[ After making himself another bite he goes about assembling piece after piece with a speed and ease that comes from countless nights entertaining, having tired of incompetence in the kitchen in one way or another, opting to handle the tasks himself. Or, in certain not-infrequently situations, needing to make sure a meal proceeded without any of the poisoning save for the ones he orchestrated. ]
Do not mistake the point of the lesson. [ Emet-Selch lifts his gaze to meet Viktor's, the busy movement of his hands pausing. ] There is a natural order we exist within and are meant to uphold. It is not on us to decide who stays and who remains when they have passed beyond the care of a healer.
[ This cannot, he thinks, turn into some inspirational moment. He had erred gravely, specifically, and his mentor had always been sparing with her praise but blunt with her critique, her instruction, and her expectation. Certain information she would withhold until she had deemed him or his efforts worthy, but anything related to the seat of Emet-Selch, she imparted without hesitation. He had to do the same; the worst would be for Viktor to make the same mistakes. ]
You are much more likely to cause irreparable harm to a soul than to save it. This is not an indictment of your abilities or being whole. The only reason I was able to wrest you back so neatly, so cleanly is because of how inextricably we have wound our souls. Even then - [ There was a chance, but he hadn't allowed himself to consider it. Emet-Selch snaps, and a dozen little side plates appear. Pickled vegetables, candied nuts, honeycomb, a platter of greens for Del. He returns to the arduous task of assembling finger food, remaining steadfast even in the face of the sun as Viktor looks at him, handsome, easily pleased. Like he hadn't almost - ]
Do not give so much of yourself again, and certainly not to a creation.
[ Emet-Selch steals a look over at Viktor, feeling the thousands of years like a physical weight. He's had variations of this snack countless times. Meat and cheese and a bread option are not overly complex, but Viktor's easy pleasure makes him take a more considering bite, makes him taste instead of mechanically chewing and swallowing to eat and be done. It is, unsurprisingly, good when he lets himself taste. ]
no subject
Do not mistake the point of the lesson. [ Emet-Selch lifts his gaze to meet Viktor's, the busy movement of his hands pausing. ] There is a natural order we exist within and are meant to uphold. It is not on us to decide who stays and who remains when they have passed beyond the care of a healer.
[ This cannot, he thinks, turn into some inspirational moment. He had erred gravely, specifically, and his mentor had always been sparing with her praise but blunt with her critique, her instruction, and her expectation. Certain information she would withhold until she had deemed him or his efforts worthy, but anything related to the seat of Emet-Selch, she imparted without hesitation. He had to do the same; the worst would be for Viktor to make the same mistakes. ]
You are much more likely to cause irreparable harm to a soul than to save it. This is not an indictment of your abilities or being whole. The only reason I was able to wrest you back so neatly, so cleanly is because of how inextricably we have wound our souls. Even then - [ There was a chance, but he hadn't allowed himself to consider it. Emet-Selch snaps, and a dozen little side plates appear. Pickled vegetables, candied nuts, honeycomb, a platter of greens for Del. He returns to the arduous task of assembling finger food, remaining steadfast even in the face of the sun as Viktor looks at him, handsome, easily pleased. Like he hadn't almost - ]
Do not give so much of yourself again, and certainly not to a creation.
[ Emet-Selch steals a look over at Viktor, feeling the thousands of years like a physical weight. He's had variations of this snack countless times. Meat and cheese and a bread option are not overly complex, but Viktor's easy pleasure makes him take a more considering bite, makes him taste instead of mechanically chewing and swallowing to eat and be done. It is, unsurprisingly, good when he lets himself taste. ]