Newcomer: Day 15

Word Total: 90,047

Year to Date: 600,337

Summary of Events: 

Miķelis made his way to the covert time of Reform fellowship, as he did every Sunday morning, only to be distressed by the fact that everyone was surprised to see him and worried he was compromising on his faith because he was spending more time with Kristiāns and Dzidris — who weren't Reform-believing — than with them. Since he'd not realised this, he apologised, but some of them weren't convinced, and he wasn't entirely wanting to quit spending time with Kristiāns and Dzidris either, so he did what he could to socialise with them all together. Prince Zigmārs noticed that Miķelis seemed to be distressed and asked Miķelis what was going on, offering counsel once Miķelis explained…

Excerpt of the Day:

  “There are times when friendships fade,” Prince Zigmārs said. “Oftentimes because neither party really cares to put effort into the relationship, although — and this could be a case — there are times where a person may not value their friendship with someone enough to put the effort a friendship demands into it for themselves, but they believe the other person in the relationship ought to care and put the effort in, prompting them to get offended and antagonistic.”

“That isn’t true of all my old friends,” Miķelis replied. “Some of them have apologised for not doing their part, and for having not mentioned to me that they were feeling neglected sooner, but some of them are upset at me.”

“How many old friends do you have?” Prince Zigmārs asked.

“About… five, or six,” Miķelis replied.

“That’s rather a number,” Prince Zigmārs said.

Miķelis nodded.

“I would say that some of them are evidently good and true friends with whom you ought to keep up relations,” Prince Zigmārs said. “But the others, maybe it’s time to let go.”

“But, the group of us have always spent time together,” Miķelis replied. “We’re all from Elejādirozen, so we all grew up together, especially because we’re the same age.”

Prince Zigmārs nodded.

“And, I have been, especially since my old friends mentioned it to me, bringing my new friends to dine with them,” Miķelis added. “It was just this afternoon, because Ainārs and I had to set up the stove that I missed them and they all sat apart. I think my new friends can integrate into the group over time, but right now I’m the only adhesive between them.”

“You even looked troubled yesterday,” Prince Zigmārs said. “I’m not so sure that this matter is as insignificant as you seem to be implying.”

“I’ve written my priest about it,” Miķelis said. “I rather wish the mail had gone out already so the letter would be on its way to him, but I hope that his counsel will help me.”

Prince Zigmārs nodded. “Good, I hope that it has a short trip, and that his reply will aid your countenance, for it does not gladden me to see you looking so burdened. I am sure the camp priest would be willing to offer some counsel in the meantime as well.”

Miķelis nodded. “I will consider it, my lord.”
“And I will pray for you that you might come to an amicable resolution of this situation,” Prince Zigmārs said.

“Thank you, my lord,” Miķelis replied. “Is that all?”

“Yes, you are dismissed,” Prince Zigmārs replied.

Miķelis rose from his seat and slipped back outside. The lights still glowed and danced. Miķelis hoped that he might hear the crackling that accompanied them, the conditions seemed right for it, but he wasn’t sure, he’d heard that the crackling was latitudinally-limited as well, but he wasn’t that far south of home, so he felt like he shouldn’t yet be out of range for it.

As he watched the lights dance, Miķelis did very much hope that Tautvydas’ answers would help, after all, if he was honest, those who hadn’t yet forgiven him of his ‘old friends’ were the ones with whom he’d had less association overall, while the ones who had been closer to him — both in residence and relationship — were the ones he was right with.

Pronunciation:

Tautvydas: t'outveedahs

Next Post: 31 August.