"Aye. He was a young genius - but so was my ward. My friend Midas, he was -- consumed by his work, so I took his son under my wing," Gaius said, indulging in some wistful nostalgia, pangs of feelings for easier, better days -- or days that he did not know the truth, before tragedy came to his door. "Made sure he had what he needed and was tended to. He and Nero both entered the Magitek Academy as prodigies. Normally it's a six year program for young scientists of eighteen summers, but they went in at twelve. They graded valedictorian and salutatorian, but Nero was never one to be satisfied. He joined the army as the only real route open for him, and eventually came into my service."
The rest doesn't matter; he doesn't want to talk about Cid right now, sitting in these rooms where he still has report cards stowed and letters from Midas in his desk drawers. Instead he looks at the walls; he has paintings -- landscapes, mostly, and one news print announcing the rise of a much younger Gaius van Baelsar to the rank of legatus, faded in its frame. He is terribly imposing in his new mask, Heirsbane held high for the photograph.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2023-01-13 03:27 pm (UTC)The rest doesn't matter; he doesn't want to talk about Cid right now, sitting in these rooms where he still has report cards stowed and letters from Midas in his desk drawers. Instead he looks at the walls; he has paintings -- landscapes, mostly, and one news print announcing the rise of a much younger Gaius van Baelsar to the rank of legatus, faded in its frame. He is terribly imposing in his new mask, Heirsbane held high for the photograph.