[water is a double-edged sword. of course, being from the riverlands, it's practically something sacred to them. a source of vitality, the source of their prosperity. it keeps their land fertile, it brings trade to them. but the waters can hide monsters and blood, and charles has witnessed enough battles fought on the rivers and sea, either; all the deaths that have sunk into their depths.
which is this...?
something inside of him twists, before it's gone. it's easy, to feel like he's home. he can't remember feeling this light, truthfully. because the carefree "charles, the traveler" isn't a lie, per se, but even so. his true name and title are an undeniable weight on his shoulders, a neverending reminder of his duty. (one he was born with, one that was escalated at least a decade too early, but even if he had nothing to his name, it's one that he would choose over and over again of his own volition.) prodigal son of riven, guardian of light, symbol of hope for all of orsterra. (so many people have died for him or in his name, believing in that hope.)
for all that charles sincerely believes in enjoying life in the moment, rather than stressing over what-ifs of the future, and cherishing happiness as it comes—that belief stems from awareness of how grim things can be, that peace does not last unless you fight for it with all that you have. difficult to build, all too easy to destroy. it always lurks in the back of his mind.]
... Alaune.
[despite their relationship, they don't always get to spend much time together. the past months are probably some of the most consistent they've ever had. not exactly a conventional union, but it is what it is with their stations. work comes first. neither of them has ever regretted this, when they met precisely because of that mutual devotion to a better future for all.
should she be here? he's evidently not actually back in his world, given the presence of his other friends. and maybe, somewhere in the back of his mind, charles would be furious that his loved ones are used like this again and again, whether it's back home or in these rifts. distantly, none of this makes sense.
but, well. right now, in these waters—he reaches out to her in return.]
no subject
which is this...?
something inside of him twists, before it's gone. it's easy, to feel like he's home. he can't remember feeling this light, truthfully. because the carefree "charles, the traveler" isn't a lie, per se, but even so. his true name and title are an undeniable weight on his shoulders, a neverending reminder of his duty. (one he was born with, one that was escalated at least a decade too early, but even if he had nothing to his name, it's one that he would choose over and over again of his own volition.) prodigal son of riven, guardian of light, symbol of hope for all of orsterra. (so many people have died for him or in his name, believing in that hope.)
for all that charles sincerely believes in enjoying life in the moment, rather than stressing over what-ifs of the future, and cherishing happiness as it comes—that belief stems from awareness of how grim things can be, that peace does not last unless you fight for it with all that you have. difficult to build, all too easy to destroy. it always lurks in the back of his mind.]
... Alaune.
[despite their relationship, they don't always get to spend much time together. the past months are probably some of the most consistent they've ever had. not exactly a conventional union, but it is what it is with their stations. work comes first. neither of them has ever regretted this, when they met precisely because of that mutual devotion to a better future for all.
should she be here? he's evidently not actually back in his world, given the presence of his other friends. and maybe, somewhere in the back of his mind, charles would be furious that his loved ones are used like this again and again, whether it's back home or in these rifts. distantly, none of this makes sense.
but, well. right now, in these waters—he reaches out to her in return.]
Hey. I missed you too.
[rolls a 12]