[When one haunts the library as often as Balthier has since his very arrival in this place, one begins to notice patterns— among those who work there, certainly, but also among other patrons. For the first few weeks following the excursion to Rumpitur, Balthier leaves his ongoing research project by the wayside and sets out beyond Aldrip's borders, eager to find some trace of those who have gone missing. As expected, he turns up empty-handed, and inevitably, his questions lead him back to Aldrip's archives— now a bit more promising, given that greater access has been granted.
Though it has been weeks since his last visit, there is another patron Balthier had seen here countless times during his first month: a man with silver hair who cannot help but stand out, being among the "Chosen" as he is. They had both spent a fair amount of time in this place, but never spoken beyond a brief nod in passing, a greeting as much as it was a show of understanding that they were there for the very same reason.
This time, Balthier opts to alter his route, approaching rather than immediately disappearing into the stacks, raising a brow as he comes to pause beside the shelf the silver-haired man seems to be perusing.]
It seems neither of us can stay away from this place, even now. Find anything of interest?
[The weeks following the trip to Rumpitur are, unsurprisingly, as frustrating as those that had preceded it. Instead of answers, Balthier continually finds himself faced with more questions in this place, and the number of missing persons upon the expedition group's return to Aldrip did not sit well with him— nor did the fact that the local authorities didn't seem to be in a hurry to find them, or at least that was his interpretation of things. Truthfully, he doesn't trust a single one of them, something he's been quite open about from the start and has only further committed to as the weeks go by.
Nothing about this place, he's decided, is to be trusted.
This particular evening finds him trying to drown out his frustration at the inn's bar, though the offerings aren't much to speak of— it will have to be enough for now, something to smooth over his aggravation before he heads back to his room for the night. He looks up to give a nod of thanks to the barkeep when his drink is delivered, catching a glimpse of a dark-haired man a couple of seats down out of the corner of his eye.
He turns sharply in his seat, propping an elbow against the bar before pointing at him.]
You look familiar. You were with the expedition to Rumpitur, yes?
[Usually, Sephiroth wanders Aldrip as an illusion but he must fully manifest in the library. It is hard to turn pages without actual hands. When he is not meditating in his cave, he prowls the old stacks, gently taking tomes down and piling them around himself as he reads.
During this time he's noticed another man. They've silently acknowledged each other a few times but have never spoken. Sephiroth hadn't anticipated that today would be any different and bristles slightly when the stranger approaches instead of walking past him.]
I fear not.
[He places the book he's holding back on its shelf without meeting the stranger's gaze.
I have been researching Those Who Were There, hoping for any stories about direct acts of divine intervention but thus far have not found much. You haven't heard any such stories, have you?
[ If nothing else about this place, there's something almost soothingly familiar about sitting anonymously in an inn and just letting conversations wash over him. Well, maybe it's a little harder to be anonymous here, but Zhou Zishu still certainly tries. Doesn't hurt that for the most part, he's content to sit quietly and drink.
Still, habits are habits, and when someone suddenly turns to get his attention, he can't help but tense for a second before forcing himself to relax again. No reason for wariness here. Probably.
Also there is a familiarity to the man addressing him, someone he's passed by a few times since arriving. It's enough to have Zhou Zishu inclining his head slightly out of curiosity. ]
I was. [ Much good it did him, other than learning snake people apparently exist. Which is new, but not hugely helpful. But if he's bringing up Rumpitur, then... ] What do you make of people going missing?
[Though he notes the faint bristling, he thinks little of it— it's not terribly surprising, given the solitary air this man has given off before now, and in truth, Balthier had been rather determined to continue to work on his own until recently. Unfortunately, despite his own brilliant mind and stubborn nature, he's made precious little headway doing things his way.]
I'm afraid not, despite the fact that I've been actively seeking them out, as well. They're spoken of quite highly around these parts, yes? But terribly vague.
[He folds his arms across his chest, giving a shake of his head.]
I'd say we may be looking in the wrong place, but given Aldrip is feeling a bit more inclined to cater to the "Chosen" after our recent exploits, we may find something yet.
[Well, well— it seems they've been pondering the same things, after all. A faint smile tugs at one corner of his mouth; while he's not happy about the situation as a whole, it's certainly nice to know it's on someone else's mind, as well.]
Concerning business, that. It seemed that nobody could come up with the same number when counting heads, either.
[That was especially suspicious, though their fellow "Chosen" were certainly among those counting. His distrust is directed more towards the locals, but the fact that their counts were so inconsistent makes him think there may be something greater at work here.]
Strange, isn't it? It's been weeks, and yet no trace.
[ He can't help but quirk a faintly amused eyebrow at that. People can disappear for so many reasons, though the sheer number of them does make the situation pretty suspicious. Still, they are at something of a disadvantage here. ]
I wouldn't say I know the land well enough to search effectively.
[ And he might sound just a touch annoyed about that. But even having been here for months, Zhou Zishu isn;t going to pretend he can find every bolthole.
[As he so often does. He does not always offer those thoughts so freely, but in this case, he thinks he may well benefit from doing exactly that.]
I can't say I've been dedicated to the search in full, but it's been on my mind. I've done a bit of mapping of the surrounding areas while out and about, and kept an eye open for anything that might seem amiss, but there's been nothing of note so far.
[He frowns briefly, pausing to take a sip of his drink.]
I should think the local authorities might act with a bit more urgency in a situation like this. Were it one or two people having vanished, it would seem far less significant, but this many at once is alarming, to say the least.
Whether or not someone qualifies as a "god" is entirely a matter of perspective, I think.
[He may still be rather sore about all that Occuria business back home.]
As far as we know, they could have well have been as human as the rest of us, if they existed at all. Stories tend to take on lives of their own as the years go by.
["Not always," he wants to say. Some beings are absolutely deities. Himself, for example. He manages not to speak that thought aloud.]
Those Who Were There may have even been the first Chosen. Which, in itself, leads to other maddening questions...
[How long was it before the first waves and the current exactly? How long were they here? Did they establish civilization as Aldrip knows it and sire generations? The idea of being trapped here for the rest of his very unnatural life makes him shudder. He cannot be trapped for that long, he has places to go, things to do, worlds to devour...]
[ There's an interested tilt to his head as Balthier mentions mapping the area, but he holds his piece until it seems like the man has paused. He's not terribly shocked to hear some of his own thoughts repeated back to him, something that earns a slightly wry expression. ]
No one does seem too alarmed, do they? [ Concerned, yes, but not the sort of panic he might have expected from so many vanishing without a trace. ] Strange. Maybe they've decided that if so many can appear from nowhere, some must have to be removed.
[ It's not a serious suggestion, heavy with irony as it is, but the point stands. ]
One would think we'd have heard if something like this has happened before.
[Said in such a way that implies he hadn't quite considered that particular angle— but he's certainly keen to do so.]
One of those maddening questions being who "chose" them. I'd been under the assumption that if they do exist, or did, they were likely the ones responsible for our arrival.
[His own planet never quite managed to figure out how to break through the atmosphere but it's still easy for him to imagine. Mother sailed the stars. Someday he will too.
Ah, but...]
But I am getting ahead of myself. The unfortunate truth is we do not know enough to even guess at their true nature.
Which, as you've pointed out, makes it more difficult for us to learn about our own presence here.
They do take rather a lot in stride around these parts.
[It's hardly the only thing here that's struck him as suspicious, but even now, having been here for several weeks, it still rubs him the wrong way. If he had his ship and the ability to leave this place behind on a whim, it might be easier to shove it aside— or so he tells himself. As it stands, he finds his thoughts quite preoccupied with all that doesn't add up here.]
I've not seen anything of the like mentioned in town records, though who knows how factual any of those actually are. I don't believe anything here is to be taken at face value.
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➝ sephiroth
Though it has been weeks since his last visit, there is another patron Balthier had seen here countless times during his first month: a man with silver hair who cannot help but stand out, being among the "Chosen" as he is. They had both spent a fair amount of time in this place, but never spoken beyond a brief nod in passing, a greeting as much as it was a show of understanding that they were there for the very same reason.
This time, Balthier opts to alter his route, approaching rather than immediately disappearing into the stacks, raising a brow as he comes to pause beside the shelf the silver-haired man seems to be perusing.]
It seems neither of us can stay away from this place, even now. Find anything of interest?
➝ zhou zishu
Nothing about this place, he's decided, is to be trusted.
This particular evening finds him trying to drown out his frustration at the inn's bar, though the offerings aren't much to speak of— it will have to be enough for now, something to smooth over his aggravation before he heads back to his room for the night. He looks up to give a nod of thanks to the barkeep when his drink is delivered, catching a glimpse of a dark-haired man a couple of seats down out of the corner of his eye.
He turns sharply in his seat, propping an elbow against the bar before pointing at him.]
You look familiar. You were with the expedition to Rumpitur, yes?
no subject
During this time he's noticed another man. They've silently acknowledged each other a few times but have never spoken. Sephiroth hadn't anticipated that today would be any different and bristles slightly when the stranger approaches instead of walking past him.]
I fear not.
[He places the book he's holding back on its shelf without meeting the stranger's gaze.
I have been researching Those Who Were There, hoping for any stories about direct acts of divine intervention but thus far have not found much. You haven't heard any such stories, have you?
no subject
Still, habits are habits, and when someone suddenly turns to get his attention, he can't help but tense for a second before forcing himself to relax again. No reason for wariness here. Probably.
Also there is a familiarity to the man addressing him, someone he's passed by a few times since arriving. It's enough to have Zhou Zishu inclining his head slightly out of curiosity. ]
I was. [ Much good it did him, other than learning snake people apparently exist. Which is new, but not hugely helpful. But if he's bringing up Rumpitur, then... ] What do you make of people going missing?
no subject
I'm afraid not, despite the fact that I've been actively seeking them out, as well. They're spoken of quite highly around these parts, yes? But terribly vague.
[He folds his arms across his chest, giving a shake of his head.]
I'd say we may be looking in the wrong place, but given Aldrip is feeling a bit more inclined to cater to the "Chosen" after our recent exploits, we may find something yet.
no subject
Concerning business, that. It seemed that nobody could come up with the same number when counting heads, either.
[That was especially suspicious, though their fellow "Chosen" were certainly among those counting. His distrust is directed more towards the locals, but the fact that their counts were so inconsistent makes him think there may be something greater at work here.]
Strange, isn't it? It's been weeks, and yet no trace.
no subject
[He turns now to face the other man.]
Those Who Were There might have existed, but I wonder if they were truly gods at all?
no subject
I wouldn't say I know the land well enough to search effectively.
[ And he might sound just a touch annoyed about that. But even having been here for months, Zhou Zishu isn;t going to pretend he can find every bolthole.
The locals, however, have no such excuse. ]
You have thoughts?
no subject
[As he so often does. He does not always offer those thoughts so freely, but in this case, he thinks he may well benefit from doing exactly that.]
I can't say I've been dedicated to the search in full, but it's been on my mind. I've done a bit of mapping of the surrounding areas while out and about, and kept an eye open for anything that might seem amiss, but there's been nothing of note so far.
[He frowns briefly, pausing to take a sip of his drink.]
I should think the local authorities might act with a bit more urgency in a situation like this. Were it one or two people having vanished, it would seem far less significant, but this many at once is alarming, to say the least.
no subject
Whether or not someone qualifies as a "god" is entirely a matter of perspective, I think.
[He may still be rather sore about all that Occuria business back home.]
As far as we know, they could have well have been as human as the rest of us, if they existed at all. Stories tend to take on lives of their own as the years go by.
no subject
Those Who Were There may have even been the first Chosen. Which, in itself, leads to other maddening questions...
[How long was it before the first waves and the current exactly? How long were they here? Did they establish civilization as Aldrip knows it and sire generations? The idea of being trapped here for the rest of his very unnatural life makes him shudder. He cannot be trapped for that long, he has places to go, things to do, worlds to devour...]
no subject
No one does seem too alarmed, do they? [ Concerned, yes, but not the sort of panic he might have expected from so many vanishing without a trace. ] Strange. Maybe they've decided that if so many can appear from nowhere, some must have to be removed.
[ It's not a serious suggestion, heavy with irony as it is, but the point stands. ]
One would think we'd have heard if something like this has happened before.
I'm proud of Sephiroth for filtering himself lmao
[Said in such a way that implies he hadn't quite considered that particular angle— but he's certainly keen to do so.]
One of those maddening questions being who "chose" them. I'd been under the assumption that if they do exist, or did, they were likely the ones responsible for our arrival.
He tries
They may have been a space-faring people.
[His own planet never quite managed to figure out how to break through the atmosphere but it's still easy for him to imagine. Mother sailed the stars. Someday he will too.
Ah, but...]
But I am getting ahead of myself. The unfortunate truth is we do not know enough to even guess at their true nature.
Which, as you've pointed out, makes it more difficult for us to learn about our own presence here.
no subject
[It's hardly the only thing here that's struck him as suspicious, but even now, having been here for several weeks, it still rubs him the wrong way. If he had his ship and the ability to leave this place behind on a whim, it might be easier to shove it aside— or so he tells himself. As it stands, he finds his thoughts quite preoccupied with all that doesn't add up here.]
I've not seen anything of the like mentioned in town records, though who knows how factual any of those actually are. I don't believe anything here is to be taken at face value.