[video]

[dreamspinning]

[as ever, only half of ushahin's face is visible on the screen. there is a raven perched on his shoulder, preening his hair, though he's paying the bird no mind at all]

It seems this place has seen fit to remind us of late of our struggles, our fears, and our losses. Some, I'm sure, bear more than others. But in the place of my birth, what separates Men from the other races is that they have been blessed with wit and desire in equal measure. Perhaps you are not Arahila's Children, not properly, but most of you are rather close enough.

So tell me, if you will, what it is towards which you strive.

Comments

video.

[dreamspinning]

I prefer the shadows, myself.

[literally and figuratively. and she would know, given that she works in the dimmest bookstore in asgard]

video.

[charmandchant]

So I've seen. ( Don't worry, her smile is good humored! ) People have always told me I'm clever .. but I don't think that it follows that I have to be in front of others.

video.

[dreamspinning]

What does wit have to do with being seen?

video.

[charmandchant]

My friends and I .. ( How do you explain this without just .. saying it? ) We did something. Well, I don't think it was spectacular and it really was everyone's effort, but .. a lot of the attention has been on us and the media is very interested in me and how clever I was and ..

It's sort of ridiculous, really.

video.

[dreamspinning]

Ah.

[despite the garbled and obtuse explanation, ushahin seems to understand]

Every age wants its legends and heroes, child, along with its villains. You have no obligation to provide.

video.

[charmandchant]

I'm not a hero. ( How can she make him understand? ) They need someone to look up to, someone to idolize; they don't need me.

video.

[dreamspinning]

I doubt many who are painted as heroes or villains are what they have become to others.

[ushahin is his world's boogeyman, villainized and feared and reviled until he became his legend, he understands better than she thinks]

video.

[charmandchant]

I just .. want some quiet. For a little bit. ( Hermione shook her head. ) Some time to be by myself.

video.

[dreamspinning]

Then take it. Your part is done, child. The rest will go on with or without you.

Re: video.

[charmandchant]

That's what I'm trying to do. ( Wait. A little sheepishly. ) Ah, but .. Sorry. I'm babbling.

video.

[dreamspinning]

You are not speaking nonsense, child, and I am hardly one to take exception if you were.

video.

[charmandchant]

( She smiles. )

Why did you want to know what we strive for?

video.

[dreamspinning]

Personal curiosity, in part.

video.

[charmandchant]

Do you have any personal goals, Ushahin?

video.

[dreamspinning]

I do, but there is little I can do to accomplish most them here.

video.

[charmandchant]

So, your life is on hold for the moment?

video.

[dreamspinning]

No, I continue to live apace. But my purpose, that is, as you said, on hold. I have been assured, though, that if we succeed, I will be returned to exactly the place from whence I came with the objects that were in my possession, so I am not unduly concerned.

video.

[charmandchant]

Being here and helping the people here .. it ought to feel more important, but things have been so quiet that I can't help but hope that perhaps we'll all go home soon.

Even if I know that won't be the case.

video.

[dreamspinning]

It is unwise to mistake quiet for peace, child. Battles are only the culmination of great periods of planning, spying, and preparing.

video.

[charmandchant]

Yes. But have we been preparing?

video.

[dreamspinning]

Perhaps the gods have.

[so...no. not as far as he's noticed.]

video.

[charmandchant]

And if we're not ready? ( Her voice is quiet. )

What happens if we lose?

video.

[dreamspinning]

Then everything ends. That is what these gods have said.

video.

[charmandchant]

Doesn't that bother you?

video.

[dreamspinning]

More than you could possibly fathom.