[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.
[He's not denying it's a much better idea to tell him first than Alhaitham or Dehya, but--before Heizou? This seems like it's trouble.]
I can probably convince Alhaitham not to attack you but that's all I can promise you. [A pause.] I don't think there's any chance he'd try to hurt Freminet, before you ask. Even if he's angry, he wouldn't harm someone so young.
[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.]
[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.
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.
It's not a decision I can really make on my own, is it?
[He sighs a bit. He's going to have to talk to Alhaitham and it won't...be pleasant.] But you already know by now, that I'm not likely to hold a grudge, don't you?
I'm not naive to how people's perceptions can change. The actions of a scared young man being affected by a leviathan's influence and the actions of a Fatuus aren't exactly held in the same light.
[That, plus the way his shoulders sag a bit, makes it clear that he's fully expecting to never be able to speak to the others after this revelation. That the information would be too much to handle, and they'll go back to being strangers. Not that he wants that to happen, but... he's prepared for that reality.]
No matter what you decide, for what it's worth... neither myself, Freminet, or Father have any intentions of bringing harm to you or anyone else. Back in Fontaine we may be agents of the Fatui, but here... we're displaced individuals who want to go home, the same as you. Even from a strictly business perspective, it wouldn't make sense for us to go after you all.
Are you trying to convince me to stay angry with you, Lyney?
[Kaveh's tone is dry, and he shakes his head.]
It's true that I can never agree with the way the Fatui operate, and the things they've done. Even if she has given you a better life--and I do not doubt it--you have been spies since you were children, and that is, charitably speaking, the best thing I've ever heard about any branch of the Fatui.
[There's a reason he didn't even consider Northland Bank for the money he needed for the reconstruction of Alcazarzaray.]
But unless you're a phenomenal actor, I don't think the person you have been since October has changed. My concerns now are looking after the health and welfare of my family, and that includes not making unilateral decisions without him, you understand?
[That flat-toned question makes Lyney pause, before letting out a rueful huff.]
Sorry. I’m just… used to a lot more vitriol from people who discover our true origins.
[Still, a small smile forms on his face, and he nods.]
Of course, I understand. This isn’t something that can be decided in a day, so please, take as long as you need to decide. And whatever you decide, we will respect.
[He does pause briefly, before continuing.]
Family… it means a lot to us, too. I actually already told Father about you and Alhaitham, and what you’ve done for us. For what it’s worth, I’ve asked her to consider you like friends of the family, and to treat you as such. She may be a Harbinger, but she respects those who do good by her children.
[He looks down at his mostly-untouched cup before him, before brushing the front of his clothes.]
I suppose I should leave you be to process all this. I know it’s a lot, so… please take your time.
[Kaveh is quiet for a while, staring at his own now-empty cup and wishing for a shot of something harder, quite honestly.]
I just don't see any point in taking my anger out on you. What good would it do, Lyney? We're not even in Teyvat. Even if we were, it wouldn't dismantle the Fatui. It wouldn't bring back the people the Sages killed working in collusion with them. Anger's only useful when there's something productive to do with it.
[Lyney remains quiet as Kaveh talks, keeping his gaze away from the man. Selfishly, he finds himself thinking that weebthe man alone, without Alhaitham here, that perhaps Kaveh’s forgiveness would be more forthcoming. He admonishes himself quickly after the thought arises; that line of thinking isn’t fair to Kaveh, especially since he’s already done so much for him and Freminet. He can’t be greedy and demand acceptance with something so big.]
[He doesn’t look back at Kaveh, but takes a breath before adjusting his hat, then reaching into his pocket to place enough coin to cover both their drinks, as well as enough for another item should Kaveh want it.]
Take care of yourself as well, Mr. Kaveh.
[It’s the last thing he says before leaving the restaurant, with naught but the coin and his hardly-touched tea remaining.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[Oh thank god he can take the boozy coffee from the waiter and deliberately ignore questions about family.]
That much, I already knew. [...] Who else have you told this to?
[He's sure Alhaitham doesn't know yet, because Lyney's...uninjured.]
no subject
[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.
no subject
[He's not denying it's a much better idea to tell him first than Alhaitham or Dehya, but--before Heizou? This seems like it's trouble.]
I can probably convince Alhaitham not to attack you but that's all I can promise you. [A pause.] I don't think there's any chance he'd try to hurt Freminet, before you ask. Even if he's angry, he wouldn't harm someone so young.
no subject
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.]
no subject
[Kaveh's tone is gentle, but he's firm on this. They both know Heizou will figure it out, especially if there is a Harbinger here.]
I'd rather there not be blood shed over this, if it's all the same to you. It's not going to solve anything.
no subject
[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.
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[Kaveh sighs a bit, and rubs at his temple. What a mess...]
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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.
no subject
[He sighs a bit. He's going to have to talk to Alhaitham and it won't...be pleasant.] But you already know by now, that I'm not likely to hold a grudge, don't you?
no subject
[He offers a weak smile, and a shake of his head.]
You're far too kind... if you wished to hold a grudge, you know you'd be more than entitled to, right?
no subject
[C'mon now, Lyney. He saves his grudges for petty shit and Alhaitham.]
no subject
[That, plus the way his shoulders sag a bit, makes it clear that he's fully expecting to never be able to speak to the others after this revelation. That the information would be too much to handle, and they'll go back to being strangers. Not that he wants that to happen, but... he's prepared for that reality.]
No matter what you decide, for what it's worth... neither myself, Freminet, or Father have any intentions of bringing harm to you or anyone else. Back in Fontaine we may be agents of the Fatui, but here... we're displaced individuals who want to go home, the same as you. Even from a strictly business perspective, it wouldn't make sense for us to go after you all.
no subject
[Kaveh's tone is dry, and he shakes his head.]
It's true that I can never agree with the way the Fatui operate, and the things they've done. Even if she has given you a better life--and I do not doubt it--you have been spies since you were children, and that is, charitably speaking, the best thing I've ever heard about any branch of the Fatui.
[There's a reason he didn't even consider Northland Bank for the money he needed for the reconstruction of Alcazarzaray.]
But unless you're a phenomenal actor, I don't think the person you have been since October has changed. My concerns now are looking after the health and welfare of my family, and that includes not making unilateral decisions without him, you understand?
no subject
Sorry. I’m just… used to a lot more vitriol from people who discover our true origins.
[Still, a small smile forms on his face, and he nods.]
Of course, I understand. This isn’t something that can be decided in a day, so please, take as long as you need to decide. And whatever you decide, we will respect.
[He does pause briefly, before continuing.]
Family… it means a lot to us, too. I actually already told Father about you and Alhaitham, and what you’ve done for us. For what it’s worth, I’ve asked her to consider you like friends of the family, and to treat you as such. She may be a Harbinger, but she respects those who do good by her children.
[He looks down at his mostly-untouched cup before him, before brushing the front of his clothes.]
I suppose I should leave you be to process all this. I know it’s a lot, so… please take your time.
no subject
I just don't see any point in taking my anger out on you. What good would it do, Lyney? We're not even in Teyvat. Even if we were, it wouldn't dismantle the Fatui. It wouldn't bring back the people the Sages killed working in collusion with them. Anger's only useful when there's something productive to do with it.
[Kaveh sighs, and shakes his head.]
Take care of yourself, Lyney.
no subject
[He doesn’t look back at Kaveh, but takes a breath before adjusting his hat, then reaching into his pocket to place enough coin to cover both their drinks, as well as enough for another item should Kaveh want it.]
Take care of yourself as well, Mr. Kaveh.
[It’s the last thing he says before leaving the restaurant, with naught but the coin and his hardly-touched tea remaining.]