#for a long time thancred and minfilia (ryne) seemed unable to let go of the ghosts of the pasts. but now they can.

[sheeshiki]

if anything is going to happen to her i'll kill everyone in my party and then myself

[catte-bard]

FFXIV Write 2021 #1: Foster

It was time for them to go. 

Thancred looked at the girl before him. Her jaw clenched tight as she struggled to hold back tears. Clinging tightly to the gunblade in her arms. 

There was still so much left he needed to tell her. So much she needed to hear. And yet time would not allow him to share it. 

He remembered the timid, meek girl she used to be. Barely having the courage to speak up. Always walking with her head held low. Always fidgeting when someone addressed her.

A spark of guilt took a stab at his heart. Part of her low self-esteem had been his doing. When he’d been closed off and distant with her. The girl had thought he hated her…

And for that he’d forever carry the scars of guilt. 

But looking at her now, he could scarcely believe this was that same girl. She stood straighter, she wasn’t afraid to speak her mind, and she had a fire in her eyes that rivaled the Warrior of Light’s.

She’d grown so much in such a short span of time. And he was proud of her for it.

And he wanted to tell her that. Wanted to tell her that and more. But he didn’t know how. He was hoping to stay strong for their farewell. And yet here he was unable to give the proper words for their final goodbye.

“Look at you. You’ve grown so much.” He found his voice. And also found his throat ached as he spoke the words. “Stronger, braver, and wiser.”

Gods above is this what all parents experienced when the fledglings were learning to fly? Pride but also a dull ache at the thought of an empty nest? 

Grown she had but there was still so much more for her to do. And he wouldn’t be around to help her. Wouldn’t be around to see her mature even more. 

“I don’t think I’d have the strength to do it all if it weren’t for you and the other scions.” Ryne blushed. “I wouldn’t even be standing here if it weren’t for you.” And she hugged the gunblade tighter. 

Thancred smirked and placed a hand upon her head, playfully ruffling her hair. “None of that now. Even when we first met I saw resolve in your eyes. You weren’t content to play the part of Vauthry’s caged bird forever. You would’ve found the strength eventually to break from your shackles even if I hadn’t come along.”

"But it would’ve been rather lonely if you hadn’t.” The girl managed a small smile. And she shifted awkwardly from foot to foot. “It’s going to be rather lonely after you’re gone too…”

“You won’t be on your own though.” Thancred reassured her. “You and Gaia have been getting along fine, haven’t you? And then there’s Lyna and everyone else here at the Crystarium. Our allies in Eulmore and Il Mehg and Amh Araeng. You won’t be alone here.” 

“I’ll…” Her hands clenched into fists. “One day I’ll find a way to travel across the rift to see you again. And I’ll tell you all I’ve accomplished and I’ll bring Gaia along and we can all have a nice long chat over some archon loaf while we catch up. Alright?” Determination glittered in her eyes.

Thancred felt a lump rise in his throat and he let out a laugh to fight back the emotions threatening to choke him. “Sounds like a plan! I look forward to it and I know Urianger certainly will as well.”

He sobered for a moment, taking in the girl before him. Noting how she tried her best to keep a brave face. Trying her best not to cry in front of him and the others. They had all been such a brief part of her life and yet she found in them a family. And now they had to leave her.

A part of him didn’t want to leave her—couldn’t bear the thought.  But nay...he couldn’t cling to her like clung to Minfilia. He had to let her go eventually. Allow her to bloom into her own person without him hovering over her. 

He had to say goodbye.

“Ryne…” He began softly—hesitantly. “I’m so proud of you.” 

The girl looked at him in surprise, and that seemed to finally let the tears fall. She threw her arms around him, burying her face against his chest as if ashamed of letting anyone see her cry. 

“I’m going to miss you.” She lamented. “I’m going to miss you all so much.”

Gods it was going to be hard to leave her behind. It was going to be hard not thinking about what could go wrong without him there to protect her. But he had to trust her. Had to let her go.

He had taught her all he could in such a short span of time. And now it was time to let her go and use that knowledge to find her own way through the world. 

“You’re going to be just fine on your own.” He wrapped his arms around the girl. Holding onto her as tightly as she held him. “I know you will.”

After all she took after her father.