There have been a number of misunderstandings. I was very unhappy when I first got here and a few of their family members were less than understanding.
Still- I didn't expect the way Pen acted towards you. Towards John, yeah, but not you. What happened with Zephyr specifically, if I can ask? I know you got that book punishment for turning the tower to sound. But I'm getting the feeling there was more to it than that, if they'd been getting so upset.
It's just completely opposite from what I've experienced, and I'm the one I figured would have problems with a god, even a godling. Have I been missing out on a dark side, here?
[Stephen considers this letter a long time before he pens a reply. Whatever the long term residents of the Meadous think about him, he doesn't hate Zephyr and he doesn't want to do them harm. Whatever Zephyr's parents think about him, he does remember what Miwa told him, and he's been making an effort to keep it in mind going forward in his dealings with Zephyr. And, too, he knows that spreading rumors about being ill-treated won't benefit anyone.
So...honesty it is, to a degree.]
We've disagreed on a few topics. Their response to what happened to the tower was one of them. I wouldn't say there's a dark side. They're a child. There are certain disadvantages inherent to cohabiting with someone who is both a god and a child and certain disagreements that in hindsight could have been avoided. I hadn't expected their parents to react so strongly, either; I was under the impression that all of this was behind us.
That sounds like a lot of blowing smoke, to be honest. 'certain disagreements' and 'could have been avoided', and no specifics. But that's what I'm worried about, that I don't have any specifics. So let me just tell you what I've learned since I got here.
I came to them with my problem- the whole 'getting my powers back and turning crazy' thing- and they talked it out with me, told me what they could and couldn't do, and worked with me to find a solution that was good for both of us. Not exactly what I expected out of The Overlord of This Realm.
When I talked to Deei, when I talked to Miwa, they both indicated that it's a bad sign that Zephyr hasn't shown an aspect. It makes them more powerful, but if they don't develop it will all fall apart. The way to help them develop is to work together as a community, make communal wishes, and generally imprint them with enough of our own personalities that theirs pops into existence. This is why the wishes are good for Zephyr, even if they seem to be only doing things for us.
So I've been looking to help that along. We get them more developed, they're capable of more and the world opens up. Plus, they're a good kid, as far as I can see. They pulled us out of the Lost Plane- which I kind of wanted to pick your brain ask you about, since you know about different dimensions. According to Zephyr, we actually became sort of 'unstuck' from our realities, and while we were in the Lost Plane we were more like- I don't know, concepts or something. Zephyr bringing us here helps us exist again. Does that sound like something that could happen, considering what you've seen?
Anyway, I really want to know what went down, Stephen. I haven't been on the wrong end of their 'punishment'. They're a kid, which means tons of potential either way, so I don't know if the punishments can get particularly bad (as mild as they might seem from the outside). From what I've asked of them, they usually just want an apology for messing things up. Have they punished you beyond an apology?
Well, Stephen's friend, obviously, but the contrast between what they know and expect of each other is shown into sharper relief than ever when Stephen reads this letter. Did the Stephen who remained in Norfinbury really trust this man so deeply, or is this emotional entitlement some kind of bluff?]
Do you think I don't know all of that? I'm aware of how Zephyr finds us and what that entails. I'm aware of our impact on their development. I'm aware of why they choose the punishments they do and what they want from us. Why do you think I'm telling you any of this at all?
You don't need to be concerned about how they'll treat you or any of the others. They're not the big bad "Overlord of this Realm." It can be left at that.
[ Gabriel frowns at the letter, annoyance sparking in his eyes. He hates the reminder of this Stephen not being the one he knows- he's sure all the theorizing would have gotten to his friend in Snowblind. But he does try again. ]
Wow, moving back to Doctor again, huh? I thought only John was that petty, but I guess you've got that in you, too, huh?
I didn't know what you knew. Hearing that you hadn't gotten on with the other gods around here, I wasn't sure what they might've talked to you about or not. I thought we could try to figure out a solution together, but I guess that's not part of your repertoire in the Meadous.
I was trying to be gentle about how I hit the sore topic, but it sounds like you're just getting mad about it. I want to know why you're unhappy, specifically. What keeps hitting you the wrong way, because something does. And I couldn't give a damn about John's paranoid beef, but I'd like to know what's up with you.
[It's not a letter that Gabriel gets in return, but a portal into his house and a steaming mad sorcerer stomping through it.]
I have been here a year and a half now, and if you think I haven't spent that time working to find solutions, you know a hell of a lot less about me than you've claimed to.
[ Stephen might be mad, but seeing the portal makes Gabriel smile a little. He puts his book down on the side table with a thump and stands. ]
Did I say that? I don't think I did. I thought we could share info. Guess it's not such a good idea when you're feeling so defensive.
But hey, if you are about finding solutions, I'm not sure what's gotten tangled up so wrong. Unless you don't believe any of what Zephyr or their family's been telling us, which is what I've been trying to suss out.
And now you're putting more words in my mouth. I don't have to disbelieve them to have had personal disagreements with them. Unless you're going to appoint yourself my relationship counselor, this has absolutely nothing to do with you.
The thing that helps them here is building a community, helping them develop--
[ -and Stephen's not going to listen to his particular theories about that now. So fine, let's get to the heart of the matter. The way the sorcerer's talked around specifics has just kept pointing at it. ]
These disagreements, are they about you not apologizing to a five-year-old for messing up other people's stuff? Or their stuff?
[Stephen's mouth drops open and stays that way as he makes an indignant noise or two.]
They're about a five-year-old child deciding they have the authority to decide what I'm allowed do and to dictate my responses to their asinine punishments!
[ And now they're making some progress. Gabriel rubs his cheek for a moment. ]
It's 'cause they're a god, right?
[ He wonders how much of this is fear, after fighting- bargaining- with Dormammu. But he's not going to say it, even if the concern flashes in his eyes for a moment. ]
I'm guessing you followed the normal 'rules' of society all right back home- no property damage out of the blue, no stealing other people's things, no murder. But this- it's just a kid with too much power, trying to do their best to set up a world and help people that literally fell out of existence.
I've felt bad for them, personally. It's a lot to lay on a child. And I don't think you should expect them to have a whole justice system worked out already.
[Progress, yes, but more anger, more defensiveness. Gabriel's not wrong; one of Stephen's earliest missteps in the Meadous was to treat his first meeting with Zephyr as a negotiation. Zephyr had broken down crying not long into it.]
Believe it or not, I've had this conversation with someone else already. I haven't done anything since the incident with the tower; I've been a perfect citizen for them. I've been ready to let all of this go for months.
[ Gabriel entirely brushes off the psychoanalyst jab. He used to do this to everyone, so a friend can handle it for a bit. ]
It's- okay, I can't claim to know what it's like to be a kid. I don't remember my childhood. But when you were a kid, how important were apologies to you? Was it devastating when you thought someone was mad at you?
If you just tell them you're sorry you upset them, I bet it would help things a lot. Tell them that you've been through a lot and it makes you angry and scared sometimes, that you don't think they should have to be in charge but you didn't mean to hurt their feelings. Anything like that would tell them that you're actually ready to move on.
Maybe the parents won't feel better about you, but- seriously, who cares about them? I'm mostly being nice to them to get more information.
[ A little untrue, as he does genuinely like Zephyr's family so far. But when it came down to it, the kid is the important one. ]
[Those are all very good points and despite Stephen's resistance, Gabriel's planting a seed at this moment. At this moment, though, he's not ready to hear it, and he's certainly not ready to hear it from someone he's been inclined to keep at arm's length.]
It seems everyone knows how I feel except me. Thanks for enlightening me; that's extraordinarily helpful. Step by step instructions and everything.
[He's not angry and scared, you're angry and scared. He shifts like he's going to turn back to the portal from whence he came; he's losing this argument and he doesn't care for it.]
[ Gabriel smirks, but it's lacking any of his normal malice. There's a reason he hasn't brought up Dormammu explicitly- and he's tempted now, but that's just going to get Stephen to shut down entirely, he suspects.
Not that that's probably going to make a difference in a second. ]
I mean, when the sociopath has to tell you how to make a kid feel better- yeah, maybe you need 'em. So you're welcome.
[ If Stephen looks back before the portal closes, he'll glimpse the genuinely hurt look on Gabriel's face. It seems like that jab hit his target, at least. ]
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2018-08-09 04:18 am (UTC)-Stephen
no subject
Date: 2018-08-09 11:43 am (UTC)Still- I didn't expect the way Pen acted towards you. Towards John, yeah, but not you. What happened with Zephyr specifically, if I can ask? I know you got that book punishment for turning the tower to sound. But I'm getting the feeling there was more to it than that, if they'd been getting so upset.
It's just completely opposite from what I've experienced, and I'm the one I figured would have problems with a god, even a godling. Have I been missing out on a dark side, here?
no subject
Date: 2018-08-09 02:22 pm (UTC)So...honesty it is, to a degree.]
We've disagreed on a few topics. Their response to what happened to the tower was one of them. I wouldn't say there's a dark side. They're a child. There are certain disadvantages inherent to cohabiting with someone who is both a god and a child and certain disagreements that in hindsight could have been avoided. I hadn't expected their parents to react so strongly, either; I was under the impression that all of this was behind us.
-Stephen
no subject
Date: 2018-08-09 02:40 pm (UTC)I came to them with my problem- the whole 'getting my powers back and turning crazy' thing- and they talked it out with me, told me what they could and couldn't do, and worked with me to find a solution that was good for both of us. Not exactly what I expected out of The Overlord of This Realm.
When I talked to Deei, when I talked to Miwa, they both indicated that it's a bad sign that Zephyr hasn't shown an aspect. It makes them more powerful, but if they don't develop it will all fall apart. The way to help them develop is to work together as a community, make communal wishes, and generally imprint them with enough of our own personalities that theirs pops into existence. This is why the wishes are good for Zephyr, even if they seem to be only doing things for us.
So I've been looking to help that along. We get them more developed, they're capable of more and the world opens up. Plus, they're a good kid, as far as I can see. They pulled us out of the Lost Plane- which I kind of wanted to
pick your brainask you about, since you know about different dimensions. According to Zephyr, we actually became sort of 'unstuck' from our realities, and while we were in the Lost Plane we were more like- I don't know, concepts or something. Zephyr bringing us here helps us exist again. Does that sound like something that could happen, considering what you've seen?Anyway, I really want to know what went down, Stephen. I haven't been on the wrong end of their 'punishment'. They're a kid, which means tons of potential either way, so I don't know if the punishments can get particularly bad (as mild as they might seem from the outside). From what I've asked of them, they usually just want an apology for messing things up. Have they punished you beyond an apology?
no subject
Date: 2018-08-09 02:56 pm (UTC)Well, Stephen's friend, obviously, but the contrast between what they know and expect of each other is shown into sharper relief than ever when Stephen reads this letter. Did the Stephen who remained in Norfinbury really trust this man so deeply, or is this emotional entitlement some kind of bluff?]
Do you think I don't know all of that? I'm aware of how Zephyr finds us and what that entails. I'm aware of our impact on their development. I'm aware of why they choose the punishments they do and what they want from us. Why do you think I'm telling you any of this at all?
You don't need to be concerned about how they'll treat you or any of the others. They're not the big bad "Overlord of this Realm." It can be left at that.
--Dr. Strange
no subject
Date: 2018-08-09 03:08 pm (UTC)Wow, moving back to Doctor again, huh? I thought only John was that petty, but I guess you've got that in you, too, huh?
I didn't know what you knew. Hearing that you hadn't gotten on with the other gods around here, I wasn't sure what they might've talked to you about or not. I thought we could try to figure out a solution together, but I guess that's not part of your repertoire in the Meadous.
I was trying to be gentle about how I hit the sore topic, but it sounds like you're just getting mad about it. I want to know why you're unhappy, specifically. What keeps hitting you the wrong way, because something does. And I couldn't give a damn about John's paranoid beef, but I'd like to know what's up with you.
-Gabriel
no subject
Date: 2018-08-09 03:28 pm (UTC)I have been here a year and a half now, and if you think I haven't spent that time working to find solutions, you know a hell of a lot less about me than you've claimed to.
no subject
Date: 2018-08-09 03:37 pm (UTC)Did I say that? I don't think I did. I thought we could share info. Guess it's not such a good idea when you're feeling so defensive.
But hey, if you are about finding solutions, I'm not sure what's gotten tangled up so wrong. Unless you don't believe any of what Zephyr or their family's been telling us, which is what I've been trying to suss out.
no subject
Date: 2018-08-09 04:10 pm (UTC)And now you're putting more words in my mouth. I don't have to disbelieve them to have had personal disagreements with them. Unless you're going to appoint yourself my relationship counselor, this has absolutely nothing to do with you.
no subject
Date: 2018-08-09 04:24 pm (UTC)The thing that helps them here is building a community, helping them develop--
[ -and Stephen's not going to listen to his particular theories about that now. So fine, let's get to the heart of the matter. The way the sorcerer's talked around specifics has just kept pointing at it. ]
These disagreements, are they about you not apologizing to a five-year-old for messing up other people's stuff? Or their stuff?
no subject
Date: 2018-08-09 04:53 pm (UTC)They're about a five-year-old child deciding they have the authority to decide what I'm allowed do and to dictate my responses to their asinine punishments!
no subject
Date: 2018-08-09 05:08 pm (UTC)It's 'cause they're a god, right?
[ He wonders how much of this is fear, after fighting- bargaining- with Dormammu. But he's not going to say it, even if the concern flashes in his eyes for a moment. ]
I'm guessing you followed the normal 'rules' of society all right back home- no property damage out of the blue, no stealing other people's things, no murder. But this- it's just a kid with too much power, trying to do their best to set up a world and help people that literally fell out of existence.
I've felt bad for them, personally. It's a lot to lay on a child. And I don't think you should expect them to have a whole justice system worked out already.
no subject
Date: 2018-08-09 05:37 pm (UTC)[Progress, yes, but more anger, more defensiveness. Gabriel's not wrong; one of Stephen's earliest missteps in the Meadous was to treat his first meeting with Zephyr as a negotiation. Zephyr had broken down crying not long into it.]
Believe it or not, I've had this conversation with someone else already. I haven't done anything since the incident with the tower; I've been a perfect citizen for them. I've been ready to let all of this go for months.
no subject
Date: 2018-08-09 06:31 pm (UTC)It's- okay, I can't claim to know what it's like to be a kid. I don't remember my childhood. But when you were a kid, how important were apologies to you? Was it devastating when you thought someone was mad at you?
If you just tell them you're sorry you upset them, I bet it would help things a lot. Tell them that you've been through a lot and it makes you angry and scared sometimes, that you don't think they should have to be in charge but you didn't mean to hurt their feelings. Anything like that would tell them that you're actually ready to move on.
Maybe the parents won't feel better about you, but- seriously, who cares about them? I'm mostly being nice to them to get more information.
[ A little untrue, as he does genuinely like Zephyr's family so far. But when it came down to it, the kid is the important one. ]
no subject
Date: 2018-08-09 06:48 pm (UTC)It seems everyone knows how I feel except me. Thanks for enlightening me; that's extraordinarily helpful. Step by step instructions and everything.
[He's not angry and scared, you're angry and scared. He shifts like he's going to turn back to the portal from whence he came; he's losing this argument and he doesn't care for it.]
no subject
Date: 2018-08-09 07:23 pm (UTC)Not that that's probably going to make a difference in a second. ]
I mean, when the sociopath has to tell you how to make a kid feel better- yeah, maybe you need 'em. So you're welcome.
no subject
Date: 2018-08-09 07:36 pm (UTC)I don't even know you, asshole. We're not friends and you're not my confidant. Don't write to me again.
[And he's out through that portal, waving a hand to collapse it behind him.]
no subject
Date: 2018-08-09 07:49 pm (UTC)