(no subject)

[captnkennit.livejournal.com]

The myth; at the edge of the old maps, HERE BE DRAGONS. We did it in my world, too; now I find that perhaps once upon a time this world had piracy not too far from that familiar to me; when the seas were available, bloody men and women who stormed the oceans and uncovered their hidden places. Those jagged-toothed rocks in the wild places, creatures untold of by man; it was all found, and now it is lost again.

I know how to make maps; the precise flick of the pen that inks out the curve of a coastline, the way to map the dragons of the human heart. In adventure we discover ourselves, perhaps. It stands, therefore, that it should be relieving to come ashore finally, but I still find myself restless...

There was a dragon, at the end, Tintaglia, the sum of all my hopes and dreams, the destruction of my long-held plans. I couldn't hate her for it, though; she was huge and powerful, completely arrogant in her assumption that anything which she might want was hers. A true queen, her sapphire crest and translucent wings glinting. That is what I most regret. That I never got to follow her up the Rainwild River in my own Liveship, carved from the cocoons of her ancestor's children, and see the serpents fertilized. Dragons, born into the world again. I am not sure it would have been enjoyable, or fun, but to say one had seen it! Here in a world of cars and tall buildings, metal and machinery, I sometimes feel we could do well for a dose of the wonder brought by dragons, the humbling wonder.

I dwell on them because they are the greatest thing I have ever known, but there are other things beyond your human maps. The great slug creatures of Others Isle and their prophecies; the flickering lights in the Flame Jewels of the Rain Wilders; the snow of the high mountains brought all the way to Jamaillia to be served to the rich, flavoured with berry extracts or wines. The sight of men, haggard and pained, rising up from the bowels of the slaver ships to take their captors lives; starvation-thin fists held triumphantly in the air. People from all walks of life, war prisoners and criminals, sailors and soldiers, those stranded and those sold. For one moment, united in their triumph at the fact that they were alive. Survivors.

I am not telling these stories to boast, or as a morality tale, just to have it recorded that these things can exist in the world; maybe not this world, but somewhere. We were all stories, they say. Therefore it stands to reason that many of us have seen similar things. Maybe you have never known dragons, or slaver ships, or prophecy, but there are amazing things in life which are easier to find. The curve of a lover's smile. A child's amazement at the world. Orchestral harmonies and great works of art. The world is not just blood and duty. Maybe I am not the person to be telling you this, but that doesn't make it any less of a truth.

Comments

[postits]

The same humbling wonder is in your own soul, Ludluck. Quite literally. You see dragons, I see souls. Yours has an entitlement issue. The world is more than blood or duty, but not much more. Learn to follow your own advice.

[captnkennit.livejournal.com]

By the waters.
I heard the old, old men say,
"All that’s beautiful drifts away
Like the waters"’

[postits]

Have you ever read Chekhov?

[captnkennit.livejournal.com]

"Love, friendship and respect do not unite people as much as a common hatred for something." ?

[postits]

Well, that's more true than any of what you just wrote, but I was thinking more along the lines of The Bet. Don't forget either, you unhappy man, that voluntary confinement is a great deal harder to bear than compulsory. The thought that you have the right to step out in liberty at any moment will poison your whole existence in prison. I am sorry for you.

[notwalking]

One day.

[captnkennit.livejournal.com]

We have lingered in the chambers of the sea
By sea-girls wreathed with seaweed red and brown
Till human voices wake us, and we drown.

[ Filter: Nuwanda ]

[captnkennit.livejournal.com]

I'll find a way to show you.

[postits]

Pretty words lack substance, Ludluck.

[ Filter: Captain ]

[notwalking]

I know you will.

[captnkennit.livejournal.com]

I doubt T. S. Eliot would agree, Sofer.

[postits]

You are not he.

[captnkennit.livejournal.com]

Rage, rage against the dying of the light. I read your story, and I find it is not to my tastes.

[ Filter : Nuwanda ]

[captnkennit.livejournal.com]

What are we doing for the celebration of your birth?

[postits]

It is, perhaps, a bit too complex.

[ Filter: Captain ]

[notwalking]

I don't have a solid plan, other than giving a big fuck you to the school and getting the hell out. What did you have in mind?

[captnkennit.livejournal.com]

Cheap shot.

[postits]

We can't all be masters of wit and word.

[victoryflare]

How nice to hear stories about dragons again. While they were nothing more than sport when they existed in our world, I find myself missing a fresh, amusing tale about them.

[captnkennit.livejournal.com]

They were so new in our world it was hard to know who would have dominion over whom, but your people must be powerful indeed if you were to use them so.

[ Filter : Nuwanda ]

[captnkennit.livejournal.com]

I don't know, I'm hardly used to birthdays. Something big. Not noticeable, though I'm swiftly heading towards that sort of temperament, but... fun.

[ Filter: Captain ]

[notwalking]

At this juncture? Sofer's hardly worth it.

I like the sound of that. Back at home it was more of a formality and a chance to show off our money, but then again, everything was.

[victoryflare]

Naturally. They had outstayed their welcome long before they were taken care of, so you shouldn't regret not following one. Still- I would've loved to have hunted one myself.

[truthmeasurer.livejournal.com]

I've been on a boat before, with the Gyptians, as we sailed to the North. But I en't ever chased a dragon. We had a lotta things in my world: panserbjørne, and witches; and buildings made out of stone and armor.

But I would like to see a dragon.

[virtuousthief.livejournal.com]

dragons are kind of overrated.

[uwaoooo.livejournal.com]

did your world's dragons smell funny??

ours smelled funny.

[riotofblood.livejournal.com]

The one I knew had eight heads. The world doesn't need anymore.

[riotofblood.livejournal.com]

Come hunt mine.

[victoryflare]

Excuse me?

[riotofblood.livejournal.com]

You said you wanted to hunt a dragon. I'm giving you the opportunity.

[victoryflare]

You expect me to believe there's a dragon in this world?

[riotofblood.livejournal.com]

It's funny how you give up your chance so easily.

[victoryflare]

Cute. However, you can't deny you story lacks credibility at the moment.

[riotofblood.livejournal.com]

You're just like that prideful little brat that I chased.

There is a world beyond what you see. I suppose I was wrong.


Nevermind, I'll find someone else.

[victoryflare]

Do as you like. However, if a dragon appears in this world, I will be the one to take care of it.

[riotofblood.livejournal.com]

Then you should look where the fire is.

[captnkennit.livejournal.com]

A fair amount of people here disagree. But I think it's good to see things which challenge one's sense of self. Careful if you get the opportunity, though; it would see you and Pan as tasty treats.

[truthmeasurer.livejournal.com]

Lots of stuff has, I en't worried about that.