lili.

[nonbelligerent]

Comments

[nonbelligerent]

[it's not the first time he's heard it put like that, it's fine.

he just smiles wryly.]

I am, yes.

[coastal]

Then what's your favorite thing you've done?

[since he's old and has done so many things]

[nonbelligerent]

[...]

That's an unexpected question.

[coastal]

You live an unexpected life.

It sounds like the most interesting question.

[in general she'd like to hear about something lighter after his near-sacrifice story]

[nonbelligerent]

I'm afraid there isn't an interesting answer. Often, I've found the most enjoyable things in life are the simpler ones. Spending time with friends and family, for instance.

[coastal]

... hmm.

At least you're not so old that you've lost touch with your sentimentality.

[so that's good to know]

[nonbelligerent]

[he looks amused.]

Do you expect old people to lose touch with that?

[coastal]

Yes.

Old, stubborn people who end up stuck in their ways just because they think that they've lived longer, or they've grown dissatisfied with what their life has become and blame their troubles on others.

Or they'll use that knowledge in order to be condescending to others, even if what they know is outdated.

[why does she have opinions like this]

You're none of those things so far, so that's fine.

[nonbelligerent]

[he lets out a silent chuckle.]

It sounds as if you speak from experience.

[coastal]

I have my own problems with diplomacy.

[the short story is

she's not good at it]

[nonbelligerent]

[shock and awe]

Are you in some sort of position of power, then?

[coastal]

... not in the way I'd like to be....

[a little sigh]

But I'm doing the best with what I have.

[nonbelligerent]

That's admirable. It's easy to act when your authority is absolute, but less so from a weaker position.

[coastal]

[there's a pause because stop calling her admirable she doesn't know how to feel about it]

... someone once told me that even though she's weak, she'll never bow her head to unjust people in power.

[she sounds fond.... lili is gay]

I guess... I just wanted to live like that too.

[nonbelligerent]

[no!! besides, this is all rather interesting to hear. namely because they're sentiments that would and could absolutely not exist in sura society.]

She sounds like a very strong person.

[coastal]

She is.

[dammit, that much manages to get lili to smile and i hate it]

She's the strongest person that I know - and helps a great number of people.

[and lili wanted so very much to be like her....]

[nonbelligerent]

[hehe]

How did you meet, if you don't mind me asking?

[coastal]

[ . . . . . . ]

A certain series of circumstances and reasons.

[nonbelligerent]

[...]

In other words, you'd rather not explain. I understand.

[coastal]

The exact circumstance is not important...

But after that, she just helped me out a lot.

[nonbelligerent]

Then, she's a friend of yours.

[coastal]

She is.

[an easy answer, coupled with another smile]

My dearest friend in the world.

[her only friend?

whatever]

I almost wish she was here - but I have to learn to do things on my own sometime.

[nonbelligerent]

You can impress her with what you've achieved here when you return.

[coastal]

Mm - of course I will.

[ . . . ]

That does mean I have to start achieving things here. Soon, hopefully.

[nonbelligerent]

Nothing keeps you still for long, does it?