Red-Eyed Royalty.

Independent & private G'raha Tia / Crystal Exarch. Written by Allen.

[crystalmarred-a]

CRYSTALMARRED is an independent G’raha Tia. Shadowbringers & Endwalker spoilers. Written by ALLEN ( 27, transmasc, he / they ). Mutuals Only + Crossover + OC + Variant Friendly. rules & about.

[cidhighwiind]

ffxiv pics | [ 13/? ]

g'raha tia

[riddlemancer-a]

@crystalmarred

The sun had barely begun to rise, slowly painting the city in red and orange hues; silence filled the place as nary a soul would wander at these hours. Much and more preferred the comfort of their trusted bed, many still in-midst their slumber. Alas, there was one man up and about, gradually making his way towards a certain room — one filled with secrets and mysteries, myths and legends and puzzles pieces to be unraveled by the curious. 

A soft, almost inaudible creak of the door marked his presence as he entered the library. Halting in his steps, he savored the smell of tomes and old pages, the stillness more comforting than anything else. And slowly, he’d pass by a shelf then another; pondering about where to start this time: continue the latest journey he had begun? Or start a new one? What about this - the curious tales of an elder being, as documented by a well-known historian? Nay, mayhap another time- flip. The sound of pages being turned interrupted his train of thoughts and the elezen blinked in surprise. He was so sure that none other than him would enjoy the company of parchment and ink so early in the morning.

Curiosity soon won him over as he followed the noise, and ere long, he was met with vibrant red; ears unmoving, frame as if frozen right then and there. His features softened at the familiar sight. 

Quietly he would draw closer, and with nary a yalm away; his voice gentle: “What curious tale hath caught thine attention, my friend?” 

[crystalmarred-a]

It is true that G’raha Tia has been standing in this very same spot for the past two hours. ‘Tis also true that despite how much he had grown since last he had been in the city, G’raha had lost track of time and any sense of it besides, completely absorbed in his most recent discovery within the library.

T’was a fine tale, one that he had read plenty before in the distant, dark future. Though the number of inconsistencies ‘tween this copy and the one he’d had on the First were... Most likely that was because it had been subject to numerous reprints and the bias that went alongside them. 

As expected as it was, it was still—

“What curious tale has caught thine attention, my friend?”

G’raha jumps, his reaction surely in excess, most especially the undignified yelp that couples with it, but the book hitting the floor earned him a glare from librarian more than the noise. Especially at this odd hour when the only people that yet remained in the library were ones grateful for the rude awakening. This he knew from experience.

“U-Urianger!” 

A breath of relief slips past his lips. He stoops to scoop the book back up before turning fully to Urianger, ears drooping. Gods and he’d approached him so gently, too... 

“I was... a great deal more absorbed than I realized, it seems... ‘Tis a retelling of the events that ultimately led our dear Warrior to Ishgard, beginning even before joining their Grand Company. Of course, it is not... entirely accurate, but that does not mean it has no merit.”

He pauses, thumbing through the pages to find his lost place before offering Urianger a smile.

“Though it is more accurate than the one I read before. Or... after, I suppose, considering my circumstances?”

[flamma-et-ferro]

@crystalmarredrequested Rein!

Just how long had it been since everything had been well and the people had little to worry about? Far too long, perhaps. Of course there were to be spats and incidents that happened from time to time. Those were what the world was made of; living and strife. But humanity destroying matters seemed so far away in the present now. Not that reaching such a time of peace was without sacrifices. 

The sacrifices had been many. Far too many for any one person, let alone many. So many people could of been saved. Why had so many been lost when there’d been no need for them to be? And those who could of lived- had they just listened to reason or order in time of manic chaos. Did anyone yet mourn them?

Even now there were so many questions.

No answers would be found with the woman merely gazing out to sea, sitting upon the pier of Old Sharlayan with fishing rod bobbing at her side. She hunted nothing in particular, merely using it as an idle pastime between work requests and pondering her next vaunted adventures.

Yawn escaped, slight as it was, as skies began to slowly change shade from navies to violet, clear signs of the evening drawing in. Just for a moment she’d allow herself to lay back against the paving, eye watching skies go by in silence.

[crystalmarred-a]

The past few days had been... chaotic, to put it into as few words as possible. With the imminent threat of the end of the world no longer a concern, the Scions had largely gone their separate ways—G’raha included, having gone back to Sharlayan to aid Krile in restoring the Students of Baldesion.

Arriving home had been easy enough, but beginning the process of the aforementioned restoration, well... 

All the paperwork shuffling was a welcome respite after the toil of aiding their Warrior in saving the world from Meteion’s nihilism, though G’raha knew himself well enough to realize that this welcome respite would only last so long before it starts grating on his every last nerve. 

Thus, electing to take a walk was Krile’s answer to delaying what was certainly inevitable and he was happy to oblige her wonderful suggestion, setting about on a walk around the city he so dearly loved and hadn’t the chance to properly tour since he’d departed for Eorzea in an effort to study the Crystal Tower.

Which had been... significantly longer than it likely should have been—at least for him.

His reverie was cut short when he found his way to the docks, feet carrying him wheresoever they pleased. Finding himself there, he had expected to perhaps listen to the ocean, to the gentle waves lapping at the edges of the docks, yet there was something—someone, rather—there that he did not quite expect.

Laid out on her back, staring up at the sky that had already faded from brilliant blue some time ago, was none other than their illustrious Warrior of Light herself: Rein. 

While he had wandered here without thought nor purpose, making his way towards her was anything but. 

“I do hope you intended to at least come and say hello, Rein,” he says as he approaches her, the pleasant lilt in his voice giving away that he adores—er, admires—her even still, despite the lack of a hello. “I can hardly imagine the fishing in Sharlayan is so sublime that you would neglect to do so.”

[catvampire]

Double negative.

[crystalmarred-a]

lannamused​:

“That a comment ‘bout my taste in clothin’?” Meiko snorted, not taking offense in the slightest. A dismissive wave, “Nah, I’ll be fine. Stubbornness kept me plenty warm throughout my initial visit to the Holy See.

She gave him a nudge.

“So. Whatcha wanna see first? I’ve friends I need to check in on and a wee residence I need to mak sure’s not fallen into disrepair. But other than that, I can guide you as best I can ‘round the sights.”

“Only that I worry for you catching a cold in them, though my concern might be a bit... misplaced, all things considered.”

One that is further misplaced when Meiko addresses another... issue, asking him what he wanted to see. Oh, what was she thinking, asking a question like that? Did she truly expect a normal answer, given by a normal man?

Instead of any such normalcy, G’raha Tia’s eyes light up at the mention of what he wanted to see, of the sights that littered Ishgard that he could finally see. He had seen much of Ishgard in another time, though there had been no sight seeing to be had and the rubble and debris that covered most of the city would have made it a poor sight regardless.

So this... this was a golden opportunity. 

“Oh, the statue of Saint Reinette, she who wielded the Gae Bolg to avenge her lost love before devoting her life to lending aid to those less fortunate—”

[crystalmarred-a]

riftdancer​:

Although, truthfully, Jude was not the only one she had once harbored feelings for, but he was the longest. It was easier to speak of him, than to mention the other gunbreaker in her list of companions from home. “That…that’s true…” the teen sighs heavily. “I think the one thing I’m scared of the most is that our relationship won’t stay the same if he rejects me…”

It could have very much thrust a wedge between her and Jude, as much as it had between her and Alvin. Whom she had failed to mention that the teen decided to let her past affection known before their return to the Source. “Well, if it were to go down hill, I guess I can always go back to my wandering dragoon ways.” A wry chuckle escapes her at the thought of running from straining situations again.

“But how should I even go about confessing? I don’t know if I can just outright say it.” It’s way too embarrassing to even think of, “And if he already thinks that we’re dating, then it’d be pretty damn awkward.”

“It is normal to fear rejection, R’leia, at least in some part. But... sometimes the reward is well worth the risk,” G’raha says, opting out of mentioning that a lack of confession did not correlate to a lack of risk. It would, perhaps, worry her more than she already was. 

“You needn’t put quite so much thought into it, my friend. If anything, thinking overmuch about it will only delay doing so—and I’m told I’m something of an expert when it comes to overthinking.”

“Love is rarely neat, R’leia. It does not follow a set path and you will never know the answer to your question if you do not first ask it,” G’raha says, a smile blossoming on his face. “And you have already kissed him, have you not? An awkward conversation is better than having someone you care so deeply for slip between your fingers, wouldn’t you agree?

[soracities]

Euripides, from “Orestes”, An Oresteia (trans. Anne Carson)

[crystalmarred-a]

sirenicae​:

    It seemed this moment was ripe with confessions, but Tali wasn’t someone who minded, especially when it came to Raha. Oh all of those years, decades he held on his shoulders. Those memories and tragedies and loves and losses. It was too much for any one man to bear. Anyone who thought it was he who had experienced it all had no idea what it was to be G’raha Tia; the man who saw the end, and lived to bring hope once more. He ached for him, and so he vowed softly to himself that he would never allow him to bear that burden alone, as he promised to him once.

    Gently, a hand rose to the other’s head, gently brushing the bits of hair tufts poking out next to his ears. “I know with all of that time and all of those memories you have kept in your mind, almost all to yourself…you might feel insecure in your thoughts but…Raha…” He speaks it so softly, turning to the other to gently brush the bangs from his face, that he could look into both of his eyes, as he cherished doing. “I love you. Undoubtedly, I love you…I have gone far too long without you to doubt that now. I do not wish to contemplate another moment, so…you must know that I am comfortable with you, and I will stay by your side for as long as you’d have me.”

If there was one thing G’raha Tia wishes he found easy, it would be accepting that his long-held fantasy had become a reality. But when Tali is being so earnest, so sweet, brushing the stray, untamable hairs that sit at the edges of his ears. It’s a touch so light that it tickles the shell of his ear, the twitch towards Tali’s hand involuntary more than aught else—or at least he would claim so, if asked.

The words he speaks leaves his heart aching, wanting in a way wholly different and painfully similar to the desires he’d harbored for decades. 

“And I you, my dear heart,” G’raha says, gaze softening, the lilt in his voice betraying the fondness he feels for A’tali Sirenia. “There will never be a day where I do not crave being at your side. You are my home and my heart; my love and my life.”

If... If G’raha will not leave so long as Tali wishes him to stay and the reverse is equally true... 

“I... suppose we are stuck with each other, and quite happily so?”

In his case, at least, nothing could be truer. 

[lannamused]

@crystalmarred​

Krile was very kind to allow G’raha a quick break before diving into the task of restoring the Students of Baldesion. She also probably understood that if she didn’t allow it, he might just burst into a thousand little pieces. And that wouldn’t do, having bits of cat boy all over the floor!

“Didja pack the coat you brought to Garlemald?” Since G’raha hadn’t been to Ishgard yet, they were taking an airship over. “S’not quite as cold in th’Holy See, but s’close.”

Not that she had any room to talk considering how revealing all of her outfits were no matter where she was, but that was definitely a restrictive movement thing – and not a stubbornness thing. In any case, she was wearing long sleeves now!

[crystalmarred-a]

T’was luck certainly that Krile had been kind enough to allow him a moment of respite before they set about their task. As much as he wished to do so and had volunteered to lend his aid to Krile in the endeavor, he would not want for things to do. Once they began the lengthy process of restoring the Students of Baldesion to its former glory, finding free time to spare for a trip like this would verge on impossible.

So it was kind of Krile to allow it—or perhaps she simply knew G’raha well enough to understand how divided his attention would be the moment he’d heard Meiko had traveled to Ishgard without him.

G’raha Tia himself had told her he would like to see it; he had all but outright asked her to take him, though the circumstances of that conversation might have... muddied the request. 

“I did,” G’raha says, a seemingly perpetual smile on his lips. T’would be impossible for him not to be giddy with a trip to Ishgard on the horizon. “And something a bit lighter, besides, should the coat prove too heavy.”

His hand comes up to rest near his chin, thoughtful about his selection of words, even with the ever-present smile on his face.

“Truthfully, I was more worried for you, given your propensity to wear... lighter clothes. I am quite aware that I am... unaccustomed to colder climates. Garlemald was more than enough to remind that Lakeland was far more agreeable, even at its worst.”

[crystalmarred-a]

Hello, I exist again. I’ve been wanting to come back for a bit, but didn’t want to deal with the typical Tumblr BS that exhausted me the last couple times. So I've gone through my followers/following list, cleaned out even more than last time and will only be writing with and focusing on the people I know. 

I’ve already edited my rules and such to reflect this and will probably be slowly working through replies I’ve had packed away for way too long. 

[memesomething]

soooo soft for the 'i found you fast asleep and you looked cold so I covered you in my jacket and let you sleep' narrative but especially for the reprise: 'i just woke up after the best sleep i've had in the past month, I'm warm and safe and - wait, is this your jacket?'

[crystalmarred-a]

Odtsetseg ( @hotgotravels​ ) — !! 

“What are you smiling at?”

                　⇢　not accepting.

“Is it so strange? I am simply happy. Everyone is doing well, Lyna has not attempted to tear down the door of the Tower to scold me yet this week, we are well on our way to solving our problem... T’would be more impressive if I was not happy, wouldn’t you agree?”

His words are punctuated by a gentle laugh, his smile still visible as he speaks, “‘tis a cause for celebration, I would say, if the Crystarium weren’t so keen on celebrating anything and everything ever since the nightsky above Lakeland returned.”

[hrringtcns]

this.

[crystalmarred-a]

Lex ( @cnavant​ ), do you truly believe so?

“I won’t hate you. I know you think that’s what you deserve but it’s not.”

                 　⇢　y’all really coming for my ass.

“‘Tis not what I think, but what I know,” the Crystal Exarch says, unrelenting in his failing opinion of himself, of the betrayal of trust that he had gifted to Lex, as if the man could have ever wanted such a terrible thing from him. As if he had wanted to not only have his lies on his mind, but Urianger’s, who he had cruelly roped into his schemes. 

“You should hate me, Lex. For the lies and the betrayal of asking your comrade and dear friend to do the same. If nothing else, you should be angry and yet...”

Yet he did not and he was not. 

“T’was even my intention for you to harbor such feelings. T’would be easier for us both to despise the mysterious Crystal Exarch who used you to kill the Light Wardens and then stole away with the boundless light you had gathered.”

A sigh slip past his lips. Truly, Lex had defied his expectations, as he always had. 

“But... I suppose complaining that you do not despise me for what I’ve done is counterproductive and a bit silly besides. I am grateful that you are still willing to...” Words pause as he searches for the right one. Trust was not what he sought, but... Ah. “... Tolerate me.”

[crystalmarred-a]

Yesuntei ( @crownedveil​​ ), I will ever be at your side...

“I just need to step away for a bit, get some fresh air.” { wol!suntei is stressed with a capital S }

                  　⇢　y’all really coming for my ass.

Suntei speaks and as quickly as the words are out of her mouth, she has all but outright fled the room, though none can blame her. The atmosphere verges on stifling, even to one like G’raha Tia who had been through countless such conversations in his time as the Crystal Exarch. 

And it is that familiarity with how overwhelming it can be to have everyone gather, to look to you for all the answers, that drives him to follow her out, leaving the others to bare the brunt of their absence. 

It does not take long to find her. She is, as promised, just outside in the fresh air.

“Suntei?” he asks gently, fidgeting as he approaches her. He had no desire to make this ever more difficult, but perhaps an ear would be better than a breath of fresh air, in this case. “Are you quite alright?”

[crystalmarred-a]

graceful-cure-swan​:

As loath as she was to admit it, those were the words Tsubasa wanted to hear– to be something other than the famed Warrior of Light or Darkness, even if only for a moment. She just wanted to be seen as a woman.

There was so much weight on her shoulders– so much death– that it was sometimes overwhelming. But yet she pressed on, for there were people she could yet save. That she could yet protect. If she just gave up now, she felt all those people who’d given their lives so she may move forward would have died in vain.

Despite herself, a small smile snuck onto Tsubasa’s countenance.

“I think you and Haurchefant would have gotten along quite nicely. He was a kind man, if not a little too direct with his words,” she spoke. “And yet despite the frequency in which he could fluster me, I was glad to call him my friend. He really was one of the most gallant knights I had the pleasure of knowing; I understand why he laid down his life that day, but…”

She fell silent, her gaze turning downwards as her expression darkened for a moment.

“I have seen people– far too many people– die time and time again and yet his death still weighs down on me. And to think that I could have lost you, too…” she turned her gaze to G’raha. “I feel fortunate to still have you by my side, but could you please promise me one thing? Please promise me that you won’t try to sacrifice yourself for my sake again.”

 Tsubasa looked straight into G’raha’s eyes, resisting the temptation to take both of his hands into her own for emphasis. 

‘Tis a great relief when he sees her face twist in a smile, small as it may be, that her words are more fond than sad about the loss of a dear friend. As they should be, he thinks, as he had suffered a great many losses as the Crystal Exarch. He knew how weighty those feelings were, how easily they could botch and mar a person’s heart.

And she bids him to make her a promise, just like they had back on the First when she whisked his memories to another shard, merged the Crystal Exarch with the boy she had known, who had sealed himself within a tower, praying it would one day serve the world and its people.

“I could make this promise, but... I must ask that you make the same promise. I ask that when the ashes have cleared, when the dust has settled, at journey’s end you will be standing there. We will be standing there.”

Though there is no physical contact ‘tween them, he can yet sense the connection in his heart. That deep, boundless love they hold for one another, as well as their many, other friends. 

“Just as you have, I have lost a great, many friends. On the First, there were children that I helped to bring into this world and I watched them to grow old, to have children and even grandchildren and, inevitably, pass away. That is what I want for you. For all our friends,” he says, wearing a smile that does not falter in the face of the sadness of those losses. “I wish for us to grow old, to be fulfilled when we at last pass, many years from now.” 

“Ah, perhaps that is too sentimental. My body may be young, but my heart is still that of an old man, it seems.”