Alright. [ she raises both her hands in surrender, a small smile on her face. ] Just trying to look out for you, little brother.
[ She'll never get the Thessaly side of the breakup but she could probably get her brother's. ] It matters. I think I returned a few books one time and Lucienne told me the cleaning staff had just finished ensuring the courtyards were dry.
[ Considering you flooded one dreamscape when you met your ex-wife again... yeah. It matters. ]
That was... different. [There may have been an overcast misting when Thessaly left, but that breakup could not come close to the painful trauma that happened between himself and Calliope.]
There was nothing left, by the time she left. Embers remained of what fire had once been. That is true on both sides. No relationship is ever the same, sister. I know you withhold yourself from romance, but it is the truth. The start, the middle, the end... they are never interchangeable. They are also not regrettable on my end, for all the regrets I hold from them.
Have you truly never experienced it yourself? A romance.
[ She really should hang with his staff more often. They see things the family never does.
They see her brother. ]
No. I mean, aside from the Rules, there wasn't really an idea of it in me. [ She reckons it has everything to do with her entire self. Death has been impartial and it is true. She does not care for romantic entaglements for herself. She doesn't feel the same all-consuming want and need and love that Dream constantly seeks out. ]
Hazel did tell me she loved me. I told her I knew and she said I love everyone, which is true. Or, well, 99% of the time. [ Obvious with her... it's not disregard for the Thessalian, but it's something. Not like some people she could name, and she did like them once. And well.
Some of them spat in her face, metaphorically and literally. ]
It's not a big deal to me, though. So don't worry about it too much.
[He gives her a wry look at the mention of loving almost everybody but doesn’t start the talk on Thessaly again.]
You deserve love, sister. I’m glad that some like Hazel give it to you.
Perhaps it is less worry and more… wonder. [Neither of his elder siblings seem to have much use for romance personally. He supposes he can somewhat understand why in their cases, but it begs the question why himself and his younger siblings felt such compulsions. Were they simply more disciplined to avoid romantic entanglements? Or had they truly never felt that spark, that want for connection, as he had with his past great loves?
It isn’t a talk he’s comfortable having with anyone, let alone a family member, but the curiosity exists, nonetheless.]
It’s true that one needn’t have romance to be fulfilled. I’ve seen that much. I wonder why any of the Endless are drawn to it at all, I suppose. [Although really, only he’s ever been married and had long term live together romances, near as he can tell.]
I got you, don't I? And Destiny, Desire, Despair, Delirium, and the Prodigal.
[ she moves closer until she's within hugging distance, and leans her head on his bony shoulder. ]
And Hazel, yeah. I got you lot, I think I'm happy with that.
[ Aside from Dream, she knows the only one who would actually go out and date would be... well, Desire's obvious. But Desire doesn't date, in the way mortals think. The other one is Destruction, but that's more of a question of "has he, or has he not?". She remembers him being just as much as his function and purpose.
(And then he left.) ]
You know, I think it's because we're constants in mortal lives. Well, not just mortal, but y'know. Plenty of folx out there, living and dreaming, and we're just there, unseen. That's just a thought though, nothing as confirming as fact.
The Prodigal would have to be here, for that to be true.
[Abandoning one's realm is unfathomable to Dream, and while he still loves his brother, he just can't bring himself to forgive that gross misconduct until he returns and takes measures to set things right.]
Yes, though. You have the rest of us. Only the stars know whether that is for the best, in some cases.
[Family is complicated.]
Mm. Perhaps. I wonder sometimes why none but I have felt certain ways, but I'm sure that we all have areas we believe make us stand out from the rest.
I guess. [ She doesn't mind. In fact, she understands why he even left. And just because he's abandoned his realm doesn't mean she hasn't seen him. Though, half the time, she has work, and she swears Destiny must have done something for the two of them to cross paths a few times. ] I'm okay with it, though, him being not here. That is, I get it, because I felt the same way. I did leave once, but I came back.
[ And it had taken a young person to remind her that she had to go back, that nothing was dying and remained ridiculously stagnant. The Death card in the Major Arcana never really means literal death.
It was all about change. ]
I may or may not have a theory about that, but y'know. Theory. Not to mention, you'll probably disagree with me. But yeah, I definitely agree on that.
[OOC: I should be back on a normal schedule, i.e. not just available on weekends, after this upcoming week. Thanks for your patience!]
[He gives her a look that says he doesn't get it, and that he refuses to do so. The judgement only softens slightly when he hears that she once abandoned her realm as well, though the resentment is replaced with confusion. Oh, he gets being tired and unfulfilled, in wanting something new or other. Yet he cannot imagine actually acting on that feeling. He's always been too grounded in duty and obligation to let himself walk away. Perhaps that's part of why he resents what the Prodigal did, because he somehow could cut those ties without hanging himself in them instead.]
It's good you came back. The galaxy without Death would be even worse off than when it was without me. I told them as much.
It definitely was bad, when I left. [ Nothing changed. And it affected every single thing, from ideas to living, sentient beings, to those on the bridge of death—constantly rotting and decaying but never finding the end. She grabs a random pillow and hugs it like she first did, but tighter. ] I think it's because I'm me. The Prodigal... well. He did care a lot, but I think, he cared too much, then left.
[ Destiny's obviously seen it coming, the departure. Death... well, she didn't, but she understood. In a way, for Destruction, it stopped being about responsibility and more about conscience. ]
You care a lot, too. But it's different for you. [ She told him once that the living... well, every single sentient and breathing being in the universe, rather... were never theirs to manipulate and control. It's still true.
She gives him a small smile at the hope of Destruction returning. ] Maybe. Hope springs eternal, after all.
I still think that excuse doesn't justify his actions.
[He doubted he would change his position on that matter though, so it seemed a moot point. He knew what it was like to care and what it was like to hurt, and he still didn't think any pain was worth abdicating his responsibilities to the wind rather than at least a suitable replacement. He tried not to think on the Prodigal too much though, because he doubted that the Prodigal was thinking much on what he left behind.
He gave a bit of a sideways look when Death declared it different for him.]
Is that so? And why am I so very unique once more?
[ She lets out a snort, but smiles up at him. ] Because you're duty-bound. He was too, for a while, then it was too much. Mortals say there's a limit to these sort of things, and I listen, y'know, because it's only polite, but there really comes a time when it's just too painful for the heart, for anyone, really.
[ All she has is speculations and theories and thoughts. None are confirmed, none are factual, or rooted in facts. She feels like a conversation about responsibility might be too early.
It doesn't feel muddled to me. We are not mortal. Our existence came into being to serve a function, it is tied to our duties in ways that mortals cannot imagine. Not even the gods can. There are ways to handle pain rather than running from it. Especially when doing so causes pain for others.
[He will never simply abandon his realm, no matter the personal cost.]
I doubt we shall agree on this point though, and it matters little with respect to the Prodigal who made his choice.
Tangentially speaking on the matter, I do have work I must attend.
Yeah, you busybody. [ She's one as well, of course, but she's got a... she supposes it's a healthier way of handling everything, but it works in her favor. She sits back up straight and stretches her arms. ] I got some callers on the line myself.
[ She can just blink and put on her boots again like they've been there the entire time but she leans down, puts them on one by one, and ties the strings as comfortably as she can. When she's done, she stands up and stares down at him still seated. ]
Don't be a stranger, little brother. Call me whenever, okay?
[ incoming kiss on the cheek and hair ruffle from big sis. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[ She'll never get the Thessaly side of the breakup but she could probably get her brother's. ] It matters. I think I returned a few books one time and Lucienne told me the cleaning staff had just finished ensuring the courtyards were dry.
[ Considering you flooded one dreamscape when you met your ex-wife again... yeah. It matters. ]
no subject
There was nothing left, by the time she left. Embers remained of what fire had once been. That is true on both sides. No relationship is ever the same, sister. I know you withhold yourself from romance, but it is the truth. The start, the middle, the end... they are never interchangeable. They are also not regrettable on my end, for all the regrets I hold from them.
Have you truly never experienced it yourself? A romance.
no subject
They see her brother. ]
No. I mean, aside from the Rules, there wasn't really an idea of it in me. [ She reckons it has everything to do with her entire self. Death has been impartial and it is true. She does not care for romantic entaglements for herself. She doesn't feel the same all-consuming want and need and love that Dream constantly seeks out. ]
Hazel did tell me she loved me. I told her I knew and she said I love everyone, which is true. Or, well, 99% of the time. [ Obvious with her... it's not disregard for the Thessalian, but it's something. Not like some people she could name, and she did like them once. And well.
Some of them spat in her face, metaphorically and literally. ]
It's not a big deal to me, though. So don't worry about it too much.
no subject
You deserve love, sister. I’m glad that some like Hazel give it to you.
Perhaps it is less worry and more… wonder. [Neither of his elder siblings seem to have much use for romance personally. He supposes he can somewhat understand why in their cases, but it begs the question why himself and his younger siblings felt such compulsions. Were they simply more disciplined to avoid romantic entanglements? Or had they truly never felt that spark, that want for connection, as he had with his past great loves?
It isn’t a talk he’s comfortable having with anyone, let alone a family member, but the curiosity exists, nonetheless.]
It’s true that one needn’t have romance to be fulfilled. I’ve seen that much. I wonder why any of the Endless are drawn to it at all, I suppose. [Although really, only he’s ever been married and had long term live together romances, near as he can tell.]
no subject
[ she moves closer until she's within hugging distance, and leans her head on his bony shoulder. ]
And Hazel, yeah. I got you lot, I think I'm happy with that.
[ Aside from Dream, she knows the only one who would actually go out and date would be... well, Desire's obvious. But Desire doesn't date, in the way mortals think. The other one is Destruction, but that's more of a question of "has he, or has he not?". She remembers him being just as much as his function and purpose.
(And then he left.) ]
You know, I think it's because we're constants in mortal lives. Well, not just mortal, but y'know. Plenty of folx out there, living and dreaming, and we're just there, unseen. That's just a thought though, nothing as confirming as fact.
no subject
[Abandoning one's realm is unfathomable to Dream, and while he still loves his brother, he just can't bring himself to forgive that gross misconduct until he returns and takes measures to set things right.]
Yes, though. You have the rest of us. Only the stars know whether that is for the best, in some cases.
[Family is complicated.]
Mm. Perhaps. I wonder sometimes why none but I have felt certain ways, but I'm sure that we all have areas we believe make us stand out from the rest.
no subject
[ And it had taken a young person to remind her that she had to go back, that nothing was dying and remained ridiculously stagnant. The Death card in the Major Arcana never really means literal death.
It was all about change. ]
I may or may not have a theory about that, but y'know. Theory. Not to mention, you'll probably disagree with me. But yeah, I definitely agree on that.
no subject
[He gives her a look that says he doesn't get it, and that he refuses to do so. The judgement only softens slightly when he hears that she once abandoned her realm as well, though the resentment is replaced with confusion. Oh, he gets being tired and unfulfilled, in wanting something new or other. Yet he cannot imagine actually acting on that feeling. He's always been too grounded in duty and obligation to let himself walk away. Perhaps that's part of why he resents what the Prodigal did, because he somehow could cut those ties without hanging himself in them instead.]
It's good you came back. The galaxy without Death would be even worse off than when it was without me. I told them as much.
Perhaps the Prodigal will return eventually.
[No, he definitely is not certain about that.]
no subject
It definitely was bad, when I left. [ Nothing changed. And it affected every single thing, from ideas to living, sentient beings, to those on the bridge of death—constantly rotting and decaying but never finding the end. She grabs a random pillow and hugs it like she first did, but tighter. ] I think it's because I'm me. The Prodigal... well. He did care a lot, but I think, he cared too much, then left.
[ Destiny's obviously seen it coming, the departure. Death... well, she didn't, but she understood. In a way, for Destruction, it stopped being about responsibility and more about conscience. ]
You care a lot, too. But it's different for you. [ She told him once that the living... well, every single sentient and breathing being in the universe, rather... were never theirs to manipulate and control. It's still true.
She gives him a small smile at the hope of Destruction returning. ] Maybe. Hope springs eternal, after all.
no subject
[He doubted he would change his position on that matter though, so it seemed a moot point. He knew what it was like to care and what it was like to hurt, and he still didn't think any pain was worth abdicating his responsibilities to the wind rather than at least a suitable replacement. He tried not to think on the Prodigal too much though, because he doubted that the Prodigal was thinking much on what he left behind.
He gave a bit of a sideways look when Death declared it different for him.]
Is that so? And why am I so very unique once more?
no subject
[ All she has is speculations and theories and thoughts. None are confirmed, none are factual, or rooted in facts. She feels like a conversation about responsibility might be too early.
Whatever, Destiny can tell her off later. ]
It's a little bit muddled, when it comes to us.
no subject
[He will never simply abandon his realm, no matter the personal cost.]
I doubt we shall agree on this point though, and it matters little with respect to the Prodigal who made his choice.
Tangentially speaking on the matter, I do have work I must attend.
no subject
Yeah, you busybody. [ She's one as well, of course, but she's got a... she supposes it's a healthier way of handling everything, but it works in her favor. She sits back up straight and stretches her arms. ] I got some callers on the line myself.
[ She can just blink and put on her boots again like they've been there the entire time but she leans down, puts them on one by one, and ties the strings as comfortably as she can. When she's done, she stands up and stares down at him still seated. ]
Don't be a stranger, little brother. Call me whenever, okay?
[ incoming kiss on the cheek and hair ruffle from big sis. ]