[ Oh dear. Just what do his eyes see. Why it would seem as though the star's esteemed hero is out and about, running errands for those that should be beneath their notice. Should they not concern themselves more with keeping their energy up? Hard to save the world and everyone else if the silly girl thinks to take on every single task some ant sees fit to bring before her.
And now it would seem that there is quite the problem before him. It is clear that she is struggling with the latest round of beasts Caligi has been tasked to bring down. How long she has been at this, going from one location to location, he couldn't say. It isn't as though Emet-Selch is watching the girl at all hours. So the real question is this:
Does he render aid or just watch? Helping the poor, weary hero would announce his presence. Denote that he might actually care whether or not she lives and thrives. Which of course he does, but inly so much, of course... ]
[ She is running on very little sleep in the last 48 hours and later, she will acknowledge that this is her own fault. She should have stopped long ago, should have rested and refueled at the Crystallarium. Yet Y'sholta's words, her words of concern to Urianger about the light aether still ring in her ears and her mind will not shut down and let her stop. There is no looming danger of becoming a Lightwarden if she does not give herself time to process it and truly consider what that could mean for her friends and this world.
That's why she is not thinking straight enough to switch classes to something more suited to survival - she should be happy to relish in her prowess as an Dark Knight, to be the Warrior of Darkness and not of Light for once -- No, her mistake is she didn't want to think more than she had to about easy tasks. Casting and jumping around as a Red Mage, throwing vercure on herself when it was needed, all of it required little thought from her.
Caligi just wasn't expecting that she would find herself surrounded, low on aether for the moment and the exhaustion creeping up on her and nearly out of her stock of potions. She tends off another monster, then another and as she began retreating backwards, she trips backwards over her own feet. She lands on her back, red haired he'd smacking hard against the ground and leaving her dizzy.
In that moment, she is scared. Not in the same way she was scared of Zenos when she first met him, not in the way that she becomes afraid for her people and found family, but scared that there will be no coming back from this. Afraid for what Corona will do when they realize that she's no where to be found and afraid of what she will be leaving behind unfinished. It is a gut clenching feeling, one so foreign to her that she swears to Rhalgr that she's surprised her anger hasn't begun to fuel her immediately.
It does, finally, kick in as she puts a boot hard into a lunging monster and forces it back with a gutteral scream of frustration. She begins to reach for the rapier that was knocked out of her hand by her fall, only to see she's managed to drop it just out of her reach. ]
[ Again, it is quite a pickle, isn't it? Out of supplies. Attacks hitting a bit too hard. Emet-Selch watches it all. He isn't sure what it is that he's waiting on, what he wants to see out of this shattered soul. Maybe he is wondering when they are going to shock him, these insects that play at life. Look at how they struggle. It never ceases. Had they been born with the entirety of their souls intact... This would be nothing.
He sighs. Emet-Selch supposes that he should do something. The girl is important to his plans at least. He waves his hand.
[ She is alarmed by the rapiers sudden appearance in her hand, but there will be time after she dispatches the remaining monsters to find the one creeping on her.
Caligi is fully awake again, hair standing up on the back of her neck because someone was watching her struggle with this. There was a witness to this moment of weakness and they helped her from a distance.
She acts fast in dispatching the rest of the attacking monsters and switches her job crystal in the now down time to Dark Knight. Her red eyes scanning the scenery and keeping her guard up as she keeps herself ready to attack. ]
Show yourself Jackass! I know you're watching me like a creep. [ She yells and while she has no idea whom it was, she trusted the unseen force about as far as she could throw them. ] Get out of where you're hiding and tell me what business you have with me, coward!
[ So he says... From everywhere and yet nowhere at all. Emet-Selch has not managed to continue on this path for so long by being reckless, after all. ]
Forgive me if your sudden change in demeanor does not inspire trust that you will not cut me down.
[ It likely was a sight to behold to watch Caligi's face cycle through visual confusion, annoyance, rage, abject horror at realizing whom that voice sounded to before just looking oddly resigned to the fact that she knows exactly who that voice belongs to. ]
Does being a stalker just run in your bloodline? [ She asks and there's a moment of pure defeat in her whole being, before she switches her job crystal once more to Astrologian to properly begin tending to herself.
She is so, so tired and fighting Emet-Selch right then sounds like she would be better spent pounding sand. He had a very clear chance to have her killed then and there and instead of taking the opportunity to get rid of her, he helped her. ] How about now, Emet-Selch? Or are you just going to make me talk to air for your own amusement while I heal myself?
Comparing me and Zenos does not endear you to me. I say this only so that you are aware of the fact you attract more flies with honey than with vinegar.
[ He didn't need to help her. Thus Hades doesn't really like to be called "stalking." The Ascian is merely managing his assets, thank you kindly. They can't have the girl losing herself before the proper moment. ]
Frankly speaking, hero, I am surprised that you have strength left to stand, lend alone tend to your wounds.
[ It takes all of her willpower not to make a snappy comeback about watching someone from an unseen place did in fact count as stalking and if the shoe fit, he can't say shit about her calling him a stalker like his great-grandson. Instead she just closes her eyes and begins to cast Aspected Benefic on herself as it seemed to be the easiest course of action she had with her minimal reserves of aether left for the moment. ]
If I wasn't so sure of the opposite, I'd almost think you were concerned about me. [ That being said, she does begin to sit down to just breathe. Exhaustion is creeping up against now that she isn't in danger and the adrenaline is fading. ] Thank you, by the way, I appreciate that you did help me for some reason. I do in fact enjoy breathing and you did prolong that, if nothing else.
See, that would be where you are wrong. I am concerned. Very concerned, in fact.
[ But since she thinks to say thank you, Emet-Selch strolls into view. He does so as if he hadn't been hiding at all. The arrogance and slight smirk are all present. Slouching too, as if he doesn't really seem to care about the Warrior of Light at all. ]
That wasn't so hard, was it? Offering a bit of thanks. 'Tis all I really wanted in the end.
[ Immediately, she regrets asking him to come into view. Because she's suddenly reminded that she often wants to punch him in his smug face for reasons she doesn't really think to hard on. ]
Color me surprised that you're capable of concern. [ She muttered, though she rolls her eyes at his victory lap at getting her to say thank you. ]
I give thanks when it's deserved, not when it's expected. [ Sighs, then rubs her cheek and without thinking offers her hand to the other. ]
No one would have the fortitude to survive twelve thousand years if "concern" is not a factor in the grand equation.
[ Of course his true "concerns" lie with his people. His true people. For the world that once had been. For all of the people that had been lost and sacrificed. Oh Emet-Selch has nothing but concern. ]
Deserved or expected, it makes no difference to me since gratitude has already ben given.
[ Though he's not about to give his own hand in return. Help her stand? That requires touch. ]
[ It becomes clear that she's not getting help up, so she withdraws her hand and instead pushes herself up on her own. Instead of talking at first, she just chooses to look at her own clothing so she can at least somewhat hide how he managed to make her eyes roll so hard she swore they stung a little.
He provided a distraction she needed and she was not keen on chasing him away no matter how much she wanted to punch him. She does finally choose to speak, having no issue with levelling him a stare that would have sent lesser men running. ]
Our versions of concern clearly don't meet even remotely near each other.
So, do me a favor and simply tell me what about my behavior has been bothering you so I can choose to ignore it and instead finally take a nap - you're even welcome to walk with me to the closest place if it's more a case of you just wanting to infuriate me for forcing you to help me.
[ She can do her best to hide it, but Emet-Selch can see the gesture all the same. Her height doesn't hide her irritation. ]
I would think that they align more readily that you, yourself, are willing to believe.
[ Since, in the end, they desire the same thing. the preservation of the world that they love. To save it and the people that live there. Hades will do whatever is necessary to meet that end. This little Warrior of Light would surely do the same.
Not that he is going to outright say all of that of course. Instead he offers a dramatic shrug and a sigh to go with. ]
You put words in my mouth. Not everything needs be about your behavior nor about simply desiring to irritate you. Perhaps I was watching merely to observe.
[ She would move the heavens if it meant to preserve what she had. Pluck the stars from the sky and destroy the moon if she needed to. Her family and friends were more important to her than her own life. That's what got her here, in this situation, in the first place and why she was so desperate to not think of what if she failed.
So she chooses her next words more carefully. ]
I meant about your concern, what was I doing that concerned you so much, Emet-Selch? [ she scrubs her face again and for a moment, she will wobble, but then straighten up and let herself soften even a faction. She does snort and laugh, though wisely chooses not to comment that just watching her to observe definitely counted as being creepy to her. ] You implied that my activities were concerning, enlighten me on why while we begin walking.
[ The Xaela does begin to move, though and she goes at a less hurried pace than her norm. ]
I am not going to apologize for finding you irritating, however. Something about... [ She gestures to all of him. Because while she may make it hard to endear herself to him, he makes it just as hard for her in the same way. She can't put her finger on what exactly makes his smugness and general existence so exhausting to her, but there's something. ] you, makes me want to punch you in the face any time you open your mouth and start looking too smug. But I will apologize for putting words in your mouth.
[ Oh he supposes that he can follow. He's done so before; her and her little group have had his companionship, if one wishes to call it that. ]
You are hardly the first to think of and express the need to commit senseless acts of violence against my person. Doubtful that you will be the last.
[ Because he refuses to acknowledge the more obvious implication that a statement like that means. Emet-Selch has refused to see it the moment that he had laid eyes on the girl proper. So he won't speak of it more than that.
What he will do instead is: ]
It would appear you are not resting well, hero. Now how can you bring back the night if you are burning the candle at both ends?
I pray that you give me a reason to be the last. I wish you on no one. [ She will not lie to him about it either. Though she does chose to drop the subject there and listen to his concerns. ]
I'll answer your question. [ Because if she's lucky, he may give her an answer to her worries without even realizing. She doubts she will be that lucky. ] The short answer is that I will bring night because I have to. There is no universe where I could ever accept failure being an option. No amount of lack of sleep or injuries will stop me from that.
The long answer is that my current state is because I'm trying to avoid thinking too deeply on something I overheard. Hard to think about it if I don't give myself time to. [ She rubs her jaw and furrows her brows as she struggled to find more words that sufficed to explain why she kept herself so busy, wearing herself down to the point where she was willingly playing nice with an Ascian she trusted about as far as she could throw. ] Distracting myself got away from me, I'll say that, but as you saw very briefly, I run on anger and spite. Should something actually be on fire, I will likely get angry about it and find some sort of energy to do something about it.
What is stopping you? Come, strike me down as you have down to my brethren. Surely the vaunted Warrior of Light is capable of such a feat even in this condition?
[ Go ahead. Fight him. She wouldn't be doing herself any favors in doing so, of course. Emet-Selch wonders why she has even agreed to all of this in the first place, if she is just looking for a reason to attack him. To end his miserable life. They don't really need a reason, do they? He has provided all the reasons that they should need, just by nature of being an "Ascian."
They don't trust him, with good reason, just as he does not trust them in return. So he walks behind, hands behind his back. He won't talk about accepting failure. It's a sentiment that they share. Fortunately or unfortunately, he has time to rest. A couple of years will not change their long-term plans. ]
You could always regale me with what you've heard. I have done very little to keep any knowledge from you and yours. Perhaps I might shed some light on those dark thoughts.
[ She pauses in her walk, turning to half look at him and simply look extremely amused by what he just suggested. Instead of answering, she shakes her head, laughing quietly at him and turns away to return to walking.
Because despite her clear mistrust and knowledge of Ascians, he hasn't actually given her a reason and told him that point blank. That and she is well aware that fighting him would be more trouble than it was worth. A waste of both of their time in the long run, so instead she just keeps quiet and mulls over her next choice of words.
Though, Caligi fumbles with her pack out of no where, digging blindly before she pulled out a few wrapped treats because she thinks food will give her ample time to think of how to phrase her worries without actively exhausting herself more. Out of sheer habit, she offers one of the cookies to Emet-Selch and when she realizes what she's done it is much too late to take it back without him declining it first. ]
I overheard that my aether is becoming akin to a Lightwardens, so naturally I don't want to think much about my chances of actually becoming one. [ She may as well be blunt, she doesn't have any reason to dance around the subject, but she doesn't sound like she was accusing him of anything at least. Not even suspicious, just curious if that was why he was so eager to help her and her own despite their mutual distrust. To hasten her journey into becoming a Lightwarden. ] It's more than a little selfish, but I'm not actually concerned with the state I'd leave most in afterwards it happened. Mostly just one person.
[ She takes a bite of her own cookie, waiting to see if the other would take the offered one or not and thinks about how to continue. ]
So, tell me, in all of your apparent abundant knowledge, what do you think are my chances of becoming one should I defeat the final warden?
[ Caligi laughs, hmm? So she must know that it is a futile thing. The girl at least has something of a brain. Emet-Selch does his best not to be annoyed by the lack of taking his bait.
Though he pauses as she holds out one of the cookies. One would think that he wouldn't take something that the girl has offered. Yet... As the Ascian walks by her, he snatches up that cookie. Continues to walk by and makes something of a show out of taking that first bite. ]
One person? You are not concerned about what becoming a Lightwarden would do to this Shard or the Source, but you think of how it could affect just one?
[ Interesting. He doesn't call it selfish. In truth, it suits his needs just fine. However... He couldn't think to do that. His life is for his people. What hero could not also do the same?
But if she wants an answer... ]
If it is my opinion you want? I believe that defeating the final Lightwarden will be the undoing of your soul. Even I can see the cracks and fissures that are barely being held together by that child's power. I sincerely hope that you can manage another one of your miracles.
[ Which he is being sincere about. Hades doesn't know why he's hoping, but it is. ]
[ At his taking of the snack, she almost surprised herself with another laugh though it was definitely tempered down by his words. ]
Oh, I'm aware what it'll do to the First and Source, but if it happened I can't bring myself to worry about the bigger picture without worrying more over someone who I would be leaving to pick up the pieces, whom I love very dearly. I don't expect you to understand the worry of making someone you love be the one to end the monster you become.
[ Corona is her rock and the idea of leaving him to kill the monster she became and then still have to deal with the aftermath in her place, alone - it hurts more than any wound could. Because she knows that while she may fall, it wouldn't be the end. Not immediately, at least and she has hope in the Scions succeeding at the very least of putting her out of her misery. Because the other path would be a far worst fate.
She takes another bite of her cookie and then mulls over his next words. Though it did confirm some lingering suspicions she had about his goal for helping them. Not enough to warrant her lashing out in anyway, just acceptance. ]
Thank you for being honest with me. [ And she means it, yet again. Color her surprised. ] It's sad that you're the only one willing to tell me these things to my face and that's what manages to make me feel better about it.
[ Finishing the cookie, she reaches back towards her pack and pulls out another, though this time it's only one. She does seem more at ease though, red eyes focused on the distance and she lengthens her strides to try and keep up with the taller male. ] I still plan on going through with killing the final warden. I told you before, failure is not an option I will accept. I was rushing around trying to stop myself from thinking about the what-ifs, not debate whether or not I'd actually go through with it.
[ Because she needs to say that, though not exactly for him. She needed to say it outloud to fully accept her choice and the risk she was taking. ]
Oh, and for the record, if I wanted to fight a Galvus, I'd fight the one actually worth my effort. You are not he. [ Because whether he wants to see it or not, she is still Azem and Azem can be a childish brat when she wants to be.
Her comment has her smug after everything else, because if he wanted to be a prick - she should happily be able to return it. And the previous honesty was slightly too honest for her to be comfortable with without any barbs traded in the end. So she moves to walk in front of him, munching on her cookie proud of herself. ]
[ Oh he will allow her to talk and not feel the need to correct anything at all. Mostly he just ignores it. Part of him believes that Caligi is just attempting to get a rise out of him; she wants to see if she can get something from him. Information or an emotional response, more like.
Now he doesn't think that it matters whether or not he hides his true intention or not. Emet-Selch knows that this is now too far along to stop. It would also appear that the girl is too stubborn anyway. She will go through with it and simply trust in everyone else to be able to manage the mess in case things go awry.
How dreadfully boring.
All of it is, from her trying to goad him multiple ways, to just this steadfastness. ]
Why I think you managed to speak more than me and that, I'll admit, is quite the feat. How tiring it must be, to flap that jaw and feel confident about the words that fall from those lips while knowing nothing at all.
[ Like he cares if she'd rather fight Zenos. Have at it, little girl. All of this changes nothing, much less his opinions of this Warrior of Light.
Just another weak little mortal with base needs. ]
[ At failing to get a rise from him she shrugs, only a little annoyed and somehow only partially it was directed at him. When she's had proper rest, she'd likely find herself privately embarrassed for being so talkative - to the point where Emet-Selch tells her she's talking more than he does and that will be a whole new can of worms she will pretend never happened and she had thought for a brief moment -
Honestly, she isn't sure what she thought anymore, but it was something about the way he sounded so sincere before in hoping she would pull off another feat worthy of the title she actually rather hated being called, Warrior of Light. She clenches her jaw and then just sighs and once again shakes her head at him, though there is no laughter that follows.
They're not friends, not comrades and she shouldn't be so forthcoming with him. She needed to remember that, that there is no reason for her to try and seek something from him that he doesn't have. She doesn't even know why she even bothered to invite him to walk with her at this point, beyond not wanting to be alone with her thoughts. ]
If 'flapping my jaw' is so tiring, I can't imagine how much sleep you need at this point. You talk far more than I do on average and still manage to look like you've only gotten an hour of rest every time we meet. [ The words lack any real bite to them, they only sound sharp. Just a blunt force used to smack uselessly against a rock that seemed to want to move, but only when it wanted remain directly in front of her goals and hinder her progress.
The second cookie is finished in silence, though not out of spite for once. Just her being caught up in the idea that she really and truly was not looking forward to the twelve hour sleep she had waiting for her when she managed to get somewhere she felt would suffice enough to work without having to go back to the Crystallarium.
The world spins in her vision and she does stop walking, forcing her to bring her hand to her face and rub at her eyes hard enough to see white spots behind her lids. ]
I need to sit for a while. [ And that does actually annoy her, because she knows that she can keep going she just hates that in order to do that without risking a fall she needs to sit down and wait for the world to stop spinning. After pulling her hand away from her face, she finds a semi-flat surface and sits down to wait for her eyes to right themselves.
A hell of her own doing and she expects the headache to come following after rather soon. ] You're free to leave if you want, I will likely be making many stops to sit. If you're going to stay for some reason, do you want another cookie for your trouble?
[ Oh he had been sincere. Entirely sincere. The most ironic part of this entire ordeal is that Emet-Selch has been nothing but honest and sincere. He truly does want to come to some sort of understanding, seeing if things could actually work out. There is a part of him wants to be understood and then actually see if maybe he can be proven wrong. That these fragments, these parts of people could actually rise up and be entrusted stewardship of the star too.
Yes, there is the other part to this. The back-up plan that is really the only true plan in all of this.
And yet, in his mind, his sincerity had been met with a rather sarcastic commentary in return. Unneeded, really. Had he given a truly smart remark in the first place then perhaps it would have been warranted. There are other reasons too, of course, and he doesn't want to think on them. So he doesn't. ]
You forget that I was asleep. Blissfully so, before you and your Scions decided to become so problematic that Elidibus had to cut it short. I had earned my rest and you lot have taken it from me. So if you wish to blame someone for my irritable countenance, then look no further than to yourselves.
[ Not that he's going anywhere even as the girl sits. Oh he could. Hades is tempted to pretend to leave. It would serve the child right, continuously poking at things that are beyond her ken.
Instead he waves his hand in a dismissive manner as she talks about sitting and then about the probability of her needing to maintain a pace like this one. ]
Perish the thought. Should I abandon you now, I'd never hear the end of it from your Exarch.
[ She grits her teeth as he spits vitriol about the actions taken by her and her own to defend her life, her star and way of life against men who wanted to destroy it being the reason that he was currently awake and making it her problem. She takes in slow deep breaths because getting angry right back will not make things better here. It will make things worst for her in the long run, but it is a struggle to keep her fury contained. ]
You will be waiting an eternity for an apology from me, Emet-Selch, because I'm not the one who woke you up. Do not blame me for your mood and lack of sleep, because your current status of being awake is due to your friend's failure to account for resistance from others. Blame them for not being smarter, not me or my own for trying to stop our world from being destroyed.
[ Caligi sighs again, once again forcing herself to calm down because that was enough to make her raise her voice despite her attempts to stay steady.
When she's able to relax again, the Au Ra begins to dig through her pack to pull out what she believes to be her last cookie and holds it out to him. It's not a peace offering, not in the least, he just simply didn't decline the offer she made originally. ]
Suit yourself. But I had no intention of telling anyone that I had to be saved by you. My pride has suffered enough today.
[ The red head watched him and chooses to turn the cookie into a peace offering in the end after all. ]
I'm not good with vulnerable emotions. If I offended you with my jab about Zenos, I will apologize for that. I was uncomfortable and resort to picking on people to avoid more of them. You telling me the truth about my odds did in fact help and I do appreciate that. Now take the fucking cookie.
An apology without anything behind it is useless and empty. I need it not. As for assigning blame, there is plenty to go around. Of course I blame the others for being sloppy. However, I am rather used to their incompetence. This is hardly the first time I have played my part only for the other side of things to be incomplete.
[ Caligi can raise her voice at him all she wants. Emet-Selch is much better at getting under her skin than vice versa. Right now he merely stands where he is, arms crossed over his chest as he continues to watch her. He has little idea of what she is actually doing. Perhaps just looking for something to keep her busy and focused on something that isn't him?
It would hardly be surprising wouldn't it? He refuses to roll his eyes. ]
Again, you speak as though your precious Exarch is not watching whenever he can spare a moment. In fact I wouldn't even be surprised if he is privy to this conversation.
[ But then the girl does surprise him. The apology doesn't matter. He hadn't been offended at all. Who cares about the opinion of one so below you after all? Yet Caligi talks about vulnerability. This is more valuable to Hades. ]
I already had one of those things. It wasn't that impressive. [ Well now he's just being difficult on purpose. ] Your words have been noted all the same.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
/rolls up sleeves
And now it would seem that there is quite the problem before him. It is clear that she is struggling with the latest round of beasts Caligi has been tasked to bring down. How long she has been at this, going from one location to location, he couldn't say. It isn't as though Emet-Selch is watching the girl at all hours. So the real question is this:
Does he render aid or just watch? Helping the poor, weary hero would announce his presence. Denote that he might actually care whether or not she lives and thrives. Which of course he does, but inly so much, of course... ]
/wheezes
That's why she is not thinking straight enough to switch classes to something more suited to survival - she should be happy to relish in her prowess as an Dark Knight, to be the Warrior of Darkness and not of Light for once -- No, her mistake is she didn't want to think more than she had to about easy tasks. Casting and jumping around as a Red Mage, throwing vercure on herself when it was needed, all of it required little thought from her.
Caligi just wasn't expecting that she would find herself surrounded, low on aether for the moment and the exhaustion creeping up on her and nearly out of her stock of potions. She tends off another monster, then another and as she began retreating backwards, she trips backwards over her own feet. She lands on her back, red haired he'd smacking hard against the ground and leaving her dizzy.
In that moment, she is scared. Not in the same way she was scared of Zenos when she first met him, not in the way that she becomes afraid for her people and found family, but scared that there will be no coming back from this. Afraid for what Corona will do when they realize that she's no where to be found and afraid of what she will be leaving behind unfinished. It is a gut clenching feeling, one so foreign to her that she swears to Rhalgr that she's surprised her anger hasn't begun to fuel her immediately.
It does, finally, kick in as she puts a boot hard into a lunging monster and forces it back with a gutteral scream of frustration. She begins to reach for the rapier that was knocked out of her hand by her fall, only to see she's managed to drop it just out of her reach. ]
Oh for fucks sake!
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He sighs. Emet-Selch supposes that he should do something. The girl is important to his plans at least. He waves his hand.
Cal will suddenly find her rapier in hand.
Go on now. Take care of these wee beasties. ]
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Caligi is fully awake again, hair standing up on the back of her neck because someone was watching her struggle with this. There was a witness to this moment of weakness and they helped her from a distance.
She acts fast in dispatching the rest of the attacking monsters and switches her job crystal in the now down time to Dark Knight. Her red eyes scanning the scenery and keeping her guard up as she keeps herself ready to attack. ]
Show yourself Jackass! I know you're watching me like a creep. [ She yells and while she has no idea whom it was, she trusted the unseen force about as far as she could throw them. ] Get out of where you're hiding and tell me what business you have with me, coward!
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[ So he says... From everywhere and yet nowhere at all. Emet-Selch has not managed to continue on this path for so long by being reckless, after all. ]
Forgive me if your sudden change in demeanor does not inspire trust that you will not cut me down.
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Does being a stalker just run in your bloodline? [ She asks and there's a moment of pure defeat in her whole being, before she switches her job crystal once more to Astrologian to properly begin tending to herself.
She is so, so tired and fighting Emet-Selch right then sounds like she would be better spent pounding sand. He had a very clear chance to have her killed then and there and instead of taking the opportunity to get rid of her, he helped her. ] How about now, Emet-Selch? Or are you just going to make me talk to air for your own amusement while I heal myself?
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[ He didn't need to help her. Thus Hades doesn't really like to be called "stalking." The Ascian is merely managing his assets, thank you kindly. They can't have the girl losing herself before the proper moment. ]
Frankly speaking, hero, I am surprised that you have strength left to stand, lend alone tend to your wounds.
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If I wasn't so sure of the opposite, I'd almost think you were concerned about me. [ That being said, she does begin to sit down to just breathe. Exhaustion is creeping up against now that she isn't in danger and the adrenaline is fading. ] Thank you, by the way, I appreciate that you did help me for some reason. I do in fact enjoy breathing and you did prolong that, if nothing else.
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[ But since she thinks to say thank you, Emet-Selch strolls into view. He does so as if he hadn't been hiding at all. The arrogance and slight smirk are all present. Slouching too, as if he doesn't really seem to care about the Warrior of Light at all. ]
That wasn't so hard, was it? Offering a bit of thanks. 'Tis all I really wanted in the end.
[ The sad part is that might be slightly true. ]
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Color me surprised that you're capable of concern. [ She muttered, though she rolls her eyes at his victory lap at getting her to say thank you. ]
I give thanks when it's deserved, not when it's expected. [ Sighs, then rubs her cheek and without thinking offers her hand to the other. ]
Help me up, will you?
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No one would have the fortitude to survive twelve thousand years if "concern" is not a factor in the grand equation.
[ Of course his true "concerns" lie with his people. His true people. For the world that once had been. For all of the people that had been lost and sacrificed. Oh Emet-Selch has nothing but concern. ]
Deserved or expected, it makes no difference to me since gratitude has already ben given.
[ Though he's not about to give his own hand in return. Help her stand? That requires touch. ]
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He provided a distraction she needed and she was not keen on chasing him away no matter how much she wanted to punch him. She does finally choose to speak, having no issue with levelling him a stare that would have sent lesser men running. ]
Our versions of concern clearly don't meet even remotely near each other.
So, do me a favor and simply tell me what about my behavior has been bothering you so I can choose to ignore it and instead finally take a nap - you're even welcome to walk with me to the closest place if it's more a case of you just wanting to infuriate me for forcing you to help me.
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I would think that they align more readily that you, yourself, are willing to believe.
[ Since, in the end, they desire the same thing. the preservation of the world that they love. To save it and the people that live there. Hades will do whatever is necessary to meet that end. This little Warrior of Light would surely do the same.
Not that he is going to outright say all of that of course. Instead he offers a dramatic shrug and a sigh to go with. ]
You put words in my mouth. Not everything needs be about your behavior nor about simply desiring to irritate you. Perhaps I was watching merely to observe.
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So she chooses her next words more carefully. ]
I meant about your concern, what was I doing that concerned you so much, Emet-Selch? [ she scrubs her face again and for a moment, she will wobble, but then straighten up and let herself soften even a faction. She does snort and laugh, though wisely chooses not to comment that just watching her to observe definitely counted as being creepy to her. ] You implied that my activities were concerning, enlighten me on why while we begin walking.
[ The Xaela does begin to move, though and she goes at a less hurried pace than her norm. ]
I am not going to apologize for finding you irritating, however. Something about... [ She gestures to all of him. Because while she may make it hard to endear herself to him, he makes it just as hard for her in the same way. She can't put her finger on what exactly makes his smugness and general existence so exhausting to her, but there's something. ] you, makes me want to punch you in the face any time you open your mouth and start looking too smug. But I will apologize for putting words in your mouth.
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You are hardly the first to think of and express the need to commit senseless acts of violence against my person. Doubtful that you will be the last.
[ Because he refuses to acknowledge the more obvious implication that a statement like that means. Emet-Selch has refused to see it the moment that he had laid eyes on the girl proper. So he won't speak of it more than that.
What he will do instead is: ]
It would appear you are not resting well, hero. Now how can you bring back the night if you are burning the candle at both ends?
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I'll answer your question. [ Because if she's lucky, he may give her an answer to her worries without even realizing. She doubts she will be that lucky. ] The short answer is that I will bring night because I have to. There is no universe where I could ever accept failure being an option. No amount of lack of sleep or injuries will stop me from that.
The long answer is that my current state is because I'm trying to avoid thinking too deeply on something I overheard. Hard to think about it if I don't give myself time to. [ She rubs her jaw and furrows her brows as she struggled to find more words that sufficed to explain why she kept herself so busy, wearing herself down to the point where she was willingly playing nice with an Ascian she trusted about as far as she could throw. ] Distracting myself got away from me, I'll say that, but as you saw very briefly, I run on anger and spite. Should something actually be on fire, I will likely get angry about it and find some sort of energy to do something about it.
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[ Go ahead. Fight him. She wouldn't be doing herself any favors in doing so, of course. Emet-Selch wonders why she has even agreed to all of this in the first place, if she is just looking for a reason to attack him. To end his miserable life. They don't really need a reason, do they? He has provided all the reasons that they should need, just by nature of being an "Ascian."
They don't trust him, with good reason, just as he does not trust them in return. So he walks behind, hands behind his back. He won't talk about accepting failure. It's a sentiment that they share. Fortunately or unfortunately, he has time to rest. A couple of years will not change their long-term plans. ]
You could always regale me with what you've heard. I have done very little to keep any knowledge from you and yours. Perhaps I might shed some light on those dark thoughts.
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Because despite her clear mistrust and knowledge of Ascians, he hasn't actually given her a reason and told him that point blank. That and she is well aware that fighting him would be more trouble than it was worth. A waste of both of their time in the long run, so instead she just keeps quiet and mulls over her next choice of words.
Though, Caligi fumbles with her pack out of no where, digging blindly before she pulled out a few wrapped treats because she thinks food will give her ample time to think of how to phrase her worries without actively exhausting herself more. Out of sheer habit, she offers one of the cookies to Emet-Selch and when she realizes what she's done it is much too late to take it back without him declining it first. ]
I overheard that my aether is becoming akin to a Lightwardens, so naturally I don't want to think much about my chances of actually becoming one. [ She may as well be blunt, she doesn't have any reason to dance around the subject, but she doesn't sound like she was accusing him of anything at least. Not even suspicious, just curious if that was why he was so eager to help her and her own despite their mutual distrust. To hasten her journey into becoming a Lightwarden. ] It's more than a little selfish, but I'm not actually concerned with the state I'd leave most in afterwards it happened. Mostly just one person.
[ She takes a bite of her own cookie, waiting to see if the other would take the offered one or not and thinks about how to continue. ]
So, tell me, in all of your apparent abundant knowledge, what do you think are my chances of becoming one should I defeat the final warden?
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Though he pauses as she holds out one of the cookies. One would think that he wouldn't take something that the girl has offered. Yet... As the Ascian walks by her, he snatches up that cookie. Continues to walk by and makes something of a show out of taking that first bite. ]
One person? You are not concerned about what becoming a Lightwarden would do to this Shard or the Source, but you think of how it could affect just one?
[ Interesting. He doesn't call it selfish. In truth, it suits his needs just fine. However... He couldn't think to do that. His life is for his people. What hero could not also do the same?
But if she wants an answer... ]
If it is my opinion you want? I believe that defeating the final Lightwarden will be the undoing of your soul. Even I can see the cracks and fissures that are barely being held together by that child's power. I sincerely hope that you can manage another one of your miracles.
[ Which he is being sincere about. Hades doesn't know why he's hoping, but it is. ]
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Oh, I'm aware what it'll do to the First and Source, but if it happened I can't bring myself to worry about the bigger picture without worrying more over someone who I would be leaving to pick up the pieces, whom I love very dearly. I don't expect you to understand the worry of making someone you love be the one to end the monster you become.
[ Corona is her rock and the idea of leaving him to kill the monster she became and then still have to deal with the aftermath in her place, alone - it hurts more than any wound could. Because she knows that while she may fall, it wouldn't be the end. Not immediately, at least and she has hope in the Scions succeeding at the very least of putting her out of her misery. Because the other path would be a far worst fate.
She takes another bite of her cookie and then mulls over his next words. Though it did confirm some lingering suspicions she had about his goal for helping them. Not enough to warrant her lashing out in anyway, just acceptance. ]
Thank you for being honest with me. [ And she means it, yet again. Color her surprised. ] It's sad that you're the only one willing to tell me these things to my face and that's what manages to make me feel better about it.
[ Finishing the cookie, she reaches back towards her pack and pulls out another, though this time it's only one. She does seem more at ease though, red eyes focused on the distance and she lengthens her strides to try and keep up with the taller male. ] I still plan on going through with killing the final warden. I told you before, failure is not an option I will accept. I was rushing around trying to stop myself from thinking about the what-ifs, not debate whether or not I'd actually go through with it.
[ Because she needs to say that, though not exactly for him. She needed to say it outloud to fully accept her choice and the risk she was taking. ]
Oh, and for the record, if I wanted to fight a Galvus, I'd fight the one actually worth my effort. You are not he. [
Because whether he wants to see it or not, she is still Azem and Azem can be a childish brat when she wants to be.Her comment has her smug after everything else, because if he wanted to be a prick - she should happily be able to return it. And the previous honesty was slightly too honest for her to be comfortable with without any barbs traded in the end. So she moves to walk in front of him, munching on her cookie proud of herself. ]
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Now he doesn't think that it matters whether or not he hides his true intention or not. Emet-Selch knows that this is now too far along to stop. It would also appear that the girl is too stubborn anyway. She will go through with it and simply trust in everyone else to be able to manage the mess in case things go awry.
How dreadfully boring.
All of it is, from her trying to goad him multiple ways, to just this steadfastness. ]
Why I think you managed to speak more than me and that, I'll admit, is quite the feat. How tiring it must be, to flap that jaw and feel confident about the words that fall from those lips while knowing nothing at all.
[ Like he cares if she'd rather fight Zenos. Have at it, little girl. All of this changes nothing, much less his opinions of this Warrior of Light.
Just another weak little mortal with base needs. ]
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Honestly, she isn't sure what she thought anymore, but it was something about the way he sounded so sincere before in hoping she would pull off another feat worthy of the title she actually rather hated being called, Warrior of Light. She clenches her jaw and then just sighs and once again shakes her head at him, though there is no laughter that follows.
They're not friends, not comrades and she shouldn't be so forthcoming with him. She needed to remember that, that there is no reason for her to try and seek something from him that he doesn't have. She doesn't even know why she even bothered to invite him to walk with her at this point, beyond not wanting to be alone with her thoughts. ]
If 'flapping my jaw' is so tiring, I can't imagine how much sleep you need at this point. You talk far more than I do on average and still manage to look like you've only gotten an hour of rest every time we meet. [ The words lack any real bite to them, they only sound sharp. Just a blunt force used to smack uselessly against a rock that seemed to want to move, but only when it wanted remain directly in front of her goals and hinder her progress.
The second cookie is finished in silence, though not out of spite for once. Just her being caught up in the idea that she really and truly was not looking forward to the twelve hour sleep she had waiting for her when she managed to get somewhere she felt would suffice enough to work without having to go back to the Crystallarium.
The world spins in her vision and she does stop walking, forcing her to bring her hand to her face and rub at her eyes hard enough to see white spots behind her lids. ]
I need to sit for a while. [ And that does actually annoy her, because she knows that she can keep going she just hates that in order to do that without risking a fall she needs to sit down and wait for the world to stop spinning. After pulling her hand away from her face, she finds a semi-flat surface and sits down to wait for her eyes to right themselves.
A hell of her own doing and she expects the headache to come following after rather soon. ] You're free to leave if you want, I will likely be making many stops to sit. If you're going to stay for some reason, do you want another cookie for your trouble?
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Yes, there is the other part to this. The back-up plan that is really the only true plan in all of this.
And yet, in his mind, his sincerity had been met with a rather sarcastic commentary in return. Unneeded, really. Had he given a truly smart remark in the first place then perhaps it would have been warranted. There are other reasons too, of course, and he doesn't want to think on them. So he doesn't. ]
You forget that I was asleep. Blissfully so, before you and your Scions decided to become so problematic that Elidibus had to cut it short. I had earned my rest and you lot have taken it from me. So if you wish to blame someone for my irritable countenance, then look no further than to yourselves.
[ Not that he's going anywhere even as the girl sits. Oh he could. Hades is tempted to pretend to leave. It would serve the child right, continuously poking at things that are beyond her ken.
Instead he waves his hand in a dismissive manner as she talks about sitting and then about the probability of her needing to maintain a pace like this one. ]
Perish the thought. Should I abandon you now, I'd never hear the end of it from your Exarch.
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You will be waiting an eternity for an apology from me, Emet-Selch, because I'm not the one who woke you up. Do not blame me for your mood and lack of sleep, because your current status of being awake is due to your friend's failure to account for resistance from others. Blame them for not being smarter, not me or my own for trying to stop our world from being destroyed.
[ Caligi sighs again, once again forcing herself to calm down because that was enough to make her raise her voice despite her attempts to stay steady.
When she's able to relax again, the Au Ra begins to dig through her pack to pull out what she believes to be her last cookie and holds it out to him. It's not a peace offering, not in the least, he just simply didn't decline the offer she made originally. ]
Suit yourself. But I had no intention of telling anyone that I had to be saved by you. My pride has suffered enough today.
[ The red head watched him and chooses to turn the cookie into a peace offering in the end after all. ]
I'm not good with vulnerable emotions. If I offended you with my jab about Zenos, I will apologize for that. I was uncomfortable and resort to picking on people to avoid more of them. You telling me the truth about my odds did in fact help and I do appreciate that. Now take the fucking cookie.
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[ Caligi can raise her voice at him all she wants. Emet-Selch is much better at getting under her skin than vice versa. Right now he merely stands where he is, arms crossed over his chest as he continues to watch her. He has little idea of what she is actually doing. Perhaps just looking for something to keep her busy and focused on something that isn't him?
It would hardly be surprising wouldn't it? He refuses to roll his eyes. ]
Again, you speak as though your precious Exarch is not watching whenever he can spare a moment. In fact I wouldn't even be surprised if he is privy to this conversation.
[ But then the girl does surprise him. The apology doesn't matter. He hadn't been offended at all. Who cares about the opinion of one so below you after all? Yet Caligi talks about vulnerability. This is more valuable to Hades. ]
I already had one of those things. It wasn't that impressive. [ Well now he's just being difficult on purpose. ] Your words have been noted all the same.
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Eh fuck it I'm not logging out into Cal just for this tag, straight to Zenos I go
lmfao i'm just slowly getting around
Same man same
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