TheStarsAreRight:RebeccaNote2
REDLAND
"Hello. I had something really important I wanted to ask you about bonds...
Do you know what increasing the money supply would do to the price of bonds?....
Sorry, just kidding. I was wondering if you wanted to talk at all about that bond thing you share with Auda? I had completely misunderstood the relationship between you two. I'm glad, because I always thought he was too old and... er... frankly, too big of a jerk, but I figured it was none of my business...
But I digress. I know the bond you share is also probably none of my business, but I figured if you wanted to get the opinions of a third party, I could listen and give you advice if you wanted it or not give you advice if you just wanted to talk it out or vent or, er, whatever."
Redland's voice trails off lamely.
REBECCA/REDLAND
She looks up from some papers at your first question, perplexed for a moment. Then gives you an amused smile as the joke registers.
"I don't mind discussing it . . . especially with you." She lapses into silence for a few moments, obviously turning thoughts over in her mind.
{A strange expression briefly crosses Redland's face, but what it means, if anything, is unclear.}
"Auda . . is . .. just . . " a little shrug. "Well . . . Auda. I don't want to apologize for him - but he's had some bad experiences. That doesn't make what he does alright - but I recognize why he acts the way he does."
{Redland stirs slightly, as though to speak, but then, silently, subsides.}
She settles back against the chair a little more, pushing the papers aside. "And you know - it's complicated. Not just the bond part, but the Auda and me part. And now . . . " for a moment she gazes off beyond you, seeing something beyond your vision here in this room. "and now . . . this other complication." this last said very softly.
{Redland, not being the most observant fellow in the world, in regards to certain things, has no idea what the 'other complication' is. Given his perception Rebecca's body language on this issue, he decides it is best not to press on this issue.}
Her attention returns to you, open and frank. "Jack - I have no idea why it's so easy for me to talk to you. But it is, and I'm grateful that you don't mind too much." flicker of a smile.
{Redland's expression is once again unreadable as Rebecca speaks.}
"How much did you understand about what we were talking about earlier . .. about the bond, I mean? How much context do you have already?"
"Hmmm. Well, like most things lately, my understanding is somewhat vague, and unfortunately, probably erroneous." {Changing to a somewhat pedantic tone} "However, it seems that you and Auda share a psychic bond related to his role as 'King.' Of late, you've been finding the bond oppressive, insofar as the bond is pervasive and causes the two of you to share experiences, presumably relating in particular to emotion. That is, if he experiences pain, you experience pain.
"Thus, it is both potentially uncomfortable as well as being a massive invasion of privacy. You and Auda have drifted apart in some fashion and this has accentuated the discomfort of the bond. He requires this bond (for some reason) to maintain his tenuous grip on sanity. However, you were presumably not the 'correct' candidate for the bond, and as such, it is not serving him as well as it ought (or once was). Furthermore, since you were not the correct candidate, the strain on you is also greater than would be expected."
{His tone changes and becomes less confident}
"You personally would like to break the bond, but you feel honor-bound to maintain for the sake of Auda, the cause, or the world. However, since you are not the 'correct' person, you feel there may be an 'out' for you. Doing what you want and breaking the bond would actually be good for Auda, since he would then be free to find the appropriate 'Consort'... you're not sure if that's just rationalization on your part, though. Further complicating matters, is the fact that breaking the bond may result in death for either or both of you or insanity."
{His voice becomes apologetic}
"I'm sorry, I don't mean to ascribe motives or thoughts to you. I guess, um, that was just my read on the situation... but I could easily be mistaken."
{As is frequently the case, Redland trails off}
REBECCA
(Funny - Rebecca is pretty oblivious to obvious things as well!)
While you speak, she listens intently, watching your face, and taking note with a flicker of her gaze downwards of any small gestures that you make with your hands.
For a few moments, it is hard to gauge her reaction to the words. Then she draws in a deep breath, and nods slowly.
"Yes . . . that's pretty much it . . . mostly." Her voice is oddly quiet and thoughtful. Then another deep breath to settle in and figure out what and how to say next.
"The Bond . . . and technically it's called a ' Balance ' -- a Bond is different . . isn't opressive. Not, I think in the way you think." She turns her head a little like a curious terrier to regard you. "And we both knew going in what it entailed - the . . . sharing part. In fact if you talk to others about Balances . . . like Carl or Theo . . . they'll tell you that there's a lot of joy - a lot of good things about the sharing. "
She pauses to let this all sink in. "The rest of it - you've got pretty much correct. Some of the details you don't know - but yes . . . it's just about all as you say. " You hear both mild surprise and appreciation in her tone.
"We made this Balance to save Auda, and to keep him stable, because the other person who should have done it had been corrupted by the Outside Ones." There is obviously some deeper story here that she is glossing over.
"In any case the Balance isn't a strain on me - not a hardship because of the sharing, But it's important to be able to keep the Outsiders out, and that the Kings be strong and capable. And Auda can't grow entirely into being a King without the proper person with him."
She looks at you intently, letting silence fall between the two of you. "As a soldier Jack, I'm willing to do what ever I need to. Whatever Carl or maybe even Theo asks me to do. I do want out . . . but I also need to do what's right. And I'm not afraid of dieing, or even insanity - if it strengthens the Kings, and gives us a better chance of winning."
She says this last intently, calmly - and you realize that she is entirely committed to the words she's speaking.
REDLAND
"I..."
{He pauses for a moment and then pushes on}
"I think you are important. And I worry... I worry that you don't think so. I guess... I sometimes think that no one is looking out for your best interests... including yourself... I..."
{He looks like he wants to say more, but pauses and when he continues, it is on a somewhat different tack. As is often the case (when not talking about academic-type matters), he sounds somewhat apologetic and filled with self-doubt}
"I wonder, and, I mean, I don't mean to... that is, if you don't mind my asking, what is it you want for you."
{Again, it appears as if if he wants to say more (or perhaps just speak more articulately), but it is clear he is nervous with what he has already said. He stops speaking, almost abruptly.}
