One New Notification!

[airlockedmods]

[About a day after Cece's message arrives, another small blip! cuts its way through whatever conversations the Airlocked! survivors might be having. But it isn't happening in the space limo this time - it's on the Temerity proper. Some of you are more acquainted with the computer system here, so you should know what that sound means.

You have new Spitter messages!]

Comments

[scourgingstars]

Simple rejection is more likely.

[For an observation, that sure did sound bitter.]

...My concern comes from this: my power originates from a crystal granted to my line by a draconic god. And I don't know if the fact that yours is similar will help or hinder that; Bahamut is not the sort I expect would like competition.

[kingshaming]

...

[He tilts his head]

From what I've seen from your 'season', I take it this dragon is the one that...

[He makes a gesture at Ardyn's everything]

[scourgingstars]

... [He lowered his voice slightly, hand tightening just a little on Yuuri's.]

He would be responsible for the chosen king, yes. It's accurate to say that if I am the fallen son of Lucis, then the Draconian was the one who pushed me by claiming I was the world's savior. Much as what happened was of my own fault and desire for revenge, it was Bahamut that set it in motion to begin with.

[Deep breath.]

I was still able to use the weapons of those that came after me; blades that by right answer to the Lucian kings and their retainers. So there's a chance--particularly with the absence of the scourge--something like your sword won't be repulsed by the mere concept of me. And if I can hide your blade in the Armiger, it'll be back in your hands at no more than a thought.

[kingshaming]

[He listens and after some thought, he walks off- the bit of rudeness is explained when he returns with the sheathed weapon.]

For our friends, I will risk it.

[He doesn't say it, but it's clear in his eyes: 'If Siegfried will trust you, then so will I.']

[scourgingstars]

...I don't think you need me to point out the recklessness in doing this when you jumped to assuming it would explode.

[Ardyn was sure enough that it wouldn't, but if he was wrong then hey, they'd all die in the endless void of space. Or maybe just Ardyn would get killed by a sword. Who knew.]

[He held out his free hand just over Siegfried, still wearing the replica Ring of the Lucii. Focus--it was just like storing anything else. A few scattered white crystals made of light appeared in the air around him; if this worked, the sword would just disappear in a quick flurry of them.]

[The sword had a will, would choose who it found worthy. That concept was hardly something new, and yet Ardyn felt a sharp apprehension with it--'rejection hurts, doesn't it?' This was stupid, this was reckless, but if it would help save the others...]

[Doing exactly what had gotten him into trouble two thousand years ago and hesitating only a second longer, he touched his hand to the sword and risked gods-only-knew-what to save someone else.]

[kingshaming]

[Xander chuckles]

It's not the first or last reckless thing I'll do in my life.

[At first nothing happens. For most who touched it, it was a dead weight, no rejection but no power. Too heavy for all but the most strong armed men to wield at all, let alone with any skill. But eventually the gem in the hilt hums softly. Not the powerful pulse it could manage when Xander wielded it with killing intent, but it's there- an unsure noise, but a noise all the same.

Another heavy moment, then it vanishes in light, seeming to decide to allow this strange bit of comradely]

Well.

[scourgingstars]

...

[Ardyn blinked in genuine surprise, looking to his hand as though that was the last thing he expected. Or like he was waiting for the sword to decide 'wait, never mind' and burst out of his chest.]

[But when seconds passed and nothing changed:]

...That went far better than I expected.

[kingshaming]

I can't even pretend to understand it- but I'll take it as a good omen for our continued alliance.

[And he does look genuinely pleased, though it's hard to tell on his face sometimes. Enough so that he offers his hand to seal the deal]

[scourgingstars]

[After another brief silence, Ardyn laughed softly and shook Xander's hand.]

[Chosen, indeed. Maybe this time it would end in less disaster.]

It is an honor, Your Majesty. [And hopefully this would be less of a bad sign than the last time Ardyn had negotiated with a reigning monarch.]

[kingshaming]

Just Xander is fine. Unless you want to count this little haphazard ship as a kingdom.

[scourgingstars]

I think I've had quite enough of royalty for a few lifetimes. Xander it is, then.

[serrata]

[ She's still silent but her grip on Ardyn's hand is suddenly worryingly tight.

Her face is carefully neutral but those waves off "I'm going to fight a god and his entire parthenon" coming off her are practically palpable. ]