OS Prompt 1.5 - Appearances Can Be Deceiving...

[thecricketer]

"Do not judge a book by its cover."

"Things are not always as they seem."

"Appearances are often deceiving."

These mantras persevere in some form for generations on many a planet, and yet so few listen to them.

Look at me, for instance. What do you see?

You see youth, and innocence.

You see passivity, and fragility.

You see always the man who holds his friend's hand, and never the man who has burned another to death.

That is why you always lose.

I have seen more death than you can possibly imagine, lived more lives than you can dream.

I am a tired renegade, a bitter exile, a disillusioned meddler. I will not stand for your cruelty, your corruption, your oppression.

You would do well to know this, but I will never tell you.

Comments

[capturedworlds.livejournal.com]

This would be why I like you. *nods*

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

*faint smile* Thank you. I am...glad it is not off-putting.

[capturedworlds.livejournal.com]

Not at all!

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

*the smile widens, and for a moment he looks young again* Splendid. It's who I am, after all.

[capturedworlds.livejournal.com]

*smiles* It's a good thing, to stand up for things so strongly.

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

I've always thought so. *the smile falters, slightly* Though there are always some...regrets. What you could have done better - what you wish you hadn't done at all.

[capturedworlds.livejournal.com]

*softly*

I think that's part of the whole process of being a thinking, imperfect being. You can't beat yourself up over those things, but you can take the regret and look at it in a way to shape yourself into your next stage of growth to figure out what you could have done differently and tell yourself that's what you'll do in the future.

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

*chuckles quietly* You sound like Nyssa - which is a compliment, mind, you're both quite wise.

I try, really, to look forward, but sometimes the past catches up with me. Usually when I stop moving.

[capturedworlds.livejournal.com]

Is that why you always keep going?

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

...That's one reason, I suppose.

[capturedworlds.livejournal.com]

I can understand that.