emet catchall

[outsidebones]

Comments

[ktiseos]

I assume his children must leave, then, or never be seen.

[after another moment or two of silence:]

One must wonder how it would feel, in that situation. To have such a place they cannot return to, for its own safety.

[outsidebones]

By his children, I mean all of us. The descendants of the ones he saved from the ruins of that world.

[but the comment makes her sad.]

It is very lonely. Bittersweet, because you know it will always be there, safe.

[ktiseos]

It will. But only for others, not for your own eyes to behold.

...I would do the same for my home, were there a need, but I would miss it.

[outsidebones]

Yes.

[she closes her eyes for a moment.]

My home is not so lovely as this, but it is dear to me. But in pledging my service to the Emperor, I took the same burden upon myself. If I return, I would only bring the same enemies to their doors.

[ktiseos]

...then you do know it.

[he's quiet for a moment or two, in turn.]

Do you expect that matters shall ever be resolved to a point where you may return?

[outsidebones]

No. But that is alright with me. So long as I have served them well and done my duty to them.

[ktiseos]

[one side of his mouth quirks, in a slight smile.]

You would understand such things better than most here, then, I should think.

[outsidebones]

Duty? It is a concept one only learns when one has experienced the consequences of neglecting it.

[ktiseos]

I do not know that I would necessarily say so. My people have always held our duty in high regard, and we have not experienced those consequences... but others in these places often seem to find a dedication to duty strange.

[outsidebones]

They do. They often suggest it can be given up or traded for one's personal happiness.

[a sigh.]

That the Ninth House is strong will always come first before anything I might wish for myself, because I know what would be lost, to see them suffer or fall. That is what I mean by the consequences - something greater than myself that I could not bear to see lost.

[ktiseos]

And despite a dedication to that greater concept, they will still ask what one wants for themselves, as if that cannot possibly be it.

[a slight shake of his head, there.]

I could not bear to see my own people fall, either. There is nothing that could come before the well-being of Etheirys.

[outsidebones]

Or as though it is wrong, to have such a priority.

[ktiseos]

Precisely so. It is highly short-sighted of them, though I suppose this to be a consequence of the mortal lifespan.

[outsidebones]

I have lived only eighteen years, and I understand it.

[ktiseos]

You appear to be something of an exception, in that respect.