Follow-up to this
---
Guthred likes to think he's a pretty astute man. After all, one does not accomplish the things he's done without some shrewdness and cunning. And that quality has carried over even into death and the Night Kingdom.
That is why he's immediately on guard when he sees the figure, warnings setting off in his head. The man turns to look at him and Guthred instinctively manifests his standard into his hand.
"Is this how you greet your commander, Doctor? By turning your weapon against him?" The thing watches him, shallow gaze ill-fitting on a stolen face.
Guthred sneers. "You are no commander of mine. How dare you take his form. Reveal your true self at once."
The thing is entirely unfazed. "I am who I am, Doctor. I do not condone trickery. You know this."
Guthred tightens his grip on his polearm. "Stop evading. It suits neither you nor him."
The man harrumphs at him. "Hmph. Very well. You are correct. I am not your commander. I am the story of him. Thrain, Sentinel Knight, hero of Natlan."
Guthred squints suspiciously at the spirit before banishing his weapon from his hand. He snorts and rolls his eyes. "This place and its stories, seriously. Your information is hundreds of years out of date. He doesn't go by that name anymore."
"Thrain's" face arranges itself into something resembling confusion. "Then, what does he go by now?"
"Capitano." Guthred crosses his arms and rests his incorporeal weight on one leg.
The story repeats the name to himself silently. His eyes are opaque to Guthred and it unsettles him. Guthred's always prided himself on being able to read his commander like a book but here the pages are blank.
The recreation of a Thrain that doesn't exist anymore stands there with his picture-perfect posture, looking like some child's toy soldier come to life. His gaze does not waver. The weight of his eyes, so different from the real commander's, makes the back of Guthred's neck prickle and crawl.
"You are unsatisfied with me. Why?" "Thrain" says, seemingly confused and somewhat put out.
Guthred lets out an unseemly snort. "To put it lightly." He casts a judgmental look at the man in front of him. "I look at you and see an incomplete image. You are missing many of the qualities that make my commander who he is. Perhaps if I weren't so familiar with him, you'd be able to fool me. But unfortunately for you, I know my commander very well."
The personified story ponders his words for a moment. "I am a manifestation of Thrain's heroism and nobility, his chivalry. Are these not exemplary qualities befitting a man of his station? Yet you still find me lacking."
Guthred lets out a breath, rubbing at his forehead. "By 'qualities', what I really mean is 'flaws'. If that was all Thrain was, I would never have looked at him twice. Sure, he has lofty ideals, but what really makes him Thrain is his stubbornness and his refusal to stray from his morals, even if they cause trouble."
The man's brows furrow faintly. "I do not understand."
Guthred shakes his head. "People always had this larger than life impression of him. He may be a hero, but he's also human. He always tried to get out of reading reports. He had a habit of stealing coffee, and he's much too soft. Seriously, how can a man of his stature be so sentimental?"
"Thrain" stares at him silently.
"The point is," Guthred clears his throat. "You're really only representing one side of him. In fact, you can almost say you're a completely separate entity."
The personified story nods slowly. "I see."
Guthred casts another critical look at the man. "Well, I suppose you didn't ask to become this way. I wouldn't let anyone tell me how to be, and you should do the same. It makes everything much easier. Or maybe you should just pretend we never met, or that this conversation never happened."
"Thrain" blinks as Guthred makes to turn away. "You're leaving?"
Guthred grunts in the affirmative. "It's about time I get back." With that, he walks off.
---
"You have returned." A smile curls around those words, affectionate and teasing. "Hopefully you didn't upset the capybara again?"
Guthred splutters before scowling up at his commander. "That was one time! And I didn't even go that way!"
Thrain's eyes crinkle with amusement, endlessly warm and soft. "I'm glad. You had a good walk then?"
Guthred looks his commander over, catalogues the faint curl of his lips, the mirth dancing in his eyes, the relaxed angle of his eyebrows. Little things that made Thrain Thrain. "Well," he says, "I did have an odd encounter."
Concern washes over Thrain's features faster than Guthred can say Night Kingdom. "What happened? Do you need me to do anything?" His commander looks like he's one wrong word away from using his new Lord of the Night powers on Guthred's behalf.
Guthred waves the concern away. "No need. Well, unless you think it's warranted. I doubt he'll be a problem."
"He?" Thrain's voice hardens.
Guthred rests his hands on his hips. "Your fictional self. He kind of reminded me of you when we first met."
Thrain frowns faintly before understanding visibly dawns on him. "Hmph. Another one? Somehow, I didn't think there would be one for me."
Guthred rolls his eyes. "I suppose we should've expected it. If there's one of me, there must be one of you. We both know Natlan loves a good story. Enough to bring them into being. Absolutely ridiculous, if you ask me."
His commander hums pensively. "You are right. I doubt my... fictional counterpart will cause any issues. But as a precautionary measure, I'll keep an eye out for any disturbances in the Night Kingdom."
Guthred obligingly steps into the outstretched arms that beckon for him. "You didn't seem that concerned with my counterpart."
Thrain grunts. "Different circumstances. Was there anything else about the encounter?"
Guthred shrugs as best he could within the circle of Thrain's sturdy arms. "No. He mostly seemed confused. I gave him some advice."
Thrain snorts. "Is that what we're calling it now? How generous of you."
Guthred sniffs, warm in Thrain's embrace. "Someone needs to steer him in the right direction. But if he really is like you, then I suppose it was a wasted effort."
Thrain's lips twitch as he pulls him in even closer. "And yet you keep trying anyway. You spoil me with your attentiveness, Doctor."
Guthred tangles his hands in the fabric of Thrain's clothes. "Somebody's got to keep you in line. If not me, then who?"
