Rune's Menagerie

A multi-muse blog for all the random muses in my head.

[runes-menagerie]

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[afoolenvelopedindarkness]

"You do not sound excited for that." Ansem chuckles softly.

Letting Raha do as he wanted, a brow rises as he looks around, then back to the smaller one. "This is for public use. Where our destination is only a few is allowed and knows how to use it. We should not be bothered there."

Ansem elegantly takes the hand into his, carefully escorting and guiding the other to a secure landing before letting go. He watches the other explore and touch, recalling what he was told about the First. "If we want, we can go straight to the destination from here, go through the Fountain area and the Town on the way back home, so you can enjoy yourself a little while longer here." Looking at a stream, he goes over before stopping, setting the blanket down as he gets down on one knee.

[runes-menagerie]

"I would likely enjoy it more if I had something to really work off of. All I have is speculation and theories that vaguely fit. I wish I had access to the Forbidden Archives in Sharlayan. If there was anything even vaguely resembling this it would be found there." Raha replied with a wry chuckle, idly rubbing his neck were his Archon tattoos had once been visible.

"I'm glad all are able to enjoy this place." He said as he let himself be guided. When it was suggested they travel through the forest he hesitated for a moment before nodding. "If you don't mind I would like that very much. It's been... a very long time since I saw anything that reminded me of home."

There was a small, soft smile on his lips as he went to join his mate beside the stream. He knelt down as well and dipped his flesh hand in the water, humming at the pleasant feeling.

[afoolenvelopedindarkness]

"It does certainly give food for thought." Ansem agrees. Maybe when things calmed down completely, he can have a proper look. Though it would be hard to know if the world has a Heart or not without a keyblade. Again, food for thought.

Ansem was quite oblivious to Raha's schemes, trying to not draw too much attention to the two of them and ignoring the looks they were being given and the voices that were mumbling before relaxing once he knew they were alone again.

Taking a few steps ahead, he turns and holds out his free hand to add extra support if the other needed it. Once on the trail, they start to explore for a bit. "After this, we go into the more populated area before going to the Fountains; it's there that we can get inside the walls and floor."

While they walk, the elder listens to the water, leaves, and birds singing, even spotting a few here, bees there, and some butterflies here and there. But most of all, he looks at Raha to see if he can read what he was thinking.

[runes-menagerie]

"Indeed. I suspect my brain is going to be gnawing on it for some time yet." Raha replied wryly as they walked.

He would smile and nod politely to any they passed, his persona as the gracious leader slipping into place easily whenever they were around others. When alone however it dropped away again and once in the forest he breathed deeply of the fresh air. It had been so long since he'd actually been in a green forest that he had to take a moment just to soak it all in.

"Oh? I admit I was expecting this secret place you wanted to show me to be somewhere in this forest but I should have known it would be hidden inside a structure." He replied with a soft chuckle.

He didn't need the hand but accepted it simply because he wanted to hold his mate's hand. There was a calm almost melancholy smile on his lips as his moved through the forest, his fingers occasionally trailing over the green foliage as if it were a lost treasure.

[afoolenvelopedindarkness]

Ansem blushes as he looks to the side. Did Raha have to say it that way? Peeking over, he then looks away and nods. "So am I."

Watching where they were going, the elder scientists think about this. "It is not unheard of for something still connected to something else to gain its own identity. I cannot say this is the case for your world, as I never saw it in person, but there have been cases where Nobodies have gained a level of having their own heart. Cannot see a reason for your world to have a zero percent chance of having none. After all, it can still host life, no?" He wonders. Was it similar to a point as a person and their Heartless and Nobodies? Or no? Can be interesting to see.

The elder looks at him curiously. He can understand the confusion and vast difference between their universes' realities. But he guesses he has long since gotten used to such theories and formulas and conundrums over the decade or two.

Ansem nods at this. That was very true.

Seeing a puzzled look, the blond wonders if it was due to the conversation of emotions and hearts, and wonders if there was something he could do.

Hearing the other was ready, however, he nods and starts to walk again. Careful of their steps and using his technology and magic, they went through a few more smaller gardens before going backwards and up through where they came, then west to the larger Gardens. It was less countless flower beds and more of a natural open woodland setting with trees and grass and flowers, with man-made streams and walls.

Carefully going down, Ansem follows a trail as they walk. “Sorry, it can be a bit steep.”

[runes-menagerie]

"I won't deny there is a slight chance, I just find it unlikely given what I know of my World and the Shards." Raha replied since while he didn't actually think it was possible he was not an expert on Hearts the way his mate was so he wasn't going say it couldn't happen. "It does but... there are theories about that I haven't mentioned because they are just theories at this point with no actual proof or way to test for such things. But it would explain why the Shards have life on them that mirrors the Source."

Raha was used to having to deal with the differences between Shards of his own World which all followed roughly the same logic. Other Worlds seemed to follow a completely different set of logic. Or at least the set of Worlds connected to Radiant Garden all seemed to follow a similar logic. It made him wonder if his World was the unique one or if his had just been isolated from the others due to the nature of the Shards and that was what caused the unique logic.

It was all too much to try to decipher right now. He'd rather just focus on enjoying the beauty of this word rather than trying to understand how it all functioned.

As they walked and explored he subtly added flowers to the basket from time to time, trying not to be noticed and simply enjoying the beauty of the place.

"No need to apologize. My staff serves me just as well as a walking stick as it does a weapon." He said with a soft chuckle as he easily traversed the steep ground, his steps measured and stable.

[shatteredxndbroken]

Astarion was really growing on him and he was easy to lower guards with. Halsin was his mate, now and always, but they made this little thing work. “Yes, I could and maybe I will, could be very exciting to add to my plans. These perfumes are made with natural ingredients, I can’t say that from those you buy perfumes at the streets on or even in the stores.”

He looked at what they’ve made and couldn’t help but smile and be proud of what they’ve done together. He looked over his shoulder and noticed his mate with a fond smile and Haldir gave him one of fondness back.

[runes-menagerie]

"I'm sure they would sell well, especially locally." Astarion replied with a pleased little smile as he finished with what he was measuring and added it to the herbs they were trying this time. "See what you think of that combination."

Halsin smiled and approached calmly to stand just behind both smaller men. Astarion didn't react since he had know the Druid was there the whole time and simply hadn't said anything.

"It reminded me a bit of a den. Earthy and homely at once with a hint of spice and musk." He commented thoughtfully.

[shatteredxndbroken]

Caligo did everything he could to keep his companion from getting hurt, firing one Eldritch blast after the other and dropping their enemies whenever he could. When a dwarf rushed over to Astarion, Caligo would pull at the vampire’s waist where he still had his tail, to prevent Astarion to get hit by an axe.

He was glad that Halsin was providing distraction and made it easier to catch them off guard. With the movement of his hands, he cast Shatter right where Nere was and more, making a horrible cracking sound into the ground.

[runes-menagerie]

Astarion yelped when he was pulled since he hadn't been expecting it but he did manage to stumble out of the path of the axe. As soon as he caught his balance he launched a Fire Bolt straight into the dwarf's face. It was mostly a distraction so that he could get another arrow nocked to finish off that particular dwarf.

They were steadily willing the fight although the mind control was making it a bit more difficult. He glared over at the drow and shot an Ice Arrow. He knew it wouldn't last long in this heat but it was enough to get the bastard prone so he considered that good enough.

[shatteredxndbroken]

“Truly?” There was a hopeful excitement to his tone. The idea of not selling his body anymore was a relief. Yes, Caspian loved sex, but Astarion would be more then enough to keep him very, very satisfied. “Will you let me take my instruments with me? My art supplies?”

Easily giving in to the possessive kiss that made him feel like the most wanted in the whole of Baldur’s Gate.

[runes-menagerie]

"Yes to all of it although most of it may need to go into storage until we can get the room next to mine properly set up for you." Astarion answered with a soft chuckle. He wasn't as prepared as he would have liked but it would be easy enough to fix up the room next to his. His servants could see to that while he was dealt with paperwork and such.

When the kiss ended he got up with his pet in his arms and headed for the bathroom since he still needed to get his pet all cleaned up.

[afoolenvelopedindarkness]

"I am willing take Mentor and Sage, but King and Wise are titles that I have long since became unworthy of." Ansem reminds him. "Those are titles that belong to a man that no longer exist, if at all. You still have reasons to hold yours. But I do not force those on you, since now I know your true name," he leans over, "and your pet names."

"Correct, unless those shards have long since come to have their own Heart, that is. Which I would not be surprised if they did. Still, the key difference is that my world never came from another."

Ansem nods. "And those states can hold great power and influence. It is not as simple as someone just simply getting angry. It is raw energy. You know how getting mad, you get warm, or after you cry, you get cold. But multiply that to a point that it becomes an infectious disease that can eat the world to its very Heart. Heartless are formed from the Darkness in people's hearts. Nobodies are the bodies and souls left behind when the Heart is lost. There are those called Princesses of Hearts who cannot form Heartless, as they have no Darkness inside them. Confusing, I know."

The elder smiles a bit at this. "And for the best." He shakes his head. "My apologies. Perhaps when I see your world, I can see what I can find to use as examples in a way you can understand better."

Ansem lets the other examine what he wanted while stopping at the edge of the inner section. "It is because of the people and the strength of their hearts, and their love for their home. The world's heart can no doubt sense it. And in return, does the same." Looking around, he turns to Raha. "This is the outer garden. After you look around, we can go to the main gardens, then to the front doors. We probably will not go beyond that, but we should not need to."

[runes-menagerie]

"And yet you are still my King, are you not?" Raha asked with a sly smile. "Therefore I will still be making you a flower crown. I do appreciate being able to be myself rather than my title within your domain however."

"I actually doubt they have because they are still connected to the Source. There have been those throughout the history of the First whom may well have heard Hydaelyn's voice. They certainly were Champions in their time." He replied thoughtfully.

"It is known that strong emotions can have an effect on spellcasting and one's abilities in general but I've never heard of there being a specific study into such." He said with a sigh as he pinched the bridge of his nose. He almost wished that Y'shtola were here to share this particular headache with, maybe that would get her distracted enough to stop glaring at him.

"It's not your fault. We encountered similar issues when I first arrived remember? Our Worlds simply have different ways of talking about these matters and unfortunately this was never my specialty although I've had to learn as much as I can to pull off my plan." He said with a shake of his head and a wry smile.

He hummed thoughtfully as he listened to his Mate talk about how the garden functioned. He was a touch dubious that it worked that way but he wasn't going to say it since he didn't want to delve deeper into that particular discussion at the moment. As he examined the flower beds he carefully selected flowers and hid them in the basket he caried to be woven into a flower crown later.

"I'm ready when you are." He said with a smile as he returned to his mate's side.

[afoolenvelopedindarkness]

Seeing the look of concern, a bit surprised by the dispel, he shakes his head. "I will be alright."

Ansem looks puzzled by this. "But I am no King. Simply a title others gave me, as you well know." He didn't need such a title to play his part. The taller male contemplates taking the flower off before pausing as he decides not to.

"Because the overpowering of an element, and with it poisoning a world and its Heart, brings it demise?" He wasn't sure how else the two worlds were related beyond that.

"Cultural context?" He was puzzled by this statement but said nothing till they continued their walk to the Entryway.

Still confused, Ansem speaks up. "There is such a thing as white magic and dark magic, and light and darkness. When I speak of Light and Darkness, as a proper noun or related to Hearts, in a sense it is tied to emotions. Darkness craves and feeds on negativity, and that does not even have to be jealousy or anger; it can be pride or discontent. Light thrives on hope, on love and peace. But both can be harnessed into power. In the form of Keyblades and other tools of war, but also raw power."

He explains as he looks around. "This world was built on every type of Light. Every child's hope and love and dreams, every bit of Light from their heart, gave this world and its Heart an existence. And I, I harnessed it, I cared for it, and allowed it to blossom, through the water you see, the air we breathed, and the flowers. The symbol of my people, and their smiles, and what helped bring those smiles to be."

Taking some stairs, he goes to the Entryway to the Outer Gardens. "Simply put, think of Light as solar power, while Darkness is a black hole." Going quiet, he steps out into the Garden and looks around.

They were at water level now; beyond was a star-shaped garden, though it was more or less similar but smaller in scale to the town square in terms of how many flower beds there were. In the middle, however, was a large water fountain, and beyond it was a gate to the outside. A wall of stone with magic lights. After the wall and the lights was a layer of water; after that, another star-shaped platform with the edges covered by bushes, moss, and vines. Further in were a few small flower beds with the fountain in the center. Walking, he stops at an edge where one could carefully walk on stone through the many layers before reaching steps to the open water and some more greenery here and there. Looking at Raha, he shrugs.

[runes-menagerie]

"Then I am no Exarch. That too was a name the people came up with for me because I refused to be called King or Emperor or any other variation there of. I had called myself the Towerkeeper before the people decided I needed a new title to match the new city being built." Raha replied with a sly smile.

"Yes, that was essentially what I was thinking although it isn't truly the same since in the case of the First it would be Rejoined with the Source, causing a calamity if it were to happen rather than simply ceasing to exist." He answered with a shake of his head.

"So you use the terms Light and Darkness not only to describe those elemental forces but also to describe positive and negative emotional states?" He asked to confirm that he was understanding correctly. Certain things made significantly more sense now if he thought about it that way. But there was still the similarity between Heartless transformations and Sineaters. Was that just a coincidence? Becoming a Sineater was caused entirely by an aetherial imbalance as far as he could determine while the Heartless transformation appeared to be caused by negative emotions.

"That simply makes my brain hurt more because there aren't equivalent concepts in my World as far as I know." He groaned as he rubbed his head under the cowl. "It's not because you aren't explaining it well. It's just... trying to understand new concepts and figure out how they fit into the framework of what I already know."

Taking in the garden was a welcome reprieve from his churning thoughts. He smiled as he looked around and allowed his fingers to lightly trail over the closest flowers while he breathed deep of their scent.

"It's beautiful here. Certainly living up to the name, both of them." He said with a proud smile for his mate as he slowly followed after the other man.

[afoolenvelopedindarkness]

Ansem looks him in the eyes and nods as he lets out a breath. Of course. The present was now; for now, the rest can wait for a more appropriate time.

He opens his mouth to say something before closing it. That could be a simple tease, or an actual act that the other was planning to act on. "And pray tell me, why would you do that?"

Looking back at the bed of flowers Raha was looking at, he sighed. "Hallow Bastion was what those who knew not, or remembered not, what this world once used to be. A world, consumed by Darkness, whose very Heart was being threatened into ceasing to be. At death's door."

Squeezing his hands into fists, Ansem looks back at his castle. "When Xehanort banished me, he finished his experiments on his Heart as well as the other Apprentices' Hearts, while also twisting this very Castle into what he wanted to continue his experiments. No sooner did the Heartless start to consume this world. Even after Ansem the Seeker of Darkness was defeated, the world was but a husk of its former self. Wasn't till years of restoration by a group found the Data on the world and its real name that it finally started to go back to its former glory..."

Looking around, he sighs. "A City of Light, known even by other worlds... That's what they called it..." Taking a deep breath, he starts to speak. “A long time ago, people lived in peace, bathed in the warmth of light. Everyone loved the light. But then people began to fight over it, wanting to keep it for themselves. Darkness was born in their hearts. The darkness spread, swallowing the light and many people’s hearts. It covered everything, and the world disappeared.

But small fragments of light survived… in the hearts of children. With these fragments of light, children rebuilt the lost world. It’s the world we live in now..."

Ansem looks over at a bed of flowers. "This was not the first time such an event fell upon this world. Just now we simply have better historical reports and understanding." Ansem nods as he then looks up. "'My efforts these many years have come to fruition, with the world I govern having become a paradise worthy of being called Radiant Garden. Nurtured by the pure water that is the source of life, fragrant flowers bloom in abundance, and the people face each day with hopeful smiles.'" The very beginning of his journal, and why he became who he became. His very core, for so many years. Looking down, he moves to look at his hand and stares at it. "Where there is Light, there is Darkness... My life's work almost ceased to exist because I could not see what was under my very nose." He squeezes his hand before seeing people start to leave their houses, and then he starts to walk again. "Let us be off." Walking, he leaves the square to go south. "We can go in a circle before we go to the Fountains."

[runes-menagerie]

Raha lifts the edge of his hood enough to dispell the glamour so that he can peak up at his mate until he's sure the man has returned tot he present. He then lowers it again so his eyes are hidden once more as he grins up at the other.

"Because I think it would suit you and every king should have a crown. What better crown for the King of World called Radiant Garden than once made of flowers?" He replied with a sly smile, clearly teasing but also very likely to follow through with the words.

"Much like the First in some senses." He mumbled to himself as he listened to the history of the World he now stood in. He was once again reminded of how fundamentally different their experiences with Light and Darkness were and how those elements interacted with their Worlds.

"I admit that I lack the cultural context to fully understand what you're telling me. But... wait.... If...." He trailed off as his brain began processing information. What was being described on the surface sounded like aetherial imbalance being perceived through the lens of morals with Darkness being attributed to negative emotions and actions while Light was attributed to positive ones. Not too different from how things were seen by most of the source but there was something far more complex here.

"Ugh.... One of these days we really are going to have to sit down and compare notes because we really do think about Light and Darkness completely differently and I can't tell if that's because those elements function differently in my World or if it's purely cultural interpretation." He groaned since thinking about it was making his brain hurt. He was sure Y'shtola would love this but he was sure he was missing some piece that would explain everything.

Thus people starting to arrive was a welcome distraction and he eagerly followed after his mate to further distract his mind from trying to unravel how Light and Darkness worked in other Worlds.

[afoolenvelopedindarkness]

Ansem nods at this. He assumed so based on much evidence given to him.

Stopping at this question for a moment, he frowns. And if they did? He looks to the side; he isn't sure how he can respond. Just the idea made him uneasy. Because... Everything, the last decade or more, his relationships, his own existence, it was already so complicated. He wasn't sure if he would be able to handle it. Because...if they did... Slowly, he rests a hand on his heart as he clenches it a bit. No, that is in the past now. Shaking his head, the elder slowly catches up to the other.

He looks to the side, then back to the smaller. "And? Is it fitting?" His home? Looking up, his eyes examine what was before them before looking down a bit. "Northwest leads to the Gardens, and further outside the walls. East is where castle town is, then the tunnel that leads to Fountain Court. South leads to the entryway and then Outer Gardens.... The fountains are where we are heading as our final destination... As for history..." Ansem shakes his head.

"There is not much to go on, I am afraid." The former Sage looks at the Exarch. "While it is called Radiant Garden, it is also called the City of Light."

[runes-menagerie]

"Breathe beloved. Don't worry about it now. Just let the idea rest in the back of you mind. It's not something that needs to be addressed or thought about right now." Raha commanded gently, stepping into the man's line of sight. "Focus on me. On the present. Hypotheticals can wait."

"It does. Perhaps I shall make you a flower crown later." He answered with a soft chuckle, remembering when Feo Ul had brought a bunch of flowers to the Crystarium to teach all the children how to make flower crowns. He had participated as well, much to a young Lina's delight and the scandal of a few of the elders.

He listened attentively and was a bit surprised that the man seemed to know so little about the city. He didn't say so outright but it just went to show just how different they were as leaders. It made him look forward to showing off his own city.

"City of Light? I wonder if that is why it was targeted by Darkness and swallowed up by it last time I was here. I think it was called Hollow Bastion then but I could be thinking of a different World. Mickey didn't want to tell me too much because of the World Order I assume." He commented thoughtfully.

[afoolenvelopedindarkness]

"I would hope so based on what you have said to me." Stopping in his tracks, he looks down. "I...do not know..." Would they have something to say? Or simply deny it, as he has? "I assume they probably never considered the thought." He adds before walking again.

Once in the main area, he goes still again before turning as he watches the Exarch examine everything; after a bit, they stop again, and he looks over as the other touches the flowers. Wondering what Raha was thinking until he sees a flower being plucked. When the smaller turns to him, he looks puzzled. "Hm?" It wasn't till the other male got on his toes and he felt the flower get tucked behind his ear that he realized what the other was doing, but he wasn't sure why.

[runes-menagerie]

"And I have not lied to you, danced around the truth at times but never outright lied." Raha replied calmly. "And in this particular case I have been as honest as I can be."

"And if they did think of you as a father figure how do you think denying it out of hand would make them feel?" He asked with a knowing smile and tilt of his head. "I'm not saying that you must accept my words, I merely ask that you keep an open mind about it for all of your sakes."

"I thought this flower would suit you and I admit that it's a gesture that appears frequently in romance novels." He explained with a pleased smile as he settled back on his feet, using the staff in his crystal hand for balance. "Would you tell me about the square? About your home?"

[afoolenvelopedindarkness]

"And that is why I believe only you would be able to figure it out and look for me," Ansem confesses with a splash of blush on his face.

As the Miqo'te makes sure he is covered, the taller pouts. "Again, they are not my children." He mumbles as they walk.

He knows Raha already knew most of the property by heart; it was once they left the castle grounds that it started being unfamiliar. Going down the stairs and past the trees, they reached the outer walls and gate into the town, which opens up to a town square-like area, with two levels, with trees and buildings around the edges, and the inside with every corner covered in flower beds and small man-made waterfalls. Looking about, he walks down the flight of stairs so they can examine the flowers far more easily while having the houses at the edge of their view. And on the walls, ivy could be seen covering the tops and crawling slowly down.

[runes-menagerie]

"I do also have the advantage of dealing with brats of all ages as part of my role as Exarch. Although you're the only one I've taken to my bed." Raha replied with a soft chuckle before making a doubtful hum as his mate once more denied the title of father. "How do you think they would feel if they heard you say that?"

He followed his mate into the square and looked around curiously. He breathed deep of the flower scented air with a soft smile on his lips. He could already see why this World was called Radiant Garden. When led to the flowers he knelt carefully to better examine them, touching gently with flesh fingers. A smirk curved his lips as he carefully picked a red flower before rising on his toes to tuck the bloom behind his mate's ear.

[afoolenvelopedindarkness]

Ansem scoffs. "I highly doubt anyone else gets as much out of it as you do from me being as such. If anything, most do not even want to be involved.

As his guests prepares himself, the elder pauses and waits patiently as he looks around at the view before them.

Looking back at Raha, he shrugs. "How about we take one way to the spot I like to go to, then one way back? Since it is rather early still, should not be that many out and about. Besides, I did promise you the sight one day, a proper in-person sightseeing."

[runes-menagerie]

"True but I know how to handle your flavor of brat." Raha said with a smirk. "And as much as you are a brat you also enjoy when I praise you for being good for me."

It wouldn't take him more than a moment to pull his hood into place and slip the tip of his tail into the little loop designed to make the movements less noticeable.

"I do like the sound of that plan and it may reassure your children should they come looking for us that we were seen out and about just as we said we would be." He pointed out with a soft chuckle. "Lead the way then. I look forward to seeing all you've built here."

[afoolenvelopedindarkness]

That all made sense. Perhaps the guards and Ienzo would get along with Urianger, as they were used to such people in their lives.

Ansem chuckles. Raha knew him well indeed. He knew what he was generally comfortable with and who he was willing to be more open with.

He gives the Miqo'te a smirk. "That is simply because you are my little house cat. No one else's." The blond stands tall before the other, before leaning in a bit. "You will always be my little kitten."

The former Sage nods as he walks to the door before stopping to let the other out first before joining. Going about the castle, he takes one of the back entrances as they go outside. "Would you like to take the alleys or walk through town?"

[runes-menagerie]

Raha smirked smugly when his mate seemed to agree with his predictions. He liked to think he knew the man quite well at this point although he could always be surprised.

"Just as you are my little brat." He replied with a cheeky grin. "No one else gets to have you that way as long as I'm here."

Once outside he pulls his hood up but for the moment his demeanor remains the same since it's still just the two of them at the moment.

"I shall let you decide. I'm fine with either option. I enjoy seeing your city but I also understand if you'd rather not draw attention." He answered with a thoughtful hum.

[afoolenvelopedindarkness]

Having Raha describe what each one would do allowed Ansem to paint a better picture of what the others were all like. Each with their own individuality and perks. With their own skill sets and abilities...

"I would, yes... but allow them near me?" Would he have allowed them to stop him? Would he have allowed them to help him? Would he even listen to them? The man softly scoffs at this. "That they certainly would have."

Ansem moves to lean over a bit. "You are not, no." He teases. "You are still very much a kitten."

Hearing the door, his eyes look over for a moment before speaking. "You may come in." Seeing it was Raha; he slowly got up before walking over. "Shall we?" He went over to gently take the blanket.

[runes-menagerie]

"I think you and Y'shtola might get along. Or at least have fun debating with each other. She's far more knowledgeable about aetherial manipulation than I am since she has long focused her studies on such things." Raha answered thoughtfully. "I think you would enjoy doting on the twins, they are still teenagers after all, although they act more like adults in some ways. Thancred would probably get along better with your guards than you. Urianger is harder to say. He's a scholar but far more reserved and he tends to keep himself a bit apart from the others."

"I don't think any save perhaps the twins would be able to get as close to you as I have however." He concluded, ears twitching as he considered what he knew of each of the Scions.

"Technically I'm over 300 years old if you count the time I was sealed. If you don't I'm still over a 100." He pointed out with a snort. "And you're the only one I would ever let call me kitten."

He entered when given permission and allowed his mate to take the blanket with an amused smile. "We shall, lead the way my King."

[afoolenvelopedindarkness]

"You say that, but I would not be so sure. I would hope they would help my people, but me? I doubt that." He smirks. "But it is nevertheless legitimate, one. Many people start on the same road; how they want to go about it and why is what has them separate from that road. You came here, but what makes you think they be able to repeat what you have repeated? What makes you think I will allow them then, and even more so now?"

Ansem scratches his jaw. He never considered that. "Maybe, though, I think I am a bit well..." he clears his throat. "old for such things."

Once at his office, the elder looks around before going over to place the letter down, even making sure he put the date and time that he wrote it on there.

Going about his desk, he sits down and sighs as he waits.

[runes-menagerie]

"Y'shtola would try, simply to say she had tried and then alternate between helping people and hiding out in your library." Raha answered in clear amusement. "Urianger would probably be right with her. The twins probably wouldn't be able to pull it off without aid but I suspect they would be running around helping anywhere they could. It's what they did as soon as they arrived in the First after all. Within days of arriving they were setting off to different regions where their talents would best serve the communities. Thancred is harder to predict but I'm sure he'd find some way to help. The information he's sent me during his travels around the First has been invaluable."

"As for if you would allow them... I think you would let them help because you love your people and you want the best for them. As for access to your library... I think they would have to earn your trust first." He continued thoughtfully although there was still a bit of smugness to his smile.

"And I'm not? Do remember that I'm probably the elder of the two of us for all I look younger. And I've both raised a granddaughter on my own and become something of a God-parent to many of the children and adults within the Crystarium." He pointed out in clear amusement.

It wouldn't take him too long to arrive at the office, knocking gently since he'd learned his lesson about just walking in. His hood was still down at the moment although he would be pulling it up before they left the castle grounds.