[text] username: justanadventurer

[aetherweaver]

[He debates for a while if he wants to post this anonymously or not. He very nearly does, for fear of making people worried.]

[But he's trying to be better about his mental health, and if he can put his face to this then others can feel more comfortable talking about their problems, too.]

I was just wondering...

A lot of us are 'heroes' in our home worlds, or maybe 'chosen ones' or... basically we're expected to save the world or do something amazing.

How do you change from that to going to an everyday life? I've been trying to for months, but I can't shake the habit if expecting to solve every problem by myself - or nearly by myself, at least. ... It's nice to be regarded as a 'normal' person, but it's difficult to stop trying to be a 'hero'.

It's getting to be a problem, not knowing how to not take on too much. Does anyone have any tips?

[Now to hope Gaia misses this post...]

Comments

[aetherweaver]

I did, yes. I was subject to a lot of teasing by my family for it, too.

[survivalthroughhate]

As was their right. Should have just gotten them tattooed back on. No way of losing them again then!

[aetherweaver]

I've thought about tattoos before, but I feel like I'm too much of an indecisive person to put something on myself permanently.

Other than the scar on my nose, but that was an accident.

[survivalthroughhate]

I didn't get a choice in mine. Nightkin are tattooed by their mothers from the time when they are born. But I wear them proudly. My master took much from me but he could never take the part of my past that was etched into my very skin.

[aetherweaver]

We don't have tattoos, but Keepers of the Moon tend to wear war paint. I usually do - the markings around my eyes aren't actually natural. They're an offering to Menphina the Lover... I suppose I do it more out of habit now than anything else. But I wear it proudly, because it's part of my culture. So I can understand in some ways the importance of visibly wearing your history.

[survivalthroughhate]

Ah, I thought those were scars or something of that nature around your eyes. Yes, for Nightkin, our tattoos are an important part of our culture. Each member of our tribe is done up differently so no two end up alike.

[aetherweaver]

That's very interesting... do the tattoos themselves have specific meanings?

[survivalthroughhate]

Yes. If you know how to interpret them, they can tell information. Things like where and when a person was born, what tribe they belong to, and basic personality traits. Hence why my brother and I have very different tattoos despite having the same parents.

[aetherweaver]

I see. Most of the markings on a Keeper of the Moon miqo'te are offerings to Menphina the Lover, goddess of the moon. There's no specific meaning to each stroke, they're just traditional.

I think I like your individual ones more. They're very interesting and help you look quite dashing.

[survivalthroughhate]

Do you still pray to your goddess here even though a different one inhabits the moon?

You flatter me. Most people don't think as such regarding my tattoos. But thank you.

6.1 spoilers

[aetherweaver]

I don't. And I don't really bother praying to the Twelve much anymore - I'll still use their names in everyday speech like 'Twelve damn it' or 'oh gods', but I'm... well.

I've fought some of the Twelve. Including the goddess of the sun, and the one known as the Destroyer.

Really? I think they're very cool. Cultural identity is something very special that can never be truly taken away. Even if people try... it always survives.

[survivalthroughhate]

I've never had much cause to believe in gods and judging from your experiences that might be a good thing. My clan of Nightkin believe in the Winged Goddess and the Fanged God, though I was never indoctrinated into the religion. My brother was though and believes in them wholeheartedly.

I know that all too well. My master tried to erase my past and make me forget. But you can't erase someone's personal history when it is etched upon their very skin.

[aetherweaver]

I don't have a problem with people who believe in or pray to gods, as long as they don't try to get the gods to come down. That causes problems, mostly because they drain the land of the energy it needs.

I'm sorry you went through all of that abuse. If you ever want to talk about it to someone, I'm around. There's no rush - just if you want to.

[survivalthroughhate]

Now that I know all too well. The Pthumerians have proved that well enough both here and in Deerington.

Perhaps once I get to know you better. I don't trust easily.

[It's nothing personal. Maul has just learned the hard way over the years that his trust is too often repaid by people using what they learn about him against him later on. He's still learning that's not always the case here in Trench, that good people will in fact keep his confidence in what he tells them, but it's hard to shake the habits of a lifetime.]

[aetherweaver]

I've seen them cause problems here, yes... though not nearly as much as you have.

That's very fair. I just thought I'd offer. It's a standing offer, anyway.

[He trusts perhaps too easily, though he's gotten a bit better at it over the years. But Maul's never done anything bad to him, so he has no problem with extending an offer.]

[survivalthroughhate]

I'll have to tell you about their long and horrible history sometime.

Duly noted.

[Once people have reached a certain level of friendship with Maul, he tends to able to confide in them more, even if this place doesn't push him into some group therapy session with them.]

[aetherweaver]

I've read a book on them, but it's always good to learn from a firsthand account.

:)

[He's just learned about emoji, okay? He's trying.]