synthneon | echoes of truth | ❝ tales of loss and fire and flame. ❞

I could be wrong, but I always thought that Alkaid wanted to one day put down roots. I think that she likes to travel and to help the people that she meets, but she wants to have a home of her own.

We have talked about what we both want in the future, but it's hard for me to picture a future apart from being a Scion.

[ She truly would not mind retiring from the Scions but remaining a Warrior of Light, but having more freedom to travel where and when she wishes to. For now, though, it seems as though there is still much she can do as a member of the Scions. ]

Does anything help with the turning? [ She wonders if another's touch would at least provide some comfort, or ease the unpleasantness of the process. ]

Ah, I see. Perhaps her time in Gridania made her far more of a home body? [ He offers the comment in a light jest. Perhaps it has simply how the two sisters have always differed. ] Thus, setting down permanent roots not quite what you wish for. It certainly does leave you without a traveling companion, for whenever she decides she has had her fill.

[ The Exarch refrains from further comments. It is quite obvious that the future her sister wishes for has fallen into jeopardy now that the man she is betrothed to is tempered. While he would not claim a stake or a part in solving tempering? The Exarch will gladly do all that he can to give a future desired by his heroes. They, after all, have given him one when one should not exist. ]

And, given what I have seen of the Scions here on the First, none would travel in such a way. They are far more concerned with their own affairs.

[ He looks down at his mispaired hands. Oh, how he longs to travel with her. Such a thing might seem impossible, and yet, he has taken steps in order to return to the Source. The same way in which the Scions returned... but it would require his younger self to take the memories and knowledge into himself.

Even then, who is to say K'thisru would wish him as a traveling companion? She had rebuked him once, as a younger man, and "like" is far from what he feels for her. Rather, it is not a deep enough word for it. ]

None that I have found. Although, [ A sheepish expression takes his face then, ] I admittedly have not done much to look into such a thing.

Edited 2022-06-27 01:36 (UTC)

[ Her response is just to nod slowly, because in all honesty, when the day comes that her sister finally retires from traveling, she is unsure what exactly she will do with herself: continue traveling, perhaps, but the prospect of doing so alone is not exactly appealing. Not that she intends to tell Alkaid as much, because they are both free to go their separate ways.

And of course, as the Exarch as thought, now is not the time for plans for the future. There may not even be a future if the worst happens and Aymeric cannot be recovered. K'thisru vastly prefers being hopeful to being a realist, especially in the case of her sister and Aymeric, but even so, that thought has entered her mind. ]

They do travel, but only when tasked to go somewhere or when it relates to whatever they are working on. [ She nods her agreement with his assumption. ]

I see. So if nothing helps with that, then... [ Healing him obviously will not do any good, as he seems resolved to continue on with his charge and his mission, but there is a part of her that wishes she or someone else could take his place. ] Would a rub or a massage help with the discomfort?

[ She knows full well how that sounds and that he might be put off by the offer, but she makes it regardless. ]

[ The Exarch intends to do everything in his power to see a hopeful future come true. The sisters have worked miracles for all of them, and now he can finally return the favor. While it may have the direct effect of saving Ser Aymeric? The prospect of curing tempering as a whole... it truly is a marvel in his mind. ]

Ah, ever duty bound. Adventuring for the thrill of it... [ he nods in understanding. He looks back to with a gentle smile. ] There could be a way to aid the pain, I simply have not thought to look into it.

[ His ears bend down slightly as he raises his hand to his crystal arm. ] If you have a rub or something in mind, you are welcome to try.

[ Suddenly, the conversation about the Scions and all worries she has for Aymeric and her sister flee from her mind. She has not forgotten about them, at least not as far as her sister and the man she loves are concerned, but the Exarch's words are still ringing in her ears.

She thought he would dismiss her: politely, of course, but it would still be a dismissal. Her ears spring up once and then fold back down against her head. ]

Oh, I- I thought that maybe I could try and rub your arm, that it might help... [ What a silly idea in hindsight, she says to herself. ] But that was a silly thought to have, wasn't it?

[ Silly and too forward, as always. ]

[ The Exarch would never dismiss or push her away. Perhaps he is simply inept at truly explaining his feelings, no matter how hard he tries. Ironic, truly, considering his time pouring over books and stories. He might do well in explaining things as a historian and an Archon... but naught much else. What other words might he use to explain how much he loves her and wishes that there be no space between them? Ah, a fools hope, in the end. She is a Warrior of Light and destined to do far greater things than he could ever dream of. Adventures to have ... even if his idea were to truly come to fruition.

His ruby eyes cast once more to the screens that stretch to the ceiling with his arm remaining stretched out to hers. There is truly no point in dwelling over it all. His mission was a success and now there is one he might help her with. His attention should be on such a thing, letting her rest as he waits for the Tower to pull the information they search for. ]

You, as ever, are free to do as you would like, Thisru. [ The Exarch forces a smile for her, tucking away emotions better left to himself. ] One may never know the outcome of things until they try it.

[ Or perhaps she has been too blinded by her need to find adventure to truly slow down and see that he has been right in front of her for quite some time now. Part of her still feels that she could never hold a candle to him, and yet she would be lying if she said her thoughts and feelings are not beginning to turn a little bit at a time. ]

Are you sure? I wouldn't want to make you uncomfortable. [ But in spite of herself, she gives his arm a hesitant rub, as if waiting to see if he likes it or will ask her to refrain rather than continue. ] I don't have healing magic like my sister does, or I would try to ease things for you that way.

When one has lived with discomfort for a century? Believe me when I say that your company soothes many aches. The discomfort is of my own actions and choices.

[ At her gentle rub, his eyes involuntarily close. The tips of his ears give a small twitch, and underneath all the robes, his tail flicks as well. A jolt of electricity goes up his arm, surprising him that he even has sensation left in what has become crystal. Still, the motions are comforting, and it takes his willpower to not to relax entirely on her. ]

Has she never taught you the art? [ The Exarch is surprised more than anything. ] Still, not all healing comes from magic we possess. I would wager that sometimes the simple act of caring can heal many wounds.

That may be, but part of me still believes that you shouldn't have to. And if I could do something about it, I would.

[ But she finds herself encouraged by his reaction, because she expected him not to react at all. If he were to relax on her, she wouldn't pull away. Instead, she'd try to hold onto him and continue the comforting motions. ]

She has, but she's more gifted at it than I am, and that's saying something. [ She hesitates for a moment before adding in response: ] Well, I- I care for you. And so do so many around here.

'Tis a choice of my own making, Thisru. I was asked to perform this task--to carry the hope of all those who wished to save the world from the drastic state that the Eighth Umbral Calamity wrought. [ He smiles sadly, and yet fondly, as he looks down at the stylized floor. ] I remember thinking that if I could not only see their wishes fulfilled, but save the heroes that I adored? Not only that, but save the lives they could of lived with those that they cherished? It would be all worth it. And, it has been worth it, and will continue to be worth it. Every step of it.

[ His ear closest to her twitches. ] Ah, so your studies of the magicks are not just simply due to choices, but natural talents as well. I would presume then as the trade off, your sister is far from skilled at creating arcane creations?

[ As to which he realizes he has not seen K'thisru's trusted carbuncle yet this evening. ]

And as such I have been able to carry a great many things thanks to the care of all of you. What we have achieved, my friend, has been made possible due to all of our parts. Not just mine.

At the very least, you should not have to carry it alone. [ And perhaps that is what truly bothers her the most about this. She understands the need to carry responsibilities and to feel responsible for carrying the hopes of others, but it does not have to be a task that is done alone. ] Even my sister and I have had help along the way. I think we wouldn't have gotten this far otherwise.

[ And while she does not wish to seem as though she is arguing, she adds: ] What about your wishes? Could someone see those fulfilled for you? [ She purposefully leaves that vague, but she knows that she herself wishes she could do something for him in return. ]

As far as I know, her skills lie more in healing, not in making things, but I wonder if she studied it, even just a little. [ She is hardly the most dedicated scholar, but in her opinion, everything has a little bit of an overlap.

And at those words, she places her hands on her hips and shakes her head at him with a touch of lighthearted exasperation. ]

Then why not let us carry more of those things for you?

I would imagine the many people of the Crystarium would say they have helped me carry it... and now, you and your sister. [ He smiles gently at her. ] After all, who else could make the hopes and dreams of so many come true if not the people themselves and their heroes?

[ The Exarch pauses. ] I suppose I never thought much of it. I had put my own wishes and desires to the side for so long... Perhaps I will make a list and see if it meets your approval?

[ It is not difficult to follow the lines of thought to see that K'thisru implies herself.

As to the details of her sister, the Exarch tilts his head in thought. It is certainly something he intends to ask at a later time. Perhaps it is more an academic perspective of how the two sisters use their aether in different yet complimentary ways. ]

You would stay on the First and help lead the Crystarium? [ He chuckles. ] I would not dream of anchoring you to one place in such a way. Instead... perhaps you could tell me stories of what has happened on the Source? All the details of what has happened to Ishgard, the tempering, but even before then. How has the war fared against the Empire? What hidden treasures have you found on the Source? That way, as shameful as it is to admit, I might live the adventures as if I was beside you all along.

[ His words make her pause; it was not her intention to place herself or her sister on the same level as those of the Crystarium. After all, they have known the Exarch for far longer and have been with him through so much. But regardless, she intends to offer what support that she can. ]

I think that you can still do your duty and go after your hopes and desires too.

[ She smiles again and nods. ] I would like to see that. And as for stories, there are so many of them, but I'd tell you all of them, if you wanted.

[ For now, she keeps her own wish to herself, but one day, she wants to take him on his own adventure so that he does not have to simply rely on stories told to him by others. ]

But where to begin? [ He asked for news about what happened on the Source, and that is a good place to start. Her question is more for effect than anything else. She may not be the star's best storyteller, but she has learned a thing or two from whose who can claim to be that. ]

Hm. I wonder if I truly could.

[ The task of seeing the Warriors of Light to live another day aside, there is still the duty given to him by his bloodline. He is the caretaker and host of the Crystal Tower. The secrets and knowledge it contains are for him to not only learn, but use to guide things to a future that those not stricken by Emperor Xande's madness hoped to see. At one point his days of adventuring would need to end to see that with fulfilled. ]

Tell me one of the adventurer that brought you the greatest joy by its end. I have a rather academic knowledge of your adventures after I locked myself away within the Tower. That knowledge, however, always pales in comparison to the first hand account.

[ The Exarch shifts against her, if only to lay down beside her as the screens continue to shift through the information held within the databanks of the Crystal Tower. Once settled, his hand returns to rest on hers as he waits to hear what story she decides to share with him. ]

I'm certain that you could. [ If she has to walk with him and give him a supportive push every now and then, then that is what she will do. ]

The greatest joy, you say? [ She pauses for a moment to think about that. Not all of the adventures that she has had ended joyfully, but there is one that gave her joy and excitement for the future both.

Almost without thinking, she shifts so that she is a little bit closer to him, pressed against him but not in an uncomfortable way, and she smiles with contentment as she begins relating a tale of a long drawn out war, of brave companions, and of newfound understandings forged with those who were once considered enemies. And at the end of it all, war became turned into peace.

As she talks, she thinks about how nice this is, to be sharing this moment with him, and she resolves to have more of these times together with him. ]

echoes of truth | ❝ tales of loss and fire and flame. ❞

BOOK 3.5: EVER HEAVENSWARD

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/starts to wrap this up (so we can start another with them ho ho ho)

hohoho