Straight Ahead [Nayru/Richter]
Jul 13, 2015 22:07:59 GMT -6
Post by Nayru Al-Saiduq on Jul 13, 2015 22:07:59 GMT -6
Well, that could have gone worse. It smarted a little that she hadn't 'won' the debate, as immature of a reaction as it might be - and it was, she knew it well enough - but something like this wasn't really the sort of problem that some fancy words and a casual conversation solved, or people MUCH smarter than her would have brought about an eternal utopia centuries ago, and for that matter the Scouring would probably never even have happened. So while Nayru couldn't exactly be happy about the resolution to their conflict of ideals, she couldn't really be disappointed in it, or in Richter for that matter.
They would both have a great deal of time to change their minds over the courses of their lives; even if his lifespan was shorter than hers, he was still relatively young by human standards. And there was no guarantee that she would actually outlive him, after all. Elibe was not an especially safe place for individuals like her. Or for Richter, or for anyone, for that matter. It was perfectly possible they would both be dead within the year.
Ah, optimism. She smiled, nodding her head graciously in acceptance of Richter's dismissal as much as at her own poor joke. The delicacies of social interaction might not be her specialty, but one did not live for that long without picking up some of the basics, and Nayru knew better than to force the matter. Just because she didn't have anywhere to be right now didn't mean she had the right to expect the same from anyone else, and he had already been kind enough to indulge her in a conversation that, frankly, she didn't think he had especially enjoyed... whether on its own merits or as a result of the unfortunate memories it dredged up.
"Thank you for your time, Richter," she continued pleasantly, "and for indulging me in our debate." Perhaps their ideals were simply too different; she didn't feel that he had seriously considered her own viewpoints, that he had dismissed her because of her race - perhaps ironically the very mindset he claimed was so intrinsic to humanity when she knew several other humans who did not suffer from it. Maybe Richter would never see anything her way.
But that was alright. Different viewpoints were what allowed individuals in the first place, and unless the change she spoke of were made by choice, there would be no meaning to it in the first place. And he had been Marcus's friend, and willing to entertain her thoughts, neither of which were the actions of a man so deeply tainted by hatred that hope was but a distant memory. So while a little bit of her grated at the sense of having been treated like a child, and while it was true that her worldview still needed refining as this very conversation had so effectively reminded her, she was satisfied nonetheless. It would take a great deal more conversations like this, ones far more difficult with people far more closed of mind and heart alike than Richter, before anything would change.
"Chance meetings are often the most interesting, I find," she commented neutrally, almost amusedly, before closing out the conversation on her own terms. No need for parting shots, for vague riddles or petty childishness. Nayru was simply grateful for the lessons and reminders Richter had represented, some from his words, others the result of her own. Perhaps they would never meet again; perhaps she would run into him on another dusty road a year from now. The wonder and the mystery of life. "Have a pleasant evening and safe travels."
And then she was gone.
[Thread end]
They would both have a great deal of time to change their minds over the courses of their lives; even if his lifespan was shorter than hers, he was still relatively young by human standards. And there was no guarantee that she would actually outlive him, after all. Elibe was not an especially safe place for individuals like her. Or for Richter, or for anyone, for that matter. It was perfectly possible they would both be dead within the year.
Ah, optimism. She smiled, nodding her head graciously in acceptance of Richter's dismissal as much as at her own poor joke. The delicacies of social interaction might not be her specialty, but one did not live for that long without picking up some of the basics, and Nayru knew better than to force the matter. Just because she didn't have anywhere to be right now didn't mean she had the right to expect the same from anyone else, and he had already been kind enough to indulge her in a conversation that, frankly, she didn't think he had especially enjoyed... whether on its own merits or as a result of the unfortunate memories it dredged up.
"Thank you for your time, Richter," she continued pleasantly, "and for indulging me in our debate." Perhaps their ideals were simply too different; she didn't feel that he had seriously considered her own viewpoints, that he had dismissed her because of her race - perhaps ironically the very mindset he claimed was so intrinsic to humanity when she knew several other humans who did not suffer from it. Maybe Richter would never see anything her way.
But that was alright. Different viewpoints were what allowed individuals in the first place, and unless the change she spoke of were made by choice, there would be no meaning to it in the first place. And he had been Marcus's friend, and willing to entertain her thoughts, neither of which were the actions of a man so deeply tainted by hatred that hope was but a distant memory. So while a little bit of her grated at the sense of having been treated like a child, and while it was true that her worldview still needed refining as this very conversation had so effectively reminded her, she was satisfied nonetheless. It would take a great deal more conversations like this, ones far more difficult with people far more closed of mind and heart alike than Richter, before anything would change.
"Chance meetings are often the most interesting, I find," she commented neutrally, almost amusedly, before closing out the conversation on her own terms. No need for parting shots, for vague riddles or petty childishness. Nayru was simply grateful for the lessons and reminders Richter had represented, some from his words, others the result of her own. Perhaps they would never meet again; perhaps she would run into him on another dusty road a year from now. The wonder and the mystery of life. "Have a pleasant evening and safe travels."
And then she was gone.
[Thread end]