Chapter 29: Tomorrow or Tomorrow
The celebrations lasted almost three days after they returned to the Crystarium. It seemed the entire city, the whole of Norvrandt in fact, was savoring the knowledge that they were free from the blinding light and a new future was now opened to them… so they pulled out all the stops for perhaps the biggest party any of them had ever seen. There was even talk that it rivaled some of Eulmore's best celebrations… which was saying a lot.
Claire eventually joined the rest of the city after coming down from the upper walkways and she found herself dancing, drinking, and feasting with everyone else as she laughed and enjoyed herself properly for the first time in so long.
All the while they had guests visiting the city just to join in the celebrations with them. Several fae folk liked to dance and caused some harmless pranks—under strict orders from their king not to transform anyone into leafmen—and many others were reaching out either as new friends or as potential business partners such as the miners from Twine to several of the shop owners of the markets. Soon, the entire Crystarium was alive with sparkling lights and music as they all celebrated under that beautiful star-filled sky.
As for her, she was drawn to the music and dance in the middle of the city where the main part of the party was taking place, and Claire even brought out her chakrams and danced about on her own, with more than a few eager eyes on her in the process.
But Claire didn't mind so much because she had grown to love dancing of late and was more than willing to find a partner. More than a few of them wanted to jump up at the chance when they saw her bow to her last partner and looking for another one for a new song. That was when she spotted most of the rest of the Scions watching and Ryne was clapping along excitedly at the sight of it all.
Seeing the awe in the younger girl's face caused Claire to laugh as she came over and grabbed Ryne's hands to bring her back onto the dancefloor with her. She took Ryne by surprise, but the girl didn't need much convincing for her to be pulled into the throng of dancers right behind her.
"You know something? I think I'm going to guess and say that our Warrior of Darkness is feeling good tonight!" she heard Thancred call to Y'shtola and Urianger over the din and she couldn't help but grin as she passed by him. She didn't know why, but she just felt this overwhelming sense of joy bubbling up inside her all night and she couldn't seem to contain herself… a new side that she was barely aware she had.
When this dance was done and she brought over Ryne to Thancred, she asked if he would like a dance with Ryne now, which took him completely aback. But when he looked at Ryne, beaming up at him hopefully, he found he couldn't say no to her and immediately swallowed whatever he was eating in one big gulp before bowing low and offering a hand to Ryne.
"It would be my pleasure, assuming the lady herself has no objections?" he said as smartly as possible.
Ryne's face lit up as she curtsied back and he was soon guiding and spinning her about expertly like he danced for a living.
"Ahh, its so good to see that charming side of his back," Y'shtola sighed fondly as Claire took a seat next to her to catch her breath. Y'shtola was enjoying a glass of wine as she watched the two in white continue about the dance floor and Y'shtola then added with a chuckle, "Who knew that slippery little rogue that we once knew was such a natural at parenting?"
"Tis a side that was always dormant within," Urianger stated, standing next to them as he also watched on with a warm smile. "Though it hath taken some time with obstacles in the way, I do believeth that his heart is now lighter than it hath been for some time."
Indeed. Seeing the rather carefree expression on his face was enough to prove that. Claire watched the two for a moment before she asked the others on either side of her where Alphinaud and Alisaie were.
"Master Alphinaud was last speaking with Master and Lady Chai, who hath come to visit," Urianger reassured her. "I can but only imagine that he will be along shortly. As for Mistress Alisaie…?"
"Last I saw, she was sampling some of the wines from the Wandering Stairs along with some of the carers who are visiting us from the Inn," Y'shtola chuckled as she enjoyed her own glass. "Something about them having a chance to properly enjoy themselves for once."
"Ah, then I shall be sure to stop by and check up on her," Urianger stated with a chuckle as the song ended and a new one was starting up again and Thancred was already teaching Ryne a few new steps rather than just the spinning they had otherwise been doing.
Claire had already recovered and was itching to start dancing again herself and asked Y'shtola if she minded being her partner for this song.
"While I am flattered, I will join when I finish," she said with a wink, "Though I do think that our solemn friend here besides us may serve better as a partner right now."
The smile immediately faded from Urianger's face and he suddenly looked like he wanted to be anywhere else. When Claire turned to him, he cleared his throat as he backed away, reassuring them that he wasn't much of a dancer. Claire was having none of this though and grabbed his arm and pulled him along after her before he even realize what was going on.
His words weren't just for an excuse though, as it turned out… they were a warning. While he had gotten to be quite nimble in battle… he was not light on his feet right now and stumbled more than a few times. She laughed at the sight of him tripping about as she spun him around excitedly. The poor man tried so hard to keep pace, but you could see the relief in his eyes when the song ended and she escorted him back to Y'shtola, where Thancred and Ryne had already joined her… with Alphinaud—right on time.
At the sight of him, Claire suddenly realized she had one more dance left in her and asked him if he wanted to join her this time. At the question, Alphinaud turned almost as red as Urianger, who slumped into the spare chair next to them and was apologizing sheepishly for stepping on Claire's feet more times than not.
But Claire just waved her hand at him before grabbing Alphinaud by the hand and pulling him back with her towards the dancefloor, pleading with him for just one dance… which he hesitantly agreed to. He was about as graceful as Urianger had been, but at least he wasn't stepping on her toes as often and soon into the song, he was catching up on the steps and starting to keep pace.
"We sure she's the same friend that we all know and love?" Thancred asked with a big grin as he watched with a shake of his head. "I'm starting to think this 'new and happier' friend is an imposter or something."
"Be nice," Ryne scolded him lightly. "This is good for all of us."
Of course… no one could have predicted what would happen next.
The song lasted for a couple more minutes but as it was ending, Claire and Alphinaud slowed to a stop. She seemed to say something to him, and he looked at her in confusion for a moment before she grabbed hold of his shoulders.
And, before she could think twice, she kissed him in front of everyone. There was stunned silence for a moment before she felt Alphinaud's lips instantly melt before her own. Everyone in the area had stopped dead to watch… and when she did pull away, leaving Alphinaud in a state of stunned disbelief, she just smiled and walked away like nothing happened.
For a moment, no one seemed sure of how to respond to that. But then it erupted into applause around them and even causing a few people to nudge Alphinaud enviously to bring him back down to reality. It took a moment of shocked blinking before he realized what happened. But once it sank it… he was grinning as well as most of the other Scions watched on with smiles.
"Well, I guess that confirms that she's recovered from our last ordeal," Y'shtola said in amusement as Urianger watched on warmly and Ryne was turning a deep shade of crimson at the sight. As for Thancred, he was holding himself up by the wall as he looked torn between laughing and crying as he muttered, "About time… about godsdamned time!"
To say that Claire shocked everyone would be an understatement and she was shaking her head, wondering what came over her. Alphinaud, who seemed to realize she was missing, went off in search of her even as a few people cat-called out to him as he gave chase.
He quickly found her upon the stairs, under the shade of the Crystal Tower, and she turned red when he quickly joined her.
"I don't know what came over me," Claire muttered in embarrassment, but was still smiling. "I just… didn't think about it."
"Don't apologize," he reassure her as he placed his hand over hers on the railing and they looked at each other. "It felt good. Though I think it's safe to say that the entire Crystarium knows now."
Indeed, before long, the entire city was talking about how the Warrior of Darkness had a sweetheart after all—which apparently led to a few disappointment groans from both men and women all around.
But, for some reason, Claire found she didn't care what anyone else thought of her. She just smiled away for the rest of the night with Alphinaud at her side for the most part and enjoyed the party. It wouldn't be until the crack of dawn came did she finally return to her rooms to sleep off the last few nights before. She didn't awaken again until around noon, where she found a message waiting for her at the front desk, asking for her to return to the Tower.
When she got there, she found the others, all looking tired but content, waiting for her.
Alphinaud yawned when she approached and asked how he was feeling for she knew that he had a fair amount to drink.
"It would seem that the city celebrated long into the night...not that I would know. As embarrassing as it is to admit, I woke to find myself in the infirmary, having apparently collapsed from exhaustion," he said before smirking, "My aching pride was somewhat soothed by the sight of Alisaie asleep in the bed next to mine. She must have been just as weary. Long has it been since I've seen her face so peaceful in repose..."
"Really?" she asked before they both looked over at Alisaie, who quickly noticed them and demanded a little sourly, "What?"
"Nothing," Claire said as Alphinaud seemed to be struggling to hold his smirk in.
"Ah, 'twas a rare, tranquil morning, made unforgettable by the sight of those clear blue skies," he went on and Alisaie sighed. Now Claire didn't hear the whole story… but apparently after she went to bed, Alphinaud went to check up on his sister when there were the sounds of commotion coming from the Wandering Stairs and he was soon seen later on escorting Alisaie back to her room.
She wanted to ask, but judging from the dazed look in Alisaie's eyes, it seemed that she didn't recall too much of what happened.
"It would seem I don't know my own limits. I had thought to push on till dawn, but my body had other plans..." she confessed gloomily. "Still, I did enjoy the carousing while it lasted. Even I need to forget my cares every now and then. What I don't need is to wake up to Alphinaud smirking at my bedside! He said my face was 'a rare sight' while I slept. Gods, I hope I wasn't drooling..."
Meaning she probably was.
Claire looked at Alphinaud who only smirked a little wider to confirm it.
As for Thancred, he was also stretching out as if he just had a good night's sleep and came over to playfully nudge her for her display yesterday and Claire couldn't help but laugh and blush shyly. Mayhaps she did have a little too much to drink as well?
"People came from malms around to join the festivities, but most seem to have stumbled home by now," he told her, "Even so, I daresay Norvrandt will echo to the sound of clinking mugs for some while yet. I thought to indulge in a little revelry myself last night...until Urianger began to list all the names of my drunken conquests."
His smile then faded to more of an annoyed grimace before grumbling to himself, "I ended up drinking water. Water."
It was probably for the best since he had to set a good example for Ryne and there was no need for her to start thinking of her adopted father as a 'wine-sod wharf rat' as how Minfilia once thought of him.
Speaking of Ryne, she beamed with delight at the sight of her and cried out, "Oh, Claire, are you well? No ill aftereffects? To my eyes, you seem completely healed. It really is a miracle..."
And she felt completely healed. Honestly, she felt that she could go out and run several legions all in one day and not get tired. As if someone had removed from her heavy shackles that kept her from moving slow and she was now so light that she felt about weightless.
A miracle? Mayhaps… though she just saw it as having some good friends.
"Speaking of happy surprises, I was amazed to see the crowd that greeted our return! I hadn't realized just how many people we'd met along the way..." she added, all but leaping about with happiness, "And did you see their smiles!? Right then and there, I vowed to do whatever I could to keep that joy from fading!"
Ah, Minfilia would be proud to hear her say that.
She also greeted both Urianger and Y'shtola when they saw her approaching them, and found out that Urianger was already making plans to scrub Bismarck's teeth in exchange for taking them to the Tempest—though he confessed that he was now curious to hear what sort of secrets a faerie whale may have. As for Y'shtola, she spent most of the revelry with the Night's Blessed when they arrived. Of course, after hearing her real name, many were terrified for her until she had to explain that all present were like family and they began to cry in joy.
She sighed fondly and told her, "An emotional people, the Blessed..."
She sounded like she missed them already.
As for the Exarch, or G'raha Tia, he had almost fully recovered from his ordeal at this point. Though still bruised and exhausted, his wounds have been treated and healed along with his energy steadily returning to him. She remembered how Lyna had to order him to be examined by the healers before she let him enjoy the night's fun after he returned to them. Thankfully, after a few rounds of treatment, looking at him now, you would struggle to find that he had been hurt at all. The only thing that really changed about him now was that there was no more need to keep his hood up—and she had overheard throughout the city the surprise when they got a good look at him. In fact, most of them didn't even realize that he was a Mystel let alone seeing his full face.
Claire asked him about it and he said that it was simply easier for him to continue about his tasks like that and that her not knowing who he really was became a key part in his plan so if he suddenly started wearing a hood for no reason, the people would start to wonder why that was.
"It must have been hard for you," she said as she found herself seated next to him at some point during the celebrations and she felt guilt gripping her heart.
He noticed this and quickly reassured her, "Don't blame yourself for this, my friend. The fact was that it was easiest for everyone."
She nodded, but only because she knew that he didn't want to see her upset. She couldn't help but feel responsible for this, but hoped that she could make it up to him one day.
She didn't bring it up again for the rest of the celebrations before the crack of sunrise came afterwards as they were entering the third day and everyone seemed to realize that the fun and games couldn't last for much longer. So, as things were now being cleared up and taken care off, the Exarch too this opportunity to call them all for a meeting here in the tower to discuss what they were to do now.
Once they were all here, he smiled around at them all, his ruby eyes twinkling happily, before clearing his throat.
"By your deeds has the blinding Light been banished from theses skies, and the sin eaters driven to retreat," he said. "Although our many hurts will be years in the mending, I have faith that this world and her people will one day be whole once more."
She hoped so. Though she understood that the odds of her being around to see it were slim. Still, the thought was comforting and she believed that the people here would find their way… in time.
"With no Rejoining in prospect, the Source need no longer fear the coming of an Eighth Umbral Calamity," he finished and she nodded along, having almost forgotten about that. But still, there were still some questions, the first of which Y'shtola brought up.
"And with that triumph, the future from which you came will no longer come to pass…" she pointed out, "Yet, here you still stand."
Yes, and that worried her. If this doomed future was no longer destined to take place… shouldn't G'raha have faded by now? Or was it possible that future could still be waiting for them?
"So I do," he confirmed slowly, "I wonder if that other age continues onwards somehow, cut adrift from time's flow? Or have I simply etched myself a place upon this new block of history?" He got that familiar look of curiosity, truly wondering about his current state, but he shook his head as he stated, "Either way, this is an unexpected development. As the summoner of your souls, my death was meant to release you back to your world. Yet I am very much alive, and you are still stuck here in the First."
Which brought up the second thing that they were all wondering about. How were they to get the others home? It wasn't like with her where she could travel back and forth at will… their bodies were still in the Source while their souls were shackled here. How were they to pull this off?
"I believe I speak for us all when I say that we are happy to postpone our return if it means your life is spared," Alphinaud reassuring him, "We will seek out another way."
Both she and G'raha smiled at him as the others all began to nod in agreement to this decision.
"Besides, I never had any intention of rushing home," Alisaie added lightly, "There are people here I still need to thank, and this means I might actually have time to do so."
But Urianger was frowning as he reminded them, "Yet we dare not neglect our comrades in the Source. Mistress Tataru, to name but one, will be most anxious to know how things stand with us."
Yes, they had been away from the Source for a good while now—whatever the time differences may be—they can't postpone their return for too much longer.
Claire had already decided that it would be good to return, at least to inform Tataru and the others what was happening… and maybe find out more to what was going on the home front as well.
As she told them this, they all agreed that it was a good suggestion, since they had no further pressing matters at the moment. Alphinaud even suggested that she talk to Krile and Master Matoya while she was there and see if they had further insight or theories that may help them returning home. While they all agreed that this was problematic for them, knowing that everyone was alive and well was enough for now. Hopefully, they would find a way before anything else happened.
"So—you'll just have to make the journey alone for the moment," Thancred said cheerfully to Claire. "Be sure and give a full report to our fellow Scions, would you? Oh, and we'd also appreciate any news you can bring us from back home."
She nodded, promising to do just that as G'raha offered to open the path from here. The others all wished her a safe journey before they began to file out of the room, promising to return once Claire next visits. Though before she stepped out of the room, Y'shtola did add to G'raha, "Oh, and do try to ensure she arrives within the city next time."
G'raha let out a shaky laugh as he promised, a bit embarrassed, "Of course! I shall strive for utmost accuracy! No strange forests or unplanned passengers, I promise."
That seemed to be enough for the rest of them and said farewell… leaving the two of them behind… well, three for the moment.
Ryne had remained where she stood, seemingly wanting to talk with her. The girl approached and confessed to Claire, somewhat shyly, "I'm a little relieved, to be honest. I would have been terribly lonely if everyone had suddenly disappeared…"
Claire blinked, surprised by that statement. Yet, now that she had time to really think it over, Ryne would have to say goodbye to Thancred and the others sooner or later. She was suddenly saddened at the thought of how they would have to leave her behind here. She felt that she should apologize, but Ryne was still smiling in understand.
"But I understand that you have to go," she told her. "Safe journey, Warrior of Darkness. I hope to see you again soon!"
Claire nodded back before asking that she keep an eye on Thancred for her since he was a trouble-maker. Ryne laughed and gave her a quick hug before she followed after the others, leaving Claire alone with G'raha—who was still smiling kindly at her.
*Exarch*
'When I was a boy, many long years ago… I yearned to stand tall as the heroes of eld,' he thought to himself as he approached the mirror. 'But like a fool seeking to pluck the stars from the heavens, my every attempt to reprise their deeds fell short…'
He had called the Tower home for centuries now… yet at times, it also felt like his own personal prison cell. Albeit a beautiful and spacious one, he felt that he was still trapped here despite all that he owed to it and its creators. He had walked these halls and climbed these stairs so often, especially over this last century that he was now certain that he could make his way around here with a blindfold on.
This tower was a part of him and it had made that very clear over the years. The demands he placed upon it have slowly taken root in his body by slowly turning him to crystal. His entire right arm, stretching across his chest and up his neck to even leaving behind a sliver of crystal stretching across his face akin to a scar.
Still, it was now as part of him as the rest of his body—or what was left of it.
Aside from some irritation and occasional pain, he had born it little trouble. He saw these scars, for that was truly what they were, as badges of honor. Constant reminders of the promises that he made and the duty that had been charged to him. But it wasn't until this moment, for the first time, did he regret having almost as much crystal as flesh attached to him.
She was not the same adventurer that he met so long ago… but he knew that was to be expected. When they first met, it was just before her adventures in the north… before the fated night of the 'bloody banquet'. He had wondered, that upon awakening, what he would learn of her… what would her story be like now? It turned out greater than he could have hoped for.
The people of that distant future made sure to let him know just how important.
But now that future looked ever dimmer by the minute and he wondered just what was going to be there instead. A new chapter would be added to the history books… a new chapter for her story. He could only imagine where her path would take her now that they had saved the First.
He wanted to be there to witness it.
But how could he? He was here in the First after all and she would soon have to devote her time entirely upon the troubles the Source would be going through. Especially with war just looming over the horizon.
His heart was filled with both excitement and dread of the thought of what could be waiting for them next. How he wished that he could walk that path with her and see where it led to?
But then he felt her eyes upon him and he smiled a little wider as he remembered what he was supposed to be doing; thus did he turned his attention back to the mirror and held up his staff.
'And then, one day, an all but forgotten dream from my youth stood before me in the flesh,' he continued thinking to himself as the mirror glowed and revealed the way—back to Mor Dhona. He stood back as she approached, and he just gestured for his hand for her to continue, like a gentleman would to a lady.
'A hero who looked to the horizon and beyond, and saw I knew not what,' he thought to himself admiringly. Her eyes just gleamed at him before she stepped up, her head held up high, all but radiating happiness, and walked through the mirror as if the crystal was nothing more than water.
'All I knew was that I would give anything to stand at that hero's side.'
And she was gone. He sighed a little mournfully as he stepped in front of it now, still glowing with the teleportation magicks that he involved and he reached out a hand… yearning to follow after. But as soon as his fingertips touched the crystal, he felt a charge of energy and a slight shock of pain go through his hand as it stopped him. He could only look down at his fingers with a sad smile.
"Would that it were so easy…" he sighed, knowing that since 'he' was already there in the Source, he wouldn't be able to follow afterwards. Still…?
"The glory of the heavens was ever beyond the grasp of those who never thought to reach for it. But if I've gained anything from all of this, it is the courage to stretch out my hand," he said as he looked back up, seeing the image of the tower overlooking Mor Dhona appearing in the mirror before him. And at the sight of it, he felt his heart skip a beat as a longing burned into his very soul.
He knew that the odds weren't in his favor… but he was willing to try for the future he wanted. Now that he had one, anyway. He was given another chance and he wasn't going to waste whatever amount of time was left to him. He was going to see this wish of his come true… he just needed to figure out where to start.
And once that thought came to him he called out happily, "Do you hear me, G'raha Tia? This is no time for sleeping!"
Suddenly, a memory for so long ago played in his thoughts as Cid told his hardworking engineers, including Biggs the first, that they weren't going to be getting an ounce of sleep until work was done… which led to some grumbles from Wedge.
He laughed at the memory and watched—ensuring that his friend made it back to the Source in one piece before he turned away.
Now was the time to get to work.
*Later*
It had been so long since she had last been here… several moons from her perspective at the very least… but she could not deny the relief she felt when she stepped into the Rising Stones. A few of the other Scions scattered about were taken aback by her unannounced appearance and she quickly found out that she had been gone for not even a week.
Truly? She knew that the time between the worlds was slowly beginning to match time here but to think there was still such a gap?
She was wondering what she should do now when Tataru, who had left her desk and was marching across the room, suddenly noticed her there and gasped, staring at her dark armor.
"But ─ But ─ But ─!" she cried as she flapped her hands about in confusion, "Claire!? Is it really you!?"
Claire just gave a friendly wave as Tataru ran straight up to her and demanded, "B-B-But how? When!? We didn't think you'd be back for ages!"
Claire shrugged, still smiling, before asking, "Would you rather I went away again?"
Tataru was surprised by her bright mood but also smiled and reassured her, "Oh, don't be daft! I just can't believe you're actually back! We heard the good news from your pixie friend, but nothing compares to seeing you in the flesh!"
Claire nodded and so she quickly told her that the others were doing well back on the First and a… rather concentrated description of what was going on there. She made sure to leave out… some parts… of the tale. She had a feeling that Tataru and the others may not take the news that she almost became a monster as well as one could ever hope for, after all. Not only that, Claire could tell that a lot of what she said to her kinda went over her head, but she narrowed it down by reassuring her that things are going well in the First for the time being but that it may be a little longer before the others are able to return.
Though Tataru was noticeably disappointed in this fact, she nodded and promised that they will continue to look after their bodies back here. Claire then asked how things here in the Source were going and what the situation was like with Garlemald. That was when she saw Tataru's face fall slightly at the reminder of the fighting at the borders.
"As for the situation on this side, the imperials are still eyeing our forces from afar," she confessed. "From what I'm told, the Garlean armies have been slow to react, and seem reluctant to commit to any large-scale engagements. It's an odd sort of stalemate. Otherwise, we've yet to see any sign of that awful 'Black Rose' weapon we were warned about..."
Some of Claire's own good mood faded at the mention of Black Rose and she felt herself frowning. While the First was no longer in danger of the Light, they still had to contend with the Black Rose weapon… for that didn't go away. While she hoped that the weapon wouldn't be as destructive as it would have been during the Eight Umbral Calamity in this 'doomed future', it was still a threat and it could still hurt a lot of people.
"I see," she sighed.
"Oh! But I suppose we did call in an old friend to help out on that count," Tataru added before looking very pleased with herself for some reason and giggled. "Krile and I had a terrible time tracking him down, though it will be worth it to see the look on your face when you find out who it is!"
Claire was surprised by this and wanted to know who she was talking about, but she recognized that look in Tataru's eyes and knew that she wasn't going to be getting any answers this way and merely shrugged back, trusting that she would find out soon anyway.
"Anyway, I was just about to make contact with this helper of ours, and then confirm the latest news from the front," Tataru added, "Might you fancy having a rest while I do?"
That sounded good and she agreed before Tataru beamed back and glanced over her very carefully.
"Ah, the Warrior of Light, back where she belongs, just as if nothing had happened! ...Though you do seem different somehow. You'll have to tell me all about your adventures when we next have a spare moment!" she said and Claire only shrugged back innocently before Tataru then opened her arms wide, as if hoping to give her a hug and called out in a winning voice, "Until then, welcome back!"
Yes… she was back. And here was where she belonged whether she liked it or not. As hard and difficult as this path was destined to lead to, she was where she was meant to be.
Ah, suddenly she remembered something and she thanked Tataru for all she's done and promised that she would be back later tonight to tell her anything she wanted to know; but she had somewhere she needed to be right now. Tataru blinked in surprise as Claire headed straight towards the door and was already halfway out when she heard Tataru call after her, "Wait, what? You're leaving already?!"
Perhaps now wasn't the best time for it, but she just couldn't stop herself. Claire gave a friendly wave and a mysterious smile before she promised again she would be back tonight and tell her all about the First.
She then stepped back outside into Revenant Toll, breathing in deeply the fresh air of the Source. After waving to a view adventurer friends she spotted while crossing over the small town she took the path that led up to the north of here. All the while, a feeling she hadn't had in a long time stirred inside her heart: the excitement of the open road calling out to be walked.
While she was on her way, she had no way of knowing that there was another, clothed all in white, staring ahead into the emptiness of space as he walked across a barren landscape of white powder—silently vowing vengeance against her. Nor could she possibly be aware of the beast who had returned to his body mere moments ago and had already cut down his own sire… drenching himself in his kin's blood as he thought longingly of her. Nor did she suspect that this same beast would be sighing as one his unexpected visitors, a wolf who had lost his fangs, charged at him with a blade in hand.
The only thing she knew was that there was only one place that she wanted to be at right now and only made one quick stop along the way there to change out of her armor.
*Ishgard*
It was cloudy and snow was just beginning to drift from the sky in the early afternoon as Claire walked through the city. As she stepped through the gates, she could immediately hear the sounds of building and construction coming from the Firmament and she made a mental note to join in on the fun when she next had the time.
As she stepped up over the cold steps, she became fully self-conscious that she was wearing her new Ishgardian Gown—wearing it out for the first time. But aside from a few stunned stares on her way up she didn't run into any trouble before arriving at the manor at the end of the Last Vigil. She stood outside for a few minutes while she wondered what she was going to say—remembering that she had been far from herself the last time she stood here. But it seemed she was spared wondering a second longer.
"Mistress Faye, what a pleasant surprise."
She looked up in surprise to find that Lord Edmont had just emerged from the stone gazebo from around the manor. He was smiling as he approached and declared that her gown suited her better than he thought it would when she greeted him. Though glad to see her, he did ask if there was a reason she was here for he would hate to keep her from anything important.
"I have to admit," he told her kindly, "I didn't expect you for another visit quite so soon."
"Yes, well, some things happened since last we spoke," she admitted and he chuckled again. She noticed how his eyes trailed upon her pink hair and seemed to twinkle at the realization that there wasn't a trace of the former white locks.
"It seems that a few things have happened since we last spoke," he agreed and she shrugged in a 'what can you do?' sort of way before he laughed again. "Well, in that case, if you have no other pressing matters, I was just thinking about heading inside for a late lunch. Not that it's expected for you to do so… but would you care to join me for a spell? I would love to hear more of this 'First' that you were telling me about."
She smiled back as he held his arm out for her and guided her back into the manor, welcoming her home as the smell of hot chocolate reached her nose the second the door opened.
(Alright everyone, that's the basic story right then and there but before you go know that we still have the epilogue waiting in the wings. I had planned on it being in one more chapter but I didn't want to fit all the loose end here like the last chapter. This was just wrapping up the story of Shadowbringers but we still have a final moment with a certain letter waiting back in the Pendants. As well as some rather… interesting confessions from someone deep in the thralls of love… though mayhaps not who you think.)
