open post (august 2019)

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open post

i'll find my way back home As usual, here's a brand-new open post for all of you to post characters, mingle, and tag each other! Seriously, post whatever you want. Empty toplevels? Open starters? Starters closed to specific people? It's all good — just enjoy! And as always, tag out and have fun!

TEMPLATE CODED BY valoirs

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[stabbersinyerfambles]

[ Cehd'ra wouldn't claim to be that talented but it is true he has a few unexpected skills. Carpentry being perhaps the most surprising considering he's never been one for the bow himself. Confronting his foes face to face (or face to back, rather) is how he prefers things. He can remember fighting alongside G'raha Tia not so long ago and how skilled he was with his chosen weapon. Meeting the Exarch and never once seeing him even look at a bow was just one more thing that left Cehd'ra doubting his senses.

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.

[pastinspired]

[For a long moment, the Exarch is completely silent, the words stolen from his mouth by what also seems to have stolen the breath from his chest. Fingers squeeze tightly around his heart, and as warmth rises to his cheeks, so too does the prickling of tears behind his eyes. Is he hearing what he thinks he's hearing? Surely this isn't... That can't be what Cehd'ra means by such a gift, and if it isn't, the prospect of simply adventuring at the man's side once more still has his chest feeling tight. As unlikely and improbable as it is that he can adventure across any distant part of Norvrandt, let alone back in the Source, he still finds himself yearning for it as he had spoken of before Cehd'ra's ascent to Mt. Gulg.

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...?

[stabbersinyerfambles]

[ The vast majority of men visiting his clan did not bother with the fancy words. They still brought a gift, sure, often it was food and they tended to be on their way again before the next sunset. But those who stayed longer, who brought clothing or tools or weapons, they'd present their gift to the women and say the words and were welcome to stay for much longer. Some of them would even be invited to return and those are the ones Cehd'ra remembers most.

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?

[pastinspired]

Oh, but how I wished that I didn't have to plan the way that I did. But for your sake, and for this world and yours, I felt it was the best way.

[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.

[stabbersinyerfambles]

At the time perhaps it was...though it's little surprise, I imagine, that I prefer the outcome we've found.

[ 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...?

[pastinspired]

[The gentle squeeze and the press closer leaves the Exarch tensing for just a moment, though he relaxes fairly quickly. It's less a flinch and more that he simply doesn't know what to do, with himself or with the situation. The gesture is nothing if not intimate, and it secures his initial wondering of exactly what Cehd'ra was offering him, leaving a tight, startled, exhilarated sensation in his chest and his throat. He can't exactly promise something that he can't guarantee, and he doesn't want to hurt Cehd'ra... But at the same time, he doesn't want to deceive the other man, either. After all that's happened, he deserves a happy ending.

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.

[stabbersinyerfambles]

[ Was that too much? The flutter of tension is impossible to miss this close, even though it only lasts a moment. In that moment though Cehd'ra's sure he's bungled it, that he came on too strong in his attempt at offering comfort, and his heart is hammering just as loudly in his ears until he feels that gentle pressure returned.

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.

[pastinspired]

[The abruptness of the laugh is most of what causes the Exarch to startle, but it's the hug that makes his voice squeak. His shoulders tense, if only slightly, but he's soon letting loose a sheepish laugh of his own. Really, to be even momentarily frightened by such a thing... Though, perhaps the truth of it is that he's gone so long without such close contact that he'd forgotten how nice it could feel.

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.

[stabbersinyerfambles]

[ The bow is now pressed against Cehd'ra's back along with the Exarch's arms. It's a sturdy thing, it won't be harmed, though Cehd'ra finds himself rocking forward as tightly as he's being held. He has no complaints. It's been a while since Cehd'ra let himself have this as well. He can understand the need, even though the Exarch's been left without for far longer. ]

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? ]