text. [backdated to the 20th]

[forgarlemald]

I had hoped to be able to keep to myself for some time longer, but recent events have made that decidedly more difficult, and I hope none mind that I haven't introduced myself before now.

My name is Gaius, and recently I've found myself in possession of a house larger than one single man needs to own. Beyond the fact that I have no earthly idea how to furnish it, I also certainly do not need all four of the bedrooms when neither my children nor any of my men are here to fill them.

Any looking for a nicer place to stay are more than welcome to one.


[made private from Era Ra]
And I would also like to request ideas on what to gift a young woman who quite likes fashion, as in this place I'm unable to find what I would normally give to either her or her chocobo.

Comments

[judging_you]

[The suggestion that a man who is all but a stranger to him might have come to his aid - might eventually come to his aid? - is not any easier for Gabranth to make any sense of. True, he has an easier time hiding any outward expression of it given that he has yet to take his helmet off. But for all that the places Gaius has mentioned are familiar enough, the rest is off by just enough to be almost unsettling. Especially when he should be aware of anyone in a commanding role, be they a Judge or no.

Still, it's the mention of Barheim that draws the most of his attention. It's certainly not anywhere that is unfamiliar to him, but that the resistance would find it of use enough to care is another matter, given that it has but one practical use and is infested with monsters besides.]

I see little reason the resistance should care over much for Barheim?

[Places that are more directly Imperial outposts, perhaps, but even those have been often made via airships, rather than through underground passages.]

Nor is Nalbina itself of any great tactical importance, now. Were it not for Dalmasca's annexation, perhaps, given it resides near the Dalmascan border? But it has since come under our control, and the resistance has shown little interest in it.

[No doubt because it is essentially a fortress, and one with an active Imperial presence there besides.]

[forgarlemald]

[Really, it's almost a shame that Gaius doesn't have the advantage of his own armor to hide the way that his brow raises, and then quickly furrows, pale eyes studying the other man critically for a moment before he answers.]

They cared because with you and your tribuni all in one outpost, they believed they had the perfect opportunity to rid themselves of the Fourth entirely. What was shocking was that they attempted such an attack despite the numbers against them.

And still so many of our own were lost because of it.

[He has to wonder, now... Era, after all, is from a time before his own. A notion that had taken some time to wrap his mind around, but if such is the case for her... Could it not also be the case for the man in front of him, then? The little things that don't add up, Gabranth not recognizing him at all, could it be that he's also from some time past, though much further...?]

[There's another moment of silent consideration as he settles back in his seat. Something else on the tip of his tongue, maybe, but... No. If he wants answers, he can't aggressively push for them, and risk causing some sort of upset. Despite the frustrated confusion, Gaius only shakes his head, and absently gestures to the other man instead.]

You're more than welcome to remove your helmet, Gabranth. It's hardly fair for me to sit here out of armor while you continue to swelter within yours.

[judging_you]

The Ninth.

[The comment has an air of correction to it, mild though it is (if also still faintly laced with confusion.]

The Fourth was headed by Judge Zecht, prior to his disappearance; it has since been assigned to another.

[That said, for all that he is still unsure of what to make of Gaius, and the suggestion that they have known - will know? - each other, the comment that he is free to remove his helmet is harder to ignore. It is certainly no more sweltering than it might be under the Dalmascan sun - and it does afford him some ability to hide his reactions - but neither is he blind to the meaning underneath the words. The suggestion that they might be nearer equals than not; the suggestion that he needn't stand on ceremony here.

Still, it doesn't take him long to come to a decision, and he reaches up to take his helmet off a moment later... and that alone is likely to offer what might be some partial explanation: he is younger than the man Gaius likely expects. Several decades younger, in fact... and yet he looks older than the man Gaius knows would have been at the time of Dalmasca's conquest.

Gabranth, for his part, continues right along in his explanations without the slightest concern that his appearance might be cause for confusion.]

There is, of course, an Imperial presence at Nalbina even now. A contingent of soldiers - both within and without - overseen by lower-ranking Judges. More than enough to repel the Dalmascan resistance, should they set their sights there and not on greater prizes.