some kinda train to the afterlife + snowpiercer + spirited away jamjar setting
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quillandaxe
2020-09-16 06:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Moenbryda's memory of how, exactly, she came to be on this train -- and how long it's been --- are somewhat fuzzy, but she can't say it's been boring. It isn't a normal place, that's for certain, with each car practically a different world unto itself as one passes through them: stepping into a forest one moment, then a blisteringly cold winter landscape the next. The control car is the only place she's never been to, impervious to attempts to access it. How the train links together seems to be dictated less by logic than by will, the layout changing from moment to moment.
Now and again, a droning voice over the speakers will call for the residents of the train to assemble and get rid of pests attempting to attack it. Standing on the train roof, trying to cut down many-limbed shadows clinging to the metal, all Moenbryda can see out there is an endless, howling black.
It's after one of those altercations that she finds her way to the dining car -- one of them, anyway. The servers are mute, vaguely humanoid shadows that flit from table to table, taking people's orders. Brushing some lingering snowmelt off her clothes, she plunks herself down solidly at the bar and unhooks her axe from her back so it buries itself with a solid thunk on the polished wooden floor. ]
Well, that was certainly exciting, wasn't it? [ She announces, to no one in particular. There are faces both new and familiar around, but first things first: she needs to get warmed up. ]
Now and again, a droning voice over the speakers will call for the residents of the train to assemble and get rid of pests attempting to attack it. Standing on the train roof, trying to cut down many-limbed shadows clinging to the metal, all Moenbryda can see out there is an endless, howling black.
It's after one of those altercations that she finds her way to the dining car -- one of them, anyway. The servers are mute, vaguely humanoid shadows that flit from table to table, taking people's orders. Brushing some lingering snowmelt off her clothes, she plunks herself down solidly at the bar and unhooks her axe from her back so it buries itself with a solid thunk on the polished wooden floor. ]
Well, that was certainly exciting, wasn't it? [ She announces, to no one in particular. There are faces both new and familiar around, but first things first: she needs to get warmed up. ]
Edited 2020-09-16 19:01 (UTC)
[ The interior of the train and its shifting cars is a marvel, to be sure, the likes of which Ardbert has certainly never seen before -- and that's after spending time on not just one world, but two. It had all been a nice distraction at first, with each day feeling different enough from the one that came before it that this trip to who-knows-where didn't feel quite so grim.
But it's been long enough now that he's been getting antsy, and with each turn they take around an unknown corner, his connection to the Warrior of Light and their home shards feels weaker and weaker. For someone who'd been alone with his own thoughts and left to drift for so long, though, this could all be much worse.
At least he can interact with people here.
The chance to do something, to swing his axe around and have it actually cleave through something (even if that something is... shadow creatures?) helps to lighten Ardbert's mood. It works up his appetite too, and so the dining car is the first place he heads once all is said and done.
A woman with an axe that rivals his seems to address him, and Ardbert shoots her a grin before moving to take the stool at her left. ]
Won't ever say no to a good fight. [ He nods to her axe, his eyes shining with admiration. ] It's nice to get the blood flowing, wouldn't you say?
[ Not that there's actually any blood left in his veins any more -- but it all feels close enough to the real thing that he can let himself forget, sometimes. ]
But it's been long enough now that he's been getting antsy, and with each turn they take around an unknown corner, his connection to the Warrior of Light and their home shards feels weaker and weaker. For someone who'd been alone with his own thoughts and left to drift for so long, though, this could all be much worse.
At least he can interact with people here.
The chance to do something, to swing his axe around and have it actually cleave through something (even if that something is... shadow creatures?) helps to lighten Ardbert's mood. It works up his appetite too, and so the dining car is the first place he heads once all is said and done.
A woman with an axe that rivals his seems to address him, and Ardbert shoots her a grin before moving to take the stool at her left. ]
Won't ever say no to a good fight. [ He nods to her axe, his eyes shining with admiration. ] It's nice to get the blood flowing, wouldn't you say?
[ Not that there's actually any blood left in his veins any more -- but it all feels close enough to the real thing that he can let himself forget, sometimes. ]
[ The stranger that addresses her isn't a familiar face, but that's no deterrent as far as Moenbryda's -- conversation's been something of a sparse thing, since she came here, and a friendly stranger is better company than none.
Besides, they've clearly got the same good taste in weapons. She chuckles, patting the shaft of her axe fondly. ]
That it is. Not to say I'm spending my days praying for the next bunch of demons or whatever else they are to come along, mind you, but it's nice to be doing something useful.
Besides, they've clearly got the same good taste in weapons. She chuckles, patting the shaft of her axe fondly. ]
That it is. Not to say I'm spending my days praying for the next bunch of demons or whatever else they are to come along, mind you, but it's nice to be doing something useful.
Voidsent?
[ Ardbert murmurs the word under his breath, wondering what those creatures might be. It seems like there are any number of possibilities, and yet his awareness of what state they're in and where they might be headed has him unsure. If they're in some realm that follows death, then it doesn't have to play by any of the rules he knows.
He nods all the same, then waves over one of the strange waiters to take his order. With that taken care of, he settles his attention back on his new axe-wielding friend. ]
Not used to sitting idle, are you? [ He sighs and leans forward, resting both of his arms on the bar-top. ] I understand. I certainly appreciate it not getting too dull around here.
[ Ardbert murmurs the word under his breath, wondering what those creatures might be. It seems like there are any number of possibilities, and yet his awareness of what state they're in and where they might be headed has him unsure. If they're in some realm that follows death, then it doesn't have to play by any of the rules he knows.
He nods all the same, then waves over one of the strange waiters to take his order. With that taken care of, he settles his attention back on his new axe-wielding friend. ]
Not used to sitting idle, are you? [ He sighs and leans forward, resting both of his arms on the bar-top. ] I understand. I certainly appreciate it not getting too dull around here.
Oh, never. My mother always said she would have nailed me down, if she could. [ Moenbryda answers, idly reaching up to work a crick out of her neck, the markings tattooed high and just under her ear stark against pale skin. She flahes him a quick smile ]
'Voidsent,' though -- I haven't heard someone else call them that in a while. Doesn't seem like it's a term most people here have heard of.
'Voidsent,' though -- I haven't heard someone else call them that in a while. Doesn't seem like it's a term most people here have heard of.
[ This woman recognizing the term of 'voidsent' would have been alarming enough, but when her hand lifts up and draws attention to the prominent tattoo on her neck, Ardbert wonders how he could have missed it. Too distracted by her axe and the promise of a hard drink, it seems.
There's no mistaking it. While Ardbert and the others had never felt the need to tattoo themselves in order to mark them as experts in any field, he's spent enough time in the presence of the Warrior and the Scions to have some idea of what the symbol means. It's all a bit over-the-top, in his opinion, but...
Is she one of the lesser-known Scions? One who wasn't summoned to the First? What was the word Urianger had used... ]
You're an Archon. I can't imagine many people around here have made note of that, either.
[ He turns in his seat, his interest shifting from mild to something stronger. ]
There's no mistaking it. While Ardbert and the others had never felt the need to tattoo themselves in order to mark them as experts in any field, he's spent enough time in the presence of the Warrior and the Scions to have some idea of what the symbol means. It's all a bit over-the-top, in his opinion, but...
Is she one of the lesser-known Scions? One who wasn't summoned to the First? What was the word Urianger had used... ]
You're an Archon. I can't imagine many people around here have made note of that, either.
[ He turns in his seat, his interest shifting from mild to something stronger. ]
[ To be completely fair, axes are distracting. In any case, whatever surprise Moenbryda might have had at the recognition quickly fades in the face of excitement as she leans forward (maybe a bit too much into Ardbert's space). ]
You recognize it? Then, you know of Sharlayan? Or-- [ She sits back, scrutinizing him more assessingly. No Sharlayan she knows would dress like that, not even Thancred. ] --are you from Eorzea?
You recognize it? Then, you know of Sharlayan? Or-- [ She sits back, scrutinizing him more assessingly. No Sharlayan she knows would dress like that, not even Thancred. ] --are you from Eorzea?
[ The very concept of someone invading his personal space at all is rather new these days, after so long spent as a specter who could not interact with the world around him. It's for that reason alone that Ardbert flinches back in his seat for a moment, though he doesn't appear offended in any way.
They've found common ground. It's more than enough reason to be excited. Given that the Warrior of Light had not always been the best of conversationalists, this is like a breath of fresh air.
It's her final question that Ardbert chooses to address, with a brief shake of his head. ]
No, though I was able to make a brief trip there. [ Said as if it was a quick vacation rather than the desperate action of someone with no other options. ] I hail from a different star, though one with a connection to Hydaelyn. It's a long story, but... I have some familiarity with the Scions.
[ He raises an eyebrow at the Galdjent woman. Your turn. ]
They've found common ground. It's more than enough reason to be excited. Given that the Warrior of Light had not always been the best of conversationalists, this is like a breath of fresh air.
It's her final question that Ardbert chooses to address, with a brief shake of his head. ]
No, though I was able to make a brief trip there. [ Said as if it was a quick vacation rather than the desperate action of someone with no other options. ] I hail from a different star, though one with a connection to Hydaelyn. It's a long story, but... I have some familiarity with the Scions.
[ He raises an eyebrow at the Galdjent woman. Your turn. ]
[ The flinch isn't lost on Moenbryda, but she doesn't remark on it. Perhaps it's because she, too, is caught up in the excitement of the moment or because it seems to be tied to some private pain that this isn't the time or place to ask.
For now, she'll meet that raised eyebrow with one of her own, giving him a quick grin as well. ]
Is that so? I happen to know some of the Scions quite well, myself. Urianger is a childhood friend. [ She looks reflective, leaning back slightly in her seat. ] I don't suppose you've seen them recently, have you?
For now, she'll meet that raised eyebrow with one of her own, giving him a quick grin as well. ]
Is that so? I happen to know some of the Scions quite well, myself. Urianger is a childhood friend. [ She looks reflective, leaning back slightly in her seat. ] I don't suppose you've seen them recently, have you?
[ Urianger? It's hard to imagine the stern elezen man with his lofty speech and head full of scholarly pursuits had ever been a child. Would he have mentioned this woman, a childhood friend, during their temporary "alliance"? Ardbert doesn't remember, but those memories are also as good as ancient history for him now. ]
Not here. [ Said with a quick glance around the train car. ] Though I imagine that's a good thing.
[ He folds his hands on the tabletop in front of him, perking up when one of the strange servers drifts by to drop off their drinks. ]
Before I came to be here, though, yes. Quite recently, in fact.
Not here. [ Said with a quick glance around the train car. ] Though I imagine that's a good thing.
[ He folds his hands on the tabletop in front of him, perking up when one of the strange servers drifts by to drop off their drinks. ]
Before I came to be here, though, yes. Quite recently, in fact.
[ That's enough to earn a quick, wry smile from the Roegadyn, who brushes her hair back out of her face. ]
I imagine so.
[ While her memory is fuzzy on the details of how she came to be here, they're certain on one point: she shouldn't be alive. Her last conscious thought was that there wasn't enough aether to fuel the blade that would bring the Ascian down, and there was only one ready supply. Her thoughts are easily distracted from those moments, though, by what the man says next. There's an unmistakable softening in her expression, a warmth in her voice when she answers. ]
And are they well?
I imagine so.
[ While her memory is fuzzy on the details of how she came to be here, they're certain on one point: she shouldn't be alive. Her last conscious thought was that there wasn't enough aether to fuel the blade that would bring the Ascian down, and there was only one ready supply. Her thoughts are easily distracted from those moments, though, by what the man says next. There's an unmistakable softening in her expression, a warmth in her voice when she answers. ]
And are they well?
[ It's a fair question, though one which Ardbert finds difficult to answer. He pauses, taking a moment to enjoy a sip of his drink first. It had been so long since he was able to eat and drink that he's been sampling the offerings from the dining car as often as he can, and he can't hold back on the content sigh he lets out after indulging. ]
As well as they can be.
[ Which is a statement that requires some explanation, he realizes. He shifts in his seat enough to look the woman over again. Casual as she may seem, he can only imagine she's eager to hear news of someone she called friend. Especially as Ardbert suspects it's been quite some time since last she saw him. ]
We were facing a dangerous enemy. [ "We," he says, but he had been part of the fight in the end, hadn't he? And how good it had felt to finally be able to do something. ] But we succeeded, and last I can recall, they were making their way back to a safe harbor of sorts, to celebrate.
[ It's as they'd been approaching the Crystarium that everything becomes fuzzy in his recollection. He thought he'd seen his old friends, Branden and Lamitt and the others, but then...
Well, once this journey is over, he hopes he can see them once more. ]
As well as they can be.
[ Which is a statement that requires some explanation, he realizes. He shifts in his seat enough to look the woman over again. Casual as she may seem, he can only imagine she's eager to hear news of someone she called friend. Especially as Ardbert suspects it's been quite some time since last she saw him. ]
We were facing a dangerous enemy. [ "We," he says, but he had been part of the fight in the end, hadn't he? And how good it had felt to finally be able to do something. ] But we succeeded, and last I can recall, they were making their way back to a safe harbor of sorts, to celebrate.
[ It's as they'd been approaching the Crystarium that everything becomes fuzzy in his recollection. He thought he'd seen his old friends, Branden and Lamitt and the others, but then...
Well, once this journey is over, he hopes he can see them once more. ]
[ That gets a sidelong glance and a strangely piercing look; a reminder that for all her friendly manner, those marks on her neck aren't for show. Moenbryda is a scholar of Sharlayan, first and foremost, and if there's anything they're known for, it's being too curious for their own good, and the phrasing he's used doesn't escape her. ]
That's a terribly vague answer, you know. [ She leans back, flicking a bit of hair out of her face again, then gives him a wry smile. ] But I daresay the Scions' exploits tend to sound mad when you try to explain them in detail, so I can't fault you for that.
[ She finally reaches to pick up her drink, offering it at him to toast. ]
Still, before we go on exchanging stories, perhaps we ought to introduce ourselves to each other. My name is Moenbryda. Archon of Sharlayan and aetherology expert.
That's a terribly vague answer, you know. [ She leans back, flicking a bit of hair out of her face again, then gives him a wry smile. ] But I daresay the Scions' exploits tend to sound mad when you try to explain them in detail, so I can't fault you for that.
[ She finally reaches to pick up her drink, offering it at him to toast. ]
Still, before we go on exchanging stories, perhaps we ought to introduce ourselves to each other. My name is Moenbryda. Archon of Sharlayan and aetherology expert.
Edited 2020-12-11 06:30 (UTC)
[ It's not as if Ardbert is purposefully being obtuse, but to give her a more specific answer would require a good deal of time. They have an abundance of it here, of course, with little else to do but while away the time with good company and conversation.
All the same, he would rather be sure she's interested in hearing the long version before he launches into it. She does seem to understand why he's kept it so truncated, at the least.
With a nod, he lifts up his own drink and knocks it against hers, taking a longer pull from it as he considers how to introduce himself. ]
Ardbert. [ And what should follow? Warrior of Darkness? Surely not. Hero of the First? Not a chance. He stares down at the table for a number of seconds, aware that he's left Moenbryda hanging, before he shrugs and lets out a thin laugh. ] Just Ardbert.
All the same, he would rather be sure she's interested in hearing the long version before he launches into it. She does seem to understand why he's kept it so truncated, at the least.
With a nod, he lifts up his own drink and knocks it against hers, taking a longer pull from it as he considers how to introduce himself. ]
Ardbert. [ And what should follow? Warrior of Darkness? Surely not. Hero of the First? Not a chance. He stares down at the table for a number of seconds, aware that he's left Moenbryda hanging, before he shrugs and lets out a thin laugh. ] Just Ardbert.
[ Now there's a laugh with a story behind it, if she's ever heard one. Another person might have chosen to do the tactful thing and let it go unremarked, but tact is a resource Moenbryda has never had terribly much use for, which means that once she's quaffed a good portion of her mug and set it back down on the bar. ]
No one's 'just' anything. [ Silver eyes sweep Ardbert up and down, assessingly. ]
If you'd rather not go into the details, or the memory's unpleasant, that's your business. But I took you for another adventurer. You certainly dress the part.
[ She waves a hand at his axe. ]
No one's 'just' anything. [ Silver eyes sweep Ardbert up and down, assessingly. ]
If you'd rather not go into the details, or the memory's unpleasant, that's your business. But I took you for another adventurer. You certainly dress the part.
[ She waves a hand at his axe. ]
[ Having just met this woman, Ardbert hadn't known whether she would pick up on the meaning between his words, and if she did, whether she'd comment on it. Turns that out she's the direct type, which isn't all so surprising given her general demeanor.
As much as it won't do any good or change much of anything to rehash all this, Ardbert is still taken enough with the simple fact that he can converse with someone that he'll indulge her. Especially since she has a link to the Scions he knows.
Following her gesture, he glances down at his axe and nods. ] Aye, suppose you're right. Oftentimes I've thought it would have been best if I'd remained just that — an adventurer and nothing more.
[ It had started out so simple, so innocent, yet before he knew it, he'd become something larger than himself. Ardbert meets Moenbryda's gaze again and lets out a full-body sigh. ]
I'll say this. Being a 'hero of the realm' is a tad overrated.
As much as it won't do any good or change much of anything to rehash all this, Ardbert is still taken enough with the simple fact that he can converse with someone that he'll indulge her. Especially since she has a link to the Scions he knows.
Following her gesture, he glances down at his axe and nods. ] Aye, suppose you're right. Oftentimes I've thought it would have been best if I'd remained just that — an adventurer and nothing more.
[ It had started out so simple, so innocent, yet before he knew it, he'd become something larger than himself. Ardbert meets Moenbryda's gaze again and lets out a full-body sigh. ]
I'll say this. Being a 'hero of the realm' is a tad overrated.
[ That earns him a bright peal of laughter and a wry smile, Moenbryda tipping her head to one side so her hair spills against one shoulder. ]
Oh, I'm well aware. I've never been much of one for heroics, myself.
[ She toys with the mug in her hands, studying his expression. ]
But from what I gather, it's not always in your hands, is it? Perhaps you could have walked away someone who needed your aid, or turned a blind eye to some injustice, but what sort of person would that have made you? Not one that would have liked his own company much, I imagine. [ She raises a hand, beckoning to the bartender for a refill of her drink. ]
You may choose what you do, but not what others call you.
Oh, I'm well aware. I've never been much of one for heroics, myself.
[ She toys with the mug in her hands, studying his expression. ]
But from what I gather, it's not always in your hands, is it? Perhaps you could have walked away someone who needed your aid, or turned a blind eye to some injustice, but what sort of person would that have made you? Not one that would have liked his own company much, I imagine. [ She raises a hand, beckoning to the bartender for a refill of her drink. ]
You may choose what you do, but not what others call you.
Edited 2021-01-17 09:34 (UTC)
[ It isn't like traveling to the First -- at least then there had been a warning of sorts. Instead, she remembers simply waking up elsewhere. The rest is a of a blur; bright lights, pain, cuts, electrical shocks. Darkness. The nature of it eludes her, and though it is quite possible she might be able to discern the truth of it if she tried, she doesn't care to. Memory picks up bit more properly after that. Discarded in some back alley, left without the Blessing of Light or even the simple ability to manipulate aether. Powerless and helpless. She'd since been set up with temporary lodgings in some kind of warehouse by a mysterious benefactor, with a warning that she'll need to become self-sufficient soon.
Quite a tall order when she knows not what to do with herself, or what she could possibly offer in such a sorry state.
For the time being, she's taken to wandering the city as a distraction. The throbbing in her temples still hasn't entirely subsided, and so she traces a wall with her glove as she walks, counting on it to support her should she stumble. Her ears are flat against her head as she walks, flickering slightly at every foreign sound.
Gods, how she misses the other Scions. They might know what to do, or at least have some kind of direction for her. She's grown too used to being the solution, not the one thinking of one. ]
Quite a tall order when she knows not what to do with herself, or what she could possibly offer in such a sorry state.
For the time being, she's taken to wandering the city as a distraction. The throbbing in her temples still hasn't entirely subsided, and so she traces a wall with her glove as she walks, counting on it to support her should she stumble. Her ears are flat against her head as she walks, flickering slightly at every foreign sound.
Gods, how she misses the other Scions. They might know what to do, or at least have some kind of direction for her. She's grown too used to being the solution, not the one thinking of one. ]
[ Not one for heroics? The look that Ardbert fixes Moenbryda with when she says as much is nothing less than skeptical. One doesn't get close with the Scions without having at least a few heroic tendencies, he would guess.
As she continues on, however, his expression smooths into something more thoughtful. He takes a slow sip of his drink. She makes a good point, and this is a conversation which Ardbert's had with himself more times than he would care to count. For all that he might be full of regret, is there anything he could go back and do differently?
Not bury his axe into Mitron's chest, mayhap. ]
You're not wrong. Before we knew it, the whole star was calling us heroes. Warriors of Light. Aye, just like the one I'm sure you had the pleasure of meeting.
[ Unless she'd lost her life before the Scions and the Warrior of Light had come together. ]
As she continues on, however, his expression smooths into something more thoughtful. He takes a slow sip of his drink. She makes a good point, and this is a conversation which Ardbert's had with himself more times than he would care to count. For all that he might be full of regret, is there anything he could go back and do differently?
Not bury his axe into Mitron's chest, mayhap. ]
You're not wrong. Before we knew it, the whole star was calling us heroes. Warriors of Light. Aye, just like the one I'm sure you had the pleasure of meeting.
[ Unless she'd lost her life before the Scions and the Warrior of Light had come together. ]
[ No, this place (wherever it may be) is truly nothing like the First. Or the Source, for that matter. The closest comparison that Ardbert has been able to latch onto is Garlemald, though he'd never seen the seat of the Empire with his own eyes, only heard it described in passing in the vaguest of terms.
More perplexing than even where he is, however, is his own state. It's been a few days now and yet he's hardly adjusted to the fact that he's in a body again. How or why it happened, where he is, what force brought him here — he has no answers.
Nor can he say he has any idea of what to feel about any of it. Surely his time should be over, he should have moved on (or at the least settled comfortably into M'ahina's soul), and yet...
Could this be his curse? That he will never truly rest?
Much like his counterpart, Ardbert's set to wandering for lack of any better plan. It's as he rounds a corner that he almost crashes right into her. Instincts drive him to tense up for a brief moment, before he registers who it is, and then he only stares. ]
M'ahina? How—?
[ Though, need he truly ask? Of course she's here. ]
More perplexing than even where he is, however, is his own state. It's been a few days now and yet he's hardly adjusted to the fact that he's in a body again. How or why it happened, where he is, what force brought him here — he has no answers.
Nor can he say he has any idea of what to feel about any of it. Surely his time should be over, he should have moved on (or at the least settled comfortably into M'ahina's soul), and yet...
Could this be his curse? That he will never truly rest?
Much like his counterpart, Ardbert's set to wandering for lack of any better plan. It's as he rounds a corner that he almost crashes right into her. Instincts drive him to tense up for a brief moment, before he registers who it is, and then he only stares. ]
M'ahina? How—?
[ Though, need he truly ask? Of course she's here. ]
[ The voice is familiar--too familiar, as is the face that accompanies it. In a better frame of mind, she may have been to notice that the presence matches too, but as is?
As far as she knows, Ardbert is where he should be. Elidibus is gone. This person, she does not know where they came from, but she cannot abide it. She draws into a defensive stance, poised to draw a weapon at a moment's notice. Nevermind that she does not have a weapon; she can improvise. ]
I know not who you are--[ she lifts a accusatory finger ]--but you'd do well to put that body back.
[ A feat that should not be possible in any form, but she isn't concerned about the logistics of whatever's happening so much that it's happening. The rest can be dealt with in due time. ]
As far as she knows, Ardbert is where he should be. Elidibus is gone. This person, she does not know where they came from, but she cannot abide it. She draws into a defensive stance, poised to draw a weapon at a moment's notice. Nevermind that she does not have a weapon; she can improvise. ]
I know not who you are--[ she lifts a accusatory finger ]--but you'd do well to put that body back.
[ A feat that should not be possible in any form, but she isn't concerned about the logistics of whatever's happening so much that it's happening. The rest can be dealt with in due time. ]
[ Despite M'ahina's smaller stature, when she is worked up and steeling herself she is no less intimidating than the tallest of Galdjents. She's stood up to literal gods without faltering, and so to be on the receiving end of that piercing gaze and accusatory tone would be enough to make most anyone quaver.
Ardbert's faced off against her before, though that may as well be ancient history. Water under the bridge and then some, especially now that they each understand their connection to each other, one that can't truly be put into words.
All the same, he does take a step or two away from her before lifting his arms in a placating gesture. He can understand why she's jumped to such a conclusion. His current state shouldn't be possible. ]
It's me. Ardbert. In the flesh. Don't ask me how, but...
[ He lowers his hands enough to look them over, as he has nearly a hundred times by now. ]
Ardbert's faced off against her before, though that may as well be ancient history. Water under the bridge and then some, especially now that they each understand their connection to each other, one that can't truly be put into words.
All the same, he does take a step or two away from her before lifting his arms in a placating gesture. He can understand why she's jumped to such a conclusion. His current state shouldn't be possible. ]
It's me. Ardbert. In the flesh. Don't ask me how, but...
[ He lowers his hands enough to look them over, as he has nearly a hundred times by now. ]
Ardbert? But...
[ The mannerisms are enough to make M'ahina lower her fists, just a bit. It's not like Elidibus--it doesn't have feeling of wrongness that made her blood boil--but it's... difficult to accept. Even when the little gestures match, when the presence itself is one she knows almost as well as her own.
That body is improbable, to put it rather mildly, and the soul should be with her, finally resting. That's the worst part of it. Impossibility has become her bread and butter, but to deny the man the peace he so deserves...
Still, they need to clear this up somehow. Her brows draw into a frown, and she tilts her head in confusion. Mm, what to do, what to do... Could she talk about Seto? Or...
Carefully, she lowers an arm, and tentatively offers out her right fist. If this is truly Ardbert, he's certain to understand what it means. ]
Just for... reassurance?
[ She's still on guard, but her tone is apologetic. It's a bit silly, as tests go, and she truly wants to believe this is not some elaborate ploy, and yet... And yet, it's much too important not to confirm, is it not? ]
[ The mannerisms are enough to make M'ahina lower her fists, just a bit. It's not like Elidibus--it doesn't have feeling of wrongness that made her blood boil--but it's... difficult to accept. Even when the little gestures match, when the presence itself is one she knows almost as well as her own.
That body is improbable, to put it rather mildly, and the soul should be with her, finally resting. That's the worst part of it. Impossibility has become her bread and butter, but to deny the man the peace he so deserves...
Still, they need to clear this up somehow. Her brows draw into a frown, and she tilts her head in confusion. Mm, what to do, what to do... Could she talk about Seto? Or...
Carefully, she lowers an arm, and tentatively offers out her right fist. If this is truly Ardbert, he's certain to understand what it means. ]
Just for... reassurance?
[ She's still on guard, but her tone is apologetic. It's a bit silly, as tests go, and she truly wants to believe this is not some elaborate ploy, and yet... And yet, it's much too important not to confirm, is it not? ]
[ There's no offense taken when M'ahina offers him a test of sorts. The sight of her outstretched fist brings back two different memories, one of them more faded than the other. His knowledge of the events that took place whilst he was within M'ahina's soul are far from clear, but he remembers this well enough to know what she's echoing.
Along with how utterly Elidibus had failed said test.
He offers a nod, then stretches out his own fist to bump it against hers. It's a source of comfort for both of them, he imagines. When first he'd done this, it was to let her know that he wouldn't abandon her, even as the light threatened to tear her apart from the inside and it felt as if all was lost.
Come to think of it, there is some concern that he isn't where he "should" be now. Could that terrible light sickness return without him there to bear some of the brunt? Surely not...
Ardbert pulls his fist back, then hops right into discussing their current situation. ]
Know you anything of this place, or how we came to be here? My memories are not as clear as I would like.
Along with how utterly Elidibus had failed said test.
He offers a nod, then stretches out his own fist to bump it against hers. It's a source of comfort for both of them, he imagines. When first he'd done this, it was to let her know that he wouldn't abandon her, even as the light threatened to tear her apart from the inside and it felt as if all was lost.
Come to think of it, there is some concern that he isn't where he "should" be now. Could that terrible light sickness return without him there to bear some of the brunt? Surely not...
Ardbert pulls his fist back, then hops right into discussing their current situation. ]
Know you anything of this place, or how we came to be here? My memories are not as clear as I would like.
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