Trust me, I already know there's no way to turn back time, but I also know writing it off as people are going to do what they want is a pretty lazy way of thinking.
[ He takes a slow drink and sighs. ]
I've always been the reckless type, diving in with my instincts and willing to sacrifice myself for the greater good. A hero's life. But being at that place, talking to people... really put a lot of things into perspective.
Selfishly, I never really considered how much sacrifice only brings sorrow to those around me. If I really care about them and really want to show it, I have to take care of myself, too.
What's the point of promising not to leave someone if I'm willing to throw my life away? It's going to be a struggle... That fine line of me wanting to save lives and being in dangerous situations versus actually putting myself in the line of fire unintentionally. Sometimes you have to change your ways for the people you love... or realize you might lose them if they're not important enough to do that.
I'm no hero. This whole Sage's Wizard thing doesn't suit me a bit. I'm a bandit, and the people know what they're getting into. I've made my peace with what I am, who I am, and what I like. There's a thrill in puttin' my life on the line.
That's my choice. That's the risk I accept.
I'm not enough of an idiot to know I'll won't come back one day. I'll get seriously injured, and that doesn't bother me. One day I will die, and nothin' will be left behind. Every wizard knows what happens to their bodies.
This is the life that satisfies me. Constantly testin' my limits to see just how far I can go 'n how much I can get away with.
[Nero might hate it, but they're both grown adults who live their lives the way they want.]
[ Because it's honestly so beyond obvious how much Bradley cares about Nero even from this conversation. And some things he's pieced together. ]
Seems like you both enjoy avoiding topics you don't like.
... Which is actually pretty funny coming from me when my own brother has called me out for taking on a burden alone. My point still stands. Maybe I don't have as many years as you guys, but finding that one person to be honest with is a nice change of pace.
No. It's a manifestation of his soul. It's kind of a huge deal to touch it. We used to have a distance limit, but things changed. Didn't bring my tiger along for this trip.
For the record, it's pretty taboo for anyone to freely touch it. If someone like me were to touch it, I'm pretty sure Nero would have a bad reaction. Friends is one thing, but getting someone to daemon touching level is a whole different thing.
For me, I'm pretty sure only one person will ever be allowed to ever touch Finley.
I have a daughter that I love dearly and would give my life to save her and even then I'm not sure about having my daemon touched by anyone other than Sholmes.
Maybe I weigh it too heavily, but it's something incredibly personal that I can't imagine having anyone touch her aside from Sholmes. It's... there's a sense of euphoria that comes with it.
No, but it used to be that way. There was a limit on the distance of how far we could be away from each other. Being around her all the time for all the time is something that isn't easy to forget.
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Trust me, I already know there's no way to turn back time, but I also know writing it off as people are going to do what they want is a pretty lazy way of thinking.
[ He takes a slow drink and sighs. ]
I've always been the reckless type, diving in with my instincts and willing to sacrifice myself for the greater good. A hero's life. But being at that place, talking to people... really put a lot of things into perspective.
Selfishly, I never really considered how much sacrifice only brings sorrow to those around me. If I really care about them and really want to show it, I have to take care of myself, too.
What's the point of promising not to leave someone if I'm willing to throw my life away? It's going to be a struggle... That fine line of me wanting to save lives and being in dangerous situations versus actually putting myself in the line of fire unintentionally. Sometimes you have to change your ways for the people you love... or realize you might lose them if they're not important enough to do that.
[ Maybe this sounds like a lecture? Oops. ]
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I'm no hero. This whole Sage's Wizard thing doesn't suit me a bit. I'm a bandit, and the people know what they're getting into. I've made my peace with what I am, who I am, and what I like. There's a thrill in puttin' my life on the line.
That's my choice. That's the risk I accept.
I'm not enough of an idiot to know I'll won't come back one day. I'll get seriously injured, and that doesn't bother me. One day I will die, and nothin' will be left behind. Every wizard knows what happens to their bodies.
This is the life that satisfies me. Constantly testin' my limits to see just how far I can go 'n how much I can get away with.
[Nero might hate it, but they're both grown adults who live their lives the way they want.]
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[ Because it's honestly so beyond obvious how much Bradley cares about Nero even from this conversation. And some things he's pieced together. ]
Seems like you both enjoy avoiding topics you don't like.
... Which is actually pretty funny coming from me when my own brother has called me out for taking on a burden alone. My point still stands. Maybe I don't have as many years as you guys, but finding that one person to be honest with is a nice change of pace.
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[Mind you it's Nero going "You're gonna die if you keep doing this" and Bradley going "Yes, that's true." (Nothing changes.)]
We're as honest as we wanna be.
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[ Because that doesn't sound like being fully honest. ]
Sometimes you have to be more honest than you want to be. Making yourself actually vulnerable sucks, but I feel like it's the best choice I've made.
Maybe I just got lucky that we were able to hold each other's souls. Literally. Makes you realize how much you can trust a person.
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Your... souls?
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[ Honesty issues, my boys. ]
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[hello, have you met him?]
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[ Sighs!!!! ]
Have you seen an animal hanging around him lately that you hadn't before?
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[ He's going to need to shake Nero later. ]
No. It's a manifestation of his soul. It's kind of a huge deal to touch it. We used to have a distance limit, but things changed. Didn't bring my tiger along for this trip.
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Bradley considers this for a moment.]
Huh.
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What?
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Guess you're that special to him.
For the record, it's pretty taboo for anyone to freely touch it. If someone like me were to touch it, I'm pretty sure Nero would have a bad reaction. Friends is one thing, but getting someone to daemon touching level is a whole different thing.
For me, I'm pretty sure only one person will ever be allowed to ever touch Finley.
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[The is an understatement and that history is very complicated.
There's a soft mewing noise from under the couch and Disce curls up on Bradley's lap.]
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I have a daughter that I love dearly and would give my life to save her and even then I'm not sure about having my daemon touched by anyone other than Sholmes.
Maybe I weigh it too heavily, but it's something incredibly personal that I can't imagine having anyone touch her aside from Sholmes. It's... there's a sense of euphoria that comes with it.
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[He sets his glass down to stroke Disce's back, who only purrs in response.]
Figures people'll have different tolerance levels for that kinda thing.
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[ He can't help but smile some at that interaction going on. ]
Probably. But I'm fine with only one person being able to touch her. I didn't even expect that.
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[Shouldn't you be in one piece?]
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Now I can't imagine my life without my daemon.
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