G'raha Tia (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
crystalized_hope) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
songerein2022-03-06 02:48 pm
crystalized_hope) wrote in songerein2022-03-06 02:48 pm
Entry tags:
[Open] Begin Anew
Who: G'raha Tia & You
Which: Open Log (possibly closed threads down below?)
Where: Various locations
What: A March catch-all and aetheryte shenanigans.
Warnings: There will be Endwalker spoilers more than likely. I will do my best to mark them accordingly. I need to update this for Endwalker stuff as well, but here is my opt-out post if people would rather not be spoiled about Shadowbringers or Endwalker. Feel free to fill it out to where you are in the game and I will say nothing past that in our thread.
AETHERYTES; (No spoilers beyond location in the video)
WHERE'S YOUR GREEN?;
THOSE HALCYON DAYS;
WILDCARD;
Which: Open Log (possibly closed threads down below?)
Where: Various locations
What: A March catch-all and aetheryte shenanigans.
Warnings: There will be Endwalker spoilers more than likely. I will do my best to mark them accordingly. I need to update this for Endwalker stuff as well, but here is my opt-out post if people would rather not be spoiled about Shadowbringers or Endwalker. Feel free to fill it out to where you are in the game and I will say nothing past that in our thread.
AETHERYTES; (No spoilers beyond location in the video)
[Perhaps you've noticed a few crystal structures strewn about Reverein. If you hadn't, don't feel bad. There are only really three at the moment. One placed nearby the dream swings and the other one placed nearby stores. The last one is located outside of G'raha's home for the sake of experimenting. What are they? What do they do? It doesn't take much to realize that it appears to be made out of crystal. Mayhap from the crystal caves? Or was it something more? Simply touching it won't do anything. It appears to be just for decoration for the time being.
Well, that is until a cat boy with red hair and eyes appeared out of nowhere in a flash. He seemed composed for a time up until he collapsed to the ground, catching his fall with his hands. His breathing seemed slightly labored as he tried to compose himself.]
No... No luck this time either. Mayhap it best to further-- [Gods forfend. He did not miss aetheric sickness. Letting out a small groan before continuing his thought.] To further attune the coordinates... Mayhap adjust the amount of dreamotion as well...
[Oh. Were you standing right there this entire time? Don't mind him thinking out loud. He finally noticed he wasn't alone there. Pushing himself off of the ground, he gave an apologetic smile to his companion.]
My apologies. I did not mean to disturb the peace.
WHERE'S YOUR GREEN?;
[Having recovered from his aerthical sickness (mostly), G'raha has been otherwise occupied recently. The leprechauns weren't exactly weird-looking to him. After all, Lalafell were normally short like this. No. It wasn't the appearance that worried him. It was seeing so many unlucky people around that put him on edge. Meanwhile, there were those who seemed to have nothing short of amazing luck. Whatever the case, he had been on his guard as of late.
It all started little. Shoelaces untied that made him lose his balance, having a bag of flour explode open while at the market, flying produce? Annoying at best, but nothing he couldn't handle. And then his home turned green. Everything was green. Standing outside of his home...]
... Seriously? Did I upset someone?
[Can he clean this mess up or is it just there for an unknown amount of time? It was hard to say with how dreamotion worked here. Glancing down to the leprechaun with the yellow cap, he didn't like the look they were giving him.]
Is this some sort of message?
THOSE HALCYON DAYS;
[Having retrieved his lost job stones, it was a relief to have access to the rest of his magic. One he had been surprised to see was his Bard stone. It had been quite a while since he last touched a bow and arrow, much less a harp. There was a part of him that wondered if he could still perform properly anymore. So somewhere out in a far enough place out of the way of heavy foot traffic, people might hear what sounds like music in the distance. Not complete to say the least, but attempts to create it nonetheless.
If they chose to investigate where it was coming from, G'raha can be found somewhere outside, sitting by a tree. By now, he's managed to pick up on his innate skill he had thought once lost. Enough to be able to do a passable rendition of a song. No vocals while he's just trying to get the hang of playing once more. Anyone is free to stop by to listen.
He might even notice he's not alone and sheepishly smile to his company.]
WILDCARD;
[OOC: Hit my up for any other prompt ideas if nothing catches your fancy. If you want anything specific with G'raha, I'm more than happy to do a closed prompt as well. Feel free to poke me on plurk (byefelicia).]
no subject
Perhaps by finding someone who won't easily succumb to illness? Much more of this, and you won't be testing anything for another day, at least.
But besides that, I think it a lovely idea. And highly convenient. Especially for those who don't have other, innate means of nigh instantaneous transportation.
[He turns his head to study the crystal again.]
...And for those who yet struggle to control their power. Even we ancients had similar means of teleportation for travel over larger distances.
no subject
[It did make sense to have someone else help him, but he couldn't allow that in good conscious.]
You did? It would not surprise me to find out that aetherytes have existed since ancient days, back before the Final Days. I imagine much of our daily lives are thanks to creation magicks.
no subject
Well-spoken. Then I shall spare you the lack of surprise.
But, yes. Many of our creations have stood the test of time where we ourselves have not. From ideology to technology, creatures and even some of the arcane entities you've no doubt witnessed throughout your travels.
[There's something bitterly poetic in that perhaps. Their work yet remains; a mark that they once existed at all.]
no subject
That's all we could truly hope for, isn't it? Proof that we once lived and made our own way in the world. Hopeful to make a difference.
[These words weren't solely to cater to Emet-Selch, but were often things that he had thought about himself. He had plenty of time with his thoughts, even if it wasn't nearly as long as his Ancient company here.]
no subject
[...are so very like the ideals of his people before the Sundering, as a matter of fact. Hardly are they enough to sway him from what he knows he must do (somehow), but they do give him cause to stop and consider.]
Such was the way of things, before all fell to ruin. Proof was hardly necessary, only the difference left behind. We lived our lives for the betterment of the star, and we returned to it willingly once our respective purposes had been fulfilled.
But that all changed once our choice, and our future, was taken from us.
no subject
None of us have forgotten that you and yours lived nor the impact you had. We may not be of the same mind in many affairs, but I must make that point very clear.
I am relieved enough to know that my efforts will not have been in vain and that those who succeed me and those around me have the chance to build on what we will have left behind.
I will continue to work for a bright future, even if there are bound to be roadblocks and challenges around every turn.
It would not do to take what you and the other ancients have achieved lightly nor shall I take it for granted.
no subject
Would you and yours, upon learning of your fates, simply wait to accept them with open arms, no matter how dire and depressing? Would you be glad in the fact you made some small difference along the way and then cease trying?
I should hope not.
Why, then, would you assume that I would be satisfied to merely pass along the torch and be done with it? Shall I surrender to the roadblocks and challenges presented me in your tale of the future?
We may be your past, but our story is far from over.
[He is still here. Still alive. And though Emet-Selch knows of one possible outcome, nothing is assured. He won't give up on his brethren without a fight, whether that fight is now or upon some distant horizon. Did the Exarch not toil away to alter and unwrite the future? So shall it be done again.]
no subject
That does not mean that I will stop trying to make things right, even past reaching my goals. I don't expect you to do so as well.
Consider this, however. Instead of standing toe to toe as enemies, we may lay down our swords and come to an agreement. I am much too old to linger on the past, especially knowing a little more about it thanks to my dear friend.
[He may not completely trust Emet, of course but it was pointless to constantly have to watch his back here as well. Neither of them were back on Etheirys, after all.]
no subject
[Although the playing field was somewhat different back then, he'll admit. Indeed, although Emet-Selch remains weary with the weight of all he has experienced, he's hardly crushed beneath it. He no longer slouches as if the burden is too much to bear, and perhaps even those deep shadows beneath his eyes have lifted - if only slightly.]
I also suspect that you hardly need me to tell you this: the moment I make meaningful progress towards my goals, any agreement forged between us is as good as voided.
I will never forsake my brethren.
[And he will never cease striving to bring back their world, because to him, that is right, and that is how the world is meant to be. He will not cast aside all of the faith and all of the hopes placed upon them, placed upon him. He may, however, be open to exploring other avenues to achieve this, if such a thing exists. Don't think he hasn't looked before.]
[Still. Emet-Selch has hardly positioned himself as an enemy here - he has time, and he isn't entirely opposed to discussion and temporary compromise.]
That being said, we do find ourselves at a rather unusual crossroads.
no subject
[But the two of them did what they thought they needed to. It was hardly a surprise to see how it turned out the way it did with their individual agendas. Letting out a slightly exhausted sigh he had a point.]
There are no titles nor goals to work for while we are stuck here. Surely we could put our differences aside when it does not involve home affairs.
The Exarch means little to this place, aside from dreams presenting themselves the way they do. My word holds no sway here, nor do I care to raise as a leader here.
[A weird sort of vacation, in many ways.]
no subject
[He sighs in turn. This again.]
Yes, a circumstance which I've discussed with both you and your Au Ra friend at exhaustive length. One which I cannot recall, given that I have yet to pull the trigger. For what little it's worth, I see no reason to hold you hostage given the present situation, nor am I in the mood for target practice.
[He offers a half-hearted shrug. Make of it what you will.]
But I would disagree on the topics of titles and goals. Though nothing we accomplish here is likely to affect Etheirys on any grand scale, that hardly means there aren't projects worth taking on.
[And a gesture at the aetherytes in progress.]
As for titles, while you may be more than ready to step down from your previous role, I've no desire to discard mine. For we of the Convocation, our titles are our identities until another succeeds us.
[So don't you lot go around calling him "Hades" all of a sudden. You've not received his permission.]
no subject
Timelines are a funny thing here. Even if it wasn't a common occurrence, time in general is a strange concept. Well, either way, I don't intend on letting it happen again if anything were to come down to it.
[A blunt answer, perhaps, but he didn't intend to linger on that detail; Especially when he had no recollection of it at the moment. Their differences aside, he had no desire to remain enemies.
Though Emet-Selch made a good point. Eventually he would do something to do what he thought was necessary. And when that happened, if it required to step in, G'raha would do it. He couldn't fault the man, though.]
I have achieved what I aimed for in more ways than I ahd previously thought possible as the Crystal Exarch. I will be the first to confess that they matter of how things happened were not entirely as I had hoped. I messed up a number of times.
Though I have achieved my goals, your part is not yet concluded. From what I have heard from our mutual friend, it is much more ingrained in who you are as a person. Just because I've done what I needed to do, I am not trying to tell you what you should or should not do. That is for you to answer alone.
[He doesn't know you well enough to even consider it, so his true name is safe with him.]
no subject
[And because this is likely to take a while, and because he'd rather discuss something other than ideals and what is or isn't ingrained, Emet-Selch finds himself an outcropping to sit upon some non-intimidating distance away.]
And yet I've heard little of what sort of agreement you'd have us enter into. Perhaps you would care to enlighten me...?
[A pointed glance, his expression inscrutable despite the almost sing-song slowness with which he draws the question out. And then, to fill the silence, he adds:]
You know, you always were an unusual one. Throughout history I've forged agreements, alliances, "partnerships"... I've watched heroes fall from grace. Watched rulers and people of influence turn their backs on the masses for even the barest promise of their heart's selfish desires. Disappointing, really.
So then, what have we to work with? I imagine you, at least, won't be tempted by such empty and temporary wealth.
no subject
The easiest way to sum it up is a truce, but I know full well that things are not simply black and white. I would rather move on from the past and live for today.
That, of course, means that though we might come to a mutual agreement, the future does not guarantee that things will always remain that way.
[Making a side swipe gesture with his hand, he gave a shrug.]
I have no interest in wealth beyond my wildest dreams, nor do I have a use for it. As corny as it may sound, the people dear in my heart and the time spent with them is all I need.
What I ask for is that we don't have to regard each other as a nuisance to avoid at every step. I'm certain if the time came for action, we'll both act accordingly to what we believe is right.
no subject
[You bothered him, now he is bothering you. Cause and effect.]
But a truce built upon a foundation of sand is no truce at all. 'Tis nothing more than an illusion of peace. Wealth, likewise, takes on many different forms. Power, resources, lost knowledge of the empire that you - by virtue of your eyes - have come to represent.
Still.
[And here he raises a finger as if to punctuate the word.]
On one matter, at least, we both appear to be in agreement. As whimsical as this realm may be, it serves as an opportunity to fulfill the desire of which you speak. Timelines, as you said, are a funny thing here, capable of closing a gap of 12,000 years in an instant. For me, my past is my future, and I should like not to squander it.
no subject
There are things we could all be doing, of course, but there's no use fretting over matters we can't deal with while we are in this dream land.
[There was a pause, as if pondering if it was his right to bring it up or not. He decided not to linger too long on the sentiment past his initial thoughts. After all, Emet didn't owe him any long winded explanations, nor did he expect them.]
If nothing else, this is a chance to spend time with a dear friend of yours here. I don't know him that well personally, but I am glad you aren't here completely alone.
Everybody needs somebody, after all.
no subject
[Ironically enough, Emet-Selch has no calamitous plans up either of his sleeves; not at the moment, anyway. His only plans involve settling in for however long a term this proves to be. But fine. An olive branch. Do take it graciously, for it pains him to have to extend it a second time.]
And what's there to know? Your friend and mine are both cut from the same cloth. They delight in teasing and mischief when they aren't being naturally, unnervingly charming.
[But spare the pity. He may not be willing to give up on his brethren, but for the time being, having one of his dearest companions here is far more than he otherwise would have hoped for. Call it corny all you like, but for the moment, Hythlodaeus is enough.]
no subject
I fear for the power they'll have once they become friends with each other. It may prove to be too much for us to handle.
[He says this, but there's the slight ear wiggle. He was clearly happy with Madhuri here and made no effort to hide that.]
no subject
[This is also, likely, the first time the Exarch has ever laughed in his presence, and from Emet-Selch it earns only the driest of stares and a long sigh of disappointment.]
And yet you don't sound nearly as terrified as you should. On their own, they're already a nuisance. Together there would be no end of trouble.
no subject
I kind of signed up for trouble at this point. I expect nothing less. [Throwing in a slight shrug.]
no subject
[Emet-Selch chooses to omit a few (personal) pertinent details, but even this much should be more than enough to make his point. A glance, to see if the Exarch looks worried or intimidated, or if he still looks as unbothered as he did but a moment ago.]
He's no Lahabrea, but he is shrewd, and you can bet your last coin that no small detail will escape his notice. If there's a weakness to be exploited, he will find it. And then devise a way to turn it into some manner of mischief, more likely than not.
no subject
So what you're saying is that he's sharp and quick to pick up on things. If he was considered for the seat, than it's natural that he's clearly talented in his field of expertise.
However I must, once again, reiterate. If you know this is a common thing to use such information against you, would it not be better to just expect anything and everything to happen at any given time?
[Which is the way he goes about his relationship with Madhuri. She already knows far too much against him, but he's come to just accept that.]
I cannot imagine that it takes away from your relationship with him, though.
[Not said to be taken in any particular way past friendship, but he is free to perceive it as such if he so chose to.]
no subject
[His impression of the other man is actually quite on-the-nose, all truth be told. Emet-Selch even manages to silence the plaintiff tone from his own voice for the handful of seconds he spends quoting one of his dearest friend's most popular catchphrases. At last he shrugs.]
As you say. Though even I cannot prepare for every possibility. And certainly not for lack of trying.
[But for all his complaints and making Hythlodaeus out to be far more intimidating than he truly is (most of the time), it is exactly that sort of unpredictability which keeps their friendship from becoming stale. An important trait he would have said, once. It ensures that he never grows bored.]
Sometimes the people we think we know best surprise us in the best - and worst - of ways.
no subject
I'd like to think that is part of their charm. There are plenty of times you can't help but roll your eyes, but when it all comes down to it, it makes your life that much more exciting.
The true surprise comes when we get them back for it in our own way.
[Making Madhuri flustered is his favorite thing when that in itself is so difficult to achieve.]
no subject
Well, well. Who'd have thought that even you possessed a devious streak?
[Oh, don't look at him like that. Well does he know that any form of retaliation on the Miqo'te's part is likely entirely inoffensive at best, and yet. Hmn.]
But since you supposedly have ample experience in "getting them back", what would you suggest? Imagine for a moment that you are up against ten of her, and she is already tipped off to the fact that you plan to make your move in the near future.
[Don't get any odd ideas. He's simply curious.]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)