DIRECTED TO MERIDIAN, OPEN TO ALL.

[twohand]

[ In the midst of the Advocate's beginnings, perhaps a few world adventures in ( ignore pax's belated posting in that case ), there is a quiet presence that coalesces within the minds of all. An Advocate, dusk-skinned and thoughtful as he addresses all present. Even his voice is morose, a little saddened by what he has taken notice of — though that is mostly on behalf of Meridian. He cannot imagine what it must feel like, to look upon something familiar and have it not be exactly what they want. ]

They're dying. These worlds — they're already lost, they're torn up and left in pieces, they're dreams of what was; please don't make them suffer when you can bring them a gentle end. Even if you fight to restore them in the long run, choosing to save them now is torturous. It is asking someone with a terminal illness to fight on, when they ought to be given the ability to rest.

[ He sounds like he is pleading with the Meri, a call not to stand so firmly with their impossible desire to restore all that they make such a glaring mistake. ]

All things have a right to live, I agree. But, all those same things also should have a dignified end. I am only asking that you understand this, and choose to help us give what is left of these worlds the ending that I wish our worlds could have had.

This time, please... just this time. I am asking on their behalf, for all to choose a difficult thing — but, the thing that only we now have the power to do for them.

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[semicharmed]

[ Matt is back among the shelves when Drizzt comes in, trying to decipher one of the rulebooks that he's only 80% sure is for the right card game. At the sound of the familiar voice, he puts the book down and hustles towards the door.

Drizzt's more wrapped up than Matt's seen him over Communion, but it's definitely him. Matt brightens. ]

Um. I mostly just wanted, to ...

[ And before he can stop and think better of it, or wonder, was it stupid to make Drizzt risk death by dragon just for this, Matt steps forward. And the elf is getting hugged by one lanky noodle of a man.

Before he ever encountered things like shared Aspects or holding hands to reduce Discord, touch has been Matt's surest means of communication. Words, even the ones he means sincerely, can feel so hollow and imperfect. A hug has gravity behind it, weight. A direction and a temperature and dozens of other little cues to say I'm here, and I appreciate what you're doing, and are you okay. Even if he can't really cram all that direct, translatable meaning into a single gesture, Matt's always felt certain that his sincerity shines through. ]

[twohand]

[ The willingness of the people of Kenos (of anyone, really) to reach out and make contact with one another has always been a thing he's looked upon with fondness, affection. To have that willingness shown to him, swept up into a strangers embrace, continues to be a novel experience — fleeting and haunting, as he feels arms engulf him. ]

Oh.

[ He isn't the type to immediately melt into someone's arms, not when surprised. Instead, he goes stiff and his ears flick back under the cloak like a startled animal; it takes him a moment to realize what is happening, what gift he is being given — and slowly, he comes to lift his hands and lightly snag the back of Matt's shirt in his fingers. ]

Needed a little comfort, hm? There, there... we'll make it through this.

[semicharmed]

[ Matt is just on the verge of letting Drizzt go and stepping back with an apology when he feels his fingers at his back. He sighs and stays close, apprehension melting out of him with the breath.

He isn't sure they'll make it through this, honestly. Already, not all of them have. But there may, at least, be a way for them to preserve the best of themselves. ]

I thought you might like some comfort too, [ he says. ] You're doing a lot of work, trying to talk to Meridian. [ His grip on Drizzt shifts, as he gently seeks out the best way they fit together. ] If it's not too personal, um ... what do you do to relax?

[ From talking to Gavial, Matt gets the impression they don't have many skills in that department, as a group. ]