chickenhearted | the dreaded overflow

Okay.

[then this is why you need more practice; but Linneus isn't going to say "I told you so".]

You need to backtrack. Before you were securing your hands first then moving your feet; this time you want to secure your feet first and then move your hands. Hold onto the bough first to get your footing settled. You aren't far up- [translation: you haven't far to fall] -so you can always jump down some of the way.

[ He huffs a little, not happy to admit he's not good or doesn't know how to do something. But at least this person isn't making fun of him for it? That's a plus.

Because of that, he decides to listen to the advice and nods slowly once he gets it. If he does what he says, maybe they'll get the crystal next. ]

O-okay...

[ He slowly, slowly moves until he can bring his leg down and feel around on the tree. Once he finds a good knot to stand on, he arranges his hands and kind of slides into place. He's still shaking a bit, but it is true that the distance isn't as far as it seems, so that calms him a little. He starts to shimmy his way down the tree and just decides to jump the rest of the way once he's close enough. He lands on his butt. ]

Oof! Aah.... [ Okay, that smarts a little. He rubs at it. ] There.

Oh--!

[his hand flying to his mouth - that is one way to go about it... he won't comment, though, as he makes for his own scramble down the trunk. He manages a mite better, moving from bough to bough with a little more care despite his rush, careful as he hops down. A few years out of practice, but he still lands on his feet]

Are you all right...?

[if the boy thought his display was at all convincing...]

[ Waver's trying his hardest to look unaffected by the fall, but it sure smarts. He rubs at his behind again, wincing a little, but puffs up his chest in an effort to look stronger. Someone as wimpy and scrawny as Waver seldom ever looks strong. This is no exception. But he's trying! ]

I'm... I'm fine.

[ In any case, he made it to the bottom! That was the whole point, right? ]

What now?

Now you try another.

[and keep trying. Linneus won't lead, but he'll pick the tree, even if it feels like he is setting a child puzzles]

How about this one?

[thick with leaves, it has strong and sturdy lower branches, and they don't look to give way to too much spindliness up top. This could be a good tree to find a crystal in...]

Another?

[ He seems a little surprised by this, but he goes with it, following over to this second tree.

He glances up it and swallows slowly. Yeah, sure, this one looks fine. Those lower branches look promising. ]

Okay. Let's give it a try.

[ He steps up to the tree, already searching for places to put his hands and feet. ]

[he is already starting to look more confident, and Linneus can't help but feel a little glow of pride. Yes, this was the aim all along, but Linneus had not expected it to actually work. He hasn't really taught before, has no idea whether he might have gone in too soft, or too hard on the boy...

...though likely the idea of a reward is motivating him up the trunk as well.]

Stay close, remember. The branches bow more the further you get from the tree...

... Right. [ He nods, looking for the next place to bring his hands.

The reward is definitely a key in motivating him, but he also feels a strong sense of just wanting to prove he can do this. That's a big part too. He can't just fall out of the last tree and leave it at that!

So he grabs on to the next branch and pulls himself carefully, staying as close to the trunk as he can while he scrambles up the bark. This is not so bad, surely.... He just has to keep believing that. ]

[it's not so bad - certainly not so bad as his first attempt started!]

Do you think you might be able to get a little further up this time?

[ He's more determined this time!! He's going to do it. Just try and tell him he can't.

He nods a little, looking up to the next logical place for his hands. ]

I ... can. I will.

[Linneus will never tell him he can't. Just... steer him in safer routes? That sounds fair...

He gives the boy some time to get started before following him up - it's not a pursuit and he isn't overtaking; it's more that Linneus just wants to check on him, make sure he is going all right]

Plant your feet just here... take a look up and see what you can see. It's all right to stop for a moment if you're sure you have your footing...

[ Well, Waver's silently grateful for that. He may not show it well, but the feeling is there.

He feels a little better that the other is coming up the tree too. It's more like they're doing it together this way, instead of him strictly being instructed. He likes that better.

Giving a nod, he pauses for a moment to make sure his feet are sound, and then reaches up to grab the next highest branch. He's getting a little shaky again as they get higher, but he's still got quite the determined face. ]

This... this isn't so bad...

Good.

[far better to look up than down - looking down only reminds one of how far there is to fall, and that can be the breaking of one afraid of heights]

Can you see anything up there? We're looking for the crystals, are we not?

[ Waver is trying to convince himself not to look down at all. It's tempting, so tempting... but the crystal distracts him. He'll just focus on looking for that! ]

Yeah. I ... let me see... [ He wobbles a little as he moves, trying to get a good look. Wincing, he grabs hard onto the branch and then takes a deep breath. Time to try again. ]

I think I see something... up there. J-just a little further.

Trust your arms and trust your legs. But don't stretch or strain; not if your footing is unsure.

[a gentle caution as he climbs up a little closer, settles on a bough nearer Waver's eye level]

Though if you're struggling there's no harm in sitting awhile. There's no race here.

[ ... no race as long as this guy isn't going to suddenly leap up and grab the crystal for himself. Waver is wary of such a thing happening, even though this person has been nothing but patient and kind so far.

He's cautious enough that he's already looking for a way up closer to what he thinks is a crystal. With shaking arms, he reaches up and looks for the next good branch. ]

It's.... it's fine! I can do this! It's better if we just get it out of the way!

[ But he falters and is forced to drop his hand and cling to the branch again as he slips on it a bit. ] Wah-!!

Don't rush - sit, sit.

[he won't pull him down, that won't do them any favours, but he tugs Waver's clothes very lightly, tapping a nearby branch - at least lean...]

Even butterflies and birds have to rest their wings sometimes. And they were made for heights.

But—

[ He protests, trying to reach again, only to go right back to clinging to that branch for dear life. He'd slipped again, totally unprepared to get higher just yet. ]

... Alright, alright, fine.

[ He slowly leans against the branch, releasing some of his death grip so he can just...rest. And stare up longingly at that crystal. ]

[a moment while he lets the boy settle, following his gaze. Is that it...?]

It's only you and I here.

[and Linneus is making no move for the crystal - hasn't, from the beginning. Gently-]

Who is it you think you are racing?

... Right.

[ He has to remember that. There's not tons of people around them, trying to climb the same tree or anything. Waver sighs. ]

I don't know. I just feel like ... I need to get it, as soon as possible. Or I might fail.

[ he turns his head, still holding tightly to the branch, so he can look at the other. ]

You could have passed me, many times by now... and gotten it for yourself. But you haven't. Why?

I could have. [gentle honesty; not bragging] But I didn't. I wouldn't.

I wouldn't have given you help if I was just interested in gathering crystals for myself. If I solely wanted the crystals I would get them, but it would be a miserly thing, wouldn't it? Just to snatch them all for myself...

[ Somehow Waver believes him too. His gentle answers are hard to scoff at, even though that might have been his first reaction normally. ]

... I guess you're right. Unless you wanted to help just to make fun of me or..or something. Not that I'm saying you are! I mean .... you've been very helpful.

... Thank you.

You are very welcome. [a small smile] Don't worry about it - there are plenty enough things in life to worry about.

... Mm. Yeah. [ He's got that right for sure. Waver is a worrywart at that. ]

Then... let's get that crystal together.

[that has a full smile breaking across his face]

Are you ready? Or do you need a little more time?

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