[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]

... You will never be the only one. You will have your connections, your people. [he leaves something unspoken, but he shakes his head]

I do not think you will break any beds.

[mind_over_metal]

What about you?

[goddamnemperor]

That is a story saved for another time. Now, we must introduce your story. What else would you like to know?

[mind_over_metal]

*tucking his legs underneath himself and resting his chin on his hands, not taking his eyes from Leto's face*

So do you get dreams that tell you the future? Or do you see the future all of the time? Do you know what I'm going to say next?

[goddamnemperor]

I can do both. As for the latter, I do know what you might say, but there are a variety of answers you might use.

[mind_over_metal]

*nods*

So what else can you do? You made it... quieter.

[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.