fragileprophet | Week 1, Sunday Post-Execution

Week 1, Sunday Post-Execution - Varian

[I hope you were ready to watch some #pathetic, Varian. Ion's on his way to...he's not sure, his room, maybe, but all at once he feels his energy leave his body. The stress from the trial, all the emotional conversations, being on his feet for so long, his injuries, the attention...suddenly, he can't keep going, even though his destination is only so far away.

Without warning, Ion loses hold of his staff. It goes clattering down the staircase in a loud series of clangs and vibrations from the tuning-fork head at its top, and he falls heavily against the wall, sinking down to the stair. This...this is fine.]

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[ well ok that's. not what varian expected walking around after that execution, but. there it is. there's a dying ion.

which is to say, he hears the sound of Ion falling long before he sees him, and he runs to him when he does, kneeling down next to him ]

Ion! Are you okay? Hey, what's wrong?

[Yeah he's dead. Ion's breathing doesn't seem particularly labored or his face flushed, but he's shaking all over, looking incredibly...ashamed, practically, as he looks at Varian.]

My legs just gave out all of a sudden and took me by surprise. I think I just need a moment--I'll be fine. I'm so sorry to ask, but can you grab my staff for me?

[ varian frowns a bit at the look ion gives him at first but then he smiles nervously. he must be misinterpreting it. ]

Oh, yeah, sure, no problem, I'll go-- [ he nearly trips over himself to get it, rushing back to Ion ] Um, you're sure you'll be okay? It's okay if you're not feeling good.

[Ion accepts the staff back and leans his shoulder into it, taking a breath. For now, he decides just to make this stair his home. Not gonna try and push it.]

Thank you...and yes. I'm just a bit overwhelmed, I think. It's been a very trying weekend. I'm sorry if I concerned you.

Oh, don't worry about it. That's what friends are for, right?

[ varian sits down next to ion while he dies on the stairs. this is where they go to die ]

It's ... been a long weekend for everyone anyway, I think. It's not like it's just you.

Right!

[The mention of friendship immediately lifts his spirits, even if not his legs. Varian's sitting now, anyway, so he just gets comfortable. Everyone else can just take the other staircase, whatever.]

How are you feeling?

[ well, he's glad to see ion cheered up, even if he chooses a weird ass subject considering they're right after watching a girl get drowned by a teenager ]

I'm... fine? Corona still has public executions, but I'd never seen one before. It was. A lot different than what happened to Sharpay.

[He's doing his best, okay?]

Yes...it was. I think we all know...what we should be picking, from now on.

[His smile thins out. It's not like...there's a good choice. It's not like either is less of an execution, but forcing someone to participate? Poor Eichi.]

I'm afraid it doesn't ever get easy to watch someone die...I'm sorry you had to see that.

"See" is. A big word.

[ he couldn't watch. he's tried to kill before, but somehow that was... different. ]

... Have you seen a lot of people die?

[The question get a bit of an odd reaction. There's a hesitation, as if Ion hadn't heard, and then he stiffens and waves a hand.]

Yes and no. The Order of Lorelei is neutral, but the kingdoms of Kimlasca and Malkuth were on the brink of war, so...I've gotten caught in the crossfire on a few occasions.

... Sorry. That's probably not something you want to think about either, right?

[ at least that's what he's assuming by the hesitation ]

What's the "Order of Lorelei"?

I don't mind.

[It's easier to talk about than public drowning, honestly.]

Oh, sorry. The Order of Lorelei is a religious institution--I'm its leader.

[ please don't ask me about religion in corona ]

Oh. [ wait ] Doesn't that mean the other Ion was a religion leader too? But he's...

[ why are your religion leaders literal babies ]

[I'll have mercy.]

Yes. He was the Fon Master before I took his place.

[He smiles in understanding.]

So young? It was written in the Score that a boy named Ion would be the Fon Master, so he was given away by his parents at a young age so he could be groomed to rule upon the death of his predecessor, Fon Master Evanos.

[ ion should probably not be sharing that backstory but it's fine. it's fine. varian is too distracted by how un-disneylike tales of the abyss is ]

So the "Score" is some kind of prophecy? And that's why they just... gave him up?

[Look. He trusts. Varian. Not to tattle on him. PLEASE DON'T TATTLE.]

Yes. The Score is a prophecy that was recorded by the founder of the Order of Lorelei--her name was Yulia Jue. It detailed the events of the world for the next two thousand years...and in that time people have learned to follow it, well, religiously.

[It's too apt not to call it what it is, honestly.]

I personally don't agree with it.

[ he won't tattle it's fiNE ]

After everything that happened to you guys because of it, I can see why you wouldn't. [ and he only knows. like. only two things. ] But wouldn't that kind of clash with ... leading the religion about it?

[He laughs a little, somewhat sadly.]

Yes...my opinions have caused a bit of a rift, I'm afraid. And in the end, because I'm not the real Ion, I'm not treated all too kindly by those who hold power inside of the Order.

[Looking at you, Mohs.]

But it's alright. I think everything will work out eventually. I've continued to do my job as I've been tasked to do it...and in a sense, I still do believe in the Score. I just think that people should be using it as an idea, and not law. I believe that the Score is just...one recording of many possible futures that can be made, but as long as people continue to follow it so rigidly, it'll only continue to act as a self-fulfilling prophecy.

You're not the "original" Ion, but that doesn't make you any less real.

[ mohs needs to be thrown down a pit. anyway ]

That... makes a lot more sense to me. I mean, well, obviously I don't know anything about the Score or what's in it, but it sounds like it kind of contradicts the whole point of free will?

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Week 1, Sunday Post-Execution - Varian

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