[ day-to-day life in the valentina isn’t so far removed from life as a convict in the fortress. granted, the latter came with far worse living conditions during his time as an exile—but the close proximity to all kinds of personalities is something wriothesley still navigates with ease when coming and going from his assigned room.
really, if he’s being honest, the only thing that feels familiar is the act of sparing passing glances toward open doorways or catching snippets of conversation down the hall.
it’s not until he strolls through the hotel floor by floor—instead of taking the elevator like usual—that he hears a voice that stops him. suspiciously familiar, in a language just adjacent enough to his own from fontaine, that he slows to investigate the source. ]
Oh. [ that’s all he manages at first. it’s hard to forget a face, after all—not when you’ve shared a string of cheesy romcoms in a dimly lit room, sprawled out on a couch, probably splitting snacks between viewings. just two bros doing bro things. but the last time they’d spoken in person—verso hadn’t looked anything like this. not with that telltale corruption clinging to him now. ]
[Wriothesley catches Verso just as Vanitas peels off to use the showers, so he's in good humour as he hears Wriothesley address him.
Even after the number of days it's been since he returned from his... adventure, he's not used to the way people's eyes always fix straight on his horns. He's considered cutting them off, but... Vanitas would disapprove.
[ as strange as it is to make sense of, it's probably thanks to the Genshin Get-Together—with seeing others in different stages of their corruption—that wriothesley is able to pivot past the initial shock. it’s not so much the sight of verso’s horns that throws him, but how quickly someone's augmented soul can start to show. ]
I caught another rom-com the other night. All charm and clever lines, the kind you pretend not to like, but always end up smiling through anyway.
[ hopefully it’s obvious that he’s checking in without prying, offering a softer alternative to the usual string of questions verso is already regularly subjected to. it’s more of a quiet reassurance, laced with his usual dry charm. ]
If you’ve got time to spare one of these days, I wouldn’t mind catching up properly.
[ he's not the type to really ever drink, but what the helly in return. a glass won't hurt him. ]
Sure. Apologies in advance for dropping by unannounced.
[ he gives a small bow before entering proper. and even though everyone's rooms in the valentina are all the same, he tries not to pry into any particular details. ]
[Verso brushes off the apology with a wave of his hand.] You're an invited guest — nothing unannounced about that.
[He swipes his Syntrofos on the access panel and steps aside to allow him to enter first.
Verso hasn't amassed much in his time here. The only significant possessions in the room are a round humanoid cloth doll with a mask surrounded by rays to make it appear like the sun, a crate of wine Verso has been rapidly working his way through, and his sword, propped up next to the bed.
He takes one of the remaining bottles of wine and uncorks it, filling the glass that appears in his hand and holding it out.]
[ A few days following their initial encounter, Vincent will show up at the door to Verso’s room in the Valentia. Evening has set in, yet he’s dressed appropriately enough for company, sans coat, and a bottle of pricy red wine in hand.
Following a polite knock, he’ll step back and tuck his arm behind him in wait. ]
[Verso wasn't expecting anyone, and while presentable enough, he's obviously confused as he pulls the door open. Truthfully, he expected it to be Vanitas, trying to press Verso into more sex. So when it's Vincent, his smile turns a shade unpleasant, before his eyes divert to the wine, and the nastiness is again replaced by confusion.] Monsieur Vincent.
[ While Verso processes, Vincent simply allows him the time to do so, brow raised with some entertainment. At the address, however, he will faintly tip his head in greeting. ]
Good evening. I hope it’s not a bad time? If you’d be open to it, I’d like an opportunity to speak with you over a drink. For a proper apology.
Not at all. [But if the low note that creeps into Verso's voice indicates anything, it's that he's at least on guard. Still, he steps aside in a sweeping gesture.
Scratches are still present on the wall from their scuffle, a reminder of the fight.]
Wouldn't turn down a drink. [His natural soul would kick him in the teeth.]
[ Weariness is to be expected, Vincent would think. That much doesn’t faze him, but he is relatively impressed to be met with some semblance of agreeability. Smile widening, he nods in thanks. ]
Relieved to hear it.
[ Passing Verso to enter the room, he’ll set the bottle onto his desk. ]
That will be for you to keep, of course. May I sit?
[ A polite gesture to the desk chair. If he’s granted as much, he will take a seat with an utterance of thanks, hands adjusting down his vest while one leg swings to cross over the other. ]
[Verso nods, accepting the request to sit and snagging the bottle before taking his own seat on the bed.] Sure you wouldn't like a glass? [Because he is uncorking it now. Again, natural soul — the thing likes its booze.]
[ Following a brief hum of consideration, he will shrug his shoulders with a chuckle. ]
If you have one to spare, I’ll take a half pour, I suppose. [ Folding his hands atop his leg, his head cants off to the side just so, fringe swaying. ] I couldn’t help but notice—… [ An idle gesture toward the wall. ] I’ll tell the front desk to charge me for damages.
[Verso winks, and conjures a pair of glasses in a flicker of chroma. He speaks as he pours out a small measure of the wine for Vincent, then a larger one for himself.] Only if you have it spare. Don't think the next augmented to get this room will care — more pressing matters. [The whole "turning into a monster" deal.]
[ Brows tick upward, as Vincent nods to commend the display with some sense of amusement in his eyes. ]
I don’t imagine they would, no. [ A nod, upon accepting his glass. ] I wouldn’t chance having the responsibility pinned on you, however. It’s no matter.
[ That much manages to get a laugh out of the blond. ]
To making the best of it, perhaps? [ Leaning back into the chair with a swirl of the glass, he idly enjoys its aroma. ] I suppose good company has made me a touch more optimistic these days. [ As in, he’s down bad. ]
To making the best of it, [Verso says with a tip of his glass and drinks to the toast. To his increasing surprise, the wine is good, better than most that Verso has bought in Karteria.] Would that "good company" include or exclude the present company? [He gestures at himself.]
So far, I might venture to say that I’m leaning toward the former.
[ The approval he notes earns a pleased little grin, as he moves to sample the wine for himself. Tongue dashing between his lips, he’d hum. It’s certainly better than the gin he had at Gil’s place. ]
I regret that we got off to such a poor start. You seem quite important to Vanitas, and that’s of value to me, as well. [ A nod in the general direction of the younger man’s room, a little smirk playing on his lips. ] Not that he’s sent me.
[Verso studies Vincent, trying to pick through the words, work out whether his intent is as simple as it seems. Sometimes he forgets that not everyone is his family, always layering meaning upon meaning.] "Value" can be... [He trails off.
Then tries,] These people [he waves a hand at their general surrounds, his meaning: Patho-Gen] place value on us.
[ Drawing a hand beneath his chin, Vincent hums with some understanding. In truth, he had a very good idea of what Verso implied, but challenging tones would prove to be less effective at finding clarification. ]
I understand. No, not like that. I won’t claim to be virtuous by any stretch; quite the opposite, really. [ A sip of wine. ] Their actions, however, have been unforgivable, and I’m invested in seeing them brought to ruin.
I'll drink to that. [He takes a large mouthful of wine, then takes his time in swallowing it, turning over what he wants to say next.]
It was dangerous — baiting me with him right there. If I had been slower leaving... [Vanitas could have become one of the trees turned into so many splinters.]
[ A small smirk, at the sentiment. Uncrossing his legs, Vincent shifts to lean against one of the armrests. ]
… Ah. Yes. [ A faint knit of his brow, at that. ] How do I put this… Vanitas acts on emotion, and has positively no regard for himself. I feared worse; that he might attempt to slip into the elevator with you. [ Looking down into his glass, he sighs. ] Especially so, after I’d decided to stay close, and ensure that didn’t happen. If he truly thought I’d left, all the more reason for him to pursue destructive measures. [ A wry sort of smile. ] Damned either way, I suppose.
I'd never let him. [The assurance comes quickly, forcefully.] Think what you'd like about me, [he thinks all of it and worse himself,] but I'd never put Vanitas in that kind of danger.
[ A faint quirk of his brow, at that. Vincent takes another sip, a finger rested against his lips as he swallows. ]
The simple fact is, I did not know you well enough to trust that.
[ And since he can see where this conversation is going, after overhearing theirs that day… ]
I’ve given you the impression otherwise, hm? [ The blond’s smile pulls wider. ] I could never harm Vanitas. The little devil has pushed me every which way to stop loving him, so I tried once, you know. I couldn’t bring myself to do it, and have regretted so ever since. [ A vaguely annoyed flutter of the lashes, though his smile never parts. ] Despite the amusement he seems to take in the matter.
[Verso lets out a breath in a rush of a sigh. He can understand well enough the futility of trying to stop loving Vanitas, but the real assurance is what Vincent said before that — that he could never harm him.]
All right.
[Although... Verso drains the last of his glass.] Tell me, could you use someone else to harm him? [Don't want to leave loopholes.]
[ Since Vincent still has a couple sips left, the implication isn’t lost on him. Humming with consideration, he’ll pick the glass back up.
Perhaps he’s done the bare minimum to smooth things over, now, but… what the hell, Verso might be a more intriguing individual than he’d previously thought, if he can understand such perspectives. Perhaps it would be of benefit to Vanitas is they were on good terms rather than merely amicable, besides.
So, with a smile, he’ll lean forward to offer his cup for a refill. ]
[He tips the wine into the glass, up to the same mark as the previous pour.]
Just shout if you want more. Still a bit there.
[He almost asks half a dozen questions, but they're all uncharitable, have barbs underneath, and it's too soon to be an asshole. Instead, he settles on:]
You love the brat? ["Brat" said with the same fondness he uses to say "mon petit chaton."]
[Verso nods. He understands.] He gets under your skin. Despite his best interests. [Verso snorts.] To spite his best interests. He broke into my room, you know. When I was [he mimes slicing his throat.]
[ This sounds like a confession on Verso’s part, and while he’d been quite convinced such was the case, he recalls his lover swearing that there was nothing there. Vanitas must be blind to it in all his self loathing, he thinks. Still, his brow only subtly ticks upward while listening.
Their experiences certainly have been different. Rather than saving Vincent, his lover has attempted to cause him trouble around every bend, from heartache to physical harm.
Such might have earned a sigh from him, but Vero’s gesture would lead him to silence, instead. Mismatched eyes search between those of other’s man, deeply interested in knowing why. After all, he’d lived his life in pursuit of death, himself. ]
… I could see that. Despite what he’ll have anyone believe, Vanitas has considerable goodness in his heart. [ Idly, his finger taps the rim of his glass. ] In that way, he’ll always be more than I deserve… but he does make me believe that I have potential. In return, I only hope that I can make him recognize his own worth, and how very precious he is.
[ A light clearing of the throat, which he will aid with a touch of his drink. ]
It sounds as though he’s become quite the good friend to you, though, mm?
Didn't want him to. Found out I might be able to die on my second day here. [The corner of his mouth pulls up, smiling despite the topic.] Gave it a shot. [He tips wine down his throat. Swallows.] Didn't take.
I came back a week later and found him in my bed. All we did was sleep. [Then, at least.]
[ To the last, Vincent raises a hand with a faint shake of the head, smiling. A gesture that Verso needn’t worry, he’s learned his lesson. ]
Ah, so that was a novel idea to you, then? Death. [ Thoughtfully, his glass remains at his lips, but he has yet to drink. Rather, a small smirk flirts at his lips. ] Seems the three of us have similar interests.
He nods.] Not something I could manage in my world. Someone always put me back together. More or less. Whole story is... complicated. [The empty glass in his hand disappears.] Family. [More or less.]
[ A brow quirks, as Vincent sips away at his drink, at last. ]
Family certainly can have that effect, yes. [ Setting aside his glass, he props a cheek atop his palm to regard the other. ] I was regarded as an ill omen in my world, and my older brother suffered just to keep me alive. Orchestrated fifteen years of my life around inevitability erasing my existence, so he could be spared the burden. [ Vaguely gesturing to himself, he chuckles. ] As you can see, I failed.
My sympathies. [Although...] How young were you, when you started that attempt? [Old as he is, Verso doesn't assume that appearance reflects age, but something tells him that means Vincent was young when this started.]
[ Smile pulling wider, Vincent shakes his head; a gesture that he needn’t feel the need to apologize. After all, it was his own choice to purse that path— though not his own to continue living. Stupid Hatter. ]
How young?
[ Brows raising, he’ll hum. Thats not something he’s specifically been asked before. ]
Around… eight, perhaps? [ Index brushing across his lips thoughtfully, perhaps it’s the alcohol, or simply being asked the right questions, but he doesn’t see much reason not to be honest here. What difference would it make? ] Who’s to say, really. [ And he isn’t simply poor at maths. ]
[Despite his distrust for the man in front of him, Verso's heart twists at the confirmation.] Too young. [Not a disagreement, but an assertion.
That's always what leaves Verso circling back to sympathy for the real man he was supposed to replace. Everything happened too young for him. Even at his death, he was still too young.]
[ A sentiment which leads Vincent’s head to cant curiously. ]
Tragedy is blind to age or circumstance. Someone like me shouldn't have been allowed to subsist, only to drag those around them into the depths of despair. So, it became my responsibility to see through what my mother had been too weak to do. [ A mild shrug, as he smiles. ]
Don't think many mothers have that kind of strength. More often, they'll do anything to keep their children with them, regardless of consequence. [Once again, speaking from personal experience.]
[ Lashes lowering with understanding, he quietly ticks his tongue.
Yes, he guessed as much. To put it kindly, his experience with maternal figures - women, even - has suffered greatly. ]
No. To subject my brother to the same fate… Simply no excuse. [ A gentle sigh, as he raises a finger, in point. ] Though, forcing this life upon you is nothing to be dismissed, either.
All mothers force life on their children. Some children have a hard time with that, with living. My mother was... thorough in cutting off other options. [Verso Dessendre's options. Some days, he understands. A woman grieving for her son, taking the last piece of him and building a replacement, once that can never leave her. Other days, he looks at himself and can only see the monster she created.]
No excuse for you either, mon ami. Ill omen or no.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
pre-spooky kidnapping times
really, if he’s being honest, the only thing that feels familiar is the act of sparing passing glances toward open doorways or catching snippets of conversation down the hall.
it’s not until he strolls through the hotel floor by floor—instead of taking the elevator like usual—that he hears a voice that stops him. suspiciously familiar, in a language just adjacent enough to his own from fontaine, that he slows to investigate the source. ]
Oh. [ that’s all he manages at first. it’s hard to forget a face, after all—not when you’ve shared a string of cheesy romcoms in a dimly lit room, sprawled out on a couch, probably splitting snacks between viewings. just two bros doing bro things. but the last time they’d spoken in person—verso hadn’t looked anything like this. not with that telltale corruption clinging to him now. ]
Mr. Verso?
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Even after the number of days it's been since he returned from his... adventure, he's not used to the way people's eyes always fix straight on his horns. He's considered cutting them off, but... Vanitas would disapprove.
Still, it puts a damper on his smile.]
Yes?
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I caught another rom-com the other night. All charm and clever lines, the kind you pretend not to like, but always end up smiling through anyway.
[ hopefully it’s obvious that he’s checking in without prying, offering a softer alternative to the usual string of questions verso is already regularly subjected to. it’s more of a quiet reassurance, laced with his usual dry charm. ]
If you’ve got time to spare one of these days, I wouldn’t mind catching up properly.
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Free now? I have wine.
[Sometimes you take the hand offered.]
incredibly sorry for the lateness! irl absolutely bodied me second week
Sure. Apologies in advance for dropping by unannounced.
[ he gives a small bow before entering proper. and even though everyone's rooms in the valentina are all the same, he tries not to pry into any particular details. ]
all g! I've been slooow myself.
[He swipes his Syntrofos on the access panel and steps aside to allow him to enter first.
Verso hasn't amassed much in his time here. The only significant possessions in the room are a round humanoid cloth doll with a mask surrounded by rays to make it appear like the sun, a crate of wine Verso has been rapidly working his way through, and his sword, propped up next to the bed.
He takes one of the remaining bottles of wine and uncorks it, filling the glass that appears in his hand and holding it out.]
action;
Following a polite knock, he’ll step back and tuck his arm behind him in wait. ]
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Good evening. I hope it’s not a bad time? If you’d be open to it, I’d like an opportunity to speak with you over a drink. For a proper apology.
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Scratches are still present on the wall from their scuffle, a reminder of the fight.]
Wouldn't turn down a drink. [His natural soul would kick him in the teeth.]
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Relieved to hear it.
[ Passing Verso to enter the room, he’ll set the bottle onto his desk. ]
That will be for you to keep, of course. May I sit?
[ A polite gesture to the desk chair. If he’s granted as much, he will take a seat with an utterance of thanks, hands adjusting down his vest while one leg swings to cross over the other. ]
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If you have one to spare, I’ll take a half pour, I suppose. [ Folding his hands atop his leg, his head cants off to the side just so, fringe swaying. ] I couldn’t help but notice—… [ An idle gesture toward the wall. ] I’ll tell the front desk to charge me for damages.
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I don’t imagine they would, no. [ A nod, upon accepting his glass. ] I wouldn’t chance having the responsibility pinned on you, however. It’s no matter.
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[He hands Vincent's glass to him and clinks it with his own.] To this hellish world, or something cheerier?
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To making the best of it, perhaps? [ Leaning back into the chair with a swirl of the glass, he idly enjoys its aroma. ] I suppose good company has made me a touch more optimistic these days. [ As in, he’s down bad. ]
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So far, I might venture to say that I’m leaning toward the former.
[ The approval he notes earns a pleased little grin, as he moves to sample the wine for himself. Tongue dashing between his lips, he’d hum. It’s certainly better than the gin he had at Gil’s place. ]
I regret that we got off to such a poor start. You seem quite important to Vanitas, and that’s of value to me, as well. [ A nod in the general direction of the younger man’s room, a little smirk playing on his lips. ] Not that he’s sent me.
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But the way he says the next part... ] "Of value"? [His hackles are up once more.]
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That’s to say, I find importance in what makes him happy. Is that wrong?
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Then tries,] These people [he waves a hand at their general surrounds, his meaning: Patho-Gen] place value on us.
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I understand. No, not like that. I won’t claim to be virtuous by any stretch; quite the opposite, really. [ A sip of wine. ] Their actions, however, have been unforgivable, and I’m invested in seeing them brought to ruin.
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It was dangerous — baiting me with him right there. If I had been slower leaving... [Vanitas could have become one of the trees turned into so many splinters.]
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… Ah. Yes. [ A faint knit of his brow, at that. ] How do I put this… Vanitas acts on emotion, and has positively no regard for himself. I feared worse; that he might attempt to slip into the elevator with you. [ Looking down into his glass, he sighs. ] Especially so, after I’d decided to stay close, and ensure that didn’t happen. If he truly thought I’d left, all the more reason for him to pursue destructive measures. [ A wry sort of smile. ] Damned either way, I suppose.
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The simple fact is, I did not know you well enough to trust that.
[ And since he can see where this conversation is going, after overhearing theirs that day… ]
I’ve given you the impression otherwise, hm? [ The blond’s smile pulls wider. ] I could never harm Vanitas. The little devil has pushed me every which way to stop loving him, so I tried once, you know. I couldn’t bring myself to do it, and have regretted so ever since. [ A vaguely annoyed flutter of the lashes, though his smile never parts. ] Despite the amusement he seems to take in the matter.
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All right.
[Although... Verso drains the last of his glass.] Tell me, could you use someone else to harm him? [Don't want to leave loopholes.]
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The responsibility would ultimately fall on me, wouldn’t it? No, I would sooner end the person who could dare lay a hand on him, I think.
[ Setting Aside what remains of his glass, Vincent shakes his head with a brilliant smile. ]
Especially if that meant myself.
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[The question is something like a peace offering. Verso's new sense for deception tells him Vincent's isn't lying, and that's enough for the moment.]
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Perhaps he’s done the bare minimum to smooth things over, now, but… what the hell, Verso might be a more intriguing individual than he’d previously thought, if he can understand such perspectives. Perhaps it would be of benefit to Vanitas is they were on good terms rather than merely amicable, besides.
So, with a smile, he’ll lean forward to offer his cup for a refill. ]
Why not?
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Just shout if you want more. Still a bit there.
[He almost asks half a dozen questions, but they're all uncharitable, have barbs underneath, and it's too soon to be an asshole. Instead, he settles on:]
You love the brat? ["Brat" said with the same fondness he uses to say "mon petit chaton."]
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Much appreciated.
[ Ah, but he did tell Verso something like that, didn’t he? While he sips, he hums an affirmative little sound into his glass. ]
I do. Desperately, I admit.
cw: suicidal something
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Their experiences certainly have been different. Rather than saving Vincent, his lover has attempted to cause him trouble around every bend, from heartache to physical harm.
Such might have earned a sigh from him, but Vero’s gesture would lead him to silence, instead. Mismatched eyes search between those of other’s man, deeply interested in knowing why. After all, he’d lived his life in pursuit of death, himself. ]
… I could see that. Despite what he’ll have anyone believe, Vanitas has considerable goodness in his heart. [ Idly, his finger taps the rim of his glass. ] In that way, he’ll always be more than I deserve… but he does make me believe that I have potential. In return, I only hope that I can make him recognize his own worth, and how very precious he is.
[ A light clearing of the throat, which he will aid with a touch of his drink. ]
It sounds as though he’s become quite the good friend to you, though, mm?
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Didn't want him to. Found out I might be able to die on my second day here. [The corner of his mouth pulls up, smiling despite the topic.] Gave it a shot. [He tips wine down his throat. Swallows.] Didn't take.
I came back a week later and found him in my bed. All we did was sleep. [Then, at least.]
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Ah, so that was a novel idea to you, then? Death. [ Thoughtfully, his glass remains at his lips, but he has yet to drink. Rather, a small smirk flirts at his lips. ] Seems the three of us have similar interests.
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He nods.] Not something I could manage in my world. Someone always put me back together. More or less. Whole story is... complicated. [The empty glass in his hand disappears.] Family. [More or less.]
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Family certainly can have that effect, yes. [ Setting aside his glass, he props a cheek atop his palm to regard the other. ] I was regarded as an ill omen in my world, and my older brother suffered just to keep me alive. Orchestrated fifteen years of my life around inevitability erasing my existence, so he could be spared the burden. [ Vaguely gesturing to himself, he chuckles. ] As you can see, I failed.
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How young?
[ Brows raising, he’ll hum. Thats not something he’s specifically been asked before. ]
Around… eight, perhaps? [ Index brushing across his lips thoughtfully, perhaps it’s the alcohol, or simply being asked the right questions, but he doesn’t see much reason not to be honest here. What difference would it make? ] Who’s to say, really. [ And he isn’t simply poor at maths. ]
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That's always what leaves Verso circling back to sympathy for the real man he was supposed to replace. Everything happened too young for him. Even at his death, he was still too young.]
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Tragedy is blind to age or circumstance. Someone like me shouldn't have been allowed to subsist, only to drag those around them into the depths of despair. So, it became my responsibility to see through what my mother had been too weak to do. [ A mild shrug, as he smiles. ]
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[ Wings encircle his shoulders to lean back in his seat more comfortably, hands joining over his lap. ]
Is that who brought you back, your mother?
clair obscur: expedition 33 spoilers in thread.
Yours might have had her reasons, but no reason could balance that out.
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Yes, he guessed as much. To put it kindly, his experience with maternal figures - women, even - has suffered greatly. ]
No. To subject my brother to the same fate… Simply no excuse. [ A gentle sigh, as he raises a finger, in point. ] Though, forcing this life upon you is nothing to be dismissed, either.
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No excuse for you either, mon ami. Ill omen or no.