week 7

[airlockedmods]

[For the first time in several weeks there is no new memorial in the garden. No new body in the morgue, no bloody mess for the roombas to clean. Choromatsu is still in need of time to heal and constant vigilance but he's alive. They're all alive for once on a Sunday and, even with the terrible realizations their returning memories may bring, there's a sense of hope for the first time in a long time.

There is no new floor this week.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday



[ooc: Don't forget to to turn in your activity for week 6, submit your memory regains and put in your threads for the Benefactors!]

Comments

[serrata]

[ This sounds so cool. Like something right out of... well, a fantasy story. It's still so surreal to hear people talking their worlds so off-handedly when it sounds like they're spouting some chuunibyou ridiculousness.

... then again, Yuuri's story about the School Living Club's situation has probably sounded like the height of chuunibyou ridiculousness too, hadn't it? ]

It sounds like a much better way of getting around than just walking. Assuming you can do it without breaking both your arms, at least. Really, it's a shame there's no way for you to teach us while we're in here. It could be useful.

[ there's a beat and then she laughs. ]

Well-- no, I should admit, I'm interested less in it being useful and more in it sounding like a lot of fun.

[scourgingstars]

[Zombies, daemons, magic, robots--really, what was left to bother not believing?]

If I'm able to get enough of my powers back, you will. I'll teach as many of you that want to learn it. As long as you're able to practice the follow-through you won't break any bones like Izunia used to.

[Ardyn paused suddenly, like the half-second jolt one might feel if they missed a step on a flight of stairs.]

...The Crownsguard sharing the power of kings is all just a part of the role. That applies to the Kingsglaive particularly.

[serrata]

The Crownsguard... those are your knights? Or something like that.

[ She can guess from the context that it's probably close enough. Kingsglaive rings a bell -- she thinks they've talked about it before and she's sure she's heard Junpei and Church both tossing the word around between them. So, then... ]

Are the Kingsglaive something a little more important, then? Your personal guards?

[scourgingstars]

The Crownsguard are effectively the Lucian army, more or less. Among them, the ones kept nearest to the king are his glaives, ever at hand to guard and and fight with him.

[And sometimes, it came down to no more than three. He heard his own voice distantly, must be a fine feeling, having friends--felt a brief echo of something spiteful and envious.]

Among them the Shield of the King is a personal guard, as the name implies. It's a position that has existed since the founding of Lucis itself.

[serrata]

[ There's a pause -- and then she smiles, understanding gleaming in her eyes. ]

And that's what Church is for you. Your Shield.

[ A statement, not a question ]

When we were talking on Monday, just after I gave out all the bookmarks, he called himself your "Shield of the King".

[ it sounded gayer when church said it, she promises. ]

[scourgingstars]

[Ardyn laughed softly, running a hand through his hair.]

I was joking, the first time I called him that. But you're aware how foolish he can be--he simply took that and ran with it farther than I could stop him.

[Gladiolus petals. Of all things she could have chosen-]

...I suppose we both take it too seriously, now.

[serrata]

[ She shakes her head. 'Foolish' is the last thing she'd call it. ]

No, even if it was a joke, I don't think there's such a thing as taking it too seriously in a hellhole like this.

Everyone needs someone. I'm glad you've got someone like Church.

[scourgingstars]

[He just shrugged, smiling faintly and fidgeting idly with the ring on his right hand.]

...I have all of you, not only him. We're together in all of this, a true Crownsguard and Kingsglaive even for one who long since ceased to be king.