dreamcrystals | 【 Ⅲ 】𝐂𝐑𝐘𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐋 💎 Passive Dream

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【 Ⅲ 】𝐂𝐑𝐘𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐋 💎 Passive Dream

Sender: G'raha Tia
To: Everyone
Subject: Passive dream recording

[OOC:There are heavy Shadowbringers spoilers in this nightmare.]

For anybody who's seen G'raha's previous dream, the location may or may not seem familiar as the dream is broadcasted. Though the exact location hadn't been shown previously, that blinding bright light should be easy enough to catch as soon enough as the the vast night sky was swallowed whole by light once more.

With Vaulthry's defeat, and the last lightwarden in turn, that should have been enough to save Norvrant. Too bad things were never that simple. At the front of the pack was a sillhouette of a figure growing bright. All of the collective light from the defeated lightwarden had become too much for the Warrior of Light to handle. It threatened to push them over the edge as the light poured out of them. They were on verge of turning into the next lightwarden, more dangerous and powerful than any other thus far.

"The combined power of every lightwarden is too terrible a burdan for any one should to bear. And so I will relieve you of it," a familiar hooded man spoke out as he started to transfer the light to himself.

"Exarch?! What are you doing?!" a possibly familiar girl called out. Some people here may or may not already know this individual as Alisaie Leveilleur.

"I will channel this perfusion of power to the Crystal Tower and use it to travel to other worlds. As I have dreamed of doing ever since I first learned of their existence!" he stated, "Who would chose to remain here, in this dying realm, when they might go elsewhere and begin anew? Not I. And thus... thus did I use you!"

"No... No! I don't believe you! It doesn't make sense!" a girl with red hair cried out.

"Damn you! We won't let you do with them as you please!" Alisaie retorted.

"Do not interfere!" a tall Elezen yelled out in a pained expression, "Please! I beseech you all. Let him go!"

"You knew of this, Urianger," a Miqo'te woman said as she looked to the man who spoke out, "'Tis all a fiction. Such vaguely defined acts of teleportation stand no chance of success. The Exarch will never live to see another world--as he knows only too well."

The boy who looked similar to Alisaie spoke up finally, "Then... What does he mean to do?"

"He means to take the Light with him into the rift... where he will die. From the beginning, he intended to sacrifice himself to save our friend and Norvrant," the Miqo'te woman explained.

Turning his complete attention to the bright figure, "At journey's end, an opportunistic thief makes off with the hero's prize. A paltry way to end a chapter, I concede. Yet your tale will continue, and my role will scarcely be remembered."

With a short pause, "Worry not. Whatever should become of me, I will be happy and free, safe in the knowledge that I have played my part."

With enough force due to the gusts around them, the Exarch's hood flew back, revealing a familiar Miqo'te. His red hair looked slightly different and there is one detail that's is not present otherwise here. The one arm, neck area, and partially creeping on his cheek is what looks to be crystal.

For anyone who has seen G'raha thus far, he'll look a little different, but he is undoubtedly the same man who had proposed the aetheryte project here.

If there are any doubts, the Warrior calling out his name should clear all confusion. It was just a name, and yet he found such comfort in hearing it for the first time in hundreds of years.

"Thank you for fighting for this world. For believing. Fair you well, my friend--my inspiration," at this rate, his plan should be a success. That was until a gunshot rang out as he collapsed to the ground.

The man responsible made his presence known. "Only those who possess the Royal Eye of the Allagan Imperial line are capable of controlling the Crystal Tower. Such individuals do not exist in the First."

"Therefore, in all likelihood, the Exarch arrived here with the tower. This much I had surmised, yet I could not discern his grand scheme," approaching him, he continued, "To think he went through all this trouble for the sake of a single hero. It's almost admirable in its absurdity."

The Exarch, or rather G'raha Tia, tried to move, but found it difficult. The man looked to him struggling, "Alas, it is not your grand scheme that will succeed, but ours."

Turning his attention to the Warrior of Light, struggling to hold in all of the light. "What a disappointment you turned out to be. I placed my faith in you. Let myself believe that you could contain the Light. But look at you now, halfway to becoming the monster. You are unworthy of my patronage."

A gunshot couldn't be what held G'raha down, he refused. Struggling to push himself back on his knees at the very least, "You're wrong." He reached for his staff, using it to prop him up, "I won't allow it. I will not allow you... to point my friend like a weapon."

The man rose a brow in response, "Oh? And how exactly do you plan on stopping me? By all accounts, you don't have much time left and I don't intend on letting do your little parlor trick a second time."

Gesturing over to the Warrior of Light, spitting out more white liquid, "It's almost comical. You're playing a rather risky game of chicken, don't you think?"

G'raha gave him a glare as the man shrugged in response. "It seems like our time is up. Do seek me out later once you're able. Perhaps you will be able to complete your descent in privacy," he said as he nonchalantly waved them off, existing through a dark portal.

"N-No!" Turning to his friend in urgancy, "Please! You must hold it in for a little while longer. I-I'll save you. I'll save you all."

Panic spread through him as he tried once more to take the Light from the Warrior of Light, but to no avail. It was a nightmare. It was something that he had gone over in the back of his mind on a few occasions while trying to figure out plan. The Warrior of Light changed before their eyes, G'raha petrified as all of his fears bubbled to the surface.

"N-No...This... This cannot be happening...," taking a step back, the newly formed lightwarden snaped their gaze to him as he looked on in horror. He found it difficult to breath suddenly as he tried to remain calm. That was much easier said than done when all of your worst fears bubbled to the surface with all of his regrets.

"Exarch!" another man with a gunblade shouted out to snap him out of his thoughts. He charged forward to try to help, but the lightwarden easily flicked him away, sending him flying into a wall.

"Thancred! Are you okay?!" the red head called out as she rushed over to him.

It was no use, G'raha's brain was shutting down. He was going to save them... How could he fail something so important. Hands shaking, holding his staff towards his friend.

"I... I'm so sorry, my friend. I...," he found himself choking over words. That hesitation was enough for the lightwarden to grab him as his staff clambered to the ground once more, mouth open wide as if to eat him.

"I've failed you... I've failed everyone... Pray forgive me...," he muttered under his breath.

Just as he was about to be devoured, the dream ends there.

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[Down that path lies literal oblivion. She's still trying to absorb all of it, but one day she may tell the tale.]

If the tapirs can give us magic emotion cheese, I can make more soothing herbal tea or true "comfort" food. Hopefully.

[But now she had to think of songs. Hmm. There were a few lullabies she knew, some sea shanties, but which would help? She needed to think of something that wasn't... ah-hah!]

I think I've got an idea or two. Ooh, how exciting...!

[Here's where he kept the mugs. Let's pick this one.]

It's always for crowds or the tribe, you see. Never for one person. That would have the elders talking.

[He would have offered to make the tea himself, but it seemed like she had things well in hand.]

Forgive me for the lack of knowledge I wield concerning Auri, but is your tribe normally so vocally gifted?

[He wanted to know more about her and this was a chance to... not think about his own nightmare.]

[She'll borrow just a bit from the jar, but it seemed to need the same measurements as your average cup of herbal. The full five-minute brew would be the ticket, but that required the painful wait.]

It's not that xaela culture is well-known outside of the Steppe, so how could you know, silly?

My surname is actually my tribe's name. Qalli folk are known as the "songbirds of the Steppe". We tend to live in the mountains, where our voices can carry great distances and relay messages, be it a marriage, the birth of a child, a death of an elder and more. We're able to impart something much deeper into a sound, expressing much while singing so little. I could sing my warm-up scales and you'd know how my day was, or I could sing a name and you'd know how I feel about that person.

My dreamotion specialty here seems to revolve around that, which is perfect, seeing as I've a lifetime of practice as it is.

[She chuckled with a recollection, tapped a cheek and looked away.]

You know, I once asked one of my elders if a Qalli is like the siren in all the tales from sailors of the Ruby Sea. She scoffed, but she also didn't deny the notion. Oh, how my imagination ran that day, and has since.

[He'll just hand it back over to make it easier if she needed it. He had been intently listening, a few things popping out at him.]

So it's the same for you then? [And he realizes that there's no clarification in that question so continuing on...] The tribe thing, I mean. Miqo'te are not so different when it comes to terms of tribes, though I'm certain our tribe customs are much different.

For us, naming conventions are a little strange. Trying to explain them here would only cause more confusion than they would back home. Tia is not a last name, it's a title. The G in my name relates to the tribe that I'm from.

[Returning to the siren thing finally.]

So what you're saying is that I've been doomed from the start. [He's cracking jokes. Progress!] That is impressive nonetheless. I'm beginning to understand the true strength that emotion holds since coming here, so I can only imagine how that may be a boon here.

[She canted her head curiously. She could recall that Tias were traveling males while Nunhs were the patriarchs, but the letter thing had eluded her knowledge. So that was why some folks dropped the 'Y' in Y'shtola's name. It was like a nickname, but she wasn't sure if she'd like being called 'Dhuri' or 'Ri' or anything. But he was -

She smirked and raised her chin. Draped in the blanket just so, it may as well be a cloak, but she moved her tail in an undulation, like the slow flip of a sea creature's tail.]

I do not confirm nor deny any ships I've made disappear into the mists, my jolly sailor bold... but yes. Boons upon boons...

[She took up the mug and removed the bag with a flourish. Flipping her makeshift siren tail to propel her, she carried this gift to the awaiting sailor.]

Edited 2022-01-12 05:10 (UTC)

[Accepting the mug, he looked at her apologetically.]

I'm... sorry to have troubled you.

[About everything really, but right now? Having her be the one to ready the tea. At the very least, her tea seems to be doing as intended, helping him calm down from his nightmare. Maybe all it took was her presence to allow him to do so though? Either way, he didn't seem to be shaking anymore.]

[With her hands freed, she could reach out and rub his upper arms. Having faded from her eyes, the humor was exchanged for a soft once-over. Her tone followed suit.]

...You have nothing to apologize for. I'm just glad you're alright.

[These damned nightmares. She'd get to the bottom of this.]

Just remember: You've given hope to so many people. You succeeded. You took a situation that I understand was so... impossible, and said, "No. I refuse."

That's just one part of why I stand by calling you 'Hero' back at the café. I'll call you that as many times as you'd like, do you hear me? Because it's the truth.

[Why did he have to feel so vulnerable right now? The nightmare was clearly the cause of it, but then she had to say something like that. All he could do is stare at her stunned in response to her words. How could she say something so touching? He appreciated her words of course, but it was enough to make him that much more emotional.

He had always wanted to be considered a hero and show people that there was still hope. The problem was that even if he had a big part in what had transgressed, deep down he felt like what he did wasn't important. His role would scarcely be remembered. he didn't do anything special. To hear someone fervently believe that he was a hero after all was nice.

Lowering his head, he covered his eyes and forehead with his hands as if to hide his tears prickling the corners of his eyes.]

... Thank you. You're too kind.

[Lies and slander, G'raha Tia. The Crystarium will always remember you.

But she wondered if what he said of being treated differently by his peers in childhood was why he hid his face now. She wouldn't laugh, but instead slipped the blanket from her shoulders and walked a smooth circle around him, laying it over his instead. With a breath, she brushed her hands over the material, perhaps working a little extra warmth into it.

But the air was strange. Warmer, like a fleece blanket before a crackling fireplace. She'd promised, after all, and when she circled back to the front of him, the limbal rings of her eyes had taken a soft glow.]

Now let the day just slip away,
So the dark night may watch over you...

[She offered a hand. He could enjoy his tea and she could whisk him away to bed or the couch, whichever seemed more to his mood.]

Velvet blue, silent true
It embraces your heart and your soul
Nocturne...

[The blanket? Looking at her finally, ignoring how bad he may look right now, he gave her a bewildered glance. Couch or bed hardly mattered to him right now. Noticing her hand, he silently reached out for it, allowing her to guide him wherever suited her fancy as he listened to her sing.]

Never cry, never sigh
You don't have to wonder why
Always be, always see
Come and dream the night with me...

[She was relieved to be inside a house, at least. Last time she went into a nocturne, she was pestered by a number of moths. Here, after guiding him into a seat on the couch, she settled beside and brought her hands to her horns. A moment's focus, and she brought them away to reveal a few fluttering lights shaped as settling silver moths. She was an entertainer after all, and what's a song without a little theatrical flair?]

Have no fear when the night draws near
And fills you with dreams and desire

Like a child asleep, so warm, so deep
You will find me there waiting for you-

[She swept her hair back behind her shoulders and the moth lights took flight.]

We will fly, claim the sky
We don't have to wonder why
Always be, always see
Come and dream the night with me...

[Madhuri reached out and gave the lights a place to land, and cupped them between her hands.]

Though darkness lay, it will give way
When the dark night delivers the day

Nocturne.

[She opened them again, and the silver moths had became a gold butterfly. With a quiet sigh, the light about her eyes dimmed to normal and the butterfly lingered for just a moment more; she bid it play for just that much longer, and find a better perch somewhere utop her companion's head.]

Hmhm... getting better at that. They don't normally linger this long.

[The theatrical flair and tune was enough to keep his attention. Though she had even took that extra step to bring over special tea for him, it had gone forgotten for a time.

There were a lot of thinga he could have said, but despite earlier, he wasn't particularly in the right mood to crack another joke. So instead he settled with something much more heartfelt.]

...Thank you. I am greatful to have you looking out for me. It was beautiful.

[And of course all of her theatrics were impressive as well.]

I figured you've earned something the opposite of a dirty sea shanty. There's a time and a place for those.

[When and where that'd be was anyone's guess, and it wasn't like she'd tell anyway. Neener-neener. While stretching her calves and ankles, she let herself tip and lean against him, squirming a bit to get comfy before she closed her eyes.]

Meanwhile, my time and place is now and here. I'll chase away the dreadful energy and you get your shut-eye.

The bonus? Pancakes in the morning. ...Unless you're a waffle guy.

[Dragons: Always inviting themselves into places. What nuisances.]

[That was something he could find out another time. Glancing over to her, he stood still to let her get more comfortable.

Wait. Was she planning on staying the night? He couldn't help flush lightly, but he didn't particularly mind. If nothing else, her presence was soothing enough. She was already dressed for bed, all things considered.]

Breakfast as well? You spoil me too much.

[He didn't have a preference either way. Even on normal days, he'd be content with whatever she made him. It was the thought that mattered. Leaning his head against hers gently, he reached her her hand lightly. Giving it a light squeeze.]

Make yourself at home.

Guilty~

[Fruit-stuffed pancakes, then. He's such a hard worker and needs that mind in tip-top shape. But that'll be a decision to make later.

She shifted her hand to entwine their fingers, and wasn't about to deny the small nuzzle with the touch to her head. He definitely had his ways of giving her her own butterflies.

Around him, she felt something like home: The company, the comfort, the warmth. So it wasn't a tall order in her eyes, and she was more than happy to take him up on his offer with a small nod and a contented sigh.]

[He would have managed to calm himself down eventually without her help, but feeling at ease was a completely different story. It was a reminder that he didn't have to face everything alone anymore. No longer did he have to pretend that everything was fine when it wasn't. Would it still likely happen? Naturally. It was hard to break a habit when you've done it for hundreds of years now.

That wasn't to say that the people of the Crystarium wouldn't have offered their comfort to him had he shown weakness in in way. Far from it. Had he opened himself up to them, there were plenty of people who'd jump to the chance. And yet there was always that gnawing feeling "I don't matter in the grand scheme of things. They come first. Always".

Ever since shedding that identity, he had opted to be more open. More himself than the role he thought he should be. Madhuri always had this calming affect on him and it was easy to talk to her and be more like himself.]

Well, I think some rest is in order. Hopefully peaceful rest. You can go ahead and take the bed.

[Though admittedly, he was comfortable right here. Sleeping on the couch like this would probably give them aches in the morning time.]

[She opened her eyes again and smirked.]

Ohh noyadon't, Mister Polite. I'm not kicking a man out of his own bed and I don't take up all that much space. Either we reverse that, or... we just- hold on- oof-

[She shifted and relieved him of his mug. With all hazards alleviated, her intent was to not have them drooping all night and wake up with neck kinks. But in easing back with him into something a little more comfortable and trying to be smooth, she'd toppled back in her entire maneuver and misjudged how much heavier he was than her.]

[The mug no longer an obstacle at least, but now there was something else to preoccupy their attention. Even if the tea had created a mess and it hadn't been set down properly, that was a problem for another time.

Now towering over her as she lied back in the couch, he had tried to catch the fall, placing him well within her personal bubble.

Being this close to her made his heart go wild. The temptation to sneak a kiss in there was strong, but no! He needed to have self-control.]

A-ah... I-I'm sorry. This is... [What are words even? Face matching the color of his hair now...] A-are you alright?

[One of these days, she would learn a few things about physics before pulling some kind of smooth move. But if the exchange for her mistake was something like this, then... could it be considered a mistake?]

I'm okay. But I'm not being very helpful for this whole 'sleep' thing, am I...?

[She gently cupped his jawline and brought her forehead to his.]

Keeping you up so late that you come down with something. You're so flushed...

[Wouldn't it be considered "accidental greatness"?]

You're... very distracting. That's for sure.

[But then, when was she not distracting for him? She had a way of making him drop whatever it was he was doing because he got so caught up in her presence.

Moving away from her, he offered to help her sit up on the couch as he took her hand gently.]

R-right then... Bed time.

[Before something else happened. If she'll allow it, he'll lead her to bed. He doubts any further debate about whether or not it was right to share a bed would bear any other result. If he was being honest, he was in a particular mindset where he'd find more comfort with her there anyway. If nothing else, it might chase away the nightmares.]

[The compliment, oh, the compliment...! Still, he pulled away and she sat upright to accept his hand.]

To bed.

[She knew better than to shatter such a comforting atmosphere with things so touchy. Despite japes, there was everything vulnerable about the implications behind sharing bedspace, and in their newborn relationship that was something to be discussed somewhere in the future. But not here.]

To nobody's shock, I'm an octopus. So if you're not a snuggler, please let me know now and I can set up a pillow barrier or something.

[Sharing a bed together with someone, especially the person you liked, was always a touchy thing. There were so many implications that can be taken from it, and yet their relationship was still too new for him to even consider anything but the actual purpose of using a bed. Mayhap when he's not exhausted and dealing with some insecurities down the road?

Eventually they were going to have to talk about this out loud. One day they'd have to acknowledge their relationship for what it is. For now, he was okay with unspoken words. She made him feel comfortable and at ease when she was with him. He liked how playful she was and carefree. That's what mattered to him.]

I don't think I own enough pillows to create a barricade.

[Whatever shall he do? At least the mood has lightened up a bit more; enough to joke around anyway.]

[By the gods, he was a single-pillow kind of guy. But that's normal, wasn't it? Surely there was some kind of campaign for having a dozen pillows under the covers, or she had to become the one-woman army in that respect. Once you have a side pillow, knee pillow, foot pillow, extra 'cover head against bright morning light' pillow and extra cuddling pillows you couldn't possibly go back.

But she scratched a cheek, a frown settling in.]

Ah, well... if it isn't okay, then give me a nudge, won't you? I have trouble keeping warm at night, especially in colder climates like these, so everything just moves on its own.

My first nights outside of the Steppe, really, I invested in a lot of hot water bottles and had a few colds... took months for my immune system to adjust. On top of the overwhelming aether in the west? Phew...

[He has at least two pillows. Perfect amount for them both. Well... For each head anyway. He can't offer the extra body parts a pillow. Taking note of that frown though...]

I'm sure it'll be fine.

[He hopes that will make her feel more at ease. When you sleep alone usually, you don't really know whether or not you like cuddling or not, but he isn't complaining, now was he?

Covering them with the comforter to keep them warm, he was growing increasingly aware of how close they were. Well yeah... Sleeping in the same bed and all. That wasn't important now.]

I assume the Steppe has a warmer climate generally?

[She nodded.]

Generally. It gets cold up in the mountains, but me and mine stuck to the trails and more densely-populated areas ones could take a caravan through.

What cooler days there were, a cup of butter tea would fix.

[She took his hand in both of hers and nuzzled a cheek against his knuckles.]

...For those of us who didn't have warm company, at least.

【 Ⅲ 】𝐂𝐑𝐘𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐋 💎 Passive Dream

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