bridgescribble | Did you pack socks?

Entry tags:

[gen],
[meme]

Did you pack socks?

The Traveling Meme

You're on your way from point A to point B, and you've chosen one of the many forms of communal conveyance to do so! Let's see what your trip looks like today.

Train: The Orient Express if you're feeling fancy, your standard intercity line if you're not, but no matter how humble the train there's always a little bit of romance to the rail.
Plane: It may be the type of travel we least look forward to. Go ahead and stuff your character in coach--unless they're one of the blessed few who can afford knee room in business class.
Ship: The heyday of the grand passenger liners, a tall ship (preferably with a star to steer her by), or the ferry.
Bus: Whether it's a school bus, a Greyhound, or your regular commuter ride... we know you're not wearing the seatbelt like you're supposed to.
Stagecoach: Some old-timey fun!
Airship: Listen, JRPGs had it right when they decided these should be a normal thing.
Spaceship: For that sci-fi feel! To boldly get Ubered where no one has Ubered before.

Scenarios

I brought a book for a REASON: You're just trying to make this journey in peace and quiet but for the person in the seat next to you....
Stalled: Well, now you're really not there yet, because your mode of transport has stopped working--thrown a wheel or can't get off the tarmac or lost the breeze. Better figure out something to do in the meantime.
Stand and deliver! Dammit, it's bandits, or robbers, or some other kind of ne'er do well--or maybe you're the one pulling the heist.
Running: Not literally, obviously, but you're trying to get away from something bad. Let's hope it's not catching up to you a few seats down....
Disaster! This isn't just inconvenient, it's catastrophic! Good thing you're here to save the day, right? ...Right?
Actually having a nice time: It's just pleasant to sit and look out windows while someone else does the steering, you know?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

That is an odd point-of-view. Humans are very much the same, able to use magic or not.

[At least in Borra's opinion. He was surprised to find a wizard who wanted to know more about his kind. But this young wizard was different than most, able to sit down near him without showing any disdain or hatred simply because he was Fae. For that reason, he was willing to explain about his kind of Fae and how they differed from others of their kind.]

Most Dark Fae have only a limited form of magic. Control over only one element or thing in nature. I myself can control plants. There is only one of us who has powerful magic that can do more than that any longer. The last direct descendant of the ancestor of us all, the Phoenix. You will find most faeries do not age. They are simply born from aspects of nature and remain as they are, static for eternity. Dark Fae are born and grow as humans do until we are adults. If we are not killed by iron weapons or the like, we can live for hundreds of years.

[Then he sighed and closed his brightly-colored eyes. There was a sad and wistful tone to his voice as he went on.]

That is perhaps the reason there are so few of us in comparison to humans. We do not have many young ones born. But at least those who are born now no longer have to worry about being hunted down and being kept in secrecy all their lives.

Edited 2023-12-30 10:31 (UTC)

Oh wow, that is a lot fascinating details about the Dark Fae. Especially with your control over certain aspects of nature or the elements, your connection to nature and how you’re able to live longer lives than most people I know of. Although I didn’t know that iron can do a lot of harm onto your kind.

(This has wondering how in the world humans are able to weaponized iron to do so much harm onto the Fae. Does that affect elves like Dobby and Kreacher too? Are the wizards too ashamed to admit that they might have used iron in some form to harm the Fae in the past? He will probably have to be very careful when handling iron in the presence of the Fae, Dark or otherwise.)

I’m also glad to hear that the younger generations of the Fae wouldn’t have to live in fear for the rest of their lives compared to how we wizardkind have been doing for generations. We’re still stuck with having to live by the Statute of Secrecy or risk getting persecuted by those who don’t understand wizarding magic or just magic in general.

Iron burns faeries. Turned into something like a sword to kill or chains to imprison us and there is little we can do against it.

[Borra still had a number of scars from instances in the past with humans long since dead and buried who had sought fit to hurt him simply because they could.]

Humans once, long ago, were able to make peace with the Dark Fae after a long period where we were hunted down, tortured or killed because they feared us. As parts of humanity began to forget magic and the creatures in it, the world of wizards helped to find us a place of our own, where we'd be isolated but safe.

[Much like other magical creatures, certain sections of the countryside had been left for their use, enchanted so Muggles would not easily be able to find them. The traditional island where Dark Fae originated from had been enchanted so completely as to be impossible to find except for those wizards or witches who deliberately set out to visit it for whatever reason.]

That is why, despite my distaste for your government at times, I go to make sure that peace remains, and to remind them who their allies are.

Yes, it is true that we have a long way to go to repair the damages and atone for the pain my ancestors had done onto your kind. Even while most people in the world have since long forgotten about magic and everything connected to and there are some unpleasant folks running around, at least most of wizardkind is trying to make amends with the Fae to make up for everything that had happened.

It is probably for the best that we can move forward and make sure that the reparations don’t go in vain for future generations of Fae and wizards alike.

Yes. Despite how I feel towards many humans, I know there are just as many who wish to be compassionate towards us. I was once shown mercy by a young prince long ago despite the fact I'd just attacked his kingdom with many of the Fae. He could have killed me where I stood, pointing an iron sword at my throat. [And indeed there was still a small scar at Borra's throat from the point touching him for an extended period of time.] But instead he found it within himself to choose a better path. It was that act which helped convince me to end the battle and the end of the war came soon after.

One of humanity's better qualities is that they are adaptable. And though it might take a long time, eventually they learn to tolerate others until it becomes commonplace to them, though the process can take a few centuries to really sink in.

Sounds like that prince did the right thing in choosing not to kill you and the other Fae during the fight. A mentor of mine and my godfather once said that people are not born as entirely good or evil as we humans have the capability to do both good and bad actions. But it is how we choose to do with them that counts and I think that the he made the right choice to end the hostilities between your kind and mine.

I agree: it will take a long time, even centuries, to make sure that tolerance and acceptance of others will be commonplace around the world; at least there is some progress being made in wizardkind to be more open and accepting towards the Fae and other magical creatures alike. It is not an easy thing to do but it is not that impossible to accomplish.

It is tempting to play the role of the villain when others keep trying to say that is all you will ever be. To rise above it takes great strength of character. It took being given a chance by number of compassionate humans for me to finally put aside my hostile nature. Though they are many centuries dead, without them, the Dark Fae would either have completely perished into extinction or still be completely hidden away.

[Borra tipped his head to the side as he regarded Harry, the movement emphasized by his large horns.]

You have an odd point-of-view for a wizard. I have not encountered one with such a tolerant mindset in quite a while.

(Harry nods in response. He too had a problem of seeing things in a mostly black and white mindset as a child when he first entered Hogwarts. Over time however, as he continued on with his studies, he began to see that things aren’t that simple and that people can be very complex in their nature throughout their lives. That is a lesson that he learned the hard way for the last 8 or so years.)

Yes. It would have been too easy to write someone off as just bad or good without considering the possibility for anyone to grow as an individual and to rise above such horrible things in life. I learned that the hard way when I was a kid.

I once had some bias against a school house as a young boy, only for it to be thrown out as I grew older and got exposed to see many dark things and nasty people in my community and seeing other people and creatures facing harsh treatments. Meeting some good people in that house does also help out. I’m amazed to see that I didn’t become overly cynical after all what I have been through and witnessed.

Oh gee, thanks. I am quite happy to hear it since I was hoping to meet other magical creatures outside of wizardkind.

A good lesson to learn for one so young. That will serve you well in the upcoming years. I wish others of your kind would be able to take it to heart just as well.

[Borra had learned it himself incrementally over the years, though that first meeting with the humans in the kingdom of Ulstead had been what had started it all.]

What is your name, wizard?

I do hope so as well. It might take a long time for everyone else to be more understanding and learn to let go of those biases, but eventually we will get to a place where everyone regardless of their species is accepted and don’t have to live in fear for their entire lives.

Oh yes, my name. My name is Harry, it is very nice to meet you.

Perhaps. Perhaps not.

[The Dark Fae said evenly. Humanity had made great strides over the centuries but he'd just as often seen them backslide when someone cruel and intolerant of others came into power. It was a sad, old story.]

I am Borra of the Desert Fae.

[He gave a polite nod, the movement accentuated by the large pair of horns he possessed. They twisted upwards and looked vaguely like those that could be found on an antelope.]

Borra of the Desert Fae. That sounds like a regal name for a Fae. I was named after my great-grandfather and I have my dad’s name as my middle name. Not exactly the most exciting or impressive sounding of names in all of Wizarding Britain.

(He politely nods in return, not being too surprised by the horns’ large size compared to some of the bus passengers who seem to act as if they have never seen horns on Fae and animals before. They look impressive in scale, compared to his stag Patronus’ horns.)

[Borra chuckled softly at Harry's words.]

Names mean very little in the end. It is what is in the heart of a being that matters most. Someone I have known for a very long time is a Forest Fae named Maleficent. Not a very friendly-sounding name, is it? But she is kind and wise, with a heart far larger than she'd like to ever let on.

True. Names don’t really mean that much compared to what most people would like to think. I honestly don’t pay much attention people recognizing me that often due to whatever reputation it has been to attached since I was a baby.

Wow, that is quite amazing. She must be a well respected and upstanding figure among the Fae. I do wonder what kinds of action she is very capable of doing that have earned her such admiration.

[Borra thought of what Harry had told him thus far. A reputation that had been attached since he was a baby...hmm...then it clicked.] Are you-- [Then he lowered his voice so no nosy snoops could overhear.] Are you Harry Potter then?

[Even among the Dark Fae, they had heard of The Boy Who Lived. One or two very foolish and young of their kind had even sided with Voldemort, though the wizarding world had allowed them to punish those youthful idiots in the way they sought best rather than imposing anything upon their people.

He nodded at the mention of Maleficent, a soft look coming into his orange-red eyes.]

She formed a bridge between the Dark Fae and humanity a long time ago. She became mother to a human princess, a beautiful young girl who she had cursed once in a moment of rash anger. It turned out only she held the key to breaking the spell she had cast, using the love in her heart. That first loving relationship between Fae and a human allowed everything else to occur. The steps that were taken afterwards could not have happened without her.

Why yes, yes that is definitely my name.

A young human princess born from her and a human and being an important key to form a bridge for Dark Fae and humans alike. Wow: That is quite amazing that this princess did played a key role in staring those first important steps to repair relations between our people.

I’m also quite happy that Maleficent was able to break the curse she accidentally placed onto her daughter with that strong love for her in the end too.

Interesting. Not quite what I expected.

[More humble and tolerant than he expected a wizard who was a living legend to be.

He chuckled at the idea he'd accidentally given Harry given the way he'd worded things.]

Oh no, the child wasn't her own flesh and blood. At the time, she knew of no other Dark Fae. She was adopted by Maleficent some time after she'd placed the curse on the girl and was fully human. In a way, it was even better, for Maleficent learned to love the girl simply on her own merit and because of her lovely personality.

Oh sorry for the mistake, Borra. I just got a bit mixed up myself. At least she and the young girl do get to love each in spite of not being related to each other.

I do know what is it like having a second family though. My relatives on my mum’s side weren’t the greatest people in the world: in fact outside of my cousin, they aren’t the kind of people you would love to have a tea party with. It wasn’t a great environment to live in their home for most of my life. No one should get treated horribly by their relatives.

Luckily I was able to find friends who would go out of their way to treat me well and care for me regardless. Some of my best connections are with the family of one of my best friends. They don’t have much in terms of personal wealth but they do make up for it with a lot of love and care for the people they meet.

In a way, it was what led her to the rest of us, so I never could disapprove too much of her human daughter.

[Aurora had been kind enough. For a human at least. Borra was always a little prickly no matter who he talked to.]

One may not always choose the family they are born into but they can choose a new one that is not bound by ties of blood.

I can agree with that. Just because people can be related by blood doesn’t mean that they will be close with each other. It can be tough finding people who will love and accept one for who they are. But it is always worth making strong bonds outside of one’s kin and being happy with them everyday.

I don’t regret associating myself with my friends than my relatives ever since I got to meet them years ago.

Take it from someone who has lived a long, long time: live your life with as few regrets as possible.

[The bus came to a screeching halt. The conductor called out the stop and Borra stood up, stretching his wings out to work out some of the cramps that had developed during the long journey. After a brisk shake which ruffled all of his feathers, he looked down at Harry.]

This was an interesting meeting, young wizard. If you ever have cause to make it to the island of the Dark Fae, I would be happy to show you my home.

Yes indeed, it has been quite interesting meeting in a bus, Borra. I would be honoured to come visit your home on the island of the Dark Fae someday whenever I get the chance to do.

(He couldn’t help letting out a soft smile, having learned a lot about the Dark Fae and getting to meet one in Borra. Maybe he will get the opportunity to visit him and the Dark Fae eventually when he does get some free time.)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Did you pack socks?

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