FULMINATION

the one sending in the prompt is the one comitting the action . [ add * for role reversal ! ]

" That━ sounds like neither wolf nor bear, " Jill comments faintly, stopped in her tracks at the thunderous sound of footsteps drawing near followed by a bone-chilling bellow that makes her feel a whole load of regret for not protesting harder the moment she heard Cid say the word shortcut. And then comes the beast itself, the source of the terrifying noise and even with the sudden rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins, the fear that grips her heart at the size of the monster, Jill's lips fall open in awe nevertheless at its hulking mass of spikes and sharp edges, feet easily three times her size in dearth and width alone.

And she doubts even her powers could penetrate the thickness of its jagged shell.

Cid needs not tell her twice to leave the matter of the relic for another time. In this instance she'll gladly defer to his order, both setting off on a dead run to put as much distance between them and the monster ere it thinks to set off after them. Jill can only hope its sheer size and strength would mean it lacks the same in speed.

Unfortunately, casting a brief look over her shoulder when she hears its bellowing rage at the prey getting away, the creature is gaining a lot faster than she would have liked. " What even is this thing? " She presses out in panting breaths as she picks up the pace, sweat dripping down the back of her neck, clothes sticking uncomfortably to her skin. But no matter how much faster they run, 'tis to no avail; and soon enough she can feel her steps losing balance as the impact of its weight shakes the ground 'neath them.

Which is why when, after hearing the crashing footfalls of the beast behind them and the startled skid of her feet, he whips around to call for her when he doesn't hear her running resume, and his breath catches instead when he recognizes that unmistakable density to the air. Aether coalescing the way frost encroaches on every surface in the winter, the temperature dropping from balmy to something decidedly more severe and biting.

Jill semiprimed. She's making a wall of ice, and asking him to go off alone.

When the words finally register, Cid hesitates at first, his jaw clenching, because gods damn it all, it's a blow to his pride to be forced to leave his comrade behind and run. Self-preservation and all that, aye, but better to bob and weave under the cover of foliage together like wily mice than let Jill potentially sacrifice herself to save his skin. Beyond that, though, he thinks faintly to himself that once upon a time he would have been in her place, bellowing at the others to get away as he unflinchingly beckons a thunderstorm to his fingertips, calcification be damned.

Hah. He sure knows how to pick his successors.

The Oath

It's a far cry from the young man who had once looked at him with such suspicion and even something akin to fear. But ever since Cidolfus understood the king has no intention of using his blade or his powers against him unless openly provoked, he became more bold, challenging, teasing.

It's been a long time since anyone dared to push and prod at Barnabas' boundaries, and if it was anyone else he'd likely have been able to put an end to it with one look.

But Cidolfus... He is different. He has always been different and the king sensed it from the moment they met. Setting aside his tremendous powers and strategic prowess, there is the fact Cidolfus is, without a doubt, the single most distracting person in all of Waloed, maybe even all if Valisthea. Just like the lightning he commands, there is an air of power around him in any given moment, drawing attention wherever he goes, turning heads as soon as he enters a room.

Cidolfus, much like the king himself, commands respect, but unlike Barnabas, there seems to always be deep fascination —an infatuation for some— accompanying it. People want to follow Cidolfus, garnering his favor not for power, or out of fear, but simply because they want to, because they want him, even when he is being cruel, even when they've seen him unleash his wrath, volatile and reckless, a thunderstorm made flesh, lightning given human form, it only deepens their desire to have him.

And Barnabas is not exempt from any of these desires either. Far from it. And after having felt next to nothing but grating apathy for decades, it vexes and intrigues him in equal measure.

Cidolfus' words pull the king from his quiet musings. Deep blue eyes never having left his lord commander's' form where he now lounges on the couch. Barnabas doesn't bother with pretense, simply sets his quill aside and stands, rounding his desk with slow, near silent steps.

He doesn't grace Cidolfus' first comment with an answer. He hasn't slept in days, hasn't eaten either. He barely needs to these days. If his body displays any signs of sleep deprivation or hunger he doesn't feel it. Most of the time he feels nothing.

Until now, that is.

"Growing tired of your assigned duties?" The king drawls as he walks closer, an unusual upward curl to his lips. "If so, I could revoke them..." He leans over the backrest of the couch, closing a hand over the apple in Cidolfus' hand, lips close to Cidolfus' l ear as he adds: "Alongside your privileges, that is."

He takes the apple from Cidolfus' hand, now stepping around the couch and watching with delight as his lord commander's expression shifts to slight surprise. He watches his lips part.

Whatever surprise he felt, he's quick to sweep it away with a dismissive wave of his hand and his usual insolence. "And leave you with only long shadows and dusty fruit for company? I certainly don't see any of the castle staff scrambling to take my place." He shoots a meaningful glance at the fruit again, making out the silvered layer of powder settling on their skin. He's seen how the servants only dare to venture in these chambers when Barnabas is out conducting other duties, how dust makes a home of his dulling fineries and thin curtains when he spends longer here. He's seen how messengers deliver their news to him with bunched shoulders and apprehension in their faces, walking through their halls in a grim, hurried procession.

Simply put, his poor king would be collecting grime along with all the rest of his furniture if not for Cid's charitable pestering. Or, if not with the pretense of kindness, then merely to quell his boredom and use his fingers to draw shapes through the powdery layer of neglect.

"Bu-u-ut, if you insist, I suppose I can behave." The plush cushions underneath him spring back up from the loss of his weight as he stands up and strides to where the king stands, his eyes never leaving Barnabas'. He plucks the apple from his hand, and to his delight, the king seems to allow it-- no move is made to grip it tighter or bring it further away from his reach.

Despite his intensity, he's in on the game too.

"After all, I'd hate to lose the company of the only man in the kingdom that can keep up with- and even outpace me." His eyes flick back down to the fruit as he inspects the bite marks-- how the skin caves with the intrusion into the flesh instead of holding its own form, indicating some age, yet still ripe with juices all the while-- before he flicks his gaze back up and bites, raking his teeth through the same area that Barnabas had bit through.

part 2 / ? .

❝ i’m also worried about me, but i somehow seem to be worried about you more. ❞ ❝ you put the stars to shame. let’s sit here a little while - i want to drink you in. ❞ ❝ i’d tell you not to get in trouble, but i suspect it will find you whether you like it or not. ❞ ❝ well, this seems as good a time as any for me to stop babbling on. ❞ ❝ i just….need some air…clear my head. ❞ ❝ it’s been a long time since i shed a tear. i don’t even know how long. ❞ ❝ i had a feeling you’d show up. it’s sort of our thing. like it’s fate or something. ❞ ❝ i do appreciate your enthusiasm, but let's try to restrain ourselves a little. ❞ ❝ if that was an attempt at flirting, i should let you know i prefer the strong, silent type. ❞ ❝ no matter how far you come, you’re still on the road to ruin. ❞ ❝ i thought you a hunter. wrong. you’re prey - small. snivelling. pathetic. ❞ ❝ and what am i owed? what about the injustices i’ve suffered - am i not entitled to anything? ❞ ❝ i can’t help but feel the strangest twinge of disgust as i look upon you. ❞ ❝ i trust that you will continue to remember who is really on your side. ❞ ❝ better a short life built on truth than immortality woven of lies. ❞ ❝ i won’t make excuses. i can’t make amends. but i want to help, if you’ll let me. ❞ ❝ gods, it’s horrifying…and a touch fascinating. ❞ ❝ there are many names for you --- and all of them inspire dread. ❞ ❝ destiny is at your door; won’t you at least twitch the curtain? ❞ ❝ the gravest crimes committed in this world are committed for love. a hunger crueller than bloodlust. ❞ ❝ you’ve got a backbone, and the makings of a leader. ❞ ❝ revenge sounds so sweet until you’ve taken it. then all you have is…no one left to blame. ❞ ❝ some mistakes can’t be resolved with an apology. some mistakes, you have to carry with you, forever. ❞ ❝ you’re plotting something, aren’t you? come on then - out with it. ❞ ❝ this is not good, if i may state the obvious. ❞ ❝ think of all we’ve been through just to get to this moment. that wasn’t luck. that was us. ❞ ❝ feel like i should laugh but i’m just too godsdamned tired. ❞ ❝ there is something i lost…no, had taken from me. i want it all back. ❞ ❝ careful - you’re in very real danger of hurting my feelings. ❞ ❝ one thing i’ve learned - real saviours never label themselves as such. ❞ ❝ less thinking of bad thoughts, and more breaking of bad bones. ❞ ❝ i rather like interfering. it’s kind of my thing. ❞ ❝ evil is evil, even if it once was innocent. ❞ ❝ you know, i've been catching myself smiling more lately. i think that's your fault.. ❞ ❝ oh, i’m no innocent. but evil? you tell me. ❞ ❝ i still want to believe you’re better than that. but even i am having my doubts. ❞ ❝ i can’t afford to lose my nerve. safer to just not think, and keep forging ahead. ❞ ❝ when all this is over, will you stay with me? for good? ❞ ❝ this is not good, if i may state the obvious. ❞ ❝ is there a reason you're always such an utter drip? do you have some sort of condition? honestly, it's like you hate good news. ❞ ❝ all of nature’s beauty pales in comparison to you. ❞ ❝ i can’t save you from yourself. it hurts terribly, but i can’t. ❞ ❝ if i seem suddenly flush with hope and soft feeling, you have only yourself to blame. ❞ ❝ is there good and evil within us all? ❞

FINAL FANTASY 16 EIKONS RANKED BY TUMBLR (x) #6 -RAMUH, THE WARDEN OF THUNDER