#FF XIV Swap gift

[mountain-of-ala-mhigo]

FF XIV Swap Gift

[This story is written for @furys-mercy, as a swap gift! Although this is not the blog i participated with, i put it here as its more fitting, for a reason! :D ENJOY!!]

Another evening rolled over the city of Isghard, this wretched place, driven by the rich and powerful. Though, times had changed after the war had ended.Things did look brighter, at least a tiny bit, even with all the nobility still in charge. But eh, what was he thinking? It was not the time for that - and made his beer taste stale.

Instead, Mercer listened to the voices of the tavern, the sounds of his home. Most people had gone home already, so only a few desks where filled with people, but those seemed to have fun. But he? For now, he enjoyed the time alone, drinking a beer or two, after a full day of work. Somehow his arm started to ache a little bit. Well, who would have thought that a whole lot of tattoos with aether-ingrained ink could cause a little hassle? Maybe he did something wrong the last time he summoned Ifrit? Maybe he still needs to get used to them? Something to take a closer look at another day!

He was a little surprised to see the door of the tavern open again, at such an hour. For a moment, Mercers thought it was the guard that came in - after he heard the rattling of a chainmail and the heavy steps of the thick boots. But a closer look made him all the wiser. Not an Elezen, but a Hyur - a Highlander, with that stature of him - and even though he could see the chainmail on him, it surely wasn’t one of the ishgardians. An adventurer, perhaps? With short brown tousled hair and a thick beard Mercer could not help himself but kind of see him as bear. At least thats what he would describe him to others, if he had to.

While Mercer took another gulp from his beer, the stranger got himself an own cup, took a look around and… well, in the end, sat down right in front of him, on the other side of the table. Where he continued to sit and drink, just as Mercer himself.

“Not from Ishgard?”, Mercer finally asked, breaking the silence between the two men. “Depends”, the other one answered. “Getting used to it, but was not born here, if you mean that.” “So? Where then? Ul’dah?” “Ala Mhigo. B’fore… y’know. You? From here?” “Oh… Uhm, yeah, Ishgard is what you can call my hometown.” “Sounds like you’re not happy about that.” “Oh really?” Mercer sighed and took another sipp. “Its hard to like this place with all the nobilty around, you know?” “Oh, yeah…” The other man took a sipp of his beer as well. “Don’t tell me about that. Heared enough from my wife.” “She lives here?” “Has an orphanage, friend of the dragons… y’know.” “OH! Yeah…”

Another minute of silence and drinking beer followed, until it was broken again, this time by Mercers companion. “Name's Wickid. And you?” “Hm? Oh, Mercer the name.” “Mercer, huh? So, ever thought of leaving the city? If you dislike it so much?” “Oh, can assure you i did. Just… you know how it is. Sometimes it just brings you back. In the end, its still my home.” Wickid nodded an agreement. “Someday i might return, too. To Ala Mhigo, i mean. Although, not much left for me there…” “A lot was destroyed, wasn’t it?” “That’s not it. A lot is intact, in fact, but… have nothing to return there. So i’m staying with my wife.”

Mercer slowly nodded an drank the rest of his beer - just to order another one. After all, it was better with company, especially such a friendly one. “But you don’t look like you came from the orphanage, although kids are tough to handle at times”, Mercer said with a little laugh, which made Wickid chuckle a bit as well - although a smile could not be seen, as the beard consumed it whole. “You're right, was outside to help with a subjugation. Though Azura does not like, but eh. You gonna help when you are needed, right? And you?” “Oh me? I have my workshop, where i handle all kinds of magitek, especially prosthetics”, Mercer explained, but could see Wickids eyes narrowing as he spoke. “Magitek…” “There is more to them but weaponry.” “That won’t bring back those that have lost their lifes.” “But it can improve those that live! And we can all work for a more peaceful world. Look at me, at this!” Mercer pointed on his leg. “Lost mine, got a new one. It’s not perfect, but it does a damn good job, that i can assure you.”

Wickid did not seem to be was convinced just by that - but took a closer look as well, for whatever reasons, although he did not seem like he would throw away his hatred against the machines just like that. “Reminds me of the stuff of a friend of mine. And you got that from?” “Made it myself. That one is not gonna kill anybody soon. As long as i don't start to kick people, that is.” “Probably serves them right when you start kicking.” “Probably does”, Mercer chuckled, together with Wickid. “But i can tell you, there are lots and lots of good and peaceful inventions out there. Live with it, get to know them. Not every magitek is bad.” “I’ll try to remember that. Can’t promise anything.” “Of course, of course… But we all have to start somewhere.” “We do…”

In silent agreement, both of them took a big gulp from their cups, emptying both. Thats why he came here, after all - you never knew what people you might meet. And this one seemed alright. Another kind soul that seemed to be forged in a hell of others making. But now, as Mercer took a closer look at Wickid again, something seemed odd. “Say, what’s the blue thing here on your armor? Thats not supposed to be there, right?” “Huh? Oh, didn’t notice that!” With a swift movement, Wickid plucked it from his armor and revealed a feather - a large one, that is. “Lost some during the battle, huh?”, Wickid wondered. “Fought a bird? Are there any blue ones here in Ishgard?” “Oh, no. I fought a Goobbue out there. This is from my chocobo, Pipa. One of the kindest chocobos you’ll ever know. Well, as long as you don’t get on his bad side”, Wickid chuckled, and even though Mercer couldn’t see him smile, he just knew he was. He saw it in Wickids eyes, heared it in his voice. The man sure loved his chocobo, that much he could tell. “Oh i see. Is he alright? If he lost some feathers?” “Its fine its fine, that just happens in every fight. Probably when he kicked that thing in the guts and sent it flying.”

For a moment, he turned the feather in his fingers, probably remembering his partner, before he reached out and held it to Mercer. “Here. Have it.” “Me? What for?” “Good luck charm. Never can have enough, right? And i have enough feathers myself already - and can get more, if needed”, he explained with another chuckle. “Okay, thanks.” Carefully, Mercer took the feather from him, and now as it was in front of him, he could certainly smell a faint bit of chocobo. “But it’s getting late. Have to see if any kid is still awake. Was nice meeting you, Mercer.” “Same goes for me. Have a good night, Wickid.”

Mercer watched the adventurer walking to the bar, paying his debt and leaving the tavern, all the while he spun the feather with his fingers around, just like Wickid had done it. It looked like the feather was faintly shimmering in the dim light of the room, but maybe that were his eyes getting tired. He’d see it in the morning. With a slight smile, Mercer carefully tucked away the feather and followed Wickids steps and made his way home.

[So thanks to @sasslett and @ainyan and every mod and person that participated for this event! Just to be safe, this was done from me from @little-birdseeker, so no one is confused! :D And i hope people enjoy this lil story~]