Composure was a skill that any member of Ishgard's nobility would have to cultivate to survive in their cutthroat world, and Morganaux had learned it well. It was easy for him to keep a smile on his lips in situations where it would be unbecoming of him to let his true feelings slip through, and in the times where it was not so easy, a bit of magic was all it would take to keep up the façade.

This knowledge was all but forgotten when he found himself pulled into the warmth of Raphael's arms, staring wide-eyed like a startled deer as a frigid hand cupped his face and drew a shiver from him.

And then, blinking back tears, the Elezen wordlessly returned the embrace, clinging tightly to his companion as he allowed his sorrow to finally be shown. How could he possibly lie to such a kind soul who had endured a Coerthan storm to be at his side, and who gave him the comfort he so desperately needed, but was not brave enough to ask for?

"I'll be alright too, I think. Not now, and perhaps not even for a long time, but... I will be," Morganaux confessed softly, just barely able to be heard over the raging winds— just loudly enough for the two of them. "Just your presence is enough. You've already done so much for me as it is."

Closing his eyes, he nuzzled against the hand upon his cheek, wishing he could bring himself to ask for more— to voice the thoughts that simple touch had inspired in his shattered heart. But it would be wrong to do so, so soon after the loss of the man he loved. And besides, it had been a mere gesture of comfort, nothing more or less than that. ...It was, wasn't it?

"Ah! Hythlodaeus!" Venat waved an arm as she caught sight of the other man, hurrying in his direction with a gesture for him to wait and not move. Reaching his side, she paused long enough to lean forward and take a breath.

"Just the person I wanted to see! Sort of. Well, yes–you're good with people! And confident! Yes? Yes! You're very good at talking to people. Being friends! At making people like you." She nodded, more to herself than anything, before straightening.

💙 I can’t leave you, like this.

Forget-me-nots, felt symbolically how Calypso felt between Hythlodaeus and Hades. A symbol of how much, in Calypsos own heart, they meant to them.

Becoming Azem had been the easy part. It was having to leave, that was the hardest for the trio.

Taking the time to tell the two, they had invited them over to their apartment for one last night together. Morning comes, and the sun pours through the window,while Calypso gets ready to leave. It’s when their roasting coffee with a yawn, their eyes focus on something in their dining room table,

“Mm..?”

They tenderly held up a long piece of fabric, closing their eyes and rubbing. It smelled like lilacs, a comforting scent,

‘Like Hyth…” They thought.

Their calloused fingers rub to feel the silky texture, eyes shut for a moment as they smiled…

“Looks like Hythlodaeus left his ribbon here..”

They were in no rush…so why not give it back to him?

Calypso passes amongst familiar curves, following the narrow path towards the Architect building to pass it off to him and then bid a final farewell before their trek towards a newly unexplored area. Thankfully, it seemed Hythlodaeus was still in his office, so they take no time at all to find it,

“It’s me”.

They announced themselves, before opening the door, eyes widening almost immediately,

“…..”

Amongst a sea of purple, adorned with glittery whites Calypso stared back at Hythlodaeus who clearly had been crying.

Their heart sinks like an anchor. The immense guilt they had felt alone, at having witnessed it, yet alone watch as tears streamed down his face,

“Hythlodaeus…I’m here”.

A tenderness escapes Calypso, immediately, coming to his side, taking his hand, intertwining his fingers with theirs.

“…I’m here now”.

Hythlodaeus Calypso knew, had always taken the news of their departures hard. Yet despite it all they always seemed to mask that between his own selflessness and flowery personality. So for this to happen did not surprise them in the least, however…

They felt bad.

Their heart twists, a dagger of grief struck from within, to see him so distraught over them. They pause, then suddenly move to capture him and hold him. They feel the way his chest shudders, his voice cracking to catch his breath. A downcast gaze is given unto him, gently cupping his head in an extremely gentle manner,

as in... as in like him eventually become a shepherd again or like just in general?

i don't think i could ever really see estinien settling back into a life as a shepherd again. it's something i would love for him to do once in a while, as a break from his life as an adventurer. spend a few years in tranquility surrounded by his flock. but knowing this man, he'd never be at ease staying in one place for very long. so my endgame for him has always been that he would eventually have a farm with a flock that he could go back home to (in dravania, where he can be near the dragons too and said dragons can help look after his flock when he's gone), but then once he feels that itch to travel, he picks up his lance and he's on the road again.

but if we're talking about in general? i have feelings. lots of feelings. about what being a shepherd means to estinien. i love that the sheep has become almost synonymous with his lost childhood, innocence that was cruelly and brutally taken away by fire and rage. there's just so much art of young shepherd boy estinien looking up with mixed fear and confusion at some draconic horror in the sky that casts a sinister shadow over him.

@soulseeresque