Do you really think that's funny? I thought your sense of humor was better than the kind found in the Bowerstone Sewers. It is not a legitimate weakness and you should take it off my records.
She says it has to do with the tongue-in-cheek nature of the ga- I am not repeating the rest of that tawdry statement that she gave me, either. She said she's going to change the title of it, though. Something about how it isn't fitting because we don't know if it's 'two of every kind' or not.
...I suppose this is something I'm better off not knowing?
[That's stated carefully, since he's not entirely sure how baby sister here will react to him. Canon points are tricky things, after all. With his luck, she's from directly after leaving the castle and still wants him dead. She might still want him dead anyway, but that's not the point.]
At least your mundane has decided to send you somewhere.
[That's a good thing, right? It's not like she's going to make you suffer! ...Right??]
[She's not from directly after leaving the castle, but she's still from long before the coronation. She hasn't even gone to Reaver's party.
And no, she is not particularly pleased to see her brother after all he's done. Her throat tightens and she clenches her jaw for a moment before pulling herself to stand up straight. She's gotten a little taller with the awakening of her Hero blood, but she still has to look up to the man she, well, no longer looks up to.]
Logan. I suppose knowing one's fate is better than not.
[She is polite as she can be, but her tone is terse and voice tightly strained.
[Oh boy... well, at least she hasn't faced that thing in the desert yet...]
Of course it is.
[Ironically enough, he's from a point where he doesn't know his own fate. Thanks sis, he needed that. Why can't you be easy to read?
...Though it's pretty damn obvious that she's still furious with him, and Logan runs a hand through his hair, eyes darting away momentarily. It's been well over a year since he's seen his sister thanks to being in a game, and he's not used to that look.
He's gone soft in the past year: it's never been more apparent to him than it is now.]
That was not what she expected him to say and she's unable to keep her surprise off her face. She was pretty well convinced at this point that her brother was a heartless mad-man bent on fulfilling his own selfish dreams.]
[Her recovery is not particularly fast, and it happens with quite a bit of obvious conflict before settling into another glare. Though this one was more sullen and hurt than outright angry.]
[Logan has never been a very expressive man - except when he's angry - and the obvious hurt doesn't show on his face. Instead, he merely tips his head a bit.]
Do you really believe that I don't care about you, sister?
[The idea is ridiculous. Of course he's never been very good at showing it, but his sister has always been one of his priorities. He's done everything he could to keep her safe - and look how well that turned out - but his sister believing that he doesn't care about her is almost unbelievable.
Almost.
He knows what he did in the throne room that day was horribly wrong; it didn't just shatter her trust in him, it shattered her image of him and started her on a crash course to a rule she shouldn't have been burdened with. A monster she should never have had to face. She was saddled with his burdens, something that still doesn't sit well with him a year later.
But none of that shows on his face, though his tone is obviously curious.]
[Logan falls silent after that, absently studying the backs of his gloves. When he finally speaks, it's much softer than his normal tone, and it's much more hesitant.]
...I'm sorry.
[The apology has been a long time coming, but it's the first time he's actually expressed it out loud.]
[The first words were quiet, full of hurt before she stepped up to him. She wanted to punch him. It was obvious. But she still held herself back. Logan had been a distant figure long enough that even a crash course in leading a rebellion against him couldn't quiet break the old habits of standing close but not touching.
It was after she came up to him that her usually soft tone grew stronger, louder.]
Do you think that changes anything? Do you think that will bring Elliot back? You killed him! You made me kill him!
[Logan clenches his fists reflexively - not to attack but to defend - and he briefly wonders why he thought she'd actually hit him (she wouldn't, would she?).]
No. It doesn't. I don't expect your forgiveness. I'd be surprised if you ever forgave me.
[His tone is still soft, but he's making eye contact again; he's at least more confident about this.]
I could make any number of excuses for my behavior that day, but none of them will ever suffice. I was wrong and I deeply regret my actions.
[Well... not so much killing Elliot, but he definitely regrets hurting his sister like that. It was beneficial - or it will be, when she takes the throne - but that doesn't excuse it or make it right.]
I can at least apologize for that. One action - one dreadful choice - does not define my feelings for you, sister.
[Despite the stilted words and blank expression, Logan does at least sound convinced of that.]
One dreadful choice? You've made more than one dreadful choice, Logan! That is just the first one you forced me to make. The lives of all the others your actions and choices have ended are still on your head.
[She was sure she could hit him, even as mad as she was. He was still Logan. Much as she hated him, she hated more that she still loved him. That's what made it hurt so much.]
[Again Logan is silent, this time he does look away. She doesn't know - that's good. She doesn't know why he's doing this and he can't tell her. It's the same frustrating situation he was in for four years before, but it's almost a relief. At least she hasn't encountered it yet.]
...I have reasons for everything I do. I'm afraid I can't explain my actions to you yet, sister. Just understand that everything I've done - no matter how terrible - has been done through necessity.
[That's more than he's ever told her before and he doubts she'll believe him; but it's all he can offer her.]
[And for a brief moment, Logan completely agrees. He hasn't seen the extent of what he's done - he hasn't left the War Room in months, let alone the castle - but he knows it's bad. He knows he's hurt Albion far more than he's ever helped, and even if they can defeat the Crawler (somehow), Albion will be a mess. It will take years to fix everything he's caused.
If anyone can save Albion and defeat the Crawler, it's a Hero. It's his sister.
But his pride refuses to allow him to admit that, and Logan falls silent again, looking away.]
...I know you'll do what's best for Albion.
[And when he turns back to her, he's attempting to smile - it's an expression he hasn't worn in so long it doesn't seem natural much less comfortable, but he's trying anyway.]
[Wow, bro, how long has it been since you smiled? That is very awkward.
It's also a realization she was having right then and there. She'd been kept away from what Logan had done for years, sheltered and hidden away in the guest room that had become her chambers with only court sanctioned guests and servants to keep her company. She hadn't even gotten to see Logan often enough to really realize what was happening to him. Elliot was- had been more privileged to gain that kind of regular access than she had been.
She hadn't really seen him at all, much less see him smile.
And he had to do it while saying that, didn't he?
She looked down, away, clutching a hand to her chest.]
[For a moment he's taken back to when they were kids; he'd never been the best older brother and had certainly pulled a number of "unfair" pranks on his little sister when they were much younger, but that's not something he would do now. He shakes the thought off.]
Say that! Don't act like you'd just invite me to take the throne from you so casually and so... so happily, too! With all you've done... you can't...
[Have a heart. Here she was, being groomed to fight him, to wrest control of the throne with blood and tears of thousands, and she had to go and say he trusted her choices and her plans for their father's throne once she took it. It just wasn't fair.]
[Physical affection isn't something Logan ever offers. It's not something he's comfortable with. But he reaches out, awkwardly, to rest a hand on his sister's shoulder.]
The crown is a heavy burden. It isn't one I ever would have wanted you to deal with, but you're much stronger than I've given you credit for. You've always been strong, sister. If anyone can help Albion, it's you.
[The fact that she didn't draw away from his touch, didn't even flinch, was probably more telling about her state of mind than even her words were. She didn't want to believe Logan really cared, because if he did, then she could reason with him. And if she could reason with him then there was no need for her to lead a revolution against him... was there?]
Why, Logan? Why are you saying this now? Are you just trying to hurt me more?
Why, are they, an admittedly unusually named, beautiful girl? If so, might be best not to give me the details. I'd prefer to focus on the one in front of me.
Ben? No. He's very much a man. Doesn't even dress as a woman. He simply enjoys a great deal of humor.
[The attempt at flirting goes right over her head. She's used to being flattered like that by pretty much everyone, whether they mean it or not. Hazard of being a Princess, that was.]
Yeah, I think so too. But the only way to really believe it is to have like a million near death experiences and not everyone has the guts for it. So I settle for being the guy that shows people a good time instead.
I don't believe you have to be on the edge of death to enjoy life.
[She had been quite happy before being forced to flee her home and nothing had ever threatened her life prior to that. Her experiences were not the kind she thought would bring many joy once they knew what being a Hero was really like.]
Nah, gorgeous. I'm being more general. Every second you're alive, you're a second closer to dead. In other words... No worry you got is bigger than the one you have right that second.
[Well, that's his justification for being the chronically rampant kind of guy he is at least.]
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[She is very much not a happy camper right now.]
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[That's stated carefully, since he's not entirely sure how baby sister here will react to him. Canon points are tricky things, after all. With his luck, she's from directly after leaving the castle and still wants him dead.
She might still want him dead anyway, but that's not the point.]At least your mundane has decided to send you somewhere.
[That's a good thing, right? It's not like she's going to make you suffer! ...Right??]
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And no, she is not particularly pleased to see her brother after all he's done. Her throat tightens and she clenches her jaw for a moment before pulling herself to stand up straight. She's gotten a little taller with the awakening of her Hero blood, but she still has to look up to the man she, well, no longer looks up to.]
Logan. I suppose knowing one's fate is better than not.
[She is polite as she can be, but her tone is terse and voice tightly strained.
And she's glaring daggers.]
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Of course it is.
[Ironically enough, he's from a point where he doesn't know his own fate. Thanks sis, he needed that. Why can't you be easy to read?
...Though it's pretty damn obvious that she's still furious with him, and Logan runs a hand through his hair, eyes darting away momentarily. It's been well over a year since he's seen his sister thanks to being in a game, and he's not used to that look.
He's gone soft in the past year: it's never been more apparent to him than it is now.]
...I'm glad to see you're doing well.
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I am so sorry.That was not what she expected him to say and she's unable to keep her surprise off her face. She was pretty well convinced at this point that her brother was a heartless mad-man bent on fulfilling his own selfish dreams.]
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I don't believe you.
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Do you really believe that I don't care about you, sister?
[The idea is ridiculous. Of course he's never been very good at showing it, but his sister has always been one of his priorities. He's done everything he could to keep her safe - and look how well that turned out - but his sister believing that he doesn't care about her is almost unbelievable.
Almost.
He knows what he did in the throne room that day was horribly wrong; it didn't just shatter her trust in him, it shattered her image of him and started her on a crash course to a rule she shouldn't have been burdened with. A monster she should never have had to face. She was saddled with his burdens, something that still doesn't sit well with him a year later.
But none of that shows on his face, though his tone is obviously curious.]
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How can I believe anything else?
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...I'm sorry.
[The apology has been a long time coming, but it's the first time he's actually expressed it out loud.]
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[The first words were quiet, full of hurt before she stepped up to him. She wanted to punch him. It was obvious. But she still held herself back. Logan had been a distant figure long enough that even a crash course in leading a rebellion against him couldn't quiet break the old habits of standing close but not touching.
It was after she came up to him that her usually soft tone grew stronger, louder.]
Do you think that changes anything? Do you think that will bring Elliot back? You killed him! You made me kill him!
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No. It doesn't. I don't expect your forgiveness. I'd be surprised if you ever forgave me.
[His tone is still soft, but he's making eye contact again; he's at least more confident about this.]
I could make any number of excuses for my behavior that day, but none of them will ever suffice. I was wrong and I deeply regret my actions.
[Well... not so much killing Elliot, but he definitely regrets hurting his sister like that. It was beneficial - or it will be, when she takes the throne - but that doesn't excuse it or make it right.]
I can at least apologize for that. One action - one dreadful choice - does not define my feelings for you, sister.
[Despite the stilted words and blank expression, Logan does at least sound convinced of that.]
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[She was sure she could hit him, even as mad as she was. He was still Logan. Much as she hated him, she hated more that she still loved him. That's what made it hurt so much.]
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...I have reasons for everything I do. I'm afraid I can't explain my actions to you yet, sister. Just understand that everything I've done - no matter how terrible - has been done through necessity.
[That's more than he's ever told her before and he doubts she'll believe him; but it's all he can offer her.]
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No. I won't. I...
I can't. You have to be stopped, Logan.
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If anyone can save Albion and defeat the Crawler, it's a Hero. It's his sister.
But his pride refuses to allow him to admit that, and Logan falls silent again, looking away.]
...I know you'll do what's best for Albion.
[And when he turns back to her, he's attempting to smile - it's an expression he hasn't worn in so long it doesn't seem natural much less comfortable, but he's trying anyway.]
I trust your judgement.
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It's also a realization she was having right then and there. She'd been kept away from what Logan had done for years, sheltered and hidden away in the guest room that had become her chambers with only court sanctioned guests and servants to keep her company. She hadn't even gotten to see Logan often enough to really realize what was happening to him. Elliot was- had been more privileged to gain that kind of regular access than she had been.
She hadn't really seen him at all, much less see him smile.
And he had to do it while saying that, didn't he?
She looked down, away, clutching a hand to her chest.]
Don't do that. It's not fair.
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[For a moment he's taken back to when they were kids; he'd never been the best older brother and had certainly pulled a number of "unfair" pranks on his little sister when they were much younger, but that's not something he would do now. He shakes the thought off.]
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[Have a heart. Here she was, being groomed to fight him, to wrest control of the throne with blood and tears of thousands, and she had to go and say he trusted her choices and her plans for their father's throne once she took it. It just wasn't fair.]
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The crown is a heavy burden. It isn't one I ever would have wanted you to deal with, but you're much stronger than I've given you credit for. You've always been strong, sister. If anyone can help Albion, it's you.
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Why, Logan? Why are you saying this now? Are you just trying to hurt me more?
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[Said like that explains absolutely everything, and in Logan's mind, it does.]
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[She almost hates him more for this. Making her question the image of unreasonable madman she's built up in her mind's eye.]
Why can't you explain it to me? If it's really the truth?
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It's... it's difficult to explain. It's something no one would believe; the scale is far too large and it's--
[He stops himself there, drawing back from her and clenching his fists at his side. For the first time, Logan looks visibly troubled.]
It is my burden. I will not inflict it on anyone else.
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[The attempt at flirting goes right over her head. She's used to being flattered like that by pretty much everyone, whether they mean it or not. Hazard of being a Princess, that was.]
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In all honesty, it's not that I'm into humour that much. It's just that, hey, you're on the world for a short time so it should be a good time, huh?
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[She had been quite happy before being forced to flee her home and nothing had ever threatened her life prior to that. Her experiences were not the kind she thought would bring many joy once they knew what being a Hero was really like.]
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[Well, that's his justification for being the chronically rampant kind of guy he is at least.]
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