crystal | the only time he'll ever do this

[archademode]

FORM: crystal
SENDER: Gabranth
RECIPIENT: all of you, sorry you can't opt out of square enix drama....unless you just don't listen to it, then that definitely qualifies as opting out
NOTES: FF14 plot content lives here

Creature of calamitous ruin. Deceiver. Possessor. There is a wolf amongst the herd.

The man known as Emet-Selch is responsible for loss of life on a planetary scale. He is a cultist, to speak plainly, and the god he claims to no longer serve led him to slay more lives than this world possesses in its entirety. He has kept this secret. Offers nothing in the way of remorse.

I do not care if you call him ally or friend. I do not care if you choose to disregard this, or question the veracity of my claims.

I ask only that you are wary of trusting fully his own assurances of allegiance: for if he still worships the promise of death, there is no oath enough to be given— a dormant threat he remains.

Comments

[arkitect]

Really. And so soon after that stirring message about-- oh, what was it, again-- how we are meant to stand together against a great evil? It will be quite the disappointment to see that turned about so swiftly, I am sure.

[Considering everything this message accuses him of, he sounds relatively calm. Annoyed at it, certainly, though who wouldn't be.]

But it does not escape me that we had never personally met before we both found ourselves here. Surely you didn't simply take another's word as the full and unbiased truth, Judge Magister?

[archademode]

Forgive me for finding in no merit in returning to talk of unity from one such 'great evil'.

I do not know you, true. Yet those who spoke of your...zealotry proved themselves in both life and death. [Low and growling, voice catching in his throat.]

If you would call them liars, I suggest you speak plainly. Profess innocence, or bear guilt as you so ought.

[earpiest]

Please, please just be super dramatic.

( What’s a nice, chill way to interpret “loss of life on a planetary scale,” because she’d really like to be able to take that route right now )

[archademode]

I have been told on more than one occasion that I am exceedingly fervid. Poetic also, and...difficult.

I do not, however, lie.

[A slight beat before he adds, with as much evenness as he can muster:]

If this knowledge is too great a burden to bear, excuse yourself. Heed only my warning and forget the rest. There is no shame in it.

[elegiaque]

You should make a formal report in writing to his division head, so if he does any weird cult stuff there's not just—

( gwenaëlle makes a noise. )

In a month, something you yelled on the crystal is just a rumor.

[arkitect]

[slightly exasperated:]

Arguably, it is naught but that to begin with.

private;

[archademode]

He is right. I’ve nothing substantial to speak of save for the words of those who have long been lost. It is not evidence.

But I shall do as you say, if you believe this course of action to be prudent.

private.

[luaithre]

I would know more of what you know, as the security of the Gallows is under my charge.

[archademode]

He, and the others like him who titled themselves ascians, were servants of a consumptive god. A creature known as Zodiark— and a name familiar in my own world as cursed for the threat it posed in legend, though that has no bearing on his misdeeds, superstition being what it is.

For a time, I served in aiding and defending those who had formerly fought against Emet-Selch's kind. Against the ascians. They spoke in earnest of planetary loss of life. Invoked events of mass extinction, willingly brought about by this cult.

Seven worlds. Lost.

Now he is here.

His fate is tethered to Thedas; he speaks as though his former god is as dust to him and I cannot discredit that stance— however I find it difficult to believe something so small as a change in venue would also change him.

It is possible this is nothing but another world to be consumed at cost. Or that he may yet change his mind.

[Cultists. Who even knows what they're thinking.]

Thus I warn of his true nature because he does not.

[cozen]

[ Very serious, yes, but other people are handling that, so— ]

Are you calling us sheep?

[archademode]

[He pauses for a long while. Rumbles faintly in his throat in a show of clear discomfort.]

...yes.

[poleaxed]

Uhm, Gab?

[archademode]

What.

[muckspout]

[Small confused pause.]

Did you two get in a fight?

[arkitect]

I would not call it that, exactly. Hardly even a conversation.

[thereneverwas]

Oh boy.

[archademode]

Do not speak, unless you've something useful to add.

Elsewise take this warning and be done with it.

[bouchonne]

[ for fuck's sake. what did he just say. ]

As I understand it, many Rifters come in with a certain degree of...complicated history.

[ GABRANTH. ]

[arkitect]

Regretfully, it seems your sentiment has fallen upon deaf ears.

[Thanks, Gabranth.]

[archademode]

He masks his. Atones for nothing of his own nature.

[Local stubborn bastard still stubborn and certain he's right in his own kneejerk response: news at 11.]

Were Corypheus a Rifter, you’d not simply pardon him for the mark in his palm and think nothing of his past cruelty.

I do not care if I make myself the fool for saying so.

Watch him.

crystal.

[indissection]

Gabranth. [ Voice a little quieter, gentle: ] Are you alright?

[archademode]

[A welcome voice, even at the height of his own welling frustration.]

I am unharmed, if that is your concern. We spoke at length yet did not come to blows; neither of us truly held any desire to, I believe.

[But his fury is apparent. His seething mood too obvious, even if he opts not to speak of it.]

[rowancrowned]

We have already had a wolf amongst the herd, ( dry. ) Find some other animal for your comparison.

[archademode]

[Gabranth, the poorest study of humor ever known, offers only an irritated rumble in the back of his throat.]

Speak plainly. If there is another threat within our ranks, I would know of it.

[And if not— if this is somehow tongue-in-cheek or an inside joke— he's not in the mood for it. He never is. ]

not here. (belatedly)

[hornswoggle]

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