[shardofwinter]

Not all Nexus days can be sunshine and beautiful frost patterns. Days like this are a grim, sombre grey. The mist is so thin in places that all it does is make the distance fade away sooner than normal, but it does apply a more reserved filter on a place often filled with joyous shenanigans. No, this is unmistakeably a day which makes the multiverse feel close, secretive.

It's in this clandestine scenery that Reynard strolls about. Far from hopping or skating through the landscape, he strolls about the place, setting ice on the path and covering it with a dusting of snow. In the residential and commercial districts, he's sent ice along as many pipes as he could find. As he goes he rumbles a low slow tune. Some might recognise the sea shanty when he reaches the familiar 'Ho... Ho... and up she rises...'. He's not a bad singer, all things considered.

He looks up from his work and fixes his eyes on the nearest stranger, singing fading into a deep hum and then silence before he speaks. "What is the coldest thing you've ever done? The most cold hearted act you've ever brought yourself to commit. Go ahead. I'm not one to judge."

Just as the quiet settles back into place, he pipes up again. "Actually, you can tell me the literal coldest thing you've ever done too, if you'd prefer. I can't resist a good ice story."


((Reynard is still handing out Winter Curses & Blessings and causing trouble if you would like to avail of any. Other than that: Caution to those who talk to spirits, they are proud and fickle people.))

Comments

[brave_heart_verity]

"I know," she admits quietly. It was the first question she could come up with.

"Poets would talk about how winter is a time for the earth to sleep." It's not the first answer that came to mind, but it's one she's willing to talk about. "And quiet. A time for thinking."

[shardofwinter]

"It is all those things, yes. And what do you think gets thought of first? Or most deeply?"

[brave_heart_verity]

"Wouldn't that depend on the person?" Ver curls her hands into loose fists to keep from fidgeting. "Or, I guess... the things people care about?"

[shardofwinter]

His eyes flicker to her hands and back. Oh yes, he sees the fidgeting. "You don't want to talk about it, but you're thinking about it. You will think about it whether you want to or not. You cannot ignore the darkness when you are surrounded by it. All the deeds you regret, the coldness in your heart. Loneliness, grief. Winter is a time where everything dies to leave you alone with the most terrible of creatures: Yourself. Everyone's afraid of being alone with themselves."

[brave_heart_verity]

"Yes," she whispers. "That's true." Familiarity doesn't make it any easier to bear. "But the darkness is when the stars shine." Okay, so it's the kind of stupid affirmation people post on Facebook. That doesn't make it less true.

[shardofwinter]

At that, Reynard crooks an eyebrow. "And what do you do by starlight?"

[brave_heart_verity]

"Personally? I grew up in the city, there wasn't much to be had." She knows, she knows. She's buying time.

"Poets would say it's for dreaming and hoping and believing things get better, I suppose."

[shardofwinter]

"And what do you say, city girl who looks for starlight?"

[brave_heart_verity]

Just ask all the hard questions, Reynard, it's fine. She's not going to answer quickly because she wants to get this right. "It's nice to know that the universe, or here, well, the multiverse, continues despite things."

[shardofwinter]

If she thought the conversation so far was hard, she might want to walk away now.

"Is it?"

"It's not, instead, terrible and cruel? Unkind and unfair? That you should suffer such loss and all the people here continue on without even caring. That's nice, is it? Do you really look on the stars with peaceful kindness? Or with envy and grief?"

[brave_heart_verity]

That was a low blow, and for a long moment she's too stunned to speak.

"I don't think the universe much cares. It just is." She's not going to get into how much she's afraid he's right.

[shardofwinter]

The noise he makes is some sort of snorting laugh. "It's not about how the universe feels, my dear, it never is. Nobody cares what the universe feels. It's about what you feel. Your emotions. The things you have been avoiding discussing since you walked up to me today. Likely long before that, come to think of it."