The Written Word

[quiet_librarian]

A tall, and dignified woman dressed in Victorian gowns sits quietly at one of the Plaza tables, with a few sheets of parchment scattered out on the table before her.

She paused for a moment, uncertain about the words she wants to write.

Glancing around her surroundings, she takes a moment to compose her thoughts. "It can be difficult to be separated by someone close to you. How do you keep a connection, when more than just distance separates you?"

Comments

[conjuredskies]

"Telepathic link," is Felix's immediate reply. He's currently bent over a map on one of the other tables, a stick of charcoal in hand. His face is shaded by a rough brown hood, but the scuffs and burns on his leather armor suggest he's been doing some rather intense work. He frowns before he looks up. "No, that's impractical. And they wouldn't welcome it. Tend them. Watch over their interests. Uphold the bond whether they know it or not."

[quiet_librarian]

Dru tilts her head in interest. The fact that he is so open about telepathy strikes her as remarkable.

"Most people are very protective of their thoughts. Their privacy." She acknowledges softly. "But wouldn't that be a bit deceitful?"

[conjuredskies]

"You don't have to share everything." He waves a gauntleted hand dismissively, whether at the question of privacy or deceit or both. "Tell them if you want. If they ask. If it matters. You're the one who said you want the connection."

[quiet_librarian]

"I do."

"But telepathy is not a common ability in my world. There are few people who have it. And a mind-to-mind connection is not always possible."

[conjuredskies]

"Yes, as I said. It's impractical. Better to do the other thing. Keep the connection alive on your end by other means."

[quiet_librarian]

"I have written him letters. It is a little challenging for them to be sent to him." Dru pauses slightly. "I just wish we could see each other more often."

[conjuredskies]

"Why, is he on another plane?" He's making another mark on the map while he talks. "I'm sure you could find your way from here. And if you don't choose to, then it seems you have your answers."

[quiet_librarian]

"He is on another planet." An honest answer.

"When I do visit him, I always need to take a guardian with me."

[conjuredskies]

"Need to? Or are you told to? Guardians can be evaded." He grins to himself for a moment. "That's half the game in courtship."

[poetwarrior]

"Such a matter would greatly depend on the manner of separation."

The answer comes from a tiger-sized creature, padding on all four paws past her. Faris stops, turning his attention to the human who has asked such a question, and approaches the table. It's in his nature to give aid to those who ask, if he is able, particularly when he has called upon others to do the same for him in the past.

[quiet_librarian]

He definitely gets her attention. Even with some of the unusual things that Dru has seen in her life so far, Faris is still pretty unique.

"He lives on a different planet than I do." She answers truthfully.

[poetwarrior]

Faris peers curiously at the objects on the table, that look like paper to his eyes. He's seen such things used for visual artwork before, but that doesn't appear to be the case here, or at least she hasn't begun, though she has only one utensil and therefore one color available to her.

"Is that not a form of distance?" he questions, turning his full attention back to her. The K'da sits down on his haunches near her chair.

[quiet_librarian]

"It is." Dru answers.

"He also has many responsibilities on his home planet. He is a member of the royal family." She explains. "And so, it keeps him occupied."

[poetwarrior]

"Ah, so it is duty that separates you," Faris says knowingly. "A difficult circumstance to ignore. May I assume you also cannot go to him?"

[quiet_librarian]

"I have had a few opportunities to visit him. But I do own my own bookstore on Earth. And my responsibilities, while not governing over an entire species, is still important for me to keep."

[poetwarrior]

Faris doesn't pretend to know what it's like to run a business, as that's never even remotely been part of his life. But he does understand what it's like to be called away from loved ones and spend time apart. "If there is nothing to be done to correct the source of the problem, there is little that one may do to ease the pain of separation. At such a great distance, sending messages may be difficult if not impossible."

[quiet_librarian]

"I have been writing him letters." Dru notes softly. Glancing down at the paper on the table that is still blank.

"Even if it is difficult for me to send the letters to him, it still gives me a sense of connection with him."

[rogueinladysclothing]

"You hold on to those things that you had in common, physical or otherwise, and never let them be forgotten."

This is a subject that hits far too close to home for Amelia, but the rogue has little choice in that now. With her world cut off from the Nexus, all she has left to remember her family and loved ones by are those few things she has with her that she brought from that place. It's not much, but the physical reminders help immensely.

"It's a difficult thing," she admits as she steps closer to the woman's table, "but one must keep living if they're to keep that connection alive."

[quiet_librarian]

Dru glances up to meet Amelia's eyes, listening carefully to the advice. "It sounds to me like you have been separated by a loved one."

She gestures to the empty seat at the table, an invitation if Amelia would like to seat. "I have been writing to him. It helps keep me connected, even if I am unable to send him the letters."

[rogueinladysclothing]

"I'm separated from all of them," she says, nodding before she takes the offer of the empty seat. "At least from all of the people I loved where I came from. My world isn't connected to this place anymore."

As she settles into her chair, the rogue keeps her eyes firmly away from the parchment on the table. Now that she knows this woman has been writing letters to someone she cares about, it feels rude to peek at them. Her eyes may stray over them later, but there's no reason to search for things in them when they've only just met. There seems little to be gained by prying into the life of stranger when there's no job attached to the action.

"I've done something similar for my family. I commissioned a portrait of them, and I keep it hanging in my room. At night, I smile and walk through everything that's happened during the day as I prepare for bed, as if telling them about it." She smiles softly. "It's not much, but it helps."

[quiet_librarian]

"I am very sorry to hear that."

Dru hasn't started writing today, so the parchment is currently empty. No secrets or hidden romantic words that could be accidently read. She has a bit of writer's block for the moment.

"I never thought of getting a portrait commissioned. My mother is an artist, so I am sure I could just ask her."

[rogueinladysclothing]

Amelia simply nods in response to the offered sympathy. The pain is one that's always present for her, but she prefers not to dwell on it, especially in front of someone she's speaking with for the first time.

"I know my opinion is a biased one, but it does wonders to be able to see the ones you miss. Seeing them can bring the hope that they're still out there, and that you'll meet each other again someday." The last part isn't true for Amelia anymore, but it was when she had the portrait made. A beat, and then she questions slowly, "May I ask who it is that's brought about this sadness?"

[quiet_librarian]

"His name is Tyr'adn. He and I have been in a courtship for a couple of months now." Dru explains. "He is part of the royal family on his world. And so, his responsibilities demand a lot of his time."

[rogueinladysclothing]

Now there's a word Amelia hasn't heard in a while. Finally, rituals surrounding relationships that she has a chance of understanding the first time around!

She nods sympathetically, her lips drawing into a thin line as she speaks. "I'm sorry that the man your heart desires is so far from you." It's something she understands all too well, and it shows in that sadness in her eyes. "Is there no way for you to spend time together? No chance to make time somehow? Surely everyone must find time for themselves and their personal needs if they're to keep up with their duties."

Why is the rogue giving someone advice on this? She's the worst person to give this kind of advice. She's ruined pretty much every relationship that could've developed into one like Dru's talking about. Maybe it's okay because they already have feelings for each other and are courting? ...yeah, she'll go with that for her excuse.

[quiet_librarian]

"When we do spend time together, we usually have a guardian or bodyguard nearby. Years and years ago, his people used to be at war with my father's people. So it is difficult for us to truly spend time alone."

"It can be challenging to share private feelings, when there is someone else so close by," explained Dru.