Night 11

[fifthreplacement]

[Awhile after night begins, and after Sync has spent some time talking to Sil about what happened, a new post appears in the journals. He still hasn't used this enough for most to recognise his handwriting, but those who do will realise it's a little shakier than normal]

The basement isn't safe, especially around the crafters rooms. I don't know if it's still there or not, but there was a monster hiding in the carpenter's room. It's already killed one person tonight.

[He doesn't write any more than that, no 'be careful' or anything. It's a warning, and that's all. Sync doesn't care what happens to most of the people here. But for those few he's beginning to realise he does...hopefully it will be enough]

Comments

[icebrand]

Of this I know. [ Though she doesn't expand on how she's come to know of it. ]

Who among us has fallen on this night? My curiosity begs me to ask.

[fifthreplacement]

[She doesn't explain, and he won't ask. He's had his own unpleasant encounter that made him realise that]

Spinel, the man with long red hair and scars around his eyes.

[icebrand]

I have spoken with him before. [ By no means is that a feat; seems he gets around a lot. ]

Has his body been recovered? I will bring it to you if I must.

[ Huge balls on this one. ]

[fifthreplacement]

I'm not sure there is a body to find. One who told me more of the monster said it devours those it catches. And I wouldn't ask another to do so for me.

[icebrand]

[ ... ] Devours or consumes them?

[ As if there were a difference.

There is, in her mind, but it isn't something she freely speaks of. ]

[fifthreplacement]

The word he used was devour. Why?

[He doesn't pick up the difference between the two, as Auldrant was a very different world to Eorzea]

[icebrand]

There is a creature here that [ Ysayle cuts her sentence short, unsure of how to phrase what she has seen.

Because the question that always followed after was how did she come to know of this and explaining the Echo... well, it rarely ends well. ]

If you see him returned to life, it may not be him.

[fifthreplacement]

[That...that makes him pause, before writing again]

I don't think it's the same one. But would I be right in thinking it was the term shadow creature that made you think that?

[icebrand]

Yes. [ What more was there to say? Inquiring further didn't seem appropriate with the situation and her offer to help out, as crude of an offer as it was, had expired. ]

It appears as though we are not the only monsters within these halls.

[fifthreplacement]

There's more than one definition to the term monster.

[Cryptically]

Saying more here wouldn't be wise, the journals can be read by anyone. But would you be willing to meet? It seems you might know something about an enemy that I didn't know, and I may be able to tell you more of it in return.

[An exchange of information. He wouldn't ask for something for nothing]

[icebrand]

I would but I have taken up residence in the basement for the time being. I suppose you would have me leave my domain?

[ The place he wrote wasn't safe. Bold manner of creature this one is. ]

I care not for who reads my words. Who do you hide from, I wonder.

[fifthreplacement]

No. Should you think it safe, I will come to you. I need to find someone anyway.

I hide from the Lord of this castle and the vile creature he seeks to use. From those who could read the words here and twist them to use against me in the future. I'm not in the habit of sharing just how much I know about my enemies where they may find it.

[icebrand]

Fine.

The wash room. It will look as if a monster has taken it over.

[ There is no monster there. Only a distressed woman and what remains of Aymeric's dignity. ]

[fifthreplacement]

[It takes him a little bit of time, but he finds the ice in the hallway outside the room. Curious. Careful, as to not lose his footing, he knocks on the door, not opening it just yet]

[icebrand]

[ Opening the door, she stands there as if she were in her element and in truth, she was. The room is completely covered in ice so fine that every part of the room was reflected in some manner, creating a kaleidoscope of her image mirrored in every corner.

Though some of the ice has cracks in it, as though something had happened here earlier. ]

Does the lord of this castle truly waste his time with these books? If so, why are they used at all? [ What a greeting. ]

[fifthreplacement]

[Interesting. Sync examines the room with a mild curiosity, before looking back to her]

He himself does not, but there's no telling who does. Who would willingly sell the information they learned in them to the Lord because it benefited them, or because he compels them to with his powers.

[icebrand]

Compels them with his powers... as if they were a thrall of his? Interesting.

Mind your step. [ Turning her back to him, she steps back further into the room. If he looks closely, there is a path with enough traction for one to easily walk through, the mage having learned her lesson with the Lord Commander already. ]

There are several of us from different worlds. If I were to tell you what I'm capable of, would you think it odd or simply believe it to be a gift unique to my world?

[fifthreplacement]

Yeah. It's a gift of his bloodline, as I understand it.

[Sync follows, careful where he stands. He respects the icy surface and treads carefully, not wishing to fall over. The fur that covers his left arm, visible from the way the sleeve had been torn off the uniform he wears, stands on end in the cold, but he ignores it]

I'd call it a gift of your world. I've already learned of things that I previously would've thought impossible.

[icebrand]

Then I'll tell you. [ If she's bothered the sight of his fur or anything about him, she contains it. Her expression remains as icy as ever. ]

I have a gift that allows me to resonate with the souls of those around me. With this power, I can see glimpses of the past.

[fifthreplacement]

[Memory powers always sit badly with him, especially considering his world. But he listens, and he can see what such a power could be used for]

Interesting. And no doubt useful at times, in a place like this.

[icebrand]

Do you believe that? [ Clearly spoken as someone who wasn't on the receiving end of these visions. ]

A few days ago, there was an unsettling presence that lingered. During that time...

[ She saw something. ]

[fifthreplacement]

[Sync shrugs]

Everything is useful in some way. Pleasant, probably not. Useful, potentially.

[He tilts his head a little at her, listening. It's clear at least that he believes what she's saying]

You saw a vision of a shadowy creature.

[icebrand]

No, what I witnessed was a creature being consumed by something dark. [ If there was a way for her to share what she saw, she would have. All she can do is describe it in detail.

Though she remains cautious about doing so. ]

From what I have gathered, it was attacked by something and that something found a way to invade from within.

[fifthreplacement]

Hm.

[It made sense in a way. If it was the Vernacht, which had been miasma, perhaps it needed the form of others]

Did this happen to take place in a courtyard with a gazebo structure in it?

much later

[bloodyashes]

[The handwriting is rough, not at all the usual elegant script Asch typically dumps into the journals. It looks almost more like Luke's writing, to those who have even seen that.]

The thought is appreciated, but in the future, simple cremation will do.