tushanshu | [video]

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[video]

As some of you may have noticed, there was an incident in Kithika that resulted in numerous people being injured or killed.

Those responsible are making reparations. Visiting hours in the prison are 1300 to 1900, for anyone that wants to see Kal or Jor-El.

[His expression flicks down to paperwork on his desk, which he straightens out meticulously.]

I'm offering compensation for any injuries sustained. This was done in my service, so if you were hurt either fighting the Kryptonians or the other dangers in Kithika, speak with me.

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[Well, he really doesn't care that she got the form of address wrong, she's a child. The same one Costigan asked him to look after, so Evandau's expression stays neutral.]

You're asking me if you may ask a question?

[Really. Is that a thing small children do? He hasn't had nearly anything to do with one this young in almost a millennia.]

Speak.

[In her experience, when dealing with somebody who could potentially hold control over your fate, it was best to be as polite and courteous as possible.]

I would like to know what I have to do to stay. Here. In Keelai.

Always.

There is no guarantee such a thing is possible. Foreigners come and go all the time. Ironwood may have been able to anchor you here, but it's beyond my ability.

[A faint pause, and then,]</small. I'm sorry.

[Much as Midii tried to hide it, her face noticeably fell. The Emperor man did seem genuinely apologetic for not being able to help...but he had been her only possibility for reassurance.]

How did she do it, then?

Is there somebody else who could?

[He doesn't like admitting this, but,]

I don't know. I have no aptitude for magic, and it wasn't something she and I discussed. And to my knowledge, all the other magicians in this world are dead.

[Her brows furrowed for a moment, thinking deeply. She hesitated to contradict someone of his status, however...]

But that's not true.

There are other people who can do magic here. I've seen it.

[He holds up a hand.]

All magicians of this world. Knowing magic on its own isn't enough.

Are you sure?

The world's pretty big. If it's anything like the Earth I come from. Maybe there's still somebody out there, and you just don't know about them yet.

There were never very many to begin with, and most of them were killed in the First War.

[... there's not really a nicer way to say that to a child, so he doesn't even try.]

[Child or no, Midii hardly blinked at the statement. She hated War, and she hated Death, but only because she had seen so much of both that it barely fazed her anymore.]

Is that what the War was about? Killing all the people who could do magic?

It's one of the things it was about, yes.

What other reasons were there?

[It's not a topic he likes to discuss at all, much less with children, so his tone is very terse when he replies,]

Land, resources, politics. All of them came into play at least once before the end.

[There were times when Midii couldn't help her cuioristy. Nor could she hide the look of disappointment on her face when Evandau gave his answer. Things that were so...ordinary. No different from her world. Had it been for something utterly life-changing...something that could potentially change everything...maybe it would make all the fighting and loss and destruction worth it. But for money? Power?]

[It made everything seem pointless.]

Except it didn't end, or else we all wouldn't have been brought here.

[He presses his lips together.]

Perhaps.

[It was easy to see the wheels in her head turning. Theories forming. The overactive imagination of a preteen, maybe, but not without some evidence behind it. Thanks to Evandau's own words.]

Do you think...it'll ever stop? That we'll ever be able to live in peace?

I don't believe there's any such thing.

[He's a child of too many wars to count, himself.]

No. Probably not.

[She would be more disappointed if it hadn't been partially expected.]

I guess...I should stop taking up your time.

Thank you for speaking to me.

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