@valiantarcher suggested Rinnyx and Cypren, and I went right to this "missing scene" - something I considered writing, but other scenes ended up serving the purpose. Currently non-canon, technically, but like, it could be canon. And then I decided to write it from Cypren's perspective just to get a different look at Rinnyx.
***
The Emperor’s translator found me on the day before the imperial party was set to depart, not long after the coronation. I had been avoiding any engagements but those I was absolutely meant to attend, my purpose here being done, and at those of course he was always working, no chance to speak to me - certainly not without the Emperor himself hovering over our shoulders. Not that he would have understood us, but it would have put a damper on the conversation all the same.
It would have reminded me too forcefully that Rinnyx Glade was a close and personal friend of Emperor Seyetto, which would have made me a little less inclined to be open to friendship with him myself. When the Emperor was not right there, it was easier not to hold it against him. The Emperor was still a man, if that was far removed from all that he was to me, and a man must have friends, and those friends may well be reasonable and good-hearted people - Rinnyx certainly seemed to be. There was no reason he ought not be friends with a young man who had been his schoolmate. And for his part, he seemed not to hold my having been on the opposite side of war from his homeland and his friend against me, so I felt I did owe him the same courtesy. All the same, I did not particularly want to think about Emperor Seyetto’s personal life and friendships.
So I was glad that Rinnyx had found the place in the city I was staying and come to call in his time off - which must be very minimal, the Emperor did not seem to use any secondary translators that I had observed. I might have wondered how I had earned such distinction, but a few conversations with Rinnyx had painted a picture of a man who cared little for rank, and my status as a political pariah meant nothing to him.
A bit ironic, that.
“I’ve heard you’ll be going to Leska,” he said, casually, after we had exchanged our greetings and made some polite small talk over tea. He had a gentleman’s manners, if not a gentleman’s birth. And he had probably known that I was going to Leska before I did.
I sighed. “Yes, off where I can’t cause any trouble. I assume that was the reasoning. Well, it would be a lie to say I’m looking forward to it, but perhaps I can count myself lucky I’m not losing my head for treason.”
Rinnyx looked uncomfortable at that. Perhaps he disliked thinking of Seyetto the Emperor as much as I disliked thinking of Seyetto the man. Not that I particularly liked thinking of Seyetto the Emperor, either, but I had built something of an identity around opposing him. It was easier to oppose an idea than a man.
“Well, that was threatened,” I said mildly, as though the thought created no terror in me at all. Many think me fearless, for how boldly I take my stand, but let me assure you I do fear losing my head. “Not in so many words, I’ll grant, but it is the punishment for treason, which I have been informed speaking of Illis as king would be considered.”
“It is not as though you were forming a conspiracy against the Emperor or anything,” Rinnyx said. I had considered it, of course, but it seemed to me likely to accomplish little more than killing off the loyalists that were left. I was unlikely to retain much influence anywhere, but the rest would still be there as a counterweight.
Or so I liked to tell myself. I didn’t really know what could be accomplished at this point.
“And you do not think your Emperor would kill me for a few words, only an active threat? I tend to think he’d be as good as his word. Thankfully, I have refrained from committing any further treason.” Any that could be proven, at least. Long live the king could easily mean the pretender the Emperor had placed on the throne. Rinnyx must have suspected I did not mean any such thing, but fortunately he too did not wish for me to lose my head.
Rinnyx did not answer my question. “Being an ambassador doesn’t sound so bad.”
“Oh, maybe not. I would rather not be kept away from home for so long, but maybe it’s for the best.” Maybe I would find myself committing treason, if I stayed.
“How long is your term there?”
“Seven years. With the possibility for renewal.”
He looked down at his tea. “I like traveling well enough, but I’d want to be home again by then, too.”
I shrugged. “I suppose I’ll make the best of it.”
“Do you suppose I could keep in touch?”
“Could you?” I asked in return. “I have no opposition, but will the Emperor?”
“He doesn’t read my mail, if that’s what you’re asking.”
I gathered this to mean that Rinnyx had no intention of mentioning our correspondence to his friend, which was as I would prefer. “Then I would welcome your letters. I’ll need some word from the outside world, isolated up there in those mountains.” Cynically, I also thought it could hardly be to my detriment to cultivate a friendship with someone so well connected, at the heart of imperial power. To think I’d fallen so far that a translator was a connection to reach up to for me. But to tell the truth, I’d have welcomed a letter from Rinnyx without all that. It was nice that there was someone to whom I was not just the blue lord, but a person.
If he could do that for the Emperor, he could surely do that for me.
Hello, dear! You've been visited by the random character question fairy! :D ~☆
Even if it means drastically changing where they are now, would they travel back in time and change what they regret?
Thank you again!
Seyetto would probably see time travel as something not for man to interfere in. But then, he isn't like most men, so he'd still be tempted. And he knows it sure would change a lot, because what he'd want to change is he'd want to save his parents. If he could fly down there on Dragon, he could stop it, maybe he could even catch Leantin in the act, or connect him to it at least. The war might still happen but surely it would turn out even better. They could still create the empire - together! And rule it as father and son. So maybe he'd go through with it. But then, this isn't really a personal regret - he wasn't there, he had no chance to do anything. (At a certain point he would want to prevent his friendship with Rinnyx. But even then he'd be conflicted.)
Rinnyx would absolutely travel back in time and punch himself in the face give himself a stern talking to.
Oh, this hasn't been too drawn out, I'll answer for a couple more.
Cypren would use time travel to try to... help Idana win the war? Prevent the war? Hard to say what the one thing that would change things is, but at this point time travel is about the only option, so why not?
Aderin would think time travel is as likely to make things worse as make them any better and stay far, far away.
Thank you thank you for the ask anon! I couldn't decide at first, but I've got another ask now calling several people out so I'll go with Cypren, as he's not currently on my OC page and deserves some love.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? (on vacation or permanently!)
Permanently, well, I'd not choose anywhere over my own home province in Idana - not that I would never want to leave it, either, but it's home, and my responsibility as well. Less so now, of course... To visit? I'd like to see Pelasia, spend some time in its capital. It's good to know about the people who are in charge of you. But for fun, anywhere along the ocean - and I mean the real one, not that disgusting cold northern ocean.
What’s the best way to cheer you up?
Offer me a drink? (He looks at the drink he is holding, remembering it is not in fact cheering him up.) Oh, I don't know. Good conversation can help for a time. A walk by the shore. Give Idana her independence back? Bring Illis home? Kill the Emperor? I'm not sure that would solve anything. But it might be funny. (He takes a drink.) Oh, I don't really want him dead, I suppose. But kill his dragon.
Hoy no había mucha energía ⚡ y ayer me doble el tobillo 😡. ➡️ Pero se logro terminar lo de hoy. Disfruten el ☀ que va durar poco @cyprentechnology @suplementosacross @gabimagnanorunningteam #cbarun #cypren #across #running #run #instagood #instarunners #cordobaargentina #garmin #cordoba #correr #entrenar https://www.instagram.com/p/CDfGVtIAJsj/?igshid=1ts67m8uyp4q5
