Family Reunion

Revenant's Toll wasn't a quiet place. Being situated as it was, many people came and went at any time of the day. Merchants, adventurers or just travelers passing through on their way to Coerthas or Thanalan, they all were a common sight here. It was almost hard to believe that this place originated from an Aetheryte camp that had to be abandoned in the wake of the Calamity.

S'eni supposed it was something it shared with the Crystarium. At first being nothing more than people flocking towards this strange tower in search of protection, it had become a buzzing city and a symbol of hope. It truly was amazing what could be done, when like-minded people came together, and it made her wonder, with a dash of amusement, if Revenant's Toll would also grow beyond these walls in a hundred years' time, turning these crystal filled hills into another city-state in its own right.

But before she could really go down that trail of thought, she found herself yanked back into the here and now. "Kweh!"

Turning her head away from the people passing by, she was met by her reflection in a pair of round black eyes as they stared at her expectantly.

"Alright, alright," she chuckled and moved the brush that had come to a halt during her thoughts through his plumage once more. Zack released a chirp and closed his eyes, clearly enjoying the treatment he was given. "Spoiled bird..."

After she was done thoroughly cleaning him, she reached into her pouch, pulled out some greens and tossed them into the air, where the Chocobo swiftly caught them with his beak while she put the brush away. With a smile, she stroked his neck. "I'll take you for a ride later. Be good."

"Wark!"

With a final pat, she left the stables and began to head back to the Seventh Heaven when someone called her name. S'eni turned towards them and smiled. "Alianne!" she called back, raising her hand in a friendly greeting as the Elezen came walking towards her. "Already back from Doma?"

Shortly after the others had returned, Alianne had accompanied her grandfather Isildaure to Yanxia. As much as the old man was a capable fighter, he was closely nearing his 67th nameday and the strength from his youth was slowly waning. So to not get in the way, he decided to embark on a journey to visit his good friend Homei.

"Yes, I was lucky enough to find a ship back right away."

"So, how's Isildaure? Happy to see Homei again?" she asked as they walked towards the tavern.

"You can say that again," Alianne replied with a giggle, brushing some of her dark hair behind her ear. "Nearly threw his back out when he greeted him. And soon after I might as well not have been there at all with how quickly I was forgotten. I'm happy he found a kindred spirit even at his age though."

Yes, those two really had found one another, S'eni supposed. Two peas in a pot. "And how did you like Doma?"

The Elezen smiled. "It's a beautiful place. I think when things have become calmer I would like to travel the area, maybe even all of Othard."

"I'm sure Hien can arrange something."

They entered the Rising Stones and immediately made a beeline for the bar, where Ephemie was currently cleaning a few glasses while occasionally glancing over to the side. Raising an eyebrow, S'eni followed her gaze and found herself chuckling at the sight. It was the Boulder brothers, having a rather spirited conversation with their newest addition while the nearby standing Aenor looked rather torn apart by the whole ordeal, her eyes flitting from Ocher to Hoary, then to G'raha before landing back on the first. Clemence, who was watching her sister in the meanwhile, simply buried her face in her hand in embarrassment.

She watched as G'raha's ears perked up before turning his head towards her, sending her a friendly wave then returning to the conversation at hand.

"Glad he's getting along with the rest," she said when Alianne and her had reached the counter.

"Maybe a little too well." Ephemie grinned. "Can I get you two anything?"

"Oh, yes please. I'm quite thirsty," Alianne said and sat down. S'eni simply shook her head but sat down as well. The three of them fell into simple conversation, mostly about Alianne's journey to and from Doma with the occasional anecdote from S'eni about her own travels through Yanxia. She stole a glance towards G'raha and the others, which had now been joined by Coultenet as well, and smiled. But her attention was soon drawn to the next person that entered the room and her expression grew wider.

"If you would excuse me," she said while rising to her feet.

"Sure," Ephemie said, sharing a rather knowing smile with Alianne that she couldn't see while walking towards Y'shtola.

"Ah, there you are. I was wondering where you were this morning."

"I was in the Waking Sands together with Urianger," Y'shtola explained. "He asked me if I could help him in researching this mysterious fourteenth member of the Convocation you mentioned."

"Was that wise?" S'eni frowned. "You two aren't fully recovered yet."

"We are fine, I assure you. We traveled by carriage. But more importantly, Urianger has a theory about this Azem that he would like to share with you once he is back."

"Oh?" she raised her brows. "Well, guess I got something to look forward to then."

"In the meantime—" Y'shtola's lips curled into a smile. "—you wouldn't happen to be free? No pressing adventures that require the attention of the Warrior of Light?"

"Not that I'm aware of..." she replied with a little shrug. "But you know how that can go."

"Join me for tea then," the other Miqo'te said, her tone light but laced with a hint of the one that brooked no argument. Knowing that any attempt to say no was doomed to fail, S'eni nodded.

Besides, tea actually sounded quite lovely right now. "Sure."

Together, they left the Rising Stones once again and headed over to Rowena's House of Splendors where they sat down at one of the many tables overlooking Revenant's Toll. After ordering some tea and a few biscuits, S'eni watched some of the people as they went about their business, before turning her attention back to her lover and crossing her arms lightly. "Alright, so what's going on?"

"My sister is visiting and I thought you would like to be there as well."

"Y'mhitra is coming over?" her ears perked a little. "Why didn't you just say so?"

"Maybe she wanted to keep the surprise a little longer," a voice from behind said and S'eni glanced over her shoulder to see Y'mhitra already walking towards them. After shooting her a smile, Y'mhitra turned her attention towards Y'shtola, who rose to her feet to accept her sister's hug. The two remained like this for a brief moment before letting go again. "Welcome back. It's hard to believe you were in a different world."

"Sometimes I can scarcely believe it myself."

"You look good." Y'mhitra gave her a once over. "Nice outfit."

Y'shtola smiled. "Tataru has outdone herself."

Both sisters sat down, Y'mhitra taking the place between S'eni and Y'shtola and looked at the former again. "So how have things been on your end? It's been a while since your previous return from the First."

Sharing a look with her lover, S'eni chuckled. "Mostly fine. It's been awfully quiet since our return."

Though she had no illusions that there wouldn't be any news from the investigation into the VIIth legion's Weapon project or from the Bozjan front. The veritable calm before the storm. Better to make the most of it while it lasted.

While they talked about this and that, mostly just pleasantly inane things, their order arrived and the corners of her lips rose as the bright scent of the tea entered her nose. Taking her first sip, she let out a tiny appreciative sigh at the zesty taste of lemon before reaching out to take one of the biscuits. Rowena might be a cutthroat merchant, but she knew how to treat her customers; even if she didn't know how to treat her ex-husband...

...then again, Gerolt did deserve some of it. Well, a lot actually.

"So," Y'mhitra said, looking at her sister after placing her cup back on its saucer. "What did you want to talk about? Your letter made it sound quite important."

Hearing that, S'eni immediately stopped nibbling on the biscuit and stared at Y'mhitra as if she had just grown a second head. "Wait a minute...Shtola wrote to you!?"

"Oh yes. I could hardly believe it myself when her letter arrived. I even pinched myself to see if I wasn't dreaming!"

Y'shtola just narrowed her eyes in a glare which she held for a few seconds before shaking her head with a muttered "Honestly...". After taking a long sip from her cup, she spoke once more. "There's something Eni and I have to tell you."

Realization began to dawn on S'eni and she locked eyes with her lover, a hint of a rising smile peeking out from behind her cup. She nodded and looked back at Y'mhitra.

"You see, Eni and I—"

"Please tell me you two have gotten together over there! You don't know how frustrating it is starting to become watching you two dance around it."

S'eni stiffened for a second, then let herself slump back into her chair with a sigh while Y'shtola placed her cup back down and pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Yes, we are indeed together," Y'shtola said, her tone rivaling the Sagoli Desert. "And I was just about to apologize for keeping it a secret from you for so long, but I believe I shall refrain from doing so now."

"Thank the Twelve, especially Menphina and Thaliak for getting through your skulls," Y'mhitra exhaled deeply, looking as if the greatest burden of the world had finally been lifted from her. For a moment, S'eni felt almost a little offended. The expression on the younger Miqo'te soon changed though, when what Y'shtola said fully sank in. "Wait a minute! What do you mean 'keeping it a secret'?"

"Exactly what I said."

Y'mhitra rose from her seat, planting both of her hands on the table. "You two have been together all this time!?"

"Indeed," Y'shtola replied and, deciding she was done answering questions, went back to drinking her tea.

S'eni took that as her cue to continue, an apologetic look forming on her face. "It happened the night after the assault on Baelsar's Wall. We decided to keep it to ourselves due to the situation, but I suppose in hindsight, we should have just come clean after Ala Mhigo was liberated. I'm sorry for keeping you in the dark for so long."

With a little grumble, Y'mhitra sat back down, swiping one of the biscuits off the plate and biting off a large chunk, mumbling to herself while chewing. After she was done with it, she took another, making short work out of it as well, before finally speaking again. "I must have made a real fool out of myself trying to drop hints for you."

"Only a little," Y'shtola cut in, grasping the can, soon followed by the warm sound of pouring tea as she refilled her cup.

"If it makes you feel better, I thought you might have figured it out already," S'eni said.

"Whatever." Y'mhitra shook her head, exhaling through her nose and smiling. "What's important is you two are together."

They both returned the smile.

With her cheer returned, Y'mhitra returned to drinking her tea. "Does old Master Matoya know as well?"

"Yes," Y'shtola replied.

S'eni nodded her head before snapping it towards her lover. "You knew!?"

Y'shtola just shrugged lightly.

She blinked once, twice, then did the only thing that made sense right now. With a shrug of her own, she took another biscuit and moved on. Trying to understand these two Matoya's was just going to be a headache.

With the initial shock so to speak now gone, the three of them fell back into idle conversation, though Y'mhitra tried, and failed, to prod them for a few details about their relationship. Eventually though, it was time for her to depart once again, and they left the House of Splendors in the direction of the stables where her rented Chocobo was waiting. After unbinding the fluffy bird, she turned towards Y'shtola and S'eni.

"I wish I could stay longer, but as my dear sister can attest to, one's research never rests. Ah, that reminds me..." reaching into her pocket, Y'mhitra produced a small bag that she handed to her sister. "Your tea."

"Thank you," Y'shtola said, then found herself pulled into another hug.

"I hope you'll write more often from now on."

Y'shtola chuckled. "We shall see."

After letting go of her sister, Y'mhitra turned towards S'eni and hugged her as well.

"See you around, Y'mhitra," she said.

"Just Mhitra," the other Miqo'te replied. With a little wink, she added, "After all we're almost family now."

After having said goodbye, Y'mhitra climbed on her Chocobo and rode off. As they watched her head down the road to Coerthas, S'eni slipped her arm around Y'shtola's waist, pulling her closer.

"You seem happy," she commented.

"I am," Y'shtola admitted, pale eyes following her sister until she was completely out of sight. She then looked towards S'eni. "Though I shall also come to very much regret it in the future since she will no doubt relentlessly tease me about you."

"Hm." S'eni nodded. "But that's just how younger siblings are."

"Yes—" Y'shtola closed her eyes and let her head come to rest on S'eni's shoulder, a tiny smile playing on her lips. "That they are."