North still isn't used to his talking chunk of hematite, and tenses slightly at the sudden voice. Valdis---- he knows the name from CT, since South hadn't known it. Guess CT passed the message along. That's kind of her.
"Ah, yeah, I was." She's caught him at a weird time. He does still want to talk to her about what happened with South, but currently he and South are taking some time apart after... everything. "I heard you had a bit of a run-in with my twin sister. Tall, blonde with purple tips, says 'fuck' every other word?"
Valdis bites her lip when she hears the name and remembers the encounter. Not her finest moment, treating someone who was hurting as an enemy. Her throat tightens, it felt more like a train wreck than a run-in."
"I...yes, I do recall her. Is she feeling better?"
"Uh, y'know, not really. It's her business more than it is mine," (this is a lie,) "but it's been a rocky couple of months. That's kinda why I wanted to talk to you about what happened, if you don't mind hearing me out for a minute."
North sighs. Gathers his thoughts. There'd been all manner of things he'd had to say when he made his way down to the constabulary a month or so ago. Not necessarily to tell Valdis off so much as to straighten things out with her--- a refined blade of clever points, in the shape of a working knife rather than a weapon, tempered carefully in the flame of righteous sibling fury. Enough time between now and then, plus enough events, has quelled that a bit.
Probably for the best.
"Listen, I know how South can be. She's--- big, and loud, and messy, and she lashes out when she's hurt. And I also wasn't there, so I'll admit I might be missing some pieces. But I am pretty good at getting my own intel. And by the sounds of things, it seemed like you came in to supposedly de-escalate the situation as a public servant, but then were more concerned with 'winning' the argument and one-upping her than you were about the de-escalating part."
"It seems like you're going through some stuff, too, and I can empathize. And my sister... she definitely didn't have the language at the time to explain what she was going through. But if it's not too presumptuous to say, in my rather storied experience with her and people like her, very, very rarely does it help to lecture someone for how they're processing something. Or rile them up about their 'bad reputation'. I know you don't know her, but those are both some pretty deep pain points for South. So---- if it's too much trouble to try and go easy on her or empathetic with her when she's acting like that, or, I dunno, she just pisses you off too much, just--- do me a favor and call me next time and I'll handle it. I'm the one she's grieving anyway."
He'll explain if Valdis asks, of course, but he's already gone on enough of a ramble at this point. He makes space for her to respond.
Valdis is all too willing to listen, after all, she knows she screwed up and taking even another step back to continue to evaluate how she can be better is something she wants to do.
"That was how it started, yes. I won't beg you to understand, I know I ended up treating her like an enemy, I know I pushed places I shouldn't have pushed. Part of that was defensive, I have pain points of my own, but there was no real attempt at understanding on my part. Perhaps it wouldn't have made a difference if I had approached her in another way, but I wish I had tried instead of allowing my own issues to harm someone else."
She should have sent Leon, he would have done a far better job than her.
"Yeah, no, I completely understand. No one does anything without some kind of reason, y'know?"
North has certainly considered that Valdis probably wasn't being an asshole for the sake of it. He doesn't know her, but he does know that sometimes feeling like you've "won" or otherwise gotten one over on someone can soothe that emotional itch you get when you feel like you've lost control or stability. And South being as fighty as she is, Valdis wouldn't be the first person to have the knee-jerk to tell her off.
But still.
"Honestly, South was probably going for the jugular where she could too. She, uh, has a way with words." North laughs half-heartedly. "But without getting into the weeds---- I died before South did, and the circumstances weren't good. That's what her problem was. And we're... working through it, as best as we can. I don't think you'll have to worry too much. And if you're willing to take her in good faith, she's damn good to her people when she finds 'em."
Perhaps that pain should have been familiar when she sensed it from South, but everyone feels things so differently and the more in tune she becomes the harder it is to look at them all with a cold analysis. Perhaps that struggle is a good thing.
"Yes, I can see why that would have her out of sorts."
It sounds as if it were just a perfect storm, and event that triggered another, one she needed to experience.
"I don't hold grudges against people for how they feel, and I'm not upset with her. I would understand if she doesn't wish to give me another chance, but I have no qualms about offering her one."
Or two, or three. Sometimes people just need grace, Mortanne knows she's needed it more than once herself.
"In truth, I want to get along with people. I'm tired of fighting alone, and I need connection, especially now. It's just a matter of an old Hound learning new tricks, which is far harder than it might seem."
"Well, I'm not gonna make you promises I can't keep. South's her own person. But I'll put in a good word for ya," North assures her, a merry lilt returning to his voice.
It's hard to actually feel it, considering the amount of "good words" between himself and his twin is currently absolutely none. But he has to remember it won't be forever. He just... needs some time. And an ear to listen that doesn't have South's voice in its opposite.
"And if you need tips for getting on with people, talk to that mail carrier in the cowboy hat with the megaphone. They're friends with damn near everyone, I think." It's not even purposeful that North fails to posit himself as an example. He's just like that.
The tone of his voice seems lighter, but she can't keep the hesitation out of hers.
"I wouldn't expect any reconciliation to be immediate, if even possible at all. I just don't want to be hated."
Something that had never really bothered her before. Perhaps insecurity and a desire to be liked are simply part of rebuilding a life that shattered and couldn't ever be put back together in the same way.
"Yes, they are very cheerful, I just don't have the same charm and certainly don't have the benefit the same benefits they do. They've established a very different relationship with Pumpkin Hollow than I have from the beginning."
Not that that doesn't mean she shouldn't speak with the Bizzyboys.
"I'll admit I am surprised that you aren't furious with me for my conflict with South. Perhaps you should give yourself more credit when it comes to interacting with people."
"Weeeeellll I won't say I wasn't a little sore at first," North admits, still fairly jovial, if a bit sheepish. "But it's been a while, and I'm used to working with all kinds of people. I've had to call some complete assholes my teammates before, you're pretty tame by comparison! Obviously I'd like it if you were nicer to my sister from now on, but I think you and I have a pretty good understanding."
"Maybe we can fix that at some point soon." He could offer right now, but it doesn't seem like a good time for her, and frankly it isn't a good time for him either. But he does mean it. "And listen, whatever it is that's been getting you down... I hope it gets easier for you. Most things do."
Valdis isn't sure that things will get easier anytime soon, but she has to move forward, has to wake up every day and choose to keep going. At least she still has Fever by her side.
"Let's count on it, then," North agrees, sounding like he's lifted slightly. Like his cheer takes a little less effort. Just a little, but it counts. "Thanks for getting back to me, Valdis. I'll see you around, alright?"
Valdis bites her lip, glad he can't see her uncertainty in this moment.
"Yeah, I'm sure you will. Thank you for reaching out."
It feels awkward to hang up now, but the conversation is over and she's not sure what else to say, thus she sets down her stone and leaves it on the table as she heads back upstairs.
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"Ah, yeah, I was." She's caught him at a weird time. He does still want to talk to her about what happened with South, but currently he and South are taking some time apart after... everything. "I heard you had a bit of a run-in with my twin sister. Tall, blonde with purple tips, says 'fuck' every other word?"
no subject
"I...yes, I do recall her. Is she feeling better?"
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North sighs. Gathers his thoughts. There'd been all manner of things he'd had to say when he made his way down to the constabulary a month or so ago. Not necessarily to tell Valdis off so much as to straighten things out with her--- a refined blade of clever points, in the shape of a working knife rather than a weapon, tempered carefully in the flame of righteous sibling fury. Enough time between now and then, plus enough events, has quelled that a bit.
Probably for the best.
"Listen, I know how South can be. She's--- big, and loud, and messy, and she lashes out when she's hurt. And I also wasn't there, so I'll admit I might be missing some pieces. But I am pretty good at getting my own intel. And by the sounds of things, it seemed like you came in to supposedly de-escalate the situation as a public servant, but then were more concerned with 'winning' the argument and one-upping her than you were about the de-escalating part."
"It seems like you're going through some stuff, too, and I can empathize. And my sister... she definitely didn't have the language at the time to explain what she was going through. But if it's not too presumptuous to say, in my rather storied experience with her and people like her, very, very rarely does it help to lecture someone for how they're processing something. Or rile them up about their 'bad reputation'. I know you don't know her, but those are both some pretty deep pain points for South. So---- if it's too much trouble to try and go easy on her or empathetic with her when she's acting like that, or, I dunno, she just pisses you off too much, just--- do me a favor and call me next time and I'll handle it. I'm the one she's grieving anyway."
He'll explain if Valdis asks, of course, but he's already gone on enough of a ramble at this point. He makes space for her to respond.
no subject
"That was how it started, yes. I won't beg you to understand, I know I ended up treating her like an enemy, I know I pushed places I shouldn't have pushed. Part of that was defensive, I have pain points of my own, but there was no real attempt at understanding on my part. Perhaps it wouldn't have made a difference if I had approached her in another way, but I wish I had tried instead of allowing my own issues to harm someone else."
She should have sent Leon, he would have done a far better job than her.
no subject
North has certainly considered that Valdis probably wasn't being an asshole for the sake of it. He doesn't know her, but he does know that sometimes feeling like you've "won" or otherwise gotten one over on someone can soothe that emotional itch you get when you feel like you've lost control or stability. And South being as fighty as she is, Valdis wouldn't be the first person to have the knee-jerk to tell her off.
But still.
"Honestly, South was probably going for the jugular where she could too. She, uh, has a way with words." North laughs half-heartedly. "But without getting into the weeds---- I died before South did, and the circumstances weren't good. That's what her problem was. And we're... working through it, as best as we can. I don't think you'll have to worry too much. And if you're willing to take her in good faith, she's damn good to her people when she finds 'em."
no subject
Perhaps that pain should have been familiar when she sensed it from South, but everyone feels things so differently and the more in tune she becomes the harder it is to look at them all with a cold analysis. Perhaps that struggle is a good thing.
"Yes, I can see why that would have her out of sorts."
It sounds as if it were just a perfect storm, and event that triggered another, one she needed to experience.
"I don't hold grudges against people for how they feel, and I'm not upset with her. I would understand if she doesn't wish to give me another chance, but I have no qualms about offering her one."
Or two, or three. Sometimes people just need grace, Mortanne knows she's needed it more than once herself.
"In truth, I want to get along with people. I'm tired of fighting alone, and I need connection, especially now. It's just a matter of an old Hound learning new tricks, which is far harder than it might seem."
no subject
It's hard to actually feel it, considering the amount of "good words" between himself and his twin is currently absolutely none. But he has to remember it won't be forever. He just... needs some time. And an ear to listen that doesn't have South's voice in its opposite.
"And if you need tips for getting on with people, talk to that mail carrier in the cowboy hat with the megaphone. They're friends with damn near everyone, I think." It's not even purposeful that North fails to posit himself as an example. He's just like that.
no subject
"I wouldn't expect any reconciliation to be immediate, if even possible at all. I just don't want to be hated."
Something that had never really bothered her before. Perhaps insecurity and a desire to be liked are simply part of rebuilding a life that shattered and couldn't ever be put back together in the same way.
"Yes, they are very cheerful, I just don't have the same charm and certainly don't have the benefit the same benefits they do. They've established a very different relationship with Pumpkin Hollow than I have from the beginning."
Not that that doesn't mean she shouldn't speak with the Bizzyboys.
"I'll admit I am surprised that you aren't furious with me for my conflict with South. Perhaps you should give yourself more credit when it comes to interacting with people."
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"Don't worry, I won't be picking anymore fights."
There are some that might be surprised to hear that, but she knows where to direct her energy now.
"Not on my own at least, it's never good to fight alone when there are people who wish to stand beside you."
There's still the demons to deal with after all, and Nyarlathotep.
"I will say it is a pleasure to meet you, even if we aren't face to face."
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Valdis isn't sure that things will get easier anytime soon, but she has to move forward, has to wake up every day and choose to keep going. At least she still has Fever by her side.
"It will someday, for both of us."
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Wrap
"Yeah, I'm sure you will. Thank you for reaching out."
It feels awkward to hang up now, but the conversation is over and she's not sure what else to say, thus she sets down her stone and leaves it on the table as she heads back upstairs.