[ OPEN ]

[daemonized]

Who: Ardyn Izunia (daemonized) & YOU!
When: Event things! All throughout October.
Where: All around.
Warning(s): None... yet. Will add if necessary.



i. market district;

[He wasn’t nearby when the explosion had shook the market district, though panic spreads quickly, and the aftermath of such an event is impossible to ignore. Even more so for Ardyn, being part of the royal guard — being delegated orders to provide aid and investigate, it is his own curiosities that truly drive him farther into the area to assist. Granted, his form of “assistance” might be lacking compared to those who are rushing to and fro, enveloped in a frantic need of wanting to help. Instead, it’s easier for him remain calm, more unaffected, eyes taking in the area with a sense of detachment that’s perhaps less than appropriate for the situation at hand. If you need to talk to him, he’s easy enough to spot in the crowd. More specifically, a few things that take place are:

A.) An elderly man, a vendor whose wares had been toppled over completely in the explosion, requires help retrieving his goods now strewn all about the street. Textiles and clothing of various colors, one of which seems to hang high up, caught on the corner of a rooftop of a nearby building. It billows, not unlike a flag flying in the breeze. Ardyn cranes his head up to look at it. Then he says, to the person closest to him:]

Be so kind as to retrieve that for me, will you? I’ve already my hands full.

[And so it seems he does, various unravelled yards of cloth hanging over his arm.

B.) There are, of course, looters. As to be expected, people who would take advantage of tragedy for their own benefit, and the ironic part is that Ardyn generally would not care. And yet there are a couple of young men who are being so bold as to do so right in front of him — only down the street, where they appear to be scrounging around another vendor’s (not currently present) property: an array of decorative items, small enough to be thrown into a bag and carried off nonchalantly. Covered in filigree and adorned with precious gems. Certainly possessing high enough market value to sell for a quick profit.

It’s easy enough for Ardyn to close the distance, of course. A flash of magic, sword in his hand, and suddenly he’s warped from where he was standing to directly in front of one of the men — blade pressed up against his throat. The other looter freezes in shock, mid-crouch, in the midst of picking up a shiny bauble to steal.

The smile Ardyn gives them is… amused, but a little disconcerting.]

At least wait until the cover of night like proper thieves.

[If the second man is slowly reaching for a dagger at his hip, there’s zero indication of Ardyn either noticing or caring. What do you do, passerby?]

ii. red light district;

[Now it’s time for an investigation proper, and who says that all manner of secrets and rumors do not eventually make their way to the red light district? This is where you can find Ardyn tonight, skulking through alleyways and hovering near the edges of crowds, sometimes asking around, sometimes not. He is, of course, dressed in plain clothes, a hundred times more subdued than his usual tastes. No guard uniform, no outfit from Eos to turn any heads. Only Ardyn, looking like a commoner, hair tied back. His only indulgence is a maroon scarf, hanging loosely around his neck.

He is absolutely drawn to the sight of individuals speaking in hushed whispers, for often times they are not being as discreet as they believe. This time, it’s two women, huddled in an darkened alleyway, and Ardyn eyes them from where he stands. He catches something about “Wyver”, but will have to draw closer to hear anything more.

Are you a fellow refugee wanting to unravel this mystery further? Join him in figuring out a creative way to move closer without drawing any unwanted attentions. The women do seem to be on the lookout for anyone snooping around. Alternately, he may speak to you first, muttering:]

Just how inconspicuous can you be?

iii. wildcard;

[Open for future threads, or any prompts that you’d prefer to play out if none of these work! I can be found at aurajen to plot further if you’d like!]

Comments

[daemonized]

[At least circling around the obvious notion of "talking about outer space" is easy enough for Ardyn to navigate. Such are the blessings of having been a politician for a number of years.]

It's very impressive. And very sharp.

[Added for the benefit of the thieves.]

Did you have to use it often?

[fisherwife]

[Mipha smiles a little despite herself, noting the deliberate emphasis on the sharpness of her trident. There's no need to deny it and neither thief seems intent on testing it.]

Back home I did, more than I would've liked. Here... This is the first time I've had to use it outside fishing.

[A soft sigh, her expression growing sort of...Grimly resigned, like this is an old pattern she's seeing played out again despite hoping for a different outcome.] I have a feeling I'll be using it with increasing frequency after today, however. I wish the peace could have lasted a little longer.

[daemonized]

[They continue to move along their predetermined path, and it’ll be soon enough that they’ll be near one of the guard buildings. It only proves just how impulsive these thieves were, so eager they had been to steal while literally under the nose of authority just around the corner.]

It appears that strife, in some form or another, will always be prevalent no matter where you hail from.

[He can be more open with his wording when it’s just the two of them. For now, let them take a moment to turn in these two petty thieves to the guards. Ardyn explains the situation with ease, unflappable as always, and the two are shuffled off out of their care.

When they finally do leave the building, Ardyn dismisses his sword. It fades away in a flash of red magic, tucked away somewhere far easier to carry. Presumably.]

I hope you haven’t been running yourself worn, flitting about in an attempt to help everyone stricken with illness.

[fisherwife]

[Mipha can't magically make her trident go away, though she watches Ardyn magic his weapon away with interest. It'd be really convenient if she could do that, damn...

She blinks in surprise at the apparent concern and looks a bit sheepish] I don't mean to worry you, but I'm alright. It's been...a long time since I've had to do this, but it's not unusual to me. It's more like--

[How does she describe this?] Having to get used to it again. However... My power cannot cure illnesses, I'm afraid. I can only help with the physical wounds. [She looks troubled by this still.] I'm of little help with the sick patients...

[daemonized]

Which I'm sure only further strikes you with worry.

[She always had seem the type. To fuss over those who needed help (for why else would one call themselves a healer, if not to constantly fret over the sick?), to find a situation like this rather troubling. Empathy, in spades -- Ardyn cannot quite relate, not these days any longer.]

There is only so much that can be done. That you come to my aid with your trident at the ready is to be appreciated just as much as tending to the sick.

Does all royalty where you're from learn to fight?

[fisherwife]

I trust the other experts will be able to find a cure. [Hope...fully... But she smiles a bit sheepishly] I do wish I could offer more, though. But in the meantime, if I'm healing the physical wounds, they can concentrate more on finding a cure.

[If she looks at it that way, she doesn't feel so bad about it! She still blushes at the flattery though]

I can't think of any who wouldn't. It was...a dangerous time. Maybe one day... [One day there won't be a need for all of them to learn.] Well. I suppose it's still better to know how to defend yourself and never need to use it.

Even my younger brother's become quite the capable warrior in the time I was gone. [It's an odd mix f being both sad about that, and proud. She looks to Ardyn curiously] Does everyone know magic like that where you're from? [Making weapons casually disappear and all]

[daemonized]

[Well that's a question that's not quite loaded, but does spark something within Ardyn that always surfaces when the issue of family comes up. A spike a irony, twisted with bitterness, but as usual, he keeps his tone casual.]

Not everyone. Believe it or not, it's a very limited skill on Eos.

[He doesn't even consider whether or not he should say more. With Noctis asleep again, it doesn't matter. Honestly, with Noctis awake, it wouldn't matter any longer -- not here.]

Restricted only to my family line.

[fisherwife]

[At first it's an easy thing to accept and tuck away. Interesting that it's only his family that can do it, but--

She pauses in her walking, head tilted curiously. She knows she's seen Noctis doing something similar before, and she knows Noctis to be the Chosen King Ardyn said he was trying to help become a king, so... So.........

Mipha looks to him curiously, connecting the dots from there.] Were--Are--you and Noctis related?

[daemonized]

[He stops when she stops, turning to look at her. Ardyn's eyebrows lift a little in vague surprise, though he smiles all the same.

So, Noctis must've shown off his abilities to her, while he was still awake shortly after their arrival here. He supposes, with all that's been said prior, it wouldn't be difficult for someone clever to put two and two together.]

That's right. We are distant relatives.

[Very distant, but relatives all the same.]

[fisherwife]

[She tilts her head, curious and thoughtful. There's a lot about talking to Ardyn that's like putting a puzzle together, except most of the pieces aren't even part of the same puzzle, but a totally different one; but maybe if you squint and twist and bend some the pieces they'll still fit and make a picture anyhow.

Or something like that.]

Is that part of why you had such an investment in him becoming more kingly? Aside from your place in his destiny already.

[daemonized]

[Well, nothing she's inferring is wrong. It's just the tone of this rather complicated puzzle which is incorrect -- rather than Ardyn being helpful for the sake of it, his motivations were obviously just a tad darker than that.

He smiles like he finds something amusing, but answer her question truthfully, ironically enough.]

I suppose you could say that. My focus has always been on my own family line, though I hope that doesn't make me sound particularly selfish. I only wanted to see Noctis succeed in the task presented before him.

[fisherwife]

[Mipha looks thoughtful a moment before she shakes her head] No, I don't think it's terribly selfish. It's natural to want to put family first... I suppose it's lucky that your choice of focus also had to do with your prophecy.

[So it was a win either way, right?? She looks a little sheepish then.] I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry so much. I hope I didn't make you uncomfortable...?

[daemonized]

[Ardyn is not inclined to make her feel bad about asking. This is indeed far more open than what he would’ve stated back on Eos, but the reasons and circumstances were different there, the stakes were higher. Secrets that were better kept to himself, to only be revealed when the time was proper for it.

Now, though? He can speak a little more freely, though he will not twist it into a less-than-flattering light (AKA: the truth), instead keeping it vague… but not untrue.]

You’re right, it was fortunate that my family, as a general rule, is so closely tied to that of destiny. Some may call it a curse, but I consider it granting someone such as myself a very steadfast kind of focus.

[A chuckle.] And I don’t mind at all. If you’re worrying about my being overcome with some sort of melancholy, I would tell you to not concern yourself with it.

[fisherwife]

[Mipha smiles warmly, shyly, and shakes her head.] I know it must seem silly, but I can't help it. Of course I'll be concerned. I enjoy your company quite a bit, and I'd hate for my curiosity to drive you away.

Either way thank you for answering my questions. [She looks away a moment, examining the relief efforts still diligently going on around them.] I'm sorry that Noctis has gone back. But I'm sure there's still a silver lining there.