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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]

Well, I wasn't going to give you anything else.

All right, then!

[two glasses it is! …one a little lower for G'raha himself, because- eh, he doesn't drink that much. And he wants to see, without being too affected.]

[betterthangarlond]

[ And as it's put down, Nero... begins to lick at it, his tongue pulling away as soon as it made contact at first. ]

Ugh.

[ He doesn't know tastes - but there's the slightest bitterness to it, and of course Nero tries to hide his disgust. He's dignified. His tail, though, is whipping furiously, a few flames flickering from it. ]

[aneyeonthepast]

Does it taste different? -wait, you- er.

[G'raha looks embarrassed for a moment- taking a sip to cover it up. It tastes good to him- a little richer than his usual, perhaps? But it's all right. That is a very expressive tail, though…]

What do you think?

[betterthangarlond]

[ It feels strange to him, inside. This body is mechanical, but... ]

...It's enjoyanyal. [ A beat. ] Enjoyable.

[ His body is small - even having only finished quite a bit of the wine, his body feels weird. Even if he's continuing to drink. ]

I don't have a taste database, G'raha.

[aneyeonthepast]

[heh.] I'm glad to hear that!

[this probably is a lot of wine for a small cat, he's watching.]

Hm. Do you want to have more tastes, then?

[betterthangarlond]

As long as you don't try and poison me, Gy'aha. [ lil grumble inside, as he has... well there's still half a glass but he's looking to G'raha with adoration. ]

[aneyeonthepast]

Do you think I'd do that? I wouldn't do that.

[he grins, delighted, reaching out to scratch Nero behind one ear. It's definitely taken affect- but it doesn't seem too bad, for now.]

[betterthangarlond]

You're another person. Like them all. Who wouldn't take advantage of a former tribunus? Kill me and take my place - that's the Garlean way.

[ nero please stop being serious as you twitch happily from ear scratches ]

[aneyeonthepast]

[this is some serious stuff but. nero's looking far too cute for it.]

It's not usually the Sharlayan way. [that's to snipe at your foes through longass papers.] In any case, I'm happy with you where you are.

[betterthangarlond]

[ oh no nero has rolled over to show his belly ]

...Really. Wouldn't you rather I were less me? I could be your Miqo'te.

[aneyeonthepast]

[cute!! maybe it's a trap, but- he can't resist reaching out to scritch, anyway.]

…not by much. [just, you know. a little less likely to make Cid panic.] Would you want to be?

[betterthangarlond]

[ Now, at first, it was a trap from Nero.

But then he realised it was damn soft and oh no he liked this. ]

I've had no master after Gaius passed, I'm afraid to say. And you're the heir of Allag - truly, wouldn't I deserve it?

[aneyeonthepast]

[he's nice and soft! no traps detected, so G'raha keeps scritching, with a little hum.]

… A heir still learning a lot of this. I'd… feel strange to be your master, though.

[betterthangarlond]

...I wanted to be the heir, 'raha. [Nero then mumbles, still pleased.] Allag is in my blood.

[A beat.]

My ceruleum? Whatever Allag used for me.

[aneyeonthepast]

Hm. [he rumbles, a little.] And now? … I don't mind sharing, you know.

We could find out. If you liked, of course.

[betterthangarlond]

...Sharing it. [There's... an odd quality to the half-drunk cat as he seems to ponder it. No, he wouldn't be trusted this much.

After all, he's some weird AI who can interface with this tower.]

We have time to figure that out, at least. And whatever this automation is powered by. Not that-- I don't want to be cut apart.

[aneyeonthepast]

If you liked, of course.

[he keeps scritching- moving to between the ears, for a little.]

We do! And- well, certainly we'd use a different way. I wouldn't like to see that- particularly not when you're this adorable.

[betterthangarlond]

[oh no he loves it there, pawing at g'raha to keep it there!!!]

I am not adorable, 'raha. But-- I quite agree, that could be seen as... myar-der.

[ . . . . ] Murder.

[aneyeonthepast]

[well! If Nero's happy with G'raha's hand there, he's more than happy to keep scritching- grinning.]

Right, right. [he looks a little puzzled for a moment, before Nero clarifies and his face clears.] It could. So I'd rather like it if that didn't happen.

[betterthangarlond]

...I wonder if we could back me up? There was already extracting the other me...

[aneyeonthepast]

We could, but… What would happen if something did happen to you? Would you still have a connection- would he know what you'd been through?

[betterthangarlond]

...He wouldn't, I don't think. Either a backup or him.

[aneyeonthepast]

Mm… I don't mind if he doesn't know, but if something did happen to you… Not that I wouldn't be grateful, but- it would seem strange to have had that time and not, I think…

Still- I can't say it's a bad idea. [considering it might have happened, if they'd managed a little less well.]

[betterthangarlond]

Forgetting something which happened.

[There's a soft, long, purring beep as Nero seems in thought.]

...It'd be immortality, in a sense. Even if a little was forgotten, then there would still be an extended lifespan.

[aneyeonthepast]

Well- the Tower's lasted this long already. I imagine it would be…

You'd be all right with it, then?