𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓬𝓻𝔂𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓵 𝓮𝔁𝓪𝓻𝓬𝓱. (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
crystallinedreams) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
synthneon2022-03-09 10:17 pm
crystallinedreams) wrote in synthneon2022-03-09 10:17 pm
Entry tags:
FF PSL | ❝ two-toned echoes tumbling through time. ❞
To this riddle all souls are tied
Brief our moments, brazen and bright
Forged in fury, tempered in ice
no subject
The laces are not so many that he cannot manage them, but neither is he rushing through the steps of readying her for bed. While he works, he waits for her response, waiting to hear the sound of her voice that he has come to love so much.
When it finally comes, he falls silent, waiting to hear what she would say. She has spoken of her clan and the way that things work within Miqo'te society, but it is all very new to him, and he would be the first to admit that he does not know very much about how things function within different societies such as the one she came from.
His gaze softens at the knowledge that she and her sister parted ways, at least for a time, and that she found herself without a companion during several Starlight Celebrations. If he had known her then, he knows he would have loved to attend with her so that neither of them would be alone. But, he reasons, depending upon how long ago it was when her travels began, he may well have been one of the Temple Knights. Perhaps he would have been stationed elsewhere and not been able to participate in the traditional festivities in Ishgard or anywhere else. Certainly the Knights did not travel far beyond their borders, so such a thought is a silly one at best. ]
You told me of this once before, how you did not wish to follow that particular clan tradition. It must have been difficult for you, distancing yourself from it and from your family as well. [ He cannot help but smile at the line of thinking his mind has taken, because as far as he is concerned, she is his family, and they will have children of their own, whether through adoption or natural means. ]
I am sure that you are far too kind-hearted to put any children of yours in such a situation. I do not mean offense when I say that it does not seem to be an ideal situation for children or for the mothers who raise them. [ Although he is positioned behind her so that he can work on unlacing her dress, something in her voice tells him that she is experiencing no small amount of distress because of her recollections.
He reaches forward intending to rest his hand upon one of hers, hoping to offer her comfort while she continues speaking. ]
I must admit that although I did not seek out the largest of trees from our own celebrations in Ishgard, I did find myself spending at least a little time looking at the stars and wondering something similar to the thoughts you had.
[ He shakes his head once, and he lightly curls his fingers around hers. ]
I asked to hear something I had not heard before, whether happy or sad, because I- Well, I must admit that I rather like hearing you speak.
[ It is just another thing that he files away within his mind to keep him company while she is away on her various adventures, but truthfully, he simply enjoys speaking with her and hearing what she might say about any given subject. ]
no subject
[ She merely nods to his thoughts regarding the situation in which she grew up in. Her hand curls tightly around his, holding it to her breast. Of course, she knows she will need to let go in order to finish moving out of her robes. Yet, she finds she does not want to let go of him for any reason. Instead, she turns to face him, raising one hand to brush the tears from her face. ]
I m-may not have caught your eye as just a conjurer... not even a white mage. [ A sad smile touches her face then, looking down at the floor. After all, they met because she is a Warrior of Light. Nothing else would have most likely caused their paths to eventually converge as they have. ] I was always skilled at healing arts, but, I doubt I would have stood out against the astrologians of Ishgard at the time.
[ She squeezes his hand one last time before letting go of it--only so that she may start slipping out of the robes she wears. Alkaid pauses once she steps out of the robes, realizing she still wears her boots and garter belts. She blushes, despite the tear streaks, shifting side-to-side. Had she felt more like her regular confident self? She would have turned it into a tease or at least something seductive. Instead, she feels as if who she usually is has been stripped away and she's left trying to be who they all might expect her to be. ]
I-I hope it's not too much...
no subject
I suppose I must ask a question in that case. Would you and your sister prefer it if your places of residence were closer to each other? [ Ishgard is not exactly centrally located, and while he does not know where K'thisru intends to settle down, if either sister expressed an interest in moving closer to each other, he would certainly oblige. What remains of the household staff could maintain the manor in his absence, and he would certainly visit often to see to his affairs. ]
Even if you were merely an adventurer who wandered the worlds freely and as she willed, I believe you would have still caught my eye. [ Are they not destined to be together, after all? ] As famed as Ishgard's astrologians are, they are not you. I understand that my own feelings towards you may well cloud my judgment, but you shine brighter than all of them combined.
[ The moment she steps out of her robes and her boots and garter belts are revealed, his gaze travels to them and his eyebrows lift with surprise. ]
You look beautiful in anything and everything that you choose to wear. [ And although it is not the clothing he is accustomed to, he loves to see her different outfits and how she might look when he sees her next. ]
You are the most beautiful, if there was ever any doubt.
no subject
If only she felt as if she could truly express it. ]
N-no, Aymeric, please. The manor is fine. [ She shakes her head, ponytail bouncing side-to-side with the free strands brushing along her cheeks. ] I ... I don't think Thisru has ever thought to settle down anywhere. If anything? She needs a place to stay and call home. O-one that is offered to her, on the other hand...
[ Her ears raise slightly at what he says next. Alkaid stands in place, feeling the importance of each word wash over her. Her hands shake lightly underneath the fabric of her robes that she holds in front of her. After a long moment, Alkaid drops the robes to the floor and takes a timid half-step towards him. Her eyes move to her belts and boots. ]
I'm... I'm truly not all everyone thinks me to be. I'm... [ broken, terrified, hurt, and lost. ] I...
[ A moment passes before her shaking hands reach for his once more. Her fingers brush along his before she guides them to rest against the places he will need to be to undo the belts. Her hand stay atop his as she desperately tries to muster a lighter comment, a tease, a flirt. Something that seems more like the woman he knows. Instead, all that comes to mind is the fear that she might never be the person he can so clearly see. ]
I only want to be your lady. E-even if I'm... even if I... I can't be the woman you fell in love with.
[ She flinches then, as if finally saying the words out loud struck her in some manner. A few more tears stream down her face before she utters yet another apology. Aymeric has insisted otherwise, but she cannot shake the fear that he might ask her to leave if she cannot recover. The fear, deep down, that Emet-Selch managed to take away their relationship by breaking her. ]
no subject
My only desire, Lantaa, is to ensure your happiness and well-being, and that extends to your sister as well. If a life in Ishgard is not what you desire, I would not force it upon you. Instead, I will move mountains if I must to ensure that the pair of you have a home that suits you and is in line with your desires.
[ He can at least do that much, even if he finds himself at a loss for how best to help her with her thornier issues, the ones that will not be uprooted so easily. ]
You are yourself and that is all I could ever hope for and dream of. But if you will allow me to assist you, I would want for nothing else. You have been through a great many trials and I can see the effect they have had on you. What might I do to ease your hurts?
[ Affirmation of his love and desire to be married to her, of course. And so he reiterates that very thing: ] No matter what happens, and no matter how many trials you must go through, you are my lady and the one I wish to live out the rest of my days with. That has not, nor will it, changed.
no subject
[ She is aware that the outburst is very unlike her, but something deep inside demands that she make him aware of this. Her hands suddenly clamp down around his where the belts begin, ears pressed to her head, and eyes narrowed. Despite all her efforts, her lower lip trembles. ]
I don't wish to be anywhere else--not if it means leaving you behind. Al they do is ask of Thisru and I, ask and ask, pushing us so far! They don't consider the strain or the pain we endure... except Thisru is the strong one. The one they should truly call the Warrior of Light. No matter what, she pushes on, and carries on, while. I... I'm the one who broke... and they don't think a thing of it...
[ Her gaze falls to the floor in between them, a frown settled deep on her face. What might he do to ease her hurts? He does enough--more than enough--already to do that. Yet, there is one thing that she wishes to ask of him. One thing that is so incredibly unrealistic and they both are very much aware of it. Her forehead rests to his and her eyes close. Even knowing it, she cannot help the words coming out: ]
...don't let them take me away again.
no subject
Long as he thought that too much has been asked and required of them, and he has seen the proof of the wounds they have taken. The longer she speaks, he finds himself shaking his head with each word. ]
YYou are strong. You and your sister both are the strongest individuals that I know. After all, you carry so much... so much that we have unfairly placed upon you, and still you keep pressing forward. Yes, you press forward as well, Lantaa. You are every bit the Warrior of Light, and you are-
[ His voice falters as his emotions begin to spiral slightly out of his control, threatening to shatter the impassive expression he customarily wears. ]
I will not, no matter what reprisals may come my way. [ Their hands are already tightly clasped, but he curls his fingers further around hers as if to emphasize that he will not be letting her go, nor will he allow anyone to take her from him. ]
If I must speak to the Scions on your behalf and inform them that you will be staying, then I will.
/wraps this one up too
Her eyebrows draw together at the rare show of the emotions beneath the stoic mantle he wears. Alkaid curls against him, tucking herself against his chest and in his hold as if to apologize for her display. She nods to his declarations and shuts her eyes, hiding her face in his chest. She trust and believes in what he says; that he will not let any take her away from him in this moment. ]