[ Alkaid truly remembers little of the journey back from Ultima Thule. Of course, she remembers waking and being greeted by the faces of the Scions. Perhaps most of all, she recalls looking over and seeing that her sister had survived the encounter with Zenos as well. That alone had been enough to allow her to drift back to sleep for the remaining voyage. While she could not explain if they had asked, she knew that they would be safe and welcomed home by those when they landed.
When she had finally awoken in Mor Dhona, she learned that several days had passed. Word had already been sent to Ishgard--most certainly by Alphinaud--that the Warriors of Light would be staying until they had recovered from the taxing journey. Alkaid can only imagine that the news in such a manner had caused a certain Lord Speaker to pace around his study endlessly. Krile insisted that the situation had been taken care of and that she and K'thisru were not to leave the former home of the Scions until they were ready to make a journey anywhere.
Of course, that was when she had learned the Scions of the Seventh Dawn were officially disbanding. Friends and comrades that would aid one another, however, the organization's purpose and goal had been realized. The Grand Company of Eorzea could fend for itself and handle their own affairs without the Ascians to interfere. That left each of them to their own devices and able to do as they wish. Especially the Warriors of Light.
"A path in which and the end they will find happiness."
Alkaid had burst into tears once the Scions had left her and her sister to their own and immediately leaned on her sister. While the journey and the state of it all was not something she begrudged? The idea that she might finally be able to do as she wished and not be tied to the fact the Scions could pull them away at any moment was something she had wished for but believed may never happen. No doubt the Source and its reflections would still have need of the Champions of Hydaelyn in time, but for now, she and her sister could have lives as they wished instead of ones they were obligated to have. Although, she had made certain it known that the Scions were welcome at her home in Ishgard and that they were expected at her wedding.
Before she could gently pull her sister and G'raha along with her to Ishgard? Tataru had made certain to stop her. A package was given, with the express instructions that Alkaid was to wear it and give feedback to the business minded Lalafel. "After all, how can I know what I might and might not put into your wedding gown? Surely, you would not let someone else make it!" Which, of course, sprung a slight plot to mind. she most certainly did insist G'raha and K'thisru return with her, if only for a night, before shipping off on their next grand adventure. That way--for a time--the clan shaped of their adventures might find some time as a family before the parting of the ways.
As usual, they returned to Ishgard long before Aymeric would find himself home. Alkaid nearly drops the package from Tataru as well as the smaller ones in her hold as Mélodie quite literally throws herself at her once they cross the threshold. Leon is there to greet them as well, but even Alkaid can tell he is attempting to hide his relief and joy under his usual mask of detachment. Mélodie bursts into tears that her mother, aunt and uncle have made it home, and Alkaid struggles hold all that she has while returning the hold of the young Elezen. Her free hand manages to brush down the brown hair and she glances to Leon to see if he would wish a hug as well. As to be expected, he turns the offer down, but she has the feeling he does wish one at some point. Eventually Mélodie turns to fawning over G'raha and K'thisru, telling them all that they had missed and Leon helps Alkaid with the packages. Although she is very aware Leon has noticed the limp K'thisru walks with and the unnatural way that she walks.
The steward and maid set about to make a large dinner--but nothing grand as none in Borel Manor seem to care for the extravagant. Alkaid had intended to ask Mélodie if she would like to join her and K'thisru in trying on the gown that Tataru made, but she stubbornly informs the Miqo'tes that she walks with her brother every night to escort their father home. Leon shrugs, although Alkaid can very much tell that it has become routine instead of a clever way to make certain Aymeric does not work himself into illness once more. She bids the two hurry off, and then takes to a side room with her sister to change into the new gown, while G'raha goes to offer his services to the steward.
The gown fits perfectly, despite the fact it must cover the heavy sets of bandages still on her arms and around her midsection. It is a cream white, edged with frills and a large bow where her tail rests. Alkaid blushes slightly that even Tataru has noticed her preference in design. While clearly far from a wedding dress, Alkaid can certainly tell the direction the Lalafel intends to go, and makes mental notes of what feedback to give. She is in the middle of redoing the small braids that hang off the side of her short hairstyle when the head maid enters the room with a bouquet of lilies. Alkaid pauses and looks at them. A gentle state of surprise overcomes her as she takes the flowers. It had been something Aymeric and the children arranged to give her upon her return, but the head maid believes it might be best to crown the look off with.
Which is precisely how she shuffles the two Miqo'tes out of the room. Alkaid positions herself where the entryway and the hallway meet, while the head maid insists K'thisru comes to help her finish things in the kitchen. Alkaid watches her sister and the elder Elezen disappear before turning back to the door. She nervously twists her fingers around the handful of lilies, tip of her tail curling. The ache in her arms and ribs has started to return, but, she will push through it for her beloved husband-to-be.
Her ears lift as she hears the voices of their adopted children on the other side of the door. Alkaid forces herself to stand taller despite the pain and smiles at first Mélodie, and then Leon, who both quickly enter the Manor and disappear around the corner to hide. Alkaid glances at them, not quite certain when she became their surprise for Aymeric, but flashes them a playful smile regardless. Then, she turns her two-toned eyes back to the front door.
She had intended to welcome him home in her customary way, but finds the words caught in her throat. Instead, all Alkaid can manage is a wide smile as her eyes fill with tears at the sight of Ishgard's Lord Speaker. She shifts her weight from one leg and back to the other and her ears shyly tilting down. ]
{ homebound.
When she had finally awoken in Mor Dhona, she learned that several days had passed. Word had already been sent to Ishgard--most certainly by Alphinaud--that the Warriors of Light would be staying until they had recovered from the taxing journey. Alkaid can only imagine that the news in such a manner had caused a certain Lord Speaker to pace around his study endlessly. Krile insisted that the situation had been taken care of and that she and K'thisru were not to leave the former home of the Scions until they were ready to make a journey anywhere.
Of course, that was when she had learned the Scions of the Seventh Dawn were officially disbanding. Friends and comrades that would aid one another, however, the organization's purpose and goal had been realized. The Grand Company of Eorzea could fend for itself and handle their own affairs without the Ascians to interfere. That left each of them to their own devices and able to do as they wish. Especially the Warriors of Light.
"A path in which and the end they will find happiness."
Alkaid had burst into tears once the Scions had left her and her sister to their own and immediately leaned on her sister. While the journey and the state of it all was not something she begrudged? The idea that she might finally be able to do as she wished and not be tied to the fact the Scions could pull them away at any moment was something she had wished for but believed may never happen. No doubt the Source and its reflections would still have need of the Champions of Hydaelyn in time, but for now, she and her sister could have lives as they wished instead of ones they were obligated to have. Although, she had made certain it known that the Scions were welcome at her home in Ishgard and that they were expected at her wedding.
Before she could gently pull her sister and G'raha along with her to Ishgard? Tataru had made certain to stop her. A package was given, with the express instructions that Alkaid was to wear it and give feedback to the business minded Lalafel. "After all, how can I know what I might and might not put into your wedding gown? Surely, you would not let someone else make it!" Which, of course, sprung a slight plot to mind. she most certainly did insist G'raha and K'thisru return with her, if only for a night, before shipping off on their next grand adventure. That way--for a time--the clan shaped of their adventures might find some time as a family before the parting of the ways.
As usual, they returned to Ishgard long before Aymeric would find himself home. Alkaid nearly drops the package from Tataru as well as the smaller ones in her hold as Mélodie quite literally throws herself at her once they cross the threshold. Leon is there to greet them as well, but even Alkaid can tell he is attempting to hide his relief and joy under his usual mask of detachment. Mélodie bursts into tears that her mother, aunt and uncle have made it home, and Alkaid struggles hold all that she has while returning the hold of the young Elezen. Her free hand manages to brush down the brown hair and she glances to Leon to see if he would wish a hug as well. As to be expected, he turns the offer down, but she has the feeling he does wish one at some point. Eventually Mélodie turns to fawning over G'raha and K'thisru, telling them all that they had missed and Leon helps Alkaid with the packages. Although she is very aware Leon has noticed the limp K'thisru walks with and the unnatural way that she walks.
The steward and maid set about to make a large dinner--but nothing grand as none in Borel Manor seem to care for the extravagant. Alkaid had intended to ask Mélodie if she would like to join her and K'thisru in trying on the gown that Tataru made, but she stubbornly informs the Miqo'tes that she walks with her brother every night to escort their father home. Leon shrugs, although Alkaid can very much tell that it has become routine instead of a clever way to make certain Aymeric does not work himself into illness once more. She bids the two hurry off, and then takes to a side room with her sister to change into the new gown, while G'raha goes to offer his services to the steward.
The gown fits perfectly, despite the fact it must cover the heavy sets of bandages still on her arms and around her midsection. It is a cream white, edged with frills and a large bow where her tail rests. Alkaid blushes slightly that even Tataru has noticed her preference in design. While clearly far from a wedding dress, Alkaid can certainly tell the direction the Lalafel intends to go, and makes mental notes of what feedback to give. She is in the middle of redoing the small braids that hang off the side of her short hairstyle when the head maid enters the room with a bouquet of lilies. Alkaid pauses and looks at them. A gentle state of surprise overcomes her as she takes the flowers. It had been something Aymeric and the children arranged to give her upon her return, but the head maid believes it might be best to crown the look off with.
Which is precisely how she shuffles the two Miqo'tes out of the room. Alkaid positions herself where the entryway and the hallway meet, while the head maid insists K'thisru comes to help her finish things in the kitchen. Alkaid watches her sister and the elder Elezen disappear before turning back to the door. She nervously twists her fingers around the handful of lilies, tip of her tail curling. The ache in her arms and ribs has started to return, but, she will push through it for her beloved husband-to-be.
Her ears lift as she hears the voices of their adopted children on the other side of the door. Alkaid forces herself to stand taller despite the pain and smiles at first Mélodie, and then Leon, who both quickly enter the Manor and disappear around the corner to hide. Alkaid glances at them, not quite certain when she became their surprise for Aymeric, but flashes them a playful smile regardless. Then, she turns her two-toned eyes back to the front door.
She had intended to welcome him home in her customary way, but finds the words caught in her throat. Instead, all Alkaid can manage is a wide smile as her eyes fill with tears at the sight of Ishgard's Lord Speaker. She shifts her weight from one leg and back to the other and her ears shyly tilting down. ]