synthneon | FF PSL | ❝ for those we can yet save. ❞

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FF PSL | ❝ for those we can yet save. ❞

AFTERGLOW

— hear, feel think. —

❄️ HEAVENSWARD

★ Ever Heavensward (3.0)
    — Ishgard Meetings, Part 2

★ As Goes Light, So Goes Darkness (3.1)
    — Unfleeting Emotions

★ The Gears of Change (3.2)
    — Heavy Hearts, Part 2

★ Revenge of the Horde (3.3)
    — Starlight Festival (Alkaid)
    — Starlight Festival (KP)

🔥 STORMBLOOD

★ IC Permission
★ IC Permission
★ IC Permission
★ IC Permission
★ IC Permission

BEYOND

CODE BY TESSISAMESS

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[ He offers her a gentle smile then, because if he had things his way, he would call upon her and her sister quite frequently, simply so that he had a reason to see the two of them. ] I certainly will, should such an opportunity arise. As you have undoubtedly heard before, to be the recipient of your advice is quite the honor indeed.

[ When she pulls away, as always, he feels as though he misses her presence even though she is still right there with him, but he gives no sign of it. And although the ache has lessened somewhat, he can still feel the usual tension in the area that seems to be his constant companion. Still, it can be ignored, and it could absolutely be worse. ]

The worst seems to have passed, thanks to your ministrations. [ Then, his smile widens. ] I thank you for your care and consideration. [ And love, he wishes to add, but keeps that to himself. Surely she knows how much affection he has for her by now. ]

Then that is what we shall do. [ He nods in the steward's direction, and they exchange a few more words before he takes his leave to ensure that the baths are prepared. Aymeric watches him leave, and then he turns back to look at Alkaid. ]

If you like, you could extend an invitation to your sister to join us here, if she so desires. Surely a room here would be of more comfort to her than one in the inn.

[ His tone is no less genuine and his words are as heartfelt as always, even though his mind is presently focused on the spark of an idea that formed when the steward mentioned baths.

Surely it is skirting the bounds of propriety, and it would involve no small measure of sneaking about, but- There is a part of Aymeric that still retains a little of what he would call childishness. But the driving force behind this seed of an idea is not childishness, but a desire to have more private moments with her.

Still, he hesitates to mention it, in case it is not what she wants at all. ]

[ A brief nod is given to the invitation and she settles herself on the ground. Then, a glance is spared back behind her at her sister. It's colder here in the Steppe than she thought... yet it is most certainly not as cold as Corethas. ]

I am nervous, but, my restlessness comes from my mind wandering elsewhere. [ She gives a small smile. ] It... is more common these days than one would think.

[ She reaches up to move her dark bangs tinged in pink to the side. She hadn't thought it would be so difficult. They say the heart grows fonder the longer it is away. However, she hardly feels fonder. If she were to describe it? The feeling is loneliness, sadness, and a fear that things will have changed while she has had to be away for so long.

Of course, her mind does not dwell on it long during the day. Only when she sees others together and the pang hits her chest once more. Otherwise, she is focused on the ever changing mission at hand. That or the antics her sister always manages to find. ]

[ Alkaid waits as the two discuss what to prepare for the rest of the night. She pushes that pang of disappointment down as far as she possibly can. Relationships are give and take, and perhaps she has been aiming to take more than can be given. Her thoughts mull it over until she hears his voice directed back to her. ]

She may feel she is imposing. Although, I'll be certain to make the point that she's not.

[ A practiced smile takes her face as she stands up and starts to smooth out her dresss, reaching behind her to lose where it has bundled up. Their escorts will return shortly, and so she sees little point in attempting to get back to what they had been doing. ]

Although, I admit, I didn't plan to bring a new pair of clothes...

I have heard it before, although admittedly, more in Ishgard. [ She gives him a playful smile. He is not the only one who has said such things. Lucia, the Count de Fortemps. ] Even if all I can offer is the opinion of an outsider.

[ Her head cants to the side at what he says and his smile. Hm. The worst of it, yet perhaps, not enough for him to find reprieve for sleep. As such, she leans back against the headboard and motions for him to lie down beside her again. The aching side up, of course. If anything, she might yet ease him into a form of slumber. ]

Well, my care and consideration is given out of adoration and need. I would have your aches gone away so you might actually sleep, Aymeric.

It does, and if any of the others cannot see that, then- [ He takes a look around them, wanting to be certain that he is not overheard. ] Then they are far more shortsighted than I believed them to be.

[ How Alkaid and K'thisru feel matters to Alphinaud, and he is certain that Alisaie feels the same way, even if she might not always know how to express it. If only they had more downtime in between threats, he would like nothing more than to spend time relaxing with the two sisters and getting to know them better. ]

Have we not seen glimpses, if not entire pictures, of that very thing? [ It seems to him that they have certainly seen the unfairness of the world more than once since this whole adventure began.

He does not have time to comment further, because even as she is drawing his attention to the unfortunate trapped individual and the rocks that are keeping them held in place, he is already moving to do as she has asked. He pays no heed to how the rocks might scrape or cut his hands, because what is most important is freeing the person trapped beneath them. While he works, he keeps one eye on Alkaid, because something about her movements seems odd to him, even if he has yet to realize why. He does not have the trained eye of a healer, but still. ]

[ At that, she tenses, and she takes another misstep. This time, she doesn't manage to catch herself as deftly, and the resulting stumble is a little bit harder for her to recover from. She manages it at the last minute, but she is more focused on reaching to take hold of the arm (either one, because in this moment, his crystal arm is the last thing on her mind) that she knows she can't touch. ]

What happens if, by the time things align, it's too late to help? [ Because if the situation that he and his people are facing only has annihilation as the outcome, it does not sound to her as though time is on their side. ] By the time we finally get to meet you, what if-

[ She finds she can't even give voice to those words. ]

[ K'thisru has also found sleep eluding her, but that is not particular surprising to her either. There is a lot riding on the events to come with the morning, but it is a sort of excitement combined with nervousness that keeps her awake. She has already spotted Yugiri and her fire, and taken note of her sister's arrival as well. It seems that the two of them have decided to spend some time together on the eve of the Naadam, and she might very well join them in a moment or two. The last thing she intends is to intrude, but she still wants to make sure that all is well.

Yugiri, meanwhile, gives Alkaid a look that is mostly appraising, but somewhat curious as well. She will not pry, because she knows that Alkaid's affairs are her own, but she can at least offer a listening ear. ] Would it help ease your mind if you spoke about what is troubling you?

[ Yugiri knows that she is inclined to keep her thoughts to herself, but on the occasions that she has spoken with others, it has helped clear her mind and lessen some of her worries. ]

Ah, but I am certain that the time will come when you are no longer viewed as an outsider but a true citizen of Ishgard. Should that be your wish, of course.

[ He knows he may not ever truly be comfortable, but it seems as though he may at least experience some relief so long as she is present. He does not hesitate to move positions once again so that he might resume his earlier pose of lying down next to her. The movement only slightly jars the once injured spot, but he does his best to keep any signs of discomfort from showing. More than likely, she knows that he is doing his best to feign a neutral expression, but he would rather not worry her too much. ]

And I sincerely thank you for it. [ He shakes his head just the smallest amount, not wanting to disagree with her too much, but he also imagines that sleep will escape him the remainder of this night. ] There cannot be too many hours remaining until morning, at such time our duties must resume. But perhaps if you sleep, I might manage to take a few hours of rest. [ Or lying awake beside her, although he is certain that will hardly be acceptable to her. ]

Far from it. There is no scenario in which either of you would ever be imposing upon me or any others of the household.

[ He also rises then, and reaches out to try and assist with the smoothing of her skirts. ]

Of course, you may borrow mine as you once did, if that is to your liking. I certainly hope that you were comfortable on that occasion.

[ At this rate, he will have to ensure that she has a wardrobe for her use, and that it is filled with various pieces of clothing for her to use. And of course, he realizes that she has her own clothes, but he would like to begin making this place her home as well. ]

I do believe you have already believe that my sister and I are of Ishgard. [ An air of teasing is in her tone as she settles to sit close to him. Her leg brushes against his back as he lays down, but she is quick to correct to a more lady-like posture. Her hand returns to the side that aches and gently rests there. ] May I continue? It... may be uncomfortable at first.

[ Her head tilts to hover over him, the longer bits of her darker hair falling over her shoulders. There is a shake of her head. ]

Or, we both find rest. I wouldn't be able to rest as well knowing that you were still in some form of pain while I sleep.

[ She glances up at him for a brief moment, turning so he might be able to help with the folds and tucks at the back of her dress. Her tail moves to the side as to not hinder him as well. Once done, she turns to face him again with her hands folded together in front of her. ]

I'll be certain to impress that on her.

[ A slight blush takes her face at his suggestion. She looks down, fingers starting to twist around one another in her nervous habit. ]

That would most certainly be better once Thisru has gone to bed.

[ Although, she cannot help but wonder if she should continue to share a room with Aymeric. Of course, she wishes to, especially if they are to be wed. Yet, is that what he would wish? She finds herself going back and forth wondering what might be too far into one direction or another. ]

[ Once more his hands reach out to catch her, only to be reminded of the harsh reality that he is not truly at her side. A deep pain settles in his blossom as he watches her stumble and correct herself, his hand still reached out to her. The ruby eyes beneath his hood stare at her as her words settle in. Of course, it serves as yet another reminder of how daft and inconceivable his plan is... ]

I promise you, K'thisru. We will survive long enough to see you. And, furthermore, we will survive after the matter. We are a resilient bunch and drive ever onwards to create a place of hope when others may not believe it exists.

So, please. Frett not so on our behalf just yet. [ He studies her over and smiles gently. ] For now, perhaps we have walked too far. We might revisit this excerise at another time.

[ Alkaid turns to her sister with a smile, a hand raised to offer her to join. She tucks her legs underneath to make room before her attention moves back to Yugiri. Her hand, however, remains raised for her sister to take. ]

It may seem... I suppose, I feel what tugs at my heart and mind pales in comparison to what you and yours struggle with. It may even seem selfish, even though I am committed to helping Doma and Ala Mhigo be free from the Empire.

[ A sad smile tugs at her face before she shakes her head. ] I would not dream of demeaning the experiences of those around us have gone through with my longings.

[ For now, she places their conversation to the side. They can continue it once the newly found survivor is safe. Her side twinges once more as she reaches to far for a rock, her hand and arm starting to shake. She pushes through that however. The life underneath the rubble is more important than discomfort she may have.

Enough rubble is moved by the two of them to reveal the face of a young boy, no older than ten. Alkaid offers him a small smile and slides her hand into the opened hole, offering it to him in order give him some comfort. ]

It's alright now. We've got you.

Well, of course, the channels of communication are very much open. [ Now, anyway. That thought brings a small smile to his face, because he remembers how closed off Ishgard once was, and now that that is no longer the case, he cannot help but feel elation, and a large amount of it as well. ] How strange, I would have thought you would call it something quite different, Estinien.

[ He is more inclined to ponder and dwell on things than his friend is. Of the two of them, Estinien is more likely to act directly and decisively, while Aymeric is inclined to take longer and think things over before taking action. ]

Indeed, any interactions you have with them will be on your terms, as you have always been. [ Aside from those harrowing times when Estininen was not in control of himself, but Aymeric is reluctant to think upon those times any more than he already has. ] And of course, you are correct in saying that.

[ He could not be happier, but no small amount of their shared happiness was tempered by the fact that a new threat had risen up just as they entered into their arrangement, not to mention the new position to which he had been raised. Of course, neither of them were inclined to shirk from their respective duties, but he is certain that having to put a pause on their wedding was, and still remains, hard for both of them.

Still, he does his best to soldier on and not allow his thoughts to wander too far, lest he become morose and unfocused on his duties. ]

Well, it certainly is not easy, but what is there to be done about it? However much I would like to have reports concerning her whereabouts and position, I would not risk jeopardizing the mission and her safety and the safety of the Scions.

[ He does not have all the details concerning what it is they are doing, but that only makes sense. This does not fall under the jurisdiction of Ishgard, and so he is not entitled to information about their movements or their goals.

Tilting his head to one side, he gives his friend a questioning glance. ]

I can see no reason why your own goals would lead you to the Far East. [ He would not ask him to do that, because doing so feels like the height of selfishness to him. ]

[ Truthfully, he could just lie down right now and with how tired he still feels, sleep would more than likely find him sooner than he thinks it will. But there is a part of him that wants to lie awake and talk with her before sleep comes back to claim them both. ] Of course, I have not forgotten that your actions have made you and your sister very important to all of us. And who deserves to be considered daughters of Ishgard more than the two of you? [ The smallest shiver creeps up his back in response to her leg brushing against it, and part of him wishes that they could just lie together like this again the next night.

That seems like a wish that cannot be fulfilled, but he cannot help but long for it regardless. ]

Of course. Please, continue. [ He reasons that nearly everything worth having has a consequence to it in some form, and if her comfort comes with initial discomfort, then that is just how it is. It can hardly be worse than going about his day with no relief at all, he reasons. ]

Well, I can hardly pretend that resting beside you is something I do not want. I- Well, I wish that we could have such moments as this again. [ But duty remains ever present as they both know. ] I would take on an even greater amount of discomfort if I could remain by your side for another night. [ Or several nights, as he so fervently wishes. ]

It would be more than worth it to me.

Brooding is something that you have not mastered. [ He gives a half-shrug with a smirk. ] Not in the ways that many would say I have at the very least. That is why you are the effective leader and I the soldier. You ponder and consider all consequences. I merely point my lance and be done with it.

[ He feels indebted to the Scions enough as it is. The Warriors of Light and the little lordling together saved him. A life debt is enough of one to repay. Still, he is certain that if they had true need of him, he would answer their call, despite himself. He is not keen to call many his friends... yet he would certainly call them some form of the word indeed. ]

You never were one to take the easy way. Yet, I am certain many would have felt you ought to have done so when it comes to romance and marraige. [ Estinien shakes his head at that. ] Only you would fall in love with a woman that would be as bound to duty as you are.

[ He is not blind. For him, it is easy to tell how much the lack of knowledge eats at Aymeric. He was involved in every step of the way on their path to ending the War with Nidhogg. Now, he remains in the dark, with no idea where his woman might be or what danger he faces. Estinien cannot say he envies Aymeric in this regard. ]

I have been asked to find a dragon that fled after the events of Nidhogg's song. She left in an attempt to escape. Now, they fear that she has fallen to it in the end. She flew to the Far East, or in that ambiguous direction. [ He shakes his head. ] As I had said, it would not be hard to find a lily...

[ His head turns to the door as it opens. The ever faithful House Borel Steward stands present, bowing slightly at the intrusion. Estinien rolls his eyes at the sight of such formality between family. Thank Halone he was never highborne. ]

Ser Borel, Ser Varlineau, pray forgive the intrusion. A visitor has come in search for the head of house.

A visitor? My, the House Speaker truly is the talk of the city.

[ She nods to his permission and also to what he had said. While all may not open their arms to them in Ishgard? Enough do that they can consider it a home. Of course, Aymeric himself also offered his home to them. She intends to accept his offer as far as he is willing to do so. While she has yet to say it and, perhaps she can never work up the nerve to do so, she loves him deeply.

Alkaid lays herself against him, her head resting against his shoulder. Her arm drapes over him as her hand rests on his healed injury. After a moment her eyes close and the tips of her fingers again light with a green light. They slowly move up, then down, to the side, then the other. She lets the aether be directed to where it might flow to where the muscles and tendons are still clenched and twisted. They healed the wound and damaged the repair... but she can certainly tell the difference in approach between the Gridanian Conjurers and the healers in Ishgard. ]

It's a painful ache, isn't it? [ Her voice is gentle to the point it hovers over being a whisper. An odd mixture of speaking to herself, to him, and perhaps to his aether as well.

The tips of her fingers glide to a certain point before stopping. Then, they press against the fabric of the shirt he wears to push into his skin. She can feel the tension knotted in this area, and her eyebrows knit together even as her eyes remain closed. ] It's a deep ache... right here... all of it centered in this one place...

[ Her mint colored eyes open halfway as she believes she knows why. It speaks of injury--perhaps the place the blade pierced through his armor and into his person. It would explain why the tension is so deep. The injury of course healed and was mended. But, she would not say it was done of a way the body might be encouraged to heal. Rather, perhaps forced...

Aymeric speaks again and it pulls her mind from the thoughts of following his aether. She raises her eyes to him, keeping her hand and fingers pressed into the area of tension. How he can manage to make her heart feel as if it melts is something beyond her. A smile spreads on her face before she leans up to gently brush her lips across his. ]

Sharing your home with me is one thing; would you truly desire to share your room? [ She presses a kiss to his cheek then as she tries to keep his mind occupied. There is no doubt that the fingers pressed cause discomfort and intensify his aches. Yet, she aims to remove the source of it as much as possible. ] I would stay here night after night as long as you would allow me to.

Truth be told, this house has been empty save for myself and what remains of the family staff, so it will be a welcome change to have life within these walls once more.

[ Not that the house has been lacking in life, exactly, but it has been rather quiet. All three of them who have lived here for so long are accustomed to it, but on the occasions that Aymeric speaks candidly with the steward and the maid, and vice versa, all three have expressed an interest in the house not being so quiet any longer. ]

Then that is how it will be. [ And he means to welcome her to his room and his bed for as long as she wishes. What is his is also hers, and he means to withhold nothing from her, including himself if that is what she desires. ]

[ Finally, with just a touch of reluctance, she opens her eyes once more. While she would like nothing more than to find a place within Ishgard's walls that might serve as a refuge of sorts, she knows she is too unsettled by the notion that the Exarch and his people are facing a dire situation and that there is nothing she can do to assist. ]

I have no doubts that you are resilient, but I- [ She turns so that she is looking at him in full now, and she knows her worry is plain on her face. ] I feel as though I must fret on your behalf.

[ And she is certain that she will continue to do so, even though other matters might temporarily take the forefront in her mind. Until she finally meets him and his people in the flesh, she knows she will fret and worry, but also pray for their safety and well-being. ]

I'm sorry, your idea is a good one. [ She is just too unsettled now to conjure up the calmness needed for such an exercise. ]

[ Spotting the invitation from her sister, K'thisru makes her approach until she reaches the fire pit and sits down beside her. Of course, she merely listens because the two are already in conversation. ]

That does not mean it is any less meaningful to you. [ Now, Yugiri gives Alkaid a smile, hoping to encourage her to share whatever is on her heart. ] What else are friends for, if not to share the things that trouble us? [ She already considers Alkaid a friend, and her sister as well. ]

Whatever you choose to tell me, I will do my best to listen. [ And then she turns to extend her smile to K'thisru as well. ] And the same goes for you too, if it needed saying.

[ He opens his mouth respond, but as before, the light forms from the tips of her fingers and a sigh escapes him as she directs the flows of aether to where it is needed most.

At first, he simply closes his eyes, expecting to feel the ache wash away as she goes about her work, but this time, it is a little different. She warned him that it would be, but he was not prepared for the sensation that comes.

The muscles and tendons that were damaged by the knife are fully healed, of course, but they still remain tense and pinched. And although he is aware that her ministrations will only help, he cannot stop the almost involuntary reaction to the sensations of her fingers pressed against him and the flows of aether doing their work.

His vision tunnels briefly, darkening around the edges, and for just a second, he is back on that street, lying on the ground with the Count de Fortemps kneeling beside him. One hand moves to grasp the once injured area, but Alkaid's hand is already there, and his hand brushes against hers. It is that contact with her that brings him back to the present.

When Ishgard's healers saw to the wound, their goal was repairing the damage and seeing him back on his feet as quickly as possible. And of course, they succeeded, and he has never had even one ill thought directed towards them. They did the best that they could, and he reasoned that any lingering effects were just something he would have to come to terms with.

Fortunately, the kiss that she has planted against his cheek provides him with a distraction, something else to focus on besides the aching in his side. He tries to keep his voice from sounding too strained, but he is certain she won't be so easily fooled. ]

Of course I would. [ He moves his hand, lightly closing his fingers around hers, not wanting to disrupt her as she works, but the reminder that she is there with him helps ground him. His words are more clipped than he means them to be, but he does his best to rectify that with what he says next. ] I have never had anyone with whom to share my possessions or my living quarters, and...

[ He pauses then to draw in and then let out a breath before he continues. ]

To share that which I have inherited with another can only be seen as a good change, and a blessing as well. [ He gives her a warm smile then, and he gently squeezes her hand. ] For as long as you wish to stay, consider this room- even this entire estate, at your disposal.

[ She squeezes her sister's hand with the smile fading slightly from her face. The notion feels selfish to share when so many other bigger problems are at play in their journey. Her gaze drops to the papers in her hands. Now, her feelings on the matter seem so foolish. ]

There is someone I miss very much. [ She feels that should suffice -- though she has the distinct feeling K'thisru may elaborate. ] I have only had the time to write a few letters to him... baring major details, of course. Given our work is covert...

[ Her half-open eyes watch his reactions. A frown takes her face, noting the discomfort--no pain--he tries to hide. Her hand remains steady, used to the idea of those she heals grabbing onto the source of what causes their pain to increase. Part of her cannot let go of the fact that perhaps this may have been avoided if they had simply allowed her to heal him...

She cannot undo the work of the healers, as much as her pride of a white mage wishes she could. All that she is capable of doing is untwisting the tension and ease the muscles so his natural aether will flow through the healed wound site once more. It will twist and turn again; knotting itself up and causing aches and pains. The cold climate and the stress that comes with his position will certainly see to it.

Her eyes drift to their hands as his fingers curl around his. She continues her work, fingers moving ever so slightly here and there, only to press against him once more. Her eyebrows continue to furrow as she can feel just how deep the wound is. They must have been in a panic and a hurry to heal him with the state of Ishgard and looming war once more with Nidhogg. The wound could have been fatal if but a fw more notches in a certain direction. ]

Then, I am honored to be the first.

[ She means every single word--even if she wonders if she might be the only one. No doubt that once Nidhogg's war is over and his attention can drift to other matters of his life he might find another. One that he could spend more of his life with, to raise a family with...

Alkaid closes her eyes once more to push the thought away for the moment. Her ears lower slightly as she briefly puts all her focus on the healed injury, allowing the aether to not only flow into the muscles more, but to learn of what his own needs. Her head tilts to the side, the pink edges brushing against him as she does. ]

This place--this is where the knife cut. [ Where they hurt him; tried to kill him. ] Here... and it didn't cut side-to-side... it went down, and further in...

[ Perhaps it is strange to him she might learn so much from merely directing and listening to the aether. Yet, that is exactly what conjurey as an art is. Listening, learning, moving, taking and giving. The base skills can only be known to help master white magic. Not that this requires the higher skills of that magick.

Her eyes remain closed as she leans in again to press a kiss to his forehead in apology. It would be easier if she could touch the scar directly, but she would not ask him to do such a thing. Instead, the edges of her first two fingers push against the scar quickly. Her other hand comes to rest at the top of his head, fingers combing through his hair to try and ease him as best as he can. ]

It wasn't aimed to scare or intimidate... it was aimed to kill... to take you away--[ from me, she manages to stop herself from saying. ]--they missed, failing to strike... and instead merely managed to cause such an injury. [ Her head tilts down to rest her forehead to his as her fingers move down slightly. ] So much pain... pain they couldn't take away, only cover in their haste... because they were scared that they might lose their Lord Commander... their leader...

[ She was scared too; horrified at the idea that she might lose him when he was not hers to lose. ]

You were scared too, deep down, where they couldn't hear... you still are... of so many things. They all bundle and twist and knot here... in this place. The one place where they could strike past your armor and hurt you... [ Her head tilts just enough to kiss his temple lightly. ] Tell me what frightens you most at this very moment, my love. Let it out, let it flow freely, so you might find reprieve of it.

[ Of course, in another state, she would of stopped herself short of so opening calling him such a thing. Yet, her mind is focused on the task of mending and comfort. As she listens to the injury and the disrupted aether, her heart is open as well. Anything he might ask would be answered freely without notice. ]

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FF PSL | ❝ for those we can yet save. ❞

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