#sankureddo

a new home— the very idea still astounds her, in her mind. when she received the key, the only ideas that came to mind were that of her manor in sharlayan: a home once filled with laughter and love, silence and sorrow. now a near replica stood near the water of styx. she now stands at the balcony, joined by her closest companion, after settling in for the day.

❝ thank you, once again, for accompanying me. ❞ she smiles, meeting his gaze before looking out to the pool of water before them. ❝ it still... has not dawned upon me, just how much it mirrors my home. ❞

it was comforting, being able to feel at home in this strange place. and yet, with it comes its regrets— after all, the gunbreaker now lived in a different ward from herself. an idea comes to mind to remedy this, but it sets her heart aflutter. yet, a part of realizes that it wouldn't truly be a home without someone to share it with.

a soft inhale, and her gaze turns back to him.

With an eager tone, G’raha shared with Tsuru what he hoped to find. He desired to visit all that prove to be essential to his investigation, though relying on his knowledge of the Rak’tika Greatwood, he saw potential ruins and artifacts within the Jungle Biome. 

As the couple approached the crowd, G’raha took notice two familiar faces: Lyra and Thancred. He stopped and rose a hand to greet them before shortening the distance to meet them. 

“’Tis no surprise to find you both here. I hardly imagine any of the Scions--... ahem, former Scions disregarding the opportunity for an adventure.” Excited red eyes shimmered as G’raha uttered the one adventure. “Tsuru and I are to descend and survey the Jungle Biome; would you care to join us? I can hardly think of two more capable souls than you.” G’raha smiled and removed his staff from his back, “With the four of us, I do believe that our light party will fair well. What do you say, my friends?”

While G’raha did his very best to hide his excitement, it’s apparent to see. His ears twitched, listening to every sound that transpired through the crowd; his tail swished behind him, bouncing as if ready for prey; and the tightened smile expressed his need to repress the elation that swirled within him. 

He’s ready for an adventure.

milfs wont fix the empty hole in your heart trust me bro

her eyes gazed faraway, still hesitant to be standing before his home. and yet, she could not resign herself to simply shy away. instead, she at least resolves to give him the gifts she had prepared. however, it seems that she would instead be greeted by the sound of footsteps behind her. she turns to find the gunbreaker there, who seemed somewhat surprised by her presence. ❝ thancred... ❞

a pause, before she snaps back to her senses. ❝ t-thank you for... the bouquet and the chocolate... they're lovely. ❞ a slight stutter in her words. her mind was still trying to grasp how he'd gone out of his way to deliver those things to her, to write her that small letter. she tries to uphold some semblance of composure, a small smile on her lips as she musters the courage to continue in her speech. ❝ i-i do not mean to overstay, i... also had some things for you. ❞

first was a small, but rather wide canvas. a painting he would recognize to be a depiction of lakeland in the eve, the waters of the source glistening against the night sky. she then brings out a small box, neatly wrapped with a white ribbon. inside sat a silver pocket watch with a chain, one that she had bought with some dust she had saved up over her stay.

She had only just begun to heal from her parting with the Scions, but to suddenly not have Gaia or any of her other friends from the First is a bigger blow that she doesn't know how to handle. It has only been a few days since her arrival to the island, and yet it feels like it's been much more.

Her venture outside of her apartment (Her new home...?) today was meant to be nothing more than an attempt to familiarize herself with the local shops. She couldn't fall into a state where she doesn't take care of herself, after all — She owed it to the others to keep moving forward, even if it's in an unfamiliar place.

However, she didn't expect to see anyone she recognized. A familiar flash of blue peeks out within the crowd, causes her to stumble to a stop. The thought of someone else being trapped here was something that she had even considered a possibility. If anything, it made her afraid — She could accept herself being brought here as a failure on her part for not being strong enough. But her...?

"Lyra...?" Ryne's voice is nothing more than a whisper, disbelief evident on her features as her feet move to bring her closer to the astrologian before she can fully process it all.

The crowd shifts again, and she sees that Lyra is not alone. She's standing and chatting with another familiar figure, one she had thought she'd never see again. They look like they are enjoying themselves, smiling and looking over the wares being offered by the merchant, but she can't help the cry of his name that immediately escapes from her throat.

"Thancred!"

the broadcast at midnight had startled almost everyone in the city: a plea for assistance, to explore what is below the hole. to the warrior of light, it seemed like ample opportunity to gain insight of both the nature of the city and the anomaly that threatens it. she was never one to set aside any call for help, and neither was the companion who had chosen to join her to explore these depths.

❝ thank you ... for coming with me. ❞ she offers thancred a small smile, before briefly glancing at the weapon returned to his hand. a most familiar sight, as she most often stood behind him on the field. a single chuckle escapes her lips. ❝ i suppose it has been a while since we've last ventured together. though, i am not quite sure these are the ideal circumstances. ❞

having taken the lift down, and having gone through the gates— the sight of the clearing before them was perhaps the least strangest place they've been. a forest, perhaps comparable to that of the shroud. a gentle gust of wind blows against them, and she closes her eyes for a brief moment.

❝ i can hear them again, ❞ the stars, their stars— heavens distant from where they stood. a faint glow emits from her planisphere, proof of her restored prowess. her pleasant tone, however, transitions to one more cautious, careful. lyra meets his gaze once more.

There's relief in her tone as she approaches Thancred, hands resting on her knees shortly afterward as she attempts to catch her breath. The large wasp-like creatures weren't quite what she was expecting when she dropped from Selene Station, but thankfully they were easy enough to defeat.

She straightens, looks over her shoulder in the direction they helped usher others to. The barriers, from what she can tell, seem to be holding up well enough. For the moment, she catches herself thinking, and quickly shakes her head and claps her hands onto her cheeks. That sort of thinking wouldn't do here, even if she feels an immense amount of dread.

Ryne carefully steps over a piece of rubble, places herself at Thancred's side and follows his gaze into the darkened tunnel.

"You're not thinking of going down there, are you?"

She wouldn't put it past him. He's always been the reckless sort.