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Kaveh ([personal profile] empyrean_mirror) wrote2023-11-05 10:45 pm

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EMPYREAN REFLECTION
EMPYREAN STAIRWAY
username: paradisaea
"This is Kaveh. I can't answer right now, but please leave a message!"
spectacleofphantasmagoria: (I'm sure you didn't need me to tell you!)

[personal profile] spectacleofphantasmagoria 2024-07-24 06:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you.

[And that's all Lyney sends; no bells and whistles, no dramatics. It's definitely out of the usual for Lyney, who can be found sitting rather tensely at the small table he's secured. There's a cup of tea before him, but it's only half-drunk; he's instead shuffling and flicking his cards in a way that to a casual outsider may seem like practice, but in actuality is a nervous fidget for his hands. It doesn't help that his leg is bouncing anxiously beneath the table, either.]

[He looks up sharply when his name is called, but he forces a pleasant smile onto his face when he sees Kaveh.]


Kaveh, hello. Please, take a seat. Would you like anything off the menu? My treat.
spectacleofphantasmagoria: (I didn't wish to flat-out lie to you)

[personal profile] spectacleofphantasmagoria 2024-07-24 06:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah, of course! It's that time, isn't it?

[Perhaps it's the Fontainian in him, insistent on light pleasantries before a serious topic. But as Kaveh presses into his state, Lyney lets out a small sigh. He tucks the cards away into a pocket and rests his elbows on the table, folding his hands in front of his chin.]

Ah... well, in truth, I've had... something important I need to tell you. Something that... well, it's something I feel you should know.
spectacleofphantasmagoria: (Is there something on your mind?)

[personal profile] spectacleofphantasmagoria 2024-07-24 06:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[Lyney pauses, feeling the nervous energy building up within him. But despite his fears, he can't let his emotion get the better of him. Father always stressed the importance of controlling his emotions, after all.]

[Father... She had also been the one to push him to tell the others. If she thinks it's a good idea to tell them, he should follow her lead. So he takes a steadying breath and looks up at Kaveh, his expression turning serious.]


Before I begin, I just... want to ask one thing of you. However you respond to the news I'm about to tell you is your decision, and I will respect it no matter the outcome. But I only ask that you hear me out completely before making that decision. I'll be happy to answer any questions you have afterwards as well. Is that fair?
spectacleofphantasmagoria: (I didn't wish to flat-out lie to you)

[personal profile] spectacleofphantasmagoria 2024-07-24 11:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[With that confirmation, Lyney nods. He adjusts himself in his seat, taking another deep breath. Alright... it's now or never. Still, it takes him a moment or two to be able to feel calm enough to speak.]

Freminet and I... you know we're orphans, and that we grew up in an orphanage. You know that, and we've been open about that fact. But... we haven't exactly been honest about which orphanage we grew up in.

[He takes another moment to pause, a pained look on his face as the anxiousness eats at his nerves. But he has to keep going. For his family's sake, and for honesty's sake.]

The orphanage we grew up in... was the House of the Hearth. And... we're both members of it.

[He trails there, leaving the information for Kaveh to process.]
spectacleofphantasmagoria: (That was close!)

[personal profile] spectacleofphantasmagoria 2024-07-25 12:15 am (UTC)(link)
[Lyney's always been of a sharp eye, especially with his training. And as such, he sees the exact moment the information clicks. The fury that builds up within the older blonde. And Lyney can't help the hitching of his own breath as his flight or fight response kicks in, his muscles tensing as he assesses whether or not he needs to prepare for a fight. It's not like he didn't expect this; it's why he chose such a public location after all.]

[But then Kaveh response, and Lyney's hackles lower, just a little bit. He hesitates a moment after that answer before continuing.]


We didn't mean to lie to you, through omission or otherwise. It wasn't our intention to manipulate you or take advantage of you. It's just... we know what reputation the Fatui has, and we didn't want people to think... that we were planning anything nefarious.

[That was something Alhaitham had thrown his way, all those moons ago back on Norhpip. He remembers how deeply the accusation stung, even without the Leviathan's influence.]

We didn't want to let our true identities influence the relationships we have here, because those relationships... they were genuine. And we intended to keep it that way. But then Father... [He pauses, taking another breath before continuing.] ...Father arrived here not long ago. And we thought... it would be better to tell you directly, rather than have you discover for yourselves, and not have the chance to explain things.

[With a pained expression, he looks away.]

I'm sorry...
spectacleofphantasmagoria: (It's my fault...)

[personal profile] spectacleofphantasmagoria 2024-07-25 01:58 am (UTC)(link)
[To Lyney's credit, Lyney doesn't flinch at the sharp statement. Not outwardly, at least. This cold fury that Kaveh has... honestly, it's reminiscent of Arlecchino's own cold fury, in a way. He remembers a saying he overheard once my the nobles of the Court, about how demons run when a good man goes to war. Somehow the phrase is fitting in this moment.]

[His back straightens at the direct question, and he replies carefully, yet also mechanically.]


Father is the director of the House of the Hearth. She's the one who oversees its operations and makes sure it's running smoothly. She's also the one who ensures all the orphans are taken care of. The House of the Hearth's main branch and base of operations exists in Fontaine, and we normally keep our missions within its borders. Other orphanages do exist in other nations, but they all follow Father's direction, and operate similarly to our own.

[He briefly pauses, having to comb through his memories about all Father told him about all of the House operations in other nations.]

The House of the Hearth's main focus is in intelligence gathering, though others who age out of the House may end up working for other branches of the Fatui if they're proven to have the right skills. Aside from that... We don't often interact with other branches, unless it's to transfer a member.
spectacleofphantasmagoria: (Well this is awkward...)

[personal profile] spectacleofphantasmagoria 2024-07-25 02:22 am (UTC)(link)
[Right now, lying to Kaveh is the last thing on Lyney's mind. Rather, his eyes narrow a bit in confusion, before he shakes his head.]

No, not as far as I'm aware. It's possible that Father and The Doctor may have had certain dealings, but she does't work with him. Though the Fatui often strives to show a united front, in truth Father isn't exactly on the same side as The Doctor, so there isn't really a lot of trust between them.

[He pauses briefly, before daring to look up at Kaveh directly.]

I'm not going to ask for you to believe me right now, all things considered. But please know that the House of the Hearth has its own principles, and that there are lines that we aren't willing to cross. Whatever plans The Doctor makes, the House has nothing to do with them.
spectacleofphantasmagoria: (Is there something on your mind?)

[personal profile] spectacleofphantasmagoria 2024-07-25 04:48 am (UTC)(link)
[Lyney was prepared for Kaveh's outrage, but seeing some of that cold fire beginning to ebb makes Lyney's tense posture relax a bit. He's still on high alert, but even Kaveh being willing to listen to him is a positive sign.]

[Still, Lyney can't help the frown that forms on his face.]


I know you may object to the ways of the House, and I won't hold that against you. But to us orphans... the House of the Hearth is more than just an information network, and we're more than just agents. To us, the House of the Hearth is the only family we have. For some of us, it's the only chance we'd ever get at a regular, happy life.

[He's not even thinking of himself here; he's thinking of young Foltz, who's family abandoned him when his curiosity with the inner workings of animals went a bit too far, or of Helior, who's fascination with poisons and antidotes unsettled those not used to her. And there were more; war orphans, young victims of cruel twists of fate, those betrayed by the adults sworn to protect them... Father protected them, gave them a second chance.]

We may not be perfect, and we may not do things that normal people approve of. But the House is our family, at the end of the day. We're just doing what we can to protect our family, and give back to those who took us in and gave us that life. But I promise, despite the work we do... none of us want to hurt anyone outside of the House. And Freminet and I... we only hid the truth because we didn't know what others would think.

[He pauses once more, before speaking again.]

It may be selfish of me to ask this, but... no matter what you think of me, please don't take out any anger on Freminet. If anything, it should be me you're angry with, since I wasn't initially forthcoming with that information.
spectacleofphantasmagoria: (It's only magic tricks...)

[personal profile] spectacleofphantasmagoria 2024-07-25 08:17 am (UTC)(link)
Oh…

[Lyney pauses, blinking in surprise. So ready was he to come to the defence of the children, and the House, that he didn’t even stop to consider what Kaveh would be outraged by wasn’t their status as agents, but the situations that led them to the House itself. He blinks a few times, before letting out a rueful sigh, glancing to the side.]

Yeah… truthfully, the world would be a better place if children could play and grow at their leisure. But unfortunately, the real world isn’t so kind.

[He wishes the House wasn’t a necessary evil, and that the children could grow up happy in homes of their own. But barring that… the House was doing its best to fill in that role, in its own way.]

Father may be a Harbinger, but she’s done her best to help those who do end up in such a position. It may seem unorthodox, but we really are taken care of. Even with our missions, we protect each other, take care of each other, support one another… None of us may not know what a true family is, but… isn’t that what a family does?

[At Kahev’s question, his gaze drops to his hands.]

No, ever since I saw you taking care of those children, I knew you had a good heart. And what you did for me in those caves, I can never repay you back. I just… know what kind of reputation the Fatui have, and I wouldn’t have blamed you if you did turn your anger on. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to protect him from harm… wherever it may come from.

[It’s not a full jab at Kaveh, but more a sign of how wary and protective Lyney truly is. How fiercely he wants to protect his family from danger, even from alloes if need be.]
spectacleofphantasmagoria: (That was close!)

[personal profile] spectacleofphantasmagoria 2024-07-25 10:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Right...

[Lyney allows Kaveh to accept that boozy coffee quietly, a small stab of guilt going through him; compared to Kaveh's honest efforts, the House of the Hearth really is quite rotten. Still, he mentions to the waiter to add it to his own bill. He did say it would be his treat.]

Ah... just you. I planned to tell the others afterwards. [A weak chuckle.] I figured our chances would be, ah... better if I started with you.
spectacleofphantasmagoria: (It's only magic tricks...)

[personal profile] spectacleofphantasmagoria 2024-07-25 11:11 pm (UTC)(link)
[Lyney's shoulders hitch once more, and he looks away guiltily.]

I know you're right, but... I just... I...

[Each excuse that blooms in his throat ends up dying on his tongue before he can give them voice. But given his countenance, how much he struggles to even answer, it's clear why he didn't go to Heizou first; of everyone's reaction, Heizou's was the one he worried about the most. Heizou was the one he was most scared of losing.]

[Lyney ends up sighing, not elaborating further. But he looks up at Kaveh as he speaks of Alhaitham. He shakes his head a bit, gesturing with his hand.]


It's fine if you can't convince him to attack me. Truthfully, I'm expecting something of that kind of reaction. [A pause.] But I am glad to know he won't try to harm Freminet. I don't care if he never wishes to speak to me again, if it means I can take the brunt of his ire away from Freminet.

[Let him take the heat, let him take the centre of attention in regards to hatred or disappointment. It's not like he's not used to being in the spotlight anyway.]
spectacleofphantasmagoria: (That was close!)

[personal profile] spectacleofphantasmagoria 2024-07-26 04:20 am (UTC)(link)
I know... I know.

[Lyney takes a deep breath, briefly lifting his hat up to run a hand through his hair. He really is worried about what Heizou would think, but not telling him would be so much worse... This really isn't what he wanted to have happen...]

As would I. I just also don't want to get my hopes up too highly... If I can only save one of us, then of course I'd want to make sure Freminet is alright.
spectacleofphantasmagoria: (I didn't wish to flat-out lie to you)

[personal profile] spectacleofphantasmagoria 2024-07-26 04:32 am (UTC)(link)
[A rueful laugh.]

You know us well, don't you Kaveh?

[He pauses briefly.]

Even if we were friends before this, I... can understand if this is all too much for you, and if you'd rather not associate with us anymore. I'll respect that decision, as will Freminet. And I know that Father would respect that as well. You don't have to decide now, but whatever you do decide... We'll accept.
Edited 2024-07-26 04:32 (UTC)

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