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Kami forefend... [Cold as he may seem, the thought of another person losing their will in such a manner was horrid to Takame. What he admired about others was their defiance, they were better than him because they could resist. They were not of the weak mind he was. So the ones who seemed to betray him earlier...]
Then... the others-- Ngh!! [Beat.
The sound of a single heart beat shook him to his core as if its volume was increased tenfold within an amphitheater. He brought one hand to his head, practically slapping it and clutching it in severe pain. Why was this happening again?? Why did it happen at all?? All his vision went white and the image of Rose in the Navel grew smaller and smaller as if he was being forcibly pushed away from it with the force of the very earth, careening off the edge of the stage...
A Miqo'te woman... Keeper... with deep red hair, long and curly. A dangerous adversary faced... and conquered. She returned to a warehouse in Vesper Bay to see it surrounded by people saying that there was a commotion, that there was screaming.
She descended the steps and opened the door. Inside only death greeted her, blood staining the walls and the stench of that blood along with that of corpses and recently fired bullets. Were there any survivors?
She continued to the solar. What greeted her was more of the same death, a slowly dying Sylph. She held her head in pain. The Sylph thanked her then died like the rest.
A sight of horror. A feeling of paralyzing fear... she would later be called the Warrior of Light.
A moment ago he was in a building, so why did he feel the gravel of the Navel beneath his feet again? He told himself to stand. Stand, Kesi. Stand...
But he fell. His vision blacked out completely and he fell against the flat earth with a hard thud.]
Then... the others-- Ngh!! [Beat.
The sound of a single heart beat shook him to his core as if its volume was increased tenfold within an amphitheater. He brought one hand to his head, practically slapping it and clutching it in severe pain. Why was this happening again?? Why did it happen at all?? All his vision went white and the image of Rose in the Navel grew smaller and smaller as if he was being forcibly pushed away from it with the force of the very earth, careening off the edge of the stage...
A Miqo'te woman... Keeper... with deep red hair, long and curly. A dangerous adversary faced... and conquered. She returned to a warehouse in Vesper Bay to see it surrounded by people saying that there was a commotion, that there was screaming.
She descended the steps and opened the door. Inside only death greeted her, blood staining the walls and the stench of that blood along with that of corpses and recently fired bullets. Were there any survivors?
She continued to the solar. What greeted her was more of the same death, a slowly dying Sylph. She held her head in pain. The Sylph thanked her then died like the rest.
A sight of horror. A feeling of paralyzing fear... she would later be called the Warrior of Light.
A moment ago he was in a building, so why did he feel the gravel of the Navel beneath his feet again? He told himself to stand. Stand, Kesi. Stand...
But he fell. His vision blacked out completely and he fell against the flat earth with a hard thud.]
[Her ire was raised when Rose leaned in, more so when she moved her drink. She wasn't done with that. The dark knight rose from her seat, leaning in to match Rose.]
An' I think ye need to keep yer nose out o' my business.
[This one wasn't like the rest of the bumbling sailors and drunks who tried to bother her. This one had....something. She couldn't quite tell but it was enough to warrant her attention, and her anger.]
Sod off, 'efor ye get 'urt.
[There's an edge to her voice as her eyes flash a brief blood red. She was never afraid to show what she was and she certainly wouldn't be afraid to do it now.]
An' I think ye need to keep yer nose out o' my business.
[This one wasn't like the rest of the bumbling sailors and drunks who tried to bother her. This one had....something. She couldn't quite tell but it was enough to warrant her attention, and her anger.]
Sod off, 'efor ye get 'urt.
[There's an edge to her voice as her eyes flash a brief blood red. She was never afraid to show what she was and she certainly wouldn't be afraid to do it now.]
[Rose sighs. She's tried to resolve this as peacefully as she could, but at this point, a fight seems inevitable. The red in Khloe's eyes catches her off-guard; she hesitates, but only momentarily.]
I will stick my nose wherever I please. You're bothering the other patrons here, which means you're bothering me. You need to go.
[She reaches for her staff instinctively. Hopefully it's enough.]
One of us will get hurt, and it won't be me.
I will stick my nose wherever I please. You're bothering the other patrons here, which means you're bothering me. You need to go.
[She reaches for her staff instinctively. Hopefully it's enough.]
One of us will get hurt, and it won't be me.
[Rose has been on the receiving end of many an echo vision, but rarely has she seen someone else being blessed with the 'gift.' As Takame clutches his head in pain, she makes the connection. He hadn't avoided Titan's attacks, he'd just been immune. The more she thinks about it, the more sense it makes.]
[Even if she's not sure what it is he sees, she can tell that it's something powerful. After the vision, he collapses, and she calls over for a nearby soldier to help get them to safety.]
[They arrive at the nearby camp rather quickly, and Takame gets set up in the infirmary. Rose isn't the type to watch over someone while they're sleeping, but she has a conversation to have, and it's important. When the Au Ra wakes up, he'll find Rose in a chair beside him, arms crossed.]
You know, it's nice to not be the one passing out, for once.
[Even if she's not sure what it is he sees, she can tell that it's something powerful. After the vision, he collapses, and she calls over for a nearby soldier to help get them to safety.]
[They arrive at the nearby camp rather quickly, and Takame gets set up in the infirmary. Rose isn't the type to watch over someone while they're sleeping, but she has a conversation to have, and it's important. When the Au Ra wakes up, he'll find Rose in a chair beside him, arms crossed.]
You know, it's nice to not be the one passing out, for once.
[Consciousness returned to Takame slowly, awareness even moreso as the last place he remembered being was what looked like an office... No, he was in Titan's lair... he didn't even know. His eyes fluttered open and he put his hand to his head again before he sat up in the sickbed he found himself in.
When he heard Rose's voice, he turned to it immediately. Seeing her before him now, different than she was in the vision, he felt uneasy. His fingers started to curl in on his side. She can't know what he saw, she'll think him mad.]
... What happened to me? [He knew damn well what happened, what caused him to pass out. It was times when he needed to lie that he was thankful for his stoicism.]
When he heard Rose's voice, he turned to it immediately. Seeing her before him now, different than she was in the vision, he felt uneasy. His fingers started to curl in on his side. She can't know what he saw, she'll think him mad.]
... What happened to me? [He knew damn well what happened, what caused him to pass out. It was times when he needed to lie that he was thankful for his stoicism.]
[Rose smiles when she sees Takame wake. It would be easy to assume it’s because she’s happy her companion is hale and whole, and that wouldn’t be entirely incorrect. The other part of it is some sort of karma; Rose is happy that the echo is finally someone else’s problem, and not just hers.]
You have the echo. Honestly, I should’ve known as soon as I saw you weren’t tempered by Titan; he might be a brute, but he rarely misses.
[She sighs. This conversation is going to be long, she can feel it.]
You saw something when you passed out, didn’t you?
You have the echo. Honestly, I should’ve known as soon as I saw you weren’t tempered by Titan; he might be a brute, but he rarely misses.
[She sighs. This conversation is going to be long, she can feel it.]
You saw something when you passed out, didn’t you?
Edited 2019-06-18 23:57 (UTC)
[His brows shot up, the most shock he's displayed since he rescued her.]
I have...? [He pauses, he was speechless really. She... knows what this is? This power he had? Was he not mad? And she knew he saw something... kami be good she's probably furious at him for lying now. He looked down at his hands for a while before looking back to Rose.
She addressed you, answer her. Answer the Warrior of Light.]
I... I did. I did see something. [Another pause.] ... You were there. Your hair was long. [He didn't say anything more of what he saw. He'd seen images of people's pasts before and whenever he would dare to mention them, it was always like opening old wounds for them.] This... it's called the Echo?
I have...? [He pauses, he was speechless really. She... knows what this is? This power he had? Was he not mad? And she knew he saw something... kami be good she's probably furious at him for lying now. He looked down at his hands for a while before looking back to Rose.
She addressed you, answer her. Answer the Warrior of Light.]
I... I did. I did see something. [Another pause.] ... You were there. Your hair was long. [He didn't say anything more of what he saw. He'd seen images of people's pasts before and whenever he would dare to mention them, it was always like opening old wounds for them.] This... it's called the Echo?
[Rose has been around Takame enough to know that he seldom gets surprised. Not that she can blame him, of course. The Echo is always nasty the first time. And the second. And every time after that.]
Yes, you do. Unless you can think of another reason you’re the only person from the attack that isn’t worshipping their new god.
[Or dead now. And dead now.]
[She sighs. If she had only listened to her mother, this could all have been avoided. “You’ll get tempered by a primal,” She always said. Nobody told Rose the alternative was worse.]
I’m not surprised you saw me. The Echo can give you a glimpse into people’s pasts, whether you ask it to or not. Judging by your reaction, I’m guessing this isn’t the first vision you’ve had.
Yes, you do. Unless you can think of another reason you’re the only person from the attack that isn’t worshipping their new god.
[Or dead now. And dead now.]
[She sighs. If she had only listened to her mother, this could all have been avoided. “You’ll get tempered by a primal,” She always said. Nobody told Rose the alternative was worse.]
I’m not surprised you saw me. The Echo can give you a glimpse into people’s pasts, whether you ask it to or not. Judging by your reaction, I’m guessing this isn’t the first vision you’ve had.
[He couldn't think of any other reason. He wasn't that lucky, it was the only explanation why and yet. He felt stuck with disbelief not that he had this power, he's known of it for years, but that he even knows what it's called now. That it's somewhat explainable.
He never called it into question before but now he had so many.]
... It isn't. [He closed his eyes.] ... I've been having these visions for the past several years. I traveled to this realm soon after they began. [After he was told think...] I did not imagine I would ever encounter another with this power.
He never called it into question before but now he had so many.]
... It isn't. [He closed his eyes.] ... I've been having these visions for the past several years. I traveled to this realm soon after they began. [After he was told think...] I did not imagine I would ever encounter another with this power.
[Rose smile softens uncharacteristically. As much as she’s usually guarded, she understands the burden of the echo. She remembers what it was like, to first wake up to this power. It was scary for her, and she didn’t have a past with the Empire.]
Somehow, that doesn’t surprise me. There aren’t many who hold this power, but we do exist, and we congregate.
[She pauses, thinking. Perhaps...]
If you’d like, I can put in a word for you with the Scions of the Seventh Dawn. They’re always looking for Echo users, and god knows they could use somebody with a good head on their shoulders.
Somehow, that doesn’t surprise me. There aren’t many who hold this power, but we do exist, and we congregate.
[She pauses, thinking. Perhaps...]
If you’d like, I can put in a word for you with the Scions of the Seventh Dawn. They’re always looking for Echo users, and god knows they could use somebody with a good head on their shoulders.
Me...? [Once again, he's found himself speechless. There are others... and there is a group searching for people like him. Could he have a place among these Scions?
Someone like him who was only good at killing?]
If... if they would have me. ... If you believe that to be best. I would be in your debt. [It had to be the best option if it was coming from the Warrior of Light, right? He wasn't sure.
But he's had no one else who knew of this power. He had to ask... he had to. Zhian always told him the only way he would learn was to ask questions. He hesitated.] What is this power exactly? What is the Echo?
Someone like him who was only good at killing?]
If... if they would have me. ... If you believe that to be best. I would be in your debt. [It had to be the best option if it was coming from the Warrior of Light, right? He wasn't sure.
But he's had no one else who knew of this power. He had to ask... he had to. Zhian always told him the only way he would learn was to ask questions. He hesitated.] What is this power exactly? What is the Echo?
[Rose sighs and shakes her head. What is it with people entrusting their life to her? Had they met her?]
Far be it for me to tell you how to live your life. But if you want to join, they’ll certainly have you. The Scions aren’t a judging lot. Difficult at times, perhaps, but not judging.
[And now that Lyse is gone, they are much more palpable. They might be allies, but Rose could never tolerate the Hyur.]
As for the Echo, I can’t tell you anything about it, except that I also possess it. Some claim it’s a gift from Hydaelyn herself; I think it more of a curse.
Far be it for me to tell you how to live your life. But if you want to join, they’ll certainly have you. The Scions aren’t a judging lot. Difficult at times, perhaps, but not judging.
[And now that Lyse is gone, they are much more palpable. They might be allies, but Rose could never tolerate the Hyur.]
As for the Echo, I can’t tell you anything about it, except that I also possess it. Some claim it’s a gift from Hydaelyn herself; I think it more of a curse.
Perhaps... I should. [He's only ever lived his life in accordance with what others tell him to do. He was little more than a vagabond in this realm now, an aimless ronin. He could learn more among them.
Maybe. But maybe not if Rose still did not know much of this power either. And their limited might stood as nothing to the threat looming over them.
Though many would get angry at him for voicing such a thought. Given what he heard her say of her position as Warrior of Light, it came as no surprise to Takame that she saw the Echo as a curse.]
A gift from Hydaelyn... [He went quiet for a bit.] Shortly before my first vision... [He hesitated again, still feeling like Rose would believe he'd lost his mind.] I... heard a voice call to me in a dream. [He looked to Rose, trying to gauge her reaction, trying to figure out if he should take back what he said. His tail flicked once and he pushed a loose strand of hair away from his face.] That voice... was it Hydaelyn?
Maybe. But maybe not if Rose still did not know much of this power either. And their limited might stood as nothing to the threat looming over them.
Though many would get angry at him for voicing such a thought. Given what he heard her say of her position as Warrior of Light, it came as no surprise to Takame that she saw the Echo as a curse.]
A gift from Hydaelyn... [He went quiet for a bit.] Shortly before my first vision... [He hesitated again, still feeling like Rose would believe he'd lost his mind.] I... heard a voice call to me in a dream. [He looked to Rose, trying to gauge her reaction, trying to figure out if he should take back what he said. His tail flicked once and he pushed a loose strand of hair away from his face.] That voice... was it Hydaelyn?
[Rose shrugs. It’s ultimately Takame’s decision, but she can’t deny that she’d prefer for him to join the Scions. The more manpower they have, the better. The more manpower they have, the less likely a repeat of the Waking Sands is.]
Did the voice say something akin to “Hear...Feel...Think?” If so, that’s likely Hydaelyn.
I understand that she’s the Mothercrystal, but just once, it would be nice if she did her own work. Instead of thrusting the responsibility on us.
Did the voice say something akin to “Hear...Feel...Think?” If so, that’s likely Hydaelyn.
I understand that she’s the Mothercrystal, but just once, it would be nice if she did her own work. Instead of thrusting the responsibility on us.
... Yes. [He remembers the words as clear as though it were yesterday. Clear as the crystal itself. It was almost eerie hearing them repeated now.
Rose's word against the Mothercrystal wasn't unexpected, but Takame was still surprised to hear it claimed so boldly. By the Warrior of Light no less.]
Perhaps you are right. [A pause.] ... I am not one to call into question the will of the higher powers. [Or anything else. But the fact that Rose did so openly made him respect her that much more. Because of that, her suggestion and the chance to work alongside her again...]
I... would like to lend my assistance to the Scions.
Rose's word against the Mothercrystal wasn't unexpected, but Takame was still surprised to hear it claimed so boldly. By the Warrior of Light no less.]
Perhaps you are right. [A pause.] ... I am not one to call into question the will of the higher powers. [Or anything else. But the fact that Rose did so openly made him respect her that much more. Because of that, her suggestion and the chance to work alongside her again...]
I... would like to lend my assistance to the Scions.
[Rose had a litany of people waiting to see her after she returned from the First. There was a long line of people she wanted to see, too, just to confirm they were okay. That they were alive.]
[Despite all of this, she's drinking alone. Rose has marked off a corner of the Forgotten Knight to herself, down on the first floor, away from the crowd. She's got a good relationship with the bartender; he's good at getting people to sit elsewhere. Not that most would recognize her here anyway. She might look distinctive, but nobody is going to expect the savior of two worlds to be sitting alone at a bar, drowning her sorrows with alcohol.]
[Despite all of this, she's drinking alone. Rose has marked off a corner of the Forgotten Knight to herself, down on the first floor, away from the crowd. She's got a good relationship with the bartender; he's good at getting people to sit elsewhere. Not that most would recognize her here anyway. She might look distinctive, but nobody is going to expect the savior of two worlds to be sitting alone at a bar, drowning her sorrows with alcohol.]
[As with most times, what brought Takame to Ishgard was a job. Though one he'd since finished thus did he venture into the inn and bar to turn in for the night.
For reasons he could not discern, he felt the need to turn to the bottle on this night. The lower floor had the cheaper drink in both quality and price but he did not wish to be seen by many in the Holy See. Despite the war ending there are still those who would treat an Au Ra disrespectfully solely due to their scales.
It was here he spotted Rose, however. Hunched over all by her lonesome, looking rather weary. He hadn't seen her in a long while, since the Scions found this... "beacon". His legs all but moved on their own to approach and sit next to her.]
... Rose?
For reasons he could not discern, he felt the need to turn to the bottle on this night. The lower floor had the cheaper drink in both quality and price but he did not wish to be seen by many in the Holy See. Despite the war ending there are still those who would treat an Au Ra disrespectfully solely due to their scales.
It was here he spotted Rose, however. Hunched over all by her lonesome, looking rather weary. He hadn't seen her in a long while, since the Scions found this... "beacon". His legs all but moved on their own to approach and sit next to her.]
... Rose?
[The proprietor sees Takame approaching Rose, but doesn't make a move to stop him. It's clear he's not an onlooker, and it's also clear that the Miqo'te is worse for wear.]
[Rose is out of it enough that she doesn't see Takame approaching, nor does she register his presence right away. To her, it's as if he appeared out of nowhere, as if he was summoned to her side.]
[...She's really out of it. It's good that she's in Ishgard; anywhere else, and this could lead to trouble.]
--akame? Where'd you come from?
[And she's sloshing her words. Great.]
[Rose is out of it enough that she doesn't see Takame approaching, nor does she register his presence right away. To her, it's as if he appeared out of nowhere, as if he was summoned to her side.]
[...She's really out of it. It's good that she's in Ishgard; anywhere else, and this could lead to trouble.]
--akame? Where'd you come from?
[And she's sloshing her words. Great.]
[Oh dear those slurring words spoke volumes. Takame didn't know her history with Ishgard, but thank the kami at least he was here to be sure no one took advantage of her.
Granted, the lady is feisty enough to show any git what for but he could not help but worry about her this entire time. The answer to her question was. Pretty obvious to him.]
... Outside. [Said looking at the exit, then back to her. Smooth. He moved in a bit closer to her. And smelled the alcohol on her breath.] Are you alright?
Granted, the lady is feisty enough to show any git what for but he could not help but worry about her this entire time. The answer to her question was. Pretty obvious to him.]
... Outside. [Said looking at the exit, then back to her. Smooth. He moved in a bit closer to her. And smelled the alcohol on her breath.] Are you alright?
[If anything, Ishgard is the only place Rose would feel comfortable enough to let loose this much, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it in front of Edmont or anyone she actually knew.]
[Her and the bartender have an agreement. On the nights when she gets bad, nobody knows]
[When Takame gets closer, Rose collapses onto his side. She’s having trouble sitting up, and the extra support helps.]
Yeah, ‘m fine. Almost turned into a monster and had my soul merge with a dead guy, but I’m fine. ‘Ts not like anyone asked me how I felt about the whole Lightwarden thing anyway.
[Her and the bartender have an agreement. On the nights when she gets bad, nobody knows]
[When Takame gets closer, Rose collapses onto his side. She’s having trouble sitting up, and the extra support helps.]
Yeah, ‘m fine. Almost turned into a monster and had my soul merge with a dead guy, but I’m fine. ‘Ts not like anyone asked me how I felt about the whole Lightwarden thing anyway.
[He allowed Rose to fall onto his side, even re positioning himself so she might make herself more comfortable. She was completely wasted, wasn't she.
He was about to ask her how much she'd had tonight--
And then... WELL ROSE YOU SAID A WHOLE LOT OF WORDS THERE.]
Er... what?
He was about to ask her how much she'd had tonight--
And then... WELL ROSE YOU SAID A WHOLE LOT OF WORDS THERE.]
Er... what?
[Absolutely wasted. And the fact that Takame is able to follow nothing of what she’s saying isn’t going above her head, it isn’t even registering. She might as well be talking to a wall.]
[At least this wall is comfortable.]
I mean, they did keep askin’, but it’s not like I could say no, y’know. I wasn’t getting home until all that light was gone, and they kept makin’ it pretty clear that if the light didn’t go away the Empire was gonna release it’s stupid gas and I was gonna die and everything was gonna fall apart.
[What’s coherence?].
Maybe I shoulda become the Fairy King, after all.
[At least this wall is comfortable.]
I mean, they did keep askin’, but it’s not like I could say no, y’know. I wasn’t getting home until all that light was gone, and they kept makin’ it pretty clear that if the light didn’t go away the Empire was gonna release it’s stupid gas and I was gonna die and everything was gonna fall apart.
[What’s coherence?].
Maybe I shoulda become the Fairy King, after all.
Edited 2019-07-11 20:13 (UTC)
The Fa--? [Sweet merciful Kami and Twelve both, this woman was gone. If Takame wasn't intimately acquainted with the smell of alcohol he'd assume she'd taken some sort of hallucinogen. And if the few that remained with the Scions hadn't informed him of Black Rose.
Regardless of what she took, prodded her gently with his shoulder.]
Might you consider... retiring to your room for the night? [GO TO BED, ROSE. Please.]
Regardless of what she took, prodded her gently with his shoulder.]
Might you consider... retiring to your room for the night? [GO TO BED, ROSE. Please.]
[The Fairy King is real thank you very much. And probably watching her at this moment. As she is losing all the composure she has left.]
What, so I can go talk to a ghost that tried to kill me? I like it here better. People don’t bother me. ‘Sides you, but you’re okay.
[That is the most genuine compliment you’re ever going to get out of her. Take it.]
But if I go back now Edmont’s gonna be really worried. I don’t wanna talk to him about this kinda stuff, he already lost his son and that was bad enough. Just need to sober up.
[She says, as she begins another drink.]
What, so I can go talk to a ghost that tried to kill me? I like it here better. People don’t bother me. ‘Sides you, but you’re okay.
[That is the most genuine compliment you’re ever going to get out of her. Take it.]
But if I go back now Edmont’s gonna be really worried. I don’t wanna talk to him about this kinda stuff, he already lost his son and that was bad enough. Just need to sober up.
[She says, as she begins another drink.]
[Sure they are, Rose. Sure. Takame will say they are. If he had something on his mind besides getting Rose to a bed he would thank her for the assumed compliment.
But really he's just getting more concerned by the minute. Talking to a bloody ghost?]
Y-you need not see Lord Edmont now. I shall request an inn room be prepared. [He had, in fact. For himself. But he'd gladly give it to her. If he were a more bold Au Ra he would have taken the drink out of Rose's hand.] Ah, I... don't... believe you'll get any less intoxicated if you have more.
But really he's just getting more concerned by the minute. Talking to a bloody ghost?]
Y-you need not see Lord Edmont now. I shall request an inn room be prepared. [He had, in fact. For himself. But he'd gladly give it to her. If he were a more bold Au Ra he would have taken the drink out of Rose's hand.] Ah, I... don't... believe you'll get any less intoxicated if you have more.
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