Back to Familiar Shores
After 25 years, Doma was finally liberated...
The people that had suffered so much under the rule of the Empire had earned their freedom with blood, tears, and sacrifice; that of Gosetsu above all, who had stayed behind in the collapsing castle to ensure our escape.
But we had no time to lament his loss. While the war for Doma was now over, the one for my home was still raging on.
So with promises of support from Hien, we left for Eorzea, where news of recent events were already waiting for us.
The cries of seagulls rang through the air as the ship swayed on the waves. Up and down, back and forth, remaining strong and steady, but ultimately at the mercy of the endless blue spreading out as far as the eye could see.
A strong wind blew from the south, offering them a helping hand on this last leg of their journey. But as all eyes were directed northward, S'eni was sitting on the stern and looked out towards the horizon, her hair dancing in the breeze.
There, far in the distance, lied the Rhotano Sea and within it, a series of islands that had once been all she had known of the world. The Cieldalaes.
Home.
She had watched them from a distance as their ship had passed by, and even now, with the largest of them having vanished beyond the horizon like the setting sun, she couldn't look away.
It reminded her of that day five years ago, when she had left with the first ship that was willing to offer her passage for what little Gil she had managed to scrounge up. Back then, she had been practically glued to the stern as she silently watched the archipelago become smaller and smaller with each passing moment. Only when the day began turning into night and the worsening weather forced all the passengers under the deck, had S'eni finally looked away.
And never looked back...until now.
Her ears perked up at the sound of approaching steps and she glanced over her shoulder to see that it was Lyse.
"Come to check up on me?" S'eni asked, a small smile forming on her lips.
"Yeah, you've been here for a while now. Thought I'd come looking before the others form a rescue party," Lyse replied and sat down next to her, moving her legs through the railing to let them dangle over the edge. "Everything alright?"
She hummed. "Don't worry. I'm fine. Just nostalgic, I suppose," she said. At the other woman's questioning look, she pointed towards the horizon and added, "I grew up on one of the islands in that direction."
"Oh, you're from the Cieldalaes?"
"Uh-huh. But shhhh." S'eni raised a finger to her lips. "We wouldn't want to reveal all of the mysteries revolving around the Warrior of Light."
They both burst into laughter.
"So what was it like?" her friend asked. "Growing up there, I mean?"
"Compared to now? Very boring." her smile grew. "But it was home. And with everything going on these days I guess I just can't help but think about it."
"Do you regret leaving?"
"Not at all," S'eni replied with a shake of her head. "Ever since I was little, I wanted to see what was out there. To see the world and go on adventures."
She reached a hand out towards the sky, closing her hand as if to grasp it. "All the things I've experienced, good and bad, and all the people I've met since...I wouldn't trade them for anything..."
Dropping her arm, S'eni turned her head to lock eyes with Lyse.
"Besides—" she brushed her fingers over her newest pair of earrings; two beautifully shaped teardrops made of red jade. "—I'd never be able to get my hands on these if I stayed there."
Her friend shook her head. "I don't know who's worse. You with earrings or Y'shtola with shoes."
"Oh, I would say we're roughly equal."
"Yeah, that sounds about right," Lyse chuckled.
A call from the crow's nest made them both look up.
"Well, I guess it's time to return to the present," S'eni said and rose to her feet, offering a hand to help Lyse up.
Midships, they found Alphinaud, Alisaie, and Yugiri with the rest of the passengers of the East Aldenard Trading Company vessel that Hancock had offered them for their travels back. And free of charge to boot, citing their 'opening up new trading opportunities' as more than enough payment for many ships and then some.
"Ah, there you are," Alisaie said when she noticed them approaching. "My dear brother here was starting to get worried."
"Sorry, I just needed a little time to myself," S'eni replied and shared a grin with Lyse.
The younger woman simply raised an eyebrow before turning her gaze back forward where Limsa Lominsa was slowly coming into view. "I don't know about you, but it feels good to be back."
"I agree," Yugiri said. "While Doma is my home, I will freely admit that a part of me has grown fond of Eorzea over my stay here. So to return fills me with joy as well."
"Especially with all the good news you're bringing along," S'eni added and gently nudged her with an elbow.
A small smile formed on the Au Ra's lips. "Indeed."
With the wind on their side, it didn't take long for the ship to draw close to Limsa Lominsa and soon enough they were entering the all too familiar port.
"Here we are, home at last," Alphinaud said after they stepped off the boat, a small measure of relief in his voice at being back on solid ground. Or as solid as possible given the city's unique nature. "And quicker than I expected."
"That's because of the absence of otherworldly interference this time around," Alisaie noted.
The younger man paled visibly.
"I-I would be glad if we never spoke of that again." He cleared his throat. "Nevertheless, we have returned, richer in experience and most importantly, triumphant."
"And with Doma freed, it is time we turn our attention to Ala Mhigo," Yugiri said.
"Not that I'm going to complain about that, but perhaps you should pay Revenant's Toll a visit first?" Lyse suggested. "I'm sure Hozan and the others will be thrilled to hear what we've accomplished and they should hear it from you."
The Shinobi nodded. "I shall do that. Thank you."
"I see I'm just in time," another voice then said and they all turned to see none other than Admiral Merlwyb Bloefhiswyn herself walking towards them, flanked on both sides by two Maelstrom soldiers.
"Admiral!" Alphinaud exclaimed. "What brings you here?"
"The East Aldenard Trading Company informed me of your impending arrival," Admiral Merlwyb explained. "I have tidings that I thought would be best shared in person."
"From Gyr Abania?" Lyse asked, her expression turning serious.
"Aye." the Admiral nodded, then proceeded to tell them how the Alliance and Resistance had fared in their absence. Most of it wasn't any new information for S'eni, since Y'shtola had brought her up to speed not too long ago, though she didn't like how they had seemingly entered a stalemate and that the Resistance had only middling success in their endeavours.
"It was complications from one such mission that made me seek you out." the Roegadyn woman's face became grim. "While transporting the wounded from Baelsar's Wall to the Rising Stones, Krile Baldesion was taken prisoner."
A gasp of surprise escaped Lyse and S'eni felt her heart begin to hammer in her chest. But it was Alphinaud who had the strongest reaction.
"Krile!?" He all but shouted, taking a step towards the Admiral. "Do they know where she's being held?"
"They don't. But your comrades were informed at once, and I'm told Thancred is already in Gyr Abania looking for her."
Alphinaud's eyes darted back towards them and began to pace back and forth.
"How could this have happened?" he asked, more himself than anyone else. After a few seconds he stopped. "We have to find Thancred at once—No, no. Krile taught me better than this. It would be unwise to act before getting the full picture..."
Taking a deep breath to calm himself, he looked at the Admiral once more. "Thank you for informing us. We will leave for Castrum Oriens at once. If you would excuse us, Admiral."
As they began walking down the docks, S'eni found herself rooted to the spot and her hand unconsciously moved towards her pocket.
Admiral Merlwyb hadn't said anything about any other prisoners or dead but...she had to make sure.
"I'm sorry," she said, making the others stop. "But can you guys go on ahead? I want to go to the Rising Stones and check on Shtola."
"Hmm, yes. She would have undoubtedly been there as well..." Alphinaud said. "Very well, please do. We shall meet with Thancred in the meantime."
Looking at each of her friends, S'eni nodded and began teleporting to Mor Dhona.
Revenant's Toll was as lively as ever, people coming and going, merchants plying their wares and the sound of kids laughing in the distance. It was a sight that gave her comfort. That despite everything that was happening, Revenant's Toll would be Revenant's Toll.
The same applied to the Seventh Heaven which was already filled with a decent number of customers that were all turning to look towards her when she all but slammed open the double doors leading into the tavern.
"Oh, S'eni. You're back!" Alys greeted her, wiping the counter with a rag.
"Sorry, no time. We'll catch up later," S'eni replied hastily as she made a beeline for the doors leading into the back.
As she entered the Rising Stones, she felt herself relax a little at the familiar surroundings and voices echoing through the large room, and despite her anxiousness right now, she couldn't help a smile.
Her appearance did not go unnoticed though and soon enough a loud voice was calling out to her, followed by thundering steps rushing towards her. She had barely time to turn towards the sound, when she found herself picked up into a bear hug.
"S'ENI!" Hoary Boulder shouted. "YOU'VE RETURNED!"
The Hellsguard broke out into laughter as he moved around, making her look like a doll in his giant arms.
"H-Hoary!" she managed to say as she tried to put a little distance between her face and his armor. "I'm glad to see you too, but could you let me go?"
But he didn't seem to hear her with how glad he was to see a good friend return.
Thankfully for her, wherever Hoary Boulder was, Coultenet was not far and so the Thaumaturge was quick to come to her rescue.
"I am as happy as you are to see her back, but perhaps you should let her have some space, my friend?" he asked the Roegadyn.
"Eh?" Hoary Boulder looked at his best friend for a moment before realization struck him. "Oh, of course! Sorry about that, S'eni."
He placed her back down on the ground.
"Thanks," she said to the Elezen, who gave her a polite smile in return.
"I take it the others have returned as well?"
"Yeah. They're on their way to Castrum Oriens to talk with Thancred about Krile."
The two men shared a look, their expressions turning serious. "Yes, we heard about what happened. We were busy with a mission of our own at the time so it was only well after the fact that we learned of it," the Hellsguard said, crossing his arms. "Godsdamned bastards!"
"Don't worry, we'll get her back," S'eni promised.
"If you need help, you know where to find us!"
A smile formed on her lips, glad to see the two of them still being the same as ever. "I know. Listen, I've come to check on Shtola. Can you tell me where she is?"
"Y'shtola? She is in her room," Coultenet told her. "I believe she is actually having a visitor right now..."
A visitor? S'eni wondered as she pushed past the two of them. "Thanks. We should have another sparring match soon, Hoary."
As she walked down the main hall, she passed by Alliane and her grandfather Isildaure, sitting together with Homei, and she gave them a small wave before heading down the hallway where the Archons' rooms were located.
She was just rounding the corner towards her lover's room when she bumped into the person that could only be the visitor Coultenet had talked about.
Y'mhitra.
The frown that was on the other woman's face brightened almost instantly when she laid eyes on her. "S'eni!" she said. "I didn't think you would be back already."
"Y'mhitra," S'eni greeted her back. "Just stepped off the ship, actually. How are you?"
"I'm fine, all things considered. Everyone is on edge about what is happening in Gyr Abania these days, but for us of the Sons, research never rests."
"And..." she looked past her lover's sister. "How's Shtola?"
"Stubborn," Y'mhitra replied, her frown returning and a hand placing itself on her hip as her tail wagged in annoyance. "Which means she's well on her way to recovery. You wouldn't even think she was seriously hurt with the way she's acting."
"Yeah, that's Shtola for you." S'eni chuckled.
Y'mhitra sighed and glanced over her shoulder. "Well, you probably want to speak with her, and I should be on my way anyway. But before I go, can I...ask you a favor?"
Hearing the tone in the other Miqo'te's voice, she became serious. "Of course. Anything."
"Please, keep an eye on her, will you? I know she's strong, but even someone as strong as her needs someone at her side." Y'mhitra took a step forward, placing a hand on S'eni's arm and letting her eyes come to rest upon hers. "And I know no one more capable than you."
S'eni could only stare at the other woman, mouth slightly agape and unable to look away from the gaze that reminded her so much of Y'shtola's back when she could still see normally. It was filled with concern and...something else, and she found herself wondering: did she know?
But she supposed it didn't really matter, because her answer was obvious.
Looking deep into the other's eyes, S'eni gave her a strong nod. Y'mhitra looked at her for a moment longer before releasing a breath through her nose and stepping back once more.
"Thank you. I can rest a little easier now," she said, smile returning. "Anyway, I should go. Let's meet up the next time you're in Gridania. You know where to find me. Maybe try and drag Shtola with you too!"
After exchanging good-byes, S'eni resumed her walk towards Y'shtola's room. With every step that she took, her heart began to beat faster and faster, and she was surprised that she managed to stop herself long enough to knock before stepping inside.
She hadn't even made it fully past, when her eyes landed on Y'shtola, sitting at the sole table inside the room with a book in her hand. Her hair was slightly unkempt and she was dressed in the most unflattering of bedclothes, but when those silvery-white eyes flickered into her direction at the sound of the closing door, there was only one word that came to mind.
Beautiful.
"Eni?" Y'shtola's looked at her in surprise. "You have returned.."
S'eni didn't reply as she practically flew across the room, her hurried footfalls muffled only slightly by the red and gold patterned carpet. The surprise gave way to confusion as she braced herself against the table, looked at her—
"Eni? What—"
—and dipped down to claim her lips with her own.
A startled noise escaped Y'shtola, and she stiffened up for just a fraction of a moment, before her shoulders relaxed once more and she leaned into the kiss.
There was a thump next to them but S'eni paid it no mind when the feeling of a warm hand snaking itself around her neck made her skin tingle in a million wonderful ways.
The lingering taste of tea, fruity with just a hint of spice, clung to Y'shtola's soft lips, its familiarity welcoming her home and filling her with desire to seek out more of it. But alas, those pleasant distractions would have to wait for another, more appropriate time.
Their lips separated with a small noise and she moved to rest her forehead against Y'shtola's.
"I'm back," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I can see that." Y'shtola chuckled and in a much lower voice said, "Welcome back."
They remained like this for a moment and S'eni couldn't help the purring sound escaping her at the feeling of nails gently caressing the back of her neck. Eventually though, and much to her loathing, they separated.
"Are you alright?" she asked as soon as she stepped back, taking a moment to look her over. "Admiral Merlwyb told us you were attacked and that Krile was taken prisoner."
"Yes. Thanks to Arenvald and his companions," Y'shtola said. "They protected us during the ambush."
"I'll have to thank him later then." Kneeling down in front of her lover, S'eni placed a hand on her knee. "What exactly happened?"
The other Miqo'te's face darkened. "The Skulls. They attacked us after we reached the Black Shroud. Most likely using a path across the Wall that nobody knew about."
"The Skulls...do you think they were after the wounded?"
"No." Y'shtola shook her head, eyes narrowing slightly. "They would not have gone to this length just to kill a handful of wounded soldiers that aren't in fighting shape. No, I believe they were there for another reason."
"Krile."
"Precisely. I don't know for what purpose though. All I can say is that they retreated as soon as they had taken her."
S'eni frowned. If the Garleans had sent troops to capture Krile, then that meant they had some sort of plan for her.
Not on her watch.
"I know that look. You're already trying to come up with a way to rescue her. And knowing you, it's something reckless again."
The corners of her lips curled upwards. "Guilty as charged. But before that we'll have to figure out where exactly they've taken her."
"I'm sure between you and the others it won't be long before you find her. In the meantime I shall wait with bated breath while I keep to my bed."
"Shtola."
Y'shtola sighed and waved her hand. "Don't mind me."
Looking at her lover, she could tell that she was frustrated about being confined to the Rising Stones instead of fighting alongside them. An idea sprang up in her mind and she felt her smile grow as she reached towards her pocket while holding out a hand.
"Give me your hand," she said. The other woman raised an eyebrow but otherwise complied.
Pulling her other hand back out of her pocket, she produced a small chain-like object and began to put it on Y'shtola's wrist.
"Before we left Kugane, I had another look around the market and found this. It reminded me of your hair, so I bought it," S'eni explained, a little embarrassed at the reasoning. The small clasp closed with a little 'click' and she pulled her hands back. "I hope you'll like it."
Y'shtola raised her hand to look at the bracelet made of woven silver that was separated every inch by milky white, oval-shaped jade. She ran her thumb across one of the gems before smiling.
"Yes, I do like it." The smile then turned into a little grin as she reached out and tapped one of S'eni's earrings. "I see you have not forgotten to buy yourself a present too."
"Yeah, well, I just can't quit I suppose." They shared a laugh.
"Interesting outfit as well," Y'shtola said and gently pulled at the end of her scarf.
Rising to her feet, S'eni took a few steps back and did a little twirl.
"What do you think?" she asked with a giggle. "The old one didn't make it, but I have to say I really like this one too. Breathable, but keeps you warm during chilly nights. And most of all: durable."
She gave the fabric a strong pull.
Y'shtola looked her over, tilted her head once, then nodded with a hum.
"It suits you..." the other woman said, slowly rising to her feet as well and walking towards her. For a moment, S'eni was worried that she might be pushing herself, but that was quickly dispelled when she saw how steady Y'shtola was on her legs.
Stopping in front of her, Y'shtola gave her another, much slower once over and reached out to trail her fingers across the hem of her haori. "...but it's quite a lot to unpack, don't you think?"
Silvery white came to rest upon cherry pink, and before S'eni could even utter a word, she found herself pulled into another kiss that made her toes curl.
A soft sigh escaped her when Y'shtola's hand moved to cup her cheek, her thumb gently stroking across one of her face marks, and she let her eyes flutter close to let herself immerse in this feeling.
One of her arms was just about to wrap itself around her lover's waist when a knock resounded off the door.
Breaking the kiss, they looked at one another through half-lidded eyes, and S'eni cursed under her breath.
"I guess time's up," she said.
Y'shtola didn't look any more pleased than she was. "I suppose so."
Another knock soon followed, and they took a step back from one another before the other Miqo'te told whoever it was to come in.
The door opened to reveal Clemence, one of the Scions' other healers, standing there.
"I'm sorry for the intrusion Y'shtola, but it's time for your daily—Oh hello, S'eni," the young woman said, her lips curling into a smile. "I heard Hoary Boulder say that you were back."
"Hey." S'eni raised her hand in greeting. "And I'm sure most of the Rising Stones already heard."
"True." Clemence giggled.
"Anyway, I should be on my way. The others are probably waiting for me," she said and turned towards Y'shtola. "Well..."
"Say hello to the others from me," Y'shtola said, the corners of her lips quirking upward. "And do stay in touch."
The last she said while pointing at her ear.
Mirroring her lover's expression, she sent her a little wink. "Will do," she said and began walking towards the door, stopping only as she passed by Clemence to say a swift goodbye to her before leaving the room.
S'eni had just closed the door behind her and was beginning to head down the hallway when the healer's muffled voice made her pause.
"Why is there a book lying on the floor?"
With a grin splitting her face, she released a snicker and continued on her way.
Giving a little love to some of the minor Scions who might not be as larger than life than our main cast, but who are always fun to talk to nonetheless!
And that's it for this week. Have a good weekend!