A Quiet Evening

Isashi arrived at the rendezvous with her face still flush from the battle. She'd decimated her foes, and look forward to praise from her favorite teacher. X'rhun studied the horizon when Isashi's chocobo landed at the foot of the stairs. The Hinterlands were vast, and she treasured the time that she and Chewy spent together. He was her oldest friend, one of the first creatures to bind their life to hers upon entering this strange land.

With a gentle pat to Chewy's neck, Isashi climbed the stairs to join X'rhun. The Miqo'te smiled, blue eyes sliding in her direction. "Ah, I recognize that swagger. You've triumphed. Not that I doubted, of course."

"Of course," Isashi replied, her heart fluttering ostentatiously when X'rhun's eyes searched her for wounds. The sun had begun to set, and Isashi stood closer to the Crimson Duelist than was strictly necessary. "You may have dodged my questions earlier, but there is nowhere to run out here."

A throaty chuckle tried to break free of X'rhun's lips, but he stubbornly held it in. "So it would seem, my lady."

Isashi faced him full on, hands on hips. "Do not think I neglected to notice your lack of participation in tonight's maneuvers. You're still hurt."

"Having one's life force ripped from the body does tend to leave a lasting ache." When X'rhun met Isashi's gaze, his smile was so soft that she had to fight against the urge to kiss him. "I need only time, then I shall be at my vigor again."

"I wish I could stay to help with your recovery." To Isashi's surprise, she meant every word. She didn't want to leave X'rhun's side again. The idea of looking after him, watching his strength return until he once more bore the zest for life that had attracted her to him in the first place. . . . Isashi stopped mid-thought. It had weighed on her mind during her time in the Foundation, then Gyr Abania. Every letter brought renewed longing to return to his side.

X'rhun rested his hand on Isashi's shoulder, giving it a light squeeze. "You are the Warrior of Light, and are thus required to perform all manner of miraculous deeds all over this great world of ours."

Isashi turned her eyes towards the darkening sky in an attempt to hide her disappointment. She was bound for Doma soon, to speak life into a new resistance. While having never been one to shirk her duties, Isashi had hoped for at least some regret in X'rhun's tone. Being lost in these grim thoughts, Isashi didn't feel X'rhun's hand slide down her arm until his fingers entwined with hers. With a start, she looked down at their joined hands, then into his eyes. Again, X'rhun wore the satisfied smile of a confident man. "I'll be here when you return."

Joy filled Isashi's heart to the point that she felt dizzy. Had they not been in standing on a platform just outside of Idyllshire in full view of its towers, Isashi would have thrown her arms around X'rhun. She'd promise to return to him, and to never leave his side again. If only it weren't such a lie.

As the silence stretched on, the pair sharing all of those emotions with their eyes alone, Isashi felt at peace. X'rhun turned back to their surroundings, and his brow furrowed at the first stars peeking out from behind the veil of darkness. "I expected Arya to arrive shortly after you, and now it has grown dark."

Isashi turned her eyes towards the direction the girl would arrive from and saw only empty landscape. The night creatures had begun to stir, and soon, the ground would prove too dangerous for Arya to navigate alone. "We should seek her out."

X'rhun nodded, his face set in grim determination now. Isashi led the way down the stairs, clicking her tongue to call for Chewy. The Chocobo appeared from behind a broken pillar and kewed happily, fluffing his feathers in delight. After Isashi climbed into the saddle, she moved forward and motioned for X'rhun to join. The Miqo'te eyed the creature suspiciously before clambering up behind her.

"I've never been fond of traveling on Chocobo back," X'rhun confessed as his hands closed around Isashi's waist. The touch sent a shiver through her, though he seemed too distracted to notice. "It's terribly bouncy, and always leaves me feeling at risk of injury."

Isashi pulled X'rhun's arms tighter, until his chest pressed against her back. When she looked over her shoulder, his chin was close enough to kiss. Isashi resisted the urge and smiled instead. "I think you'll find Chewy an exceptionally smooth ride. I trained him, after all."

Isashi had only the briefest pleasure of seeing the blush cascade over X'rhun's cheeks before she tucked her heels into the chocobo's side. Chewy gave a shrill squawk of delight as powerful legs shot them into the night sky. X'rhun yelped, then sucked in a sharp breath when Chewy's wings expanded to catch warm air currents that carried them higher. His arms locked like a vice, and he swore most ungentlemanly into her shoulder.

"Not so bouncy, eh, X'rhun?" Isashi called behind her.

The Miqo'te raised his head level with hers, peeked over their knees, then squeezed his eyes shut again. "I dare say this is much worse, my lady." The trip passed in silence after that, until X'rhun patted Isashi's thigh and angled his chin towards the ground.

Chewy landed with barely a bump, and the two slid from the saddle. Being so focused on finding his student, X'rhun barely wobbled, and doled out orders with a steady voice. "You search south, I'll check north."

Isashi nodded, and they split in their separate directions. Chewy vaulted along behind her, ever protective of his mistress in lands such as these. In mere minutes, the sound of rapid breathing echoed through the night. Isashi followed it to find Arya crumpled in the grass. The girl panted, though the remains of her foes lay strewn about her.

Arya looked up at Isashi's approach, a tired smile gracing her young features. "I-did it." Then, her eyes rolled into the back of her skull and the girl collapsed.

Isashi dropped to one knee, calling on the healing magics learned from a time when her mage's coat had been white, instead of red. "Chewy, fetch X'rhun." The chocobo puffed out his chest, feathers standing on end, then shook them back into place before vanishing into the night.

By the time X'rhun arrived, Arya was conscious again. The girl climbed onto shaky legs and swatted away her mentor's fretting attempts to see to her wounds. Guilt was written plainly on X'rhun's features as he tried to convince Arya to mount Chewy so that he could whisk her back to Idyllshire to be properly looked after.

"I-need aether," Arya stammered, then swayed to the side. X'rhun made to catch her shoulders, but jerked his hands back as if she were made of fire. "Living aether. Give it to me!"

"By the gods," X'rhun whispered. "Her hair."

Sure enough, Arya's once blonde locks had turned the color of blood. X'rhun took a step back, head shaking side to side frantically. "It's just like Lambard." his eyes lit upon Isashi, wide with fear. "Quickly, we must knock her out!"

The three mages lunged for one another. Arya cried with rage, her rapier raised for a killing blow. X'rhun tucked his shoulder, driving the breath from the girl as Isashi opened her inner chakra to deliver an open-handed blow strong enough to render Arya unconscious without causing permanent harm. The girl sagged into X'rhun's arms, and he stared down as if he'd killed her.

"We must get her back to the city," X'rhun whispered without taking his eyes from Arya. "There is much to do."

Isashi motioned for Chewy to step closer. "Here, he knows the way."

X'rhun lifted his eyes at last, then shook his head. "Nay, my lady. It should be you and the girl who travel together. I would not leave you in this darkness alone."

"Of the three of us, I am the most prepared for this environment, yes?" X'rhun pressed his lips together in a scowl much the same way that Haurchefant used to when he felt she was being unreasonable. Their arguments usually began when he considered disobeying an order to stay behind while she battled ice giants or some other beast. The thought warmed Isashi's heart.

Placing the lead in X'rhun's free hand, Isashi pushed him towards the chocobo. "Chewy is Arya's best chance. He'll return for me once you are safely within Idyllshire's borders, make no mistake."

"I do not like this, Isashi." She tipped her head to hide the smile that pulled at the corners of her lips. X'rhun seldom used her given name, often deferring to one of her many titles. "But, I shall do as you say, because I do not think so much of myself as to believe that I could cowl the famed Dreadspawn into submission." Ah, there was the title.

With a sigh, X'rhun settled himself in the saddle, then Isashi helped situate Arya in front of him. "Chewy knows the way, do not try to steer him, and you'll be fine."

"Naturally," X'rhun replied dryly, then healed the chocobo. Isashi climbed onto a wall, her keen vision piercing the shadows to watch them speed through the night.

Barely an hour had passed when the familiar fluttering of wings pulled Isashi from her musings. She snatched the blue orb that floated before her from the air and tucked it into the pouch on her thigh. Chewy landed softly upon the ruins of the tower where she waited. He shoved his beak under Isashi's chin and rubbed against her face as a cat would. "Good boy," she crooned, scratching beneath his feathers. Isashi climbed into the saddle closed her eyes as the warm, night breeze caressed her face.

All too soon, Chewy lighted on the steps outside of Idyllshire. He'd never taken to city life, preferring to forage outside until Isashi returned for him. She stored his tack at the stable by the gate, then bid the chocobo enjoy himself. The guard here knew her beast by sight, his bright orange feathers setting him apart from his yellow kin. They exchanged pleasantries, and Isashi stepped into the quiet madness inside.

Even at such a late hour, Idyllshire bustled with life. Goblins, vendors, and the occasional adventurer wandered the cobblestone streets by lamplight. Naturally, Isashi made for Rowena's, the most likely place for X'rhun to seek aid for their ailing friend. After speaking to one of the women at the front desk, Isashi found her companions in one of the sitting rooms, a large fireplace throwing shadows that danced along the walls.

Arya bent forward in her chair, face buried in her hands. When she spired Isashi, the girl ran to her, throwing her arms around the Au Ra's waist. "I didn't mean it," she sobbed. "Please, you must know that I would never raise my weapon against you or X'rhun. I couldn't!"

Isashi stroked Arya's hair, her tears serving as a reminder of the girl's tender years. "Nonsense, you were merely over exhausted is all."

X'rhun nodded, "Yes, I told her much the same. Rest is what you need, child. I should not have pushed so hard so soon. Your skill with magic is undeniable, but it is still unrefined." Isashi noted the way his brows pulled together, how the lie stumbled off his tongue. "We must hone your ability to control it before making you a stronger mage."

Arya's head bobbed against Isashi's bosom. She pulled back, wiped her nose on the ornate sleeve of the red jacket she was so proud of, and squared thin shoulders. "Yes, of course, X'rhun. I shan't disappoint you again."

The Miqo'te put his hands on Arya's shoulders and bent to look her in the eye. "You were never a disappointment. Now, I've requested a room for the night. I do believe a warm bath and good night's sleep are in order."

A genuine smile split Arya's young features, and she turned to obey. By the time she reached the steps, Isashi dared to say the girl was skipping. When Isashi turned back to X'rhun, he'd slumped into the chair that Arya had vacated. His elbow rested on the arm of the large chair, allowing his fingers to hide his face.

Isashi knelt on the floor before him, daring to place on hand on X'rhun's knee. Blue eyes peered between strong fingers, and he sighed. "This is a mystery we must solve." Isashi nodded, though held her tongue to give him time to work through it. While she might have mastered the basics of red magic, she was by no means an expert in the field.

X'rhun dropped his hand to cover Isashi's and squeezed lightly. "I think I'll keep Arya here until I've learned more. There is an extensive library, and quite a few arcanists who might be willing to lend their wisdom." He looked around the room with half a smile. "I'm sure there are plenty here who would like to learn a new trade. I can earn coin for our stay by training adventurers willing to expand their skillset."

"I wish I could stay to help," Isashi added. "You are still healing, and if Arya should relapse-"

X'rhun tisked, interrupting Isashi's bid for logic. "Nonsense, I may have spent the last two decades on a quest for vengeance, but I'm not so old as to need a minder." Isashi pressed her lips together to hide her smirk. That hadn't been what she meant at all, but found it adorable that X'rhun was vain enough to fall back on his age as an excuse to silence her.

X'rhun cupped Isashi's chin, quelling all mirth when he looked into her eyes. "Eorzea needs you, and I'd be loathed to ask for your affections, and deny you to the people who would so benefit from your light." Isashi swallowed hard, nodding in silence because the words she wanted so badly to say lodged in her throat.

"Although," X'rhun began, a clever grin snaking across his lips. "Were you to stay for the evening, I believe I have enough coin for one more room." The heat in X'rhun's eyes left no room for mistaking the invitation. Warmth curled through Isashi, and she teetered on the edge of acceptance.

Then, the clock chimed the hour, and the spell was broken. With a sigh, Isashi kissed the palm of X'rhun's hand. "Would that I could. But, I'm due in Limsa Lominsa by dawn. If I tarry much longer, I'll miss the ship to Doma."

"Of course." X'rhun cleared his throat. "That would be disastrous for us all, no doubt."

Isashi stood when X'rhun pushed off the arms of the chair. He walked her outside, inhaled the fragrant night air, then released his breath noisily. "Ah, this is a good place to waylay indeed."

They traveled to the gate in silence, and only after Isashi finished with Chewy's barding did she ask the question that she'd wanted to all along. "Will you still write to me?" She cared for X'rhun deeply, it was just never the right time.

"Naturally," X'rhun replied as if affronted by her concern. "Although, I've no clue how the letters vanish from my study, or where yours come from. They are simply there in the morning."

Isashi grinned. She could tell him of the Moogles, and how the painfully shy creatures only appeared to those who possess the knack to see them. Or, how she'd aided their village, and thus they gladly curried for her. But, it seemed more fun to keep X'rhun in the dark. Perhaps one day she'd reveal her secret, but not just yet.

"Very well, then," X'rhun chuckled. "Keep your mystery, it matters not to me so long as the correspondence continues."

"Be safe, X'rhun. I hope to see you soon." Isashi hesitated, hovering on the edge of what she wanted, and what was considered proper. In the end, she settled for a middle ground, stepping forward to close her arms around X'rhun's waist.

For his part, the Miqo'te responded instantly, folding Isashi in a warm embrace and placing a light kiss on top of her head. "Do be careful out there, Isashi Tosho," X'rhun whispered against her hair. "There is much still for us to explore."