ALPHINAUD

[chanteuser]

Comments

[arcsplainist]

Isn't it simple, then? You need only stick around the more secluded portions of town.

[ Meanwhile: sketch, sketch. Look at him go. ]

[chanteuser]

And hope no one sneaks up on me in the meanwhile?

[ that had been... pretty embarrassing, actually. ]

[arcsplainist]

That worried?

[chanteuser]

No, it just.... surprised me. When everyone walked in on me.

[arcsplainist]

I'll have to apologize for being one of the many who had done so, though I see little reason to be so shy.

[chanteuser]

No, don't apologise for it. It was a public space, anyone could come in. I just... convinced myself I'd be alone so it was more surprise than anything.

[arcsplainist]

Well, I wish you the best of luck. Goodness knows we could all use something to keep us grounded in the meantime.

[chanteuser]

The little moments feel a lot more important, don't they? When you can't control anything else, at least.

[arcsplainist]

'Tis not oft that one can, I find, but you are right. Now more than ever, I feel.

[chanteuser]

A little bit of a quiet is important... in the middle of a lot of death, and having to figure out someone to point fingers at.

[arcsplainist]

'Tis exhausting, is it not?

[ Alphinaud pauses his sketch, flicking his eyes upward to study her face, then resumes his work. ]

I must commend that most are keeping their wits about them, at least. Even with all I have had to face, this is one of the tougher things, I feel.

[chanteuser]

I don't like any of this. If it had just been the ... gathering part, then fine. But...

...

Being so scared I can't act won't help anyone. It won't get anything done.

[arcsplainist]

Nay. There is no shame in feeling afraid, however.

[chanteuser]

If it makes me drag my heels, then maybe there is.

[arcsplainist]

'Tis a matter of knowing what to do with that fear, I always find. I am not of the belief that one's courage and determination is a lack of it... but rather, it is because they knew how to press on because of that fear.

[chanteuser]

Keep going no matter what, that's the advice?

[ it's... not wrong.

[arcsplainist]

Hm... In a way. One mustn't give up, it is true. I only mean to say you should not ignore when you are afraid; if it paralyzes you so, then you must needs find a way to let it motivate you, instead.

[chanteuser]

It sounds like you've done a lot of facing your own fears, Alphinaud.

[arcsplainist]

Hah, I... cannot deny that.

[ Looking down at the paper, Alphinaud squints at it thoughtfully, pressing the end of the pencil up against his chin. ]

I have had many terrifying moments where I had feared the worst, and mayhap I hadn't always handled it the best way. But in the end, it was something, rather than naught at all.

[chanteuser]

...

And you got through them all okay in the end? [ it seems redundant to ask, given that he's right here but also. like. people keep admitting they're dead already? casually like it ain't no thing?

who knows anymore. ]

[arcsplainist]

[ yeah sometimes they sure do ]

I am hale and whole, rest assured, though I always have my friends to thank for that.

[chanteuser]

[ well at least he's not wandering around the wild and fighting monsters alone. ]

Better together than by yourself, huh?

[arcsplainist]

[ this is less crazy when he has magic at his disposal, but. ]

I quite agree.

[ One last stroke of the pencil, and then: ]

... By the by, I do believe myself finished.