Back again. Now without further ado, let's dive right into the part of this story.
Book 2: Ever Heavensward
First Impressions
When I first laid my eyes on the Warrior of Light, I have to admit I was very much surprised. All the tales of her heroism by my son had painted an image in my mind that was a bit more, dare I say, larger than life.
I certainly did not expect the Miqo'te that stepped in front of me, unsure of her new surroundings. But when I saw the look in her eyes, distant, yet full of determination, I knew that this truly was the woman that had led a company of adventurers to repeal the Dravanians.
I still remember my first conversation with her quite well. It was shortly after I had welcomed her and her companions.
- From the memoirs of Count Edmont de Fortemps
The room was filled with pleasant warmth from the fireplace as S'eni stood in its center, looking around in amazement at what she was seeing. The walls were painted a deep red, with elaborate white patterns accentuating them, and every part of the furniture, from the table, the chairs, to the bedside table, looked like pieces of wooden art only a master of the craft could produce.
Thick curtains were half covering the windows and the sunlight shining through it highlighted the elegant pattern woven into them.
Walking across the soft carpet, she couldn't help but run her fingertips across them. A fresh smell entered her nostrils, telling her that they had been washed not too long ago.
It was a bit much, she had to say. A definite improvement over their quarters in Camp Dragonhead, but still...
She turned on her heel to look at what must be the comfortable-looking bed she had ever laid eyes upon.
What did Haurchefant tell his father for him to invite them into his manor?
Or perhaps he was just a nice guy. He seemed friendly enough when they talked earlier; such a stark contrast to most other Ishgardians.
Guess I now know where Haurchefant got it from, she thought as she walked over to the bed and threw herself on it back first.
So soft... It was like she was lying on a cloud. Alright, maybe that was a bit of an exaggeration on her part, but there was just something different about it compared to the beds she was used to.
A smile forming on her lips, she closed her eyes and let herself simply enjoy this feeling. Maybe a nap wouldn't be such a bad idea?
She could feel herself drift off when, all of a sudden, the blanket on which she was lying started to sink, pulling her down like a pool of quicksand until she was lying awkwardly in a 'hole', her legs dangling in the air.
"What the-!?" she shifted around in place, trying to get back up, but only made herself look like a fish flaying about on solid ground.
The muffled sound of boots on the carpet echoed towards, shortly followed by a gloved reaching out. Not thinking twice, S'eni grabbed it and let herself be helped back onto her feet, all the while glaring at the bed.
"It seems the servants have added a few too many layers of blankets," the baritone voice of Count Edmont said. "My apologies."
"I guess I should have paid better attention," she said with a smile, looking at the older man. "Thanks."
A small pause followed their exchange in which they simply looked at one another.
...
...
As if she had just been poked in the butt by a Tonberry's knife, S'eni jumped away, ears shooting up straight in surprise. "Count Edmont!?"
"Yes?" he asked.
"What are you doing here?" she asked and immediately slapped herself mentally for the stupid question. "I-I mean is there something you need?"
She saw the Elezen's moustache quirk as the corners of his lips rose slightly. "I just happened to walk by and noticed that the door was open."
"Oh..." S'eni blinked, then cleared her throat. "Uh, well, thank you, again."
"You are welcome." Count Edmont looked around the room. "A plethora of sheets aside, I hope everything is to your liking?"
"Yes..." she took a look around once more. It would be a while until she got used to this.
"It pleases me to hear that. Is there anything else that you require?" he rubbed his chin. "A change of clothes perhaps?"
S'eni looked down at herself. She was still wearing the clothes she had received at Camp Dragonhead a while ago, a rather drab look for where she was right now.
Still, she shook her head. "No, that's alright."
It would be wrong to ask any more of him.
But shortly after those words had left her mouth, her stomach started to cry out for attention.
"Hmm, something to eat then."
"I'm sorry!" she said, her cheeks heating up in embarrassment. "The last time I ate was early this morning before training."
"I see," the older man said, nodding to himself. "We cannot have that. Please, follow me."
Turning around, Count Edmont walked towards the door, leaving her with no other option but to follow him.
"Really, you don't have to do that," S'eni protested.
"Nonsense!" Count Edmont replied. "No one has ever gone hungry inside these walls, and I certainly will not have it start now with an esteemed guest and friend of my son."
S'eni could only stare at the man, a polite and honest smile on his face that reminded her of Haurchefant, and any further protest died away with the sigh passing her lips.
"Then it would be rude of me not to accept," she replied with a grateful smile of her own.
Their steps echoed down the hallway, accompanied by the rhythmic tap of his walking cane, which seemed to be mostly an accessory instead of an actual aid.
Without saying any more words, the two-headed towards the manor's kitchen. Inside they found a young Elezen woman, humming as she busied herself with peeling some popotos. Her voice was just reaching the highest note, when Count Edmont cleared his throat, causing her breath to hitch in surprise and the vegetable in her hand to soar through the air before bouncing on the ground and coming to rest in front of their feet.
Whirling towards them, her eyes became wide as she saw who was standing at the door. "C-c-count Edmont!"
Jumping off the stool she was sitting on, she hurried over to them, picking up the popoto and brushing it off, then took a step back to bow in front of the man. "W-what is it you require?"
S'eni was having a major case of deja vu while Count Edmont simply chuckled. "Something to eat for our guest would be greatly appreciated."
"Of course." The other woman turned towards her, head still bowed slightly. "Is there something particular you wish to eat?"
Thinking for a moment, her eyes landed on the bucket filled with already peeled popotos and her stomach growled once more. It's been a while.
"Some mashed popotos would be nice," she said.
The young cook maid raised her head and blinked. "Really?"
"Oh yes." S'eni nodded eagerly. While the foot at Camp Dragonhead wasn't bad, it was more geared towards nutrient efficiency, and mashed popotos, as simple of a dish it was, would be downright luxury there.
"There you go," the Count said. "We will be waiting in the dining room."
"As you wish." The Elezen woman bowed one final time, before getting to work.
Following Count Edmont, she was led into the manor's dining room, where she sat down at the long table in the middle. The older man followed suit, but instead of taking what must be his usual seat at the head, he sat down opposite of her.
"So S'eni—is it alright if I just call you that?" he asked her.
"Of course."
Nodding, he continued. "You were mentioning training. My son told me you prefer to fight with your fists?"
"That's right," she replied with a smile that soon turned a little proud. "Not to brag, but I'm a disciple of the Fist of Rhalgr."
"You are a Monk?" His eyes widened slightly. "I thought they were all wiped out by King Theodoric."
"You're very well informed."
"The Gates of Judgement were not always as closely shut as they are now," he answered lightly.
"True. And yes, I'm a Monk, and my teacher has managed to escape the purge. He's striving to revive the order," S'eni explained. She wondered how Widargelt was doing these days. Perhaps she should pay him a visit once her name had been cleared.
"An honorable goal. Amongst the Temple Knights we have a few that dedicated themselves to the way of the fist as well, but I am sure compared to you they would seem like amateurs."
She shook her head. "I'm still far from being a master."
"Well, I hope you will do me the honor of giving me a demonstration of your abilities one day. Perhaps against one of our knights. I am sure they could all learn a great deal from it."
"I'd love to. Some of the ones at Camp Dragonhead have joined me in my daily training already."
"And I am sure it was an enlightening lesson for everyone. I just hope you did not go too hard on them," Count Edmont said.
"Don't worry, they're very capable themselves. I learned a great deal of how knights fight from them," she replied, earning herself a chuckle from the man.
"I am glad to hear that."
"You care a great deal about your troops, don't you?"
"It is only natural," he replied, before frowning. "Or at least that is how it should be. Some of my peers have the tendency to look down on their lessers."
"But you don't," she noted. Count Edmont smiled, his gaze moving away from her and his next words sounded almost wistful.
"Let us just say I learned from the mistakes that I made in my youth."
S'eni tilted her head questioningly but decided not to press the issue. A moment of silence passed between them before he landed on her again.
"So, my son told me you are an adventurer. Would you tell me about some of your exploits? I heard you even ventured into Dzemael Darkhold and the Aurum Vale."
The corners of her lips curling upward, she nodded and proceeded to tell him about some of her exploits.
She was just telling him about her return to Sastasha, when the cook maid entered, a plate with mashed popotos in one hand, and a spoon in the other.
"I hope it will be to your taste," she said after placing both on the table in front of her. The scent of the popotos, combined with the herbs added to it, entered her nostrils and it took all of her willpower to not inhale the food in one go.
"Thank you," S'eni said.
The woman bowed to her and Count Edmont, then headed back to her duties.
"Well, I suppose I should leave you to eat in peace," the older man said and rose to his feet.
"I don't mind the company," she replied lightly.
"No, I should get back to work. But thank you for the pleasant conversation. Enjoy your meal." Giving her a friendly nod, he left as well. The tapping of his walking cane echoed down the hallway for a few more moments before fading away into silence.
Breathing deeply, S'eni took the spoon and started to eat. As simple as a dish that it was, it was absolutely delicious to her right now, and she savoured every bite like it was going to be her last meal ever. But eventually, even the slower pace only delayed the inevitable, and her meal was gone.
While putting the spoon down, her ears perked up as they caught the sound of steps approaching. Just as she turned her head to glance over her shoulder, Firmien, the Fortemps' steward entered the room.
"Ah, Mistress Gata, there you are!" he said, and S'eni felt one of her ears twitch in confusion at being called 'Mistress'. "I was looking for you. Master Alphinaud wishes to ask if you would like to accompany him and Mistress Tataru on their tour through the city."
"Hmm." She tapped her fingers on the desk. It would probably be a good idea to familiarize themselves with Ishgard if they were to stay here for Twelve knows how long. With a nod, she said. "Tell them I'm coming."
Bowing his head, the man turned on his heel to leave but stopped himself, turned back around, and picked up the plate and spoon. "My lady," he said before really leaving this time.
Blinking once, twice, S'eni released a sigh and shrugged.
This really would need some getting used to.
It's Count Edmont, everyone! A round of applause!
One thing I always found strange in the game was that while we're taken in as guests of House Fortemps, we don't have a room inside the manor. So I took some liberties in that regard here.
Anyway, more soon.