crystallinelore | VOICETEST

[ why is he here. he doesn't want to be here. someone called him an "elf" and he's never heard that word in his life? ]

You have a good explanation for this, no?

[is the hooded man a touch dismayed? seems like it. but he's still answering smoothly, since the song and dance of the exarch's ~~misfires~~ strange guests is familiar enough to him at this point.]

That I do. Though I still offer you my apologies, as I seem to have fired wide of my mark once again. I trust you came to no harm before finding your way safely into the walls of the Crystarium?

[ you can AT LEAST PRETEND to be happy to see him!

well no he would be annoyed by that, so. ]

I've had worse. [ ... time to make fun of him, even though he still has. little idea of what is going on. that's the way to handle things. ] Your aim must be truly unfortunate to reach me. Perhaps you should take up bow practice before firing again.

[hey. why are you like this.

not that he isn't somewhat aware of that.]

Would that skill as a marksman, however dusty, were of any help in this endeavor.

[looking him over though like you implied an injury my man]

[Coming back to reality from the black pitch of unconsciousness was unpleasant to say the least. Joints creaked, his eyes couldn't focus, and that nasty gunshot wound in the back stung like nothing else. The Crystal Exarch should count himself lucky that he isn't bleeding out.

When the room does stop spinning he'll find himself on a couch in a vast room. The walls and floor are made of polished wood trimmed here and there in designs of gold and black. Large windows don't let in much light, but are nearly floor to ceiling. Speaking of the couch, it was really high off the floor and two times too large. He'd nearly have to jump down to reach the ground below. After some inspection it seems all the furnishings in this room are the same size --- two times too large. Who lived here? A race of incredibly tall hyurs?

He'll be able to feel that he is far, far away from the Crystal Tower. That'll make things difficult. Well, up and at 'em, Exarch. No time for napping!]

[The bullet had struck crystal, which is both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, his actual organs didn't take (much) piercing damage. On the other hand, the crystal that blunted the blow very much cracked, and that crack has spidered through much of the parts of him that are crystal, and that feels terrible. Kind of like he'll shake apart if he moves too much.

Not that refraining from moving is really one of his options. It doesn't take long for him to work out an idea of what must have happened, although his memories stop at the sharp crack and sudden burst of pain that faded into unconsciousness near instantly. There are really only so many things that could have happened, and any of them mean he doesn't have the luxury of sitting still.

The height is intimidating, but he starts to carefully ease himself off the edge of the too-large couch, bracing himself for a jarring landing when he slips off entirely.]

So the top level will be the next comment so it has a chance of collapsing away.

[Turns out the first summoning had... great??? Timing? ...?

Anyway don't ask me how this works but there's an elf bleeding aether out on the Exarch's floor.]

[Thal's balls! He hasn't thought that particular bit of rudeness in decades at least, but the situation calls for it.

There's no time to wonder what went wrong, to do anything but ply what healing magics he knows and all but flood the dying man with them. And also shouting for help.]

There's an injured man here, call for aid from the Spagyrics! Chessamile if you can find her!

[for all the guards at the tower's doors have never been called on in this way before, they don't hesitate to scramble off in search of help.]

[The floor has a little give under his feet, not much but enough to soften the impact by just a fraction. No one else is in the room. There are double doors and a pair of windows as the only visible exit to this place.

If he listens carefully, he can hear footsteps in the hallway beyond.]

[The landing still... really sucks, but he manages to keep from yelping. His feet, at least, are still entirely flesh, so he can creep to the doors in relative silence, listening closely. Since he can't imagine he has much chance, with windows sized for giants.]

[The footsteps are coming to your very room, Exarch. You have about half a minute to prepare, hide, bar the doors, whatever you see fit before the doors will swing open of their own volition.

And if the doors are not barred, this asshole will step through in that slouching walk of his.]

[What can he do, what can he do...

His mana is far too drained for him to waste trying to pull his invisibility glamour nonsense, even if he thought it would work on Emet-Selch. Barring the massive door, too, is likely beyond his abilities without magical aid, even if he weren't in such terrible physical condition as well. He can't even reach the doorknobs. Also, Ascians teleport. He doubts his chances with the windows are much better.

So the Crystal Exarch spends what time he has seating himself comfortably on the opulent floor, back (painfully) up against one of the couch's legs, waiting for Emet-Selch with what dignity he can muster.]

[Holding a hand up upon seeing the Exarch, well, not quite up and about, but about.]

Awake, are you? Well, you certainly did take long enough. I truly hadn't expected the blow to take you out for that long, but we are far, far away from your precious tower, aren't we? Hmmm.

No matter. You and I have a lot to talk about.

[there are a lot of ways he could respond. "upset" is really underselling his feelings on Emet-Selch's interruption, but throwing a fit won't get him anywhere. there isn't time for his personal feelings, not when his hero's very soul hangs in the balance because of him.]

...How long have you known?

Where...

[Is all Haurchefant manages before passing out. Where is he? Where's his best friend whose arms he was dying in? This seems not how death should uh, work? But then again he's never died before.

Still the glimpse of the man he got above him before unconciousness claimed him distinctly failed to resemble Halone.

He survives with the Exarch's aid but he'll be out for a day or two, his soul snatched from the doorway to the aetheric realm itself. He's barely whole.]

Not for very long I must admit. You should be really proud of yourself to kept it a secret for so such a time. And I wonder how events would have unfolded had you been forthright with our hero. It surely would have made my plans and schemes more difficult.

But you didn't, so here we are.

Tell me, Exarch. How did you do it? How did you trick time to bend to your will?

[What, you're saying The Fury isn't generally depicted in the shape of a small man in deeply shady clothing?

He gets the best medical care the Crystarium can offer-- after all, once the panic abates a little, the Exarch realizes he's read about this man. It most certainly wouldn't do for him to die on his watch.

When he wakes, it's to a kindly (and terrifying) older Elezen woman informing him that he should stay still, and that he's very lucky to be alive. The wound he sustained should very much have been fatal, but the Crystal Exarch has been visiting his bedside daily to lend his power to Haurchefant's recovery. And it isn't long before there's a hooded figure striding into the Spagyrics, though Haurchefant didn't see anyone run off to send a message, nor any use of a linkpearl. Everyone rushes to give them space as he heads to Haurchefant's bedside.]

It is good to see you awake.

[Even with his hood, he's always been fairly expressive. Without it, the flinch is undeniable, and his ears flatten. It's true that his strategy clearly didn't pan out.]

I'm afraid that isn't my story to tell. To you least of all.

Don't be so difficult. You completed a feat nigh thought impossible.

[Walking up to where the Exarch is sitting until they are about four feet apart.]

You should be proud. Truly, you should. But make no mistake, I will learn how you achieved this feat.

[mmmMMMMMM not moving.]

It's... passing strange, hearing praise from you. But I won't aid you in turning such a feat to your own ends.

[Kneeling then.]

I had only the highest expectations from you, all of you. Though you did let me down in the end. It really can't be helped, being as broken and fragmented as you are.

Tell me, what do you think I would do with such knowledge? I've told you my motives and my aspirations. It shouldn't be too difficult to puzzle out.

[Oddly enough short and shady is not how Halone is usually presented! The scary healer lady is a little closer but Haurchefant's too sore to have any illusions about being ought but alive.]

It's good to be awake, though I confess I know not how, or where I am, or who you are for all that.

That is beyond reasonable, given that you are very far from home, and torn from a rather... fraught situation, besides. Welcome to the Crystarium.

Naught that won't be helped by turning back the hands of time, surely.

[he sighs. it's not unreasonable, but the Exarch just seems... tired.]

I've seen the results of Light's victory here, you know. You desire such a Rejoining, and I cannot allow it to come to pass once more.

VOICETEST

u have summoned ssr lancer estinien good job

damnit estinien he's whaling for someone specific

spooked...

desire sensor is bullying exarch

So many spoilers, beware!

SOOOO MANY

So many spoilers

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i remembered i marked this for spoilers so i'm using my damned icons

live your best life

Re: live your best life

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