[Ridiculous and foolish, is her kneejerk response, though she wouldn't express it so. But, on reflection, is such a thought truly so surprising? She forgets, after all this time, how her people treated their return to the star -- having not taken that path herself, not quite the way they did in any case. And she really ought not to be surprised that Hades had taken entirely the wrong lesson she'd hoped for out of all this, either.]
[Though he might be pleased to know his barbs did hurt. 'Lack of sentiment', indeed. Does he cast her as so heartless because he truly believes it, or simply because that is easier to handle than accepting the nuance of the situation, and it is easier to demonize her that way?]
I understand the tiredness, the exhaustion, the desire for rest, as no other can. And I also know you, and understand that no amount of 'work' or distraction would spare you from contemplating that rest, not for long. Nor pursuing it, were you so inclined. You have chosen to live. None of this 'if I had my way' or 'I should be this or that' -- it is not this world keeping you here, nor Hytholdaeus, but your own choice.
Would it be wrong of me to suspect how guilty you feel about that choice? Would it surprise you to know that I, who have ever embraced life and the living of it, before and now, crave the rest I have been denied and feel guilt about such a desire? That I do not entirely know where my joy of life ends and my obligation to continue helping and guiding ends?
We are reflections of each other, Hades. We share so much and yet also stand at such stark contrast to each other. Yet we have both chosen life, again. Something inside me tells me that we can help each other embrace that choice, and make the most of those lives... because only we can know what that choice means to us.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2022-10-17 02:22 pm (UTC)[Though he might be pleased to know his barbs did hurt. 'Lack of sentiment', indeed. Does he cast her as so heartless because he truly believes it, or simply because that is easier to handle than accepting the nuance of the situation, and it is easier to demonize her that way?]
I understand the tiredness, the exhaustion, the desire for rest, as no other can. And I also know you, and understand that no amount of 'work' or distraction would spare you from contemplating that rest, not for long. Nor pursuing it, were you so inclined. You have chosen to live. None of this 'if I had my way' or 'I should be this or that' -- it is not this world keeping you here, nor Hytholdaeus, but your own choice.
Would it be wrong of me to suspect how guilty you feel about that choice? Would it surprise you to know that I, who have ever embraced life and the living of it, before and now, crave the rest I have been denied and feel guilt about such a desire? That I do not entirely know where my joy of life ends and my obligation to continue helping and guiding ends?
We are reflections of each other, Hades. We share so much and yet also stand at such stark contrast to each other. Yet we have both chosen life, again. Something inside me tells me that we can help each other embrace that choice, and make the most of those lives... because only we can know what that choice means to us.