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I'm...terribly sorry to hear that.
[Rei takes a step closer and puts a hand on his shoulder.]
It seems you've grown quite a bit this year, my friend.
[Rei takes a step closer and puts a hand on his shoulder.]
It seems you've grown quite a bit this year, my friend.
A tako? What is it? What is it made of?
[ She is very curious of this strange 'tako'—! ]
Wild strawberries tend to be circular. But there's another variety you can find in supermarkets which have the appearance of the Emo-jee strawberry! They're usually much bigger than wild ones, too!
[ She is very curious of this strange 'tako'—! ]
Wild strawberries tend to be circular. But there's another variety you can find in supermarkets which have the appearance of the Emo-jee strawberry! They're usually much bigger than wild ones, too!
[it's a task back home that he'd taken to easily, and being here in this city is no different. he's used to being the one to carry things, to move them, to take on all the menial tasks so the monks were free to continue their own routines unhindered. it stands to reason that he'd continue the same here for diarmuid.
but it's clear that he doesn't need to defend his actions when diarmuid starts to speak. he's in full agreement about the taste, though he has no plans on eating more himself to get used to it. he'd much rather give those sweeter foods over to diarmuid instead and stick to what he knows for himself.
so he simply watches and listens, as he always does. (grimaces, of course, at the mention of eating enough of it to make himself ill). with diarmuid there, he never feels the need to fill the silence. doesn't feel that same level of discomfort he has around others who expect more from him than he's capable of giving. peaceful moments like these are a welcome reprieve from everything else that's happened in their lives.]
but it's clear that he doesn't need to defend his actions when diarmuid starts to speak. he's in full agreement about the taste, though he has no plans on eating more himself to get used to it. he'd much rather give those sweeter foods over to diarmuid instead and stick to what he knows for himself.
so he simply watches and listens, as he always does. (grimaces, of course, at the mention of eating enough of it to make himself ill). with diarmuid there, he never feels the need to fill the silence. doesn't feel that same level of discomfort he has around others who expect more from him than he's capable of giving. peaceful moments like these are a welcome reprieve from everything else that's happened in their lives.]
[He blinks at her, looking a little surprised by the comment.
But soon he relaxes, because... Lord above, it's true. He feels much older. Too old, he thinks.]
... It has been a long year.
I'll be a man next spring. I've never felt so much and so less like an adult than right now.
But soon he relaxes, because... Lord above, it's true. He feels much older. Too old, he thinks.]
... It has been a long year.
I'll be a man next spring. I've never felt so much and so less like an adult than right now.
There is always so much to learn. Whew!
[who, who taught him 'whew'-]
I know not where it comes from but it is delisious!!!
It is a thin crackly yellow bred, full of greens and cheese and meat!
But there are also soft takos, they are made with a white chewy bred.
We should go have some!
[who, who taught him 'whew'-]
I know not where it comes from but it is delisious!!!
It is a thin crackly yellow bred, full of greens and cheese and meat!
But there are also soft takos, they are made with a white chewy bred.
We should go have some!
You already behave more responsibly than most adults, Diarmuid.
{Much, much more, if she's honest.
She knows some real goobers.]
I think you're already an adult in all but name. And I think have been for a while now.
{Much, much more, if she's honest.
She knows some real goobers.]
I think you're already an adult in all but name. And I think have been for a while now.
[Diarmuid laughs when he grimaces.]
You think this is bad? Should I introduce you to hot sauce?
[Don't mind him munching as he goes.]
I had poured some into soup once, and never have I regretted such an ingredient in all my days on earth. But it's particularly good on 'Mexican food'.
You think this is bad? Should I introduce you to hot sauce?
[Don't mind him munching as he goes.]
I had poured some into soup once, and never have I regretted such an ingredient in all my days on earth. But it's particularly good on 'Mexican food'.
[Having met many adults in Deerington?
His mind and soul is in burning agreement.]
I certainly know how to live on my own now. Too well.
[A pause, and he gestures to the other little bunk in the cabin with a laugh.]
Well — I suppose I don't live alone now, at the moment! My friend from home has joined me.
His mind and soul is in burning agreement.]
I certainly know how to live on my own now. Too well.
[A pause, and he gestures to the other little bunk in the cabin with a laugh.]
Well — I suppose I don't live alone now, at the moment! My friend from home has joined me.
That's good, though.
[Rei smiles over at it.]
Tell me about your friend? I imagine I'll meet them eventually, but I am curious.
[Rei smiles over at it.]
Tell me about your friend? I imagine I'll meet them eventually, but I am curious.
[he follows along in silence, listening to diarmuid speak, despite the fact that his attention is largely fixed on the area around them. after all he's learned about this city, all that's happened to the boy in the time before he arrived, the mute isn't willing to let his guard drop. not until they're back inside the cabin again.
the questions themselves go largely unanswered. he doesn't know what hot sauce is to be able to agree or refuse his suggestion. so he knows he'd just end up deferring to diarmuid's lead about it. the same when it comes to whatever mexican food is. though considering some of the meals that he's had since coming here, he doubts he'll mind trying it at least once. unless--
he taps the side of the box in diarmuid's hand in question. is mexican food sweet? because that may be the one deciding factor as to whether he'll try it or not.]
the questions themselves go largely unanswered. he doesn't know what hot sauce is to be able to agree or refuse his suggestion. so he knows he'd just end up deferring to diarmuid's lead about it. the same when it comes to whatever mexican food is. though considering some of the meals that he's had since coming here, he doubts he'll mind trying it at least once. unless--
he taps the side of the box in diarmuid's hand in question. is mexican food sweet? because that may be the one deciding factor as to whether he'll try it or not.]
... He's complicated.
[That's a start. But he looks fond when he says it.]
He'd taken a vow of silence, so he doesn't speak. Despite that, I suppose he is one of my only friends from home — we've known each other for the past five summers, now... I've been trying to have him meet new people and branch out, but... he's a very isolated sort of person.
[That's a start. But he looks fond when he says it.]
He'd taken a vow of silence, so he doesn't speak. Despite that, I suppose he is one of my only friends from home — we've known each other for the past five summers, now... I've been trying to have him meet new people and branch out, but... he's a very isolated sort of person.
Then it must be nice having him nearby. Is he a monk like you?
{Vow of silence makes her think yes. Also, does he write? Inquiring minds!]
{Vow of silence makes her think yes. Also, does he write? Inquiring minds!]
Ah — no. Mexican food is... well... It's a lot of grain. And beans.
And things called ja-la-penos. [He says it with all of the grace of a dorky white kid trying to sound cool to their waiter in an authentic Mexican food restaurant. He's doing his best, alright?] More spicy than sweet. I had burned my mouth the first time I tried it! We should get some supplies from the market; I'll make something like it!
[HE'S DETERMINED.
... It helps that you just put canned beans in a tortilla to make a burrito.
Such ease!]
And things called ja-la-penos. [He says it with all of the grace of a dorky white kid trying to sound cool to their waiter in an authentic Mexican food restaurant. He's doing his best, alright?] More spicy than sweet. I had burned my mouth the first time I tried it! We should get some supplies from the market; I'll make something like it!
[HE'S DETERMINED.
... It helps that you just put canned beans in a tortilla to make a burrito.
Such ease!]
He's a lay brother. He does not commit to our way of life, but he lives among us and exchanges his labors for food and bedding and a place to call his own.
[It's — difficult to realize that it should be past tense. The idea of home... of what was normal to either of them, it was gone now. And worse for the Mute. But Diarmuid pushes away that thought.]
If I may be honest, I know his past is steeped with violence, but...
I have not asked about it. It is not as if he would answer, but I'm not so sure it's my business anyway.
[It's — difficult to realize that it should be past tense. The idea of home... of what was normal to either of them, it was gone now. And worse for the Mute. But Diarmuid pushes away that thought.]
If I may be honest, I know his past is steeped with violence, but...
I have not asked about it. It is not as if he would answer, but I'm not so sure it's my business anyway.
[the unfamiliar word is one he takes a moment to sound out in his head. to try and commit it to memory in the same way he'd learned irish. sure, he may never say any of those words aloud, but even his decision not to speak won't silence the voice in his head.
it's the suggestion of the market that grabs his attention though. of all the strange and new experiences he's had here, it's the stores that he enjoys the most. that easy access to such a wide array of foods, when he knows what it's like to struggle to find enough to sustain you- it's a very welcome change to the way things are- were -back home.
so it doesn't take any thought as he starts diverting them towards the grocery store instead. sure, diarmuid may want to rest after a day spent in school. but the mute clearly has other plans.]
it's the suggestion of the market that grabs his attention though. of all the strange and new experiences he's had here, it's the stores that he enjoys the most. that easy access to such a wide array of foods, when he knows what it's like to struggle to find enough to sustain you- it's a very welcome change to the way things are- were -back home.
so it doesn't take any thought as he starts diverting them towards the grocery store instead. sure, diarmuid may want to rest after a day spent in school. but the mute clearly has other plans.]
That's understandable. We don't all need to share our stories.
[She offers a bitter enough smile, but...no.]
...I am not exactly in a position to judge, either. My own past is one thick with violence, as well.
[She offers a bitter enough smile, but...no.]
...I am not exactly in a position to judge, either. My own past is one thick with violence, as well.
So it's a kind of savoury food! Like a whole meal within bread. A kind of sandwich, I suppose. That does sound delicious actually!
I'd quite like that, yes. That would be nice. I should like to try both the crunchy and the soft kinds, so I can decide which one I like best. 😃
I'd quite like that, yes. That would be nice. I should like to try both the crunchy and the soft kinds, so I can decide which one I like best. 😃
[Ah! He almost trips on his own burningly red converse, following the mute.
(He loves them, and the weather is perfect for them, leave him be!)]
Wait for me! [He finds himself signing it at the same time, having been practicing ASL in the hopes the mute will take after him with time. Huffs! But he returns to walking next to the man as he goes. Leave it to his friend to get that tunnel vision for a destination.] You're really so eager to burn your mouth on new foods?
[................]
I must admit, I would like to eat it again.
[Sometimes you just torment yourself.]
(He loves them, and the weather is perfect for them, leave him be!)]
Wait for me! [He finds himself signing it at the same time, having been practicing ASL in the hopes the mute will take after him with time. Huffs! But he returns to walking next to the man as he goes. Leave it to his friend to get that tunnel vision for a destination.] You're really so eager to burn your mouth on new foods?
[................]
I must admit, I would like to eat it again.
[Sometimes you just torment yourself.]
Yes.
[Rei leans back and exhales, watching his reactions carefully now. She hadn't really explained it to him before, had she? No.]
The transformation is a magical gift that lets me draw on my past life. In a previous existence, I was a person known as Princess Mars. Princess Mars was a goddess, in the Greek or Roman fashion. And she was the goddess of fire, passion, and war.
[Willing a bit of magic into her forehead, she lets some power shine through, making a burning red symbol of an arrow piercing a circle...the sign of Mars...appear.]
She and I have only ever used my power to protect people, but that doesn't make it less violent.
[Rei leans back and exhales, watching his reactions carefully now. She hadn't really explained it to him before, had she? No.]
The transformation is a magical gift that lets me draw on my past life. In a previous existence, I was a person known as Princess Mars. Princess Mars was a goddess, in the Greek or Roman fashion. And she was the goddess of fire, passion, and war.
[Willing a bit of magic into her forehead, she lets some power shine through, making a burning red symbol of an arrow piercing a circle...the sign of Mars...appear.]
She and I have only ever used my power to protect people, but that doesn't make it less violent.
[He frowns a little, sympathetic.]
It sounds like you've led a very long and difficult life...
How do you cope with such a past?
[He asks partly because he cannot ask the Mute — thought he has some idea of how the man copes.
Or... doesn't cope?
He's not sure.]
It sounds like you've led a very long and difficult life...
How do you cope with such a past?
[He asks partly because he cannot ask the Mute — thought he has some idea of how the man copes.
Or... doesn't cope?
He's not sure.]
With the understanding that sometimes, violence is necessary to protect the weak from the wicked. If one has power, one should use it to do good. And I have it, so...I take comfort in knowing that I've done the right thing with it.
[It doesn't make it any less serious, and she'd rather not have to be violent, but that's not an option all the time.]
[It doesn't make it any less serious, and she'd rather not have to be violent, but that's not an option all the time.]
I should also probably clarify that I have never hurt a human.
[Rei reaches for Dia's hand, taking it in her own.]
The wicked I'm referring to are monsters from beyond the stars, or devils and mad gods. Beings that want to conquer the planet and kill everyone.
I agree that it can be complicated when people are involved, but sometimes things are just monsters.
[Rei reaches for Dia's hand, taking it in her own.]
The wicked I'm referring to are monsters from beyond the stars, or devils and mad gods. Beings that want to conquer the planet and kill everyone.
I agree that it can be complicated when people are involved, but sometimes things are just monsters.
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