Taking this muse box's virginity like a Fon Master

[daath-vader.livejournal.com]

[Ion actually looks pretty cute in 1880's England fashion. Nothing fancy, street kid clothes, and without the official robes and girly ornaments of the Fon Master... His gender is still pretty ambiguous. But as he's been staying with the Children of Perpetual Care he's been doing his best to blend in and be useful.]

[As much as he can at any rate. He's been trying to learn the language the proper way. And it helps that he is honestly and sincerely a people person. It may not be wise to walk around London and chat up strangers, but it's also something he truly enjoys.]

Comments

[clinical]

[Yes, it's Ion. And because it's Ion, Jade is quickly slipping into that protective deference he gives to the fonmaster.] Where have you been staying?

[daath-vader.livejournal.com]

With one of the churches. [And because it's Jade Ion relaxes a little, and while the smile was never false, he grows more serious.]

Have you been here long?

[clinical]

Long enough to gain employment and a house. [His smile becomes just fractionally more amused, one of those hints of emotion that passes for expression.] A household, in fact. [And that fraction vanishes.] I'd prefer it if you weren't staying at a church. They have unsavoury reputations. Would you be willing to stay with me?

[daath-vader.livejournal.com]

[Ion laughs softly at the thought of Jade with a household. Anise would be jealous.]

I would be honored. You've always looked after me. [It's a shame there's so little he can do to reciprocate.]

[clinical]

It has been [was] my honour to assist you, Fon Master. [And another one of the smiles.] If you're done looking around for the moment, I could show you to my house now.

[daath-vader.livejournal.com]

Perhaps I'll be able to repay you the kindness at some point. [He smiles a little, saying it, because he knows there is little he can offer. But he nods.]

I would like that very much, thank you Jade.

[clinical]

Then this way, please. [With appropriate deference, he gestures for the Fon Master to come along.] If you'll forgive the intrusion, Fon Master, may I ask you what the last thing you remember is?

[daath-vader.livejournal.com]

[Ion falls into step beside Jade happily. This is a little nostalgic, isn't it? Though the question causes his smile to falter a little.]

May I ask the same? The last thing I remember was reading the Score in Mt. Zaleho.

[Dying, actually. The feeling of his fonons separating. But if Jade is not from than, or from earlier, saying that much shouldn't give away his own fate. And if Jade is from after that, then he would like to know what happens.]

[clinical]

[Ah. Jade's eyes flicker down for just a second before he speaks clearly.] ND2020 Lorelei-Decan 48. Luke's coming of age ceremony.

[daath-vader.livejournal.com]

[That instantly brightens Ion, with hope and interest.]

What was it like?

[clinical]

[That's an interesting question. What was it like? Jade could think of only one word.] Surprising. [He thinks about adding "I'm not even sure if Luke would show up," but decides that is tasteless and selects another elaboration.]

Tear sang the Grand Fonic Hymn. With your help.

1/2

[daath-vader.livejournal.com]

My help?

[daath-vader.livejournal.com]

What was it like? I'd like to hear her sing it, some day.

[clinical]

Yes. It seems she came to understand another component of it at your funeral. [If it is indelicate to raise the subject of a person's own funeral, Jade is either failing to notice this element of courtesy or has decided that Ion wouldn't mind.] We'll have to have her sing it if she appears here.

[daath-vader.livejournal.com]

[It's true, Ion doesn't seem to mind. After all, he chose to die that way, it's not like he's going to complain. He's more interested in the fate of the world.]

So that's how. I'm glad. I'll look forward to hearing her sing, if she ever arrives.

And the Score?

[clinical]

It has been abolished. Anise is working hard to reform the Order. [That edge of amusement slips back into his voice.] She has intentions of becoming Fon Master.

[daath-vader.livejournal.com]

[Ion actually laughs, softly into his hand. The thought is wonderful, and he was going to ask about her next anyway. He almost feels sorry for the conservatives.]

I think she'll be the best Fon Master the Order's ever seen.

[clinical]

[The faint happiness Jade feels is an echo of Ion's. It isn't empathetic happiness; it was the vague contentment he felt when those who mattered to him were happy.] She'll certainly be one of the more interesting ones. Perhaps as tasking on her attendants as some other Fon Masters I've known.

[daath-vader.livejournal.com]

[Ah that's not fair, just because he decided to sneak away from the Order on Jade's request... But he's still smiling. He doesn't feel repentant at all. In fact, he's really happy right now.]

I hope she'll be even worse. The Order needs someone like her.

[Someone bold and decisive.]

[clinical]

I agree. They'll do good work. [Jade's mind skims over who else Ion might be interested in. The rest of the party, of course.] His Imperial Majesty is happily running Guy ragged. We've been trying to get him married. [By which he means they've been messing with Guy by threatening to marry him off to every clingy noblewoman they can throw at him. Messing with Guy is a team sport that Peony and Jade love playing.] Natalia has been doing excellent work in Kimlasca. She'll have a very popular rule when her time comes.

[daath-vader.livejournal.com]

[Ion is happy to listen, glad to hear what everyone is up to. He laughs again, under his hand.]

How is the world faring?

[clinical]

It's doing well. The new world order may have a few hurdles to leap over, but remarkably, cooperation between the nations appears to be very productive towards that end. We old soldiers are feeling quite out of work.

[daath-vader.livejournal.com]

Somehow I doubt you aren't busy.

[clinical]

[a pause, and then]

I've started to research fomicry again.

[Jade Curtiss is a man who is good at not saying what he ought to. Ion has not asked about Arietta, so Ion won't be told about Arietta. Ion never asked the right question to be told the truth about Luke. But this announcement he offers Ion in almost a vacuum. He offers it up for judgement from one of those he sees fit to judge him.]

[After a moment, he is compelled to explain.] I want to raise the status of replicas to more than mere replacements. They can't be left to flounder in a world without any infrastructure for their support.