cutieblood | (no subject)

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ic,
part 1

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[ Fuck.

Th'ancred Nunh had been captured, as he lingered in the East Shroud. Why had he been there? Rumours it's where Urianger has been killed. If he could find why, then he could... help more.

In Carbuncle form, he had slipped towards the Wall... and gotten knocked out. He had no idea where he awoke, except that he was in a cage, other animals around him. Blood was dried in his fur, and a magic disrupter had been chained to his leg. (Of course, he'd be able to be teleported away... but nobody would do that without warning.)

He was still in Carbuncle form - and there was an armoured man near him. A scent almost familiar came from the armour, but he wasn't thinking of it. No, he was letting out a soft whine, as the armoured man talked to the... other man. Draped in clothes more befitting a performer then any man of Garlemald, he shrugged and pointed to the cage.

It opened, and Th'ancred tried to make himself small and flat against the cage. The armoured man - Prastha - was offered a carrier by the other man - Amon - but all Th'ancred could think was that he had to do something. Anything. ]

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[He gives a worried look at the whine- nothing seems obviously wrong, but still. He wants… to keep this Carbuncle, and he makes a little sound at the question.]

I hadn't truly had any plans when I heard- beyond taking you out of Amon's grasp. And- I suppose- to be able to pat you…

[He does sound a tad embarrassed. But-] May I?

[ Hah. There's almost a chuckle-like purr at that. But... Amon? He'll need to ask later. The two of them need to get each other to trust each other, right? ]

Pets sounds acceptable--

[ But as the Carbuncle turns a little, he sees the man under the helm. A single squeak escapes his lips, and... ]

Prastha.

[Trust- if he's truthful, he was hoping for something like that, too. Someone who wouldn't tell any of his secrets- because he worries, still-

He startles, eyes going wide. Of all things- He'd never have thought of something like this. A Carbuncle knowing him- so who… or whose? Because- despite the strangeness that's cropped up in the Empire's territory- and something does some familiar, he's assuming he still has a summoned Carbuncle on his hands.]

I… yes. You know me… [He reaches out to scritch lightly before he sits down, watching and wondering.] …This ties in with that explanation you mentioned, doesn't it?

...Tell me. How much does the Empire hear of Eorzea? Of men who can alter the shapes of others.

[ Really, the bullshit he's been though? A lot easier if they've been spied on more. (Th'ancred would be lying if he didn't want more scritches, though, moving a little closer. Honestly, he pondered if he was spoiled.) ]

[Oh, gods. Prastha's tail flicks, and he reaches out to start scritching again- as much for his own comfort as spoiling the Carbuncle. This is not a topic he likes much.]

At first- I hoped it was exaggerated rumour, but some of those coming back with the tales are… very reliable. […he's still on gathering information, it's fine.] And- well, the Empress seemed- very certain of it.

[-And now he looks at the Carbuncle very sharply.] Wait- you don't mean?

[ It was something he disliked, as well. His telepathy seemed to drop the gruffness, though - the fake voice being put on. He felt so tired, suddenly - his brother was finally here, but he was in this form. ]

...Look at the fur on my face. A bit under the scruff.

[ And if he were to look, he would see - a little faded, due to the silver-white fur - their families' tribal marks. ]

It's not permanent.

[He looks- of course he does, how could he not when it should provide answers. His eyes go wide when he sees the marks.]

-Ancred?

[He reaches out with both hands, now, pulling Th'ancred in for hugs, shaking a little, a few soft sounds escaping him. After this long-] I thought- I almost- I feared I'd never see you again.

[ ...Ancred. Dropping the Th' - they were brothers. In public, he'd known his brother to drop it a lot. After all - they were always tricksters, and he loved his brother so. But--

--It's really him. He presses his nose into his chest - into the underclothes which smelled of him, which felt of him, and the Carbuncle let out soft squeaks. It took a moment for him to remember his telepathy. ]

I-- thought you'd-- when Dalamud... [ his small paws and claws began to dig in, softly. ] None of us could contact you.

[He curls a little more- the better to tuck around his brother (it's strange, but- he's different, changed a little- but it's still him)- and nuzzles against him, tearing up a little.]

The linkpearls- none of them were working after it fell. And getting anyone through was- difficult. [Some he'd tried to get home- those who wanted to, others… died, and-] It was- just a mess for some time. I wanted to come back, but…

[ As he curls with his brother, he seems to become fluffier and fluffier - after all, he is a Carbuncle. A soft white aura seemed to come from him. ]

...I tried to rush to find you. But Y'shtola stopped me - we didn't even know if you... lived. I wanted to reunite with you.

[ A soft whine is coming from him as he talks. ]

The Scions -- other then Louisoix, we're... alive. We're all alive...

[So soft- at another point, maybe he'd fall asleep.

He bites the inside of his cheek- given the spell they'd used, Papalymo probably had an idea… But there's a reason for not talking about that.]

It was sensible… But I wish we could have. [He noses into Th'ancred's fur, making a soft sound in return- no, no, it's fine, he's here now.] I'm sorry I worried you.

[He closes his eyes for a moment- centering himself.] That's- good to hear. After- some of the things I've heard [and people being captured, and… well, Ascians]- I was worried about you all. I knew the Scions were still here- in Eorzea, of course, but…

[ Before everything, the two of them had always been together. And now... it felt like the years were but moments in time.

There's so much he wants to say. There's so much in his throat, in his mind, but... one thing seems to come to it first. Softly, the Carbuncle can't help but speak of the good first. (And then the bad. Oh, so much bad.) ]

...You have a niece, Prastha. I-- had no idea she existed until after Dalamud fell. She's the Warrior of Light.

[They'd been together for so long- it only seems natural to fall back in as closely as they did before.

Prastha stills for a moment- but only to laugh in delight, lifting his brother up with both hands.]

I have a niece-! Wait- you have a daughter! [He grins- delighted and unguarded.] What's she like- what's her name? And she's- [He gives a short whistle- he's heard stories, of course!] You must be very proud of her.

[ He could talk about her for ages - all worry leaves his telepathy, as he paws at a little for stronger hugs. ] She's a wonderful young woman - her name is Indigo Lizeh. She-- doesn't use tribal naming, but that's fine. Us Th' are a bit of a failure.
She's a bard - like father, like daughter. [ proud catte ] We've bonded well over the last few years.

[He obliges, rumbling happily as he hugs Th'ancred close to him.]

She must be! Indigo- can I- I want to meet her. [Ah, but right now… He nuzzles closer, with a short sad sound.] …shouldn't be.

[But he perks up again quickly enough.] Ah, a fine family tradition! And you've been catching up on lost time, then.

That I have - when I'm not working, we have a shared house near the beach! Of course, I spend quite a bit of time with her not as a Carbuncle - she's rather more a fan of Chocobo.

[ Which explains the Chocobo earring, doesn't it. ] She was rearing them before she awoke... it was Yda and Papalymo who found her. And found out about her... parentage.

Near the beach- ah, very nice! [He chuckles- ah, yes, it does explain the earring. It's charming.] Also a good choice- do you have some there, as well?

Yda and Papalymo… so they found her in the Shroud? [He shifts to sit up a little more, still cuddling.] How did they… find out? You said you hadn't known until later…

We do - the house is owned by House Fortemps - that is... quite a long story. But we've birds of all colours. You get used to the smell.

[ He is gonna stay in his brothers' lap, beginning to dig and kneed. Listen, he can't help it. ] ...Her mother perished in the Calamity, but records of her listed me as the father.

Of… Ishgard? It must be. I'm sure I will. [He'll figure out a way to visit, some way or another! It'll be nice.

He makes a small sound, but is laregely content to let Th'ancred stay there- reaching for his paws to hold a little. Just because he can, look at them!] Ah… That's sad, but- I'm glad the two of you found each other.

[ They're cute paws, and he spreads them out. Soft little beans! ] As am I - to think, I had a child.

Mind you, I've adopted quite a few as well. Like... Louisoixs' grandchildren, they've come to stay with us. [ he is so proud! His tails are swishing. But still, he can't help but ask, so very quietly: ] How did you survive...? The Empire is brutal.

[So cute. He tickles them lightly.] Indeed! That's the best news I've heard in a while. I was always sure you would, of course…

Oh! They have…? Following his footsteps, I suppose? [He smiles, shifting a little.] How are they doing? [But he shifts uneasily there.] I… did what I could. Tried to be as clever as possible- never seem out of place, or wrong… It paid off, I suppose.

[ ...There's a flicker of a frown, as he stretches out more with a soft grumble of a sound. ] They're doing... well, well enough in this chaos. Alisaie's become quite the crafter, and Alphinaud studies quite a bit more then he used to. [ no need to tell him about how he thinks they're not theirs but still... he paws at the air a little. ] Your armour - they respect you. Not the sort of respect I'd want, but... you're alive.

Ah… They haven't been affected too badly, have they? [He gives a little smile, though.] It's good to hear they've found paths they like.

[more scritches!] Hrm… It's helped. I get fewer questions now- in some respects, anyhow. Not that I intended to reach this position. [He closes his eyes for a moment, leaning forwards.] … I promised myself I wouldn't- that- if anything happened, I'd- be back on Eorzean soil.

[ He listens. Oh, it would be so painful to be this high-up - he'd expect that. But he decides to roll onto his back, because belly rubs were always his favorite for the Arcanists' Guild Carbuncle.

To think he'd think Prastha would be consumed by Garlemald. ]

...Would it be safe to get you out of here?

[Those Carbuncles always seemed to love belly rubs! He imagines Th'ancred's probably finding he likes them, too, Prastha reaching out to start giving the rubs.

He promised to come home- always wanted to- and still, at the question, he hesitates.]

… There's nothing I'd like better. But- I don't know if it would be safe. As a, uh. As a tol, I think it would be… well, noticeable, at least.