rupert

[outsidebones]

Comments

[outsidebones]

[oh. she covers her mouth, too, her horrified expression mirroring his.]

What was that thing?

[agleam]

[it takes him a moment to answer, taking in a shaky breath.]

We... [no, that's not quite right, is it?] I don't understand it yet, completely. We started calling it the Despair, but only because we don't have another name for it. Nothing like this has ever existed before.

[outsidebones]

And it's killing your people?

[agleam]

[he hesitates for a long moment, expression growing regretful. he has to take in a breath, trying to speak around the sudden tightness in his throat as he continues. it sounds a little bit raw despite that effort.]

Past tense, now. It killed them.

[outsidebones]

I'm so sorry.

[she also looks wrecked by this, by the idea of a devastation like this.]

[agleam]

It's not your fault.

[he can't say it's okay with any kind of conviction. but he takes another breath, steeling himself.]

The most important thing now is making it back there, and trying to find a way to make sure it doesn't happen to anyone else.

[outsidebones]

Have you managed to find a way to...to stop it?

[agleam]

[he shakes his head.]

Not yet. Nothing certain. But I will, I - have to.

[outsidebones]

I'm certain you will, but in the meantime, were they really all lost?

[agleam]

We didn't go back to that room to look, but...

[he pauses.]

The person who knew most about it - he told us it doesn't leave somewhere until everyone is gone. And it started following us again shortly after that, so I think... [there must be nobody left.] I'll go look for anyone who might be left after it's gone, but I don't want to lead it to any survivors.

[outsidebones]

[she nods in understanding.]

...The reason I left the Ninth House was because I offered myself to service to the Emperor. It is complex, but the necromantic act that allowed me to serve him also means I will likely always draw revenants to me. So to return would mean being its undoing.

[agleam]

[he pauses, catching her meaning, but - he remembers immediately how she loves her house. so, concerned:]

Wait, but... Does that mean you can't go home?

[outsidebones]

Correct. But that is something I've made my peace with. My service to the Emperor will do much more for my House's prospects than my presence would ever achieve.

[agleam]

It was brave of you, then.

[but, regardless of that:]

I'm sorry that you can't go back. [...] Do you have - phones or anything where you're from? Any way to talk to them now?

[outsidebones]

[a small little laugh.]

We do have communication lines, but...I wouldn't know what to say. It isn't as though I have friends there.

Perhaps my old marshal cares for me, in his own way, but he is a bit...he has done some unpleasant things in my name. The situation is a bit fraught.

[agleam]

...I understand.

[maybe not the exact nuances of the situation, but - he can understand the overall picture.]

I know you mentioned the space station and the people you knew there, but - I at least hope that where you are now, back in your home, there's a way to make new friends.

[outsidebones]

[a small smile.]

There is, and there isn't. I don't intend to stay. There were some things I had to do, still, but once my duty is complete, I intend to go to Mollymauk's world, along with Gideon.

[agleam]

...I'm glad you'll be with people you care about.

[although, the name doesn't ring a bell, so he asks after a moment:]

Who's Gideon?

[outsidebones]

Ah. [she pauses for a moment.] My cavalier. She is...a friend.

[agleam]

—Oh, cool! I don't know what a cavalier is, but it sounds neat. I'm glad you get to take her along with you.

[outsidebones]

A sworn sword. Like...a knight, perhaps.

[also, have a memory.]

[agleam]

[there's a decent amount of information he doesn't understand here, but... some of this pain, this grief, doesn't need any explanation. he looks towards her with clear concern when it fades away.]

...I'm sorry, Harrow.

[outsidebones]

It's - it's alright. [she wipes at her face a bit.]

[agleam]

[after another moment:]

It doesn't have to be.

[outsidebones]

[a deep breath.]

I never really mourned for him, when he died. I was so very selfish. I saw him as a burden; a cavalier that didn't live up to my standards. I didn't wish for his death, but I intentionally planned on him leaving my House so I could replace him.