A Parting Gift

"A Parting Gift" is a [SEASON NUMBER] thread started on [IRL DATE] and finished on [IRL DATE].
==Summary==
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==Full Text==
The Great Hall was packed with celebrating rebels and joyful citizens of the Wilderwest. News of Central’s most recent break had spread quickly. Many were optimistic that perhaps this would be the blow that finally put a stop to the brutal regime. Amid the clamor, Dixie made his way briskly through the crowd, and thrust himself down across from Darien. He gave the man a hard, calculated gaze with his cold eyes, and then lifted his chin a little. “I need you to answer a question for me…and please…if nothing else let your response be plain and honest.”
@central-is-growing
Darien leaned away from the wall and folded his own aged hands a little tighter. His mouth twisted in slight question, but he was patient. The downfall of the Conclave had everyone in a contagiously hopeful mood. 
“I wish to be nothing but,” the former Magistrate answered, keeping his gaze steady with Dixie’s. 
Dixie watched him carefully. The memory of the shadowy agent who had confronted him fresh in his mind. He doubted that such entities were interested in the well being of a random set of rapist and a psychotic dragon man.
An esteemed member of the Magistrate though…
He drew a breath. “Maybe it’ll make no difference in the end…but I have to know. Truly. Is your heart for this rebellion? Everything you do isn’t just an facade? Are you really here to help, with no hidden decite or agenda against this place?”
The older man made an expression halfway between a sad smile and a grimace. “I don’t pretend to be able to form any kind of heartfelt love or connection with this group. I feel they do not deserve being mixed up like that, and nor do I. Other than that…” He spread his hands a little, keeping them on the table. “I’m as clean as you can ask for. Anything anyone wants to know, I tell them, no matter the detriment to myself. I am at the Chief and Commander’s service until they are finished with me. Their goals are mine.”
Dixie drummed his groomed nails in thought about the words. The answer sounded realistic. Believable. Was it even worth mentioning the exact words of Dark Brotherhood? Or would that invoke more ears and eyes than what was worth this conversation?
Dixie figured that in light of everything, and what he had ultimately decided had to happen, that it wasn’t.
He huffed once. “Well then Darien…I suppose that, in the end, neither of our situations were nearly as impossible as I once thought.”
Darien raised his eyebrows, a bit more engaged, and slightly less worried about an incident that would disrupt the celebrations. “Is that so?” he said wryly. “I hope you don’t say such things in order to coddle me, or anyone else. I know where things stand.”
“I’m not one for coddling. Although I do like doting on some, very different thing though….no.” Dixie said as he rubbed two fingers together. “No Darien, it is simply that I have learned a few things these past few whiles. One, is that there is always someone who gets the short end of the stick. Even when the right choice is made. And two…that even though you’ll certainly never undo all the bad, or have the means to balance things with good…you will be able to do the good in the world that only someone like you can. And for that… I believe the rebellion to be fortunate. Your mind, and words, and hands even, offer unique help that another could not. And I have learned to accept these realities.”
With their recent history together, Darien was stunned and oddly touched at Dixie’s words. “That is incredibly wise of you, thank you,” he replied. “I don’t expect any grudges to disappear any time soon, but…” He paused, reflecting. “That puts things in a light I hadn’t seen before.”
Dixie brought around his cane so he held it in both hands horizontally. “Many mistake my duplicity for deception. So yes, grudges may not be gone. But my words remain honest and true.” He held out the staff to him. “I never should have abandoned my owns ways. No matter how right I may have been. And so I’d like you to have, and use, this in good health. As a parting gift.”
Darien carefully took it with one hand, resting it on the table in front of him. The merry firelight of the hall shone off of both his eyes and his spectacles as he took in the gift. “Thank you,” he said sincerely. “These old legs will give out eventually…” He gave a small chuckle and tapped his thumb against the cane. “But truly, I won’t take this lightly. I hope I live up to the expectations around me.”
Dixie’s eyes lingered on the cane. “Yes, I’m sure…” he drew a careful breath, and met Darien’s gaze again. “And so, for what it’s worth.” He extended and open hand towards him.
Darien took it and gripped it firmly, giving a deferential nod. “Stay safe. These are dangerous times.”
“That they are.” Dixie sniffed as he shook the hand, and then swept himself up from his seat. “Well then…I have a ship to catch. Enjoy the purpose in your life Darien. Toodles.”
The old man huffed a small laugh, nodding once more in his direction. “I shall,” he said. “Farewell, Dixie.”