Vaguely. [Between the fact that he was drunk at the time and the brainfog he's got around all the Raven memories. But hm. That's true. The people here have no preconceptions about him or even the Imperial Knights, one way or the other. But he's still not really in full control, is he? People have their memories of this "Raven," and even if they understand he's not that person, they're still going to weigh his actions against whatever that man did or said.
Not that it really matters. He's just a mask, an empty shell without a will of his own. What's he even supposed to do without the Commandant here?]
(What a sad, sad man, he thinks. Was this person inside Raven the entire time? He must have been. It's not like this is an entirely different person. He's only seeing a different side to Raven now.)
... Yes. All Schwann Oltorain knows how to do is follow orders. I feel like I- that I want to trust you. [He doesn't clearly know why, of course. But if that other him did before, why not.]
Maybe it's the wrong choice, but that would hardly be my first.
(As heir to House Riegan, he was expected to rule. One day, he would become the Duke and and lead the Alliance. On the brink of war, he would have to learn to command soldiers and get others to follow is orders. It's why he leads the Golden Deer, a role meant to prepare him for an even greater one. A day will come when lives depend on him. A time will come when he can control lives.
It isn't something he accepts lightly but it's something he can roll with easily enough.
(Thank you for not zapping him, Schwann. It would make this all a lot less cool.
He doesn't touch Schwann's hand, instead, he keeps his own hand sort of... hovering in the air over his for a bit and then... Grabs it. Let him zap you. Once. And he'll let go.)
Whether you feel like it or think you deserve it, you're alive right now. If you want me to tell you how to live your life, then I'm telling you to live. That's all. Get to know people, let them get to know you. Make friendships. And as long as you're here, be careful.
[Ouch!! But also he isn't really that surprised, jumping slightly more out of a reflex to the pain than anything.]
... I suppose I don't have a choice, if it's an order. [He smiles, but it's... sad. He's not sure if he can properly honor Claude's orders, but it's a nice thought.]
When you die, that's it. It doesn't matter what you've done, what you meant to do, or what you ever wanted. It's over.
I don't know what you want... but I think you want something. And as long as you're alive, I hope you can find it. If that thing you want ends up being death then... at least you can say you lived.
(That's what he thinks. And that's why he isn't letting it go.)
[He could lie. Just reassure Claude that yes, he's right, and he doesn't have to worry. But... Claude's basically an adult. Or at least he deserves to be treated as one.]
... I'm sorry to disappoint you, Claude. Maybe the man who died had a will like that. But an empty shell doesn't want anything. [He doesn't want to die. But he doesn't want to live, either.]
But I'll do my best to do as you asked. [To not die.]
[Ow!!! Rude!!! The expression of pain and surprise on his face then is so genuine and probably the most emotion he's shown since... this whole thing happened. It's kind of bleak that it's moments like this when he most looks like "Raven" again. And then he actually shifts into vague annoyance.]
I- That's my point. I'm telling you there's no reason to. I'm staying alive purely because you told me to. There's nothing that I want.
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[Between the fact that he was drunk at the time and the brainfog he's got around all the Raven memories. But hm. That's true. The people here have no preconceptions about him or even the Imperial Knights, one way or the other. But he's still not really in full control, is he? People have their memories of this "Raven," and even if they understand he's not that person, they're still going to weigh his actions against whatever that man did or said.
Not that it really matters. He's just a mask, an empty shell without a will of his own. What's he even supposed to do without the Commandant here?]
Someone has to. It may as well be you.
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Do you mean that?
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[He doesn't clearly know why, of course. But if that other him did before, why not.]
Maybe it's the wrong choice, but that would hardly be my first.
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(As heir to House Riegan, he was expected to rule. One day, he would become the Duke and and lead the Alliance. On the brink of war, he would have to learn to command soldiers and get others to follow is orders. It's why he leads the Golden Deer, a role meant to prepare him for an even greater one. A day will come when lives depend on him. A time will come when he can control lives.
It isn't something he accepts lightly but it's something he can roll with easily enough.
He holds out his hand to Schwann Oltorain,)
Give me your hand.
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So he holds out his hand, not putting it in Claude's because... the shocking... Please do not stab him with a needle again, you madman.]
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He doesn't touch Schwann's hand, instead, he keeps his own hand sort of... hovering in the air over his for a bit and then... Grabs it. Let him zap you. Once. And he'll let go.)
Whether you feel like it or think you deserve it, you're alive right now. If you want me to tell you how to live your life, then I'm telling you to live. That's all. Get to know people, let them get to know you. Make friendships. And as long as you're here, be careful.
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... I suppose I don't have a choice, if it's an order.
[He smiles, but it's... sad. He's not sure if he can properly honor Claude's orders, but it's a nice thought.]
You've been quite intent on this point, you know.
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I don't know what you want... but I think you want something. And as long as you're alive, I hope you can find it. If that thing you want ends up being death then... at least you can say you lived.
(That's what he thinks. And that's why he isn't letting it go.)
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... I'm sorry to disappoint you, Claude. Maybe the man who died had a will like that. But an empty shell doesn't want anything.
[He doesn't want to die. But he doesn't want to live, either.]
But I'll do my best to do as you asked.
[To not die.]
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Stop assuming things. I'm not disappointed in anyone. I believe in you.
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I- That's my point. I'm telling you there's no reason to. I'm staying alive purely because you told me to. There's nothing that I want.