ofstarsandskies

[ofstarsandskies]

ummm uhhhhh xillia 2 but i've turned it into isat. does anyone out there see my vision. can anyone hear me

(the last pic is below a cut because it's just, by nature, a spoiler for both games djkhdksjfhkds)

[ofstarsandskies]

Oh right, Edna wouldn't know Nova. He could explain, but visual aids are always better. So... flexing his artistic skills, Ludger sketched a head shot of Nova. He made sure she had that twinkle in her eye she saved for his brother, who either ignored it or never noticed. Once he finished, he'd call his work decent-- not frame it on your wall worthy, but it did resemble a person without any glaring flaws.

'This is her. She's very friendly and can get anyone smiling. Only negative I got about her is she constantly gushes about dating my brother one day. No amount of telling her it's not happening stopped her.' Maybe she can relate to Lord Zaveid in that way-- both want people they'll never get. Nova just has one where Zaveid has... a lot, probably.

As expected, Lady Edna does confirm his dream's a cheese wheel with a side of cheese. Although mysteriously, she drops her snark to warn him: life's not going to pull any punches, so he better make sure he leaves no regrets behind if he wants to instill hope in others. Ludger shoots a concerned frown for a second until he figures it's not his business to pry.

'Don't worry, I've gotten pretty good at reminding my stubborn big brother he can't eat pasta margheritas in the afterlife. And I'm determined to fulfill my duties to this world until my time's up! They'll name a real star after me by the time I'm done!' Ludger punctuates the message with a full on salute. 'Or maybe there'll be a dish called "The Ludger's Special" in my honor. Either's fitting for me. ( ꈍ◡ꈍ)'

His syrup sample earned itself perfect marks. Ludger puffs his chest with pride-- and who says you can't make a five star meal on the road? Though most don't carry nearly as much as he does. Lady Edna also shares her daily routine: walking around and visiting her brother. Rayfalke's a big place, so there's definitely enough ground to take up a full day. Though her brother... was he...?.He'd ask Victor, he knows that stuff.

'Not boring at all! But I'd probably go mad worrying I'm not doing enough to make things better. I wouldn't be able to talk to you like this if I didn't feel that responsibility.' Like most in the clan, he relied on his Oath to see and treat Hellions. Of course if he could go back, he would've chosen something different... or at least specified a subject.

'Sorry if that's a bit heavy-handed. (；^ω^) Guess that shows I'm worrying even now huh? But that's our family business: worrying about the world in ways most humans can't!' Or maybe that's just a symptom of being Julius' little brother. 'Though right now my biggest worry is making sure this visit's a treat both in taste and company. Is that working so far? (人���ω・）'

Her head tilts. Edna didn't think he would actually go along with this idea. Given the topic, 'Nova' is a girl; probably one Ludger is on tentative terms with if she is a last resort. ❛  I don't know who 'Nova' is, but as long as she's a girl, Operation Bait will work.  ❜ She thinks she might even borrow 'lecherous scumbag' someday if Perveid annoys her a little too much in the future henceforth. Though, Ludger does have a point about it being icky. She starts feeling sorry for Nova, whoever she may be. 

On her face is an unimpressed look towards his explanation. With a shake of her head, she flatly comments, ❛  That's got to be the cheesiest thing I've ever heard.  ❜

It's even cheesier than when Meebo was talking about a quote he wanted to use for that book he wants to write. Something about history being the architect of people's hearts. Cheesy, just like now—but she knows that people who can be openly cheesy are also people with good hearts, if not a little dorky. There is no real harm in wanting to write a book to preserve the events of their journey, or wanting to be a star in someone's sky. Edna can never be a star herself because her sky is long gone and dead, but Ludger... He still has people to shine for. He wants to ... help people. Humans like him aren't all that bad, she supposes.

❛  If he works so much by himself, then that means you have to definitely hold a light for him anyway,  ❜ she replies, shrugging. She knows how it feels to want to do something for an older brother, once upon a time. More solemnly, she adds, ❛  Even stars burn out eventually, so this is going to be a testament of your willpower. Be prepared for what could lie ahead, and make sure you don't regret anything. You can't bring hope to others if you can't do at least that much.  ❜ 

That was too serious for her liking, so she shakes off the bittersweet feeling as she watches him pour the mixture into a container. She is briefly shocked when he offers a ladle to her for a taste since no one really did that with her when they were cooking, but nevertheless, she slowly approaches him, the bag of the palmiers lowered as she dips a finger from her left hand into the thick glaze to lick off. The taste immediately has her eyes widening a bit in awe, an explosion of warm sweetness in her mouth as she swallows. 

❛  It's really good,  ❜ she firstly tells him, pleased. He nailed it. True, he just finished prepping it, but for it to taste this good at this stage is a feat of its own. It would be divine paired up with the chestnuts. ❛  The amount of sugar... Even the temperature... Keep making it like this at all times, Lurin.  ❜ 

She steps back to let him work again, idly playing with the ribbon of the palmier bag. ❛  I take walks, and I visit Onii-chan sometimes.  ❜ And that's it. Edna vowed to herself that she would not despair after Sorey's journey was over, but that did not mean she currently lives an eventful life either. She is simply content to live in peace, all things considered. ❛  Too boring for you?  ❜ she asks knowingly, fully expecting some sort of comment about how lonely her lifestyle is. 

[ofstarsandskies]

"...I beg your pardon?"

Yinyue's request is abrupt in every way possible. He hasn't had someone (aside from family) ask since... it doesn't matter. And before he can ask begin to ask what prompted this, he's given the most simplistic answer as well. Moments like these are why he's glad most of his emotional tells are hidden behind his mask; nobody can tease him for making stupid faces as Ludger does with no effort.

He should refuse for the sake of not sowing any dangerous ideas.

But in the end, Victor takes the offered hand with a touch more delicate than he ought to afford it, "Just know the minute this turns into a ploy to drag me somewhere, I'm letting go."

@ofstarsandskies replied to your post :

If Yinyue asks nicely, Victor MIGHT be willing--

─「银月」─  " may i hold your hand ? " the request was accompanied by the way her gloved digits reached out with her palm open, a slight beckon for him to fulfill the other half of it. the ROVER could tell from the way he looked at her that he had not an ounce of idea why this particular request was being put forth all of a sudden. her own expression mellowed with a smile. as expected. he eyed her like he was demanding a logical explanation for this act. and well ...

                " if you're going to ask why, the answer is simple: i just want to. so, may i ? "

[ofstarsandskies]

outfit swap actually featuring julius this time

[ofstarsandskies]

Switching things over to Canaan successfully gets Elle thinking about something that's not her right to exist. Her version of Canaan reminds him of those old Bunnykins & Friends storybooks his brother used to buy him. Sadly his brother never had the time to read them to him like his classmates' parents did for them.

Of course reality hits and Elle's got the right idea as him: Canaan's gonna be just like the convoluted Trial it's centered around. But dreams can be as unrealistic as they want.

"Sounds nice. It'd definitely be interesting to see the sorts of flowers that grow in a place that lies beyond spacetime-- visiting Rieze Maxia's taught me how much I've missed out on the beauty of plants."

Plants in Elympios are relegated to the occasional bush or small houseplant. And those have a way of shriveling up the minute you forget to water and fertilize on time. Hopefully Jude's research would bring the green Elympios dearly needs soon.

"The Canaan I hope would have a big tree that's surrounded by stars that are actually the different dimensions. I've always wanted to watch the stars under a big, healthy tree like the ones in Sapstrath. Maybe we'll get lucky and both our hopes are true at the same time."

Ludger took another bite of his soup before he asked the more difficult question on his mind, "Um... Once we finish the Trial, have you thought about where you'd want to stay afterwards? If you don't want to live with me and my brother, I'm sure Driselle and Elize would welcome you like your big sisters."

She hadn't been hungry, but she still ate, and the soup was... fine. It was fine. It tasted just as good as it always did, though this time it just seemed to sit a little heavier than normal in her belly. Several spoonfuls in had her slowing down as a strange sensation felt like it was starting to grow. An uncomfortable one.

Everything would be fine. All the adults around her kept telling her that. Ludger was telling her that. So she had to believe it, and maybe if she did it would eventually become true.

"Huh?" Ludger's question felt like it had come out of no where, though talking about Canaan did make sense. They'd be going there soon. Just a couple of weeks. A few months. That's how long it had taken for her entire life to be flipped on its head.

"Oh. Um... I mean... it's supposed to be a special, mythical place so..." She frowned a little, stirring her spoon in her bowl slowly as she mulled over Ludger's question.

"... I think it should be... calm. Pretty. Maybe somewhere in the woods or a meadow. It should be... magical."

In her mind, she could see a cabin on the edge of the woods. It was small but would be big enough for a few people to live together. It would have been a nice place to live, just her and-

"But... it's probably all weird and alien instead." Her nose wrinkled at the thought.

[ofstarsandskies]

Debates are stupid. Why would I want to sit down and argue with someone blatantly dumber than me? From Sync to whoever’s wants to deal with him

@phasmascript || ABSOLUTELY UNHINGED COMEDIC RELIEF

"Because it's precisely this attitude that's going to keep you and my brother trapped in a stubborn mule contest for the rest of time."

It all started when Julius admitted why he suddenly disappeared from Sync's life to become an at-large terrorist for a few months. A simple bribe on the Striborg turned into a terrorist attack where everything that could go wrong, went wrong. With no options left to keep Bisley from recruiting Ludger, he tried outright murdering Bisley to keep his house of cards from completely caving in. Naturally that didn't work, so Julius lived on the run until Ludger's promotion to VP-then-President of Spirius.

Ludger cleared his brother of all charges with just a few initial whispers of nepotism. With the heat finally died down for good, Julius finally reopened contact with Sync and explained the whole situation, sparing no details and apologies.

Sync took the reasoning well in the same way a landmine takes pressure well. Constant insults were thrown about him being the real suicidal one between them among several other talking points a third party like Ludger couldn't hope to understand. Julius kept insisting he didn't mean it yet refused to admit his self-destructive behaviors were worse than Sync's since his were for an actual purpose.

And thus, the circle continued on forever unless Ludger stepped in.

"While I don't like what my brother did just as much as you, he's not wrong either. Origin's Trial would've been my death sentence if Elle didn't pay the price for using my Corpse Shell. And even discounting that, getting involved did nothing but make my life worse. Keeping me out by any means necessary is what a big brother should've done."

Ludger paused to breathe and keep his emotions in check. No need to make this argument grow into a battleground. Then, he gave his closing argument, "So calling him stupid for hiding the catalyst? Go ahead-- I'm pissed about that too. But don't call his actions in keeping me from the Trial irrational when he had good reason, okay?"

[ofstarsandskies]

Looking over the old report of Dr. Leingod's research, Ludger isn't sure what to say. He understood it on a logical sense: Chromatus users are rarely born, and they definitely lose more than they gain every year. But to submit your own child to an experimental procedure with no idea what it'd do to them...?

As Spirius' CEO, Ludger could ask what Dr. Leingod's purpose was. Yet Ludger can't find the stomach to want to ask and find out what justifies that. At least his son seemed to be doing well given he saw an the name "Fayt Leingod" in Spirius' database the other day when assigning proctors for future applicants.

"No wonder Nii-san always said the Trial's cruel-- I never knew how far people went to fulfill it..." Ludger set the document aside and flipped back to the proposal Vera handed him earlier.

[ofstarsandskies]

Being ignored is one thing. Ludger avoiding his question is still one thing. But the second Ludger decided to mock him on top of all that?

He tried diplomacy, and it didn't work. Time for his usual.

Victor put a hand in his pocket to activate his Chromatus watch. Ludger'd only see the flash before he's pinned to the ground with Victor's armored claw holding, but not squeezing Ludger's neck. YET.

"Honk at me again, Ludger. I dare you. See what I do next."

@ofstarsandskies

Victor is talking, and Ludger knows that he has a point with what he's saying, but he just keeps going on and on and on--

One arm was curved to rest with his forearm against the dinner table with his elbow of his other propping his right arm up. Ludger stared at him as he bent his fingers to mimic that of a duck bill.

Or a goose bill.

Expression and tone both flat, hand moving to close and open his fingers, and:

"Honk honk."

[ofstarsandskies]

“   Yes I may be evil and morally corrupt, but I’m also incredibly beautiful and I think that makes up for it honestly. ” // muzet to ludger

@agloryofuniicorns || ABSOLUTELY UNHINGED COMEDIC RELIEF

"While I don't disagree about you being beautiful, I still don't think that justifies stealing poranges from the Hamil trees every single time we come here!" Ludger swears he's had this discussion more times than he ought to for something so innocuous.

The Spirius Job board asked they take care of an Elite Monster along the Galia Trail. After the sweat they worked out, their party agreed to take a trip back to Hamil to report their success and take a break. Before anyone realized, Muzet wandered off to steal another porange, something the porange tree watcher caught again and charged him. Again.

100 gald for the first time? Fine, he can spare the gald and it's one time. 500 for the second time? Still not terrible, but once should've been enough to learn the lesson. Then we hit 1000, and 2000, and... it just kept going.

"She's upcharged me for every infraction, you know! Keep this up and you're gonna have to cut a deal with the lady or something cause I can't afford to blow all my debt payments on your porange stealing!"

...Yelling at Muzet felt wrong to be honest, so Ludger solves this like a true Elympion: an impossible bet, "Look, if your beauty makes up for it, try wooing her. If it works, I gotta buy you 100 poranges for you snack on whenever you want. I'll even make them into pies if you want some variety. But if you can't, we tone down your sticky fingers. Deal?"

[ofstarsandskies]

“   I went to the silly goose convention and they all knew you. ” // ludger to victor

@agloryofuniicorns || ABSOLUTELY UNHINGED COMEDIC RELIEF

For whatever reason (probably as a consequence for bailing on dinner), Elle invited Ludger over to their home without warning him and then took off. He had half a mind to throw Ludger out, but no doubt she's watching from somewhere. Getting yelled at by Elle is worse than enduring Ludger's company (though not by much), so he'd play nice and talk or whatever.

As long as Ludger didn't say anything to piss him off, he'd keep cool--

--And that peace lasted about a minute thanks to Ludger's sarcasm.

"And I suppose you have an alternate foolproof method to handle your friends and family deciding your partner's life is worth sacrificing because she just so happened to be born with cursed powers in mind?" Victor spits back, gripping his cup with enough force to almost shatter it if Ludger opened his stupid mouth again. "I don't care whether you or anyone else thinks what I did was irrational, silly, unforgivable, or what have you. My only regret is that I trusted those traitors at all if this is what they would've done to me."

Though now that he's wound up, Ludger's not going to have the last laugh here. If he's a "silly goose" for killing loved ones for no reason, Ludger has one point to own up to himself.

"But if we're taking time to point out flaws in each other, let's mention your sins. You killed me, your beloved partner's father, because you couldn't see through Bakur lies and didn't realize he was the Prime Dimension's Final Waymarker. I bet Elle took that well, didn't she?"

Victor'll conveniently ignore Ludger's appearance was by his planning, yet he didn't have to follow the script. He could've killed Bakur and solved things. It's more Ludger's fault that his. Everything in his life (and death) is Ludger's responsibility.

"If you bothered to ask Julius at any point, he probably would've told you what the 5th Waymarker was. Yet you didn't think of that, did you?" Victor took a moment to sip his tea to keep from rounding around the table and painting the walls with this moron. "Give me your excuse Ludger-- I'm curious how you'll justify yourself."

[ofstarsandskies]

“   Challenging authority, angering gods. The family business. ” // to Julius from ludger

@agloryofuniicorns || ABSOLUTELY UNHINGED COMEDIC RELIEF

Journeying with Ludger shouldn't feel so awkward, and yet it did. Not for any fault to Ludger, but rather the presence of his entourage. Julius didn't dislike any of them as people (hell it was little relieving to see Alfie doing well after being separated from his home for 20 years), yet whenever he looked at them, something churned in his stomach. Although those feelings couldn't compare to the contempt he felt whenever he glanced at Elle.

Soon (if it hadn't already happened) he'd be the second most important person in Ludger's heart. Though this day was inevitable, Julius still wished it'd never come. A life where he, his brother, and Rollo were a happy family with no obstructions is all the selfish monster known as Julius Will Kresnik ever wanted. But now...

...If Ludger chooses Elle, he has to respect that--

"Hm?" Ludger's words escape him for a moment, but the gears do eventually click to life. "Oh, well, can you call yourself the provoker if Chronos attacked you first? Although I suppose he only attacked you because I tried stalling him, so you have a point on the second point."

If Ludger asked, he's fine sharing that much; Chronos already hinted they had history by calling him 'The Seeker'. Although he wonders himself what even made Chronos appear in the Prime Dimension at all. He didn't seem to know Elle might be the Key of Kresnik, so he wasn't on his usual business... Mysterious indeed.

"But let me say this," Julius reaches over and gently squeezes his brother's shoulder. "Remember all this destruction is going towards a good cause. Though we'll never be officially recognized for our efforts, our world's bright future will be reward enough. So don't let yourself fall into despair before we reach the finish line, alright?"

[ofstarsandskies]

ABSOLUTELY UNHINGED COMEDIC RELIEF

ASSORTED QUOTES FROM TUMBLR TEXTPOSTS, X (formerly known as twitter) POSTS, TIKTOK, MEMES, AND OTHER SOURCES AROUND THE INTERNET

CHANGE gendered words and in-universe phrases as needed.

SPECIFY muse for multimuses.

“   Currently considering becoming a bother and a nuisance, maybe even a menace or a rascal. ”

“   Hungry? Eat the government. ”

“   Yes, I wanna fuck after every argument. ”

“   Silence, you uneducated peanut! ”

“  They should invent a being alive that isn’t so difficult. ”

“   Women have to think I’m hot or none of this matters. ”

“   Due to personal reasons I will be named an enemy of the state. ”

“   Being overdressed is a myth made up by people who didn’t want you to have fun and be sexy. ”

“   What even are daddy issues? Just traumatize your father back. ”

“   I LOVE complaining! You can’t take that away from me! ”

“   I went to the silly goose convention and they all knew you. ”

“   I’m simultaneously ‘I’m tired of this grandpa’ and ‘that’s too damn bad!’ ”

“   The word ew coming out of a pretty girl’s mouth holds so much power … I think that it can tear apart nations. ”

“   Someone made fun of my shoes and the whole time I just thought of ways to push them out the window. ”

“   If you’re short, simply get taller. ”

“   I better think twice? Buddy I don’t even think once. ”

“   My off putting looks, awkward demeanor, and strange behavior have captivated you. ”

“   There’s something deeply, fundamentally wrong with you. Can we kiss? ”

“   You are a fool. When you walk, clown music plays. ”

“   I mean yeah he’s evil and all but what if I were his favorite? ”

“   I really do hate thinking. ”

“   In my defense, I simply do not vibe with the law. ”

“   I’ve done nothing wrong. Except all the atrocities. Besides that, I’m innocent. ”

“   Sorry I couldn’t hear you over my internal monologue. ”

“   Of course you have white hair and trauma. ”

“   So apparently the bad vibes I’ve been feeling are actually ‘severe psychological distress’. ”

“   Stop calling me a bad person just because I’m orchestrating your downfall! ”

“   The more lip gloss I collect the longer I live. ”

“   Sorry that I am obsessed with you in the unhealthiest way possible. As if it's my fault ”

“   The multiple failed assassination attempts against me have helped build both character and self esteem. ”

“   I could be your loser boyfriend. Do you ever think about that? ”

“   Accidentally went and got myself killed yesterday, but god wont let me die so I’m back ”

“   What do you mean napping isn't a good coping mechanism? What do you mean my problems are still here? ”

“   Academic validation is required for my sanity. ”

“   RIP to everyone killed by the gods for hubris but I’m different and better. Maybe even better than the gods. ”

“   Researching the stages of grief to see if I can get them finished in ten minutes tops. ”

“   My parents were like I’m gonna make a child that is so beyond help. ”

“   It’s not easy to admit when you’re wrong, and that’s why I won’t do it. ”

“   Why can’t this family ever have a funky good time? ”

“   How do I show people that I’m more than my unethical career choice? ”

“   I fucked my way into this mess, and I’ll fuck my way out. ”

“   You look so biteable today. ”

“   Why am I suffering? I have so many correct opinions and takes. ”

“   I AM HAUNTED BY A PAST THAT I CANNOT GO BACK TO! anyways ”

“   Challenging authority, angering gods. The family business. ”

“   Third base is me telling you about my father. ”

“   Hey girl. Plagued by terrifying visions? ”

“   Got caught giving a fuck. Embarrassing. ”

“   I didn’t ‘miss’ the red flags; I saw them and thought that they looked sexy. ”

“   Do my dark circles and deteriorating health make me look hot? ”

“   I get my news from the only reliable source, cryptic symbolism in my dreams. ”

“   Another day of being a bisexual disaster. ”

“   I’m going to let myself be a little unhinged today, as a treat. ”

“   Some of you act like murder is such a big deal. ”

“   You wanna hunt me for sport so bad that it makes you look stupid. ”

“   You’re not a girlboss unless you’ve killed someone. ”

“   It’s so weird how no one ever has correct opinions about things except for me. ”

“   Hello, my love — I mean, my rival ”

“   No one is calling me baby and it’s outrageous I can’t believe it. ”

“   No talking stage. Mutual obsession and you see god in my eyes or nothing. ”

“   I DON’T UNDERSTAND HOOKUP CULTURE DIE IN MY ARMS ”

“   Yes baby your emotional walls are high and impenetrable can we kiss now? ”

“   Affection is disgusting. Drown me in it. ”

“   I am gatekeeping my respect from you. ”

“   Well, well, well, if it isn’t the consequences of my own actions. ”

“   I am equal parts fuck around and find out and please don’t yell at me I’ll cry. ”

“   Short legs, big butt. I’m a corgi. ”

“   Fuck being the bigger person; I’m going to start biting people. ”

“   Well that wasn’t very slay of you! ”

“   May I please get a crumb of affection? ”

“   I crave power! Please don’t yell, though; I’m sensitive. ”

“   You call it a near death experience; I call it a vibe check from God. ”

“   Here are some scissors. Now cut it out. ”

“   Might commit a little tomfoolery, maybe even some shenanigans. ”

“   All these flavors, and you choose to be salty. ”

“   How can I live, laugh, love in these conditions? ”

“   What if I said ‘to be honest’ but then lied? ”

“   I'm financially at a stage where I understand why people do fraud. ”

“   Yes I may be evil and morally corrupt, but I’m also incredibly beautiful and I think that makes up for it honestly. ”

“   Debates are stupid. Why would I want to sit down and argue with someone blatantly dumber than me? ”

“   I forget but I do NOT forgive.. I'm just walking around hating bitches can't remember why ”

“   Ding dong your opinion is wrong! ”

“   I’m coming for your kneecaps. ”

“   You dropped your nose you fucking clown. ”

“   Are you a fire alarm? ‘Cause you are really fucking loud and annoying. ”

“   Call me an escalator, because I let people down. ”

“   I love me a good lesbian scandal! ”

“   If you can’t run away from your problems, you’re not running fast enough. ”

“   Everything I want to do is illegal. ”

“   Don’t make me hit your ankle with my Barbie scooter! ”

“   I tell gay jokes because I am a gay joke. ”

“   Fuck! I dropped my mental stability! ”

[ofstarsandskies]

Oh, he's in big trouble now. Too bad he knows he won't die, the only true stop to his glee. "Oh nothing bad-- I was helping Ludger move supplies out of our big freezer for a special surprise. My hands cooled down by the time we were done, and thus I wield my gifts very responsibly."

Though now that his evil work's done, his glove's back on his left hand. "If it helps, the reason I woke you was Ludger made treats for everyone. Want yours now or should we pack those in the freezer for later?"

─「エデン」─  while she had heard about julius' evil deeds from ludger sometimes, she had never actually been the direct receiver of it. that, and the TRAILBLAZER was usually the one carrying out those mischievous acts than anything. so seeing his proud smile ? she puffed up her cheeks and pouted at him.

                " i did. " the emphasis on the past tense was so obvious. " what did you do to your hands !? don't tell me you put them in the freezer just for this. "

[ofstarsandskies]

Couldn't even pretend to ask him a question if he was born stupid...? He's positively wounded! Fractured! Shattered! Though as a good Crown Agent, he'll bury the pain behind a wistful nod. Though he does get an actual valuable question which he can maybe answer.

"Wanting to restore your potential? I believe I have something that could help."

Out from Julius' coat comes his personal Allium Orb Spyrix, equipped with Spirius' all element extractor. Julius is breaking company policy giving away company property for free, but Bakur doesn't bog himself down in minor infractions. He'll leave it at orders to grab a spare.

"This is an Allium Orb. It allows the user to absorb any of the six major types of mana via an extractor, thus allowing them to learn artes suited to their fighting style. It works with both martial and spirit artes, so it might work with your fonic artes."

And thus Julius slides it over next to Sync's tray for him to take or refuse, "This piece is my personal one, so I can guarantee it's working and well cared for. If it doesn't help, I have a friend who can help me modify it as needed." And that friend's buddies with Jude Mathis, who's close to their world's leading mana authority, Milla Maxwell.

"Willing to give it a try?"

Eyes narrow for a moment before the former general drops it, focusing on the food on his tray. Honestly, this man never seemed willing to give up on Sync regardless to how difficult of a person the teen could be.

"I don't see the need to interrogate someone about their personality or preferences unlike certain people."

With a fork placed on the tray, meal finished and the strange dessert ignored, does Sync think of a question to ask. He could ask anything, and had many different ideas of good questions to sate his own curiosity.

"That being said. I wanted to do research into a way to possibly use my artes again, regardless of the lack of fonons." In a pinch he could use the fonons that comprise his own body, but he feels Julius would chew him out for such self destructive moves.

[ofstarsandskies]

Ploy successful: the target is dazed and woken up with the biggest start he's seen since doing that to Ludger (who really gets going when he's surprised). At the end of this evil deed is that same Julius smile, although there is a new type of evil lurking beneath the surface.

"I am called that a lot, yes," Julius laughs at his own terrible remark. "Have a good nap?"

─「エデン」─  there was a SQUEAK, a particularly loud one, too, as the previously content trailblazer immediately jumped a few distance in the air like she was a startled cat. the freezing cold lingered on her once warm skin as she clasped them over with her gloved palms, staring confusedly at the culprit who she did NOT expect.

                " julius !!??!?! " confused raccoon noise. HIM ? of all people ?

[ofstarsandskies]

And Julius, with his hands freshly cold from the freezer, skitters his hands on Eden's exposed neck for a little Nii-san chaos.

─「エデン」─  a space raccoon spotted nodding off and purring in contentment.

[ofstarsandskies]

"The problem isn't from indecisiveness," Julius can recall a few hundred arguments over how he'll care for his big brother until Julius' hair greys as well. "It's that certain factors, the cure's nonexistence not withstanding, are preventing him from seeking treatment. Any specifics, I trust Ludger to decide what matters most."

Either risk immediate termination to plead their case or stay the course as friends become bitter enemies. Julius knows his choice, but ultimately it's Ludger's (and his own, little as it mattered) life. If he wants to choose, Sylvain's right: he needs to do so soon. Although Julius' big brother instincts tell him the upcoming ball's where they'll both get Ludger's answer.

Please don't make any rash decisions, little brother.

"I'd be concerned if you did-- those books are hidden in my room like most things Ludger wants to safeguard. His attempts to keep me in the dark as well were thwarted thanks to my keen big brother senses, though. You'll do well to remember I have those."

Some would call his satisfaction cruel, but Julius prefers to file it under essential situational awareness. Plus he had to be sure they were age appropriate for his baby brother who's a mere 2+1 years old. Should he reach 9+9 years old, then he might consider reevaluating his policy. Give Ludger something to look forward to at least.

"On the subject of those novels, you wouldn't happen to have any thoughts about my brother I should know about, have you? Especially after the ball where I will likely be out of the picture?" Though he's smiling, there's a threatening air that says there is a wrong answer.

"since  it  his  decision,  shouldn't  he  decide  like...  soon?"  sylvain  scratched  his  chin.  it  was  ludger's  life,  so  it  also  was  his  decision.  did  he  really  just  want  to  live  out  his  life  just  like  that?  it  was  sad,  but  sylvain  could  understand  such  a  decision.  he  also  once  wanted  nothing  more  than  to  disappear  off  the  face  of  the  planet...  but  he  didn't  want  that  for  ludger.  he  was  a  sweet,  dedicated,  hard  working,  smart  and  kind  boy.  he  deserved  so  much  better.  the  red  head  sighed  softly.  in  the  end  he  would  accept  ludger's  decision,  but  the  pain  would  still  remain,  probably.

"oh,  he  reads  such  books?  i  didn't  know."  sylvain  chuckled  softly.  no,  he  did  not  expect  that.  the  soldier  was  often  in  the  library,  but  mostly  to  discuss  strategies  and  past  events  with  his  comrades,  not  to  study  romance  novels,  though  he  had  gotten  a  glimpse  at  books  which  weren't  allowed  at  the  library  for  way  too  much  intimacy.  maybe  he  should  slip  ludger  one  to  make  his  intentions  clear...  sylvain  tapped  his  chin,  wondering  if  that  was  a  good  idea  or  if  ludger  would  run  away.

sylvain  tilted  his  head.  oh,  how  he  hated  balls.  "that's...  in  about  a  week.  guess...  i  will  stay  curious  then."  he  was  usually  the  one  rejecting  people,  even  if  they  spent  the  night  with  him,  but  if  ludger  really  made  his  move  on  someone  else.  the  redhead  couldn't  help  running  a  hand  through  his  hair,  nodding.  yes,  that  shit  would  be  awful.

"time  to  wait."

or  send  ludger  at  least  something  cute  meanwhile.