hadriel | ❅ Seventeen (Text)

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❅ Seventeen (Text)

Have you ever been in love?

(This is asked late one night and it might seem frivolous with the current concerns hovering over the populace of Hadriel. Yet Sansa believes love is important no matter how long someone lives - or where they are imprisoned. Besides, she had a taste of love recently and it's a frightening - and exhilarating - change of scenery for her.)

Can it last?

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Yes.

[Oh, god why is he even answering this? It's always on his mind, which may have something to do with it. Well... maybe it's easier to mention it in text form, anyway.]

Sometimes, it might last, for some people. For others, it never lasts, if it even leads to anything at all.

I don't understand why for some it lasts for years and years and for others, it disappears rapidly.

(Why can't love be logical?)

Nor do I. Nor does it make any sense that sometimes...

Sometimes, it's possible to fall in love with someone who can't ever love you in return. That doesn't seem fair.

That sort of thing happens frequently - or so it seems. The rarity is when two people feel the same for one another.

There is a man in my world who loves me, but I could never love him.

All too frequently. Although it seems that the people who do feel the same always rub it in somehow, even if they don't intend to.

I hope he's able to make peace with that fact. It's no easy feat to change such feelings. Is there any reason why you could never feel the same? Do you have someone else?

I understand feeling bitter. I try to hide it when I encounter a happy couple.

He is...a horrible man. He once loved my mother and I believe he transferred his feelings for her onto me. I never asked for his kisses, but he gives them to me often.

Good to know that I'm not alone in that sentiment. I would never express my true feelings to any of those happy couples, of course, but... the feelings are always there.

I'm sorry, that sounds like a terrible person. Compromising one's integrity in such a way is despicable. I hope that you can rid your life of him someday.

[He's thinking it'd be a lot like him acting on his feelings for Rosa, against her will, and hates the thought of it. As terrible as he knows he is, he's at least not on that level.]

You are not alone nor are you an awful person for feeling that way. I think it is entirely human.

He is. I don't think he will be in my company much longer.

(Once she returns, she might very well see to his death.)

I have enough to face without him forcing himself on me. That isn't the sort of love I want.

Thank you for saying that. Sometimes... Well. It's easy to feel that one is alone, and that it's wrong to feel this way. I don't want my friends to be unhappy, and yet... it's often hard to face them.

Love should never be forced. We cannot help our feelings, but we can help our actions. We can seek to be better than our emotional impulses. Clearly, this man doesn't deserve you. That's good that you'll keep a distance.

Are they present in Hadriel?

You have proven yourself a better man by far by those words alone. I hope you find someone you can love who returns your feelings.

They're not. I think about them often, of course, but it's been some time since we've all been together. I hope that the time apart is… for the best, in a way. That it allows me to move on.

Thank you for saying so. I don't feel like such a good person when I have the thoughts I do, but… I refuse to act upon them. My friends deserve better than that. Anyway… likewise, I hope you find someone who's actually worthy of you.

If you ever feel lonely, you are welcome to visit. I can make you a warm meal or just tea.

(She won't judge him and maybe he can find a new place to relax.)

We are the hardest on ourselves. I know you will find your match and, should I live long enough, so shall I.

Thank you. I truly appreciate that... Perhaps one day I'll take up that offer, if you let me know where I should go.

[He has gotten more reclusive lately, over the past few months. It's not as if he'd intended it, but... that's where things stand at the moment.]

That's a positive outlook. I hope that you're right, that there truly is someone out there for us all. That it's just a matter of... finding them somehow.

I am in Desire's housing. (She sends him directions just in case he decides to come by.)

Don't give up hope. It's an easy emotion to lose; that's why we must grasp it tight.

All right, thank you. I'll… I think I may stop by soon enough.

[Rydia is always telling him to get out more, and meet more people, anyway. He's gotten… quite reclusive over time, and withdrawn. So he's certain she'll be pleased with him for doing this.]

That's an inspiring thing to say. I suppose I needed to hear it… thank you for that. You sound like a strong-willed person, which is a good thing to be in the darkest times. [And the sort of person who's been through a lot, too, because no one else would talk so firmly about clinging to hope like that.]

You are welcome anytime. I know the worth of a haven.

(Rydia is a sweetheart and she is also welcome for tea!)

I have gained my strength the hard way, but I am determined to keep it and use it.

(She is a wolf at long last and she is unwilling to ever forget that she can stand alone if need be. Though having a pack is far, far better.)

I appreciate knowing that. It's needed, in a place like this.

[Sure, it's not always that bad, when it comes to it... maybe he's gotten a bit too used to life here. Regardless, he knows it's worth having some calmer places to go when things get chaotic here.]

Strength means more when there's been a struggle behind it. You've earned it yourself, which is no easy feat.

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