daemonized | EL NYSA IC INBOX.

A couple of timelines? My, there's a story there.

[He decides to take a sip of his wine, considering.]

Why the conflict? Or is it a torrid, complicated story from back home?

Indeed. I am equally curious as to why there is a difference in what he remembers and what I remember. Yet I do not doubt it. He would not hostility toward me unless he lived in some other world. I barely had any contact with him in my own timeline...

[ And he does not doubt the hostility, he glances for a second at his jacket. ]

It is not so complicated. If I know myself... that man was going to lose to me in battle. I have a habit of adding more words than necessary. But yes, I know myself. In order to let his failure sink in, I would have explained what my plans were so that his last seconds would be agonizing. [ He takes another sip. ] My goal is a simple one. It is allowing a cursed being to be born.

[ Kirei chuckles to himself before naming it. ] Angra Mainyu. He was once a human that now bears the sins and curses of the entire world, the entire human race. He was forced to take them into himself by humanity, because in their childlike thinking, if he was the "evil of the world"... no human born could be. And so the legend goes, they wouldn't let him die until he succumbed to old age. His true name no longer exists anywhere and so that would be how the legend ends.

[ He shakes his head. ] But he exists and exists outside the realm of men. It is my intention to bring him into reality, to give him flesh and bone. It is my wish to have him tear this world apart... eradicate all humanity that damned him, if he so wishes. And it has little to do with my connection with Angra Mainyu... [ Lifting his hand, he reminds of the black mud that heals his body. ] ... in any case, if that man lay dying, I would let him know of these plans that he could no longer stop.

[ And also, that will answer a question for Kirei. A question he has wondered and agonized for his entire life. But he'll keep that personal comment to himself. He thought for a moment of omitting some truths, and just omits the true end goal that he has. In the end, he runs the numbers in his head. Nothing yet has disturbed or frightened Ardyn from what he has said; he supposes that he just is curious as to what the man would take of half of his end goal. ]

As such, our conflict is a simple one. I wish to help Angra Mainyu be allowed to exist, and that man wants to ensure I do not succeed. He wishes to save humanity from me. An honorable and noble goal. [ And he sips more of his wine. ]

[Now that’s a story. Ardyn listens again, not interrupting, his attentions rapt. He was once a human that now bears the sins and curses of the entire world… Ardyn’s lips twitch at that, threatening to turn into a frown. But with ease of willpower, his expression remains calm and easy. Approachable, despite the dark things being told to him. Destruction of humanity, of the world.

Funny how it strikes a chord in him.]

You call it an honorable and noble goal, and yet you still work to unravel it. Why? Do you wish for humanity to be eradicated?

No. If that is what happens, it is, but that is not my hope. [ His eyes slide away as he decides to go with another half answer. ]

He wishes to exist. [ Looking at his free hand, he hums. ] There is no purer wish than to simply live. And so, I decided to let him be given the chance to do just that. He may be the evil of the world... his body and spirit is filled with curses. He may end up killing everyone and everything.

But he was also human. So, he may not. I see no reason to condemn his existence over a possibility. It hardly seems... right. [ And he chuckles. ] And... he may kill me, too. I do not expect to be rewarded for allowing him to come into our reality, nor do I want to be. I am, after all, possibly calling forth the end of all things... well, no. Maybe a small percentage will survive.

Edited (typos and wording) 2017-10-04 19:45 (UTC)

[To have that sort of, what? Blind faith in a man so riddled with curses? Some may call it naive, but Ardyn finds it skirting between the lines of amusing and hitting too close to home to call it such. It's obvious that his interest refuses to wane, that there are many turns of phrases that keep him listening intently.]

The potential sacrifice of an entire world is a very large price to pay so that one man might have a chance to really, truly live.

[His grin sharpens a little, knowing the twisted irony in his following statement. The wrongness of it, and yet... he can hardly judge.]

How very kind of you. [A beat.] This story you've told me... Do you know that it runs rather parallel with my own?

It is, but it hardly will stop me. [ His tone shifts from the calm to a notably happier one. ] I wouldn't call it kind or good. I am helping and wishing for someone irrevocably evil be brought into existence, yet I refuse to denounce someone that has yet to do anything. I would call it a sane madness.

[ Parallel to Ardyn's own? ] I did not. In your world, you are Angra Mainyu...? [ There is a laugh beneath his question. That sane madness. So then, would Ardyn be able to answer his question? The question that he is willing to sacrifice so many lives for. ]

I suppose you can make that decision for yourself.

[Strange, how open he is willing to be about this next bit. Normally he would show restraint in sharing his past with others, or at least talk about it in an annoyingly roundabout way. But with Kirei, he really does want to compare -- the idea that in some other world similar circumstances had taken place was interesting. But perhaps not surprising, given how fate likes to crush everyone under its heel.

He starts from the most suitable part. The beginning.]

I used to be a healer, you understand. A long, long time ago. I took sickness into my own body, one that was particularly nasty, for the sake of saving others. To save them from daemonification.

[ X’rhun has been able to piece together just how the calendar in this place relates to the calendar of his home world, and given that winter is on the horizon, it seems it’s time for the Starlight Celebration.

Mayhap that’s not a thing here, not really, but he’ll hold onto whatever pieces of home he can. ]

Good day, my friend. I was wondering if I might borrow a moment of your time at some point?

[It only takes a minute or two for Ardyn's response to come through.]

I suppose I can spare a passing moment, yes. Name a time and a place, and I shall be there.

There is a little eatery in the city of which I've become fond, if that works for you. In a bell, mayhap?

Ah, an hour, I mean. I'm still not used to that.

[ And he sends along the name and location of said restaurant as well. ]

[Well, then, that's doable. And Ardyn is curious, so-]

In a bell, it is. I shall meet you there, not a minute too late.

[And so he will, when the time comes. Glancing about for that familiar face, he arrives with casual strides, as is the norm.]

[ X’rhun is already there, at a small table in the corner with a cup of coffee in front of him. He’s easily spotted by his ears this time, since his hat is nowhere to be found. Today he seems to have forgone his usual Duelist uniform for something a bit more casual, and a bit warmer thanks to the chill in the air.

The sweater he’s wearing is still red, though, because of course it is. And as ever, he has his rapier and crystal at his hips.

He spots Ardyn as he enters, ears perking, and waves him over. ]

[Ardyn, not surprisingly, is dressed in all black and layers, as seems to be his preference. The splash of color once again exists in the form of his scarf, a bright scarlet red wrapped loosely around his neck. No hat today, however!

He spots X'rhun with ease, and while he walks towards the man, he notes his casual manner of dress. To the corner he goes, and he takes a seat at the table across from his companion.]

What a quaint little place this is. Is the coffee to your liking?

Very much so. If you’ve more than just a passing moment, I highly recommend it.

[ He gives Ardyn a brief once-over; it seems they’re both going it somewhat casually. A change in the weather will prompt a change in clothes for just about anyone apparently. ]

Thank you, by the way, for making the trek out.

Now, that's hardly anything worth thanking me for. I needed a bit of fresh air, anyhow.

[He waves a dismissive hand, smiling courteously enough. Perhaps he will order a cup of coffee, but for now Ardyn's curiosity keeps his focus on X'rhun.]

Did you have something you wished to talk to me about?

[ Ah, yes, to the matter at hand. X’rhun didn’t offer up much of an explanation for wanting to meet, so he imagines Ardyn must be curious. ]

What if I simply wanted to enjoy the pleasure of your company?

[ While that is a nice bonus, that’s not the full reason, and that much is obvious by the teasing tone of his voice and the way he continues without really waiting for an answer. ]

We’ve a holiday where I come from, called the Starlight Celebration. Its origins are unique to Eorzea, but I wonder if you have something similar on Eos. It takes place in the winter, and gifts are often exchanged, mostly for children but between friends as well. Since I find myself with a bit of extra silver in my pockets, I thought I might keep the tradition alive somewhat.

So, I have a present for you, basically.

[ A present he plucks off the seat of the chair next to him, and slides across the table to Ardyn. It’s hard to come by brightly colored paper, he’s found, so the wrapping is plain brown, tied with a red ribbon. The box itself is about the size of a book, though upon picking it up it’s clear it’s a bit too light to be one. ]

[He's given no time to remark, and that's fine, so Ardyn merely listens with interest that refuses to wane. A Starlight Celebration. If something ironic decides to lurch itself up and over in his mind, it's with a practiced effort that he compartmentalizes it away for now.

Besides, when X'rhun slides this present across the table towards him, bright red bow contrasting the brown wrapping paper, he blinks down at it once. A brow arches, and he picks it up -- gently -- feeling its weight. It's light.

Eyes lift back up to his friend, and a moment passes before-]

...You're far too kind. I have nothing to give you in return.

[How strange it is, to be given a gift. There's something simple in the gesture, not overwrought by the facetious, paper-thin civility of Niflheim politics he's used to. Gifts then were weighed with the hope of garnering favor, of expectation. At best, they were seen as burgeoning opportunities. At worst? Annoying inconveniences.

Here, this is just... a present. Just because X'rhun could.

He's not... quite sure what to do with it. Outwardly, he knows how he must act. But his mind digs its heels in, asks him where those invisible strings are that must be attached. Habit. Old, old habit.]

I don’t ask for anything in return, except perhaps a chat over of cup of coffee.

[ X’rhun never does anything with the expectation of being repaid. If it happens, he’s practical enough not to turn it down, but he’s perfectly content to do what he does without reward. Ardyn is his friend, and therefore he gets a gift. It’s as simple as that.

If he notices the way Ardyn seems unsure of what to do with himself, he doesn’t remark on it. It’s just another piece of the puzzle that is Ardyn Izunia slotting into place. ]

You’re free to open it, if you like. I’ve no idea when Starlight actually is based on the calendar in this place, but we must be close enough.

[ And should Ardyn decide to peel away the wrapping paper and lift the lid, he will find… another scarf for his no doubt extensive collection, folded neatly in the box. This one is a deep blue-green, and though it looks plain, closer inspection will reveal a subtle pattern woven into the fabric. Something reminiscent of waves and swirling water. X’rhun thought it appropriate, given their little adventure with the sea creature not long ago. ]

[Whatever it was, if it could even be called hesitation, it was gone as quickly as it came. Ardyn’s movements are fluid again, unaffected, as he undoes the bow, unwraps the present, and eventually reveals the scarf within. He picks it up, feeling the soft texture of the fabric with his fingers. Simple, until reflected in the light, with swirling patterns that remind him of the ocean. Of the curling waves of the sea.

Ardyn laughs, a sound that’s barely there. Amusement threads through his words.]

A scarf. How ever did you know that I have a fondness for them?

[A hand to remove the one around his neck, and it crystallizes away with his magic, stored away as if it were nothing. He begins to drape his new one around his neck.]

A fine color. You have my gratitude. How do I look?

[And it does indeed stand out amongst the otherwise dark hues of his clothing.]

What can I say? I have impeccable intuition.

[ There’s a moment when Ardyn stows his current scarf away that X’rhun finds himself unsurprised that he keeps his wardrobe in his magical pockets. In fact, he might be a bit jealous, considering the convenience of it.

He grins as Ardyn loops the new one around his neck, amusement creasing the corners of his eyes, something that may share a relative with fondness in the curve of his smile. In coming to this place, they have all lost so much, but even for X’rhun who has very much been a solitary creature for years, it’s so very good to have found friends in the wake of that. ]

Very dashing. Happy Starlight, my friend.

[The smile he returns is just as generous, just as affected. It comes practiced, and he'll not show the tired strain at the corners of his eyes, because such does not belong in an exchange of gifts between friends.

But a muscle works at his jaw, regardless, even as he reaches up to adjust the scarf a bit more, to wrap it in a fancy little knot with deft fingers.]

Happy Starlight, X'rhun. I should hope that the spirit of such a holiday continues to treat you well, and I thank you again.

[In the long, complex file cabinet of All Things Ardyn Lucis Caelum, he will have trouble figuring out where to place this gesture. At the bottom lies a drawer labeled "friendship and other miscellany", but it's rusted and he's lost the key to it long ago. What a terrible reality of his state of mind, that he should have to think on it, whereas others would simply be able to accept it.]

[ He waves his hand in a dismissive gesture. ]

No thanks necessary. It is the least I can do for all the amusing banter you’ve provided me with.

[ Among other things, but it seems best to keep the mood on the light side of sincere. His eyes track Ardyn’s hands as he reaches up to knot the scarf. ]

I nearly got you a red one. I’m glad I managed to tamp down on that urge.

[It’s a French knot, or whatever the equivalent term is on Eos. He finishes it quickly, neat and nigh perfect — but to his credit, he’s had a lot of practice.

He huffs out an amused sound.]

You, my friend, have an unhealthy obsession with the color red.

[He’s joking, of course.]

[ He breaks into a wide smile, teeth flashing, accompanied by an amused lash of his tail behind him. ]

I have no idea what you mean.

[ Says the red mage in a red sweater talking to his friend about buying a red scarf. ]

[Mm-hm.]

Must just be my imagination, then.

[Though who's he to say anything? Ardyn's almost always seen wearing black.]

Have you bought presents for very many of those you know? Spreading the Starlight spirit, and what not?

EL NYSA IC INBOX.

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pfft wasn't happy with the original tag but have another long-winded tag

no worries at all!

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text; un: crimson duelist

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