[He's not too shabby at the whole exploring thing, but he's glad to let Joshua take the lead — he's generally not the "leader" type, nor does he have the abilities to do anything should something go terribly awry.]
Ah, well.
[Astrid looks a bit sheepish.]
I suppose you could say... I need to grow more accustomed to the use of fire magic around me. But please, don't ever limit yourself on my behalf — exposure, and all that.
Well, if it is any consolation, my flame is far more nurturing than destructive. I am capable of defending myself, of course, but the Phoenix is a protector and a healer above all else.
[ He slows his steps, just enough that they can somewhat walk side by side while he still remains in the lead. As he just said, protecting is a part of his duty as the Phoenix, after all. ]
That should hopefully ease your adjustment. But do let me know if anything I do is too much. I would hate to be the reason for a visit to Mizuki.
[ Maybe it's something unique to him, thinking about the duality of elements. He's never really thought about whether anyone else thinks of it like that or not. ]
All elements have the capability to nurture or harm, really. Think of it this way: the earth can be warm and fertile, supplying us with the food we eat, or it can be salted and tumultuous, incapable of growing anything or heaving up in quakes to destroy buildings or swallow us up. Water provides us with hydration, helps plants to grow, and cools us on hot summer days, but a river can easily overrun its banks in a storm and flood cities or sweep us away.
Flame is much the same. It can be used to warm your home on a cold winter day, supply light in the darkness, and cook your meat so that it doesn't render you ill. It can also rage out of control, destroying all that it touches.
My brother and I embody these same two aspects of flame, though by fate rather than by choice. My brother's flame, Ifrit's flame, is hot and angry, while mine, the Phoenix, is gentle. But my brother is one of the most gentle, caring souls you could possibly meet. And though Ifrit's flame is meant to destroy, he uses it to aid those in need.
[Astrid listens, regarding his words thoughtfully.]
That makes sense... it's a good point, the duality of all things in life.
[He hooks his thumbs under the straps of his backpack as they meander, altering his gaze between looking at Joshua and inspecting the area around them.]
It's... amazing that your brother can utilize his flames in such a way. He sounds like a good person.
[Maybe his brother could've grown up into that kind of person.]
[ While Astrid looks around, Joshua keeps his eyes straight forward on their immediate surroundings. But the discussion of his brother has a smile on his face, fondly caught in distant memories. ]
He is. He's the best brother I could ask for.
[ But he doesn't need to get lost in bittersweet nostalgia. He shakes himself from it with a prolonged closing of his eyes, but the smile still doesn't fade. ]
He couldn't use them that way to begin with. I was there, the first time they manifested. He was not in control, and I fully suspect he did not have control for several years. But when he did finally master it, he was a force to be reckoned with.
[Astrid debates. Did he want to be a little vulnerable with this man? He didn't like talking about it, it was still pretty raw even five years later, but Joshua could clearly relate to a degree, and he was being open with Astrid about his family. There's silence for perhaps a single moment too long before he finally speaks again.]
My brother was the same — except he never managed to master it.
[ And now he understands, he thinks. The fear of fire. If Astrid's brother had not learned to master it, had it raged out of control? What had come of him ?]
No, not at all. [He waves his hand as if dismissing the notion.] I divulged the information willingly. I just... don't talk about it a lot, is all.
[He offers a slight smile in an attempt to relieve the slight tension he'd caused. Now that he'd said it though, he was perhaps a bit too nervous to continue. But he would like to hear about someone in his own brother's shoes who had grown to become some sort of hero, so it sounded.]
What's his name? Your brother. I should like to hear more, if you wouldn't mind terribly.
I understand. Some things can be difficult to bring up, and it is easier to simply not.
[ Especially if it was recent. Many things are easy for him to talk about, if only because it has been nearly twenty years since the most traumatizing event of his life occurred. ]
Of course. His name is Clive. He is five years older than I am, and he takes more after our father. Dark hair, light eyes, roguishly handsome. He was here once, but... the Forest took him away. You'll likely find some still here that knew him.
[ He still grieves the loss, but he easily moves on in conversation. He doesn't want to dwell on that part of it. ]
In my world, certain individuals are born bearing the power of an Eikon - a great elemental beast. Only one may exist per Eikon at a time, and the Phoenix has always manifested in our family. But instead of manifesting in my brother, it manifested in me. And still, he loved me more than life itself, and swore himself as my First Shield to ensure that I was protected.
When I was but ten, and he fifteen, our duchy was attacked by an allied nation. That is when his fire manifested. The Phoenix couldn't have been born into him, because he was meant to be another Eikon, an unknown Eikon of Fire named Ifrit. As I said before, his fire raged out of control, and because of what transpired we were separated for eighteen years. But over the course of those years, he learned to harness it, to use it to his advantage and to protect those weak or in need. There are those in our world that would call him an outlaw, but he is naught but a hero in my eyes.
It sounds like you two had quite an important relationship, even having been separated for so long.
[Astrid notes, ears perked slightly as he listens keenly to his tale.]
But I agree. I know naught more about Clive than what you've said, but anyone who can harness such an intense power and learn to wield it for the good of others is a hero through and through. It's a shame I haven't the chance to meet him...
[But Astrid senses that's probably not a topic Joshua wishes to dwell on for too long.]
He never once stopped looking for me, once he learned I was still alive.
[ He nods as he says it, in complete agreement. That their bond has stood the test of time speaks to how close they were before they had been separated.
But Astrid is right. Though the wound is months old, it is still fresh, and while Joshua speaks so fondly of his brother, he has no doubt his mind will bring nightmares anew once he beds down for the night. Still, he lifts a hand in a gesture that screams "don't worry about it".
And then his eyes light up, however softly, at the request for another story. It's so terribly easy to answer, and he laughs softly, lips curling up at the corners. ]
He always ate my carrots for me, or found a way to slip them to Torgal. I hated the things... And he, as my devout First Shield, saw to it that I was protected from such unpleasantries. Even here, he made certain that they did not darken my bowls of stew.
Vitamin A...? Ah, I recall reading something about that...
[ In the books here, of course. He doubts that anyone in Valisthea knew about such a thing. ]
Torgal is our frost wolf. Though, he really mostly belongs to my brother, but I am watching over him for the time being. He was but a pup when I was a child, but he has grown into a fine wolf and a loyal companion.
I did indeed. Though he has traveled many long miles alongside my brother, even fighting alongside him, I did not wish to tempt fate by bringing him along.
[ He nods. Torgal may be Clive's in technicality, but he and Jill certainly carried the pup around plenty as children. Torgal is just as much a part of the group as any of them. He has a wolf as... a party member? Does that count? ]
I am also caretaker of my brother's chocobo, Ambrosia, and I have a stolas that is my own. Ah-- you may know it as an owl. But you are welcome to meet any of them.
[ This, at least, he is used to. Most have not known what it is. It's surprising when someone does know. ]
Ah. A chocobo is a very large bird, used as a steed. One moment.
[ He needs to take notes anyway, so he fishes out his notebook and quickly sketches a chocobo, with an ambiguous and featureless human form standing beside it for height reference. For how quickly he's sketched it, it is very good. ]
[Astrid remarks as he looks at the drawing, quite impressed.]
I've never seen a bird at such a size before, very interesting. I look forward to meeting your menagerie — hopefully we can confirm the safety of the area soon enough and bring the rest of our things.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
sticksandbonesmods) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
sticksandbones2025-10-03 12:37 pm
no subject
[Given he said "as well"--]
no subject
[ He hadn't even thought of settling in anywhere, frankly. Surely there must be an inn somewhere, but he will address that need when he comes to it. ]
I wouldn't mind. I would welcome the company, in fact. We have no idea how large this town truly is, and two sets of eyes are better than one.
no subject
Great, then.
[He adjusts the straps of his backpack, giving Joshua a slight smile.]
Shall we choose a direction?
no subject
Of course. I will leave that honor to you, if you like.
[ After all, when you don't know the layout, anywhere is a good place to start. ]
no subject
That way.
no subject
A perfect direction as any. Let us begin, then.
[ And off he will go! He'll gladly take point - he still doesn't have much of a measure of Astrid's abilities yet. ]
It is good to finally be able to talk under less dire circumstances. I do hope that our initial meeting didn't cause you any stress?
[ He saw how you reacted, sir. ]
no subject
Ah, well.
[Astrid looks a bit sheepish.]
I suppose you could say... I need to grow more accustomed to the use of fire magic around me. But please, don't ever limit yourself on my behalf — exposure, and all that.
[A good enough way to put it as any!]
It is nice to talk more casually, though.
no subject
Well, if it is any consolation, my flame is far more nurturing than destructive. I am capable of defending myself, of course, but the Phoenix is a protector and a healer above all else.
[ He slows his steps, just enough that they can somewhat walk side by side while he still remains in the lead. As he just said, protecting is a part of his duty as the Phoenix, after all. ]
That should hopefully ease your adjustment. But do let me know if anything I do is too much. I would hate to be the reason for a visit to Mizuki.
no subject
[Astrid admits, curiosity obvious in his gaze.]
Could you tell me more about it? Maybe that would help, too.
no subject
[ Maybe it's something unique to him, thinking about the duality of elements. He's never really thought about whether anyone else thinks of it like that or not. ]
All elements have the capability to nurture or harm, really. Think of it this way: the earth can be warm and fertile, supplying us with the food we eat, or it can be salted and tumultuous, incapable of growing anything or heaving up in quakes to destroy buildings or swallow us up. Water provides us with hydration, helps plants to grow, and cools us on hot summer days, but a river can easily overrun its banks in a storm and flood cities or sweep us away.
Flame is much the same. It can be used to warm your home on a cold winter day, supply light in the darkness, and cook your meat so that it doesn't render you ill. It can also rage out of control, destroying all that it touches.
My brother and I embody these same two aspects of flame, though by fate rather than by choice. My brother's flame, Ifrit's flame, is hot and angry, while mine, the Phoenix, is gentle. But my brother is one of the most gentle, caring souls you could possibly meet. And though Ifrit's flame is meant to destroy, he uses it to aid those in need.
no subject
That makes sense... it's a good point, the duality of all things in life.
[He hooks his thumbs under the straps of his backpack as they meander, altering his gaze between looking at Joshua and inspecting the area around them.]
It's... amazing that your brother can utilize his flames in such a way. He sounds like a good person.
[Maybe his brother could've grown up into that kind of person.]
no subject
He is. He's the best brother I could ask for.
[ But he doesn't need to get lost in bittersweet nostalgia. He shakes himself from it with a prolonged closing of his eyes, but the smile still doesn't fade. ]
He couldn't use them that way to begin with. I was there, the first time they manifested. He was not in control, and I fully suspect he did not have control for several years. But when he did finally master it, he was a force to be reckoned with.
no subject
[Astrid debates. Did he want to be a little vulnerable with this man? He didn't like talking about it, it was still pretty raw even five years later, but Joshua could clearly relate to a degree, and he was being open with Astrid about his family. There's silence for perhaps a single moment too long before he finally speaks again.]
My brother was the same — except he never managed to master it.
no subject
[ And now he understands, he thinks. The fear of fire. If Astrid's brother had not learned to master it, had it raged out of control? What had come of him ?]
My apologies. I did not mean to be insensitive.
no subject
[He offers a slight smile in an attempt to relieve the slight tension he'd caused. Now that he'd said it though, he was perhaps a bit too nervous to continue. But he would like to hear about someone in his own brother's shoes who had grown to become some sort of hero, so it sounded.]
What's his name? Your brother. I should like to hear more, if you wouldn't mind terribly.
no subject
[ Especially if it was recent. Many things are easy for him to talk about, if only because it has been nearly twenty years since the most traumatizing event of his life occurred. ]
Of course. His name is Clive. He is five years older than I am, and he takes more after our father. Dark hair, light eyes, roguishly handsome. He was here once, but... the Forest took him away. You'll likely find some still here that knew him.
[ He still grieves the loss, but he easily moves on in conversation. He doesn't want to dwell on that part of it. ]
In my world, certain individuals are born bearing the power of an Eikon - a great elemental beast. Only one may exist per Eikon at a time, and the Phoenix has always manifested in our family. But instead of manifesting in my brother, it manifested in me. And still, he loved me more than life itself, and swore himself as my First Shield to ensure that I was protected.
When I was but ten, and he fifteen, our duchy was attacked by an allied nation. That is when his fire manifested. The Phoenix couldn't have been born into him, because he was meant to be another Eikon, an unknown Eikon of Fire named Ifrit. As I said before, his fire raged out of control, and because of what transpired we were separated for eighteen years. But over the course of those years, he learned to harness it, to use it to his advantage and to protect those weak or in need. There are those in our world that would call him an outlaw, but he is naught but a hero in my eyes.
no subject
[Astrid notes, ears perked slightly as he listens keenly to his tale.]
But I agree. I know naught more about Clive than what you've said, but anyone who can harness such an intense power and learn to wield it for the good of others is a hero through and through. It's a shame I haven't the chance to meet him...
[But Astrid senses that's probably not a topic Joshua wishes to dwell on for too long.]
What's one of your favorite memories together?
no subject
[ He nods as he says it, in complete agreement. That their bond has stood the test of time speaks to how close they were before they had been separated.
But Astrid is right. Though the wound is months old, it is still fresh, and while Joshua speaks so fondly of his brother, he has no doubt his mind will bring nightmares anew once he beds down for the night. Still, he lifts a hand in a gesture that screams "don't worry about it".
And then his eyes light up, however softly, at the request for another story. It's so terribly easy to answer, and he laughs softly, lips curling up at the corners. ]
He always ate my carrots for me, or found a way to slip them to Torgal. I hated the things... And he, as my devout First Shield, saw to it that I was protected from such unpleasantries. Even here, he made certain that they did not darken my bowls of stew.
no subject
Now that's a devout brother. He must have godly eyesight, from all that Vitamin A.
[Next question:]
Who's Torgal?
no subject
[ In the books here, of course. He doubts that anyone in Valisthea knew about such a thing. ]
Torgal is our frost wolf. Though, he really mostly belongs to my brother, but I am watching over him for the time being. He was but a pup when I was a child, but he has grown into a fine wolf and a loyal companion.
no subject
[Whoa... pretty metal, Joshua.]
I suppose you left him back in the Grove, given the uncertain nature of our journey. I would love to meet him sometime though, if you'll allow me.
[He likes pubbies :)]
no subject
[ He nods. Torgal may be Clive's in technicality, but he and Jill certainly carried the pup around plenty as children. Torgal is just as much a part of the group as any of them. He has a wolf as... a party member? Does that count? ]
I am also caretaker of my brother's chocobo, Ambrosia, and I have a stolas that is my own. Ah-- you may know it as an owl. But you are welcome to meet any of them.
no subject
[He's never heard of such a creature, even in reading older records from before the meteor hit. Perhaps it's native to Joshua's own world?]
I would love to meet all of them, though. I'm a rather big fan of animals.
no subject
Ah. A chocobo is a very large bird, used as a steed. One moment.
[ He needs to take notes anyway, so he fishes out his notebook and quickly sketches a chocobo, with an ambiguous and featureless human form standing beside it for height reference. For how quickly he's sketched it, it is very good. ]
There.
no subject
[Astrid remarks as he looks at the drawing, quite impressed.]
I've never seen a bird at such a size before, very interesting. I look forward to meeting your menagerie — hopefully we can confirm the safety of the area soon enough and bring the rest of our things.