Well, what can I say? As rulers go, I did set the bar quite high.
[His eyelids dipped in pleasure at the warmth of chroma. He really did enjoy Ardyn's manners. What would he have done if the only other proper person in this place had been a bore like his fellow Ascians? Expire all over again from sheer ennui, most likely.]
Oh, You needn't trouble yourself on my account. I must confess, I am quite eager to see this diminutive summon of yours.
Oh, very well. I suppose neither of us really need one, after all.
[ He let go of his hand, took a step back, and made a show of looking around. Then he raised his hand to his mouth and coughed into his fist, clearing his throat. ]]
Oh, yoo-hoo! Ifrit!
[ Even at his diminished size, the flare of heat that emanated from the Astral was immense. Ardyn straightened out his hand, and Ifrit's clawed feet touched down against his glove, blistering the skin and peeling back the fabric. He didn't flinch; he'd remembered being grabbed by those clawed hands, and how the searing flame had done little to him.
There had to be intent from an Astral to hurt a mortal, even if that mortal couldn't die. ]
Now, Ifrit, I know this isn't Grimm, but he's a dear friend of mine and I would appreciate if you were polite to him as well, yes? I know he's not another fire god, but he's ever so interesting all the same! He might be able to come up with something that will get you back to a size you're more used to. Wouldn't that be fun?
[ He, of course, did not need to speak to Ifrit to commune with him. Ifrit was irrevocably a part of Ardyn now, half and extension, half a bonded deity. The Starscourge rippled through his divine form, and that meant Ardyn rippled through it.
Speaking to him like an old chum was just a little bit of petty humour. He felt he ought be granted it, as Ifrit might not have been part of Bahamut's plans, but he'd certainly never shown a shred of remorse over them. From one maligned victim of the dragon to another, Ardyn just didn't approve of that. ]
Emet-Selch, meet Ifrit, the Infernian, the Fire God of the Hexatheon and the lover of Shiva the Glacial.
[Emet-Selch leaned down to scrutinize the diminutive deity more closely.]
You know, there was a Shiva where I come from, as well, though the original was a mere moral woman. Her lover was a dragon, or so I hear tell...
[Mere trivia, mentioned off-hand. It wasn't important or relevant, but one did need to make some conversation!]
Well, doe does not seem to have been sundered, at least. Not unless his original soul was of an absolutely extraordinary density, at any rate. He seems merely... condensed.
[ He could feel Ifrit's outrage at such an implication. For Shiva to have loved a dragon in their world, she could only have loved Bahamut. His barely sapient kin were not an option to the Infernian, and so Ardyn hardly considered them. And yet, he, as Ardyn Izunia, who had shared Emet-Selch's thoughts and mind, could imagine it. A woman, so in love with a being older by far and more knowledgeable than mortal ken, bridging a gap so wide that the ripples of it would be felt for generations.
He saw it the way a pet owner may look at the lineage of a dog, and raise their eyebrows at seeing they were once a wolf. It was fascinating, and told him something interesting, but it was not relevant to what he was asking.
No, what was was Emet-Selch's question. Ardyn hummed. ]
As I'm sure you can imagine, I haven't had much chance to test them out here. [ People would so notice if the city went up in flames, after all. ] From the little I have... no, he isn't. Not terribly, at any rate. His Hellfire takes a time to power up, however.
[ The tiny Astral flared, but did not erupt. Ardyn felt the heat in his hands and smirked. ]
If his potency has not greatly suffered, you may consider the utility of his present state. After all, he would be terribly easy to sneak into any place you wished to see burned to ashes...
Ah, but it would lack the proper gravitas, wouldn't it. Not much of a show in that.
I admit, there's a bit of us both that enjoys his grandeur/ [ He left that hanging, letting Emet-Selch remember, if he wanted, the feeling of Ifrit's majesty, how he was before he had been cast down, and even then before he had been corrupted by the Starscourge.
It didn't last too long. Ardyn gave a sigh not long after. ] I was considering seeing if it had something to do with Chroma... but a fellow called Grimm is quite taken with Ifrit, and though I let him hold him for several lazy hours, he's still just this size. [ He jostled his hand slightly, making Ifrit sidestep to keep his balance. ]
And I rather doubt it is a matter of your own chroma, if you have noticed no change. Gauche as it may be for me to mention it, I happen to have firsthand knowledge that you are not in short supply.
[He doesn't bother to not let himself look a bit pleased about that.]
Perhaps something about the process that brought you both here. Some aspect of it may have simply not been suitable for your summon.
Well... the obvious answer is that he's tied to Eos. [ Ardyn watched Ifrit as he simple stood on his palm. Those burning eyes were focused on Emet-Selch, and he half-felt the acknowledgement of one eternal being to another pass through in that gaze.
It sharpened how little he wanted to be one. ]
Of course, I have been wondering... well. [ He looked at his bedmate, remembering all those passionate moments. His lips on his, his body grinding against his... ]
If it may, perhaps, require more Chroma than I've yet to give. Or some guache example of the Chroma I have given, already.
[ Ardyn laughed, tilting his head back and closing his eyes in the simple pleasure of it. Ifrit made no sound, but he could feel the thrumming of his being through him, both amused and disdainful of this. How much of that was Ardyn, and how much of that was Ifrit? So hard to tell, these days! ]
Oh, Emet-Selch! If you do or say anything in front of Ifrit, it's as good as doing or saying it in front of me, these days. We're rather closely linked.
[ He tensed his fingers, and the black mottling on Ifrit's skin writhed. The Astral buckled in his hand, and soon vanished in a flash of flame and darkness. Ardyn idly patted out the part of his sleeve that had caught fire. ]
And while that wasn't my single intent... I'm not going to pretend it wasn't on my mind as a pleasant end to this conversation.
[ Ardyn was old, bitter, and focused mainly on getting his revenge before things blessedly ended. If Planet Prismatica did not seem to run on some energy that sex produced in abundance, he wouldn't have been likely to bother with it. And while he had enjoyed himself, and even been aroused by it before, it was always a means to an end, rather than something he anticipated.
Emet-Selch's offer, pleasing but by no means dismissive, wound something low and hungry in his gut, like a banked flame. Ardyn's gaze darkened, and his smile was long and languid. ]
You're quite the improvement over the last Emperor I dealt with, you know.
[ He raised a hand and swept the pad of his thumb over those cruel lips. The linger heat of Ifrit's touch burned low as he did so. ]
[ Emet-Selch's apartment was much more lavishly decorated than Ardyn's, and he took full advantage of that as he chose his seat. It was one of his high backed chairs, black and gold trimmed, in that deco-esque style the man seemed to like. He'd need to return the favour, he thought, and wondered idly if Emet-Selch would choose the same chair.
Make a tradition out of it, the impish thought came, and nearly made him laugh.
He sat down and spread thighs slightly, before reaching out to take the man's sleeve and then tug him down for another kiss. ]
[ Emet-Selch obliged his guest with another kiss, lingering for long moments before pulling back. He reached out to run his fingers against Ardyn's stubble--really, than man did have such a good jawline!--before he sank down to his knees between Ardyn's legs.
He ran his hands first up along the insides of Ardyn's thighs, working his way up on his own time, before he brushed the back of his fingers up and down along Ardyn's fly, his touch feather-light. He looked up at Ardyn with a wide, crooked smile and repeated the motion. ]
[ He was rewarded with a ragged breath and Ardyn spreading his legs a little more. The sharp, yellow gaze darkened deeply as he looked down at him, and Ardyn reached out bury his fingers in Emet-Selch's hair, twining that white lock between them. ]
Would that I could truthfully say that you'd be the death of me, my friend.
[ Emet-Selch's tongue darted out to wet his lips as he held Ardyn's gaze. ]
Oh, but where would that leave me?
[ He ran his fingers along Ardyn's fly again before finally working it open, barely bothering to watch his fingers as he worked. He pushed Ardyns trousers open and reached for his prize. ]
[ Ardyn leaned back in the chair and heaved a satisfied sigh. His trousers had been a touch too tight for his comfort, and Emet-Selch's long, cool fingers on his shaft were a pleasant relief.
He spread his thighs again to better give the man access. ]
I'm sure you'd find some other kindred spirit... perhaps one not so storied as me, but I am one in a million.
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[His eyelids dipped in pleasure at the warmth of chroma. He really did enjoy Ardyn's manners. What would he have done if the only other proper person in this place had been a bore like his fellow Ascians? Expire all over again from sheer ennui, most likely.]
Oh, You needn't trouble yourself on my account. I must confess, I am quite eager to see this diminutive summon of yours.
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[ He let go of his hand, took a step back, and made a show of looking around. Then he raised his hand to his mouth and coughed into his fist, clearing his throat. ]]
Oh, yoo-hoo! Ifrit!
[ Even at his diminished size, the flare of heat that emanated from the Astral was immense. Ardyn straightened out his hand, and Ifrit's clawed feet touched down against his glove, blistering the skin and peeling back the fabric. He didn't flinch; he'd remembered being grabbed by those clawed hands, and how the searing flame had done little to him.
There had to be intent from an Astral to hurt a mortal, even if that mortal couldn't die. ]
Now, Ifrit, I know this isn't Grimm, but he's a dear friend of mine and I would appreciate if you were polite to him as well, yes? I know he's not another fire god, but he's ever so interesting all the same! He might be able to come up with something that will get you back to a size you're more used to. Wouldn't that be fun?
[ He, of course, did not need to speak to Ifrit to commune with him. Ifrit was irrevocably a part of Ardyn now, half and extension, half a bonded deity. The Starscourge rippled through his divine form, and that meant Ardyn rippled through it.
Speaking to him like an old chum was just a little bit of petty humour. He felt he ought be granted it, as Ifrit might not have been part of Bahamut's plans, but he'd certainly never shown a shred of remorse over them. From one maligned victim of the dragon to another, Ardyn just didn't approve of that. ]
Emet-Selch, meet Ifrit, the Infernian, the Fire God of the Hexatheon and the lover of Shiva the Glacial.
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[Emet-Selch leaned down to scrutinize the diminutive deity more closely.]
You know, there was a Shiva where I come from, as well, though the original was a mere moral woman. Her lover was a dragon, or so I hear tell...
[Mere trivia, mentioned off-hand. It wasn't important or relevant, but one did need to make some conversation!]
Well, doe does not seem to have been sundered, at least. Not unless his original soul was of an absolutely extraordinary density, at any rate. He seems merely... condensed.
Are his powers any less than they were?
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He saw it the way a pet owner may look at the lineage of a dog, and raise their eyebrows at seeing they were once a wolf. It was fascinating, and told him something interesting, but it was not relevant to what he was asking.
No, what was was Emet-Selch's question. Ardyn hummed. ]
As I'm sure you can imagine, I haven't had much chance to test them out here. [ People would so notice if the city went up in flames, after all. ] From the little I have... no, he isn't. Not terribly, at any rate. His Hellfire takes a time to power up, however.
[ The tiny Astral flared, but did not erupt. Ardyn felt the heat in his hands and smirked. ]
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Ah, but it would lack the proper gravitas, wouldn't it. Not much of a show in that.
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It didn't last too long. Ardyn gave a sigh not long after. ] I was considering seeing if it had something to do with Chroma... but a fellow called Grimm is quite taken with Ifrit, and though I let him hold him for several lazy hours, he's still just this size. [ He jostled his hand slightly, making Ifrit sidestep to keep his balance. ]
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[He smirks a bit at Ifrit's hasty maneuver.]
And I rather doubt it is a matter of your own chroma, if you have noticed no change. Gauche as it may be for me to mention it, I happen to have firsthand knowledge that you are not in short supply.
[He doesn't bother to not let himself look a bit pleased about that.]
Perhaps something about the process that brought you both here. Some aspect of it may have simply not been suitable for your summon.
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It sharpened how little he wanted to be one. ]
Of course, I have been wondering... well. [ He looked at his bedmate, remembering all those passionate moments. His lips on his, his body grinding against his... ]
If it may, perhaps, require more Chroma than I've yet to give. Or some guache example of the Chroma I have given, already.
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[He held Ifrit's gaze. How very different from the savage primal, this version was! He looked back up to the Astral's master.]
Why, Ardyn, are you propositioning me? Right in front of Ifrit? I am quite tempted to accept.
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Oh, Emet-Selch! If you do or say anything in front of Ifrit, it's as good as doing or saying it in front of me, these days. We're rather closely linked.
[ He tensed his fingers, and the black mottling on Ifrit's skin writhed. The Astral buckled in his hand, and soon vanished in a flash of flame and darkness. Ardyn idly patted out the part of his sleeve that had caught fire. ]
And while that wasn't my single intent... I'm not going to pretend it wasn't on my mind as a pleasant end to this conversation.
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Well then, who am I to refuse? In fact, if I might make a suggestion... Perhaps I might suck your cock.
[ His smirk somehow managed to turn a degree more predatory. ]
Would you like that, I wonder? To have an emperor on his knees for you?
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Emet-Selch's offer, pleasing but by no means dismissive, wound something low and hungry in his gut, like a banked flame. Ardyn's gaze darkened, and his smile was long and languid. ]
You're quite the improvement over the last Emperor I dealt with, you know.
[ He raised a hand and swept the pad of his thumb over those cruel lips. The linger heat of Ifrit's touch burned low as he did so. ]
I'm more than looking forward to this.
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I am an improvement over most Emperors, though I am none-the less glad to hear you say it.
[ His tongue darted out to lap suggestively at Ardyn's thumb. ]
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[ He closed the gap and tilted his head up to kiss him. ]
And where will you want me, your Radiance?
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[ He leaned down ever so slightly into the kiss and gave Ardyn's lower lip a small nip when they pulled apart. ]
Hmm, why don't you take a seat in the throne of your choice. You shall be the ruler today, after all.
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Make a tradition out of it, the impish thought came, and nearly made him laugh.
He sat down and spread thighs slightly, before reaching out to take the man's sleeve and then tug him down for another kiss. ]
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He ran his hands first up along the insides of Ardyn's thighs, working his way up on his own time, before he brushed the back of his fingers up and down along Ardyn's fly, his touch feather-light. He looked up at Ardyn with a wide, crooked smile and repeated the motion. ]
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Would that I could truthfully say that you'd be the death of me, my friend.
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Oh, but where would that leave me?
[ He ran his fingers along Ardyn's fly again before finally working it open, barely bothering to watch his fingers as he worked. He pushed Ardyns trousers open and reached for his prize. ]
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He spread his thighs again to better give the man access. ]
I'm sure you'd find some other kindred spirit... perhaps one not so storied as me, but I am one in a million.