Liberty

Nathaniel Salem flips through the pages of a rather large tome, bent over the reading desk.

Vio Terrell peeks around the shelf, locking on target. She moves as quietly as she can as she attempts to be the one to sneak up on him this time.

Nathaniel Salem turns a page, gloved fingers tracing a series of glyphs. He does not look away from the dusty tome. "Can I help you?"

Vio Terrell freezes in place before slumping dramatically. "Do you have eyes on the back of your head or something?" She moves closer to peer over at the book in his hands.

Nathaniel Salem: "I was trained my entire life to sense aether, malign or other," he removes his reading glasses, settling them on the edge of the table.
Nathaniel Salem: "You're akin to a lantern hiding in the dark."

Vio Terrell buzzes her lips. "No fun in that." She mumbles and moves closer to the shelf to look over the books. "How is Hazel?"

Nathaniel Salem frowns gradually at her question. "Quiet. Learning more each day. About herself, about her family. You should ask her herself. As young as she may be, she remains her own person. I have no authority over her thoughts."
Nathaniel Salem moves past her figure, and reaches for her hair, checking her length with lidded eyes, still—A delicate gesture, hardly felt.

Vio Terrell pauses at that, brow furrowed in concern. "Quiet?... I did plan on seeing her after I checked on yo--" She glances back over her shoulder after feeling him move and blinks when she finds his hand at her hair.
Vio Terrell: "... I was considering letting it grow out."

Nathaniel Salem brushes her cheek with the back of a gloved finger as he lets go of her. "You will be beautiful either way; as most people tend to be, in youth." He pauses. "How are you feeling, since Blue Fang's attack?"

Vio Terrell gives him a slight smile at that, brow raised as she turns to face him more. "I intend to stay beautiful, even when I'm old." She cants her head and hums, subconsciously resting a hand on her stomach. "Much better, thanks to Oyuu's care. He's much softer than he appears to be, kind of reminds me of someone." She taps her chin like HMM, innocently.

Nathaniel Salem seems to sour at the mention of Oyuu. Whatever hint of affection read in his eyes gone. He looks down on her, voice a touch more quiet. "As callous as I may sometimes appear, I'd rather not be compared to a beast."
Nathaniel Salem: "So he's the one who's been dealing with your wounds, then." He looks ahead of him, straightening his glove.

Vio Terrell chuckles quietly and rolls her eyes once his gaze was averted. "En. And you? How do you fare?" She steps forward and into
Nathaniel's line of sight. "Did Lynell's healing help? I recall her going--" She makes groping hand motions.

Nathaniel Salem meets her eyes again, but does not seem too pleased about it. Still, he makes no motion to move, or purposefully avoid her gaze this time. "I am a most resilient man, you'll find."
Nathaniel Salem: "...And yes. She... That. Yes. Her spells are still most excellent."
Nathaniel Salem: "If only she could be more... Private about such things."

Vio Terrell: "Forwardness can be quite endearing." She lifts a finger as she talks, winking. Her expression softens though as she rubs at the back of her neck.
Vio Terrell: "That was... the first time I saw you bleed. I was quite worried."

Nathaniel Salem: "I like subtlety better," is all he says at that. As she voices her concerns, however, he lifts an eyebrow. "Men bleed. Did you think me anything other than that?"

Vio Terrell: "No, it's just..." She turns to the books, as if they'll save her. "It's rather embarrassing to explain."
Nathaniel Salem lets out the beginning of a chuckle, dry. He folds his arms to study her. "You went as far as voicing it. Pray continue."

Nathaniel Salem: "You're a brilliant girl, surely, you can find words to describe it— As for embarrassment, pay no mind to it."
Nathaniel Salem: "You are young. Young people embarrass themselves sooner or later; often."

Vio Terrell lowers her head with a quiet "ugh!" as the other's words succeed in encouraging her. She gives him a half lidded look with a slightly puffed out cheek before turning her gaze back to the books. "... Much like a child sees their parent as indestructible, I saw you as untouchable. I still do, to some extent."
Vio Terrell: "I know this sounds ignorant of me, but seeing you hurt hit me with the harsh reality that it's..." She says the next more quietly, "... possible I can lose you too."

Nathaniel Salem pauses for a time, considering her words. His expression doesn't change— Instead, he seems to be taking the time to find fitting words. "Mortals fear the inevitable, when they should revere it. I speak for Death Himself, and have been for two decades, now." He smiles a touch. "Aye. You might lose me too. You might lose everything you own. From your powers, to your mind. Body and soul; your beautiful hair, your beautiful eyes. Your desire to do better, your love for others—"
Nathaniel Salem: "...Or the love others may have for you."
Nathaniel Salem: "It is not something to look forward to. But what you can look forward to is new experiences, or experiences with the people and things you know, and appreciate, now. You must."
Nathaniel Salem: "It is good to be reminded of Death."
Nathaniel Salem: "It is good to be reminded of the place we occupy on Hydaelyn."
Nathaniel Salem: "Make most of it, love." He taps her shoulder with the back of his hand, encouraging.

Vio Terrell: "... Because it makes you appreciate life and what you have more." She sighs and straightens up, turning to him with a genuine smile.
Vio Terrell: "Sorry, spending so much time in an infirmary bed does get my thoughts wandering to dark places."

Nathaniel Salem waves a hand dismissively. "We are social creatures. Left alone, thoughts walk to places where they should not be. Beyond that... Twas a difficult battle. It is only natural to think of what could have been in the aftermath."
Nathaniel Salem: "It gets easier."

Vio Terrell rubs at her neck more as she recalled the event. "I've never heard you yell like that either." She suddenly brings /that/ up.

Nathaniel Salem: "I don't yell." He doesn't know what she's talking about.

Vio Terrell: "When I was almost cleaved in half?"

Nathaniel Salem: "...I may have,"
Nathaniel Salem: "...Said something akin to an exclamation."

Vio Terrell stares blankly but the corner of her lip twitches and she slowly lifts a hand to cover her mouth to stifle her laughter.

Nathaniel Salem looks at her with lidded eyes.
Nathaniel Salem: "You are precious, as all of my students are. How is this surprising?"

Vio Terrell shakes her head and suddenly moves forward to wrap her arms around his waist in a tight hug. "It isn't." She chuckles, resting the side of her head against his chest. "Not in the slightest."

Nathaniel Salem looks up in a grunt.
Nathaniel Salem eventually wraps one arm around her shoulders, thought without smiling. If anything, some degree of concern can be read in his eyes.

Vio Terrell clings to him like a parasite for a moment longer before pulling away. "Alright, that's out of my system." She sighs as she gives the man some space.

Nathaniel Salem: "Right."

Vio Terrell: "... What's wrong? I didn't squeeze a wound, did I?" She leans forward to peer at his waist.

Nathaniel Salem: "I do like physical reassurance— Just in different contexts." He adjusts her bangs, frowning a touch. "I am fine, love. Better than most."
Nathaniel Salem: "Is there anything I can do for you today?"

Vio Terrell: "Different contexts?" She raises a brow at him and straightens up, her eyes attempting to follow the hand adjusting her bangs. "If you don't mind obliging me for a little longer, there is something I wanted to ask you."

Nathaniel Salem: "Anything for you, dear." He moves away to close the tome shut on the reading table. At that, in a minor spell, the items is gone, perhaps teleported away; to a nearby shelf, or his office.

Vio Terrell watches the things teleport away in awe. Magic is wonderful. She moves to sit her butt on the edge of the table. "Have you ever loved before?"

Nathaniel Salem appears taken aback by the question, straightening his back. His fingers freeze on the edge of the table, visibly tensing up. He looks at the woman with sharper eyes, up and down; "As a scholar, I must ask; why this question, of all things?"

Vio Terrell canted her head, features remaining neutral and curious-- especially at his reaction. "Curiosity. And the subject has been on my mind lately." She looks away at this, gaze distant. "If it's too personal of a question, then you may ignore it."

Nathaniel Salem: "Love moves me," he begins. "Love for my people, as it drives to fulfill most of my duties. I want nothing more than a bright future for Ul'dah, so that younger generations may know peace, stability. Wanting to witness others thrive, is this not love?"
Nathaniel Salem: "If I didn't love, I wouldn't work."

Vio Terrell tilts her head back, letting her fringe fall from her face as she stared at him. "I mean the kind of love that's exclusive to a certain individual. Romantic love."

Nathaniel Salem: "Are you looking for something to hold on to, Violaine? Share experiences?"
Nathaniel Salem: "Are you experiencing romantic love?" Half a question, half rhetoric. He sounds too detached to expect an answer.

Vio Terrell: "Yes."

Nathaniel Salem keeps a hand on the edge of the table, nails pressing inside the glove, threatening to scratch something. Still, he doesn't move. "How does it feel?"

Vio Terrell keeps her gaze on him despite the ache in her neck. "Painful, but I am happy to bear it."

Nathaniel Salem: "...Is it worth it?"
Nathaniel Salem: "Is /his/ attention worth the pain?"

Vio Terrell: "Yes." She straightens up now, lifting a hand to rub at her neck.
Vio Terrell: "Have you ever felt the same?"

Nathaniel Salem: "...No. Not quite. My pain is not yours; it is not attention I seek."
Nathaniel Salem pushes himself away from the table, gathering his thoughts. "The pain is more akin to a need."

Vio Terrell watches him, blinking slowly. "A need...?"

Nathaniel Salem: "Rationally, it is more a want than a need; but the body takes it as such. To see, and smell, and touch; to communicate and share."
Nathaniel Salem: "Anything to feel the presence of the other; beyond attention. Akin to basking in light, if you would. Moving just to see it, or feel it."
Nathaniel Salem: "I have loved."

Vio Terrell 's lips part slightly as the other speaks, appearing momentarily dumbfounded.
Vio Terrell: "What were they like?"

Nathaniel Salem: "Beautiful, both body and soul. Emerald eyes, dark, wavy hair, falling to her shoulders," distant eyes look through Vio, as he reaches for her locks again. Perhaps it is not her he's seeing. "A gentleness most rare. The kind men abuse, lest they appear weak to others. But to me it was..."
Nathaniel Salem: "Strength, to keep such delicate traits in this kind of world." He lets go of her. "She loved me, too."
Nathaniel Salem: "We were to start a life together— I wanted to see her happy, and I looked to better myself as a man, to be deserving of her light."
Nathaniel Salem: "...I have loved," he repeats. "And I am old enough to know I have."
Nathaniel Salem: "Do you think you are loving, too, Violaine? At your age? With your disposition?"

Vio Terrell 's expression ranges from one of shock and concern, her empathy for the man getting to her. She wishes to ask more, but then he asks his own.
Vio Terrell: "Do you believe I'm incapable?"

Nathaniel Salem: "I think you are /young/. Just this bell, you admitted to feeling me as more than a man. That you had to see me bleed to understand what I could be." He tilts his head back, ever so slightly, never letting go of her gaze. Cold, he continues. "Magnified feelings. Youth sees glitter as gold. Teachers as gods. Hunger is starvation, mere infatuation... Love."
Nathaniel Salem: "Both beautiful and devastating. 'Tis the age at which we hurt ourselves, so we may understand what the world feels like."
Nathaniel Salem: "My words sting now, but this is a small price to pay for the prevention of something worse."

Vio Terrell stares into his golden eyes, quiet for a moment before her lips curled into a soft smile. "In a way, you're right. But in this case, you're wrong."

Nathaniel Salem lowers his head— There's a light in the amber irises that was not there before. He looks at her, unblinking. "Is that so?"
Nathaniel Salem: "I am listening; how am I wrong, then, ha?"

Vio Terrell: "I have loved before and it has affected me too much to be a mere infatuation."

Nathaniel Salem raises a hand to her jawline, supporting her chin for a time. A gloved thumb brushes her lower lip. "There is no age necessary to feel pain."
Nathaniel Salem: "'Tis precisely what we learn from."
Nathaniel Salem: "I look forward to see how you will next break your own heart; knowingly, this time."

Vio Terrell lifts her hand to hold his wrist, gently tugging it to encourage him to let go. "And you? Do you plan on never loving again?"

Nathaniel Salem lets go of her, darkening at her question— a hint of ungentleness as he pulls away. "She was taken from me."
Nathaniel Salem: "I may love again. But I doubt I'll love as much as I have loved her."
Nathaniel Salem: "...I'll be there to pick up your pieces, regardless. Something that has turned into a habit."
Nathaniel Salem: "But a Father cannot abandon his children, can he?"

Vio Terrell: "You'll love me as your child no matter how broken I become?" She tilts her head, soft smile fading away.

Nathaniel Salem: "I will want to see you better, Violaine."
Nathaniel Salem: "You will never be broken if you do not let yourself break."
Nathaniel Salem: "...But you are taking the wrong path, and considering your words, there is nothing I can do to stop you. I shall watch, and wait."
Nathaniel Salem: "If you can prove me wrong, good for you. But if you can't..."
Nathaniel Salem: "...What will you do, then?"

Vio Terrell hums thoughtfully, idly adjusting a strap on her wrist as she hops off the table and move past him. "Who knows, I'll just cross that bridge when I get to it. /If/ I get to it." She turns to give him another smile. "Hey, you mentioned you had planned on becoming a better man for the woman you loved."
Vio Terrell: "Do you still plan on it?"

Nathaniel Salem looks at her, as he's read the implications of her words. There's a lengthy pause, something uncomfortable.
Nathaniel Salem: "...What did you expect? Support?"
Nathaniel Salem: "Encouragement? Enthusiasm?"
Nathaniel Salem: "I appreciate your vulnerability, Violaine. And I am grateful that you would still come and seek guidance here, with me."
Nathaniel Salem: "And I know, deep in my heart, that you would not have come to hear platitudes."

Vio Terrell heaves a sigh, "Missing the point entirely..." She looks to the strap on her wrist, the one she was adjusting and tsks at seeing a small tear. "I was curious, since I know you as a good man. Callous, but good. Why would you have to better yourself?"

Nathaniel Salem narrows his eyes, bitter. "Men are perfectible. If you think me good as is, then you are still too young."
Nathaniel Salem: "But your tone suggests something else."

Vio Terrell: "You're right, I'm naive and almost willingly so." She glances at him with a small glint in her lavender eyes. "Do you think it's foolish of me, Father?"

Nathaniel Salem: "Does it matter what I think, Violaine? Nothing I say matters. Not with the defiance read in your eyes."
Nathaniel Salem: "You are capable, full of potential, kind."
Nathaniel Salem: "You will survive this, as most people do. But do not accuse me, and do not glare as I wish to /spare/ you from this pain."
Nathaniel Salem: "If I wanted to restrict your freedom, I'd use other means. The Dataqi can still be made a dangerous man in the eyes of Ul'dahn justice."
Nathaniel Salem: "I'm overlooking people I'm /bound/ to serve for you."
Nathaniel Salem: "Never forget that."

Vio Terrell: "I know you do." She glances away again, thoughtful. She shakes her head with a sigh.

Nathaniel Salem: "I love you, Violaine."
Nathaniel Salem: "More than most."
Nathaniel Salem: "I'll cut your hair again; I'll bathe you again. I'll teach you magic, over and over, for as long as you ask."
Nathaniel Salem: "...My door is open."
Nathaniel Salem: "Pray remember who cares, in your darkest hours."

(Violaine asks if the door will still be open. Missing.)

Nathaniel Salem: "For as long as you ask, child mine." A hand lingers on a shelf, and he pushes himself away for good.
Nathaniel Salem: "Until then,"
Nathaniel Salem: "You are free to deal with your life with as much liberty as you want, and need."

Vio Terrell waits until his footsteps fade away into the distance before slamming a fist against the wood of the shelf in front of her.