#elletha

I’ve always seen Elletha as having the stereotypical big sister “ara ara” voice, she speaks very breathy and full of emotion, you can always tell how she’s feeling by just listening to how she speaks.

She’s from Gridania but is fluent in fake French Elezen language, and has a slight accent when speaking Eorzean even though that’s the language she uses the most. Only really speaks Elezen with her family/ some people in Ishgard. Sounds a lot more eloquent in Elezen to those who aren’t fluent, but anyone else would hear that she’s actually more crass and rude in her native language lmao.

Extremely guilty of giving absolutely everyone she knows and loves nicknames and enjoys doting over them to the point of being embarrassing, so her vocabulary is full of endearing words and praise for her friends and family. 

Knows when to use formal speech in the presence of people of power, but over time after attending so many political meetings as a member of the scions, left the political talk to Alphinaud and took up a silent stance at the meetings. When she does have to speak, she’s far more casual than when she first started speaking to the Alliance.

Elletha glanced up at the wreckage of the airship as they approached, the charred form of Midgardsormr curled around it. She grimaced at the memory of ascending the wreckage and shook her head, focusing on the person in front of her.

“G’raha, why exactly have you brought me out here in the middle of the night? I don’t mind going on a walk, I’m just a little confused…” Elletha asked, walking down to the water’s edge when G’raha stood.

He turned to her with a grin, multi-coloured eyes flashed in the crystal’s light. “When the moon is full like tonight it reflects beautifully on the lake’s surface.” He grabbed her wrist gently and brought her closer to the lake, stepping into the water. “I’ve only ever been out here alone but… I thought I would share it with you this time.”

Elletha looked down at the water lapping at her boots, “You’re not planning on actually going into the lake, are you?”

“That was the plan”

“Huh?” Elletha took a step back, “We don’t even have swimclothes and I’m not about to get my White Mage robes wet, I need them for the morrow.” She crossed her arms, taking a step back out of the shore.

G’raha rolled his eyes, “Have you never gone swimming impromptu before? Just go in your smallclothes.”

“That’s even worse! If this is some excuse to see me without my robes-”

“I would never!” G’raha scoffed, waving his arms back and forth in a definitive ‘no’ gesture,“I just wanted to share this with you! You are more than welcome to watch from the shore but I assure you the view is much better from the middle of the lake.”

Elletha remained standing where she was, arms crossed and glaring at him.

“So be it.” he shrugged and began derobing, placing his clothes by the shore. Elletha turned to the side sharply, giving him some privacy even though he didn’t seem to care, until she heard the splashing of water. G’raha disappeared under the surface for a moment before reappearing, strands of red hair stuck to his face. 

“The water’s not even cold! You could still come with…” He drew out the last syllable playfully, waiting for her response.

Elletha held her ground for all of a couple of seconds before she threw her hands into the air in frustration, “Alright, fine! But go swim and don’t watch me, it’s embarrassing.”

G’raha saluted at her and disappeared under the surface again. She watched him begin to swim away from her before she started disrobing herself, placing her clothes in a neat pile beside his and taking a couple of steps into the lake.

The water was strangely warm compared to the cool rocks on the shore, the water was clear enough for her to see to the bottom of the lake, bright crystals protruding even under the water.  The lake suddenly dropped off after a point, so she jumped in similarly to how G’raha had and swam over to him, reemerging and shaking water out of her face.

“Now that wasn’t so bad was it?” He asked smugly, which earned him a splash to the face in response.

“I’ve just never done this before! The only time I’ve gone swimming is on a rare trip to La Noscea! At least there’s proper beaches there.” Elletha grumbled, pushing away from him to avoid a splash she knew was coming.

Still, he followed her anyway, the two locked in a silly battle, seeing who could make the biggest splashes in the lake. Their laughter filled the air, surely echoing throughout Silvertear and all the way back to the encampment, but they were enjoying themselves too much to take notice.

After a particularly big splash, Elletha held up a hand in surrender, “Alright, alright that’s enough,” she swam over to him again, his face smug with victory. “I thought Miqo’te didn’t even like water.”

“That’s just a stereotype. I thought all Elezen were stuck up and loved nothing but trees.”

“Touché.”

A comfortable silence fell over them both, only the sound of treading water and their heavy breathing could be heard. Elletha looked up at the sky, the full moon shone down on them both, creating beams of white light that reflected on the water and made it shine. The stars reflected in the still water, giving the appearance that they were swimming in a sea of starlight.

“You were right.” Elletha said, returning her gaze to G’raha, who looked away sharply as she addressed him.

“I was?”

“Mhm. The view is much better out here.”

“Oh! Right, yes.” He looked up at the night sky above them as well, seemingly forgetting the reason he brought them out there in the first place. He looked back to Elletha, his eyes squinting slightly as he smiled, “The view is quite beautiful tonight.”

Her face suddenly felt warm, flush spreading from her cheeks down her neck. ‘Where in the world is this coming from?’ She thought, forcing herself to look away from the figure in front of her, ‘Get it together Elle.’

“A-Anyways, shouldn’t we head back? We have an expedition to lead tomorrow.”

“Ah- Probably.” G’raha swam past her in the direction of the shore and she shortly followed behind. She stuck her head under the water in an attempt to defeat the heat spreading across her face.

Once they reached the shore, G’raha got out of the water and sat down by their clothes, shaking water out of his hair. Elletha stopped at the drop off point, watching from the water.

“Aren’t you getting out?” G’raha asked, wringing out as much water as he could from his tail.

Elletha paused for a moment, leaning on the rocks in front of her, “It’s embarrassing.”

“Elletha the water was clear. I wouldn’t be seeing anything new.”

“So you were looking!”

“That’s not- I mean- you were looking at me so obviously I’m going to look at you!” G’raha crossed his arms defensively, “Honestly, it’s not that big of a deal.”

Elletha disappeared under the water for a second, brooding, before gathering her courage and emerging from the lake and sitting a couple of paces away from him. She started wringing out her long hair and flicked it behind her, before feeling eyes on her again. She turned to G’raha who very obviously, again, looked away as she turned.

“What?” She asked, resting her head on one palm.

“N-Nothing, well. I just.” He sighed at his words, before turning to her, “Thank you for coming with me, Elletha. I had a lot of fun.”

She smiled at him, “It was my pleasure. And… I told you, call me Elle.”

“Right. E-Elle.” He replied timidly, mulling over his next words, “Then similarly, you can call me Raha.”

Elletha was surprised, from what she’d learned from Y’shtola, seekers only drop the tribe letter amongst family and close friends, so to give this privilege to her was a big deal. “Oh, you don’t have to. Are you sure?” 

He nodded, tail swishing behind him anxiously, “I am sure.”

She smiled at him, finding his mannerisms endearing, “Then, thank you for inviting me tonight, Raha. I had a lovely time.”

His ears perked up like she’d shocked him before drooping down, his face lightly dusted with blush, “Th- that’s… I’m glad that you did. Have a good time, that is…” He trailed off, fidgeting with his own hands to distract himself.

Elletha chuckled, seizing the opportunity to tease him more, “You’re so cute, Raha~” she drawled, leaning towards him.

This time he really did jump, leaning backwards on one hand and grabbing his chest with the other, the flush spreading across his face almost the same colour as his hair. “H-Huh? What-what are you, wh-”

He was cut off with a chuckle from Elletha, “Relax, I’m only teasing you.” She sat upright, satisfied with her work. She gazed out to the lake, giving her companion space to calm down. He was right though, the view from the shore was nice, the moon clearly visible in the reflection of the water, but nothing will compare to being surrounded by the stars in the water.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a presence beside her, G’raha had shuffled closer until their shoulders were touching, he was decidedly not looking her way, focusing his gaze on the water as well.

“It was… cold.” He said quietly.

She smiled warmly, leaning her head down until it rested on top of his, feeling an ear flick in annoyance at her wet hair touching it.

“You’re getting my fur wet again.” 

“You’re the one that came over here. Besides, if you’re cold you wouldn’t mind the closeness.”

He sighed in agreement and the two fell into a comfortable silence. The water lapping gently at the shore was their only accompaniment, Elletha felt a soft tail curl around her at the same time she laced his fingers with hers. Her heart was beating out of her chest, she didn’t want to break the spell of whatever had fallen over them, but it really was getting cold out here, and the hard rocky surface of Silvertear didn’t exactly make for a comfortable seat.

“Raha,” she said quietly, “I think we should head back.”

“Mmm,” G’raha mumbled in agreement, “We should.”

Elletha stood up, offering G’raha her other hand to help him up. He took it, stumbling as she suddenly pulled them together. He quickly let go and turned to retrieve his garments, Elletha following suit.

Once dressed they headed back to the Find together, Elletha took his hand once more and neither of them mentioned it, walking down the rocky path with wet hair and hands clasped tight. They parted once they reached the camp again, saying their goodnights and heading to their separate tents.

Once inside, Elletha immediately collapsed onto the makeshift bed, burying her face in her pillow and screaming in embarrassment.

Looking up to see Zenos across the long table from her, Fandaniel smiling mischievously at his side made anger and rage start to pool inside of her.

Reduced to the power of a Garlean soldier, one she had fell many times in the past, felt like a slap to the face. She couldn’t feel the power of the elementals any longer, couldn’t feel Hydaelyn’s blessing protecting her from the horrors of the world, Elletha just felt - emptiness. That emptiness haunted her as she watched Zenos leave his own body and steal hers, she felt rage but also felt hollow. 

Hollow as she trudged her way through the cold Garlean landscape, avoiding soldiers and magitek machines that she could’ve easily taken on in her own body. Hollow as she desperately crawled towards Camp Broken Glass, clawing fistfuls of dirt and snow as she dragged her failing body towards her friends. Hollow as she finally got the strength to get up and run, hurling this body’s sword at the demon inhabiting her own.

And especially hollow when all of her friends turned to look at her in disgust.

Alisaie grabbed the impersonator’s arm, clinging to her, “What is that thing, Elle? Why is it attacking us?”

She watched the thing place a hand on Alisaie’s head and say in her voice “Don’t worry Ali, I won’t let anything hurt us.” 

G’raha nodded along beside them, removing his staff from his back, “Want me to take care of this?”

“No! Get away from them Zenos!” She screamed, but couldn’t move from her place.

G’raha tilted his head to the side in confusion, “Zenos? What is it talking about?” he pointed his staff towards her, “Elle, can we get rid of it?”

She watched as the creature took one of G’raha’s hands in its own, smirking. How could they not see!? Please… please get away! 

Crimson roots burst from the ground and enveloped him, crystal lilies dripping with blood burst from his skin and shattered as he crumpled to the ground in front of her. She watched him reach out towards her - really her, but she couldn’t move, couldn’t do anything.

Light tore through Alisaie, the glaring, blinding streaks of aether destroying and melting her before she could even react. 

Elletha watched, hollow, as the creature slew her friends one by one, each dropping in a blinding display of light and lilies, turning her own magic against her dearest companions. Zenos turned to her when he had completed the task, blood-stained cane clutched in his hands, a frighteningly wide smile on his - her - face.

“The stage has been set for our reunion.” His voice mingled with her own, the sound sending powerful waves of disgust down her spine, “Now there’s nothing in the way of our battle - only now can you be truly focused on your true desire.”

He grinned impossibly further, twisting her face into a thing of nightmares, “Fighting me.”

With a scream she launched herself at him-

And bolt upright in bed, chest heaving, the sounds of a scream dying in her throat. Elletha grabbed onto her own face, trying to assure herself that it was her own, vaguely aware of a presence beside her trying to calm her down. 

She took a deep, shuddering breath, you’re okay you’re you you’re still you you’re fine everything is fine you’re you you’re you you’re yo-

“Elletha! Please, please calm down.” Gentle hands removed hers from her face, revealing an extremely worried looking G’raha. “You’re okay.”

She leaned forward and pressed their foreheads together, “I- I’m back, aren’t I? I am… myself, right?”

He looked at her with sadness in his eyes, gently reaching forward and cupping her cheek, rubbing his thumb under her eyes to wipe away any stray tears that had gathered. She leaned into the touch as he spoke, “You’re back. You’re safe at the camp with everyone else. We knew it wasn’t truly you the second you- he appeared.” He faltered for a second, watching fondly as Elletha began pressing gentle kisses into his palm as he spoke. “You’re you, Elle. You’re home.”

Elletha took a deep breath, feeling her breathing return to some semblance of normal and gently coaxed G’raha to lie down with her again, burying her face into his chest so she could hear the steady beat of his heart. She felt his tail wrap around her protectively, deft fingers combing their way through her messy hair and felt herself smile shakily.

“Stay with me! Focus on my voice!”

Oh I’m focusing alright. Elletha thought bitterly, clutching her head in an attempt to make the pain lessen. She thought she could vaguely hear Tataru and the others worrying over her, but couldn’t make it out over the loud, piercing whine building in her ears.

“Let expanse contract, eon become instant…”

She felt like her head was exploding. The previous attempts had never lasted this long before one of her friends dropped in front of her. The headache felt like it was reaching a crescendo, the waves of pain becoming more constant and piercing. Elletha had been in many life or death situations before, but never had she truly thought she was going to die. But this? This was torture.

“Throw wide the gates that we may pass!”

It felt like an explosion went off in her head, and then it all went white. Tataru’s wish to see their friends safely home echoed in her head as she waited for the pain to stop. When she finally opened her eyes again, a vast expanse of endless stars surrounded her. After the pain and ringing had come to a stop, the sudden silence was incredibly loud and unnerving. Elletha glanced around the void she found herself in, never having felt quite so lost and alone as this.

And then she was falling.

Crossing the rift felt like it was over in an instant, but also felt like an eternity.

Memories flew past at alarming speeds, some burning bright and whizzing by like a shooting star, others lingering and filling Elletha with a sadness and longing so deep it felt like a stab to the chest.

Is this some means of torture? She thought, watching as memories passed by, Does he mean to hurt me to make me cooperate with his plan?

She drifted further through the rift, bitterly watching as crystals streaked past, too many to truly focus on until-

“We did everything right!”

Elletha glanced up from her thoughts, watching a replay of the heartfelt speech from the warrior of darkness. She reached for it hopelessly, the shard slipping out of her grasp and speeding off into the stars above.

A final memory crossed her path, but it didn’t feel like fully her own. A woman stood facing an incredible, blinding flood. Elletha watched as the woman turned her head slightly and said in an oh so familiar voice, “Your time has not yet come.” ,and once again her vision became blinded with light.

At the end of the rift she found herself unceremoniously dumped onto the ground. At least, she thought it was the ground but had never seen grass so… purple before. Opening her eyes and looking up at the sky, she was convinced she was still blinded by memories, but the light did not lessen.

Elletha sat up, shielding her eyes with one hand and grafting a fistful of hair in frustration with the other. “There better be a damn good reason for all of this.” She pushed herself to her feet, glaring at the strange purple foliage around her. “You hear me, you strange robed guy!? There better be a good reason or you’ll never hear the end of it!” She shouted into the empty forest, feeling a little bit better as it echoed through the trees.

She sighed and took a deep breath, and steadied herself. Looking towards the crystal tower in the distance, she continued onward into the lilac forest, swearing to herself she would do anything to bring her dear friends back to their own world.