[Solo] Necessary Measures

[dynast-king.livejournal.com]

Characters: Vayne Solidor
Progress: Complete
Summary: Vayne's activities in Lindblum more or less.
Location: Lindblum Grand Castle
Date: April 10, 1803
Warnings: None

As the Alexandrian queen had told him, Vayne was admitted to an audience with the Regent of Lindblum by mention of her name alone. He gave this lengthy consideration long after that initial conversation had concluded. He found it an odd twist of fate that the man bore the same name as his late friend, and in many aspects shared his enthusiasm for research and technology. What Vayne wouldn't give to have Cid back by his side. Without a doubt he could find some method to undo the madness that had wrested the Solidor heir from his sky fortress.

Hands clasped behind his back, Vayne strode proudly through the Grand Castle. To outside eyes he would appear lost in thought, and deep in thought he was, yet he was ever vigilant about his surroundings, ready to defend himself at a moment's notice. A necessary and expected effect of years spent as the ideal sheath for many a senator's dagger. His feet climbed the stairs leading to the ramparts, the loftiest location in all of Lindblum, overseeing city and countryside alike. And what a countryside it was. His cold eyes scanned the distance, the rise of rock formations to the east, a glittering river far below, like a blue snake slithering through the grass, beyond that the Aerbs Mountains. An astounding sight, as well as a reminder that he was a guest to another ruler.

Oh how this chafed. Ivalice's new Dynast-King little more than a courier and courtier.

Still, his days had not been spend in vain. Cid had taken a keen interest in what Vayne had to share about the technologies and research interests of Archadia. It seemed the Regent dabbled a fair bit in engineering, and discussion of skystones and jagd were of great fascination for him. Cid had likened them to Gaia's own Mist. A shared feature of both worlds, similar yet different. Magicite was unheard of and prompted question upon question into its usage, which lead the conversation to nethicite.

Ahh yes, the stone that freed Ivalice from the grasp of the Occuria. Vayne withdrew from his pocket a blue stone, which glinted in the sunlight. It was a gift from his Cid. Manufacted nethicite. Yet he found himself frustrated with the item. No longer was he rife with strength and power, nor did the stone provide any enhanced attacks. For all practical purposes, it was a dead stone, little more than what children would use to play hopscotch in the streets with. Useless, save for one thing: it still absorbed magicks, or more exactly...prevented their use entirely. He turned it over in his hand, giving it consideration. What good a weapon that could do nothing, save serve as a defensive device? It showed no signs of reviving as it did in Ivalice, needing but a time to sit and absorb Mist to drink its fill and be satisated. No, it did nothing but sit.

Rather than fling it, he debated. He could retain the stone for himself, ensuring that it would not fall into the wrong hands. Certainly it could be a problem should someone take it up and find a way to use it against him. He could turn it over to the Regent, who might find in it some use. It would be a sign of good faith, a show of friendship, and a contribution to the efforts to return all to their rightful places.

Yes. Vayne would put his faith in this new Cid. Not a replacement for the one before, but certainly a valued ally to have nonetheless.

Leaving the balcony behind, he stepped into the contrasting darkness that was the interior of the castle. There was that matter of the queen's captain to notify the Regent about. And a mighty gift to be bestowed--the key to the control of man's history out of the hands of the gods.