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

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

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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Edited 2022-03-10 07:15 (UTC)

[ Please... I beseech you...

Ah, someone calls to you.

Every time the sensation creeps into her head, it feels as if she has been paralyzed. Pain shoots everywhere and it is hard to breathe. She can hear Zenos's voice, even as she reaches for K'thisru's hand to try and protect her. The sword comes crashing down and it all fades to black.

That is, until light seems to surround her.

Alkaid opens her eyes and turns, her hand going straight to her sister's. A man in robes stands there and implores them that their battle is futile and the path to him is needed. She can hardly grasp it all, but realizes her sister knows the man in robes. Her mind races with possibilities until hee gaze drops to the hand the man extends towards them.

"The path to the First"...

Suddenly, pain seems to erupt from her side. The scar from Zenos feels as if it is on fire. She bites back a painful groan and turns to her side. Then, she becomes keenly aware of two voices near her. Voices she knows. Ones that belong to the most important people to her on the star.

Alkaid forces her eyes open, realizing she lays on her side and her back towards the voices. One ear lifts to listen to their conversation spoken in low voices. She wishes to speak to join them. But, her body feels like led and her body aches everywhere it might.

She wishes to go home... ]

Edited 2022-03-13 11:20 (UTC)

[ If K'thisru doubted that it was possible for one's world to explode into nothing but pain, now she no longer doubts that. The unexplained, unwarned pain that lanced into her head and her sister's pales vastly in comparison to the sea of pain she is currently swimming in as her body struggles to pull her out of sleep and back to awareness. ]

Ple- [ A strangled plea that remains incomplete escapes her, but the fact remains that she does not wish to awaken yet. Never mind that the terrible images that are flooding her mind are bad enough that she should wish to escape them, but she is just so tired that even the thought of being awake is too much for her.

In her mind's eye, she sees Zenos goading them with taunts, but she still extends a hand to her sister even in the midst of this battle. But there is another man too, another man who she thought had been a help to her and was even beginning to see him as a friend. But now... What is he?

A cry bursts from her then as pain sweeps over her, and she presses a hand to her face, over her eyes, and she turns wildly on the bed, legs curling up almost to her chest as if something is hurting them too.

Dimly, in the midst of her disturbed sleep, she hears a familiar voice but she cannot make out the words. A hand rests on her shoulder, but it does little to soothe her just yet.

The passage of time seems to fade, but so does the pain, at least to a more manageable level. And soon enough, K'thisru's eyes begin to flicker and slowly slit open. Panic lances through her and although she is barely capable of moving so soon, she presses a hand down on the bed and tries to rise.

Another hand covers hers, a far wider one, stronger and firmer than her own, and she registers a hand on her shoulder, gently pressing her back down to the bed. ]

You must rest for some time longer. But lest you fear, both you and your sister are safe. [ The voice is solid and unwavering, but there is a clear note of emotion contained in it, as if the speaker feared the worst for the two girls lying in their respective beds. And as he looks at the other sister who still remains senseless, his fears have not yet passed.

And for a few more moments, K'thisru cannot form words to reply, but after another minute or two passes, she manages to hoarsely say one thing: ] Lantaa?

[ It is not a fully formed question, but her concern, as always, is for her sister's well-being. Once she has been reassured of that- gods, she has to be all right... Then she will inquire about the others she still worries for and ask for an explanation of everything that has happened. ]

[ Her mind wanders in thoughts. The Scions one by one have had their souls plucked from their body. K'thisru swore the voice was familiar, and now, Alkaid has a personage to put to that face. A mage, it seems, entirely convinced that they must meet him to avoid disaster? Hadn't her sister mentioned something of the mysterious stranger alluding to annihilation of his people?

The path to the First...

Alkaid closes her eyes as she mulls it over. A shaking hand raises to rest on the side her scar sits on. The First. As in a reflection of Hydaelyn? It all seems and sounds so familiar. Emperor Varia had mentioned joining the reflections... but there is something more. Something or someone that had mentioned the First a very long time ago..

Yet, her head aches too much to put the pieces together at the moment.

All of her ponderings come to a stop the moment she hears her name. Without hesitation, Alkaid pushes herself up. Her whole body shakes and her side side seems to scream in pain at the idea of moving. This time, she can't suppress the light moan that makes its way out. Regardless, mint green eyes turn to look at the two in the bed beside her.

Beds... white walls lined in wood. It feels familiar, but her mind cannot place the details of where she might be. Instead, a deep longing takes the place of familiarity.

She wants to go home.

Not the home of the Scions--but Manor Borel.

Alkaid forces her body to move. She reaches for the covers to pull them back. She has every intention of moving to the other bed where the two personages are. Her instincts as a carer and a sister are overriding anything else her body might tell her or demand. It's clear that K'thisru is in pain. She always heals her sister's aches... ]

[ Even as Alkaid moves, K'thisru lies still once more, lacking the strength to continue moving herself, and even if she could, her body protests. She would attempt rising and moving to reach for her sister, but it seems as though that will have to wait. Reluctantly resigned to this, she watches Aymeric to see what he'll do next, as she can hardly see where her sister is, with the positioning of the beds. And turning her head to look for her is a difficult task at the moment as well.

Aymeric, however, has nothing keeping him from moving, and no sooner does he realize that Alkaid is moving and even going as far as to remove the covers, then he all but dashes to her side, hands reaching out for hers to still them. ]

You should not be moving, not just yet.

[ His heart has lodged itself firmly in his throat even as he speaks, because a part of him feared that neither sister would wake again, but he knows a terror gripped his heart when he was forced to consider the possibility that he might never be able to speak to Alkaid again. That is not to say that he had no such thoughts concerning K'thisru, because he has been every bit as worried for her well-being. ]

If there is anything that you require, I will do my best to either bring it to you or do it for you, but you must remain still.

Edited 2022-03-14 17:14 (UTC)

[ Alkaid pauses once Aymeric's hands touch her own. Her mint green eyes raise to meet his, a look of relief crossing her expression. If he is with them, then wherever they are must be secure at least. She would love nothing more than to curl into his arms and sleep. However, her sister is somewhere near and in pain. Even if she can do little to cure that pain at the moment? She knows she must at least be there for K'thisru to reach out to. She has always been the one to care for her sister.

She squeezes his hands as firmly as she can before turning her gaze towards where she heard her sister. ]

I need to see her.

[ Alkaid expects he will protest and disagree with her request. Her hands remain in his, refusing to let go despite what she has asked of him. She needs both Aymeric and K'thisru to ground her at this moment while she attempts to gather pieces together. Her head feels as if it throbs in pain, and her side causes her to curl her shoulders. The scar hasn't reopened, so why does it hurt so much...

Her head dips forward to rest against his chest. It occurs to her that he is wearing his traditional armor. Eyebrows knit together as she raises her hand from his to the sash that's always draped across the front. Fingers gently brush along it before she tilts her h3ad up to look at him. Her chin rests on the mental of the armor as she looks to meet his eyes again. ]

... Are we still on the front lines? You're in your armor still...

Edited 2022-03-15 02:57 (UTC)

[ Although he is careful to be gentle, his fingers tighten around hers just a fraction, the action betraying the fear he had that she would slip away from him and there was nothing he could do about it. ]

In time, you will. She is on the next bed, just a few paces away, and if it eases your mind, I will summon the chirurgeons to have a look at her, and you. But I must insist that you remain still, Lantaa; the ordeal you have been through has certainly taken a lot from you both.

[ He sees how her shoulders curl, betraying the fact that she is still in pain, and he straightens up then. ] Perhaps I should summon the healers now. You still seem to be in considerable discomfort.

[ At her question, however, his gaze travels downward to survey his person, and he merely shrugs. ]

Nay, I saw fit to bring you and your sister to Ishgard. [ To the place you call home. ] But I have been so fraught with concern for the pair of you that it slipped my mind that perhaps this armor is not needed.

[ But at the same time, he spends so much of his time wearing it that he barely notices it anymore. ]

Would you like me to remove it? [ At this point, he will answer any request of hers, save for any that involve her taxing herself prematurely. ]

[ Although lacking her normal strength in the gentle actions she nory does, her fingers do slide between his of her free hand. The motion is a quiet way of saying that she will always find her way back to him--back home. ]

Does she know where I am? Is she alright? [ The questions come rapid fire, but that alone seems to drain her. She leans against him entirely, not caring if the armor he wears is far from comfortable.

The hand on his sash curls into the fabric.]--No. Stay here.

[ Her dark bangs fall into her vision as she listens intently. Ishgard is quite the ways from the battlefield ... even Mor Dhona where the other Scions lay.

Ishgard-- ] Home.

[ Her fingers brush along his absentminedly. Keeping her thoughts in order is far more difficult than she first thought it might be. She drifts from one to another with only him to anchor her. ]

Whichever you prefer, Aymeric. Just stay here.

[ Preferably lying beside her in the bed. The ones in Ishgard were made for mostly Elezens in mind, not Miqo'tes. They are always so large... ]

[ Before Aymeric can speak, K'thisru stirs on the bed, the voices she is hearing causing her to rouse just a little. Of course, she has to labor to even push herself into a half-sitting position, but she needs to know that her sister is all right. Ignoring the way her head swims and her vision blurs for just a moment, she follows the sound of the voices until her head turns and she sees Alkaid and Aymeric.

Satisfied that at least Alkaid is speaking and capable of leaning against Aymeric, if nothing else, K'thisru returns to lying down once more. She imagines that if her sister has any injuries or other needs, Aymeric will do his best to see them cared for.

K'thisru's movements have not escaped Aymeric's notice, and he keeps a watchful eye as he sees her rise and then lie back down once more. Turning back to look at Alkaid, he nods. ] She knows you are here, and she is all right. Like you, she merely requires rest and time to recover.

[ At least, that is his understanding of the matter. The chirurgeons assured him that was the case, and as is typical of him, he made sure to personally give both girls a quick examination himself, looking for any obvious signs of injury. He might not have a healer's eye, and he certainly cannot see internal injury, but he contented himself knowing that at least externally, there was nothing glaringly wrong. Alkaid's scar concerned him, of course, but that wound has healed as far as he can tell.

Even so, he is resolved to continue insisting that the sisters rest until they are fully recovered. ]

I will not be leaving you. You need not be afraid of that. [ He has made it quite clear that his place is here, and barring the arrival of another Calamity, he will not be leaving. ]

Give me a moment, then. [ He sheds the armor with relative ease, even some of the harder to reach clasps not troubling him over much. Eventually, the armor is placed on the nearest table, and because he does not want to take up too much room on the bed, he merely sits on the edge of it, being mindful not to jar her too much and inadvertently cause her pain. ]

Are you certain you do not require anything? Something simple that you can eat, or I can give to you... A broth, or tea?

[ One ear lifts as she hears the rustle of sheets and turns towards the source. That must be K'thisru, even if Alkaid can hardly see her. She attempts to turn and move once more to her sister, but the pain from her side shoots up her spine. She muffles the sound that tries to break out from her. Her shoulders curl upwards and a trembling hand reaches for her side. ]

It shouldn't hurt... it's been healed, not reopened...

[ Yet, she can tell how her own aether knots and twists at the site. Had she taken a hit that she cannot remember? It would hardly be surprising. The entire encounter with Zenos--the Ascian wearing his body--is a blur now thanks to the mysterious man that reached out toher and her sister. Alkaid tilts her head down to look at the wound to see she is dressed in a simple, but light, Ishgardian sleeping gown. A frown comes to her face as she'll need to inspect her side to see what is wrong.

Her gaze raises the moment he sits back on the bed. K'thisru must be injured as she is then. Her instincts as a conjurer demand she pushes herself to see what has befallen her sister, but she also is aware that Aymeric will not let her leave the bed. A smile forms on her face at his words regardless of their situation.

Shaking hands raise from her side to gently rest on his arm and leg. Her head rests against the same arm as a deep shaking exhale leaves her. She should eat, but she can hardly hold onto anything, and would not ask him to aid her in that. ]

I need to remove the gown. [ Normally, such a statement might be playful, but there is too much pain for her to even jest of it. ] O-or, at least, to have it lifted so I might see why it hurts...

[ His brows lift and his mouth presses into a thin line as his concern for her rises.

There is so much he wishes he could do, but short of calling in the healers to have a look at her, he realizes he is not in a position to contribute much of anything besides his support and comfort and a hand to hold should she need it.

Still, there is one thing he can do for her, at least. ]

If you hold still for a moment, I will remove it for you. But I must request that you only examine the area, not attempt to heal it. I- [ His gaze drops for just a fraction of a second before his eyes return to look at hers. ] I fear that you do not have the strength nor the aether needed for such a thing, and I would not see you taxed even more than you already are.

[ Having said that, he places a hand on the edge of the gown, and another on the sleeve, as if waiting for her permission to remove it. ]

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

Edited 2022-03-18 07:46 (UTC)

[ That is all that she might need. Although, she imagines his desire to comfort and support also turns into the need to protect them. Her gaze softens. Aymeric is always one to worry for them, but he no doubt must feel as if he has failed them in some manner.

She offers a playful smile to him. The best she can manage anyways. ]

A conjurer would have another heal her.

[ Still, she does as he has asked, only moving as she might need at his direction. Then, she raises her arm in order to look down at her side. Her lips press together at the unseemly sight of the large bruises decorating the side where the scar from Zenos lay.

It would certainly explain the pain.

Alkaid sighs and lowers her arm to look back at him. At least she can move easier now without the restraints of the fabric. Ears twitch once and she moves to sit beside him, feet hanging off the bed. Her hands move then to gently curl around his and squeeze them as best as she can. ]

I hope you do not blame yourself for any of this, my love. [ The thought that her sister might overhear does strike her. Yet, she imagines that all that might come from it is teasing. ] We may have found out what has happened to the other Scions...

[ She would be correct in her guess that he is worrying about them, but also feeling responsible for them. And because he feels that way, the fact that both of them are in the state they are only makes him feel as though he has truly let them down.

But he pushes those worries and thoughts down in favor of being strong for her and K'thisru as well. They need him to be strong and supportive, not consumed by his fears and guilt.

He purposefully keeps his touch light, but when she reveals the bruising on her side, he reaches out so that he can brush his fingers against the discolored area. If only he could heal her with the love he has for her, but alas, he is not gifted in that area at all. ]

Perhaps it is a selfish thought, but I cannot help but feel as though you and your sister would have been all right had I been there to lend you aid. And although I am well aware that I cannot always be present to defend and protect you, I- As someone who has proclaimed his love to you, and thus also extends a sort of brotherly love to your sister, I must admit to feeling as though I have failed in my duties to you both.

[ And that is all he intends to say on that subject, at least for now. Alkaid does not need to be burdened by his thoughts and his guilt, and so he will not be speaking about this again. ]

But you must not concern yourself with my thoughts. At risk of overstepping, all you need to concern yourself with is resting and regaining your strength, and in doing so, my fears for you will be lessened.

[ But he intends to act as their shield going forward to the best of his ability and as circumstances allow. He will not have something like this happening again.

And having said that, he addresses the second thing she said. ]

Have you truly gained information concerning them? Please, if you are able to relate it, I would hear of it.

[ But he will be keeping a close eye on her, watching for signs that she is growing weary. He will not be the reason she was pushed even further beyond her limits. ]

[ His worries and concerns earn him a gentle and reassuring smile. There has been times where she felt that she had failed him as a wife-to-be. She is not deaf and has overheard the gossip as she walks through Ishgard.

A lady of a house who is hardly present? Surely, the Lord Speaker could do better or at the least find a mistress!

Yet, if he would still have her despite that? Then his inability to be at the battlefield at her side all the time can be overlooked. ]

You could never fail me, Aymeric. It wasn't you who fought the Ascian who took on Zenos's body. Even then, they could hardly stand up to such a power for very long. [ She nuzzles her nose gently into his arm as if to illustrate her point. ] You're forgiven, if it helps at all.

[ Then, she nods. ] We met the one who has been Calling to us. Someone of the First reflection of Hydaeyln. Someone, who, speaks of doom regardless of how we fight the Empire. [ Her gaze drops and her ears twitch.] He mentioned another Calamity on the horizon...

[ He has long since resolved that they shall spend the rest of their days together, so long as she remains agreeable to the notion of marrying him. Should she ever change her mind, he will, of course, release her to marry whoever she will. But until such a time comes, if it ever does, his determination is to remain by her side as best as he is able.

And as such, he is resolved to protect her however she can, and that includes protecting her reputation as well. If he knew of the idle talk that occurred on the streets and wherever people gather, he would be quite incensed indeed. And what is more, he would view his inability to forestall such talk as a failure on his part. ]

You are kind to say such things, but I cannot help but feel differently. Still, I am determined to make up for this however I can.

[ The smile he gives her in response to her statement that he is forgiven is a small one, and there is a hint of sadness in it too. He only wishes to spare her and K'thisru from harm, but all his determined words aside, he wonders if he truly can do anything to protect and defend them. ]

I see. That does sound dire, but whoever this someone might be, they have caused no small amount of distress and worry here. I am not sure which is worse, the knowledge that so many of our companions have fallen asleep, or that another Calamity might be looming, if this individual can be believed.

[ And more than that, Aymeric fears losing Alkaid and K'thisru to whatever it is that has befallen the Scions. Should that happen, he will be at a loss for how to move forward. ]

[ There is, at no point, when Alkaid will decide to call off their engagement. There is no other that has caught her eye the way the once-Lord Commander did. No one else that, as soon as they walked into the room, made her eyes wide and her heart flutter at the same time. No one else she has felt shy around or even wondering how she might speak to them. While she has never been one to believe in the idea of it? She quite wonders if it was love at first sight.

Perhaps it is selfish, but, she has no intentions to ever let him go. She's chosen him--although, perhaps it is better to say that he chose her. ]

I can hardly call upon you to protect me all the time. [ The hint of sadness in his smile is mirrored in her tone. She would love to take him for an adventure, as she promised not only at the dinner he had with her and K'thisru, but in their several long talks afterwards. Just the two of them, visiting places in their vast beautiful world, seeing people of different cultures and different food. Her eyes close and she can almost imagine it. ] I do have one condition, however...

[ A small and gentle nod to their conversation that, in her mind, started the road to their relationship.

Her hands squeeze his gently as her head further rests on his arm. ]

I think... Thisru knows him; the one who reached out to us.

[ He considers himself beyond fortunate to have even caught her eye, and a part of him believes that she might look at their relationship and decide that it is not enough for her, that he is not meeting her needs. And that is why he is so insistent that he could be doing more. ]

Perhaps not, but I cannot help but feel as though it is my responsibility to at least make an attempt. I would be a poor sort of partner if I did not manage to lend my assistance whenever and wherever I can.

[ He tilts his head to one side, wondering what condition she has. And of course, he remembers that conversation they had so long ago now, and how he said something similar to her at the time. ]

And what might that condition be?

[ His expression becomes slightly troubled as he processes this bit of information. ] Do you think that he can be trusted?

You could never be a poor partner, my love. You have already done so much for me and Thisru. [ The sadness in her tone touches her face then in a smile. ] One day, I will take you far away from all of this. We will see the world and travel to your hearts content.

[ Despite the sadness in her tone and smile? A glint of playfulness shines in her eyes. ]

My condition is fairly simple, my knight. Even perhaps selfish. [ A tilt of her head and she nuzzles the side of her face into her arm. ] As long as I am forced to recoup here in bed... we should plan our wedding.

[ A sudden surge of emotion takes her throat at the idea. Perhaps it is not the best to do in the middle of war. Yet, she is always surrounded by battle. If the battle is to force her to stand a way? They may as well plan what they result want.

She shallows the sudden swell of emotions in order to address his question. ]

I think he intends well, despite poor timing. He seems sincere, and certainly confident that he has the answers to advert another Calamity. [ She sighs, closing her eyes as her mind wanders back to what she and her sister had learned with the twins within the Coils. Things they swore not to tell another. ] The Circle of Knowing aided in stopping the Seventh Umbral Calamity. Surely, we could stop an Eighth...

Edited 2022-03-21 18:13 (UTC)

[ He huffs out a quiet laugh, shaking his head once as if revealing the doubts he has on that particular score. ] Ah, but do you not think that a truly good partner would be so tied to his work and his duty that he cannot take even a moment to excuse himself from said duty to spend time with his betrothed? I feel as though I have yet to find the proper balance between seeing to my duty to Ishgard and seeing to the duty that I have to you and your sister both.

[ He has already resolved to make up for what he sees as his shortcoming. ] Nevertheless, I would love very much to travel alongside you as we see the world.

[ A questioning glance takes his face as he watches her, wondering what she might ask of him. He would give her the moon and stars from the sky if she said that she desired them.

But then she names her request and his eyes widen before a gentle smile takes his face once more. ]

I would like that very much. And more than that, I would like to hear of your wishes for our wedding and how you would have it be. [ Because he will do his best to ensure that anything she desires will be given. It does not seem strange to him to plan their wedding when in the midst of war. Happiness can be found anywhere, and it seems to him that in times like these, they need all the happiness that they can find. ]

How can he be certain? [ A serious look takes his face once more as he thinks this over. ] A Calamity cannot be stopped so easily, although I have no doubts in your abilities and that of your sister's.

...what sort of wife is tied to her own duties so much that she is hardly home? [ She poses the question honestly. She has her own doubts she is the best partner for him. How can she be a wife and lady to his house when at a moment's notice she is summoned away to another part of the world? Alkaid shakes her head gently, but does not dismiss his worry. ] I have wondered if there is no way to balance such a thing... and if we might be forced to chose one or the other.

[ Alkaid gently picks at one of the loose threads on his undershirt. Her head tilts against him and she gently rubs her face against it. ]

You still need tor tell me what place in the world you would like to see the most. I would take you there for our honeymoon. [ She smiles up at him, despite how her side aches. ] It should be in Ishgard--that is where our home is--and in the Church. [ Even if her patron goddess is not the same as his? She is joining his house and his city. It should be done with that in mind. ] I would prefer a small audience, but, I rather doubt we will be afforded the luxury. Not with our statuses.

[ Then, a shake of her head. Those are answers she does not have. ] Nothing is ever easy.

What sort of wife? The sort of wife that is Eorzea's champion and defender and who has far greater priorities that must be given proper consideration. I do not begrudge you in the least for what you must do, or for how often it takes you far from home. [ And from me. ]

I will understand if you conclude that you must choose your duty to Eorzea over anything else, and I will without a doubt be waiting for your return.

[ He makes a quiet humming sound as he thinks over her requests. There are so many places in the world that he would love to see, but where would be the most meaningful? ]

You wrote of Kugane, and I would like very much to see the places you described with my own eyes. As for a wedding between us, a grand affair is customary, but customs and traditions often shift and change, do they not? Perhaps not so with traditions, but with customs.

[ He is aware that he may sound naive here, but if a small audience is what she desires, he knows he will at least attempt to make that so. ]

You would have Master Alphinaud present, I imagine, and perhaps Mistress Tataru as well? [ He taps his chin with a finger as he tries to think of who else she would wish to invite. ] Your sister, naturally.

[ He is uncertain if she would extend invitations to the rest of the Scions or not. And as for their discussion of the mysterious individual who has been calling to them and this threat of another Calamity, Aymeric decides to leave that subject alone for the moment. ]

Who else would you wish to have present to witness our marriage?

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

BOOK 3: TWO-TONED ECHOES

꧁༺ prelude to violet (4.4) ༻꧂

꧁༺ a requiem for heroes (4.5-4.56) ༻꧂

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꧁༺ shadowbringers (5.0) ༻꧂

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

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🌟 lakeland — chapter two.