You think that's the worst language I've ever heard? With this accent?
[Either Australian English's legendary vulgarities have been lost to time, or York just believes he somehow missed out on them in hundreds of years of living.]
Might be bad enough for North's naughty list, but you seem a little old for Christmas miracles anyway. And I'm not a personification of anything.
[Plainly saying 'I was mortal once' would open up almost as many sad tales as would pointing out that one doesn't investigate crimes against children and retain any semblance of innocence - that's definitely not a topic for lighthearted, complimentary banter, and lighthearted complimentary banter is proving itself a nice way to occupy time under awkward circumstances.
Still - York's touched on his private thoughts that the kids from his Earth being lucky comes with the consequential thought that kids from the Earths where he's not are . . . less lucky. If he dwelt to long on that thought without hope of his own, it would break his heart.]
Your kids'll be lucky, too.
When we're done here - I'm not gonna forget your worlds're out there. We swore an oath to watch over the children of Earth, but I'm thinking the oath could use an update.
[It's not a light promise, the way he doesn't rattle it off quickly. The words come slow, carefully picked, because he'd like to apologize for not having been there for York's childhood, too. But what are the right words for that? For a myth to say to a mortal, 'I'm sorry I wasn't there for you - I didn't know you existed?']
Anyway. [Now there's a good word for getting to less sad subjects.] I'm glad you've got those memories. I'm glad you get to have it every now and again. Everyone who looks into your eyes gets a bit of that peace. It wouldn't be fair if you hadn't gotten to have some yourself.
[He lets the words have their moment to sink in, genuine with care, before breaking into a triumphant grin.]
There, how's that for a compliment, complimentary enough for ya?
[Private] [Encrypted]
[Either Australian English's legendary vulgarities have been lost to time, or York just believes he somehow missed out on them in hundreds of years of living.]
Might be bad enough for North's naughty list, but you seem a little old for Christmas miracles anyway. And I'm not a personification of anything.
[Plainly saying 'I was mortal once' would open up almost as many sad tales as would pointing out that one doesn't investigate crimes against children and retain any semblance of innocence - that's definitely not a topic for lighthearted, complimentary banter, and lighthearted complimentary banter is proving itself a nice way to occupy time under awkward circumstances.
Still - York's touched on his private thoughts that the kids from his Earth being lucky comes with the consequential thought that kids from the Earths where he's not are . . . less lucky. If he dwelt to long on that thought without hope of his own, it would break his heart.]
Your kids'll be lucky, too.
When we're done here - I'm not gonna forget your worlds're out there. We swore an oath to watch over the children of Earth, but I'm thinking the oath could use an update.
[It's not a light promise, the way he doesn't rattle it off quickly. The words come slow, carefully picked, because he'd like to apologize for not having been there for York's childhood, too. But what are the right words for that? For a myth to say to a mortal, 'I'm sorry I wasn't there for you - I didn't know you existed?']
Anyway. [Now there's a good word for getting to less sad subjects.] I'm glad you've got those memories. I'm glad you get to have it every now and again. Everyone who looks into your eyes gets a bit of that peace. It wouldn't be fair if you hadn't gotten to have some yourself.
[He lets the words have their moment to sink in, genuine with care, before breaking into a triumphant grin.]
There, how's that for a compliment, complimentary enough for ya?