[center][h3]The Warlords Talk[/h3]
Edelgard & Ganondorf
Word Count: 1,267
Exp: +3
Rapport: +3[/center]

During his experimentation in the training center, Ganondorf had made another rather unfortunate discovery about his new abilities. And after a short visit to Dr. Yu, he learned that the solution to this new “problem” was simply that he would have to eat more. A lot more depending on how bad his condition was going forward. Ganondorf carried not one plate, but three. Each one piled with a selection of meat and vegetables. Not because he was starving for food, but because he needed the biomass.

With a low grumble under his breath, the Gerudo took a seat at what appeared to be the least populated table in the mess hall. That table just so happened to be occupied by the Flame Emperor herself. Ganondorf offered a small nod of acknowledgement before he began to eat his food. But while he did this, he appeared to be observing his own body. Or more specifically, his armor which had suffered some damage throughout the battle in the Qliphoth despite the changes made by his recent fusion. And just as Dr. Yu had informed him, the damaged parts of the armor appeared to “regenerate” itself as he ate his food, as though there were some unseen hands performing repairs on it as he continued to consume his meal.

[color=797979]”Hmph.”[/color] He muttered, [color=797979]”This is going to take some… getting used to.”[/color]

Edelgard, already about halfway through her meal, flicked her eyes to Ganondorf in acknowledgment when he sat down, but she did not say anything. It was only after she noticed movement inconsistent with a person eating in her peripheral vision that she truly paid him any mind, and the sight of his armor regenerating itself finally caught her attention. [color=crimson]”Self-repairing armor? Given its chitin-like appearance, I take it that this is a result of your fusion with the Guardian?”[/color]

[color=797979]”Unfortunately, yes.”[/color] Ganondorf answered with a brief chuckle. [color=797979]”According to Dr. Yu, the armor isn’t really repairing itself. Something to do with it obeying my will, from what she described.”[/color] Ganondorf clarified, [color=797979]”And I can only do this by consuming- what was the word she used? Bio…mass? Food, in other words. And large amounts of it depending how much damage there is. And that’s not even the worst part.”[/color] He paused briefly to consume another big bite of food.

[color=797979]”She also told me that the spirit made me immune to most healing powers. If I want to recover then from now on it will have to be by my own power or by eating food. Which means recovering from future battles is going to be… challenging, to say the least.”[/color]

Edelgard hummed, mildly disturbed by the implications of what Ganondorf had just said. [color=crimson]”I…see. I will admit, such a dramatic limitation has made me even warier of using these ‘Spirits’ than I was previously. I haven’t always found the greatest rewards from their destruction, but my fighting style already possesses its own limitations that I use magic to counter-balance. To even further limit those options…it would need to be something so greatly accustomed to my own abilities that it would only hamper the areas I am already deficient in, loathe as I may be to admit to weakness.”[/color]

Ganondorf offered a low chuckle of agreement. [color=797979]”Aren’t we all?”[/color] He asked. [color=797979]”Despite how some of us present ourselves in front of others. In the end, we’re all merely mortals. With all the flaws and weaknesses that come with it.”[/color] After a pause to eat a bit more of his food, he added, [color=797979]”But I wouldn’t worry myself too much about the setbacks of using spirits. From what I have observed, it seems the Guardian spirits specifically are the ones that grant the most power with the most drawbacks. Other spirits I have used have not offered nearly such crippling costs to use them.”[/color]

Edelgard nodded along to Ganondorf’s proclamation that they were all mortal, though her mind turned to Rhea and Palutena in turn. Was her former master in Skyworld of the same ilk that the Archbishop of Fodlan had been? Pit was as utterly devoted to her as the Knights of Seiros were to the draconic monster, so she did not for a moment truly [i]trust[/i] the angelic captain’s measure of her. But their world was so obviously different from her own, so could she judge them by the same lens she judged Rhea and her followers? She pulled herself from her thoughts, replying to Ganondorf’s final thoughts. 

[color=crimson]”I suppose that is some small relief to hear. Though it has done little to disabuse me of my previous notions. If the severity of the drawback is relative to the strength of the power granted, it would do one well to remain extremely cautious about what they use on themself, unlike that monstrous Geralt fellow. His skill with his many weapons is without doubt, but even his eyes are no longer human.”[/color] She lowered her voice to deliver her judgmental words, ignorant of how she was both right and very, very wrong.

[color=797979]”Ah, but that is where the challenge truly lies.”[/color] Ganondorf said in response, [color=797979]”Guardian spirits are unique, in that they must be consumed. Lest the Guardian be reborn and must be defeated all over again.”[/color] He said, having moved on to his third plate of food by now. [color=797979]”So unfortunately for us, that means someone [i]must always[/i] use the Guardian spirits in some way in order for the Guardian’s defeat to be final.”[/color]

Edelgard nodded slowly at the explanation, humming thoughtfully. [color=crimson]”So then the game becomes finding who has the best synergy with the Guardian’s Spirit, and who among those has the greatest willingness to suffer a drastic drawback. I see.”[/color] She took another bite of her food, chewing while she thought. Once she swallowed, she continued. [color=crimson]”Do you know who has the other Guardian spirits?”[/color]

[color=797979]”That would be Geralt, I believe.”[/color] Ganondorf answered flatly, though his lips had curled into a small and knowing smirk. [color=797979]”Or rather, he has the lion's share of them, anyway. Sectonia possesses one, as do Susie and now I. Geralt, I believe, has the rest. If I’m not mistaken, that is.”[/color]

Edelgard sighed, rolling her eyes at Ganondorf’s smirk. [color=crimson]”Yes, I do believe I deserved that.”[/color] She conceded. [color=crimson]”That sounds…almost unbelievable, to be honest. That much power in one man? If he were to die…one Guardian spirit an enemy could take would be terrible, but that many? If my count is correct, that would be four spirits in one man. Four Guardians potentially relinquished to whomever kills him. No matter how powerful he is, that feels the height of irresponsibility.”[/color]

[color=797979]”Perhaps that is a question best saved for the man himself?”[/color] Ganondorf suggested as he began to wind down on his third and final plate of food. [color=797979]”There may be some explanation for it all that we aren’t aware of. Otherwise, I am inclined to agree with you.”[/color]

Edelgard nodded, returning to finish her own food. While she hadn’t been in much of a mood to converse, Ganondorf’s presence and strange transformation courtesy of the Guardian spirit had been a good distraction. [color=crimson]”Well, it would seem we are both nearly finished here. I must thank you for an enlightening, if brief, conversation.”[/color] 

[color=797979]”The pleasure was mine, Your Highness.”[/color] Ganondorf responded with a nod. He rose from his seat so that he could take away his now empty plates. He also gave himself one more cursory examination to ensure his armor had regenerated as it was supposed to. Then with another nod of acknowledgement, he moved to take his leave of the Flame Empress’ company.