ohmyarceus | MAY-JUNE TEST DRIVE MEME

[Traveling from town to town throughout the continent while battling along the way isn't something she is at all unfamiliar with. The unfamiliar part comes in that instead of using her fists, she has to entrust the outcome to the cheerful fire breathing puppy that's become her new close companion. Naltryd has been trying to make sense of this world, and although she has no idea why she's been sent here or why, all she can do is survive until she finds a way back. Eorzea needs its Warrior of Light, after all.

There's been no such luck in the getting home department yet, though. For now, she's just sitting on a bench outside of a cafe in Ceruleum City, sipping at a cup of coffee while her Growlithe absently chases Pidgeys that are gathered nearby.]

[ Unlike her, Haurchefant had no desire to go home. Home meant he would be dead and gone - instead of walking around Cerulean, taking a small break before he continued to journey. By his side was his pink Mareep.

And then he stopped. It was the Warrior of Light - Naltryd. Right there, with a rather cute little puppy and relaxed. His feet felt suddenly heavy, a hand going to his hidden scar. For once, he wasn't in his armour. No, he had slipped into something fitting this world. (Carrying that armour around was a little inconvinient, but he felt he needed to.) Looking to the Mareep, he gave a little smile, and then walked up, to just... sit next to her, looking at her with such admiration.

For once in his life, words had been robbed from his lips. He never thought he'd see the Warrior of Light again. He'd made peace with it - even though he heard others from Eorzea could come, he hadn't thought he'd be blessed like this. ]

[She's been so caught up in her thoughts that she doesn't realize there's another person there until they sit next to her. Naltryd chastises herself; even if this world is so much more peaceful than her own, it's no excuse to get rusty and not be aware of her surroundings. Looking up, she opens her mouth to greet the other person and--

--her mouth remains open, eyes widening to a near comical extent. She can't possibly be seeing what, or rather who, is before her.]

It... It cannot be...

[ But it can be. His eyes move from surprise to closed, softly speaking - his voice shaking the smallest bit. But not like when he passed. No, he's simply nervous. ]

Have you not heard? This land... can bring in those who've...

[ Died. He hasn't said it like that before, to anybody. His hand glides back to his chest, where he had been penetrated, and he can't help but laugh a little. ]

I've not been here for long - only slightly over a moon. [ But that's a moon - a month - longer then he expected to exist outside of Her halls. ]

[She hasn't heard. Naltryd hasn't made too many new friends yet, and with those she has, a subject like that hasn't come up. The pain of her losses were something she'd keep to herself.

Her hand raises to cover Haurchefant's own where it lays upon his chest. She remembers pierced armor, still glowing around jagged pieces of metal. It was almost a clean wound, but she remembers the blood staining the knight's lips.]

If this is a dream, I... I...

[ A dream. Haurchefant felt it was still one, as he felt her hand once more. This time not as he faded, but as he sat hale and healthy. His eyes opened again, soft as the last time they met. ]

We can share it until you awaken, dear friend. I know not how long it will be, but we can share it with our splendid pets.

[ Like his Mareep, who's caught one of the many bird-like Pokemon to zap a few times, still looking a little grumpy. ]

[Her Growlithe has been watching the scene with interest, able to sense their masters grief and going nowhere far because of it. But they settle back once they see Naltryd launch herself into Haurchefant's arms, drawing him into a perhaps too tight hug.]

You fool! You stupid, stupid idiot!

[ He can't help but let out a gasp, his arms flailing out a little as he slowly grips them around her, his voice cracking again - holding her with his own hug, perhaps a little lighter then hers. ]

I had to.

[ But now he's had time to consider, to live. ]

If I'd not, Ser Zephirin would have... you would've...

[ He doesn't regret that, not in the least. Though he wishes he could have lived more, to gotten to celebrate the end of the War - perhaps get some time off his post, to see more of the world, he had his choice. ]

You don't know that! I...

[She knows it's the grief talking. Haurchefant made a decision that she knows he doesn't regret.]

I never stopped mourning you. Even at the end of the war... I could not feel as relieved and happy as I should have. Not without you there at my side.

[The first place she'd gone to after Aymeric's speech and that final ceremony was Haurchefant's grave.]

Oh...
[ His ears seem to droop a little - his hold growing tighter, as he heard those words - trying to stop his lips from quirking into a frown.

Perhaps he can try and change the subject, even as he feels himself hold her so softly, holding back his trembles. His sorrow at causing this pain. ]

Was the war not ended before, when you and Estinien slayed Nidhogg? I knew work was to be done, with those actions of the Archbishop and his Ward.

There was so much more to it. Even after the Archbishop was slain--after he took Nidhogg's eye for power, mind you--it was not over. That many Ishgardians did not accept an end to hostilities was part of it. An assassination attempt was even attempted on Ser Aymeric. The entire situation very nearly became bloody revolution.

[One of her hands on Haurchefant's clothes tightens.]

To add to that? Nidhogg was not dead. Estinien himself was taken over by the dragon shortly after our fight with the Archbishop. He returned, attacked Vidofnir, and the people went right back to demanding blood.

[She closes her eyes.]

Assassination-- damnit, Aymeric! [ He can't help but raise his voice - his hands gripping to his Warrior of Light - knuckles white, and eyes burning with an anger he tries not to show often. There's so much he could ask - did Aymeric not have enough guards? And the Archbishop taking the Eye - disgusting. ] Peace is better for us all - why can't others understand? My brothers... are they fine?
[ ...He must admit, though. ]
...But even I find it hard to work with Dravanian-- and yet, this land gave me one as a starter... one who seems not to have eyes. If I'd not heard that truth from you, it would be much worse, my friend.

[ Goomy is weird. Goomy is weird and Haurchefant has grown to... appreciate her.
But from near them, there's a grumpy baa. ]

Estinien -- we're not talking about you. [ Haurchefant says - his tongue harsher then usual. ] But Nidhogg survived that... for Estinien - not my dear oddly-coloured sheep-- that would be a fate worse then death. Continuing that damned pointless war.

[Haurchefant has named one of his pokémon after Aymeric? ...It causes the briefest of smiles to light her lips before she continues her tale.]

Your brothers are fine. Artoirel now leads your house--but no fears, your father is in perfect health. He simply decided to step down. As for Emmanellain ...he really has grown. You would be proud.

[But the story isn't over.]

We received once more the help of the dragons, which we needed--Nidhogg had both his eyes. The greatest battle yet faced us on the bridge to Ishgard. And somehow...somehow we prevailed. We even saved Estinien.

[She rests her head on Haurchefant's shoulder.]

At the end, when I thought all was lost, I saw you there. I saw you reaching out to me, both you and Ysayle, and that gave me the strength I needed to finish it.

I'm sure I would be proud of him - though I wish I could tell him. I-- by Halone, I'm sure everybody has changed so much. My father deserves rest. And Francel... [ he trails off. His dearest friend - he never got to say goodbye to him, or see him much as everything happened. But that regret could be held for now. ]

[ Instead, he tries to hold back his sadness and anger, his grip loosening. ] It seems I missed the end by but a little - you took down a fully powered Elder Dragon?! Now that is a tale you must tell me more of later.

[ ...And even he appeared to her. But wait-- ]

Lady Ysayle passed?

...She did. She gave her life for us to fight off the Garleans so that we could pursue the Archbishop. I miss her terribly.

[The mention of Francel causes her to smile just a little. She'd grown a little closer to him as of late, bonded by their mutual late friend.]

Lord Francel is doing as fine as he can, at the least. I often see him when I visit your--

[She can't quite finish that, and the smile becomes more strained.]

[ He holds her closer. Oh, he holds her so close that it might be seen as more of a couple hold then just him trying to care for her. To lose somebody who seemed to be another friend, and to go to his...

His...

He whispers it. ] My grave. [ There seemed to be none of his usual jovialness in that, as he placed his head on hers. A moment seemed to pass, as he held back his own pain. ] My apologies - we shouldn't spend this gift simply thinking of the past, should we?

[ He says, but he lingers forever in it. Haurchefant hasn't even noticed his own tears, as he pulls back a little. ]

...Shall I show you what passes for a Dragon in this land?

[Naltryd, however, does notice the tears. It's the first time she's seen Haurchefant in such a state. Of course, she can't blame him at all--the fact that he's still managing, knowing what happened to him, is an amazing feat.

She reaches up, brushing those tears away from his eyes, wanting to comfort him as much as he's always comforted her.]

Why not? I'm sure that there's much you can teach me about this land.

[ He looks to where his Mareep - and her Growlithe - were - before getting out one of the Pokeballs he carried on his belt. A soft smile crossed his lips. ]

This land decided to give me one as my beginning partner - though she looks... quite strange.

[ Gently, he pressed the button on the Pokeball - and out came his Goomy, who lets out a pleased cry, beginning to crawl towards him again. ]

Her name is Huguette - and have you ever seen such a beast? No scales, and she shows only affection.

[She's still getting used to the pokéball thing. Her Growlithe mostly stays at her side, and she hasn't caught many others yet.

She crouches down in order to get a look at the pokémon, who is honestly too cute for her own good, and Naltryd can't help but feel cheered up. For the tough exterior she tries to put on sometimes, she has a weakness for cute things.]

This is a dragon? It looks nothing like one! I wonder why they call it such? Still, she's...adorable.

Isn't she? And those eyes - they show no malice. [ Nor strength - but seeing her posture change makes Haurchefant smile a little bit more. For he has been getting used to the Pokeballs, but these are his allies.

Even his little dragon. ] She's no enemy, even if she is classified as one. Though I've heard she evolves to a larger beast - perhaps dear Huguette simply holds a form to make me comfortable.

[ yup that is goomy protesting bubbles ]

MAY-JUNE TEST DRIVE MEME

TEST DRIVE MEME

Naltryd Albrecht / Warrior of Light | Final Fantasy XIV

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INFODUMP which I'll probably use again later

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