this guy hasn't been bothered in a while. :

[sharlayan]

Now you choose to dust off my cobwebs?

[There's a very small sigh.] Never, in all my days, have I known a woman quite as fickle as you. However! When placed in the same light as your more... endearing attributes, such fleet of fancy when it leads you to me is but a rare reprieve in a veritable phantasmagoria of excruciating boredom.

Complaining? Me? Never, my dear.
Might I suggest you find a game? Either for me, or our mutual friend - for any game is not like to take us both. Of that, I am entirely certain.

Comments

[arstrae]

Can't win no races if you don't show up.

[sharlayan]

Truer words are oft unspoken, my good fellow.

[swordtouch]

Should it make you feel any better, Thancred, my own mundane can be quite fickle himself. Sadly, he lacks any endearing attributes.

You are well, I assume? Despite said cobwebs...

[sharlayan]

Oh, you would not think so? I'll have you know, if it is the only thing a poor bard could teach a warrior of light - that good quality can be found in all peoples. How far one is to look more than justifies the sense of elation at finding a veritable diamond in the rough.

I am. Rested, unfortunately still resting. Though I must confess, I'm driving myself mad with attempting to control the urge to get out and do something to help you! At least, in Eorzea. Unfortunately, our colleagues have bade me rest, and rest I shall. It simply would not do to be Tempered and add more to everything else I have done to you.

[swordtouch]

I am fairly unsure if his being flighty, indecisive, and scattered can be considered endearing... Though I suppose there are those who may find it as such. In truth, 'twas thanks, in part, to my mundane that I've gotten as far as I have.

Ahh yes, and I would honestly advise the same. Would that you are well, I still worry that you overwork yourself. I... do not know what I would do should you become Tempered, nor 'tis something I like to think about...

[Garrett worries for you :( ]

But please rest assured, that all you've done for me, and for others, were very much appreciated and have not gone unnoticed. I may not be alive today were it not for you...

[sharlayan]

He has stayed loyal to you, has he not? Perchance that is one small thing to build upon.

Rest assured, my friend - I've learned from the last time, And the subsequent wrong end of your sword as part of that working myself ragged again is quite literally out of the question. Yet any work at all would be quite welcome, even be it in infuriatingly small amount!

[He worries for himself, Garrett. All cooped up and no play makes Thancred a very dull boy. Pitiable looks from Yda and Papalymo, Urianger getting to have all of the fun, Minfilia's overprotection, and Y'shtola's filthy looks are more than what he can bear at the moment.]

... And yet it is fair to say our situation could be far better were it not for me. I shan't forgive myself easily for what happened. Gods, I was so blind-

[...And he shakes his head. Yesss. Subject change. Hardmode primals.]

I have heard whispers from the Immortal Flames that the Primals have been reawakened. The Lord of the Inferno first, by all accounts. The amount of crystals the Amalj'aa must have used would be staggering.

[swordtouch]

...You are right. Through it all, he has. Mayhap I shall give my mundane more credit. I did say that I've gotten as far as I have thanks to, in part, my mundane.

[Garrett would lower his head a bit, but then look right back up at Thancred. He then frowned at him at the mention of not forgiving himself so easily. Garrett already had, and he knew his intentions were true. Then, he changed the subject. Of course he did.]

I do not even want to consider just how many crystals they are acquiring. There must be a reason for this. And until we find out what that is, I fear I may have to acquiesce to the notion of defeating it once again.

....

[sharlayan]

... With a most heavy heart, I find myself inclined to agree. For our only viable action against them to be tossing a trusted friend to the flames, gales and crags respectively is but a poor reaction. Desperate, too.

[unyieldingspirit]

I'm sure that'd suit you much better than idling away in headspace. [with a slight frown and tail twitch] …I hope she doesn't send you somewhere where you might… end up different.

[sharlayan]

By different, you mean hurting, and ending the lives of so many others which had done naught wrong.

[There's a beat, and he's just going to cross his arms over his torso. Yeeeep, he's gone through that a lot in his head. The massacre at the waking sands - it's his fault in his mind. By being weak enough for Lahabrea to get in, he's just as much at fault as the imperials which shot them all.]

One such as lovely as you should not soften your words. I am well aware of what I allowed to happen. I saw everything with mine own eyes, after all. And it does not make matters right - but I will see their deaths avenged - if not by mine own hand, by other methods.

As for your concern... I believe such would require the presence of a certain friend of ours. Fortunately, the only Ascian I know of exists within this very same headspace. I've no doubt in a game, for anything to happen it should require his action.

[unyieldingspirit]

I'm not sure too many would share your sentiment. [she says it half-heartedly, though, ears twitching back. It made a difference to her when he told her about what had happened to the temperered soldiers- made her feel capable, and trusted, and she trusted- trusts- him in turn. He is perhaps a fool to have allowed it to start with, but- shouldn't they have helped to support him?]

Everything? [and her ears go completely back, imagining what some of that might have been. She shakes her head after a moment, squaring her shoulders.] If there is aught I can do to help in that endeavour, simply ask it.

I should hope so. [one of him is surely enough trouble. Her tail twitches uncertainly, though- people being what they are, and what she's heard about games… That can wait, though.] Does he trouble you?

[sharlayan]

Be that as it may, I feel it acutely. [And indeed, he trusts K'Pandolu absolutely as well. Even before she spared his life and then saved it. Yes. Perhaps he really should have been supported - but perhaps he wouldn't have taken the help. Not back then, when he was convinced he was doing everything wrong and trying to prove himself so desperately.

He merely nods and stares firmly at the Miqo'te as she questions what he saw. And it's true. While he couldn't do anything, his eyes saw every attempt at K'Pandolu's life - and indeed, it's ingrained into his nightmares even now.]

...I feel we have not seen the last of him, nor his designs to awaken his god. For since time immemorial, the Ascians have existed to bring about chaos and disorder - even your strength, my dear friend, would not deter them. They shall merely pursue other methods. ...I confess, Ultima Weapon and the Black Wolf's involvement was in part my fault. He must have seen a certain prophecy in my mind - and saw fit to cast his lot with it - for it details the strength of man. No doubt, he saw that, and the sword of might, in Gaius van Baelsar - and the sword of light in you.

The others can bid me rest all they please. Nothing shall come between me and making matters as right as possible by destroying Lahabrea. ...Though I daresay I feel a great deal better about this undertaking with your consent to join me. Thank you, truly - dear friend.

[And the question...
Yeah. Have some of usual!Thancred. aka: not quite telling the truth because he doesn't want to burden people. And a very fake (but nonetheless handsome) smile!]

...He gloats. That is all. For you have quite veritably defanged him. It is nothing I cannot handle. Of that, I assure you.

[unyieldingspirit]

[If she had any idea what to do about nightmares, she absolutely would, because not even trying… As it is… everything else is probably enough for now.]

I hoped we would have, but… I suppose it couldn't be that easy. If they're that old… [her ears twitch back, briefly, and she shakes her head.] I've heard it, I think. And… it would make sense, to use the strength of what others had heard, and might believe in…

You're most welcome. I couldn't possibly let you go without company, after all. [she smirks, maybe. Just a little.]

[…yyyyeah. Sadly that is not going to be enough to put her off, since she likes to think- well, hopes, at least- that she knows Thancred a little, enough to tell. Besides which, she shares headspace with another guy who does some of that himself. It's not quite as reassuring as he might hope.]

Words can be poison enough. It's nothing you should have to handle.