[Monday night]

[mind_over_metal]

[It's a dark October night in camp. All is quiet in the Cabin McAvoy.





Until a child starts screaming.]

Comments

[goddamnemperor]

My mind is well-disciplined. Controlled. If you can focus on my mind, my quiet will comfort you, envelope you. There is no noise as long as I am there.

[mind_over_metal]

I've never felt anything like it.

[stay with me just for now please just tonight]

[goddamnemperor]

[he nods, letting charles know he understood]

It is... rare. Very few minds are as trained as mine. Even then, I knew the weight of loneliness. You will not feel that way for long. You will have a companion who will share in you.

[mind_over_metal]

Has that already happened when I'm older or is it just something that you're predicting?

[goddamnemperor]

It will happen soon enough. Not when you're older, but soon.

[mind_over_metal]

...you're very kind. To do all this for me.

[goddamnemperor]

[there's a flicker of a memory, a young girl with blonde hair presses a kiss to his ear, whispering, "You're too kind, Leto. We are Fremen. It is not our way."]

You needed it. And... I wanted to.

[mind_over_metal]

*slides off the bed so that he's sitting with Leto on the floor, rather than looking down at him*

You won't have to worry about me for long, though. It was just because it was so sudden, and such a huge crowd. I pick up things very quickly, I'll start right away on being able to handle this on my own.

[goddamnemperor]

I have no doubt of your adaptability, young wali. Nevertheless, I will keep a watchful eye.

[mind_over_metal]

We're normally friends, aren't we.

[goddamnemperor]

We are friends.

[mind_over_metal]

And now I can get to know you all over again.

*still keeping himself anchored with Leto's mind, but widening his focus slightly, ever so slightly, just to feel the pulsing presence of all of those minds around them*

This is going to be fun.

[goddamnemperor]

[laughs]

Just do it with stealth. Other people do not appreciate their minds being read. It makes them lose face.

[mind_over_metal]

Oh, I know.

[goddamnemperor]

Yes, I imagine you do.

[mind_over_metal]

So you live in here, too?

[goddamnemperor]

This is our cabin. We share it.

[mind_over_metal]

You don't sleep on the floor, do you?

[goddamnemperor]

Oh, no. My mattress lays on the floor. I am used to it.

[mind_over_metal]

*totally staring to try and figure out what makes Leto unable to use furniture*

[goddamnemperor]

[he takes charles' hand and guides it to his face, touching the wormskin.]

Here, young wali.

[mind_over_metal]

*freezes at the touch, just letting Leto move him, his discomfort at the physical contact contrasting with the openness of his questioning*

What is it?

[goddamnemperor]

Worm-skin.

[mind_over_metal]

Worms don't have skin like that.

[goddamnemperor]

Not on your world, young wali. Our worms are higher than any building you have ever seen.