Ten Things to Ten People

[ezra_of_lothal]

Ten Things to Ten People

[An anonymous post appears on the Folkmore network:]

Welcome to Folkmore's Ten Things to Ten People meme!

Sometimes we all have trouble saying things we really want to say to people, or feel like there are reasons we shouldn't. But getting it off your chest can be good.

- Pick ten people (or however many you want, I'm not your boss) to write brief messages to them specifically. Negative or Positive. Post them, anon, or you're really brave, attached to a screen name.
- Do not say who they are meant for.
- Everyone is free to respond, or even guess for whom the message is intended.


[[OOC: This meme is IC. Ten messages not required, that's just the traditional meme name. And, as always, memes can be game canon, if you decide you them want it to be!]]

Comments

[betteroffred]

I didn't realize your preference for direct action went beyond our swordplay.

You're a good friend. I don't have many of those left back home.

[zechs_isonfire]

I’d rather people say things they mean to me directly. Even if I should dislike the message.

I am the very reason I have so few at home as well. But here, I hope you understand I intend to be a better man, no matter what you should learn.

[betteroffred]

I suppose it would be easy for me to blame war for their deaths, but I'm not without blame for many of dead friends.

I know you're a good man, despite what you might think.

[zechs_isonfire]

I would not place the burdens of war too firmly upon your own shoulders. It’s rare that one man becomes the true keystone of bloodshed.

I should take this in the spirit it has been given, and be grateful my behavior here has lead you to believe this. I am grateful you feel this way.

[betteroffred]

When I gave orders that resulted in the loss of life, even if those were the right orders, some of the responsibility was mine.

You aren't the worst things you've done, nor are you the best, either. That's true for all of us, I'm only judging you by the same standard I judge myself.

[zechs_isonfire]

I understand. But I stand by what I have written; while those orders were yours, while the choice to follow any orders above you was yours - the blame of the war itself does not ultimately fall upon you. It is a burden you share along with the dead, who likely would feel as you do now if fate had swapped your positions.

You’re not the first to say that, though perhaps this entire conversation is not suited to the written word. However, in short, I would caution you to withhold your assessment until you have all the pertinent information.

[betteroffred]

I should say the same to you, and caution you to withhold your assessment, but then I'd find you turning my own words on me as well, wouldn't I?

The spoken word is often little better than writing it. That's meant to be the advantage of Newtypes, to have understanding without misconception. I think I would judge both myself and you much more harshly if I had never been able to truly experience what it's like to be understood completely and accepted.

[zechs_isonfire]

Honestly, I cannot imagine having another in my head that completely. You are a braver man than I.

[betteroffred]

It's a mutual situation when it happens, at least in my experience. Before I experienced it myself I would not have been comfortable with it either.

[zechs_isonfire]

I'm not certain how that would make things less awkward, but I am glad to hear it is not uncomfortable for you.

[betteroffred]

It's better because you're not left wondering what the other person thinks of what they know about you.

You know, completely and certainly, how they view you with no room for misunderstanding.

[zechs_isonfire]

... That would be frustrating for different reasons, if I could not choose the individuals I would have such an understanding with, I'd think.

[betteroffred]

The only two instances I know of were very emotionally charged, and had at least one party wishing to make the other understand their point of view.

I don't think it can just happen spontaneously. Not to that extent.

[zechs_isonfire]

Did it help?

[betteroffred]

It did, and it kept me from making perhaps the second biggest mistake of my life.

It's probably the only reason I'm still alive, and I'm very grateful.

[zechs_isonfire]

Then I am grateful you have been gifted with this trait. If you are alive because of it - I see it as invaluable.

[betteroffred]

I know your words are genuine, and I'm glad you feel that way.

I hope you believe me when I say I'm glad you're here.

[zechs_isonfire]

Thank you. [ It's easier to be a bit befuddled by what someone says when there's no way for them to see you, isn't it? ]