Homeless forever, probably.

[qaunak]

It's alright, mun. I know there aren't many places out there for someone like me.

But I appreciate the chance at being able to see my sons again. I miss them both, Noatak especially... I thank you for this chance to see who they've become.

Comments

[foreveryakone]

[ He's neither smug nor sympathetic at the moment -- cagey and irritated, mostly, because this wasn't something that was ever supposed to come to light. ]

Oh please. It isn't monstrous to make use of what you're given. Talents like mine are rare, and yes, feared, no one likes knowing of power greater than their own. What difference would it have made, if I'd told you? Would you have chosen the Avatar's side over your own husband's? After he stole--

[ Ah, there's that anger. No, not everything was a lie, but admitting that seems as good as admitting a weakness. So maybe it's better not to clarify. ]

All I did was try to teach them to be great.

[qaunak]

If you'd told me then we could have had an honest house. Not a house of secrets. Instead you betrayed me, you betrayed the love your sons had for you, and in the end you destroyed our family. Was it worth it? [Qaunak looks at him, her purple eyes searching.] Was it?

[foreveryakone]

If I'd told you there'd be no family at all. Don't kid yourself. There's no point in harboring any more delusion. You call it a betrayal, but I gave you a family that wouldn't exist if not for me. Those boys are still [ "mine" ] ours.

[ His own eyes narrow. He answers honestly: ]

Who knows?

[qaunak]

I could have loved you for who you were. We could have worked through who you used to be and had something that was real to both of us.

It would be better the family not exist at all, rather than be built on a foundation of lies.

[foreveryakone]

You really are an idealist. We'll never know, now, will we?

[qaunak]

You used to like my 'idealism'.

[She turns to him, looking into his eyes.] Do you love me?

[foreveryakone]

Do I what?

Would I have wasted the last years of my life with someone I didn't-- [ Hnn. He doesn't break eye contact, though his eyes narrow. ] ... care about?

[qaunak]

Say it. Just... please. I need to hear these words. [She looks right at him, awaiting a solid yes or no. Why she believes anything he says is anyone's guess.]

[foreveryakone]

I've said them to you countless times before. I can't imagine what difference it would make now.

[ Stalling. ]

It goes without saying.

[qaunak]

...you will never understand how things unspoken hurt those around you. But I now understand what it means to be cut so deep no tears can fall.

[She turns away, eyes fixed on the ground.] I hope this was all worth it to you, Yakone.

[foreveryakone]

I can't help it if you're determined to only see the bad in all of this.

[qaunak]

And I can't do anything for a man who can't feel love.

[foreveryakone]

Of course I loved you. I chose you, didn't I?

[qaunak]

Loved. Past tense.

And you still can't look me in the eye saying even that.

...when other couples reunite here, they kiss, they hug, they at least hold hands, and you...

[foreveryakone]

[ Now he does look at her, annoyed and weary. ]

What is it that you want? There's no point in playing games anymore. There's nothing left to keep us apart now.

[ Or together. ]

[qaunak]

I want you to be honest! You're the one who has played games, Yakone! I never lied to you, I defended you to our sons, I love you so much I would stay with you even now if you wanted me to, and you're still weighing options and holding words back? Do you think you have anything to lose anymore?

[Her voice drops from nearly yelling to a quieter, more resigned tone.] Do you really gain anything from your tricks at this point? Does it make any of this better? I love you, but I don't understand you, or why you won't let me in.

[foreveryakone]

No. There's nothing left to be lost.

[ He puts a hand on her shoulder. Man, he doesn't deserve a wife like her. ]

All there is to do is to start over. We could.

[qaunak]

We will. If we can find a game that takes us both, I'll be there. As confusing as you are, I know some of what we had was real. It meant something. I won't let us lose that, no matter what mistakes have been made.

I love you.

[foreveryakone]

I was lucky to find you. We won't lose anything more; not this time.

[qaunak]

Luck had nothing to do with it. Love bridges death; if we hadn't found each other here, we would have reincarnated alongside each other. Though we've lost many battles, the war is never over. [She reaches out and wraps an arm around his waist.] All we need now is a game where we're allowed to be together.

[foreveryakone]

Even if there isn't such a game, you know we can always find one another here. [ Cautiously he moves his arm around her shoulder more, more firmly. ] After all, what more do we need?

[qaunak]

It would be nice to find a game with the children. They deserve another chance as much as you and I do.

[foreveryakone]

That may be expecting too much.

[qaunak]

One of us needs to be positive.

[foreveryakone]

[ He chuckles dryly. ]

I'll leave you to that job.