The guilt never lessened, even after so long. He didn't mind it though. It was practically an old friend by now.
Liam surveyed the area, eyes watering from the heavy smell of burnt debris and copper. Thick, black smoke choked the air around him as bright orange flames licked the stone foundations of the ruins in front of him. Three days and the fire still raged on, eating away at the earth itself, though much more diminished than before. It shouldn't surprise him though; the glow of the original power behinds the fire flickered still within the flames, catching his eye. Shining falcon blue, ragged Azteka copper, ethereal Shantel pale green, and shimmering Macht violet. It never failed to mesmerize him with fear and awe. Power beget power, as mistress Jeshickah had once said. He chuckled bitterly "If only she knew how true that was."
Stepping forth, Liam winced as the flames licked his skin. It should have burned him, but it stung him only. It was always like this, the fire leaving no damage but a sore body that ached for days. Still, the pain did nothing to stop his usual foray throughout the ruins. There was nothing to see around here, the fire had destroyed all but the foundations. Liam knew better to stop walking through. It would a few minutes, but it would appear, it always did, bringing with it the promise of something worse than smoke filled lungs and sore limbs.
"But you can't protest it, can you." The voice whispered, "It's only fair given what you did."
The voice was right. He deserved this. Monsters didn't get sweet dreams of warm sand and brisk winds.
The whole of Rabanastre was filled with the clanging of heavy metal boots; soldiers sent by the Archadian Empire to keep the peace in Dalmasca's capital. They littered the streets, wearing heavy armor and sharp halberds, glaring at the populace through metal visors with disdain. Not far back Liam heard an alarmed yelp and the crack of pottery. He quickened his pace slightly, motioning the others to do the same. It wouldn't do to get caught in an argument with the guards. Glancing sideways he caught Kadee scowling beneath her cloak, her features set in frustration, making Liam grimace. The past few years had left her with little patience for injustice and while he may have agreed with her it was not a wise choice to get involved. Impediment of trade may not merit a trip to the trainers' cells in Ivalice, but years of persecution had left the children of Obsidian weary of socializing in any regards aside from trade with anybody outside the guild. Liam particularly had no desire to explain Malachi's appearance or Vance's feathers to the local authorities. Ivalice was much more advanced than their dimension but the Macht had made a point of reminding them that inter-dimensional travel was still a far understood phenomenon here. He vaguely remembered mistress Jeshickah remarking how much easier it was to procure slaves from unsuspecting realms; less of a fuss from families and more fear of the unknown to work with.
"It's not our place to meddle Kadee," murmured Liam, "particularly when a cell is a result of doing so."
"So, we should just ignore that brute beating up the man?" whispered Kadee back fiercely. Suddenly Liam found himself floored, shame creeping inside. He didn't how to explain to her that he agreed but didn't at the same time. Luckily Malachi interceded.
"Kadee, if we were to help the man things would only go worse. For both us and him," Malachi explained, pale blue-green eyes set, "The guards here are little more than petty thugs itching for a fight and cover the whole of the bazaar. If we were to intervene, we would land both ourselves and the stall owner in jail with the added gift of broken bones and bruises. Liam is right, there is nothing that can be done at the moment."
Kadee huffed and jerked her head forward, making Vance reach to pat her shoulder in a placating manner. Liam looked down at the street and wondered when it had become so hard to speak. A brass dragon would have known what to say, in fact, his mother would definitely have known what to say. More importantly, she would have known how to help the stall owner without getting caught. He clenched his fists at his side and bit his lip. What use was a quiet brass dragon? What use was a metallic that couldn't do what was right? Then again, he wasn't a brass dragon. Not really.
"You shouldn't worry about it," whispered Malachi, pulling back slightly as Vance and Kadee spoke in hurried tones.
Surprised, Liam glanced up, seeing Malachi look at him with thoughtful eyes. It was amazing that only four years ago he had once teetered on the brink of Ecl. Four years of hard work along with the help of Alasdair and the others had done much to help to him heal. He wondered what it was like, being stable after having been so broken. The falcon blood of Ahnmik was quite volatile, especially when mixed with the blood of others, particularly when said others were white vipers.
"I'm not worried," spoke Liam in a rushed tone, quickening his step, "I'm just thinking about how we'll reach my mother's lair. The Shantel gave us such vague directions just to get here and so far, the only lead we have is your vision of an old bangaa here in Rabanastre."
"I believe that is the same as being worried," replied Malachi wryly. Liam flushed and stuttered. Not wanting to continue the conversation Liam hurried to catch up to Vance and Kadee, leaving Malachi to follow behind them a few feet behind. Without turning he could feel Malachi giving him a concerned look.
Walking along the street Liam did exactly as Malachi had said and worried. He didn't need magic to know that Malachi thought he was being evasive and hiding something. For the last couple of days, Malachi had made a habit of appearing by his side at random times, trying to figure out what was going on with him. Yet as far as he knew Liam was just anxious about learning more about his mother and as such attempted to help him by trying to get him to talk with him. A fair assumption and attempt gave that mothers were something of point consternation for all the remaining the children of Obsidian. Malachi certainly didn't know about the dreams or the fears that haunted him at night though.
Letting out a sigh Liam glanced at his surroundings, taking in the city before him. The Macht had claimed Rabanastre to be a jewel in the desert, filled with gorgeous architecture and twisting roads and passages. They had not lied about that. The city was truly beautiful, with intricate columns and stately buildings clustering to make the city seem like one seamless work of art; a far cry more civilized than anything available in their dimension. The city was breathtaking, alive with energy from its people that served to excite his senses. It would be so easy to forget everything and lose himself in the fun of being in a new place, but he knew better. For all its life Liam needed only to focus to see past the thin veneer of normalcy to find the unrest that abounded the city. They all saw the cowed faces and worry lines of the non-hume salespeople, the dust-coated children running in ragged clothes with alert eyes, the silent murmurs of pedestrians as they passed beneath an Archadian standard and the pitiful beggars with soldiers' faces. It was clear for anybody with eyes and half a brain to see, but for him and Malachi, whose magic tied them to the minds and emotions of people, ignoring it would have been like missing a bonfire in front of their faces. The grief and pain and anger of the people seethed, making it easy for them to pick out people thoughts. Anger at the high taxes and swaggering Archadians, trauma from the war, cries for lost friends and family, and just overall misery at the situation. Their training may have staved off the worst, but Liam knew he would wake up with a horrible headache tomorrow.
"So, who exactly are we looking for?" Liam asked Kadee, trying to make conversation. Thankfully, it seemed Kadee had moved on from the stall owner for the moment in favor of looking around the city.
Kadee became thoughtful as she replied, "according to the mu-mon-."
"Moogle." supplied Vance absently as he cast a curious glance at a bookstall.
"Yes, moogle," amended Kadee quickly, her facing turning slightly pink as a statuesque Viera clad in leather passed her by. Even after her years among shapeshifters, witches, vampires, and a brass dragon Kadee still had trouble acclimating around non-humans. Being in Rabanastre where several races baring no human characteristics gathered was something of a shock for her. Or maybe it was the rather free attire of its people, who had no qualms about showing bare skin. It amazing how anybody raised among the Serpiente could be so picky about clothes. Liam blamed it on the prudishness of her human heritage. At least Vance and Malachi didn't seem to mind. "said that description Malachi gave him was that of a bangaa named Migelo who had a store down in East End. Apparently, he's a well-known figure here." finished Kadee, casting a quick her glance at a marker on a wall as if to make sure they were still in East End.
"The moogle also that if we had trouble finding him to just ask one of the local kids around here. Apparently, Migelo has a soft spot for them and gives a lot of the orphans here errands and small jobs to do for a little money," added Vance, pointing at two children wearing raggedy brown clothes. One of them, a girl with short black hair, was handed a heavy bag by a fruit stall vendor.
"It shouldn't be too difficult finding him," commented Malachi, green eyes darting between signs, "the moogle said he was pretty well established. He should have a pretty big sign around. The stores around here look well enough to have proper displays and his store should be here. We're still in East End."
Sure enough, a few meters ahead was a large, plain wooden sign saying "Migelo's Sundries" in lime green next to a worn, but respectable looking storefront. If that weren't enough there was a small group of kids and teenagers hanging around, wearing rough but clean clothes. Street kids and orphans, noted Liam, taking the way they shifted discretely and warily. Orphans always had a look about them.
"You would know that look wouldn't you?" said the voice slyly in the back of his head, "It would be a disgrace if you didn't."
Shaking away the thoughts, Liam pushed forward towards the store door, earning him and the rest a few suspicious looks from the kids around the store. Maybe it was the cloaks covering them, but he somehow doubted it. Rabanastre carried with it a myriad of people of shapes and sizes. Cloaks were hardly a warning sign in a place where weapons and magicks were on most people's person. Nevertheless, whatever it was Liam could tell that something about them set off a warning inside the kids' minds.
Stepping inside Liam took a few seconds to examine store. The shop was warmly lit, filled with a few displays of food and knick-knacks on shelves. A few feet in the shop was a desk with a register that served to separate a shelf filled storeroom from the rest of the shop. Stacking a few packages on one of the shelves was a young girl with blond pigtails and warm blue eyes dressed in a navy and brown jumpsuit of some kind. Catching sight of them the girl set aside the packages and approached the desk with a warm smile.
"Hello, welcome to Migelo's Sundries." replied the girl cheerfully, unfazed by them, "My name is Penelo, how may I help you?"
Taking the lead Malachi stepped forward. "Hello, we are here to speak with Migelo regarding some goods from Kerwon," lied Malachi politely, citing a location they had overheard from one of the vendors, "is he present at the moment."
As if an act of fate before Penelo could reply, a short elderly bangaa with blue and cream scales forth from the tangle of shelves. "Penelo, did you finish restocking the potion-." called out the elderly bangaa in a raspy, grandfatherly tone before stopping short and noticing them. "Hello, my name is Migelo, how may I help you today," squinting eyes filled with warmth. As Liam took in the old bangaa his head began throbbing painfully
"Hey Migelo, these people were here to see you about some goods Kerwon," Penelo informed Migelo, face frowning in confusion. "I didn't know you ordered stuff from there."
"Yes," replied Migelo, the warmth leaving his eyes quickly. As soon as Penelo had finished his kind demeanor subtly gave way to something shrewd and cautious, his eyes assessing them without allowing his voice or guise to change from its grandfatherly tone. It seemed Migelo did not order goods from Kerwon. "It was spur of the moment thing. Apparently, there's been a recent demand for Garif remedies in the city. It was a small order, so I didn't really make a big deal out of it." explained Migelo with a fake smile, "I told the delivery boy I wanted to get more information about the order so I told him to ask them to come over here so we could talk about. I didn't think he'd bring the whole caravan!" said Migelo, letting out a light laugh.
Liam glanced over at Malachi and the others who simply looked back in confusion. It was obvious Migelo knew they were lying, but then why was he playing along with them? Before any of them could speak Migelo cut them off. "Now, why don't we continue this conversation in my office," Migelo offered politely, hand gesturing towards a door at end of the back room. Turning to his young employee. "Penelo why don't you go back to restocking the shelves while I speak with our guests." Penelo nodded and turned back to her task.
"Should we follow him?" thought Liam focusing his thoughts towards Malachi, shifting his head slightly, watching him along with Vance and Kadee. After years of practice and a few blackouts, Malachi had finally gained enough mastery over his falcon magic to learn how to receive thoughts in his general vicinity. It was a skill that had served them well plenty of times despite its limitations. Seeing him nod his head slightly, Liam, Kadee, and Vance walked towards the doorway into the office.
The office was fair sized beige and gray room that held a book-filled shelf and a modestly handsome desk where two chairs with blue cushions stood facing it. Once they were all inside Migelo entered the office, closing the door and locking it, his kindly demeanor falling to reveal a look of loathing and disgust. Whoever Migelo thought they were he obviously wanted nothing more than to introduce them his foot and out the door. Letting out a grunt Migelo stalked past them towards his desk sat down, glaring at them as if they had destroyed his shop.
"I already paid you for the quarter," growled Migelo, eyes blazing, and hands clenched, "I can't keep paying you if you take the money faster then I-."
"We're not Imperials," said Vance quickly, hands raised in the universal sign of peace, "We just came here looking for someone."
Slowly the anger seeped out Migelo to be replaced with suspicion. Suddenly Liam knew exactly why Migelo had played along. "The Archadians probably harass the shopkeepers for protection," deduced Liam, head still throbbing as empathy welled inside him for the elderly bangaa. Sadly, he was very familiar with such techniques. Jeshickah's guards had often made quite a pretty mint outside of their day job.
Pulling his chair Migelo sat down and gave them a hard look, clearly deciding the best way to get rid of them. "So, what are you doing here if you're not Imperials," demanded Migelo, his hostility, while less than before, still very evident.
Vance took the lead. "We are actually here for information," explained Vance, "just not about goods. We're looking for a woman called Rose. We were told you might know something about her?"
As soon as his mother's name was spoken Liam felt something in Migelo change as the pain in his head raced. Migelo's expression remained the same but something about his mother had struck a nerve. Malachi's magic may have improved but even now he still had trouble differentiating between past, present, and future. Liam had been fully prepared to waste the large sum of money they had paid the Macht to open the portal if it meant discovering more about his mother but apparently it had been worth it. Migelo knew something and he was not about to let this lead slip from his fingers.
"I don't know anything about a woman named Rose," declared Migelo, letting out an annoyed sigh, "I'm sorry you wasted your time but-."
"Please," interrupted Liam quickly, praying to Anhamirak that the others would understand his choice. Perhaps it was desperation that drove him or maybe it was the pounding ache in his head, but really what choice did he have? Migelo knew something. The others couldn't tell but Liam knew, his instincts told him that much. According to the sakkri, the power of brass dragons resided in words and understanding and for all his ignorance of draconic magic, this was easy enough to do. He knew how to make people comfortable, scare them to the point of fleeing, tell if they were lying or if they were harmless. Right now, his magic was screaming, telling him to speak with Migelo frankly. Yet that urge struggled with his common sense. After all, they didn't know the shopkeeper and he could very easily call the guards to arrest them. Yet while some situations called for lies, others could accept only honesty. "She's my mother," said Liam hesitantly, "I got separated from her at birth and now I'm looking for her. We heard you might know something about her."
Migelo's hard gaze softened. "Child, I have no idea who your mother- "began Migelo only to be cut off again by Liam. "She's a brass who lived in the area." Liam blurted out, adjusting his head to allow Migelo to see the ripple of scales across his face, cheeks flushing bright red as he heard the others gasp. It was a stupid move, but if Migelo knew anything about his mother he would understand.
As soon as the ripple vanished Migelo's jaw dropped, face bearing a gobsmacked look, and took a step back and let out heavy breaths. Vance darted and grasped Liam's arm. "Are you mad?" snapped Vance, eyes flashing furiously, "I know you're desperate to find your mother, but putting us in danger like this? The guards will have us locked away faster than a hawk and last I checked we can't fight the whole guard and you can barely change, let alone enough to to get us away."
"Please," pleaded Liam, desperately trying to come up with an explanation to make Vance understand. Vance needed more of an excuse for a reveal than just instincts or magic. "trust me, Vance." Blue eyes met brown and Liam could see his words affecting Vance. As children, they had often said those same words when they had played around in lady Brina's studio without permission, and again later when they visited the Shantel and dealt with Midnight. They might fight but each knew when they simply just needed that simple yet precious thing. When each one asked that of them the only thing they could do was just trust the other even if they thought the other was being stupid. Struggling, Vance reluctantly nodded.
Taking a breath Liam turned towards Migelo. Surprisingly, the look of surprise had left the bangaa's face and instead there was a look of resignation in its place. Liam opened his mouth to speak, only to be stopped by Migelo raised hands. Rubbing his forehead, Migelo stepped forward and stopped right in front of him. Up close Liam could see the myriad of emotions on his face. Confusion, recognition, and, strangely, fondness.
"I never thought I would see Rose's son in the flesh without he." rasped Migelo, eyes twinkling, "I thought you had disappeared with her."