Duplicity Inbox

[alwayskayaking]

Duplicity Inbox

You've reached Tim Stoker. I'm out at the moment. Leave me a message and I'll return your call soon.

Comments

Delivery

[massrez]

[ A carefully-wrapped package makes its way to Tim's residence. Inside are a collection of sugared fruits, nuts, chocolates, and toffee.

Tucked alongside the food is a set of bath oils in various scents, specifically meant to be used with Tim's hot tub. There are also a number of scented candles, and a silver pocket-watch. The inside of the lid bears a painted scene of a mountain river with foaming white rapids.

A note accompanies the gifts, written in a familiar, elegant cursive. ]

So much has changed over the course of a year. At the risk of sounding patronizing -- though I am certain you will take this in the spirit it is meant -- I am proud of you. You have bravery and heart like few I know, and I am glad to call you my friend.

With my deepest respect and fondest wishes.

- A. W.

text; un: ShowStopper

[alwayskayaking]

[Later in the day Anduin will receive a text.] I hope I can count on you to help test these bath oils with me sometime.

text; un: a.wrynn

[massrez]

Oh!

Well, yes. I'd be happy to.

[alwayskayaking]

And thanks for the gifts and the letter. Not sure I really deserve it, but I didn't find it patronising and it was deeply appreciated.

[massrez]

I meant every word of it.

It's almost startling, how far we are from the people we were a year ago.

[alwayskayaking]

You think so? I'm not so sure. [He didn't feel constantly hated by everyone now which was a nice change, but he didn't really feel that much different either.]

[massrez]

I do.

Even I've changed, I'm sure.

[alwayskayaking]

I don't know. You're still the regal, but kind King I first met.

[massrez]

And yet if you told me a year ago half of what I've done here, I don't think I would have believed you.

[alwayskayaking]

Too busy ruling to have some fun and casual flings, right?

[massrez]

Among other things.

I do feel as if I understand more than I used to. But that's always a good sign, isn't it? If you can look back at your younger self and point out all the things you thought wrongly of.

[alwayskayaking]

Never hurts to learn something new. Especially when you're young and not yet set in your ways.

[No comment about pointing at the things he thought wrongly of. Tim still doesn't think he was wrong. Not really.]

[massrez]

You have a point. I had always imagined one thing in my mind, the way it came across in stories or tavern's tales. Then there was the reality of how it would have been in court.

I would have been foisted on the first convenient noble daughter they could find for me, and that would have been that.

[alwayskayaking]

That sounds difficult. To be forced to marry someone you don't even know, but I know that's how things use to be in my world.

[massrez]

I understand the practicality of it. It's how my father and mother were married.

And from all that he told me, it's not anything to be wished on someone.

[alwayskayaking]

Just because it's what has happened before, doesn't mean it needs to happen again.

If he felt that way about it-- I take it he was not exactly pleased with the arrangement? Although, I must say, I think he was lucky to have a son like you.

[massrez]

I agree. It's only my lack of efforts that have even brought it up as a viable option.

Neither of them were pleased, at first. By all accounts, they couldn't stand one another. But they grew to. They learned from one another, and from understanding grew affection. Eventually love.

[ Which might explain a little of Anduin's own perspective on such things. Why everyone gets a chance to show who they really are, deep down. ]

By the end, he loved her so fiercely and entirely that nothing could fill the emptiness left behind when she died. Not even me.

[alwayskayaking]

I'm sorry, that you lost her, but I'm glad that in the end they were able to find happiness and even love together.

[massrez]

We often find it in the last place we'd think to look.

[alwayskayaking]

Maybe, it would be nice if we'd think to look in the last place first. I suppose it would still be the last place, but at least then it will also be the only place.

[massrez]

I think it can be found in more places than we think. But I still think the arrangement itself is a terrible practice. And I have no intent of following through on it, when I return home.

I don't think wanting to marry someone I have the time to fall in love with, and they with me, should be so much to ask.

[alwayskayaking]

I don't think it should be either.

I hope you can find that someone, or perhaps, do you think you will try to take Gilia back with you if you find a way home?

[massrez]

It's not that simple.

[alwayskayaking]

Is it not? I suppose the king can't actually do whatever he wants even if that's what the day dream makes it seem like they can.

[massrez]

There's that also.

But even if there were a way to choose to go home on our own terms, asking her to come with me? That would amount to asking her to leave behind any hope of seeing her home or family again.

That's a lot to ask of anyone.