As we entered the Rising Stones it was pitch black inside. I turned to look up at Estinien in question. He shrugged his shoulders and urged me on into the main room. Suddenly all of the lights flipped on and many voices yelled, "Surprise!" And surprised I was. So surprised that I fell back flat onto my arse on the hard floor. A roar of laughter followed.

"What in the seven hell's is this?!" I nearly sobbed. Tataru, Alphinaud, Alisaie, Thancred, and Urianger all stood in the room that was covered in streamers. A big cake was on one of the tables.

"I would be a terrible receptionist if I forgot that your name day is tomorrow!" Tataru exclaimed while hopping and clapping her hands.

Thancred rushed over to help me off the floor as Estinien took my belongings from me. I was pulled into a tight hug. "That was priceless. I hope to scare you like that every year."

"You are a demon, Thancred Waters," I laughed. I placed a kiss upon his cheek. "I've missed you so."

"And I you, darling," he said as he let me go.

Without hesitation I ran to the twins. I pulled one in each arm for a group hug. I peppered their cheeks in dramatic kisses. While they laughed and begged me to stop. I gave them both one last squeeze and let them go. First I assessed Alphinaud.

"My sweet boy, I do believe you have grown. And you are even more handsome than when I last saw you," I gasped with the affection of a big sister.

Estinien interjected, "You are certainly taller. I can no longer call you 'little lord' now can I?"

His cheeks reddened. "I suppose I have grown as expected. And look at you. Dressed like a proper lady. Look how long your hair is!"

"You two speak as if it has been years since you've seen each other," Alisaie groaned.

"After so long in each other's companionship it feels that way. And what of you? Are you prepared to best me in a sparring match?" I challenged.

"I am close. I've not been able to train much as the people of Garlemald need tended to," she replied. She too had grown. She was becoming a radiant woman but she would tackle me if I were to tell her so.

"I trust thee has been taking care of thyself after such grievous injuries. Are you well?" Urianger stood in front of me. I could tell he wasn't sure what to do with me.

"Aches and pains here and there but I am well." I wrapped my arms around his waist in a hug which he gladly returned.

"I have missed thee, dear girl," he chuckled. "Thancred cares not for my lectures. Thou at least dared to pretend to care."

"Urianger, I always cared for what you had to share with me!"

Thancred coughed loudly, "Liar!" I scowled at him to which he pretended to cough more.

"G'raha and Krile send their regards. They are overrun with commissions in Sharlyan. Y'shtola could not pull away from her studies and writings, but she also sends her best," Tataru explained. I felt disappointed, but I was grateful for the love sent my way. I would have loved to make sweet G'raha blush crimson with a kiss to his cheek. He was by far the sweetest of all of us.

Before we even cut the cake Thancred had lined up shots of "the finest whiskey in Eorzea". Tataru and the twins declined which left me and the three men. Since the additional shots had been poured Thancred urged me to down a second which I did regretfully. The burn in my chest caused me to gasp. Urianger patted my back while roaring with laughter. Estinien took as second as well, but remained quiet. He was probably still ruminating on our argument.

We all sat in chairs to enjoy the chocolate cake Tataru baked and traded tales of what we all had been doing since disbanding. Thancred and Urianger were traveling to new places and lending aid as needed. The twins were helping the displaced people of Garlemald rebuild their lives. Tataru was building a fashion empire. I was the one doing the least for the time being. They all agreed resting was the best thing I could be doing.

"I say it's time for gifts!" Tataru cheered.

"No one needed to give me gifts. Seeing all of you was the best gift I could ever dream of!" I argued.

"Oh shut up and let us spoil you, silly," Alisaie scolded. She and Alphinaud brought a pile of presents and placed them in front of me.

"This is embarrassing," I mumbled. I felt my cheeks heat as they all looked on.

The first gift I opened was from G'raha Tia. It was a silver chained necklace with a blue crystal. His included a small note:

"My dear friend,

My apologies for missing your name day. Enclosed is a necklace I have fashioned from a small chunk of the crystal tower. This is where our adventure began together. I have had it blessed with protection and health. I hope to share a meal with you soon!

Yours,

G'raha Tia"

After fastening the chain around my neck I opened the next item from Thancred. It was a very shiny dagger in a beautiful leather holster. It was beautiful. The handle was mother of pearl. "Beautiful like you," he told me. Then came Urianger's gift. It was a deck of tarot cards with the most gorgeous art. Tataru gifted me a new dark purple tunic with silver threads and beading, black leather leggings, and new shiny traveling boots all of her making. The twins gave me a soft blanket sewn by a seamstress in the encampment they were in. It was dark blue with stars and moons embroidered in the fabric. Last was a gift from Y'shtola - a beautiful moonstone ring. She had the best fashion sense.

"Thank you, all of you. You are the most wonderful family a girl could hope for," I choked out.

"Cut her off from the booze!" Alphinaud teased.

"Hush or I shall kiss your face again, boy!" I scolded. His cheeks went red.

"So if I make jokes at your expense will you kiss my face again?" Thancred teased. He playfully put me in a headlock and placed a loud kiss on the top of my head. Now that we were all free of any true objectives the air was light and playful between us. "No gift from you, Ser Broody?"

"It's back in my quarters at Radz-at-Han. I forgot it in my rush to get her here," Estinien said in an annoyed tone.

We continued on the evening drinking and laughing. At some point the twins and Tataru had retired to Dawn's Respite. Tataru had left a few of our beds in the event we should pass through and need rest. It would feel good to sleep somewhere familiar, but I had no intentions of resting any time soon. Urianger was kicked back in a chair with his feet on the table singing a tune. Thancred and I were drunkenly arm wrestling as Estinien perched against a wall with his arms crossed over his chest.

"Ha! You lose! Drink!" I whooped out after slamming Thancred's arm to the table. He tossed back a shot and poured one for me.

"I let you win. Drink!" He slid the glass to me. I obliged even though I was very drunk.

"This is a bit strange, is it not?" I remarked.

"We have drank together many times, darling. You have just hidden your name day from us all this time," he replied.

"No. Not the drinking. We have put many to shame in a tavern, but I mean just being able to enjoy this. Not worrying if we are charging into our doom tomorrow."

"I worry about charging into my doom every day when traveling with the likes of a strange fortune teller." We burst into laughter. I even caught a smirk on Estinien's face.

"Isolde, my girl, when did your twin sister get here? We hast never met," Urianger groaned while trying to focus on me.

"That is my cue to haul this one off to bed and grab him a glass of water." Thancred pulled the very drunk Elezen up and helped him wobble into Dawn's Respite. It left me alone with a person I had intended to kill earlier that day. I motioned for him to come sit next me. He warily obliged.

"Are you going to slap me again?" he asked.

"I should," I snapped. "But I wanted to thank you. Even though you almost blew it, you got me here. This was a true salve for the wounds I've been nursing in my soul."

"That little woman would never have left me alone if I did not succeed," he grunted.

"Can you just let me thank you?"

"I suppose."

We sat in silence for a few minutes before I turned in his direction. He raised an eyebrow at my sudden attention. After years of traveling together on and off, training, and eventually saving the world together he still acted as if I was a stranger at times yet he still treated me more familiarly than others. It was odd to me.

Warily I placed a hand on his cheek. His eyes grew in size. It was clear he was unsure what to do. "You can be so damned rotten. But what I know that others do not is you can also be nearly sweet."

"You are very drunk." He was frozen in place staring at me.

"Shh. Let me be nice while I am not angry with you for a moment, pig. Thank you for this evening. As my reward I will forgive the earlier indiscretion," I informed him. Before he could stop me I leaned forward and placed a kiss upon his cheek like I had all of the others. "Has anyone ever told you that you are very pretty?"

"Alright that's enough from you. Time for bed." He stood and hauled me over his shoulder.

"Why must you always carry me as if I am a sack of popotos?" I complained.

He snickered, "Well you are usually knocked out when I carry you. This night I carry you like this because if you decide to empty the contents of your stomach it will be on the floor rather than on me."

"Fair enough!" I giggled.

We reached the room where most were already asleep. The number of beds had been reduced from eight to six with only one free. Estinien's stood with me unsure what to do.

"I suppose I shall use one of the sofas in the common area," he told me.

"Oh nonsense. You deserve a bed! You can throw me in bed with one of the twins or we can share," I suggested. He stood frozen in place clearly unsure what to do.

"Put her here, my friend! There is plenty of room," Thancred offered. "I shall even allow you to put your cold feet on me to warm them."

I stifled my laughter as Estinien dropped me on the bed. "That was once and we were camping. Get over it." I turned to the man standing over me. "My hero delivering me to my destination even if you handle me like a popoto."

"Go to sleep," he groaned while crossing the room and falling into the empty bed.

After kicking my boots off I climbed under the blankets. Thancred opened his arms for me. I squirmed my way over and settled into the warmth using his chest for a pillow. Many times we had been accused of having romantic involvement. Our affections were those of a platonic nature. My body instantly relaxed as I felt at home surrounded by most of the people I held dearest to me. As I finally let sleep start taking me I felt eyes on my back. Surely it could not be…

The next morning I awoke to Thancred's arm across my face. He was flat on his back snoring with one leg hanging from the bed. He and I were the last to wake. I shoved his arm off me in order to sit up. A loud groan left me as I stretched every muscle in my body. My head was surprisingly clear for all of the whiskey we drank. Maybe it was because I was still so happy to be near those I loved most on my name day. The door to Dawn's Respite creaked open and Tataru poked her head in.

"Good good! You're up! Hurry to the wash room. I've prepared a bath for you. Make it quick!" she instructed enthusiastically.

Even though she told me to be quick I wanted to soak in the hot water forever. It felt good to be in a place that felt like home even if we would all be departing again shortly. With that thought I exited the tub, dried myself, and put on the outfit Tataru had gifted me for my birthday. I added the belt Aymeric had given me and strapped my new dagger to my hip. My hair was still wet but it would dry in no time.

"Good morning, sleepyhead. We thought you may never grace us with your presence," Alisaie teased. She was at a table sipping tea and motioned for me to join her. I spotted Urianger holding his head and looking a bit green.

"Urianger, my dear. Are you well?" I asked.

He waved a hand at me to dismiss my concern. "Aye. I overindulged a bit too much in my elation of being in thy presence." Tataru placed a cup of tea in front of him and patted his hand gently. "You are but a saint, sweet Tataru."

"Where are Alphinaud and Estinien?" I asked looking around the place.

"Oh up on the terrace trading stories. That is the strangest kinship I've witnessed, but Alphinaud adores the old grump," Alisaie groaned. "Speaking of, I hear you have crossed paths recently. How are you faring?"

"I've threatened to harm him every day," I admitted. Both she and Tataru spit their sips of tea out with laughter. "But for whatever reason I adore that cranky bastard. Annoying him lifts my spirits."

A loud groan broke our laughter. Thancred trudged out barefoot, holding his head. He dragged himself to us, grabbed my tea without asking, and took a long sip. I gave him a dirty look to which he responded with a little pat to the top of my head. The morning dragged on with the two men nursing their hangovers while we ladies chatted away. It was turning out to be a beautiful name day. We moved to the more comfortable sitting area. Alisaie eventually gave in to me hounding her about missing her so she lay her head in my lap and allowed me to fuss over her hair.

"This is an absolute mess, love," I scolded her.

"I've no time for girly things such as my hair. That was your job, Isolde," she groaned.

A big smile plastered across my face. "I am glad to be of some use to my little darling."

"Stop fawning over me like a baby!" She swatted at me.

"I just love you so much!" I exclaimed in a sickeningly sweet tone. This set us off to arguing. Well, she was arguing. I was just fueling the fire by being sweet.

"Full glad I am to see my girls behaving as if no time has passed," Alphinaud laughed as he and Estinien entered the room.

"She keeps telling me how much she loves me!" his twin tattled loudly.

"I do! And I love your stubborn brother equally! My little darlings!" I teased loudly, they hated it when their mother referred to them as such.

"Isolde, Vrtra has more work for me to do in the jungle. Will you be accompanying me or will you continue to stay here and baby these two?" Estinien asked. His face was an unreadable mask.

"I suppose it is time we should all be going," a much improved Thancred said.

"Yes. I suppose so," Tataru agreed sadly.

We all gathered our things with a little less enthusiasm than we had the day before. Everyone exchanged pleasantries. Urianger made me promise to visit he and Thancred soon. He had much he wanted to tell me about. Thancred wrapped me in a big hug and agreed that I had to remember to see them soon. Tataru cried a little as I gently hugged her. I promised to come check in very soon. I thanked her for making me feel so special.

My hardest goodbye was to the twins. We all teared up a bit. I pulled them in and again peppered their faces with kisses. This time Alisaie was more receptive. I tearfully told them, "I am so incredibly proud of the both of you. No sister could boast more truthfully than me. Be careful the two of you. I love you. Write to me!"

"We all know I will be the one to write but I promise I shall. I love you too, Isolde. Be happy," Alphinaud said in my ear as he gave me one last hug.

"I suppose I love you, too. We shall have a proper spar when I see you next," Alisaie assured me while hugging me.

"I expect no less. Well then, my grumpy friend, shall we?" I asked Estinien. He nodded and solemnly said goodbye to all.

It was a quick trip to Radz-at-Han due to finally being able to attune to the aetheryte. Estinien didn't say a single word to me as we walked toward the hall where our chambers were.

"You said there was work. Shall I adorn my armor?" I asked.

"No," he clipped out before heading to his room. He shut the door behind him loudly.

It was my damned name day. He could be nice to me at the very least! It was his idea to rush back here only to act icily towards me. I refused to let his nasty attitude ruin what had been a perfect day. It was too warm for the attire Tataru had given me for my birthday. I changed into a metallic blue sleeveless wrap top she had sent when I had initially left for Thavnair. I paired it with a black skirt with slits over each leg for mobility. The little lady was a smart seamstress. She knew I was prone to jump into action anytime. And also that I never can stay still.

With my coin purse and dagger strapped to my belt I made my way to the marketplace. The scent of spices invaded my nose. Everywhere I looked there were bright colors, beautiful fabrics, jewelry with a craftsmanship I had never seen. When I had been in the city months prior I had no been able to fill appreciate the beauty it had to offer. I was eyeing shiny red and gold dress. It was nearly backless so I knew I could never wear it, but it was unlike any garment I had ever seen.

"You should get it," an older woman urged me. "A beautiful girl like you would make that a masterpiece."

"You are terribly sweet, but alas I cannot wear such a thing," I told her. "I've terrible battle scars on my back. I cannot stand to see them so I dare say no one else will enjoy them either.

"You are only young once, dear. Take it from me. Those scars are part of your story, young Warrior or Light," she said with a wink. My cheeks reddened at her recognition. I hastily excused myself.

I found myself in the very outdoor square where we had averted the blasphemies from taking over. Even if it was once covered in destruction and fear that was not the case now. Banners, ribbons, tables, and people were all over. A troupe of dancers was performing in the center. They were mesmerizing. They wore the beautiful brights colors that covered every inch of the city. I had trained with the dance troupe in Limsa Lominsa and was skilled with chakram, but I had never seen dancers that move like this. The way their hips swayed, the way they could get surprising height in their jumps. It was beautiful.

Individuals from the troupe broke off and began to grab individuals from the crowd to join. The young, old, and in between began to join in. A very handsome Au Ra man adorned in green grabbed my hand. I tried to refuse, but the crowd around me cheered me on. He and an Au Ra woman in the most vibrant pink I had ever seen taught me the steps. They were surprised to find that I had some experience as a dancer. Before long we were moving in sync. The beat sped up, but I was able to follow along. The woman taught me to sway my hips in a way I never knew physically possible. I just hoped I looked half as alluring as she did. We carried on our dance for a few songs. A little girl eventually joined alongside me. I very much enjoyed helping her learn the steps.

It was beginning to get hot, so I thanked my partners and took my leave. I fanned my face as sweat ran down my neck to my collar bone. I was grateful when the same woman who urged me to buy the dress offered me a big glass of water. As I chugged it in a most unladylike fashion I felt a set of eyes on me. I scanned the crowd to find a certain white-haired Elezen leaned against a pillar watching me. He pushed away when I noticed him. Slowly he stalked towards me like a lion stalking prey.

"You are quite good," he complimented.

I shrugged my shoulders. "I'm okay."

"You should not use your hips like that in public. Not a single man could remove his eyes from you." He looked down at me as if he were studying my reaction.

"And you?" I teased.

He tilted his head to the side. A ghost of a smile played upon his lips. "I am a man, am I not?" I felt as if my eyes were going to pop out of my skull. I had never expected to hear him speak in such a manner. What I expected even less was the pull in my stomach when he said it.

"I apologize for the distraction from your brooding." I fanned my face again. I was not sure if it was the heat or the strange air between us. He reached his hand out for mine which I reluctantly gave to him. We made our way through the crowd. Curiosity made me want to ask where we were going but common sense reminded me he was unlikely to answer. Instead I focused on his large, rough hand wrapped around mine. His grasp was surprisingly gentle for how brutish he typically behaved. Once we entered one of the many secluded stairwells in the city he abruptly stopped causing me to slam into his back.

"Here is as good a place as any I suppose," he mumbled.

"For what? To finally murder me?" I asked only half joking.

"Very funny. Here." He placed a small pouch in my hand. His eyes directed at the floor. I opened it to reveal a bracelet made from the same kind of cord he had overpaid for and made me promise never to tell Aymeric. Dangling from it was a small chunk of metal along with a dragon charm. I look at him in question. "The metal is from the first lance you managed to pierce my armor with. I was very proud of you that day."

"Well that is shockingly thoughtful. And the cord?" I slipped the bracelet onto my wrist.

"I thought that was funny," he admitted.

"I had hoped so because it is very funny! Thank you. This is a lovely gift," I told him. "You putting up with my attitude is a good enough gift." I wrapped my arms around him in a hug he did not return. Maybe one hug was all I would ever get, but he had earned another.

"You and Thancred then?" His expression turned curious.

"What do you mean?"

"Are you… you know…"

"Me and Thancred? Gods no. I love the man to my very core, but most certainly not in that way. Are you asking because of last night?"

"Why be so familiar if you're not interested?" he asked brusquely.

I scoffed, "Are you jealous?" His expression contorted to a slight panic. "Aw. You are. Do you fancy Thancred?"

He backed me into a wall with one arm above my head to hold me into place. He leaned down so close that we were nearly nose to nose. "We both know this has nothing to do with Thancred."

"No, I don't know. Enlighten me." I threw down the gauntlet right then and there. He had acted more strange than usual since I had arrived in Radz-at-Han. He slid a hand to the back of my head gripping my hair lightly. A groan escaped my lips my eyes never leaving his. My eyebrow raised in a challenge. I was certain my legs would give out at any moment. All he had done was roughly held onto my hair and I was practically a puddle. What was wrong with me? Was I that starved for a man's touch that I was practically panting over a man I threatened to kill the day before?

No. It wasn't being starved for touch. This had started building up in Sharlyan when he came to my door looking like the hero in a romance novel in his shirt that was almost completely unbuttoned, leather pants, and hair free flowing. He pledged his loyalty to me for life then and there. It was the first moment I had felt a softness from a man I had known for so long. I could no longer deny how beautiful he was or how hopeful I was when he entered my room before abruptly leaving. Then I cried myself to sleep feeling as if I had betrayed Haurchefant for even allowing such thoughts to enter my mind.

"I do not like the thought of another man touching you," he said almost whispering. "I wanted to hurt every man in the crowd with lust in his eyes."

"Why?" I pressed him to say it.

"You know why."

"Say it or I will walk away from you now, pack my things, and leave this place."

"I will follow you."

"Of that I have no doubt but why?"

He tightened the grip on my hair. My eyes threatened to roll back in my head. I was growing impatient. Just as I was about to tell him to let me go his lips crashed to mine. For how rough he was in all other aspects his lips were surprisingly soft. My brain took a moment to register what was happening so I didn't respond immediately. He began to pull away and I grabbed his shirt to pull him back to me. The grip on my hair tightened causing me to gasp. This was the moment he needed as he darted his tongue between my parted lips. Every part of my body hummed with electricity. We kissed hungrily. With a growl he began kissing down my jaw to my neck. I let out a small moan.

"Be quiet or this will end," he taunted. I motioned as if I were zipping my lips to urge him to continue. As his lips found my collar bone I tilted my head back. His free hand travelled up my exposed thigh. Gods if he kept this up I was going to give myself to him in that very stairwell. A sound on the floor above us signaled that someone was about to travel down the stairs. I was let go abruptly. He pulled my skirt that was bunched upward back down as I tried to tame my hair. An elderly couple passed us with knowing smiles.

The air was still thick. Never had I been so overcome by anyone. I tried to calm my breathing. I was in a lust filled haze as I asked, "Do you want to come to my room?"

"No," he quickly responded. He looked conflicted. I felt the cold sweat of rejection take over me before I wordlessly left him there. He didn't even try to go after me.