#| ouchie

[archaeotechnic]

Whelp, now that we're thinking about it--

Regarding the meme I just did, I can't help but think about the AU wherein Ireneve never made it into Ishgard during the freeze. Her uncle dies before he can make sure she's safe, and she ends up one of the many like Ysayle who were turned away.

Her journey intertwines with Ysayle's. Ireneve becomes her closest confidante. She watches her obsession with Shiva twist her into a different person. Before Ysayle unleashes the dragons on Ishgard, Ireneve tries to stop her, of course. You're going too far, Ysayle. Please, I know you know this isn't going to fix things--

Ysayle, for the first time, uses violence against her. And Ireneve just. Stops. Sits there, despondent. Because she is powerful. There is a reason Lady Iceheart keeps her so close. Because if they start trading blows in earnest, Ireneve might have to sacrifice one life for the many. A life that she values deeply.

When Ysayle returns, Ireneve receives confirmation of what she has done.

She leaves. She offers her assistance to Ishgard and the Scions. If Ysayle must be stopped, she will be. But Nev will not be the one to deliver the final blow, if she can help it. She can't. She couldn't...