--Crystal--

[eyesofaproxy]

[Wise and Belle are not quite of the First Brood but they are two of the older dragons on Eorzea (they've long since abandoned their original draconic names, because they like these better). They're just a few eons younger than Vrtra, and thus are closest to their cousin. Helped, of course, by the fact that like Vrtra the two of them spend a lot of time in a humanoid avatar. They'd heard about Vrtra doing it, thought it sounded fun, and after a few mortal centuries of trying on avatars and figuring out things like "gender", they eventually settled on their avatars of choice. Belle spends most of her time in the guise of a cute Au Ra lady and Wise as a slightly customized Viera man.

(Scales. He needed scales somewhere, it felt weird being entirely flesh. His hips and thighs have a lovely pattern of scales that are easy to hide.)

They've settled in, of all places, the Dravanian forelands for a time. They heard that there was someone interesting, someone interesting enough to urge Midgardsormr to wake up for a moment. They're settled in Tailfeather, their draconic bodies tucked safely away in Anyx Trine for now. Belle's taken to being a chocobo tender while Wise has set up as a alchemist and scribe for people who want to write letters but can't.

Hopefully this interesting person will show up.]

Comments

[eyesofaproxy]

Ennn...na! Nah, nah, nanenhana...

[If Lighter could understand Eous, he would know that it said "Alembic...ah! Yeah, yeah, Belle hid it..."

But he doesn't, so for all Lighter can tell this little bunny creature goes running over to the far corner seemingly at random. But there, behind some fabric, is Wise's alembic.]

[fuegor]

Lead the way.

[Not a lick, but he's gonna talk like he does understand. He does walk a little closer in the corner cause well he implied he'd follow the little guy's lead. And when the alembic is found and he gave it a look over it sure matched that description.]

Looks like you found it. I'll bring it back to its owner right away, and don't worry. I'll give you your credit too. Thanks, little buddy.

[And he'll give Eous a little fist bump! Then go back to the lower level to turn in the quest to the dragon.]

Got it right here. I didn't do it alone though, there was a critter up there that found it hiding within someone else's things. It had real long ears and an orange bandana.

[eyesofaproxy]

[Wise perks up when Lighter returns with his alembic.]

Ah, Eous. A curious creature, but very dear. My thanks for finding the alembic, child of the land. Set it down, and I shall see it to its proper place...but tell me, wouldst thou be willing to aid me in one final task?

[Time to get vengeance on Belle yep--]

[fuegor]

No problem. What else can I do for you?

[There is task!!! Task!!!!!]

[eyesofaproxy]

[Wise gets Lighter's help setting up a prank for Belle, eventually rewarding him with some interesting bits of Allagan metal and several pots of dye.

Some time later, the two siblings can be found in Tailfeather once again. Wise is laughing as he sits up in a tree to get away from Belle, who is sulking about his prank.]

That's what you get for hiding my alembic!

[fuegor]

[Sweet! Forest Green Dye!!

Lighter took a fair few hard hits during that bout with Ravana, and while he was healed well by Alphinaud and folks in his Free Company the Sons of Calydon, both he and they needed to have a proper look over from a chirurgeon.

Lighter was headed outside after his all clear when he happened upon Wise climbed up a tree.]

We meet again. [A huffed chuckle at the sulking sibling and the comment towards her.] That's kinda funny. I was helping someone just the other day with getting their alembic back.

[eyesofaproxy]

[Belle looks at Lighter, looks at her brother, and the two seem to share a telepathic moment before Belle just snickers and wanders off to leave her brother alone. Silly landwalker.]

Yeah? Did you manage to find it?

[fuegor]

Yeah, I had some help with it though. It was some kind of... familiar, probably. I didn't think to ask since it was probably their business.

[You know, asking the critter who only speaks in Eh-nah-nah's what it is.]

I just remember it was named...

[... ah shite, what was it named again? Eso? Elips? Echo?]

... Eros, I think. [Lighter.]

[eyesofaproxy]

[Wise has to try so hard not to laugh. Oh, Lighter.]

Any idea what it looked like? I'm always interested in familiars.

[fuegor]

[He was close!!]

It almost looked like a really chubby rabbit [He moved his hands in a bunny ear gesture over his head] but it was standing on too legs and saying "Eh-nah-nah" when it tried to talk.

[eyesofaproxy]

[Okay he needs to save him before Eous hears him calling it Eros.]

Oh, Eous! We see it around sometimes, no idea what's doing though.

[fuegor]

[... Shit.]

Right, Eous. That's right. I'll remember that. [There's a 50/50 shot that he won't.]

It's quite a ways out if you're finding it around here. The one that knew who it was is all the way out in Anyx Trine. He might get worried. If you see it coming this far out, you wanna do me a solid and tell it to head home? Or call me and I'll walk it back to make sure it doesn't get jumped by any of the poachers around.

[Could he teleport? Sure. But that's not as cool as walking Eous back in his bass akwards brain.]

[eyesofaproxy]

[Oh sweet star.]

Call? How would I do that? I don't have your linkpearl.

[fuegor]

... That is true.

[Lighter.]

How about this. Since I might be leaving town for the Churning Mists in a few days, if you see Eous around in that time just come to the house near the Aetheryte and ask for Lighter. If I'm already gone by that point, use this linkshell to call the Sons of Calydon.

[Said giving Wise that very linkshell.]

If you want, you should be able to give me a call directly on it too. I may not be around, but feel free to give me a call anytime.

[eyesofaproxy]

[...is this why Hraesvelgr likes humans? Because of their stupid earnestness? It's endearing.

He takes the linkshell...and then offers a linkpearl to Lighter.]

Here, so you can call me, if you want.

[And so Wise can just call him directly.]

[fuegor]

[Lighter was something of an anomaly, more earnest than most something something no he's stun something. But he took that linkpearl with a smile. This Viera was an interesting one. Lighter has since tried his soothing alternative to the tobacco and paid for the product, so it would be smart to keep in contact.

But also, well, Lighter just wanted to stay in contact with Wise.]

Thanks. I'll give you a call whenever I'm feeling bored or need company. [Another laugh.]

The Sons of Calydon are a free company I'm part of... but I'm also with the Scions of the Seventh Dawn. The latter's... well.

[He shook his head.] But the Sons will take care of whatever you might need when I'm not around.

[eyesofaproxy]

[He smiles in gratitude at that--Lighter's sweet--but then Lighter mentions the Scions and.

Well.]

I heard. Have you had any luck...?

[fuegor]

... Somewhat. We snuffed most of the Crystal Braves out of Vesper Bay and Mor Dhona and took back the Scions who signed on with them. Most of the Archons and the Antecedent still aren't accounted for.

[He's relieved they found Urianger safe and sound and that Caesar and the others are keeping a close watch on him and both locations, but the others... where in the world were they?]

[eyesofaproxy]

If I hear or see anything, I'll let you know then. Good luck, Lighter.

[The war ends soon after that. The Warrior of Light is truly a miracle.

Wise doesn't hear much in the intervening months, not until he hears about a wandering naked man. He has Eous check it out, and when it's confirmed to be a scion who has seriously fucked his aether, Wise maybe has his familiar infuse Thancred with some of his. Not much, but enough that he isn't quite as fucked. Belle gives him shit, but she would have done the same if she'd found him first.

Now that the war is done, the siblings feel safe heading into Ishgard for the first time. It's exciting, getting to see the city, and though Wise looks for Lighter he doesn't find him. That's fine, though, as it's fun just exploring.

And then Nidhogg's song starts again. Belle is safe at their inn room when it starts, but Wise is out shopping. A pounding starts in his head, urging him to heed the song and attack, but he manages to resist it.

He does end up collapsing in the street, though, unconscious from the strain.]

[fuegor]

[To say Lighter has been through the Seven Hells would be an understatement. Another person killed because of him, Estinien being taken by Nidhogg, the "Warriors of Darkness" or whatever those try-hards fashioned themselves as... not to mention whatever Hydaelyn did to Minfilia... damn it all.

It all made Aymeric being stabbed a tiny footnote in comparison. At least the man recovered... and at least he had Wise and the Sons behind him. Gods only knew where he'd be if he didn't.

Lighter had a chance to finally breathe if only for a little while when he saw Wise passed out in the middle of the street. He froze, flashing back to the many people that have died in his arms... both before and during his time as Warrior of Light. God, no, this cannot happen again...

He rushed over, immediately checking over Wise's condition. He still had a pulse, thank the gods, but still.]

Wise?! What happened!? Come on, open your eyes... [Please.]

[eyesofaproxy]

[He's unresponsive, but alive. He's cold and shaking even now, muttering something unintelligible.]

[fuegor]

Hold on... I've got you... you're gonna be alright.

[Please be alright.

Lighter lifted Wise in his arms to bring him to the nearest facility to get medical attention. Knights were mobilizing due to Dravanians apparently being on the move again, which meant Estinien would be found sooner or later. But right now he was focused on Wise.

Lighter being well known by this point meant he could skip the line a bit and get Wise some help. When he wakes up next he'll find himself laying in a soft bed with Lighter posted outside of the curtain.]

[eyesofaproxy]

[Belle heard about Wise's collapse and though she's not doing much better, she manages to get to the healer's to sit with Lighter until Wise wakes up. She knows before he does, perking up and looking to the curtain just as Wise groans.]

Ugh...

[fuegor]

[When Belle perked up (though Lighter told her not to push herself either), he looked to her. Then he heard Wise from behind it and opened the curtain just enough for them both to poke their little heads through.

There's a sign of relief, a load of tension leaving Lighter's body. Both of them are let in to be next to Wise without much issue, though he was still being looked over just in case.]

Hey, how are you feeling?

[eyesofaproxy]

Like I've been hit with a chocobo cart. Ten times. Belle?

I'm fine. You have that condition, though...

[Code for "it was in fact Nidhogg again".]