“Ah, Albeon Fulke, my good sir. Pleasure to make your acquaintance! Oh- is that tea? A cup if you would?—yes! Thank you.”
What do your friends call you?
"Al, Alby, the occasional full Albeon. Perhaps Fulke here and there in east Othard.”
What is your favorite animal?
“Like animal in general such as a genus? Or do you mean a particular specimen, like a pet? Both--? Oh well, I’ve a great fondness for Deepeyes—oh yes I’m quite aware they’re voidsent ol’ boy, but not everything from the void need be spurned!
Not really an animal you say? Well very well then, I do find bandersnatches to be quite impressive. I saw some tamed ones in Radz-At-Han, and speaking of my dear fellow Zeeg came from there, a rather foul-mouthed Calibri who speaks only thavnarian and whom I consider my favorite particular animal.”
"On the main island of Sharlayan, in the capital city. Beautiful place, should you ever be allowed in I recommend seeing the steps of the Forum!”
"oh! I have a godson of reputable and wonderful breeding, dashing little bloke, toddling age. But of my own blood? None that I know of.” He smiles a little nervously.
Is there a person/people you love?
“Miss ah—right--, Miss Mandalina is my dearest and closest confidant, my editor so to speak. A childhood friend I share the most affection for, and of course I love my mother and father with great respect though I haven’t seen them in many a year but we write! Oh—you want to know romantically?”
He pauses and smiles, tapping fingers to his lips.
“I’ve had many loves in many places and they’ve all be wonderful and beautiful people.”
What is your favorite color?
"I’m partial to nice creams and sturdy browns, warm and useful objects are often these colors, don’t you agree?”
What is your full occupation?
“Well! I’m technically a writer of some repute, I pen travelogues you see, but truthfully I consider myself a scholar and explorer more so!”
Are you good at physical fighting?
“I certainly would hope to think I am! I enjoy a good scrum anytime and my entire scholarly focus is on the art of combat, so I best be able to put gil where my mouth is, don’t you think? Ah ha ha ha!”
Which form are you best at?
"My swordplay is what I’ve certainly put the most work into, but I do my best not to let other skills fall too far behind! I certainly enjoy a good round of fisticuffs as well.”
"Ah yes, my first calling, my true heritage. My mum and father are both reputable spellcasters of considerable talents and I was tutored and trained in my youth by a red mage ex-patriot from Eorzea, fascinating stuff really! I would consider myself a red mage, I’ve certainly got a soul stone to prove it! Hopefully I impart as much knowledge on it as it’s last owner.”
Which type are you best at?
"Magic, it’s in my blood I confess and it comes so much easier to me than physical technique. Not that that stops me from trying my hardest to master both!
Wait—oh you mean what type of magic? Oh haha, goodness my apologies. It’s hard to say, I practice red magic, which is a marriage of white and black though channeled through one’s body and focus very differently. But if I were to pick up a traditional staff I think the thaumaturgic arts might come more easily?” He rubs at his neck, clearly unsure.
“Ah—penmanship? Ahaha—does that even count? I’m a decent sketcher given enough time and I’ve a fairly decent grasp of cartography! Things I need to know for documenting my travels...”
"Say! I’m a fair hand at cooking! In fact I always have a few recipes jotted down in my travelogues, you should try a few out if you pick one of them up! Ah..volume 4 has some really fantastic curries in it I learned while in the near east!”
He winks a bit, flustered, clearly not very used to ‘plugging’ his books.
“Aye, my parents barely had enough time to raise me, busy as they are! My father’s a regular re-elect to the Forum and my mother has a seat on the council of the College of Conjury!
Hm—poor childhood? Oh no not at all! They were great parents, they couldn’t always make time for me but they certainly tried!”
Where do you see yourself in five years?
“Ah, well, plodding around Eorzea I suppose! It took me ten years to get across the empire entirely and Aldenard is about half that size, so haha half the years!
Why not use aetherites you ask? Well you certainly skip a lot of the scenery and I wouldn’t have met or learned from nearly as many people! Goodness and of course you have to attune to them first! Though it certainly makes going back to other places easier! N-not that I go back to places often.”
He finishes that last line looking a tad guilty.
Have you ever almost died?
"oh yes! Dozens of times! In fact, at least once or twice a month! That’s the nature of studying rare and exclusive martial techniques and traveling the world to do it! Actually, just last week while crossing Mor Dohna I have an amazing encounter with a tribe of Gigas and their rival tribe…”
He proceeds to tell a rather dire story that has the interviewer wincing more than once at the close calls though never once does he seemed concerned about how dangerous it was.
Do you have a secret, not just a secret, but like a really big secret hardly anyone knows?
"I’ve learned many important and private things from masters of dying arts. Sometimes knowledge like that isn’t meant to be shared except with the exact right person. I’ll know them when I find them, I won’t let these important techniques die out with me, but I won’t share all of them with the entire world either.”
He says this all with surprising seriously, his bright exuberance toning down for a moment to drive home that this is important.
"A black pretzel pressed in salt and drizzled with caramel, both salty and sweet and a fantastic snack for the road!”
"Well of course I do! But there’s always room for improvement and there’s of course no end to the knowledge one acquires. Never stop learning!”
Do you believe in the Twelve?
"In a purely scientific way such as in the study of primals and eikons and aetheric convalescence? Absolutely. But do I pray to them you mean? Ahaha, only in a joking way admittedly.”
"Mm. While I respect all religions and cultures, I find it difficult to be as such myself with all the different communities and societies I’ve seen. Also Sharlayans aren’t naturally predisposed to such beliefs! Question everything!”
Do you carry prejudice with you?
“Absolutely none, it would invalidate my life’s work to judge knowledge and people unfairly. I walk into every community with a fresh outlook and to my gosh darn best not to have my judgement color my learning. Of course this isn’t always flawless, I did cause a little bit of trouble in the empire. But I confess I’m a man of action!”
He says little, but it’s unlikely that’s an accurate measurement.
What do you consider entertainment?
“A clear sky above me, a fresh road below me, and a new place on the horizon! I can think of absolutely nothing more invigorating and exciting!!”
“Do I really have to pick? –yes? Okay well I can narrow it down to two. An excellently brewed cup of tea with a hint of honey, or the cheapest palest ale I can find made as cold as I can possibly drink it! Both are preposterously refreshing!”
Tagged by: Nobody, but I saw it floating around!
