Joshua isn't used to waiting. He'd spent thirteen years searching for answers, trying to find out all he could on Ultima, to find out what had happened all those years ago at Phoenix Gate, to protect his brother, not being able to stop for a moment, not allowing himself to as his own days were numbered. But now, as the end of their journey lies before them, as they wait to go face Ultima in one final battle... Joshua must wait. Because this fight will ask for all that Joshua has left to give, all of his strength, all of his power.
But that doesn't mean his time has been spent simply waiting, however. Though he can do little to help those in the Hideaway prepare for whatever future lay in wait for them, he spends most of his days in the Shelves with Harpocrates, pouring over what books and reports they have together, that they might find some minute detail to aid them in their fight again Ultima.
It's after he's spent the day with Harpocrates, the evening settling in over the Hideaway, that Joshua makes his way to his brother's room across the Ale Hall. That he might spend some little time with his brother before they both retire for the night. Little moments to make up for eighteen years of lost time together. But it's enough... to be with his brother in this time is enough, in the quite and calm of his room, where the business and noise of the Hideaway is securely kept on the other side of the door, and it's just the two of them.
And while he waits for him to return, he waits on the balcony, leaning on his arms on the wooden railing, his hands gently clasped together as he stares off across the lake, towards Origin. His mind swirling with thoughts of Ultima, of what awaits them, of what awaits Joshua himself, though he doesn't fear it.
So when Clive first walks into his room, Joshua doesn't hear as the heavy doors open and close off somewhere behind him. But when Clive steps out into the doorway of the balcony, Joshua hears the faint creak of wooden floorboards shifting under his weight, and he blinks as his thoughts disperse and he's brought back to reality. And even with his back to him, Joshua doesn't need to turn around to know who it is.
Even having been apart for eighteen years, he still knows his brother's presence better than anything, knows him by sound, by breath, by feel, his presence ever familiar and comforting, as it has been since they were children... and maybe even more so now. After they'd become Ifrit Risen in the skies above Twinside, nearly became one soul, Clive's presence has become even clearer, so unmistakable and so easily felt, even when they're apart, as if it were so natural for him to.
Joshua can't help the small smile that spreads across his lips, but he doesn't say anything. Instead staying where he is, cobalt eyes watching him, until Clive comes to stand beside him, his own light blue eyes on the new Mothercrystal that hangs dark in the sky.
"Indeed. Perhaps that is why Ultima created them to appear as they are, that we might be captivated by them, worship them as we should him." Though the longer Joshua considers it, he isn't sure Ultima holds a concept of beauty, or at least not in the same way they as humans do. Maybe the Mothercrystals were merely something he had in his own world before he'd come here and used their likeness as his conduit. But, that's neither here nor there.
He pushes himself up to stand up properly, his hands still resting on the wooden railing, and turns to look at his brother, his smile still soft, filled with a gentle hope. "But, the world that awaits us will be far more beautiful still."
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2023-12-14 03:15 pm (UTC)But that doesn't mean his time has been spent simply waiting, however. Though he can do little to help those in the Hideaway prepare for whatever future lay in wait for them, he spends most of his days in the Shelves with Harpocrates, pouring over what books and reports they have together, that they might find some minute detail to aid them in their fight again Ultima.
It's after he's spent the day with Harpocrates, the evening settling in over the Hideaway, that Joshua makes his way to his brother's room across the Ale Hall. That he might spend some little time with his brother before they both retire for the night. Little moments to make up for eighteen years of lost time together. But it's enough... to be with his brother in this time is enough, in the quite and calm of his room, where the business and noise of the Hideaway is securely kept on the other side of the door, and it's just the two of them.
And while he waits for him to return, he waits on the balcony, leaning on his arms on the wooden railing, his hands gently clasped together as he stares off across the lake, towards Origin. His mind swirling with thoughts of Ultima, of what awaits them, of what awaits Joshua himself, though he doesn't fear it.
So when Clive first walks into his room, Joshua doesn't hear as the heavy doors open and close off somewhere behind him. But when Clive steps out into the doorway of the balcony, Joshua hears the faint creak of wooden floorboards shifting under his weight, and he blinks as his thoughts disperse and he's brought back to reality. And even with his back to him, Joshua doesn't need to turn around to know who it is.
Even having been apart for eighteen years, he still knows his brother's presence better than anything, knows him by sound, by breath, by feel, his presence ever familiar and comforting, as it has been since they were children... and maybe even more so now. After they'd become Ifrit Risen in the skies above Twinside, nearly became one soul, Clive's presence has become even clearer, so unmistakable and so easily felt, even when they're apart, as if it were so natural for him to.
Joshua can't help the small smile that spreads across his lips, but he doesn't say anything. Instead staying where he is, cobalt eyes watching him, until Clive comes to stand beside him, his own light blue eyes on the new Mothercrystal that hangs dark in the sky.
"Indeed. Perhaps that is why Ultima created them to appear as they are, that we might be captivated by them, worship them as we should him." Though the longer Joshua considers it, he isn't sure Ultima holds a concept of beauty, or at least not in the same way they as humans do. Maybe the Mothercrystals were merely something he had in his own world before he'd come here and used their likeness as his conduit. But, that's neither here nor there.
He pushes himself up to stand up properly, his hands still resting on the wooden railing, and turns to look at his brother, his smile still soft, filled with a gentle hope. "But, the world that awaits us will be far more beautiful still."