Orange Pekoe Academy, Shirogane ~ A Lazy Afternoon
Perspective - Porom Garnet
Technically speaking, the archway above the Academy's front entrance was off-limits. It was a fall hazard, and even though pretty much anyone who enroll as staff or student was sturdy enough to take the fall (I mean, they wouldn't be here if they couldn't, right?), it was more to cover the Academy's rear end should someone ever get mad.
That meant, of course, that no one actually ever followed that rule, myself included, lying face-down and facing inwards towards the central courtyard. In fact one of the more popular outdoor lounging spots. For good reason too - it provided a view of the road and onwards towards the main ferry to Kugane, and also to the beach behind the Academy, then also a view of the courtyard where students and staff would practice their techniques.
Today's practitioner was Fuyuki, a fellow healer and a good friend from a long long while ago. Back when the Eorzean beast tribes were summoning their Primals with reckless abandon, she and I were part of what was known in the Academy as the 'Clear Team'. Our most seasoned of vanguards. But now that things have settled and our focus shifted to assisting as a token force in the East, the need to be so sharp seemed to have diminished.
Well, diminished, but not ceased. I continued to push my Astromancy, but Fuyuki...veered into a different direction. How she even got her hands on the basics for the spell, I don't know and I really don't want to know. But after a few mishaps, it seemed like her research was proceeding. No, even picking up faster and faster.
Several small objects - trinkets, scraps, and machina - were strewn all about the courtyard amidst several archery targets, laid horizontally, with the white-haired woman standing in the center of it all. Lazily, I watched, my tail flickering in morbid amusement as I watched my friend focus her aether on one object, making it glow pale blue before turning into a pale blue mass of aether then bursting into nothingness, only to have it appear atop one of the nearby targets with a similar gust. And so the process repeated itself, a new object a different target, though not always hitting the mark.
"A gil for your thoughts, Pompom?"
I mumbled a bit as an initial response to the voice behind and to my right. It was Kisusu Kisu, another healer of the old Clear Team, and based on where her voice was coming from, she was likely sitting on the highest end of the arch.
"I am watching forbidden magic being practiced before my eyes, and the strongest reaction I have is..." I trailed off as I stretched, my tail rising before falling back down to the arch with thumb. "A resounding 'meh'. Discuss."
"Said forbidden magic is only a risk to myself."
Despite the winds from her spellcasting, Fuyuki apparently could hear me from the courtyard and shouted her answer, even as she kept teleporting items around.
"Counterpoint: we try to teach our students to minimize risk," I shouted back, sitting up properly.
"Counter-counterpoint: one of our graduation criteria is having a student take a hit to ensure a spell is cast successfully."
Fuyuki shouted in response. But before I could reply, Kisusu had cut me off.
"Addendum: ...we're on the bloody entry archway."
My mouth was already half-open, but all I could manage was a huff as I laid back down again, my tail flickering in mild frustration. Fuyuki seemed to have decided she had enough and started to walk towards the arch, looking up to me as she spoke.
"Besides, Pompom, you've pulled some risky things with your Astromancy, dilating time and such."
"And Headmaster Lanford's swords...like half are cursed," Kisusu added before both of them started to bombard me with more examples, taking turns.
"Keirra runs around with a fragment of Ifrit's power..." "An and his Abyssal powers..." "Sev and her rifle's modifications..." "I am pretty sure Mixxis has a gem of Shatoto..."
"Okay, okay, I get the point..." I finally interjected, deflating atop the tile. "You'd think rules were good things."
"Oh, they are, but..." Fuyuki started before she herself started to glow blue for a moment before disappeared in a gust, reappearing to my left in another rush of air, sitting down opposite from Kisusu
"We didn't get this far following the rules, did we?"
I looked side to side between the Plainsfolk and the Raen, who also looked at each other with grins. In unison, we nodded, then all chuckled softly at the absurdity.
Sunday, December 29, 2019
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Flippant Interference
A Shadowy Warehouse, Limsa Lominsa ~ A Moonless Evening
Perspective - ???
FWOOSH.
That was the sixth time in a row, and now they were getting more frequent. A gust of wind, the clatter of materiel, then a deathly silence echoed throughout the warehouse. This time I was close enough that I had to brace against the impact, and the few loyal hounds, our proudly-trained men, around me were sent tumbling in surprise.
The first one was dismissed by my colleagues as someone carelessly-piled materials shuffling into a more stable configuration, given how messily-strewn about things were sometimes. I don't know if people were just lazy or denial, but already I was starting to feel wary.
The second one was far more suspicious. Sure, we may not be the cleanliest of operations, but we are not that disorganized. And when given a second look, it seemed more like someone had set off a weak explosive of sort. I brought it up to the others, who seemed either too deep in their cups or halfway asleep to care.
The third one was when we noticed something...someone missing. A headcount found us three persons short. And those there were handlers and trainers. A few who doubted me before were starting to turn around, at least those who were still within sobriety's reach. One even took the initiative to go on patrol.
By the fourth burst, it was clear: something, someone, was attacking us, and doing so in a very precise manner. But the question was who.
The Upright Thieves don't like us, sure, but we're not cloying nothing here, and besides they'd leave a very obvious trail as a message. The Maelstrom and Yellowjackets, sure, do-gooders got to do-good. But this kind of subterfuge isn't their style. The only other people who were probably able to be all sneaky-peeky like this were the Domans, but I know what ninjutsu sounds like, and this wasn't ninjutsu.
By the time the fifth burst came about, we already figured to stay together and watch each other's backs. It was time for us to turn the tables, to chase out, if not capture, whoever was screwing with us. One trainer, and at least one hound, working in concert to sniff out whoever was hunting us. Pragmatic sensibilities kicked in - even if one of the group was lost, the others would still be a witness. At least, that was the plan. Another rush, and as if magically plucked from thin air, the handler disappeared, and the hounds surrounding him scattered in the burst.
For the sixth, I was nearby enough to feel the wind pressure from the blast. Turning the corner, I found the ground strewn with the bodies of young men writhing in pain amidst the clutter. I kneeled down to check on one of them, a stocky and well-built Highlander. And finally, bloody finally, we he had a clue.
"S-string...blue strings..." he weakly whispered.
"Right, right...blue strings, and then...?" I asked trying to keep a calm and soothing tone. My hands did the opposite, ordering my pack to take up a defensive position around me. Obediently, orderly, they formed a wall around us.
"...b-blue...blue mist." The boy stammered, and I nodded again.
"Someone came to you in the form of blue mist?"
The boy shook his head and his eyes grew with fear. Fear that he was not supposed to have. "No...h-e turned...into blue mist...then..."
I sighed as the boy's mouth opened and closed uselessly and wordlessly. Shaking my head I pulled him up and directed him to stand guard around me. Luckly, he seemed to still have enough fight left in him to comply. Blue mist and blue string was barely anything but it was at least something to keep note of. I put my hand up to my ear to activated my linkpearl, only for it to be stopped by some strange force in mid-air.
"What in the seven hel-?"
My muttering was cut short by a sudden crushing force around my neck. From the corner of my eye, I could see thin strands of blue tying up my arm, holding it in an awkward pose. But even my short cry pull the attention of my guard, who looked to me for orders.
But no orders came. I was unable to move. Frantically, my eyes darted around, and I could more, more of the blue strands wrapping around me, wrapping around the boys too. Then...the wind. It began to pick up, and my eyes were filled with a shimmering blue. I looked down to find myself, starting to shimmer blue as my body tingled with a strange sensation.
No, it wasn't strange. It was familiar. I recognized this sensation, this...pull. Every time I teleported to an Aetheryte, I felt this. But how is this possible?!
I'm not casting a teleportation spel-
---
Perspective - ???
FWOOSH.
That was the sixth time in a row, and now they were getting more frequent. A gust of wind, the clatter of materiel, then a deathly silence echoed throughout the warehouse. This time I was close enough that I had to brace against the impact, and the few loyal hounds, our proudly-trained men, around me were sent tumbling in surprise.
The first one was dismissed by my colleagues as someone carelessly-piled materials shuffling into a more stable configuration, given how messily-strewn about things were sometimes. I don't know if people were just lazy or denial, but already I was starting to feel wary.
The second one was far more suspicious. Sure, we may not be the cleanliest of operations, but we are not that disorganized. And when given a second look, it seemed more like someone had set off a weak explosive of sort. I brought it up to the others, who seemed either too deep in their cups or halfway asleep to care.
The third one was when we noticed something...someone missing. A headcount found us three persons short. And those there were handlers and trainers. A few who doubted me before were starting to turn around, at least those who were still within sobriety's reach. One even took the initiative to go on patrol.
By the fourth burst, it was clear: something, someone, was attacking us, and doing so in a very precise manner. But the question was who.
The Upright Thieves don't like us, sure, but we're not cloying nothing here, and besides they'd leave a very obvious trail as a message. The Maelstrom and Yellowjackets, sure, do-gooders got to do-good. But this kind of subterfuge isn't their style. The only other people who were probably able to be all sneaky-peeky like this were the Domans, but I know what ninjutsu sounds like, and this wasn't ninjutsu.
By the time the fifth burst came about, we already figured to stay together and watch each other's backs. It was time for us to turn the tables, to chase out, if not capture, whoever was screwing with us. One trainer, and at least one hound, working in concert to sniff out whoever was hunting us. Pragmatic sensibilities kicked in - even if one of the group was lost, the others would still be a witness. At least, that was the plan. Another rush, and as if magically plucked from thin air, the handler disappeared, and the hounds surrounding him scattered in the burst.
For the sixth, I was nearby enough to feel the wind pressure from the blast. Turning the corner, I found the ground strewn with the bodies of young men writhing in pain amidst the clutter. I kneeled down to check on one of them, a stocky and well-built Highlander. And finally, bloody finally, we he had a clue.
"S-string...blue strings..." he weakly whispered.
"Right, right...blue strings, and then...?" I asked trying to keep a calm and soothing tone. My hands did the opposite, ordering my pack to take up a defensive position around me. Obediently, orderly, they formed a wall around us.
"...b-blue...blue mist." The boy stammered, and I nodded again.
"Someone came to you in the form of blue mist?"
The boy shook his head and his eyes grew with fear. Fear that he was not supposed to have. "No...h-e turned...into blue mist...then..."
I sighed as the boy's mouth opened and closed uselessly and wordlessly. Shaking my head I pulled him up and directed him to stand guard around me. Luckly, he seemed to still have enough fight left in him to comply. Blue mist and blue string was barely anything but it was at least something to keep note of. I put my hand up to my ear to activated my linkpearl, only for it to be stopped by some strange force in mid-air.
"What in the seven hel-?"
My muttering was cut short by a sudden crushing force around my neck. From the corner of my eye, I could see thin strands of blue tying up my arm, holding it in an awkward pose. But even my short cry pull the attention of my guard, who looked to me for orders.
But no orders came. I was unable to move. Frantically, my eyes darted around, and I could more, more of the blue strands wrapping around me, wrapping around the boys too. Then...the wind. It began to pick up, and my eyes were filled with a shimmering blue. I looked down to find myself, starting to shimmer blue as my body tingled with a strange sensation.
No, it wasn't strange. It was familiar. I recognized this sensation, this...pull. Every time I teleported to an Aetheryte, I felt this. But how is this possible?!
I'm not casting a teleportation spel-
---
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Tranquil Refocusing
Four Seasons Apothacary, Radz-at-Han ~ A Chilly Morning
Perspective - Natsuki Fuyo
"Irrashaimasse~!"
Even though we were far from Doma, it was still how we greeted customers here at the Four Seasons Apothecary in Radz-at-Han. Our signature, so to speak, and a reflex whenever we heard the opening bell. This morning it was just me at the front desk, my eyes glued to a ledger taking inventory an unable to look up at the pair of feet that entered.
"Iie...tadamaisu..."
A familiar whispery voice pulled up from my paperwork. I should have known by that distinct rattle of metal buckles who it was.
"Ah...? Fuyu-chan?" I replied, suprised. I still looked up even though I knew what sight I expected, though it seems like there were a few details that I had missed. Indeed, the red bandanna she wore last time she was in Han was replaced by the white lily as Haru-nee had said. And on her shoulder was her shikigami. Indeed the name of 'Higanbana' seemed a bit odd when I had first heard about it, but after seeing the red tints over winged girl's body, it did make sense.
"...mn...Natsu-neesama." Fuyuki replied with a stiff nod, raising her hand slowly as I walked around the desk to give her a hug. As usual, she tensed up as if I had punched her, but almost immediately returned the hug, her shikigami flying around her to make room. In a way, this little sister was always like that, but given the much faster reaction, it seemed like the girl she had found in Eorzea was doing wonders in thawing her out.
"Okaerinasai, Fuyu-chan. How can I help you?" I asked cheerfully, letting go of her and walking back to the counter, gesturing for her to follow. Unsurprisingly, my little sister didn't follow, taking out that monstrous grimoire of hers and immediately ruffling through the pages. I really was glad to see my little sister, truely, but she really needed to learn how to relax.
"Well..can you or Ane-ue teach me how to make our older aether purification toni- Hawawawawa?!"
I grinned as I walked back to my too-serious little sister, reaching out to her left horn, near where it attached to her skull, and lightly tugged on it horizontally. It was enough to off-balance her without hurting her too much, and in an instant that focused and serious voice gave way to a much more natural and even relaxed outburst.
"Yes we can, little sister." I said, releasing her horn and gesturing once more to come behind the counter and take a seat. "But first, you need to calm down, okay? You're wound up so tight you're bound to snap. Again."
This time, Fuyuki obediently followed, pulling out one of the many stools nearby and sitting on it, allowing me to disappear into the backroom to grab the recipe book containing the tonic she was asking for. To be honest, I had thought that her magical ability would be a sufficient alternative, but I figured there must be more to it. As I walked back into the main area of the shop, Fuyuki seemed to be meditating calmly, her shikigami apparently sleeping atop her head.
"As glad as I am that you are continuing the proud Fuyo tradition of alchemy, I'm pretty sure you're not doing this out of mere curiosity." I said, opening up the recipe book to find the proper page. From the corner of my eye, Fuyuki nodded and started to explain
"Right...well, to start from the beginning..."
...Even with how much Fuyuki had summarized for the sake of brevity, it was still so much to take in. Though I found it a bit ironic that, after all the magicks she had learned in Eorzea, she had returned to geomancy.
"Hm. Even the Geomantic exorcising spells failed? You had the effect go off, was actually deflected?" I asked, focusing on the main issue. Fuyuki nodded in confirmation. "Hm. I doubt a spell like would be merely 'deflected'. Your taget need to take some active measure against it. And of all people, I doubt you are lacking in force."
"It's the opposite, really," Fuyuki replied, adding, "I was...holding back. I didn't want to harm her. But...I really couldn't...tone it down in a manner that would still let the spell be effective."
I nodded in understanding. "Well, subtly, or lack thereof, was the reason why the shinobi life never agreed with you in the first place, right?"
Without shame, my sister nodded, and asked, "So, what do I do now?"
"Well, there are times where you need a scalpel, and times where you need a sledgehammer." I replied, finding the page I wanted and pulling out my inventory ledger. "Just because you need to use one over at one occasion doesn't invalidate the usefulness of the other.
"So, what do I do now?" Fuyuki repeated, starting to frown. I knew I didn't answer her question directly, and in turn that she understood the point I was trying to make. It was rather admirable, how direct her was.
"The same thing you did when you left for Eorzea," I said, much to Fuyuki's growing frustration. With my list of ingredients all figured out, I started to walk to the cabinets continuing to talk as I pulled out ingredients. "You knew better than to force yourself into something you weren't good at. Sure, father protested, I protested, but in hindsight, you were right."
"So. What. Do. I. Do. Now?" Fuyuki repeated, punctuating how rapidly her patience was waning. She knew the answer already, but just wanted me to say it properly.
"Well. You'll always need to have some level of precise control. It's good to be well-rounded, yes. But you have a gift that none of us have, and it's in your sheer magical force. So focus on perfecting that. It may not be needed now, but...in the future, I am sure you and your friends will find it useful."
My arms full, I returned to the space behind the front desk, setting it all down and starting to arrange things.
"But if I focus on optimizing the magnitude of my spells...what about for when finesse is needed?" Fuyuki asked, hopping out of her seat to look over my shoulder.
"Well, you aren't doing this all on your own right?", I replied, smiling and looking back to her. "You have the rest of your nakama filling in where you can't, and you are filling in where they are lacking." I narrowed my eyes at her as a wry grin spread across my face. "So. Trust them."
I watched Fuyuki's expression run the gamut of emotions, clearly struggling at the notion. Unsurprising really, given how long she had to fend for herself, even in the myriad of missions she had told me and Haruka about. I reached up with my right hand to tug at her left horn again, though much lighter, and it was enough to break her out of the mental trance she was falling into.
"Fuyuki. Can you trust them?" I asked, my voice soft but serious. My little sister took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment. A moment passed, and she nodded determinedly. "Then trust them."
"Y-yes. I will trust them," she replied, her grey and blue eyes opening slowly and with a frown.
"Good girl," I replied, ruffling her hair. "Now, as for the tonic. C'mon. Get your work robes on."
I pointed behind me to the storeroom and my little sister's eyes lit up with excitement just before she bolted away...using Shukuchi. I laughed and shook my head; Haruna did say that Fuyuki was refreshing her memory of ninjutsu.
But how much she remembered now meant little to me. I knew that once she had learned what she needed from me, she'd have to leave for Eorzea. There were people there that needed her, and I knew better than to delay her for my own selfish desires. Still, my little sister was home, and I intended to enjoy every moment I could of it.
Perspective - Natsuki Fuyo
"Irrashaimasse~!"
Even though we were far from Doma, it was still how we greeted customers here at the Four Seasons Apothecary in Radz-at-Han. Our signature, so to speak, and a reflex whenever we heard the opening bell. This morning it was just me at the front desk, my eyes glued to a ledger taking inventory an unable to look up at the pair of feet that entered.
"Iie...tadamaisu..."
A familiar whispery voice pulled up from my paperwork. I should have known by that distinct rattle of metal buckles who it was.
"Ah...? Fuyu-chan?" I replied, suprised. I still looked up even though I knew what sight I expected, though it seems like there were a few details that I had missed. Indeed, the red bandanna she wore last time she was in Han was replaced by the white lily as Haru-nee had said. And on her shoulder was her shikigami. Indeed the name of 'Higanbana' seemed a bit odd when I had first heard about it, but after seeing the red tints over winged girl's body, it did make sense.
"...mn...Natsu-neesama." Fuyuki replied with a stiff nod, raising her hand slowly as I walked around the desk to give her a hug. As usual, she tensed up as if I had punched her, but almost immediately returned the hug, her shikigami flying around her to make room. In a way, this little sister was always like that, but given the much faster reaction, it seemed like the girl she had found in Eorzea was doing wonders in thawing her out.
"Okaerinasai, Fuyu-chan. How can I help you?" I asked cheerfully, letting go of her and walking back to the counter, gesturing for her to follow. Unsurprisingly, my little sister didn't follow, taking out that monstrous grimoire of hers and immediately ruffling through the pages. I really was glad to see my little sister, truely, but she really needed to learn how to relax.
"Well..can you or Ane-ue teach me how to make our older aether purification toni- Hawawawawa?!"
I grinned as I walked back to my too-serious little sister, reaching out to her left horn, near where it attached to her skull, and lightly tugged on it horizontally. It was enough to off-balance her without hurting her too much, and in an instant that focused and serious voice gave way to a much more natural and even relaxed outburst.
"Yes we can, little sister." I said, releasing her horn and gesturing once more to come behind the counter and take a seat. "But first, you need to calm down, okay? You're wound up so tight you're bound to snap. Again."
This time, Fuyuki obediently followed, pulling out one of the many stools nearby and sitting on it, allowing me to disappear into the backroom to grab the recipe book containing the tonic she was asking for. To be honest, I had thought that her magical ability would be a sufficient alternative, but I figured there must be more to it. As I walked back into the main area of the shop, Fuyuki seemed to be meditating calmly, her shikigami apparently sleeping atop her head.
"As glad as I am that you are continuing the proud Fuyo tradition of alchemy, I'm pretty sure you're not doing this out of mere curiosity." I said, opening up the recipe book to find the proper page. From the corner of my eye, Fuyuki nodded and started to explain
"Right...well, to start from the beginning..."
...Even with how much Fuyuki had summarized for the sake of brevity, it was still so much to take in. Though I found it a bit ironic that, after all the magicks she had learned in Eorzea, she had returned to geomancy.
"Hm. Even the Geomantic exorcising spells failed? You had the effect go off, was actually deflected?" I asked, focusing on the main issue. Fuyuki nodded in confirmation. "Hm. I doubt a spell like would be merely 'deflected'. Your taget need to take some active measure against it. And of all people, I doubt you are lacking in force."
"It's the opposite, really," Fuyuki replied, adding, "I was...holding back. I didn't want to harm her. But...I really couldn't...tone it down in a manner that would still let the spell be effective."
I nodded in understanding. "Well, subtly, or lack thereof, was the reason why the shinobi life never agreed with you in the first place, right?"
Without shame, my sister nodded, and asked, "So, what do I do now?"
"Well, there are times where you need a scalpel, and times where you need a sledgehammer." I replied, finding the page I wanted and pulling out my inventory ledger. "Just because you need to use one over at one occasion doesn't invalidate the usefulness of the other.
"So, what do I do now?" Fuyuki repeated, starting to frown. I knew I didn't answer her question directly, and in turn that she understood the point I was trying to make. It was rather admirable, how direct her was.
"The same thing you did when you left for Eorzea," I said, much to Fuyuki's growing frustration. With my list of ingredients all figured out, I started to walk to the cabinets continuing to talk as I pulled out ingredients. "You knew better than to force yourself into something you weren't good at. Sure, father protested, I protested, but in hindsight, you were right."
"So. What. Do. I. Do. Now?" Fuyuki repeated, punctuating how rapidly her patience was waning. She knew the answer already, but just wanted me to say it properly.
"Well. You'll always need to have some level of precise control. It's good to be well-rounded, yes. But you have a gift that none of us have, and it's in your sheer magical force. So focus on perfecting that. It may not be needed now, but...in the future, I am sure you and your friends will find it useful."
My arms full, I returned to the space behind the front desk, setting it all down and starting to arrange things.
"But if I focus on optimizing the magnitude of my spells...what about for when finesse is needed?" Fuyuki asked, hopping out of her seat to look over my shoulder.
"Well, you aren't doing this all on your own right?", I replied, smiling and looking back to her. "You have the rest of your nakama filling in where you can't, and you are filling in where they are lacking." I narrowed my eyes at her as a wry grin spread across my face. "So. Trust them."
I watched Fuyuki's expression run the gamut of emotions, clearly struggling at the notion. Unsurprising really, given how long she had to fend for herself, even in the myriad of missions she had told me and Haruka about. I reached up with my right hand to tug at her left horn again, though much lighter, and it was enough to break her out of the mental trance she was falling into.
"Fuyuki. Can you trust them?" I asked, my voice soft but serious. My little sister took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment. A moment passed, and she nodded determinedly. "Then trust them."
"Y-yes. I will trust them," she replied, her grey and blue eyes opening slowly and with a frown.
"Good girl," I replied, ruffling her hair. "Now, as for the tonic. C'mon. Get your work robes on."
I pointed behind me to the storeroom and my little sister's eyes lit up with excitement just before she bolted away...using Shukuchi. I laughed and shook my head; Haruna did say that Fuyuki was refreshing her memory of ninjutsu.
But how much she remembered now meant little to me. I knew that once she had learned what she needed from me, she'd have to leave for Eorzea. There were people there that needed her, and I knew better than to delay her for my own selfish desires. Still, my little sister was home, and I intended to enjoy every moment I could of it.
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
Revitalized Connection
Hawker's Alley, Limsa Lominsa ~ Early Morning
Perspective: Haruna Fuyo
"Ah, imouto, you really are blessed to have been able to travel so much..."
I chuckled, walking slowly along the stone pathway of what was aptly named "Hawker's Alley". Some of the wares I recognized, being the same goods sold at Radz-at-Han. The rest were from the painstakingly catalogued records of my youngest sister Fuyuki. A few, however, seemed to be recent debuts, and I found myself not blaming my sister.
Speaking of, I did ask her to meet me in this city. Of course, I gave her neither time nor location. But she doesn't need those. She knows me, my habits, how I would navigate, and what I would be wearing, in this case, our working uniform of the Four Seasons.
Amidst the sound of merchants advertising their goods, conversations scattered through the stalls, and feet shuffling urgently to and fro, there was the faint jingle of metal plating, echoing in a step-like rhythm. I had only heard the sound once before, yet they were easily recognizable, albiet mostly due to the gait. But I didn't need to turn around to confirm it, as the voice I was expecting called out to me first.
"...Ane-ue."
Another chuckle escaped my lips as I turned around. As expected, my little sister had found me, though the ensemble she had was a little different than what I had seen when I brought her home at Radz-at-Han. Instead of the red bandanna covering up much of her snow-white hair was an equally white flower, a lily of sorts if I had to guess.
However, making up for the lack of red were two additions; a red rose wrapped around the her left wrist, and her shikigami lying atop her head. It was the first time I had seen her shikigami (well...apparently is isn't a shikigami per se, but she explained it as such for brevity), and between the dark red hues and the melancholic expression, I could see why she was named 'Higanbana.'
"Fuyu-chan. Good to see you again," I replied with a smile. I gestured to my sister for her follow. In my short time I had amidst this city, I figured a few good routes where we could walk and chat with minimal interference. Fuyuki caught up to me quickly, and walked at my side. She always wore a slight frown, but this time, it was more intense than usual.
"Mn, I'm always happy to see ane-ue but..." Fuyuki trailed off with a sigh. "I had hoped that if you came to Eorzea, it wouldn't be for business."
"I know, Fuyu. And I know you wouldn't have agreed to meet me here if you didn't understand how...critical this is."
From the folds of my work robe I pulled out a large plain envelope. It was stuffed, threatening to burst at the lightest provocation. With a nod, I offered it to Fuyuki.
"Critical...?" my sister replied, taking the envelope and stuffing it into her grimiore. I had scene it before when she had visited a month ago, but now that I could get a closer look, I could see the butterfly motifs. "You could have met me in Kugane, wouldn't that have been easier?"
I nodded at first, but then grinned. "Well, if it was only to meet you, yes. I was given two other objectives. One is..." I paused and flourished, though at this point we were down by the docks and not the market stalls. "...is to scout out the market here, see if we can learn anything."
"Beyond what I have already sent? And besides, Ul'Dah is better for that."
Fuyuki's retort was swift, and my horns picked up on the gritting of teeth from my little sister. It was clear she was confused and upset, and though she was taller than myself, I still put a hand on her shoulder.
"True. But the last time you were home, we skipped over what our current stock was," I explained. Not finding any way to argue, Fuyuki seemed to deflate slightly, but still listened to the rest of my explanation. "The other is to contact father's Eorzean counterpart exchange information."
"Shall I assume Ane-ue has been given details?" Fuyuki asked. There was a raised eyebrow of amusement.
"Never assume anything, imouto-chan," I laughed, reaching up to ruffle my sister's hair. "But yes I know where to go. And that you've been there too. Brushing up on your ninjutsu again?"
Fuyuki sheepishly replied with "...yes."
I smiled back and let go of her hair, saying, "Good girl." To be quite frank, I was surprised that even after all that's happened, my sister didn't outright reject ninjutsu in favor of her magicks. She was reluctant to use them as early as a month ago.
A moment of silence passed, Fuyuki broke the monotony of our footsteps, asking, "...does Ane-ue have a tight schedule?"
"Ufufu..." I chuckled, knowing what she was really asking. "I can always make time for you. Come, I know you have stories to tell. Let's start with this. Flowers in your hair do not become you, Fuyu."
I pointed to the white flower in her hair, and immediately, Fuyuki blushed and fidgeted. "I-it's...a long story, ane-ue. But...a good one..." she said.
"Well, imouto-chan. I have all the time in the world. So tell me."
Perspective: Haruna Fuyo
"Ah, imouto, you really are blessed to have been able to travel so much..."
I chuckled, walking slowly along the stone pathway of what was aptly named "Hawker's Alley". Some of the wares I recognized, being the same goods sold at Radz-at-Han. The rest were from the painstakingly catalogued records of my youngest sister Fuyuki. A few, however, seemed to be recent debuts, and I found myself not blaming my sister.
Speaking of, I did ask her to meet me in this city. Of course, I gave her neither time nor location. But she doesn't need those. She knows me, my habits, how I would navigate, and what I would be wearing, in this case, our working uniform of the Four Seasons.
Amidst the sound of merchants advertising their goods, conversations scattered through the stalls, and feet shuffling urgently to and fro, there was the faint jingle of metal plating, echoing in a step-like rhythm. I had only heard the sound once before, yet they were easily recognizable, albiet mostly due to the gait. But I didn't need to turn around to confirm it, as the voice I was expecting called out to me first.
"...Ane-ue."
Another chuckle escaped my lips as I turned around. As expected, my little sister had found me, though the ensemble she had was a little different than what I had seen when I brought her home at Radz-at-Han. Instead of the red bandanna covering up much of her snow-white hair was an equally white flower, a lily of sorts if I had to guess.
However, making up for the lack of red were two additions; a red rose wrapped around the her left wrist, and her shikigami lying atop her head. It was the first time I had seen her shikigami (well...apparently is isn't a shikigami per se, but she explained it as such for brevity), and between the dark red hues and the melancholic expression, I could see why she was named 'Higanbana.'
"Fuyu-chan. Good to see you again," I replied with a smile. I gestured to my sister for her follow. In my short time I had amidst this city, I figured a few good routes where we could walk and chat with minimal interference. Fuyuki caught up to me quickly, and walked at my side. She always wore a slight frown, but this time, it was more intense than usual.
"Mn, I'm always happy to see ane-ue but..." Fuyuki trailed off with a sigh. "I had hoped that if you came to Eorzea, it wouldn't be for business."
"I know, Fuyu. And I know you wouldn't have agreed to meet me here if you didn't understand how...critical this is."
From the folds of my work robe I pulled out a large plain envelope. It was stuffed, threatening to burst at the lightest provocation. With a nod, I offered it to Fuyuki.
"Critical...?" my sister replied, taking the envelope and stuffing it into her grimiore. I had scene it before when she had visited a month ago, but now that I could get a closer look, I could see the butterfly motifs. "You could have met me in Kugane, wouldn't that have been easier?"
I nodded at first, but then grinned. "Well, if it was only to meet you, yes. I was given two other objectives. One is..." I paused and flourished, though at this point we were down by the docks and not the market stalls. "...is to scout out the market here, see if we can learn anything."
"Beyond what I have already sent? And besides, Ul'Dah is better for that."
Fuyuki's retort was swift, and my horns picked up on the gritting of teeth from my little sister. It was clear she was confused and upset, and though she was taller than myself, I still put a hand on her shoulder.
"True. But the last time you were home, we skipped over what our current stock was," I explained. Not finding any way to argue, Fuyuki seemed to deflate slightly, but still listened to the rest of my explanation. "The other is to contact father's Eorzean counterpart exchange information."
"Shall I assume Ane-ue has been given details?" Fuyuki asked. There was a raised eyebrow of amusement.
"Never assume anything, imouto-chan," I laughed, reaching up to ruffle my sister's hair. "But yes I know where to go. And that you've been there too. Brushing up on your ninjutsu again?"
Fuyuki sheepishly replied with "...yes."
I smiled back and let go of her hair, saying, "Good girl." To be quite frank, I was surprised that even after all that's happened, my sister didn't outright reject ninjutsu in favor of her magicks. She was reluctant to use them as early as a month ago.
A moment of silence passed, Fuyuki broke the monotony of our footsteps, asking, "...does Ane-ue have a tight schedule?"
"Ufufu..." I chuckled, knowing what she was really asking. "I can always make time for you. Come, I know you have stories to tell. Let's start with this. Flowers in your hair do not become you, Fuyu."
I pointed to the white flower in her hair, and immediately, Fuyuki blushed and fidgeted. "I-it's...a long story, ane-ue. But...a good one..." she said.
"Well, imouto-chan. I have all the time in the world. So tell me."
Saturday, October 19, 2019
Parallel Gambits
The Gold Saucer, Eastern Thanalan ~ Early Evening
Perspective: Kisusu Kisu
I never was much of a betting woman, much less blessed with great luck as some of my colleagues oft complained. And since it effectively cost me nothing to play the Mini Cactpot at the Gold Saucer anyways, so there was no reason not to play every time I passed by.
Today's attempts was well within expectations. The first one was a bust, and the second one wasn't too much better. But for the third and final one, I had the luck to reveal the 3 and 1 spaces in the same line. Of course, that setup wasn't always the winning one, but after marking my card and handing in to the clerk, the smile on his face told me that once again, I had hit the cactpot. Sure, ten thousand MGP was a drop in the bucket compared to some of the high rollers, but a win is a win in my book.
Grinning, I had put my hand up to my ear to announce my minor windfall over the Pekoe Academy linkshell, but before I could say I word, the pearl in my ear rang out to tell me I had someone trying to contact me directly. I accepted the hail and listened expectantly, clapping my other ear shut to block out the ambient sound of the Gold Saucer.
"K-...Kisusu...?"
Barely audible was a faint and weak voice, followed by a series of heavy coughs.. It took me a while to recognize who was at the other end. Fuyuki Fuyo, a fellow professor at the Academy. However, for her to be calling me by my name instead of the nickname borne from an embarrassing typo put me on edge. Frowning, I responded.
"Fuyu? What's up?"
"I'm...I'm at the Academy's entrance..." Fuyuki's voice replied, interrupted by coughing again. "I...I need you to heal me a bit..."
I couldn't help but stagger at the request. Aside from myself and Porom, Fuyuki was one of the most skilled healers among the Pekoe staff. How is it that she couldn't treat her own wounds? My frown intensified as I took a deep and concerned sigh. I closed my eyes as I concentrated my mind, focusing on the miniature aetheryte at the Academy.
"...Yeah, hang on. I'll be right there." I said as I started to feel my aether get pulled away, adding on with a cheeky grin. "Oh, by the way, Cactpot.
The world seemed to pull away and the rushing sound of wind and the high pitch whine of magic filled my ears, but it was not enough to drown out Fuyuki's biting laugh, cursing me over the linkshell as she always had.
"Bloody demon's luck..."
Pekoe Academy, Shirogane - Early Evening
In a moment I felt myself on solid ground, the carpeted flooring and bright lights of the Gold Saucer replaced by the dimly-lit stone streets of Shirogane. With Fuyuki's earlier description of 'at the entrance', I had expected to to be somewhere near the archway, but it only took a few more steps to see the form of a Raen woman in Doman garb face-down on the lawn, halfway between the Academy's front door and the entryway arch. It wasn't the first time I had come across her like this, and far from like to be the last. But there was another immediate problem: her usually snow-white hair was tinted an icy blue.
"Wow. What in the seven hells happened to you?" I muttered as I skittered beside her. Without knowing what exactly was wrong, I turned my friend over so that she could lie on her back and held my hands over her chest to start channeling a minor healing spell.
"Remember the first time my hair turned like this?" Fuyuki replied. Based on her voice, whatever she had injured to cause her cough seemed to have been repaired for now. In fact, it seemed like she had suffered very little -physical- damage overall, rather she aetherial makeup had been, for lack of a better term, shaken up.
I blinked and shook my head with a sigh, maintaining the healing processes. "Yep. A very bad idea, girl."
For reasons still incomprehendable to me, she had attempted to use Flow. A forbidden spell, albeit because it was needlessly risky. Teleportation spells were simple enough and carried very little risk nowadays, albeit limited by the need to target and Aetheryte and by the caster's only anima strength. Apparently, she had need to work around those to limitations.
"Remember the other bad idea I had?" Fuyuki continued. Her eyes opened and she looked at me with a wry grin. Her limbal rings were still that icy blue, instead of the pure white like her hair used to be.
"You mean what Sev told us, the last time you ended up unvoluntarily face-down?" I rolled my eyes and laughed, before sighing as she joined me in laughter, covering her mouth. Based on what Seventh Heaven (yeah, she wasn't entirely happy with the name, yet she never bothered to change it on the registrar), Fuyuki had been researching geomantic charms and other Far Eastern magics. While the movement of her arm should have been a good thing, meaning her strength was returning, I noticed several rectangular burn marks on her her arm.
"And now you had third bad idea, made up of the first two?!" I exclaimed, shifting my healing to focus on her arms. As the burn marks on the pale-skinned woman's arm faded, Fuyuki laughed again and nodded. "I don't know whether to call you a genius for managing to use that spell twice, and living, or a dumbass for even thinking about it at all!" I said, the most I could really do in admonishment.
"How about, 'madwoman', as a compromise?" Fuyuki quipped in return. I took out my staff and lightly tapped her on her horn. While she winced, due to her horn being oddly a weakpoint, the Raen's own spirit seemed to be undimmed.
"Tch. More like 'reckless gambler'" I grumbled, bracing myself for the retort that I knew was going to happen.
"Says the girl who just came in from the Gold Saucer!"
Predictable. Honestly, despite nearly mangling herself again, I found myself rather unable to get too upset. I eased up on my healing spells and offered my friend a hand.
"Pfft. I need to drag you there one time," I said as I pulled her to her feet, then smirked. "Maybe there you'll learn to make a smaller bets in a safer setting."
Perspective: Kisusu Kisu
I never was much of a betting woman, much less blessed with great luck as some of my colleagues oft complained. And since it effectively cost me nothing to play the Mini Cactpot at the Gold Saucer anyways, so there was no reason not to play every time I passed by.
Today's attempts was well within expectations. The first one was a bust, and the second one wasn't too much better. But for the third and final one, I had the luck to reveal the 3 and 1 spaces in the same line. Of course, that setup wasn't always the winning one, but after marking my card and handing in to the clerk, the smile on his face told me that once again, I had hit the cactpot. Sure, ten thousand MGP was a drop in the bucket compared to some of the high rollers, but a win is a win in my book.
Grinning, I had put my hand up to my ear to announce my minor windfall over the Pekoe Academy linkshell, but before I could say I word, the pearl in my ear rang out to tell me I had someone trying to contact me directly. I accepted the hail and listened expectantly, clapping my other ear shut to block out the ambient sound of the Gold Saucer.
"K-...Kisusu...?"
Barely audible was a faint and weak voice, followed by a series of heavy coughs.. It took me a while to recognize who was at the other end. Fuyuki Fuyo, a fellow professor at the Academy. However, for her to be calling me by my name instead of the nickname borne from an embarrassing typo put me on edge. Frowning, I responded.
"Fuyu? What's up?"
"I'm...I'm at the Academy's entrance..." Fuyuki's voice replied, interrupted by coughing again. "I...I need you to heal me a bit..."
I couldn't help but stagger at the request. Aside from myself and Porom, Fuyuki was one of the most skilled healers among the Pekoe staff. How is it that she couldn't treat her own wounds? My frown intensified as I took a deep and concerned sigh. I closed my eyes as I concentrated my mind, focusing on the miniature aetheryte at the Academy.
"...Yeah, hang on. I'll be right there." I said as I started to feel my aether get pulled away, adding on with a cheeky grin. "Oh, by the way, Cactpot.
The world seemed to pull away and the rushing sound of wind and the high pitch whine of magic filled my ears, but it was not enough to drown out Fuyuki's biting laugh, cursing me over the linkshell as she always had.
"Bloody demon's luck..."
Pekoe Academy, Shirogane - Early Evening
In a moment I felt myself on solid ground, the carpeted flooring and bright lights of the Gold Saucer replaced by the dimly-lit stone streets of Shirogane. With Fuyuki's earlier description of 'at the entrance', I had expected to to be somewhere near the archway, but it only took a few more steps to see the form of a Raen woman in Doman garb face-down on the lawn, halfway between the Academy's front door and the entryway arch. It wasn't the first time I had come across her like this, and far from like to be the last. But there was another immediate problem: her usually snow-white hair was tinted an icy blue.
"Wow. What in the seven hells happened to you?" I muttered as I skittered beside her. Without knowing what exactly was wrong, I turned my friend over so that she could lie on her back and held my hands over her chest to start channeling a minor healing spell.
"Remember the first time my hair turned like this?" Fuyuki replied. Based on her voice, whatever she had injured to cause her cough seemed to have been repaired for now. In fact, it seemed like she had suffered very little -physical- damage overall, rather she aetherial makeup had been, for lack of a better term, shaken up.
I blinked and shook my head with a sigh, maintaining the healing processes. "Yep. A very bad idea, girl."
For reasons still incomprehendable to me, she had attempted to use Flow. A forbidden spell, albeit because it was needlessly risky. Teleportation spells were simple enough and carried very little risk nowadays, albeit limited by the need to target and Aetheryte and by the caster's only anima strength. Apparently, she had need to work around those to limitations.
"Remember the other bad idea I had?" Fuyuki continued. Her eyes opened and she looked at me with a wry grin. Her limbal rings were still that icy blue, instead of the pure white like her hair used to be.
"You mean what Sev told us, the last time you ended up unvoluntarily face-down?" I rolled my eyes and laughed, before sighing as she joined me in laughter, covering her mouth. Based on what Seventh Heaven (yeah, she wasn't entirely happy with the name, yet she never bothered to change it on the registrar), Fuyuki had been researching geomantic charms and other Far Eastern magics. While the movement of her arm should have been a good thing, meaning her strength was returning, I noticed several rectangular burn marks on her her arm.
"And now you had third bad idea, made up of the first two?!" I exclaimed, shifting my healing to focus on her arms. As the burn marks on the pale-skinned woman's arm faded, Fuyuki laughed again and nodded. "I don't know whether to call you a genius for managing to use that spell twice, and living, or a dumbass for even thinking about it at all!" I said, the most I could really do in admonishment.
"How about, 'madwoman', as a compromise?" Fuyuki quipped in return. I took out my staff and lightly tapped her on her horn. While she winced, due to her horn being oddly a weakpoint, the Raen's own spirit seemed to be undimmed.
"Tch. More like 'reckless gambler'" I grumbled, bracing myself for the retort that I knew was going to happen.
"Says the girl who just came in from the Gold Saucer!"
Predictable. Honestly, despite nearly mangling herself again, I found myself rather unable to get too upset. I eased up on my healing spells and offered my friend a hand.
"Pfft. I need to drag you there one time," I said as I pulled her to her feet, then smirked. "Maybe there you'll learn to make a smaller bets in a safer setting."
Eccentricity Rationale
Pekoe Academy, Shirogane ~ Approaching Midnight
Perspective: Seventh Heaven
"Of all the flowers my parents could have named me after, it had to be this one."
That thought always struck me every time I passed by the large bundle of Seventh Heaven in our Free Company's storeroom. In anticipation for the influx of new, the Headmaster and some of the other professors had stockpiled those flowers, along with Astral Moraine and bear's fat for the Astral Oil that was needed for the construction of Aetherial Wheels. While the influx came and went as expected, the stockpile far outstripped our needs, and now it was taking precious space inside our storeroom.
Initially, my plan was to restock the Free Company's supply of dyes, for both student and teacher were rather rapt followers of Masked Rose's weekly competition. But among the other sundries were materials for the multitude of company projects, from orchestrion restoration, gardening supplies and harvests, and the company's airship. Any space that we could spare was valuable, so even if the Astral Oil was not needed immediately, it would probably best to process the last batch for the sake of freeing up capacity for the rest of the company's plans.
We did have a workshop for Disciples of the Hand with various workstations inside the Academy, but that was reserved primarily for students. Most of the professors who had commissions either worked outside or in the downstairs lounge if their task allowed. And that was where I was headed this night, bag of reagents over my shoulder and portable alembic in hand. Despite how late at night it was, it seemed like I wasn't alone.
For sprawled about face-down on the tatami flooring was a white-haired Raen woman in the middle of a rather comically towering pile of books. Based on the way she was lying down, it looked like she was standing before suddenly passing out from exhausted, which was unsurprising. Fuyuki, or Fuu-chan as I called her, had the unfortunate curse of not knowing when to take a break, so this was far from the first time we had seen her like this. What was surprising was the garb she had on, an old Doman Shrine Maiden's attire. She had gotten herself a set when the first Domans arrived in Mor Dhona, but put it away after a while. Why? I wasn't inclined to ask.
With a tired groan, I set down my alembic in a free space in the lounge and started to prepare the first batch of Astral Oil. As I started the compressor, I said with a chuckle, "Hey, Fuu-chan, you know, we really ought to get you a proper room."
"Sev, please die twice in a fire."
Amused, I looked up from my hands. Fuyuki's voice was still muffled by how she was speaking right into the floor, though I could see her tail curling up ever so slightly. The fact that she had responded so quickly and with such amiable vitriol told me she was likely conscious even before I walked downstairs.
"Eh. I'll see if I can fit in into my schedule," I quipped in return. A huff and a chuckle was the reply I received as I looked back to my alembic. From the corner of my eyes, I could see Fuyuki sit back up again, shaking her head and knocking on the side of her left horn in frustration. "Lemme guess, even after your nap you're still stumped?" I asked.
"Mn...I have the theory down. I got several...possible things. But what I was thinking of using it for...probably won't work."
I looked up again to the books she was poring over. From what I could tell, it was related to something geomantic, mentions of 'kami' and such. It explained Fuyuki's outfit, but I still had to ask, "This for your demon-slaying project?" The white-haired girl nodded as she took a seat on a nearby sofa and stared into the wall across from her. About a month or so ago, I had noticed her oddly disappearing after classes were finished, only to explain it as part of some sensitive project for a friend. I knew better than to pry further at that time.
After a bit of awkward silence, punctuated by the press of my alembic, I asked, "So, what now?"
"I mean, the most I've lost is time," Fuyuki said, frowning more than usual and with a shrug. "I've learned a lot. I'm glad that I have. It's been a good nostalgia trip, I mean...I'm back in my old Shrine Maiden outfit." The white-haired girl chuckled and I chuckled with her as I poured out the oil from the alembic's chamber. "I'm just upset that this is the second time in short order where I've had an idea, pursued it, and now I really don't have anything useful for what I thought...would be useful."
"First time is your teleportation experiment gone awry?" I asked, capping off the bottle. Fuyuki sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose, then nodded. Even at a distance and through her eyelids that were narrowed in frustration, I could see the one-white limbal rings of my friend glowing faintly blue, the last mark of evidence that she tried that absurd spell. Then those eyes looked right at me, then at the alembic that I was operating.
"Astral Oil?" She asked, an eyebrow raised.
"Yeah. Just wanted to clear up space." I responded, shrugging as a set up for the next batch. "I mean, eh....Headmaster Kaus hasn't set up anything for more Wheels, and at this point it may not even be worth making, but I figured...better to have it on hand now and never use it versus feeling regretful over not doing something when I had the chance."
I could feel the icy stare from the corner of my eye, though it broke off and looked contemplatively towards the mess of books, red ink, and strips of paper at the other end of the lounge. I shrugged it off and focused on my work until I heard the rustle of movement and Fuyuki muttering in a tone somewhere between impressed and annoyed. Pausing, I looked up to see her take a seat in front of a few strips of paper.
"That's the spirit, Fuu-chan" I said with a chuckle. Fuyuki grabbed a brush and tilted her head to look back towards me so that she could roll her eyes with a grin which I dared matched with my own.
Perspective: Seventh Heaven
"Of all the flowers my parents could have named me after, it had to be this one."
That thought always struck me every time I passed by the large bundle of Seventh Heaven in our Free Company's storeroom. In anticipation for the influx of new, the Headmaster and some of the other professors had stockpiled those flowers, along with Astral Moraine and bear's fat for the Astral Oil that was needed for the construction of Aetherial Wheels. While the influx came and went as expected, the stockpile far outstripped our needs, and now it was taking precious space inside our storeroom.
Initially, my plan was to restock the Free Company's supply of dyes, for both student and teacher were rather rapt followers of Masked Rose's weekly competition. But among the other sundries were materials for the multitude of company projects, from orchestrion restoration, gardening supplies and harvests, and the company's airship. Any space that we could spare was valuable, so even if the Astral Oil was not needed immediately, it would probably best to process the last batch for the sake of freeing up capacity for the rest of the company's plans.
We did have a workshop for Disciples of the Hand with various workstations inside the Academy, but that was reserved primarily for students. Most of the professors who had commissions either worked outside or in the downstairs lounge if their task allowed. And that was where I was headed this night, bag of reagents over my shoulder and portable alembic in hand. Despite how late at night it was, it seemed like I wasn't alone.
For sprawled about face-down on the tatami flooring was a white-haired Raen woman in the middle of a rather comically towering pile of books. Based on the way she was lying down, it looked like she was standing before suddenly passing out from exhausted, which was unsurprising. Fuyuki, or Fuu-chan as I called her, had the unfortunate curse of not knowing when to take a break, so this was far from the first time we had seen her like this. What was surprising was the garb she had on, an old Doman Shrine Maiden's attire. She had gotten herself a set when the first Domans arrived in Mor Dhona, but put it away after a while. Why? I wasn't inclined to ask.
With a tired groan, I set down my alembic in a free space in the lounge and started to prepare the first batch of Astral Oil. As I started the compressor, I said with a chuckle, "Hey, Fuu-chan, you know, we really ought to get you a proper room."
"Sev, please die twice in a fire."
Amused, I looked up from my hands. Fuyuki's voice was still muffled by how she was speaking right into the floor, though I could see her tail curling up ever so slightly. The fact that she had responded so quickly and with such amiable vitriol told me she was likely conscious even before I walked downstairs.
"Eh. I'll see if I can fit in into my schedule," I quipped in return. A huff and a chuckle was the reply I received as I looked back to my alembic. From the corner of my eyes, I could see Fuyuki sit back up again, shaking her head and knocking on the side of her left horn in frustration. "Lemme guess, even after your nap you're still stumped?" I asked.
"Mn...I have the theory down. I got several...possible things. But what I was thinking of using it for...probably won't work."
I looked up again to the books she was poring over. From what I could tell, it was related to something geomantic, mentions of 'kami' and such. It explained Fuyuki's outfit, but I still had to ask, "This for your demon-slaying project?" The white-haired girl nodded as she took a seat on a nearby sofa and stared into the wall across from her. About a month or so ago, I had noticed her oddly disappearing after classes were finished, only to explain it as part of some sensitive project for a friend. I knew better than to pry further at that time.
After a bit of awkward silence, punctuated by the press of my alembic, I asked, "So, what now?"
"I mean, the most I've lost is time," Fuyuki said, frowning more than usual and with a shrug. "I've learned a lot. I'm glad that I have. It's been a good nostalgia trip, I mean...I'm back in my old Shrine Maiden outfit." The white-haired girl chuckled and I chuckled with her as I poured out the oil from the alembic's chamber. "I'm just upset that this is the second time in short order where I've had an idea, pursued it, and now I really don't have anything useful for what I thought...would be useful."
"First time is your teleportation experiment gone awry?" I asked, capping off the bottle. Fuyuki sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose, then nodded. Even at a distance and through her eyelids that were narrowed in frustration, I could see the one-white limbal rings of my friend glowing faintly blue, the last mark of evidence that she tried that absurd spell. Then those eyes looked right at me, then at the alembic that I was operating.
"Astral Oil?" She asked, an eyebrow raised.
"Yeah. Just wanted to clear up space." I responded, shrugging as a set up for the next batch. "I mean, eh....Headmaster Kaus hasn't set up anything for more Wheels, and at this point it may not even be worth making, but I figured...better to have it on hand now and never use it versus feeling regretful over not doing something when I had the chance."
I could feel the icy stare from the corner of my eye, though it broke off and looked contemplatively towards the mess of books, red ink, and strips of paper at the other end of the lounge. I shrugged it off and focused on my work until I heard the rustle of movement and Fuyuki muttering in a tone somewhere between impressed and annoyed. Pausing, I looked up to see her take a seat in front of a few strips of paper.
"That's the spirit, Fuu-chan" I said with a chuckle. Fuyuki grabbed a brush and tilted her head to look back towards me so that she could roll her eyes with a grin which I dared matched with my own.
Itinerant Apothecary
Errant Star Sundries, Radz-at-Han ~ A Tense Early Evening
1st Day of 5th Umbral Moon
Perspective: Noémie Clement
-All containers must be labeled with exact content and proper method of handling. Include all potential hazards and instructions in case of accident.-
That was one of the first things that I was taught when I first joined the Errant Star Sundries. While the more cynical would point to it being merely a method of reducing monetary loss, it was more to protect us employees. Among the myriad of mining and quarrying companies, the Errant Star specialized in the more magical and arcane materials, things that could detonate if you so much as looked at it funny.
Of course, there was always going to be an exception, and the exception this past month was a was small crate tucked into the far corner of the storeroom. By the container only, it would be easily missable, but there more than a few conspicuous wards set up around it. Unlike the other shipments we've received, it was personally carried in by my boss, owner, and founder of the Errant Star, Quentin Deschamps. He had walked in, a wild grin on his face, placed several powerful arcane wards on it, then finally told me that he and he alone would handle when the time came.
The reason for the secrecy eluded me. More than a fair share of rare metals, magicked stones, and esoteric implements have passed through our halls, and being responsible for keeping tabs on our stock, I generally was given at least the slightest hint as to the contents if I wasn't allowed to be fully privy. All I was allowed to write down in the ledger was the following:
-Special Parcel - To be hand-delivered.-
Of course, today had to be one of those days that could serve as an excellent example of why we were such sticklers for proper labeling.
As scheduled, we had a large order to fill for the Four Seasons, one of the most prominent apothecaries in Radz-at-Han and owned by the Fuyo clan, one of the few Domans living in Radz-at-Han. The Errant Star had a long relationship with that shop, Quentin being a longtime friend of the Fuyo family, and especially with Tadashi Fuyo, the father of the family. Even I myself was a good friend of one of the daughters, Chiaki Fuyo, who ended up being the liaison who would pick up their weekly orders.
This time around, however, was plagued by a pileup of clerical errors, errors that caused the crate that was meant to be handed off to be filled with all the wrong items. Thankfully, Chiaki was as diligent as always and opened the lid, allowing us to spot the grave mistake and quickly compose the proper contents. Sure, she was a childhood friend, but it did not make that frantic half-hour of tracking down and packing any less awkward.
Even though Chiaki had walked out the door with a grin as large as the crate she held in, I was still drowning in embarassment as I fixed up the storeroom that was thrown into disarray. As I moved boxes and crates and coffers, I kept mentally recounting the number of crystals and stones we had packed; despite checking twice, no, three times, there was still a lingering doubt that I had miscounted and not given enough. Over the sound of shuffling sundries, I could still hear the front door open and close, paying it it no heed until I heard Quentin speak, in his usual cheery voice, a dreaded line.
"Well well, Miss Fuyo. You came back earlier than expected."
In the safety of the storeroom, there would be no one to hear my deflated and embarrassed sigh. Definitely, definitely, there was a miscount.
"Apologies, Master Deschamps," replied a soft voice. "My impatience got the better of me, and I wanted to square away this matter as soon as possible."
I blinked, not sure of what I was hearing, except that it was not Chiaki's voice at all. A mix of of curiosity and worry quickly bubbled as I swiftly strode to the entrance of the storeroom and peeked into the lobby. In the distance, I saw a Raen girl clad in what looked like a worn and faded poncho and bandanna, sporting a cold glare on her face, and carrying with her what I suspected as a staff, all wrapped up in rough linen cloth. If the girl in front of me was a daughter of the Fuyo family, there was only had that unmistakable appearance and demeanor.
"F-Fuyuki?" I asked, incredulous. The chilling stare on the other girl melted as she looked towards me, turning into a smile as she bowed in the way that the people in the Far East did.
"Ah. Noémie-chi. It's been too long." Fuyuki replied, her voice rather chipper. Too long indeed...it was five years since she had left for Eorzea without a single word, and I hadn't seen her since. But before I could say anything more, Fuyuki spoke up again. "I'm sorry, I'm afraid this time I'll be only here for...a short while."
Only a short while? Again? I had to frown. Chiaki would always tell me after the fact that Fuyuki had visited, and even then, it seemed like the youngest of the four Fuyo sisters only returned to drop off whatever treasures and tomes she had acquired from her various jobs in Eorzea. I found my earlier voice stolen by the disappointing news, though thankfully Quentin was quick on the draw and proceeded with business, motioning for Fuyuki to follow, then pointed to me as if to tell me to prepare the ledger again.
"Thankfully, I figured you would need a little bit more." Quentin laughed as she stepped through the doorway to the storeroom. As Fuyuki followed after, I could see her eyebrow raise, rather amused. It was a silently-asked question that was swiftly answered. "Well, if your project failed, you'd need more to try again. And if it succeeded, you'd probably were in need to make far more. And so, I figured I could save you some time and cut out the middleman."
Something wasn't adding up. If Fuyuki had put in an order, I surely would have been able to see it. From what Chiaki had told me, Fuyuki had branched out from the family's trade and dove into metalworking, so I had expected Quentin to turn towards the metal section of the storeroom. But as he kept walking on, suspicion slowly crept up on me as I tailed behind my childhood friend.
"I appreciate the forethought." Fuyuki replied, starting to chuckle. "I gave myself enough time for a length chat and note-taking session. So if you have have I was looking for already, what I am to do until the next ferry?"
Immediately, my mind had an answer. "Well, your sisters miss you so much, Fuyu."
"If they miss me that much, then they should go back to practicing their aim," the white-hair girl quipped before chuckling. The retort was immediate, but that chuckle was short lived as Quentin added in.
"And your parents, too."
I looked to where Quentin had finally stopped and flinched in surprise, though in hindsight I shouldn't have been so surprised. Right in front of the magick-bound crate. Even though the mystery of that crate was finally to be revealed, I felt a certain sense of unease instead of relief.
"Then they can keep missing for all I care."
Fuyuki shot back with a more bitter retort, her face back to that icy glare. I knew her well enough that she was still joking for the most part, but I understood why there was still a little bit of vitriol left. As far as I was aware, the decision to journey to Eorzea was making good on an ultimatum that her family did not expect her to take. Thankfully, Quentin also took it in stride as well as he kneeled in front of the crate and started to dispel the wards.
"...look, I know Tadashi has been always been a stubborn, prideful man. But after you left for Eorzea, something in him broke. He really was at a loss for...a few years really." Quentin explained. Fuyuki sighed and shook her head, walking up to stand behind Quentin and watch the wards being dispelled. From the start she was gifted with magicks, and constantly curious about it. Meanwhile, I took a step back, tapping my fingers against the wall nervously. I wasn't expecting to get caught in family matters.
Quentin continued to effortlessly dispel the wards one by one, affording him the luxury of talking at the same time. "Want to know something? A while go, maybe a few months, he commissioned a small box to hold your letters in. Not too big, but still sizable. Black lacquer, with silver inlays in the shape of snowflakes."
From where I stood, I could see Fuyuki grind her teeth and shake her head. I stepped forward and placed a hand on my friend's shoulder and it seemed to have an immediate effect, at least easing the tension in the air until a sharp snap pierced the air. Both of us flinched and looked to Quentin who was dusting his hands with a chuffed expression before picking up the crate and walking over to the two of us.
"Here's the deal," Quentin chuckled, handing over the crate to Fuyuki as he spoke. "Stay in Han a little longer and at least greet the old man. And if it doesn't go well, I'll give you a refund."
Fuyuki grimaced and shook her head, replying with a faint laugh, "...you know I wouldn't have the heart to come back for the gil."
"Of course I know. And I know where in Kugane to send it anyways."
There was a wicked smirk on Quentin's face, and in horror I looked to Fuyuki for her reaction, only to be taken aback by the sight of a similarly twisted grin. My boss nodded and gestured at the crate, and to sate my curiosity, walked back to Fuyuki, peering over her shoulder as she opened the box. At first the sight of the stones seemed unremarkable, like lumps of dirty snow. Then, the realization hit me.
"W-white Auracite?!" I exclaimed, my voice echoing off the walls of the storeroom and causing Fuyuki to flinch, nearly dropping the box. After a quick apology from me, the Raen shut the lid and nodded with a tired smile.
"Indeed. This bit was bound for the Isle of Val before it...vanished." Quentin winked at the last word before becoming serious again. "Long story short, since the original recipient had, ahem, no longer a need of it, I was able to take possession of it for only a...nominal fee. The seller seemed to not appreciate the value of it as much as one would have expected, but that's business."
"And the fee?" Fuyuki asked, matching Quentin's serious face. "I only brought the original amount you quoted, but if you have it here-"
My boss shook his head and smiled. "I had your order ready long before you came to ask. But if you insist on paying the difference...go see your old man."
A wry smile spread across my friend's face as she tucked the crate under one arm and reached for a small sack of gil with her free hand, unceremoniously throwing it into Quentin's hand. "Well. Since you insisted."
Quentin smiled brightly and nodded to me. I rolled my eyes with a grin as I took out my notebook, scratching one line and replacing it with another:
-Special Parcel - Paid in Full.-
1st Day of 5th Umbral Moon
Perspective: Noémie Clement
-All containers must be labeled with exact content and proper method of handling. Include all potential hazards and instructions in case of accident.-
That was one of the first things that I was taught when I first joined the Errant Star Sundries. While the more cynical would point to it being merely a method of reducing monetary loss, it was more to protect us employees. Among the myriad of mining and quarrying companies, the Errant Star specialized in the more magical and arcane materials, things that could detonate if you so much as looked at it funny.
Of course, there was always going to be an exception, and the exception this past month was a was small crate tucked into the far corner of the storeroom. By the container only, it would be easily missable, but there more than a few conspicuous wards set up around it. Unlike the other shipments we've received, it was personally carried in by my boss, owner, and founder of the Errant Star, Quentin Deschamps. He had walked in, a wild grin on his face, placed several powerful arcane wards on it, then finally told me that he and he alone would handle when the time came.
The reason for the secrecy eluded me. More than a fair share of rare metals, magicked stones, and esoteric implements have passed through our halls, and being responsible for keeping tabs on our stock, I generally was given at least the slightest hint as to the contents if I wasn't allowed to be fully privy. All I was allowed to write down in the ledger was the following:
-Special Parcel - To be hand-delivered.-
Of course, today had to be one of those days that could serve as an excellent example of why we were such sticklers for proper labeling.
As scheduled, we had a large order to fill for the Four Seasons, one of the most prominent apothecaries in Radz-at-Han and owned by the Fuyo clan, one of the few Domans living in Radz-at-Han. The Errant Star had a long relationship with that shop, Quentin being a longtime friend of the Fuyo family, and especially with Tadashi Fuyo, the father of the family. Even I myself was a good friend of one of the daughters, Chiaki Fuyo, who ended up being the liaison who would pick up their weekly orders.
This time around, however, was plagued by a pileup of clerical errors, errors that caused the crate that was meant to be handed off to be filled with all the wrong items. Thankfully, Chiaki was as diligent as always and opened the lid, allowing us to spot the grave mistake and quickly compose the proper contents. Sure, she was a childhood friend, but it did not make that frantic half-hour of tracking down and packing any less awkward.
Even though Chiaki had walked out the door with a grin as large as the crate she held in, I was still drowning in embarassment as I fixed up the storeroom that was thrown into disarray. As I moved boxes and crates and coffers, I kept mentally recounting the number of crystals and stones we had packed; despite checking twice, no, three times, there was still a lingering doubt that I had miscounted and not given enough. Over the sound of shuffling sundries, I could still hear the front door open and close, paying it it no heed until I heard Quentin speak, in his usual cheery voice, a dreaded line.
"Well well, Miss Fuyo. You came back earlier than expected."
In the safety of the storeroom, there would be no one to hear my deflated and embarrassed sigh. Definitely, definitely, there was a miscount.
"Apologies, Master Deschamps," replied a soft voice. "My impatience got the better of me, and I wanted to square away this matter as soon as possible."
I blinked, not sure of what I was hearing, except that it was not Chiaki's voice at all. A mix of of curiosity and worry quickly bubbled as I swiftly strode to the entrance of the storeroom and peeked into the lobby. In the distance, I saw a Raen girl clad in what looked like a worn and faded poncho and bandanna, sporting a cold glare on her face, and carrying with her what I suspected as a staff, all wrapped up in rough linen cloth. If the girl in front of me was a daughter of the Fuyo family, there was only had that unmistakable appearance and demeanor.
"F-Fuyuki?" I asked, incredulous. The chilling stare on the other girl melted as she looked towards me, turning into a smile as she bowed in the way that the people in the Far East did.
"Ah. Noémie-chi. It's been too long." Fuyuki replied, her voice rather chipper. Too long indeed...it was five years since she had left for Eorzea without a single word, and I hadn't seen her since. But before I could say anything more, Fuyuki spoke up again. "I'm sorry, I'm afraid this time I'll be only here for...a short while."
Only a short while? Again? I had to frown. Chiaki would always tell me after the fact that Fuyuki had visited, and even then, it seemed like the youngest of the four Fuyo sisters only returned to drop off whatever treasures and tomes she had acquired from her various jobs in Eorzea. I found my earlier voice stolen by the disappointing news, though thankfully Quentin was quick on the draw and proceeded with business, motioning for Fuyuki to follow, then pointed to me as if to tell me to prepare the ledger again.
"Thankfully, I figured you would need a little bit more." Quentin laughed as she stepped through the doorway to the storeroom. As Fuyuki followed after, I could see her eyebrow raise, rather amused. It was a silently-asked question that was swiftly answered. "Well, if your project failed, you'd need more to try again. And if it succeeded, you'd probably were in need to make far more. And so, I figured I could save you some time and cut out the middleman."
Something wasn't adding up. If Fuyuki had put in an order, I surely would have been able to see it. From what Chiaki had told me, Fuyuki had branched out from the family's trade and dove into metalworking, so I had expected Quentin to turn towards the metal section of the storeroom. But as he kept walking on, suspicion slowly crept up on me as I tailed behind my childhood friend.
"I appreciate the forethought." Fuyuki replied, starting to chuckle. "I gave myself enough time for a length chat and note-taking session. So if you have have I was looking for already, what I am to do until the next ferry?"
Immediately, my mind had an answer. "Well, your sisters miss you so much, Fuyu."
"If they miss me that much, then they should go back to practicing their aim," the white-hair girl quipped before chuckling. The retort was immediate, but that chuckle was short lived as Quentin added in.
"And your parents, too."
I looked to where Quentin had finally stopped and flinched in surprise, though in hindsight I shouldn't have been so surprised. Right in front of the magick-bound crate. Even though the mystery of that crate was finally to be revealed, I felt a certain sense of unease instead of relief.
"Then they can keep missing for all I care."
Fuyuki shot back with a more bitter retort, her face back to that icy glare. I knew her well enough that she was still joking for the most part, but I understood why there was still a little bit of vitriol left. As far as I was aware, the decision to journey to Eorzea was making good on an ultimatum that her family did not expect her to take. Thankfully, Quentin also took it in stride as well as he kneeled in front of the crate and started to dispel the wards.
"...look, I know Tadashi has been always been a stubborn, prideful man. But after you left for Eorzea, something in him broke. He really was at a loss for...a few years really." Quentin explained. Fuyuki sighed and shook her head, walking up to stand behind Quentin and watch the wards being dispelled. From the start she was gifted with magicks, and constantly curious about it. Meanwhile, I took a step back, tapping my fingers against the wall nervously. I wasn't expecting to get caught in family matters.
Quentin continued to effortlessly dispel the wards one by one, affording him the luxury of talking at the same time. "Want to know something? A while go, maybe a few months, he commissioned a small box to hold your letters in. Not too big, but still sizable. Black lacquer, with silver inlays in the shape of snowflakes."
From where I stood, I could see Fuyuki grind her teeth and shake her head. I stepped forward and placed a hand on my friend's shoulder and it seemed to have an immediate effect, at least easing the tension in the air until a sharp snap pierced the air. Both of us flinched and looked to Quentin who was dusting his hands with a chuffed expression before picking up the crate and walking over to the two of us.
"Here's the deal," Quentin chuckled, handing over the crate to Fuyuki as he spoke. "Stay in Han a little longer and at least greet the old man. And if it doesn't go well, I'll give you a refund."
Fuyuki grimaced and shook her head, replying with a faint laugh, "...you know I wouldn't have the heart to come back for the gil."
"Of course I know. And I know where in Kugane to send it anyways."
There was a wicked smirk on Quentin's face, and in horror I looked to Fuyuki for her reaction, only to be taken aback by the sight of a similarly twisted grin. My boss nodded and gestured at the crate, and to sate my curiosity, walked back to Fuyuki, peering over her shoulder as she opened the box. At first the sight of the stones seemed unremarkable, like lumps of dirty snow. Then, the realization hit me.
"W-white Auracite?!" I exclaimed, my voice echoing off the walls of the storeroom and causing Fuyuki to flinch, nearly dropping the box. After a quick apology from me, the Raen shut the lid and nodded with a tired smile.
"Indeed. This bit was bound for the Isle of Val before it...vanished." Quentin winked at the last word before becoming serious again. "Long story short, since the original recipient had, ahem, no longer a need of it, I was able to take possession of it for only a...nominal fee. The seller seemed to not appreciate the value of it as much as one would have expected, but that's business."
"And the fee?" Fuyuki asked, matching Quentin's serious face. "I only brought the original amount you quoted, but if you have it here-"
My boss shook his head and smiled. "I had your order ready long before you came to ask. But if you insist on paying the difference...go see your old man."
A wry smile spread across my friend's face as she tucked the crate under one arm and reached for a small sack of gil with her free hand, unceremoniously throwing it into Quentin's hand. "Well. Since you insisted."
Quentin smiled brightly and nodded to me. I rolled my eyes with a grin as I took out my notebook, scratching one line and replacing it with another:
-Special Parcel - Paid in Full.-
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