[Action in Lindblum (I think?)]

[dualcast]

[Anyone could be forgiven for thinking there wasn't a forest full of the birds at the base of Mount Ordeals with how Porom's been jumping at every little sound and demanding to know if Ursula thinks it's a chocobo. Apparently, hearing that they're expected back soon only managed to make her fret more. Which is quite the achievement, considering how much she was fretting already. In fact, she's so busy wondering if non-chocobo-related sounds are chocobos that she almost manages to miss their actual return.

Almost.

It's probably a good thing that she managed to get some rest and that wearing herself out isn't an immediate danger anymore. Because, well. Doublecasting curaja before actually checking if anyone's injured.]

Comments

[rebornaninsect.livejournal.com]

He wishes to see this through, no doubt. If there is any help he can give, he will.

[He can't say that he's affected by the loss to those who were fighting Garland, but he understands what Cecil must be feeling. His voice is solemn when he replies.] Thus is the price of war.

[petalwhirlwind.livejournal.com]

[She nods, unable to disagree with that.]

I know, but dwelling on what should have been won't get us anywhere. We'll just have to continue with what needs to be done...and she'll join us, when she's returned.

[lunarianlegacy.livejournal.com]

[He pauses, then withdraws enough to place his hands on Ursula's shoulders. She deserves to know the rest.]

She was trying to protect Lufene.

[trinitycrusades.livejournal.com]

It never becomes any less of a terrible price, even after witnessing all the wars that we have.

[He shakes his head, weary. He just feels tired at this point, wishes for nothing more than the world to return to peace. This confrontation was supposed to have been the last.]

But they say death is not permanent on Gaia. There's a chance those who die are given life anew. [And while he isn't sure if Gaia would be better without Lufene, if there's a chance Lilisette might return to them... he's willing to believe in that.]

[rebornaninsect.livejournal.com]

You have not become numb to the horrors of battle. It is proof of your good heart, Brother. [He hasn't taken part in this battle, not because he's too tired of it, but because he feels that fighting this evil is not his place. Still, he's weary of battle.]

Is that so? Through what method?

[trinitycrusades.livejournal.com]

Becoming numb to it is an incredibly dangerous thing... Most of all for a leader. [Cecil knows that well enough from experience. Both when he was a dark knight and when controlled by the Maenads, he had lost sight of what a horrific thing it was to kill or bid others to kill.]

They speak of a tree on this world, where the dead are able to reappear into life. Had I more memories of my previous stay on Gaia, I would be able to tell you more, but that is all I know.

[rebornaninsect.livejournal.com]

[Golbez simply nods agreement. He is numb himself to so much of the suffering of others. It is the reason he knows he is still capable of doing so many horrors.]

It is enough that it will allow me to search out more information on it.


Cecil...I have a request for you.

[trinitycrusades.livejournal.com]

[He looks surprised, since Golbez has never really requested anything of him before. But he quickly nods.]

Yes? Anything, brother.

[rebornaninsect.livejournal.com]

Golbez was the name Zemus gave when I fell under his control. Even if I am not absolved of the crimes I committed under his control... I am no longer his servant.

[He looks Cecil in the face.] If you so wish, then you may call me Theodor, instead.

[trinitycrusades.livejournal.com]

[Cecil's eyes widen, and his first response is just silence. Whatever he expected to hear, it had never been that. Hoped for it, maybe, when he named his own son with that same name, but seventeen years is a long time to hope.

Finally he speaks, hesitant.]

Are you sure?

[rebornaninsect.livejournal.com]

Yes.

[Golbez's- Theodor's- gaze doesn't waver from Cecil's face. He's spent a lot of time thinking about this, and he never says something he is uncertain of. Especially not in this situation.]

[trinitycrusades.livejournal.com]

[Cecil's face breaks into a smile -- a genuine smile, his sombre mood temporarily forgotten.] ...As you wish, Theodor.

[There would be brohugs, if he wasn't so absurdly large. As it is, Cecil settles for taking one of his hands and clasping it in his -- like brothers. Like he has for Kain and Yang and anyone else close to him, countless times before.]

Do you know what they say your name means? Rosa looked it up, while she and I were choosing a name for Ceodore.

[rebornaninsect.livejournal.com]

[He just nods and is mostly willing to brush the moment aside, though he does accept the hand clasp from Cecil.]

I have never heard it.

[trinitycrusades.livejournal.com]

Apparently, it means 'a gift of the gods'. [He releases his hand and steps back.] Rosa and I both found it fitting.

[rebornaninsect.livejournal.com]

... I see. A good name for your son, then.

[trinitycrusades.livejournal.com]

But we would not have chosen it, had it not belonged to you first. The meaning was secondary.

[rebornaninsect.livejournal.com]

I... am honored.

[lunarianlegacy.livejournal.com]

[From where Ceodore and Ursula are having a rather serious discussion, it's still hard to miss that Porom was holding hands. With the Warrior. Ceodore grins a little, nudges Ursula, then tosses in his two gil.]

Hey Porom, why didn't you tell us sooner?

[petalwhirlwind.livejournal.com]

[She stares at him, dumbfounded.]

What? Why?

[lunarianlegacy.livejournal.com]

I don't know; she never said. But... Garland did something to Lufene. It... it reminded me of Father when we reached the moon. It was like she was empty.

[His brow furrows, still trying to make sense of it all.]

I tried to shield them both.

[And failed utterly at that.]

[petalwhirlwind.livejournal.com]

Oh, Ceodore....

[She remembers that time well, when it seemed that nothing could be done about Cecil's awful zombie-like state. With that, she holds him tighter.]

[trinitycrusades.livejournal.com]

[Cecil smiles lightly.] You may not remember, but Ceodore was always fond of you in what time you had together on the Creator's moon. I think he'd appreciate it if you spoke more with him.

[rebornaninsect.livejournal.com]

It seemed so, when I spoke to him here of our heritage.

[lunarianlegacy.livejournal.com]

[He rests his forehead against Ursula's and sighs again, although he's drawing comfort from her being close.]

[trinitycrusades.livejournal.com]

He has our father's blood in him, of that there is no doubt. For one as young as he is, he has an ability the likes of which I've never seen.