the dreaded overflow

[chickenhearted]

Overflow threads go here.

Comments

[inaurare]

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...

[chickenhearted]

[ 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.

[inaurare]

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

[chickenhearted]

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

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

[inaurare]

[that has a full smile breaking across his face]

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

[chickenhearted]

[ 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.

[inaurare]

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.

[chickenhearted]

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!

I was sure this went up, I apologise!

[inaurare]

[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.]

no worries!

[chickenhearted]

[ 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. ]

[inaurare]

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...]

[chickenhearted]

[ 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. ]

[inaurare]

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?

[chickenhearted]

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. ]

[inaurare]

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]

[chickenhearted]

I.. I'll be fine! It's just a little shaky...

[ no, that's just him. But as much as he shakes, he's just as determined to get down the tree in one piece. And he's relying on a bit of muscle memory too, letting his instincts guide retrace his route. He shimmies down to the next level, pauses on the branch, and then nods, preparing to continue once again.

Eventually, he gets close enough that he can just fall off the branch and not hurt himself. Though he still lands in an ungraceful heap. ]

[inaurare]

[a sympathetic wince as he sees the outcome of that jump, following him down and joining Waver on the ground with rather a little more care and grace]

You did admirably.

[but perhaps... he will need to practice his landings?

[chickenhearted]

[ Waver takes a minute to recover from that, rubbing at his behind and making sure the crystal is still fine. Then he leans back on his hands and actually laughs a little? It feels good... to accomplish things. ]

Ahh...we did it! We really did it...

[inaurare]

You did!

[it was he who did it - Linneus just followed him up. But he laughs, gentle and apologetic-]

All that, and I never had your name. I am Linneus.

[chickenhearted]

[ He blushes a little at that, but nods. Even though he wants to give his companion here credit, he does feel very accomplished on his own too. ] I.. I did.

Ah, my name is Waver.

[inaurare]

Waver.

[a little smile as he gestures up to the tree]

You’re a climber, now - there’s a tree you just conquered.

[chickenhearted]

[ He smiles a little, cheeks the very faintest of pinks. ]

I don't know that I'll make a habit of it or anything. But getting this crystal does feel good.

[inaurare]

No? I used to be up anything that was sturdy enough when I was younger - to the consternation of many, I'm sure! I learned to better keep my feet on the ground as an adult, but it has been good to climb again.

[chickenhearted]

You don't look like a climber. [ But appearances can be deceiving! He knows that now. ] I've... kind of always been one to stay inside. But...thank you! For showing me.... I didn't think anyone would...

[inaurare]

I was.

['was' being the operative word, here.]

I used to be a rather energetic child, but there wasn't much to be done about that in the house where I served. As I say, that was a long time ago - but it is good that it came in handy today.