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tales of the abyss (d1) peony

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[Peony appears on the Plane, sitting on his throne and holding a rappig very close to his chest. His clothes are more regal and appropriate than than they usually are, too. He leans forward to put the rappig on the floor. He leans back, crossing his legs and rubbing his temple]

What a drag, I thought we just finished up one of these experiments.

[he eyes the Plane warily]

There are a few people who don't seem to be where they belong. I could say something like "come out, come out wherever you are," but playing around like that would make today even more annoying.

[he rests his left elbow on the left arm of the throne, propping his chin on his hand, while his right hand drums impatiently on the right arm of the throne]

If anyone has a clue what's going on, I'm all ears.

[ooc; Malkuth people, I don't know where you woke up, but I know some of you are not where you belong. Anyone who thinks they should still be in Malkuth, I'll just assume Peony was unable to find them]

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[Jade is in civilian clothes. And he doesn't like it.]

Ah, has Your Majesty seen fit to dress more appropriately for your station? What a heartwarming sight to see?

[He might be so disturbed by speaking to Gelda Nebilim that he is trying not to think about it.]

Speaking of wardrobe changes, I guess you can't blame your lame fashion sense on your uniform anymore.

[Peony says it cheerfully enough, although he's still disturbed about the response he received when he asked about Jade back home]

What are you up to anyway?

I just finished off an interesting autopsy this morning. Fonon-related death. [It's what he wanted to do with his life, after all. This calmness is the result of concentrated effort.]

Not too surprising. From what I hear, your work in Keterberg keeps you very busy. It's heartwarming when a pupil stays so close to their precious mentor.

[Peony smiles despite any cruelty in his words. There is no room for kindness where this is concerned, and so he's not about to treat this gently.]

I know you're not my colonel any longer, but I'm sure as a dutiful citizen you wouldn't mind filling me in on what the hell might be going on here.

[Jade has no grounds to complain on cruelty. There's the softest sign of emotion--the way his gaze turns downward when Peony says 'precious mentor,' because Jade doesn't want to look Peony in the eyes. But that's all.] There is nothing in our world that is capable of this. There is also no reason to assume that this is a consequence of Asch's actions. Nothing in my research indicated that something like this could occur. The most probable possible explanation is an experiment. Given that yesterday we heard comment of the Professor and today we're seeing the consequences of her living, it's reasonable to assume this is an exploration of what would have occurred if--[There is a brief pause and he changes his phrasing]--I hadn't killed her.

[he frowns at Jade, and almost wants to offer some reassurance, but reassurances will come later]

It would be better if you were back in Grand Chokmah. We have no idea how far this will go.

I was stuck in meetings all day. One particular topic of discussion was scheduling a time for next year's Score reading.

[Jade considers it for a moment.] If I hadn't created fomicry, Dorian General Grants would have had no reason to oppose the Score and none of the technology he would need to do it. Assuming he survived the Hod War.

[It is still ND2019. Could the Professor's survival have forced so great a deviation from the Score that the predicted war wouldn't come to pass?

The forces of Kimlasca-Lanvaldear shall march northward… After inflicting atrocities upon the villages in their wake, the army shall surround the fortress capital.

No. Jade didn't believe in that sort of good fortune.]

I'll set out for Grand Chokmah immediately.

An experiment?

[Were you wanting a small, curious kid with a notebook? No? Oh.]

There's no sitting here and waiting for it to end option. Whatever the hell it is, they want us to play it out. Why else would they have us hear about the Professor like that yesterday?

[he breaks eye contact with Jade, staring down at the arm of his throne for a minute before looking back up at Jade]

There might not be a need for that. Leaving for the Capital like that might make people worry. [smiles at the bad joke that is their reality at the moment] Nephry wouldn't appreciate me abducting her brother so rudely.

[Peony is hoping he's being paranoid, but mention of the Score had alarmed him as soon as he heard it being discussed so casually. If he's not being paranoid, he has an entire army at his disposal, Keterberg isn't so lucky, and Nephry is a prominent public figure there.]

[Peony grins, because whatever, curious kids have nothing to do with terrible experiments, probably]

Something like that. But hey, it's not that unusual. Around here, we're all lab rats, right?

I think I saw something about that on the pamphlet, but I wasn't sure what it meant.

I'm kind of new here.

It means all different things here, depending on the how the guys in charge are feeling. For awhile I was a Wizard. That wasn't so bad. Right now it's more annoying though, as it looks like things that should be there are missing, and stuff that should be gone is back in place.

You'll figure out what it means for you whenever you're stuck in the middle of one.

[Jade isn't allowing Peony to win this particular argument. Jade will simply refuse to discuss his choice to go to Grand Chokmah any further

After all, Nephry's blood isn't mentioned in the Score. Peony's is.]

What differences have you noticed in Grand Chokmah? Aside from the obvious, Keterberg has changed little.

All different things ... ? Ah, but it's not something you could miss?

Things that should be there are missing ... like your homework? Or an umbrella -- I can't find mind all the time!

I can't find Gailardia. I'm not sure if he's still around or what, but my advisers kept me so busy that I didn't get past asking about where you were before they put me to work.

Security is tighter. The Score is still consulted. From the bits and pieces I've heard, Mohs is still in charge. [dismissive and trolly, as it's the most minor detail] Apparently I'm married now. But don't get too sad, if I ever need to take on a concubine I'll definitely look to you first~

[the trolliness drops though. He pauses, looking torn before covering it up with a smile] The Professor isn't the only one making a surprise return. I ran into Aslan today, too.

[Jade has to ignored the married thing. He'll troll Peony later.] It's a logical extension of the removal of fomicry from the world. Of course, he wouldn't be engaged to General Cecille either.

More like a few friends that seem to be misplaced. But things like that are bound to happen. They'll find their way back, they usually do.

[as if reciting back a lecture from a parent or a teacher] While I have a bizarre sense of humour, he thought that was going way too far. He told me to be careful, as he wouldn't appreciate charges of treason if the wrong person heard.

[Which means the climate is ripe for war.] Have a means of escape prepared. Even if the world changes again, that might carry over.

You know me, Jade. I'm always planning my escape.

[Guy's dressed as a servant again. And he looks briefly unsettled as he approaches the throne, before smiling, awkward and casual.]

Sorry, Your Majesty. If I knew I'd tell you.

[But he just spent the morning going over advanced fonic theory with Luke... Asch, probably.]

Yeah, I'm sure.

I'm guessing you're not anywhere near Grand Chokmah, huh?

[You know what, not going to stand on ceremony. There's no one around. He shrugs, leans his hip against the side of the throne so his back is half to Peony and he can look away without looking like he's looking away. His expression is still bland.]

I woke up in Baticul.

[Peony raised an eyebrow, wishing he could be surprised, and trying to act blase]

Anything else out of the ordinary going on there - I mean, besides you being there instead of here.

[Aside from everything?]

Luke's preparing for his role as an ambassador of peace. [But it's not Luke.] Tension with Malkuth is apparently pretty high. Mohs was talking to the King not long ago.

[He still doesn't look at Peony, but his tone is light enough.]

How are things in Grand Chokmah?

When you say misplaced -- you mean they might be here?

{This isn't a joke and Jade isn't treating it as one.] Get General Frings to plan it. Today.

[sigh] Yeah, all right. It's cute when you worry so much. My poor Cute Jade will be heartbroken when he finds out you're trying to steal his title.

[he may have all ready inquired with Aslan about these sort of things, although he's not saying as much to Jade]

A few of them are here, but it looks like they're not where they should be at home. Two of them are still in our childhood hometown, the other one is living somewhere he left a while ago.

[he studies Guy, as if trying to discern something, but says nothing of Luke. He looks amused at the part about Mohs - even if it's far from amusing] Ah, well, Ingobert always did have unique taste when it came to those he trusted.

[Peony keeps looking at Guy, his tone just as light as Guy's]

Yeah, things are pretty tense in Grand Chokmah, too. Aslan got so flustered when I brought up Cecille, it was just like old times.

[except for the fact that Frings was more concerned with accusations of treason, even over what Fring's viewed as another one of his Emperor's bad jokes]

Edited 2011-09-04 21:04 (UTC)

Huh. That is pretty weird ...

[Guy continues not looking at Peony, but his profile has that usual calm to it. Half smiling, not flustered.]

I guess every ruler needs at least one terrible friend.

[Because making digs at Jade when the man isn't even around is totally okay. And he tenses a little at Aslan's name, though not really in surprise.]

Sounds lively all around.

[There's no good end to this, is there?]

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