[Yeah this is probably the least surprising thing; he nods, and guides him over to the computer.]
This is what we've got. [Technically they still have the IRIS but they can't use it to communicate so.] We have a few people now who aren't all that comfortable with technology, so I set it up to respond to voice. It should be a little easier for you to send messages to the living this way, if you want to.
[ As he watches, a rift tears into the space around them both, transforming it into a grand audience chamber. Memory time, baby.
All your life, you have served your country. You know that your status and wealth are a privilege, and that the Warden of Light a great honour, but one that comes with a heavy responsibility.
And all your life, Valisthea has been at war. The Blight kills the land and its populations, crushing entire cities underfoot, leaving rulers and kings paranoid and hungry to seize up what little is left. You know this, and so you have given your body and your youth to protecting Sanbreque's borders and people.
These are the qualities that your father has instilled in you, and his expectations of your efforts rise ever higher, but always, always you have been glad to meet them.
Genuinely he just has to sit here for a minute and try to figure out a good way of saying "goddamn bro your parents fucking suck"
But Dion's emotions come through clearly, too, and ]
Sorry. [He means that genuinely. Luke is the sort of man who is used to knowing more about people than they realize, so he hasn't really felt bad about seeing others' memories, even though he hates having his own shown in return. But he's sure that the pattern held, and Dion exposed far too much of himself in the execution ring; he can acknowledge that Dion deserves a break.] This place really doesn't let up.
[ for his part, the execution has really put things into perspective so he's not as irritated over having this memory shared as he might've been earlier in the week.
he simply rubs his head. ]
So it doesn't. I am sorry for how much I have forced you all to bear with my troubles.
[Not long, then. Luke's gaze softens. This, precisely, is why he didn't watch Dion's execution. Dion's never given him any reason to believe he isn't a good man, and he'd known, of course, that Dion wouldn't have harmed Margaret in his right mind. With the chances of seeing Dion's fears, his burdens, his regrets... Luke hadn't wanted his own resolve to falter under the weight of Dion's goodness.
Now, though, he can put those complicated feelings aside, and give Dion the sympathy he deserves.]
One of my colleagues holds a title in his home country. [Just doxxes Vyn's identity. Whatever. Vyn isn't here, who cares.] He doesn't talk about it much, but I know it's hard on him.
[His own relationship with Vyn is Distant And Slightly Complicated, but he can acknowledge that much.
...]
You weren't out of line. [He's trying so hard to remind himself that they're from very different worlds, but it's hard, watching a parent talk to their child that way.] You know that, right?
... It is unheard of. For one to question the Emperor. [ he is the goddess greagor in the flesh, after all. ] That he was my father should not have given me leave to speak in such a manner.
[ still, his jaw tightens. ]
At least that is what I thought, at the time. But I have been since freed of such misconceptions.
[ when he looks at luke though, he smiles a little. ]
I thank you, Luke, for your kind words despite the hurt I have caused you and Margaret. Truly.
[It's good to hear that Dion doesn't feel that way anymore, because Luke definitely would've thrown down with Dion's memory parents about it. He still looks like he wants to say something else, but he doesn't have the time before his own memory plays out.]
dion frowns at the knowledge that luke lost his parents, though he is warmed by the affection that he feels for the young girl, and the bond that they've been able to forge through tragedy.
he is glad that at least he is not alone. ]
I hope you've gotten better at relying on others, Luke. [ a sad smile ] You were far too reserved for a child of such an age.
He looks a little embarrassed as the memory ends, though not as much as he did the first time this happened. He also definitely didn't get better and in fact got worse oops]
It's pretty normal, isn't it...? A kid not wanting to be trouble. [Sometimes you want to be "not trouble" so badly that you run away and try to wish yourself out of existence, but I didn't type up that memory so no one needs to know!]
Some kids can definitely be brats... [He generally likes kids but there are also no Oliviers in his life, so he has a blissfully biased view.] I don't know. They were just doing what they thought was best, and I didn't want them to think I was ungrateful.
[He's genuinely pushed his feelings about this whole incident down so far that it barely even registers as a Thing anymore. Especially now, it seems so minuscule compared to what Dion had to deal with.]
It is as your friend described... You can be grateful to them, and still mourn the loss of your family. Just as I can be grateful to have met you and the others here, and still long for those I knew in Valisthea.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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This is what we've got. [Technically they still have the IRIS but they can't use it to communicate so.] We have a few people now who aren't all that comfortable with technology, so I set it up to respond to voice. It should be a little easier for you to send messages to the living this way, if you want to.
[And he will show him how to do it!!]
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[ As he watches, a rift tears into the space around them both, transforming it into a grand audience chamber. Memory time, baby.
And all your life, Valisthea has been at war. The Blight kills the land and its populations, crushing entire cities underfoot, leaving rulers and kings paranoid and hungry to seize up what little is left. You know this, and so you have given your body and your youth to protecting Sanbreque's borders and people.
These are the qualities that your father has instilled in you, and his expectations of your efforts rise ever higher, but always, always you have been glad to meet them.
Until now.
Now, there is doubt. Now, you cannot turn your gaze away from the greed with which your father rules, or the depravity of his decisions.
Now, you are afraid that the man to whom you dedicated your life, is little more than a tyrant. And what does that make you?
And it lingers—the doubt, the fear, and the frustration—even after audience chamber fades out of view. ]
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Genuinely he just has to sit here for a minute and try to figure out a good way of saying "goddamn bro your parents fucking suck"
But Dion's emotions come through clearly, too, and ]
Sorry. [He means that genuinely. Luke is the sort of man who is used to knowing more about people than they realize, so he hasn't really felt bad about seeing others' memories, even though he hates having his own shown in return. But he's sure that the pattern held, and Dion exposed far too much of himself in the execution ring; he can acknowledge that Dion deserves a break.] This place really doesn't let up.
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he simply rubs his head. ]
So it doesn't. I am sorry for how much I have forced you all to bear with my troubles.
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[And he can't just leave, because I said so]
...Can I ask--how long ago was that?
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[ as for the question... ]
I would say perhaps three moons prior to my arrival here.
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Now, though, he can put those complicated feelings aside, and give Dion the sympathy he deserves.]
One of my colleagues holds a title in his home country. [Just doxxes Vyn's identity. Whatever. Vyn isn't here, who cares.] He doesn't talk about it much, but I know it's hard on him.
[His own relationship with Vyn is Distant And Slightly Complicated, but he can acknowledge that much.
...]
You weren't out of line. [He's trying so hard to remind himself that they're from very different worlds, but it's hard, watching a parent talk to their child that way.] You know that, right?
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[ still, his jaw tightens. ]
At least that is what I thought, at the time. But I have been since freed of such misconceptions.
[ when he looks at luke though, he smiles a little. ]
I thank you, Luke, for your kind words despite the hurt I have caused you and Margaret. Truly.
[ i also want a luke memory ]
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dion frowns at the knowledge that luke lost his parents, though he is warmed by the affection that he feels for the young girl, and the bond that they've been able to forge through tragedy.
he is glad that at least he is not alone. ]
I hope you've gotten better at relying on others, Luke. [ a sad smile ] You were far too reserved for a child of such an age.
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He looks a little embarrassed as the memory ends, though not as much as he did the first time this happened. He also definitely didn't get better and in fact got worse oops]
It's pretty normal, isn't it...? A kid not wanting to be trouble. [Sometimes you want to be "not trouble" so badly that you run away and try to wish yourself out of existence, but I didn't type up that memory so no one needs to know!]
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Is it? [ he tilts his head ] I mostly know willful children who care little for how their actions affect others.
[ why is olivier the worst ]
... Not entirely in a bad sense. I do not think children should bear such responsibilities.
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Some kids can definitely be brats... [He generally likes kids but there are also no Oliviers in his life, so he has a blissfully biased view.] I don't know. They were just doing what they thought was best, and I didn't want them to think I was ungrateful.
[He's genuinely pushed his feelings about this whole incident down so far that it barely even registers as a Thing anymore. Especially now, it seems so minuscule compared to what Dion had to deal with.]
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It is as your friend described... You can be grateful to them, and still mourn the loss of your family. Just as I can be grateful to have met you and the others here, and still long for those I knew in Valisthea.
[ but he was a kid ]
Though I hope you are well aware of that by now.
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Yeah, of course. [Does he. It's probably fine.
But the void closes, then, and he sighs, rubbing the back of his neck.] Hopefully that's the end of it.