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

[waylaidwords]

[Th'ancred's clicking it something Prastha hadn't really expected, either, and he rumbles a little in response- trying to reassure, a little.]

They seem to be doing a little better now that everyone's been able to relax a little. And with you home again, of course.

What about you? You seem unsettled.

[catcred]

[ At the purring, Th'ancred does give a little smile, a flick of his tail. ]

Ah-- it's a little hard, getting used to the indoors again. And there's still those queer warriors who defeated Ravana... there's a lot of work I missed. Not fitting of a Nunh, huh?

[ Plus, Minfilia. She's still missing. (But because it's us, she'll return and be able to stay with them, in a way. :B ) ]

[waylaidwords]

[Good. He smiles back, a little relieved, and goes to sit near Th'ancred. Gods, he's missed his brother- but he doesn't want to crowd him, either.]

I suppose it must be, after that long. They seem to have taken everyone by surprise- I don't think it's on your shoulders alone. We should definitely look into finding out more about them, though.

[they'll find some way! definitely '-'b]

[catcred]

I know it isn't simply my burden. [ That's why he's let himself rest a little, instead of rushing back out. ] What about you-- how did you find yourself here?

[ ...He didn't tell them about Prastha - those who didn't know - because he thought him traitor or dead. This is a lot nicer - as he sort of begins to rub his head against Prastha, Th'ancred is smiling. Closing his eyes, lips curling into a very Miqo'te smile. ]

[waylaidwords]

Good. [also good- Prastha would have tried to drag him back to rest, otherwise.] Me? Well- I was part of an Imperial unit the others ran into, and, well. They mistook me for you, and so I found myself- well, kidnapped.

[Prastha is a little offended by that thought! But he's glad to be with Th'ancred again, nuzzling him back, rumble building.]

[catcred]

...We look that similar? Why, I'd be offended if it hadn't resulted in you returning. [ He's joking, really. It's good he can joke after all of this. ]

You didn't try and bite them, did you?

[waylaidwords]

I thought so. It's a good thing in the end, isn't it? [it is good, and Prastha settles himself a little more.]

Only those who put their hands too close. [once or twice! then- oh okay he supposed they did have to be quiet.]

[catcred]

It is, because...

...I missed you. Sorry I couldn't be there when you first saw them, but-- well, a lot of us are still missing.

[ Like... their shared Minfilia. ]

[waylaidwords]

As did I. [he reaches out to wrap an arm around Th'ancred, holding him tightly.] I know. I… we can still look for them, can't we? It's just a matter of finding the right clues.

[she must be out there- they just have to work out where she went.]

[catcred]

They must be. I was just waiting for the right time to come back, [ he lies. And since it's him and his brother, it's clear he's lying. ] I worry more about Yda and Papalymo - if anybody's in danger, it's those two.

[waylaidwords]

The right time was any time, I'm sure. So why…? [he reaches up, fussing with Th'ancred's hair a little.] They probably are, but- if they're together, I'm sure they're looking after each other.

[catcred]

...Why?

[ He goes a little quiet, before bumping into the hand a little. But he softly purrs a little. ] It wasn't time. I-- did anybody tell you what happened? [ Th'ancred sounds shaken, though, even as he keeps his eyes closed.

Still content, at least on his face. ] They're looking after each other, but it's trouble.

[waylaidwords]

Wasn't it? [he stays like that, stroking Th'ancred's hair a little.] A little- they said there'd been trouble in Ul'dah, and you'd needed a quick escape?

Well, Papalymo has a good head… But Yda's always been determined, for fortune or fall. Has anyone heard word of them?

[catcred]

We haven't heard from either of the two. At least, not that I know of - Tataru's been listening, though. [ she's been looking, and th'ancred is proud of her. he's proud of everybody.

but... sighing a little, he bundles into being stroked. ] ...Y'shtola could be a strong mage, if she wanted. If she had trained more. But... yes. She used a dangerous spell known as Flow - ripping straight though the Lifestream itself. I hear she was nearly lost to it, without a place to get deposited.

It-- didn't let me out without-- change.

[waylaidwords]

Perhaps they ended up further away…? Or they're managing to keep quiet… [he nods.] If there's anything to hear, she'll hear it!

[good. He rumbles a little more, curling around Th'ancred.] She could. [it's her choice, of course, naturally. Prastha hisses in alarm at that, stilling briefly.] It was- they found a way to get her back, but… It's frightening to think about.

[He nuzzles a little closer.] …it wouldn't be so easy, would it. Do- would you like to tell me about it?

[catcred]

[ There's no hiding it. ]

...I can't see. [ It's said so quietly, as if whispering it would make it any less horrifying. He opens his eyes again, and they're no longer slitted - they look almost silver-brown. ] Though my aether feels stronger, I can't see a thing. Everything seems white.

[ Stuck seeing a blinding light forever - was it because he could see the lifestream, as his final sight? He was awake in there. ]

[waylaidwords]

Brother… [He makes a sad sound, cupping Th'ancred's face.] Perhaps- that's because it's so strong? But that's… it doesn't sound good.

[catcred]

...If you have new scars from your time with the Empire, don't think I was trying to ignore them. [ He's trying to joke, and yet... he nuzzles. Closing his eyes again. ] I doubt this will fade. I haven't told anybody else.

[ But now, it's clear why he didn't see it as the right time. Not until... he can find a way to make up for his own weakness. ]

[waylaidwords]

Oh, no, I assumed it was politeness. [he closes his eyes, too, sighing.] …damn. No doubt that was too much to hope for… But- they'll probably notice in time. Maybe- they'd be able to suggest something…?

it is. It makes his heart hurt, and Prastha reaches for Th'ancred's hand, holding onto him tightly.]

[catcred]

...I don't want to be pitied, brother. That is no place for a Nunh - especially one missing most of his. [ Not just Archon and Minfilia, but other Scion remain scattered - oh, how his own heart aches. ] Until I find Minfilia, this is to be... secret. For I still want to be out there, on the front lines.

[waylaidwords]

I know. I don't want you to be pitied, either. [it wouldn't suit him at all. He goes to wrap his arms around Th'ancred again.] All right. We'll find a way to make it work- I'll be by your side. That… sounds reasonable, doesn't it?

[catcred]

[ Th'ancred is purring, and wrapping himself around Prastha as well - very cat-like. Before pausing: ] You-- you'd like to stay with me? What of your own tasks - I imagine there's a lot you have to report.

[waylaidwords]

[this is nice! a tangle of two brothers.] Of course I would! It's- I've missed you. [and he wants to try and look after Th'ancred, too. He huffs a little, thinking.] In truth- I'd been trying to work out what I should do now…

[catcred]

[ He's missed him too - letting out a few more clicks. ] Yes... I imagine you're a marked man, now. And I don't see myself infiltrating the Empire any time soon. [ he admits, blinking a few times. ] We'll... still need to pass it by Alphinaud.

He's grown since Sharlayan, hasn't he? Though he still sounds a lot like his sister.

[waylaidwords]

[he clicks back, blinking softly.] I'm afraid so- getting back seemed like it might be a problem for a little while. I- well. It's bound to be more of a challenge than before… [he leans against Th'ancred a little more.] Of course.

He has. It seems he's learned to lead a little… That'll probably change in time. But it might still be useful for them at some point.