Makoh'to Mewriyo

Mewlsar in Minutes

Last updated: Aug 2023.Disclaimer – I have yet to NG+ with Makoh’to and my memory is very spotty as it is, so some things may deviate from canon simply because I don’t remember! This also isn’t written any particular way. I’d write fic a lot differently lmao. This is more just like… the outline of a fic I’d write, I suppose!Please enjoy this somewhat brief rundown of Makoh’to and Gaius’s relationship. It ain’t much but it’s honest work. (Approx 2.3k words of rambling lol)Their first meeting was under the hot Ala Mhigan sun – Gaius using the chaos of a civil war to lay claim to the land in the name of the Empire. Makoh’to, having heard of the rising instability of the area, finds his way there to help any way he can. His arrows fly true, letting several Ala Mhigans escape from Imperial soldiers so that they may live to fight another day. Gaius is on the receiving end of one of these arrows, however it only grazes his arm. It’s enough to distract the Legatus so the others may run.Gaius spots a figure from afar notching another arrow. He readies his gunblade in return.Makoh’to sees a wickedly helmeted soldier point towards him with dangerous steel. The miqo’te chooses to flee. He’ll have to be happy with simply buying others more time.The silhouette of each other is etched into the tapestry binding them together.20 summers later…Again, the two face off. This time it is Silvertear Falls that oversees their exchange…[I need to go back and read more / watch this but essentially this is where Makoh’to starts learning what type of guy Gaius is. The 1.0 version of Gaius that could easily have taken out Cid but fired a warning shot instead. The Gaius who believes there will be nothing to rule if it’s all destroyed. Makoh’to doesn’t quite get it – Gaius letting him go with the schematics, Gaius at odds with his so-called comrades. Whatever it is, Makoh’to knows this man operates beyond a realm of his understanding in a world so toxic that he wonders if Gaius ever had a chance. But other Garleans exist who had worked to break free of it all, so…]With the worsening condition of Solus zos Galvus inducing political turmoil among Garlemald’s people, Gaius takes it upon himself to conquer Eorzea…[Again, I need to NG+ this for a better understanding but based off the Wiki my general take for their relationship is as follows: Makoh’to is aghast at Gaius’s desire to use the Ultima Weapon. If the only way to stop this madness is for Gaius van Baelsar to die, Makoh’to knows what he must do… Gaius shows wavering potential to change – Makoh’to notices the way Gaius speaks about his non-Garlean officers. It is of little consolation, seeing as the only good non-Garleans to Garlemald are ones that take up the cause. The bar is extremely low and Makoh’to has no incentive to help Gaius over it. At this point, Makoh’to believes he will have to take Gaius out no matter what it may cost.][Then Praetorium happens and Makoh’to is perplexed at how Gaius can simply see ‘strength’ and equate it to power – or rather – the right to control. He’s instantly refuses the offer to join hands with Gaius. The man is mad with power! In believing the strong shall lead the weak, he has been blinded!! Makoh’to doesn’t know how to make him see this except, ironically, through a show of strength. Where as Gaius fights for love of his country, Makoh’to fights for his love of his fellow man - regardless of country.]When Gaius is felled in the Praetorium, Makoh’to kneels down to send him off with a prayer. He won’t last long in the flames and smoke that suffocate the area. “Return home. Hale and whole.” Whatever Garleans may or may not believe in spiritually, Makoh’to always offers the same prayer to his felled enemies in the hopes they find peace in another life.Little did Makoh’to know, Gaius would rise again and those words would ring in his ears for the seasons to come…The blinding white sands of the Burn hold Makoh’to’s impromptu reunion with Gaius. Makoh'to's sharp eyes recognize that stature instantly. Gaius’s gait - a little effected by the explosions back then, but not any less proud – and the charred Legatus mask swinging off of his side. Then he hears the man speak – it’s really him! His voice less proud, Makoh’to notes. The cheek is there, but almost humbled… in that moment Makoh’to has higher priorities than to catch-up with the Legatus formerly known as Gaius van Baelsar. His friends continue to fall into a deep sleep and now the young Alphinaud has joined them. Makoh'to's usual jovial pep has been completely replaced with despondence.[Upon learning about the Black Rose stuff, Makoh’to feels a wave of sickness pierce his very heart. Seeing Gaius trying to right something so very, very wrong ignites a spark of sympathy in him. How do you come back when you’ve crossed the line so many times? It’s a complex feeling, but Makoh’to focuses on the present and that is Gaius trying to right a wrong. The miqo’te will deal with everything else afterwards.][Some stuff probably happens here but my memory is hazy, so moving on to Werlyt!]Makoh’to and Gaius, together, experience the consequences of Gaius’s past in a sort of… not sure if “trauma bond” is the right word, but Makoh’to suffers greatly having to fight these children and its Gaius who inspired them to take up arms in the first place. Also remember the Black Rose thing? A “mysterious” plague wiping out the kids’ homes… Gaius able to save the children… his mask specifically having a gas mask apparatus… Makoh’to is putting SOMETHING together. It’s horrifying to him that Gaius’s actions so far back have such a domino effect. And he’s watching Gaius realize this horrifying reality too.Makoh’to has lived long enough to know you can’t go back in time – at least not in this instance – that you can only go forward and try to be better for those who come after. But is Gaius able to do that, he wonders. Is he even “allowed” to? Makoh’to doesn’t have the answers – he cannot place the blame squarely on one person. It’s on the Empire. It’s on Gaius. It’s on himself. But not the children. It’s all they knew… but then isn’t that all Gaius knew too? No! Makoh’to knows Gaius has heard the pleading of those he’s conquered and personally seen the treatment of those conscripted into the Imperial Army. (Makoh’to’s father was likely conscripted himself, but no one knows for sure.)Gaius knew SO much and enabled SO much. Yet now he’s trying to curtail the rippling effect of his actions – as impossible as it seems. Makoh'to sees a desperation in him that will end in Gaius taking his own life if he's unsuccessful. And while Gaius's death would please many, Makoh'to knows Gaius could do more living than dead. He doesn't get to escape the consequences of his actions that easy.That doesn't make it easy to talk to Gaius, however. Over the course of Werlyt Makoh'to subtly tests the waters. He seeks to understand Gaius's internal conflicts and what he plans to do about, well, everything. Makoh'to has been on the receiving end of Gaius's blade more than once, but he doesn't feel the animosity anymore. He sees a truly broken man without direction. But he also sees this broken man trying to swim against a current he's known his whole life. Makoh'to wants to nurture this aspect of Gaius. He wants to help him break free...Makoh'to knows, and understands, the many people who would see Gaius dead. Makoh'to willingly chooses to try and support Gaius. Be Gaius’s guide on his new journey.Makoh'to becomes quite soft for Gaius seeing how much Gaius cares about Allie. So Gaius has a good reason to live. There's someone he loves. For Makoh'to that is enough to earn his grace. It's not a free pass tho. It just means Gaius has potential for good. Makoh'to believes most people can do good and if they actively choose to do bad when given the chance to do good, then they deserve whatever happens to them (and he won't lose sleep if he has to fight them and they die as a result).Gaius would recognize Makoh'to trying to read him. He's so broken at this point he doesn't bother to mask anything. He'd find it almost cathartic the man whose strength he coveted was not only physically strong but also emotionally strong. And of all the people he could confide to, Makoh'to has seen almost as many years on the star as him. Makoh'to has fought terrors beyond most people's imagination, seen the hearts and lives of a myriad of people, carried people's joys and sorrows in his songs... Gaius would want so badly for someone to understand, even if he himself would not say it. And who better than his adversary for nearly half his life... Gaius would wonder how Makoh'to can remain so light, so full of hope and love despite it all. He wonders how Makoh'to could spare any of that on him.But their relationship becomes quite comfortable. They're able to talk about heavy things, light things, make plans for Allie to have fun. Makoh'to begins touching Gaius's arm, then head butting him, then nuzzling his arm when it's just them talking on that bench in Terncliff. Gaius finds himself feeling lighter when Makoh'to is around, he actually laughs sometimes, and even makes innuendo that gets him a playful swat on the arm from Makoh'to!Makoh'to visits often and Gaius looks forward to it every time. Valdeaulin points out Gaius tends to smile to himself out of the blue on days Makoh'to is expected.Why does Makoh'to visit so often? He wants to check on Allie and make sure Gaius is staying true to his new path... Makoh'to brings gifts for Allie and Gaius in increasing regularity that the town starts to notice. 😊Bonus writing about the moment that makes them see each other as more than friends, maybe:Post-Werlyt, Makoh’to is in his “reading this person” phase with Gaius, which is a bit of a whirlwind given how long they’ve been in each other’s sights. It starts with small talks around Terncliff, then shared morning coffees, and shared evening teas to ease the mind. Makoh’to brings teas and coffee beans from his travels to share with Gaius while they catch up.One night Makoh’to ends up in Terncliff earlier than anticipated. The innkeeper has retired for the night. Not wanting to bother anyone, Makoh’to goes to lie down on the bench near the memorial. Gaius, restless, wanders around Terncliff hoping the brisk night sea breeze will somehow relax him. He finds Makoh’to instead and asks why the miqo’te is 1) trying to sleep on a bench when the inn exists and 2) is in Terncliff early.Makoh’to sheepishly answers he had some tea and coffee he was eager to share with his usual drink partner. (He keeps it to himself that he found himself missing their usual conversations over tea and coffee while traveling alone.) And that he doesn’t want to wake the sweet innkeepers – a lovely old couple who have accommodated him more than enough during his frequent visits to Terncliff.Gaius says he has access to the inn kitchen on account of being a long-term tenant and insists Makoh’to at least let him prepare something to snack on while they indulge in the tea. And that the miqo’te may find inside a bit more bearable – the sea is beautiful but the breeze is cold. Makoh’to happily takes him up on his offer. Gaius prepares something quick he learned from the innkeeper. It’s quiet in the kitchen, but he can hear the soft hum of a slow melody coming from Makoh’to, who is seated at the bar.The two have a quiet conversation as to not disturb anyone sleeping. They’re close so their voices don’t carry. The two carry on, enjoying their nightly tea ritual… eventually they finish their late night snack. Gaius offers his room to Makoh’to. It’s not so odd – Gaius is used to sharing quarters with others given his military days. The former legatus adds in he understands if Makoh’to is not comfortable rooming with him given their past but, surprisingly (?) Makoh’to smiles warmly and thanks Gaius for his generous offer.Makoh’to sleeps soundly on his side of the bed while Gaius lies on his side wide awake. It’s surreal to have the Warrior of Light – to have Makoh’to – asleep next to him seemingly without a care in the world. Gaius, not wanting to wake Makoh’to, lies so perfectly still and focuses on his breathing. He closes his eyes. Eventually he, too, falls asleep. He knows he will wake up tomorrow.The next day Gaius wakes up before Makoh’to. He gingerly steps away and prepares their morning coffee. It’s an odd feeling to not hear Makoh’to knock at his door with fresh coffee in hand. Instead, it’s he who rouses Makoh’to from his slumber and places a warm cup of coffee in his hands. The miqo’te takes a sip and smiles. “What do you think? It’s one of my favorite blends from...” And he drinks more. Gaius carefully sips his coffee but he finds himself enamored with the mused hair a morning Makoh’to sports. The sight is almost intimate… it feels almost wrong for him to witness. Almost.Eventually on one of Makoh’to’s future trips to Terncliff, the innkeeper greets him in the usual way. “A room for the night, Mr. Mewriyo?”Gaius rounds the hallway, smiling warmly at Makoh’to as he comes into view. The innkeeper’s eyes slowly move between the two men who are usually extremely cognizant of their surroundings – but right now they are only focused on each other.“I’ll have another key made for next time then. Please enjoy your stay, Mr. Mewriyo.”Additional Notes:
Gaius prepares food for Makoh’to in a way, like… it’s not an act of repentance, but it IS? Not that Gaius thinks making food for somebody will absolve him of anything – just that… how do I describe it. He would do anything to show how grateful he is to have received Makoh’to’s grace and preparing food is just one of those ways. A sign of respect?? Thoughts… Many thoughts. Preparing food is the LEAST he can do for Makoh’to, and he knows it will never be enough, but he will serve Makoh’to tea and little finger foods and he will feel Some Way about it.

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References

Last updated: Aug 2023 - My most current references of Makoh'to! The outfit references are for the outfits only - color and face/body references are separate files located at the top of this gallery.If it helps in portraying him, Makoh'to is SEAsian-coded! (I am also SEAsian lol)If you're unsure of how to depict his SEAsian features, I've put together a guide on what makes his face unique!