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

Just sentimental enough. [ She nudges the side of his head to make her point. ]

If you do not trouble my sister, she might take offense. K'thisru has always been the more strong headed one. If she feels there is something she can help something with and nothing has been shared with her? She may just push the door down to your office herself and demand to know what is wrong.

[ Her eyes widen slightly at his shiver, ears twitching beneath the hood. Her head tilts to look at him with a small frown now on her face. ]

Will you? [ A tease with a smirk, but she kisses his own cheek in return. ] Or will I need to throw the doors open to the Lord Commander's offices? [ She pauses. ] Should we retire to somewhere warmer?

As usual, you are too kind. [ For him, it is a constant push and pull of carrying himself as one would expect a leader to while also retaining who he is as a man without all the titles and responsibilities. Sometimes it seems as though he must sacrifice his individuality to the demands of his positions, but he also supposes that he is not unique in feeling that way. Anyone who has a public and private persona must surely experience the same thing. ]

I have often wondered about the differences between the two of you, and yet at the same time, it is quite clear that you are simply different sides of the same coin. What's more, Eorzea is more than fortunate to have both of you with us and fighting alongside us.

[ He chuckles then, because the thought of K'thisru banging down the door to his offices amuses him. ]

I must admit that the thought of your sister coming to my offices in such a way would liven up my day and that of those with whom I work.

[ He nods then, because he wholeheartedly means to do what he said he would. ]

I assure you, I will, although if you wish to do so, I have no complaints on that score. [ The chill is settling in on him a bit, but he knows he would remain out here for hours if it meant having these moments together. ]

If you are growing cold, then yes, let us move inside. I will not have it said that I allowed you to take a chill.

Or, you are far too modest, as usual. [ Alkaid will insist on this, but she knows there is no changing this about him. He has for far too long been the stout Lord Commander of the Temple Knights. Too much of him has been set in the service of Ishgard. ]

She has always been the more brash of the pair of us; willing to run in headfirst and get her hands dirty in whichever situation is needed. I spent more than a handful of times healing scrapes and bruises so her mother would not notice. [ She hesitates then, only for a moment. ] Our mothers were not overly fond of one another. They often turned their noses at the idea of the two of us playing together. So, we would run off together and hide in our little cave. A few years later we decided to venture out into our respective studies. She went to Ul'dah and I to Gridania.

[ Alkaid would not mind regaling him of the stories of her younger years. Isghardians, after all, know little of the world beyond Dravania and Corethas. If it helps him feel as if he might escape the confines of his city? She will gladly tell him any tale he wishes. ]

I will have to tell her to drop by sometime. [ Her face scrunches up in a teasing smile. ] And maybe I ought to one day as well.

[ Her fingers twitch slightly at the mention of being cold. Only a few of them are covered in fabric while the rest are adorned with leather wraps to place gems on the top of her hands. Although, she often wears such things. ]

I could accompany the Lord Commander a little longer in the cold.

[ He merely shakes his head and quietly laughs. Perhaps he is too modest, but he sees no reason why he should behave any differently. He is merely one who commands soldiers, and often, those soldiers are the ones who put their lives on the line and therefore deserve the accolades. ]

Ah, so you knew from a young age that you wished to be a healer? [ He files everything she says about herself and K'thisru away, because he truly desires to know more about her and her sister. ] If I might say this, you and your sister are blessed to have each other, both then and now.

[ On occasion, he wonders what it would have been like if he had a brother or a sister.

As for the stories she would tell, if she decides to regale him with more tales of her youth, he will gladly listen with bated breath. So much of his time is spent in Ishgard, and on the front lines; occasionally, his duties take him farther outside of the city, but he never ventures too far away. In that way, he finds himself living a bit vicariously through the adventures that K'lantaa and K'thisru have. ]

Please feel free to do so, both of you.

[ He does not bother to hide how much he looks forward to the prospect of one or both of them visiting. But then he shakes his head. ]

I think it prudent that we venture inside, if that agrees with you.

[ He genuinely worries about her welfare, and so he has decided he must insist that they continue this conversation indoors. ]

I always had the natural gift. However, if one continues to channel the magic of healing without properly giving back... it could be rather disastrous. There was a young girl who the Conjurer Guild had to convince to join our ranks so she might properly learn to commune with elementals to heal. [ She shrugs gently. ] I'm certain our mothers would not have agreed with you. But, well, they've no need to know that we stayed in contact through our respective schooling. Or the fact that we travel Eorzea together.

[ All he need do is ask and she will speak until he wishes to know no more. Not in the way to brag or to boast. She has always had a wonderlust and will gladly share it with any. ]

Hmm, special privileges? Just think of the scandal it might cause, Ser. [ A finger raises to tap him gently on the nose with a wide smile on her face. ] Then, indoors I suppose we shall go.

[ She quickly refastens the jewel around her neck to keep the fabric in place. Since he very much insists on the pair of them staying warm. ]

[ Here, his smile shifts to something halfway embarrassed, as if what he is about to admit is something he has never told anyone before. ]

I must admit that I am grateful for the gifts that I have, but I have on occasion wondered what it might be like to wield magic as you and your sister do. But I have not the aptitude for such a thing, so I shall simply have to marvel at you and others who do have that particular gift.

[ But then he nods because what she is saying makes sense. ] One cannot simply take and expect to continue to do so without consequences, I imagine.

As for your mothers, I expect that they might worry and even disapprove, but you both are grown now and can make decisions of your own.

[ His smile widens once more at the thought of a scandal like the one she describes. ] Well, I suppose that my tenure could use something of a shaking the foundations, although I am certain Lucia would quite disagree.

[ When she taps his nose, his eyebrows lift, but he finds himself pleased and amused by the gesture. ]

Ah, but I should inquire: do you have any prior obligations that require your attention? [ It would be poor form of him to distract her from them, if they should exist. ]

It is merely learning to channel your aether, or the aether of the world around you. My schooling has had to learn to be reserved in its nature to... well, that might be a history lesson for another time. [ She is certain that even Isghardians have the knowledge of the other Calamities that have befallen their star. Even so, they are not things she would wish to discuss at the moment. ] The world should have a balance of mages and warriors. Your part is just as important.

[ After all, she could hardly heal and shoulder the hits at the same time. As silly as it might sound from the Warrior of Light? Even she needs a shield. ]

Several decisions that I care not if they agree to or not, in the end. Especially when it comes to matters of what it is right and of the heart.

[ Her mother most certainly would scorn the fact that she has fallen in love with someone that is outside the tribe. A loss of on her own fault, Alkaid thinks. She has no desire to sit in the cycle of her tribe for the rest of her life. There is far too much of the world to see... and she would quite rather see it at the side of the man she's wrapped herself around.

That, however, coul d be far too forward and far too much to say. ]

I am certain Lucia would say you have seen far too many shaking of the foundations as of late.

[ A shake of her head follows. ] No, you have my entire attention, Ser.

[ She moves as if to stand beside him to leave, but turns on it at the last moment. She shifts to stand in front of him atop the railing she has sat on. Alkaid now stands just a smidgen taller than him. A hint of a playful smile touches her face and her tail sways side to side. Then, she kisses him once more. ]

Ah yes, the mysterious aether. And yet it is not so mysterious, because as you say, it is present in the world around us all. [ He wishes that he had more time to devote to studying such things, but alas, nearly all of his hours are occupied by one problem or matter or another. ]

And again, there are two sides to every coin, even as it relates to the roles we find ourselves called to.

[ And as far as he is concerned, he will gladly be her shield and sword if she should ever need him. And even if she says she does not, he will still take on that role for her without hesitation. ]

That is how it should be, yes. [ He agrees entirely with her stance on that matter. There comes a time when everyone has to learn to stand on their own, not necessarily dismissing the advice of their elders, but taking in what they can and deciding from there.

He would remain with Alkaid for the rest of their lives, but he still cannot help but feel as though his way of life might be difficult for her to grow accustomed to. If it should turn out to be that way, he would gladly make whatever alterations he needed in order to put her at ease. It is hardly a sacrifice on his part; or if it is, it is a very vital and worthwhile one. ]

Oh, I am certain that you are right, as usual. Such are the times that we find ourselves in. [ Never mind that some of the shaking has been because of the choices he has made. ]

Excellent. I would hate very much to be drawing you away from any matters of importance.

[ He finds he does not have much time to speak after that, because she has moved to stand on top of the railing. For just a moment, he fears that she might lose her balance and come crashing down, but fortunately for the both of them, she seems to retain her balance just fine, and all thoughts fly out of his mind the minute that she kisses him again. ]

Does Ishgard not have schools for aether? I know there is a home of Astrologians here... [ she had been tempted to look into the matter, but, felt perhaps it would be a better endeavor for her sister to peruse. Just in case. ] Or were you never allowed to learn of it at all?

[ It would be difficult to grow accustomed to, however, she has never been one to shy away from a challenge. Especially one her heart desires so greatly. There will always be apart of her that wishes to travel and see the world. However, the idea of returning home after the sights is something of a dream. A whimsical one at that, because who would wait for her to return? She could not ask Aymeric to do such a thing. He was entitled to a life of his own, not simply one of waiting for a person to return to travels far from home. ]

I wouldn't hate you at all for it.

[ Which is, in fact, why she presses further to deepen their kiss. Part of her was almost daring the world to interrupt this small selfish thing she felt entitled to. Though, as soon as the thought sprung into her mind, the familiar sound of her linkpearl beeping goes off.

She, however, decides to ignore it. ]

Oh, of course, there are such schools for Astrologians and the like. [ He merely shrugs, because it seems as though his path lead him elsewhere. ] I was not barred from pursuing that avenue of learning, but I felt drawn to other disciplines instead. [ Still, he has a curiosity about it, as she can probably tell.

As for the matter of Aymeric remaining in Ishgard while she goes about her duties as a Warrior of Light and a Scion, he can say without a doubt that he does not mind the prospect. There is enough to see to in Ishgard that his days will not be completely empty. Will he miss her when she is gone? Of course. But some things cannot be helped, and this is one of those things.

He would respond to her statement, but his attentions have been officially distracted by her closeness and the feel of her lips on his. Still, when he hears the unmistakable sound of the linkpearl, he stiffens just slightly. Of course, duty can and does call at any moment, but even with his own dedication to doing his duty (which includes letting her go when responsibilities call), he finds himself reluctant to pull away.

The fact that she has yet to break the kiss must mean something, however, and so for the moment, he too decides to ignore the interruption. ]

Edited 2021-12-19 08:55 (UTC)

Hmmm. You might look rather fetching with an Astrologian arm on your back. [ She means it entirely with jest. He has the schooling of a warrior and one who will lead men into battle. It suits him quite well and she would not see him turn away from it at all.

He stiffens and she presses herself to him more. She would not see the Scions continue to interrupt her at their leisure -- not in this moment. Surely they can manage something on their own, or even ask her sister, if they are so much in need of aid. Her hands move to cradle his head between them as if to ask him not to let her go. As she is certain that the moment either one of them pull apart, she will need to leave him. ]

Do you think so? [ He ponders this for a moment; surely it is foolishness to even think of learning another discipline, especially at his age, but although she is surely jesting, he can at least pretend that he is considering it. Never mind that he has been a student of war for so long that he can hardly imagine doing anything else.

Truthfully, he wishes that the Scions would just give them this one moment to be together, but then again, they surely do not know how close the Warrior of Light and Ishgard's Lord Commander have become. When she places her hands about his head, he merely leans into her touch, wishing that this moment could last forever. He, too, cannot help but think that once they separate, that will be the end of their time together for who knows how long.

So he is just going to tighten his own hold on her, not to the point of causing her discomfort, but only to communicate his reluctance to let her go. ]

No. The blade you wield fits you perfectly. [ She smiles sweetly at him and means every word she says. It almost seems as if the blade was made for him, or, perhaps he grew into wielding it. Either way it suits him entirely and she'd have it no other way.

Their kiss finally ends, but she does not pull away. She remains as she is with her forehead pressed to his. Her linkpearl rings a few more times before silencing. Of course, she knows she should go. They would only call if there was something important. Even still, for the first time, she wishes they would handle things on their own.

Her eyebrows turn upwards and she frowns with her gaze meeting his. Without saying it, she wishes for him to tell her she cannot go. That mayhap he needs her more than whatever the Scions might need. ]

Unless I have missed my guess, your fellow Scions have need of you. [ He lets out a regretful sigh before he can suppress it. ] I hope that nothing is amiss.

[ But then again, if something was amiss, then he would not feel so badly about parting from her. If all that the Scions need is a mere meeting to regroup, then surely they can spare Alkaid for a little while. ]

If I might speak selfishly, I wish that you would remain here for a little longer.

[ If only he could say that his needs are greater than that of the Scions. His conscience would smite him if he said such a falsehood, of course. ]

They always have need of me.

[ Her eyes drop from his as her eyebrows furrow further. For one moment, he can see the woman beneath the handful of titles. One who is, while tired, far more frustrated that it seems the Scions can do naught without her and her sister present. Sometimes she wonders why they had to be chosen by Hydaelyn and not another set of adventurers.

Alkaid tilts her head down and hides her face between her arm and his neck. Perhaps she should not be surprised. There are wars on, with dragons and with Garlemald. Why would they not need her so?

Her hands curl into what fabric she can find of his armor. ]

I wonder if there will be a time when they do not need me.

[ He can't help but frown when he sees the all too visible signs of someone who is growing weary. Perhaps she is not tired of everything, at least not to the point of no longer wishing to be who she is, but it seems clear to him that she needs a reprieve, and a long one at that.

He wraps one arm around her and pulls her in closer, hoping to provide her with some comfort and support. ]

Well, how about this for a solution? If it agrees with you, you can remain with me tonight, and if they should ask, you merely tell them that I required your counsel on a matter concerning the war. Our discussion took longer than both of us anticipated, and by the time our business was concluded, it was far too late for you to meet with them.

[ He does not condone lying, but there are times that call for obscuring the truth just slightly. This seems to be one of those times. ]

You do not even have to remain in my company. Regardless, I shall gladly be the reason for your being occupied.

[ Is this breaking protocol and propriety? Perhaps. He still is resolved to do it, if she wishes him to. ]

[ She practically melts in his hold once he has wrapped his arm around her. The tension leaves her body, allowing her to rest even if it is but for a moment. Her dark hair can be seen from the bottom of her hood as she turns her face to hide it in his neck. ]

I would much rather spend the night with you. [ Her voice is barely above a whisper, as if she is admitting a secret that should never be heard. ] Only if you would wish my company for the rest of the night.

[ He would be lying to himself if he said that he hasn't dreamt of being able to hold her like this. Whenever he allowed his imagination to roam and come up with more hopeful thoughts, he found himself wishing such a thing could be possible but quickly dismissing it as an impossibility. Why would she want to pass the time in the company of someone like him?

He is hardly a great romantic, only an occasionally foolish dreamer, and the rest of the time, he has to be the Temple Knights' pragmatic Lord Commander.

But her actions are seemingly speaking very loudly right now, and while a part of him is cautioning himself not to get too far ahead, another part of him wishes to believe that he could be the one she has chosen to love.

For a moment, he remains silent, merely holding her in his arms before he finally finds his voice. ]

Then consider your wish granted, because you have granted mine as well. [ He hesitates to state such words so plainly, but if he was not so concerned about her true feelings, he would say that he would gladly open his home to her whenever she wishes. And if he had the courage to take action, he would open up his home to her permanently, if she was agreeable.

The last thing he wishes to do is speak too soon and too forwardly and cause her to pull away. ]

[ While still restrained by the hood draped over her, one can tell her ears attempt to stand on end at his words. She remains silent for a moment, then two. A beat passes before she leans all but hee entire weight against him. Whatever tension may have remained in her body fades and her eyes shut to keep the sudden water that threatens them at bay.

Had the scene been different as well ot circumstances, she may have allowed the relief to swallow her. It is a quiet declarations of feelings and intent, yet part of her cannot help but worry it would be fleeting. Her hands curl further into the fabric if his armor as her face presses to his neck more.

A response slowly tries to make it's way from her lips-- ]

Alkaid! There you are!

[ Then, in a sweeping moment, it comes crashing down. ]

[ Throwing almost all care about propriety and who sees them to the winds, he leans in, intending to give her another kiss, perhaps a briefer one this time, but it turns out that they never get the chance.

He hears someone's footsteps approaching, followed by a voice calling out to Alkaid. To him, this signifies the end of their intimate encounter and perhaps a more lengthy end to any time that they would spend together. Of course, he fervently hopes that this summoning from the Scions, for that is the most likely explanation for it, is only a summons to a meeting, not a call meant to send her off to some far corner of the star.

Even if it is, however, he knows that he will wait however long it takes for her to return. For now, though, he tightens his hold on her for just one more brief moment before he very reluctantly releases her.

Straightening up, he glances at the approaching messenger. ]

It would seem as though your presence is required elsewhere. [ He is of half a mind to insist on accompanying her, but he assumes he would be barred from entering, even if he is the Lord Commander. He has no sway over the Scions and thus no right to be present during their meetings. It was only a fool's thought. ]

[ She sighs loudly in protest, ears bending back against her head underneath the hood as he has to pull away from their attempted kiss. Her eyebrows turn up in something of a pout before turning her head to look at it is who interrupts her time with Aymeric.

Tataru stands a level below them with her hand raised in greetings. Alkaid cannot help the scowl that takes her face. ]

It would seem so.

[ Her gaze goes back to him, as if to ask if he wishes to interject one last time. ]

[ He wishes he could reach for her hand, to at least maintain some form of contact, but he decides to refrain, resolving to make up for this separation at a later time.

He glances at Tataru, offering her a friendly smile before he asks: ]

Is something the matter? [ Of course, he is not privy to all that the Scions do, so he does not expect nor demand an answer, but he merely wishes to inquire if something is amiss, and if so, if there is anything he might be able to do. ]

[ Alkaid remains standing on the rail with perfect balance. Her hands fall to her sides as she suddenly feels colder and a deep ache starts to beat inside her. Her gaze briefly moves to the side as Tataru approaches them from the level below. ]

Ah, nothing that should directly harm Ishgard, Lord Commander. There are reports of primals from the Beast tribes all over Eorzea that may need addressing...

[ Her eyes narrow. Of course. Where would the Scions be without their pair of Primal Slayers? She closes her eyes and nods, slipping off the railing to join Tataru with unsurprising grace. ]

We tried to call you, but, are we interrupting something...?

[ Alkaid stares at the ground and raises a hand to dismiss her question. She glances up at Aymeric with a look of bittersweet Longing before wordlessly moving forward to the streets that would lead to the aethershard. ]

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

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