Okay, to answer some questions:

Drake: I actually never considered her having a sort of calming spot on her body so to speak lol.

Guest reviewer: Fears huh, well...who knows. Might show up later.

ToH: Storywise she only got our boy Zack here. Never really figured out a good way to integrate all the trial mounts, so I'm keeping it simple.

A Mother Knows Best

Since its inception, the Forum has ever guided Sharlayan's fate, following the examples set by those that had founded their nation. No matter of what standing, these ninety-nine individuals are the voices of the people. A fair and just system that has kept them out of harm's way for centuries.

But was it truly fair, if they also kept a secret from those that trusted them?

A secret so important, that nothing else seemed to matter. Not even family...

As the large doors closed behind her, S'eni let herself slump against a nearby wall with a sigh and closed her eyes. That had been quite close. A little more and they might have all kissed Sharlayan goodbye.

Not long after their discovery, Fourchenault himself had appeared in the Labyrinthos to take them into custody on charges of espionage. Apparently one of the Archeion's workers had found their asking around a little too suspicious and notified the Forum of their presence. But it wasn't just them, since G'raha had been caught red-handed while snooping inside one of the forbidden vaults. And if not for the timely words of this Scholarch Montichaigne, the schoolmaster of the Studium, this would have most likely ended much differently.

She really should thank him for that.

Opening her eyes, she looked around for the old Elezen amongst those councillors still present in the hallway. But there was no sight of the man. Instead, her eyes landed on another Elezen standing in the vicinity, talking with some of his fellow councilmen. Fourchenault.

The sheer audacity of this man! Not even blinking when he voted against the suggestion to not banish his own children from their homeland. And for what?

Their ever so-important duty.

"Come what may, we shall live on. We must," she heard his voice echo in her mind. Survival above all else. Just what was it that Sharlayan discovered in the Hinterlands all those centuries ago?

The twins' father must have finally noticed her looking at him, as he slowly turned towards her. They stared at each other for a solid minute, until she narrowed her eyes and looked away. Better not to cause another diplomatic incident.

Thankfully, a distraction provided itself in the form of G'raha slumping against the wall next to her and sliding down to the ground. She smiled. "What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry. If I had not let myself get caught, we might have prevented this entirely," he replied.

"Don't blame yourself. It's not like we didn't get reported by a dutiful citizen," she said, raising her hands to add air quotes to the last part. "But on that note, how did you get caught?"

"I was pondering the significance of what I had discovered...when I knocked over a security Mammet..."

"Oh..." Alright, that was sort of clumsy, and probably easily avoidable, but she wasn't going to make a big deal out of it. Especially not after having triggered the odd trap or two herself in the past.

"Eni is right, you shouldn't blame yourself," Y'shtola said while approaching them. "Take heart that we have managed to avoid the worst possible outcome."

"And that we now know that this duty of theirs is tied to their research of the Aetherial Sea," S'eni added.

"I concur. Though now that our freedom is quite limited, we will struggle to learn more about it. For now, it would probably be best to return to the Annex and tell the others."

After G'raha rose back up, they walked over to Krile and the twins and began making their way outside.

"Now we have a clearer picture, but could they've been any more vague about the whole thing?" Alisaie asked with a huff after they passed the doorway. "Why can't they explain their actions in plain words for a change?"

"While I cannot say I have an answer to that question, I'm sure we will uncover that secret in good time," G'raha assured her with a smile.

"I know." The young woman nodded. "Still...Survival above all else. Is Father's work so important that it takes precedence even over his own family?"

Before anyone could answer her though, a new voice spoke up. "Alphinaud...? Alisaie...? It is you!"

S'eni watched the twins' eyes widening in amusing synchronicity before whirling around towards the Elezen woman walking over in hastened steps. She wore a simple, yet still expensive-looking dress that made no secret that she was of high standing, and her hair pulled into an elegant ponytail. And from the way she smiled at the two of them, this could only be their mother.

"When I heard you'd been dragged in front of the Forum, I came as swiftly as I could. Oh, I am so very glad they allowed you to stay..."

"M-Mother!?" Alisaie exclaimed.

Coming to a stop, the woman looked away from her children and to the rest of them, then offered them a formal curtsy.

"Ameliance Leveilleur, at your service," she introduced herself. "And you fine people must be the Scions of the Seventh Dawn. How lovely it is to finally meet you."

"Mother, please." Aalphinaud took a step forward. "We don't want to make things difficult for you. If Father learns that you were he—"

"Oh, and what would he do? Chastise me for talking to my own children!?" Her smile turned into a look that made it obvious she would like to see him try. But just as fast as it vanished, it reappeared again in full force. "I am well aware that you and 'Master Fourchenault' are not on the best terms at the moment, but I've been absolutely deaperate to see my darlings again! You will come by the house, won't you? I have gifts waiting!"

Sharing a look with the others, S'eni couldn't help the chuckle escaping her while Krile made no effort to hide her snicker.

"The timing couldn't be better, in fact," Y'shtola said, smiling in amusement. "As it stands now, we won't go anywhere until we've discussed our options with the others. So go visit your home."

"I don't know..." Alisaie looked helplessly at her. "S'eni, what do you think?"

"S'eni?" Ameliance asked. "The S'eni Gata!?"

S'eni blinked. "I don't know about 'the', but, uh, yeah. That's me."

"Oh, what a splendid day this is turning out to be. Champion of Eorzea, I insist that you join us!" The woman's face turned serious. "But we must be quick about it. Not for my benefit, but should my husband find you enjoying our company, the servants will be sure to suffer the consequences. Please, S'eni, if you would be so kind as to escort my children to the estate while I prepare everything...?"

Not really giving her any chance to reply, Ameliance did another curtsy and left.

"And there she goes, taking with her every chance to protest," Alisaie sighed, letting her shoulders slump.

"Indeed," Krile said with a wide grin. "The matter is settled. Have fun you three!"

"And do try to be on your best behaviour," Y'shtola added as the other three began to leave. S'eni just watched them head down the stairs before shrugging. And once again she was being roped into something.

Many such cases.

The Leveilleur estate had already looked big from a distance, but now that she was standing in front of it put truly into perspective just how wealthy and influential the family was. So she was not surprised when a whole host of servants were greeting them as they stepped inside. S'eni looked around, taking it all in, from the expensive carpet to the gilded chandelier. It was quite hard imagining Louisoix ever walking these halls. He always seemed so...down to earth like the rest of them. Though so were his grandkids, and they grew up here.

"What's wrong?" Alisaie asked.

"Nothing." She shook her head. "Sure makes the Rising Stones feel tiny in comparison."

"Fourchenault cannot learn that his children were here today," Ameliance said. "So no careless chatter, please."

The staff bowed with a collective "Yes mistress" and she turned towards the one that seemed to be in charge of the lot. "Be so good and make sure they receive their gifts before my husband arrives."

"As you wish," he said and the crowd dispersed to continue their given duties. Only one, a young woman dressed quite sharply, remained where she was. She turned towards the twins.

"Young master, young mistress. If you would please follow me?"

"We will be back shortly," Alphinaud said to S'eni and began to leave together with his sister.

Once they were gone, Ameliance turned around to face her, a smile forming on her pretty face. "The two have sent letters telling us how they were faring on their journey," she said. "Though I have no illusions that they kept the...especially exciting stories to themselves."

Probably for the better, S'eni thought. She very much doubted it would do the woman any good to learn that her kids' souls had been pulled into another world and their bodies were only a hair's breadth away from perishing at the end. Yes, better to keep that little fact to themselves, if nothing else.

"I was quite worried at the beginning and there was little I could do but to send some Gil to the Scions for room and board," the woman continued, releasing a little sigh. "But it seems my worries were unfounded. I can tell from their letters how they are thriving out there. They seem to truly cherish all the experiences they have made on their journey. The good, as well as the bad."

The look in her eyes suddenly became quite playful. "Especially you, they mention all the time. In fact, I cannot remember a single letter that did not mention your name at least once. You must be really important to them."

"I..." S'eni didn't know how to respond to that. Of course they were important to her too. A second family, but really? Every single letter? And what did they write?

The other woman released a giggle, clearly satisfied with her reaction.

"Please, continue to keep a watchful eye over my children, yes?" she asked, a warm, motherly expression replacing her amusement.

S'eni smiled and nodded. "I promise."

"Thank you. Now, since I sadly cannot offer you any tea at the moment, why don't you tell me something about your journey together while we wait for them?"

"Hmm, how about that time Alphinaud..." Opting to follow the twins' example of keeping the especially dicey moments to herself, she instead decided to tell her some of the more amusing things that happened to them on their journey. Much to the other woman's delight if the way she giggled every so often was anything to go by. It just brought to mind how different she was from her husband. Where he was more likely to scoff and shake his head, she found joy in her children's exploits.

So, after just having told her about the time Alphinaud had spent a fortune on a single Katana, S'eni found herself asking, "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Your husband...has he always been...?"

"Difficult?" Ameliance offered, with a quirk of her lips.

"Yeah. It's...I...just can't understand him." She frowned and crossed her arms in front of her chest. "It's one thing to refuse Eorzea's call for aid. As bad as it sounds, we've come to expect nothing else from Sharlayan. But to disown his own children? And for what, because they decided to follow the example of his father?"

"I am afraid the topic of Louisoix has always been a sore point for my husband. That he never returned from Eorzea made Fourchenault only view himself standing corrected on the matter."

"Did he resent him that much?"

The Elezen shook her head. "It is a bit more complicated than that. You knew my father-in-law, didn't you?"

"I did," she said, dropping her arms with a sigh and beginning to pace on the carpet. "I was with him at Carteneau. When Bahamut appeared. If not for him, I and many more would have died that day. And it angers me that your husband disregards his sacrifice as foolish."

"I feel like there is a little more to this than you are saying. Did something happen between Fourchenault and you?" Ameliance asked.

She exhaled sharply through her nose and nodded. "After his dismissal in Gridania, I ran after him to try to at least change his mind in regards to your children. We argued instead, or rather, I gave him a piece of my mind, and now I'm wondering if I didn't make things worse for them instead."

"Don't," the other woman said. "The conflict between him and our children is theirs, and nothing you and I do will have any impact on that. All we can do is offer a little bit of support. For good or ill."

"I see..."

"Also, yes."

"Hm?" S'eni tilted her head questioningly.

"He has always been that way. It can actually be quite charming at times, and easily exploited." Ameliance winked.

She stared at her for a few seconds, before breathing out a little laugh. "If you say so..."

The sound of an opening door echoed from upstairs, shortly followed by the sound of footsteps and Alisaie's voice. "I was wondering what surprise could be waiting for us upstairs...but Mother, this..."

They both turned towards her to see Alisaie coming towards them, her previous clothes now replaced by a form-fitting red jacket, a new pair of shorts as well as boots, looking much more fitting for her active fighting style. And speaking of that, a new rapier and focus were resting on her hips too. It suited her.

"It looks amazing on you!" Ameliance said. "I hope you like it?"

"Of course! It's fantastic. But..." Alisaie's face fell ever so slightly. "...I just hope that doesn't mean Alphinaud and I will have to wear the same clothes again."

"Of course not. You two are already grown up after all...even though you looked absolutely adorable in the same clothes," the older Elezen said with a hint of bittersweetness. "But you are right. That would be a little too much now. See for yourself."

After saying that, she turned her head towards the other set of stairs, where Alphinaud was walking down. Unlike his sister, he was wearing a wider, blue coat and a comfortable-looking pair of pants. The outfit was adorned with little knick-knacks that seemed to serve a function that S'eni was unable to tell. As he came to a stop, he smiled.

"Thank you, Mother. It fits perfectly," he said.

"I'm glad you like it, but the outfit is still missing something." Ameliance looked to the right. "If you would be so kind..."

The same servant who had taken the twins upstairs was now standing there with a box in her hands. "Excuse me, young Master," she said, stepping behind Alphinaud and putting the box down, before opening it. S'eni watched her pull four, strange-looking objects out of it, their appearance not unlike very short staves, and began to attach them to special mounts at the back of his coat. Once she was done, the woman stepped back again.

Glancing over his shoulder, Alphinaud's eyes grew wide. "Those are—!"

"Nouliths, yes. The armaments of a Sage. These belonged to your father," Ameliance said, taking whatever it was the servant was handing her. "As a student, before marrying his desk, he was often on expeditions. With these, he chased off quite a few ruffians and healed himself and his comrades. They are elegant tools that are capable of much more than keeping enemies at bay. And since you are at odds with your father, I thought it would be a good idea to take them out of the dusty confines of the attic. And one more thing..."

Walking over to her son, she took his hand and placed a Job Crystal in it. "It's not easy to master, but I am sure you are already experienced enough to swiftly make the knowledge inside it your own. May it grant you protection in your time of need. And perhaps it will one day help bridge the gap between Fourchenault and you, so that you can return home again."

Alphinaud looked down at the crystal and closed his hand around it tightly. "It will. I'm sure of it..."

"Good, then all that remains are a few words of motherly guidance," their mother said with a little exhale. "Fourchenault has always been serious and diligent, but he's only truly devoted himself to his duties as councillor after you were born. I have no idea what is going on with the Forum, but it cannot be a coincidence. Not with your father. Also, don't ever think you can convince him with any grand speeches. Deeds say more than words. If you show him your convictions like this you can spare yourself endless debates."

The twins gave her a dumbfounded look, before chuckling. "Oh, Mother..." Alisaie said.

"Thank you for everything. You're the best," Alphinaud said. "I hope we can meet again soon. And stay healthy!"

"Have a safe journey, you two. And come home in one piece!"

They both nodded and began walking towards the door, giving S'eni a look that said "Let's go" as they passed by. A smile forming on her face, she looked at Ameliance, who returned it with a motherly one of her own. She bowed, silently repeating her earlier promise, then joined her friends outside.

"Thank you, for indulging Mother's request," Alphinaud said once they were a good distance away from the estate. "I can tell it meant a lot to her. And I, uh, shall refrain from asking about your conversation. For now it would be best to return to our friends at the Annex."

"Would you mind going on ahead?" S'eni asked then. "With everything that's happened since the Labyrinthos, I feel like I need a moment to myself."

Alisaie shared a look with her brother and smiled. "Of course. Just don't take too long."

"I won't," she promised and waved her hand as they left in the direction of the Annex. Turning around, she made her way through Journey's End, taking in the sights the residential area had to offer until she arrived back at the bridge that would lead her to the Agora. From there, she headed down to the harbour, walking along the pier before sitting down on one of the benches there.

S'eni watched the water for a couple of minutes, enjoying the calmness of the moment. She then leaned forward a little to reach into her pouch and pulled something out. A flower; the very same kind they had found in the Labyrinthos.

Not a single wrinkle on it despite having carried it around since earlier. Krile's spell was doing wonders, it seemed. A guide, huh...?

As it turned out, the reason Krile had acted so strangely was because Hydaelyn had tried to contact her. With her friend's consent, she had used her body much like Minfilia in the past to talk to her. But...

"...Just what are you trying to tell me, Hydaelyn?" she muttered while looking the flower over, which appeared to be a little healthier from the ash gray color it had down there. Hydaelyn said that this flower would be important, but she didn't know in the foggiest how. In the end, she could only hope it would start to make sense in time.

Putting the flower back into her pouch, she leaned backwards and closed her eyes, deciding to steal a few more moments of peace before facing the music again. That was until a pair of very familiar footsteps made her ears perk up. She smirked. "You know, the way you can always sniff me out is starting to become quite suspicious. Care to explain?"

"Who knows," Y'shtola replied, eyes twinkling mischievously as she entered her field of view. "Maybe I have placed a spell on you that helps me better locate you."

"Oh? Well since it is you, I will overlook it. For now." They both laughed and Y'shtola said down next to her. "Decided to take a little break too?"

"Well, there was little point in standing around after informing the others of what happened, so I decided to truly stretch my legs," her lover explained. "I was actually on my way back when I spotted you. How did things go at the estate?"

"Quite good, as you'll see when we get back. It was a short visit, but I think both of them needed it," S'eni said. "After everything that happened since Gridania, seeing their mother again must have been a great relief, even if she sort of strong-armed them."

"I agree. While we are only partly involved in what is, essentially, a family matter, we also can't claim indifference to it. So seeing their mother welcome them so warmly was a great relief."

"Hm." She nodded.

They remained like this for a couple of minutes, enjoying this short moment of peace, for the next battle was sure to be following soon. Now that their investigation here had come to a halt, their next destination was all too clear: the Tower of Zot in Thavnair.

"Well, I believe this was quite enough rest for now," the other Miqo'te said and rose to her feet again. "But we should join the others."

"Yeah, you're right." S'eni followed suit and stretched herself. As they began to leave, she let her eyes wander up towards the Rostra, her mind returning to the meeting again. A duty so important that all else paled in comparison. They might not have found out what it was today, but by the gods, they would solve this mystery!

Until then, though... "Hey, Shtola?"

"Yes?"

"You still owe me that private tour."

"Oh? And when have I ever agreed to that?"

Best mom.