We got... a bit of a walk home. I can tell you... [He rubs the back of his neck all that same, still torn up about it. How to explain this to Juza, too? He lied to Viren, but he shouldn't to his bonded. They're bros! He can rely on Juza]
Viren, you know... he's kinda an intense guy. All the time. He used to be a really good dad, too, but... when our King died, he just lost it. A lot happened really quick and, well... this Viren, the dragon one here? He doesn't know about a bunch of it. But I do. [a deep sigh, the kind that's tired well beyond the sleep deprivation of the current moment.]
I lied to him, about... about how he dies. I told him that I did it, that I kill him. [so dramatic!! Urg!]
Soooooo! He! Is! Pretty mad at me? About that? I don't know if he believes me, but he's sure mad. Duh.
[He nods. Okay, so Soren's in a situation kind of like the one Juza and Omi are. Where Omi's further ahead in the timeline and so their knowledge of what's happening doesn't exactly match.
Wait what?]
You lied about who killed him? Is it uh... better than how he actually dies? [What a thing to spring on a guy. The worry is practically radiating off of him at this point.]
I don't- [oh god, that's so much worry in their bond. He didn't mean to cause that! Of course he did, though. Because that's all a lot to be very worried about. Hence the outrigh running away...]
I didn't... want him to focus anger on anybody else. He needed to be stopped, no matter what, I promise... and the people who did that are my friends. If they show up here, I gotta look out for them. I owe them that.
[Soren really convinced himself this is his responsibility, long before leaving. Thinking on it all that time only allowed him to convince himself of that as a fact]
If he's mad at anybody, it should be me. He's my father.
That's a lot, man. [That's the first thing his mouth can come up with when it's going faster than his head.]
I can't really say I get it. [Because life and death matters are simply not involved in his own family relationships. There's no framing he can conjure that would make this understandable to him. Still, he trusts Soren's decisions on the matter. That he thinks it was a good decision- Juza can't make that decision for him, and wanting to protect others is something he can wrap his head around.]
Sounds like you did what you thought was best. I dunno if I can help, or do anythin' for you with this. But... 'm on your side. Whatever happens. Got it?
["That's rough, buddy" is about all there is to say towards all that, Soren gets it. He reaches of to ruffle Juza's hair like Claudia would always do to him when he was caught up in being worried. It's a sign of camaraderie, though]
Thanks, Juza. I really mean it. You've had my back this whole time, I'll always have yours, too. [he echoes, wry to stop from sounding sappy sincere, which is more the bond vibe but shut up] Got it?
[He only looks a little grumpy when his hair gets ruffled] I ain't a little kid. [Despite the grousing, the fondness bleeds right through the bond.]
Yeah... That's what it means to be a team. [That's not so embarrassing to say. Their relationship isn't built off of any intense rivalry, but it still feels like he'd be right at home in Autumn Troupe. It's not weird for him to say that.
Soren feels a lot like his little brother, but when it comes to this and all his family issues, he really wonders how much he can help. If nothing else he can be a sounding board, or somebody to listen to Soren's worries. Even if he doesn't really have any advice for something so severe.]
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What kinda bad? Or do you need to rest first?
[He's fine waiting on an answer, but he wants his friend to make the decision to share in a better state than absolutely exhausted.]
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Viren, you know... he's kinda an intense guy. All the time. He used to be a really good dad, too, but... when our King died, he just lost it. A lot happened really quick and, well... this Viren, the dragon one here? He doesn't know about a bunch of it. But I do. [a deep sigh, the kind that's tired well beyond the sleep deprivation of the current moment.]
I lied to him, about... about how he dies. I told him that I did it, that I kill him. [so dramatic!! Urg!]
Soooooo! He! Is! Pretty mad at me? About that? I don't know if he believes me, but he's sure mad. Duh.
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Wait what?]
You lied about who killed him? Is it uh... better than how he actually dies? [What a thing to spring on a guy. The worry is practically radiating off of him at this point.]
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I didn't... want him to focus anger on anybody else. He needed to be stopped, no matter what, I promise... and the people who did that are my friends. If they show up here, I gotta look out for them. I owe them that.
[Soren really convinced himself this is his responsibility, long before leaving. Thinking on it all that time only allowed him to convince himself of that as a fact]
If he's mad at anybody, it should be me. He's my father.
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I can't really say I get it. [Because life and death matters are simply not involved in his own family relationships. There's no framing he can conjure that would make this understandable to him. Still, he trusts Soren's decisions on the matter. That he thinks it was a good decision- Juza can't make that decision for him, and wanting to protect others is something he can wrap his head around.]
Sounds like you did what you thought was best. I dunno if I can help, or do anythin' for you with this. But... 'm on your side. Whatever happens. Got it?
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Thanks, Juza. I really mean it. You've had my back this whole time, I'll always have yours, too. [he echoes, wry to stop from sounding sappy sincere, which is more the bond vibe but shut up] Got it?
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Yeah... That's what it means to be a team. [That's not so embarrassing to say. Their relationship isn't built off of any intense rivalry, but it still feels like he'd be right at home in Autumn Troupe. It's not weird for him to say that.
Soren feels a lot like his little brother, but when it comes to this and all his family issues, he really wonders how much he can help. If nothing else he can be a sounding board, or somebody to listen to Soren's worries. Even if he doesn't really have any advice for something so severe.]