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

Comments

[elpides]

I would try and understand him and why he did all of that, but sometimes I think there is no understanding him. Especially since he's beyond conversation now. [ She pauses to consider this and all of Zenos's machinations, and then she adds: ] I would have been able to respect him more if he had not been so destructive.

[ She knows her personal opinions on what makes a good leader, and in her mind, Zenos had none of those qualities. In fact, she believes she sees most of those qualities in G'raha. ]

No, unfortunately, although I sometimes wish there was a way to have them talk.

[ While keeping a careful eye out for his reactions, in case he reacts with displeasure, she nudges her hip against his hand with a hint of a playful smile. ]

I'm curious about Allag, but I'm more curious about you. Tell me about one of your favorite memories from when you were younger. [ She wonders if it is difficult for him to recall things, given what has happened to him, but she poses the question anyway because her curiosity is too great. ]

[crystallinedreams]

[ His ears twitch at her statement. He supposes there might yet be away--should they make contact in the aetheric sea thanks to the structure in Sharlayan. Of course, that would also imply that Zenos's soul not only found its way back, but that K'thisru would even wish to speak to him. He instead files it away as something that is an errant thought and returns his attention to the conversation.

Zenos was clearly not interested in leading. The very state of Garlemald showed such things when they arrived. Power and the thrill of the hunt were how he led his life. They each had their own way to lead their lives, of course, but it is clear that how Zenos lead his life. ]

I would imagine that once you understand the emotions of your companion, words are not needed. Then again, one could argue if aetheric creations have souls at all. Those that are conjured that is. Perhaps it is a conversation to have with Y'shtola?

[ G'raha tilts head to the side. ] My favorite memories from my youth? Well, I would say it was fairly uneventful. Although, I was rather fond of trying the food at the Last Stand for the first time. It was not quite what I expected, but it was very different from the food of my homeland. Even more so from the food the rest of Sharlayan seemed to prefer...

[elpides]

[ There are some that she would wish to speak to again, but Zenos is not one of them. In her mind, the encounters she and her sister have had with him are more than enough. At least at the present, there is no reason she can think of that would make her want to seek him out once more. ]

You're right, of course. And of course, some would say that those creations don't, and so they don't have emotions, but- [ She smiles, because she believes otherwise, at least about her particular carbuncle. ] I disagree. Y'shtola might have an answer. [ But it might be more theoretical than anything else, not that there is anything wrong with that. ]

Oh, it can't have been that uneventful. [ She knows better than to pry or ask about things that might be uncomfortable to talk about, but she still wants to know more about him. ] Maybe we should take a trip around Eorzea so you can try new and different kinds of food. [ She taps a finger against the side of her chin as she ponders this notion. ]

[crystallinedreams]

[ A low chuckle comes from him at her comment. The familiar olden look takes to his eyes then. ] Far be it from me to question the knowledge of the wise younger Master Matoya when it comes to the area of aetheric creations. However, I find myself of the opinion that none might know the nature of the creation better than they who created it. If you nurture your aetheric companion to develop in such a manner... who is to say it cannot be as such?

[ He watches her move for a moment, noting how she puts her finger to her chin as she thinks. The way her eyebrows move in thought. There are so many small details he thought he had committed to perfect memory before sealing himself away within the Tower. Details he would recall on long starless nights of the First. Perhaps he had committed them to perfect detail and it was merely the fact that K'thisru had grown far more in her time in the Dragonsong War and the struggles of the far east. She had turned into a remarkable woman, and one he believes that may be forever out of his reach. For all his knowledge and all his ability to spin tales? It seems as if he may never truly reach her to cross that final threshold.

G'raha's gaze turns upwards to the ceiling as the familiar olden look falls over his face. ]

To travel without burden and to simply go where your whims would wish to take you must certainly be something you have longed for. A longing I imagine your sister might have shared if she had not found Ser Aymeric. [ He pauses then. ] I realize I have never simply wandered aimlessly and merely acting on my own whims. Every step led me to the stewardship left to me of the Crystal Tower... and then, to saving the two that brought so much comfort and hope to those they would never meet. Indeed, it seems no matter how far I might travel or go, my path will always remain tied to the Crystal Tower and the hopes it might bring to others.

A burden I would not wish to conform you to without your own want. [ Perhaps now is the best time to speak of it. ] My bloodline is tied to the Tower, and has been since the days of Allag. Whoever would wish to be at my side would need to understand and accept that... although it is not something I would ask another to join me without their own desire to do be apart of such a legacy.

A legacy I had not thought to have. After all, my intentions had been to quietly remove myself and the Tower on the First from this timeline. Such a motion would not only avoid the Eighth Umbral Calamity, but free me for a potentially much happier path forward. It was not until you and your sister had altered my own plans that I had considered the possibility that I might join you in your travels in some way... and now... your travels will once again take you far, no doubt, to places unseen and heard of. Places that your heart and very soul must long to find, given your ancient position.

[ G'raha closes his eyes. ] And I would be loath to keep you from such amazing things by asking you even consider the possibility of remaining in one place. Your sister has elected to stay in Ishgard, it would seem, but I cannot ask you to bind yourself to either Sharlayan or the Tower for my sake.

Only you know what your heart and soul truly desire, Thisru. Just as you know what your carbuncle needs and desires. Only you know what will bring you fulfillment now that the secrets of the ancient past have been unveiled and you have made possible a new chapter for our star yet again.

[elpides]

[ A somewhat mischievous look crosses her face even as she continues to thoughtfully ponder what kind of life the two of them could have together, if they manage to move past this strange song and dance they seem to be doing. ]

You know, what I want isn't very much when you think about it. To travel around the world and see new things and meet new people- I have done that already. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to just stay in one place with someone I care about... someone that I could- Well, could love. [ She feels a blush of red creeping up her neck, because she hasn't stated those words quite so plainly before, but it feels like something she needs to do. ]

I can't care for the Crystal Tower in the same way that you can, but places need to be cleaned and things need to be organized, and I might not be very good at either of those things, but I can try.

[ In her mind, she has already begun thinking of how she might settle down and stop being so flighty and headstrong and take up a place as someone's companion, perhaps even their wife, if that's what he wants. ]

Sharlayan seems to be full of people coming and going, so if we stayed there, it wouldn't be dull at all. And the Tower wouldn't be either, because you'd be there.

[ She laughs a little shyly, but there's no hesitation in her words this time. ]