[ He let's out a light chuckle, ducking his head slightly, his raised hand covering his lips as he does, but when he looks back at her, the eagerness has softened, as has his smile. Behind it is a lingering sadness, something bittersweet. ]
Yes... though, ever in the pursuit of Ultima. When first I woke after Phoenix Gate and learned of his existence, in the role he played that night... I sought to seek the truth. And so I have traveled across Storm in search of it ever since. Finding and reading all that might hold any mentioning of him. [ Though it shames him to admit how little he has to show for it after all those years of research. His voice quiets a bit as he finishes, his fingers pressed idly to his lips as if in thought again.
Joshua has always been more of the scholarly type since he was a child, fascinated by the lessons he'd take in preparation to one day become archduke. Maybe it was simply because it was his duty, or perhaps it was because of his illnesses that that's where he found the world he couldn't see for himself, not able to travel freely as Clive and their father could.
But even as much has changed since their childhood, their lives upended since that night at Phoenix Gate... even as Joshua's searched tirelessly for thirteen years without rest because he must, because it is his duty to find the answers that he might help save Valisthea from falling to ruin... to protect Clive, one he does with pride because it's truly what he wants, there is an undeniable part of him that... still enjoys this pursuit of knowledge. That finds a thrill in the discovery of relics long lost to the past.
So it's bittersweet, that he might be the scholar he was always meant to be, but unable to enjoy it to the fullest as he may have once, only ever in search for Ultima, as the threat of death and ruin hang over them like a pall.
He straightens again, letting his hands fall back to his sides and letting the sorrow pass. ]
But, there is still much that I discovered in my travels. Much of our own history lost to time, such as the Fallen. And--when one day we would free ourselves of Ultima, I should like nothing more than to continue to set out in search of more.
no subject
Yes... though, ever in the pursuit of Ultima. When first I woke after Phoenix Gate and learned of his existence, in the role he played that night... I sought to seek the truth. And so I have traveled across Storm in search of it ever since. Finding and reading all that might hold any mentioning of him. [ Though it shames him to admit how little he has to show for it after all those years of research. His voice quiets a bit as he finishes, his fingers pressed idly to his lips as if in thought again.
Joshua has always been more of the scholarly type since he was a child, fascinated by the lessons he'd take in preparation to one day become archduke. Maybe it was simply because it was his duty, or perhaps it was because of his illnesses that that's where he found the world he couldn't see for himself, not able to travel freely as Clive and their father could.
But even as much has changed since their childhood, their lives upended since that night at Phoenix Gate... even as Joshua's searched tirelessly for thirteen years without rest because he must, because it is his duty to find the answers that he might help save Valisthea from falling to ruin... to protect Clive, one he does with pride because it's truly what he wants, there is an undeniable part of him that... still enjoys this pursuit of knowledge. That finds a thrill in the discovery of relics long lost to the past.
So it's bittersweet, that he might be the scholar he was always meant to be, but unable to enjoy it to the fullest as he may have once, only ever in search for Ultima, as the threat of death and ruin hang over them like a pall.
He straightens again, letting his hands fall back to his sides and letting the sorrow pass. ]
But, there is still much that I discovered in my travels. Much of our own history lost to time, such as the Fallen. And--when one day we would free ourselves of Ultima, I should like nothing more than to continue to set out in search of more.