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[betterthangarlond]

[ It was one of those times where NOAH was still figuring out their way past the Labyrinth of the Ancients, and Nero was still lingering.

Today, though, he had found himself by the side of G'raha, when G'raha was taking a break. Not that Nero had been watching for it, of course not.

With a soft grunt, he flopped down next to him, holding a few of the tomestones that they'd been tasked to decyther. (Nero, honestly, had been asked not to join in this, but. Nero had waited until Rammbroes wasn't paying attention and stolen these ones.) ]

...You're all struggling with these?

Comments

[aneyeonthepast]

I assumed you just liked having leg protection.

[he frowns.] Are they very badly off?

[betterthangarlond]

Hah, that's a good reason as well. But...

[ As he sits down, near the pile of tomes, he pulls up one of the pants legs. And... yeah. There's a lot of scratches and scrapes, some small, some large. All of them glow with that sickly Allagan glow, rather brightly. Nero intentionally, however, makes sure not to pull the pants above the knee. Even from that, there's a brighter glow from the knee.]

Doesn't make for good fleeing.

[aneyeonthepast]

[he hisses at it a little, tail flicking. That's- a lot more than he'd been thinking of. And they all glow…? What does he have beneath his skin?]

It seems like it'd make more of a target, yes. But there must be something… How long have they been there?

[betterthangarlond]

[ Nero lets out a little tsk, shaking his head. Why are you so concerned? ...And why does he feel a need to explain himself? ]

Well, since I was young... I've had some for at least 15 years.

[aneyeonthepast]

[well- wouldn't anyone be, really? even if Nero's… Nero.]

Fifteen-? But you haven't suffered from them in the meantime…? That's- something incredible, all right.

[he frowns, though, thinking.] Surely there's something we can do, though… May I? [he holds out a hand.]

[betterthangarlond]

[ Nero nods, letting G'raha closer - standing so he can get to his arm. It does spark a few more times, though, as he moves. ]

Clearly, I'm simply the best example of a Garlean. Others would falter when injured - not I. [ But, he pauses. ] It is quite a hindrance at night.

[aneyeonthepast]

[hoo. that's concerning.]

Most people do [he says a little absently.] We should probably do something about it, still. Covering up would probably do, but if it's sparking like that… Why does it do that, by the by?

[betterthangarlond]

[ Hm? He gives a little shrug. ] It happens when I move it.

[aneyeonthepast]

All the time? [he flicks his ears, even more obviously worried.]

All right. So if it doesn't heal naturally… what can we do, what do you think?

[betterthangarlond]

Yes, all the time. [ what do you mean that's not how it's meant to be fuckin' hell ]

What I tend to do is cover them, and don't ask questions. [ But if G'raha were to touch his skin... that's clearly metal. ]

[aneyeonthepast]

That's- not really supposed to happen.

[unless you're METAL he guesses Nero what the hell]

You'd be better off if we could mend them, though. Though I admit, metalwork wasn't something I'd really specialised in…

[betterthangarlond]

[ But at that, Nero seems to clam up. ] And why'd you need to know metalwork, G'raha?

[aneyeonthepast]

[…oh geez.]

Hmm… I wonder. But it seem it'd help more than bandagework.

[betterthangarlond]

...It might hurt.

[ But there's something else which has entered his voice. If it was anybody else, Nero would have stormed off already. But he stays, letting the injuries be inspected.

Not only is he made of metal, but the metal? It seems far too perfect to be of this Era. ]

[aneyeonthepast]

If we do it badly. So we'll do our best not to, won't we?

[There are far too many markings for his liking- but the metal's held up well, and he whistles.]

This is… impressive. I'm not sure where we're going to get the metal to match this…

[betterthangarlond]

[ Nero sighs a little, looking back to what he was to work on. But then, he says - his voice suddenly seeming distant. ]

Metal of this quality is harnessed and used in Azys Lla, for there is need of it there.

[aneyeonthepast]

[…eh? He raises his head, staring a little- what just happened?]

Azys Lla, is it? …can't say that sounds familiar. We should keep an eye out for any mentions. [maybe they'll come across something.] But- well, maybe we should set that aside for now after all.

[betterthangarlond]

[ It takes another moment for Nero to return to normal - stepping back a little, a look of distrust on his face. Damnit. He softly curses to himself. ]

Bandage it, for now. If it's visible though my coat? Who knows, Garlond might actually worry for me.

[aneyeonthepast]

[He lets him- eyebrows raised, because that was definitely weird.]

All right… He might have some ideas too, you know.

[but if he doesn't want that, he doesn't want it. they'll manage.]

Anyhow- care to choose some tomestones for us to peruse?

[betterthangarlond]

[ Hm. Nero rolls his eyes, as they sit down. ]

This pile - do you see the small red marking on the corner? That means they're official buisness of Allag.

[aneyeonthepast]

Oh- [he squints.] Just about! That's very handy- good to know. Which means- most likely to contain what we want, right?

[betterthangarlond]

Exactly. You - take those ones there. I'll analyze the higher pile.

[ yes hes calling you slow ]

[aneyeonthepast]

[well, that was only to be expected, really. but still: rude.]

All right, all right… But just give me a little time and I'll be just as quick!

[maybe that's exaggerating it a bit, but hey. he grabs his notes, and settles down to start working.]

[betterthangarlond]

Hah. If you say so.

[ As Nero begins to analyze some, he decides to continue talking. He touches them so very precisely. ]

...I've always been able to read these like books. It's one of the reasons Gaius promoted me very quickly. [ but yet, he preferred cid. why? ]

[aneyeonthepast]

[Huh. G'raha's careful about how he handles them, of course; you never know what might happen otherwise.

…probably not an explosion, at least.]

Really? That makes sense… It's quite a talent. What sorts of things did you find then?