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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[ She does stand - her movements seeming to limp - as she approaches. (Hawke has always seemed to limp, though, her body unsuited for the land. She truly tried her best to hide it around all others... but she'd grown a sick trust for Prastha.) But at hearing he's made of aether, Hawke seems to look a little discouraged.

Which seems to be why she pulls away quickly as her hand seems to make the Carbuncle flicker. And scream, though not in Eorzean - a monster-like scream, before flopping to the ground, terrified. ]

...Damn. Then I'll need to get you to pet it for me.

[It alarms him- but a lot of things worry him about this situation. Hawke, the Empire- that he's worrying about them, a little…

He makes an unhappy sound, reaching out- but at least Hawke doesn't seem to want to press her luck. Or his brother's- gods…]

… Is it to be official Carbuncle-petting duties, then?

[ His brother crawls to his leg, though, trying to hide behind it - the fur on his back smelling like... burning. But... there didn't seem to be lasting damage.

And Hawke nodded. ] 'long with your other duties, of course. Tell me - there been any signs of any other revolutionary groups over in Orthad?

[ As Th'ancred watched from behind his brother, though... oh god. She seemed unhinged in that very... creepy way. ]

[He shifts to try and help, curling his tail towards Th'ancred in lieu of picking him up for the moment.]

Of course. [He flicks his ears, standing a little more to attention.] Rumours and murmurs- there's little substantial so far, but I don't doubt something's brewing.

[ And... he can't help it. Th'ancred bites onto the tail. He's trying to stop himself from screaming more - luckily, it's a loose hold with his mouth. ]

Isn't that a pity. It'd be much easier if they just began to fight, wouldn't it. Then we could take 'em out. Them and the Mhigans.

...Not that I wanna. I trust you, Prastha.

[ ...? ]

[Ack- He does try to flick his tail a little, but forces himself to settle. Th'ancred wouldn't try to seriously hurt him, so there's got to be a good reason… Still- he's worried.]

An open confrontation would be simpler… But it's easier enough to understand why they'd wish to avoid that.

[He blinks- ears flicking.]

I… appreciate that greatly, Empress. Might I ask- what brought this on…?

...Nobody but us, right? You're one of my closest allies. I mean, you don't shy from my touch often.

[ Even if she's become a lot less touchy. ] It's a lonely role. And... knowing that Fenris is here? I guess it's made me antsy.

Of course. [Carbuncle aside- but he doesn't twitch.] … I'm glad to hear it.

In such a role, you need support… He really is that bad?

...I never told you, did I? Or anybody. The whole truth, I mean.

His actions doomed my home. Not just the city, or the country... everything.

I- no, I don't remember hearing this before. [He lets out a concerned sound, ears twitching, folding his hands together.] Everything- through his actions alone? How?

...It began when he appeared to me. He showed me how to multiply my money, and power both. An escaped slave, knowing that? Hah... I should have trusted my guts.

[ She's only telling Prastha because... oh Maker, she trusts Prastha. ]

For an escaped slave- money might not be so surprising, depending on what they'd done before… But you mean it was beyond that, don't you? Something about him… felt wrong?

[He watches her, concerned- but this is good to know, at least?]

He could rend reality. I'd say he still can.

[Th'ancred told him a little, but- he still doesn't need to feign dismay at all.]

What? But you- still wish to pursue someone like that?

...I want him to suffer. Like I have, you know?

Ah… Well, yes…

Still, if he's capable of that- do you have a plan to deal with it?

...Honestly? I'm used to not having a plan. Must I make one?

[ hawke
hawke plz ]

[…oh, Twelve.]

In a case like this- even if things went awry [as he's sure they would, honestly] I'm sure it would help.

[ listen she didnt plan for ANY of this tyvm ]

...Well. Most likely, he's... well, he wouldn't have my condition. I've still got Amon working on a way to weaponize it? Who knows, he might be Eorzean right now. Th'last time I tried to track him, though, he slipped away.

If only we could corner him, huh?

[…well, you do what you can in that case.]

Your condition- the, ah. The interaction with aether? If he were- that would make weaponising it incredible, though- even when you say he can warp reality, it seems incredible…

That would certainly make things easier, yes.

...Oh, it was.

[ Her gaze relaxes. ] Sometimes, he would repeat the same night over and over for us - telling me of multiple worlds, showing how I could be happy. Part of his manipulation, I'd say.

[ If Th'ancred wasn't in pain and also still terrified, there's so much he'd be saying. He-- saw Miscarlet doing this sort of shit, and it wasn't to help anybody else. No, it was just... for himself. ]

The same night- truly?

[But- he shifts back a little, settling his feet, and shakes his head.]

…as it never happened. Truly… what could be more cruel? You believe he meant it to be that way?

[he'll ask Th'ancred about it more, when he can, he thinks.]

Why not? Everybody else I cared for betrayed me.

[ A beat. ]

And the one or two who didn't are dead now. I really hope you fall into the latter. Uh, no offense?

That's- I'm sorry.

[Because that's a shitty thing to happen, even if- well. He's… definitely thinking this will not end well. But he shakes his head, making a soft sound.] Well- traitors end up with a far more terrible fate, I hear. [he's fine.]

...Traitors fall to death. But, then again, who's a traitor really depends on the person.

[ ...Hawke...? She's hiding her emotions again. ] I mean. I've heard people say... hah, he's not a traitor here. He's not even alive.