tell me Atlas what is heavier?
the world or its peoples hearts?
the world or its peoples hearts?
“I don’t think you’d be capable of taking lives intentionally,” he disagrees quietly, though his eyes fall to her scorched hands, and for a moment his chest seizes. “Did…did she make you…?” Harper can’t even get the words out, too terrified by what her answer might be in the wake of the knowledge Gideon gave him. Ideas like possession and puppetry like a miasma in his mind.
Like ice thawing her words come faster with time and Harper can’t help but be grateful, hopelessly relieved that she is still somewhere behind that thick wall of unfeeling glass. Changed and lost perhaps, but still Maea at her core. Harper listens keenly because it is all he can do. There is already so much he is too late to do or stop on her behalf.
That Sunjata is involved in this is no surprise considering the conversations they’d had about the man before she died. It doesn’t make it any easier however, the man already difficult to see the good in sometimes, always caustic and cruel whenever others were around and yet contrastingly kind when alone.
“We’ve all done things we regret in the name of love,” he argues, having to speak a little louder to be heard over the increasing rain. “But love itself is purely good. You made a mistake - it doesn’t make you evil. Or irredeemable.” The final words are hushed but unbending. He longs to hug her, but doubts it would even bring her any comfort, only another reminder of all she has lost by Ascending. “Ludo doesn’t favor me but…perhaps someone else could take you to see it?” Because Harper doesn’t know what to do. How to help this girl who is so lost and alone, who he cares for. This is a problem of a magnitude he cannot hope to solve or theorize over, but his faith tells him that surely the gods themselves can offer guidance where Harper can only offer hollow comfort and support.
Like ice thawing her words come faster with time and Harper can’t help but be grateful, hopelessly relieved that she is still somewhere behind that thick wall of unfeeling glass. Changed and lost perhaps, but still Maea at her core. Harper listens keenly because it is all he can do. There is already so much he is too late to do or stop on her behalf.
That Sunjata is involved in this is no surprise considering the conversations they’d had about the man before she died. It doesn’t make it any easier however, the man already difficult to see the good in sometimes, always caustic and cruel whenever others were around and yet contrastingly kind when alone.
“We’ve all done things we regret in the name of love,” he argues, having to speak a little louder to be heard over the increasing rain. “But love itself is purely good. You made a mistake - it doesn’t make you evil. Or irredeemable.” The final words are hushed but unbending. He longs to hug her, but doubts it would even bring her any comfort, only another reminder of all she has lost by Ascending. “Ludo doesn’t favor me but…perhaps someone else could take you to see it?” Because Harper doesn’t know what to do. How to help this girl who is so lost and alone, who he cares for. This is a problem of a magnitude he cannot hope to solve or theorize over, but his faith tells him that surely the gods themselves can offer guidance where Harper can only offer hollow comfort and support.
Harper
