[ Open ] Travelers are dreamers...

[afflatusexarch]

Who: G'raha Tia + You!
Status: Open
Where: Various
What: MANTA quests
Warnings: TBA

💎 Spirited Away

[ It really shouldn't come as a surprise to see a very red cat strolling around Eltrut. It even has a little scarf about its neck. G'raha had wanted to see if the spell actually worked.

It does.

But apparently he is going to spend his time just basking in the wonderful sunlight. Snoozing. Looks like he is about to get some much needed rest!

Unless... ]

💎 Starships ( Close CR Only )

[ G'raha has everything that is needed for this little joint adventure. Parchment. Writing utensils. A compass. Even current star maps. He seems a little excited for this, apparently bringing snacks and a blanket along. ]

I wouldn't say that this is a particular skill of mine, charting the stars and all. Or cartography, for that matter. Yet the idea of new stars appearing in the sky is exciting, is it not? To think that, somewhere, a something new has been born brings about a sense of hope.

[ At least it does for him. How can anyone refute it, with the way his tail swishes and the gleam in his eye. Really, he just wants to look at stars like the helpless romantic sort he is. ]

💎 Book Bites

[ Anywhere that books are stored should be considered a sacred place. After all, it is a place of learning but also a place where knowledge is kept and stored for future generations or those in need. So to learn that something has been eating the pages is nothing short of disastrous.]

Now where could the creature responsible for this be?

[ At the present moment, he is following what appears to be some bit of a chewed up paper tail. He's looking under one of the reading chairs. Tail wiggling around as he tries to see proper. ]

💎 Get Shirty

[ Now the real question is... Who would have wanted to have switched clothing with G'raha?

The answer might be more simple than you think, since he is grabbing onto the hands of the person near him. Holding them with bright eyes that are just begging. ]

Surely a bit of fun is permitted? Doubtful you could tarnish my reputation in any way...

[ Alternatively... Perhaps this scene has already played out. Now there are consequences to allowing G'raha to switch clothing with you.

The consequences are - well he has been playing pranks. Harmless things, but enough that people are starting to get exasperated and maybe it is time to stop? ]

💎 Everybody's Grudge

[ He had heard of these strange Tonberries from Zack and others. But the reality is, he needs to see it with his own eyes. ]

I wonder... If these individuals are cursed as well?

[ Since that is how thing are back where he hails from. Still, as unfortunate as it might be? They might not have a choice regarding whether or not there is a need to take down this Tonberry. ]

💎 Wildcard

[ If nothing strikes your fancy, you can just hit me with whatever or tell me to write a custom starter. I'm down for it. Or you can hit me up @ verthunder on Plurk/Discord. ]

Comments

starships ⭐

[activatingcombatmode]

[Where G'raha has all of the tools and utensils for the job Zack brings along freshly packed food from Tifa's bar. She's great like that, always ready to whip up some mean burgers and pack them to go. Even if to go doesn't happen to be all that far away since they're still on the Seventh Heaven right now.]

Well, there's a first for everything? I've never thought to try charting stars before but you couldn't see the stars whatsoever from Midgar anyway. But I used to like how they looked from Gongaga's clifftops.

[He grins.]

This is going to be a sight to see though. I'm excited about it too.

[afflatusexarch]

[ The food from the bar is good. Raha has gotten used to it since he's been staying with Zack on and off. He's already setting everything down, shaking the blanket to set up a spot on the deck that they've picked out. ]

Neither had I. It isn't my field of study. [ Then he perks up. Gives Zack a quick kiss on the cheek. And hurriedly starts to spread everything out. ] One day I want you to tell me more about Gongaga. You mention Midgar quite often.

[ He's using both hands to pat the blanket. To encourage Zack to join him. ]

Maybe on this night I will name a star after you.

Spirited Away

[emet_sulk]

There is a shoebill, staring at the cat that is G'raha Tia.

It is a large bird, easily matching the height of most other landbound animals. And its stare is piercing.

[activatingcombatmode]

[Zack grins and moves to sit on the spot that G'raha has picked as their designated star-watching location. It's a good one. The Seventh Heaven is peaceful like this at night. He moves to sit next to G'raha's side and shifts to lean a kiss to G'raha's temple too.]

There isn't all that much to tell about Gongaga. A lot of bushes and trees and mushrooms.

[Not that he doesn't feel connected to his hometown... He just left when he was pretty young. And it's been years.]

And after me? Maybe I'll leave the star naming to you. I have no idea what I'd call a star.

[He just has to think about it!]

[afflatusexarch]

[ Oh and see the big bird G'raha does. He is immediately on his paws. Crouching, tail wiggling in the air.

And making noises ]

[afflatusexarch]

That is like saying Sharlayan has a lot of water and trees and scholars.

[ He settles against Zack, pulling out the compass to find true north. Then he can begin to orient the original star chart so that they might see the differences. ]

Why not after you, love? You are a bright light in my life, after all.

Book Bites!

[indispensable]

[Anyone who knows Alhaitham enough (which to be fair, is not too many) will probably not be surprised that he's looking into this. The wanton destruction of books is after all not really something that he agrees on especially when there's no proper justification for it—so the sooner its dealt with, the better.

So he is here in the archives, trying to figure out who or what might have caused it—only to see a tail sticking out from one of the chairs and wiggling rather curiously. Alhaitham, of course, knows who it is, which is part of the reason why he decides to head on over to where the other is.]

Have you found anything so far? [He asks without preamble, not caring for the fact of how sudden his appearance might be.]

[emet_sulk]

[ The shoebill's imperious stare drops towards the feline. It doesn't seem to know how to react to the chirping but it isn't afraid of this thing with claws and teeth. The shoebill has a heavy beak and a loud rattle to go with it. Which it looses by way of reply. ]

[activatingcombatmode]

[Zack quirks a smile and watches G'raha work the compass. He'll glance up at the stars and then the charting paper again. He's not great at this sort of craft but they're both figuring this out together.]

You are to me too but I'm not sure a star called "Zack Fair" has the right ring to it.

[He chuckles a bit.]

Or did you have something else in mind?

[afflatusexarch]

[ Raha chuckles and leans against Zack. ]

No, I suppose not. It doesn't roll off of the tongue well. However, whatever name I come up with? You will know that it is for you and you alone.

[ Now he THINKS he has this right. The current star map, that is. At least he has been able to pinpoint the guiding star. ]

Now to match the current constellations.

[afflatusexarch]

[ The sudden sound of someone speaking behind him startles G'raha. He smacks his head against the bottom edge of the chair. ]

Oh! Ah - ouch!

[ Look, he knows that he has a nasty habit of sneaking into this place. At first, G'raha fears he has been caught by someone who will toss him out. So he is drawing back, rubbing his head. ]

N-no. Not yet, unfortunately.

Everybody's Grudge

[legendofthelion]

[Comparatively, this bounty seems to have a pretty low offer. But Dehya is expecting that to mean it's an easy task, and all she really needs is more breathing room to buy a dress for a wedding anyway. That'll be quick and easy, especially alongside someone else.

She doesn't know what a Tonberry even is, though, and just gives G'raha a confused look.] Why would they be cursed?

[indispensable]

[Alhaitham, at least, doesn't really care for the fact if G'raha should be allowed here or not. As long as somebody is here with a genuine interest to seek more knowledge for themselves, he sees no reason to deny them of that right regardless of their ideologies or factions or whatever. Knowledge by itself should always be shared freely.

With that having been said, however, he does snort a little at G'raha's reaction, because it is a bit hard to not find some kind of amusement from that little stint.]

Me too. [He returns, arms coming up to cross over his chest.] I found some shredded paper around there [A jerk of his head in the direction of where he's trying to signal] but nothing much beyond that.

Wildcard - Backdated to the 3rd or 4th or so.

[yuezun]

[So his... 'experiment' had not gone as planned. It had, in fact, 'failed'. In so far as the goal of destroying his seven emotion tree went, anyway.

It had succeeded in that he now understood his own... desires. He wanted to feel. He was... angry at his father. Hurt, too. For taking the choice to have emotions away from him. For turning him into a weapon. But even with all the pain that came with it... he still wanted to feel.

Losing that, becoming that emotionless monster again, scared him.

And, unfortunately, as much as he wanted to put off speaking about any of it, he had promised to tell G'raha the outcome of the 'experiment'. Which meant he could not delay doing so any longer.]

...Raha.

[Daqiang called to announce himself at G'raha's door, then knocked.]

[afflatusexarch]

[ He had been in his room, pacing. Just roaming from one side to the other, face buried in a book. That is his norm, especially when there are things that are troubling him. There is a mystery here that needs be unraveled.

For a moment, he also misses the knock. But then his ears perk and he pauses. ]

It isn't locked.

[yuezun]

[He hesitated a moment before pushing the door open and entering. Hovered just inside the door before shutting it and crossing his arms. Raising his chin.]

The attempt has been made.

[The 'curse effect' he had been looking to destroy.]

It failed.

[afflatusexarch]

[ It takes a moment to register what Daqiang might be referring to. "Attempt?" What on this star could be meant by that? Then he remembers the conversation. The curse. Secrets that cause a swooping feeling in the bottom of his stomach. ]

So this mystery curse of yours remains.

[activatingcombatmode]

[Zack smiles. He takes a second to watch G'raha do his nerd thing, working out the current map and pinpointing the new ones. He's come to really enjoy watching or listening to G'raha do nerdy things. He might not understand everything all the time and G'raha is leagues smarter than he is ... but he's trying to be enough.]

Well, maybe the "Zackary" constellation sounds okay.

[He takes his writing tool and marks a small star on the paper.]

But I think any of these new constellations should be named after you. You've earned something like that way more than I have.

[yuezun]

This venerable one...

[He took a deep breath and nodded.]

Yes. This venerable one... He chose to let it remain. He could not bring himself to allow it to be destroyed.

[It was only when it was at real risk of actual damage that he realized how deeply his roots had grown and how much he didn't want them to wither again.]

[afflatusexarch]

[ There is a chuckle that escapes him. He is marking the stars on the chart that he can already identify with one color. Soon, any new ones he sees will be marked with a different one. ]

Oh? Would you like to be "full named" for the rest of eternity>

[ Of course he pauses, noting the star that Zack has marked. His ears perk up and red eyes look at Zack. ]

What do you mean? Are you not a great man yourself?

[activatingcombatmode]

At least that way, every time I look up at the stars I'd think of you. And you full naming me.

[He leans his head towards G'raha. How corny is that but it's true. Full name him every single night.]

And yeah, of course, I think I've done a couple of pretty big noteworthy things. But you? All of the things you did to save not just your star but multiple stars? That's ... lightyears more.

[afflatusexarch]

Then will you do me the honor of finally explaining?

[ Chose to let it remain? How is that the same as failure? Is it that he has no choice but to allow it to remain so due to failure?

G'raha is still none too pleased with all of this. However, he would prefer to give the man a chance to explain. ]

[afflatusexarch]

[ There's a slight pink dusting across his cheeks. His tail lashes about behind him. It's a statement that makes him fluster, but also smile. Wide. ]

Think of me and laugh no doubt. A full bellied one that makes my heart melt.

[ He leans over to press a kiss to a cheek. ]

These things, however, are not to be compared. Lives cannot be measured so, love. You continue to do things that matter here and you shall do more in the future.

[yuezun]

[He looked away, off to one side. He didn't want to. He wanted to leave it as 'it failed' and move on. Because as much as he wanted his emotions, to speak on it would be to speak on family.]

This venerable one's father, when this venerable one was a child whose voice had not yet cracked...

[A deep breath to steady himself. Eyes shut as he forced himself to remain calm despite the anger and paint that rose up threatening to choke him.]

...he...

This venerable one has spoken of this before. That his father... made him into a weapon and did give him a choice in the making.

[activatingcombatmode]

[He likes it when G'raha blushes a bit. The colour on his cheeks is cute.]

I'd laugh. Every time.

[Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to have a star named after his full name in that case. If it reminds him of G'raha and something sweet between them at the same time.]

I hope so, it's still a big dream of mine to make a difference.