#khresme

𝐍𝐎 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄, 𝐍𝐎 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐓. only a release of suspiration as exhaustion called for his surrender, form seemingly content to lower to meet any surface. even the ground beneath them ━ frozen wood && stone scarcely able to be hidden in their entirety by lengths of carpet ━ certainly had not gone without at least one night’s rest upon it across years past. hm. at least during such times, none had been around to witness it ━ to frown upon him or suggest someplace more ideal. 

something so simple as tiredness... ‘twas to be hidden unless doing so ‘ppeared impossible, as though it were a cause for shame && not an instance of one simply being creature && not machine. plenty a time had the elezen wished sleep was no desire of his nor a need, fears of aught going awry during rest clawing at him so that slumber could never truly be peaceful. 

nay, it was waking constantly. sleeping lightly. roused by every single sound surely prompted by the worst befalling the people the very moment guard was lowered && he’d the audacity to choose himself over doing something about it, mind would proclaim, hissing && seething as it expected a clairvoyance man did not possess.

not ‘fore long had luna spoke without single utterance that a moment’s respite would not go amiss, fingers combing through midnight waves sending a brief shudder down aymeric’s spine. such things had always been taken for granted, how a touch could feel so pleasant when it wasn’t feared enough to be denied... another sigh. slower, softer this time. moment he fell once again to silence did a hand come to be placed atop her thigh by the knee, as though lap were a pillow.

NOT ONCE WAS it mentioned to Vincent Valentine that he had been selected, among the Hunters of Duscae, to represent them at an upcoming charity ball until the morning in which he needed to be ready. Indeed, in some circumstances it would be considered an honour, but in truth Vincent was not the kind of personality that ebbed charm and charisma in order to land funding for their drive against the monstrosities of the lands. So why he was being sent was beyond his contemplation.

@khresme

Ardyn’s smile couldn’t be any more grinch-like if he tried. The Gods are playing tricks on him, again. Such a funny sense of humor they have, if not outright bitter and cruel. He was once meant to be King---now he was little more than a plague-ridden court jester, telling jokes for the universe to hear and infecting peasants until the true King executes him in his and the Gods’ infinite mercy. 

He had grown up with Aera. Seeing the pictures of her descendant in the papers seemed like a funny coincidence at first---the same raise of her brow when she smiled, the same chubby cheeks and pretty blonde hair, though all infants look roughly the same. But as she grew it became more and more apparent---she was his hallucinations, his terror and his guilt given a new form of flesh and blood. All those regrets, being stabbed and pushed out of the Heavens by her in one final goodbye---and for what? To see her again and for her not to remember him?

He tips his hat, leaning his head forward. “Ah, I’m sure we’ve seen each other before. If not in a past life---then at some other wonderfully ostentatious Nif party. I am an appointed legal official, after all. And you are our delightful Oracle, blessed be your presence and your name.”

It was the first time Celes was seeing the Oracle since she had quitted Niflheim Empire. She was glad to see the other woman was SAFE after all that happened in Insomnia. Celes had betrayed them before those events, thinking that they were going too far, but when she had learned that Lunafreya was there during the attack, she had been scared; she knew how important she was to everyone. She was on Lucis’ side now and was taking contracts to help them until she could offer her service to the new king.

Rydia knew how the other woman was important in her own world because of the way she had talked about her duties as the Oracle. There were not such roles here; only kings and queens. But Lunafreya, a bit like the green-haired summoner, shared a special bond with the eidolons. Maybe they weren’t called this way in Eos, but still, since Lunafreya had appeared in this world, Rydia could feel the RESPECT her eidolons already had for her. She knew they would do their best to protect her just like they did with her, who had been at their side for a while now. It was a strange phenomenon, but Rydia was also really curious about it.