dontgetintherobot | IC Inbox (Noctium) WIP

[An expression of pure joy, Alfonse’s tail, heavy as it was, managed a happy flop against the ground.

Though the next bit he added a bit bashfully, he didn’t often speak of his birth parents, at least not in front of his father, but with Megumi having a history in the area… not to mention the lengths his father used to go to to bring this final holidays to her and his sister…]

I… vaguely remember my birth parents putting some sort of sauces on top? And green things? I’m not sure I know the words for them in the common tongue… if I remember it at all. It was the only thing I couldn’t do from memory.

[Granted he’d double checked a few cookbooks to make sure his memory was right, but none of the toppings looked right, perhaps it was just a unique concoction of his parents? Something regional? But it was one of the few things he learned and remember from his parents, and he was excited to share it with his father.]

Everything has been as well as can be. This place is strange. And after everything… it can be a lot, or at least my mind feels as though it is making it to be a lot.

But I’m not unhappy.

Edited 2022-08-26 06:37 (UTC)

Sauces and green things, was it...?

[Hard to imagine what that could be, honestly. Though... He could ask Megumi or Teng, or perhaps any of the other Warriors of Light. One of them has to know, with all their travels across Othard, and if he's able to give Alfonse back one more little memory of his birth parents...]

[He'll need reach out to everyone in the morning. In the meantime, though, he listens, a soft smile on his face as he watches over the young beside him.]

[Maybe any sadness that still lingers there could be considered a trick of the moonlight.]

I'm glad. Though strange may be putting it a bit politely. Even after the time I've spent on this star, 'tis still difficult to wrap my head around much of it, though I've...adapted. I think.

And you know that I will always be here if you should feel overwhelmed, aye?

[...]

Though we need to speak of what's been happening recently with those of our own star.

I know father, and glad am I to have you here. I’m not certain I would be holding together as well as I am.

[While he’d gotten used to Megumi, consisted her a friend, he was still hesitant in regards to the other Warriors of Light. The hardest part were the looks he got from them, the guilt.

And right on cue his father mentions those from their star. Well, he was easy to listen- and eat the pie in his hand, that he finally seemed to realize was there.]

Of course father, has something happened?

Aye. I had hoped it wouldn't be something I'd need to bring you into, but...

[He's quiet for a moment, struggling with how to explain.]

We've been very fortunate to be able to live in such peace in this place. I'm not fool enough to think that those here from our star forgive me for the things I've done, but they've so far allowed me to try and be a better man, and have otherwise left me be.

But someone arrived recently that has made no secret of how he feels of our people, and of myself in particular. I hear he's quite vocal about it, in fact.

[And he's worried about what will happen should Ezar decide to stop being only vocal, because after Aerith's display at the shop...]

Edited 2022-08-26 08:35 (UTC)

[Alfonse listened intently, as he always did for his father, but the more he spoke… the more Alfonse felt as though he might have an inkling as to who his father was talking about. Granted, his father made no shortage of enemies, so he was going to try and give Ezar the benefit of the doubt on this. ]

I… wouldn’t suppose you have this individuals name by chance?

A young man called Ezar. A Miqo'te.

[Sorry, Alfonse.]

...it may be best for the time being that you not tell anyone about the fact that you're my son. Megumi is already suffering from having bonded with me, and a friend of his confronted me at the shop earlier.

[There’s a tired, exasperated sigh, and he just runs a hand over his face. Usually this was an expression reserved for Rex after hearing that he’d picked a fight with an officer that outranked him again. Just preemptively resigned to having to clear up a whole mess.]

I’ve already met him, and before you worry father, he knows I’m your son, and he’s treated me well after we had a talk.

[How to even begin to sum up Ezar?]

He’s died before arriving here- by imperial hands. He never got the closure I did, so he’s lashing out, like when I was— well, you saw.

[Part of the Diamond Weapon. His anger and senseless fury ran rampant, fueled by both his grief and scraps of hope. He saw Ezar going through something similar… just without the rampaging warmech part.]

I’ll talk with him- he needs to be held accountable, he’s not lost himself to hatred yet. I can probably get him to listen.

[But now looking worriedly at his dad…]

You weren’t harmed, were you father?

["Like when I was—"]

[He doesn't need to finish, because Gaius knows. Even now, with Alfonse back in his life again...the wound left behind still feels too raw, and he has an arm wrapped around his son before he can even process the movement, tucking the young man firmly against his side.]

[For whose comfort, he's not entirely sure. Maybe for both of them.]

I lost a nice shirt and needed to clean up the shop after, is all. She...said a lot, but didn't try to harm me. And she even apologized, once I'd been allowed to speak.

...but she wasn't of our star, Alfonse.

[And that's the part of this that still gnaws at him the worst. From those that come from home, such a reaction is only to be expected when he foolishly introduces himself as Gaius bloody Baelsar, but from those from another star entirely? His hold on Alfonse tightens, and his expression is conflicted when he looks to him.]

Megumi told me all about the boy's history. And I don't want you to do anything that may cause him to feel provoked. Because if he feels threatened, and tries to harm you—

[Then Gaius won't be able to keep his promise to keep his distance.]

[He needs to pause. Take a breath.]

I only wanted to tell you this because he hasn't been shy in telling all who will listen to him about what monsters Garleans are. And now it seems we need to be wary of such a reaction coming from anyone.

So I want you to be careful.

Father, he's not rampaging bull. I can have a talk with him without him flying into a rage.

[Whoever that arm around his shoulders was for, Alfonse was more than happy to lean into it and give his father the gentlest of horn bonks in return.]

I was fortunate, before I died, I got closure, thanks to you. I was able to be at peace, even though I wasn't able to see our vision for Garlemald through, and when I arrived here you were right there waiting.

He was alone. If someone gave him an ear at that point, I can imagine he spoke in raw pain and anger- and coupled with his wealth of disinformation... he was likely still confusing you and Nael van Moon mo- [DAMMIT REX. He'll just clear his throat and pretend he didn't just use the household nickname for the legatus.] van Darnus.

Not I condone any of this, and I know you worry for me, but given the situation... I can see how things would have gotten out of hand. I'll talk with him, make sure he sets people straight.

[He wasn't entirely unlike how he'd imagine Rex to be, had this happened to him. Not that their father wouldn't rein him in, but he could imagine there being some choice words towards the Eorzeans... and probably half a dozen fights. Ezar at least lacked being as pugnacious as his younger brother.]

[Don't think he didn't hear that slip, Alfonse. And he doesn't even try to hide the put upon look and exasperated noise as he glances over at the boy, but Alfonse quickly corrects van Darnus' name which means he can let it go.]

[Nevermind that he's too tired and worried to laugh right now if he wanted to.]

His confusing my and van Darnus' deeds is frankly more than a little infuriating, if I may be honest, though I suppose we cannot expect he nor anyone else to know or care about nuance in Garlean politics. I was lucky that Aerith was willing to believe me when I attempted to set the record straight, but between blaming me for Project Meteor and the deaths at Ala Mhigo's liberation...

[Nevermind whatever else has been laid at his feet now. Though it's not as if much of it isn't entirely deserved, and those who have gone through hell certainly won't care about the specifics of who committed what atrocity against they and their kin.]

[That's just one more thing he needs to live with, now.]

...I'm not going to stop you from trying to talk to him. I don't like it, but if you believe it will help, then...

Edited 2022-08-28 00:25 (UTC)

I'll admit I was a bit cross about that myself, but considering I know little and less about Eorzea's city-states, I would have been remiss to judge him too harshly.

[He knew more of their leaders and military perhaps, but culturally he knew next to nothing. Though Eorzeans did not seemed well-versed in either in regards to Garleans.]

After he'd calmed a bit, I told him I'm not against holding us accountable for what we have done- so long as they were things we had actually done, and he agreed.

I'm sorry for speaking on your behalf, but that seemed... the most fair.

[His father had raised him to be honest and fair, as he himself was- it was how his soldiers remained so steadfast and loyal to him.]

Whatever the outcome, I am glad you are alright, father. I corrected Ezar in regards to project Meteor with what I knew, and I believe a talk will help. For everyone's sake.

No, 'tis what I would have said in your place. And what I said to his friend, as a matter of fact...

[Alfonse is nothing if not his father's son, and nothing proves that more than moments like this. There's pride to be had in that, and in the fact that despite everything, Alfonse seems to have picked up very little of Gaius' own flaws... He can smile at that, strained and subdued as it is, giving his son another soft, affectionate little bump to his horn before...]

...I never did tell you the entire story behind Project Meteor.

[Before his expression falls somber again, and he grabs another takoyaki with a frown.]

If Solus had discovered what it was I did then, trying to stop it, I would have been hanged for treason the second I had returned to Garlemald, if not sooner.

[There was a quiet sigh of relief that he'd handled the situation well, and another tail flop in contentment at the affectionate bump to his horn... and maybe a bit from the thrill of finally hearing more behind the Meteor project.]

Treason?!

[He paused to think of what he knew of the incidents, things he'd read in his father's reports. There had been one thing he's thought passing strange, but not unheard of, especially considering the ones involved.]

This has to do with the blueprints, doesn't it?

[...the question really shouldn't surprise him, all things considered. Because after all, Alfonse is, if nothing else, absolutely his father's son.]

[But that certainly doesn't stop Gaius from turning a hard look on him, brow raised the same way it always does when he silently demands an explanation. Normally it's only Rex that he ever had to turn this look on, but.]

I don't recall telling you or any of your siblings about blueprints. Nor would you have heard about them from Nero, Livia, or Rhitahtyn, as I left them in the dark as well.

[Alfonse...]

[Oh. Well he’s just going to turn a little red in the face and take another pie to buy himself a moment to explain himself.]

You… left much of your comm equipment in your office, Ricon and I figured out how to work it, and Rex knew your your security clearances… so we’d read your reports.

What you told us always sounded sanitized, so we got worried and…

[and he was just going to eat the rest of that pie, thanks.]

S-sorry.

And why, exactly, did Rex have my security clearances?

[Except even as he's asking that, he's not entirely sure he WANTS to know that answer. He doesn't even sound angry; incredulous, yes, with more than a little bit of suffering in his words, but not angry. And he gives Alfonse' shoulder a small squeeze to convey that, because he's not sure his frown will let him.]

Sometimes I wonder if I taught all of you a little too well... Do not tell me what other reports you may have read through. I don't wish to know.

But... Aye. I was the one who took the blueprints, and gave them to those that I had thought would be far more capable in sabotaging van Darnus' plans.

Edited 2022-08-28 05:55 (UTC)

[There were times, when he was around his father, that he would forget that he was twent-one, and was a full fledged adult with skills and formerly a career. He almost expected to get that same old scolding for mischief that they’d all gotten growing up.

But no, that was years ago, and he was a child, but he was grown now so it was fine.]

You know, I asked him a few years back, and he’d completely forgotten. I am… loathe to think what chaos he committed with it.

[Sorry dad, but he was far less skilled at keeping his brother under control than you.]

You took them? That’s how Garlond got his hands on them? How come Dalamud was still made to fall then? And what of van Darnus? His data was… extremely corrupted in the Weapon…

[He just sighs, utterly defeated.]

I could hazard a few guesses, and I have to say that none of them are good for my blood pressure.

[Emperor only knows what mischief his son could have gotten into with that sort of access... Though thinking on that too much only makes him miss Rex that much more fiercely, chaos and all, and he...needs to put the through from his mind for now, in order to nod to Alfonse' question and continue on the topic at hand.]

Of course his data was corrupted. It looked as though they had attempted to supplement his data with his sister's after he had been killed.

[...ah, but that's. Something else Alfonse wouldn't know about, now that he thinks on it. Few enough did outside of her fellow legati and Emperor Solus himself, after all.]

She carried on Nael's name and legacy after his death. I suppose we should have been concerned for her stability even before she had become tempered, with how it had affected her.

[Alfonse easily moved onto the whole topic about van Darnus, holding onto every word while munching on the food. Really, just as though he was a child listening to father's old war stories.]

Van Darnas' sister?

[That explained part of it at least but-]

And she had been tempered? Was that how her Synthetic form had become so draconic? Even with all the data in the Diamond Weapon, there were no answers.

Knowing what we know now, how the moon had housed a bloody eikon in its core, she had to have been. She and so many others, because why else would they fail to see how completely mad it was to bring down Dalamud? I couldn't expect them to care about the innocent lives that would have been lost, but even with them knowing that so many of our own were still on the ground-

And I'd been fool enough to give Solus zos Galvus the benefit of the doubt, thinking he'd simply been too far gone in his illness to know what was happening. Not knowing he and his fellow Ascians been the ones to orchestrate the whole damned thing.

Edited (1am typos weeps) 2022-08-28 08:26 (UTC)

IC Inbox (Noctium) WIP

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