Onward to Zanarkand? [audio]

[nethi-cite.livejournal.com]

[After being carelessly dropped against the wooden floor, the video flickers on with bits of static filtering into it. However, any onlooker wouldn't be too impressed with the video of this message since the sky phone is tilted towards the ceiling of this modest little shack.]

Honestly, where did I put that map? [Doesn't this man sound vaguely familiar to you? Without that phony Rozarrian accent, dear ol' Doctor Cidolfus could he heard fishing about within his study in search of that said map. Between a few curses and swears based upon the Holy Father's name until he finally finds it.]

Ah, so I didn't lose it after all. Fate must be smiling upon me.

[A rustle or two could be heard here and there as he unfurled the map.]

There! This map truly does lead to Zanarkand's Ruins but I wonder if that treasure the moogle spoke of is real. I would be a fool to head there on my own but I cannot pass up such adventure.

I wonder, what truly lies there? Probably fiends. I doubt there is anything worth treasure in Zanarkand, but then again…perhaps I could find another piece of stone like this one.

[The audio goes quiet here but only for a few seconds before the doctor lets out an sigh.]

Auracite, was it? More like a mere trinket if you were to ask me, milord. This thing is useless; it cannot recharge itself like the nethicite, so its powers drain quite easily. However, he did state that he figured the auracite to similar to nethicite in some ways…

[The audio times out with the doctor muttering to himself, all too low to be captured by the sky phone’s recording.]

Comments

[voice]

[nethi-cite.livejournal.com]

[Congrats, Larsa. You've nearly made the old doctor jump out of his skin!]

W-who's there!?

[voice]

[nethi-cite.livejournal.com]

A ghost, you claim? If that be true, I would peg you to be Venat.

[Searching for the origins of this voice, the doctor nearly steps upon his sky phone with a loud 'CRUNCH'.] O' dearest me, if this damned thing broke--[The audio goes dead for a few minutes before clicking on once more.]

Ah, I think it works now. [Ahem] What is it you want, Larsa? You usually don't make social calls.

[voice - filitered line]

[nethi-cite.livejournal.com]

[Realizing that the boy must have heard this ramblings, Cidolfus lets out a deep sigh.]

So I take you heard all that, little emperor? [Groans!] I hate these blasted phones!

[Grumbling something about the lack of privacy, the doctor finally gets on cue.]

Yes, yes. I spoke of auracite, but why the interest? Its a useless stone, one that seems to be a remnant of your brother's fondness for research. It was Vayne who given it to me.

[voice - filitered line]

[nethi-cite.livejournal.com]

It's useless, Larsa. I've had little success with this stone-like gem ever since Vayne given it to me.

I suppose my days a researcher might be numbered if I cannot solve such a riddle now.

[voice - filitered line]

[nethi-cite.livejournal.com]

Oh? You want to persist in such folly?

[Taking a moment to glance at the useless stone, Cidolfus finally gives his answer to the young chemist.]

Suit yourself! I'll send it to Narshe right away.

[voice - filitered line]

[nethi-cite.livejournal.com]

Do as you wish regarding the stone for I care not. I certainly do not plan on continuing with my research of this flimsy gem, but if you desire it--perhaps I could lend you some of the notes I have so far.

I hope you'll be more prosperous than I.

[Audio]

[lionsguard.livejournal.com]

[ Have a passionate and very much outspoken lady knight who knows no good can come of this, dammit, and would sooner say something than nothing to the "crazy old fool" as Balthier called him. ]

You, ser, would do well to heed my words and rid yourself of that vile stone ere something worse than death itself befall you.

[Audio]

[nethi-cite.livejournal.com]

[What in the world? Is this auracite testimony? Goodness, she sounds quite livid with him.]

So this little stone is vile, eh? It seems we both agree on something, its as useless as a pebble!

[Audio]

[lionsguard.livejournal.com]

Would that it were so. If it is, all the better.

Naught but evil may come from stones such as that.

[audio ]

[nethi-cite.livejournal.com]

[Now gaining a tad bit of curiosity about these stones, Cidolfus decides to listen.]

Shh! Let the Lady speak.

[Audio]

[lionsguard.livejournal.com]

[ And it is now that Agrias thinks that perhaps she should have listened to Balthier, but she can scarcely turn back, and they might yet listen. They might yet hear and heed her words and spare themselves. They might. ]

I know more than I would of auracite had the choice been mine to make. It is with shame I admit they are a product borne of the world from which I hail. In the kingdom of Ivalice, they are fashioned 'Holy Stones' by the dominant religious authority... but there is nothing 'holy' about them. They bring naught but death to those who would seek their power and worse to those who acquire it....

[ She remembers. ]

If you must, look to this 'nethicite' or some other form of magicite to suit your needs, but to this, I pray you pay no heed. There are worse things than death, my lords, and you know not with which you trifle.

[Audio]

[nethi-cite.livejournal.com]

...I'll be quite honest with you both, I rather not die again. Therefore, to hell with the auracite for all I care. It sounds far too suspicious to me, just like the damned nethicite.

[audio - filtered]

[nethi-cite.livejournal.com]

You still want that thing?! Honestly, you've grown to become too bold for your own good.

No matter, you want it? Then you shall have it, but do not come crying to me when you die untimely demise.

[audio - filtered]

[nethi-cite.livejournal.com]

[If only you could see the good doctor now, Larsa. He's beyond shocked to hear such wayward conviction from the likes of you.]

Surely, my trials and tribulations regarding the nethicite has not blinded you from the truth. While I will not try to convince you otherwise regarding the auracite, do be mindful that I lost more than I can ever gain again for my follies.

Are you certain you bear such a price for power and knowledge? I do not speak of your wealth, but rather of your health.

Lose yourself as I did, and you'll never be the same.

[Audio]

[lionsguard.livejournal.com]

Then you are a wise man, ser, and may yet live a long, full life.

[Audio]

[nethi-cite.livejournal.com]

Wise? Such wisdom didn't come in years, but rather in endless mistakes.

You have my thanks nonetheless.

[Audio]

[lionsguard.livejournal.com]

[ Perhaps, he says. Perhaps indicates doubt, and doubt? Oh, she would not be doubted, not about this. Were he any other man, she would have lashed out, her tongue unbridled, at that very instant and -- and it is his station that stays such an action upon her part, but not the chill that accompanies words hardened with experience. ]

I would just as soon you not become a vessel to any such demon as I have faced, my lord. I am sure Ser Gabranth would feel much the same were he privy to this conversation.

[ That should be enough, but she hesitates. For her pride? No, not for her pride, but for his sake. Should she win his rebuke for her words, so be it, but they shall not go unsaid. ]

Good men have fallen to their influence, Lord Larsa. Strong men, leaders of men... men I once respected and held in the utmost esteem. With other magicite, you are given a choice, but with this...

[audio]

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

You are acquainted with Auracite? I did not expect any in this land to be familiar with the stones.

[audio]

[nethi-cite.livejournal.com]

Oh? I take it that you are familiar with such oddities, yes?

[audio]

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

I am acquainted with the stones native to my land.

[voice]

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

Did you say auracite?

[Penelo really doesn't like to consider what this man's interest in it might be, given what it does to the Aegyl.]

[voice]

[nethi-cite.livejournal.com]

Yes, yes! I spoke of it, but such conversations regarding it seems to speak of it as a ill omen for men such as I.

I take it that you've had your own run-ins with such power.

[voice]

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

Well, I am a sky pirate.