I packed the last of my belongings into a small leather bag and struggled to zip it shut. While I had little from my constant days of travelling, I had enough.

"You aren't leaving us for too long, right, Violette?" Tataru asked.

"No, no, I'll be back soon! I'm just going to do what I can," I responded. I was going to Ishgard to help with the restoration in the Firmament. No one had specifically requested that I come help, but I decided to contribute what I could. I could weave, and I dabbled in botany, so I figured I could be of use.

"Well come back soon!" Tataru waved as she saw me off. Little did I know I wouldn't be coming back anytime soon.

The cold winds of Coerthas stung my face and nipped at my nose. I shoved my hands into my pockets and trudged on, Foundation in sight. Through the heavy snow, I could barely see the Pillars. My breath was white, and my eyes stung from the cold, and I could only hope there was a warm camp waiting for me.

Upon entering Foundation, I made my way to the market board and sought out Violenne, whom I heard would get me registered to work in the Firmament.

"Thank you, Adventurer, will you be working with the Ishgardian Restoration effort?" She asked without looking up.

"Uh, yes! If you'll have me, I'd-" I was cut off.

"Oh, excuse me!" Violenne exclaimed, her cheeks flushed red. "I didn't realize I was speaking to Violette, the Warrior of Light! Please, forgive me, my lord."

I waved my hands out in front of me, embarrassed. "No, it's okay, please, there's no need for the honorifics. Please, just call me Violette."

Violenne nodded and escorted me to the Firmament. The sheer amount of other adventurers crafting and gathering was quite overwhelming. Everywhere I looked, someone had something to work on, and I started to feel as if I was falling behind. After all, if you reached high enough in the rankings you received from crafting, Ser Aymeric would commend you himself. I wasn't too competitive, so I wasn't expecting myself to reach top ranks. Besides, I had befriended Aymeric during the Dragonsong War, and while I hadn't seen him in a while, I figured I'd be able to speak with him freely.

I pulled my hood down over my face, partially to retain warmth, but more so to cover the fact that I was the Warrior of Light. I didn't want to attract unwanted attention while I was trying to help Ishgard recover. This was about Ishgard and the restoration, not about me. For now, I was a simple weaver, or maybe even a botanist, who was willing to lend aid to a part of the Eorzean Alliance.

"Will you be going to the Diadem, my lord?" Violenne asked.

"Yes, again, please don't call me that," I smiled uneasily.

"Understood, my lord," Violenne responded.

I bit my tongue, staring straight daggers into Violenne. It wasn't that big of a deal, but I wanted to humble myself. At least she wasn't calling me the Warrior of Light, right?

I followed Violenne to the Diadem, where she left me to work in botany until the sun began to set. I put in my best effort, but people who had been gathering way before I arrived were still working. I was in awe at the dedication they had, and only wished that I could have the stamina to work all day like that. Sweaty and tired from working in the sun of the Diadem, I returned to the Firmament. Adventurers from all over were still working, even as it darkened outside. I wiped the sweat from my brow as I took a seat on a low curb. It was still early in the evening, but as it darkened quickly, I suddenly realized that I didn't have plans to stay at an inn. At this point, it was quite late to make a reservation, and I knew other adventurers would have plans to stay at the inn, so I racked my brain for other places I could stay. I didn't want to make my way all the way back to the Rising Stones if I didn't have to, I would prefer to stay in Ishgard.

I could always ask Count Edmont de Fortemps if it was ok for me to stay with him again, but I'd feel intrusive, and maybe even as if I was overstaying my welcome. Then I remembered Haurchefant and his hospitality whenever we had meetings in Camp Dragonhead. Always providing a warm drink to an adventurer in need, I was hoping that he'd let me spend the night. Afterall, he and I were really close, and we had become even closer in my previous times in Ishgard.

I stood up from the curb and left the Firmament. With the cold from the setting sun starting to set in, so I pulled my jacket closer. Snow drifted lazily from the sky and flickered in the lights from nearby houses. I strolled up to where Haurchefant was staying, which was away from Count Edmont's, and rapidly knocked on the door, one, two three, and then stood back to wait. While I waited, I admired the indigo night sky, the moon and stars dazzling back at me.

Then, with no warning, the door flung open, Haurchefant standing in the doorway.

"Violette!" He exclaimed, excitedly. "What brings you to Ishgard?"

I shivered from the cold. "Can I come in first, maybe?" I jested.

"Oh, excuse me, sorry," he grinned at me, beckoning me in. I moved past him, kicking the snow off my boots before stepping into his house, taking in the warm light. I could smell something warm and cozy, maybe a candle burning?

Haurchefant closed the door behind me and gestured to the dining room table.

"Have a seat, I'll make some hot chocolate," he said, leaving to the kitchen before giving me time to answer. I couldn't lie to myself, though, as hot chocolate sounded heavenly after a long day in the bitter cold of an Ishgardian winter.

While I waited for him to make the drinks, I looked around his house. It was made of stone, as were most homes in Ishgard. Both the floor and walls were gray and stone, giving the house a cold feeling. Had he not lit candles and had warm lighting, the house would seem much too cold. Furnished on the inside was a rustic, worn dining table with matching chairs at each end of the table. The room behind the dining room had several, worn couches, adorned with throw pillows and blankets. Looking straight ahead to the kitchen gave way to wooden cabinets above a steel countertop. Underneath one of the cabinets was a stovetop, in which I could spy Haurchefant stirring our drinks.

He came back, a ceramic mug in each hand and set them in front of us. The mugs were steaming, the brown liquid inside swirling around. I graciously took it in both of my hands, letting the heat from the mug seep into my skin.

"So," he started again. "What brings you all the way to Ishgard?"

Uuuh i thought I remembered a place for author's notes from the dark, dark time I wrote a Persona 5 fanfiction. But I can't find it, so I'm adding it down here.

But yeah! I am a little later to FFXIV than most, and having just beat Stormblood, I decided to write some stuff with some things with some people. I DID break canon a little, in case people who haven't beat Heavensward are reading. I don't want them finding out about certain actions through my story. So while this does take place after Heavensward, there are some key things that haven't happened to save the spoilers.

I'm just writing this hoping that someone enjoys reading it. I enjoy writing it and that's what counts. Thanks, gang!