· CALL ME OUT (AUTUMN) ·

[hobbitholmes]

🎃 AUTUMN

it's a highway
highway to the dark
and a neon medusa
has got YOUR HEART

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[elpides]

[ Little does he know that no sooner than those words had left her mouth, she began to chastise herself for speaking too bluntly. She has been told she does that, and that she should learn to control herself and her tongue, but somehow, she has never fully mastered the art of knowing when to keep silent.

She may not be able to see all of him and thus his expression, but she can tell from the way he is holding himself that she has upset him. ]

Listen, I- Everyone tells me that I need to learn when to be quiet, or at least, to not say everything that comes to mind.

[ Her tail droops just slightly and her ears lie a little flatter against her head. ]

I should not have said anything. [ She thinks back to the lectures she has received because she let her mouth run away from her. ] I misspoke, and I will not do it again.

[ At least, as far as she can help it. ]

Are you and I really so different? [ She gives him another brief appraising look. Of course, she is not becoming increasingly covered by crystal, but his words have her thinking that they are more similar than they are different. ]

You want to help, and that has always been what I have wanted to do.

[ She just wants to survive and live to tell the tale, alongside the ones she has helped or saved. ]

I'm sorry. [ She looks properly abashed, even as she goes on: ] And you have no reason to look for my approval, or to even use me as an example of standards.

[ She laughs a little bit wryly then. ] I might be a Warrior of Light, but I have often been told that I need to be more like my sister. Calmer, and not so quick to rush into things.

[crystallinedreams]

[ The Crystal Exarch remains quiet as she speaks. The lack of smile still haunts his features as she continues. How young she is. While the Warriors of Light are human and surely fret, worry, and doubt themselves time to time... it is oh-so-clear to him in this very moment how young she is. If only he could do more, say more, be more to help her in this moment.

He stands then, quietly, without drawing much attention to himself. That is not hard to do as he is technically not even physically present. Regardless, he walks to the side of the table they have sat at. The crystalline hand that must offend her raises and finds a resting place atop her head. She might notice then, for the first time, he holds no physical form, nor one comprised of aether. ]

You can be none other than who you are, my friend. I pray that you do not need the words of those who would insist you are other than yourself. You and your sister are two sides of one like minded coin. Your faults and your strengths balance one another.

[ A pause then. ] A Warrior of Light is none other than the chosen of Hydaelyn Herself. It does not make you, as you are, any different in soul. You might burn brighter and Her Blessing guide and keep you from harm... but it does not change you, K'thisru Pahsh.

As for your judgement on my actions... I will take your words of wisdom to heart.

[elpides]

[ She opens her mouth to say something, to further express an apology for speaking out of turn, but she stops when she notices him stand and move to one side of the table. Her surprise only increases when he places his crystal hand on her head. The gesture itself is surprising, but so is the realization that somehow, his form is different: not solid nor solely made of aether but somewhere in the middle.

Still, his gesture is comforting, and she focuses on that for a moment. Her ears lift just slightly, but her tail remains drooped as she tries to sort through her complicated thoughts while also internalizing his advice. ]

I think... [ She has something she wants to say, but part of her is telling her she has already said enough, so she changes tactics, opting to say instead: ]

And I will do the same with what you have told me. [ She still feels as though she could attempt to be more in line with Alkaid, but there are some things that just can't be repressed. Evidently, her somewhat impulsive nature is one of those, but she can at least recognize solid counsel and do her best to listen to it.

She can at least say this, however. ]

I think that you should do what you have decided is right, because who else is going to know that except for you? [ She has no way of knowing what difficulties he is currently facing, and so she has no right to tell him what he should or should not do with his time, and more importantly, with his own life. ]

[crystallinedreams]

[ The raise of her ears brings a smile to his face. He would tilt his hand to give a brush of her hair if he thought it would matter. However, given he is not truly present, there is probably little point to it. Perhaps one day. Then again, when that day they truly meet comes, she may have no need for such gestures. ]

Please, continue your thought. I would not have you shy your opinion away for fear of my reaction. [ His smile remains as a way to encourage her. ] I believe that you will do that and more. So, much, more.

[ The Crystal Exarch hesitates for a moment then--caught between what he ought to and what he would like to do. He settles on the illusion of gently pressing his hand to her head once more. ]

Many will have their opinions on what I have done and what I will do. Even you will, my friend. I hope, when that time comes, you might understand me just a bit more. Though, I hope you do not stop sharing your opinion with me.

[elpides]

[ She supposes that there might be a time when she no longer appreciates gestures like the one Exarch gave her, but there is another part of her that cannot quite imagine why. A pat on the head is meant to be comforting, and as far as she can tell, everyone needs that at one point or another. ]

Did it upset you when I said that? [ She still feels badly about that, because she did what she has always been told not to do: let her mouth run away from her and hurt people in the process.

Then she laughs and shakes her head, mostly because she knows how ridiculous she will sound. ]

I wish that I could understand you now, and not some unknown point in the future.

[ Petulant? Perhaps. That seems to be another one of her shortcomings revealing itself. ]

[crystallinedreams]

[ How to put the answer to her query... ]

It was not the words that caused me pause. More so, who they were from. [ Thank the Twelve for his hood, otherwise he might come undone that very moment. ] For years have the sister Warriors of Light inspired me and acted as a beacon when nothing else could. I had simply forgotten how blunt and honest the pair of you are. However, again, I stress that it is not unwelcome.

[ Gods, will it be this difficult to refrain from things once they've properly met? He must steel himself further. They know not the horrors that await them, and he will only be able to so much until the time is right. He hopes that even then his convictions will not fail. It will be easier if she knows not his identity.

Not that he expects her to ever remember him period. ]

For now, know that I lead many who are in dire need of hope and peace. People who have seen how horrifying the world can be. You will be a ray of hope to them - your sister too - even if you do not know it.

[ Then, a tilt of his head. He could have sworn that her hair at one point... ]

Was your hair not longer and... blonde?

[ Perhaps he misremembers and that is the color her sister bore. It was many, many years ago he first saw them. ]

[elpides]

[ Oddly, that doesn't do very much to settle the feeling that she wronged him by speaking her mind. Of course, it isn't up to him to soothe her feelings; she managed to upset him and herself with her bluntness, and despite being told that she ought to bite her tongue, she still forgets that from time to time. ]

Well, I'm still sorry. I would not want to be the one who took that inspiration away.

[ Except it seems as though that's exactly what she's done. Still, there's no taking it back now, and all she can do is just apologize as she's already done.

And she's already made a mental note to keep an eye out for anyone like him as she goes on her various adventures and duties. Of course, she is reasonably certain he has tried to hold some things back, but it is always possible to read between the lines.

His latest response has her narrowing her eyes, not because of anger but more because of worry and concern. Whatever happens in his time, it certainly does not sound good.

But he's posed a question about her hair, and that is one she can answer easily enough. ]

Yes, it was, at one point. I thought that I would attempt something different, and I kept it that way for a little while.

[ Until certain things happened and it felt no longer fitting. ]

[crystallinedreams]

Believe me when I say this, K'thisru. Any opinion that you might have will not tarnish the inspiration you and your sister have left me.

[ He finally removes his hand from the top of her head and lets it rest against his side. The staff remains on his back, tucked away unneeded for now. Yet, he can start to feel the strain on his person for the magicks needed to project himself as he has. His crystal hand quivers slightly, but he is keen to hide it. ]

Ah, I see... so you are naturally dark haired like your sister. [ The Crystal Exarch tilts his head back in thought. Hm. One can never truly know ones hero if they have only met them once. ] Regardless, this look suits you more, I think. If I am not too bold to say so.

[elpides]

[ She is about to respond, both to his first statement and to his remarks on her appearance, when she hears the familiar sound of the linkpearl announcing someone is attempting to reach her. ]

I'm sorry, someone is trying to contact me. [ Most likely, it is her sister or one of the Scions, and it would be remiss of her not to answer. ]

She talks with them for a moment, before she turns her attentions back to Exarch. But instead of seeing him, all she sees is the empty space where he was standing. Looking around, it's clear that he is no longer present. Where he went, she cannot say, but evidently, their meeting has now concluded.

With no reason to remain here, she heads off to meet with the Scions, because a new problem has come up, and they require her help again. ]

[crystallinedreams]

[ He nods, his hand of flesh motioning for her to continue. ]

Of course, please, do not let me be a hindrance or burden to what must be done.

[ There had been every intent to stay and wait for her conversation to end. It would be, frankly, rude to leave without a parting of words. It would seem that fate had a different design in mind. He was too soon to contact them and therefore had pushed limits more than he ought to have. Time is not an exact science nor is it well known by even those who fore-fronted the idea.

He disappears from her side without any one notice. In reality, he had sunk down to one knee in his room which he looked out from to guide and shelter his people. The crystal room glistens with the light pouring in from the inside. The Exarch himself moves to sit properly, one hand still holding onto the staff to keep him upright.

He must try again once his strength has returned. No matter how many times it takes, he must find the Warriors of Light at the proper time. Only then can they truly know what must happen... what they must do...

The Crystal Exarch's hood slips off his head as he tilts it back. It's relieving in a way to no longer need to hide who he is within the walls of the room. His hand made of crystal flexes at the words that flow in his mind.

'I do not intend to throw all of myself into the fight and come out of it with nothing left..'

He smiles to himself. There is a gentle wisdom in her statement. ]