steepwithdead | Folkmore

Oh! Of course, that makes sense. I guess never seeing a Firbolg before made me unsure what was a part of you normally or not.

[She digs up another flower, getting better at it with each try and hands it to him.]

Maybe Thirteen has a type for that kind of person?

Besides the vines and the wings, what you see is what a firbolg is. Though I'll admit most are less pastel.

[Don't catch a lot of firbolgs out there with pink hair. He accepts the flower with a murmured thank you, tucking it gently next to its previous transplanted neighbour.]

Could be. Perhaps her idea of our true potential is enduring adversity by helping one another.

[She giggles at the joke? It seemed funny so she laughs gently.]

I.. I could see that, but... I already did all that back home. I don't see how else I'm supposed to get better.

[She frowns.]

And what about the people who are dead back home? How is that fair?

No one is perfect, in this world or any other. We can always be better. What counts as "better", however, shouldn't be decided by someone else. It's up to us to determine what manner of person we're meant to be.

[That's not even his counselling, just his wholehearted belief.]

Have you asked them?

[She nods, because she agrees... it should be up to them and not Thirteen to decide that. To take them from their homes and force them to... get better by her definition. She... could always get better yeah, but she rather follow her own life journey for that.

Then he asks that and she frowns and looks down at the flowers.]

No, guess I haven't. I just... it seems unfair.

Mm... what is fair or not is a hard thing to define. For some, the return to life after death is taboo, and to run from one's fate is cowardly. For others, this world may be seen as a gift, a second chance at life. Many people, both the dead and their surviving circle, think that death comes for a loved one far too soon.

[He scoops out one of the plants, plucking a large dead branch free from the healthy stem, discarding it in a separate pile.]

For better or worse, we are guests in her domain, and subject to her rules. It's up to us as individuals to decide what's fair for us, and what we do about it.

[She's pretty sure she knows how Akechi feels but... it would be better to ask. For her, it's not fair to get to be close to him and learn to care so deeply for him only to know it's on a time limit. It feels like she's waiting for her best friend to be stolen from her.

She's already lost people.]

I suppose you're right. And it's... not that it's taboo or even a gift, it's that...it's a rental and eventually the repo man is gonna come and take it away without warning.

[Sounds like someone needs a grief counsel- okay, okay, no.

He considers those words. He doesn't have context for the "repo" part, but he can read between the lines. His tone is extra gentle when he responds.]

This world is no different from any other. We are, all of us, temporary fixtures of one another's life. Someone can disappear or die in an instant, and every parting with someone, stranger or dearest family, could be your last. That's why it's critical to cherish the moments you have with people while you can. Make those memories, and never forget. One day it may be all you have of them. Or all they have of you. Is that love not worthwhile?

[Sumire listens and nods shallowly, like she doesn't know to handle what's being said. It hits hard and in a place that's a wound that will never fully close or heal. A wound that Akechi has opened up in many ways.

She takes a deep breath to will her eyes not to get glassy with tears.]

Akechi would probably rather die than let me call how I feel love.

[Poor excuse for a joke but she does it anyway.]

[Poor joke or not, Caduceus makes an amused noise anyway.]

That's one of the best parts of loving someone. You don't need their permission to do it.

[If you want it reciprocated, that's another story. But you can love, and it's free. They can't stop you.]

I suppose so, I never really thought of it that way. Though lets keep the L-word between us.

[She gives Caduceus a smile. He was easy to talk to, she can understand why Akechi wanted her to do it, but she doesn't need therapy. She's fine.]

[He taps a finger to his lips.]

He won't hear it from me.

Thank you.

[She throws him a wink and moving to stand up.]

I think it's time I go find Akechi-san and head back with him. It was a pleasure to meet you, Caduceus-san.

Pleasure to meet you as well. Give him my regards.

[He pauses, and then, gently,]

Don't let him pressure you into doing anything you're not ready for. But you're always welcome to come back, if you like. For gardening, or whatever.

[Even if it's simply a chat, not therapy. He's a person, first and foremost. The counselling is just a thing he does.]

[She looks a touch surprised by him saying that, but it quickly morphs into a smile again and she nods.

It already took him owing her a favor for her to agree in the first place, so really she doubts Akechi will force her to go again. Still, she appreciates it.]

Thank you, I... I'd like that, to come by again and learn more about gardening.

[He was nice and she could use more friends.]

Wonderful. [His smile is warm, carrying with it the welcome he'd promised.] Then I hope to see you again soon. Take care, Sumire.

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