* BURDENED.

        IT ALWAYS HAS. It was the burden that put the tiredness behind his eyes. The thing that followed him like a shadow. He hadn’t wanted this -- he hadn’t wanted to be placed on the opposite end of the chess board. He didn’t want the world to revolve around an eternal war between two immortal souls. He didn’t want to watch more blood fall to the already soaked ground.

           He wanted there to be an end.

     “ War is not the way to drive a world. ”  Amber eyes raise to meet hers, wishing red would be replaced with the blue lost to time. ( But it never would be -- those days were gone, and there was no going back. )  “ There is no power in fear. No winning in violence -- no beauty in bloodshed. It only divides us further, brings WEAKNESS instead of STRENGTH. ”

     “ i think that’s an understatement… ”      she mumbled as she sprung forward, keeping close to their guide as she examined the carnage around. it was hard to believe these people lived like this, but she suddenly remembered a time when she too was at a point in her life where she clung desperately to something because it gave her a sliver of hope. it was almost scary how much she could relate.      “ professor ozpin, if we can’t get to the general, what are we supposed to do with the relic ? ”

𝐇𝐈𝐒  𝐄𝐘𝐄𝐒  𝐀𝐑𝐄  𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐃 ,     like  lilacs  wilting  and  freezing  in  the  winter .   They  are  all  tired ,    this  much  is  obvious .   Trapped  in  some  intricate  ritual  of  keeping  appearances ,   the  Atlesians  dance  a  pathetic  song  and  dance .   Confined  in  this  enervating  waltz  are  even  the  two  most  powerful  men  it  Atlas  :  husband  and  husband .   There  are  many  secrets  to  be  held ,   here ,   even   by  a  man  who  knows  nothing  of  Salem  and  nothing  of  fairytales .   Atlas’  gleam ,  as  sharp  as  a  knife ,   is  so  bright  it  may  blind .

❛    It  is  a  privilege  to  have  you  in  Atlas  and  to  meet  you  at  last ,   Professor  Ozpin .   You’ll  have  to  forgive  how  tense  things  are .   While  our  security  protocols  are  strict  ,   I  assure  you  that  they’ve  never  been  quite  like  they  are ,   now .       ❜      He  smiles ,  he  pretends  that  it  is  warm .   He  pretends  that  he  is  not  exhausted .    ❛    Tell  me ,   have  you  been  here  before ?       ❜ 

     OH, JAMES.  Atlas’ tired eyes are familiar ones. That of clinging to fear, searching desperately for the last piece of hope that shines through. He can’t help but feel GUILT for this mess.  ( THIS WAS HIS BURDEN, NOT THEIRS. )  After all, the people of Atlas were scared of a threat they didn’t know existed. A fairytale written inside a locked book. A story forgotten by time, for better or for worse. 

     He offers a kind smile and a nod, laced with empathy for the General and his husband.  “ -- It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Doctor. I do wish the circumstances were .. different, but uncertain times can not be helped. ”