It really does not. [viktor sighs, like the intricacies of the mind and all the influences of their pasts are annoyances. he finds himself wiping at pal's tears again, a vague, half formed thought of wondering if this level of 'unravelling' was something pal was capable of outside the trench's invasive magic. if he's ever cried like this before or he was always the stubborn sort.]
You know when I met Allen it was in the catacombs, where it forced us to share mortifying insecurities in order to move forward. [still hates that! even if it landed him a good friend. but the point-] This is just another example of it, whatever reality we find ourselves in thrives on making us face the world before and specifically the scars it left. We never really stood a chance of even pretending we could escape it.
[he rests their foreheads together a moment.] Then we'll take it step by step. When you feel unmoored you know you can call me, or no doubt this sensible Paul, or others. I'll hold you like this and that will help, yes? Then the reality of this place, the ocean, we'll unwind bit by bit. Our work with bloodstones is a good way to start trying to pin down how the universal system of magic here works, and from there we can better understand each facet of this reality.
[which is more than several lifetimes of work, he's sure, but it's a plan and he's always found comfort in that. if pal does he isn't sure but he wants to offer it regardless, pulling back enough to regard him properly again.] And when it's all too much at times we'll be terrified together. You... you've done enough Palamedes, surviving as you did. You do not need to shoulder so much on your own.
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You know when I met Allen it was in the catacombs, where it forced us to share mortifying insecurities in order to move forward. [still hates that! even if it landed him a good friend. but the point-] This is just another example of it, whatever reality we find ourselves in thrives on making us face the world before and specifically the scars it left. We never really stood a chance of even pretending we could escape it.
[he rests their foreheads together a moment.] Then we'll take it step by step. When you feel unmoored you know you can call me, or no doubt this sensible Paul, or others. I'll hold you like this and that will help, yes? Then the reality of this place, the ocean, we'll unwind bit by bit. Our work with bloodstones is a good way to start trying to pin down how the universal system of magic here works, and from there we can better understand each facet of this reality.
[which is more than several lifetimes of work, he's sure, but it's a plan and he's always found comfort in that. if pal does he isn't sure but he wants to offer it regardless, pulling back enough to regard him properly again.] And when it's all too much at times we'll be terrified together. You... you've done enough Palamedes, surviving as you did. You do not need to shoulder so much on your own.