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

[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.

[alwayskayaking]

I suppose it is. She's a princess or something like that back home, isn't she? [Admittedly Tim only half listened to the things she said, the other half was too busy screaming: DANGEROUS LYING MONSTER to hear much else.] I can only imagine how difficult that would be for the both of you to be away. [Makes him thankful his heart fell for someone from his own world.]

Have you two ever talked about this before?

[massrez]

No. I think we both understand and would just prefer not to think of it, most days.

But just because a thing can't last forever doesn't mean there isn't worth it. Every day is one to treasure.

I'm sure you understand, too.

[alwayskayaking]

I do. Any day it could end, regardless of being here or at home. It's important to enjoy these moments while we have them.

[massrez]

I don't take a single day here for granted. Or any of you.

I know how quickly things can change. How easy it is to lose someone.

[alwayskayaking]

I do. One moment you're alive, happy, then the next you're dead in a gutter for just being in the wrong place at the wrong time. [He may still be a bit bitter than his murder hasn't been solved.]

[massrez]

Yes. Just like that.

It could be any of us, at any time. No fairness or reason to it except the tangle of decisions and battle of wills that bring us to such moments. All that's left is try to mend what you can, and bring peace to those who are left behind.

That's why I chose the path I did, I suppose.

[alwayskayaking]

Why am I not surprised that you decided your path based on trying to help those who need it most?

[massrez]

I'd like to think it's because we're such good friends, and less that I'm entirely predictable in that way.

[alwayskayaking]

That and you seem to have a track record of trying to help anyone regardless of if they deserve it or not. [He just wanted to kill a dragon. He totally couldn't take on a dragon, but Anduin wouldn't even let him try!]

[massrez]

[ Yes, how dare he not let Tim get himself roasted alive by his childhood friend. ]

Yes, well. I'd say I've gotten it right a lot more than I've gotten it wrong.

[ Present company as an example. ]

[alwayskayaking]

Hopefully you can stick to that track record. I'm worried it's going to come back and bite you hard in the ass one day.

And not the fun kind of biting.

[massrez]

It has. More than once. It probably will again.

But I won't stop trying.