[ To know that he got to speak with them fills him with a sense of relief and gladness that he'd gotten the chance. But knowing that even after thirteen years they still yet recognized him, spoke to him of the Duchy and their father and how they waited for their return... it fills him with a happiness, but also sorrow in equal measure. Because all their hopes, dreams and memories of their father, of them, of the Duchy... were to be cut short at the hand of their mother.
Still, he gives a smile, sad, but still warm hearing his brother speak of them, his shoulders dropping slightly as they relax a little. ] Full glad am I to hear it. I remember much of their kindness, their admiration of father... that they should have kept those memories close, and recognized you besides, I'm relieved, truly.
[ As they approach the bearer and Guardian at the entrance of town, Joshua returns a short, but practiced bow to both men, in a way that strikes the guardian in reminder of their father, as if his years of learning the proper etiquette to be archduke hadn't faded in the slightest. Then he follows Clive to the stables, dismounting from his chocobo to lead his steed into his pen.
But then he falls quiet for a long moment, settling his reins on the saddle, his other hand resting on the chocobo's feathers along it's neck. Almost hiding his face behind it. ]
...I was. [ His words are quiet, slow, hesitant, almost as if it's difficult to say. Not because he wants to keep secrets from his brother, because he doesn't, far from it, but... because of the guilt that gnaws and pulls at him. Guilt because he'd always been there, in the shadows, been so close to his brother and yet never being able to speak with him, never able to let Clive see him or let him know he was there. The opportunity to reunite after being torn apart for so long close enough to grab, yet he never reached for it. Leaving his brother behind time and time because there was so much to be done before he could. ]
My travels would often bring me back to Rosaria, to Phoenix Gate, and through Eastpool in so doing... and I was here the day before the attack. [ A beat ] When you were at Phoenix Gate, I had... seen you there. [ He closes his eyes at the admission, tracing the leather of the reins with his thumb with a pause ]
But, though it saddens me to admit, I had not spoken to anyone--I could not, for it was of great importance that my identity remain secret. [ He steps back finally away from his chocobo and around towards his brother with a small smile, sheepish and guilt ridden. ] So, I fear a proper visit has long since been overdue.
[ Even if they're gone now, he can pay them respects as himself. As Joshua Rosfield. ]
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Still, he gives a smile, sad, but still warm hearing his brother speak of them, his shoulders dropping slightly as they relax a little. ] Full glad am I to hear it. I remember much of their kindness, their admiration of father... that they should have kept those memories close, and recognized you besides, I'm relieved, truly.
[ As they approach the bearer and Guardian at the entrance of town, Joshua returns a short, but practiced bow to both men, in a way that strikes the guardian in reminder of their father, as if his years of learning the proper etiquette to be archduke hadn't faded in the slightest. Then he follows Clive to the stables, dismounting from his chocobo to lead his steed into his pen.
But then he falls quiet for a long moment, settling his reins on the saddle, his other hand resting on the chocobo's feathers along it's neck. Almost hiding his face behind it. ]
...I was. [ His words are quiet, slow, hesitant, almost as if it's difficult to say. Not because he wants to keep secrets from his brother, because he doesn't, far from it, but... because of the guilt that gnaws and pulls at him. Guilt because he'd always been there, in the shadows, been so close to his brother and yet never being able to speak with him, never able to let Clive see him or let him know he was there. The opportunity to reunite after being torn apart for so long close enough to grab, yet he never reached for it. Leaving his brother behind time and time because there was so much to be done before he could. ]
My travels would often bring me back to Rosaria, to Phoenix Gate, and through Eastpool in so doing... and I was here the day before the attack. [ A beat ] When you were at Phoenix Gate, I had... seen you there. [ He closes his eyes at the admission, tracing the leather of the reins with his thumb with a pause ]
But, though it saddens me to admit, I had not spoken to anyone--I could not, for it was of great importance that my identity remain secret. [ He steps back finally away from his chocobo and around towards his brother with a small smile, sheepish and guilt ridden. ] So, I fear a proper visit has long since been overdue.
[ Even if they're gone now, he can pay them respects as himself. As Joshua Rosfield. ]