Why people don't like spirits

[shardofwinter]

The weather has been irritatingly unpredictable this year. Sunny one day, a blizzard the next. It's almost impossible to plan for. Today Reynard has made sure the Nexus is smothered in a thick blanket of snow, and it's nearly perfectly smooth. The Nexus might as well be a different landscape. It's hard to tell what a person is stepping on until they take the chance to wade in. Bins, boulders, benches, street curbs are all probably the most normal things a traveller might find themselves cracking shins and toes against.

At a very strategically chosen point however, some poor people find themselves in a bit of a bother. After getting this far all it takes is one step and they find themselves chest deep in the snow. Struggling will only testify to how packed tight the freezing blanket is. Digging themselves out might be possible, but slow.

It doesn't take long before a sing-song voice comes through the air.

"A house for a five headed creature,
A tool that carves rock and earth,
A measure against misadventure,
A gift often owned from birth."

Reynard walks on top of the snow with his usual confident stroll. He crouches in front of his unfortunate victim, tilts his head and asks, "What am I?"

Comments

[mudblood_andproud]

"No. This will not be a passing memory. Not to me."

"But if my memories mean so little to you, then you can have this moment."

[shardofwinter]

Reynard stares at her, blinks once slowly, and then stares again. Suddenly he shifts his weight to one leg and rubs his brow. "You're not making sense... These memories are for me, they aren't mine. They are yours, everyone's, and Winter's."

He heaves a sigh, sets his hands on his hips and looks around. "Now I have to think of something else..."

[mudblood_andproud]

"I guess I don't understand. I was honestly pleasantly happy to see the snow, to see Winter back in the Nexus. I had a joyful moment. Why is that not a good enough memory for Winter?"

Hermione is just trying to understand his logic.

[shardofwinter]

Reynard heaves a sigh and turns back to her.

"Because you have had, and will have, dozens of those memories, almost identical to each other. All pleasantness, all soft snow and bright white landscapes. You will come here tomorrow and what will be the difference? The same snow, the same pleasantness. And the next day? They will all become identical, blurring into one moment as you age."

He holds up a finger. "One difference, one minute of panic, one riddle, one unique moment in your life. That will stand out. That will mark a Winter out from the rest of the year."

[mudblood_andproud]

"Actually... for me... I have had dozens of memories that were filled with panic. Dozens of memories that are filled with riddles. And another would have not stood out, for me." Hermione speaks softly.

She looks over the field of pristine white snow.

"A pleasant day in the snow would have been special to me. A day where I was at peace and had a moment of pure joy, would have been special to me."

[shardofwinter]

Reynard stares at her with hard eyes for the longest moment. There are words on the tip of his tongue, things itching to be said, but instead he stays quiet until he tilts his chin up. Suddenly the grim expression becomes neutral, if still annoyed.

"You're missing the point. This is not about good memories or bad memories. This is about unique comparing with repetition. Strolling through the snow is nothing. The same as another year of strolling through the snow. An unexpected encounter in an unusual way is unique, different, memorable. I took the time and effort to make something memorable. I don't appreciate someone cheating their way out of it." He folds his arms again. "It's rude."

[mudblood_andproud]

"And I don't see how me using my natural abilities to find a way to get out of the unexpected encounter is cheating. Or would not be considered unique. Or different. Or memorable."

"I have said again and again that I had found the moment memorable. You are the one who is judging it unacceptable, in some way that is beyond my understanding."

[shardofwinter]

"You're not trying to understand, you're trying to convince me that I succeeded in my task." He puts a hand over his heart. "You're trying to reassure me, and that's sweet." And it falls back to his side again. "But I would rather get on with crafting a moment for someone who, even if they ruin it, owns the fact, than continue to beat my head against a brick wall. Even if it is a well meaning brick wall."

With the shallowest of bows, he holds an arm out towards the path ahead. "Please."

[mudblood_andproud]

Hermione gives him a slight nod. She doesn't quite feel up to being up in the Nexus anymore. And with their conversation ended, she casts an Apparate spell to return to her home.