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+---- Thread: wishstones, and other bad ideas (/showthread.php?tid=12001)
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RE: wishstones, and other bad ideas - Damien - 10-08-2025
Damien was quiet for a long moment. The only sound between them was the roll of the surf farther out and the faint rustle of Aria rooting through the grass.
It wasn’t discomfort that kept him still—it was thought. What Remi had described was heavy, and he wasn’t about to cheapen it with easy words. After a beat, he exhaled slowly through his nose.
[say]“Yeah..”[/say] he said at last, voice low. [say]“That sounds… terrible.”[/say] The word was plain, deliberate. [say]“And I’m sorry that’s what they put you through.”[/say]
He absently turned the stone in his palm. [say]“I guess I’ve never been close enough to see the bad side of it.”[/say] His gaze flicked toward the horizon, where the light shimmered off the ocean waves. [say]“I've only met them once and it was sort of... short and sweet, I guess. But—”[/say] he hesitated, trying to find the right words, [say]“—not cruel.”[/say]
He glanced back at Remi, dark eyes steady. [say]“Doesn’t excuse what they did. There’s no good reason for taking choice out of someone’s hands. But maybe that’s the point—they don’t live by the same lines we do. They don’t see right or wrong the way we do. Or maybe it's much simpler than that, and they make awful mistakes sometimes...”[/say] The suggestion felt forbidden, like a taboo, and his lips felt obligatory shame for having let the words slip through. But he didn't linger on the feeling. It wasn't the first time he'd realized, recently, through other's experiences, that the gods and heralds are not exactly perfect beings.
The corner of his mouth lifted faintly, humorless but not cold. [say]“Guess that’s why they call them gods, not guides.”[/say] Ah... man.. That was really stupid. He shook his head in self-disappointment.
[say]“Well, I appreciate you telling me all that. I can't imagine it's pleasant to relive the experiences but it does help to hear from someone who’s seen both sides.”[/say] His tone was sincere—an acknowledgment rather than a dismissal. [say]“I’m not looking to end up in anyone's pocket, but… I don't know... I feel a pull to nature. Wish I could do more. It's... hard to explain.”[/say]
His gaze dipped, thoughtful. [say]“Maybe it’s a bad idea.”[/say] He turned the stone once more in his hand before slipping it back into his pocket.
RE: wishstones, and other bad ideas - Remi - 10-08-2025
Remi exhales, the sound deep and slow, like it’s been building somewhere low in his chest. His nod follows a heartbeat later, thoughtful. [say]"In the end, I wouldn’t trade my twins for the world,"[/say] he says quietly, sincerity softening the edges of the words. Whatever had gone wrong in the making of them, the love in his tone leaves no doubt about what they mean to him now.
Ruffling a hand through his curls, he huffs a laugh under his breath. [say]"When Frey split into two aspects, it did make things easier. I probably wouldn’t think twice about seeing Nature Frey again, even if they’re technically the same being. Knowing it isn’t the sexual side makes it...more bearable."[/say] He tilts his head toward Damien, curiosity flickering in his sea-glass eyes. [say]"Which version did you meet?"[/say]
The pun earns a low snicker, boyish and brief. [say]"Guides, gods...no, you’re right,"[/say] he says with a grin, shaking his head. [say]"I couldn’t have put it better myself."[/say]
As Damien’s words drift toward the question of calling, Remi shrugs, the gesture broad and unpretentious. [say]"Of all of us, I think Deimos is the only one who’s done it right. Safrin offered to make him a demigod, and he declined. Still ended up almost as powerful as the rest of us, just without the strings attached."[/say] His voice carries a wry affection when he says it, equal parts admiration and envy. [say]"That’s the thing, though, there are always strings. Even when it looks like there aren’t."[/say]
He glances out across the water, the sunlight catching on his curls as he adds, quieter, [say]"And you’re right. Whether they don’t live by the same rules or just make mistakes like the rest of us, binding yourself to them forever isn’t a road I’d ever recommend."[/say] A pause, then a faint smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. [say]"Not when there are other options."[/say]
RE: wishstones, and other bad ideas - Damien - 10-10-2025
Damien’s expression softened a little at the mention of his twins. [say]“I can tell,”[/say] he said quietly, and he meant it. Whatever else had happened, the love in Remi’s voice was undeniable. [say]“Maybe that’s the part that counts, in the end. It's definitely complicated, but.. sounds like something good came out of it. Can’t imagine Frey didn’t have a reason for that..”[/say]
He rubbed thoughtfully at the back of his neck, gaze drifting as he recalled meeting the herald, before he spoke again. [say]“I met the Nature aspect. They were… different than I expected. No games, no edge. They were... wrapped in light, like the aurora back home, and wore the pelt of the snow leopard I’d offered as if it had always been theirs.”[/say]
His brow furrowed slightly at the memory, but not in confusion—more a quiet reverence. [say]“They told me the bond I wanted had to be earned. No shortcuts, no gifts. Just work. Which feels… fair, certainly. Her mother,”[/say] he notioned toward the cub, who had flopped over lazily in the grass, [say]"was a.. well, she took to hunting people rather than their usual prey. Guess times got tough for them. I didn't know about the cub until after. I robbed her of that life, whether I meant to or not. But she didn't ask for any of it. So makin' her my responsibility feels fair, in a way. Like maybe I can make up for... some of what happened."[/say] He didn't know how to describe perfectly the innate need to give back, not just take from the wild. It would not balance the scales, not entirely, but.. it was better than leaving an innocent out in the snow to starve for the sins of its forebears.
So rather than fumbling through words, he fell quiet, thumb brushing against his knuckles before glancing back at Remi. [say]“Anyway, my brief experience was very different. Guess that’s why it’s strange to hear what they did to you. Doesn’t line up with what I saw. Makes me think they’ve changed—or maybe it’s just the difference between their faces.”[/say] His tone was careful, not challenging, but genuinely curious; a mortal man still trying to piece together the rules of something much older than himself.
When Remi mentioned Deimos, Damien nodded almost immediately. [say]“Can’t argue there. Man’s got a good head on his shoulders.”[/say] His arms folded loosely, posture easing as if the admission came naturally. [say]“I’ve thought about Attuning, you know. The call of the wild, or something like that.”[/say] His grin was slight but real, the self-awareness in it undercutting any arrogance. [say]“Guess I just haven’t found the right moment—or the right reason—to make that kind of choice.”[/say]
He looked toward the horizon again, the light on the water gilding his profile. [say]“Still… I get what you mean about the strings. Seems like anything powerful enough to change you usually comes with a few.”[/say] A pause, then a small smirk. [say]“Doesn’t always stop us from grabbing hold anyway, though, does it?”[/say]
RE: wishstones, and other bad ideas - Remi - 10-11-2025
Remi nods, listening with quiet interest. [say]"From what I’ve seen, they’re both undoubtedly Frey,"[/say] he says, a touch of wry amusement in his tone, [say]"but they are distinct. The two sides even have their own demigods, so—"[/say] his grin tilts, half teasing, half sincere, [say]"—if you keep to the Nature aspect, it sounds like maybe you’ll be in good company."[/say]
As Damien speaks of the snow leopard’s story, Remi’s gaze follows briefly toward the cub, sprawled content in the grass. His expression softens. [say]"The companion bond is a true gift,"[/say] he says quietly. [say]"In some of my darker hours, it’s been my companion’s mind that’s pulled me back."[/say] The thought lingers, a private truth more felt than spoken.
When the conversation shifts, Remi’s lips curve again, this time with real fondness. [say]"I came to this world as an Attuned,"[/say] he explains, almost proudly, even though being a shapechanger had been the lowest class of citizen where he was from. [say]"As a boy, I could turn into a hawk."[/say] His eyes brighten faintly at the memory. [say]"Through everything that’s changed here—the magic, the gods, the titles—that part has never left me. It’s one of the few things I still think is wholly good."[/say]
He shrugs, the movement easy, his curls falling into his eyes. [say]"The instincts can take some getting used to, especially with predatory shifts,"[/say] he admits, a grin flickering across his face, [say]"but it’s worth it. There’s something freeing about it. Simple, in a way most things aren’t anymore."[/say]
RE: wishstones, and other bad ideas - Damien - 10-14-2025
Damien listened, quiet but attentive, as Remi spoke. The way the man talked about it all—about the gods, his bond, even the old magic in his blood—carried the kind of perspective only hard-earned experience could give. He respected that.
[say]"She’s already more trouble than I bargained for, but… I can’t imagine not having her around.”[/say] His eyes followed Aria where she’d rolled onto her back in the grass, paws batting lazily at the air. [say]“Makes the quiet less empty, somehow.”[/say]
As Remi mentioned his Attunement, Damien’s brow rose slightly, genuine curiosity flickering across his face. [say]“A hawk, huh?”[/say] he echoed, the image pulling a slight grin out of him. He tilted his head then, asking, [say]"Did you have to learn to fly, or did it come naturally?"[/say]
He thought about the rest of it—the freedom, the simplicity. Those words struck something that lingered behind his ribs, familiar and enticing. [say]“I think I'd like that,”[/say] he admitted after a beat.
Aria let out a small mrrow as if on cue, clearly bored of being discussed rather than adored. Damien chuckled under his breath, crouching beside her. [say]“Alright, alright,”[/say] he muttered, untethering the silly fin from her back. The bright blue plastic came off with a soft squeak, and he turned it in his hands before shaking his head. [say]“You’ve earned a break from this thing.”[/say] He tossed it lightly aside, earning a satisfied chirrup from the cub, who promptly did a sploot.
Straightening, Damien brushed the sand from his hands and cast one last glance toward the Pool, now gleaming quiet and still beneath the afternoon light. He glanced back over at Remi, [say]“Maybe I’ll stick to the Nature side of things, see where that takes me.”[/say]
RE: wishstones, and other bad ideas - Remi - 10-19-2025
Remi chuckles, eyebrows lifting in wordless understanding before he nods. [say]"The real trick,"[/say] he says, grin tugging lopsided and knowing, [say]"is making the space you share with them in your mind an equally peaceful place to be."[/say] His tone carries warmth and humour in equal measure; someone who’s clearly spent plenty of time negotiating mental territory with his own companion.
At Damien’s question about flight, Remi laughs outright, a boyish sound that brightens his whole face. [say]"Oh, I absolutely had to learn. And I was terrible at it."[/say] His curls shake with the motion of his head, amusement still dancing in his voice. [say]"Luckily, my mother was flighted too—she taught me before I could embarrass or injure myself too badly. The number of trees I flew into, though…"[/say] He trails off with a grin that suggests the number was not small.
Remi sobers slightly, though the smile lingers. [say]"Whatever happens with the gods, just keep your wits about you,"[/say] he says gently.
Following Damien’s gaze toward the logs, Remi exhales a soft sigh, a mix of resignation and humour. [say]"I should get these back to Ronin before he decides to come looking for me."[/say] His grin returns, bright and easy. [say]"Thank you for the help—and the excuse to catch my breath."[/say]
He flashes another fond look toward Aria before dipping his head in farewell to Damien. Then, with a ripple of motion, his tentacles unfurl once more, looping around the scattered trunks. Muscles flex as he hauls the rest up into his arms, the effort sounding in a quiet grunt before he turns back toward the coastline.
[say]"Good luck,"[/say] he calls over his shoulder, voice carrying easily across the sand as he heads back inland
~FIN