mortal is as mortal does | Glowfic Constellation

imeanforever

"I could learn to make a gate."

ending-of

"Which would accomplish one or perhaps both of those goals?" she asks by way of clarification.

imeanforever

"At least locating the mortal world, probably also finding your - thing. If there can be a tear there, there can probably be a gate there."

ending-of

"Then I would like you to do that," she says.

imeanforever

"It will take me a while and you'd probably be safer in my tree than sitting out here where anybody might try to catch you and take you home. Oh - by the way - accepting food from or telling your name to a fairy will make you their vassal."

ending-of

"I do not eat or use a name," she says.

imeanforever

"...Then you're probably safe unless your lack of name makes you nameable, in which case the first fairy who thinks of calling you something of their choice gets you."

ending-of

"That sounds inconvenient. What exactly is a vassal?"

imeanforever

"A vassal is someone with a master. Vassals cannot harm their masters, at least not by themselves, and must follow any enforced commands they are capable of obeying issued by the master."

ending-of

"That sounds extremely inconvenient."

imeanforever

"Well, yes. I don't know any way to check if you're nameable besides trying to name you, though."

ending-of

"Is one only nameable if one has never used a name, or does one's name expire if one ignores it for long enough?"

imeanforever

"I think that if you've only forgotten your name it's still your name for this purpose. But you're unprecedented."

ending-of

She considers this information.

"I suppose I will come to your tree, then, so that no one has the chance to test it."

imeanforever

"This way." Promise puts the lid on her cup of dewdrops and takes off, flying slowly.

ending-of

Wearing an expression of distaste, the administrator follows.

imeanforever

It's a pretty long walk.

Eventually they reach Promise's tree. Its leaves match her wings and its door opens for her when she lands and touches it. In she goes.

ending-of

The administrator also goes into the tree.

imeanforever

"If you're comfortable just staying here - do you also not drink water? - I can nip out to the library for books on gating."

ending-of

"By preference, I sit in a chair and do not do anything at all," says the administrator. "Including eat or drink or sleep."

imeanforever

"Oh, well, then, you'll be right at home. Have a seat."

Promise goes out and shuts the door.

ending-of

The administrator sits in the nearest comfortable-looking chair. She finds it acceptable. She closes her eyes and contemplates her muddied perception of this universe.

imeanforever