[b]Rurik![/b]

There is only one Hero of Ages.

It hurts to learn this. It hurts to know that your dreams are dreams. It hurts to know that you might not explore the world, you might not find love, you might never see the dresses you have made worn, that your youth might slip away unacknowledged and leave you in an autumn of regret. It hurts to consider the weight of duty. The sacrifices that must be made to keep the Thellamie from the jaws of entropy and all her vicious children. It hurts to know that there is only one Hero of Ages, and you are not her. It hurts to know that she is desired and that you are not, and it hurts to know that it is your fault[1] that her absence will hurt more than yours.

[hider=(1)]It is your fault everything is your fault you just slowed her down you didn't do it right you weren't funny enough or kind enough or calm enough and she decided she did not want to be your friend and there is nothing that can change that and it is your fault. Love is earned, and you were judged and found wanting.[/hider]

There is so much hurt in that moment it wants to reach out and break hearts in return. The hurt wants to connect, to show these two brave girls that the world is hard, actually, and the sooner they learn that the better. That it's better to realize the sadness of it all when you are young so you have more time to get used to it. Better the sadness than the anger. Better the sadness than the endless negotiations with ghosts in your head. The sooner he could get them there...

His lip twitches.

There is only one Hero of Ages.

"I am no deerlet to be woven with riddles and eyelashes. Be [i]specific [/i]what it is you require," said Rurik, pushing their hands from his shoulders. "Whose heart and life is on the line? How? And tell me too what deal you might make with Walking Elm. Give me the facts with none of the sauce and [i]I [/i]shall decide if this matter is worthy of -" [s]the Hero of Ages[/s] "- [i]my [/i]attention."