Continuation of the "Siren" chapter.

Magnum sits atop the roof, at first just with Sync. Sync is quiet for a few moments, and he spends that time silently observing her to make sure she's alright. It's been a few days since the whole 'Siren' debacle. Enough time that, it seems, Sync has let the circumstance drift to the back of her mind. She and Shadow are back to their usual, joking selves – Sync trying teasingly to get Magnum's attention, and Shadow teasing her with how 'good' of a healer the faerie Eos is. Sync has swatted more than once at Eos in an attempt to get rid of the faerie, who she constantly reminds is less worthwhile of a healer than herself as a White Mage. Magnum chimes in just enough to have his thoughts go unnoticed by them or by others, but it's not… normal.

Normally, he would love to join in on their games and tease back when Sync laughs that Shadow is outranked by her now, as she's higher in Grand Company status than he is – but it feels wrong to tease either of them. With everything that happened, Magnum doesn't have the heart to joke as much as he would usually. The playful bites at Sync for her lack of directional skills and whatnot feel crueler than they should, and whenever he tries to help her, he nearly drops his weapon. Watching her be hurt or be attacked reminds him of her, lying cold and limp in his arms, blood pooling out from her belly as he tries desperately to keep whatever life in still in her where it belongs. He hadn't been able to switch his class; he'd been forced to race through Siren's thralls with Shadow and then retreat to Mist, cradling a dying – or dead – White Mage in his arms the entire way.

It was then that he'd realized how much smaller and weaker Sync is compared to him. He'd joked about it in the past. He'd informed her that a White Mage has horrible physical defense compared to him, and while her magical prowess might be better, the lack of defense and the "squishiness" is laughable. But looking at her then – so small and fragile in his arms, all because of him…

He turns his gaze away from her as Star climbs up onto the roof, followed later by Wisteria. He and Star exchange a knowing look before Magnum turns his glance down to the weapon resting at his side. It's the same one Sync had hurriedly run through her abdomen to prevent herself from becoming trouble for he and Shadow. The same weapon that killed her.

From now on, it will never hurt her again. The weapon that killed her is only going to protect her, he swears to himself.

"I did it," Wist cheers.

Sync smiles over at the female Au'ra. "You did," she agrees. "Good job. Magnum and I were only teasing you for, oh, ten or so minutes."

Wisteria sticks her tongue out playfully, sitting down and looking up at the sky. Magnum glances over, noting that Star has silently done the same at some point. His gaze flits back to Sync as Ina struggles to get up onto the roof for a few moments, much to Wisteria's delight.

"Sync," he starts.

"Beautiful view, huh?" She muses in return. "I love this spot. I could stay up here for hours."

"I wanted to say…" He sighs, nodding and looking at the sky. "It is. I can see why you like it."

"Watching the sunrise is the best," she adds. "It makes me miss home, though. Seeing the sunrise there… We're the first people who got to see it, you know? The world wished us a good morning before it did anyone else in all of Eorzea. It was such a pretty sunrise, too."

"I thought you weren't a morning person?" Wist teases.

Sync shakes her head. Magnum can tell by the distant look in her eyes that she's thinking of nowhere but her home. How long has it been since she's seen familiar faces? Maybe he'll have to get her there again. It might be fun to meet her parents.

"I'm not," Sync admits. "I don't wake up until late-morning. My father and sister are morning people, though." She makes a face, laughs, and then adds, "Seekers of the Sun – I'll never understand them."

Star hums. "Yourself and your mother are Keepers of the Moon?"

The Miqo'te nods. "That's right." She turns to Star and gestures at herself. "You wouldn't know it from me, honestly. My mother is a beautiful woman, though. Dark hair, dark eyes, darker skin. Because she's been with my dad for so long, she's becoming more diurnal than she is nocturnal now – but only in behavior. She still has the textbook features of a Keeper of the Moon."

Star nods and Wist giggles. "I'm sure Magnum thinks you're a very beautiful woman, too, Sync," the female Au'ra jokes. "Right, Magnum?"

Magnum chuckles a bit, noticing Sync's face go red. He knows it means very little that she's blushed at the flattery. Sync blushes at any form of compliment to herself, from anyone. She's easy to tease because of it.

"Shadow's still prettier," he chimes. "I mean, have you seen him?"

"Shadow's beautiful," Sync comments.

"SyncShadowSteel confirmed," Wist laughs.

Ina huffs quietly. "Here we go with the shipping again," he says.

"Oh, Ina, you know we're just—"

Sync falls silent halfway through her polite response, staring up at the wide bubble that has encircled everyone on the roof. Hib has announced his presence with a show of magic, entrapping the roof in some blue shield that ripples like a crystal or prism having light shone onto it. Magnum watches the shield only for a moment, silently turning his gaze to Sync as, seemingly amazed, she prods at the shield. Her touch causes waves of responding light to bounce around the shield from where her finger touches it.

"Pretty," she murmurs quietly, reaching around to hug her knees.

This won't be the last moment of peace you see, Sync. I won't let it be, he promises her silently.