PCs with Lux

[silentscout]

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[silentscout]

Oh. So meeting someone new, it helped you see things differently, right?

[illuminance]

Well.

[ ... hm. ]

He was the first person I ever felt I could be myself with. But I don't know that he is the kind of man who could change anyone's mind about the dangers magic.

We met when he was already a prisoner. But when he was set to be executed, he broke free and - gathered the hidden mages of the kingdom in a violent mob. And now the king is dead, thanks to him. He escaped, but life in Demacia is worse than it ever was before for the mages in hiding.

[silentscout]

[See, Lalli himself is a mage, and it's hard to be sympathetic to someone who would want him dead just for who he is. But he's trying to understand. Or at least not be offensive about it.]

Oh. It must be chaos now, without a king.

[illuminance]

It used to be that the Mageseekers would keep the more benign afflicted on lists. They were spared from being jailed or exiled or - killed. So long as they were not a danger.

But the prince... Is lashing out in his grief. Things have become more strict.

[silentscout]

Is that why you left? Because of how strict it got?

[illuminance]

... I understand that magic is truly dangerous. That my friend - that Sylas only proved that, in the end.

But I helped a group of mages escape from the kingdom, and I don't know if there's any going back, after that.

[silentscout]

Knowing how things are, do you want to go back?

[illuminance]

I do.

My family is there. And despite everything, the prince was my friend. It's a truly beautiful kingdom, I just... Want things to be better.

[silentscout]

...

[He has to think on this for a moment.]

It's hard, isn't it? Knowing that the people you love and trust don't know everything, and are actually wrong about some things. And knowing that things aren't as simple as 'good' and 'bad'. Hmm?

[illuminance]

Mm. I was always taught that such a black and white view was the definition of justice and safety. But I always questioned it.

The harder part is not knowing how to fix the things that are broken.

[silentscout]

Sometimes there is no answer. Sometimes things get broken so thoroughly that there's no way to fix it. All you can do is leave it be and let it heal on its own, as best as it can.

[...]

I owe you now, don't I? A story for a story.

[illuminance]

[ well that's a disappointing thought, isn't it? but it's not like she can argue. lux offers lalli a weak smile. ]

Sure. That could be nice.

[silentscout]

[Sometimes that's how it be. And since Lux gave him a story of a broken kingdom, Lalli might as well give a similar story in return.]

...I think my cousin is going to die. Or that he means to die, with all the reckless things he's been doing. He's insistent on fighting this Kade we've been tracking and finally killing it, but...he never talks about what to do after that. Or how he's going to get back to civilization safely.

I know he's hurting- his little sister died last winter, and he hasn't been the same since- but I think it's a hurt I can't fix. And I don't know what I'm going to do if I'm right.

[illuminance]

I see.

Sometimes grief can do terrible things to a person. A goal can give them purpose, for a time. But once it's accomplished...

[ well. then what? ]

[silentscout]

Once it's accomplished, you're just left with your own thoughts and pain. And that doesn't help with the actual problem.

[illuminance]

It would be nice if we could provide people suffering from such losses something worth living for. But it's not so easy to heal that kind of pain, even with love.

[silentscout]

Mmm. Sometimes it's not enough.

[Which is basically the crux of all of Lalli's problems: he only has a shaky grasp on abstract concepts like 'love' to begin with, and what he knows isn't enough to heal everything.]

...

I'll be the last one left, if he dies. And if I die here, and he dies there, then there will be no more Hotakainens.

[illuminance]

I'm sorry that you're in that position. It's difficult enough to live up to a family name. I can't imagine being the only one responsible for carrying it on.

[ and that's not even mentioning the actual tragedy in losing your family... ]

... For as long as we are here, I will do my best not to let anything happen to you.

[silentscout]

...thank you.

[Wow this has been a heavy talk, but he does appreciate that Lux opened up to him, and that she's reassuring him.]

And it's the same for you too. I'll keep an eye out for you.

[illuminance]

Thank you, as well. It means a lot to me.

Whatever is happening, we can do our best for one another. They can't take that light away from us.

[silentscout]

Mhmm.

...stay in the dorm, if something happens at night. only other Fall people can get in.

[As if that will stop a murder. But he's Trying.]

[illuminance]

You too. Though I don't believe we have much say in the matter.

[silentscout]

...we should barricade the suite doors, so nobody gets in.

[illuminance]

I did have that thought... But with the way things seem to work, I am not sure it would help us.