ohthehumanities | catchall; wolfwood

Having two is worse. What is she to you?

[ Returning this question. ]

Yeah.

[Granted, he never knew Shenhe before this place--but still. He cares about her a lot.

As for the question--]

She's the ruler of my nation. The Dendro Archon, god of wisdom and knowledge.
So, you can understand why I want to make sure she gets home safely.

But do you have any personal attachment? Is it just duty?

[Hmmm. There's a pause before he replies, as he thinks about how to answer.]

I would say I do now. I mean, I always knew she was kind and capable. She's the one who's pushed to restore the arts to their place in our society, which is vitally important to me. Not to mention everything she's trying to put into place for the Eremite tribes. I've always respected her and been concerned about who looks out for her. She's suffered a lot, as well, and it makes me angry to think about on her behalf, both as a god and as an individual. But we didn't really spend much time together before we came here. I never really pursued the position of Sage, which is the only way I really would've ended up working closely with her before.

But it's different now. I'm sure she feels a responsibility for me, as my archon--but for me, I've certainly begun to think of it as "I want to make sure Nahida is safe." As an individual and as a teammate, of course.

Some people have said I'm the type to get attached too easily, and I can't exactly say they're wrong about that when I think about the people here... but even setting that aside, I think it would be difficult not to care about her safety. She's that sort of person.

[Oh. He probably talked too much, oops.]

[ Yeah this is a lot of text. Fortunately Wolfwood is not Estinien and he's not anti-reading so his eyes don't glaze over at this.

Give him a moment to read this and think about it before answering. ]

I think I get it.

[ It's not exactly the most illustrious response to everything Kaveh just told him, but he thinks he understands. Both specifically in terms of Nahida, but also, as a whole. ]

[I THOUGHT THAT TAG WAS REALFKSDJHGJK

It's alright, though. If anything, he's comfortable with a concise reply. It's nicer than he's used to--but then, Tighnari and Cyno have always been patient ears for him, too. There's a tiny hint of guilt for rambling, but not much, since for once, he wasn't unloading his problems onto someone before he could stop himself.]

What are the gods in your world like?

[ For what reason do I put so much effort in my gagtags (it's because I just come up with them while I'm writing the real tag). ]

Depends on the religion, but mine's only got the one. Won't hear a direct yes or no if you pray. Maybe you'll get an answer, maybe you won't.

It's usually like that for us too, as far as I know.
Rather, it varies by the nation. But I don't think any of them answer every prayer directly.
I can't imagine only having one god, though. I know you said there are less people in your world, but that still seems like a lot of pressure on them.

It's something from the old world. There were thousands of religions there, some with a lot of gods. Don't know if any of them were ever real, but none of them came to my planet.

[ Almost. ]

Mine's just one of many. It's fine. It's hard to reconcile when you know everyone has all these different thoughts but they can't all be real. All we can do is pray.

[It's Kaveh's turn to listen (or, well, read), which he does with patience and curiosity. Theology may not be his area of focus, but the gods are tied so intrinsically to the functions of his world that it's fascinating to learn about them elsewhere.]

I suppose.
Though, to be honest, I kind of lost faith a long time ago. Even now, I don't think I'd turn to my archon for personal guidance as a first impulse.

[Not that he doesn't trust her, of course. It's just... complicated.]

What do you believe in then? Who do you turn to might be a better way to ask.

[That's an excellent question, honestly. There's a long delay before he replies.]

I guess I just... don't.

Maybe it would be more accurate to say I try not to. I've been shown a lot of kindness by the people around me, but I don't enjoy needing to rely on it.

[It's hypocritical, he knows, when he would give everything to someone who needed him without a thought to judgment. But he's only human, after all. Emotions aren't so logical.]

Self-sufficiency then.

[ As short and concise as ever, but this is a stance Wolfwood respects. ]

Yes! Exactly.

[It doesn't really come through over text, but he's relieved that Wolfwood understands.]

Alhaitham argues with me about my ideals all the time. He once said that no matter how strong of a swimmer you may be, you'll still get dragged under by those who are drowning eventually, once you run out of stamina. To him, that's the inevitable fate of idealists. But I believe there will always be people in the world who will help others. I've run out of stamina before, and I've been fortunate enough to have found those people who were willing to pull me back to shore. Maybe my prayers weren't answered, but that doesn't mean I was abandoned by the whole world.

But even so--in the end, who wouldn't prefer to pull themselves out of the water on their own strength?

[ There's another pause here before the typing dots appear. ]

Sorry to say but I think I'm the type to agree with your friend. If there's a 9/10 chance that I'll drown by helping someone, well. I've got things I want to protect more than some strangers. But yeah. I'd pull myself out of the water. Have done it and will keep doing it as much as it takes.

[Hmm, well. There's a lull, but then--]

Things like what?

[Another short pause, and:]

You don't have to tell me if you don't want to.

[ Well, he wouldn't normally be sure about saying so, but since he did technically say it on the public already... ]

Kids. And home.

[I keep trying to tag this serious and deep conversation but people are kissing in my top level and you guys are stealing balls HELPPPP]

I don't know. I don't think that's so different from my thinking. You're still looking out for other people--just people who are closer to you.

[Which is... normal, he thinks. And beyond that, he remembers Wolfwood saying, before: I care for others plenty, actually. I'd say it's what keeps me going. Alhaitham would never say something like that, which is the key difference, in his view.]

But I don't really expect everyone to be like me anyway. I do think it's a basic human responsibility to offer help when you can, but I wouldn't expect someone to sacrifice their loved ones for strangers.

[Which is part of the reason this game is so hard for him to deal with.]

Kids are different. They're selfish, but not in the way adults are.

[ He frankly, cares so little about the average person. Humans are rotten, ready to backstab the moment it works out better for them. Kids are different to him -- they don't know what real harm looks like. Adults do, and still do it anyway. ]

I said it before but you and blondie would get along.

You know, I wonder, sometimes, if that's why Nahida looks the way she does.

[Nobody knows why Nahida is baby... not even Nahida...

But he remembers that blondie is Vash, so--]

Yes, I'd say we do. We talked a little after the trial--I appreciate his determination.

She is pretty tiny. Yeah, from the hardcore drinking to even this whole outlook about there being good in the world.

Maybe we're siblings and never knew it.

[Kaveh has no siblings but honestly he doesn't think Vash would be a bad one]

Ugh. No. No siblings. Though I think you would make a better brother.

[He doesn't know how to convey laughter over text]

Why do you say that?

[ He said too much, actually. ]

Would rather have a sibling that's just like you and gets along, yeah?

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