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year 5, quarter 3
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Post by Garnet Til Alexandros XVII on Sept 30, 2022 12:15:47 GMT -6
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Garnet sighed as Caius defended Zidane's actions. She wanted to say more. To tell him that Zidane's vital 'mission' had actually been to abandon her for Kuja instead, the man who they both despised. That he had spent a year looking after Kuja and making Garnet thing that he was dead, only to then return. But some things she didn't want to share. And she supposed she had said enough. It was not becoming of a Queen, even one separated from her Kingdom, to complain about things too often. She had said her piece, and more, and now she was feeling the weight of responsibility once again. A responsibility she liked to ignore when she was being Dagger, but, sadly, she couldn't always. "I suppose you are correct," she sighed, not going into further detail.
The conversation moved on to his feelings for his partner, and he claimed that she was more like family. Garnet wasn't so sure. There was a time she'd have denied her feelings for Zidane, perhaps even in the same manner when they had been part way through their adventure. But she decided not to push it. Regardless, it seemed that Caius had a special feeling for this woman. "It sounds like love, however you wish to describe it," she countered. That didn't mean romantic love, of course, but the point remained. Familial love could be a bond that was just as powerful.
Her expression hardened a little as he spoke more about how imprisoning Kuja was cruel, and removing his magic was only fair if there was no other way. "Oh, there is another way. We destroy him," Garnet reminded Caius. "Kuja is so far beyond 'cruel' I do not think our methods can be questioned. He has used his magic to murder, enslave, manipulate, and commit genocide. How much does he have to do before we consider removal of his magic justified? You would not leave a murderer his knife, would you, just because he was attached to it? We are leaving him with his life and his health. Some would say that was too generous," Garnet pointed out with a bit of a huff, hands on her hips.
She looked back at him when he told her she wasn't a Queen in Sonora, and shook her head. "I don't mean I'm going to walk in there in a ballgown and tiara and announce who I am," she told him, a slightly wry smile crossing her face. "But I have a lifetime of diplomacy to fall back on. I can find what these Sonorans want, and convince them of the right path. I'm sure of it. Everybody has a desire. Everybody has something they want. I am sure they don't want to see the world destroyed either," she pointed out. Back home, she had been the centre of peace between Lindblum, Alexandria and Burmecia. If she could do that, she was certain that she could do this.
"Oh, you'd recommend hiring someone from your mercenary guild, would you?" she teased lightly. Because of course he would. It made sense. Although Garnet's gil was limited at the moment. "I'd rather travel with a friend. And while time is of the essence, if what you tell me is true, I need time to research Sonora before we depart. So, I could wait until you're ready," she pointed out. She'd feel much more comfortable with Caius by her side. She didn't like delaying while Kuja was out there, but it couldn't be helped. Rushing in without a plan would help nobody.
"Your friend sounds very capable, but it sounds as if tracking her down would also take time. Time better spent preparing my case for negotiation with Sonora," Garnet pointed out. It felt a little unusual, truth be told, having a mission that actually played to her strengths. Usually, on her last quest to save the world, she had been rushing from one place to another, fighting, and feeling very out of her depth. But here was a time that all of her training as a diplomat could pay off. This was a time when it was the skills of Queen Garnet, not Dagger the Summoner, that would help, even if she had to keep her false name according to Caius's advice.
@caius
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Post by Caius Dragelion on Sept 30, 2022 18:01:41 GMT -6
The Dragonblades
Caius frowned at her answer, not because it was unsatisfactory but because he had the impression by her tone that she didn’t mean it. Though thinking about it… Who was Zidane again? This world made mockeries of their memories on the constant, but even now he was beginning to forget what Zidane was like beyond what Garnet had told him. Regardless, she had moved onto his own relationships. Caius smiled slightly at that. “Perhaps you’re right” he spoke softly. Not romantic love, but something. Though he had no idea what Celes’ own impression of him was. Maybe it was better that he was in the dark about it.
Garnet doubled down on just how cruel and horrible Kuja had been. He had done things to the point that even Ardyn was dwarfed by it. When she put it all together like that... He supposed he understood her point. For her, Kuja would be as Ardyn was to him. And he wanted Ardyn dead. The fact she wasn't even planning to just destroy Kuja outright was perhaps more mercy than he would have given. “If it is justified and necessary, that is what it is” Caius spoke quietly at the reminder. “You would know him better than I, I suppose. Again, I leave it to your judgement, Your Majesty."
It had always been her call. He only wished to help ensure she was sure that she was doing the right thing, before acting. "I only pointed it out in hopes that you remember in your pursuit of him, to not become as him. He has clearly caused you great strife, at lengths beyond measure. It is easy, far too easy, to be consumed by the flames of revenge. Until their hold extends beyond just the target, and shapes you for good. And if it does, Kuja’s influence will hang over you long after he is locked up or destroyed.”
It was so easy to lose yourself when someone had tried to take everything from you. Or in Caius' case -- really, truly had taken everything from you. It had taken him down a dark path that he did not seek for Garnet to follow. So with that bit of wisdom bestowed, it was time to move onto the next stage. Sonora. He really didn't want her going there, but she felt it was their best chance. But Garnet was insistent on trying to use diplomacy with Sonora's law enforcement. That got a long sigh out of Caius. "That's the issue. Sonora's law enforcement, its government structure. Everything is corrupt to the core. If you even hint that you are from another world, or know their anti-magic gulags -exist- then you won't see daylight again. I don't think they'll listen, they're completely self-absorbed and full of themselves. Odds are even if they do decide to go after Kuja, they'll still lock you up. And then Kuja will kill them all anyway if they even find him. That's why I suggested trying the underworld and bringing a bodyguard."
He thought about it a bit longer. "I suppose there isn't any harm in leaving an anonymous tip about him though."
Though while he had suggested an option for her bodyguard... It came with its own isues. “Suppose you’re right. I have heard there are magic devices being made in Torensten for instant communication, but neither Celes nor myself possess one at present. It would take time to contact her, which won’t work if you’re in a hurry.”
Well, she wasn't. But she would rather go with a friend, and if she was to settle for a capable mercenary then the time spent waiting for her would be better spent preparing to go herself. Caius nodded at that. “I understand. If you would be more comfortable with my presence, then I will do what I can to get in touch with you once I can make the trip.”
Post by Garnet Til Alexandros XVII on Nov 2, 2022 5:08:57 GMT -6
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Garnet couldn't help but pause when Caius spoke of revenge. For a moment, she had to ask herself; was this revenge? The entire time that she had been pursuing Kuja with the others, that question had never really crossed her mind. Stopping Kuja was a practical matter. He had a scheme, he was hurting people, everything they did on their quest was to try and stop him and save lives. But things were different in Zephron. Kuja, if had a scheme at all, was being much more subtle about it. Was it possible that she was wrong? That she was now purely out for revenge? Even if Kuja didn't have a plan, was it just revenge? Or justice? She was still responsible to her people. To all those people he had killed. Where did justice end and revenge begin?
"It's not... vengeance..." Garnet answered, after a momentary pause to consider. "All the things he did, I won't lie, of course I want to see him stopped. But... I'm trying to stop him because it's the right thing to do. I might be the only person in this entire world right now who truly knows what he's capable of. Especially if I can't find Zidane. Kuja is my responsibility," she paused, hesitating for a moment again.
"He was in my home for years. Guiding my mother. Corrupting her. And I knew something was wrong. I could tell. But I didn't act on it. I was too young, too coddled, too spoiled. By the time that I did, it was already too late. I failed my people. I failed all the people of my world. I can't do that again. This time, I have a chance to stop him. Before he achieves whatever he is planning. I can't fail another world," Garnet explained, realising that she perhaps hadn't let out the guilt she felt before. Because it wasn't revenge, or even justice, driving her. That was what it was. Guilt. Terra, Burmecia, Lindblum, Alexandria, all the places that had been destroyed or damaged, because of her failures. Because of mistakes she had made and things she had failed to understand. And her own power used against them.
"There must be a way," Garnet pointed out to his insistence that Sonora was corrupt. The Underworld was an option; despite being royalty, Garnet had no problem with contacting thieves. After all, she'd worked closely to Tantalus, and was in love with a thief. But it didn't seem the right option. "If they're as corrupt as you say, introducing Kuja to their mix might be too dangerous. Corruption is how he thrives. If Sonora is dangerous now, imagine Sonora answering to Kuja's whims?" she pointed out. "But perhaps there is another option..." she said thoughtfully, beginning to pace as she thought.
"If Sonora possesses the technology to create an anti-magic prison, we don't need to put Kuja in that prison. We need to bring the technology to Kuja. If Sonora is as corrupt as you say, they won't help us willingly. But, perhaps, if we can steal whatever they use to erect an anti-magic field, we could create our own cell to hold Kuja. And strike a blow against Sonora's corruption at the same time," she smiled slightly. Perhaps Zidane really had corrupted her, if this was her plan, but it seemed to make sense. Sonora was a no-go because of corruption. So if they couldn't bring Kuja to Sonora, they'd bring Sonora to Kuja.
"I will need help, however. I'm a mage. Dealing with anti-magic will leave me as powerless as Kuja," she added. Probably moreso, since she was a Queen, and when magic wasn't involved, really not that suited to anything physical...
@caius
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Post by Caius Dragelion on Nov 12, 2022 21:32:26 GMT -6
The Dragonblades
Caius slowly nodded his head as Garnet explained she was just trying to do the right thing. “To be honest, Your Majesty. It's hard to believe that you lack any feeling of want for revenge” Caius had to admit as his gaze softened. But she was adamant about it, though as she went on, Caius did see something else...
Guilt. Guilt was clearly a, if not the driving force she was conveying here. But driving her to what? Justice? “Even then, though… It’s always a slippery slope, the one that you walk. Because revenge, justice and guilt often go hand in hand.”
-
“Father, where are you going?!”
“If we all go, none of us survive. I need to divert their attention. And… This might be my only chance to save your mother and Emily. Caspian, take care of your little brother.”
“Father, no!”
“Go! Hurry! There’s no time! You need to escape! Get to civilization and live your lives!”
-
“Wait, your wound! Caspian! Why did you have to do that?”
“Father said to take care of you. I can’t let him down, can I?”
“He said to live, too!”
“Well, I guess you’re just going to have to do the living for us both.”
“No! I’m not leaving you! I left mother, Emily, father… I can’t leave you too. I’ll carry you if I have to!”
“No offense, little brother. But you’re not strong enough yet to carry me without getting caught. Then I’ll have taken that hit for nothing if you die too. You have to leave me and run.”
“No! Not you too!”
“Go! It’s the only chance either of us survive! Don’t waste it!”
—
The ghosts of Caius’ past continued to haunt him at every turn. Memories that had either been repressed by this world or by Caius himself had recently begun bubbling back to the surface. The mercenary had found himself staring into space with a frown for a moment, lost in his thoughts. Lost in the space of those ghosts once more. When he found himself speaking once more, his voice cracked his slightly as he couldn't bring himself to open his eyes fully, or even look Garnet fully in the eyes.
“I lost everything and everyone that I loved to a group of bandits. They had taken us hostage. Forced us to do… Horrible things, under threat they would kill us. In the end, my family died at their hands regardless. Each dying to protect another, until I was the only one that survived. And for years I had convinced myself they had died partly because of me. Because they wanted to protect me. And I could do nothing. The bandits deserved justice, and everything mixed together to motivate me to exact it. But by the time I was strong enough to face them, I found myself no longer caring about what was “just” or what was “the right way” even after all those years of justifying my intentions through it. Sure, I still told myself it was justice but… When I got there, all I truly wanted was to kill them.”
Caius looked back to Garnet then. His gaze had grown cold, a defense mechanism that tried to hide a sorrow behind his eyes that grew ever harder to disguise the more those memories became fresh in his mind. The previous encounter with Celes had brought back wonderful, happy memories thought lost to the winds. But those memories had been locked away for a reason. This world’s machinations had been merciful enough to further repress those memories, but now they were free. As was all that they contained.
“And I did."
There was some matter of conflict in the words that followed. Like they were being spoken by a man who had pondered time and time again whether or not he regretted doing what he had done. Or at least, the way he had done it.
"It was brutal, complete and utter savagery. I made them suffer for what they did to my family. I could still hear their dying screams all those years later and the fires in my heart from carrying that had become too hot for me to contain on my own. Bodies were left mangled, charred, brutalized beyond recognition. And maybe they deserved it. But while I dubbed what I had done as justice, deep down I knew I was going down a path that my family would have been distraught to see. It wasn’t simply justice anymore. It had become an obsession. And that obsession changed me.”
Caius looked Garnet over for a moment. “I would wager I was… About your age when I stared down my family's killers for the final time. It took King Noctis, and the Kingsglaive, to set me right. But what I have learned is that those feelings of guilt can manifest themselves into many forms over time. Including a desire that begins to resemble that of revenge. The hope of redeeming yourself can become twisted when marred by horrible, agonizing pain. And even when you think you’ve learned and you know better, guilt will always manifest itself in ways that cannot always be controlled easily. And even if you’ve procured a sense of justice truly, it then becomes all the easier to justify the direction your mind is taking you.”
His gaze turned away again as his mind found itself wandering. “At least, at first. It’s almost always in hindsight that you wonder what you could have done better.”
-
“WAIT, STOP!” Caius cried out desperately, eyes wide as he recklessly threw his entire body against the bars, but it was no use. Darlene slashed Vordun across the bottom of the chin, narrowly missing the center of the dragon’s throat but still doing a great deal of damage. The dragon let out a pained roar, as Darlene roughly kicked Vordun in the snout, sending him to the floor.
“Shut up, you stupid beast” She growled, turning to leave as she spoke back to Caius and Yuna.
“I’ll send a healer for him later… Maybe. Not like it matters if I don’t.”
A laugh followed as the doors fell behind them. Vordun had begun whimpering from the pain, and Caius collapsed back against the wall of the cell. His head turned downward, his hair fell and covered his face. Covered whatever was going on underneath. But tears began to run down his face, giving some measure of a glimpse into his psyche in that moment.
And then his dagger dropped to the floor.
The other half of Isp. Only one half had been dropped and disappeared earlier. Caius had hidden the other to keep it from disappearing, and much like Yuna, he had been slowly working on his escape all this time. As his binds fell, Caius immediately tore off the collar. As his weapons re-appeared then disappeared, Caius moved away his hair, and wiped his face. While his eyes were still red and puffy, his expression was unreadable. Stone cold. Frigid as the mountains above them on the surface.
He raised a hand, then. As he spoke one word, cold and firm.
“Fira.”
The door was blown open by the ensuing fire spell as Caius walked out and moved to Yuna’s cell. Instead of using a spell though, in a surprising display of the strength that the Power of Kings provided, he took the door and with only little struggle, aggressively ripped it off his hinges and dropped the cell door with a long clang. He noted her binds, but neither his expression or voice changed as he broke them with a small spell.
“They will arrive soon. Focus on magic, this tunnel will give us the advantage that way.”
With that, he rushed to Vordun, quickly checking his wound before casting Cura and laying on his best potion on top of it. After then cutting his chains, Caius’ expression finally changed as he wrapped his arms around Vordun. He couldn’t repress it anymore.
“I’m so sorry, Vordun…” Caius whispered to the dragon as he choked back sobs, holding back his tears best he could. But it was hopeless. “I should have been there. I failed you, and I’m sorry.”
He brought his head to Vordun’s.
“... She won’t hurt you again. I promise.”
A promise he had kept. When Darlene had set a firing squad on Vordun, Caius acted instantly. He had executed the syndicate slaver with a blade through the skull, a horrible and gruesome way to die. Perhaps she too had deserved it. But he’d performed the brutal execution in front of Yuna. He’d let his emotions control him. His guilt had manifested into something dark and without mercy. And he had subjected an innocent to a sight that she never should have seen.
-
“All we can do is our best. To learn what is just. And not to become as our enemies in the process of pursuing it, especially when your heart is wracked with guilt, a desire for revenge, or in many cases both as one begins to resemble the other. They’re horrible things, nobody should have to experience them. But they do. That’s the hand people are dealt time and time again, and there’s no shame in feeling them. All we can do is learn to manage it the best we can. And lean on the people that give us strength, to help us get through it all, and to make the right choices when the time comes.”
Caius flashed a small, bittersweet smile at the next thought. “Thus far, you seem to be handling it better than I did, even with all that you carry. My only hope is that you can continue to do so. It’s far too easy to let guilt, vengeance, justice -- whatever it may be, obstruct your judgement as it transforms into something terrible, when the time comes. And you carry more pain perhaps than I ever did. The fact you even now don’t want him destroyed is impressive, after all that you have regaled to me. And I mean that, it really is."
It almost seemed impossible. To want only justice on behalf of her people after going through so much. To want to just do the right thing, the thing that would keep people safe. Caius couldn't pretend to think he was capable of doing the same on this scale. If Ardyn, or that necrmancer, stood before him... Justice would be the last thing on his mind.
"With the context I have now, simply locking him away is almost compassionate compared to what I would have done if given your age and position. Or… Perhaps even as I am now. Perhaps I am over-compilating my point, however. I suppose what I am trying to say is... I hope that in this foray of yours, you don’t lose that compassion.”
He took a deep breath, before bowing his head. “Forgive me for the long speech and all this pushback, Your Majesty. I guess I’m just being… Protective. And rambling. A lot."
Caius grew quiet for a time as Garnet detailed their options. Stealing from the Sonoran government? Speaking of, she truly was in love with a thief.
The mercenary had to stop and think about that one for a minute.
“Hmm... As much as I enjoy the phrasing of that plan, that's... Technically doable, but extremely difficult. Sonora’s governing powers likely have that under top secret lock and key” even Caius had to admit. To be frank? It was crazy. But how many other choices did they have?“I think your best bet is to make connections. Both within and outside of Sonora. Contacts in Sonora would be able to help you actually locate whatever machine, or tome, or whatever is allowing them to cast this kind of magic. Underworld contacts might help with figuring out weaknesses in order to find a way in. I had a contact that could have possibly helped with that, but she recently went dark. I don't think we can count on her there. And others that would be willing to actually conduct the theft itself. I imagine there are plenty who would be willing to help either to strike at Sonora, or because they have been wronged by Kuja. Either in your world, or in this one."
And then it hit him.
"Hold on. I do have a contact in Sonora who has reason to investigate this magic. You might be able to work together."
Post by Garnet Til Alexandros XVII on Jan 14, 2023 9:55:31 GMT -6
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Garnet listened, sympathy playing across her eyes as Caius recounted his own past. It sounded rough. Perhaps rougher than her own. She was a queen, raised a princess, so many thought Garnet's upbringing had been easy and comforting. And perhaps the majority of it that she could remember had been. But she was not royalty by blood, her real home had been destroyed, her parents killed, her horn removed forcibly. The memories might have faded, but the pain in her past had always been a part of her. She knew what it was like to suffer childhood trauma.
"I am sorry, Caius. For your loss and for the pain that took over you," she said gently. "I am no stranger to it. I'm not immune. There are days, many days, when all I want is to see Kuja dead for my own self satisfaction. When I think of causing him pain and suffering as he caused me. When I wish that there was something he loved as I loved my people and my mother just so that he could know the pain of losing it. I know those feelings, but I am royalty. I was trained since childhood to rule. And personal feelings... cannot be part of my decision making. I have to rule as a Queen. I have to put aside those feelings to do what is right," she explained. "Yes, I feel guilt. Guilt for failing my home. For failing my kingdom. But that guilt isn't what drives me. What drives me is knowing what he is capable of. Kuja destroyed an entire world. I saw it happen. My own world he nearly brought to ruin, had we not stopped him. Even now, my world has wounds that might never heal. He turned the kingdoms against each other, and even with his machinations revealed, it will be many, many years, perhaps centuries, before all citizens feel safe and at peace with each other again. And there is no reason to assume he has changed. The last time I saw him before here, his goal was to annihilate every reality that there ever was, to destroy the source of all life in the universe. My personal feelings do not matter. This is... just... well, it's common sense. Kuja is a villain. He has demonstrated that he has both the power and the means to kill billions. What would you do, with that knowledge?" she asked. "Set aside our roles. Our past. Our history. Forget who you are and who I am. Just ask yourself, use pure logic if you have to, what should we do? This man has destroyed one planet, tried to destroy another, manipulated kingdoms, forged armies, murdered, lied and cheated, manipulated and tortured, showed no signs of regret or redemption, and now he is here. This isn't about revenge or guilt or even justice. This is about saving Zephron. Kuja is a deadly threat. Removing his magic should stop him. Justice, revenge, right and wrong, it can all be figured out later. As far as I'm concerned, our primary goal should be to stop him before he destroys everything. THAT is what matters," she stated firmly.
She was sympathetic to Caius's tale, but she also felt that he didn't understand the context. The bandits who killed his family sounded awful. Garnet could only imagine the pain and hatred he felt. But Kuja was different. Those bandits would hurt a few. Kuja could destroy reality. Left unchecked, she was convinced that he was the greatest threat in all of Zephron.
"We all ramble sometimes," she said gently when he apologised. "You don't need to apologise. It's... easily done. And I know that I can seem... emotional about this. But I truly believe this is the best thing we can do. To save everybody," she explained.
He said how difficult her plan would be, and for a moment, a sad smile flickered across her face. "We need a thief," she said quietly. If only she knew where Zidane was. 'Extremely difficult' was not something that would stop him. He could steal anything. He had stolen a princess from a show dedicated to her birthday, after all. And then he'd stolen her heart. (Also, a lot of gil on and off). She was certain he would know a way.
But Zidane wasn't there. The responsibility fell to her. She wondered if she'd learned enough from Zidane to pull it off. She looked at Caius, as he mentioned his contact. Well, there was a possibility. "Thank you. Your contact might be our only hope," she acknowledged.
@caius
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Post by Caius Dragelion on Jan 15, 2023 19:32:25 GMT -6
The Dragonblades
Use pure logic, she asked. She laid it all out. What Kuja had done. And what he could do next. What would he do? What should he do?
"Kill or imprison him" Caius spoke without hesitation. "To protect those who cannot protect themselves. If he is to hurt them, then he needs to be dealt with."
He did understand. His intention wasn't to stop her from killing or imprisoning Kuja. She was right that it was a necessary thing to do, even if neither of them were all that disposed to doing so happily. It was a necessity, nothing more. And not one that they would do if they didn't think they had to.
What was the point of his story, then? Well... He had at first thought that perhaps with her teachings, being mentored, groomed to be a Queen. She had indeed become capable of controlling those impulses far better than he was. It made logical sense, after all. Caius was not royalty. He was a base commoner. A knight, at best. There was no responsibility to do anything but to protect Lucis, and now Zephon. And before that, nothing but a responsibility to survive. Things had changed now, of course. He now had to act in the interests of leading the Dragonblades. But he had never been trained to do so... He had to learn that himself. There was bound to be error.
But it seemed Garnet did indeed have that same capacity. She had that desire to make him suffer for what he had done, deep in her heart. He just had to wonder if her responsibilities, her training... If it would be enough.
"I suppose all I can say then is... Even when locked deep inside, those desires can consume even the best of us. Do what must be done, Your Majesty. Just try not to lose your heart in the process. You still have a future in Zephon once Kuja is stopped, after all. Take care of yourself, make friends and allies. Enjoy the life that you have here. And put some thought into what you want to do while you shoot for, and after you reach your goal."
She was gentle, kind. He just hoped that what Kuja had done wouldn't eventually rot that away. Most gentle souls would crumble under her circumstances.
As for their present issue? They needed a thief. Ironic, really. The one she couldn't find would have been perfect. But he was, well. Not here. Nowhere to be found.
"I hate to say it, but there is a strong possibility that this world has already sent your thief back, considering you haven't seen him" Caius brought up with a sympathetic expression. "He may return, or may not. For now, one in Sonora may have to do. With your diplomatic capabilities though, I think you have what it takes to make that work."
So long as she didn't talk herself into a conflict with Sonora's brass prematurely.
His contact, then. Wasn't a thief, but...
"Noctis Lucis Caelum."
He'd just invoked that name a bit ago, hadn't he? It would likely ring a bell.
"The man I served as King. Though this one is... Much younger, to put it lightly. A different timeline's equivalent, though still very much the same man. For all their differences, he is still a good man and I know His Highness has a bone to pick with Sonora. If you can find him, and explained your situation. If his path might take him to where you can find a source for this magic, I think he would understand well enough to help you. Perhaps you can help each other in your respective goals."
Post by Garnet Til Alexandros XVII on Feb 13, 2023 10:17:47 GMT -6
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"Exactly," Garnet confirmed, with a slight cock of her head when Caius agreed that Kuja had to be dealt with. "This is not a personal vendetta. It is a problem that I have first hand knowledge of, and so, the responsibility falls to me," she explained. Something she had learned well dealing with her mother. She was the only one who could see how she had changed. And that meant it was her responsibility. You couldn't just ignore a problem or hope somebody else solved it. If something was wrong, and you knew people were in danger, it was your duty to fix it. Whether you were a Queen or a thief. It was just what the decent thing to do was.
Garnet almost smiled at his next bit of advice. She had no doubt that she could face the darkness and urge for revenge and do what was right. She had done it before. She had always been doing it. Stopping Kuja was not a vendetta. It was a responsibility. But what Caius said next caught her off guard. "Now, that is something I'm not sure I know how to do," she confessed. "Plan for what happens next, I mean. My entire life... I've had a plan. Not of my own choosing, but it's been there. To be a princess, to be a queen, to stop Kuja, I have always been walking a path laid out before me. If I truly can't get back to my kingdom, if I am to remain in Zephron... I'm not sure what I shall do. I suppose, I've never really... had that kind of freedom before," she confessed. And then she smiled slightly. "I don't suppose your organisation needs a White Mage?" she asked lightly. It wasn't an entirely serious question, but there was something there. She had no idea how to function without a path laid out before her.
Perhaps she'd keep searching for Zidane. And once she found him, then she could face that question.
"I know," she said quietly when he confirmed that 'her thief' might no longer be around. It hurt her, but she thought it was true. Zidane would have been ideal for this mission. Instead, they only had her. She wondered how much she had really learned from him...
"A King...?" she repeated, surprised. No. Caius had said that he was younger than a man he had served as king. And used the phrase 'highness', not 'majesty'. So... "A prince?" That did surprise Garnet. A prince and yet a thief? Garnet knew that she had come a long way as an adventurer, but she felt like there had always been that caveat; she was a capable adventurer for a royal, she had learned a lot about life outside her castle for a royal. Being a Queen was such a part of her identity that she had never been expected to live much of a life outside of that. To hear that there was a prince who was... well, a thief... that surprised her.
In a way, it almost embarrassed her. As if somehow the one excuse she had always clung to for her general lack of physical aptitude didn't quite mean what she had hoped.
A bone to pick...?
Well, that was a new phrase. One that Garnet filed away for thought at a later date.
"Very well. Then I would very much like to meet this prince," she nodded. She had difficulty picturing a thief and a royal as one, but she would soon find out. Well, unless you counted how she pictured Zidane once they were married, but that was entirely a different thing...
Post by Caius Dragelion on Feb 16, 2023 17:47:18 GMT -6
The Dragonblades
Garnet was young. Incredibly young to be a ruler. Even the current Noctis that Caius knew was far from old and experienced enough to be a King just yet. It was hard to believe that she was able to completely avoid personal vendetta to the point that it would never, ever cloud her judgement. But the best thing Caius could do for now was take her at her word. He had given the message, hopefully she would be able to heed it and continue to be able to steer her ship onto the right course going forward. Though for something that wasn't a personal vendetta, she didn't really have any idea what she was going to do once her mission was complete.
Garnet told a story of a royal who always had a plan, albeit one that had always been chosen for her. Now she was free to do as she wished, and had no idea what to do with that freedom. Caius smiled slightly. He had expected that answer, in some measure. Not all the details, mind you. But she didn't seem the type to be looking at anything but her current goal. "It is certainly worth considering. You have plenty of time on your hands between now and your showdown with Kuja. Perhaps you should consider building your future here and now. It will make the time go by quicker" Caius recommended at that. Though he considered the proposal a moment when she asked if they had need for a White Mage. "We are always looking for people. Though for the time being, one of our leading members, Yuna, runs a low-charge clinic in Provo. Unfortunately, her charity and strong healing abilities mean she is quite swamped. She could always use the help."
Yuna had certainly seemed swamped last Caius had been there and volunteered, but the degree of which that was could only be truly seen by someone with enough magic experience to be able to step in Yuna's shoes. That would lead to Celes discovering the true extent of how much Yuna was straining herself. And just how much they needed more White Mages on deck.
Though she seemed surprised that his contact was Noctis. "He's not a thief, per-se. But he's in a position that may lead him in proximity to what you're looking for" Caius brought up at that. "I can introduce you. If you explain the situation, he may be able to make an attempt at procuring it when the time comes. But in case things go wrong, I would continue looking on your own as well. At the least, having an ally that knows something of being in your shoes, and whom is no friend to Sonora, may be a benefit to your quest to take Kuja down."
After what seemed like an eternity, the exit to the maze finally came into sight. Caius had only begun considering just how long they had been going through this maze when he sighted it. Their conversation had made the time go by quickly, hadn't it?
"If I can find a means to keep in touch, I can notify you when I am ready to leave for Sonora. It may take me a little bit longer, as I need to ensure the main branch can continue running in my absence."
