Day 4 | Morning | Parental Advisory

[Kannon]

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When Efren woke up, they were high above the ocean, above the clouds, just below the stratosphere. The cabin had been pressurised, and the oxygen had the filtered taste.

His father was piloting. He didn't speak immediately, letting the young man come out the grogginess on his own. He hadn't slept for days and when he had eventually been picked up, he must have told his father something but he didn't exactly remember what because his consciousness had drifted away too soon. There were additional reasons for his exhaustion he didn't recall disclosing to the old man.

[Efren Lanville]

Eventually Efren sat up and found a place near his father. He smacked his lips tiredly with one eye opened as he slowly eased into the waking world.

When he was finally aware of where he was he spoke up, “Good morning, sir.”

[Kannon]

"Good morning, son. How are you doing?" There were less formal tones in his manner of speaking.

[Efren Lanville]

"Tired." He replied with a voice that matched the description.

"But not hurt or anything. Just been a long couple of days..."

[Kannon]

Roger released air from nostrils, perhaps to clear the filtering odour. "What's made them that long for you?"

[Efren Lanville]

"Um..." Efren paused a second while his brain tried to begin to formulate a response.

"Some surprising revelations... A lot of thinking... Followed by scaling a mountain with my bare hands. Killing Chaen Marek... and helping return a prisoner back to the Muadh." He replied.

He then paused for a couple of seconds before asking, "How'd your talk with my mother go?"

Efren avoided the more accusatory tone and word choices that he could have gone with. Opting instead for the polite way of bringing up the conversation.

[Kannon]

"Your accomplishments bring honour to our family." He was about to elaborate, but the question inerceded, and caused a pause.

"...As well as can be expected given the circumstances and the passing years. We agreed to respect each other's authority. She allowed me to bring you back to the real world, if this is what you are asking."

[Efren Lanville]

"I don't think she'd demand I stay right now." He said with a half-smile.

"I don't think she approved of our methods of ensuring their safety. And the effect I was having on our... her people."

The real world... Are not both real to me...

Efren turned his neck left and right to stretch out his tired muscles.

"It was a good thing to have met her though... and I plan to return when I have some time."

[Kannon]

"Visiting may well become more of an obligation if I understand the situation correctly." The older Lanville mused, veering westerly.

[Efren Lanville]

"It may become so, yes." He said with a nod.

"Things are changing out here... You know I'm not all that well versed in great 'plans' or divine 'destiny'. But something big is coming..."

He paused, "Family is what I believe in. Our family... And you... You have given me a great deal. More than I ever deserved or could ever repay... You gave me everything you could. So, I will continue to give you, our family, and our House everything I am."

He looked out the window off in the distance to the continent they left behind.

"But those people are my family too now. I don't really understand all the things they have given me... And I want to know whatever I can, so that they can be safe from whatever is coming. I have a responsibility to them. One deeper than I thought I did... One that just doesn't just feel like... I don't know... some whim or flight of fancy..."

[Kannon]

"In the end, they are Duke's subjects. And mine by extension. We honour their autonomy because this is the benevolent and compassionate choice we are making. They needn't understand that to live as they wish, but we mustn't forget our role. You have a difficult path to walk by embracing the Muadh part of you, I grant you that. But the cartel was but a taste of what can befall them if Atreides stewardship falters."

Efren could now see the more clearly the fundamental fault lines between Roger and Dy Wan. Ones he had already tested as well.

"You are incorrect I have given you everything I can. This may change though."

[Efren Lanville]

Efren's mind mulled over his response as his father spoke. How would he reply... He could continue to protect those who benevolence demanded they protect, but there were also those who could do more. Could help the Atreides stewardship not to fail... Could be allies in the protection of that autonomy. Could be directed...

Before he could reply, however, his father turned the conversation.

Efren knew one thing his father had not... or could not give... and never sought to aspire to it. What could his father mean? He waited for his father to speak again, unsure how to reply.

[Kannon]

"The Duke values integrity and merit of the kind you demonstrated. As do I. Chaen Marek was an insidious enemy of ours. You have placed a powerful argument in my hands. I will talk with Lord Leto when he returns."

He faced Efren.

"It shouldn't surprise you, son, that I'd rather have a warrior to succeed me. At the right time."

[Efren Lanville]

He met his father's gaze, emotion catching in his throat.

He offered a slight nod, as he held his rising emotions in check.

Swallowing down the rising stream of feelings with a literal gulping in his throat he replied.

"Thank you... Father."

For the boy who had occupied some liminal space between two worlds for nearly all of his life, to be accepted into both of those worlds in such a profound way was more than he could have hoped to have happen. The affirmation, accomplishment, and love he felt overwhelmed his young heart. He sat quietly in his chair for a moment... silently experiencing the wave of emotions.

And as his mind began poking at the implications that these changes presented he let out a soft chuckle through his nose, "Cassandra's gonna wanna kill me..."

He let the laugh expand out to a few more expulsions of air from his nostrils as he looked with a half-smile towards his father.

[Kannon]

"You'd leave that battle to me. I'd rather you fought those which you have a chance of winning."

Roger replied with a mixture of mirth and unease. He let Efren take his time to process the emotions.

"Her family would need to be placated. That is a difficulty the Duke will consider."

[Efren Lanville]

Efren nodded and smiled at his father's first remark.

"You know how I feel about them. They're my family too. Those are my sisters. It doesn't matter how Cassandra or any of them have felt about me. Whenever the distant, distant day comes that you won't be there to fight for them... I'll fight in your place with the same resolve."

[Kannon]

"I know, and I accept your reassurance, but I am talking about the inlaws, House Ptolemaios, from Harmonthep. My marriage has strengthened Atreides alliance with their masters, House Hagal. They distanced themselves from the Harkonnens after that, and that has made Delta Pavonis a more peaceful system. Count General Bain and our Duke have been friends for years, so they may work out a solution. But it would likely involve you."

Roger looked straight ahead, but his gaze turned inward, to yonder days of his youth.

"We love who we love, son, but among nobility marriage is for politics. I hope you can understand that, and make your Muadh paramour understand that too. I know how it hurts. Back then, I considered your mother the most wonderful woman on this planet. But that's the real world, in which we must pay with our dreams for their safety. Perhaps you can succeed where I failed, and pull off living in both. The point is not to unmake what you achieve on the battlefield with your other actions."

[Efren Lanville]

Efren listened intently and nodded as his father finished his instructive admonishment.

“Yes, sir.”

His acceptance was that of a dutiful and grateful son. He felt a closeness to his father now on top of his normal attitude of filial respect. His father had made choices he never knew of… Sacrificed for him and his duties in ways that went unnoticed until today. Had built for him a future that would one day be his to pass on to another.

Expressions of love diminished over the years as Efren grew old enough to train. His admiration for his father was most frequently expressed in masculine gestures of respect and deference. He showed his love by following his father’s commands. It had been quite some time since he had said what he would say next.

“You’re the best father I could ask for, sir… I’ll try and learn from all you’ve done… and I love you.”

[Kannon]

Roger had his emotions welling up but he was no Muadh to express them with such clarity. His eyes were readable enough though when he glanced at Efren.

"You are my son, Efren. I have never wished for another. I am relieved Cassandra has given me none. Your mother stood up to the demands of her world to make you happen. For her devotion to me to matter, I could never do anything less." He said after bringing his gaze back to the horizon.

[Efren Lanville]

Efren nodded in return. Not all expressions of love needed to be verbal.

Efren then turned his gaze towards the far horizon.

“Do we know when the Duke will return?” He asked.