Chapter 7) Sparks

So, I'm staying in Limsa Lominsa. It wasn't entirely expected, as the assumption had been I'd move on to Gridania after delivering my letter, but a sudden attack broke the airship and there are no others for me to use. I don't mind. It's more places to see, more things to learn. Limsa Lominsa is so different yet similar to Ul'dah, and how I love the song it sings.

What things hide in the shadows, though? I wonder if I will learn.

It was difficult, swinging an axe. I had thought it would be similar to a sword, but it wasn't. Not entirely. Two hands versus one, and you had to carefully time your strikes as no matter what you did, your whole weight would follow through. The momentum of the heavy axe dictated such. Thus, Axemaster Wyrnzoen had me practice via hitting boulders. Why boulders? I had absolutely no idea. If anyone ever explained, I had not heard through the ringing in my ears.

"And you've broken the last one," Broenbhar commented just as the last boulder crumbled. He was my supervisor for the day, and apparently the one who acquired all the boulders for me. Something about it being a good warmup for him. "Good, good, nice and heavy swings." He nodded to himself, smiling. "And my head's ringin' with the sound of crackin' boulders!" That was a good thing, then? "Yer a natural! Good strength and better control. Ye were right, Axemaster." Huh? Why was he-?

"Don't tell him that, or I'll have to stab his inflated ego." Ah, there were two more people here. I hadn't noticed through the ringing. One was Axemaster Wyrnzoen and the other was a lady with an eyepatch who I didn't know. "Last thing new recruits need is to see me knock their axemaster down a peg," the lady continued, smirking ever so faintly. Beside her, Axemaster Wyrnzoen sighed.

Meanwhile, Broenbhar laughed, "Ye'd love the excuse, Solkwyb! Don't try to tell me otherwise! I know how siblings are!" Siblings...? "What brings ye both down 'ere?"

"You know how my brother has me escort his fledglings on more dangerous missions." 'Solkwyb' crossed her arms, and her lone eye fell on me. "Business as usual, really."

"It'll be good practice for Syna, and let her crack her axe on something harder than a boulder," Axemaster Wyrnzoen defended with a wave of his hand. Slowly, I threaded the pieces together. My head still rang. "Besides, it's an urgent request."

"From Red Rooster Stead, yes, I know," Solkwyb grumbled, frowning at the Axemaster. He smiled in response. "Aye, aye, I'll keep her insides where they're supposed to be. It's the megalocrab nest, right? Near the Mourning Widow in Lower La Noscea?"

"Aye, they've unwittingly volunteered to be the next test of Syna's prowess."

"You sure talk her up." Solkwyb's eye narrowed, having not wavered from me in the slightest. "All right, lass. I'll trust you to find your own-"

"Bad idea," I interrupted without thinking about it. Not even a second later, I felt the slight tug of a beacon, so I supposed I would be fine if I had to. With that said... "I have absolutely no idea where you're referring to, as I've only been in Limsa Lominsa for a few days."

"...A few days?" Solkwyb repeated, lone eye blinking slowly. She then glanced at Axemaster Wyrnzoen, a silent question in her gaze. His 'answer' was to nod. "Well, that bumps her up a few notches in my head. Swore it was a few moons." Pardon? "Right, right, follow me then, lass."

I did try to pay attention to the route we took. The beacon made it difficult, but I did try. Unfortunately though, Limsa Lominsa proved to be terribly crowded and I had to struggle to not panic while squished within. Then, once we were finally out of Limsa, everything still blurred together. I only kept up with Solkwyb because the beacon gave me an idea where to go!

"Those adventurers sure do love relaxing here in Limsa," Solkwyb noted conversationally as we wandered down the road. I made some noise in confusion. "It didn't used to be that way, mind, before the Calamity. Ul'dah was the hotbed of activity for adventurers back then. But things shifted around, attitudes changed, and nowadays, Limsa is where a lot of adventurers hang out and relax. The plaza is always terribly crowded because of it and I'm still not used to it." There was some comfort in hearing that. "Now then, we're at the location, but..." Solkwyb frowned and scanned the area. I looked around as well, curious, but saw nothing abnormal. Large rocks scattered across the edge of a river with animals zipping about their lives like nothing was wrong. But the beacon... "Did they sense out arrival? Animals do have good instincts." No, something different had happened. I could tell. The beacon was still here, somewhere close, at the edge of my awareness...

"Aid! Aid! I need aid!" There, nearby, was a gasping and panicky cry for help. Both Solkwyb and I whirled to the noise, and saw an elder Hyur stumble up. "Please, it's... it's my grandson!" he gasped out as soon as he saw us. "Them snippers've got 'im! I told Sighard not to get too close...!"

I was already moving. That beacon yanked on my soul and I followed it willingly and gladly, with axe on hand. All the way down the river, and past a cluster of boulders, until I saw a circle of purple light surrounding crabs easily three times my size, all focused on a little boy. As soon as I reached them, I leapt onto a nearby boulder for an extra bit of height before jumping high and bringing the axe down on the closest crab. Its shell cracked and buckled from the force, and I used the residual momentum to flip over and land between them and the boy. A quick glance and nod over my shoulder silently told the boy to hide, and then... then all I could do was focus on the battle.

There were a few unique traits with marauder techniques, though the most pertinent was the ability Axemaster Wyrnzoen dubbed 'Berserk'. As the name implied, it drew upon one's inner anger, inner rage, and sparked it with aether to ensure devastating blows. I could never hold it long, only three hits at most, but those hits were particularly deadly to the first megalocrabs I struck. Heavy Swing followed by Maim... the combination giving greater strength to the second blow... it was much like gladiator fighting. However, there was less emphasis on one's own defenses, and the weight of the axe left me more open than I think I liked. Certainly, the crabs' claws bit into my skin often, the bruises aching. But thankfully, they were not very strong. Crafty and numerous to be sure, but my axe shattered their shells quickly enough to send the rest scurrying back to their nests.

When the last was out of sight, the boy crept from his own hiding place, one of the large boulders. "Thank ye, miss..." he breathed, staring at me with wide eyes. I smiled slightly, hoping it might... well, I imagined there was something at least... strange about someone just butchering animals in front of someone. But perhaps I just made things worse as his eyes widened further, and his face was distinctly red. "Thought I was a dead fer sure."

"Thankfully, that's not the case," I mumbled, looking to the side. I found Solkwyb standing not far away, strangely amused by something. "Ah, Solkwyb, my apologies for running ahead."

"All's well that ends well, but you stay right where I can see you while I check on the boy," Solkwyb replied, coming over. She led the boy from the water, and brought her hands up. Bright and warm light radiated from her fingertips, washing over him, and she nodded in satisfaction. "A couple of bruises, but nothing bad. Let's get you back to your grandfather." She paused and turned to look up the hill, sighing. "Or he could come to you." I looked up as well, and saw the grandfather running-stumbling down, with Broenbhar for some reason. "Here you are, sir. One healthy grandson, freshly saved from the crabs."

"Oh, thank you, thank you!" the elderly man wept, sliding to a stop. He then bowed so low I worried he'd fall. "Sighard... he's all I got left now, thanks to that damn aurochs." The... what was an 'aurochs'? "Sighard, I told ye to not get close!"

"And now to tend to the conquering hero." Solkwyb turned to me while the elderly man scolded his grandson for recklessness. "Let's get you healed up. Broenbhar, what the hell are you doing here?"

"Shortly after ye left, we realized Syna broke all of our boulders," Broenbhar explained without the slightest bit of hesitation. He even laughed. "I came out to fetch more, and thought I'd swing over to check in."

"More like you got worried and tailed us," Solkwyb sighed, rolling her eye. The brightly warm light from before now enveloped me like a blanket, though it was not nearly as warm as I'd originally guessed. nIt wasn't cold either. It more reminded me of... well, water. Cool and weightless, but not cold. Refreshing and supporting. "...That's strange." All at once, Solkwyb frowned and skirted around to my back to lift my shirt slightly. "I swear I saw that crab's claw bite in, but there's barely even a scab. Or bruise for that matter." She was silent for a moment more before sighing. "Well, my depth perception has been off since I lost my eye. Could be I misjudged." She let my shirt drop and looked to the cooling corpses of the crabs nearby. "It's unusual for megalocrabs to nest so close to people. Must've been driven out from their feeding grounds by something else." Solkwyb frowned and looked over at the man and his grandson. "I recognize them. The boy's parents were victims of an absolute terror of a beast, an aurochs as big as a mountain. It's been messing up the whole damn ecosystem with its rampages, and what few the Calamity spared now find themselves crushed under its weight."

"Indeed..." Broenbhar's eyes went dark. "Kujata's been moving about more recently. I've no doubt we'll see more."

"Damn that beast." Solkwyb studied the grandfather and grandson for a moment more before her attention snapped back to me. "Ah, but that's enough of that. Mission success, lass. Let's head back to Wyrnzoen before he thinks I've left your corpse for the crabs. Broenbhar can handle escorting them back to the Stead."

"Ye say that as if Red Rooster Stead isn't two hills away." He pointed to a cluster of houses just within sight, with giant windmills turning slowly in the wind. Even from here, though, I could see... I could see what I thought were 'glows'. The people there... if I was right, then they needed help. "But yeah, I can-
"Actually, would it be all right if I escorted them?" I requested softly. Both of them looked at me weirdly. "Well, I'm an adventurer and I'm sure there's jobs there. It would be a great experience." I smiled, hoping I appeared sincere. "Please?"

"Well, you really should report..." Solkwyb began slowly. I knew my tail drooped a little at that, though I tried to hide it by shifting my weight. "Then again, I'm sure the boy would much prefer your pretty face over Broenbhar here." ...Pretty face? Me? "Ah, what the hell? Go on, lass. Just be sure to talk to my brother when you return to Limsa. He's much more of a fretter than he appears."

"Of course." I knew my smile brightened. "Thank you!"

I turned out to be correct. There were a plethora of glows here, all for people who needed help. When I volunteered to assist, Neddard (the elderly man) all but snapped me up to speak with Anaoc, the one who actually owned the land, who eagerly accepted my help. Thus, I spent the next few days learning and helping however I could. It was there I discovered 'Red Rooster Stead' was a farming community which focused on experimental practices and plants. Essentially, their job for the thalassocracy was to see just what sort of plants could grow in the area and what methods and materials worked best and their work became that much harder as the Calamity Momodi had mentioned... well, apparently, it had somehow changed the weather patterns of Eorzea. And the geography. I hadn't heard just how things had changed, or even how it was possible, but they said it as fact, so I believed them.

I also learned they woke up obscenely early to start their days. So early, in fact, that I half wondered if they'd actually slept at all.

"Ah, there ye are!" Neddard greeted me with a smile and cheer that did not suit the hour. Not even the sun had woken up yet. "Up right on time." Apparently so, as Neddard was just finishing plating breakfast for the three of us. For convenience, I just stayed with him and Sighard. They had a couple of empty rooms. "Better than Sighard, me lazy grandson."

"Sighard was up late," I mumbled sleepily, yawning in the middle of the sentence. All of me just drooped with sleepiness, all the way to the tip of my tail. "He and I had midnight tea." I'd been up late studying, so I'd heard him stumble down the hall.

"Nightmares again, then..." Neddard's cheer faltered and he closed his eyes. "Probably of Kujata." That... was not the first I'd heard that name. As always, though, I hesitated to ask. That one name... no matter how many times I'd heard it, it was always with terrible and brittle pain. "This is yer last day with us, yes?"

"It is." I was, after all, here as an envoy. I knew enough about diplomacy to know I shouldn't be away from the city long. Though, somehow, I doubted Merlwyb would mind.

"A shame. Ye've been a great help. Not to mention..." He hesitated, picking his words with care. "Since his parents died, Sighard hasn't laughed or smile much. But ye've managed to cheer him." I had? How? I just helped with chores, and running off critters trying to munch on the plants. "So, I should thank ye. Ye'll always have a place at the table, and I'm certain Anaoc will always have a job or twenty for ye."

"Ah, thank you." Well, now I was blushing. Thank goodness my scales hid it! "I appreciate it."

Thankfully for my embarrassment, Sighard stumbled into the kitchen not long after and after a warm breakfast, we all went about our days doing whatever the Stead needed to keep running. I spent the morning together with Sighard, as I was still learning and he was still too young to handle most tasks alone. We brushed many sheep until their wool was beautiful and lice-free and then had to chase down some dodos that had escaped their pen. Then we had lunch with others on the Stead, and for the afternoon, I was sent off to take some wool down to the mills. A good thing, too, as the mills just had some beasts steal their grain and wheat. So, I tracked down and recovered it, not hard thanks to the sparkles, and afterwards was sent to help a coachman who'd been ambushed by... something. I didn't catch the name, didn't even quite hear the name of the coachman, but unlike the other jobs I'd done, something about it felt... wrong. I think it was who I fought.

The coachman had wanted me to rummage through his now broken wain to recover some of the items within, and almost immediately, I was ambushed. But they were different compared to what I'd faced before. They were small, smaller than even a Lalafell, and very round and stout. They had long pointed ears, longer than an Elezen's, and whiskers sticking out from armored masks. I thought they were bipedal, but no small few skittered about on all fours, their claws digging into the ground and giving them firm grips. Their ears twitched at every noise, their whiskers at every breeze. But more importantly... were what they fought with: spells and weapons. No beast fought with those. None I knew of, at least.

My misgivings lingered, even after I retrieved the raiment bags and presented them to the coachman. They dug in deep even after I was tasked with bringing the raiment bags back to the Stead, and not even Skarnmhar's warm greeting could drive them away.

"Good to see you've returned unharmed," he noted, taking the bags from me. He appraised them with a critical eye, nodding slowly. "With three full bags, no less. Impressive." He continued looking somber, though. "I fear this will not be the last we hear of the kobolds. They've grown more restless in recent moons and this trend is like to continue." Kobolds... so, that was what they were called. "Would you let Anaoc know for me? I must needs strengthen what few defenses we have."

What else could I do but agree, especially with the beacons tugging on my soul? Though something about it all just felt wrong, I didn't have any context and it felt awkward to ask. All I could do, truly, was help those around me. Finding Anaoc was no trouble; I asked Neddard. I mean; I could've found him on my own, thanks to the beacon, but asking seemed better. It gave a quiet cue something might be wrong, and others could then prepare for what was to come. Or... well, it made sense in my head. I wasn't sure if anyone else would agree. I supposed it didn't matter if they did.

"So, the kobolds are at it again..." Anaoc sighed once I'd explained everything, shaking his head. He then pressed his fist to his chin, thinking. "Not content with their own territory, the creatures pour forth from their subterranean dwellings to wreak havoc on Lominsan lands. But we won't stand for it, not with our livelihoods at stake. Alas, with neither side willing to give ground, there's no peaceful resolution." He was silent for a long moment before looking at me seriously. "You've seen with your own eyes how the kobolds have taken arms against us." All I'd seen was them attacking me while I rummaged through a damaged wain. "The mines of O'ghomoro aren't enough for the native nuisances of northern Vylbrand anymore. They've come to claim what's ours." ...Native? If they were 'native' to the lands, then how was it...? "Long ago, our war-weary forebears struck a shortsighted peace with the kobolds: what lay beneath the sea was Limsa's and what lay below the earth was O'ghomoro's. Yet what resolved one conflict caused another, as the sea cannot fully feed, clothe, and shelter the children of the land. Realizing this, the kobolds tacitly condoned the Lominsan settlement of La Noscea. We shared an unspoken agreement."

"What would you have me do, then?" I prompted, mostly to move things along. This sort of thing... I remembered in my stories such tales often were... well, 'rose-tinted memories', as one book described them. Something that may technically be truth, from the teller's perspective, but not from another's. But I could be wrong. I hardly knew anything here. "I am assuming you shall want assistance, at least."

The answer was speak with another of the residents, Arenlona, for advice on how to trick the 'kobolds' out of hiding. A few chunks of dodo meat later, courtesy of Skarnmhar, and we had bait set within the Blind Iron Mines. All I had to do was hide, and then strike as soon as they appeared. And strike I did, with knives in hand. They were easier to conceal than my axe and took less time than my spells. I could've gone with fists or sword and shield, but... well, I didn't. Though after I killed the first one with a basic combination (Spinning Edge and Gust Slash), some part of me wished I'd at least gone with fists. They were less immediately deadly, after all, and it was easier to shift your weight back to not hit quite as hard. Because I... I felt horrible. As soon as the first one screeched, cold regret sunk its claws in my heart. I didn't know what was going on here. I didn't have context. But I knew they were hungry. They were just hungry. They probably shouldn't have attacked the carriage, but now they were just hungry. Blessed Dawnfather, they were hungry enough to jump on the first bit of food they could find!

So, after I could the closest few, and saw the rest shying away, I stopped. "...Can you understand me?" I asked softly, hoping my words didn't echo too far. After a second, one of them, the closest one, nodded slowly. "Then run. Please, run."

"...But you attack," one whispered harshly. Their voice was low, gravelly almost, but I could understand them perfectly. Not a beast, then. Beasts couldn't talk. "Attack, strike, maim."

"Aye, I did. I was asked to do so." There was no point in pretending otherwise. I made a choice, even if I regretted it now. I'd made my choice; I had to bear the consequences. "But I was not asked to follow. I was not asked to kill you to the last." I couldn't help but smile bitterly. "If you continue, I'll fight. I'd rather not die, selfish as it is. But if you run, I won't stop you. I won't come after you."

"..." The one who spoke growled something I did not catch, but their fellows did. Quickly, they scampered off, disappearing into the shadows. I glanced around and found a set of rocks to perch on, and pointedly looked away. "...Your word, you keep. Keep, hold, unbroken."

"Yes." I still did not look. The shadows on the cavern walls were lovely. "Ah, but if you want the meat still, you can take it. I should've said it sooner. It's not..." Wait, hold on. "Actually, never mind. I'm not sure if it was cut properly. It's dodo meat, and I think I was told they had a poison gland or something?"

"We will leave it. Leave, reject, ignore."

"Yes, that's probably safer." Did I have food on me, though? I didn't think so, but I did look to see if I did.

"You are... a strange overdweller. Strange, unusual, odd." That was the fourth time they used synonyms like that. Was it a verbal tic for this kobold? Or was it something in their language, a way to minimize miscommunication? "...Thank you."

I heard them leave, and only when I no longer heard the clack of claws on stone did I look to confirm. No signs whatsoever, so I wrapped up the meat once more and carried it out. I didn't want anyone else caught in the trap, particularly since I now wondered if the poison glands had been removed. I didn't know... what step of the process that was. Perhaps it was before they cut them up for meat, but I didn't know. Better to be safe.

The trip back to Red Rooster Stead was uneventful. One of the miners took the meat from me, for whatever reason, and sent me on my way with a laugh and cheer. And when I reported it all to Anaoc... well, he outright laughed in joy.

"Haha! You've done it! I expected no less!" he cheered, grinning from ear to ear. He clapped me on the back, and I made myself smile. I still felt awful. "I don't know what we would've done without you, though that makes me worry about what we'll do when you're gone. Adventurers rarely stay in one place long." His tone may have turned serious, but the smile remained on his face. "Might you speak to Baderon in the Drowning Wench for us? It's no secret the Yellowjackets pay him heed." They did? I'd seen them fairly often at the bar, certainly, but... "Mayhap if he put in a word, the Stead might procure their protection. Should help with the beasts displaced by Kujata as well."

"I'll see what I can do." I kept up the smile. It was easier that way. "In the meantime, though, are there any last minute jobs I can do here?"

Funny how no one guessed anything was wrong when you smiled. I'd keep that in mind.

I did one or two more chores before returning to Limsa Lominsa proper. Just enough to help clear my head, and to give Anaoc time to hitch up a carriage for me. I'd protested, of course, since I could walk, but they apparently had to ship something there anyway, so I eventually tagged along. From there, I followed that last little beacon up to the Drowning Wench and, after cursory greetings, launched right into Anaoc's message.

"So, the Stead's in over their 'eads with the kobolds, are they?" Baderon grimly summarized once I finished. His jaw was set like he just barely held himself back from grinding his teeth, and there was a distinctly hard look in his eyes. "'Twas wishful thinkin' to believe the mine rats would stay put in O'Ghoromoro." The term 'mine rats' just made my stomach turn. The one I had spoken with... I... "Any barkeep can tell ye rodents're wont to spread. This wave just came sooner than reckoned." He rested his arms on the counter and clasped his hands. "The pact was a farce. No 'andshake ever solved a blood feud. We just needed to lick our wounds a while is all." ...Wait, but that sounded like... "Well, s'pose they're all 'ealed up now. Even the Maelstrom's taken note of 'ow the rascals run rampant." It sound liked they'd tricked them. Tricked them with peace, with cooperation... Who wouldn't be angry over that? "Ye can be sure they're 'oardin' crystals to summon Titan, an' gods 'elp us if they do." ...Summon? Titan? What in the...? "Limsa'll look back on these petty thefts an' skirmishes as the good ol' days when that day comes, an' there won't be a Company of 'Eroes around to answer our prayers this time neither!" Head... spinning... head spinning... "Syna? Ye well, lass?"

"Fine, fine, just a little tired," I blurted, desperate to not show anything. I'd try to unravel my thoughts later. There was... far too much right now. "That's all."

"Right..." Baderon didn't look convinced, but let me get away with it. "Anyway, an onze o' prevention's worth a ponze o' cure. I'll take to the Yellowjackets an' see if they can't slow the kobolds' advance on the Stead." I only hoped... the ones I let go would be well...

"Ah, Syna, you've finally returned." And suddenly Axemaster Wyrnzoen was here. How? When? I had no idea. I could've sworn no one was next to me two blinks ago! "I heard the report from Solkwyb," he continued, ignoring how I was trying to figure out how he snuck up on me. The Drowning Wench was loud, certainly, but still! "You shattered the shells of megalocrabs and saved the life of a child in the bargain. Thus does our violent craft prove its merit."

"I am glad to assist," I mumbled, not sure what else to do. It truly didn't feel like I'd done much of anything. "Solkwyb mentioned it was unusual for the crabs to be so close."

"Indeed, she informed me of her thoughts, and where she remembered the child from." Axemaster Wyrnzoen closed his eyes. "I remember that beast as it lumbered away from the slaughter its rampage inflicted. Some few were alive still, and others trapped, and thus, we opted against pursuit that day. Many times, I wonder if it was the correct decision, as the number of victims grows by the day and many are like young Sighard, who nurture vengeance in their hearts." ...Vengeance? Had he been vengeful? I didn't remember anything like that.

"His grandfather mentioned Sighard hadn't laughed or cried since they buried his parents." He had smiled, though. He had worked hard. I... had I missed something back then?

"Do thoughts of vengeance flit through your mind, Syna?" ...Where in the Dawnfather's name did he get that from?! "Nurture those urges, but do not act on them. That monstrosity is beyond your skills for now." I had no urges, so that would be easy. "If you would answer the boy's cry for revenge, you must become stronger. Become the raging behemoth this challenge demands."

"Wyrnzoen, I'd appreciate ye not put ideas in 'er 'ead," Baderon drawled, saving me from attempting to answer. Surprisingly, he pushed a drink across the counter to him. "Or give life ideas."

Axemaster Wyrnzoen protested, but I stopped paying attention to look around. The Drowning Wench was the same as it had been every other time I'd been here. Loud, but in a good way. Rowdy, but in a fun way. People laughing and drinking and simply enjoying life. Enjoying each other's company, teasing and gossiping in equal measure. I enjoyed watching, though my eyes were drawn to a relatively quieter area of the Wench, where a lone Roegadyn sat. He nursed his drink, eyes darting to find the source of every note of noise, but he didn't seem bothered. The slight smile hinted he enjoyed watching too. It wasn't until his gaze flicked to mine I realized I knew him, though.

"Oh, that's Hyllfyr," I murmured, sliding off my stool at the bar. I thought I heard a choked sound behind me, and I certainly noticed the odd looks thrown my way as I weaved my way over, but I wasn't sure why anyone would react. Unless they thought it a surprise I was actually approaching someone at a table? I did usually stay at the bar counter with Baderon when I was down here. "Hello again! Are you feeling better?"

"As much as I can, since I fear it's a chronic condition which sent me to my knees at the pier," Hyllfyr replied, his smile growing very slightly. He gestured to the chair across from him and I plopped down. "It was Syna, yes?"

"It is!" Though, I was saddened to hear his coughing was chronic. I wouldn't say it, though. That seemed rude. "Are you people watching?"

"Yeah..." He looked out over the room, with a smile strangely soft for the bitter resignation in his eyes. "Nice t'see people laughin'. Shows our fine Admiral's policies are doin' more good than harm. Even for stubborn old pirates."

"So, you like them? The new policies?"

"Didn't used to, but I've warmed to 'em." He took another sip of his ale. "Though, there are some old things I miss."

"Like what?"

"Oh, surely ye wouldn't be interested in..." My only 'answer' was to lean forwards eagerly. "...That bright-eyed look tells me otherwise. Right, right, what's a good tale t'start with?"

He promptly told me a story about a strange beast he encountered once on the high seas, glorious and huge creature called a 'whale', and from there, the stories went to his crew (or former crew, he changed tenses a lot). The stars one used to navigate and the stories associated with them. Myths and tales all pirates told each other, usually when they were deep in their cups. All of it lovely and fascinating to me, for they were a different sort of stories than the ones I'd read. Of course, he refused to simply ramble on. He prompted me frequently for my thoughts, and skillfully pried stories from me, mostly of my adventures and studies.

"So, ye utilize the older arcanima spells, like Miasma?" he commented at one point, after I'd finished babbling about my arcanist training. "Strange, from what I 'ear, most steer clear of it."

"I'm not most," I replied without thinking. The last few battles I've fought made it clear I simply had more stamina than most, so the slow damage over time only worked to my benefit, particularly if I was subtle about casting them. I also had the distinct and strange advantage of just… knowing when each was applied and how long the spell would remain, making it easier for me to keep a constant, subtle assault. I might as well take advantage of both.

"Fair enough." He smiled faintly, like something amused him. "So, ye already know how to change yer carbuncle?"

"I can utilize ruby, yes!" It honestly hadn't taken me long. Aethercharge was simply a special pattern one could use to temporarily boost the power of Ruin and always left behind some residual power. Thanks to my thaumaturgy lessons, I already had practice in drawing power into some sort of crystal and shifting the aspect to fire. Thus, I could imbue Themis with that fire, and to keep things simple, I used a ruby for it. I had the ruby set in a small bracelet for ease, much as I wore the crystal conduit I used for thaumaturgy spells. "Mistress Thubyrgeim was most pleased at my progress, and says we'll work on topaz next. She wants me to gain more practice in manipulation of aether flows and..." Wait. Wait, practice. "Ack! I forgot!"

"Late for a lesson?"

"Something like that?" It was more that Mistress Thubyrgeim had left a note that she'd wanted me to visit the Guild for a practical lesson as soon as I returned. "Er... so..."

"Off ye go, lass!" Hyllfyr laughed at my panic, the meanie. "Her temper is something fierce!" Oh no!

I nearly tripped three times in my haste to make it to the aetheryte shard and teleport to the Arcanist Guild, and I definitely smacked someone's legs with my tail on accident. ...At least, I hoped it was their legs. I didn't have a chance to look, but there had been a Lalafell near... I could only hope they'd heard my apology as I'd been more than halfway through the teleport spell when I realized what had happened. Then it was more apologies, because Mistress Thubyrgeim had been waiting for at least a message since gossip traveled quickly and it traveled even quicker when you were the only Au Ra in the whole city. Thankfully, she hadn't minded, and after going over the basics with me, tasked me with a deceptively simple task: a simulation of cargo inspection. Apparently, there were many unscrupulous merchants who thought the Gates regulations bullocks and sunk to ever-new lows to deter such. Thus, not only was this a test of how well Themis and I worked together, but also how to quickly adapt to whatever threat exploded in front of me. At least, that was what I gathered from her explanation, in between her fretting over whether or not I'd eaten before I'd arrived.

The crates and boxes themselves were stacked haphazardly not far from the city, well within sight of any Yellowjackets should something go awry. What startled me was the purple smoke wafting around it, another one of those 'helpful' things I somehow saw. If I remembered correctly, the purple... things always progressed to combat when I saw it, so I summoned Themis as I cautiously approached and I pulled one of my daggers from my inventory, just in case. This might be practice for arcanima, but I didn't know if this purple was for Mistress Thubyrgeim's trial or something else. I had to be prepared, or so I told myself. I highly doubted anyone would be prepared for giant slugs to burst out from the first box I poked, though. How had she even crammed them in there?!

No time to even try to figure it out, as the slugs were decidedly unhappy with their forced confinement and decided to take their frustration out on the closest entity: me. As I cast, I marveled at the differences between arcanima and thaumaturgy. While I did have to manage my mana, it wasn't as crucial with arcanima as I did not have to switch between Astral Fire and Umbral Ice. Instead, it was simply ensuring the arcane geometries were drawn correctly to ensure the aether flowed as it should into spells. The trick was managing those patterns, the patterns of Miasma and Bio to slowly corrode the slugs, and watching when my Aethercharge state faded and I could boost Themis into a fire-aspected Ruby Carbuncle. Truthfully, when I compared, arcanima was much more intuitive to me. I didn't feel like I was floundering as much, at least. Though I did make this battle harder on myself by aiming not to kill.

Finally, though, the last slug skittered off and I breathed a sigh of relief. I'd probably been expected to eradicate them, but it felt wrong. After all, I somehow doubted they agreed to be stuffed in a box to be used for target practice. However, now I was tired (and more than a little worried if I messed with the ecosystem as my books mentioned such things were so terribly delicate) and I wondered if I should lay down in the grass to rest before poking through the rest of the boxes in case there were more surprises. When I looked for a good spot, though, I noticed a flash of pink amidst the green. When I turned to focus, I realized the pink was the fur of a Miqo'te's ears, twitching at the breeze. I could barely make them out through the tall grass and, after a moment, I sent Themis over to nudge whoever it was. Meanwhile, I followed behind, still hiding a dagger against my arm. I didn't know why they were here, after all. Though, as I grew closer, I thought I could hear a faint mumble, as if they were mumbling to themselves, and while there was movement, it looked like... actually, it looked like they were writing something down...?

"I am not a threat!" All at once, the Miqo'te called out, bringing up a hand just as Themis came close enough to nose curiously. "Pray, ignore my presence for the present and allow me a moment to cogitate," she continued, rapidly scribbling something in her tome with her other hand. After a couple of blinks later, I waved Themis back to my side. This person... did not seem to be a threat? "Yes, yes... the reaction to my sudden presence was within expected parameters, but I did not expect so proficient a performance. Yet though the tactics were effective, there is much to be improved. As I watched, the wheels in my mind whirled into motion, as they are wont to do, inventing other possible strategies to be employed." Themis bumped my leg affectionately, and I knelt down to scratch him behind the ears. "Let's see... taking into account your current level of ability, factoring in the aetheric constant, multiplying by the number of opponents, then applying your tactics to other potential scenarios... oh dear." All at once, she paused. "My calculations indicate failure upon encountering threat level 9785." ...Was that high or low? "Well. We'll have to see what we can do about that." She suddenly snapped her book shut and hopped to her feet to smile at me. "Though the opportune window has no doubt passed, I would like introduce myself. I am K'lyhia, an assessor at the Gate."

"Ah, Syna Belkaia," I replied, pushing myself up. Themis frowned ever so slightly at the loss of scritches. "This is Themis, my carbuncle."

"You named yours? That's adorable!" ...Was I not supposed to? "Ah, but I digress. I do already know your name. Acting Guildmaster Thubyrgeim elected to have me oversee your training, and to provide any guidance. I expected, given how short a time ago you started, I would need to review the fundamentals with you, but your grasp is admirable." She leaned forward slightly, peering at me through her spectacles. "I do, however, wish to confirm one small detail. I observed you unusually utilize the older teachings of arcanima such as Miasma and Bio."

"I do, yes."

"Fascinating indeed, so I must ask..." She reached up to adjust her glasses. "Regarding your choices in arcane geometries, what factor most influences your decisions? Why choose the spells you use at which time?"

"Why?" Er... how was I supposed to answer this? "I just... do what feels right, I suppose?" That... considering what Mistress Thubyrgeim said of the discipline, that probably had to be the worst possible answer.

Yet K'lyhia's eyes sparkled, her ears perking up. "Aha! Just as I predicted!" She flipped open her book again, pulling a pen from her pocket to immediately scribble something else down. "With that piece, I can make one more calculation...!" She grinned, slit pupils dilating with excitement. "The probability of you becoming an arcanist of note is 90%! Give or take a half of percent."

"...Oh?" I... very much did not know how else to respond.

"it is indeed quite high a percent, but I am only more certain of it. After all, I know of only one other practitioner who responded to my question in the same manner as you. The one who bestowed upon me this grimoire: the guildmaster himself!" She closed her book once more and clutched it to her chest. "Our inscrutable leader is on an indefinite leave of absence, as I'm sure you've already heard, but he did leave us with his most notorious saying to date. 'Strategy is a tool to manipulate one's situation into a desired reality.'" Well, that sounded highhanded and pretentious. "No matter how gifted you and I may be, however, the instantaneous-" All at once, there was a loud 'growling' sound, but not a typical 'growling'. In fact, it sounded more like... "Oh." K'lyhia's face turned as pink as her hair and ears. "Drat, I'm sorry. I skipped lunch again. Acting Guildmaster Thubyrgeim will be most upset to hear..."

"Well, there's no reason she should, particularly if we eat now." I smiled, deciding to bite back the laugh bubbling in my throat. She looked mortified enough. "Shall we eat together? That way you can disguise it as helping your fellow student. I had a light lunch myself."

K'lyhia agreed eagerly and, after having me check through the boxes to 'finish the training exercise', led the way back to the city and to the upper levels. From there, we actually went to the Bismark, the restaurant nestled between the Drowning Wench and the Marauders' Guild. I hadn't eaten there myself, though I had passed by quite a few times. And, well, I'd done a few quick jobs here. Nothing memorable, at least to me.

"Hmm? Why, if it isn't Syna!" That wasn't to say, however, that I wasn't memorable to the people working here. K'lyhia and I had barely taken two steps into the restaurant before a Miqo'te lady greeted me with a smile and a laugh. "Glad you swung back by," she continued, tucking a collection of papers under her arm. I simply smiled back, not recognizing her at all. "Those fresh lamb cuts were Twelve-sent." Oh, wait, I somewhat remembered this now. She'd needed some lambs for some guests and there'd been a miscalculation in how much had been needed. "And you helped us with that dine-and-dasher, didn't you? At least, you delivered the poorly drawn sketch to the Yellowjackets." This one I only barely remembered, if I could call it that. I mostly remembered the Yellowjacket's strangled squawk at the picture, because apparently it had been that bad. "They found him not long after you convinced R'sushmo to head on down for a testimony." Oh, that was good! "Pick whatever table you want, dears, and I'll get a waiter over."

With that invitation, K'lyhia led me to a table near the railing of the deck, where we had a beautiful view of the ocean. But though I wanted to admire the view some, and maybe ask K'lyhia some questions, I... well, she was staring at me very intently for some reason, and I didn't know why. Was it related to what she said before? Was there something in her calculations about how... actually, I couldn't even think of how to form the sentence in my head. It didn't help she was completely silent, and I had no idea just how to ask without sounding awkward or defensive.

All at once, though, K'lyhia stole one of the flowers adorning the table and tucked it into my hair, where the stem sat a little awkwardly behind my horn. "Hmm... seems my calculations were mostly accurate," she said, still staring. I could only stare back in confusion. "Ah, my apologies. I saw the flowers and predicted they would increase your cuteness factor by approximately 2.5%." Still, she frowned. "I fear I underestimated the percentage."

"...Is that your way of saying you thought it might look nice?" I finally asked, focusing on that. She blinked a couple of times before smiling sheepishly and nodding. "Well, perhaps I'll make a habit of it, then." Though maybe not something with a full stem. The skin by my horns was dreadfully sensitive. "Ah, but I've never been to a restaurant before. I know there's menus and whatnot, but... how does one go about ordering anyway?"

K'lyhia was happy to answer that question, probably to push past the flower thing, and I ended up having quite a bit of fun simply eating and chatting with her, especially when she told me more about arcane geometries and specific patterns and, even better, some of the tactics she utilized. I hoped... she had fun as well.

My late-evenings and nights were spent with the Rogues. I didn't necessarily plan it that way, fitting as it was. My days were filled with jobs and such, so it was the only time I could swing by for lessons. Thankfully, Captain Jacke didn't mind; apparently rogues kept late hours anyway. And he was my primary teacher, teaching me the basic techniques and the rather useful Shade Shift. He described it as using your aether to 'pull' the shadows around you, masking your form and giving you a bit of a shield, for lack of a better term, to make it easier to dodge. I understood the theory well enough, and could utilize the ability easily, but learning when to use it was more difficult and required practice. Which meant quite a few spars in the back corner of the room. At least I lasted more than two blinks now. Captain Jacke was quick.

"Bene, bene..." Captain Jacke murmured after we finished yet another round of spars. I sulked at him, though, as I had lost yet again and I still couldn't quite decipher his dialect. "Yer gettin' comfortable with those stabbers of yers, quick as ye please." Still, I guessed 'bene' meant something nice? "Aye, I reckon yer good an' ready for yer first assignment."

"I am?" I replied, startled. He chuckled and waved me over to the table in the center of the room; I followed after a moment. "Truly?"

"Aye, as I said, ye've taken to the stabbers quick. Be a fool to not send ye out fer more experience." He nodded pointedly to a chair, an indication I really should sit down. "Now, ordinarily, I'd store me whids an' let ye get on with yer work, but seeing as we just dragged ye into the shadows, there might be a few things ye ain't yet familiar with."

"Only a few?" Gratefully, I flopped down into the invited chair and leaned back. My toes barely scraped the floor. "I'm sure there's more."

"Well, let's build on what ye do know." Captain Jacke leaned against the table, absently fiddling with a knife. "An' that's the fact the Admiral, gods bless her soul, has outlawed piracy. Leads one to a simple question, then: why are there still so many soddin' pirates still here?"

"I figured people were in transition and had not yet found new titles they were comfortable with."

"Eh, fair. But really, it's 'cause there's still a way to loot an' pillage without incurrin' the wrath o' the law. Namely, all ye need to do is apply to serve the thalassocracy as a 'certified privateer'. With that protection, one can terrorize the seas as much as ye please, so long as you target Garleans that is."

"...That is... the empire others have mentioned, yes?"

"Ye don't know?" Captain Jacke nearly dropped his knife and his jaw definitely dropped when I nodded. "Where the bloody 'ells did ye live to not know about those thrice-damned bastards?"

"Not in Eorzea?" It was better to go with that answer as I didn't know where the Village was. Hidden amongst some woods and mountains, far away from everything and masked with illusions... it sounded like something from a tale.

"The Empire's reach is all the way to the bloody Far East, Syna." Captain Jacke sighed, and hooked his foot around a nearby chair to drag it over. "All right, clearin' this up now. What do ye know about 'em?"

"Nothing, really." I shrugged, and fought the urge to squirm when Captain Jacke let his head hit the table. My tail definitely flicked behind me, the spikes scratching a leg of the chair. "I know people don't like them."

"Would ye welcome conquerors with tea and crumpets?" Captain Jacke lifted his head just enough to rest his chin on the table. "That's what they are. Invaders, conquerors, and bastards, the lot of them. Their good eggs flee the moment they can, or die in the snows. Worse still is their magitek."

"Like what the Allagans had?"

"Ye know that and not the Garleans? Ye had a strange education, Syna." That was one way to put it, I suppose. "But yes, that. Makes up for not being able to manipulate aether." I'd... better not ask. "All bene?"

"I think I know enough." I should ask Baderon more, later. "So, privateers are allowed to attack and steal from Garlean ships."

"Aye, crews fill their holds with imperial plunder, then sail back here to Limsa to off-load the spoils. An' that's where this particular case went sour." Captain Jacke pushed himself back up, and then leaned back in his chair so only the back legs teetered on the floor. "See, this one crew got their fambles on a magitek device, a firin' mechanism, but was rooked out o' their haul by some heavy-handed coves." All at once, he threw himself forward, the chair landing on all fours with a quiet 'clack'. "As ye might recall, that don't sit well with the Code. If yer bold enough to rook a pirate o' their due, ye'd best prepare for a visit from the rogues. And speakin' of visitin' rogues..." He looked around and waved someone over. "Underfoot! Get over here!"

"Hmm? What do ye need, Captain?" A Lalafel wandered over, steps as light as shadows. "Need me to see if the lass's dance steps are light enough?" he asked, smiling faintly. I tilted my head curiously. "Me and the others were admiring the earlier dancin', mind, but I'm a tad faster than ye."

"Nah, Syna's well enough fer now," Captain Jacke dismissed. I... was still a little confused, but figured it was better to not interrupt. "I want the two of ye to work together on this case. Pass sentence on the code-defyin' rooks and bite back the magitek part."

"Eh?" The Lalafel threw up his hands and leaned back from the shock. "What does the lass need me for?!"

"Yer in charge o' new recruits, and this is Syna's first assignment." Captain Jacke smirked and casually leaned back once more in his chair. This time, all the chair's legs stayed on the floor. "Give 'er some o' yer wisdom."

"Since when am I in charge o' new... oh, bugger it." The Lalafell sighed, the motion sending him forward briefly before he looked up at me. "So, we're partners for the now. Perimu Haurimu, but most of me fellows call me 'Underfoot'."

"He might seem reluctant, but he's one o' our best." Captain Jacke turned his smirk towards me. "Listen to 'im and ye'll get the job done." Honestly, I was more surprised I had help. The closest I'd experienced before was... when I looked for the smugglers with... "Off ye go." And... and Perimu was already out the door and I had to rush to catch up!

"Ah, there ye are," he commented when I caught up, just where the docks met the rest of the city. He seemed completely unbothered by everything."So, first things first, we track down them addled coves what rooked that magitek gadget." Perimu easily led me through the crowds, and I had to struggle to keep up! He was fast! "Might be a friend heard somethin'. We thrive on information, ye see, an' we've friends scattered far an' wide with their glazes keen an' their waddles to the ground." Normally, I'd wonder at saying such things in public, but there was so much talk around us, I doubted anyone actually heard. Even if they did, would they know what he spoke of? I didn't. I was still learning their dialect. "So, we'll head up here to the Drowning Wench to visit I'tolwann."

"We're heading where?" I blurted, startled. I stumbled over my feet and nearly lost sight of him entirely. Thankfully, he popped right back to my side and led me up a nearby staircase, straight to the Drowning Wench. "Uh... Perimu?"

"Relax, it'll be fine. Ye just ask her for a weak ale." In a matter of blinks, we were inside the Drowning Wench, as bustling as always. Baderon was back behind the counter, just as always, and his gaze flicked over to us as the new arrivals. And stayed when he saw I was there. "See what it gets ye."

"Um... I'm not sure..." How was I supposed to explain? I didn't necessarily want to hide, but was this supposed to stay secret? I should've asked before we left... "Maybe you should ask her instead?" More and more people were glancing over, and I knew my tail lashed behind me. Stares, stares, stares...

"Nah, nah, this is part of yer training, lass." Perimu smirked at me; I could only smile awkwardly in reply. "I'm not setting ye up for a laugh, trust me, so, head up and order-"

"Perimu, there is a slight problem with that and it-"

"Perimu, what in all the hells are you doin' with Syna?" Baderon suddenly drawled, cutting into the conversation. Perimu turned a frown his way, and I could only sigh. Baderon looked very, very unamused. "What trouble are ye draggin' her into?" He beckoned us both over, and we obeyed. What else could we do? "She gets into enough on 'er own." I thought I'd been doing rather well personally. I hadn't run into an assassination attempt on the Admiral yet, at least.

"Evening to you too, Baderon?" Perimu replied, blinking slowly. He waved to I'tolwann to signal her over, as she was on the far side of the room. "Normally, you ignore me when I'm out and about unless I speak first. Anyway, Syna's just wanting to order a weak ale-"

"Syna doesn't drink anything, you daft sod, much less a 'weak ale'." Baderon's eyes narrowed further. I tried to creep away awkwardly, but was quickly caught by I'tolwann herself, who decided now was a great time to hug me for some reason. "She 'ates the taste, and only ever orders tea and water, though I've a few fruit juices she can try on the morrow." Oh? That was interesting. "And I know what a 'weak ale' means from ye. What madness are ye involvin' her in?"

"Look, it's Captain's orders? It's her-"

"Now what the 'ell is Jacke doin' now?"

"Sounds like this is going to take a while," I'tolwann noted lightly, watching curiously. I could only sigh again. "Baderon does take Momodi's request of minimizing the trouble you get into quite seriously. It's rare Momodi asks anything of him, after all." Then why with me? "So, how about I hear what's going on from you directly, sweet Syna?"

"I'm helping Perimu with a job," I answered, telling the utter truth. I really should have asked Captain Jacke just what I could and couldn't say before we left. "He tried to get me to order a 'weak ale', but…"

"A Lominsan recommending that of all things? Clearly, you're wanting our underground menu. Though I'm not sure such a sweet girl should be messin' in the shadows." That seemed all the more reason to learn, then. If others made assumptions, it would only keep me safer. "Well, come along to the back. I'll get you once of those juices while we chat."

I'tolwann was as good as her word, both for information and the juice. She chattered about this and that to hide her information, careful to emphasize what I actually needed to pay attention to, though I did enjoy her tangents. Once she'd told me everything she knew, she escorted me back out of the kitchens to meet up with Perimu... who was still at Baderon's mercy. In fact, he only managed to escape when I'tolwann distracted him, and he bolted. I had to scramble to catch up and, truthfully, I only managed because he eventually slowed down once we were outside the city.

"Bloody hells, ye can tell he's a former mercenary with an interrogation like that!" Perimu groaned, sagging in palpable relief. He then looked up at me, as if he'd had no doubts I'd keep up. "So, please tell me I'tolwann told ye something? She's usually very good at keeping her waddles clear."

"Yes," I confirmed, glancing around curiously. If I recalled correctly, this was the area Merlwyb threw me into swimming lessons. I hadn't had the chance to explore, though. "She said there were goblins in the Summerford area, and they seem to have bought our device from a group dubbed the 'Daint Demolishers'."

"Huh, picked a good gate t'leave from, then. That's just down the river." He gestured for me to follow, and as I did, I felt the small tug of a beacon on my soul. Whatever this sense was, it sure did pick odd times to pop up. "Strange for goblins to just camp outside. Probably a group that doesn't agree with the Gate's standards and thus were denied the opportunity to trade."

"Can they normally trade here? They can't in Ul'dah."

"So long as they have their papers, and aren't a sahagin or kobold, anyone can sell their wares in Limsa." Sahagin... I hadn't heard of them yet. "Ah, there! Get ye noggin down, Syna." All at once, Perimu crouched amongst some reeds growing by the shore. I awkwardly tried to mimic him, grimacing as the reeds bounced awkwardly on my horns. I also had to reach around had hold my tail to keep it perfectly still. "Knew I'tolwann would steer us right. Look here, Syna." He pointed to something between the reeds and I had to crouch low to see the camp lit by low firelight just on the other side. "One of those packs is particularly buldgin'." I had no idea how he could tell, especially when I could barely see a thing, but I did notice one of them was sparkly, so I figured it was what he spoke of. "I'll sneak attack on the far end, and ye nab the gadget. Just be careful of any stray bombs."

"I know. They hurt." I shrugged off his weird look. "Adventurer, remember?"

"Right..."

Perimu was as good as his word. He slipped into the shadows, not even rustling the grass and, before long, and then appeared at the goblins' camp in the blink of an eye. They, of course, panicked, and rushed him, leaving me free to dart straight for the sparkling bag and rummage through it. Thankfully, there wasn't much inside, only a surprisingly heavy hunk of metal, so I scooped it up and... attempted to escape with no one the wiser. Unfortunately, nerves led to swishy tails and my terribly swishy tail lashed at precisely the wrong moment and knocked down a tent. Led to a couple of bombs thrown my way, and one particularly fast goblin leaping for me. Without thinking, I retaliated with a Bootshine combination and desperately had to duck and roll to avoid the worst of the bombs. Thankfully, I did, mostly thanks to Shadeshift, but the bombs… did sort of set the fallen tent on fire. I felt terribly guilty, especially when I heard them shrieking in panic, but I… had a job and the fire did mean they weren't paying attention to me, so I could finally escape.

When I made it make to the tall grass across the river, Perimu was already waiting for me, with an expression that someone conveyed concern and a desperate attempt to hold back laughter. "Tail?" he asked, without any sort of greeting. I could only sigh and nod. "Yeah, that gets a lot on their first jobs. Can't say its usually so explosive, but then again, not many deal with goblins on their first jobs." I really needed to find a way to keep my tail under control, then… "So? Grab it?"

"I grabbed something?" I replied hesitantly, holding out the hunk of metal. Perimu took it with a small, thoughtful frown. "Did… did I grab the right thing?"

"Aye, ain't no mistaken it." Perimu nodded slowly and I sighed in relief. Sparkles still showed the way, it seemed. "Let's get back to the guild, eh? We still owe those Demolishers a millin' but they'll keep for now."

"If you say so." Without thinking about it, I stashed the mechanism into my 'inventory' and only realized it after Perimu's eyes widened. "It's a bit of thaumaturgy. Pocket in space. I swear it's perfectly safe."

"Syna, ye are a girl of too many talents." He smiled slightly and shook his head. "Well, saves us from having to sneak the thing past the gates. That's always a pain."

"I'll... take your word for it."

He laughed like I said a joke, and turned to lead the way back. I made to follow, but before I even took a step, a strange feeling crawled over my skin. Without thinking, I glanced back, but I... saw nothing. I heard nothing. Yet somehow... ah, I had to be imagining things. I'd better catch up before Perimu left me in the dust.

It didn't take long to return to the Sisters. Though the crawling feeling never quite went away, I ignored it when Perimu showed no signs of thinking anything odd. Nor did Lonwoerd hint to anything amiss when he waved us inside. It must have been something else, maybe my scales? I'd been stretching out my lotions since I was running low and the edges were getting irritated. Or... maybe I had an allergy? Could that have caused it too?

"Welcome back," Captain Jacke greeted, waving both of us to the table in the center. It was where he always was, probably because it let him keep an eye on every corner in the room. "Find it?" Perimu nudged me before sitting down at one of the tables. I took that as my cue to pull it from my 'inventory' and hand it over. "...Syna, do I even want t'know how ye did that?" I opened my mouth to explain and he held up his hand. "No, later. If at all. First thing..." He looked over the mechanism, eyeing every ilm critically. "Yes, this is it... and still in one piece too." I wondered how he knew. It just looked like a block of metal to me. "Ye've done well fer yer first assignment, lass." Captain Jacke set it on the table and half-smiled at me. "It don't look like much, but that crew put their lives on the line to cloy this here bauble. They'll be pleased to see it stolen back from those ruffians."

"We've yet to do with the Dainty Demolishers, Jacke," Perimu pointed out, his eyes darting to the door for some reason. When I looked, I saw nothing unusual. "The job ain't over."

"Yer right, Underfoot. It's ain't." Captain Jacke rested a hand on his hip, near his daggers, and also glanced at the door. "Ye break the code, ye face the consequences." His eyes narrowed. "But perhaps we have the kind of trash which takes itself out." What in the world did he mean by-?

"Oho!" All at once, the front doors crashed open, revealing a group of armored folk. All eyes turned to the door, but no one actually reacted. "This is not what I expected from the inside of a convent!" The group strode into the center of the room, near the table where Captain Jacke, Perimu, and I had clustered. "Ah, the vacant stares of the ignorant," the loudest one boomed, a large Roedagyn. The others sneered, and I... well, I could be wrong, but I definitely sensed hostility. I was reminded of the Alacran folk, truthfully. "But it is only understandable, for our schemes are always perfect! Our heist, impeccable!" So, without thinking about it, I summoned Themis behind them and silently ordered him to tackle their legs. "Shall I reveal our infamous-wah!" Which, dear thing, he did without hesitation, and happily trotted back to me for congratulatory scritches. "What in the...?"

"Oh, thank all the bloody 'ells, they shut up," Captain Jacke grumbled under his breath. He moved to stand in front of me. "I take it ye didn't appreciate the monologue either, Syna?"

"I could be wrong, but they appear hostile, for all their dramatics," I replied, worried I'd done something wrong. Captain Jacke's smile, however, hinted it at least wasn't a 'bad' wrong. Maybe not what he'd do, but nothing that messed things up. I hoped. "Should I have waited? I did opt for Themis instead of a fire spell like the last time I dealt with a monologue."

"Nah, good choice. Last we need is them screamin'." Well, that was...

"Wait, I know her!" one of the trio suddenly exclaimed. He then pointed right at me. "That's the louse who misappropriated our merchandise!" Misappropriated... oh, were these the Dainty Demolishers? The only thing I'd stolen recently were lives and the device, after all.

"I concur!" the other one agreed, smirking. "The same simpleton we trailed unnoticed to this very establishment." They... I... simpleton? Me? I knew I wasn't the best or smartest, but that... that hurt... and to know they followed me... they were right in that I was stupid. Stupid to not have thought I'd stick out. I was an Au Ra in Eorzea, and...

"Oho, an errand boy, am I?" Captain Jacke suddenly drawled, the words surprisingly hard hard. With a start, I realized the conversation had continued and I'd been stuck in my own head. What had been said? What had I missed? I... "Tell me, Captain. Just what kind o' place do ye think this is, then?"

"Hmm? This place?" the loudest one replied, with a shrug. He made a show of looking around. "I suppose a convent of some sort. The one eyed fellow up front said something about the Sisters of Edelweiss?"

"An' ye've yet to realize yer mistake. The only simpletons in this room are ye and yers." Captain Jacke 'smiled', but there was nothing comforting to it. It was like the baring of fangs. "Yer fate was sealed the moment ye dragged yer sorry ass across the threshold."

"...Are you threatening me, boy?" The loud one drew himself up. "I'll have my fellows cut out that impudent tongue."

"Yer only still breathin' right now because the 'simpleton' you insulted decided against striking you down immediately. Did ye think the carbuncle summoned itself? Do ye not know what one even is? Only masters of arcanima bring them into life." ...I wasn't a master of anything, though...

"Tch... men, we've used up our reserves of 'dainty' for the day!" The loud one gestured, and the rest palmed their axes. "Show them-!"

"Jacke, even if ye spell it out to them, they won't understand," someone else sighed, a Miqo'te girl I'd seen here before. She'd been casually sitting at the nearby table, but stood up with a slow yet fierce grace. Then, in a blink, she was behind one of the armed ones. In the next, they crumpled, two gaping holes in their back. I knew without checking they were dead before they hit the ground. "There are but three sorts o' culls the doorman lets through. Clients, recruits..."

A second one screamed and charged for Perimu. He acted scared for a moment, even flailing, before all at once pulling his dagger and throwing it straight into his attacker's chest. From the angle, I'd guessed the blade slipped under the ribcage. "Didn't yer mum teach ye to not interrupt a lady when she's talkin'?" he quipped, striding over to jerk his dagger out of the body. The slight whistle hinted to a lung hit. "Now, be polite and wait." He looked up at the loud one, who stared with wide eyes. "Though maybe it finally penetrated that thick skull? That the third sort of cull is the bollocks fer brains mark who marches himself straight into the rogues' den."

"R-Rogues?" the loud one stammered, eyes going wide. "But we were so careful... no, you must be lying, trying to scare me. You're not the Upright Thieves, the knives in the shadows." All at once, they palmed their axe. "I am not so easily cowed! To hells with your deception!" And charged straight for Captain Jacke.

But Captain Jacke didn't even blink. He ducked under the axe and twisted sharply, eviscerating the loud one with one clean swipe. "Careful, careful..." he chided, landing on his feet without sound. "Anyone ye meet could be a rogue. Even an 'errand boy.'" He slung the blood off his daggers and crouched down. "Good, nothing vital, just messy. Worried I'd misjudged." He nodded to Perimu. "Get 'im bandaged and trussed up. Somewhere easily seen in town. Dump the others near, add to the warnin'." The nearby rogues moved, easily dividing the labor between them. "An' now the job's done. Quite the introduction, ye had." Captain Jacke turned to smile at me, but I could only look away. "Syna?"

"I'm sorry..." I mumbled, unable to think of anything else to say. I should've thought of it. It was stupid to not consider someone might've followed. I should've told Perimu about my bad feeling. I... "It's my fault they-"

"Whoa, no, no, and no." Captain Jacke prodded my forehead, right where the scales came to a point. "No, they were the idiots, and even if they followed ye as they claim, ye were with Perimu."

"But I thought something was wrong and I..."

"Did ye?" He blinked a couple times before smiling. "Now that, then, is just trustin' yer instincts. Comes with experience. I suppose I could scold ye for that, but no matter. Not the first time one of us has been followed, and won't be the last. It's a good lead fer the next lesson I want ye to learn: hidin' and stealth. Ye'll need it all the more, standin' out as ye do." Yes, I did. "That's fer later. Today, ye did a fine job. Keep up the good work." Mmm... I still felt bad, though. "Ah, but I'm sure yer full of questions about what he meant by the Upright Thieves nonsense." ...I wasn't before, but I sure was now. "It was back when piracy was at its peak, ye see." Ah, but the time...

"Um... might you tell me while walking me to the Drowning Wench?" I smiled awkwardly, torn between how terrible I still felt and wanting to learn more. Themis jumped up into my arms to nuzzle my cheek. "I'll... it's late, you see, and I know I'll get lost."

"Hmm?" Captain Jacke blinked a couple of times before nodding. "Sure, I can do that."

I absolutely had to get better at this. I never wanted to bring danger to those I knew again, whether they could handle it or not. Never.

Captain Jacke's story about the rogues and their history was fascinating, and it was almost a shame when we made it back to the Drowning Wench. By that point, it was after when Baderon closed the place for cleaning, so it should have been a simple thing to slip inside and up the stairs. It had the other nights I'd been out late. But this time, Baderon was waiting at the counter and he even had a pot of tea and a plate of pastries for me. There was no getting out of conversation tonight.

"Ah, so that's why ye were with 'im," Baderon murmured, frowning. He'd given me just long enough to settle on the stool and nibble on a pastry before he'd began interrogating me about my involvement with the rogues. "Not a one time thing, then."

"If they allow it, then no, it won't be," I confirmed, munching. The pastries were much different than usual, sweet and spicy at the same time. I loved it; the tingly feeling was a wonderful bonus! "That's for Captain Jacke to decide."

"They'd be fools to not, and Jacke's never been a fool, even if he likes to act it sometimes." Baderon sighed, yet shrugged. "All right then."

"...That's it?" I tilted my head curiously, taking a sip of tea. It was a nice and mild flavor, whatever it was. I'd need to ask him, eventually. "I'tolwann made a mention of Momodi asking..."

"She did ask me to keep an eye on ye, yes. You have a penchant fer trouble, and trouble is as plentiful as the sea. But protectin' doesn't mean keepin' ye caged." He reached over to ruffle my hair. "I grilled Perimu because I worried ye didn't know what ye were involved in. But ye do, and yer divin' into it with both eyes open. I've no right to stop ye, and she wouldn't want it either." Ah. That was... I wasn't sure how to describe the feeling I felt then. It was warm, though. Warm, and strangely heavy. "Ye free now, though? Job wrapped up?"

"Aside from practice, yes." I tilted my head curiously. "Why?"

"Got a few jobs that need doin' at Summerford Farms. Needs someone particularly reliable, and ye are the most reliable I ken think of." That… that made me blush. "Up fer it?"

"Certainly!" Summerford… that was near where the goblins had been, wasn't it? "I'll leave in the morning." Even as I agreed, though, I felt the tug of a beacon, much stronger than the ones I'd felt earlier. This… this was going to be trouble, wasn't it? I'd better be prepared.

"Good, maybe ye'll have something easy fer a change." That... wasn't going to happen, but I'd smile anyway. "By the way, Syna..." Baderon suddenly frowned at me; I worried he'd seen through the smile. "It's slight, but the skin around ye scales is reddened, irritated almost." ...Ah. Drat, I'd hoped people wouldn't notice. "Sea air not agreeing with ye?"

"I don't think it's the sea air?" Yes, it was different, but I didn't think it would be any more irritating to my skin than, say, the sand of Thanalan. "No, it is simply..." How did Father explain it again? "You know how skin sheds all the time. My scales are similar."

"Are they now?"

"Yes, though taking care of them can be..." What to say...? "I need particular types of lotions to care for them. One is for the scales themselves, to keep them smooth and relatively soft." Even if they remained hard enough to provide a modicum of protection. "And another, the more crucial of the two, is for the edges, where scale meets skin. It's particularly sensitive there." If you weren't careful, then the scaling would grow back wrong and even under your skin. Xanthos described it like an ingrown nail. "My current supply is running low, though." Xanthos had packed as much as he could for me, but...

"And it's difficult t'find more when barely anyone around has seen an Au Ra, much less how they take care of themselves." Baderon frowned further, but it didn't seem to be at me. No, it seemed more in thought. "Do ye know what's in it, these lotions?" I shook my head. After all, no one had ever thought I'd need to know. Why would I, trapped in the Room as I was? "So, no making yer own, and definitely no substitutes. Trial and error is not for one's own hide." Baderon drummed his fingers on the counter, still thinking. "Hmm... ah, wait, Au Ra are supposed t'be more common in the Far East." They were? If that was so, then how did my ancestors end up in Eorzea? Was it due to the Allagan Empire? ...Actually, that was probably why. "In which case Carvallain might..." All at once, he smiled. "Well, not sure if it's a solution, but let me ask 'im in the morn' fer ye, lass. Can't have an envoy scratchin' off her own scales, after all."

"I... thank you, Baderon." I hated being a burden, but it was clear I couldn't stretch my own limited supply for much longer. And I definitely didn't want to brave the crowded marketplace to hunt for something which may not be there. "Also, these pastries are interesting. They're sweet, but spicy."

"...Spicy?" Baderon blinked a few times. "Now why would it be... hang on."

Baderon ducked into the back, and I went back to nibbling on the pastries and sipping my tea. The quiet was nice; I could hear the distant waves crashing on the shore and the faint murmur of people meandering this way and that down the streets. A calm and content song, yet brimming with life. Yet another way Limsa was both similar and different from Ul'dah. Though, the strangled 'you what?!' from the kitchens cut neatly through that song, as did the near frantic scrambling. Then, all at once, there was a Miqo'te man with blonde hair and ears, dressed in an apron, scrambling over to the counter.

"Miss, I must apologize!" he blurted, bowing low. I tilted my head curiously, sipping what remained of my tea. "Those sweets... they were an experiment, and had pepper flakes added in each step!" Oh? Well, that explained the spiciness then. "I made others, Baderon requested I make some, but he grabbed the wrong plate and-"

"It's fine," I interrupted. Something told me I might deal with apologies all night if I let him continue. "I wasn't complaining. I thought them quite tasty, personally."

"You... you did?" His ears twitched slightly from pleased surprise and he hesitantly glanced up at me. "I... well, I mean, of course they taste good! I made them, after all! And I am-"

"Save the mask fer those who can't see through it, H'mhasi," Baderon drawled, stepping out to join us. He carried two more platefuls of pastries. "Syna won't care, and I know ye too well. Ye've been practicing here how long now?"

"It's expected, though!" 'H'mhasi' protested, ears now lying flat. Baderon only laughed, and set the pastries down in front of me. I took that as an invitation to devour them. "...But I do wonder if the experimental pastries were too spicy."

"Syna's been dining on Uldahn food fer a while. They've enough spices to make yer head spin." Perhaps, but not all those spices had been 'heat'-spice. Delicious, though. "Anyway, Syna, this is H'mhasi, the chef of the Missin' Member down the walkway." Missing Member? Was it named for the fallen? "He likes to impress a certain waitress there, though he'd been goin' overboard with the studyin'. Passed out in the kitchens more than a few times."

"Baderon, please!" If H'mhasi's ears were any flatter against his skull, one might think he had no ears at all. "I did apologize for that!"

"I don't care, though Rhoswen might be a little testy."

"Please don't remind me..." He sighed and slumped before focusing on me again. "Ah, but if I may, you said you liked the experimental pastries, but is there anything you think can be... did you already eat all those pastries?!" He gawked at the plates, now devoid of all but crumbs. They'd been simply too good to not eat. "Er..."

"Syna's stomach is a bottomless pit, and yer better off askin' what she particularly likes about dishes." Baderon grinned and clapped H'mhasi on the back. "But first, ye might want to make some more."

"Baderon, don't be mean!" I protested, trying to hide my squirming by drinking more of my tea. Unfortunately, though, it was nearly gone as well and I knew my tail was flicking this way and that. I could hear it brush the floor. "He doesn't have to make me anything!"

"It's good practice fer 'im," Baderon countered, now laughing. H'mhasi, for his part, studied the empty plates. "'Sides, he's already thinkin' of what recipe t'use next. He's like that."

"Still, that doesn't mean..." And before I could finish the sentence, H'mhasi rushed right on back to the kitchen. "Um..."

"Write down what ye did like about the pastries. He thrives off praise more than criticism, even if sometimes he needs a nice stab to the ego." Baderon gathered the tea pot and cups. "I'll make ye some more."

"Ah, thank you." I suppose I should just... go along with this then? "What blend is that anyway?"

"Hmm? Ah, traditional Limsan mix, truthfully. Made with things that keep well, even on the 'igh seas."

"Such as?"

"Oh, seven hells, I just started the question barrage, didn't I?"

"I could dart upstairs and get a book instead?"

"No books at the counter!"

"Then questions it is!" I grinned and he groaned. "So, about this mix..."

I probably stayed up too late that night, chatting with Baderon and H'mashi as I did. I'd have to make up for the studying I didn't do.

Author's Notes: Job quests, job quests! Yes, Syna learns the DoTs of the arcanist even though it kinda doesn't exist anymore in game. Partly for eventual Scholar, and partly because... well, they suit Syna nicely. Technically speaking, she should have Radiant Aegis already (as it's learned at Level 2 now), but originally, the protection lied with Topaz and I'm sticking somewhat to that still. ...She should also have physic as well, but we're leaving the healing to conjurers here for simplicity's sake.

Also, there's nothing in-game which hints that Wyrnzoen and Solkwyb were involved in the incident involving Sighard's parents' deaths, but idk, it seemed interesting to me. Otherwise, sidequests mentioned and job quests shown. Felt crowded enough without putting some of the 'intro to Limsa' main quests in. H'mhasi, ftr, is an NPC from the Heavensward Culinarian quests.

Also, also, there's nothing about scale-care and whatnot for Au Ra in game, so I made something up that would be relatively easy for me to keep track of. It's... different than what most seem to have as their headcanons, but... well... this way I don't actually need to pay attention to months. Mostly. Or so I'll tell myself.