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[sightreading]

I suppose that is true. He is rather forward with his opinions. Even so...he did say the situation was temporary.

[deathscore]

He's just worried. We managed to get ourselves caught up in quite the mess here...

[There's a rustle of fabric and a heavy sigh on Peony's end.]

We should have been more careful. I should have.

[sightreading]

...I assume the situation is one best kept confidential?

[deathscore]

It is. It's one that I don't plan to be involved in anymore, anyway.

[Even if the idea of sitting by bothers him to no end and Dinah punishing Kaname makes him want to strike out and side with Tinder, who he's rather fond of anyway -

But he can't do that. He has to go home.]

[sightreading]

I see. There is something I wanted to address to you and Jade.

[deathscore]

[That sounds a little worrisome. Peony stops trotting around the house while talking and settles onto the couch instead.]

...what is it?

[sightreading]

I've spoken with Arietta...and I've been considering becoming her pet. I'm not sure if it's a good idea however.

[deathscore]

[Peony quiets for a moment, finally speaking up with:]

Have you told her everything?

[sightreading]

I can't.

[deathscore]

Ion... if you're thinking about living with her, you have to. Don't you think it would be cruel to deceive her like that? You aren't your original - you aren't anyone but you, and you shouldn't pretend otherwise.

She's a good girl. I think she's lonely, and I don't think she'd mind the company even if you aren't her Ion.

[sightreading]

I know it's cruel. Just existing is cruel to her...but I can't tell her. I don't want her to hurt herself. That's why I was forbidden to be near her in the first place.

_{[Peony makes it sound so simple but it really isn't. He's been conditioned to act a certain way, to be a certain way, and while he is different from his original it's hard to break that way of thinking. It'll take some time.]}

[deathscore]

Don't say it like that. Your existence isn't cruel. Besides, you don't have to tell her everything since we're here in this world - she doesn't...

[Encouraging lies like this feels so wrong, especially when he's telling the Fon Master of all people to do it! But this lie is better than the one Ion is already telling.]

She doesn't need to know that the original Fon Master Ion died, only that replicas were made and you're one of them. Then she won't expect you to know everything that he would. Don't you think it's better that way?

[sightreading]

But she'll ask me where he went. Why he wasn't around her. Why I was the one acting in his place.

[deathscore]

Then you tell her that you don't know. Would you be expected to know? Look at Luke, they didn't tell him anything. This position is not your fault. It would be best if you could tell her the entire truth, but if you're genuinely concerned that she would injure herself then the lie of omission is kinder than pretending to be someone that you aren't.

[sightreading]

She won't accept such an answer - I would be expected to know. I've been pretending since I was created, Peony.

[deathscore]

[The distress in his voice is obvious, and even though Peony can't see his face he can picture it. He cringes, looking away from his reader like it will put some distance between himself and the situation.

But only for a moment.]

...all right. All right, I understand. In that case, not discussing it at all for now seems to be for the best.

[The emperor sighs heavily into the receiver.]

I wish that you could just stay here. There's someone out there with a grudge for me though, and I don't want... we shouldn't be connected legally like that. Staying with Arietta or not is your decision in the end, Ion. I just don't want to see you lose yourself in the process.

[sightreading]

I understand, Peony. It's like you said, it's my decision and mine alone to make.

[deathscore]

[That's right, it is. And if Ion decides it on his own, Peony will just have to accept it. At least he'd be asserting himself.]

Mmm. If that is what you decide, you're both welcome here whenever you like. I doubt Jade approves, but Arietta and I actually get along rather well. I don't mind her liger, either.

[sightreading]

I'm going to ask him for his opinion also, even though I think you're right.

[deathscore]

Ahhh, I doubt he'll like that... best of luck. You just call me if he gets unreasonable.

[sightreading]

I will.