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[ Shut up. she wants to say. After so long of struggling to live, hearing I should have died from any of their number turns her stomach. But she knows that wouldn't help. It's what he feels, regardless of how little Yuuri likes to hear it.
But hearing that -- it settles her, just a little. She's spent a very long time bristling at the very mention of the so-called Chosen King but the more she hears of him the more she thinks that... maybe, just maybe he might understand. He might be able to see how the man he'd put to death had ended up as the man sat here in the middle of an alien's house and asking just why he deserved to be offered a basic courtesy like compassion.
She hopes so. God, she hopes so. ]
... I won't tell you any of what happened was-- was okay, or that you haven't done anything wrong. I'm not going to tell you "it's all in the past, you were a different person"... nothing stupid like that. I know it won't help and I think... if any of us were the kind of people who'd tell you a lie like that because we thought you wanted to hear it, we wouldn't be the kind of people you need by your side.
And that... wasn't my world. It wasn't my kingdom, my city. It isn't my place to look at something like that and decide I forgive you for it. B--but... but it also means I don't have any place to decide you don't belong with us because of it either.
It's not about what you deserve. It's not about what any of us deserve. I don't give a damn about any of that anymore.
[ Her words are a little muffled -- she's got her face pressed into his shoulder now (or well, as close as she can get with the difference in their height) but even then she sounds fierce. Even with the catch in her voice that betrays the presence of tears in her eyes. ]
We want you with us because-- because we love you. Because we're family, you idiot.
But hearing that -- it settles her, just a little. She's spent a very long time bristling at the very mention of the so-called Chosen King but the more she hears of him the more she thinks that... maybe, just maybe he might understand. He might be able to see how the man he'd put to death had ended up as the man sat here in the middle of an alien's house and asking just why he deserved to be offered a basic courtesy like compassion.
She hopes so. God, she hopes so. ]
... I won't tell you any of what happened was-- was okay, or that you haven't done anything wrong. I'm not going to tell you "it's all in the past, you were a different person"... nothing stupid like that. I know it won't help and I think... if any of us were the kind of people who'd tell you a lie like that because we thought you wanted to hear it, we wouldn't be the kind of people you need by your side.
And that... wasn't my world. It wasn't my kingdom, my city. It isn't my place to look at something like that and decide I forgive you for it. B--but... but it also means I don't have any place to decide you don't belong with us because of it either.
It's not about what you deserve. It's not about what any of us deserve. I don't give a damn about any of that anymore.
[ Her words are a little muffled -- she's got her face pressed into his shoulder now (or well, as close as she can get with the difference in their height) but even then she sounds fierce. Even with the catch in her voice that betrays the presence of tears in her eyes. ]
We want you with us because-- because we love you. Because we're family, you idiot.
[He was, to some thin extent, a different person. No one here had ever truly known 'Ardyn Izunia', colored and blackened only by hate and all memory of being human lost to him. They'd known a shadow of a shadow, a flickering candle of ages-old hatred on the verge of going out. Had he awoken there as the Chancellor, as the Accursed...well, odds were good that no one would have survived.Still--all that had been done had still been done by his own hand. No one else's. Perhaps he wanted to be held accountable for that, finally having done something worth being ostracized for.]
[But he didn't argue the point--this wasn't the time. He just...laughed, quiet and shaken. Why? Why Lunafreya, why Noctis, why all of them, why did this keep happening-]
...I've a terrible track record with family. Just ask Noctis, I'm sure he'll confirm that.
[What was meant to sound like a joke came out with that same shaky almost-a-laugh.]
I don't...want to be forgiven. Even if I were, I don't need something like that. I don't want to be cast out or left behind again. I-I just--
[Ardyn's voice cracked, and he tried very hard to level it out before speaking again.]
...I just want to keep living a little longer. With you and all of the others.
[But he didn't argue the point--this wasn't the time. He just...laughed, quiet and shaken. Why? Why Lunafreya, why Noctis, why all of them, why did this keep happening-]
...I've a terrible track record with family. Just ask Noctis, I'm sure he'll confirm that.
[What was meant to sound like a joke came out with that same shaky almost-a-laugh.]
I don't...want to be forgiven. Even if I were, I don't need something like that. I don't want to be cast out or left behind again. I-I just--
[Ardyn's voice cracked, and he tried very hard to level it out before speaking again.]
...I just want to keep living a little longer. With you and all of the others.
Yuuri.
[Ardyn approached her outside near the garden, twirling a wooden practice sword in his hand.]
Are you busy right now?
[Ardyn approached her outside near the garden, twirling a wooden practice sword in his hand.]
Are you busy right now?
[ Yuuri glances up from the flower bed -- she'd been bent over, carefully pruning some weeds that were threatening to creep up on the flowers from the Fantasy Sweet they'd planted. She's got a bemused smile on her face that only grows more so when she sees the sword in his hand -- but then she shakes her head. ]
No, not really, I'm just filling some time. What is it?
No, not really, I'm just filling some time. What is it?
Well, I thought my future greatsword wielder might like some training. The practice swords I have are painfully below my standards, but they're a good start.
[ Her heart's in her throat and it takes her a moment to try and respond. He sounds like he's about to cry and Yuuri's not entirely sure she trusts herself to keep it together if he does. She has to take a deep, soggy breath to undo the knot in her chest and she has to force her voice steady so he can't hear it catch again. ]
Good. Good because... b--because we're not going to give you much of a choice. Do you think I'm going to let you go anywhere before-- before you've even taught me how to use a sword?
[ It's the worst possible time for levity and it's an even worse joke. The wheezy laugh she gives is just as forced as you'd expect it to be. ]
And Junpei-- if you went and disappeared before he had a chance to humiliate you and Church at your wedding then he'd never forgive you. So you're stuck with us for the foreseeable future, I'm afraid. You don't get a say in it.
Good. Good because... b--because we're not going to give you much of a choice. Do you think I'm going to let you go anywhere before-- before you've even taught me how to use a sword?
[ It's the worst possible time for levity and it's an even worse joke. The wheezy laugh she gives is just as forced as you'd expect it to be. ]
And Junpei-- if you went and disappeared before he had a chance to humiliate you and Church at your wedding then he'd never forgive you. So you're stuck with us for the foreseeable future, I'm afraid. You don't get a say in it.
If you've stayed with me this long, then...there's no reason to think you prepared to change your minds now.
[Reason didn't always factor into it, of course.]
I doubt I'll be much of a fiancé or a father, you know. But I'm not...going anywhere. No matter what might happen. I already promised Leonard as much, and I'll swear the same to the rest of you.
[Reason didn't always factor into it, of course.]
I doubt I'll be much of a fiancé or a father, you know. But I'm not...going anywhere. No matter what might happen. I already promised Leonard as much, and I'll swear the same to the rest of you.
[ Another one of those wet, shaky laughs. It sounds a little better this time, though. A little less forced. ]
You've not been doing a bad job of it so far, though. And I picked you for the job and everything. So I'm not just saying it because I have to.
[ See, we're joking. Things are marginally less hellish and upsetting now. ]
...I just... that's all I want, too. I want to keep living with you and everyone else for as long as I can.
You've not been doing a bad job of it so far, though. And I picked you for the job and everything. So I'm not just saying it because I have to.
[ See, we're joking. Things are marginally less hellish and upsetting now. ]
...I just... that's all I want, too. I want to keep living with you and everyone else for as long as I can.
[ At the word greatsword, Yuuri's eyes are sparkling and by the time the word training has left Ardyn's mouth, Yuuri's already on her feet and hastily dusting off her hands with a grin on her face. ]
Well, I've got to start somewhere, haven't I? Even if it's with substandard equipment.
[ She doesn't sound at all like she's complaining though. ]
Is there enough room out here in the garden or should we move a little further away from the house?
Well, I've got to start somewhere, haven't I? Even if it's with substandard equipment.
[ She doesn't sound at all like she's complaining though. ]
Is there enough room out here in the garden or should we move a little further away from the house?
That's about the shape of it. Homemade ones are a little nicer but the ones here aren't so bad.
[ ... of course, she goes and says that before Arianna takes a bite so for all she knows the princess is about to toss that entire meal in the trash and declare it a loss. Somehow, she doubts it. ]
What do you think, then?
[ ... of course, she goes and says that before Arianna takes a bite so for all she knows the princess is about to toss that entire meal in the trash and declare it a loss. Somehow, she doubts it. ]
What do you think, then?
[Well, Arianna's face lights up right away, but she takes the time to carefully chew and swallow before she answers.]
I quite like this. The flavors and textures of the ingredients complement each other well.
I quite like this. The flavors and textures of the ingredients complement each other well.
Exactly right.
[He tapped Yuuri playfully on the head with the sword in his hand before flipping it around and offering her the handle.]
We can move a little farther away, a bit more space couldn't hurt.
[He tapped Yuuri playfully on the head with the sword in his hand before flipping it around and offering her the handle.]
We can move a little farther away, a bit more space couldn't hurt.
I still think you've all made terrible choices, but they're yours to make.
[Ardyn pulled back slightly and quickly swiped the back of his hand across his eyes, managing a hesitant smile.]
...That sounds perfectly ideal. This family is all that I have and yet far more than I ever expected, so I am never leaving it behind.
[Ardyn pulled back slightly and quickly swiped the back of his hand across his eyes, managing a hesitant smile.]
...That sounds perfectly ideal. This family is all that I have and yet far more than I ever expected, so I am never leaving it behind.
[ She's smiling when she takes the sword -- or rather, she's making herself smile to try and hide the trepidation she suddenly feels. She'd talked a lot of game about wanting to learn to fight but now she's suddenly a little nervous of just how much she trusts herself with a weapon in her hand.
But it's smooth, worn wood under her fingers, weighted all differently from a knife. It's just different enough that even though it's a blade, using it like a weapon doesn't make her feel queasy.
Smiling even more brightly to cover up the moment of trepidation (but knowing Ardyn had probably caught it anyway because well, it's Ardyn) she takes the sword and gives it a slow, experimental swipe through the air. ]
I'll follow your lead, then. I don't want to put someone on the wrong end of this if they come out of the house and take me by surprise.
But it's smooth, worn wood under her fingers, weighted all differently from a knife. It's just different enough that even though it's a blade, using it like a weapon doesn't make her feel queasy.
Smiling even more brightly to cover up the moment of trepidation (but knowing Ardyn had probably caught it anyway because well, it's Ardyn) she takes the sword and gives it a slow, experimental swipe through the air. ]
I'll follow your lead, then. I don't want to put someone on the wrong end of this if they come out of the house and take me by surprise.
Oh, heaven forbid. Wouldn't want to hit someone unless they deserved it. Or unless they happen to be Xander.
[this is how he expresses friendship]
[Regardless, Ardyn pulled a second sword from the Armiger and threw it a few feet away, following swiftly in the usual brief magenta afterimage and trail of light.]
How does this distance look to you?
[this is how he expresses friendship]
[Regardless, Ardyn pulled a second sword from the Armiger and threw it a few feet away, following swiftly in the usual brief magenta afterimage and trail of light.]
How does this distance look to you?
[It's a meal to create happiness! It deserves all the eloquence she can give it.]
I'm sure that's only because this is mundane for you.
I'm sure that's only because this is mundane for you.
Just fine, I think! Give me a second...
[ And Yuuri, like a boring old regular human instead of an old Lucian king has to catch up with him on foot. How tedious. ]
I hope you know I have absolutely no idea where to start, though. The only thing I've... um, well, I've never had to use anything like a full sword before. So we'll be starting from scratch.
[ And Yuuri, like a boring old regular human instead of an old Lucian king has to catch up with him on foot. How tedious. ]
I hope you know I have absolutely no idea where to start, though. The only thing I've... um, well, I've never had to use anything like a full sword before. So we'll be starting from scratch.
[ She shakes her head and now that Arianna's meal has the princess' seal of approval, Yuuri finally starts digging into her own. ]
You'd be surprised, actually. When we got out and went to get dinner -- that was the first time I'd eaten like that in about... a year and a half or so? Maybe two?
[ LORD. ]
You'd be surprised, actually. When we got out and went to get dinner -- that was the first time I'd eaten like that in about... a year and a half or so? Maybe two?
[ LORD. ]
That's fine--I haven't exactly taught anyone in quite a long time, so we'll merely have to figure it out together. The most basic thing to start with is your stance; ideally you want to be rooted firmly enough not to be knocked down, but not so rigid as to be inflexible.
[Arianna maaaay be keeping an eye on how that goes. Rii-san's happiness is important too!]
...oh. Yes, of course.
[She hadn't forgotten about that, exactly, but she hadn't been thinking about it. Yuuri seems so normal, it's strange to think of what she's been through.]
...oh. Yes, of course.
[She hadn't forgotten about that, exactly, but she hadn't been thinking about it. Yuuri seems so normal, it's strange to think of what she's been through.]
Hm...
[ She pauses for a second, trying to think of what might work. Without really being conscious of what she's doing, Yuuri finds herself imitating Kurumi, the same wide, low stance she'd use when she was waving her shovel around. It's passable for a first try but she's still handling the weight of the blade all wrong and she'd probably get knocked flying if she got hit too hard. ]
Something like this?
[ She pauses for a second, trying to think of what might work. Without really being conscious of what she's doing, Yuuri finds herself imitating Kurumi, the same wide, low stance she'd use when she was waving her shovel around. It's passable for a first try but she's still handling the weight of the blade all wrong and she'd probably get knocked flying if she got hit too hard. ]
Something like this?
[ if it's any consolation, Yuuri seems pretty chill about it ]
There's been a lot of things we're doing more now that are still a bit... they're not new, exactly, but doing them again is a nice novelty.
[ why do you think she's been jumping at the chance to go grocery shopping whenever the opportunity comes up ]
There's been a lot of things we're doing more now that are still a bit... they're not new, exactly, but doing them again is a nice novelty.
[ why do you think she's been jumping at the chance to go grocery shopping whenever the opportunity comes up ]
Not terrible, but it needs a little work. Here-
[He reached over to adjust her hold on the sword, nudging her feet into a more solid position with one of his own.]
Your balance was a bit off, and you'll need to get used to holding the sword itself.
[He reached over to adjust her hold on the sword, nudging her feet into a more solid position with one of his own.]
Your balance was a bit off, and you'll need to get used to holding the sword itself.
[oh noooooooo]
Then... I am glad to have been able to do them with you.
[...
Oh right, she's still holding a cheeseburger. She should probably continue eating that.]
Then... I am glad to have been able to do them with you.
[...
Oh right, she's still holding a cheeseburger. She should probably continue eating that.]
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