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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'd think so! [a pause.] Maybe not exactly alike, though.

Why? Hm… Well, I'd like to hear what you think. [even if he doesn't necessarily agree- it makes him think.]

[betterthangarlond]

Hah, I wonder if we could make a smaller Ultima - the Heart of Sabik would still remain where it was left... if it could awaken one machine, then it could another.

[ But he shakes his head, still perplexed. ] I'm sure you've met others who'd give their opinions.

[aneyeonthepast]

Well, that doesn't sound… completely unreasonable. [he's still a little concerned about what it might do, but. if he can discourage Nero from the worst weapons- maybe that'll do?

He raises his eyebrows- reaches out to flick Nero's arm.]

Certainly, but those would be their opinions- not yours.

[betterthangarlond]

[ Nero does pull away - he can feel things, just not pain. But then, he lets out a deep dramatic sigh. ] And you're saying an automation has opinions? Here I thought you were smarter, G'raha.

[aneyeonthepast]

You've seemed pretty opinionated up to today. In fact, I'd venture that was an opinion in itself.

[betterthangarlond]

Hah. It's all implanted by whoever made me. That's how it goes, isn't it? No free will, simply following their design.

[aneyeonthepast]

Is that what you think? But… hm. They couldn't have seen you lasting to another Empire… or encountering someone like Cid, could they? And what about- what you think, of finding all this out.

[betterthangarlond]

From what I skimmed, the Scaeva were... disposable.

[ But he hisses. ] Cid's a blue-blooded brat. Who wouldn't see him like that?

[ ...Cid's right behind them. ]

[aneyeonthepast]

So would they have bothered to set anything in place for that long?

… He's far less bratty than some of the people I knew in Sharlayan. [mildly, because he does like Cid. Also one ear is twitching- is there someone behind them…? Oh, this'll be awkward…]

[betterthangarlond]

...I don't know. Amnesia, remember?

[ Cid then clears his throat. ]

Nero. You snuck in. Or did G'raha let you over here?

Well, excuse me if I wanted to study a little more. [ Nero is back to full snark - quickly throwing his shirt back on. Cid did see the glows - but he assumes Nero simply had magitek augmentation - like his arm. ]

[aneyeonthepast]

Oh- yes, right.

[WHOOPS he looks embarrassed and flustered for a moment before managing a grin.]

Well, we thought we'd get ahead on some translating! … We didn't find anything relevant to getting into the Tower, though. Not yet. [:D;;?]

[betterthangarlond]

...We're finishing up for the day. Make sure Nero puts everything back.

[ Hah - Nero lets out a snort, before shrugging. (He's already hiding some in his coat - the ones about... him.) ] See? He treats me like a child.

You act like one, Scaeva.

[aneyeonthepast]

Eh- me? […well he did say they could come over.]

I did say we should return them. [he elbows Nero a little! He understands the urge to do that, but. What did he say about being trustworthy?]

[betterthangarlond]

[ Luckily, Cid goes to leave - he has to check on Biggs and Wedge, they've been prototyping a new machine. ]

...It'll be boring overnight without them, you know.

[aneyeonthepast]

[fortunate them.

He hums, with a nod.]

Will it? … You really should return them at some point, though.

[betterthangarlond]

Yes. All of you stop working at night - sleeping, or whatever it's called.

[aneyeonthepast]

Sleeping, yes. You don't-? No, I suppose you wouldn't need to rest in the same way…

So you're just- awake?

[betterthangarlond]

...I am. But at night, the moon makes me feel more... awake. Alive, in a sense.

[ he says, as he's beginning to sort the tomes and place most of them back where he got them. ]

And here I thought I was simply nocturnal.

[aneyeonthepast]

That's interesting… Could it be giving you energy?

[he pats Nero's arm- gotta sort out his own, now.]

Hm- well, if you get a benefit from it it sounds as though it would work for you.

[betterthangarlond]

As if machines could be powered by lunar energy that was not Dalamud.

[ He huffs, laughing a little. ]

Why, when I was still studying? It felt so strange that people spoke about how hard it was to study and have a social life.

[aneyeonthepast]

Maybe so! But it's doing something, right?

Oh- so you did both?

[betterthangarlond]

...No. I tended to remain studying. [ He says, softly. ] Why bother with others? But there were quite the parties.

[aneyeonthepast]

For… the nice ones, I suppose. [but he tilts his head.] Oh? What were those like?

[betterthangarlond]

Around the end of the year, many of us who studied Magitek would celebrate by creating the most absurd machines, and set them upon each other.

[aneyeonthepast]

Like gladiator fights? That sounds something to see.