i'll find my way back home
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valoirs
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The Exarch may think there are more important things to discuss but to Cehd'ra? ]
Only a bit, though, that is welcome news. I...must confess how worried I was, how I'd wished there was some other way to leave the Tempest that did not require making you swim after all that. [ A beat, Cehd'ra's ears sticking up in alarm. ] Not to say that you were incapable! Only that, well, merely seeing you walking after what had happened on Mt Gulg was a relief I'll not forget.
[ There's a sound of wrinkling paper as the package is all but wrung in Cehd'ra's hands. He stops himself, taking it out from underneath his arm and holding it in open hands. ]
As for home, there was only good news awaiting me. The Garleans continue to be pushed back and Tataru told me she's found someone to look into the Black Rose while I was gone. She would not tell me who only that she was terribly pleased with herself.
[ Cehd'ra smiles wryly and looks down at the gift. Finally he holds it out, presenting it to G'raha and bowing his head. ]
It was peaceful enough I had the time to make something. For you.
[ Inside the somewhat wrinkled paper is a composite short bow, different kinds of wood layered and pressed together, oiled with an alchemical agent to enhance its pull without sacrificing power, and a soft leather grip. Cehd'ra did all he could to make it as fine as it would be functional. ]
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Mayhap it was the rush from what happened still pushing me to act. It has been a long time since I've seen a battle so strenuous, and I am not the young man that I used to be. Nonetheless, your concern is touching, my friend, but I can assure you now that I am much improved.
[The crinkling sound of paper in movement causes his ears to perk up and forward from their relaxed position, and for a brief moment as it's offered to him, he can pick up the faint scents of sawdust and leather and lacquer. That Cehd'ra is a man of many talents is no surprise to him after all that he's studied up on the Warrior of Light over the last few decades, but the expression of it on his face is entirely genuine for one simple fact: it is a gift for him, made by Cehd'ra's own hands.]
You... made something? For me?
[His tone is quiet and disbelieving, but he takes the package nonetheless. What he finds inside only confirms his vague suspicions from the size, shape, and scent of it, and for a long moment he simply runs his fingers along it, ears slowly beginning to droop, his tongue completely failing him. The craftsmanship is excellent, and... gods, but how long has it been since he last held a bow? The feel of the grip in his hand alone makes memories come flooding back with astounding clarity, and he lets out a shaky breath as his hand tightens around it.]
Cehd'ra, I... I don't know what to say. This is wonderfully made...
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Once he knew the truth it made for an obvious choice when it came to what sort of gift he should give. ]
Say that...ah. [ His hands threaten to wring together and he pushes them down as he draws in a deep breath. When next he speaks it's soft and slow and careful, reciting from a very old memory. ] That it will serve you well. That it will provide for you and see you live for many days to come. And that...you would let me share some of those days. With you.
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There's wetness on his cheek before he even realizes it, and he shakes his head, lifting a hand from the bow to wipe it away.]
M-my apologies, I... don't know what's come over me.
[It's over a century's worth of repressed emotions, you daft old fool, he tells himself.]
Oh, how happy that would make me, Cehd'ra... But truly, you aren't angry with me? You've every right to be, and I wouldn't blame you if you were. I've deceived you, kept secrets from you, and you would still...?
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Of course, the recipient of the gift was never moved to the point of tears. The last time he saw G'raha in such a state he'd been gripped by an urge to try and comfort him. He'd resisted then, he's not sure why, but he's sure not to make that mistake again. ]
Pray, G'raha, don't cry... [ One more step brings him close enough but the Exarch's already seeing to his tears. He puts his hands on the man's arms instead, close and nervous and so deeply hopeful. He listens, ears twisting in confusion at the question until he understands and smiles, warm and reassuring. ] ...I would.
You did those things, aye, and part of me wishes you hadn't...full glad am I that the truth came out in the end. Yet in your heart I know you did all of it to try and protect me. How can I hold that against you?
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[Cehd'ra had already suffered so much and lost so many - those losses had been easy enough to come by in the accounts he'd found before coming to the First. If playing the part of a mysterious stranger suddenly turning into the enemy had even halved the loss Cehd'ra would have felt upon his retreat with the Light to the rift, it would have been a success. Cehd'ra doesn't deserve to feel the pain of loss again.
And yet, in doing so, he would have deprived Cehd'ra of this opportunity. He grips the bow tightly, head dipping low as his ears pin themselves back against his head.]
It is a truly lovely gift that you've given me, both this bow and your forgiveness. I will treasure them both.
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[ He's lost much, it's true, and losing G'raha again would have cut deep. But Cehd'ra also knows that such grief can and does fade with time. Having a friend, someone he trusted, suddenly betray him on the other hand...those wounds can fester so terribly easily. Something else Cehd'ra knows from experience. Not every chapter of his story survived to be retold. All the more reason to be grateful that the Exarch's original plan fell through even with the harrowing experience that followed.
But there's no reason to further berate the point. Maybe some day down the line Cehd'ra will explain his feelings fully, but not today. Not while everything is still so fresh.
Cehd'ra's hands squeeze the Exarch's arms as the other wilts before him, eyes searching him for something, anything that will ease the man's guilt. He draws in a soft breath and some more courage to go along with it before he tilts his head to press his brow against the other miqo'te's. He closes his eyes and asks him quietly: ]
Does that mean, then, that your answer is yes...?
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He tips his head up just a little to more firmly match the press of foreheads, and beneath his robes, his tail flicks nervously.]
Now that my plan has failed and I am here to stay for the foreseeable future, I am not entirely certain of what to do with myself. However, you must eventually return to the Source, for you are still needed by the people there. Were I to return as well, if I am at all capable of doing so, it would be to my own time and not yours, as the Tower and the G'raha Tia within still slumber. Our destinies are like to part once more, now that you have saved this shard.
[He hesitates for just a moment after those words, letting out a soft breath instead as he gathers a bit more courage.]
But... if you would have a tired old man at your side on your continued adventures in Norvrandt, then you may have him.
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The Exarch speaks and Cehd'ra hangs on every word. Even as more and more they sound like 'no'...
He's right, of course. The Warrior of Darkness cannot stay...he's heard it so often, in Ishgard, Ala Mhigo, and Doma. The world needs him elsewhere, it always does, and even should the people he cares for join him they can never remain. It's too dangerous even if there were no other barriers. Of course the Exarch would say--
'But...'
Cehd'ra's ears nearly fly off his head they perk up so quickly. He smiles and then laughs, a startled sound full of relief and joy, and before he can help it he's pulled the man into a proper hug. ]
No one can really have forever. [ The Keeper men from his memory would ask only for a few days for a reason. Cehd'ra also draws back, face growing red now himself. ] And so any piece of it that we can have is something I'll treasure for the rest of my days.
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His hands lift, wrapping around Cehd'ra's back in return, cautious at first but quickly turning into a furious cling. It's been literal ages.]
Then I, too, will treasure it, for as long as you and fate wish it to last.
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Thank you, G'raha...
[ So he will let himself enjoy the moment for as long as the Exarch wishes to enjoy it too, a simple embrace.
It's true that they do not have forever but that's no cause to hurry. The Exarch still needs to complete his recovery for one thing. Although... ]
Wouldn't want to get you into trouble with Chessamile but, perhaps...if you know an alternate route out of the Tower we could sneak off for some target practice.
[ Hunting counts as a fine first date for miqo'te, doesn't it? ]