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[ he takes a cup himself, sipping before replying - - ]
As ready as I will ever be.
As ready as I will ever be.
Very well.
[a few taps on her phone before this, absolutely watching Absinthe's reaction like a hawk]
[a few taps on her phone before this, absolutely watching Absinthe's reaction like a hawk]
[ there's no shock or upset on his face -- likely, she wasn't expecting any -- but there is an amused sound at the end of the memory, as he puts the tea cup down. ]
How interesting it is, seeing this perspective on things.
How interesting it is, seeing this perspective on things.
[keeping herself focused on him, not straying]
More than their king fell that day.
More than their king fell that day.
I'm aware. That was very much the empire's intent.
And you were part of them, were you not? Rather, you would have had intimate details of everything that transpired.
Naturally. As I'm sure you're aware ... I wasn't merely a lackey.
No, but you spoke of it as the empire's intent. Was it not yours as well?
[ he waves his hand ]
It was. Or else I would have tried to put a stop to it, hmm?
It was. Or else I would have tried to put a stop to it, hmm?
You would not have climbed the ranks if you were not willing. Still, the king aside, those people did not need to suffer.
Are you under the impression I was the sort that was terribly concerned over matters like that?
I was not, but I am also not under the impression that the suffering of others means nothing at all to you. So, set aside whatever war there is between the empire and the kingdom, those people had no place in the middle of it.
[ an idle shrug ]
They were a necessary casualty. If you would expect me to express my regrets at this point -- well, I'm afraid I must disappoint you.
They were a necessary casualty. If you would expect me to express my regrets at this point -- well, I'm afraid I must disappoint you.
Again, I do not. However, if you expect me to remain silent, then I will have to disappoint you.
[hands are still around her cup, tight]
Now, would you indulge another?
[hands are still around her cup, tight]
Now, would you indulge another?
[ a low little laugh, before he tips his head. ]
Of course. I rather enjoy them.
Of course. I rather enjoy them.
Better than your indifference . . .
[takes a deep breath before moving her hand to her phone, okay, time to purchase a new shared memory which has her immediately stunned]
What, what did you do?
[takes a deep breath before moving her hand to her phone, okay, time to purchase a new shared memory which has her immediately stunned]
What, what did you do?
[ that, at last, gets a reaction from him -- surprise and then a frustrated sort of confusion, as he bears witness to that memory. it's impossible for him to seem entirely indifferent, too, when Bahamut speaks at all, but seeing her speak to him ...
how, and why --? ]
How on Eos ... ?
how, and why --? ]
How on Eos ... ?
Ardyn.
[aha, thank you, memory]
To gain the ire of the god of all creation, what did you do?
[aha, thank you, memory]
To gain the ire of the god of all creation, what did you do?
That is a long story, my dear, and one that I do not have the patience to explain to you today.
When will you find the patience? I find myself to not have very much when you held the fate of the world in your grasp yet still sought its ruin.
Keep in mind what information I do give you is a kindness. I do not owe you anything of myself.
[pulling her hands from her cup and lightly slamming them against the table, hands balled in fists]
You owe me something when I am sent as assassin after you by the very gods themselves. When you are the reason the true king is doomed, the same as our world.
You owe me something when I am sent as assassin after you by the very gods themselves. When you are the reason the true king is doomed, the same as our world.
[ he -- laughs, though it's unpleasant, cold. ]
And why is it that you believe you are owed? Hmm? Are you attempting to speak to the goodness in my heart for more information?
And why is it that you believe you are owed? Hmm? Are you attempting to speak to the goodness in my heart for more information?
[and she is just going to keep being on the brink of tears, constant eye contact]
Because I have no wish to play party to the destruction of either of you. I—I cannot accept a fate that asks that much of me. Please, anything that changes the course . . . Give me that hope.
Because I have no wish to play party to the destruction of either of you. I—I cannot accept a fate that asks that much of me. Please, anything that changes the course . . . Give me that hope.
I can give you none, my dear.
[ thanks, he hates this. he doesn't break eye contact, at least. ]
I will only say ... there are parts of your memory even I find unfamiliar.
[ thanks, he hates this. he doesn't break eye contact, at least. ]
I will only say ... there are parts of your memory even I find unfamiliar.
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