un: bahamut | text

[oblige]

Good day, fellow Etrayans.

Concerning Antigone's warning regarding our real names, it occurs to me that we would benefit from collaborating on this front.

To that end, I wish to open discussion.

For those who have chosen a name, please respond with what you have selected, that we may know what to call you.

For those who have not, you may use this posting to discuss your ideas or invite suggestions from others.

As for myself, I shall be using "Lucien", the name of a character from a novel in my world.

Mission Names
Dion → Lucien
Antigone → Shadow
Dwayne → Harry M'Egg
Jayce → Prometheus
Sunday → Dominicus
Prompto → Vesper
Odin → Joss
Mayuko → Murasaki
Vax → Kalas
Clive → Crandall
Percival (Fredrickstein von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III) → Scanlan (Keylethus Pikegratia Taryon d’Shorthalt-Grogson, Heir to the Shattered Glory)
Samil → Whiskey
Noctgar → Navyth
Accelerator → Isuka
S.Rogers → Ruirthech
Nico → Slash Brightburn
Jason → Edmond
R.B. → Harker
Lady Vex'ahlia de Rolo → Velora
SquirrelPower → Sally Awesomelegs
Shinra → Evan
Emet-Selch → Eubulus
Vincent Valentine → Garm
Sciel → Céline
Vivi →
Gustave → Jean-Napoleon
Maelle → Esmé
Scott → James Bond / 007
Sleeper → Stevens
Joshua → Praeclarus
Zagreus → Dionysus
Gladio → Heliodorus
Apollo → Artemis
Dylan Brock → Reed Richards

Note: This list will remain available until the date of our deployment. At such time, it will be omitted as a precaution.

[ ooc: Free-for-all on responding to one another, of course. ]

Comments

[oblige]

[ He's not forgotten Vax's fate. His sister had given further details, not long ago, and the feeling that it is too much to demand of a man remains. Dion's lips thin, but he keeps the thought to himself.

Would he have begrudged Greagor, if she wished service in death rather than life? He knows he wouldn't. ]

...You have not yet met your end, Vax.

[ He knows what form it comes in, he knows it may stretch long. Why not live his life while it remains his? ]

This time, however unasked for...much of it is yours. If the hereafter is not, you have the present.

[twin_blade]

[ Vax does not begrudge his goddess, either. It was the deal he made, or will make, perhaps. There's a lot he doesn't know about what happens to him before his death, but he feels it is the inevitable path, no matter how much his friends and sister wish they could change it.

A smile, and Vax lifts his hand and flicks his thumb across Dion's chin, giving it a quick brush. ]

You could say the same for yourself, you know.

[ This is additional time to live, especially for Dion. At least Vax has a couple more years of life to go back to. ]

[oblige]

[ Before that hand strays too far, Dion catches it with one of his own. As was true the last time he'd done so, his grip is gentle and easily broken.

When he speaks, his voice is quiet, but it is earnest. ]

Where do you suppose I got the idea?

[ Vax keeps telling Dion about the time and freedom he's afforded here. How he should make use of it. If that should hold true of him, then it should be the case for them both. ]

Your soul is yours in the present, lest you forget.

[twin_blade]

[ Vax's hand is caught before it goes far. Although the grip is light, he leaves his hand where it is and curls his fingers softly over Dion's. It remains resting there until Dion lets it go. ]

I didn't forget, but I would give it to her now if it could save my world or yours.

[ Vax has tried calling to his Matron many times since arriving here, and he still makes regular attempts, even if it's hopeless. ]

[oblige]

[ Dion's expression appears to war with itself, conflicted between being touched that Vax would go so far for his world as well and deeply concerned by the same.

He knows Vax means it, and he's grateful, but... ]

Let us ensure that never proves necessary, then.

[ It would be hypocritical to say it, but he'd rather Vax not be so ready to sacrifice himself more than it seems he already will. Dion's hold lingers moments longer before he lets his hand drop. ]

I suspect your sister would have words for me if you did such a thing for my world, besides.

[ It's a weak attempt at humor, and he's quite certain she would, but it was a heavy thought. He can only try to lighten it. ]

[twin_blade]

[ Vax lowers his hand as it's released. ]

My sister has words for everyone. You'll be no different.

[ If only Vax knew of the words she had for Dion on Chirper. But if he were able to do such a thing to save Dion's world, Vex wouldn't be surprised.

With a turn, Vax continues their walk, observing each section of flowers until they come to the open air of the boardwalk where the windmill sits. Leaning against the rail with his arms folded against it, Vax takes a moment to look at the city. ]

[oblige]

[ Dion joins him there, observing the stillness of the mismatched city below. ]

I've learned as much already. More words then— perhaps select ones.

[ Some of the words she'd thrown his way, Dion understood, some leave him baffled. She hadn't answered when he sought clarification, so he's left to puzzle over them, uncertain whether they bear mention.

Vax had said his family was liable to form ideas, but Dion hadn't expected them to be thrown at him mid-conversation. ]

[twin_blade]

That's Vex, alright. She was always a good talker.

[ Great with people and manipulating them when needed. Not that he thinks any of that is going on when she speaks to Dion. Vax is sure his sister likes him. He helped her when she first arrived, and she knows Dion's a friend. ]

[oblige]

Both of you are, I would say.

[ In their own ways, of course. Dion appreciates that about them. It's clear enough to him where either of the twins stand, usually. That may depend on who they're speaking with, but for Dion's experience, it has been that way. ]

Though I could only speculate whether that was always so for you.

[twin_blade]

As usual, you give me too much credit.

[ Vax says with a gentle nudge of his shoulder against Dion's and a smile. ]

I was never afraid to talk, but I wasn't always smart about it. I got into plenty of trouble as a kid.

[ Vax's father tolerated his big mouth as much as Dion's father might have accepted it from his own son. Vax just didn't let that stop him and accepted his father's disapproval. ]

[oblige]

[ The nudge is cause for his own quiet smile. ]

You, trouble? Surely not.

[ Dion tries to scoff at the prospect, but he remains an unconvincing actor. He can well believe that Vax talked his way into trouble, considering some of what he'd had to say in the fog, when faced with phantoms of their fathers.

Yet as someone who often puts a great deal of thought into what he says and how he says it, Dion appreciates that about Vax too. He's outspoken. ]

I was always searching for the right words, though I never quite managed where my father was concerned.

[twin_blade]

[ Vax nods, understanding that feeling all too well. ]

It didn't take long before I realized no words or actions would ever please him. Vex kept trying, though. I don't give a shit that he never loved me, but I can't forgive him for never loving her.

[ Not when it hurt Vex the way it did. ]

[oblige]

I know him not, yet it seems to me he failed to see his blessings.

[ Dion says as much plainly, insofar as his manners will allow. It seems to him a terrible shortcoming that Vax's father couldn't see the good in his own children. That he didn't see himself as twice blessed for having twins, or all their strengths.

It's an injustice Dion thinks far worse than his own father seeing him only as a weapon or monster, depending on the moment. ]

That is his folly, for you both deserved more.

[twin_blade]

[ Vax knows he didn't deserve cruelty. He was just a child. They didn't deserve to be on their own at such a young age, either. But what did he deserve? Vax can't really say. Civility would have been enough. ]

So did you. Even if you were half-blood, my father would have been honored to have a son like you. Course, he would have attributed your greatness to his bloodline.

[oblige]

[ His eyebrows pinch together at the thought of that man he'd seen in the fog being honored to have a son like him. If Vax and his sister didn't satisfy, why would he? ]

I would think it more likely he'd find some fault for which I was unacceptable.

[ His own father had, easily. ]

[twin_blade]

[ Dion would have been a less troublesome son, Vax is certain. Just the sight of him communicates nobility and honor, unlike the vagrant rogue Vax was born to be. ]

I doubt anyone would find you unacceptable except one man. It's unfortunate who that man happens to be.

[oblige]

You would be surprised then, for he was not the only one. [ A pause, just for effect. ] I'd a stepmother who regarded me as something one might find stuck to their shoe, on a good day.

[ He can speak of it with some detachment now, but it hurt him to find that his father had spoke of his birth mother to that woman. In all his life Dion hadn't told a soul, because he'd bade him not to. Here, of course, there is no such limitation imposed on him. ]

The council found me a frustration as well. Bahamut has no voice in politics, but that hardly stopped me.

[twin_blade]

[ Even if there is a feeling of detatchment there, Vax knows it must have been difficult being scorned. On top of that, Dion tried so hard to speak on behalf of his people, only to be disregarded. ]

Sounds like the council wasn't very smart. Especially if they backed a king who didn't care whether his people lived or not.

[oblige]

The Emperor had a way of overruling whatever objections they may have had, though they were fewer than they should have been.

[ Dion had, as a small child, been impressed by his father's commanding presence. As he grew older he began to see that the other cardinals were driven by self-interest and ambition. His father was no exception, though he'd dearly wished he was. ]

After all that has come to pass, I expect there will be change, and it is due.