PSL/AU Ideas

[arroganceandangst]

Toss the prompt in your TL subject and we're off and away. :> 

His Home - A PSL Setting
(To update later.)

Modern Day XIV AU - For those I chat to on Discord, yes, this is Cat Trap.
FFXIV but modern day - magic is pretty restricted and requires a license to use, and magic is not as common as aether is not as abundant. Here everyone has some sort of mundane job in this mundane world. Aragibal is a sommelier for an upscale restaurant in the evening, and a personal trainer for a local gym during the day. He was married to a Moonkeeper Miqo'te woman, but had to get a divorce. Due to split custody he gets the kids, Ahweh'a and Xahqoh Nesfe, every other weekend. His general non-work aesthetic is sort of "California skateboard guy" and he definitely wears flip-flops and shorts in the winter.

This one is pretty open just to have some fun with. :)

Wildcard
Whatchu got! Throw it at me! >:O

Comments

Surprise \o/ time to find some kittens!

[provokedultimatum]

Fuck. It felt like they had been in the Dravanian Hinterlands for an Era, with the rain and fog lasting about as long. She grumbles as she embeds her axe in the Twelve-knows how many Illuminati mechs.

"Fucking Goblins." She kicks the machine with a tired growl and retrieves her axe. "We need to head back Ara."

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

[arroganceandangst]

The weather was absolute shit, even for Aragibal's seemingly cheery attitude. He wasn't somebody to abandon a job or a fight, but there was a time and place to quit and regroup to attack an issue from another angle, though he would never be the one to say it. It came to his absolute relief when Athala said it.

"Yeah, we do. Let's go." He rested his sword on his shoulder in the event another Goblin was stupid enough to attack as he pulled out his mount whistle, giving it a blow. Sleipnir stepped through into existence to where the two were, and he mounted with ease, still leaving his sword drawn.

"Honestly, Atha, I would particularly like to take a trip back to the Shroud and get away from this shite weather and these frosty Elezen. Would you want to come?" A pun on the Elezen of Ishgard, as Aragibal didn't mind the Elezen back in Gridania - the tended to have a warmth about their nature that many of the Ishgardians did not. Truth be told, and she would likely call him out on this, he just wanted to be somewhere warm for a spell (though he carefully avoided Ul'dah due to the... Ala Mhigan presence).

Merr Crithmath >:P

[provokedultimatum]

Atha scowls at the surrounding drizzle, the surrounding rubble of what were once mechs, and then at Ara as Sleipnir fades into reality. "Why not Limsa?" She grumbles even as Fenrir materialises out of the gathering mist, "Fine. Gridania. Let's go and see what the bloody tree-huggers are up to."

Fenrir hunkers down for Atha to sit astride the massive wolf, and then they're off, both mounts are unnaturally swift, the rolling terrain of the Hinterlands barely phasing the horse and wolf. About half an hour passes with very little talk between the two to not alert any of the surrounding wildlife when Fenrir's ears perk up and his large head turns to the side, drawing Atha's attention. "Fenrir?"

Fenrir, snarls and starts tugging against her to turn. Scowling once more, Atha pulls her axe back off her back. "Ara, we're turning off." She has enough courtesy in mind to notify her fellow tank before woman and wolf go swerving to the side, and bounding off between the ruined, derelict buildings.

>:3c

[arroganceandangst]

Aragibal heard the questioning to why not Limsa, but he chose not to respond to it. Truth be told, with all of the rain, he wanted to be about as far away from water as he could - he was willing to make the bet that the weather in the Shroud would be nice, for once, rather than rain. Fingers crossed, right?

He sheathed his sword as Atha mounted and they took off together. It seemed like it would be another trip without issue until Atha said she was turning off. It happened so fast that all he could do to react is to pull the reigns so that Sleipnir stopped. The great beast beneath Aragibal stamped impatiently, wanting to start running again. It was rewarded, but not before Aragibal donned his helm and drew his greatsword - the image of him was very alike the primal that gave Aragibal the gift that was Sleipnir.

Directing the beast, Aragibal dug his heels into Sleipnir and the horse bounded off after Athala. Sleipnir was flying just above the ground to catch up to Athala, but also to mute the thundering of the great horse as they pushed through the ruins following Fenrir's paw prints. Sleipnir stopped very suddenly as they found where Athala had gotten off to look around. Sleipnir settled onto the ground and Aragibal spoke to her just loudly enough to cancel out the muffling of his helm. He was holding his sword with both hands and was in a readied stance, just in case.

"What is it, Atha?" Sleipnir stamped the ground impatiently, giving a snort of irritation as Ara moved towards Atha cautiously. "I don't hear anyth-" As he spoke he could hear something in one of the ruined buildings and his attention snapped to. "In there, Atha." He approached the building carefully, weapon still drawn. His DRK and MNK job stones were beginning to shine brilliantly as he entered the building, looking around.

After a tense breath in the building, Aragibal relaxed. He hadn't found the cause of the sound, but it was small. He pulled his helmet off and stowed it, speaking more calmly to Athala. "It's not that big, I don't think it's that much of a threat." He kept his sword drawn as he looked about the building for the source of the sound - finding it very difficult to follow because of how quiet it was. He eventually came to a pile of rubble and could hear shifting about inside. "Atha? I need your help - I think I found the source of it."

At this he did sheathe his sword as he waited for Athala to come over and they - together - carefully moved some of the rubble to reveal two small, shivering Mi'qittens hiding in the rubble. The kittens appeared to be about 5 years old and siblings. One of them was much smaller than the other (girl) while the other seemed to be closer to the size one would expect of a Miqo'te their age. Their fur seemed pure black like charcoal and was very soft and fluffy, as was normal for small Miqo'te children. Their tails still had the appearance of kitten danger cones, but they looked like they would be relatively fluffy once they'd grown more. Their eyes were both a pale blue, with the wide pupils of the Keepers of the Moon, and their skin was very pale and cool toned (a very stark contrast from the Seekers they were more accustomed to be around).

The smaller Miqo'te clung to the larger one, trying to hide behind him as his claws came out and he got ready to fight. Not that either of them knew how Miqo'te society worked, but any Miqo'te would probably guess that the daughter was more prone to be sickly and that was why it was up to the boy to defend - especially with how matriarchal the Keepers were as a society.

But Aragibal was just shocked that they had stumbled upon the pair of kittens. So shocked that he didn't even have words as the boy's tail lashed about, ears flat against his head. He just blinked dumbly before looking to Atha for help.

OOCly: Their names are Ahweh’a (boy) and Xahqoh (girl) Nesfe

[provokedultimatum]

Atha lets Fenrir guide there path, for the wolf to draw her attention to it it must be important, the clever creature had impeccable judgement. The wolf skids to a stop, Atha sliding off of his back as Fenrir started poking about the set of ruined buildings. Ara's arrival makes things easier, Atha long ago having realised the benefits of the Au Ra's strange hearing, and she now trusts in him when he directs her attention towards a particular piece of rubble.

"Fenrir. Guard." The wolf lets out a low growl before slinking away to patrol the surrounding area, as Atha follows Ara, axe at the ready, footsteps as quiet as she can manage in plate. With a shift of the rubble, Atha is frozen as the tiny Miqo'te come into view. Stonelike as the Mi'qitten at the front hisses, her mind far from this drizzly ruin in Dravania. It is only Ara's stunned silence and near pleading look that pulls her back.

Placing her axe away from her, she could at the very least trust Ara to watch her back, Atha slowly shuffles forward, removing her gauntlets as she does so, until she halts a bit away from the children, sitting herself down cross-legged.

"Where is your family children?" The question is soft. Quiet. Probably the quietest Ara has ever heard her, "How long have you been here? My name is Atha, this is Ara. We want to help you if we can."

[arroganceandangst]

Ara is still frozen as Atha shuffles forward to sit, speaking softly to the kittens, still on a high alert and afraid of the very large people in front of them. They didn't seem to relax until an audible growl was emitted from the small girl's tummy. She dug her little clawed fingers into her brother's arm as spoke, desperate. Her voice came out high pitched and shrill - she was clearly scared out of her mind. "Do.. Do you have food? Mommy was going to bring us food." Her brother seemed to be unhappy that she relinquished this information, his fur standing even more on end, though he said nothing.

As Xahqoh was asking for food, Ara spoke in a low voice to Atha. "I'll go get some of our rations." He very slowly straightened up and walked to Sleipnir. He released one of the bags from the impatient horse and also paused a moment in consideration. He dug into the pile of canvas and leather he kept for shelter and pulled out a warm fur of his (to replace the one Atha ran off with all that time ago) and brought it with him. They needed to get warm. He went back to the children and Atha as quietly as he could muster in his own plate and removed his gauntlets, sitting next to Atha and following her example, speaking softly as he set the fur down in front of him, with the bag of rations on top. He had set them a bit closer to the kids so that they weren't quite in arm's reach of himself and Atha, in hopes that may encourage the kids to take them.

"Here's some food - it's not that much, but it's something. I also brought a warm fur for you guys to wrap up in - it's pretty chilly out." And they weren't wearing that much.

Both of the children kept their distance, though it looked like Xahqoh was about ready to ignore her brother and bolt for the food if given the proper encouragement. Her tummy gave another grumble, loud enough that Ara was sure even Atha could hear it.

[provokedultimatum]

Atha's jaw clenches as the girl asks for food, forcibly keeping the rest of her posture calm and loose, far too aware of what will happen if the two children get spooked and bolt. Their size with the rubble...there is no guarantee that she and Ara would be able to find them if they went, and that though lit that familiar burn in her chest.

"Ara is just going to grab you some of our food," She relays to the Mi'qittens, sounding far calmer than she was feeling, "You must be thirsty as well? Here," Atha takes her waterskin from her side and takes a big gulp before placing it on the ground before the two kits, "What we give is our own, it is safe."

Ara's return with the food pulls a sigh from the woman, she reaches out slowly and gently to pull the ration pouch back towards her and repeats the process, taking some and clearly eating it in full view before placing it back where Ara had originally put it. "The hardtack is safe too, just not very tasty."

No sooner had she placed it back than tiny, clawed hands shot forwards, pulling the fur away from the adults and snatching up the waterskin and ration pouch, "Xahqoh!" The boy exclaimed as the tiny Xahqoh nearly tore open the pouch. "She ate it and I'm so hungry Ahweh’a." Xahqoh whines before ravenously stuffing hardtack into her mouth, Ahweh’a quick to follow.

Atha's fists clench, and she looks to Ara, face set in steely determination. "We're searching for their mother." Her tone makes it clear that she won't accept any answer out of Ara except for his agreement, a tiny undertone of a plea and hope. The Twelve were not kind but Atha would not give up the tiny kernel of unrealistic hope in her chest.

[arroganceandangst]

Aragibal could feel his heart break at the display of the two kittens after Atha displayed to them it was all safe to eat. The two began to absolutely inhale the hardtack and water, causing Aragibal no small measure of alarm. He held himself back from jumping forth towards the children, his voice coming out as very restrained. "Hey, slow down you guys. I know you're hungry, but it's not going anywhere. If you guys eat too fast you'll get sick." The kids didn't seem to hear him as they kept just digging through the rations.

At Atha's statement he looks to her, seeing her determination. He set his face and gave her a nod, affirming that he would help her. He looked back to the kids speaking with just enough force to get their attention, but not to scare them. "We're going to go try to find your mom, okay?" Xahqoh gave a small nod. "Do you know which way she went?" Both of the kittens were looking up at them at this point, and they shook their head no. Ahweh'a took a drink of the water, speaking carefully. "Mommy just told us to wait here."

Aragibal gave a small nod of confirmation, then asked the kittens a final question. "How long ago did your mom leave to find food?" Both of the kittens were quiet a moment, thinking about it. Xahqoh answered very quietly as the realization spread on her face. "The sky went dark two times." Aragibal looked to Athala with a look on his face that she would recognize as 'it's a lost cause'. It had been two days. Aragibal did his best to smile warmly at the kittens as he looked back to them. "Okay. We're going to go look for your mom - try not to wander too far while we're out looking - and please wrap yourselves up in the fur. It's very warm." The kittens were still content to keep eating, though Xahqoh did give the fur a cursory prod with her little claws, testing it.

He rose up slowly, making sure to keep his motions within their sight so he did not startle them. He waited for Atha to stand as well and he went back to Sleipnir, making sure all of the rest of the saddlebags were tightly fastened to the horse as she spoke so that Atha could hear him, but hopefully quiet enough the kittens couldn't. "It doesn't look good, Atha. Miqo'te are very capable hunters." He would not mount, but just grab Sleipnir's reigns. The horse would protest and Aragibal would just let his hand come to rest on his large nose. "There aren't many exits, though. Finding the trail should not be too hard." He would begin to slowly walk Sleipnir, looking for the direction their mother must have gone.

[provokedultimatum]

Atha turns to Ara once they make it back to Sleipnir and shoots him a venomous glare. "I know that!" She hisses quietly at him, "We must make sure, try to find so trace or remains. We can't-" Her breath hitches, "We must try."

With that final declaration, she stomps off through the rubble, trusting that Fenrir would remain closeby and keep the kits safe until their return, a return which might take a while. Coming back with nothing at all was unacceptable. The constant rain has done them no favours, in fact, it makes the fact that the kits aren't currently suffering from exposure even more miraculous, though the area is undisturbed the tracks have faded, and it takes a good half a bell for the two tanks to find a track.

"Can Sleipnir take us both?"

this is ur fault

[arroganceandangst]

Aragibal would always be voted the more patient between the pair, but he was starting to grow impatient with finding the track. He already knew how this would end, but he also was aware that this meant a lot to Athala. He may not know the details of her childhood and where she came from, but something about this turn of events was personal for her, so he would entertain it. He was visibly relieved when Atha finally found the track.

Quietly, Aragibal told Sleipnir that it was time to track, and pointed to the faded trail. Being a creature of aether, the beast would be able to follow the trail quite a bit better than Ara and Atha. Anyone other than Ara would struggle with the horse as it stamped its hooves and started to try to throw its head, not wanting to cooperate, but Ara steadied the horse and pointed a finger at it, quietly and calmly telling it to cooperate this time and he would never ask anything of it again. That seemed to calm it down as it gave a snort.

At this point Ara looked to Atha and gave her a grim kind of smile. "He certainly can." A snort of disbelief from the horse, but it would let Atha onto his back. Ara would mount the horse so he was sitting behind Atha just in case he bucked in complaint, but Sleipnir decided to be good (for once). Aragibal had barely mounted before Sleipnir took off, wanting to run. The ride was anything but enjoyable - Sleipnir was quite belligerent. The ride was taking quite a while, with Sleipnir occasionally having to stop to search for the trail of aether he was following. A couple of times he needed the help of Atha or Ara pointing out what looked like it may be the trail that the kit's mother followed, and it eventually took them far away from the goblins and into the more rugged countryside where bears and other wildlife could be found roaming.

Out here Sleipnir was quite a bit more confident in his direction, even going so far as to leap from the ground and sail through the air on the aethercurrents, though he stayed close to the ground. It wasn't long before the horse put his feet on the ground and gave a snort and stamp of his right hoof, shaking his head. He couldn't follow the trail any longer.

Ara looked around - they were in what was turning into the mountains, with a cave nearby. There was a picture already forming in his mind of what happened. His face was grim as Atha dismounted and he released Sleipnir's reigns. He drew his sword as a precaution and approached the cave. It was empty, which was fortunate, but a rather ravaged corpse of a Miqo'te women could be seen. She had black hair and similar features to the kits they left back in the ruins.

Ara relaxed his stance and looked to Atha, the most apologetic look on his face. "I'm sorry, Athala..." He did not reach out to put a comforting hand on her shoulder, but he was uncharacteristically still and quiet as he watched Atha carefully for her reaction.

Yes. Yes it is. Cw: ptsd and disassociation

[provokedultimatum]

Atha knew deep down, and yet she hadn't been able to stop herself from hoping. Just to have that hope crushed as they arrive at the cave, she should honestly be familiar with this sensation now. Or what she thinks is a sensation, the cave, Aragibal, the mother are so dim and distant.

Aragibal is talking, or at least she thinks he might be, but it's white noise to her. Had her mother looked that small? What had her mother looked like? Was their house cold, grey stone, or warm, red stone? Atha feels sudden wetness on her skin, cold steel in her hands, vibrations shocking through her arms even as she continues to be apart, a strange lack of connection.

Time has passed? She thinks it might have done as noise rushes back into her ears, the scent of turned earth suddenly fills her nose, her arms and shoulders sore and heavy like she'd been swinging an axe for hours. Blinking, Atha is suddenly aware of how much darker it is, and that she's covered in dirt. Why was she standing in a hole? She sways on her feet as she stares ahead in blank confusion.

"Wha-?" She'd dug a grave. With her axe. Why couldn't she remember it?

[arroganceandangst]

The way Atha's eyes glazed over and looked far away was something that Aragibal had never really seen before. He'd seen her in panic, he'd seen her angry, but he'd never seen her like this. He tried to talk to her, to get through to her, but wherever she was she didn't hear, just like it seemed she didn't see. She was gone. All Aragibal could do is watch, and it was almost belated when he realized she was digging a grave. All he could do while she dug was pull at his hair with some level of neuroticism because he didn't know how to help or get through to her. It hurt him to see her like this and he didn't know what to do.

She seemed to have finished digging. He slowly stood, stiff and sore from sitting for so long in the cold, and he approached her, speaking quietly. "Atha? Are you back?" His voice was filled with sadness and anxiousness, still tugging at his hair. He couldn't hide the relief from his face when she responded cohesively to him. He would offer a hand to help her climb out of the hole and, whether she took it or not, he would retrieve the body of the Miqo'te huntress and himself hop into the hole to gently lay her to rest. He would climb out after very gently placing her body in the bottom.

Should Atha try to take the body he would refuse, speaking in an unusually quiet and hard voice - not harsh, just letting her know he won't budge. "Let me help, Atha." Nothing negative, nothing chiding her about wasting their time, nothing mean, just his desire to help her and this is the only way he knew how. "Take a seat and rest. I'll fill the hole." He wouldn't budge on this and he would insist that she take a rest - he would not be mean or cruel, just firm in his decision.

His ninja job stone would begin to glow as he removed his gauntlets and then started to do mudra, conjuring up wind to gently inter the huntress. This was probably the first time Athala had seen him use any skills other than DRK or MNK. As the dirt finished moving his job stone faded, and he looked to Athala, his voice softening. "We should find something nice to place on the grave, don't you think?"

[provokedultimatum]

Everything still felt so sluggish her movements slowed like she was wading through tar or placed under Heavy. Atha takes Aragibal's outstretched arm, letting him pull her out of the hole she'd literally dug herself into before she stumbles and sways two steps, axe dropping to the ground with a dull thud that is swiftly followed by Atha crumpling into a seated position on the ground.

Time must have blurred once again because to Atha it has merely been a blink and yet Aragibal is back with the mother's body. The sight is enough to make her start as he drops into the grave. "Wait! Search her. For trinkets, anything of personal value."

Ara's search manages to turn up a delicate silver bracelet, and a small pearl with Menphina's symbol carved into it. Another blink and Ara is placing them both into her hand, his hand dwarfing hers, and hers dwarfing the bracelet and the pearl. At least there was something. With the way her gaze is locked on her hand, her free hand absentmindedly fiddling with the glass beads in her hair, she completely misses his display of Ninjutsu, looking up at him somewhat dazed as he mentions her name.

Atha opens her mouth, no sound is forthcoming and so she just nods and marks their current location on her map. A headstone is a good idea, and yet she can't move, her legs will not bare her up off of the ground.

[arroganceandangst]

Ara stood for a moment as he waited for Atha to respond. When she didn't respond he quietly left to scrounge something up. He found a nice rock and some mountain flowers and came back to place them atop the grave. He hoped that Atha would be happy with it, but she was still pretty far away. Aragibal hated this with every fibre of his being - he didn't know how he could help and he was terrified of causing her to leave again.

He put his gauntlets back on and went over to Atha, holding his hand out to her to help her up. "It's time to go back, we can't leave those kids waiting much longer." He would help her up and support her weight as they returned to Sleipnir. He would mount Sleipnir first, then pull her up in front of him, doing what he needed to get her secure. Wrapping one strong arm around her, he'd spur Sleipnir on, simply telling the horse to return to Fenrir. The horse would fly directly back, a very smooth ride considering the journey there.

Ara would dismount and help Atha down, gently placing his hands on her shoulders, looking directly into her eyes. "I don't know what's going on, and I don't know how I can help. If I can help right now, please tell me." If she is still too stunned to really say anything, he would continue, very gently. "Okay. Please try to pull yourself together. We have to bring these Miqo'te kids with us and make sure they're safe. I can't do that without you. You know how to talk to them, and I just don't." If anything caught her attention, it would be this, as getting him to admit he wasn't good at something was worse than pulling teeth. "You can fall apart later, after we get these kids to safety."

[provokedultimatum]

Time still isn't right for Atha, a varitable eternity seems to pass before Aragibal is pulling her to her feet, and then suddenly she's on Sleipnir still utterly boneless and leaning fully back on Aragibal. Her only muscles that seem to work are the ones in her right hand, which are clenched in an iron grip around the bracelet and the pearl.

The journey is smooth but Athala's thoughts are turbulent. What did she look like? How long did it take for someone to find her? Was she buried? Cremated? Left there? Why hadn't Atha done more to help? What did she look like?

Round and round and round and round.

"Get these kids to safety." Aragibal's words drag her back to herself, for the most part at least. The storm of thoughts still swirls but she can ignore it temporarily.

"Make them safe." She echoes back with a nod, her eyes far less glazed than they were before as she turns and makes her unsteady way to the kittens. Fenrir rests by the crumbled building, ears flicking and raising his large head from his paws as Athala approaches. She has regained enough of herself to give Fenrir a good neck scratch, sending his giant tail thumping against the ground with a "Good boy." from Atha.

The two kits are fully bundled up and asleep in the fur as Athala approaches, naught but their small ears sticking out of the furs. Settling herself down on the floor, she once again removes her gauntlets and her breastplate this time as well before rousing the Mi'qittens.

"Xahqoh. Anweh'a." The ears twitch and the fur shifts as two, small, tired faces come into view. Two sets of large eyes blink slowly in tiredness before registering that Athala has returned and rousing to fill wakefulness.

"You found Mommy?!" The little girl asks eagerly, Anweh'a seeming to still be more caucious, his ears folded back as he glances at her clenched fist.

"We-we did." Atha's eyes drift towards her clenched fist as she opens it to reveal the bracelet and the pearl. "I am so sorry. We came too late to be able to save her." Atha holds out the bracelet and the pearl, her own vision swimming as she watches the look of hope on Xahqoh's face crumble into dispair. Anweh'a slowly, cautiously taking their mother's trinkets from her hand.

The boy cradles them to his chest and let's out a high-pitched keen, and Athala has to fight to stop the world sliding sideways again. "I am so sorry." She slowly moves forward, gathering the two children up in the fur, and hugging them to her chest, rocking them slowly. Her own cheeks wet, her chest heaving.

[arroganceandangst]

He watched her come back, his face grim. His grim on her shoulders lingered long enough for him to make sure her eyes at least somewhat responded to reality. He let her go and followed her carefully, the events of the past few hours rushing up to him as he could feel bile building in the back of his throat. It was tough enough for him to have to deal with being completely unequipped to help Athala, but it was another thing for the very thing he'd been running away from for years to back hand him so hard. The thumping tail of Fenrir grounded Ara back to reality, though, as he saw the big wolf look up to Atha with the face of an excited puppy.

Ara could feel a twist in his gut as he saw the kittens bundled up in the fur, little ears poking out - it was pretty fucking cute, but it was tough to take the news that a parent was lost, even if that was just part of the culture. He removed his gauntlets and settled down next to Atha, unusually close to her this time around. He stayed very still as Atha woke the kittens - he wasn't sure what was about to happen. These were the exact situations he had tried to avoid - he wasn't someone who could guarantee he would be around even 3 months from now. He was reckless and dove head first into situations he had no business living through. It was almost like he was looking to kill himself half the time.

He watched the exchange silently, though he gently steadied Atha when she swayed at Anweh'a's cry - a sound that absolutely broke Aragibal's own heart. He watched Atha gather the kittens up and sat awkwardly for a moment, then removed his own breastplate and very gently pulled Athala and the sobbing kittens into his arms and mimicked Atha, gently rocking all of them. He started to hum a gentle tune, a lullaby his mom used to sing to him. As he hummed and rocked them he could remember a time when he was young and his mother did this for him - it was clear that dad liked Monx better, and that Ara would never be able to measure up. He could feel an entire slew of emotions rise in his chest as he gently rested his cheek on Atha's head, pulling her closer and giving her a gentle squeeze. He's here, he's here, he's here, it's okay, I'm here. His grip on the huddled children and Atha was strong and reassuring, that he wouldn't let anything touch them as they huddled in these ruins.

He continues this until either Atha pulls away or it seems like everyone's calmed down. If it's the latter he would speak softly, not wanting to startle anyone. "We should go somewhere warm. Away from here, where the weather is nice." A pause as he takes a shaky breath. "We could go to Limsa. I have a friend with a house in the Mist. We could spend a few days on the beach."

His words feel far away, and he's not even sure if Atha is listening, nor is he sure how long they've even been sitting here in the cold. He would relax his grip a little so that Atha could sit up when she was ready and he would stay still for as long as he needed for her to gather her things up, still limitless in his patience with her. He wasn't sure how they would get the kittens safely in either saddle, nor was he sure how Fenrir and Sleipnir would respond to the children, but they would work that out. He would offer to hold the kids while Atha put her armor back on, if she would let him.

[provokedultimatum]

Nothing about to day has made sense to Athala, least of her reactions to this entire new situation her and Aragibal have found themselves in. And speaking of Aragibal... She would never willingly let him this close and yet... Athala does not resist as he pull her into his lap, or as his arms wrap around her and her rests his cheek on her head. Multiple physical tethers even as the kits in her arms start to cry themselves into exhaustion.

"Limsa and the Must seems like a good idea." Athala agrees, voice quiet and exhausted.

Athala slowly pushes herself up out of Aragibal's lap, taking care not to jostle the Miqittens, and walks back towards Sleipnir and Fenrir. Fenrir approaches Atha, poking his snout into the fur with a curious whine. Atha pushes Fenrir back, not wanting to reawaken the children. "Fenrir, we're heading to Limsa."

Ara's offer to hold the children takes a moment to register as she realises that she had left her breastplate behind. Exchange made, she buckles it back on, "We're going to have to take a kid each, I can't take them both on Fenrir, and Sleipnir..." Twelve she wishes they could Teleport back but the kittens wouldn't be able to.

"I'll take the boy and you take the girl." Kids seperated, some miracle ensuring that they remained asleep, Atha climbed atop Fenrir and off they went, Fenrir charging through the sky behind Sleipnir.

[arroganceandangst]

Twelve she sounded so tired - Aragibal hated it. He made it a point to not dig into her past or make her talk about things that made her uncomfortable, but something about this encounter deeply dug into Athala. Someday they'd have to confront whatever that response was, but that day was not today. The best Ara hoped for right now was to provide a level of stability for her.

He pulled his breastplate on as she went over to Fenrir, then gingerly took the kittens from Athala, very careful to arrange himself and the kittens so they didn't rest directly against the cold metal. He gave a nod of agreement as she mentioned they'd have to take one each. "Sleipnir will have to figure out how to make due." The haughty horse had far too many opinions for his own good.

Once Ara gave Sleipnir a quiet but stern warning, then pulled himself up into the saddle. He took a few extra moments to actually strap the fur bundle that was Xahqoh into the saddle just in case Sleipnir decided to be sassy during the flight. Sleipnir did rear a little and back up as Aragibal took the reigns, but otherwise behaved as Ara looked to Atha for confirmation that they were ready. For the first (and the last) time, Sleipnir took off by going into a gentle canter and pushing off as opposed to his usual aggressive gallop.

The flight was smooth, uneventful. No Garleans were out, the currents were strong and steady, and even Sleipnir was calm through the flight. At some point Xahqoh woke and was very confused for a moment, but Ara helped her get her little arms out of the furs and pointed out the horn on the saddle for her to hold on to (with both claws, for safety!) and she snuggled back in the fur and watched the scenery pass underneath. As they drew near to La Noscea Aragibal called his friend that owned the house on linkpearl and double checked that it was okay if they stop by for a few days. Everything seemed okay as they kept course. As they flew Ara would occasionally look back to check on Atha, just to make sure she was still okay. If Atha matched pace to talk he would keep conversation, but he wouldn't try to start one unless it seemed she was falling asleep in the saddle.

Sleipnir started to come down for a landing as the beach came into view. Ara leaned down a little to speak to Xahqoh, who was starting to wriggle out of the fur as much as she could as the temperature started to rise. "Okay, you're gonna wanna hold on tight to the horn, okay? Sleipnir sometimes lands a little bit rough and we may get a good shake." Sleipnir gave a small snort that he heard that, but he was good and brought them down as gently as a horse could, Xahqoh's little claws digging into the hard leather.

"You keep hanging on, okay?" Xahqoh gave him a nervous nod and Aragibal dismounted and immediately started undoing the straps he did for Xahqoh, pulling her out of the saddle and holding her. Sleipnir automatically started to walk up to the house as Ara approached Atha just to regroup, pulling the house key out of one of his bags as Xahqoh quite literally clung to him as she looked around. She didn't stay in his arm long as she managed to scramble up his armor and stand on his shoulders, little claws clinging to his hair to stay on his shoulders as she looked around.

"I can go in and make us all something real to eat, would you please take care of Fenrir and Sleipnir?" Sleipnir was a jerk but he's tolerated Athala before. He would understand her hesitation if she had any, but his expression was a step away from begging.

[provokedultimatum]

The journey passed in blissful monotony, the only disturbance coming when Ahweh'a stirred awake and started struggling against her hold.

"Where is Xahqoh?!" He hisses at Atha, "What did you do?!"

Atha takes her other hand off of the reins, trusting Fenris to continue on their course, "Stop it, your sister is fine!" She pulls him tighter against her chest as he tries to scramble away, "She's with Aragibal, we could only take one of you each."

Ahweh'a settles back down after that, especially when Atha urges Fenris forward slightly so that Ahweh'a can see Xahqoh safe in Ara's hold. On landing, Atha sets Ahweh'a down on the ground first before dismounting, the kitten eyeing Ara warily as Atha gladly takes Ara's out. "Of course."

It's not until about halfway through bullying Sleipnir into a stall that the weight of exactly the responsibility her and Ara have taken on starts to sink in. Shit, she didn't know anything about raising kids, she was not soft enough for it. But what other choice was there? At least she felt more there, she just had to not think about the why of it all and she'd make it through dinner at least.

Making it back in just as Aragibal is plating up, she repeats her action from back in the wilderness, taking a big bite of the food in front of the kittens.

"Thank you," She mutters at the other tank, "I'll talk once they're asleep." She owes him that at least.

[arroganceandangst]

Ara couldn't really express just how grateful he was to Atha for helping him in this moment. He gave her the slightest of nods - very careful about Xahqoh, and turned to Ahweh'a, crouching as he gently untangled Xahqoh from his hair and setting her down on the sand. "Let's go in and get some real food, yeah?" Ahweh'a was clearly very unsure about it all as he cautiously approached and essentially glued himself to Xahqoh's side. Aragibal managed to convince the kids to get inside. He removed his armor and got himself down to his gambeson before returning to the kits. He convinced Ahweh'a to sit at the counter because it would allow him to watch what Aragibal was doing and make sure Aragibal wasn't going to try anything funny, and he convinced Xahqoh to sit there because she could snack as he cooked if she wanted.

The kids scrambled up into the chairs at the bar and watched closely. Aragibal would warn them before he would get a knife to chop, and he would talk through what he was doing. He'd take a bite of something, then offer a piece to Ahweh'a and Xahqoh - Ahweh'a passed at first, but eventually followed Xahqoh's example in taking little pieces and nibbling on them. Most of these interactions as he cooked were him running on autopilot as it hit him how exhausted he was and he realized the weight of what they had just done. He had helped to raise Monx, sure, but that was different than this. She'd always been the favorite of them, and he'd always had to look for ways to make up for it - be it through their races, seeing who could climb a cliff faster, their sparring. The last thing he wanted to do was create some sort of disparity between these two kids that would mirror his own upbringing and...

Oh, Atha said something to him. He gave her a little nod, though he wasn't entirely certain what she'd just said. Ara had made something relatively simple and lacking his normal flair for a lot of spices and interesting flavors. He didn't want to shock the kids and make them sick, so the flavors were pretty light. It was pleasant enough, though perhaps just a little boring.

It was Ara's turn to be distant and unusually quiet, his eyes not focused on anything around him as he waded through the memories of Monx spending so much more time with their father than he. Atha would have to work a little to bring him down from the clouds, where he'd blink at her blankly. Whatever she just said he hadn't heard and he wasn't entirely certain what the next thing to do was. It looked like everyone had finished eating, so maybe she wanted him to do dishes? Maybe she wanted help putting the kittens down? The silence grew longer as he stared at her.

[provokedultimatum]

Shit. Ara was out of it too. What a bloody pair they made. Pair. Fuck, she shoves the many implications of that far, far down as she helps the kittens off of the stools, their tiny claws digging into her hands as she does so.

"Let's get you both to bed. You'll both share a room." She adds, spotting the way Anweh'a continues to glue himself to Xahqoh's side, before guiding them towards one of the bedrooms.

"The door will be open, come and find us if you need anything." Fists clenched, she forces the words out, "My mum died too but I had noone to help me. I won't let that happen to you two."

Kids settle she heads back into the kitchen, "Ara," She shakes him, "Sit the fuck down, we need to talk and you look like shit."

[arroganceandangst]

She decided to take kitten duty in this moment and Aragibal simply let that happen. Things still felt a bit far away and he still wasn't quite present. As they walked to a room Aragibal got up and picked up the dishes and went to the sink to start doing the dishes. He managed to get everything set down and just gripped the sides of the sink. He didn't notice as Athala came up behind him, and it wasn't until she shook him that he even registered she was there.

He looked to her and gave a small chuckle as she said he looked like shit. "We both do." He let go of the sink and (shakily) followed her to the living area, taking a moment to open the set of windows there so that the ocean breeze could enter and so the sound of the tide was easier to hear - hopefully it would make things a little more calm.

He sank into a chair, his body heavy as he spoke first - a habit that likely annoyed Atha. "Of all of the reckless decisions I've ever made, this certainly has the most repercussions." He took his hair down - something he very rarely did - and looked out the window with a frown. "I don't know what to do, Athala." He'd always run away from his problems, but he couldn't with this one: if he did he'd have to leave Atha, and he wasn't about to do that. There's enough of a pause for her to probably worry he was thinking of abandoning them. He spoke again, quiet enough so Athala could just hear him. "I don't want to give them up, but I don't know what to do."

In truth, this entire series of events was the first time he'd ever admitted to not knowing something. It was the first time he hadn't bothered trying to cover up that he had no clue how to handle this.

[provokedultimatum]

Bone tired. That was the only way Athala could describe the way she felt as she flopped gracelessly into the seat opposite Ara. The sort of tired that hurt all the way down to your core. Too tired to fluster, or rage, or raise her walls. Just exhaustion.

As Ara admits how out of his depth he feels Atha stares off into the middle distance, the arms of the chair creaking as she holds them in a white-knuckle grip. She had to explain to properly explain her feelings and she hated it.

"...Don't remember Mum's face. Don't even think I remember her voice half the time." Her breathing becomes a little harder as it starts to pour out. "Don't remember where our house was in Ala Mhigo...Don't know what happened to her body. The only proof of my mum I have is my hair colour and the glass beads."

[arroganceandangst]

Aragibal, for once, was quiet while Athala explained her feelings and what was going on. He was confronted with the acute understanding that he had no clue what it was like to live in Atha's shoes. What happened did offer some insight into the state she was in when he found her and why it seemed she lacked common sense in a number of areas.

As she finished Ara could feel his heart breaking. He knew this was one of those moments in his life he had to say something and he had to try to comfort her and he had to try, but he had no clue what to do. He couldn't relate to having a house because his tribe always moved, the dead were often buried with only the smallest of graves that were lost to time, and he had nothing from home because of how hastily he left. It was, of course, the terms at which he left compared to hers - he chose to leave, she was left.

He didn't try to touch her, but he did lean forward a little bit, looking to her meaningfully, his voice low and gentle.

"You are proof of your mom, not just your hair and the glass beads you wear." He hesitated for a moment, then continued, in a very small voice that was barely even a mumble. "I never met her, but I can't help but think she would be proud of you."

have a present, a sad sad present

[provokedultimatum]

It's a good job that Aragibal didn't try to touch Atha, her reaction would not have been passive in the slightest. Atha would have punctured the vulnerable atmosphere with a burst of anger. But her white-knuckle grip of the chair arms loosen and it almost looks like a trick of the light but her cheeks have regained some of their colour even if the hollow look in her eyes hasn't abated.

"...Thanks Ara..." Atha tilts her head back, the beads in her hair clinking as she stares at the ceiling unable to bring herself to look at the man playing witness to this moment of weakness, "'M glad I got out of Ala Mhigo. I don't ever want to go back, the place is rotten to the bloody core, everything out here is so much better."

:(((((

[arroganceandangst]

Oh, he was more than well aware of her proclivity towards anger in literally any situation. He felt an uneasy relief as her cheeks seemed to regain some color. It seemed like he was on the right track, but this was not close to done.

"We never have to go there if you don't want to." There was a melancholy in his expression and tone. He didn't like the idea of leaving things unfinished like this, but he also had no right to push her into facing it if she wasn't ready or didn't want to. She was such a flight risk when they met and he had worked so hard to cultivate a relationship where she would stop running at every moment... He didn't want to slide back to there because of this.

"We don't have to do anything or go anywhere that you don't want to." It was unspoken, but he also was implying that if she would prefer they find a family to give the kits to then he would respect that as well. He had been making a concerted effort to allow her to make the decisions for them, though he would give input if he disagreed or felt she wasn't seeing the whole picture.