hadriel | ✘ Round 7

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✘ Round 7 | [Audio]

[Glacius is keeping up with his usual tradition of only posting to the network when something important or noteworthy has transpired. It doesn't help that he doesn't have quite as much to do as usual, given the circumstances that have him stuck inside his apartment for hours at a time, so utilizing the network actually feels like on of the more productive ways he could be spending his time... how odd.] Hello. How are you all finding our change of scenery? For me, it is... quite disagreeable. This scorching heat makes it very difficult for me to get out as much as I would like. [As much as he needs to, honestly. Even though the circuits woven into his flesh allow him to weather this alien planet's temperatures for brief to moderate chunks of time, he's not a creature that does well cooped up for any duration. It was bad enough when he felt confined to the caves; now this...

... but he cannot dwell on that. The point of making this post was to distract himself, to find ways to stay relevant and useful despite the obstacles in his way. He clears his throat quietly and then carries on.] Nonetheless, I am still doing what I can, using snatches of time in the suns and the brief darkness that falls over the land to hunt monsters and accrue supplies for those that may need it. [So his close friends that have received offerings or supplies at their places of business or residence as if overnight can probably now figure out just where, or more accurately, who they came from if they hadn't surmised as much already. As usual, Glacius isn't going to put himself in the spotlight by outright taking credit for it.] If you would like to help me, you can keep me apprised of any reconstruction efforts in the wake of the Null's attacks. If you leave instructions by any damaged areas or specific structures, I will follow them and use that time to aid in the rebuilding. After all we have been through, it is... good for me to find ways to be of use.

I suppose that is everything. Just remember... for anyone else who may be struggling right now... it is adversity that builds strength. We may have lost much, but at the same time there are still things to be grateful for, and... if we remember that, we can endure. [He could say more on that, but the last thing he wants to do is come off as preachy, especially when he's still convinced that most humans would be more likely to find it presumptuous for someone as different as him to be speaking on such things. So he cuts it there and hopes he'll get some more direction; after seeing so much suffering in so many different capacities these past weeks he just really, really wants to be able to help.]

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You gone far hunting?

( She asks because she hasn't, with all the reconstructions. And because she's up to date with his efforts helping in those. )

Not far. It would... be unwise of me to venture too far out in this heat, lest I find my strength sapped, or against all odds, somehow injured or incapacitated. [These are the sorts of worries he wouldn't express to just anyone, but he knows Kate can be trusted with them--and he knows she will understand. Nonetheless, she can probably just feel the way he folds his arms behind his back and stands tall as if trying to appear presentable and strong, and he tacks on:] I won't let it affect my performance, though. I will still defend you with all that I am, no matter the risk.

( Understandable. His explanation gets nothing more than a hum of noise in response, unspoken agreement to what Glacius is saying. No need to say more than that to her, or for her to use words to express that she approves of a sensible approach.

(Someone in Hadriel has to have them.)

But, more to the point, and maybe coming off the relatively fresh heels of conversations with Glacius' less composed partner... )

We fight together. ( Her voice is firm. She's not letting him take on risks alone. )

Always. [In his eyes, she proved herself to be another warrior since the very first time she stood beside him, facing down Ultratech in that dream. It's not that he doesn't fear for her life every time she goes out into the fray... but he worries about all of his friends in this cave every time things start to come down around them. It's not because of something Kate has done; he doesn't blame her death on recklessness, but on the fact that they weren't together in that moment.

In other words, he takes responsibility for what happened, and can only strive to prevent it in the future, which is another reason he agrees so adamantly.] Why? Was there ever any doubt?

[He's detecting something else in her tone other than firm resolve, and he wasn't blind to the air of tension that had settled in he and Carlisle's apartment when she joined them. He can't help but think there might be more to this for both of them.]

Course not.

( That much is true. She doesn't need to doubt that much. They always have. )

Everythin' that's happened. Thought the reminder was worthwhile.

( Also true, but not the whole truth. )

I always appreciate affirmations of loyalty.

[That much is true... but after a moment his alien features shift into something that's rather difficult to interpret.] You would tell me, though? If something was wrong?

( Isn't that the question. She's silent for a while before there's the click of switching the feed to private. )

Had too many suggestions that I stay out of danger lately. 'S all.

( Carlisle, and then her powers extinguishing due to exhaustion... She's prickly about the concept of being defended. )

[Despite the nature of the change, Glacius actually feels a bit of relief when Kate switches the feed's security. There's not much worse than fearing that you might be getting treated like the outsider you know yourself to be deep down, particularly by people you should be close to, so he's... unspeakably glad she's talking to him, even if it's somewhat clipped.]

Well, that doesn't strike me as much of a problem; I mean, we should all be staying out of danger. If I never had to leap headfirst into danger again I could die happy... but... that's not possible, especially in a world like this. So... am I correct in assuming that the problem lies in how these suggestions are made? That you feel slighted... doubted, perhaps?

( If she wasn't clipped and short about everything, who would she even be, really? But Kate agrees with Glacius there - she had years free of fighting, and while being free of all danger is harder to come by, that was enough. She doesn't particularly want to fight, but what else can she do in a place like this? She has the skills. It's just what she has to do. )

...Basically. ( Sure, she's not made from the same stuff Glacius is. She's nowhere near as durable, and her powers lack even when compared to those of her friends at home without Names or Legends attached to them. ) Y'die once and everyone thinks you're made of glass.

( ... As tactful as ever. )

I don't think that. But that does not mean that I do not still worry every time you leap out into the fray-- as I am sure you do for me. And that's not something that started happening just because of your death... the last thing I want is for you to get hurt, especially when I could prevent it-- maybe that is what whoever else has talked to you feels, too. Perhaps they just don't know how to express their worry.

( Well, he certainly worries about how Glacius will take it all. But whether that worry extends beyond simply Glacius' idiot friend or what, Kate can't quite pin down. )

I— Maybe.

( She's not exactly good at doing that either. So... maybe.

She's gonna need to think about that for a while. )

Maybe. [Glacius agrees, but his repetition of the word holds a bit more certainty.] If they did not care, then I am sure they would not have a problem with you putting yourself in danger-- and make no mistake, battling the threats of this world or any other is always a danger, no matter how capable you fancy yourself to be. It is admirable to want to defend others, to fight in their stead... but it does not become oneself to look for unnecessary trouble. That is what my people believe.

I am sure you understand that, too; you've never struck me as one to take risks or start fights that are not warranted. Perhaps just consider what it is you want to accomplish before putting yourself out there in such a way... and if you decide that it is worth it, then those who you are close to should respect that and aid you. That is what I strive to do. Hopefully you and whoever you are having a clash of opinions with can come to understand each other in a similar way... but that is for you and them to work out.

( It feels good to confide in Glacius, despite the sensitive nature of how close he actually is to this mystery person Kate's complaining about. She exhales quietly in response to what he's saying. Try to have a conversation where they can at least agree to disagree...

If only it could go as smoothly as things did with herself and Glacius after the Null's hitlist went out. )

It's always worth it, to save someone.

( She wouldn't fight if it wasn't. She did that for years and doesn't plan on revisiting those days. )

[Glacius emits a rumbling note of contemplation, tilting his head.] And I agree. Just... do try to exercise care. There are those who would not wish to lose you, even if it meant escaping harm, myself among them. And remember: martyrdom can be admirable in some instances... but often it is a tactic that can only be used once, and then you will no longer be able to watch over those you sought to protect.

[And even if the rules are somewhat different here with the potential for revive, it's not something Glacius wants anyone to rely on... or to grow too comfortable with. Death and suffering is a tragedy, even if there's an unnatural chance of coming back from it.]

... I know.

( All of it. She knows. She hears it far too often, and maybe, just maybe that should be a sign she should listen to what's being said. Reflect a bit more.

... Yeah, that's about as likely as you think it is. )

But... thanks, Glacius.

( He's always so careful, thoughtful with his words that it makes it easier for Kate to step back and feel more relaxed when irritation starts to gather at the base of her gut. )

Of course, Kate. [Glacius says it like he's surprised by the thanks-- and maybe he is, because:] I'm just... glad you didn't take it as a lecture. That's how a lot of people here seem to view my words. I know that you and I have similar views on sacrificing ourselves for the good of others, but... we have to also think about the wishes of those that care about us.

[A little puff of an exhale escapes the biological vents in his neck.] And I know that can be hard, or at least somewhat removed from our usual thought processes, because... it's new to me. Back home, self sacrifice, risking myself-- it was all simply... expected. Because of my calling.

Edited 2018-01-26 23:33 (UTC)

( Maybe that's why she doesn't take it as a lecture. Because she knows more than most about where he's coming from. )

Mmm. ( It's a hum of understanding, one that says she knows all too well what expected means. She was expected to take care of Marc, and The Agency certainly placed dealing with "threats" over the actual safety of their agents. Even after it was all said and done, she and everyone else spent ten years trying to keep people safe no matter the cost simply to try and undo all the unrest they'd caused. )

Just part of the job, right?

( Even, in a way, when she works at the clinic back home. She's the one with the most experience in anything approaching security, so she keeps an eye on it. )

Yes, but... not in a bad way. It's not that my people are callous to the suffering of their warriors; no, it honors them. I just meant that actively trying to keep myself out of harm is... complicated when my duty—and my love for those around me—often puts me directly in front of it. But it is that same love that must drive me to spare them emotional distress when possible, too.

[The alien exhales a little bit.] It is hard, I admit. And I am still learning. I suppose it all just boils down to... stay safe when you can, Kate. We need you around here.

( Of course he gets it. But how do you balance sparing people emotional distress and saving their goddamn lives? She can't just say she's not going to try. )

I'll do what I can.

( It's not much here, really. Not when so much falls out of their control. )

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✘ Round 7 | [Audio]

audio. SHHHH.

eehhhh <3

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