[Azul is quiet throughout the story. Once he starts, his gaze goes to the man, and it never leaves once.
At the end of it, he gives a soft hum, gaze going to the ceiling as he thinks on it for awhile.
And then:]
For someone who participated in such a grand achievement, you don't carry yourself that way.
[A brief, almost teasing sort of smirk, before the expression fades and he gives a sigh, waving his hand.]
Back where I'm from, that sort of attitude was sooner to make you a prime target for all sorts of manipulation and mistreatment. At best, your act of kindness would sooner be forgotten. There are very few you'd meet who don't have some ulterior motive when it comes to such generosity— most usually in a trade that was greatly in their favor.
[He gives a puff, head leaning back against the wall again as he closes his eyes, a wry smirk coming to his lips.]
...granted, things have been different since my death.
Given the cost of it was the death of my best friends, the loss of my humanity, and the hatred from my own son... I think I'm doin' pretty well. [He returns that smirk with one of his own, despite the initial words.] Besides... what would carrying myself like some arrogant dick even do? Nobody here's from Spira, so all everyone else would see is somebody in need of being knocked down a few pegs.
I like a good fight just as much as the next guy. But, I'm way too old and way too tired to consider anybody else's opinion of me significant.
[He shakes his head.]
That sounds a lot, to me, like nearly everyone there's using one another's actions as an excuse to be cruel and untrustworthy. Which... in the end, means they're letting other people determine the kind of person they'll be. And that's... kind of depressing, when you really think about it.
[Jecht slowly moves to stand. Offering his hand in case Azul needs help standing.]
You've been through a lot today. Why not take it easy for now? We can talk more tomorrow.
That is a pretty steep price to pay. [He agrees with that, gesturing with a hand.] But one not need be arrogant to hold themselves confidently.
[Franky comes to mind. A terrifyingly confident woman, if he says so himself. Yet for all her strictness, he'd been treated with nothing but respect.
The thoughts make his stomach churn a bit, and he quickly abandons the train of thought.
The words that come after have him giving a faintly curious look.]
Is it?
[It's clear Azul dcoesn't think so. To him, that was "normal". A fact of life that he'd grown to accept and work with.
He looks at the hand for a moment, then reaches out, accepting the offer, taking a deep breath as he's helped up.]
Mm. [A sound of affirmation. He still needs to find Jamil anyway.] One more question before we part— that person I ran into... a tall man with red hair and a beard, with something of a rough look about him? Do they fit that description?
I've got more than enough muscle and height that I don't need anyone to anticipate the ass-kicking I'm capable of. False insecurity is plenty useful, and... gentleness has its place, too.
[He very gently taps Azul's forehead with a single knuckle.]
You've got a lot of learnin' ahead of ya. And that's just fine. Running out of things to learn would only make life boring. Not that you've got much to worry about. [That's said with a hint of teasing as he ruffles Azul's hair.] In my near-sixty-years, I'm still learnin' a lot.
[He doesn't seem entirely convinced it's completely false, but maybe that just means Jecht's a really good actor.
There's a blink and slight movement back with his head when he's tapped, cheeks faintly warming. Why?? So much touch?
And then there's a hair ruffle again, and he can't help but bring up a hand in an attempt to swat Jecht away, head ducking slightly as his cheeks grow hotter.]
Quit that. I'm not some child. [HUFF!! He crosses his arms.] And yes. We were both on The Barge.
[An aggrieved sigh.]
He's always been... prickly, but I've never seen him this volatile before.
[He chuckles at the swatting, relenting just a bit.]
Nobody said you are.
[Jecht quietly considers Azul's words.]
This place has a way of unearthing anyone's dark side. The one in charge likes a bit of... mayhem, if you will. He sees dying as a good thing, so he's always happy to let anyone's violent side take the wheel.
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At the end of it, he gives a soft hum, gaze going to the ceiling as he thinks on it for awhile.
And then:]
For someone who participated in such a grand achievement, you don't carry yourself that way.
[A brief, almost teasing sort of smirk, before the expression fades and he gives a sigh, waving his hand.]
Back where I'm from, that sort of attitude was sooner to make you a prime target for all sorts of manipulation and mistreatment. At best, your act of kindness would sooner be forgotten. There are very few you'd meet who don't have some ulterior motive when it comes to such generosity— most usually in a trade that was greatly in their favor.
[He gives a puff, head leaning back against the wall again as he closes his eyes, a wry smirk coming to his lips.]
...granted, things have been different since my death.
no subject
I like a good fight just as much as the next guy. But, I'm way too old and way too tired to consider anybody else's opinion of me significant.
[He shakes his head.]
That sounds a lot, to me, like nearly everyone there's using one another's actions as an excuse to be cruel and untrustworthy. Which... in the end, means they're letting other people determine the kind of person they'll be. And that's... kind of depressing, when you really think about it.
[Jecht slowly moves to stand. Offering his hand in case Azul needs help standing.]
You've been through a lot today. Why not take it easy for now? We can talk more tomorrow.
no subject
[Franky comes to mind. A terrifyingly confident woman, if he says so himself. Yet for all her strictness, he'd been treated with nothing but respect.
The thoughts make his stomach churn a bit, and he quickly abandons the train of thought.
The words that come after have him giving a faintly curious look.]
Is it?
[It's clear Azul dcoesn't think so. To him, that was "normal". A fact of life that he'd grown to accept and work with.
He looks at the hand for a moment, then reaches out, accepting the offer, taking a deep breath as he's helped up.]
Mm. [A sound of affirmation. He still needs to find Jamil anyway.] One more question before we part— that person I ran into... a tall man with red hair and a beard, with something of a rough look about him? Do they fit that description?
no subject
I've got more than enough muscle and height that I don't need anyone to anticipate the ass-kicking I'm capable of. False insecurity is plenty useful, and... gentleness has its place, too.
[He very gently taps Azul's forehead with a single knuckle.]
You've got a lot of learnin' ahead of ya. And that's just fine. Running out of things to learn would only make life boring. Not that you've got much to worry about. [That's said with a hint of teasing as he ruffles Azul's hair.] In my near-sixty-years, I'm still learnin' a lot.
[As for the last question...]
Yeah, it does. Someone you know?
no subject
[He doesn't seem entirely convinced it's completely false, but maybe that just means Jecht's a really good actor.
There's a blink and slight movement back with his head when he's tapped, cheeks faintly warming. Why?? So much touch?
And then there's a hair ruffle again, and he can't help but bring up a hand in an attempt to swat Jecht away, head ducking slightly as his cheeks grow hotter.]
Quit that. I'm not some child. [HUFF!! He crosses his arms.] And yes. We were both on The Barge.
[An aggrieved sigh.]
He's always been... prickly, but I've never seen him this volatile before.
no subject
Nobody said you are.
[Jecht quietly considers Azul's words.]
This place has a way of unearthing anyone's dark side. The one in charge likes a bit of... mayhem, if you will. He sees dying as a good thing, so he's always happy to let anyone's violent side take the wheel.
no subject
... what a nightmare.
[He stares at the floor for a moment, then sucks in a breath and shakes his head.]
There's something I need to do... but thank you, again.
You know my name, but you never gave me yours.
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Yeah... guess I was too caught up in everything to remember to tell ya. Name's Jecht, from a world called Spira.
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I'll likely find you again in awhile. Will I be able to message you?
[He knows he has a device that looked somewhat similar to what was on the Barge, but he's not about to assume that it's the exact same.]
no subject
[In fact, he sends Azul a message now:]
You've got this.
One step at a time.
1/3
2/3
3/3
You're ridiculous.
[Huffily leaving!]
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And honest!
[Probably way more honest than he should be in this kind of situation, but... he's generally more than powerful enough to handle consequences of it.]