[ Ever since Thancred took up the mantle of gunbreaker, the two of them have made quite the pair. It's something that they've remarked on before, and so there's no need to dwell now. Thancred simply sends a quick glance at the aetherometer before he nods and takes off, his coat flapping behind him.
Once they reach Revenant Toll's aetheryte, he turns back to Val and cants his head. ]
Would you rather go on foot, or should we see about saddling up some birds?
[ No doubt Val's company chocobo is stabled somewhere, but Thancred will have to look into his own transport if they go that route. ]
[Their's is an easy camaraderie and Val appreciates it beyond any words she might use to describe it. For all that they often have to go their separate ways to take care of whatever might be ailing the world at large, she and Thancred seem to fall back into routine when they are together. (Which, she reflects, can be said about most of the core group of Scions with which she's most well-acquainted.) Fighting together more often of late - rather than tackling problems from various angles - has seemed to solidify the trust between them - and not just between her and Thancred, but the others as well.
At least, she seems to think so.]
We can walk. It's not far. [She slows enough to match Thancred's speed and turns, dancing backward for a few steps as she speaks.] I'd have to rent another bird. [She pulls a face - disgusted, mostly at herself - as she turns back around.] Mel needs the rest. I wasn't watching well enough and she bruised her foot on some rocks.
[ The opportunity to stretch their legs doesn't bother him in the slightest. Mounted travel isn't something that Thancred gets to take part in all that often, as it doesn't usually lend itself well to subterfuge. He did want to give the option, at least.
Without waiting any longer, he leads them out past Revenant's Toll in the direction that Val had originally indicated to him, moving at a quick pace. He knows that Val will have absolutely no trouble keeping up with him. ]
I'm sure she'll be fine. These things happen, there's no need to beat yourself up over it.
[ He's spent plenty of time in Mor Dhona, but never truly tires of its sights. The way the splashes of visible aether distort the air always offers something interesting to look at, to say nothing of the Crystal Tower or Midgarsormr's hulking form in the distance. ]
I think it's good that I see the sights like this. It still doesn't feel quite real, being home.
[ Val settles into that ground-eating tireless jog that's served her well during all her travels. She hasn't always had her chocobo with her, and sometimes it's nice to just... walk.
Or jog, as the case may be.
Mor Dhona will always hold a place in her heart. It's not home, not like Gridania is, but there's a beauty to it that she doesn't see anywhere else. It feels... right in a way that she can't quite articulate. ]
I forget that you were gone longer than it seemed, sometimes. [ Not that she actually forgets, which would be possible all things considered, but it's not something that they ever seem to speak about. ]
[ It's not the same type of forget, and Thancred realizes that, but it is still a somewhat surprising. To him, there would obviously be no way for him to forget, but from Val's end, he can see why it feels quite different. ]
Quite a bit longer.
[ He lifts one hand up and looks it over, but he didn't age in the First and he hasn't aged here. It's strange, to know that his soul has more years on it than his body does. ]
I suppose some might be envious.
[ In truth, all it's done is added a bit more weight and weariness onto his shoulders. ]
No. [ She says it quickly, not having to even think about it. Envious? Who could be envious of what her friends had gone through? They'd been stranded, pulled to another world against their will, and unable to go home. Then, when they could go home, they'd left behind people they'd loved.
There was nothing to be envious over. ]
I hated that I was able to cross between worlds and you could not.
[ That sudden and vehement reaction naturally causes Thancred to look over. He'd meant it as a joking comment, to be true, but it is endearing that Val has such strong feelings on the matter. While it is frustrating that Thancred can't travel between the Source and the First with ease the way that Val can, it's something that he'd had to come to terms with before he ever returned home.
Is it ideal? Hardly. But he also knows that Ryne will be able to take care of herself. He'd taught her well, he'll admit that much. ]
Worry not. Y'shtola seems to believe she'll find a way to get back eventually, and once she puts her mind to something, well...
[ He's making light of it, for what else can he do? And there is a fair chance Y'shtola will do as she says. How long it will take, on the other hand, is a larger question. Thancred's all too aware of how time flows differently between the two stars. ]
[ Val grins at that comment, a laugh caught in her throat. Twelve only knew how often she had found herself at the mercy of Y'shtola's single-mindedness. ]
She probably already has at least six working theories. Next time I see her, she'll have me running some errand for her.
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Once they reach Revenant Toll's aetheryte, he turns back to Val and cants his head. ]
Would you rather go on foot, or should we see about saddling up some birds?
[ No doubt Val's company chocobo is stabled somewhere, but Thancred will have to look into his own transport if they go that route. ]
no subject
At least, she seems to think so.]
We can walk. It's not far. [She slows enough to match Thancred's speed and turns, dancing backward for a few steps as she speaks.] I'd have to rent another bird. [She pulls a face - disgusted, mostly at herself - as she turns back around.] Mel needs the rest. I wasn't watching well enough and she bruised her foot on some rocks.
[Self-recrimination, thy name is Valeria.]
no subject
Without waiting any longer, he leads them out past Revenant's Toll in the direction that Val had originally indicated to him, moving at a quick pace. He knows that Val will have absolutely no trouble keeping up with him. ]
I'm sure she'll be fine. These things happen, there's no need to beat yourself up over it.
[ He's spent plenty of time in Mor Dhona, but never truly tires of its sights. The way the splashes of visible aether distort the air always offers something interesting to look at, to say nothing of the Crystal Tower or Midgarsormr's hulking form in the distance. ]
I think it's good that I see the sights like this. It still doesn't feel quite real, being home.
no subject
Or jog, as the case may be.
Mor Dhona will always hold a place in her heart. It's not home, not like Gridania is, but there's a beauty to it that she doesn't see anywhere else. It feels... right in a way that she can't quite articulate. ]
I forget that you were gone longer than it seemed, sometimes. [ Not that she actually forgets, which would be possible all things considered, but it's not something that they ever seem to speak about. ]
no subject
Quite a bit longer.
[ He lifts one hand up and looks it over, but he didn't age in the First and he hasn't aged here. It's strange, to know that his soul has more years on it than his body does. ]
I suppose some might be envious.
[ In truth, all it's done is added a bit more weight and weariness onto his shoulders. ]
no subject
There was nothing to be envious over. ]
I hated that I was able to cross between worlds and you could not.
no subject
Is it ideal? Hardly. But he also knows that Ryne will be able to take care of herself. He'd taught her well, he'll admit that much. ]
Worry not. Y'shtola seems to believe she'll find a way to get back eventually, and once she puts her mind to something, well...
[ He's making light of it, for what else can he do? And there is a fair chance Y'shtola will do as she says. How long it will take, on the other hand, is a larger question. Thancred's all too aware of how time flows differently between the two stars. ]
no subject
She probably already has at least six working theories. Next time I see her, she'll have me running some errand for her.
[ Not that Val minds, for the most part. ]