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 Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 7:33 pm
Ah, it was as he suspected. It wasn't a malignant means of harming, but an inadvertent consequence of her presence. It also now made more sense why she seemed fascinated with this pride, and with death. He walked on for a time in silence, pondering what she'd said, who she was, and the whole of the situation he found himself in. Eventually he cleared his throat, choosing his words carefully as he spoke. "There are several things I'd like to point out," he began slowly, "and I hope you do not think me impertinent or uncaring in doing so." He flashed her a look that spoke of worry only briefly, a swift glimpse of vulnerability and anxiety, before looking ahead once more.
"First," he took a breath and held it a moment before proceeding, his words measured and deliberate. "If you wish, I could see the deaths that you were near to, if you wanted." Whether she realized it or not, this was a hugely generous offer. Purposely seeing deaths was never pleasant, and it never seemed to bring anyone peace. For once, that might be different in this case. Oh, the suffering would be there, but he could perhaps set her mind at ease as to consequences of her actions. However, after the words were spoken, he realized the conundrum the very act would create. Quiet and rueful, he shook his head. "No, on second thought, that would solve nothing. We would never be sure if the future I foresaw was due to you not entering the pride, or whether it was in spite of you entering the pride." He turned an apologetic look, meeting her eyes. "Forgive, I only offered with the intent to help."
"Secondly," he began again, with just as much solemnity and cautious deliberateness, "something for you to consider." He swallowed and walked for many paces beside her, as he gathered his thoughts once more. "From what I have seen of this pride, the death they suffer is slow and painful, most often." Torturous even, though he did not say such a thing. "Some weep tears of relief when the end comes," his voice dropped to a near-whisper. "Others simply die because they give up hope and have no strength to carry on." His throat tightened, though his expression did not change from calm resolve. "Perhaps you should give them the choice of your influence, and so ease their suffering at their behest."
It was not a pleasant or easy subject to discuss. But it was all he intended to say on it. He paused to shake out his pelt, a physical gesture to mirror the inner release from uncomfortable thoughts. "For now, let us ponder where we shall spend our day of rest." For now it was clear he would allow her time to think. Another day might provide more insight on the coming decision. Daily concerns would make a good distraction from such heavy thoughts.
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Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 3:27 am
Veri was trying to figure out a polite way to decline his offer, but luckily she didn't have to. She'd hate to have Mith sift through deaths associated with her. It would have been an endless task... Veri had lived long, and she would live even longer. Between her powers and her occasional tempers there would be plenty of death to look at.
"Forgiven," she said and nodded.
The next thing he pointed out was not something she would have expected, and not something she had ever thought about. For as long as she lived she had regarded her influence on blood to be something of an inconvenience when dealing with mortals. It was part of her, and she accepted it, but the potential danger was always in the back of her mind. To have someone see it as a blessing... It was an interesting perspective.
"Interesting," was all she said at first, "It's usually not my most looked after power. Most are interested in acquiring more blood and not more bleeding. I can give my blood too, but it's extremely taxing."
She had a very vivid memory of the first time she shared her blood with another. It had been a bit of a disaster. After she learned to control it and avoid draining herself in the process she had found it potentially useful, but she had only used it a pawful of times.
"I will give them that choice then, but I will not enter their lands without an invitation," Veri finally said, "So I suppose I will not use any disguise when I get there."
Would it help Mith'ando to arrive to his new home accompanied by a Goddess, she wondered. Ah, time would tell.
"You know," she said with a playful smile, "I could scout ahead."
Her wings looked too small to provide enough lift, but as a Goddess she had other means of staying airborne. Even wingless gods could fly, and it was easier if you just didn't try to figure out how on earth that worked. She spread her wings and with a powerful jump she was in the air, looking for a nice place to spend their day off.
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