being sent to Abax with his sister... oh boy - canon is Dune

[lessons]

How sentimental you are.

An observation, not judgement passed. At the very least it would seem as though you make an effort to understand my feelings on this subject, otherwise we would not be having this conversation. You know that I cannot allow for temptation to lure me astray. No matter the form it takes. No matter your misguided sympathy. However, in this case I believe that you are in possession of more concerns than even I! And it will be through your fragile spyglass that I must peer in order to participate in this new world.

So, little window, I will shift the balance so that we may avoid your shattering under my pressure. If you're seeking for my blessing, then I'm afraid that your search will end in vain. But... I will not disallow this plan of yours. Take that as you will.

Comments

[wild_genes]

Then may you always travel in shade.

[lessons]

I'll find little trouble managing that in this new world, mother.

[wild_genes]

Leto.

And what will you find trouble with, there?

[lessons]

My resolve.

[wild_genes]

Time has a way of trying to break resolve down.

But you would not need to make decisions, there. And because of that, you can be more selfish than our home would ever permit you.

[lessons]

I'll possess most of my power, but less reason for restraint. [A dangerous combination.]

[wild_genes]

*reaches to stroke his cheek, too* You will have one good reason for that restraint, and she will be yours to keep safe.

But all the reasons, all of who you are will still be there, even if you need to seek for them deep.

... but you won't have the spice, will you. *withdrawal will be unpleasant.*

[lessons]

[And he leans into that touch too, as it's one he never truly got to feel before.]

I can do nothing else. [A good reason to hold onto. He won't endanger Ghani - unless it's absolutely necessary.]

I'm told that those with special dietary needs are provided for. Though she leaves that detail for last. [There's some disdain for his mun.]

Kiki~ ;3;

[besidethepath]

And may you always travel alongside us, mother.

<333

[wild_genes]

Ghanima. *softly*

I won't ever leave you, even if she *points behind her shoulder* is not up for having anyone else in places. But we'll find a way.

X3333

[besidethepath]

[ Her smile is perhaps a little sad, but accepting, as she gives a little shake of her head ]

Time and distance is meaningless for our bond, mother. We'll have your voice in our days, your love in our toils, and your arms in our wishes and dreams.

... yes. Wibbles.

[wild_genes]

*And Chani's look is fiercely proud*

And my blessing with you, wherever you steps take you.

;~; mommy~

[besidethepath]

[ Her little smile breaks out into a grin. Oh mommy. You're always with her, but still, she misses you. ]

Thank you, mother. It protects us more than you know.

One and only...

[wild_genes]

*reaches to stroke Ghanima's cheek lightly. And then steps in to give her a hug. Tight and strong. And also as apology for things she did.*

omfg, they are killing me ;; all of my wibbles

[besidethepath]

[ She leans her head into the gesture and falls into her mother's arms. No one, aside from Leto, could even guess at how much she'd dreamed of being able to curl up in motherly affection like any normal child. The Mother Within whispers the apologies intended and Ghanima shakes her head into her mother's shoulder. ]

There is nothing to forgive.

*flappy hands* OIIII

[wild_genes]

*oh, so not letting go anytime soon*

Except trying to take more of you than I have any right to... *small smile, fingers brushing through the soft hair*

I thought I would be strong enough. So I would be there for you and for Muad'dib. Maybe he was right and it had to happen - but it wasn't my intent to leave you to others to raise.

[besidethepath]

[ She's totally fine with that. Just going to snuggle into mommy's arms and be at peace for a while. ]

And you've saved so much more of me.

There is so much that Fate has decided for us... Secher Nbiw takes little of intention into consideration. [ She knows it just as well. All of them, caught up in the same trap. She gives her a reassuring squeeze, playing at the stray strands of her hair like a small child. As much as they'd both wanted it different, it couldn't be. Ghani's knows accepting these hard truths all too well. ] You never truly left. We've felt your love in every moment.

[besidethepath]

If time does not move and has no consequence, is it truly astray? Experiencing as one looking through the spyglass as opposed to being it - a part of the deluge. Is it so terrible, brother-mine?

[lessons]

Ah! So you throw in your lot with the sentimental ones.

No, it isn't so terrible.

[besidethepath]

[ Have a wry look ] Does that surprise you? The balance could do some good. For a time. We've both spent a fair amount of our days on extreme ends lately.

Then you're only looking to confound the girl already worried out of her senses?

[lessons]

It surprises me about as much as it surprises you to learn that I carry the same feelings. [Have your wry look mirrored before it breaks into a smile.]

Push too far forward, pull too far backward - opposite forces inevitably bear the same results. A delicate touch is required to foster balance.

[besidethepath]

[ A smile tugs at her in return, looking wistful, but amused ] I'll be glad for surprises in so many things, but never in you, Leto. Perhaps I am too much a Fremen in that way.

Delicacy I'm sure of which can be appreciated by her in the same way you and I do. [ Bro, since when did you do delicate in ways normal people can process? ]

[lessons]

[He'll cling to what they still share in vain hope of distracting himself from the growing differences he perceives.] We are desert creatures.

[It's all relative! But he frowns.]

I know subtly. [We don't solve every hard problem with a knife in its back, sis.]

[besidethepath]

[ There's a hint of sadness in her smile, but she knows the way it has to be. She's accepted it. A hand comes up to brush his hair, reassurance in her eyes. Even the God Emperor needs that. ] Then let's be desert creatures a bit longer, stuck in our stubborn ways. While time slows, we can follow in suit.

[ There's a little smirk, a bit teasing. ] I know subtly. But knowing and choosing are two different beasts. [ B( Then how about a knife in its face ]

[lessons]

[Leto leans into the touch without any hesitation, closing his eyes - his sign of agreement.

He opens them again to her smirk, raising an eyebrow.] Bene Gesserit are strangely prudish. [Someone meta-knows that he's been the butt of jokes about certain conversations.

Oh yes, a knife in the face is very subtle.]

[besidethepath]

[ A smile cracks across her lips, all signs of sadness washes away, the hand in his hair moving to give a teasing poke and the still-squishy, not-wormskin side of him. ] Perhaps if some coy deviant didn't provoke them they wouldn't see need to act in inverse.

[ She knows you and your ways too well, bb. ]

[lessons]

[Who else would so easily touch his skin, wormskin or not. He smiles and grabs her fingers to hold in his own hand.] They make it too easy. I must work on my self control.

[Like he doesn't have more self control than anyone else that ever lived.]

[besidethepath]

[ There's warmth in her eyes and the hinting of amusement in her tone, twining her fingers with his and she scoots up to his side, another hand going to smooth over his forearm - comfortable, easy.

She chants back in a cheeky kind of tone, repeating her own defense of faults from earlier. ] Knowing self control and choosing it are two very different beasts.

[ Her brother could go centuries of blank, lifeless silence if he wanted, she knows that. She's glad he doesn't. Let the Bene Gesserit be prudish. ]

[oftheknife]

You know as well as I do, Leto, that no good will come of this.

There are far too many factors that we have no control over.


[Though she's plotting already, always plotting.

Don't be so quick to talk him from his ventures, sweet Alia. You would do well in such a place. So many pretty boys for us to take interest in.]

(OOC: Baron is obviously red. lol ALL THE NERVES!!!!)

[besidethepath]

[ Ghanima is made so wary of this. They can't know for certain how much of Alia will be transferring over and what she'll be inclined to do with no empire or Atreides legacy at her fingertips. ]

There is no Arrakis, no Bene Gesserit, and no Corrino there, Aunt. There is nothing to control.

[[ ooc; aww, come join our nerves pile, bb, let use all squish together and be afraid of Dune characters ;; You're doing lovely so far! ]]

[oftheknife]

There are always factors in one's surroundings which can be controlled, Ghanima.

Always.

[Oh Ghani, you should truly be worried. Veeeeery worried.

So boring for one so young. A pity truly. Though we must be careful around her, sweet granddaughter. She's more perceptive than we'd like her to be.]

((OOC: YAY, she scares me ;.;))

[besidethepath]

But is there such a need to?

[ She's watching her - studying. None of what she's saying is sitting very well with her. Alia, you are so painful for your niece to watch ;; ]

[oftheknife]

Of course there is, unless you are content to let others pave the course of your life.

[Have a semi-not-really-smile. She knows of the Golden Path you and your brother had planned for. SHE DOES NOT APPROVE. ;.;

You mustn't let her get to you, my darling. Patience, our plans shall must be laid out first.]

[besidethepath]

[ Ouch, way to hit right where it hurts, Alia. Her expression hardens. No false smiles for Ghanima. ]

Contentment has little to do with necessity. [ Don't you hate on their path. ] You're attempting to free yourself of bonds that don't yet exist, Alia.

[ Enemies at every corner still, is it? ]

[oftheknife]

And who exactly decides what is necessity and not, dear niece? [Her head angles a little to the side and for a moment her expression softens.]

No, I'm attempting to ensure you and Leto are free from such bonds.

[And for the moment, the other memories are silent.]

[lessons]

You understand lack of control better than most.

[Leto says it with a softened expression - Alia is one of the few people he feels empathy for. But she may still be dangerous, he will be able to tell how dangerous by her reactions.]