( She sat, legs crossed and hands resting atop her thigh. Lioriley always assumed it was an aversion to magic, given that it was a rarity even back home. Offer any human magical healing and they would either assume it was fake, or be horrified by the very prospect of it.
Maruki's answer surprised her, for obvious reasons. )
Sense enough, I suppose, if that is how you wish to see yourself through it. ( it was not a path she would recommend, but so long as he was taking care of it, she had no right to object. ) Have you learned anything from this experience?
[ An immediate, easy joke, with a grin that crinkles up into his eyes. ]
Beyond that, yes. I've learned an important lesson in the consequences of my own foolish actions, and something about relying on others when help is offered.
[ Another bite of the scone and then he gestures to the little box. ]
They're so good, thank you very much! Please, have one, I can't eat them all and my patients will descend on them like jackals.
[ Tough crowd! But also, an entirely valid question, and one he's been mulling over in his spare time. Maruki settles back into his corner of the couch with a little sigh. ]
Indeed. I won't pretend my reality was easy, but there were definitely fewer instances of mortal peril. Guess I'm growing by force.
[ He remembers their Sleepr conversation. Hadn't appreciated it enough at the time, but in hindsight... ]
I'm even more impressed now that you can fight but choose not to. Can I ask... hah, maybe this is too deep of a question for a snack break, but I really am curious...
( Her expression dimmed slightly, glowing lines upon her skin flickering. She would not wish such experiences on anyone, and she loathed to think that Maruki had no choice now but to suffer such peril. )
I have seen enough death. ( The simple answer while she considered her further response. ) Wars waged for naught, lives lost by the thousands for a cause most of them did not even understand. I am but one person - but I always hope my desire to resolve such situations without violence will be noticed and adopted by others.
I have been told I am naive for my way of thinking.
[ The simple answer says it all, but the details wring a tight fist around Maruki's heart. He's already so preoccupied by the suffering seen in his own reality, in this one, heard about in others' – it's impossible to imagine living for so long and witnessing so much more.
But there's no pity in his tone when he speaks, only strong conviction. ]
I don't think that's naïve at all. I think that's incredibly strong. It's easy, I imagine, to default to attacking – it's more difficult to engage peacefully as you do.
[ The scone is a bit tasteless on his tongue now as he takes another bite and considers his next words. It's a dicey thing to promise, considering the powers that he knows he needs to regain, but– ]
You're not only one anymore. I'm with you in that resolve.
( It was funny how Lioriley always thought the opposite. It was so much easier for her to be kind, to abstain from violence where the rest of the world did not. It was the opposition that made it far more difficult. )
I am glad for that. ( She said, smiling over at him again.) I pray we never need to prove such convictions here, but I am sure I am being far too optimistic in that regard.
[ It feels duplicitous, having conversations like this while fully intending on regaining his power and working his hardest to find a way to peel back the layers of reality and confront the true powers that be in this place. Maruki isn't foolish enough to believe he'll be able to do that without fighting at all – but for all intents and purposes, her brand of pacifism still speaks deeply to him, and he doesn't want her to feel so alone.
Which reminds him, and he sits up straighter with a start, eyes going wide. ]
I just realized– I meant to reach out to thank you again for your papers, but time got away from me! I'm so sorry! Lioriley-san, I really can't thank you enough. They've been such a huge help, and I think I've only gotten through a quarter of them at best. The work you've done to record everything... It really is unmatched.
[ It comes out in a rush, but it's earnest. ]
How can I repay you? And don't say that I don't need to! I want to.
( For whatever it was worth... at least he would try? Lioriley could not fault someone for making an active effort to do things nonviolently, even it they did not succeed.)
Ah- ( Her hand shot up, dismissive - it's fine, - the leylines curved along her cheeks brightening at the sudden insistence. Lioriley was never good at accepting repayment for favors. ) It is in my nature to document and share knowledge as I am able, there really is no need for repayment.
( Really. You're embarrassing her, Maruki. ) Simply share any knowledge you might find that I missed. That is all you need do.
[ From someone not used to repayment to another: Too bad! He's repaying!! ]
Well, sure, I'm happy to do that. Collaborating with you in that way is an honor. But I mean it when I say it's been really helpful for my work so far... I'd like to do something more to show my gratitude.
[ He suddenly points to the scones, grinning brightly. ]
And you brought me sweets! Come on, Lioriley-san. There has to be something I can do.
I - ( She genuinely couldn't think of anything. Lioriley's cheeks bloomed with heat, the color a deep purple over the usual pink or red. ) I suppose I will have to think of something. Until then, please just accept my offer of information exchange.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Maruki's answer surprised her, for obvious reasons. )
Sense enough, I suppose, if that is how you wish to see yourself through it. ( it was not a path she would recommend, but so long as he was taking care of it, she had no right to object. ) Have you learned anything from this experience?
no subject
[ An immediate, easy joke, with a grin that crinkles up into his eyes. ]
Beyond that, yes. I've learned an important lesson in the consequences of my own foolish actions, and something about relying on others when help is offered.
[ Another bite of the scone and then he gestures to the little box. ]
They're so good, thank you very much! Please, have one, I can't eat them all and my patients will descend on them like jackals.
no subject
Difficult lessons to learn, and often can only be done so amidst crisis.
( She didn't want a scone, but politeness demanded she take one anyway, chewing on it fully before speaking.)
It is difficult to discern how one might respond to danger while all is peaceful, hm?
no subject
Indeed. I won't pretend my reality was easy, but there were definitely fewer instances of mortal peril. Guess I'm growing by force.
[ He remembers their Sleepr conversation. Hadn't appreciated it enough at the time, but in hindsight... ]
I'm even more impressed now that you can fight but choose not to. Can I ask... hah, maybe this is too deep of a question for a snack break, but I really am curious...
What drives that?
no subject
I have seen enough death. ( The simple answer while she considered her further response. ) Wars waged for naught, lives lost by the thousands for a cause most of them did not even understand. I am but one person - but I always hope my desire to resolve such situations without violence will be noticed and adopted by others.
I have been told I am naive for my way of thinking.
no subject
But there's no pity in his tone when he speaks, only strong conviction. ]
I don't think that's naïve at all. I think that's incredibly strong. It's easy, I imagine, to default to attacking – it's more difficult to engage peacefully as you do.
[ The scone is a bit tasteless on his tongue now as he takes another bite and considers his next words. It's a dicey thing to promise, considering the powers that he knows he needs to regain, but– ]
You're not only one anymore. I'm with you in that resolve.
no subject
I am glad for that. ( She said, smiling over at him again.) I pray we never need to prove such convictions here, but I am sure I am being far too optimistic in that regard.
no subject
Which reminds him, and he sits up straighter with a start, eyes going wide. ]
I just realized– I meant to reach out to thank you again for your papers, but time got away from me! I'm so sorry! Lioriley-san, I really can't thank you enough. They've been such a huge help, and I think I've only gotten through a quarter of them at best. The work you've done to record everything... It really is unmatched.
[ It comes out in a rush, but it's earnest. ]
How can I repay you? And don't say that I don't need to! I want to.
no subject
Ah- ( Her hand shot up, dismissive - it's fine, - the leylines curved along her cheeks brightening at the sudden insistence. Lioriley was never good at accepting repayment for favors. ) It is in my nature to document and share knowledge as I am able, there really is no need for repayment.
( Really. You're embarrassing her, Maruki. ) Simply share any knowledge you might find that I missed. That is all you need do.
no subject
Well, sure, I'm happy to do that. Collaborating with you in that way is an honor. But I mean it when I say it's been really helpful for my work so far... I'd like to do something more to show my gratitude.
[ He suddenly points to the scones, grinning brightly. ]
And you brought me sweets! Come on, Lioriley-san. There has to be something I can do.
no subject
I - ( She genuinely couldn't think of anything. Lioriley's cheeks bloomed with heat, the color a deep purple over the usual pink or red. ) I suppose I will have to think of something. Until then, please just accept my offer of information exchange.