Voice-Testing after a year of storage

[strayspride]

So, you see fit to call upon me once again, broken that I am. Did I not make it clear, my desire for rest? Death eludes me still, it seems, though whether it is by your actions or simple narrative convenience I have yet to determine.

[a sigh ]

You should allow those who wish me dead to have the satisfaction. I would embrace the peace.

Comments

Not at all.

[strayspride]

[ Sympathy for one's enemy is of no shame, in the same way that mercy does not shame justice. Indeed, it is necessary for temperance and fairness. A lesson Gabranth learned too late to be of use for anything other weapon of regret.

Loathing, however, would perhaps be more comfortable for Gabranth to bear. ]

Such a post is better suited for one with honor. [ Like his brother. He knows what he is Ondore, and though he regrets the necessity of his actions, he does not regret them more than one would regret any death. Larsa needs a purity in those who would advice him now, and that is a quality Gabranth lacks.

Besides, he had stolen position from his brother, it is only just that it be returned ]

He faces no more censure than any Solidor before him. Emperor Larsa has his actions and his allies to speak well of him, better than could the words and works of a regicide.

That's great since I do plan to app him somewhere!

[cloudborne]

[ Ondore chose his following words very carefully, almost as if he was looking to rout the black knight's queen in a game of chess. He looked somewhat apprehensive as he spoke but the sternness in his tone beguiled that. If there's one thing that the Marquis of Bhujerba was known for, it would be for his excellent impassivity. ]

While such might be true, where does this leave you? I'm confident that Lord Larsa's persistence to prove his worth shan't ever wane, but your sense of honor has.

[ He sighed as he finally forces himself to look at Gabranth. ]

If you aren't meant to lend your service to your lord, then what purpose shall you serve now? Will you merely linger within the shadows controlled by the strings of your puppeteer?

Oh? Sounds exciting! I've actually been thinking about searching for a home.

[strayspride]

[ It irks him, somewhat, that this man can hide with his face and voice what Gabranth could not hide from Gramis, even with a helm to swallow expression and tone. ]

You imply that it was ever my desire to cling to such things. A man born with no master does not need one, though his service to one will be ever more earnest.

[ Landis was always a republic, and no man was of more worth than that which he etched out upon his life. Titles did not carry the value they do elsewhere in Ivalice, and Gabranth was ever a dog to cling to scraps of lives and memories. ]

I shall bide. To seek more would be to seek absolution, and I would not ask such a thing of those from whom I have already taken far too much.

Probably Dragon Haven or maybe Selacao

[cloudborne]

[ At first, the Marquis wasn't quite sure what to think of that answer but he respected Gabranth choice to linger away from his past digressions. Men are born free of masters and should die free. Gabranth made a good enough point with that statement alone, one that he couldn't possibly argue. ]

Then I do believe you've earned your freedom by forfeiting not only your life but your identity as well. You are no longer of the Empire and haven't been a citizen of Landis for quite some time. The brutal war has stolen both away from you, therefore I suppose you shall live whatever days may come as simply yourself untethered to any master.

[ For once, a smile actually graced Ondore's weathered face. It was a reserved smile but a smile nonetheless, one free from malice. ]

Do make sure to take care.

Neat. I'm still not sure yet what I'm looking for.

[strayspride]

[ Gabranth is rather suprised someone thinks he's earned anything other than the pointy end of a sword. Especially since he himself may or may not believe it as well. It is... almost disconcerting to hear someone speak of Landis so casually. It seems that even nineteen years has yet to soften the blow. But it is a pain he knows will fade in time. ]

Untethered, but–all willing–not adrift.

[ The smile is even more off-putting, and Gabranth feels terribly out of depth. Hatred he can revel in, so long as it forces such feelings away from Lord Larsa. Disgust and deprecation he can bear; they are familiar bedfellows. But this absent malice, this goodwill, is foreign to him.

And there is still a small part of him that desperately wants it. ]

As should you, Marquis. [ a pause ] May things go well with you.

Lemme know where you may go!

[cloudborne]

[ To be quite fair, only in those within the political arena could speak so causally about the events that transpired nineteen years ago. However, in the heart of the people such events are still quite taboo to mention. This open wound that Gabranth bears won't close so easily and nor should it. ]

You have my sincere thanks, Gabranth. I do hope this shan't be the last I see of you. I certainly do plan to pass such news to Sir Ronsenberg shall fate allow it.

[ There's been enough malice and hatred, haven't there? Such primal hate had torn Ivalice asunder one too many times. The gentle Marquis doesn't plan to continue the cycle. ]

Although, I do believe it would be wiser to keep such news secret to only a few. I trust your puppeteer shall treat you well.

Will do! :3

[strayspride]

[ It is likely true. Gabranth had made a better judge than he had politician, before judge mean something more than a keeper of the law. Regardless, this whole... conversation has been more a balm than Ondore likely knows.

He may have a slight smile of his own. ]

We may indeed meet again; stranger things have come to pass in our world.

[ A nod of acknowledgement, and a moment of quiet. ]

I- I would ask that you not burden Basch with such news, though I am grateful of your willingness to do so.

[ Let Basch rest secure in his death, and not force his brother to dwell on past regrets.

It is less difficult to put aside conflicted feelings of the dead than it is to so of the living. ]

My puppeteer is most accommodating, though she has that damnable way of sitting silently while projecting the smug air of "I know something you do not".

[cloudborne]

Ah, I see. Then my lips are most certainly sealed for I'll honor your wish for as long as I can grant.

[ Ondore is no heckling hen, he'll take this secret to his grave if need be. ]

Is she now? That same flair for arrogance you speak of is quite prevalent in the one who plays me in this daunting role. However if I do state, my puppeteer is a tad...clumsy at times. I find myself worrying more for her health than for my own fate.

[ He sighs and shakes his head. ]

I wonder, how is it possible for the two of us to find ourselves with such people? I consider my puppeteer as a minstrel of some kind. She's quite clever with her words.

[strayspride]

You have my gratitude, Marquis.

[ That places him above, oh, almost everyone else in Ivalice except Lord Larsa. He loves his brother, but Basch was ever a mother hen. ]

It is ill-advised to disregard one's health. [ This coming from the guy who got his ribs crushed in. ] My puppeteer would similarly be suited to take more care, though she is not as neglectful as some.

[ He does the Gabranth version of a shrug, which is really more of a lineface. ]

Mine is less clever, though she has her good points. I suppose whoever decides to place us in such hands as these does so for their own amusement. I could hardly find a more dissimilar mind that still knows and understands mine as intimately.

[ A sigh ]

Often, far more intimately than I would like.