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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You know, I don't think I've ever felt so protected by a human.

[Wise smiles.]

I like it. Lead on, Lighter.

We can be surprising in a lot of ways and now you've got the freedom to see that for yourself.

[He's glad for the peace, honestly. He knew skirmishes would happen but if just one of these dragons can find a way to go out on the open road, that was good enough. It helped that this specific dragon made for good company.

But indeed, Lighter led Wise to the water, stepping deeper out to the sea himself while still keeping a hold on Wise's hand. He didn't think anything of it, just wanted to guide him gently to the water.]

[And Wise follows like it's second nature. Maybe it is, for him. He yelps a little when they get into the water, not expecting it to be so pleasantly cool, and then he laughs as he sees the fish swimming around.]

They're not afraid!

[Oh he's adorable, by the Twelve. He will keep guiding Wise to help him swim just a little further out but never straying too far from the shore. His feet could still touch sand comfortable but he was taller than Wise who probably was on his tip toes by now.]

Well, this is where they live. If you're not bothering them, they won't bother you. You've probably never seen fish like this before, huh? Dravania's pretty far out from any tropical fish.

I have seen so many trout, but nothing this colorful. It's beautiful.

[He is very much on his toes, and he's clinging to Lighter.]

I didn't know fish could be this brightly colored, honestly!

It's a real sight to behold. Even I was surprised when I first visited this region. The place I'm from is out in the dry mountains.

[Lighter did notice that clinging though.]

Water getting too deep for you?

A bit. I'm a lot shorter than you, after all.

[He does not seem fussed, however.]

We'll go a little closer to shore, then. It'll keep you from getting too nervous about nothing being under your feet, but don't worry. I'll still be holding onto you every step so you don't be drifting away.

[Wise was not just shorter but also much thinner than Lighter. Or, well, this body of his was.

... Could an actual dragon swim? Ah, he'll file that question away for later. Surely he'll remember to ask (he won't.)]

Alright.

[They move, and the entire time Wise is clinging to Lighter. Even when they're on more secure footing, he doesn't let go.]

So how do I swim like this...

First, you need to figure out floating on your own. Humans float pretty naturally, but you still need to do some of the work yourself.

Here, give me your hands. Then lift your legs up off the ground and try to stay up above water in a straight line.

[Said offering both of his hands for Wise to take. Yes, Wise was already clinging to him but Lighter moved his free hand to take Wise's from wherever it was on his body.]

...how am I supposed to do that and not drink salt water?

I'll help you keep your upper half up while you focus on the lower half. Just keep looking at me.

[Just look at the hot guy Wise everything will be fine.]

[Everything was not fine, as Wise ate so much shit and drank so much saltwater it was actually concerning. He's fine now, at least, and dinner was excellent.

But the day is coming to a close, and that means it is time for a bath. Wise heads into their private bathing spring first, soaking in the quiet and the cool water and the night sky.]

[Yeah, it was a little embarrassing but if Wise ever started to feel frustrated Lighter would help him out of the funk. Even if there were a few internal scares he had about Wise drowning.

But it's fine, night was falling and they ought to wind down anyway. The bathing spring was private for the whole home so he thought he'd also have a chill bath. At the very least he came into the common area for the spring in a towel.]

Want some company?

[Wise looks over with a smile...and rather shamelessly ogles a little. Yep, he is attracted to the human.]

Sure, if it's you.

Lucky me.

[Saying Lighter wasn't used to being leered at and ogled would be a lie, but something about Wise doing it made his heart beat a fair bit faster. Either way he stepped into the bath, only removing the towel when the water would cover him well enough.]

We can take swimming lessons slow while we're here. You can't always learn something overnight.

That's hard to remember, at my age. You get used to just being good at what you're good at, you forget that you can, you know, learn.

[...oh.]

Your eyes...

[Ah, shit.]

Yeah, they're not what you'd expect from a Seeker of the Sun like me. One of my parents was Hyuran so I got the height and the eyes.

[He's being evasive on purpose.]

Oh, I knew that. You're way too built for a Miqo'te. But your eyes, they're red.

...

[Dammit, he could only evade for so long it seems.

But... he knew Wise was a good person. Someone who kept to his word, kept people and dragons alike safe. He leaned backwards against the wall of the bath, eyes closed to avoid looking into the dim lights strung above.]

It's an old injury from when I used to fight in Ul'dah's gladiator ring. When there's too much light, it hurts my eyes. It's why I wear those dark glasses all the time.

[And the mild hemophobia, but would that hold much water by now given Lighter was the one to slay Nidhogg? He knew why Wise was asking about his eyes anyway. From the way Lighter spoke of it, it seemed to be a time in his life as dark as those shades he hid behind.]

[Wise can tell it's a hard memory.]

I see. Would you mind letting me look at your eyes, later? I don't think I repair them, not after so long, but maybe I can make something to help with any lingering pain from the injury.

[He shook his head.]

You don't need to worry about it. Like you said, it was a long time ago and I've got a way to keep my eyes shielded. As long as I have that, it doesn't hurt at all. And besides, I think they look pretty cool, don't you?

[Lighter was just glad to have his life. He wouldn't if not for his Free Company.

He didn't want to seem unappreciative of the offer, though.]

... But. If it'll make you feel better, I'll still let you have a look. I don't mind that if it's you.

They do look cool. [He smiles a little.] But if there's something I can do, I want to try. Who knows, maybe I'll be able to make a more durable pair of shaded glasses.

Heh, well then I'll have to wear those all the time. I'll need to find something else to do with my old pair. Maybe I'll let you wear them, they won't get in the way of your proxy, will it?

[Lighter laid a hand on Wise's shoulder with a soft laugh. He was just kidding around, but he also did know these were powered by their eyes and how important a dragon's eyes were so.]

[Wise smiles and leans in a little closer.]

No, it won't. These eyes don't affect anything, just the one that's in this body, and no glasses could block that out.

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