![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
[what. what just happened here he thought he was being slick???
what]
what]
[Either he had run into a rabid fan that was planning to assault him in the back room, or an employee of IG7. Xander is sure of this.
Because the possibility of this being Izunia, was well... Not possible. Ardyn's brother should be generations long dead.
... but the network could bring people from all times. Still, why would he be HERE? More likely this is a trap. But one he might be able to use to his advantage. ]
A-ah, yes. I can't show up with a subpar gift...
[he follows, on edge and feeling under armed]
Because the possibility of this being Izunia, was well... Not possible. Ardyn's brother should be generations long dead.
... but the network could bring people from all times. Still, why would he be HERE? More likely this is a trap. But one he might be able to use to his advantage. ]
A-ah, yes. I can't show up with a subpar gift...
[he follows, on edge and feeling under armed]
Edited 2018-01-28 07:42 (UTC)
[This is absolutely the optional alternate route that you take to avoid the really tedious endgame dungeon. That's what this is.]
I see. Then you aren't any more fond of this than I am.
[Simple and to the point, for once in this conversation.]
I see. Then you aren't any more fond of this than I am.
[Simple and to the point, for once in this conversation.]
Of course not.
[As he just... gently whisks Xander into his personal space with one arm, as indeed the other man has probably seen Ardyn do to Church a coupledozen times.
(And on that day a ship was born in the heart of some distant crackshipper.)
Hopefully Xander doesn't mind being swept up in Izunia's extremely-skilled wake until the door to the shop's back room is closed behind them...
...At which point the act drops off as immediately as flipping a switch, the flirtatious smile gone in an instant and the hand immediately dropped from around Xander's shoulders. Instead, Izunia just looks... Tired, and perhaps a bit stressed, as he pulls a hand through his hair in a perfect echo of Ardyn's gesture without even realizing it.]
And you may well be even worse, you're lucky I can carry a scene like that. Can I get you something to drink?
[As he just... gently whisks Xander into his personal space with one arm, as indeed the other man has probably seen Ardyn do to Church a couple
(And on that day a ship was born in the heart of some distant crackshipper.)
Hopefully Xander doesn't mind being swept up in Izunia's extremely-skilled wake until the door to the shop's back room is closed behind them...
...At which point the act drops off as immediately as flipping a switch, the flirtatious smile gone in an instant and the hand immediately dropped from around Xander's shoulders. Instead, Izunia just looks... Tired, and perhaps a bit stressed, as he pulls a hand through his hair in a perfect echo of Ardyn's gesture without even realizing it.]
And you may well be even worse, you're lucky I can carry a scene like that. Can I get you something to drink?
Edited 2018-01-28 08:02 (UTC)
[Honestly he barely has time to realize what is happening- equal parts overwhelmed and flustered. That similar body language is what makes him start to question his earlier assumption- Ardyn is very readable when it comes to his habits, but these don't come off as manufactured.More he is reminded of his siblings. How Elise picked up the way she chewed her lip from Camilla. How Leo's narrowed eyes were very much like their father's before his mind started to turn.
It's familiarity in a way that would take an actor that was a master of his craft to mimic so fluidly. Xander is no actor, but he has always been good at reading the slightest hints in the gestures of others.
He had to be, considering]
Sadly, the network made me an actor through kidnapping, not training or talent. Am I really supposed to believe you are Ardyn's long dead brother? Because I am finding that rather hard to swallow.
It's familiarity in a way that would take an actor that was a master of his craft to mimic so fluidly. Xander is no actor, but he has always been good at reading the slightest hints in the gestures of others.
He had to be, considering]
Sadly, the network made me an actor through kidnapping, not training or talent. Am I really supposed to believe you are Ardyn's long dead brother? Because I am finding that rather hard to swallow.
My impression is very much that it's not acting at all, though I'll admit that I've hardly followed your group's season religiously.
[He kind of uh. Has a laser focus problem. On Ardyn.
Speaking of which, though... He doesn't bother to respond to Xander's unspoken accusation in words. Instead he...
Simply calls up a bottle of some fancy organic pear soda from the Armiger in a blue flash, cracks the bottle cap, and sips it, waiting. Do you really need more proof than that, Xander?]
[He kind of uh. Has a laser focus problem. On Ardyn.
Speaking of which, though... He doesn't bother to respond to Xander's unspoken accusation in words. Instead he...
Simply calls up a bottle of some fancy organic pear soda from the Armiger in a blue flash, cracks the bottle cap, and sips it, waiting. Do you really need more proof than that, Xander?]
[Xander snorts through his nose like a disgruntled horse- yeah that...
That would do it. He's seen both Ardyn and Noctis' Armiger in person e ouch to recognize the real thing when he saw it]
Tch. You must be his kin- you share the same need to horde away garbage like a magpie.
[...look, of all the modern treats he can't get his head around pop]
That would do it. He's seen both Ardyn and Noctis' Armiger in person e ouch to recognize the real thing when he saw it]
Tch. You must be his kin- you share the same need to horde away garbage like a magpie.
[...look, of all the modern treats he can't get his head around pop]
[If he has a keen eye, he'll actually note that Izunia's Armiger is, in fact, the same blue of Noctis'. The line of Lucis came full circle in the end.
Also look. Some men have coffee, some have alcohol, Izunia has pear soda. That's just the way it is.]
I prefer crows, if we're being honest. Certain I can't get you something?
Also look. Some men have coffee, some have alcohol, Izunia has pear soda. That's just the way it is.]
I prefer crows, if we're being honest. Certain I can't get you something?
[There is not actually a touch to press against, which is perhaps a bit uncanny, but Izunia simply hums in the back of Ignis' mind and maintains the stable calm he's attempting to project.]
You needn't concern yourself for my sake. I'm hardier than most.
[No vision for him, either, but Izunia has always been the sort to find tactile sensations calming, which helps to work into a feedback as Ignis clenches and releases the hand in the sheets. He's still a step removed, and thus able to see a bit wider of the picture than Ignis can in this moment, when the desire to find Noctis overrides what of his senses remain.]
Though it would probably be to your advantage to direct your thoughts my way instead of speaking aloud, unless you wish your companions to think you've lost your reason along with your sight.
[Just looking out for you, partner.]
You needn't concern yourself for my sake. I'm hardier than most.
[No vision for him, either, but Izunia has always been the sort to find tactile sensations calming, which helps to work into a feedback as Ignis clenches and releases the hand in the sheets. He's still a step removed, and thus able to see a bit wider of the picture than Ignis can in this moment, when the desire to find Noctis overrides what of his senses remain.]
Though it would probably be to your advantage to direct your thoughts my way instead of speaking aloud, unless you wish your companions to think you've lost your reason along with your sight.
[Just looking out for you, partner.]
[It's uncanny and also a touch embarrassing when Ignis just finds himself pressing farther into the pillows behind him instead of an actual presence. For a moment his body tenses again, but he's too weary, too pained, to stay that way. Eventually, he relaxes again and turns his remaining senses outward. There is a faint breeze smelling of salt and the sea. One of the room's windows must be cracked. There are also voices. At first he thinks they are drifting in from the window, but as soon as a familiar low rumble catches his ear he realizes the voices he is hearing are outside the door to the room instead.
Well, as comforted as he is by the Shield's presence so near, Ignis also realizes he's not going anywhere as long as Gladio is there. It also means he should very quickly take Izunia's warning to heart.]
You can hear me like this then?
[There is a bit of cautious disbelief in the thought's tone, not because he doesn't believe it will work, but just because this is all so new and strange to him. Belatedly, he realizes he is beginning to tense again and sighs as he shifts and methodically forces each muscle group to relax back into the comfort of the bed.]
That may be true, but that doesn't mean I can't still show concern for you. We are a team now, and while this may be new for you in a different way than it is for me, it is still new to you.
[Besides, deflecting is his favorite way of not dealing with things, and boy, does he have a lot of things floating around his mind he does not want to deal with quite yet.]
Well, as comforted as he is by the Shield's presence so near, Ignis also realizes he's not going anywhere as long as Gladio is there. It also means he should very quickly take Izunia's warning to heart.]
You can hear me like this then?
[There is a bit of cautious disbelief in the thought's tone, not because he doesn't believe it will work, but just because this is all so new and strange to him. Belatedly, he realizes he is beginning to tense again and sighs as he shifts and methodically forces each muscle group to relax back into the comfort of the bed.]
That may be true, but that doesn't mean I can't still show concern for you. We are a team now, and while this may be new for you in a different way than it is for me, it is still new to you.
[Besides, deflecting is his favorite way of not dealing with things, and boy, does he have a lot of things floating around his mind he does not want to deal with quite yet.]
The more important question is, is there anything we can do about it?
[It's alright, Ignis, there's no one around to see except someone who kind of wishes he could give you actual physical comfort instead of a magically manipulated firing of sensory nerves.
Such is life, afterlife, whatever in-between thing his existence is now.]
Perfectly well.
[Really, he could go digging for other thoughts, if he had to, but that would probably be unpleasant for both of them. Keeping it at instead a level of sensing each others' moods is safer.]
And I rather like it better than being in the Ring, but I do have that experience to draw from. Riding in the back seat, so to speak, isn't that new to me.
Such is life, afterlife, whatever in-between thing his existence is now.]
Perfectly well.
[Really, he could go digging for other thoughts, if he had to, but that would probably be unpleasant for both of them. Keeping it at instead a level of sensing each others' moods is safer.]
And I rather like it better than being in the Ring, but I do have that experience to draw from. Riding in the back seat, so to speak, isn't that new to me.
I don't intend to be satisfied until I find out.
[He might just have made a few plans for this eventuality. Plans like an apartment's worth of Spikea furniture, a full clinic worth of medical supplies, a Niflheim-worthy armory and two months' worth of food and water in his Armiger.
And he's been looking into spaceships.
...He might have forged Ardyn's autograph on a few things and sold them on Space Ebay to afford the lot, but no one needs to know. It's a small sin that Ardyn will probably forgive if they can pull off a rescue. Maybe. As much as Ardyn forgives him anything.]
My question to you, young lady, is what do you intend to do?
[He might just have made a few plans for this eventuality. Plans like an apartment's worth of Spikea furniture, a full clinic worth of medical supplies, a Niflheim-worthy armory and two months' worth of food and water in his Armiger.
And he's been looking into spaceships.
...He might have forged Ardyn's autograph on a few things and sold them on Space Ebay to afford the lot, but no one needs to know. It's a small sin that Ardyn will probably forgive if they can pull off a rescue. Maybe. As much as Ardyn forgives him anything.]
My question to you, young lady, is what do you intend to do?
I'd like to do what I can to help, but…
[Of course, that has been her purpose always. To help, to guide, to heal. But she's a program in the shape of a schoolgirl, not a SWAT team. To even track the survivors down requires a level of technical expertise that… she doesn't have right now.]
No one else really shares this theory…. I'm not sure where to start.
[she pauses, deep in thought.]
I haven't been here very long.
[Of course, that has been her purpose always. To help, to guide, to heal. But she's a program in the shape of a schoolgirl, not a SWAT team. To even track the survivors down requires a level of technical expertise that… she doesn't have right now.]
No one else really shares this theory…. I'm not sure where to start.
[she pauses, deep in thought.]
I haven't been here very long.
Edited 2018-01-31 09:05 (UTC)
Sometimes, when the enemy is shrouded in darkness, your only option is to throw a light and see what moves.
[That is to say, they're not going to get anywhere, they might have to make the first move.
There's a bit of that maniac Lucis Caelum gleam, the one missing from the Sphotoshopped poster, in Izunia's smile. Oh yes, they're brothers, and whether it comes from so long playing Ardyn or if it's simply because Izunia is only the sensible one in comparison, it's a gleam that has every potential to lead them into danger.]
I have a few ideas - how comfortable are you with risks, and can you operate a camera?
[Don't worry, Nanami. You don't need a SWAT team, you've got this guy.]
[That is to say, they're not going to get anywhere, they might have to make the first move.
There's a bit of that maniac Lucis Caelum gleam, the one missing from the Sphotoshopped poster, in Izunia's smile. Oh yes, they're brothers, and whether it comes from so long playing Ardyn or if it's simply because Izunia is only the sensible one in comparison, it's a gleam that has every potential to lead them into danger.]
I have a few ideas - how comfortable are you with risks, and can you operate a camera?
[Don't worry, Nanami. You don't need a SWAT team, you've got this guy.]
No, I suppose it's not.
[Ignis can't help but wonder, then, if that detachment--that feeling of not really being in control--is part of the reason the Kings of Old had been so distant and harsh even to one who was doing nothing more than asking--no begging--for the power to protect one of their own. Only Regis had not been so, but he was newly added to their number. Of course his presence would be different.
And then there is Izunia, but his whole situation is different now, isn't it?]
So, where do we begin? As much as I wish to see Noctis right now, I have no doubt that Gladio will cart me back to bed the moment I open that door. Visiting will have to wait.
[Awake for five minutes and already all business. Some things never change.]
[Ignis can't help but wonder, then, if that detachment--that feeling of not really being in control--is part of the reason the Kings of Old had been so distant and harsh even to one who was doing nothing more than asking--no begging--for the power to protect one of their own. Only Regis had not been so, but he was newly added to their number. Of course his presence would be different.
And then there is Izunia, but his whole situation is different now, isn't it?]
So, where do we begin? As much as I wish to see Noctis right now, I have no doubt that Gladio will cart me back to bed the moment I open that door. Visiting will have to wait.
[Awake for five minutes and already all business. Some things never change.]
So like in a horror game...if you keep running away from the danger, you'll never beat the game. Hmm… the genre does fit.
[... looks like Komaeda-kun.
Should she be worried? Anyone else would, but loose cannon or not Komaeda ultimately got things done. There are points of his belief that she disagrees with, but in the end they wanted the same thing- for the class to move forward. And this man is clearly on her page (she thinks?). She believes it's not going to end up like that Chapter 5 mess.
Chiaki has to practice what she preaches: push forward, push on no matter how slim the chances of success. Make her own future.]
I can learn… probably. I'm fine with the risks.
[... looks like Komaeda-kun.
Should she be worried? Anyone else would, but loose cannon or not Komaeda ultimately got things done. There are points of his belief that she disagrees with, but in the end they wanted the same thing- for the class to move forward. And this man is clearly on her page (she thinks?). She believes it's not going to end up like that Chapter 5 mess.
Chiaki has to practice what she preaches: push forward, push on no matter how slim the chances of success. Make her own future.]
I can learn… probably. I'm fine with the risks.
Edited 2018-02-01 12:35 (UTC)
...
[he sighs, defeated and deflating. It's a clearly visible thing, how his shoulders relax and slope and his worrylines deepen now that he is less sure of his standing.
A fight he knows, this he doesn't ]
Ah... yes, please. Whatever is available is fine.
[he sighs, defeated and deflating. It's a clearly visible thing, how his shoulders relax and slope and his worrylines deepen now that he is less sure of his standing.
A fight he knows, this he doesn't ]
Ah... yes, please. Whatever is available is fine.
[Izunia hums - way to help him pick something, Xander - before his eyes go a little distant in concentration, the way someone might look in front of a particularly interesting book. It's only for a moment, though, before he pulls a glass of apple cider out - non-alcoholic, thanks, you'll have to ask for that specifically - and offers it up.]
You say that as though I don't carry a menu as varied as the entire food court as a matter of course. Chair?
[Because, hey, he's also got camp chairs, and is just going to deploy a pair of them without waiting for further confirmation, as well as a small folding table for their drinks. Which is a good thing, because the back of the shop is perhaps surprisingly empty save for a shelf full of boxed dragon statuettes, a set of cleaning supplies, and a small employee bathroom.]
You say that as though I don't carry a menu as varied as the entire food court as a matter of course. Chair?
[Because, hey, he's also got camp chairs, and is just going to deploy a pair of them without waiting for further confirmation, as well as a small folding table for their drinks. Which is a good thing, because the back of the shop is perhaps surprisingly empty save for a shelf full of boxed dragon statuettes, a set of cleaning supplies, and a small employee bathroom.]
[There are certain similarities, like the deeper, more violent layer of crazy under the normal layer of slightly concerning.
He offers her a hand.]
Then I'd be delighted to work with you, miss...?
[hey you got a name there, kid?]
He offers her a hand.]
Then I'd be delighted to work with you, miss...?
[hey you got a name there, kid?]
[Izunia was never quite so detached in the first place. After all, unlike every other King of Old, he still has something attaching him to this world.
An obnoxious daemonic something, but look, he's willing to forgive a great deal, if it's Ardyn.]
Honestly, I could do with a situation report. Aside from the obvious - that which just transpired and the thoughts that were immediately on your mind at the time you put on the ring - my knowledge of events ends at the fall of Insomnia, and even then it is not precisely detailed.
[Regis bit it, Ravus did a stupid, Nyx did a heroic, that's really about all he knows.
Making any kind of plan is impossible, or at least very foolish, when you don't know what's going on. And perhaps more importantly, it's a way that Ignis can feel useful and gain back some of his confidence in the aftermath of his injury. As much as the obvious reassurances have no doubt helped his mental state for the moment, Izunia is aware enough that that won't be more than a temporary balm. For someone who needs to do, who needs to be useful, to build their confidence again - providing them with a way of doing that will do a great deal more good in the long run.
(A distant part of him, one that is aware of and disgusted at the way his political knowledge and ceaseless acting have left him unable to entirely stop the manipulations even upon this most intimate of allies, simply sighs at the thought. Manipulation or not, it is what Ignis needs, now.)]
An obnoxious daemonic something, but look, he's willing to forgive a great deal, if it's Ardyn.]
Honestly, I could do with a situation report. Aside from the obvious - that which just transpired and the thoughts that were immediately on your mind at the time you put on the ring - my knowledge of events ends at the fall of Insomnia, and even then it is not precisely detailed.
[Regis bit it, Ravus did a stupid, Nyx did a heroic, that's really about all he knows.
Making any kind of plan is impossible, or at least very foolish, when you don't know what's going on. And perhaps more importantly, it's a way that Ignis can feel useful and gain back some of his confidence in the aftermath of his injury. As much as the obvious reassurances have no doubt helped his mental state for the moment, Izunia is aware enough that that won't be more than a temporary balm. For someone who needs to do, who needs to be useful, to build their confidence again - providing them with a way of doing that will do a great deal more good in the long run.
(A distant part of him, one that is aware of and disgusted at the way his political knowledge and ceaseless acting have left him unable to entirely stop the manipulations even upon this most intimate of allies, simply sighs at the thought. Manipulation or not, it is what Ignis needs, now.)]
[She blanks out at the hand for a while, but when she takes it her grip is firm.]
… Chiaki. Chiaki Nanami, Ultimate Gamer.
What's your name?
… Chiaki. Chiaki Nanami, Ultimate Gamer.
What's your name?
@gamerchiaki I know, and I wish I wasn't.
Ardyn is going to murder Xander, in all likelihood.
Ardyn is going to murder Xander, in all likelihood.
[he gives a startled laugh]
I will never get used to that.
[he sits carefully, taking the drink. Cider, he knows cider, and is very pleased]
I will never get used to that.
[he sits carefully, taking the drink. Cider, he knows cider, and is very pleased]
Page 33 of 38