faepuns | --Crystal--

--Crystal--

[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.]

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Awful. They had to tie our bodies down in Anyx Trine so they didn't try to fly off with us all the way out here.

We think Wise's actually almost did it, which is why he passed out.

I also still have my other eye in that body. You don't.

[... Come to think of it.]

You're both dragons, but you're walking around in regular bodies. Why not stay in Anyx Trine? And how does what you're doing work exactly.

[Wise perks up and Belle rolls her eyes. Wise loves talking about this.]

So, Vrtra does similar and he's where we got the idea from. These bodies are alchemical homunculi, able to hold one or even both of our eyes and allow us to move around like humans while our dragon bodies just...lie around wherever we've stored them. Not like we're not used to that, after all.

We only hatched a thousand years ago, but we were born ten thousand years ago. It's...complicated and honestly I don't think humans could even begin to understand. Not even most dragons do.

Either way, we're used to just having our bodies in one place while our everything else is somewhere else. So this sort of avatar was really the next logical step for us!

[ahahahaha what]

Sounds complicated.

[Please don't make him do math, he can barely even read bro and his ears are twitching.]

So you use these bodies made through alchemy to go around regular towns and be among the people. Like a proxy.

It is. Don't ask him to explain, because he will and you'll die from boredom.

[Casually reaching over to give Belle a noogie...]

Yeah, basically. We spend so much time like this that it's honestly weird when our dragon bodies react or when we're moving around in them.

[Lighter smiled at that.]

C'mon now, don't be so hard on the guy. He's obviously the more delicate one between the two of you.

[He's in enough of a mood to joke around with two incredibly powerful dragons and lightly roast one of them. Is he stupid or just that casual?]

If you're able to do this, it means you've got a unique pair of eyes on the situations across Coerthas and Dravania. Still, you're playing a dangerous game going straight into the belly of the beast like that.

[A bit of a smirk.]

I respect that.

[Wise makes a face but Belle just laughs. She always calls him delicate.]

We do, yeah, and we're thinking about expanding our area, so to speak. Belle can stay here, but there's something going on in Ala Mhigo, I just know it. We need to keep an eye on the situation.

...

[That's right... tension was rising there again too. He'd heard word around the grapevine about someone calling himself "The Griffin" and stirring up Ala Mhigans to take the land back.

... Lighter and the Sons wanted to see it back too, but not like this. Right now, though, there was a bigger fire to put out.

But...]

I have a favor. If you find out anything new on the Ala Mhigan side... let me know. In exchange, I'll be able to put all my effort into finding Estinien so we can stop this war once and for all.

Then you'll be able to take the winding roads alongside mankind anywhere you want without worrying. Just like your mother wanted to do all that time ago.

[Oh.

Wise smiles and nods.]

Will do, Lighter. Good luck with our uncle, he's stubborn as you probably already know.

[Somehow, Lighter succeeds. Wise was out of the city at the time, tending to his body, but when he comes back Ishgard is preparing for a huge party and he gets roped into attending. He's lost track of his sister, but it's fine. He's sure she's fine.

Wise, meanwhile, is hanging around where the food and drinks are. They have noodle soup.]

I'm more stubborn.

[Indeed, he did taker Nidhogg down together with the Sons and freed Estinien too. Then was dragged into the following celebrations.

Lighter tended to be a wallflower in celebrations. It got him singled out and drugged once and that was just lovely. But seeing a familiar face in Wise (and noticing Belle was busy with a dark haired Miqo'te adventurer with an eastern sword), Lighter swung on over to greet him.]

You like what you see?

[Wise perks up when Lighter comes over, ears twitching a little in excitement.]

Of course I do. [Why wouldn't he like what he sees, when what he sees is Lighter?] You're looking good.

You're looking good yourself. [His own ears and tail both wiggled in delight. The venue was bright and it was daytime out, not to mention outside to accommodate for the large dragons also in attendance, so he had his shades on again. But it was clear he was in good spirits.]

Some real work can get started on building bridges in this place now. The kids from the Brume really like Vidofnir already. Hope she doesn't mind the Roegadyn lady asking her a thousand questions with them.

[Good for her, honestly. Let the Boss have a silly old time even if Lucy is going to get on her about it.]

Hm? Oh, you know that one? Cousin said she likes her, finds her interesting and fun to talk to, which is honestly impressive. Vidofnir's never been anti-social, but she's always been wary.

Yeah, her name's Caesar. She took up the lead position of the Sons of Calydon since the last leader stepped down to a lower position. He's still around and was the one who brought me in.

[From Ul'dah's gladitorial ring... good thing he knew every nook and cranny of that city to avoid that spot in particular.]

She's got a lot of heart. She's got a way to go, but I know she'll be good at it.

[It was clear he cared a lot about his free company.]

If you ask me, she's got better chops to be the "Warrior of Light" than me. But it's my job to handle the rough and ugly parts of our work. Sometimes that includes this job.

You wouldn't be the Warrior of Light is your Crystal didn't think you could do it, you know. And anyone who can befriend Midgardsormr has to be impressive.

That may be, but I like to be seen on my own merits over having a Crystal. [It's half a joke. He knew him having the Crystal and it still being alight and having the Blessing of Light was something bestowed to him and him alone. And he knew he was good at this job and that few others could actually do it.

He just thought Caesar would be better at getting less people killed than he has. It was easier to laugh that thought off, though. Maybe... maybe he would tell Wise, but not around all these people.]

I can't say I was expecting him to give me a lift to where Thordan was hiding out in Azys Lla. I've had my fair share of rides on ground and air vessels, but riding on dragonback's really something.

If you ever want to ride on dragonback again, just let me know.

[Wow, Wise.]

Though we do go pretty fast, as a rule.

Heh. Maybe I'll take you up on that. Speed's not any problem for a guy used to breaking speed laws on a Manacutter. And I know you're the more delicate one between you and Belle. Maybe even Eous.

So, are you sure you can handle me?

[Lighter, he is a fucking dragon whose proverbial open mouth you are sticking your head in you whore.]

[Wise smirks.]

Oh, I'm sure. A delicate dragon is still stronger than a human.

We ought to put that to the test at some point.

[Said tilting his shades down a bit with a challenging look in his eyes. Lighter knew Wise was a dragon but also he was a twinky Viera right now and Lighter, while having Miqo'te ears and tail, had the height of a Highlander. He could probably lift Wise up like this with one arm.]

Maybe when I'm in my other body. Right now...

[He glances at Lighter.]

You could probably lift me.

Oh, easily.

[Why did you have to say it like That, Lighter.]

Right here and now in front of everyone, if you really wanna pose the challenge.

Do it.

[Wise is a little reckless. And a lot interested in this human.]

[There's a laugh. And then with zero further warning, Lighter lifted Wise up in one of his arms, adjusting so that Wise could sort of sit comfortable on his forearm, and then smirking up at him.]

You know what they call me in the Sons of Calydon? The undefeated Champion. You don't get a title like that from turning down a challenge.

[Everyone is probably looking now but hey.]

[Everyone is absolutely looking at them, including Belle who just facepalms at her brother.

Wise, meanwhile, just laughs.]

You didn't even struggle!

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