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

[goodknightdaddy]

[He shoots this Exarch a look. Of course he can't trust him on that alone. Ridiculous.]

I see you are not interested in answering. I'm sure you're busy, so if you'll just direct me to where I'll be staying...

[crystallinelore]

...Yes, all right. The Pendants are this way. I will send someone to give you a tour.

[since G'raha clearly wants nothing to do with him!!]

Please, just... know you are safe, here. I do not wish you ill, or hold my mistakes against you.

[goodknightdaddy]

[Oh he'll be back for you mystery man. He's just going to get his barings first. He smiles again like he's not freaking out internally... freaking out, but also extremely excited. Isn't this an adventure? Sure he doesn't know crystal suspect's real motives or intentions or origins or even name but the First! Somehow he's bridged the rift. And he's awake! Perhaps it's a dangerous and unknown situation and it's definitely lacking without a certain adventurer here, but...

But it's still an adventure of his own.

He just needs to snoop around and get the proper lay of the land, then sneak into the tower and see what he can make of things in there.]

How very hospitable!

[crystallinelore]

'Tis the least I can do.

[softly.

but he's handing G'raha off to the manager of the Pendants, who gets him clothed and shown to his room until Lyna herself can come and give the MOST no-nonsense tour! after that G'raha is turned loose to do all the snooping he wants, though of course the tower itself has its guard and so on.]

[goodknightdaddy]

[He tries to charm Lyna by being a more reasonable human being this time, and not asking any weird questions, trying to limit his inquiries to things she's already talking about. Once unleashed however he goes to the library to pester the shit out of Moren the moment he realizes he can just bombard the man with any question.

Having a better grasp of the world situation at last he then goes around to talk to people and inquire about the Exarch and the tower. When all the stories come up equally useless he attempts to sneak into the tower himself.

The guard snags him though, and he grudgingly allows himself to be escorted to the Exarch, much as he feels the need to slip away and explore.

The thing is even that short journey tells him a lot. The tower is NOT the same as he remembers. Not at all.]

[crystallinelore]

[The Exarch sends away the guard immediately, with thanks for his hard work, and he seems to just... stare at G'raha for a few moments before sighing heavily.]

Truly? You could not even wait a full day.

[goodknightdaddy]

I just missed your handsome face.

[Flippant joke aside he's looking around the Occular.]

[crystallinelore]

Impatient. Did you already run out of things to investigate out there? I shall not give you free run of the tower.

[goodknightdaddy]

You won't?

[He barely stops himself from saying anything more sassy, feeling very clever and sneaky.]

I'm a scholar you know. Allag has been my study all my life. Of course I'm curious about why their technology is on the first.

Are you going to tell me anything about that?

[crystallinelore]

I will not.

[firmly.]

This may be your area of study, but it is my home. This tower protects the people of the Crystarium. I shall not risk your interference with that, G'raha Tia.

[goodknightdaddy]

Hmph. I wouldn't go endangering your people. I just want to look around. Or is there more you've got to hide than just your face?

[crystallinelore]

Do not mistake my hospitality for weakness. I need not explain myself to you. This is the line drawn in the sand. You may run free within the Crystarium, or without if you wish to risk the dangers, but you are not permitted into the tower again.

[goodknightdaddy]

...

[How confident is he this guy is a good guy? Not very. He's shady. He's after the warrior of light. He hides his face. His motives and goals could be what he claimed or they could be world domination. He has the power to call .... souls across the rift. G'raha isn't entirely sure yet but he suspects he's not actually whole.

So.

Obviously he's going to ignore that but confrontation right now? Might be hasty. He'll leave it. See if he can't learn more about the Exarch. And then, later, sneak back in after getting the guard out of the way, maybe when the Exarch is out. Yeah, that sounds like a better plan. He isn't in a hurry yet. There's a lot to learn before he sees if his bloodline gives him any claim to this tower that is, he can feel it, somehow his despite the differences.]

Very well.

[crystallinelore]

[He doesn't trust it. Of course he doesn't. But he also knows belaboring the point will only make G'raha even more stubborn and impulsive.

He sighs, again, and crosses his arms.]

So how are you finding things so far?

[goodknightdaddy]

Well, your people seem.... happy. Enough. Given the state of the world they're more hopeful and determined than I'd have thought.

They're practical and hospitable and curious. You have an interesting city here.

[crystallinelore]

[he lets a note of fondness sneak into his voice.]

I am glad you seem to like them. The situation at hand is terrible, but... they are good, are they not? Well worth protecting.

[goodknightdaddy]

[He softens a little. He doesn't trust the Exarch even a little. But the people.... he does like them. They seem good. Worth protecting indeed.]

Yeah. They are.

[crystallinelore]

Then we are agreed on the most important things, at least.

Is there anything you would like to ask? About the city, not the tower or myself.

[goodknightdaddy]

I can show myself around and find the answers to my questions. Thank you all the same.

[He really just doesn't trust this guy mainly. He'd have to go verify any information he got from him anyway.]

[crystallinelore]

Of course. I am sure you will understand if I show you out personally, however.

[it's kicking out time!]

[goodknightdaddy]

[He makes a bratty face but lets himself be escorted.]

How courteous.

[Well, he can spend his time productively trying to get a glimpse under that hood sneakily.]

[crystallinelore]

[The Exarch seems well practiced in tipping his head to avoid sneaky snooping. Suck it.]

I am doing my utmost to be a good host.

[delivers him to the guard with a smile. Lyna is there as well, scowling at G'raha protectively, so the Exarch does take a moment to point out that G'raha was not sneaking in to hurt him or anything. Then he's turning to his younger self once more.]

Let us try to meet again in a more normal fashion, please.

[goodknightdaddy]

[Ggrrrrr.

He smiles back cheerfully! Sooooo determined to see that face but also get into the tower without being stopped.]

Yes. Maybe you'll join me for lunch some time.

[He'll leave without a fuss but the Exarch can't lurk in the tower ALL the time. While he bides his time he'll make a plan for distracting guards and otherwise get to know people and make himself useful with the skills he has, which aren't negligible. Though they aren't "I spent 100 years getting ready"]

[crystallinelore]

[He's well-liked in the Crystarium! Even when he's making a pest of himself, the general feeling seems to be that people are charmed by his lively nature.

But surprisingly enough, after a few days, G'raha is in fact being invited to lunch with the Exarch, at the little coffee-cookie cafe.]

[goodknightdaddy]

[He makes a pest of himself a lot. But he's so cheerful and lively and sulky and exciteable no one really does more than scold him.

He's surprised by the invitation but it's a perfect opportunity isn't it? All he has to do is sneak a reflective surface under the Exarch's chair... he might finally see that face! Of course he accepts and goes, in high spirits.]