#lights-flickering-flames|Eliane Hestia

[galaxy-0f-muses]

@lights-flickering-flame asked: "Alphinaud... There's something I need to tell you before we make our way into the Holy See." She stops them before the gates and of ear shot of the guards. It's something she should've said even before they set foot into Coerthas. "I know you sensed something was off when we were last here and how some of the houses spoke to me. But the truth is I was once of a noble house." She took a moment to glance towards the gates. "I was at an age where I didn't get to learn about maintaining an estate. So, when my parents died. Everything sort of fell apart and my house fell. The church came and told me I needed to give up everything to them. I was homeless for a great deal of time before I'd gotten help at camp dragonhead. I haven't been back since that humiliating day. I wouldn't expect a friendly invitation from any of the other houses minus the Fortemps." Eliane lifts the hood on a cloak over her head. "Once we're in and somewhere we can chat. You can ask more questions. I just needed to warn you our reception might not be so great." She might be the warrior of light, but this failure of hers seems to still follow behind. -for Alphinaud!! No prompt!

The young Elezen had plenty on his mind at this moment. All the work they had done to get to this point. The enemies they had crossed, and the places they traveled to up until this point. Especially after what he would likely consider his biggest mess-up of all time. The wonder if this would even amount to anything, and if things would get any better than they were currently. It was a constant concern he had, even as he had found himself staring at the large building once he was halted.

It was also a halt for his mind, for the time being.

But she indeed had a point where he seemed somewhat aware that something had seemed to be off. Alphinaud simply figured that it wasn't his business at the time and that there had been more to be concerned about at the time. But the truth was a rather harsh reality check for him to be given now, of all times.

This. . . Would have been convenient to know before they were walking into the very place that had these underlying issues for her. They had cards to play against them that he didn't even realize they had until this moment. "I. . . See." One of his hands gripped for a moment, trying to think of what would be best to do in this moment. After all, this could end. . . Very poorly for them with the additional context.

"Allow me to do the majority of the talking for us, then." Perhaps they could get through this without them noticing too much, or using it as a card, if he was acting as the main force for them and the Scions as a group.

But he had many questions once this was all said and done.

[galaxy-0f-muses]

@lights-flickering-flame asked: for an action / adventure starter . -for Venat!! starter call 2.0

Ah, it seems that she has come across a familiar face once again.

While she wasn't entirely certain if the warrior would be truly gone once they left, she had that internal feeling that it likely wouldn't be the last of them that the Ancient saw. After all, it seems that specific things in regards to time affected the other different than how the world worked to her knowledge. So to catch sight of the other when she was giving herself a little mini-adventure within Elpis after all the events was a brilliant surprise.

The woman approached the other, a small, gentle smile forming on her lips. "I didn't expect to see you again so soon." It was a tad amusing if she were to be fair with herself. But she figured it wasn't the time to show such an emotion. "What is it that brings you back to Elpis?"

[galaxy-0f-muses]

He hated to say it, but it seems that he has been bested for the time being. She was right in every regard, and he knew pushing it anymore would lead to getting told off for now worrying about his own health. It seems that she was looking for a break, as well, so there was little reason to refuse at this rate. "Perhaps. . . Just for a minute. For both of our sakes."

The twin took a seat, letting out a breath as he tilted his head back to try and relax a little. His mind was still racing a million malms a minute, and there was plenty still on his mind outside of the newest round of chaos that has been thrown out into the open. The status of the others, figuring out what to do next, and the possible findings they may come across next. It was always something he had on his mind, trying to figure out the best course of action for himself and anyone else who may trust his judgment.

However, the comment she had stated had instantly gained his attention, his attention snapping to the other with wide, shocked eyes. "You had managed to sneak into Labyrinthos, of all places?!" He nearly couldn't believe his ears. He hadn't realized that was something that was possible until they snuck in themselves, but the possibility of it having been done by her in the past was a whole new thought entirely. "How in the Twelve did you manage that?"

"Mental fatigue can be as bad physical fatigue." She gestures to a nearby seat, keeping her eye on him to ensure he at least takes a seat. The mental tiredness was a feeling she'd grown overly familiar with. Though, she tends to hide it until it's too late. Well no. It's been a good chunk of her life honestly.

"I'm exhausted too." Admitting it to him might help him find some sort of comfort in knowing he wasn't alone. "We've all been through far too much hardship. More than any person should face in a lifetime. I bet you if you asked the others they'd share the same sentiment. Neither of us would be doing any good if we weren't feeling a bit better."

Though, she might as well give him a fun little reason to take a seat for a while. She's been known to have some interesting stories of her life. Eliane takes her seat and flags someone down to ask if they'd bring the two of them a hot chocolate. "Let us relax for a moment. I'll tell you about the time I got to visit Sharlayan when I was younger and 'accidentally' got myself into Labyrinthos when my father wasn't looking." She totally did it on purpose.

[galaxy-0f-muses]

She was glad to know that the only chance they were going to get into trouble for this was getting caught in the act itself, at least. Alisaie was fully aware of the fact that most of the others would chew them out for this, and they would end up spreading the word on their own to most parties that wouldn't be the happiest in the world about this decision. At least she had the excuse of at least making sure that Eliane wasn't going out on her own like this.

The Elezen was doing her damnedest to make sure that no one of note was paying any mind to this scenario. No one who would blab about it, at least. She was sure that most would assume that this was something that was allowed, given that it was the Warrior of Light, of all people.

Besides, some fresh air was always good for those that are recovering, at times.

"It'd be best if we didn't go too far." She commented, aware that she was likely wanting more of an answer than that. "If something happened and we couldn't get you back quick, they'd probably lose their minds with both of us." Though, Alisaie was sure that she could at least get her far enough away to a spot where they could just sit around for a while without anyone pestering them.

"I got an idea, though, don't worry." There was a patch of land that was hidden away with a few trees they could go to in this area. It wasn't too far but it should be enough for the other, she hoped.

As soon as she had sat down, her carbuncle woke up and ran to sit on her lap. Her familiar had always been so in tune with her shenanigans since she was a child. And boy, did she get herself into trouble quite often. You'd never seen a nobles daughter get herself into things.

Eliane lets out a weak laugh, ensuring she doesn't aggravate her injury. "Oh, you don't need to tell me. I've gotten myself into plenty of trouble as a kid. It's our little secret." She puts a finger, to ensure she'd be extra shh about it. "Even things my parents wouldn't know about in the aetherial sea. Oh, I could tell you stories about the things I talked those boys into doing." Even with her heart so heavily weighing her down, she could still smile about the good times she shared. Even if it felt ever so bittersweet and hard to even say Haurchefant's name.

They both made sure to be unseen as they emerged from the building. The sun hitting her skin was so pleasant. It had already lifted her mood just by stepping out for a moment. It was a perfect day to be out and about. "It's a gorgeous day." She turns her head to look over her shoulder. But then she got another 'brilliant' idea. "How far do you think we can get on our little field trip?" She grins, hoping her companion will agree to this mini adventure. However, the answer is probably not far or this is far enough. But it's still worth a shot. Anyway to keep herself out of that stuffy room for longer.

[galaxy-0f-muses]

She could say that, but he was still going to do so. After all, she was still considered a dear friend and ally. So there was always going to be a concern for her. If anything, he hated how he tended to be the one to be asked the question instead. He didn't see her get asked if she was alright often enough, and it always made him wonder just how okay she was overall. But. . . It tended to be something he didn't feel was his place to ask in the first place.

Not to mention. . . There was the attempt to make him rest, as he almost expected.

"It was little more than a simple mental barrier. I can continue-" He found himself surprised to hear the mild threat of his sister getting told about it. The primary 'threat' to being able to continue for one another more often than not. "There's no need to bring Alisaie into this, I assure you. She has enough to deal with as is." It would lead to. . . A lot that wasn't nessicary by any means. Not right now.

"You don't need to worry about me." She was already helping by bringing him back onto his feet. Ensuring he could stand on his own. Then, she folds her arms over her chest. It takes quite a bit to knock her down. The blessing of having dragon's blood flowing through her made it easier to withstand hits. But even that has its limits. Fortunately for her, it was one of those times.

"You should be concerned about yourself right now. Go rest. Even healers need to keep up their strength in order to help." Her healing skills are... very questionable... But being raised by a parent who had been a healer, she knew how important their rest was as well. "I'm more than fine. Really. It's nothing I can't handle. Go rest."

But if he's resistant. She's got trick up on her sleeve to make him go rest. "If you refuse, I could just tell your sister about this... Surely she knows a way to make you rest." She makes a playful grin.

[galaxy-0f-muses]

Alisaie knew that she had been definitely different since those days. She recalled her brother and Tataru having mentioned it on the rare occasion, but even from her own memory, there seemed to be something. . . Different going on with her. Compared to the few times she had seen the other when they had first arrived to Erorzea, there was something different about her.

Something she could never quite put her finger on, but it was the type of difference that bugged her. She had no right to comment on a loss that not only was she not there for, but one that she didn't personally know too well. But it was clear that, even now, he meant much to the other.

The only thing the Elezen can do is hope that the wound could start to slowly heal over time, and try to keep the focus on the present. After all, the last thing she needed was anything happening to anyone else she was close to. It would only make the hole deeper and grander still.

But the woman found herself panicking, if only just a little, when she noticed the fact that Eliane was trying to make her way practically out the door on her own. Alisaie had been the one asked to keep an eye on her to make sure she didn't do anything overly foolish, but there would only be so much she could do on her own with how determined the other seemed to be. A hand goes up to her hip, a quiet breath emitting from the small smile on her face.

"You do have quite the point, don't you?" As long as she was keeping an eye on her, and nothing bad happened, a bit of fresh air was more likely to do some good than anything else. So, Alisaie moved over to the wheelchair, getting behind it to be able to better escort the other. "Not a word of this to anyone, got it? I'd be torn a new one if anyone found out."

She closed her eyes for a moment. Taking in the words. Sometimes she needs the reminder. It seems since agreeing to become a scion, she's felt more grief she can handle and it's worn her down. It'd be no secret she hasn't felt like herself for awhile and this injury of hers has proved as such.

Maybe she wasn't fighting at her fullest potential and it's what caused her to be bedbound until the wound slashed across her chest and abdomen healed up. Keeping these feelings bottled up probably is what nearly costed her life.

"I've been lost in a sea of grief since returning to the Holy See that bit of time ago." She admits. "More like since losing one of my loves..."

Without the healers around, she finally found an excuse to sit up. Struggling at first, but prepped up enough for her to engage in proper conversation.

"But you're right. I need to focus on those still around me." She tries to glance outside the door to see if there is anyone passing by. No one that she could see. Which gave her an idea of how to brighten her mood. A little trip for some fresh air might do her mind some good. "Let's go on a little field trip. I need some fresh air." She's already attempting to get herself to a nearby wheelchair. She'll at least behave a bit and use that to get around. She's still technically resting if she's sitting. At least that's what she's convincing herself.

After situating herself and ignoring the pain the movement did for her, she smiles over at her companion. "No one has to know you you helped me sneak outside. We can be in again before any of the other healers or fellow scions know I went off."