Snow fell like tiny feathers from the sky that day.

Upon Ishgard's celebration of the opening of the Firmament, the bards played their lutes and pipes to heighten their festivities. Crafters and gatherers alike gathered in rows, waiting for their produce to be received by administrators and trade dealers in stalls. The once cold and isolated kingdom of Ishgard now opened their doors for all who'd come and see.

And all that Phyllis could see was the elation that reflected in Raha's eyes.

"The Firmament's construction finished?" he said with a wide grin. "To think I'd ever see it with my own eyes!"

The warrior's heart swelled at the sound of euphoria in his voice, bringing her to fold her arms to hold herself back. Fireworks were set forth under that snowy sky as plumes of white smoke steamed from the stalls. Ishgardian children ran across the cobblestone streets, excited screams and laughter clamoured in the air. With every step they took, all stone masoned buildings and homes were decorated with festive ornaments.

"In that unwritten future, in the face of the eighth calamity, Ishgard succumbed to the ill-fate of chaos," Raha said idly. "Where the fates of many capable fell into the hands of Black Rose. In my wake from that long slumber, the Firmament I saw was all but a fraction to what I'm seeing now."

For a moment, she couldn't keep her eyes off her companion just as she was unable to contain the smile on her lips. Words were lost to the feeling, lost in the sights and the sounds of the world around them. Raha perked his ears at the scent of the food stalls before offering his hand to her;

"Will you join me for a small bite, Phyllis?"

With the words caught in her throat, she gave him an enthusiastic nod, taking his hand as they approached the stalls. Familiar and foreign scents wafted to her nose, immediately recognising it. Adventurer culinarians standing amidst these stalls, selling Thavnarian and Doman recipes among them. Phyllis couldn't help but laugh, reminded of how these adventurers would find any means to line their purses.

After an exchange of coin, relishing a meal, the two continued their stroll down the festive lanes. Fetes began to take place, with its hosts dragging the two of them into these small events. And for once, all had been too carried away to notice that Nidhogg's slayer stood among them. Laughter and cheers, ecstatic screams and whistlers sang out amidst the people as day passes within a blink of an eye.

Upon the fetes end, only then did Phyllis see that the skies have dyed into a red gold hue. She sat down by the stone barrier of a garden hedge, catching her breath as she drank in the sights of the street lamps being lit by lamp lighters. Her thoughts turn to Venat's words, her sentiments, her love of this world and its people.

This world is still beautiful, she smiled.

From the barren stones of the Peaks, to the joyous smiles within cities; the world of Etheris was a place full of wonder and joy. Closing her eyes, she listened to the crowd's chorus; to the bards that play their tunes; to the rhythm of feet that dance upon the cobblestones.

And then, a familiar warmth leaned on her side, making her turn to see Raha resting his head on her shoulder.

"Tired?" she asked.

"Just a little," he replied. "Seeing how peaceful you looked was rather infectious."

She leaned a little to his side, accepting his weight pressed against her shoulder. No words were needed, prompting her to reach for his hand and wove her fingers with his.

"Thank you," the timbre of his voice lowered. "For keeping our promise."

Phyllis squeezed his hand in reply, a small moment of silence followed onwards.

Raha was the first to break the silence; "Though the desolation of our star has been avoided, I feel that these moments of peace could easily be squandered within a moment's notice. Duty is all that binds us to our calling, and there's no guarantee how often we'd be granted this opportunity to spend our time together."

She tiled her head, pondered where he was going with this.

"I've been reflecting on this for quite some time," he continued. "That inevitably, we'd part our ways for the sake of our duties, only to reconvene once it is fulfilled. How often we'd part, or how many times we may meet again; the future itself remains uncertain for all of us."

Raha lifted his head, turned to face her with an earnest gaze.

"Perhaps I'm merely making excuses," he added. "That in truth these promises I request of you are made solely of my own selfishness. But I want to make one last promise to you, if you'll allow me."

She stared back at him, thoughts collectively accumulating the meaning behind his words. The sudden talk of parting even at the beginning of this relationship had come all too soon. But after those years of their friendship and the bonds that they formed with one another was enough for her to understand where he was going with this.

Phyllis nodded, "of course."

The smile on his lips didn't reach his eyes when he said; "Wherever our future may bring us, I pray we'll face that future together. That in the times when we must part, I ask that you'll keep me in your heart, just as I have you in mine. Promise that neither of us would throw our lives in vain when either of us would depart first."

The words he spoke sounded less of a promise, but an oath. Almost likened to a proposal of an eternal bond between the two. Her eyes widened, astonished at such a weighted request. It took two heartbeats to let the words sink in, prompting to closing her eyes once more.

His awareness of her life as an adventurer guaranteed a life of meetings and departures. That his path as part of the Students of Baldesion meant he won't always have the means to join her on her quests. With their paths seemingly so divided, he has the right of it to consider any dire circumstances that may follow between them.

There's no point in questioning it.

Opening her eyes, she finally answered. "I promise. Say your piece and I will follow it to the end."

The archon released a long breath, a satiated smile graced his lips. Raha lifted his chin to plant a chaste kiss on her forehead, their hands remained locked with each other.

"Thank you, Phyllis."


It hadn't occurred to him that the Firmament's festivities would continue onto nightfall. Though the bustling of the crowds had waned, the entire district itself was alight and alive. Golden light crystals draped the streets with its beams, families and couples walked the streets in idle paces.

The bard's songs grew more sombre and peaceful, playing the occasional upbeat tunes to rile the people to dance. It was as magnificent as Raha had hoped.

The two of them watched a band of players play, both his and her hands occupied by a mug of warm Ishgardian soup. An occasional conversation would spring forth, remarking and jovially retelling their own reminiscing. After such a bold request he had made, he was relieved to know Phyllis had understood and accepted why he would make such a request.

At the turn of the seventeenth song, he recognised the upbeat tune. A song that evoked the bygone days of that unwritten memory, when elezens of Ishgardian blood regaled their long-lost tradition. A folk song that sung of a lady and her lover from differing status, one that sang of secret meetings and forbidden affairs. A tale that was seemingly taboo among the nobles but an intricate love song by those of the Brume as of this era in time.

Raha knew the steps to this song, as he remembered the campfire tales of Neo-Ishgard, where those who play it would encourage those who listened to dance. Drawn in by its melody, he turned to Phyllis before setting aside their mugs.

Couples had already set themselves forward onto the dancing ring, forming a proper circle of pairs.

"Join me?" he tilted his head towards the open square.

She raised her brows in surprise. "I- I don't know the steps to this dance."

"Follow my lead and you will pick it up along the way," Raha reached for her two hands, urging her to stand. "I have faith in you."

With a small tug, she stood from her seat and followed his guiding hand. It had been an age since he had danced the steps, despite his overconfidence in his memories. To see a crowd of many to participate made it easier to recollect pieces of it; what steps to take, when to turn and how it ends. Phyllis at stared at their feet, nervous steps taking on each step of the dance. Without words, he led her to follow him, quietly encouraging her to have confidence. Midway through it, her eyes glanced at other couples from time to time, picking up the ques before her movement grew more daring.

That's right, he then remembered she had been taught by a Thavnarian dance troupe before.

He wore a proud smile at the thought, their eyes met as their steps synchronized in that moment. Raha had never sparred with her, but he fought by her side long enough to know the signs. When she'd make a misstep. What signs she'd make when an impending danger would charge at them. Despite her lack of words, her expressions had ever been more-true to her feelings before him.

And that moment, they locked in each other's gaze; dancing their steps, smiles grew sombre but more endearing. In her purple gaze, her expression contorted into that of a small awakening; a sinking realisation of something. Though unsure of understanding the reason behind such an expression, the words that repeated in his mind followed;

I see you.

I want you.

I love you.

He saw something vulnerable in her in that gaze. Vulnerable, yet set alight akin to a persistent ember that refused to smoulder against the wind. It took the song's end to snap both of them out of that cerebral moment, half-daze before he collected his wits. The couples on the floor bowed before the musician before the musician declared the title of their next song. A few more people joined in just as others stepped off, while neither the hero of Ishgard or the archon moved from their spot.

Raha felt his heart beating at a steady pace, looking at his partner who seemed lost in his eyes.

He cleared his throat; "Shall we stay for the next song, or should we stop here and catch our breath?"

Phyllis lowered her head, nodding before she gestured for them to leave the dance floor. Silence permeated between them as they walked away from the crowd, hands clutched against each other. Before long, they reached a lone stone corridor where shadows hid the contours of their figures, their steps ceased as they turned to each other.

Hoping to confirm the sort of energy he felt between them, he dared to take a step closer. Phyllis cupped the sides of his face and that was enough for the two of them to let mouths meet. She stole his breath just as she stole his, arms turned to wrapping around each other with Raha leading her against the wall. Sough of their breaths echoed within this shadowed space; passions flared as he felt his member harden upon contact.

"Raha," her voice grew hoarse and breathy.

He hummed, trailing kissing down to under her jaw. "Oh, how I'd want to take you now at this very moment."

"Yes," she moaned in a whisper. "I'm ready for you, Raha."

He paused to look at her. Puffs of white escaped her breathy lips, eyes now clouded in obvious lust. With what little control he had left in himself, Raha decided; "In your residence. I'd rather have you beneath a roof and on a bed than here in this cold, dark place."

Raha kissed her lips again, arms remained tightly wound around her as if to share her warmth. "Would you consent?"

She nodded almost too quickly.


The silence was aching them as he followed her to her apartment.

As soon as the door closed behind them, Raha claimed her lips once more, leading them to have her back against the door. His aching member protruded against her, earning a him a shudder from her. Gasping, he withdrew for a moment, seeing the loft in her room, figuring out where her bed lay.

Phyllis then grasped his hand, tugging him to lead her to it. Huffs of their breaths filled the silence, daring not to say a word before they reached the top floor. A fireplace stood there at the top, her bed sitting right across it. The couple turned to each other; lips reunited before he began to loosen the bindings of her clothing. Buttons released from its hooks; strings untied until her dress was loose enough for him to slip his hands onto her bare chest. The feel of her soft flesh in his hands were disturbed by the protruding lines of old scars; rather than being repulsed, Raha caressed these marks with his fingers.

She pulled the string that held his scarf together, hands slipping beneath his tunic. He shuddered at the heat of her hand running down his chest before he removed his top altogether. Phyllis immediately slipped her clothes off, adding it to the pile on the carpeted floor until her bottom smalls remained. He took of his layers all the same, his gaze lingered at her sun-kissed beauty that was marked by scars that no conjurer could heal.

"Have I ever told you, how beautiful you are?" he said, the timbre of his voice deepened.

"Raha," she said quietly. "I… I've never done this before."

He smiled. "Neither have I."

With a kiss on her cheek, he walked her backwards till they reached her bed. She fell back on the mattress, dragging him with her. The crackling of firewood echoing off the walls as hands explored each other, Raha memorising every shudder and curve of her body with his hand. He observed her expressions with every touch, discovering her erogenous spots each time her eyes closed with a stifled gasp. He wanted to meet her expectations, wanted to make her feel how he felt just as he wanted to let her know how much he treasured her. From this alone, he discovered Phyllis was not a vocal lover; apart from the small whimpers that leave her throat, easily distracted by his ministrations.

"Please," she whispered. "I want you."

"And you will have me," he brought her hand to kiss the back of her fingers. "I promise I'll be gentle."

With that, he tugged the last of his clothes off, reached the sides of her hips to remove hers. Curious, careful fingers slipped into her womanhood to feel her slick and ready for him. He lifted her leg a little to the side, aligning his member at her entrance. Raha then pushed forward, feeling the tightness around her walls as she yelped.

"Am I *huff* hurting you?"

He had to know. He didn't want to ruin the moment.

She shook her head. "Please, Raha. Keep going."

That was enough to thrust deeper until he reached the base of him length, feeling her pulse matching with his. I have you now.

Her heat. Her slick. Her very warmth that emanated against his skin almost made him lose to the haze of lust and desire. Raha leaned forward to kiss her tears from her eyes, now knowing these tears were not from the pain.

"I've claimed you," he said breathlessly.

"Yours." She whimpered.

Mouths meet, tongues danced. Raha slowly withdrew and thrusted at a careful pace initially, the relishing friction from it almost loosened his sanity. By the thrust of her hips forward, urging him to move more, he moved at an even tandem, letting himself loose for the moment. It felt like a haven, to be joined with the woman he loved in this act of love making. The wet slaps of their joining rang in his ears, the sight of her debauched expressions clouded his head. He leaned forward to kiss her again, feeling him throb as each thrust grew more desperate.

Raha wanted this night to last for as long as he could, holding out as he cupped her backside to thrust deeper. This earned him a moan, encouraging him to continue at this angle.

"Oh, Phyllis, I cannot last," he groaned. "I'm almost- ngh!"

She responded with her arms wrapped around his back, panting against his tattooed neck nibbling at its crook. His thrusts grew desperate, stuttering his pace before he released inside her in spurts. Trapped in her embrace, he slumped on top of her, his tired mind wanted to apologize for crushing her under his weight. Thankfully she accepted him, wrapping her legs around his waist as he felt her walls tighten in her own climax.

He lazily withdrew from her to lie on his back next to her, catching his breath as he closed his eyes. A languid euphoria overwritten his disappointment in wanting to last longer, making him turn to look upon his lover's face. A tired smile graced her lips, looking more desirable in the afterglow of their lovemaking.

"Hi," she chuckled.

"Hello," he smiled back, grasping her hand to kiss her knuckles once more.

Phyllis shuffled closer until she rested her head against his chest, her leg rubbing against his. Raha embraced her, kissing the crown of her head before brushing the damp strands off her forehead to plant his lips there.

"I didn't hurt you, did I?" he asked.

She shook her head, "No. You were gentle."

A blush rouse to his cheeks, "O-Oh. That's good to hear." -He took a deep breath and sighed, fingers now idly stroking the strands of her hair- "I would want have you again, but alas, I am exhausted to the bone."

His lover snorted and felt her wrap her arms around his back as she leaned in. "Are you happy, Raha?"

"More than you'd ever imagine." He kissed her forehead once more.

His eyelids grew heavier, basking in the heat of her embrace. With a heavy hand, he rested his hand on her waist, stroking her as he watched her slowly succumbing to slumber. That was enough for the world to grow dim as respite caught him with a satiated smile.