felldenbox

[takeroot]

can i get an f in chat for fellden

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[takeroot]

It is just an earring, you know. I'm not that fragile.

[But he crosses to where his coat is hanging by the door and fusses with it; one of these pockets... "If it troubles you" just sounds like polite noise, so is it a yes, for real? Hmm.]

You changed your mind so suddenly!

[summonere]

Well. I haven't been there for anyone as much as they've needed.

[ Hakuno had, much like himself really, lost it to a fit of anxiety that had needed talking down. Then there was haunted Dimitri alone in his big house pretending to be fine. Everything is great! Everything is fine. ]</small

[takeroot]

[Ah. He pauses, looking at V over his shoulder. Is that the secret crux of the issue...]

Sorry, what does this have to do with returning your trinket? Is that going to help?

[summonere]

[ Constantin, please. V rubs the space between his eyes with his thumb, this is already hard. ]

I'm apologizing to you.

[takeroot]

Ah. [He lets go of the coat.] You think you've wronged me somehow.

[Absolutely wild that people seem to give a shit when they do that to him these days, or at least, a few people do— but never mind.]

Did you come all this way to give me a plant and tiptoe around saying you're sorry? You are adorable, but it's nothing so earth-shattering as you think.

[summonere]

What was it you said about not being able to juggle my way out of it?

[ His tone is dry. ]

I'm apologizing instead.

[ Is he still tiptoeing, or is it clear enough now? ]

[takeroot]

I don't need it. [...okay,] Rather—

[There's a cute little coffee table in front of the chair V's halfway claimed, covered in packages and more baskets of nonsense; Constantin scoots one of these out of the way and sits right there on the edge of the table, to look up at him. Hey bud.]

I will take it, because we're friends and it troubles you, but I do want you to rest easy over it.

[summonere]

It did... relieve me to think that there might be help coming if I needed it.

[ Not... something... he's used to feeling, at all. But that is why he'd gone ahead and sent it, it did make him feel better even if there was too much panic and dread motivating him as well. ]

[takeroot]

See? You can have it both ways.

[An apology and an insurance policy! Constantin will hand the trinket over without protest if V really wants him to, but all the same, it's nice to feel relied upon. Friendship is full of so many twists.]

Did something happen?

[Surely his chattering about juggling did not really inspire this...]

[summonere]

[ The obvious answer is yes, but watch him say it, ]

No. I just-- I had decide whether or not I was really going to put time into being someone.

[ Despite what might have come out of his mouth, he had not really fully committed to this. Not in his actions. ]

[takeroot]

[V, please, what a thing to say. Constantin raises an eyebrow.]

...Alright, [if you say so, bud! but it's totally yes.] Well, as always, if you would like more of my sterling advice, I am readily available!

[summonere]

I've even corroborated some of your advice. It's been a popular response that no one really knows what they're doing.

[ He finds himself thinking that often now, when he's talking to other people. It helps him relax to realize they're an idiot who doesn't know what's going on in their life either, rather someone much farther ahead of him in a race that he's never going to win. ]

[takeroot]

Yes, that's one of my better ones. Right up there with "you might as well," the solution to many of life's problems.

[Constantin "treat yo self" d'Orsay, life coach, has spoken.]

[summonere]

Is that how you ended up with all these toys?

[ He did not call it junk! You're welcome! ]

[takeroot]

Maybe it is! There's nothing wrong with that.

[Let him live his best kitsch life.]

[summonere]

I would only end up with more projects and responsibilities.

[ Because he is fundamentally not someone carefree. ]

[takeroot]

Only because you're addicted to working yourself to the bone, that is.

[Some people know when to take breaks.]

[summonere]

You took on an entire orphanage.

[ Meanwhile: V takes on the fate of the whole world. He didn't think that comment through. ]

[takeroot]

[Bud, this is the lamest attempt at calling him a hypocrite. Please.]

Yes, and at home I managed an island, which also has nothing to do with you and your habits.

[summonere]

You could have taken up one of the fortresses.

[ Allocated resources to all the orphanages in your district. ]

[takeroot]

[Hmm... Hmmm.]

Are you criticizing me now? Being capable and being obligated are two different things.

[summonere]

Do you feel criticized?

[ Sounds like a personal problem. ]

I am not addicted to working myself to the bone, it has just taken time to find anyone trustworthy to delegate any of the work to. If I had a goal I could be open with, I would have volunteered myself to one of those fortresses and set them all to work.

[ Instead he gets to scuttle around under the radar. ]

[takeroot]

Well, I am quite content with my little orphanage. I told you I'd prefer to be left to my own devices, didn't I? I should think you know what I mean.

[But he just wants to hang out with his kids, so.]

[summonere]

[ Contentment sounds fake. ]

I'm happy, as long as you are.

[ He had said something similar in being told that Nero was here, but from a different canon point, in a different faction; with no idea who V is. His own position in all this doesn't matter at all. ]

[takeroot]

[Constantin considers him for a moment, then hums and moves to sift through one of his many baskets of kitsch.]

My life here is better than the one I left behind, [is what he offers after a moment, because it's true; it's missing one crucial piece that would make it, despite everything in this world threatening to crumble at a moment's notice, nearly perfect - but it's still better. To live under constant anxiety and stress is so unappealing and he'll pass, actually, in favor of his simple cottage and simple life. A few friends. The children. It's enough.

But it isn't enough for everyone, something that every conversation he has with V inevitably makes clear, so,] Perhaps your trusty delegates can help you find your potential future happiness.

[Because ya sad, V. Sad as fuck.]