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year 5, quarter 3
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Post by Caius Dragelion on Jul 26, 2024 10:34:58 GMT -6
Caius Lucis Caelum
Caius didn't really care much about splitting the reward, considering what he was here for. This was about ensuring Metaia's safety and that of Zephon as a whole, rather than any need for money. A malboro was a threat, and he was here to deal with it -- simple as that. Still, he kept his decorum professional as a mercenary should. "It's good to meet you, Oren" he greeted then. "Suppose the Dragonblades are always looking for mercenaries with skill, and tend to be a place for combatants from other worlds to find work -- if you can handle the expectations" Caius offered, with a bit of cheek to the end of it. It was well known at this point what Torensten and those in the surrounding areas especially expected of the Dragonblades now. They were sellswords, and yet at the same time, seen as peacekeepers when the city guard just wasn't enough. It was an identity that Caius had embraced, and not one he hid from would-be members.
Then Vordun began to growl. That tipped Caius off immediately something was wrong -- Oren had given Vordun no reason to act, which likely meant that they were in danger. Vordun's starting to growl at the ground told him what he needed to know around the same time Oren realized where the Malboro was, and Caius quickly climbed aboard Vordun. While Oren went for an impressive acrobatic measure instead, Vordun would fly up to dodge the Malboro's initial attack.
"There goes the element of surprise," Caius remarked with a barely-phased shrug. It wasn't worth getting hung up about, it just meant this would be a little bit harder. "Vordun, draw its attention" he ordered to the dragon, who unleashed a fiery breath upon the malboro before taking off away from it at Caius' urging. Why? Because that left it open for Oren to get in and attack.
Post by Caius Dragelion on Jul 16, 2024 20:29:10 GMT -6
Caius Lucis Caelum
Caius had almost forgotten his previous stunt, until Ardyn pointed it out. It had been a mistake in the current context, but Caius didn’t regret making it. He couldn’t have known that a compromise was even remotely possible at the time. He had done what he had to do, in the context of the moment. “Whoops,” Caius cheeked with a teasingly teeth-gritting wincing expression and a shrug. “Well, you had a kingdom you wanted to protect once. Guess it runs in the family.”
It was short and sweet, but it conveyed much. He couldn’t go back to Lucis, so this world would have to do. He would protect this world by whatever means he needed to, even if his methods could be… Reckless. And deep down inside of Ardyn, was a man who knew exactly what Caius had been thinking. A man who had once given his own body, taking in the blight for his people. While it didn’t work out in gathering the information he sought and sating his curiosity, at least nobody had gotten hurt. Though he would likely stick around Aljana a bit longer to make sure Ardyn kept his word. He still had business here, after all.
“Keep west, a bit to the south, to escape the desert. Should be an oasis to refill your canteen if you follow the signs along that way,” Caius advised. Sure, Ardyn would probably survive without it. But he just… Couldn’t be as spiteful as he wanted to be. Curse his heart. “I have business here, but I’ll find you eventually. We can pick this up then.”
Caius had no interest in dealing with the authorities right now, either. He’d probably be questioned if he stuck around, and while he wanted to ensure their safety – he didn’t want to stay longer than necessary either. He had his own people to get back to, and this heat was more suffocating than having to deal with his continuously passive aggressive ancestor. One who reminded him to take a deep breath if he ever got angry again.
“If I ever get angry enough to raze a world, I’ll keep that in mind” Caius retorted with what was almost a grin, amused at the idea that the literal destroyer of his entire home kingdom and world in what was ultimate a revenge-fueled temper tantrum, would suggest he work on his temper. Ardyn had earned at least one barb right back at him. So with that, Caius summoned a weapon, and chose his point of exit as Ardyn walked away. Though Ardyn then asked his name…
What name did he use? A question posed as he thought back on his conversation with Noctis. He was a Dragelion, yet also a Lucis Caelum. But he had made a promise to himself, too. He had to earn that worthiness to be either one…
Thus a single word would end it all, cast to the winds isolated and alone. Spoken with a cheeky salute, as the blue glow began to envelop him, and he would disappear…
Post by Caius Dragelion on Jul 10, 2024 19:54:40 GMT -6
Caius Lucis Caelum
And of course, Ardyn derided his “negotiation” skill. Then declined his offer based off that. Caius wasn’t really surprised, if he was being honest with himself. He had figured the whole thing was a long shot to begin with, and Caius wasn’t really attempting any amount of “pillow talk” to begin with. Ardyn was lucky he wasn’t trying to kill him at this very moment. Of course, Ardyn claimed he knew what Caius’ game was. That part, and that he didn’t make deals with someone who wanted to rip his throat out, actually got a small laugh out of him. “Would you rather I lie to you? Insult your intelligence by politicking to you with a knife behind my back?” Caius answered candidly. There was no point in it, and he was sure even Ardyn could appreciate a bit of honesty. Still, he shrugged at that. “But I get it. You have no reason to expect compassion from me, even if you’re only half right about my reasons.”
Caius doubted the gods had sent Ardyn here without a means to kill him. Otherwise he would have been better off in Eos where the prophecy could have ended him permanently and ensure he would not return. Sure, he could have left Ardyn here while he searched for that means, but it wasn’t worth the body count that would ensue. And honestly?
He was tired of playing things the way the Kings, and their gods, would have wanted. As much as he wanted to kill him, Ardyn being permanently neutralized as a threat peacefully was better. Caius had decided during his heart-to-heart with Noctis that he would protect Zephon from the starscourge his own way. And this was the way he had decided to do it.
Ardyn proposed a counter-offer, however, and after a bit of thought, Caius gave a short nod. Surprising, perhaps, and Caius wasn’t sure if he trusted it. But he had little choice, either. After all, it gave him the time that he needed. Even if he did, genuinely — deep down — hope that time and measures wouldn’t be necessary.
“Deal,” Caius answered after a deep breath. “So long as you cause no harm to provoke it, and the scourge does not spread by your hand, I will do my best to ensure my comrades will not attack you.”
Simple terms. If Ardyn didn’t cause trouble, Caius would not give him trouble. He couldn’t guarantee every warrior in Zephon wouldn’t, but so long as Ardyn kept his word there probably wouldn’t be any problems. This was the best arrangement for them both, he could admit. Ardyn was granted some freedom, while Zephon’s people were unharmed for the time being. Caius cocked his head out into the desert. “At the least, I can aid you in getting out of the desert. Immortal as you are, it would still be wrong to let you suffer out there. Instead of posturing and making verbal assurances, I would prefer to show sincerity through action.”
He deserved to rot in the desert, to suffer for as long as he had made Eos suffer. But Caius refused to stoop to that level. And if Caius wanted Ardyn to understand he was serious about holding up his end, he needed to be willing to show that. Words meant nothing when both had dealt with naught but deception. “You don’t have to accept my help, that’s fine. But if you do, I actually wanted to ask you something, if you would humor me along the way” came what might be a surprising remark of his own. He didn’t quite like asking Ardyn of all people, but considering the circumstances? It was an opportunity nonetheless. “Your side. I want to know more about what happened that day. The Lucian Royal Family has kept enough secrets, and I’m sick of them.”
Caius chewed the inside of his cheek, unsure of how to say this. But ultimately decided to just be blunt once more. “And while you have no reason to believe me. Part of me does want to understand. To understand you, and what they did to you.”
Post by Caius Dragelion on Jul 9, 2024 21:35:36 GMT -6
Caius Lucis Caelum
“I know. You made me proud once, Noctis… I have all the faith that you’ll do it again” Caius promised him quietly, flashing what could have qualified for a small smile. “Just… Try to keep in mind that I was a handful back then. I was younger than you are now, and was willing to throw myself at the Infernian with no magic at my command” came out in some shaky attempt at humor. He had forgotten a lot, but he hadn’t forgotten what he had been like back then. He had improved a bit in the years that followed, but it had been Celes, Yuna and them that had brought out the potential instilled in him through Noctis’ giving him a chance. He took a deep breath, wiping his eyes again with a bit more desperation in his body language as he imagined the possibility that maybe, just maybe… Even just one version of him on Eos could find the happiness of having a family again. It was too late for him here, he knew that. This Noctis was from a completely different time, it was physically impossible for Caius as he was, to go back with him. But…
“Part of me really does hope that if you do go back, you'll remember all of this. Either way, I’ll be waiting for you there.”
With his story told, Caius finally relaxed his shoulders a bit. Perhaps it was about time he had gotten the whole story out. Time that he finally stopped hiding all of this from Noctis, in some bid to protect him. But everything was out now, he didn’t have to hide anymore. Noctis brought up that he had a pressed flower still, and that if it still held seeds…
“I’d like that,” Caius answered quietly, leaning against the wall. “I have a… Friend. We promised that one day, if this world were ever safer, we’d start a garden. And an animal sanctuary. All in one. It was silly, and… We were drunk, and I don’t think she was serious. But maybe someday we’ll start that garden. And I’d like for those seeds to start it. I think she’d like them. I think my mom would like that too, wherever she is."
But the last thing he had expected Noctis, His Highness, to do – was kneel. Caius’ eyes widened and he immediately moved forward to get him to stop: Only to be stopped cold by what Noctis then said.
He couldn’t hold it anymore.
Caius let the tears start falling this time, there was nothing that he could do to stop it. His hands shook uncontrollably as he cried. But after a few moments, he, even with tears running down his face, reached down to pull Noctis to his feet.
“Thank you, Noctis. It means the world. I mean that.”
Caius didn’t really know how to hug someone, so he placed a hand on Noctis’ shoulder and hung his head. “I think… At least going forward. Caius Dragelion will continue to be my name. Under that name, even if it was only for a short time — my parents raised me with everything they had. No matter how bad it got, or how raw a deal they got, they made sure I was happy for as long as they could. I want to honor them for that.”
Caius Dragelion had been his name for as long as he could remember, and he was happy for it to stay that way. It was the only real bit of normalcy he had left, really. “Maybe someday I’ll go by both. I… Need time, I think,” Caius admitted, taking a deep breath as he started wiping his face again and trying to breathe to calm himself. “To process everything. To try and learn to forgive my… Our – forebears. The pain they’ve caused me, it’s… Honestly, it’s difficult to handle even now. I won’t lie to you, I’m still angry. Even if I know what Regis intended, the prophecy and all that it caused led to a cruel and painful end for my family. That’s going to take time. But if I do reach that point, it won’t be for them. It’ll be for you – because I want to be able to call you my family.”
Seeming to come to some sort of resolution, Caius slowed his breath as he finally raised his head a little to look Noctis in the face. “Before I can call myself a Lucis Caelum, even if just to call you kin — I need to learn to forgive myself too. For the people that died because of me. Because I couldn’t protect my family when they needed me… I need to find myself worthy of the names Dragelion and Lucis Caelum both. And I think I need to start by avenging my family, while also protecting the one I have found. When the scourge in that parasite is vanquished… That bastard, the one tied to the scourge who set up my family’s murder will come out of hiding, I know it. When he does, I’ll put an end to this.”
That resolution brought a more determined expression and gait, as the Caius he knew seemed to finally start to peek out again, just a little. “I may not be the Chosen King. I’m not a chosen anything, really. But our line’s sacred duty is clear, even if the Kings of Yore don’t see it. They may not care about purging the starscourge’s taint from Zephon — but if my time in Eos is over, then I will do my duty for Zephon as I would for Lucis. And that is to ensure that no scourge will ever again threaten this star.”
Perhaps this was the promise that motivated a choice he would make at a point after this? Either way, after a few moments his gaze softened.
“When that time comes. I would be honored if you considered me family.”
Post by Caius Dragelion on Jul 2, 2024 12:37:22 GMT -6
Caius Lucis Caelum
Caius couldn’t help a small grin as Ardyn taunted him. Was he? Was he really? He didn’t bother to give Ardyn an answer, he didn’t really deserve one. His hatred for the man was so intense already that he didn’t even care about Ardyn’s taunts. He just wanted to kill him, wanted to punish him until he moved no more. Until all that he cared for were safe, and perhaps then… That stupid prophecy wouldn’t have to come to pass. If Ardyn died here, someway, somehow, Noctis could go home and perhaps the scourge would be gone.
Ah, if only. Considering how things seemed to be working, there was probably another Ardyn waiting for Noctis upon his return. That just seemed to be Caius’ luck, really. There was a good chance that this Ardyn was stuck here, the same as Caius was. Even Caius couldn’t deny that it was fairly likely. Perhaps that was the inkling in the back of his mind that had prompted his question. A single string of rationality behind that paranoid, hatred-consumed mind. He had spent all this time preparing to fight, preparing to get civilians out of the way so he could attempt to take Ardyn out for good, but deep down even Caius knew it was unlikely that it would go his way.
He didn’t know what made Ardyn immortal, and whether it worked here or not. If he incited a conflict here, he couldn’t protect all the civilians forever. It had to be a last resort. A last resort that Caius had been convinced was going to be necessary from the jump until Ardyn admitted that even he didn’t know what he could do now.
Finally, Caius allowed himself to take a deep breath. He pushed, and pushed and pushed some more until the fires were smothered, at least for the time being. He had been under a mortifying amount of stress lately, finding out his heritage and just what that entailed… And now finding Ardyn here? It had been more than he could take. In those moments, he could admit that if Ardyn had attacked now, he wouldn’t have even minded if it meant he had the chance to kill him.
He allowed his arms to fall to his sides. Never fully off guard, no, but it was at least a sign that he had given some silent agreement to cease hostilities for the time being.
“Then come with me.”
What?
Caius asked himself, deep down, that same question as soon as it left his lips. He allowed his sword to disappear as he calmed himself down. This plan was reckless, foolhardy… But it might be the only choice he had.
“Cross the desert with me and see it. I won’t lie to you, I despise you. Everything you’ve done, it’s unforgivable. But…”
He couldn’t believe what he was saying either. He wiped his mouth, realizing he had been chewing his lip too hard when he tasted his own blood. Another breath. Caius didn’t like this one bit, even if it was his own idea. But he needed to get Ardyn out of Aljana. There was no Dragonblades presence here, he couldn’t protect them forever if Ardyn stuck around if he decided to start rampaging.
“... There are people that I love more. And as much as I want to personally rip your throat out? I can’t deny that you were screwed. By your insufferable prick of a brother, and by Eos’ selfish, egotistical gods who see our lives like toys.”
Those horrible memories he had been forced to relive in the Ring flashed back before him again, and he found his gaze darting downward. A small part of him almost wanted to leave him here just so he would leave his home and those he cared about alone, but he knew that wasn’t possible. People would suffer, and die, and he would come for those cities eventually. At least outside here, there was Celes, and Yuna. The other Dragonblades, plus Keimuosho, the others… Even stupid Alex, if Ardyn was a threat to his stuff. They were strong, and could at least hold Ardyn away from the major cities if he attacked. And of course, Noctis and his retinue were here. If anyone had a chance of finding a way to take Ardyn down, it was them. And if he could avert the need for it altogether? It begrudged him to say it, but… It would be better. Either way, Caius had to deal with it now, or later.
He chose now.
“I won’t go so far as to say you deserve a damn thing. But… I’ve done things that I’m not proud of. And yet, this world gave me a chance to start over. Gave me the life that was taken from me on Eos. If…”
Gods, he couldn’t believe he was saying this.
“If it keeps this world safe. I’ll help you look, maybe even start over. And… I want to learn more about this world’s gods anyway.”
Post by Caius Dragelion on Jun 29, 2024 10:25:43 GMT -6
Caius Lucis Caelum
Noctis was, as ever, understanding. Sure, the initial framing had felt like an interrogation, but Noctis had realized his mistake and tried again. Something that Caius had noticed and would set him at ease – just a little bit. Noctis continued on, deciding not to get too into the horrific parts of those memories, and then claiming that in fact, it mattered to him. Caius didn’t really know what to say, not at first. He just… Kind of stared at the floor, or at his hands, words not coming to him for a time. But when Noctis said that it mattered to him, his breath hitched.
The glaive brought his sleeve back to his eyes again as Noctis went on to proclaim that he was only chosen through happenstance, and that Caius’ magic was his own since his king wasn’t here. He didn’t like being reminded that his king wasn’t here, but it was a reality that he was going to have to accept. Still, as much as Noctis tried to say that, it was still Noctis in front of him. He didn’t think he would ever be able to fully separate the two. And he proved why as he claimed that he wouldn’t let Caius disappear. Caius found himself trying to breathe, in and out, in and out… Trying to keep himself held together, but it was getting harder to.
Noctis wanted him there. Wanted him to be there when he ended the darkness. It was a sweet gesture, even if it was well too late for that, and it got what almost counted as a laugh out of Caius. He couldn’t be there now, not the Caius that was here anyway. This Caius was dead and gone, and lived a happy enough life in Zephon. Still… If at least one version of him could be accepted by his only remaining living family and have someone to lean on, someone looking out for him, maybe things would turn out better for at least one Caius. That thought gave him at least a sliver of comfort.
“I was there, Noctis. Maybe not in the same way as your crownsguard, but I did my best,” Caius spoke softly then. “And… Sure, maybe I didn’t know where I came from, and maybe I wasn’t the most sociable person in the world. But I was happy. I was happy because you gave me a chance to do something, after all those years alone with nothing. To trust myself around people again, and maybe it took me coming to Zephon to fully see the fruits of that, but… I am who I am because of you. It may have been a different you, sure. But I haven’t forgotten that.”
Right, he had asked for an explanation. Caius took a deep breath, trying to settle himself somewhat before doing his best to search his thoughts for the answers he sought. He managed to turn and meet Noctis’ gaze, at least.
“By what I remember, thanks to the kings bringing that back to the forefront – It sounds like the prophecy specifically called the Chosen King the last. The last King… The last of the Lucian line. Which didn’t exactly spell good things for your father, or myself and my family. So my mother, and her family, were sent out of Insomnia.”
That was something he didn’t really want to clarify, if Caius was being honest. He had refrained from saying that part out loud to Regis for that same specific reason.
Because it indirectly put the blame for Caius’ pain on Noctis. On the very prophecy that had appointed him. And Caius didn’t want to place that burden on his shoulders. But it seemed he didn’t have a choice now.
“Maybe your father thought it would save them, I don’t know. I don’t know if your father and my mom were close or not, but it sounds like she used to live in Insomnia, maybe in the Citadel. Then they found out that the prophecy was coming to fruition and… That was that. I didn’t know where my mom came from, and I don’t remember Insomnia at all before it fell. I was probably brought to that farm when I was really young, and then we just… Existed, as chocobo farmers. Never even saw the Crown City in person until I was an adult.”
And in hindsight, there was the reason. They had been hiding, far, far away from the Crown City. Where none would find them. “We drove out to Lestallum sometimes, but my mother’s surname was never mentioned and nobody knew where she came from. And we were so out of the way and had so few visitors, I don’t think they made a lot of money. I think Regis was paying to keep them there – I didn’t realize until the Dragonblades that it was strange my family managed to stay in business.”
These next few memories were easier to talk about, but strange as well, considering he had scarcely opened up about how he had grown up. “It was quiet, there wasn’t a lot to do and we didn’t really have a lot of luxuries. But I was… Happy enough, I suppose. We wanted for nothing, and scarcely suffered. I loved the chocobos, I spent every day taking care of them and bonding with them. If I had the time to raise one, I would probably hatch an egg or two myself, as I do miss it. My mom said she used to maintain a garden somewhere, and we spent hours working on a new one. She…” he trailed off, taking a deep breath after his breath hitched, and he rubbed his eyes again. He refused to openly cry in front of Noctis again, but talking about these things would do that. “... She told me she had always dreamed of growing sylleblossoms from Tenebrae. I remember I told her that when I was old enough, I’d ride a chocobo all the way out to Tenebrae to get seeds for her.”
He choked out a small laugh. “Of course, Tenebrae was an ocean away and in Imperial territory, but I didn’t care. None of that mattered to me… But the smile on her face when I said it did. And I told myself I’d make sure to make that smile even bigger when I actually brought those seeds home.”
Caius chewed on his lip a bit as he let the words rattle through his head for a few moments before continuing on. What he was about to say though, was going to flare up the bad memories, but at this point? It was best that Noctis understood.
“I uh. Never did get to do that though. Never had a chance to go to Tenebrae” he spoke quietly as his gaze fell again. “When the signing ceremony happened, all military personnel were called back to Insomnia. If any had been alerted to our existence and had visited to check on us at any point, they didn’t after that. I don’t even know if Regis told any of them we were still alive, much less out on some chocobo farm in the middle of nowhere. Then we were under Imperial rule, but they never found us. Then the darkness came, and we were close enough to the Lestallum that we had enough power, enough light, to keep the daemons away. At least… Until they came.”
Another deep breath, gritted teeth, and memories he didn’t want to repeat. Noctis said he didn’t have to, but if Caius was going to tell Noctis the truth of it all, it was best he were thorough. “They took our home for themselves, took our chocobos, and beat us. Claimed if we didn’t do what they said, they’d kill us one by one, starting with my little sister and my mom. Said if we cooperated, they’d get to live. But… It was all a lie. We didn’t know it at the time, but they were hired specifically to make us suffer. By someone who had a grudge against my dad from back when he worked for your father. I…” Caius trailed off as he tried to regain his breath and his composure, but it was getting hard to keep it. He couldn’t put the genie back in the bottle, he knew, all he could do was face it. But reliving it was hard.
And so was reliving his guilt.
“I… Helped them rob people. And kill people. I was too young to do much at first, so they used me as bait to lure people in. When they caught my father teaching me how to use a firearm, as part of a bid to escape, they punished me by having me open fire on people they robbed, or else they'd hurt my little sister if I didn't. They… Reveled, in breaking me. In making a child kill people, over, and over again. Until one day we finally tried to make our escape. But we were caught, we were tortured, our home was burned with us in it, and…”
Post by Caius Dragelion on Jun 28, 2024 16:34:43 GMT -6
Caius Lucis Caelum
Caius’ stride grew faster as he noted the figure ahead, and sought to meet them. Either they were the other mercenary he had been told about when taking the job, or someone here was up to no good. Then the man signalled to Caius, and Caius quirked a brow in kind as he would approach. Vordun shot him a look, as if inquiring to whether it should eat him. But Caius raised a hand to stay the dragon’s ire. When he approached, the redhead in the hat spoke first. So, this was the selfsame mercenary, then. Seems Caius had some competition… Perhaps they could split the reward, then? Caius wasn’t really a stickler about the reward, he just wanted the malboro dealt with.
“Aye, that would be me. This is Vordun” Caius then introduced the dragon beside him. Vordun sniffed at Oren, but otherwise didn’t seem to be planning further to harm him. “And you are? Your garb reminds me of what some of the hunters wore back home” Caius mused aloud as he looked Oren up and down. Specifically, the female hunters. But the boy looked like a boy, right? Well, he supposed it wouldn’t be the first time Caius had gotten that one wrong. Maybe the mercenary was a born male who did the… What did Faris call it? Ah, it didn’t matter.
Though those eyes unnerved him. Where had he seen them before? Definitely not on anyone from Eos, that’s for sure. However, they had a bigger problem at hand. The malboro was near. Caius shuddered as he remembered his last encounter with one. It was not an experience he wanted to repeat, but… That was just part of the gig.
“If you have magic, use it when it opens its mouth to shoot its breath attack at you. Then get out of the way. If it gets you with its breath, you’re screwed.”
Post by Caius Dragelion on Jun 28, 2024 16:22:36 GMT -6
Caius Lucis Caelum
What kind of deranged maniac had Celes saved from these bandits? And why was every Celes lookalike seemingly downright psychotic? Because every word that came out of Renitra’s mouth sounded downright insane. Noctis was from Eos, and had been at some point zapped to Zephon. Noctis had never mentioned going to some other world, and how in the hell would he have? It wasn’t like people in Eos just traveled to different worlds like nothing. Yet, it was so ridiculous, her story was, that it was hard for him NOT to believe her. She knew every detail, from his powers, to even his car. And come to think of it, Alex had to have known him from somewhere, right? Alex only helped people that he had actually befriended, he had made that clear himself. So had he met Noctis at some point in his own world before he became all embittered and a jerk? Was that why Noctis put up with his ass?
Caius needed to lie down. Oh, and apparently they had a Cid too. Just like his world had a famous Cid. And Celes’ world had a famous Cid. What was with all of these Cids? Cidmania was running wild and he didn’t like the sound of it. Not that he had anything against people like Cid, it was just… Weird.
Wait, had she said that MTs had shown up in her world too? That…
“You had -DAEMONS- in your world?” Caius couldn’t help but interject. He had TRIED to be quiet and listen, but this was getting a little TOO crazy. “Like, actual daemons? The MTs that the Niflheim Empire created? Actual daemons? From our world? How the hell did they get into yours? How did NOCTIS get into yours?”
Post by Caius Dragelion on Jun 28, 2024 16:07:00 GMT -6
Caius Lucis Caelum
This Cindy was, apparently, taken from a time before she had actually succeeded in creating a flying vehicle. Caius didn’t remember all the details, but he had overheard conversation amongst the Glaives of the King’s personal vehicle being rebuilt by the legendary mechanic, and then made to be able to fly. While Sonora’s flying cars were built with far more advanced tech compared to what one could find out in the wilds of Lucis outside the Crown City, Caius remembered being amazed at the prospect. He hadn’t seen fancy cars all that often in his travels to begin with, so hearing that one could actually fly like the Nifs’ giant airships could? It had been an inspiration – one central to continuing his work with machines, and even with weapons, long after he had become a Kingsglaive himself. Before, his mechanical skill had been a necessity. But Cindy had made him want to actually keep working at it, and improve. Something that had been instrumental for him on Zephon. Cindy didn’t know it, but she had been a part of him in some way before they had even met.
Something that he wasn’t sure if he could tell her, if he was being honest. It would probably just be weird. But maybe he could find a way at some point to say it without sounding like a creep? “You are definitely something,” Caius remarked with a small laugh. “Last I heard, you had practically taken over your grandfather’s garage already before the darkness came. And not a soul was surprised.”
He was glad to hear she would be taking some time for herself, and making some connections here in Zephon. He knew how easy it was to get lost in your work, after all. Even if he really did need to learn to actually adapt that thought process to himself… Either way, he had sat up straight and given Cindy his full attention, curious about what she was building. So it was some kind of… Challenge build? Interesting, he had to wonder just what she could come up with? “I would like to see it, next I am in the area” he admitted then, but he frowned and scratched his head sheepishly when Cindy said the same about his.
“It’s… Kind of back on Eos” Caius relinquished with a sigh. “It wasn’t much compared to what I’ve heard about your exploits. Just a project I spent a good year on, salvaging what I could find when I wasn’t hunting daemons, or when trying to recover from injury and couldn’t fight. I needed a vehicle and lacked the gil to buy it – not that I was old enough to buy one anyway. But I did learn a lot from trying to build it, using old mechanical reference books I found lying around and a lot of trial and error. I miss it, honestly, it was my only real company back then. Probably got mistaken for a pile of junk and scrapped for parts after I was sent here, though.”
Post by Caius Dragelion on Jun 28, 2024 15:41:43 GMT -6
Caius Lucis Caelum
Caius couldn’t help a chuckle as Genesis claimed he was, in fact, of the hero variety. That sounded like the closest thing to a compliment that he was going to get, even if Genesis probably didn’t mean it as one in his view, so he would take it. Things seemed to be going smoothly enough, and Caius even started to relax a bit and begin to properly take in the sights before them now that the pyromaniac was seemingly not at threat to burn this whole thing down with them still on it.
Which was his first mistake, as Caius’ head whipped to stare at Genesis when he suddenly became hostile, painfully oblivious to why as Genesis accosted him over his choice of words. His hand had clenched to receive his weapon if needed, out of instinct. As if Genesis’ actions at the manor had been drilled right back into his head the second he made a move that seemed like a threat. Caius’ eyes in that moment, as he stared Genesis dead in the face, were cold. Frozen eyes, laser focused, with an almost emotionless gait that said he had been forced into this scenario far too many times. At least, until they started to settle when Genesis’ actual words began to filter back into his head. When the realization hit him, he blinked a few times in confusion. “Who’s Zack?” got blurted out in those first few seconds as part of him was still recovering from the thought the man might actually attack him over the whole hero thing. “Did I say something wrong?”
Even Caius knew he had, but Genesis’ rant made it unclear what exactly had set him off. He couldn’t think of anything that normally should have? But he had gone on about how “their” story had ended, and that made no sense to him. When Genesis seemed to settle enough that Caius was sure he wouldn’t try to kill him in the next ten seconds, however, his shoulders started to slump back down.
He wouldn’t let his guard down entirely for a bit, though. Not after Genesis had scared him like that. But Genesis seemed to be pacified, at least for the moment, so he took a deep breath as he tried to calm himself down. Genesiis claimed that his road was an ungrateful one, devoid of reward. A small smirk hit his complexion at that one. “Oh, I know. You don’t do what I do for very long before you run into that” Caius admitted softly. It was a shame, but… It came with the territory, and he had long made his peace with that.
Genesis, unsurprisingly, didn’t know Eos. But the mention of Shinra seemed to invoke his ire again. Caius didn’t quite freak out this time, and didn’t visibly go on guard. But he did eye Genesis, unwilling to be struck unawares. “Probably why I haven’t actually heard anything good about them” Caius commented offhand, though the actual phrasing had been planned carefully. He had refrained from verbally taking a side and stating his actual opinions on purpose, at least until now.
