[ it's now not the first, or second, or third time he's seen this memory, but... it never really gets any easier. every time it ends, he just feels that awful, lingering cold. it's never gone away. ]
Well, you wouldn't be the first one here who had a questionable encounter right before finding themselves in this place. As I have said to them, I don't think that is an end you need accept.
[ rondo is going to take this as nicely as possible even if they are being extremely hard-headed about it. luckily,
rondo gets one in return: ]
There is a person standing not too far from Rondo. A young man, terribly handsome, with rich and deep-purple skin and long white hair pulled half-up in a knot. He is clad from neck to toes in an iridescently silver, chitinous sort of armor which makes a cricket-like noise when he hurries toward Rondo. Annoyingly, he is taller than Rondo - evident not by their current leveled heights, but the fact it feels as if Rondo is floating above the ground to make it so. An intimidating helmet is held under one arm; the other hand holds a long glaive with scary ease. There is also a sword at his waist as if the glaive isn't enough of a deterrent.
"Essek!" he cries.
Formally, Rondo replies, "Taskhand," but there is a subtle edge of playfulness beneath the greeting.
"Come on, Essek," the young man whines. "We're not even on duty."
"Verin," Rondo relents, but then adds: "You are always on duty as someone representing the Bright Queen. Don't forget."
Verin waggles his head defiantly, mocking. "How did it go? There's a lot of them..."
"It went fine," he reassures, but a small wave of uncertainty and worry rolls up through him. "They are called The Might Nein. They are guests, and I have been tasked with overseeing them. Ironic considering your title is Taskhand."
Verin lets out a charming, gentle laugh. "I'm the task they deal with if they try anything funny. She made the right choice; I know you can handle it. Shadowhand."
"Yes, well," Rondo says, then doesn't continue for a moment. "They went to the Dungeon, so keep your ears open, brother."
"I will." Verin offers Rondo a bright, but small smile. "Try not to make too many friends."
[ imagine rondo ever sounding this cool and collected its really taking me out
oh... when the memory fades, rondo is smiling!! first of all that armor was SICK. second of all, it's cute to see war's memories, and he thinks he knows that person as it plays out. when it finishes, he beams and goes through about twenty five thoughts at once so it collects in: ]
...Your brother! [ a beat. ] You're purple! Like Karlach. Kind of. [ a second beat. ] Wait, he said your name!
they seem a little put-out at having such a boldly soft memory yanked out of them and handed over to someone else. rondo, of all people. rondo is as bad as karlach to be handing stuff like this to actually. ]
I'm a drow.
[ RONDO YOU CAN'T JUST SAY PEOPLE ARE PURPLE ]
Do not repeat that name any where here to anyone else.
[ oh. right. of course!!! rondo mimes covering his mouth and nods. secret's safe with him.
... well, okay wait he wants to talk about it, so, the symbolism will have to be enough. rondo drops his hands away from his mouth and smiles at him, instead. ]
He makes a very gallant knight. [ verin... is so cool... ] Younger siblings really are the best, aren't they...? You must love him very much.
[ embarrassing. yeah of course he's embarrassing. ]
[ he smiles all the time there's no escaping this. but, oh, no... that's kind of sad, but kind of sweet, too? there's a little huff. ]
I get that. [ it was just him and cordelia, after all. he doesn't quite get it to the same extent as war does, but, well. the ravuses had to rely on each other, too. ] Do you still get to see him often?
Good. [ about getting to see each other, at least. that's the thing that he misses the most about cordelia - he hasn't seen her in years, now. ] It really... that kind of thing really matters.
no subject
... It's the last thing that I remember.
no subject
[ rondo is going to take this as nicely as possible even if they are being extremely hard-headed about it. luckily,
rondo gets one in return: ]
no subject
oh... when the memory fades, rondo is smiling!! first of all that armor was SICK. second of all, it's cute to see war's memories, and he thinks he knows that person as it plays out. when it finishes, he beams and goes through about twenty five thoughts at once so it collects in: ]
...Your brother! [ a beat. ] You're purple! Like Karlach. Kind of. [ a second beat. ] Wait, he said your name!
[ MUCH TO TALK ABOUT ]
no subject
they seem a little put-out at having such a boldly soft memory yanked out of them and handed over to someone else. rondo, of all people. rondo is as bad as karlach to be handing stuff like this to actually. ]
I'm a drow.
[ RONDO YOU CAN'T JUST SAY PEOPLE ARE PURPLE ]
Do not repeat that name any where here to anyone else.
no subject
... well, okay wait he wants to talk about it, so, the symbolism will have to be enough. rondo drops his hands away from his mouth and smiles at him, instead. ]
He makes a very gallant knight. [ verin... is so cool... ] Younger siblings really are the best, aren't they...? You must love him very much.
[ embarrassing. yeah of course he's embarrassing. ]
no subject
Thank you.
[ proud of the lil bro even though they stand on different ends of the spectrum. sometimes, you just have a lot of trust in the brother you love. ]
...He was one of the few - mm, no, perhaps the only person I ever had.
no subject
I get that. [ it was just him and cordelia, after all. he doesn't quite get it to the same extent as war does, but, well. the ravuses had to rely on each other, too. ] Do you still get to see him often?
no subject
He was the only one who supported me when all others turned away because I questioned our faith. Him and our mother.
[ they nod. ]
I do when neither of us are busy and bound to our duties to serve the Queen.
no subject
He must be so proud of you, as you are of him.
no subject
...I cannot say. My beliefs - or lack of them - usually put a lot of trouble on his shoulders, so.
no subject
Heh. Well, since you said we're alike - I bet he is. I know I would be.
[ with a big smile. ] There's something just as important about sticking to your convictions that's worth being proud of.