tell me it's good | Tiresias x Misha

Working in peaceful silence, Tiresias' ears twitched as they heard hooves in the main hall. Aldrich had seemingly left through the side doors, not the front, so it was not him. Perhaps a visitor to Palasa? They continued working, gently turning the dirt over and opening the small dent in the earth to create a new home for new life. Hoofsteps led into the inner sanctum. Ah. They sounded different. It did not sound like any of the attendant's footsteps, who they had managed to remember and identify by now.

Tiresias chose not to address the newcomer for now. Some wished to simply come and pray, and be alone with their thoughts, and then leave with a quiet 'thank you'. Perhaps this one was the same. If they wished to seek guidance, they would gladly help and offer. One ear turned to the newcomer, who they guessed was in front of the statues, Tiresias shifted, gently picking up the dirt, savoring the rich, earthy sent for a moment, and then putting it to the side to be packed down once more after the flowers were delivered.

"Excuse me. Are you a sanctum attendant? I have some... curiosities about blessings and I hoped you might be able to help,"

Turning their head slightly, Tiresias simply smiled before getting up, movements careful, but calm and assured. "I am not an attendant, I am afraid, though I can easily understand why you may mistake me as such." They chuckled softly as they stood up fully, tail curling slowly around their side. "I am Tiresias, Palasa's Flamen." They slightly turned their head towards the newcomer, though, they did not meet his gaze, instead their pale blue eyes gazed ahead in a set stare. "You have questions about blessings?" They asked softly, taking a step back from the flowerbeds to stand on the marble pathway. Though they did not have one of their own, they had seen others come and go with them, heard troubles regarding the subject, even seen one receive their's, the Earth Mother's earth manipulation, in Palasa itself.

Or, perhaps, not seen. But they felt the Earth Mother's presence grow for a few brief moments, and then vanish, leaving an equine carrying her gift. Blessings were special, celebrated things, as few received them, even fewer learned to master them. Tiresias paused for a moment, "Pray tell, what is your name...?" They asked. They would very much like to know more of who they were speaking to before they answered any questions that the newcomer may have.

Misha, a chevalier. Tiresias nodded slowly, proceeding to listen to the rest of his words. Another soft chuckle graced their lips. They were about to reply when the other spoke again. Hm... They tried to gauge his character based on what was heard so far. He seemed like a normal Aodhian, with the way he spoke of the attendants and slaves, and then asking about moving somewhere else to talk. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary for the moment, though they felt there was some other sort of turmoil guiding their actions. It was usually so with those who sought out advice and guidance from the Sanctums.

"If you would like, we can sit down somewhere else," Tiresias offered gently, turning and carefully making their way down the marble path to the north door. They flicked their tail, gesturing for Misha to follow. "Perhaps it is work meant for an attendant or a slave," they began as they walked, mentally counting the steps until they reached the door. "but I take joy in participating in it myself. I find myself gaining a sense of connection to the Earth Mother, and feel like I am part of something more for a few moments. To feel the dirt and flowers brush my legs and teke helps lower what stress I may have gained from my work. And, of course, it is simply dirt and leaves, it can be washed away. There is no lasting harm in doing such things." They explained, stopping in front of the door and reaching for the handle, finding it after a moment of brushing the carved wood. 

"Thank you. The attendants and I work quite hard to keep it well kept, though I do have to admit that King Isador has played the biggest part of it's construction." They gave a small, light laugh. "The library is this way. It will be a quiet and private place to talk," Tiresias opened the door and stepping through carefully. "I apologize if I am leaving you behind," They added, holding the door open for a few more moments, "please feel free to voice if I do so, I am not aware of it at times, though I do try my best to keep track of my companions." Still they had not met the other's gaze, or glanced at him once. Their ears rapidly flicked back and forth, but otherwise, they looked ahead, gaze never landing purposefully on anything for longer than a few seconds.

Tiresias just smiled at his reply. "I will admit, I come from more humble beginnings than most Flamens, though I pale in comparison to the Oralee Flamen when it comes to small beginnings. My mother was Onean born, and my father was not from a noble house or anything grand. I've grown up working with my own two hooves, so the thought of sitting idly and letting others take care of everything for me is quite uncomfortable. I like to feel as if I can contribute, even if it is in my own special way." They explained a bit more. Tilting their head slightly towards him at their companion's seemingly lost words, Tiresias let out a small laugh, halting slightly in their gait.

"No, you are not offending me at all. If anything this makes me somewhat amused to hear that I seem to function well enough to be assumed as one gifted with true sight." They replied, turning forward again. "To answer your question more clearly, yes, I am. I have been my entire life, but it does not bother me. I know where everything is in Palasa, except for occasional misplaced or moved objects, and my work does not require true sight. Offering aid and support, even contacting the gods, does not require such a thing. I can feel, I can hear, smell, taste, I can use all my other senses to praise the gods and lend aid to others, such as yourself." They then nodded at the request. "I can do that."

Stepping forward into the library, Tiresias felt for the first of the bookcases for a moment, and at feeling the first edge, they turned left and followed the bookcase until the end of it. Nestled in a corner of the library, that was bordered by luscious garden planters around the walls, was a small set of soft seats and a low table. Tiresias walked forward, hesitating to cross the last bit, again gently feeling for the edge of the seat, and once found, they carefully sat down, legs curling under their stomach and tail gently winding around their hindquarters. "Please, sit, Misha." They offered, gesturing lightly to the other seat. "Then tell me what ails you. I'm quite sure I can help you, even though I am somewhat different from the other Flamens." They chuckled lightly, offering a warm smile to show there was no malice or sharp undertones to their words.

Ah! He was one of the born blessed individuals! With Ignacio's own fire! Tiresias closed their eyes, a low hum leaving their throat. "A born blessing is a great gift, Misha. Though, I can tell you already know that much." They opened their eyes again, turning their head towards the crackling fireplace at the back of the library, where the sanctum's sacred ash was made. "We know little of what the Gods themselves plan for us, yet, we know that everything happens for a reason. Often, an expecting couple will pray to the Gods, and often they are moved by the devotion and care that the couple is taking, and send a teardrop sized bit of magic in the form of a blessing, for the new child." They said first, thinking over their many years of working as an attendant. They had seen couples come into the sanctum, kneeling before the various different statues, and praying to the Gods diligently to bless their child.

"Sometimes, they look at the unborn soul, gaze into their future, and then judge them worthy of a blessing. We mortals do not know what the Gods believed or thought when a child was gifted with a blessing. We are left with a gift, for whatever reason, and are then responsible for using it as we believe the Gods wished. As Ignacio wished, in your case." They turned their head to Misha. "I do believe that blessings were given for reasons we cannot understand, especially when born blessed. Everything we do is part of the Gods' plan. Though, sometimes, it is not as grand or glamorous as we may like. But it important, nonetheless. Every soul in this earth has a part to play, from the insects that scurry on the ground, to the equines who run and soar across it. Our job is to find that part, and then act it out accordingly." They paused.

"Tell me, Misha," Their tone grew soft, tender, cautious of asking the question, "do you know of your place in this earth?" Occasionally the responses to such a question had been explosive, aggressive, or emotional, full of tears. It was a pointed thing to ask, which could open painful wounds if used improperly. Hence their gentle attempt at asking it. "It is alright to say you do not know. Many are not aware or cannot find their place, even those much older than you or I." They added gently as an afterthought to perhaps dilute the question some.

Tiresias was patient, simply remaining seated, their movements still except for a slight, gentle curling of their tail. Responses to such a question could not be rushed. They took time to think over, to try and understand. Their ears twitched at the fire crackling in the background, and they gently breathed in the scent of woodsmoke, the earthen dirt of the garden around them, the scent of the blooming flowers.

Their attention returned easily to the other, and Tiresias turned their head slightly to show their attention. To be more... Fight for his family, what his family had lost... Tiresias gave a soft chuckle. "I can see much fire in your soul, aside from the one Ignacio lit himself. A true child of Ignacio, crafted of ash and sparks, and gifted with his own fire," They hummed softly. "Reaching for something greater is always a benefit. To have aspirations is to live life as it is meant to be lived. Though, Misha," they paused, turning their head slightly towards the fire in the back of the room, hidden behind the bookcases. "I caution you to carefully monitor the fire in your soul. To stoke it and obtain greatness is good, but fire can quickly grow out of control, and consume all in its path."

Again they paused, letting the words sit in the air for a few moments. "Misha, do not let your ambitions consume everything on your path. Strive for your goal, to fight for Valore, for your family, what they lost, but let the fire simply guide your path, nothing more. Otherwise, your life will not be a happy, blessed one. Be kind to yourself, let yourself find happiness in other things. Find love in another kindred flame, gently place some of your passion and ambition in other activities, explore your creativity that I know is in every soul, regardless of how deep it may be buried."

They smiled, "I know you can achieve greatness, but take care of yourself on the path to it." They ended, the words gently flowing off their lips. This was a fair amount to digest. They would let Misha take what time he needed to think this all over. They reached behind themselves to the flowering bushes, gently letting their teke trail over the leaves until a flower was found, and then carefully plucking it from the bush, they brought it to them. Lifting the flower, they softly breathed in the light, floral scent.

Tiresias sat quietly, gently tracing their teke over the petals of the flower in their grasp, mapping out the delicate, fine shape of it in their mind. Misha could take what time he needed to process this information. They weren't sure if it was going to make them angry, or bring them peace. They could only sit and wait for the next spoken words, be it angry accusations thrown in their face as a denial of the likely truth, or calm thank yous. Perhaps tears too, that was also a possible path... Though, they hoped it would not be that. It was not their intention to make one cry.

Ears pricking, they lifted their head, teke halting and remaining frozen on the flower petals. Do him a favor...? Look into his lineage? Who he was... Ears twitched as they processed the tone of voice. Wavering. Ah. So it seemed like it was tears... They felt forward, gently touching Misha's cheek and finding the few fallen tears, using their touch to wipe them away. "I do not know what about your past causes you such pain, Misha." They said first, tone gentle, cautious, careful. "But I can do my best to look into it. If you would not mind telling me, I may need a bit more to go off of than simply your own name. If you do not wish to tell me, that is quite alright. I will work with what I already have to give you what I can discover."

They pulled their teke away, gently placing the flower on the table next to them. They gave a soft, sad smile. "I do hope I have not caused greater pain for you. The truth, or what may be perceived as the truth is frightening at times, often saddening as well. I do not blame you for the tears I felt on your cheek. I feel your pain as my own, and I will do what I can to help ease the burden for your sake." They dipped their head in a slight bow. "You have my word as a Flamen."