Hour of Departure
S'eni woke up to the feeling of a warm body resting against her. Soft, rhythmic breaths against her ear made it twitch, and the feathery light touch of fingertips brushing against the skin just above her belly button made her release a content sigh.
"Morning," she murmured.
"Good morning," Y'shtola replied, her voice just a little above a whisper and smile evident in her tone.
She let herself enjoy this sensation for a moment longer, letting it chase away the last vestiges of sleep, before turning around and opening her eyes to silvery white ones watching her intently.
"Slept well?" she asked, mirroring the expression on her lover's face.
"Very much so."
"Hm. I slept amazing."
"Oh?" Y'shtola tilted her head a little. "Any particular reason?"
A pleasant shiver went through her as a single fingernail drew a path along the length of her spine. "Yeah. Let me show you," S'eni said and circled an arm around Y'shtola to pull her into a morning kiss.
After separating again, she buried her face into the nape of her lover's neck, nuzzling the sensitive skin there.
"We should probably return to the Rising Stones soon," Y'shtola said after a couple of more minutes of just lying there.
"Let's just stay here," S'eni mumbled in return. "The others can handle a day without us."
"Very enticing," The other Miqo'te admitted with a smile "But I'm also certain that they are wondering where we—what are you doing?"
"Giving you some incentive," she replied between butterfly kisses. Moving her hand, she gently pushed Y'shtola into the mattress and started her journey.
"A nice warm bed..." A kiss against her jaw.
"...food delivered to our room..." A kiss on the front of her neck.
"...laundry service." A kiss on her collarbone
A mixture of hum and sigh passed Y'shtola's lips. "Those are all very good points."
"And I haven't even gotten to the best part," S'eni said before diving down between her breasts to resume the attention she had given them the night before.
The hand that had been resting on her back was slowly moving its way up to bury itself into her hair, gently pushing her towards an already hardened nipple.
With a little smirk forming on her lips, S'eni leaned in—
A rhythmic chime went through the room.
—and released a groan. She turned her head to glare at the table where their discarded linkpearls were lying.
Y'shtola released her grip, gently tapping her shoulder, and S'eni rolled onto her side with another, more agitated groan.
"This better be good," she muttered, resting her cheek on the palm of her hand with a pout while watching her lover walk over to the table, her tail thumping against the mattress in annoyance. She took just a little solace at the sight she was being offered.
"Oh, hush you," Y'shtola said and picked up her chiming linkpearl. Putting it into her ear, she pressed her finger against it to take the call. "Yes, what is it?"
A short moment passed, then the other woman's expression darkened, making S'eni furrow her brows and sit up.
"I will be there shortly. Thank you." After ending the call, Y'shtola turned towards her. "That was Alphinaud. General Raubahn has contacted him and officially petitioned our assistance."
Looking at Y'shtola, she exhaled through her nose, the mood now thoroughly gone. So it began.
Another chime broke through the silence, this time from her linkpearl, and S'eni got out of bed to pick it up and put it into her ear. While she listened to Alphinaud repeat what he had just told Y'shtola, her lover began to get dressed and was already back in her underwear by the time the call ended.
Without saying a word, S'eni started to pick up her clothes as well. The frown that had formed during her conversation with Alphinaud deepened and she found herself looking out of the window as a sudden wave of...unpreparedness overcame her.
She had known this was coming, had expected it, but now she found herself at a loss.
"Eni," Y'shtola said, making S'eni turn towards her. She had just put on her boots and was now grabbing her coat, stopping just for a moment to look her in the eye. "There's still time if you have something you need to do. I doubt the others will hold it against you if you say a few goodbyes before joining us."
S'eni stared at her for a moment, before closing her eyes and smiling. Yes, there was someone she should say goodbye to.
Y'shtola really knew her, didn't she?
"Thank you, Shtola," she said and resumed getting dressed.
"Just don't take too much time." Her lover's lips quirked upward and she sent S'eni a wink. "I can only keep Lyse and Alisaie from running off for so long."
A little laugh passed between them.
Snow crunched under her feet as she marched along the path leading up to Providence Point, leaving behind footprints that would soon be covered up once more by the fresh sprinkle of snowflakes from the clouds above. A sharp wind passed her by, making her pull her ears close to her head but still push on ahead, not stopping until she arrived at that one, special cliff that overlooked all of Ishgard.
Her eyes immediately landed on the granite pillar at the very center of it, and her lips curled into a smile when she spotted the flowers lying in front of it, almost buried underneath that cold, white blanket.
"Hey, Haurchefant. It's been a while," she said as she approached the grave, picking up the shield that had fallen to the side and brushing the snow off before putting it back into place. "Yes, I know. I should probably visit you more often, but you know how busy it can get for me."
Reaching into the snow, S'eni pulled the flowers out and placed them on top of it. "But you're obviously not wanting for visitors anyway."
Her smile widened a little as she imagined his reaction, before walking past his grave and sitting down behind it, looking out towards Ishgard.
"A lot has happened since my last visit, and I wish I could tell you all about it, but sadly I'm short on time. The others and I are going to venture into Gyr Abania soon, to join the Alliance's effort to retake Ala Mhigo," she told him. "Yeah, I know. Took them long enough. But the time has finally come, after 20 long years."
She fell silent for a moment, listening to the wind and taking in the sight in front of her; the city that her friend had loved so.
"So I'm afraid you'll have to keep watch over Ishgard on your own for a bit. But don't worry, once we're done I'll come back and tell you everything. Promise."
S'eni remained there for a while longer, letting herself reminisce about the times they had spent together, before rising back to her feet. Brushing away the snow from the top of his grave, she then raised her hand in silent prayer.
After she was done, S'eni let herself look out towards Ishgard once more, a thoughtful expression forming on her face. Closing her eyes in concentration, she slowly started to float and teleported away.
The greeting she received at Fortemps Manor was as warm as the fires that kept away the cold day in and out. The young knight standing guard outside, the maid that greeted her, and finally Firmien as he came walking into the room, each welcomed her with a smile.
"Mistress Gata, what an unexpected surprise!" the old steward greeted her.
"Hello, Firmien. How are you?" she asked.
"I am well, thank you for asking." He bowed his head. "It has been quite a while since you have paid us a visit. Have you already eaten? I can have some prepared for you."
"That's not necessary," S'eni said. "I'm actually rather short on time since I'll be heading to Baelsar's Wall soon."
The older Elezen's face grew serious. "Yes, Count Artoirel has left to join the effort as well."
"I see, well I suppose it's a good thing I wanted to speak with the older Count then. If he isn't too busy that is?"
"Not at all," Firmien replied, his cheer returning. "These days he spends a lot of his time writing in his study. I am sure he will be delighted at your visit. Come along."
The old steward led her through the hallways that had become so familiar during her stay at the manor, causing just the tiniest hint of nostalgia to well up inside her, to the former Count's study. He rapped his knuckles against the door, waiting for the familiar, baritone voice to reply.
"Misstress Gata has come to visit you, my lord," Firmien said as he opened the door.
"S'eni?" the older Fortemps looked up from the book in front of him, a smile forming on his lips when he saw her and rose to his feet. "Come in, come in!"
After she stepped inside the room, the old steward gave each of them a bow before leaving again, closing the door behind him.
"Count Edmont," she said in greeting. "Ah, or is that just Lord Edmont now?"
He chuckled. "I suppose the latter would be appropriate, but I believe formalities are hardly necessary anymore, so just Edmont will be fine. What brings you here?"
"The Scions have been petitioned by the Alliance to assist in the Ala Mhigan campaign and I..." S'eni lowered her eyes to the carpeted floor. "...wanted to say goodbye. After everything you've done for my friends and I, it felt wrong not to do so."
Not a word passed between them until a hand placed itself onto her shoulder, making her look back up into the kind eyes of the older man.
"You have done so much for the people of Ishgard, myself included, that I could ever repay you for, so hearing those words warms my heart. Ever since Haurchefant died, there has been a hole deep inside of me, but whenever I see you, I can feel a small portion of it being mended." Edmont told her, giving her shoulder a little squeeze. "Be careful, S'eni. I know you are strong, but you are not invincible."
"I will be...I promise."
Giving her a nod, his smile returned. "And never forget that there will always be room for you at our table and, should you choose it, a home waiting for you."
Her eyebrows and ears shot up at the man's words, and she could do nothing but stare at him. Eventually, though, the surprise gave way to a grateful smile and, without thinking, she stepped forward. A sound of surprise escaped the Elezen, but he did not shy away as she hugged him, her head coming to rest just underneath his chest.
"Thank you," she said, her voice nothing more than a whisper.
The hand that had previously been on her shoulder loosely came to rest on her back in an attempt to return the gesture as well as their height difference permitted.
They remained like this for a moment, before S'eni stepped back, her hand moving to the back of her neck and her expression turning embarrassed. "I should go. The others are already waiting for me."
"May Halone watch over you," Edmont said.
Sharing with him a final nod, she walked over to the door. Her hand had just grasped the handle, when she paused to look over her shoulder, watching as the older man sat down behind his desk to resume writing.
"Writing a novel?" S'eni asked.
He chuckled. "My memoirs."
"The Life and Trials of Edmont de Fortemps?"
"Actually I was thinking of having the title be 'Heavensward'. What do you think?"
Her lips turned into a warm smile. "I think that's a wonderful title."
With those words, she stepped through the door and closed it behind her, leaving the former Count to his writing. And as her footsteps echoed down the hallway, the scratching of a quill soon filled the study once more.
So begins another journey for the Warrior of Light and her companions. One of war and strife, but also of liberty and hope, that would see them travel beyond the borders of Eorzea to the distant lands of the Far East, carrying with them the fire of revolution.
Unwavering even in the face of the greatest of odds, she walked ever forward into the eye of this storm of blood.
- From the Memoirs of Count Edmont de Fortemps.
Book 2 - Ever Heavensward - End
And with this we say goodbye to the Heavensward segment of the story. Next week we're heading into Stormblood, so stay tuned.
Have a nice weekend!