#nero lazarov

[afreesworn]

Mwah: Three people they’d like to kiss. (For Roen!)

Hmmmm. This one is hard!

1) She would like to kiss Nero again. They did kiss on more than one occasion, and each of those memories are precious to her now. Although she misses much more than just the touch of his lips, the memory of their first kiss is one she would never forget. 

2) There was a boy she liked when she young. It was back in Garlemald when she was a teenager. He was a son to their housemaid, but they played together and climbed rooftops and trees. He loved to sing and she loved to ride. He didn’t mind that she was a tomboy who liked to practice swords while he read books and studied magitek. They never kissed, but there were times, even in her younger years, that she did fancy herself doing so. She has not thought about that boy in a long time.

3) Honestly, I had a real tough time thinking of a third one. It has to be something almost subconscious since she would never actually entertain the thought seriously. But… there were moments where Gideon North attended to her in her time of need, lending emotional support and even laughter. Perhaps just for a second, such a thought might have crossed the corner of her mind very distantly.

If ever mentioned, she would deny it fiercely since she knows he is with another.

((mentions: @nerobombs @banquo-at-the-feast ))

[afreesworn]

A Final Farewell

“...Will I see you again?”

He smiled sadly. “Someday,” he spoke softly. “But not in this time. Not in this life.” A deep breath--as deep a breath as a shadow could make--and an exhale. The silhouette stepped forward to the mirror, touching it with a ghostly hand. The mirror expanded into a doorway, a shimmering cascade of rainbows being emitted from it. His form shimmered in the wake of such brilliant light. He turned to face her, a soft smile crossing his expression, his back to the luminescent doorway. His form wavered, the shadows comprising it gradually drifting away into nothingness. “Promise me that you’ll return to Ul’dah, one day. That you won’t hold onto me forever. That you’ll do what I was unable to...and let go. If you can do that, then that will be enough for both of us.” His evaporating silhouette seemed to tremble. “I am sorry that we did not have more time to say what we wanted to say. It was...difficult enough for what fragments of me are present to be taken from the lifestream. My departure is long overdue. I am tired, so tired, and the cycle has a place waiting for me. One way or another, this will be our last goodbye, for certain. No more secret letters or lost, fragmented souls. It is...time for me to rest.” Nero reached a hand forward in a weak wave. “Goodbye, Roen. Fare you well, and may you be blessed with the strength to defend all that you wish to.” And he was gone.

(( Art by @jn3rain ))

[afreesworn]

"Tell me truly, if you'd like a man on the inside: why should I assist you in rebellion rather than report what I know, and what I now suspect?" "Because, Sergeant, reporting what you know and arresting me accomplishes nothing. A seasoned man like yourself surely knows that lowborn criminals like me sprout like weeds. You may, of course, choose to arrest me. Or report me to your superiors. Or have me assassinated, or what have you. Whoever ends up taking my place will have far less noble intentions." "And far less fanatic fervor. As one lowborn criminal to another, trust me when I say that I understand fully well that those who follow in your wake will be far less capable. If your intentions are so noble, win me over with silvery tongue and honeyed words. That's what you do, no?" Roen glanced between the two men, her look of consternation growing. "Miss Deneith seems to believe in our alliance. Is that not enough? Or do you believe her to be suspect in all of this as well?" "I believe you've sold her the prettier tale from your shelves. I'd like the unabridged copy."

[afreesworn]

"It's not often mysterious hooded woman ask a Highlander to make friends with me. You could have simply said hello.”

"I am not sure the hello would have gotten me what I wanted."

"And what was it that you wanted?" 

"To know who you are, Mister Lazarov."

Nero Lazarov's face twitched in slight surprise for a split second. A flash that broke his composure ever so slightly, but slight enough to be noticed. Quickly he regained his composure.

"I know not of who you speak, ma'am. My name is Redgrave. Sebastian Redgrave. What is it about me that bid you to follow me?”

[afreesworn]

"You are as foolish now as you were back then." He took a breath, then added softly, "but…it is not so bad to be a fool at times, I am beginning to find."

[afreesworn]

“Once more. Your right hand. Keep it straight, and put everything you have into it.” Roen still hesitated. “You are going to block it this time…?” Hitting wooden dummies was one thing, hitting a man who was just going to stand there was something wholly different. It did not sit well with her, practice or no. Nero rolled his eyes to the dark skies with an exasperated sigh. "Just wait until Satz hears about this. I've actually found someone who is hesitant to punch me in the face. Guess he owes me that hundred..."

[afreesworn]

"If that is what you wish, Miss Deneith…I'm afraid I will have to refuse just this once. Forgive me."