nya

[catcred]

[ There was always time to rest between times of activity - and Th'ancred needed it. He hadn't expected his brother to return, however - his nervous clicking made that clear.

Oh, but he wasn't just nervously clicking because of Pratsha - the man he'd thought dead. No, though he wouldn't hide it, how could he tell the others what he lost? His magic, however, was so enhanced. He could taste aether in the air, and if he wanted, he was sure he could see it. However, that would drain far too much from him. Though it hurt to not see anymore.

His room, of course, was a mess (or would seem it for a non-Miqo'te). Both him and his brother shared it - it was more of a campsite, for it felt more natural for the shaken Nunh. He was sitting, head to the wall, when his ears twitched. Prastha was there, he could hear it. His footsteps sounded different then others.

Miqo'te ears, after all, were sensitive. Perhaps his clicking was because of that - helping him see what he knew before. ]

...Is everybody out there going okay? [ Th'ancred asked, turning around. ]

Comments

[catcred]

It had been - I still wonder where Val went. It-- vanished into nothing, quite some time ago.

[ There's a soft click. ] I hope she's not been blinded - or worse. But she can return whenever she wants... like me, hm.

[waylaidwords]

Into- nothing? Just like that? But what could have caused that?

[he murrs a little.] Hopefully… we'll just have to see. Like you…?

[catcred]

That's what we need to figure out. All the Students within went with it.

[ If his magic could have been this strong before, perhaps he would have gone to investigate. ] It's as you said, Prastha. I could have come back before now.

[waylaidwords]

Damn. And not a clue left…? Someone must have looked- surely?

…yes. And so- why hasn't she…? There must be some reason.

[catcred]

They have - in Sharlayan. No word has reached us.

...What if Minfilia's-- she may be unable to move, or stranded somewhere she cannot teleport...

...hm? [ And that's what Th'ancred hears his Linkpearl beginning to ring. Prastha would too - a call to both of them? ]

[waylaidwords]

Tch… I suppose they must not think it worthwhile. [damn it all.

He hisses, low.] Maybe- that would explain it- but I hope not…

Eh? [he touches his fingers to the pearl.] Yes? Prastha here.

[catcred]

Students of the one who abandoned them? Louisoix has been hailed a coward by them. [ It's disgusting.

But on the other end is Urianger - Th'ancred clicking a little. ] ...You two are together once more, I would think? Not simply for how loud the Rising Stones has been in recent times.

[waylaidwords]

[Another hiss.] When he'd done so much good…! [but admittedly, they are biased.]

Ah- yes, we are. It's… there's certainly been a lot of people… I assume you were asking for some other reason?

[catcred]

If I was only speaking with one of you, the others would gossip.

Under the guidance of Pipin, I have news of Minfilia. [ But Urianger does one of his dramatic pauses, Th'ancreds' ears pressing back. ]

News-- of course I was not invited to seek this. [ He clicks, quietly. ]

...It is not good news.

[waylaidwords]

Hah- most likely. Still- would you blame them?

He's found something?

[he wraps an arm around his brother, rumbling.] It's all right. He's- you are going to tell us, aren't you? Even… if it is bad.

[catcred]

Prastha - and Th'ancred. In the place where Flow was initiated...

...there are traces of Minfilias' aether.

[ What. Th'ancred seems to freeze up, as his fangs are bared. ] Then she-- why?! The spell would have-- fuck.

[ Urianger didn't expect that language. ] I have already conferred with Y'shtola, about her actions. We are seeking a way to find where Minfilia may have gone, and--

--she's safe. She has to be safe. [ But Th'ancred sounds... scarily calm. Terrifying to Prastha. ]

[waylaidwords]

What?

…there must be a way to tell which was it took her. We found you, after all…

[he flattens his ears, worried- but curls a little closer to Th'ancred.] She will be. We'll find her.

[catcred]

To track Y'shtola, it took the aid of the Seedseer and her sister both. But, her family...

[ Th'ancred snarled more, his voice seeming to die in his throat. Just choking out her name. ]

[waylaidwords]

…you mean by blood, don't you. That's… [some magics work better than way- this must be one. But…] We don't… we're not…

[he whines into Th'ancred's hair, holding him tight.]

…we still- she must be somewhere, she can't be gone…

[catcred]

[ Th'ancred had hung up his own Linkpearl - he's too angry. Too blaming himself, simply trembling and whining himself. Silvery eyes wide open.

But Urianger continues. ] There is a chance. Though he has been... in an unending sleep for a long time, I have acquired some of her father. I wanted to ask you two to be the ones to come and try it.

[ Th'ancred seems too shaken right now. ]

[waylaidwords]

[he wraps both arms around Th'ancred, tugging him close to try and reassure both of them.]

…you have? That's- well. That's some hope, at least… We'll come, but- [he glances at Th'ancred, murring lightly.] We might need a little time.

[catcred]

...I shall come meet you. [ Urianger stated, nervously. And so, he hangs up.

But Th'ancred whined. Trembled. He looked to Prastha. ] I was meant to protect her... to heal her pain...

[waylaidwords]

Ah- [oh, he's gone. Well- they have a little time, probably?

He rumbles, looking back at Th'ancred.] Which- she may be in need of that, when we find her. It'll be all right.

[catcred]

...The way Flow works... is that it breaks somebody into aether, with no beacon to lead them. It was a miracle either of us survived.

[ He's rumbling, but not in a good way. ] Why would she - she was with the Warrior of Light. Not with-- damnit.

[waylaidwords]

…maybe we can still be that beacon for her.

[this is some very unhappy rumbling.] I don't know. I- we'll ask.

[catcred]

...She was always strong. [ Th'ancred whined, a little. ] Her aether - she could have trained, if she wanted. But instead, she let herself become dedicated to her Blessing...

I need to-- if she's still in there, she'd be weak.

[waylaidwords]

It was what she wanted to do, wasn't it?

Then- we'll need to reach out. Or- you reach out, and I'll anchor you.

[catcred]

It is. And I'd not have her do anything else. [ There's that pride in his voice.

But then-- ] You'd... be my anchor? It may end dangerously for you.

[waylaidwords]

Of course not. [He smiles a little to hear that.

That gets a little huff.] You're better suited to reach out, don't you think? And- I'm sure that's dangerous too. But I won't let you go without trying to make sure you both come home.

[catcred]

It will be. I imagine-- I might need to re-enter the lifestream. I've already lost so much, what's a little more? [ he jokes, but he doesn't sound too good. ] Thank you. I'll make sure it doesn't hurt too much.

[ And that's when there's a soft knock. Urianger had arrived that quickly...? ]