Oh! Hearing Saima wanted to learn the tárogató excited Erzsi. Of course, that meant finding hers, but she was sure it was in her attic somewhere. “I’ll have to look at my schedule, but I am sure we can schedule a once a week lesson. Would that work for you?”
“I would need to find a piano first, but afterwards there would be no stopping me. Look out world! I am going to rock you!” And then she’s laughing at her antics.
‘‘Once a week lessons would work just fine for me.” It’d be a great excuse to be around Erszi and the opportunity to learn a new instrument was one that Saima just couldn’t refuse. They were already quite thrilled about the possibility of it all.
“Hah, that’s very true. Watch out, we’ve got a wild Erszi on the loose, truly an uncontrollable force!” More laughter from Saima at the silliness that could ensue.
Tzipporah had spotted them not a moment too soon, and instantly a smile broke out on her face. She immediately bounded forward to close the distance between them, throwing her arms around their middle and giving them a friendly squeeze.
“You came!” She laughed, obviously excited that her invitation was accepted, and that she had a chance to introduce her new friend to the rest of the troupe.
A moment passed when she realized she hadn’t asked if they were big on hugging, or any forms of touching. Sheepishly, she pulled away, giving them an apologetic smile. ‘Sorry’ she quickly signed.
It didn’t take long for Saima to be recognized and before they knew it, they found themselves in the middle of an embrace. Laughing a bit, they return the hug in a casual way. Now they were used to hugs – and mostly inclined to accept them from people they recognized as friendly.
Once Tzipporah pulled away and apologized, Saima shrugged before signing. “It. it’s fine really. I’m glad that I got to see you – the whole show was fantastic!”
“Some days tend to happen like that. You know what you need to do and yet.. it just doesn’t get done. I’ve been enjoying committing that ‘sin’ sometimes too.” Not that they were in any position to judge anyone. Their entire heretical nature was something that the truly puritanical would be scandalized by.
Instead, Saima notices the book. “Just figured I’d see how you’d been. Seems like a good book is as good a cause for sloth as any.”
“You did deliver on your promise of a good time,” she laughs taking a drink of the beer in her hand. “Honestly, one of the best nights out I have had in awhile. Thanks for inviting me.”
“Aww, you’re cute when you’re a little sheepish,” Erzsi remarks with a wide grin. “Well, you deserve all the fans and attention you are getting. But, don’t let an old friend get in the way of you making connections.” She motions with her beer to all the people around them.
“Good. I try to fulfill my word when I get the chance to do so.“It was a real relief that Erszi had thoroughly enjoyed herself so much. “Glad to have made one of your best nights lately possible.“
Saima remains quiet for a moment as they smile in return. “Yeah well – I guess this is how I deal with attention. You’re not in the way at all, honestly – it’ll be nice to have you hang for a bit.”
Even if Idris believed in a higher power, an almighty being that never grew weary or needed his help in any way, Saima’s status as a god clearly didn’t come with such a gift. And, truth be told, they looked still so human. Their eyes held sadness in them better than any weary human and being a weary human himself, he feels he could be of use. “One must always listen if he wishes to change the world. If we do not listen to others, why would they ever bother to listen to us?”
Saima nods, just glad to have someone who could see the usefulness of a good listener. For a long while, Saima hadn’t really fully dealt with the implications of their whole self so it was catching up to them these days. It often left them in a strange state of affairs – all too aware of what was still needed to stay stable no matter their status.
“This is incredibly true. There’s no way to spread anything worthwhile without being willing to listen. It’s at the basic core of interaction.“
“ I like to think all animals have some sort of character to them. A lot of people only see them as just that, animals. Things to admire, keep, or kill. But there’s so much more to them then that. It’s a closed view to put them in such a box. “
“Guess you’re right about that. And it’s a shame that people tend to only see them as just animals. They are such an important part of nature and living that it’s so weird that people can so easily put them into certain boxes.” It was something that Saima never really understood about humans and likely never fully would.
“Mm, what shall we grow, my love? Peaches? And wheat, of course, to bake with, and I quite like berries …” Nevermind the fact that the land requirements for these things were vastly different.
“Kyeong is … Mm. Curious. He is young and not formed in the same way we were, all those millennia ago.” Good company nonetheless.
“Peaches, berries.. those would be delightful. Though I’ve always been known to try and grow some vegetables for canning as well. But it really depends on what the land might be best suited for.“ It was something Saima always took care to consider even if a little magic would probably help with the adjustments.
“Interesting, interesting. I can imagine that’d he have such a different perspective.“
“Yes! Like…since I work in a magazine I often, uh, I mean I do not wish to speak ill of anyone but sometimes the culture around what we produce is…” His hands gesture around vaguely.
“It’s a travel magazine and there usually is never a need to write anything really shocking…and I feel like some of the writers are just…just exaggerating certain pieces for the…the shock value. I feel like there’s a lot of people in the industry like that…putting out things just to stir the masses for their own amusement, you know?”
“I think I know what you’re getting at. The whole sensationalizing thing has become really prevalent. And it’s just missing the point of helping people learn more about other things.“
They give a slight shrug. “But I guess that what certain people are after that shock value -which does sell even if it does cause further issues for the sake of entertainment.”
“Uh well, not really. Whenever I talk to her about it she gets upset but I’m sure it’ll be fine once the baby is born. Ari wasn’t thrilled when I was pregnant with Dahlia, but once she was born he was really happy. I’m hoping Dahlia will have the same change of heart.”
“I see. I can understand how that’d be difficult – a lot of change to deal with. But at least it seems to trend towards getting better once the baby is born.”
Idris had always believed such a thing, that belief stemming from his faith– and yet in regards to those who fate dealt a heavy hand to…what was the silver lining? Maybe it made them stronger, more cautious, more aware than those who lived in abundance and bliss, but it still didn’t feel like a fair trade.
“You know, if you ever wish to talk…about anything, you are welcome to talk to me. I do not know what a human can help a god with but I am a good listener.”
Saima gives a grateful smile in response to Idris’s offer. Despite the heaviness that sometimes comes with their existence, encountering someone who is willing to listen is still a real rarity. “You know I’ll probably take you up on that. I appreciate your perspective a lot. And honestly, just being a good listener counts for so much more than you’d think. In that way, you’d be incredibly helpful alone.”
Seekesotsibteadmist 