[ He looks, debates, and wonders. In most cases, this would be trauma, and reasonably so given what Matilda went through. Unfortunately in Laudna's case, it also carries a rather very literal tune to it. ]
Why keep bothering you after all this time? Does she hope you could bring her back somehow?
[yes she's realizing he thinks perhaps some sort of metaphorical haunting, but.]
She left a piece of herself in me, by accident, I suppose. And then when she died, that was the only piece of her left. She's trapped with me. I'm the only one who can restore her.
She was the most important person to me. Even before we became an "item." I'm not even sure if that will continue, but...
When we met, neither of us could really lead normal lives. Me because, well, it's a bit obvious. And her because of her own magical abilities. She has odd dreams and visions and can hear people's thoughts, meaning it wasn't possible for her to be in too close quarters with many people.
But she's since learned how to block some of that. So she really could lead whatever life she wanted to, now!
[ Presumably, outside of there being some secretly super fucky somethings happening in the bg. ]
The importance of a person doesn't ever need to go away regardless of the status of your current relationship.
[ The power list alone makes Imogen Samarie-coded, that's so funny. Daan is quiet for a moment, contemplating whether to ask. Then decides why not, things don't often get done if you don't ask. ]
I don't know. I'd accepted she was gone when I set my sights for Prehevil. All I wanted at least were answers, something to tell me it wasn't just for nothing. Just so I could understand any part of it all.
I've only left with more questions, and I thought I would die like that. And after everything, I thought maybe it wouldn't be so bad.
...
And now I'm here, in an extended form of the same thing, but not even in my world. Sure, I could possibly use this "wish" to get the answers I'm looking for. Maybe even revive Elise -- Famine told me as much that it was in the realm of possibility.
But I don't know. I feel like I'm different. Maybe I could wish her back to life anyway, and have her move on, craft a new life -- I think I'd be satisfied with that, too.
...I knew a woman once. She had been murdered, and her husband became an adventurer after. He set out to find the means to get her back. He spent years as an adventurer, and even found a new wife, a new family. But he kept his promise to her, and had a holy man return her to life.
The life she returned to was so cold. Everyone who loved her was either dead or had long moved on. She had no place in the world anymore.
[...]
I think you should bring her back if you think it would be a kindness to her, but you must know returning her when you can't be the man she was married to anymore would break her heart.
He's taken aback and hurt, visibly, by this. Not in the sense that what Laudna said was something hurtful, but more that this perspective wasn't something he'd considered, clearly, and it feels like wrenching his chest open to say it like that. ]
[it was a harsh thing to say, but she thinks it's true. death isn't so awful, but loneliness is a cruelty that's unbearable to experience. maybe hypocritical of her, since she would wish to let imogen live a happy life and move on from her, but... ]
I don't know that death hurts anyone but the living. To those experiencing it, there's no cruelty.
But there's no harm in obtaining a wish for yourself, if only for the ability to think about it and choose.
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Why keep bothering you after all this time? Does she hope you could bring her back somehow?
[ In a similar manner to Laudna herself? ]
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[yes she's realizing he thinks perhaps some sort of metaphorical haunting, but.]
She left a piece of herself in me, by accident, I suppose. And then when she died, that was the only piece of her left. She's trapped with me. I'm the only one who can restore her.
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[ He kind of relates to it, in a certain sense. It's a potential cause for a pretty major long-term concern for him too. ]
I apologise that's something you have to deal with, Ms. Laudna... and for this place to bring out two cruel reminders so soon after one another.
You wouldn't consider the wish to banish her presence forever?
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[so, no.]
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Must be something really vital then, if that's the kind of bar that's being set...
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[ His expression softens ever-so-slightly. ]
I think I've overheard you talking a bit about her.
That's really considerate of you.
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She was the most important person to me. Even before we became an "item." I'm not even sure if that will continue, but...
When we met, neither of us could really lead normal lives. Me because, well, it's a bit obvious. And her because of her own magical abilities. She has odd dreams and visions and can hear people's thoughts, meaning it wasn't possible for her to be in too close quarters with many people.
But she's since learned how to block some of that. So she really could lead whatever life she wanted to, now!
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The importance of a person doesn't ever need to go away regardless of the status of your current relationship.
[ The power list alone makes Imogen Samarie-coded, that's so funny. Daan is quiet for a moment, contemplating whether to ask. Then decides why not, things don't often get done if you don't ask. ]
What would make you happy, Ms. Laudna?
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Then that's very selfless of you, Ms. Laudna. I pray you'll be able to get what you wish for.
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I don't know. I'd accepted she was gone when I set my sights for Prehevil. All I wanted at least were answers, something to tell me it wasn't just for nothing. Just so I could understand any part of it all.
I've only left with more questions, and I thought I would die like that. And after everything, I thought maybe it wouldn't be so bad.
...
And now I'm here, in an extended form of the same thing, but not even in my world. Sure, I could possibly use this "wish" to get the answers I'm looking for. Maybe even revive Elise -- Famine told me as much that it was in the realm of possibility.
But I don't know. I feel like I'm different. Maybe I could wish her back to life anyway, and have her move on, craft a new life -- I think I'd be satisfied with that, too.
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The life she returned to was so cold. Everyone who loved her was either dead or had long moved on. She had no place in the world anymore.
[...]
I think you should bring her back if you think it would be a kindness to her, but you must know returning her when you can't be the man she was married to anymore would break her heart.
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He's taken aback and hurt, visibly, by this. Not in the sense that what Laudna said was something hurtful, but more that this perspective wasn't something he'd considered, clearly, and it feels like wrenching his chest open to say it like that. ]
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...I suppose... I just hadn't...
I don't know, then.
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[it was a harsh thing to say, but she thinks it's true. death isn't so awful, but loneliness is a cruelty that's unbearable to experience. maybe hypocritical of her, since she would wish to let imogen live a happy life and move on from her, but... ]
I don't know that death hurts anyone but the living. To those experiencing it, there's no cruelty.
But there's no harm in obtaining a wish for yourself, if only for the ability to think about it and choose.
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You don't have to be sorry. If anything, maybe I should be -- for getting you involved a bit in my personal affairs.
Um... thank you, regardless. I'll think about it.
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[she likes him. even if this was hard.]
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[ And it keeps coming and it don't stop coming... ]
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