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[There's a brief moment of rustling and it took a little while until the feed focused on a rather young-looking Elezen. Clearing his throat before proceeding, he's had a few days to really play around with this kind of technology.]

Pray forgive my lateness in introductions. My name is Alphinaud Leveilleur and I have just recently arrived here in Havenwell along with my sister, Alisaie.

I have already been given the rundown of how things work here and have been settling in fine, but admit I have been finding myself wanting for something to pass the time while I'm here. And it is for that matter that I would like to extend my talents during my stay here.

What kind of work would one find here? I am quite familiar with politics and do so love it when a plan comes together. I'm not really picky. I am also happy to learn new things as well.

Thank you for your time.

[OOC: I will have some catch-all stuff in the comments to continue TDM threads for certain people, otherwise feel free to hit me up. Like I requested in the OOC intro, I would like to avoid spoilers past Stormblood because I'm working on patches currently to get to Shadowbringers.]

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Listen. Hearing that you basically died? That's not enough to deflect something that serious. Even if she's trying to reassure him, he couldn't help but gave her a look that said, "Excuse me?". Letting out a deep sigh, he put his hand on his forehead.

"I...," He's doing his best to come up with a good response and words are escaping him right now, "I'm happy that you're happy, my friend." He was tempted to bring up that he found it shocking how she could talk about this so casually when he just had a few mini heart attacks but decided it wasn't worth bringing up. He doubted anything good would come from it, so he decided to let it go. At least, speaking about it anyway. He's not okay with it deep down yet.

And yet this was her life and she could choose how to live it. What right did he have to question how the Warrior of Light -- or anybody for that matter -- how she lived her life?

If Alphinaud is happy to believe she's happy, Era sees no reason to change that. He isn't exactly wrong, either. With regards to her partners she is happy, no matter how conflicted she may feel about it at times. She knows he doesn't understand it (how could he? she barely does some days), but that he doesn't seem to understand is the significance of Ardbert in her life... Well, it all but confirms something for her.

Era shifts, maneuvering until she can comfortably place a hand on either of his cheeks, holding his face ever-so-gently and giving him a brief, searching look. He might note the change in her eyes as she does so (a thin ring of light encircling her pupils, like an eclipse—) but it's easy enough to dismiss as a trick of the light, because she all but glows with such joy as it continues to sink in that Alphinaud is truly here.

She can scarcely handle such overhelming emotion, and though it seems for a moment as though she may cry again she doesn't—instead she lifts one hand to smooth down his hair, then pulls him in for another fierce hug.

"I hope it's alright... All those here who know of you know you as my brother."

Alphinaud didn't particularly mind. The way it sounded, she hadn't seen him for a long time now and time definitely worked differently here. Returning the hug, he thought upon her words for a moment. It was certainly different, but not something he detested the idea of. After all, he'd come to think of the Scions as a second family of sorts. There was something touching about it.

"Me? The great Warrior of Light's brother? My, that's quite an honor," he commented, joking lightly with a smile.

While she appreciates Alphinaud's attempts at humour, it is a sensitive enough topic to her that she can't quite manage to return it, though she does her best.

"I am no Warrior of Light here. I'm just... Era," she gently corrects him. "Hardly an honour... But that's still okay, isn't it?"

He noticed that slight hesitation which caused him to pause for a moment. Had he said too much? He has no intention to make her feel bad for whatever reason it may be.

"Nay, Warrior of Light or just Era, it's still an honor to me nonetheless," giving her a soft smile, "Of course it is. I... admit it is a little surprising, but not a bad one. Although I'm suddenly feeling outnumbered here with two sisters." He hoped that was light enough to move past the previous discomfort.

"I am grateful that we first shared that ride into Eorzea. You and everyone else... You've all become precious to me," sappy? Maybe. But they were already having a moment, why not?

There are many things she could say to that, but Era holds her tongue. He's been burdened with too many of her insecurities already and she won't burden him any further.

"And two brothers," she quips in return. "Even if one is merely a brother-in-law."

That first ride they'd shared... Era remembers how deeply asleep they were that day, but little else. She had slept much of the journey herself, exhausted and dehydrated as she was.

"If I recall correctly you slept most of the way. Little did I know all the trouble you two had in store for me."

Era pulls away, reluctant but knowing they can't very well stay like this for much longer.

"Will you help me up?"

"My, it seems like my family has gotten quite diverse since I've been away," he said jokingly, wondering who the other person she was referring to was if one was Ardbert.

It is true that he spent most of the time sleeping. He found himself nodding on and off as the ride went on, having spent a good amount of time traveling to their destination with Alisaie prior to hopping on.

"I dare say we've certainly made our coming days quite eventful. Not all good things, but no journey can be perfect I suppose. Regardless, I don't think I'd change it even if I could," he said, pausing for a moment, "Besides... a few things here and there." He didn't even need to explain the added comment. He was certain she knew what his main regret was thus far. Climbing to his feet, he offered his hand to help her up, "Of course."

She knows full well of one regret he carries. He was naive, yet she had been as well. Were she more experienced perhaps she could have been prepared for such an outcome...but there is no use in dwelling on it.

Era accepts his hand with a grateful smile, allowing him to help her to her feet. The movement leaves her lightheaded, and she closes her eyes for a moment, until the dizziness fades.

"...While your presence would have undoubtedly been of great help, I am relieved you've arrived after my plan succeeded."

No matter how much he might think back to those memories from time to time, it did him no good to linger on them. What's done was done and there was nothing they could do to change that. If nothing else, it was certainly a learning experience. All they could do now was move forward. Time stops for nobody, after all; besides maybe this place. This was the exception.

He kept close to her, just in case she needed someone to lean onto. Monitoring her until she seemed to feel better, he made sure to keep her condition in mind. No good would come from continuously probing her about it, but there was nothing wrong with silently supporting her the best he could. There were a number of things he could say in response, but none would be useful in this situation. So instead of focusing on that, he decided to change the subject.

"You should get some rest. I can help you home," he said. He had no idea where to go, but she could always give him directions as well as a mini-tour along the way.

"Mm, alright." That she acquiesces without complaint is more indicative of just how exhausted she is than anything else she could have said or done.

Her Carbuncle, sensing the intent, quickly skips over to lead the way home. "With any luck Estinien will be lurking about the yard, and able to show you the spare room."

That certainly is a sign. He expected her to fight it a bit more than that, but he's glad that she's not. Following her Carbuncle, he made sure that she was okay along the way, keeping note of any sudden changes.

"Does everyone live nearby?" he asked.

Era hums a note in the affirmative. "All those from home live in two neighbouring houses, while the birds live in the stable and attached yard."

It was nice that they were close by at least. They wouldn't have to go far to see the others. The stable caught his attention, "The birds?" He really has missed a lot, hasn't he?

"Peki's here, and Ardbert's amaro, Seto, is here as well," she explains. "I also hatched my own amaro here o'er a year ago now. His name is Hythlodaeus and he thinks I'm his mother. He'll be delighted to meet one if his 'uncles'. Perhaps you'll even be able to distract him away from Estinien."

Alphinaud isn't exactly sure what an amaro is just yet. Part of him felt like asking what that was as well would seem silly though. He'll just... move on from that train of thought. "I would be pleased to meet him. I never took Estinien as someone interested in such things," he answered with a shrug. Not that it was a bad thing, obviously.

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