fragileprophet | Week 0, Saturday Post-Trial

Week 0, Saturday Post-Trial - Ion and Rapunzel

[It's not too long after the trial has ended and everyone's had a bit of time to calm down from the general excitement that he goes to find his counterpart. At this point, there's really no getting around the fact that they're both here, co-existing in the same space, and a lot of people are having trouble coping. He's having some trouble coping, himself, for that matter, but uh...it's the others he's concerned with.]

Can we talk? I think after what happened...

[But what interesting timing it is that just as he's stopped the other Ion in his tracks, Rapunzel happens to walk by. Ion doesn't want to be rude, so he stops himself before he can really start and waves a hand in greeting.]

Oh--hello, Rapunzel. How are you feeling after today?

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We can. What is it you needed to discuss...

[ And he also trails off, turning to face whoever it is that's stopped Ion. Oh, a familiar face...

The other Ion seems to have the spoken greeting covered; Ion just inclines his head, smiles, and also waves a hand politely in greeting (and one for Pascal, too). ]

[ rapunzel can't believe these bitches ion trapped her. just kidding. she's now walked on both ions together, which is the perfect opportunity for her to question them on just what the heck is going on. sure, she'd been one of the ones tricked initially, but even she doesn't buy the whole 'what a coincidence, we both have the same name' nonsense. ]

Ion....s..... hello!

[ honestly, she's not feeling great, but she did promise to help them both out. ] Well, I... it's a good thing we're all together, because I can get started on your outfits.

[ a beat. ] I wanted to talk to the both of you, as well.

[ pascal waves. ]

That's understandable.

[After what happened earlier, tackling them both at once is the best way to get straight answers. Of course, with both of them together, Ion isn't exactly feeling too comfortable explaining their situation to the best of his ability. It's certainly a trade-off. The look on her face makes guilt gnaw its way into his heart, turning his smile regretful.]

...I hope you can forgive me. It wasn't my intention to ever mislead you.

[ Ion only hums lowly, thoughtfully. He doesn't miss the shift in his replica's demeanour whenever near him, and while that's acceptable to him in at least some fashion it does make him wonder how his replica has handled himself in his two years' hence. ]

Nor mine, [ he adds, gently. ] Not actively, in any case.

I won't ask your forgiveness, but I do apologize. The reasons for them aren't as important here, but... some habits are a little hard to shake, I suppose.

Edited (when will mauyn stop losing small tags 2k18) 2018-06-11 19:19 (UTC)

[ it's so weird.... they look and sound almost exactly the same..... but she waves them both off. listen, she ain't mad. ]

Oh, really, you two, there's nothing to forgive you for! I think we were all just confused.

[ to... say the least. ]

But if you don't mind.... are you two twins or something? [ with. the exact same name?? ]

I see. I'm glad to hear that, then.

[At her next question, though, he shakes his head before glancing over at the other Ion standing beside him.]

No, we're not twins. Ah...how would you like to explain it? I'm having a hard time putting it into words for most people who ask.

[By which he mostly means, he doesn't want to say something that the other Ion doesn't want him saying, so he'll let him take the lead.]

... We are two different people, made to fill the same role.

[ look i know exactly what i'm doing with my wording all right, i could have used raised or groomed or w/e but w/e! anyway, he's being entirely truthful, here. ]

As insurance, of sorts, just in case. A precaution against things to come.

[ is it a just in case when it's an inevitability. either way, this Ion seems distinctly more sober than usual while saying this, even if he maintains the smile on his face. it doesn't reach his eyes. ]

In a way, it is what we were expected to do, so the confusion was only natural. Still, we didn't mean to concern so many people.

[ honestly this sounds super shady. ]

I'm sorry, I don't understand.... you said that you were made? That people were expected to confuse you two? Are you... not human?

[ are they like skeletons or machines, rapunzel no comprende replicas. ]

Oh, no, the Fon Master is completely human!

[He gestures toward...the other Fon Master, smoothly making no mention of himself.]

Fon Master Ion is an incredibly important and well-revered figurehead in our world, Auldrant. The Church needed to be sure that if he were suddenly unable to fulfill his duties as the head of the Order, someone could take his place without causing mass hysteria. That's what I'm for--and why I appear to be older than he does. He comes from a period of time where he held the title of Fon Master and I come from a time...afterward, when I've since taken his place.

I meant it in a metaphorical sense. 'Fon Master Ion' is the role we must both play, and in a sense, neither of us chose it. We were chosen, and raised with the knowledge of what we must do and very little else.

[ His tone remains light, dismissive despite his overall solemnity, and he says this all very matter of factly, like it doesn't matter, but one gets the sense there's more to it than what he allows himself to express. ]

People were expected to confuse us, yes, because we were both playing the same public figure. We haven't actively tried to do the same here, if only because our shared title means nothing. There aren't any expectations for us to fulfill, and so we haven't.

But on that last note, hm. We do seem to be separated by two years and a certain pivotal point, given that he's taken up the mantle somewhat more permanently, it appears.

[ rapunzel is still frowning as she listens to all of this. she doesn't like how this is sounding --- and it doesn't explain everything. like, how they both look so alike. are they brothers who were forced into this fon master ion position? ]

So...... neither of you even have your own names? You're both Fon Master Ion?

[ well, she knows a little something about being a forced into a role she never chose, herself. she just looks increasingly horrified. ]

Why the both of you? Did they just--- replace one of you with the other?

[This is incredibly a mess.]

Ion is our name, as it was given to both of us.

[At birth, he supposes, is true in both cases...at least once they decided he was acceptable enough not to throw away with the rest of the lot. His smile saddens as he thinks about it, but he pushes the thought away for Rapunzel's benefit.]

It was part of the Score--it's the prophecy of everything that will happen in the future of our world. It foretold that Ion would be the next Fon Master, and so it came to pass.

[And we'll leave it at that.]

Yes. That's right--I was a replacement.

[He can't stop the words from feeling morbid, even as he keeps his voice light.]

[ This is perfectly fine, I don't know what you're talking about. ]

It means that something happened to me, of course, so they replaced me. Or, rather- [ he extends an arm, indicating the other Ion] -happened, [ then folds that same arm back over his chest, solemnly, ] will happen.

There was good reason to believe that something might happen, after all. And Fon Master is an incredibly important position, as he's said.

[ The other Ion keeps his voice light. This Ion keeps his expression light, smile softly curling and open, even as his eyes slip shut while he inclines his head just that much, briefly. ]

So here we both are.

Edited 2018-06-15 03:27 (UTC)

Both of you ---- please don't --- you don't have to smile through this. It's awful.

[ this is incredibly fucked?????? what the fuck???? anyway, she's scooping them both into a tight hug. she's shorter than both of them, this is probably hilarious. ]

Neither of you should have to be anything! You're both--- you're both so young, you should only care about being yourself. There's so much more to both of you -- nothing should dictate your identities! No Score, no nothing else!

[ this is pretty near and dear to her heart c o n s i d e r i n g her backstory but. ]

[Haha what?

What?

...Ion is stunned. He hadn't expected an embrace, hadn't expected such loud, unabashed sympathy. He doesn't know what to say, at least right away, his only instinct to return her embrace with one of his arms. He doesn't realize his eyes are burning until he blinks and feels wetness, and quickly, as respectfully as he can, pulls himself away and turns, wiping his eyes. He can't be seen like this, not here, not right now. His grip tightens on his staff, and he tries not to look and feel so incredibly small.]

...you have an incredibly kind heart, Rapunzel, to say such things.

Edited 2018-06-15 03:43 (UTC)

[ step 1 to escaping the Score, apparently: get pulled into two furries' idea of a murdergame

but he knows just as little as his replica does about how to deal with an embrace out of nowhere. Ion allows himself to be held, his shoulders stiffening for the slightest moment before going lax, but otherwise hardly responds at all.

In the end he only bows his head that much more as he slowly brings one arm up to reach around her and attempt to- loosely- return the embrace, murmuring lowly: ]

Please, don't cry for us. This was set in stone, long before you knew us.

[ step 2: get adopted by a disney princess. she squeezes them both tightly, her own eyes glassy from tears, then sniffles briefly, and her gaze hardens into determination. not that they can see, but. ]

Consider that fate unset. For both of you. You're both.... you're both alive and well, right now. I'll make sure it stays that way.

[ there's a little edge to her voice, though she's making promises she can't keep......... ]

You don't have to be what they say. You can set yourself free.

[ she has a musical number about it, even!! ]

[Ion waits until he's sure that he's contained his tears before he turns back around to face her, that perfect smile on his face once again. He means it, even if he can't help how sad his eyes are. What she's saying, he wish he could tell her, is just impossible.

Neither of them have a future.]

Thank you.

[He widens his smile.]

How can we possibly feel any other way when you're here to encourage us?

You truly are kind, aren't you, Rapunzel?

[ Ion smiles at her, unsure of how to do anything else, something quiet and forlorn that doesn't reach his eyes for the briefest of moments before it once again is his usual stained-glass smile-- properly prepared for public reverence, and entirely too blank.

There isn't such a thing as freedom from his future, and he has tried. This is as close as he'll get to it, ensuring that a replica exists to defy the maxim that 'Fon Master Ion will die at the age of 12.' ]

All there is to do is to make the best of the time we have now, of course.

It's nothing. Besides, I..... I have some experience with being forced into a role, myself. Not--- Not as bad as you two, obviously, but..... I can understand.

[ that's why she's so adamant about this. she gives them both another squeeze before at last letting go. ] This place is cruel, and awful, but.... maybe, here, there's a chance for all of us. To be free... more free than we were back home.

[ and she wants to ensure it for them, that much is clear. ]

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Week 0, Saturday Post-Trial - Ion and Rapunzel

no joke i held off for all of yesterday because i had no idea who should start gshklj

half same and half i just straight up died

that dead feel

oh mood

my people in this pc

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