[She says it fondly, though. There was never going to be enough time to truly know Iamarl. But there was a moment and it was theirs. And it was real. Maketh believes that with her whole being. It was real.]
[Another person to remember Iamarl — that is no small thing. He squeezes Maketh's hand, grateful.]
It gladdens me to know that you were not always alone. [He gives a little laugh, though it's tempered by the overall mood.] I cannot believe you were nicknamed kitten.
And yet it cannot have been a great surprise to her twins. They were once part of the Empire, and they died knowing that she would not rebel at that time. They must have known how the Empire would mould her. They also knew and loved the woman she was beneath that veneer.
Perhaps they wondered about the role their deaths played in her change. Perhaps it gave them hope to see her finally attempting to break free of the Empire's ways.]
[She lets out a slow breath. For a long time she had hoped, foolishly, that the twins had someone survived. That they were in hiding out on some distant moon and living wild, storybook adventures. But they had been dead the whole time, hidden away and erased from the official records.]
Itani...she said it was good. That she could still recognize me, after all this time. That the Empire hadn't--killed what I was. Not completely.
[She closes her eyes, holding Henry's hand tight.]
I lived because I was afraid and they died because they were brave. It should not have been like that.
[She sees that now. She sees a lot of things clearly now, in the aftermath. It brings her something, though Maketh is not certain that comfort is the right word. Not quite.]
I -- for a long time, I tried not to think about the past. And then I came here and it was everything, suddenly.
[She's quiet for a moment, just holding his hand. The cat purrs into her shoulder.]
It hurts. But I think -- I think I can let them go, now.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2017-07-05 11:53 pm (UTC)Then know it for truth.
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Date: 2017-07-06 03:27 pm (UTC)I will try.
[She clears her throat.]
I -- I'm glad I had the chance to meet her. Iamarl.
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Date: 2017-07-07 12:26 pm (UTC)I only wish that you had the chance to truly know her. She...
[Henry closes his eyes.]
There will be no woman like her again.
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Date: 2017-07-07 03:28 pm (UTC)[She says it fondly, though. There was never going to be enough time to truly know Iamarl. But there was a moment and it was theirs. And it was real. Maketh believes that with her whole being. It was real.]
I see you better, having known her.
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Date: 2017-07-07 09:18 pm (UTC)It gladdens me to know that you were not always alone. [He gives a little laugh, though it's tempered by the overall mood.] I cannot believe you were nicknamed kitten.
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Date: 2017-07-08 02:16 pm (UTC)Neither can I, sometimes.
[She's quiet for a moment.]
They were so young. I'd forgotten that part.
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Date: 2017-07-08 03:18 pm (UTC)You did not seem out of place with them, for all the years between you.
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Date: 2017-07-08 08:22 pm (UTC)[She pauses a moment.]
I am different, now.
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Date: 2017-07-08 09:29 pm (UTC)[For better, for worse.
And yet it cannot have been a great surprise to her twins. They were once part of the Empire, and they died knowing that she would not rebel at that time. They must have known how the Empire would mould her. They also knew and loved the woman she was beneath that veneer.
Perhaps they wondered about the role their deaths played in her change. Perhaps it gave them hope to see her finally attempting to break free of the Empire's ways.]
How long has it been?
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Date: 2017-07-08 09:55 pm (UTC)[She lets out a slow breath. For a long time she had hoped, foolishly, that the twins had someone survived. That they were in hiding out on some distant moon and living wild, storybook adventures. But they had been dead the whole time, hidden away and erased from the official records.]
Itani...she said it was good. That she could still recognize me, after all this time. That the Empire hadn't--killed what I was. Not completely.
[She closes her eyes, holding Henry's hand tight.]
I lived because I was afraid and they died because they were brave. It should not have been like that.
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Date: 2017-07-09 09:36 am (UTC)[Henry strokes his thumb over Maketh's knuckle.]
I hope her words bring you comfort. The battle you wage in yourself is worth the hardship.
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Date: 2017-07-09 06:18 pm (UTC)[She sees that now. She sees a lot of things clearly now, in the aftermath. It brings her something, though Maketh is not certain that comfort is the right word. Not quite.]
I -- for a long time, I tried not to think about the past. And then I came here and it was everything, suddenly.
[She's quiet for a moment, just holding his hand. The cat purrs into her shoulder.]
It hurts. But I think -- I think I can let them go, now.
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Date: 2017-07-09 07:30 pm (UTC)Ah... that is good. [More than good — a modicum of peace for his troubled sister.] May God rest their souls.
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Date: 2017-07-11 01:35 am (UTC)[Even if it was only for a little while, Maketh got to meet her. She lets out a slow breath.]
I think we will be all right, brother. Not today. But in time.
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Date: 2017-07-11 01:20 pm (UTC)If nothing else, he is weary to the bone of dishonouring Iamarl's memory. He is done.
And what is a Percy without hope? Esperance.]
So we shall be, sister.