[Silas reads further instruction on how to work his phone and fiddles with. He's catching on! Slowly... but somewhat surely. You're supposed to speak to this thing? And others can hear you-?]
H, hello-? Can I be heard? I apologize. This is absurd....
[Ethan can't hear him through the microphone, because Silas both turned on the audio feature only to mute himself. What Ethan can hear is the man muttering as he paces the hallway of the house they unknowingly share, Silas having just left his room to pace-]
[You know. Somehow. Somehow, he feels like he should have expected this. Twice now he's offered help to someone, and twice now they're actually living in the same house as he is. It's almost like it's not a coincidence.
At least there's the agreement with the Mandalorian to round things off. It takes him only a moment, blissfully useful things that his headphones are, to realise that he's hearing someone's attempt in real-time. And, in so doing, he can register that the voice is what he would have expected - that is, Silas talks exactly the same as he types.]
... Hm.
[The exhaled noise is a private one, as he rises from where he's been staring at the phone and comparing data to something on his HUD between responses, and he tucks the former into his pocket and pushes himself to his feet, leaving the quiet solitude of his otherwise empty room to go... well, assist his poor housemate. How they haven't run into each other since the clinic, who knows.]
{... Having some trouble with that?}
[The voice is, naturally, much louder and more immediate than Silas might be expecting, and he raises a hand in greeting when he steps into the hallway. At least it's convenient, he supposes, and the poor druid isn't left chattering into a voice recorder that can't even hear him. Sur...prise?]
[Silas makes a noise of surprise that could best be described as "whhii!". His shoulders shoot up tense, as do his flowers, closing on top his head as if no longer in bloom. He nearly throws his phone, but luckily, can fumble quickly enough to catch it again between both gloved hands.
The druid twists around to see, oh, actually a familiar face!]
Sir! How-? What..? Does this device summon people!? [that's about as plausible as anything else it can do, to Silas]
[Silas silently mouths a repeat of "room, there" as he looks to the indicated spot. Oh!]
You also live here! How pleasant to know. Even if it took a startle... [that's just fine, Silas can handle a startle. This is good news, they're already somewhat familiar.]
Have you been quite well? Since the hospital incident...
I will certainly be more cautious. Should I start seeing in blue. [Silas eyes their surroundings before ushering Ethan to the kitchen area.]
Go along. Sit, sir. I'll make us a pot of tea. I've figured as much out for myself. [which is quite the accomplishments given the over appliance is far from Silas' world, but he saw someone use it and could mimic the action with enough success to boil water in the kettle...]
Mastery of such devices is your specialty. I take it. You are so comfortable with them.
[Wh--wait a second. Ethan is being ushered toward the kitchen before he's really even aware of the movements. There's a... strangeness, to his interactions here, and it's something he's not quite sure he's comfortable with. Something he doesn't know if he wants.
But all the same, the teen gives a little sigh and a shrug as he settles down - and really, he's just as brittle-seeming as he had been in the clinic. It's visible in the way he moves and sits, gingerly and with great care.]
{I'd hope we both are, in that situation. And... thank you? I wouldn't have thought to have tea about now, but it does tend to make me feel a little more energetic.}
[He's aware that's probably psychosomatic, but it doesn't matter, really.]
{You could say that. These are... considerably older than what I'm used to working with, but it always feels nice to work with technology. They're sort of the only thing I had to spend time on, when I was young.}
You discovered a fulfilling pursuit early on. That's very fortunate.
[Silas definitely gives off the start of a certain kind of Daddy Energy, of which he is not aware of. His general desire to be supportive and his utterly lack of tech savvy might cross him over into "are you winning, son?" territory.
He stands at quite the cautious distance as he puts the kettle on. Stove top flame. Plant. Those mix too well for comfort, really.]
{It's not really uncommon where I'm from, but yeah. Certainly, it was better than staring at the ceiling in a hospital bed for months.}
[He's definitely noticed an oddity to Silas' energy, a skipped beat somewhere in the general backdrop of softly gentle supportiveness. What does that mean? He doesn't know, yet.
It's something he's trying to figure out - as opposed to the cautiousness with which Silas handles the kettle, which... honestly makes sense, yeah. Plants and flames. Maybe he'll go looking at Fruit's Basket for an electric kettle and really blow Silas' mind.]
Huh?
[He's caught off guard enough in his thoughts that it takes a moment to process. Oh. Oh, right. They haven't even really gone through that much in the way of talking about themselves, have they?]
{I'm nineteen, as of last August. Any reason you're curious?}
[Silas narrows his eyes briefly at the mention of a hospital bed, but connects it soon enough. He can spot the signs easily enough, the young man must have some manner of chronic illness. Even someone who isn't a doctor by trade could notice as much with a bit of perception. Silas will need to circle back to that... later. It felt too invasive to dive into now.
They don't even have their tea, yet!]
Mere curiosity, sir. I am recently twenty five. I presumed you older by merit of your intelligence.
[He had mentioned that he didn't think Silas could heal him so easily. Nevertheless, it's not exactly something he minds talking about, in person. As mentioned, it's... pretty obvious there's something wrong with him, physically.]
{Ah. I've heard that from time to time. You could say I started young, when it comes to my ability. I had work starting from thirteen, I think.}
[Time flies, especially when you... throw yourself nearly bodily into your work.]
{I admit I hadn't settled on an age for you. Your symphony is hard to decipher, or maybe I've just been out of physical contact for too long.
Pardon my asking, too, but - what age bracket does twenty-five fall into? It's fairly young, by our standards, but I don't... know anything about druids, I don't think?}
I am very young for a druid. However. I realized some four years earlier than most. So I am very experienced despite my age. [he's considered to have reached mastery levels of healing, something that takes some 6-7 years. He can't bring himself to brag, the confidence required to say he's very experienced drains his whole store of self esteem. That's it, that's the limit of him talking well of himself.]
Pardon me in turn. My symphony? What do you mean by that?
[Realized? It's a strange statement, and one he doesn't understand precisely - but he can get the gist enough to understand on a basic level. For someone who didn't consider magic something real until like, a day ago. The question brings a faintly shy, lopsided smile to Ethan's face. It might just be the first relatively youthful expression he's shown.]
{Ah, that. In addition to my genetic disorder, I also have synesthesia.} [A beat, just for thought.] {To explain simply, some of my senses present... strangely? When someone speaks, their cadence and personality aren't something I can define as... well, what most people... do? They just sound like part of a musical score.}
[That isn't really simple, but it's... about as simple as he can get.]
[Silas' eyes light up at that explanation, which he finds very intriguing! He can do his best to try and imagine it, connects it to two things he knows of. First, the Empyrean's and their language of song, one that have very peculiar properties. He'd only met one of their kind and very briefly. That's much to much to delve into, but the second place his mind goes. Far more simple.]
That... sounds a marvelous way to perceive the world. And those in it. There's little I long for. From the time before I was a druid. The time to listen to. Or even play. Music. [speaking of, the kettle begins to bubble an his eyes flutter to pick up on it. He turns to take it off the heat before it can sing...]
That's certainly one. [Silas, suddenly, is very conscious of how he talks. The rhyme of it. His starts and stops. Is that unpleasant to listen to? Probably. No wonder the man could not decipher his "symphony", it's probably a mess......]
[Ethan's agreement is once more an easy one, though there are so many stipulations.]
{It does sometimes become a bit saddening when a symphony is no longer something I can hear.}
[Sometimes. A bit. Someone is definitely not understating things.]
{If it's something you enjoy, why not try to do it while you're here? If nothing else, it would give a focus when things are quiet.}
[Oh, if Silas were to ask about what Ethan heard... well, that would probably be an Education all its own. After all, one's stilts and awkwardness, their very nature, played a compelling role - and Ethan, at least, would admit to having heard very, very few individuals that he didn't like the sound of.
Not an issue with music itself. No. I simply... cannot hold property of my own. Not beyond my robes or what I might borrow shortly from the Order.
[Hmm. A thought!]
I suppose. If you ever saw fit to own a violin. I could borrow it from time to time to indulge. Should you allow me, sir. [that's working AROUND the rules instead of breaking them so it's, like, totally fine, right??]
[As someone who literally owns entire things of his own making, Ethan can't understand that, either. Conceptually, sure, but he himself doubts he could handle owning literal nothing.]
... {Most of my music is done using this computer, but if I should, say... somehow, miraculously, accidentally purchase a violin? It would probably see more use in being borrowed than with my own hands.} [Will he buy one? ... It's. It's possible. Music is important, okay.]
{It sounds like an altogether frustrating way to live, so I commend you for sticking with it.}
That would be a... pleasant accident, sir. [Silas does like to play, but without a violin to call his own, it was a rare occasion. Sometimes he would be allowed to play briefly at a tavern or would help some manner of bard at the hospital who might indulge him in letting him play their instrument. Always short lived, but pleasant events. Having one readily left about the house, where he could borrow it regularly... that would be very nice, he must admit.]
All told. I do not find that vow difficult to keep to. All the contrary. In fact. It is a relief to not worry or fret for material items. Nor money. Such things never brought me much joy. Best to be rid of them.
{Different ways of living, I suppose.} [He inclines his head in some indication of thought, eyes closing briefly.] {You'll find me terribly bad at speaking at length, when relegated to my actual voice.}
[Although... a thought catches up to him, at that.]
.... {Does the phone you were given count as a borrowed possession, then?}
[Because if yes, couldn't anything from this realm, whatever it may be, be "borrowed"...?]
I have attempted to rid myself of this item many times. It always reappears in my... possession. So. I fear it must be a item bond to me by some force.
[a force he cannot yet overcome, but he'll probably keep trying]
[Huh. So the phones are important, which begs a number of other questions.... Which are completely unrelated to the conversation at hand. Ethan files them away for later.]
{You could consider that an extended loan, I would say? It sounds more like a work contact method, where once you're no longer needed at a company, the phone will no longer be kept by you.}
By the Order's standards. Well. I could borrow what belonged to them. [he sighs, knowing it's not the same, but...]
Supposing I do not hold onto anything by choice... I should say the vow is not broken. Failing a vow under duress is not the same as willfully breaking an oath. [which most druids do the latter, Silas is just very stubborn]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
inthemiddle) wrote2018-07-09 04:24 pm
-For Ethan, Sept 2020
H, hello-? Can I be heard? I apologize. This is absurd....
[Ethan can't hear him through the microphone, because Silas both turned on the audio feature only to mute himself. What Ethan can hear is the man muttering as he paces the hallway of the house they unknowingly share, Silas having just left his room to pace-]
no subject
At least there's the agreement with the Mandalorian to round things off. It takes him only a moment, blissfully useful things that his headphones are, to realise that he's hearing someone's attempt in real-time. And, in so doing, he can register that the voice is what he would have expected - that is, Silas talks exactly the same as he types.]
... Hm.
[The exhaled noise is a private one, as he rises from where he's been staring at the phone and comparing data to something on his HUD between responses, and he tucks the former into his pocket and pushes himself to his feet, leaving the quiet solitude of his otherwise empty room to go... well, assist his poor housemate. How they haven't run into each other since the clinic, who knows.]
{... Having some trouble with that?}
[The voice is, naturally, much louder and more immediate than Silas might be expecting, and he raises a hand in greeting when he steps into the hallway. At least it's convenient, he supposes, and the poor druid isn't left chattering into a voice recorder that can't even hear him. Sur...prise?]
no subject
The druid twists around to see, oh, actually a familiar face!]
Sir! How-? What..? Does this device summon people!? [that's about as plausible as anything else it can do, to Silas]
no subject
{I don't think so, no. At least, it's not a capability I've uncovered.}
[He's trying not to chuckle at all, watching Silas fumble with his phone. The recovery is pretty impressive, all things considered.]
{Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. But... I came out of my room, there.}
[He thumbs over his shoulder to said room, maybe possibly hoping it will click with the druid before too much explaining has to happen.]
no subject
You also live here! How pleasant to know. Even if it took a startle... [that's just fine, Silas can handle a startle. This is good news, they're already somewhat familiar.]
Have you been quite well? Since the hospital incident...
no subject
[Ah... pleasantries. To Silas' probable relief, at least, Ethan doesn't look any worse for wear. Yet.]
{As expected, given the situation. I've just been taking my time looking over the phones and computers to see how they work as a base.
What of yourself?}
[Yes, he's very good at this. Just as long as someone else carries the general conversation to a topic.]
no subject
Go along. Sit, sir. I'll make us a pot of tea. I've figured as much out for myself. [which is quite the accomplishments given the over appliance is far from Silas' world, but he saw someone use it and could mimic the action with enough success to boil water in the kettle...]
Mastery of such devices is your specialty. I take it. You are so comfortable with them.
no subject
But all the same, the teen gives a little sigh and a shrug as he settles down - and really, he's just as brittle-seeming as he had been in the clinic. It's visible in the way he moves and sits, gingerly and with great care.]
{I'd hope we both are, in that situation. And... thank you? I wouldn't have thought to have tea about now, but it does tend to make me feel a little more energetic.}
[He's aware that's probably psychosomatic, but it doesn't matter, really.]
{You could say that. These are... considerably older than what I'm used to working with, but it always feels nice to work with technology. They're sort of the only thing I had to spend time on, when I was young.}
[That's... kind of depressing. Oops.]
no subject
[Silas definitely gives off the start of a certain kind of Daddy Energy, of which he is not aware of. His general desire to be supportive and his utterly lack of tech savvy might cross him over into "are you winning, son?" territory.
He stands at quite the cautious distance as he puts the kettle on. Stove top flame. Plant. Those mix too well for comfort, really.]
Might I inquire. How old are you currently, sir?
no subject
[He's definitely noticed an oddity to Silas' energy, a skipped beat somewhere in the general backdrop of softly gentle supportiveness. What does that mean? He doesn't know, yet.
It's something he's trying to figure out - as opposed to the cautiousness with which Silas handles the kettle, which... honestly makes sense, yeah. Plants and flames. Maybe he'll go looking at Fruit's Basket for an electric kettle and really blow Silas' mind.]
Huh?
[He's caught off guard enough in his thoughts that it takes a moment to process. Oh. Oh, right. They haven't even really gone through that much in the way of talking about themselves, have they?]
{I'm nineteen, as of last August. Any reason you're curious?}
no subject
They don't even have their tea, yet!]
Mere curiosity, sir. I am recently twenty five. I presumed you older by merit of your intelligence.
no subject
{Ah. I've heard that from time to time. You could say I started young, when it comes to my ability. I had work starting from thirteen, I think.}
[Time flies, especially when you... throw yourself nearly bodily into your work.]
{I admit I hadn't settled on an age for you. Your symphony is hard to decipher, or maybe I've just been out of physical contact for too long.
Pardon my asking, too, but - what age bracket does twenty-five fall into? It's fairly young, by our standards, but I don't... know anything about druids, I don't think?}
no subject
Pardon me in turn. My symphony? What do you mean by that?
no subject
{Ah, that. In addition to my genetic disorder, I also have synesthesia.} [A beat, just for thought.] {To explain simply, some of my senses present... strangely? When someone speaks, their cadence and personality aren't something I can define as... well, what most people... do? They just sound like part of a musical score.}
[That isn't really simple, but it's... about as simple as he can get.]
no subject
That... sounds a marvelous way to perceive the world. And those in it. There's little I long for. From the time before I was a druid. The time to listen to. Or even play. Music. [speaking of, the kettle begins to bubble an his eyes flutter to pick up on it. He turns to take it off the heat before it can sing...]
That's certainly one. [Silas, suddenly, is very conscious of how he talks. The rhyme of it. His starts and stops. Is that unpleasant to listen to? Probably. No wonder the man could not decipher his "symphony", it's probably a mess......]
no subject
[Ethan's agreement is once more an easy one, though there are so many stipulations.]
{It does sometimes become a bit saddening when a symphony is no longer something I can hear.}
[Sometimes. A bit. Someone is definitely not understating things.]
{If it's something you enjoy, why not try to do it while you're here? If nothing else, it would give a focus when things are quiet.}
[Oh, if Silas were to ask about what Ethan heard... well, that would probably be an Education all its own. After all, one's stilts and awkwardness, their very nature, played a compelling role - and Ethan, at least, would admit to having heard very, very few individuals that he didn't like the sound of.
At least one of whom he would murder on hearing.]
no subject
Oh. I couldn't possibly. That would be a breach of my druidic vows. Sir.
[a concept known well by all Springtide, but it occurs to Silas that there's no way Ethan could know. He fills in, vaguely]
My people have strict rules. Especially for the Order of the Druids. I would not wish to break from such tradition. That's all.
no subject
{Is there something wrong with music, where you're from? I'm not sure what rule it would be breaking.
.... Then again, I've never been the type to follow rules that restrict one's freedom for no sensible reason.}
[at least he's honest. And does earnestly want to understand.]
no subject
[Hmm. A thought!]
I suppose. If you ever saw fit to own a violin. I could borrow it from time to time to indulge. Should you allow me, sir. [that's working AROUND the rules instead of breaking them so it's, like, totally fine, right??]
no subject
... {Most of my music is done using this computer, but if I should, say... somehow, miraculously, accidentally purchase a violin? It would probably see more use in being borrowed than with my own hands.} [Will he buy one? ... It's. It's possible. Music is important, okay.]
{It sounds like an altogether frustrating way to live, so I commend you for sticking with it.}
no subject
All told. I do not find that vow difficult to keep to. All the contrary. In fact. It is a relief to not worry or fret for material items. Nor money. Such things never brought me much joy. Best to be rid of them.
no subject
[Although... a thought catches up to him, at that.]
.... {Does the phone you were given count as a borrowed possession, then?}
[Because if yes, couldn't anything from this realm, whatever it may be, be "borrowed"...?]
no subject
I have attempted to rid myself of this item many times. It always reappears in my... possession. So. I fear it must be a item bond to me by some force.
[a force he cannot yet overcome, but he'll probably keep trying]
no subject
{You could consider that an extended loan, I would say? It sounds more like a work contact method, where once you're no longer needed at a company, the phone will no longer be kept by you.}
[Ethan does love his technicalities.]
no subject
Supposing I do not hold onto anything by choice... I should say the vow is not broken. Failing a vow under duress is not the same as willfully breaking an oath. [which most druids do the latter, Silas is just very stubborn]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)