[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.
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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.