[Paul understands seeing ghosts in other people. It's something he does all the time, the sole example of his people who have made it to this world, the only Atreides and the only member of the Empire. There have been times that the ache to see anything familiar again has bled into his still-banked desire for revenge, so that he imagines even his enemies as touchstones. Anyone, anyone, who understands him, understands the world he came up in, who knows the stories and the lifeways he does.
But there is a limit of fairness to it, and in the face of Oscar's continued evasion and reminiscing something slender in Paul snaps under the shadows of Oscar's comparisons. His Omen rises by his side, larger now, the seams of her mouth fluttering in agitation.]
All you've done is tell me stories about you, and your life, and your enemies. You don't believe me when I tell you that I don't mean to do violence - and I understand that. Maybe you shouldn't. But lying to me about it?
[He pushes up to his feet, glaring down at the smaller boy as his Omen continues to swell, now nearly the same size he is.]
I don't care if you're afraid of me or not. There are other monsters you can taunt if you want to play this game.
no subject
[Paul understands seeing ghosts in other people. It's something he does all the time, the sole example of his people who have made it to this world, the only Atreides and the only member of the Empire. There have been times that the ache to see anything familiar again has bled into his still-banked desire for revenge, so that he imagines even his enemies as touchstones. Anyone, anyone, who understands him, understands the world he came up in, who knows the stories and the lifeways he does.
But there is a limit of fairness to it, and in the face of Oscar's continued evasion and reminiscing something slender in Paul snaps under the shadows of Oscar's comparisons. His Omen rises by his side, larger now, the seams of her mouth fluttering in agitation.]
All you've done is tell me stories about you, and your life, and your enemies. You don't believe me when I tell you that I don't mean to do violence - and I understand that. Maybe you shouldn't. But lying to me about it?
[He pushes up to his feet, glaring down at the smaller boy as his Omen continues to swell, now nearly the same size he is.]
I don't care if you're afraid of me or not. There are other monsters you can taunt if you want to play this game.
Leave.