forgottenmists | less violent

less violent

[ One of the most awkward things about being able to hop between worlds? He'd promised Alisaie he'd stay in Eorzea more often - not just so she could keep her eyes on him, she'd said. And now he had to actually... do it.

Of course, he never showed his disdain for it. No, there were still... positives to Eorzea. Nobody judged you as much as other worlds. And he almost had people who cared for him. (Or, at least, he could believe he was cared for a little.)

It was a nice place to relax and think of schemes, ways to get free of his curse. Plus, well - the Ishgardians, though he had grown to dislike them out of principle, were still wondrous hosts. He'd begun to even see Huguette and Rose around a little more - perhaps this world was... okay. He didn't need to destroy it. He didn't even plan on it.

But there was still the matter of the Warrior of Light. He'd invited her out to talk at the Gold Saucer, a neutral ground for both of them. That, and perhaps they could talk over some form of game. (Yes, he won't reveal his condition but he'll still try and gamble.) ]

...Before the Judge Magisters had our own house, we'd rent rooms here.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Cards seem the obvious choice to her, though she frowns at the hand she has for a moment before looking over at him.]

Really? It seems, ah… overwhelming to me, at times.

[the Saucer's decent enough, she thinks, and doing a good job besides- but she struggles with all the lights sometimes.]

That it is!

[ Said so cheerfully. He really has no idea what he has, but is hiding it so well. ]

But if one is overwhelmed by this, who is to say they'd not be overwhelmed in our matters? Especially with men such as my father in our midst.

Well- perhaps? But it seems a little easier to, ah, step aside for some air.

[also she can grump at him; it's harder to grump at the lights, people want to cheer her up.]

All right. Shall I shuffle, now?

Of course. I trust your shuffling, K'pandolu.

[ I mean he's probably going to need to think of excuses of why he's playing badly after this. ]

But-- I suppose that is a fair point. But that is when we can simply witness a Chocobo race. They're... nostalgic, in a way.

[she grins, ears perking up, pleased.]

Thank you.

[it's mostly for which of them will lay the cards out first! and… it looks like it's her, so she puts down a Chimera in the bottom left corner and leans forward, curious.]

Oh? Nostalgic how?

[ Hm. He's fingering his cards in quite an odd way. But he knows - when they're created, they're bumped... wait. These ones feel flat. Damnit. ]

...Long ago, I would bet on those races - Thancred would never win. But I'd also cared for Chocobo of my own, ones who took to racing. I worry for-- ah.

[ He says, as he chooses the first card he's got in his hand - Ultima Weapon - in the center of the board - needing to mess with it a little. ]

Sometimes, it's nice to step back and think of times long gone.

[she snorts, amused.]

That's too bad. But- you did? How did they do?

[she frowns in turn, ears twitching back. Ultima Weapon's decent- but it has that lower number on the left side. Why not turn over her own card…?

She adds the Fat Chocobo to the left of it, tapping Ultima, and offers him a smile.]

It is. I miss the quiet, sometimes… But I wouldn't trade knowing you or any of the others for it.

When you've lived as long as I have - there's no such thing as failure. They'd always win - quite boring, yes?

[ However, this is when he fumbles - frustration in his eyes. And he places his next card - a Succubus Card - up the top.

It's as if he's not trying. But he's trying so hard. But that's when, to try and mask his mistakes (so he thinks), he speaks gently. ]

Wouldn't you? I could return you to that life. The one I'd-- I'd wish for. But then again, you care for the Twins.

I think so. It's certainly more exciting to struggle to pull away from the others- and most satisfying to reach the line before someone you've been fighting in the race.

[That's- She frowns again, more deeply, and puts a Blue Dragon next to it, not as concerned with turning it over. If something's wrong- it's not right to take advantage of that.]

You could do that? I… [she's tempted, and distracted for a moment, sitting back with her remaining cards.] I do care for them, though, you're right. And… for you, as well. [she raises her gaze, tail flicking a little.] I want matters… to be better for you.

[ And this time, he just slumps his head. She may notice how he's placing his hand to the board more - a slight huff. Why isn't he feeling good about doing this.

He can talk to distract, as he puts down Leviathan in the bottom left - that should be good, right? Right. Even if the card seems slightly marked. ]

I can wander to worlds I've been though before - but as an outsider. Not as I was before - ignorant to this.

[ a pause ]

...Ah. I should not put burden on you. I've decided to stop my chaos in this land - I simply want to aid now.

[ because hes decided to fuck with another world ]

[…? what is that about… She blinks at the board for a few moments, before peering at Leviathan and frowning. That's not a bad choice, though there's not a lot to be done with its rightmost numbers now. She places her Succubus in the lower right for now.]

Unable to help it, you mean…?

[she shrugs, tail swishing.]

I know about it. I'd prefer to do something to help- it's not your burden alone.

[…best not to say that aloud, probably.]

Usually, [ he said as he pretended to ponder his cards, ] I would enter a role pre-determined. I would be Urianger or Nabriales in this land, as an example.

[ The murderer or the mourner. But as if by magic, that's when he places down an Urianger card in the middle bottom - his voice now lowering. ]

Until recently. Until beings of other worlds came here. At first, I thought it would be a kindness. To finally be my own being, instead of seeing those lives repeat - I've seen Eorzea fall many times, as Ascian and Elezen both.

...But they live on. Mocking lives I enjoy, respites from pain. [ ...? ] I can visit those worlds - and bring beings with me.

A life already in situ, as it were…? I see. [she's fairly sure.

How appropriate! She puts her Onion Knight down, and leans forward, her focus on him.]

That which had happened…? Mocking how? [her ears flick, and she hums.] An impressive ability. I'm curious, I'll admit…

That it is. And ones which repeat - due to stupid mistakes of a terrified monster. [ himself okay

He isn't placing another card right now - he's now gently closing his eyes (to look dramatic), and sitting backwards. ]

In the lives in Eorzea, I know events from the fall of Bahamut, until the betrayal yet to come. The Crystal Braves destroying the Scions. That which I cannot stop. [ he can't stop it he wants to stop it he wants to save them all damn it ] And yet, those who are who I was - they live without knowing how it will end. Acting in ways I wouldn't - uncanny. Would be that I could end them.

[ He then plays down a card... still face-up, but that's a rare one. A Vaan Card, which has strange blue marks on it. Unique, or...? ]

But - it is an amazing ability. Every lifetime, I fear I grow stronger and stronger - much like the Other.

Ah… Can it be helped? The monster.

[miscarlet pls

She hums, leaning forward to rest on one elbow.]

Well- knowledge changes how people act. You know that full well, I'm sure. [and she makes a face, reaching out to bap him lightly on the head.] Don't do that.

[she makes a face at that fear.] … Well. I suppose it makes sense… and if that's growing stronger, maybe… maybe it stands to reason, as a balance. That's but a guess, though.

[she whistles at the card- and mm, that's hers turned over. Damn. Still.] Very nice. What are those, though…? [she taps one of the marks.]

Perhaps if things stopped happening. If there was a home which did not mirror what was lost. What could have been, if not for...

[ he's rambling. with anger and pain both. but then bapped! ]

...Apologies. There is much I act on - much I assume they should know. [ He's not sorry. Well, he is a little. He really does like his dear Warrior of Light, as not just a symbol. (Not just a symbol. As he got to know people, he saw them as more then just that. Oh, and that hurt even more.) ] Recall the Urianger of this realm. He holds not the knowledge I hold - he would not let events change. It is a little frustrating, that I decided not to interfere anymore. [ With his lips quirking into a smile, he can't help but sound... softer. Calm. ]

Perhaps I am the one to be opposed. He oft does not interfere but simply watches - the last I recall, he desired simply for one to live. The Idealistic and the Chaotic. Would it not fit?

[ Perhaps he is watching now, Miscarlet things - as he leans back for a moment. a beat. ]

What are... what?

[ oh
oh dear, he's missed something, hasn't he? Miscarlet hisses at himself, not placing any other cards - the game is over, after all. His glasses removed and placed down, he pretends to focus. ]

[it's a frustration she feels she understands, reaching out to rub her thumb across his hand.] I still think he would try to do what is best… as well as could be reckoned with the knowledge he does have.

[she hums, thoughtful.] It does seem to fit, I agree. Certainly it sounds poetic enough.

[and now she frowns, looking between Miscarlet and the card. Something is off, she's almost certain now, but…]

The blue markings- here, and here… They mean something, don't they?

[ As she rubs her thump against his hand, he simply gives a small smile. ] Perhaps... there is a hope. But after the chaos I have reckoned, I know not if I can save the Scions. Prevent-- what happened.

[ He needs to distract her, and the question of blue marks... furrowing his brow, he lets out a grumpy sigh. ]

Ah. Those.

[ It must be the card of-- ] Vaan. A man of Ivalice, one of the realms I roamed in. Falling to the temptation of Gods, he found himself turning to their new puppet - his body turning to Nethicite.

...Nethicite is... Think of it like Auracite, except it can hold a charge for a lot longer. Dangerous stuff, forged by cruel Gods. Standing outside time, but desiring control. [ ...He's still part-Occuria. Is he like them? ]

That poor boy ended up trapped in another realm. Still alive, I'd think, outside the realms mortals can visit. For that only happened in one lifetime - often, him and the Princess both would resist that urge.

[ God, he misses Vaan. He even misses Vaan looking up to him and being annoying and growing up as they travel. He lets out a little huff of a laugh, though. Sounding distant. ]

...He'd like Eorzea.

[she keeps doing it, a little absent-mindedly. Still- it's nice.]

Maybe not. But- we can try. Can't we?

[she slows as he starts talking about Vaan, though, hissing at the description of Nethicite, what happened to Vaan.]

That's- cruel, beyond measure… Can we reach him? Is there any way?

[…she gives a quick squeeze and a frown. that wasn't quite the answer she was looking for.]

...Would you let me try? I... I hate it. [ He's feeling... like he can talk. Even if it's not as equals. ] I hate losing everybody, over and over. Seeing what could be changed - and what refuses to change. It may be my last naiviety... but if there is a way to save them? That is what I want - it's why I do what I do, K'pandolu.

[ At her question, there's a long pause. ]

...There may be a way to reach him. But... hah. It may end with you like me - wandering eternity. For his realm is not like those I normally can carry beings though. I know that trust is something I've not earned, but...

[ Why does he laugh? Because he knows, even with his sight gone - that he'll be doing this with her. Going to the one who sealed himself away. He's already freed Alisaie and Alphinaud - why not free the Dynast-King? It could be... interesting. ]

[she tilts her head] Yes. Yes- of course, I couldn't… I couldn't stand that, and… [her gaze drops to her hands for a moment, her movements slowing.] I- never wanted anyone sacrificed for me. If there's a way- [she lifts her gaze again, intense.] I want to try. I'll help you in this.

[she startles at his laugh, looking puzzled. It doesn't take her long to put on her determined face again, and she reaches out for his hand.]

I'll take that risk. If we can free him, it'll be worth it.

...Then we are the same way. A life for a life harms those who survive, does it not? As one who has seen both Darkness and Light... it is tiring.

[ If we can free him, it'll be worth it.
Spoken truly. Worries seemed to fade, if only for a moment - a softness in his eyes unseen for quite some time. She understands.

And that's when he finally says it. ]

I cannot see. At least, in this lifetime. A facade, I'm afraid to say, I didn't wish to burden you with. I-- I've learned to live with it.

It does. It… the pain never truly leaves.

[nor the yawning fear that it will happen to someone else- but she doesn't want to speak much of that, fearing again that might give it shape in the world.

She stays quiet for a moment after he says that, and then nods and squeezes his hand lightly.]

I thought… something was strange, but… you deal with it very well, I think. It doesn't make so much difference to you, does it?

It will never leave. [ He says, quite suddenly, a pain seeming to show in his whole body. ] But we... can find a place for them to all survive. Perhaps then... I will no longer feel this desire to meddle.

[ To try, even if it brings suffering. ]

It does not make any difference. [ He gently says, touching his fingers to his glasses. It was another pain. He loved them as well... as family and lovers, depending on the timeline.

Was that wrong? ] Though perhaps I should have chosen a game less prone to requiring sight, yes?

Miscarlet- [she reaches out with her other hand, standing up with the intent of leaning over to bump her head against him, if she could reach.] We can- we will.

That's- good. Isn't it?

[she huffs out a breath, relaxing, amused.] Perhaps so. It was a game well played, all the same.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

hope it's good?

it's good!

yay!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject