shadowbringers

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shadowbringers

beneath the stars It's been a week since our newest expansion officially launched! And, I know, I know... some of you already have a lot of feelings that you need to air out. But canon updating in your games is a struggle! And so is finding PSL partners! Luckily, that's what we're here for. This is a post for you to play out all the Shadowbringers-related content you might be dying to write. Behind-the-scenes nonsense? Between-the-scenes angst? It's all welcome here! 1. Toplevel your character. Include any details you might think are relevant. Or don't. As always, we're not the cops. 2. Reply to other people's top levels! 3. Have fun! ⚔ Please clearly mark all spoilers in your thread subject lines. Clearly indicate whatever spoiler preferences you may have. We're only a week into the expansion, officially, and there's no shame if you're not far in it or haven't started it yet. ⚔ You are welcome to play characters who are new to Shadowbringers. However, please try to avoid topleveling with icons and descriptions that convey major plot-related spoilers. If you aren't certain about a character's playability, feel free to PM parser.

TEMPLATE CODED BY valoirs

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[omnicrafter]

Now, now, none of this "proper" stuff. I drop in unannounced on people all the time, so all the blame lies on me.

[And maybe she shouldn't, but no one's ever complained. Or at least, it's never resulted in a compromising situation. Yet.

"Research" could be a blanket term for just about anything, she thinks. The Scions' predicament, or something else entirely... She shuffles over to him and lifts half the stack away from his eye level.]

You know... you could just make multiple trips. Or ask for help.

[A small grin.]

[exarchal]

A host should be ready to receive his most esteemed guest at any time.

[Why wouldn't he make room for her, honestly. She's done so much to help-- and she's still helping, right now, considering the things he's heard filtering in from the Crystalline Mean. He sees her eyeing his stack of books, though, and gives her a warm smile in return-- one that turns to surprise when she takes half the stack from him.]

Oh, you need not trouble yourself-- [Too late. He supposes he'll have to deal with the internal screaming as he steps aside so that Irhya can walk into the side room.] I thought it better to organize them myself rather than subject anyone else to the... questionable state of my private study. [It's hella messy. Floor to ceiling packed with books, a big desk with writing implements on it, and a settee that has obviously been used for napping (though not recently)... There are so many books. He sets his half of the bookish burden down on the desk and moves aside so she can do the same.]

What brings you to me today? Just passing through, or...?

[He would like very much if she were to stay, but he knows how badly this world needs its Warrior of Darkness, and how much the Source needs their Warrior of Light. His needs are far, far lesser than that of two worlds-- even if that means missing out on a few minutes with a friend.]

[omnicrafter]

[She can't help but grin, wide and somewhat sardonic, so much so that her long canines show.]

Mine's worse.

[Arguably so, but either way, she doesn't seem troubled by the mess in the slightest, stepping carefully around the edges of book piles to set her pile down atop his.]

Oh, you know... a little of both. Passing through, but while I'm here, I figured I'd carry over something nice with me.

[Irhya fishes a box out from her bag, inspecting it to make sure its contents remain undamaged before presenting it to him.

Inside is a round rolanberry cheesecake.]

I don't think you can find rolanberries on the First... at least, they're not the same. And I know you probably don't need to eat anymore, but I think it's still important to maintain that kind of normalcy. Besides, sweets are fun.

Oops i just realized i used a spoiler icon. this is why i shouldn't tag late at night LOL

[exarchal]

O-oh, is that so? [He looks a bit surprised to find this out, but he latches onto this tidbit all the same. He never got the opportunity to learn much about the Warrior of Light's non-adventurer life, as the accounts were generally of deeds and not personality. She's an incredible crafter, however; a little mess makes a lot of sense.] I suppose they would want to leave that out of the historical accounts.

[She says she brought something nice and he's... touched but also curious, head tilting, ears flicking too. It smells sweet-- and then she hands it over, and he witnesses this beautiful cheesecake firsthand. His ears perk up instantly.]

You brought this all the way here for me? [His tone is incredulous, but pleased, and there's some pink on his cheeks to go along with the strange cartwheels of his heart. Red eyes settle on her, wide surprise softening to fondness and gratitude and something else he dare not name.]

I... I do not know what to say. This is quite generous, and it looks perfect-- a taste of my old home. Did you make this all by yourself?

[He looks at it again for a moment, then his eyes bob back upward.]

I may not need to eat, but I prefer it-- particularly with company. I would hate to keep you from your undoubtedly vital business, but if you are amenable, mayhap you could stay for a cheesecake and a spot of tea. I daresay there is more than enough to share.

npnp!

[omnicrafter]

More like I probably complained at Edmont until he left out the bits about the Warrior of Light's unkempt guest room in Fortemps Manor. At least they had maidservants there...

[Irhya pairs the sardonic remark with a laugh. She shouldn't know of that, really, but that dream she had was quite convincing in her belief that his published memoirs were one of those great influences in that far-flung future. Not that she's ever sat down to read it yet... something she ought to correct when she finds herself with some quiet time again.]

Of course! And if someone should come claim to the contrary, then I shall make time. This is important to me, too, so don't feel like you're keeping me from anything.

[For some reason, doting on him brings a particular lift to her own heart that never quite manifests with anyone else. It was a similar sensation with Haurchefant, too, though it has been... a while. But the way they both blossomed like flowers into smiles and glee at the attention... it makes her feel like walking on air.]

G'raha... You've been through a lot, perhaps far more than me, and have gotten very little out of it in a personal sense. It just isn't right. So don't think of it as a task so much as something I want to be doing.

[exarchal]

[Her laugh is always nice to hear, and it makes his lips curve into an amused smile of his own. He can very well imagine Irhya doing exactly that. She must have been rather precocious as a young girl, he thinks, and he wishes that he knew her then...

It's like she sees right into his insecurities and plucks them right up, tosses them away, and reassures him all in the same motion. He has felt like a burden for a while, now-- particularly after he needed rescuing like a princess in a castle-- but here she is, telling him that he's worth the time.]

Then I shall track down the tea service, [he says with a bright smile.] It should not take long, and you may look around if you like. I had this room closed off because it would easily reveal the existence of the other Shards... among other reasons. For all the work we have done, 'tis still not recommended to reveal our origins to the people.

[He hasn't known this sort of attention in a long time. Though he kept himself at a distance, the marks of his warmth are everywhere-- from the children whom he played with at times, to the way the Crystarium's community leaders speak of his help. G'raha's generous and humanistic nature is written in the spires leaning against the Crystal Tower, in the way he opened his doors and allowed them to take nearly everything after the Flood. And yet, for all that, he never let people in... the one exception being Lyna, who still does not understand his secrets but knows she was raised with love.

And it's love that looks at him now, and calls him by his name. The reaction is immediate and instinctive, scarlet eyes widening, ears twitching-- and it's followed by a smile, surprised and warm and a touch bittersweet. It isn't the first time she's used his name. He prays it will not be the last, because he had all but locked that piece of himself away until she called upon it. This was a different sort of time travel than the magicks he'd used to visit the First.]

Irhya. [His tone is soft and warm, and it comes with a friendly cant of his head.] There is much and more that I would do to see my dreams realized. This is personal-- from the future that greeted me when the doors were opened, to the symbol that the Crystal Tower has become in this world.

You are hale and whole, and both worlds still stand. There is nothing—nothing—that I dare ask for, now that I have this.

[omnicrafter]

[Her expression softens, and her ears do an odd swivel.]

Mmm... Perhaps, but sometimes I wish you would. You may have incorporated your body into the tower, but you yourself are not merely an extension of it.

[Irhya does not elaborate on that, and is content to withdraw utensils from her bag as if she'd planned on this whole thing, on his invitation, all along. Granted, it is a curious room indeed, but she can also see how he'd grow attached to it. For a long time, it must have been his only real safe sanctuary... a long, long time. That, and she knows how personal the contents of such places can be... she's almost afraid she'll stumble across his diary or something if she looks hard enough.]

Here, you sit. We're not doing that silly fidgety nervousness thing today, and that goes for me too.

[It sounds like a motherly chide at first, but she smiles in a way intended to grab his attention and hold it, locking eyes with him as she slides a piece of cake his way like an offer he can't refuse. It's not unusual of her, but lacks the gritty edge that often accompanies her commentary; she doesn't have it in her to be edgy at him when the possibility the edges will cut seems very real.]