hadriel | duel 6. ( video. )

「He's been stalling on this for a while now, not sure of how to address it any longer, back then, when he first had learned about it, he was angry, frustrated, but now, not so much, he just wants answers. Might as well do this before there is more people coming into the city.

He looks thoughtful, mostly, as he stares idly at the camera not caring to hide the Millennium Eye stuck in his left socket as he did when they took pictures at Delmar's home. If everything went right, this would be the last time he would be seen wearing that creepy eye.」

Since everyone seems to be on the topic lately, I might as well remind you that there is a murderer among us. One that remains unpunished.

「Or so he thinks. He cannot keep wondering any longer, he needs to know. He needs to make sure there isn't someone running around killing people just because they think it's right. If that's the case.」

You, the one who killed Yukari, he might have deserved what you did to him, you made him pay for what he did, but you don't have my gratitude for it. Don't think you can hide forever. I will find you, no matter what it takes. And I will make you pay on his behalf.

「The tiredness in his voice, the aloofness in the way he speaks, the passion lacking in his usually prideful speech, doesn't quite make up for a good threat, maybe it's is not intended that way, but, it doesn't mean he's less determined about it. He will find them, he will read every person's mind in this city with the Millenium Eye if he has to. He can, why not simply do it?」

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

「Is he truly allowed to be and feel more than others expect him to? It's such a foreign concept to him. And maybe it's not the first time someone has hinted that at him, but after being raised that way, lived that way, to put others before whatever he's feeling, regardless of what it is, to be kind and just all the time, it's very hard to deviate from that structure.」

It's like you're asking for trouble...

「Not that he wouldn't want the very same from his friends...」

[ Yes, he is allowed! At least, so far as Curufin is concerned. Curufin too was raised in a rigid structure, although in some ways it was a kindly upbringing. He knows the reward and the price of such a system. He will always encourage Atem to feel and be whatever he himself thinks is best, even if that means to break out of the strictures. ]

Maybe. But you have a right to be yourself.

「The right to be himself, but who is he truly? For some, he will forever be the Pharaoh, bound to his duties ever since the day he was born and fated to continue them even after his death; and for others... who is he to those who don't expect that from him? He doesn't know. Perhaps he hadn't finished finding who he is. Did people ever found themselves, he wondered. Maybe, for as long as he was in Hadriel, he could play pretend, maybe.」

I would like that...

「Whatever that means. The bitterness in his voice is long gone now, his features seem to smooth over.」

Thank you, Curufin.

「For everything.」

[ And perhaps finding oneself is a never-ending journey. Curufin is inclined to that belief, and he will fully support Atem on this, whether or not the Pharaoh ever finishes the journey. ]

You're welcome. And thank you as well, my friend.

[ A discussion with a felicitous ending. ]

duel 6. ( video. )

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Want to wrap this one and pick up a new thread?

sure thing

<3