The creaking sound of his apartment door shutting reminded him of the dread boiling inside; all too aware that heading out for the day meant heading off to work—to Gate duty.
"Another day, another gil." Nyx sighed, sliding on his jacket. He was in the process of putting his earpiece in when he heard the noise of another door closing. Automatic reaction to the tone had him turning his gaze, politely smiling at his hall-neighbor.
"Off to work again?"
Nyx nodded to the elderly woman who was in the process of fitting her keys in her purse. "Yes, ma'am." Mrs. Cravat was a kind woman, been living in the complex a lot longer than most tenants, and happened to be one of the more tolerable Nyx found himself less likely to avoid.
"Back to the Wall?" she inquired as she walked up beside the soldier on their way toward the stairwell.
"Yeah." Nyx sniffed, not enjoying the fact of his reassignment, but he was simply doing his best to follow orders this time around.
"Don't fret too much," came Mrs. Cravat's advice as they marched up the steps, Nyx routinely offering an arm for her to balance on while they paced up levels. "It's a secure position, and safe," she added, eyeing him warily, all too aware of his tours. "I would rather have you young ones standing at a safe location than go gallivanting out in battle-ridden lands."
Nyx wouldn't debate with the woman for the reasons in support of these dangerous campaigns. He simply let himself agree with her about his current position. At least it was a peaceful one.
"Off to the marketplace?" He inquired when they reached the pavement. He still had some time for friendly tiffs before offing himself to his position.
"I suppose it is about time," she said, digging into her purse and laughing as she pulled out a list. "I even have the usual list stuffed into my bags. Habitual, really." She cleared her throat, smile growing larger. "I am actually readying to leave."
Nyx blinked, crossing his arms and shifting his stance. "Leave?" He questioned. "Mrs. Cravat leave the city of her birth and rearing? Since when?"
She patted his chest at his jest, but as she squared her shoulders and shifted her stance, her eyes seemed to sparkle. "Actually, I won a stay in the city of Altissia for a three-month's-stay vacation."
Nyx gawked. "You mean what channel 4 was advertising? How the hell did you win that?"
Mrs. Cravat held up a finger. "I simply have the perfect timing. I've been blessed by the gods, you know."
Nyx snickered at the comment, shaking his head and placing his fists on his hips. "Now what am I going to do with you gone for so long?"
"Keep yourself out of trouble," she warned, now wagging her digit at the Glaive. "I plan to enjoy my time there and see my grandchildren. I don't want to have to worry about your daily run-ins, Ulric."
"No, ma'am, wouldn't dream of it." Well, he'd certainly miss Mrs. Cravat. Looks like full-blown hermit was destined to dictate his coming future, at least until the woman returned from her luxurious vacation and offered to share some more of those heavenly pies of hers.
Luckily, the Gatewatch wasn't too harsh on him this time. It was probably due to the fact that he kept his mind to himself and his mouth shut. No unfortunate arise of any sort of confrontational arguments. Returning home had been on the forefront of his mind, however he knew that his comrades had continued to insist on his appearance to get-togethers. He contemplated on meeting them at the usual spot, but his path was once again diverted for a second night in a row when he was brought into recollection of the previous night.
He wondered how the Tenebraen was doing.
Nyx hadn't expected her to have remained at the motel—opting to believe she had settled her financial situation and settled herself into the higher areas of the city—nor had he expected she answer his inquiring knocks.
"Oh, good evening, Mr. Ulric." The Tenebraen's accent was pleasant on the ears, far too sophisticated to be heard around these parts.
Nyx didn't realize how easy it was to pull out a smile with her—as if they were old friends. Perhaps it was the kinship in the label of "refugee" that made him feel more relatable to her, even if she was of an obvious higher class.
"Good evening to you too." He offered an incline of his head out of politeness, but, glancing around, he couldn't help but raise a brow. "I kinda thought you'd be out of here by now."
It wasn't as if Nyx didn't catch the way her eyes glanced downward, nor the shift in her posture as shoulders slightly slumped and footing moved. "I will by tomorrow."
"Got everything settled?" Nyx was hopeful for once. The silence, however, dampened his spirits. His gentle smile began fading, and eyes narrowing. The moment the woman shook her head, the Glaive had the urge to march right into Immigrations and demand they settle her situation.
Blue eyes looked at him. They seemed weary, sad even, and more than disappointed in her own self. "I was told there was no means to convert my financial standing due to the armistice not yet signed into effect."
Nyx opened his mouth to say something, but unfortunately ended up simply rolling his eyes and head in sync. It was a shame that he looked more irate than the young woman before him. Clearly her situation was standing in a worse position than even his own.
"They would make that kind of an excuse, wouldn't they?" Nyx sighed, understanding the reasoning. After all, it wasn't every day an individual came to the city looking for refuge whilst carrying nothing but enemy coin. "Damn, sorry . . . it's unfortunate to hear that."
The woman named Stella was quiet for the most part. Despite her circumstance, she still insisted on remaining optimistic in a city that seemed so intent on denying her sanctuary. "That's quite alright, I shall find a place where Pryna and I can stay for the amount we need to here. I was informed on housing for refugees who are incapable of maintaining their own place."
Nyx shook his head. He knew the programs consisting of that. Didn't like them. And he knew it wouldn't fit someone like Stella.
"I appreciate all you've done for me, Mr. Ulric."
"Nyx, call me Nyx," the Glaive insisted. They were counterparts after all.
Her smile seemed to widen and her eyes softened ever so slightly. "Nyx," she corrected. "I shall pave my own path from here. You shan't worry about my becoming any longer."
Common gestures had Nyx pulling his lips taut at the irony of the wording, head shaking and weight shifting from one foot to another. "You make that sound as if it's a command. Nah, I ain't that kind of a guy." His frown returned. "Just wouldn't sit right with my conscience."
"I can assure you I am capable of taking care of myself," she had replied, even pulling out a smile that seemed pleasant and sure enough.
"I don't doubt that," Nyx responded to her quip. He quieted after that, gaze glazing, wandering back in time for a moment. "Look, I've been here for a while. I know what it's like to go through the system, to deal with the others looking to make an escape, and the prejudice of the Lucians. I wouldn't want anyone else to have to go through that mess."
"I am out of options at this point," she reminded.
Nyx understood. She was right, but gods did he want something to come about and help manage her . . .
Eyes widened for a moment. Jaw loosened and mind reeled. Nyx straightened his posture and shook his hand. "Wait," he motioned. "There might be another way."
"I do not understand." Soft blue eyes narrowed and golden brows furrowed in confusion. The Tenebraen was examining Nyx, trying as she might to discern his sudden bout of optimism. But even Nyx wasn't quite certain of the idea as of yet.
"Look." He turned to her and pulled out his wallet. Handing her a decent amount of gil—there went his drinking money—he then said, "Use this to pay for another day. I may have found you a place to stay until the armistice is signed." However long that took.
Lips parted and her blue eyes blinked at the suddenness of everything. "Oh, you needn't have to—"
"Keep it," Nyx insisted, taking a step back from the room before she had the chance to attempt to return the gil. "I'll return tomorrow. Hopefully then we'll both be at ease."
With that he turned and disappeared into the night.
Nyx had returned the following morning as he had promised. After checking out of the motel, he escorted Lunafreya to an apartment complex. From simple visual discernment, the facility wasn't the most desirable of places, but Mrs. Cravat was a lovely individual.
Lunafreya had been introduced to the elderly woman, catching the Insomnian as she was packing for an apparent long trip. This fact of which was why Nyx had mentioned the Tenebraen. It seemed Mrs. Cravat was in need of home-keeper being that she would be gone so long with the potential of lingering out longer. She had plants that needed watered, and two cats too old to drop off at an animal daycare.
The introduction was nothing but an interview to determine if Lunafreya was deemed acceptable to house herself in Mrs. Cravat's abode whilst she was away. The meeting went tremendously well. Mrs. Cravat took a liking to the refugee.
"Your pet is so well-mannered. My darlings like her more than they have any other animal in so long." Mrs. Cravat was currently hoisting her luggage out of her apartment, Nyx beside and helping arrange the baggage on a cart. When the woman looked to Lunafreya she held nothing but sweet smiles for the young woman. "As I am certain she's learned from her well-mannered owner."
Lunafreya offered a smile of gratitude in return, inclining her head, simply watching as the woman offed on her journey.
"I do hope we would have some time to properly get to know one another when I return." The elder reached out and clasped Lunafreya's hands. "It was a pleasure to meet you and I have faith you'll uphold my home."
Lunafreya nodded. "I will try my best, Madame."
"Oh, such high class formalities." Mrs. Cravat giggled and spied Nyx a look. "Where ever did you find this gem, and why have you not introduced her sooner?"
Nyx rolled his eyes at the comment, but smiled at its vitality.
"Here." The last thing Mrs. Cravat did was write down her contact. "This is my number should you have any issues."
"Thank-you, but I believe there shouldn't be too many problems. Your home is quite lovely and pets well-behaved." Lunafreya looked down at the two elderly cats sitting beside her, content with the way she rubbed their ears.
"Yes, they quite like you as much as I do." With a deep breath, she turned and exited her home. "Take care, dearie. Nyx, help me get these to the bus."
"Yes, ma'am."
Mrs. Cravat's apartment, while humble and no doubt of normal space compared to the other compartments in this complex, was cluttered with knick-knacks and quite the decent amount of dust spied in the places the elderly woman could not reach in her endeavors to keep the place clean. In honesty, Lunafreya's room back at the palace was bigger, but the princess had nothing against the space secured. It didn't cost her anything she didn't have. Mrs. Cravat was too kind, and of course she had no one to thank but Mr. Ulric. Though against his wishes, she would find a way to properly repay him for his care.
She spent most of the remainder of the day tidying up the place, cleaning what Cravat couldn't before, situating some poorly placed belongings and organizing her own personal items. It was easy to make room for her own luggage with the other clutter cleared and put away in closets and cabinets.
The colored lamps were turned on by the end of her tasks. She was hungry and had forgotten to prepare herself a meal, not that she even managed to get into the kitchen and spy the pantry. That could wait until after one last important task.
She sat herself at a desk now cleared of bountiful decorated cards from Cravat's loved ones—received and made—and took out a pen and paper from her suitcase. There, she wrote a letter to one whom she had been meaning to inform of her recent happenstances.
'You need not worry any longer, dearest Gentiana. I am safe under both Walls. I have not yet made my presence known to the King due to unforeseen setbacks on my part, but, I assure you that I am well taken care of by the people of this city. The gods have paved my steps and I am in constant assurance this is the path they have set forth for me. I pray this letter gets to you in good time. Pryna has been a fine companion.'
Pulling the quill away, she folded the letter and turned, slipping the parchment into Pryna's pouch. Her last duty of the day was to open the door and allow her friend to prance off to deliver her message. A prayer was sent with the canine, and one of good fortune for the following day.
A/N: I dunno why, but I have a HeadCanon that Tenebraens speak French. Since Luna and Ravus' surname is French, I'm just going with it and letting it slip from her every now and then just for fun. ;)
