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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

[betterthangarlond]

Not always.

...When Gaius went for dear Ultima, there were automation which needed to be eliminated. Nothing was retrieved from them.

[aneyeonthepast]

Nothing? [he curls his table- concerned.] That's- well- I suppose you didn't need them in the end, but…

… I swear I wouldn't do the same, though. And- certainly not to you.

[betterthangarlond]

All we needed from those sava-- Mhigans was the Weapon. But, back then... I did feel a little strange. [ Was it empathy? Does he have that? ]

...Besides, you've seen how shredded I am.

[aneyeonthepast]

[thank you for adjusting there, Nero.] I see… Strange? Strange how?

[both eyebrows rise.] Shredded?

[betterthangarlond]

...When I saw those automation - de-activated, mind you - being destroyed... I almost broke away from my role.

[ ...Right. He hadn't shown him all up his legs. Quietly, he pulls one pants leg up again - from the knee upwards, it barely looks like there's metal. No, it's bathed in that blue glow. Nero seems to stop, though, near his upper thigh. There, G'raha would see... a little melded on metal, hastily fused to stop the rest of the leg falling off. ]

[aneyeonthepast]

Trying to- do something else-

[… shit. He hisses, ears flattening- reaching out to touch it.]

That's- Twelve. You saved it, but… it really doesn't feel like anything? It looks… terrifying.]

[betterthangarlond]

[ It has a warm Allagan glow, seeming only a little dim. But, after all, the sun was still up. ]

It doesn't. It was... during the Calamity. I remember a haze, my hands moving, and... my leg was back on.

[aneyeonthepast]

[Not as threatening as that glow can seem, sometimes. It's good, even if he's still cautiously poking at it.]

Well, that's… something… After the Empire, I assume? That's… well, it's good that you could do that. And you remember it? [he pauses, chewing his cheek a little. Should he push? … he might as well.] Was there anything else?

[betterthangarlond]

Nero pauses. While I was... repairing myself? Hm. There was a calmness. I was moving faster then before - but that'd begun when Dalamud began to fall. I wasn't scared of it falling.

Alas, I can't remember exactly how it went down.

[aneyeonthepast]

Hah… I suppose it was too big of a thing to try to deal with. More importantly, you survived…

That's a shame. I'd like to know… I'm sure a lot of people would. But- we've got other things to work out, haven't we?

[betterthangarlond]

We do. [ Nero slid down the pants leg again, though... leaving some of the light visible. But he begins to slip off his shirt, just... casually. ] We both have things to figure out.

...What interested you in Allag, boy?

[aneyeonthepast]

[okay that's good- he's not too worried about Nero's leg for now, they'll have to find some materials eventually. But- what is he taking his shirt off for, exactly…]

Ah- well- a family trait, truth be told. You must have noted the colour of my right eye- but as best I can tell, that was supposedly unique to the Allagans. And so- I've wished to learn the truth of it.

[betterthangarlond]

[ His torso seems a lot less broken up, but Nero seems to be letting his fingers dance at the clear divides. ]

It's a unique colour, yes. I don't have answers. [ But Nero does find himself drawn to G'raha, almost like... nah. ] But I wonder... you are made of flesh and blood, aren't you?

[aneyeonthepast]

[well, that's good, but G'raha still looks at him curiously.] What're you doing…?

Ah… that's too bad. [he hadn't thought- though maybe he should have. He tilts his head at Nero, huffing out something like a laugh.] I was the last time I checked, certainly.

[betterthangarlond]

[ he seems to miss the question, but... ]

Do you know why Garlemald focuses on red in their construction? It's said to be a royal colour in Allagan times. Reds and purples, to be exact.

[aneyeonthepast]

[oh. well, okay. he makes a soft sound at the question, though. huh!]

Really? Well- I knew it had to be important, of course, but that much so…

[so that means- maybe-

naaaaah. no way, right?]

[betterthangarlond]

Of course, Garlemald wants to be just as royal. A pity Emperor Xande never had children, isn't it.

[aneyeonthepast]

That would make sense. […ah well he didn't think so but] It is. He wasn't… that way inclined?

[betterthangarlond]

There's no record of Emperor Xande the Second - the one at the End of the Era - having children.

[aneyeonthepast]

No? [huh.] That… would make it hard to prove any kind of lineage, if they were inclined that way…

[betterthangarlond]

It's quite the hobby to see how close to Allagan blood you have, you see.

[ a beat ]

...I could never trace a family.

[aneyeonthepast]

Is it? [actually.] Yes- I think I can see.

[he makes a face.]

I suppose- it wasn't really possible. … But you can trace your origins directly to it- that works well enough, doesn't it?

[betterthangarlond]

...Hah, I guess it does.

[ And that's when he pauses. One of his fingers...

It's gotten under his paneling on his front. But it's touched something, and Nero seems to frown a little. ]

[aneyeonthepast]

[OH GEEZ are you sure that's a good idea

G'raha frowns as well, leaning towards him.]

Nero- what's there?

[betterthangarlond]

...I... can open myself. Look, come here.

[ He's gesturing to where he's touching, and... there's a small latch there, blended into the skin. ]

Why do I look like this, I wonder?