wizardmanor | Floor 2, Room 3

[ Yamato is quiet as Day speaks, as he tells the story of a legend and about how his sister had gotten her powers awakened. This truly sounds like a fairytale to him, but he's aware it's very, very real.

There's more to it, though. The story just doesn't end there, does it? ]

What happened after that? Did they take her in?

Well, yeah. It ain't like she could hide from the authorities forever even if she wanted to. Took 'em a few days to come since we're a little out of the way, but they came, and she went without makin' any fuss once they were at our door. We said our goodbyes the night before.

[ (And it had hurt, because at that moment when they hugged each other tight, they both knew come morning their paths would diverge and likely never cross again. She wasn't just leaving, she was moving to a different station in life out of his reach, in service to a greater destiny that didn't have room for anything before it.) ]

But, you know... [ A dry laugh. ] After she left, I went to the city to look for an apprenticeship, and the funny thing is I found out the place she got taken to was just a day out from the city. So of course I got it in my head to try seein' her there. It's called the Obsidian Mirror, can't miss somethin' that dark and imposin' out in the open.

But ain't no way they're gonna let a peasant approach where they're trainin' new Princes of the Earth. Got caught by the patrollin' Black-Helms, and they caned me for tresspassin' on the spot. [ For emphasis, and maybe a bit of black humor, he makes a light chopping motion in one hand onto his other palm. ] Getting whacked 'cross the back hurts like hell, who knew? I tried twice after, got caught and whacked some more each time.

After the third time, one of them told me if they caught me again, I'd be goin' to jail. Maybe even just executed for repeat offences, though he mighta said that only to scare me outta it. [ If Day wants to be charitable about it, anyway. ]

...And that was it. Didn't try again. Haven't seen her since. [ And there is that smile again; reflexive, bitter, and cynical all at once. ]

...That's...

[ That's kind of heartbreaking, actually. Forbidden to see someone you care about because of something beyond your control. All this talk about people missing their families is making Yamato really reflect on his own situation.

He can sense that Day is far from happy about this, even if that smile is practiced.

He's familiar with doing it himself, after all. ]

There's no way they'll let you see her, even though they're the ones who took her from you, huh. And they had to be violent about it, too.

[ That's how powerful people work, he guesses. Even if he's in no position to criticize them, given his current standing in society, but. ]

I'm sorry, Day.

To be fair, I think...even if this hadn't happened, we prob'ly still wouldn't be seein' each other much. She wanted to become a monk and I doubt that's changed. Prob'ly one by now. Usually joinin' the order means you put yourself pretty far away from your secular life. And when I wanted to head for the stage, that's even further away from where she was goin'.

[ It's just that rather than bidding farewell when they were ready, it had to happen the way it did instead. ]

...But thanks for listenin' to this, even if it ain't a happy story.

Edited 2024-05-10 07:43 (UTC)

Yeah. I get that.

[ He doesn't have much more to say, but his expression is one of understanding and sympathy. He wishes he had a family member he'd like to see again, but alas. Still, Day's pain is valid and real, and he gives him a soft smile. ]

Of course. It's fine if it's not a happy story. Not like what I told you was one, either, anyway.

Floor 2, Room 3

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