Week 5, Saturday Post-Trial: Cardia

[fragileprophet]

[They haven't spoken too many times, but...after the trial went, Ion can't leave it alone. When he sees people so upset, it's just in his nature to check in on them. So he'll try and catch Cardia alone, his stance already apologetic.]

Excuse me...I'm sorry if this is a bad time, but I just hoped to speak with you for a moment.

Comments

[discardia]

Oh--

[ Ion? Other Ion? She really has to figure out what to call them, but for now, Cardia slows down and clasps her hands in front of her. ]

What is it?

[fragileprophet]

[He gives her a small smile.]

I just wanted to see how you were feeling.

[Another pause.]

And I wanted to know how your injuries are healing, as well. It must be difficult to stand them.

[discardia]

They're... healing.

[ With a soft sigh. ]

Slowly, but they weren't anything too deep and as long as I don't aggravate them, I think they'll be fine.

[ No stitches or bone-setting required!!

But no reply as to how she's feeling, okay Cardia. ]

[fragileprophet]

[That's fair. Ion's expression softens, a little pained.]

It isn't much, and it can't erase the stress from the day, but I'd like to offer to heal those for you.

[discardia]

Eh--

[ wait, what? ]

You're a healer?

[fragileprophet]

Yes.

[He bows his head, as if to apologize for not saying so sooner.]

I have no qualms making my ability known to others, but I'm afraid it comes at a cost, so I have to use it more sparingly than I have in the past.

[discardia]

... May I ask what that cost is?

[ And why he's offering to heal her, if so? Ion...!!! ]

[fragileprophet]

[Ion rolls up his sleeve to reveal scars on both of his arms.]

I take the injury.

[discardia]

I-- no, I couldn't--

[ WHAT THE HELL. ]

You don't deserve that!

[fragileprophet]

It's not a matter of deserving. I just...want to help, that's all. I want to ease anyone's pain, however I can.

[He looks down, smiling sadly.]

I don't expect anyone to accept me using my gift on them anymore, but I've promised not to lie about what it does to me, either.

[discardia]

I... appreciate it, truly.

[ ... ]

But I couldn't do that. Just you offering is more than enough.

[fragileprophet]

[Ion nods.]

I understand. I had to at least ask...it feels wrong not to. I can't stand to see anyone suffer.

[discardia]

You're really kind.

But just like you, I can't stand to see people suffer. Making them take on my pain just seems unfair to me, even if they ask to.

[fragileprophet]

Ah, I see.

[He hesitates.]

I’m assuming it wouldn’t change much to assure you that I wouldn’t feel any pain?

[discardia]

But you'd scar, wouldn't you?

[ Ion how many people have you even healed by now-- ]

[fragileprophet]

Scars don't bother me. It's just a marking, and I tend to stay well-covered.

[Too many. The answer is Too Many.]

[discardia]

... Then again, thank you. But I'll keep these.

[ Ion doesn't need any more!! ]

[fragileprophet]

I understand.

[He tried and can therefore not be criticized.]

But I appreciate you hearing me out just the same. If you ever need anyone just to talk with, I'm always here, as well.

[Ion pauses, bashful.]

I regret not taking the time to get to know you sooner. I don't want to miss my chance.

[discardia]

[ There's a short pause-- before Cardia slowly reaches out for his hands to clasp them in hers. ]

The same goes for me. I can't heal or anything like that, but if there's anything troubling you-- I wouldn't mind listening.

We've lost... a lot of encouraging people lately, it feels like.

[fragileprophet]

Yes, we have.

[His voice breaks slightly as he looks down at his hands in hers, but he still smiles.]

I'm sorry if this is at all presumptuous of me to say, but I think we have more in common than we realize. Natsuo mentioned something to me, probably without thinking, that you're actually only two years old?

[discardia]

[ Oh. Right. ]

... He's not wrong. I thought for the longest time that I was just missing my memories from before two years ago. But...

[ ... She sighs, shaking her head. ]

That was wrong. I found out - right before I came here - that I was... created. I wasn't really human. I've only existed for two years.

[fragileprophet]

That must have been a hard thing to discover about yourself...I'm sorry.

[He squeezes her hands gently, encouraging. A silent thank you for her honesty.]

I'm the same. I'm a replica--and I was created two years ago.

[discardia]

A-- a replica?

[ Is that-- ]

Of Ion? The other Ion?

[fragileprophet]

Yes. I was made to replace him if his health worsened when he was around the age that he is now--which is why his tapestry has him at the age of 12 and mine at 14.

[He nods.]

It's why we share the same name and occupation.

[discardia]

... But why replace him? Even if something happened that he would need a replacement, why someone who shares his name and appearance?

[fragileprophet]

It's complicated--politics, mostly. As opposed to me being his replacement as a successor, I was meant to slide seamlessly in so the rest of the world wouldn't know that anything was amiss to begin with.

[He can't help but laugh slightly to himself.]

Of course everyone's finding out just how different we are, here.

[discardia]

I... don't necessarily think that's a bad thing. It's true that your personalities are very different, but...

I like both of you the way you are. And I think forcing you to replace him entirely is too cruel.

[fragileprophet]

...thank you. That's really kind of you to say.

[It's still hard for him, sometimes, to remember that he's allowed to be his own person. That even though he was meant for one thing, he's capable of being whoever he chooses to be.]

I'm still learning a lot about what it means to be alive--so many feelings that I haven't experienced. I thought, maybe if you're similar to me in that regard, it would help us both to be there for one another.

[discardia]

Mm... I'm definitely the same way. I've learned a lot, but I'm still learning-- and realizing that even if I wasn't meant to be anything but a tool, there are people who want to help me be more than that.

It just gets a little overwhelming, sometimes.

[fragileprophet]

[Ion nods in understanding.]

It is. And it's hard for those on the outside looking in to understand, I think, what comes so naturally for those born human isn't quite the same for those of us who were made for a specific purpose.

[He pauses as he thinks about this for himself, too.]

But...it does help to have so many people who want that, doesn't it? Even if it's a lot to take in.

[discardia]

It is.

[ with a tiny smile, no less. ]

But-- thank you, Ion. I didn't think I'd meet anyone here who really understood what it felt like. Even if everyone else means well.

[fragileprophet]

I only regret that I didn't approach you sooner.

[They could have been supporting one another for longer, talking each other through some of the more befuddling aspects of learning things that everyone else tends to take for granted.]

But from now on, we can depend on one another, and that's what matters! Thank you, Lady Cardia. I'm happy to have had the chance to meet you.