[Well. That sends a chill down his spine, suddenly. A creeping susupicion, a worry. He tries to squash it down and not think about it. He tries to think, to remember everything he told Claude, but it's hard to remember forgetting-]
Ah... [Frowning. It's weird, this sort of, fogginess. And a gap.]
No I think I must've forgotten something... You remember what it was?
(Oh, boy. He finds no joy in this and it shows, the way he looks away in a poor attempt to hide his sympathies-- the frown on his face, the sadness in his eyes.
There are a lot of things he could keep a secret. He could keep this a secret and let Raven continue about his days in ignorance but this feels... wrong. As shady and manipulative as Claude can be, he isn't cruel.)
You told me he died. (Nothing about how or when but...) I'm sorry, Raven.
He- [DROPS THE UNFINISHED ARROWS HE WAS HOLDING IN HIS HANDS.
A million questions run through his head. How? When? Why??? But he's sure Claude doesn't know. Whatever-whenever it was, he can't imagine he talked about it at length.
The don died? Don Whitehorse is dead. Claude wouldn't tell such a cruel lie.
The leader of the guild union, the man who gave him a second chance, the man who named him Raven, created him... He's gone.]
[Does he even have any right to exist anymore? Who is Raven of Altosk without Don Whitehorse, really?
The Don wouldn't want him to give up, he'd want him to find the will to go forward. He'd smack him upside the head for thinking like this, if he could.
But he can't. He's gone. And Raven's really not as strong as anyone seems to think he is.]
[And then a weird, disjointed and unattached memory floats to the top of his mind, something the don said to him, or well, must have said. It's his voice, but he can't remember when he said it;
You better nail Yeager for me.
Was that- Is it vague because it has to do with the Don's death? Yeager, he'd always been incredibly suspicious, but to kill the don, or more likely, create a situation for him to be killed...]
I see. Well, seems like I can't die just yet. I gotta deal with the guy responsible, first. Thanks fer telling me. [He says, as he puts a hand on the back of his neck, but he sounds... so tired and far away.]
I know he was important to you. You said he was an incredible man.
(Hmm. This is difficult now, and he frowns,)
I understand.
(Maybe not exactly but he can understand wanting to go after whoever was responsible for this. And just as he'd supported Byleth, he supports Raven. And quietly, softly, )
Even if you stop moving, the world keeps turning. I've always been comforted by that.
(He's never lost anyone close to him before. At least, he doesn't think so.)
Do you want a moment?
(Alone? He knows Raven has his secrets and might not express or release himself the way he needs to if someone else is around.)
... I'd appreciate it, if ya did. [That's nice, he thinks. Maybe morbid, but if the Don's dead, the idea of no one remembering that... Doesn't sit right with him. Even if it's bad, the Don would have wanted the truth to be remembered.]
You gotta finish those arrows, first. [Giving them both a distraction.]
[And then, in what is probably starting to become more a concerning behavior than endearing, Raven just.... bounces back? Everything is fine he doesn't have traumas or sad emotions at all ever.]
Hey, I'm just making sure ya hold up her end of the bargain, y'know?
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[A beat.]
Y'know. I don't think I actually know how old he is. But he was already old when I met him, and that was 10 years ago.
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He's quiet and sets down his most recently acquired arrow and turns just a bit to give Raven his full attention,)
Raven. You remember when we spoke... Do you remember everything we talked about?
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Ah...
[Frowning. It's weird, this sort of, fogginess. And a gap.]
No I think I must've forgotten something... You remember what it was?
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There are a lot of things he could keep a secret. He could keep this a secret and let Raven continue about his days in ignorance but this feels... wrong. As shady and manipulative as Claude can be, he isn't cruel.)
You told me he died. (Nothing about how or when but...) I'm sorry, Raven.
1/3
[DROPS THE UNFINISHED ARROWS HE WAS HOLDING IN HIS HANDS.
A million questions run through his head. How? When? Why??? But he's sure Claude doesn't know. Whatever-whenever it was, he can't imagine he talked about it at length.
The don died? Don Whitehorse is dead. Claude wouldn't tell such a cruel lie.
The leader of the guild union, the man who gave him a second chance, the man who named him Raven, created him... He's gone.]
2/
The Don wouldn't want him to give up, he'd want him to find the will to go forward. He'd smack him upside the head for thinking like this, if he could.
But he can't. He's gone. And Raven's really not as strong as anyone seems to think he is.]
3/3
You better nail Yeager for me.
Was that- Is it vague because it has to do with the Don's death? Yeager, he'd always been incredibly suspicious, but to kill the don, or more likely, create a situation for him to be killed...]
I see. Well, seems like I can't die just yet. I gotta deal with the guy responsible, first. Thanks fer telling me.
[He says, as he puts a hand on the back of his neck, but he sounds... so tired and far away.]
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(Hmm. This is difficult now, and he frowns,)
I understand.
(Maybe not exactly but he can understand wanting to go after whoever was responsible for this. And just as he'd supported Byleth, he supports Raven. And quietly, softly, )
Even if you stop moving, the world keeps turning. I've always been comforted by that.
(He's never lost anyone close to him before. At least, he doesn't think so.)
Do you want a moment?
(Alone? He knows Raven has his secrets and might not express or release himself the way he needs to if someone else is around.)
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Nah. I'm sure if I was gonna cry, I've done it already.
[Back before he forgot.]
I guess I'm just afraid of forgettin' again once I'm done talking to you.
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I can stay a while longer. (He twists at the feather,) And when it's all gone... I can remember for you until you do.
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[That's nice, he thinks. Maybe morbid, but if the Don's dead, the idea of no one remembering that... Doesn't sit right with him. Even if it's bad, the Don would have wanted the truth to be remembered.]
You gotta finish those arrows, first.
[Giving them both a distraction.]
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(It's a welcome distraction, and one he'll gladly use.
But he means it. As long as he can, he'll also remember for Raven.)
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Hey, I'm just making sure ya hold up her end of the bargain, y'know?