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Video.
I've been wondering, Scorched.
[ Arthur has been training since before the sun rose: it's visible in the flush across the bridge of his nose, the way his blond bangs are sticking dark to his temples, the slouch of his usually straight-backed posture. But he needs a break, a distraction from his own mind, from the questions that have been plaguing it without concrete answer. ]
Say that the Door started — temporarily — working the way that all doors should, and we could all trip merrily back to our own worlds.
[ A breath, considering whether he's really going to ask. Despite his slightly laconic tone, he knows how depressing some of the answers he'll get will be. But he still wants to know: ]
Would you stay here in Anatole?
Or would you go home?
[ Arthur has been training since before the sun rose: it's visible in the flush across the bridge of his nose, the way his blond bangs are sticking dark to his temples, the slouch of his usually straight-backed posture. But he needs a break, a distraction from his own mind, from the questions that have been plaguing it without concrete answer. ]
Say that the Door started — temporarily — working the way that all doors should, and we could all trip merrily back to our own worlds.
[ A breath, considering whether he's really going to ask. Despite his slightly laconic tone, he knows how depressing some of the answers he'll get will be. But he still wants to know: ]
Would you stay here in Anatole?
Or would you go home?
[ video ] /hugs!
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But this is not my kingdom, that's for certain.
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[He almost asks about that, and then refrains from it.]
Would you rather stay, then?
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It's possible there might be versions of us at every possible time in our worlds, even. After all, people come here from later points in time than us all the time.
[...]
If you didn't have the duty, would you stay?
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[ He takes a deep breath. ]
I can take comfort in those things. But I will not rely on the chance of them as an excuse to avoid what is necessary.
[ A rueful look. ]
But I didn't know that when I asked this question, so I suppose I owe you my thanks, Kaien.
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You're welcome. It's...not an easy choice, between following your heart and your duty.
[He thinks it should be, that duty shouldn't have to compromise who you are, what you want out of life, but...Anatole is good at complicating things.]
If I really had the choice...I'm not sure if I would go or stay.
[A beat]
Maybe you can write down the important things on something that came with you from home. With any luck, it might jog your memory, when you get there.
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