[Eren's expression becomes just a bit stubborn, the way he looks away from her, once again fiddling with his ear. Why should she get to ask all the questions...?]
[He'd almost suspected that she wouldn't know, but it's odd to realize that. How couldn't she know? Everyone does by now - even the people on Paradis, but this woman isn't from Paradis. Idly, he wonders if she might be from an entirely different universe...]
[Why wouldn’t they? Thought dismissed with a forceful blink. She’s not eager to slide the answer across the figurative table, either—but there’s no godforesaken point in lying.]
I’m the Commander of a growing city. Piltover. [A beat.] “City of Progress.”
[There’s some dryness to the quote, but her thoughts are churning elsewhere. Conceivably, any nation in Runeterra might take a political prisoner—yet nowhere, to Caitlyn’s awareness, with anyone called Eldians. If the man doesn’t recognize the name she’s offered, either, then…]
[He doesn't, but his face doesn't betray the same surprise and confusion that Caitlyn's did. He wouldn't know the name of some random city...
[He doesn't look disengaged, though. His brow is pinched, lips tugging slightly like he might snarl, though he doesn't. His right hand curls on his wrist.]
That's our commonality, then.
[No, he's not a Commander by name, but he thinks he ranks as a significant enough political prisoner that he can simplify things a bit.]
[Impression revised. He never did answer her last question....]
There may be others.
[Caitlyn has been stiff throughout this talk, but she straightens especially now. It’s a more even, still stern but less aggressive regard—soldier to soldier.] There must be more to this than sand.
[If it has anything to do with those paths - the ones his father wrote about, and the ones he saw when he kissed Historia - then, as far as Eren understands it, Caitlyn would have to be Eldian. That still isn't impossible, but there exists a clear disconnect. They need to figure out how deep it runs...]
Let me ask you something.
How likely do you think it is you and I are from the same place?
You didn't know that word - Eldian. That's strange.
You don’t know Piltover. [Neutral statement, not an accusation.]
In the past several years, the hexgates put us on the map. We’re [were.] a global center for trade and commerce. [It does sound rehearsed. There’s no real enthusiasm in it.]
It’s unlikely that you’ve never heard of us, even in passing.
[There's a long silence. Eren assumes they're both using it to try and come up with some idea of just what the hell is going on. Eventually, he shakes his head.]
I've heard of reality being manipulated where I come from, but not like this.
You have? [More a subdued exclamation than a question, surprised. Now this is progress.
[She lifts a hand, as if taking an invisible piece of evidence and pinching it in her forefingers. Focus sharpens, but not on the man.] [some number which canon leaves ambiguous] months ago, the creator of the hexgates and a member of our Council went missing. Every effort to find them has turned up completely—
[Eyes back to him. Not an accusation—a potential connection.] —blank.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
pantheraliam) wrote2030-03-12 03:03 pm
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[Well…
[It doesn’t add up. No family she knows
(yet!)could warp people into some indistinct hellpit.[Caitlyn shakes her head, and pulls her eyes back to him.] How do they do it?
HM.
It's in their blood. I don't know much about it.
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Are they mages?
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[She shakes her head. That’s an answer.]
Magic-users. We shouldn’t find them here. [In other words, if you don’t know, it’s not a concern.
[Still.... That lead a dead end, Caitlyn starts walking—frustratingly directionless, but wanting to move. Does this sand go on forever…?]
They wouldn’t trap us without cause.
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Whoever trapped us probably does have cause, though...
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[The he doesn’t see the eyeroll.]
First we played a word game. Then… sand, and darkness—
[She stops, looking back over her shoulder.] Where were you before this?
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Do you realize that?
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[ … ]
Do you think you are.
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I'm just getting a little tired of the demands. How do you know if we're even on the same side?
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[Sneering. Quickly:] You and I both have more important things to do than argue in a desert.
[But she does not take one step more.]
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I'm saying I can't trust you. And you can't trust me either.
In fact, I don't even know your name.
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I have such compelling reasons to give it to you.
[The hypocrisy locks in with the fold of her arms.
[Still…]
…What do you suggest.
cw: fictional racism...adjacent...?
[His gaze sharpens like a razor. His voice warns a low question.]
Are you an Eldian?
[It doesn't matter if she lies or if she tells the truth. Her initial reaction matters more than anything.]
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[For better and/or worse, Caitlyn’s face is expressive. She’s genuine:]
What’s an— [Right. Questions, demands.
[Silent, she shakes her head. But she does want to know…]
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Forget that.
Instead, tell me...
Why would someone want to detain you like this?
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[Why wouldn’t they? Thought dismissed with a forceful blink. She’s not eager to slide the answer across the figurative table, either—but there’s no godforesaken point in lying.]
I’m the Commander of a growing city. Piltover. [A beat.] “City of Progress.”
[There’s some dryness to the quote, but her thoughts are churning elsewhere. Conceivably, any nation in Runeterra might take a political prisoner—yet nowhere, to Caitlyn’s awareness, with anyone called Eldians. If the man doesn’t recognize the name she’s offered, either, then…]
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[He doesn't look disengaged, though. His brow is pinched, lips tugging slightly like he might snarl, though he doesn't. His right hand curls on his wrist.]
That's our commonality, then.
[No, he's not a Commander by name, but he thinks he ranks as a significant enough political prisoner that he can simplify things a bit.]
That, and our enemy.
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[Impression revised. He never did answer her last question....]
There may be others.
[Caitlyn has been stiff throughout this talk, but she straightens especially now. It’s a more even, still stern but less aggressive regard—soldier to soldier.] There must be more to this than sand.
soldier to soldier...cute, somehow
Let me ask you something.
How likely do you think it is you and I are from the same place?
You didn't know that word - Eldian. That's strange.
war criminal to war criminal <3
You don’t know Piltover. [Neutral statement, not an accusation.]
In the past several years, the hexgates put us on the map. We’re [were.] a global center for trade and commerce. [It does sound rehearsed. There’s no real enthusiasm in it.]
It’s unlikely that you’ve never heard of us, even in passing.
that too--
What about the nation of Marley?
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[Head shake. Negative.]
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I've heard of reality being manipulated where I come from, but not like this.
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You have? [More a subdued exclamation than a question, surprised. Now this is progress.
[She lifts a hand, as if taking an invisible piece of evidence and pinching it in her forefingers. Focus sharpens, but not on the man.] [some number which canon leaves ambiguous] months ago, the creator of the hexgates and a member of our Council went missing. Every effort to find them has turned up completely—
[Eyes back to him. Not an accusation—a potential connection.] —blank.
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