[ she knows alphinaud doesn't know what a sin eater is, so calling it that might not elaborate exactly on what it is. still, her expression is grim. she glances over to allen to see that he's still with her, and nods sharply - both in thanks and acknowledging she'll try to be careful - before she finally makes her way over to alphinaud. ]
I don't know what it does but it seems to amplify feelings within you. I became a mindless beast of anger.
[ they can go into the details of what that means later. once she's close enough and alphinaud doesn't seem to be inclined to attack her, she reaches out, resting a hand on his shoulder as she kneels next to him. ]
He's the one that helped destroy mine own wings.
[ as she speaks, she's gently moving her other hand to try to get a look at where he's pierced. ]
Painful.
[ no question. they'd been for her so they must be for alphinaud. ]
[ --it's the tears that do it, as startling as they are to Allen, as he doesn't believe that's just because of the pain. It's quite different, the effect those wings seem to have, between the two of them. Though even if that might make it easier and safer to approach Alphinaud-- it's crueler, too. Especially if it's as she said-- "but it seems to amplify feelings within you."
Which is why he moves forward too, not just because he was noticed. Crouching down beside Alisaie as well and offering the other boy a bittersweet, but gentle smile, though he won't move to touch him and lets his sister do that.
After all, even if the other were to become a threat and suddenly lash out in his sorrow—something Allen knows better than anyone—he can't just ignore someone suffering. Even if it's just to sit there and support them both. ]
Mn, it's "Allen". [ Which, before Alphinaud might wonder about that: ] It's okay--
[ He speaks softly, like someone used to being gentle and calm even (or especially) when presented with something terrible. Because it's cruel. Cruel and horrible, arrogant, if Alisaie is correct. Twisting people's feelings and using them against them, and doing so in such a brutal manner. And it pisses him off. ]
This time you don't have to be the healer, alright?
[ If his voice and his (albeit common) name weren't already a giveaway. ]
[ Alphinaud states bitterly while trying his best to dry his tears. This is horrifically embarrassing of him. He feels like a toddler crying this much but he simply can't stop. the poor boy just feels so miserable, so hopeless. It's as if he's being suffocated by his emotions. Hell, he can barely breathe at this point. His heart is racing and his body feels like it's fire. This malady is far worse than Alphinaud is willing to admit. After all, he's the type to put on a strong face regardless of his plight. Though, it feels like his façade is slowly crumbling as more tears fall. ]
It's as if everything I've tried to...to bury is all spilling forth at once. [ He admits once Alisaie kneels next to him. That slight bit of chroma between them seems to be calming him down some. Maybe the answer to healing this malady lies within chroma? That's certainly food for thought. ] Not even during all of our trials did I ever succumb to the sorrow.
[ This is maddening! It's as if he's about to unravel from the seams. He can't let this happen. He won't.]
I care not about the pain, I want them gone!
[ Truth be told, the pain alone isn't what's making him sob. It's just everything. As much as Alphinaud claims the melancholy he feels is fabricated, there's some truth to it. Their adventure to Eorzea has been racked with hardships since their first voyage. They thankfully overcame many great challenges during their journey but for every mile crossed, there's a handful of sorrows. Alphinaud brings his hands to his lips in hopes of silencing himself. He feels so pathetic right now, so low. The shame he feels is starting to outweigh the sorrow. ]
...Twelve preserve me.
[ He mutters quietly once he realizes that's truely "Allen", the hunter he met earlier within the game. Alphinaud stares at him wide-eyed in surprise before turning scarlet in shame. He hides his face within his hands and lets out a long deep suffering sigh before suddenly inching closer to Alisaie for comfort. Usually, it's the other way around in terms of comfort but Alphinaud clings to his sister nonetheless.]
T-This is not how I thought we meet.
[ He chuckles bitterly as the wings upon his back start to flutter. They're slowly turning into ash. Slowly but surely. ]
[ alisaie's expression is sympathetic. there have been trials abounding every since the calamity - their parents' death, louisoix's death. but she knows alphinaud has taken it the hardest, because she kept her distance.
he faced the loss of lives in the waking sands, and she knows how he blames himself for the braves. for what he views as the reason minfilia "died". the myriad other brave souls who gave their lives across their travels.
but she doesn't remember seeing him cry often. she had to, after losing tesleen, tuck herself away in a little corner and let it out. but it's not something she sees with alphinaud, even if she knows he feels as deeply as she does.
when he tucks in closer to her, she fully wraps her arms around him, all but dragging him into her arms. it helps that she can see his wings falling apart, and she rubs a hand across his shoulders. ]
They're going away, Alphinaud. And it's quite all right to cry, you know. We've been through much.
[ she's just saying maybe take the chance to get it out now, since he didn't really have a choice. she presses their cheeks together and then looks at allen, giving a little smile. ]
[ Heh— Alphinaud's reaction gets a small laugh from Allen, though not in any teasing way but appreciating the irony of the situation and glad to see that side of him bubble up again. Embarrassment is better than sadness, after all. And it was a bit of a shock for Allen too, just one covered up in the moment...
Although his expression drops to something a bit more gentle and thoughtful at seeing how the two cling to each other, and he settles back a bit, palms on his knees, as Alisaie's words echo for a moment. "We've been through so much..." Mn, that's obvious. But it's also not the thing that strikes him about that.
It's good. It's good that they have each other, that's the conclusion more important than any other that he draws. And wonders not for the first time that it must be nice, having siblings.
It must be nice...
Though when Alisaie comforts the other like and says it's alright to cry, he can't help but suddenly remember how violently she'd scrubbed at her own tears, almost as if she were chastising herself for having them. As he would-- beyond being someone who notices and pays attention to other people's feelings, hypocrites tend to notice other hypocrites.
Although he'd never point that out. ]
Aaah, well— somewhat. [ He looks a touch sheepish at Alisaie's question, scratching at his cheek slightly with his good hand. With still such a bright and relieved sort of smile, though. Like he's in good spirits now. ]
We were somewhere else before we were here. In that game(?). [ Feels so strange to call it that still... ] He told me about you, too. Although I didn't realize it was you before.
[ But he pauses and his smile becomes a bit more gentle again -- thoughtful -- before he lets his hand drop. ]
no subject
[ she knows alphinaud doesn't know what a sin eater is, so calling it that might not elaborate exactly on what it is. still, her expression is grim. she glances over to allen to see that he's still with her, and nods sharply - both in thanks and acknowledging she'll try to be careful - before she finally makes her way over to alphinaud. ]
I don't know what it does but it seems to amplify feelings within you. I became a mindless beast of anger.
[ they can go into the details of what that means later. once she's close enough and alphinaud doesn't seem to be inclined to attack her, she reaches out, resting a hand on his shoulder as she kneels next to him. ]
He's the one that helped destroy mine own wings.
[ as she speaks, she's gently moving her other hand to try to get a look at where he's pierced. ]
Painful.
[ no question. they'd been for her so they must be for alphinaud. ]
no subject
Which is why he moves forward too, not just because he was noticed. Crouching down beside Alisaie as well and offering the other boy a bittersweet, but gentle smile, though he won't move to touch him and lets his sister do that.
After all, even if the other were to become a threat and suddenly lash out in his sorrow—something Allen knows better than anyone—he can't just ignore someone suffering. Even if it's just to sit there and support them both. ]
Mn, it's "Allen". [ Which, before Alphinaud might wonder about that: ] It's okay--
[ He speaks softly, like someone used to being gentle and calm even (or especially) when presented with something terrible. Because it's cruel. Cruel and horrible, arrogant, if Alisaie is correct. Twisting people's feelings and using them against them, and doing so in such a brutal manner. And it pisses him off. ]
This time you don't have to be the healer, alright?
[ If his voice and his (albeit common) name weren't already a giveaway. ]
no subject
[ Alphinaud states bitterly while trying his best to dry his tears. This is horrifically embarrassing of him. He feels like a toddler crying this much but he simply can't stop. the poor boy just feels so miserable, so hopeless. It's as if he's being suffocated by his emotions. Hell, he can barely breathe at this point. His heart is racing and his body feels like it's fire. This malady is far worse than Alphinaud is willing to admit. After all, he's the type to put on a strong face regardless of his plight. Though, it feels like his façade is slowly crumbling as more tears fall. ]
It's as if everything I've tried to...to bury is all spilling forth at once. [ He admits once Alisaie kneels next to him. That slight bit of chroma between them seems to be calming him down some. Maybe the answer to healing this malady lies within chroma? That's certainly food for thought. ] Not even during all of our trials did I ever succumb to the sorrow.
[ This is maddening! It's as if he's about to unravel from the seams. He can't let this happen. He won't.]
I care not about the pain, I want them gone!
[ Truth be told, the pain alone isn't what's making him sob. It's just everything. As much as Alphinaud claims the melancholy he feels is fabricated, there's some truth to it. Their adventure to Eorzea has been racked with hardships since their first voyage. They thankfully overcame many great challenges during their journey but for every mile crossed, there's a handful of sorrows. Alphinaud brings his hands to his lips in hopes of silencing himself. He feels so pathetic right now, so low. The shame he feels is starting to outweigh the sorrow. ]
...Twelve preserve me.
[ He mutters quietly once he realizes that's truely "Allen", the hunter he met earlier within the game. Alphinaud stares at him wide-eyed in surprise before turning scarlet in shame. He hides his face within his hands and lets out a long deep suffering sigh before suddenly inching closer to Alisaie for comfort. Usually, it's the other way around in terms of comfort but Alphinaud clings to his sister nonetheless.]
T-This is not how I thought we meet.
[ He chuckles bitterly as the wings upon his back start to flutter. They're slowly turning into ash. Slowly but surely. ]
no subject
he faced the loss of lives in the waking sands, and she knows how he blames himself for the braves. for what he views as the reason minfilia "died". the myriad other brave souls who gave their lives across their travels.
but she doesn't remember seeing him cry often. she had to, after losing tesleen, tuck herself away in a little corner and let it out. but it's not something she sees with alphinaud, even if she knows he feels as deeply as she does.
when he tucks in closer to her, she fully wraps her arms around him, all but dragging him into her arms. it helps that she can see his wings falling apart, and she rubs a hand across his shoulders. ]
They're going away, Alphinaud. And it's quite all right to cry, you know. We've been through much.
[ she's just saying maybe take the chance to get it out now, since he didn't really have a choice. she presses their cheeks together and then looks at allen, giving a little smile. ]
Ah, you two have crossed paths before then?
no subject
Although his expression drops to something a bit more gentle and thoughtful at seeing how the two cling to each other, and he settles back a bit, palms on his knees, as Alisaie's words echo for a moment. "We've been through so much..." Mn, that's obvious. But it's also not the thing that strikes him about that.
It's good. It's good that they have each other, that's the conclusion more important than any other that he draws. And wonders not for the first time that it must be nice, having siblings.
It must be nice...
Though when Alisaie comforts the other like and says it's alright to cry, he can't help but suddenly remember how violently she'd scrubbed at her own tears, almost as if she were chastising herself for having them. As he would-- beyond being someone who notices and pays attention to other people's feelings, hypocrites tend to notice other hypocrites.
Although he'd never point that out. ]
Aaah, well— somewhat. [ He looks a touch sheepish at Alisaie's question, scratching at his cheek slightly with his good hand. With still such a bright and relieved sort of smile, though. Like he's in good spirits now. ]
We were somewhere else before we were here. In that game(?). [ Feels so strange to call it that still... ] He told me about you, too. Although I didn't realize it was you before.
[ But he pauses and his smile becomes a bit more gentle again -- thoughtful -- before he lets his hand drop. ]
I'm glad you're both alright.