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.

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> : 3 feed him

[dontbehorny]

[The Ascian reaches for one book that causes a small stack to wobble but not fall. He flips through a good chunk of pages and finds a picture of himself perhaps a little younger than his current body. Emet-Selch flips the book around to show the Exarch the small image surrounded by grim words of his Garlean deeds.]

I do enjoy the ones where I'm in them. All my fine conquests and inventions. We could go further back in time to when I designed the very place we're in now. Nothing I've done is boring though much of it has been out of it.

[It's all for the great rejoining, yes. But these long lonely years really do push one to just go out and conquer a few places because, well, why not? It all leads to the same end.]

But you come across as a man who enjoys a hero's tale. And we can both say with confidence that I've naught been part of anything close to that. A near repulsive prospect. But then again... that may be a matter of perspective and what side of the war you're on... Either way... [He continues to drawl on gaze still sweeping over the numerous volumes that lay here.] I may know a tale or two that may interest you even when you watch the day to day of the greatest one you will ever know. What's a fairy tale to the genuine article, Exarch?

[centuriesinspired]

There is little and less you could offer me on the Tower itself, I fear.

[ The Exarch steps into his room, reaching out to place a hand on the wobbling stack even if it's a needless caution. It also brings him closer to the Ascian, shadowed eyes watching closely, carefully. The game seems clear: Emet-Selch means to probe him about his interest in the Warrior. Yet with the Ascians there is always more lurking deeper and, risk though it may be, the Exarch opts to reach down and see what he finds.

Any risk is worth it if it concerns the Warrior's well being. ]

As for her story, the truth of it plays no small part in its endurance. The Warrior of Light's deeds are no fairy tales. This is something the Ascians would know better than most...

[ And yet: ]

...though if any were to know a part of the tales yet to be written, that would also be the Ascians.

[dontbehorny]

Would that it were a fairy tale. Mayhaps it might have stood a chance at some sort of happy ending. But there's only a handful of ways the story can end now. Perhaps some that have already come to light in your eyes. Thus why our hero was pulled here... But that's just a guess.

[Emet-Selch continues to skulk around the room. The book he'd taken is snapped shut and set elsewhere with little care as to where it sat before. His gloved hands hover over several passing volumes but he makes no effort to pick up another and browse its contents.]

I don't believe I need to spell out the obvious. You knew when you summoned them here. You knew when you sent them on this great quest to return the night that you were marching them to their death.

[The Ascian's gaze falls back on the Exarch. Ever watchful. Ever curious. This was not how things were supposed to be but he wants to see how the pieces fall and just what he will have to do to make sure they still fall as he needs them to. Even if the Warrior of Light brings back the night their soul is not strong enough to bear it. On one hand... wouldn't it be something if it were. On the other... the Rejoining. But he can already see the splintering cracks that are just waiting to swallow them up. It's only a matter of time before they become some mindless thing. He knows this. The Exarch knows this.

And it is because the Exarch must know this that makes this all so curious. For all the lives he's lived and all that he's done he's missed key moments and experiences. Things that he's only seen but never actually bore the burden of. Some might say that if he had perhaps his views wouldn't be what they currently are. But just because he doesn't know the emotions off hand doesn't mean he can't spot them when he sees them. This Exarch plays things close to the vest. His motivations and actual feelings are hard to parse and put names to. It's extraordinarily entertaining if not quite annoying.]

I can't help but wonder if you have some trick up those sleeves of yours. Do you intend to ride in on a pale horse and save them? Or... is it all a grand ploy and illusion? Will you just let them die? And if so... for what purpose? Your motives are the most intriguing thing on this dying star. I hope you won't disappoint me when the time comes.

[centuriesinspired]

[ The misplaced book is noted down in the Exarch's mind to be sorted later. The library may be a mess but it's his mess and he's learned it well by now. More pressing is what Emet-Selch has to say...

For a moment the Exarch's heart quickens in his chest though his face remains impassive. Has his plan been reasoned out? Perhaps...or, as it seems more likely, Emet-Selch cannot fathom the Exarch capable or even willing to sacrifice himself rather than his hero.

The thought makes his smile easier. ]

Such little faith you place in our friend. [ The Exarch shakes his head slowly, as if disappointed. ] How many impossible odds have they beaten before? How many yet lie ahead, I wonder?

[dontbehorny]

Faith is something I have little to give at this point. But don't get me wrong... as I have stated many times I'd truly like them to succeed. I'd like to be taken by surprise for once. [He'd like to see them closer to what they once were.] But I also know better than to hope for such an end.

I see the cracks already. How their aether is unrecognizable to their own companions. All your faith and prayers. All your confidence in this hero from the source... In the end it will all be for naught. This is not going to end the way you believe it will.

They will die. And you will have led them collar and leash to said end. At this point I should be considering what horrible beast they'll turn into. Nothing too ugly... I do hope to maybe keep them as a pet for a small stint. Before this world is finally destroyed by light, of course.

[That is the end that needs to be, naturally. The inevitable and fateful end. But there is something to be said for the other side of the coin as well. Should the Warrior of Light succeed then it is proof that the rejoining is working. How many times has he stood face to face with heroes proclaiming the same ideals over and over again. Would that he could stand in front of something familiar and know, at long last, that they are only a few steps away from achieving their dream. Some acknowledgement that it has not all been for absolutely nothing, as it has often felt after so long, would be well worth the trouble of starting anew with this shard.]

When it all comes crumbling around you, my crystal dwelling friend... what then will you do? Forward and backward through time and space will not return the champion that you called upon. Nor erase the hand you played in their death. Unless of course-- [Emet brings a few gloved fingers to his lips. There is a conclusion he had not thought up. It always, without fail, feels like an us vs them situation. But perhaps he has misinterpreted this situation from the start.] --you have meant for them to fail from the very start.

[centuriesinspired]

[ That...that causes the Exarch's smile to slip. The grip on his staff tightens ever so slightly, thumb pressing against his fingertips. The Warrior failing is one thing, for as much as the Exarch speaks around the idea, Emet-Selch has the right of it. No one could withstand so much Primordial Light upon their soul and survive. Emet-Selch knows this. He knows this. To the point where it is a crucial step in his plan.

Yet the mention of keeping the Warrior, his hero, as a pet is what finally causes the Exarch's temper to fray. When next he speaks the jovial tone is gone, replaced by something cold and final. ]

That will not happen.

[ He won't allow it. He'll be there, play the villain, and steal away the Light before the Warrior falls.

Though it's not as if he can explain that to the Ascian. ]

If you are so certain of their imminent failure then why do you linger? If your victory is assured then what purpose is there in hovering like a vulture?

[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... ]