Though most would assume that the coldest months in the Northern Empty would be in the heart of winter, the residents of Old Shalayan would oft disagree, placing the dry and changing cold of late autumn above winter's bitter ice. The leaves, cast in hues of orange and red, make the outside seem warmer and thus feel colder than it truly is, even to those wise scholars that call the port city home. Emotions have a way of changing the physical, both for the better, and for the worse.

This chill, brought on by feelings of the heart, hangs heavy over the cliffs adjacent the Studium; the grass sways slightly as a faint breeze blows in from the sea, knit with salt and spray and the call of adventure. Though no adventures would be shared for now, as it was only recently that the young miqo'te walking beyond the cobbled paths found his journey's end alongside another.

Cat-like eyes scan the campus green atop the pale stone of the cliffside, searching for the perfect spot to meet with the one he summoned; the perfect spot to discuss possible futures, and perhaps solidify his place in theirs. Eventually a spot is chosen, a patch of soft grass and underbrush beneath an old fruit-bearing tree, not too close to either the perilous precipice of the sheer drop, or the ruckus of the Studium's entryway, now crowded with students returning home from evening classes.

He sits on the woven blanket, seeming to lose track of time as he reclines against the tree looming above. In these rare moments outside study and research, he tends to find his mind wandering, recounting the many tales of the one known as the Warrior of Light. Though his time as Exarch spanned countless years, it feels to him as if it was only yesterday when he first ventured into the depths of the Allagan Empire's Crystal Tower with the famed hero.

When was it that I began to feel this way? he wonders, was it at their first meeting? Perhaps it was during his time locked within the tower, left with only the exploits of the hero to keep his spirits high. Or perhaps it was upon their second meeting, after pulling their soul through the reaches of void between Source and Reflection. No, surely not then, that was purely selfless; to save Norvrandt and nothing more, at least, that's what he tells himself.

A sudden rush of wind dances up from the tides below, barely registering to the miqo'te as it shakes the high branches of the tree, knocking loose a fairly ripe chestnut that tumbles from on high towards his head.

A hand darts forward, clad not in usual gauntlets or gloves, and catches the nut not a moment too late. The sound of hard husk on soft skin surprises the miqo'te who snaps to attention, turning to face the figure in a learned anxiousness not easily forgotten. His fear is quickly dispelled as he looks up at the familiar face smiling back at him, he remains locked in a stunned silence for a moment before gesturing to the blanket and offering a seat.

"Ah, dear friend, it has been ever too long, has it not?" He says, his face a few shades short of his crimson hair. He continues, "Forgive me for pulling you away from whatever grand adventure you were entrenched in this time, but I simply could not resist extending an offer during a break of my own." The figure sits, bringing their bag around to their lap, "Please Raha, you should know by now that I'd drop anything and everything to find a seat by your side." They smile as G'raha tenses up. Such a plain, unmistakable show of courtship? surely not. His face now fully red and beginning to sweat, he tries to speak but comes up a bit short, barely managing to sputter out a handful of disjointed syllables. The traveler continues "Of course I'd do that for any of you, the Scions I mean, you saved my life after all so how could I think to refuse" they say as they produce several items of food and drink from within the bag.

G'raha manages a chuckle as he puts a hand to his chest. "But of course! Of.. of course." his voice trails off as a realization hits him like the strongest blizzard magicks, "Ah! Such a fool I've been, I had planned to make a stop at the Last Stand to pick up something for the two of us to eat, my apologies…" The traveler laughs and puts him at ease with a wave of their hand. "It's okay Raha, truly, I wouldn't dream of coming to Sharlayan without dropping by the pinnacle of fast food." they lower their head to the now rather impressive pile of savory morsels and fresh baked sweets, "But I feel I must apologize for not being able to acquire a hamburger for you…"

The sun continues to set, sending shades of orange, red, and purple dancing across the waves as the sound of deep ocean waters crashing against the rocky cliffs fills the air. G'raha tips the last drops of a bottle of fine mead into his cup as the traveler scowls, "Well damn, I'd have thought that would've lasted a smidge longer, though I suppose it has grown quite late…" they dig into their bag once again, fishing out a dusty bottle of red wine marked with the sign of Dalamud, how long has that been in there they wonder.

G'raha sprawls out on the blanket, his head and legs spilling off onto the grass as he stares up at the stars through the swaying leaves. "My friend, do you recall the request I made of you at Ultima Thule?" he asks. The traveler tips their head, placing a single finger to their chin. "I believe so, it was something like-" Jumping up from the blanket, the traveler grabs a straight looking stick off the ground and plants one end in the soft grass below, and in their best impression of the former exarch "And last but not least! A new adventure together, unlike any we've experienced before!" they bellow, barely making it to the end before their composure fails and they barely choke back a fit of laughter.

G'raha shoots to his feet and snatches away the stick, instinctively posing with it as if he was still standing in The Ocular. "Hey! No need to have a laugh at my expense, had I known I'd be around to hear you mimic me I'd have-" He stops himself, noticing the genuine smile on the tear-streaked face of his traveling companion, "Erm, well, I stand by it, every word…" he turns his face away, now turning slightly flushed again. The traveler steps closer, clasping a hand onto G'raha's shoulder. "I know, I know, I only joke in such a way cause it seemed like a given to me!" they say, tilting their head playfully. "If it were up to me and me alone, I'd've brought you along on my recent travels to Othard, but we made a promise to stay distant in our endeavors for some time…"

His mind begins to race, they're so close, and the way they speak, surely this time. He reaches up, placing their hand between his, his ears point straight up, alert and determined. The traveler jumps slightly at G'raha's speed. "Well then, take me with you! wherever you plan to go next, I'll be close behind if not by your side!" he says, eyes twinkling with confidence and anxiety in a mix of emotions as tumultuous as the winds coming up from the cliff. The traveler's expression softens from their initial shock as they place their other hand over G'raha's. "Alright then, I'll take you, seeing as you don't seem like you'll be taking no for an answer."

Raha takes in a sharp breath as the world seems to slow down for a moment. If there was ever a chance then surely it would be amongst the dancing autumn leaves below a sky of stars like diamonds. it was time, finally they would know…

"Old friend!" a familiar voice calls over the grass as the sound of light footsteps approaches across the campus green. "How ever good to see you again, it has been far too long!" says the voice as the rather small figure comes to a stop. Dressed in a pale yellow coat decorated by cat's ears, a lalafell stands at the feet of the two. "Krile! how have you been, how goes your research concerning the Ancients." the traveler says, crouching down to meet the eyes of the Acclaimed scholar of House Baldesion. "It goes wonderfully," she says "our colleagues down in Labyrinthos have been ever so helpful ever since the Pandaemonium incident. Of course you're all too familiar with that." she says. "But enough about that, I come bearing a missive addressed to you, and it remains important as it ever shall." she says reaching into a satchel by her side. "By the tone of the messenger, it seemed rather urgent." She produces a small, unmarked envelope and hands it to the traveler.

Their expression sours rather quickly as they open the letter and begin to read, G'raha recognizes the look in their eyes, the fear, and sorrow, and call to action written across their face at the start of every journey they shared together. It seems things would have to wait once again.

The traveler turns and embraces the miqo'te, saying "I'll be back soon enough, but as they say, 'a hero's work is never finished'." Krile looks up at the two and nods, "Well then, shall we be off?" she asks. The traveler reaches down to a case at their side, producing a small aether-rich stone which briefly engulfs them in a flash of light, summoning into being the gear of a well-traveled combatant. "We shall. See you soon, Raha!" and with a familiar flash and spark, the two are gone, leaving G'raha Tia standing alone on the cliffside once again.