Week four

[letsplayamod]

Two more of your fellow gods, your companions, your friends, have met their end together. As you turn in for the night, and a new week dawns upon you, it's starting to be a bitter experience. Just how much of this will you be forced to take?

But all isn't just despair. The morning is brighter than the last. The storm clouds that previously plagued almost every day have dissipated, and this week brings plenty of sun and a friendlier breeze. Not to mention, another floor of this strange temple has revealed itself. Whatever lies within is your domain, not Typhon's. Keep it tight in your grasp, because you never know when you'll lose it.

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Quark's Bar

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[markofnobility]

Oh, does it?

[He's always curious about similarities between Fodlan and the others' homes]

[stringup]

Yeah. [ Right, what the least complicated way of explaining this. ] Where I'm from, people who receive a god's power are called the Exalted. But the ones most people back home would know are the Dragonblooded, who are people who inherited the blood of dragons and awaken to it.

...Most of them are Dynasts—imperial nobles, basically.

[markofnobility]

So they receive a blessing from their blood... I suppose that is very similar. Though I am not related to any dragons as far as I know!

[Ha ha that would be silly!]

[stringup]

Good, because if you were, it'd be fucking uncanny.

Frankly, I'm not sure how literal it's meant to be, but it is passed down through bloodlines. And in any case, they're supposedly descended from the original warriors who received blood from the Five Elemental Dragons.

[markofnobility]

From past heroes as well... it really is a bit eerie, isn't it?

[He rubs the side of his head in a common tic, thinking]

Velvet... you are an Exalted as well, yes?

[he knows her statue stats pretty well]

[stringup]

...Yes, I am.

[ If she had wanted to hide that fact, the statue obliterated all chance of it. ]

[markofnobility]

And being an Exalted is a gift from the gods?

[As she just said]

[stringup]

You could say it's receiving their blessing, yes.

[ Hm. Where could this conversation possibly be going,,, ]

[markofnobility]

I see.

[He's just figuring out 'those beings' that want to destroy life are probably a god or gods. That's fine. He is not afraid to fight a god. He nods to himself as if deciding something.]

[stringup]

[ Velvet is internally sweating because she can just tell Ferdinand has some kind of Idea in his head and she's not sure she likes it. Especially when he is smiling like that. ]

...If there's something you really want to know, you can just ask me.

[markofnobility]

For now it is not something to worry about. One problem at a time. I am simply thinking for the future.

[stringup]

...Alright.

[ She won't press him on it this time, at least.

("The future", like it's a strongly possible one.) ]

Just...don't do anything reckless, okay?

[markofnobility]

...I will not do anything I do not think I can succeed at.

[stringup]

Weren't you the one who said there's nothing you can't overcome with enough time and effort?

[markofnobility]

Exactly!

[ he gives his usual bright grin... but it fades a bit as he thinks. The sacred shield appearing feels like an omen. A sign.

There are battles ahead of him. And pure optimism was not enough anymore]

... of course, if that was true I would not be here.

[stringup]

...You said you had fallen in battle, right?

[ Mostly she just remembers how alarmed she was when she heard that he took Athena's offer in exchange for his life. ]

[markofnobility]

I did, yes. I was sent to defend a bridge- a very important strategic point that if lost would turn the tide in our foes' favor after nearly five years of the lines barely moving.

... I think, when Hubert handed me the orders, that he knew I would likey not return. But what else was there to do? If I could not hold it who could?

It must seem cowardly, buckling at the end and selling my honor for my life. Not much of a god of loyalty.

[stringup]

[ It's almost funny that he's saying this to her, considering she basically made the same choice but on far worse terms than Athena ever offered any of them, she imagines. She wants to point it out, but it doesn't feel especially productive right now.

After a moment of biting her lower lip, she finally asks, ]

Would that loyalty have been returned?

[markofnobility]

[ he opens his mouth to claim of course it was. But she was honest with him before, he can at least try and express that doubt in his heart.]

Hubert, our tactician... we were friends, I think. Maybe... if the war was won I thought that, perhaps... well. There may be something to look forward to there, under peace.

[ what that 'something to to look forward to' could have been is left unspoken, but the hurt look in his eyes says enough]

But with that mission I finaly fully realized the truth of it. I would never be the priority over the cause. For him or the Emperor. I thought I had accepted that years ago. But when Athena came I... suppose I could no longer deny the reality of it all.

I do not blame them. In war men are disposable. That is just the way of it.

[stringup]

[ Ah, the part of her that served the Lover for nearly four years thinks, So it was love. Of course it was. As always, it lay at the root of all suffering and delusion.

She has to remind herself to shake off the thought like a bad habit. And honestly, if she thinks that, then doesn't that make her the bigger fool here? ]

...Well, even if you don't blame them, would you call the others who took this second chance cowardly?

[markofnobility]

What- no! Of course not!

[stringup]

So why do you get to be called a coward but not them?

[markofnobility]

Because I already knew and understood my possble fate! Dying for the crown is a duty every noble must be prepared for!

[ something his father and his peers very clearly did not believe. But Ferdinand was better. HAD to be better]

[stringup]

[ ...This is a dangerous thing for her to say, she realises, but she also means it. And she sincerely finds herself hating what she's hearing. ]

Then I'll be selfish and say I'm glad you took Athena's offer.

[markofnobility]

[ that strikes him silent. Eyes too wide... and slowly filling up with tears. Saints, how pathetic, his inner critic sighs, that all it takes to crumble his ideals is someone wanting him to exist. Not for his blood or his skill. Just... him.

He can't help but be so happy]

Ha... and you still wonder why my feelings have kindled like they have, saying such a thing?