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]

[ If she did not already feel undeserving of him and his love, she would sit up so that she might lean against him and rest her head against his shoulder. There is something comforting about his presence, feeling him beside her and knowing that he is there and will not be leaving, in spite of all her insecurities and what she feels is her failure to communicate properly. ]

Everyone- Well, most everyone deserves a second chance. And after everything that you did on the First, no one deserves that more than you.

[ The second that he begins to rub her ear is the second that she very nearly melts on the spot, and suddenly all she wants is to be close to him and be comforted by him. ]

It was always busy there, full of comings and goings. Sometimes Lantaa and I just wanted to be by ourselves, so we had a little hiding spot for the two of us. And, well, the two of us wanted to see more of the world and that's why we left.

[ She smiles a bit thinking back on those times with her sister both with the clan and after they departed from it. ] Lantaa would always take care of me if I got scraped up from running around too much, so it makes sense that she would become a white mage.

[ But then she has to pause to think as if the answer to the question of why she became a summoner is not as straightforward. ]

I don't know why I became a summoner, except that I felt drawn to it somehow. [ Looking back on it, it does seem rather strange. Being a summoner involves studying and reading, two things she was never very good at, and yet she cannot imagine herself specializing in anything else.

And strangely enough, somehow, she feels that her being a summoner compliments G'raha's own set of abilities. Perhaps if they can work on their relationship, they can compliment each other too and one day become two halves of the same coin. ]

[crystallinedreams]

"Most" of everyone? I wonder who would fall under those that would not be considered for a second chance by the standards of a Warrior of Light.

[ Most certainly Zenos... perhaps Vauthry? Although, G'raha would argue the second was manipulated and drawn into a delusion that was beyond his control. Sympathy is perhaps not the word, but, G'raha does understand when one is pulled into a situation outside of their own control. He was in his own way. ]

Ah, a natural healer. It would explain her talents. As for you? I quite imagine your natural talent is shaping and forming of aether. Summoning the carbuncles is a second nature to you as healing is to your sister. Which would mean that with some work, your talent could become even more grand than it already is. It is... a topic I have thought much on since my return to the Source.

[ Although, he has been wary to suggest it. K'thisru has already mentioned many times how she is not one for the idea of studying from books. ]

The art of summoning, as I am certain you are aware, hails from Allag. Your soul stone is one of the very oldest that we are aware of in Etheirys. Your sisters would date back to the Fifth Astral Era, while yours dates back to the Third. I must admit that I often thought it quaint, or perhaps even some form of destiny, that I be inspired by a Warrior of Light whose talents draw upon the age that my own destiny was shaped by. [ G'raha chuckles sheepishly then and the look of the old Exarch crosses past his face. ] Although, you do not need the royal red eye of Allag to perform your miracles.

[elpides]

Not many, if that means anything at all. [ She chooses to believe that everyone deserves that second chance, but not everyone wants to have that. Zenos is certainly one of those. At one point, she had thought that neither Emet-Selch nor Elidibus deserved forgiveness nor redemption, but it isn't in her nature to entirely write someone off. She may not fully trust Emet-Selch, and she would reluctantly call him an ally of sorts, but he isn't someone that she would write off either.

Perhaps Zenos is the only one who has received that designation. ]

That's hard for me to decide, because not all of those that I've encountered that could be considered enemies were completely at fault. [ Yotsuyu, while cold-hearted and seemingly cruel, was made that way because of her environment. At least, that's her opinion on that matter.

So like G'raha, she understands that good and evil is far more complicated than people like it to be. ]

I suppose you could call it natural. Sometimes it seems like I could summon a carbuncle simply by thinking about it. [ Of course, it really isn't that simple, but it comes as naturally to her as breathing in a lot of ways. ]

More grand? [ She tilts her head to one side as if wondering what he means. Truthfully, she has often wondered if there were more secrets or hidden arts that she could unlock through further study, even if the thought of it makes her wrinkle her nose a bit. ]

Perhaps destiny has been working all along, and we just didn't see it. [ She shifts just a little bit so she can give him a teasing nudge. Part of her wants to say that destiny is what brought them together, that they belong together. ]

Maybe one day you could tell me some stories about Allag. [ While summoning had its origins there, and her soul stone has ties to Allag too, K'thisru knows she does not know very much about that ancient civilization. Oh, she knows the common stories, but she imagines that there is so much that she and others do not know. ]

But miracles is how I would describe everything that you've done, Raha.

[crystallinedreams]

I find that surprising. Especially after many that you would call foe that you now call ally.

[ Of course, most of his knowledge comes from what he has learned since his return to the Source. Several people she and her sister once fought had turned ally in some form or another; many defecting from the Empire. There are others, he supposes, that may not warrant such a blessing. That, or, perhaps K'thisru is far more forgiving than her sister. ]

Behind every person is a story that led them to how they were. Still, I would wager not all are deserving of understanding... depending on what they had done. Zenos, I suppose, would be the most recent example.

[ G'raha chuckles lightly at her statement. ] I imagine you summoned one often to keep you company. Perhaps they give you better company than I am capable of.

[ His ears move up and down once as if to illustrate he is joking, but, he truly does wonder if he is the right companion for her. By qualifications he certainly is, yet, should they not fall into a more natural rhythm as Alkaid and Ser Aymeric? Perhaps there is something he is missing... a topic he might bring up to the Lord Speaker himself. Should the opportunity arise. ]

As a summoner, you can craft beings from aether that are forms of primals, yes? If that is the case, then the same might be applied to your carbuncle. Even further still, you might be able to apply your ideal shapes of other beings from the First. Or at the very least perhaps increase the size of your carbuncle.

[ He smiles faintly at the idea that destiny could have been working in their favor. Perhaps it has in hers certainly. For now, the comment on his "miracles" is one he does not entertain. He merely did what was required and asked of him. That is hardly on the same level as what she and her sister have accomplished as the Seat of Azem. ]

Then, perhaps, we should make this a form of study. [ While she has told him she does not enjoy studying, it may be a way to garner her to speak more of herself. ] Say if you were to ask me a question of myself or Allag, then I in return have one of you. Would that suffice?

[ G'raha shifts around her to sit beside her with his back against the headboard. The hand at her ear moves to the top of her head briefly. Then, he rests it at her hip. He would attempt to ease the muscles, but, only if she finds the touch appropriate. ]

[elpides]

[ She also finds that surprising, but perhaps that is a matter of perspective. Quite a few of the Garleans are now what she would consider allies, or at least no longer particularly hostile or opposed to them, which is at least a favorable turn of events.

She mulls this over for a few seconds before shrugging her shoulders lightly. ] Zenos only wanted one thing: a good fight to keep him from being bored. [ Perhaps that is simplifying it too much, but it seems to her that that was his main ambition, based off the things he said to her and her sister. ]

Carbuncle is good at keeping me company, but so are you. [ Understanding that he is joking, she smiles warmly at him, hoping that the smile underlines the point that she enjoys his company just a little bit more than she does the company of her Carbuncle. She will always be fond of her summonable companion, but G'raha is good company too. ]

Well, I have to admit that I wouldn't mind learning how to do all that. [ It excites her more than she thought it would, but the thought of learning new ways of working with her Carbuncle and her summoning ability prods at something inside her... perhaps the part of her that also likes a challenge.

Again she smiles at him and offers him a nod in response. ] I think that will be more than all right. [ In some ways, he is still a mystery to her, and of course, she wouldn't ask him to divulge all his secrets, but she does want to know more about the person who began as a wide-eyed adventurer that became a leader of an entire city and caretaker of the Crystal Tower.

So for now, she contents herself with snuggling a little closer to him and resting against him, nudging her hip just slightly against his hand. ]

[crystallinedreams]

[ He hums gently. ] Perhaps there was more to it in the end. After all, he went to extreme lengths just to keep from being bored. Working with Eorzea, to even the smallest degree, in order to ultimately save you and your sister is no small matter. Of course, it was to have one last fight in the end, even then.... perhaps there was some respect to some degree.

[ G'raha shakes his head. There may be no point in mulling it over as he is. However, if he is to ever write or chronical these adventures? He wishes to be as thoughtful to all parties as possible. ]

I imagine your Carbuncle is not nearly as, shall we say, talkative as I am. [ He chuckles and notes how she moves her hip into his hand. He shifts then, clearing his throat as he feels a familiar form of embarrassment take hold of him. ] Very well then. Start us off on our little questionnaire, Thisru. You may ask any question of me or of Allag and I will do my utmost to answer.

[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. ]