[open] War does not determine who is right, only who is left. (Any)

[magnus]

we carry these things inside that no one else can see
they hold us down like anchors; they drown us out at sea

She reminded him of a deer—all wide eyes and dancing legs. Even lying still next to him, he could feel the nervous energy bubbling off of her, that primal desire to run simmering in the air. It put him on edge, but he did his best to mask it. The last thing that would help her would be if he compounded her nerves with his own. So instead he casually glanced around them from time to time, keeping a watchful eye on the field while remaining calm, gold-flecked eyes relaxed and mouth maintaining a small smile.

“Isn’t that the truth?” he replied with a kind smile, voice purposefully low. He could not help but feel like she would shatter if he spoke too loud, too quickly. There was something about her that brought out every protective bone in his body; all he wanted to do was usher her back to the Gates so that she could sleep in peace. So that she could find refuge from whatever was frightening her. This is what the Gates was for.

But he also knew the importance of free will. What sanctuary would the Gates be if he was forcing her inhabitants there? So he didn’t rush the process, instead letting the silences rise and fall naturally between them as the conversation progressed. Even when she explained her reasoning for being in the field, and he felt an itch between his shoulder blades that it was not the whole truth, he left it alone. She had her own reasons, and if she didn’t feel like sharing, then he wasn’t going to force her to. Everything in due time.

“There’s no need to apologize! If we hadn’t crossed paths,” he winked, “then we wouldn’t be sitting here, enjoying this fine weather together.” He had to wonder why she was actually here, what actually frightened her so, but something told him that she wouldn’t want to talk about it, at least not directly.

So he did his best to skirt around the subject, hoping to put her at ease while protecting her pride. “I’m not sure if you are new to these parts, but your wanderings actually brought you to the Field. Most people here come looking for a home or for people who are interested in joining their own, whether it be a kingdom or a herd.” He glanced at her from the corner of his eye, trying to gauge her interest and discomfort to see if he should continue. “That’s what I was doing here today when I ran across you.”

magnus