"Perhaps I shouldn't..."
"Gods, what did Tataru do to him?" Alisaie mentally sighed, resting her head in her hand as her brother pondered over the teahouse's menu. She recalled how pale Alphinaud had been when he'd emerged from Tataru's office at the Ruby Bazaar. When Zael and Eauvrix suggested a night out in the city, he'd looked as though the Bull of Ala Mhigo had challenged him to a duel.
"Fury, he sounds like a priest at a wine-tasting," Eauvrix muttered, watching the scene with great amusement.
"Had that I been there to protect Master Alphinaud from his poor decision," Sunako sighed, shaking her head.
"You'd have had to tackle him for that. Should've seen him, that sword was his the moment he saw it," Eauvrix replied, laughing when Sunako groaned.
"At least I can take pride in being the responsible twin for once. He's lucky Father isn't here, though I don't know who'd be more frightening. Him or Tataru" Alisaie said, glancing beside her at Sari.
The young Xaela was quiet, leaning forward, head resting in her hand while staring out towards the sea, fingers tapping on a satchel sitting beside her, ebony hair tipped in deep crimson hiding her eyes from view. A cool breeze cast her mind back to Ishgard, waking up in Fortemp Manor, her first sight that of two scarlet ringed amethysts...
Sari leaned back, stretching her arms while yawning. When she settled, she rubbed her eyes, pausing as Alisaie quickly looked back towards the tea stand, groaning as Alphinaud seemed no closer to making his mind up, even consulting with Zael and Ijepa, the scholarly Lalafell stroking his beard, though whether from thought or impatience, she couldn't tell.
"Alphinaud's still not decided?" Sari asked, staring longingly at the stand.
"No. I just hope he decides before the next Astral Era," Alisaie muttered, rolling her eyes, smiling when Sari giggled. "You know, you didn't have to come if you were feeling so tired. Can't say I'd've blamed you, I imagine chasing a thief all the way to the Ruby Sea would be exhausting," she added, raising an eyebrow when Sari groaned.
"You have no idea… of course I'd run into the good Inspector all the way out here," Sari mumbled, burying her face in her hands. Alisaie turned to inquire further, only to pause when Alphinaud made his way towards them, three teas in hand.
"I must say, I've never realised quite how much value Hingans put into their tea. I do hope..."
"Alphinaud, Tataru isn't here. Shut up and hand them over," Alisaie said, reaching out as she massaged her temple. Muttering apologies, Alphinaud quickly gave them their teas before sitting next to Sunako, the young samurai shaking her head at him while Eauvrix laughed. She shook her head before focusing on her tea, taking in the scent before taking a sip, the sweetness of the tea surprising her before she felt the light spiciness of cinnamon tingle on her tongue.
"It's good, isn't it," Sari said, watching her as she nodded.
"I wish I'd tried it sooner. Do you think we could take some back with us?" Alisaie asked before taking a longer sip.
"I'm sure we can convince Tataru. She'd surely listen to the 'responsible' sibling," she teased, taking a long sip from her tea. "So… what do the others want to do this evening?" she asked, fingers tapping gently on the satchel again.
"I think they plan to meet with Ediene and Jodette at the Hostelry, though I imagine Alphinaud will probably return to the Bazaar. The sight of all that gil being spent… he'd probably faint, can you imagine?" Alisaie giggled, waving teasingly at her brother when he glared at her, rolling his eyes before turning back to the conversation.
"I definitely can," Sari said, glancing across the canal while she sipped her tea. "What about you? I don't imagine you to be the 'drinking all night' type either," she continued, stopping her tapping as she started playing with her braid.
"Honestly, I hadn't really thought of anything. I might just join Alphinaud and go back to the Bazaar," Alisaie replied, finishing her tea. "I take it you don't have any plans for the evening either?" she asked.
"Well, I thought… maybe I might visit the hot springs. It's been so long since I just… relaxed, so Tataru managed to arrange an evening there. Though I didn't really get much of a say in it," Sari replied, grinning sheepishly.
"I can't say I disagree with her. You've definitely earned it," Alisaie said, handing her cup to a passing waitress.
"Thank you… I just… I'm not sure how I feel about going there by myself. Tataru said she's busy… and the others seem to have plans… so...?" Sari said, sheepishly finishing her tea as Alisaie let the words sink in.
"Me?" she asked, eyes wide when Sari nodded. "I mean, I'd love to join you but… I don't think I packed the right attire for hot springs..." she replied, her voice trailing off when she saw Sari tapping the satchel again. "And neither did she. Tataru, you evil little… of course, you planned this!" she mentally cursed. She considered her reply, trying to think of how to decline until she looked back up, staring once again into scarlet ringed amethysts. "Well… who am I to argue with Tataru Taru when she thinks I need to relax."
"Why? Why did I agree to this?"
The two piece bathing costume was a perfect fit, both in size and colour, though she expected nothing less from Tataru's work. Her coat hung nearby, calling her to put it back on and slip out the door. Her gaze returned to the mirror, tracing the long, jagged scar across her torso with her finger. Memories of Castrum Abania flooded back, the strongest being the flash of Garlean steel and hot, searing pain… "Alisaie!"
She shivered, unclenching her fists as she looked away from her reflection. Sweat dotted her forehead, slowly trickling before she wiped it away. She was used to seeing the scar in the mirror every morning and every evening, she'd almost forgotten it was there, out of sight and out of mind as quickly as leaves in the wind. The thought of baring it to the world, to Sari… her gaze returned to her coat once more.
"Alisaie? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine! Just… just a moment!" she shouted, grabbing a nearby bathrobe and throwing it on as the door slid open. She forced a grin to her face, leaning against a chair as Sari tilted her head, raising an eyebrow. She wore a similar bathrobe, her ponytail undone, letting her ebony hair fall in waves while her braid dangled past her shoulder.
"Is something wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost?" Sari asked, glancing around the room.
"It's nothing… really," Alisaie mumbled, looking out the window, steam wafting lazily in the breeze, her smile fading as Sari moved closer. "It's… just me being… well… foolish," she added, shifting her gaze to the floor.
"It's not foolish if it's troubling you," Sari said, her voice just above a whisper. She looked up, greeted by a gentle smile, then glanced at the mirror, sighing shakily.
"It's… it's this damned scar! I thought I was used to it but… letting others see it… I didn't think I'd feel so… so..." Alisaie replied, closing her eyes tightly as she struggled to find the right word.
"Terrified," Sari said, her smile still present as she faced the mirror. Her bathrobe fell open, just enough to reveal a bathing costume similar to hers in light purple, yet her eyes were drawn to the long, jagged scar across her torso, cutting into an old burn on her left side.
"I don't think I've ever just… looked at them until tonight. When I saw them… it was like I could feel it again, the flames… the steel… I wanted to just..run," she said, running a finger across the freshest scar as she closed her eyes, her smile vanishing.
"Just run back to the Ruby Bazaar and hope no-one asks why," Alisaie said quietly, her gaze drifting towards the door, when she heard Sari giggle.
"Tataru wouldn't let us off so easily," Sari said, her smile quickly returning. "I suppose that's why I'm still here. If I can't hide from them any longer, I won't let them stop me from enjoying myself or spending time with those l… care about," she said, almost mumbling the end of her sentence, looking down at the floor as she ran her hand through her hair. When she looked up again, she saw Alisaie stood with her arms folded, her bathrobe lying at her feet as she looked in the mirror.
"I do wonder how Tataru managed to make this fit so perfectly. I'm starting to think I should sleep with one eye open," Alisaie said, flashing a teasing grin.
"At least she was subtle with you! She lured me into an ambush!" Sari cried, pouting while she took off her bathrobe.
"Oh, I remember when you both returned. You avoided her like a plague for days," Alisaie said, doubling over in laughter, almost falling over when a bathrobe was flung in her direction.
"Alisaie Levellieur, you are a terrible person, bringing up such painful memories," Sari muttered, turning towards the door with her arms folded, the corners of her mouth twitching as her shoulders shook.
"Oh I'm terrible? I remember rescuing someone from falling a terrible height, only to be thanked by getting pulled into the sea! And this was after she'd told me to take it easy," Alisaie replied, clapping her hands on Sari's shoulders as she looked down.
"That might have… definitely been me..." she said quietly, grinning nervously as she fiddled with her braid. "Can we… we just go to the springs now… it's starting to get a little cold in here."
"Oh gods yes. I think I'm actually looking forward to this now."
