Thank you, Brother. I will. [ There's a small lilt of amusement in his voice. He knows their time is far more precious than Clive insists, as the skies loom dark overhead and Ultima waits for them at Origin, but... he too wants to believe they have some time, more than he's telling himself. And wants to take their time on this trip, even if he may or may not tell Clive he's tired until he's on the verge of collapsing.
Then Joshua smiles eagerly, almost like a little kid at first, absolutely catching the I'll think about it, since it most certainly isn't a no, but then his smile softens as he continues. ]
Of course. I should like nothing more. [ His voice soft but earnest as he humbles himself, very much wanting to pay this town a proper visit, despite his excitement for the Sagespire. Especially a place so important to them and their father. Their father having brought them here often in the summers for short visits when they were children, as he'd done in his youth with Lord Murdoch.
Though admittedly... Joshua's memories of those times are much hazier than Clive's probably are. Joshua was far too young, and he wasn't always able to go, the illnesses that plagued him had kept him bound to the castle, alongside his mother's overprotectiveness, and whatever dislike she had for the Murdochs. But... he can still remember the faces of some few of the villagers he'd met, like Lady Hanna, and how peaceful it was, and how happy he'd been spending time with his brother and father outside the castle, outside the politics and formalities.
But... even as his travels took him back to Phoenix Gate, through Eastpool, he wasn't able to speak with any of the townspeople, wasn't able to visit anyone, lest anyone recognize him. He'd needed to keep his identity, the fact that he was alive a secret, so Joshua was always fully cloaked wherever he went, his head kept low, staying back and quiet.
But none of it makes this place, it's people, any less important to him. And though he wishes he could've before, he owes it to them now to let them know he yet lives, and that they'll save all of Valisthea, and see that the tragedy that befell here never happens again.
His light blue eyes flicker downward as he pauses for a moment in quiet thought, then back up ahead of them to the town as they approach the bridge ] Five years ago, before...
[ His voice trails off as he stops himself, deciding to not speak of the tragedy, of what their mother had done outright. ]
Had you been able to speak to Lady Hanna and those who still resided here? [ He knows Clive came here of course, but the smaller details of Clive's life before they reunited are still a mystery to him, since they haven't truly had a moment to just... talk. ]
no subject
Then Joshua smiles eagerly, almost like a little kid at first, absolutely catching the I'll think about it, since it most certainly isn't a no, but then his smile softens as he continues. ]
Of course. I should like nothing more. [ His voice soft but earnest as he humbles himself, very much wanting to pay this town a proper visit, despite his excitement for the Sagespire. Especially a place so important to them and their father. Their father having brought them here often in the summers for short visits when they were children, as he'd done in his youth with Lord Murdoch.
Though admittedly... Joshua's memories of those times are much hazier than Clive's probably are. Joshua was far too young, and he wasn't always able to go, the illnesses that plagued him had kept him bound to the castle, alongside his mother's overprotectiveness, and whatever dislike she had for the Murdochs. But... he can still remember the faces of some few of the villagers he'd met, like Lady Hanna, and how peaceful it was, and how happy he'd been spending time with his brother and father outside the castle, outside the politics and formalities.
But... even as his travels took him back to Phoenix Gate, through Eastpool, he wasn't able to speak with any of the townspeople, wasn't able to visit anyone, lest anyone recognize him. He'd needed to keep his identity, the fact that he was alive a secret, so Joshua was always fully cloaked wherever he went, his head kept low, staying back and quiet.
But none of it makes this place, it's people, any less important to him. And though he wishes he could've before, he owes it to them now to let them know he yet lives, and that they'll save all of Valisthea, and see that the tragedy that befell here never happens again.
His light blue eyes flicker downward as he pauses for a moment in quiet thought, then back up ahead of them to the town as they approach the bridge ] Five years ago, before...
[ His voice trails off as he stops himself, deciding to not speak of the tragedy, of what their mother had done outright. ]
Had you been able to speak to Lady Hanna and those who still resided here? [ He knows Clive came here of course, but the smaller details of Clive's life before they reunited are still a mystery to him, since they haven't truly had a moment to just... talk. ]