#dark knight.

All this was a touch reckless, she knew, but a part of her -- the part that Fray's words resonated with the most -- knew that it was necessary. If she didn't find some way to vent her tumultous emotions, she might have ended up lashing out and making trouble for her brother and the others. No matter how upset she was, she couldn't allow herself to burden them further.

The weight of the great sword felt oddly comforting against her back as her boots plodded through the fulm-deep snow. She had tucked her ears beneath a hood again, and donned heavier armor to help obscure her appearance further; even as she headed towards the more remote parts of the Central Highlands, she didn't want word getting back to the Holy See that the Warrior of Light's sister was chopping trees down like a lunatic with an over-sized knife.

And trees would be her target today, even though Fray and huffed and grumbled about it. She had already slain a few beasts directly after the events of the Vault at Fray's behest (although that day was little more than a blur), but she still didn't feel confident enough wielding it yet. More than anything, a weapon this heavy that required both hands was much more different from her quick and light chakrams. She wasn't going to continue this dark knight nonsense without proper practice.

She reached around the halfway point to the Behemoth's Dominion before straying from the path to seek the nearby thicket of trees. Once she found a clearing that felt distant enough from potential patrols, she reached back to drag the sword from its sheath. The blade wobbled as she adjusted her grip on the hilt with both hands, widening and lowering her stance like Fray had shown her.

She inhaled slowly as she closed her eyes. The scene played out in her mind again, and her next breath in was shaky. She swung the blade with a grunt, catching its edge in the thick trunk that was her target. Yanked it out awkwardly. Again. Again.

When Meiko was gifted an apartment in Empyreum for her assistance in the Dragonsong War (A'kihiko was, too, but he declined), she saw little use for it outside of storing some sentiment items. She instead decided to give the keys to Sidurgu and Rielle, mainly so that the lass wouldn't have to keep living in an inn (no offense to the Forgotten Knight).

For the longest time, the apartment was outfitted well, but generally simple in design. Shortly before leaving for Tural, Meiko decided to hire some local Ishgardian artisans to remodel the apartment and make it a proper home. She has a handful of her belongings inside, as well as knickknacks she from her travels that she gifts them.

She knew Fray would have appreciated the gesture.

But that had been so, so long ago. Almost like an entirely different lifetime.

Today the Firmament was holding its seasonal Skyrise Celebration. Leaning against a pillar and out of the way -- by the gods, she was turning into bloody Estinien -- Meiko watched as children ran about, giggling and playing while street musicians performed and various townsfolk participated in the latest games.

It was a darling display of community, and yet another reminder of what she and the Scions fought so hard to protect and preserve. Years ago, the people of Ishgard lived under constant threat of Dravainians attacks and worse, raising their noble sons and daughters to die as valiantly as possible in the fields. Now even the street urchins had a warm place to sleep and reasons to play.

"Meiko!" A voice called out, and she looked up to see a familiar girl break into a run.

"Rielle," Meiko pushed off of the column she'd been propped up against with a grin just in time for the teen to throw her arms around her middle in a hug. The Viera laughed, the wind nearly knocked out of her, and crossed her arms over the girl's shoulders to give her a fond squeeze back. "Hey! S'good tae see yet again, lass."

She looked up and around. "Where's Sid? Dinnae tell me he didnae want tae come!"

Frowning, Rielle looked up at her, still clinging. "He said he'd come by after the games were done. He's so irritating." She released Meiko and drew back, shaking her head. "But to hell with him. We'll have fun on our own!"

Meiko snorted, nodding and leaning over to be closer to Rielle's eye level.

"Aye, dedicated tae bein' a stick in th'mud, that one," she chuckled. "Anyroad. Shall we join in? Th'next game's supposed tae take place a few streets down." She winked. "Ye any good at shearin' sheep?"

"I've gotten better at it!" Rielle assured her. "I have the perfect strategy, though! You just do what I say and we'll collect more than anyone!"

"That's the spirit!" Meiko grinned, straightening up and patting her on the shoulder. "Awright, lead th'way then! And let's hear this winnin' sheep strategy o'yers."

Rielle immediately launched into her explanation, which quickly veered off into talking about her conjuring studies and other little things that had happened since Mei had last visited. She was glad to see the teen so outspoken and animated -- it was a far cry form the nigh-mute, hesitant lass that Rielle had been when they first met.

I wish I could introduce her tae Ryne an' Gaia, she thought. Taynor, too, perhaps. And Unukalhai. They would get along well. Probably take the skyslipper on a joyride and swap tips on how to make each other's guardians' hair go gray faster.

It was a thought that brought a wry smile to her face, albeit somehow still rueful.

There were still so many people to protect. To continue to protect.

"--Meiko! Are you listening?"

"Aye, I am," Mei caught herself, holding up her hands in apology. "Sorry, just -- got caught up thinkin' o'how I want tae hold m'shears." She grinned. "About to start any minute now! Get ready!"

Violence had been encouraged in Wadewick, even among the children. "Ye gonnae get yer arse beat one day, might as well learn tae take a punch." It was like a rite of passage. It was normalized.

And buried beneath her meek uncertainty, Mei had been an angry little girl. That anger had merely channeled into protectiveness when her family took in A'kihiko. If only she had had the confidence to match, she would have been...a different person.

A person closer to who she glimpsed when she met Fray so long ago.

Floral Inspired Questions || Accepting

Meiko was deeply upset by Haurchefant's death -- but it was a mix of emotions that weighed her down. It was his death that drove her back to Fray's side. Initially, she had assisted Fray with a few things but never fully bought in to the grim dark rage part. She was happy to assist and then head home. But in mourning Haurchefant she has so much pent up inside of her and she needs to get it out somehow.

It ties deeply to her feelings of self-loathing, of helplessness, and her frustration at the world around her. Of guilt. SO much guilt, related to so much shame.

She is glad that Haurchefant took the blow and spared her brother's life. That is the hardest pill to swallow. She's glad it was him and not A'kihiko and she hates herself for feeling that way. She's angry that her brother is involved in everything with the Scions to begin with. She's angry that he's happy to sacrifice his well-being for others. She's angry that she can't just let him be a hero and return to Wadewick and life off her life in blissful ignorance to everything happening. She hates herself for not being as selfless and genuine as she feels everyone else involved is.

But Meiko rarely rages out. She only ever did so briefly during her time training with Fray, and it was CATHARTIC and it felt SO GOOD and she was ashamed. Because those associated with heroes shouldn't act like that. It was conflict and misery and she did everything in her to keep it all buttoned up inside because she doesn't want to burden anyone with her selfishness.

This Meme || Accepting!

Peridot Ghosts: What kind of things get them frazzled or anxious? Do they tend to handle them well or get swept up in the moment?

Interacting with people she perceives are superior to her in intellect or some kind of knowledge. She's better about this around SHB/EW, but she's definitely the first to shut up when people with more knowledge of a situation are talking. She also feels extra self-conscious around women she's attracted to, although if they are friendly she can mostly power through it and handle interactions well.

Meiko doesn't quite get swept up as much as she EXITS A SITUATION THAT FLUSTERS HER ASAP. I made a joke a few days ago on here that she'll just Teleport to Ultima Thule and sit on a floating rock until she calms down. It is an exaggeration but not completely out of the realm of possibility.

Topaz Tears: Do they have any sort of outlet they use as a means to cope (e.g. writing, drawing, playing music, etc.)? How’d they get into it if they do?

Dancing, actually! Maybe a little cliché, but when she was bullied recruited into Troupe Falsiam, she found it wonderfully freeing to dance. Not that she had never danced before in her life, but there was something between the Kriegstanz itself and being properly instructed that really helped her feel better.

She practices dancing every day, either in late evening or early morning, and almost always in private. Not only does it help her hone her skills, it helps her work through pent up energy and zone out from her thoughts. It's like she performs a mini exorcism on herself!