Work Text:
24 May, ME 756
I knew I recognised you when I saw you with your three friends. That set of the face, that tone of voice. Your upbringing has covered much up -- I shouldn't be surprised, Lucis is very skilled in covering things up -- but your heritage betrays you. Upon further investigation, I was embarrassed to find that lineage unveiled , someone who should be standing with me, though evidently that countryman . Why, if I didn't have the papers in front of me I should doubt them myself.
A shame it's come to such lies. Why should I expect anything less of Lucis? You're a man of intelligence, Scientia; you should pick the winning side.
2 June, ME 756
You wouldn't bother to know, and likely you hardly care, but the traditions of Tenebrae are noble and ancient. But for their nobility they sacrifice precision. There's no proof but misleading documentation -- and he keeps . Indeed I don't know how far back his memory stretches -- or indeed the records of the Manor. I'm sure there's many secrets therein, just as I'm sure I was wrong about you. You disappoint me.
5 June ME 756
You will recall that you once asked me, in lighter times, about our library at the manor. I will grant you some information as a Tenebraean; though according to the records you have not set foot in the place since you were two; nevertheless it's nothing to tell you of the patch of scaling the facade in the courtyard by the east window -- surely you remember it, you pointed it out to me -- . (like you were, once; perhaps you still are) in the library, they might . We sat there so often we could've taken root.
If I had only known at sixteen where you'd later throw your allegiances. In helping Lucis, this is what you've helped destroy. Remember that when you wonder for which side I fight.
8 June ME 756
Half or burnt or missing, from the shelves of our library near that . (Your darling prince's fault.) I haven't had them replaced; there's been no interest in taxation history, so until should venture (and you're no longer around, bookworm; who else would care),
8 June ME 756
You should have joined Tenebrae when you had the chance, . Even if it meant to prove it. Though, .
You're clever enough but surely there is yet some love in you for your forebears; conjure it up now, for the time is at hand.
Scene: A single boy - teenage, probably more likely to be a young man, but without having outgrown his pretensions - slumped over his work at a desk, sitting in the library alone. Two books are open in front of him, dimly lit by a feeble table lamp. He writes messily, scrawling on the paper with a fountain pen and from time to time it bleeds ink. His hair is long enough that the bangs get in his eyes but not so long that it can yet be tied back. He wears yesterday's shirt and has forgotten to swing out the long coattails so he is sitting on them. It is as though he knows he is sloppy for his status and attempting to hide the fact.
Enter from stage left: A young boy, precocious and adroit. He wears glasses and has a stuffy appearance with crisply-pressed clothing. His heels click sharply on the stage floor as he advances and from time to time the teenage boy throws him a filthy look, which the young boy ignores.
Young boy: What are you doing?
Teenage boy: None of your business.
The young boy approaches and leans over. The teenager attempts to hide his work under his forearm.
Young boy: I know what that is.
Teenage boy: So gratifying to know the youth of today can read at the tender age of ten.
Young boy: It's quite clever. But if you want my opinion --
Teenage boy: I don't.
Young boy: -- then consider instead the Caemarus cipher. Anyone would know from the curious way you've written your letter that there's a coded message somewhere inside it. It's practically gibberish. ...No offence.
The teenage boy straightens and shoots the young boy a pointed glare.
Teenage boy: You're mistaken.
Young boy: No, I don't think so.
Teenage boy: Anyway, that's not the point. Caemarus produces regular ciphertext. The point is to send a text without anyone knowing that there's a message in it. If you send something that looks like code, that raises suspicion.
Young boy: But if your message hides in plain sight, it's too insecure.
Teenage boy: Only if people know there's a message there.
The young boy takes a seat, fascinated.
Young boy: Then ... you should encrypt it, and hide it in plain sight. You'd need a set of codewords, so that the other agent could be aware there were a message at all. (The young boy pauses to shift his glasses up his nose. The teenage boy watches him with more interest and less condescension.) Of course, if you do it with codewords you agree upon beforehand, but you have no plausible reason to send letters, someone could clue in.
Teenage boy: So I'll talk about Tenebrae. (He snorts in a derisive laugh.) I do that all the time.
Young boy (with an air of seriousness): Not a bad idea. But consider also something more common. Turns of phrase like.. (he looks around) involving the library, and you're a bookseller. Someone wants to borrow a manual on architecture, your coded message is about a building...
Teenage boy: Or about woodworking, if the message is about a weapon...
Young boy: ...and replace figures to confuse identities of those you intend to mean -- Ramuh for yourself, possibly -- anyone reading it will simply think you're devout...
(They continue talking. Fade to black.)
14 December ME 759
For the most part there's only dust and ash that remains but upon inspection, had managed to conceal a few things, and I can shed some light upon . I thought might pertain . I thought I might be able to further direct you?
23 December ME 759
In fact . It had a rather , and aisles of . It'll have what you need. You should , however, for you may find it otherwise occupied.
24 December ME 759
Look, this is pointless. It's been three years since Noct disappeared into the Crystal. We haven't seen the sun in over two years. I don't even know what the point is in playing this game, Ravus. Your letters were useful in a time when things were uncertain. Now we are all very certain about the misery of the world, thank you kindly. If your intention was to apologise, I'd like to hear the words themselves -- unmasked, if you please. Why exactly do you care?
26 December ME 759
My reasons in part: suffice it to say not all of Tenebrae died with me; there are . . But grassroots Lestallum campaign or whatever the story, I find it suspicious that letters can still be posted, don't you? Sometimes things are too easy -- I'll take no chances.
But, I simply wanted to wish you well. May the weather be favourable to you, Ignis.