escordvi | closed ⚡🪶 and forevermore, i'll be chasing the storm we had.

[If only she knew.

If only she knew this was really the only choice he could ever make, dead or alive. Even if he could go back... Things have changed too much. Perhaps if they still hated each other, could no longer get along, or there was no sign of saving them, then he would have no reason to stay. But it's not like that. Things may still be complicated and she still has yet to fully accept him, but they are leaps and miles ahead of where they started.

And if this is the only life where he can have her... Then how can he give it up? All those years wasted, lost.]

It can wait.

[A quiet, soft whisper before he pulls her to him, closing that distance with that sought after kiss.

He will always miss Mid.

If he could have both of them, he would. Have that little family he once dreamed of. And if he were still alive and he could only exist in one world, then it really would have been a tough decision. But those aren't his cards and he can only make do with what he's been given—and this is all he has left.

So once more, Benedikta will become his main, founding reason to change this world.]

[And when he does bring her close, forcing her into that little space left between them, her lips yield to his, and her heart twists with those complicated, messy feelings again. There's that voice in her head that reminds her of all the hundreds of reasons she doesn't deserve this, the claws that rake against her insides that remind her that he doesn't deserve this... but the heart wants what it wants, and right now, it's to kiss him.

... And to find that relic.

To survive. To live.

Because she has no other choice.

Her arms go around his shoulders, dragging him deeper into it, her lips pressing a little more firmly to his. It's all fleeting, but it feels like it goes on forever, time slowing for just a moment before she comes spinning out of it when there's a wave of heat that billows through the tunnel. A reminder of where they are, and she sighs.

Benedikta is slow to pull back, and there is the slightest quirk of her lip as she whispers softly against his.]

... It's a shame your egi still ended up so small.

[A light tease as she leans back far enough that he can see the new gleam in her eye, an effort to mask those more complex emotions underneath.]

[He holds her tight, not wanting to quite let her go but knowing he should, especially when there is that wave of heat. So he lets her slip away, his eyes following and carrying that hidden weight that he reins in with a light smile of his own.]

Just give it time, I'm sure it'll grow up to a fine steed. Might even give you a ride later.

[Just a quirk of his brow and a wink as he starts walking forward.]

[She almost doesn't want to let go either, and she silently laments him stepping away, her arms slipping off his shoulders as he does before she follows.]

That, or it will be too proud to.

[Her eyes land on the back of his head before she catches up to walk in step with him.]

You should practice more.

Only if you're willing to continue to teach me.

[Not that there is much for her to teach, but excuse for them to be together? Maybe.]

Perhaps I'll feel more motivated.

Edited 2024-01-20 06:38 (UTC)

[Her lip twitches subtly.]

If that's what you want, I suppose I could find ways to motivate you.

[She's going to pick up the pace just a little, so that she's one step ahead of him.]

I must warn you, though. I am not an easy teacher. Not like some I know.

And I have been told I am not the easiest student to work with.

[Just a mischievous grin.]

But I don't mind the challenge.

[She doesn't need to see his grin to know that it's there, and she gives a roll of her eyes.]

Oh, I'm well aware. On both counts. I expect your egi to be full sized by the end of the week.

Do I get a reward if I do?

Yes. I'll quit "nagging" you about it if you do.

[She arches a brow and finally turns around to look at him, checking his reaction.]

What, that's it?

[A slight pout.]

[That's about what she expected, and she huffs a laugh that echoes off the tunnel's walls as she turns forward again.]

Was there another reward you have in mind?

Well maybe something a bit more...

[A small hum.]

Pleasing?

[A dismissive wave of her hand as they round a corner, the heat growing almost stifling now.]

Is my not nagging you for once not enough? I imagined you'd have grown tired of it by now.

Perhaps a little, but sometimes it can be a little refreshing...

[But then he feels that familiar tingle in the air, that electric buzz that only has traces of himself and can be mistaken as no other.]

...But we'll have to negotiate the terms later. Looks like it's my little egi that has managed to return first.

[She stops and turns, momentarily checking on her connection with both Chirada and Suparna. They are still there, although far enough that the link feels small and weak. Just how deep into the volcano did they go?]

My sisters are still out there, but did it find anything?

Well—

[And with a burst of lightning, the little egi appears prancing first around Benedikta before trotting up to Cid.

...Hmmmm.]

It might have. Whether or not it's what we're looking for remains to be seen, but better than nothing I suppose. Gives us something to look at while we wait back on yours.

[Why does it keep doing that—

Benedikta leans back when the egi trots around her, her eyes following it with some confusion and plenty of surprise. She looks between the little horse and its maker, and then back down the way they came.]

So, we just expect that there will be something down the other path? Can it not tell you?

Think it's a wee bit young to know how to speak yet.

[A little whinny and bob of its head as if to agreeing.]

But it can understand us fine and I can... Somewhat understand it as well. I'm not sure how to explain it.

But I believe it actually met us through another way. Seems this tunnel has another exit that joins up to wherever it came from.

[Another whinny as it starts to trot forward.]

[Oh, thank the gods that they don't have to backtrack. At least they got lucky with the tunnel they picked, and now she wonders if they'll run into her sisters on the way. At any rate, she'll follow along behind him and the horse as it leads on, continuing their path through the tunnel.]

The understanding bit is fairly normal. When your connection to your egis grows stronger, the better you will be able to hear what they are telling you.

[It feels a little strange being the one to explain something to him when she spent the better part of her life taking lessons from him.]

[Aahh... He nods his head.]

That makes sense, since it is our aether they're made from. I suppose I should also give it a name.

[She can see the horse turn its little head back to look at him, and Benedikta can't help but huff a small laugh. Alright, it is admittedly a little cute.]

What sort of name? [She remembers what he'd said earlier and—] Did Rem say anything else about the Eikons of her world?

Unfortunately no, only that it was a horned horse and was another type of summon.

[Hmmm...

He continues to stare at his own little horned horse, its body a bit more solid and silvery gray like the beginnings of a storm cloud... A bit of a haughty thing, too...]

Ixion.

[The name just suddenly comes to his mind and out of his mouth, so much so that he actually blinks and a little in surprise.]

[Even she glances at him, surprised at how fast that name had come to him.]

Ixion?

[The egi gives a little whinny. It certainly is an interesting name. Suiting, though.]

Any reason for that?

...No, it just came to me.

[As he rubs his chin in thought, he feels that odd yet familiar little stir deep within and chuckles.]

Perhaps it was from Ramuh himself.

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