thosewecanyetsave

[thosewecanyetsave]

Hey all!

I’ve really... kind of avoided coming back to this blog because I truthfully didn’t know what I wanted to do with it.

A very short ‘tl;dr’ is that I’ve sort of fallen out of having muse for ffxiv. I still love these characters, and there’s a lot of interactions and partners I don’t want to walk away from, but there’s been a handful of bad interactions that have soured me a little to writing here. On top of that, I’ll admit my interest in XIV as a whole has waned a bit over the past few months.

I don’t really want to not be here, but I also feel like I stepped away for too long to come back.

Right now my interest is more on the Tales of fandom, and I started writing over at @armxtus. If you enjoy Tales games, I’d love to write with you there, but I’m not going to demand or expect this of anyone. I’m also going to think about what I want to do here.

Sorry for the somewhat bad news. I hope everyone here has been doing well.

[thosewecanyetsave]

The feeling of another hand slowly slipping into his own had Ina’a’s cheeks turning a vivid shade of pink, practically matching the color of his fur. His ears flicked back for a moment, tail curling around himself, before gently squeezing the hand back.

Scandelous.

[thosewecanyetsave]

Who would be brave enough to hold [x]’s hand?

[thosewecanyetsave]

primalvessel​:

He heard the redhead reenter the room but didn’t look up, intent on getting his footwear on but when G’raha spoke up, he did lower his hands from where he was attempting to do his laces and allowed his companion to tie the second boot. “Well, you were motivating me,” he explained, determined to do as much as he could before he got too tired.

Having G’raha take over did mean that he’d have a little more energy to get out of the Rising Stones though so he didn’t put up a fight over the aid he was given.

He took the hand when it was offered and carefully rose to his feet, knowing that he was going to struggle a little bit having had only a small rest after rising from the table but he had a full belly and energy to burn - he’d manage and they’d make progress.

“I’m looking forward to getting some air. Perhaps the sun will even be out. I’d like to feel it,” he murmured, taking a slow step forward and then another as they made their way to the door. He tried to do as much as he could on his own despite knowing that he’d probably be leaning heavily against the redhead on the way back.

“Funny what seems to work as motivation for you.” There was just the slightest touch of dry edge to it. He wasn’t offended. He was amused, and maybe just a touch... something else that was curled in his gut and lurked beneath his skin. It was much harder to place a name to that feeling, and G’raha was content to just acknowledge that it existed and not pursue it for now. For the moment, it was just nice. It certainly made it much easier to smile.

After helping Maru to his feet, G’raha shifted to be at his side. He didn’t reach out to grab his arm, or pull an arm around him, and instead just stayed well within range. As much as part of him wanted to coddle Maru and serve as a constant support so that there was no risk of him being in any pain, G’raha knew that wouldn’t actually help him at all. In order to get better he would have to hurt. Unfair, but reality often was.

“I wouldn’t be too hopeful about seeing the sun. We are still in Mor Dhona.” It wasn’t that bleak of a place but it was just more comfortable to joke and tease. 

It took time to even get out of the Rising Stones, and G’raha kept up some silly, mindless chatter as they made the slow walk. From there, the doors into the Seventh Heaven were pushed open, and he took a moment to let out a small sigh of air before glancing over at Maru. Going from the relative quiet from the Rising Stones to the slight din in the bar always took him a moment. The harsh noise always caught him off guard and he had to pause to remind himself of just where he was. Somewhere safe, nowhere dangerous.

“-- still feeling okay?”

[thosewecanyetsave]

@seatedsacrifice from [x]

The near-accusatory words that had slipped from Ina’a’s lips felt almost uncharacteristic of him. If there hadn’t been such a strong, intense thrill of fear that had laced through him he wouldn’t have blurted it out-

Where were you?

It hadn’t been out of fear for himself, but fear that something had happened to Ophir. Ina’a had seen the blow that had connected with them, knocking the other warrior back as their shield had been sent flying away. A curative spell had been at the tips of his fingers before he had also been knocked off his feet. His head spun as a burst of magic had been released reflexively, causing rocks to pierce the beast as Ina’a’s body slumped to the ground.

“N... no.” If he needed to be healed then Ina’a would do it himself... eventually. Blood was trickling from the corner of his mouth, and he could feel pain blossoming along his side beneath his shirt -- but that pain didn’t feel wet. He couldn’t imagine it was more than a deep bruise, and that was... fine. He could learn to live with that.

“m’ fine.” The miqo’te carefully pushed himself into an upright beneath as blue eyes shifted to glance hesitantly up at the other before quickly looking away. “Sorry. I... I sh-shouldn’t have said that.”

[thosewecanyetsave]

primalvessel​:

Perhaps that was it. Perhaps he was so used to being seen as a weapon, being used as one by the various city-states that it had become a foreign concept to him that someone might actually want to see past that. Someone outside of the circle of scions. And in expecting nothing of the sort, he had not then gone on to volunteer any kind of personal information.

And thus, they had reached that stalemate.

The way the question had been asked though, the circumstances, the situation, none of it seemed to sit very well with the feline whose body language screamed discomfort and distress. The fact that he was still there was testament to how much it bothered him that Aymeric might think that the Miqo’te didn’t trust him.

And to speak his own name in that way made it sound strange to him. Hearing it on Aymeric’s lips made his breath catch just a little too though.

With his ears back, continuing to look as though he didn’t want to be there right then, his gaze slid away for a moment before he forced himself to look back at the Elezen and explain.

“I’m not afraid of people knowing my name,” he corrected, shifting on the spot. “I’m afraid of what punishment will be visited upon me, by Griever or by another for defying the will of the tribe and giving it out,” he explained in something of a small voice.

“I used to belong to a tribe and when I was touched by Griever, it was decreed that I would be Griever’s Vessel. It would be both who and what I am. To have a name is to admit that I have an identity outside of being the primal’s vessel and that’s not allowed.”

The whole time he’d been tugging on the end of an ear, abusing the poor appendage as his tail hung still behind him.

Aymeric had never seen Gr- seen Maru act this way before. Not even when he had stood by him in the face of Thordan, not when Nidhogg’s spirit had possessed Estinien, not even in the face of the aftermath of the Ghimlyt Dark. Everything seemed to’ve been met with far more ease, to a point where the elezen had once wondered if the miqo’te truly felt much of anything. He was more than affable enough, and anger, rage-- flirtation had all been part of his emotional range, but vulnerability and fear had never been anything truly shown. 

Because it had never actually been Maru. Aymeric’s accusation hadn’t been wrong, though he could piece together that it hadn’t been out of any malicious intent. Maru confirmed that quickly, acknowledging that it had been due to fear. 

But not fear because of other people.

“... Is Griever still with you?” The sentence felt strange to speak out loud as it sounded less like he was actually speaking with Maru and more as if he were referring to him in the third person right to his face. Aymeric found himself frowning for a small moment due to that; while he was certain they both knew what he had meant, it still would take him a bit of time to get used to it. “And you said you used to be part of a tribe. If you’re no longer with them, what could they do as punishment if you no longer follow their traditions?”

He didn’t miss the way... Maru was tugging quite forcefully at his ear, but for the moment Aymeric chose against saying him. He didn’t like it, but he wasn’t going to point it out and have him feeling self conscious due to a nervous gesture in a moment of high stress.

[thosewecanyetsave]

liightwarrior​:

Quietly he followed along, surprised that they were delving so deep into the dark confines of the library. He knew this was the more restricted area, and where he had been in trouble for trespassing, once or twice before. That did not seem to stop the other from progressing forward, and he watched them gaze at all of it.

There were too many books, too many scrolls, and all holding knowledge that most people had no clue existed. What would have normally excited him, filled him now with a sense of dread, as he did not know what this one’s intentions were. What he was saying put him more with this feeling of great unease, and not just because of how familiar that voice was to him.

  “I… never gave it any thought, no.”

Finally, he spoke up, and in a voice that was so uncertain. It felt wrong to raise it in volume, as if all would be able to hear what they were saying, but he knew none were awake to care. No guards came this way, due to them not having access, and it was just the two of them here alone. “Perhaps, people lost interest…? After all, not everyone cares for reading to attain knowledge.” He did not want to think that there was possibly more to all this, and there most certainly was. Now, he had it in his head, to question why none tried to, again.

| @thosewecanyetsave​ |

The figure let out a loud and audible scoff at the idea that people could have simply lost interest in the knowledge that Gubal held. There were many words that could be used to describe the people of Sharlayan, and many more for those on the Forum -- but insipid and careless were not among them.

“They knew.” The words were said in an almost soft, lazy tone before the man repeated it, the words practically spat and hissed out. “They knew. The Forum knew of the threat of Garlean invasion. They were watching. They were aware of their actions... and they made the decision to just run and hide and protect themselves when it might have mattered.”

As they walked, the figure reached out to let his fingertips run along the bookshelves they were passing by. As his words grew more servant and harsh, his nails pressed against the spines of the books, digging a deep and unmistakable gash in them. At the very least they weren’t in the restricted section, though that hardly made the damage okay.

The figure paused.

“... That means they must have known about Corvos too. Have you ever thought about that?”

[thosewecanyetsave]

@lannamused​ from [x]

Despite the fairly... silly way she had suddenly burst out and made her statement (at least, that was what Sidurgu would have called it!), Rielle had given her statement some serious thought. It was something that she had been mulling over for a while now. Ishgard certainly was on a better track than it had been before, but...

“Well...” Now that the focus was on her, a flicker of momentary embarrassment crossed the young woman’s features before she took a deep breath and shook her head. 

“I know Ser Aymeric and many others are doing their best to change Ishgard for the better, but nothing has been done to truly change the class divide that exists. Even with the dissolution of the great noble houses to just simply the House of Lords, and even with the creation of the House of Commons, there’s still... Lords and Commons. The only reason anyone is a member of the Lords is just due to luck. None of them achieved that label or status due to anything they had actually done... and while some of them have given nearly everything they have to help others-” House Fortemps and House Haillenarte both came to mind. “-there are others that have tried their best to take all they came from those lesser than them.”

House Dzamael, without a doubt.

Rielle sighed, feeling like the point she was trying to make had likely become well and truly lost in the emphatic rambling she had fallen into. “It’s just... I know that those leading Ishgard now do truly want the best for everyone, but the changes they’ve made will only go so far. Once Ser Aymeric is gone, Ishgard will just go back to how it was. The Noble and High Houses will just go back to how they were, the Church will take its power back, and those of the Brume will continue to be robbed of everything they have... just becase they weren’t born into high houses. It’s... it’s theft.”

[thosewecanyetsave]

bastard-son-aymeric​:

     Well that was one way to shut him up.

 With a muffled chuckle would he welcome those hungry lips, totally ignoring the way their weapons clattered to the floor in abandonment.

Aye, nothing truly mattered in this moment save for the two men now entwined in heated need against a stone cold wall which was quickly warming with their heated wants. Aymeric lent into Estinien’s kiss, his lip lock firm and confidant now, no longer lost in hesitant confusion.

Now that Estinien knew his confession he was eager to let him know his reply. Not in words but with his raw actions, honesty in it’s most true form. Estinien was not a man of great words or of a poetic tongue. He showed his love in the way a man of the blades did and he loved every second of it. Eyes fluttering shut with a shutter of ebony lashes, the raven haired elezen melted into his touch. Blind digits would curl into Estinien’s tunic while his other hand slipped up to slide through snowy locks, keeping him anchored and flushed against him in a iron grip on both ends.

His. All his.

 Finally, the Fury gave him this. And he in turn was Estiniens. As if he never was from the beginning.

“To claim me~”

 Came Aymeric’s soft purr between moving lips, idly giving Estinien’s bottom lip a coy nip with his whispered reply. 

While he had never been one to really seek out bed partners, Estinien had found it wasn’t hard to not sleep alone on the nights it had felt like his mind had been too loud for solitude. The warmth of another and the distraction provided by the simply physical pleasure had been more than enough to allow him to let the long nights pass him by. He never would have described himself as being particularly experienced, but the dragoon knew enough to be more than simply blindly and cluelessly fumbling up against another’s body -- and, in this moment, he was glad for that. 

Maybe this meant they would both miss out on the chance to learn together, but there was already far too much clueless, blind groping that existed in Aymeric’s every day. Having at least once experience where he didn’t need to be the one guiding the experience was the least he deserved. 

The bold words and nip against his lip had Estinien chuckling lowly. Aymeric certainly seemed insistent with how firmly he was gripping the front of the dragoon’s shirt. So he wanted him, he wanted this--

Just how badly, though.

“I thought you were Ishgard’s, Aymeric.” As Estinien spoke he slowly pressed a trail of kisses that led from the corner of the speaker’s mouth down to junction of his neck and shoulder. It was such a delicate spot, one he couldn’t help but press his lips against -- before his teeth sink into the vulnerable flesh.

“Which is it? Who do you really belong to?” The words were hissed out as sharpened teeth lightly dragged along pale skin. The dragoon shifted his gaze up, wanting to see Aymeric’s expression to the question. 

[thosewecanyetsave]

valebatcattus​:

She smiled slightly as Ryne ran her hands over the braid, setting aside the brush and folding her hands in her lap as she considered how to explain. “The Final Days wasn’t a rejoining, so no. He wouldn’t have wanted that; it was a continuation of what he and the other Ascians had been trying to stop before the sundering. Despite everything, saving the star was always their true goal. It’s just what we and they considered to be saving that differed.”

Saying he’d used the last of himself was maybe, perhaps, slightly misleading though.

Lumi hummed, still trying to figure out how to explain. “The Ascians are kind of complicated to explain, Oph–Elidibus, sorry–most of all. I think a lot of him by the point we met him was less himself and more Zodiark. After that fight in the tower he was a little more himself again.” A promise only one of them had remembered finally fulfilled.

“He considered it the fulfillment of his duty to help me. Especially since he remembered meeting me there, once.” And so he’d chosen the course most likely to save the star, despite the cost.

It was strange to hear that his goal was to save the star when he had seemed so set on trying to end the First. Ryne understood that the shards weren’t... exactly real compared to the Source, though. She didn’t really understand what it meant to be a shard, just that it meant it was a reflection of where Lumi had initially come from. 

But the way Lumi was speaking about him seemed almost like she was... fond of him. Just what had happened since the last time she had come across him?

“Remembered meeting you where?” The girl glanced back over her shoulder, brow furrowed in confusion. “In the tower?”

A question about just what the nature of the shard was had started to form, but learning more about what had happened between Lumi and Elidibus would come first.

[thosewecanyetsave]

When Quintus’ body had been first found, Alphinaud had been certain the man had been dead. After all, the wound he had inflicted upon himself was... it should have been something that would have ended his life. Perhaps it would have been the simple and easy way out, and certainly hadn’t been what the young elezen had wanted to see - but it wasn’t often to see someone able to walk away from the amount of blood that had been smeared on the wall behind him.

Fate, however, clearly had other plans. The man had been left breathing and had been immediately rushed to receive medical treatment. 

Precautions had been taken. Any weaponry had been removed, and one hand was cuffed to the bed he was currently resting on. Alisaie had been the one to suggest (bitterly so, perhaps) that a shock collar should be fastened around his neck, and while Alphinaud couldn’t deny the temptation he felt to go along with the idea. The idea had been vetoed before any serious consideration could have been given to it, and likely for the best. 

Alphinaud had been at his bedside when he awoke. It was mostly just luck; he didn’t spend much time there, outside from coming in to check on him once a day. Seeing his eyes open, though, had the young elezen pausing before rising to his feet.

“Yes. And, if I were to have any say in it, you will continue to stay alive for a very long time.”

The sound of a calm breath, the hospice walls provided little privacy, but former legate of the first legion Quintus, now opens his eyes slowly. Awake. The jaw aching a bit, unlucky that the bullet, when about to be shot the whole train had shooked. 

A distant roar, fades from his memory when it happened. if he knew the truth, was it his old friend Varis, saying to live?

The incident did not come to pass. 

 His eyes slide to the other… was he there, or did he wait?

 “And so, I live.” 

@thosewecanyetsave​

[thosewecanyetsave]

prxsperpina​:

Hearing the suggestion of her staying and the implication of her potentially ruling over the Garleans made her frown ever so slightly. While it’s true they needed a leader, she hardly called herself leader material. 

“I don’t think they need another… Ascian ruling over them, even if I was a benevolent ruler up till this body grows old and dies. I also have no ties to any of the nobility, nor any family, in general, of the Garlean populace, even if I’m technically their foremother,” She told him. Besides, what if they saw her as their new empress? Would that mean she’d have to marry and sire children? No, that was something she really couldn’t see herself doing, not with so much of the world to see, of history to write. 

Kore then gave Alphinaud a small smile. “It’s a wonderful suggestion, but I honestly don’t have nearly as much charisma nor leadership expertise to get it done. I think the populace would probably also rather have someone they’re more familiar with, like Gaius or Maxima. Hells, even Jullus would probably be more acceptable.” 

The thought of Gaius becoming the new leader of Garlemald had Alphinaud grimacing. The man had certainly grown and changed, but to restore him back as a legatus felt like it would be putting Garlemald back several steps. They needed to move past the old leaders and Gaius certainly qualified as one. Plus, the man was busy enough as it were with Werlyt. He couldn’t imagine he would want to split his attention between the two places, and it would only be to the detriment to both if he did. 

“Jullus is a bit too inexperienced, and Gaius would simply be bringing back some of the ghosts that should be avoided. Maxima, though...” He had experience. Maybe...

After a moment he paused before smiling up at her. “And I would hardly classify you as an Ascian.” Just because she was an Ancient didn’t mean she was the same as those who had wanted to eradicate all of Etheirys through repeated calamities. Maybe it would have been different if she had learned the truth of herself earlier, but fate had directed her to a far less destructive path.

“T’is just a thought. You’re right, of course. They just... They’re lost. It’s painfully clear they don’t know what they even should believe at this point. It’s different from helping Ishgard or Doma, or even in the First.” How do you help a people who had just had everything they knew and believed in ripped out from beneath them?

[thosewecanyetsave]

luxprotector​:

a rare smile came to her lips and she just shrugged at his question. she didn’t have any particular reason to suggest in combing his hair, araya just wanted to do so. 

it was a rare, calming evening and the clouds were threatening anyone who decided to stay outside with future rain. since her last visit to radz-at-han, where she not only got sick but also had a mental breakdown, araya has been feeling nothing but gratitude towards the elezen who listened to her struggles to deal with her trauma. it felt nice, in letting everything out.

“i don’t know. i can’t go out there, it seems a storm is coming” and the constant thunders could give it away. so she was basically stuck in his room until the storm passed “or we can drink, someone gave me a bottle of rum as a gift. haven’t drink it yet, haven’t had the time nor anyone to drink it with. if you’re into drinking, that’s it”

Estinien found himself staring at her in near disbelief before a low chuckle of laughter escaping him. The situation that she was presenting him was just so absurd that he couldn’t help but find the humor in it. To think that this was her suggestion after how they had met all those years ago, when he had been little more than an angry idiotic child fueled by the rage of an ageless wyrm that wanted nothing more than to manipulate his feelings.

She had surprised him then, and had continued to do so almost effortlessly with every time they met.

“So your proposal is for us to get drunk while you brush my hair.” Estinien rather flatly restated her request before giving a small shake of his head. He moved over toward the bed to take a seat on the edge of it. “You’ve never seen me drinking before.” Mostly as it was an activity he tried not to make a habit out of. “Are you sure you want to now?”

[thosewecanyetsave]

One of the universal truths of the world was that, if you came across someone and they were crying, acknowledging that they were crying was not going to be of help. Perhaps they wanted to be noticed, but Erenville had never found that to be the case. To be caught in such a moment of weakness was always viewed as such a deeply shameful act despite being one of the most natural things in the world. Of course one would, and should, cry if they were upset. There was no sense of failing in doing something that was completely and utterly normal and human.

People were strange, though. The thoughts and opinions of others mattered more than their own well being. He didn’t know for sure if the Warrior of Light fell into that same group, but he could make a few guesses from the way she scrubbed at her cheeks to try to hide her tears. He could only imagine the reasoning why for her, though. All the expectations that must have felt like they weighed heavily on her shoulders.

Instead of commenting on how she looked, Erenville just offered her a gentle smile. “Simply passing through on a request for the Forum.” Even places like the Twelveswood offered up bounties that the Forum was eager to study. “I fear my request cannot be fulfilled today, however; the sylph have made it clear they won’t make their trade until I had gone through three days of offering them wild vegetables.” The viera made an exaggerated shrug of his shoulders before letting out a weary sigh.

“That means I will have to find a place to stay in the meantime. I don’t suppose you would know of anywhere...?”

In times like this, distraction often was better than outright sympathy.

━━ ❥❥❥ @thosewecanyetsave​ feat. erenville  :  ♣ = discovering them crying                             SYMBOL PROMPTS  ━━ accepting !!

      THERE COMES A TIME WHEN TOO MUCH BUBBLES OVER — the miqo’te shaped jar becoming too small to hold all that it needs to && has had to for so long now. she has ever been strong — strong for her family, strong for her brother, strong for her friends, for those she can yet save. the list flows like water spilling out && splaying the dirt as her tears do now — each one a devastating drop of every life lost, every burden carried that she took in stride, took with a smile on her face in attempts to keep everyone else held tightly together despite the circumstances.

      oh, she doesn’t cry in front of people  (  not willingly  )  —  && it is an embarrassment of highest degree as she is caught. mismatched eyes glance up at the gleaner, shining from the tint of sadness overflowing from them — hands quickly flying up from clutching the fabric of her skirt mere moments before only to replace their duty in diligently attempting to wipe away the watery streaks off her cheeks as though that would expertly hide any traces of what she had been doing. smile replaces the biting of her lips, the stifling of choked sobs in where she’d thought she’d found a place to hide from anyone else — it is a broken thing that forces its way upon her lips, eyes still betraying the lies her smile holds.

      ❝   erenville… ?   ❞          it is surprise on her voice — soft, quiet as she attempts to shake back the sweetness of her usual tone —  trying to act as though nothing were wrong.       ❝   …fancy meeting you here, hm ? && to what do i owe the sudden pleasure.   ❞

[thosewecanyetsave]

multimusexfive​:

The teenager was already inside from her duties, still warming up by being wrapped in a blanket by the fire. She had hunted beast after beast until she was told to go rest. She hated being told to rest but when she felt her limbs grow heavy from exhaustion, she relented and went back to where her and her brother were staying. 

“Ah, you’re back. How did things go for you?” What was it that he was doing again? Probably healing wounded again. Many that were tempered were being handled by mages from different city states at the moment. But that was her next task for the morrow. 

She sat up a bit better so she could talk to him better.

“I’m sure you already know the answer to that question.”

Being pessimistic would never help anymore, and Alphinaud especially didn’t want to open up and put the thoughts and burdens that weighed on his mind on his sister. She was working just as hard as him and didn’t deserve to also have to deal with any of the worries that curled through his thoughts as well.

But Alphinaud also knew Alisaie wouldn’t be less than happy with him if he were to be withholding anything back from her.

As warmth started to bite through the cold, Alphinaud began to peel his gloves off before moving to shed himself of his coat and boots. “We were able to set up a plan on rebuilding the broken cereleum lines. It heavily relies on cooperation from Limsa for parts, though, which already makes the Garlean citizens upset over how in debt they’ll be... which has the Limsans on edge...” A sigh escaped him. 

“It’s always going to be an endless cycle, isn’t it?”

[thosewecanyetsave]

.

[thosewecanyetsave]

drachenblood​:

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦.  A  cold  and  thunderous  thing,  keening  with  the  lamentations  of  the  tormented  dead.  Even  so  far  from  home,  to  find  himself  surrounded  by  blizzards  and  snow  and  all  else  so  common  in  Coerthas  is  still  too  jarring  an  experience.  Yet  he  marks  the  passing  of  the  storm  and  feels  the  reverberations  of  its  winds  within  his  bones.  It’ll  move  north  through  what  remains  of  the  capitol  and  undo  what  must  have  been  weeks  of  effort  and  toil  in  but  a  handful  of  moments.  Such  is  the  suffering  that  has  been  cast  across  these  lands  and  he  finds  within  himself  the  capacity  to  feel  for  the  myriad  souls  who  still  call  this  icy  hellscape  their  home.  

 The  winds  and  the  storm  still  tug  at  the  edges  of  his  awareness,  but  his  thoughts  turn  to  all  that  is  earthly  and  tangible,  a  fond  smile  alighting  his  features  at  the  sight  of  the  boy.   ❝ Provisions  come  all  the  way  from  Thavnair,  aye. ❞  He’d  not  been  asked  to  play  escort  to  the  supply  train,  yet  he’d  volunteered  all  the  same.  A  reason  to  see  the  twins  and  better  yet,  a  reason  to  leave  and  to  wander.  He’d  never  done  well  with  confinement  even  ere  their  misadventures  in  Ultima  Thule.  And  in  the  aftermath  of  such  sacrifices  has  his  inability  to  remain  still  for  overlong  worsen.  Should  Vrtra  have  need  of  him  then  he’ll  simply  have  to  wait  ‘til  his  return.  

❝ I  see  the  restoration  has  had  it  toll  on  you. ❞  He  hums,  disapproval  wholly  evident  with  arms  crossed  as  he  makes  his  scrutiny  obvious.  Ever  a  hunter’s  gaze  even  in  his  ease,  noting  the  telltale  signs  of  exhaustion  that  lines  the  boy’s  features.   ❝ ‘Twould  seem  I  have  my  work  cut  out  for  me  –  I  leave  you  to  your  own  devices  for  but  a  few  moons  and  here  I  find  you  working  yourself  to  the  bone.  You  and  Aymeric  are  the  same. ❞

Estinien’s disapproval was plainly written on his face. For a moment Alphinaud felt a small thrill of worry; had he someone done something to disappoint the older man? Had Alisaie told him something? A few incidents sprang to mind, times where Alphinaud had tried to extend out his hand only to spat on in turn by the Garleans, and times where his attempt to play the role of mediator had only made the situation worse. Was he supposed to just sit back and not help?

“-!” The sudden expression of concerned robbed him of words for a moment, and Alphinaud shook his head as he felt a small flush of embarrassment crawl over his cheeks. Twelve, he would have preferred for Estinien to be disdainful toward his methods instead of this. 

“I am taking care of myself.” Despite trying to be a statement of insistence, it came out far too hesitantly for Alphinaud’s own liking, and the end of the sentence ended with a slight upward lilt, making it more of a question than a firm statement. “I’m resting! I am... ensuring that I will not fall ill due to overworking myself.” It was fine if he was tired, just as long as that exhaustion didn’t cause him to be put out of commission for any period of time.

Alphinaud cleared his throat before looking up at Estinien, gaze almost accusing. “Did you come here just to chastise me into trying to rest more?”