cutieblood | (no subject)

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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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[There's a lot that's strange about Amon, and Prastha doesn't much care for any of it. He doesn't have a lot of interest in going near the man- except he heard they'd brought a carbuncle in, and- well, he's always had a soft spot for them. Which he probably should try harder to hide- but this is the first time he's seen a carbuncle in a while. He can be forgiven a little eagerness, can't he? And… he doesn't like the idea of leaving it here.

Unfortunately, he's probably going to frighten the carbuncle in his armour… But he speaks soothingly, voice soft- hoping Amon won't overhear too much.]

Here, now… I'm going to take you somewhere else. See you cleaned up a little, hm?

[he reaches in for the Carbuncle, slow enough he can see.]

[ ...What was this Imperial playing at. Those colours were ones that Th'ancred had become familiar with - whoever this man was, he was important. But as his hands reached in, the Carbuncles' ears twitched... and he sniffed forward, so very slowly.

For some reason, that smell was comforting, and Th'ancred gently stepped forward. Before-- ouch. Looks like he hurt one of his legs. He knows it'll heal soon, but he flinched. ]

[He stills for a moment, letting the Carbuncle sniff- they've very sensitive noses, he remembers. It might seem strange, but true…

And it seems it's helping, Prastha smiling a little (even hidden) as the Carbuncle steps forward. When he winces, though, Prastha frowns- reaching forward to pick him up and examine him.]

Let's take a look at you… [he directs a question at Amon.] When did this injury happen? [did he already have it, or…]

[ !! He's picked up. Oh Twelve, he should have expected it, but - within a moment, he goes limp, his mismatched eyes wide. His shaggy fur seemed to gleam a little, though - like the gem he was made of. Unlike most Carbuncle, he had a collar on - with a diamond connected.

It was thought near-impossible to make Diamond Carbuncle. But here one was. ]

It [ , he says, making sure to emphasize that it's just a beast with that one word, ] came in with much worse injuries.

[He holds the Carbuncle carefully, Prastha's other hand gentle as he examines the Carbuncle. He hasn't seen one like this before- not with these eyes, and diamond- he'd heard the theory, but to see one is a surprise. …small wonder he was brought in, then.

There's a little frown, again unseen- Carbuncles are summoned, but they still have such clear personalities…]

We've a fast healer, then. That's… interesting. [he tucks an arm around the Carbuncle all the same, careful not to jostle him too much.] I wonder how fast…?

[ But as he talked, the Carbuncle let out a grumpy sigh and seemed to bundle up. He wanted to be safe, and honestly? Between these two, the armoured one seemed better then this other one. ]

Alas. Carbuncle fall so easily - but once you're bored of it, let me know.

[ ...Far safer. Perhaps if he can play up his charm, Th'ancred thinks... and so, he began to let out a deep purr. ]

[See? Personality.

This is the kind of thing that makes him concerned about Amon, yes.]

… I'll be sure to do so should that happen.

[But- he has a Carbuncle in his arms- a purring one at that- and he turns a little, towards the room's exit and to try and avoid letting Amon see him giving the Carbuncle a few gentle scritches.] With me, then, Carbuncle.

[ As soon as Prastha began to leave, Amon stopped paying attention to him - moving towards other creatures he had taken. But as he was scratched - his fur messy but soft - Th'ancred seemed to smile. ]

...Thank you.

[ ...Did that Carbuncle just use telepathy to say thank you? The voice was quiet, but disguised though gruffness. ]

[It's very self-indulgent to keep patting him- but gods, does Prastha want to…

His movements slow a little, and he peers at the Carbuncle, eyes wide. Did he hear that right…? He's never heard of this before, but-]

You're welcome.

[it's quiet- he's ended up in a high position, but he still doesn't want to give reason to think he's out of place. There's something a little familiar- perhaps- but he's caught much more strongly by how odd this is. He does begin stroking the Carbuncle again, though- wondering, and remarks after a while:] You seem… quite unusual.

[ Everything is telling Th'ancred he shouldn't talk. He shouldn't fall relaxed. But the soft strokes make him begin to purr more, not just putting it on.

Deep inside, he's screaming at himself. You stupid Nunh, this is why you get in trouble! And yet... something felt relaxing, even in such a dangerous place. Perhaps that foppish man had forced something into him, who knew?

His telepathy is quiet, and his expression is a soft one. ]

...Are we going somewhere private? I can-- explain.

[It is enemy territory, after all- but he's gotten very good at seeming calm and in place. This, now- this feels a lot more genuine.

He nods a little, most of his attention on where they're going.]

Of course. [Honestly, he wouldn't- he doesn't want to share. Who knows what others- besides Amon- might try with a Carbuncle…] I apologise for the walk, but- it shouldn't be much further now.

[He just really doesn't like being near Amon.

He has to stop stroking to reach out to get the door, but it's clearly a good room- tidy and well kept, with a few good soft cushions.] Feel free to explore as you wish.

[Meanwhile, he's going to start removing his armour- it's his private rooms, he can. It's better than sitting in that all day, at any rate.]

[ As he removes his armour, though, the Carbuncle just... collapses on a cushion, letting out a soft, long whine. He felt not just sore, but so very wobbly. It was because he was in that cage - urgh, he was stiff. And not just because of his scars, this time

But still, Th'ancred looked away. No point to look at his... second captor. A small tsk came from his mouth, though, and his tails seemed to lash. ]

...What do you plan with me?

[ Th'ancred needs to ask, even before turning to look. ]

[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.