30.

[pastdedication]

[voice post]

[Lin's plucking out what may be a familiar folk tune to some on an acoustic guitar. He sings quietly, but steadily.]

As we march down to Fennario

Comments

[letslip]

I'm proud.

[action]

[letslip]

[She sits calmly, maybe even a little relaxed]

If I thought you were crazy for that, everyone in this place would be even worse.

[action]

[pastdedication]

Then I suppose it's only my embarrassment I really have to deal with.

[At least it's her, and not someone who would try to force some kind of answer out of him about all the things he said. He gazes at her for a moment, then, with hesitance, continues to speak.]

I'm still not sure what I might become, if I continue this so-called progress. But for you to hear some of my thoughts and emotions... it's almost a relief.

[action]

[letslip]

I always did hear that talking things out helps. I don't do much of it myself but, it has to work for some people, to be advised so much.

[She was always a gentle listener, quiet, and reflective. Accepting]

[action]

[pastdedication]

Talking things out with two separate personalities in your head? I'm not sure.

[He shakes his head slightly. Goes for the teapot moments before it starts to howl.]

I would listen, if you ever wanted to talk.

[He pours the tea to brew in its squat little pot, puts it on on a tray with cups to the kitchen table.]

[action]

[letslip]

And it's only a curse. It passed.

[She nods a little, eyes closing briefly]

I know.

[ooc; eek, so sorry, i fell asleep by accident ;;]

[action]

[pastdedication]

[When her eyes are closed, he leans forward, brushing a stray strand of hair from her brow, then withdraws.]

I have a lot of free time. My boss is gone.

[action]

[letslip]

[She opens them, calm, hands folded]

Gone?

[action]

[pastdedication]

Yes. I checked the Hall of the Missing.

[Pours the tea, having let it steep long enough, perhaps too long]

This is the first time I've been without guidance... without some tie to the syndicate, since I was a kid.

[action]

[letslip]

... It leaves you freer.

[She holds her cup tenderly]

But I understand. The void.

[action]

[pastdedication]

I truly believed in the Red Dragons. I thought the world would be better with Vicious at its head. If I died in aiding his pursuit, then it was okay. Then I found out he did take over, but threw it away, and my brother died in the process.

[He drinks his tea slowly.]

All of it was pointless. The blood on my hands, for nothing. And now he isn't here, the kite string is cut... and I have no idea what I'm supposed to do or be.

[action]

[letslip]

I told you.

[She blows on the tea, briefly]

You can always just be Lin. And if you don't know who Lin is, you can make him now.

[action]

[pastdedication]

[He sets his tea down, running a hand through his hair.]

I haven't a damned clue.

[action]

[letslip]

[She sits, quiet. Almost demure, except she isn't quite]

You have a lot of time to work it out.

[action]

[pastdedication]

[He looks over at her and... almost seems to smile.]

I suppose I do.

[action]

[letslip]

It's the one good thing about this place.

[a smile from her, sipping her tea]