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"Usually, the people at most risk of having their humans come through don't go fight. This has kept the rate to near zero. There have been a few other times, but not for centuries. When that happened, we just let them stay here until they died." Richard was doing a lot of explaining this that, for most of his life, were simply facts of life. It was strange to say the least.
Scipio was quiet for a moment. "You seem to want to send me back, though. Why not just leave me here like the others? I could be helpful in your war, and it's not like anyone in my world will notice my absence."
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"It's because you enjoy killing so much. If you were to kill one of your allies for fun, that would be another person who ends up in here," Richard explained before Merlin could. Richard was used to Scipio being like this, seeing as Richard had not only witnessed but also partially or wholly acted them out with Scipio. Merlin nodded to what Richard said.
"And I don't like you," Merlin said as if that was enough of a reason in itself.
"…Yeah, that's fair. I am prone to killing allies." Scipio yawned, entirely nonchalant about his blatant murder. "But that also gives me more of a chance to die, right? What happens to you when I die, anyways? Can you like… retire if I get old?"
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"It all depends. If you die in front of a reflective surface, I die too. If you don't, however, I just don't have to do that part of my job anymore and I can focus my energies on the battlefield." Richard wasn't sure how he felt about actually meeting Scipio; it was nice, yes, to be able to actually talk to someone he had literally grown up with, but it was also strange; he had been engrained to never speak in front of Scipio, only lipsync.
"When I get hurt and I stand in front of a mirror, does it hurt you too? Since Merlin heals you and stuff, could he mistake it for your own injury and draw you away from the mirror while I'm there?"
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"Yes, it hurts me, no Merlin doesn't make mistakes like that because of spells put in place prevent it." Richard was enjoying this, he finally decided. He liked talking to his human charge, even though it was unconventional.
"Hmm… in the army, the ground was often wet and I could see my reflection in puddles." Scipio began. "Other people's reflections were in there as well when I killed them. When I kill someone, does their reflection show up with you? Do you have to murder them in cold blood?"
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Richard pursed his lips, nodding slowly.
"When two or more people interact, their reflections are pulled to the same place… and we have to do whatever you do, even if it means killing them."
"I don't experience guilt. You know this, of course… but, do you feel bad for killing them?" Scipio balanced his head on one loosely closed fist. "Do you say anything before you stab them?"
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"I…" Richard glanced over at Merlin. Thankfully, Merlin was busy on the other side of the room.
"Yeah, I do. And sometimes, when I know you aren't looking or listening, I tell them I'm sorry."
Scipio smirked a bit, humming again. "Do you keep track of the total? I stopped counting a while ago and I'm sort of curious."
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"No. I don't." Richard sighed. There was no doubt about it, this was Scipio through and through.
"Honestly, it seems like we should be switched. You, the one who acts more socially acceptable, should be in my happy little pleasant world. I should be the one on the dark side." Scipio's smirk lingered. "It sounds almost fun to me."
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"Yeah, I guess so. Still, this is how it is to be." Richard shrugged. This was his life; he'd never really thought about if he was in Scipio's world.
"Do you think you'd enjoy being in my world?" Scipio let his hand fall to rest on his hip.
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"Not really. Even if I did manage to get out of here, after all the things you've done I wouldn't much be able to enjoy any of it." Richard, conscious of how he was standing, purposefully put his hand in his hair, just so he wasn't mirroring Scipio.
Scipio shrugged. "I've been careful. You wouldn't go to jail or anything." His hair fell into his eyes and he fixed it with one thumb.
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"Still, it's not my place. This is my world. And even though it's a hot mess of terror, I still love it." Richard smiled slightly as he said this. He was thinking of what it might be like to leave, just for a little while.
"Mm… hot messes of terror are my strong suit. Usually I'm the one starting it, though." Scipio said simply. "My world gets pretty boring sometimes. At least you get to fight people all the time."
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"Yes, I suppose so. Still, there isn't really anything we can do." Richard shrugged, slightly disheartened by this.
"What do you do when you're not fighting or reflecting me? You said you had a dog like Ragno, so surely you've got time to feed him or whatever… unless you don't need to eat?"
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Richard chuckled.
"We need to eat, same as you. Whenever we don't eat as your reflections, we just go to a cafe. And don't forget, my dog, Rafael, serves as your dog's reflection."
Scipio nodded. "Shit… Ragno's still on the other side, isn't he?" He turned, glancing around. "How long do dogs live without food or water?"
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"I don't know. We should have you back before it's a problem, though." Richard was worried as well; what of Rafael?
"Alright… are dogs smarter over here? There's no way I could train Ragno to copy another dog's every move."
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"It's more of an instinct. Not just for them, but for everyone here." Richard shrugged.
"That's why it's been a struggle for me to not mirror you."
"Well, considering you've been there all my life, it makes sense." Scipio was quiet for a few seconds. "How did the reflection of my parents treat you?"
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"Well, when it was just us and none of us were away doing our jobs, we were a pretty happy family." Richard paused.
"They mean a lot to me."
"That's… uh. Very different than mine, as I'm sure you know." Scipio looked away. "Mine sorta just left me to raise myself once I was old enough to get my own food. Guess they're still alive…"
