sixth investigation

[airlockedmods]

[It's Friday again but as of today it has been a full two weeks since someone has lost their life. The mansion is quiet, almost peaceful.

But we all know peace can only last so long in the Fantasy Sweet.]

Comments

2/2

[misanthropicprinciple]

[And then, of all things, he starts laughing. Full-voiced, full-bodied laughter, and even as he covers his mouth with his robot hand, he doesn't fold an arm over his chest or turn away as he once would have.

When he finishes, he's still grinning widely, and he sweeps his hair up from his face.

Yes, says that face. Of course you can, you dumb bastard.]

Of all--of all the names you could've picked here, you picked the only one as goddamned ridiculous as the one you already had! Do you even know what you're asking for?

[scourgingstars]

As though I actually care about that. Junpei, I worked for someone named Iedolas Aldercapt, how much more ridiculous does a name have to sound?

[He rolled his eyes overdramatically, that confident laugh coming a little more certain this time.]

I know what I asked.

[misanthropicprinciple]

I can't even pronounce that.

[But he takes a piece of paper out of his pocket, dips his finger into Ardyn's tea (it's gone cold anyway) and writes large:]

天明寺 アーデン

[He points to each character in turn.]

"Ten"--that's heaven, or sky. "Myou" has the characters for both sun and moon in it. And "Ji," that's temple, but it can also be pronounced "Terra." So, earth. ...You know what, it sounds better in Eastern order. Tenmyouji Ardyn.

[Smiling like he just won the lottery--like he rolled three dice and they all came up with life-saving ones--he regards Ardyn a moment, then hands the tea-stain calligraphy over.]

It's yours. Dad.

[scourgingstars]

...

[That was what broke the hesitance, Ardyn breaking out laughing with genuine, real, human emotion.]

I-I can't believe--

[His right hand was brought up to his face, the other holding the paper like it was a protective charm.]

'Lucis Caelum'--it's 'of the light' and 'sky'. Are you actually telling me I'm exchanging that for heavens and earth alike?

[Sky, sun, moon, earth, and all of them burning. It might have been darkly symbolic, if it didn't also feel like something else entirely. From the ashes of an Eos that saw its first dawn in ten years and the immolation of a monster, rose something entirely different--a life that may have ended up as short as a fizzling spark, but one that would burn brighter than ever before.]

Because I must admit, I find that a quite appealing meaning.

[misanthropicprinciple]

It's much more impressive than just 'Ardyn Church,' sure.

[scourgingstars]

That sounds idiotic--much too short, as well. How can I ever announce myself dramatically with a three-syllable name?

[He shook his head, looking like this was a matter of utmost importance.]

The easier it is to draw out one's name, the more everyone looks like they want to get rid of you the second you walk into a room and introduce yourself. It's quite funny, actually.

[no ardyn, that was just you being an insufferable prick]