"He does tend to act a bit different around me," told her once the Crystal Exarch, yet it took Y'shtola a while to fully understand the exact meaning hidden behind that statement when it came to Senri. Even though, with a typical for her interest – after they came back to the Source – she took to observe the newest couple with quite an interest.

As unprecedented as it was for two males of their race to be mated, she as well had to admit that she was at some level still worried for the Warrior of Light, as, despite his assurances, G'raha Tia just seemed like a strange match for him. Between the rumors, she vaguely remembered from Old Sharlayan of the boy's eccentric behavior – not to mention the worse ones – and the seriousness of the Exarch… The man seemed like too much of a contrast for the boy she came to see as a younger brother over the years.

Not that Senri himself wasn't a strange one...

When he first showed up at the Waking Sands – barely eighteen – she had her misgivings about him joining their cause. Brought in by Thancred when the Huyr realized that the boy had Echo, she thought that blinded by that fact none of her friends considered the fact letting a young Tia join their ranks was risky at best.

Boys raised in tribes in general weren't very trustworthy – raised but with one expectation in mind, to breed and beyond eager to please. She thought that he might cause a problem for their organization's reputation… but held her tongue as Minfilia and others seemed too excited about the newest member to consider such implications. And not that she blamed them, as the people with Echo weren't a common thing and Minfilia designed Scions with them specifically in mind.

So, for her friends, she decided to give the young Seeker a benefit of the doubt… and quite frankly, very soon she realized how wrong she was about him.

Senri was an excitable sort at the time, throwing himself into their tasks with rare enthusiasm. Around the compound, he was the soul of the group, his easy grins, and even easier-to-get-along attitude quickly earning him friends among their members. Frankly, it was impossible not to like him. Even his constant snarking, once she realized that it was a shield the boy used to cover his insecurities… was flooring and endearing at the same time.

As any boy raised in one of the tribes, Senri wasn't educated, but his intelligence was undeniable. Yet, young as he was and so overwhelmingly full of energy – it was a vain attempt to try to sit him down for a lecture on anything he didn't find interesting. If one tried – as she did at the beginning occasionally – was bound to end up with a very glassy-eyed Seeker who out of politeness only would try to stifle his yawns… though, poorly. Urianger back then was the worst case for Senri… as whenever faced with Elzen's flourish tongue, you could pretty much see the young Senri's lack of understanding. And his snarking would reach a completely different level if left in the prolonged presence of Elzen – driving them all insane.

Thancred and the boy, oh, so quickly grew to be thick as thieves, sharing a sense of humor and the fact that Senri's snarking was a sure way to make the Hyur snicker. And she thought that she realized sooner than the both of them that young Seeker had such an obvious crush on the ashen-haired Scion.

It also finally got her to relax about the role of the newest Scion in their organization, putting a reason behind his presence outside of a tribe and making sense of his behavior. Though her own tribe, Jaguar's, over the years integrated into the Old Sharlayan's society and adapted to the customs shared by a mix of races, she was well versed in the kind of primitive behavior of the others. And in that regard, Senri's physique and looks put him as an example of a male that would be a highly pursued target for breeding in most of the tribes. But noting the occasional longing looks he would throw toward their shared friend… and the seemingly complete lack of interest in females that would more or less openly pursue the handsome Scion – the cause became quite obvious.

And more than heartbreaking.

Thancred, utterly unaware of Senri's interest, never hid his flings back then – and more than once she was tempted to smack him over the head for his indelicacy.

Then, a bit over a year into Seeker's membership in Scions, his Blessing became apparent and the newest Scion quickly became known as the Warrior of Light around Eorzea. And everything went downhill from there.

Y'shtola was one of the few that quickly came to realize the toll of the new role on the Seeker. Though his determination and boundless energy were still there and his easy-going attitude was very apparent… the Warrior's grins took on a slight fake tilt and very soon his isolation became as apparent. Now, there were tasks only he could perform – mainly facing the Primals – and as his fame grew, so did the reverence others couldn't help but display around the black-haired Seeker. And as they did – his loneliness veiled behind the harder lines on his beautiful face made her heart ache.

Then the massacre of the Waking Sands happened… and something vital in the boy's attitude changed. There was a new, sharper edge to his behavior after that and some hard-to-define spark in his ice-blue eyes was simply gone. At some level, she mourned that change – but realized that it was unavoidable.

Years passed and as busy as they all were and though Senri's dedication to his title was admirable in itself – as it made Minfilia trust his judgment as from a fledgling Scion he grew to be the Warrior one found hard to find a fault with, they all grew to depend on him too much.

The Banquet came – and though she assumed that his seeming… slump around the time was due to the fact of finally understanding that Thancred could never return his feelings – once she was pulled back out of Lifestream she was met with nearly a stranger in the boy's skin. Now, though it was easy to miss behind his still seemingly easy-going attitude, there was a certain… coldness to his eyes that gave them an even more pronounced likeness to the ice. Though none could question his bravery and dedication… his unyielding determination and sound judgment… gone was the boy she found so endearing and his place took a man who fit the title thrown on his shoulders by fate.

And as they needed him – more than ever as the conflict with the Garlean Empire heated up – she didn't allow herself to mourn the change, moving forward with nary a thought to the boy left behind under the weight of loss and heartbreak a few could claim to face.

Senri was always a rock they could depend on, and as many with his strength and fame would grow arrogant and self-centered, she was glad to see that the man developed a rare instinct and his inborn intellect became even more prevalent. More than aware of his limitations and lack of education – he never hesitated to reach for the counsel of those who surrounded him. If the situation called for a more diplomatic behavior that wasn't his strong suit, he would easily turn to Alphinaud and if a more scholarly approach was demanded, she would find herself caught in the icy stare and with an easy grin asked for advice.

Like their true Champion, he came to be – Senri depended on them, and by that he earned their trust and dedication. Each Scion strived to be the best they could to support their friend – and considering the challenges they faced, that relationship between them grew to be a rare bond – and made them think of each other as a family, with the Warrior at the center of their group.

Then she was pulled across the rift and faced with the mystery of the Crystal Exarch. And as his secrecy worked to swiftly drive her away from his city to look for her own way to secure their friend and his survival in the depths of Rak-tika Greatwood and her study of the Ronkan Empire – as soon as Senri showed up, she grew worried.

Not only his soul after already absorbing the Light from the two Lightwardens seemed to nearly burst with it, but soon after she was faced with the distinctive scent of the Exarch covering her friend in a way that left little to the imagination. And growing beyond furious that the man would dare to use her friend like that – use his youth and naivety in such matters – she faced the Exarch with the idea of putting the man in his place and demanding that whatever his schemes for their Champion – he never dares touch her friend again… and as swiftly got her mind blown by the revelation of the bond between the two.

Followed by his true identity and Senri's story of their meeting… not to mention the very real care the Exarch… G'raha displayed for the Warrior after the attack on Lakeland and during Senri's recovery… she would have to be beyond blind not to see the devotion between them. She didn't understand how it could be possible for them to be mated – but the obvious love in black-haired Seeker's eyes when they turned toward his mate was something she could only support.

If someone deserved the happiness her friend displayed around the other male – it was certainly the Warrior. And when later G'raha approached them all with the open support of Alisaie and his idea of the proposal… she, along with the others more than enjoyed playing their part in the event – and the look on Senri's face upon understanding the surprise… well, was more than worth putting her doubts about the whole thing on the back of her mind.

Then, once they came back to the Source, they resurfaced… and faced with some free time and the occasion to do so, she found herself whenever possible studying the seemingly such… unmatched couple with quite an interest. And as that seemingly innocent remark of the Exarch came back to her occasionally, she came to realize it meant so much more than the easy tone of it suggested.

Senri did act very differently around the redheaded Seeker… and some of it had her worried. Not knowing G'raha that well, the obvious devotion of the Warrior to his lover was almost… unsettling. While with all of them Senri was more than open to suggestions and ideas, his mate's words were a law for him – and he seemed utterly content to act quite… silly around the man.

The first clue was the situation itself that brought those words out of the Exarch's mouth. As she told him, over the years having more than a few occasions to take care of the Warrior after an especially rough battle, Senri was absolutely unbearable as a patient. While she had to fight him tooth and nail for each minute to keep him confined to the necessary rest after healing, it seemed that for G'raha it was a matter of merely a word to have the Warrior behave.

Another thing was Senri's behavior once back on the Source. As much as they all found humor in teasing them about the first… noise and the hilarity of G'raha's fiery blushes… The determination with which the Warrior fawned over his lover was a source of worry for her. Again, she didn't really know the man – and she wasn't sure he deserved such… pure devotion. They were mated – and as unprecedented as it was – she saw and heard of plenty of mated relationships that grew to be quite toxic. And G'raha just seemed so… unfitting for a man like Senri…

Yet, as time went by and Y'shtola had a few occasions to watch them interact outside of the first… mating frenzy, they seemed to fall after the arrival on the Source, she came to realize the distinctive… wrong assumption she was looking at the whole thing with.

It wasn't that G'raha was unfitting… but the Senri she got used to over the years wasn't real. As the days of his mate's presence went by, the mask of the Warrior was slowly coming apart, and with some… nostalgia she came to see the boy she missed shyly peek through again – as if lured out from under the grief by the apparent mix of G'raha's humor and Exarch's gentleness.

And more…

There was a backyard in the Rising Stones they used mostly as a practice ground. The setting of it in relative to the building made for a fact that when the sunny weather granted the sky above Mor Dhona, the sunlight generously bathed the area until late afternoon – making for quite a pleasant spot to indulge in the sunbath their race tended to enjoy. Apply named Seekers of the Sun – their distinctive nature so in opposition to their nocturnal cousins – called them to enjoy the heat of the fiery star in abundance.

Though Y'shtola rarely let herself indulge in such, if caught she would have to admit she had her favorite spot in the area – in the slight shade cast by the enormous tree at the edge of the backyard. The somewhat thicker grass under it made for an excellent spot for a lecture mixed with the discreet indulgence of her half-feline nature. Though most of their friends knew her enough to stop themselves from pointing out that part, thankfully.

One such day, while the sun stood high above the backyard, bathing it in heat, she had an occasion to witness something beyond… interesting.

She was irritated somewhat at first when a bell after she settled in her usual spot, G'raha was seemingly in a similar way lured out from the compound by the heat of the afternoon sun. Though when asked politely she readily enough agreed to share her spot, predictably by then, it didn't take long for the energetic Warrior to come sniffing after his man. Expecting to have her pleasant read disturbed by the couple, she was nearly ready to go back to her bedroom – when the most unusual thing happened. For her, anyway.

When Senri with a sheepish smile asked her if she didn't mind if G'raha reads his book out loud for him – had her white eyebrows raised ever-so-slightly but quite intrigued, she agreed easily. Not to mention they made for quite a pleasant picture when the Warrior settled down with his head in his lover's lap and seemed to contain his usual boundless energy. And despite the first apparent embarrassment and an adorable blush, soon G'raha complied with his lover's request and while running his fingers through Senri's black hair, read for him quietly, both seemingly very quickly forgetting of her presence.

If asked, she wouldn't be able to recall the content of the book itself – other than thinking at the time that it was unbearably… boring. Yet, to her surprise and despite her expectations the Warrior seemed utterly… mesmerized by something that normally would have his eyes grow dull and have him fight to hide his yawns. At first almost sure he fell asleep – his closed eyes for one, leading her to that conclusion – she found that her jaw almost… dropped when instead she heard his deep voice in a whisper asking questions about the topic of the book and the gentle twitches of his expressive ears showed quite an interest.

When but for a moment left alone as G'raha headed inside the compound for something to drink for the three of them, she expressed her surprise with her friend's behavior to be treated with a sheepish chuckle and the flash of the ice-blue irises from between the jet-black lashes and a quiet 'it's his voice.' Led by that once the redheaded Seeker resumed his lecture, she focused on the sound of his voice instead of paying attention to the words themselves… and quickly understood what Senri meant by that.

Between his low cadence and the somewhat… soothing quality of his tone, listening to G'raha was almost like a meditation. And clearly, his voice alone had an incredibly calming effect on his lover – somehow translating into the usually energetic Seeker that could hardly stay still for an extended period of time to pump all that energy into his intellect instead, devouring provided information.

Plainly, G'raha managed to achieve something none of them could do over the years of knowing the Warrior: with his voice alone he kept Senri's mind engaged no less than his seemingly endless devotion. Maybe… in a part because of that.

And that was another thing that led her to realize that the redhead was simply… perfect for the role of the Warrior's mate.

Though already as the Exarch he proved beyond a doubt his intelligence and sheer mind-blowing scope of skill and talent – the more careful observation of their interactions proved that despite her original misgivings for the nearly… obsession the Warrior seemed to display for his lover – they were more than unwarranted. G'raha seemed to realize the power he held over the heart and mind of the Warrior of Light – but didn't abuse it, instead as Senri somewhat predicted… the redhead shaped out to be the strength instead of liability anyone else would probably be in the role of the lover to a man like the Warrior of Light.

Brilliant and capable, yet humble and beyond enthusiastic about being a part of their organization and lives – G'raha was a great addition to the Scions. And his influence over the Warrior at the center of their group – was working for their befits, instead as she used to worry, detriment.

Not to mention… she wasn't the only one that found Senri's behavior around his lover simply hilarious. To see the brave Warrior occasionally act almost like a spoiled kit to be somewhat delicately put in place with nary a slight narrowing of the crimson irises… was a source of unending amusement between them. When faced with this surprising facet of the Warrior's personality, Exarch's gentleness and calm seemed to peek through the most in the redhead's behavior, working to soothe his mate into a place when he seemed utterly content to please his lover with a perfect behavior – depending on circumstances, that is. Other times, though rarer to witness – there was a certain… playfulness to G'raha that she tended to attribute to his younger self after the fusing of his two souls. And as infectious as his enthusiasm seemed to be – that part was most likely to peek through when Senri grew somewhat… distant, be it by the circumstances or something people around them demanded of the Warrior's attention. And again, that seemed to be enough to soothe Senri's mood and bring back his cheer to the forefront.

G'raha was simply good for Senri's mental state – supporting the Warrior in a way none other would be ever capable.

And that was before she knew of their unusual circumstances with the people who lived before their world was sundered. And as shocking as it was to learn… even terrifying at first – if asked some time afterward, Y'shtola would admit to being more in favor of Damon than Ares. Setting to study them with much of her usual curiosity and trying to keep an open mind, the two immortal souls locked inside a strangely symbiotic relationship with their mortal reincarnations were beyond… fascinating.

While Ares in behavior very much resembled his host – easy-going and as prone to the pranks as Senri – if there was some distinctive maturity that was to be quite expected of a being with a lifespan counting in millennia. Openly admitting to seeing them as children, he tended to act nearly like an older sibling toward the Scions if in charge of their shared body.

On the other hand, Damon was distinctively more… interesting. Though rarer to peek through, as he admitted to being quite prone to days-long musing over the most… strange topics – for her, anyway – the brilliance of the immortal was undeniable. As was his apparent lack of empathy that Alisaie pointed out to her – more than unnerved by the idea. For Y'shtola actually that fact more than made sense – maybe even more so than Ares's seeming tendency to bonding with mortals.

If – politely – asked, Damon was likely to indulge her curiosity about them or their world as it was before the sundering. His soft-spoken manner – so similar yet different to G'raha's – didn't exactly conceal the certain… feeling of superiority to the immortal's attitude when faced with mortals. Aware of his strengths and talents, he looked out of the normally kind face of G'raha's with certain cold calculation… and yet, she found him easier to understand than his husband. And when asked about it, he easily admitted that back in their day, it was Ares who was an anomaly for their people. Wild by their standards – Damon seemed amused by the fact how well his lover found himself between the mortals and easier accepted than ever by their own people. And what she herself learned of their society back in the First while visiting the ruins of the capital of their world – seemed more than confirming that observation.

And because of all of that, when Alisaie approached her on G'raha's behalf with the request that brought the two of them to the market of the Old Sharlayan after the Warrior and his lover departed the city for Thavnair, despite her surprise to learn of Senri's approaching birthday, she was more than happy to help.

"And what about this?" the young Elzen leaned over the stall in front of them and carefully picked a swat of a black material that served as a sample of the trader's stock. "It's very soft," she hummed, rubbing the thing between her fingers.

Y'shtola took the patch of material from her hand and tried it herself, frowning with consideration.

"It's too delicate," she decided finally, putting it back on the stall with a sigh. "Fitting for a dress maybe… not what we need."

Alisaie scowled, folding her arms over her chest and slightly bouncing on her heels while her blue eyes drifted over the stacks of materials spread out over the stall.

"And that?" she pointed toward another patch – black again – but when Y'shtola picked it up and brought it in the better light, it revealed a hint of red threads woven into it and she involuntarily smiled when she felt a much sturdier way it felt between her fingers.

"That… seems perfect," she nodded toward the Elzen and they exchanged smiles before she smoothed her expression and turned toward the merchant. "Sir… this material – would you have a whole roll?" she asked, raising her eyebrows expectantly.

The man, a tall Elzen in an elegant suit, took the patch of the material from her hand and turned toward the shelves behind him containing the rolls of different colors and sizes the samples were corresponding with.

"Of course, miss," he replied with an easy smile, handing her the neatly folded material. She nodded and put it on the pile of the other six rolls they already picked. "May I ask… you already have quite an unusual selection, my ladies," he chuckled, waving toward the growing pile. "It's not every day that I get an order this big… and interesting. Do you intend to start a sewing practice with those?" he asked with obvious interest.

"A sewing…? Pff," Alisaie snickered, dropping her arms to her sides. "No, definitely not! It's a gift, that's all."

"A gift…?" the man hummed, frowning at the sheer… number of the rolls. "Far be it from me to complain about the business… but it does seem like much."

"Not exactly…" Y'shtola sighed, tossing a warning look toward her young companion. "I don't think you have to worry about the return of those afterward, sir," she assured the trader with a pleasant smile. "As my friend said, it is a gift… but in nature, it is a courting gift we're getting on the friend's behalf," she said with a slight raise to her eyebrows when the man's green eyes widened slightly and the hint of interest turned into the spark of understanding. The news of Warrior's lover still shook the city – and a man specializing in trading a thing such as those would easily recognize the significance of her words. Especially with connotation to Miqo'tes' customs. "Of course… we will pay extra for that fact not leaving your stall… for a time," she added with more than a hint of a warning.

"No need, my lady," he bowed politely and grinned. "It is always a great pleasure to take part in such a significant… event," he nodded slowly. "And if I'm guessing right… a most unusual, to boot. It'll be an… honor to keep my counsel… until no longer necessary," he smiled wider and she nodded delicately – knowing that that 'slip' alone would grant them a veeery significant amount taken off their bill.

The fact that once the fact becomes known, the man will be able to brag of his stocks serving as a courting gift in something as unique as the mating between two males – not even mentioning the fame and position of the man in question… was worth in the trading world more than simple gil. The prestige and jealousy of his peers will serve to boast his sales in a way no other thing could – and serve as an excuse to demand higher prices for his stocks.

Which was exactly as apparently Damon's plan assumed – the first part of it, anyway – and that thought put a slight smirk on her face as she turned her gaze back to the stall and the samples.