The Courage of Others
Jan. 27th, 2011 11:46 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sagacious_rage
Track 1: The Seer's Tower by Sufjan Stevens
In the tower above the earth
There is a view that reaches far
Where we see the universe
I see the fire, I see the end
This is my theme song for the Circle Tower in general.
In the trees our sons stand naked
Through the walls our daughters cry
See their tears in the rainfall
Inside the cage is the girl they were sent to fetch.
“Maker have mercy.”
I will never have the courage of others
I will not approach you at all
I was always taught to worry about things
All the many things you can't control
He makes her knees tremble. Because he's dangerous, she tells herself.
You float up high and it isn't a sin.
And there isn't a hell where we'll be sent.
There's only now, and there isn't then. So just breathe it in.
He sighs and leans back nonchalantly. “Well, you know. It's a game we play. They catch me, I escape, they track me down using poorly-disguised blood magic, and so on. Do you think they'll grow bored of it eventually?” He lets his hand brush against hers as he reaches for the salt.
We can sing
Two cracks in the crossbeams
We can sing
Very, very quietly
We can sing
We can sing for each other
“The Maker wants us to do this,” she whispered to herself as he touches her and she shudders.
“Yes, absolutely,” he responds, working his fingers deeper into her.
War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
She realizes she should be afraid, as it is so close she can see down its gaping maw into the horrifying darkness. She should feel fear as she stared at its claws that look like solid shards of flame, but she doesn't. Her brain is so paralyzed that she can't remember how to cast any sort of defense spell. Arcane bolts, shields, lightning, all elude her. All she can think is stone skin, stone skin can save you.
There's a ghost in my lungs and it sighs in my sleep
Wraps itself around my tongue as it softly speaks
Then it walks, then it walks with my legs
To fall, to fall, to fall at your feet
Keili does what she is told, and tries her best to not think about anything. It occurs to her that if she were to submit to the Rite of Tranquility, she wouldn't have to try any longer.
What am I if bound to walk in chains ´til I die
Reaching wildly out to the sky with no particular aim
A flame and all aflame
He is going to let himself get caught.
I'm trying to find my peace
I was made to believe there's something wrong with me
And it hurts my heart
Lord have mercy, ain't it plain to see?
“I want to be made Tranquil,” she blurts, the words tumbling out like water.
“What?” he backs away as if burned. “Why?”
“I can't...” is all she can say. So she repeats it. “I can't. I can't.”
I am going to make it through this year
If it kills me.
I am going to make it through this year
If it kills me
His fantasies grow dull and lifeless as they remain just as unattainable. He narrows it down to a simple list of requirements: a pretty girl, a decent meal, and the right to shoot lightning bolts at fools.
I am alive.
I can call your fake (I needed an anthem)
and I can give your take (I needed a song)
and I am here and brave (I want to go dancing)
and you're going to want me someday (when the music comes on).
I am alive.
Damn you. Do not write me again. (Please come visit, I long to see you. And... other things.)
So, sure, I could just close my eyes.
Yeah, sure, trace and memorize,
But can you go back once you know
(You don't know me)
You don't know me at all
She bites her lip and nods, and he can see tears trembling behind her lashes. Poor thing. “I am... no longer certain of his feelings for me. I do not wish to remain where I am no longer wanted.”
It does not suffice for you to say I am a sweet girl
Or to say you hate to see me sad because of you
It does not suffice to merely lie beside each other
As those who love each other do
On the third day she finds it difficult to pack with the constant tears in her eyes.
All we have to do now
Is take these lies and make them true somehow
All we have to see
Is that I don't belong to you
And you don't belong to me yea yea
Freedom,
Freedom,
Freedom
You've gotta give for what you take
Freedom,
(I won't let you down)
Freedom,
(I will not give you up)
Freedom
You've gotta give for what you take
“Don't worry about this one.”
“And why should I stop now?” he replies, stroking her slightly rounded belly.
“Because this one is going to be a mage,” she says proudly. “Just like us.”
“Well, I guess I am going to be staying a bit longer, then.” He pulls the sheet away and lowers himself over her. “For convincing.”
Hey Mama, I heard Papa call himself a jack of all trade.
Tell me is that what sent Papa to an early grave?
LOL no. That was the Taint. Sorry, kid.
And that's all, folks! If you want to just download the whole thing in one go, the link for that is right here.
