Your Shield

I ask not for acceptance... only forgiveness

TO LIVE AND DIE ON OUR OWN TERMS

ind. & sel. low priority CID TELAMON of FF16 rp blog, est. jan. 2024, revamped sept. 2024. loved by alex (he / she / they), 30+

No -- this Dominant was still a ghost from the past, but a very different ghost, or so he surmised. (But even should this Dominant prove to be someone entirely different, the man had to see for himself -- he had to be sure, one way or the other.)

The moment that "Miles" had seen the sky in the distance set alight by that familiar vibrant plumage, he had abandoned the small patrol of his fellow Cursebreakers in order to chase after the retreating firebird. There was no explanation, no assurance of his eventual return. There was only desperation and fear writ plain upon his features, spurring on each movement he made, guiding every footfall that carried him further away yet closer to his unknown destination.

His heart hammered viciously within his ribcage. No matter how many times he stumbled along the way in his haste, he wouldn't, couldn't stop. Like a man possessed, he scrambled and clawed his way along when need be, with the scorched and blazing earth acting as his guide -- his beacon in the dark. All the while, a single name kept repeating from him, shouted to the heavens -- or perhaps to Metia above, as a wish -- in the hope that somehow, some way, he would be heard:

While flying, something small was heard, because of the height in which he was. That pointed beak turned downwards and back, glancing at the ground as they made to turn around. The fear of before had turned into curiosity, and it's what calmed him enough to focus on that voice. Another cry, and it soared right above the area where that noise had been coming from. A name. His name!

This is what made reason come to him, and his wings spread out far to make the landing as soft as possible. Trees blew back from the mighty gales he produced, and their heat dimming as he did not wish to burn the grass beneath himself. Bright blue eyes stared in the direction of this person, realizing this was the one who had called his name. Yet, upon seeing them, something deep stirred in his soul. A recognition that left him so severely stunned, and the fiery bird made small chattering sounds with it's confusion.

As far as he can tell, he looks...fine, save for maybe a few scratches and bruises that might come up later. Dion shakes his head, just a bit confused. "I'm sorry, Joshua. I'm afraid I'm not following. Are you worried that you might lose control again?" Dion, after all, has no idea exactly what it is that the Phoenix wants. He can feel Bahamut stir uncomfortably, which puts him on edge, too.

Whenever I look at you...it makes his stomach flip a little, but he chooses to ignore it. "What can I do to help?"

Joshua noticed him coming closer, and that's when the flame of courage decided to bring itself out further. He straightened his posture and reached for the other's hand, bringing it up to kiss the middle and top knuckles. "I could lose control in another fashion. For you, only, of course. If you would have me, my Prince."

When they return to camp, Dion leans over to Terence, muttering something into his ear, likely orders about what to tell the other soldiers. Terence nods, bowing to both Dion and Joshua before leaving. That's when Dion turns his attention back to Joshua, a small frown on his face.

"Oh, of course. Come along. As I said, I could get you a spare change of clothes, too." As he says this, he gestures for Joshua to follow him back into his tent. Once they arrive, he begins to look through one of his chests for a spare set of clothes.

"Here we are..it might not fit quite right, but it's better than nothing, eh? Now, as for apologies...it happens to the best of us, I'm afraid. The worst was avoided. I'm just glad to see you whole."

"Thank you... Were I to have been the cause of any of your men's death, would have laid so much guilt on my heart. Thank the stars none were hurt."

Though, that something else from earlier was still bothering him, and he stared at him again with those eyes that shined with a different kind of expression. "Dion, if I may speak freely to you... I sense that I am not alright, still. Health-wise, yes, of course... but... the Phoenix in me still wishes to burn. When I look at you, now, this pit in my stomach twists. It almost feels like I am starved, but not. Forgive me, but I cannot put it to words so plain."