#l'lolamo lolomori

[yzeltia]

FFXIVwrite2024 7. Morsel

Characters: Deryk, L'lolamo Lolomori(Venat) Expansion: Endwalker Rating: T Summary: Deryk reunites with a familiar soul

Deryk felt a familiar tug in his heart as he found L’lolamo waiting at the docks for him. It was the faintest of sparks, but it was unmistakably Venat’s. Approaching quietly, he sat down beside L’lolamo, his opo-opo climbing up on her lap as caressed a small shirt in her hand. “I’d never thought I’d see you again,” Deryk said softly. “Were you, too, unable to leave them behind?”

L’lolamo folded her ears then shook her head. “I missed so much…I missed his first adventure. His first heartbreak. All of the important things he’ll remember…but without me there,” she started, holding her son’s old shirt to her chest. “He doesn’t need me anymore…so I cannot say why she left me behind.”

Deryk crossed his arms. “Azem, rather, Gelos, was always her favourite protege. She loved him as if he were own. I imagine she felt much the way you do now…And thus when it came time for her champions to rise she made it so that in some way, she could watch over him and guide him.”

“I think so too, but…I didn’t get to really do that much. I could only watch…” L’lolamo said softly.

“Is that not true of all parents? U’rahn is his own person, who has made many…many mistakes, and no doubt make many more. You’re here now,” Deryk pointed out while reaching over to collect his opo-opo, “To continue to guide him. Besides, I hear you’re a grandma now. There will be much more ”

Deryk let out a grunt as L’lolamo slugged him. “Don’t say it like that! I’m much too young to be a grandma! But…thank you,” she said with a little smile before standing up. “Good luck on your travels. Make sure you come visit again now and then too.”

With that, she gave a little wave then started back toward the village, hugging her son’s old shirt tightly before hurrying along to go see what her granddaughter's were up to. Deryk smiled, closing his eyes then taking off his boots to dip his feet into the Forgotten Springs and watch the setting sun. 

[yzeltia]

Closer to You

Chapter 3 Characters: Natsu Obinata, Violet Fisher, @driftward 's Nyx Blackmoon, U'odh Nuhn, U'rahn Nuhn, L'lolamo Lolomori, U'rahn Tia Rating: T for Nuhn Notes: cw Asphyxiation, cw mammet abuse

Natsu’s soul sunk into her belly as she soared through the air on Violet's dirt bike. Even with a helmet and assurances of having an aetheric barrier of protection it did little to assuage the uneasiness that came with 200 lbs of Garlean metal between their legs bounding over sand dunes.

“If you squeeze me any tighter I'm going to pass out,” Violet warned through her linkpearl, not flinching as she landed and sharply turned to putter down a dip between the high mounds of sand.

“S-sorry,” Natsu said, loosening her grip.

“It's fine. You should worry about yourself too. I don't want you passing out because you grazed me wrong.”

“I'm sorry?”

“You get hit with the Echo by touch and given the way you forget with your gloves, you've got little control over it.”

“Yeah…I'm told that is not conventional. Most apparently have visions of an event, I seem to live it. Where I grew up…it…well…”

“I get it. I can dip into the lifestream…people aren't exactly kind to those who know things they shouldn't. You won't find yourself short of those who can empathize if you continue to stick around the Free Company.”

Natsu tensed up, turning to rest the cheek of her helmet on Violet's back. “I feel I've rather worn out my welcome. Leon…”

“Don't start with that shit. You didn't do anything wrong. You hear me?”

“But-”

“Look. I can count the people that are close to me on two hands. Leon was one of them. Whatever is going on didn't happen because he decided to play big brother in Y'zel's absence. He was a good guy and would not blame you for his circumstances. You said you felt what he was feeling. Did he even spare you a thought, anger or otherwise?”

Natsu went silent. She didn't like to dwell on her experiences with the Echo, but Violet had a point. She was the least of Leon's concerns. It helped, in a roundabout way.

“Thanks,” Natsu said weakly.

Violet turned her head a little bit to look back at the Au Ra, “I wouldn't thank me yet. I had an ulterior motive for dragging you along.” 

Natsu sat back a bit, looking at Violet before jumping in her seat as news articles flashed into her visor. She yelped as Violet hit the breaks to keep her from falling backward.

“I threw together some Allagan tech and my own to display audio visuals as a means of communication or tuning out to boring conversations.”

Natsu nodded, looking through the articles, the pages seeming to pick up on her attention. Most described catch and release kidnappings by Garlean soldiers. “I don't understand…these people are reporting that they were lightly interrogated and then released unharmed. What does this have to do with me?”

“Possibly nothing, but there's two things that have given me pause. One is that, while not reported, every victim had the Echo.”

Natsu tilted her head, reading through an article again, “How could you know?”

“I didn't at first. Which brings me to the second part. Three victims have not been returned. First a researcher who studies those with the Echo, Patient Heaven, then Archon Mikoto Jinba and the other a nobody in terms of status, Hayzel Summers.Here's the thing though, the latter is the brother-in-law of one of the Free Company's grunt workers. He had asked for help and divulged that they have the Echo as well. So I hit the pavement to get more information.

“The Archon has the ability to get glimpses of the future rather than look into the past while the other can manifest dreams and nightmares. The others involved had your run of the mill brief headaches with little bites of the past.”

Natsu thought for a moment, “What made you piece all of this together?”

“Boredom, mostly. I've grown accustomed to chaos.”

“And my place in all this?”

Violet didn't answer immediately, rolling through the dunes carefully. “I think you're a potential target, along with myself.”

“Because of our Echo…”

“Exactly,” Violent said crisply before stopping as they neared the walls of the Forgotten Springs, “What's more is that this all coincides with Y'zel's disappearance. Shortly after the abduction of Mikoto and the trickling in of reports he went missing and the database at headquarters was softlocked forcing Gage to beef up security measures. I believe he figured out what was going on and tried to sabotage whoever is looking for Echo users.”

“I don't understand. Why wouldn't he say something?”

Violet pulled off her helmet then shook out her hair. “Most likely to keep himself hidden given his own Echo. Not to mention he is notoriously bad at communication.”

Natsu pulled her helmet free then rubbed on her horns, finding them a bit itchy after being compressed inside the helmet. Violet crossed her arms, leaning on her cycle as she bit her thumb and got lost in thought for a moment before looking to the gate. “All of it feels connected…but the why eludes me. No reason to worry about it now anyway. Let's go see what had our favorite automaton fly this way.”

“Automaton?”

“Nyx.”

“Are they not a Miqo'te?” Natsu asked.

“I am not a Miqo'te,” a monotone voice came from behind.

Natsu jumped then turned around to find Nyx staring at her. Nervously she took a step back, feeling as if she were being assessed by their vacant stare. 

“Rahn has been harmed by an unknown assailant claiming to be me. The Drake clan has conflicting stories about traffic to and from his home. U-Rahn Tia has been damaged and cannot give an unbiased report. There is an urgent need to perform corrective violence. Possibly to the point of extermination of the threat.”

Violet was taken aback at the news, “Someone hurt him? Physically?”

“Yes. Rahn is not invulnerable. He can be poisoned, drowned, starved-”

“Maybe we don't list all the ways you've calculated to kill your boyfriend and just tell us what happened.”

“Understood. Asphyxiation.”

Natsu let out a little gasp in shock, though Nyx looked on unphased. The Hyur simply nodded then turned to lead them back into the village where Drake huntresses gathered around a singular house, well armed and looking worried. As Natsu looked back to see if Nyx was following, she found them just as suddenly absent.

Natsu soon found herself in U'rahn's small house. The Nuhn was laid out on a bed with a damaged Miqo'te mammet under his arm. He was propped up against a Miqo'te woman who had his similar sandy hair as he slept soundly while in her arms. U’rahn’s breathing was shallow and pained. A large plum colored bruise covered his neck.

“Shit,” Violet breathed out before looking up to the older Miqo'te. “Nyx said you don't know who did this? Are you certain this wasn't a Tia scuffle and the ladies are just covering it up? I don't see the guys around.”

The man rubbed his beard and shook his head, “Khuba and Thyka are scouting the area for trrraces of the assailant. I'm not optimistic. No one can agrrree on a damn thing.”

“I'm sure we'll figure out who hurt your son, U'odh,” Violet said, giving the Au Ra a glance.

Natsu quickly averted her gaze and began to fidget with her gloves. She began to look around quietly taking in the room to avoid the Hyur’s knowing gaze as they talked with U'rahn's father. 

The room was fairly organized with just two beds, a kitchenette, and small dining area. Faded posters of bomball players and teams were slapped across the wall along with a bunch of newer pictures of friends and family. Many featured him squished together in a frame with Nyx. Books were stacked up next to his bed, most on prenatal and child care, the Nuhn seeming to be expecting his first. And then of course a pile of clothes and adventuring gear. “Um…where did it happen,” Natsu asked.

U’odh turned, “In here. We found him on the ground with Lolamo nearby.”

“Did you clean up then?”

Violet quickly spun her head, “Shit. You're right, Natsu! U'rahn isn't exactly the most perceptive of his surroundings. If there was a fight there'd have been signs.”

U’odh shook his head and looked to his son and wife, “Only the mammet and U'rahn seemed harmed. There was also an iron skillet on the floorrr. Aside from that, nothing was amiss.”

The Hyur moved to the bed, reaching for the mammet before having her hand intercepted by Nyx. “You will not touch U-Rahn Tia. I will start on repairs after I have finished assessing the threat.”

Violet held her hands up defensively as Nyx backed away with U’rahn Tia, placing the mammett on the counter in the kitchenette. Natsu squirmed where she stood, feeling more and more on the spot, knowing well she could simply get their answers with a touch. Carefully she pulled her glove from her hand and walked toward the bed.

“Obinata,” Nyx’s voice sounded by her horn, “Your experience will be unpleasant if you proceed with your course of action.”

Natsu jumped, startled by Nyx’s swift interception, “H-How did you-” “Observation.”

“R-Right,” the Au Ra said before looking down at her hands, “But…I think I’m the only one that will take the guesswork out of what happened.”

“Understood. You may touch Rahn. I shall standby to pull you away should you express discomfort,” Nyx said, moving to stand stiffly at the side of the bed. 

“Thank you,” Natsu said before sitting beside the sleeping pair before carefully putting her hand on U’rahn’s bicep.

Her thoughts were scattered. One minute she was worrying about her huntress having enough broccoli to wondering what Jannie was getting up to with her wedding plans before starting to feel anxious about asking Nyx to marry her. No thought stayed too long though. 

Shje sighed, looking to her mom in the next bed wondering if she was ever going to recover and wake from her sleep. 

“Father. Not Not Mother is here,” U'rahn Tia chirped from beside his bed.

“No no buddy. Heck you're getting worse. Just say Mother. Not, Not Mother…er, Not Not Not Mother,” he said, scratching his  chin, fumbling on the words before perking up as Nyx let themself in, “Hey Hey! I've been good and staying put like you asked. Did they tell you U’goromuli is officially with child! I'm gonna be a dad!”

“Yes, Rahn,” Nyx said, attention turning to U'rahn Tia as he wandered toward them.

“Not Not Mother,” U'rahn Tia said, pointing up toward Nyx.

Nyx’s eyes narrowed. Natsu felt her heart race as a sense of dread came over them. Nyx didn't squint…or really make any expression. Standing, he quickly put himself between U'rahn Tia and the imposter. “Hey Hey! You know how you were telling me about where you came from the other day but I forgot whether you were from a Seeker tribe or Keeper tribe…or just a Miqo'te from neither.”

Nyx seemed to search his face, “I am just a Miqo'te.”

Her ears perked. This wasn't Nyx. They would never say they were a Miqo'te. Suddenly all their conversations from the past month ran through her mind, thinking on them expressing a dislike for food she'd made as too salty and her ambivalence toward U'rahn Tia aside from the occasional glance. There were times where he'd asked about something they'd said before but could not recall. 

“I'm such an idiot,” she said in disbelief before finding Nyx’s hand tight around his throat and lifting him much higher than they should be able to.

“I was intending on keeping you here until I finished, but if you're intent on getting in the way, Warrior of Light, I will have to put you down,” Nyx’s voice sounded, though filled with a strange frustration she thought impossible.

She squirmed and tried to kick but the shock of not having air made her quickly weaken in struggle. Her aetheric shield seemed to falter as she panicked , feeling her trachea be collapsed by the hand. Out of the corner of her eye she saw U'rahn Tia come forward and start punching at the imposter’s shin.

“It is herrro time,” the mammet said in his monotone before being kicked and sent into the wall.

Fear flooded Natsu, having never been faced with her own mortality. As she felt herself slipping into unconsciousness a soft familiar voice sounded, “Get…your hand…off my…baby!”

“Obinata!”

Natsu yelped as she was pulled back into Nyx’s strong arms. Shaking she quickly pushed past everyone to get outside, Violet and Nyx following. As she knelt down to get sick, she felt both pull her bangs back. Once finished, she wiped her face and sniffled as U’odh bought a cool wet cloth for her to clean up with.

“S-Someone who looked like Nyx came. He knew it wasn't them just from a look they gave the mammet and when they were wise to one another they attacked him…I think…I think his mom woke up to save him? He was really confused and relieved right before I felt him start to fade.”

“Talk about mother’s instinct,” Violet said before looking to Nyx, “Any chance you have sisters running around?”

“Extremely unlikely. And they would not match my appearance.”

“Then our mysterious changeling strikes again,” Violet mused.

Natsu shook out her head then stood up. “I should see what I can get with his mom. Maybe they'll see something.”

“Obinata, your heightened emotional state due to experiencing the perception of end of life has caused injury to your physical state. Food and rest is recommended before you make contact with another,” Nyx cautioned in their monotone.

Natsu blinked then held her stomach a moment before giving a little nod. “If you insist.”

“I do not insist. Your wellbeing will do more to help Rahn and find my target.”

“Well, I insist,” Violet interjected, handing Natsu her glove, “Have anything to eat old man?”

U’odh crossed his arms, furrowing his brow a bit. “I will do my best to fix something up. Have U’goromuli find you a room to rest in. She should be in our common building.”

With that the Nuhn turned, leaving the three to themselves, though Nyx seemed to vanish in the time it took for the other two to think to look back for them. Natsu sighed, lightly bumping into Violet as they entered the Forgotten Springs’ commons, letting the Hyur wrap her arm around her in comfort.

[yzeltia]

-Closer to You-

-Master Post-

Rating T: For Tia Original Characters: Y'zel Tia, Natsu Obinata, Patient Heaven, Leonnioux Ouraux, Violet Fisher, U'rahn Nuhn, L'lolamo Lolomori[Shard: Hydaelyn], U'rahn Tia, Jannie Eyradoux, Fuyu'li Cen Zwhan, Keith Summers, Carter Summers, Claudien, Drowning Thunder, Bounding Otter, Hayzel Summers [Unsundered: Hypnos], Raiden Obinata, Asa Obinata, Featured Borrowed Characters: @driftward 's Zoissette Vauban and Nyx Blackmoon @erickgage 's Erick Gage, Silent Coeurl, Pouncing Coerul, and Rysthota Sundstywyn @healerstail 's Meya Ganajai @mintibunny 's Minti Chocolate @ladyofvoss 's Thalia Voss @niraff14 's Yesuntei Kagaon @goldencrusader 's Ioh'Juhn Reighn Canon Characters: Thancred Waters, U'odh Nuhn, Drake Clan, Y'shtola Rhul, Varshahn, Ryne Waters, X'ruhn Tia, Urianger Augurlet, Mikoto Jinba, Hien Rijin, Y'mhitra Rhul

Prologue 1. I Can Fix This... 2. gLoveless 3. Impossible Imposter 4. A Mother's Intuition 5. He Forgave Me 6. Blackbrush Railway [Hard] 7. Will We Ever Be Us Again? 8. At the Heart of...? 9. Misplaced 10. Terminus 11. The Golden Timeline 12. The Door of Fate We Choose 13. True Heaven 14. You And I Are Connected By... 15. The Limited Express Train [Hard] 16. You Have Finally Realized It 17. Don't Worry, Your Days of Eating Alone Are Almost Over 18. Even If Your Love is a Lie 19. The Destination of Our Fate [Extreme] or The Wheel That Spins Us Round 20. But I Love You Anyway

[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.”

[yzeltia]

Closer to You

Chapter 4 Characters: Natsu Obinata, Violet Fisher, U'odh Nuhn, U'rahn Nuhn, L'lolamo Lolomori (Hydaelyn), U'rahn Tia, Jannie Eyradoux, Drake Clan Rating: T for Nuhn Notes: cw seeing someone choked, cw mammet abuse

Dinner was quiet, or rather, Natsu had been. While the whole of the Drake clan had been warm and inviting, there was a certain aura of melancholy any time someone glanced at a vacant seat. Everyone was missing U'rahn, but didn't seem to want to say it. What's more was that she felt unworthy of their hospitality, unable to provide an answer to get them closer to the truth.

She reflected on this as she leaned over the balcony of her and Violet's room, the latter opting to lounge in her bed and read one of the books from U'rahn's stack. Not bothering to look up, Violet sighed and called out to Natsu. “Nyx said rest. You're going to rub your hands raw if you keep fidgeting like that.”

The Au Ra looked down at her bare hands, having not noticed she'd been wringing them together. Returning to her bed, she flopped down then hugged onto a pillow before pulling her tomestone over to have something to play with.

“Expecting someone,” Violet asked, attention rising from the book.

“No, not really.”

The book was shut and the Hyur suddenly had a bemused look upon her face. “Who is he?”

“I'm sorry,” Natsu asked, head tilted.

“You're worse at girl talk than me. The only use that thing has is business and pleasure and I'm not thinking you get a lot of work calls,” Violet scoffed, gesturing to the tomestone.

Natsu flushed lightly. “No. It's nothing like that at all. Though, I haven't heard from my friend in some time. I'm worried about him. People are often unkind to him.”

“So it is a guy.”

“I'm not exactly his type,” Natsu laughed while shaking her head, “He um…prefers much taller partners…”

“Men?”

Natsu avoided the other's interested gaze as she gave a little nod, “Well, that too.”

“No need to be bashful about it. He's not getting shit because of that is he? I'll literally stuff someone in a cannon and fire them into the farthest depths of the Indigo Deep.”

“No. It's not like that. Fuyu'li is of Garlemald. He joined me on the ship when we stopped in Thavnair and we traveled Eorzea together while I was looking for my brother and he was looking for ways to help his master’s sister. Eorzea is a nice enough place and I understand people's caution…but some people could be so cruel.”

“I don't think you understand,” Violet responded sharply, “No offense but you're from Hingashi. Eorzeans lived in constant fear of occupation. An entire moon was dropped on us to that extent and while we've entered peace time, it does not undo the damage that has been done or bring back those we've lost. It is going to take time.”

Natsu lowered her head, “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-”

“I know. It's just a bit of a sore spot.”

Silence lingered between them for a moment. Violet eventually leaned back while Natsu shyly held herself, rubbing her arms.

“Did you…lose someone,” Natsu eventually asked.

“Many. Most importantly the one person in the world that was left who believed in me at the time…

“I'm sorry…Were they your…”

Violet stared at Natsu a moment before bursting out laughing, so much so that she fell back onto her bed. When she finally could catch her breath she waved her hand. “Far from it. He was an old man. No…I am… hard to love.”

Nastu frowned as Violet started to rake her hair through her fingers, looking elsewhere for a moment, seeming rather lost. Feeling that she should turn in, the Au Ra shifted to pull her covers around her, opting to let Violet take care of the lights when she was ready to turn in herself. As Natsu found herself in the throes of falling asleep, she felt Violet plop down behind her.

“You don’t have to play the lost, shy ingénue y’know,” Violet said softly, ‘You are allowed to be angry.”

Natsu opened her eyes, shifting her head on her pillow so that her horn wouldn’t dig into the pillow case. “Angry…”

“You think we didn’t look into your background before letting you have the run of the Company? You grew up as a daughter of a noble family, whose mother was victim to scandalous rumors because she did not name a father. I know what it’s like growing up like that…either your mother becomes protective and shelters you like mine did or…,” Violet trailed, feeling Natsu tense up behind her, “Right. Well, the rest is obvious. Things got too much and you found out about your father and at some point Y’zel, traveled all the way here to find him missing and then your only friend runs off.

“You get to be angry. You’ve got every right to be. So don’t swallow it and make yourself out to be something you’re not. Okay?”

Natsu stared at the wall, feeling discomfort bubble up in her chest, a small burning. Violet was right, there was anger in her, a little at least. “I’ll keep that in mind,” she said softly before letting herself pass out. 🍎

When morning came, Natsu found herself alone in bed. She readied herself for the day and helped herself to some fresh tea before making her way to check on U’rahn and L’lolamo. Inside the Nuhn’s house, she found U’odh snoring lightly in a chair by U’rahn and L’lolamo, arms crossed and ears folded while behind the partition for the washroom she heard Violet arguing quietly with someone. Curious, she approached, finding the Hyur with an Elezen woman that seemed to have on light makeup that was a bit ill-suited to her complexion.

“You could have left this to me! You should be picking out flower arrangements or something,” Violet hissed.

The Elezen crossed her arms, shaking her head, “Artoirel is more than capable of making wedding decisions without me. Rahn is just as much a little brother to me as you. You should have contacted me immediately. How could anyone even- Oh! Hello!”

“Good Morning,” Natsu said, giving a formal bow.

“Right, this is the girl that can pick up an Echo from touch,” Violet said in a huff, “Natsu, this is Jannie. The third of the Warriors of Light.”

“Thank you for helping us get insight into what is going on with Rahn,” Jannie added quickly before ushering them back into the main room, “Have you eaten?”

“I had some tea.” “Oh, that won’t do. I will see U’khuba about getting you some bacon,” the Elezen fretted before hurrying off out of the small home.

“I dont’t- Oh, well there she goes,” Natsu sighed.

“She doesn’t want to seem like she’s just an extra warm body in all this. She doesn’t even need to be here,” Violet huffed. “So much for taking a break.”

“Some bacon would be nice though,” U’odh yawned, startling the two, “Are you feeling better Natsu?”

“Yes sir,” Natsu answered with a little nod, carefully pulling off her glove, “Should we wait for Nyx?”

“If they felt they should be herrre, they would be,” U’odh said, scratching his beard, “I’d take that this will not be as harrowing of an experience for you. Still…I feel I should say you do not have to do this for us. We are strangers and this seems to take a toll on you.”

“She doesn’t have anything better to do other than wait around,” Violet said flippantly, shrugging as Natsu whipped her head back toward her, “What? I’m not wrong.”

Grimacing a little, the Au Ra returned her attention to L’loamo assuring U’odh with a, “I’m happy to help,” before taking a deep breath and placing her hand on the woman’s arm.

She felt scattered, as if her thoughts were malms away…or perhaps not thoughts but little pieces of her soul. The last thing she remembered was feeling so sorry for someone. Someone so lonely that she’d given the last bit of herself so that he might feel a drop of love. And now she was nowhere…and everywhere, but not like before. There was no certainty she’d see her son again, or her husband, or her parents, or anyone….

And there was a pulse…a spark of inspiration, and again the thunderous might to protect those she loved. She felt herself being drawn inward. Warm embers of passion reminded her of her charitable heart before erupting into the flame of mortality. She felt a sense of self, she felt life’s embrace, and then a sense of time and place came to her. She was warm, in the desert…U’odh was close…and so was her boy.

Her heart swelled with love and duty. She was with them again, she could fight with them. And she could love them and never let them go. Rahn had friends now didn’t he. He’d love them too. And maybe a wife?  He was a Nuhn now, he’d said. She’d love her too. She knew it…and other things too. How many malms it was from her childhood home to the ocean, and how to make that into films and ilms. Common things too, like not drinking salt water. And more complex things like how to navigate the seas at night using the stars. A sense of excitement came over her as life restored meant a new path, a winding river of fate being gifted to her as this strange aether poured into her. And then she felt the wind in her lungs and took a breath as she opened her eyes.

Natsu blinked. Despite feeling whole again she was tired and her body was sore. Her ears perked up, the sounds of struggling catching them. Weakly getting to her feet, she looked up to find her son dangling his legs and tail as a smirking twin of him held him in the air by the throat. Her hand stretched out as she tried to summon her blades to her, chakrams, anything…only to have a cast iron pan appear in her grasp. 

“Get…your hand…off…my baby,” she sounded out hoarsely, bringing the pan up and out in front of her threateningly.

The imposter immediately was taken aback, dropping a limp Rahn to the floor. The snide expression on his face was gone, replaced by shock and then tears. “I’m sorry. I needed him out of the way…”

With that the imposter fled leaving her to drop the pan. The little bit of strength in her let her pick up Rahn and his little broken toy and get into the bed where was able to give him a light kiss on the head before returning to her slumber.

Natsu pulled back as she came to her senses, looking up to the expectant faces of Jannie and U’odh. A bit of excitement came over her as looked between them. “I understand what's happening.  Where's Violet,” she asked.

“I’m not sure exactly. She was watching you and suddenly ran out the door,” U’odh answered.

Natsu hesitated to explain for a moment but soon stood, wanting to give U’odh an answer to what happened to his family. Touching her linkpearl, she connected to Silent Courel, “I know why no one can agree on what they’re seeing. You saw your sister and Leonnoux saw Y’zel. Here, U’rahn saw Nyx, and L’lolamo saw U’rahn. I think someone is able to take on the appearance of a person that’s important to them.”

“Understood. I will communicate this to the rest,” Coeurl’s voice came through. U’odh shook his head, “That answers little, but at the very least we can be prepared. I’ll have everyone pair off so that way we cannot be surprised.”

Natsu shook her head, “They seemed to be done here. At least with U’rahn…they seemed to worry about him being in the way.”

Jannie suddenly stiffened, then looked outside. “Besting a Warrior of Light is not an easy feat and if that was their intention then I doubt they were looking to stop at just one. I rather hate to say this but Violet was right, it might have been best if I stayed away until we had a means to take care of this threat. I fear Violet and I might be targeted next.”

“What a crrruel method of enrapturing one’s opponent,” U’odh said, brushing his hand over L’lolamo’s head, “I think it best you and Violet find yourselves in betterrr company until your friends can find out more.”

“Fury, you might be right…though drawing us here was a miscalculation on their part. Artoirel would look rather out of place here and well, Violet’s beau isn’t among us anymore and I am uncertain if she’s moved on to another. Regardless, if someone was to make an appearance for her she would probably catch them rather off guard.”

“You would be surrrprised how the sight of your dearest one can captivate you. Are you not to be wed, Jannie? Out of place or not I’m sure the sight of your husband to be might give you a brief pause. Though I might have grown old and sentimental given my circumstances,” U’odh said, eyes not leaving his wife’s face.

“You can never truly know what’s in someone’s heart,” Natsu echoed, touching her chest briefly, “Though I guess, I can be an exception. L’lolamo was so happy to be back with you and U’rahn.”

U'odh went to say something, but was soon interrupted as a loud explosion shook the room. The Nuhn was gone with Jannie out the door as the calls to battle rang through the Springs. Natsu quickly put back on her glove then gave chase to see what had happened. 

Mechanical whirring sounded through the village as the screams and yells of the huntresses sounded out around her. Sand seemed to permeate the air, dusted up by whatever caused the explosion. As she hurried into the fray she collided with someone who was quick to embrace her before she could fall. For a brief moment she tried to get her bearings but felt herself falter as she slipped into an Echo.

She was happy, and yet there was a lingering anxiety as she watched Garlean airships on the horizon. It was quelled though as the laughter of her boys sounded out, both running toward her with apples cradled in the bottom of their shirts.

“Mama! Mama! Look!”

“Easy there,” a woman's voice cooed, bringing the Au Ra out of the vision.

Natsu felt herself closing her eyes. The embrace was warm and the other's calmness soothed her in a familiar way that she couldn't quite place. Released, she took a step back to look up at Roegadayn woman looking down at her. “I'm sorry ma’am!” she breathed out, moving to attempt to get by.

The woman seemed shocked, as if not expecting to be addressed. Still, she stepped aside. “It's not safe that way. You should take cover,” she warned.

“I have to find my friend,” Natsu called back before returning to her sprint.

As she hurried through toward the west gate, the sounds of mechanical clanging grew louder as the rallied cries of the Drake clan and their resident Flame soldiers crescendoed with it. A huntress being flung back beside her, Natsu drew her rapier and focus then flourished the latter into the air as wind erupted from her, blowing dust and debris aside and clearing the area for everyone.

Just outside the gate a Garlean Sweeper clutched an unconscious Violet in its hand. Focusing on the pilot, Natsu’s eyes widened, the magitek having a dark-haired Miqo’te on top with fringed blue tips.

Seeing a huntress raise her bow toward him, she propelled herself forward and slides her bowstring, “You can't! That's Fuyu'li!”

U’odh whirled around, sword in hand, “Well your friend is getting away with your other friend!”

Confused and scared, Natsu teared up, holding her sword up, “Please don't hurt him! There must be a reason why!”

Before U’odh could object further, the sound of Violet's motorcycle roared closer before landing between her and U’odh. Atop it L’lolamo held out her hand to swipe her husband’s sword before drifting around to Natsu’s side. Looking over a pair of glasses she yelled, “Let's go!”

“L-Lola!?,” U’odh balked.

Taking the Miqo'te’s hand, Natsu hopped on the back of the bike and let the woman rev off after the Sweeper as it passed over a dune in the distance. Natsu panted, looking back to the shocked Nuhn and his huntresses. “We’ll be back with answers! I promise!”

[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]

MiqoMarch U-27 Light

"Aw. Rahn, did you fall down playing hero again?"

[yzeltia]

MiqoMarch U-22 Time

"Rahn, sweetie. You're swinging your sword like an axe again."

"Oh...!"

"He'll get it in time Lolamo..."

[yzeltia]

Dates of the Realm

Chapter 3: Navigating Family Characters: U'rahn Nuhn, @driftward 's Nyx Blackmoon, Lolomori Totomori, L'ankeo Bhen, Llymlaen Rating: T for Nuhn Notes: As always thanks to Driftward for mechanical passes and letting my sweet Nuhn court their War Crime.

"You're going to love Mi'nani and grandpops! And they're going to love you!"

U'rahn bounced along ahead of Nyx as they watched him in all his jubilant excitement. 

"You've said so many times now, Rahn," they said, eye flitting up, catching the white and black tail feathers as they passed behind a cloud, "You are being pursued by strong aetheric signatures again."

"Huh? There's really nothing like that out here. I feel so much more energetic away from Eorzea!"

Nyx stared as their comment was unheeded. It was stated. He was warned. Their eyes flitted up to the horizon as an older Miqo'te woman who held similar features to L'lolamo Lolamori appeared at the top of the trail. Under her arm, she concealed a large basket.

"Your Mi-Nani approaches."

U'rahn's face lit up as he turned, ears and tail perked high. Seeing the basket, he bolted toward the woman, kicking up dust behind him.

"Mi'naniiiiiii," he called out, "Is that your laddu!?"

As he grew closer, his girlfriend behind him crouched, preparing to run to his side as they spied the basket open ever so slightly and a pair of malicious eyes peek out.

"Ill prepared as always Rahn m'boy," a husky voice growled from the basket.

U'rahn dug his heels into the earth as he tried to slow himself, the incline sending him backward onto his tail. A grey haired Lalafell popped out of the basket and landed at the Nuhn's feet, smirking down at him before picking him up by the foot and swinging him in a circle before letting go. 

"Grandpooooooops," U'rahn whined through the air before backflipping in the air and landing in his hero pose beside Nyx.

The man let out a hearty laugh then marched down the path with his wife in tow to greet the young couple properly. Standing in front of his grandson's girlfriend, he put his fists up on his hips and looked up to her. 

"You Nyx?"

"Yes."

"My grandson makin' you happy?"

"He provides enrichment."

"Good Good. Name's Lolomori Totomori. Folks call me Toto for short but you can call me Grandpops if you'd like," the man greeted in his thick La Nosecean accent as he held up his hand to shake.

"Greetings Totomori."

Nyx reached out and mechanically shook the man's hand before looking up to his wife.

"I am L'aneko Bhen, Rahn's Mi'Nani. It is a pleasurrre to meet you. His letters do not do you justice nor did they say you were a Miqo'te."

"I am not a Miqo'te," Nyx replied.

"Oh. Apologies then dear," the woman said, covering her mouth while looking to her husband.

"I have not taken offense. This is a common mistake."

"Yeah Yeah! Nyx is just Nyx," U'rahn echoed, ears fluttering as they made introductions.

"Understood. Well, I have prepared a meal for us to enjoy together and it is a lovely day for a picnic. There is a spot up the hill that looks out to the sea, let us make our way," L'aneko said before turning to lead the way.

Arriving at their vista, U'rahn's Mi'nani set her basket down and pulled out a blanket. The Nuhn was quick to offer to help, shaking the blanket out several times to spread it out evenly only to have it wrinkle as it landed. Nyx eventually stepping in for him, whipped it out once into a perfect square before taking a seat.

As L'aneko started to food and Toto set out dining where, U'rahn cuddled up next to Nyx, laying down on her thigh with his hands behind his head.

"Hey Hey. Did ya know my Grandpops is a local Herrro?"

"I only know as much as you have told me, Rahn."

"No No. Don't bother them with such a tale."

"C'mon Grandpops! I'm showin' off the family legacy."

The man crossed his arms chuckling, "You best keep that to yourself m'boy."

"Don't be vulgar Toto," L'aneko scolded.

"Yeah Yeah," the man waved off before shrinking back as his wife's ears pinned back, "I mean of course dear! Anyroad! Heroics it is!"

Toto cleared his throat then stood upright to crack his back and move to stand in the middle of their blanket as L'aneko served richly spiced food around him.

"Some fourty years ago I was the Captain of Llymaen's Lament. Sailed the high seas, looted ships, sank 'em. You look in the encyclopedia for a pirate and you'd find me. Well, the Navigator must have got real tired of my shit 'cause she threw one hell of a maelstrom at us and plucked me and me alone off the deck. Next thing I knew a bunch of Miqo'te women were surroundin' me with water and fruit bringing me back to health."

"This Sisters had given me a vision that a great champion would arrive in a storm when I was a girl. I would wait by the sea after every storm for our Herrro."

Toto nodded, crossing his arms, "It changes you. Being loved instead of feared. I couldn't remember the last time someone genuinely smiled at me. Yet, Aneko's here was enough to eradicate the villain I had become. And what man would dream of leaving a harem paradis- ERK."

The ex-pirate was silenced as a wooden salad bowl landed on his head.

"Sorry dear," L'aneko hummed, winking at a neutral Nyx and shocked U'rahn.

"No…No problem…," the pirate grunted, rubbing the forming knot, "Anyroad, I was changed by the generosity and kindness of the Viper women and pledged my axe to serve them."

"As promised by The Sisters. Long had our tribe been plagued by a monstrosity known as Rikitikitavi. The beast would attack Viper huntresses. Our tribe had been declining for some time and our Tia all had been slain trying to earn Nuhn status by felling our foe."

"The weasel didn't know what to make of me. I waltzed right into its territory, axe in hand. I think it laughed at me when it got a look at me. Last thing it did though. Brought the ladies home a big fur that day. Wanted me to be their Nuhn too but I'm a one woman man in my heart. It was Aneko from the moment I laid eyes on her."

"Yes. If only your eyes would listen," the woman laughed, leaning over to kiss Toto on the cheek, ears perking up as she heard a choked sob from her grandson.

Nyx's attention dropped to U'rahn in her lap as his face streaming with tears.

"Are you okay, Rahn?"

"It was love at firrrst sight. A beautiful storrry," the Nuhn wailed.

"Seven hells," Toto groaned while his wife offered their grandson a cloth to wipe his face, "Nuhn up boy!"

U'rahn blinked as he looked up to his grandpa in time to watch him grab a passing Booby and chucking it at his face. The Nuhn yelped then felt his hair be violently blown through before feeling static charge around him as lightning came down to strike him. Unharmed, the Booby preened its feathers then sat down, putting its beak in Nyx's lap.

"H-Hey Hey! That's my spo-" U'rahn huffed before stopping as the bird narrowed an eye at him, "Well…uh…Oh hey, Vindaloo."

U'rahn quickly stuffed his face while N'aneko raised her hand to warn him. Nyx looked down to the plate.

"Rahn. That contains Bhoot peppers."

Both U'rahn and Toto froze with forks on their mouths, faces turning bright red. Grandfather and Grandson soon bolted from the blanket off toward the sea. 

"Do not drink the water, Rahn," Nyx stated without raising their voice.

"Never a dull moment with those two. I hope you are enjoying yourself," L'aneko sighed.

"I am. I have been well enriched during this visit. Your food is palatable too."

"I'm glad to hear it. It has been hard to be so far away from Rahn. I am glad he's grown up so much and has found himself a partner that can keep up with antics. As his Mi'nani, I could have not hoped for more."

"Thank you."

The Booby raised its head from Nyx's lap and narrowed its eyes, prompting them to look in the same direction. At the base of the hill U'rahn coughed a bit of sea water up then waved up at them. The bird soon got up and bolted down the hill, giving chase to the Nuhn and ex-pirate as it tried to nip his tail. Nyx simply watched on while L'aneko let out a laugh beside them.

[yzeltia]

Handed Down from Stone

Chapter 6: Etched in Kunzite Characters: Y'zel Tia, L'lolamo Lolomori, Erick Gage, Ioh'Juhn Reighen Rating: T for Tia Notes: None

-Ishgard 1562-

The assumption of privacy had allowed little Y'zel to cut loose. Despite the cold of The Brume, he hugged onto his snowelezen for a moment then backed up, and began to spin about. The normally clumsy timid child, for a time, moved with grace, mimicking the moves he'd seen the lords and ladies he'd spied during the few times Raiden had treated them to The Forgotten Knight. 

Still, despite his deliberate footwork, there was little he could do to avoid the patch of iced-over stone hidden beneath the snow. With a cry, he found himself falling back onto his tail. His eyes widened and began as he struggled to catch his breath from the shock. Before his labored breathing could erupt into full sobs, he found himself scooped up into someone's arms and shushed.

"It's okay little one. It was just a little tumble," a woman's voice cooed.

Ears perking, Y'zel looked up from his soother's chest, finding a pair of red Seeker's eyes looking down at him. His mouth opened in awe for a moment, having not seen a Miqo'te other than himself for some time.

"See? Nothing is hurt aside from your ego."

Letting the boy free, she patted him on the head then looked over the snowelezen curiously. Y'zel fluttered his ears a bit, picking up on a strong aetheric signature coming from the strangely dressed Seeker, the woman dressed for much warmer weather.

"Were you sent from Halone," he asked curiously, attributing her appearance to be something deified.

"Oh goodness no. Though I suppose I was brought here by someone who thinks you're very special," she mused while turning around to pet him, "You should stop tuning her out."

Y'zel fluttered his ears then backed away. "Teacher says hearing things others don't is just the dragons trying to tempt me..."

The woman purses her lips. "Do you feel like that's true?"

"Well. No...I don't think a dragon would want to talk to me. Maybe eat me..."

"I don't think you wouldn't make a very satisfying meal. You're a bit too small. A snack perhaps?"

Y'zel's eyes started to widen again, followed by sharp inhales as the woman turned and gave him a sinister grin that soon disappeared when she took notice. 

"No no no! Don't cry. I was just teasing a little. Goodness, you're just as bad as my own little hero," she cooed, taking a knee. 

"Tell me about your friend here."

Y'zel sniffled then looked over to the snowelezen. "They're my dance partner..."

"Dance partner?"

The boy nodded then proceeded to bow and start his dance again around the snow person. The Seeker clapped as he finished his last few steps.

"Wonderrrful! You're a natural," she clapped. "But why not with a proper partner I wonder?"

Y'zel shuffled his feet and looked down. "I can't afford to go the cotillion lessons to learn how to be a gentleman and dance like everyone else."

The Seeker frowned then tilted her head, "Then where did you learn your steps?"

The boy perked up then went to his bag, pulling out a book and opening it to reveal etchings of Elezen dancing. "I watch people at the Inn...and then learn more from the library."

The Seeker squinted at the book for a moment then tossed her hair. "There's more to dancing than what you can learn from an old book...but you've got the spirit for it," she assured the boy before pulling out a small pink crystal, "I won't need this much longer...Perhaps I'm here to give it to you.'

Y'zel took the crystal and turned it over in his hand, examining the little heart etched into it. "I can really have it," he asked, feeling a strange pulse of aether emanating from it.

"Of course. Just take good care of it. It's been handed down dancer to dancer for generations," she cautioned, "And I suppose if you're looking to look into real dancing and not this stiff Ishgardian ballroom stuff, you might look at books written in Thavnair."

Y'zel looked up at the stranger, ready to turn on the waterworks again. Reaching out, she stroked at his cheek and pressed her finger to her lips. "If you shed any more tears your eyes will freeze over. I must go now little Tia...but promise me something. Do not deafen yourself because you are scared of what others might think. Hear words of love and the gifts given. Feel that you can sing and dance to the beat of your own drum. And don't let anyone think for you."

The boy nodded slowly as she spoke her peace. Snow blew and caught his eye, and by the time he finished rubbing them clean, she was gone.

-The Golbet, A Jazz Club, Somewhere after the events of Stormblood-

Y'zel turned his gaze to the floor as the spotlight hit him, cheek sparkling with glitter. The deliberate staccato of the brass section sounded out once more, and in sharp syncopation, he danced and moved with the music and troupe. Inhaling, he rolled his neck, listless blue eyes looking out into the crowd for the golden hair of his soon-to-be boss, Erick Gage,...that is if he performed as Asa had promised.

There were few things the Miqo'te had confidence in, and luckily for him, dancing happened to be one of them. He supposed this was how Asa sold his skills to the deadliest spy in Eorzea. Yet it was not his body that was for sale...in fact, it was the phurble-haired man had sent his savior rogue to free him from such a life. No, this was an audition of his gift.

Spinning himself off stage, he closed his eyes then stepped between tables, careful of his tail. His ears wiggled, yet this did little to throw him off balance. Sure it looked like he was joyfully motioning to the spectators as he moved through tables to the music, but in truth, he was channeling the aether about them...trying to hear the whispers of their past...perhaps a stray thought. 

It was mostly mundane, as always. Emotional highs and lows of his fellow Eorzeans tumbled through his mind as he pirouetted then looked up to the light again. But there was, without fail, a voice that stood out over the rest. 

"They'll pay good money in Doma for these Miqo'te...now that that Antelope tribe midwit is out of the way I'll take my place among the triad."

Y'zel's eyes flicked to a corner table, eyeing the source of echoed voice. A dark-haired Midlander man eyeing one of the troupe.

"Vesper Bay... Midnight. We'll have a fresh catalog. No one will miss a few fame-hungry dancers."

Y'zel shifted, grape vining quickly to the man's side of the room. As the sax squealed and the drums once more ramped up into deliberate beats, crescendoing three times. With each blast of the brass, Y'zel looked to Erick directly, looked up arm stretched high, then let his attention and finger point directly to the villain, seething and as the rancorous cadence played out, hopefully, missed by his target.

Out of the corner of his eye watched the boss raise his virgin cock tail as a toast, and as the lights flashed and the curtain fell, his silver-haired rogue appeared from behind the Hyur and covered his mouth before proofing into the darkness, applause covering any scream. 

As the lights returned and music played them off, he looked to Erick, receiving a nod of approval that would cement his position as an official member of Gage Acquisitions.

[yzeltia]

FFXIVWRITE Day 27: Hail

Characters: L'lolamo Lolomori, Violet Fisher, Jannie Eyradoux, Yda Hext, Papalymo Totolymo, U'rahn Nuhn, Gagaruna, Hamon Holyfist

Summary: Three of Hydayln's chosen are welcomed and wished well on the journey to come.

Rating: T, for Tears

Notes: None

- The Rhotano Sea: 5 Years After the Fall of Dalmund -

"What a beauty. Did you make this yourself?"

Violet opened an eye and looked up as a golden-eyed Seeker brandished her noulith. She quickly looked to her waist, wondering when the Miqo'te had time to snatch it. Already annoyed from a drunkard's earlier rambling, she'd taken a que from the nearby twins and feigned sleep. It seemed that was not a deterrent from being bothered. Reaching out, she snatched back her weapon.

"That's a good way to lose a hand. If you're going to Limsa, you better remember what they say about cats and curiosity."

The Seeker smiled, then shrugged. "I'd welcome a scrap. It's been maybe...five years I think? It's rather hard to tell. That's no matter though! Tell me more about your weapon. I've not seen anything like it."

Violet scoffed then held it up. "It's a sage's weapon I grafted onto a machinist's. Even if my intention is to heal, I need my finger on the trigger."

"Ingenious! A wonder they let you leave Old Sharlayan!"

"Leave? They fucking kicked me out," Violet huffed, holstering her weapon as the sandy haired Seeker tilted her head. 

"Well, their loss. Back in my adventuring days a ranged versatile weapon would have been marvelous. Combat back then was just so boring," she sighed, tail twitching back and forth.

Violet gave the woman a once over, "Back then?"

"Now, now. If you ask, that would be just plain rude. I'm a lady after all. And a hero!"

"Oh yeah? What's your name?"

"L'lolamo Lolomori. Or if you'd prefurr: Lolamo of the Viper tribe, daughter of Lolomori Totomori the Fangless Garter, Hero of the Realm," she sang, posing with her hands on her hips.

Violet waved her hand. "Never heard of you or your...father?  The Lover had a bit too much ale that night, did she?"

The Seeker narrowed her eyes and flicked her tale. "Well, I'm not surprised you haven't heard of me...and I suppose my father is more of a localized hero."

"What did he do so great?"

"He was a pirate cast overboard who happened to wash up on the shores of our part of Thavnir. The Vipers, while cautious, weren't heartless. The huntresses made the Tia care for him and when he was well enough he pulled his weight and three times that. When the vile Rikki-Tikki-Tavi started to threaten our village, he alone went on the hunt and brought us back its pelt. Afterwards he was made a member of our tribe and the Huntresses demanded he be made Nuhn.  Despite that, he declined, save for asking if my mother fancied him enough to be his alone. And so I was born!"

Violet shrugged, not versed in the ways of Miqo'te rituals. 'And you, Miss 'Hero of the Realm'?"

"I made the ultimate sacrifice."

The Limsan blinked, L'lolamo's voice much more calm and mature. Their eyes locked before the Miqo'te gave a wide smile. "I gave up my adventuring days so that way young upstarts like you can take over. I wish you well, and may you walk in the light of the Crystal."

With that, she turned, leaving Violet almost as quick as she came through. Crossing her arms, Violet settled back into her seat. "Sorry to disappoint you lady, but all I'm heading off to do is find a man with a big ship, stiff mast, and barrels of ale," she thought before drifting back off.

- The Carline Canopy: 5 Years After the Fall of Dalmund - 

"Miss Jannie! Can you tell us another story! Please!"

The Elzen smiled and shook her head at the children surrounding her table. "The sun is falling. I imagine supper is waiting for you at home and my own is expected shortly. I'll tell you another tomorrow. Off you go. Pitter patter."

The children's chorus of disappointment echoed through the establishment as they made their exit, leaving Jannie to be served. As she started to cut into her antelope steal, a young Seeker sat down across from her, watching the group leave with a sigh.

"Isn't motherhood wonderful," she asked, looking on fondly.

"I beg your pardon? By the Fury you don't believe those were all mine? You are greatly mistaken."

The Miqo'te sat up a bit then rolled her neck, yellow eyes on the woman across from her. "Sorry, I was musing aloud. Though, the way they were fawning over you, I could see it."

"I was trained to be a governess in Ishgard. I'm merely good at my job."

The Seeker tilted her head. "Have you not loved your charges?"

Almost offended, Jannie recoiled. "Of course I have. Every single one!"

"Then it's not merely a job then is it? I do not understand much about Lord and Ladies, but are governesses there to rear children in a parents' absence? Give them love and knowledge. One does not need to have carried to hold that title. The Twelve know that many of my kind's young see their Tia as mothers more than the ones who bore them. Our patron here too, loves all the people if Gridania as her own and wears the moniker."

The Elzen listened, then rested her hands down on the table. "That is the truth of it. I do not think a parent would very much care for them calling me as such though. I've fancied being called Nana though when I have started to grey."

"I wouldn't mind my son seeing another that way. He was just a boy when I saw him last. Running around the beaches of the Rhotano, trying to get all his father and uncles to train him in combat. Pretending to be the 'great hero of the Bloodshore'.

"I doubt he'd know my face now.... I've come to find it's apparently very forgettable," the Miqo'te sighed, trailing her finger around the rim of her glass, "Though I am sure he was raised well by his raised father and our friends."

"What has kept you away, if I may ask?"

"Duty," the Seeker answered, yellow eyes flicking up to Jannie, "What brings a governess to The Black Shroud?"

Jannie looked away from the gaze, flushing lightly, "I did not wish to scandalize my last employer, so I left to take residence here in my mother's home city until I find work elsewhere."

"I see...," the Miqo'te answered, not pressing the issue, "With how taken those children were by you, I'm sure you'll have no trouble digging up work. I'm sure in the future you'll have your hands quite full," she mused, "I know my boy would be lucky to be under your care."

Jannie nodded. "Tell me more about your boy. What's his name?"

"Oh. It's-"

"Look at that steak Papalymo! I bet I could eat two! No, three even after today," a young woman's voice called out.

Jannie turned as the source's voice wandered over, masked face looking down at her plate.

"I am terribly sorry miss! She's apparently taken one too many blows to the head today and forgot her manners," her partner apologized, grabbing the woman's hand to cart her away, "Come along now Yda. Let's not bother her any longer."

"It is no bother at all and it is rather full this evening. If you'd care to join us, it will be no bother. Right Miss...Miss...," Jannie started before turning to find her dining companion gone.

"Papalymo, are you sure she's all there," the girl whispered, poorly.

"Yda! Don't be rude," the man whispered back, "We'd be delighted to join you Miss. We'll go see Mother Minoue about our meals and join you shortly."

Left alone, Jannie looked about for the young woman, shivering as she faintly heard "May you walk in the light of the Crystal."

- The Platinum Mirage: 5 Years After the Fall of Dalmund -

"That's U'rahn...U'rahn Nuhn!"

Huffing, the young Seeker raised his fist in the air, two fellow guildmates knocked out on the floor next to him as a few spectators cheered, the red nosed guildmaster even raising a cup towards him in toast. "Well fought! U'rahn Nuhn it is! Get him registered, Gagaruna! Clean up in the back boy! You're looking a bit puffy," the old man laughed.

U'rahn perked his ears in excitement, wincing soon after from the stinging in his bruised cheek. He looked to the skeptical guild receptionist then beamed as he crossed his arms. "That's N U H N."

The white haired Lalafell swore under his breath then began to aggressively scribble away at his desk.

With a proud spring in his step, the Seeker made his way to wash up in the room behind the guild. As he ran water over his hands, a young Seeker approached him from behind and sat on the sink by the basin. 

"Two versus one. Rather risky for a lad that's just taken up with the Adventurer's Guild. If you get mad every time someone expresses doubt you're going to be rather bloodied."

U'rahn looked up and then grinned. Perhaps it was being punched one too many times, but that charm he usually felt around a pretty lady didn't build within him for once. "Ah. Well. I'm a Nuhn! I gotta earn it sometimes "

"Oh my! You bested U'loohna Nuhn in combat?"

"Huh? My old man beat him back some five years ago. After the fall."

The woman paused a moment, pursing her lips. "U'odh Nuhn...I can't say that pleases me all too much."

"You've got a beef with my old man," the young man asked, looking her up and down, "You're definitely not a daughter of the Drake clan. You look familiar though...I can't put my tail on it though."

"Oh. No, sorry. I ran into him during his Company of Heroes days when he was no more than an impulsive young Tia. He had no son when we met."

U'rahn perked up at that, "Really? You knew my dad way back then? You don't look like you could be that old though...."

The Seeker woman huffed, then pinched the Nuhn's ear, "It seems Odh's manners didn't pass down to you."

"Oi! That hurts! Letgoletgoletgo," U'rahn begged.

Smirking, she released him then turned to touch her cheek. "I do look good though," she mused. As the shoulder of her shirt slipped, black etchings along her back reflected in the mirror.

"Woah. Sick ink! Did it hurt? What is it," the young man asked while his companion quickly fixed herself.

"You are...quite insatiable," she mused, "I wouldn't say it hurt, exactly. It's sort of a promise made to me... As a hero from before the fall...I wished to be looked upon and hail those who'd walk after..."

She smiled, then caressed the young man's cheek in her palm. U'rahn was surprised to find it didn't hurt, and even more so that he'd begun to tear up. "Ah. Er...um...it stings," he finally balked, pulling away to wipe his eyes, the actions resulting in a pained hiss. Outside Hamon called for him.

The woman smiled then motioned to the entryway. "Go on then; U'rahn Nuhn. I'll be watching, so become a great hero.

U'rahn straightened up then offered a joyfully ear wiggle to the stranger before running off. "Yeah! Just you wait lady! The bards will sing my name all across Eorzea," he called out.

L'lolamo dropped off the sink then turned to look at herself in the mirror. She raised her shirt then lightly fingered over the stretch marks along her stomach. Ears lowered, she smiled then let her tears fall. "By Hydayln's blessing...bound and romp ever through the light of the Crystal, my sweet little lion..."

"Ah! Hey, I didn't catch your name," U'rahn's voice called out. Returning to the room, he looked around confused before a glint of light caught his eye on the floor. Bending down, he found a necklace with two mongoose fangs and a Thavnarian Cat's Eye jewel strung between them. Picking it up, he swallowed. "Oh crap. I don't remember taking mom's necklace...dad's gonna kill me...," he breathed out to himself before perking his ears as he was yelled for again. "I'm coming. Master Holyfist," he called out.

Hurried, he pulled the trinket over his head then tucked it into his shirt, letting it rest over his heart.