"My father certainly wouldnt say so. Unlike Shrike, I cant claim a tragic seduction stolen. Im just a bad son who cant go home. "
"What did you do?"
"What does any son do? I didnt love my father enough. And he didnt have the patience to let me find that love on my own terms. "
"Weve got something in common, then. The last thing my father ever said to me, before he disappeared into a sea of Jack Daniels, was, You are my greatest mistake. I was twelve. "
The Count nodded and stroked the neck of one of the horses. "Making our own way toughens us. Look at you. Not everyone could take the shock of being snatched unwillingly from one world and dropped into a new one. "
"Halfway to Hell, man. I thought Id cleaned up a little, and was going the other way. Or, at least, holding steady. "
"Its not a kind universe. Ive lived many places since leaving home, many much worse than this. Compared to where we could be, this isnt so bad at all. "
"The idea that we could die out here doesnt bother you?"
"There are worse things than death. Would you rather change places with Shrikes father?"
"No thanks. "
"For now, we have this sky and the moon, warm air in our lungs and good companions. I can tell you one thing for certain, little brother: In this life, no matter what anyone promises you, what allegiances of love or fealty they swear or what gods they pray to, you will never have more than what you have at this moment. "
"Goddam Count, you cheered me all the hell up. I might just dance. "
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