victory_road | FOURTH WALL MINGLE LOG

[ Coerthas can't have undergone so dramatic a change a second time without another Calamity, but Emmanellain's surroundings are completely unfamiliar. Certainly not Camp Dragonhead.

Wandering, he encounters all manner of strange beastkin, and vilekin, none of them the creatures commonly found roaming the highlands — and eventually he comes upon Haurchefant's camp and his menagerie.

Haurchefant's camp. Emmanellain rubs his eyes. He must be dreaming. ]

[ There were some things that Haurchefant had accepted - if only barely. He'd not see any of his family again, even if he was distant from them. With Nidhogg dead, he had hoped to try and become closer, if only slightly.

This world, though, seems to have thought differently, as he saw dearest Emmanellian - and he couldn't help but give a stare, slowly walking towards him - his expression turning to a grin.

But then, a soft screech came from his arm. The Zubat who usually fed there had de-attached, and flew towards the younger Elezen, to flutter around curiously. For the boy smelled a lot like his food. ]

[ Oh gods, what does it want, why is it after him— Help him, dream Haurchefant! Emmanellain ducks, peering up at the Zubat and its sharp fangs in trepidation. ]

Back... back, I say!

[ His hands flap in shooing motions. ]

This is rather too vivid a dream!

[ Right-- the strange orbs. Haurchefant withdraws the bat - he can't help but laugh, with that voice of his sounding as it did before. ]

...I'm afraid it's no dream - that dear Zubat is rather too friendly to those unknown. Especially those he finds charming, in one way or another.

[ But he knows that his words will most likely go ignored... because of who they were coming from. As he raises his arm for a wave, there's still slight Zubat bite marks. ]

[ As the orb in Haurchefant's hand absorbs the bat, Emmanellain's bewilderment only grows. No dream? Dear Zubat? Haurchefant, as he was in life. ]

Well, what is this place, Haurchefant? Am... am I—

[ But that can't be. Emmanellain pats himself down. No, a dream would claim to be no dream, and one would expect halls upon ascending to Halone's halls. ]

...You live. [ He hopes. He hasn't quite heard the tales of his Warrior of Light yet - but if any of his family were to fall, Haurchefant couldn't forgive himself. Worry not, please. ]

...Though I thought the same when I woke, months ago. This is another realm, where the living and those passed can live together.

[ Another realm... Emmanellain blinks. After a moment, he reaches out as if to poke Haurchefant, and that is exactly what he intends. ]

[ He is poked and he is solid. And lets out a little laugh, before reaching for a hug. ]

[ This is no dream. This is Haurchefant, warm and breathing, not laid to rest, gone. As Haurchefant embraces him, Emmanellain realizes that they've never done this.

He remembers hearing the news, how their father wept.

Emmanellain's arms lift, and settle around his brother, tightening their hold. ]

[ There are many regrets, and one for Haurchefant is that he cannot make each of them better.

But this is nice. His voice is quiet, though, as he says... ]

I fear I cannot come home, even if you return there. Though I may seem hale, 'tis because of this land.

[ He may as well lay out the worst news for now. ]

[ There goes telling Haurchefant how overjoyed everyone will be — yes, even Artoirel. Emmanellain draws back to stare at his brother in dismay. ]

What— But how can you be certain? Have you tried?

...I've not. [ He says, quietly, looking his brother in the eyes so very sadly. ] But I'm not the only who was grabbed from the grips of death - and those who have come and left speak of returning to where you were once before.

[ And he believes it. He doesn't want to try, for he doesn't want to die. ]

[ In other words, Haurchefant would return to the very moment of his death? What a sobering thought. Emmanellain's face falls. ]

That hardly seems fair.

[ He shakes his head. ]

But you would know what happens! Couldn't you... dodge?

[ His own expression drops. ]

And risk the life of the Warrior of Light? If they were to fall, then... I'd have failed.

[ In not just his duty, but to everybody. Everybody loved the Warrior of Light, even if his was different. And he couldn't do it, he couldn't say his life was worth more. After all, he was still a bastard, now alive or not. ]

[ A knight lives to serve. To protect. To sacrifice. There is no greater calling.

The words surface from Emmanellain's memories, spoken in their father's voice. Haurchefant, no matter what some had to say of a High House's bastard, was everything that a knight should be.

And of course Haurchefant would make a shield of himself all over again. ]

...Surely you could dodge and push the Warrior of Light out of harm's way.

[ Even to Emmanellain's own ears it sounds childishly stubborn, wanting the last word. ]

So much has happened since you... Since that day.

I only wish so.

[ But he knows it foolish even before the words leave his lips. Even if he was an idealist, Haurchefant knew reality. ] But if there is a way... [ Haurchefant mutters - if he can return home, he will. If those of this world haven't found a way yet, perhaps they will. Finally taking a small step backwards - so that he could look his brother in the eyes without leaning down. ]

...The Warrior of Light is here as well. I hear you've... grown. [ If but a little - since ~~that thread is still going but have discussed where it's going~~ it's still Emm. But as he stepped back, his Rapidash approaches a little - his dear Unicorn. ]

Edited 2017-06-02 12:33 (UTC)

[ Several things take place in rapid succession. Emmanellain opens his mouth for a retort, then brightens swiftly to hear that the Warrior of Light has already told Haurchefant of his deeds. ]

Ah, if only you could have seen me, Haurchefant! First the—

[ And then Emmanellain notices the approaching unicorn, and its fiery mane. How is it aflame without roasting?! ]

...Are these yours?

[ Emm, do you know what you've done now?
You've got Haurchefant on the topic of his Unicorn. ]

That he is! Isn't he splendid - the way he flickers in that wonderful way way, with flames which burn not - except for his enemies! His horn is sharp and pure, and his hooves seem to glide wherever we must run! Truly, he is but one of my force to defend my life here - though even Dragon are calm.

[ But he takes a deep breath, softly sighing. There's that glimmer in his eyes, no longer marred by sadness. He's almost glad his Sliggoo didn't come over at the mention of dragons - how would he explain it? Even now, months after arriving, Haurchefant couldn't help but see his love of his goo friend as the work of a heretic. ]

...And he lets me ride him. Emmanellian, I've riden a unicorn. [ And said unicorn is coming up to the other Fortemps, curious. ]

[ The striking beast's arrival is timely, evidently distracting both Elezen from aught and all besides its majestic form. Emmanellain regards it with curiosity in kind, raising his hand to bring it closer to those flames, testing their heat. His palm stops short of coming in contact with the unicorn's mane, lest it think him its enemy. ]

A unicorn, your noble steed... [ How fitting. ] I suppose it knew you for a son of our house!

[ Pausing, he casts the other creatures and wind-up dolls gathered nearby a glance. ]

And the— What did you call it? That bat? How did you trap it within that orb?

[ He is still vibrating gently, in his Haurchefant way - and the Rapidash noses Emmanellain.

But he gives a soft frown. ] You know I'm no true son of our house. [ He mumbles - trying to mask the words. Yes, ignore it for speaking of this world. ]

It's the technology of this world - and he is a Zubat, hatched from an egg. If you are to stay, would you like your own young unicorn? They begin hornless!

[ haha... ha... haurchefant thinks emm is going to stay. Which is tragic, really. ]

Though I may need to re-name my dear Zubat - I named him after you! [ But he's gotten out the Pokeball holding the Zubat, softly smiling. ] Try pressing the button!

[ Though Emmanellain catches Haurchefant's mumbling, he is distracted once more as Haurchefant continues, a whirlwind of enthusiasm over his odd pets. ]

From an egg— [ A unicorn foal, too?

Wait.

Emmanellain's jaw drops. ]

You named it Emmanellain?! [ Should he be touched or offended? ] But it— Is that a bite?

[ There, on Haurchefant's arm. Those puncture marks match Emmanellain the Zubat's fangs. A bloodsucking beast shares his half-brother's name.

Emmanellain the Elezen eyes the orb in Haurchefant's hand, not terribly eager to press the button, but his index finger nears it. ]

You couldn't name your unicorn for me instead?

[ Then again, that might have been a trifle strange, to talk of riding the animal then... ]

Alas, I got my dear Zubat before I got my unicorn - who I'd not named until our dear second Azure Dragoon came by but a moment ago! [ aka sasaxia. aka my wol-- ] For you see, a friend named Ford was selling them! Though he knew not if it would be Rowlet nor Zubat.

[ A pause, as Haurchefant nods to himself. ] As they may sound, Rowlet are young, round owls. But! Zubat are usually seen as common pests, as common as a starving bastard. [ haurche p l z ] The one I hatched - your namesake - is one I hope to raise to a higher standard. I've named many of my pets and allies after those of Ishgard and elsewhere.

[ For he'll never return. For he won't return and he won't be able to see them once more. It's the closest he has. Haurchefant, however, won't let this sorrow mask his enthusiasm for talking about Pokemon. Truly, it's rewarding to him. ] Unlike one captured off the street or cavern, however, this Emmanellian can use the attack Brave Bird out of the egg - one of the stronger Wind-aligned attacks!

[ His thoughts now distracted, though, he gives a Fortemps Cheeky Grin. ]

...Would you like to see the one I named after Ser Estinien?

[ A common pest... But Haurchefant thinks more highly than that of the Zubat and his brother, doesn't he? Each and every word still brims with excitement.

At last, Emmanellain presses the button on the Zubat's orb. Perhaps he and his namesake got off on the wrong foot, which he plans to rectify. Haurchefant means well. ]

Truly, even Ser Estinien? [ That should be interesting, and Emmanellain grins not unlike Haurchefant. ] What sort of creature is it?

[ As the Zubat was let out - letting out soft little squeaks - it fluttered... to land on the Elezen Emmanellian, nice and soft and relaxed.

Of course, Haurchefant wasn't relaxed - no, he grabbed out another orb. ] Well, it was after a disaster of a Prom - villians, calling themselves Team Rocket, had imprisoned many Pokemon. The day after, I awoke with a special stone and an Egg - one which hatched into a Pokemon who could use the stone to become stronger.

[ And out comes a Mareep. (Haurchefant, for a moment, questions why Estinien has gone back a stage. But with wind-up dolls everywhere? It made him chuckle a little.) The Mareep had bright pink fur, a little closer to red - and deep blue skin. ]

[ The Zubat's fangs are still disconcerting, so near Emmanellain's person, but it doesn't seem poised to suck him dry, nor has it unleashed its attack. The Pokemon named for Estinien is not at all what one might expect, either, and Emmanellain bursts into laughter. ]

A... distant cousin to a karakul? For all we know, Ser Estinien truly hides a sheep's face beneath his helm!

[ Observe the Fortemps wit! Emmanellain's amusement lingers. ]

FOURTH WALL MINGLE LOG

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