#I love yumeric's epistolary romance

[starlit-seadragon]

Day 8 - EC

Tried something a little different with a mostly dialogue-focused piece!

Following the Dragonsong War, Yume and Aymeric decide that, while courtship is an unreasonable course of action at present, writing letters to each other is completely acceptable; they are, after all, still friends.

The moogles of the post system find their correspondence to be quite diverting.

kupo.

My FFXIV Write Masterpost here.

The wooden hatch of Gridania's post-moogle hut slammed open. Startled, the moogles in the room stopped their work and turned towards the disturbance. Through the opening, a breathless moogle sped, skidding across a tabletop and crashing into a pile of mail.

The moogles looked on in apprehension.

From the center of the pile of mail, a furry paw emerged, a single letter clutched within. The wayward moogle's head followed. He brandished the letter like a banner.

"We got another one, kupo!" he cried.

The room erupted into cheers.

A storm swept through, various moogles flying this way and that, shouting over one another to be heard.

"Who has the knife?"

"Over here, kupo!"

"Be careful with that!"

"Grab the kupo nuts!"

"KUPO NUTS!"

All at once, the activity ceased. The moogles had arranged themselves into a loose circle, some floating, others resting atop tables or on piles of mail. The kupo nuts had been passed around, and they ate in contented anticipation as the moogle with the letter opener verrrrrry gently removed the wax seal.

Without damaging the envelope.

As was only proper, they handed it back to the moogle who had brought the letter. Whoever brought in the next part of the story held the grand honor and responsibility of its telling.

The postmoogle cleared his throat excessively.

"Friends, moogles, countrymen. I bring to you now the next installment in the story of two young lovers. What sweet nothings will pass between them this time? Will they ever tell each other how they truly feel? And what--"

"Oh for the love of -- get on with it!"

A kupo nut landed squarely on the reader's head and bounced off. A moogle below caught it and flew to a safe distance to enjoy their spoil.

"Kupopo! Settle down now! The next moogle to interrupt is getting their kupo nuts confiscated, you hear?" The moogle with the knife brandished it to demonstrate their point.

The reader fluffed out his fur in indignation.

"Well I never," he sniffed.

"Please, do continue," encouraged the letter-opener. Murmurs of assent echoed throughout the circle.

The reader cleared his throat again.

And again.

And again.

The letter-opener placed a paw on the reader's shoulder.

"Right," the reader muttered. In a clear voice, he read:

"My dear Aymeric,"

"Ohhh that one never fails to warm my pom," a moogle swooned.

"Hush, we're barely into it!"

"Your kupo nuts!"

Loudly, they shushed each other. The letter-opener pointed at the crowd with intent.

"I am writing to you from the sunlit fields of the peaks of Gyr Abania. There are butterflies here larger than I am, in all the colors of dawn. I hear tell, however, that they are quite toxic, so observing from a distance may prove the wisest course of action. The land is rugged but beautiful, with wide, open fields and sloping paths. Imagine riding a chocobo through it, wind in your hair, the smell of earth all around -- perhaps we could have a race. Have you a favored bird you think could best Tsubasa? I should like to see you try."

A chorus of "ooooooh"s echoed through the moogles.

"Let's see... she's talking about politics... blah blah..." The reader shuffled through the pages, searching. "Oh, here we go. I know that time is brief and that our correspondence is briefer--"

A moogle near the back scoffed. "Brief? Her letter is three pages long!"

"--but I pray you'll allow me a moment to address the moogles... presently reading... this letter..."

An uneasy silence descended.

"...yes, I know you've been reading these letters; the kupo nut crumbs were the least of the clues. While I am used to all of the star prying into my personal affairs, I suspect Aymeric has largely been spared this invasion, at least to the extent that I've had to endure it. As such, I'd consider it a personal favor if you ceased pawing through our correspondence, to say nothing of the sanctity of the post -- which I'm sure I don't need to explain to you."

A whimper sounded. Several paws brushed self-consciously at crumb-laden fur.

"Upon delivery of this letter, you will confess to your prying and formally apologize to Aymeric. Additionally, you will make amends by polishing armor and oiling weapons at the Congregation of Our Knights Most Heavenly. Do not attempt to shirk this duty, for I will know. If you're still tempted, pray ask your cousins in the Churning Mists what happens to those who do not heed me."

"Sh-she's bluffing!" one moogle cried.

"She's not," answered another glumly.

Several moogles shivered violently.

"Shirayume is scary when she's angry, kupo!"

"Why is it always White Mages...?"

Like a heavy raincloud, they sulked, teary and sullen.

"Guess we better get started then," one mumbled. A kupo nut was thrown in their direction.

Grumbling, the moogles resealed the letter, taking great care to brush any errant kupo nut crumbs away.

Hours later, the Congregation floors were covered in crumbs, but their weapons and armor gleamed.