#Fuyu'li cen Zwhan

[yzeltia]

FFXIVwrite2024 15. Misdirection

Featuring: @biot08 's Nyx Blackmoon Characters: U'rahn Nuhn, Ahi'a, Fuyu'li cen Zwhan, Vrtra/Varshan, Azdaja, Estinien Wyrmblood, Jullus Norbanus, Alphinaud Leveilleur, Alisaie Leveilleur, U'rahn's Daughters, Kirian Summers, Nidhana, Matsya, Haurchefaunt Fortemps, Jannie Eyradoux Fortemps Expansion: Endwalker Rating: G Summary: Fuyu'li throws Ahi'a his first nameday party. Notes: Thanks to @saesama for the prompt!

“And that was Rahnald the Clown and his lovely mime wife, Nyx,” Fuyu’li said as U’rahn honked his nose and exited off the small stage along with Nyx. He swallowed, only receiving claps from Estinien, Varshan, and Nidhana in the audience. Ahi’a just yawned, sitting in young Varshan’s lap with Alphinaud and Jullus sitting next to them in party hats looking like they’d rather be anywhere else. Alisae with her arms crossed, impatiently tapping her foot. U’rahn’s own daughters seemed to be loosely paying attention, but seemed unenthused by their dad and …moms’(?) performance, more interested in bothering G’raha Tia’s son Kirian as he did his best to not look bored. Jannie with little Huarchefaunt on her lap gave her best polite smile as her boy cooed and bubbled.

Fuyu’li was no good at this sort of thing, or so he thought. He’d begged Natsu to come help him but it was her day off from the day care and she only had so many days left to spend with Drowning Thunder before the waning moon came. Still, she did come up with a solution for him. Easy to do magick tricks that didn’t rely on actual magick. Taking it from there, he improvised a little act. Plotting had been easy, now standing before everyone he felt like he might give up the ghost.

“Ah. Now, before we have some of Ahi’a’s nameday cake! I, the Great Fuyu’li will perform feats of magick with the help of my assistant Azdaja,” Fuyu’li announced, Azdaja swooping down with a glittering tulle cape as she was announced. “Now then. For my first trick, I’ll take these flowers and make them disappear,” he said, whipping out a bouquet from his sleeve before drawing up his cape and letting Azdaja incinerate them with her breath. “Voila!”

The group clapped lightly, Alisae rolling her eyes and shaking her head. Fuyu’li flicked his tail, getting a better response than the last act. “Alright then! For my next trick…I shall pluck a gil from behind an ear,’ he said, coming down to stand in front of Estinien. Fuyu’li reached forward then pulled his hand quickly, revealing a gil to the man.

“Fury! How did that get there!?,” Estinien breathed out, grabbing his ear then tilting his head, the children giggling as he tried to shake out any lingering gil. 

“Um…,” Fuyu’li started, unsure if Estinien was humoring the crowd or not. “Now, I shall turn your attention to this vase full of beautiful crystal blue spring water” he began, stepping back as Azdaja slowly pushed a cart into the middle of the pavilion using her forehead. Upon it, a vase was filled with blue water, dyed of course, but he assumed the children wouldn’t know. Taking some cute white dahlias, he waved them around before putting them in the vase. “Prrresto chango,” he purred, waving a little wand before tapping the flowers as they started to soak up the dyed water.  

Most of the children looked on in amazement, Estinien leaning forward on the end of his seat as he narrowed his eyes at the flowers. Beside him, Nidhana giggled in delight at his amazement over the simple trick. “What foul magick is this? I do not sense him using aether,” Estinen said.

“Explaining it would ruin the trick,” Nidhana said. “Though if you are still curious after, I will show you how to manage such a feat yourself.”

Estinien narrowed his eyes then leaned back with his arms crossed, watching Fuyu’li carefully. On the stage, Fuyu’li swished his cape then spun around, making Azdaja seemingly vanish from view, tucking under his arm. “Now! For my last trick! A feat no Garelean has ever done before! I shall breathe dragon fire,” he said, before leaning back, keeping a side profile to his captive audience before opening his mouth and letting Azdaja peak up beside his cheek to blow fire.”

The children clapped, Ahi’a even swooping up to give a scree of delight at the special feat. Estinien meanwhile looked stunned while Nidhana and Alisae shared a look then started to laugh. Alphinaud sighed, looking over to Jullus apologetically who patted his thigh reassuringly.

Fuyu’li satisfied took a bow, letting Azdaja fly from her hiding space to go join her brother and nephew. “Thank you! Thank you! Now, let’s have cake,” Fuyu’li sang out as Matya wheeled out a large fish shaped cake with a 1 drawn on it.

As the kids cheered, Fuyu’li wiped his brow sitting beside Jannie. “I worry that I am ill suited for this.”

“You did marvelous. At the very least you captivated Estinien. I might have you do Haury’s nameday when it comes around…if just to tell Rahn that I’ve already booked entertainment,” Jannie said, smiling weekly over at Nyx as they stared back at her.

“I do not think I want to make a career out of this. If anything, it was more for Varshan. He’s never had a proper nameday, so I think he was living a bit vicariously through Ahi’a,” Fuyu’li said, watching Varshan try to juggle three plates of cake in his small arms for his sister and son. “It was so long ago, I do not think he knows when he was hatched.”

“Perhaps then we should throw him one proper,” Jannie suggested.

“A nameday for the Satrap? Oh! The whole city would celebrate,” Nidhana said, joining in on the conversation as she joined, picking at the strange cake before taking a bite, seeming to not find it offensive. “Let me know what you will need help with.”

“Garlemald, too, would offer help for a celebration where we could. Thavnair’s aid to us has been essential to rebuilding efforts,” Jullus said, leaning over with Alphinaud nodding in agreement.

“I am sure the Scions would like to join in on the festivities as well,” Alphinaud said, “When is the date?”

Fuyu’li shrank as the group started to talk among themselves about the nameday party he was now apparently in charge of planning for Vrtra, whimpering a bit having barely gotten through the one for his hatchling son.

“Don’t worry. I will come and help,” Jannie said, taking Fuyu’li’s hand and giving it a little squeeze. “And I’m sure he’ll be happy no matter what we come up with.”

Fuyu’li blinked, looking at the Warrior of Light’s hand before letting a little sniffle from the kindness shown by her, heart swelling a little from her kindness. He gave a smile then nodded, looking over to Varshan as he laughed with the kids as U’rahn tripped on his oversized shoes and fell forward, landing face down in his piece of cake. “I think that, with everyone’s help, we can really make something special for him. Let’s do it,” he said, smiling at everyone with a renewed energy for the party.

[yzeltia]

FFXIVwrite2024 11. Surrogate

Characters: Fuyu'li cen Zwhan, Koana, Ahi'a, Azdaja, Vrtra Expansion: Dawntrail Rating: T Summary: Koana learns of Thavnair's worst kept secret. Notes: Dialogue from Lvl. 98 The Protector and the Destroyer

Fuyu’li swallowed as he made his way up the stairs of Vollok Shoonsa, Azdaja and Ahi’a flying at his side. Arriving at the top, Koana, Tural’s Vow of Reason, waited on him with an extended hand. “You must be the envoy for Thavnair. Welcome to Tural. I am Koana. I am sorry we have to have our alliance begin with us asking for your aid. Is the Satrap far behind? Our counter strike is about to begin”

Azdaja screed as Fuyu’li took the other’s hand and gave it a firm shake, swallowing a little as he looked around the large palace then back to Koana. “Yes, I am here to represent Thavnair. I am Fuyu’li Zwhan, husband to Satrap. With me is his sister Azadja and our son Ahi’a” he said. “Vrtra is out calling for aid and will be leading the aerial advance and has asked me to join you here on his behalf.”

Koana stared at Ahi’a then looked back to Fuyu’li, swallowing any questions he may have. Both pushed their glasses up the bridges of their nose before advancing further up the stairwell together and to the balcony that overlooked Tuliyollal. The Alexandrian fleet continued to hang menacingly in the air over the coast.

“Such marvels. If they were not an impending threat I would love to tour the inside of one. It far exceeds anything I’d ever seen from Garlemald,” Fuyu’li breathed out.

“Agreed. I had a chance to lay my eyes on the Ragnarok of Old Sharlayan and even its technology pales in comparison. If things go in our favor then perhaps we will get to preserve one to see how it works…though I fear it is made of the electrope which is only native to that of Alexandria.”

“Preserve? I am uncertain that will be an option,” Fuyu’li said, tilting his head at the sky.

“Surely if we best their ships one shall land in the harbor. Or are your weapons so advanced that you expect complete destruction?” Koana asked.

Fuyu’li looked at Azdaja then back to Koana. “What do you know of the Satrap of Thavnair?” he asked, Azdaja screening behind him.

“Not much more than he is beloved by his people. My interests overseas have admittedly been rather focused on the Sharlayan culture,” Koana admitted, ears flitting as he heard a roar from the sky.

“Well, you see. Vrtra he’s…,” Fuyu’li started before his ears perked too. “Ah. Well, he’s here.”

Vrtra soared through the skies overhead, starting his attack on the Alexandrian airships. Koana leaned forward, hands on the stone railway as he watched in awe. Fuyu’li watched Koana, moving to stand beside him as he figured out the situation. “Right in the nick of time…Tuliyolall shall never forget this debt.”

Azdaja let out a scree of approval as Vrtra took a hail of bullets. Fuyu’li watched, fingers digging into the stone before letting out a sigh of relief as the dragon roared and pressed on with his advance. “For Vrtra, your friendship will be enough.”

Koana nodded, then let his attention wander over the city as his people and allies pushed back Zoraal Ja’s army. “We will hold out, Lamaty’i. So keep your eyes forward and do what only you can do. Finish this and return home with Anille…safe and sound.”

Fuyu’li blinked then pulled Ahi’a into his arms, letting Koana have his moment.

[yzeltia]

Closer to You

Chapter 9 Characters: Natsu Obinata, Fuyu'li cen Zwhan, Claudien, Varshahn, Jannie Eyradoux, Urianger Augrulet, Thancred Waters, Ryne Waters, Patient Heaven, Y'sthola Rhul Rating: T for Teen Notes: Thank you @driftward for the mechanics pass and dealing with my epithets walnuttery

Natsu crossed her arms as she leaned against the stairway wall with Jannie. Once Fuyu’li was on his feet, Jannie had suggested that they find somewhere more private for them to have their moment. Claudien’s apartment building seemed to be the easiest solution given that none of them were locals. Natsu wished they’d strayed farther, feeling as if she was intruding.

“I apologize. This is a lot to take in,” Fuyu’li breathed out from around the corner, head lowered as his master stood in front of him.

“It is I who should apologize. I have only recently opened up about the true nature of my being,” Varshan said before shaking his head, “Please, raise your head. I wish to thank you properly.”

Fuyu’li did as he was told, meeting his master’s soft gaze. His face flushed, still not used to the sight of the statuesque man in front of him. Varshan smiled down at him as he placed his hand on his shoulder.

“While I hear you’ve caused trouble, you did so on my behalf to unite me and my sister. I have known very few people who have taken my burdens upon themselves. That might very well have been due to my reluctance to trust others; however, I found myself trusting you with my dream and you sought out to make it a reality. Though my new companions were ultimately the ones to reunite me and Azdaja, I cannot help but feel gratitude toward you for your efforts,” Varshan said, eyes locked with Fuyu’li’s.

“You saved my life. I wanted to make it up to you anyway I could. With your sister back, I can return and continue working on whatever you design to put me on…though, I am in a bit of trouble here. I need to face the consequences of my actions, as well as see my friend’s endeavor through. If she had not stopped me…I’m afraid I could have been led down another dark path,” Fuyu’li responded, folding his ears in shame.

“Miss Eyradoux explained as much to me. After you’ve finished helping your friend, we’ve made arrangements for you to return to my custody where I will keep a watchful eye,” Varshahn said before leaning down, placing a kiss between the other’s ears.

Fuyu’li’s face erupted into a shade of red as Varshan pulled away. He was left speechless as the other straightened up and briefly touched his lips, as if unsure what possessed him to do so himself. “I will make haste then in finding Natsu’s brother,” he declared, fist pounding his chest proudly.

“And I shall look forward to hearing about it. For now, I must return home,” Varshan said before gesturing to a large colorful bag, “I have left a few changes of clothes for you as it was suggested your Garlean garb might attract you some unwanted attention. Please be safe.”

With that, he channeled aether about him and was gone with a blip, leaving Fuyu’li to stagger then clutch at his chest. The scene over, Jannie pushed off the wall and slung the bag over her shoulder while Natsu peered around the corner. “Don’t tell me you’re in love now. You have to have a higher standard than exceeding 6 fulms tall,” she said, attempting to tease him.

Fuyu’li shook his head, face crimson, “Nonsense! My love is purely admiration that has only been furthered by his stature- I mean status! To think, my young master is that man…and that man is a dragon just shy of the age of our star. I am honored that he sees me worthy enough to continue to stand by his side.”

Jannie and Natsu both rolled their eyes before the latter turned to make her way up the stairs. Natsu recalled the address she’d sent letters to, and after a little wandering found Claudien’s door, letting Jannie reach up for the key. Once inside, Jannie handed over the bag of clothes to Fuyu’li and let him find a room to change in while Natsu wandered around.

Natsu had thought it might be the room she’d had her vision in, but the place was far to clean. It was small, and while organized, had a layer of dust that made it rather unlived in. She imagined he only came there to sleep and took meals elsewhere or made use of aetheryte to go be with Y’zel at his cabin when he was there. Wandering, she busied herself with looking at things hanging on the wall, awards, photos of him younger and those with students. She paused as she found one of him as a boy standing next to a stern looking Miqo’te with sharp eyes.

“Did he say when he’d be back?” Jannie asked, having already busied herself with taming some of the dust on Claudien’s sofa.

“Later this evening. He seemed to have an epiphany about something and hurried off before giving us more information,” she answered, turning to find Fuyu’li returning, wearing what appeared to be a winter poncho and matching garb under it.

“Right before you accosted him,” Fuyu’li added, “Speaking of which. You mentioned something about the importance of your Echo?”

Natsu nodded.  “Yes. Though I cannot remember what it was I was fixated on. A heart of some sort,” she said, trying to remember what she’d read on the shelf.

Jannie sat down on the wiped down couch, crossing her leg, one over the other. “Well, if we’ll be waiting with an indeterminate period of time ahead of us, perhaps we should find the office of Patient Heaven and see if we can figure out her place in all of this.”

Fuyu'li flicked his tail as he put his finger on his chin, drifting off a moment while Natsu nodded and went to a small writing desk to leave a note for Claudien. “Do we know where that is?”

           “Yes. In Noumenon,” Jannie answered, “An authority on locomotion. Her and her late husband were said to have worked with Garleans prior to the calamity in hopes of creating a unifying railway through Eorzea. A case of ambition superseding moral quandaries. They lived in Carteneu, but after The Fall though she returned here.” 

Natsu looked back to Jannie then held herself as she took a moment to reflect. “Her husband was lost in the Calamity then? Like my father?”

“I believe so.”

Fuyu'li perked up, moving forward to look between them before focusing in on Jannie. “You're well informed. Did you come to know this by your Echo?”

“No. I was able to come ahead to make inquiries and submit a petition to get access to her private office before confirming your story and relaying your situation to your dear Satrap.”

Fuyu'li jumped, taken aback by the phrasing. Natsu touched her fingers to her temple, sensing her friend was about to become even more obnoxious about his master. “Anyroad. There's no sense of waiting around if we have a lead. Take us there.”

Jannie stood, brushing off her dress in case some dust lingered before heading out with Natsu and Fuyu'li in tow. The Au Ra hung back as they started their trek through the snow dusted paths, her previous Echo gnawing at the back of her mind. She could see the stone clearly in her head but the name continued to elude her. Entering Noumenon, she looked up, attention on Jannie as the Elezen knelt down low to converse with a small mammet.

“Heaven, Patient. Bzzt. Room 95, Level 2. Status: Open,” the mammet chirped.

“Open? Has the professor returned?” Jannie asked.

“No. Access Request from: Archon Waters, Archon Augurelt, and Warrior of Light Eyradoux approved. Bzzt. Archons Waters and Augurelt are presently engaged in Room 95, Level 2.”

“Interesting,” Jannie hummed before standing up.

“Are they important?” Natsu asked.

“You are familiar with Archon Y'shtola, yes? They are close friends and colleagues. That they are here too…perhaps this situation is bigger than I feared,” Jannie said, attention trailing off to follow their mammet guide.

“To think. The Scions of the Seventh Dawn are involved…I have gotten myself into trouble once again,” Fuyu'li breathed out, keeping pace with Jannie's long strides.

“Again? You've never not been in trouble,” Natsu responded dryly as they started down a staircase.

“You disparage me. I do hope you won't embarrass me in front of the Archons,” her friend pleaded, his ears folding back.

“You wouldn't need help from me,” Natsu hummed.

“Is yond Violet and U’rahn I hear, Jannie?” a cool voice sounded from ahead.

“It does sound like them, doesn’t it, Urianger? No. This is Miss Natsu Obinata and her friend, Fuyu’li,” Jannie introduced.

“Fuyu’li cen-, OOF!” the Garlean started before being elbowed by Natsu, “I…Fuyu’li is fine.”

The Miqo’te’s ears drooped a little as Natsu stepped forward, giving a slight bow to Urianger before straightening up. “We’re actually here because of Miss Violet! She’s been kidnapped along with a few others.”

“U’rahn has also been a victim of the assailant. They actually managed to incapacitate him,” Jannie added, looking past Urianger and into the room behind him as the sounds of papers being shuffled echoed out.

“I see. And that hath brought thee here, as it hath Thancred and myself. Twas his quest to find Y’zel Tia, thus hath led us here as well,” Urianger mused.

“You're searching for my brother too? Was he taken by the imposter?” Natsu asked, looking up to Urianger, eyes wide with worry.

“Taken, no. Inspired, yes,” an annoyed voice sounded from within the office, “And increasingly looking like he is collaborating with him.”

Natsu turned as a foreboding silver haired man stepped out and looked down at her. “Do you know where that coeurl is,” he growled, making her take a step back.

“Thancred. Calm yourself,” Jannie breathed out.

Natsu looked between them, Jannie seeming surprised by the other's incensed mood. Fuyu'li beside her had folded his ears back and started to thrash his tail. Taking a pause, Natsu stepped forward, hands on her hips. “I'm sorry but he's not a coeurl, he's a Miqo'te. And I do not care what the circumstances are, you shouldn't be so rude,” she huffed before poking a finger into his chest, “Furthermore, you don't know what you're talking about at all. He's not working with the imposter, or my friend here would have seen him!”

Thancred blinked while Urianger coughed to stifle his laughter. His scowl lightened, almost to a grin but did not quite approach it. “Very well. Let's exchange intel then,” he offered.

Satisfied, Natsu began explaining how they'd come to arrive at the office, leaving Fuyu'li to jump in with a few details of his time with the imposter as well. Ursinger listened attentively while Thancred leaned in the doorway, arms crossed. “Alright. Is that everything?” the rogue asked before lifting himself from his perch to move back inside, “Let me show you just what your brother has wrought.”

Natsu followed, Fuyu'li and Jannie following in from behind. She gasped as she found the office’s walls cluttered with papers pinned or stapled to the walls. Words had been written over them with little regard for the paint underneath, many having arrows stringing to one another. She recognized etchings of the Warriors of Light as well as various members of Gage Acquisitions, most crossed out. “Ser Vauban…,” she said softly, touching Zoissette’s etching, finding it surrounded by question marks.

Fuyu'li let out a squeak behind her as she let go of the paper, “Great Solus’s Ghost! Aulus mal Asina’s manuscripts. I'd have thought these purged!”

“The Forum doth not make a habit of destroying knowledge, rather, they seek to preserve it,” Urianger explained, placing a hand on Fuyu’li's shoulder, resulting in the Garlean’s cheeks burning.

“Under lock and key,” Thancred added wryly before waving Natsu over to Patient’s desk to an open book with notes sticking out. “Where this tripe should have stayed.”

Natsu picked up the book, leafing back to the title, reading it aloud, “The Destination of Our Fate: Our Souls, the Lifestream, and Our Reflections, by Y'zel Tia. His book? I was told he had retrieved all the copies shortly after publication.”

“Shortly after the abductions,” Thancred corrected, taking the book before quoting from it, “ ‘One must ask: Those of us who have a hole in their hearts. Those of us who walk around feeling that they are broken. Is that because we are? Would Rejoining help make us a little more complete?’. Unadulterated Ascian bull-shite.”

Natsu shook her head, “I don't understand. What's a rejoining?”

“A calamity caused by Ancients in an attempt to make their world whole again. It would take some time to explain it in full… Essentially what Y'zel is asking is: because the world was at one point splintered and with that our souls and life stream, are we a lesser version of ourselves or what we could be,” Jannie explained, cheek to her finger as she thought, “An irresponsible thought that could be used to excuse personal accountability and rather defeatist.”

“If someone buys into this and has the resources, the damage they could do is insurmountable. This was irresponsible to publicize,” Thancred said, finger pounding into the pages of the book.

Natsu hung her head a bit. She didn't quite understand, but she didn't think her big brother would advocate for a calamity, or at least so she wanted to believe. “I think, I can see why if something like that got taken to heart, it might make someone chase an answer…”

“Someone already has,” Thancred said, arms broadly gesturing about him.

Natsu looked around, then to the desk with the book, hand brushing around papers before looking at an etching. Her eyes widened as she picked it up. They were the two boys she'd seen in her Echo bumping into the stranger in The Forgotten Springs. “She was in The Forgotten Springs! When Violet was taken. I bumped into someone and when we touched I saw these boys!”

“Art thou certain,” Urianger asked, stepping forward to take the picture. “They are her sons: Drowning Thunder and Bounding Otter. They passed on to the lifestream with their father during The Fall.”

“Yes, I'm certain. She must have been there too when Fuyu'li came. A tall Roegadyn woman with long brown hair,” she described, searching her mind to try and picture the woman amidst the chaos of the day.

“Sounds close enough,” Thancred mumbled.

“Have you met her? Perhaps my Echo will allow me to see her through you,” Natsu suggested, removing a glove before holding out her hand.

Thancred briefly looked at Urianger, hesitating before reaching out to take her hand on his, letting her fall into a trance. 

She was reclining, boots up on a table in the annex as she idly turned a silver bangle around in her palm. Her heart a-flutter looking at it, Thavnairian in design, a special gift for someone special, and yet she did not want to think of her at the moment less it all become too real. 

“That little devil,” she heard Y'shtola breathe out.

“Alphinaud or U'rahn,” she asked, pocketing the bangle.

“Y'zel. He released a publication and had it reproduced in plain ink. I cannot make out a singular letter. Is he that afraid of my scrutiny?” Y'shtola said in a huff.

She laughed then reached over for the book, glossing over the title before cracking it open. “I'll read it to you then.”

“No. Don't bother. He clearly doesn't want my input,” Y'shtola responded as she rose to take her leave.

Another laugh escaped her before she turned her attention back to the title and began to read through the first page, having little else to do. Before he got in too deep a blond Miqo'te with a sketchbook under his arm wandered into the Annex.

“Um…Archon Waters. Is it true you heard from Ko-”

The world faded and she found herself pushing through a crowd, frantic and out of breath. It was impossible. Improbable. But weirder things had happened.

“RYNE! RYNE,” she yelled out, husky voice raw from yelling.

She didn't turn, simply walking on holding that damnable book by Y'zel. As she rounded the corner, she lost sight of her and by the time she had caught up she was gone. Out of breath she leaned on a wall then slammed her fist into the white marble. “Damn!”

“I told him something like this from the beginning and now it is too late. People keep vanishing and reappearing, three are officially missing. I keep hunting him down and yet he narrowly eludes me every time. Where is he hiding!?” she felt herself say, trying hard to quell the rage in her heart.

Claudien looked up, seeming cross from her interrogation. “I'm not his keeper. Y'zel comes and goes as he sees fit. As for your missing people, what makes you think he has anything to do with it? All you have is coincidences.”

“He has already admitted to such by reclaiming his publications. Thou art wilfully blind to the situation at hand,” Urianger added.

She huffed, glancing over to Claudien’s cabinet, squinting at The Heart of Sabik before whipping her head back toward the professor. “It’s as Urianger says. Y’zel knows he’s responsible for this situation, and I’m inclined to believe fully responsible for the kidnappings or otherwise involved the way he’s been fleeing from capture.”

Claudien stared off for a moment, closing his eyes as he seemed to get lost in thought. Her patience was waning, anger only pacified by Urianger looming about him. Claudien soon shook his head and let out a sigh. “I’m sorry. I truly do not know where he has gone nor can think of anywhere you haven’t already looked. His sister has been in correspondence with me as well and seeks him out too. I’m inclined to believe you’ve checked his cabin in Coerthas in your search as well as among his family. I’m sorry your search has led you here; however, as stated, I am not his keeper. As much as I’d like to have him by my side, there are times when he pursues his own endeavors and as I understand it, neither of you are ones to divulge your plans to those closest to yourselves either. Now, if you’ll excuse me, a colleague has an appointment and I’ve kept her waiting long enough.”

She winced, Claudien hitting a particular nerve. Frustrated, she turned and made her leave with Urainger, near flinging open the professor’s door. Outside, a Roegadyn woman sat idly reading, not bothering to look up as they passed. Behind them, she heard Claudien say, “I’m sorry for your wait Patient. You had something you wished to discuss?”

Natsu took in a breath as she came to, finding herself with her head against Thancred’s chest as he held her upright. “It’s her. She was the one I saw in the village…and I saw that stone again…”

“Stone? What stone,” Thancred asked, letting go of Natsu.

“The Heart of Sabik. I think it could be important. When I had touched Claudien, I’d seen it then too,” she said, watching as everyone’s face turned pale, “Did I say something wrong?”

The room stayed quiet for a moment, everyone staring before Fuyu’li shook his head, “Are you certain? Natsu, that is a very dangerous piece of auracite. It is the very same stone that had leveled a good part of Eorzea and has been responsible for many catastrophes throughout the history of the world.”

“It feeds off ambition…if Patient Heaven has it and is using it for her own ends then we’re facing an imminent disaster,” Thancred breathed out.

“It was left with Claudien recently. I’m sure he has put it somewhere safe,” Jannie assured Thancred.

“Um,” Natsu said, interjecting, “Well, it was in his office. Y’zel was playing with it at one point. It was in a cabinet and still there when you had visited. Maybe-”

“It’s gone,” Claudien’s voice called out from the doorway, the man out of breath, “I went to check on it, and it was removed from my cabinet!”

[yzeltia]

Closer to You

Chapter 7 Characters: Natsu Obinata, L'lolamo Lolomori(Hydaelyn), Fuyu'li cen Zwhan, Keith Summers, Carter Summers, @driftward 's Nyx Blackmoon, @mintibunny 's Minti Chocolate, X'ruhn Tia Rating: T for inTerogation Notes: Thank you @driftward for the mechanics pass

After climbing out of the waters of The Clutch, the party made the trek to Blackbrush Station, wet and sore from battle. X’ruhn said his goodbyes to Natsu before heading off with L’lolamo and Nyx to the Forgotten Springs to appraise the village on what had happened. This left the Summers brothers and Minti to watch over Fuyu’li, awaiting Natsu to interrogate him. As the Auri girl approached the inn where her friend was being held, she heard Carter’s voice from outside, “JUST TELL US WHERE THEY ARE!” Hurrying inside, Natsu found Minti and Keith quietly drinking tea outside the bedroom where Carter and Fuyu’li were, the latter still looking a bit shaken from falling off the train and into the waters. Worried that the Hyur might take his anger out on Fuyu’li, Natsu pushed into the bedroom, finding her friend bound to a chair with a dark specter firmly holding him down by shoulders while Carter leaned into his face while Jannie leaned up against the wall and watched quietly.

“Is all this necessary,” Natsu asked cautiously, only to have Carter whip his head angrily toward her.

“He’s kidnapped my fiance and at least two others. He’s lucky he has information I want, otherwise I’d have tossed a stone on him and left him in the reservoir to his fate.”

Fuyu’li audibly gulped at the passive threat before thrashing his tail and struggling. “I will not apologize for acting on my master’s orders! I would gladly bear the weight if it meant finding his sister!”

Natsu pinched the scales on the bridge of her nose, shaking her head as she let out a deep sigh then knelt down in front of the Miqo’te. “Fuyu, as I said on the train: What sense would it make for your master to have traveled all the way to Eorzea? Let alone kidnap strangers?”

Carter huffed, crossing his arms as he impatiently glowered down at Fuyu’li, making the Garlean cowered under his gaze. His tail flicked a bit as he opened his mouth to answer a few times but not finding the words before interrupted as Jannie let out an audible: “Hmm.”

“You got something you add,” Carter asked, turning toward Jannie.

“Perhaps,” the Elezen mused before pushing off the wall to search Fuyu’li’s face, “This master of yours. Is he an Auri boy with a pale complexion and crimson eyes?”

The Miqo’te perked up, eyes wide as he nodded, “You know my master then?”

“Varshahn? Of Radz-at-Han,” Jannie asked.

“Yes! You do know him! Please tell them that my master is kind and benevolent and would not dare hurt his captives! We just want to get back his dear sister!”

“He’s definitely been played the fool here,” Jannie said, not addressing the mewling miqo’te as he excitedly looked to have himself and master exonerated, only to have his head, tail, and ears hang limp.

“Yes, I suspected as much. His encounter fits the pattern of our experience with the imposter,” Natsu said, arms crossing.

“I know what the young master looks like! And how he talks! There is no one more important to me and you think I would not know his face and voice,” Fuyu’li protested.

“That’s exactly the caveat of dealing with the Imposter. They look and sound like the person you care for the most,” Natsu sighed.

“I take it that you separated from Varshahn some time before the events of the Final Days. Your young master has been recently reunited with his sister through the efforts of one of the very people you helped to abduct,” Jannie said softly.

Fuyu’li sat still a moment, looking straight ahead before down at his feet. “I don’t understand…I was on a mission…He said that I was helping him…How could that be true?”

“Someone manipulated you in the cruelest of ways and you believed them because it is hard to see what the heart shields you from,” Jannie said knowingly before tilting the other’s chin up with her finger, “Now, tell us what you did for who you thought was your master and what their intentions are, otherwise, this very angry young man is going to understandably lash out at you for robbing him of his most precious person.”

Natsu watched as Fuyu’li winced then looked up into Jannie’s eyes. For a moment he seemed to struggle again with his words before giving a relenting nod as he sat back. “My young master approached me when Natsu and I were in Ul’dah. He wished to use my knowledge of computers and Garlean resources to help him acquire a means to achieving his goal of finding his sister.”

Fuyu’li furrowed his brow then closed his eyes, ignoring the impatient huffing of Carter as he continued his story, “Looking back I could have volunteered some information about my master, but he seemed to know so much about me and my past…Anyroad, he asked me to help him seek out those who have the blessings of the Echo as before the fall of the Empire I was apart of the Resonance project. I studied those with the Echo deeply and did…unspeakable things to learn about them in the name of the Empire.”

“Enough of this. I don't care to hear some Garlean filth try for sympathy. I want to know where Hayzel is now or I'll,” Carter started, only to be silenced as Jannie reached over to press her finger against his lips.

“Continue,” Jannie said.

Fuyu'li flicked his tail, putting it into his lap to wring as he avoided everyone's gaze, “I wanted to…make up for that. My master saved me when I had been tossed into the sea for dead. I wanted to help people, and most importantly the one who showed me kindness when I didn't deserve it. So when he asked me to use my knowledge of the Echo to help, I jumped at the chance. It was mostly interviews, to see if there were those who had abilities beyond just peering into the past. I met Miss Jinba who could see the future and then Hayzel who could bring about the manifestation of dreams.

“When my master learned of them he took an interest, and brought them to me. He wanted their assistance in helping him find his sister. I promise they're being cared for in the most luxurious manner we could provide!”

Carter scoffed then grabbed the hilt of his sword. Fretting, Natsu moved between him and Fuyu’li, “And what about Leon? Did you do that Fuyu’li? At the Gage Acquisition Headquarters?”

Fuyu'li shook his head, “I don't know a Leon. I tried to hack into their database given their reputation of housing Echo users; however, the system was locked out during my attempts to access it and my master said that he would investigate there themselves.”

Natsu let out a sigh of relief, happy to hear he was ignorant of the murder. Moreso, she remembered that the others had been upset about Y’zel seemingly activating a fail safe due from tampering with the login information. She wondered if he somehow knew that they'd be targeted.

“And I suppose you took Violet for her ability to commune with the lifestream,” Jannie asked.

“Yes,” Fuyu'li answered.

“And where have you taken them,” the Elezen woman asked, shifting to stand beside Natsu, weary of Carter's vengeful intentions.

“Roaming. We made use of the rail systems left behind during the Garlean occupancy. They could be anywhere between the ruins of Carteneu and Gyr Abania,” Fuyu'li answered weakly.

“So nearly half of Eorzea. You better have something more than that,” Carter growled.

“Sadly I do not…,” Fuyu'li said before letting out a cry as the shadow sank sharp claws into his shoulders.

“Mr. Summers, while it is a crime to apprehend another against their will, it is not one punishable by death; however, in Thanlan, murdering someone is. As it stands Fuyu'li is the only one who has any insight into the whereabouts of our friends and loved ones. Maybe it'd be best if you moved on to scout Mor Dohna to see if you can find a lead on train sightings. I'm sure Miss Rowena will have had her people watching what has been coming and going.”

Carter stared then grunted, turning his attention to Natsu. “You're pursuing this right? If he gives you anything useful you better linkpearl my brother.”

Natsu simply nodded, letting Carter storm out to fetch his brother and Minti. Exhaling, she looked back to Fuyu'li, “You're going to make this right or I might very well let him do as he pleases. I can't believe you could fall for such a thing!”

“You just don't understand what my young master means to me,” Fuyu'li pouted.

Natsu frowned then hugged herself, unable to forgive her friend. Jannie sighed then gently collapsed her hand on the girl's shoulder. “I will see about getting us something to eat. Do not leave. I will find you.”

Fuyu'li gulped, having not had words land with such fear in his stomach since his mother scolded him as a boy. He turned to Natsu who refused to face him. “I'm…sorry.”

“You should be.”

“I know.”

“You abandoned me.”

“I know.”

“I've been…so lonely.”

Fuyu'li’s ears dropped as Natsu started to rub her eyes. He could do little more than apologetically stare up at her and wait for her to compose herself. Sniffling, Natsu looked at him then turned away again. 

“There was another that was kidnapped. Patient Heaven from Old Sharlayan. A Roegadayn woman.”

Fuyu'li tilted his head, “That name doesn't sound familiar. The only three we enlisted…er…are the three I disclosed.”

Natsu turned, “Are you certain? She was among the first to have been reported missing and did not turn up after.”

“No. I have a pretty good memory. I don't remember anyone like that. We never left the main continent.”

Natsu started a moment, her friend's genuinely confused face assuring her of his ignorance of the matter. Jannie soon returned with bowls of stew on a tray, raising her brow at the girl as she looked up. “Did you get something useful out of him?”

“I think so. We should make for Old Sharlayan and find out more about the first abduction.”

“Alright then. And him?”

Natsu sighed, “If I don’t keep an eye on him I’m afraid he’ll just find a way to get into trouble.”

“What? I am perfectly capable of-” “Do I need to remind you who helped you out on our visit to Costa De Sol,” Natsu snapped, not turning back as he cowered.

“Ah…but I should return to my master-”

“Not until we clean up the mess you made!”

Jannie sighed, putting the tray aside and helping herself to her bowl of soup while watching the two, unable to avoid thinking that the two fighting reminded her a bit of Violet and U’rahn. 

[yzeltia]

Closer to You

Chapter 6 Characters: Natsu Obinata, L'lolamo Lolomori(Hydaelyn), Fuyu'li cen Zwhan, Keith Summers, Carter Summers, @driftward 's Nyx Blackmoon, @mintibunny 's Minti Chocolate, X'ruhn Tia Rating: T for combaT Notes: Thank you @driftward for the mechanics past as always and @mintibunny for writing lines and actions for Miss Chocolate! Battle Theme: Noruniru by Yakushimaru Etsuko

Natsu pushed through the caboose door with L’lolamo onto the large platform that separated them from the cart where Fuyu’li had gone into. As they exited, Nyx hopped down beside them followed by Jannie, Minti Chocolate, Keith Summers, a gruff looking Hyur man carrying a black claymore, and a blond scruffy Miqo’te in a red hat.

“Teacher!” Natsu exclaimed before stepping forward to be embraced by X’ruhn Tia.

“I heard your call and enlisted my support. How can I help?” The Auri girl nodded gratefully to her teacher while L’lolamo quickly greeted them each by name, earning confused looks from the latter half of the group. L’lolamo stopping in front of Nyx, let her eyes widen then she threw her arms around her. “And of course you must be Nyx! Rrrahn has told me so much about you I feel like I know you alrrready. I mean, in a way I have always known you, a piece of you…you know, I’m not sure, but I know your soul and I am happy to have you as my future …daughter? Child-in-law does not sound quite right.” Nyx stood motionless, gaze ahead across to the other cart while the gruff Hyur crossed his arms and blew his bangs from his face. “So then. Nyx said you found a lead on Hazel,” he asked Natsu 

“A strong connection. My friend Fuyu’li, he took Violet! He's being controlled by the imposter,” Natsu explained.

“Right then,” the man said before marching forward, pulling his dark Claymore off his back. 

“Wait! I don't want to hurt him. He's being tricked,” Natsu protested, following after him while Minti and Keith followed behind.

“You getting any bad vibes,” X’ruhn asked Nyx, as she stared ahead with L’lolamo hanging on her.

“Many, X-Ruhn. Carter Summers is walking himself into a trap.”

“And you aren't going to stop him?” the Tia asked.

Nyx didn't answer, instead letting Jannie hurry ahead to call out to them, “Not another step forward.”

While the others listened, Carter ignored the warning before flitting his attention to the back top corners of the cart, flinging up his large sword to deflect two repelling blasts from fixed turrets. Stepping forward, Nyx raised her hand and sent her nouliths out to neutralize the defense while the rest prepped their weaponry as the top of the cart opened and Fuyu'li rose up from it atop his magitech vehicle.

Natsu pushed past the others, coming forward to look up her friend. “Fuyu'li! Please! You're being tricked! Give us back Violet and talk to me!”

Fuyu'li shook his head, ears folding back, “Just leave us Natsu! Nothing will stop me from seeing my master's dream come true!”

Natsu shook her head, “That's not your Master! Do you really think he'd want you kidnapping people for him!? Even if he did, why would you? Come down here now!”

“He asked me for this! He asked me for the sake of his sister! If that means I must take people unwilling to help then I will because I have the power to do so! I have the power to make his dream come true! You just don't understand because there's no one in this world that is precious to you except a father that you've never known and never will!”

Natsu tensed up, recoiling a bit at the other's words as he started to hit buttons on his console. The girl balled her fist around her rapier, looking down at her feet for a moment before sharply returning her attention to the Garlean, hand rising to let her focus flourish in the air.  “If you won't listen to me, then I'm just going to have to drag you out of that stupid machine by the ear and make you!”

With that she flung her focus higher, X'ruhn 's spinning above to join hers before they sent out a jolt of red aether at Fuyu'li. The magitech brought its arms up to shield itself from the blast before flying forward to charge the two mages, only to be rebuffed as Carter and Jannie plunged forward to block the path. From the open cart, small drones poured out and perched themselves on the sides of the platform rails and began to whirr as they charged up.

“Uh. Those little guys are gonna be a problem here in a second,” Keith yelled out, rushing in to pounce on the front of the mech and try to get a punch on the Miqo'te pilot.

“Power is limited so they will charge and fire separately. Analyze their behavior yourself to avoid unnecessary damage. Chocolate, please be on standby in case the brothers lack pattern recognition,” Nyx stated.

“HEY,” Carter and Keith shouted back before the latter was repelled by Fuyu'li with a blast, sending him scooting across the platform toward the caboose to Minti and Nyx’s feet.

Minti sighed then frowned in thought, raising her cane to soothe his injuries before stepping over him. With her cane held high, she tapped the ground with the butt of it.Every stray spore caught on the platform suddenly started to sprout out from her before, mushrooms blooming about as they pulled whatever life was left from the wooden boards under them.Soon a large purple aetheric bell moral formed and started to sway, singing a somber deep tone that resonated aether around her allies in little pulses of white light. “Have care, Summers. Watch your footing,” Minti cautioned, “Fall off the side of the train, and I get to tell Raha how you’re not coming back to him.”

Keith offered a little thumbs up from the ground, still a bit winded from the blast despite the ambient healing aether sounding out about him before being flung to the right as the group avoided the first round of blasts from the charged turrets. Ahead, the mech pushed back Jannie and Carter then swung two large laser swords down upon them while Natsu and X’ruhn pelted the mech from behind. Front open, L’lolamo flew forward and started to slice away at the front console with two swords quickly increasing in her speed as the metal streaked bright orange from the sheer heat and speed off the cuts. Frustrated, Fuyu’li smacked a button, opening the chest piece to let it give off a loud whine as it charged up it’s beam. Poised to fire, L’lolamo shielded her self with her arms and waited. As she flinched, she found herself in an aetheric box, sustained by Nyx’s nouliths before being pulled back to safety in it.

“I was about to finish him off,” L’lolamo protested toward Nyx as the blast reflected off her safety prism.

“Incorrect,” Nyx responded before releasing the woman as soon as the threat stopped, quickly moving to the left with the group as a second salvo of the turrets went off. 

The platform soon let out a strained groan before the sound of metal popping echoed around them. The barrier on the right soon fell off, being quickly left behind by the chugging train. Soon after Fuyu'li rose into the air and away from the platform.

“Tunnel,” Keith called out before the party found themselves in a lantern lit cave.

“Let's see if we can get into the cart,” Carter huffed before stumbling back as two large spriggan on large glowing crystals dropped down blocking his path.

“For swives sake,” the Hyur cursed before drawing his sword up to block one of the creature's attacks.

“Stop complaining and separate them. Everyone split up,” Jannie ordered before firing off a cold beam of dark blue aether to grab the unfended one’s attention.

Minti and Keith hurried to Carter's side as the order was given, Natsu following close behind while the rest went with Jannie. Soon the large crystals under the Spriggan started crackling with electric aether before attempting to blast both parties. Natsu flinched as she braced for the attack only to feel the thunder boom through her horns without harming her. Looking up, she found a dark aura radiating about Carter and extending over herself, Minti, and Keith. Across from them the other's seemed to be shielded by Jannie’s own deep blue one. The Spriggan’s stones going dark, the two knights repelled the creatures and began to hack at them to keep them at bay so the others could move.

“An ambush is likely. We must disengage the spriggan before the end of the tunnel or we will likely perish,” Nyx said to the group.

Natsu and X’ruhn nodded then looked to one another before channeling their aether again. An explosion of wind and lightning soon billowed forth from them into a maelstrom, shocking and slinging wind blown rocks at the two creatures before exploding into a bunch of red sprite lighting. The platform shook as the two spent crystals fell onto the platform, the spriggan falling off them to roll off the edges.  Light soon flooded over the group as the train ran out of the tunnel and onto a bridge that overlooked a ravine. 

Fuyu'li was almost immediately upon them at their side  “Your pursuit ends here,” he called out before slamming his fist on the console.

“Get to cover,” Minti called out, throwing her cane across her back before pulling Natsu and Keith behind a crystal as a barrage of missiles blasted into the train. 

Once the smoke cleared, Natsu looked up, finding their barrier cracking. Panicked, she pushed Minti forward to safety with the others, letting Keith get dragged with her before she tried scrambling to get out of the way as another set of missiles flew toward them. Natsu's eyes widened as she looked out toward the barrage heading her way only to feel herself aetherically pulled into Minti’s arms.

“Gotcha,” Minti sang as the farther crystal exploded and was swept off the platform while the one beside them simply crumbled.

“Thank you,” Natsu said, getting to her feet.

“The ammunition for that model has been depleted. His swords and charged beams remain a threat,” Nyx informed the group, “Falling off the platform remains a risk.. Limited movement is suggested.”

A groan sounded out as the group waited for Fuyu'li’a attack. Ahead of them, Carter laid prone holding his shoulder. With a flick of their wrists, Nyx sent their nouliths to administer aid while maintaining a barrier about him.

“Just take him out already,” Carter yelled out to the others before being blocked off as Fuyu'li landed between them, extending his swords from the mech.

“Right! Let's give him everything we got,” X’ruhn said, “Jannie! Natsu! With me!”

Together, the three sped forward, Jannie taking the center to block the magitek’s swinging blades as the two red mages made their careful swipes in unison before pulling back to raise their focus’s high, Natsu channeling an unrelenting pillar of dark magic while X’ruhn did the same with light. Together, they whipped their swords to cross one another, letting them grow red before pooling their aether to send out a blinding beam of aetheric roses into Fuyu'li, knocking him back into cart ahead. 

“This isn't over,” Fuyu’li cried out, letting the front carapace fly open to charge up another beam.

“Our turn, Minti! Send it high,” Keith laughed before taking a few steps then jumping into the air.

“With pleasure,” Minti called out, sending a large rock from her staff into the air after him.

Grinning, Keith caught the rock then spun in the air before raising it high and twisting himself to kick it into Fuyu'li’s canon, knocking it out before landing down beside Minti. He popped to his feet soon after,  giving his friend a little high-five before turning to Nyx with his hand raised only to have their hand quickly slap her palm over his, not averting their attention from Carter’s shield. In a flash, L’lolamo was upon Fuyu’li, striking at the the protective armor in a near blur of speed before slicing open what held him to let him stumble out. Huffing, the Keeper stood up, wiping a bit of blood off the corner of his mouth before pulling out his gunblade to fire off into the cart ahead of them a few times, trying to break the coupler. “Oh no you don’t,” Natsu called out, closing in on Fuyu’li to swipe at him. Their blades soon clashed, the two friends pushing into one another back and forth, “Enough is enough! I won’t let you take any more people! You need to listen to me,” Natsu shouted. “I can’t! My master means everything to me! I will lay my life down for him! I will do his bidding until- OW! Ow ow ow! Natsu, let go,” Fuyu’li whined out as the girl quickly reached in to tug at his ears, letting his gunblade drop to the ground. “What the hells is wrong with you!? Why would your master have come out here after sending you in the first place! And kidnapping people!? Did you think for a moment that his requests were unreasonable for a young boy,” Natsu yelled, scolding Fuyu’li loudly in a huff.

“Uh…is that really Natsu,” Keith whispered to Minti, getting a confused shrug.

“I-I thought it strange! N-Natsu let go!”

“NO! Not until you come to your senses! You’ve been made a fool and have upset a lot of people because of it,” Natsu continued before stumbling forward into her friend as the platform suddenly started to grind on the rails. Ahead, the cart had loosened from the coupler and was had started to speed off ahead of them while they slowed and started to wobble. Soon, screams sounded out through Central Thanalan, before nine splashes followed by a loud crash a bit farther down the tracks.

[yzeltia]

Closer to You

Chapter 10 Characters: Natsu Obinata, Fuyu'li cen Zwhan, Claudien, Jannie Eyradoux, Urianger Augrulet, Thancred Waters, Patient Heaven, Keith Summers, Carter Summers, @mintibunny 's Minti Chocolate Rating: T for Teen Notes: Thank you @driftward for the mechanics pass and @mintibunny for blorbo sharing

Natsu clung to Fuyu'li as they hit a sharp turn. Within a bell of Claudien's announcement, they'd awayed to Gridania and boarded a small railcar near Baelsar’s Wall. Claudien seemed to have made a device to track auracite, and with Fuyu'li's help they'd found the strongest signals east along Abalathia’s Spine. As promised, the Summers brothers and Minti had been called to meet them. Once assembled, the auracite had started to shift west, toward Mor Dohna and passing onwards toward the west before the tracker shorted out from getting too close to Silvetear Lake.

“These parts of the railway are old, there's no way for her to escape us now beyond leaving the tracks. When she turns around at the ruined station in Carteneau, she'll be routed back into us,” Fuyu'li explained, holding tightly to a bar as they sped along, jerking at every turn.

“Then we'll see her cornered and take care of this madness before she figures out a way to damn us all,” Thancred growled.

“For your sake, our friends better be there,” Carter gruffed from behind.

Fuyu'li gulped only to have Natsu gently tug on the stringed balls on his coat. “It'll be okay. I don't think she's hurt them,” Natsu assured him.

“How can you be so sure? While we did provide amenities…ignorant of her ultimate plan I cannot be sure what her endgame was. As my master, she said she wished to use their Echo as a means to find a way to his sister. Obviously the veracity of that is now brought to light and with the information she gained from my knowledge of resonance…,” Fuyu’li said before shaking his head, “She's already killed someone too, right?”

Natsu frowned, “Yes…I had nearly forgotten and yet something feels off about that too. I cannot place the feeling though.”

Fuyu'li’s ears flattened, unconvinced by her words. Suddenly the railcar lurched and started to screech as the brakes engaged. He held Natsu tighter as she covered her horns and winced in pain from the shrill sound of metal against metal.

“We've made it to the train yard…she must be here,” Thancred said, yanking open the door to let them hop out.

The group cautiously advanced forward into the abandoned plaza. It was mostly ruined, trains turned over off their rails, some buried in the station itself. Only one portal remained unblemished and seemed to hold a functioning model.

“On your guard,” Thancred warned, advancing ahead.

“Wait, look,” Fuyu'li said, grabbing the man's shoulder as he pointed out three black chambers with windows on the front.

Each one held one of the missing people inside, breath fogging the glass as a promise of life.  Carter spotting Hayzel quickly advanced forward, pulling his blade from his back before charging to liberate them. A mechanical whir suddenly sounded out, one of the nearby trains charged to life. As a puff of scolding steam blew out toward Carter, he found himself yanked back toward the group and to Minti's side by a dark aura. Carter dropped his sword, cursing as he held his wrist, hand burned from the bit of steam that had hit him.

“Now now. That won't do,” a voice scolded, echoing through the train yard.

Everyone drew their weapons, readying for an attack while Jannie pulled Carter aside to try healing his hand. Stepping forward, Fuyu'li cleared his throat, “Ma’am, your ruse has ended. Return to us the Echo users and perhaps we will be shown leniency in light of our crimes!”

An amused laugh sounded out then stopped abruptly. “Very few of us here have made it to us without having done something awful on the way. Thancred Waters who let himself be taken over by an Ascian and unwittingly aided Gaius van Baelsar then caused such devastation to Northern Thanalan that it might never be repaired. Urianger Augurelt, ever duplicitous, though so far always for the greater good. You Fuyu'li cen Zhwan, how many people were tested to their mortal limits because of the research you helped procure for the sake of the empire? A Warrior of Light who has struck down so many lives. Two sons of Gyr Abanian nobility who slept in warm beds and had their pockets lined with gold while their countrymen fought and died in their place. And I'm sure the hands of two pawns of Gage Acquisitions haven't been left unstained by that organization. No one here is without sin!”

“Fuck you,” Carter roared, pulling away from Jannie only to be knocked back by his big brother. 

“Whatever we've done…we will one day answer to the Traders for. I might not understand a lot of what you're doing here, but I know at the end of it you won't be no god. You've got no right trying to bring everyone down to justify what you've done,” Keith huffed out.

Soon he froze, G'raha dropping down into the middle of the yard. Standing upright, the Miqo'te held a knife to his own throat, looking as if he was in tears. “Please! Just drop your weapons and go or she'll make me move my arm!”

Keith took a step back, loosing his plated knuckles. And yet he wasn't alone, everyone besides Natsu and Thancred abandoning their weapons in shock. “I'm wise to your tricks! You're not Ryne! There's no possible way,” Thancred shouted before finding Natsu launching forward past him. “Seven Hells Natsu! Don't engage her!

“I’m the only one who can see her as she is,” Natsu called back as everyone scrambled for their weapons.

Patient raised a brow as the rapier met her knife, then frowned as she used her strength to push her back. “You poor thing. You see me as I am? Have you truly never felt love in your heart for anyone?”

Natsu swiped at the woman with her rapier, only having each blow blocked, “I don’t see what that has to do with anything! And you! What would your sons say if they could see you now? Didn’t you love them? Is this what they would want? Hurting people? And for what?”

Patient glowered then pushed Natsu away as the rest advanced toward her. “This,” was all Natsu heard before being blinded by a bright red light.

[yzeltia]

Au Ra August N.21 Melody

"My Empire 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land of the Emperor's pride, land where all can reside, from every mountainside, Garleans do sing!"

"...Perhaps a different song...Before they throw you into the sea."

[yzeltia]

Closer to You

Chapter 17 Characters: Natsu Obinata, Fuyu'li cen Zwhan, @driftward 's Zoissette Vauban, Y'shtola Rhul, Y'zel Tia, Claudien Rating: T for Teen Notes: Thank you @driftward for the mechanics pass

“Uhm, well…That is indeed rather concerning.”

Natsu hung her head, hoping Zoissette would have a better idea of where Y'zel could be. Realizing that the Heart of Sabik was in Y'zel's possession, dealing with Patient Heaven was put on the back burner. The woman accepted a sort of house arrest within Gage Acquisitions leaving Natsu and Fuyu'li to pursue Y'zel's closest friends and family with Claudien in hopes there had been a sighting.

“It's more than that. Leon said we had to stop him! He's going to do something with that auracite. Something bad,” Natsu said, trying her best not to yell.

“Yes, we gleaned that, Natsu,” Y'shtola hummed, carefully using a cloth to polish Zoissette's glasses for her. “Yet there is little to be done until we know where he is. The last time he lost someone close to him he put himself in such a state of dissociation he ended up in Othard.”

Finished wiping the glasses, Y'shtola handed them back to Zoissette. “Thank you,” she responded softly before looking at Natsu. “Well, there is a pattern here. The mere thought of losing Claudien had him in a near state of panic up until we rescued him. And then how he reacted during my brush with, uhm… non-existence.”

“His mother, then father, adoptive father, Ysayle, U’noloh, now Leonnioux. He’s had more than the lion’s share of loss. It’s understandable that his anxiety flies higher than most,” Claudien said softly. “I hadn’t realized he’d been so worked up over my disappearance, though it does explain why he became so clingy afterward only to latch on to Ser Vauban after their ordeal.”

“I believeThancred was pursuing him?” Zoissette asked.

“Yes and No. He thought he had something to do with Patient Heaven, but once that settled he found himself needing to attend to more pressing matters with cross-sea relations. He said something about Y’zel not being as much of a threat and that ‘Gage’s People’ would more than suffice,” Fuyu’li said, crossing his arms.

“Really, he might as well have stolen a paperweight,” Y’shtola echoed, pursing her lips. “What could he possibly do with it? I don’t see him as the type to weaponize it and I doubt his aspirations are to deify himself.”

“Oh,” Claudien sounded out, swallowing nervously after before clutching his head in pain.

“Oh?” Y’shtola repeated.

Claudien didn’t respond, wincing and shaking his head as he stumbled back. Natsu frowned, reaching over to hold his arm so that he might steady himself. “I think…I think he’s having an Echo,” she said, curiosity taking hold as she slipped her glove free to take his hand.

“My place is at Erichtonius’s side.”

Natsu looked around a bit in the haze. A pink-haired young man with white freckles sharply looked away from a white-haired woman in white robes and another blue-haired woman in black. The latter stepped forward, shaking her head and saying “Brother, please. The Convocation is wrong in their thinking. We must stand with Venat and stop Zodiark.”

“Lly, I know…but I love him too much and he will stand with his father. My fate is chained to his,” the pink-haired man said. “I’m sorry, Venat. You must choose another.”

“I understand,” the white-haired woman answered, gently placing her hand on the other’s shoulder.

Natsu shivered as they faded away, finding herself among gilded clouds and beautiful domed pavilions. Her brother squirmed a bit, surrounded by women who radiated celestial energy. Even in the Echo, she felt an overwhelming sense of awe in the presence of a handful of The Twelve. The Matron seemed to have a hold on him, hugging him tightly to her while The Lover stroked over his ears.

“How fitting! Praxithius was always fond of feline creations. It is a shame Llymlaen has yet to join us,” the Fury mused.

Y’zel folded his ears, flushing a bit as he was doted on before dropping free of Nophica’s embrace. “I apologize. I only have fleeting memories through my Echo, but I do…feel that connection.”

“Of course you do! You more than anyone should know how love connects us all. No matter how much time and space is put between us, the heart knows,” Mephina sang.

Y’zel nodded, “I suppose it does.”

Nymeia floated over, looking sharply down toward Y’zel. “There is something we should discuss. About what happens when we achieve our goals here. I trust you can keep a secret from your comrades?”

“If I must…”

“Then let us discuss the pending vacancy of Omphalos…” Nymeia trailed.

The world faded from Natsu’s view and soon she found herself standing behind her brother as he faced out into an endless blue void that glitter with crystals. He held his hand up, looking at The Heart of Sabik. “This sea continues to try and swallow everything I hold dear. Venat, this world you left us is terribly unfair and cruel. To live, to die…to know. If it will be my duty to suffer the hopes and despairs of others…then I will see this world changed for the better. I will reweave it-”

[yzeltia]

Closer to You

Chapter 11 Characters: Natsu Obinata, @ladyofvoss 's Thalia Voss, Raiden Obinata, Y'zel Tia, Claudien, Fuyu'li cen Zwhan, Leonnioux Ouraux, Patient Heaven, Hayzel Summers(Hypnos), Rating: T for Teen Notes: Thank you @driftward for the mechanics pass and @ladyofvoss for Our Golden Timeline. Sorry sprout, you can read this someday! Dialogue borrowed from Penguindrum! The next few chapters will heavily reference Night on the Galactic Railroad by Kenji Miyazawa (though I've had a few allusions along the way).

“Natsu….Natsu…Natsu Obinata!”

A groan escaped Natsu as she stirred awake, her mother looking over her. Yawning, she sat up and stretched before furrowing her brow. “What!? I'm up,” she huffed, watching as the blue-haired Hyur moved out of the room.

“Now you are! You can’t be sleeping all day. Get downstairs and get ready for breakfast,” the woman yelled as she descended to the lower level of their apartment.

Natsu groaned, slipping from her sheets to wash up in her basin before tugging on some pajama bottoms to join her family downstairs. Her father was already at the table, morning coffee steaming in front of him as he flipped through paper. “Thalia, did I remember to pay the water bill? Adeledji is calling to double the late fees during the drought.”

“I remembered,” Thalia answered, handing Natsu some plates to set out.

Natsu tossed her hair a bit, noticing a particular absence from the table. “I don’t understand why Y’zel gets to sleep in and I don’t,” she said, aggressively setting the plates out around the table before rolling her eyes as she set a fifth plate.

“When you’re grown-,” Thalia started before hearing the clamor of footsteps hurrying downstairs followed by Y’zel yawning loudly and noisily pulling his chair with a big yawn.

“Anyroad, I’d like to keep my darling son in his room as much as possible before he abandons his poor mother to go out to the Hinterlands,” Thalia said while setting out a pan of bacon on the table.

Y’zel folded his ears back and avoided eye contact as their mom laid on the dramatics. “Anyroad, I would have let you sleep in, but didn't you have plans with your little alchemist friend? Is he ever going to properly ask you out?” Thalia said, dropping a loaf of bread and knife in front of Raiden for him to cut for them.

Natsu cringed then shook her head, “Fuyu’li? He’s just a friend. If Y’zel didn’t have half the men over 6 fulms rotating through his room I’m sure he’d have found someone by now…Though I think he still fancies his long distance gentleman.”

“Y’know, if I was a Nuhn, no one would balk at me having two girlfriends,” Y’zel grumbled. 

A brief silence fell over the table before the family burst out laughing. The Miqo'te’s ears sunk back, huffing as the other three tried to catch their breaths. Wiping her eye, Thalia shook her head, “I'm sorry sweety. I'm sure you'd make a fine Nuhn.”

Y'zel scoffed a bit then flitted his ears up and turned as the door opened up behind them. Striding in, Claudien waved to the family. “Good morning Obinata-Vosses,” he said, giving Thalia a little kiss on the cheek before sitting down beside Y'zel, doing the same to him as Natsu rolled her eyes.

“Help yourself, Claudien. Y'zel was just telling us about his Nuhn aspirations,” Raiden chuckled.

Claudien chuckled then pretended to cough as Y'zel turned to glare at him. “I was not. I was just making a point it's not uncommon for Miqo'te to have multiple partners,” the latter huffed, hand reaching out at the same time as his sister's for bacon.

Both siblings glared at one another, only to have their hands get little taps from their mother’s wooden spoon, Thalia taking it on herself to distribute the bacon, ensuring Raiden got a few extra slices. “Can’t you two get along for one meal?”

“She started it,” Y’zel pointed out.

“Of course the favorite is innocent,” Natsu shot back.

“Enough,” Raiden said sternly, making the siblings recoil.

“I’m sorry, Claudien. Our mornings are rather eventful. Even moreso when Leonnioux isn’t resting from his late nights bartending at the Quicksand.” Claudien watched on quietly, over buttering a piece of toast before folding a piece of bacon in it. “It’s quite alright. I was an only child, and so meals here are rather enriching. I’m sure you’ll miss it when I return to Idyllshire with Y’zel.”

“I don’t see why I can’t go work for Uncle Asa too. I might not be Sharlayan educated, but I learned plenty from Master X’ruhn and graduated with just as many honors as Y’zel. We could work together for the restoration,” Natsu said, mimicking Claudien’s sandwich making.

“Claudien and Y’zel grew up there. They’re familiar with the territory and dangers present. Besides, we need you here and Leonnioux will want company with your brother so far away,” Raiden said, handing the newspaper over to Claudien.

“And it will give us more time together. Maybe the aunties can come visit and we��ll have a super majority of the house for once,” Thalia said before taking a seat next to her husband, near instantly getting her hand pulled in by him.

“That would be fun,” Natsu mused, before brushing crumbs off her face. “Speaking of fun, I do need to meet up with Fuyu’li. He wants to make plans to take a trip to the Golden Saucer over the weekend.”

“How fun,” Thalia hummed, getting a kiss on the cheek from her daughter.

“How much is it going to cost me this time,” Raiden said wryly, tilting his head to get a peck of his own.

Claudien tilted his head a bit, looking to the ceiling as he mumbled to himself before looking to Y’zel. “You know, I have a theory about the payouts on some of the machines. I think a little outing would be fun before we headed off to the Hinterlands,” he said before catching a reproachful look from Natsu, “Or perhaps we can find a spot of our own.”

Natsu nodded in approval at the change in plans, then hurried upstairs to dress, getting dressed quickly before hurrying downstairs. Stopping at a mirror by the door, she brushed her bare hands through her hair to ensure it wasn’t too out of place before heading outside to their stoop.

“Like I said! The apple is the universe itself! A universe in the palm of your hand. It’s what connects this world with the other world,” a voice sounded out. 

Natsu blinked as two Roegadyn boys passed in front of her before stopping, the older looking one walking backwards with his arms behind his head.

“The other world,” the younger one asked.

“The world where Campenella and other passengers are heading to,” the elder said, becoming exasperated.

“What does an apple have to do with anything though?”

“The apple is a reward for those who have chosen love over everything else,” the elder brother said, waving his arms.

“But everything is over when you’re dead…”

“It’s not over! That’s where everything begins!”

The youngest crossed his arms and puffed out his cheeks, “I don’t understand at all.”

“I’m talking about love! Why don’t you get that!?”

“Drowning Thunder! Pouncing Otter! You get over here right now! You’re in the way of that girl trying to get by,” a woman’s voice sounded out. 

Approaching, a smiling Roagedayn woman came to collect her sons, arms filled with grocery bags. “I’m so sorry, miss. They’re bad at looking where they’re going.”

“It’s okay,” Natsu said before bending down to look at the two, “They were just having a little misunderstanding. I’ve had plenty with my older brother. But it’s always okay, because family is always there for one another at the end of the day!”

The boys grinned and gave her a little nod before being ushered away by their mom, both giving her little waves before taking an apple each from their mother and excitedly jumping into conversation with her. Natsu found herself smiling at the scene before a sharp pain hit her in the chest. Wincing, she clutched at her shirt, feeling a rush of melancholy hit her as she braced against the stone rail of her family’s home. It went away quickly, almost as soon as it started. 

Staring down the street, she looked around a moment before remembering she was late to meet her friend. Hurrying along, she took all the quickest shortcuts she knew, passing through alleys and familiar shops before finding herself running up the stairs of the Quicksand toward Fuyu’li. “I’m sorry to keep you waiting. I hope you weren’t waiting to eat, mom made breakfast and we did the family thing.”

“Must be nice,” Fuyu’li sighed, “I’d love to visit home and have a nice meal with my brother and sisters.”

“You should go visit. I’m sure they’d be happy to see you. And then you can swing through to Thavnair to see that handsome Au Ra of yours,” she teased.

“Perhaps I should, though you’d be utterly lost without me. You’d probably just lounge about your parent’s shop sighing: ‘Oh Fuyu’li, why did I send you away? My life is so boring and dull without you here’,” he dramaticized.

“Hardly. My life could use less Miqo antics. Honestly, I can’t wait for my brother to move on. Mom and dad are always doting all over him. I almost never get any attention unless the aunties come for a visit,” she said, leading the other inside to find them a table, “On the other hand it would be nice to go out to Idyllshire. Master X’ruhn has had work out there before and Uncle Asa is far more interested in teaching me things than dad was. I want to learn more sword play, proper bushido from our homeland. Dad is worried that we'll choose to be adventurers and get ourselves hurt if we pick up a sword.”

“My mother was relieved when I chose science over active combat. No parent wants to see their children struggle or get hurt. They want to see them thrive,” Fuyu'li pointed out.

“I wouldn't get hurt.”

Fuyu'li plopped into a seat, crossing his arms as he swayed his tail side to side. “You don't know that for sure. Besides, the thought is scary enough, isn't it? Your folks know what the stakes are better than most. They don't want you to see you struggle.”

Natsu shrugged, taking her seat with a little sigh. In truth, she didn't want her family to worry; however, she was restless. Adventuring might not be her calling, but she wanted more. She wanted the freedom her big brother had to seemingly be allowed to go off on his own to places like the Hinterlands or study in Old Sharlayan. Anything to go far beyond her birdcage of Ul’dah’s walls.

“Natsu?”

The girl hummed a bit, looking up once realizing the inquiry hadn't come from Fuyu'li, but Leonnioux standing above her. “Oh. I thought you worked the evening shift. I ate already but I wouldn't mind a cool glass of cider and a cinnamon pastry,” she requested with a little wave of her hand. 

“Listen to me Natsu,” Leonnioux said, squatting down to grab her by her shoulders. “This isn't right. We did not have this life.”

Natsu jerked away, “What are you on about? Did you fall off the wagon? Dad is going to be pissed if you're drinking again.”

Leonnioux gave her a little shake, eyes pleading. “Natsu, think. You didn't live this life. This is just a perfect illusion made by some crystals and those sensitive to time, death, and our dreams. You must realize this isn't our world, and then wake the others from their own. I've not much left in me to keep going so I will do my best to rouse the others…please, for Y'zel's sake…I give what's left of me for you to stop him,” he said before holding her hand to his cheek.

Natsu tensed up before feeling the sharp pain in her chest. She closed her eyes tightly, not wanting to believe what the other was saying. “Leon…I just don't want to be alone anymore…”

Opening her eyes, she found herself in a train car, hand out and holding an apple where Leonnioux once held her hand. Around her, her companions slept peacefully, Patient Heaven among them. Angry, she set aside the apple, then stood,  moving to shake the woman, infuriated as she continued to sleep. “Wake up damn you,” she cried out, raising her hand to slap her before having her wrist caught.

Natsu turned, finding a slightly taller figure holding her arm, face blurred out by a glowing red sigil. Her captor shook their head, long blond hair dancing over their shoulders. “Don’t wake her. You won’t be able to handle her alone,” they warned.

Natsu jerked her hand free, backing up from the other, careful not to bump into Patient Heaven as she stepped away. “Who are you?”

“An awakened Ascian, an Ancient from before the sundering reborn through the lifestream” they said, pulling a black mask from their hip to wave, “Do not worry, I don’t intend to harm you, rather, I brought everyone together here to save them.”

Natsu watched cautiously as the Ascian walked to where Carter propped up against his sleeping brother. They reached out, gently stroking the other’s bangs from his face before turning back to her. “This space was created by Patient Heaven’s desires. A realm of manifested Dynamis,” they said before taking a seat.

“Dynamis?”

“Yes. Willpower and strong emotion made into energy. Patient’s pain, her hopes, dreams of what could have been…her broken heart given form,” they trailed, “Assisted of course by the channeling of Mikoto Jinban, Violet Fisher, and myself’s own Echo.”

“You’re…,” Natsu said before lookingfrom them to Carter, “Hayzel Summers?”

“Yes. Or Hypnos would be a more suitable name in this situation.”

“I don’t understand? What happened? How did we get here?” Natsu asked, stepping forward, “Did she kill us!?”

Hypnos shook their head. “We are not dead. As for how we got here, Mikoto saw that Patient Heaven would be successful in her endeavors, and more pressing, how Y’zel Tia would react. I used Patient’s dynamis to create this space to help undo what has been done so that way you would be ready for what comes after, with a little help. As for the why, well, you have the power to find that all on your own do you not? You can use that same power to wake the others from their sleep. I would see to them first, as when she wakes she will not be pacified easily with all this ambient dynamis.”

Natsu looked back to Patient Heaven as she slept soundly then to her own gloved hands. Carefully, she pulled a glove free then wandered down the car to where Thancred slept. “How did you manage to do all this?” she asked, hand ready to take Thancred's.

Hypnos pursed their lips then stroked their hand through Carter's bangs again. “The only prison for a dreamer is to be awake.”

[yzeltia]

FFXIVwrite2023 17. Culinary Coitus

Characters: Fuyu'li cen Zwhan, Vrtra/Varshahn

Expansion: Endwalker

Rating: T

Summary: What does it mean for an immortal being to love a mortal?

Notes: Thanks to @its-marc-or-is-it for the prompt. Only vague talk of sex

Vrtra snorted lightly as he was roused awake, picking up the slightest scent of vanilla. Sitting up, he carefully stretched himself as to not disturb Fuyu'li should he be nestled somewhere around him. His eye opened, scanning his chambers then bristling as he found himself surrounded by piles of times.

"What is the purpose of this," he called out, moving his head to search about the room.

Fuyu'li's ears perked up over a stack at the sound of his voice, leading the dragon to lean out and knock the tower of books aside. The Miqo'te rose his hand to his snout with a little pat as he finished his passage, unbothered by the cascade or looming Great Wyrm.

“It is absolutely confounding that Garlemald has such little information on Dragons. You very well had the first civilization on our planet and yet so little documentation to be found. I imagine this would largely have to do with the Ishgardian conflict and then how you’ve kept your veil. I’d send for books from Meracydia, but alas I do not have any contacts there nor an idea of how to establish one. Still, perhaps that is something I should look into…”

Vrtra tilted his head, fixing his eye on his mate curiously, watching him as he flipped through another book nestled in his new Thavnarian garb, ever at home in the chambers. 

“If you have questions, all you need is ask,” the Dragon telepathed, lowering his head to rest on the fallen pile of books.

“I fear I’d inundate you. I want to know everything, and have taken to bringing in all the resources I can from as far as Eorzea. It is frustrating though as the majority of texts are written by Ishgardians. There’s little room for fact with their religious zealotry dripping off the pages. Physiology is at least well documented into branching paths depending on their environment. Most curiously though, is that while pairing, you do not produce sexually,” the Miqo’te said, cheeks tinting a bit as he avoided looking up from his book.

“Something troubles you.”

“This is true. Our brood comes about through our own will, not that of taking a mate and engaging in sexual intercouse as your kind does. I have not taken those steps myself as I already have my family here..,the people of Radz-at-Han.”

Fuyu’li nodded, then bit his thumb as he reclined against a pillar of books before pulling another into his lap and cracking it open. Vrtra stayed quiet, simply observing the Miqo’te, watching as he slowly slinked downward, bringing his book over his face.

“It is nothing. Worry not…I did prepare some coffee for you.”

Vrtra turned, looking at a large saucer that was usually filled with water steaming with coffee. The Dragon relented his curiosity for now, turning his head to inhale the sweet aroma of the Thavnarian blend. His tongue lolled out into the dish, lapping up the fluids until the dish was bare once more. His attention returning to Fuyu’li he leaned in close then let out a warm snort, blowing the other’s hair and book closed.

“Thank you for the coffee. Not many would have the patience to brew a mouthful let alone enough for me to feel satiated.”

Fuyu’li huffed, pulling off his glasses to rub the fog of the other’s breath off them, “Well, you were saying all that stuff the other day. I might have got carried away thinking myself a bit more domestic than we are and spent some time in the kitchens. I will say that Thavnairian coffee is much better than that of Garlean. Much sweeter,” he hummed.

“Thinking more on what,” the Dragon asked.

“You said you loved me…Yet, I fear I might have taken it more to heart than you intended.”

Vrtra stared at him a  moment, observing the drooping of the other’s ears and shy twitch of his tail. He recognized this as recoiling, perhaps disappointment.

“I’ve displeased you then. Was I not adequate? If there was something amiss I can talk to Nidhana. Perhaps you might prefer a Miqo’te body?”

Fuyu’li jolted up, panicking and half-jumping onto his muzzle as if to try to silence the other’s speech despite it being projected. His tail thrashed as his face erupted into a shade of red under his dark skin.

“Do not say such things aloud! And no not tell Nidhana anything,” he pleaded.

“I have already spoke with her. I appraise her of the siraculum’s performance after use.”

Fuyu’li groaned, hiding his face into the other’s muzzle scales as his tail went limp. Vrtra shook the other off him, shaking the room with his laughter as he recoiled back to sit comfortably.

“Speak freely, Fuyu.”

The Miqo’te whimpered then moved to sit up, rubbing his shoulder as he avoided Vrtra’s singular gaze. His tail curled around him as took a breath, trying to put his thoughts into words.

“I am not disappointed, truly. You said you loved me and I was elated, but for an immortal to love a mortal…it is a different kind of love. You said it yourself, a love everlasting as long as you’re upon this star. Yet, it is not the kind of love you’d feel with one of your own. I will grow old and die and you will live on. Only one other relationship of our kind has ever been recorded and it ended in tragedy. Moreover, the physicality of that love…was it…was it just for my sake?”

Vrtra let out another throaty laugh and shook his head then nudged the Miqo’te with his jaw before sending more thoughts to the other’s mind, “Our circumstances are not as dire as my brood-brother’s and his mate. Our love was born in the wake of peace.. Even on the precipice of my greatest fear coming to light, I have hope and love. Love of my people, love of my new Scion friends, and love of my mortal mate. I will sing it all my days, and my brood-siblings will sing our song too, and that song will last as long as there are Dragons to sing it.”

Fuyu’li swallowed, then pawed around for some cookies, taking one to bite into nervously as the Vrtra hummed above him. He didn’t want to push the subject further, the profession of their profound love sitting with him; however, the Dragon was always one to be exact in his answers.

“On the matters of my acts the other night. It might be fair to say my time with mortals has made me as such in heart. It is exciting to think about; however, in this body it does not move me to action, no. I only feel immense attachment, love, not desire. In my other bodies though, I do get to feel what it is like. As a boy I can feel the joy of play and to run the streets with my peers. The joy of being doted on by my elders. As a man I can feel the thrill of battle like brother Estinien and then of course the heat of desire for you. It is perhaps a simulation, but I'd like to think it is an extension of my true feelings as myself. Though, if I am being honest, I find it cumbersome at times to be around you in that form. I am unsure how some mortals bear being pulled hither and thither by the whims of their bodies.”

Fuyu’li flushed as he sat on the other’s words for a moment. He touched his heart, thinking a moment about what the other said. To his mortal ears, the Dragon seemed to look at them as something akin to what one might consider marriage. He swallowed then looked up, a sparkle in his eyes as his tail curled up in a hook with his ears perked. 

“You seem eased. Good. I hunger…and might trouble you for more of that coffee. You will have to tell me how you managed an even blend.”

Fuyu’li broke out of his daze then smiled, nodding as he wandered over to kneel down by the saucer. He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose while flicking his tail.

“Now then, I have water boiled first of course then take a sheet of tightly knitted metal and run it over the saucer before spreading the grounds evenly with just a light mix of cocoa powder and cinnamon to give just subtle hints. After I pour the water over it, I let the netting steep ever so slightly down into the waters then roll up and away. It’s a messy process unfortunately but Nidhana says she’ll work on it with me. I guess they don’t think to treat you in this form often. Now that I think on it, eating doesn’t do much for you as a siraculum either. I suppose it’s the meal that is what you enjoy. Nothing is as intimate as sharing a meal with your friends and loved ones. Maybe…you should invite your Scion friends here for dinner?”

“I am unsure how comfortable I’d be with them seeing me eat in this form…”

“They’ve met many Dragons! I am sure you will not put them off. Though if you are worried, we can start small. Invite your friend Zero to start?”

Vrtra closed his eye, letting out a sigh before nodding.

“That is amendable. Make it so.”

Fuyu’li smiled then kissed the other’s muzzle before hurrying off to gather more coffee grounds and water. The Dragon settled down, brustling a bit, finding his world opening just a little more every day.

[yzeltia]

FFXIVwrite2023 19.Weal

Characters: Y'zel Tia, @driftward 's Zoissette Vauban, Y'shtola Rhul, @driftward 's Fredrick the Poroggo, Khloe Aliapoh, G'khenna Summers, Alphinaud Leveilleur, Jullus pyr Norbanus, Violet Fisher, U'rahn Nuhn, M'zet Tia, Jannie Eyradoux, Fuyu'li cen Zhwan, Nidhana Expansion: Endwalker Rating: T Notes: W'orcester Tia

Plit. Plit. Plit.

Y'zel shifted slightly, letting the rainwater bounce from his parasol. He started into the yard from a distance, hawkeyed gaze upon the lanky awkward figure of an Elezen as they tried to keep his cousin companion dry under the same umbrella. The Miqo'te frowned then turned, knowing lingering any longer would have him found.

-

Ribbit.

Fredrick hopped quickly as the screams of Khloe and G'khenna echoed through the haunted palace, followed by frantic blasts of magick from the latter. As the mi'kitten's footsteps came closer, he eyed the traps ahead, throwing himself on each one so the two could pass through the dungeon safely. Seeing the light Cairn of Passage light up for the girls, he let out relief before croaking as one trampled over him on their way to safety.

-

No. Mother…Father…

Alphinaud roused awake as Jullus called out in his sleep. He frowned, watching the other's face contort in the wake of his nightmare as he moved about on his cot. Quietly he scooted his cot away from his sister's and beside the Garlean. He was careful not to wake him, throwing the other half of his blanket atop the Jullus. He turned and rested his back against his comrade, letting their shared heat and pressure of the second blanket  calm the Garlean to stillness. The morrow would prove awkward, but the little bit of peace brought would be worth it.

-

Swive!

Violet sneered in the mirror as her obi came undone once more in her hands. Her attendant frowned, kneeling to pick up the silk cloth, loose grey hairs dangling down her face as she pet the fabric nostalgically. The reluctant princess paused, lowering to help the older woman back to her feet then turned with her arms outstretched to let herself be helped.

-

Huff…Huff…Huff

U'rahn wiped his brow as the Gyr Albanian sun bore down on him, catching his breath as his frenemy M'zhet glowered from beneath a rock. The day had been long, a game of King of the Rock exhausting them both. As he sat up on his throne, having yet to yield it to the other's attacks, he noticed the dark blush along the other's shoulders and cheeks, red from the sun. He crossed his arms, recalling the pain of his own sunburn and how it slowed him down to the point of being immobile. Nyx and G'raha showed him plants he could slather on himself to prevent that pain. Sighing, he slipped off his rock, letting the other claim victory while he went to grab some salve to lather the other in once he was done gloating.

-

Hmm…

Jannie hummed while she flipped through an old recipe book by W'orcestershire Tia.While  mainly credited for Archon Loaf and his namesake sauce, the pages offered many more entries detailing medicine turned food dishes inside, many far more appetizing than the one he had gained notoriety for.  She searched for anything that would help the Fortemps men get more Vitamin D, the Ishgardian weather providing little natural supplement for them. If worse came to worse, a vacation to La Noseca would again be on the horizon.

-

Achoo.

Fuyu'li wrinkled his nose, sinuses aching as he pounded some flowers into dust beside Nidhana. Together they worked on a salve to help ease the discomfort of Vrtra's exposed skin. The alchemist sighed as she watched the Miqo'te's face scrunch up, poised to sneeze again, stubbornly offering his assistance despite his allergies. Still, she couldn't help but think his little sneezes were a bit cute.

[yzeltia]

Closer to You

Chapter 16 Characters: Natsu Obinata, Fuyu'li cen Zwhan, Jannie Eyradoux, Urianger Augrulet, Thancred Waters, Patient Heaven, Keith Summers, Carter Summers, Claudien @mintibunny 's Minti Chocolate , Mikoto Jinban, Violet Fisher, Hayzel Summers Rating: T for Teen Notes: Thank you @driftward for the mechanics pass and @mintibunny for blorbo sharing and line edits

“The Echo was the only way I could see them…and I suppose chasing that feeling I found myself as Leto, who had devoted herself to helping mothers of the Ancient world. When she met Castor and Pollux…their mother had been killed by some sort of swan creation and had grown up relying on only one another in a world that was not kind to orphans. She gave up her seat of power to a young protege so that she could raise them. To her, they were her star. I will not say I was possessed. My actions were also my own. This world…this world deserved their light.”

Patient rested against a stone as she rubbed her eyes while Natsu sat on her knees in front of her. She pressed her hand to heart, “I cannot deny that they were not special. They took me, a stranger that sounded mad and made sure I had a home and family. It made me realize how much I took for granted…I’d searched so long to find what it was like to be loved by family, I hadn’t seen that family is what you make of it. A friend you travel the world with, a stranger who opens his home to you,  people you work beside every day, a friend that doesn’t mince her words with you…those people can care about you just as much as and sometimes more than someone with blood or familial ties written on paper. I was so blind to those who cared for me before…but Drowning…”

“I know, I could not be with them but I could sense it all,” Patient agreed, reaching out to take Natsu’s hand, “You would have been a wonderful daughter-in-law…”

“I still can be,” Natsu said with a smile.

“As lovely as all this sentiment is, mayhaps we address the kidnapping, impersonation, and I don’t know, the murder,” Thancred said flippantly, gesturing broadly to the trio of kidnappees.

Carter shrugged his shoulders, holding Hayzel asleep in his arms, the latter having lost their Ascian mask. “Hayzel is safe and no one I care about got hurt. Minti, you ready?” he asked before starting to walk away with the Viera in tow.

Keith balked, hurrying after his brother. “What do you mean no one you care about got hurt!? I was hit by a train! Twice,” he yelled, trying to squabble with his brother while Minti shook their head and sighed. 

“In light of what brought me here, I rather not have to broadcast who I saw,” Violet chimed in, holding herself as she blushed.

“Riol,” Jannie hummed with amusement.

“It wouldn't have been weird for him to visit U’odh,” Violet hissed at her fellow warrior or light. 

“I too, find myself embarrassed by the situation that led to my capture. While it was a distressing ordeal, she did see we were well cared for,” Mikoto added.

“Garlond,” Urianger mused, hiding a smile with a spread of cards as Mikoto shot him a cross look.

“Good, great. That's settled. Still murdered someone though,” Thancred pointed out.

“That, I must face my punishment for,” Patient said, rising to her feet. “There is no excuse for what I have done. Even spurred on by my Ancient persona, I could have very well stayed my hand and not let her take control.”

Patient looked at her hand, shaking a bit before looking up at Thancred to respond. “If you must strike me down, you may do so.”

“I will not be the arbiter of your fate. We'll turn you over to Gage and his cohorts for them to decide,” Thancred said before rubbing the back of his head.

“Leon…he's the one who got through to me and woke me up,” Natsu said softly, putting her hand over her heart, the memory feeling like it was a lifetime ago. “For…For Y'zel's sake…Where is my brother? Didn't he assist you?”

Patient shook her head. “Not beyond his writings. I haven't had the occasion to meet him. He eluded me when I sought him out.”

“As with us all,” Thancred.

Natsu looked around concerned then closed her eyes, trying to capture a memory, “Leonnioux woke me up specifically for Y’zel. And then…And then Hypnos, rather Hayzel, said that he did so because of the way Y’zel would react! They said Mikoto had foreseen it.”

Mikoto stepped forward. “This is sounding familiar now, though it sounds like they knew more than I about what I’d seen. A Miqo’te standing in a field of blue.”

Claudien dropped his bow, eyes wide as he turned to Patient. “Do you not have the Heart of Sabik?”

[yzeltia]

Au Ra August A. 25 Fashion Forward

"Kami...these clothes are amazing. This company is truly marvelous." "I...I am glad you are enjoying yourself but these clothes from my Master's homeland seem to show off quite a bit more than I am accustom to."

[yzeltia]

FFXIVwrite2024 5. Stamp

Featuring: A continuation of @erickgage 's The Calling Characters: Fuyu'li cen Zwhan, Ahi'a Zwhan, Azdaja, U'rahn Nuhn Expansion: Dawntrail Rating: G for Goofy Catboys Summary: Fuyu'li's past catches up to him. Notes: Thanks Erick for the inspo!

Fuyu’li tried to hold his breath as he hid behind one of the vibrant pillars of Radz-at-Han, Ahi’a and Azdaja held firmly in his arms, his palm over their snoots to keep them just as silent. He had come out of nowhere, tauntingly imitating the noise of one of Eorzea’s most wicked pests to frighten him. 

Fuyu’li feared this day would come. No matter what assurances of safety Vrtra promised him, he knew he could not escape his past. The crimes he committed, the people he hurt. No matter how much he had given back and intended to continue to do so. The damage he’d done…the damage he’d done too to the most dangerous person in the world…His fate would be inevitable. 

He shuddered as he heard the lazy steps of his hunter come closer, the man not even bothering to make it quick. Letting go of Azdaja, he hugged Ahi’a tightly, his sweet son that he’d just gotten over the shock of having making confused screes in his arms. “I love you and your father so much…but my time has come. One day your Auntie Natsu will tell you about all the bad things I did for Garlemald and then to her friends…I want you to know I was very sorry for it…And I have spent my whole life up to the point of your father saving my life trying to do better, be better. And I know I was confused about your arrival but know I love you- AH! A-Azdaja! OW! That hurts,” he cried out as the small red dragon started to bite his ear and drag him out of hiding.

Tumbling, he fell flat out onto the tile under him just as the Warrior of Light came from around the corner with a big cheshire grin. “Here you go, kupo,” the sounded out as he reached into his bag.

“P-Please! Not in front of my son!” Fuyu’li begged, hiding his arms over his face in preparation to whatever lethal force was about to befall him.

“Uh…is it something naughty?” the Warrior of Light asked in a whisper.

Fuyu’li blinked then slowly lowered his arms from obscuring his face, watching U’rahn Nuhn flip around the letter in his hand before holding it up to the light as if to try to see inside with a goofy grin. “Y-You’re here to…”

“Deliver mail of course,” U’rahn responded handing the letter over, “Courtesy of The Head of Resolve himself, kupo!”

Fuyu’li blinked, looking at the letter, finding it to bear Koana’s signet indeed to be upon it. Azdaja fluttered down, perching on his shoulder while Ahi’a fluttered around confused as to why his dad was so distressed over the nice Miqo’te that had approached them. “Oh. So then I’m not going to be punished?”

“Uh…no?” U’rahn answered, tilting his head. “Hey Hey! I still gotta head to Doma! See you arrround! Say hi to Varshahn for me, okay Azdaja? Thanks for using Postmoogle Mail Services, kupo!”

Azdaja screed then launched forward to swoop around U’rahn playfully before the other stuffed a bundle of mint in his mouth and teleported away. Fuyu’li just stared at the spot the other had stood in for a moment before flopping back onto the ground, letting the two dragons fly above him to make mostly concerned noises for him.

[yzeltia]

Closer to You

Chapter 8 Characters: Natsu Obinata, Fuyu'li cen Zwhan, Claudien, Y'zel Tia, Varshahn, Jannie Eyradoux Rating: T for Teen Notes: Unsure if this needed a tag, but there is a scene where Natsu will Echo off Claudien and his perception of Y'zel in the wake of being intimate together. Thank you @driftward for the mechanics pass and dealing with my walnuttery

The trip to Old Sharlayan was mostly silent. Jannie able to use aetheryte, had left them to travel on their own, the Elezen trusting Natsu to keep Fuyu'li under a watchful eye. This hadn't gone entirely without incident. They argued about Fuyu'li continuing to wear his Garlean garb until Natsu finally convinced him to at least store his coat. Otherwise, any attempt at conversation quickly was put to rest, Natsu still not ready to forgive her friend. 

Docked in the harbor, the two exited the boat, Fuyu'li shivering as snow flurried about them. “I would very much liked to have had my coat for this weather,” he chattered before letting out a gasp as he looked up to the statue of Thaliak in awe.

“We will find you a coat. Miss Tataru has a boutique here,” Natsu said, looking around for Jannie as they moved onto the busy plaza.

Not having much luck finding Jannie, the two found themselves at the Last Stand, tiding themselves over with a much needed warm meal as they waited. As they ate, Fuyu'li raved over their Garlean cuisine, not seeming to notice Natsu was still uninterested in engaging with him, the girl picking at a mound of mashed popotos until decidedly interrupting him with her thoughts. “What did you mean I have no one precious to me?”

Fuyu'li blinked, setting down his fork as he tilted his head, “If you meant when we were having our disagreement I-”

“There was no disagreement. You were just wrong,” Natsu interrupted sharply.

“Right, ah…Well, I…mostly said it in the heat of the moment.”

“Well, it didn't come from nowhere,” Natsu sulked.

Fuyu’li hung his head. “Well, I mostly said it to hurt you. To make you stop trying to get in my way,” he admitted before shaking his head, “It is just that you said that you’ve got no one to miss you. Our journey here together was for you to find a connection to your past…I had the impression that I was your first and only friend.”

Natsu recoiled a little, not meeting Fuyu’li’s searching gaze. She shivered a little before looking out toward the sea, “I think, at the time, you were. Maybe still are. I’ve met so many nice people and yet I was so preoccupied with finding my brother I haven’t really made the time to connect. Especially after you just disappeared…”

“I shouldn’t have done that. I should have went to find you. If I hadn’t been fooled you wouldn’t have been left alone…”

“It worked out,” Natsu said before cutting into her potatoes with her knife and fork only to realize the fruitlessness of the action.

Fuyu’li snickered a bit, followed by Natsu joining in, starting to laugh. The jovial moment was brief, but seemed to lighten the tension enough for the latter to start opening up, telling her friend about finding a lead on her brother, and that lead bringing her to Gage Acquisitions. She told of him of Leonnioux’s kindness and what had sent her on the journey that brought them back together.

“The imposter…killed someone,” Fuyu’li asked in a small voice.

“Yes, they did,” Natsu answered.

“Oh Natsu. I’m so sorry. I didn’t…I’m such a fool,” he said in a near whisper.

“It’s not like you killed him,” Natsu said before, “Besides, now that we’re together I can make sure you stay out of trouble this time. After I find Violet and the others, we can go back to Thavnair and see your master and his sister.”

Fuyu’li brightened up, “Really!?”

“Yes, assuming at the end of this you don’t find yourself behind bars or worse.”

The Miqo’te gulped, then hung his head while Natsu straightened up and started to eat. As she started to eat properly, she caught the gaze of a man staring at her from afar, a tall Hyur with golden hair and fiery-orange eyes. Cautiously she returned to her meal, avoiding looking back toward him until Fuyu’li offered a “Hello” as the stranger arrived at the edge of their table.

“Hello,” the man said, looking down at them both, trying to catch the girl’s attention, “Are you Natsu Obinata by chance?”

Dropping her fork, Natsu looked up then wiped her mouth with a napkin politely. “I”m sorry, have we met,” she asked, weary of the stranger.

“We’ve shared correspondence. I’m Claudien, Y’zel’s partner…er, that sounds too formal, and I think lover might sound too sordid. Boyfriend though seems to not have the gravity of our situation though,” the man said, getting lost in his answer before shaking his head, “Sorry. That’s neither here nor there. I spotted you from afar and your friend here’s blue coloring in his ears and tail were as you’d described in your letters.”

“You wrote about me,” Fuyu’li asked.

“Yes, I briefly wrote about you worried you’d gotten yourself lost before I settled on being angry about being abandoned,” Natsu answered before looking at Claudien as he joined them at their table, “It’s good to find a friendly face here. We’ve been waiting on our friend, but she hasn’t come.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. If you need a place to stay I have an apartment you’re welcome to. Y’zel hasn’t come around lately though, if you’re hoping to run into him. I’ve left him notes on the matter but he hasn’t left me anything more than well wishes. To be honest, the only reason I know he’s been home are the little notes. I imagine his work has been keeping him busy and of course he has to check in on Leonnioux and then Ioh does his surprise outings,” Claudien mused before frowning as Natsu suddenly put her hand over her mouth and recoiled, “Did I say something wrong?”

“It’s just that…have you not heard?” Natsu asked, “Leon he…he was murdered.”

Claudien froze, staring at Natsu before looking off into space. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. I found the body.”

The man pinched the bridge of his nose, inhaling a bit before shaking whatever he was feeling off. “Does Y’zel know? No, you would have said if you’d found him. I need to find him. Leon…he was a good friend and…this couldn’t come at a worse time…I need to find Y’zel. I have to be the one to tell him.”

Natsu frowned, watching the other’s eyes start to water a bit as he became rather distracted, looking around the Last Stand in a bit of a panic. Reaching out, she gently rubbed his forearm, “We have reason to believe he already knows. I have the Echo and saw Y’zel find his body.”

Claudien stiffened a bit, putting his hand over Natsu’s as he got control of his breathing, “How long ago was this?”

“Well, it was five days by boat to arrive, and before that two days before we departed, so I suppose just a week.”

“A week…that’s when…,” Claudien trailed before suddenly standing up, “You know my apartment number from our letters, correct? There is a hidden key on the doorframe. You and your friend are welcome there, and I will find you later.”

Natsu shook her head, “Wait. What is it? Can we help? Is it about my brother?”

“I’m not exactly at liberty to discuss it, but I’ll tell you more this evening if my inquiries do not forestall me.”

Natsu shook her head, pulling off her glove to grab the other’s hand. “I need to know about my brother,” she cried out before finding herself slipping into the Echo.

Her heart was racing. If it were not for the papers she’d yet to grade, she’d had long doused the candle for relief from the heat, sweating bare chested at her desk. Laid out on the bench beside her, her love laid wrapped up in her lab coat, the Miqo’te practically swimming in it as his breath labored. Her free hand stroked lightly up his pale thigh, occasionally stealing glances as he played with a strange dark stone, ignoring every attempt at conversation she’d started. Since he’d returned from helping pull his friend from the void, Y’zel had seemed to struggle to hear yet had not admitted to having any hearing loss. With all challenges, she felt she needed to test her hypothesis.

“Today I saw your cousin Y’shtola walking stark naked through the promenade by the Last Stand to serve Ser Vauban a single cup of tea,” she stated, ensuring she spoke plainly with her timbered voice, though did not look at him when she spoke. 

Y’zel didn’t so much as flick an ear in acknowledgement. She turned to face him, letting her hand slide up to pat his stomach to get his attention.

“Mmm. Is something wrrrong,” Y’zel asked, tail flicking to curl around her wrist, flicking his ears in her direction.

“Clearly. Either I’ve put you in a state of absolute euphoria to the point of you losing your senses or you’re suffering acute hearing loss from your reckless aether bleeding and have been using your Echo to compensate for it,” she accused, having noted the other’s ears often flitted toward whoever was speaking to him as of late.

Y’zel looked away, ear folding to stay open toward her, “How did you know?”

“Little things. I have to get your attention by looking directly at you and you’ve been looking more at my lips lately than my eyes. The way your ears move and that when I was whispering into them earlier you didn’t respond beyond moans,” she sighed.

Y’zel pulled at the coat around him then sat up, setting the stone on the desk as he scoot forward, closing the distance between them, “Yes. It’s as you say. I projected my Echo and it seems it came with a price.”

“Zel,” she felt herself coo, rubbing her large hand over the other’s cheek.

“I’d ask that you not mention this to anyone else for now. I’m unsure if this is something I will have to learn to with. Things come in and out, though I’m unsure if it’s just reflexively relying on my power.”

“You need to see a chirurgeon.”

“No. I’m in enough trouble as it is of late. For now, let this stay between us,” Y’zel asked, lowering his ears at he let his blue eyes lift into her gaze. 

She felt his lithe frame press against him, the other giving her a soft kiss. She knew all too well this was his way of getting his way, and she was helpless to resist, putting her arm around his waist to pull him against her strong body.

“If this persists I will make you get help. Perhaps from that Bishop fellow. He seems like the sort to make you think twice about risking your well being after a round with him,” she warned, letting the other leave him to wash up in his sink.

“Where are you off too,” she asked, sighing and getting up from her paperwork to follow the other, turning his chin to face him, “I asked where are you off to?”

“A scholar is inquiring about my work. She wanted me to meet her to discuss it.”

She frowned, watching the other dress as anxiety started to build up within her. She’d reviewed the small publication of his, and though the other had swayed her to believe that their souls were forever linked, he was unsure how well the greater scholarly public might take it. The notion of somehow being incomplete with the shards of their soul scattered amid other realms, it left her ill at ease. She’d never felt like something was missing. Her life was happy and full. “I wish you would have given your draft more time to sit.”

Y’zel scowled and brushed past him, “It’s well documented. You told me to go out and prove my theory and I did. How can you still doubt my findings when you lived the phenomenon itself? Does Erichtonious in you not yearn for the Praxithius in me?”

“Yes, I feel him within me; however, he is not me. I am me. And if we are so star crossed explain Leonnioux? Do you say you love me more because we are cosmically aligned,” she asked before covering her mouth.

Y’zel flicked his tail, eyes narrowing, “You are my primary.”

“But can you say you love me more than him?”

She watched as her lover folded her ears, holding himself for a moment. Her heart raced, an intrusive thought suddenly screaming for him to say yes; but she shook it off as always. Leonnioux was a friend after all and made Y’zel happy.

“Of course I can’t. I love you both…and you’re both…”

“Special in our own way? The gravitation and romance of being a fragment someone else within me who loved a fragment of someone else within you. Leonnioux’s and yours angsty childhood romance. You’ve got your playful rogue too.”

Y’zel remained quiet a moment, biting his lip, “And yet…at one time or another we have all appeared in proximity to one another. They might have not been pat lovers but appeared in other shards alongside me none-the less.”

“And that cannot be a beautiful coincidence? Maybe we are drawn to the people we’ve shared connections with in the past; however, it’s dangerous to call it destiny and imply our lives are incomplete without those missing pieces of a world long forgotten. Anyone that has clung to it has lost themselves and brought others down with them.”

“I’m not clinging to anything but you and my friends.”

She felt herself swallow, the other’s gaze intense. She knew he meant it. “And that scares me as much as it delights me,” she whispered, pulling the other’s wrist up to kiss it, “After Ser Vauban and myself had our respective incidents…I fear you’d set the world afrost should another loved one find themselves in peril. Look how far you went.”

With that, she rubbed Y’zel’s white aether bleached locks between his fingers as she made her point. The Miqo’te purred as she leaned down to kiss his neck. Her body started to heat up again, feeling the need to have him just one more time only to be left wanting as he squirmed free.

“I resent that everyone seems to think I’m on the brink of an apocalyptic meltdown. Speaking of which. I’m thinking you shouldn’t leave your fancy new paperweight out where idle hands can play with it,” Y’zel said, huffing and turning away from her to gather his things.

Sighing, she let him go and returned to the table to pick up the rock and return it to the cabinet he stored it in, setting it on a shelf marked “The Heart of Sabik. She shuddered a bit as she read the name, not wanting to think of what it had wrought him. Wanting to say goodbye, she turned then found Y’zel gone.

“Natsu!? Natsu!?”

She winced as her name was yelled out by Claudien and Fuyu’li. Opening her eyes, she found herself propped up against Claudien’s thigh, he hand squeezing his hand and on the ground. “I’m sorry. I just wanted to…find out more.”

“There would have been plenty of time for that later. You nearly gave me a heart attack,” Claudien breathed out.

Natsu moved, standing on her own before grabbing her glove and slipping it back on. She flushed, having intruded on such a tender moment between her brother and his partner. “I’ll be fine. I’m sorry to keep you. Go check on what you need to and we’ll meet you at your house later.”

Claudien gave a little nod, though seemed to hesitate before taking his leave. Fuyu’li frowned, putting his hand on Natsu’s shoulder, “Are you really okay?”

“I think so…Hey, Fuyu’li…those people you took. They had special gifts like me. Why didn’t you come after me,” she asked, sitting back down to take a rather large drink of water.

The Miqo’te thought for a moment, “I didn’t think to. I wasn’t sure what my master, rather the imposter, wished to do with them. It made sense though as we gathered them. Mikoto could see into the future to help find his sister and the other seemed to be able to open void gates. We’d determined that the dreams they manifested were less dreams and more dipping into places like the void and bringing about things that are connected to a person in some way. Violet then could commune with the dead..I guess I was doing a lot of mental legwork, I didn’t think being able to walk around in someone else’s skin would be pertinent.”

Natsu nodded, “And when studying those people…those with the Echo. Was everything they saw pertinent?”

Fuyu’li nodded, “Yes. It often provided them clarity or an answer. Sometimes people felt that it could misguide them about a situation, but everyone reported to feel that their visions had a purpose and meaning.”

“Then…what is the Heart of-”

“Fuyu’li,” a voice called out with a light Thavnarian accent.

Natsu and her friend’s attention turned toward the voice, finding Jannie wandering up with a tall Auri man in teal garb. She tilted her head, finding the man bearing a striking resemblance to Fuyu’li’s young master. The latter seemed to notice too, seeming to faint back into his chair from shock.

[yzeltia]

Closer to You

Chapter 5 Characters: Natsu Obinata, L'lolamo Lolomori(Hydaelyn), Fuyu'li cen Zwhan, Varshahn, @driftward 's Nyx Blackmoon, Rating: T for Teen Notes: N/A

“Um! Attention GA Natsu here! Violet has been abducted by my friend and we're in pursuit of a lead for Leon! If you could maybe come ….HELP!”

Natsu and L’lolamo’s screams echoed off the rocky walls of Central Thanalan and into the Au Ra’s linkpearl as they soared through the air on Violet's motorcycle, the former in terror and the latter in excitement. As they landed, L’lolamo struggled to keep the machine from wobbling and dumping them over. 

“Wow! This thing is fast! Did the Garleans make this,” L’lolamo yelled out.

“What do you mean did they- Have you not driven one of these before!?” Natsu panicked.

“Nope!”

Natsu clung tightly to L’lolamo, starting to shake as they pursued Fuyu'li's mech. As they got closer, a deep whistle echoed throughout the valley followed by the huffing of an engine. Flying by them on the mine tracks,  a small train pushed forward, the second to front cart opening up at the top for Fuyu’li to land inside with Violet. L’lolamo huffed a little as the train started to gain distance. “Time to see how fast this thing can really go!”

“Please Kami No!”

“IT’S HERRRO TIME!”

Natsu let out a scream as the woman advanced the handle forward until it wouldn't turn anymore. Gaining on the locomotives, the woman beamed then eyed a natural incline in the ground. 

“Don't you dare! You'll kill us,” Natsu yelled out before finding themselves airborne again.

The motorcycle launched itself high and with a little twist, L’lolamo turned them and dumped themselves so that they'd land on the roof of the caboose. Together, they flopped forward before being dragged back by the speed, their machine flinging off the back end onto the tracks.

“We'rrre alive!” L’lolamo cheered, moving to stand with Natsu.

“This woman is going to kill me,” the Au Ra thought with a whine as she watched her force open a safety hatch to drop down inside.

Natsu followed, finding themselves in a dimly lit storage cart. Curiously, L’lolamo pulled a lid off a crate, finding it filled with copper ore. “What do the Garleans want with all this ore?”

Natsu looked around, noticing a banner of the scales of Ul’dah hanging on the wall. “I don't think this is for them. See?”

“Since when does Ul'dah bother with magitech,” L’lolamo asked, hands on her hips. 

Picking up on the other's disapproval, Natsu crossed her arms and looked out a window, “I'm a bit unsure of the details, but my understanding is that given that Garlemald has been working with Eorzeans in exchange for aid in rebuilding their own country. I suppose they showed them how to build something like this for the mines. Fuyu'li knows more about this sort of thing…”

L’lolamo nodded. “Then we'll have him tell us when we catch up with him,” she said before bending forward a little to look into the girl’s eyes, “It'll be okay Natsu.”

The Auri girl blinked, taken aback a moment, “I don't…I don't think we properly introduced ourselves.”

L’lolamo laughed then crawled over the crates before turning to help Natsu up after her, “Well, I'm guessing my husband told you who I am and I just…sort of know who people are by meeting them.”

Natsu blinked then carefully lowered herself down on the other side of the boxes, “You have the Echo?”

“In a manner of speaking,” L’lolamo hummed, starting to pull the cart’s door open, “Well, maybe it's better to say I am the Echo…or was. I'm still trying to figure myself out.”

Natsu blinked then stepped forward to gently push the door open, causing L’lolamo’'s ears and tail to perk high before going limp with embarrassment. The noise of the tracks soon filled the room as they stared out to a large empty platform that led to the cart where they'd seen Fuyu’li enter from above. Before they could step out, Natsu stopped L’lolamo, getting feedback from her linkpearl. “Wait, I think reinforcements have found us. Let's give them time to catch up.”

L’lolamo blinked then gave a little nod. “Alright. Then in the meantime perhaps you can tell me more about Fuyu’li and why he might have taken your friend.”

Natsu leaned against the train wall, thinking for a moment. “I don't know. He loves Garlemald very much but I don't think he'd ever try to go back. He was so disheartened by what he did…but the mech and this train…”

“Maybe he was tricked by someone,” L’lolamo offered.

The girl looked up to the Miqo'te in shock. “That's right! Everyone was after Fuyu'li, that means they didn't see the imposter. It's not him,” she breathed out in relief before continuing, “Then you know who it is! You saw through their ruse!”

“I'm sorry?”

“When you saved U'rahn!”

“Oh? Well- No, I couldn't see through whatever veil they had up. To me they were Rahn, but, I could just feel something wrong on instinct. Enough so that I was finally able to wake up…”

Natsu frowned a little before finding her hands taken by L’lolamo, “But perhaps I can help us figure out what's going on! Maybe I can give you an Echo?”

“Huh? I've only ever seen things from touching another…unless you saw them I don't think it'll do much good,” Natsu sighed.

“Right! I get you've got a special deal going on but so I do…maybe. Perhaps if I…” L’lolamo started before placing her hands gently on the sides of Natsu's head.

The Auri girl blinked as the woman closed her eyes, seeming to concentrate before saying, “Hear…feel…think…”

Natsu opened her eyes to find herself on a warm Thavnarian beach, just beyond an outpost for the Radiant Host. In the distance she watched as a young Auri boy wandered away from a group of children toward a dark figure laid out in the sand by the beach.

She drew closer as the boy squatted down, finding a Miqo'te washed ashore in his Garlean uniform. Without fear, the boy brushed his hand over the other's ear, for the other to stir and weakly look up at him. Natsu immediately recognized Fuyu’li’s red eyes and frosted bangs. He looked thin and  his skin discolored.

On the brink of death, he reached outward to the Auri boy, who in turn pulled an apple from his pocket to cut in half to offer it to him. Grateful, Fuyu'li bit into it, sucking the fresh juices out before taking proper bites as the young boy whistled to summon the Radiant Host and his peers to come help and they faded from view.

Natsu then found herself on the streets of Thavnarian, finding Fuyu’li carrying a large box and dressed in local attire. Beside him the Auri boy walked while looking up at him, “It is very kind of you to offer your assistance to the alchemists. I know they appreciate an outsider's insight and rarely get feedback from other nations’ peers.”

“Anything to help. I would have died on the beach if it wasn't for your kindness and the kindness of your people. I will gladly work to earn my place here,” Fuyu’li answered. 

The boy stopped, bringing his fist to his chin as he thought, “Surely you miss your home and family though. I would hate to think you are depriving them of your company feeling you owe us something. You have more than repaid us in your assistance.”

Fuyu'li shook his head, “I'm the second eldest son of a very large clan. I doubt they've noticed my absence, though I should send a bird letting them know I am well and safe. For now, I think it is safest for me to stay here and serve you.”

“If you are certain, though, I would send word to them soon. Family is important. You never know when you might lose someone you love.”

Fuyu’li’s ears lowered as the boy’s tone lowered and became sullen. Natsu watched as the Miqo'te opened and closed his mouth, trying to find words that weren't coming to him easily. “Did…you lose someone important to you?”

The boy nodded, “My big sister.”

“Was it because of the warring…”

“No. At least not the one Garlemald persists to wage. She was lost to us and I have never once given up hope on finding her.”

The Miqo’te perked up as the other explained then thought, “I might…be able to find those who could help. If you’d tell me a bit more…”

The scene faded and Natsu found herself on a familiar dining cart sitting across Fuyu’li. She was looking out the window while the Miqo'te was busy cutting a fish filet into squares.

“Trains are amazing, are they not? What would take weeks now is reduced to just over a day and the scenery is so beautiful it’s almost hard to believe that there is a civil war going on just North of here. So, you never said why you are traveling to Eorzea”

Natsu watched herself smile then give a little nod to Fuyu'li, “I'm looking for information on my late father. He migrated to Eorzea before I was born. Apparently I have an older brother that can tell me about him…I just have to find him first.”

Fuyu'li' perked up, “I too am on a mission to find the whereabouts of another! My master's older sister disappeared somewhere in Eorzea and I've set off to find her for him! She is the dearest person to him. Sadly I've little to go on in terms of her whereabouts aside from a memento left behind. I am not worried though as there are many there with a special insight bordering on prophetic. Perhaps as strangers in a strange land we can accompany one another. My connections might very well lead us to your brother as well!”

They faded and now they were together wandering Ul’dah. Natsu watched as she wandered excitedly forward, having found out the new location of her brother's Free Company. This was the day they were separated. As she wandered ahead, Fuyu'li stopped, looking down an alleyway. Waving him over was the young Au Ra. Abandoning Natsu he hurried over and her vision ended.

Natsu took a large breath of air as she came out of her trance, looking up to L’lolamo as she furrowed her brow and hummed strange notes. “Is it working? I don't think it's working,” the Miqo'te finally said, noticing the other's gaze.

“No. It worked. I saw Fuyu'li and I think the person who he refers to as his young master and then…when we met…and then when we were separated. He's being manipulated by the imposter!”

As she came to the realization loud thudding sounded from the roof followed by her linkpearl buzzing followed by Nyx's voice. “Obinata, Blackmoon. Reinforcements have arrived at your location. Prepare for combat.”