[ It feels real and dreamlike at the same time; that sense of terror, of being chased and overcome by something encroaches. Something that comes rushing toward him like an unstoppable force and he is falling, falling, falling, his mind and body feeling as if they are coming apart at the seams and then-
Then he is clawing his way to the surface with a gasp, as if he's emerging from a deep pool of water and then there's the loam and dirt and roots and a crystal that he clings to as if his life depends on it. And despite the tears that threaten and a thousand questions that go tumbling through his mind, he feels as if he can stand this. He must be able to. He did before, when he was pulled away from his world. He can do it again, no matter how strange this place feels and seems. He steadies himself, on hands and knees as he tries to take in the roots and plants and the movement of others out in the dim light. ]
Alisae? Alisae, are you here?
[ Is she here with him? Or is she crouched over his form in Garlemald? Or is he truly alone this time? ]
Can you hear me?
II. Moral Hazards
[ New faces, but a sickeningly familiar game. One of them - all of them - are going to have to give something up. He's barely had a chance to get his bearings and now he's expected to simply work with this? Alphinaud is not a fan. His gaze goes from the others to the dryad, his expression a touch stony. ]
...I am not about to play this particular game, I think. There must be another solution. Giving up parts of ourselves is... well. It reminds me too much of something else.
[ Although quietly he is resolving to perhaps give up something of his own, at the end of the day... ]
III. Highstorm
[ The idea of getting something back, of recovering what was lost, appeals to Alphinaud - if only because he cannot believe that his world is well and truly gone. This must be some sort of trick, some sort of misunderstanding. He's only just saved the First from oblivion. How could it have been consumed with barely a whisper? Without the Warrior of Light or the Scions noticing even a thing? Cyrus' words ring in his head and so it is in Highstorm that Alphinaud can be found as he tries to dig into what exactly is going on here. What exactly is happening to him in this strange, strange place. He is, of course, in the Tomes, digging through books and scrolls, trying to find something he can read or interpret. And if you're there, you're likely to find him as well. ]
...is that a step-ladder over there? Could you pass it to me? [ There's a high shelf he wants to look at!
After his investigation, there's a stop at the local cafe - one that provides him the most delicious of drinks. It's a small miracle, he thinks, but he can be found in a corner seat, taking notes and flipping through a book he's checked out. Something to do with dimensions in all liklihood. He's happy to say hello, though. Although... as his drink drains he pauses as he glances at the bottom of his cup. ]
...does it do that for everyone?
[ And of course there's the market. Objects he's never seen before or even dreamed of. But buried among it all is something else - a bauble or staff that looks to him like something from home. An object that might have answers. Alphinaud is, unfortunately, frustrated by the "NO TALKING" sign. His brow furrows, his voice just a touch irritated. ]
Come now, surely you can tell me a little about how this got here...?
[ But he may not have much luck - and he's broke! ]
Alphinaud Leveilleur | Final Fantasy XIV | Harbinger
[ It feels real and dreamlike at the same time; that sense of terror, of being chased and overcome by something encroaches. Something that comes rushing toward him like an unstoppable force and he is falling, falling, falling, his mind and body feeling as if they are coming apart at the seams and then-
Then he is clawing his way to the surface with a gasp, as if he's emerging from a deep pool of water and then there's the loam and dirt and roots and a crystal that he clings to as if his life depends on it. And despite the tears that threaten and a thousand questions that go tumbling through his mind, he feels as if he can stand this. He must be able to. He did before, when he was pulled away from his world. He can do it again, no matter how strange this place feels and seems. He steadies himself, on hands and knees as he tries to take in the roots and plants and the movement of others out in the dim light. ]
Alisae? Alisae, are you here?
[ Is she here with him? Or is she crouched over his form in Garlemald? Or is he truly alone this time? ]
Can you hear me?
II. Moral Hazards
[ New faces, but a sickeningly familiar game. One of them - all of them - are going to have to give something up. He's barely had a chance to get his bearings and now he's expected to simply work with this? Alphinaud is not a fan. His gaze goes from the others to the dryad, his expression a touch stony. ]
...I am not about to play this particular game, I think. There must be another solution. Giving up parts of ourselves is... well. It reminds me too much of something else.
[ Although quietly he is resolving to perhaps give up something of his own, at the end of the day... ]
III. Highstorm
[ The idea of getting something back, of recovering what was lost, appeals to Alphinaud - if only because he cannot believe that his world is well and truly gone. This must be some sort of trick, some sort of misunderstanding. He's only just saved the First from oblivion. How could it have been consumed with barely a whisper? Without the Warrior of Light or the Scions noticing even a thing? Cyrus' words ring in his head and so it is in Highstorm that Alphinaud can be found as he tries to dig into what exactly is going on here. What exactly is happening to him in this strange, strange place. He is, of course, in the Tomes, digging through books and scrolls, trying to find something he can read or interpret. And if you're there, you're likely to find him as well. ]
...is that a step-ladder over there? Could you pass it to me? [ There's a high shelf he wants to look at!
After his investigation, there's a stop at the local cafe - one that provides him the most delicious of drinks. It's a small miracle, he thinks, but he can be found in a corner seat, taking notes and flipping through a book he's checked out. Something to do with dimensions in all liklihood. He's happy to say hello, though. Although... as his drink drains he pauses as he glances at the bottom of his cup. ]
...does it do that for everyone?
[ And of course there's the market. Objects he's never seen before or even dreamed of. But buried among it all is something else - a bauble or staff that looks to him like something from home. An object that might have answers. Alphinaud is, unfortunately, frustrated by the "NO TALKING" sign. His brow furrows, his voice just a touch irritated. ]
Come now, surely you can tell me a little about how this got here...?
[ But he may not have much luck - and he's broke! ]