pc: yves

[sacredpath]

Comments

[noirges]

[ yves will just hop right over the counter and get them both more drinks, looking at home as a bartender. this time, he'll match whatever shadowheart gets.

he smiles a little at her caveat ]

You can ask me anything. I don't mind.

[ his tone becomes more serious, though notably not sad ] I walked into a fight knowing I'd probably die in the process. It was just the most certain way to make sure my... opponent would die.

[sacredpath]

[she'll get mixed drink again. easier to nurse than shots.]

Courageous, I suppose. Your opponent was someone who needed killing, then?

[noirges]

[ matchies it is! he'll place her drink down in front of her ]

I wouldn't call it courageous. [ a gentle rebuttal, more serious than when she called him gallant ]

My friend went down the wrong path. He killed plenty of people to get to that point, and he would've killed even more if not stopped.

[sacredpath]

If you say so.

[neither adjective was entirely a compliment, anyway.]

I suppose you must have felt responsible for him, if he was a friend. Even so. Most people value their life too much to risk it, even to stop something terrible from coming to pass.

[noirges]

[ sips drink

tilts head ]

Is this a polite way of asking if I wanted to die?

[sacredpath]

[well, now that you mention it.]

I'm not sure it was polite. But there really are only two options, aren't there? Either the courage to risk everything, or not risking much at all?

[noirges]

Maybe roundabout is the better word.

[ though he looks thoughtful about it ]

I think... there's gray areas. Even though I made the decision I did, it's not like I don't have regrets for what I didn't accomplish in my life. For those I left behind.

But I think you're right that at some point, the scale has to tip on one side or the other. I didn't want to die, but I was willing to.

[sacredpath]

I think I understand.

[or at least it makes more sense why he doesn't want to be viewed as courageous for it.]

I hope you were at least able to accomplish what you set out to do?

[noirges]

I was.

[ satisfied ]

I secured a chance for the rest of the country to do better, so now it's up to them. Though I guess that is a privilege in being dead - not dealing with the aftermath.

[sacredpath]

I suppose that's true. If you could return, would you?

[it's still saturday but also resurrection is so common where she's from, you can just pay a skeleton man $100 and come back to life as many times as you want.]

[noirges]

[ learning right now that the virche skeleton man equivalent is scien brofiise

but he pauses ]

... it depends, I guess. On my other options, if the chance for resurrection among people here is limited... that sort of thing.

But the fact that I'm not immediately saying yes is probably my selfishness at play.

[ he looks over to her ]

Would you go back?

[sacredpath]

In an instant. Though what I would do differently, once I was there, I'm less certain of.

I don't think you're selfish, though. Sometimes journeys do end.

[noirges]

Ah... I guess so. I appreciate the reassurance.

[ though he tilts his head ]

Are you... in a spot that's hard to get out of, even if you were to go back?

[sacredpath]

Yes.

But if I could trust that I'll have my goddesses' mercy and protection, I think I could take that chance.

[noirges]

Your goddess...

[ thoughtful, because the most religious person he knows is lucas. he thinks lucas is great. ]

... was there a reason for doubt?

[sacredpath]

I'm asking for divine intervention. It would be a foolish person to take it for granted. I've tried to serve her, but I don't know if it's enough.

[noirges]

What is she like? As a goddess.

[ does she too say day drinking is fine? ]

[sacredpath]

[funnily enough...]

Lady Shar, the Nightsinger. She is the patron of the darkness and of secrecy and loss. While most fear the dark, like children, those who follow Shar embrace it. We don't hide in it, we act, unburdened by the illusion of safety and false comforts. We destroy the corrupt and lend solace to the sick and grieving.

[the general vibe of her saying this all though is like someone knocking on your door and trying to give you literature, it doesn't feel off the cuff at all.]

[noirges]

Ah... That sounds nice - to have someone on the side of those who are struggling. Then... I hope that if you've been able to spend so much of your life in service of her, she can recognize it. Then maybe she can provide some of that solace to you, too.

[sacredpath]

I... hope so.

[she nurses her drink a little.]

The Sharrans took me in. I was an orphan, I didn't have anywhere else to go. So I have always only wanted to become a champion of Lady Shar. And yet, it is more difficult than it ought to be, sometimes.

[noirges]

[ nods... he gets that. ]

I'm glad you had them. Some people took me in too, and I'm really grateful to them.

What makes it difficult, though...? Do you have to do more...?

[sacredpath]

She asks very much of us. I haven't always found it easy to follow.

[noirges]

[ a beat. gently: ]

... you don't have to tell me the specifics if you don't want to. But if it matters so much to you, I do want to know.

That said, no matter what it is... that's a hard thing to experience no matter what. I'm sorry your faith can feel like it's testing your devotion, even when you want to give so much.

[sacredpath]

You're very kind.

[but so kind. too kind, like he gives a little bit of himself to everyone.]

Being tested is, I think, something every person of faith goes through, isn't it?

[noirges]

It's easy when I think you deserve kindness.

[ a simple response ]

But... maybe. I'm afraid I wasn't very faithful in life. Still, even if it's common... that doesn't make it less impactful for you, right?