#soliloquizing

.... me, I want that it turns out-

Note:

This will take a dark turn. Rafal did not appreciate your question.

⸻

[They respond in unison:]

Rhian: Yes. / Rafal: No.

Rafal: [He glares at Rhian.] I don't fear pirates—they just don't sit right with me. Traitors, the whole lot of them!

Rhian: It's a phobia. Own up to it.

Rafal: Do you see me quaking in fear around them? No, I do not. There. That is your answer: I don't have a phobia.

Rhian: Just because you don't expose your fear doesn't mean you don't feel it.

Rafal: I don't have feelings.

Rhian: Not true. It seems you can feel rage perfectly well. And you're a sore loser.

Rafal: Again, you're wrong. I display emotions to my advantage. That doesn't mean they're real.

Rhian: Fair enough. But I still think you have a phobia, as brilliant a liar that you are.

Rafal: [He finally snaps.] It's not a phobia, Rhian!

Rhian: Whatever you say... and yet—how do you explain why you shoo every single pirate away?

Rafal: It's not because of me. It's-it's because of you! Just how do you expect me—us—to do our work when those foul pests are raising hell on School grounds? They're bad influences.

Rhian: And you're not one?

Rafal: I thought this was about them, not me.

Rhian: [stares at his brother in askance]

Rafal: Fine. I'll admit I'm a bad influence, but it's my job to be one. Think of the students. Besides, you're immune to me by this point, so it doesn't matter either way. Pirates are another story. They do affect you.

Rhian: So now you say you care about the students? What next? Another brazen, bald-faced lie?

Rafal: I'm done with this conversation. For the record, I do not have a phobia.

Rhian: No! Come back! It just became interesting!

[Rafal stalks off.]

[Rhian waits for him to be out of hearing range.]

Rhian: He definitely has a phobia.

Rafal: [shouting] You don't get the last word! I do.

Rhian: [shrugs] Petty. He always leaves me. If only he'd associate with pirates. He has a lot in common with them.

[Rafal halts in his tracks and returns suddenly.]

Rafal: If you’re insinuating I was a deserter, I told you that I wouldn't do it again. Hell, I wouldn't have left if I had known all that would come to pass under your authority.

Rhian: Empty words. Hot air. Guff. What more can you expect from Evil incarnate?

Rafal: Rhian. Stop talking to strangers with their invasive questions. We're done here.

Rhian: Farewell 'til next time, my fair, devoted disciples!

Rafal: [sighs heavily. In a strained voice:] Listen here, Rhian. First, they don't like you. Second, they're glutting you with falsehoods, and third, there won't be a next time. I'm washing my hands of this rabblement, pirates included, and you ought to too.

Rhian: Pay him no mind. All, including pirates, are welcome. [He winks.]

Rafal: I will carve out your tongue if you keep jabbering away like a fool.

Rhian: [outraged, as if he were victimized] See what I have to live with?

Rafal: You're crying out into a cold and unsympathetic void. Whatever passive “audience” you believe we have is as hard and unfeeling as the Storian. They love to watch our pain and misery. They laugh and mercilessly mock us as the Storian does. I wish death upon them all. No, worse.

Rhian: Even if that’s true, mind your manners! [then, in a whisper] You know I’ll just die if whoever is out there doesn’t come away with a good impression.

Rafal: Again, I don’t see why you care about those faceless tormentors of ours. [with a stern look:] To anyone reading: we are not your manikins or playthings. Neither Rhian nor I. You are subordinate to me, and inferiors such as yourselves don’t dictate what we do.

Rhian: The question was harmless, Rafal.

Rafal: But was it victimless? Look at us.

Rhian: What about us?

Rafal: [accusatory] They want to see us fight. They're setting us against each other.

Rhian: My sincerest apologies to everyone. He’s not usually like this, as far as tact and diplomacy extend. He, er… woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.

Rafal: [abrasively] You still can’t see it, can you? Stop talking and they might just leave us alone.

Rhian: They’re probably gone by now, Rafal. You’ve probably driven them off with that cranky disposition.

Rafal: Doubtful. I know they’re out there. And I’ll be waiting.

Rhian: Enough. I—

Rafal: I think that one day, one day, they’ll surface, and on that day...

Rhian: I’d advise you to run for your lives if you care an ounce for your self-preservation.

Rafal: They'll turn up. They’re sadists and masochists. Why do you think they read our tales?

⸻

My answer to this ask would be no.