A.N: Hello everyone! I apologize profusely that I haven't updated in so long. Life has made it hard for me this past couple of months and so has this chapter. I've written it twice before and it still wasn't right, so I've done the best I can and hope you all still enjoy it. It's shorter than I would like, but I plan to keep going with this story for as long as it keeps popping scenarios into my head. Therefore, I aim to make it up to you all. Once again thank you all for your support and lovely comments. Please, enjoy the show.

Disclaimer: I own nothing other than my mind.

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It wasn't more than ten minutes after the ship sailed out of the safety of the harbor that I found Naran heaped against the thick wooden rail on the deck looking pitifully sick. His cheek was pressed against the worn smooth wood, and his eyes were shut tight against the glare of the sun. His normally vibrant rosy complexion was pallid and dull. I could feel my stomach flutter with worry over how affected he was by the gentle rolling of the sea.

"Naran...is there anything I can get you? " I spoke gently, unsure if I should touch him to comfort him or if that would only make it worse. He only groaned in response, the muscle in his jaw twitching sporadically. After a moment's hesitation, I brushed his blonde hair back from his forehead and felt his cool yet sweat-slicked skin, "You're clammy and you look horrendous. I'm going to go check with Captain Gadwin. I've never seen such a severe case of seasickness. Try not to fall into the sea while I'm gone. "

All I received was another guttural noise as I headed towards the Captain's cabin. Once reaching my destination I beckoned the suntanned hyur to assist me with my ailing companion and he easily agreed.

As we approached the hunched over Xaela Captain Gadwin remarked thoughtfully, "Och, he's a sad sack of popotos, if ah've ever seen one. Not much ye can do fer that Mi'lady. Per'aps settlin' him into th' bunk below, will help the poor lad. Cook Merriweather should have somethin' t'calm his stomach. Ah'll have him prep ye two ah meal. " The slim, wiry-built Midlander stroked his sparse salt and pepper beard, nodding as he spoke.

"Thank you, Captain. We greatly appreciate your hospitality, " I said, then I turned to Naran, "Come, let's get you more comfortable. Can't have you getting in the way of these fine gentlemen as they work. "

The captain guffawed as I slipped my arms around Naran's waist and hoisted him up. Naran groaned pitifully, finally able to force out a sentence, "Bring...a pail..."

We made our staggering way down to the bowels of the ship, successfully making it to the room the captain had set aside for us. It wasn't much more than a large broom closet with two straw filled bunk beds built into the back wall and a creaking lantern hanging by the door. Near the beds was a pitcher of water and a shallow metal basin that had seen better days.

"Home sweet home, " I mumbled, maneuvering Naran into the bottom bunk. His tall frame barely fit.

"Ugh no, laying down makes it worse, " he grunted and pulled himself into an awkward sitting position, his head brushing the bottom of the top bunk.

The color had marginally returned to his cheeks and lips, but it was plain to see that extra measures would be required to keep him from continuing his earlier bouts of sickness.

Pulling a cloth from my bag I turned and dipped it into the pitcher of water, squeezed it out and then gingerly wiped his forehead, cheeks, and lips. My gaze selfishly lingered on his lips, I couldn't help myself. His presence, even though he looked fit to relieve his stomach of its contents, was still intoxicating to me. My wanton needs flared and illicit thoughts tumbled about in my mind.

Would such an act help or hinder him? Twelve...I badly want it to help.

"If you continue staring at me like that, I can't be held responsible for my actions, " he murmured his voice rumbling in my ears, snapping me out of my thoughts, and lighting a fire in my core.

Our eyes locked and I could feel the growing pressure of our desires filling the space between us, seasickness be damned. A hair's breadth of distance was all that came between us when a rap of knuckles on the door had us springing apart, our faces burning in embarrassment.

Clearing my throat I glanced at the door then back at Naran as I spoke, "Um, yes? Who is it? "

"I've your meals, Mi'lady, " a boy's cracking voice called.

"Oh, yes. Let me assist you, " I said as I stood from the bunk and opened the door. The adolescent Hyuran boy stood before me stood carrying a tray with two wooden bowls of soup and a tea kettle. The soup smelled vaguely fishy and had a cloudy color to the broth. The tea smelled of ginger and lemongrass. I took the tray and situated it on Naran's lap, as the boy fidgeted in the doorway.

"Might you require anything else Mi'lady? "

"No need to be so formal. You may call me Fox. This poor seasick man is Naran, my companion, " I informed, gesturing to Naran as he sipped on his bowl of soup.

"I'm Teberin the Third. Though me friends call me Teb. I'm the Cook's 'prentice, " the boy said, his chest puffing with pride.

I smiled warmly at the freckle ridden apprentice, "Teb. That's a fine name and a fine position. Well, don't let us keep you from your work. Thank you for bringing this, oh, and give the Cook our thanks as well. "

The boy bobbed a short bow and left, closing the cabin door behind himself.

Turning my attention to the Xaela sitting awkwardly in the cramped bunk my smile faltered and my eyebrows drew together in worry.

"This soup is quite good, you should join me. "

"How are you feeling? " I walked over and sat on the edge of the bunk.

"Better now. As long as I do not turn my head swiftly or flail about, I think I shall be as strong as a stallion in no time. " He sipped the last of his soup and set the bowl back down onto the tray in his lap. He then held out a cup of the ginger tea, and when I didn't move to take it, he used his other hand to manipulate mine into holding the cup. "If I am to recover from this dastardly weakness, I shall need you strong. "

I relented and we drank our tea quietly, each lost in our own thoughts. Once I was finished I tried the soup. It was quite good and had an interesting spiciness to it, even though it was no longer very warm. Naran discreetly watched me, pretending to be interested in the tea leaves at the bottom of our cups. He was never very good at hiding his intentions and I could tell he had something he wished to talk about.

I finished my soup and gathered the tray and its contents, setting it carefully by the basin and water pitcher. "So, how should we entertain ourselves on this journey? We can't wander around the ship, very much we'd get in the way. Also, your stomach may not be hardy enough to venture out often, even though the views will be spectacular during our travels. "

I turned back to him as he spoke, "I can think of a few things..." His scarlet eyes glittered in the lantern light.

I gave him a tight smile unable to calm my anxiety. He beckoned me to him and as I sank into the prickly mattress next to him I could feel myself begin to relax. His strong arms wrapped me tightly against his side and I felt like I had come home. Truly home. The Black Shroud and Limsa Lominsa couldn't compare to the feeling of his embrace.

We lay entangled for quite some time before he spoke, his voice soft almost like he was beginning to fall asleep, "Tell me more about where you grew up. "

I could hear his strong heart beating underneath my ear as I began, "Well I was born and lived for a time in a little hamlet outside of Gridania, called Hyrstmill. Eventually, my family and I moved to Gridania itself because of threats from the Ixal and the Empire. "

"Is Gridania a... large place? Like the Dawn Throne? "

"Not quite like that. It's more like...Well, Doma. But not as grand. Gridania is more natural, with a multitude of trees and flowers everywhere you look. It blends well with the forest surrounding it. "

"A forest is..many trees? "

I chuckled and nodded. "Yes. Now, let me continue, " I paused and shifted to look at him and he smiled broadly at me beckoned me to continue, "As I was saying, we moved into Gridania. My father was a carpenter while my mother was a licensed with the Trappers League. Oddly enough, my parents didn't have many children. Four of us total, three girls, and one boy. I'm the oldest. Then there is Xiku, Bosi'a my brother, and little Ligi. My parents were lucky to have so few females before a male was born. "

"Are males rare? Also, why is your name different than that of your siblings? "

Entwining our fingers together on his chest I mumbled, "Yes, males are rare. Very special. Bosi'a is being groomed to become a pillar of my tribe. He will join our tribe with another when he is married. "

I could feel Naran's gaze on the top of my head and I squirmed, "Ok fine Fox was just a nickname my father gave me that I decided to use when I became an adventurer. My red hair is the reasoning behind it...and because I was a bit of a troublemaker when I was a child. My birth name is Rayah, though I never much liked it. "

"Rayah..." He breathed and my heart skipped a beat at the way his tongue caressed my old name. They way his lips formed it was liken to no other. I hadn't heard another soul speak it for many, many years. "It's beautiful. My Rayah, " he murmured against my hair, pulling me close.

"I am glad you told me. "

"I am glad I did. "

We snuggled together, drawing comfort from one another. We had a long journey ahead of us and I wanted to spend as much time as I could helping Naran to understand my foreign world. I fell asleep with the sound of my true name rolling off of his lips, like a sweet, gentle caress.

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