[ the noise of agreement is quiet, at first, but... ]
And to watch the whole world turn against him again, and to watch the whole world believe in the garbage that Louis spat. [ that you believed, just for a second - he doesn't say that, but he thinks it, vicious towards himself as ever. those emotions are heavy and complex and guilty, but there's an easer one to land on. ] As if Louis wasn't the one who caused the humans to attack in the first place.
[ won't you take vengeance against the monster?, he'd said, genuinely curious, so - so smug, so horrific. ]
... Seven years ago, he did that to someone. Don't know who. Turned them into a human, and sent it rampaging through a little village in the furthest outskirts of Grand Trad - then instructed his generals not to send reinforcements to help when the villagers begged for it.
[ oh... based on what strohl has told him already, about his lands and what the memory had shown, he can see where this anger comes from. and anger—it is simple. he doesn't blame him for growing his roots with it.
still, it's horrific, and he extends his sympathies simply, sincerely. ]
...I'm sorry, Strohl. [ he is much too normal to fathom why this could've happened. ] Why would he do that...?
Because then he could swoop in to kill the human himself. Save the day. Build up the people's anxiety - and then earn their trust, undeservingly.
[ it's despicable - even now, the fire in his voice is still there as he says it, his sheer derision and loathing towards louis has become messy. complicated, but no less furious for it. ] Trick them into thinking he'd save them, then burn the whole world down.
[ ...
it takes a second but - he shakes his head. tries not to let himself get lost into it, and then dips slightly. ]
Thank you. [ genuinely. ] For your sympathy. Means more than you'd think. And I'm sorry you had to see it, too - not exactly professional athletes and swimming.
[ it's so twisted, but it's worse that it does make sense once strohl spells it out. creating a problem, and hoisting himself up onto a pedestal as a solution. of course people would grab for it, a powerful solution.
but the cost is so dreadful. haru is not really touchy, but he still gently rests a hand on strohl's arm. ]
It's okay. I've seen a lot by now. [ world-ending catastrophes and abuse and everything inbetween. though people do generally reach for gentler memories with him which is funny ] It helps me not take my world for granted.
[ it's gentle in comparison. ]
...Don't be too hard on yourself. We all have... moments. [ of doubt and weakness. ]
[ nooo... the hand resting on his arm helps to shake him fully out of getting too far in his own head about the memory, and it puts a warmer smile on his face, something fond. ]
That's a good way to see it, Nanase. [ cute. he reaches out to pat the hand once, give a little squeeze of thanks. as for being too hard on himself, well... ]
I'll do my best. His Highness often tells me that I've got my face far too deep in the past. It's a lesson I think I'll always be trying to learn, one way or another.
[ self depreciating, a bit, but recognizing of this fault - one of his worst. the fondness remains after as he regards haru, the general aura he puts off, both calm and a little gremlin, a beloved teammate, a dear friend. ]
You two would get along like a house on fire - you and Will, that is. I think you'd like him.
[ it is obvious to anyone with eyes, and only more obvious as the week goes on beyond this day, that strohl is quick to put himself in danger for others. like many others, he could learn to be more generous with himself.
haru takes his hand back to nod, agreeing to a more forward-facing strohl, before answering with a hum. ]
...What sort of person is he?
[ he didn't really get to see will in all his glory here. ]
Kindhearted. [ that first, immediately. warmth in his voice as the last vestiges of the memory fade away, replaced with positive thoughts, instead. ] Brave. Strange, honestly, but I like that about him.
[ did you know... that strohl loves will... like a brother.... :harold: ]
He's quiet until he's not. Has a habit of saying what he's thinking, and a mischievous streak you'd not expect so much. His sense of humour's a lot like yours, too. And - despite the way the world's treated him, and it's truly treated him in the worst ways you could imagine, he cares so deeply about others and helping them.
I don't exaggerate when I say meeting him changed my life. I was a shell of a person - it was Will who pulled me back upon my feet, reminded me I could live up to something my parents could be proud of. I'd be lost without him.
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[ the noise of agreement is quiet, at first, but... ]
And to watch the whole world turn against him again, and to watch the whole world believe in the garbage that Louis spat. [ that you believed, just for a second - he doesn't say that, but he thinks it, vicious towards himself as ever. those emotions are heavy and complex and guilty, but there's an easer one to land on. ] As if Louis wasn't the one who caused the humans to attack in the first place.
[ won't you take vengeance against the monster?, he'd said, genuinely curious, so - so smug, so horrific. ]
... Seven years ago, he did that to someone. Don't know who. Turned them into a human, and sent it rampaging through a little village in the furthest outskirts of Grand Trad - then instructed his generals not to send reinforcements to help when the villagers begged for it.
no subject
still, it's horrific, and he extends his sympathies simply, sincerely. ]
...I'm sorry, Strohl. [ he is much too normal to fathom why this could've happened. ] Why would he do that...?
no subject
[ it's despicable - even now, the fire in his voice is still there as he says it, his sheer derision and loathing towards louis has become messy. complicated, but no less furious for it. ] Trick them into thinking he'd save them, then burn the whole world down.
[ ...
it takes a second but - he shakes his head. tries not to let himself get lost into it, and then dips slightly. ]
Thank you. [ genuinely. ] For your sympathy. Means more than you'd think. And I'm sorry you had to see it, too - not exactly professional athletes and swimming.
[ that bit's lighter - almost a little teasing. ]
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but the cost is so dreadful. haru is not really touchy, but he still gently rests a hand on strohl's arm. ]
It's okay. I've seen a lot by now. [ world-ending catastrophes and abuse and everything inbetween. though people do generally reach for gentler memories with him which is funny ] It helps me not take my world for granted.
[ it's gentle in comparison. ]
...Don't be too hard on yourself. We all have... moments. [ of doubt and weakness. ]
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That's a good way to see it, Nanase. [ cute. he reaches out to pat the hand once, give a little squeeze of thanks. as for being too hard on himself, well... ]
I'll do my best. His Highness often tells me that I've got my face far too deep in the past. It's a lesson I think I'll always be trying to learn, one way or another.
[ self depreciating, a bit, but recognizing of this fault - one of his worst. the fondness remains after as he regards haru, the general aura he puts off, both calm and a little gremlin, a beloved teammate, a dear friend. ]
You two would get along like a house on fire - you and Will, that is. I think you'd like him.
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haru takes his hand back to nod, agreeing to a more forward-facing strohl, before answering with a hum. ]
...What sort of person is he?
[ he didn't really get to see will in all his glory here. ]
no subject
[ did you know... that strohl loves will... like a brother.... :harold: ]
He's quiet until he's not. Has a habit of saying what he's thinking, and a mischievous streak you'd not expect so much. His sense of humour's a lot like yours, too. And - despite the way the world's treated him, and it's truly treated him in the worst ways you could imagine, he cares so deeply about others and helping them.
I don't exaggerate when I say meeting him changed my life. I was a shell of a person - it was Will who pulled me back upon my feet, reminded me I could live up to something my parents could be proud of. I'd be lost without him.