VOICETEST

[crystallinelore]

INEVITABLE SPOILERS WITHIN, LOOK UPON AT YOUR OWN RISK

in any case we can do like, game aus, or "exarch summoned your character from another fuckin dimension", or THERE'S A WEIRD TOWER MADE OF CRYSTAL HERE NOW, WTF, or maybe it's been there as long as anyone can remember, or,

look feel free to comment with a pitch or make me pick or just make a starter, we can do whatever

Comments

[crystallinelore]

[he succeeds. he succeeds and takes the light and pitches himself with it into the space between worlds. he expects to die there. he expects to become a monster and self destruct into eternity itself, maybe even die of distance from the tower before his transformation even completes. the tower has other ideas.

he never quite realized the degree to which his fusion with the tower runs both ways. when the light begins to taint him, so too does it encroach upon the tower. as it does, the tower's systems fight back, pushing for dominance both within the tower itself and also within G'raha's body. crystal consumes more of him, even as the crystal itself is compromised, shot through with impurities of white, quartz-like crystal. his hair and fur finish bleaching white, take on a feathery sort of appearance, and his skin shades much paler as well, before an equilibrium is reached.

but that's all negligible as far as he's concerned. his worry stands with the tower having joined him in the void, and with watching how the light that hasn't corrupted him disperses. the last thing he wants is for the light to all flood into another shard. eventually, in that place between time and space, he curls up in the tower and once again sleeps, not expecting to ever really wake again.

he certainly doesn't expect the tower to crash-land on an Erebonian highway while he sleeps. he doesn't even wake. which will probably be awkward when the ashen chevalier is ordered to investigate the strange blue and white crystal tower that appeared out of fucking nowhere, entirely too reminiscent of the tree in crossbell.

Rean and company also get to fight through Syrcus Tower: sin eaterish edition, while they're at it. the tower's defenses reset under the assault of light, and g'raha had no reason to disable them again. but once they're through, they'll find g'raha asleep on xande's light-tainted throne, half-crystal and radiating that sense of deadly beauty that the sin eaters they waded through also possessed.]

[awakenerd]

[Everyone has a different idea how to approach this ethereally beautiful cat creature. Millium wants to smash him, Rean wants to wake him up, eventually Gaius comes up with a solution that won't get them too close without comprehending the dangers. Holy magic to shield Rean, with a side of adamantite shield and crescent mirror from Jusis, and they allow Rean to approach the sleeping potentially final boss.]

Hey. Are you alive?

[There have been voices near G'raha for a few minutes now, for the first time in who knows how long, but this one is right in front of him.]

[crystallinelore]

[being addressed directly does the trick. g'raha stirs, slowly, eyes fluttering open to display that vivid red-- far less rare and alarming in this world, but still striking.

he regards Rean drowsily for a moment, slides his gaze calmly over the others, then-- startles as it sinks in. sitting up fast, ears flattening.]

Wait-- where am I?!

[awakenerd]

... That's kind of what we wanted to ask you.

[The red eyes are stunning, but won't distract as much as those, uh, ears. And crystal flesh. And feathery bits. Rean's gentle and good humored about G'raha's awakening.]

[crystallinelore]

[visibly assessing them, though his reaction doesn't make it clear what he's looking for.]

... You made it through the tower unharmed?

[awakenerd]

Uh...

[This is where Millium pipes up.]

We totally smashed up the place!

We did not!

We~ell we at least smashed up all the creepy monsters and archaisms.

[crystallinelore]

[he... quirks a smile.]

I see. I am glad you came to no harm.

[sobering]

I am afraid I know not where the tower is, currently. It was not meant to be accessible by anyone.

[awakenerd]

[Before Rean can say more Millium has more to say it seems.]

But what is this weird tower? It showed up out of nowhere like that crazy tree. Then there were all these weird monsters and stuff. And at the end is you on this suuuuper fancy throne. So who are you mister? And why do you look all funny?

[crystallinelore]

I am...

[he hesitates, notably, looking around the throne room.]

...The keeper of this tower. I apologize for any trouble it has caused.

[yeah he's just. not answering some of that. shady by habit.]

[awakenerd]

What is this tower?

[Rean asks like a reasonable person.]

[crystallinelore]

It is... a piece of ancient technology I've found myself tied to. Though the monsters should have been cleared out ages ago. May I ask what manner of resistance you came up against?

[awakenerd]

[Rean flips open his monster book and offers it tothe Exarch to look at while Millium offers sound effects.]

Ancient technology huh... Well, it doesn't look ready to vanish any time soon if you want to come out with us.

[crystallinelore]

[the exarch takes the notebook delicately and frowns. THOSE ARE SIN EATERS....]

Yes, the tower will be here to stay unless I make the effort of moving it. Which is why it's such a surprise we arrived here at all.

[awakenerd]

A mystery to both of us huh?

[Rean offers his hand.]

I'm Rean Schwarzer. It'll probably be easier to work all this out over a nice cup of tea.

[crystallinelore]

[G'raha hesitates for a moment, then takes Rean's hand (with his left hand, this one only partially crystal at least), rising from the too-large throne.]

I imagine so. That would be lovely.

[awakenerd]

[He helps the smaller guy up easily.]

So what's your name?

[crystallinelore]

It's-

[he hesitates, but there really is no point in hiding it anymore. he did what he needed to do.]

...G'raha Tia. It's a pleasure to meet you all.

[awakenerd]

G'raha huh? Nice to meet you.

[Everyone introduces themselves and the fast travel out is much easier.

They're in a snowy mountain range and Rean comments that his home is just a bit north, and Roer is just a bit south. They decide Rean will escort G'raha to Ymir to recooperate while Alisa and the rest go report their findings in Roer.

So G'raha will find himself riding up a gondola to a little mountain village with Rean.]

[crystallinelore]

[G'raha makes a point of restoring the tower's defenses as they leave, as well as the complicated puzzle blocking entry in the first place.

But in the gondola it becomes very clear that G'raha is... not really dressed for snow, especially not with his crystal parts collecting and holding the cold. He's beginning to shiver pretty badly.]

[awakenerd]

... Are you okay?

[Of course Rean notices right away.]

[crystallinelore]

[d-ducks his head, feathery ears flattening.]

It is... rather cold this high up, is it not?

[awakenerd]

Oh. Yeah I guess.

[Takes off his jacket and offers it!]

There's a hot spring once we get there if you want to warm up.

[crystallinelore]

Thank you.

[he huddles up in Rean's jacket, kind of swimming in the thing. but it's imparting Rean's warmth, and he can kind of pretend he's not wearing sandals and shorts in Ymir, under that robe of his.]

That would be lovely.

[awakenerd]

We'll find you something warmer too.

And them when you're comfortable we can talk.

[crystallinelore]

[he shivers.]

That... seems fair. Though to warn you properly, I've somewhat fallen out of the habit of talking about myself.