Un: The.Otter | Memory Share

[of_bokthersa]

You’re sitting on a stump next to a broad redheaded bear of a man, both smoking your pipes in calm silence. It’s been a few moments before Micum speaks.

"He’s too good for you, you know." He’s talking about Alec.

You know; you also know that Micum’s only saying that to get a rise out of you, but he’s also right. Alec is a good man, forthright and kind. If he hadn’t have met you, he would have been able to settle down, make a fine family and live a good, strong Dalnan life. You’d never be sure if it were the best for him that you stayed by his side, but you knew there was no helping it now.

"I’m not planning on tying him to me, Micum." You let out a long breath of smoke as you stare at the moon. It’s full and bright, frustratingly so.

"Oh?" He glances over, raising a brow with the tip of his pipe waiting on the tip of his lips.

"He’ll want a family one day, a wife and children. We both know that, and we both know that’s something I can’t give him."

"Seems happy enough the way things are, Seregil." He takes a puff and lets the silence take over for a moment. He’s letting you soak in his words, but it won’t work. You know Alec, you know the sort of man he was raised to be. “If you go spouting that nonsense to him, he’s liable to knock you on your ass, again.” It’s a reminder of when you tried to slink off on your own and it causes you to rub at your cheek for a moment at the memory. "And you’d deserve it too."

You can’t help laughing at that because he’s right on all counts. "I’m not going to push him away, Micum, but I won’t stop him either. When he chooses another, I won’t stand in his way." You know the moon is staring at you, knowing that what you say is hiding the truth. That you’ll be heartbroken. That you’ll never love another as you do Alec, but you can’t be selfish. You can’t hold him back from thing things he’ll eventually want. "As long as I have a place in his heart, I’m content."

"And you think that’ll change with all this newfound family he’ll suddenly want?" He’s mocking you and you’re aware of it. He thinks the whole thing is a lot of stupidity, but you know better. This is why you simply roll your eyes in return.

"I’d rather we ended this topic for now. Besides, I promised a certain daughter of yours a story before bed." And that was all as far as you were concerned. Pushing off, you tapped out your pipe while Micum shook his head.

"You know this isn’t over, Seregil."

"Of course not, but I’ll appreciate the respite while I have it." You turn to move into the warmth of the house.

Comments

audio; un: whiteroad

[whiteroadrunning]

Do you know, from the moment I kissed you, I never had a single doubt about spending the rest of my life at your side?

[of_bokthersa]

I should have known you have terrible taste, tali.

[whiteroadrunning]

You're marrying a Dalnan, and you accuse me of bad taste?

[of_bokthersa]

Dalnans are supposed to want wholesome prosperous lives.

[whiteroadrunning]

Is there something unwholesome about us?

[of_bokthersa]

I believe most Dalnans are against ... everything I stand for.

[whiteroadrunning]

Most Dalnans are also against comfortable clothing and the concept of butter. Piety is to suffer.

Luckily for us, Dalna and I have forsaken each other.

[of_bokthersa]

Luckily for me you've learned the joys of a bath.

[whiteroadrunning]

Exactly how often did you bathe when your only water source was a frigid stream?

[of_bokthersa]

I think you know me better than to not know the answer is as often as I could.

[whiteroadrunning]

Yet you were still attracted to me, in all my musky glory. I believe that says more about you than me.

[of_bokthersa]

It means I have good taste even when faced with someone in desperate need of a bath.

[whiteroadrunning]

Ever are we blessed with your discerning eye, talí.

[of_bokthersa]

And the north is cheated of a good, strong, and faithful Dalnan boy to keep on the faith.

[whiteroadrunning]

The north will survive. I've found better ways to occupy my time.

[of_bokthersa]

Oh yes, the gambling and drinking.

[whiteroadrunning]

You neglected to mention the larceny and hedonism.

[of_bokthersa]

Must have slipped my mind.

[whiteroadrunning]

In all seriousness, I'm glad you've made peace with this. Though I'd very much like to smack Micum for reinforcing the idea...

[of_bokthersa]

He never reinforced it. In fact, he told me I was mad for thinking about it every time it was brought up. Always claimed you'd knock me flat on my ass, or worse.

[whiteroadrunning]

You've always come first, and you always will. I chose you.

[of_bokthersa]

And I'm eternally grateful for it, tali.

[whiteroadrunning]

Are there any other fears I can help to allay?

[of_bokthersa]

I have a dreadful fear of being alone in bed.

[whiteroadrunning]

[Alec laughs.] Well, that's easily remedied.

[of_bokthersa]

And what of my fear of being alone in the bath?

[whiteroadrunning]

Why, talí! I had no idea you were so fearful!

[of_bokthersa]

Oh, terribly. Mostly of being alone in intimate situations.

[whiteroadrunning]

As if I would ever let you.

[of_bokthersa]

One of your many good qualities.