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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]

[he puffs out a breath- offering Nero a kind of smile.]

Unfortunately. Imagine- a lifetime of study, and still not being able to crack these!

[betterthangarlond]

And yet, they're so simple.

[ He says, giving a little grin back. ]

I suppose this proves Garlean superiority.

[aneyeonthepast]

Well- [he definitely makes a face, and very reluctantly-] I suppose it must, at that.

So- can you tell me what they say?

[betterthangarlond]

These ones are... [ Nero seems to be flipping them over in his hands a few times, gaze focused, before letting out a laugh. ] simply nonsense. The journal of a servant of Lord Xande, soon before the fall of Allag, judging by the dates. Mostly filled with complaints about working conditions, and the lack of scientific process that was being followed.

[aneyeonthepast]

An insight into life before the Empire collapsed, though- someone'd be sure to be interested in that!

Shame it doesn't tell us what we want to know, though.

[he props his head up on one hand, tail flicking.] Think there's something more helpful in the pile, though?

[betterthangarlond]

It's a pity it wasn't more schematics. Now those are interesting.

[ But, a sigh. ] If somebody entered so easily daily, it'd become regular for them. I'd not write down the instructions on how to disarm the Red Baron. If we found some kind of journal or information from a maintenance worker... now, that'd make it easier.

And if not, we can have that hero run though the Labyrinth again.

[aneyeonthepast]

Absolutely! Those would have been fascinating…

[he nods along- that makes sense.] So we can look for those… Got any way I can help there?

[catte just. glances over and squints. well it's not arguing?? it's fine.]

[betterthangarlond]

[ Nero smiles back. ] You've got the knowledge from studies, and I can read these tomestones without effort. [ A pause. ] If we worked together - if you could process the information I gained? That'd be helpful.

[ But he then shakes his head. ] That is, if they'd let me take them. Something about me stealing them.

[aneyeonthepast]

I'd be happy to! We'll make a fantastic team, you'll see.

[oh… huh. He frowns, tail flicking.] Well- if we promise to return them- and do- I can't see a problem. Or perhaps we could examine them there.

[betterthangarlond]

[ Nero lets out a tsk. A team... he was unsure. But he nodded politely. ]

Garlond doesn't trust me. And he's still paying for quite a bit of this - what a bother. But if we have to work near them? Fine.

[aneyeonthepast]

Well- show you're trustworthy, and it'll work out. [he's sure!

He gets up, dusting himself off.] Great! Shall we, then?

[betterthangarlond]

[ As Nero stands, though, there's an odd sound from the arm he uses to lift himself from - sounding like... well, a crunching electric sound. Nero, however, does stand and put a hand over his arm. ]

No sense delaying?

[aneyeonthepast]

[there's a concerned look from G'raha.]

No, might as well get started now. You're all right, though?

[betterthangarlond]

...I'm fine.
[ For once, though, he isn't puffing up over it. ]
One of those creatures around here managed to pierce my skin. Haven't had time to get it bandaged.

[ it was at least a week ago nero :V ]

[aneyeonthepast]

… Wasn't that a while ago? [he is Concerned okay] We can probably get some bandages while we're at it.

[betterthangarlond]

[ As he walks, though, Nero slips off his coat - so the injury is visible. And it's... well. While his arm does seem strange, almost mechanical, part of it is ripped open, showing an odd glow - the same glow which seems to build under his fingers - even if they're heavily gloved. (His other arm also seems mechanical.) ]

If you insist.

[aneyeonthepast]

[…? well that's weird but maybe that's just another… weird Garlean thing? Except- well, most people don't tend to do that, so…

…just another odd thing about Nero. that seems- kind of simlar to a couple stories, but how likely is that.]

It'll never get better if you don't- so I do insist, rather. [he'll got for the bandages, then]

[betterthangarlond]

[ Utterly unlikely, as Nero shrugs. ]

It doesn't hurt. It doesn't get in the way.

[ But, he decides to say, as he heads to the main work area - ] It's the largest one yet - but I've never had injuries heal.

[aneyeonthepast]

Well, that's… something…

[it's still worrying? particularly when he says that- G'raha's eyes going very wide.]

Never- not one? Even the smallest?

[betterthangarlond]

Even the smallest. Haven't you wondered why I wear such heavy pants?

[ They don't seem... practical, basically being armour over his legs. ]

[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.]