[There's a minor delay but after that Takame opened the door up for Gwayne. There's a faint spell of freshly brewed tea from his apartment as he gave his standard bow in greeting. He's been taught well on how to be a good host, clearly.]
Well met, Gwayne. [He stepped aside, gesturing for Gwayne to enter.]
You may make yourself comfortable. I've prepared tea. [Don't ask him about the pole, don't ask him about the pole, don't ask him about the pole.
[It's with a cheer he only faintly feels, but he's trying. Gwayne steps inside.]
You have my thanks for meeting with me.
[His eyes definitely fall on the pole in the middle of the room. Before he can even ask, Takame diverts the subject. Gwayne simply makes a note to ask about it later, and kicks off his boots before walking further into the Auri man's home.]
[Gwayne takes the cup with a nod of thanks. He stares at it for a moment before looking back up at Takame.]
I served there as an adventurer in defense of the realm. Just as Bahamut was about to break free of his prison, I was saved. Truthfully, 'tis thanks to Louisoix that I survived, and Hydaelyn for ensuring my continued survival. But I digress.
[He shifts as of uncomfortable.]
'Twas highly disconcerting going from hellfire and destruction to abruptly being in the relative calm of Thanalan's scrubland. Even more so when I found that not only had five years past, but nobody remembered me, not even my friends in the Scions. Not until after Operation Archon, by my Source's reckoning.
[He looks at Takame, almost expectantly. Gwayne isn't sure if he needs to say it aloud or if the implications of his words are enough.]
[Takame listened carefully as Gwayne shared his experiences. The fact that he spoke of Cartenaeu from the past and not a recent event in some small way was a relief, but the rest...
He recalled his first days in Eorzea, how Momodi and others spoke of someone who they couldn't remember having prevented the absolute worst from happening to the realm. He connected his memory with what was shared with him... and went silent for a while.
He struggled to wrap his head around the idea, but after a few moments he could indeed arrive to a conclusion.]
The Warrior of Light that disappeared with the Calamity. That was you.
[Gwayne waits mostly patiently, and takes a sip of tea. He doesn't really taste it, which is a shame as he's certain it's normally delicious. For this moment of silence, however, it's a means of distraction, to do something with his hands as he waits for Takame to speak.
When it's finally said and out in the open, there's some relief. The Hyur nods.]
Aye. It was.
[Gwayne rubs the back of his neck.]
I even have a mark because of it, but this is beside the point. I've also been within the shards of Dalamud, hoping for answers just as much as the twins were, and we got them.
[He shakes his head and sighs sadly. It's a bittersweet memory, truth be told, but an important one. Especially for Alisaie and Alphinaud.]
But... For what it's worth, I'm sorry that my absence is what caused the need for that mantel to fall to you and the others. I won't ask for forgiveness, I'm hardly deserving of such a thing, but I'll gladly answer any questions you may have.
[He's quiet again for a while. By this point he ought to see things like this coming. From other Warriors of Light going through his same circumstances, to the Shards, to anything with a tie to Alexander. Perhaps its due to everything he's been through that his composure hasn't shifted.
The only change is a minor one, from cautiously neutral to somewhat somber.]
You needn't ask forgiveness. There is no reason for you to. [He shook his head.] If the title fell to me, it was meant to. And though I cannot speak for the others, I will carry it with honor for as long as I need to. ["So that no one else has to" is left unsaid.]
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He'll text his address over.]
You may come over at your convenience.
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[Gwayne cuts the call and makes his way to Takame's home. After some time, he arrives on the doorstep and knocks politely yet firmly on the door.]
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Well met, Gwayne. [He stepped aside, gesturing for Gwayne to enter.]
You may make yourself comfortable. I've prepared tea. [Don't ask him about the pole, don't ask him about the pole, don't ask him about the pole.
Divert subject.] You wished to discuss something?
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Well met, my friend!
[It's with a cheer he only faintly feels, but he's trying. Gwayne steps inside.]
You have my thanks for meeting with me.
[His eyes definitely fall on the pole in the middle of the room. Before he can even ask, Takame diverts the subject. Gwayne simply makes a note to ask about it later, and kicks off his boots before walking further into the Auri man's home.]
Aye, 'tis about... Well. Carteneau.
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What of it?
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I served there as an adventurer in defense of the realm. Just as Bahamut was about to break free of his prison, I was saved. Truthfully, 'tis thanks to Louisoix that I survived, and Hydaelyn for ensuring my continued survival. But I digress.
[He shifts as of uncomfortable.]
'Twas highly disconcerting going from hellfire and destruction to abruptly being in the relative calm of Thanalan's scrubland. Even more so when I found that not only had five years past, but nobody remembered me, not even my friends in the Scions. Not until after Operation Archon, by my Source's reckoning.
[He looks at Takame, almost expectantly. Gwayne isn't sure if he needs to say it aloud or if the implications of his words are enough.]
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He recalled his first days in Eorzea, how Momodi and others spoke of someone who they couldn't remember having prevented the absolute worst from happening to the realm. He connected his memory with what was shared with him... and went silent for a while.
He struggled to wrap his head around the idea, but after a few moments he could indeed arrive to a conclusion.]
The Warrior of Light that disappeared with the Calamity. That was you.
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When it's finally said and out in the open, there's some relief. The Hyur nods.]
Aye. It was.
[Gwayne rubs the back of his neck.]
I even have a mark because of it, but this is beside the point. I've also been within the shards of Dalamud, hoping for answers just as much as the twins were, and we got them.
[He shakes his head and sighs sadly. It's a bittersweet memory, truth be told, but an important one. Especially for Alisaie and Alphinaud.]
But... For what it's worth, I'm sorry that my absence is what caused the need for that mantel to fall to you and the others. I won't ask for forgiveness, I'm hardly deserving of such a thing, but I'll gladly answer any questions you may have.
no subject
The only change is a minor one, from cautiously neutral to somewhat somber.]
You needn't ask forgiveness. There is no reason for you to. [He shook his head.] If the title fell to me, it was meant to. And though I cannot speak for the others, I will carry it with honor for as long as I need to. ["So that no one else has to" is left unsaid.]