IC Inbox (Snowblind)

[dravanicide]

@Estibien

-Voice/Text/Video-

Comments

[haillenarte]

[estinien's not wrong — the sheer speed at which francel sends him a file transfer is definitely indicative of the fact that he's had this next step of their conversation planned out, or at least, that he would have sent estinien a picture of his adorable new stuffed bunny (resting against a backdrop of dravanian lilies) even if the dragoon had not asked. it's a tiny little plush — if it were bigger he wouldn't be able to fit it comfortably in the standard-issue backpack — and perhaps a bit faded, but it sure... is... cute...

...is this kid twelve?]

Isn't he a charming little fellow?
I suppose he must have belonged to the previous occupants of this house, so I do feel a little bad, but I promise I'll take good care of him.
Whatever do you suppose I should name him?
I considered Haurchefant, but I suppose that may be a tad disrespectful...

[dravanicide]

[Is this really happening to him? Is he the only sane person from Eorzea right now? It certainly seems so. The fact some grown man—or is he grown? He honestly doesn't know, and now he's questioning whether or not he is indeed speaking to a child...

O' Halone be good...]

I see not why it would be disrespectful to name it after Lord Haurchefant. Mayhap because he is with you to give his blessing?

[He has not spoken with Haurchefant, and assumes Francel is not with him. And, you know, the fact he died is still not a thing he is aware of.]

I am ill suited for naming things, least of all toys for children.

[haillenarte]

well
because haurchefant died, you see
and i
i don't know at all what to do with myself
or who to believe

But you have silvered hair as well, do you not?
What if I name him Ser Estinien?

gently slips a "not" in there before the "with" shhhshhh

[dravanicide]

[There's a pause. A very obvious one, because that's the second time he has heard of someone dying that should not be dead—who was very much alive last he knew.

Or, perhaps he speaks of him dying here? All of this is far too much.]

...When you speak of his passing, do you mean he died while he was here?

[He asks, but then promptly:]

Name not that thing after me.

shhhshhh your secret is safe with me

[haillenarte]

no
that is what concerns me
he had been dead for months ere I was spirited away to this place
I loved him well and I mourned him better
but they say he is here
that he is alive
he spoke to me and I would know his voice anywhere, Estinien

But he died.
He is dead
and I did not see it happen but even Ser Aymeric witnessed his death
he cannot be alive but this place would have me believe that he is
and i don't
understand.

<3

[dravanicide]

[...]

I had hoped once your incessant blathering about whatever nonsense seemed to be plaguing your mind would allow me a segue into a question that had been plaguing me, but 'twould seem you are like the others.

[He lets out a discontented sound. Haurchefant is alive, the Archbishop is alive, and he never laid down his helm. What is even going on?]

I spoke with Admiral Merlwyb, and she spoke of nonsense regarding the death of the Archbishop—then Aymeric would seem convinced that I had laid down the mantle of Azure Dragoon. And now you—believing Lord Haurchefant has died when he is yet alive.

[Now he's unsure if this place is just driving people crazy or what! Further unsure if it's everyone else, or maybe he's the one losing it...]

[haillenarte]

Lord Commander Aymeric is here?
And Merlwyb? Merlwyb Bloefhiswyn?
The Lominsan magnate is come as well?

[that doesn't even make any sense. the pattern of ishgardian arrivals he could understand, but the queen of pirates? whatever for?

...but wait. wait. estinien doesn't know about his own resignation?]

I...
I know not what to say, Ser Estinien.
All those things of which she spoke did indeed come to pass.

Archbishop Thordan VII was killed in battle with Ser Aymeric and the Warrior of Light. It was in that struggle that Haurchefant died. I know precious little of the details save that the Lord Commander governed Ishgard for a time.

There are men who yet decry him a sinner in saint's garb, stained by the ungodly crime of patricide...

And you... you slew Nidhogg — [it is easier to tell him this than the convoluted story of how the azure dragoon came to be possessed by the wyrm's eyes] — and then departed for parts unknown. I know not why! I simply reside in Ishgard, I merely exist in its outlands...

You remember naught of this?
Could it be that you have sustained some memory loss?

[dravanicide]

[Silence befalls him again. This is a lot, and he's not sure to what to think or to believe. He can't say he knows what it's like to lose memories, but so many sources are saying the same information...

They can't all be wrong, can they? Are they all being fed the same delusion? Perhaps he should speak with Haurchefant, but he is unsure if that will make matters worse. What if Haurchefant agrees with him? Then what... But if he doesn't, then the problem would lie with him.

He brings a hand up to rub at his eyes, letting out a small grumble under his breath.]

I remember not one single moment of any of this. Ere I was whisked away to this world, I was staring down the Aery whilst waiting for the Warrior of Light to return from their errand concerning Ul'dah.

We had planned to lay siege to Nidhogg's brooding ground, but such plans were delayed. Nidhogg still drew breath.

[The part that sticks out the most to him, however, is the fact he killed Nidhogg. If he did so, he would remember it. How could he ever forget that? He wouldn't, he couldn't, and while it's his greatest dream come true, it's almost insulting to be told he's done it when he most assuredly has not.]

[haillenarte]

[francel knows only a little bit more of the current events than estinien does — he knows nothing of the specifics, he knows only what the general public was allowed to know — so the conclusion he draws is that perhaps estinien, for whatever reason, cannot remember anything from after he was possessed by nidhogg. that would sort of make sense, right? his body was not his own; perhaps, then, his memories were not his own, either.

except for the part where estinien wasn't possessed at the aery but rather in azys lla... but francel, as a layperson, would have no knowledge of that.

regardless, francel sees no point in trying to discuss current events to an amnesiac — better to just slow down and take things one step at a time. the things that happened in ishgard aren't terribly relevant to their current situation, anyway.]

I am sorry.
If you'd like, I can speak no more of this.

[dravanicide]

[In a stroke of irony, Francel has said something that Estinien can absolutely appreciate. All of this is a lot to take in, and he's really not sure what to believe. Discussing events he supposedly took part in, but has no recollection of would prove more infuriating and confusing than helpful.

It also doesn't help that Estinien is maddening in his stubbornness, and nearly immovable if he believes one way or another. Luckily he is movable when enough evidence is presented.

This along side him processing the proposed truths of the Dragonsong War is a touch overwhelming.]

Aye. I fear this conversation will go even further into nowhere if we attempt to speak of events I cannot recall.

[A pause.]

I wish to be alone with my thoughts.

[haillenarte]

I understand.
If you have further need of me, you may contact me at any time.

[there's a pause just long enough that estinien might think that he's finally free of the little lordling —

— but then francel sends a short video clip of his little bunny waving to the camera as a pair of hands in white beribboned gloves manipulate the action in the background, and unfortunately, the hands are far too big to be a child's.]

Count Estinien says good night too!

[dravanicide]

[HE DOESN'T EVEN SAY ANYTHING. He is NOT GOING TO DIGNIFY THAT WITH A RESPONSE. Partially cuz he's pissed, and partially because he's appalled that Lord Joacin isn't a child but a grown man.

Fury take this miserable place!! and him with it...]

[haillenarte]

[DID YOU REALLY THINK A CHILD WOULD BE SO ELOQUENT AND POISED AND KNOWLEDGEABLE WOW....

sorry we can't all be alphinaud you crotchdropping!!!!]

[dravanicide]

[HE WAS HOPING HE WAS JUST A REALLY SMART CHILD LIKE—yeah, Alphinaud.

A GROWN MAN SHOULD NOT HAVE THAT RABBIT, NOR THOSE GLOVES. WHAT IS WRONG WITH HOUSE HAILLENARTE!?]