You don't need to tell him why. Just...I don't think he'd seek out company on his own if he were lonely, so it might make it easier for him if we were to ask him to keep us company. You understand?
He is a perceptive man, and I am poorly suited to deception. [Which is to say he can, but there is a chance he might be easily seen through.] But I understand. You may rest easy, he'll not be alone. And he will not suffer.
Fortune is his, to have such a friend as you looking out for him.
[There’s a gruffer exhale from across the crystal; he won’t disrespect her sentiment by arguing against it, but he lacks the ability to accept it with grace.
Not at all. [The name was familiar, his place at Jim Holden's side equally so, yet— ] I cannot claim to be the most social of Riftwatch's own recruited resources; perhaps I ought to have made a greater effort before the opportunity was lost.
Now I shall have to know the man only through what is spoken of him.
...though I am certain Holden will have much to say.
I died ages ago, in the span of my own world’s history. Where I have dwelled since might be equated to the Fade. The transient gap between worlds, undefined.
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[A beat before he adds, a note more quietly:]
Provided there is nothing illicit involved.
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[ a thoughtful pause. ]
You know Holden, don't you? Jim Holden?
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Is he in peril? Has something happened?
[Has he at last pushed himself too far?]
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[ So, not immediate peril. ]
And I wondered if you could...
[ A pause, while Derrica tries to refine the request into something actionable. ]
Spend some time with him?
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I shall indeed go to his side, yet I fear he may choose to shun companionship if...
[If the man Gabranth suspects Jim Holden had cared deeply for no longer remains.]
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Fortune is his, to have such a friend as you looking out for him.
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[ Some minor, flustered feelings about any recognition of her own efforts. Surely this is not praiseworthy, is it? ]
He's lucky to have you too, you know.
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Instead, he presses on:]
Did you know him? Amos?
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Now I shall have to know the man only through what is spoken of him.
...though I am certain Holden will have much to say.
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[ Less because of Amos in particular, more because Derrica thinks it would be a good sign overall. ]
Are there people you miss from home, Gabranth?
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I died ages ago, in the span of my own world’s history. Where I have dwelled since might be equated to the Fade. The transient gap between worlds, undefined.
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[ agonized pause of indecision. ]
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...
[ Pry? Well. ]
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But there is no one for me to speak of.
[A lie and a truth, all at once.]
You and yours are all that I seek to safeguard, now. To the last of your lives. And mine.
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You're a good man, Gabranth. We're lucky to have you fighting this war with us.
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[Humility, thy name is Noah fon Ronsenburg.]
I shall report back to you, once I've spoken with him.
[He says, as though this is a given mission.]
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[ on your friendship mission ]