I think the choice between Meridian and Zenith ought to be a complicated one. People are too complex, often contradictory, to be told to choose from limited options and expected to be blindly satisfied with whatever they get.
[ Perhaps that spoke to the direness of the situation, that there was no third option. Only two difficult ones, for the majority; some Meridian and Zenith likely did not find their choice hard at all, and he suspected they were the ones who'd slipped deep and hard into their loyalties. In that, he agreed whole of heart with Quetzalcoatl — there's room to be either, and in the end, did it not depend on the life experiences of the individual before they arrived?
Her perspective is entirely alien to him, because he would fight for the lives of others even against a god — and had, in a way. Their right to continue to exist, whether they were good or bad, rather than be wiped away was the right of the living. Yet, he had joined Zenith, because the worlds were gone and he couldn't justify the right of the Shard-bearers of Kenos to continue to exist being less important than the dead. ]
You know, I feel the same way.
[ Maybe that's why he reaches up, above his head, to touch the edge of the calendar. To trace the ancient stone and its carvings and marvel at what it means — it is the culture of Quetzalcoatl, the proof that her Azteca once lived and created and had reason and love. Such things are so important to him to preserve, moving forward. ]
It's a painful challenge to ask people to undertake, because determining the right path for themselves is inevitably the path that will hurt many others. Their lives are precious and deserve to be protected. Right now, they're all that's left of their worlds. You and I are, too. It's why I joined Zenith, actually. To protect what's left, and not let your duty entirely override your right to peace.
[ She nods in agreement with a slightly sad expression. Quite a few people come to mind, and they’re the ones that cement her perception that this is the sort of conflict that’s best left to gods. She doesn’t doubt their strength, but she worries about the toll it’ll take on them. She worries that they won’t like the person they’ve become at the end of these Trials.
But as Drizzt shares his opinion and reaches out to the sunstone, her expression warms again. Actually, she looks deeply relieved as he continues, and it’s expressed in the way that Quetzalcoatl knows best. Assuming that he doesn’t flinch away, she’ll hug him quite snugly! At least her hugs are truly the best of the best—strong and warm in the way that you’d guess from a god of the sun. ]
¡Vaya! Ah, I’m so happy to hear you say that!! I love the Zenites, but so many of them are so sad!!
[ Which is definitely an understated way of what she means, but so many of those sad stories are deeply personal to who they belong to. Regardless, she does place her hands on his shoulders as she faces him and gives them an affirming squeeze. ]
You have a good, warm heart to want to look after people that way. It’s a beautiful way of looking at what Zenith could do, I think.
[ …Because who could understand it better than the god of a culture that had been purposefully withered? This is a much more extreme example, of course, but she can deeply feel the importance of wanting to care for and preserve what’s left. It’s also a perspective she hasn’t heard from a Zenite before. Not even close, actually. He can probably get that sense just from the enthusiasm of her response. ]
So, look out for the Zenites especially, okay? It's a lot for me to ask, probably! But don’t think of it as me asking as a god, okay? Think of it more like your big sister asking for a favor!
[ Her strong embrace startles him, pushing him onto his toes and flexing his muscles as he readies to slip her grasp and — ah, this is not an attack. The twisting of his mind, fluttering away into a fluid emptiness, shedding personality for reactivity, halts as he grips at the seams. Halts himself, in favor of basking in the intense, wonderful warmth that Quetzalcoatl embodies; she is so much like the sun, something that stings his eyes and skin, but that he'd basked in for hours — bathing his dark skin in light that no drow had ever embraced the way he had.
Gently, he tucks his hands into the small of her back and closes his eyes. Remembering the sun over the mountains, the brief kiss of warmth gleaming off snow and ice before the bitter cold lashed into his bones. The warmth of Catti-brie's hip under his palm, her mouth under his ear, her cheek against his thigh as she snored and snuffled by the fireside. ]
I'm glad you understand, Quetzalcoatl. I want to persevere, because Meridian's goal puts everyone back in the sights of Oblivion. If it took our worlds and lives once, going back — even if possible — it, just... it puts us all in danger. And while I mourn my world, I can't overlook those who are here. Right now.
[ He tugs back, to look her in the eye — tired and patient, someone who respects her and admires her desire, but places no personal faith in her divinity. ( Hard to, when you're the gods' favorite punching bag. ) ]
Actually, speaking of Zenites. I read in the papers that you were the last to see one of them — the one named Silco. Is he all right?
[ Being startled by Quetzalcoatl’s embrace isn’t a new reaction—most people tend to be, since her affection does tend to come out of seemingly nowhere. So, she doesn’t think much of how he flinches, but she does notice how he relaxes. She’s more attuned to that kind of reaction, even if it’s almost subconscious on her part. For a god that loves life and people so deeply, she’s sensitive to those who especially want or need the kind of affection she provides.
So, she holds Drizzt securely as he basks in it. This is the kind of thing she’s always happy to provide for Zenites especially, because part of her sorrow and fondness for them stems from the fact that she thinks they’ve been deprived of love like this. Impossible as it may be, she still wishes that every person could experience love as unconditional as hers.
She’s happy that he indulges too. Most Zenites shy away from it because they see it as weakness, she’s noticed. ]
[ So, as he pulls back she looks content herself. For the hug to be accepted might as well be like worship for her, but she accepts it simply and without any of the pretense that could come with a deity. She nods a little at what he says, because she does understand it… But her world has so many defenses against such horrors that it’s part of why she can’t believe it’s gone. She would have personally been called to fend it off, and if that fate is coming? She will, without question.
However, as Silco is mentioned, her expression turns surprised and then sheepish… But it’s mostly because even for beloved Quetzalcoatl, the papers of Springstar hadn’t been kind to her mercy. With how conflicted she is over having custody of his Shard in general, that stung all the more. ]
Mm, yes, I’m taking care of him…
[ She considers it, but then with a nod towards the shrine, she walks that way, though she’s still holding Drizzt’s hands. Now that he’s accepted her physical affection, She Will Not Stop. ]
All the Meri are kind of mad at me, but I think he fell down to me for a reason. If he’d stayed with Voryn and Hayame, they would have… [ She sighs a little, because their convictions are something that she loves and admires, but the action itself? ] Well, it’s complicated, yes? I almost wish people just died the way they were supposed to. Actually killing the Shard-Bearers… It’s something I can’t accept or allow.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[ Perhaps that spoke to the direness of the situation, that there was no third option. Only two difficult ones, for the majority; some Meridian and Zenith likely did not find their choice hard at all, and he suspected they were the ones who'd slipped deep and hard into their loyalties. In that, he agreed whole of heart with Quetzalcoatl — there's room to be either, and in the end, did it not depend on the life experiences of the individual before they arrived?
Her perspective is entirely alien to him, because he would fight for the lives of others even against a god — and had, in a way. Their right to continue to exist, whether they were good or bad, rather than be wiped away was the right of the living. Yet, he had joined Zenith, because the worlds were gone and he couldn't justify the right of the Shard-bearers of Kenos to continue to exist being less important than the dead. ]
You know, I feel the same way.
[ Maybe that's why he reaches up, above his head, to touch the edge of the calendar. To trace the ancient stone and its carvings and marvel at what it means — it is the culture of Quetzalcoatl, the proof that her Azteca once lived and created and had reason and love. Such things are so important to him to preserve, moving forward. ]
It's a painful challenge to ask people to undertake, because determining the right path for themselves is inevitably the path that will hurt many others. Their lives are precious and deserve to be protected. Right now, they're all that's left of their worlds. You and I are, too. It's why I joined Zenith, actually. To protect what's left, and not let your duty entirely override your right to peace.
no subject
But as Drizzt shares his opinion and reaches out to the sunstone, her expression warms again. Actually, she looks deeply relieved as he continues, and it’s expressed in the way that Quetzalcoatl knows best. Assuming that he doesn’t flinch away, she’ll hug him quite snugly! At least her hugs are truly the best of the best—strong and warm in the way that you’d guess from a god of the sun. ]
¡Vaya! Ah, I’m so happy to hear you say that!! I love the Zenites, but so many of them are so sad!!
[ Which is definitely an understated way of what she means, but so many of those sad stories are deeply personal to who they belong to. Regardless, she does place her hands on his shoulders as she faces him and gives them an affirming squeeze. ]
You have a good, warm heart to want to look after people that way. It’s a beautiful way of looking at what Zenith could do, I think.
[ …Because who could understand it better than the god of a culture that had been purposefully withered? This is a much more extreme example, of course, but she can deeply feel the importance of wanting to care for and preserve what’s left. It’s also a perspective she hasn’t heard from a Zenite before. Not even close, actually. He can probably get that sense just from the enthusiasm of her response. ]
So, look out for the Zenites especially, okay? It's a lot for me to ask, probably! But don’t think of it as me asking as a god, okay? Think of it more like your big sister asking for a favor!
[ l-lmao… ]
no subject
Gently, he tucks his hands into the small of her back and closes his eyes. Remembering the sun over the mountains, the brief kiss of warmth gleaming off snow and ice before the bitter cold lashed into his bones. The warmth of Catti-brie's hip under his palm, her mouth under his ear, her cheek against his thigh as she snored and snuffled by the fireside. ]
I'm glad you understand, Quetzalcoatl. I want to persevere, because Meridian's goal puts everyone back in the sights of Oblivion. If it took our worlds and lives once, going back — even if possible — it, just... it puts us all in danger. And while I mourn my world, I can't overlook those who are here. Right now.
[ He tugs back, to look her in the eye — tired and patient, someone who respects her and admires her desire, but places no personal faith in her divinity. ( Hard to, when you're the gods' favorite punching bag. ) ]
Actually, speaking of Zenites. I read in the papers that you were the last to see one of them — the one named Silco. Is he all right?
1/2
So, she holds Drizzt securely as he basks in it. This is the kind of thing she’s always happy to provide for Zenites especially, because part of her sorrow and fondness for them stems from the fact that she thinks they’ve been deprived of love like this. Impossible as it may be, she still wishes that every person could experience love as unconditional as hers.
She’s happy that he indulges too. Most Zenites shy away from it because they see it as weakness, she’s noticed. ]
no subject
However, as Silco is mentioned, her expression turns surprised and then sheepish… But it’s mostly because even for beloved Quetzalcoatl, the papers of Springstar hadn’t been kind to her mercy. With how conflicted she is over having custody of his Shard in general, that stung all the more. ]
Mm, yes, I’m taking care of him…
[ She considers it, but then with a nod towards the shrine, she walks that way, though she’s still holding Drizzt’s hands. Now that he’s accepted her physical affection, She Will Not Stop. ]
All the Meri are kind of mad at me, but I think he fell down to me for a reason. If he’d stayed with Voryn and Hayame, they would have… [ She sighs a little, because their convictions are something that she loves and admires, but the action itself? ] Well, it’s complicated, yes? I almost wish people just died the way they were supposed to. Actually killing the Shard-Bearers… It’s something I can’t accept or allow.