(it's a funny thing. he can easily hold both thoughts in his head at once: that astarion is no monster simply for the vampiric influences upon him, and that rand is one for being born with the spark. that if it had been mat, as they'd feared, then he would've still been nothing to flinch from.)
there's a huff of a laugh, bitter and mirthless, as he turns that question over in his mind. there was a time not very long ago when he could've answered: sheepherder from the two rivers, son to tam and kari al'thor, no one of any real import. but that was before the trolloc attack on winternight; that was before he found out he'd been born to a stranger during the blood snow; that was before he'd begun to channel; that was before the eye of the world, before falme. ]
What do you know, [ he starts, slow, before meeting that curious gaze, ] about the Dragon Reborn?
[ (in a way, there's no contradiction at all. rand can't recognize himself anymore, but he hates what he sees. the same can't be said for what he sees of astarion, vampire spawn or no.) ]
no subject
(it's a funny thing. he can easily hold both thoughts in his head at once: that astarion is no monster simply for the vampiric influences upon him, and that rand is one for being born with the spark. that if it had been mat, as they'd feared, then he would've still been nothing to flinch from.)
there's a huff of a laugh, bitter and mirthless, as he turns that question over in his mind. there was a time not very long ago when he could've answered: sheepherder from the two rivers, son to tam and kari al'thor, no one of any real import. but that was before the trolloc attack on winternight; that was before he found out he'd been born to a stranger during the blood snow; that was before he'd begun to channel; that was before the eye of the world, before falme. ]
What do you know, [ he starts, slow, before meeting that curious gaze, ] about the Dragon Reborn?
[ (in a way, there's no contradiction at all. rand can't recognize himself anymore, but he hates what he sees. the same can't be said for what he sees of astarion, vampire spawn or no.) ]