WHO: Allanon and Haymitch WHAT: Allanon encounters a stranger and finds advice WHEN: A week or more ago WARNINGS: N/a STATUS: Closed and Complete
It had been a few days since Allanon had gone through the weirdness of the near-(or-complete?) destruction of his pupil and friend’s relationship. That and some words that were spoken had filled him with anger, and pain, partially for her, and partially for how some people thought of him. So he was trying to work through his feelings, and not be destructive.
This led to him walking along in town, thinking and seeking inspiration. He wasn’t sure where he would end up, but he knew he needed to… find something.
So he wandered the town, sometimes stopping to eat, his tall staff in one hand, and the other open, as he thought, sometimes completely missing all around him.
***
Haymitch wasn’t the sort of person to stick his nose in other people’s business when it hadn’t been invited however his work with the recovering addicts he helped had made him a little more sensitive to others. He would offer his help and then go from there. So when he noticed a man walking around town hardly noticing the people or places around him he couldn’t help but ask, “Are you alright? Please don’t feel you need to answer it’s just you look a little distressed”
***
Allanon cracked one eye open more and peered at the man and sighed. Apparently, he had been looking worse than even he thought. He cleared his throat and tried to stand up a little taller. “I ah… am a little the worse for wear. Mostly tired.” He paused.
“And there was an argument.” Not that he was in the argument, but still.
***
Since he seemed forthcoming with the information Haymitch decided to offer his assistance, at worst he would be refused and at best he might be able to help. “I can offer coffee and a pretty practiced listening ear if you want” he offered, “In the strictest confidence of course.” he added not wanting the man to think he was a gossip or anything.
***
Allanon considered this. He was not one to generally tell his story, or his affairs, but it did seem like he could use the advice. He sighed and nodded. “Those both sound good, really. When and where?”
He stretched and groaned a bit, being a touch sore. It had been a long few days.
*** “How about now? There’s a coffee shop just over there” Haymitch offered, pointing out the cafe they were only a few metres away from on the other side of the road. “No time like the present right?” he said with a smile and a nod.
***
Allanon nodded. “Yeah. That sounds about right. Thanks.” Allanon smiled a little. “You randomly help strangers a lot?”
It was a thing he was not used to, really, back home. This place held ready and new surprises all the time.
***
“You could say that, I’m actually a counselor. I mainly deal with addicts but my listening skills are pretty good all around” he replied, not wanting him to think he was simply a nosey person.
“Haymitch Abernathy” he added holding out his hand.
***
“Nice to meet you, Haymitch. I’m Allanon. Seems like exactly what I need. Are you sure you want to do this on your time off?” It felt very odd for Allanon, to be on the other side of the counseling thing. It felt very odd.
***
“Good to meet you” Haymitch replied before smiling with a shrug, “I’m here and I don’t mind, if I can help then it’s all the better” Since coming here and finding a place for himself Haymitch was much more settled and relaxed, if he could help others then he would.
***
Allanon nodded. “I usually find myself as counselor to others. But my own source of counsel is absent here, and I find myself somewhat at a loss.” he sighed.
His smile to Haymitch was grateful. “I welcome any insights you can provide.”
***
“I’ll do what I can” Haymitch promised, “Let’s get ourselves settled and see what we can do”
***
Allanon nodded, and smiled, looking around. “Where do we go?”
He was still new to all of this.
***
“There’s a pretty quiet table in the corner,” Haymitch said, pushing open the door of the coffee shop he’d pointed out earlier. They put in their drink orders and went to take a seat while they waited for it to be brought over.
***
Allanon stepped in, ordered and settled. “How much do you know of teenagers and relationships?” He broached that part first, curious about general insights as well as other ones. He wanted to know what he could.
***
Haymitch gave a wry smile, “More than I really ever wanted to” he said honestly, “They can make the simplest things the most complicated. Some of them second guess themselves too much, some of them jump headlong into things without thinking them over, I’ve seen the whole range”
***
Allanon sighed and nodded. “That matches up with my experience, little as it has been. Back in my world, I was a druid, a protector of the lands we lived in and of the people. Also a keeper of knowledge and magic.’ He began to explain. “There, at a time of great strife, I guided and led three young people, each from different backgrounds, in a mission to save that world. It succeeded, but in the passage of it, bonds were formed between them. They arrived here before I did, by some months, and here, the bond increased. Two of them were from settled lifestyles, townships of a kind. One was a Rover, or a traveler, much like what I have heard of Earth Gypsies.”
He nodded, sipping his drink. “When I arrived here, they were somewhat concerned I would disapprove, which I did not. And one of them, the Rover, sought me out, to make sure I was not going to bother the others. She is a soul who strains for a challenge, movement, and life beyond the norm. In her, I sensed more and so I offered to train her. Mostly to keep me busy, she agreed, but soon found the training to appeal to her.”
He shook his head. “The others were not so happy, because it took her away more, but they said nothing for weeks. Apparently, they suspected that she and I were being intimate. Which we were not, at all, I hesitate not to say. Nonetheless, knowing the Rover’s ways, part of the training was to sharpen her mind, and bend her reactions to stress to useful things. To more powerful ways of using language.” Another sip and he went on.
“She was a natural flirt. It was part of her way to flirt with everyone and especially in stress. It was not a personal thing, nor had her… trio, ever objected before now. When her trio suspected us of wrongdoing, they found her phone and went through it, finding exchanges where I, using her own language, was helping her to sharpen her tongue, including in flirting. They immediately used this to accuse us both of wrongdoing, and of betraying them, even when told elsewise. Which did not go well. Neither I, nor she took such words well, and I fear now that their trio is sundered. Which… be as it may be.”
He sighed.
“I will never understand people.”
***
It sounded somewhat familiar to Haymitch, though he couldn’t say his mentoring of the kids had been as noble as saving the world. Katniss and Peeta had, of course, been different and ignited the spark to change things but it wasn’t a virtuous effort on his part. Not really. He sipped his drink as he listened carefully, taking it all in.
“I’m not sure anybody will ever truly understand people. We’re all varied complicated creatures most of the time” Haymitch said with a wry smile. “Though it sounds to me like there’s a lot of jealousy clouding things in this situation. How did she react? Can’t imagine I’d be too happy if somebody I trusted was going through my phone and then wrongly accused me of lying. Jealousy is a dangerous emotion, it can lead to all sorts”
***
“She did not react well. She was angry, and they argued. And when they angered her too much, she departed to the training camp in the woods. I am uncertain what the future holds, but I fear as long as they demand of her more than she is willing to give, then their relationship is at an end, and possibly mine with them as well.” He sighed.
“I did not come here to harm this, but it seems there was a problem waiting to happen.”
***
Haymitch nodded, “It certainly sounds that way” he sighed, “Relationships are complicated but if there was a lack of trust there then I believe something else would have happened to set off a chain of events like this at some point” It wasn’t much comfort he knew but it certainly didn’t sound like the relationship between the three had been very strong. Though, of course, he didn’t know them all personally.
***
Allanon nodded. “I don’t know if I caused it, or if it was here before and just not… awakened? It is hard for me to understand some of it, hence wishing counsel. All I know now is that it seems to be very much a problem now.” He shook his head.
“Here, I can let them be, if they desire. I do not wish to cause upset.”
***
“I can’t imagine it’s just you, it’s probably been brewing for a while and this was just the catalyst,” Haymitch said, “Talk to your girl, see if she wants you to leave them be. If you’ve been training her and it’s been helping then she might prefer you not just stop. It might not be easy but it’s worth the discussion I think”
***
“Thank you.” Allanon blew out a long breath. He didn't doubt himself easily but when he did, he knew it. He felt, one more, a surge of confidence.
He smiled at Haymitch. “Thank you. I'll talk to her. I needed a second opinion and now I know I found the right one.” He extended a hand to the man.
“If ever you can use the help of a druid or even an ear to bend, let me know. I'll be there.”
*** “You’re welcome. I only hope I’ve helped some” Haymitch said as he shook Allanon’s hand, “I’ll take you up on that if I need to. Let me know how it all goes” he added, because Allanon would be a welcome friend.
***
“You have. You have assured me that I am not completely mad, and that, at least some, there is a chance I am thinking clearly.” Allanon smiled to Haymitch. He still was unsure, but now he felt better, anyway.
“I will. Thanks.” And he headed off, off to talk to Eretria and see what may come.