#• [ 𝓶𝓮𝓵𝓸𝓭𝓲𝓮𝓼 𝓸𝓯 𝓵𝓲𝓯𝓮 | 💎 | gameverse interactions ] •

[ultimateutopia-old]

@valiantseeker

❛ you know you can always talk to me. ❜ @ edgar !

"I know, I--"

Edgar inhales sharply, taking his sweet time to exhale. He's nervous. For once, he doesn't even try to hide it - his finger tapping nervously on his own arm, the fact that he's been pacing back and forth for a good ten minutes, the low muttering under his breath and the fact that Locke actually managed to make him jump slightly were hard to ignore, after all.

It's... embarrassing. A King shouldn't get so nervous. A King shouldn't be so openly worried.

A King should to better--

"I know."

He finally stops. Takes another breath, avoiding eye contact.

"It's just... you've seen her reaction." his gaze move to the door on the opposite side of the room, behind which Terra and Sabin were sleeping "She doesn't want to fight, and we can't really blame her, but--!"

[ultimateutopia-old]

He can't help himself from letting out one of the driest "haha, yeah" imaginable at that first comment. He can be happy about the new airship and not remember the journey in that mausoleum fondly, okay? From now on, he'll fear a giant thunder snail could pop up from any chest!

Hopefully, none will appear from the locked doors in Narshe!

"Yep. We belive there might be survivors, in there... or at least that we could find even more Espers.

And we might need a hand with a Dragon flying around on top of the cliff, too" a loud sigh "After we got almost wiped out by an avalance it created, Sabin is deadset on beating it up and I'm not sure for how long we can keep him from personally rushing there and fistfight it, so--"

Locke listens to each of Edgar's words with a bright smile on his lips. It's releving to know that the others have all survived. The world is slowly starting to make more sense. Of course it's only once Kefka is behind him that the world would fully make sense again, but they're still on the right path to make it happen, and it means a lot.

"It's still a good summary, buddy. Thanks!" He lets a chuckle escape his mouth before he looks around for a moment. "I'm glad the Blackjack wasn't the only airship Setzer knew of. Without this Falcon, things would be much more complicated." Or maybe even impossible. The surface of the world changed so much because of Kefka.

"Celes told me you guys need someone who can do lockpicking in Narshe. I guess we'll go there soon, mmh ?" Maybe Locke isn't a thief, but as a treasure hunter, he has some very useful skills.

[ultimateutopia-old]

@crownheacl​ ► steiner, to garnet / 

« princess?... are you feeling alright? »

She blinks, slowly, noticing just now that she ended up spacing out. The young princess, was feeling... melancholic, really. Worried, perhaps. She heard the voices commenting about her majesty’s odd demeanors, lately, and while at first she dismissed them, after so many days she couldn’t help but wonder if something was off.

Granted, everything felt a little off ever since her father died, but while at first the doctors promised that the grief would eventually go away, the Queen seemed more and more distant, even if her birthday, the next week, finally seemed to fill her with cheer.

“Steiner...

Forgive me. I was lost in my thoughts.”

[ultimateutopia-old]

@inmiasma:

for garnet and kuja? ∗ 15﹕ sender  and  receiver  make  eye  contact  across  a  busy  room .

The room is too loud. Too full. Princess Garnet, barely fifteen, keeps a soft smile, some gentle words to any noble who approach her, nodding and accepting compliments, words of encouragement, birthday wishes, but behind her kind tone she feels like she's suffocating. She could barely share a few words with Cid before he was dragged away to join in an important conversation regarding his airships, and while she was glad her mother's mood seemed to be improving in the past few days, to the point she could swear she heard her laugh in more than one occasion in that day, an occurrance so rare Garnet didn't dare to interrupt, she truly hoped she would've been on her side.

You're not a child anymore, Brahne told her when she dare to comment about how many people she didn't know, and Steiner and Beatrix will keep an eye on you. Isn't that enough?

Keeping her head down, the princess didn't dare to speak up. But, inside, as the umpteenth stranger gave her their pleasantries, she couldn't help but feel... wrong. Alone, despite being surrounded by so many. Silenced, even as she kept running her mouth. A bird in a cage, taught to sing for the audience's joy, uncaring of how her wings were tattered.

And yet, despite the general sense of unease, even if she was both the center of attention and the last person anyone seemed to care for in the room... suddenly she felt a shiver go up her spine. As if, even between thousands glances, she could feel a very specific pair of eyes digging into her, as if they were staring directly into her soul. An odd sensation, that's for sure - one that made her blink and finally turn around. Her mother gave her her back, chatting lively with the owner of said eyes. A man she never met before, who now stared right back at her.

For a moment, yet for an eternity, the room went quiet. The stranger wasn't like anyone she ever met before - beautiful, no doubt, the kind of beauty that seems so... alien, so distant to the typical standars she was used to. He dressed in typical Treno attire, colorful and daring, but even those clothes felt wrong on him. She didn't even notice he was smiling at her. A sincere smile, maybe, but one that didn't mirror in his eyes, his look cold, collected.

Like a predator happy to find his next meal.

It took Garnet much longer than she wanted to realize she ended up staring. With a nod, she was quick to lower her gaze.

And yet, that weird sensation of drowning didn't show any sign of leaving anytime soon.

[ultimateutopia-old]

@crownheacl​:

[ :) ]

It’s odd. If it wasn’t for the impending sense of dread, Edgar could swear that moment, as terrifying as it might be to admit, almost made him feel nostalgic. Memories of better times flood his mind as his brother stubbornly tries to stand from his bed, bringing him back to when they were barely teens, when Sabin tried to sneak out of their room during a terrible stomach ache. When their father’s looks were enough to make him stay down despite the pain and the boredom, when the servants could bring him the soup necessary, when the soon-to-be-king’s overly protective, borderline nagging comments about how standing up would just make his illnesses worse were met with a pillow thrown at his face.

When the world was still in the right shape. When they didn’t worry that every breath they took might’ve been the last.

Instead, now, Edgar barely reacts at his brother’s pain. Not out of lack of patience or emotions, not because those screams didn’t make his skin crawl. If anything, he’s forced not to. He’s used to be the beacon everyone looks up to, after all, his light can’t die out now that people need it the most. Call it pride, call it a desperate attempt at keeping a strong façade to the only person who remained, but as Sabin screams-- no, as Sabin screams again, he still keeps his back towards his brother, taking a terribly long second to inhale a shaky breath. Keep focused. Keep calm. Keep calm.

He can hear the steps coming from outside the door, a small child peeking nervously through it. He answers silently to his concerned look with a smile he hopes looks at least vaguely convincing, just a second before his mother comes as well. They’ve been in the small cabin in Tzen for four days, now. The woman who let them stay in that spare bedroom - one that she refused to enter, and refused to explain why it was vacant to begin with - showed nothing but kindness, but he noticed from the very beginning the worry in her eyes whenever he used magic.

The Empire is no more. The war that tore the world apart ended just a week before, yet for many it was already felt like nothing but a bad dream in comparison of the apocalypse that followed it, but for most, spells just brought back terrible memories. Rightfully so. Obviously so. With the lack of potions and healing items his magic helped a lot, but he still felt almost guilty using that, given the look of the locals.

Still, they share a small nod. She even tries to smile before closing the door, leaving the Figaro twins alone again. Leaving Edgar to take care of his brother, who he finally approaches. The right hand presses on the wound that, just as he feared, opened once more, just to be healed as best as he could thanks to the small green sparkles emitting from his fingers as he gently pushes Sabin back on the matress; the left go for his back, accompanying him down with gentleness and patience.

He did that before. He will do that again.

“The best way you can help me is by resting.” the King answers, trying to add a bit of fake annoyance in his tone and the forced chuckle that followed it “You’re going to make me do triple the work if you keep trying to sneak out, you know?”

The pot calling the kettle black. He barely slept. Barely sat down since that day, let alone lay down to begin with. The cure spell that leaves his body brings some of his energy out as well, each sparkle feels like needles on his fingertips, pushing the limits when he already surpassed them long ago. He knows well he needs to stop. He needs some sleep, he needs to eat something more than half a plate a day, but how could a King sleep when his people are restless? How could he feast, when his kingdom is starving? How could a man rest when his brother is slowly withering away?

[ultimateutopia-old]

@nymfaia

Check / terra to any one u please :>

[CHECK]: after an unexpectedly violent situation, sender frantically rushes to check if the receiver is okay, cupping their face to look closer.

Only as the monster falls, Edgar realizes how badly he got hurt, and he couldn't blame anyone but himself.

Or... the corpse in front of him, sure, but he's the one who decided to get too close and try to slice it in half with his recently acquired chainsaw. It was fun, in a way. Fast. Just as fast as the claws that fell onto him, cutting through his skin and muscles. It wasn't too deep, thankfully, but those things went dangerously close to vital parts. Namely his throat and heart.

Letting out a soft groan, the King allows himself to show a hint of weakness, for once, falling on one knee as the adrenaline left his body, fiingers tiredly wiping the blood falling from his cheek--

--and finding Terra's hand instead, genuinely surprising him for a few seconds.

"...it's nothing, Terra. Don't worry."

It hurts so bad.

"Nothing a Potion can't fix. Really. ...are you alright?"

[ultimateutopia-old]

@nymfaia

"How... did you come up with these things?" Terra is loitering. The wind whistled outside the Blackjack's porthole windows, the sound almost soothing background noise to the careful tinkering that filled the space between her and Edgar. His gadgets and machines... they reminded her, sometimes, of the Empire's own, the pieces blackened with motor oil. It was only on occasion - when the light caught the metal a certain way, or when she gazed at his dirtied fingers too long. Other times, it was comforting. In between her worries and fears of the realm, sometimes just watching him put his mechanical pieces back together felt... right. She wished it was so easy for people. Her gaze flickered from his parts to the concentration on his features. "Certainly - you didn't imagine them all on your own?"

Terra's presence is always much appreciated. After the situation in Narshe they never got much time alone together ( wonder why, huh, Edgar? ), so the King didn't have any problems making the occasional tools checkup a little slower, to chat and let her keep an eye on the mechanisms at work.

"Oh, no, my lady." sharing a soft smile with her, Edgar carefully finished tightening the screws of the chainsaw, tilting it around to make sure it wouldn't fall in pieces "As much as I love machines, I simply use them. I'd much rather leave the designing and creating to people much more competent than me."

His mechanist at the Castle, the shopkeepers in Figaro, and as much as he hated to admit it, a handful of skilled men in the capital of the Ghestalian Empire. The fact that their fake alliance brought to good things for his own kingdom was as shameful as it was ironic, sometimes, and so was the fact that, deep down, he found Magiteks fascinating. He'd never use them, of course - Ghestal tried to offer him some, and he always refused -, but in hindsight accepting at least one to study and make more weapons with would've been interesting.

Oh, well. It will be in his to-do list once they win the war -- and, of course, a desire he'll never openly tell anyone, first of all her. Edgar couldn't read her mind, of course, nor knew if she was as mesmerized as he was, but he did notice a hint of discomfort in her eyes every now and then, whenever he pulled out the Autocrossbow during battle.

Might as well make her appreciate those things a bit, at least as much as he could manage to do so!

"I know the basics, still. How to properly clean and fix them, mostly..." a chuckle "My father hated when I spent so much time in the basement to check on the engineers. Mostly because I sneaked away from my lessons."

At that he, tilted his head, finally looking up to her.

"If I may? I didn't think you'd be interested."

[ultimateutopia-old]

@crownheacl​ ► Sabin to Kefka.

« s-stop——! stop, S-STOP, STOP!! »

“Shtop, shtop, shtoooop... anyone told you that you plead like a TODDLER?”

A hand rests on his hips, a finger still pointed at the man on the ground, little sparks of light still surrounding it. Not even torturing him is fun, not when he gave up so quickly. He should just kill him at this point, really -- I mean, how many times can one dumbass try to climb a tower and beat up monster after monster just to fail? ( sidenote, he really needs to buff some of those if one piece of garbage could make his way through those. that’s just embarassing. )

Ooooor. Or or or. He could just. Continue making him suffer. Make him plead for eternal rest! I mean, it’s not like he could do anything, right? This muscle-brain couldn’t properly lay a finger on him before the whole Triad shebang. what could he do now? Nothing. Absolutley, pathetically NOTHING. The punch he threw was the proof he needed, that the world needed to know that nobody could touch him!

“You know?”

A snap of his fingers, and yet another bolt hits the man on the ground -- right where Kefka made that permament scar, around... what, half a year ago? More or less? Oh, time really flies when you’re having fun.

“You gave me an idea. A fun little idea that maybe will teach you to not be so stupid! Ever heard of plans? Thinking about them, pondering about the consequences?

It’s time someone teaches you about those.”

Maybe by... turning around. Leaning over the little mound he considers his throne, looking down at the fractured world under him, the free hand brought above his squinting eyes.

“That stupid castle of yours is still gone, hm?” hopefully under the sand. Goodbye forever. Who cares if it’s intact or not, being down there for so long clearly meant everyone in there died already “Wheeere were you hiding all this time? Tzen? Jidoor? Mobliz? Go on, give me a hint.”

[ultimateutopia-old]

Truly, it’s a hug for both of them. For Celes, who despite everything still does all she can to bring a hint of hope to a world brought on its knees, and seems so lost in her thought, alone in a little corner of the airship; and for Terra, who after a long year finally understands why fighting against Kefka, maybe, wasn’t a lost cause as she first thought.

Her hug is still a little too stiff, like one given by someone who doesn’t fully grasp physical contact just yet, but it’s warm and tight - exactly like the ones she gives to the children, to Katarin, even to the dogs running around Mobliz.

“You seemed very lost in your thoughts... I couldn’t let you stay here all by yourself!” the young half-Esper returns the smile at last, taking a step back, yet keeping both hands on Celes’ shoulders. She hesitates, still - just a second taken to breath in, realize just how how... odd it is, to be fighting on her side again.

It feels right.

“...I’m sure we’ll find Locke too.” Terra continues, finally, giving a sure nod “And Shadow, Cyan... and everyone else. I’m sure of it.”

@ultimateutopia​ said: [HUG]. besties time SIMPLE ACTIONS | ACCEPTING

Celes is still not entire good with human contacts, even if she’s slowly getting better now. She wishes Locke was there. She hopes to reunite with him very soon. If so many of her friends are alive, it means he is too, right ? He has to be. 

Now, at least, Terra is back. It’s not that she doesn’t like Sabin, Edgar and Setzer, but she doesn’t feel like she has anything in common with them. With Terra, they both have their past with the Empire. It’s RELIEVING, to know the other is willing to fight against Kefka.

Once back on the ship, Terra approaches Celes and hugs her. The former general doesn’t move for a short moment, then wraps her arms around her friend to hug her back. It’s probably something Terra learned with the children of Mobliz. And it’s COMFORTING. “Thanks. I think I needed it.” She admits with a brief chuckle. 

[ultimateutopia-old]

IC tag dump

• [ 𝓼𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓫𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓵𝔂 𝓯𝓻𝓸𝓶 𝓪𝓯𝓪𝓻 | 💎 | in character ] •  

• [ 𝓻𝓪𝓭𝓲𝓪𝓷𝓽 𝓵𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽 | 💎 | interactions ] •  

• [ 𝓽𝓮𝓪𝓬𝓱 𝓶𝓮 𝓶𝓸𝓰𝓼𝓽𝓮𝓻! | 💎 | asks ] •  

• [ 𝓲𝓶 𝓲𝓷 𝓷𝓸𝓶𝓾𝓻𝓪'𝓼 𝓫𝓵𝓸𝓬𝓴𝓵𝓲𝓼𝓽 | 💎 | crack ] •

• [ 𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓼𝓮 𝓱𝓲𝓵𝓵𝓼 | 💎 | dash commentary ] •  

• [ 𝓪 𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓵𝓶 𝓻𝓮𝓫𝓸𝓻𝓷 | 💎 | main verse interactions ] •  

• [ 𝓶𝓮𝓵𝓸𝓭𝓲𝓮𝓼 𝓸𝓯 𝓵𝓲𝓯𝓮 | 💎 | gameverse interactions ] •  

• [ 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓮𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓷𝓪𝓵 𝔀𝓪𝓻 | 💎 | dissidia interactions ] •  

• [ 𝓼𝓪𝓷𝓬𝓽𝓾𝓪𝓻𝔂 | 💎 | kingdom hearts interactions ] •  

[ultimateutopia-old]

Crossing his arms, Edgar takes his sweet time to answer. He mulls on his friend's words, the hint of a frown finally showing up on his face. He knows that, he knows that way too well - either because of the Emperor's occasional requests for more weapons and soldiers ( who casually went missing right before any battle ), and for the general mood in Figaro and surroundings.

"I know." a sigh "The Generals have been very clear about it. They've been insisting about sending Magiteks near Narshe, at least to guard the entrance of the city.

Either they think there's something in those mines, or they suspect someone isn't as neutral as they'd like them to be, over there. I hate to say it, but... you're right. If they attempt a direct attack there, I fear I'd have to go against Banon's request and stop this charade."

Even if he knows that it could only bring trouble to his own kingdom. The thought alone is enough to make him take a mental note and send some of his warriors in town, making sure everyone's doing fine.

"...for the time being, I'm not sure. Keep your eyes open and tell Arvis to do the same. I can try to pry some more informations, in the meantime-- Kefka has the tendency to gloat too much when it comes to mass murder. If he wants to go for the kill, it'll take me two cups of tea at best to make him spill any plan."

An attempt to joke. Dark and way too real for comfort, but a joke nonetheless.

"About that" Edgar continues, returning to focus on the other and showing yet another gentle smile "can I offer you some as well? Good tea is wasted on a wretched man like him."

Locke can't help but let a chuckle escape his mouth. "Well... them being bored is not a bad thing. It means everyone is safe." The treasure hunter knows how important his people's safety is important to Edgar. He's not always serious, of course, but when it comes to his duties as a king, he never hesitates.

That's why the fact that he seems concerned right now makes Locke worry, too. He doesn't know what it is to be king, but Edgar is his best friend. He wants to be there for him, to make things better for him as much as he can. They're friends, but Locke is also his contact with the Returners. If something is troubling Edgar, he must do something.

He raises an eyebrow, listening to what the other is telling him. "I know you want to protect your people, but... I don't how the war could be avoid. There are more and more troopers everywhere, too." He sighs, remaining silent just a bit. "Can I do something to help ?" He's not sure at all, but he needs to offer it.

[ultimateutopia-old]

"The guards are also quite bored." a snort "I bet they would try to chase you through the desert just to have something to do, lately."

Something, anything, other than staying there and pretend to be on a monster's side, holding everything in because of their King's convoluted plan. It... was working, no? It worked so far, anyway. Kefka seemed suspicious, or at least was the only one who openly didn't like him, but... let's be real, who did he like, anyway?

With a sigh, Edgar drops the act. It's exactly because of that clown with an attitude he's in that mood, after all, and lying about it to Locke - a friend, and a member of the Returners - would've just made things a little more complicated, all things considered.

"Someone from the Empire is coming later this evening." he starts, pacing around the area, picking the first book he finds to still pretend, despite everything, that he's much calmer than he actually is "Last time they mentioned wanting to sell to Figaro one of their Magitek prototypes.

...they're getting way more persistent. I fear it's a matter of time before the Emperor will order me to join his troops in the battlefields."

Locke shrugs before he lets a chuckle escape his mouth. "I'll try to keep that in mind for next time." A playful smile then crosses his lips. "But your guards should know me, right ? Maybe I should try to find a way to prove them I'm not a troublemaker." Well, maybe he is sometimes, but definitively not with Edgar or with the people of Figaro. He only is with his enemies.

"Me ?" He lets a chuckle escape his mouth. "I'm full of surprises. We can find out about hidden treasures in these books, you know ?" He's only half-joking here. He then shrugs and becomes more serious. "Are you sure you're okay ? You seem... distracted."

[ultimateutopia-old]

"If anything, that's already a victory."

And yet, his voice is still... bleak. Tired. At least to himself, the King could admit that risking his whole kingdom for one girl, as powerful and beautiful as she could be, was... a lot.

It was a day full of emotions, after all - between the escape and meeting Sabin again, for once he could understand why he felt as if the entire world was on his shoulders. His, and Terra's.

"That's the problem, still." and back to pacing he goes, even just to find a way to keep himself busy "We don't have time. Kefka certainly told the Empire about Figaro's betrayal, but-- Forcing her in the battlefield again, against that monster..."

Another second spent in silence, another sigh.

"I'm certain Banon has something in mind already... but I have a bad feeling about this."

Locke worries too, of course. He wishes Terra could understand what they want, but if he was in her shoes, he knows he'd probably be conflicted, too. He doesn't want to force her to fight either. They would be as bad as the Empire itself. But how could they convince her otherwise ? Locke wants to offer her support and friendship. It seems like a good start. if she trusts him, if she knows she has a friend in him, maybe it'd be easier to make her understand why the Empire is bad.

"Maybe... Maybe she'll change her mind. Maybe she just needs time." He sighs before he offers Edgar a soft, comforting smile. He then pats his shoulder. "She won't fight at the Empire's side either. That's the most important."

[ultimateutopia-old]

What did he miss? What didn't he miss!

"Heh, where do I start...?"

Breaking the hug, finally, Edgar, theatrical as ever, crosses his arms, tapping a finger on his chin as he thinks about everything that happened... and opting to avoid focusing too much on the more depressing parts of the past year.

"Let's see... we managed to find Figaro castle again, and thankfully most people in there are alive and well... and so is Sabin's master, apparently!" Which was odd, considering that his brother was certain he was murdered...

"What else... we found more Espers, most of us are up in the airship by now-- Honestly, so much happened just making a long list would be quite boring."

Locke can't help but laugh. "Oh, trust me, I really wish I would have found you guys earlier! I can't believe I didn't meet with any of you for this long!" he assures, his smile shining brightly once more. Maybe the final battle with Kefka hasn't come yet, but Locke feels like he's finally starting to live again. Now that he has reunited with his friends, he feels so great, and stronger than ever.

WIthout hesitation, he hugs Edgar back. His best friend, his brother. It means so much to finally have him around again. "Yeah... I was scared to. I had come to think you were all gone..." he admits, doing his best to not let too much sadness show in his voice. They are together again now, after all. He lets go of his friend and smiles once more. "So... what did I miss ? Nothing too important, I hope ?"

[ultimateutopia-old]

"I sure hope so. I was starting to get worried for the Returners!"

Just joking. Half joking, anyway.

"Still, you should consider asking first, next time." the King continues, making his way next to his friend to rest a hand on his shoulder "Some guards were starting to get a little too tense."

Those words, as well, came out way less calm than he hopes. It's not Locke's fault everyone is on edge, after all. ...might as well focus on the other, don't think much about the incoming meeting with the Emperor's clown.

Take a deep breath, Edgar.

"...Didn't take you for a bookworm."

Good enough. Good enough.

Locke can't help but chuckle at Edgar's words. Well... maybe he's too curious sometimes. Being friend with a king is still something new to him. Of course he has always traveled a lot, but he has never had much money, not even before leaving Kohligen.

"Sorry, Edgar. You have so many books here. I got curious." He shrugs before his smile turns playful. "I wasn't really trying to be suble, though. When I want to sneak, I sneak. Trust me. Otherwise... I couldn't spy the Empire for you."

[ultimateutopia-old]

"I can't believe it took you this long to show yourself!"

Locke's smile is contagious. The king finds himself beaming, not unlike how he did when he met again with their other companions. That long year filled him with nothing short of pure despair, and he didn't even notice he was so close to lose all hope he could see his companions-- his friends again until he met his brother and Celes once again, alive and well. Every new encounter filled him with courage he lost back when the world ended, enough to putting aside any hint of possible restrain, fear of showing his emotions fully.

No, no. The time for pretending is long gone. He's not afraid of embracing his dear friend - his second brother, in a way -, hugging him tight.

"I truly-- truly feared the worst this time."

"I can't believe it took me this long to find you guys!" Locke exclaims. He wanted to believe they were all alive, of course, but he knew many people died the day the world changed forever. But everything is finally starting to make sense again. Soon, they will defeat Kefka, and the world would be at peace. Life can be good again. It already is, somehow. "I miss you, Edgar, you know ? You're my best friend. I can't believe I never actually told you."

@ultimateutopia ❤'d !