[Phone Call; Basch fon Ronsenburg]

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

[Ring, ring~

This concerned Princess would like to talk with her Captain. Hopefully, young Larsa won't be in earshot once he answers.]

Comments

[bearitproudly.livejournal.com]

[Basch was just on his way to check on Larsa when his phone rang. Stopping where he was, he answered it.]

Yes?

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

Basch, it is I.

[What's this? She doesn't sound very sure of herself.]

Larsa, is he with you?

[bearitproudly.livejournal.com]

He is in another room.

[He's not used to hearing this tone of voice from her.]

Your Majesty... is something wrong?

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

[A small pause. She hasn't even voiced the worries she feels, and already he senses her unease. He always could read her like a book.]

Vaan spoke of having parted ways with you in Narshe. I... was concerned the people may not accept his return so readily, not after the events of his recent past.

[bearitproudly.livejournal.com]

They still might not. Some actions are not easily forgotten.

[From what he had heard regarding the issue, he wouldn't expect them to. An attempt on a life is not easily forgettable.]

Do you accept his return?

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

I accept that he knows nothing of what passed, and feels remorse nonetheless. By approaching the people he defied, he places himself in a vulnerable position.

...Do you plan to remain by his side?

[bearitproudly.livejournal.com]

Until such times are behind him, yes.

[Though Larsa isn't his main objective either. It's another chance to take care of things with Gabranth as well.]

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

I had expected no less.

[Hoped for no less. Although she is keen to see him again herself, Ashe knows the young Emperor could have no better, or more dedicated, protection.]

Watch over him, Basch. Larsa means well, yet he must not give his trust too readily.

[bearitproudly.livejournal.com]

I shall guard him with my life, just like I have you. He will receive no less.

Larsa is smart, but he still has much to learn.

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

Very well.

Be vigilant; speculation and uncertainty over these... Lucavi continue to grow.

[bearitproudly.livejournal.com]

As should you, Majesty.

Have you heard any recent news on the matter of these Lucavi?

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

The man named Ramza told me of his experience with the stones and the forces contained within. As I understand, they are similar to our Espers, even the names are one and the same. They seek to free their leader, Ultima. I have no explanation as to how this can be, lest the Espers are able to transcend worlds themselves...

The traders of Warjilis keep watch for any stone which may pass through our hands, though I am aware of none as yet.

[bearitproudly.livejournal.com]

Too many similarities.

Should any stone find itself where you are, dispose of it immediately.

[He still worries about you, Ashe.]

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

And more like them.

I would not claim any such stone, not knowing their dangers. Not now.

[She knows and appreciates his concern for her. Once, the princess might have desired stones of power, but not anymore.]

[bearitproudly.livejournal.com]

[These stones held too much power within them. They were too much like the Nethicite back on Ivalice, back when it caused more harm than good. He was concerned if they held that much power, though.]

It seems we are not the only things that were brought from Ivalice.

Be wary Majesty. Just because you would not claim it, does not mean someone else would not.

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

Not only they, but items and wares which appear at auction, chocobos, and in the deserts of Figaro, the very shadestones which once stood prominent in Giza Plains. Most startling of all is the displacement of locations. The Tomb of Raithwall lies here.

[Thankfully, her ancestor's perilous resting place is well protected. If only these Lucavi stones were similarly locked away...]

Someone else? You mean the very people to whom I have entrusted this task?

[bearitproudly.livejournal.com]

Hm. [It's unsettling to hear so many things from Ivalice were here. What was the point of having them all on Gaia?]

Perhaps. If such power resides in these stones, it would be hard to resist the temptation.