[ action/video ]

[strays-pride.livejournal.com]

[ There's a man standing who looks rather disoriented and out of place in the business district of Lindblum. He's leaning heavily on what appears to be a staff, and his gauntlet-ed hand is clutching a couple of gyshal pickles which he is eying oddly. He also seems to be either unaware or distinctly ignoring the smell that allowed for the large space around him. Or, that could simply be because he looks to be in pieces. He fiddles with a 'skyphone' device he'd received from the moogles. ]

[ It had been a couple of days since the moogles had found him near-dead. It was rather sad, Noah thought, that the only species he'd done nothing against were the little pompom'd people. Grateful, nonetheless, that they'd helped get him back on his feet, even if he couldn't remember everything that had happened before.]

[The video was zoomed up close on Gabranth's face face, and a small, dark-red spot was coagulating at the right-hand corner of his lip.  He seemed somewhat off, like he was hunched over, unusual in a man who'd always had perfect posture.  He'd taken a bite out of one of the pickles, and after a quick jolt for the kick, a relaxed expression flashed across his face in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment before his expression hardlined again.]

As I am to understand, I've been transported to a world known as 'Gaia'. I seem to have arrived here in Lindblum.

[ His face seemed to twitch a moment, as if the next thought that came to his head is rather revolting. It morphs into a small, self-deprecating smirk. ]

My most sincere apologizes to those among you who are disappointed. It appears that I get rather cheated out of everything, death included.

[ A drop of blood drips down from the corner of his mouth. ]

Comments

[video]

[trinitycrusades.livejournal.com]

Then you know of Memoria. [It isn't a question.] Yes, I was with her and with the Captain when we were made to experience one another's memories. I admit, I was surprised to learn he and you were brothers, but seeing you again, I can see the resemblance.

[Cecil regards him with a thoughtful frown. He's clearly not sure what to make of Gabranth, whether he's enemy or friend or neither, but he wants to give him the benefit of the doubt. His loss had grieved Basch greatly, and Cecil knows better than anyone blood ties are more important than past allegiances.]

[video]

[strays-pride.livejournal.com]

Indeed. There was once a te when we could seldom be told apart, though those who knew us well could discern the subtleties.

[An awkward pause.] I hope you have been doing well after the ordeal. Sometimes there is much that would be better left in the past, and to know it again before one's eyes can be difficult.

[It was nice, in a way, to see again those he'd known in the war of the gods. But he'd made a fair number of mistakes then as well, and to know someone so fully a part of the light who likely knew of his poor choices and actions in both of his 'lives' was rather disconcerting, in a similar way to how he felt under his brother's scrutiny. He shifts his weight self-consciously and glances down at his feet.]

[video]

[trinitycrusades.livejournal.com]

I... Yes, I am fine, thank you.

[The kindness behind Gabranth's words surprises Cecil. Although his memories of the war of the gods are hazy after almost two decades, what Cecil remembered of Gabranth was that he was a man filled with rage and hatred. Not so different from the god of discord himself, in that respect. Whatever has happened since then, the man has changed, seemingly for the better.]

Not all of the memories we relived were things we wished to forget. I experienced my wedding day, and Basch saw happy memories of you. He will be glad to see you once more.

[video]

[strays-pride.livejournal.com]

I am glad that not all you experienced was difficult.

[Noah notes the surprise on Cecil's face but does not acknowledge it. He'd been a much different man. Near death could dothat to you, he supposed. When Basch's meeting is brought up, he cannot help but look away. His voice softens to a quiet tone.]

I hope so.

[video]

[trinitycrusades.livejournal.com]

I believe so. I know little of the relationship or history between your brother and you, but as they say, blood runs thicker than water. If Memoria showed me anything about Basch, it is that he cares for you.

[Cecil would even go as far as to say 'He grieved for you.' But he doesn't, being unsure whether Gabranth has knowledge of his own death or not.]

[video]

[strays-pride.livejournal.com]

But is it enough? I have far too much to atone for, much less to be forgiven of. [As much as he's trying to hide it and staunchly ignoring it, there is an almost desperate taint to his voice]

I would not presume to ask more than he could give. I have taken enough from him already.

[Basch had seemed genuinely concerned, and that 'foolish' part of him that he's been constantly trying to ignore is still desperately hoping, but Noah is a little too afraid to trust.]

And call me Noah, please.

[video | private]

[trinitycrusades.livejournal.com]

Very well, Noah.

[Cecil inclines his head, and says nothing for a moment. This situation is suddenly an all too familiar one. Then he changes the conversation to a private feed; what he's about to discuss is deeply personal.]

You are familiar with my brother, yes? [He looks back at the camera, expression grave. Golbez isn't someone he discusses often; most people back on his home world are still clueless on the relationship between the two of them, even after all this time.] Seventeen years ago, he committed a great many sins. Against myself, against my friends, against my kingdom... against the world itself.

...Yet I forgave him. He was my only living family, my own flesh and blood. He was remorseful, as you are, and sought to right his wrongs. At first I found it difficult to accept at first, but in the end, I decided he deserved forgiveness. Just as whether you are deserving of forgiveness is something Basch must decide.

[video | private]

[strays-pride.livejournal.com]

Golbez, yes? Isn't his real name Theodore or something similar...[Noah shakes his head] Whatever, that isn't important.

[He listens quietly as Cecil discusses his forgiveness of his brother, and can't help but feel happy for the man. Golbez had been genuinely searching for an end and peace for the worlds during he brief time he knew him.]

Perhaps... It's just... and truly, I know that your brother's wrongs were not small ones... It had always seemed to me that he was not entirely responsible for the actions he took. There was another, one who sought to control his mind, yes?

I don't have that. I live with the fact that, with full awareness of what I was doing, [and maybe Vayne had given him no choice in the matter, but he could have done... There must have been something] I committed a heinous crime against one I knew as my twin, and all that he stood for, and all that we had once stood for, to further the ends of one who sought evil. I never desired it, not even then, but I did it anyway, and I rationalised it, and twisted it in a way that I could find satisfaction in it.... I just don't know, Cecil. I just don't know.

[Basch knew some of this, and it wasn't like Noah to share his feelings. This was Cecil, and if anyone in the worlds knew how to turn their life around it was the dark knigt cum paladin. And it was a great risk, to share this much, but... Really, what choice did he have?]

[video | private]

[trinitycrusades.livejournal.com]

[Cecil is surprised Gabranth knows so much about his brother, though he doesn't comment.]

His mind was controlled, yes. But...

[Part of it was resentment of Cecil. Resentment of him was what drove him to abandon his younger brother, and to let Zemus control his mind at all. His mind was clouded by hate.]

Listen, Noah. Whether you were fully responsible for your actions or not... You are still remorseful. You regret what you did, and seek to mend what ills you caused your brother. That is enough to deserve forgiveness.

Do not dwell on a past that cannot be erased; seek instead to change your future, and change it for the better.

[video | private]

[strays-pride.livejournal.com]

[Noa listens thoughtfully, and is a bit taken aback by the emotion and firmness behind Cecil's voice. Age has done him well, and it is his words that help him face this new struggle ahead.]

I... I will strive to do so.

And thank you, Cecil.

[For many things, for being there for Basch, for being willing to share his own struggles, for giving Noah a chance... For many things]