The Valiant

~Lesalia~

*Euryale gives an awkward little wave.*

E"Hello again--umm--sir. Illiad warned us about the assassin. By chance, we met him in the desert. He said his name was...Senthose, I believe."
=================================
~Limberry~

L"My mother is something of an amateur scholar. While most children went to church to learn, she taught me herself. One subject that stuck out to me in particular was Chemistry. You needed a precise ratio of ingrediants to make the item work. Substituting any for prayer would only cause you to die. Yet, when it comes to history and governance, this is not only accepted, but encouraged. I did look to the scriptures to see if they could answer my concerns, but of course they didn't. In learning about the church, I learned about their corruption, & of course, the Department of Inquisition. So I decided to keep my skepticism to myself, as best as I could."

Divum let out a sigh, "Senthose, that is not a name I would have liked to hear."

"Do you know of him?" Mortal asked.

"Not a lot, but he is something of a... celebrity in his field," Divum took a seat and pinched the bridge of his nose, letting out a breath before inhaling again and continuing, "He was part of the Khamja during the end of the 50 Year's War. When the Khamja disbanded he began to work for for hire. Barrington didn't seem to take this well, he released Senthose's identity and details about some of his cases, with hope to hinder his practice. It had the reverse effect, garnering him more customers. Even the church seems to have him listed as a 'wayward believer' rather than a heretic, so they leave him be. It is said that the Khamja, and Senthose by extension, are responsible for the death of King Varoi VI of Ordallia. He did not become widely known until after the Corpse Brigade was defeated, and there are no records of him participating in or against their rebellion."

Noct let out a sigh, "Well, that is exactly what I wanted to hear..."

--

"I can understand your reluctance to share your skepticism," Zac replied, "The church is a home to even atheists on Sunday, or else." Zac returned his attention to his drink. Noticing it was almost empty he downed the last of it, and ordered another. He also couldn't help but notice that wine and tomato soup went well together for some reason. "Your mother sounds like a fascinating woman," Zac said, giving Lilith his attention again, "I have to say I'm more than a bit jealous. My mother is... difficult to love."

~Lesalia~

*Euryale laughs a bitter laugh, in spite of herself.*

E"So, in other words, he defended Ivalice against invasion, and turned on neither monarch nor serf after the war's end? All for Ajora, of course. The picture history paints is more like that of a saint than a murderer. How convenient for him."
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~Limberry~

L"Oh, I'm sure she can't be that bad."

"History is very convenient for some, or have you forgotten?" Noct replied.

Mortal gave Noct a dirty look, "Noctis, perhaps some tact..."

"Oh, right, I'm sorry, Euryale," Noct apologized. Divum looked a bit confused, but Noct raised a hand to put his questions to rest, "Everything is alright, we've just been... reading about history."

--

"She openly sleeps with other men, she has tried to force my sister into marriage, and holds one of the most antagonistic relationships with her I've ever seen, she belittles the workers, sometimes physically so, she..." Zac let out a small sigh, "I should stop before I go into a rant. I'm not my sister after all, I shouldn't badmouth family so openly to someone who has yet to meet her." Zac took another swig of wine, "Besides, I'd really rather not get onto a subject like that. Tell me more about yourself, what do you do for fun?"

~Lesalia~

E"Believe me, I haven't forgotten."

*Euryale sighs, rubbing her head.*

E"I shouldn't be so bitter. It's not good for you. Well, at least we know for sure now that he isn't a dragon. But you say he worked for Duke Barrington? Funny, Riovanes is right around where I come from."
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~Limberry~

L"I don't understand the question."

Zac furrowed his brow, a bit confused, before replying, "What do you mean you don't understand? I'm asking what you do for fun. As in, when you're not off fighting things, and being the perfect knight, er samurai, you know, what do you do to entertain yourself? Surely you must have a hobby? Dancing, perhaps playing an instrument, something you do simply because of the pleasure you have while doing it?" Zac downed some wine and food, "For instance, I've dabbled in a bit of cooking, and dancing myself. I also have a bit of a fascination with the sky, so I often gaze at it, either the clouds or the stars."

--

"Where exactly do you come from?" Noct asked.

~Lesalia~

E"We don't really have a name for it. It's just too small and out of the way. Ironically, outsiders sometimes call it 'The City of the Seers,' because of the family of seers who governs it."

*House Talea and all of its members know the place better from stories about orphans joining the Khamja as "the shithole that burned to death with everyone in it 7 years ago."*
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~Limberry~

L"Umm...I read, I guess. I don't really have much free time, and I don't know a lot of other noble families. I've thought about taking up dancing, but I doubt I'd be very good at it."

Mortal didn't know that shit, Noct, and everyone else in the room, however blanched, "So, how long ago did you say it was since you were last home?"

--

"I like to read as well," Zac said, "It can be relaxing, but dancing is quite fun as well. My sister is a dancer. She doesn't really find it fun anymore though, it is more of a state of being to her, too natural for her to find any enjoyment... like breathing. Still, if you want to take up dancing I think you should. I've seen the way you move on the battlefield. You're graceful, and elegant, stopping blades with nothing but a motion of your hand. I would love to see you glide across a dance floor. I'm sure the sight would be lovely."

~Limberry~

L"I...well, I uh...I wouldn't say...ahem...your sister seems too pessimistic for her own good. I've been working with the sword for the better part of 14 years now, & I still enjoy it. Except when I have to put it in someone, anyway. Maybe a hobby is more fun when you have a partner to do it with."
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~Lesalia~

E"About seven years, which is why I think I'm overdue for a visit. Didn't we have this discussion already?"

*Euryale chortles.*

"Maybe it is," Zac said, "I can't claim to know much about dancing, not as much as an actual Dancer, but I would love to dance with you sometime, if that is alright with you. I'm not really all that good myself, so you don't have to worry about not being good. We can just have fun."

--

"Perhaps it is best if we don't go..." Noctis said.

"Why?" Mortal looked around and found everyone just staring at her. Iliad thought about asking her if she has been living under a rock for the past 7 years, but realized that she very well may have.

"What if... things are not the way Euryale remembers them? Or, seven years is a really long time, do you still remember the way there?" Noct was looking for any excuse.

~Limberry~

L"Maybe I'll take you up on that one. I doubt Murasame or Kikuichimoji are great dancers. Osafune, maybe."
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~Lesalia~

E"Noct...I found my way from there to Mullonde. I think we'll find it easy enough."

"I'm just saying... If we don't find it, it could just be that maybe you don't remember where to go. It isn't anything to be ashamed of, seven years is a long time," Noct replied.

--

"I would like that a lot." Zac returned to his meal for a bit, finally finishing it off, before turning back to Lilith and asking, "So, your swords' spirits have personalities? I think I knew they were knowing, if that makes any sense, but I didn't know they had different personalities. I'm not too well versed in the ways of a samurai. I was able to get training in a great many weapon styles when I was younger, but my father opted for an axe tutor, instead of one for samurai blades."

~Lesalia~

E"Well, that won't be a problem, because I know EXACTLY where it is. And in the unlikely event that I CAN'T find it, the Order stationed at Riovanes are familiar with the place. It may take a while, but we'd be able to find someone nice enough to tell us."
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~Limberry~

L"Bah. Axes are a clumsy weapon with no finesse. But I'm not surprised. Aside from the Marquis de Limberry, very few high-ranking officials appreciate the unique skills of samurai. It doesn't help that most people see us as little more than knights who are too stubborn to buy shields. I think you're the first person outside of the Marquis' Order who even knew that the sword-spirits were real, not a matter of poetry. The swords gain their unique abilities from their individual personalities, thoughts, and feelings. They just aren't personalities like most people are used to. It's more like...how if you've known someone for a long time, they can communicate their intentions to you without words or language. You simply...understand them."

"Uh, great..." Noct said, rubbing the back of her neck, and letting out a humorless chuckle.

--

Zac nodded, "I agree, I'm not a fan of the axe myself." With that he began to listen as Lilith explained sword spirits to him. "Is that the kind of relationship between a samurai and the weapons she wields?" Zac asked, "I can tell why some would think the matter to be merely a story, it just sounds poetic. I myself didn't really believe in them much. I had read about them a long time ago. When I heard you talking to Roatha about hoping one of your swords didn't hear the slight he made against it, I just assumed there was more to it than pretty words."

~Limberry~

L"There is some speculation that a sword may not consider a person an ally even if its wielder does, though there's no record of that actually happening. If you simply picked up my sword, even if you were well-versed in the usage of swords, I doubt you could feel anything. You might feel the spirit somewhat if you were trained on the usage of katanas, specifically. But it takes a samurai to really release the blade's potential. The only downside is that, since the spirit is literally emerging from the blade, there is a chance that it will pass on entirely, & the now-soulless blade will be destroyed."
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~Lesalia~

E"But first, go on & tell him about the Pharist."

"So that is why you are constantly buying new katanas?" Zac asked, "I was always curious since I know you don't go into battle swinging more than one." Zac thought for a second, "So, can you teach someone how to use a katana? As I said before, I've seen you use one, and couldn't help but be impressed by your fluidity of motion."

--

"Oh, right, them."

"Pharists?" Divum asked, "As in--"

"Yes, as in old empire pharists," Noct said, "The attacked us outside of Orbonne. The monastery there didn't last too long afterwards, but that was the fault of the Church's men, not the ancient church's men."

~Lesalia~

E"The Elder at the monastary recognized the symbol he wore when we were describing him. He told us it was the symbol of the Holy Ydoran Empire, and said he could have been a cultist."

*She nudges Mortal.*

E"(Tell him about the other thing he could do. I'll just look stupid if I say it.)"
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~Limberry~

L"Probably. But the question is, do I have to teach you how to use the weapon, or how to be a Samurai?"

Mortal nodded, "He could also make clones of himself. I'm not really sure where that fits into the whole thing, but honestly, that whole situation was a bit out of my understanding."

"Well, that is disconcerting," Divum replied.

--

"Which option allows me to spend more time with you?" Zac asked. He then flushed a bit red, "I'm sorry, I didn't think that one out before saying it."

~Lesalia~

E"...Is this a bad time to mention that he teamed up with Senthose, & claims to have a bunch of Zodiac Stones?"
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~Limberry~

L"Yeah, so...if you could answer my original question?"

Divum put his head in his hands, and let out a sigh, "What is Ivalice coming to... Right as the Dukes have their squabble."

--

"That was a legitimate question?" Zac asked, "I thought it was rhetorical, probably would have looked less foolish if I picked up on that... Anyway, I'm not sure. Which way would work best?"

~Limberry~

L"I don't know. I don't know anything about your occupation, or your plans to develop it."
============================
~Lesalia~

E"Well...they seem to be working against each other, to a degree. Does that make it better?"

"My occupation? Oh," Zac chuckled a bit, "'Sky pirate', I told you I had a fascination with the sky. Anyway, you could think of it as a thief, and a bit of a mechanist, though I think my own unique style makes me better than both at what they do. As it stands, I'm done with my development, have been for quite some time."

--

"War compounding war?" Divum asked, "No, that does not make things better..."

~Lesalia~

E"Sorry...I just meant, they wouldn't all be focusing their efforts in one place."
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~Limberry~

L"Then I can't really teach you how to use a katana without teaching you the ways of the samurai."

*Clyde tips his hat down a bit.*

Clyde: <[In a situation like this, what could we do, I wonder...?]>

*He looks up and at Gaffgarion.*

Clyde: <Does the offer you made earlier still stand?>

Divum nodded, "I know, I know, I'm just nervous. The world is starting to become an even more dangerous place to live. Speaking of," He looked up at Iliad, "I have news on House Convolt."

"Lets hear it," Iliad said, all too eager to get to his business.

"The person who took the hit out on your mother, that was the previous head of the Convolt family. He died some time ago, natural causes it would seem. His wayward son took over the family since, and whether good, or ill, it seems nature has run its course with him as well. He was attacked, and killed by a flock of wild chocobos somewhere between Eagrose, and Lesalia."

Iliad smiled, "I'm a bit disappointed, but I feel good knowing that at least they are dead. They may have been able to outrun me, but they couldn't outrun the hand of god."

--

"I'll be your humble student then," Zac said before letting out a small chuckle, "Though I don't think we should start practicing at the bar of this inn."