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(no subject)

Who: Leto + You
Broadcast: Video
Action: N/A
When:

[ The video flickers on to Leto sitting on his bed, kicking his legs briefly. He grins when the video starts recording, pushing himself onto his feet. He tilts his head, that odd bird-like movement he often exhibits. ]

I have heard some interesting things of late, so I thought I'd put the question to you all. When you fall in love, can you only love one person? Can you fall in love with multiple people? Is love something you find yourself stopping after just one?

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Having multiple wives, concubines, or mistresses isn't unusual in some cultures. Though it's a practice often restricted to nobility and royalty.

[ He hums lightly. ]

True. My father became Emperor through marriage and war. My sister will marry another she does not love. But I wonder if my mother would have lived longer . . . had he had the heart to love them both equally.

What do you mean?

[ Leto pauses. ]

When she died, he died with her. For her -- for my mother, there was no life outside of my father. She wanted to bear his children, no matter what.

[ There is a brief note of bitterness there, hard to untangle from the skein that was the Atreides family. ]

But in the end, there was no family at all. Just a pair of twins and a legacy.

[ "A pair of twins and a legacy." Her heart aches, and she feels a rush of sympathy for a woman she doesn't know. ]

I'm sorry to have brought up such a painful subject.

[ He looks at her, and his lips curve into a gentle, knowing smile. A little too old, too wise for someone his age. ]

It is past. A love like that rings across the galaxy, legend and history forged. Across the stars and into books with sweet detail.

But I do not think I want that.

What sort of love would you want?

[ He chuckles, soft as bells. ]

I wouldn't know. Perhaps one where I am remembered.

Why wouldn't you be remembered?

I would not burden anyone with such a cumbersome story. It is not that I will be forgotten, but to be remembered as Leto and not the other titles bestowed upon me . . . is vital to me.

[ His one selfish desire. ]

I think I understand. To the public, I'm a symbol, a title. I'm fortunate in that the people close to me see Padme before they see Senator Amidala.

The people need a symbol. I do not begrudge them of it. So long as something is remembered of me.

I hope you will-- or have had-- a relationship like that.

[ His expressions flickers. ]

We shall see what stands the test of time.

[ She gets the sense that she's hit a nerve, so she changes the subject. ]

Why did you decide to ask about love?

Why not? Love is a wonderful topic after all. It lifts us up, it enriches our lives. Why not speak of it?

I was just curious. It seems to be a pretty common topic to ask about here. Perhaps it's because we're so far from those we love.

It came to mind because my personal views on love are very . . . unique, so to speak.

Is it unique where you're from as well?

[ He chuckles lightly. ]

They certainly are.

Do your people's beliefs align more with mine or are they completely different?

[ My people. Fascinating concept. ]

They have their similarities. My, ah, people are desert dwellers. They were mostly concerned with the realities of the desert rather than anything else.

I've been to desert planets-- I've seen why survival leaves little time for philosophy. It's not an easy life.

[ She hated every second on Tatooine. Part of it was because it was an inhospitable desert. Most of it was the memories of her second visit. ]

True. I had an easier life than most, due to my rank as heir.

[ He never suffered the indignities of the desert, though he knows them well. He has his callouses, like any Fremen. ]

But when it comes to philosophies, I do not follow only the desert way.

It sounds like you follow your own way.