eachdraidh | text;

[ so if we're pretending there's a list that's called Things Malia Shouldn't Do, but She'll Definitely Do it Anyway, this would be on it. probably up there pretty high, top three. but that list doesn't exist, it's not real, and even if it was, she wouldn't pay any attention to it. so she's just leaving this out on the open locket network- ]

i don't care about the war. i don't care about the courts. my shard says i'm unseelie, but i didn't ask to be. i won't fight someone just because somebody else tells me to. the only thing i care about is keeping my friends safe, and keeping my home safe, and right now that's Cothromach. why is that a bad thing now?

[ "now" because of how things are shifting, how the sides matter more than when she first got here, and when she first moved from caer scima, to the mountains. which no, she doesn't realize it's not the other shardbearers' faults ( not completely ), but it's noticeable in a way it wasn't before. she's mostly just curious what changed, and annoyed that her loyalties are being questioned over something she has/had no control over. so yeah! obviously confronting the lockets about it is the Best Idea Ever! malia tate, everybody. ]

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Be very careful, youngling. There are many who feel as you, but equally many who will hear your words as betrayal, of either or both side. There is nothing wrong with your sentiments, but alas, the rulers and their pawns think differently.

Everybody keeps saying that. [ mrr ] I still don't get it.

[ So young he thinks with a pang So innocent still, and he grieves for what is to come ]

Because for some, to deny allegience to one is akin to swearing allegience to the other - I belive your folk would say "if they are not for us, they are against us". There are some who cannot look past titles and status to read the true intent beneath, and will always judge you on their own assumptions, rather than your truth.

Tis not your fault.

There's a lot of that here. People assuming things. In my world there's a saying about making assumptions. [ a beat. wait. does she even know that saying? not.. exactly.. ] Assuming things makes you an ass.

Edited 2015-01-31 07:02 (UTC)

Hm. [ a soft amused quirk ] They have a way with words, your people.

But people do assume, eh? For better, or for worse. And in a place where peace teeters on the brink of a knife, or worse, is but illusion or fantasy... well. The space for assumption is wider, and the guesses far less forgiving.

But what if I want nothing to do with it? What if I just want to live a normal life here, and wait it out until they send me home?

Oh youngling. There is no escape, so long as they call you 'Shardbearer'. You can run, as I have, and still they find you, and drive their hooks deep. I am done with them and their war but I know full well the blade they hold over my head.

Okay, but-

But what if we're not a Shardbearer. Is that possible?

Ah, and there you hit the crux of it. Yes. You do not escape entire, but their main hold on you is gone. But! If tales are true, the cost for your shard is your life, or near enough to it. And the shard is your link home, so to remove it... is also to remove your way home. If the tales are true.

Oh. [ whoa whoa whoa slam the brakes ] Do the tales say why we wouldn't be able to go home?

Apparently, your shard is... a piece of your home, if you like. The path that brings you here... and so... also the path that will take you home again. Remove it and... [ he shrugs ]

That sucks.

[ there's a beat, then a big sigh ]

That really sucks. I don't want this thing anymore, I don't want someone thinking they can control me because of it. I didn't ask for it.

Child, none of us did. We are all here by force or under false pretense. Even those who fight now tell themselves they do it for some greater cause, or they do not bother to lie and acknowledge that they fight because they wish to.

I think most people are fighting because they want to fight.

-- Wait, that's what you just said, isn't it?

[ okay it's not AS bad as talking to the Starks, but she's still not used to formal speech, so much ]

[ A soft chuckle ]

It was, yes. I am sorry, I forget that not everyone is used to the more formal tones.

It's okay.

But yeah. I don't get why anyone would fight unless they like fighting. What's the point, otherwise? That's asking to lose.

Not everyone see it that way, hm? Some, I am sure, truly believe that to not fight is the worse option. Many believe the Rulers words.

I wonder what would happen if we all just... stopped. Everyone. I mean, what could they do?

Ah, now that would be nice, would it not? Alas, I fear too many are only to keen to keep going. Having said that... the Kings and Queens are powerful, and it may be that if bribery or manipulation cannot gain them what they want, they may try force, instead.

Makes me wonder why people with that much power need people like us to fight their wars for them.

It does, does it not? How strange... and it only provides less reason to trust them. Although not one that most seem to consider.

Because people like fighting, like you said.

[ she sighs, then makes a grump face. which means it's good he can't see her. ]

I mean, I'm one of them, I guess. It's not bad to want to fight. [ there's an unsaid "is it?" in there, but she won't admit it ] I'll only fight people if they try taking my home again, though. Cothromach, that's worth fighting for. To me.

[ There is a considering pause at his end and he chooses his words carefully ]

I do not believe that it is wrong to fight to protect. Nor that it is always something that can be avoided. Yet, I would caution against being too swift in deciding what you fight for. A town, a building... These are not what makes a home, in the end.

I know. [ there's a nodnodnod with that, very "oh yeah! I know!" ] But Stiles is there, and wherever he is is home. [ woops that got heavy, but she doesn't really realize it ] And Bran and Sansa and Jon are there, and they're not- pack, but they could be. They don't judge me. [ a beat ] They make me feel like I belong, and I think that's worth protecting.

If you have found those worth fighting for, youngling, then I am glad. Most here are not so fortunate, nor so wise. Tis true, a family is one of the best things to be fighting for. Guard your heart well!

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