( video )

[heron]

[ the feed starts to show a large, dainty looking man with large white wings peering at the feed before pulling back, satisfied. ]

Greetings. My name is Prince Reyson of the Heron Clan.

As you know, we have trouble lately with the breach. To ensure such a thing does not occur so suddenly, I thought about proposing a part-time perimeter guard of the walls. I think we would be better prepared should anything happen again.

Also, as I know some people were hurt or struggling, you are welcome to see me. I have the power of the galdr which means I can soothe one's spirit, trauma and pain. Should you have need of my abilities, do let me know.

Comments

[begguiling]

All right, all right! I'm only kidding. You should say them yourself, though, whichever ones they are! I wouldn't mind spending some time with you.

[heron]

[ another bird-like huff. ]

It's not as though I mind. I just have a hard time believing it will work.

[begguiling]

I wouldn't put money on it working myself! But there's no downside even if it doesn't. We help out the planet, have backup if anything does happen, aaaaand I get to spend time with you. Not to be sneezed at!

[heron]

I suppose not.

[ but his people were like this. they believed in harmony and this form of help. and it got them nothing. he lapses into silence. ]

[begguiling]

Hmmm . . . I wonder why you're resisting?

[His cheer fades, replaced by careful curiosity. This is Reyson, after all. Magolor isn't just curious in the distant way he gets curious about people's emotions; he does, on some level, actually care and want to know for personal reasons. It's new, but he goes with it.]

[heron]

[ reyson purses his lips. ]

My people believed in the same thing. Unity, harmony. We kept the balance and could do no harm.

And we were wiped out on a rumour. A baseless lie.

[begguiling]

[Well. That makes sense. Magolor listens, ears flicking, pensive.]

It's true that we have no reason to trust much of anything here.

[heron]

The method of it still rankles.

I'm sure it is true but . . . is this how the world will truly change?

[begguiling]

I don't know about that. It hasn't so far, huh? Have you noticed . . . ? We push back only what rises up. We haven't pushed back against the way things already were. This city is no better off than it was before we arrived.

[He's been thinking about this since he pointed it out to Pyra.]

[heron]

It hasn't been very long . . . but you're right. Little has changed here.

[begguiling]

It hasn't, but it seems fast enough when it's something that just pops up. The city suddenly loses its color, we hold hands, it alllll gets better! But if nothing else, we're fighting a losing battle. If I came over and held you right now, we wouldn't get anything out of it but money, would we? . . . But I won't sneeze at that, so let me know if you're feeling lonely, okay?

[And: he wants to. That's the part he won't admit to. All this time doing this for the profit and because they're supposed to, and now there are some people he wants it with.]

[heron]

[ his lips curve at that. ]

Of course. But I think I'll be fine if I manage to get this started.

[begguiling]

You're trying to let me down easy . . . how sweet of you.

[heron]

[ reyson colours, huffing once more. ]

I'm only being truthful.

[begguiling]

I believe you! I just wouldn't mind spending time with you anyway.

[heron]

[ a soft chuckle. ]

I should hope so.

[begguiling]

Do you? All you ever need to do is ask!

[heron]

I suppose I've never been good at asking. I've always felt a bit like a charity case. Beholden to other's good will.

[begguiling]

Hmm . . . because you can't fight back?

[heron]

Partly.

But I have no kingdom, no people. No riches. I have little to my name save my abilities.

[begguiling]

. . . I get it. But maybe there's something better out there than all that. You're someone I'd trust to find it.

[heron]

[ reyson nods slowly. ]

It simply makes it difficult to ask for help when you are already a burden.

[begguiling]

I see . . . I guess I can get my head around that.

[It's a strain, because it takes a lot of considering emotions he's not familiar with personally. Magolor isn't the kind of guy who is ever shy about burdening others. But he is self-aware enough to know that, on some level, that's just because he gives people absolutely nothing that he values, and especially not the vulnerability it takes to really share a burden. Reyson isn't that type of person; he gives so much more than he realizes.

Magolor shrugs.]

If you ask me . . . it's just about getting into the habit. When you want something, whatever it is, just go for it, and then it's not so hard to do the same thing when it's serious. You—

[He stops for a moment, rubbing his head. Suddenly and uncharacteristically demure.]

. . . You . . . helped me out recently, so . . .

[heron]

[ aww. reyson's lips curve upwards. ]

I was honoured. You deserve to be helped.

[begguiling]

. . . I don't know where you got that from.

[Geez! He's so embarrassed! Magolor may be self-absorbed and in love with his own ego, but he's also under no impression that he's a good person worthy of kindness, and he's not sure how to deal with hearing it.]