Garlean and former legatus Gaius Baelsar standing by the doorframe of a studio, formally dressed in a suit, back turned toward the camera. A gpose from the game Final Fantasy 14/ FFXIV.
When a door opens.
"Power was my measure of growth. I know very little beyond them. But if you deem me someone who has learned hard truths and had put them to greater use, then I shall trust your judgment on that matter." He nods to the coeurl now curled against Estinien. "It will need stability. I cannot offer that."
Wordlessly, Gaius arched up one dark eyebrow and presented Estinien with an expectant look, as if to remind the former dragoon of who he was, his previous occupation, and the perception of him by the general public at large - the Elezen was mild in comparison.
++ the kit does not move away, instead curling up into the newfound warmth. "It is a generally objective observation. See. It takes to you already."
"What is? That you have a far better personality to deal with...." He makes a faint gesture at the coeurl, who only meows its protest. "That you are fair of face? Surely these are things that have been pointed out to you before." He deposits the meowing mess into the other's arms, and this time ++
"It is a coeurl, not a behemoth." He picks up the squirming cub, holding it at arm's length gingerly like it is, despite his words, a creature he has little idea how to defeat. "You are an attractive person with a more appealing personality. I have no doubts you will succeed."
"I would have appreciated this better if it did not like me. If you are so inclined, perhaps it might prefer you in due time, and at closer distance."
"Looking back, they were orphans by my own hand, even if indirectly. Even so, I have no wish to take in any more - "
The coeurl backs away, taking a piece of coat hem into its mouth, in a bid to yank him toward it as well.
The kitten backs away in alarm and immediately runs behind Gaius, mouth still clinging onto a piece of his coat.
Surely there is a difference between raising humans and... refusing to give in to a feline menace that has been chewing through the laces of my foot in the last seven minutes.
I. Am Not. A mother.
I do not like where the trend of this conversation takes us.
I do not understand what the raising of my children have to do with this coeurl kit?
I do not think I am familiar with the concept. While we have our version of coeurls in Garlemald, they stay well away from most human territories and are easily four times as large as its Eorzean counterparts. Unless they are hunted for their pelts, we have little interaction.
I have since consumed what edible meals I have had on my person. It has been following me for close to an hour, and has ignored other passersby with obvious food.
.... by what manner can I convince it to imprint elsewhere?
I do not wish to breed it for war, but I do not understand why it is uncomfortably cloying.
Does it scent food from me? O have none on my person. I do not recall any animals of his size enthusiastic for so little reason.
"The parting was my doing. Blinded as I was by the empire's goals then, I would have turned and declared you a traitor as well. I would not have faulted him for staying away even after my own defection. What motivated you to aid the Domans, then?"
Former legatus and Garlean, Gaius Baelsar looking down at a coeurl cat begging for his attention in Aleport. A gpose from Final Fantasy 14 / FFIV
Former legatus and Garlean, Gaius Baelsar looking down at a coeurl cat begging for his attention in Aleport. A gpose from Final Fantasy 14 / FFIV
What is this creature.
Why does it follow me.
"Has it been that long since for you? My... friend, and I, did not part on good terms. Since the destruction of Garlemald he has since reached out, and I am grateful enough that he is willing to put our past behind us. But I suppose your circumstances would be vastly different from mine."
[[open, feel free to dm for any minute plottage that needs ironing out beforehand]]
"Someone I have known since my days as a rank and file soldier. A defector that, I now understand, was for a good reason."
((but also open for the most part! I ran out of space to post it up XD))
Former legatus, the Garlean Gaius van Baelsar, getting ready for a formal dinner inside a Hingan-styled room in Kugane, a gpose from the mmorpg game, Final Fantasy 14 / FFXIV.
Former legatus, the Garlean Gaius van Baelsar, getting ready for a formal dinner inside a Hingan-styled room in Kugane, a gpose from the mmorpg game, Final Fantasy 14 / FFXIV.
He rarely sought comfortable lodgings nowadays, though a meeting today necessitated it. Kugane had not previously been of interest to him beyond an avenue for negotiations, the bakufu one of the few willing to treat with Garlemald then.
Today was different. Today, it was a drink with an old friend.
((😍 to your Estinien!! Bap me for more plottage! I was off for several days and I forgot!!))
"And what of you, adventurer? Will you not consider making common cause with me?"
For the world of man to mean anything, man must have mutuals.
Expect:
+ gposes (thirsty ones)
+ Black Wolf lore
+ NPCs & WoLs rp / collabs. Delighted to make Gaius-adjacent headcanons a reality
Come say hi!
"I have found myself in Thanalan in the past, though not with the same purposes or intentions that I have now. I will take your suggestions to heart and explore them with new eyes - you have my gratitude."
"Name your choice of tavern or inn, then. I have been fortunate enough in my travels during the past few months that I can spare a drink or two."
"An unfortunate lack of finances that had been previously available to me has resulted in taking more liberties with nature than I have been accustomed to. But it has been a far more meditative experience than I have expected."
"Then I shall endeavor to make use of this second chance given me. And I suppose I owe you a drink for the last time you came to my assistance."
"You are far too compassionate for someone who once sought to rule over your nation, among many others."
