...You have been honest with me, so I won't lie and tell you I'm not...upset. The Fatui hurt--killed--many people in Sumeru, and treated them as resources to be harvested. That said...
[Kaveh sighs a little, watching Freminet calm himself down, and keeps his tone gentle.]
You, and Lyney...were not the people who worked in Sumeru, and I can't imagine either of you being alright with the plan they enacted with the former Sages. And if I understand the situation correctly...you've been with them since you were very young, haven't you?
No, I don’t agree with the Doctor’s ideas nor do I agree with his methods as they’re cruel. I…I don’t think I would ever go through with anything he does.
[Not to mention the various acts he would do to the children at the House. He gave a shudder thinking that he could have been one of those children should he have arrived at the House a little earlier…]
But yes, you are correct. For as long as I can remember, most of my memories been with them.
[Taking in another breath in, it felt like he could relax. While some of his anxieties still lingered, at least the intensity had lessen.]
...I admit, I don't know much. The House...as far as I know, doesn't have much of a presence in Sumeru.
[Not that he's sure that he'd know. But he does know, outwardly, that it is an orphanage. And given what Freminet says.]
I think...that I am more angry that such a place and situation exists, than I am at you.
[No matter what Lyney or Freminet think of the place that gave them a home and family, Kaveh can't swallow it. Can't agree with taking in children and turning them to soldiers. Can't agree with the horrid reality that even now, five hundred years after Khaen'riah's disaster, that war orphans are so common that the House can do as they do. More than anything, Kaveh is angry at the utilization of such sorrow.]
I know we have different opinions about it but it is the only place where I can call home.
[Would he rather go out in the streets and live the life he had before? No, he wouldn’t. He promised himself that he would do whatever it takes to protect the only family he had left. Even if it meant doing questionable things.
With another sigh, he decided to pet the cat in hopes of calming himself down. At least now, the worst was over…]
I know you’re upset but don’t be mad at Lyney or Father. Lyney didn’t mean to hide it from you either and Father means well. She’s not as bad as you might think she is…
...I will believe that she's done well enough by you to have earned your loyalty, but I'm not sure I can immediately trust in the intentions of a Harbinger, Freminet.
[He sighs a little.] I don't...intend to cause any problems or hold it against you. But if you want me to trust her, I can only do so by her actions. You understand?
[The woman he met had been kind to that girl, and to him, but she had also been terrifying. Kaveh is naive and trusting, but he's not a fool.]
...And I ask you, do not take it...personally if Alhaitham never does trust her. He...saw what was done to the people of Sumeru more closely than I did.
Then take your time. I know Mr. Alhaitham won’t ever forgive her and that’s fine. I know her methods are a bit unusual but to me, she is the only Father I have ever known.
[With that, he have a pause as he took in another deep breath in. He don’t want to think about his own biological father but it was true. This family was the closest thing he had to an actual one.]
She took me, Lyney, Lynette and the others when we had no place to go. For that, I promised I would protect the family no matter what. But…
[He said before trailing off.]
…Don’t blame Lyney or Lynette should she ever appear. They are doing their best to protect everyone.
[Kaveh sighs a little bit. These brothers really are similar...]
...Your brother left me to drown, on Norhpip.
[He holds a hand up, to cut off any protests.] Because of the Leviathan's influence, because he was scared and only thinking of protecting you and his sister, because he'd do anything to do so...I'm sure there were more reasons he didn't tell me.
It's not as though it wasn't upsetting, when I realized it. But I forgave him for that, Freminet. What do you suppose that means for this situation, right now, that he's told us the truth?
[It was a good thing that he did tell him to stop. He was going to say something but instead, quickly closed his mouth before sitting back on the couch once more.]
...Yes, I do.
[He said in a low whisper. As he did so, his head sinks into his shoulders.]
....I understand you'll need some time to process everything and if you don't want to be associated with us anymore.
[with that, he flinched at the touch. He had gotten used to affection from others here where he felt comfortable. However, with how tense he is, it just made him scared.]
Y-Yes we all do. I’m just…surprised you forgive him so easily.
But there's just not much point to staying angry, not at him, and not at you.
[If this makes it sound like Kaveh does not hold grudges, that is a lie, Freminet, he is the second pettiest man in Sumeru. He just doesn't hold grudges about things like this, apparently.]
[What was he supposed to do? He thought he was lucky that the traveler was still willing to work with them after all this time. To know that Kaveh forgave them too? He didn't know what to think.
As he continued to pet the cat, he just....suddenly couldn't handle it anymore. In that moment, he found himself crying the tears started flowing down his cheeks. Sniffling to himself, he wanted to stop but he couldn't. This was just so much to take in.]
[It really wasn't fair. How could Kaveh forgive them when all they have done was hide information from him. He didn't even notice the hug at first as he was too busy wiping his tears away. It wasn't until moments later that he realized.]
Is that so? Well, you can ask me anytime you want one.
[Kaveh fucking loves hugs, Freminet.]
I know it's scary. And I know...I can't speak for how Alhaitham or Dehya or anyone else will feel about it. But we all have the same wish...and I think, with time, they'll appreciate how brave you've been, to tell us the truth.
[It was such an odd feeling. Kaveh wasn't a stranger but to anyone outside of the Hearth, it felt like it. And yet, he didn't ask him to let go as he slowly calmed down.]
We never intended to harm anyone by keeping this a secret. The House of the Hearth is mostly for gathering information but...
[There was something he wanted to tell Kaveh but, he held back. As he wanted to say something, he shook his head and decided to go with something else.]
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[Kaveh sighs a little, watching Freminet calm himself down, and keeps his tone gentle.]
You, and Lyney...were not the people who worked in Sumeru, and I can't imagine either of you being alright with the plan they enacted with the former Sages. And if I understand the situation correctly...you've been with them since you were very young, haven't you?
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[Not to mention the various acts he would do to the children at the House. He gave a shudder thinking that he could have been one of those children should he have arrived at the House a little earlier…]
But yes, you are correct. For as long as I can remember, most of my memories been with them.
[Taking in another breath in, it felt like he could relax. While some of his anxieties still lingered, at least the intensity had lessen.]
…And it was with the House of the Hearth.
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[Not that he's sure that he'd know. But he does know, outwardly, that it is an orphanage. And given what Freminet says.]
I think...that I am more angry that such a place and situation exists, than I am at you.
[No matter what Lyney or Freminet think of the place that gave them a home and family, Kaveh can't swallow it. Can't agree with taking in children and turning them to soldiers. Can't agree with the horrid reality that even now, five hundred years after Khaen'riah's disaster, that war orphans are so common that the House can do as they do. More than anything, Kaveh is angry at the utilization of such sorrow.]
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[Would he rather go out in the streets and live the life he had before? No, he wouldn’t. He promised himself that he would do whatever it takes to protect the only family he had left. Even if it meant doing questionable things.
With another sigh, he decided to pet the cat in hopes of calming himself down. At least now, the worst was over…]
I know you’re upset but don’t be mad at Lyney or Father. Lyney didn’t mean to hide it from you either and Father means well. She’s not as bad as you might think she is…
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[He sighs a little.] I don't...intend to cause any problems or hold it against you. But if you want me to trust her, I can only do so by her actions. You understand?
[The woman he met had been kind to that girl, and to him, but she had also been terrifying. Kaveh is naive and trusting, but he's not a fool.]
...And I ask you, do not take it...personally if Alhaitham never does trust her. He...saw what was done to the people of Sumeru more closely than I did.
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[With that, he have a pause as he took in another deep breath in. He don’t want to think about his own biological father but it was true. This family was the closest thing he had to an actual one.]
She took me, Lyney, Lynette and the others when we had no place to go. For that, I promised I would protect the family no matter what. But…
[He said before trailing off.]
…Don’t blame Lyney or Lynette should she ever appear. They are doing their best to protect everyone.
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...Your brother left me to drown, on Norhpip.
[He holds a hand up, to cut off any protests.] Because of the Leviathan's influence, because he was scared and only thinking of protecting you and his sister, because he'd do anything to do so...I'm sure there were more reasons he didn't tell me.
It's not as though it wasn't upsetting, when I realized it. But I forgave him for that, Freminet. What do you suppose that means for this situation, right now, that he's told us the truth?
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...Yes, I do.
[He said in a low whisper. As he did so, his head sinks into his shoulders.]
....I understand you'll need some time to process everything and if you don't want to be associated with us anymore.
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[Kaveh huffs a little, but stands up, and carefully, places a hand on Freminet's head.]
I forgave him for it. I'll forgive him for this too. My family will always come first, too. But we all want to go home all the same, don't we?
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Y-Yes we all do. I’m just…surprised you forgive him so easily.
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But there's just not much point to staying angry, not at him, and not at you.
[If this makes it sound like Kaveh does not hold grudges, that is a lie, Freminet, he is the second pettiest man in Sumeru. He just doesn't hold grudges about things like this, apparently.]
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...You are much too kind. Even if you're still angry, I can't believe you still forgave us.
[And yet, as he said those words, he found tears forming at the corner of his eyes.]
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[Will he take a very soft kitty crawling into his lap? Will that help?]
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As he continued to pet the cat, he just....suddenly couldn't handle it anymore. In that moment, he found himself crying the tears started flowing down his cheeks. Sniffling to himself, he wanted to stop but he couldn't. This was just so much to take in.]
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Kaveh doesn't know what to say, so he doesn't.]
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S-Sorry, I didn't mean to get your shirt wet...
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[He chuckles, softly.] I can let go, if you don't want it.
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[He said with a sniffle or two.]
...It's just a little odd. No one really has hugged me outside of Lyney or Lynette.
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[Kaveh fucking loves hugs, Freminet.]
I know it's scary. And I know...I can't speak for how Alhaitham or Dehya or anyone else will feel about it. But we all have the same wish...and I think, with time, they'll appreciate how brave you've been, to tell us the truth.
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We never intended to harm anyone by keeping this a secret. The House of the Hearth is mostly for gathering information but...
[There was something he wanted to tell Kaveh but, he held back. As he wanted to say something, he shook his head and decided to go with something else.]
...We only do it for our family...