It's a very exclusive club. Pointy ear admittance only. [His smile is warm and genuine, hopefully smoothing over any awkwardness Alphinaud might feel.]
Iced chai it is! [He shifts around, planting his boots on the ground.] I'll be back before you know it. Don't go anywhere. [As he passes the carbuncle, he leans over so he can give Emerald a scritch behind the ears. He mumbles a greeting:] Hey, Emmie.
[Then before he can explain, he disappears inside the café.
Thankfully it isn't too busy due to the time of day, so he returns within a few minutes holding two iced chais and two tiny plates. He dutifully sets them on the bistro table—Alphinaud's has whipped cream in it. Then he doles out the dishes: a sweet blueberry tart for Alphinaud, and a lemon tart for himself.
Amal doesn't go for the food immediately. He's not all that peckish, but he didn't want Alphinaud to feel guilty if he was the only one getting a treat...
Where to even begin? Alphinaud was there for... damn near everything. He clears his throat.]
You said that I could speak at my leisure, so I suppose I'll start the way I always do when I'm in unfamiliar territory... with a story. Care to hear it?
[He watches Amal go inside to order, but he doesn't miss how he seems familiar with Emerald, despite not having him around for very long. Alphinaud tucks that information aside for later.
When the other gets back, that's when he notices how Amal has not only grabbed him a drink, but also food. It's touching to know that the other keeps his comforts in mind when the two of them sit and begin.
This next part, however- after Amal starts, there's a soft smile, and Alphinaud is gentle, if to the point with his words.]
...Amal, I would not be here if I wasn't sure to listen, regardless of what you would tell me. [A pause, and he thinks, the oh-so-familiar hand to his chin as he ponders.] Story or no story, I'm more than willing to hear what you have to say.
[Because he's a comfort, familiar, even in ways Alphinaud doesn't understand as to why. That's enough of a reason to believe whatever he's going to hear.]
[Alphinaud's gentle patience and unspoken eagerness are familiar and comforting to Amal, who feels as if he's been drifting for so long he's forgotten what land looks like. It's only recently that he's begun to be grounded and even that is a process. The fight against Meteion had taken so much out of him. Out of all of them, really.]
I—yeah, of course. You're right. [His smile grows a bit sheepish.] It's so much of a tall tale... I hope you'll forgive the strangeness of it.
[He folds one hand around the iced chai.]
A very long time ago, but maybe not as long as you'd think, a boy barely a man left his country. He had help, of course—someone took pity on him and his situation and stowed him aboard a boat bound for somewhere far across the sea. And when the man got there, he struggled... but it was a good kind of struggle for a time, much better than begging for table scraps and stealing the nobles' coin.
This helpful man's deeds did not go unnoticed. He got the attention of some like-minded people. These people were called the Scions of the Seventh Dawn, and they worked for no country and no man but themselves—or at least, that was the hope... all so that they could toil for the betterment of man, and solve problems that were bigger than one people or one nation. The man was hesitant to commit to anything, as he didn't much appreciate fame or attention, but he could do so much good...
However... just when the man was thinking he might stay with these people a while, tragedy struck. The Scions had been betrayed, and so many of its members wound up killed or injured in the ensuing attack. A once happy bustling place of business and adventure was silent, abandoned. Unsafe. And the man was set adrift.
It was while he searched for a way forward, for allies in other lands, that he discovered one of the Scions... or maybe it's more like the stray Scion discovered him. [His lips curve into a small smile.] I'd never seen anyone throw open doors with such purpose. He was all confidence and direction—at least compared to me—and for the first time, I felt like maybe we had a chance at fixing all of this.
There were still hardships ahead of us, but we took the joy where we found it, and I watched a naive little lordling grow into the finest diplomat the world had ever seen. And he changed me, too. I went from flighty and irresponsible to someone who would walk into the fire again and again for a chance to do the right thing. This boy's perseverance taught me that everyone is deserving of a second chance... even someone who only knew how to mess everything up.
[His hands curl around the cup a little tighter, amber eyes cast downward briefly. He's surprisingly emotional but trying to keep it together.]
You likely don't remember, and I don't expect you to, but in another life and another place we were family. You're more than that boy now—you've got this life, too, and you deserve that happiness. But it would be unfair if I kept all of this to myself, and left you wondering if you had done something wrong, when it's... not like that at all...
[He bites his bottom lip, then tries for a smile.]
[When Amal begins with his tale, Alphinaud listens. The sounds of the café seem to dim to his senses, and everything being said somehow draws him in, like when Louisoix used to grab his and Alisaie's attention with a story. They were bright-eyed children back then, of course, but it didn't change a thing about the worlds he had brought them to, or how many things reminded him of his run-in with the fae so long ago.
As the story unfolds, something in him stirs, a warmth that he's never really recognized before, one that recalls just as the other speaks. As if he remembers being there, with Amal, through all of this. Alphinaud, of course, knows that isn't true of this life, but he's not a fool, either. It's absolutely possible to have happened elsewhere, even if he can't recall it.
In some ways, all of it feels so ridiculous to him, that he could do all these things in another lifetime and change someone so thoroughly, for the better. He's always lived his life under his father's shadow, been forced to study the things Forchenault wants him to excel in, but here, in some ways? There's hope, and Amal doesn't even realize it.]
[When the tale is finished, he pauses. Amal may notice how his hand goes to his chin in an oh-so-familiar way, pondering over what he's heard. There is a brief moment of silence, before he looks straight at Amal, and eases his posture.]
I believe you. [As if he could ever choose otherwise.] And... to know that there is a life where I do not live with the fear of being someone's shadow, nor expected to follow after him– [He pauses again, exhales, then smiles.] To know that my words hold meaning is something I don't believe I had actually thought much about, beyond simple literature. But if that was who I was–
Then it's obvious the memories will return with time, won't they? The lessons I learned, the journeys we had together. [His hands hold the chai as he looks to it once, then back up. He is older than his counterpart here, of course, but it is still him, beneath all that.]
All I ask, then, is that you don't give up on me. Or what we went through once before. [Because if he'll get those memories back, Alphinaud will remember. He may have a life here, but he will not forget or neglect any others that may have touched lives, too.]
[Amal is almost afraid to look at Alphinaud for fear of finding something there like fear or distrust, but to his amazement, he finds only acceptance and comfort. For a brief moment he's wide-eyed and completely open, almost boyish in his surprise, but then it's chased away by the tears forming. He squeezes his eyes shut and rubs away the tears on his gloves. He must look so stupid right now, but... but it's Alphinaud... and Alphinaud has cried freely and been no weaker for it.]
Sorry—sorry, I just... hahah, a few weeks ago, you were the one worried about losing someone, and...
[He clears his throat. When he smiles again, it's brighter and more honest.]
Alphy... you've always had the ability to walk your own path. No... Not just to walk it, but to pave the stones as you go, so that you can lead others to a better future. That's something I admire about you. Even here, with a completely different life, even if you're not aware of it, I know you have that quality. It has nothing to do with elf ears or magic or tales from other worlds—you just have a gift. Once you realize that, you become unstoppable. I've seen you turn people away from the very brink of hopelessness and learn to live, again and again, and it's incredible every time.
[He lifts a hand, hesitates, and then decides fuck it and plops his warm palm right on the top of Alphinaud's head.]
I'll never give up on you. Never. Even if you forgot me and never remembered a damned thing, I would go on all those adventures all over again with you, because... because you and Ali, you're home for me.
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no subject
Iced chai it is! [He shifts around, planting his boots on the ground.] I'll be back before you know it. Don't go anywhere. [As he passes the carbuncle, he leans over so he can give Emerald a scritch behind the ears. He mumbles a greeting:] Hey, Emmie.
[Then before he can explain, he disappears inside the café.
Thankfully it isn't too busy due to the time of day, so he returns within a few minutes holding two iced chais and two tiny plates. He dutifully sets them on the bistro table—Alphinaud's has whipped cream in it. Then he doles out the dishes: a sweet blueberry tart for Alphinaud, and a lemon tart for himself.
Amal doesn't go for the food immediately. He's not all that peckish, but he didn't want Alphinaud to feel guilty if he was the only one getting a treat...
Where to even begin? Alphinaud was there for... damn near everything. He clears his throat.]
You said that I could speak at my leisure, so I suppose I'll start the way I always do when I'm in unfamiliar territory... with a story. Care to hear it?
no subject
When the other gets back, that's when he notices how Amal has not only grabbed him a drink, but also food. It's touching to know that the other keeps his comforts in mind when the two of them sit and begin.
This next part, however- after Amal starts, there's a soft smile, and Alphinaud is gentle, if to the point with his words.]
...Amal, I would not be here if I wasn't sure to listen, regardless of what you would tell me. [A pause, and he thinks, the oh-so-familiar hand to his chin as he ponders.] Story or no story, I'm more than willing to hear what you have to say.
[Because he's a comfort, familiar, even in ways Alphinaud doesn't understand as to why. That's enough of a reason to believe whatever he's going to hear.]
1/3
I—yeah, of course. You're right. [His smile grows a bit sheepish.] It's so much of a tall tale... I hope you'll forgive the strangeness of it.
[He folds one hand around the iced chai.]
A very long time ago, but maybe not as long as you'd think, a boy barely a man left his country. He had help, of course—someone took pity on him and his situation and stowed him aboard a boat bound for somewhere far across the sea. And when the man got there, he struggled... but it was a good kind of struggle for a time, much better than begging for table scraps and stealing the nobles' coin.
This helpful man's deeds did not go unnoticed. He got the attention of some like-minded people. These people were called the Scions of the Seventh Dawn, and they worked for no country and no man but themselves—or at least, that was the hope... all so that they could toil for the betterment of man, and solve problems that were bigger than one people or one nation. The man was hesitant to commit to anything, as he didn't much appreciate fame or attention, but he could do so much good...
[He pauses.]
2/3
It was while he searched for a way forward, for allies in other lands, that he discovered one of the Scions... or maybe it's more like the stray Scion discovered him. [His lips curve into a small smile.] I'd never seen anyone throw open doors with such purpose. He was all confidence and direction—at least compared to me—and for the first time, I felt like maybe we had a chance at fixing all of this.
There were still hardships ahead of us, but we took the joy where we found it, and I watched a naive little lordling grow into the finest diplomat the world had ever seen. And he changed me, too. I went from flighty and irresponsible to someone who would walk into the fire again and again for a chance to do the right thing. This boy's perseverance taught me that everyone is deserving of a second chance... even someone who only knew how to mess everything up.
Someone like me...
3/3
You likely don't remember, and I don't expect you to, but in another life and another place we were family. You're more than that boy now—you've got this life, too, and you deserve that happiness. But it would be unfair if I kept all of this to myself, and left you wondering if you had done something wrong, when it's... not like that at all...
[He bites his bottom lip, then tries for a smile.]
I'm always—always glad to see you, Alphinaud.
1/2
As the story unfolds, something in him stirs, a warmth that he's never really recognized before, one that recalls just as the other speaks. As if he remembers being there, with Amal, through all of this. Alphinaud, of course, knows that isn't true of this life, but he's not a fool, either. It's absolutely possible to have happened elsewhere, even if he can't recall it.
In some ways, all of it feels so ridiculous to him, that he could do all these things in another lifetime and change someone so thoroughly, for the better. He's always lived his life under his father's shadow, been forced to study the things Forchenault wants him to excel in, but here, in some ways? There's hope, and Amal doesn't even realize it.]
no subject
I believe you. [As if he could ever choose otherwise.] And... to know that there is a life where I do not live with the fear of being someone's shadow, nor expected to follow after him– [He pauses again, exhales, then smiles.] To know that my words hold meaning is something I don't believe I had actually thought much about, beyond simple literature. But if that was who I was–
Then it's obvious the memories will return with time, won't they? The lessons I learned, the journeys we had together. [His hands hold the chai as he looks to it once, then back up. He is older than his counterpart here, of course, but it is still him, beneath all that.]
All I ask, then, is that you don't give up on me. Or what we went through once before. [Because if he'll get those memories back, Alphinaud will remember. He may have a life here, but he will not forget or neglect any others that may have touched lives, too.]
no subject
Sorry—sorry, I just... hahah, a few weeks ago, you were the one worried about losing someone, and...
[He clears his throat. When he smiles again, it's brighter and more honest.]
Alphy... you've always had the ability to walk your own path. No... Not just to walk it, but to pave the stones as you go, so that you can lead others to a better future. That's something I admire about you. Even here, with a completely different life, even if you're not aware of it, I know you have that quality. It has nothing to do with elf ears or magic or tales from other worlds—you just have a gift. Once you realize that, you become unstoppable. I've seen you turn people away from the very brink of hopelessness and learn to live, again and again, and it's incredible every time.
[He lifts a hand, hesitates, and then decides fuck it and plops his warm palm right on the top of Alphinaud's head.]
I'll never give up on you. Never. Even if you forgot me and never remembered a damned thing, I would go on all those adventures all over again with you, because... because you and Ali, you're home for me.