boxofkururu | pile of creds

[That's different- but the warmth is nice, and he feels better for it (he hopes she feels better for it, too). It might take a few moments to embrace her properly, but he's glad when he does- and he can't help a surprised grin on hearing that purr. It's adorable, and- well- maybe he'll just reach up to give her a little bit of scritching behind one ear, then.]

[ Oh! She lets out a small gasp, and leans into the stroke. That's something only her 'ancred and 'lhaminn had done before.

She then softly speaks. ] I don't know why. Even now, Her voice is... another can speak of Her words, but...

[ It's wrong and different, in other words. She's been trying to hold it together. Those who embody Light and Dark un-nerve her, but she has opened their gates to those of other worlds. ]

[He hadn't thought she'd think much of it- but he's happy to keep doing it, for as long as she likes.]

They can…? […there's no reason why not, but- he still can't quite grasp the why of it, and it's obviously hurting her. He puts his other arm back around her, nuzzling into her hair.] It was nothing you did, Minfilia. I'm sure of it.

[ She is but a catte-raised hyur, the simple things help. ]

...It's another you - and another Y'shtola. They hold the Word of the Mother in their hearts. [ But why them... goes unsaid. ] I try my best to remain walking her path, Thancred.

[ She looks over a little, to her 'ancred. ] And yet... this is what we've been dealt.

[there's a little spluttering surprised sound out of him.] -they do? [he's never- considered anything like that. beyond wishing to be able to help more, sometimes…] I've never doubted you would.

[he turns to look at th'ancred as well, still trying to keep her close.] Would that it weren't. We'll still- we'll make the best of it we can.

I have no reason to doubt when they said they could. [ Though she does doubt, even if she doesn't display it often. ] I think-- Y'shtola is still around with her other self, if you wish to meet her later.

[ And then, she whispers, so that only he could hear - even if the other cat was awake. (Which it seemed he was, he had begin to slow blink at them again.) ] I'm scared.

[he hums- it's still an odd thought.] Y'shtola is-? Yes- it would be good to see what she's making of this.

[Thancred blinks back for a moment, turning back towards Minfilia.] You're allowed to be.

No. [ She then says, bundling herself more into him -- is she crying a little? ] I am meant to lead everybody - to help save Eorzea with the power of the Echo. We don't- I don't have time to be scared.

[ Even now, she tried to keep her composure. Her warmth seemed to build, as she gripped to Thancred. She's had to handle so much, and yet... ] Everybody is counting on me...

[he wraps himself around her in return, nuzzling into her hair.]

That doesn't mean you can't give yourself a little time. We're here for you, as well, after all. Take a little rest- you'll feel better, I promise.

[…says he.

He glances at Th'ancred- asking permission, of sorts, before he nudges closer to the bed to get them both to sit down.]

[ Says Thancred. In fact, she gives a little hiccup of a laugh - and Th'ancred shifts a little, so they can lay down. He's still out of it, though, but giving concerned sounds.

To both of them. But Minfilia sits, trying to stop her crying. ] We should be at rest... the Scions stand strong. We've all been at base - even if...

[ oh lordy does he know about that... ]

...Lyse and-- Yda have been bothering Papalymo for their homeland. [ She doesn't mention that Yda is actually a weird Primal of Ala Mhigan Resistance. No, he doesn't need to know. ] We may be setting out soon.

[~~heh~~ That's a little better. Thancred tries to keep an arm around her as they sit, reaching out to Th'ancred for a moment.

Th'ancred had mentioned Lyse was going by her own name again, and he nods. It's something of a surprise that it's happening now, but- well, it's been bound to happen sooner or later.]

We're to head east soon, then? I suppose it was about time. This ought to be the best time to rest, then.

[ As he's touched, there's a tail flick. He's a soft cat.

There's reasons for everything, Thancred. Even if they're insane. But Minfilia is smiling a little again, softly and sadly. ] ...Nobody has to die. [ She says.

But, she then nods. ] It truly is. Ishgard is at peace with Dravanian-kind, if you can believe it - and have pledged to assist Eorzea.

[very soft. whatever else- he's glad Minfilia has had Th'ancred with her.]

Good.

[…admittedly, he doesn't know all of what has gone down to make it matter as much, but it still is a good thing. His eyebrows rise at that.]

Indeed? That's… unexpected. Not that I'm not glad to hear it- [one less thing to worry about-] but how did this come about?

[ She rests her head onto Thancred, softly. ] The one who declared war - Nidhogg - was defeated by the Scion. [ Her fists suddenly tighten. ] Until a Primal was brought from another timeline. [ Fuck Albin. ]

It was in the last few months that one was... saved.

[ Nobody has to die. Even a Primal. She feels she'll need to explain more. ]

Ah- I see. [since Nidhogg was such a large part of why the Dragonsong War continued, that would help. He frowns, sharply, straightening.]

A Primal- of another timeline? [he shakes his head.] Saved? How? Was it… the way Shiva existed?

Yes. And yet, it was not an Ascian scheme. [ She doesn't know what Albin is. But Elidibus confirmed he'd not Ascian, at least, as did Urianger. ]

In a way. This Primal was once a man, who had been taught he could alone bring salvation to a land of Sin - taking the name Halone. If he had died, then... [ she begins to wring her hands a little. ] We had to return him to his world, and show Ishgard that it was a false deity - even without a war, Ishgard could have fallen to war if their God was seen as true and--

[ Nobody dies. Nobody died to the Primal even when it was in the City, they survived but their minds were robbed, enthralled to a Primal now gone. They were safe. ]

It wasn't? [he sounds incredulous. then again, if Ascians also kind of… want to keep existing here-

What even is this, really.]

Someone did that- teaching him? Here- no, that- couldn't have ended well. [given- well, Halone is Ishgard's patron deity… He reaches for her hands, to hold them.] But it didn't fall into war. You did well.

[ She softly shook her head. ] Even they fear a lack of light and dark - this world is important to them, believe it or not. [ She said, so very softly, as she could hear the catte hissing a little. He really was acting like a cat right now...

...as her hands were held, she smiles, so very softly. She's... never gotten to voice these fears, for she felt everybody else had so much to handle. She barely went out on the field - she remained her and just tried to keep the Scions friendly with others. She was almost glad that this Thancred didn't have much bullshit going on. ]

It was Thordan who taught him his desires, and... [ she rests closer to him, her eyes closing. No, she won't talk about how bullshit Albin is. ] It was close. If not for Dravanians of other lands helping us, we could not have done it.

[ A beat. ] Yes, we are friendly with Dravanians as well.

It's a little hard to. [-he confesses. Th'ancred- yes, he kind of agrees.

He smiles a little in return, glad he can help but that smile on her face.]

The Archbishop? That's… well, he'd be in a good position to, no doubt, but…

[he puts one arm around her again. And- well, that sounds incredible, but…]

You know… after all else I've heard today, that doesn't sound so unbelievable as it once would have.

He desired to end the war in his own way. The one of this world... nobody knows if that was his same desire - for... [ Well, maybe some people die. ] he was killed by Halone. That's when they first appeared - to steal Nidhoggs' eyes and devour them. [ It was bullshit. But they had a new leader now, and he was a good man. Aymeric still had taken a long time to accept their help, but... it was okay.

But as she realizes how tired she feels, she moves to stand up. ]

Now that 'ancred is dealt with - shall we get you a room? All of this must be tiring.

… I see. It makes a kind of sense, if twisted… [he winces.] That's- what a way to find out about them.

[he stands with her, hand falling for a moment.]

It- well, it's been a lot to take in. I wouldn't object.

It was dramatic - but Primal desire worship.

[ But they can... stop talking about that for now. She takes one last look back at Th'ancred, who's rolled back to sleeping, and begins to lead Thancred. ]

If you do not mind me asking - before meeting 'ancred, was anything odd happening? [ She needs to know, to care for all her Scions. ]

[And what better way, than to create such a spectacle?

He falls into step with her- glad to see Th'ancred's sleeping well, now- and nods.]

There was nothing I could directly tie it to, but- my blades weren't… doing the damage they ought to have been.

They weren't? [ She says, her look turning to concern. He needs his blades, as she needed her... gifts. ] What had happened with them?

[he shrugs- trying to play it off.]

When I was fighting- it was rather like our enemies were being healed, rather than hurt.

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