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[Voice]

[Vague apology is going to be vague, but that's how Kain does these things. He'll leave it public partially as an act of penance, partially because he's still readjusting to these devices and their filters. He isn't even sure that all of these people are here- he's been gone from Gaia for only a couple weeks, but to him it feels much, much longer. ~~Don't worry Zidane, when he realizes you're not here, he'll bother you when you arrive.~~]

Cecil. Squall. Onion Knight. Bartz. Firion. Zidane. I apologize to all of you, especially.

I should also extend that apology to the other warriors of Cosmos as well.

I'm... sorry.

[He's still recovering, but he can't finish this without offering:]

...and if anyone has need for another fighter, I can be there at once.

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You don't owe us anything for that. We weren't about to let her waste away if there was any chance you would return.

Still... It means a lot to me. Without Zephyr, I...

[He doesn't want to think about it. That bond goes in both directions after all.]

...I'm glad that you did all you could. She lived because of your efforts.

Yeah, I know. She may not be my dragon, but it doesn't mean I don't care about her.

[The dragoons and wyverns in his own world hadn't experienced that much, as he knew about it- it wasn't often that they didn't die together, especially with what the Empire did to Deist.]

[Kain thought so, considering the Highwinds' dragoon-ness, but he's glad just to hear that. He keeps moving along, pace even quickening a little bit the closer they get to the way leading up to the roof, where Zephyr is resting.]

That means more to me than I could ever express. Zephyr has become... family to me...

[He isn't going to let Kain speed up too much, but for now he helps him along a bit more quickly.]

I can tell. Guess that means I should consider her family too, then.

I'm honored that you've accepted her as well. It means a great deal to me, father.

[Kain definitely needs to accept that help to move along at the moment, especially for the stairs leading up to the roof. But once they're up there, his whole mood shifts to a much calmer mindset, as he sees Zephyr lounging in the sun.]

Zephyr...

[He only says her name quietly and already her head perks up. There's a happy snort of greeting.]

Dragoons and dragons always work well together, anyway.

[Already, that's more than she's done in a while. Ricard helps Kain over to her, then steps back, observing the two of them but not getting involved or interfering.]

Of course. So between you and Reis... you both did much to help her.

[Once he's next to Zephyr, Kain looks her over closely, much like a worried parent.]

You seem better than last time. I'm glad.

[He strokes her scales gently, knowing all the spots she likes to be rubbed and petted. There's an affection in his actions that he can't seem to show around people.]

She's still pretty young. She should recover quickly.

[He's not upset that Kain's showing that affection to Zephyr. Quite the opposite, really. Besides, it would be a little awkward between them if Kain started showing that kind of affection for a person while he was around.]

[...This is true. And it's not awkward at all while he's lavishing love and affection on Zephyr... she's a dragon, after all.]

I hope so. I know that she has before. This isn't the first time it's happened, unfortunately... but... I hope it's the last.

This isn't the first time you've disappeared?

[Kain can't quite look at his father when he thinks about that time and what he'd done, so he keeps his gaze on Zephyr.]

Last time wasn't exactly a 'disappearance'...

Then what was it?

Reis helped Zephyr back then too. Which is why I owe her so much.

[He keeps petting Zephyr, getting strength from her presence.]

It's difficult to explain, but... I died.

You died?

Dammit, Kain-

[He isn't even sure what he wants to say, so he cuts himself off with a frustrated sigh.]

[Twice here in Gaia, three times counting the manikin battle... but Kain won't add that in. He's probably due a lecture, he figures.]

I know that I failed... more than you might realize. But I was revived and returned to Zephyr after a matter of weeks.

What the hell was going on, that you ended up dying?

[He's probably a bit closer to yelling than he ought to be, but this is one of the things he isn't about to take completely calmly.]

[Kain doesn't outwardly show how mopey he feels about getting his father near-yelling like that. He keeps his expression level and hard to read, and keeps petting Zephyr.]

...This time, it was... [Sigh, he has no idea where to even begin.] It was necessary. I had been possessed by a foul demonic force. The only means to kill it was to kill us both. It had to be done.

[Ricard will definitely be heading out to kill some monsters later.]

How do you manage to keep getting yourself into so much trouble?

I never intend to.

[Now he bows his head in emo-ness.]

...you're disappointed in me.

[EMONESS IS NOT ALLOWED.]

Not in you. [He folds his arms across his chest.] What, did you think I'd be pleased to hear that you'd died?

[BROOD BROOD BROOD.]

...No. That's why I didn't want to tell you about it happening. I knew you would be disappointed that I'd failed so terribly.

[All that angst is going to get you punched, Kain.]

I would have fount out eventually anyway! I, of all people, should know about doing what needs to be done!

I didn't want you to be somewhere where something like that would happen. This isn't what I wanted for you.

[That's a plan, smack it out of him. Because he's still angsting.]

...I'm sorry, father. I should have been stronger.

[And that he does. It's not that hard, since Kain's still recovering, but it's a firm blow.]

Then get stronger! Don't just keep apologizing for it!

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