(no subject)

[ainsophaured.livejournal.com]

[There's a new arrival on the plane. One wearing a lab coat. Some of you might recognize him, as he looks identical to Emil Castagnier, but he doesn't give any indication that he knows what's going on.]

I was...

[There's a pause as he scans his surroundings. Is he going to freak out? Have a panic attack? Suddenly bust into Ratatosk mode screaming about injustice? Nope.]

This is amazing! If only I could bring the equipment from Sybak in here, then maybe I could figure out the properties of this place.

[He's staring directly at, what he thinks, is the ground now and taps his foot against it once. Then again. One more time a bit harder. He can't see anything distinguishing it from anything else.

Aster tries to walk quickly towards-well, he tries walking and trips over himself.]

Whoa!

Comments

[ainsophaured.livejournal.com]

[Aster isn't surprised by Emil's reaction. The research clearly shows centurions are the path to restoring mana and Ratatosk is behind that salvation. But he knows what he heard, he remembers the anger behind Ratatosks' words.

Also did you just call him stupid?]

I never said that. He's a summon spirit, but one that was...angry.

[pactum.livejournal.com]

Why would he be angry at us? We're practically doing his job for him!

[This conversation is all sorts of ironic.]

I don't even know if you're from my world. Ratatosk is definitely asleep, and the Centurions were, too. At least until we started our journey.

[... Tenebrae. Emil can talk to him later, if he still feels disturbed by this.]

[ainsophaured.livejournal.com]

[This is going to be difficult to explain. Aster isn't sure if they're from the same world or not, but so far it's similar enough to cause concern. Could Richter have done something to put Ratatosk back to sleep?

He can't make assumptions. He would have to talk to Richter himself to be positive. Which is impossible.]

He's angry because the Giant Kharlan Tree was destroyed. That's what he told us. Though, I'm not sure what could have caused Ratatosk to become dormant again.

[Aster turns away from Emil in order to sort his thoughts. Too much of him wants to know why Emil has his appearance and it makes it difficult to concentrate on Ratatosk alone. He mumbles to himself:

If I had my research...maybe.

[pactum.livejournal.com]

You can bring things with you, just not people. Usually. [He jerks his head toward the Coliseum.] That's how most of this stuff got here.

[ainsophaured.livejournal.com]

[O rly?]

Emil, would you mind getting my research for me?

[pactum.livejournal.com]

[BLUH--] Get it yourself! We're still a ways from Sybak. Just go back and--

[Wait. He turns the tsun off and stares for a long moment.]

... Unless you can't.

1/2

[ainsophaured.livejournal.com]

[The moment Emil stares at him, Aster's expression changes. This topic is one he had tried to avoid. As if he hadn't failed the world enough already, he couldn't go back to fix his mistakes.

Emil's existence gives him hope there's still time, even if he physically can't do it himself.]

[ainsophaured.livejournal.com]

[Forced smile get! He's avoiding the statement.]

I'm sorry you'll be going out of your way, but I'd like to help you anyway I can.

[pactum.livejournal.com]

[He sighs and relents, even though he wants this to be over.]

... Fine. But only since we're going there anyway.

You should try it. Just think about going back. If you can, then I bet you'll have bigger things to worry about than a few old journals.

[ainsophaured.livejournal.com]

[Now Emil gets a real smile from Aster.]

H-Hey. They're more than old journals. It's my life's work.

Thank you though. The information in there might help me figure out what's going on with Ratatosk and the cores.

[At the second part, he mentally tells himself he'll try it later. He's worried about what might happen if he ends up back at the Ginnungagap. That's nothing Emil should worry about. ]

[pactum.livejournal.com]

[... That smile... ffffffffffff. He grumbles to himself.]

Whatever. There had better be something useful in there.

[A lot of things are going to change with Aster here. He eyes his not!clone, a few questions lingering, but he doesn't yet say them.]

[ainsophaured.livejournal.com]

There is.

[Not that he can't theorize on his own, but it's imperative he's able to check his past work. It should be obvious that he wants to keep Emil's world-his world-safe. ]

If anything, it will provide a useful reference.

[pactum.livejournal.com]

One more thing.

[He shoves down his own insecurities. They'll only get in the way.]

Don't do anything stupid like try to pretend you're me. Got it?

1/2

[ainsophaured.livejournal.com]

[Pretend to be him?]

[ainsophaured.livejournal.com]

Of course not. We're two separate people, even if we have a similar appearance.

[Not that he still doesn't want to see if Emil has the same scars as he does. It would be strange if they did and he would have to rethink who this boy was completely.]

I don't think I could mimic your personality very well.

[pactum.livejournal.com]

[That's actually somewhat comforting to hear.

Too bad it doesn't work.]

Heh. I bet you can't fight, either.

[ainsophaured.livejournal.com]

Correct, I don't have experience in it.

[Richter took care of the big bad monsters for him. Aster glances to the weapon strapped across Emil's back.]

I take it your journey requires you to fight often.

[pactum.livejournal.com]

Yeah. Either idiot soldiers or monsters that won't get out of the way.

[ainsophaured.livejournal.com]

The Church of Martel and the Vanguard, correct?

[Yeah you bet Aster's going to get his answers one way or another. Try and out stubborn him Emil.]

You said they were going to blow up half the world. Why?

[pactum.livejournal.com]

Yeah. Them.

[HEY. He can try.]

Why the hell should I care? They aren't going to win.

[ainsophaured.livejournal.com]

[TRY]

The future of the world is at risk. It's more than a win-lose situation. You need to gather all the information you can in order to succeed.

[pactum.livejournal.com]

Knowing them, they're probably trying to make some stupid weapon.

[... Well, that was random.]

[ainsophaured.livejournal.com]

A weapon?

[Random or not, Aster's life is made easier the more Emil cooperates. He grows silent, thinking of what reasons they would need to use the centurion cores for weapons. It worries him how much tensions had skyrocketed.]

...The purpose is the Church of Martel is trying to wipe out the Slyvaranti and vice versa? Am I on the right track?

[pactum.livejournal.com]

They can't hatch the cores, but they could still drain the power out of them if they found a way. Monsters are lured by the cores' power, too.

[AND YOUR BFF IS TO BLAME.]

Yeah. Maybe if we're lucky, they'll destroy each other.

[ainsophaured.livejournal.com]

['If we're lucky, they'll destroy each other?'

ASTER DOES NOT AGREE.]

You can't possibly mean that.