#if you’re not trolling your niblings every now and then?

[ladyofvoss]

FFXIVWrite 2024 #13: Butte

noun: an isolated hill with steep sides and a flat top (similar to but narrower than a mesa).

Thalia glared at the map in her hands, glancing around at the expanse of rock that surrounded them, before huffing in frustration, the weathered paper crinkling in her hands.

“Careful”, Theo spoke up behind her, tending to their chocobos, her uncle’s tone and mannerisms coming off way too nonplussed, given that they were lost.

“Are you really not going to help?”

Her uncle gave her a look of mock disbelief, eyes wide and everything. “Perish the thought, cub! After all, you insisted on taking the lead here, that at your mature age of sixteen summers you were no longer a child and thus more than capable. And who am I to rob you of the chance of such a rich learning opportunity?”

Alright, so maybe he had a point, and maybe she was far too insistent on being the one to read the map, going as far as to steal it from his saddlebag and sneak it into hers. But still…..

“Well”, Thalia countered with a huff, “if we die of starvation and thirst in the middle of nowhere, mama will be very cross.”

Theo simply reached out to ruffle her hair, unfazed. “Then you better hurry.”

Why was he choosing today of all days to be so annoying?

Fine then, Thalia thought as she returned her attention to the wrinkled map. That was when she noticed it, the flat rocky crop of land jutting out against the brown paper. It was just on the other side of this canyon of rocks they were navigating through.

The V tribe made their home in its shade. And once they reach there they’d be able to replenish supplies and continue on their way.

It was west of them, and judging by the location of the sun, if they were to head in that general direction……

Thalia turned the map this way and that, taking a second look at the way the illustration of the rock canyon twisted, slowly putting together the direction the path took in front of her…..

“I’ve got it!” Thalia announced triumphantly, rolling the map up before bouncing back to place it in her saddlebag, pulling out her compass.

“And not a moment too soon”, Theodard said, rubbing at his throat dramatically, “I fear I’m beginning to grow a touch parched.”

This earned him an exasperated groan and an eye roll as Thalia took her chocobo’s reins from him. “Are you coming or not?” She retorted, before leaving without waiting for an answer, her uncle’s laugh ringing behind her as he followed behind.