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

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

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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[ While Alkaid would find herself agreeing through circumstance of her Seat and charge? She, as K'lantaa and Althea, wants nothing more than to have a life with him, her beloved. The feeling remains that perhaps such a life has found ways to elude them more often than not. ]

I imagine some find it rather bothersome. Either those that are older, or perhaps those who believe far more in the older traditions? [ Her tone softens as she speaks. Alkaid has always known she does not know the traditions and undertones of Ishgardian culture. At least this inadequet feeling can be addressed. ] I wonder how much more scandelous it might be if I were to join them...

[ The thought causes her tail to sway ever slightly more.

She smiles gently at him, red still dominating her cheeks. He hardly needs to share his wardrobe with her, let alone anything else. She would not have him feel any of his person is compromised for her sake. Still, she will not have him feeling as if he is inadequet of a partner for her when that is far from the case.

As always, she melts into the kiss. A wide smile is on her face for him once they part. the temptation to pull him into bed is immediate, but, she refrains for now. Her attention drops to her arms as he poses his question. The correct answer is already in her mind even if she frowuns slightly. ]

It most likely would be a strain... which I imagine you would be quite against, as my caretaker. [ Alkaid gently nudges his nose with hers. ] I will wait duitiflly here for you then.

If they truly do find it bothersome, I both pity them and fail to understand them. [ He does understand the formality and often rigidity of Ishgardian tradition, and he himself has some areas in which he will not compromise. But when it comes to family, he knows he will never find anything that Alkaid or the children do a bother. He never imagined that he would have a family of his own, much less one as loving as the one that he has found. ] Would you join them? [ He is aware that such a thing would set people's tongues wagging, but they do that anyway, and he finds he is learning to not be troubled by it. What he is troubled by, however, is the notion that his beloved family will become the target of gossip, and that is something he cannot abide. ]

I have no objection to the three of you coming to collect me. [ But should he overhear even the slightest comment about them, then he will be forced to act. With respect, of course, but action would still be required. ]

I will do my best to be quick about it. [ And he is: quick but thorough. Soon enough, the fire is tended, and he has seen to other things that need to be done before they can retire comfortably. He returns to where she sits, and he reaches out to take hold of her hand. ]

Is there anything that you require? Some tea, perhaps?

[ She cannot help but smile at his question. While she very much enjoys welcoming him home every night she is there? The idea of walking home with their children is certainly one that makes her ears perk atop her head. ]

I believe I would.

[ She is his betrothed after all. All of those in Ishgard certainly know this, thus it should not be so surprising she would be seen with the children waiting for him. Certainly the gossip far focuses on the fact a Warrior of Light lives with Ser Aymeric before they are even wed. Adopting children is hardly unusual for the people of Ishgard.

Of course, she will need to be well again, and plan the affair with the children. While their habit was one she requested? She does not wish to overstep if they see it as their moment alone with their father.

She watches as he tends to the fire and dresses for bed once his armor is removed. It takes a moment longer than she wishes, but, she manages to move over to her side of the bed so he might take his place. The movements are slow as she moves under the covers and gets comfortable underneath them. One hand takes his as the other moves to untie the ribbon around his wrist. She gestures for him to place it on the nightstand so he might use it in her hair for the morrow.

Her hand gently squeezes his. ] Only your company.

[ Once he has obliged, she welcomes him with as open arms as she is able. they shake as she struggles to wrap one around him and the other th rest on his face. Her thumb brushes his cheekbone before traveling up into his hair. All her fingers curl into his locks as she strains to rest her forehead against his jaw. she would pull herself to him as usual, but finds she lacks the strength to do so. ]

I missed you. [ A phrase she has said on numberous occassions this night, but now all the emotions are allowed to come through. The longing, the love, but also the pain. Having him be an aetheryte travel away yet be unable to be with him was more painful than being far away on the First.

She gently nudges his jaw in hopes he might pull her closer. ] Thisru had Raha with her... and yet, I couldn't bring you with me. All I could do was think of all the places I wished to show you.

[ Alkaid sniffles a cry that wishes to breakthrough. She supposes that is why Estinien had made himself more of a companion as possible. There were several nights she would lay in bed on her own looking out a window in the direction Ishgard was. Others, she would simply walk through the cities at night with her gaze up at the stars wondering if he looked to them for her as well. She focused on her duties and seeing those who needed it cared for, but, she imagines it was quite apparent to all the Scions how lonely she was becoming. Even then, she pushed on with hope, grace, and a smile for them all.

Now that she is home in his arms? She feels those emotions rise for Aymeric to take away and comfort her. Another cry attempts to come, but instead she hides her face between his neck and his shoulder with her tail tucked around them. ]

Even when I thought circumstances might allow me to return home... Ishgard needed my sister. Not me. [ She had hinted at it in the bath, but as always, when it is just the pair of them in bed? Everything comes forward. ] I just wish to be with you. Here. At home.

[ Alkaid presses a kiss his neck as if she is apologizing, asking he not hate her for her more selfish emotions. ]

[ He finds that words are not adequate here. Instead, actions seem the better method of communication, and as such, he simply pulls her closer but with care, being mindful of her current condition.

It seems to him that she needs his comfort and care, and while he could wax on at length with promises to always look after her and support her, she has heard all those words before. They are always genuine, of course, and he means every one of them, but he finds he does not wish to speak his intentions but show them.

Still being careful not to jar her too much or cause her discomfort, he places his hands upon her, intending to slide her so that she is sitting on top of him. It might seem like a silly gesture, but it seems to him that the closer she is to him, the easier it will be for him to give her the comfort she needs. And, well, from that position, other displays of affection are just as easily performed.

Once she is settled and he is assured that her position is not causing her discomfort, he tilts his head forward just enough to brush a light kiss against her cheek. And only then does he speak. ]

Ishgard will always have need of you, dearest. [ He places a special emphasis upon that word, and he moves in such a way so that she can see the smile on his face. He hopes that she understands his meaning: that he will always need her, whether or not circumstances allow her to return to her home and to him.

Of course, now that she is free to remain here, he intends to ensure that they spend as much time together as possible, and in that way, fulfill her wish to be with him. ]

[ Alkaid timidly moves with his direction. Not out of fear or worry he may hurt her, but out of the worry he will blame himself if her wounds are aggravated. He had already shown his displeasure at Zenos scaring her once, but now a second time? She imagines he is still quite angry beneath the surface, but choses to focus on other matters. Alkaid is not a mind reader, but she believes she knows him well enough to understand how he thinks.

She carefully slides into her lap by straddling him. Their height difference makes several things tricky at times, but she has learned how to position herself for ease of effort. Her head tilts back so she might look at him proper with a small but sad smile on her lips. Long has she thought her sister the true Warrior of Light, while she merely someone who does not live up to the role. Somehow the request from home for magical aid, but not healers, stung her heart in a similar manner. A ridiculous thought, to be certain, and yet one she has had nonetheless.

Her eyes close at his gentle kiss. Her ears droop as always at his special name for her, but her heart gives a strong beat. Aymeric always seems to find thr right words to direct and reassure all around him, including her. She most certainly understands his double meaning and swallows the emotions threatening to rise in her. Of course he understood her worry. Only her sister knows her as well as he does.

Alkaid gently brushes her cheek to his in a brief show of affection. Her hands return to his hair, combing up into it to brush through the strands. ]

Even as just me, and not a Warrior of Light? A Savior of Ishgard? A holder of the Seat of Azem? [ She almost feels as if she has asked him this once before. Perhaps in another life. ] As just Lantaa... and Althea?

[ Her eyes instantly cast downwards as a look of regret and shame crosses her face. Emet-Selcht insisted she and K'thisru continue to uphold their Seat. That they travel the world and shards and aid the people. Yet, what of what she wishes? Is it so wrong to put the life she has wanted above such demands, now that all that Hydaelyn had seen to had been resolved?

And then, she echoes words spoken when she returned from the First: ] All I want is the life we are to have--the one we were supposed to have before everything. Through every life we've been reborn to... is that so wrong?

[ Her suppositions are accurate, as he still carries with him a considerable amount of self-blame because he has not been able to protect her in the ways he thinks he should. She is easily the most important person in his life, and the one that he has promised himself to. That promise, and the other promises that remain unspoken but no less heartfelt, is what drives nearly all of his actions, and causes him to feel as though he could spend the rest of his life trying to live up to what he has promised to do.

When she slides into her lap and straddles him, he instantly moves his hands to steady her should she need additional support. The smile she gives him causes him no small amount of worry, although he cannot be sure what is troubling her, but he means to find out. Little does he know that their thoughts are straying in similar directions. Of course, it would take quite the concerted effort to dislodge his belief in Alkaid and K'thisru as the celebrated Warriors of Light. There is no having one without the other, as both are needed and loved, and he has no doubts in either of them.

Still, he had wished that both sisters could have come to Ishgard to assist in the matter of the blasphemies, but there was nothing to be done about it. And perhaps it is for the best, as Alkaid has already supported him through difficulties before, and he would ask no more of her than she has already given.

Regardless, those events are in the past, even though both of them seem to carry them with them to some extent. He is content in this moment to simply hold her and relax with her, as best as both of them can. ]

Of course. I would have you as you are, as yourself, and it is high time that we saw you as you, still our savior, but our sister and our friend. [ He pauses for a moment before he adds: ] And, of course, my dearest.

[ His hold upon her tightens just slightly in response to her words and he speaks without hesitation. ] How could that ever be wrong?

[ Alkaid forms to the additional support he offers and leans her weary body into his hold. How she wishes she could show him the world as he wishes to see it. They have children now which of course makes the notion more complicated now. Alkaid would not trade Leon or Mélodie for the world. They have brightened their lives and especially Aymeric's. He has a purpose outside of just work and her: lives he can truly see the new future of Ishgard impact. That means more to her than traveling with her knight, but she still yearns to show him the places she has only ever been able to describe to him.

A tired look passes over her eyes as he refers to her in such a way. Our savior. She tires of such titles and notions. Yes, she and her sister share all those titles. Eozrea's Champions, Hydaelyn's Chosen, the Warriors of Light, the Saviors of Ishgard, the Warriors of Darkness--Azem. Yet, deep down, she only truly ever wishes to be seen as herself. That was one of the few things that had initially endeared her so much to her betrothed. He, out of all they had met, inquired on the state of the Warriors of Light as people. Not even the Scions had done that for them at the time.

Alkaid sighs and tilts her head down. Her forehead rests to his shoulder as her hands lazily toy with the edges of his hair. A smile touches on her face at his name of her as the name always causes her to react. The tip of her tail sways happily. She lifts her tail to curl around the pair of them, offering for him to touch and brush it if he desires. ]

Emet-Selcht had insisted Thisru and I continue to uphold our ancient seat. That, if we inherited the crystal that is already by all rights ours, that it was the least we could do. Continue to travel the world, see its people, see what is hidden away anywhere we could find. Perhaps even visit the other shards as we had the First.

[ Alkaid's eyes close as all of her weight leans into him. She is beyond exhausted, injured, and spent in many ways. How much longer must she continue this? ]

Is it truly alright if I retire and simply be your dearest?

[ All he wishes to do is hold onto her and offer his support. They do not need to do anything, whether travel together or go on adventures; just having her nearby and being able to love and support her is a fair enough trade in his mind. After all, he has long been resigned to being unable to go too far from Ishgard for long.

As he sees it, everything he needs is right here with the family that he has found. Or rather, the family that found him.

The look on her face does not escape his notice, and he wonders if he has misspoken again. There is a part of him that still thinks of her as their savior and their champion, because she and her sister brought an end to that long drawn out war and it is because of them that the people of Ishgard can hope and experience something other than fighting and strife. But he also knows that she does not wish to be only that person. She wishes to be herself, and he can understand why she feels that way. ]

Perhaps I misspoke. You are not only our champions and saviors and all the other titles that have been given to you. You are yourself: Alkaid, Lantaa, my dearest, above everything else, simply because that is who you wish to be.

[ He smiles a small smile and circles his arm around her protectively even as he draws her in just a fraction closer. ]

Of course it is all right. If anyone says otherwise, I will be quick to correct them on your behalf should you need me to.

[ While in her right mind, Alkaid can see and understand Ishgard's idolization of her and her sister. Without them the Dragonsong War would have never ended. Yet, for now, she wishes to put all her titles aside. She wishes to only be herself a time, a soon-to-be wife and a mother.

She leans her entire weight against him as he speaks. Her eyes close tiredly, but her tail continues to sway ever so slightly. Her arms begin to shake to the point she must remove them from around his neck and simply curl up into his embrace. She cradles her injured arms and rests her head against his chest and nods to show she has heard him.

Eventually, his heart beat lures her into an uneasy slumber, but a slumber none the less. ]

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

BOOK 5: OUR SONG

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/wraps this up