un: starburst, toward the end of this arc.

[valeas]

( Emilia di Carlo has seen better days, by the look of her. Her battle leathers are torn, soot and cuts still on her face — but she doesn't give in to the exhaustion just yet, nor the bile in her throat. First, she addresses the people of Alem, dignified and resolute. )

Prince Haiva sacrificed himself and leaves his sister, the young Cle-Florens, spared.

I was witness.

( A pause, then, as she allows that to sink in. )

Hell is sealed.

You fought with valor so others might live. I'm glad to have fought beside you, and will remember your fallen just the same.

If you've yet to evacuate, the time is now. Hassir awaits.

Comments

[traaaaaash]

Is he likely to? He doesn't strike me as dumb, y'know.

[weifinder]

He's never been stupid. Only unwise in where he laid his heart.

[traaaaaash]

So it's your job to protect him from that? [ Not judging. Just wondering. ]

[weifinder]

Don't we all do that for the ones we care for? Not taking away choices, but letting answers lay as they will when they aren't ours to begin with.

[traaaaaash]

Thing is, I did that once, and he found out. It was like eight years later, and he found out. He was pretty upset. Made me promise not to tell any more lies.

[weifinder]

I'm aware of what it feels like.

[traaaaaash]

Not great, huh? I just thought -- y'know, I found him all alone on an island stacking rocks. I wanted him to have something.

[weifinder]

... You did what you thought would help. That it eventually didn't is something to learn from, ah? It wasn't like you weren't telling him his son was still alive when he was mourning his death to your face.

( totally theoretical, also how he knows he's tired. he usually wouldn't inject this kind of honesty in. )

We all do what we can. And my husband is suffering enough right now, so he can choose to believe in this one kindness, until he chooses otherwise.

[traaaaaash]

No, I just told him he was some mighty King of Demons who'd been shrunk instead of a foundling child who, turns out, might still have a family somewhere out there.

[ Same with Eda, really. She's not usually this forthcoming with details about her private life, but... it's been rough, and the longer she is here, the more she wonders if she'll ever see her family again, if they're alright without her, if time is marching on without her or she can come home to the exact same point she was pulled from in time. ]

Hmm. Whatever gets us through, y'know?

[weifinder]

... Did he ever go looking for his family?

( he's... getting distracted now, but at least in genuine curiosity. )

[traaaaaash]

He wants to. He sent out a message and everything.

[ A small smile appears on her face. ]

But he handed me the adoption papers in the same breath, so I guess he wants to stick around for a bit longer.

[weifinder]

... You have papers for that?

[traaaaaash]

Yes. You don't?

[weifinder]

Nope! You put people into your family registry, but it's not the same thing as filling out paperwork.

[traaaaaash]

Huh. I mean, not like I really care about the "official" ways to do things, but... I teared up when he said he's legally changing his name, okay! Bawled like a little baby!

[ Wow, she must be REALLY tired to admit this. ]

[weifinder]

Changed it to what? Your clan name?

( still sounding actually curious, but this is a whole slew of other emotions for him. )

[traaaaaash]

We'd just say "family name", but yeah.

[ Haha welcome to the "accidentally acquired a child" club. ]

[weifinder]

He volunteered this, ah? Fascinating... not really what you'd expect to see where I'm from. I'm happy for the both of you!

[traaaaaash]

Yeah, it was a surprise! I was so sure he was leaving.