Felih listens, and as she explains herself, he tenses and straightens up, measurements temporarily forgotten as he tries to put it all together in his head, unravel the implications of it.
"You- you're telling me that ever since you've become an Azure Dragoon, Nidhogg himself has been present in your mind? Q'uila! You can't- gods, why didn't you say something sooner? Had something happened to you, we all would've been clueless and helpless, unable to do anything to try and bring you back! And the fact that this creature is our current enemy- why would you keep it to yourself? You have a direct link to his mind, his thoughts- like Estinien!"
And then it hits him. "Estinien. He already succumbed once to Nidhogg's rage- but clearly, not altogether, if he is still here with us now fighting against the wyrm. But if he succumbed once, he may well do so again... we must be wary. And not just him- you as well."
*jazzhands* Q'uila's turn for surprise Angst this time
Q'uila looks more and more miserable as Felih speaks, tail swishing, until she just plops down where she was standing, pulling her legs up till her knees were tucked under her chin and her tail curls around her protectively.
"I know I should have told you...I just, didn't want you all to be burdened by it, having to watch me and him all the time. Treating me like I could turn at any time." She rests her for head on her knees. "If I didn't say anything I could go on pretending that I was still normal."
Sadness and self-pity gives way to a sudden wave of anger that stirs the dragon's aether. "...I hate it...I hate the whole bloody lot of it! I did not know until after I bonded with this stupid, stupid Soulstone what drove the power and then it was too late!"
She throws the gem across the room with a snarl before deflating, tears prickling at her eyes as she looks at her brother," They didn't tell me. I didn't want this but they didn't tell me."
Felih sighs deeply, setting down his things before going to sit on the edge of the little pedestal, leaning against her side and letting his tail tease and toy against hers, trying to comfort her.
"Uila. Look, we- we need to know. This is so- this is too important to keep hidden. We cannot pretend as if you are not in danger of falling into the same pitfalls as Estinien- and if we were to remain ignorant, and the worst happened, we would have no understanding, no way to know how to help. You're too important to risk losing to keep this hidden away," Felih says softly.
He rests his head on her shoulder and wraps an arm around her waist to give her a one-armed hug. "I know. I know... we never asked for any of this. Especially not you, especially not this. But- but we're here now. All we can do is push onwards- and we're here to help each other."
Q'uila scoots closer to Felih, her tail unwinding from her knees to twine with his and she tucks her head against his, whining as she does so. She sits there in silence with Felih for a short while before speaking, voice quiet.
"...Can you tell them after this ball?" It was selfish of her to ask that of Felih but she wasn't quite emotionally prepared for the almost inevitable explosion from Pinya, who was too blunt and matter of fact in these matters to spare her feelings like Felih did. Any confrontation between the two of them was best done somewhere outdoors. "I've been asked to accompany the Dragoons on manoeuvres in the morn after."
She swipes some of the tears aways fro her eyes at Felih's words, wrapping her arms around him and giving him a gentle squeeze. "It's just...it feels a bit like a punishment. I was getting stagnant with my skill, when the request for aid came to the Guild I thought more about what I would gain rather than how to best help."
"...I went to E-Sumi-Yan when I found out what was happening. He...he thinks that because of the way the power is transferred that even if we destroyed the source of it all, what I have already taken in will be permanently bonded to my aether. He does not think that there is a way to cleanse Nidhogg from myself nor Estinien."
He sighs and cuddles her, concerned, and nuzzles into her hair as he tries to comfort her. "...yeah. After the ball. But we will tell the others," he insists quietly, before giving her another little squeeze. "We want to help, Q'uila. We want to protect you. Let us," Felih says simply into the quiet, before letting himself fall silent.
He listens to her speak, listening to her thoughts, and he shakes his head. "Not a punishment. Merely a twist of fate- and perhaps an unpleasant one, but one we must deal with nonetheless. Even if we destroy Nidhogg, perhaps the eyes' influence will stay with you- but there will never be the strength it has over you now, as he continues to live. The faster we kill that dragon, the better."
Q'uila continues to hug Felih, "Sometimes I miss how simple life was when I was just a hunter." A purr kicks up in her chest. "Although I suppose you're a decent trade-off...Thank you Felih...Love ya."
She closes her eyes and continues purring, slowly calming down thanks to Felih. "Hopefully we'll find a lead on the great bastard soon, I don't think I could suffer kitsitting Emmanelline much longer."
Felih sighs a little, gently rubbing her arm as he hugs her, trying to soothe her- though her comment makes him laugh. "A decent trade-off? I'm flattered," he says with a grin, bumping their shoulders together, before letting his smile soften as he nuzzles into her hair.
"It'll be over soon. And we'll hopefully be out of the Fortemps' hair by then. Things are settling back down in Ul'dah... thank goodness." Not that he minds being here, though. It lets him be with Haurchefant more often.
"I'm serious, if that boy calls me 'Old Girl' one more time I will push him into the Sea of Clouds consequences be damned." She did have to hand it the Count, he managed to successfully select the more patient members of their group to go and assist his youngest in the Sea of Clouds but even Q'uila's patience was close to being spent.
"Twelve be good, Mum and Dad are starting to worry." With a sigh she disentangles herself from the hug and stands up, walking to where she had thrown the stone. By the time she'd picked it up and turned around her expression had been schooled into something more neutral.
"I suppose we should continue sizing my torture device."
Felih snorts a bit then, shaking his head. "I don't know why he insists on talking like that- perhaps he's trying too hard to appear dignified? But it just makes him sound like an old man," he says, before smiling softly and helping her stand, getting up himself and straightening up his attire.
"Yes, yes, no need to be so dramatic, dear sister. It won't be so torturous."
Q'uila's response to that is deadpan. "He speaks to me like that because he is an idiot, I think Haurchefant and Artoirel drained House Fortemps of all charm and diplomacy respectively."
"And you only say that, dear brother, because aren't having to wear a corset. Don't deny that the damned things aren't deserving of a place in the Seventh Hell."
Felih laughs then, a bright grin that spreads across his face before he affectionately bunts his sister. "Truer words have not been spoken," he chirps, very amused at the idea that the elder two brothers drained Fortemps of all the lovely traits.
"And come now, Uila, corsets aren't uncomfortable if they're sized and tied properly. I'll make sure it's comfortable," he reassures, gently rubbing her back. "So I should get back to measuring to ensure you're not too hindered by the thing."
Felih huffs. "Well, clearly, you weren't wearing the right ones. You'll see- once I've finished it, you'll be able to wear it comfortably," he insists, tape measure back out as he gets back to working on taking all her measurements. "And I'll tie it up for you, to make sure it's sitting properly and tied right. After all, the lacing is just as important as the build of it itself," he hums.
It's calm now- back to normalcy, for as long as the Warriors of Light ever have it. "It's not often we have the opportunity to partake in luxurious balls. We may as well enjoy ourselves and look good doing it."
"Clearly you must employ some manner of arcane trickery in order to make corsets comfy. I will believe it when I feel it brother."
She does chirp at him however, bowing out to his superior clothes knowledge. "It feels odd to not immediately be preparing to rush off to gods knows where, I do wonder just how much the dancing will differ to at home..."
Felih huffs. "It'll be comfortable, just you wait and see. I'll have it fit perfectly and it'll still do its job," he insists, before finishing his measurement-taking.
"There, finished- ah, and I imagine the dancing will be different. Ishgard is so stuffy and repressed, I imagine their dances may be stiff as well..." It really depends on the dance and the partner, but Felih huffs. "Well, I'm sure my mate won't leave me bored."
"But let's just enjoy our time while we have it, hm?" Felih says with a smile. "It's not often we get peace."
"How boring," Q'uila sighs, "Maybe we should get Pinya to help us show the Nobles and your mate how to dance properly." She smirks at him, "Although I'm sure the two of you are well practiced at dancing together by this point."
"I certainly intend to value the free time whilst we have it. I've already negotiated sparring arrangements with the Lord Commander, and," She grins at Felih, "I asked Dad to knit some more jumpers in my last letter home. I intend to put them to good use by curling up in the library here the rest of the time."
Felih laughs. "Haurchefant knows plenty well how to dance," he purrs, tail wiggling in a way that suggests it might be a double-entendre. He's dark in the cheeks but clearly pleased and smug- he so loves his Fortemps knight. "He's actually quite fun to dance with. He's got that spring in his step that manages to make everything lively."
He did laugh a little, before shaking his head. "Of course your chosen method of flirtation involves sparring," he teases, setting aside the measuring tape and giving a lazy stretch. "Though, the libraries here are certainly interesting, I'll admit."
Q'uila snorts and rolls her eyes at Felih, but her tail curls happily at how smitten he is with Hauchefant. "I shouldn't be surprised that his verve extends into everything he does."
Q'uila flushes and gently swipes at his bicep. "It's not flirting!We were merely talking about our training routines and he invited me to be his sparring partner whilst in Ishgard.
"As if Haurchefant would do anything without energy and enthusiasm," Felih laughs, grinning. "Well, mayhaps except for his paperwork- even that he doesn't enjoy, though he does it diligently."
He purrs and grins wider when she swats at his bicep. "Call it what you like- he chose you of all sparring partners, that clearly makes it flirtation," he purrs, ignoring the ache in his chest. He has no right- he's already got one mate, ought to let his sister have her fun chasing after her own.
"I'll be honest, I'd be concerned about his mortality if he was enthusiastic about paperwork. No-one who enjoys it could possibly be a mortal member of the Five Races."
Q'uila's blush deepens. "He chose me to spar as a challenge of our skill. Both of us have to hold back too much when sparring with the other knights. Besides," She scowls, blush still staining her cheeks but there is a confused honesty to her next question. "Why in the heavens would he flirt with me?!"
Felih snorts. "Well, he gets it does quickly and efficiently so he has time to do more enjoyable things, like train his men or do patrols, or cuddle with me," he says with a purr, tail wiggling happily. He's thoroughly and deeply in love- even the times spent apart he feels a longing to be by his side.
He can't remember ever feeling this strongly before....
Still, he smiles at her. "In case you haven't noticed, dear sister, you're an attractive woman and beloved hero in Ishgard- I don't see any reason he wouldn't."
Q'uila purrs at Felih. "You and Hauchefant are sappier than the entire Black Shroud and it makes me so happy for the both of you. I can't wait to have him as my brother-in-law."
She does scoff at his second remark. "I'm not attractive, I'm just...me."
Felih's cheeks go dark, and his tail coils around one of his legs, almost shy as he laughs. Felih Tia, getting bashful? Haurchefant must really be something.
"...I can't wait to bond with him," he murmurs, admiring the ring on his finger. It's a beautiful thing, a gold ring with a ruby in the center, with a smaller diamond and onyx gem on each side. "I- I can't really believe it," he says softly, before he seems to snap out of it.
Her comment makes him give her a look. "Oh, come now, Uila. Don't tell me you're so oblivious- by most standards, you're beautiful. Have you truly not noticed the eyes you catch?"
Felih is startled by the sudden hug, but laughs and hugs her tightly in return. "I... would doubt that, but... well, I won't look a gift horse in the mouth. He- he truly... wants to be with me. For life- my lifemate, Uila!" he laughs, thrilled, a joy fluttering and leaping in his chest as he picks her up and spins her around before setting her down.
He's beaming, eyes shining like sunbeams. "I'd do anything for him- I hope things settle down quickly. I want to plan a wedding, not go fight dragons..."
Still, seeing his sister so flustered just makes him laugh. "My gods- you really didn't notice, all this time? From the moment we met, dear sister, I've seen folk admiring you! In recent memory, I do remember that busboy at the tavern tripping and bumping right into a pillar just because he was too stunned staring at you."
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valoirs
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"You- you're telling me that ever since you've become an Azure Dragoon, Nidhogg himself has been present in your mind? Q'uila! You can't- gods, why didn't you say something sooner? Had something happened to you, we all would've been clueless and helpless, unable to do anything to try and bring you back! And the fact that this creature is our current enemy- why would you keep it to yourself? You have a direct link to his mind, his thoughts- like Estinien!"
And then it hits him. "Estinien. He already succumbed once to Nidhogg's rage- but clearly, not altogether, if he is still here with us now fighting against the wyrm. But if he succumbed once, he may well do so again... we must be wary. And not just him- you as well."
*jazzhands* Q'uila's turn for surprise Angst this time
"I know I should have told you...I just, didn't want you all to be burdened by it, having to watch me and him all the time. Treating me like I could turn at any time." She rests her for head on her knees. "If I didn't say anything I could go on pretending that I was still normal."
Sadness and self-pity gives way to a sudden wave of anger that stirs the dragon's aether. "...I hate it...I hate the whole bloody lot of it! I did not know until after I bonded with this stupid, stupid Soulstone what drove the power and then it was too late!"
She throws the gem across the room with a snarl before deflating, tears prickling at her eyes as she looks at her brother," They didn't tell me. I didn't want this but they didn't tell me."
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"Uila. Look, we- we need to know. This is so- this is too important to keep hidden. We cannot pretend as if you are not in danger of falling into the same pitfalls as Estinien- and if we were to remain ignorant, and the worst happened, we would have no understanding, no way to know how to help. You're too important to risk losing to keep this hidden away," Felih says softly.
He rests his head on her shoulder and wraps an arm around her waist to give her a one-armed hug. "I know. I know... we never asked for any of this. Especially not you, especially not this. But- but we're here now. All we can do is push onwards- and we're here to help each other."
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"...Can you tell them after this ball?" It was selfish of her to ask that of Felih but she wasn't quite emotionally prepared for the almost inevitable explosion from Pinya, who was too blunt and matter of fact in these matters to spare her feelings like Felih did. Any confrontation between the two of them was best done somewhere outdoors. "I've been asked to accompany the Dragoons on manoeuvres in the morn after."
She swipes some of the tears aways fro her eyes at Felih's words, wrapping her arms around him and giving him a gentle squeeze. "It's just...it feels a bit like a punishment. I was getting stagnant with my skill, when the request for aid came to the Guild I thought more about what I would gain rather than how to best help."
"...I went to E-Sumi-Yan when I found out what was happening. He...he thinks that because of the way the power is transferred that even if we destroyed the source of it all, what I have already taken in will be permanently bonded to my aether. He does not think that there is a way to cleanse Nidhogg from myself nor Estinien."
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He listens to her speak, listening to her thoughts, and he shakes his head. "Not a punishment. Merely a twist of fate- and perhaps an unpleasant one, but one we must deal with nonetheless. Even if we destroy Nidhogg, perhaps the eyes' influence will stay with you- but there will never be the strength it has over you now, as he continues to live. The faster we kill that dragon, the better."
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She closes her eyes and continues purring, slowly calming down thanks to Felih. "Hopefully we'll find a lead on the great bastard soon, I don't think I could suffer kitsitting Emmanelline much longer."
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"It'll be over soon. And we'll hopefully be out of the Fortemps' hair by then. Things are settling back down in Ul'dah... thank goodness." Not that he minds being here, though. It lets him be with Haurchefant more often.
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"Twelve be good, Mum and Dad are starting to worry." With a sigh she disentangles herself from the hug and stands up, walking to where she had thrown the stone. By the time she'd picked it up and turned around her expression had been schooled into something more neutral.
"I suppose we should continue sizing my torture device."
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"Yes, yes, no need to be so dramatic, dear sister. It won't be so torturous."
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"And you only say that, dear brother, because aren't having to wear a corset. Don't deny that the damned things aren't deserving of a place in the Seventh Hell."
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"And come now, Uila, corsets aren't uncomfortable if they're sized and tied properly. I'll make sure it's comfortable," he reassures, gently rubbing her back. "So I should get back to measuring to ensure you're not too hindered by the thing."
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Despite this she holds still and lets Felih work, purring gently as he does so, just enjoying the peaceful atmosphere with Felih.
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It's calm now- back to normalcy, for as long as the Warriors of Light ever have it. "It's not often we have the opportunity to partake in luxurious balls. We may as well enjoy ourselves and look good doing it."
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She does chirp at him however, bowing out to his superior clothes knowledge. "It feels odd to not immediately be preparing to rush off to gods knows where, I do wonder just how much the dancing will differ to at home..."
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"There, finished- ah, and I imagine the dancing will be different. Ishgard is so stuffy and repressed, I imagine their dances may be stiff as well..." It really depends on the dance and the partner, but Felih huffs. "Well, I'm sure my mate won't leave me bored."
"But let's just enjoy our time while we have it, hm?" Felih says with a smile. "It's not often we get peace."
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"I certainly intend to value the free time whilst we have it. I've already negotiated sparring arrangements with the Lord Commander, and," She grins at Felih, "I asked Dad to knit some more jumpers in my last letter home. I intend to put them to good use by curling up in the library here the rest of the time."
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He did laugh a little, before shaking his head. "Of course your chosen method of flirtation involves sparring," he teases, setting aside the measuring tape and giving a lazy stretch. "Though, the libraries here are certainly interesting, I'll admit."
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Q'uila flushes and gently swipes at his bicep. "It's not flirting!We were merely talking about our training routines and he invited me to be his sparring partner whilst in Ishgard.
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He purrs and grins wider when she swats at his bicep. "Call it what you like- he chose you of all sparring partners, that clearly makes it flirtation," he purrs, ignoring the ache in his chest. He has no right- he's already got one mate, ought to let his sister have her fun chasing after her own.
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Q'uila's blush deepens. "He chose me to spar as a challenge of our skill. Both of us have to hold back too much when sparring with the other knights. Besides," She scowls, blush still staining her cheeks but there is a confused honesty to her next question. "Why in the heavens would he flirt with me?!"
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He can't remember ever feeling this strongly before....
Still, he smiles at her. "In case you haven't noticed, dear sister, you're an attractive woman and beloved hero in Ishgard- I don't see any reason he wouldn't."
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She does scoff at his second remark. "I'm not attractive, I'm just...me."
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"...I can't wait to bond with him," he murmurs, admiring the ring on his finger. It's a beautiful thing, a gold ring with a ruby in the center, with a smaller diamond and onyx gem on each side. "I- I can't really believe it," he says softly, before he seems to snap out of it.
Her comment makes him give her a look. "Oh, come now, Uila. Don't tell me you're so oblivious- by most standards, you're beautiful. Have you truly not noticed the eyes you catch?"
"Press 'X' to Doubt"
"No I'm not...What. Eyes? What eyes? I don't catch any eyes!" Felih help this oblivious cat.
;W;
He's beaming, eyes shining like sunbeams. "I'd do anything for him- I hope things settle down quickly. I want to plan a wedding, not go fight dragons..."
Still, seeing his sister so flustered just makes him laugh. "My gods- you really didn't notice, all this time? From the moment we met, dear sister, I've seen folk admiring you! In recent memory, I do remember that busboy at the tavern tripping and bumping right into a pillar just because he was too stunned staring at you."
She's so damn blind to her own appearance
q'uila lOOK IN A MIRROR
*looks in mirror* "I'd say I was a five at best"
omfg quila...
She's doing so well
rifp
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