tunasub | OPEN POST 2025

[ Despite the dramatic, almost unbelievable nature of what Messmer is saying, Rom barely bats an eye. Expression still trained in that perfectly opaque smile, he only looks Messmer over from under the brim of his hat, gaze inquisitive but neutral. -- well, there are still plenty of other things he'd like to figure out, but at least 'twin curses' explains a little bit of what he's seeing. Setting aside the question of why Messmer seems to be haunted by such a plentiful number of spirits, this does address the odd appearance of his aura.

Anticlimatically: ]

I see~

[ How infuriating it would be, if that was all he had to say in response to Messmer's confession. Luckily, he only pauses long enough for that to seem plausible (yes, it's on purpose) before continuing. ]

It's fortunate, then, that you were granted that grace. Where would we be without your wonderful presence? It would be quite a loss for us as a group, you know! [ He's sure this would sound insanely insincere coming from most people, but -- everything Rom says walks that line between sounding ludicrous and genuine, anyway. So it's entirely up to Messmer whether he wants to think Rom is just being facetious or not. ] You must have been very loved, for your mother to have given you such a blessing.

Edited 2025-07-23 00:52 (UTC)

[ predictably, Messmer doesn't doubt for a moment that Rom is being facetious. His presence is no blessing to anyone. Certainly not to this group, either, even if they're largely ignorant of his deeds. The comment strikes his ears as a veiled insult - but, at this point, he doesn't really care if people insult him, so he lets it fall to the wayside, closing his eye.

Very loved. He wonders. (What a blasphemer he is.) He neither affirms nor denies, merely offering a noncommittal rumble from the back of his throat before continuing. ]

Thou wert speaking against such concealments a moment ago.

[ is it love to suppress someone else's true nature out of fear? If it's for their own safety? It's not something he'd ever questioned until relatively recently in his hundreds of years. Instinctively, he wants to say yes - to cling to that soft notion like a lifeline. But the fibers of that rope have worn very thin. ]

Mm? Is that what it sounded like? Oh dear~ [ One of his usual, inscrutable laughs even as he spreads his hands in a gesture of mock dismay. ] I wouldn't dare make a blanket statement like that! My own nature is such that concealing it or dressing it up in different ways is necessary at all times, where I'm from! Or else I'd be considered a madman by everyone, or die a gruesome death. Equally terrible fates, haha!

[ Is he joking or not ... it is a mystery.

He grins as he drops his hands. ]

It's different for every person and every situation. Though I suppose it would be nice if we had the option to choose, instead of being required to take one path or the other ... [ A brief hum in thought. ] Ah, though I have to imagine it must be rather different for you ... being pressured to hide oneself by society as a whole, or by mortal danger, must feel rather different from being put in that position by one's own parent, presumably out of love. I'm afraid I can only imagine what that must feel like.

[ Capped off with a perfectly curated, opaque smile. ]

[ It sure doesn't sound like he's joking - or, if he is, he's doing so to cloak the truth. Madman, he can believe, but dying a gruesome death? Would he be executed simply for spirit tuning? Messmer struggles to imagine a world where spirits exist, but one could die for acknowledging them. No matter: it's a plain enough reason to hide one's true nature.

Not so different from Messmer's own, either, despite Rom's comments. He huffs; they draw closer to the peak of this particular hill, the foliage beginning to clear out. ]

Think'st not that good society would welcome a serpent in its ranks. I would thee join in gruesome death were I bereft of Mother's guidance. [ he would have had to hide anyway... but it's more likely he would have just been stoned and killed at birth, frankly. ] Thy parents wert ignorant of thy nature, it seemeth.

[ help, the way Messmer went straight for 'they would execute you???' skipping right past 'the spirits might be dangerous'

Regardless of what might have been going through Messmer's head, it's what he says that has Rom's smile thinning just the slightest. His gaze remains levels, meeting Messmer's evenly as he trots forward a few steps to enjoy the sight down the hill from their vantage point. It sounds maybe just a little too casual when he lilts, ]

This really is a wonderful view, isn't it?

[ But looking off into the distance gives him a good excuse to avert his gaze; Rom shifts his weight from one foot to the other, an uncharacteristic moment of hesitation before he speaks again. ]

... it would have been better, if I could have kept my parents ignorant of my nature. I mentioned it took me some time to get used to concealing it, yes? -- I was born with my spiritual sight. My parents had plenty of time to realize something was wrong with me, even if they couldn't understand what the problem was. [ He fidgets with his hat, adjusting the brim down, then back up. Purely because he needs to do something with his hands to help keep his voice level and light. ] Having to deal with me drove them mad. And reasonably, they couldn't stand me because of it. I don't think they would have granted me any blessings, even if they could.

[ Pause. It's perfectly playful and casual when he adds, looking back up to Messmer: ] So I'm the tiniest bit jealous of what you were granted, haha.

[ IT BE LIKE THAT IN THE LANDS BETWEEN........

as Rom speaks, Messmer considers that Rom is actually sharing quite a fair bit with him, for once. Maybe he truly does believe they're a match. For his part, Messmer remains unconvinced; even so, it's somewhat flattering to be offered this morsel of trust from someone who seems very determined to keep himself an unreachable unknown. He might be aloof, but he's not too haughty to appreciate an effort at kindness, misguided though it may be (and it always is, in his opinion.)

Again, he wonders at the comment. Once, he would have been proud that this symbol of grace could engender jealousy. Now, the notion only makes him uneasy - makes him start doubting. If it's truly proof of his mother's love, then why hasn't she bid him return? Why hasn't she sent any word at all, if she truly loves him? His eye twitches, and he tries not to think about it further. Ungrateful. ]

... Thou hast suffered without love, [ he replies, even-toned and flat as ever, despite his inner worries. It's always been easier for him to focus on others when he feels this way, for good or ill. Luckily, in this case, it's sympathy and not impaling. ] The nature of thy struggle at last becometh clear, lonely spirit tuner.

[ ‘Lonely spirit tuner.’ It sounds so melodramatic, put like that. Rom can’t help blinking, owlish as ever, before giving a little laugh. A completely empty one, a noise made for the sake of making a noise. ]

Aah, hm. Well. I didn’t really suffer? [ Pause. That’s not true, objectively. Even if he doesn’t like thinking about it that way. ] Or — I suppose I did. But they suffered far more because of me, so it wouldn’t be right for me to complain. I’m still alive now, after all.

[ He says it quite lightly for how grim the implication is.

It’s basically second nature for him to always feign casual and calm, so even as they discuss this morbid subject, he’s ambling around, pretending to care about the view. Though Rom does look up from pushing aside some hanging branches in the way to glance back up towards Messmer. ]

It’s very kind of you to say that, though. I’m aware most long-lived spirits tend to have different priorities simply by virtue of being what they are. And I can imagine one person’s family drama might not mean much to someone who’s been alive for centuries. … you must be quite soft-hearted to still be so kind, Lord Messmer!

[ This could come across as sarcastic, or even patronizing, given who he’s talking to. But Rom means it entirely seriously, his delivery and his gaze remaining completely focused and direct. ]

[ At least he's self-aware enough to know that saying "I didn't really suffer" is outlandish - Messmer would have cast some judgement on him for saying something like that while very obviously still carrying guilt over it. Especially if it made him an orphan. He wonders if it was those same spirits his parents didn't understand that took their lives, or something else entirely. Whatever it was, Rom clearly sees himself as the cause.

The comment on Messmer's so-called kindness, on the other hand - that's one made in ignorance. His serpentine eye falls on Rom once more. ]

Thou art misled. If my heart be soft, it is only in the manner of a rot-blackened fruit. Mine appellation were not given in jest.

[ he can't stand around and let someone call him nice while he's standing on a metaphorical mountain of bodies. It's wrong. ]

[ A little tilt of the head, curious. Then, placidly: ]

Oh, I assumed that was the case. I didn't think you'd be the type to tolerate being called Mr. The Impaler if it weren't literally true.

[ Not to mention the general spiritual rancidity swirling around Messmer ... though Rom's not in any rush to get into those details. He just gives a little smile to emphasize he has no qualms about this subject of discussion (like a freak) before returning his gaze to the scenery before them. Weirdly, the utter clash between their subject of discussion and the tranquillity of the setting is kind of comforting to him; it's a gap he's well accustomed to. ]

Though I don't think that necessarily means you can't be kind as well. Perhaps it means you can't be called merciful, but one can be defined as kind in their intentions despite what actions they're required to take, no? Especially when one has had to live for so long.

[ his rancid vibes......

the disconnect between the conversation and the setting doesn't seem to bother him, either - he's grown far too old and jaded to still hold discomfort around dark topics. The sun is probably good for his serpents. Goodness knows they didn't get a lot of it in the aptly-named Land of Shadow. Rom's insistence on his being kind seems to bother Messmer more than any discussion of impaling. He sighs silently through his nose, but relents. ]

And wouldst thou claim this nature as another commonality? If not by ignorance nor foolishness, then by belike kindness thou'rt surely led to look beyond my transgressions.

[ inwardly, Messmer still thinks it's at least 50% foolishness. But Rom clearly has a forgiving nature himself - and a selfless one, if he truly holds no grudge against his parents. ]

OPEN POST 2025

seeing your edit note without knowing what the original comment was is hilarious

i'll leave it to your imagination........

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pokes head out of ayto hole

places you back in the hole

damn u really put me in there deep... but im back now