#the steppe

yesterday's outcast — today's heir, surrounded by accusers of patricide. i couldn't do that. i wouldn't forgive.

Khepri and Magnai had a rough start to their relationship in Stormblood. There was a lot of fighting and hurt before they found their peace and honesty. Brain decided it wanted to output this convo tonight, blaming the angry music playlist.

"You're leaving already? I thought we talked about this…"

"No, you demanded it! I'm the Warrior of Light Magnai, my time ceased to be my own many years ago. …And apparently I'm the only one powerful enough to take on that obsessive Garlean freak."

"You know he thrives on this, your time would be better spent here with your people. With me."

"Does that include time outside of the walls of this bedroom and the hidden corners of your throne room?"

"Khepri…what we do is not done in the daylight of Azim. It is not accepted among the Oronir, and I am their leader."

"Well it sure seems to be working with whatever you have going on with Daidukul. Azim above, even Zenos is happy to profess his feelings to me for everyone to hear, twisted as they may be!"

"What Daidukul and I have is a tradition of brotherhood, a pact of the leaders between the Oronir and the Buduga. It is different than what we have, is it not?"

"Of course it is! But can you even bring yourself to say the words I've said to you? Here, where no one else can hear, with just the two of us."

"Like I've said before, it is not so easily said for me. Khepri -"

"NO! I can't - I won't be what this place wants me to be. I left this behind -"

" - and me, you left ME!"

"I can't apologize for that enough Magnai, but that doesn't change the now. I have to go, before Zenos finds more people to hurt. We can talk about this when I get back."

"…"