Sanctuary
The Leveilleur Twins were given a horrible shock when their father disowned them right then and there in front of everyone. Now that they no longer are wanted by their father, they must seek sanctuary elsewhere as well as adjust to the realities of being homeless. Well, they may no longer have one type of family, but they did have another waiting for them as well as shown how a real father is supposed to be.
READ HERE FIRST!
MAJOR SPOILERS FROM THE POST SHADOWBRINGERS MSQ!
As for this story, this is the latest sequel to: my Azure Skies and Crimson Squall Series.
Do not read if you are still playing through Final Fantasy 14: Shadowbringers or have plans to for there will be major spoilers. I will be using my own character, Claire Faye, in the story to stand in as the Warrior of Light, but feel free to think of your own characters. Here is a list of things that will be in this story:
Major Game Spoilers for Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn, Heavenward, Stormblood, and Shadowbringers
I do not own any copyright, am doing this purely for entertainment…
Last night while I was visiting Ishgard, I saw a huge crowd of people outside Fortemps Manor, all of them with campfires and asked what was going on. It turns out the voice actor for our honored father Count Edmont de Fortemps has sadly passed away. In honor of our adopted father I have this story written up. For a man who offered us sanctuary, shelter and peace, when no one else would have taken us in.
A good example of how a father is supposed to be there for his children. So I hope you enjoy it.
Alphinaud was stirring his spoon about his bowl of stew, knowing that he should eat something but for some reason he couldn't bring himself to really eat. All the Scions returned to the Rising Stones mere bells ago from their investigations of the areas around the mysterious towers and now it felt like there was a great ball of anxiety inside him at the mere thought of what they discovered.
The towers were slowly but surely drawing in aether from the surrounding lands—much like how primals did. If left alone, the towers would continue to suck the lands dry in a matter of moons—or so Y'shtola reasoned.
He frowned as he remembered their encounter with the Lunar Primals at Carteneau… and thought that things couldn't grow more confusing. Right now the Lunar Primals, while still a threat, were nothing compared to the damages that those towers can do. Yet, how could they destroy them with the hostages still trapped inside?
He suddenly remembered Arenvald and his heart sank even deeper at what happened when he last entered one of those towers and he shivered. So much had happened in the last couple days that he was having a hard time trying to figure out where to even start. Whenever he saw Tataru he had taken to asking her how Krile was faring in Sharlayan, and if she had cleared their safe passage yet. As of yet, the answers were always the same.
He wished that he could return to Sharlayan just so that he could see what was happening back home. He wished for the chance to see his mother and ask how she was… his teachers and classmates… just to find out if they all supported the Forum's decision.
He suddenly felt Tataru's eyes upon him and he finally forced himself to take a few mouthfuls of stew only to realize that the food was growing cold after sitting in front of him for so long.
Yet his mind could not help but remember:
"As of this moment, you shall no longer bear the name of Leveilleur."
The moment that his father said those words he felt as if his heart was breaking apart. And it only grew worse when he could remember his sister's words as she screamed, "How can you let this happen!?"
But what else could he do?
Even if he went after him, he could think of nothing that could be said to change what had been said. As far as the world was now confirmed… the two of them were orphans. He could still remember Alisaie's tear-stained face of anger as Claire had come over and placed a comforting hand on the younger girl's shoulder. Alisaie just turned and buried her face in Claire's front… not crying, but just hanging on for dear life for something to keep her steady.
All he wanted was for someone to be able to do the same thing for him.
But when G'raha suddenly suggested that there was more to this than first glance, his heart was suddenly racing. If that was true, could it be that maybe there was some kind of act? His heart was saying yes but he feared that it was more out of a hopeful desire for his father to take back what he said more than anything else. The idea that their own farther would so callously toss them aside like that?
But he wasn't always like that…?
He remembered how the two of them used to sit at the dinner table and find different things to argue about, but in a calm and diplomatic way… his father would humor him and listen to him prattle on and on about many different things while he listened and then point out the flaws in his logic.
Never once had he seen father that angry before simply for speaking his mind.
What could have happened in the time that he last spoke with him? In truth, he didn't think he spoke to his dad at all since the day they left home. Sure, he made sure to write home often and he got regular updates… but those letters were always from mother—almost no mention of their father.
What was happening back home?
Of course, Carteneau had happened after that so they didn't have a chance to be able to dwell upon it since then. But now that he had some time to really sit back and think, he couldn't figure out what to do. If only Krile was able to secure them passage as soon as possible…?
Alphinaud barely looked up when he heard someone saying his name, only to find that Tataru was looking at him in worry.
"Is there something wrong with the food?" she asked worriedly. "I know that this is my first attempt at cooking this time of food… I heard of it from the cafe here in the Toll. Buckler's Stew… though I think it had more of a Far Eastern name…? Not sure… anyway, I know that it's my first time making it and…?"
"Oh, no, it's good, Tataru," he reassured her apologetically. He took a few more mouthfuls before he sighed and confessed, "I just fear that I have a lot on my mind."
She gave him a very sympathetic look.
"Of course," she said kindly. "I heard what happened with you and… your father. Please, if there is anything I can do to help you, just ask. You know, if you aren't hungry now, we can save the rest of this for breakfast tomorrow. Why don't you go and get some rest. Alisaie is staying in the infirmary for right now because of the extra beds. You're free to use one for right now."
This idea sounded good and he nodded, thanking her for understanding.
"If you need anything, just let me know," she pipped up cheerfully. "Ah, I'll have some tea made a little bit later and send it to you. Otherwise, have a good night."
What a gem Tataru was. He honestly didn't know what the Scions would do without her there with them. He thanked her before he got up and crossed across the Rising Stones, smiling faintly at the sight of everyone talking with the others…Thancred was polishing his gunblade, Y'shtola and Urianger were sitting at the table with a pot of tea and sweets as they went over several tomes and notes… Estinien was leaning up against the wall as G'raha seemed to be happily discussing something with Claire, who was smiling back in a content way as she listened.
His eyes trailed over all of them before he entered the infirmary where he spotted Alisaie lying on one of the beds, looking over a few stacks of papers in a half-hearted way. He didn't speak at first as he crossed over to take the bed next to hers.
She finally looked up when he sat down and stretched out in a tired way.
"These last few days certainly have been eventful," she sighed. "I barely know where to begin."
"I do not think that there has ever been a sentence more truly spoken," he agreed as Alisaie sat up, cross-legged, on the bed as she turned to face her body towards him.
"So, why are you still up? It must be late right now?" she asked and his forced smile quickly crumbled.
"I suspect the same reason that you are unable to sleep," he pointed out and it was as if all the optimism she had was deflated as if one were to let the air out of a balloon. There was really no point in trying to keep up the appearance that everything was well… especially since it was just the two of them alone right now.
They sat there for several long minutes as the memory of what they heard just this morning played themselves inside their heads. Their father… the look on his face… the way his voice sounded… when he cut them out of his life.
"When I first heard he was here, I couldn't wait to show him how much I'd changed since we said goodbye," Alphinaud stated grimly. "I honestly believed that I was ready to talk with him as an equal… that I was ready to match whatever he said. But the moment that he spoke down to us like that…? My words… deserted me. I felt like I was a young child when he was able to outwit whatever I said at the dinner table before dismissing us."
Alisaie frowned up at that as she remembered all those discussions before she looked away.
"Memories that I could do without," she said with a hint of anger. How could he have dismissed them like that? As if they were both still those children who didn't understand anything about the world and weren't worthy enough to join in the discussion. Just the thought of it made anger burn through her like a fever.
"We both have grown and changed so much since then," she said softly. "I don't care if he refuses to see it, but I know who I am and I'm proud of who I became. All without his influence."
Alphinaud was silent for another minute before he smiled faintly.
"Indeed," he said softly.
"Still," she sighed, her anger dulling slightly. "I just… no matter our differences… I never expected… I mean, I just never thought that he could… discard us like that? Even after grandfather left, he never once proclaimed that he was not his son…?"
To hear how her own father would turn them away like that, after so long, felt like a blade in her chest. Strangely enough though, it was her father's treatment of her brother that really shocked her. Alisaie had always known that she was the black sheep of the family. She never felt that she belonged in a world of diplomacy or politics whereas her brother was clearly born for it. She was still a prodigy when she was welcomed into the Studium, but when compared to Alphinaud, she always felt like the inferior one. Alphinaud had always been the clever one, such as how easily he was able to learn the art of negotiation, or the advanced archanist theories that allowed him to summon his carbuncles on his first try…?
She heard some of the way that some of her teachers talked about her… how she had been so quick to anger… frustrated very easily… prone to arguing rather than calm debate…? Was it any surprise that her father favored him?
The fact that he disregarded her was almost second to the idea that he would turn aside her brother.
She felt her lip tremble as she wiped at her eyes furiously. Even after all this… he still could not see it. Well, she was done trying to do whatever it took to prove herself to him or anyone else. She knew who she was and she liked who she became. Instead of that angry girl that seemed to snap at just about everyone around her.
She wasn't going to go backwards just because of… of him.
But his words still troubled her and she looked back to her brother as she asked, "What do you feel of what he said? That we were supporting violence?"
Alphinaud shook his head.
"While I share his distaste for war… what other options are there?" he asked her. "To sit back and do nothing while the enemy marches in with a noose or a blade above our heads? No, I have seen the damage that can be brought for not standing up for what we believe in… and while I wish for otherwise, I know that there are times were me must fight. This is one such time."
Alisaie sighs in relief as she nodded in agreement. "I imagine it is easy for him and the rest of the Forum to be able to preach about the evils of war when they were the first to flee at the first sign of conflict and are now half a world away and safe in their homes. They prefer to run and hide than stand up for themselves. I mean, when was the last time that Father left Sharlayan? Not since the last fifteen years with the Exodus? I think that we know more of the world than he thinks we do… maybe more than him."
"Well, he cannot claim to have visited other worlds, now can he?" Alphinaud asked and he was even smiling again at that. "One day, I believe that we will show him just how wrong he is."
"That is a day I look forward to," Alisaie grinned, looking forward to seeing the shocked look on her father's face when that day came.
They stayed up and talked for a little longer, though they did their best to avoid discussing more of their father and instead more of what they can be expecting when they do pay that trip to Sharlayan when they get the chance. If their father would continue to keep to themselves even if the world was crumbling around them, then they would have to work twice as hard to make up for their family's short-comings.
The question was how best to do that? They still knew precious little of Fandaniel and what his plan was… sure it was to bring about the final days but what role did the Towers and the Lunar Primals have with it all? He was thinking that perhaps they could try to reach out to other scholars who may be able to help them here in Eorzea but generally they do expect some kind of payments to being such research? Well, it may stretch their coffers then…? Then…?
Suddenly his eyes widened at the realization.
"What is it now, brother?" she asked, yawning a little despite the sudden nervous expression on his face.
"I just realized it… but with Father… having… cut us off," he said nervously, "I can only assume that also means that our access to our family's coffers have also been cut off as well."
Alisaie, who had been in the middle of a long yawn, stopped dead when she realized what he was saying.
"No… no he wouldn't…?" she began before sighing, "No, of course he would. Seven Hells… we need to check with this."
She immediately got up and said that she would be right back. Alphinaud watched as she sprinted towards the door and went running outside to find more of their financial situation. It was just an idea that popped into his head when he thought of money. Up till now, they always had access to their family's money should the situation call for it. Certainly, he had gotten used to not having to rely upon it since his time in Ishgard, but this was now going to make things more difficult if their father was now willingly going to be standing in their way.
He paced the room anxiously, waiting for his sister to come back, just telling himself to stay calm; especially since there were other ways that they could look into. If their father was planning for them to go crawling back to him when they realized that they had no money, he would be mistaken. He had learned a great deal of budgeting—something that Tataru had made sure to nail into his head—not only that but he learned all about trading while upon the First. So it wasn't like they were left completely without options.
About half a bell later, Alisaie came back in, looking forlorn, and carrying a single bag of what sounded like gil. It was a decent size and she dumped it out onto her bed.
"Alright, so we split this up evenly between us and make it last the rest of our lives," she said grimly.
He was almost certain that he heard wrong. "You mean…?"
"This is all that's left," she told him angrily, her face turning red. "This little bit is all that is left over with the retainers. Father had made it clear to them that this was all that was left since this was part of Grandfather's inheritance to us. Most of that went into everything we needed while we were at the Studium and it turns out that it was what we were using primarily when we first arrived to Eorzea. Father only left whatever was promised to us that was left over and has decided to cut off any other future requests. I didn't want to leave it to chance in case Father decided he could take it… but…?"
Alphinaud stared at her before looking down at the pile of gil and realized that once this was used up, they were completely on their own. Now what were they to do?
"Right," Alisaie said as she counted it out. "So… what's the plan?"
The question seemed to bring him back to his senses as he thought it over on their best course of action. If this was all that they had left they had to make the most of every gil. If they were careful with spending, such as counting out a midday meal, then it looked like they may have enough for about a moon. That certainly wasn't much to work with.
He stood up and began to pace once more as he began to talk to himself, while Alisaie set up two piles for them, "We can stay here at the Rising Stones for right now, so we don't need to worry about paying for rooms at an inn or something. We both have plenty of experience hunting and gathering so we can make due with how to feed ourselves. The real question is what to do about everything else? Books? Improvements to weapons and repairs… I would hate to have to dip into the Scions coffers again. Tataru still won't allow me anywhere near them after that disaster with Gosetsu's sword…?"
He could feel his mind start to relax after a few laps of his pacing as a plan slowly began to settle. "Otherwise, we can do what adventurers do and make a living running errands and dungeon hopping. Most make a fair amount… and while it will be tough, I'm sure that we can make it work."
He stopped pacing and sighed, running a hand through his hair irritably and muttered, "Almost makes me wish we were still back on the First. At least we didn't have to deal with something like this over our heads."
Alisaie just seemed to be growling to herself a she finished dividing their portions.
"This is… I just… can't stand it," she hissed and though she didn't say anything else, Alphinaud stopped pacing to see the hurt in her eyes. It seemed that, like him, a part of her didn't really believe that their father had completely disowned them until just now. Here… seeing the two sad piles really showed them that they were on their own right now.
He could feel tears pricking at the corners of his eyes as he sat next to his twin and pulled her into a hug and held her tightly as she rested her head against his. At that moment he felt only anger… wanting to find his father and tear into him for how cold he was and just how wrong he was about everything happening to him. This wasn't a matter of getting into a senseless fight between nations… this was the fate of the entire world! How could he not at least want to investigate matters? Did their father plan for them to fail or give up on Eorzea after a few moons and then return? Either way, it didn't matter. What was done was done and they couldn't change that. But as he and his sister laid down to sleep at last, he made a vow that he would prove his father wrong.
It was actually a surprise that he was able to sleep at all. But he awoke a few hours later, completely alone. He sat up, his hair a tangled mess as he looked about the room, trying to remember what happened. He then spotted the bag of gil on the table next to him and it seems that Alisaie must have decided to get an early start. He got up, tucking the gil away as he went out to the main hall of the Rising Stones. He could see some of the Scions were already up and hard at work, including Alisaie, who was sitting at one of the tables with Claire, and she seemed to be asking some questions. When he approached them he heard what it was that they were discussing.
"So ah… how hard is it to dungeon hop?" Alisaie asked curiously. "I mean, you are often doing that, right?"
Claire blinked before laughing as she answered, "Well, it's hard in the beginning, but so long as you got a good group then it's not that bad."
"A group?" Alphinaud repeated and they looked up to see him there and Claire smiled warmly.
"Morning, did you sleep well? You slept in a little late," she said politely.
"Huh? Oh, I…?" he said as he looked up to the clock and realized that it was already around 10 in the morning. "Yes, apologizes for that. Just that it has been so busy lately that I couldn't' help but sleep in. But, enough of that, what was this about a group?"
"Yes, it's very difficult to run through one of those dungeons on your own, so it's smart to always take around four people all together," she said before she looked up to the wall to where a chronometer was. "Normally, I'd offer to help guide you through one, but there's someplace I need to be right now. But I'll be happy to show you how it works when I get back later this afternoon."
"Really? Oh, oh good, thank you for offering, we'll be more than happy to take you up on your offer," Alphinaud said, hoping that he didn't sound too eager. "That is, if there's no trouble on your end?"
"None at all," Claire smiled with her hand held up in farewell. "But I'll talk more about it when I get back in a few hours."
They both thanked her for her generosity as they waved her off and she was out the door in a blink of an eye.
"Does she know?" Alphinaud asked her worriedly.
"Of course not, I just told her that we were looking for ideas on how to improve our fighting abilities and asked about her time traversing through dungeons and learned a fair amount. Otherwise, no one else knows," she answered and he nodded.
"For now, I say we keep this between us," he said, "I don't want them to worry about us on top of everything else. In the meantime, I say we start off with a few errands. That's how adventurers start off, right?"
She nodded and they left, planning on just looking about town in the markets since they always seem to be looking for those to go on hunts for them or simple deliveries. It was hard at first, but they were able to find a few people able to throw them a bone by sending them out to the wilds to hunt for them. Their hunt led them to the lands of Coerthas, where he suddenly remembered the leve quests that adventurers often took part in for experience. He took Alisaie back to the city proper where they found that there were a few quests they could do, not just for some gill, but also for a little food and other materials that could be used for crafting.
It was a lot of hard work, mostly hunting and gathering… but they were doing well for it and even managed to earn a decent amount of coin. With this, alone with the fact that neither of them had eaten breakfast that day, decided to head to the markets to pick up something to eat. When they heard of the 'fete's' taking part in the newly constructed Firmament, Alphinaud was itching to see it. He had heard that Ishgard had been looking for able-bodied craftsmen to help with the rebuilding effort and it seemed that to celebrate the rebuilding they were having all manner of games and prizes for the citizens there.
They decided to walk the streets and Alphinaud could not believe that this part of the city had once been nothing more than blackened rubble. It was now a thriving part of town and its influence was even spreading to the rest of the Brume. In time, given the right kind of help and dedication, the whole of Ishgard would be rebuilt.
This should be proof then… he wished he could show his father that sometimes fighting is unavoidable… but should you push on forward and never stop trying, this is what could come from it. The fighting was over and Ishgard was now taking the steps to be able to put its bloodied history behind them.
He smiled in pride at the sight of everything that had been sacrificed to make it this far. While it was a long and hard road… their suffering had finally laid the groundwork for peace.
He and Alisaie bought a few lemoncakes from one of the stalls as they talked and walked through the entire Firmament. At the sight of a hot spring, Alisaie groaned in longing and looked ready to go jumping in right away.
"Maybe later," he promised her as he guided her away and down the steps that led them closer to the rushing fountains near the square. Alisaie agreed but wanted to hear more of what the city was like before the changes that had come and he had done his best to try and explain it… but she kept pressing for the matter that got him and Tataru arrested and judged before the Fury.
"Must you be pushing that, sister?" he sighed.
"I'm sorry," she grinned, not looking sorry at all, "I'm just curious to what could cause people to believe that you were consorting with heretics and plotting the downfall of Ishgard." She then laughed and added, "Though, now that I think of it, isn't that what happened?"
"Quiet," he said with a light punch to her arm as they laughed together. "Now, where are we?"
"I was about to ask that of you," Alisaie said as she looked around, realizing that they were standing off the main stairs that led to the New Nest, where all the houses were for those displaced by the war. That was when she spotted something at the far end… set up on what looked like a stage.
"Wait is that…?" Alisaie said when she noticed a familiar face up upon the stage, sitting at one of the pianos.
Alphinaud looked up to see who she was speaking of and spotted that familiar shock of pink hair. Claire was sitting side by side with another, much taller figure. The former Count of House Fortemps, who was beaming and pointing sitting right beside her as they were playing about some sort of tune upon the piano.
"I was not expecting to see her here," Alisaie couldn't help but speak up. "So this was the 'business' she needed to see to it."
"She often pays visits here," Alphinaud explained. "Or rather, visits to Lord Edmont in recent days. With Lord Artoirel having taken over his duties as Count and with Lord Emmanellain at Camp Dragonhead, I think she fears that he may be on his own too often."
"They certainly look like they're having fun there," Alisaie commented. "But it looks more like a father and his daughter than a ward and former count enjoying the day together."
He had to agree, that was what it looked like. At first glance, one would not have thought that it was the former count and a ward of House Fortemps… but a doting father with his daughter as they enjoyed the sights and enjoying playing the instrument together. In fact, he seemed to be teaching her a piece as she copied his movements on the piano and he was even laughing good-naturedly at her first attempt.
"You're right," Alphinaud said softly as he looked at the two of them and saw how at peace she looked at that moment. "This place… holds special memories for both of us. But for her more than any other… this is like… her sanctuary. I think she feels safety here."
"Truly?" Alisaie asked in surprise as she watched the two continue to practice at the piano but they seemed unable to get through a few notes without being overcome with laughter. She couldn't hide the smile at seeing that.
"Claire once told me that her father died when she was very young," she suddenly said as she thought back. Even from here, she could see the slightly worn choker with the emblem of House Fortemps upon her friend's neck. "So I guess she felt a connection with Lord Edmont?"
"I suppose," Alphinaud said as he was also smiling. But also very sad for he could not remember any such memories that he shared with his own father… just enjoying each other's company and spending their time doing something fun. "Lord Edmont may have had his flaws, but I do believe that he was, and is, a man who loves his children. I think that's proof there."
It was so strange to see such a sight… that a father doesn't need to worry about showing their children a more fun and carefree side, if only for a little while.
He watched as Lord Edmont wrapped an arm around her shoulders and hugged her to his side once she mastered the song that he had been teaching her.
"It's enough to make one green with envy," Alisaie said next to him.
What they wouldn't give to have such a time with their own father.
They left quickly, before the two of them noticed them.
*Hours later*
The twins got back to the Rising Stones after completing all their leve quests and began to count out what they had earned. It was a fair amount, almost doubling what they had before. Still, it was a lot of hard work and Alphinaud was having a hard time trying to imagine how they would be able to complete so much while still having their duties here to the Scions.
Alisaie also seemed to be wondering about that as well.
"Yes, but with the final days upon us, we should try to devote all our time in trying to discover more of the towers and their role in all this," Alphinaud frowned as he was doing the math at the table. They were in the infirmary and going over their different options.
"But without more money to help get things that we could use to make that easier then maybe we should devote all our time to this for the time being…?" he sighed as he rubbed his eyes tiredly.
"Well, there are two of us so I say that we just switch roles every other day," Alisaie offered. "One of us will help do study work here while the other earns their way for the day. It's not practical but it's doable."
"Yes, that may work out," he agreed as he put that into his calculations, "But that may still be hard to be able to do with just one of us… we'd be making about half of what we earned today…?"
"I'll just take on more jobs to make up for it," she offered. "You were always better at homework than I was. I prefer to get out and earn my way up."
"And have you do all the hard work on your own? I don't think so," he countered. "I could certainly use more practice as well. I know that we can do this… we just need a set schedule."
Alisaie knocked her head against the table, already exhausted just thinking about this.
"I still think that we should try running through dungeons," she muttered.
"Yes, Claire did say that she could assist us with that," Alphinaud nodded as he looked over his list. "All in all, we have a fair amount to start off with. Hopefully, we can find a way to balance this all out."
"I just wish that it didn't have to happen this way," Alisaie said wearily. "Father is making this so much harder than it has to be."
"I agree. But it no longer matters what we want. The fact is that we have to rely upon ourselves and do what we can not to slow down the others," Alphinaud said, not realizing that the door to the infirmary was opening up. Alisaie saw this and immediately sat up just as Alphinaud went on, "Sure we may be cut off and have nowhere else to go but we can't let that put us down when we've come so far."
"So that's the problem?"
A hand suddenly reached out and touched his shoulder in a comforting way. He jumped and his head spun around to find that Claire had entered the room.
"How… why… why didn't you knock?" was all he could said and he felt his face redden at that realization that she had to have overheard them
"I did," she said, "I was passing by when I heard my name and I came to see what was going on. What's this about you two having nowhere else to go?"
Alphinaud looked away from her while Alisaie was twisting her hands together.
"I thought that something else was bothering you both," Claire said seriously as she looked from one twin to the other. "And I had been wondering why you wanted to learn all about running through dungeons all of a sudden and now I know why. I should have thought to ask more questions, and I'm sorry about that. But maybe you could explain everything to me now and we'll see what we can do."
She looked from one to the other and their heads were low as they suddenly felt as though they were children who had been caught sneaking sweets. But in the end, they knew they couldn't hide it from her and so they told her the truth. How after their father had publically disowned them, they were now cut off from not only their family name but also their family's coffers.
"Now, you don't need to worry about us," Alphinaud said firmly. "We both came a long way from those two who used grandfather's name as well as money to get what we needed. We have learned a lot and can make money through other means. We can pull our weight here. We just need a little advice on how to get started, that's all."
Claire tilted her head, her expression as stoic as ever, and it made it hard to guess what it was she was thinking.
"I see," she said as she turned back to the door. "Well, in that case, come with me."
"Huh?" both twins could only say as Claire turned back.
"What's the matter?" she asked, "I said come with me."
She walked right on out of the infirmary as the two of them looked at each other in confusion, wondering what was going on. But they did as they were told and went right on after her as Claire led them through the Toll to the path that led them to Gridania.
"Where are we going?" Alisaie asked her once the hustle and bustle of the Toll was silenced when they moved down deeper into the valley that would take them to the very edge of the Twelveswood.
"You'll see," was her vague answer.
Alphinaud couldn't help but wonder what this was about, but he trusted her not to steer them wrong and merely obeyed as she led them through the North Shroud and straight through the city of Gridania. Though at this point, Alisaie was now bursting with questions when they boarded the ferry and asked for the hundredth time what this was about.
The answer was clear enough when he could see the islands appearing in the middle of the lake and realized that they were in the Lavender Beds—where adventurers were able to buy their own plots of land and build their houses here.
What was she planning? Where there some plots up for sale and she wanted to show them around? Unfortunately, they didn't have enough to even buy a bed, let alone a plot for land. He had learned how expensive they can be with the reckless purchase of a certain samurai sword.
Claire promised to explain everything though once they arrived.
They all disembarked once they touched down and she guided them up through the long arrange of houses that were build up in every kind of design imaginable. He could see many homes built up in a design similar to Ishgardian and Kugane besides the regular Gridania-styel. He could see some were made into cafes, bars, stores… with retainers standing out with stands in the middle of the yards to try and sell items while others were filled with beautiful gardens that sparkled in the morning light. As well as others simple with houses that were of simple designs but looked as if entire Free Companies were all packed inside. He couldn't help but wonder just how big the houses were on the inside to fit so many people.
There were also marketboards scattered here and there where they saw more adventurers all fighting on top of each other to find good deals for armor and materials for crafting. He could even see several of them making trades with each other.
"Here we are," she said and he looked up to see where she had taken them and he was blown away by the time he realized where they were. This plot… this was the place where she built up her home… and it was… well, it was certainly…?
"You… made some adjustments since I was last here," Alisaie could only stammer out.
It was very different than when he first visited here as well. The house that stood before him towered over them and was now built up in a style very similar to the houses built in Ishgard. There was entire forge built up around the side where he could see fires burning and even around the front where there were half-forged tools and weapons. He could also see flowering trees surrounding a small eating area for two and even a brick oven that had some food cooking on top, he could smell the delicious food from here.
"It wasn't like this last I saw it," he said.
"Yeah," Claire shrugged. "I found that I needed something to keep my mind busy so with the help of my Free Company's workshop I was able to… redecorate."
"Did you just build up your house from the ground up?" Alisaie demanded. "Seriously, how much free time do you have? Do you even sleep?"
"Often," Claire shrugged. "I find it a relaxing pastime. Let me show you around."
The two of them followed after her in a stunned silence as they crossed up to the door and walked right on inside to get a good look around. Inside he found the entire layout having been changed as well. He spotted a kitchen to the right next to the stairs and a seating area on the left off a hallway that carried a few plants that he recognized immediately from the First. Directly in front of him were a few servants that were about doing some cleaning next to a large aquarium filled with fish.
It was stunning and he could only imagine how hard it must have been to be able to pay up for all this.
"The bedroom is upstairs as well as the bath," Claire said matter-of-factly. "Downstairs is the library and a crafting room. This is a medium house so limited on space here. But I think that it will work."
"For what?" Alisaie asked as Claire ignored her and went immediately downstairs and they followed at once to find themselves in a hallway with two doors. One, he quickly checked, held an impressive library filled with books from all over and a roaring fireplace. There was also a table set out in front filled with crystals and some notes scattered all over the place. While on the other end were what looked like models of some kind of magitek weapons…?
He shivered at the sight of some of them, looking more monstrous than machine. But otherwise he was itching to dive into some of the books that looked like they covered just about every kind of subject imaginable.
Meanwhile, behind him, Alisaie had already checked the other room, slightly smaller than the library, and found a room filled with crafting stations and all manner of objects that looked like they were brought here from Claire's travels. He heard Alisaie gasp and he went to check and saw the room was a little messy but there were so many things in here that one could learn and study with… it almost reminded him of grandfather's study back home with the dried plants up on the walls, open books and papers scattered about with shelves full of potion bottles and other supplies. There was also a corner of the room that looked as if it were dedicated to painting and he could see a half finished paint set up on an easel and he felt an urge to try that out as well.
"I know that it's a bit cramped but there should be enough room," Claire stated.
The two looked back at her in confusion and Claire actually rolled her eyes in amusement when it seemed that they still didn't get what she was telling them.
"There's a spare room upstairs that can hold a set of bunkbeds so you two many have to share, but you are free to stay here for however long it takes for you to figure out what to do," she said.
It took several minutes for his mind to fully grasp what she was saying.
"No! No! That is out of the question!" he cried out and she tilted her head in polite confusion.
"It's not that bad here," she said.
"No, it's not that, you have a beautiful house and there are so many things here that can help us improve and learn and I wouldn't mind staying a few days to be able to look through it but…" Alphinaud began before Claire reached out and placed a finger over his mouth to silence him.
"That's enough," she told him kindly. "I'm not doing this out of pity or anything if that's what you're worried about. But simply because I want to help you. That's it. Besides… where else will you be able to go if you, yourselves can't stay at the Rising Stones forever?"
She got them there.
The two of them looked at each other.
The thing was that this place seemed perfect for them to continue to learn and improve and pull their weight around the Scions, but at the same time after all that their friend had done for them, they couldn't help but feel as if they were taken advantage of her kindness… again.
"Of course, if it makes you more comfortable, we can find a kind of payment system," Claire laughed. "Perhaps come with me with gathering or hunting. I sell things all the time up on the markets and it will be much easier with three people."
This seemed reasonable and Alphinaud was thinking that over as Alisaie was still playing the hem of her skirt.
"I just… I don't want you doing this just because you feel sorry for us or…" she began a little grumpily as Claire placed a calming hand upon her head and fondly messed with her hair.
"I told you, I'm not doing this out of pity," Claire said with a smile. "I'm opening my doors to you because I want to. We're family, aren't we?"
Hearing that was almost too much for her and Alisaie immediately leaned up against her and hugged her tightly like how a little sister would do to their older sister… and Alphinaud smiled fondly at the sight.
This looked like this was their new sanctuary where they could find shelter and peace… and they would be foolish to turn away from it.
*Some days later*
It had already been close to an entire moon cycle since then and the twins had settled in nicely to their new home with the Warrior of Light. Like they promised, they were doing their best to make themselves useful around here.
Alphinaud was able to take up a kind of job helping others solve problems, usually business problems, in Ul'dah and was earning a fair amount there while Alisaie was really getting the hang of running through dungeons. Not only was she able to make a decent coin in selling off a lot of the treasures she was able to find materials that Claire could use to for her own crafting… who was able to put up for sale upon the marketboards.
There was still a lot to learn about the world of adventuring, which was a lot more complicated than he first thought. It turns out she was also what they would call a mentor and often helped fledgling adventurers in their own battles and would accompany them into their first dungeon runs. She had done the same for the two of them, though she insisted that they start off small such as within the Temple of Qarn. She refused to really say why, but when he suggested such places like the Aurum Vale, she all but snapped the knife she was holding in half.
It seemed that he was bringing up a lot of painful memories of this place and decided not to ask about it as they accompanied her on her errands.
She was hard at work on improving her weapons as well, it turns out that she had been with the Resistance fighting to help free the nation of Bozja, which she used this as a chance to be able to gain new resistance weapons. She was preparing her armor as well, hammering away at the forge as well as trading in tomestones to improve all manner of gears and glamour, joining in what she called hunt trains. That was interesting to learn about when she took them out for gathering and they passed by a powerful 'mark'. She immediately called up some friends with her linkpearl and explained that this mark was worth a lot of gil.
Alisaie was all ready to charge in and try and take the beast down, at least until Claire grabbed her shoulder and told her to wait for the hunt train. They had no idea of what she was talking about and she had to explain that some friends were coming in to help kill the mark and they would all get their share of the hunt.
"You mean we have to wait for other adventurers and then share the prize with them all just because?" Alisaie asked, clearly not understanding.
"Yes," Claire said happily.
Alphinaud also had a hard time understanding, at least until the people first started to arrive and suddenly there were like a hundred adventurers all gathered around them. Once it was confirmed that no one else was coming, they all charged in and fought the beast together. It was hard since everyone was fighting one on top of each other, but they all had smiles on their faces and the beast was brought low. Apart from a couple people knocked out, there was almost no damage from any side and they were all celebrating and congratulating each other.
This was a level of camaraderie that he had never seen before. At least until some yelled out the next location and they all mounted up, ready to go running off to the next mark.
"Is this normal?" Alisaie asked over the noise as everyone was jumping to action.
"No, but it happens a lot," Claire said and they looked at her as she grinned and they went running off to join the rest of the train.
All in all, it was a lot of hard work and effort, but well worth it in the end. Alphinaud was making a steady amount and it actually made him feel good because he was working to earn every gil rather than just rely upon his father.
He would show them. They could make it in the world with or without his help… though that didn't mean that he didn't hop that his father would one day see the truth worth of what they were doing.
Speaking of fathers, despite all that their friend was doing, he could not help but notice that their friend did make several trips during the week to visit Ishgard. Partly to enjoy the finishing touches for the Firmament and the occasional fete's… but also to visit Lord Edmont.
Neither he nor Alisaie ever questioned her about it, but it was clear whenever she returned, there was a spring in her step and she was smiling like a child upon her nameday. Not only that, she had a habit of bringing a basket of foods from all over with her and they suspected where it was going to. More than once, he had gone to visit Lord Edmont as well as Ser Aymeric to ensure that everything was going well within the city. While they still had their share of problems, it seemed that Ishgard was well on the road to a bright future… assuming that they lived that long with the final days upon them.
He did his best not to dwell on that and merely focused his efforts on where they may go. And the few times that he ran into Claire there in the city, Lord Edmont's face always lit up and he was happy to discuss her latest ventures and to make sure she had been taking care of herself.
Something that Ser Aymeric noticed as well and chuckled when the former count got side tracked.
"I feared that he had been rather grim during the time that his children had been away from home," he told Alphinaud when he asked the Lord Commander how the rest of Houses been doing. When they spoke of House Fortemps, Ser Aymeric confessed how Lord Edmont had been struck with a case of melancholy lately.
"But it always disappears whenever she or one of his sons comes to check up on him," Ser Aymeric smiled. "It is heartening to see."
Alphinaud agreed. He was happy for her, but also jealous at the same time. Still, neither he nor his sister begrudged their friend and were happy to see her clearly at ease.
She more than made up for that when she gave them private lessons. Such as this moment when Alisaie had gone to Claire, begging that her friend show her new ways to use her blade, and when her brother heard this, he also came out to ask for advice as well. Claire set up a mock training ground for them both and was directing them with tips and advice on some new techniques.
Claire was settled upon a patch of soft grass as she watched how Alphinaud and Alisaie practice some of the techniques she had taught them with their separate weapons. He watched how she smiled to herself as she watched how Alisaie was struggling to even dent the striking dummy that she had set up specifically for them with some new spells she had learned.
"I told you," she called patiently as Alisaie stamped her foot in anger when she realized that her blade barely made a scratch in the stone. "You truly shine when it comes to your spellcasting, but you go through mana so quickly that you need to rely upon your blade until you get it back."
"Yes, I know!" Alisaie snapped back irritably before demanding, "Honestly though, how do you find time to constantly learn new techniques? How many different weapons have you picked up along the way and learned to master each one? I rarely see you practice and you were dragging that monster of a sword around the entire time while we were in Norvrandt! How do you get so much done?!"
"I pace myself," she smiled back.
"Oh, you are such a liar!" Alisaie grumbled enviously.
She laughed back. "Well, when I'm finally ready to hang up my adventuring belt, I've been thinking about starting a kind of school to teach all manner of fighting techniques."
"Oh, I don't know if you will ever get a moment's peace if you do that," Alisaie stated. "Countless wannabe heroes will be banging down your door to teach them."
Meanwhile, her brother was having his own troubles with his Carbuncles. It wasn't as if he was struggling to summon them and have them do as he commanded… nay, it was that he barely learned any new tricks while he was 'abroad' and he couldn't help but feel that he was long overdue with finding a new Carbuncle to help out in battle. Mayhaps even a change of a new weapon at this point…? That did have a certain appeal to him but he wasn't sure if he would be able to master a new martial art right now.
He frowned as he looked down to the Ruby, Obsidian, and Moonstone… all three impressive in their own right—and while he was proud of each of them and all their many talents, he feared that they wouldn't be enough to protect them further down the road. He would have to look into more ways to heal on the battlefield. Claire showed him a few tricks since she had learned the arts of white magic, astrology, and even the ancient Nym's scholar's tactics… but without his own soul crystals he knew he would not match her when the time counts for it.
He was really struggling to push himself any further down this road.
"It's never too late to learn something new if you feel that way," she told him kindly when he confessed his worries to her earlier that day. "I'll help you in any way that you need it."
He just smiled at her, knowing that she would assist him and he was grateful. Yet, he feared with all that was happening that he may not have time to master a new art. But he was very curious at the thought of what other kind of weapon could he possibly use other than his grimoire?
Alphinaud turned his eyes away from his Carbuncles and watched as Claire got up and was standing next to Alisaie, moving her arms almost like how she would a puppet as she explained to the girl why her last technique wasn't as effect as before.
"You are too tense," she told the younger girl kindly. "Relax your arm… yes, just like that. Just try to remember that your sword is a part of your arm not just some weapon. Now, try again, only this time don't hold back."
Don't hold back.
That's right… he couldn't afford that.
He looked upwards to the twilight sky and knew that the night was coming in soon. But some of his fear towards the future faded slightly. He had a new home and a family now who would continue to support and help him.
That was more than enough for now.
And who knows…? Maybe mother and father would join them here again.