A Cruel Twist of Fate [closed]

[wickedchase]

WHO: Twisted Fate, Nerva, Korrin, Zevran, Beleth, Cyril, Ruby, Sera, Katniss, and special sending crystal guest star, Sina!
WHAT: A companion quest and elven relations all wrapped up in one.
WHEN: Post-Illness plot. The band of merry travelers will be gone from Clouch 23 to Clouchreach 28.
WHERE: Traveling to and from the Serpentine River.
NOTES: The plotting post.

Comments

[arlathvhen]

[ She nods, slowly. She can do that. And she does, taking slow, deep breaths. It's hard to resist the urge to apologize more--He'd just said that she could rely on him, and she flipped out at the idea that he may be getting irritated at her. But she just keeps her mouth shut, and instead ducks her head to him, waiting for his next instructions. ]

[ombranera]

Eyes on me.

[ He reaches out to rest his hands on her shoulders- lightly, gently. It would take nothing for her to twist away if she wishes. ]

It is not personal, this assessment. It is an observation- and from our observations, what do we do? We line them up with what we know to be true and we learn from them.

[arlathvhen]

[ She doesn't twist away or move, eyes focused on him, just like he'd asked. Embarrassing, to have that little flip out right in front of him and everything. The least she could do is listen to him now. That it wasn't personal--That offers some measure of comfort. ]

It's not personal, it's an observation. I need to study it and learn from it. I understand.

[ombranera]

Another time we will discuss your family and I will attempt to understand- I have no frame of reference for these things in truth.

[ He squeezes her shoulders. ]

Now this part I am to say? This is personal. I regret that I made you feel as though you were less important- or abandoned- in the wake of Antiva. It played in to what it is that leaves you unsettled and I think we have perhaps taken a few steps backward.

[arlathvhen]

I understand. I wasn't trying to, ah. Change the subject, or unduly ruminate on my family. I can discuss it if you wish, but you needn't feel obligated.

And-- [ She ducks her head again. ]

You're right. I knew that it wasn't your fault, that you had so much going on, and-- I didn't blame you, but...I was still resentful. I knew the others needed you more, but. It didn't make me feel better. I should have trusted you more, and I should have kept my emotions under better control.

I'm sorry.

[ombranera]

You are making it very hard for me to not want to stab your parents, Beleth. Chin up.

[ If she does not manage it on her own in a moment, he actively reaches in to take her by the cheek and tip her face up so he might continue to look her in the eye. ]

It is not an obligation nor is it a burden to talk to you. I ought to have been more mindful of what I have noticed in you, your readiness to consider yourself second if ever shown even the hint of a thought someone's attention is worth being elsewhere. I know this feeling quite well, I know the signs, I did not consider it, I should have. Learning to control your emotions without rather questionable and painful techniques takes time and practice and you'd come through something quite unpleasant.

I wish I could say that it will not happen again but you and I both know it will likely only happen more and more often as the world continues to end. Such is life.

You do not need to apologize for anything save, perhaps, not telling me of the situation with Cade sooner. But that we have already discussed and you were summarily forgiven. Do not apologize, do not blame yourself, and do not dip your head.

[arlathvhen]

[ It's not easy to follow his instructions--maybe if she were in a better mood, if she hadn't just had a rather embarrassing downspiral as she thought that she had finally pushed Zevran past the limit of her neurotic bullshit that he could take. As it stands, she's in defensive mode, and that doesn't lend itself to staring people in the eye with your head held up. But she manages anyway, and as Zevran speaks, slowly the tension of forcing her position melts away. Instead, she just stares at Zevran with that same awe-struck look she gave him the first time he offered to teach her. ]

I...

Alright.

...Thank you.