Open RP Post

[centuriesinspired]

What it says on the tin, give me your starters or make a request.

Pick a scenario if you need ideas.

Comments

[dontbehorny]

[Everyone does have a breaking point. A weakness. Not that uncovering the Exarch's was terribly difficult. Too many wear their hearts on their sleeves. Easy to poke at and perfect for manipulating. Though he's not sure what he will do with this information now that he has it.

Perhaps nothing.

Emet's gaze is slow to fall back on the Exarch as he asks that question. And the Ascian gives a shrug feeling more slumped than before. Like the world is constantly pressing down on him.]

Because someone should be there. To remember... if nothing else.

[It's an honest answer but then again everything he's said has been honest. He hasn't lied or manipulated anyone into doing anything they weren't already intending to do. People seem to be ever shocked by this or damn him as an unreliable narrator to his own story. Lies all lies they say. Look at the reputation Lahabrea has given them! It's insulting. Especially when he has nothing to lie about.]

When that hero of yours turns into a mindless beast the first thing they will do is rip apart the others from the source. And then it may very well come after you. It will be the ultimate Lightwarden. The night will vanish to be nothing more than a memory and things will continue on exactly as they had before you dragged the souls of those that don't belong here to this realm. It will have all been for nothing... and it may very well be worse off than when you began this quest.

I will call upon your former hero to seek me out. With the last of their senses they will come to me. And I will shackle them out of sight and out of reach from the likes of self proclaimed heroes. Just in case someone dares to come and make another grab for the night. In the darkest night and blackest abyss I will keep them. Until this shard meets its long overdue end.

If I hover like some bird of prey it is only because you have prepared a carcass for me to pick at. If you didn't want vultures don't leave corpses on your doorstep.... obviously.

[centuriesinspired]

[ For all the anger that Emet-Selch's succeeded in stirring up, his initial answer is surprising enough to shake the Exarch out of it. If only for a moment.

To remember...

For that flickering instant the Exarch sees past Emet-Selch's skin. To trust the word of an Ascian is folly but that...the Exarch believes it. The intent behind the words is genuine, almost heartfelt.

And then it's gone, buried over with such wicked promises delivered as casually as one might report on the weather. For a moment he thinks to try and reach for it again but no. There's no reasoning with the man, the Exarch has his dreams but even he's old enough to know better than to try that with an Ascian.

In that pause he's able to collect himself and cool his temper, his tone lighter when he speaks again. ]

How very generous of you to share your plans...though if you've the right of it there would be little and less I could do with that information to stop you. Double the blessing, then, that you are wrong.

[dontbehorny]

See, I've shared mine but how doubtful I am that you will share you big grand plan with me.

[It's a bit frustrating because he can't figure this man out and he wants to. He wants to very much. He wants to know what all this scheming and all these secrets lead to. But he can prowl and skulk around this tower as much as he pleases nothing and nothing will ever be revealed to him.

It's a secret the Exarch has kept hidden deep deep down. Out of reach from all. Even an Ascian.]

I'm not wrong... Perhaps there are times where I, personally, have been in the wrong. Maybe... but about this? Not at all. But I will give you this... since I'm feeling so generous. I wish I was.

[For it doesn't really matter all that much in the end if the night stays or goes. He is not a heavily active member of the remaining three in terms of bringing about chaos at least... not in the way Lahabrea was. Because it is not in their original nature to be so. He has conquered and ruled over lifetimes and when there is naught more to conquer there was peace. And he left it at that. Because inevitably it'd find a way to ruin itself. The lifeforms on these shards are only capable of chaos and their own destruction. So even if it takes a little longer the First, inevitably, will find a way to destroy itself all on its own. Perhaps with a helping hand from them, of course but... Peace will not last. It never does.

Emet-Selch gives a big dramatic sigh lifting his hand up in a shrug to let them fall back to his sides.]

Your secrets interest me to no end... but prying them out of you is taking a long time and I'm growing bored. Will you do nothing to entertain me? Not even a taste of your big plans? It's like reading the last page of a book before getting started. Will you not indulge me even slightly?

[centuriesinspired]

[ The less than subtle prodding about his own plans are answered with an enigmatic smile. ]

If I told you plain you'd grow bored even more quickly. I could never do you such a disservice.

[ And yet.

The fact that he finds himself believing Emet-Selch again is surely a terrible sign. The Exarch will keep his guard up until the end no matter what the Ascian says or does. Yet the admission that he hopes for their success, even if it's only a scrap of it, deserves something.

He takes half a step closer and makes an open gesture with his crystal hand. ]

When this is over, when the First is saved and the Source spared another Calamity, let us share a drink. Then I shall lay bear everything. What say you?

[dontbehorny]

[Annoying as that comment is it's not exactly wrong. He doesn't like to be bored and maybe this will all turn out rather exciting. Or at least be mildly interesting.

Mulling over bordom vs doing his job proper is cut short by the offer. An open invitation and hand.

And it's so absolutely absurd that he laughs. Not a haughty chuckle or even a conniving holier than thou one. It's something fairly genuine and not been used in what could easily be centuries. Zodiark knows his companions in this mission hardly say anything worth even a raised eyebrow.]

You must be making a jest. But I will hold you to it all the same. If we somehow both survive it I will be right here demanding a finely aged wine. And I will not be satisfied, nor will I leave, until I have it.

[If the Warrior of Darkness is actually capable of holding all the light of this world within themself... then yes. He will allow it. He will sit here and wait for the world to destroy itself naturally. Surely something interesting will come of that light later. And he can't help but be curious as to how it all will play out. But the likely hood that the hero turns into a monster or that the Exarch has some foolish plan, one that he will have to stop, is too high. It's unlikely they'll find themselves here at the end of all things. But maybe he'll find himself surprised. Wouldn't that be something?]

[centuriesinspired]

[ It's a cruel jest, in fact, though one that part of the Exarch wishes could be true. To be able to share in the Warrior's victory, to stand at their side...there is almost nothing the Exarch wants more. Almost, save for that victory to happen in the first place. And to achieve it...

The Exarch accepted the cost a long, long time ago. One could even say that he had such resolve in him when he was known by another name, willing to give up his life as he knew it for the betterment of a world yet to come. ]

I know a perfect vintage.

[ And yet there is still that part of him that wishes it could be otherwise. It would be a larger concern if it didn't exist. That he can still have those yearnings is proof that the centuries have not robbed him of what makes him mortal. To satisfy that need he can pretend, just a little. Pretend that he's telling Emet-Selch the truth and that there may be peace between them for a time.

It would be something... ]