Come Sail Away IC Inbox

[crushed_pearls]

Erin's voice mail message is in a weary voice: "Erin Peters. If you called in the middle of the night and I didn't answer, I'm dying. If I pick up and someone on your end isn't dying, they will be shortly. Text otherwise."

Comments

[crushed_pearls]

"Then it's not on you to run triage for the world, and especially not at the cost of your own needs. It's one thing when we're in an emergency, I'll hear out that you didn't get your broken foot seen to because someone else has a stab wound, but..." That sigh again. "Not every time is go time, little bird. I been telling people this, maybe you'll be the first one to hear it and listen: if you want a peaceful life you gotta learn to live one, like, actively. It's a skill as much as survival or swordsmanship or swimming. When d'ya think you wanna get started on that? 'cause...I'm trying to learn it now."

[decrypter]

She's quiet for a moment, letting that sink in. There's a peaceful life, but then there's so many people saying that such a life can't be found here, reminding of dangers. There's good things, and there's bodies and the scent of blood. There's a caging, and there's freedom. Every day, another number in her record.

"...if I get too involved in a peaceful life, what will happen when the next horror comes?"

That is the center of it.

[crushed_pearls]

"I hear that a lot, and y'know, I've got the opposite worry, for myself? That I won't be able to recognize a life of peace, but..."

Erin pauses. It's a long pause; her breathing is steady but not sleepy, and she hums faintly.

"...If it's a skill, asking what happens if you get too involved in a peaceful life is like asking what happens if you get too into swimming and forget how to walk. It's fundamentally a bit silly, lass. If you don't want to lose your edge, keep training that too. What're you gonna do, run out of free time in our pocket dimension composed mainly of free time?"

[decrypter]

There's a small affirmative noise, and Helena's quiet again, breathing steadily. It's a good thing that they laughed earlier, that her spirits are buffeted instead of sinking down as they might. It keeps her listening, instead of trying to shut things off.

Finally, she speaks again.

"I...do want a peaceful life. At least, as much as is allowed."

One where she can tell people it's her birthday, and not think she's being selfish. One where a trip to enjoy the snow can be just that. A life where she can laugh until she aches and simply smile afterwards. A life where she can write.

[crushed_pearls]

"Yeah, we can't always choose when sorrow comes calling. We all live in debt to woe and it collects on its own schedule, but...even if I can't promise to teach you peace, I'll be here learning it alongside you as long as you'll have me."

Erin yawns and winces; that was her jaw popping. "Think I might be tapping out, little bird. You gonna sleep more?"

[decrypter]

"...Yeah. In a little bit."

In the meantime, she wants to lie here, letting the idea of a peaceful life sink in, until it lulls her to sleep. In the daylight, she'll ask Erin what one does for a belated birthday, and probably fall to laughing all over again the moment she hears something that sounds like a trumpet.

It'll be a good day.