Blossoming Bond
It was some time after the investigation into that mysterious primal, which had turned out to be none other than Bahamut of all things, that I came to assist the Sons of Saint Coinach with their planned expedition into the Crystal Tower in Mor Dhona. As fortune would have it, we were receiving the help of none other than our great hero.
But the Sons received additional support from the Students of Baldesion who had sent one of their historians as an Observer. A young man by the name G'raha Tia.
Conversations pervaded the air inside The Seventh Heaven as people from Revenant's Toll, as well as beyond, gathered together in the evening hours to enjoy a few drinks or play a couple of games to relax after a day of hard work while listening to the music by the famous Wandering Minstrel himself that was gracing the town with his presence for a couple of days.
Sitting at one table in a far corner of the tavern were Cid and S'eni, deep in conversation. His lips were slightly parted as he listened to what she told him, a mug filled with ale held in his hands.
"Wait wait, so you're telling me it was truly Louisoix?"
"Yeah." S'eni nodded, nursing her mug. "I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw him."
"Unbelievable..." Cid took a sip. "And it was him that stopped Bahamut two years ago?"
"Mmh." She had wondered just how Bahamut had been defeated back then since she and her comrades had been sent away by the Archon, but she never imagined something quite like this.
But even in his death throes, the ancient Primal had been strong enough to force Louisoix under his control so that like the Phoenix that her old friend had become he would be resurrected.
Thankfully Alphinaud, Alisaie, and her had managed to break Bahamut's hold over him, setting him free and giving the family a few precious moments before Louisoix could finally pass on in peace.
"What a guy," Cid said. "He truly was one in a million."
"He was," S'eni replied, the corners of her lips rising in response to the image of Louisoix looking at her just as he was dissipating while giving her that same smile from two years ago. She raised her mug and held it towards Cid. "To Louisoix."
"To Louisoix," he echoed and clinked their mugs together.
Raising her drink to her lips, she took a large sip from it, before lowering it back on the table. A small cheer made her glance over to the table not far from them where an Elezen man had just won a round of dice and was smugly gathering his winnings. With a chuckle, she let her eyes wander around the tavern until she spotted a familiar head of red hair walking in through the door, the ears on top of it wiggling slightly at the change in sound level compared to outside.
He looked around for a moment before his gaze found their table and made his way over to them. Noticing her look, Cid followed her gaze and saw their new arrival approach them as well, making him raise his hand in greeting.
"G'raha Tia," he said.
"Master Cid," G'raha Tia greeted him back, then inclined his head towards her. "S'eni."
"Coming to join us in a well-earned break?" Cid grinning.
"Actually, I'm here to deliver a message from Biggs and Wedge. They seem to be in need of assistance," the male Miqo'te said.
"Well well," the engineer replied dryly, raising his mug to his lips and draining it in one impressive go. "There truly is no rest for the righteous, is there?"
The last part was directed at S'eni, followed by a wink that made her chuckle. The older man rose to his feet, straightened out his jacket, and put a few Gil on the table.
"Now let's see what the problem is. Thanks," he said and clapped G'raha Tia on the shoulder as he walked past him and towards the door. They watched him go until he had left before S'eni turned her attention to the man still standing there.
"So are you going to sit down or is there another important task waiting already?" she asked, making him turn his mismatched eyes towards her. He blinked, then realization dawned on his face.
"Ah, no, I don't have any pressing matters to attend to. I was actually on my way to retire for the evening when I ran into Biggs and Wedge."
"Well, have a seat then." With a smile, she pointed towards the empty space opposite of her. While he sat down, S'eni waved one of the barmaids over, who started to collect the Gil and empty mug.
"What'll it be?" the young girl then asked G'raha Tia.
"I'm having what she's having," he replied.
"Going with the safe pick I see," S'eni commented.
"I'm afraid I'm not much of a drinker, to be honest." He shook his head. "So yes, I took the safe option."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that. I can hold my liquor very, very well," she said, raising her mug to her lips and taking another sip. She had to grin inside when she saw the dawning realization on his face that he might have made a mistake.
"Oh..."
"Don't worry. It's light," S'eni assuaged him, putting her drink back down. "So, G'raha Tia—Ah, or is that Archon G'raha Tia?"
She pointed at her neck for emphasis.
"G'raha Tia is fine," he replied. "What is it you would like to know?"
"I wanted to know what it is that the Students of Baldesion do," she said. "I heard the name spoken by one of my friends before, but I never got around to ask. So why not do so when I have one sitting right in front of me?"
"That's tricky to answer. Our organization isn't focused on one field or another. We study and research many fields, like the nature of the Umbral Calamity phenomenon," he told her. "And I just happen to specialize in the history of the Allagan Empire. It's not the first time I worked with the Sons, though our last endeavour was a rather fruitless one."
"Hmm," she hummed. "So you're saying the Students have their fingers in many pies."
G'raha Tia chuckled at that. "In a way."
The barmaid came back with a newly filled mug that she placed on the table in front of him. "Here you go."
"Thank you," he said and took his first sip, letting out a hum.
"So what was it that turned out to be a fruitless endeavour?"
"We were trying to locate Azys Lla."
S'eni tilted her head to the side. "What's that?"
"Just a floating continent that the Allagan's created," G'raha Tia said, a grin forming on his lips at the look she gave him. "Surely it's not a surprise after all you have witnessed inside the labyrinth, never mind Dalamud."
No, she supposed it wasn't. Still, it was amazing to imagine it though. "So you couldn't locate it?"
"Sadly no." He shrugged. "But that's how it goes in archaeology. Now the Crystal Tower is looking much more promising."
"Even if we'll shut it all down again," S'eni pointed out.
"Yes. But we of NOAH are going to document all our findings, and besides that: the experience alone is invaluable!"
"Well well, aren't you excited," S'eni said, a smirk dancing at the corners of her lips.
"I'm sorry, I probably got ahead of myself there," he said, sounding a little embarrassed. "I—"
"Have an affinity for the Allagan Empire, I know." Now it was her turn to grin. "It's alright. You're not the only scholar I know."
"The Circle of Knowing, right?"
"Yes. And one of Rammbroes fellow Sons." She took another sip. Perhaps she should pay Y'mhitra another visit when this Crystal Tower business was concluded, and drag Y'shtola with her as well.
"You seem to have a talent for surrounding yourself with intellectuals."
"Yeah, and maybe one day it will even rub off on me," S'eni said, and released a chuckle.
"There are other areas that no one else has the ability to reach you, so don't fret if our scholastic talk is sometimes hard to comprehend," G'raha Tia said with a smile. He took another sip and nodded. "This is a great brew, I have to say!"
"The Students also dabbling in brewing?"
"Actually no, it's part of why I'm not much of a drinker. Though I heard Master Baldesion himself isn't someone to say no to a glass or two." He then leaned back in his chair, his red and green eyes coming to focus on her.
"Yes?" she asked after a moment of silence that was only interrupted by another cheer from the table close by.
"I'm trying to imagine all the things you have experienced and done. I don't want to sound rude, but it's hard to believe just looking at you."
"Not larger than life enough to be 'The Warrior of Light'?" S'eni asked, raising her hands to form quotation marks.
"Well...yes. When you hear Warrior of Light, you think of someone clad in mighty armor and a gleaming sword at their side, not someone looking so...normal."
S'eni looked at him and wordlessly raised the mug to her lips.
"You, my friend," she said after swallowing. "Are bad at complimenting a lady."
"Wha—Oh no no, I didn't mean it like—"
"Calm down, I was joking." She watched him as he released a short "Oh" before continuing. "And honestly I prefer it that I'm not immediately recognised. That way I can just go on regular old adventures, like exploring an ancient tower full of deadly traps."
Sending him a wink, she emptied her mug and rose to her feet.
"Where are you going?" G'raha Tia asked.
"I'm getting myself another, why? Want one too?"
"I think I'll pass." He raised his mug and swayed it a bit. "I still have this one."
S'eni did a small shrug and headed towards the bar. "A refill, please," she said to Alys, the woman running the Seventh Heaven, and one not to be crossed. Tales of her kicking out unruly patrons were only second to Rowena's debt collecting in Mor Dhona.
"Coming right up!" the blonde Hyur said and took the mug from her hand. While waiting, S'eni turned around and looked back towards her table, where G'raha Tia was slowly working on his drink.
He was an interesting guy, but she supposed she met a lot of interesting folks these days. Like Haurchefant who, for all his knightly bearing, turned out to be a bit of an oddball. Or Eorzea's self-proclaimed master criminologist and his assistant.
And of course, all of her friends amongst the Scions were characters in their own right indeed.
Yes, he fit right in, she felt.
"Here," S'eni heard from behind her and turned around to receive her freshly filled mug back, but halted when she saw the other woman holding one more item in her other hand. A bottle of wine, which she placed on the counter in front of her.
"What's that?"
"A little thank you from a mutual friend," Alys said and pointed behind S'eni. Looking over her shoulder, she saw the Wandering Minstrel looking at her, a smile on his lips. "For all the inspiring tales you have given him, he said."
"Huh..." She watched him bow his head, a knowing look in his eyes, before starting up another song. "Alright then."
She wasn't going to say no to a present like that. Taking the bottle, as well as her drink, she headed back to the table.
"Ale not enough?" G'raha Tia asked as soon as she arrived, pointing at the bottle in her hand.
"Hah, no." She sat down again. "A gift."
"Looks like a pretty good vintage if the bottle is anything to go by. You should keep it for a special occasion."
"Oh?" she tilted her head. "You got one in mind?"
"Well," he said, a small grin on his face while he crossed his arms. "Once NOAH is done with its mission we can use it to toast to our success."
"Hmm." S'eni placed the wine on the table and looked at it for a moment. Slowly, a smile crept onto her features.
"You know, that's a good idea!"
The Crystal Tower stood proudly in the distance, its glow unmistakable even in bright daylight.
S'eni sat atop the highest building in Revenant's Toll, her feet dangling lazily over the edge as she looked out upon the ancient structure. Below her, the people went about their daily lives, coming and going; not knowing what had happened inside that tower that loomed even over the Keeper of the Lake.
She grabbed the yet untouched bottle that was resting next to her and started to uncork it.
And it was for the better, really.
With a pop, the cork came loose and S'eni took the glass that sat on the other side of her, pouring some of the bottle's content into it. The wine was a deep red color and had a rich bouquet.
Staring at it for a moment, she thought back on the evening that she had received it. Hard to believe that had only been a moon ago. So much had happened.
"Well, I suppose we promised," she said, raising her glass while cherry pink eyes came to rest upon the Crystal Tower once more, its gates now closed until the time was right; fallen into a long deep sleep with all its marvels.
And at the center of it all: G'raha Tia. "Here's to you, G'raha. I hope you're having a good sleep while we're toiling our asses off."
Throwing her head back, she emptied the glass in one gulp, enjoying the taste for a few seconds before swallowing. Releasing an appreciative sigh, she nodded to herself.
Definitely a good vintage.
She needed to give the Minstrel her thanks the next time she saw him.
The sound of a familiar voice made her look down to see Y'shtola carrying in a small crate while chatting with Yda, who herself hauled around a much bigger one. A smile forming on her lips, she rose to her feet.
Time to get back to work. Moving into their new headquarters wouldn't happen by itself after all.
Besides, it would be a waste to drink all this wine on her own.
ENDWALKER HYPE!
And I suppose this an oddly relevant chapter now too lol.