Ceremonial curiosity

[heirtothearcane]

In the past few years the Nexus has become more of a home for Viatorus than his own world, despite its strange and changeable nature. So then perhaps it is not so odd that he finds himself feeling more comfortable here than there, able to talk to strangers with nary a stutter. Mostly. Though whatever nerves remain they're still a far cry from how he was when he first came here. Now he can sit and think, his head clear and undisturbed by the passers by.

He sits and watches the crowd flow through the streets, shuffling the ring on his ring finger in slow circles. For once he's without a book in hand, not even with a tea nearby. In fact, he looks quite composed for someone so easy to fluster. Perhaps it's the distraction of speculation, for he certainly sounds like he's been mulling over this a while.

"Do you think that ceremonies hold power? Do they influence anything or do you think they're purely symbolic? Are they an expression of hope, or a way of channelling power?"

Comments

[to_the_wolves]

Viatorus catches her off-guard with his reaction, causing her to pause and wonder if she was interpreting his words properly. That question was a test, right? To see if she was paying attention to the language specifics? It doesn't matter now, as the conversation has shifted to her statement from before.

"Yes, you're right. Some people are unaffected by magical things; some are steeped in that culture." No arguing that logical point, since the Nexus has taught her to expect the unexpected too often. "It was a gathering to celebrate a new business partner. Partially for enjoyment, but mostly for serious affairs. Most of my companions are like that, which is something I've grown accustomed to."

[heirtothearcane]

He listens, quiet and still, until she's done explaining. "And do you think they exerted a certain power or influence? Over the participants or something else?"

[to_the_wolves]

"Some of them did, yes, in regards to power. When you're dealing with non-human creatures, forceful or tough attitudes tend to emerge. Many take pride in what they do, often needing to remind the others of that status." She watches Viatorus to see what his reaction might be, wondering if not associating with humans is actually a bad thing.

"The best kind of companions are ones who can find a balance between exerting their privileged positions and also being easy to approach. Having a good attitude."

[heirtothearcane]

If anything, the differentiation between humans and non-humans bewilders the scholar. Perhaps he's been in the Nexus too long to be jaded by it. He offers her a lopsided smile hinting at his confusion. "Strong personalities and attitudes outshine others with humans, too. I don't imagine it's that different."

[to_the_wolves]

"Humans are...liable to make mistakes much more frequently, especially in the communication and emotion departments. It seems like an innate weakness that's embedded in our DNA or something like that." Non humans, meanwhile seem to have less attitude, less egotistical goals. His smile merely gets a nod from her, polite and calm.

"Power isn't all that great at times. Sure it brings fame, money and stability. But what's the trade off? The yearning for something more rarely goes away."

[heirtothearcane]

Viatorus very clearly does not follow. This is news to him, and he's seen plenty of mistakes. He's also seen greatness in the subtleties of mankind's communication. "More frequently than what? I'm afraid I've lost you."

[to_the_wolves]

"Sorry, a bit of a rant on my part. I've met with many different beings here in the Nexus. Business and personal affairs alike. It's strange, but humans are more demanding than others, from what I've seen."

It's a mistake to let emotions get control of a conversations with someone she's hardly met, but it's hard to avoid the thoughts. Celebrations are merely a chance for people to show off their wealth and glory, are they not? No. She won't mention that to Viatorus.

"Is there some sort of celebration you're preparing for? Forgive the blunt nature of my question, but it seems like this topic could be personal."

[heirtothearcane]

"I haven't noticed a difference." Although would he? Isidor might be a better comparison. He's never touched business affairs in his life. It's not something he would ever have thought to ask before.

"N-No." He clears his throat and straightens again, folding over his hands and then refolding them. "No, I was just... Just thinking about... I-I was wondering about how something like... like marriage, for example, changes a person. I-If there is something that changes deep within a person at the making of a promise."

[to_the_wolves]

"Then don't let my opinion sway you from a certain thought process. We've just seen different things that have shaped our experiences and ideals. It would be a pretty boring world if we all thought the same way."

Hearing him nervously mention marriage only reaffirms her suspicions from before, but it doesn't make answering his questions any easier. In fact, she has to think quietly to herself, trying to put together something that won't accidentally offend Viatorus.

"I...I'm not an expert on love or marriage, so I can't say for certain how I'd feel. Sometimes change emerges quickly, easily visible. Sometimes it stays dormant and hidden away...A person might not even change at all." She sighs, looking down at the ground in frustration. "The polite way to approach this is maybe asking someone who's recently gotten married how they feel. It might give you some insight."

[heirtothearcane]

Although Viatorus' lips tug wider, it's not a very convincing smile. He shakes his head and looks down at his hands. "That's not how it works. Asking after something like this. What people feel... and what they feel they should feel... are two different things. Asking after people's true emotions isn't easy in the waking world. They say one thing and feel another and..." And he feels it. That disconnect. That dizzying, confusing disparity.

He sighs softly. "It's private. So private that they don't always want to be honest with themselves about it. Let alone someone else. Even someone close to them."

[to_the_wolves]

Damnit. Internally, Marie is cursing at herself for even trying to speak on the topic. It's not her strong point and has clearly only made this conversation worse. Time to stare even more at the ground, avoiding eye contact for as long as possible.

"I'm sorry for making this topic harder by my suggestions. Emotions and feelings, those are personal...making it very hard to give clear advice on the topic." She sighs, nervously rubbing the back of her neck with one hand. "Being honest with ourselves, it's very difficult facing the truth, let alone conveying those thoughts to other people."

[heirtothearcane]

Viatorus blinks at her for a minute before realising he's staring. He shakes his head and puts a voice to his thoughts. "It's not your fault. That's just how things are. I don't blame people for finding it difficult, or for keeping personal things private. It's just why I don't ask about it directly. It won't help. Better to think of things as an abstract."

[to_the_wolves]

"You approach things much better than I do. I'm always trying to keep emotions off the table, be logical, but I have more empathy than I should. Trying to answer questions I don't have the answer to often ends in failure. Making matters worse than they already are. Hopefully I haven't done that for your situation."

If Viatorus is staring, she hasn't picked up on it yet. Then again, she's rather hesitant to offer advice. Thankfully, support is something she can give. "I'm sure you'll get the information you desire in due time."

[heirtothearcane]

Viatorus shakes his head, assuring her that she hasn't made anything worse at all. In fact, he's more concerned with the rest of what she says. He tilts his head at her, eyebrows tilted in confusion. "Why would you try to keep your emotions out of a conversation? People aren't completely logical, we're emotional too."

[to_the_wolves]

"Blame it on four years of college, plus 6 months of working in a company that demanded perfection. Some of my professors and bosses alike really enjoyed going on about how emotions lead to mistakes and that success in the business field comes from attrition." Topics like this should be depressing, but then she looks out at the Nexus and sees many happy people walking by. This place is what changed her life for the better.

"Thankfully, I've gotten past some of my weaknesses, but there's still times where I worry about what I say. I've upset people by thinking I knew all the answers, when in reality, I knew nothing. Like advice on love." Ouch. She hasn't forgotten that day, where she accidentally where she accidentally offended Zandros and his thoughts on love.

[heirtothearcane]

Viatorus' shoulders slump as he listens to this sad tale. Certainly his sister would agree with some of these sentiments, but he's seen where that's gotten her, and he can't fight the rest of the world like she can.

"They're wrong, you know. Perfection isn't emotionless, and emotion isn't a weakness. We can only half hear each other when we speak in cold, logical terms."