(Not a journal entry. This is written more in the style that I write for Lance. I still plan to do a journal entry later if I have time. This is more the feelings and thoughts after Dest’s first Starlight party with her free company. For personal mentions: @jonahsage@chocobohealer@sunshineandlotus )
Destiney looked around her room before placing the several new items down on the table. Her eyes were watery as she looked down at the gifts. Every word she had said she had meant them. Every last one. Fingers trailed over the gifts she hadn’t chosen to wear yet. Finally reaching up to remove the ones she had decided to wear.
Gifts from those she had chosen to call family. Precious lovely family. Tears ran down her cheeks as she ran her fingers over the purple violas with the bit of old white ribbon woven in among the purple and silver hairpiece.
Nate didn’t have to do it. That ribbon had only been a reminder of the girl she had used to be. It hadn’t graced her hair since the first time she had cut it. Right after Leon’s passing. But now… Now it was something new again. A fresh start for that old ribbon. Just like how the Order had been her fresh start. Her hand left that hairpiece to touch the green stone she wore on a loose necklace.
Only half the stone it once was. The other half now graced another. She hoped that Rhisi wouldn’t mind. It had been a part of the ritual Rhisi had preformed for her when she was still relatively new among the Order. A gift meant to bring her good luck and comfort. She had chosen to share a bit of that precious stone with Nate. Half that stone was now his in a similar necklace. He had been her rock. Together they were more then alone. Two broken souls who were so much stronger together. She couldn’t think of anyone who deserved to share that stone with her more then Nate did.
Her hand covered her mouth to try an hold off the urge to cry. Not unhappy tears though. There was so much love to be found here among her family. Slowly she lowered that hand to trail over the beautiful hairpiece Tara had made for her. So intricate and pretty as it all weaved together an accented with a bit of purple stone. A hand reaching up to touch the ends of her shorter locks. She still felt bad that Tara had meant the gift for her hair before she had cut it again. A soft smile forming on her lips. It just meant she would have to let her hair grow again. Just as she continued to grow as a person.
Next her hand touched the lovely earrings Rhisi had given her. Rhisi… Like a second mother. Always so kind and warm. Always talking sense into her when she needed it most. Providing succor for the healer with the broken soul. Giving her a place she could truly love and be proud to call home. Guiding her back from the darkest parts of her own heart. With a smile and kind words.
Kagato. Silly Pirate. A warm smile on her lips. He was still so distant yet she felt she had at least gotten a bit behind that goofy front at least once back after that injury with the shrapnel. Top shelf wine, a bag of cookies, and a silver necklace with a small bit of garnet. He had been far too kind with words and gifts this night. Yet… She was glad to see as much as he kept people at arm’s length… He did care.
Aras. Sweet Aras had even given her a gift. It was unexpected. She wished she had had more to offer the girl besides the cookies she had attempted to make. They seemed to have turned out well enough despite her limited cooking skills. At least the girl would have something to eat while hiding in the archives. Even if they were cookies. Food was still food for a bookworm who sometimes forgot to eat.
This was her family. Even those who only gave the gift of their warmth an acceptance. This was home. Now she did cry. She was so fortunate to be among them. To be accepted. Broken parts and all.
Last of the photo spamming tonight (errr… this morning? XD Wow. Didn’t realize how late it was.) I’ll save the starlight stuff for another time. Lance and Tara seem to be like my Dest and Nate. XD There is this irresistible urge to let Lance bother Tara. I think he enjoys it. >_>; She’s about as demanding of a healer as Dest is. But she is also a total sweetheart too underneath it all. (Not to mention Dest and Tara have quite a few things in common actually.) Tara was there when Lance needed a friend. Even if they got off to a slightly rocky start.
Tara Griffinsong: “…” Tara says nothing
at first, staring out at Dravania in the far distance. “…If you
wish.”
Lancefer Aurifore frowns and looks at her a moment
before finally climbing up to sit beside her on the wall. “I am guessing
something very bad happened last eve. Neither you nor Destiney seem to be
yourselves this eve.”
Tara Griffinsong wipes red rimmed eyes, “…You
could say that, yeah. It….it was damaging to all of us, in our own way.”
Lancefer Aurifore ‘hmms’ softly as he looks out at
the snowy skies. “I was afraid of such when my cousin pretty much told me
to get the hells out of her house an find you instead. What happened last
night? If it is okay for me to ask.”
Tara Griffinsong glances over at him, her eyes
flitting away before she could meet his eyes, “We…It started out fine, a
normal mission…for us anyway. We eventually got into a situation where a
machine? Spell? Where -something- showed us….memories. For most of us, I
think, they weren’t happy either.”
Lancefer Aurifore looks over at Tara as she explains.
“I see…Must have been pretty bad if both you and my cousin are out of
sorts this eve. Do you wish to talk about it? You did listen to me the other
night. I would be willing to offer the same if you so wish.”
Tara Griffinsong points at the mountains in the
distance. “I was born over those, in the Orn Wildes. Or so near the Wildes
it wasn’t really the Hinterlands anymore and it wasn’t the Wildes yet. There’s
a ranch there, called Little Hope.” She laughs, a little broken,
“Little Hope isn’t so little really.”
Lancefer Aurifore: “I don’t think it matters if
it is little or not. To someone at some time it was that small shred of hope
they needed most likely. It is Hope that gives some people the drive needed to
push forward when things are bleak.”
Tara Griffinsong: “We’re…family. Refugees from
basically everywhere the Empire’s looked who’ve made it across Abalathia’s
Spine is welcome in our home and I’m actually related to most of them.
We….also have taken in…people the See is not fond of.” She chooses her
words carefully. “I was born the second of three children, with my twin
the only one younger than me.”
Lancefer Aurifore frowned at her comment on the See,
looking around to make sure no others knights had been nearby. “So many
people found hope in what your family offered. So the place is actually well
named despite not being so little. Please continue.”
Tara Griffinsong tugs her cap off as the wind
settles, letting her waist length hair unfurl behind her.
Tara Griffinsong: “For years, we were peaceful.
We didn’t make trouble with our ‘neighbors’ and even breed war chocobos. Aiden
was my older brother, a good eight years older than me, but we were thick as
thieves, more so than me and my twin really. He understood me in a way
that….no one else has ever really been able to.”
Lancefer Aurifore: “Sounds like he was a good
older brother. What happened to him? You said ‘was’. I take it he is no longer
walking this world. Forgive me for asking if it hurts too much. You may ask me
to leave if you wish.”
Tara Griffinsong: “Carteneau. He was eight years
older than me, so he was nineteen when the Alliance went to battle. Ishgard
wasn’t involved, of course, but Aiden somehow got his way south and joined the
Adders. …He didn’t make it home.”
Lancefer Aurifore made a soft ‘hmph’ noise. “So
then the odds were high that maybe you an Destiney met for a reason. Did she
ever mention Carteneau to you?”
Tara Griffinsong nods quietly. “She did.”
Lancefer Aurifore: “Maybe one of the Twelve
thought the two of you could use each other. Well use is not really the right
word. A shared pain is an easier burden when it is shared. Have you ever told
her about your brother?”
Tara Griffinsong shakes her head, “Most days his
memory is bearable and she hurts far worse than I.”
Lancefer Aurifore looks at her in silence for a long
moment. Thinking of the words he wanted to say. “I think you should. Or at
least maybe try. Maybe she is finally healing? Unless it was something about
her father she saw last eve. She wouldn’t tell me. Seemed to get lost in her
thoughts easier than usual.”
Tara Griffinsong shakes her head, “I…wasn’t
really able to focus on what others were reacting or saying. My own memories
were….distracting.” She slides off the railing and picks up the sack and
a large, cloth wrapped item that looked far too heavy for her to be carrying,
though she managed fine. “…Join me? I’m going to do something I should
have done while coming south.”
Lancefer Aurifore watches her get up, eyeing the
sack. “Of course. I would gladly offer you my sword and shield out here.
Not that I do not believe you a capable young woman. It just makes me worry
less. If that is alright to you. Or I would even offer to carry that for you if
you wished.” Brushes snow off his armor as he climbs down off the wall.
Tara Griffinsong shakes her head, “We’re not
going far and it’s my thing to carry.” She smiles wanly.
Lancefer Aurifore: “Then lead on and I shall
follow.”
Tara Griffinsong pauses, grumbling a little about
public stair safety and hefting the wrapped object higher in her hold.
Tara Griffinsong takes a deep breath at the opening
to the cave.
Lancefer Aurifore keeps an eye on her while still
making sure to keep an eye out for anything dangerous as well. “So what
have you come here to do? If you do not mind me asking.”
Tara Griffinsong bites her lip, “Visiting the
Fury’s Gaze.”
Lancefer Aurifore: “That much I could figure by
where we are.”
Tara Griffinsong sends him a dry look.
Tara Griffinsong gazes around the cave, staring at
the stalagmites and tites, seemingly searching for something.
You look around.
Tara Griffinsong walks over to one of the bigger
ones, feet making little to no sound.
Lancefer Aurifore looks up before closing his eyes and
making a motion of respect for Halone.
Lancefer Aurifore walks over and quietly watches
Tara.
Lancefer Aurifore eyes the axe she had placed against
the pillar. “Did it belong to your brother?”
Tara Griffinsong kneels and drags from her sack a
large, flat stone and sets it before the pillar, making four indentations in it
with a touch of aether. Next comes candles, one deep purple, one blue, one
white and lastly a pitch black one. “Yes, one of the only uncharred things
that was found to bring home to us.” She lights the candles with a match
and smiles, “Rest well in Halone’s Halls, Aiden. May She greet you with a
Warrior’s welcome, for you fell in battle protecting your home and your
family.”
You kneel respectfully.
You offer a moment of silence.
Lancefer Aurifore looks back towards the stone
bearing Halone’s mark before looking back towards the axe and Tara. “I am
sure Halone has embraced him with open arms. She does not forsake those who
have served her well.” His words were softly spoken.
Tara Griffinsong quieter, “Be safe big
brother…I miss you…”
Tara Griffinsong: “I hope so…I wasn’t…sure
if I should do this, since he never fought for Ishgard, but…I felt I had to,
you know? I know this is probably unorthodox and frowned upon to leave these
here…”
Tara Griffinsong: “I got mad at him, you know,
before he left. My last words to him was that he was abandoning us, me. I was
mad that I didn’t tell him I loved him.” She sobs.
Lancefer Aurifore steps closer and puts his hands on
her shoulders first, not wanting to startle her. Before wrapping his arms
around her in a hug from behind. “Halone may be the patron who watches
over Ishgard but her children are not just those of us born and bred in
Ishgard. I am sure she loves all her children no matter their birth. Even your
brother.”
Tara Griffinsong sobs freely now, hands coming up to
hug his arms as tears stream down her face.
Lancefer Aurifore just lets her cry as he holds her.
“I’m sure he knows you love him too. You’ve probably made him proud so
many times. Look at all the good you’ve done. The people you’ve helped. If he
watches over you… I am sure he is very proud of his little sister. I would
be.”
Tara Griffinsong hiccoughs, “Twelve I hope so.
I…I don’t think I’ve earned his pride though.” She sniffles,
“How…how do I submit a formal request to Haillenarte to not remove it?
Or at least move it somewhere more appropriate and not throw it off the
cliff?”
Lancefer Aurifore takes a deep breath an looks up. “I can try
calling in some favors. Maybe talk to Lord Francel. He would probably be the
best one to convince. He is a very kind young man who I am proud to serve under.”
Tara Griffinsong shakes her head, “I’ll do it
Lancefer. I don’t want you spending your favors on me.”
Lancefer Aurifore chuckles softly. “No. It is
alright. They would be well spent if they offered you some measure of peace. I
wish I could do the same for my cousin.”
Tara Griffinsong tilts her head up to glare at him,
poking his arm gently. “It’s fine. I’ll ask the Lord myself. I’m not that
socially awkward.”
Lancefer Aurifore let’s go of her to raise his hands
in the air, a slight grin on his face. “Alright. I did offer at least. But
yes I would suggest talking with Lord Francel. He is a kind hearted young man.
If any of the Haillenarte children might hear you out, it would be him.”
Tara Griffinsong drags gentle fingers down the head
of the axe, pressing a kiss to her fingers and then her fingers to the axe.
“Rest well Aiden. Feast and Make Merry at Halone’s side.”
Lancefer Aurifore: “May Halone watch over his
soul.”
((I had this lovely rp sene with @nebula1984‘s Lancefer! Thank you for cheering up my girly!))
Just a few pictures to share. Still have some asks an such to answer. Just been a crazy few days. 😀 I promise I haven’t forgotten them. Mission time soon for the Order or I would answer them now. I may be sporadic for a few days as I get into the swing of cookie making though. ^^/ But I will still be popping in an out.
(So I decided on writing this Saturday while at work but was too tired to work on it. However the scene below took place today (Monday). Originally was going to have happened Wednesday last week after Tara patched him up but yesterday’s (Sunday) events changed my mind. So I wanted to write this taking place today instead because of those events. It’s a tad more fitting now then before. Hints at things to come somewhere after the holidays. But I wanted to write this before I finished the rest of the asks. So I am getting there. :D)
Sky blue eyes stared up towards the grey clouds. More snow soon to come they promised. Something that was not an usual occurrence for Ishgard. He had trouble remembering anymore what his city used to look like without the cold and snow. Hard to believe it had been so long already.
He knew he should have returned home last eve. Was probably going to hear about it from his mother at the very least. Hopefully his father was too busy with work for Dzemael to even be home at this hour. He could slip in an find his spare armor. The chainmail he had worn yesterday needed repairs. There was no way he could wear it to duty without questions being raised. He had no answers to give. None that made sense. There was no way he could explain it without seeming as if he was crazy. Though he had seen a good many crazy things since he had started following his cousin around.
Yesterday… The man with the snow white hair and teeth like razors. The one Tenrai had called a foul water sprite. His left hand came to rest over his right shoulder. There was no real pain. Tara had taken good care of the injury he had sustained. Yet… The memories of that brief fight still disturbed him. There was still no name to put with the stranger’s face yet he had claimed to know Destiney. Which disturbed him even more…
Chaotic. His cousin had some very chaotic choices of people to claim knowing. That was the best way he could think of it. Like turbulent waters of the sea. He hadn’t had a chance to see her an ask about the strange man he had found outside of Dragonhead.
It had started as mere curiosity and concern. The man had been sitting in the snow against the outer wall. Wanting to make sure the fool hadn’t frozen to death mere feet from the camp itself. There was a sort of madness about the stranger wearing the half-mask. Talking about dragon blood. Saying how it had no effect on him an wanting to test it on Lance. An then… The odd way the man fought like a demon. Trying to pierce Lance with those… Things! Like the tentacles of a octopus but far more dangerous. Their shape was not solid. More like half frozen water able to shift shape. The edges tipped crimson with blood. There was no way Lance wanted to find out if it was truly dragon blood in those dangerous tendrils.
Lance hadn’t wanted to fight. Not at first. However there was no way he was going to allow someone so dangerous to walk freely. Not in that state of madness. However he had no idea where his cousin was to call her to deal with the masked man. It had been like fighting a Hydra. Cut off one an two regrew. Until he was facing at least seven tendrils. In the end it wasn’t one of those tipped in the color of blood that caught him. He had opened up a gaping wound in the man’s chest but even that did not seem to faze the man. From there something shot out like those tendrils, caught him in the right shoulder. His chainmail hadn’t seemed to be much of an obstacle for it either. That creeping cold. Like something crawling under his skin. Then it was nearly over as quickly as it had begun. The man withdrew and fled away. Leaving him there stunned and wounded. Leaving him to wonder what sort of creature that man was.
His thoughts finally drifted back to the present as he approached the door to the house. A deep breath before his hands reached up to give it a push open. Cautiously without seeming like a thief sneaking about his own home, Lance made his way towards his room.
“Lancefer?”
He paused an mentally cursed his luck. His mother’s voice. So much for getting in an out without notice. Elviane always seemed to be keeping an eye or ear out for his coming and goings. Especially when it came to trying to set him up with a potential wife.
“Yes mother. I had to stop by an fetch something from my room. I have another shift of duty shortly.” He knew she wasn’t going to come out of the other room to see him though. She rarely did anymore. Not unless she had something specific she needed him for. Nor did he feel truly bad for lying about having duty soon. He mere wanted to avoid the possible conversation about his love life. Or rather lack of one.
“Your father and grandfather wished to see you in the study. Do not keep them waiting. You know how they hate being made to wait.”
Halone have mercy… Both of them? He grimaced an looked down the hall towards the closed doors to the study. It would have been easier to turn around an run. But he didn’t run. With a deep breath he pushed forward towards those doors. Looming ahead of him like the gates to hell. Dealing with them one at a time was bad enough. Dealing with both at once… Maybe he should have let that man kill him yesterday.
Inside the room Grandfather was his usual place. Behind the sturdy manor desk, polished to a shine. Papers spread across it’s surface. A tray of tea that was no longer steaming. Obviously they had been waiting for him for some time. His father frowned from where he stood near the windows looking out into Ishgard.
“You’re late.”
The urge to cringe was there as his father spoke. Vairemont was never a patient man. Yet Lance kept his face passive. He had been dancing to this game long enough. A respectable bow to both of his elders. He didn’t dare look up at either of them. Gaze kept down to the floor. They would not tolerate being lied to. Yet they didn’t truly know the lies he told them on a regular basis. There was no reason to give them a chance to suspect him now though. Tread careful. Dealing with both at once was like walking on cracked glass. One wrong step would have disastrous consequences.
“I apologize. I got caught up in business last eve an chose to rest before returning. It was already far late for travel back to Ishgard.”
He heard his father’s steps more then saw them. Felt his father’s displeasure. The man always seemed to radiate that feeling around him anymore. Ever since his fateful choice of Haillenarte over Dzamael. He was no longer the favored son. Had not been for many years.
“Resting at the beach I heard.”
Surprised eyes found his father’s stern gaze. Had they realized? Was his ruse up? Did they know every bit of information he fed them since finding out who the lady they had him following was, was false? Surely he had not slipped up that much to give himself away so soon. He was no shadow yet surely they couldn’t have found out. Unless… They had begun to suspect an had him followed… Or he was truly unlucky that someone his father knew was there at Costa…
“Her free company goes to the beach at the end of the week, every week. As I said. Business. Unless you no longer wish for me to keep trying to find information for you.” He tried hard to keep the venom from his voice. He hated what they demanded of him. The orders chaffed an cut at him. Defying them was hard. They were his family. Yet… They also made it so easy to do. His time among the men and women of Haillenarte had given him a better understanding of how family should be. Even his time learning of his cousin an her crazy free company that she considered family… Even they were more family then the one he had.
Fast. His father’s hand struck out at him. Hand on his injured right shoulder. Fingers digging into that wound. On purpose. The intent was clear on his father’s face. Lance couldn’t keep his face passive any longer. His teeth were gritted against the pain as those fingers pressed hard against that injury. Tara’s hard work… It pissed him off. Finally the pain subsided as his father shoved him back into the nearby bookshelf. A few of the books tumbled to the floor at the jolt of a body hitting the shelves.
“You will not take the tone with me, boy.” His father’s voice a snarl.
“Enough!” Age wizened eyes looked on at the scene of father and son before finally settling on Lancefer. Their disappointment was clear. “You have been failing to provide us with anything useful lately. If this keeps up… Well. I don’t have to remind you now do? Consider this a warning, Lancefer. You will not get another. You know what was asked of you.”
“Yes, Grandfather.” Lance bowed his head. A warning. They were indeed beginning to suspect. His lies had not been clearly as clever as he had thought they had been. Maybe he had been wise in warning Nate last evening. If they suspected it would not be long before they took this matter out of his hands. If they did that he would no longer be able to control the flow of information. He would need the help of men like Raiden and Nate. The purple-eyed aevis and the wolf of Dzamael. But would it be enough?
“You are dismissed.”
Lance did not wait around. Nor did he hurry in his departure. He would not give them the satisfaction of thinking they had him running scared. Once in the safety of his room, he slid down the closed door to sit on the floor. Slowly he removed his jacket and shirt. Trying to be careful of the bandages on his shoulder. They were stained with fresh blood where his father had dug his fingers into the wound. A quiet curse under his breath as he leaned his head back against the door behind him. He would have to think of something. Surely he could do this.
(Oh gawd. Behind on the journal stuff again. XD But I am having fun answering asks an such. So it’s okay! 😀 I really should try to go back to writing one of these a week. Maybe after the holidays when life calms back down. XD Cause things are just so hectic right now. Nothing in this is really in a chronological order. XD On the plus side… Day 5 completed… 3 days remain. @cheetah-smith-ffxiv@jonahsage@kindlingdusk@chocobohealer@onidephor for mentions.)
I seem to be neglecting to write in here as often as I used to. I guess life has been a bit busier then normal. Especially now with my cousin in the picture.
Lance and I have been spending time when we both can getting to know each other. It has been mostly casual. He hasn’t tried to pry for anything more then I am willing to speak with him on. Then again part of me is still waiting for him to stab me in the back. I don’t think he will though… I guess it is still part of me not ready to accept that someone from that side of the family actually cares.
He did mention the other night he had come looking for me to tend to some injuries he had gotten while on duty. I guess he got injured fending off an attack in a joint effort with some of the Fortemps troops from Dragonhead. Some aevis scored a lucky hit on him. Apparently Tara took care of it for him though.
He also mentioned some sparring match that happened while he was visiting. Something about Aras and Dusk. He didn’t have all the details as he and Tara had arrived towards the end of the match. Though he made mention of interest in challenging her himself sometime. As well as that he met Nate after. Who didn’t seem to be having a good day.
Speaking on Nate. I’m glad he has so much patience for me some days. I feel I have been rather snappish with him lately. I guess I am just still upset from last week’s mission. I don’t really mean to take it out on him. I mean we have moments where I feel like we might clash an I get so scared of what might happen if we do. I guess I should have a bit more faith. Faith that the bond between us is stronger then a few ill words.
I mean he did get a chance to see me use a bow for a change in the Twelveswood last week. Tara had gotten lost. Or rather something had spooked her chocobo. It was nice… Fighting side by side like that. Instead of just watching his back. We did manage to find Tara safe and sound though she had been chased by a few tempered Sylphs. Nate and I had gone to check an make sure they had all returned to their territory after they gave up the chase. Of course we found some stragglers. That was how Nate and I got to fight side by side. I was unlucky that day apparently though. One of the sylphs managed to catch me off guard an I was zapped pretty good. No real physical injury though besides feeling rather numb and tingly. Nate got us back to the house before actually carrying me inside on his back. I was a bit… embarrassed honestly. Mostly because there were others in the house at the time. But at the same time I was afraid I might trip an fall on my face with the way certain parts of my body felt numb. I knew it would wear off in time though. So it wasn’t like I hadn’t agreed to let him carry me.
Dusk pulled me aside once I was feeling a bit less numb. We stepped aside into my room to talk privately. Apparently she felt the need to caution me about Leera and Rose. She doesn’t want Leera anywhere near Rose. Our youngest an newest member. I understand she is young an still learning. However I was a bit offended that she felt the need to try an caution me yet again. I know Leera -can- be dangerous. I’ve always held a measure of caution when dealing with Leera ever since learning the truth about who an what he is. There is always a certain amount of caution needed when dealing with a predator. I want to believe Leera can be good, can do something more then be a tool for his creators. Even Oni when we had a discussion earlier in the day had believed there might be a chance for Leera to be a better person. He just needs to be taken away from the bad influences an given a chance. So I told Dusk my own opinions an what Oni had said. It was admitting Leera does need to change. Yet I still feel Leera does care about me in a way.
I had told Oni about the potion Leera had given to me. About how Felix thought it had been something to be used against him. That was how our discussion went from Oni’s new tools into talk of his sibling. I haven’t seen Leera for a bit of time now. He had told me I wouldn’t. But in our talk Oni did agree Leera wasn’t always the way he is now. That maybe if he was taken away from ‘father’ that there could be a chance for real change. I mean it is worth a shot if I can find a way. Why else would Leera care enough to keep speaking to me or even give me a potion for my own safety? I am certainly not -that- entertaining for him to be toying with me.
Oh! On a rather positive note. I survived my first cooking lesson with J’siris. I had offered him use of my new kitchen an he proceeded to teach me a stew. It actually turned out really well even with me helping make it. I didn’t even cut any fingers this time! I even took some to Lance before I joined the Order at the house for the evening.
Anyways I better finish my work before the mission this evening. It is nearly time.
Spirit of the Warlock 