asgardeventide | oo2 || Video

[When the feed starts, Athelstan is in his room, with one of Will's dogs stretched warmly across his lap. Athelstan rubs his fingers against her ears as he looks over the projection from his bracelet- right, recording.]

...'this is the end'. The tree has been- is being?- destroyed. I am not a commander of men, nor am I any sort of leader, but times are dire and I... [His lips press together firmly as he nudges the dog off of his lap- she makes a soft, indignant noise before skittering out of his room.]

Where I come from, the men worshiped these gods. This tree was their world, holding up everything they held dear. We must fight to keep it standing, we must- I can show you how these gods must be worshiped, I can tell stories of their exploits and wit, if that would give you cause to fight for them.

[There's a short pause, as Athelstan lets out a breath, contemplating his next words.] Even if you cannot fight, you must pray. All of your gods have guided men through their trials for hundreds of years- longer, in some of your worlds. They would not abandon us now.

[The words are encouraging, but his voice is hollow, preaching a message he's not sure if he can believe in.]

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I- I am humbled.

[The words are soft, a little breathless, like he's still not sure how to speak to him. It was easier back when Kaworu seemed human, but now?]

Please forgive my rudeness earlier. I didn't know that you- I would not have treated you as another human if I had known.

It's quite alright, you don't need to apologize to me or treat me any differently. If it's easier for you to treat me like another human, you may.

[ so many people already do that. ]

How are you, ever since our first meeting?

I- I am humbled that you would say that.

[Gosh, how does angel one religion speak what?]

I've... fared well, I suppose. The same as everyone, with that dream... [Crap, uh...] -you must think me a heretic, for telling stories of these gods.

Athelstan, all through the ages, Man has believed in many different religions. Each religion has its beliefs and those who follow it have much proof that theirs is the real one. Some argue religion is made up and a divinity does not exist at all.

However, no matter how different each one is or isn't, there is one thing all religions have in common.

Do you know what it is?

...I'm not sure.

[He can hardly think of a single thing that the gods of the Northmen and his previous Lord had in common... besides maybe the whole deity thing as a whole. Either way, he's interested enough, and watches Kaworu with a curious expression on his face.]

The belief of man. [ kaworu smiles gently ]

Not as a divinity, but as a being that can move and be moved. A being that is not perfect, but can take a path towards what makes him more than what he is and more than what he will ever believe himself to be. And each religion attempts to show man how to reach that path. Some through science, others through magic, blood, stories, or love.

Non-conforming, questioning, doubting, accepting, believing, confusing yourself, enlightening yourself, finding yourself and seeing yourself, all of this makes your path and what you are, Althestand. A human. So you do not need to apologize to me for what you are, what you were or what you will become. Not to me.

I... I don't understand.

[The concept is one so radically different from everything he's ever known. How can he believe in such a thing?]

Many religions have- rules. Worshiping idols and false gods, things like that are forbidden in every belief that I know. How can a man of two faiths be accepted in either?

[ he is silent for a moment, before he speaks softly again ]

It pains you, that uncertainty, doesn't it?

[The question is unexpected, and Athelstan is stunned into silence at it for several long moments- too long of a time to merely brush it off.]

It... it is the path that has been set for me. I don't know what else to say.

[ he smiles softly ] I'm sorry. And I'm sorry it might take a bit longer until you find what your path will bring.

But don't fear it, Athelstan . Not all is pain, and there is still much happiness for you to meet, I'm certain.

...you know this?

[Quietly, and Athelstan looks up toward Kaworu with a hesitant expression on his face.]

And what- what if my path leads me away from you and your kind?

I cannot make decisions for you. I only can tell you that I love you and I wish for you to be happy.

...how? I thought- I thought happiness was secondary to devotion.

Devotion is meant to make you happy.

Athelstan, I can't give you the answers and I can't tell you you are right and you are wrong. I can't tell you what to do next. You are meant to do that by yourself. But I can tell you, never believe you are not meant for happiness and love. Because you are.

[There's a long pause.]

...I'll remember that. [It's soft, barely-there.] Thank you.

I hope you can find your way. And I hope it won't hurt you anymore.

...oh.

[That's a little more insight then he's comfortable with.]

I'll do my best.

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