[ That is all that needs to happen, in this moment. That Cassian listens, truly and completely, and does not walk out the door and deposit the words of a god into the garbage, to forget and ignore them. No greater power did a human have, than to willfully turn their eyes from a god, to close their ears, to carry on under their own power and ability. Like this, he can take Cassian's jaw metaphorically in hand and reveal to him the branching routes that could carry him from the path he thinks he must always walk, the one he thinks is the only one left to him.
He can show him that each step he takes, there will always be one more dismount waiting for him. He only needs to shift slightly, and if he cannot find the strength in himself to turn in a new direction, there is a hand waiting to snag him by the crook of his elbow and drag him that way. Only able to drag him, because he trusts he will not be dragged into greater darkness. It is a messy little thing between them, but Set places confidence in his and Cassian's connection — that Cassian is more protector than monster, and Set can be strong enough to be what he was made to be.
Meridian's energy tucks itself into the palm of Cassian's hand, without urgency or force. The blooming light of creation, the heat of scouring, scourging destruction — Set envisions his connection to the light less like a gentle goodness, and more akin to his own grandmother. Powerful, brutal, the scourging force that speaks to wildfires and skin-searing energy. He crisps the ends of Cassian's fingers, albeit metaphorically. The sting of a light burn settling there as he draws back.
There is a feeling, that he can soothe some of his Discord, but that Cassian will not relinquish all of it readily. ]
I can claim these things for you, because you have placed your important pieces into my hands.
[ The Empire, Cassian's name, Cassian's Melshi, and now, the knowledge that he did not survive. That he cannot trust his world to be capable of rising and fighting in his absence, and so everyone fighting hard and hoping must perish to ensure it. Set will use those pieces as weapons, he will wield them, but never to break Cassian down — only to try to keep him walking a hard, new path.
]
Whatever you did, thank you. You did it, it was hard. You are alive to atone, like me.
[ He'll be the one to say the words that nobody said to him, after he returned from the Tree. With a tired smile, and the scent of lemon in the air. ]
no subject
He can show him that each step he takes, there will always be one more dismount waiting for him. He only needs to shift slightly, and if he cannot find the strength in himself to turn in a new direction, there is a hand waiting to snag him by the crook of his elbow and drag him that way. Only able to drag him, because he trusts he will not be dragged into greater darkness. It is a messy little thing between them, but Set places confidence in his and Cassian's connection — that Cassian is more protector than monster, and Set can be strong enough to be what he was made to be.
Meridian's energy tucks itself into the palm of Cassian's hand, without urgency or force. The blooming light of creation, the heat of scouring, scourging destruction — Set envisions his connection to the light less like a gentle goodness, and more akin to his own grandmother. Powerful, brutal, the scourging force that speaks to wildfires and skin-searing energy. He crisps the ends of Cassian's fingers, albeit metaphorically. The sting of a light burn settling there as he draws back.
There is a feeling, that he can soothe some of his Discord, but that Cassian will not relinquish all of it readily. ]
I can claim these things for you, because you have placed your important pieces into my hands.
[ The Empire, Cassian's name, Cassian's Melshi, and now, the knowledge that he did not survive. That he cannot trust his world to be capable of rising and fighting in his absence, and so everyone fighting hard and hoping must perish to ensure it. Set will use those pieces as weapons, he will wield them, but never to break Cassian down — only to try to keep him walking a hard, new path.
Whatever you did, thank you. You did it, it was hard. You are alive to atone, like me.
[ He'll be the one to say the words that nobody said to him, after he returned from the Tree. With a tired smile, and the scent of lemon in the air. ]