shaft | hotel: estelle

[...?

There's a pause, and then she nods.]

He was really kind to me. I wish we'd had more time together.

[ He smiles a little. ]

He was more often kind than not. Did he act like an old man around you?

I don't know if I'd say -- well, maybe... He reminds me a little of my mentor, only much less strict.

Do you mean a combat instructor?

Yes. We talked a bit about fighting styles, among other things... And he gave me a lot of encouragement!

[ soft... sieghart is a good grandpa ]

Are you much of a fighter?

Well... I'm more of a healer than anything else. But I know how to use a sword and shield.

You seem better suited to healing than fighting.

[ estelle is an angel ]

But I'm sure you know that's not enough to get by.

Yes. I've had to use that training more than I would have liked...

But I always had friends fighting with me, so it wasn't as dangerous as it would have been otherwise.

You're on some kind of adventure in your world, I take it?

Yes... or, I was. I've since returned to the empire.

[ claude, immediately: all empires are evil... ]

Ah, to take to the throne?

No, no! [It's almost a panicked response.]

My cousin's the one who's going to be crowned emperor.

[ ? ]

You seem relieved about that.

... [A nod.]

The previous emperor died last year without naming an heir. Prince Ioder and I were the only candidates for succession, and factions started forming around us. It didn't matter what we wanted, and it was getting ugly...

I'm just glad it's over.

Ah, can't say I'm unfamiliar succession wars.

Do you think he'll be a good leader?

Yes, I'm sure of it. I've always respected him, and so do a lot of people. We've already agreed to work together on some matters. Ideologically, we were never that different to begin with.

... Were you involved in a succession war, too?

That's good to hear.

[ he smiles, genuine. ]

As for me... Unfortunately, yes, on several levels. My country was at war with two others for control of the continent. Even within the country, nobles are always battling for clout.

It's pretty exhausting.

A three-way war sounds more than exhausting... It must have been terrible. Did you have to fight?

I did, yeah. As did all my friends.

It was pretty terrible, yeah. It was difficult to leave in the middle of it.

I'm sorry.

By leave, do you mean now? Is it still ongoing...?

It's a little complicated, but yeah. It's still ongoing.

I imagine it'll come to an end soon though.

That's a good thing, right?

It sure is. I'm certainly tired of fighting after five years.

[There's a sympathetic wince. Five years...]

I would be, too. I can only imagine how hard that must have been for everyone...

(no subject)

shaft - 2022-06-16 13:14 (UTC) - Expand