#that said. going into full dragon age inquisition mode starting tomorrow lmao

[morocosmos]

FFXIVWrite 2024 Day 30 - Two Heads Are Better Than One

Masterlist Fandom: Final Fantasy XIV Characters/Pairings: Guydelot Thildonnet, Sanson Smyth, Original Female Character (mentioned) Rating: Gen Additional Notes: Continues from this.

The door shuts not-so-gently, and Yezih’s footfalls are hurried as she leaves. Just like that. The air settles into a familiar calm; Guydelot pulls out his harp.

“So what's the word, Chief?” He lays back down on the couch, plucking a few notes and looking at Sanson. The other man's hands have threaded together in a loose grip, his thumbs tapping lightly as he deliberates.

“She was sincere enough,” Sanson answers. “And I do not doubt her skill with a lance. She joined the guild only a few moons after I did — not exceptional, by any means, but a fine enough fighter by the time I left to join the Twin Adder.” 

Guydelot's ears perk up in interest. “Oh? If I’d known just how relevant Yezih was to that part of your life, I would’ve asked more questions.”

“Yezih came here to discuss joining the unit, not so that you could badger her about my past,” Sanson counters. Guydelot can see the rest of his thoughts in the way his brow scrunches up. “And you needn’t have scrutinised her so. She was incredibly nervous — almost intimidated,” Sanson says, sounding perplexed. “Though I cannot imagine why.”

“She was trying her darndest to impress you,” Guydelot casually answers for him, scoffing in part because he doesn’t think much of folks who do that, but also because he’d been plucking out the beginnings of a tune that he’s been trying to figure out for days. He gives up and sets the harp down. “I reckon she’s made of the same stiff, stern stuff as you, just a few notches more high strung.”

“Do you think so?” Sanson takes a moment to ponder the thought, before shaking his head. “Regardless, it would be strategically sensible to add another lancer into the unit. The groundwork of our training regimen already takes such things into consideration.”

“And you’d have someone to lighten the load.” Guydelot isn’t the type to nag, but he is aware of just how much Sanson already has on his plate, being the unit’s captain as well as the only lancer in the group. He isn’t going to see his dream fulfilled if he runs himself into the ground first.

“I suppose, yes.” Sanson pauses, and there’s a hint of doubt in his voice. “My main concerns are that her desire to work with Rema takes precedence, and that she wasn’t wholly truthful about why she’s so keen to join the unit.” He frowns. “She could be…confrontational at times, back at the guild. Snapping at the slightest insult or ill remark, especially when it concerned Rema or her family.”

Guydelot hums. “But maybe that’s why having her and Rema together ain’t such a bad thing? If they’ve truly been thick as thieves since they were little, that might keep her focused on what matters.” And maybe it is him playing favourites, but it’s also precisely the sort of bond that would strengthen their newest bard’s songs — Lothaire and Ceanan have more technical expertise and camaraderie, but Rema has more soul than the both of them combined. Someone she cares for would be just the thing to bring out her true potential. “Two heads are better than one and all.” He favours Sanson with a smile. “Kind of like us, eh?”

Sanson shakes his head, but the corners of his mouth tilt upwards; Guydelot takes it as a victory. “Anyroad, there’s no need to decide until we have a better measure of her. A practical exercise would be just the thing, one that incorporates the unit’s existing members…”

Guydelot knows what Sanson will be doing the rest of the day. He takes up the harp again — may as well try to salvage that tune one last time.