for whatsina_name

[travelerscurse]

It's so strange, being back.

Ishgard hasn't changed in hundreds of years, strange to think it would have changed since he'd been here last, but then, everywhere else he'd been has changed just in the time he's been there. So it's strange to be walking streets he knows from his childhood but with eyes that are so different.

Beside him, Emmanelain chatters on about the different facets of city life. He had made sure Haurchefant knew to petition his former family with as much discretion as possible. They, of course, had simply said their son had died and they were certain some fugitive from Uldah couldn't be him anyway. He hadn't expected any differently. He feels like that person is dead and he breathes on as someone wholly different anyway, but it's strange, to be being shown around the place he grew up in by a member of one of the High Houses, someone his parents would have killed for him to be friends with just a few short years earlier, as though he were a stranger to this place.

He has always been a stranger to this place.

Dressed in Gridanian fashion and tanned lightly by the sun, he doesn't expect there's anyone here who would recognize him. He'd been barely more than a ghost when he left, hardly a warrior of anything. But as they pass through the Jeweled Croizer and Emmanelain gets caught up talking to some girl he's been trying to woo, there's a sudden, strange sensation at the back of his head, something like and unlike the Echo, and he turns, eyes scanning the busy street for... something. Someone.

(For some reason, unbidden, he remembers the night of the Calamity, giant pieces of some other part of Eorzea raining from the sky..

Comments

[whatsina_name]

When he's pulled from his remembering, he'll find another set of eyes searching for his, a familiar blue and wide eyed, like they'd seen a ghost. Which, well, in a way they have.

"Gus?"

Phillip, much like Gustavian, barely looks like the boy that he knew before. His black hair was allowed to fall to his shoulders in waves, and where they last would have seen each other as awkward, burgeoning young teens, the intervening years have given his features something of a delicate, pretty quality. Of course, he's also much shorter in comparison now, the Hyur having to look up as he all but marches over. Apparently, a refusal to be intimidated by much of anything is one of his more consistent traits.

"It is you, isn't it?" he demands, as his eyes search over the other man's face. He's not wearing any sort of attire that would mark him as a servant, so he's likely just running errands on his own or some such, but there is still a simple chain of silver around his neck, the pendant Gustavian knows is attached hidden underneath his shirt.

[travelerscurse]

Gustavain's eyes go wide and he stops, mouth half open in some kind of reply before he's aware his bard's tongue has deserted him entirely. He can feel Emmanellain staring at him and he really ought to deny it... except he doesn't really want to and it's not like they were ever "anything" but they were close and he'd never thought to see him again and...

"I..." he cannot wholly lie or tell the truth, not here, not now, "Only a fool searches the living for the dead," is what he says, but even that tells Phillip that Gustavain knows where Phillip ought to find him, six feet down and crowned with stone. It's said almost coldly, sharp, the end of a discussion... but then Gustavain quirks a small smile, a smile Phillip knows,

"If you seek the living on the other hand, perhaps you should go to the Forgotten Knight this evening. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a tour to finish."

[whatsina_name]

His initial reply earns him a cocked eyebrow, unbelieving and deeply unimpressed (a look Gustavain likely knows quite well, from times behind closed doors where elder servants could not reprimand him). The expression softens a bit at the smile, and a bit more again at the concession that comes. He pulls himself back, straightening up to his full, if not considerable, height.

"Then I hope you enjoy your tour, good ser," it's his polite voice, the one he uses when he knows other people are listening, "I think you'll find the streets of Ishgard quite interesting." And perhaps it speaks to Phillip's ability to be discreet that that's all he says now, turning and vanishing into the crowd of the market whence he came.

Later that evening, should Gustavain happen to stop by the Forgotten Knight, Phillip will be quietly tucked in a corner on the upper floor, keeping an eye out for any long dead- now living- friends. (If he does not show up, however, he will be far from free of the young man...)

[travelerscurse]

Time passes. They see each other more, again, and Phillip only knows that Gustavain keeps his silence about his nature with his Scion friends because they also become Phillip's friends, eventually. First Tataru, because of course first Tataru, but eventually Alphinaud and then Thancred as well. Y'shtola looks at him with some degree of suspicion, it seems, but it also seems that she's just somewhat Like That. There are tragedies and triumphs, as there always are, and then, for a time, all seems quiet. Trouble is brewing in Gyr Abania in particular, but there's a period of rest all the same, some time to breathe.

Gustavain rarely seems content in one spot, has a room now both in the Fortemps Manor and in the Rising Stones but doesn't stay in either place for more than a few days at a time, wandering Eorzea instead in search of trouble or adventure or... something. He would be hard pressed to say what, he just likes to be in motion. Still, as one of the few people who can use aetherytes with relative impunity, he abuses the privilege to come back to Revenant's Toll frequently once Phillip moves there primarily.

And then one day there's a note to meet him up on the balcony of Rowena's place and the non-specificity of the note and the casual way he's leaning on balcony's edge when Phillip arrives says one thing and one thing only, learned from years of friendship: Gustavain has a mind to cause trouble.

Back when they were kids, that was usually something like swiping treats from the kitchen or going climbing somewhere without permission or somesuch. Now, it's liable to be anything, though the fact that he hasn't shown up in Phillip's room suggests that it's not likely to be something sexual.

[whatsina_name]

True to Gustavain's word, they don't really talk about it after that night, which Phillip does find himself to be grateful for. Not just because it makes the introductions to their eventually shared friend group considerably less awkward (with the exception of Y'shtola, but he quite likes her despite that), but because he certainly hasn't come up with a better answer since that first night even as his path of avoidance clearly is going to be less and less of an option, if this is the group he's going to find himself most attached to. He certainly hasn't gone as far as to pledge his support or even show up to any of Gus's battles; though, Tataru has found herself supplied with a new stream of information, and sometimes he makes himself scarce, practicing old skills he thought he'd never return to. Just in case.

As far as most anyone knows, however, he's still just a musician who's slightly more willing to run errands or be generally helpful and happens to be friends with some of the most powerful people in Eorzea, somehow. (True to his own world, Phillip has neglected to mention how he and the Warrior of Light came to know each other in the first place.)

Phillip makes his way up to the balcony, giving Rowena a casual wave as he goes- perhaps it's the lack of the strict hierarchy of Ishgard, that he's found it easier to get on people's good side here- moving towards Gustavain with a knowing smile as he spots the man. "How worried should I be?" he asks teasingly, though they both know he's absolutely game to go along with whatever this is.

[travelerscurse]

Gustavain grins at that in a way some people might describe as dangerous. There's a relaxation to his spine that suggests that there's a plan here. He still hasn't often participated in much in the way of public displays of affection, not with Phillip and not with anyone-- as long as one doesn't count ending up in various people's laps late in the night in taverns. That's always been a constant. But it's a bit surprising the way he leans in and kisses Phillip, brief but lush, all the same.

"Very worried," he says with that same grin when he pulls back. "Or maybe that's just me."

There might be a moment to consider how lightly isolated they are here. They're still very much in public, but they're a bit out and over to one side on the balcony, and there are some potted plants and things between them and the seating areas. There's just enough time to consider whether or not that's deliberate before Gustavain drops a small item into the palm of Phillip's hand.

It's of Allagan make, red with brilliant blue and gold lines along it, with a blue, slightly raised disc in the middle. It doesn't look much different from a lot of other things Rowena has for sale, a keycard maybe? A deprecated tomestone of some kind?

"Rowena owes me a few favors," he says, too casually, "and even so it was exorbitantly expensive. But I have a feeling it will be worth it."

That's all the explanation Phillip gets at the moment.

[whatsina_name]

Phillip has... more or less made up his mind on where he stands in regards to the fate of this world and what he's willing to do about it. What he hasn't done is admit that yet. Why? Part of it is that in doing that, he'd have to fess up to the Scions about what he's been hiding and that is not a conversation he's looking forward to, especially with one bedridden and most of the others on the other half of the world. A lot of it is... he's pretty sure Gustavain will know what it means, why he's finally settled on this path. And he is definitely not ready for that conversation.

So he's been starting to help more, be more active in things, but with a protective layer of obfuscation. With Tataru gone to station in Kugane to support the Doman efforts, he'd gotten roped into being her contact in Gyr Abania- which actually suits him fine, though he made sure to put up an exasperated front about it, knowing she wouldn't take no for an answer. But periodically, when things are going particularly wrong for the Scions or the Resistance more generally, a masked and shadowed figure wielding a scythe would take the field, staying long enough to rectify the situation before vanishing once more.

A bit dramatic, to be sure, but that was how Phillip liked things.

He'd been practicing black magic a little more publicly, one of the members of the thamaturge's guild noting that he'd likely be good at it when he was running some errand or another and instructing him on the basics, the rationale being that everyone should have some manner of defense with the way things were. He was progressing quickly in it, too, but... apparently not quickly enough. Because now he and Gustavain were surrounded by Garlean troops, and a not entirely proficient Black Mage and a Bard who'd mostly been acting as a healer recently was not an ideal combination. It was supposed to just be a supply run, Phillip dragging along Gus more for the company than for protection. Now he wasn't sure if they were going to get a way out of this.

He took a step back, trying to put some distance between himself and their attackers, his mana running dangerously low. He only had a few more spells in him, but even if he aimed every one of them perfectly it wasn't going to be anywhere near enough.

[travelerscurse]

This is... bad.

This is worse than bad. He nocks another arrow and lets fly and it hits true, but it's just one arrow and there are so many of them. His fingers hurt. He hasn't been keeping up with the bow part of the bard's trade as much as he should have been, though he still sings pure and true. But all singing does right now is tell everyone where they are. There's a dim thought to put some distance, to call on a different jobstone, but what good would healing do here? They're not wounded, they're outnumbered and Holy only has stopping power for a few seconds at best.

You need only ask...

Phillip's looking like he's struggling and Gustavain wonders if he's capable of transcending his form, wonders what that will do to the part of him that's Phillip. He knows from his time in the White what it looks like when a mage is nearly out of mana, but he's heard thaumaturges have ways to replenish it. If he could just buy them both some time...

You need only ask, you idiot! I'm here. This is what power is FOR.

No... no not here, not like this. These are people, this is Phillip, he can't--

The blow takes him in the side and knocks him off his feet. He manages to roll with it, but his legs go numb with pain when he tries to rise and he collapses back into the dirt. Satisfied that he's not the biggest threat and used to dealing with the downtrodden, the soldiers make the mistake of turning to subdue Phillip instead of finishing the job.

[whatsina_name]

Phillip is trying to consider his options- he can get his mana back, but the natural exchange is that he'll be doing less damage, give the soliders surrounding them both more time to hurt them. Transcending his form is the last option on the table. He can do it, he will do it if there's no other way to make sure Gustavain gets out of this, but he also genuinely has no idea what it'll do to him, if the part of him that is even a little bit mortal will survive the process.

The bard falling distracts him, whipping around on instinct to try and help him, blasting the solider approaching him out of the way. Unfortunately another caster takes the opportunity to fire back, catching him off guard and making him stumble, crouched on one knee. His breathing is sharp, and he realizes he may not have a choice--

Gustavain will be able to sense it, the darkness of the Ascians beginning to swell; if he wants to prevent it from happening, he doesn't have much time.

I don't know why anyone would be reading this, but spoilers through the end of 5.0

[travelerscurse]

There are things to be put to rest in the First. There are things he needs to do sooner rather than later, loose ends to tie up, people to let know about what has happened, problems yet to solve. But the moment that Gustavain can get away, before sleep, before travel, before anything, he slips back to the Source.

There is so much to do. But the world can do it without him for a day, a night. Even G'raha must see it on his face, because there's no protest when he moves to the portal, even with so much left undone. His aether has been set back to rights, but there's another type of sickness afflicting him, turning his eyes shadowed and his steps heavy, and there's precisely one remedy and one person who can offer it.

Which is why Phillip is getting a visit in the Rising Stones. It's been a while since Gustavain has come-- since before the Light became a problem to hold in, since he wasn't sure if he would be putting the Source in danger by returning. So it's a bit of a surprise to greet him.

It's more of a surprise when he collapses utterly in Phillip's arms, pulls him close and tight without a word of hello, clings hard enough to sink both of them down to the floor, without any warning or explanation.

[whatsina_name]

It would be a lie to say that Phillip hasn’t been worried about him. He knew where Gustavain was, knew more or less what he was doing, knew that the passage of time between the worlds might be quite different. He knew the man could handle himself, and the majority of the Scions were with him, but the fact that the First being all but swallowed in light and how very uncomfortable and useless he would be as a result is the only reason he didn’t follow.

So it is a surprise when the Warrior of Light/Darkness shows up with no warning, but initially a welcome one. The joy turns near instantly to concern and barely held back panic at the way Gustavain collapses, Phillip holding on tight as they sink to the floor.

“Are you alright?” he asks, also forgoing greetings as he tries to turn the other’s head, take him in and see if anything was obviously wrong, “What happened?”

[travelerscurse]

He thought he was going to die, away and alone, he couldn't even risk coming back to see Phillip, didn't know if, without himself and without the Exarch, if there would be any way to send everyone else home. There was no way to get word back, there was nothing to be done. He'd made the decision, alone, to go alone to whatever was waiting for him, to seek out some kind of solace, however miserable, before he destroyed the very world he was trying to save. He is not alright.

But, as always, that's not what's at the top of his head, not the first thing he wants to talk about,

"Emet-Selch... Hades... he's... I..." there's something about the way he says his true name, a richness that usually only comes when he says Phillip's, "He's dead. He didn't give me... there was no other choice." It's almost a sob, frustrated and angry. "Why is there never any other choice?"

spoilers through the end of 5.3

[travelerscurse]

Over the next few months, he's back frequently.

There's trouble brewing on the First, again, but there's also time, for once. It's a waiting game, now, to see if they can bring their friends home and while things are happening they are happening with enough space between them that he can steal away, even if he rarely stays too long on the Source unless there's something that takes him afield there.

Gustavain can't always be found at the Rising Stones, but it's not far from there to Ishgard by aetheryte, or even by chocobo, really, and he puts in at least a decent effort with the restoration committee there... maybe has his eye on one house in particular as he works. He hasn't talked to Phillip about it yet, he's not even entirely sure if he's looking for himself or looking for them, so it seems premature. But a place to call his own is starting to sound more and more appealing by the day.

Events at the end, however, conspire to keep him away longer than normal-- though at least he says goodbye this time properly, lets Phillip know he's going to stay until they can deal fully with Eden and with getting everyone home. He doesn't mention Elidibus when he goes, though they both know the confrontation is coming. He still holds out hope that maybe, maybe this time, it doesn't have to end in violence.

It does. Of course it does. And then there's another companion to see to, to save. And then there is nothing left to do, nothing to stop him from coming home in truth, from seeing to a life starting anew, even as more conflict looms.

And so, for a short while, Gustavain runs.

There are always places for the Warrior of Light to throw their might, always uprisings or even just boars to kill, villages to inspire. It only lasts about a week before he's back in Mor Dhona, though, a short-lived bit of cowardice, and then he's knocking on Phillip's door, peering inside a moment later.

[whatsina_name]

Phillip tries not to ask many questions, less because he's afraid of the answers and more because he knows Gustavain is dealing with plenty already, needs at least somewhere to go where he doesn't need to think about the fate of the world or the expectations riding on him. He doesn't always succeed, but he tries his best, tries to be a break from the battles lurking over every horizon.

The motivation is not entirely selfless, though; not asking questions means fewer will be asked in turn, and the time where they are apart serves well as time for him to grieve. He has made his choices, picked his side, certainly doesn't blame Gustavain or the Scions for anything they've done. But there is still the loss, and at least one more yet to come. He is grateful, at least, that while he has made it known that he is willing to fight alongside them, he has never been asked to face one of his once-brothers on the field.

There is no reason he should be certain which of the two will return victorious, but he oddly is, so the delay in Gustavain's return doesn't worry him overmuch. When the man in question does finally arrive, he's just sitting at the little desk in his room, toying with a bit of aether in his hands before looking up. "Hey," he says, with a soft little smile, "Welcome back."

[travelerscurse]

"Hey," he says back. There's something oddly quiet about him, not the stress or strain of some of the previous times, nothing like the anguish of trying to talk about what had happened leading up to Emet-Selch's death. Phillip has already been told that Elidibus is dead and while surely Gustavain is conflicted about that (after all, he was conflicted even before it happened) it's very clearly not that that Phillip can see under the surface.

There's a long pause where Gustavain clearly struggles with something, trying to find the words for the things he wants to say, but eventually he just gives up and crosses to the desk and sits a small object down on it's surface.

It's immediately apparent what it is, of course. What's not immediately apparent is why it is here, why Gustavain is the one showing it to him.

"Emet-Sel--Hades left this in his recreation of Amaurot," well, he thinks, anyway. It's possible this is somehow entirely Hythalodaeus's doing, but he's not sure how much actual intelligence the ghostly recreation had. "He made sure I would find it," he clarifies, "He left it for me." Along with the others, but that's another conversation, another topic, and while it's perhaps of more importance in the wider world, in this room, only one soul crystal he has in his possession matters, and it's lying on the table between them.

[whatsina_name]

Things never stay quiet for long with the Scions. With the threat of the Final Days's return looming over the horizon, Krile had finally managed to secure passage for them to Sharlayan- or, at least, for all of the actual Scions. There was a bit of a hiccup when it came to their resident Ascian; it was not as if they could put such a thing on his paperwork, an obvious red flag as it would be, but neither did he seem qualified to help with 'rebuilding' if one just looked at the hyur's record. So, unwilling to delay or endanger the rest of the group's arrival, Krile sent word that she'd have to try and find a way for him separately, perhaps at a later date when they've earned a bit of trust. Surprising no one at all, Phillip was not pleased by this bit of news, and remained in a bit of a snit up until the moment of departure.

With the possible exceptions of G'raha and Estinien, who hadn't gotten to know just how very stubborn the ancient was, all expected him to find his own way along before Krile would have the chance. Likely none of them realized just how little time it would take.

Merely the day after arriving in Old Sharlayan to a less than welcoming atmosphere, during an occasion where he was familiarizing himself with the city, Gustavain will find himself being approached by an oddly familiar stranger. He's never seen the Viera before in his life, but whether it's in the way he moves or perhaps the angles of the face, or maybe just the look in his bright blue eyes--

He doesn't get much of a chance to say anything, the young man sliding into his personal space with ease, and the heels that support the natural curve of Viera's feet lifting him just enough that their faces could easily meet. "Hey there, love," he says, and there's something in the lilt that's familiar too but before he can so much as process the words, Gustavain will find himself pulled into a tender kiss.

[travelerscurse]

Honestly, Gustavain is so certain that Phillip won't be staying behind that he's a little surprised when he's not there at the docks to meet them. Obviously, there's no reason for someone as actually powerful as Phillip to not just head there, but it does very much blow their cover for him to be there and a known associate and all of that. It's less about the capability and more about the culpability of the whole thing-- but Gustavain also knows that Phillip has his own ways of figuring out how to get around all of that.

Maybe, on some level, there's a recognition of that in this moment. He's certainly been adjacent or the subject of enough assassination attempts to typically have a better guard, if nothing else. Adding to that, they're in public, technically, but this is a quieter spot, nowhere that guarantees privacy, but no immediate eyes to comment on a rare display of public affection in a city more known for intellectual pursuits-- or eyes to assist with a sudden knife to the ribs.

Maybe it's also just that he's not used to seeing male Viera at all, disarming enough to start with that it throws him just the moment long enough to get close. Whatever the reason, the "deathblow" is immediate-- as soon as the other man's mouth is on his, all resistance is futile, at least for the first few moments. The kiss is so sweet that he just gives way in his surprise, doesn't exactly kiss back but tilts his head instinctively, inviting, eyes gone momentarily wide easing closed before he can think to stop them.

[whatsina_name]

From then on, Gustavain may as well be doomed. The hands that find his body are firm and sure, the one on his hip steering their bodies closer while the other immediately digs into the hair on his nape, maneuvering his head easily to deepen the kiss. His mouth is hardly idle either, lips parting enough to allow tongues to meet, exploring the other with a practiced ease.

It's all a little too easy in a way, from how one of the man's thighs slides just so between his legs to how the hand on his neck slides down to jaw, thumbing over the smooth line of it. Even when he pulls back from the kiss, his mouth finds his way down to tender skin to nip and then turn to slow pressure, cheeky and possessive all in one.

Major Endwalker spoilers within!

[whatsina_name]

Gustavain's trip to the past has been... eventful, to say the least. It should be time for him to leave it, learned what can and all he's likely to about the cause behind the Final Days, and can hardly go back to Emet-Selch and Hythlodaeus to try tell them what happened. He's said his farewells to Venat, no one else would notice him gone

Except then there's a bit of a commotion back where they'd left the three partial amnesiacs, and whether Gustavain moves to look closer naturally or with the Echo, the cause becomes obvious. Another Ancient has joined the group and seems to be having it out with Emet-Selch. The various researchers look alarmed, Hythlodaeus amused, and once Gustavain sees the slight, familiar figure, white hair tied back in an intricate looking braid, it should be clear why.

Thanatos doesn't come to Elpis often, but when he came by once to check on one of the rare concepts he actually submitted, he'd run across Hermes (or, more accurately, been found by Meteion) and since what he spends his time doing is essentially trying to transfer dynamis via performance (not that he knew or called it that), peaked the man's interest. So, finding out that Hermes is hurt, Meteion is gone, and somehow his brother is involved in this means that he is not having a good time, torn between confused and upset and worried. All of these are emotions that Emet-Selch does not wish to deal with right now, and eventually his friend takes pity on him. Hythlodaeus places a gentle hand on Thanatos's shoulder, gesturing in the direction Argos had been and asking him if he would look for Venat, to confirm that she's alright.

He knows it's just a means of letting Emet-Selch have a chance to deal with everything else before dealing with him, but since he can assure that he will have to be dealt with sooner or later he relents. He's heard Azem talk about Venat quite a bitanyway andwouldliketomeether.

What this means for Gustavain is that when the young man breaks from the rest of the group, he'sheaded more or less straight towards him.

[travelerscurse]

He should go. He needs to go. He doesn't know if time is passing in his own time or not and, frankly, he'd like at least a few hours before he has to report to everyone to deal with all this knowledge, himself.

But it had felt strange to not say his goodbyes to Emet-Selch and Hythlodaeus and it's slowed his steps a bit, made him seek them out, if only from a distance.

It's actually his voice that has him turning his attention to the younger of the men, familiar and unexpected, and it's a good thing that no one is paying attention to him, because the look he turns towards the trio is fond and familiar, a bit bemused, right up until he realizes that no, this is not his lover, somehow mysteriously transported to Elpis.

And yet, it is his lover, somehow mysteriously in Elpis, all the same.

It makes him slow to react, thoughts gone shocked and frantic for a moment, though he's able to school his expression. Nothing out of the ordinary for Thanatos to see there, but Gustavain also isn't going to be able to react fast enough to move out of the way-- though whether that ends in a collision or just in Gustavain staring stock still far too long to be coincidence or polite is up to how much attention Thanatos is paying to where he's going.

[whatsina_name]

For once, Thanatos is watching where he's going, trying to keep an eye out for the woman in a white robe, and Gustavain certainly stands out from everyone and everything around here. He must be some sort of familiar- if the ears weren't enough indication, the intricate clothes and lack of mask would make that very clear.

And he is absolutely not jealous at all by how nice said clothes look.

He might have just moved past the figure if he wasn't so shocked still, but the staring does get his attention and he pauses, looking towards the construct. "Are you alright?" he asks, and it is likely a very strange moment for Gustavain because the smile pointed his way is soft and warm, one of the ones that he can only pull from Phillip in particularly intimate moments. His whole being just seems more open here, his features no different yet somehow speaking to his youth, a life that has not yet seen true suffering.

Some spoilers through the beginning of EW

[travelerscurse]

This time, it's Gustavain walking through the streets of Sharlayan with a different gait than normal and a surprise.

His is a little less... wholly willing of a surprise than Phillip's had been, but he's also not particularly bothered by it, to the point where, when it first happened, his only thought had been well... Phillip's going to LOVE this one. From there, the first stop being the marketboard had been obvious. And now, Phillip's here at one of the only bars in Sharlayan (not part of the official tour, of course, and mostly (literally) underground) ostensibly to meet Gustavain at some point.

But in any body, Gustavain is a showman, and so he can't just wander up to the table. No no, he has to make an entrance, coming slowly down the stairs into the bar. "His" eyes are hidden under the hat, but they're fixed on Phillip, all the same, a weight he may be able to feel.

[whatsina_name]

Phillip doesn't have a clue what's going on, but he knows that Gustavain's surprises are usually well worth the suspense. He's seated at one of the high tables in the back, in view of the door but tucked away, part way between his actual style and attempting to blend in. Now that he knows just how much Gustavain enjoys him dressing up, he is going to take full advantage of it every chance he can get.

He feels the eyes on him before he sees the figure, looking over and watching Gustavain's entrance- like seemingly everyone else in the bar is, only he gets to see the mage heading straight towards him, and his smile turns a little smug as a result. He's purposefully not looking at aether, trying to allow the surprise to stay that way, but he at least is pretty sure this Gustavain returning the favor- though he hasn't figured out that it's not just the clothes that have changed.

major EW spoilers

[travelerscurse]

He has to find Phillip.

He knows that the information he has is vital to the entire world, but there's only two people in the entire world for whom the information he has is personal. He needs to talk to Phillip. He needs to talk to Phillip alone. But when he hurries to the Annex, everyone is already there. He manages a breathless,

"We need to talk. Right now, before--" everyone finds me, is the end of that, but then everyone does, in fact, find him and suddenly they're dragged into a larger conversation. A conversation that, as much as he tries to avoid it, has to contain the story of Elpis, Kairos, Venat... Hades.

Throughout the telling, he's distracted, distant. No one seems to notice beyond just that obviously he's gone through an ordeal. His eyes keep drifting to Phillip, can't stop himself, but he has to keep going with the story, can't stop to check in without telling everyone something he'd rather keep to himself.

Re: major EW spoilers

[whatsina_name]

Phillip had been waiting, anxiety having been coursing through him since Gustavain left. The reappearance of the Final Days has been traumatic for everyone, but in particular-- this is not a thing someone wants to experience twice. And all the clues they've been given have made little and less sense to him. What could Elpis have possibly had to do with any of this? He'd only been a few times himself, but nothing that passed concept there should have been anywhere near that large of a threat--

He knows something is wrong the second Gustavain breaks through the door, addressing the room but clearly trying to talk to him. None of the rest seem to notice, focused on the unwinding story, the solution to the problem and the weight of it all. But he keeps his eyes on the hero, recollection coming to him as key points of the story are revealed-- the bird girl Hermes had been working on, Hades and Hytholdaeus in Elpis together, the same day as Venat, the same day there was an "accident" in the memory wiping facility--

The Ascian stands towards the back of the room, leaned against the wall, a hand in front of his mouth as he seems to ponder what this all means. But his eyes are wide and stunned, because he knows some parts of the story Gustavain isn't sharing.