sacrifice what you are for what you can become
"No," is all he says in answer of his family. Of course they aren't. His father is a stubborn stone of a man. Not even Henry can get through to him. If Wessex had known the disapproval of him leaving to Torchline this Deepfrost, perhaps she would not have asked him to. But this is Henry's life. Isn't it?Shouldn't he have a say in what he wants? He airs none of this to Wessex. It isn't her problem.
He sets the book down upon a nearby surface, adjacent enough to be noticeable should she want it back. For now, he believes that neither of them will want to look at it much more.
As Wessex retrieves the gifts for him, he voices his thoughts, finishing hers, "but will it work? Yeah.. that's the problem. If even one of them realizes..." he brings his hand up to his chin, thoughtfully growing quiet.
Suddenly he shakes his head, angry, frustrated, powerless. His brows furrow deeply but he's not the type to lash out or act on such dark impulses. This isn't Wessex's fault. It isn't about blame at all. It's about stacked odds, and whether or not beating them is feasible. What she says is true. At least, he thinks it is. Maybe the things they have now will be enough. Maybe.
Without very much spirit, he retrieves the parcel he brought for her and trades it for the ones she's presented him. He will wait to open his, however, until she's opened hers.
At the time, Henry was trying to think of something that might help ease Wessex's strain. Ease her worry, her stress. Being an Ascended, that's difficult. They have little physical response to any sort of food or drink. Otherwise, Henry might've fixed her up an entire banquet. A... 'last meal' of sorts. Grim as that sounds. But since the Ascended don't get anything out of eating or drinking, he's brought her something different. Something symbolic.
Within the parcel, Wessex will find a necklace. It's made mostly with obsidian. Rather than jewels or charms, the necklace itself is in the shape of a dragon. A slender, black dragon that links into itself like an ouroboros.
Along with that, she'll find a small leatherbound book. It's roughly small enough to fit into a person's pocket as long as they're not the fake kind of pockets. Upon opening it, she will find that the first page has been signed by Henry, a small note that reads:
'For Wessex,
Hold nothing back.
- Henry Walker'
"I certainly hope that nothing happens to you, Wessex," he states this solemnly, "the Grounds needs someone like you now, whether they realize it or not. And I know that as long as you're standing, you will protect the rest of us."
He sets the book down upon a nearby surface, adjacent enough to be noticeable should she want it back. For now, he believes that neither of them will want to look at it much more.
As Wessex retrieves the gifts for him, he voices his thoughts, finishing hers, "but will it work? Yeah.. that's the problem. If even one of them realizes..." he brings his hand up to his chin, thoughtfully growing quiet.
Suddenly he shakes his head, angry, frustrated, powerless. His brows furrow deeply but he's not the type to lash out or act on such dark impulses. This isn't Wessex's fault. It isn't about blame at all. It's about stacked odds, and whether or not beating them is feasible. What she says is true. At least, he thinks it is. Maybe the things they have now will be enough. Maybe.
Without very much spirit, he retrieves the parcel he brought for her and trades it for the ones she's presented him. He will wait to open his, however, until she's opened hers.
At the time, Henry was trying to think of something that might help ease Wessex's strain. Ease her worry, her stress. Being an Ascended, that's difficult. They have little physical response to any sort of food or drink. Otherwise, Henry might've fixed her up an entire banquet. A... 'last meal' of sorts. Grim as that sounds. But since the Ascended don't get anything out of eating or drinking, he's brought her something different. Something symbolic.
Within the parcel, Wessex will find a necklace. It's made mostly with obsidian. Rather than jewels or charms, the necklace itself is in the shape of a dragon. A slender, black dragon that links into itself like an ouroboros.
Along with that, she'll find a small leatherbound book. It's roughly small enough to fit into a person's pocket as long as they're not the fake kind of pockets. Upon opening it, she will find that the first page has been signed by Henry, a small note that reads:
'For Wessex,
Hold nothing back.
- Henry Walker'
"I certainly hope that nothing happens to you, Wessex," he states this solemnly, "the Grounds needs someone like you now, whether they realize it or not. And I know that as long as you're standing, you will protect the rest of us."
HENRY
