ninth.

[eaglet]

[Connor sounds slightly out of breath when he dictates into the journal, mostly because it's so cold outside but also because he's been working pretty hard out there.]

Before I came to this world, I had left my village for six months. I have now been in this place for nine. There are still things I do not understand about both this world and the world outside my village, but I am learning, I think. And there is much to learn.

I have been interested in exploring the Dead Zone again. The god of this place has the power to move us and to transform our surroundings, but I would like to explore on my own terms. There is much to learn here amongst each other, but I feel as though there is even more to learn out there.

[Connor can be found on the castle lawn, packing a long wall of snow about a foot tall, taking care to carve a furrow down the middle. He has acquired some gloves that don't really match the rest of his outfit -- they have a reflective strip down the side and are also neon pink.]

Comments

[eaglet]

[He just nods, clearing his throat. Super extra embarrassing, wow. Wow.]

It is a mark of a good warrior to know his weaknesses as well as his strengths. Or hers.

[hellofist]

Most are obvious, for me. Can't read, bad at talking. All others... just make a better killer.

[This is not actually something she sounds pleased about, though.]

[eaglet]

[He frowns -- at several of those statements.]

You speak fine. It is not something that should shame you. I do not think you are a killer, as well. [He points to his eyes.] You do not look like one to me.

[hellofist]

[It's not that she doesn't appreciate him saying that, because she does. It's nice that people can overlook the things that give her trouble, but it doesn't mean they aren't still a problem.

And oh, she can't help but smile a little sadly at that. She doesn't look like a killer?]

I was eight, my first time.

[eaglet]

[It's young -- but it doesn't really prove her point. Not to him. He lost his mother when he was half that age, and if he'd had the strength and skill to kill at that age, he would have.

Connor looks at her for another moment, then lowers his gaze, absently tugging at the fingers of his neon gloves.]

Among my people, it is a normal thing. War is how we survive -- without war, we would destroy ourselves in our grief and anger. So to me, you are not a killer. You are normal.

[hellofist]

[He isn't fond of a lot of physical contact, she knows that. He's come a long way though, he accepts things like hand holding and her arm around his shoulder a little easier now, so- well, he doesn't have much of a choice now.

Cass leans in to hug him, arms wrapping around him loosely.]

Thank you.

[eaglet]

[Oh. Um. Okay. That's not exactly why he said that, but... alright.

Connor somewhat awkwardly pats her on the back.]

It is only the truth.

[hellofist]

You didn't have... to say it, though.

[She lets him go after one more squeeze, dropping another quick kiss on his cheek before she does. So much affection today.]

Come on. Show me... what happens next, with the snow.