purrtagonist | [empatheias ic contact]

[Please say he has the dick chariot. This is important to me.]

[She actually...looks a little baffled by that. Genuinely confused, because...]

Wait. I...don't even know what that form is?

[Like, she's never been near bureaucracy before. Except that time she was almost arrested.]

[UNFORTUNATELY (??) HE DOES NOT. but he does have Lucifer, so. . .]

Ah. . . the response of someone who has never had to deal with bureaucratic red tape.

Stay that way.

[he looks VERY serious when he says that]

[Son I am disappoint.]

Not much bureaucracy can do for pirates and orphans. So...yeah.

[Grinning, she takes another sip and chuckles.]

Not fond of governments, either are you?

[ha! it must be a thief thing, because her question is right on the money]

Mmm. I'm not. There isn't much a bureaucracy can do for the weak and exploited in society, either.

[. . . at least, that's how he had come to see society, after his arrest and prosecution. but]

But if the right people are in it, then I do at least believe that can change.

I agree.

[She hums thoughtfully, fishing around in her pocket for something.]

On Ivalice, corrupt leadership nearly tore the world part. My friends and I fought to put someone worthy on the throne.

[Her eyes shine a little as she manages to pluck out a small, round disc. About the size of a CD.]

Want to see a picture or two? My Memstone still works here.

[he blinks in surprise at the CD, immediately making the connection in his mind to--]

I don't think they have DVD players here.

[-- something familiar! and. something she has probably never heard of, oops]

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?

[empatheias ic contact]

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