Well, at least he didn't seem to hold it against him for technically betraying the Empire. They had betrayed Rosaria first after all, and well... Anabella really was to blame for it all. But Dion was completely taken aback by the story -- it seemed he didn't even know that the Bastards existed. Imperial propaganda machine worked wonders, didn't it? Dion was, unsurprisingly even to Clive, absolutely furious. When he tried to ask about his own mother branding him, Clive just cocked his head and pointed towards the scar on his cheek. Which if Dion looked closely, happened to greatly resemble a brand...

Anabella was a horrible, evil woman. Clive had figured that out a long time ago. But even then, while he'd scarcely admit it. Part of him had always wanted to regain the love she had once held for him. It was part of why he had worked so hard, because deep down, as much as she scorned him... He wanted her to see that he was worth a mother's love even without the Phoenix. But in the end, years later, Clive had finally come to terms with the fact that nothing but a Dominant would satisfy her. And not even Joshua had been enough to keep her from selling out her own people with intentions to start anew with another child.

While Dion tried to figure out who in the world had formed the Bastards unit, Clive stayed silent on that account. He didn't know, nor cared whom had ordered it. They had been forced to do it, or suffer the consequences. Though Clive had never actually killed any Dominants. Jill was the first he had actually fought. Though if Dion's father, whom most likely did order it in order to take out any potential threats to his power, were ever brought to Zephon... Clive didn't know if he would be able to restrain himself. Not even for Dion's sake. Dion was a nice kid, but Clive had several scores to settle with his old man.

Clive heard the mutter, his expression curling into what was almost an amused smirk at that. Dion didn't know the half of how abhorrent Sanbreque was. He was naïve and had been raised around naught but propaganda and falsehoods. To be honest, it was a surprise he had turned out as decent as he was, considering all that. But Clive supposed he still wasn't surprised there was no comment on Cid's plans to help rebuild the world after they whacked the crystals, either. He figured that wound was still fresh. It was fine, he didn't expect an Imperial Prince whom had benefited from their ways all his life to understand. Dion probably still viewed bearers as lessers, too, despite him being nothing himself but another bearer with advanced magic. The only true difference between them was the brand. Maybe Dion would understand that someday.

He didn't know either of those names, which actually got a small laugh out of "Cid". "My apologies for laughing, I shall try to explain. The Duke Of Oriflamme took that title after what happened to the Royal Family following your coup. An attempt to seize power for himself, essentially. I think before that he was..." Clive trailed off as he tried to remember who the Duke was. "To be honest, I don't actually know who he was or his position before that. Stuffy old man, has an adult daughter perfectly willing to manipulate those around her just to boost herself and spite her own father. Apparently had enough power to take command of Northreach at the drop of a hat the second the Royal Family was gone. Intended to kick out the merchants and other commoners to turn Northreach into a military stronghold to fight the Akashic. His opposition in this plan was..."

Oh boy. If Dion didn't know who she was, this was going to be almost fun. "The Dame. The Mother for an establishment of... Ill repute, let us call it. With influence held so great she may very well have been the most powerful person in Northreach, on par even with our friend the Duke."

And that was why he had laughed. The mother of a brothel was the guardian angel of Northreach. And the most powerful and influential figure for miles. For someone raised the way Dion was, it had to sound completely absurd.

"She stood for the common people, the merchants, the bearers -- the very backbone of Northreach, and stood in the way of the Duke's desire to see them gone. It took some doing by her, myself and the efforts of the now-ex Guard Captain, but we were eventually able to sell our friendly Duke on cooperation between the military and the people, for the betterment of Northreach and to face down the akashic hordes together."

Which was surreal for Clive to do, considering how much he despised Sanbreque. But duty took precedence above all, and he wasn't going to leave Isabelle in the lurch.

But then came Dion's admissions about that fateful night. Clive actually knew all about it, he had seen it all, felt everything Dion had felt, heard his thoughts, his feelings... All of it, from the moment he had walked into that throne room. All because he had accidentally taken Dion's power.

Which was weird because he couldn't recall that happening before that.

"Oh, I know. She told me" Clive admitted softly, chewing the inside of his cheek as he had to once again reckon with seeing his mother die. Warts and all. "She made it clear as day. She betrayed her people, killed her husband, led to the seeming death of one son and the enslavement of another -- all to birth a child that would hold the powers of both the Phoenix and Bahamut. All because Joshua was sickly, because even he wasn't enough for her."

A flicker of anger shone through his eyes at that. While Clive had kept his cool throughout talking of his mother's own feelings for him -- he found himself growing quite angry when it came to what she had said about Joshua.

Dion asked what became of her, and Clive averted his gaze as he stared at the bar with a look almost conflicted. Even now, he didn't know what to think of what he had seen.

"Joshua showed up with you in tow, and healed your wounds. You killed that child, and he turned into Ultima. Then Anabella saw Joshua, screamed something about ghosts, and killed herself on the spot. Even as Joshua tried to save her, after everything."

It was certainly anticlimactic, that's for sure. As evil as she was, part of him had wished she could have seen reason and survived. At the same time, going out on her own terms was too good for her. Could Clive have killed her himself, given the chance? He didn't know.

"We left her there as the castle crumbled. It wasn't worth it to try and bring her body back for burial while Joshua and I were spent, and getting you out alive had to come first. If she had still been alive, Joshua would have tried. But as it was..."

Rosarians were deeply spiritual about laying their dead to rest. In a perfect world, a non-treasonous Duchess would have been buried alongside her husband with ceremony. But in truth, she had forsaken any right to a Rosarian burial long ago. She didn't deserve one. Even if she was his mother... Being buried unmarked under the rubble of a castle was still too good for her.

"I am not the one you need forgiveness from" Clive corrected calmly when Dion explained himself. While Clive did not approve of disrespecting Mid, she was the one that the Crown Prince would have to answer to if it came to it. "She can be as terrifying as her father, if not more. But as much as she keeps that upbeat face and cheer, she cares a great deal about those around her."

He closed his eyes a moment. "I have done my best to take her in and ensure she knows she has a home to come back to. People that love her and can help her move through her grief. But I can never replace her father. No child should have to go through what she's had to, but now she's found herself shouldering my burdens with me, when I should be the one taking on hers."

Joshua's death pained her, he knew. But she had tried to outwardly push away her grief to focus on the possibility he could return. And trying to keep him from focusing on Joshua's death, when he should be the one supporting her in her own grief. One he knew she held very deeply, even if she refused to say so. Yet here she was, saving him from jail after his own mistakes, and trying to take on bringing Joshua back herself...

He didn't know why he had admitted that to Dion. Perhaps it was because he hadn't had much chance to process his grief, and all that had occurred since. Maybe it was because Dion was one of the few in this entire world that would understand.

But Dion was here for Joshua's fate, and that he would have.

Once he finished regaling that part of the tale, Clive fell silent. He had been too tired to process what he was saying to Mid before, but here, he was wide awake and fully aware. But even now, Joshua's death still felt as fresh as though it had happened yesterday. He knew Dion was struggling with his own pain, and he let him have his time to do so. It was the least he could do, especially when Clive himself needed a moment to recompose himself. As much as he wanted to break down into uncontrollable sobs once more, it wasn't the time.

Though Dion didn't make it any better by speaking highly of the person Joshua was. Perhaps he felt a bit honored to know Dion thought that way of him, but it was overshadowed by the pain of loss.

"It was Joshua's kindness, not mine. He thought enough of you to heal you at his own expense. That was good enough for me" Clive admitted quietly. That was the kind of person that Joshua was. Compassionate, forgiving even amongst the worst of circumstances... He even tried to bring their mother with them, away from the collapsing palace. Even after her betrayal, even after all they had done...

Joshua deserved better than this. He did. He knew that. And knowing that made it all the more painful. But with Dion's apology, he shook his head.

"No. I would have wanted the same. I just..."

A long sigh came once more as he decided to just... Be honest. Strange to be such in front of the son of his enemy, but he supposed those things mattered no longer.

"... I keep looking at that door. From the moment Mid said it was possible for those who have died to return here. Every time that door opens, part of me hopes and pleads that the next person to walk through those doors is Joshua. And every time that it's not, a part of me withers away. And for the slightest moment I find myself resenting the person who did, even if I shouldn't. It's stupid, it's unreasonable. The chances of him returning are slim, I know. But I would give anything to have it be he who lived."

The next deep breath came more as an attempt to defend himself, as he wiped his face with his sleeve. "I've killed so many. Caused so many people pain. Whether it was as one of the Empire's Branded soldiers..." he trailed off, his hand tracing his scar a moment. It didn't hurt anymore, but the reminder would always be there. "Or even if it was necessary to destroy the Mothercrystals, I know what I've done. And on that day I was willing to die, to atone. But Joshua... He's never hurt a soul if he didn't have to. He didn't deserve to die. And I did everything I could to bring him back, but..."

Of course. There was more Dion didn't know. He'd forgotten, Joshua having taken over his thoughts and the conversation in kind. But Dion's words and the remark about bringing him back brought it back to light. He'd have to find a moment to bring that up.

"I am happy to see you alive, believe it or not. While I had issue with your father and stepmother, you gave your life to keep Joshua safe. I owe you for that. Joshua saw kindness in you that I was too blind to see. And you yourself deserved far more than to die that day. I know Joshua would have said the same thing."

"Clive? Oh thank the gods he has a visitor."

Which probably wasn't quite the response that Dion was expecting from the young lady at the desk. She didn't seem -too- upset but clearly something had happened to make her very annoyed -- and relieved that Clive would be occupied. "Not that he's done anything terrible, mind you. But if not for all the paperwork I've had to do involving housing a criminal, I'd think they put him under house arrest to rib me. He and his gigantic monster dog spend any moment they don't have an escort or being ordered around by Mid, trying to help out with chores around the Rest. Which is really nice, even if it's weird having a criminal walking around doing that and I keep thinking he might stab me if I look away. But I already have enough on my plate trying to tell Mr. Caius and Ms. Celes to rest before they collapse, and now I have to worry about the crystal smasher passing out on my floor."

So there it was. Mid's insistence on sending Clive on errands, and Clive's own inability to sit still when inactive, had driven the poor girl batty. Taking a deep breath to settle herself, she at least seemed better now that she had gotten that out.

"Apologies, it's been a long week at work. I gave Mr. Rosfield a few texts about Torensten to keep him on the couch for awhile. I'll see where he is" she spoke then as she got up and peered into the next room over. The sight she saw, however, made the maiden loose an exasperated groan.

"Of course NOW he's asleep" she seethes under her breath as she returned to the desk. "I will fetch him for you, Mr. Dion. One moment" she gave in her best professional voice as she, perhaps alarmingly, picked up a long stick a shorter person would use to close the blinds then disappearing into the lounge before Dion could stop her. She hated doing this, but...

---

Sleep, true sleep, had finally claimed him.

In the prison, he hadn't felt safe. Like Ultima could return and claim him at any moment. He was alone, in a place he didn't know, full of people who would rather see him dead. But here... While it was possible Ultima could return, he was no longer alone. The Dragonblades were altruistic warriors, and more importantly -- Torgal was with him. While it had taken some work to get the frost wolf placed into Mid's care, Clive had calmed down a great deal once the pooch was returned to his side. And while perhaps the law would have been happier if Torgal had gone with Mid on her trip, Mid had promised to figure out some matter of bullshit if they found out she'd left Torgal at the Rest while she was off to Provo.

He was thankful for that. But Clive hadn't been one to stay idle just because he was out of jail. Not that he could if he wanted to for the most part, since Mid had set to sending him out for every little thing she could think of. He didn't mind it too much, he didn't have much else to do until his trial, and it was nice to get to see the sights and explore this new world a bit without the strain of his duties as Cid weighing on his shoulders. But he couldn't take five minutes before she found something new for him to do.

Of course, while he had said he would get some rest once Mid was on her business trip to Provo, actually doing so had proved... Difficult. On the basis that Clive just wasn't a rester. He was too used to always being on the move, always doing something. A fact that had infuriated Tarja to no end. With nothing to do, he had sought to make himself useful to the people whom had taken him in and found a way to free Torgal. Which the receptionist lady seemed to appreciate, at least at first. But by the time the Rest was perfectly organized, polished and free of clutter, he had the impression that Tomoe was starting to fret. And her lectures about resting were starting to sound a lot like Tarja...

Though it was different in some ways too. While Tomoe was perfectly professional, his presence seemed to make her nervous. Her asking several times if he really had tried to smash the crystal told him why. Clive really had committed some kind of cardinal sin here in Torensten. And even if Celes had told Tomoe it was a misunderstanding, someone looney enough to whack their Crystal made her uncomfortable.

Believe it or not however, Clive didn't blame her one bit. He'd grown up with full knowledge of how important the Mothercrystals were to their culture. Of course she would feel that way.

Eventually he had been handed a stack of books. The pamphlet they had written for "newcomers" so to speak, as well as texts on the history and culture of Torensten. Though the pamphlet was more like a handbook with how much information they had needed to include. But between the long hours of reading, the rise of exhaustion, and Torgal sleeping in his lap on the couch, that high-tension button in him had finally found itself being released...

As with Torgal resting against him, he finally felt safe to drift off.

BONK!

"Mr. Rosfield, please wake up."

"Mrrrgh?"

Clive felt a long stick prodding him in the head, and after a few bonks, he would gently swat the stick aside.

"Please stop hitting me with the stick, Tomoe."

He knew why she'd used it, of course. She couldn't trust him. He had tried to crack their crystal, of course she would be just a mite afraid of him. But couldn't she let him sleep for five more minutes? Now that he was actually comfortable, sleep actually seemed kind of nice...

"You have a visitor, Mr. Rosfield. Says his name is Dion."

That shot Clive to a sitting position immediately as all the bells started ringing in the Dominant's head.

Dion. Dion Lesage, Prince of Sabreque. Dead, last he'd seen him. And last he'd seen him, they were with...

"Is anyone with him?"

"No."

"... I see."

He supposed it was too much to hope for that Joshua would have been revived along with Dion, and brought here. Well, he supposed he could at least take some solace in the fact that revival was indeed possible. Dion being here meant that there was still hope.

"Alright. Boy, get up. Let us see what His Highness has to say."

But he was only greeted with doggy snoring in response. Clive's brows scrunched in response.

"... Torgal, up."

The groan and stretch that followed indicated the canine was indeed awake, but wasn't interested in moving.

"Torgal."

That tone was scolding this time. One of Torgal's eyes popped open and stared at Clive for a moment, loosing a few lazy growling noises in complaint.

"Oh, don't give me that. If you don't get up, I'm going to carry you. I know you won't like that."

Torgal stared with both eyes this time. Clive shrugged then as he would pull himself up to his feet, taking Torgal with him and quickly hoisting the wolf over his shoulder. Torgal let out an almost annoyed-sounding yawn whine, but otherwise just adjusted itself atop his shoulder as Clive walked out the entryway.

So it was that Clive would arrive, matted with bedhead and with a large wolf dog over his shoulder. And there Dion was, very much not dead.

"Your Highness," Clive greeted calmly with a nod. "It is good to see you back with us."

To be honest, Clive didn't know what to say. Presumably Mid had filled him in already. So why was he here? Looking at Dion, he could tell one thing -- there was a burning question written all over his face. Killing Ultima was their only mutual business together, and they were not really friends at all. So there was only one thing that this could be.

Had he really come all the way here just for confirmation?

Clive took a deep breath then, before deciding to just say it.

"If you're wondering. Ultima's dead."

At least, right now he was. But Clive decided it was better to first give Dion the gratification he seemed to want. Considering he had given his life to free Valisthea from Ultima, this kindness was the least he could do for the Prince. Perhaps it would have been liberating for him by saying it as well, if not for what Lady Chere had told them. And Dion's standing here before him was all the proof in the world.

Celes caught up to him soon after, and in that same, uppity, judgmentally "holier than thou" tone she seemed to take at almost every turn, railed on him for running. But when she spoke, he also realized: She had misspoke herself. They wouldn't be putting Torgal down if he claimed him. And maybe if she had been speaking to one of her subordinates, or fellow "Dragonblades", she would have gone uninterrupted. But he wasn't one of her lackeys.

"You said they would probably put him down!" Clive snapped back at her, his last gasps of wind beginning to form into adrenaline one final time as he finally let loose with the rage he'd been holding in all this time. "Why the fock do you THINK I ran?! Do you even HEAR yourself when you talk down on people?! I have done nothing but cooperate, spent a night in a prison I could have easily escaped from before they even finished locking me up, all without a single complaint until you basically told me they were going to execute Torgal!"

After getting that out, Clive started to calm down, at least a little as it sunk in that Torgal was safe. If he could get past this trial, he could probably take Torgal and go. He didn't even care about going into custody of these Dragonsomethings so long as Torgal was safe.

But he knew he'd made it harder for himself. He knew that. He hadn't meant to, but when she'd said Torgal would likely be killed, he...

Lady Chere went on and on about how the Dragonblades help people, and helped offworlders. Though his attention was taken a moment by the note that this world could take anyone, alive or dead... Even those who...

A horrific image entered his mind in that moment That would be a terror that would plague his nightmares later. He looked to Mid a moment, however, and it probably wasn't hard to tell what he was thinking as his eyes widened soon after she said that. There were things that could put Mid at risk from their world if they returned... Benedikta, Kupka, Barnabas... Ultima. They could all come back to life, and take who he had left.

Which meant he had to get out of here. He had to pass this trial. He refused to let that happen. Whatever it took. Though to his surprise, Celes would actually heal him. Not a ton, but it was enough. Slowly, he managed to bring himself to his feet.

"Thank you," he spoke softly, taking a deep breath as he did his best to get his bearings before looking to Celes. His expression had turned serious, though the rage within was gone. Instead, he spoke with a calmer gait, that would seem almost refined by nobility if not for how breathy his voice had become. He blamed the Empire's conditions they made the Bearers work in for whatever had happened to his voice.

"For what it's worth, I sincerely apologize, Lady Chere" he did actually genuinely apologize at that. "When I found out Torgal might be executed, I... My senses left me. I never thought I'd see him again, and for him to be killed because he was looking for me, it..."

He let out a long breath. The rest didn't need to be said. It was more than he could take.

"It's... Been a long day. A lot's happened, and I owe Mid a long explanation of what transpired after I left her side. I pray I can help you understand what led me here as well. But for starters, for Mid it's been a week since my brother Joshua, Dion and I went to stop Ultima from, essentially, wiping out humankind entirely."

Clive grit his teeth, unable to meet her eyes or Mid's in that moment. "For me... Hardly a day's passed since Joshua died in my arms. Since I killed Ultima, and thought I had died myself ensuring he couldn't hurt anyone anymore. When I saw that crystal... I thought we had failed."

But something was still bothering him, and finally, he couldn't hold that in anymore. "But for Torgal, I know I am in no position to ask for favors and I am sorry if this causes more trouble. But he doesn't deserve to languish in a cell because of me, and I don't think I can leave here without him."

Of course, he doubted she'd give a damn about that. Why would she? He'd caused nothing but trouble, and so had Torgal. So he knew he'd have to bring something to the table.

"You have naught else to fear from me, or Torgal... And if what you say is true about the evils that this world is bringing from our worlds, we're going to need him."

He looked to Mid once more. "Mid can attest. If some of the other Dominants -- Benedikta, Kupka, Barnabas, or by the gods Ultima himself... Were to come to Zephon. Many lives will be in danger. They are all cruel, bloodthirsty, power-hungry and I don't think even I can defeat them again in the state I'm in. Especially not without Torgal."