timeandtides_backup | [Thread; Closed]

Entry tags:

[Thread; Closed]

Characters: Delita and Ashe
Summary: Seeking closure, the pair visit the Farplane to say goodbye to their loved ones.
Location: The Farplane and Guadosalam
Date: A few days after their return to Warjilis
Warnings: Initial angst?

Not lightly had the choice been made. Even as they rode on chocobo back with a half-hour's journey behind them, Ashelia couldn't help but question whether her decision to accompany Delita had been driven by selfishness. This place - the Farplane - somehow granted the opportunity to see images of those loved and lost. Journeying there meant she could see Rasler again, yet this reunion, she knew, would differ greatly from those past. Well, those in Gaia.

Her mind wandered, into the great halls of Raithwall's Tomb where the prince's ghostly form had materialised and gripped her heart. This would prove closer to the form she would find in the Farplane. Without being, a representation only. Yet it would not deceive her, as the Occuria had aimed for those years ago. No longer would she be toyed with, nor Rasler's likeness used undeservedly. In her eyes, this journey held one purpose alone.

To find some semblance of closure, and the will to embrace the future.

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Ashe made no conscious decision to take his hand, rather hers seemed to accept his out of instinct as they passed, together, beyond the archway. What lay within elicited no less than reverent awe from the princess; the platform seemingly floating amidst billowing cloud and green hue.

Sight of other visitors surprised her somewhat, but then grief's reach was far, and though intrigued, respect lowered her gaze to lend privacy to them - to Delita as he stood in silence. Ashe did not release his hand, not even when the figure began to form, a young girl, spirit-like. His lost sister.

She gasped, able only to gaze upon the image and know she had been the most important person in Delita's life. Coupled with feelings of intrusion came great privilege, for the significance of this moment was not lost on her.

Delita held firm to the princess' hand, drawing strength from her warmth. He gives his attention to the living, focusing upon his friend.

"She was too young, but I'm glad for you to have seen her."

He let his gaze drift over to his sister, ready to finally accept her death. It pleased him that he was able to share this moment with Ashelia.

Finally at peace, his frown began to disappear even if he wasn't quite ready to smile.

"Thank you..."

For what she expressed her gratitude Ashe couldn't be certain, be it his company or the sharing of so personal an experience. Perhaps both. Having drawn her line of sight away from the apparition, she met Delita's gaze with her own, calm and placid.

Hope that he felt that which he set out to achieve... it slowly gave way to wonder. Could she truly find peace for her prince? Thoughts of Rasler came to her, the lack of respect with which the Occuria had manipulated his image. His memory deserved no less than peace, and her acceptance.

Only when Delita turns back to the incredible skyscape before them did she follow, only for a more prominent gasp to escape her lips. For there, before her, floated his very visage.

"Rasler..."

All of a sudden, Delita saw none other than Lord Nabradia standing next to his sister. He was about to note the similarities when Ashelia spoke his name.

He dared not say anything, for he knew of nothing appropriate to say. Instead, he just stood silently trying to take stock of the situation. His own sister all but forgotten, his thoughts turned to consoling the princess. While he may not have known of how to handle the situation, his hand grasped the princess' a little firmer hoping to reassure her that she was not alone.

As her friend, he waited for as long as she required - his only movement consisting of shifting his gaze from Lord Nabradia back to his sister.

Vacant, lifeless, blank. Ashe breathed deeply as the princely image's eyes stared into the distance without any of the light they once contained. She was granted an opportunity beyond belief, but... this was not how she wanted to remember her fallen husband. He was lost to her, though the memories were not. Many ought not even have come to pass, had it not been for Gaia.

Rather than regret, she found feelings of gratitude rising within. And just as the princess once stood upon the palace balcony to say her silent goodbyes, so she did again. Praying he could finally rest, Ashelia lowered her eyes, holding on to Delita's hand, so warm and comforting. When she looked up at him, watching his sister, understanding dawned. They didn't belong there, but amongst the living. Leaving this behind would not mean forgetting - rather accepting their pasts, and moving into the future.

"Their place is here," she stated quietly, focusing on her friend. "Ours... is not."

Delita listened intently to Ashelia. Never before had someone spoken ao elegantly and poignantly to him regarding his sister before.

He mulled her words in his mind over and over as he looked upon his sister. If not for the princess' hand in his own, he may have retreated back to his grief.

Grasping her hand for strength, he finally transferred his attention away from his Tietra.

"We do not belong here.?"

It is said almost with a plea for he has been a stranger among men ever since that day and he's not quite sure where he belongs except that he will remain responsible for this woman's welfare.

Not with pity did she look to him, but understanding. Deep within the halls of Orbonne Monastery had he confessed - 'I have ever handled my burdens alone.' In her own time of need, she herself had been fortunate in the presence of friends who taught her the value of sharing burdens. Yet he had been... alone. On that day she offered trust and sought to end his solitude. Now, she hoped he trusted her enough to accept her words.

"We cannot restore their lives, Delita... though we can grant them the peace of which they are deserving." Gently she spoke, respectful. "Rasler once spoke of his wish that I continue living. Tietra... would she not wish the same for her brother?"

Instinct instructed her to stroke her ring, yet Ashelia denied it, held securely onto his hand, needed the warm contact just as much.

"... We belong with the living."

Delita indeed listened to the woman beside him. He wasn't sure quite how to live, but he was slowly learning what it meant as his friendship with the princess grew.

He fully turned his attention away from the apparitions, to focus on the living.

"I know no other way to live."

He looked deep into Ashelia's eyes asking her patience and assistance to attempt this growth. He leaned closer in, drawing massive inner strength but still too self-conscious to instigate the comfort of the embrace that he was seeking.

Unable to articulate the gratitude he felt, he hoped that the small smile would be enough to convey his feelings on the matter.

Such brutal honesty... Drawn into his gaze, Ashe was able to read the unspoken request for guidance, for comfort, and resolved to offer all she could; which began with a faint smile of her own, followed by the very gesture he sought.

Slowly, yet without apprehension she stepped closer, came to rest against him, encircled her arms around Delita and held him in a comfort they had shared only once prior. As for the reason, it remained the same, even if the solace she received in return felt... different, somehow.

"Then learn, with me."

The statement passed her lips without forethought, the princess surprising herself in the act. While she knew leaving the Farplane for the surface was the best option for them both, Ashe couldn't end the embrace, not yet, giving thought to her accidental words.

Delita sought nothing from the embrace, seeking only the compassion that had been offered. He added his arms to complete the circle. His head reaching to her shoulder of its own accord drawing from her the needed comfort and strength.

He dwelled upon her statement as well. 'Learn with me.' He knew not fully everything she meant, but he determined to learn surprising himself with his inward vow. As he closed his eyes, his thoughts drifted away from his sister and unto the woman within his embrace.

A contented smile began to form beyond her view as he noticed the silkiness of her locks against his cheek. It was not until he noticed the softness of her back that he became awkwardly aware that this was not just some friendly princess he was holding, but a full-fledged woman.

He began to pull back, lest Lord Nabradia step from beyond the farplane and demand pittance for his improprieties. A faint flush filled his cheeks as he softly spoke.

"'Tis a road I will travel with you."

The embrace ended, yet she was left lamenting the loss of his arms around her. Ashe felt confused, were the emotions of the day getting the better of her, or was this... something more? Not once did her attention leave Delita, not until his soft words broke the quiet between them. Having heard that, knowing he meant to progress in life alongside her, meant more than she could explain, and such was unexpected.

The princess focused again on their present, looked toward the exit with some apprehension. Passing through would mean a departure from the past. However, she would not break her resolve. Nor would she turn back to the floating images - for they would never be real, nor compare to true memory.

"I... am ready to leave, when you wish it."

Rather than the depths below, Ashe desired the fresh air, the warm sunlight above the grassy plain where their chocobos were tethered. Only then would this truly lie behind them.

For the first time, Delita was ready to depart the farplane. He knew not what the future held, but alongside Ashelia he could step forward.

"I need not remain within these borders evermore."

Delita firmly held out his hand before the princess. He knew not completely why he felt so compelled to exit by her side except it felt right and natural to begin this chapter in his life as such.

"Let us leave, never to return."

He never breathed as he waited to her to respond to his gesture. Even though he knew it to be trivial, the importance that she grasp his cloud defied all logic and thought.

Delita's confident words and readiness to leave their mourning behind assured her of their mutual readiness for the step. She inhaled deeply yet quietly, nodding her consent. Never to return. So it would be.

Whereas instinct had driven her previous acceptances of his hand, this time the motivation proved different. Through choice, and want, Ashe reached out to envelop her hand within the surety of his.

For a moment she held his gaze. Just as they had entered together, so would they depart together. As for the return to Warjilis... she couldn't think that far ahead. All she felt was the call of the surface above, and the familiar warmth of Delita's hand.

Delita also felt the familiar warmth pleased with how well it nestled into his hand. He took a deep breath as they stepped back through the gate and began the long ascent back to the surface.

He did not speak much upon their ascent as it seemed inappropriate to speak of life when along their path, they saw naught but grief. He yearned for the freshness of the surface.

The entirety of their walk, Delita felt his thoughts drifting to those of the princess.

Silence may have fallen between them, but it felt comfortable, poignant for a departure from the imagery of their loved ones. Long and steep the wall may have been yet Ashe didn't acknowledge this, for it seemed as if she had already made the greatest effort in turning from her past loss.

With the light beckoning brightly ahead her pace hastened, though not once did the princess break step with the man whose hand had acted as a lifeline through many trials of late. Concentrating on both of these the breakthrough to Guadosalam came all the sooner, upon which all that separated the two from the outside world was that one hole up ahead.

Undisturbed by the Guado, she breathed deeply, yet satisfaction would only come when the rooted city was truly behind, and nothing held back the future for herself, and Delita.

Neither did Delita feel that the return to the surface was long or dreary. Much to the chagrin of the guado, he declined staying within the confines of the city pushing instead for the peace of the roots.

Having lost track of time upon their sojourn, he experienced minor surprise at the low height of the sun. Had they really spent the entirety of the afternoon with the depths of the Iifa Tree?

Continuing their travels across of the roots towards the meadow that held their chocobo friends, the sun began to slowly dip providing a majestic panorama behind the Iifa Tree. Unbeknownst to himself, the space between the pair was slowly decreasing the further they went. Whereas before, he would have noticed the impropriety of the closeness, the naturalness most certainly overshadowed his conscious thought of the matter.

Ashe's own surprise at sighting the beginning of sunset melted away once she felt the first rays warming her desert born skin. Despite Gaia's instability, none could deny that this land was truly a spectacle to behold. The very meadow grass they sought, which stretched far into the distance, seemed to radiate a lush glow, calling her all the more.

Often uneven were the roots underfoot yet she walked with grace, comfortable, at peace with herself and the experience shared. Like the knight, the princess had failed to notice just how closely they walked together until their shoulders brushed. Though a little surprised, she did not seek greater personal space. How could she, when this felt so content, so inexplicably right?

Stepping from solid wood onto soft meadow she released a gentle sigh, staying close as their feet padded the earth. Awe-inspiring as the sunset proved to behold, she found herself drawn somewhere else entirely - to look upon Delita. The want to seek out his eyes, to have him gaze into hers as deeply as before - it shocked her, but she could not deny it.

Delita relaxed upon their return to the meadow. Finally, he could consider the mission to the Iifa Tree and the Farplane complete. His gaze lingered on the tree for a moment, before he felt the familiar call of the lady beside him.

He turned towards the princess, thoughts focusing on the recent events that they had experienced together. His eyes were caught by her gaze. He made no attempt to divert his eyes, holding hers instead.

It remained important to him to look as deeply inter her eyes as she was into his, thought he knew not how to respond. Again, his thoughts began to veer unto a path never tread. He began to notice the way her hair fell upon her shoulders.

The longer their eyes locked, so did the clouds of confusion begin to drift away, allowing truth to permeate through. Delita had earned her trust, her friendship - she cared for him. And yet... this feeling extended beyond friendship alone. It greeted her slowly, like an old acquaintance unsure of their reception. Ashe didn't realise she'd been holding her breath until it found soft release, and she suddenly felt very warm.

"I..." A whisper, and any words meant for after failed her, stolen by his gaze. At that moment, the princess would have given anything for the ability to read his mind.

A sudden breeze brushed the grass against her ankles, interupting her thoughts. Needing the gaze to last a little longer, she indulged herself, then leaned down to pluck a single blade of grass. Her mind tried to focus on remembering the sequence of folds, though concentration proved difficult.

"... Will you show me again?"

Delita had never felt so relaxed in another's presence. It was so easy to lose himself under those lashes and a smile was beginning to form underneath his notice. Nothing else mattered as he stood next to her.

Her voice broke his trance as he nodded waiting for his words to catch up. He came even closer, prepared to take her hands into his before propriety demanded he desist - a hint of a blush the only remnant of his near breach.

He bent down instead, picking his own blade. As he stood, he brushed against the princess feeling a spark start to grow within him. Voice lost amidst the exchange, he is barely able to fold the whistle. Unsure why he would be so nervous performing this simple task, his hands twitched in response.

After a few missed attempts, he finally speaks.

"Might I join you?

For all her title, Ashe remained a young woman, not exempt from such feelings as nervousness, which came to her in turn upon their unexpected brush together. When had her feelings changed, when had she began to look upon him differently?

Watching him err in folding the blade, she could only wonder whether it was possible... could she, herself, be responsible for his struggle? Mirroring his actions she gradually worked in the folds, until both had succeeded and he spoke. A request she would not deny. For a mere moment she caught his eyes with her own, and nodded.

"Sit with me?"

Standing, they stood out as outsiders upon the great meadow. By lowering herself down to sit among the grass, Ashe felt as part of it. Settling against the gentle slope of the hill felt calming, the nerves temporarily placated. Pursing her lips about the whistle she blew - once, twice, success granted with the third.

Shrill and clear the sound pierced the air, as if declaring, 'I am free, hear me.'

Her presence had indeed caused his fumbles. For once, he was out of sorts and hadn't yet had time to sequester his feelings.

He silently lowered himself to the ground beside her. Smiling he waited until she had worked her own whistle before joining in with harmony. He was sure he could hear her thoughts as beside her, even he himself felt free.

Lazed against the back of the hill, amidst the canopy of the sunset his first thoughts were to her welfare as he removed his cloak without breaking their song and covered her shoulders. It simply was not acceptable for the young woman to experience any discomfort in his presence.

No chill was responsible for her shiver as he reached his arms about her. Ending her note in order to take breath, the feeling garnered from their closeness to one another seemed to swell like a wave. The ripple had begun within the Farplane itself, when he held her and she sensed some change between them.

Never again had she expected to harbour such feelings. Nor wanted to, but it seemed her heart had defied her will. Was this... fear? No, she answered herself. Never could she fear this man.

Ashe lay back against the grass, his cloak wrapped about her, lashes lowering. As if guided, her thoughts found her fallen prince. Not to lament or feel guilt - rather his words at a time of uncertainty. 'I want you to love again. Share your love with another. Don't shut it away.'

With the phrase echoing in memory, she turned toward Delita, breath once more withheld. Her gaze ignored crimson clouds and instead roamed his face as if looking upon him anew.

Delita was unsure how to handle the wave of emotions that had infiltrated his life at the hands of the Dalmascan Princess. It had been clearer with Lord Nabradia near, but with his departure he found his thought consistently centered on his friends.

He knew it was not proper, yet he allowed himself the privilege of her company. It was proving more and more difficult to maintain the propriety her honor and dignity demanded. He struggled to keep his gaze upon the sunset, sure that it would dispel any of these thoughts, but then she turned her gaze back towards him.

He couldn't contain himself, returning the gaze she offered. He struggled to maintain his composure, lest she see his thoughts and determine to depart. Despite his heroic efforts, his cheeks betrayed the growth of the feelings within. Looking upon her, he didn't even dare to hope that she could possibly reciprocate any of the wealth of emotion that she was stirring inside him.

Doubts as to reciprocation also lingered in the princess' mind. No expectations existed between she and Delita, the only limitations forged by their willingness and bravery. How would she ever know his feelings, unless she asked?

That may have been, but words escaped her, hovered somewhere beyond her reach. All she managed was his name in a breath, before the red flush blossoming across his cheeks quieted her entirely. He was blushing, could it truly be?

A soft sound akin to a half gasp, half sigh escaped her lips as their gaze held - and then it came. Instinct lifted her hand, slowly yet surely, until her palm gently cupped the side of his face, felt the warm heat of a cheek, fingers touching soft, dark locks for the first time.

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