crystalmarred

[crystalmarred]

Just wanted to pop in here and say that I'm not dead, just adjusting to a cross-country move and I don't have my desktop anymore, so it's a bit of a change. I'll be back, just getting my ducks in a row.

[crystalmarred]

A breath of what might even be considered a laugh slipped past Erenville's lips, the brief quirk of a smile at the thought. Though he had not known the twins particularly well at the time of departure, he'd spent more time with the both of them.

"Given his demeanor, I imagine he'd be more surprised that you had," Erenville said, in part because it was Meiko, but in another part because he was Alphinaud. Erenville was quite sure the Leveilleur children were not entirely used to be talked over.

But the mentions of his traveling took them away from the subject of Meiko's momentary wisdom. Unsurprising. She was not one to speak of herself overlong.

"I have not been everywhere, in fact. Most especially territories previously controlled by Garlemald."

A neutral nation though they might be, there was understandably some hesitation to send Gleaners into territories that could prove too large a threat to them. Some of them could fight, certainly, though most had been trained for little more than incapacitating a stray marmot or two.

"There are parts of Ilsabard I have not been to, such as Corvos. I believe your companion is from there?"

"Well, m'used tae bein' 'round others more suited tae thinkin'," Meiko grinned. "'Sides, wouldnae want tae steal the other Scions' thunder. Imagine if I spoke over Alphinaud!"

It was validating, though, to receive a compliment like that. Few folks commented on her on knowing shite.

"So. You mentioned wantin' tae travel yourself now, aye? Any idea where you'll head first? I imagine you've been almost everywhere."

[crystalmarred]

The gesture did not surprise Nok'to and as quickly as D'tykha motioned to the fire did he find a seat by it. It gave off a warm, comforting glow that reminded him of the fires his mother had lit in their own home growing up, to chase away the evening chill that came with the setting of the sun so close to the ocean.

Ah, the mention of Nok'to being good at sticking to the shadows made him bashful. It was hardly a skill, after all. Provided he hid the white of his hair behind a hood or some such, he hid rather well without an actual attempt.

"That's... that's true..." Nok'to said as he fidgeted with the sleeve of his jacket. It was true that impressions were only best left to an actual meeting than to the perception of another person and Kijin was... definitely biased where D'tykha and Nok'to were concerned, so it—

The shriek of the kettle interrupted his thought, made him jump at the sound, though it only manifested as a jerk of his head towards it. He didn't budge from the chair, didn't stand up and let it fall to the ground behind him, though a couple years ago he surely would have been worse at masking that feeling.

D'tykha, however, proved unaffected. It was probably a sound he heard so often, all things considered. Kijin had told him that he drank plenty of tea for a condition he had. Nok'to hadn't learned it's name, only that he could lose consciousness if things were bad enough.

Nok'to had been able to tell that Kijin hadn't wanted to divulge D'tykha's secrets—especially those about his own condition—but Nok'to was supposed to watch him and keep him safe, which'd be hard to do if he wasn't prepared.

The confirmation that it was an Archon mark took Nok'to by surprise.

Oh, oh, Nok'a would be pissed if he knew Kijin was seeing someone that far ahead of him, despite their age difference.

But Nok'to was less concerned with that than he was interested in what D'tykha said.

"Aetherial healing?" Nok'to repeated, the phrase foreign to his lips. He was no healer, after all. His father an arcanist with a surprisingly rotund Carbuncle, his mother a marauder, his twin brother a black mage. Kijin was a paladin, but he knew he'd grown up in infirmaries, picked up some tricks of the trade there, though Nok'to couldn't guess the extent of it and D'tykha's explanation gave him no further understanding. "Like... therapy for aether?"

Nok'to took care when the cup was offered to him, careful in the way he slide it from D'tykha's grasp, though his gloved hands meant there was less a worry for him to burn himself so long as he didn't spill the drink in question.

"Thank you..." Nok'to said, voice gentle as he blew gently on the tea in an effort to cool it. He hadn't braved a sip of the steaming liquid before D'tykha returned with his own freshly brewed cup of tea, though Nok'to couldn't say if it was the same one he'd chosen or not.

Atherspurn and... something else, though D'tykha didn't wish to continue, by the looks of it, and Nok'to wasn't one to pry.

"I've... I've heard worse," Nok'to admitted, though he also hadn't realized that a healer could manipulate someone else's aether. That'd be terrifying if it wasn't a willing participant... "I'm... I'm not that interesting! I'm... from a family of fishmongers."

Which would sound as boring as it should, if one older brother wasn't a glorified prodigy—at least by his family's standards—in Sharlayan and the other was the Hydaelyn-blessed Warrior of Light.

"Aetherspurn, is that, um... when someone can't restore their aether by doing normal things? Like... eating?"

Tykha could feel the smile creep onto his face the moment he saw the small jar that was filled with specific leaves. It was one of the few that was actually running out. Though that was only because it was actually just a placeholder until X'kijin was able to gather the ingredients for his special recipe once more.

He'd been able to find some of the ones needed in the areas that he was permitted to travel, at least under the protective watch of his Paladin beside him. He'd asked him to help him with the recipe in fear that . . . should things take him away . . . Tykha had the ability to recreate the live-saving remedy.

Nothing came close to the original, nor did they even hold a candle to the love and care that X'kijin himself would provide. The kettle was just beginning to heat up the water as he grabbed at the tea mugs to set them upon the table, listening to Nok'to.

There was always a difference between the two of them, but this was one of the few times that he'd seen Nok'to, since coming by of course. From a first glance, they wouldn't seem to be related at all. Maybe it was due in part by where Kijin had been at the time in accordance with Nok'to's own personal life. It would be wrong to assume so many things. Kijin had only just recently blessed him with knowledge of his past.

He gestured to one of the chairs a good distance from a small fire, one that didn't need to be stoked, as it wasn't terribly cold outside. Just the right temperature to settle down for a book or two.

"Please take a seat. To answer your question, he has spoken about you. A few times, saying that you're . . . rather good at being in the shadows. I suppose I can vouch for that seeing as how I couldn't see you. Though I think impressions are better left through actual meeting than recounts, wouldn't you agree?"

Tykha would've liked to add that he didn't exactly mention that Nok'to was a far cry away from Kijin's own personality, but he could see how they were brothers in how sweet and gentle the two of them were. Heights be damned, Nok'to was just as meshed with butter as Kijin was as sweet as jam.

His eyes blinked when he smiled, trying to will the tears away. Oh how he missed him. . . Nevertheless, whatever he was about to state afterward was interrupted by the sound of the kettle screaming, and he rose from his spot before sliding the mugs back on over.

"It's an Archon mark, yes. I had gotten it about a year ago, for my studies of aetherical healing. I was really fascinated in not only the aspect of us using our aether to heal those, but healing the aether from within. It's not much of a well known concept, and even less so a method readily used."

The smell of chamomile wafted through the room, and Tykha gently lifted one of the windows so that the warmth could roll out in case it grew too hot. Not entirely open so that it drew in the cold from outside, just a breeze if any.

"Careful it's hot," Tykha warned, handing him the steaming mug, rolling his hand so that Nok'to could slip his fingers into the handle and Tykha could let go of it. His was still there on the table, but he wasn't done preparing his of course. He still had some ingredients for the catnip tea he'd been prescribed.

He wasn't even entirely surely if Nok'to was even interested about learning of Tykha's life, but here they were.

Adding the remaining ingredients, Tykha took a breath, looking back at the other as he tapped the rim of the mug. "I've had a few patients over the time diagnosed with aetherspurn and with . . . I mean - . . ." Tykha wanted to mention that he'd heard about the risk of Black Rose.

A horrid, horrid idea of a trap; one of which slowed the aether, thus suffocating the very victim, but he quieted himself. Kijin was likely leading Tykha down a dangerous path if he knew the extent of his exploits. He seemed lost in thought momentarily.

"My studies wanted to see just how much we ourselves as healers could manipulate someone else's aether to heal from within - it's . . . a painful method but we've been trying to make it more gentle. We've not used real patients of course - not for the beta stages." The way Nok'to eyed him made him chuckle. "Sorry. . . too graphic? Tell me about you."

[crystalmarred]

Oops. Evidently, the sin eater hadn't liked that one very much, if the balled up fists was anything to go on. How he raised it to cover his mouth for a moment on emphasized the truth of X'kijin's assumption.

The whispered demand for silence, the tug of mismatched locks in his hands, the sin eater seemed to fuss about what he'd said, how he'd phrased it. But Tykha managed to offer an answer regardless, mentioned his unusual appearance.

That was one hell of an understatement. X'kijin barely passed for a human some days, 'tween the loss of pigmentation in his hair and the odd flash of occasional red in his eyes. Coupled with the outbursts, most people sought to avoid him, though not enough yet to turn him away if he wanted to buy something.

That was probably only a matter of time, of course, but eh. He looked normal enough, as Tykha put it, at least for now.

"Eh."

The familiar sound of nonchalance slipped from his lips, undisturbed by what was near enough to a threat that it might as well be one.

"If I'm already dead, it's not like I'll know," he added with a shrug, a stark difference from Tykha's humorless laugh and the jab he made towards himself and his situation. Their situation, even, given how similar they were.

They both got lost in their darker nature, lost control to a creature of violence that hungered for aether or flesh or whatever it was voidsent and sin eaters actually wanted. X'kijin couldn't tell anymore, given the way they talked.

The way Tykha slowed to a stop, X'kijin managed to overtake him with his long strides, despite his slower pace.

"You're going to be eating, too," X'kijin reminded him, even as he took the purse without further fuss. While food itself may have dulled in taste to someone who's aether skewed heavily towards stagnant light, something rich in aether ought to taste well enough.

He ventured into the city of Mord Souq. White hair drew more eyes than he would typically like, but less than if Tykha had come along as he moved from merchant to merchant, sought out ingredients as he mulled over what to make from the selection.

Ovim meat, night pepper, russet popotos... It wasn't quite the same as a fresh meal, but perhaps the aether from a little creature might quell the sin eater's thirst for violence. At least for a short spell.

Ingredients purchased, X'kijin sure as hells didn't spend all of the money that Tykha had handed him, though he might have if he'd had to buy something already made. Fortunately, X'kijin hadn't left his bag behind when last he departed in a haze, which meant he had his portable cooking utensils. It wasn't ideal for a culinarian, but it was well enough for people like he and Tykha who couldn't feasibly venture into a nice kitchen to cook for themself.

With his goodies bagged, he was quick to leave the city before someone found reason to community on his more... unusual features. He arrived back to where Tykha had stopped, tucked himself away where people could not see the color of his eyes, among other things.

"Does the sin eater like meat?" X'kijin asked as he approached, though he continued before he could answer. He probably didn't have one, after all. "I'm making roast ovim. Dunno how much of the flavor you'll taste, but plenty of aether in the food that you should be able to."

Hopefully, it'd gorge his sin eater enough to give it a rest for a few hours.

The grip on the scythe gently ceased as the Light-imbued eyes shifted to look back at the other, and for a moment or two; there was a hint of disdain at the words that were spoken. Surely the other hadn't been thinking to ask such a thing; and upon searching that expression it was obvious he didn't.

It was a rather silly thing to ask, and the Sin Eater found himself folding his arms and raising an eyebrow, only to lower his hands back to his side when there was an elaboration.

Half a mind to rip the idiot apart with the way he just said that.

Tykha covered his mouth as a wave of nausea hit him. The idea of watching himself tear apart another individual that wasn't reshaped to fit the Light's decisions wove something in his stomach that made it churn heavier than starvation ever could.

Could feast on the abundance of aether it takes to get him to flap his gums like an idiot.

"Shut up," Tyha hissed, reaching into his hair and tugging at his hair in an attempt to scratch straight through his skull to rid the voice from talking any further. "Stop it, just be quiet. I can't think." His breathing grew heavy as he turned to face the other once again, vision clearing if only for a moment or two. "Right, yes - food. Sorry, you may have noticed that I'm not exactly human passing right now. The citizens of the closest Amh Araeng civilization would sooner have my head than split bread with me."

Walking back, digging in his feet to the sand to stave off the idea that he'd grown tired physically; Tykha found himself standing beside the other. Their height differences was enough to make him wish to take a few steps to the other side. However it was the rumination of his aetherical presence that made his mouth water. Both of them still retained their forms, but it came at a price with Tykha.

Everything just happened to amplify in their scents.

"You might have to go, and ask - I mean. You look normal. . . enough." Tykha gave the other one sharpened look and then turned away, walking toward the destination. "Besides, I'd rather you have something in you than myself. I dunno how deep your curse is. If you die in front of me I can't say with confidence I can keep it at bay."

Then he crinkled his face and laughed, covering his mouth before his eyes cleared once more.

"Sorry. . . that's disgusting. I'm a monster. . ." And he continued to lead the way, the weight of the scythe clinging to his back growing higher and higher. Maybe that's why he was sinking into the sand as hard as he was.

When the hint of anything that looked more like civilization appeared, Tykha found himself slowing to a stop. His hands shook but he found himself taking refuge at one of the edges of the steps. Pressing himself up into it and folding his arms, he looked more comfortable than he initially looked.

"Take your time, get what you want." With a prolonged inhale and exhale, Tykha reached into his pocket and withdrew a large sack of money, gesturing for Kijin to open his hand. "I guess this never left my possession. It's all yours. Can have a feast with the amount there."

Not like the gil he'd received during his time as a Lieutenant meant anything to him. He'd gotten by, with only the occasional starved collapse here and there. Though, as he watched the other leave, Tykha couldn't help but slip down until he reached the very last step. He tucked his knees in, caressing his growling stomach.

It hurts you, doesn't it. That hunger, that starvation. He smells nice, it's not like he's respecting himself enough to say no.

He tucked his knees up, resting his face against them. His back ached, like something was pushing into the edges. His fingers were sore, nails growing more without maintenance. He dry-heaved, spitting out more of the congealed Light between his feet.

Resistance will kill you.

"Huh?" Tykha shot his head up, now realizing the Voidsent captive was over him again, his eyes dilated back. Right . . . he's still here.

[crystalmarred]

FFXIV JOBS  ▶  LEATHERWORKER

↳   Leatherworkers are craftsmen who refine the hides, pelts, and furs of Eorzea’s wildlife into garments to be worn from head to toe. Foremost among their creations are leather protectives, which are more substantial than cloth, but lighter and more pliable than chain or plate. The Elezen have long been known for their skill in leatherworking, yet for centuries their techniques were heavily guarded. Once they agreed to share their wealth of knowledge, the quality of Gridanian leather goods improved significantly, creating an increased demand for the superior products. 

[crystalmarred]

It is full of pride and crystalline, innocent mirth with which the young Xbr'aal knocks on the very familiar doors - a place she oft visits, the home of a dear friend of hers. When the door opens, she enthusiastically raises the prey she hunt, the present for her friend: a wild beast nearly the size of Wuk Lamat, clearly finished off by hers truly.

"Elene'shpya!! Look what I got us for dinner!!" She means no harm at all, simply a child happy with her hunt, wishing to gift to a dear friend ... he has been looking rather troubled lately, and she can't have that with the upcoming festival, now can she?

— HOLIDAY INBOX CALL ;; ( @palisadae )

Elene'shpya and Wuk Lamat were nothing alike. Their parents had known this when they'd been introduced, just as they had when they'd introduced him to Koana and it baffled him that the both of them were related, raised by the same man.

Thus, when a knock had come at his door, Wuk Lamat's clambering audible from outside, Elene'shpya's expectations had been... low.

Very, very low.

A beast almost the same size as her was far and away something he had expected, most especially one that she raised up in the air as best as she could manage. Was she wobbling? It looked like she was wobbling—or perhaps he was.

"Lamaty'i, what are you doing?"

Exasperation was plain in his voice, the upward pitch of his voice a telltale sign of a young Vieran boy who hadn't... quite grown out of the phase of Vieran childhood where ones gender wasn't yet apparent. Only recently thirteen he was, after all.

"You're not old enough to participate in the hunting festival," he said, arms folded as he stared at her, the familiar grin on her face. ... She didn't particularly care that she wasn't allowed to participate yet, did she?

... Of course not.

"... You can hardly expect me to cook that for you. It's far too big."

[crystalmarred]

MEIKO MOCHIKOKO

              SISTER. DANCER. SCION OF THE SEVENTH DAWN. ENDWALKER. Final Fantasy XIV Warrior Of Light written by Lanna

[crystalmarred]

A brief laugh slipped from Nier's lips. As usual, Weiss called the villagers lazy, unable to left a finger for themselves.

"They know I need the work," Nier said, rarely forward about his situation to avoid the depressing reality that he could barely support feeding Yonah and buying her medication, much less himself after the fact. "They've been giving me work since my parents passed away."

Sometimes, they even found work where they had none or paid him when they had little to offer. It was why Nier had ended up against so many shades, even before he'd met Weiss. Popola had gotten him that first job and all but guaranteed further work as a result, all so he could pay the exorbitant costs of Yonah's medication.

"I'm grateful for the work," he said as his smile fell for only a brief moment. There were worse ways to make money than being a 'work mule', as Weiss had put it, after all. Nier didn't imagine there was anything that he hadn't considered when the Black Scrawl had first appeared on Yonah's skin.

Whatever Yonah needed him to do, he would do it gladly.

"She..." Nier started, wanted to justify his time away, needed to, despite the letters that Weiss himself had already noticed. "You're right, Weiss. I should, but there's just... so much to do and now with your help, I have a chance to make her better..."

How could he pass up that opportunity? Every moment that passed could be her last. He didn't have time for anything but going after the Sealed Verses. He could cure her, give her back the time she was otherwise sure to lose.

If his dad was still alive, he'd do the same thing, surely.

"If I wait too long..." he said, caught for a moment in that awful daydream shaken off only by the unceremonious thwap of Weiss's hardback cover against the top of his head. "Ow! Weiss!"

He reached up to rub the top of his head gently and a gentle huff of air slipped past his lips.

"Your cover isn't exactly soft, Weiss."

Happy if his sister is, why had he thought it would be anything else. The very obvious strong connection the boy and his sister had could quite astoundingly marvel any of the wielders who had come into contact with Grimoire Weiss in the recent decades.

He'd seen his fair share of those who just wanted to claim power for their own, sweep their enemies with the use of his arcane prowess. Get wealth and a name besides. It was honestly a rarity that one would come along to seek just . . . assistance. Assistance for the one who he worked so tirelessly for.

"You've been so quick to be the working mule of otherwise such lazy folk, I daresay I ought to see another tome with your habits written in fine ink in the next coming years. It astounds me how so many will not even lift a damned finger as much as I've had to drag you in the hopes that you won't."

It wasn't so much at Nier was way too helpful, it was the irritation against the ruffled pages of the grimoire himself that proved that in some ways . . . he could be taken advantage of. The village, however; seemed to understand where the shortcomings were and offered such tasks to keep them afloat. That didn't mean it didn't send a shudder down Weiss' spine any less.

Still . . . he'd come to find himself attached to the lad more than he otherwise would've admitted, and often relented himself to the silence above the berating. One didn't always need that.

"She thinks of you often, lad. I'm sure you've a myriad of letters that she's sent you. Be that as it may, I know you take every second seriously, but do try to see her more often. Confined in a space you call home whilst in solitude makes it all the less . . . erm - homey, if I should use a term as such. I can tell . . . she's lonely."

And he didn't doubt that Nier sensed it too. However, the softness that wrapped around the tome's otherwise stiffened personality seemed to crumble once more and he lurched into the air, whacking himself cover first against Nier's crown.

"Do not insult me with such a name. It is not meant for you, it is meant for the young lass who is most unfortunate. You're lucky I cannot drag you to the rivers so I can teach you to swim myself. It is Grimoire Weiss, lad. You know the rules."

And he shook with fury as he hovered, lowering himself just slightly to get to Nier's level. A minor inconvenience nevertheless, but the surprise Nier gave off to getting smacked was otherwise vindicating.

[crystalmarred]

Selena wasn't sure if it's okay to gift X'kijin anything but decided to do it anyway. She left the poorly wrapped gift in Tataru's care and forgot to sign the Happy Starlight message. The box contains a cool rock she found on one of her most recent dungeon runs.

— STARLIGHT ASKS ;; ( @lcstkey )

It wasn't likely X'kijin would ever get used to getting gifts. He wasn't a stranger to them, of course. Having grown up infirmaries, there were a few occasion where people offered gifts in lieu of words to express their gratitude. And thank the gods for that because if there was things X'kijin was worse at accepting, it was egregious amounts of thank you's.

So, suffice to say, he wasn't expecting gifts for a holiday he'd only just started to celebrate at the behest of his husband. Most of all, he hadn't quite expected Tataru to pass him one from another.

Unsigned though it may have been, Tataru was thoughtful enough to tell him who it was.

"Selena?" X'kijin said, parroted the word back to Tataru with less glee and more surprise than she had in the way she'd said it. What had prompted Selena to give him of all people a gift? X'kijin hadn't really done anything besides run into her, stop a nose bleed and numb the ache in it besides and that... really wasn't much, in truth.

Half his life had been spent in infirmaries. It was more a habit than proper kindness, yet here she was returning it with something material, something kind.

"Well, surely you don't intend to simply watch it! Open it!"

Tataru chided him, bid him to unwrap the present. The present was crudely wrapped, edges barely held down and bent at odd angles. Had he looked closer, he might have seen a superficial tear or two.

The box divested of the wrapping paper, X'kijin pushed the lid off to reveal... a rock?

He plucked it from the box, held it up to the light. It was definitely a rock, yet the way that it gave off a glimmer in the faint light of the Rising Stones almost made it look like a gemstone.

"I could use this to make something," X'kijin said, voiced aloud the thought in his mind. Although what he would make was another matter entirely. "A necklace or... earrings?"

Already, he was lost in thought. He'd have to thank Selena later, when he both managed to find her and to come back to himself.

[crystalmarred]

If A'atahni were to have guessed how he might find Tsuru, it was certainly not on the shoulders of a Vieran woman. The way she spoke, the way she dressed, it was an easy guess that she was a local, though he couldn't recall having seen her before. And it'd be hard to forget a Viera of all people. Much as A'atahni had traveled when he was still a pirate, he could count the Vieras he'd met on one hand.

The woman knelt and Tsuru slid off her back to return to his side and as soon as the words of brief praise were out of her mouth, Tsuru began chittering happily.

"Dad, this is Meiko! She's looking for the Bismarck, so I was showing her where to go."

"Is that so?" A'atahni asked as his gaze moved briefly to the woman—Meiko, Tsuru called her—before his eyes returned to meet Tsuru's who... did not look like she well intended to end her quest. "I suppose you still want to show her, then?"

A nod and, despite A'atahni's uncertainty about the woman and what her unproven intentions might be, he could hardly refuse Tsuru without knowing for certain.

"Well, I suppose we're still guiding you then," he said, though he doubted she needed that guidance. "I'm A'atahni. Thank you for keeping Tsuru out of trouble."

"Not at all! She was a wee doll," Meiko assured him brightly. "Right now, ride's over!" She knelt and allowed Tsuru to slide off of her back, then stood up again. "She was no trouble. Just glad we were able tae find you as soon as we did!"

[crystalmarred]

"Happy Starlight, Tataru!" Selena hands her a small box with a small hand-carved wooden carbuncle.

— STARLIGHT ASKS ;; ( @lcstkey )

Tataru had never been one for gifts. Well, not receiving them, at least. Perhaps in the first few years of her life, Tataru had been showered in material affections, but in the years after her family fell into poverty that was mitigated only by Tataru's own apprenticeship, Tataru had grown more accustomed to being the giver, rather than the other way around.

"Oh..." Tataru started, surprised as she was grieved for... Tataru had not done something so personal for all the Scions. Certainly, she had been the one to decorate the Rising Stones, save for the tree topper that she had asked Urianger to step in for. She had made dinner and baked cookies for after. Hot chocolate had been made after dinner to keep the Scions warm in the Mor Dhona chill.

"Selena, you didn't have to get me anything!" Tataru said, yet opened the box regardless, careful in case the contents delicate— "Oh, Selena..."

Beautiful did not describe the way the carbuncle looked to her. A reminder of a time when she had tried—and failed—to learn a skill that might enable her to fight alongside her friends.

"Oh, Selena, it's beautiful... I hardly know what to say..."

A simple thank you did not suffice, she felt, yet she had little else to offer in the moment.

"Thank you... It's... I will treasure it..."

[crystalmarred]

Rare is it for D'lhen to pout, even in the quiet of the last day of the Starlight Stalls being open. But when he does, it's always around A'aven and always subject to earn him a brief kiss—not that A'aven ever needs an excuse to.

[crystalmarred]

Nok'to was sure his brother would have found a moment to relax 'tween being briefed and now. He would have dozed off on the airship or the chocobo, perhaps even both. But Nok'to was a far cry from X'kijin and proved yet again to be an impossible-to-untangle yarn ball of nerves.

Travel never sat well with him, nor did combat. Llymlaen guide him, he was usually calmer in battle than when he actually tried to properly prepare for it. One would think he'd find peace in preparation.

"Uh, well..."

"There's... probably more, the closer we get to the site, so... We... We could thin out their numbers from the shadows, maybe?"

Nok'to wasn't sure how stealthy Lalanna was, but... he was so...

"I could try..."

"Yes, I have it marked on my map," Lalanna nodded. "Let's grab some chocobos and head over."

--

The ride to Southern Thanalan was short and uneventful, as the surplus of adventurers in recent months discouraged wild beasts from growing too close to the road. They left their mounts behind a few yalms away from the entrance to the Zanr'ak Encampment, where towering Amalj'aa wandered about, armed and vigilant.

Lalanna and Nok'to observed from not so far away.

"Right," she straightened from where she was crouched. "How do you prefer to proceed? I've friends that prefer running in vithout thinking and those that like a strategy. I am adaptable. I do not know if their planning a summoning vould mean increased guard or lesser."

[crystalmarred]

It was true, what she spoke of. The disappointment of an adult looking back at what they had held so dearly as a child. T'was easy to judge in a brief moment of bitterness, but there was a reason he had never bought into the fairly common path of fostering a family whilst he traveled around between pauses to visit them.

Erenville was not the sort of man that should become a father. He had been inflicted with that same fascination with nature as his mother, the curiosity about the creatures that lived deep within various locales that his eyes may never grace.

While his mother may have wanted a child, for whatever reason she had, Erenville did not have that drive, that draw. He simply did not have that... paternal instinct.

"Yes, that is all we can do, I suppose," he said, though a part of him felt out of place for airing his grievances to Meiko Mochikoko, of all people that he could have. She had seen much and more than he had, he knew. More than Gulool Ja Ja, more than his mother, and she had been there for both of those, as well.

For now, at least, they could hope for something akin to peace. To think, she and her brother both had seemed so thrilled at the start for something of a break from all the world-ending crises they'd dealt with prior.

"... You've more wisdom than I would have guessed when first we met."

"Aye. M'sure it wasnae simple for a woman like her tae try an' settle. But my parents -- th'ones that raised me -- werenae perfect, either. S'always a disappointment tae look back as an adult and see their flaws. But I dinnae know what it takes tae be a mother, either. I imagine s'not easy tae give up so much o'yourself to take care of your kids."

Sure, she had a tendency to look after kids, but she knew better than to try and commit to stay behind for one. Her life was too chaotic for that. Plus she couldn't imagine carrying the fucking thing for most of a year. Fortunately, the Light she had absorbed had taken care of that risk for her -- but still. Even the thought of it made her feel wrong.

"--An' as far as strugglin' tae comprehend someone not bein' there, I've felt that too. Plenty o'times."

The Scions had lost so many. Yet it was Papalymo that came to mind first -- how he and Lyse had returned to them no more than a few weeks before he sacrificed himself to prolong the hatching of Shinryu. How he was the only one of the original Scions that she had never gotten to fully express her gratitude and appreciation for, since it took her until after arriving in the First to get her bloody head out of her arse to communicate it.

"All we can try tae do is learn from those regrets. Try not tae repeat 'em."

[crystalmarred]

‘ i think you’re due for a haircut. ’ (kijitykha during Tykha's hair growing during shb—)

meme | @crystalmarred

Tykha had his head resting against the table in their room, and didn't even have the energy to lift it when he heard the words. It was odd to say that it was their room, even though it was primarily Kijin's. The two of them just happened to secure themselves in one familiar room after the events of Mt. Gulg.

Tykha could remember it clearly. His eyes opening and closing, seeing someone looming down at him with the most worried expression on their face. In and out of consciousness, slipping deeper and deeper.

He would choke on the Light, whimper something and then silence hit him even more. He'd find time in the day to get sleep, wake up with someone snuggled into his chest, and couldn't feel rested at all despite it all.

All the sleep you got, and you were still tired. It was hard to bear. . .

Normally Tykha could find his hair poked out and spiked to the sides, highlighted in black and brushed gently whenever he woke up to get ready for the day. Now, the effort to lift his hands, find a brush, had grown into something that he had neither the energy nor the motivation to do such.

Though he couldn't help but feel the guilt rise up and over when Kijin assumed to the role of the main Warrior of Darkness. Kijin had even stated that he was completely of the thought that Tykha wouldn't be waking up from Mt. Gulg until he actually started to breathe noticeably.

"I am?" Tykha blinked, ears twitching before he turned his head to face Kijin's, who was holding a basket of apples that he was going to place onto the table. Everything felt heavy, his hair now leaning into his eyes and he could still see Kijin between the strands. There was still energy for a smile, still energy to look up and over at him. "I didn't realize . . ."

Sitting up, Tykha reached up to touch his hair, feeling it from his eyes straight down his back in a braid. It'd been ruffled and unkempt, unruly save for the hair tie that really kept it from swaddling all over his back.

The streaks of white didn't help either, and Tykha found himself pressing his hands into his face momentarily, trying to take a breath. He'd almost changed. He almost let the Light absolutely consume im and here he was feeling the aftermath of it.

The way it all sucked back into his body, seeped heavily into his chest like a heavy weight like that of a deep-chested cough.

"Do you think you could cut it for me? I haven't . . . had the time, actually . . ." He didn't dare look at the expression Kijin was giving him. Though it was obvious that the two of them, energy willing, could only do so much. Sometimes Kijin would venture out of the Pendents to grab something to eat or drink at the Wandering Stairs, gathering something for Tykha as well. Only to find him sound asleep with one arm over the edge of the bed.

Even the Dodo had grown concerned, resting at the corner where the pillow rested as opposed to the foot of the bed where normally he would nest. At least Tykha was able to keep him fed, and open the window so that he could hop out of the room to go wandering. The door was already creaked open enough for Marv to scuttle through whenever he was done with his escapades.

"Thirsty . . ." Tykha stood up from the table, but before much else, a swirl of dizziness overcame him. The world seemed to teeter and spin, enclose and then lift outwards with spots that gathered about him.

Don't faint, don't faint, don't faint, don't faint . . .

His hand jutted outwards, finding itself on Kijin's chest, with arms at his waist to keep him upright lest he collapse entirely. He'd already done it five times in the week. His heart rate accelerated with the surprise, eyes tired and blurring with tears.

Dammit . . .

"I'm sorry. . ." His face hid in the clothing at the other's chest. "I'm so tired, but I wanted a drink of water."

[crystalmarred]

"Be honest... You missed me, didn't you?" (From Mikaya to Senna)

meme

Oh how the voice rolls off the tongue like a siren song. Like a trill that echoes through the enclosed walls, sends shivers down one's spine. Brings one's frown into an unyielding smile. Those were only a few things that Senna would use to describe the way Mikaya's voice whenever it caught his ears.

It'd been so long, been too long since they last saw each other. Though Senna had half a mind to condemn the very organization that Mikaya found himself. Always gallivanting off to supposedly do their bidding left nothing but a nasty taste in Senna's mouth.

Though that didn't seem to matter the moment he heard that voice, looking up from the floor at which he was dancing upon. Senna had taken it upon himself to better his craft now that he was in a bit of a lull. Dancing always seemed to tame his mind whenever Kaya was away from extended periods of time.

The chakrams twirled and then pressed at his sides, his coat flowing as he turned, sauntering over with his hands out so that they could rest against those freckles cheeks as always.

"What a silly question, Stardust," Senna reprimanded gently as his hands found where they were seeking. "Every day you're gone you know I go mad for you." Though that in itself seemed like such an understatement.

Their noses touched, Senna's ears shifting up as he found himself looking down into Kaya's eyes, purring now that they were close. Sometimes it rather came in handy that being much taller meant you could be the protection you desired.

"My Nebula, they've been taking you away from me more than I'm comfortable with. Aren't you done with their needless tasks?" His tail flicked at the thought of the Walkers of the Path sending him out into who knows where for the extension of time, only to return with either a success or failure; ad infinitum.

Not entirely, but it damn near felt like it.

His huff turned to a rumble into Kaya's neck when he spoke up his excuses, hands finding their purchase along the opening of the garments that Kaya wore, dancing along the freckles that were kissed there, almost lost in the ministrations before his ears twitched again. Focused, honed in on Kaya's words.

"So you're not staying. . ." The hands halted, ears pinning when the words were less than what he wanted. "It's been so long, Kaya. What's going to happen if you don't come back? I missed you, and while I will not get in the way, I wish they would allow me more than just a damned day with you. . ."

He met those eyes again, holding his face there in case this was the last moment they'd see each other. The most he'd spent away from Mikaya was at least a week, and that felt like a sin against the gods themselves.

"At least . . . allow me to have a night or two with you, at the very least. Is that not fair enough?"

[crystalmarred]

"i thought i lost you." (D'lhen to Tykha, but Sin Eater AU)

meme

D'tykha had been under the impression that when he was turned, that was the end of it. He would never be seen again. He would never be known as the Lieutenant of the Crystarium Guard ever again. In all brief terms . . . Tykha had died.

Tykha was dead. Though that didn't exactly warm his heart when he'd moved into the Crystarium beside the Voidsent in the hopes that releasing the Light out of him would actually do the trick. If anything, it left him with a bad taste in his mouth. This was the very one who cast him out the moment he got hurt, but would spare the life of someone who he deemed more important.

If the loyalty and the dedication honestly must've not meant a thing because as soon as his so-called Champion appeared, that was the only thing that mattered. He'd have to be held back in his presence of course, the disdain that he felt.

His hand clenched at his side whenever he saw him, only to feel the heart that still beat inside him swell and roll up into his throat when he saw the last person he thought he'd ever be allowed to see again.

His brother.

Well . . . in actually he really only felt like a brother with the way he took care of him in the Crystarium, a cousin in actuality. The only individual left in his family life that he loved more than anything. He could feel his hand twitch again, knocking against the Voidsent's, as though to say he needed something to hang onto. He found himself stepping forward, as though he didn't think he was seeing this individual right.

"D-D'lhen?" Tykha stepped forward, feeling the itch against his back, the shaking in his hand as he reached outward. He was glad the wings weren't out, because the last thing he wanted was to say goodbye so soon to the other. "You're. . . still here?"

His paling hand touched the side of D'lhen's face, and it was true. Behind those glasses and glimmering from the lipstick, it was D'lhen all the same. The rings around his eyes could've indicated he hadn't slept in awhile. Not since the news that Tykha had been injured in the battle. Not since the news that he was likely dead.

"I . . . I'm home, I - I never left I'm still here. Me, it's still . . . me." Tykha stepped forward, hoping that Lhen wouldn't back away. Allowing him to touch him was probably a boundary already broken, but inhaling that very familiar aetherical scent of new books, soft ink and tea. . .

Tears welled in his eyes as he pressed his hand into his eyes to shield the tears that didn't bother to stay any longer. Had he never gotten hurt, everything would've been fine. Tykha was earning enough from his rank to pay Lhen back for everything that he had done up until that point. Keeping him afloat for as long as he could.

"I'm sick, Lhen. I'm sick I can't come back. . . but I'm alive. Kijin he - I mean I - someone found me. He -" Tykha pointed to X'kijin in the background, glimmering green emeralds underneath snowed in hair like a flashbang with how bright they were. Clearly not trying to attract attention.

The Sin Eater took a step back. He was lucky he was given the chance to speak his words, say his peace, before possibly turning on the other and grabbing him by the throat. Vauthry couldn't touch him here, he had time . . .

"Forgive me, I never meant to leave you. I never thought I'd have to leave. Me, me! You know me. . ."