aetherialslumber | (no subject)

[ His lips curved into a frown. ]

But unlike the Court, you and the Maiden wish to serve your people.

…I would be uncomfortable claiming anything else. We are seeking to help.

[ He closed his eyes. Leaning on his cane. ]

Fate found it fitting to gift me this position. One I cannot leave, lest I would be abandoning those I care for. [ Even if they tell him he can leave, he can change his role. He cannot leave them again. ]

…Nor would I wish to ask that of you. [He holds a hand out to Urianger- an offer he can take, if he wishes.] What can I do to support you, then?

[ ...After a moment, he takes it. His body suddenly feels so tired. He frowns. ] I've no solutions, I'm afraid to say. Thancred said that if there was an anchor from the Source... but I cannot recall anything that's suitable.

[His grip is solid, meant to be reassuring, yet not intrusive. All that Urianger allows, and no more.]. Have the others brought everything of yours over? Or else- perhaps if we were to infuse something with the sense of you…?

[ A quiet chuckle, dark and frightening. ] Crystal Exarch. If we tried to infuse something with a sense of me...

...that would take me knowing who I am.

[Dark, yes, frightening, yes- but he hasn't come this far without his share of troubles. In fact, he seems to smile.]

Then I believe we ought to work towards just that.

[ A slump. But he remained holding the other. ]

Rediscovering who I am-- 'twould take too long.

[He reaches out with his other hand, palm up.]

Perhaps it might help if we drew on the memories of all those who know you, then.

...that is how I was revived, long ago. [ Said so quietly. ] For a long time, I doubted who I was.

Perhaps I still do.

Ah… I see. I didn't know the particulars of that, I fear. In which case- would it serve again?

[He grips a little more tightly- just for a moment.] There is no doubt in my mind that you are Urianger Augurelt.

I know not. Besides - I doubt that Elidibus would gift thee aid now.

...sometimes, Exarch, souls from the past awaken. In my case, the being known as Pan sometimes overtakes me as well. A mind from before the Sundering. He grows quieter, but is another complication. But-- [ his voice suddenly turns twisted, angry-- ] Nothing is ever simple, is it?

…ah. Yes, I fear I doubt that. I was imagining… collecting the memories myself- ah, not in such a way as to harm anyone.

From the past…? But…. [He shakes his head- ears pressing back.]. It's more than I would have wished to deal with. But I will do my best, regardless.

It would be best if we began with those here. Those willing. [ He puts a hand to Thancred... ]

...it is cruel. It is bad. I dislike the whole thing.

[Thancred reaches out, fluttering a little.]. My memories are yours to use. Though- since we are from separate shards- would that affect it?

If we focus on remembering Urianger as he is before us now- I believe not. But I

…I can't say I have much fondness for it. There is much to be learned from the past, of course, but- we live in the present.

I believe in you, Thancred.

...I don't like it either. Would that we could silence the voice. The soul who does not find his own fate cruel - ah, he wished not to die.

But the past is the past.

[[-cannot promise it absolutely, is what I meant to finish that off with. @@]]

[He gives a grin at that.]. I won't let you down.

Then perhaps we ought to convince him of such. The future is in well enough hands- so I believe.

[ Urianger sighed, closing his eyes. ] He's a stubborn bastard.

I promise I can be just as stubborn.

...I shall awaken him, them. He's fighting to speak--

[ And suddenly, with a shudder, he pulls away from the Exarch. ] --stop touching me with your crystal.

Ah- Pan, I assume? My apologies. I hadn't realised that my arm would bother you.

It looks far too sickly. Like an illness I once observed in my travels... But, yes - my name is Pan.

Like- stoneblight, or-? [Ah, no- he's older than that, isn't he.]. A pleasure. I am called the Crystal Exarch, and I have the honour of looking after this city. Might I be able to help you?

No, no. Some foolish people would try and harness Creation magic without being some of those who were born with it, and would corrupt their very body, and perhaps even those of people nearby. [ He gives a shrug. ]

It seems the one who I'm forced to live with thinks you can convince me that my life isn't worth living.