[ IT IS WEEKEND ZERO GRITS MY TEETH but there's just a soft smile, and no real explanation. let's move on! in fact, the apology makes him laugh a little - and when asked about the crafts, he makes an affirmative noise. ]
Well - here, I can show you. [ carefully setting the yarn down so as not to get any dirt on it, taair moves to tuck a hand behind his lapel, and pops the large feathered broach on his shoulder free, then hands it to them in exchange. instead of one large feather, the feathery bit is actually several small ones, carefully woven together by their color pattern. ]
It's not much, but when I was left mementos from a dear friend, I thought perhaps I might utilize them into something. I can sew well enough, as well, but... little trinkets like these were what occupied my time, here and there.
[ IT IS MONDAY. it's fine, they do not mind that he doesn't share. they weren't really expecting him to, and instead they seem to lean forward to ooh and ahh at this broach. they take it almost gingerly, holding it in their hands to study the craftsmanship. it's large, but that's fine. ]
I feel as though making something out of a gift from a friend makes it even more valuable than something you made out of any spare materials. It's beautiful. I like the colors a lot. [ ... ] You must have cared for them a lot to keep some part of them with you all the time.
the brooch thing is very well made and shined nicely, and does not fall apart. the weaving of the feathers together does imitate a huge feather perfectly.
taair dips his head politely in gratitude to their compliments, and for the last part - he huffs, a soft laugh. ]
He was my only companion, for some time. [ and with a wry smile ] Though, I'm not sure if your mental image aligns with mine, at the moment - my dear friend was my bird.
Oh, I had assumed. [ so no, they assigned him bird friend. ] The feathers are too nice to be synthetic, and you've taken care to make sure they aren't fraying apart. I had some like this in my old bedroom hanging from the ceiling, but they didn't feel the same.
[ oh... the smile that crosses his face is so warm - immediate and understanding. :handshake: bird appreciators
he considers that for a moment, though... ]
Would you like one? A feather to keep. I have more than enough in the brooch for it to be full. My dear bird was so constantly sharing his songs with me, and his company - I imagine he would not mind to share a single feather with a new friend.
[ bird appreciators! but with that, they seem a little surprised. ]
Are you sure? It's something special to you, I couldn't take that. [ the offer is surprisingly kind though. ] But you should tell me more about him. He sounds like a friend you had for a long time.
It is special, you're right - but it is just one feather. And besides...we are made better for the parts of our whole that we share with others, aren't we? I've never had anyone to really share with at all.
[ until recently, and even that was just a fleeting moment. to have it now is beyond compare. as for his bird! now i have to violently headcanon some stuff so you know. fanfiction. ]
Let's see... as you can imagine, he was a bluebird - a Rodinian bluebird, to be exact! He was gifted to me when I was young, and we grew up together. His song was lovely, too - a sort of [ here he imitates a bluebird song with a couple notes of whistles. ] sound that he'd sing often, despite the circumstances of living life in a cage. It brought me hope, and...
[ he trails off a bit, there, softening some. ] ... Well, that was what I named him. Hope. It seemed rather fitting.
[ oh. that is something they believe in so strongly and it shows in their posture. of course people are made better for the parts that are shared with people they care for. isn't that the point of having those deep relationships? why would you ever want to be friends with someone you couldn't share those parts with?
so it is a little disheartening to hear that taair has been alone up to this point, but they listen to his birdfiction anyway. ]
... there's something symbolic about birds that way, I think. Whether they represent hope, or a bearer of news. It must have been nice having someone to grow up with to remind you of that. [ normally they would stop, but...they continue anyway. ] A friend of mine had a bird. Nothing as pretty as yours. Actually, she was sort of ugly and squawky, but she was very loyal. I think that's all that matters in the end, don't you?
ah... it's that posture change that cements what he'd already decided - carefully, he takes the brooch back, and unthreads a single blue feather from the weaving at the back. removing the feather, a medium sized, pure blue one, doesnt' disrupt the main structure of the accessory, and once he's carefully wiggled it free, he offers it to them with a smile. there. fwiendship.
and once that's done, as he's reaffixing his little brooch, he laughs at the mental image of the squawky bird, soft and fond. ]
I agree. [ to all of it, really. to birds as a symbol, to his relationship with his sole companion. and as for the bird friend... ] It's not just about how something looks, but it's their inside that counts the most, isn't it? I think she sounds like a fine companion, too.
[ oh... fwendship. they watch him work to remove the feather, and when it's offered they take it carefully. they will keep it safe, thank you, taair. ]
Thank you. [ first of all. because while they aren't always polite, some manners should be shown for a gift. but then back to birds. ] You're right about that. Looks are all a fabrication anyway, and I think he sort of liked that she was ugly because it suited him better. He raised her since she was a baby, and she's been on several adventures with us. I think she was something he wanted and needed at the time, so she came. Just like Hope was something you needed and were able to hold onto for so long.
[ this is such a cute story... he tucks the pin into his lapel again properly, and picks the yarn ball back up, absently playing with it between his fingers as he listens. these kinds of bonds between souls are important to taair, who has only ever observed them from afar, save for a precious week spent away from the tower. away from... ]
And... I think I would have to agree.
[ ...
his gaze draws up, now, overhead. it feels a bit silly to look to the sky when one is in the heavens, but it draws his eye, as it always has. ]
We were in quite a similar situation, Hope and I. It was not too long ago that I opened the door to his cage and left that door open, so he might have a choice to stay, to go, or to come as he pleased.
[ his voice softens as he says this - and then he huffs, and shakes his head, and smiles at them. ]
I hope that you'll tell me of your adventures someday, dear Zuriel. I think I would enjoy it very much.
Much more charming than he was, at least. [ there is still fondness anyway. they let him play with the yarn and lets his gaze wander, aware that these kinds of conversations can sometimes be overwhelming. they're patient, letting him take time and listening carefully. ]
... I hope he comes to visit. It would be nice for the two of you to be together and see more of the world out there. [ they get the idea, a little. in some lots in life, you are simply stuck no matter how much your heart protests. but they also pick up on the hint and they let the subject change easily to give him some breathing room. ]
To be honest, some of them are things I don't know I would believe myself if I hadn't been there. But I guess you could say we spent our time hunting for treasure. We were all dedicated.
[ that would be nice, wouldn't it? to see his little bird again. whether that bluebird returned or not, he doesn't explain - especially because that little morsel is like hooking a fish with a worm, and taair's whole expression brightens up with joy. ]
Hunting for treasure! Really? My, how exciting! Did you explore ruins or anything of the like? You must have experienced some marvelously exciting things.
[ let him have his bluebird friend back!! but it's fine, we will revisit his sad lore when it is not w0 and i can dig it out of him. they do not seem to mind sharing this little bit of information. ]
More like caves. My friends had been doing it for some time before we met, but... when I found out what they were doing, I wanted to come along.
Something that people thought had been lost to time. Or something people would sooner call a myth than reality. But finding it became someone's life work, and the rest of us followed him. His research spanned multiple files and maps and sent us all over the place, even just to get the smallest hint of a direction.
[ you ever get a tag that is just so violently coded to your character's interests that you have to make a new icon to cover the capacity of their expression. because this is the single coolest thing taair's ever heard of in his entire life. ]
That's - [ just utterly breathless: ] That's incredible, Zuriel...! To uncover the truths through the hunt for a treasure, to gather the pieces and parts to put together a mystery, and to do so all in the company of friends?! What a dream that would be...! Oh, I have so many questions, I barely know where to start!
There were a lot of truths to uncover. Some of them we didn't even know needed to be uncovered. But I don't think any of us wavered in our decision to follow our king. [ the way they say this is a little funny, like maybe king isn't the right word but it's the same vibe. ]
... for a time before I met them, I wanted more than anything to maybe meet people like me. I didn't think it would be them, but I can't imagine it any other way now.
anyway. taair is unaware of my mental breakdown - and in fact he listens to all of this, from the bit about truths to meeting people, to spending time with them, to finding the bonds between souls. it just speaks to every fiber of his being, and he sighs. ]
...How magnificent. [ from beginning to end, how magnificent. ] Perhaps those bonds are even more important than the treasure itself - though I suppose that may sound a bit sappy, those sorts of things are beyond measure.
[ well. yes. they very much feel the whole "the real treasure was the friends we made along the way" vibe. ]
It is sappy, but I think... I wouldn't want anything else. Or anyone else. They're mine, and I'm theirs. [ they seem very certain of this. to the question, there's a slight laugh. ]
Very non-literal. He isn't royalty in the slightest, even though his mother's a politician. But it's... he isn't the kind of person who would rule senselessly. He believes in what he believes in, and what he believes in is us. He's infuriating in several ways, and he doesn't always hear the way he talks and his privilege shows more often than I think he realizes, but... he's thoughtful. And smart. And he's much better to be around when he can be himself instead of who other people think he is. He's done a lot for all of us. It made sense we'd swear loyalty to him.
[ this is a little bit of embellishment to sell the point, but they also firmly believe this relationship is the most important in the world. ]
Very non-literal, yet... it sounds like a set of loyal knights and advisors, for a king.
[ ah... fond. it's like something out of the union, or, well. at least something out of the old stories taair loves as he studies the history of his country - though calling him infuriating makes him laugh a little, too. ]
Though the most loyal of knights I think, do point out when their king makes mistakes, even if that doesn't typically feature in the stories. [ fond... taair loves friendship... ] Thank you, for sharing that with me.
What you spoke of, you know - it spoke to me. Perhaps I can show you my own life's work, since I was lucky enough to find it with me my first day here.
[ taair shifts a bit where he's sitting, and reaches for the book holster on his hip. tucked in there is a fairly large volume, bound in red leather - he passes it over for zuriel's examination.
on the front of the book is A Chronicle of Iria embossed in gold, and under that in smaller writing, is Taair Khalisa Nasir. ]
I've spent several years of my life researching a hidden truth, myself.
[ book? they lean forward, taking this book with both hands because, uh, it's kind of big. taair cannot see them clearly but he may get the sense they're juggling it a bit to get a better grip on it. they read over the cover, letting their fingers smooth over the engraving before carefully prying open the cover. ]
You wrote an entire book? [ that's impressive. ] What's it about? Is Iria a place, or a person? [ tell them everything. they will browse the pages themselves, but they want to hear it directly from him. ]
[ there is pride in his voice despite this, though, an undeniable, effusive warmth. not just for the book, but for its very subject as he props his chin in his hand to watch them look through it.
the book is mostly text, but flipping through it, they can see there are carefully hand drawn maps, and sketches and diagrams like these - everything you could imagine in a well-researched history book. ]
But, yes. Iria is a place - it is the place that I was born. My homeland. There is not a single comprehensive history of Iria that is accurate and truthful, unmarred by the influence of propaganda or the perspective of outside powers - so, years ago, I set out to create that history.
I had hoped to spend the next ten years interviewing Irians to fill out the book before I had it published, but... well. [ he gestures briefly out at the whole. Heaven thing around him. ] Such wasn't the case.
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[ IT IS WEEKEND ZERO GRITS MY TEETH but there's just a soft smile, and no real explanation. let's move on! in fact, the apology makes him laugh a little - and when asked about the crafts, he makes an affirmative noise. ]
Well - here, I can show you. [ carefully setting the yarn down so as not to get any dirt on it, taair moves to tuck a hand behind his lapel, and pops the large feathered broach on his shoulder free, then hands it to them in exchange. instead of one large feather, the feathery bit is actually several small ones, carefully woven together by their color pattern. ]
It's not much, but when I was left mementos from a dear friend, I thought perhaps I might utilize them into something. I can sew well enough, as well, but... little trinkets like these were what occupied my time, here and there.
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I feel as though making something out of a gift from a friend makes it even more valuable than something you made out of any spare materials. It's beautiful. I like the colors a lot. [ ... ] You must have cared for them a lot to keep some part of them with you all the time.
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the brooch thing is very well made and shined nicely, and does not fall apart. the weaving of the feathers together does imitate a huge feather perfectly.
taair dips his head politely in gratitude to their compliments, and for the last part - he huffs, a soft laugh. ]
He was my only companion, for some time. [ and with a wry smile ] Though, I'm not sure if your mental image aligns with mine, at the moment - my dear friend was my bird.
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he considers that for a moment, though... ]
Would you like one? A feather to keep. I have more than enough in the brooch for it to be full. My dear bird was so constantly sharing his songs with me, and his company - I imagine he would not mind to share a single feather with a new friend.
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Are you sure? It's something special to you, I couldn't take that. [ the offer is surprisingly kind though. ] But you should tell me more about him. He sounds like a friend you had for a long time.
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[ until recently, and even that was just a fleeting moment. to have it now is beyond compare. as for his bird! now i have to violently headcanon some stuff so you know. fanfiction. ]
Let's see... as you can imagine, he was a bluebird - a Rodinian bluebird, to be exact! He was gifted to me when I was young, and we grew up together. His song was lovely, too - a sort of [ here he imitates a bluebird song with a couple notes of whistles. ] sound that he'd sing often, despite the circumstances of living life in a cage. It brought me hope, and...
[ he trails off a bit, there, softening some. ] ... Well, that was what I named him. Hope. It seemed rather fitting.
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so it is a little disheartening to hear that taair has been alone up to this point, but they listen to his birdfiction anyway. ]
... there's something symbolic about birds that way, I think. Whether they represent hope, or a bearer of news. It must have been nice having someone to grow up with to remind you of that. [ normally they would stop, but...they continue anyway. ] A friend of mine had a bird. Nothing as pretty as yours. Actually, she was sort of ugly and squawky, but she was very loyal. I think that's all that matters in the end, don't you?
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ah... it's that posture change that cements what he'd already decided - carefully, he takes the brooch back, and unthreads a single blue feather from the weaving at the back. removing the feather, a medium sized, pure blue one, doesnt' disrupt the main structure of the accessory, and once he's carefully wiggled it free, he offers it to them with a smile. there. fwiendship.
and once that's done, as he's reaffixing his little brooch, he laughs at the mental image of the squawky bird, soft and fond. ]
I agree. [ to all of it, really. to birds as a symbol, to his relationship with his sole companion. and as for the bird friend... ] It's not just about how something looks, but it's their inside that counts the most, isn't it? I think she sounds like a fine companion, too.
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Thank you. [ first of all. because while they aren't always polite, some manners should be shown for a gift. but then back to birds. ] You're right about that. Looks are all a fabrication anyway, and I think he sort of liked that she was ugly because it suited him better. He raised her since she was a baby, and she's been on several adventures with us. I think she was something he wanted and needed at the time, so she came. Just like Hope was something you needed and were able to hold onto for so long.
[ the bird and the feeling, maybe. ]
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[ this is such a cute story... he tucks the pin into his lapel again properly, and picks the yarn ball back up, absently playing with it between his fingers as he listens. these kinds of bonds between souls are important to taair, who has only ever observed them from afar, save for a precious week spent away from the tower. away from... ]
And... I think I would have to agree.
[ ...
his gaze draws up, now, overhead. it feels a bit silly to look to the sky when one is in the heavens, but it draws his eye, as it always has. ]
We were in quite a similar situation, Hope and I. It was not too long ago that I opened the door to his cage and left that door open, so he might have a choice to stay, to go, or to come as he pleased.
[ his voice softens as he says this - and then he huffs, and shakes his head, and smiles at them. ]
I hope that you'll tell me of your adventures someday, dear Zuriel. I think I would enjoy it very much.
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... I hope he comes to visit. It would be nice for the two of you to be together and see more of the world out there. [ they get the idea, a little. in some lots in life, you are simply stuck no matter how much your heart protests. but they also pick up on the hint and they let the subject change easily to give him some breathing room. ]
To be honest, some of them are things I don't know I would believe myself if I hadn't been there. But I guess you could say we spent our time hunting for treasure. We were all dedicated.
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Hunting for treasure! Really? My, how exciting! Did you explore ruins or anything of the like? You must have experienced some marvelously exciting things.
[ sparkle sparkle sparkle ]
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More like caves. My friends had been doing it for some time before we met, but... when I found out what they were doing, I wanted to come along.
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but!!! oh!!! this is so exciting. he scoots a little closer, placing his cheeks in his hands. ]
What sort of treasure were you looking for?
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That's - [ just utterly breathless: ] That's incredible, Zuriel...! To uncover the truths through the hunt for a treasure, to gather the pieces and parts to put together a mystery, and to do so all in the company of friends?! What a dream that would be...! Oh, I have so many questions, I barely know where to start!
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There were a lot of truths to uncover. Some of them we didn't even know needed to be uncovered. But I don't think any of us wavered in our decision to follow our king. [ the way they say this is a little funny, like maybe king isn't the right word but it's the same vibe. ]
... for a time before I met them, I wanted more than anything to maybe meet people like me. I didn't think it would be them, but I can't imagine it any other way now.
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anyway. taair is unaware of my mental breakdown - and in fact he listens to all of this, from the bit about truths to meeting people, to spending time with them, to finding the bonds between souls. it just speaks to every fiber of his being, and he sighs. ]
...How magnificent. [ from beginning to end, how magnificent. ] Perhaps those bonds are even more important than the treasure itself - though I suppose that may sound a bit sappy, those sorts of things are beyond measure.
...Your king, you said. How literal is that...?
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It is sappy, but I think... I wouldn't want anything else. Or anyone else. They're mine, and I'm theirs. [ they seem very certain of this. to the question, there's a slight laugh. ]
Very non-literal. He isn't royalty in the slightest, even though his mother's a politician. But it's... he isn't the kind of person who would rule senselessly. He believes in what he believes in, and what he believes in is us. He's infuriating in several ways, and he doesn't always hear the way he talks and his privilege shows more often than I think he realizes, but... he's thoughtful. And smart. And he's much better to be around when he can be himself instead of who other people think he is. He's done a lot for all of us. It made sense we'd swear loyalty to him.
[ this is a little bit of embellishment to sell the point, but they also firmly believe this relationship is the most important in the world. ]
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[ ah... fond. it's like something out of the union, or, well. at least something out of the old stories taair loves as he studies the history of his country - though calling him infuriating makes him laugh a little, too. ]
Though the most loyal of knights I think, do point out when their king makes mistakes, even if that doesn't typically feature in the stories. [ fond... taair loves friendship... ] Thank you, for sharing that with me.
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Maybe I can tell you more a different time. I'd like to hear more about you instead. Other things you like, or things you wanted to do before.
[ their profile does say listening is a skill. ]
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What you spoke of, you know - it spoke to me. Perhaps I can show you my own life's work, since I was lucky enough to find it with me my first day here.
[ taair shifts a bit where he's sitting, and reaches for the book holster on his hip. tucked in there is a fairly large volume, bound in red leather - he passes it over for zuriel's examination.
on the front of the book is A Chronicle of Iria embossed in gold, and under that in smaller writing, is Taair Khalisa Nasir. ]
I've spent several years of my life researching a hidden truth, myself.
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You wrote an entire book? [ that's impressive. ] What's it about? Is Iria a place, or a person? [ tell them everything. they will browse the pages themselves, but they want to hear it directly from him. ]
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[ there is pride in his voice despite this, though, an undeniable, effusive warmth. not just for the book, but for its very subject as he props his chin in his hand to watch them look through it.
the book is mostly text, but flipping through it, they can see there are carefully hand drawn maps, and sketches and diagrams like these - everything you could imagine in a well-researched history book. ]
But, yes. Iria is a place - it is the place that I was born. My homeland. There is not a single comprehensive history of Iria that is accurate and truthful, unmarred by the influence of propaganda or the perspective of outside powers - so, years ago, I set out to create that history.
I had hoped to spend the next ten years interviewing Irians to fill out the book before I had it published, but... well. [ he gestures briefly out at the whole. Heaven thing around him. ] Such wasn't the case.
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