[it takes him a moment to find the words, though, swallowing thickly before he begins.]
He was... like family to me, just like he said. My mom and I have always had kind of a strained relationship, and my biological dad's - to make a long story short, he left when I was a baby. [this is the kindest possible way to phrase that story, but it's fine.] I didn't have the opportunity to make a lot of friends when I was a kid, so I spent a lot of time with the staff in the castle - you know, people who were paid to be nice to me. [a snort.] Most of them were usually busy, though. Not to say he wasn't busy, but... He'd always make time, or he'd let me talk to him while he worked. He was... incredibly patient, and incredibly kind.
The two of you are by the ocean, though only you turn your gaze towards the water, while she stares at the ground, covered in blood. When she speaks, her voice is hoarse; combined with the redness of her eyes, it doesn't take a genius to understand why.
"Are you ready?" you ask.
She responds that she doesn't have much of a choice.
She passes you a syringe, which you inject into her as the two of you continue to talk. Death is a cruel mercy, but the two of you can at least make it as painless as possible.
She takes your hand, trembling. You squeeze hers, just for a moment. As the last of her consciousness fades, she whispers to you,
"I'm sorry it had to be you."
The thought is foreign to you. A part of you cannot understand others' worry for you: a person who, by the very nature of what you are, is a killer, whether or not you want to be. Rarely does anyone ever think that you can't handle yourself, or that this is an act that will bring you pain.
Still, you think, this kindness is why you can't help but like these people.
"Rest now," you say to her unconscious self. And then, taking out your dagger, you stab her throught her heart.]
[the emotion isn't what throws him as much as the contents of the memory itself - the blood on her clothing, the injection, and then the motion of the dagger in the end. it's clear enough from this memory that there was little choice involved here, so when he asks this question, it isn't angry as much as it is horrified and concerned.]
Why did you have to...
[he doesn't specify, but it should be clear enough what he's asking regardless.]
[he'd be a hypocrite if he condemned someone for that, and she seemed calm enough that it must have been willing on her part, he thinks - but he still looks a little bit sorrowful as he glances their way. he knows that they felt like this sentiment was strange, but he thinks it bears saying regardless.]
[but he got the same offer, so he'll ask him something similar (but completely the same because i refuse to have a long thread about my own character bye).]
But if you wanted to - you could tell me about it. I wouldn't mind listening.
[he's guessing he knows what the answer will be, but.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Are you all right?
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I will be.
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... Time is both the cruelest and kindest bandaid, as one grieves. [...] Will you tell me about him?
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[it takes him a moment to find the words, though, swallowing thickly before he begins.]
He was... like family to me, just like he said. My mom and I have always had kind of a strained relationship, and my biological dad's - to make a long story short, he left when I was a baby. [this is the kindest possible way to phrase that story, but it's fine.] I didn't have the opportunity to make a lot of friends when I was a kid, so I spent a lot of time with the staff in the castle - you know, people who were paid to be nice to me. [a snort.] Most of them were usually busy, though. Not to say he wasn't busy, but... He'd always make time, or he'd let me talk to him while he worked. He was... incredibly patient, and incredibly kind.
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their voice is soft.]
He sounds like a good man.
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[
that is not true but he can't exactly say "some of my countrymen who are now dead were real jerks" so]
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... Is it too late for them?
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I can see why he said you were strong.
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...Thank you. It means a lot.
[genuinely.]
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[and then another memory plays.
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Why did you have to...
[he doesn't specify, but it should be clear enough what he's asking regardless.]
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It was to achieve a better result for everyone involved.
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I'm sorry you had to do something like that.
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it's not really any less strange to hear now.]
It's appreciated. [...] In any case, things worked out. So... there's no need to talk about it much now.
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[but he got the same offer, so he'll ask him something similar (but completely the same because i refuse to have a long thread about my own character bye).]
But if you wanted to - you could tell me about it. I wouldn't mind listening.
[he's guessing he knows what the answer will be, but.]
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... I think it's best to keep it a private affair.
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Alright. I'm sorry about seeing something that personal, then.
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[it's said as a half joke, at least.]
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... Well, I suppose I can't stop you there.
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Some things, it's better just to accept.
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[he says, cheerfully.]
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It's good to be aware of your positive and negative points.
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