"I think the fire's contagion is probably something we should prevent," he admits begrudgingly. "We won't be lauded as heroic if we let it spread too far and endanger Town any." Ardyn knows how fast fire can grow out of control; it was, for so long, his domain to command with Ifrit and while he loved to watch the flames flicker and grow... There's a time and a place. Right now, right here- But not anywhere else that they can spare for now.
As the pent-up aggression and desire to destroy is bled out of him, that inky miasma does gradually recede. He still has some to wipe away on his face once attention is drawn to it. "Oh, this?" he questions, looking at the substance smeared on his hands before its absorbed back into his skin. "Just an old affliction," he supplies, casually misleading. "Nothing for you to worry about." At least, not here. He'd already tried to infect a person or two to see- All that happened was a regular bought of sickness instead of fatally turning into a monstrosity by Ardyn's hand. Strange, but likely for the best. If he could spread The Scourge like back home, well... Best not to consider that hypothetical.
He picks up the squirming bandit and tosses him over his cloaked shoulder like he weighs nothing at all. While weakened, he's still stronger than the average man. "We can drop this fellow off somewhere inconspicuous for later before turning in our success story to the quest master," he offers. He doubts that they'll be rewarded if it's known they're keeping one to torture for more information. That can just be their little bonus. Ardyn's, mostly, but details!
no subject
As the pent-up aggression and desire to destroy is bled out of him, that inky miasma does gradually recede. He still has some to wipe away on his face once attention is drawn to it. "Oh, this?" he questions, looking at the substance smeared on his hands before its absorbed back into his skin. "Just an old affliction," he supplies, casually misleading. "Nothing for you to worry about." At least, not here. He'd already tried to infect a person or two to see- All that happened was a regular bought of sickness instead of fatally turning into a monstrosity by Ardyn's hand. Strange, but likely for the best. If he could spread The Scourge like back home, well... Best not to consider that hypothetical.
He picks up the squirming bandit and tosses him over his cloaked shoulder like he weighs nothing at all. While weakened, he's still stronger than the average man. "We can drop this fellow off somewhere inconspicuous for later before turning in our success story to the quest master," he offers. He doubts that they'll be rewarded if it's known they're keeping one to torture for more information. That can just be their little bonus. Ardyn's, mostly, but details!