ᑭᕼYᗩ TᗩYᑌᑌᑎ (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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synthneon2024-11-25 02:03 am
moonsblessed) wrote in synthneon2024-11-25 02:03 am
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We are in a war zone against them. [ Ardbert smiles at Mya. He knows she is more aware than anyone. The state of her settlement hasn't passed his notice. ] I'll let you work your magic.
[ He moves to the side and let's the smaller Miq'ote in. The clawed gloves leave Clive's back. They're covered in blood. His gaze moves between the group around him before settling on Jill. ]
Mya's craft is in summoning, but, she shares a knack for healing I lack. It ought to be enough until we can get to Falcon's Nest. Her sister is working with another in Ishgard, but I imagine she can spare time to help.
[ Clive remains silent. His hands twitch now and again. Eyebrows knit together as if he is having a nightmare or disturbed sleep. Yet, nothing comes to mind. Nothing plays out. It's simply an void. Something he is fine with. After all, he deserves to fade into nothing. ]
[ He moves to the side and let's the smaller Miq'ote in. The clawed gloves leave Clive's back. They're covered in blood. His gaze moves between the group around him before settling on Jill. ]
Mya's craft is in summoning, but, she shares a knack for healing I lack. It ought to be enough until we can get to Falcon's Nest. Her sister is working with another in Ishgard, but I imagine she can spare time to help.
[ Clive remains silent. His hands twitch now and again. Eyebrows knit together as if he is having a nightmare or disturbed sleep. Yet, nothing comes to mind. Nothing plays out. It's simply an void. Something he is fine with. After all, he deserves to fade into nothing. ]
[ She just gives him a knowing smile in return; the war they're embroiled in is a serious matter, but she also knows that neither of them are very good at sitting still. Better to be fighting off dragons than standing around idle. At least she can try to protect people, whether from her settlement or elsewhere. ]
All right, let's see what we have here. [ She knows that her healing isn't as good as her sister's, but she knows better than to state that out loud right now. What Jill and Clive (if he's even able to hear them) need right now is reassurance. ]
Looks like a little stick, doesn't it? [ It's unconventional, most likely, but Mya would rather give off a little humor than be dour or too serious. Downplaying a situation has not always settled well with the people she's healed, but some do recognize it for what it is.
She eventually falls silent as she sets to work channeling the needed aether to try and heal the wound enough to last him until her sister can come and finish the job. At least she knows enough of the basics to be somewhat useful.
Jill watches Mya work, but most of her focus is on Clive. If he doesn't live, then what purpose does she have? Reason says she can always find a new purpose, but at the moment, she can hardly see past the situation at hand. ]
And if she finds that she can't spare time to help? [ Jill knows she'd move Clive to the next closest healer if that's what it comes to, but it might not be the wisest course of action either. ]
All right, let's see what we have here. [ She knows that her healing isn't as good as her sister's, but she knows better than to state that out loud right now. What Jill and Clive (if he's even able to hear them) need right now is reassurance. ]
Looks like a little stick, doesn't it? [ It's unconventional, most likely, but Mya would rather give off a little humor than be dour or too serious. Downplaying a situation has not always settled well with the people she's healed, but some do recognize it for what it is.
She eventually falls silent as she sets to work channeling the needed aether to try and heal the wound enough to last him until her sister can come and finish the job. At least she knows enough of the basics to be somewhat useful.
Jill watches Mya work, but most of her focus is on Clive. If he doesn't live, then what purpose does she have? Reason says she can always find a new purpose, but at the moment, she can hardly see past the situation at hand. ]
And if she finds that she can't spare time to help? [ Jill knows she'd move Clive to the next closest healer if that's what it comes to, but it might not be the wisest course of action either. ]
[ "Whatever it is that you desire."
The only thought that comes to mind is simply to be held. Protected. So many nights in the cold dark true winters of Corethas had gone by and all she wished for was to be in the arms of the person she had wanted to spend every life with. Such a thing had hardly happened as often as she had wished. She can tell because that is the feeling from deep within her. ]
Very well.
[ She fears it may be quite painful.
A hand raises over the wound once more and she closes her eyes. First, she merely feels his aether. It is wild and chaotic as rushing water down a mountain when nothing obstructs it. Umbral--darkness. Not in terms of lacking light or evil. No, simply, that light is static. He is so vastly swung in one direction that she would almost have thought he to be tempered if she was simple at reading aether.
Her fingers delicately attempt to weave through the strands of aether. She hopes to simply nudge them into place so that they might weave on their own. Yet, she can tell that she will need to aid him. Not that it will not heal on it's own. The fact is far more that it will need to be directed to heal properly.
Thus, she gets to work.
Knots of aether are undone. Healing that has already begun is undone and rewoven. The work is meticulous, and yet, she seems so skilled at it. Almost as if she has always done such a thing. Especially with his aether. ]
The only thought that comes to mind is simply to be held. Protected. So many nights in the cold dark true winters of Corethas had gone by and all she wished for was to be in the arms of the person she had wanted to spend every life with. Such a thing had hardly happened as often as she had wished. She can tell because that is the feeling from deep within her. ]
Very well.
[ She fears it may be quite painful.
A hand raises over the wound once more and she closes her eyes. First, she merely feels his aether. It is wild and chaotic as rushing water down a mountain when nothing obstructs it. Umbral--darkness. Not in terms of lacking light or evil. No, simply, that light is static. He is so vastly swung in one direction that she would almost have thought he to be tempered if she was simple at reading aether.
Her fingers delicately attempt to weave through the strands of aether. She hopes to simply nudge them into place so that they might weave on their own. Yet, she can tell that she will need to aid him. Not that it will not heal on it's own. The fact is far more that it will need to be directed to heal properly.
Thus, she gets to work.
Knots of aether are undone. Healing that has already begun is undone and rewoven. The work is meticulous, and yet, she seems so skilled at it. Almost as if she has always done such a thing. Especially with his aether. ]
[ Aymeric's only desire is to be with Phya and make up for the time that they both have lost. If her desire is to be held and protected, then he is more than willing to oblige. He has missed her, a thing that does not need to be said, and so it seems that their desires are by and large the same.
But before they can be as they were, he must be healed and recovered so that he can be the leader and provider and partner that he needs to be. And so he grits his teeth, anticipating an unpleasant experience as she sets to work healing his injuries.
What follows is something even he was unprepared for. Her feeling his aether is not what hurts; it isn't until she begins working to undo the knots of aether that have formed, undoing the healing that has started, that the full meaning of her warnings crashes down on him.
It feels as though he is being cut apart with a knife as she undoes what healing has started. Suddenly he can see nothing except a blinding white pain, and his hands grip the blankets beneath them, turning the skin of his knuckles white as well.
Eventually, as the minutes seem to pass, some of his vision clears and the pain becomes less sharp but still uncomfortable. He finds himself trying to latch onto anything that he can think of to distract from the discomfort, but as she works, his mind only conjures up memories of the day he was bitten by the dragon, which hardly lends to a state of ease.
Still, he tries to simply force himself to lie still so he does not cause her trouble as she continues to work. ]
But before they can be as they were, he must be healed and recovered so that he can be the leader and provider and partner that he needs to be. And so he grits his teeth, anticipating an unpleasant experience as she sets to work healing his injuries.
What follows is something even he was unprepared for. Her feeling his aether is not what hurts; it isn't until she begins working to undo the knots of aether that have formed, undoing the healing that has started, that the full meaning of her warnings crashes down on him.
It feels as though he is being cut apart with a knife as she undoes what healing has started. Suddenly he can see nothing except a blinding white pain, and his hands grip the blankets beneath them, turning the skin of his knuckles white as well.
Eventually, as the minutes seem to pass, some of his vision clears and the pain becomes less sharp but still uncomfortable. He finds himself trying to latch onto anything that he can think of to distract from the discomfort, but as she works, his mind only conjures up memories of the day he was bitten by the dragon, which hardly lends to a state of ease.
Still, he tries to simply force himself to lie still so he does not cause her trouble as she continues to work. ]
[ The memories that come to mind of his attack also come through his aether. She can see the dragon attack. How it latched onto his side and meant to kill. He would have died, if he were not a vampire, and had the ability to heal faster than a normal being might.
It brings to mind, for her, another time entirely. A cave and a dragoon--a familiar one at that--bringing Aymeric to her to heal. A large dragon's claw had gone to his back. Recognizing who he was on the spot, but fearing that he would not only not know who she was... but also reject her for what she had been at the time. Phya's ears stand on end and she jolts from the sudden unearthed memory that should not have carried over to this life.
None of her memories should.
Things repeat in odd ways.
Her fingers gently brush through the strands of his hair as he attempts to clutch onto the bed below him. She can do little to comfort as she heals. Truthfully, she had not expected his aether to fight her so much. It wishes to bend and twirl it's own way. Then again, he has always been a particular type of stubborn in all of his lives.
Will his aether recognize her as she continues to work?
Phya gently begins to brush along the bandage in hopes of guiding his aether more directly. Showing it where to connect and mend as opposed to injecting her own into the wound. It would be lost amongst the chaos. ]
It brings to mind, for her, another time entirely. A cave and a dragoon--a familiar one at that--bringing Aymeric to her to heal. A large dragon's claw had gone to his back. Recognizing who he was on the spot, but fearing that he would not only not know who she was... but also reject her for what she had been at the time. Phya's ears stand on end and she jolts from the sudden unearthed memory that should not have carried over to this life.
None of her memories should.
Things repeat in odd ways.
Her fingers gently brush through the strands of his hair as he attempts to clutch onto the bed below him. She can do little to comfort as she heals. Truthfully, she had not expected his aether to fight her so much. It wishes to bend and twirl it's own way. Then again, he has always been a particular type of stubborn in all of his lives.
Will his aether recognize her as she continues to work?
Phya gently begins to brush along the bandage in hopes of guiding his aether more directly. Showing it where to connect and mend as opposed to injecting her own into the wound. It would be lost amongst the chaos. ]
[ Ardbert reaches over and places his hand around the spear embedded in the man dressed in Imperial gear. He at first looks to Jill and Torgal. The hound has his head low as he intently watches his presumable master's face. Jill keeps her attention also on Clive, as if expecting him to rouse at any moment. Ardbert hopes he doesn't. What a hell of a thing to wake up to.
He waits for the sign to remove the spear. They can hardly carry the man back to Falcon's Nest with it in him. ]
She'll be at his side to help. I wouldn't call Mya's sister quite a bleeding heart, but, she cares about those around her. A natural born healer. I'm sure Mya could tell you more about her.
He waits for the sign to remove the spear. They can hardly carry the man back to Falcon's Nest with it in him. ]
She'll be at his side to help. I wouldn't call Mya's sister quite a bleeding heart, but, she cares about those around her. A natural born healer. I'm sure Mya could tell you more about her.
[ Something else springs to mind: not a recollection of another time in which he was injured, but one that hurts far more. He remembers a messenger arriving with news for him; the person was grim-faced and serious, and it instantly made him stand up and ask what had happened.
What he heard next rendered him weak at the knees and he dropped back into his chair, stunned. No, he was more than stunned, he was in shock. Frozen, unable to even speak or think about anything except for what he had learned: the person he loved most, who he opened himself up in so many ways... she was dead. Gone. Forever, he thought, if not for what little he knew about souls and aether. Those thoughts were hardly reassuring in the moment.
All he felt then was numbness. And right now, in a way, feeling nothing would be better than feeling a knife's blade cutting him apart. As Phya works, the pain seems to dull a little at a time until it becomes something more tolerable. He can't tell what the difference is, as he is hardly a master of aether and its manipulation, but where his entire frame was tense and rigid, now it seems to be relaxing and unclenching as Phya continues her task.
Instead of the blinding pain, now all he feels is exhaustion. Weakness. Healing someone requires something from the healer and the person being healed, as far as Aymeric understands, and that something seems to be strength. At least, he feels as though his strength was siphoned away with the aether used to heal his wounds.
If someone wished to harm him, now would be the time to do it, as he faintly recognizes he is in quite the vulnerable position right now. He trusts Phya to do her work and to do it well, and while he would feel something of apprehension because of his vulnerable state, he is just too tired to do it.
His eyes slit open and search for hers, trying to lock onto them and convey without words that he's putting all of his trust in her. Some ancient echo from the past tells him she's never steered him wrong before, so why should he stop trusting her now? ]
What he heard next rendered him weak at the knees and he dropped back into his chair, stunned. No, he was more than stunned, he was in shock. Frozen, unable to even speak or think about anything except for what he had learned: the person he loved most, who he opened himself up in so many ways... she was dead. Gone. Forever, he thought, if not for what little he knew about souls and aether. Those thoughts were hardly reassuring in the moment.
All he felt then was numbness. And right now, in a way, feeling nothing would be better than feeling a knife's blade cutting him apart. As Phya works, the pain seems to dull a little at a time until it becomes something more tolerable. He can't tell what the difference is, as he is hardly a master of aether and its manipulation, but where his entire frame was tense and rigid, now it seems to be relaxing and unclenching as Phya continues her task.
Instead of the blinding pain, now all he feels is exhaustion. Weakness. Healing someone requires something from the healer and the person being healed, as far as Aymeric understands, and that something seems to be strength. At least, he feels as though his strength was siphoned away with the aether used to heal his wounds.
If someone wished to harm him, now would be the time to do it, as he faintly recognizes he is in quite the vulnerable position right now. He trusts Phya to do her work and to do it well, and while he would feel something of apprehension because of his vulnerable state, he is just too tired to do it.
His eyes slit open and search for hers, trying to lock onto them and convey without words that he's putting all of his trust in her. Some ancient echo from the past tells him she's never steered him wrong before, so why should he stop trusting her now? ]
[ Phya's eyes open ever so slightly to meet his. A small smile is given, her tail swaying gently side to side. While his aether is still rather stubborn? The idea she had is working. It travels in a way to reattach itself in a way that will certainly exhausted him, but, will lead to properly healing. Within a few days he will be properly on his feet. The strength will come in the days following that event. Then, he will be able to lead his people and face the Holy See as needed.
Not that she desires praise or to even be shown off to the public. Far from it. She simply wishes to live quietly with him--as quiet as one can with the Lord Commander of the Temple Knights. No doubt her sister will still wish to travel and continue to look for her long lost friend. The sights she will see and the travels she will have... they will truly be a thing of wonder. A wonder that her sister will rush back to tell.
Phya has no desire to see the world anymore. She simply wishes for what she has always wanted: a life with her other half. ]
I'm tired. [ Her voice rings of old tones despite her youthful appearance. Blue eyes fall slightly to the wound to make certain the aether flows. ] I don't wish to adventure or to see the world anymore. I simply wish to be here... with you.
As we've tried to so many times before.
Not that she desires praise or to even be shown off to the public. Far from it. She simply wishes to live quietly with him--as quiet as one can with the Lord Commander of the Temple Knights. No doubt her sister will still wish to travel and continue to look for her long lost friend. The sights she will see and the travels she will have... they will truly be a thing of wonder. A wonder that her sister will rush back to tell.
Phya has no desire to see the world anymore. She simply wishes for what she has always wanted: a life with her other half. ]
I'm tired. [ Her voice rings of old tones despite her youthful appearance. Blue eyes fall slightly to the wound to make certain the aether flows. ] I don't wish to adventure or to see the world anymore. I simply wish to be here... with you.
As we've tried to so many times before.
[ He does his best to focus his gaze on hers, wanting to look only at her as she works at healing his wounds. It distracts him from the discomfort and reminds him that she's here, she's with him. They have a chance of being together as both of them continuously long for.
He finds words difficult to form in the moment, but his eyes open just a little wider in response to her own words expressing how she feels and what her wishes are concerning them. His hand relaxes its hold on the blankets and shifts to try and find hers so that he can lightly brush his fingers against the back of her hand. It might seem like a curious action, but it's meant to communicate that he wishes the same. They are both tired, and older, no matter how they might look, and all he wants is to just be with her.
Maybe they don't have lofty dreams anymore, but there's things that he still wishes to do with her now: little things like taking walks, holding each other's hands, talking about anything that comes to mind... It doesn't matter what it is, so long as they are together.
His fingers move, lightly brushing her hand once more. ]
He finds words difficult to form in the moment, but his eyes open just a little wider in response to her own words expressing how she feels and what her wishes are concerning them. His hand relaxes its hold on the blankets and shifts to try and find hers so that he can lightly brush his fingers against the back of her hand. It might seem like a curious action, but it's meant to communicate that he wishes the same. They are both tired, and older, no matter how they might look, and all he wants is to just be with her.
Maybe they don't have lofty dreams anymore, but there's things that he still wishes to do with her now: little things like taking walks, holding each other's hands, talking about anything that comes to mind... It doesn't matter what it is, so long as they are together.
His fingers move, lightly brushing her hand once more. ]
[ Mya's focus is on her work, because this really doesn't come as easily to her as it does to her sister, and she wants to make sure that Clive gets the care that he needs. Her mouth presses into a thin line as she concentrates on moving the aether where it needs to go, knowing that it's at best a temporary fix until Phya can finish the job properly.
She glances to the side, looking in Jill's direction with a quick nod and a smile. ]
My sister makes this look as natural as taking a breath; she's the best healer that I know.
[ She nods at Ardbert, then, because as far as she can tell, if the spear is removed now, Clive won't be in danger of losing too much blood from having it pulled out of him. It won't be comfortable, but she also used a sleep spell to hopefully keep him from waking up in the middle of all this. ]
She glances to the side, looking in Jill's direction with a quick nod and a smile. ]
My sister makes this look as natural as taking a breath; she's the best healer that I know.
[ She nods at Ardbert, then, because as far as she can tell, if the spear is removed now, Clive won't be in danger of losing too much blood from having it pulled out of him. It won't be comfortable, but she also used a sleep spell to hopefully keep him from waking up in the middle of all this. ]
[ Her gaze shifts to his at his light tough. A small smile is given, but still filled with worry and doubt he will decide to have nothing to do with her by the end. A fear that he would have spent enough of his soul's existence waiting to be with her. Perhaps it is best if she finds a way to reverse it--simply for his sake.
Much of her ancient soul has truly given up on the concept that life would allow their bond to remain.
He has always been the stronger of the pair of them. One isn't meant to remember things from lives gone past. Yet, somehow, she knows quite a few many things. For some reason, her ancient soul refuses to let go of the memories of lives in which they failed to be together. The feeling of losing him again bubbles to mind, but Phya pushes it to the side for now. Healing him is what matters the most at the moment.
She gently moves her fingers along the wounds to continue guiding his aether. The worst of the damage has been lightly linked, making it so his natural healing can properly heal. Rest and food will be what he needs next. Thus, her hand lifts and gently brushes along his. ]
I will reexamine after you rest... but it should be able to heal properly on its own now.
Much of her ancient soul has truly given up on the concept that life would allow their bond to remain.
He has always been the stronger of the pair of them. One isn't meant to remember things from lives gone past. Yet, somehow, she knows quite a few many things. For some reason, her ancient soul refuses to let go of the memories of lives in which they failed to be together. The feeling of losing him again bubbles to mind, but Phya pushes it to the side for now. Healing him is what matters the most at the moment.
She gently moves her fingers along the wounds to continue guiding his aether. The worst of the damage has been lightly linked, making it so his natural healing can properly heal. Rest and food will be what he needs next. Thus, her hand lifts and gently brushes along his. ]
I will reexamine after you rest... but it should be able to heal properly on its own now.
[ Simply lying here holding her hand is hardly enough for him. Of course, he knows he should not push himself when she has only just finished tending to his wound, but he has done nothing but lie down unable to move for too long. Before, he had no reason to wish to move, but she is here with him, alive and well except for how she appears small and unhealthy. But if he has anything to say about it, he'll do what he can to see that she catches up on everything that she has missed because of the war.
She keeps guiding his aether along, but he already feels stronger than before, so he tries to shift on the bed, attempting at least some sort of movement. She may not allow him to sit up, but he wants to move, to position himself into something as close to sitting as possible.
After a moment, he finds his voice again, because there are words that he wishes to say. ]
Then- allow me to forestall rest for a moment longer. [ His voice does not sound as strong as he would like, but it will have to do for now. ] I imagine you have had enough of silence, and- [ He hesitates briefly, wondering if he should say this next part. But he sees no reason to withhold it. ] I have missed the sound of your voice. It still is your voice, even now.
[ He shifts again, trying to push himself up just a little by leaning on one elbow, but he knows that moving too much will cause him to tire too soon... sooner than he wishes, so he pauses there. ]
I have always liked the sound of your voice.
She keeps guiding his aether along, but he already feels stronger than before, so he tries to shift on the bed, attempting at least some sort of movement. She may not allow him to sit up, but he wants to move, to position himself into something as close to sitting as possible.
After a moment, he finds his voice again, because there are words that he wishes to say. ]
Then- allow me to forestall rest for a moment longer. [ His voice does not sound as strong as he would like, but it will have to do for now. ] I imagine you have had enough of silence, and- [ He hesitates briefly, wondering if he should say this next part. But he sees no reason to withhold it. ] I have missed the sound of your voice. It still is your voice, even now.
[ He shifts again, trying to push himself up just a little by leaning on one elbow, but he knows that moving too much will cause him to tire too soon... sooner than he wishes, so he pauses there. ]
I have always liked the sound of your voice.
[ Aymeric is correct in his assumption.
The moment he attempts to sit, the hand at his side moves to his chest and lightly presses. The intention behind the motion is clear: lay down. Should he wish to lay on his back and speak until he sleeps? She will oblige. However, he is far from the condition to sit.
It is still YOUR voice, even now.
Phya's ears lift slightly. Her hands tremble. Her ancient soul seems to cry out inside at the recognition. Intuition tells her that he realizes more than when they met in her previous life. He has somehow come into more of an understanding of their ancient relationship. Perhaps it was time or the fact they had parted ways.
A blush forms on her cheeks before she shyly looks down. Her tail sways ever so slightly. ]
What... what would you like to discuss, Ser?
[ She can't even think his name. Not until given permission. She must earn that right back. ]
The moment he attempts to sit, the hand at his side moves to his chest and lightly presses. The intention behind the motion is clear: lay down. Should he wish to lay on his back and speak until he sleeps? She will oblige. However, he is far from the condition to sit.
It is still YOUR voice, even now.
Phya's ears lift slightly. Her hands tremble. Her ancient soul seems to cry out inside at the recognition. Intuition tells her that he realizes more than when they met in her previous life. He has somehow come into more of an understanding of their ancient relationship. Perhaps it was time or the fact they had parted ways.
A blush forms on her cheeks before she shyly looks down. Her tail sways ever so slightly. ]
What... what would you like to discuss, Ser?
[ She can't even think his name. Not until given permission. She must earn that right back. ]
[ Clive let's a low guterall cry out the moment then lance is pulled from his back. Almost more like an animal than a man. Torgal's ears stand on end and he growls, almost as if preparing for something to happen. Ardbert looks between Clive and the hound, hand stretching back behind him in case he needs to summon his own weapon.
Then, something unexpected happens.
Red aether begins to appear over Clive's back as if to envelope him. Then, green aether. They almost seem to try and form something like a wing. Unable to come together for the small spectical, the aether falls almost as if they were small red and green feathers. They land on Clive and Mya, disappearing once more.
Torgal barks again with his tail wag.
Ardbert looks between Mya then Jill. ]
What in the Seven Hells was that?
Then, something unexpected happens.
Red aether begins to appear over Clive's back as if to envelope him. Then, green aether. They almost seem to try and form something like a wing. Unable to come together for the small spectical, the aether falls almost as if they were small red and green feathers. They land on Clive and Mya, disappearing once more.
Torgal barks again with his tail wag.
Ardbert looks between Mya then Jill. ]
What in the Seven Hells was that?
[ His expression shifts to one of clear discontent, as he wants to sit up and speak properly with her. There is much he wishes to say, some of which has been lost to the intervening years, but he still wishes to tell her all the things he has been unable to until now.
She will not allow him to sit, and while he wishes to protest, with a reluctant sigh, he lowers himself back down until he's resting against the bed once more.
Still, he does not look away from her, even as she blushes and looks down. ]
First... [ He manages a half smile for her benefit, to illustrate that he is amused rather than put out. He hopes she recognizes this as saying she never lost the right to address him by his name. ] My name is Aymeric, not Ser.
She will not allow him to sit, and while he wishes to protest, with a reluctant sigh, he lowers himself back down until he's resting against the bed once more.
Still, he does not look away from her, even as she blushes and looks down. ]
First... [ He manages a half smile for her benefit, to illustrate that he is amused rather than put out. He hopes she recognizes this as saying she never lost the right to address him by his name. ] My name is Aymeric, not Ser.
[ Mya was prepared for something like this to happen; of course no sleep spell would be enough to keep someone down when having a spear pulled out of them. But what she wasn't prepared for was the appearance of the strangest kind of aether she'd ever seen, followed by a wing.
Instinct kicked in and she dove out of the way, but she's just as surprised and startled as the rest of them. Except for Jill, from the looks of things.
Jill looks at all of them before settling her gaze back on Ardbert. ]
Clive is not... He is not only what you see in front of you. [ She looks hesitant, because really, it should be Clive deciding whether or not to reveal his secret. ] In fact, I am not all that you see in front of you.
[ If she can't divulge Clive's secret in so many words, then she could at least reveal hers. That is something she can decide to do, or not to do. ]
Instinct kicked in and she dove out of the way, but she's just as surprised and startled as the rest of them. Except for Jill, from the looks of things.
Jill looks at all of them before settling her gaze back on Ardbert. ]
Clive is not... He is not only what you see in front of you. [ She looks hesitant, because really, it should be Clive deciding whether or not to reveal his secret. ] In fact, I am not all that you see in front of you.
[ If she can't divulge Clive's secret in so many words, then she could at least reveal hers. That is something she can decide to do, or not to do. ]
[ An apologetic expression settles on her face. She knows he wishes to be moving and doing all that he may normally do. Yet, he is still healing, and those things will simply make it more difficult to heal. He has never been one to wish being out of commission in any of his lives.
Her hand gently lifts from his chest, almost as if shying away from touching him out of turn. Out of place.
Then, it lowers into her lap. It begins to twist with her other hand. A nervous tick in any life. ]
I know your name. [ Her gaze quickly moves to his to show she saw his smile. ] That hardly means I've earned the permission back to say it... let alone think it. Not after leaving you here.
Her hand gently lifts from his chest, almost as if shying away from touching him out of turn. Out of place.
Then, it lowers into her lap. It begins to twist with her other hand. A nervous tick in any life. ]
I know your name. [ Her gaze quickly moves to his to show she saw his smile. ] That hardly means I've earned the permission back to say it... let alone think it. Not after leaving you here.
I think... most of us can say something similar in one way or another.
[ Ardbert glances at Mya and nods. He won't divulge anything that isn't asked of him. Yet, he knows that he has been in contact with the Mothercrystal. Hydaelyn. The Warrior of Light. Not that many would guess by his appearance and he is more than fine with that. He'd much rather not let others know that he's the chosen Champion. Especially when that chosen champion is wanted for potentially killing a member of the Eorzaen Alliance.
Not that he did. ]
How do you propose we move him to Falcon's Nest? Far to carry him. I could give a call to my chocobo.
[ Ardbert glances at Mya and nods. He won't divulge anything that isn't asked of him. Yet, he knows that he has been in contact with the Mothercrystal. Hydaelyn. The Warrior of Light. Not that many would guess by his appearance and he is more than fine with that. He'd much rather not let others know that he's the chosen Champion. Especially when that chosen champion is wanted for potentially killing a member of the Eorzaen Alliance.
Not that he did. ]
How do you propose we move him to Falcon's Nest? Far to carry him. I could give a call to my chocobo.
[ He is supposed to be a capable leader, directing soldiers when they are needed, and of late, he has all but failed at his duties. In a way, he feels as though he ought to be considered disgraced, his reputation in shambles. Perhaps it is. Perhaps when and if he is able to return to his post, he will only be turned away. If that is the case, then surely Phya will not wish to remain with him, a disgraced man.
Such thoughts nearly cause him to recoil, already feeling the shame of the imagined scenario, but he manages to force himself to refrain. He does not wish her to think he is recoiling from her, after all. ]
On the contrary, you never lost the right to say it. It has always been yours and it has never been revoked. The circumstances of your leaving were not of your own making, after all. I do not begrudge you for them.
[ Instead, he despises himself for failing to see them circumvented. ]
Such thoughts nearly cause him to recoil, already feeling the shame of the imagined scenario, but he manages to force himself to refrain. He does not wish her to think he is recoiling from her, after all. ]
On the contrary, you never lost the right to say it. It has always been yours and it has never been revoked. The circumstances of your leaving were not of your own making, after all. I do not begrudge you for them.
[ Instead, he despises himself for failing to see them circumvented. ]
[ Phya meets his gaze once more. The expression is clear as day on her face. The feeling of disgrace. The feeling that she had done opposite of what she should do. She is meant to heal him and yet she hurt him. He may insist another is at the cause of her death and that may be true. Yet, she knows the damage it has done to his mind and his heart. Years worth of pain and suffering she should have been there to heal if not prevent.
She raises her hand to reach out to him but stops short once more. Phya's gaze falls. ]
... Ser Aymeric. [ She says it gently. Almost hesitantly. As if saying the words loud enough may shatter what she sees around her to reveal it all to be merely a dream. ] Aymeric.
[ Her beloved, her protector, her knight. Not that she believes to have the right to call him hers any longer.
Ice blue eyes remain on the bed with the space between them. He would have her name now. Formalities and pleasantries. She would rather he see her as she was before. Stronger, more powerful. More broken than resigned. Broken has the implications of being able to be fixed. ]
My name from before. My real one. [ A gentle nod. ] You coul keep referring to me by that name.
She raises her hand to reach out to him but stops short once more. Phya's gaze falls. ]
... Ser Aymeric. [ She says it gently. Almost hesitantly. As if saying the words loud enough may shatter what she sees around her to reveal it all to be merely a dream. ] Aymeric.
[ Her beloved, her protector, her knight. Not that she believes to have the right to call him hers any longer.
Ice blue eyes remain on the bed with the space between them. He would have her name now. Formalities and pleasantries. She would rather he see her as she was before. Stronger, more powerful. More broken than resigned. Broken has the implications of being able to be fixed. ]
My name from before. My real one. [ A gentle nod. ] You coul keep referring to me by that name.
Edited 2025-01-21 09:44 (UTC)
[ His eyes and gaze lack their customary sharpness, having been dulled by his injury and years of being alone, and yet when he looks at Phya, there is nothing in them but love. Of course he still loves her. Nothing in their star or beyond the star would make him stop loving her.
It may take time for him to heal from the years of their separation, but he imagines she needs to heal as well. Perhaps now they can begin to heal together. ]
It feels good and right to hear you say that again. [ That is rather understating matters, but Aymeric is simply relieved that she is here with him at all. ]
If that is the name you wish to use, then of course, I will use it. [ He has not forgotten her name; how could he, after all? He thought that perhaps she wished to use another name now that she has been born as someone else: another form, but the same soul. ]
Lantaa. [ His tone of voice deepens as he says her name, and the look in his eyes grows even more intense than before. ]
It may take time for him to heal from the years of their separation, but he imagines she needs to heal as well. Perhaps now they can begin to heal together. ]
It feels good and right to hear you say that again. [ That is rather understating matters, but Aymeric is simply relieved that she is here with him at all. ]
If that is the name you wish to use, then of course, I will use it. [ He has not forgotten her name; how could he, after all? He thought that perhaps she wished to use another name now that she has been born as someone else: another form, but the same soul. ]
Lantaa. [ His tone of voice deepens as he says her name, and the look in his eyes grows even more intense than before. ]
[ Mya nods at Ardbert before glancing at Jill and doing the same. It seems as though all of them have their own secrets that they're keeping to themselves for one reason or another.
Perhaps in time, the secrets will come out, but Mya has no intention of revealing Ardbert's or anyone's, for that matter.
As for the question of how to transport Clive, Jill finds herself at a loss for how to answer. If she could, she would carry him there herself, no matter the distance, but that is hardly practical. ]
I suppose that travel by chocobo is the best option that we have. I imagine none of you wish to take turns carrying him there. [ That would most likely not be good for his injuries, anyway. ]
Perhaps in time, the secrets will come out, but Mya has no intention of revealing Ardbert's or anyone's, for that matter.
As for the question of how to transport Clive, Jill finds herself at a loss for how to answer. If she could, she would carry him there herself, no matter the distance, but that is hardly practical. ]
I suppose that travel by chocobo is the best option that we have. I imagine none of you wish to take turns carrying him there. [ That would most likely not be good for his injuries, anyway. ]
[ He raises his fingers to his lips. A low whistle is let out and seemingly from nowhere comes the chocobo. Ardbert greats the chocobo warmly. He then works with Jill to carefully lift Clive and ease him over the back of his feathered friend. A low groan comes from the man, pained, gutural.
Ardbert glances at Mya. Something tells him the pained sounds aren't related to the wound.
It's night falls by the time they arrive in Falcon's Nest. The young head of Foretemps meets them. Ardbert holds a brief heated discussion about Clive. He is dressed as an Empire soldier and therefore is an enemy. The conversation only stops the moment Ardbert lifts Clive's head to show the brand on his face for all to see.
Even Jill.
Marked as a forced conscript into the Imperial Military. Forced to use magic on those he would call allies and kinsmen.
Ardbert explains the situation. The next in line for Foretemps finally regents and allows Mya to call for her sister to come and aid.
Within the hour, Phya Tayuun rushes into the healing house of Falcon's Nest. She pulls her thick hood down and makes her way over. Ardbert brightens at her arrival. A clawed gloves goes up to gesture to Jill, Torgal, and Clive. ]
Jill, this is Mya's twin sister--Phya. Phya, Jill and Torgal.
Ardbert glances at Mya. Something tells him the pained sounds aren't related to the wound.
It's night falls by the time they arrive in Falcon's Nest. The young head of Foretemps meets them. Ardbert holds a brief heated discussion about Clive. He is dressed as an Empire soldier and therefore is an enemy. The conversation only stops the moment Ardbert lifts Clive's head to show the brand on his face for all to see.
Even Jill.
Marked as a forced conscript into the Imperial Military. Forced to use magic on those he would call allies and kinsmen.
Ardbert explains the situation. The next in line for Foretemps finally regents and allows Mya to call for her sister to come and aid.
Within the hour, Phya Tayuun rushes into the healing house of Falcon's Nest. She pulls her thick hood down and makes her way over. Ardbert brightens at her arrival. A clawed gloves goes up to gesture to Jill, Torgal, and Clive. ]
Jill, this is Mya's twin sister--Phya. Phya, Jill and Torgal.
[ All of Jill's instincts are telling her that she shouldn't be here with these people. Clive shouldn't be here either. The plan was to keep to themselves, to stay away from others, and yet here they are. Still, Clive has to live, so if the only way to make sure that he does is by working with them at least temporarily, then that is what she will do.
Even so, when they finally arrive in Falcon's Nest, Jill feels as though people are staring holes into her, mistrusting her and Clive, judging them and deciding that both of them can't be trusted. But the moment that she spots Ardbert moving Clive just enough to reveal the brand on his face, she feels something inside her sink.
The brand tells a story, and a grim one, and it tells Jill just what Clive has been through over the past however many years. Maybe all she and Clive will ever be is outcasts on the run, not wanted or trusted by anyone.
But for the moment, they haven't been thrown out and had the gates shut in their faces, so that must count for something. After some discussion and explanations, Mya is given permission to call for her sister, which she does immediately via linkpearl.
Soon enough, Phya arrives, and Mya also brightens when she sees her. Jill, however, remains serious and apprehensive. She is worried for Clive, and worried for what might happen to them when and if they are told they must leave. Still, if they at least heal Clive before turning them away, that will be enough. Once he is healed, the two of them can find somewhere far away from everyone to hide and figure out their next moves. ]
Hello... [ Jill says quietly, suddenly unsure what she ought to say. ] I haven't very much money to pay you with, but if you can save Clive, I'll give it to you.
Even so, when they finally arrive in Falcon's Nest, Jill feels as though people are staring holes into her, mistrusting her and Clive, judging them and deciding that both of them can't be trusted. But the moment that she spots Ardbert moving Clive just enough to reveal the brand on his face, she feels something inside her sink.
The brand tells a story, and a grim one, and it tells Jill just what Clive has been through over the past however many years. Maybe all she and Clive will ever be is outcasts on the run, not wanted or trusted by anyone.
But for the moment, they haven't been thrown out and had the gates shut in their faces, so that must count for something. After some discussion and explanations, Mya is given permission to call for her sister, which she does immediately via linkpearl.
Soon enough, Phya arrives, and Mya also brightens when she sees her. Jill, however, remains serious and apprehensive. She is worried for Clive, and worried for what might happen to them when and if they are told they must leave. Still, if they at least heal Clive before turning them away, that will be enough. Once he is healed, the two of them can find somewhere far away from everyone to hide and figure out their next moves. ]
Hello... [ Jill says quietly, suddenly unsure what she ought to say. ] I haven't very much money to pay you with, but if you can save Clive, I'll give it to you.
[ Phya had sat up immediately once the linkpearl had gone off. Life had become far more... natural, perhaps even dreamlike, since she was reunited with Aymeric de Borel. She had unofficially moved into his residence. The insistence had been to continue to assist with the Lord Commander's recovery. She knows many in Ishgard believe she has somehow played a political hand. Many others say that Aymeric has always preferred the outside "rabble."
She knows otherwise.
She quickly informs the house staff before heading out. It takes time to get to Falcon's Nest. Yet, once she arrives, a smile is given to her elder twin sister. A certain glow and sparkle is in her eyes that hadn't been there before.
She gently squeezes her sister's hands and then turns her attention the moment Jill speaks.
Phya pauses. She can tell that the woman in front of her is not a commoner. Despite the rough exterior and clothing? The woman has fair skin. Hair. Hardened eyes. She reminds her in many ways of Aymeric. Someone who had had standing yet has seen the hardships of life that usually would not be associated with the life of their status.
Phya squeezes her sister's hands again before moving to the bed wete the patient lays on his front. A man in the uniform of the Empire. A brand on his cheek. A small frown comes to her face and her eyes raise to the woman on the opposite side.
She bows gently. ]
I'm a healer, milady. You owe me nothing. [ Phya's gaze drops to the man between them. ] Would you tell me what happened?
[ Ardbert moves to stand beside Mya. ]
She knows otherwise.
She quickly informs the house staff before heading out. It takes time to get to Falcon's Nest. Yet, once she arrives, a smile is given to her elder twin sister. A certain glow and sparkle is in her eyes that hadn't been there before.
She gently squeezes her sister's hands and then turns her attention the moment Jill speaks.
Phya pauses. She can tell that the woman in front of her is not a commoner. Despite the rough exterior and clothing? The woman has fair skin. Hair. Hardened eyes. She reminds her in many ways of Aymeric. Someone who had had standing yet has seen the hardships of life that usually would not be associated with the life of their status.
Phya squeezes her sister's hands again before moving to the bed wete the patient lays on his front. A man in the uniform of the Empire. A brand on his cheek. A small frown comes to her face and her eyes raise to the woman on the opposite side.
She bows gently. ]
I'm a healer, milady. You owe me nothing. [ Phya's gaze drops to the man between them. ] Would you tell me what happened?
[ Ardbert moves to stand beside Mya. ]
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