009 ["voice"/action] forward-dated to nighttime

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[It's been a little over a week now since Sigmund accidentally deafened part of Luceti. Tonight isn't a good night to talk about it; part of him suspects that he never will be

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[It's the sound of that last piece that greets Katie as she sneaks home at some hour that most little girls should be sleeping. She's been largely absent the past days, looking after responsibilities of her own-- but making sure people don't worry about her too much in turn is important.

...that, and her own bed is far more comfortable. She pauses on the windowsill of her room, having returned as a kitten, considers the melody, and then climbs her way up to the roof.

By the time Sigmund hears her, she'll be human again - soft little-girl footfalls on the roof behind him. But she won't interrupt his playing.]

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[He has a song to finish, and that's more important than everything else in the world right now. But she may be glad that she has a few moments to think, because tonight, Sigmund is different.

Or rather, his echoes are.

The echo overlays him, not entirely, but like a ghost or shade. It -- or rather, he -- is taller than Sigmund, and broader in the chest; a grown man in the prime of his life instead of a young one with lingering signs of boyhood. He wears robes of deep indigo and blue, edged in gold; and an intricate gold circlet. Hovering at his back is bright crescent halo, much like Svala's, though the ends point up like horns over his shoulders; and when Sigmund tilts his head as though he's heard her, she'll be able to see that the echo's ears are subtly pointed. Aristo. Have they taught her that word yet

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Oh, I slept all afternoon. [And she sounds ...preoccupied, because the echo most definitely has her attention.

There could be many reasons for an echo like that. A dream of what Sigmund wants to be, or a resentment that he isn't like Svala, or maybe a father figure-- it's the way it flickers and attempts to balance itself with Sigmund that makes her think of other, far more familiar things from home.

Changeling. Bearing characteristics of her own nobles. Which she knows he is not. But the similarity is there, and she asks without even thinking.]

You're not just one person, are you?

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[There's a tense pause while Sigmund processes that thought, and then he whips around quickly to face her.

His expression is stunned and confused, while the echo's is a knowing little smile. The smile is somewhat tempered by the eyes, which manage to be so many things all at once. Kind but calculating, gentle but wild, bright but ancient... and red. Vivid red, even more than Sigmund's.

He almost stands, but appears to think better of it and settles himself back down.]

What would make you ask such a thing? [The echo tilts his head a bit. 'What, indeed?']

[vermified]

[Edward hears the flute inside, both through the journal and the window. He's cautious - can't really help it, after last time - but he follows the sound outside, anyway. It's when he hears where it's really coming from that gives him pause; he knows Sigmund jumped, and he's not much of a climber, though he'd find a way up there if Sigmund needed him. He's just... not sure if he's needed at all.

And then he hears Capell's music.

In the end, indecision beats out concern, so he sits down against the wall, legs drawn up to his chest, and waits. Everyone needs their privacy sometimes.]

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[Edward might have to wait a bit, because there's a stray squire on the rooftop that Sigmund will need to deal with first. He knows Ed's there. He's not so engrossed in his playing as to be completely unaware of his surroundings. After Katie is abed for the night as she ought to be, Edward will see a Liberator looking down at him from the edge of the roof, unsurprised and unamused.]

Will you sit there all night?

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[Edward lifts his head a little, glancing up at Sigmund. He's not usually so uncertain. Was that an invitation or a scolding?]

...If I must.

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[Sigmund watches him silently for a bit, and then turns back to his blanket. Before he disappears over the edge of the roof, he gestures for Edward to follow, if he wishes.]