boxofkururu | pile of creds

Of course, of course. What sort of man would you be if you stopped - not the sort to be...

[ He trails off, as they walk - letting out a few more clicks of his tongue. Almost a laugh, almost a thought. ]

There's a good bar near the Triple Triad areas. Cheap enough not too drain the wallet, and it tastes good enough to drown your sorrows.

[he listens- it's strange, for someone to seem so obviously familiar with him where he doesn't know them… A fact of whatever's at play at large, he assumes, and hums in turn.]

I don't think I've been there- but it sounds a good option. They allow you to play as well, I assume?

They've even re-enforced the cards against spillage. [ He says, as they turn the corner to enter it. Some of the regulars wave to the cat - because Th'ancred comes here quite often.

There's even a table - near the corner, a nice booth-type one, which seems to be reserved for him. There's a Triple Triad-style board in it, and as Th'ancred moves to it, one of the people does speak to him.

"Brought a boyfriend this time, Th'ancred?" ]

None of your business. Get me the regular. And... another for him.

A nice trick. I wonder if they'd be willing to share? [just, you know. On general principle.

He glances about them with interest, offering the regulars smiles- they're pretty clearly familiar with Th'ancred, and he wonders- how often does the other come here? (How many days are bad days?) There's- a little of an eyebrow raise at hearing the name, but it- seems to fit, in a way. He offers this person a grin as well, before turning to Th'ancred.]

Now… it is the first time we've been here together. It's only right they're curious.

Not everybody I bring here has to be a lover.

[ But he seems oddly defensive, as he lets his head slink down a little - slipping into the booth. ] Though I've brought quite the collection. It's expected of a Nuhn.

Certainly. [he sits as well, settling, watching Th'ancred a little more closely.] It's a good place to bring any friend, I'd think.

[that seems to surprise him, as he straightens.]

Ah- really? That's… not what I'd have expected, somehow. A tale you'd be willing to tell, perhaps?

The Th' clan don't have many women [ any really he's the last one even his daughter is of a different tribe ] - but there's quite a few times I've found people who'd volunteer their bodies to me.

[ And he hates it. He hates that he's seen as just a slut, that he can't go back to being one of the Tia of the S' clan. He's an Archon, though, and has to keep so much bottled up. So many regrets of the past. ]

It doesn't often work out, but I do have a daughter.

[ A pause, as their drinks arrive - and Th'ancred takes a big gulp. ]

I see… That's- hard, though, isn't it? From what I've heard.

[he's faintly familiar with the general details- filtered by friends and distance, admittedly.

There's a little more noticeable surprise at that- but it would stand to reason, wouldn't it? She smiles, reaching out to take his glass and raise it.]

Congratulations. You must be very proud of her. What is she like?

[ He gives a soft nod, closing his eyes - holding back a tired sigh. It was hard and painful and no, he wouldn't tell him just what he had to do. He was reckless.

But where to begin? This would begin explaining this world, as well. ]

She's wonderful, and smart. She loves Chocobo, and would do nothing but care for them if duty did not call. For she, Indigo Lizeh...

[ He sighed, looking to his drink - as the deck of cards was delivered. Rental cards were, well, laminated like the tables. He waited for a time the other Thancred didn't have any drink in his mouth, however. ]

...Is the Warrior of Light.

[It's enough of an answer- certainly for someone he's only just met, really. There's no reason he'd need- nor want to divulge the details for Thancred's own curiosity. Besides, he seems happy talking about his daughter- someone obviously precious to him.

Rental cards- that's very clever. He wonders how they're doing it, still- attention still partly on Th'ancred, more than enough to get him to forget when he speaks again, eyes going wide.]

What-? But that's not-

[…no. Something's strange here- different, after all, no better proof of that than the man in front of him. He pauses, frowning, and tries to carry on smoothly.]

Hers is… not a name I'm familiar with, I fear. Which seems… most strange indeed.

[ Of course it had to be this way, and Th'ancred let his tail flick a little, as he began to look though his cards to begin to craft a deck. He's trying to keep his gaze averted, to hide how familiar he is with this - and how he's struggling to stay smooth himself. ]

I'd expect that. Are you familiar with the works of Uball-Ka? [ A beat. ] He favoured writing of the concept of multiple timelines. Something that I thought was mere fantasy until... [ Until he was freed from control, from Lahabrea. But he won't say that - instead, he'll shake his head and slightly place one of his Miqo'te claws to his neck. ] ...proof was shown to me.

[He's still frowning, trying to do the same- his heart just isn't as in it as it should be, as he watches the other.]

It's not a speciality I'd spent much time on- which seems a rather substantial lack now. But then- it isn't something you would expect to find until it happens to you. [He leans back a little, humming.] Proof… Other people?

[ Waving down the waitress to get another drink - he'd already finished his - he sighed. ] While recovering from... well, I had a lot of time to read. [ If this Thancred didn't know of Lizeh, then he wouldn't know of her death.

Pinching the bridge of his twitching nose, Th'ancred shakes his head a little. ] Yes. Such as you.

...As you might have guessed, we're the same person. [ it's bullshit ]

[He's going more slowly- still considering, still thinking all this over. There's a nod at that- even if he's thinking of the wrong thing- Lahabrea- there was certainly a lot of time then.]

Such as me. … It also sounds too ridiculous to be true, you know. And yet.

[there's- another nod, a little pursing of his lips.]

I'd surmised as much. It's still… very strange. And we're not… the only ones, I take it?

We're not, sad to say.

[ said with clicks of his tongue - as he manages a sly smile. ]

Whatever decided this world was prime for this... craziness has a thing for us. Guess they thought our Scions needed more eye candy.

[ but as he talks, his ears lay flat against his head and his tail begins to wag. fists curled up, he finally says it mixed with angry clicks. ]

Pity the forces of nature thought mocking us with Ascian in our form was fair.

[He manages a smile- that's weird and deeply messed up, but if they're looking at it that way- half-understandable, perhaps.]

Well- I should think we couldn't deny them that much.

[though- what of home, as well…? And then- he wouldn't call himself an expert, but the clicking, and the body language- he's almost prepared for bad news. Except not at all when it actually comes, and he half-rises, cards falling from his hands.]

They thought- what? As though all else was not enough-

[…he's drawing attention. Worried looks- concerned. He forces himself to sit down, push the anger back. He needs more information.]

How did this happen?

[ he expected that reaction, but still remains angered. one of his hands almost darts all the way to his linkpearl, but he lowers it. he can explain it - even if he doesn't know all the answers. ]

To understand why that, we need to step back. To... that time, when Ultima Weapon was woken. The Warrior of Light - and allies [ oh god he is not drunk enough to explain miscarlet ] charged in, to stop what our foolishness brought.

[ there's a long pause, as his voice goes quiet. his hand now lingers on a triple triad card - of course, the nero one. ]

...The Warrior of Light was killed in action. But there's... [ nope still not drunk enough ] many interesting and exciting ways the world can harm you. She was revived, by Ascian power.

[ and thats when shit begins to go wrong. ]

… That time. I remember.

[If not… quite this way, and he stays quiet, listening- hoping not to make it worse for Th'ancred. Twelve. It's not- he doesn't know what he'd do, really, if it were him. He hopes- he prays- he'll never have to find out.]

She- I'm sorry. […that card. Nero was involved- coincidence, or not? But that's not the most important details, and he lets out a breath- not quite hissing, but close.]

… Ascian power. Does that mean…? [possession? something else- something worse?]

It's her. I... [ fuck, he thinks, looking into his second drink. ] didn't believe it was, for a long time.

But after that? More and more people began to come here. And Minfilia welcomed them with open arms. [ Which he still doesn't want to believe. She's the one who's in control, after all, not him. But she's been so welcoming of everybody - even if they're Ascians. He lets out a hissing, bitter laugh. ]

Who'd believe the Scions working with Ascians? And Dravanians - the enemy of Ishgard. [ he doesn't even want to mention the tame primals yet. ] I hate it.

… You mean- actually brought back? That's… No. It would be hard to believe.

[he sighs, reaching for his own drink- a good choice, after all- this is a lot to take as it is.] …As though something had been broken, perhaps? That does sound like her. [Walkers of the Path, welcomed- no matter their origins. And still-]

Even so… it is hard to accept that. [Hard to swallow.] What's happened since they arrived? [has there been trouble?]

She holds Ascian power now, but... she remembers me. And acts as she did.

[ It must be her. But he lets out a snort. The only thing broken here was his mind. Sometimes, he wonders if he's really dead. ]

They haven't made a move, no. But...

[ He shudders a little, continuing to drink. ] Not for lack of trying - I'm surprised we haven't fallen to pure chaos - there's far too much to comprehend today. At least we have a beachside house to go to - there's a Free Company all these... alters join.

… Well. After that- some effect would probably be expected. That is… good to hear, at least.

[It's worrying, all the same. He frowns, finishing his own drink.]

Then what are they doing? Waiting?

Well. We'll have a good view, should everything come about, then. How many of these alters are there, then?

Who knows. At least that Elezen [ haurchefant ] claims we're changing history in some splendid way - defeating threats from the future. Can't trust it.

[ Even if he's sure that it's caused good, he can't believe the Ascians only want good. ]

Of us? Well. There's you and I... and then, let me see. There's the Ascian, one who's a dragon, and... that other one. [ not even he believes that one of them was chosen to represent Hydaelyn. That's a leap too far. ]

But it's not just us. There's another Y'shtola and Yda [ well not exactly but it's complex ] as well - and a few more Urianger. He's as fun as always.

…of House Fortemps? [what.] Not… quite the source I would have expected. [Then again, what source would he have expected.] It would be a hard job to disprove that…

[he. winces a little at the Ascian- Twelve, why- and looks incredulous at the others.] A dragon- truly? [He would ask about the lot, but… well. Really.]

It's a bright side of some sort that we're not alone in this, strange as it is. What do they think of it? [He has to wonder. And- he looks pleased, a little.] Urianger must have several theories about the matter, then.

He took over that Free Company, while their leader roamed. Him and his strange twin - a female alter of his from another world.

[ A beat. ] Yes, a dragon - due to his body being corrupted. Some misuse of magic. [ In other words, Flow. Th'ancred, however, hasn't experienced it - and doesn't know much about it. ]

[ But he laughs, still that clicky hissy laugh. ] A lot of them seem to... enjoy it. Yda-- well, one of them goes by Lyse again, if that tells you enough. [ another beat. ] Oh, Urianger does. It's the most I've ever seen him outside of the Waking Sands. [ another beat as he takes another sip. ] Can you believe he adopted Alphinaud and Alisaie both? [ and a weird third kid... ]

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