A Moment of Mundanity
When she had first set foot into Eulmore, the initial image she had gotten of its citizens was a bunch of pampered people and those who served them, living away in their little paradise while the world outside was going to rack and ruin.
Everyone was happy and satisfied; everything was perfect. Until the veil had been torn down to reveal the awful truth that had always lurked underneath.
Then their true character revealed itself and S'eni was happy that the first impression definitely hadn't stuck. In fact, underneath all that pomp, the people of Eulmore were hard-working people in their own right, as the damages done during the battle had largely been repaired already.
And now, as she sat in The Grand Dame's Parlor, twirling her tea with a finely crafted spoon, she found herself smiling.
"Any more and you will make a hole in it," she heard Y'shtola say right next to her ear. Chuckling, she removed the spoon and raised the cup to her lips, taking a few seconds to appreciate the scent of honey and lemon before sipping from it.
S'eni looked at Y'shtola, who was enjoying her own cup of tea, then let her eyes wander across the table, past emptied plates, and towards Ryne and Alisaie having a pleasant chat.
Or rather the latter telling one of the many stories of the embarrassment of Alphinaud. "—you should have seen his eye when he realized how much money he had just spent. As wide as these saucers here. I've never seen him sweat so much in my entire life!"
They burst into laughter. It was a good thing that the young man in question was currently out running an errand or he might have exploded from embarrassment. Tataru had been sulking for weeks after.
But in the end, it had been her who had to do all the heavy lifting to turn the red in their book into a nice black again.
...Yes, next time Alphinaud screwed up like that, it would probably be a very good lesson for him to fix it on his own.
She dismissed the memory, choosing to instead take another sip and simply listen.
"How are things going at the Inn?" Ryne asked after their current topic ended. "We were only passing by so I couldn't really get a good look at the patients."
Alisaie's face fell. "They aren't getting worse, but there are also no visible signs of improvement. Y'shtola, could you perhaps come by the Inn later to examine them? Your unique sight might be of assistance."
"Of course. But for now, might I suggest you try and relax a little?" the other Miqo'te asked. "Your concern is commendable, but that doesn't mean you should forget to look after yourself, which I'm sure everyone at the Inn will agree with."
The Elezen sighed and nodded, smile returning if a little dented. "You're right. After all, that's what we're here for, right?"
"Indeed."
"So on that note..." Alisaie looked between Y'shtola and S'eni before clearing her throat and averting her eyes a little. "...how long have you two been..."
"Together?" S'eni asked.
"Yes."
She looked at her lover, who just shrugged in silent consent while drinking her tea, then said, "Since after what happened at Baelsar's Wall."
"Oh...I see." The young woman's eyes immediately and she all but jumped out of her chair. "Wait since then!?"
S'eni just hummed.
"So...that night in Limsa Lominsa after we met with Lyse?"
"Uh-huh."
"And the time when we returned from Doma and you went to Revenant's Toll?"
"That's right." She nodded.
Alisaie stared at them for a moment, mouth slightly agape in shock. From one second to the next, her eyes narrowed. "Wait, so why didn't you tell us?"
"I assure you we meant no harm," Y'shtola finally said, putting her now empty cup away. "But the situation being what it was, we decided to keep it a secret for the time being."
"And afterwards we just...didn't really have the time to tell you," S'eni added. "Then, well, G'raha summoned us one by one."
With another sigh, Alisaie flopped back onto her chair. Ryne, who had followed this exchange with visible confusion on her face, offered them a smile.
"Well, I'm happy for you two," she said.
The young Elezen rubbed a hand across her face, closing her eyes for a moment, before nodding. "So am I, believe me, I'm just feeling incredibly stupid."
"Thanks, you two," S'eni said. "That really means a lot."
"I'll just take solace knowing that my dear brother was just as surprised. Then again that doesn't really say much." Alisaie waved her hand. "Anyways. I think I shall have more tea."
"Hm. I concur," Y'shtola said.
"Then I'll take one more of those tasty cream rolls." S'eni raised her hand to call over a waiter.
After another round of tea, and an ever so tasty treat, the four of them left the Parlor to truly see what the city had to offer now that normalcy had entered its halls. Eventually, they ended up in a large hallway with various stores that sold everything the heart might desire.
"I heard the Goggs are holding a festival soon and thought I might check it out. Might be a good chance to apologize for the trouble we—" she stopped abruptly as her eyes landed on a row of display cases filled with sets of beautiful earrings, one pair almost prettier than the next.
She walked over to one, placing her hand on top of it and caressing the glass that kept her separated from them. Behind her, Y'shtola only shook her head while Ryne tilted her head questioningly and Alisaie just shrugged.
It didn't take long for S'eni to be approached by a young Mystel woman, clothed in a nice-looking dress. "May I help you?"
"Uh, yeah." She nodded, eyes moving towards the woman for a second before flitting back to the display case. "I'd like to buy this pair—no this—actually, no no, this!"
S'eni pointed at a beautiful pair of emeralds that seemed to glow with a light of their own, attached to gold filament spiraling downward on its velvet cushion.
"A good choice. Just a moment."
Money soon exchanged hands and she was handed a small box with a pair of new earrings to her name. With a satisfied smile, she walked back towards the others.
"And another addition to the ever-growing collection," Y'shtola said, a teasing edge in her voice.
"Right you are." She nodded and opened the box to show them to the others.
"Oh, they're so pretty!" Ryne said.
"And I've got just the outfit to go with them back home."
"Do you now?" The other Miqo'te's eyebrows rose.
"Yeah. I'll make sure to show you...eventually." S'eni sent her a wink.
Ryne leaned in a little closer to get a better look at the earrings. "An outfit to go with them...I honestly wouldn't know where to start. I don't exactly own more than the ones I'm wearing."
"Well we can't have that!" S'eni snapped the box shut and put it into one of her pouches. Her eyes then went to Alisaie and Y'shtola. "You heard that, ladies?"
"Loud and clear," the Elezen replied, lightly crossing her arms and smiling.
"Good." A smirk danced across her face.
"Huh?" Ryne took a startled step back. Any protest she might have had died on her lips, as S'eni grabbed her hand and began to pull her along. With a chuckle, Alisaie followed while Y'shtola shook her head in amusement before doing so as well.
They passed by a multitude of stores until they found one that caught S'eni's eye, offering a wide arrange of outfits that she was sure would include something fitting for her young friend. Like many things in Eulmore, the interior just screamed pomp and held exactly the kind of flamboyance one would expect of a place such as this in this city.
If Redolent Rose was here, he'd be screaming in delight, she thought.
"Welcome," they were greeted by a Hume woman, dressed to the nines as befitting of an establishment like this. "How may I be of service?"
"My young friend here—" she pulled Ryne in front of her, placing her hand on the girl's shoulders. "—is looking for some new clothes."
"Certainly." The seamstress smiled and took a step closer to take a good look at Ryne, who embarrassingly stared back. After a moment, a spark recognition formed in her eyes. "I know you. You are the girl that helped us."
She then looked at S'eni. "And you are the Warrior of Darkness, are you not?"
"Yes." S'eni held a finger in front of her lips. "But let's not make a big deal out of it. Today we're just simple customers looking for nice clothes."
"I see. Very well then. Do you have anything in mind, young lady?"
"Uhm..." Ryne shook her head.
"Then we shall have a look around to see if there is something to your liking." The woman led them through the store, showing them a vast array of outfits, from long dresses to some more unique-looking clothes. Like the ensemble of black and dark purple, a mix of a long coat and a stylish top, adorned with frills. But what really caught S'eni's attention were the shoes.
"By the Twelve..." she murmured as she looked at the long, metal heels attached to them. "You could take an eye out with those things."
"They do look nice," Y'shtola said from next to her, having obviously taken note of them as well.
"Am I hearing interest?"
Her lover smiled. "Perhaps."
"I am afraid this ensemble is not for sale. It is a special order by one of our regulars," the seamstress told them and a small frown crossed her features. "She was actually supposed to pick it up a while ago. I hope she is well."
After a little while longer, Ryne found something to her liking and vanished into the back to change. Y'shtola and Alisaie chose this time to look around a little themselves, even if they didn't necessarily want to buy something, leaving only S'eni for when the girl emerged once again dressed in a nice looking white gown that went down to her ankles, simple in its design but suiting her very well.
For a moment, she found herself reminded of the time she had been in her position, shortly before that godsdamned banquet, but quickly banished that memory and instead began to look her up and down. "Hmm."
"Not good?" Ryne asked, causing her to smile and shake her head.
"On the contrary. You look lovely."
Pink began to stain the girl's cheeks and she lowered her eyes to the ground.
With a giggle, S'eni turned towards the woman. "I believe we have a winner."
"Excellent. Then we shall take her measurements next. Please excuse me for a minute."
As she left to fetch her things, Ryne walked over to the nearby mirror and looked at herself in it, turning to either side and raising her skirt a little. "You don't think it's a bit much?"
"Not at all." She stepped up to her, placing her hands on her shoulders once more while looking at their reflections. "I think it suits you very well."
Ryne didn't look convinced.
"Remember what I told you?" she asked and lowered her arms to hug her closer, leaning down to bring their cheeks together. "Girls like us should look pretty."
A dumbfounded look formed on the girl's face and she blinked once, twice, before bursting into laughter in which S'eni swiftly joined her.
"I see you two are having fun," Y'shtola said and they both turned to see her approaching. Coming to a stop, she gave Ryne a once over, then smiled. "You look good."
"See?" S'eni grinned. "Even Y'shtola thinks so. And she doesn't dispense any needless flattery."
"Yes, I see," Ryne giggled and turned back towards her reflection, looking at it one final time before nodding.
After Ryne had her measurements taken, and the gown was paid for by S'eni, they were told to return in two days and left the store again.
"So what's next?" Alisaie asked as they walked down the hall.
"Now that we have a gown, there is one more thing we need," S'eni replied.
Stopping in her tracks, Ryne looked at her. "And what's that?"
She looked at her lover. "Shtola?"
Y'shtola nodded and pointed over to a store offering a multitude of shoes, an amused look forming in her pale eyes. "A nice outfit needs something to go with."
And as they made their way over to the store, S'eni knew that she would be a good deal of Gil shorter by the end of this day. But the smile on Ryne's face, and the fact that she could simply act like a normal girl her age without any worries, was more than worth it.
Gods, Y'shtola was right! She really was turning into a mother hen!