Welcome to Gaia! ::

The path of the Thaumaturge was paved with the stones of destruction and born of the path of the Black, this, Aerone knew for years. It was taught in school, in Symposium, and now she could carry it onward to the original use of the art - the path of funeral rites. Thaumaturgy was born of the Twelve and when Aerone learned of her gift for the art, she told none, practicing in secret before learning, from books and tale of it's use in the world. She read through apprenticeships and lessons alike until, finally she found a path she wanted.

Aerone had reason to learn the sending of the dead. She did not savor the war with the Horde, nor seek blood on her hands -- and the art of funeral rites was her only justyification for the gift. The Fury wanted the lost returned home. But even then, she did not believe the Fury to wish the dragons war with Ishgard, a secret she held close to her, not even telling Cyr as she made to begin roaming as travelling priest of a sort -- unordained, but welcome to her task. Someone who could find the dead and bring closure was always welcome. Still... It had all been so preventable. And this she'd known sincechildhood. Since she'd laid eyes on the terrifying image of Nidhogg coming to bear wrath upon her home, had many not hidden in caves. That someone scurried her in one was of mixed blessing - the dragon attacked in pain and rage, of loss and of sorrow. All she knew was the feared Great Wyrm suffered, and the sorrow drove him mad, the fallen form of a golden wyrm not in the holy texts, so when she sent knights to their final rest, she sent too the fgallen dragons, leaving bits to remain for their brothers to find and remembner. Only once had she chance to speak to a Horde dragon, and a massive one at that.

Tioman was notorious, one of the mopst deadly, and Nidhogg's consort. Aerone knew it death when the dragon had lain eyes, but insteaqd the hunter deemed her of no consequence, instead letting the small woman apologize, and the two talked - discussed differing ideaologies. It brought naught, but it was enlightening. Shortly after, though, Aerone met one like her - one whom laid eyes on a Great Wyrm and was granted the sight of the Echo. The Lady Iceheart, Ysale, was her dear friend, and only she and the heretics heard Aerone's wish for peace, bearing similar desires as followers of Hraesvelger, and of Shiva. But now Ysale was entrapped in her fantasies - her dreams of a rebirth as Shiva, and while Aerone wished naught but safety upon her friend, she journeyed to find the fallen once more, and find her path. The Horde was moving with Ysale growing hostile, and Aerone wanted little tgo do with killing, instead journeying to the Forelands and roaming out of the forest to both aid the Chocobo Hunters, and see to the region's well being.

Aerone didn't expect company in Anyx Oldm, one of three parts of Anyx Trine, nor did she expect the Great Wyrm not to lash, but the morning broke over Aerone that morning to blackened scales out of her sleeping nook, a large, terrible sight of death and vengeance and a single golden eyes scouring, and Aerone froze, swallowing as she tried avoiding the terrifying sight of Nidhogg.

He wasn't moving. The Wyrm had definately sighted her -- the stare was common among the dragons, and Aertone swallowed, biting her lip. She didn't judge == he was hurting. She also didn't agree with killing those who had no hand in the murder of the other dragon - she'd been pretty, no wonder he was angry - but she did have some sense of dignity and what regrets she bore were born with her, with a birth by death. THAT tale had been told countless times be others -- her mother's death to the flames of her hunter's own breath of flame, her father's somewhat cold name in greif, his death crusading for vengeance. The great wyrm had taken, but Aerone did not fault - the Echo showed enough. Had it not been forseeing his pain with eyes unclouded, she may yet hate the dragon before her, but finally, very slowly, she decided it must be time. At least it would be the talons of the dragon what shadowed her birth, and no other, and she slowly creopt from her small nook, smoothing her clothing as if meeting the archbishop himself and bowed, closing her eyes.

"Please, old one, make it at least quick."

Aerone listened, but didn't argue, instead looking up with surprise -- but not a lack of gratitude, instead of fear, and she bowed.

"I'm afraid, sir, I've no stomach for combat, but if your kin are in need of succor or last rites... I'm happyto oblige." She said, voice soft. It was the gentle tone of one offering her skills, but she knew it was likely he saught another for his horde. Still, she wanted to offer her skills, and the woman figured if Nidhogg was sparing her, she would accept the moment of kindness for a moment of kindness and offer her own freely.

"I have no quarrel with you," She finally decided to add, and her eyes turned sad. "I can't help what I see, but I See and... I know it means naught but I saw the Truth when Iwas a child and I am sorry, if I may add. For your loss and pain. I cannot make amends for it.. But... I do again offer succoir for tyour children and last rites if you seek it for any dying or passed. It's the only use I feel my magic suited for."

Aerone gasped in surprise, startled by the Wyrm-- but didn't struggle. It wasn't like the stories, but it... Oh. Ow.

OPW.

The thaumaturge suddenly whimpered when the Echo chose that moment to wake and clung to his talons on instinct, eyes closing.

The teen looked to the Wyrm in surtprise. He was serious? SERIOUSLY?!" Robin grimaced, shaking her head slowly.

"Mother wouldn't want to war. Not with the mortals, lord Nidhogg. I...They've cared fvor me and there's a mortal in need of me. Please -- don't ask this of me."

Nidhogg snarled, lip curling before Gullinbursti done between his broodmate and uncle, tail lashing. The dragon grieved his mother, but his sister made her choice, a choice the child respected as he roared at Nidhogg.

The force of the roar knocked Aerone out of the vision, the girl yelping as she cried in pain, and groped around, re-locating talon and toe before clutchng it and hiding her face in him, sobbing agonizingly.

"Ow... Ow why did that vision hurt ow ow ow..."

Aeron stumbled a moment, before blinking, looking to Nidhogg and shaking her head.

"I... Honestly know not." She said, before smiling weakly. to Nidhogg before she sighed softly and sat to look around.

"But I'm.. Surprised. You killed my mother when I was a newborn. Perhaps you feel us even?"

Aeone shrugged, but did not move when he drew near, instead cautiously offering to let him smell her.

"I tend to them, yes. Especially the missing -- and dragons. SDometoimes people don't make it home. I try to find the missing dead, give them final rites, and return belongings. But... Your Horde... Ileave whatI can with the dead to be found. I see no reason they don't deserve to be treatyed as Spoken. We all live, do we not?" She looked up, searching Nidhogg's face sadly -- wondering if he'd understand the pain the war brought past his own.

"Mqan and Dragon - lifespan and body are the only big differences."

"Of course I will. Why would I not?" Aerone asked--

But his next words stung and she cringed as if burnt. It was not her intent to harm him, or... But no, she made an error again. Was that why she....

"I... did not mean... To offend..." Aerone said, voice suddenly very weak and soft. "Not to imply that all ae good or all bad. Just all alive...I..."

Was she as foolish as her cousin said?: Was there no hope as Ysale wished to feel? She understood -- she did - but she wanted to believe there was hope for Nidhogg to know peice. But such anger... She dared not press, instead lowering her head and murmuring an apology before rushing away - to see if any wished gfor her aide. All the same, part of her wondered if perhaps the punishment for foolishness came swiftly.

At home, daring hope for treaty with the dragons was heresy -- but in the ast there had been such peace. And it seemed anger and pain blinded those who fought as well - both blinded by lies and by pain and... And...

Maybe she was a fool to hope. To encourage hope in others. This was a reason she had left, but it seemed now leaving meant her path was unending - nobody wanted to fighting to stop and no war of attrition would end well for anyone. Still, she wasn't going to ignore those in need.....

And the mortal half-elezen resolved to try forcing her own feelings to the pit of her stomach, much as many others -- never having her father look her in the eyes; being called cursed by dragonsfire at her birth. Her aunt even had suggested her father leave her to the wild or give her to the Inquisitors once -- for how could any child who lived when her mother was killed by a dragon, especiallythis one -- could be considered blessed. So many became dragoons because they were older. She was a newborn, all but baptized in Nidhogg's flame, and the thoughts whorled as she moved to tend those whom let her, recieving no few bites and attacks. She didn't fight, however, either -- merely accepted the rejection, but, they did not kill which they easily could do - simply drove her off, so when she finaslly seemed to finish, bells had passed - several - and the mongrel woman sat on a ledge looking out over the mountain's peak.

She'd worked and thought much of the day, and a heavy mind and heart offered no space for hunger or cold, and so she watched the peak below in quiet, observing dragons as they hunted, lived -- and sighed, closing her eyes.

What was she going to do, if there was no hope for peace? Could she roam forever?...Actually it may be best to do thus -- after all..... What else could she do?

Aerone sighed, and tucked intoa ball, eyes half-closed as she finally buried herself in her arms, hiding from the world, and trembled. She wasn't crying. She wasn't!...She wasn't able to cry any more over what had already stung so many times.

Acetone was surprised when Nidhogg approached-- let alone with a pure water crystal and a flourish. It was...

Surprisingly kind, and she decided to try to not offend again.

"Thank you, very much." She said, tone soft, and she moved to gather a bit of water, and tried smiling.

"The rest of your day- was it good?"