𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒞𝑅𝒴𝒮𝒯𝒜𝐿 𝐸𝒳𝒜𝑅𝒞𝐻 .

⠀
❛ʜᴏᴡ ᴍᴀɴʏ ʏᴇᴀʀꜱ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ɢᴏɴᴇ ꜱɪɴᴄᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴅᴀʏ?❜⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀

[𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒞𝑅𝒴𝒮𝒯𝒜𝐿 𝐸𝒳𝒜𝑅𝒞𝐻 . @ALLAGANEXARCH]

ㅤ
ㅤ promise you’ll take me on your next adventure.
#FFRP | #FFXIVRP
ㅤ

[ً @aslovewept]

it was always you.

[／ ・𝐂𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗚𝗘 .ᐟ @ComebackPebble]

⠀
⠀
⠀ ⠀／ * 𝘊𝘌𝘙𝘌𝘚 𝘈𝘊𝘊𝘌𝘚𝘚 ⠰ 𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗗
⠀ ⠀ ー 𝙁𝙄𝙇𝙀 𝙉𝘼𝙈𝙀 ⠰ 𝗦𝗔𝗕𝗘𝗥𝗧𝗢𝗢𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥

⠀ ⠀ ⠀ 𝙎𝙐𝘽𝙅𝙀𝘾𝙏 ⠰ 𝜠𝗗𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗 ・ 𝑳𝗨𝗖𝗜𝗦
⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ／タイタンの剣歯虎 ／＊
⠀

[𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒞𝑅𝒴𝒮𝒯𝒜𝐿 𝐸𝒳𝒜𝑅𝒞𝐻 . @ALLAGANEXARCH]

Hmm.

[𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒞𝑅𝒴𝒮𝒯𝒜𝐿 𝐸𝒳𝒜𝑅𝒞𝐻 . @ALLAGANEXARCH]

[ He’s stunned. This is unsurprisingly, not his first time in Il Mheg, he has Feo Ul to thank for that, but still . . . The view truly is breathtaking. ]

What a view. It seems you already know this shard like the back of your hand. Not that I expected anything less, of course.

[𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒓 . @T1LTEDHALO]

well said.

( ascending upwards as far as he was comfortable, aura finds a spot high enough on the castle that they will not be disturbed. the bike touches down in front of a large, stained glass window, the colours dancing on the concrete floor. )

here should do!

[𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒞𝑅𝒴𝒮𝒯𝒜𝐿 𝐸𝒳𝒜𝑅𝒞𝐻 . @ALLAGANEXARCH]

I’ve actually found myself rather fond of Triple Triad. That is, if you’re also interested.

[𝙝𝙮𝙙𝙖𝙚𝙡𝙮𝙣'𝙨 𝙙𝙖𝙬𝙣. @HOPESLEG4CY]

ㅤ
ㅤㅤwe have some time, what games do you like .ᐣ i always carry a couple of decks with me, and i'd love to learn, if i've never tried my hand .ᐟ
ㅤ

[𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒞𝑅𝒴𝒮𝒯𝒜𝐿 𝐸𝒳𝒜𝑅𝒞𝐻 . @ALLAGANEXARCH]

/ bedtime for me. stayed up a bit too late :’) see you all in four hours or so !

[𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒞𝑅𝒴𝒮𝒯𝒜𝐿 𝐸𝒳𝒜𝑅𝒞𝐻 . @ALLAGANEXARCH]

[ The reaction of surprise is minimal, but it /is/ there. A point for Aurora, he supposes. ]

Anywhere is fine by me. Truly, I care less about the destination and more about the journey. And naturally, the company.

[𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒓 . @T1LTEDHALO]

( aurora didn't 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 to rev the engine before setting off, but he does so, letting out a soft laugh as he started off towards the castle. )

i hope you don't mind me dictating the path! i have a plan in mind, see.

[𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒞𝑅𝒴𝒮𝒯𝒜𝐿 𝐸𝒳𝒜𝑅𝒞𝐻 . @ALLAGANEXARCH]

Perhaps that would be for the best. Cards are more my style… Or, well, the one thing I have any sort of experience with. It’s been a long while, but I’m sure it’ll come back to me.

[𝙝𝙮𝙙𝙖𝙚𝙡𝙮𝙣'𝙨 𝙙𝙖𝙬𝙣. @HOPESLEG4CY]

ㅤ
ㅤㅤthere's a lot going on at a mahjong table .ᐟ and from every hand i've tried, seems to be down to luck. i could play you at cards, a more traditional game of triple triad, though poker 𝘪𝘴 more fun . .
ㅤ

[𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒞𝑅𝒴𝒮𝒯𝒜𝐿 𝐸𝒳𝒜𝑅𝒞𝐻 . @ALLAGANEXARCH]

I trust you are.

[ With a deep breath, for confidence maybe, he follows. It’s not that he’s /frightened/ per se, he’s just become quite the recluse over the years. At least compared to his Sharlayan days. ]

[𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒓 . @T1LTEDHALO]

i'm a very good driver, don't worry.

( the mount materialises, and he swings a leg over the bike, situating himself on it. he gestures to the sidecar, head tilting. )

hold on tight.

[𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒞𝑅𝒴𝒮𝒯𝒜𝐿 𝐸𝒳𝒜𝑅𝒞𝐻 . @ALLAGANEXARCH]

Erm . . .

[ Good question. ]

I am not opposed to the idea, especially given the efficiency. I just cannot say it’s a regular occurrence for me. I — Took to the back of a rowdy amaro one time . . . That was enough for a good while.

[𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒓 . @T1LTEDHALO]

( the journey is short, only a few steps to the aetheryte and then the heat of the sun is on aura's back. )

are you opposed to flying?

( he's seconds away from summoning his mount. the thought of the 𝘤𝘳𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩 on the back of it is enough to make him laugh. )

[𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒞𝑅𝒴𝒮𝒯𝒜𝐿 𝐸𝒳𝒜𝑅𝒞𝐻 . @ALLAGANEXARCH]

Ah - It’s reassuring to know that I’m not the *only* one completely at a loss . . .

[𝙝𝙮𝙙𝙖𝙚𝙡𝙮𝙣'𝙨 𝙙𝙖𝙬𝙣. @HOPESLEG4CY]

ㅤ
ㅤㅤas soon as i figure it out, you will be the first to know .ᐟ
ㅤ

[𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒞𝑅𝒴𝒮𝒯𝒜𝐿 𝐸𝒳𝒜𝑅𝒞𝐻 . @ALLAGANEXARCH]

Il Mheg sounds lovely. It’s rare I take the chance to depart from the Crystarium, or the Ocular even.

After you.

[𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒓 . @T1LTEDHALO]

il mheg. we can take the aetheryte.

( eager, aurora smiles. nodding behind him towards the spinning crystal structure. )

the faeries won't bother us. and it's so beautiful bathed in sunlight.

[𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒞𝑅𝒴𝒮𝒯𝒜𝐿 𝐸𝒳𝒜𝑅𝒞𝐻 . @ALLAGANEXARCH]

@MiqoWithAStick We can work with that . . ? Maybe. Ah, well — Nevermind! If not, we can come up with our own way.

[𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒞𝑅𝒴𝒮𝒯𝒜𝐿 𝐸𝒳𝒜𝑅𝒞𝐻 . @ALLAGANEXARCH]

And how, pray tell, does one play . . . Mahjong?

[𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒞𝑅𝒴𝒮𝒯𝒜𝐿 𝐸𝒳𝒜𝑅𝒞𝐻 . @ALLAGANEXARCH]

Well, there’s no saying no to that.

[ It’s impossible to keep the smile from his lips, it seems the hood can hide his identity but not his emotions. ]

Come with you /where?/

[𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒓 . @T1LTEDHALO]

hm.

( determined! knocks a fist against his chin in thought. )

will you come with me? i understand time is short, but as the 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳 of this operation──

( only when it suits him, of course. )

i think we can spare some. everything seems to be in hand.

[𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒞𝑅𝒴𝒮𝒯𝒜𝐿 𝐸𝒳𝒜𝑅𝒞𝐻 . @ALLAGANEXARCH]

@MiqoWithAStick That works. Do you happen to have a rule book, or some kind of tutorial, or uh — Anything? I’ve heard mutters of the game but that’s about it . . . Completely clueless.

[𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒞𝑅𝒴𝒮𝒯𝒜𝐿 𝐸𝒳𝒜𝑅𝒞𝐻 . @ALLAGANEXARCH]

[ He catches it, ever observant when it comes to the Warrior of Light. Even back then, when they were merely acquaintances. ]

Don’t fret. I’m content as I am.

[𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒓 . @T1LTEDHALO]

( there's so much familiarity in the way he speaks, aura is almost certain they've met before. but he didn't, doesn't, push. he understands the need to protect one's identity. a sad little smile. )

i wish you would accept more for yourself.

[𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒞𝑅𝒴𝒮𝒯𝒜𝐿 𝐸𝒳𝒜𝑅𝒞𝐻 . @ALLAGANEXARCH]

Perhaps. Bringing peace to the Crystarium and returning you and your comrades back to the Source is more than enough for me.

[ It’s not, not really. But has he a choice? Returning to the Source feels like nothing more than a dream, the place itself merely a distant memory. ]

[𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒓 . @T1LTEDHALO]

you should! if you're so sure we'll succeed, you ought to have something to look forward to after it all.

[𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒞𝑅𝒴𝒮𝒯𝒜𝐿 𝐸𝒳𝒜𝑅𝒞𝐻 . @ALLAGANEXARCH]

. . . I have not thought that far ahead.

[𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒓 . @T1LTEDHALO]

you are . . . too kind for your own good. what do you want to do when all of this is over? any grand plans?

[𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒞𝑅𝒴𝒮𝒯𝒜𝐿 𝐸𝒳𝒜𝑅𝒞𝐻 . @ALLAGANEXARCH]

I suppose I do have my merits, naturally, the tower itself is a huge help. But . . . they pale in comparison to yours. That’s fine by me, I’d rather focus my efforts on supporting your cause.

[𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒓 . @T1LTEDHALO]

( it was easy for warmth to return to aurora's features. he did hold fondess still. for this strange, lonely person. he offers up what he hopes is a reassuring smile. )

well, i thank you for your confidence. but don't sell yourself short. you are an excellent ally.

[𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒞𝑅𝒴𝒮𝒯𝒜𝐿 𝐸𝒳𝒜𝑅𝒞𝐻 . @ALLAGANEXARCH]

[ He gets the hint. He’s not particularly the most proud of his timing either . . . but cross world travel is not easy and it’s not like he had many people to consult with! ]

With you? I don’t doubt it.

[𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒓 . @T1LTEDHALO]

hm.

( declines to comment on that last. part of aura still hadn't quite forgiven him for the manner in which he was ripped from the battlefield. but─ he was happy he could help. truly. )

do you believe we can win?

[𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒞𝑅𝒴𝒮𝒯𝒜𝐿 𝐸𝒳𝒜𝑅𝒞𝐻 . @ALLAGANEXARCH]

Ah, it’s approaching its end now, ‘tis it not? In a way it’s a shame. Feels like only yesterday did I finally manage to summon you to the First - After . . . much trial and error, of course.

[𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒓 . @T1LTEDHALO]

ah, don't thank me again! at least not until we bring this thrilling tale to its conclusion. worry not, exarch, i feel your gratitude.