Tomorrow's History

[equanimiti]

[ Scrawled in fine penmanship is a message written by someone quite adept with the politics of the Ivalice. His choice of language is quite archaic and yet proper at the same time. The writer is clearly someone of high-birth judging from his mastery of language, but certainly sounds very Archadian...]

My return to Ivalice was long overdue. Much has changed since my departure to lands vast and unknown, but my thoughts always lingered here. Though with that stated one must wonder why our realm has changed so drastically.

What is it that lies ahead of us? Ruin and misfortune? Mayhaps it was foolish for me to have left knowing that Ivalice is still in dire need of aid. For too long the deeds of yesteryear has plagued these lands and the Empire's Debt has grown tenfold. Nabradia has yet found solace after years of abandonment, and even Dalmasca has yet to reclaim its former majestic glory.

Why is this? Why has nothing been done to ensure that tomorrow's history will not be marred?

[The message continues for a few more verses before suddenly coming to an abrupt end.

It's almost as if the text is starting to fade...]

Comments

[written response]

[cruentatafoedus]

[Vayne has spent too long in the company of his - of what was his - Judge Magisters to not know that hand. And Zargabaath's words touch him in a way he has not come to expect - has so much from his rebirth caused him to be unsettled? So many signs of a world gone wrong, of all his goals and aspirations, gone with the four winds?]

[With caution and alteration to his writing once more, he sets about to do what he has attempted to avoid - write in his grimoire to someone who may not be as they appear.]
You sound sad, may I entreat you for an explanation as to why?

[equanimiti]

[ Somewhat aware of how these grimories work despite not understanding how they managed to be; Zargabaath is surprised to receive a message. It's not precisely an answer to any of his previous inquiries but rather a question made by another. ]

The conflicts of our present realm should be explanation enough.

[ Unlike others before and after him, Zargabaath is no fool. He will not speak openly about the complexity of the Empire's politics within or abroad. That would be a fool's error. ]

[cruentatafoedus]

[Ah. Then perhaps this is whom it appears to be. The words seem to state a quick retreat, a notice of an err that Vayne is sure he will never make again, at least not willingly. Grimoires were oft to pursue their own agendas, but still he did not know what.]

[He recalls that there are outworlders - and even the Judge Magisters themselves are more inclined to know of such rumors in those matters. Any threats to the Empire would need to be addressed - so, he continues:]

There are conflicts? What are those that plague this world?

[equanimiti]

[ This mistake shan't be made again. Unlike most people, Zargabaath learns quickly from his errors and is always ready to correct them if given the chance to do so. He'll lock this grimoire away in some dark pit somewhere if need be out of pure paranoia alone. There's no possible way after today that a Judge Magister such as himself will allow his thoughts to be read by anonymous readers. ]

...Only an outworlder would be blind to the ills of this realm. [ Zargabaath is growing increasingly paranoid now. While news of these outsiders have reached his ears once before, he had yet to run into any of them until now. ]

Four years have passed since war has plagued these lands. T'was only a matter of time until the wound itself began to fester after years of neglect. The realm is at a disarray both politically and socially. Our current course for Ivalice is one of certain doom if policies and treaties aren't made to ensure that war doesn't scar us again.

[cruentatafoedus]

[So truly then Zargabaath has not known - it wouldn't make sense, anyway, what with the man's loyalty towards Archadia itself. All Judge Magisters were skilled, taught and encouraged from their formative years to put the Empire, and to put House Solidor, into the forefront of their minds.]

[A solid argument, however, could be made that House Solidor...while it was considered to be the Empire in that classical sense, Alayre Zargabaath was more inclined to support the Solidor rule as long as it did not lead to the doom of Archadia. Getting on Zargabaath's bad side was never recommended.]

[For now, however, he would still have to take care, and address the Judge Magister as though he was unaware of anything.]
I had no idea being an outworlder was so offensive, but thank you for your patience. I've been so lost as to the events here - it's so complex. Why was so much neglected, what happened?

[equanimiti]

[ Unlike earlier Zargabaath takes while to reply. He's hesitant to speak any further upon this topic especially with an outworlder. Though eventually the Judge Magister does reply and when he does, he's words are cleverly shrouded with grave discontent. ]

The Aftermath of a War often leads to the fattening of one's belly. As fancy-sick as the royals have become as of late regarding trivial matters, I'm not surprised to see our realm in such a disheveled state.

[cruentatafoedus]

[Vayne does not spend that time waiting, going about other business so as to keep himself preoccupied and not waiting. Vayne was a patient man when necessary.]

[The response is not unexpected, but there's an edge of implication that bothers him. He had expectations, most men do despite themselves, no matter what their education, and he had desired so strongly for a certain end.]

[Larsa. Too soft, too young, and too unlike the brutal pragmatism of those before him, or did he thus become too greedy? Too akin to House Solidor as it was?]

[Various monsters could take many shapes.]
It does not suit you? You are a man of this Empire - do not you benefit from this?

[equanimiti]

...My allegiance has never been stated.

[ For someone who claims to be an 'outworlder', they certainly seem to know exactly who they're speaking with. Not once has Zargabaath claimed to hail from the Empire, he simply stated before that the Empire's debts have grown. While he certainly writes from a slight Archadian flair, no outworlder would be able to pick up on that easily.

Simply impossible. ]

Pray tell me, do you know where your inquires will lead?

[cruentatafoedus]

[Vayne doesn't flinch, slightly smiling; what would an outworlder know, after all? Both the Rozarrians and the Archadians were Empires, and of late one in particular had made a rather large amount of noise in the grimoires - no doubt the Judge Magister would have heard, if he had even not had one previous.]

[But...wait. Are there moments when one has one and then does not? Like the rising and setting of a sun, a page of history turned. He contemplates o'er that which he overheard at the elderly man's cottage some time ago.]

Ah, yes. That is so, though I had assumed since you made mention of an Empire - you are not Rozarrian, then? Is there no one from either Empire about to be found, if they are so large I would think... Well, what with the Rozarrian royal family having been killed recently by poisoning, I would envision someone taking up the cause.

[fonronsenburg]

[Basch's hand falters against the page. It's not often that he responds to any grimoire entry, mostly using the books for information or sudden news. He's intrigued by the entry, so much that he feels almost compelled to answer.]

The years have changed man and country alike. Neither are not so easily mended.

[equanimiti]

[ A look of surprise lingers upon Zargabaath's face one he sees this message. He's almost shocked that his fellow magister doesn't know his handwriting by now, especially since he's taken the time to get used to "Gabranth's" penmanship.

Had this been anyone else, they would've known this to be Zargabaath's handwriting. After all, Zargabaath is one of the few who still write in this overly fancy script that consists of loops upon loops. Everything is perfectly symmetrical and even the dots in his "I" are perfect in size and shape. ]

True enough, but one would assume that someone would attempt to try.

[strayspride]

[ Unlike his brother, this Gabranth is much more familiar with his former colleague's— former teacher's—handwriting. For a moment, he considers hiding his own, but a half-moment of sentiment will not allow it. Thus, it is with Noah's natural handwriting that he responds, and trusts the Judge with enough good sense not to give it away overmuch. ]

You, my dear stranger, place too much weight in the actions a sole man can take, even a noble one. There are some things simply outside the strength of mortal men.

Disasters that cannot be avoided, only handled, with what strength we can lend them.

[ The words are meant as something of a comfort, but Noah is not sure how much comfort truth can give now, after all that he has lived (and died and lived again). ]

[equanimiti]

[ A sharp gasp escapes Zargabaath once he catches a glimpse of the familiar handwriting. Is this---no, it cannot be! Surely this has to be some sort of an fluke or an error on his part. Zargabaath knows well that Gabranth --the real Noah Gabranth fon Ronsenburg-- is long dead.

It was none other than Larsa himself who told him of the unfortunate news and thus introduced the Traitor to him under Gabranth's disguise. At first, Zargabaath objected vehemently of the idea of having Basch masquerade as Gabranth. Despite the twins being so similar, Basch was ignorant of the inner workings of the Empire and ten times more ignorant to the inner workings of Archadian Politics. He pleaded with Larsa to reconsider his choice but the young emperor refused. Larsa claimed that Basch would be a fine successor to Gabranth's good name and a loyal protector. While this was indeed true, Zargabaath almost couldn't stomach to be near Basch.

It just felt so...wrong.

Thus Zargabaath did whatever he could from afar to assist Archadia. He put distance between himself and Basch despite knowing that to be an erroneous mistake on his part. While now he laments over his ill-treatment of Basch, Zargabaath finds himself gazing at this message with a wistful expression.

Judge Magister Gabranth and Judge Magister Zecht both had been his pupils, and both had lost their lives valiantly protecting not only the Empire but all of Ivalice from harm. He's eternally grateful to have known such great men, but a day hasn't passed since he mourned the loss of his colleagues. Therefore, this comforting message does well to soothe a wound that's been festering for the last four years.

With a somewhat steady hand, Zargabaath writes.]

That strength you mention is worth more than gold but I give it freely for Empire and Emperor alike...

[ There's a brief pause before something else is written upon the page. ]

As do you, old friend.

[strayspride]

I am a different man, from that old friend I was— [ Time and death have changed him so much, and with the oath he has sworn to Ajora, he knows he changes further still, but he finds it somewhat amusing that Zargabaath's words remain still true. ] But a better one, I do believe.

I rest easier, knowing that your strength still toils for such peace.

[ That last few letters and punctuation seem to bleed on the paper, as though there were a damp spot on the page where the word lies, still the message continues on with no hesitation. ]

Not the reunion I would have anticipated or planned, but one I am gladdened by all the same, despite the distance.

[equanimiti]

[ It takes almost all of Zargabaath's willpower not to break down.

The last few years have been so difficult for him. There's been times that the old Judge Magister swore he would retire just to spare himself the grief. While he had his misgivings about the other Judge Magisters of the Archadian Court, Zargabaath recognized each man and woman for their unique personalities and talents.

He misses them. He misses all of them. The newly appointed Judge Magisters are nothing but cheap marionettes of the colleagues he once knew. ]

You've always been a good man. I know well of your struggles and your sacrifices, and I'm relieved to hear from you again.

[ That wet mark upon the message almost makes Zargabaath tear up. He knows for certain that this is truly Gabranth, and it pains that they're not speaking in person. ]

Distance means nothing as long as we have these grimoires intact.

[strayspride]

[ You've always been a good man. That is a statement that Noah has not held faith in or believed of himself for what must be nearly twenty years now. To know that Zargabaath believes such, truly— it is a near thing, his emotional constraint. The words were intended to be wry, but the feeling behind them as he writes them— awed and humbled, more like. ]

You hold such faith in me.

[ His struggles are not over yet, this he knows from his inability—hay, his unwillingness—to face his inner demons. They way he fled from Basch in their brief meeting, the way he has not sought out Vayne or any of the others he has known, the way he had hesitated over even answering such a call, even though he counts Zargabaath's friendship dear. But he cannot dwell on such things, lest he finds himself too shattered to function. ]

Not all those who have come anew does not trouble you as much, I hope. Even if there is pain, still, in the familiarity of their faces. [ He will not speak much of the grimoires, for he does not wholly trust them, but for a conversation like this, deep feeling behind careful phrases. This he can allow himself, and be ever grateful for it. ] I am resolved, still, to do what aid I can, though my methods have always been... somewhat nontraditional.

[ He almost, almost, laughs as he writes it, a brief near-stutter in his pen. Not all his tricks for the Ninth have bitter memories to them. A certain unfortunately embarrassing accident of a corrupt and stuffy senator at a certain yuletide party, for instance— ]

[equanimiti]

[ Zargabaath's guards cant their heads ever so slightly when they heard a chuckle escape their lord. Despite being moved to near tears, Zargabaath couldn't help but laugh at that last bit. Nontraditional, eh? That's one way to put it, Gabranth. While he honestly cherishes both the bad and the good years they've spent together, Zargabaath cannot help but admit that Gabranth was and is a bit of a wild one. ]

You've always possessed an interesting flair for theatrics, friend. Though, I suppose you had your reasons for them. [ Another chuckle from Zargabaath leaves his guards looking quite puzzled now. They never known their lord to laugh ever. The Judge Magister is known to be rather stoic at times but for the last four years, he's worn a mask cast from grief. It's quite unusual to see such happiness from Zargabaath and it shows in his somewhat erratic penmanship. ]

How boldly you write your advice. Tis as if the roles between us has changed, but I cherish every word dearly. In familiarity breeds contempt, but I hold none for one who strives so hard to become what he is not.

[ He'll have to speak with Basch soon. The two never truly gotten the chance to converse prior to his leave of Archadia. This message reminds him of such. ]

[WRIT]

[the_cat]

Mayhap everyone's weariness caught up to them at war's end and they dipped a bit too deeply into Bhujerban spirits.

[ The writing isn't her own, but a borrowed script by observance via the application of her Gift. It is that of a lady of higher status than herself, to be certain, and Adelle can't quite help but snort at how bird-brained her words read considering. Pressing her pen to the paper, she continues. ]

I would ask the same as you, however. Stagnation seems the play.

[ And that is all she will write for the moment, her pen placed by the grimoire proper. Jylland has done well for herself in spite of the conflicts beyond her borders. The rest of Ivalice, however... ]