Week 0, Saturday Post-Trial - Ion and Rapunzel

[fragileprophet]

[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?

Comments

[fragileprophet]

[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.]

[fonlines]

[ 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.

[hairbrain]

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. ]

[fragileprophet]

[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.

[fonlines]

[ 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.

[hairbrain]

[ 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!! ]

[fragileprophet]

[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?

[fonlines]

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.

[hairbrain]

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. ]