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[scarletgriffon.livejournal.com]

[In the midst of one of Alfitaria's town squares lies a lad. His weapon, a greatsword of unknown make, comprised mainly of burnished gold and blue steel lies at his side neatly and almost as respectfully as if the youth is dead. Yet dead he is not; his armored chest rises and falls deeply. And he's snoring. Loudly. He doesn't seem to be in any discomfort or have any injuries at all. He's merely sleeping-- though his sleep is deep enough to warrant complete and total exhaustion.

A moogle holds the skyphone, placing it's little face into the screen.]

K-Kupo?! Wake up, Kupopo!
Hello? Does this child belong to anyone?

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[futurefab.livejournal.com]

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[scarletgriffon.livejournal.com]

[Since Alfitaria is quite a huge place, it maybe takes her about half an hour to an hour to find him-- currently perusing Rahal, and getting sidelined by a weapon shop's stock out of half-interest. By now, Rydia is absent, the youth requesting a bit of time to explore and to find his friend if he is here.

...Yet he's still a soldier. He lifts his head from the stock at just about the right moment to see a flash of black taffeta and red lace.]

...Curses!
The enemy knows my location!

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[futurefab.livejournal.com]

Excenmille M. Aurchiat! Don't think you can run away from me.

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[scarletgriffon.livejournal.com]

...!

[He narrows his eyes at the girl, not before looking for a way to flee. He's wondering if he can make it back to Rydia...]

What is it you want!? And how do you know my name?

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[futurefab.livejournal.com]

How would anyone in San d'Oria during the war not know the name of Count Alphonimille's headstrong boy who led the Young Griffons? I witnessed your lot running to and fro in front of the Lion's Springs day after day.

I'm not above using my dances to pin you where you are if you try to run. The people of Gaia don't need a boy running around causing mischief, on top of everything else.

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[scarletgriffon.livejournal.com]

[Unfortunately, this knight is not interested in dancers.]

...
Fine! Why are you even here?!

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[futurefab.livejournal.com]

Because someone needs to look after you before you get yourself killed. And I suppose it had better be me, seeing as I made San d'Oria my home as well.

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[scarletgriffon.livejournal.com]

...
[Hell to the what.]

You really think I need more elders meandering about me?

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[futurefab.livejournal.com]

It doesn't matter what you need, it's what you're going to get.



I know of the trouble your lot caused during the war; I won't let you roam around unwatched. If something were to happen there's no Count Alphonimille or Altennia to bail you out of trouble.

I'm not saying I'll keep you from doing things you wish to do. I'm simply saying I'll require you allow me to accompany you. So if, by some miracle, we ever make it home, I can still look your father in the eye.

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[scarletgriffon.livejournal.com]

My lot?! Take back those words, you brazen--

[There's a blink. and he abandons his fit for a moment, just to reach into his shirt. on a string formed from some jugner ivy, there's a certain signet ring, the one Alphonimille always used to wear. Needless to say, it's only around his neck because he can't wear it yet. It doesn't fit. On it is the crest of House Aurchiat. Being held on a string of all things isn't what it deserves, but it's all he can manage right now. He hasn't been back to the capital in months.]

...
You sha'nt have to worry for that. I am the count of House Aurchiat now.

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[futurefab.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry for your loss. The war has robbed everyone of much, and now you have even been robbed of your home. Let me help you find a way home, Count--one that's safe.

You... have something you wish to do there, don't you?

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[scarletgriffon.livejournal.com]

Hmph..

[He's half turned his back, arms folded up and face wearing an expression of absolute disgust. She really thinks that she can buy him over to her side with a chain, of all things? He's about to retort something about never having wanted her help in the first place but something about her expression, her words, her sincerity makes him refrain -- the past flashing before him. Altennia.

Excenmille! Must you always be so stubborn and unyielding?

...Must he?
He takes the chain, and then takes a few steps back. The first silvers of trust are obviously being displayed at the girl's kindness.]

...You have my thanks.
Yes. There is something. I wish to weaken the orcish empire. Nay-- I wish to cripple them; to put them in a state where they are no longer capable of even producing armies of the like we have seen invade San d'Orian lands. Operations within Quon and Mindartia barely scratch the surface. Upon the continent of Rhozawa... That is where the orcish emperor, his guard, his kingdom resides. I wish to take the Cardinal Stags and utterly destroy the nation from within, eliminating all clans at the root. I have to do this. Otherwise it'll merely be a small number of years before more come from beyond the sea.

[He raises his head.]

...Hah. If there is a safe way... I would ask your help.

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[futurefab.livejournal.com]

I lost my father as well when I was your age.



As of late we have been working to stop a man named Garland. I imagine he's something like this world's version of the Shadow Lord, as everyone is uniting against him. There are lands here from Vana'diel, some you might not have even seen before. I can take you there, I can introduce you to my allies, and we can uncover answers together.

You've a good head on your shoulders. I wish to ensure it stays there. I have another duty to attend in a couple of days, but you enjoy fishing, do you not? Perhaps you would enjoy seeing what you can catch in Troia.

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[scarletgriffon.livejournal.com]

[He pauses at the girl's revelation, looking into the distance and raising his head just as fast. He's been trained since birth to not show emotion, after all. He looks at the ring for a good time though, until it's placed back where it came from. He almost recognizes that crest...]

...Aye. There are many that have, during this war. We are no different from anyone else.

[The crest is forgotten about as he's informed what exactly is going on.]

I...
I would like to offer my assistance against this Garland. But first I have to tell someone where I am headed. She found me when I arrived and--

[He scratches the top of his head. She was pretty nice to him. It'd be impolite to make her worry.]

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[futurefab.livejournal.com]

Of course.



If you'd like I can return to get you in a few days, when my task is completed?

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[scarletgriffon.livejournal.com]

[W-what's she smiling like... that for? He looks around to see if someone is behind him, and then turns and gives her quite a quizzical little expression. ...But. There's something of importance he has to tell her. No, ask her.]

...On one condition.
If you see someone with hair the colour of mine, yet shorter... in the same uniform as this, would you bring him here? I fear he may be injured.

[...Or worse. Despite his age, he's no fool. He's come to Gaia thinking of nothing but finding Rahal. Some part of him hopes that the other was in range of the spell that took him here. If Lilisette, on her task, ran across him... or used any of her said allies to keep their eyes open... it's more ground to cover. And he is not losing Rahal like he did Machegue.]

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[futurefab.livejournal.com]

You refer to General--

You speak of your friend, Rahal, correct? I will look for him, though I'm uncertain as to whether he would be taken as well. But, if you're worried for him... I believe you needn't be. I know for a fact that he will survive the war.

Cyranuce, Bistillot, and Rholont as well. You need not worry about any of them.