IC Inbox for Empatheias

[nofarplaneyet]

Messenger Bird/Voice/Image/Action

*If you want to harass an old man, feel free. Expect dry humor in return if you're trying to be smart.*

Comments

[tekhartha]

[Zenyatta can sense them as a cat might an encroaching storm, as though he had whiskers dedicated solely to the detection of emotion. Tempting though it is to try and fight Auron's convolution of feelings it would be as futile as trying to disperse a hurricane. They will confront them, one by one, in their own time.

They have time.]

If you will have me as one, I would be honoured to call you a friend in earnest. [He pauses. Palpably braces himself.] It can seem a dangerous thing, friendship- in embarking upon one, we make ourselves, to some extent, vulnerable. When my brother, Mondatta, passed, I felt I had lost a piece of my own soul, too. But I know also that I would not rewrite our history for anything.

[nofarplaneyet]

[Zenyatta has been so good at extracting information from Auron that he hadn't expected the omnic to reveal information about himself. He really doesn't know anything about omnics, but hearing the sadness in his tone, it seems to him that they aren't that much different. Especially in loss.

He isn't really meditating anymore. He is listening, which is something he is quite good at. To reach out does leave one vulnerable. At the same time, he has shouldered this burden for a very long time and he is wearied. He knows in the back of his mind that everyone has problems and is cognizant of that.

It might be a good thing to share. Auron is hesitant at first at what to do, then reaches out to touch Zenyatta on the shoulder.]

Sounds like someone I would have liked to be friends with. Like you. [This feels like a right decision to him. Something more of that tangle of emotions unsnarls itself in his chest.] Thank you.

[tekhartha]

[That's fine. Where the result is any sort of revelation, meditation is as worthy a means as it is an end in itself. As Auron reaches out he simply places his own hand, briefly, over the man's in a small gesture of appreciation.]

There is not a man alive who could have failed to like Mondatta. [He sounds nostalgic, and tired, and just a little wry, because he knows only too well that there was someone who hated him deeply enough to put a bullet through his faceplate.

It's a blunt, brutal thought, and Auron may catch some of its force before it softens into a sigh.]

You are very welcome, Auron- and I thank you for placing something so precious as your trust with me. I shall guard it with my life. Now- [and with a little chime of his orbs he straightens up again, head to one side]- shall we continue?

[nofarplaneyet]

[Having his trust be guarded with his life? Auron could get behind that. There are friendships and there are ones that are so important that you spend years trying to right the wrongs on behalf of your friends. He sits back down, back straight, eye closed and getting back to breathing.]

I don't know how much courage I have left today, but I can go a little further.

[tekhartha]

[Zenyatta nods; when he speaks, his voice carries with it the suggestion of a smile, gentle and yielding to Auron's own tone.]

Be patient, my friend, and pace yourself. For now, perhaps we might continue our meditation exercise. I see you have already mastered the basics of posture.

[Both hands return to his knees, where they settle into their usual mudra.]

Open your mind.

[nofarplaneyet]

[Getting back to actual meditation is something Auron can get behind. With his legs crossed and his hands held in his lap, he pushes aside the complicated feelings and instead concentrates on the fact he's now meditating with a friend. It puts him in a positive frame of mind. His breathing slows and he tries to keep his mind open to any instruction.]

Do you have a lot of students?

[tekhartha]

[Zenyatta feels Auron's energies collate, redistribute, settle back into their resting state; he must be learning well, to recover his focus after their decidedly emotional reprieve.]

I consider all of us students, to some extent- but students of mine? Here, you are my third, though the first came with me from home.

[nofarplaneyet]

[Auron is sadly quite good at ignoring his own feelings in favor of things that need to be done right away. Possibly why he has the problems he still does now. At the same time, being able to let go of SOME of his emotional turmoil is giving him genuine cause for peace.

Hearing Zenyatta immediately name him as a student makes Auron unexpectedly pleased.]

If I am a student, should I be respectful and call you Master Zenyatta? Will...will you still be my friend if you're also my master?

[tekhartha]

[Zenyatta cocks his head, regarding Auron for a few stern moments- then, abruptly, he chuckles.

His voice warms as a fire in the hearth, soft and comforting and glowing its welcome.]

You may call me by whatever name or title you see fit to use. As for still being a friend, I should not want to be anything else to you, regardless of how you choose to view our relationship. Now- [mock-stern all of a sudden]- focus, please.

[nofarplaneyet]

[Auron nods and assumes the relaxed position again, concentrating on breathing and closing his eye. His expression is normally obscured by his choice of clothing and his sunglasses. However, since relaxing meant bowing his head a little, it's evident that he is actually smiling. Just a tiny bit.]