tushanshu | 001 ✦ Video

[ It had taken Ender a few days before he even checked the network, and a few more days before he decided to place himself upon it. When the video starts, it's the face of just another child -- but one that's exhausted. From his serious demeanor and lack of a smile, he seems much older than he is in all actuality. ]

Earth -- I'm not talking about the sector -- does the name hold any significance to you? I've been wondering how many people here come from a place called Earth and just how many Earths haven't had to face the Bugger Wars. From what I've seen of the guests, many appear human overall and some even with the same technological advancements and understanding that are prominent in my world. If we're trapped in this place between life, dreaming and death, then I suppose it wouldn't be impossible to dream of the existence of alternate Earths.

[ Ender forces a smile, but that's just what it is. Forced. He's really in no mood to showcase good cheer. ]

If it isn't asking too much, even if you don't come from some variation of Earth, I'd like to know about your world. Subsequently, I can tell you anything you wish to know about mine. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has noticed that we're being kept in the dark by the natives here. What they know and what they're planning doesn't concern me as much as our lack of understanding about the universes that surround us. I feel the better we understand one another, the more trust we can put in each other and the better equipped we become as a whole to any crisis that may arise. Sometimes, in a war, the most crippling blow can be dealt not by the enemy but by lies and mistrust.

That's all. Thank you for your time.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I may have overcooked the yolk, then. [But he returns with the bread anyway before sitting down to his own plate.]

I was already doing it for myself. It's no big deal to do it for you too.

[ He accepts the bread and says nothing to Bean's comment. There's no way he can argue this. Bean was (is?) his soldier. Ender just doesn't want to put him out or make it seem as though Bean has to take care of him. ]

Cooked is cooked. I won't complain.

[ His piece is taken and he eats in silence, remaining silent for a long stretch until he finally has to open this topic. A topic he's tried so hard not to address. ]

Bean, what is the last thing that happened to you before you wound up here in this world?

[And finally Ender learns of the time displacement. Bean had been waiting for this to happen.]

I was with Graff, watching the League War play out. We hadn't left Eros yet. You had already woken up, though, so I think I'm from a bit ahead of you.

[ Well, it's not as bad as he thought. He doesn't have to explain anything, and Bean doesn't have to explain anything either. ]

So I at least got to see you again. And the others? It felt as though you guys were going to be kept from me forever.

As soon as we heard you were awake, there was no adult who could keep us away. [Bean remembers it well.]

[ That was his army. Ender's proud and touched. He manages to swallow that emotion back with a fork full of egg. ]

I couldn't ask for anyone better than you guys are.

We couldn't ask for a better commander. We're all glad we never had to. [Bean could have done the job, but the rest of the jeesh would have resented him for it. In the end, it always had to be Ender.]

[ Ender's expression is a little distant. The topic has to be touched and opened just so he can get closure. Just so he can finally retire from the position of 'commander.' ]

I don't know, Bean. We killed them. All of them. An entire race dead because of my orders. Innocent people used like pawns in the elaborate game the grownups made us play. I didn't plan to save the world or be a good commander. I was just so fed up and didn't want to play their games anymore.

[Bean stares at his eggs As he wonders what to say. He knew this conversation would come eventually, but he still isn't prepared for it.]

You did what you had to do. We all did. The Buggers wouldn't have stopped, wouldn't have surrendered. This was the only chance we had for peace.

Peace under whose terms? You and I definitely didn't get a say in whether we wanted to bring peace. And if anything...

[ He stops short, leaving it unspoken -- that neither of them would probably have peace ever again knowing what happened. ]

I know you're right, though. I do. But it still hurts.

[Bean doesn't know what to say. He knows how Ender ...familiarized himself with the Buggers. He knows how hard everything was for him. Instead of talking, he puts his plate down and goes to give Ender a hug.]

[ Ender isn't used to this. Getting to display affection and have affection given to him. He starts when Bean hugs him, but the tension leaves him when he realizes this is what he needs. The hand not holding onto his plate comes up to rest on Bean's arm. ]

I'm glad we're alive. And I'm glad we have this time now to be what I wish we could have been from the start.

[Bean is glad his decision to hug Ender was well received. He tries a smile.]

Just friends. No commanders, no soldiers.

[ The words make him smile so he repeats them. ]

Yeah. Just friends. No commanders, no soldiers.

We'll get there. Somehow.

I know we will. Who would have thought it would be on the back of a giant turtle, though?

[Bean smiles.] I suppose it's as likely a place as anywhere.

The unexplored level of the fantasy game.

[ He shrugs idly, finishing off his egg. ]

I'm meeting with someone shortly. Someone named Damian. He mentioned that you two know one another.

A game I never played. [Except the one time the teachers tricked him into it.]

Damian Wayne. A good ally. His father lives next door. He's been here since August.

[ Ally. Not a friend. Ender tries to keep the amusement to himself. Are they really so distrustful of everyone that it's so difficult for them to make friends? ]

So he's likely to have a great deal of information at his disposal. Is there anything else I should know about him before I go?

He's... a bit like me. [Wow, Bean being self-aware?] He's direct, to the point. But he's better around people. He volunteers helping Kedan children.

[ It's an amazing thing! ]

Then I'm not worried.

[ He rises to his feet and brings the plate to the sink. ]

I'll tell you what we discussed when I get back. Chances are, they will be things you already talked about.

We did talk at length when we first met.

He's going to teach me the Kedan language. Maybe he could teach you too.

With any luck. It would save you the time of having to teach me.

Yes, and it's better to learn with others, I think.

(no subject)

xenocide - 2013-06-23 14:33 (UTC) - Expand

justlittle - 2013-06-23 14:45 (UTC) - Expand