and every broken heart will mend

[scourgingstars]

[Not too long after the trial, a note found its way under everyone's doors, all of them written in the same neat handwriting that had been asking after a ring not that long ago.]

If any of you would prefer not to be left alone after all of that, I propose we meet in the dining hall. Nari has taken up cooking at the moment, and should anyone wish to talk I will be present regardless of whether or not the group at large should choose to join us.

-Ardyn

[True to his word, Ardyn was at a smaller table in the dining hall with an untouched cup of coffee in front of him; lost in thought leaning his head on one hand as the other turned a silver coin over between his fingers.]

[King in an empty hall, and savior of nothing. All that effort to prevent bloodshed, and it had come down to a situation designed to force their hand from the beginning.]

Comments

[desperateprayer]

...She told me, at the sleepover, how she was treated. And I... I understood her. She was as alone as I was before Mikaela. I... I felt I owed it to her.

[scourgingstars]

...You're a kind person, Clarith. I hope that you're able to realize that.

[desperateprayer]

...I tried to kill Mai. I'm not... A good person.

[scourgingstars]

You were angry. Vengeance is an easy thing to fall into when the unthinkable should happen, even though it was the wrong direction to take. Forgiving her took far more strength and willpower.

[desperateprayer]

...I wanted to make her pay. I'm... I'm not sure what to do from here, either, Ardyn.

[ She can't... Hold the tears back anymore... ]

...I'm not sure we'll escape before my mother passes... A-And... When we go back... I'll be completely alone, if that's the case. I... Have no reason to hold on anymore. It'll just be me, with nothing to help me stand up again. I can't... Go back to that...

[scourgingstars]

Then why return to a place that is so heartlessly cruel?

[Ardyn paused briefly, realizing that if they had lost memories then he couldn't know what was happening back on Eos. Especially if they were without him for too long--the state of the world might be dire without it's savior.]

...Come back to Lucis with me, if that should happen. Mine is perhaps not the safest of worlds, but we can find somewhere for you--whether that should be Insomnia or elsewhere.

[desperateprayer]

[ ...Wait what, is this seriously happening? Is he seriously offering to take her to his world? She's just kind of staring at him in shock for now. ]

[scourgingstars]

...What? Have I said something that far out of line?

[desperateprayer]

No, no, it was simply unexpected...!

[ SHE IS NOT USED TO BEING WANTED. Being offered somewhere is... Kind of huge. ]

[scourgingstars]

It simply seems the obvious conclusion; if we were all brought here, there must be a way back that may yet allow for a few crossed threads somewhere.

[Ardyn paused briefly--that dulled sensation was back again, distant compassion without the full sentiment behind it. It was right to worry for Clarith and her mother, and it was right to save those he was capable of saving.]

[So why didn't he feel like he was doing any more than going through the motions of obligation and habit?]

...The Citadel may ill-suit you for how large Insomnia has become in the past generation, but you'll be welcome to it. Your mother as well, if I should be able to help her. There are smaller cities and outposts a bit further out, if that sounds something more familiar to you.

[desperateprayer]

...I... Won't be able to give you an answer immediately. I need time to mourn and... Clear my head.

[ ...But it's tempting. Very tempting. ]

[scourgingstars]

Take whatever time you deem necessary. I will be here all the same, whenever you should need my company.

[desperateprayer]

...Thank you. I mean it. You're very kind.