Admittedly, I had my skepticism around your claimed friendship with Hythlodaeus. Little did I think you would wish to consort with our kind, given your prolonged prejudice and projected assumptions based on our similarities to that which you are familiar. I chose not to intervene ere I was given ample reason to, Hythlodaeus can indeed choose his own friends, but you must realize that he is naive of mortals and their whims.
He has never navigated a world outside the one we lost. Where structure was defined in certain words, order was known and respected, chaos was naught more than what playful children caused, or for those who favored it as a form of endearment and affection. In many ways, he does not understand this world, does not understand you and yours.
This makes him especially vulnerable to the tricks and cruelties of men. He is not a stupid man, far from it, but intelligence and wisdom works best in the world you know, in a society you are familiar with. There is much he does not know, much I cannot teach him fully. For all his oddities and eccentricities, he is a trusting and caring soul. He comes from a world where you can trust a stranger to be earnest and honest, or at the very least, their deceit will never end in harm.
Forgive me, I suppose I am rambling, babbling like a waterfall. The point is, you had me worried, but now I am less so. You have surprised me, and that is rare. Keep it up.
Part of why I let Hythlodaeus bully me into 'friendship' in the first place was *because* your kind scares the shit out of me. It was exposure therapy. I wanted to get to a point where I *wasn't* always one hairsbreadth away from losing my shit around you, because as little as we like each other we *are* stuck being coworkers for the duration.
And then I found out that I actually like Hythlo for *himself*. He's funny and a good conversationalist. Well worth spending time with, despite how nervous he makes me--and that's *why* we're actually friends for real now and not just friends out of convenience.
And, you know, he never makes me feel like he considers me his servant at best and an animate object at worst. So there's that.
I think you're maybe underestimating Hythlo's powers of understanding, though. He might not understand Tyler--as today's events goddamn show--but throughout the course of our conversations he's doing a good job of understanding *me*. Better than a lot of people, to be quite honest. [Better than you, Steven thinks but does not type.] Although possibly that's just because our minds often work in similar (but *not* the same) ways.
That is his tried and true method, I would personally know.
You are right, he makes for wonderful company, despite how infuriating he often proves to be. It is a privilege to be fancied by him, so I suggest you do not take this for granted. But, as for the matter of him not making you feel as I assume I do, he has also very limited experience with the mortal world. With just how terrible yours are willing to be to one another. Unfortunately, the longer he is here, the more he will find himself aware.
Now, I do not say thus because I am not giving him credit where it is due, he can understand things, he has a brilliant mind. It is far more that he is inexperienced, just as I would not expect you to know exactly how to act in my society. You would be utterly lost to our customs, our quirks, our beliefs, and our standards. But, unlike with mortal society, your ignorance would not end in your death nor your probable harm.
It surprises me not that you and he have similar minds, though his is far more in control of itself and its urges. Disciplined by Amaurotine morality, which you are decidedly lacking. Yet, if this has proven aught to me, such does not have to be the case.
[God, Hades is so condescending, even when he's trying to make nice. Steven rolls his eyes before typing his reply.]
Yeah. We're talking about things like 'cognitive empathy' and ways for me to practice it--but honestly, a lot of the things Hythlo's teaching me are just... things my parents and grandparents walked me through when I was a kid, only without telling me *why*. It's less learning new things and more relearning skills gone rusty.
We all know I'm not an innately moral person. But honestly, I don't think Hythlo is either. We just... both had the breaks put into us by the adults in our lives as children and mine got cut somewhere along the way. He and I are trying to fix that. I'd *like* to be in control of those parts of myself again.
While I may not be naturally moral, I *do* have standards.
[Being in control didn't mean non-indulgent, after all. At least in the right circumstances. It just meant he wouldn't be a danger to the people around him. (Like Tyler, he thinks, traitorously.)
The goal was to beat his future self at his own game, right? Which meant only preying on those who deserve it. And while Hades deserved a lot of shit for being a serial body thief, the whole incident on the stairs had happened because of what he deserved, but because Steven had been in Fight or Flight mode and Hades had cut off all hope of Flight.]
And speaking of those standards, I think I need to apologize to you.
[Sorry, Steven. Condescending is just his natural tone. There's no helping it.]
Morality is not quite something one is born with. There are those who can be naturally inclined towards such, this is true, but more oft than not morality is learned. It is what one believes, how one conducts themselves with others and within their society, what intent guides their actions and the perceived impact. The harm said actions brings, and what they do when they infringe upon these morals, or when they upset the balance.
Hythlodaeus has atypical desires, but how he contends with such desires is morally fueled. Violence is in the heart of all men, and if one is not careful, it will consume them. We ancients are no different, we simply choose to act in the betterment of our peers, rather than to destroy them and ourselves with such abhorrent acts. You too could choose otherwise.
But it does seem you are confused, what you name standards are morals. The two are much the same, the indignation that burns within your bosom when said standards are infringed upon is moral outrage. The more you separate yourself from the group, the more you rob yourself of brotherhood by renaming the very tools you utilize to structure the world you experience, the more you will stray from the path of control and seeing your place within your world.
Solitude--socially, emotionally, and all of that--is no way to live.
As for your apology. It is duly noted. At this time, I cannot truly speak upon it, and it would be churlish of me to misspeak on such a matter. Perhaps a conversation for another time.
Look. I know what Tyler did to Hythlo was pretty awful and what he wanted to do worse still, but can I ask you to spare him from the worst of your wrath? He honestly didn't have all of the pieces. From what I can tell, I think he truly believed Hythlodaeus was trying to blackmail him when Hythlo was probably just being nosy (and possibly trying to see if someone who he'd guessed was our coworker actually was, because I refused to confirm or deny any of his guesses.) If he'd bothered to tell me what he was going to do before he just went and *did* it then maybe I could have stopped him without anyone getting scalded by coffee or having their wrists slammed down hard against the table.
But even so, he wasn't doing it out of malice. Just to plug what he thought was a security leak. He was doing the wrong goddamn thing, but he was doing it for mostly the right reasons. I know that actions are more important than intentions and the ends don't justify the means, but... fuck. I don't know.
You can and *should* still be utterly furious at him. (*I'm* extremely pissed off too.) But if you can be merciful when it comes to your vengeance... we really don't need this turning into a long, stupid cycle of revenge that destroys the lives we're making here. We've already had enough of that (and yes, I know it's *my* fault we have.)
I have no goddamn clue what Tyler could pay for wergild, mind you, but that's probably going to work better for everyone concerned than a revenge attack.
[The sweet, sweet irony is that so much could have been avoided had this been the Steven he dealt with weeks ago. That things had been left to escalate as they had, that Emet-Selch's fury had risen to the point it has, is a tragedy. Yet, maybe...things did not need to continue this way.
Certainly seems so, with how Steven seems to be humbling himself in such a way. Explaining this away as he is. Perhaps before, all of this would have fallen on deaf ears, but now he has more reason to actually listen. Considering it seems Steven is willing to as well.]
Perhaps this is indeed a conversation for now. Memories are a sacred thing to me and mine. We live our lives, gathering knowledge, creating memories, much as you mortals do. But our memories, they span our entire lives, our long, eternal lives. We cherish every moment, mourn every tragedy, our memories are as present to us as this moment here and now is. I have little interest in getting into the intricacies of it all with you, but know that to alter or take away the memories of me or mine is a most grievous sin.
Have you ever been forgotten, Steven? Have you ever had memories plucked from the minds of the ones you love, had others wearing faces so achingly familiar to you stare past you, as if you never existed? Our memories make who we are, and to alter them, is to change the very foundation of a person. To rob someone of their knowledge is an egregious violation of selfhood.
I will take some time to think this over, but what stays my hand at this precise moment is that I wish to give Tyler the chance to speak his piece. I would hear from him his thoughts, his feelings, and his justifications. It is not that I do not believe what you tell me, but this is what I require. From there, I will make my judgment of what Tyler owes.
Hythlodaeus is precious to me, I have lost him once already, I will not lose him again because of mortals who choose to act as feral beasts in the face of civility. He does not deserve this, nor did he deserve his death to begin with. His time here should not be one of suffering.
[He's decided to not touch on that whole "actions are more important than intentions". Mainly because he does not need to get into a morality debate at the moment.]
And this is where I confess that I don't have 100% of what I did to you anymore.
Which is not an excuse. But it's something that has to be taken into account, because I hadn't realized...
I mean. I knew after the weekend was over that your dream had gotten very much out of hand and that I'd seen a lot of utterly terrifying shit that I hadn't put there that I could only guess were from your memories. And it made me very glad I didn't have any of the memories that informed what I could remember of what I'd seen. Which is why I *did* apologize when I was high to you. And was in the process of psyching myself up to do it again soberly before, well, the whole rotom menace. Because I *did* feel legitimately shitty I'd given you such an excruciating nightmare. I'd wanted to scare you, sure, but *not that much*.
But if what you were dreaming were legitimate straight-up memories that I'd messed with. Well.
I *get* now why you thought it was such a terrible attack against you. Jesus *Christ*.
You may not remember it, but what you bore witness to was the end of my people and the world as I had once knew it. You had used Hythlodaeus' deceased form to attempt to hurt me—but I have relived that memory thousands of times, I know it backwards and forwards. I know the placement of every corpse, each terminus beast that would appear and slaughter my people, the scent of burnt flesh, of spilled blood, every scream and dying gasp...
I know Hythlodaeus had not died then, and thus I knew there was an interloper.
There is one thing I wish to know: was it worth it to break our unspoken ceasefire? I had left you and yours well enough alone, I had respected your wishes. You do realize that when something of this nature is broken, you are ensuring that trust cannot be reforged, yes?
If not for this act of kindness on your end towards Hythlodaeus, I would have believed you naught more than a rabid dog, one that I would have to keep in check ere he snaps his foaming jaws at me should I be folly enough to lower my guard again.
Although from my perspective, it hadn't seemed like you'd left me and mine alone. Tyler had another run-in with you which had left him very much upset (which I'd *assumed* at the time you'd provoked) and then later you were offering our services to Estinien as if they were *yours* to offer. I guess to you it seemed like an unspoken ceasefire. Me, I was waiting for the other shoe to drop.
But no. It wasn't worth it. I regret what I did to you that weekend.
[He doesn't regret throwing him down the stairs, but. They can just... not discuss that part of this.]
If we're going to have another ceasefire it should probably be not only spoken, but written, signed and witnessed. So we both know it's a thing and if we break it, we'll be justified in any consequences that ensue.
(Estinien would probably be willing to be that witness.)
By the time of your assault, Tyler and I had become civil. The run in you speak of only happened because of what you had done to me. Tyler had seen the state I was in, and approached me. Unfortunately, the conversation did not go well, but such is the way of things. Also, may I be so bold to say that I find it rather condescending and likewise dismissive of Tyler's own agency when both you and Lydia act in his stead? He is a man grown and capable, he can fight his own battles. You nor Lydia are more capable than he.
As for the suggestion of you or Tyler to assist Estinien, I felt little harm in alerting him of those whom might be of aid to him. But I can see why it landed poorly. Regardless, neither merited such an egregious response. That you would feel regret, however, speaks volumes from what I have grown to expect from you.
That is a compliment.
But very well. Should Estinien agree, then I see no reason not to make this a truly formal truce. I suppose I am a man who cannot turn down aught so bureaucratic. However, know this: should you betray this in any measure, I will show you no quarter. Even agreeing to this at all is rather generous of me.
Yes. I know. And if you break the truce, I will do much the same. But I think I have to trust that both of us respect the concept of a written truce too much to break it.
(If you want proof that I do, I was working on a draft of formal treaty request for you when you messaged me. What happened with Tyler and Hythlo freaked me out that damn much.)
[And here he'll attach a photo of a notepad that show said draft, which is much crossed out in places and in other places annotated.]
I am learning more about you in this singular conversation than I have the entirety I have known you, I hope you do realize this. Had you been this agreeable at the first, we might have avoided a lot of strife.
Alas.
But yes, I am a man of my word, particularly of written persuasion. As such, we can settle upon a date for this meeting, and review the final draft. If aught must needs be changed, we can do so there under the impartial scrutiny of our mutual dragoon acquaintance. This is a far better prospect than aught we attempted before.
I'm afraid I don't feel very agreeable at all when I'm not being acknowledged as a person.
Unfortunately.
Would a week from now be adequate time for you? That should give me time to finish a draft for the treaty as well as take Osomatsu on the caper I promised him. And I can contact Tyler and Lydia too to see if they would be willing to be part of the ceasefire. Lydia, I suspect, will want to keep her independence (as would my Jack), but depending how angry Tyler still is at me, he might be willing to be party to our ceasefire as well.
After all, our people are great advocates of formal pledges--though this won't have any magic behind it unless we wait to do it over the next weird weekend and I would rather not.
[He hesitates a few moments before typing,]
There's actually a common pledge already in existence that covers what our treaty would: the Good Neighbor's Pact. But since it's sworn on one's True Name, either Obscured or Unsullied, I suspect you wouldn't want to make it.
Whether you agree to it or no, personhood is relative. Somehow I doubt all this time you have viewed me as aught more than a fiend, like as not you were none too concerned with considering me a person as well.
If they wish to take part in this, so be it. A week from now should serve our purpose well enough. I shall be certain to keep my schedule clear.
A ground of commonality, then. Amaurotines are ever ones for structure, order, and paperwork. We are people proud of our bureaucratic practices and earnest natures. Little did we must needs rely on magic to bind us to said contracts. Such tricks merely confirm that the party you are binding yourself to is untrustworthy.
You are correct, I will not take any pledge that uses my true name. It is terrible enough as is that such intimate information has been shared with you, and potentially others. For your sake, my name better have ended its transference with you.
[This may be honesty hour, but if Steven knows what's good for him, a white lie may be what he needs to make this truce happen.]
[Oh you motherfucker. That's not the same goddamn thing! But then again, why should he expect otherwise from someone who brags about 'subjugating primitive people.']
You were right before. We'll never get along.
But all right then. In a week. I'll contact Tyler on Friday, once he's had 48hrs to calm down.
[Yep, just as he suspected, he did not like that. Oh well, at least he's still on board for the truce regardless. It's better that Steven have realistic expectations, either way.]
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fingersandteeth) wrote2022-02-21 05:11 pm
no subject
He has never navigated a world outside the one we lost. Where structure was defined in certain words, order was known and respected, chaos was naught more than what playful children caused, or for those who favored it as a form of endearment and affection. In many ways, he does not understand this world, does not understand you and yours.
This makes him especially vulnerable to the tricks and cruelties of men. He is not a stupid man, far from it, but intelligence and wisdom works best in the world you know, in a society you are familiar with. There is much he does not know, much I cannot teach him fully. For all his oddities and eccentricities, he is a trusting and caring soul. He comes from a world where you can trust a stranger to be earnest and honest, or at the very least, their deceit will never end in harm.
Forgive me, I suppose I am rambling, babbling like a waterfall. The point is, you had me worried, but now I am less so. You have surprised me, and that is rare. Keep it up.
no subject
And then I found out that I actually like Hythlo for *himself*. He's funny and a good conversationalist. Well worth spending time with, despite how nervous he makes me--and that's *why* we're actually friends for real now and not just friends out of convenience.
And, you know, he never makes me feel like he considers me his servant at best and an animate object at worst. So there's that.
I think you're maybe underestimating Hythlo's powers of understanding, though. He might not understand Tyler--as today's events goddamn show--but throughout the course of our conversations he's doing a good job of understanding *me*. Better than a lot of people, to be quite honest. [Better than you, Steven thinks but does not type.] Although possibly that's just because our minds often work in similar (but *not* the same) ways.
no subject
You are right, he makes for wonderful company, despite how infuriating he often proves to be. It is a privilege to be fancied by him, so I suggest you do not take this for granted. But, as for the matter of him not making you feel as I assume I do, he has also very limited experience with the mortal world. With just how terrible yours are willing to be to one another. Unfortunately, the longer he is here, the more he will find himself aware.
Now, I do not say thus because I am not giving him credit where it is due, he can understand things, he has a brilliant mind. It is far more that he is inexperienced, just as I would not expect you to know exactly how to act in my society. You would be utterly lost to our customs, our quirks, our beliefs, and our standards. But, unlike with mortal society, your ignorance would not end in your death nor your probable harm.
It surprises me not that you and he have similar minds, though his is far more in control of itself and its urges. Disciplined by Amaurotine morality, which you are decidedly lacking. Yet, if this has proven aught to me, such does not have to be the case.
no subject
Yeah. We're talking about things like 'cognitive empathy' and ways for me to practice it--but honestly, a lot of the things Hythlo's teaching me are just... things my parents and grandparents walked me through when I was a kid, only without telling me *why*. It's less learning new things and more relearning skills gone rusty.
We all know I'm not an innately moral person. But honestly, I don't think Hythlo is either. We just... both had the breaks put into us by the adults in our lives as children and mine got cut somewhere along the way. He and I are trying to fix that. I'd *like* to be in control of those parts of myself again.
While I may not be naturally moral, I *do* have standards.
[Being in control didn't mean non-indulgent, after all. At least in the right circumstances. It just meant he wouldn't be a danger to the people around him. (Like Tyler, he thinks, traitorously.)
The goal was to beat his future self at his own game, right? Which meant only preying on those who deserve it. And while Hades deserved a lot of shit for being a serial body thief, the whole incident on the stairs had happened because of what he deserved, but because Steven had been in Fight or Flight mode and Hades had cut off all hope of Flight.]
And speaking of those standards, I think I need to apologize to you.
Soberly this time.
no subject
Morality is not quite something one is born with. There are those who can be naturally inclined towards such, this is true, but more oft than not morality is learned. It is what one believes, how one conducts themselves with others and within their society, what intent guides their actions and the perceived impact. The harm said actions brings, and what they do when they infringe upon these morals, or when they upset the balance.
Hythlodaeus has atypical desires, but how he contends with such desires is morally fueled. Violence is in the heart of all men, and if one is not careful, it will consume them. We ancients are no different, we simply choose to act in the betterment of our peers, rather than to destroy them and ourselves with such abhorrent acts. You too could choose otherwise.
But it does seem you are confused, what you name standards are morals. The two are much the same, the indignation that burns within your bosom when said standards are infringed upon is moral outrage. The more you separate yourself from the group, the more you rob yourself of brotherhood by renaming the very tools you utilize to structure the world you experience, the more you will stray from the path of control and seeing your place within your world.
Solitude--socially, emotionally, and all of that--is no way to live.
As for your apology. It is duly noted. At this time, I cannot truly speak upon it, and it would be churlish of me to misspeak on such a matter. Perhaps a conversation for another time.
no subject
Look. I know what Tyler did to Hythlo was pretty awful and what he wanted to do worse still, but can I ask you to spare him from the worst of your wrath? He honestly didn't have all of the pieces. From what I can tell, I think he truly believed Hythlodaeus was trying to blackmail him when Hythlo was probably just being nosy (and possibly trying to see if someone who he'd guessed was our coworker actually was, because I refused to confirm or deny any of his guesses.) If he'd bothered to tell me what he was going to do before he just went and *did* it then maybe I could have stopped him without anyone getting scalded by coffee or having their wrists slammed down hard against the table.
But even so, he wasn't doing it out of malice. Just to plug what he thought was a security leak. He was doing the wrong goddamn thing, but he was doing it for mostly the right reasons. I know that actions are more important than intentions and the ends don't justify the means, but... fuck. I don't know.
You can and *should* still be utterly furious at him. (*I'm* extremely pissed off too.) But if you can be merciful when it comes to your vengeance... we really don't need this turning into a long, stupid cycle of revenge that destroys the lives we're making here. We've already had enough of that (and yes, I know it's *my* fault we have.)
I have no goddamn clue what Tyler could pay for wergild, mind you, but that's probably going to work better for everyone concerned than a revenge attack.
no subject
Certainly seems so, with how Steven seems to be humbling himself in such a way. Explaining this away as he is. Perhaps before, all of this would have fallen on deaf ears, but now he has more reason to actually listen. Considering it seems Steven is willing to as well.]
Perhaps this is indeed a conversation for now. Memories are a sacred thing to me and mine. We live our lives, gathering knowledge, creating memories, much as you mortals do. But our memories, they span our entire lives, our long, eternal lives. We cherish every moment, mourn every tragedy, our memories are as present to us as this moment here and now is. I have little interest in getting into the intricacies of it all with you, but know that to alter or take away the memories of me or mine is a most grievous sin.
Have you ever been forgotten, Steven? Have you ever had memories plucked from the minds of the ones you love, had others wearing faces so achingly familiar to you stare past you, as if you never existed? Our memories make who we are, and to alter them, is to change the very foundation of a person. To rob someone of their knowledge is an egregious violation of selfhood.
I will take some time to think this over, but what stays my hand at this precise moment is that I wish to give Tyler the chance to speak his piece. I would hear from him his thoughts, his feelings, and his justifications. It is not that I do not believe what you tell me, but this is what I require. From there, I will make my judgment of what Tyler owes.
Hythlodaeus is precious to me, I have lost him once already, I will not lose him again because of mortals who choose to act as feral beasts in the face of civility. He does not deserve this, nor did he deserve his death to begin with. His time here should not be one of suffering.
[He's decided to not touch on that whole "actions are more important than intentions". Mainly because he does not need to get into a morality debate at the moment.]
no subject
And this is where I confess that I don't have 100% of what I did to you anymore.
Which is not an excuse. But it's something that has to be taken into account, because I hadn't realized...
I mean. I knew after the weekend was over that your dream had gotten very much out of hand and that I'd seen a lot of utterly terrifying shit that I hadn't put there that I could only guess were from your memories. And it made me very glad I didn't have any of the memories that informed what I could remember of what I'd seen. Which is why I *did* apologize when I was high to you. And was in the process of psyching myself up to do it again soberly before, well, the whole rotom menace. Because I *did* feel legitimately shitty I'd given you such an excruciating nightmare. I'd wanted to scare you, sure, but *not that much*.
But if what you were dreaming were legitimate straight-up memories that I'd messed with. Well.
I *get* now why you thought it was such a terrible attack against you. Jesus *Christ*.
no subject
I know Hythlodaeus had not died then, and thus I knew there was an interloper.
There is one thing I wish to know: was it worth it to break our unspoken ceasefire? I had left you and yours well enough alone, I had respected your wishes. You do realize that when something of this nature is broken, you are ensuring that trust cannot be reforged, yes?
If not for this act of kindness on your end towards Hythlodaeus, I would have believed you naught more than a rabid dog, one that I would have to keep in check ere he snaps his foaming jaws at me should I be folly enough to lower my guard again.
no subject
Although from my perspective, it hadn't seemed like you'd left me and mine alone. Tyler had another run-in with you which had left him very much upset (which I'd *assumed* at the time you'd provoked) and then later you were offering our services to Estinien as if they were *yours* to offer. I guess to you it seemed like an unspoken ceasefire. Me, I was waiting for the other shoe to drop.
But no. It wasn't worth it. I regret what I did to you that weekend.
[He doesn't regret throwing him down the stairs, but. They can just... not discuss that part of this.]
If we're going to have another ceasefire it should probably be not only spoken, but written, signed and witnessed. So we both know it's a thing and if we break it, we'll be justified in any consequences that ensue.
(Estinien would probably be willing to be that witness.)
no subject
As for the suggestion of you or Tyler to assist Estinien, I felt little harm in alerting him of those whom might be of aid to him. But I can see why it landed poorly. Regardless, neither merited such an egregious response. That you would feel regret, however, speaks volumes from what I have grown to expect from you.
That is a compliment.
But very well. Should Estinien agree, then I see no reason not to make this a truly formal truce. I suppose I am a man who cannot turn down aught so bureaucratic. However, know this: should you betray this in any measure, I will show you no quarter. Even agreeing to this at all is rather generous of me.
no subject
(If you want proof that I do, I was working on a draft of formal treaty request for you when you messaged me. What happened with Tyler and Hythlo freaked me out that damn much.)
[And here he'll attach a photo of a notepad that show said draft, which is much crossed out in places and in other places annotated.]
no subject
Alas.
But yes, I am a man of my word, particularly of written persuasion. As such, we can settle upon a date for this meeting, and review the final draft. If aught must needs be changed, we can do so there under the impartial scrutiny of our mutual dragoon acquaintance. This is a far better prospect than aught we attempted before.
I daresay, I am impressed.
no subject
Unfortunately.
Would a week from now be adequate time for you? That should give me time to finish a draft for the treaty as well as take Osomatsu on the caper I promised him. And I can contact Tyler and Lydia too to see if they would be willing to be part of the ceasefire. Lydia, I suspect, will want to keep her independence (as would my Jack), but depending how angry Tyler still is at me, he might be willing to be party to our ceasefire as well.
After all, our people are great advocates of formal pledges--though this won't have any magic behind it unless we wait to do it over the next weird weekend and I would rather not.
[He hesitates a few moments before typing,]
There's actually a common pledge already in existence that covers what our treaty would: the Good Neighbor's Pact. But since it's sworn on one's True Name, either Obscured or Unsullied, I suspect you wouldn't want to make it.
no subject
If they wish to take part in this, so be it. A week from now should serve our purpose well enough. I shall be certain to keep my schedule clear.
A ground of commonality, then. Amaurotines are ever ones for structure, order, and paperwork. We are people proud of our bureaucratic practices and earnest natures. Little did we must needs rely on magic to bind us to said contracts. Such tricks merely confirm that the party you are binding yourself to is untrustworthy.
You are correct, I will not take any pledge that uses my true name. It is terrible enough as is that such intimate information has been shared with you, and potentially others. For your sake, my name better have ended its transference with you.
[This may be honesty hour, but if Steven knows what's good for him, a white lie may be what he needs to make this truce happen.]
that should be good neighbors with no apostrophe
You were right before. We'll never get along.
But all right then. In a week. I'll contact Tyler on Friday, once he's had 48hrs to calm down.
Goodbye, Emet-Selch.
no subject
Very well! Do take care of yourself, Steven.
Till next time.