purrtagonist | [empatheias ic contact]

It's...not whatever that thing is. This is a memstone.

[And since he doesn't know, she pushes a button on the underside, and an image springs up of several people. No bigger than a photograph, but more like a hologram.

She points to each figure in turn.]

My friends and I. We took this shortly after our victory, to celebrate. Myself and my partner, Vaan. Balthier and Fran, two pirates like us. The Captain of the Knights of Dalmasca, Basch. And then these two. [Her fingers linger on the young boy and on the human woman.]

My Queen, Ashe. And the now Emperor of Archades, Larsa. Our fight was to put Ashe on the throne where she belonged, and to help Larsa take his from his brother...who had conquered our home.

[oh. . . oh! huh. well, that's new. but he's learning new things every day here, and he's taking them all in stride. it's not very different than a holographic photograph, anyway]

[he listens to her explanation, occasionally taking sips of his coffee as he does so, mouth curving into a small smile. she has quite the group of friends, and if she's anything like him, she probably misses them dearly]

And from their new positions of power, they'll change the world for the better, right?

[it reminds him a bit of Yoshida, who fought so hard to get elected so he could enact policies to protect the young and weak. as distrustful as he is of government and those in power. . . it's nice, he thinks, to know there are good people who can enact change from them if they're given the chance]

Of course.

[She flips to an image of Larsa alone, the young Emperor seated on his throne. He's twelve, maybe thirteen, but everything about him is regal and in control. Kind, sweet...and an idealist to boot.]

Larsa mostly. Archades is the largest empire in Ivalice, and with him instead of Vayne in charge peace is assured. Archadian forces withdrew from Dalmasca the day Larsa ascended, and that just left Ashe to take her throne back. She's...got a lot of rebuilding to do, but it'll be good for Dalmasca.

[Chuckling to herself, she closes down the stone.]

That's all any of us wanted. Peace, freedom from tyranny, and our home back. It's why I can't say I fully distrust the government, but I've seen leadership at it's best.

[. . . they really are awfully similar, aren't they? his eyes slip shut and he smiles, a pleasant warmth suddenly overtaking the atmosphere. she would've made a great phantom thief]

Thank you for sharing that with me.

[he eventually says as he opens his eyes]

It must be tough for you to be here, then. I'm sure you'd rather be with your friends, helping them rebuild the society you saved.

Hah. It's fine, I don't mind sharing this stuff. It's not like I have a big secret.

[Not really. There are so many people like her here. Still, she finds herself smiling, the air filling with the sweet scent of galbana lilies. Soft, pleasant, almost like a mango flower.]

And honestly I'd rather be home adventuring, more than anything. Our plan was to delve for treasure to help the kingdom rebuild, though. Sitting around here's tough, I admit. I'm not used to sitting still.

No wonder you seemed so excited about fighting monsters earlier.

[catching bounties was kind of like adventuring and treasure hunting all in one, wasn't it?]

[It was. That was how a lot of funding came into their war chest too.]

Yep. It's fun, too. And nostalgic.

[it's definitely how the Phantom Thieves funded their exploits, that's for sure]

And a little nostalgia probably goes a long way when you're so far from home.

You get me.

[She smiles fondly into her cup.]

But then I'm sure you're the same.

[he doesn't answer immediately, a thoughtful look crossing his expression. but eventually, he nods]

I am, in a way.

Only three members of my team made it here with me. The other four are still missing in action.

Futaba and...Queen?

[She hadn't actually gotten a name out of the older of the two woman, but Futaba had been quite chatty.]

Didn't think to ask for her proper name.

I'd give it to you, but-- [a shake of his head] -- that's something Queen should do herself.

[respect for the code names]

I wasn't asking. It's her identity.

[A pleasant smile.]

Who's the third?

[another pause as he debates what name to give out, but in the end. . .! in the end he opts for the real one, not the code name]

My best friend, Ryuji. Blond hair, kind of vulgar, very loud? You can't miss him.

Oh him? Seriously? Haha!

[A thief? that guy?]

I painted on his face during the festival.

Believe it or not; he's actually very good at what he does, first impressions aside.

[someone doesn't waste any time in complimenting his teammates, huh]

. . . wait, actually-- what'd you paint on his face?

[he's curious]

Hah, I...actually don't remember.

[Mostly because that thread never finished.]

He said do something cool though, so that.

That sounds like Ryuji.

[always wanting to look cool, that one]

For the future: skulls and bones motifs fit him very well.

If I have the chance to paint him again, I will.

[Though...who knows.]

The people you're missing. What are they like?

[who knows!!]

Ah, well. . .

[man. where does he even start?]

Morgana is a cat-like creature, although he vehemently denies being a cat. [he smiles in fond amusement as he recalls every one of Morgana's huffy reactions to being called a cat] He lives with me, is a little bossy, and absolutely loves fish and sushi. But more important than any of that is his heart-- he fights for what he believes in, no matter what.

Ann is one of my classmates, and a model. She's-- [a breath] -- stunningly gorgeous, but the most beautiful thing about her is her kindness. She's thoughtful, caring, and very determined. She's always trying to improve herself, even though I think she's perfect the way she is.

[not that he would ever stop her from wanting to be a better person, though. that drive is part of what makes Ann, Ann]

Yusuke goes to a neighboring school, but he's a very talented artist with a lot of passion. He seeks out the beauty in the world, and finds it in the rarest, most precious of places. He has a lot of heart, too. And is sort of eccentric.

[NOT THAT THAT WAS A BAD THING; in fact, it was one of the things Akira liked most about Yusuke. perhaps it was that eccentricity that helped him see the world the way that he did]

And finally, Haru's an heiress to a large food company that owns several chain restaurants, but she doesn't let that go to her head. She has dreams of running a small coffee shop. She's kind and thoughtful and. . . [well. now he's thinking about all those conversations they've had in Mementos, where Haru babbled off some innocent line about enjoying the thrill of cutting down their enemies while lovingly holding her axe] A little scary when she wants to be, honestly.

[glances over at Penelo again, brow arched]

I'd talk more about those you've already met, but I think I might just bore you if you let me go on.

[These all sound like very nice people. She bobs her head along happily, committing names to memory, in case they turn up in the next month. Easier to direct them to Akira that way.]

I think it'd be best if I got to know them on my own, actually. The same way I'm getting to know you, Akira.

I suppose me telling you about them second-hand doesn't have quite the same effect as you getting to know them yourself.

[he says, a teasing lilt in his voice]

Not...quite no.

[She grins back.]

I'll look forward to getting to know them better.

[empatheias ic contact]

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