eachdraidh | VIDEO

[ The audio feed begins with the sound of a muted tapping. ]

Is this on?

[ He taps it again, and a young man with spiky, black hair appears. He's peering...much too closely at his locket, but eventually he leans back, the scar on his left cheek becoming visible. For those familiar with the area, the training grounds in Caer Glaem are behind him.

Satisfied that it's on, he smiles a bit. ]

Hi. [ Awkwardly, he scratches the back of his head. ] I'm sure it's pretty obvious to those of you who've been here a while that I'm new.

I've already gotten a few different versions of what's going on here so I think I should be good in that respect.

[ Oh Zack, you sweet summer child. Moving right alone, though, he has other things to say. ]

Since it's a war we're here to fight, I'd like to know if there's anyone around who'd like to spar sometime - hand-to-hand or with weapons.

Also, if there are any places you'd recommend visiting, I'd like to know!

[ A large black head nudges him roughly, and after a soft "hey!" Zack turns briefly to pet his horse's face. A large sword becoming visible, hanging on his back before he looks back at the locket. He flashes a small, sheepish smile. ]

Any tips on riding horses would be good, too. Thanks.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Can I ask why?

[ Tell him about it, bro. ]

[ He'd really rather not. ]

I have found them to be mercurial beasts, easily frightened and ill-suited to battle. On few occasions did I have the displeasure of riding one before I requested of the monarchs a more reliable mount in its stead.

[ Well, in that case... ]

I'll admit, I wasn't really planning on riding any into battle.

[ He's used to fighting on foot. ]

I appreciate the warning.

In time you may well find that whatever you plan counts for little, if aught in this world.

[ If there's one thing Gabranth is good at, it's being positive. Ahaha. Ha.

At any rate, a moment passes before he decides he should try to be at least a little helpful. ]

This world hosts a variety of steeds, some better suited to war than others. I myself favor the chocobo, though I believe their numbers in Glaschu are few as of yet.

I kind of figured that since I wasn't really planning on being here.

[ You know. They just picked up his bloody corpse and decided to bring him in.

Also, wait a minute- ]

They have chocobos here??

Aye, though none are native to this land.

[ More pressingly than that, though— ]

You know of chocobos?

[ The Unseelie girl he had spoken with ages ago — she knew of them as well, though she knew nothing of Ivalice. But this man, perhaps... ]

Chocobos are what people ride where I'm from.

I didn't own one, but people catch them and domesticate them all the time.

And whence have you come, precisely?

[ Already Gabranth doubts that he could truly be from Ivalice...but even if he is, what then? Does he really want to meet someone from Ivalice here, someone who might know him for who he once was, now that he lies broken, powerless and shamed? ]

The world I'm from is called Gaia.

Why?

[ Oblivious to all that angst in your brackets, sir, sorry. ]

[ It's for the best, really. ]

Idle curiosity.

[ Somehow he feels both disappointed and like he just caught a break. ]

I hail from Ivalice, where chocobos are likewise the common mount and horses are rarely aught but feral beasts. Long ago I came into contact with one other in this Drabwurld who knew of them, and owned a number of them herself, but the world she spoke of was neither yours nor my own.

You'll find that most here, whether native or fellow shardbearer, will not have nearly as much familiarity.

[ Huh. ]

I've never heard of Ivalice.

Did she ever tell you how she ended up with chocobos here?

I was given to understand they were a boon from her monarchs, as was mine from our own. Any others in this land are likely to have descended from her stock.

[ Boons, huh? He considers this for a moment before he answers. ]

I guess if they can bring us here, it isn't that hard to bring things from our homeworlds, either.

If I run into any of the wild ones, I'll have to try to catch one.

The power of the monarchs is great indeed.

[ Just not great enough to put an end to this war, apparently. But this is neither the time nor place to throw any shade. ]

Take care to avoid their talons. I've not yet encountered any here that could be considered truly feral, but if those in Ivalice provide any indication, their ferocity may exceed all expectations.

[ Not gonna cast any shade himself since he hasn't met them, yet. Just gonna have to see how things go for now, and make up his mind later. ]

I'll be careful.

I appreciate you telling me about them.

[ He's far away from home now, but chocobos are something familiar at least. ]

Your appreciation is welcome. [ But that's the most he'll linger on it. For now. ]

Far fiercer beasts roam these lands, and you would do well to heed each one to the last. You would do well also to practice your sword-arm, lest one find you unawares.

We see a lot of the same thing where I'm from. I'll try to read up a little before I go anywhere.

I definitely don't plan on letting my skills get rusty while I'm here.

Be certain that you don't. Feral beasts are not the only danger that lies beyond the walls of our court. Trust not the natives of this world; tread not upon the lands north of Glaschu.

To the north is Unseelie territory, right?

Why can't we trust the natives?

Let it suffice to say that not all who reside in this world look upon us with such fondness and admiration as the members of our court. In many places your shard will mark you as a target of fear and condemnation both, and there are those who will not suffer you to live for it.

[ Ah... ]

I see.

I should probably bring a friend if a take any long trips outside of Glaschu, shouldn't I?

That would be most wise.

Wiser still would be to refrain from venturing beyond Glaschu in the first place. But acts of wisdom do not always hold the most merit in this land.

[ Gabranth, that's no fun. What if he wants to go exploring, gosh!! ]

I'm sure I'll try to be very wise about most things I do.

I appreciate all the advice, mister...?

[ As if he was ever about fun. Gosh. ]

Gabranth.

[ He asked only for his name, so that's all the answer he'll get. Gabranth is in no mood to flaunt his titles, anyway. ]

[ FUN IS IMPORTANT!!! ]

It's nice to meet you, Gabranth. My name is Zack.

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