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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[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. ]

[elpides]

[ K'thisru knows full well how events around her and her sister tend to take unexpected turns, but finding herself on a world with voidsent and all manner of strange creatures once again surprised her. And of course, there is the curious matter of Zero herself, but she is determined to get to know her and her likes and dislikes too.

She doesn't force Zero to talk unless she wants to, only asking the odd question here and there, and while they might sit in silence every now and then, their conversations have been fairly amiable.

Where she might normally be a chatterbox, pestering Zero with all kinds of questions, she can tell that the other woman might not appreciate that, and so she merely sits with her until G'raha appears and Zero draws attention to his sudden arrival. Turning slightly, she looks around until she spots him, and when she does, a smile breaks out on her face. With a wave, she beckons him over to join them. ]

When did you get here, G'raha?

[crystallinedreams]

Only a few moments ago.

[ G'raha makes a note of how she refers to him and something inside him shifts. Perhaps he ought to be formal as well in public? He feels that they never truly will resolve this back and forth between them... and perhaps they are not meant to.

Instead of dwelling on it for now, he turns his attention to the friend that K'thisru has sat herself with. She is in deep dark robes, pale skin, and even paler purple eyes. Something of her strikes him as familiar in more ways than one. His instincts once more return to those that dwelled in the Crystal Tower thanks to the pact made by Emperor Xande. However it is not just that. Her familiarity speaks to having met this mysterious stranger at one point or another. Had they? He would think he would remember someone with such a striking appearance. ]

Do all of your--friends--stare? [ The woman turns her attention back to K'thisru. She sounds rather bored, as opposed to annoyed or perhaps even flustered. G'raha might have even used the term stoic at one point if he felt she had any sort of loyalty to one thing or another. ] Is that something friends do?

My apologies, I had not meant to be rude. [ G'raha clears his throat and twitches his ears. His attention moves back to K'thisru then and a rather serious look remains in his eyes. One that speaks more of the Exarch who lived a hundred years more than the young man who bounds into adventure at the drop of a hat. ] Might I borrow you for a few moments, Thisru? There is something I need to tell you in private.

[ With a nod of apologies once more to the mysterious woman, G'raha turns and walks more than a few yalms away. Once he is certain that others cannot over hear, he raises his hand and moves to gently tug K'thisru to stand beside him. He tilts his head so they might speak in hushed tones. ]

Tell me... have you had much contact with your sister? Any at all, in fact, since she and Ser Aymeric returned from their honeymoon? [ He wonders if the business K'thisru had been summoned to Thavnair for somehow involved the woman sitting at the table. ] Krile returned this morning having visited the pair. She insisted all was well. Happily so, in fact. Yet, she was very unwillingly to share any details and implored that I come and fetch you to travel to Ishgard myself for answers...

[elpides]

[ K'thisru giggles, but only once, lest Zero take offense or think she is making fun of her. That's not the case at all, as she is quick to explain. ]

No, not at all. I know you don't intend to be, but something about you is eyecatching, Zero. [ That's probably the nicest way of putting it, without making mention of the fact that Zero is a voidsent. Neither of them need the reminder, and she's certain the other woman wouldn't appreciate anyone making a scene about it. ]

Excuse me for just a second, I'll be right back. [ She follows after G'raha, wondering just what it is he wants to tell her. His expression looks serious, which makes her worry, but she decides to wait until she hears what he has to say. ]

Other than checking in from time to time? [ She shakes her head. ] Is something wrong? [ The news that Krile visited them and said that everything was well is somewhat reassuring, but why else would G'raha come all this way? ]

Is someone sick? [ That contradicts what he just said, but she has to ask regardless. ]

[crystallinedreams]

[ Zero tilts her head slightly, before moving her hat down to cover her eyes in thought. She does not move when K'thisru stands to speak with G'raha. After all, why would she? She has not been invited nor is it apart of their deal or arrangements. She is merely there to bide her time and gather what aether she can in return for whatever tasks they ask of her. There is little reason beyond that to involve herself in affairs.

G'raha frowns slightly at the answers. Not that they are by any means wrong or worrying. He merely is concerned a rift will happen between the two sisters. Then again, perhaps it is time the two spent life away and growing before they are inevitably called back to being as their ancient seat asked. G'raha merely sees their new titles in this life as new versions of that ancient seat. ]

Krile did not make the inclination they were. She was rather giddy over the affair, but still, I am uncertain as to why she is so secretive of it. [ His head tilts in thought with a hand touching his chin in an old familiar posture. ] I had thought that ...well, perhaps, if you are interested, we both travel to Ishgard to learn the answer for ourselves. However, I would not want to intrude on the time with your new found friend...

[ G'raha's ruby eyes dart to Zero once more. Friend. Hm. ] Unless, that is, your business has concluded in Thavnair?

[elpides]

[ She tilts her head to one side as if pondering this. What could this mean? Krile would not be giddy if something was wrong, so it must not be bad news. But what exactly is it? ]

Well, then we need to go back to Ishgard. I'd like to go back anyway, but especially now. [ She adds after barely a moment's pause: ] And I'd like to hear what you've been up to also.

[ Then she glances back at Zero and smiles at her before returning her attention to G'raha. ] I think, for the moment, we're free to go.

[ But she imagines that won't last forever, so she figures they might as well make use of what time they have. ]

[crystallinedreams]

[ G'raha smiles gently. ] Truthfully? I have been up to very little. Although, Krile had wanted me to investigate something on behalf of the Students... yet, that can wait until after our trip to Ishgard. Family must come first after all.

[ Even if he shifts slightly at the idea of being considered family when he and K'thisru's relationship seems so very undecided.

His ears twitch before moving his olden gaze back to her friend. It would be pour taste to ask that she leave her friend unattended to. ]

Would you rather your friend accompany us?

[ As if hearing herself addressed, Zero turns her gaze back to the pair. ]

[elpides]

[ At the mention of Krile asking G'raha to investigate something for the Students, K'thisru's ears twitch and she eyes him curiously. ] You know, you're only making me more curious about what you have been working on, and what might be going on in Ishgard.

[ But with a small sigh, she mentally notes to herself that they can tackle one thing at a time. The visit to Ishgard must be important, and she always likes checking in with her sister. She can question G'raha about the Students on the way.

But like him, she quickly turns her attentions back to Zero with a smile. ] What do you think, Zero, would you like to come with us to Ishgard?

[crystallinedreams]

Ah, my apologies, Thisru... I did not mean to make it seem so mysterious. [ G'raha gives a weak smile before bashfully twitching his ears. ] I am aware of how much you dislike that particular habit.

[ And yet, it seems harder than he anticipated to shed the habits of his life as the Crystal Exarch.

Zero glances between the two Miqo'te. A sense of intrusion over comes her, but why she ought to care or even be bothered by is lost on her. Hm. ]

Given you insist, and I am only present by your graces, I suppose I have no other choice. [ Her head tilts down as well as touching her hat. Besides, there is one friend she has yet to see. ] It matters not to me either way.

Ah, an illusive friend. [ He forces a chuckle and steps to the side so that Zero may join them and walk beside them. ] As I presume you are unattunded, it will take a few days to reach Ishgard. We will need to even stop either Ala Mhigo or Limsa Limosa depending on our route. As such, I think it best if Thisru decides our path.

[ Zero merely shrugs.

G'raha eyes her once more before turning his head to look at the sky through the windows. Thoughts that are unappealing truly are already brewing, and he wonders if perhaps he should simply remain in Old Sharlayan until called upon. ]

[elpides]

[ She has to admit that she does like to tease G'raha now and then, not to the point of making him feel bad (or so she hopes), but just enough to hopefully provide some levity for them both. In response, she gives him the widest grin she can manage. ] You know I wasn't entirely serious, right? I do enjoy a good mystery, but knowing you, you'll tell me when you're ready. [ Which may not always be soon enough for her, but she knows that she needs to learn to be patient. ]

Which route to choose... [ She tilts her head sideways and ponders this for a moment. ] Of course, you haven't seen much of Eorzea, so... Limsa Lominsa is by the water, and Ala Mhigo... [ She still finds it difficult to accurately describe the environment there, as it seems rather varied. ]

Of course, both places are quite a bit different from the Thirteenth.

[ In the end, she shrugs. ] Does one place appeal to either of you more than the other?

[crystallinedreams]

[ Instead of answering her question, G'raha only gives her a timid smile. He is aware that she loves the thrill of adventure and the allure of undiscovered things. Information being purposely kept from her, however, must surely remain a sore spot. One that he directly caused. His life as the Exarch is not one he sees as belonging to another but his own. And, he would continue to apologize and make amends for the hurt the adventure brought if he felt it would do them good. Yet, he feels apologies would be as his confessions of his feelings had been--never truly understood. ]

The Thirteenth?

[ The hairs on the back of his neck stands on end. His eyes immediately rest on Zero, piercing through her. The shard that and been collapsed into the Void as opposed to a Calamity. The one in which the Cloud of Darkness hailed from that Emperor Xande made a deal with that set everything within the Crystal Tower in motion. A voidsent.

One that seemingly eats and drinks and walks among people as if she is one. One that a Warrior of Light dines with... ]

You know of my home? [ Zero returns her gaze to G'raha. ] Or... you know of voidsent?

Both, far more than one might first guess. [ His hands flex, including the one that has ahold of K'thisru. He drops both hands in order to fold them, squaring his shoulders slightly. ] As Thisru mentioned, Limsa is entees by water. Ala Mhigo is a desert region, long wracked by Imperial forced and occupation.

[ Zero's eyes widen slightly in thought before tilting her head down. She remembered something. ] It matters not to me which way.

[ G'raja looks down at the woman he loves. ] Then, perhaps we should attend the quickest way by airship. They may still stop in Ala Mhigo, but then, we could easily cross by wagon or chocobo to Gridania and then another airship to Ishard. Unless you would prefer a more scenic route?