34th Crystal: [Voice/Action]

[cladinthedark]

[Golbez fusses with his journal, muttering a little to himself as he does so. He doesn't seem to actually be addressing anyone yet.] Nnnn... dieing is a singularly unpleasant experience. My head pounds.

Where is that... ah, there we are.

[Filtered to FF IV Cast + Selphie]

Cecil. Ceodore. Selphie. Valvalis. Rydia. Kain. I have returned. Are you all alright?

[His need for the journals dealt with, Golbez returns to hobbling back to the village through the forest where he was dropped off. He tries to walk straight and tall, but every so often he'll slip up as the leftover impact of his revival hits him.

More than anything, though, the biggest change apparent is the lack of his omnipresent armor.]

Comments

[voice/action]

[paladinlost]

...What a strange question, coming from the one person in the family who managed to get himself killed.

[Did that voice somehow come both from the journal and from behind Golbez? Oh dear.]

[Action]

[cladinthedark.livejournal.com]

[Without his armor, the stiffening of surprise as he hears that response so close behind him is obvious to spot. After a brief moment, he turns to look behind him.

Seeing Cecil as he expected, Golbez closes his journal and sighs.]

Then it was only me. I hadn't been certain if that woman would pursue Kain and Rydia after I warped them out... or if one of you would find yourselves on the wrong side of her blades.

[Action]

[paladinlost]

[Aren't those half-Lunarian brotherly pings a wonderful thing? But Cecil isn't too insulted by that stiffening. In response, he raises his left sleeve all the way to his shoulder. My, even mostly covered by bandages, those burns and cuts look pretty nasty. One has to wonder what's hidden by the rest of his shirt.]

And what a wrong side it was.

[Action]

[cladinthedark.livejournal.com]

[The closer he looks at Cecil, the more Golbez's eyes widen. It's almost funny how much easier he is to read without his armor to hide behind.]

I see you had first hand experience. I'm relieved you didn't share my fate.

[Action]

[paladinlost]

[Cecil does not mind this new ease of reading in the least. He allows himself a small smirk, as he returns the sleeve to its previous position.]

My defenses are rather hard to break, you know. It took much more than her attacks to take me down.

[Voice]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

Golbez!

I'm fine, but--where are you?

[And no, you can't escape seeing her. She's already on her way, from the sounds of it.]

[Voice]

[cladinthedark.livejournal.com]

Returning to the village by route of the forest. I should be able to give you house numbers soon...

I'm glad she didn't manage to find you again after the Warp spell.

[Voice/Action]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

[Footsteps. Now she's leaving the center of town and looking around....]

I'm glad, too, but....

[She trails off, that lump in her throat interfering.]

[Voice/Action]

[cladinthedark.livejournal.com]

No buts, Rydia. True, things did not work out perfectly. I did succeed in what I intended, however, and I was prepared for the consequences.

[He steps (more like staggers) out from behind one of the houses, using one of the sides to support himself as he catches his breath. Raising his head, he sees her and raises his voice.]

Rydia! Over here!

[Action]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

[Rydia perks up, slams the book shut, and rushes over. As soon as she's within range, she launches herself at him. Hug time.]

[Voice]

[boomchucka.livejournal.com]

Are you going to be stopping by the house later then?

[Voice]

[cladinthedark.livejournal.com]

As soon as I can. How are you, Selphie?

[Voice]

[boomchucka.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm allowed outside again and Ceodore's playing the role of the Mother Hen perfectly and I'm still on the mend from being sick after the draft but I'm getting there little by little.

[Voice]

[cladinthedark.livejournal.com]

Recent events must have made Ceodore even more protective. You have my apologies for that.

[He doesn't elaborate on "recent events". He knows he doesn't need to.]

[Voice]

[boomchucka.livejournal.com]

It's okay. It's not your fault about them. He's missed you quite a bit though.

[Written]

[dragoon-pride.livejournal.com]

Your location?

[Voice]

[cladinthedark.livejournal.com]

I'm not fool enough to tell you that, Kain. You'll see me soon enough.

[Written]

[dragoon-pride.livejournal.com]

Your place, then. Fine.

[Beware the dragoon lurking on rooftops, watching for you.]

[Action]

[cladinthedark.livejournal.com]

[Golbez sighs as he closes the journal. He's in no mood for Kain.

When he trudges up to his apartment building (Kain beats him there but not by much) he seems straighter and more alert thanks to a bit of healing from Cecil. He doesn't seem to expect anything, but anyone with magic skill would note the gathering of power he's forming around himself.]

[Action]

[dragoon-pride.livejournal.com]

[Kain isn't planning to stick around long, at least.]

[...And it makes this all the better since Golbez isn't armored...]

[Once Golbez reaches a good position, Kain leaps downward in front of him and then aims three punches at his face.]

voice

[lunarianlegacy.livejournal.com]

Uncle?

[Voice]

[cladinthedark.livejournal.com]

Ah, Ceodore. I'm glad to hear from you.

[Voice]

[lunarianlegacy.livejournal.com]

Good to have you back. You okay?

[Voice]

[cladinthedark.livejournal.com]

I'm fine, Ceodore. My armor seems to have been taken from me, but other than that I seem to be largely untampered with.

[Voice]

[lunarianlegacy.livejournal.com]

Your armor? Why in the... [SIGH.] Stupid question. If that's all they've taken, it's not so bad.