[ there's a beat - he glances at rupert out of the corner of his eye, and then looks down at the phone again. the first flamesday of june.
strohl's voice is a little rough, when he starts, but he opens up relatively easy to the gentle suggestion. ]
... Halia, was the name. A little country village - tiny, in the grand scheme of things, nestled in the mountains to the east of the capitol. It was beautiful, though, I don't think I saw that at the time.
[he definitely notices that was and takes in a little breath, but he doesn't comment on it directly just yet. he'll let him lead the conversation, so he just offers a short bit of commentary, thoughtful.]
[ yeah. they would, wouldn't they? his expression shifts, a little, mouth pulling taut. ]
... Yeah. That was the point, in the end. [ there's guilt, there, written all over his face - strohl's an open book. he's given a lot of non-answers or partial ones, up to this point, and it's now finally that he glances over at rupert. ]
... My parents were the lords of Halia. [ thus his title - da haliaetus. ] And I, their lone son. When the village was attacked, they sent me away while they stayed behind to try to save Halia and her people, no matter the cost.
[ there's a beat - this surprises him a little, reminds him of someone familiar, and he huffs. ]
... Don't worry about that. [ murmured, at first - it's clear he's a little touched by the concern. if he's guilty, it's - okay, well, it's more obvious that he definitely still feels extremely guilty about it, but he glosses over it, instead, low voice sharpening a bit. ]
I know exactly whose fault it was. The whole bloody thing was orchestrated.
[ the sharpening continues - a low anger, now, as he scoffs, derisive. ]
-- To make an example. To prove to the government that the humans were a danger - to further his own agenda, more like. All these stories about the greater good, because their lives were just cannon fodder to him, like everyone else's.
ok not really but kind of. the anger on his behalf is appreciated - he's still plenty mad on his own, and he answers the question bitterly: ] No.
[ a beat. ]
One of his lackeys did, one way or another. And, as for the spearhead - he's done plenty worth punishing. Not just Halia - our entire country is at risk because of him. Every day that goes on is a day that he wants our world annihilated.
...He'll face retribution and Halia will have justice, if it's the last thing I do.
[he says with a roll of his eyes about this person who wants to destroy the world. it's fine. either way, he gets a little more serious as he continues.]
Sounds like you've got your work cut out for you when you make it home... [definitely when, not if.] I really hope that goes well for you, Strohl.
[ fucking help this gets a smile and a snort of a laugh, actually, brief: ]
You have no idea. [ truly louis is the most dramatic bitch on the planet!!! THE MOST DRAMATIC!!!! ] We're nearly there, now. It's been a long road, but... I know His Highness will be successful in defeating him, and we'll do all we can to remain by his side until the end.
[ include survive whatever this place is.
... and though it's soft, the smile on strohl's face remains, and he dips his head in acknowledgement, quietly touched. ]
... Thanks, Rupert. [ genuine. ] For listening, and otherwise.
Well - not to act like it's okay that it's happened or anything, but... We've made it through every other time. I don't see any reason that won't happen again, even if I'm not going to pretend it won't be painful to get there.
[a little shrug!]
There are some things you don't give up on, no matter what.
by which i mean he just looks at him, for a moment - and a smile spreads onto his face, slowly, the more that he speaks. ]
...Well said. [ there are some things you don't give up on, no matter what. isn't that the truth? isn't that what he's always felt, too? it reminds him so much of will for a second that it almost knocks him off his feet. ] That's a good perspective - I don't think I have to tell you to hold onto it.
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strohl's voice is a little rough, when he starts, but he opens up relatively easy to the gentle suggestion. ]
... Halia, was the name. A little country village - tiny, in the grand scheme of things, nestled in the mountains to the east of the capitol. It was beautiful, though, I don't think I saw that at the time.
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Sounds pretty scenic.
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Pretty middle of nowhere.
[ but yeah, he doesn't disagree - it was. that brief moment of bittersweet nostalgia softens, his brow furrowing. ]
...Nothing left of it now but rubble.
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[quiet and small, but genuine.]
How many people made it out safe, before...?
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A very scant few. We lost a few more on the way to Grand Trad. [ ... ] Seven... I suppose eight years ago, now.
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It doesn't make it easier at all, but... I'm sure they would all be glad you made it out alive.
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... Yeah. That was the point, in the end. [ there's guilt, there, written all over his face - strohl's an open book. he's given a lot of non-answers or partial ones, up to this point, and it's now finally that he glances over at rupert. ]
... My parents were the lords of Halia. [ thus his title - da haliaetus. ] And I, their lone son. When the village was attacked, they sent me away while they stayed behind to try to save Halia and her people, no matter the cost.
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It wasn't your fault.
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... Don't worry about that. [ murmured, at first - it's clear he's a little touched by the concern. if he's guilty, it's - okay, well, it's more obvious that he definitely still feels extremely guilty about it, but he glosses over it, instead, low voice sharpening a bit. ]
I know exactly whose fault it was. The whole bloody thing was orchestrated.
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Why would someone do that?
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-- To make an example. To prove to the government that the humans were a danger - to further his own agenda, more like. All these stories about the greater good, because their lives were just cannon fodder to him, like everyone else's.
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He sounds absolutely terrible. Did he end up facing any consequences for any of that?
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ok not really but kind of. the anger on his behalf is appreciated - he's still plenty mad on his own, and he answers the question bitterly: ] No.
[ a beat. ]
One of his lackeys did, one way or another. And, as for the spearhead - he's done plenty worth punishing. Not just Halia - our entire country is at risk because of him. Every day that goes on is a day that he wants our world annihilated.
...He'll face retribution and Halia will have justice, if it's the last thing I do.
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[he says with a roll of his eyes about this person who wants to destroy the world. it's fine. either way, he gets a little more serious as he continues.]
Sounds like you've got your work cut out for you when you make it home... [definitely when, not if.] I really hope that goes well for you, Strohl.
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You have no idea. [ truly louis is the most dramatic bitch on the planet!!! THE MOST DRAMATIC!!!! ] We're nearly there, now. It's been a long road, but... I know His Highness will be successful in defeating him, and we'll do all we can to remain by his side until the end.
[ include survive whatever this place is.
... and though it's soft, the smile on strohl's face remains, and he dips his head in acknowledgement, quietly touched. ]
... Thanks, Rupert. [ genuine. ] For listening, and otherwise.
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[there's a smile in response to the thanks, though, and a little shrug.]
Of course. All we've got while we're here is each other, right? So the least we can do is make sure we're here for each other.
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...You think that'll be possible?
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[ the last bit he totally agrees with but cross universe conversation seems impossible!!! ]
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[ he says, but he sounds like - impressed by it, frankly? rupert you strange, funky little guy ]
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[a little shrug!]
There are some things you don't give up on, no matter what.
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strohl will now die for you.png is kind of real
by which i mean he just looks at him, for a moment - and a smile spreads onto his face, slowly, the more that he speaks. ]
...Well said. [ there are some things you don't give up on, no matter what. isn't that the truth? isn't that what he's always felt, too? it reminds him so much of will for a second that it almost knocks him off his feet. ] That's a good perspective - I don't think I have to tell you to hold onto it.
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[a little bit amused.]
But - thank you. Really.
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[ a beat. he looks him up and down... briefly... little elda... ]
...You much of a fighter?
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