Anakin listens to all of this, trying his best to process all of this new information. From the way this man has been told, he has not been dead for that long. Which fits the time frame that he personally remembers. The fact that they're trying to restore him to his full health seems rather generous...and unusually charitable. To be honest...he does feel a bit better than he had before that fateful day before. "I am...grateful for what your companion has done regarding my health. Convey to him my gratitude."
But then there's this...competition that he's talking about. And the name of his...group? Race? They seem to think that they're above most creatures, at least in terms of mortality. He can't help but wonder just how long-lived these beings are to consider themselves 'immortals'. Though when this man explains what he represents....
It both answers why he was chosen, and puts him on alert. "A competition of ideas does seem to be rather peaceful. And while I've never encountered a world or, in this case, an potential place of existence sentient enough to summon people in such manner...I may be interested in such a competition, provided that innocent lives are not needlessly at risk, of course.
"However...you'll forgive me if I do not seem to fully trust someone who claims to be of order and stability. The last person to claim that...was the last Emperor that I had served under."
"I shall. I think Death will be pleased that he is appreciated for once."
Then the Emperor sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. "I don't know why I ever expect you Travelers to be anything but suspicious. I am familiar with Palpatine--or Sidious, as you might call him--by reputation at least. He was a representative of all my worst qualities. I endeavor not to be like him."
Travelers? That stray thought may have escaped without Anakin's realization. The idea of a competition means other people, of course, but now he's starting to wonder how many are involved.
Though the way this man is behaving...well, he doesn't seem to be acting like Palpatine. Yet. "And what do you endeavor to be, if I may ask?"
"A more reasonable authority, certainly," the Emperor replies. "The sort of order that protects, not enslaves. Due to my nature, I govern both tyrants and benevolent rulers, but one usually wishes to display one's upright qualities."
"Upright? Forgive me, but you almost sound like someone trying to divine the future with Sabacc cards."
He does, however, seem to relax a little. Seem to. "Still, it is of some comfort to know that you much prefer more peaceful means of order. And...you mentioned something about fatherhood. Are you a father as well?"
...crap. That last two words shouldn't have come out. But if he knows him by his real name, surely he must've heard about his son as well...
"Your Sabacc cards would be an apt comparison," the Emperor says. "I understand they are your Galaxy's equivalent to the Tarot cards inspired by we Arcana." But then his tone grows more sober and he looks to the mantelpiece, at those framed images. "I was, once. It might be more accurate to say that I was a brother, but my wife and I... we cared for her more as father and mother than sister and brother. Star... she's gone now."
(The Emperor had been in one of those framed images, with a woman and a little girl.)
"Ah...My condolences. It is never easy, losing one's family..." There's genuine sympathy in his words, and his own heart aches as he remembers the family members that he has lost himself.
"She, like we other Arcana, were engaged in the higher level of play," the Emperor confirmed. "She was... weakened and then a blow that she would have otherwise survived lead her to perish."
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But then there's this...competition that he's talking about. And the name of his...group? Race? They seem to think that they're above most creatures, at least in terms of mortality. He can't help but wonder just how long-lived these beings are to consider themselves 'immortals'. Though when this man explains what he represents....
It both answers why he was chosen, and puts him on alert. "A competition of ideas does seem to be rather peaceful. And while I've never encountered a world or, in this case, an potential place of existence sentient enough to summon people in such manner...I may be interested in such a competition, provided that innocent lives are not needlessly at risk, of course.
"However...you'll forgive me if I do not seem to fully trust someone who claims to be of order and stability. The last person to claim that...was the last Emperor that I had served under."
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Then the Emperor sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. "I don't know why I ever expect you Travelers to be anything but suspicious. I am familiar with Palpatine--or Sidious, as you might call him--by reputation at least. He was a representative of all my worst qualities. I endeavor not to be like him."
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Though the way this man is behaving...well, he doesn't seem to be acting like Palpatine. Yet. "And what do you endeavor to be, if I may ask?"
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He does, however, seem to relax a little. Seem to. "Still, it is of some comfort to know that you much prefer more peaceful means of order. And...you mentioned something about fatherhood. Are you a father as well?"
...crap. That last two words shouldn't have come out. But if he knows him by his real name, surely he must've heard about his son as well...
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(The Emperor had been in one of those framed images, with a woman and a little girl.)
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"This game that you wish for me to take part of...was she part of it as well?"
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