dagung | Forced Honesty Meme

What is your favorite part about being at DiplomaTea?

It reminds me of the Circle. Everything's regimented and has its place, and I know I can rely on everyone there. You're all almost like having that family again. [...] ...Which, I think, wasn't what I intended to say because I was going to joke about the food, but there you go.

And yours?

That is a very sweet answer.

[She's really touched, to be considered anything adjacent to family there.]

The people, but also... the independence. It may not seem like much, but my upbringing was a little sheltered as you might expect. Most of my life, I've been surrounded by aides or governesses or paladins. And I love them all dearly. But it feels good, to build something with my own hands.

[A laugh,] Not that I built DiplomaTea. Just the role that I have played there is unlike any I've held before.

Oh--the independence is wonderful, isn't it? And frightening at the same time. [A little sadly,] I didn't realize how hard it would be, but then I'd never really expected to have it. Not like this.

Have you found parts of it unpleasant, being uprooted like that?

Still up for bonding, after all of that?

Meaning the whole dark magic thing?

Yes, but now you're especially doomed. [He says it teasingly, even if it's true.] Though I think--I need to understand a great deal more than I do about the war you've been fighting, and all the whys of how you came to be where you are.

[ there's a nod at that - yes, the whole dark magic thing. ]

The purpose in understanding being, what? To further doom me? [ he does know he's being teased here. alas, with the next statement, someone's already defensive...: ] If it's going result in criticism, and opining on what you would've done differently, I'd prefer to decline explaining that to you.

Edited 2020-05-18 22:40 (UTC)

[A quiet huff from Myr at that--something like laughter.] Reasonably; and I'd have opinions, but if the price of hearing you out the way you're owed is not voicing them, I can bite my tongue.

I want to understand because I formed a picture of you from the beginning that wasn't correct, and I've been judging you on it this whole time. I know that's--what we do with everyone we meet and there's no perfectly knowing anyone well enough to judge them in full justice, not for us mortals. But I always want to do better.

[Explaining the unvarnished workings of his mind like this is always so weird. This is weird. He's making a face about it but can't not do it.]

[ even if myr had answered with, "fck yes i'm going to criticize," and even if viren would prefer not to, he would likely end up explaining himself anyway. he can barely hold his tongue in that. ]

[ forced honesty memes, however, are a different species. ]

[ he's quiet; alas, that isn't a response from myr that he can, at least initially, pick apart as to why he dislikes some part of it. ]

And you think that, [ pause, ] having your understanding, would then make a monster-monster bond worthwhile?

[Dear Viren and his bad case of the Expositions.

If Myr could blink at that question he would; as it is he looks...not puzzled, exactly, but a little surprised.]

No. It would be worthwhile to have a bond with you because you're dear to me. Regardless of whether you were a Witch or a Monster. Which isn't to say there's not other considerations going into it--I would like to know you much better, have a better feel for you, and a bond would give us that.

[ viren -- doesn't really know how to perceive this, all aspects of it considered. ]

[ he's not unmindful, no, of how the other admits that he's among his dear ones, how that brings him warmth to hear. ]

I don't understand. You and Everett. [ there's a sigh. not one of exasperation, but slightly frustrated in that. and with a mirroring of myr's tone, ] But you, particularly.

You already have two bonds, correct? A Witch and a Monster.

[Another of those little huffing laughs meets that.] I don't know what to think of that, you know. I've never wanted to be opaque to anyone, though I don't always explain my reasoning.

I do. Everett and Linden.

Then, we would each be at one Witch bond, two Monster bonds.

I do think we should come to a mutual understanding, regarding this — hypothetical. That if another Witch were to be open to bonding with either of us, that it would be in our best interests to seize that opportunity, don't you think?

What if another Witch were open to Bonding with both of us? [Teasing, and not, because the question popped into Myr's head and he's not proof against leashing his tongue right now.]

That aside--are you most concerned about the magical stability of the arrangement, or is it me? Because if it's the former--yes, given our mutual bond's at a Witch and two Monsters, it might be irresponsible of us to Bond, ourselves.

[ that counter certainly has viren raising his eyebrows. he hadn't immediately thought of that possibility. ]

Then -- that sounds like an avenue worth pursuing. [ even on a limited time frame. ]

The former.

My point being.. should four bonds be inadvisable, for whatever reason, then [..] I would presume both of us would be open to annulling our bond.

Very much as a hypothetical, of course.

It would be a worthwhile experiment, wouldn't it? Four's not supposed to be stable but I'd wonder how that would change if we made a closed loop out of it.

[A thoughtful beat.] Yes, having thought on it, I'd accept that as a condition of our Bond, though it's a little at odds with how I've come to regard them.

Though since we're all hypotheticals at this point, [another laugh,] it's not something to worry too hard on.

You do want another Witch, though, I presume.

[ pause. to add, ]

I'd actually be -- [ "somewhat cross?" no. if he weren't affected by the sincerity obligation of this conversation, he would have surely just left it at that. ] ... very upset, if you were to annul this, hypothetical bond.

[ read: viren wants to be able to back out without causing distress, but should myr, reasonably, have the same in return? apparently not! ]

I do. And that should be every Monster's priority.

[Oh-oh. And if Myr had the option himself, he wouldn't reply with:] Make no mistake, I'd be disappointed, too. But I wouldn't want you to feel trapped with me. I'd hope I wouldn't make you feel trapped.

Agreed, though I feel a little the hypocrite for saying so. I should seek out another Witch--Maker only knows there's many in need--but here I am flirting with you instead.

That would be ... ideal, yes.

[ sure, viren would be left more than disappointed, but he's unfortunately made that point. at the mention of the fl-word, he visibly flusters, just a touch. ]

[ after an amount of contemplation, ]

I would be.. open to it. To bonding with you.

That's-- [Oh, a stutter of his usual blithe confidence?? Did Myr not expect this to go out of the realm of hypothetical, his own earnest emotions aside?] I'm pleased--beyond pleased you really would.

We could--and I mean no insult here, just, we've really thrashed everything that might imperil a Bond between us--but we could try out something temporary, to see if we do suit each other.

[ gosh, myr, stop being genuinely honest with these pleasant feelings for him! not that anyone can help it. it's like a vicious gratitude cycle, over here. the initial comment's met with a flicker of a warm smile. ]

[ but: a test bond, before the real thing? that shouldn't be a novel concept to him, yet here we are! ]

Yes... [ hm. ] I would be fine that, too. —It does sound prudent, after all.

[THIS WILL NEVER END, VIREN.

Imagine being Bonded to it, 24/7.]

Prudent, [the faun echoes, laughingly, but a little sad as well.] Yes. It does, doesn't it? I do want to rush ahead with this but I fear driving you off.

[Completely not how he usually goes about--well, call it what it is--courtship.] So--this might be better, all told.

And I am still of the firm opinion that you overestimate yourself.

[ really, myr!!!! people don't drive viren off, viren drives people off. ]

Then we are at an agreement, once more. I'll look forward to testing it - and you, by extension.

Forced Honesty Meme

Myrobalan Shivana (OC) | Dragon Age

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