ic inbox

[handfast]

ok

nicknames

rafayel - scaredy cat
fiammetta - old lady
tokinaga - mr know it all

Comments

[lucentia]

Ah, well... there is someone back home with the ability to rewind time, so you could say that we have lived through many timelines. Only a few recall what happened in the previous ones, though—I do not, and was told only in this life.

[handfast]

[ a long



pause. ]

That's messed up.

[lucentia]

... It is a complicated situation, and one filled with much tragedy for the one rewinding time, which they do to save the country from disaster. [...] I only wish that I could remember what happened, or that I could be a better ally to them.

[handfast]

[ his turn to .... ]

You do a lot for everyone here. That's gotta count for something.

[lucentia]

[looks at hak like he has no idea what he's talking about.]

[handfast]

[ looks back at lucien like he has no idea why lucien is looking at him like that ]

[lucentia]

I'm not quite sure what you're referring to...?

[handfast]

[ hmmmmmm ignores that question ]

The point is, you do plenty already.

[lucentia]

... I appreciate that you think so, but I am simply trying to keep up with everyone else. All the people here work quite hard for others' sakes.

[handfast]

We wouldn't be here if we all didn't.

[ and for that he's grateful. these people aren't his family and only a handful of them he might consider friends but he can at least trust most of them to work together to find a way out. ]

Still, there's nothing forcing you - or anyone else - to help the rest of us out. So...thanks.

[lucentia]

[with a light dip of his head,]

If you insist, but the same goes for you as well.

[handfast]

I don't know that I've been helping that much.

[lucentia]

What makes you say that?

[handfast]

All I do is pick fights with people and get cursed.

[lucentia]

Is it mean if I say that I think that helps keep people's spirits up?

[handfast]

[ hak just sighs. ]

I've gotten used to it. Better me than someone else anyway.

[lucentia]

... You're a very kind person, Hak.

[handfast]

That's Soo-won. He's always been nicer than me. He likes people way more than I do too.

[lucentia]

You can both be kind, you know.

[handfast]

I just do what needs to be done.

[ sometimes that aligns with being kind, sometimes it doesn't. anyway, ]

I'm fine though. You don't have to stay here and make sure I'm okay.

[lucentia]

[...]

If you wish to be alone, then I will respect that. [lucien knows that he's not exactly the kind of company people want.] Though if you think you're being a burden, then that isn't the case.

[handfast]

[ another long pause. ]

I don't mind. [ the company. ] I'm just not very good company right now.

[lucentia]

That's all right. I'm not particularly entertaining company any day, so I'm hardly about to complain about yours.

[handfast]

You think so? A lot of people would like being around a nice, polite guy like you.

[lucentia]

I've been told I'm quite serious and, at times, intimidating.