#Guillemont De'bayle

[housedebayle]

The Bayle Family of Ishgard

And it was clear as day, the stories of their lives were written upon their visages... 

For better or worse.

⦃ Guillemont • @coolthulhucultist  |  Astrelle • @pain-and-pistolet | Hestia • @progeny-of-the-fury |  Carina • @carina-debayle | Armont • @halone-from-the-otherside | Denz • @darkknightsbread | Jancis • @jancisstuff ⦄

Artist @dancinfox | Revisions from original by @khmariexii-art

[pom-friend]

Inktober 2018: Day 15 - Weak

"I'm sorry. I wasn't strong enough to save you."

Hikari and @coolthulhucultist 's Guillemont.

[jancisstuff]

Dawn Vigil

[progeny-of-the-fury]

The Truancy of Guillemont | Part II

Log date: 11/27/17

OOC Note: The text in these logs are strictly for the reader’s enjoyment. Anyone using the knowledge displayed within this text without the participant’s knowledge risks the potential of blacklisting from future communication and roleplay. Please do not meta-game!

Tags: @darkknightsbread @pom-friend

A moogle is a strange creature. Tiny, plump, round, with a glowing pom up top and wings out its back. Innocent, quirky; a moogle is not good at a great many things. Their size does not lend to physical labor or combat, unless a great deal of aether is expended, and their eye for quality and crafting is but barely tapped into. One thing a moogle excelled at, outside of playing pranks on others, was getting a letter where it needed to go. And this particular letter found its way to Hikari, a woman formerly known as Uyraies, no matter where she was. The language within was rather urgent, only scarcely detailing that the De'bayle House was unable to find where Sir Guillemont was, and that we requested her presence to speak on the matter... 

Denz and Adelise took the time away from their perusing of his study to meet with Hikari, while Astrelle continued piecing the parts together. 

Standing beside her cousin, Adelise held her typical cold stare. She did not know this woman, nor was she very close to Guillemont. Even still, they were her family and she was here to find him. And they would find him, no matter what it took.

It wasn't all that difficult, moogle or not, to find Hikari if you knew what you were looking for. The persistent glow of her lantern shield gave her away from a malm off, even through the thick haze of the boggy air. With her letter clutched in one hand, Hikari trudged up the steps to the camp overlook. Her hair was shaggy and oily, unwashed and poorly kept. Her eyes were sullen; shy, nervous, and distant, even as they rose to search for a familiar face. Her armor was in poor condition and she was absolutely caked in muck, so thick that you couldn't even tell what color her boots used to be.

In contrast to the woman's tattered look, the two knights stood pristinely beneath the glow of the aetheryte. One of the knights would have a familiar silhouette, Denz's armaments taken after his brother. Perhaps a hopeful attempt to remind everyone why they here, or simply a thoughtless ploy to accidentally confuse Hikari. They stood, waiting for any sign of the woman, before her arrival hailed a small wave from Denz.

Hikari Inamoto freezes like a doe in a clearing when she sees the familiar shape of what she thinks is Guillemont. She stares, trying to decide if it's really him, shuffling forward on one foot until he waved to her. She sprinted towards the two, her face lighting up, until she realized something was amiss and stopped short. Her dark eyes flitted up and down Denz's form before her expression fell. "...You're too tall."

Adelise was almost honoured until she realized the the woman was definitely not referring to her. Sighing out an exhale, she glanced off in some small embarrassment.

A light chuckle rumbles through the helmet, before a hand came up to push up the visor. Blue eyes looked back at the woman, tilting his head. "Aye... I do not think we'd ask you to come out here to meet us if I were otherwise,” Denz says out.

"...Oh..." Hikari laughs, just once, but there's not much enthusiasm behind it.

Denz cleared his throat, gesturing to the woman beside him * "Have you met mine cousin, Adelise? She has joined us but a few months prior, been with us through some trying times."

"S...sorry. From...a distance, you looked just like..." Hikari stammered.

"Most... caused by me..." Denz added flatly.

Reaching hands up to unclasp her helm, Adelise respectfully removed it to expose her face. With it, long umber tresses came pooling out and toward her waist. "A pleasure," she remarked in a frigid tone.

"U...uhm. No." One mud caked hand raises to pull back some of her dirty hair. "...No, I haven't. I don't think." Hikari attempted a meek smile, lifting a hand in an offer to shake, but on a second glance at herself, she retracted it and bowed her head down in greeting instead. This woman was a mess.

"Aye. Our house has taken up new colors and Guillemont's armor was a fine model to take inspiration from." Denz waved a hand for them to follow him beneath a nearby canopy. "Before we turn to the main topic, have you kept well? You were under Father Salem's 'care' last we spoke, yes?"

Dipping her head toward Hikari, Adelise offered her a stone-hard expression. Eyes following the man as he walks off, Adelise glances back toward the woman before turning to walk herself.

Denz pulls off his own helmet as they settle under the cover, placing the plate object on the barrel next to him.

Over the Adelise’s shoulder, her blue wyvern sat perched dutifully. Watching, its deep gaze was nearly as piercing as the woman's he sat on.

"I--" Hikari paused. "...Uhm. I was, for a short time. Before I left for Yanxia. I've..." She pauses, biting her lower lip. "...somehow I felt m...more at home...back here."

"More at home here?" Adelise questions aloud. "Are you perhaps of mixed culture?"

"It's been. Uhm...it's been...a...strange time..." Hikari murmurs.

A plated finger came up to rub the side of Denz’s head, wondering if that was appropriate to ask.

A light of quiet dread lit up Hikari’s eyes for a moment. "...W...well, yes. Uhm. But...that..." She trails off, crossing her arms. Her filthy fingernails pick at the ties on her gauntlets. "B...but. Uhm. You can't...you don't know where Guillemont is? I...I visited him before I left..."

Adelise accepts the woman's hesitance for not wanting to discuss the subject, respecting that and not prying further. "Did you now? It was brought to my attention in the past two sennights that his room was vacant and his fish and plants dead."

"T...two..." She looks to Denz for confirmation.

"Yes..." Adelise’s head dips in some shame, "I knew very little of my cousin, but what I did know of him, he seemed rather disheveled.. So I did not think too much of this, I figured it was normal. That was an oversight of mine, that is unforgivable. But now is not the time for self-pity."

Denz nods his head. "Aye, two weeks, if not more that he has been gone. Beyond myself and our manservant, it is my knowledge you were the only other person who had visited him." Denz set his lips, trying not to sound blaming in his tone. "Do you know where he is?"

"N...No." Hikari shakes her head. "Since...since I came back from Doma, I haven't...I haven't really seen anyone at all… There...there wasn't any sign of where he had gone? And he left...he left his armor? His sword?"

"There are a few leads, musings, directions that we're being pointed in, though none of them are good. And no, he took nothing within when he left,” Denz recounted.

Beneath the dirt on Hikari’s face, the color drained away from her flesh. "Y...you don't...he wouldn't..."

"Wouldn't what?" Denz didn't even lead her on yet with their own clues collected.

“H...he wouldn't disappear someplace to do...uhm...to do something...to...you don't think..." She couldn't even bring herself to finish her thought, huddling into herself. Her chin lowered to her chest, the edge of her palm resting against her forehead. She trembled where she stood for a moment.

"We are unsure. Our recent leads have only shown us that he has taken a rather passionate interest in Kin- Voidsent." Adelise adds.

Hikari lifts her head again and blinks, eyes glistening from the formation of tears that hadn't yet fallen. "Voidsent?"

Denz blinks in surprise. He had always known the woman to be a tad awkward and quiet, but this was clearly something afflicting her emotionally. He gently went to put a hand on her arm, and gesture to the crate next to the name. "Uyra-" He clenched his face for a moment. Wrong name. "High-kari. Do you know -anything- that could help point us in the right direction? Our manservant was hesitant to say, but he saw Guillemont's behavior akin to that of a man possessed."

Hikari Inamoto shakes her head, struggling to keep herself together as she sat. "...No. I mean. He...Guillemont w...was pretty much always interested in...uhm...the darker side of things. At least, uhm...at least he always has been in the time that we've been friends...I don't...I..." Her face contorted, eyes squinting shut. She rested her elbows on her knees and bent forward, putting her head in her hands. "I-I sh...should have n-never have even left. I knew h...he was...having such...such a hard time..."

Denz looked at Adelise, eyebrows furrowing in pity for a moment, before crossing his arms in thought, musing to himself.

"You cannot berate yourself over this, Lady Hikari," Adelise affirms in a stern tone. "It will not fix what has happened, and it is not your fault. It is more his family's responsibility than yours, and we have all failed him. Even more so, it is his responsibility. But thinking on that will not bring him back."

"But I knew he sh...shouldn't have been left alone like that. After...after his arm was injured, he was so..." Hikari pauses, "If he...he didn't know what to even do with himself. Or how to live anymore...if he..."

"Did he tell you this as well?" Adelise asked with a narrow stare toward Denz.

"B...being a soldier was the only life he knew,” Hikari says quietly.

"He was a man bedridden by his wounds. I've been there as well, so I cannot be at fault for not thinking this would be the outcome." Denz shrugged his arms."He was studying history and magic, so he kept himself busy."

Hikari Inamoto sniffs an ugly sounding snort, smearing her face in whatever the cleanest part of her arm was.

"So he had told both of you, that he lost his will for life?" she asked incredulously. Shaking her head, Adelise exhaled through her nostrils akin to a scalekin. "There is nothing that can be done about this now, other than that we look for him. Next time either of you are told a person has lost their will, never leave them in that state without informing someone," she chides.

"H...he didn't...he didn't explicitly say..." Hikari began.

"Going missing, is the most beneficial of these evils. We are lucky to not have walked into his room to find him hanging!"

"I...I tried to..." Hikari flinches, drawing her lips into her mouth.

"Not everyone can help talk someone out of such a mindset, Lady Hikari," Adelise calms her tone, "but it is important those close to him be made more aware of the potentially deteriorating state he is in." Adelise sighs, rubbing her thumb and index to the bridge of her nose. "This is beside the point now though. What is important now is our strides in finding him. Did he not offer you any potential leads to his whereabouts?"

Denz furrows his eyebrows at Adelise. "Cease your chastising. It is getting us nowhere." He looked sidelong at Hikari. "You do not understand Guillemont as we have seen him. This is different, so we could not have foreseen this."

Motioning up a hand, Adelise held a dull expression, "already done, De'bayle," she remarks flatly.

Hikari shakes her head, not seeming at all reassured by anything Adelise had to say to her. When Denz speaks, however, she takes a breath to try to get a hold of herself again. "...No. I don't know where he could have been. I, uhm. I told him that he could still...still fight if he got to be skilled with magic, or he could become a trainer for new soldiers..."

"He was looking to investigate Red mage ruins in Gyr Abania." Denz shook his head. "From where I was taken, he is not there. The last bits of reading he seemed to be dwelling in were rituals and methods of summoning Voidsent."

"...Wh...what...uhm...what was that you said before about...s...someone said he looked like a man possessed?" Hikari asked.

"Our manservant, Gaspard. He was feeding Guillemont books and tomes on various nature to him, something he had taken to in his state. He would go through treatises and books within days and request more." Denz shrugs his arms. "Not exactly like Guillemont, but with nothing better to do..." He shakes his head. "I trust his words that Guillemont was not himself in those days. He was the one closest to him in his handicapped state."

Hikari listened, then adding, "Wh...when he got injured, do you think something else happened to him?"

"He was crippled by a Captain of the Skulls, those conscripted Ala Mhigans fighting for the Garleans. There was nothing but brute force behind the man, and no cursed weaponry involved anywhere. We checked." Denz stated.

Hikari Inamoto squints and wrinkles her nose, trying to think. "Was there...was there anything that he had taken with him when he left? A map, a book, an artifact, anything?"

Denz shook his head. "I don't know." He reached into his back pocket, taking out something he probably shouldn't have taken with him. It was a small silver medallion, a copper inlay of an eye in the center. It looked cheaply made and one of many, yet still seemed... off. He hands it over to her.

Adelise simply stood watching the interaction for the time being.

Hikari Inamoto blinks at the medallion. "Oh. That's..." She takes it in her hands, holding it over her lap. "I helped him dig for this. Early on when we met. He, uhm. He hired me to come along with him."

"It must be something precious to him then, if you two were close. That he would leave it behind..." Adelise taps the side of her fingers to her chin in thought.

Denz looks down at it carefully. "What is it?"

Hikari frowns shaking her head. "It's...an artifact." Clearly. "I don't remember what exactly it does or what it was supposed to do. It's been so long since then." Her thumbs run along the sides of the medallion, and she turns it around a few times in her hands. "I think I remember he had been contracted by someone else to search for it, but he must have...it must have fallen through, or not been the right thing they were looking for, if he still had it after all this time. I don't really remember m...many more details than that."

Denz nods his head as she speaks. Now they were making progress. "I need the name of the contractor, and the location where you two went searching."

"I...I can't remember the name, but if Guillemont keeps all of his letters or...or records of leves he takes...uhm...th...though I don't know why he...well, maybe, uh...tax purposes? I think you're supposed to...I'm not actually sure on that..." Hikari stops to consider. "B...but I remember exactly where we were digging."

Denz nods, holding out his hand for the medallion. "Alright. Adelise." He looked sidelong at his kin.

"It was in the Belah'dian ruins,” Hikari adds.

"Then that is where we will look," Adelise says firmly. "Shall we make haste there now? Or plan for an expedition there?"

Denz takes back up the medallion, pocketing it. "I'm going to question the Adventurer's guild for jobs regarding Belah'dian ruins. Most likely contracted in... Ul'dah." Denz says this with a bit of a sour tone. "I'm not keen to leave her in this state. Could you take her back to the house? Help see her cleaned up? If nothing else, Guillemont would be appalled if we simply left his close friend like this."

"Indeed. You will be coming with me, Lady Hikairi," Adelise remarked in more an order than a request. "I can see you are feeling a bit... lost yourself. Whether my cousin had requested it or not, I would not have left you like this."

"I...I don't remember if the job was one that was contracted through the Guild or not..." Still covered in mud, unwashed and sullen faced, Hikari looked between the both of them. "...Wh...what are you talking about? I'm...uhm. I'm j...just fine. I-I don't want to make...to be any trouble..."

His eyes cut to her harshly, perhaps mimicking Adelise's icy glare. It was not negotiable.

"Not a very convincing argument, my Lady," Adelise adds lamely. "If we thought you were trouble, we would not take you with us."

Hikarl wilts and mumbles out a tepid, "okay."

The knight loses his look quickly, placing a hand on her arm. "We'll find him, Hikari." With that, Denz nods to Adelise and curtly spins about to leave, heading southward... Until he ran back to collect his helmet.

Adelise had securely fastened her helm to her belt, "I will be your escort this evening, my Lady," she offers her an arm, "shall we?"

Hikari carefully extends her arm to Adelise, abashedly wiping some of the grime away from her hand first. She nods wordlessly.

The young woman hardly seemed to mind the Highlanders filth as she simply went about leading them forward.

The rest of the night came with a great deal of conversation. And piqued interest...

[carina-debayle]

House De’bayle

Log date: 6/10/17

OOC Note: The text in these logs are strictly for the readers enjoyment. Anyone using the knowledge displayed within this text without the participants knowledge risks the potential of blacklisting from future communication and roleplay. Please do not meta-game!

Tags: @halone-from-the-otherside @ishgardianknightblogging 

Carina De'bayle: "Alright, I believe that should be everyone for now," Carina nods toward all of them with a light smile, "thank you all for coming under such a short notice. However, we have some fantastic news to share with you all. With Siovants gracious service as our envoy to the Adders, we were able to get our request for land sent in and have been granted a place to finally build our house!"

Armont De'bayle looked to Siovant with a more than pleased expression.

Guillemont De'bayle glances between the Elezen on his left and his sister in law. "R-really? We uh... We actually have uh... Have land again?"

Siovant Parlemaix inclines his head lightly, dark-ringed eyes drifting shut for but a moment as his face rises again.  "Truly, all I needed to do was press the correct documents into the correct hands.  The House carries plenty of reputation on it's own." His voice drifts lightly.

Joikan Leisthelm widens his eyes with excitement, a smile pulling at his cheeks as he look to Siovant, lightly clapping his hands briefly.

Carina De'bayle: "Even so, such a small deed has brought about a far greater outcome and for that we thank you for your service in assisting us obtaining this land. Along with such though, something Armont and myself have not mentioned in the meantime due to... other more pressing matters," her voice clears, "we started construction on the house some weeks ago. The house is currently now in state where we are able to move in! Though there is still some construction left to be done for certain parts, you are all able to move into a room if you so desire to."

Astrelle De'bayle listens intently, emitting a noise of approval towards both Siovant and Carina. "Quite a surprise," she remarks with a light smile, bringing a hand to attempt clearing some of the oil dotting her face.

Joikan Leisthelm fluttered his ears as soon as she mentioned rooms, rubbing his hands together in excitement. "I can't wait to decorate!"

Armont De'bayle: "Our meetings will now take place on the top floor, while the main lobby is just as it sounds. As my wife said, it is still under construction, so the basement is barren for the time being. Once it is finished, look forward to the bakery." He said happily, his hands clasping together in front of him as he nodded slightly.

Alleria Surlaint smiles brightly "My own room....this is exciting!"

Carina De'bayle: "Even better, the house comes equipped with a fantastically large workshop," her stare falls onto Astrelle, "with the right minds at work, we could have our own airship running for travel in due time," managing to smile with somewhat more warmth to her expression, "I am sure Denz will be thrilled to hear of such, I remember hearing how much your alls mother wished for him to own one?" she nods, "while we could continue to have this meeting here, how about we go to the new estate!"

Guillemont De'bayle: "Hmm. I'll uh... I'll need to have my things moved from my apartment. I uh... I wonder if I could have some contractors replicate the layout for me..." He mutters, scratching his sideburn.

Armont De'bayle: "Aye! And you will find a training and sparing area just outside too!"

Siovant Parlemaix presses his elaborate spectacles, drawing them closer to the bridge of his hawkishly-curved nose.  "I trust that it will not be problematic for me to maintain an office in the building?  Perusing documentation for the family will certainly be quicker if I don't need to make trips to-and-fro between the barracks and the estate."

Carina De'bayle: "As much as you are employed under the Adders, Siovant, you are also apart of House De'bayle. Our house is your house to live within as well, as you hold a great part in us being there."

Astrelle De'bayle flexes her fingers absently at the mention of the workshop, the tinkering hands already looking for something work on.

Siovant Parlemaix smiles crookedly in response.  "It seems as though I have a vast amount of moving to do, in that case."

Joikan Leisthelm: "Well then! Lead the way."

Carina De'bayle splays her hands out some, "if anyone is in need of movers, we can provide. We wish to get everyone comfortably situated as soon as possible. Let us get going there to have a look, we will need to also be sure to inform those who could not make it today."

Carina De'bayle leads the group into the Shroud, eventually into the Lavender Beds. After a relatively short trip into the first ward, she strolls up to a house already fully decorated. 

"Here it is! Do not let me continue to hold you further on exploring," the Hyur motions inward.

Astrelle De'bayle: "Impressive."

Alleria Surlaint: "We already have guards?"

Joikan Leisthelm let his eyes wander over the gardening work. "Is this your work, Lady De'Bayle?"

Carina De'bayle: "Other knights of course," she nods, "along with others employed under House De'bayle within, everything you might wish for in regards to well-being can be found within the house."

Armont De'bayle: "Aye. They are both sworn Knights from Ishgard. Agrine and Evont. They will reside here if you ever need them."

Guillemont De'bayle wanders to the stables. "Hmm... I hope Muffin takes the move well."

Carina De'bayle laughs lightly, scratching a hand to her head, "well... I am quite fond of gardening in truth. When they had it put in, I spent some time here to keep my mind off of certain things..."

Carina De'bayle: "The large hedges will provide great privacy as well for those who wish to spar in the yard."

Joikan Leisthelm nods to Carina.

The group enters into the estate

Carina De'bayle: "This here is Sir Gaspard, he will take your coats and hats for you and also inform you of information like mail if you ever need to know of such," Carina motions toward the older gentleman as he bows.

Guillemont De'bayle: "I uh... I think I will keep my hat, but uh... But thank you."

Carina De'bayle: "It is mostly for guest anyhow," she laughs toward her brother-in-law. "These three make up the help-desk, they can introduce themselves in time when you come to speak to them. They offer a variety of services. Do let them know which rooms you all end up taking as they will direct all guests you may have to said rooms. For now though, this is what we have, feel free to go explore the rest of the estate on your own terms."

Alleria Surlaint looks around.

Astrelle De'bayle looks between the appointed House employees, studying them quietly before her eyes fall to Carina. "You mentioned a workshop?"

Carina De'bayle: "I did, I can show you if you'd like?"

Astrelle De'bayle: "Aye. I would like to see it."

The two women leave into the different parts of the house, Carina leading Astrelle into the grand workshop

Carina De'bayle: "Here it is... I know you an engineer of the sorts, yes?"

Astrelle De'bayle enters, eyes widening in mild awe. It was probably the most expressive she'd been in terms to elation. "..aye," she remembers to speak after a moment, eyes slowly falling to Carina.

Carina De'bayle: "Then Astrelle, I am sure no one would have issues with this being yours to work with. We will rely on you for your work in our technology. I am sure you will offer nothing but the best, Viscountess."

Astrelle De'bayle clears her throat, eyes bouncing between the walkways and large holographic projections. "..aye," she replied absently.

Carina De'bayle: "I cannot wait for Hestia to return to this, I am sure she will love it all," Carina says out softly, attempting to stay in high spirits.

Astrelle De'bayle ll That manages to bring Astrelle back long enough to look to Carina. "That I am certain. She can learn under me," she nods with a reassuring note.

Carina De'bayle looks toward the woman with a smile, "I am sure she will wish to learn much under all of us. Knowing you are an enthused to do so, brings me a great deal of assurance. Hestia truly has the best family I could have ever asked for. I hope this proves to be everything and more for you, sister."

Astrelle De'bayle awards the Hyur a smirk, eyes drifting back out to gaze at the fabrication station. "I much doubt I will require a room," she jokes with a light chuckle.

Carina De'bayle: "And yet it is still there, perhaps I will ask that some blankets and pillows be brought here," she chuckles some, reaching to pat a hand to Astrelle, "if you are in need of assistants for any projects, inform the help desk and they will find you employees as fast as they are able to."

Astrelle De'bayle: "I appreciate the offer. I've a few contacts of mine own, but I typically work solo." Astrelle rolls a single shoulder, not meaning to sound too dismissive. Her head turns back to Carina. "Ah.. perhaps we can name an airship after my niece-- your daughter?"

Carina De'bayle: "After Hestia?" her eyes lighten some, "I think she would love that!" she clasps her hands together pleasantly. "I'd love that too, I am sure there would be no complaints. Thank you Astrelle."

Astrelle De'bayle waves a dismissive hand. "It is little I could do as repayment. I shall be happy enough to have an actual place to work."

Carina De'bayle: "It is yours to freely work in, though do try to avoid too many explosions. I believe it is capable of withstanding most damage, but I'd rather we not test its limits /too/ much."

Astrelle De'bayle: "Fret not, sister." She reaches up to press her gloved fingers to her goggles, flicking them down over her eyes and flashing the blonde a confident smirk. "Now if you'll excuse me."

Carina De'bayle: "Enjoy," she waves some, turning to make leave out the door.

I cannot wait for you to see this... Hestia.

[darkknightsbread-blog]

Reunion of the Wanderer

Denz sought a remedy for a problem of his, seeking far and wide for a solution. Finding himself in the deepest recesses of Limsa’s housing districts, Denz is stopped by a familiar presence, one he had not sensed in years...

The wayward De'bayle prowled the streets of the Mist, going off rumours and directions given to him by half-inebriated Lominsians about where he could acquire some… “special goods.” Following his haphazard directions, he found himself in a back alley in the housing district, facing down a robed figure. Denz narrowed his eyes, calling out “The locks flourish once more.” The man bowed, reaching into his pocket while cackling. “Aaaah, a soul in need of succor. Fear not, for -this- is all that you need.” The older man withdrew a potion, Denz sucking in a breath and closing the distance swiftly. “Finally…” Reaching out to grasp the neck of the vial in his hand, his empty reaching for a gil pouch before he froze. A feeling, nearly fleeting in it’s presence, brushed upon his mind. A softer presence, one who reflected that of his mother in many ways, but still remained apart from her. His voice came out breathless. “Astr-…” His voice faded as he dropped the vial, liquid spraying out as it shattered and the man yelled out! “MY HAIR GROWTH POTION!” Denz pushed past him, indirectly dropping his decoy gil pouch on the ground as he rushed off in the direction of the mental beacon, colliding with alleys and stone walls as he struggled to make his way towards it. Towards his long-departed sister.

Within the lobby Astrelle De’bayle stood, eyes staring unfocused at the door that would lead her up to her apartment. The three at the front desk all looked at her strangely, brows raised as she continued to stare straight at the door, long fingers already curled around the handle. Something at the back of her mind nagged and begged for her attention - something familiar and all-at-once distant; a presence she had not felt in many, many cycles. The nearby Roegadyn Mender took charge, slowly leaning in and tapping a fat finger to the woman’s shoulder. “Ye alrigh’ lass?” she croaked uncertainly, tossing a glance back at her fellow co workers. They all shrugged and urged her to continue to pester the woman who seemed unaffected by the poke. Again the finger came and Astrelle turned on her heel, rounding on the Roegadyn with a flat expression. They stared then, long into each other’s eyes in complete silence before the Elezen female raised a finger up to her lips, hushing the Roegadyn before she speak up again. “Go,” she murmured in a low, commanding tone, pushing past the Mender and to the doors leading outside, flinging them open as she stepped into open streets of the Mist and turned cerulean eyes along the road to scan warily; but excitedly.

Denz came barreling down the path towards the apartment building, seeing the doors open and that signature light that came off a person who also bore their tattoo. Denz failed to let his eyes break away from the figure, trying to garner her appearance before colliding face first into a street lamp pole. His visioned lit up with a loud clang and a yelp, before blurring as Denz stumbled to the ground in pain. Yep… That was her brother alright.

The moment Astrelle set her eyes upon his glowing form, she knew– it was a brother of hers. The corners of her mouth tugged into a small smile; strained but happy, she squinted to determine which it was before the figure ran face-first into the pole and collapsed to the ground. “Denz,” she sighed, striding over to the man with a quick but measured step. As she arrived over his body, she examined him in silence before extending a helpful hand for him to grasp. “Hello, Denz.”

Denz held his gloved hands to his eyes with a groan, feeling her draw closer, blinking harshly in her direction to better ascertain her form. At first glance, Denz didn’t appear all that different. His hair was still poorly styled and fell in a short cut over his head, the same boyish look he had so many years ago, but closer inspection would show he had actually grown significantly in size. Getting to a knee, and taking a hit that should’ve knocked most people out, his endurance was reinforced by the built frame he now had. Blearily taking the hand, his fingers were no longer the soft, piano-playing, book-reading articles he once hand, pulling himself up without relying on her. He was taller than her now. He actually looked like a respectable young man, and the scar that was covered half his cheek had shrunk to only a reminding of that dark day. His forehead was red with growing pain, but he shook it off as he looked upon the woman with clearer eyes. “A-Astrelle…” Those eyes quickly misted with water, looking over her sporadically. “Wh-what are you doing here?”

A quiet grunt escapes Astrelle as the man pulls himself up by her hand, the woman’s weight shifting slightly to counteract the pull. “I..” she began, looking over his features with fascination; a soft noise escaped her, catching in her throat as she fully began to realize the reality of the situation and how real the man in front of her was. “..I am glad to see your head is still just as thick,” she managed to speak finally while forcing a chuckle out, her emotions flooding from her wordlessly in quiet tears. She herself looked different; it seemed that the recent years had been unkind to her. Deep lines along her mouth and dark bags beneath her eyes betrayed the lack of sleep she was allotted, and a faint scar ran along the sigil on her forehead - one that would be unfamiliar to any within the family. She gave him a wry smile and folded her arms beneath her modest bosom.

Denz blinks away his own tears, rolling his discomfort from his shoulders as he let out a struggled laugh as well. “A-aheh, well… The Dragonsong War does that to you.” He raises his eyebrows. “How long have you been back? Have you heard….” Denz tilted his head, curious to see what she knew about… everything.

Deep cerulean eyes studied him for a long silence, the tears fading as her face set into a scrutinizing look. “..nearly a moon,” she replies, raising a hand to wipe at her cheeks. Using the flannel wrapped around her waist to dry her hand. “I have no news of Ishgard, if you mean to ask me. I know only of the ins-and-outs of Vylbrand fishing market.” She sets him with a studious gaze, her jaw set firmly. “Is there news I should be made aware of?”

Denz lets out a gasp, hands coming out to his sides. “W-Is there?!” His own fingerless gloves come up to his face, rubbing away the tears that were still present. “By Halone, sister, th-” He paused, the title strange on his lips, but he tilted his head, continuing. “There… is so much I wish to tell you. Would… would show you-” He gestures upward to his tattoo, before holding out a hand hastily. “B-but it would mean more to simply have you see everything yourself!” He turns, placing a hand on his chin in thought before beginning to pace. “There’s Ishgard, the War, Jancis…” He turns back around. “A-ah, and of course, seeing Armont and Guillemont as well.” He gestures out to her. “His own journeys ended not too many months ago, and he has since reconvened with us, and Armont…” Denz trails off, letting out a breath with wide eyes. “We’ve… all been through much, hardly recognizable if not for the sigil emblazoned on our heads.”

Astrelle nods, giving Denz a long once-over. “I had noticed,” she remarks, her voice hitching slightly as the tears threaten to flow from her eyes once more in a mixture of pride and shame. Gulping down her emotions, though they may still be picked up on by the man. “It seems there is much to fill me in on,” she sighs, brushing a long hair from her view. “I am glad that Armont and Guillemont are well; I, too, have stories to tell.. though I am surprised to see you here of all places.” Her brow furrows. “Pray, tell me at least what brought you here, brother. We can get up-to-speed soon, but.. /why/ are you in the Mists?”

Denz opened his mouth to speak, before all that came out was a strained throat noise in hesitation. “A-eh….” He looks to the side, before his hand started running along his scar. “I… was looking for a certain… remedy to a problem of mine.” He blinks, realizing his poor wording. “I-I mean, hair growth! On my /head/! I lost… most of it recently and…” He sighed, hanging his upper body for a moment. “I just… wanted to consider all my options.”

The woman fixed Denz with a long, calculating stare before a single brow lifted. Her eyes flicked to examine the short, boyish cut of his hair; her lips twist into an uncertain frown. “A hat,” she suggests in a matter-o-fact tone. The frown dissipates and turns upward, an endearing smile forming now. “..though it is nice to see it has not changed much, Denz.” Giving a small sigh, she moves to wrap her arms around the man in a brief hug, careful not to hit herself against the sturdier or pointier parts of his armor. “I have an apartment if you wish to come in. I had been about to enter when I ..” she brings a hand to her forehead, allowing a long digit to rest on the mark there.

Denz sucks in a breath as she wrapped her around around him, before the plated shoulder pads and parts of his sleeve clinked to wrap around her as well. It was an honest hug, tight and emotional as Denz had always given, before letting her go. “I… would be honored to join you.“ He gestures an arm out, allowing her to take the lead.

Astrelle leads them silently through the lobby and up to the final floor, the door just before the end of the hall where she stops. Digging into her pocket for a set of keys, she unlocks the door and steps inside, ushering her brother in. "It is sparse,” she admits with a sigh, looking around the nearly empty apartment – room, more like. “It has served my needs while I am here. Sit where you care to.” She moves to the center where the lone Doman set-up is placed, kneeling before it with a forlorn look. Swiping auburn hair and tucking it behind a long ear, she sets Denz with a tired smile. “Would you care for water, Denzel?”

Denz walked in, taking the word sparse lightly until seeing just how little his sister had to work with, stopping with a throat noise and looking about. “By Halone, Astrelle…” He saunters in slowly, head swiveling as if expecting to find something more. “I thought -I- was living a minimalist life, before…” He sees her sit down, following suit and unraveling his sheathed greatsword from his back, laying it against the ground as he lowered himself to a sitting position. “Water is…” He tilts his head with an endearing smile. “Wonderful.”

The woman’s lips twitch but she manages to keep her expression calm; it seems her lack of decoration and furniture does bother her just a bit. “It is good for thinking,” she shrugs, leaning over to take a large jug from the table and pour it into one of the two cups she has. She leans further to place it on Denz’s end, pouring one for herself and settling back with legs folded beneath her. “It is good to see you again.”

Denz settles in politely, leaning against one leg as she poured his water. He nodded his thanks once it was filled, taking it into his hands to sip upon it. He smiles as the container left his lips. “You as well… The last time we saw each other is not a fond memory, and I’ve prayed for years now that that might change.” He clears his throat, setting his water on the table. “But, I am an open book. What would ask of you me?”

Astrelle’s brother’s upfront nature isn’t unfamiliar, though she does seem to flinch at his mention of their last meeting. Her eyes avert from him, peering at the only thing adorning her walls as she takes a long swig of water. “There is much I feel I should ask,” she admits, hesitant in her speech. After a long moment of consideration, she trains her eyes back on him. “What of Ishgard?”

Denz lets out a humored scoff, widening his eyes for a brief moment. “WELL…” He clears his throat. “The Dragonsong War is over. ” He let that statement stick for a moment, eager to see how she would react.

“Over?” Astrelle repeats. It would appear that she is awaiting his confirmation, her hands placing the cup down gingerly though they quickly find their way back to it, fingers wrapping around securely in search of something to hold; blue eyes widening in surprise. “Surely you jest, Denzel.”

The youngest De'bayle’s eye twitches ever so slightly at the use of his full name, but he breaks through it with a smile. “‘Twas not but a year and a half ago did Ishgard open it’s gates to the Eorzeans. After their triumphs against their numerous primals and the Warrior of Light spearheading the efforts, Nidhogg drew his final breath upon the Steps of Faith.” He placed a hand on his chest. “I was on the bridge, fighting with the armies. We couldn’t see the battle but we saw the intense flares of aether, the shouting and cursing of the dread wyrm, and then… A beautiful discharge of energy, and the glowing silhouette of Nidhogg drifting heavensward.” Denz’s eyes grew bright telling the story, clutching his fingers into a fist before looking back at Astrelle. “A thousand years, sister… and now we’re free.”

Astrelle listens with intent, her ocean-blue eyes fixed on Denz as he recounts the events that seem so farfetched to Astrelle. If those emotions were felt through their connection, it would be the only way of discerning a proper reaction; she gives a simple nod as he finishes, taking another sip of her water and placing the cup gently in her lap. “That is good,” remarks her low, calm voice. “I am glad to hear that Ishgard will now know peace. I assume the Archbishop has begun to change the policies then, if the draconians are no longer a threat.”

Denz holds up a hand. “E-er…” He rubs the back of his neck. “There… is more change than you would imagine.” He sucks in a breath, returning his gaze to his sister. “The Archbishop died a traitor, seeking to use aether and power beyond his means. The Warrior of Light was forced to slay him and our Most Holy Heavens Ward.” Denz grit his teeth at this, before losing his stress. “The… clergy as a whole was brought into question. There have been many secrets kept from us, the greatest of them being that /we/ began this war. Our first sin, stealing the eyes of Nidhogg’s consort and enraging the dragon into an endless frenzy that would only end with every ishgardian burned.” He holds out his arms. “The Vault is practically empty, our people have been losing their faith, yet throughout all of it, our Knight-Captain Aymeric sought to lead the forefront of change. The High Houses and the minor nobility now make up the House of Nobles, and the most notable of the low-born, the merchants, Brumesmen and caretakers make up the House of Commons that now dictates our republic.” Denz halts his explanation, give Astrelle a moment to soak that all in.

“It seems,” Astrelle sighs as she leans forward, placing her half-empty cup onto the small table, “that I have missed much.” The faint lines around her mouth deepen as she purses her lips in thought, eyes closing as she absorbs the information. It was good that she spent so long from home, it seems, as though it is a shock to her, it is nothing that she cannot process. Allowing herself a few moments to register his words, she gives a small nod. “I did not ever think there would be a day when the low-born would have voice in Ishgard.” She sucks in a breath and releases, fingers tapping idly against her halfslops. “That everyone should have voice is good; perhaps the future will allow Ishgard to transgress for their sins. The War..- ah, what I mean to ask is if there are any dragons left?”

Denz nods his head. “… We actually did not end this war alone. Yet again thanks to the Eorzean Warrior of Light, Nidhogg was brought low by the combined strength of the Warrior and his own kin, Hraesveglr. We… have peace with the dragons, those that are not tempered to Nidhogg’s rage, at least.” He chuckles, leaning back to look at the ceiling. “I’ve actually worked for those dragons, and while they’re stubborn in their ways, they were ready for peace as well.” Denz looks back down at her. “So, aye, there’re plenty of dragons remaining, though since we’ve achieved peace, they must also recuperate from their own losses.”

“The dragons fought against Nidhogg?” This information ushers a raise of her brow, keen eyes studiously peering over her younger brother. “And you say you’ve worked for these dragons as well, Denz? Truly I have been gone for too long, it seems.” She shakes her head in disbelief, grasping her cup of water and raising it to her lips - halfway up though, she halts its advance and opens her mouth to speak. “You fought in the Dragonsong War, brother. You’ve worked under /dragons/, those that we warred against for many, many turns. The Archbishop is dead for treason, as well as the Heavens Ward, and yet- you sought an elixir for hair-growth /here/, in the Mists?” A small, light-hearted laugh escapes her. “I am glad you survived.. as well as the others– Armont and Guillemont. Where are they?”

Denz’s head seemed to shrink further and further into his shoulders as his sister spoke, as if he expected her to begin berating him, before she started laughing, his ears perking up slightly and letting out a laugh at the ridiculousness of her statement, despite how sadly true it was. “Hahah… Armont is… home. Er-” Denz holds up his hands, closing an eye with a guilty look. “Armont and I… had to resign the house to the city, so… Our home is locked away.” He gives her a sad smile. “Despite all that, I truly do not believe we will ever have it back, lest Armont wishes it for sentimental reasons. We’ve made our homes here, with the people we’ve chosen to be with.” Denz’s eyes cast to the side. “Like Armont’s hyur wife.”

Astrelle’s soft laugh dies out at his new information and her face falls flat. “The home is gone.” It isn’t repeated as a question, rather stated in a low, disbelieving tone. “All this change in Ishgard and we are to leave it behind, then? Perhaps I was too hasty in my return.” She finishes the rest of her water and places the empty cup firmly on the table, adjusting her position to combat the numbness creeping into her legs. She freezes at the last statement and slowly cocks her head to the side, her long auburn hair falling to her shoulder. “Armont is bonded.. with a /hyur/? Not a noble then, I assume, but Ishgardian?”

Denz lets out a nervous chuckle, adjusting his own seating as he held up a hand. “If anything, sister, you heralded in the change we would all soon face before anyone of us had the bravery to.” He smirks, shaking his head. “And… no, she is no ishgardian. No noble. Hardly Eorzean. Quite the opposite of what you would expect Armont to find in a woman…” Denz looks to the side.“ I… also am with a hyur, myself. N-not bonded, not yet, but..” Denz goes back to rubbing his scar in embarrassment.

The woman takes her brother’s words with a flat expression, her unamused expression hiding the scowl that threatens to plaster itself on her face. “Do not mock my decision, Denzel,” she retorts in an even voice, “You know the reasons as to my departure.” She huffs through her nostrils and straightens her head, humming a pensive note at his admittance. “So Armont has taken a betrothed that is not of Ishgardian blood? And you, dear Denz.. how interesting. I am to assume that she is the 'Jancis’ you mentioned earlier?”

Denz holds up his arms. “It wasn’t a mock!” His tone gets higher pitched as it oft did when arguing with his siblings. “I was commending you on frontiering the change we would all inevitably face!” He clenches his hands, gesturing his arms out in a self-calming gesture, before looking back up at her. “Aye. I think you will come to enjoy her, should you wish to meet. She is… much like mother.” Denz stretches his mouth. “Aaaah, not to say -that- is what I love about her, but…Mother was always so warm and caring, even to those outside the family. Jancis… she emulates that perfectly, and she proves that I can still strive to be a better person.” He clears his throat, looking back to the door. “We, for the most part, all live within the Shroud, among the various housing districts in the Lavender Beds. Guillemont as well.”

Astrelle curls her lips into a small dismissive smile. “Of course,” she remarks, nodding sagely at the sight of his frustration. Her features softened and the wry tone in her voice drops at the mention of Mother, her chest rising in a deep breath. “Then I am glad you have found some peace with this Hyur. I can only hope Armont has found the same with his Eorzean woman.. what of Guillemont?” No sooner does the question leave her mouth, does she seem to rethink it and teeter her head about gently. “Ah..perhaps not,” she admits with a sheepish look, setting a considering look at the jug of water. Deciding against a refill, she again speaks up. “The Shroud.. does it remind you of Coerthas /before/? It must in some way,” she muses, mostly to herself, before stretching an arm above her head. “As you can see, I’ve had a brief sojourn here in Limsa. It has treated me well enough, but.. it seems that we are destined to bring together the family. I have been gone for too long, Denz … I wish to see familiar faces once again.”

Denz allows her to think to herself, before he is addressed once more. “There will be familiar and unfamiliar faces unlike to greet you, but I assure you they are all family.”  stands up, hand going for the hilt of his greatsword. “If hesitation ever halts your pace, just know there is someone you would not dare miss meeting… But I will keep their identity a surprise for now.” He loops his sheath band around his shoulder, tilting his head. “'Tis a long journey from here to the Shroud. Dare I ask if you would like an escort?”

Astrelle lofts a brow at the obscured identity; a surprise? She nearly gave a derisive snort but refrained, finding it too impolite even for herself. “An escort?” To that she did laugh, pushing herself to her feet. “Brother.. I have guided my own path for nearly ten Summers - I need no escort; I will, however, accept my family to walk alongside.” She offers him a soft smile, moving up to gently pat his arm before nodding to the door.

Denz tilted his head. “As I suspected.” He looked around the room once more. “Er… Have you no additional clothing or travelling supplies to bring with you?” He backpedaled slowly to the door, though would halt upon her answer.

Astrelle glances down to herself, frowning at her own attire. Clearing her throat, she reaches up to scratch at the back of her neck - something, it seems, that Guillemont and her share in their motions. “Ah..” She turns on her heel and makes for her bed, falling to her knees and digging underneath it to procure a small, brown linen bag. “I am ready,” she announces; the bag would contain only a folded, most certainly wrinkled dress, a hairbrush, a pair of boots, and a small dagger.

“… Riiiight.” Denz sounded wholly unconvinced, and more than anything, shocked that his sister made it as she did. Shouldering his blade once more, he lead her out of the near-empty room and out towards the docks for a Shroud-bound boat.

[pom-friend]

"Even if I'm the only one."

[jancisstuff]

Finding Guillemont - Fighting the Beast

[jancisstuff]

Twelve Days of Snowflake Screenies

[jancisstuff]

Finding Guillemont: The Black Mantle

The family follows a lead out into Gyr Abania, where they witness a voidsent ritual to possess the lost De’bayle brother.

After fighting through waves of apparently impenetrable cultists, the Finger of the Black Mantle escapes with their quarry.

Wounded and disheartened, the group returns to the Dawn Vigil.

[jancisstuff]

Healing the Grindstone

November 2017

[jancisstuff]

Twelve Days of Snowflake Screenies

[jancisstuff]

Twelve Days of Snowflake Screenies

[pom-friend]

Best friends.

[jancisstuff]

Operation Rhalgr’s Beacon

[pom-friend]

Before the Departure (Hikari Inamoto to Guillemont DeBayle)

During her preparations to join the resistance in Yanxia, Hikari learns that her close friend Guillemont received a grievous injury while fighting a battle in Gyr Abania. Fearful that she may not come back from war, and concerned for his wellbeing, she pays him one final visit before casting off to the East. While initially proud of her newfound sense of identity with her homeland, and eager to tell Guillemont of her courage, by the end of their conversation, she cannot bring herself to tell him where she is leaving for.

Hikari Inamoto: There comes a tepid knock at the door.

Guillemont De'bayle: “It’s not locked, come in!” Guillemont calls out somewhat weakly in response to the knock.

Hikari Inamoto: It takes a few long, awkward moments for the door to open. So long that Guillemont might start to think that whoever came to call had just left. The tall Doman woman shuffled through the door, closing it quietly behind her. “It, uhm…” Hikari Inamoto: “It’s Ray.” Hikari Inamoto rounds the partition somewhat quickly, stopping with a jerk. She looks like she wants to try to smile, but she’s also caught up in concern. “H-Hi, Guillemont…”

Guillemont De'bayle ’s face is far paler than she had ever seen it before, the dark circles around his eyes equally more pronounced. His left arm was tied tight against his chest in a sling, and tucked into his loose fitting shirt. The left sleeve was simply left hanging. On the table is a book and a cup of tea, and a simple cane is leaned up against the edge. Looking up at his friend, Guillemont offers a weary smile. “Ah, Uyraies! It is good to see you!” A pause. “Forgive me if uh…” Guillemont De'bayle: “If I do not stand to greet you. I uh… Moving around is uh… Well, I am supposed to avoid it.”

Hikari Inamoto stands paralyzed with indecision, on what to do, or say, or feel. Her foot shifts forward, but she stops short on it. Taking her sword and shield from her back, she leans them against the partition, positioning them so they won’t tip. She then approaches her friend, and opens her mouth to say something. Hikari Inamoto: “…” Instead, she moves to put one arm gently around his back and leans forward, touching her forehead to the top of his head.

Guillemont De'bayle looks completely shocked at the gesture, though from her current position it would likely be difficult for her to see his expression very well. After a moment’s hesitation, he reaches around her own back with his good arm. He remains quiet for a time, unsure himself what the best thing to say would be.

Hikari Inamoto: There was an audible sniffle, and a few moments later, Hikari pulled back, turning away to wipe at her face. She took a deep breath to compose herself. “…Sorry. Uhm. I mean, for…it’s been a while, uhm…and I was at the Grindstone today…and I thought I heard someone mention your name…uhm, and hearing that you were hurt…I mean, I had…wanted to come and see you, anyway, but…” Hikari Inamoto: “H-ha-ha, I guess I can’t, uhm…just vanish for moons and expect, uh…n…nothing to change, right?”

Guillemont De'bayle: “Ray…” He pulls his hand back, letting it rest in his lap. “It’s alright. You are here now.” A pause, and he clears his throat. “You uh… You know, I uh… I had a pretty good run. Not many get to uh… To fight for as long as I have without uh…” He pauses, choking on his words. He reaches for his tea, taking a sip as he composes himself. “It’s fine. It’s… Fine.” He sets the cup back down on the table, a small ring of tea forming around the base of it.

Hikari Inamoto: “Y-you, uh…I mean, there’s, uhm…just because you got…that doesn’t mean, uhm…I mean, there’s always a possibility that…you…can…” She bites her lower lip, frantically trying to think of something that won’t make the situation worse. Her maroon eyes dart to the tea cup on the table. “…RIGHT! I almost forgot…” Rummaging through a small bag near her waist, she pulls out a small, cylindrical tin, fumbling with it as she tries to show it to him. Her hands are trembling. Hikari Inamoto: “I, uhm…I brought you a gift. This tea came all the way from the Hingan Islands…” Hikari Inamoto: “When you brew it, you’re supposed to use a mortar and pestle to grind it, then pour the water on it…”

Guillemont De'bayle turns his gaze down to the tin she produces. “Oh!” He looks back up to her, his eyes glossy. “T-thank you.” He smiles at her, his dry, chapped lips looking almost as though they would split from the gesture. “I uh… I can’t wait to try it. You uh… You know uh… How much I love these things from eastern culture.” He reaches up to wipe his nose with the back of his hand sniffling as he does so. He clears his throat. “S-sorry, I just… It’s just…” He takes a shaky breath, apparently struggling to maintain his composure.

Hikari Inamoto reaches down the front of her breastplate to pull out a handkerchief. Looking down at it, she realized that it was already thoroughly filthy and covered in dried mucus. “…” Thinking better of it, she tucked the hanky away again, then put a hand on Guillemont’s shoulder. “…It’s okay,” she responded softly. “It…uhm…here. Let me just…” She glanced to the chair at the other end of the table and pulled it out, inviting herself to sit. Hikari Inamoto: “Do you want to talk about it? Or…uhm…we can talk about something else, too, if you don’t…”

Guillemont De'bayle: “I uh… I’m not really sure what uh… What there is to say.” He clears his throat, still struggling to get the words out. “The chirurgeon said that uh… That the damage to the muscle and uh… And the bone…” He swallows, face contorting as he struggles to hold back tears. “It’s uh… It’s n-n-never going t-to be the same. I’ll b-be lucky if uh… If I c-can lift my arm, let alone a shield…” He wipes his eyes with his wrist. “Ray, I d-don’t know what… I don’t know…” Guillemont De'bayle: “What am I s-supposed t-t-to d-do?”

Hikari Inamoto swallows, looking down at the table in front of her. “…Well, uhm…there…” She pauses, holding her breath for several moments. “…Sometimes there isn’t…anything you -can- do. Except hurt, for…uh…for…what you lost.” She bites her lower lip. “…I know that this, uhm. This really isn’t any help. Hearing things like that can be useless.” Hikari Inamoto: “I guess, uhm…all you can do right now is try to mourn and try rest. And…try not to…let this, uhm…hurt you more than it already has…”

Guillemont De'bayle lets out a single sob, then squeezes his eyes closed for a moment, swallowing hard as he tries to keep himself together. “Y-you’re right, I j-just…” He wipes his eyes again. “Looking forward, I d-don’t uh… I don’t know w-what uh… What I am I g-going…” He stops. “All I am is uh… Is a soldier. If I c-can’t uh… If I c-can’t fight, what uh… What…” He lets his head hang low for a moment, eyes not focusing on anything in particular. “What’s the p-point?”

Hikari Inamoto: “Well, uhm…you know, this doesn’t have to be…” She chews the inside of her lip. “…This doesn’t have to be the end. It…it looks bad right now, but, uhm…soldiers can do more than just fight, right? There…there also need to be veterans to train new soldiers, uhm…strategists with experience…just because you can’t be on the front lines anymore, uhm…that…that doesn’t make everything in vain.” Hikari Inamoto: “You still learned a lot and did a lot as a soldier, and you can still make that wisdom useful.”

Guillemont De'bayle looks back up to her, tears in his eyes. “Maybe. I j-just… I don’t want…” He clears his throat. “I’m n-not ready for that. And I c-can’t… I can’t sit idly by while my f-family fights on.” A pause. “I… It’s just… This isn’t how it’s s-supposed to b-be.” He wipes his face once more. “S-sorry, I d-don’t uh… I d-don’t… I hate this feeling of uh… Of helplessness.” He shakes his head. “I am used to j-just… Just b-bouncing back and uh… And c-carrying on.”

Hikari Inamoto looks back down at the table again. She sighs out of her nose, then slumps back in your chair. “…I, uhm. I know what you mean. Sort of…about, uh…feeling helpless while the people around you…” She trails off, scratching the back of her neck, then shuts her eyes and crosses her arms. “…Well, uhm. You’re still alive. My mother always used to say, as long as you can still be alive, you can figure out some way to get by. Maybe you can still fight, just…uhm…” Hikari Inamoto: “…You have to take the time to learn a different way…” Hikari Inamoto: “Maybe, uh, maybe you can learn to fight with your other arm, uhm…with a one handed sword…” Hikari Inamoto: “O-or if you find out you have some ability for it, maybe there’s some hope you can learn magic?”

Guillemont De'bayle nods. “I uh… I do know some m-magic, and uh… I s-suppose I should be th-thankful my uh… My sword arm is still…” He reaches for his cup of tea, swiftly gulping down the remaining contents before clearing his throat again. “S-so, you uh…” He pauses, wiping his face again. “You c-cut your hair, and uh… I d-don’t think I’ve seen that armor before?”

Hikari Inamoto: “H–oh! Oh, uhhhh, I did!” One hand raises to run her fingers through the short, choppily cut hair. “Well, you know, when your hair is too long, it gets caught up in…uhm…helmets all the time. And sometimes it gets too hot, so it just made sense to cut it short…uhm. And I actually made this armor myself! Or…at least I cured the leather and the plates for it. I-it’s actually made from Adamantoise shell and skin. There was one that, uh…got into a territorial dispute with some morbols…” Hikari Inamoto: “H…hopefully it does me more good than it did the Adamantoise…”

Guillemont De'bayle nods, smiling in approval of the reasoning behind the change in hair style, then lets out a quiet chuckle at the mention of morbols. “I uh… I c-can’t say I understand your uh… Your affinity for those seedkin. B-but uh…” He nods. “Yes, hopefully it d-does serve you better. It uh… It l-looks quite g-good! I’m uh… I am impressed with your c-craftsmanship.”

Hikari Inamoto: “Not many people do. Uhm. I don’t know. I guess you’re just…called to what you’re called to. I think that their heads remind me of sunflowers…and they do more good than most people think. Plus, their bile is more useful than you would think it would be, especially if you can collect some to subdue other beasts. Though it loses potency after a while…Er…” Hikari Inamoto laughs nervously. “There I go again. But, uh…yes…after…the accident where I lost my tooth, uhm…I…” Hikari Inamoto: “…I started thinking a little more seriously, uh…about my safety.” Hikari Inamoto: “…t…that sounds strange to say after just talking about…handling morbols, I guess…”

Guillemont De'bayle nods. “It does sound a bit odd, but uh… I think uh… Well, it’s hardly even uh… It is something you uh… I guess you’re experienced with now?” He offers a weak smile. “But I am glad. Had uh… Had I not b-been wearing armor, I uh… I w-would without a d-doubt have died. So I uh… It is g-good to hear that you are p-protecting yourself.” He pauses. “How uh… How h-hard is the uh… The adamantoise’s shell? Hard, I uh… I would expect, g-given uh… It’s named after adamantite.”

Hikari Inamoto: “…Well, uhm.” She crosses her arms, rocking back and forth a few times in her chair. “I guess I never thought too seriously about if I got hurt or not. I get injured all the time dealing with creatures…and…the only one who had to deal with it was me. When you got angry with me for forgetting my helmet, it reminded me that if I get hurt, then it may hurt the people I care about, too. And that felt, uhm…it felt pretty selfish and irresponsible of me to overlook that.” Hikari grins, but she pulls her lips down over her teeth before the gap can be seen. “I feel like, uhm. It’s about time that I’ve grown up a little.”

Guillemont De'bayle ’s smile falters. Something about that statement struck him as sad, despite it being more or less what he had wanted to hear for quite some time. “Ray, you uh…” He pauses. “I am sorry, that I… That I lost my t-temper with you then. I d-did it because you’re important t-to me, but uh… B-but I went about it wrong. I d-don’t want…” He pauses. “I d-do not want that to be how you remember what uh…” He reaches to scratch the back of his head. “How I feel, I g-guess.” Another pause. Guillemont De'bayle: “You’re uh… You are the k-kindest person I have met. I uh… I’m genuinely thankful to uh… To be able to c-call you my friend.”

Hikari Inamoto grins again, but this time, she lets the gap show. Hikari Inamoto: “You don’t have to apologize for that. Uhm…I know why you did it. I just…in the moment, uh, I have no idea how to deal with when people are angry at me. Something about that just completely shuts me down. But, uh, you didn’t know that, and…you were upset with me for a good reason.” Her grin turns to a more gentle smile, and she leans back. “…Everyone tells me that I’m kind, but, uh. I haven’t been the most conscientious friend. And I know that. Uhm…” Hikari Inamoto: “It made me want to be a better and more reliable friend. To you, and to everyone else, too.” Hikari Inamoto: “I’m thankful that you’re my friend, too.”

Guillemont De'bayle ’s face is caught somewhere between the contortion of holding back tears and a smile. “I-I’m g-glad.” He lets out a single sob, followed by a sniffle - uncharacteristically overwhelmed with emotion. “Y-you d-don’t know how good th-that is to hear.” A pause, and he wipes his nose with the back of his hand again. “Well, maybe you d-do, but… I d-don’t know how uh… How to say it, I g-guess.”

Hikari Inamoto looks a little alarmed at his reaction, sitting up straighter. “…Guillemont…” She frowns. “…I guess, uh. This is what I mean about…uhm…wanting to be a better friend. If I just vanish into the wild for moons at a time, uhm…” Hikari Inamoto: “…and I guess sometimes I’m also very bad at expressing myself…” Hikari Inamoto: “W–well, not ‘I guess’, I -am- bad at it. Uhm…so how could I expect that…” She leans back again and takes a deep breath. “…Guillemont, uhm…You and your friendship are important to me. You’re one of the people who, uh…” Hikari Inamoto: “…well, if I never met you, then I think I would just be content to stay the same as I was. Someone who just minds their own business and lets things happen around them.”

Guillemont De'bayle sniffles again, shaking his head. “I d-don’t think uh… I don’t think you g-give yourself enough c-credit.” He places his hand on the table. “You uh… I r-remember when uh… N-not long after we f-first met, I saw uh… I saw Red Rabbit, in uh… In the P-pearl Lane, ready t-to help. I d-don’t think you were ever the type t-to sit idly by.”

Hikari Inamoto: “There was Red Rabbit. That’s true. Uhm…but…I could never do things like that as myself. I always had to put on…a different face, and a different name. I think, uhm…I think that maybe I used Red Rabbit as a way of…feeling a little less guilty.” Hikari Inamoto: “…S…speaking of different names, uhm…is it alright if I ask you to call me something else? I want to go by the name that my mother gave me. Uh…the name I was born with.”

Guillemont De'bayle: “A d-different name?” He looks mildly confused. “What might that b-be?”

Hikari Inamoto: “My name is Hikari. Hikari Inamoto. Uyraies Sonnen was, uhm…more of an alias that my godfather gave me when he brought me here to Eorzea with him. After a while, it just got to be familiar to use it all the time…but, uhm. I want to be 'Hikari’ more than I want to be 'Uyraies’.”

Guillemont De'bayle ’s puzzled expression doesn’t change. “Hikari? Alright. I uh… I c-can try.” He pauses. “Y-you uh… It s-sounds like there is uh… Something of a s-story to t-tell there?”

Hikari Inamoto: “My father was, uhm…a…an…Imperial tribune. Uhm…he took my mother as sort of…” She tilts her head, trying to find the right word. “…L…looking back, uhm, I think maybe it felt more like…sort of being a 'pet’ or, uhm…a trophy than a 'wife’. He was always interested in Doman culture, but, uhm…I think it was more funny to him. Or, 'cute’. U-uhm…uh…”

Hikari Inamoto: “My g-godfather, was, uhm…was a friend of his. Who was more, uh…respecting of…us. As people. When my mother died, my father couldn’t be there to look after me, so I was put in his care instead.” Hikari Inamoto: “H…he was being sent to La Noscea on assignment and brought me away with him. He gave me the name Uyraies because, uhm…he didn’t want to raise too many questions. I looked like I could have come from, uh, any number of places, not just Doma…” Hikari Inamoto: “…But if I kept the name 'Hikari’, people might wonder how I got to be under his care.”

Guillemont De'bayle furrows his brow. “That is uh…” He pauses. “I uh… I do not know if it is m-my place to say it, b-but uh… But Carina is of Garlean and Doman blood as well, b-but uh… Under different circumstances. You uh… You m-may find some uh… It may be g-good to t-talk with her.” A pause. “That must have b-been d-difficult. Growing up like that.”

Hikari Inamoto had looked anxious as she waited for Guillemont’s reaction. She braced herself as he began to speak, but then visibly relaxed. “My mother did her best to keep me safe and protected from trouble. And, uh…my godfather was always good to me. He was killed during the battle of Carteneau. Uhm…” An immense look of relief washes over Hikari. “…I-it feels good to…be able to tell someone about it. I always get afraid that, uhm…if anyone finds out about my family, they’ll hate me for it.” Hikari Inamoto: “E-especially, uhm…having good things to say about my godfather. He always treated me well, and I loved him, but…h…the things he did, and what they mean to Eorzea…” Hikari Inamoto: “I-I can’t excuse that. Uhm…I never realized that Carina was also…gosh…”

Guillemont De'bayle shakes his head. “You uh…. You d-don’t need to uh… To m-make up for the actions of others.” He pauses. “Nor should you uh… Should you have to w-worry about uh… About your origins. It’s uh… It is your own m-merits that uh… That I, and uh… And anyone else who should uh… Who should really matter, will judge you by.” He pauses. “Though, I uh… I will keep this to m-myself, just uh… Just in c-case. Some people are uh… Q-quick to judge.”

Hikari Inamoto nods. “I-I know. Uhm…I’ve known, even when I was little. Some people said some did and said some nasty things to my mother and I. Uh…Garlean and Doman both. But, uhm…I know that everything I do, uh, has to be mine.”

Guillemont De'bayle is quiet for a moment, the idea of someone mistreating his friend igniting a fire behind his red, puffy eyes. He opens his mouth as if to say something, but then closes it again, taking a breath as he tries to calm himself. “I think that uh… That you uh… You have been d-doing the right things and uh… And that anyone who uh… Who has met you will uh… Will agree, and uh… Unless they’re uh… Uh…” He makes a vague gesture with his hand, then lets it fall by his side.

Guillemont De'bayle: “I uh… I am having trouble with the words, b-but I think you know what I uh…”

Hikari Inamoto: “It’s alright, Guillemont, uhm…you don’t have to answer for, uh…for other people’s ignorance.” Hikari Inamoto: “I know who I am, but…uhm…it does still hurt when people that don’t know anything about you reject you.” Hikari Inamoto: “I-I mean, I understand why. Uhm. With most people it just…is what it is.”

Guillemont De'bayle nods. “Yes, that uh… That is exactly it.” He pauses for a moment, blinking, then yawns. “I uh… It’s uh… It’s getting late. I fear I uh… I m-may not be able t-to stay awake for much longer.”

Hikari Inamoto nods. “…It is. Uhm. I should let you get your rest. You need it.” Rising to stand, Hikari stretches a little. “…erm…Guillemont? I Hikari Inamoto: *I’m, uhm…I’m going to be…”

Guillemont De'bayle: “Hm?”

Hikari Inamoto: “…” Hikari Inamoto: “I-I, uhm. I’ll be seeing you again sometime soon.”

Guillemont De'bayle smiles softly. “I’m g-glad. It’s so nice to see you again, Uy-” He stops to correct himself. “Hikari.” He reaches for the cane leaning against the table, using it to help lift himself out of the chair.

Hikari Inamoto approaches Guillemont to give him a careful hug, trying not to put too much weight on him or pull him too suddenly. “I’ll bring you something else the next time I come back. Uhm…” Hikari Inamoto: “I’m glad you’re okay. I mean, not dead. As okay as you could be…A-and I hope you recover quickly.”

Guillemont De'bayle wraps his own arm around her in turn, his cane probably tapping against her back some. “Thank you. I uh… I hope so too.”