FF PSL | ❝ two-toned echoes tumbling through time. ❞

[crystallinedreams]

song of hope

BOOK 3: TWO-TONED ECHOES

One brings shadow, one brings light
To this riddle all souls are tied
Brief our moments, brazen and bright
Forged in fury, tempered in iceCODE BY TESSISAMESS

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꧁༺ shadowbringers (5.0) ༻꧂

[crystallinedreams]

Stand tall my friend
May all the dark lost inside you find light again
In time tumbling turning we seek amends
Eternal winds to the land descend
Our journey will never end

☀️ the crystarium, amh araeng, and kholusia — chapter one.

[crystallinedreams]

🌟 lakeland — chapter two.

[crystallinedreams]

[crystallinedreams]

[ The night had returned.

The Crsytal Exarch almost could not believe it. If he had not seen the sisters take the light upon themselves from the Lightwarden? He would believe he was dreaming. Part of him had always wondered if perhaps his plan may not work. It was incredibly risky, and not without its faults. However, the sisters agrees in the end... even if there seemed to be hesitation on their parts at first.

The Warriors of Darkness. An... apt name, if not a tad on the nose. Yet, the First had its traditions and its lore.

Now, he stands in the plaza outside the Crystal Tower. His head tilted back as he marvels at the stars that glitter back at him. His ruby eyes seem to almost glow at seeing them. And, for the first time in some time, his hood is removed.

How long has he waited for this? How many lives has he seen come and go for the hope that this might be the outcome?

Hope...

His crystal hand raises to rest on his breast for a moment. Then, he reaches up and places the hood back upon his head. The Crystarium is oddly still the first time night has been seen in one hundred years. However, he knows that is because there is a celebration planned for the next night. One that he is certain to have a surprise for the particular Warrior of Darkness that reminded him how to have joy. A reminder that he then brought to his people.

A smile spreads on his face then. For the first time in quite a long time, he truly believes his plan may yet work. ]

wrong icon, oh well

[elpides]

[ With the return of night, K'thisru and her other companions were given some time for a brief rest following the defeat of the Lightwarden, and for her part, she spent the time marveling over everything that had happened. Naturally, the return of night did not hold the same significance for her as it did the people who called Norvrandt and the Crystarium home, but even so, she knew that what they had done was a great step forward for their newfound friends and allies.

She has already resolved to continue looking for and dispatching the Lightwardens, as many that remain, and her convictions seem sound and unlikely to waver.

But as she stands inside the room provided to her by the Exarch and surveys herself in the mirror, she wonders how much she will change as this goes on. Taking the light from the Lightwarden was, and is, a necessary thing, but she cannot help but wonder what else might happen to her and her sister going forward.

But, standing here lost in thought, is not helping her very much, so she decides to pull herself from her thoughts and go out amongst the people: namely, one person in particular if she might find him.

And find him, she does, although it took a little searching. She arrives after he has placed his hood back upon his head, but he remains there still, head tilted back as he surveys the stars above him. She quietly makes her approach, not wishing to surprise or startle him.

For just a moment, she stands slightly behind him, also watching the stars twinkling above him while she waits for him to take notice of her arrival. If he does not, of course she will announce herself, but she cannot pretend that it is not nice to just stand still for a little while. ]

[crystallinedreams]

[ Alkaid sits in the window of their shared room and insists that K'Thsiru go and see the changes of night. She, herself, has been admiring them from the window seat. The stars seem backward on the First--then again, it is just a different perspective. Regardless, she pulls her growing black hair off to the side and points to the door. She is more than aware her sister has worried over the Exarch and his people long before they even arrived. Thus, clearly, she ought to go to them and make certain they are well. It seems rather obvious in her mind; to the point she is willing to push her sister out if necessary.

The Exarch's ears twitch slightly at the arrival of one of the newly minted Warriors of Darkness. A title borrowed from a fable of the First, but it is certainly fitting. They did, after all, return night to Lakeland.

He turns to look at K'thisru with a smile. There is some hesitation in his movements. After all, she has every right to be cross and even angry with him. He was hardly forthcoming has he asked the sisters to join him here. Let alone that, his aim was quite of... ]

K'thisru, come to enjoy the stars this late at night?

[elpides]

[ Even as she says a temporary goodbye to her sister as she heads out to see what there is to be seen, she feels guilty for leaving her behind. It does not seem right that she has to be separated from Aymeric as often as she does. If she did not feel like going for a walk and seeing the sights, she would have just stayed in the room with Alkaid and spent time with her.

But instead, she finds herself outside and before she knows it, her presence has been noticed by the Exarch. Suddenly feeling a little shy, she scrapes the toe of her boot along the ground. ]

Well, yes, and- I wanted to see how you were.

[crystallinedreams]

[ And yet, her sister would insist that K'thisru go and see the city. She is aware that the younger Warrior of Light has spent so much time worrying and fretting over the Crystarium and the state of her people -- long before she even knew who they were. Alkaid can be by herself for some time. In a way, she almost would prefer it for a time. She would rather not people see how lonely she feels inside being so far away from the man she will one day call husband.

The Exarch's ruby eyes move to the movement of the open toed boot she wears. A gentle smile takes his face then. He had rarely seen her so bashful all those years ago underneath the glowing Crystal Tower. That is when he realizes that they find themselves rather in the same way once more. His gaze moves to the Tower that looms over them. ]

I am well. While time away from the Tower drains me, I have recovered since our return to the Crystarium. [ His crystal hand raises and gestures to the structure above them. ] Have you and your sister been fairing well? No ill effects from the Lightwarden?

[elpides]

[ Even so, K'thisru means to keep the visit short, so as not to leave her sister alone for too long. She understands wishing to be alone, but she would feel a tremendous amount of guilt if she stayed with the Exarch for an extended period of time and was not there for her sister if she needed her.

For now, however, she turns her attentions to the man before her, being unaware of any thoughts or recollections he might be having of a time so many years ago. In her eyes, he is still an enigmatic stranger, but someone she wishes to get to know better. ]

I think that you shouldn't push yourself so hard, necessity or not. But that isn't my decision. [ And she imagines that he doesn't particularly want her opinion on the subject. ] We have, yes. I think that both Alkaid and I are all right, but- I know she misses home.

[ And she wonders if something besides missing Ishgard and the man who waits there for her is troubling her sister, but she is still watching and waiting to see if her suspicions are correct. Even if they are, she would rather speak to her sister about them first. ]

I miss it too, but I'm sure we'll find our way back there eventually.

🧚 il mheg — chapter three.

[crystallinedreams]

[shepherdtostars]

[ Evening settles upon Il Mheg, and while it seems an odd time to seek a quiet dinner? That is exactly what Alkaid does. She has left the Crystarium without much of a word to anyone, small basket in her hands, and a set of blankets. The excursion may be something more of camping than a picnic, given the time of day, but Alkaid seeks the quiet awe that night brings to the First. Especially away from the wonder and awe over the Warriors of Darkness that she and K'thisru have become.

She takes a seat underneath a tree near Longmirror Lake. From her seat, she can see the remnants of the Kingdom of Voeburt. A deep sorrow has laid in her heart since Ardbert revealed the identity of the once nation. The First's reflection of Corethas... Ishgard... home. She hadn't been able to shake the images in her mind of Ishgard destroyed and barren since then.

What has Black Rose done while she has been away? Is everyone still safe? Who has died and who hasn't? She pulls one of the blankets around her and huddles inside it. A soft sad sound comes from her as she curls further inside the blanket. Her hand clasps over the other as she brushes along the ring covered by her fingerless gloves. She tells herself again and again there is no point in hurting or missing that one person in particular. It does not change the fact they are currently worlds apart and will be until they save the First.

That does not help how it feels that part of her is not only missing, but has been torn away. ]

[elpides]

[ Lately, a sort of restlessness has driven K'thisru's steps. They have dispatched one Lightwarden, but there are others that need to be seen to. And that aside, she finds her thoughts being pulled in several different directions: to the plight of Ardbert, who wanders the First as a ghost; to the Exarch, who still represents a curiosity to her; and finally, to their home on Eorzea. She wonders how their friends and family there fare, and if there have been any further losses. She sincerely hopes that there have not been, but they are in a fight for survival there just as they are here.

She wishes she could reach out to them and help them too, but for the moment, it seems as though her place is on the First.

It was a considerable punch to the gut when she realized the link between the locations of the First. That Voeburt is the First's reflection of Coerthas had not occurred to her until Ardbert revealed that to them, and now she cannot help but feel no small amount of sadness for the people who live here. And selfishly, it makes her miss home even more.

Eventually, even though it is evening, her wandering steps lead her to part of the shoreline around Longmirror Lake. Coincidentally, she spots Alkaid there. If she had not been watching as she set up the blankets and the basket, she would not have known it was her, given how she wrapped herself up in one of the blankets.

She would be lying if she said she has not been worrying greatly about her sister since they came here. Being here has been hard on them both, but she thinks it has taken a greater toll on her sister. And so, with that thought in mind, she goes to see if she might join her. ]

Don't you think it's a little late for a picnic?

[ The small grin on her face points to the fact that she's not serious. ]

[shepherdtostars]

[ Alkaid looks up at the sound of her sister's voice. Of course. K'thisru could find her anywhere, even if she was hiding. Her head comes from the blanket and her ears pop up. She offers a small smile at the joke, reaching out for her sister to invite her. ]

Yes, but, night is so reverred, we could actually have one in peace. [ Then, she sits up and sets about easing the other blanket down for them to sit on. Once done, she holds the other blanket open so K'thisru can join her inside it. ] I... just wanted away from it all for a moment.

[ Hiding in their shared room given by the Exarch, or out away from the few cities that remain. She has stolen as little moments as she can. Mayhap something is wrong with her? She needed less of these as they traveled the Far East and Gyr Abania...

Alkaid looks down at her fingers. Her gaze catches her longer hair, now a dirty blonde and light pink compared to how it had just been a few days ago. Two Lightwardens felled; the light shared between the two sisters. ]

Are you well?

[elpides]

[ At her sister's words, K'thisru tilts her head back and looks at the sky above them. ] It is nice to have it looking this way instead of being so bright all the time. I can only imagine what the people who live here must be thinking.

[ But her concern is still mostly for her sister, and she does not hesitate to sit beside her, sliding into the blanket she's holding open for her. ]

I'm fine. I should be asking you that. [ She thinks that her sister is not well, not at all, and she cannot blame her for that either. ]

[shepherdtostars]

You don't like the sky bathed in eternal light? [ The tone of her voice is that of her usual jest, even if it is quieter than it might normally be. ] I imagine most people alive now have never seen the stars.

[ Alkaid pats the blanket beside her for her sister to join. Once she has, Alkaid pulls the other blanket over and drapes it over their laps. She blinks at the statement, ears twitching slightly. ]

Why wouldn't I be? [ Her hand raises to her hair, usually pulled back with braids, that is down around her shoulder. She holds it up as if to gesture to its blonde appearance with lighter pink ends. ] Minus how my hair has changed.

[elpides]

Of course I don't! [ She huffs out an indignant sigh, all pretense, of course. ] I just got used to trying to sleep in that, and now we've turned the lights out. [ She can't hold back a laugh at that, because of the ridiculousness of it, and if her sister were in a better mood, she would lean in and give her a nudge in the side. ] I hope that this is everything they thought it would be. I can only imagine what they must be feeling, seeing the darkness finally come back.

[ K'thisru fingers her own strangely lightened hair, and for just a second, she looks a little worried. But she has greater things to be worried about than what her hair looks like. ]

Well, I think... I think that you're missing home. [ And implied in that is the name of a certain Lord Speaker. ]

☀️ the greatwood, the lightwardens, menfilia. — chapter four.

[crystallinedreams]

👼 the final lightwarden and the exarch — chapter five.

[crystallinedreams]

🌃 neath dark waters — chapter six.

[crystallinedreams]

🌠 tomorrow and tomorrow — finale.

[crystallinedreams]

{ return to ishgard.

[shepherdtostars]

[ Traveling by herself has been lonelier than she thought it might be.

Alkaid raises her gaze from underneath the large white hood of her cloak to look around the airship. Of course, she could have used the aetheryte to travel back to Ishgard from Mor Dhona. It would have even been the wise thing to do to avoid the loneliness. Yet, standing in front of it, and the idea of instantly moving back home seemed so very daunting for some reason. Something that was second nature had become something she not only hesitated at, but was almost scared of. She elected to take the long way home, hands in her lap, hood down over her face to hide her identity.

Even with the rising feeling of anxiousness bubbling inside her? Alkaid still wishes to be home. She wishes to surprise the man who she will be wed to. There has been no word sent that she is on her way. All Tataru has sent to the city-state leaders is that the Calamity had been avoided, and all is well. The Scions would return in due time, and the Warriors of Light had made contact with their organization. For a brief moment, a smile spreads on her face as she imagines the expression on her betrothed's face at seeing her home in one piece.

The airship comes to port and Alkaid makes her way to Manor Borel as fast as her feet might carry her. A few heads turn at the sight of a Miqo'te dashing through the streets of Ishgard, some even calling out to her with the title she and her sister share. None of it truly registers within her mind as she climbs the few steps to the manor and catches her breath. She knocks on the large wooden door and turns her head to make certain that her husband-to-be is nowhere in sight. The smile grows on her face as her gaze moves back to the opening door to be greeted by the ever faithful Steward. He opens the door and she steps inside, brushing the snow off the edge of her cloak. ]

Lord Borel hasn't made his way home yet--has he?

[ The Steward pauses only for a moment before smiling gently. ] No, Mistress Mercedes. He has been kept late with the dealings of the other citystates. The war, I hear.

[ Alkaid nods and practically beams with delight at the idea that perhaps she will surprise Aymeric. Happily, even. Her eyes widen as an excited sound escapes the head maid from down the hall. The head maid practically rushes her and pulls her into a hug, all the while commenting at how they had all missed her and K'thisru. Alkaid gives an embarrassed laugh before reaching up and pulling her white hood down, allowing her ears to pop up.

The head maid pauses at the sight before setting herself right. ] You've changed your hair... the look suits you!...

[ Alkaid's eyes focus on the head maid but seem to unfocus at the same time. She watches as the pair leave ahead of her, not quite hearing what is being spoken. Then, her gaze drifts to the mirror on the wall. She stares at the person looking back at her, and in a brief moment, she doesn't see herself. All she can see is the scars that remain from their time on the First. Not the scars that cover her cheeks or over her eye. No, these scars are the hair changed by primordial light, and one eye shifted to the hue of blue. The blue that Ardbert's eyes once were. Ardbert, who she can sense, is very far away. Perhaps he is with her sister then. Even so...

She hardly looks like K'lantaa, let alone Alkaid, or any other name she might have been known by.

If she cannot recognize herself... would Aymeric?

Who would he think is waiting to greet him at home? Lantaa, an imposter, or maybe the monster that Emet-Selch...

Fear runs up her spine and tears gather in her eyes. Her whole body begins to shake. The rational side of her tells her he'd see none of those things; that he'd know her no matter what happened to her appearance. Yet, even before she can come to terms with a rational way of thinking, she has spun on her heel and runs back outside with the door slamming shut behind her. The hood comes back around her head and is pulled down further so none might see her hair or changed eyes.

There is no destination in mind, no place she thinks to stop running. Anywhere would do. As long as it is away--far away--from anything that does not remind her of the monster she did become. The white aether escaping her and her sister, the body of light when she looked at her hands, the way the sound would narrow in and out. Ryne having to use her own abilities to keep the Light contained...

She has not realized even when she comes to a stop. Not until she has collapsed on the ground, leaning against something made of steel and rock. Alkaid slowly turns, pulling her knees to her chest and wrapping herself into as small of a ball as she can. The sounds of shops closing down the path should tell her she has reached the end of the Jeweled Crozier, but she can barely hear how she has started to cry, let alone anything else as the snow begins to fall. ]

[thewayforpeace]

[ As always, Aymeric's days fall into a sort of pattern as they typically do of their own accord. Every now and again, there are things that happen that disrupt his daily routine, but it seems to be the way the world turns that inevitably, everything settles back down and he and everyone else that he works alongside resume their normal routines.

The quality of his work and dealings with people remains the same as ever, because he knows how to focus his thoughts and his actions on what is needed of him. But in his mind, he is thinking of a pair of sisters who are far from home now and engaged in who knows what sort of endeavors. There is one sister in particular that he thinks of most often, as she is his betrothed, and although he has never begrudged her absence, he misses her most keenly. His home does not feel like a home without her in it, even though his companions do their best to brighten his spirits.

He has told them that they need not worry about him sinking into gloom while Alkaid is away, and yet the likes of the house steward and head maid attempt to do what they can, as do those in Ishgard who he considers friends. He appreciates all of their efforts, and they do certainly help.

But regardless, all he can do is wait for the day that they return, and he prays that when they do, they are well and in good health.

This particular day passes as all others have before it, aside from a minor issue concerning a pair of disgruntled members of both sides of the house, but it was settled in due course. Just as well, because Aymeric felt the beginnings of an ache in his head forming earlier that morning, and it has only increased as the hours dragged on.

Eventually, the end of day comes, and he sets his affairs to rights, speaks briefly with a few other members of the House of Lords, and upon concluding the day's business, he takes his leave.

It is only when he is certain that he is not being observed that he raises a hand to rub the side of his head. The headache has not lessened as he hoped it would, but at least he is heading home now and will be able to rest and relax as best as he can.

Finally, his steps lead him home, and he walks in through the doorway only to spot a very unusual and unsettling sight indeed. The steward and the maid are standing there in the entry, and the maid appears to be entirely distraught, wringing her hands as she speaks with the steward. ]

Is something the matter? [ Instantly, he is gripped by worry that something terrible has happened, because the maid appears very upset indeed.

She turns to face him and words practically spill from her as she relates how Alkaid returned home, only to practically flee from the house. They would not have known that she left had the door not slammed shut behind her in her haste.

As the maid continues to fret, Aymeric's emotions begin churning inside him as he wonders what this might mean. His first thought was one of sheer happiness that Alkaid had returned home, but it was shattered in the next instant when he learned that she ran away. ]

Why did she leave? [ The question isn't directed at either the steward or the maid, because of course, none of them have the answer to that. ]

I apologize for returning and then abruptly leaving, but I must find where she has gone.

[ He fears that she is hurt or otherwise unwell, and if she is, then being out of doors is the last thing that she needs. ]

I will do my best to return as quickly as I am able.

[ The steward nods his understanding and offers a brief bow, and the maid offers an apology that Aymeric is quick to gently wave away. Whatever is happening is not her doing, but he still means to find his betrothed and bring her home if she wishes to return.

Aymeric's search is methodical but driven by haste. He surveys the main areas of the city, the ones that see the most foot traffic, and he even takes the time to look down alleyways and out of the way places in case Alkaid has, for some reason, sequested herself there. He refuses to consider that she might have been accosted or attacked as he once was and took refuge in an alley, but he still checks each one that he comes across.

Finally, his steps take him to the Jeweled Crozier; by now, it is more or less emptied of people as the shops have closed for the day. He does not wish to despair that he will not find Alkaid, but where else could she be? If she is not in any of the more populated places, he will expand his search to the entire city if he must.

And should he need to, he will enlist the help of Lucia and Artoirel, if he can find them.

Yet again, his gaze sweeps over the empty area, and as he is about to give up on this particular location, his eyes spot something far at the end of the square. It is a lamppost, nothing particularly interesting, but there is something beneath it.

His heart leaps up into his throat, but this is a fool's hope at best, because why in the world would Alkaid be here, of all places? Still, his strides lengthen as he crosses to that lamppost, and as he grows nearer, he realizes it is a person crouched beneath the lamp, and they are clearly in distress.

Her face is obscured, but Aymeric does not need to see Alkaid's face to know that it is her. Without hesitation, he kneels down, ignoring the way the snow soaks in through the openings of his armor, and he gently says her name. ]

Lantaa?

[shepherdtostars]

[ Everything is jumbled in her mind. Memories play disjointedly, voices ring in her ears, and she feels the spike of terror and panic rise in her. She knows all of it has passed. She knows that Emet-Selch has been laid to rest, that the recreation of Amaurot will disappear one day, and that the First is safe. She is home on the Source, in Ishgard, and was going to greet her betrothed when he was home. Even knowing this, and her rational mind is desperately trying to grasp that, she feels as if she is in a never ending wheel of memories and emotions that play over and over again.

Weary wanderer... no fight left to fight. No life left to live!

The white robes created to mimic those of white mages in elden days do little to help in this moment. While not pure white as her and K'thisru's hands had been, it is close enough to bring forth the memories. Before Aymeric can reach her, she jerks as if hearing a loud sound. A gun shot. It rings in her ears and a beloved friend--the one her sister adores--falls to the ground. Sound hazes in and out once more, cries from soldiers of the Crystarium as the sin eaters fall on them, the gentle sounds of waves hitting sunken buildings. Votenburg--Ishgard. Home. All fallen to ruin and fire...

...you will succumb to your base instincts and hunt innocents to feast on their sweet, sweet aether.

No, no--no. She is a healer, not a monster. She uses her aether and the ambient aether around her to heal wounds, mend bones, and ease minds. The elementals of the Black Shroud entrusted her with the soul crystal of white mages from thousands of years ago. They entrusted it to her--to learn from, to grow, to teach it new experiences to perhaps train another white mage after her. She does not feast on aether... she would not... she could not...

K'thisru needs her. Aymeric needs her. The twins, Eorzea. The First. She's a Warrior of Light--

--Lantaa?

Her ears twitch underneath her white hood at the sound of her name; her real name. The voice voice gently pushes through Emet-Selch's anger and haunting words. His voice: her knight. The one she loves with all her heart and soul. The one who always finds her no matter where she might be to bring her home. Her hands raise, shaking uncontrollably, reaching out for him before the rest of her mind can even catch up to the notion.

Alkaid pivots towards him, hands finally finding the sash on his familiar armor. Her two-toned eyes raise to look at his figure, still obscured by her hood. The thought comes to her mind as to wondering why he is in his armor. He is Lord Speaker now, with no need for armor at home, unless something is wrong. Had an attack come while she was away? Or, was it simply habit? Her fingers curl into the sash. Then, she leans against him, her whole body shaking with tremors that the rational side of her mind tries to quell.

If he is present with her, then, she truly cannot be a monster. Everything is behind her. She attempts to say his name. All that leaves her is a cry that mimics the way his name sounds before her head presses to his chest. The cry becomes a sob. Aymeric is there, which means she truly is home, and far away from the memories her mind wishes to haunt her with. ]

[thewayforpeace]

[ In reality, it only seems to take a handful of minutes for her to respond, but to Aymeric, those minutes feel like hours. The thought occurs to him that whatever is going on with Alkaid, it is a similar thing to what soldiers experience who have lived through traumatic events. Participating at all in war is certainly a traumatic thing, but taking the life of another, even if it is an enemy, is another matter entirely.

He has seen signs of it in the men that he led as Lord Commander, and what he sees now before him only makes his fears increase. He already feels as though there is very little he can do to aid her in her responsibilities as Warrior of Light, and he has wondered what use he might be in assisting her with the other aspects of her responsibilities that are not so easily sorted, namely her emotional well-being.

When she reaches for his sash and then leans against him, he is quick to wrap his arms around her and hold her close. ]

I'm right here, Lantaa. [ He raises a hand to gently smooth down her hair while still holding her with his other hand. Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, he moves so that he might scoop her up off the ground and hold her that way. Clearly she needs rest, and she should not be out here in the elements, and he would not have her walk the distance back to their home.

He means to find out what is troubling her, but that can wait until she is home, resting, and has had something warm to drink. ]

Hold onto me if you need to; I will see us both home. [ And of course he realizes that she may not wish to go there as she ran from there in the first place, but he can hardly keep her warm out here, and their home is far more comfortable than the inn, even though it is a respectable place as well. ]

[shepherdtostars]

[ She melts against him, eyes drifting closed. A sudden form of exhaustion sweeps over her as the emotions come to an even level. Not only exhaustion, but a heaviness. She freezes the moment his hand slips underneath her hood to smooth down her hair. Had he managed to see how the color has changed? Does he think she does not look like his Lantaa and instead an imposter that pretends to be her? A gentle shake attempts to form in her hands, but she forces it to stop by raising her arms to drape around his neck and shoulders.

He lifts her up and hides her face in his neck. Her hands find a place to curl into his own hood he never utilizes. The folds on her white cloak drape slightly to show the red fabric underneath, truly mimicking the ancient white mages. However, her tail hides within the folds, trying to make certain he does not see how it has changed color. Her eyes open to look down at the armor she can see once he begins to take them home.

How can she even begin to explain it all...?

This wasn't supposed to be how he saw her when she's come home.

Her fingers raise to wrap in the ends of the hair on his neck. Normally, she is quite aware of how they might look in public. Although, it is the worst kept secret in all of Ishgard that one of the Saviors is engaged to the Lord Speaker. Still, the Ishgardians have a culture and a sense of priority, and she respects it deeply. She knows her coming and going causes no small amount of heartache and strife in the man she loves... she would not add to it by insulting his culture further.

Alkaid's breathing finally evens the closer they are to their home. It deepens as well, finding a sense of security in his arms. The feeling of being in his arms is one she feels is embedded in her heart. There were time she would roll over in bed, waiting for K'thisru to return, wrapping her arms round a pillow to find a sense of comfort and companionship. Being away in Doma and Gyr Abania had been so much easier. She could simply write him letters and feel close to him, but there was no way to contact him on the First. Not without the help of Feo-Ul.

One hand leaves his hair to rest on the side of his neck even as her head is still tilted down to hide her appearance underneath the hood. There is so much she wishes to say to him. An apology for him finding her in such a state and not at home waiting for him. How she wished to surprise him and lighten his most certainly taxing day. Instead, she has most likely added onto it now. ]

... I... [ Her voice is a whisper, lacking strength to do much at all in the moment. ] I.. I don't know why... I know I'm home, but... I still... it... I shouldn't have run away ... because I know...

[ Alkaid forces her eyes shut to stop herself from talking. She can hardly form a sentence in a coherent manner. Should she even try to explain herself further?

Her ears give a gentle twitch the moment she hears the door open. A gasp of relief comes from the head maid as well as a gentle "welcome home" from the steward. Her shoulders curl further onto herself before she turns more into Aymeric's arms. A look of knowing passes the steward's face before he gently guides the head maid to follow him to the kitchen. ]