#and alisaie deserved the chance to settle things properly

[storms-path]

Wheels of Thunder - Eorzean GP: Chapter 7 - Travel

New chapter time! Arashi and Lyse are found out. Yotsuyu has the most awkward dinner known to man. Alisaie spills the truth.

[candideangel]

🌹+ A celebration at the Crystarium, with fireworks and people dancing. She and G'raha dance and smooch while everyone watches the fireworks.

First Spark “Words are not often needed, not when the actions can speak so much louder.”Word Count: 3506@windup-dragoon

“Why dost thou not join her?”

That had been a single inquiry to the Crystal Exarch’s mind, crimson eyes had been caught staring ever so longingly at the one person who had been his inspiration for a good full century, mayhap even longer. With the night sky returned, and events had brought to a temporary peace as well as recovery of the Exarch himself, a celebration was certainly in order. The Crystarium labored, citizens flitted to and fro for event preparations, and even as the tent had gone up the Bard was kind enough to offer her support whether by holding beams while clothes for tents were put up to the main square or keeping the young ones out of the adults who needed the space. With everyone working together, the festival was set up in a matter of days and once it was ready the square outside the Crystal Tower was crowded to say the least from normal citizens to those from Eulmore who wished to partake in events. There had been entertainment, meals, everything needed to bring joy to others, but the Exarch himself had not partaken in any of the games provided rather he preferred to be the casual observer. 

And casual observer he would become as he watched Angelique, the hero of two worlds, his inspiration. Someone long gone in his time, living, breathing, and truly having a good time after all the hardship. Hardship he had put her through…the deceit, the glamour, the half-truths, he still never truly had forgiven himself for putting her through those painful times, the time in specific when her body nearly consumed by Light…the hand that had reached for him, that pained voice calling out to him, so pleadingly, so hurt.

“G-G’raha…Tia!”

Ah to this time, it echoed in his sleep, but he had to shake himself from those dark thoughts. The time had passed and now remained the time of the present. Time had changed them both, and for the better he believed. Angelique had used to be so mammet-like, now her green eyes sparkled with a life shining like a thousand stars, and her voice? Oh, her voice was something the Gods had gifted her, sweet and gentle notes singing while fingers moved across the strings of a harp; it brought comfort to those who heard it making everything just melt away and he had heard it himself. Ears free from their confines they flicked a little as he tried to make out her voice through the buzzing of excited chatter, but his gaze did see her sitting comfortably on a stack of crates, performing a little tune for the people who looked at ease. How much he desired to be there by her side.

And it had been that moment when Urianger had come to him with that question, but the simple answer? The Exarch believed he didn’t deserve to be by her side. Though his heart raced with a frantic beat when his observation had come to an end in the form of Ryne and Alisaie talking to Angelique briefly and the Warrior of Darkness left in pursuit with her companions while the sun’s light was starting to wane and a thin veil of navy in the distance was starting to form on the horizon of the coming night. 

They had been gone for a long while, the Exarch had noted as the lanterns strung throughout the square were starting to come alive with their warm glow, and the minstrels had begun to truly come together. Couples, friends, all joining together in a few dances from traditional, to ones a little more free of movement. Even as he stood sentinel with Lyna soon joined to his side, his crimson gaze caught sight of something through the gaps in the crowd, something that had nearly caused his heart to seize and breath to stop short in his throat. Alisaie and Ryne had returned, but Alphinaud had gone over to greet them on their return, and on his hand like a princely gentleman was a picture the Exarch in all his wildest imaginings would have ever gotten to see.

On Alphinaud’s hand was Angelique, the Warrior of Darkness, who often dressed practically; ready for battle, no matter what day. Gone was her bow, her quiver, even her breeches, knee high boots, gloves, and even her bun that kept her hair away from her face. In their place had been a simple dress, white with short sleeves and a blue see-through material that draped and flowed down from her wrists to where they practically floated in the breeze, and the skirt stretched down to her knees though more open in the front and the blue material fluttered in a similar way with the white. And her hair was down, brushed neatly, a braid resting on each side to possibly combine to one in the back. At least…that was what he believed even as he watched the young male counterpart of the Leveilleur twins bring her into the crowd of onlookers, bowing politely before that despite his slightly shorter stature, lead her in a dance to the slow tune of music.

Oh how he desired to be in his place. But he feared his own dancing was quite out of practice…and he didn’t want to accidentally start becoming left-footed.

“My Lord?” Lyna’s voice finally shook him from a daze he didn’t realize he had fallen into, “You have been staring at the Warrior of Darkness for quite some time. While I usually don’t like the idea of meddling in your personal affairs, I will be straightforward. If you desire to be by her side then do so.” The Vii would cross her arms, her purple orbs staring down at the Mystel who had raised her, one who was her grandfather in a way.

The Exarch looked up in surprise and though the shock didn’t last long he gave a faint chuckle, “You act as if you wish to set me up with the Warrior. Much like you had once tried to do with countless suitors and suitresses.” A small smile at the fondness of his memories, and how many times he couldn’t think to count of tears he had to wipe away from the child’s face as failures settled in. In truth, he knew she wanted him to be happy, but his heart desired only one…and even though she was here before him, brought to this world by his own hand, his courage and hope has long since waned thin.

“I would much rather you didn’t bring up such an embarrassing thing again.” Lyna replied curtly, a faint shade of red forming on her cheeks, but she focused on Angelique for a moment, the music had picked up an upbeat tempo, steps would grow at a faster pace. She even watched as her partner switched from the young man and into the arms of the other hume that had come to their home; Thancred if she remembered properly.

Then came the laughter, clear, joyous, like a melodic bell.

And that was when the Exarch’s attention was drawn back to her once more, and his ears lowered, eyes slightly widening at the display Thancred was showing, fully picking the bard up by the waist and giving her a little spin before settling her down, that was the cause of her joy. That was when he felt it though, a stab like a knife between his ribs, but there was something so much more than that, a feeling of anger that he had not felt since Emet-Selch dared try to weasel out information about his fondness for the Warrior of Darkness. A momentary lapse in the dark side of his mind wanted to at the least break the man’s wrist. It was wrong, it was possessive. It…was jealousy. The Exarch barely had a moment to process the fact that he was striding forward, mind a haze…

“G’raha?” 

He stopped short and the haze faded and he blinked several times, realizing he had left his post from the base of the Tower…to here, standing in front of Angelique and Thancred. His ears perked straight up at the shock, tail lashing absently under his robes. His crimson eyes met the green ones that looked to him with concern making his ears lower and his fingers began to rub at his wrist. “I…um…That is…” words failed him, when he chanced a glance he wished his heart didn’t pound so hard that it made blood pump in his ears, breath gone for a moment. Truly before him was a beauty tucked away under a strong facade with the weight of the world gone from the shoulders if only for a night.

“I do feel like our friend wishes to cut in.” Thancred spoke and his hands would leave the hold on Angelique’s waist. He was no fool. “I think I will take this as a chance to see about taking Ryne around for a dance or two. Have fun.” His stay was short-lived, waving behind him as he went to approach the Oracle of Light who had become like a daughter to him throughout this entire journey.

And here the two stood, the Warrior of Darkness plucked from her homeland though she could go to and fro as she pleased, and the Crystal Exarch…the misplaced Miqo’te who slept for years to awaken to a world in ruin. Angelique reached up and absently twirled a loose strand of hair around her finger slowly as she started to fidget in her own way as G’raha did too. “Um…the party is great.” she tried, watching as his ears perked slightly, a faint twitch to show he was at least listening. “…I haven’t had this much fun in a while…and it’s mostly wonderful to see the people so happy.”

Relief filled his veins for a moment and he turned his head to watch everyone dance the night away, though some had parted away to get refreshments and rest themselves. “Yes. While the people of the Crystarium certainly managed to hold their own in unity, to see them have this joy after everything is a sight to behold.” He gave a faint, proud smile, but when he looked back to her, and his heart almost went to his throat again, which caused him to swallow it down in order to be able to keep speaking. “Ah…ahem…do forgive me, it seems for a moment my manners were…rather misplaced. You are so…”

“Different?” She interrupted, tilting her head curiously.

“Ye-I mean NO! I mean…yes…yes it is different from all the times I have known you whether they have been the present or my distant past. But…those weren’t the words I wanted to say. I wished to say are…you look absolutely breathtaking this night.” He let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding, watching for her reaction. A play of emotions crossed her face, uncertainty, shyness, but then…he watched as her pale cheeks blossomed to a color of red that could have been the envy of a rolanberry.

“I…I…um…” Stammering, she was at a loss for what to say. Angelique wanted to vehemently deny it! She wasn’t pretty! There were others around her with so many more beautiful traits, but compared to them the bard was simply…average. Casting her eyes down at her feet, she let out a soft sigh, “…Thank you…” she replied to G’raha’s kind words, even if she felt like she didn’t deserve them, but he at least deserved the respect for offering the compliment.

Silence fell between them then, just the sound of the populace laughing and cheering, clapping and the music still flowing like a river. Looking down at his hand for a moment, the Crystal Exarch took in a deep breath to calm himself, then he would start to take a few steps closer. If there was anything he could offer her besides well-mannered words…it would be this.

“Understand that I have been out of practice for a long time, but Angelique, my friend, will you share a dance with me?” While he swept into a bow, he held out his flesh and blood hand to her, waiting for a few moments, a fear in his mind wanting to make itself apparent that she would simply reject him. However, everything seemed to vanish like a gust of wind when the mystel felt a hand delicate and calloused from the hold of a bowstring would lightly place in his. He lifted his head and saw that she smiled at him so sweetly. Like an infection, G’raha found himself smiling just the same, a flicker of youth starting to come from the embered coals within.

“I would love to.”

When they had begun to dance, it had started off a little bit awkward having been out of practice, but Angelique had been patient as a saint for him. Then as the music continued on, they would still move to the steady rhythm, often exchanging stories, reminiscing on memories he had thought long forgotten. It was like they were the only ones in the world, even though they did feel the stare of a few onlookers, and perhaps even heard a faint giggle or two. The gossip certainly would be going down the grapevine by the new morning. However, for someone who didn’t enjoy the sound of idle gossip, tonight it would seem his inhibitions had been temporarily shed.

The space between the Exarch and Warrior had been almost at arm’s length when they began. A strangely professional distance that a line they didn’t cross. It wasn’t until they would start to enjoy each other’s company did the line start to vanish, slowly steps closer, holds changing. Music had started back down to a slow, mellow sound, and by this point they had subconsciously drawn close until they could feel no barrier between them. Steps had become slow, easy, unlike a fast paced waltz or one of the traditional dances in Novrant, an ever so gentle sway.

Words had long gone at the moment, but letting off a soft sigh, Angelique would slowly release his hand and instead wrap her arms around his shoulders, cheek lightly pressed close. Ah, G’raha willed his heart to not pound for her to hear, so close and intimate they had come in during the course. Though his mind spun as slowly he would allow his hands to settle gently to her waist, closing his eyes as he simply indulged in the selfishness to set his head atop the bed of golden locks. If this was a dream, he dared not wake from it so soon. Surprisingly she didn’t flinch and that made him smile a little to himself, for he remembered how adversed she was to being touched back in their youthful days at NOAH. It seemed that her time out on those grand adventures had done much for her.

Slowly opening his eyes a bit from his momentary dreaming he glanced down at the relaxed face of the woman who had been his inspiration, his hero, his friend, his…first love that he never got to reveal. “Angelique, might you permit me to speak my mind?” he asked, tone soft, but easy to hear now that the music had started to fade off to softer tones, pulling himself back.

“Hm?” Angelique hummed and opened her eyes to look to him, as if she had woken from her own slumber, “Of course, far be it for me to stop you from speaking. What is on your mind?”

G’raha took a deep breath to calm himself and would slide his hands back up to gently take hold of her hands in his, honestly he wanted to say this, he HAD to let her know. Even if she were to simply reject the feelings. He was more than happy to remain as friends, but if he were to one day die, he would want to do so without regrets. Especially if it were to fall to her hand to deal the blow, to get her friends home. “Many a time has passed, a long while since we explored the mysteries of the tower. With your aid, we ended up finding something what I was destined to do, though it felt like our time together had been short.” His grip absently tightened and he dropped his gaze a little, “While I’m not that youth that you remember, I am a man who had time to think about his regrets in his life. Finding too many to count, even as I found ways to right those wrongs. There has always been one that I have long wished to correct, but fear will always be its hindrance. However, if you will permit me to say this, and no matter what the outcome, always…always understand that I will respect it. Understand that I will still care for you.” 

Angelique tilted her head confused, though she wanted to chuckle slightly, because honestly if he hadn’t been around to help take care of her, she was certain she would end up nearly passing out from exhaustion. But instead of giving him words, she waited patiently, her green eyes met those ruby colored orbs again…almost taken aback by how they glistened with a faint touch of moisture from the possible emotion building up.

“Ever since our time at NOAH I’ve always wanted to tell you, but I feared our working relationship would become damaged and tarnished. I feared if I said anything you wouldn’t want to be my friend any longer, but the moment those doors sealed away…I felt every stab of guilt for not saying anything, for not defying destiny and allow myself to be selfish and happy.” His hands gripped tighter to hers though not too tight to bruise just to stop himself from possibly shaking. It helped ground him, even if part of him wanted to stop and turn. Flee. Flee from this. “Angelique, you are my dear friend both past and present, my inspiration, the woman who had become simply acting like a sword pointed at the enemy to a kind soul who despite everything can still manage to pull herself through to the end. Even after all the deceit…you still came to save me…” Slowly he would release a hand and reached up to gently cup her cheek, his thumb stroked lightly against the soft skin. “I realized then, that what I felt in my youth wasn’t a mere flight of fancy, nor a passing wish for a dalliance. It was something so much more, a desire to stand by your side, to go on countless journeys, to camp under starry nights, tuck into caves during to wait out the strongest of storms. To be that person you can rely on.” Closing his eyes he took a moment to collect himself, “Understand, it is not the Warrior of Darkness I speak to when I say this, but to you…Angelique Candide; from the bottom of my heart wish to say that I-!” 

A loud bang and flash of color interrupted him, making them both jump but not apart, turning to look towards the interruption as soft gasps and cheers started from the crowd. Their attention drawn as an orange star streaked into the air and when it seemed to flicker out would suddenly explode into a beautiful rosette of golden color. Then another in pink, then blue, then soon the sky was starting to fill with the explosions of fireworks going off and the cheering, hollering and clapping. The Exarch’s ears lowered a little bit, it would seem that his time to try had come to an end, for what normal hume could hear what he had to say in this fervor?

Then he nearly jolted when he felt a hand against his cheek, turning his gaze away and staring down to the bard being illuminated by the colors of the festivities and his heart finally started to pound against his ribs, threatening to break free of its restraints. There was a sparkle there in her eyes, a knowing sort of look, the one that his words need not be finished. She knew…by Azeyma she knew.

This caused his restraint to break from the relief, and before he knew it himself he swept the blonde right off her feet even with a barely heard squeak of surprise, gathering her into his arms, holding her close. And even as the cheers and hollers of the crowds, the loud bangs of fireworks turned to nothing but a dull roar, he would lean in and soon their lips would find each other in a gentle kiss as her arms wrapped around the back of his neck once more. They had no need for words any more this night, not when their feelings could be expressed for themselves.

[kivaember]

09. — chocolate :thinking:

It was about two in the morning when Alisaie was woken up by Aza breaking into her room. 

Well, she didn’t know it was Aza at first. She had been dozing, half-asleep and groggy with dull pain and waning painkillers, her shoulder stiff from the bandages half-mummifying her. Her status as a Scion meant she had a private room within The Barber’s, Rhalgar’s Reach infirmary, but it meant there was no one else around when she spotted the odd shape slipping through the room’s narrow, slit-like window. 

The shape moved so quietly and smoothly, that at first Alisaie wondered if she was hallucinating it. Its eyes glinted like an animal’s, flat discs of gold, and the shape crept over to her, its eyes narrowed thoughtfully - when it was right next to her bed, she jerked to full alertness when she realised that there was a strange man in her room and she was just staring at him like an idiot! 

So, um, well, she could be excused for her reaction. Really. 

The man reached out to her, and adrenaline making her forget the fact that she was half-mummy and told not to do anything more stenuous than sitting up gently, she leapt to her feet and proceeded to punch her would be kidnapper - or assassin! - right in the nose!

It was when said kidnapper-assassin shadow yelped out a rather betrayed and agonised, “ALISAIE WHAT THE FUCK!?” that she realised she just decked the Warrior of Light in the face. 

Um. Oops? 

—

“Well, it’s your fault for climbing through the window!”

“Visiting hours were over, so I had to sneak in to see you,” Aza grumbled, sitting on the edge of her bed rubbing his bruised nose. Alisaie was privately chuffed that she managed to hit someone as skilled as Aza - also he deserved it. What did he expect, creeping into a young woman’s room without an invitation? He was lucky she’d been too groggy to think to stab him instead with her rapier - which was in arm’s reach, thank you very much.  

Still, that punch had been ill-advised. Her entire upper body was afire with pain, and she grimaced as she shifted against the pillows propping her up against the headboard. Her shoulder throbbed, a hot, stabbing pain that made her feel a bit sick. No doubt Orella was going to demand what she’d been doing to rip open her stitches and she will not hesitate to offer Aza up on the sacrificial altar if it meant avoiding another one of her lectures on taking it slow. 

“It couldn’t wait until morning?” Alisaie grumped.

“I’m leaving at dawn,” Aza sighed, “And with all that happened after… Zenos and all, I haven’t had a chance to properly see you, so… um, also…”

Alisaie watched in fascination as Aza fidgeted, looking uncharacteristically nervous. She was used to him being a cool, unflappable fighting machine, but Ala Mhigo, Azim Steppes and Doma had opened her eyes to the  myth that was the Warrior of Light. He was a very anxious, uncertain man, she realised. It confused her, since it clashed so much with her image of him but… it was better too, in a way. He didn’t seem so… 

So inhuman. 

She blinked out of her thoughts when Aza suddenly presented her with something. It was small and blocky, and in the dim-light she couldn’t quite tell what it was. A box of some sort, a cardboard once, and she gently felt along until she found its lid, lifting it… 

“Lyse said this was your favourite cake?” Aza said uncertainly, “I know the food here isn’t that great - not that it’s their fault, considering the state of Ala Mhigo right now, but I thought… sitting here, being bored and hurt, this could… be nice to have…”

Alisaie stared at the cake sitting in the box. It was a small slice, but it looked identical to the one she ordered frequently at the Bismark whenever her, Lyse and Y’shtola got together for their little gossip sessions. Aza was invited but rarely made it, and she felt… weird. Her stomach did a little flip and she was aware she was making a strange face, but couldn’t quite articulate the emotion she was feeling. 

“You didn’t have to,” she finally managed to say, “I appreciate it, but… why?”

“Ahhh, I feel kind of bad about how it went down with Fordola,” Aza sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, “I should have realised there was something fucked up with her before we engaged her. All that creepy… aether shit coming off her…”

“What?”

“Uh, nevermind,” Aza waved his hand, clearly dismissing the topic, “It’s just a ‘get well’ present, and a ‘sorry I didn’t see you before’ and, uh, yeah.”

Alisaie studied Aza, noting how he looked down at the bed covers and picked at the sheets, his ears tilted in that way Miqo’te did when they felt self-conscious. Aza was so awkward at socialising, she realised. Looking back on her interactions with him all through Doma and the Steppes and Ala Mhigo, she noticed that beneath his cool Warrior of Light persona he was… well, a dork. 

“You didn’t have to sneak in through my window to give me this,” she said, trying to be stern but couldn’t stop her mouth from curving into an amused smile, “You could have had Alphinaud give it to me in the morning.”

“Well… I guess,” Aza said slowly, and she realised he was blushing, “That was pretty stupid of me, huh?”

“Not stupid just… such a boy thing,” Alisaie chuckled, gently closing the lid of the cake. She’ll enjoy it in the morning and ignore whatever glares Orella gave her when she connected the dots, “Thank you, Aza.”

“No problem. Get well soon… and don’t pick on Alphie too much.”

“Stop sounding like my father and go away.”

“Cold,” Aza grumbled, but she saw him smile - and her stomach did that weird flip again, and she smiled back. He should smile more often, it suited him well. 

Aza slipped back out the window not long after that, and Alisaie stared at the box holding the cake for a bit before awkwardly placing it on her bedside table with her good arm. She settled as much as she could, her shoulder throbbing and aching but… she felt better. Weirdly. 

 She always thought Aza had been very unapproachable and cold upon first meeting, but she was pleased to see that he was a little like herself: prickly with strangers, but nice to friends. At least, she felt like they were friends. She hoped they were. 

Despite the pain, she found herself easily slipping into sleep not long after that.