#arleaux

There we go! There's the full roster in all their High Res glory!

So it looks like the website updates with new filters! I found the Pride one and knew exactly who I could use 😍

https://hikaku-sitatter.com/en/

Saw this going around and thought it was pretty cool!

Dhunan: He's very focused and devout to his cause of hunting Voidsent, so he takes care of his body as it's his "tool" to wield. Drinks water and eats a lot of food rich in proteins and vitamins, doesn't touch alcohol or smoke. Also trains to keep himself prepared. Despite being a Dancer class, he's a powerhouse and can throw those chakrams with some force.

Aspen: He needs to be strong to haul around the barrels on the ship! He's got good upper body strength and loves competing with the other crewmates with push-up contests and fun feats of strength. Especially when he picks out Valor because he's "lanky", or their Au Ra companions to prove himself against a "dragon".

Arleaux: He trained as a Dragoon and that militaristic discipline is still tucked away in there, as much as he doesn't like it to be. Even if he struggles with his injuries, Arleaux will push himself to the point of exhaustion and collapse to prove that he's not weak and can still be as strong as he used to be. Much to Yeren's frustration, I'm sure!

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I have to admit though, since all 3 came up, it's funny how they all have working out in common despite never crossing over and meeting each other! Now I can't unsee them in a modern AU dressed in Gym gear, headphones and towels, drinking from their water bottles and spotting each other or gossiping about how they can treat themselves to something junky because it's a "cheat day" XD

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Thanks for asking! ❤

Scale

Footsteps echoed on the stone. Cold. Lonely. Empty.

They echoed so hollow.

Arleaux’s breath caught in his throat when he approached the doors to the inner sanctum of the Church. At first he thought it was the warmth chasing the chill of winter from him, but the walls loomed over him and he felt stifled. Constricted.

He loosened the collar of his jacket and willed himself to take another step, then another. It was like walking through tar.

It was only when he stopped at the statue of Halone herself inside that he felt... strange.

He should have found peace here, shouldn’t he? That’s what they had said. The priests and the Knights and everyone else.

And yet... it felt like this wasn’t his place.

His very presence felt like it offended her. Even as he gazed up into her stony cold eyes, he could feel her looking into his heart, his very soul, and drew her own conclusions.

A shuddering breath escaped him and then... he couldn’t hold it any longer.

He broke.

Collapsing to his knees, it washed over him like a wave.

Their faces, their screams. He promised he’d never forget their names but it was so hard to remember when all it brought was pain, or guilt, or shame.

Emotion bubbled to the surface, making him choke on a sob.

The fire, the dragon’s roars.

The searing, endless pain that felt like it would never end.

He gave everything for Ishgard, for his home and what had it gotten him? The loss of his friends, his honour, his hands. His life.

“Halone help me...” he whispered hoarsely, “I should have protected them. I-I couldn’t...”

He threw himself on her mercy then, clinging to cool stone with weakened hands. “They trusted me and I... I’m so sorry...”

But the Fury herself had cast her own verdict, the scales of judgement tipped.

“It should have been me.”