chickenhearted | the dreaded overflow

[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?

[ And that's reassuring to Waver, who flushes a little but offers the smallest of smiles in return. He nods. ]

I'm ready. Let's do this.

Up, then.

[a smile and an encouraging tap on bark of the tree - waiting until Waver has got up to straighten up himself]

It isn't much further.

Okay.

[ He nods and looks up. His arms are still a little shaky, but it's with determination that he stretches up to grab the next branch. He can do this. He's been up higher before and didn't die, so this is probably okay. Probably.

He holds his breath until he's safely up on the next branch. The crystal is very clearly in view now. They should be able to reach it easily. ] It... It's right there!

[definitely. Waiting until the boy is onto the next branch and steady to chide softly-]

Don't hold your breath. Steady yourself and then move for it.

[else he will be distracted with his lungs demanding air.]

[ He realizes he was definitely holding his breath and lets it out slowly, as if not to make a sound with it and give away the fact he'd been holding it. ]

Right. I got it.

[ He takes a moment to calm his breathing and then begins to reach up toward the crystal. It takes a couple of tugs, but he's eventually able to free it. ]

There we go! It's ours! W-woah! [ He quickly clings to that branch again, holding on to the crystal tightly. ]

Well done!

[a smile up at him - he’d applaud, but it’ll be hard to free a hand, so he just taps the tree bark lightly]

Have you a pocket to put it in?

[he can always put it in his pack but...]

[ He can feel pride welling up in his chest. He actually did something useful! It feels amazing. ]

Yes. I have a pocket.

[ He slowly, a bit shakily, reaches down to his pocket, shoving the crystal inside of it. Then he's quick to cling to the branch again. Now they just have to make it down without falling most of the way. His nerves have about had it. ]

Good.

[smiling as Waver tucks the crystal away. They have what they came for... now to get him back down?]

Will you lead, or would you prefer to follow me?

I...

[ he kind of wants to just follow the other down, but at the same time, he wants to show that he can do it on his own. He has to do it on his own. So he swallows slowly and then nods, to encourage himself. ]

I can lead the way.

[ He stretches his leg out to find the first notch to stand on, determination on his face but a little bit of a shake to his movements still. ]

Tell me if you need to stop. If you need to stop, or if you want to switch, we can.

[but it gets easier the more one does it. And frankly it would be strange if the boy wasn't a little afraid of the ground]

the dreaded overflow

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I was sure this went up, I apologise!

no worries!

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