It's too much to take. [Open]

[ayao]

Who: Meng Yao, NerdanelMama-Elf + Open!
Where: Garden Carriage & Library
When: Horseshoe 20
What: He enjoys the flowers and studies like a Lan.
Warnings: There might be some talk about sensitive subjects (prostitution, murder) from Meng Yao. I'll try to mark the comments.

Everything is Roses [Closed to Nerdanel]

The flowers are soft beneath his fingers, hiding their thorns and irritants. He feels like they have something in common with him. On the outside, for years, he has had to be soft. Appealing. But inside he is a festering mess of pain and bitterness.

His lips twitch and he crushes the petals against his palm. As the remnants fall to the grass under his feet, he notices her. She has such pretty hair - so warm, so vibrant.

And are those pointed ears?

"Am I intruding?"

He had thought himself alone. It bothers him that he had missed her presence.

I Devour Books [Open]

Meng Yao spends his free time studying, taking extensive notes in a careful, beautiful calligraphy. When he finishes with a book, wringing it dry, he sets it aside, beginning with the next volume immediately. What he is searching for isn't concrete. Any new bit of information lights his fire, carrying him forward...

But his eyes are getting tired and he finally rises from the table, taking a short walk around, rolling his shoulders to relieve tension.

Comments

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[marriedanidiot]

She's seated on a rock in the garden, and her hair is the only bright thing about her, wan and pale and quiet.

But she looks up and her eyes are kind, if tired, and she smiles at him.

"Hello young one. No, no. I could probably use the company. You're new, I think?"

:D <3

[ayao]

To his eyes, she is radiant. However he knows the signs of grief and so he is careful to speak, careful to approach. He has caused grief for far too many - or...he will? He doesn't wish to add her to that list.

Giving her a respectful bow, he smiles faintly.

"I am. My name is Meng Yao." he walks to her slowly, hands clasped before him, "Forgive me for asking, but are you feeling well?"

<3 <3

[marriedanidiot]

"Meng Yao." Her smile firms at his polite introduction.

"A star shines on the hour of our meeting. I am Nerdanel. I fear I am poor company, at the moment, for my grief is yet fresh, but I will be well enough, in time."

[ayao]

"One as lovely as you could never be poor company." he motions to the bench, silently asking if he may sit next to her, "You have lost someone?"

That seems to be a running theme with the train and he wonders if it is on purpose.

[marriedanidiot]

"Fair face may hide foul heart!" She smiles brighter at the gentle compliment, and makes room for him. "Although I would hope I do not fit that profile."

"I have - my husband left at this last platform." She says sadly.

[ayao]

For him, that is an old lesson and he takes a moment to consider it as he sits down.

"No, you do not strike me as foul. I should consider that you could be a practiced actress, but I think not." he flushes at her smile, but the color fades at the news.

"I'm sorry." Meng Yao turns to face her, "He was good to you?"

[marriedanidiot]

"Thank you." She manages another smile at that, and her eyes go distant.

"Our tale is a complicated one." She murmurs. "But I swore to him forever, and I, too, meant every word. For all the grief he has brought me, my foolish heart has never been able to stop loving him."

[ayao]

"I hope, some day, someone is as foolish for me." Meng Yao dimples at the thought, but the happiness doesn't last, "I'm sorry he caused you grief, but I don't think you are a fool for loving him. He likely needs you more than you need him."

[marriedanidiot]

Nerdanel pats his hand and smiles for him.

"I'm sure a polite young man such as yourself will find your heart's joy."

She shakes her head. "We needed each other." She corrects.

"We were always a match, even in our youth. It was why it hurt so badly, when he walked a road I could not, would not follow. He was a fire that burnt all that stood in his path. I never stopped loving him, and I never will. But I would not, did not, follow him into damnation. He would never have wed me if I was another wilting maid who would yield to him. And I would never have wed him if he had not respected my strength of will. We were always complements."

[ayao]

If only. If only. Meng Yao bows his head and focuses on their hands. Meng Shi used to hold his hands too, comforting him when she was the one who needed reassurance. Mothers must be naturally selfless.

"I will pray for you to be reunited - and soon. Until then, would you mind if I kept you company?"

The decision is entirely selfish - she might be able to tell - but that is part of his nature. When an opportunity presents itself, he likes to take advantage of it. If he didn't, he would have nothing.

[marriedanidiot]

His prayers won't help, she suspects. Namo has moved for one of the Incarnates only once, after all. But since she herself has been nagging as well, who is she to say no?

(Although Nerdanel is less praying and more... writing pointed, polite letters. And camping on his doorstep.)

She smiles at him fondly.

"I would not. Indeed, I would welcome it - it helps to have company. And I think, it might help you too, hm?"

[ayao]

He immediately flushes, ashamed and yet...unapologetic. Yes, the company is what he seeks - what he longs for - and if she realizes that then isn't that for the best?

"I am selfish for asking, but I have made some uncomfortable discoveries since boarding. I want to develop a better image for myself - and I will - however doing so alone is difficult."

[marriedanidiot]

"Ah youngling." She shakes her head at him fondly.

"How is it selfish to want company? We are social beings, we Incarnates. And this is a strange new world. I do not mind, my dear. Especially not if it helps you too."

[ayao]

It hasn't been so long - a few years at most - since he lost his mother. Meng Yao bites his lips before murmuring:

"I lost my mother a few years ago. She was all I had."

Jin Guangshan was a presence in his childhood, but for all the wrong reasons and he never gave Meng Yao affection.

[marriedanidiot]

"Oh youngling." Nerdanel's whole being softens.

"I'm sorry, my dear. To loose a parent... Ai! No wonder. I am sorry. Was not your father able?"

[ayao]

"He...is." he answers tightly, "And the leader of a Sect, no less. My mother was...not noble. She hoped, since my birth, that he would free her from the brothel. He did not."

Meng Yao cannot forgive him for that failure.

[marriedanidiot]

Nerdanel's frown reveals exactly what she thinks of that, eyes gone flinty.

"Nobility is marked not in birth but in deed, and your father is clearly a fool to treat any woman so, let alone the mother of his child."

[soldier_blade]

Sonya's still reeling from the events of the day. Things seemed to have settled now, but she can't seem to get the feeling that the next moment she'd turn and see some damned phantom.

She needed peace and quiet, and only through some convincing was she able to tell Cassie she'd be okay for half an hour. She added that she'd be in the library carriage if she got too twitchy.

Thankfully, there were no phantoms, but it was clear she wasn't the only one worn out. The man just a few feet away looked fatigued as well. "Seems we had the same idea."

[ayao]

He looks up at the voice and gives a welcoming smile. Since Sonya is a lady, he gives her a respectful bow, cupping his hands before him.

"Books have often been a comfort for me. If I am unable to sleep, I might as well spend my time usefully."

Meng Yao motions to the table he had occupied. His notes have yet to dry completely, so he leaves them open to the air.

[soldier_blade]

She acknowledged the gesture with a nod of her head, too worn out and emotionally exhausted to give a full bow. Back when she was a junior officer, she could get away with being more standoffish, but with rank meant the spotlight and judgement was always on her, and in turn that meant having to be diplomatic with other people.

The remark about books did earn a genuine smile. "It's the same for me, especially here." Especially since it wasn't like back home, where she could try to catch up on files and paperwork.

She found and set herself in one of the empty chairs. "Name's Sonya Blade, and sure as hell won't be getting any sleep this evening."

Well, she might, but it wouldn't be restful.