Also, you must be very eager for me to call you stupid again, if you're telling me you believe in a masked cultist who was part of the organization who brought you here to begin with.
... I'll be honest, I wouldn't say that I trust any of you very much... but, I believe in the fact that you are someone.
[ the rondo of ten years ago might have trusted them immediately, but the rondo of now has been burned. you've been betrayed, after all. he rubs a little at the ink spot on his shoulder, almost subconscious. ]
Plus, you keep telling me not to trust you or believe you, but then you tell me things about yourself! Aren't I just doubting you like I should? [ he
says this and then lifts his hands as if anticipating a reaction: ] Joking, joking...
... It's been a few years now, and we write each other whenever we can, but that definitely doesn't change things. It's... our family is fairly powerful, in Orsterra, so... being the head of the family can be pretty dangerous. I promised her that I would be strong enough to protect her, for the rest of our lives, and... then I left.
[ that part is the part that hangs heavy enough to be shadowy ink. even if it was to be stronger, even if it still feeds that end goal, it's still scary to think about - how anyone could be after cordelia's head, at any time. ]
She was the one who told me to go, though. [ rondo says, with a little laugh, small and sheepish. ] She must have - it must have been really obvious, that I wanted to become Sir Sazantos' apprentice. I was going to stay with the family and protect the house, but Cordelia told me that she wanted me to be happy.
So it's not...I don't regret leaving, but I can't help but be worried about her, you know?
Oh, I know. [ a little laugh, there. death is being nice... wow .... ] We almost died barely two days after I promised her out loud the first time because someone robbed our house.
[ BEING A RAVUS IS BAD ACTUALLY but more seriously, hand to his heart. ] "So long as I am weak, nothing I hold dear is safe." It's something I've told myself for a long time. And even being the strongest doesn't mean you're undefeatable, either - it's a goal you always have to strive for.
[ and really, that's what rondo holds closest to his heart, the idea of being strong. it's a goal that's simultaneously achievable, and one that isn't. a constantly moving goalpost, and one he's always running for at top speed, stumbling only to leap up and clear hurdles. ]
Heh, I will. I mean, becoming strong enough to protect the whole continent definitely means I could be strong enough to protect Cordelia. Plus, Alfyn said she's doing well in - this is going to sound so absurd! - she's doing well in his time, in the future! So... I think as long as I can return and set things right, then, things will be okay.
Ah, yes... I've heard mention of timeline abnormalities.
[They look considerate about that, like it's of academic interest, if maybe not as aggressively so as some of the others might be.]
...Well, if she's fated to be all right, then that's good news for you. As long as your destinies don't go totally awry here, I suppose.
Still, let's hope you don't suffer too many defeats, Sir Rondo. [It is polite, but still somehow does not sound complimentary.] It's hard to be reminded how weak you can be, repeatedly.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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No, you won't. In case it isn't obvious by now, I'm a dried-up husk.
I will offer you information and assistance so as to send you home. You can use me to that end, and that's all.
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[ DON'T JUST SAY NO ]
And... I don't really want to do that. Even if you say that's what I can do, I don't really - I'm not that kind of person.
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...I was not wheedling you for validation.
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[ ???? ]
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[ he'll be stubborn about this too actually ]
Why would you call yourself that...?
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Also, you must be very eager for me to call you stupid again, if you're telling me you believe in a masked cultist who was part of the organization who brought you here to begin with.
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[ the rondo of ten years ago might have trusted them immediately, but the rondo of now has been burned. you've been betrayed, after all. he rubs a little at the ink spot on his shoulder, almost subconscious. ]
Plus, you keep telling me not to trust you or believe you, but then you tell me things about yourself! Aren't I just doubting you like I should? [ he
says this and then lifts his hands as if anticipating a reaction: ] Joking, joking...
[ kind of ]
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[Betrayal should teach you a lesson. A profile that mentions betrayal on it should perhaps be a red flag.]
But you are a cheeky one, aren't you.
[What does this shoulder ink say]
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rondo smiles though at being called cheeky, ducking his head. ]
Well... maybe a little. [ hehe. i was not going to say it changed but now it can change to something else, which is leaving her behind. ]
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They just tap the words this time to draw attention to them.]
Fear, or regret?
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Regret. I don't regret leaving, but... [ ah, well, an explanation helps: ] My younger sister.
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...You're not the first elder sibling I've spoken to. [The Big Bro/Sis energy of this cast.] It must be difficult to be separated.
[This much sounds sincere.]
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[ genuine and immediate: ] I miss her every day.
... It's been a few years now, and we write each other whenever we can, but that definitely doesn't change things. It's... our family is fairly powerful, in Orsterra, so... being the head of the family can be pretty dangerous. I promised her that I would be strong enough to protect her, for the rest of our lives, and... then I left.
[ that part is the part that hangs heavy enough to be shadowy ink. even if it was to be stronger, even if it still feeds that end goal, it's still scary to think about - how anyone could be after cordelia's head, at any time. ]
She was the one who told me to go, though. [ rondo says, with a little laugh, small and sheepish. ] She must have - it must have been really obvious, that I wanted to become Sir Sazantos' apprentice. I was going to stay with the family and protect the house, but Cordelia told me that she wanted me to be happy.
So it's not...I don't regret leaving, but I can't help but be worried about her, you know?
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[They consider their words, which are no more friendly than before, but probably less derisive. They speak quietly, so it's a little hard to tell.]
But if she told you to go, she probably meant it. You may as well continue doing what you want.
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[ BEING A RAVUS IS BAD ACTUALLY but more seriously, hand to his heart. ] "So long as I am weak, nothing I hold dear is safe." It's something I've told myself for a long time. And even being the strongest doesn't mean you're undefeatable, either - it's a goal you always have to strive for.
[ and really, that's what rondo holds closest to his heart, the idea of being strong. it's a goal that's simultaneously achievable, and one that isn't. a constantly moving goalpost, and one he's always running for at top speed, stumbling only to leap up and clear hurdles. ]
Heh, I will. I mean, becoming strong enough to protect the whole continent definitely means I could be strong enough to protect Cordelia. Plus, Alfyn said she's doing well in - this is going to sound so absurd! - she's doing well in his time, in the future! So... I think as long as I can return and set things right, then, things will be okay.
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Ah, yes... I've heard mention of timeline abnormalities.
[They look considerate about that, like it's of academic interest, if maybe not as aggressively so as some of the others might be.]
...Well, if she's fated to be all right, then that's good news for you. As long as your destinies don't go totally awry here, I suppose.
Still, let's hope you don't suffer too many defeats, Sir Rondo. [It is polite, but still somehow does not sound complimentary.] It's hard to be reminded how weak you can be, repeatedly.
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Heh, you don't have to worry about that! I've been reminded of that more times than I can count. [ RONDO ] Not much can keep me down for long, Death!
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Yes, I can tell. It contributes to your incorrigible nature.
[ they just sigh. ]
But who am I to judge an... indomitable spirit. Perhaps it'll help you leave earlier.