[That's a loaded question, honestly. Or, well, less loaded, and hard to pin down specifics. Molly likes everything.]
It feels like a cheap answer to say "everything," doesn't it? But it's the truth. I'll try anything once, and there's dozens upon dozens of things I haven't tried. [He points around the room, randomly, not seeming to care where his finger lands.] And this place just added several things to the list, and I haven't even seen the other cities yet.
I would not say it is cheap. In fact, I would say that is something that makes me like you more. One who is willing to explore and experiment and try something new is a wonder in my eyes for that type of soul is so rare.
[He moves his hand around the room to indicate all around them.] There is so much around us to see and do. People to talk to and learn about and to spend time with. To say you want to partake in everything to distract you? I honestly believe that is the richest statement you could possibly make, my friend.
I certainly think so. [Other people... Not so much. Other people think that answer is obfuscating or being vague on purpose, and it's true Molly gives the impression of (and sometimes is) that kind of person.
But he's also a simple tiefling wrapped in less than simple clothes. And it's a relief that his general worldview is accepted without discussion of a catch.] And the people here seem to be far more respectful and understanding than most where I come from, because that type of soul is so rare. And a little bit of all this. [He waves a hand to indicate himself.] Not that any of that bothers me, but it's a relief to not have to field it.
Bah! If the were anything less than kind towards how you view things then their opinion doesn't matter. This is your path to walk and not their own. [Obviously that's how he lives his life anyway. Barreling through sweeping people up in it but not paying attention to negative thoughts.]
Besides, you are a beautiful and fascinating person as you are. I like you, my friend. [Ever fully honest about his thoughts without a filter.]
That's how I see it. [He grins over the lip of his glass, diligently sipping at the concoction that's been made for him.
Most people would probably be surprised or even embarrassed by such a compliment all of a sudden, but Molly eats it up like candy, beaming all teeth and delight] I like you, too. You have excellent taste in more ways than one, and a glorious sight to behold, as well. [He holds up the glass.] Cheers.
To hydrate all of these poor fools? Most definitely. [He twirls the contents of his glass.] Though I don't see that there's anything to be embarrassed about. Odds are no one in here is going to remember who you were, much less what you ordered or what you did after you ordered it. And if they do, they probably did things twice as humiliating.
No one who is using their time wisely, and fuck the ones who aren't.
[He takes another sip, realizes the question he's been asked, and excitedly pulls his feet back onto the floor, placing the drink down.] Oh yes. Did you want one? Free, for one day only. Quite a bargain.
I don't have to ask Bahamut that one. [Though when it came to himself, it was the Moonweaver he asked. He's never gonna get off this Platnium Dragon bullshit, though, even if he can openly worship whatever god he chooses now.] You just externalize so much positive bullshit that you forget there ever was anything negative.
[YA MEAN THE ASTRAL HE HATES THE MOST? Mm, yes. Good.
The reaction is visible, like a spike of metal shearing through Ardyn’s otherwise fluid and casual nature. A sharpness in his gaze, though his smile manages to fall only by minuscule degrees.]
[That is not the standard reaction to that name... Like, Molly literally chooses to pretend he follows Bahamut because generally no one reacts weirdly to the most Lawful Goody Two Shoes of the greater pantheon, on top of being a legal god in the Empire. It's like double your ass-covering for a Moonweaver-following heathen.
So, you know, he's puzzled.]
The... Platinum Dragon? Is there someone else by that name I should know about.
[Thankfully, a year or so of being away from home has granted Ardyn with that tricky bit of knowledge concerning multiple universes. It isn't the first time he's heard the name Bahamut thrown around, beyond the one that had presided over Eos. Still, it brings up associations that are hard to quell, but to Ardyn's credit, already he's attempting to outwardly tamp them down one by one.]
Oh yes, very much so. It is the name of an astral — a god, if you will — of my world. One of Six, the Draconian. The God of War, the wielder of many glaives.
Exactly. [He spreads his hands wide.] Sure, the circumstances could be better, but I never imagined anything like this could exist. It's spectacular.
[He leans over and retrieves his drink.] And it's not like we can make this go away.
[And then, as if remembering something, he shifts his feet off the table and pulls the cards a little closer.] That reminds me. One more round for the road?
[He considers it for a moment, angling for a good one. One finally pops up, calling back to the beginning of the conversation, describing all of Yasha's abilities and explaining that a fallen angel in his world is only a bit more impressive than a normal person.]
Say you did have all the powers you want... What would you do with them?
All the powers she wanted. Now that's an interesting question. ]
Earlier I'd have said that I'd be a proper fallen angel. Now...I dunno. [ After all, this Yasha person is apparently a proper fallen angel and she's not this juggernaut of magical powers that Yoshiko thought she'd be. Yoshiko would have used magical powers to save the school, except they did that on their own. ]
Back home, my friends are all going to different places. Some are going to college, some are going to a different school...I'd probably use my powers to make it so we all can keep in touch. [ There's a pause, before Yoshiko continues. ] That and pull in more views for my livestream. People will tune in if there's actual cool magic going on!
[ she says, not realizing that Molly has no clue what tf a livestream is. ]
Fair enough. [Molly grimaces just a bit, the one hitch in his otherwise bottomless pit of delight, but it's gone soon enough. The dragon is elsewhere and will probably be tended to by people stronger than he is.]
What about the locals? [He leans closer just a bit, not particularly caring about violation of personal space.] Not just here, but in all of the cities. Are they simple folk?
[As much as it sounds like an insult, it's... Not exactly. He sounds mostly endeared- some "simple folk" have wonder in their eyes and are eager for something neat. Others are... Well, they're dicks. And even jerks have their uses.]
[ Wow, this guy is really leaning into this, isn't he? X'rhun can only laugh. ]
You'll find magic to be quite commonplace in Olympia and Wyver both. The natives here in Nadril, if I am to understand correctly, are refugees like us -- or are else the descendants of said refugees. You may be out of luck, friend.
Worth a shot. [The leaning is figurative and metaphorical, but he does lean back and stop encroaching on his new friend's space... for now.] But whether they see through tricks, my card-reading skills are very real, and everyone likes to have a few cards turned for them now and then.
Until they do hurt other people, but yeah. [Most of the time, they're harmless, but then you get the ones who aren't. Things could have gone very badly in Trostenwald all because the people in charge were looking to point fingers and cast blame. And Kylre probably would've gotten away and the only people who died were the innocent ones.
But he's not bitter. He has no reason to be bitter. It worked out.]
Mm. [He pulls his tankard away from his lips, as if remembering something, like, you know, the fact that not everyone has met a tiefling before.] I'm a tiefling. Or if you're a racist arsehole, a devil-blood.
[Ren smiles in a slightly wan manner at the mention of people who do hurt other people in that situation, but it's definitely not something he feels like talking about right now. So he'll jump onto that next topic without hesitation.
...Honestly, he thinks "devil-blood" sounds kind of cool, but even he knows better than to say that in the context of how it just got brought up. So he gives a slight and petulant sigh instead.]
I guess that's another thing that shows up in every world, huh...but I've never heard of a tiefling before, so that's new. [He taps his chin.] Are tieflings common in your world, then?
[Perhaps not the majority if racist assholery is still a problem regarding them, but Earth isn't exactly the very model of that either.]
Eh. [He waves a heavily ring-bedecked hand back and forth- specifically the one that has two tattooed snakes on the palm and above it. Many tattoos, this one has.] Not common. I wouldn't say we're a rare breed, but you never see a lot of us in one place.
[Except maybe in one of the open areas of the nine hells. He has no idea why he knows that. He is not going to indulge that thought either.]
[Ren hasn't seen a lot of people with as many tattoos as Molly has, since it's somewhat frowned upon where he comes from, so his eyes follow the art a bit as Molly waves his hand.]
Oh, that's kind of a shame. [Molly looks pretty cool, so he'd assume the rest of them also look cool and it's definitely sad that there's not more of them around.] Though I guess it doesn't make too much difference here...when so many people wouldn't have many others awake from their world...
[There's something thoughtful about the way Ren says that, though he'd rather not get into his own issues on that subject.]
[Molly's smirking a bit at the show, but his eyes do fall on the ring. The Changebringer. Not an approved deity in the Empire, but she was Gustav's deity and the deity that the Shusters had been arrested for worshiping. Instantly, he feels a tiny bit of kinship, both in the knowledge that if they were from the same place, they'd have mutually inappropriate deities, and that maybe, just maybe, they're having a bit of a crisis of faith about their goddesses not being able to reach them.
It's something to work with anyway.]
[He turns over the first card, placed directly over the King of Pentacles that represents Cam. This covers him. The World.] You've reached a point where you're at the end of one cycle and a new one is beginning. They say that this is the time when you're actually closest to the Divine.
[Card number two. This crosses him. The Page of Swords, Reversed.] Whatever forces that might come into contact with you as you come to terms with this new cycle may be dangerous. They're keeping a watchful eye on you and that might always be in your best interest. Whatever it is that cross you, expect it to cut right to the heart of the matter, and you might not be prepared for it.
Card number three. This Crowns Him The Three of Swords.] There's pain, which is inevitable in all things, but once you've gotten past the pain, then things will become clearer, and that's what you want- clarity through the pain and suffering that may be coming. There may still be challenges, but they're no longer these great bloody misfortunes that linger over your head, impeding your progress. You'll be able to get through it once you get there.
[Card number four. This is beneath him. The Five of Pentacles.] You've already experienced your, as they say, "dark night of the soul," so even if you're facing some kind of future pain, you've gotten through this once before, and you can do it again.
[Card number five. This is behind him. The Knight of Pentacles.] A strong influence has recently passed you- one that aims to encourage you to be hard-working and diligent towards your goals if you want to see everything achieved the way you hope it to be. It's an inspiration to stay persistent and it might have passed unnoticed. It's useful, and will help make you useful- don't ignore it.
Card number six. This is before him. King of Cups, Reversed.] In the future, there may be influences that aren't what they appear to be. That person or event could be deceitful or misguiding. Beware of the power that might hold over you, and stay cautious.
[and finally, he turns over each of the last four cards, one by one, starting with the Six of Wands.] What you're hoping for is a spiritual breakthrough or a reconciliation. Or both. [He inclines his head to the ring.
The Nine of Rods. ] All around you there is going to be difficulty- the same pain and hardship you'll have to overcome as before, but you're on the last hill, and everything around you is lending you the strength to endure until you find the answer you're seeking.
[Six of Pentacles.] It's interesting this comes after the Six in the same reading- they go together quite nicely. You quite possibly hope that once you come out of the darkness on the other side, you'll be able to help people, but on the converse, having people rely on you too much might be stressful or too much to deal with.
[And the final card. Death.] Never forget this one of the best cards you can get, my friend. Everything here is culminating into a change that you can't escape, but with it comes a spiritual transformation you should be welcoming.
[He leans back and spreads his hands as he finishes, and then picks up his drink and takes a long swig. That was a lot of work, man.]
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Iskander } Nadril
[That's a loaded question, honestly. Or, well, less loaded, and hard to pin down specifics. Molly likes everything.]
It feels like a cheap answer to say "everything," doesn't it? But it's the truth. I'll try anything once, and there's dozens upon dozens of things I haven't tried. [He points around the room, randomly, not seeming to care where his finger lands.] And this place just added several things to the list, and I haven't even seen the other cities yet.
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[He moves his hand around the room to indicate all around them.] There is so much around us to see and do. People to talk to and learn about and to spend time with. To say you want to partake in everything to distract you? I honestly believe that is the richest statement you could possibly make, my friend.
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But he's also a simple tiefling wrapped in less than simple clothes. And it's a relief that his general worldview is accepted without discussion of a catch.] And the people here seem to be far more respectful and understanding than most where I come from, because that type of soul is so rare. And a little bit of all this. [He waves a hand to indicate himself.] Not that any of that bothers me, but it's a relief to not have to field it.
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Besides, you are a beautiful and fascinating person as you are. I like you, my friend. [Ever fully honest about his thoughts without a filter.]
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Most people would probably be surprised or even embarrassed by such a compliment all of a sudden, but Molly eats it up like candy, beaming all teeth and delight] I like you, too. You have excellent taste in more ways than one, and a glorious sight to behold, as well. [He holds up the glass.] Cheers.
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You } Nadril
To hydrate all of these poor fools? Most definitely. [He twirls the contents of his glass.] Though I don't see that there's anything to be embarrassed about. Odds are no one in here is going to remember who you were, much less what you ordered or what you did after you ordered it. And if they do, they probably did things twice as humiliating.
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[She's just kind of self conscious about being in that spot halfway between youth and adulthood, honestly.]
--so! You do tarot readings, right? [Subject change. Activate.]
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[He takes another sip, realizes the question he's been asked, and excitedly pulls his feet back onto the floor, placing the drink down.] Oh yes. Did you want one? Free, for one day only. Quite a bargain.
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So-- why not! It sounds fun, I think!
[A breath. Sitting up.] How do we start?
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Ardyn } Nadril
I don't have to ask Bahamut that one. [Though when it came to himself, it was the Moonweaver he asked. He's never gonna get off this Platnium Dragon bullshit, though, even if he can openly worship whatever god he chooses now.] You just externalize so much positive bullshit that you forget there ever was anything negative.
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Bahamut?
[YA MEAN THE ASTRAL HE HATES THE MOST? Mm, yes. Good.
The reaction is visible, like a spike of metal shearing through Ardyn’s otherwise fluid and casual nature. A sharpness in his gaze, though his smile manages to fall only by minuscule degrees.]
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So, you know, he's puzzled.]
The... Platinum Dragon? Is there someone else by that name I should know about.
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Oh yes, very much so. It is the name of an astral — a god, if you will — of my world. One of Six, the Draconian. The God of War, the wielder of many glaives.
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me and my slowass tags... gomen
you're good <333 i can backtag into eternity.
ty!! <3
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Yoshiko } Nadril
Exactly. [He spreads his hands wide.] Sure, the circumstances could be better, but I never imagined anything like this could exist. It's spectacular.
[He leans over and retrieves his drink.] And it's not like we can make this go away.
[And then, as if remembering something, he shifts his feet off the table and pulls the cards a little closer.] That reminds me. One more round for the road?
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Say you did have all the powers you want... What would you do with them?
[He got a fuckin' twenty.]
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All the powers she wanted. Now that's an interesting question. ]
Earlier I'd have said that I'd be a proper fallen angel. Now...I dunno. [ After all, this Yasha person is apparently a proper fallen angel and she's not this juggernaut of magical powers that Yoshiko thought she'd be. Yoshiko would have used magical powers to save the school, except they did that on their own. ]
Back home, my friends are all going to different places. Some are going to college, some are going to a different school...I'd probably use my powers to make it so we all can keep in touch. [ There's a pause, before Yoshiko continues. ] That and pull in more views for my livestream. People will tune in if there's actual cool magic going on!
[ she says, not realizing that Molly has no clue what tf a livestream is. ]
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X'rhun } Nadril
Fair enough. [Molly grimaces just a bit, the one hitch in his otherwise bottomless pit of delight, but it's gone soon enough. The dragon is elsewhere and will probably be tended to by people stronger than he is.]
What about the locals? [He leans closer just a bit, not particularly caring about violation of personal space.] Not just here, but in all of the cities. Are they simple folk?
[As much as it sounds like an insult, it's... Not exactly. He sounds mostly endeared- some "simple folk" have wonder in their eyes and are eager for something neat. Others are... Well, they're dicks. And even jerks have their uses.]
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You'll find magic to be quite commonplace in Olympia and Wyver both. The natives here in Nadril, if I am to understand correctly, are refugees like us -- or are else the descendants of said refugees. You may be out of luck, friend.
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Ren } Nadril
Until they do hurt other people, but yeah. [Most of the time, they're harmless, but then you get the ones who aren't. Things could have gone very badly in Trostenwald all because the people in charge were looking to point fingers and cast blame. And Kylre probably would've gotten away and the only people who died were the innocent ones.
But he's not bitter. He has no reason to be bitter. It worked out.]
Mm. [He pulls his tankard away from his lips, as if remembering something, like, you know, the fact that not everyone has met a tiefling before.] I'm a tiefling. Or if you're a racist arsehole, a devil-blood.
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...Honestly, he thinks "devil-blood" sounds kind of cool, but even he knows better than to say that in the context of how it just got brought up. So he gives a slight and petulant sigh instead.]
I guess that's another thing that shows up in every world, huh...but I've never heard of a tiefling before, so that's new. [He taps his chin.] Are tieflings common in your world, then?
[Perhaps not the majority if racist assholery is still a problem regarding them, but Earth isn't exactly the very model of that either.]
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[Except maybe in one of the open areas of the nine hells. He has no idea why he knows that. He is not going to indulge that thought either.]
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Oh, that's kind of a shame. [Molly looks pretty cool, so he'd assume the rest of them also look cool and it's definitely sad that there's not more of them around.] Though I guess it doesn't make too much difference here...when so many people wouldn't have many others awake from their world...
[There's something thoughtful about the way Ren says that, though he'd rather not get into his own issues on that subject.]
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Cam } Nadril
[Molly's smirking a bit at the show, but his eyes do fall on the ring. The Changebringer. Not an approved deity in the Empire, but she was Gustav's deity and the deity that the Shusters had been arrested for worshiping. Instantly, he feels a tiny bit of kinship, both in the knowledge that if they were from the same place, they'd have mutually inappropriate deities, and that maybe, just maybe, they're having a bit of a crisis of faith about their goddesses not being able to reach them.
It's something to work with anyway.]
[He turns over the first card, placed directly over the King of Pentacles that represents Cam. This covers him. The World.] You've reached a point where you're at the end of one cycle and a new one is beginning. They say that this is the time when you're actually closest to the Divine.
[Card number two. This crosses him. The Page of Swords, Reversed.] Whatever forces that might come into contact with you as you come to terms with this new cycle may be dangerous. They're keeping a watchful eye on you and that might always be in your best interest. Whatever it is that cross you, expect it to cut right to the heart of the matter, and you might not be prepared for it.
Card number three. This Crowns Him The Three of Swords.] There's pain, which is inevitable in all things, but once you've gotten past the pain, then things will become clearer, and that's what you want- clarity through the pain and suffering that may be coming. There may still be challenges, but they're no longer these great bloody misfortunes that linger over your head, impeding your progress. You'll be able to get through it once you get there.
[Card number four. This is beneath him. The Five of Pentacles.] You've already experienced your, as they say, "dark night of the soul," so even if you're facing some kind of future pain, you've gotten through this once before, and you can do it again.
[Card number five. This is behind him. The Knight of Pentacles.] A strong influence has recently passed you- one that aims to encourage you to be hard-working and diligent towards your goals if you want to see everything achieved the way you hope it to be. It's an inspiration to stay persistent and it might have passed unnoticed. It's useful, and will help make you useful- don't ignore it.
Card number six. This is before him. King of Cups, Reversed.] In the future, there may be influences that aren't what they appear to be. That person or event could be deceitful or misguiding. Beware of the power that might hold over you, and stay cautious.
[and finally, he turns over each of the last four cards, one by one, starting with the Six of Wands.] What you're hoping for is a spiritual breakthrough or a reconciliation. Or both. [He inclines his head to the ring.
The Nine of Rods. ] All around you there is going to be difficulty- the same pain and hardship you'll have to overcome as before, but you're on the last hill, and everything around you is lending you the strength to endure until you find the answer you're seeking.
[Six of Pentacles.] It's interesting this comes after the Six in the same reading- they go together quite nicely. You quite possibly hope that once you come out of the darkness on the other side, you'll be able to help people, but on the converse, having people rely on you too much might be stressful or too much to deal with.
[And the final card. Death.] Never forget this one of the best cards you can get, my friend. Everything here is culminating into a change that you can't escape, but with it comes a spiritual transformation you should be welcoming.
[He leans back and spreads his hands as he finishes, and then picks up his drink and takes a long swig. That was a lot of work, man.]