echoes of truth | ❝ to all of my children to whom.... ❞

[heranswers]

song of hope

BOOK 5: OUR SONG

Our song of hope, she dances on the wind
Higher, o' higher
E'er our hearts endure and remain forever strong
Standing tall through the dark do we carry onCODE BY TESSISAMESS

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꧁༺ death unto dawn (5.45-5.55) ༻꧂

[heranswers]

꧁༺ endwalker (6.0) ༻꧂

[heranswers]

🌕 old sharlayan and thavnair — chapter one.

[heranswers]

🌓the ilsabard contingent — chapter two.

[heranswers]

🌒 the world unsundered — chapter three.

[heranswers]

[heranswers]

[ Venat slowly approaches the pair of Miqo'tes, as they had called themselves. A set of sisters, and while their differences are obvious? She can see far more similarities between them. Especially to a pair of members from the Convocation. While Emet-Seltch may not wish to see the similarities, and Hythlodaeus most certainly accepts some version of their tale? Venat believes it in full. They are not only from the future, but they are future lives of the pair of twins that now hold the seat of Azem. The seat that she very well prepared them for.

She has so many questions! So very many thoughts and concerns that come to mind of the future. Moreso, she desires to know of the lives that the future versions of the Azems have shared thus far. Other than the Final Days, what road brought them here? Surely, her future self knew who they were, and most certainly picked them as her Champions because they are the Azem twins. Old friends, reliable, and a love not only for adventure and the world, but the souls that live on it. Who better to entrust the future of any form of Etheryis to?

Venat comes to a stop to survey the pair. The elder sister--Alkaid--has walked some steps away. She sits on the ground, hands in her lap, short hair with pink ends obscuring her gaze. Venat can tell her thoughts are yalms away and perhaps not even in their present. The younger sister--K'thisru--stands near the railing and looking up at the stars above. A smile spreads on the older woman's face and she chooses to address the younger first.

How very like the twins indeed. ]

It would seem we must wait a time for our answers. A scientists work is never done, I fear. [ The smile remains on her face as she stands beside the smaller woman. The height is even the same in comparison to her proteges. If nothing else, it is endearing to see so much of the pair remains the same no matter the age, life, or broken soul. ] Which means we are left to ourselves for company and some form of entertainment. Your sister seems preoccupied, so perhaps we should keep one another busy until she wishes to join us?

[heranswers]

( cont from here! )

[ Venat offers him a gentle smile once more before turning her eyes towards the slowly turning ember color. ]

Perhaps, but, I am quite certain that all those whom you surround yourself with would agree to the descriptor. I imagine kindness and care is what many seek in these times of uncertainty. [ Her gaze softens. ] In truth, I find myself in Amaurot as our pair of mutual friends asked to speak with me. No doubt in seeking guidance for the current state of affairs...

[ Her eyes narrow only slightly. Nay, it is not guidance, but most certainly reassurance and once more visiting what can be done. The Azem twins are in no doubt a set of worry. She had worked with them and those of the Anamnesis Anyder in an attempt to forestall the Final Days. Perhaps they could find another way to counteract what truly caused it, even if she could not share what that was... except to the twins. After all, if what is to come to pass does, then it is the twins she will one day find and chose to battle with Meteion. ]

I imagine they are quite distressed given their seat. No doubt the others of the Convocation are at unrest as well. Especially Fandaniel.

🌑 the final days — chapter four.

[heranswers]

🌟 our song of hope — chapter five.

[heranswers]

{ homebound.

[shepherdtostars]

[ 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. ]

{ recovery.

[crystallinedreams]

[ G'raha truly wonders if he shall ever be accustomed to being considered apart of the family that belongs to the sisters. He had eventually settled into the Scions as a fellow member of the cause. There had even been a sense of belonging that settled on him as he traveled along side K'thisru. Of course, there would be times where she and her sister would separate from him, bringing an all familiar feeling of staying behind in the Crystal Tower and watching his heroes leave. It merely is compounded by the fact that one of the Warriors of Light is no longer just a hero to him.

He mulls the thoughts over as he watches Ser Aymeric quite literally pick Alkaid up into his arms and take her from the sitting room. He cannot help but wonder if the elder sister took the more damage, or if the younger merely hides it far better. The query is one he seeks to find the answers to when he speaks to K'thisru as they ready for bed. The head maid and steward insist that they have things handled and usher him to take K'thisru to rest, which he most certainly does at their urging.

G'raha walks diligently beside her, silent, watching as she walks. He is the one that tends to the door and opening it for her. He guides her to sit on the bed before tending to her shoes and then moving to remove his own and his gloves. ]

How fairs your pain, Thisru? [ He quietly surveys her once more to deduce his own answers. She is certain to rebuff his worries as she usually might. While he is generally one to avoid pushing against her, he intends to this time. ] I can tend to you before we retire to the night, should you so need it. I am not as skilled as your sister, of course, but I can at least lessen the pain.

꧁༺ our chorus may ring for all (post-6.0) ༻꧂

[heranswers]

[canticumspei]

( continued from here ♫ )

[ She can sense it... the feeling of resignation. Such a feeling her sisters had encountered again and again. Some elated at the concept of the end, some feared it, and others merely accepted and resigned to it. Oh, it hurts that Hermes has fallen to that feeling as well. Hermes, the one who created her, the one who so desperately wished to improve the star he loved and found none that might understand his vision. He stands before her now, diluted in aether like those that came to the nest, and so willing to embrace some form of punishment... or perhaps even oblivion.

Meteion knows nothing of what he had done as his time as Fandaniel, Amon, then Fandaniel once more. She knows that the sisters seemed sad at the fate delivered to him, and now she can see why. He is very much not the man that she would accompany in the fields of Elpis. No, instead, he hurts so deeply...and hates himself so deeply.

The meaning of her life... ]

Have you not found the meaning for your life, Hermes? [ Has the answers of Etheirys not been enough? Has the answers her sisters found pulled him down so deeply that he cannot hope? Her fingers curl around his hands as his own curl, attempting to interact with his dynamis so he might understand what it is she feels. ] ...was our answer too late?

[ An overwhelming sense of fear of failure rises in her. Feelings she had learned from the pair of sisters, but only now truly understands. No wonder they had so desperately tried to reach her and her sisters... the fear of losing one that she deeply loves... and it is the fear of losing him to something greater than death. For, there are so many things that are worse than the parting of souls to the aetheric sea. ]

They wished to bring me, and my sisters, home to Etheirys. Although my sisters would not listen to them.

[ One wing atop her head lifts slightly as she hears words faintly in the sea around them. Ones that ride upon the dynamis there, hoping to reach all souls that reside there. Think... feel... listen...

Why does the voice sound so familiar?

Meteion looks back to Hermes--Fandaniel now. Her meaning to her existence. One she gave to herself after meeting the sisters. The one that can reach all the worlds and bathe them in comfort, no matter how much they hurt. ]

Nothing can undo what my sisters and I have done. But, perhaps, I might promise that things will be better. It may take time, but, those painful things will turn into things that are good and happy once more.

[ Meteion's talons claw into the hard floor beneath her as she sways her weight as she would all those days ago. Then, one hand leaves his in order to retrieve the small gift she carried with her all this way. She then extends the small hand up to him, revealing a very jaggedly pulled familiar flower. It glows of white warmly, and while she knows he cannot take it physically, she hopes the meaning might yet reach him. ]

I wish to sing a song that will bring hope and comfort to any that hear it. [ She pauses for a moment. ] May... I sing it to you? The first to hear it among all the stars... to make certain it is a good song.

[knowandunderstand]

[ It is resignation that he feels, and a sort of numbness that somehow is not enough to dull the hurt inside and the hate that he holds for himself after everything that has happened and that he has done. With his memories returned to him, all he can do is look back on the paths that his life took and feel nothing but disgust for the choices he made. Perhaps being dragged to oblivion is the fate that he deserves, although there is a part of him that feels he deserves all the punishing fates that have ever existed in return for the havoc he wreaked and harm that he caused.

At her question, he shakes his head. ] What meaning is there? Is not the meaning of one's life something determined by the individual? [ She and others like her may have found hope in life and have made spreading that to others the thing that gives their lives meaning. But for him, he sees that there is no meaning in life. Or perhaps it is his life that is meaningless. But again, to say those words to her would surely only cause more hurt and harm, and while he is certainly resigned to lifetime upon lifetime of oblivion, he knows that he need not inflict the same hopelessness upon her. ]

Your answer was not too late for many. [ But he believes it is far too late for him. ]

You did make it home, yes? I am certain that there was never a question of anything else occurring. [ From what he recalls of the two sisters, their determination and stubbornness knows no bounds.

A sad sort of smile takes his face then behind the mask, and he knows that she will most likely feel that sadness coming from him, or at the very least, hear it in his voice. ]

Make things better for those who still can hope and be happy. [ Do not waste your good wishes upon me, Meteion. For he does see it as nothing but a waste, a futile endeavor.

At first, his gaze remains elsewhere, looking anywhere but at the thing she is offering to him. But when it becomes clear he can ignore it no longer, he finally allows his glance to travel to see what it is she holds. An exhale of breath escapes him, sounding shaky and ragged, but he does not reach out for it. To do so, to even get close to it, would surely cause it to wither and die.

A song... Those two words are only words, and mean nothing on their own, but a memory springs unbidden into his mind. It is not a memory of Meteion singing, but of her speaking, and as he listens, he can hear the almost melodic lilt of her voice: a form of singing in its own right. ]

I fail to see what good it will do for any who languish here, but- [ His gaze which had lowered to stare at the ground lifts once more, although he still does not smile. ] At the very least, I promise to listen.

[ He is certain it is a good song, that it will bring hope to those who, unlike him, can still believe. ]

{ underneath halone's gaze.

[shepherdtostars]

( wedding placeholder )

{ an adventure for two.

[shepherdtostars]

[ Alkaid lifts an ear as the airship comes to a stop. She raises her head from the pillow, ears turning upwards to listen to the movement from beyond the shared couples room. Her now lord husband seems to be contently asleep beside her. She glances down at him before quietly slipping out of his hold. The door closes behind her quietly as she makes her way to the captain to explain her idea. It may not seem like much, or may seem ridiculous, but the captain at least seems willing to humor one of the Warriors of Light.

Kugane may not be new to him, but it is most certainly new to Aymeric de Borel.

She slips back inside the room and then onto the small bed they have shared for the last day and overnight. It's far from difficult to slide him against him and nudge his arm with her nose in an attempt to lightly wake him up. Her tail gently lifts and falls against the bed as her excitement rises. This evening feels as if she is finally fulfilling the promise she made to him those few years ago inside the Forgotten Knight; one that led to where they were currently.

An adventure just for them--a chance for Aymeric to see the world.

She nudges his arm again and tries to suppress the smile threatening to overtake her face. Her longer blonde hair comes over one shoulder with her wild bangs still unable to be tamed. Her wedding and engagement rings still remain on her hand where he had placed them. The windows of their small room have had the blinds and curtains drawn so the outside world is a surprise. ]

[thewayforpeace]

[ Aymeric had every intension of remaining awake during the journey to their destination: a destination that Alkaid had been rather secretive about. Not that he had any reason to be suspicious, as he trusts her in all ways and then some. But his curiosity did threaten to get the best of him, although by the time he allowed sleep to claim him, he decided to leave well enough alone and let her surprise be just that.

When she comes to wake him up, he's in a fairly sound sleep, but he responds quickly enough to the nudge she gives him. His eyes slide open slowly and as his vision focuses once more, he can't help but smile upon seeing her. ]

What time is it? [ His voice sounds lower than normal, having just woken up, but he does his best to rouse himself, as he is certain she would not have woken him unless they had arrived at their destination. ] Have you been awake for very long?

꧁༺ newfound adventure (6.1) ༻꧂

[heranswers]

starlight celebration. }

[shepherdtostars]

[ Nervous habits are hard to break no matter the time of year.

Once again, she has started to twist her fingers.

Alkaid had taken her place in the sitting room of the manor. The head maid fussed as she and over the last week, while the dutiful steward did his best to keep Leon and Mélodie distracted and focused on decorating the fresh tree. The festivities have seemingly kept their minds busy enough that time has slipped past them. The nights come sooner and colder now, and thus the children usually leave earlier to escort their father home. At some point the head maid leaves the room with Krile beside her as the two talk in hushed tones that only make Alkaid twist her fingers more.

The wedding and honeymoon had been perfect in her mind. Nothing ill had happened, and nothing had interrupted her and her lord husband's time in Kugane and Thavnair. The trouble had instead started when she returned to Thavnair for a treasure hunt with her sister and Estinien... which quickly led to exposure from the Thirteenth. Intiially, she had no worries of it, until she woke up every morning feeling ill and even feeling ill in the evening as well.

When things did not improve? She reached out to Krile. Alkaid feared that the illness did not come from travels or eating improper food. Her worries came from exposure to the Void itself. After all, the stress from so much Light had damaged her and K'thisru's souls. While the damage was healed and had merely left scars? She still worried that something had caused a reaction. Perhaps it is foolish to think as her sister was fine, but, Alkaid cannot help the fear inside her. Not even reassurments from Ardbert can ease her heart.

Alkaids attention snaps from her thoughts the moment the children rush from the room. She stands up immediately to call to them, only to need to grab ahold of the back of the couch. The head steward helps easer her back down before following after them to make certain they are dressed for the cold. Alkaid raises her gaze to look at the time... they are indeed late to fetch Aymeric.

Mélodie stops the moment her foot hits the foyer floor. The door opens and her eyes widen. Without hesitation, and despite the calling after her from her brother, the young Elezen leaps forward. Her arms open wide to wrap themselved around the missing family member. ]

Papa! Welcome home!

[thewayforpeace]

[ Oh, how well does Aymeric know that. He likes to believe that he has taken steps towards moving past some of his own habits, and yet he knows full well that a great many more still remain. One such habit is working far later than he should, although he maintains that he does so out of necessity, even during this particular season.

Of course, he wishes to be home with his wife and children. Just the very thought of them makes him smile and long to be with them, a notion that only grew stronger following the wedding and honeymoon. He and Alkaid belonged together, that they knew, but now that the wedding has happened, there ought to be no doubt in anyone's minds.

Even so, there is work to be done both at his office and outside of it. The Starlight Celebration is something that requires contributions from all, as it is quite the community event. And while he gets his work done as always, there is something in the back of his mind that is worrying him. Of course, he can do very little about it while he is here at work, but that does not stop his thoughts from straying from time to time.

Alkaid has complained of feeling ill, and while he offered to fetch someone to look at her, she asked that he not, at least for the time being. There is a part of him that still disagrees with that request of hers, but it would hardly be right of him to ignore her wishes, no matter how worried about her he is. So, he went to work as normal, also at her request, but she was never far from his thoughts.

Eventually, he pauses in his work and stops to make note of the time. It is quite a bit past the time that his little family would have come to collect him, and that realization makes his eyebrows draw together into a frown. They have rarely missed a day, and so the fact that they have causes him no small amount of worry. It takes him a few moments to collect his belongings and say his goodbyes before he leaves for the evening, but once all that is accomplished, he wastes no time in heading for home.

He has barely opened the door and stepped inside when a small Elezen all but flings herself at him. Quickly wrapping his arms around her in return, he offers her the brightest smile that he can manage. ]

Well, with a greeting like that, I certainly feel very welcomed. [ He quickly scoops her up and then looks around. ] And where is your brother?

꧁༺ buried memory (6.2) ༻꧂

[zeroindebt]

[crystallinedreams]

( meanwhile, later after this)!

[ G'raha Tia turns his ruby gaze around the vibrant colors around the aetheryte. Life is slowly bustling once more in Radz-at-Han. It does his heart good to see it--especially after seeing the city at her darkest point. For a moment he pauses and looks skyward to stars that for a hundred years played backwards to him. The Crystarium had days of peril that equaled to the Final Days... merely a different threat. If his small city and those that desired a better future could survive the Flood? Then, most certainly, Radz-at-Han could return to her glory.

He turns then and moves to speak to the nearest merchant he can find. Surely, it would not be difficult to find one of the Warriors of Light. K'thisru and Alkaid have always stood out no matter where they traveled--which he imagines must be to their dismay at times. Both sisters had been asked to attend events in Radz-at-Han, yet Alkaid declined due to the events transpiring at home. The "events" had always been left rather vague, but G'raha respected her privacy. She had spent far too much time away from her husband and adopted children. Surely, whatever business was asked of them to continue research in Radz-at-Han could be attended to by K'thisru. G'raha had wished his dear friend and love safe travels with the promise of updates on the rebirth of the Students.

Now, however, he seeks her out with something else in mind. A worry, if you would.

Krile refused to give him details of her trip to Ishgard. She insisted that all was well--more than well in fact. Yet, Krile also encouraged him to visit Ishgard with K'thisru and speak with Alkaid and the Lord Speaker themselves. The time was as good as any with the Starlight Festival beginning to decorate corners of Eorzea. A side note is made to himself that it is the first Festival he had seen in a hundred years, but, the worry of one of his heroes and more or less sister-in-law has dominated musings of the season and his time away on the First.

The shopkeeper insisted he had seen the Warrior of Light attend Mehryde's Meyhane with another friend. Friend, he wonders briefly. Given the sisters share the ancient position of Azem? The concept of making another friend is far from impossible. G'raha bows in thanks and makes his way to the rather quiet establishment for the time of night that it is. Once more, his ruby eyes scan the room until he finds the person he is looking for...and her friend.

A friend that makes him feel as if he is once more in the presence of those that once haunted the Crystal Tower.

G'raha takes the cautious steps up to the table and waits to be noticed rather than interrupt their conversation. The woman--that he can now see plainly--tilts her head up slightly. He can see the purple tinted gray eyes meet his gaze. The woman seems hardly bothered by him at all, although he would not describe her as aloof. Instead she merely tilts her head once more before looking at K'thisru in a sense of being rather unimpressed. ]

I believe he wants your attention.

[ G'raha turns his gaze to K'thisru and offers her the widest smile that he can. Hopefully it will hide his worry. ]

reunion. }

[shepherdtostars]

[ As the next few days stretch on, Alkaid is none the wiser of the plans being made by G'raha and K'thisru. She has felt better throught the days, only feeling the worst in the morning when she awakens.

The children remain attentive to any needs or help needed in the household, but, she worries it is because of a fear they will be abandoned. She wishes there was a way she could reassure them that all is well and their home is there in Manor Borel. It seems that is a manner of actions and deeds as opposed to soothing words. Perhaps, in the end, they will see that they are truly hers and Aymeric's children by bond and not blood.

Artoirel visits every evening that Aymeric had decides to stay home and care for her. Alkaid has yet to decide how to announce the pregnancy, but, that does not mean she kept Aymeric from telling his best friend if he so wished. She reached out to Radz-at-Han to bid her sister to return to Ishgard, but was met with the information her sister had already left. Her next plan of action, she supposes, is to contact the Students of Baldesion and see if G'raha may know where her sister might be.

The hour is late, however, and so she decides to leave the task for the morning.

Alkaid gently knocks on the study door once the children have been put to bed. She quietly opens the door, taking a peek inside to find her lord husband busy at work. Aymeric has always worked late into the night, regardless of his post, but had started to come home earlier once they adopted the children. She supposes it is only fair that he works late at home on the days he insists staying home for his wife.

She closes the door behind her and makes her way to a familiar place at his side by the desk. Her two-toned gaze moves down to the paper he works on before tilting her head ever so slightly. Some sort of missive or proposal, she presumes, but surely it can wait till the morning. The hour is late even for his working habits.

Alkaid tilts her head back to Aymeric. She leans gently against his his side, careful not to disturb the arm that holds the paper down, and nudges her nose to his cheek. She wears her nightgown, donned with a lower collar, as she has already taken the nightly bath alone. He insisted on finishing his work, and Alkaid knows when a certain tone and look comes to him to leave him to it. ]

Aymeric, it's late. [ Her voice is gentle as to not disturb him more than she already has. One hand lifts to rest on the one that holds the paper down. ] Come to bed. Surely, the rest can wait until the morning after breakfast...

꧁༺ gods revel, lands tremble (6.3) ༻꧂

[zeroindebt]

bitter snow. }

[shepherdtostars]

[ Garlemald, unfortunately, has not changed much.

Alkaid's two-toned gaze crosses over the barren frozen wasteland with a frown. She had hoped that things would have progressed further under the watchful eyes of the twins and the Contingency. It would seem that she was wrong. The scenery of Camp Broken Glass serves more as a reminder of how lucky they are to have the home they do in Ishgard.

She reaches up and instinctively tugs her hood around her head more.

Aymeric had been summoned to Garlemald by the request of the Forum of Sharlayan along with other city-state, Doman, and Ala Mhigo allies. A matter of what to do for the Garlaen people. She, however, received a missive of a slightly different nature. A blasphemy had been sighted and slowed down efforts of reaching their allies on the moon. K'thisru remains busy with the other matters the former-Scions of the Seventh Dawn are dealing with, and thus the matters fall to her. Alkaid has more than risen to the challenge... although due to her current circumstance, she is certain Aymeric would have insisted on joining even if he had not been called away as well.

She turns back to look at her lord husband with a gentle smile. The large warm coat covers the slightly showing baby bump. Her hands then fold in front of her, attempting her best not to hold in a way that would show she indeed is pregnant. Alkaid has yet to inform the greater of Eorzea, as she feels her family is a private affair, but to the very least all of the former Scions know. ]

I had said that Garlemald was far colder than Ishgard. [ Her hand extends out to his, gloved fingers giving a slight wiggle. ] I hope you're looking forward to reuniting with Lucia.