When came the time to chase after Hermes and Meteion into Ktisis Hyperboreia, Raha – though reluctantly – stayed out of it, instead setting down in a cross-legged position on the hill far enough from the massive door to see them, but out of the way of anyone who would near. By the look in his lover's eyes before he went inside with others, he knew that arguing with his demand was pointless – not to mention, if something went wrong, it would be beyond… troublesome if they got the last few days wiped out of their minds. This way – in that case – his mate could use his memories if needed, so despite his pout, he settled in wait.
Damon was still silent – busy with his task, apparently – but before he could grow too nervous, his ears twitched slightly at the familiar by now sound and he fought not to flinch when he looked up – high – and saw the somewhat stiff smile on the beautiful face of his immortal's 'past' version.
"It occurred to me…" that Damon said slowly, raising his dark-red eyebrows pointedly as his too-bright, cyan eyes narrowed ever-so-slightly with a cold, calculating consideration, leaning over him slightly. "…that I forgot to ask you something. And since I don't… appreciate not having a clear picture, I decided to rectify that."
"Sorry," he smiled a bit sheepishly, standing up slowly as, like this, the immortal quite unnerved him, towering over him this much. "My Damon is otherwise occupied and I swore not to bother him unless…"
"I mean you," the redhead immortal smiled coolly, folding his arms over his chest and tilting his head slightly, curiously. "Raha, was it?"
"Yes… I mean, G'raha – but it is my people custom…" he trailed off when the other man rolled his eyes slightly, then tossed him a deadpan stare. "Nevermind… how can I help you?" he asked with a sigh.
"I occurred to me…" the immortal repeated somewhat hauntingly, narrowing his eyes slightly. "…if you so desire, I could free you of your… passenger. Or – at least – give you a way to do so once your task is complete…"
Raha blinked… twice, tilting his head… then involuntarily snorted a laugh, because that was so much like him… like his Damon, he couldn't help himself. But when immortal scowled darkly, dropping his arms to his sides, he cleared his throat and shook his head delicately.
"No, thank you," he replied smoothly, then hesitated and despite it not being really him – his Damon – before he could react, he moved closer to him and wrapped his arms around his waist, pressing his cheek against the white material of his robe and closing his eyes.
"What in the…?" the immortal grumbled, going utterly still.
"If there was something I regretted about our circumstances, it was not being able to do this," he whispered and sighed softly, then looked up into the stunned, cyan eyes with a tiny, sheepish grin. "I wish… your version of me will appreciate the wonder you are, Damon. If you decide to follow in their footsteps, I mean. I know you don't know me – not really, despite all my Damon told you – but…" he hesitated, feeling his face heat up, but bravely held his gaze when those eyes narrowed at him, growing unreadable. "…I love him," he stated with conviction and chuckled when at that he blinked slowly and tilted his head but somewhat surprisingly didn't push him away. "I never had a father – and I didn't really know what I missed by that – but my Damon is that for me and more…" he took a deep breath and exhaled slowly then let his grin fall as his expression grew somber and considerate. "I know… or at least I suspect that he… you, often think yourself uncaring or cold, because you are so incredibly smart… Because as much as you admire Ares's morals and convictions – you don't always see a sense behind them. But I think… No, I believe, that it is really what makes you so… beautiful, for him and for me, too. Because somehow that you choose to do something good – especially when you don't feel the need to do so – it makes it so much more… powerful. Because when you do love – you do so in the unconditional, uncompromising way that awes me – bending the very laws of nature and the universe to care for those who are dear to you. And to be considered such – with my Damon – makes me incredibly… proud and grateful. So… thank you, for everything and for that offer, too… but I would never betray his care and heart like that – not to mention, I do very much enjoy his company…" he chuckled sheepishly, pulling back and dropping his arms to his sides, smiling at the immortal with a delicate, reassuring smile.
"You're…" Damon sighed with some kind of a strange mix of resignation and amusement, then raised his hand and rested it over Raha's head, with some uncertainty ruffling his hair gently. "…a weird one, Raha. Baffling, even. But I think, I start to see what would have me… him so intrigued by you. Take care, boy… and perhaps, tell him that I accept his bet," he pulled his hand back and disappeared without a warning. Raha started at the spot he left with a small smile, until his own version of Damon chuckled in the back of his head out of nowhere, startling him.
See… knew he wouldn't be able to resist, his immortal chuckled somewhat sheepishly.
The bet? He replied and with some relief settled down again, bracing his arms behind him and leaning on them. He tilted his head up and looked at the bright perfect sky – still more than a bit awed by it.
No, my silly boy, Damon whispered and he felt something like a gentle pat on his soul. You. The thought that someone so… kind can spring up from his soul. As much as my bet engaged his intellect and pride… you caught his heart – simply being you – as I had a feeling you would.
He felt his face heat up considerably and closed his eyes, smiling wryly.
That's what you meant by winning him over? He asked with some resignation. Then hesitated and exhaled slowly. And do you think they were watching us this whole time?
Double yes on that, Damon chortled when his face went even hotter. And third yes – your or Senri's shield would be too weak against them – if you wonder.
He swore under his nose and chuckled helplessly, rolling his eyes before looking toward the sky again.
And, Raha, for the record… that you didn't even consider his offer, I… thank you, my boy, his immortal sighed and he frowned, then closed his eyes again, focused on his presence and with some uncertainty… 'patted' him back. Or, at least, he hoped so… Almost. Felt more like a poke, Damon laughed when he pouted at that. But I appreciate the sentiment, anyway, then he hesitated and chuckled sheepishly. Well, if you wish so, I can think of something to rectify that. Ares told me that after the merge, Senri kind of… found a way to interact with him in a different way. I just didn't think you would be… ah, interested…
I would, he admitted with a smile, then sighed and curled in, resting his hands over his knees and looking toward the massive gate. Do you think they' will be okay…?
I'm sure of that, his immortal assured gently.
And you're done? He asked with a frown.
Mhmm, Damon hummed, then sighed. For what it's worth, we're ready to head home when they're out.
That's good, he replied carefully, then looked up again. As beautiful as it is… I think I like our world better, Damon. And worry about our friends. I hope they're all right.
You and me both, the immortal agreed.
Ivo'to Mhaafli at heart and down to the morrow of his bones was a merchant – and approached everything in life with a thought of profit. Leaving the Keepers' traditions behind long ago, as a young man he settled down in Limsa Lominsa, and now, years later, he was one of the most respected men in the city – eventually buying himself a position among the Admiral's advisors.
And though his latest scheme was… risky, the possible profit behind it overshadowed his trepidation to the point when this time, he personally waited at the cache at the docks, though – obviously – well hidden from sight.
At first, when his son arrived in their home spewing nonsense about the 'talking kitten,' he didn't think of it much – seeing it as another childish fantasy. But when the ten-year-old kit insisted on purchasing the beast, he sent one of his retainers to the described house for the peace of mind if nothing else. But when he returned, confirming the boy's words… well, that spiked his interest.
Hiring one of the city's thieves seemed like the most reasonable option to handle the situation – without bringing attention to himself or his business, in thought seeing it as an investment. Something as rare as a talking beast was bound to bring an immeasurable profit and – plainly – was wasted as a child's toy.
Then, learning that the thing belonged to none other than the Warrior of Light… well, only whetted his appetite. If in a different way, especially after making sure to stroll by the mentioned house and witnessing the trio of kits his son's age playing in its garden. Present at the man's inquiry about the thief – and hearing his redheaded 'companion' mention 'Warrior's sister,' connecting the tiny blonde to the title wasn't that difficult and instantly sparked a new interest in his business-oriented mind.
In the lands of Eorzea, any sort of connection to its Champion was beyond profitable – not to mention, the man had the ear of every leader of each city-state. But the way his friends – the Scions of the Seventh Dawn – guarded his interests and presence was nearly as legendary as the man's… inexperience with trading. Though his fellows eagerly used each opportunity to catch the Warrior's attention whenever he passed through the city – he had a better idea instantly.
Catching the 'famed thief' now not only was bound to earn the tempting reward, but as well Warrior's gratitude – and with that, instilling his kit as the man sister's betrothed should be easy enough. Young as they were – in the trading world it wasn't an uncommon thing – and the prestige it would bring to his business was well worth the hassle and more than overshadowed the profit from the talking cat.
So, armed with a story of how he accidentally stumbled upon the suspiciously acting kit at the docks while commencing his trade, he waited for the thief to appear. Later, the beast in hand, he would have his kit join him while returning the thing and promptly suggest a betrothal as the best-fitting reward.
He just needed to make sure that the thief doesn't spill the fact that he was hired to commit the deed – but considering his retainer mentioned that it was a measly-looking young Keeper of the Moon whom none around the city will miss much… He had a ready story for it as well. Regretfully the Keeper during the ensuing struggle fell into the water at the dock and drowned instantly, seemingly unable to swim. Ivo'to, of course, tried to save him – and he already grimaced at the idea of wetting his elegant clothes to make the story more believable – but, alas, it wasn't meant to be.
He almost flinched hearing delicate steps break the silence of the night and only by focusing his eyes in their direction, spotted one, small shade break apart from the darkness ruling about the dock, silently heading toward the cache. Slipping his hiding spot unnoticeably he waited for the thief to place his 'package' in it and when the kit straightened he was already behind his back, promptly curling his hand over his scrawny neck and rising him in the air.
"Wha…?!" the young thief buckled in his grip, struggling and clawing helplessly at his hand with a whimper, but he was a tiny thing, so without much effort, Ivo'to ignored it, dragging him toward the edge of the dock. "Let me go!"
"Sorry, kid," he chuckled humorlessly, only tightening his grip on the boy. "Can't have you spilling the details. Don't worry, it'll be quick."
"About that, you're more than right," a furious, female voice hissed behind him and he froze when something sharp poked his side. "Now, unhand the boy this instant!"
He swallowed thickly and automatically dropped the kit, turning his gaze toward the young face of the famed Scion and a very, very real rapier piercing through his jacket at his side.
"This… is a misunderstanding," he said slowly, raising his hands in a pacifying gesture. "I caught him… sneaking about and only intended to…"
"Your intentions were quite clear, mortal," said a quiet, calm voice behind him, and when his gaze darted toward it, a gasp tore from his throat when it met nearly luminescent blue eyes as a tall, silver-haired teen kneeled by the gasping desperately Keeper. "Are you hurt, Nico?"
"N-no…" the kit scrambled to his feet, then with huge eyes moved behind the strange teenager, gawking around him toward them. "I just… got scared. What the fuck? He wanted to…!"
"Language, boy," the Hyur with too-bright eyes chided softly, then turned those unnatural irises toward the girl and raised his eyebrows slightly. "I believe this to be our man, Alisaie, considering his words."
"Mhmm," she replied, then pushed the rapier into his side harder and Ivo'to flinched, gasping. "Can you restrain and gag him, Themis? I'm sure that even more than the theft, Senri will be interested in the fact that he tried to kill a kid to cover his tracks."
"As you wish," the teen replied with a nod, and he opened his mouth to protest… and knew no more.
When Themis merely looked at the man – an elegantly dressed Keeper of the Moon with dark hair – and he instantly dropped to the paved dock like a sack of popotoes, Alisaie sheathed her rapier and huffed a sigh of relief, resting her hands on her hips.
"Are you truly all right?" she asked the boy still hiding behind her immortal companion. She jumped into action as soon as she saw the dark-clad man grab the teen, instantly mortified by their miscalculation. And beyond grateful that he didn't simply snap his neck before they could do anything. Catching the culprit was their goal, but if the kit paid for it with his life, she would never forgive herself!
Especially after pulling his tongue over the last few bells about his circumstances… and apparent neglect. After securing the man they caught, she fully intended to have some words with the boy's father – but all things considered, didn't plan to let the boy return under his 'care,' at least until Senri is free to have a proper chat with him as well – Warrior's talents were sure to work better on gauging the man's willingness to adjust his… behavior.
"Y-yes, I'm fine," the teen replied, massaging his neck and with a frown looking toward the collapsed man. "I… know him. I think. He's one of the Admiral's men."
"Merlwyb will be pleased," she winked at the boy when he looked toward her with a confused expression. "The Admiral, I mean, I'm sure will be happy to know we removed a viper at her side," she scoffed, then nudged the body with her boot, raising her eyebrows at Themis. "Could you, please, move him to the Rising Stones? One of the empty rooms, if possible."
"As you wish," he nodded, then looked toward the unconscious man and he promptly disappeared. Then he turned his gaze toward the young Keeper and frowned slightly. "You'll be coming with us, yes? Ar… The Warrior will sure want to hear about all of this from the source. And until he's back, you can better stay in our… I mean, the Scions' care."
"I…" the boy looked between them with uncertainty, then sighed when she sent him a bright, reassuring smile. "If you really… I mean, if it's necessary…"
"Of course!" she assured, pointing her finger at him. "Now, you're under our protection, boy, so better get used to the idea."
"Ah… okay," he agreed meekly and colored darkly, dropping his gaze but not before she noticed a flash of relief in his green eyes – making her heart ache instantly. Poor boy wasn't used to anyone taking care of him – and that was just a travesty.
Alisaie sighed, then took on a confident grin and raised her eyebrows pointedly at her companion, not missing a slight, delicate smile on his beautiful face right before he nodded toward her and easily warped the three of them to Mor Dhona, right inside Dawn's Respite.
She chuckled when Nico startled badly, looking around with his mouth open in astonishment.
"Wait here," she said with another grin, then headed toward the door leading to the main area of the compound. "I'll get Tataru – our receptionist – and we will get you settled in…" she cut off when the door leading to the bedrooms snapped open and Hythlodaeus walked in, almost stumbling and looking incredibly pale – and almost strange without his usual humor in the bright, purple eyes.
"Themis, we need you," he said quietly, pointing behind him and the younger immortal gasped, growing as pale as he passed him hurriedly and headed into the corridor.
"What's going on?" she asked quietly, nearing the violet-haired immortal and a pit opened up in her stomach when he sighed and heavily leaned against the wall next to the door.
"Hades…" he said slowly, rubbing his eyes tiredly. "That thing… is draining him at the speed we didn't anticipate. I hope… they're back soon, that's all," he sighed then headed back, smiling weakly as he closed the door behind him.
"Is something wrong?" the young Keeper asked carefully, drawing back her attention and she tried to smile – to reassure him – but what she managed could be called a grimace at best.
"Ah… nothing to worry about, Nico," she lied, then motioned for him to follow her as she headed toward the main area again. "Come on, as I said, we will settle you in."
And then, she was going to mobilize their friends – just in case Hades's barrier broke before the Warrior and his lover were back. She didn't exactly know what they could do against the despair incarnate – if it broke through, that is – but she damn sure didn't intend to sit on her hands and let it consume their star!
His head still rang with the sweet, haunting melody as he regained the consciousness and T'senri pressed his hand over his wet face without opening his eyes even as he felt another body shift on top of him slightly and heard his lover's quiet sob.
"What… what was that?" his mate whispered, burying his face against his chest, and almost by instinct he has woven his arms around him securely. "A… vision? And that song… I couldn't understand the words, but… g-gods, it was so sad…"
Hydealyn's call, Ares whispered in the back of his head sadly and he buried his nose in his lover's hair, repeating that.
"Could you… ah, understand it?" Raha asked, lifting slightly in his embrace and when he peered through his wet lashes, there was a clear worry on his handsome face.
"Mhmm," he replied, then cleared his throat and let his head drop back, staring numbly at the ceiling of the silent Ocular. "Do you wish for me to… translate?" he asked softly. When faced with the immortals in the past, their Echo – or however they called it then – let his lover understand them, but this… well, he wasn't much surprised that his mate couldn't pick out.
"If you can…?" Raha sighed and he could feel his gaze on him, but T'senri closed his eyes and cleared his throat, then with Ares's quiet support repeated it, intoning it involuntarily in that haunting note.
" To all of my children in whom Life flows abundant
To all of my children to whom Death hath passed his judgement
The soul yearns for honor, and the flesh the hereafter
Look to those who walked before to lead those who walk after
Shining is the Land's light of justice
Ever flows the Land's well of purpose
Walk free, walk free, walk free, believe...
The Land is alive, so believe...
Now open your eyes while our plight is repeated
Still deaf to our cries, lost in hope we lie defeated
Our souls have been torn, and our bodies forsaken
Bearing sins of the past, for our future is taken
War born of strife, these trials persuade us not
Words without sound, these lies betray our thoughts
Mired by a plague of doubt, the Land, she mourns
Judgement binds all we hold to a memory of scorn
Tell us why, given Life, we are meant to die, helpless in our cries?
Thy Life is a riddle, to bear rapture and sorrow
To listen, to suffer, to entrust unto tomorrow
In one fleeting moment, from the Land doth life flow
Yet in one fleeting moment, for anew it doth grow
In the same fleeting moment
Thou must live
Die
And know."
He trailed off with a sigh, then opened his eyes, clenching his teeth and wiping his face again... or trying, as his lover caught his hand and brought it against his cheek, nuzzling into his palm. His as wet cheek.
"It's... beautiful," Raha said softly, then chuckled a bit sheepishly before he lifted off him and a bit awkwardly sat up astride T'senri's waist and looked around. "So quiet... I guess Ardbert is gone, somewhere," then he sighed and still holding his hand, stood up, helping him to follow. To bury against him, coiling his arms around his waist almost desperately. "Do you think... that vision, was how it played out? The Sundering, I mean..."
"I suppose..." he said, wrapping his arms around him securely and burying his nose in the red hair, taking solace in his scent and reassuring heat.
"She... Venat... gave them a chance..." his lover muttered, slowly nuzzling against his chest.
They were too blind to take, his immortal sighed and again he repeated it in a whisper, then brushed his nose against his mate's lowered ear. "Are you okay, Raha?" he asked softly.
"Not at the moment... but I will be, eventually," his lover admitted, smoothing his hand over T'senri's back soothingly – without the need to explain, knowing he felt the same. "What now...? Back to the Source?"
"Yeah," he breathed then cleared his throat and leaned away, framing his mate's face with his palms and then pressed a tender kiss on his pretty lips, before following that with brushing the tip of his nose against his. "The next time we visit, we will tell Ardbert about how it went... but I think it's best to make sure, everything is still all right back home."
"Mhmm," his lover returned the affectionate gesture, then chuckled and pushed his hands against the Warrior's chest when T'senri growled playfully, then nipped on his lower lip. "Behave, my Snark."
"For now," he agreed, then released his reluctantly, straightening and looking around as he ran his fingers through his messy hair, pushing them back from his eyes. "I need a new bandana, too... and preferably a shower and to change. Ready?" he asked, lifting his eyebrows slightly.
"After you," his lover assured with a nod and he sighed, then promptly crossed the Rift, in a blink of an eye appearing in the middle of their bedroom at the Rising Stones.
And he frowned instantly when he heard a commotion coming from the corridor outside the door, sounding like someone with a familiar voice was snapping at someone else with more than impatience. Tossing a longing look toward the shower, he sighed and when his ears twitched slightly at the sound of the Ascian-like teleportation, he headed toward the door and opened them silently, listening in.
"I don't care!" Alisaie sounded beyond aggravated. "It's been three days, Hyth! I want to know what is going on... and if he's all right!"
"And I keep telling you, it's dangerous to disturb them," the usually cheery immortal sounded as annoyed.
"What's going on?" he asked, pulling the door open wider and raising his eyebrows when both nearly jumped, looking toward him with shocked expressions.
"Senri!" Alisaie collected herself sooner, twirling around and pointing her thumb over her shoulder at the exhausted-looking immortal. "They're keeping Themis locked up in their bedroom and won't let me see him," and she was... interestingly upset about that.
"You're back," the violet-haired immortal ignored her, looking more than relieved.
"How is Hades?" asked his lover, stepping out on the corridor around him with a frown on his face showing he was no longer in charge.
"Bad," Hythlodaeus sighed, leaning heavily against the door behind him. "We're doing whatever we can, Damon... but she's draining him ever faster..."
"I understand... I'll see to him," he tossed at T'senri over his shoulder as his face tightened with determination. "Take..." he trailed off when Alisaie's linkpearl beeped loudly and the girl picked up instantly.
"Yeah...?" she gasped and her blue eyes shot toward him, then she paled impossibly. "I see... Senri's back, I'll tell him. Yes, I think so. Be right there, don't worry," she disconnected the call, then took a deep breath and rested her hands on her hips. "It was Estinien... Apparently, a blood-red sky raining meteors just unfolded over Thavnair."
He flinched and his gaze shot toward Hythlodaeus when he gasped and instantly disappeared behind the door behind him.
"She broke through," said Damon, and his eyes hardened into the merciless rubies before they turned toward him. "Senri..."
"I'll see to that, don't worry, and take care of Hades," he assured with a nod, then looked at Alisaie. "Ready?" he asked, wrapping his hand around her arm. "Where to?"
"We will join you as soon as possible," the immortal in his mate's skin assured, then followed the violet-haired one, closing the door behind him.
"They'll be expecting us at the place called Vanaspati... Estinien is already there, so you can warp to him," Alisaie replied and he nodded, then did just that – in thought sending a silent prayer to the Twelve to let them survive.