Stay in the box. [...] No. Stay in the bo- Stay-
[And that's when Sigmund realizes the journal already started recording while he was distracted.]
Sokka
I need workspace in the smithy. Stay out of my way. I won't be in yours.
Simon
Come to the smithy later. I need to fit you for something.
Katara
We will speak tonight. After dark, past the southern edge of town. If you are willing.
[Sigmund will not be home today until quite late, so the chances of catching him are slim. But everyone will find a neatly handwritten note slipped under their door, to the effect of "I made you something. It is in the kitchen. Your name is on the jars." And, as the notes said, there are three little pyramids of six squatty little jars each on the kitchen table. And in those jars... is pie. Portable pie. Sigmund-cooked portable pie. For Capell and Katie, apple. For Edward, venison and mutton.
...Pie.]
[And that's when Sigmund realizes the journal already started recording while he was distracted.]
Sokka
I need workspace in the smithy. Stay out of my way. I won't be in yours.
Simon
Come to the smithy later. I need to fit you for something.
Katara
We will speak tonight. After dark, past the southern edge of town. If you are willing.
[Sigmund will not be home today until quite late, so the chances of catching him are slim. But everyone will find a neatly handwritten note slipped under their door, to the effect of "I made you something. It is in the kitchen. Your name is on the jars." And, as the notes said, there are three little pyramids of six squatty little jars each on the kitchen table. And in those jars... is pie. Portable pie. Sigmund-cooked portable pie. For Capell and Katie, apple. For Edward, venison and mutton.
...Pie.]
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chasethestars
chasethestars
Comments
From the statue.
I didn't ask you here to discuss that.
All right. I'm listening.
I know that you were upset that I did not tell you everything you wished. I do not think that entirely fair.
No, I was upset because you lied to me and then asked me to trust you. I don't think that is entirely fair either. I know you had your reasons and that's why I'm willing to hear you out, but starting out by insulting me is a pretty bad way of doing it.
The one had nothing to do with the other. I told you that I would keep Katie safe. Did I lie?
[He looks up to check his sunstone, and then hugs Dog a little closer, giving him a scratch behind the ear.] Ask your questions.
...that counts for something.
And that's why she doesn't bother verifying what she already knows to be true. Instead she goes straight to the heart of it.]
Why did you lie to me about being Capell's father? It's obvious how much he means to you.
So much for it just being a matter of them taking Sigmund earlier in his timeline or something.]
So explain it.
I explained much of it the day we first met. Capell is the prince of Casandra.
But he'd told her the story of Cassandra, the water kingdom. Told her how its prince had been born unblessed, and set adrift to die on the water as its barbaric law commanded. Told her that the queen had died from grief, that the king had abandoned his people, left the country to war and ruin.]
Standing in front of her is a man who as good as murdered his own son, and abandoned his people.]
That was you?
That was my wife, and my child. And the world would have been better off had I not loved them as I did.
And he dares to tell her he had done all this in the name of love.]
You had a funny way of showing it.
[Dog whines, and Sigmund runs a hand over his head to soothe him... and to soothe himself. He hates this. Not only is it a violation of his privacy, it's a violation for the sake of someone that he fears - if not instinctually dreads - won't even try to understand.]
It was not a simple matter.
...but she had seen how he had treated Capell when they were malynapped, seen his care for him all through their time in Luceti - even when he was a penguin. And she'd seen the obvious affection that Capell had for Sigmund as well.
That spoke loudly enough in his favor that she was willing - for now - to stay and hear him out.]
I'm listening.
[He closes his eyes for a moment, and takes the time to collect his thoughts. Maybe it's just the light, or maybe it's the turn of the conversation, but something about this moment makes him look suddenly, incredibly old. There is no physical change, but his expression looks more suited for a tired old man than the teenage boy he appears to be.]
The nobility of my world are chosen by Veros. Only an Aristo may take the throne. To go against the laws of Veros would forfeit my right to rule. My choice was between a people who had depended on me for many years, and one child. How could I say a nation was worth less than one child, even my own?
[And you abandoned your people anyway.
But she doesn't say that - not yet. And she doesn't turn to leave, despite how sick this conversation is making her feel.
How could he?
It was like staring at Zuko's father.]
[That outburst makes Dog whimper, and Sigmund pauses briefly to attempt to collect himself... and doesn't. How dare she act so superior to him? She knew nothing. Capell lived the life of an unblessed. Capell understood.
When next he speaks, there is a slight waver in his voice, as though he's barely keeping himself together.]
What choices? What choices do you believe I had?
She should just walk away.
But then he asks a question that deserves an answer.]
The same choice anyone has when they're faced with something that's wrong - to fight it. [She knows what that can cost - your life, the lives of your families. She's seen it in her travels, from earthbenders taken prisoner to a father gone over to work for the Fire Nation for the sake of his son, to what she heard of Zuko joining them. It can cost everything. And she believes with everything in her that it's worth it.]
Which obviously you did - somehow, in some way. Or else Capell wouldn't love you like he does.
[You just should have done it sooner.]
Edited 2010-12-29 08:00 pm (UTC)