Yes, admirable. [ She tilts her head to look up towards him. ] Perhaps the notion is strange, but not many in the Black Shroud are as dedicated to protecting their home as Ishgardians are. Many seek to join the Adventurer's Guild to find ways to leave Gridania, leaving the Shroud to those who stand with the Twin Adders. Not all are so ready to return home and defend it should it be needed.
[ Alkaid pauses then. ] It is not judgement, simply a statement of facts. While I have trained in Gridania, that is far from my birthplace. My twin sister and I left our clan and parted ways to pursue our respective studies... and while Gridania has been where I reside for a fair amount of years? It is not home. Then again, neither was my clan... as strange as it might sound for a Miqo'te to say. [ Her gaze shifts downwards with a small frown on her face. ] To have a place to call home is one thing, while it is another to defend it with such love and devotion. It is entirely another thing to devote those emotions to the people of your home and their well-being, not just the walls that make up your home.
So... yes, I find it admirable. [ A bashful smile touches her face. ] And you may call upon my company whenever you wish.
[ Despite having so many things to share a moment before, she finds that now she has none as he continues. Her hand in his curls tightly around his, even as he debates with himself about returning the motion. Gods, she wishes she had been wrong. She almost wishes he had been there to turn her away and go on about how it was improper for them to meet as they do. Yet, even that idea causes her heart to clench and feel as if it had stopped beating.
She knew this is what it was. Deep down, below the nervousness, she knew there was no other reason a Temple Knight would come to a woman dressed so. The hand at his arm curls tightly and she remains there, silent as he continues on. Recently? How recent? Has he prepared to march away already? When is he to depart? So many questions fly through her mind she hardly knows where to begin in asking for details. Perhaps, though, details do not matter.
They move to the higher levels of the Brume before she acts. The rational part of her mind is already scolding her for what she wishes to do. They are in a war, he is a soldier, it was to happen at some point. Yet, there is a gripping fear deep within her that she might lose him. How is that to be? He is not hers to lose. By standards they are merely acquaintances, and yet... yet...
Alkaid acts in a fluid motion almost as if she had practiced it. She steps in front of him. Then, her arms leave his only to wrap around his frame. Her forehead rests gently to his chest as she simply stands there. Hands curl into the fabric of his formal military garb. Her eyes shut tightly and she remains standing where she is.
The Stone Vigil is not far from Ishgard to her knowledge, considering where the other Vigils remain. However, it says more that they worry for the Dravanians coming so much closer to their city. Alkaid lets out a shaky breath before inhaling once more to quell the feelings storming inside her chest.
What if you are hurt and I am not there to heal you? What if another catches your eye? Maybe an Elezen, graceful and schooled in the art of the healing natural to your country. One who would certainly be better for you... and even if you come home it would be with her...
What if you never come home to me?
Her shoulders shake even with her best attempts to not allow them to. ]
...when must you go?
[ She curses herself within her own mind at how soft her voice is. How withdrawn--how scared she must sound. Surely it is unbecoming to a Knight whose life has been filled with war since he was born. ]
no subject
[ Alkaid pauses then. ] It is not judgement, simply a statement of facts. While I have trained in Gridania, that is far from my birthplace. My twin sister and I left our clan and parted ways to pursue our respective studies... and while Gridania has been where I reside for a fair amount of years? It is not home. Then again, neither was my clan... as strange as it might sound for a Miqo'te to say. [ Her gaze shifts downwards with a small frown on her face. ] To have a place to call home is one thing, while it is another to defend it with such love and devotion. It is entirely another thing to devote those emotions to the people of your home and their well-being, not just the walls that make up your home.
So... yes, I find it admirable. [ A bashful smile touches her face. ] And you may call upon my company whenever you wish.
[ Despite having so many things to share a moment before, she finds that now she has none as he continues. Her hand in his curls tightly around his, even as he debates with himself about returning the motion. Gods, she wishes she had been wrong. She almost wishes he had been there to turn her away and go on about how it was improper for them to meet as they do. Yet, even that idea causes her heart to clench and feel as if it had stopped beating.
She knew this is what it was. Deep down, below the nervousness, she knew there was no other reason a Temple Knight would come to a woman dressed so. The hand at his arm curls tightly and she remains there, silent as he continues on. Recently? How recent? Has he prepared to march away already? When is he to depart? So many questions fly through her mind she hardly knows where to begin in asking for details. Perhaps, though, details do not matter.
They move to the higher levels of the Brume before she acts. The rational part of her mind is already scolding her for what she wishes to do. They are in a war, he is a soldier, it was to happen at some point. Yet, there is a gripping fear deep within her that she might lose him. How is that to be? He is not hers to lose. By standards they are merely acquaintances, and yet... yet...
Alkaid acts in a fluid motion almost as if she had practiced it. She steps in front of him. Then, her arms leave his only to wrap around his frame. Her forehead rests gently to his chest as she simply stands there. Hands curl into the fabric of his formal military garb. Her eyes shut tightly and she remains standing where she is.
The Stone Vigil is not far from Ishgard to her knowledge, considering where the other Vigils remain. However, it says more that they worry for the Dravanians coming so much closer to their city. Alkaid lets out a shaky breath before inhaling once more to quell the feelings storming inside her chest.
What if you are hurt and I am not there to heal you? What if another catches your eye? Maybe an Elezen, graceful and schooled in the art of the healing natural to your country. One who would certainly be better for you... and even if you come home it would be with her...
What if you never come home to me?
Her shoulders shake even with her best attempts to not allow them to. ]
...when must you go?
[ She curses herself within her own mind at how soft her voice is. How withdrawn--how scared she must sound. Surely it is unbecoming to a Knight whose life has been filled with war since he was born. ]