Aiden's Rest - Lancefer and Tara

Lancefer Aurifore: “Mind if I join you, Tara?”

Tara Griffinsong: “…” Tara says nothing at first, staring out at Dravania in the far distance. “…If you wish.”

Lancefer Aurifore frowns and looks at her a moment before finally climbing up to sit beside her on the wall. “I am guessing something very bad happened last eve. Neither you nor Destiney seem to be yourselves this eve.”

Tara Griffinsong wipes red rimmed eyes, “…You could say that, yeah. It….it was damaging to all of us, in our own way.”

Lancefer Aurifore ‘hmms’ softly as he looks out at the snowy skies. “I was afraid of such when my cousin pretty much told me to get the hells out of her house an find you instead. What happened last night? If it is okay for me to ask.”

Tara Griffinsong glances over at him, her eyes flitting away before she could meet his eyes, “We…It started out fine, a normal mission…for us anyway. We eventually got into a situation where a machine? Spell? Where -something- showed us….memories. For most of us, I think, they weren’t happy either.”

Lancefer Aurifore looks over at Tara as she explains. “I see…Must have been pretty bad if both you and my cousin are out of sorts this eve. Do you wish to talk about it? You did listen to me the other night. I would be willing to offer the same if you so wish.”

Tara Griffinsong points at the mountains in the distance. “I was born over those, in the Orn Wildes. Or so near the Wildes it wasn’t really the Hinterlands anymore and it wasn’t the Wildes yet. There’s a ranch there, called Little Hope.” She laughs, a little broken, “Little Hope isn’t so little really.”

Lancefer Aurifore: “I don’t think it matters if it is little or not. To someone at some time it was that small shred of hope they needed most likely. It is Hope that gives some people the drive needed to push forward when things are bleak.”

Tara Griffinsong: “We’re…family. Refugees from basically everywhere the Empire’s looked who’ve made it across Abalathia’s Spine is welcome in our home and I’m actually related to most of them. We….also have taken in…people the See is not fond of.” She chooses her words carefully. “I was born the second of three children, with my twin the only one younger than me.”

Lancefer Aurifore frowned at her comment on the See, looking around to make sure no others knights had been nearby. “So many people found hope in what your family offered. So the place is actually well named despite not being so little. Please continue.”

Tara Griffinsong tugs her cap off as the wind settles, letting her waist length hair unfurl behind her.

Tara Griffinsong: “For years, we were peaceful. We didn’t make trouble with our ‘neighbors’ and even breed war chocobos. Aiden was my older brother, a good eight years older than me, but we were thick as thieves, more so than me and my twin really. He understood me in a way that….no one else has ever really been able to.”

Lancefer Aurifore: “Sounds like he was a good older brother. What happened to him? You said 'was’. I take it he is no longer walking this world. Forgive me for asking if it hurts too much. You may ask me to leave if you wish.”

Tara Griffinsong: “Carteneau. He was eight years older than me, so he was nineteen when the Alliance went to battle. Ishgard wasn’t involved, of course, but Aiden somehow got his way south and joined the Adders. …He didn’t make it home.”

Lancefer Aurifore made a soft 'hmph’ noise. “So then the odds were high that maybe you an Destiney met for a reason. Did she ever mention Carteneau to you?”

Tara Griffinsong nods quietly. “She did.”

Lancefer Aurifore: “Maybe one of the Twelve thought the two of you could use each other. Well use is not really the right word. A shared pain is an easier burden when it is shared. Have you ever told her about your brother?”

Tara Griffinsong shakes her head, “Most days his memory is bearable and she hurts far worse than I.”

Lancefer Aurifore looks at her in silence for a long moment. Thinking of the words he wanted to say. “I think you should. Or at least maybe try. Maybe she is finally healing? Unless it was something about her father she saw last eve. She wouldn’t tell me. Seemed to get lost in her thoughts easier than usual.”

Tara Griffinsong shakes her head, “I…wasn’t really able to focus on what others were reacting or saying. My own memories were….distracting.” She slides off the railing and picks up the sack and a large, cloth wrapped item that looked far too heavy for her to be carrying, though she managed fine. “…Join me? I’m going to do something I should have done while coming south.”

Lancefer Aurifore watches her get up, eyeing the sack. “Of course. I would gladly offer you my sword and shield out here. Not that I do not believe you a capable young woman. It just makes me worry less. If that is alright to you. Or I would even offer to carry that for you if you wished.” Brushes snow off his armor as he climbs down off the wall.

Tara Griffinsong shakes her head, “We’re not going far and it’s my thing to carry.” She smiles wanly.

Lancefer Aurifore: “Then lead on and I shall follow.”

Tara Griffinsong pauses, grumbling a little about public stair safety and hefting the wrapped object higher in her hold.

Tara Griffinsong takes a deep breath at the opening to the cave.

Lancefer Aurifore keeps an eye on her while still making sure to keep an eye out for anything dangerous as well. “So what have you come here to do? If you do not mind me asking.”

Tara Griffinsong bites her lip, “Visiting the Fury’s Gaze.”

Lancefer Aurifore: “That much I could figure by where we are.”

Tara Griffinsong sends him a dry look.

Tara Griffinsong gazes around the cave, staring at the stalagmites and tites, seemingly searching for something.

Tara Griffinsong walks over to one of the bigger ones, feet making little to no sound.

Lancefer Aurifore looks up before closing his eyes and making a motion of respect for Halone.

Lancefer Aurifore walks over and quietly watches Tara.

Lancefer Aurifore eyes the axe she had placed against the pillar. “Did it belong to your brother?”

Tara Griffinsong kneels and drags from her sack a large, flat stone and sets it before the pillar, making four indentations in it with a touch of aether. Next comes candles, one deep purple, one blue, one white and lastly a pitch black one. “Yes, one of the only uncharred things that was found to bring home to us.” She lights the candles with a match and smiles, “Rest well in Halone’s Halls, Aiden. May She greet you with a Warrior’s welcome, for you fell in battle protecting your home and your family.”

Lancefer Aurifore looks back towards the stone bearing Halone’s mark before looking back towards the axe and Tara. “I am sure Halone has embraced him with open arms. She does not forsake those who have served her well.” His words were softly spoken.

Tara Griffinsong quieter, “Be safe big brother…I miss you…”

Tara Griffinsong: “I hope so…I wasn’t…sure if I should do this, since he never fought for Ishgard, but…I felt I had to, you know? I know this is probably unorthodox and frowned upon to leave these here…”

Tara Griffinsong: “I got mad at him, you know, before he left. My last words to him was that he was abandoning us, me. I was mad that I didn’t tell him I loved him.” She sobs.

Lancefer Aurifore steps closer and puts his hands on her shoulders first, not wanting to startle her. Before wrapping his arms around her in a hug from behind. “Halone may be the patron who watches over Ishgard but her children are not just those of us born and bred in Ishgard. I am sure she loves all her children no matter their birth. Even your brother.”

Tara Griffinsong sobs freely now, hands coming up to hug his arms as tears stream down her face.

Lancefer Aurifore just lets her cry as he holds her. “I’m sure he knows you love him too. You’ve probably made him proud so many times. Look at all the good you’ve done. The people you’ve helped. If he watches over you… I am sure he is very proud of his little sister. I would be.”

Tara Griffinsong hiccoughs, “Twelve I hope so. I…I don’t think I’ve earned his pride though.” She sniffles, “How…how do I submit a formal request to Haillenarte to not remove it? Or at least move it somewhere more appropriate and not throw it off the cliff?”

Lancefer Aurifore takes a deep breath an looks up. “I can try calling in some favors. Maybe talk to Lord Francel. He would probably be the best one to convince. He is a very kind young man who I am proud to serve under.”

Tara Griffinsong shakes her head, “I’ll do it Lancefer. I don’t want you spending your favors on me.”

Lancefer Aurifore chuckles softly. “No. It is alright. They would be well spent if they offered you some measure of peace. I wish I could do the same for my cousin.”

Tara Griffinsong tilts her head up to glare at him, poking his arm gently. “It’s fine. I’ll ask the Lord myself. I’m not that socially awkward.”

Lancefer Aurifore let’s go of her to raise his hands in the air, a slight grin on his face. “Alright. I did offer at least. But yes I would suggest talking with Lord Francel. He is a kind hearted young man. If any of the Haillenarte children might hear you out, it would be him.”

Tara Griffinsong drags gentle fingers down the head of the axe, pressing a kiss to her fingers and then her fingers to the axe. “Rest well Aiden. Feast and Make Merry at Halone’s side.”

Lancefer Aurifore: “May Halone watch over his soul.”