[ Perhaps she is far too selfless to the point of it being damaging. There is always a need or a want to put before her own; some far away place that struggles and calls upon the Warriors of Light to aid and fix their woes. However, as she stands and listens to what he says, it is apparent he is in need of her now. Not just as a Savior of Ishgard or Champion of Eorzea, Hydaelyn's Chosen. As his wife and lady, Lantaa.
His request does not go unheard. She merely chooses to address it next. Perhaps this bath ought to be less of one by traditional standards and more as a soak that they have in onsens in the Far East. There are no injuries to heal by her white magic, but his heart to calm. She directs his aether once more to the places of contention in his back and neck before guiding him to once again lean against the porcelain and her chest. ]
People must wish to be united in order for you to do so, Aymeric. All you can do is offer them the path you believe in your heart is the right one. Not all will agree with you, and not all will enjoy their world changing. However, things must change, as I know you know. [ Her hand, now wet, lifts and rests over his heart. She leans against the bath in order to rest her chin on his shoulder so he might see her from the corner of his eye. ] You have allies not only in the Alliance, but the dragons as well. Perhaps you ought to seek the council of Vidnofir? I will gladly travel with you if you find that a plausible path.
As for what troubles me...
[ She gently slips away from him in order to stand beside the bath. Her fingers raise behind her to undo the ties of her small clothes at the top, then slides the ones at the bottom off. Then, her hands quickly raise to her longer hair still in a braid to place it into an odd bun at the top of her head. Alkaid slips into the bath as if it was the most natural thing in the world and an experience they have shared once before. She gives him a playful smirk before turning to face him. With one fluid motion she sets herself in the water to sit in front of him. Her hands move to rest on either side of his waist. There, she stops, waiting to gauge his reaction. ]
There were things that happened on the First, yes. Things that answered many questions that I had regarding the Ascians and the world before it was sundered. Even things about Hydaelyn, and so much more. But... those things can wait until the morning. I would have you rested and a mind not burdened by exhaustion and loneliness. I... I do not wish to pile so much on top of you once again. [ With a frown on her face, it is evident there is still guilt for explaining the things of the First the way she had before. Part of her worries still that it might be too much to come to terms with. ] I...
[ Alkaid's gaze drops for a moment. ] I worry that I'm the one that is still burdened by things we truly cannot remember in whole. W-what if I'm the only one that feels what I do so deep that it seems to come from my soul? [ Then, she sits between his legs, ears lowering ever so slightly. Why she feels what she does certainly makes sense now. It is her charge, her duty, the one she shares with her sister. Alkaid takes his folded hands into hers and raises them to rest against her heart. ] I worry that by attempting to explain how I feel, and the source of it all, that I've only caused you more hurt and confusion on top of all else that you are burdened with.
I know you hurt, Aymeric. There is no doubt in my mind of what you say or how you express it. A look overcomes your eyes and your posture. Perhaps none others can notice, but I do. What I wish is that you do not so much describe it to me ... but share that feeling of pain with me. Let me see it so I might help you push through it and try to heal what causes it. [ She raises her eyes to his finally with a timid smile. Ultimately, she knows that leaving again and again has caused him a great deal of hurt. If nothing else, she wishes to heal what she has done to him, even if the nature of her calling demands she be away. ] And, I will do the same, for I believe that there are no amount of words that can truly describe everything I feel for you. B-but... if you would rather not... then I will find different ways to tell you...
no subject
His request does not go unheard. She merely chooses to address it next. Perhaps this bath ought to be less of one by traditional standards and more as a soak that they have in onsens in the Far East. There are no injuries to heal by her white magic, but his heart to calm. She directs his aether once more to the places of contention in his back and neck before guiding him to once again lean against the porcelain and her chest. ]
People must wish to be united in order for you to do so, Aymeric. All you can do is offer them the path you believe in your heart is the right one. Not all will agree with you, and not all will enjoy their world changing. However, things must change, as I know you know. [ Her hand, now wet, lifts and rests over his heart. She leans against the bath in order to rest her chin on his shoulder so he might see her from the corner of his eye. ] You have allies not only in the Alliance, but the dragons as well. Perhaps you ought to seek the council of Vidnofir? I will gladly travel with you if you find that a plausible path.
As for what troubles me...
[ She gently slips away from him in order to stand beside the bath. Her fingers raise behind her to undo the ties of her small clothes at the top, then slides the ones at the bottom off. Then, her hands quickly raise to her longer hair still in a braid to place it into an odd bun at the top of her head. Alkaid slips into the bath as if it was the most natural thing in the world and an experience they have shared once before. She gives him a playful smirk before turning to face him. With one fluid motion she sets herself in the water to sit in front of him. Her hands move to rest on either side of his waist. There, she stops, waiting to gauge his reaction. ]
There were things that happened on the First, yes. Things that answered many questions that I had regarding the Ascians and the world before it was sundered. Even things about Hydaelyn, and so much more. But... those things can wait until the morning. I would have you rested and a mind not burdened by exhaustion and loneliness. I... I do not wish to pile so much on top of you once again. [ With a frown on her face, it is evident there is still guilt for explaining the things of the First the way she had before. Part of her worries still that it might be too much to come to terms with. ] I...
[ Alkaid's gaze drops for a moment. ] I worry that I'm the one that is still burdened by things we truly cannot remember in whole. W-what if I'm the only one that feels what I do so deep that it seems to come from my soul? [ Then, she sits between his legs, ears lowering ever so slightly. Why she feels what she does certainly makes sense now. It is her charge, her duty, the one she shares with her sister. Alkaid takes his folded hands into hers and raises them to rest against her heart. ] I worry that by attempting to explain how I feel, and the source of it all, that I've only caused you more hurt and confusion on top of all else that you are burdened with.
I know you hurt, Aymeric. There is no doubt in my mind of what you say or how you express it. A look overcomes your eyes and your posture. Perhaps none others can notice, but I do. What I wish is that you do not so much describe it to me ... but share that feeling of pain with me. Let me see it so I might help you push through it and try to heal what causes it. [ She raises her eyes to his finally with a timid smile. Ultimately, she knows that leaving again and again has caused him a great deal of hurt. If nothing else, she wishes to heal what she has done to him, even if the nature of her calling demands she be away. ] And, I will do the same, for I believe that there are no amount of words that can truly describe everything I feel for you. B-but... if you would rather not... then I will find different ways to tell you...