"Ah, welcome to the Sandsea! What can I do you for?" The bartender greeted us warmly.
"We'd like a room for two. Extended stay." I responded courteously.
"Of course. Here you are…Room Five. Two hundred and fifty Gil a day." He tossed me the key and I left a small purse of Gil on his bar.
We found the room and left our bags securely within it.
Coela let out a content sigh as she collapsed on her bed.
"It feels…so good to finally rest." She laughed.
I allowed myself to fall on my bed as well.
"Can't argue with that." I burst out in laughter as well after a moment of silence.
"It's getting dark. We'd better get something to eat…the Gods know we're paying for the food." She jokingly spoke and stood.
I removed my long coat and left it on the bed, and quickly followed her after she removed hers.
"I trust your room is satisfactory?" The bartender asked us, and I nodded.
"Yes, it is perfect." I complimented, and he shook my hand gratefully and hopefully eyed some nearby customers within earshot who appeared to be travelers as well.
"Oh, yes! Sit down! Sylvia's playing tonight!" In an instant, he had gotten us to a table that was settled in front of a small stage.
A bard was just exiting, covered in what appeared to be rotten fruit.
Clearly his performance lacked what they wanted.
Another performer walked onto the stage, this time a woman.
She was a Viera, with long hair that was dyed brown (contrary to the usual white their hair naturally was), and wore simple travelling clothes.
A blackened tunic and leggings with brown boots and gloves, with a long grey coat (similar to mine and Coela's), and she only had a small polished wooden case covered in ornate designs.
The crowd began cheering her name, and she bowed politely.
Opening the case and setting it aside, she pulled out a beautiful violin, of ebony-black wood and perfect strings and tuning. It was covered in equally ornate designs, a true masterpiece of crafting. The bow used for playing it was no less exceptional, of jet-black wood and intricate patterns.
Sylvia placed the violin on her shoulders and lifted the bow to the strings.
In an instant, the sound of beautiful music ran throughout the room, heavenly in tone and sound.
She then began to sing. And what an angelic voice she possessed.
When the land of Ivalice is swathed in darkness,
Six heroes will fight to save all,
For when the twin dragons shall rule,
The Sun-Cryst shall be sundered.
And once when a fallen god shall return,
A hero will return to resist him,
For when the winged god subjugates all,
The sky-pirate will save us all.
The sounds of clapping echoed throughout the tavern, and she bowed once again for putting her violin away and taking her leave.
For an odd reason, I felt drawn to her as she passed me.
"What is it?" Coela asked me, and I blinked.
"Nothing…I just feel as if…she and I are destined to meet again." I explained quietly as I watched her enter her room and shut the door.