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

[ Frustrating -- so incredibly frustrating.

The needs are becoming dire. He needs to contact the Warriors of Light. They must be made aware of what is to come and how to forestall it. He must make them see -- make them hear him. He desperately tries again to call into the void of time and space. However, it is not an exact science, and what might be for him is certainly not when for them. However, the Calling must be a last resort.

A resort he very well may need to turn to as things continue to spiral further downwards.

For now, he relies on the method of projection. It taxes him greatly and demands a stress on the Tower's systems itself. No matter. Somethings are worth the price, even if the younger of the Warriors disagrees.

He finds himself amongst the celebration and cheer. A few turns of his head and he realizes exactly what the celebration is. The Starlight Celebration. How many years has it been since he's gazed upon it? How many celebrations had he wasted away in books and studies only to realize that one day it would no longer matter? The urgency of his quest has simmered if only long enough for him to stand there -- neigh a shade -- and watch those that mingle in Isghard.

When exactly has his projection arrived?

A familiar sense falls upon him then. It takes a moment for him to realize what it is. Cold. Not the bitter biting kind. Merely, the sort that nips at ones fingers and toes to remind one that the sun has gone away. His head tilts up to stare at the sky and a hand extends out to catch what he will certainly not be able to catch.

Snow.

How ...long has it been since he has seen snow, or, felt it for that matter? So very, very long now. A younger man in another time and another place. One rushing off to be a hero as he had read in the stories of eld. Now, he is an old man, reaching desperately for those heroes to perform their miracles at his behest. ]

[ For her part, K'thisru remains unaware of anyone's frustration, simply because none who are in attendance at the celebration are feeling anything but sheer joy and happiness, but also relief that the long war has finally ended. She mingles with the crowd, stopping whenever she is approached, because so many hail her and Alkaid as Ishgard's saviors, although she maintains that they only did what was the right thing to do.

Finally, a reprieve comes, and K'thisru finds herself more or less free to wander about unchecked. It isn't that she is restless, exactly, but she does find herself wanting a moment to herself. Still, people will wonder if both of the Warriors of Light disappear, and so she refrains from wandering too far.

It is while her steps meander around that she chances to pass by someone standing by himself with his head tilted upwards and one hand extended as if to catch snowflakes.

She thinks nothing of it, except then she realizes the pattern of his hood is familiar. Taking a second look, followed by another, she finally recognizes who this is. Well, "recognizes" may not be the right word, as she barely knows him, but the hood and that hand of his are all too telling. ]

So, you've come again. [ She takes a few steps so that she's standing next to him, a curious look on her face. ]

[ He pauses as the familiar voice hits his ears. Surely, he must be losing something of his touch in his older years for not hearing her arrive sooner. That, or, the projection magicks are not doing well enough. His crystalline hand closes and he turns to look at the hero who has noticed him. It hardly is a surprise. After all, her sister would have no idea who he is.

Not that K'thisru herself knows beyond the vague details. ]

Yes, it would seem so. [ He turns his head to cast his gaze upon Ishgard once more and then down to her. Perhaps she can feel his calculating and yet gentle gaze from beneath the hood. ] Too early yet again it would seem...

You seem to be in fairer spirits than last we met, my friend. All is well in Ishgard?

One day, I hope to actually know what you are about and what you're trying to do. [ Because right now, she can only guess. He is looking for something, or so it seems, or someone, but he can't or won't tell her who or what. ]

Too early for what? [ She has thought about this when she has found herself with a spare moment. ] You're looking for something, but however you're doing your searching, you keep coming too soon.

[ She doesn't know what his goals are or how he's getting around, but she's trying to figure some things out. ]

Well, look around. [ She smiles widely and looks around them. ] The Starlight Celebration is going on, but more than that, the city is actually peaceful for once. The war is finally over.

[ That means more to the people of Ishgard, who have been at war for so long, but it still makes K'thisru beyond happy. ]

You will. I promise you that.

[ There will be the time when finally things align as they need to. She will be ready to see the daunting task he must place before her to save their star. Yet, certain things are unknown to her. People, places, deeds undone. He cannot divulge and ask of her what must be done yet. The fault lies with him. If he was more skilled at this magick than she would not need to know him so early in her point of view.

Yet, this must be the safer option than the Calling. It must be used as a last resort. ]

I am searching for you and your sister, my friend. The Warriors of Light. However, there are tales and deeds you yet must live and do. Time is a... fickle thing. Full well do I keep meaning to contact you in your future. And yet, fate has seemingly decided I must continue to find you in the wake of the Dragonsong War.

[ He pauses then at her answer. His head turns back to look the way they had come. Perhaps she can feel his gaze intently beneath his hood at the decorations and the people. It is not just the holiday they celebrate, but as she quickly says, the end of the war. So, Nidhogg is defeated then. He is not as early as he had thought, but still yet too early to divulge information to her. ]

The end of the war... peace.

[ It is a stunning sight to see. One he is certain he may never experience. ]

And I'll hold you to that. [ To whatever end, whether good or bad. She can't help but wonder if the knowledge that he has and must withhold from her is something less than pleasant. He's been so mysterious and vague that she has already begun to think that that must be the case.

But whatever it is, she knows she and her sister will stare it down just as they have with every other challenge that's come their way. It might test their will and their strength, but that isn't really anything they aren't used to. ]

And again, you only make me more curious. [ She tilts her head to one side, surveying him, or rather, what she can see of him, given the hood and drapery that he wears.

But it seems as though there's nothing she can do about any of this at the present, and there is even less that he is willing to tell her, so she decides to focus on the celebration and things she can control.

She doesn't even attempt to hide the happiness she feels for the Ishgardians and that she and her sister are here to see all this unfold. ]

Can you walk with me, or will that interfere with your- [ She waves a hand at his projection. ] Whatever it is you call it.

I would not expect anything else. [ A smile shows on the lower half of his face. He is very aware of her rather determined nature. It is bolder and louder than her sister's, but nonetheless it is there.

There is no doubt the pair will stare down the very ends of the world if needed. Yet, by divulging certain information, they may seek to change things too early. That cannot be. It is only at a certain juncture may they change what is needed. ]

A curiosity that, no doubt, keeps you on your toes in the meantime. I am aware I have withheld much of my person and my purpose to you. When the time is right, I shall share my story.

[ He gives her a chuckle. ] I sat with you in the inn in Ishgard, did I not? I could walk.

[ By way of an answer, she just tilts her head at him, further indicating her curiosity about him and his apparent mission.

He is completely right about the lengths that she and her sister would go to if it was necessary. K'thisru herself is of the opinion that if a wall is in her way, she will either run right over it or knock it down, because she has no patience for obstacles in her path.

And as if to confirm his statement, she gives him a wry grin and actually stands on her toes, knowing it makes no significant difference to her height, but her goal is to make him laugh. ]

Well, good, because I want to show you around the city. [ Specifically the decorated parts, but she isn't picky about where they go, actually. ]

[ The smile on his face turns something into one of fondness. He can vividly remember the pair of Warriors of Light from his youth. While their adventure may have been short? He always knew they would continue forward and change the world. All he need do is see the cheer in the air of Ishgard to see that he was not wrong.

A small chuckle does come from her notion. She always was the more outright playful of the two. ]

Is...there somewhere in particular you wish me to see?

[ Were he a young man again, he would leap at the chance to travel the star with her and her sister. Now, he must settle for simply watching the pair and making sure that their adventures are seen through. He may not be the hero he had always dreamed of becoming, but he has done his utmost to live by the lessons they have taught him.

And, continue to teach him, it seems. ]

I must admit that I am not very familiar with Ishgard. At least, not as intimately as you must certainly be.

To start with, the area that they have decorated for the celebration. It really is a sight to see.

[ And then she pauses as if mulling over where she might take him after, if he still wants to come along with her at that time. ]

There is a spot with a good view of the city, if you wanted to see that. And then after that, we could-

[ She realizes too late that since he is projecting himself here, he isn't susceptible to the cold, so her suggestion would be pointless, at least for him, so she amends it a little. ]

We could return to the Forgotten Knight and talk some more.

Then, I will trust your incredibly keen sense of direction. Please, lead on. My projection will work so long as I can sustain it and have concentration to do so.

[ He falls into line beside her. He walks as if unburdened by his crystal arm and pieces of his neck. After all, why should he? Tis a thing of his mind and a desire. There is no reason to trouble the Warrior of Light further. ]

We could also talk along the way. From tales of your time here in Ishgard to the more mundane, if you prefer.

Ha, keen sense of direction. [ She laughs, amused by the thought. ] I know how to get around, but I'm no better than anyone else.

[ Tilting her head to one side again, she asks: ] Is that the only cost when projecting yourself? [ She can't help but wonder if that really is the extent of it. ]

Well, I would ask you to tell me more about yourself, but I know that you can't, so- What do you want to know?

[ As they walk along, she points out little things that she's come to love about the city, mostly views that are captivating but also some of her favorite spots. ]

[ At that, the Crystal Exarch shakes his head. It was her and her sister that led him and others to navigate the adventure they shared. Even if she might not know the exact way? She knows in which direction she must take and continue on without stopping. ]

This, I very much doubt. [ Then, a nod. ] Yes, for now. If something greater need take place, then...

[ He is certain she would not like to learn of the cost. Thus, he wisely stops the train of thought. ]

I lead those that call me the Crystal Exarch in hopes of a brighter tomorrow. Those who are willing to fight when none else believe it wise or fruitful. A... trait that I learned from a particular pair of sisters.

[ A wide smile spreads on his hidden face. ]

What was it that truly inspired you to leave on such an open ended adventure? Surely, you did not intend to be a Scion of the Seventh Dawn at first.

[ She certainly would not disagree with that; it seems more likely than not that once she has been given orders or a destination, she marches on at full speed until whatever objective has been met. She imagines that she would cause any cartographer worth their salt to have a fit... perhaps several fits. ]

Oh, I don't know, you should ask Alkaid what she thinks. [ She shrugs her shoulders, halfway between seriousness and jesting. ] I'm not sure I like where that sentence is going, Exarch.

[ But he already knows that she takes issue with what he is doing, or rather, the effects of it on him.

She laughs in spite of herself, though, and says: ] I think you just like to flatter us. Of course, Alkaid and I will go where we have to and do what we need to, but-

[ She shrugs. Of course she knows that where the two of them go, hope seems to follow. After a lot of fighting and trouble, that is.

Eorzeans call them heroes, but she thinks that the real heroes are the ones who went off to fight, not knowing that they wouldn't be coming home again. ]

Well, you're right, that isn't how things started. My sister and I wanted more than just life with our clan, and she wanted to become a healer and I wanted to learn to be a summoner.

I am certain that your sister has the utmost faith in you. Regardless of anything you may lack or excel in. [ A hand raises to dismiss her statement. Not out of finding it lacking or unworthy, but merely because he trusts her to the utmost. She need not worry so much. ] I know full well you would not. So, dismiss the notion, if you would.

[ How he would like to think she worries of him personally and not merely because he is another member of Eorzea. ]

How is it flattery if it is the truth? The people you inspire, the things that you achieve... they are miracles, my friend. Man will react in two ways when such miracles are performed. They will either cast away what they have seen in doubt, or they will rise and follow in hopes of seeing more and performing them as well. You inspire more of the latter, if I had not made myself perfectly clear.

[ He turns his head to look up at the towering stone buildings in front of them. ]

Why a summoner, of all things?

Oh, I am sure that she does. I only mean that between the two of us, I think she prefers knowing something about the places we're visiting, and I'm more likely to just want to be surprised. [ She loves her sister, and she knows that Alkaid loves her in return. But she is also certain that from time to time, she exasperates her as well. ]

All right, it's dismissed. [ She worries about everyone personally, but even though she still has much to know about him, the worry she has for him is a different sort. Never mind that she doesn't fully understand the toll that what he does has on him, but what she does know about it is quite concerning. ]

We never set out to inspire anyone, you know. It was just something that happened, and keeps happening.

[ She knows that she is downplaying it a lot, but even though she loves to help people and she enjoys meeting new people too, she was more about seeking adventures than seeking renown. ]

But of course, if people are inspired by us, I'm not going to tell them they shouldn't be. Everyone needs some kind of inspiration, right?

[ At his question, she has to stop and think for a moment. ]

It wasn't what I intended, at least not at first. I thought that I might learn to use a sword, not wield magic.

But it turned out that I got into a little trouble, and a summoner who happened to be passing by helped me out.

[ She smiles with a little bit of embarrassment, because it was not long after she left the clan with Alkaid, and she wasn't entirely prepared for it. ]

I decided to become a summoner because I was saved by one.

Edited (Hit post too soon) 2021-12-27 09:44 (UTC)

Ah, the sort that wishes to know nothing. Yet... you ask constant questions of me. An interesting contradiction of sorts. [ The Crystal Exarch smiles playfully at her. It would seem he is not old enough where he has forgotten how to jest. ] If one had the intention to inspire when they set forth on their journey, it might never work. Confidence is one thing and yet arrogance is another. A trait that neither of you have.

...Yes. They do indeed.

[ His head tilts up to look at the snow cloud covered sky again. Beneath the hood, the warm ruby eyes stare at a world he has not seen at peace in so long... so very, very long. ]

A sword? Which discipline had you aspired towards? [ The Crystal Exarch tilts his head and his voice is filled with a sudden source of wonder. Never had he thought she might wield a weapon other than that of her tome. ] So, our hero saved by another. Very fitting... and your sister? What inspired her?

Oh, but when it comes to things and people that I am interested in, then I wish to know everything. Or what they decide they can tell me. [ She says this with a playful sort of smile of her own, not yet realizing that she has just admitted to being interested in him, in a sort of indirect way. When she does, she might find herself just slightly embarrassed by how quickly she stated that. ]

Well, I thought (briefly, because this did not last for long) that I might train as a gladiator. [ She laughs at herself, because now she can hardly imagine herself wielding a heavy sword and shield. The tomes that she is most familiar with are more fitting. ] Alkaid always wanted to be a healer.

[ Here, her smile turns fond as she recalls a memory from their childhood. ]

When we were both younger, she would often heal my various scrapes or cuts from being too- Well, playful, I suppose. My mother never liked it when I did that, so Alkaid would help me so that she wouldn't find out.

Hmm. So, one who wishes to know and people and places first hand, and not through dusty tomes. I am afraid to disappoint you in that small regard. Most of what I am aware of and know come from dusty tomes. [ A chuckle comes from him then. ] While it has its merits, one cannot replace the knowledge of knowing a person versus reading of them.

[ Which is an indirect way of referring to her and her sister. He wishes they had this time when he was a younger man. Had he been more forward, had the tale allowed him thus. As such, he must take what he can now, and treasure it while he can. ]

A true partner-in-crime since the beginning. A truly dangerous pair the two of you make. [ The smile on his face points to amusement even if he shakes his head. ] What is the whole of Eorzea to do with you?

[ She lets out a laugh that sounds a little like a scoff, but it is more amused than anything else, and she hopes he realizes that. ] Disappoint me? I'm not disappointed. I would not have gotten this far without an appreciation for those dusty tomes.

What about those who are long since gone? Reading of them is how they stay alive. [ She can't help but wonder how she and Alkaid will be remembered, or if they will eventually fade into obscurity as time passes. That does seem to be the natural progression of time, of course.

And then a fond smile comes to her face in response to his last somewhat teasing question. ]

That is what our mothers used to say to both of us. I almost forgot about that until you said it.

Quite right... you are a summoner. Tomes and learning to form the arcane into your desired shape is an element of your trade. And, a certain arcane form is one you prefer the most out of all, if memory serves. [ His head tilts with his hand to his chin for just a moment in thought. Not that he need remember what the form is; he very much knows at the front of his mind. ] A carbuncle.

They live through song, traditions, hopes and dreams passed down to one another. [ The Crystal Exarch's tone quiets at that. His ruby eyes move to the ground in front of them. ] Or, if not passed down, then most certainly entrusted to.

The humble beginnings of the Warriors of Light are certainly a tale that I would like to hear. I must admit, very little has been ever said or read of the topic.

[ A fleeting thought enters her mind then, and although she does her best to push it aside, it is too stubborn to go away that easily. It seems that he knows so much about her, while she knows very little about him, and that bothers her more than she cares to admit.

And, well, not being one to hold back her feelings or mince words, she asks: ] And what- Who are you? The Crystal Exarch, but what does that mean? What is your trade, and what things do you prefer most?

[ Before she can hold it back, she finds herself adding: ] Someone should write a song or a story about Haurchefant, and Ysayle too.

[ She laughs again. ] That wouldn't be a very interesting story, at least not at first.

[ He pauses in his steps in order to look at her. Although she cannot see his face underneath, save for the lower half, one might tell his gaze has softened. Oh, how he does long to tell her all that he can. The boyish dream of being recognized by his heroes, to have them see what lengths he has gone to ensure the future of their star. Yet... simple praises and recognition are not why has done what he has. It is the safety of their star, and the safety of the Warriors of Light, that matters the most. ]

As I have said, I am the leader of a group of people. Though they are the ones who have built what we call home. I have understandings of arcane magicks and patches of history of our star.

[ What does he prefer most? Hm. A broad question. Perhaps she will specify. ]

You should speak to Count de Fortemps.

[ A vague statement, but he shall not explain too many details of the future. He knows she wishes him to speak of it but... ]

That depends on the one listening to the story. I, for one, would rather enjoy hearing the tale.

[ The answer, while not unexpected, does not tell her everything she wishes to know about him. But she merely nods, finally deciding to accept that until whatever time he decides is right, she will just have to accept that this is the way things are.

She reasons that surely he can tell her a little about his personal preferences: pastimes, likes and dislikes, that sort of thing. ]

When you aren't leading, what do you do with yourself? [ She imagines that like all leaders, the times when he isn't being one are rare, but everyone must have some periods of downtime, however brief. ]

I know you can't tell me very much, but can you tell me what your favorite foods are? [ It might seem silly, even inconsequential, but at this point, she'll take learning what she can about him. ]

I study. Read. Learn.

[ What comes must be stopped at all costs. Their star must be saved, and he intends to do all that he must to see it through till the very end. Or, at least, as much of an end as fate will allow him to play. It is not his tale, but the tale of the brave Sisters of Light.

He can tell that his answers have left her wanting more than he intended. A pause is given as he mulls over what he might share with her. Something that perhaps she had never known as to not ascertain his identity. ]

When I was a younger man, I would spend hours studying. So much, in fact, that my peers would need remind me to eat. T here was a small cafe at the harbor... one dedicated entirely to the design and art of crafting the most amazing food. I found myself always partial to what they called a 'hamburger.'

[ A chuckle then, as if he is remembering a time long past. ] Although, truth be told, I namely ate to sustain myself to further my studies. It was not often that I would eat simply to enjoy food. Such was the attitude of most my peers, actually.

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