genessia | 2nd fire = i'll leave you choking on every word you left unspoken

[VIDEO;public]

[When the feed goes live, Neil's face is front and center, but he's not looking at the camera. He's somewhere in Fayren, based on the decor--at the Drunken Monkey, for those familiar with the establishment. It's not terribly noisy at the moment, and from the looks of things Neil has shoved himself into a far corner, back to the wall. He's hunched over the table, hand hovering after turning on his smart phone while he appears to finish writing something down on a piece of paper in front of him.

A few long seconds passes, then he finally sets his pen down and looks up.]

Hey--sorry 'bout that, didn't wanna lose a thought. Just kinda curious about something--stuff...my brain's just workin' overtime, so call it a poll. In the worlds you all come from, what's the general consensus on revenge? Culturally, spiritually, philosophically...is it a good or a bad thing? And if it's anything you'd actively do, what's your favorite way? I mean...

[He trails off, huffing in a moment of mild frustration as he starts to talk with his hands.]

Like me. I come from two worlds--one, revenge isn't something that's encouraged. If you do it, though, there's an expression--'revenge is a dish best served cold.' The other, the whole things a little gray. Avenging your honor, or that of family, friends, lovers--it's done, even if it's not totally okay, but for personal slights or harm? Spirituality preaches that forgiveness is wisdom...and culturally, you're seen as a stronger person for finding justice if the law brings you none. There's an old saying there, too--'wield the sword of vengeance not with the hand, but with the heart.' Don't go after someone just 'cause you feel you have to, in other words. Do it because you absolutely believe you have to.

So...what's your take? Or your world's take, I mean. Gimme your thoughts.

[VIDEO;private to Regina Mills]

Hey, how do you spell your mother's name? With a 'C' or a 'K?'

[He's asking for a friend. Honest.]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Arya is a little hesitant to talk about this because, well. She isn't sure how Regina will feel about her List and what she plans to do to the people on it. But at the same time, as the kids say, this is her jam. ]

My father used to say that the man who passes the sentence swings the sword. That's why any time a man from the Wall abandoned his post, father would execute them himself instead of letting a headsman do it. Because that was the way of the North. The old ways.

So that's why I'm going to kill everyone who hurt my family myself, with my own sword.

My people tend to believe in righteousness vengeance. Strike down those who go against law and order in the name of the Light. A sort of holy vengeance.

Personally, I would have taken the many more lives in the name of revenge if I had the power.

[...oh no, she's cute.

Neil has a problem: he really likes Arya, and for that same reason she breaks his heart. She reminds him a lot of himself, and under all that pain he sees something really good in her.

He agrees with her philosophy, and that of her people. It's a good code to follow...but that goodness he sees in her, all fire and faith and power, could easily get crushed by the shadow of death.

He doesn't want to see her heart go dark, doesn't want to see that fire snuffed out the way it was snuffed out in him.

So he sucks on his teeth silently for a second, mulls that over, and nods...then answers carefully.]

Your old ways sound like a good path. And I think you're right to want the blood of those who hurt your family--but before you swing your sword, I hope you make sure that you wield it with your heart, and not your hand. If you know you're swinging with your heart...well, if you ever want a few pointers, I'd be happy to work with ya.

[ Charlie's outside of work on a break, eating a burger she had someone get for her, one leg crossed over the other. This is not a comfortable subject for her, but it's Neil and she cares about him and his opinions. So she's going to answer. ]

It's not worth it's weight in gold.

[ This girl was responsible for the death of so many after one asshole shot her father in the throat. While she agrees with Neil's sentiment that they all deserved their fiery demise, she still wakes up at night, wondering if there'd been a different choice that she just didn't see. Despite everything she's been through, everything she's had no choice but to do, she's still a good person deep down. ]

Absolutely depends on how ya go about it.

It's all good and fine if you wanna get back at those who got you or yours. But if that's all you're living for, then that's no good.

What does that mean?

C. Why?

thanks beloved

no reason just something im working on

the will of the gods upon my tongue no magic or bloodshed

[ She appears on the screen, not thunderous as either of them might have feared, only slightly sad and very knowing. ]

Revenge can claw the heart out of a person. Turn her cold and poisonous. What Neil means, I think, is not to let it consume you and be your entire reason for living. Remember compassion and mercy and have things that make you smile.

I'm not reassured.

I believe you, but I'm not reassured.

its something that carnival wish shrine thing reminded me of thats all

i can show you if you want

No. I trust you.

okay

still gonna show you

just when im done

hey what was the name of that douchebag that your mother tried to fix you up with

the one with the fake tattoo

The Sheriff of Nottingham. In the Land without Magic, he's called Keith.

I hung him upside down over a fire pit. He was a laughingstock after that.

keith

embers balls

and i thought neil was a douchey name

fucking keith man

I thought it was appropriate.

[ Of course they'd yet to actually talk about the Dark Curse, but she talked around it often enough that she didn't expect it would confuse him. ]

He's always been a colossal asshole.

Yeah, that's the general consensus in the Five Realms--revenge is either social business or an interpersonal issue. It's not a way of life. In the world I was born in? Not so much, I've seen people hold some serious fuckin' grudges.

[She's a girl of few words, but Neil listens to each one like the fate of the world depends on it.

And knowing what he does of her past, hearing her say that breaks his heart a little--but in the best way possible. She's done some shit, seen even more, and Neil thinks if Regina ever pulled Charlie's heart out, it would be glowing like the fucking sun. She's stronger, purer than Neil has ever been, and he's pretty sure he loves her in that moment.

He's quiet for a second after she speaks, then points at he through the feed with a soft smile, that unabashed pride and affection glowing in his features.]

And that is why you're a goddamn genius, kiddo. A lot fuckin' smarter than I could ever hope to be, that's for sure.

youre not wrong

but colossal asshole

nice

careful though youre starting to sound like me

That I choose not to curse is not proof that I don't know how.

I just prefer my filth at more intimate volumes.

i know you curse

and i know exactly how you like your filth

speaking of filth want me to walk you home after you get out of work

[...so he can get you naked after he sees you safely to your door?]

Mmm, you are definitely learning how I like my filth.

[ No point letting him get too cocky with his knowledge, now, is there? Still, she's smiling at her phone. ]

You can walk me home. I'll even let you carry my books and kiss me at the door if you're a good boy.

A very prominent book on Earth had this to say:

"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord."

[Quoting Romans 12:19 word for word. What a guy.]

Patience is urged, along with the knowledge that here should not be spoiled, as the hereafter will administer a more complete and less costly justice. Of course, patience is a hard virtue.

[To him, anyway.]

that could be a problem

i mean doesnt being a good boy defeat the purpose of being filthy

[Just this face as he looks into his phone. Neil Blair, dragon brat.]

If you don't think you can be both at once, you're not using your imagination.

[ They have a way to go before she'll be willing to play those sorts of games with him, but there's no harm in teasing about it. She looks good in black leather and he looks very good on his knees. ]

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2nd fire = i'll leave you choking on every word you left unspoken

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