[Hello, Xander, don't be surprised at that very familiar voice from behind your shoulder. Even the accent is very much the same - possibly even more so than Ardyn usually speaks with now. Episode one level Ardyn accent.
And when Xander turns - well. It's easy to believe that a hardlight or something is in play here, because the man is a dead ringer for Ardyn in face and build as well. Aside from the clothes - which are more carefully maintained than Ardyn's preferred improvised outfits, though in similar style and Lucian black still - and the fresh tattoo of a crow in flight tucked into the left side of the man's neck ruin the impression.
...That may well be a women's shirt, with how ruffled the collar is.]
If you'd like a closer look at something, I'd be happy to fetch it for you.
[Xander jumps at the voice- both because he is sure Ardyn is back "home" AND because the voice is just different enough from the man he knew to sound off. He had watched the third season, but hearing it in person is different.
His hand flies to his hip, but of course his sword is back in the Armiger and even if Ardyn's powers were fully unlocked, he is no Glaive.
Seeing the same face with just a few differences on top of it keeps his eyes wide, but he doesn't lash out]
[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. ]
[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 dozen 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?
[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.
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?]
[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]
[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.
[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.]
[What's the point of having - well, not exactly friends - people on your side who do politics and religiously watch out for this sort of thing? Really, it was a wild guess based on your time period, but it seems to have worked well enough.]
I suppose it is quite the trick, if you haven't grown up with it. Forgive me for indulging myself; I have to keep it quite tightly under wraps most of the time, as I'm sure you can imagine.
[He settles into his own chair and slides a pen from his sleeve into his hand - only the very keenest eye would notice the flash of blue.]
Though I'm getting decent at sleight-of-hand, as you can see.
Oh, no, he's aware, though I suppose I'm not surprised he didn't share the fact beyond his Glaive. Church made quite the awkward mistake wandering around the mall one day, and you, I imagine, can guess how things proceeded from there.
[He reaches up to touch at the fresh tattoo on the side of his neck with the hand still holding the pen.]
Yuuri paid me a visit shortly afterwards. It's damn unsettling how like my own daughter she is. That's all I can confirm for sure, though I can't imagine them leaving Junpei out of the loop.
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no subject
[Hello, Xander, don't be surprised at that very familiar voice from behind your shoulder. Even the accent is very much the same - possibly even more so than Ardyn usually speaks with now. Episode one level Ardyn accent.
And when Xander turns - well. It's easy to believe that a hardlight or something is in play here, because the man is a dead ringer for Ardyn in face and build as well. Aside from the clothes - which are more carefully maintained than Ardyn's preferred improvised outfits, though in similar style and Lucian black still - and the fresh tattoo of a crow in flight tucked into the left side of the man's neck ruin the impression.
...That may well be a women's shirt, with how ruffled the collar is.]
If you'd like a closer look at something, I'd be happy to fetch it for you.
no subject
[Xander jumps at the voice- both because he is sure Ardyn is back "home" AND because the voice is just different enough from the man he knew to sound off. He had watched the third season, but hearing it in person is different.
His hand flies to his hip, but of course his sword is back in the Armiger and even if Ardyn's powers were fully unlocked, he is no Glaive.
Seeing the same face with just a few differences on top of it keeps his eyes wide, but he doesn't lash out]
My. Apopo- I mean, I'm sorry. You scared me.
no subject
[There's not any of the smarm that the comment might come with from Ardyn. It seems... Well, as sincere as any career politician can be sincere.
Izunia has a good memory for voices. An even better one for gestures. He knows the instinctive reach for a sword when he sees it.]
It's hardly the first time someone's had that reaction. I'm more than aware of the resemblance, before you need ask.
no subject
[Xander is still quite obviously ruffled, but he manages to put on airs quickly enough]
She is why I'm here, actually. I'm looking for a gift.
no subject
Between you and I, Your Highness, my brother's acting is positively shit.
[And then back to a voice that can be hard by others in the store, and with glance to his part timer behind the counter - ]
The quality of those is nothing to write home about. I keep most of the items for serious customers in the back, if you'd like to accompany me.
1/2
what]
no subject
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]
no subject
[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
dozentimes.(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?
no subject
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.
no subject
[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?]
no subject
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]
no subject
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?
no subject
[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.
no subject
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.]
no subject
I will never get used to that.
[he sits carefully, taking the drink. Cider, he knows cider, and is very pleased]
no subject
I suppose it is quite the trick, if you haven't grown up with it. Forgive me for indulging myself; I have to keep it quite tightly under wraps most of the time, as I'm sure you can imagine.
[He settles into his own chair and slides a pen from his sleeve into his hand - only the very keenest eye would notice the flash of blue.]
Though I'm getting decent at sleight-of-hand, as you can see.
no subject
[he sips his drink, pondering his words]
Now that we are settled and on more equal terms, I feel I'm owed a story. You're brother doesn't know you are here, does he?
no subject
[He reaches up to touch at the fresh tattoo on the side of his neck with the hand still holding the pen.]
Yuuri paid me a visit shortly afterwards. It's damn unsettling how like my own daughter she is. That's all I can confirm for sure, though I can't imagine them leaving Junpei out of the loop.