[ Kurapika walks in, looking around at what Tatara has decided to decorate his room with. It’s… what he expected, really. Leave it to a weird guy to fill his room with little trinkets and knick-knacks.
While the couch is offered to him, Kurapika chooses not to sit. Not right now, at least. He’s too stiff of a person to go right for making himself comfortable, so awkwardly hanging around in the middle of the room will have to do for now. ]
I finished that book I purchased in town. I thought I’d go ahead and let you borrow it.
[ That's all he remembers from the brief glance he snatched over Kurapika's shoulder.
He scoots forward in his potato blanket before eventually deciding to throw it off haphazardly over the bed, crawling the rest of the way to the edge. ]
You can just put it with the other books. [ He motions to a nearby dresser, where there is another modest stack of books. ]
[ He gives Tatara a Look for crawling around on the bed like that at his age, but he doesn’t vocalize his judgment. Not this time.
After all, he’s too busy taking that book over to the stack, briefly glancing at the titles that make up Tatara’s little collection. What has he been reading…? ]
[ There seems to be another story book about the desert and a great serpent, a supposed history book titled The Granvelle Family and Lasting Legacy, and two untitled tomes. ]
I learned that hero’s tales are the same just about anywhere.
[ So in other words, yeah, he liked it. His attention is caught on that history book, however, and so Kurapika doesn’t elaborate further, his fingers briefly running along the cover. ]
How do you feel about the hatred the Granvelle family feels for your charges? I was surprised to learn that crown prince was supposedly ordered to be killed on account of being a wizard.
[ Tatara hums in mild interest. He can see that. Still an interesting takeaway, though.
The subject shifts to the Granvelles, and Tatara draws up his knees. Not in a show of fear or sadness or anything like that—he just wants to rest his chin on them.
He wraps his arms around his thighs and speaks in a slightly defeated tone: ]
It happens a lot, I hear. There are probably way more children killed off that we don't get to hear about, since they're not important enough for history books. People don't like wizards here.
[ His gaze rests on Kurapika. There's a faint hue of concern in his eyes. ]
Sometimes...I wonder what I can do in the face of old, old prejudice.
[ That's his answer, really. He knows the last batch were doing their best to ameliorate relationships between humans and wizards, and that Prince Arthur in particular was working hard towards that goal, but...? What's Tatara Totsuka meant to do, when he and the rest of his wizards don't even belong here?
[ It's something Kurapika has pondered over most of his life, though of course he isn't going to divulge that right here and now. Maybe at some point, but not in this moment. ]
Caring at all is a first step, I think. [ He crosses his arms. ] I've wondered if any of us will face any trouble during our stay here.
He stares at Kurapika for a moment longer. Does he care...? ]
I can't guarantee you won't. [ A weird way of saying "I don't know," but. ]
But I can do what I can to protect you, even if that doesn't mean much. [ He smiles, a bit apologetically. ] They still look at me as human, after all.
[ He says this in an almost joking tone, but he quickly gives a real answer: ]
I think I'm meant to be the go-between for you [ the wizards ] and the rest of the world. The sage isn't supposed to be native to this world, so, [ He traces a circle in the air. ] I think that means I'm supposed to be a neutral party.
[ Kurapika considers adding some sort of qualifier, like he only trusts Tatara with this one specific thing, but he ultimately doesn't for reasons he isn't even sure of himself. Maybe it's because he doesn't think Tatara is all that bad. ]
If you don't care for it. But if you like it, you're welcome to keep it.
[ Consider it a gift he literally bought with Tatara's money... it's the thought that counts, right? ]
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While the couch is offered to him, Kurapika chooses not to sit. Not right now, at least. He’s too stiff of a person to go right for making himself comfortable, so awkwardly hanging around in the middle of the room will have to do for now. ]
I finished that book I purchased in town. I thought I’d go ahead and let you borrow it.
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But Tatara does light up. He remembered! ]
Really? The one about the knight?
[ That's all he remembers from the brief glance he snatched over Kurapika's shoulder.
He scoots forward in his potato blanket before eventually deciding to throw it off haphazardly over the bed, crawling the rest of the way to the edge. ]
You can just put it with the other books. [ He motions to a nearby dresser, where there is another modest stack of books. ]
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[ He gives Tatara a Look for crawling around on the bed like that at his age, but he doesn’t vocalize his judgment. Not this time.
After all, he’s too busy taking that book over to the stack, briefly glancing at the titles that make up Tatara’s little collection. What has he been reading…? ]
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Thanks!
[ He grins. ]
How was it? Learn anything?
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[ So in other words, yeah, he liked it. His attention is caught on that history book, however, and so Kurapika doesn’t elaborate further, his fingers briefly running along the cover. ]
How do you feel about the hatred the Granvelle family feels for your charges? I was surprised to learn that crown prince was supposedly ordered to be killed on account of being a wizard.
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The subject shifts to the Granvelles, and Tatara draws up his knees. Not in a show of fear or sadness or anything like that—he just wants to rest his chin on them.
He wraps his arms around his thighs and speaks in a slightly defeated tone: ]
It happens a lot, I hear. There are probably way more children killed off that we don't get to hear about, since they're not important enough for history books. People don't like wizards here.
[ His gaze rests on Kurapika. There's a faint hue of concern in his eyes. ]
Sometimes...I wonder what I can do in the face of old, old prejudice.
[ That's his answer, really. He knows the last batch were doing their best to ameliorate relationships between humans and wizards, and that Prince Arthur in particular was working hard towards that goal, but...? What's Tatara Totsuka meant to do, when he and the rest of his wizards don't even belong here?
He bets Vincent is happy, though. ]
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[ It's something Kurapika has pondered over most of his life, though of course he isn't going to divulge that right here and now. Maybe at some point, but not in this moment. ]
Caring at all is a first step, I think. [ He crosses his arms. ] I've wondered if any of us will face any trouble during our stay here.
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He stares at Kurapika for a moment longer. Does he care...? ]
I can't guarantee you won't. [ A weird way of saying "I don't know," but. ]
But I can do what I can to protect you, even if that doesn't mean much. [ He smiles, a bit apologetically. ] They still look at me as human, after all.
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[ That Tatara isn't a wizard means he can do something with that, in Kurapika's opinion. ]
But if you find that you can't, we'll find other ways to adapt and manage instead.
[ Like the contact in Kurapika's pocket. He'll find some sort of solution. ]
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[ Tatara knows that, at least. He nods emphatically, and even though the smile is still on his face, he means business. ]
I think our titles and positions are supposed to mean something. [ For a moment, he thinks, then just lazily waves his hand. ] We'll figure it out.
[ He tilts his head. ] But if anything does happen and I'm not around, then tell me. Okay?
[ He's not good at the whole, being a boss and in charge thing. But. He can emulate. ]
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I will. [ ... ] You know, I was wondering what made you sage in the first place, or how you'd use your authority.
[ Because it's clear that Tatara isn't exactly used to being in charge, but he's trying. ]
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[ He says this in an almost joking tone, but he quickly gives a real answer: ]
I think I'm meant to be the go-between for you [ the wizards ] and the rest of the world. The sage isn't supposed to be native to this world, so, [ He traces a circle in the air. ] I think that means I'm supposed to be a neutral party.
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[ Kurapika crosses his arms, and it's unclear how he feels about that, even to himself. ]
I suppose it makes sense to have one, in a way, but... will you be fine with being a neutral party?
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[ He knows the political balance among them can be tricky, but...that's not really his job, so he ignores it. ]
But if you mean being neutral between wizards and humans, then...no.
[ He smiles. ]
I think I'm always going to side with you.
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Good. I couldn't care about the alliances between the countries, not in how it relates between all of us, at least.
[ Unless, you know, the politics get between all of them. Which... Kurapika hopes doesn't happen. ]
But I'm glad to know I can trust you on that level, at least.
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Anyway. ]
Ooh! I'm glad I have your trust, at least in some way.
[ Deliberately said like he shouldn't be trustworthy at all, because he's a little gremlin. Hehe. Though he is genuinely glad. ]
Do you want me to give the book back to you when I'm done? It's yours, after all.
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If you don't care for it. But if you like it, you're welcome to keep it.
[ Consider it a gift he literally bought with Tatara's money... it's the thought that counts, right? ]
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Can I like it and still give it back to you?
[ Is that an option?? ]
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Do whatever you feel like.
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[ Hehe.
He cups his chin in his hands. ]
Did you need anything else, Kurapika-kun?
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[ Which means he'll be making his leave, already heading towards the door. ]
I'll leave you to go back to whatever it was you were doing.
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Thanks for dropping by!