fatedatonement

[fatedatonement]

"I promise you that I will do everything in my power to prevent that from happening."

"I'll only be corrupt and influence a change if you end up back in prison. That sounds like too much effort otherwise."

[fatedatonement]

"I had no idea you had such a problem with the prison uniforms. Perhaps you should use some of your influence to redesign them." At least he doesn't have to wear it anymore, right...?

"Heeey, buddy!!" Please be nice to him.

[fatedatonement]

"....Zelos, please don't say such things."

[fatedatonement]

"I suppose you were a bit drunk when I said hello at the wedding. And I thought it rude to interrupt your time with Lloyd in the days that followed."

"So, that's what it takes to get the big ogre to show his face around me?! Talk about how great I am? Do I smell to you or something??!!"

[fatedatonement]

"And tell me, do you begin all conversations this way?"

"Man, how am I so pretty AND genius? Beauty and brains, what more could a guy ask for??"

[fatedatonement]

It's strange; there was a point in Regal's life where he thought he'd never see such happiness again. And yet here he stands, amidst the music and celebration, and it warms his heart. A celebration like this reminds him that there are so many good things in this world, or any other.

"I can't speak for everyone else, but I have no doubt that wherever they are, they're cheering you on." A pause, and then a small chuckle. "And who's to say once we're all reunited, you can't have another party? I doubt Zelos would have any complaints."

Regal hadn't seen him yet, but he had no doubt Zelos was living it up on the party floor somewhere. He makes a mental note to find him before he's had too much of the champagne.

"I'll warn you, I'm not much of a dancer," classically trained, yes. Parties? Unfortunately not as much.

"It's your day, Lloyd. You lead the way, I'll follow you."

The sound of Regal laughing only made Lloyd's smile grow, the sound bubbling up from his own chest increasing from how carefree the man before him was. After everything he'd gone through, it was nice to see him so at peace-- the proof of that staring Lloyd right in the face, as the continued absence of his shackles warmed the inside of his chest. With all of these wonderful feelings rushing back, it really was no surprise that a couple tears quickly surfaced in the corners of his eyes-- but he wiped them away just as soon as his friend helped him back on his feet.

"I knew you wouldn't," he spoke those words with such certainty, such belief in the person before him. "If you could, I knew you'd get here somehow-- I was sure everyone would've tried, but.. you're the only one who came back. If they could.. I know they would've showed up, too-- but I'm sure they're still happy for us, no matter where they are."

"Thanks, Regal. I mean it. We sure are lucky to have you! Wherever we end up, I think we both know that you'll be there for us-- and we're always gonna be here for you, too. -- oh!" with realization suddenly settling in, Lloyd eagerly grabbed Regal's hand again, dragging him further into the party. "Speaking of 'us'-- let's go find Zelos! He's gonna be so happy to see you! We'll fill you in on everything you've missed, but for now.. let's have some fun!"

[fatedatonement]

Regal's eyes widen as the blur that is his friend rushes him, but does little to stop the impending impact that knocks the wind out of both of them. After a moment to catch his breath, Regal laughs, sitting up as he catches his breath.

"I wouldn't have missed it," he smiles, ruffling the younger man's hair affectionately. He tucks the invite into his pocket as he stands, offering a hand to help Lloyd to his feet.

"I'm glad to be here. At some point you'll have to fill me in on what I've missed, but in the meantime..." he glances over the party, smiling softly at everyone having a good time. A few faces he knows, a few he doesn't... but he turns his attention back to Lloyd.

"I'd like to offer my most sincere congratulations and well-wishes. I've seen the amazing life you two have created together these past few years, and I'm extremely proud to call both of you my friends."

"I know you'll make each other very happy-- and you of all people have earned that happiness. Treasure every moment spent together, I wish you both the utmost peace and prosperity."

At this point, Lloyd figured that everyone who could be at the wedding was-- of course, there still sat a pile of unsent invitations inside the forge for those he missed from home.. but all he could do was hope that somehow, someway, they could celebrate with him and Zelos in spirit. It was fortunate enough that they received blessings from Anna and Dirk before their big day, and Lloyd knew he should have just considered himself lucky that he at least had that.. but deep down, he couldn't stop himself from wishing to see everyone else. Even if it was selfish, or if it wasn't possible, they weren't going to leave his mind for the entire day-- he knew that from the bottom of his heart.

So when he heard that voice, one filled with familiarity and friendship.. the brunette froze. In all his excitement, he couldn't help but think he was dreaming-- until he turned around, his eyes meeting with..

"R-.."

"Regal!!"

Not even giving himself a moment to process the sudden appearance of his friend, Lloyd leapt at the older man with all the force he could muster-- his arms grasping at him as he essentially knocked them both over. Apparently his excitement was more powerful than the entirety of Regal's stature! "Y-- you're here! Y-you're really here! How did you-- it really got to you?! I-I didn't think-- I had no idea that you--!!"

Ah, did any of that even matter? The rest of his fumbling was abruptly cut off by his sudden laughter, giving his friend a proper hug this time.

"I'm so glad you made it!!"

[fatedatonement]

@twohundredpower​

It’s all... disorienting, to say the least.

Ending back up in this place for so long, but this time with an invitation in his hands.

“They’re getting married...? Today?” He’s barely had time to get his bearings, but he can’t be late. They’d taken the time to invite him, after all. The wedding of dear friends isn’t something he plans to miss.

By the time he rushes to his new housing and gets dressed, he's already running late. But despite the party being in full swing when he arrives, he's here. He doesn't know how long it's been for them, or what's happened in the time he's been gone, but...

“Hello, Lloyd, I apologize for being late. I must admit I was taken off guard-- I was given this soon after I arrived,” he offers the invitation forward a bit awkwardly, hands unshackled just as they had been the day Lloyd broke his chains so long ago.

“I hope the invitation still stands.”

[fatedatonement]

Wait, really-

[fatedatonement]

“You are all a terrible influence on the children.”

[fatedatonement]

“You truly have no boundaries, do you?”

...

“I committed a crime and I went to prison. I don’t know what more you want from me.”

@fatedatonement​

“So, hey, Regal, pal.  You were in those cuffs for a real long time.  Were you really into it?”

[fatedatonement]

“Pardon the intrusion” The older Regal nods politely, and the other version of him follows suit. At least both of them know how to act in the presence of other nobles. “For the time being, I think him joining us would be best, if you don’t mind. There’s nothing serious to discuss, I’m just dropping off the paperwork we had talked about in our last meeting. I wanted to go over it with you myself, but we can schedule that for another time if you’d prefer.”

The younger Regal’s face remains neutral, but he can’t appreciate being talked about as if he’s not there by both of them. He holds his tongue, however-- this Seles seems different from the one he’d come to know. More guarded... he’d never had the chance to talk to either one of the Wilder siblings about their counterparts. Now he wishes he had.

“If I may, I’d like to ask about the version of you that I know, Miss Wilder,” Regal speaks up, careful to keep his tone polite. “I wanted to make sure she was doing all right in all the chaos.”

@fatedatonement​

Even with monsters over the city and their alternate selves having landed here, business workings never seemed to stand still. That was the only reason Seles could imagine for Regal Bryant to arrive at her doors, sighing and going to meet with him when Tokunaga informed her of the visitor- and carefully eyeing the younger version of Regal as well.

“I can’t say I was expecting visitors today. What brings you here?” Perhaps she’d had some reconciliations of her own, but that didn’t mean she was going to ease up in terms of her business. “We can discuss any business in the parlor. Will… he be joining us?”

[fatedatonement]

“Please do not eat crayons.”

[fatedatonement]

what brand of stupid are you?

Smart until infected with stupid

You think you're safe don't you? You are probably the responsible one in the group, perhaps even the mom friend. You are relatively smart but all it takes is one little thing to suck all your braincells out. It could be hanging around your fellow stupid friends, it could be being left alone, it could be having a bit too much fun. The stupid lives inside you and it just takes the right environment for it to show.

[fatedatonement]

eternalrecurrxnce​:

The casual response seemed to catch Richter off guard somewhat; feeling the tenseness in his face disappearing just slightly as he blinked. He could have laughed if not for the fact that he felt so out of his element, but even then, it didn’t feel like something this body normally did; instead settling on averting his gaze as he crossed his arms over his chest.

“.. I suppose you’re right. There are certainly no walls between us now, are there,” though they were both involved with Emil, the two men were still practically strangers with one another; and considering everything Richter had done so far, he was resigned to the fact that they would remain as such. This world seemed to have other plans however, much to his own chagrin. “I will keep that in mind, Regal.”

“So you remember Emil. You seem to be the only one out of the rest of your companions that does,” perhaps they had gotten to know him over the course of his stay here, but considering the interactions Richter had with the rest of them thus far.. it was clear to the half-elf that their memories did not align. Even with Regal now, something still seemed amiss; and Richter furrowed his brow in thought as he replayed the other’s words in his mind a second time. “.. and you speak as though we left off on a civil note before arriving here. It is not what I remember.. though, Emil has been able to recall more than I have. Do you share the same experiences that he does?”

It would alleviate some of the stress he was feeling, if that were the case.. even if it was not entirely what Richter deserved. To fight someone while out of his own body, no matter how strong Regal might have been was not something he wanted to do.. though the mere question of his well-being, at least, made him lower his defenses for the time being.

“This is.. not how I expected my journey to end, in more ways than one. However, I have no intention of fighting you here, or anywhere else in this world. Even if our circumstances were different, that statement would remain the same.” .. the honesty that left him was surprising.. but Regal did not seem the kind to hide behind lies, as Richter so often did.

“Yes,” Regal nods, crossing his arms as if to mirror Richter. “For a while I did not remember, but it all seemed to come back to me at once... as if my memory was being manipulated. I can’t say I care for it, but I’m grateful to now have my memories of Emil and the journey we shared.” Though... it seems Richter doesn’t remember the ending of that journey, either, just like Emil. How strange that each person’s memory stops in a different place.

“I share some of those experiences,” he nods. “Though perhaps I think my memory extends a bit further. There has always been a tension between you and I, but I think when we parted last...” he remembers the conversation intensely, the battle, names evoked...

“I’d like to believe there was an understanding there.” One that he hopes maybe they can reach here, as well. “Despite our differences... I believe there’s much that we share, Richter.” He has to admit that he’s curious what Richter’s plans are now that he’s been reunited with Aster. He’s fulfilled his wish, one way or another, much the same way Regal had found peace with saving the world that Alicia loved so dearly. What does journey’s end really look like for either of them, now?

“I believe you. And I’m glad to hear it, as I have no desire to fight you, either. It’s strange circumstances we’ve found ourselves in, but I despise senseless violence.” He glances over-- still so strange to look back at his own face.

“If you don’t mind me asking, however, does that courtesy extend to Emil, as well?” Emil is Ratatosk, after all, the one who took Aster away in the first place. He knows that at one time they had been friends, but... “He looks up to you, you know. Whenever we speak, he has nothing but high praise for all you’ve taught him.”

[fatedatonement]

@minimeteor​

“Miss Seles, are you all right?” It’s in Regal’s nature to want to make sure she’s OK, but to be honest... the situation is disorienting for him, as well. He’s not used to seeing the world from this much smaller point of view, and he’s sure things are just as strange for her.

At least this happened after the shackles were removed... he wouldn’t even want to think about anyone else having to deal with what was intended as a punishment for himself.

“I continue to apologize that our meetings aren’t under better circumstances.” Come to think of it... had he ever properly introduced himself since they’d met the first few times? Or did she still think of him as a scary convict...?

[fatedatonement]

The first thing Regal feels is overwhelmed.

He can sense everything so clearly-- the wind in the leaves, the footsteps of passersby... even the world around him seems so full of energy. He feels lighter on his feet, and as he realizes who he’s swapped with, he instantly understands why. It’s not just because he’s younger (as if he needs another reminder of his age), it’s because he’s a half-elf, isn’t it? He had heard a bit from Raine about how she experienced the world, but to experience it first hand...

His next order of business was to seek out Richter-- who he assumes to be in his body, but he doesn’t have to go far at all. Apparently, they were near each other all along.

“It is. Though Regal is fine, if you prefer. I think with the strangeness of the circumstances, we might be past such formalities.” If things were normal, he might have tried a smile, but given the seriousness of the situation between him and Richter...

...maybe part of it is Richter’s own nature, as well. Neither of them are really known for their smiles.

“I had been meaning to find a moment to speak with you since Emil told me you were here, but I hadn’t yet found the opportunity... I suppose, in a way, fate forced my hand in that respect. How are you holding up?”

The strange ongoings of this world had not remained unheard of to Richter– he had seen the broadcasts, heard the cries of various confused citizens littered across the streets.. though never in a million years did he think that he would fall victim to it as well. 

Though Spirale was just in that sense, he supposed– these things affected everybody, regardless of their status, their age, their heritage. .. that certainly didn’t make the stress of it all fair in his eyes, but regardless, Richter knew there was nothing he could do but accept what he was unfortunately thrown into.

Was it worse that he had ended up in the body of someone he knew, or would a stranger have been even more daunting? Regardless, the mere fact that he was suddenly human was what seemed to be making him feel off balance the most; the world was silent, his senses were dulled, and more importantly, he could feel this man’s morality with every heavy step he took. It looked as though Richter, in the body of Regal Bryant, was struggling to even keep on his feet; pausing momentarily to reach up and pinch the bridge of his nose. He wanted to find his body, and check on Aster to make sure he was alright as well– but it seemed he wasn’t going to have to go much further to find one of the things he was looking for.

“.. ah.” 

“Would I be wrong to assume that is you in there, Duke Bryant?”

                                                                                   –   ☼☽;   ( @fatedatonement​ )