worldgonematt:

“You do not think it is a good thing?” He hadn’t anticipated the negatives, the stifling and the hiding away of all feeling. He would not say it was a luxury he had missed but it seemed they both had escaped the middle ground. 

“We do similar things, then.” Sometimes. “I think this is a problem among immortals, to push and push until we are overwhelmed.” Until they broke or faded into meaninglessness. Matt carried over the tea, careful, sitting next to Saima and looking up at them with exhaustion clear in his eyes, a bittersweet sort of motivation to grow from this conversation. 

“I do not think it would be such a bad thing, y’know. To escape.” 

“Not really. I mean it’s been useful to me in the past. But I’ve been trying to be more balanced about my feelings these days. Even if I do remain a little reserved.“ It had been a challenge trying to get along in this world so it was no surprise that both of them had resulted to different struggles in trying to get to the same end.

Saima saw the exhaustion in Matt’s eyes. One that felt all too familiar to their own experiences. “And it’s all too easy for us to push, push and not take care of ourselves. It leads to the same consequences and yet we try anyway.”

“I mean, I do escape sometimes. I go to another realm where I originally came from. But..it’s not a bad idea in the least.“

worldgonematt:

“Saima,” his voice was softer than it had been at the other god’s last visit, far slower in making tea than usual as well (though it seemed the cause was his bandaged shoulder and reluctance to use his right arm), “How do you handle your emotions?” 

They seemed so well adjusted, Matthias couldn’t help but be a little envious curious. 

@seekesotsibteadmist

The question struck Saima in a place that they weren’t really sure how to answer. “Handling my emotions huh?” They give a little bit of a nervous laughter. “To be honest, lots of practice. I’ve had to hide a lot of my emotions for a long time. To the point where I am way too good at keeping things to myself. Being so ‘contained’ definitely has its downsides.”

They give a little bit of a sigh. “But channeling it into creative things has been one of the healtheir things I’ve done. I make music about my ffeelings, I write and make little sketches. Sometimes, I just go out somewhere and allow myself to sit with how I feel for a while – to deal with this need to escape.”

worldgonematt:

“Absolutely. Though I don’t believe I’m the best suited to keep them either … A few days until I find someone else.”

I do not quite like them. It is … very … uncomfortable. I cannot see how they are used daily without concern or complaint.“ By humans, at least. He saw their practicality for those unable to use stairs, but beyond that they confused him.

“Ah, yes. I used to be one for more mechanics … I feel that rather fell out of style with … my brother.” His words faltered there, unsure of the relation. It’d been a very long while. He started up the stairs, glancing over his shoulder at Saima with a soft smile to ensure they followed.

“Hm, I understand that. Seems like it would be the best choice to find someone better fitted to take care of them.” It was an approach that Saima would respect and have done in the past just because they weren’t comfortable with suddenly taking care of animals.

“Ah well – because people make higher and higher buildings, it makes sense to have options outside of stairs in order to navigate them and not make the buildings wider. There’s still a risk that they don’t think much about but.. eh, can’t control what they make.”

Listening to the way Matt spoke, Saima wondered about this relation that seemed to have changed over the years.”Right. Interests definitely change over the years.” It took no effort for Saima to go up the stairs behind Matt, although that soft smile directed their way provoked a small one in return. They had to remind themselves not to be flustered over such small actions.

worldgonematt:

“Ah, of course.” He knew that well enough. “Perhaps my fault was in unplanned action. I couldn’t just leave them – though I hardly understand what circumstances lead to such babies being mistreated.”

He smiled, though, at Saima’s willingness, walking rather quickly to his apartment. He didn’t wish to hold the geckos longer than necessary. The building was found quickly, Matt opening the door for them both. “Have you heard of the elevators? I cannot quite understand them, with closed door and tiny moving room?”

“…That’s fair. It’s ease for unplanned actions to lead to uncontrollable incidents.” And it felt like that was the most likely explanation for the situation that Matt had found himself in. “Right. No creature deserves to be mistreated in such a way.”

Saima accompanied him, easily keeping up with the pace at which Matt walked. “Oh yes, I remember when elevators were first introduced. I..it’s an interesting invention.” It was statements like that which made Saima a little more aware of their memories and the experiences of Matt.

“But I get how it is a little difficult to follow. Lots of mechanics behind the whole deal.”

worldgonematt:

“I would expect to be more used to it, I have a great deal of experience.” He certainly didn’t look it, holding infant reptiles in his bare hands. Just like a curious child. “And yet, here we are.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Saima.” He nodded in return, curls falling over his forehead as he did. A rather nice name, he thought, far less mundane than his but he did have quite the emotional attachment to the name. “I hope you do not mind the walk, it is not far.” Perhaps a block or two to his little apartment. 

“You would think so. But of course, the best laid plans can go awry so very quickly.“ They replied with a sympathetic litting chuckle. The way that Matt’s curled falled didn’t go unnoticed, it was a detail that they just knew that they’d remember even if they weren’t trying to. 

“The walk is no problem at all, I promise you. I’m always good for a nice stroll or two. “ It was their way of exploring surroundings in a somewhat personal fashion.

worldgonematt:

“Oh, wonderful!” A more genuine smile brightened his face, green eyes meeting Saima’s with the acceptance of his offer. “Yes, yes, they’re far more troublesome than expected.” Not that he minded. A bit of a challenge was quite welcome sometimes.

“May I inquire as to your name? I am Matthias, but Matt is fine.” Nothing more, nothing less. He would have offered a hand to shake with his introduction had he not been otherwise occupied. Instead, he just maintained eye contact; if this was unnerving he paid no mind to it.

The sight of the genuine smile is nice. “So seems to be the case. Sometimes you never really know what you get when you start taking care of animals.” It was a challenge more often than not, but Saima knew that many had found the experience worthwhile.

“Matt, hm? Nice to meet you. I go by Saima.” They were still enjoying the feeling of using that name for themselves with new people. Although it had been a while since they had changed their name months and months ago, there was still an excitement to it. Although Matt couldn’t shake their hand, Saima offered a small grateful nod and grin instead. 

worldgonematt:

He kept both geckos safe in cupped palms, wondering just what to do with them until he got home. It seemed it would be terribly awkward to just hold them until he got to his little apartment, but short of straight magicking himself home he saw no way around it.

“Uh … May I offer you some tea for your trouble? I would offer more formally, but I do have to get these girls home …” He offered a slight smile, somewhat strained what with fighting to keep the geckos from slipping between his fingers. Certainly an interesting new acquaintance. He hoped they’d be willing to chat more privately, so he could figure out just what and who they were.

The invitation wasn’t fully expected but it made Saima smile, especially since they were in fact, a little intrigued about this individual. “Ah, some tea? Why I’d be delighted to have tea with you. And we might as well make sure that you get the precious geckos home.” 

Besides, they had already helped enough by holding on to one of the geckos. It made sense to them to see the situation through – considering that they didn’t have many plans for the day anyway.

worldgonematt:

Matt returned quickly, dirt on his knees and hair out of place, but a wide grin over his face nonetheless, hands cupped triumphantly in front of him. He’d caused a bit of a commotion, scrambling about on the ground, but he didn’t mind – his tiny friend was safe, that was all he cared about at the moment. 

“Thank you very much! May I take her back now?” Carefully, yes, he couldn’t risk losing them again. Curious eyes spent a moment longer studying the stranger, trying to pinpoint what it was that made him trust them in a moment of need. He didn’t usually stumble across such strangers for nothing. 

It seemed like the emergency had been safely resolved which was all the better for Saima. “You’re very welcome. And here you go.”They happily returned the gecko to their rightful companion. Although there was something..interesting about the man before them. An air that Saima didn’t encounter often but felt eerily familiar. 

Their bright eyes casually glanced at the other, knowing that something was about him that felt..right. In ways that Saima couldn’t …or at least wouldn’t dare try to articulate in public.