Franz took a few moments to collect himself as he continued to listen. He had a suspicion that Ave was likely as uncomfortable with the idea of him sobbing as he was. He shut his eyes for a minute, giving himself a chance to wipe away any tears quickly, and hopefully unnoticed, breathing in a slow and deep breath. Can’t think like that. The moment I doubt if my past is true, it will be lost. It can’t be. I won’t let it. He didn’t remember being so emotional in the past. Whether he was in Garlemald or if it was just something leftover from past problems could be determined later.
Opening his eyes after calming down some, he asked another question. “You know another Garlean? And you never thought to let me do some of the talking?†He realized that such a thought would have made no sense, but still, there was a certain amount of pride. Mayhaps I can at least throw her off for a while. Divert her attention. What’s a lost Ala Mhigan compared to someone on an actual kill-list?â€
Hi smiled just a little. Something calm. “But who’s to say I wouldn’t willingly harm you? It could be quite an issue if I were ever promised reentry into Garlemald if I turned you in at a Castrum.†It was maybe a mean joke, but it was one he couldn’t answer. “I’d have to mull it over, I think. Eorzeans are pretty stubborn. Maybe they’ll be the ones to end the war. Or just make it worse. But at the end of the sun, I’m still Garlean. I’ve some pride left, even if it’s just my looks and the idea that I’ve a family left there.â€
“But please, don’t let me stop you from complaining about Lho’a.†He slouched in the seat, just a little. A sign of comfort, however unnoticed. “He clearly didn’t kill me.†He looked a little confused for a moment. “But I can’t imagine Lho’a knows anyone who could be classified as a whore. If you’d met him just a few moons prior, you’d have assumed he ran from everything with his tail between his legs.†He briefly wondered what it must have been life to have been hit with a conjured rock. “So he tossed a stone, or rock at me. Must have been fairly small if there’s nothing to account for it.†He almost seemed to play with the idea. “And this ‘whore’ of his. Or am I supposed to say ‘the whore who owned him,’ how’d she get on your bad side? Maybe I need to get some tips.â€
At least he could say he felt like himself for the moment.
When he didn’t get an answer immediately, he listened on. “Ave. There are -many- things that should have killed me. That should kill any single person. The little castrum shootings. Being impaled in the torso.†His eyes flashed with a painful memory. “Some insane person…,†although insane was clearly subjective at this point to him, “tried to stab me to death. That one had been...nearly successful? I’d woken up feeling like death after that one. Felt like needles on every ilm of my body. Could feel every piece of me sear with pain at even the simplest touch. Or the smallest movement would feel like a painful stretch. Collapsed in the Shroud once from it.â€
He let it sink in for a moment.
“I’m much more resilient than I look. What’s a little punch or kick compared to a series of gunblade bullets? Or being stabbed repeatedly? What should a charged-up punch have been any worse?†A more sinister grin settled in. “Garlemald branded me a mistake. I sacrificed my life for a failed experiment. Naturally, surviving meant getting some benefits from it.†He almost scoffed at the accusatory tone. “If I’m not supposed to be alive from a hit, then why am I fine?†How moody. He almost wanted to goad her into another attack, only decided it may not have been the wisest idea with just a towel on.
“It doesn’t make you feel weak, does it?†Hells, where’s that retainer…. Before I actually outstay my welcome?
Opening his eyes after calming down some, he asked another question. “You know another Garlean? And you never thought to let me do some of the talking?†He realized that such a thought would have made no sense, but still, there was a certain amount of pride. Mayhaps I can at least throw her off for a while. Divert her attention. What’s a lost Ala Mhigan compared to someone on an actual kill-list?â€
Hi smiled just a little. Something calm. “But who’s to say I wouldn’t willingly harm you? It could be quite an issue if I were ever promised reentry into Garlemald if I turned you in at a Castrum.†It was maybe a mean joke, but it was one he couldn’t answer. “I’d have to mull it over, I think. Eorzeans are pretty stubborn. Maybe they’ll be the ones to end the war. Or just make it worse. But at the end of the sun, I’m still Garlean. I’ve some pride left, even if it’s just my looks and the idea that I’ve a family left there.â€
“But please, don’t let me stop you from complaining about Lho’a.†He slouched in the seat, just a little. A sign of comfort, however unnoticed. “He clearly didn’t kill me.†He looked a little confused for a moment. “But I can’t imagine Lho’a knows anyone who could be classified as a whore. If you’d met him just a few moons prior, you’d have assumed he ran from everything with his tail between his legs.†He briefly wondered what it must have been life to have been hit with a conjured rock. “So he tossed a stone, or rock at me. Must have been fairly small if there’s nothing to account for it.†He almost seemed to play with the idea. “And this ‘whore’ of his. Or am I supposed to say ‘the whore who owned him,’ how’d she get on your bad side? Maybe I need to get some tips.â€
At least he could say he felt like himself for the moment.
When he didn’t get an answer immediately, he listened on. “Ave. There are -many- things that should have killed me. That should kill any single person. The little castrum shootings. Being impaled in the torso.†His eyes flashed with a painful memory. “Some insane person…,†although insane was clearly subjective at this point to him, “tried to stab me to death. That one had been...nearly successful? I’d woken up feeling like death after that one. Felt like needles on every ilm of my body. Could feel every piece of me sear with pain at even the simplest touch. Or the smallest movement would feel like a painful stretch. Collapsed in the Shroud once from it.â€
He let it sink in for a moment.
“I’m much more resilient than I look. What’s a little punch or kick compared to a series of gunblade bullets? Or being stabbed repeatedly? What should a charged-up punch have been any worse?†A more sinister grin settled in. “Garlemald branded me a mistake. I sacrificed my life for a failed experiment. Naturally, surviving meant getting some benefits from it.†He almost scoffed at the accusatory tone. “If I’m not supposed to be alive from a hit, then why am I fine?†How moody. He almost wanted to goad her into another attack, only decided it may not have been the wisest idea with just a towel on.
“It doesn’t make you feel weak, does it?†Hells, where’s that retainer…. Before I actually outstay my welcome?
