A magistrate? [ his brows furrow slightly. ] You made it sound as if you had no interest in titles.
What kind of place was your home?
Then I will simply build my own. One that doesn't mimic a prison. [ the pot calling the kettle black... not him accusing her of imprisoning him in her farm. ]
Well, her name is Jinhsi. To everyone else, she's the Magistrate ... But why does it matter to you at all? You are both very different people.
Jinzhou is beautiful. It's a city with a mix of modern and traditional architecture that nestles in between mountains and valleys. There's a variety of landscapes in the country, and there are monsters everywhere that cause problems for everyone around. However ... it truly is still a beautiful place, and very dear to me. I miss it a lot.
You protest too much. I helped you out of it, in the end.
some would feel embarrassed at the prospect of having made such a fuss over nothing, but callisto doesn't feel that type of shame. ] Did you not say that I was allowed to inquire as I pleased? Though, she must have been quite the leader for her to have left such an impression on you. [ in comparison to that, here he was... hanging by a thread at times; fully capable of destroying the empire if he deemed it necessary. ]
A woman of your strength would be attracted to a land of monsters. Then this place may as well be your second paradise.
Is it a protest when I am simply speaking facts? Lady Rover, just because one reaches their destination, it does not mean they forget the entire journey there.
I'm grateful for her friendship, and the trust she has put in me. And I'm truly sorry to not be with her right now.
Just because a place is familiar doesn't mean it's pleasurable or delightful at all.
I fear the way you hold on to the past will prevent you from looking forward to better things, such as: no longer being in the pen, surrounded by cows.
1. Who do you miss the most from your world? 2. What is your favourite thing about yourself? 3. Who would you say has committed the greatest offence against the crown in your world? 3a. Similar question, but in this world. 4. What is your favourite dish? 5. When is your birthday?
You can lie if you want. Just make it interesting.
[ he can sense her concern for her friend back at home is entirely real. there's not a hint of dishonesty behind that text, or maybe he just has a hard time believing rover to be someone purposely deceptive. which leads him to the conclusion of: ] I am almost envious of your unwavering belief in one another.
You must have been through nothing short of war with one another... much like I have been at war with your rather cruel imitation of a farm.
Lady Rover, do you not find it unfair that you have not provided the answers to your own questions first and foremost?
[ but, despite saying that. ]
1. I am unsure. To be honest, I am not even certain I would be in the position to say my late mother. Rather cruel, isn't it? 2. Is there anything to deem not favorable...? 3. I had too many assassins after my life since the tender age of nine, so I am unsure I could give just one name. 3a. You? I jest, my lady. I do not believe anyone has committed that large of a sin against me. However, I did have an odd run in with a man who sent me ads to a circus. Truly strange indeed. It frightens me to think of what is going on inside of their minds. Ah, there was also this man who was ... quite obsessed with me, but I would rather not think too deeply on it. 4. ... Is this your way of fishing for a compliment? 5. August 1st.
[ are they all lies, or are they all truths... it's a mystery ghost emoji. ]
I can promise you I've never trapped Jinhsi in a virtual farm. But I think she'd laugh at me if I did.
I've been under her command back home. So yes, we've been through quite a lot ...
But this should be familiar, should it not? You've always said you're the prince. I know you've some experience in battle, I've seen some of your scars. There's nothing to be envious of.
[ unless callisto has more enemies than allies, which to rover is .... possible. jinhsi had detractors because of her age and inexperience when she took the position, but the way callisto answered, and from what she's seen of his personality, it's more likely to her that he's boxed himself into a role with few friends ...? much to ponder. ]
[ she reads the answers he provides. for a while there's nothing on the screen other than ... going back and forth with her typing, pausing to read again, and then typing, until it stops.
she could, in essence, try and figure out if he was lying or not. but callisto, to her ... although he was rather pompous and exaggerated in his words and mannerisms ...
never seemed to be deceitful to her. he wasn't as practiced and careful in his words, text or otherwise, like someone else incredibly normal she knows, who was always evasive and slippery no matter the medium. no, callisto, at the end of the day to her, actually can be blunt with his actions. it's not what she expected of him, and maybe that's just how he is with her, but it does make her wonder.
so she takes the answers on their own - that callisto has answered them honestly. either way, it's still continuing their conversation with each other. ]
1. What is point of keeping the title and your attachment to the empire, then? 2. Ah, what a silly question from me. [ yeah. too honest about the wrong things. 🤡 ] 3. I'm sorry to hear that. That seems like an incredibly exhausting way to live - being constantly vigilant about everything and everyone. 3a. I think these incidences are somehow instigated by your poor behaviour towards them, so I'm not surprised. 4. I want to know what they're feeding you in the empire that you have such little tolerance to spice. But if you've assassins since you were young, then the food was likely bland - because spice would help cover up poison. 5. Whether true or not, happy birthday. One deserves to celebrate.
Edited (words aaaa im going back to bed) 2024-08-18 10:36 (UTC)
Considering I have been known to the nation as a tyrant and the crown prince of iron and blood, I suppose you are right. There is nothing particularly wonderful about the battlefield. It is a rather dreadful place where men must huddle together in the dead of winter just to survive.
Is that how it works? From my experience, envy has no limits, nor is one to say its a particularly logical emotion. [ does that mean his stance still doesn't change? either way, he thinks war might have been a bit easier with better company. not that his men weren't great company...
[ her questions back, including how apologetic she was over details of his life she clearly had no part in... felt a bit strange. is this the sympathy he desired? he's not sure, but it's one of the rare times he ever received this sort of comfort. as he oscillates between settling on several different emotions, he instead, types— ]
1. Perhaps, there is no meaning it is at all. However, how else am I to live and survive, my lady? There is no path for me, but to be the emperor. Do you simply act on attachment? I very much doubt that. 2. What would you choose for yourself? 3. I did not tell you for you to apologize. You could just cry tears for me? My soldiers did at least that much for me when I told them tales of my childhood.
[ ignoring 3a. he is faultless? despite being more self-aware than he lets on... that doesn't mean he's particularly repentant, either. self-reflection is overrated. ]
4. I think the spice covers up more than just the poison. It is the poison. Of course, that isn't to state my tolerance can't be built up. Being as proficient as I am, I would consider it easy work. But, is there no room for anything else in that head of yours? Do you have no other foods you are fond of? 5. If you mean what you say then do you not believe actions speak louder than words?
i was like ah bijou fell asleep ... goodbye pt 2 tag ....
[ and it's one of the things that rover's been pondering on, which is that does it even matter if anyone of them, outsiders all, comes to this place with a history and crime and unfinished business? to rank such atrocities seem to her trifling and childish, to ignore it seems unfair and dangerous. a balance of which LILITH cares very little for: everyone who stays has decided to do the work and here they are.
her views of callisto are changing. a better picture is formed as opposed to just a rather pompous and arrogant prince. but that's to be expected; she didn't know him well before, and she hadn't bothered. now she has, and she finds him interesting.
not that she'll ever tell him. ]
1. You're right. I haven't considered such problems. [ rover typed that and realized she's giving him too much praise lately. she has to go back to bullying him again to balance the goodwill she gives him. ] 2. You can be rather gentle at times. [ a trap of her own making. she'll take the L. ] 3. How ridiculous! I will not cry for you. [ noting the absence of 3a. obviously it means she's correct. ] 4. This only reinforces my suspicion that I am dealing with a man who has the palate of a child. 5. If you can guess when my birthday is, I'll give you a gift. [ don't do it. say no. ]
[ it's not false, and so he finds no actual reason to refute her statement. instead, he views it with a sense of irony. it wasn't at all his desire to more infamous than anything, but it isn't like his title as a warmonger didn't have its own benefits. at the very least, no one dared to look down on him, and it's a bit funny, how all that could be subverted the second he "glitches" into a new realm.
but, what choice did he have but to take it in stride. in that sense he is reminded a lot of when he had asked her about her life before, and the principle in how she's decided to live moving forward. she has a certain resilience. a natural desire to survive, maybe. ... in that sense they aren't too dissimilar since he wasn't the type who believed in remaining stagnant.
even if she may take offense to that. ]
1. What is your goal in life? What would you accomplish that you think would genuinely make you feel fulfilled? 2. Gentle...
The nobles eyes would pop out of their heads if they heard you say that. But, what of your best trait? 3. That's a shame. I was looking forward to it. 4. Are you that against choosing another delicacy? 5. Perhaps, my guess would be you are born sometime in winter? The harshness of the season fits you perfectly.
1. That is a more altruistic dream than I expected. I didn't anticipate you to be the type for charity all things considered. [ aka, he's petty and never her live down her few sins. ] 2. Your ability to remain yourself. [ to accept others, and to formulate her own opinions. while it doesn't seem like a lot, it's more than callisto was accustomed to. if he had to say, he feels she had a strong sense of self. ]
3. You also want rather peculiar things from me, my lady. 4. Do you not think we would be better off finding a proper chef? 5. December 21st? [ he wants to question if it isn't unfair to guess out of 365 days, but he decides not to question it. ]
1. It suits my personality a lot better than yours. There's nothing else to it.
[ at number 2, the response goes back and forth from (typing ...) to just blank to (typing ...) and finally, it stops, as rover ponders how to respond to that. mostly because it's funny, but also ... very sad. she can't really say she knows what that means given her circumstances. but it's nice that she projects a strong sense of self that someone is able to note and be impressed by. it means a lot to her.
after a pause, where one could be forgiven to think that she had forgotten to respond, she finally says, ] 2. That's kind of you. 3. I don't believe it. 4. Another flaw of yours, to be incapable of cooking for a lady. 5. Wrong on all counts. [ and what's wrong with making him guess from all 12 months and all 365 days? ]
1. Perhaps, but do not think you are being a bit hasty in concluding that?
[ after all, didn't she just call him kind? ] 2. I did not say it to be kind. Does that mean you had a different response? 3. Then do you expect everyone to play in your virtual prison? 4. Then are you going to be camping in the wilderness with me? [ that is his last cooking experience. ] 5. I am beginning to think there is no correct answer. However, someone here did speak to be of the importance of stars. In that case, perhaps your birthday falls on the summer solstice?
1. Not at all. What's good for me isn't the same for you - I feel the path of a prince with many titles has more complicated demands on your kindness.
2. No.
I appreciate you saying it, nonetheless.
3. I feel like if anyone else played with me, they wouldn't view it as a prison. You had my full attention during that time, isn't that enough?
[ now granted, he was in jail, however - ]
4. ... do you truly not know how? [ ... she wonders just how far removed he is as a royal from doing menial chores. perhaps the military life taught him some skills, but he's still a prince and therefore kept his privileges? ]
5. Again, be specific. There's plenty of months and dates to choose from.
1. Lady Rover, that is a funny way to imply me to be heartless. I'm hurt you would take this route to diminish the kindness I have shown you. 2. Then I am glad we have come to an agreement. 3. Do you believe it a compliment when a prisoner has the attentions of their warden? 4. In case you have forgotten, I do not flaws. Cooking would be easy work. [ would it, though... ] 5. June 20. [ how many dates are you going to have him guess, rover???
1. If you wanted to truly be heartless, there's still some time to disappoint me. 2. That we can be kind to each other is a nice agreement. You did comfort me on the way to Seoul, and I'm grateful for that. 3. I must be the kindest warden, then, so I don't see it as a problem. 4. I'll need a demonstration. 5. Wrong. I suppose you won't be getting a present after all.
1. There's no need to bother with that. [ if she becomes disappointed, there was little more or less he could do. ] 2. If that much can be considered comfort, I could prove you much more. 3. Kindest is a bit of an exaggeration. Though, I have never been imprisoned until now. 4. Your lack of trust in moments like these astounds me. But, very well. 5. ... And what, pray tell, is the actual answer? You said there would be no prize, but was the present not the answer all along? [ isn't that the way these riddles worked? ]
[ somehow, she is talking to him more often than her other friends, and this bizarre turn of events is rather unusual to her. ]
1. Noted. 2. I'm looking forward to it. 3. Do I hold that honour? Next time, I ought to make a dungeon for myself, for all the silly men I imprison. 4. Another thing to look forward to. I will remind you of these, Callisto. 5. You don't get the real answer, if you failed to guess it. That's not how this works.
You may ask a friend, if you want. [ if he has other friends! ]
3. And who are these "other men" you speak of? Your lips are quite fickle if you are stringing more than just me along in your prison endeavors. [ the "you know other men" meme... ] 5. Lady Rover, this is feeling more dishonest by the second. Is there a reason you must hide it so carefully?
3. And why would I tell you their names? You don't have a right to my dossier. What if they end up in your own dungeon, instead of mine? What a poor warden I'll be. [ little does she know ... ] 5. You were simply unlucky. That's all.
3. Do you believe that I just imprison anyone at the mere drop of a hat? Just so you are aware, I am a busy man. [ but, not busy enough to not torture elysium, yeah. ] 5. Do you not have one, by chance? [ he had encountered someone here who had not recalled their memories beyond a certain point in their travels, and so the idea just kind of sticks with him. all the more, if just because it's someone in callisto's close proximity here. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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What kind of place was your home?
Then I will simply build my own. One that doesn't mimic a prison. [ the pot calling the kettle black... not him accusing her of imprisoning him in her farm. ]
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Jinzhou is beautiful. It's a city with a mix of modern and traditional architecture that nestles in between mountains and valleys. There's a variety of landscapes in the country, and there are monsters everywhere that cause problems for everyone around. However ... it truly is still a beautiful place, and very dear to me. I miss it a lot.
You protest too much. I helped you out of it, in the end.
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...
some would feel embarrassed at the prospect of having made such a fuss over nothing, but callisto doesn't feel that type of shame. ] Did you not say that I was allowed to inquire as I pleased? Though, she must have been quite the leader for her to have left such an impression on you. [ in comparison to that, here he was... hanging by a thread at times; fully capable of destroying the empire if he deemed it necessary. ]
A woman of your strength would be attracted to a land of monsters. Then this place may as well be your second paradise.
Is it a protest when I am simply speaking facts? Lady Rover, just because one reaches their destination, it does not mean they forget the entire journey there.
1/2
I'm grateful for her friendship, and the trust she has put in me. And I'm truly sorry to not be with her right now.
Just because a place is familiar doesn't mean it's pleasurable or delightful at all.
I fear the way you hold on to the past will prevent you from looking forward to better things, such as: no longer being in the pen, surrounded by cows.
2/2
I'll make it easy for you. Answer the following:
1. Who do you miss the most from your world?
2. What is your favourite thing about yourself?
3. Who would you say has committed the greatest offence against the crown in your world?
3a. Similar question, but in this world.
4. What is your favourite dish?
5. When is your birthday?
You can lie if you want. Just make it interesting.
1/2
You must have been through nothing short of war with one another... much like I have been at war with your rather cruel imitation of a farm.
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[ but, despite saying that. ]
1. I am unsure. To be honest, I am not even certain I would be in the position to say my late mother. Rather cruel, isn't it?
2. Is there anything to deem not favorable...?
3. I had too many assassins after my life since the tender age of nine, so I am unsure I could give just one name.
3a. You? I jest, my lady. I do not believe anyone has committed that large of a sin against me. However, I did have an odd run in with a man who sent me ads to a circus. Truly strange indeed. It frightens me to think of what is going on inside of their minds. Ah, there was also this man who was ... quite obsessed with me, but I would rather not think too deeply on it.
4. ... Is this your way of fishing for a compliment?
5. August 1st.
[ are they all lies, or are they all truths... it's a mystery ghost emoji. ]
1/2 you get sleep tagging
I've been under her command back home. So yes, we've been through quite a lot ...
But this should be familiar, should it not? You've always said you're the prince. I know you've some experience in battle, I've seen some of your scars. There's nothing to be envious of.
[ unless callisto has more enemies than allies, which to rover is .... possible. jinhsi had detractors because of her age and inexperience when she took the position, but the way callisto answered, and from what she's seen of his personality, it's more likely to her that he's boxed himself into a role with few friends ...? much to ponder. ]
2/2 me, doing this on phone: i am A Fool
[ she reads the answers he provides. for a while there's nothing on the screen other than ... going back and forth with her typing, pausing to read again, and then typing, until it stops.
she could, in essence, try and figure out if he was lying or not. but callisto, to her ... although he was rather pompous and exaggerated in his words and mannerisms ...
never seemed to be deceitful to her. he wasn't as practiced and careful in his words, text or otherwise, like someone else incredibly normal she knows, who was always evasive and slippery no matter the medium. no, callisto, at the end of the day to her, actually can be blunt with his actions. it's not what she expected of him, and maybe that's just how he is with her, but it does make her wonder.
so she takes the answers on their own - that callisto has answered them honestly. either way, it's still continuing their conversation with each other. ]
1. What is point of keeping the title and your attachment to the empire, then?
2. Ah, what a silly question from me. [ yeah. too honest about the wrong things. 🤡 ]
3. I'm sorry to hear that. That seems like an incredibly exhausting way to live - being constantly vigilant about everything and everyone.
3a. I think these incidences are somehow instigated by your poor behaviour towards them, so I'm not surprised.
4. I want to know what they're feeding you in the empire that you have such little tolerance to spice. But if you've assassins since you were young, then the food was likely bland - because spice would help cover up poison.
5. Whether true or not, happy birthday. One deserves to celebrate.
1/2
Is that how it works? From my experience, envy has no limits, nor is one to say its a particularly logical emotion. [ does that mean his stance still doesn't change? either way, he thinks war might have been a bit easier with better company. not that his men weren't great company...
but, it's different. ]
omg how did dw not load my second parter...
1. Perhaps, there is no meaning it is at all. However, how else am I to live and survive, my lady? There is no path for me, but to be the emperor. Do you simply act on attachment? I very much doubt that.
2. What would you choose for yourself?
3. I did not tell you for you to apologize. You could just cry tears for me? My soldiers did at least that much for me when I told them tales of my childhood.
[ ignoring 3a. he is faultless? despite being more self-aware than he lets on... that doesn't mean he's particularly repentant, either. self-reflection is overrated. ]
4. I think the spice covers up more than just the poison. It is the poison. Of course, that isn't to state my tolerance can't be built up. Being as proficient as I am, I would consider it easy work. But, is there no room for anything else in that head of yours? Do you have no other foods you are fond of?
5. If you mean what you say then do you not believe actions speak louder than words?
i was like ah bijou fell asleep ... goodbye pt 2 tag ....
[ and it's one of the things that rover's been pondering on, which is that does it even matter if anyone of them, outsiders all, comes to this place with a history and crime and unfinished business? to rank such atrocities seem to her trifling and childish, to ignore it seems unfair and dangerous. a balance of which LILITH cares very little for: everyone who stays has decided to do the work and here they are.
her views of callisto are changing. a better picture is formed as opposed to just a rather pompous and arrogant prince. but that's to be expected; she didn't know him well before, and she hadn't bothered. now she has, and she finds him interesting.
not that she'll ever tell him. ]
1. You're right. I haven't considered such problems. [ rover typed that and realized she's giving him too much praise lately. she has to go back to bullying him again to balance the goodwill she gives him. ]
2. You can be rather gentle at times. [ a trap of her own making. she'll take the L. ]
3. How ridiculous! I will not cry for you.
[ noting the absence of 3a. obviously it means she's correct. ]
4. This only reinforces my suspicion that I am dealing with a man who has the palate of a child.
5. If you can guess when my birthday is, I'll give you a gift. [ don't do it. say no. ]
was it a dif. tag, we will never know now
but, what choice did he have but to take it in stride. in that sense he is reminded a lot of when he had asked her about her life before, and the principle in how she's decided to live moving forward. she has a certain resilience. a natural desire to survive, maybe. ... in that sense they aren't too dissimilar since he wasn't the type who believed in remaining stagnant.
even if she may take offense to that. ]
1. What is your goal in life? What would you accomplish that you think would genuinely make you feel fulfilled?
2. Gentle...
The nobles eyes would pop out of their heads if they heard you say that. But, what of your best trait?
3. That's a shame. I was looking forward to it.
4. Are you that against choosing another delicacy?
5. Perhaps, my guess would be you are born sometime in winter? The harshness of the season fits you perfectly.
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2. What would you choose? [ flipping it back to him. ]
3. You want the strangest things from me.
4. Are you going to make it for me if I tell you?
5. Be more specific.
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2. Your ability to remain yourself. [ to accept others, and to formulate her own opinions. while it doesn't seem like a lot, it's more than callisto was accustomed to. if he had to say, he feels she had a strong sense of self. ]
3. You also want rather peculiar things from me, my lady.
4. Do you not think we would be better off finding a proper chef?
5. December 21st? [ he wants to question if it isn't unfair to guess out of 365 days, but he decides not to question it. ]
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[ at number 2, the response goes back and forth from (typing ...) to just blank to (typing ...) and finally, it stops, as rover ponders how to respond to that. mostly because it's funny, but also ... very sad. she can't really say she knows what that means given her circumstances. but it's nice that she projects a strong sense of self that someone is able to note and be impressed by. it means a lot to her.
after a pause, where one could be forgiven to think that she had forgotten to respond, she finally says, ] 2. That's kind of you.
3. I don't believe it.
4. Another flaw of yours, to be incapable of cooking for a lady.
5. Wrong on all counts. [ and what's wrong with making him guess from all 12 months and all 365 days? ]
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[ after all, didn't she just call him kind? ]
2. I did not say it to be kind. Does that mean you had a different response?
3. Then do you expect everyone to play in your virtual prison?
4. Then are you going to be camping in the wilderness with me? [ that is his last cooking experience. ]
5. I am beginning to think there is no correct answer. However, someone here did speak to be of the importance of stars. In that case, perhaps your birthday falls on the summer solstice?
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2. No.
I appreciate you saying it, nonetheless.
3. I feel like if anyone else played with me, they wouldn't view it as a prison. You had my full attention during that time, isn't that enough?
[ now granted, he was in jail, however - ]
4. ... do you truly not know how? [ ... she wonders just how far removed he is as a royal from doing menial chores. perhaps the military life taught him some skills, but he's still a prince and therefore kept his privileges? ]
5. Again, be specific. There's plenty of months and dates to choose from.
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2. Then I am glad we have come to an agreement.
3. Do you believe it a compliment when a prisoner has the attentions of their warden?
4. In case you have forgotten, I do not flaws. Cooking would be easy work. [ would it, though... ]
5. June 20. [ how many dates are you going to have him guess, rover???
this is cruel and unusual punishment. ]
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2. That we can be kind to each other is a nice agreement. You did comfort me on the way to Seoul, and I'm grateful for that.
3. I must be the kindest warden, then, so I don't see it as a problem.
4. I'll need a demonstration.
5. Wrong. I suppose you won't be getting a present after all.
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2. If that much can be considered comfort, I could prove you much more.
3. Kindest is a bit of an exaggeration. Though, I have never been imprisoned until now.
4. Your lack of trust in moments like these astounds me. But, very well.
5. ... And what, pray tell, is the actual answer? You said there would be no prize, but was the present not the answer all along? [ isn't that the way these riddles worked? ]
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1. Noted.
2. I'm looking forward to it.
3. Do I hold that honour? Next time, I ought to make a dungeon for myself, for all the silly men I imprison.
4. Another thing to look forward to. I will remind you of these, Callisto.
5. You don't get the real answer, if you failed to guess it. That's not how this works.
You may ask a friend, if you want. [ if he has other friends! ]
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5. Lady Rover, this is feeling more dishonest by the second. Is there a reason you must hide it so carefully?
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3. And why would I tell you their names? You don't have a right to my dossier. What if they end up in your own dungeon, instead of mine? What a poor warden I'll be. [ little does she know ... ]
5. You were simply unlucky. That's all.
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5. Do you not have one, by chance? [ he had encountered someone here who had not recalled their memories beyond a certain point in their travels, and so the idea just kind of sticks with him. all the more, if just because it's someone in callisto's close proximity here. ]
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