CLOSED | the light we cast creates a bridge

[matkalainen]

WHO: Tuo, Dain, Vervain, and an existential crisis or two
WHAT: Following directly on the heels of this thread, Vervain has to face some facts about himself. Tuo and Dain try to help.
WHEN: See above.
WHERE: Tuo's wagon outside the village walls.
NOTES: This is bound to be an emotionally Intense thread, but no immediate warnings yet. Will update as needed. Anyway want some appropriate mood music? edit: cw for suicidal ideation

In the weeks since Tuo's unfortunate encounter with the duke's soldiers, he has grown adept at picking his way through the village streets in such a way as to avoid their comings and goings completely. It is more difficult to do this with Vervain Gardener in tow, but not impossible, and so he takes each step carefully as he guides his friend away from the vicarage, through the street, and out towards where Tuo's wagon is tethered in the snow.

"Here we are," he says at last once they have arrived, and keeps hold of Vervain's arm as he leans up the steps to slip the key into the lock, twist it, and push the door open. "Careful," he says to his friend, "there are five steps," and provides the guidance necessary to help him indoors.

Vervain can't see the artful evidence of Tuo's heresy engraved onto the wall panels within the wagon, nor see the warmth and colour imbued to all surfaces of its interior. But it is warm from a wood burning stove, and smells of fragrant tea and spices, and most importantly, it is safe.

"Shall I take your cloak?" Tuo offers gently.

(From a perch further within the wagon, a magpie croaks in irritation that his nap has been interrupted.)
 

Comments

[amaurosisfugax]

"Tuo, you can't--"

The anguish in Ver's voice is that of a soul stripped raw; he looks as if he'd start crying again when Dain's rebuke cuts him short. He catches his lower lip between his teeth against a sob, hearing only the tone of the Shepherd's voice at first and knowing, knowing he's done the wrong thing and only made it worse for himself...

Bewilderment replaces despair on his face as Dain's actual words begin to penetrate, his expression wonderful in its utter confusion. "Shepherd," he stammers, voice plaintive now, "I don't understand--I'm Profane, that's not a flaw, it's...it's, it's--this is the only way the gods can forgive me for it."

Right?

[matkalainen]

Dain intercedes, and Tuo presses his lips into a thin line, adopting silence. He is not surprised by Dain's words, or his tone--and mercifully, he doesn't argue. Instead he stands by quietly as Dain speaks to Vervain, his expression only softening when his young friend's anguish and confusion manifests itself in his expression, his voice.

(How is there anything of the gods, anything divine, in this kind of pointless torment?)

"The gods don't demand that you change who you are." He says the words with incredible gentleness, stepping forward to touch his friend's shoulder. "Only that you don't hurt anyone with your gifts. And you haven't hurt anyone, Vervain."