tactician.

If Death cannot reach Alphinaud, then Nier’s own abilities will have to do. Rage and pain still twisting her face, she reaches out with both hands, channeling the magical energies that run through her veins. A spell to manipulate life, a spell to wring out in what seemed to be an excruciating manner. All those men had died in such pain, and now Alphinaud would join them.

But nothing happens.

Nier stares at her hands, eyes wide. It takes her an additional moment to recall that her own powers are gone as well; she has nothing in this city, no way to wreak revenge on the people who harmed her.

Her eyes meet Alphinaud’s and sees the pain on his own face. How dare he act like the victim when he hurt her so badly? How could he ever understand what real hurt, real rejection felt like? Nier clutches at the side of her head, doubling over in agony as her tears continue to fall to the carpeted floor. Her sobs fill the now-empty hallway as Death descends to the ground, attempting to wrap her arms around the crying girl.

“It’s not fair!” shouts Nier. “It’s not fair! People keep hurting me, so why can’t I hurt them back? Why can’t I just protect myself? I need to or else I’ll never be okay!”

“Ahhh… So sad, so sad… No matter where you go, people are always trying to deny you love…” says Death. “I can’t help but wonder why that is, why people such as us are always denied what we desire most…”

Nier’s hand closes on Death’s, but finds only empty space in her grasp. Straightening up, she looks back to Alphinaud, but the rage in her eyes is gone, replaced with emptiness. Her expression betrays nothing as she stares him down. Finally, she speaks again, though the words come out as little more than a sigh.

“You’re lucky. Just go away.”

With nothing more to say, Nier simply turns around and heads back down the hallway to the theater’s exit. Death floats along after her, but for a moment, her own face turns to watch the boy at the other end. The mask that she wears indicates nothing at all, but for a moment, she tilts her head to the side, as if considering something. Then, in a puff of darkened fog, she vanishes.

“Nier!”

Despite the loss of words, many things ran through his head that’s too difficult to pick out---what were the right words to say here? Alphinaud Leveilleur, the proud Scion and young prodigy of House Leveilleur, could not work his way around this with words. It’s a blow to his pride but moreso a stake to his heart, one filled with confusion and heartbreak. 

The fog was far too thick for him to navigate through. It was downright frightening as if a ghoul will reach out to him and drag him down to Hell’s abyss. He manages to get out of it, only to find her missing.

Alphinaud stands there, still determined to look for her. But once he realises that she’s nowhere to be found, his arms go slack at his sides, 

“What have I done...?”

“ … Look, when you got one left like me, you can make excuses all you want. Somethin’s bound to get into it eventually. “ Morgan’s hand would quickly wipe away at his face and the stream coming from his good eye briefly before clearing his throat a bit, feeling Alphinaud’s hand reassuringly pat him like that as he shook his head. It just. It just feels like such a breath of fresh air to see a familiar face in an unfamiliar setting finally call his name back to him after he thought so long that all of his friends would forget him in favor of others. That he had spent so much time by himself here without anyone ever recognizing his face or name.

♔ —• Strange. He felt a bit of kinship with the Exarch at this moment. He can understand why his emotions were as they were so long ago. “ But, no, it’s me. The one and only. It’s just been some time since I last saw any of you in this city, let alone one of you that’s remembered my name or face. There’s been ah.. some complications for the others when it comes to arriving in this city. “ 

“I suppose it’s an easy excuse to work with. You do have the privilege of doing so.”

The world they’re in was a few stars away from the ones they know themselves. He’s not entirely sure if the Exarch knows of this world himself but he can guess that he’s as clueless as everyone else is.

Even as Nier stares at Alphinaud with that empty gaze, she can feel warm tears pooling in her eyes and racing down her cheeks. He’s just wasting time with empty words, meaningless nothings designed to distract her from what’s really happening.

She should be used to this rejection, but it still hurts. It hurts so badly, like her heart is going to tear itself in half at the sound of his half-hearted words and gentle attempts at refusal. She’s hurting, but at least now she knows how to hurt someone back.

“I know what I feel. I love you, Alphinaud- Or… At least, I did… But if you won’t feel the same way, if you won’t love me… Then I don’t need you anymore.”

The sound of shattering glass can be heard as a dark mist begins to pour out from the space around Nier. The girl stands unmoving in the midst of the fog as it begins to coalesce into a feminine shape, a masked woman with a long, flowing dress and a crown of flowers. It presses its hands to its face, weeping out of sorrow for its evoker. In the background, panicked shouts and cries from other moviegoers can be heard, but the pair facing Alphinaud simply ignore them.

“How sad… How sad! Even in this world, it’s always the same…” cries the primal beast. “Even here, this is nothing but… cruelty.”

But Nier does not break her stare on Alphinaud. “I don’t need people who won’t love me, won’t care about me! The world doesn’t need people like that! So just… just die already!”

With that, Death swoops forward, a pair of scythes trailing from her headdress and aimed directly at the boy. As she gets closes, she draws them forward, slicing through his body…

And simply passing through.

It takes Death and Nier a moment to realize what has happened. Of course, the island has taken away Death’s ability to interact with the real world, so there’s nothing she can do to him.

The tears was already a red flag. His heart churns at the fact that he has hurt her feelings due to his inexperience and uncertainty--but what happens next was something he didn’t expect. 

The primal beast that appears behind her from the glow of her crystal. The mist blanketing them that it’s hard for him to see the crowd trying to rush out of the theatre and avoid danger. Despite the terrifying reveal of Death, Alphinaud stood his ground, instinctively on his guard with his book in hand. 

“Nier! I do care about you! Plea--” Worry overwhelms him, the beast’s voice echoes into his ears. Nier’s own words pierced his uncertain heart just as the blades strikes across him before he could finish his sentence. 

Alphinaud’s eyes was blown wide as he takes a step back, assessing himself.

“I...” He touches his chest, feeling no physical pain whatsoever...

He looks up at Nier, his expression struck with hurt and confusion. 

@moonstonescholar·

“Tis quite the extraordinary thing, tell it true.” He tapped the page of the book he was reading, eyes alight with knowledge as he moved around the library with a grace unbefitting him as a person. For those who knew him, of course.

Then again, t’was not many a Scion who got to see him in his element for the long term. Another large tome-like book was placed on the cart as he brought a new book to Alphinaud.

“Virtual reality - an augmentation of our world not unlike the Exarch’s magics. This Interspace leaveth thou in thine pod,” another two books were stacked on the pile, and a librarian familiar with his antics sighed loudly.

“If thou wouldst venture forth with me, after we consume much and more of the literature on the topic, so mine curiousity t’would be satiated.”

“What sayeth thou, Alphinaud? T’would be a pleasant change of pace to venture forth without fear of losing thine life. Yet still a new horizon awaiteth us both.” In plain speak, he’s asking if after you consume near twenty books on the topic, if you’ll go into the Interspace with him.

“It’s an interesting concept. The technologies in this world are headed into a different direction to the ones we’re used to.” Alphinaud takes the book given to him and leafs through the pages, quickly skimming them in a practiced pace as he walked behind the older Elezen. 

“Inventions mostly made for entertainment purposes... It’s intriguing. I’ve heard Virtual reality in passing when I was scoping out the Golden Ward. They’ve advertised it as some sort of a show... or something with some interactivity?” 

the heat of may begged for the far more breathable attire, thus did the ascian shed himself of traditional royal garb and instead don a shirt with its topmost buttons undone, its collar obnoxiously flared up and a pair of shorts thereby showing off thin, pasty legs. “ clothing, it would seem. “ came his answer alongside a shrug. “ i’m not in the habit of strutting about in the nude, scion. “

“That... is an image I’d rather not have in my mind. At all. Nor ever.” He breaks out into an intense shudder, trying to purge the mental image given to him. He shakes his head before looking back up at the Ascian with a frown. 

“ Huh? Oh Alphinaud, this is your’s? I should’ve imagined it would’ve be– “ All of a sudden, Morgan stopped completely in place as his good eye went wide in surprise as he realized what Alphinaud had just said. He had called out to him and in his name in full remembrance. After how many months had flown by where Morgan had met friend after friend disregard him due to the circumstances around the mysterious state of this city.. he wasn’t sure why, but he felt a steady but wet stream come out from his eye as he found himself staring at Alphinaud in shock, his hand trembling and subsequently dropping the carbuncle to the ground. 

“ … Could you.. repeat what you just said to me..? Perhaps it was a bit of water in my ears or soemthin’ but.. you just.. said my name.. did you not..? “ 

Alphinaud could see the somber in his dear friend’s eyes, a telltale look of mixed emotions. It was the same for him, really. Upon his arrival, next to his sister, Morgan was one of the very first in his mind to look for---just as he did when he was brought to the First. 

“Unless you are another Miqo’te called Morgan who is most deservingly given the title of Warrior of Light--well, Darkness---, I’d be mistaken.” He lets out a little chuckle. The smile on his face threatened to grow wider but as always, he tried to maintain his composure... no matter how much he would like to let out a cry of relief. 

“What... in the seven hells are you wearing?” 

Alphinaud stares at the Ascian in shock, having passed by him on his way home from school. It took him a couple of turns to realise it was Emet-Selch without his signature robes that he grew accustomed to seeing him in. Now, he’s a bit knowledgeable in this world’s fashion---or at least, of his native ward... but this... wasn’t what he was expecting.

♔ —• Well if this wasn’t a bit of a familiar sight.. sort of. At first the only reason it caught his eye was its shape but upon actually inspecting it and picking it up.. the familiar looking carbuncle turned out to be nothing more than a toy. A tired laugh escaped Morgan’s lips as he looked at it, however. No doubt influences from Eorzea and The First had found their way into the city.. so seeing a toy carbuncle like this was no real exception. … Still, it did remind him that his own group of friends were long gone from him and any of those who would be here would be at most a toss up at remembering him. He let out a soft sigh, looking it over. 

“ Well little pal, I don’t suppose you know where your owner is. I’d hate to move you from your spot but at the same time, can’t exactly run the risk of something happening to you. Perhaps you have a tag somewhere.. “ 

moonstonescholar

Alphinaud was sure he had put his carbuncle back into his bag after sketching out the blooming pink trees and koi filled rivers of Cotes. Even though his carbuncle was nowhere near sentient nor mobile, it felt nice to pretend that it still is. It was his ever-patient drawing companion and that still hasn’t changed despite it’s current form. 

So now that he’s nowhere to be seen, it was understandable that the Elezen couldn’t help but panic seeing that it was nowhere to be found. He retraced back his steps back to where he came, frantically looking around for his carbuncle when he spots a familiar silhouette from the distance where he was before. 

“Morgan...?” There was a bit of uncertainty in his voice but as he stepped closer, the familiarity was certain and if his carbuncle would so much as made an expression, it would recognise him too. 

Nier can’t help the smile on her face as she watches his own face go pink. He must be new to these types of things, it’s such a darling reaction that only fuels her further. Of course he wouldn’t lie to her, of course he wouldn’t be so cruel. And sometimes love is born from friendship, or at least that’s what she’s read, so of course it all makes sense so far.

Of course, of course.

She lets her hand fall as Alphinaud considers his answer, though she has a feeling he’ll choose the right one. Of course he loves her, he cares for her, he looks at her, he’s going out with her, she should really just call him her boyfriend from now-

“I cannot give you my answer just yet.”

The smile drops from her face. Why not? she wants to ask. Why can’t you? If he wants this to be a date, then he must feel something. It must be love, it has to be, she won’t let it be anything else.

As much as she likes feeling his touch on her shoulder, Nier reaches up to grab hold of one of his wrists. She squeezes it, not that she has much physical strength, as she stares right into his eyes. Her own eyes are dull, as if the light does not reflect off of them in the hallway they find themselves in.

“Why don’t you know, Alphinaud?” she asks. “It’s an easy question, only two answers… Yes…”

The edges of reality begin to distort around her, as if bulging outwards. Cracks appear in space, someone or something threatening to shatter the fabric that keeps it contained so it can tear its way into this world. Nier does not react, even as the gem that dangles from her belt begins to glow with a dull, red light.

“Or… no?”

“Ah---” Alphinaud was taken aback, eyes blown wide as he stares at their joined hands. He could feel his sweat in his palms as he wracks his brain on what to say. The distant look in her eyes, the glint of her gem that seemed to pulse with power. There are so many words running through his head, one that he’s not prepared for. 

He could bluff his way out this, but considering his inexperience, he doubts he will come out scotfree nor mend this afterwards when it goes downhill. There’s something up with Nier and he doesn’t know what...

“Listen, Nier, um.” He squeezes her hands back, moreso for his own comfort. “Breaking your heart is the last thing I want to do. To have clarity of our feelings for each other than to go head-on, yes?” 

(posts this out of context and runs)

hi everyone! i’m trying to be more active on my blogs again and hopefully i’ll get things back on track. 

i’m really sorry with my current rp partners but i will be dropping all my current threads to have a fresh start (save for a couple of starters). however, if you’re still interested in the thread we have, please dm me and i can still reply to them! 

Perhaps the tragedy is that Nier is used to feeling this way. Pouring her heart out to some young man who chances to look in her direction, only to have it torn to pieces when it turns out the feelings only flow one way. Is that going to happen here, too? Is Alphinaud about to tear her down with cold words and toss her aside like a rag doll?

He’d better not. Or else.

She lets herself be directed away from the curious eyes of passersby, until it’s just her and Alphinaud. Nier laces her fingers together, staring down at the ground until the sound of her own name brings her gaze upwards. He looks at her with concerned eyes, a look that brings color to her pale cheeks and makes her heart skip a beat. “I-I did want to come here…” she stammers. “But I wanted to come with you…”

Are her feelings not clear enough? Is she not doing enough, saying enough? It isn’t until he says those four words, those words she longs to hear that her eyes widen. A moment later, she smiles, a true smile of joy, as she eagerly pushes aside the pain she had felt only moments before. It’s pure bliss.

“Ah… You mean it, Alphinaud? You really mean it?” she says, new tears falling down her cheeks. “You’re not lying to me, right? All my past boyfriends lied to me, they were so kind to me at first, but they all ended up throwing me away like they thought I was trash…”

For a moment, her eyes glaze over with deep-seated rancor. But as they pass over Alphinaud’s features, they soften, and she smiles again. “But you wouldn’t do that… Right, Alphinaud?”

She leans in, reaching up a slender hand to press against his cheek. He seems flustered, which only prompts a small giggle from her. “You can do this for me, just answer this one question… Are we on a date right now?”

Her eyes, still trailing gentle tears down her cheeks, watch his expressions intently. “Alphinaud… Do you love me?”

Oh.

Oh no.

anything, he had preferred if she punched him in the gut. At least with that, he would have been prepared. 

But this, is something that he didn’t expect. Nier was affectionate the more they came close, but he didn’t think she had... developed an attraction for him. Alphinaud never had any experience in romance despite his attempts back in the Studium. If not for realising the embarrassment that came with it, he would have accepted the confessions that made his way. 

Alas, he chose academics and his ambitious goals of following his grandsire’s footsteps than to experience the youthful romance that was proper for a teenager his age. He looked positively helpless, if not, surprised by her confession. He wishes he had dragged her out to a more private area if he knew this was going to happen. 

“I... I wouldn’t lie to you. No.” He shakes his head, stressing his honest words lest she mistook them for blatant lies. “Nor would I throw you away! You are a good friend to me, Nier. A dear one at that. Only a fool would do such a thing...” Twelve, his face is positively red. 

Are we on a date right now? Alphinaud... Do you love me?

This is frightening. He doesn’t know what to say. He really, really doesn’t want to hurt her feelings at all! Nor does he want to lie to her either.