G: A scar, hmm? No, I don't particuly think so. Kinda like with Tifa from VII, who also has no scar lol.
The Ilsabard Contingent
You truly are not an idle one. After but a short time of well-deserved rest, it was right back to Eorzea to hatch your next plan. With the warding scales provided by Radz-at-Han, you now had the one weapon to finally strike back against the towers.
But instead of storming every single one of them like you did on Thavnair, your Eorzean allies had another idea. A strike at the very heart of the Telophoroi's machinations: Garlemald.
Better pack some warm clothes.
Raising her arm, S'eni blocked the incoming blow. She narrowed her eyes as she felt the savage force behind it, then pushed the arm to the side to punch back. It almost connected, but her opponent was already leaning backwards and out of reach. As she made to pursue, a sudden cry from her right made her duck just in time to avoid being kicked squarely in the side and she spun away to put some distance between herself and her opponents. She came to a stop with a little screech of her heel and faced the two of them. Bringing her arms back up, she tightened her fists...and grinned.
Lyse and Chuchuto mirrored her expression.
"Nice try," S'eni said, moving a little as the two did the same. "Are you sure you two never fought together before?"
"Positive," Lyse replied. "But seeing as you're such a good master and all, I probably just picked it up from you."
"And fighting alongside your fellow disciples of the Fist of Rhalgr has been quite...educational," Chuchuto added.
"More pity for me it seems." Dropping her arms, she danced from one foot to the other for a few seconds, before beckoning them over with a smirk.
Within the blink of an eye, all three of them exploded forward, meeting in a flurry of blows and kicks that made all the spectators around deck look at them with great interest. Each and every last one of them was a member of the Ilsabard contingent, made up of seasoned warriors, healers, blacksmiths, and engineers alike. The best of the best Eorzea and the Far East had to offer, united by one cause.
To destroy the spire in Garlemald and free the Garleans from its corrupting influence.
A daring plan, and one that had obviously received much resistance back home. The wounds received from decades of warfare against the Empire were still fresh. But with the fate of their world at stake, it was time to bury the hatchet, and it was good to see that so many agreed.
Dodging a strike from Lyse, S'eni was left wide open for the jumping Chuchuto, her tiny leg aimed squarely at her head...or so it seemed. Just as the boot was about to meet her face, she spun around and shot her own leg out at lightning speed, sending the Lalafel flying. Using the momentum, she then jumped into the air and delivered a kick to Lyse's head before the other woman could react, making her join Chuchuto on the ground in but a matter of seconds.
When she landed back on her feet, she looked at her two friends to see if either of them was eager and willing for some more, but both seemed to have the wind quite thoroughly knocked out of them from that one. After helping Chuchuto back to her feet, she walked over to Lyse to do the same. "Well," her friend said and took the offered hand. "That was a new one."
"I would be a bad master if I didn't come up with one or two techniques of my own, wouldn't I?" S'eni asked and pulled her back to her feet.
"I suppose that's true. You've got to teach me that one later. Seems pretty handy when you're surrounded."
"Agreed," Chuchuto said after joining them. "Seems like another exchange between the Fist of Rhalgr and the Pugilists' guild is in order."
"Alright, alright," S'eni chuckled. "I'll show it to you lat—"
From one moment to the next, the hairs on the back of her neck began to stand on end, and she whirled around, a bright flash surrounding her in mid-motion. Raising her staff, she cast a quick ice spell to intercept the fireball flying towards her, turning it into nothing more than a cloud of vapor. The grin returned to her face as a certain sinister laugh echoed through the air.
"Hm Hm Hm...May I ask for the next dance?" Cocobuki Lolobuki, Duke of Destruction himself, asked, the tip of his staff still radiating aether as he stepped forth. His uncovered, red piercing eye leveled her before the corners of his lips curled into a grin as well. "I'm sure everyone assembled would like to witness a taste of the devastation you are capable of."
A round of murmurs went through the crowd, confirming the Thaumaturges' guild master claims. S'eni nodded. "Alright, but let's make this more interesting thing,"
"What do you propose?"
"Lyse and I against you and—" her covered gaze moved across the crowd until it came to rest upon a certain Hrothgar. "Rostik! How about it? Want to test your mettle as a Gunbreaker against us?"
Rostik considered her offer for a moment, then smiled and made a grab for the Gunblade on his back. But before he could do so much as take a step towards them, they were interrupted by another voice.
"Far be it from me to spoil the fun, but I'm afraid Commander Lucia wishes to speak with you Master Rostik," Y'shtola said as she stepped through the crowd. "We are soon to arrive within Garlean airspace, so it would also be prudent to reserve our strength for what will await us."
Raising her blindfold, S'eni released a breath only to come out as a misty cloud. And now that the rush of the sparring match was subsiding, she also felt how cold it had gotten all of a sudden. It wouldn't be much longer now.
"Yeah, she's right," she said, the staff in her hand disappearing as she shifted back into her usual getup. Turning towards Cocobuki, she shrugged. "Another time then."
"Hm Hm Hm. A pity, but nothing to be done about it," the Thaumaturge said and put away his staff. Seeing as the show was now over, the crowd began to disperse and it didn't take long for only Y'shtola, Lyse, and Chuchuto to be the only ones left.
"Thanks for the match, Eni," Lyse said. "But I'd best check in with the rest of my troops."
"Same," the Chuchuto added, removing her finger from the linkshell in her ear. "General Tarupin wants to meet with the Ul'dahn volunteers."
"Alright." S'eni looked at her lover. "I guess we might as well get changed now."
"Indeed. It's starting to become a little too chilly for my liking."
After waving her two friends goodbye, S'eni and Y'shtola headed towards the quarters that had been provided for the female officers of the contingent. They were nothing fancy, of course, since the Garlond Ironworks weren't exactly in the business of building pleasure airships, but there was enough space for a couple of military bunk beds and a place for everyone to keep their things. She assumed it didn't look much different on the other ship. As they entered, they found the place surprisingly empty, but she supposed it wouldn't take too long until everyone else would have the same idea as them.
Walking towards the bunk bed she shared with Y'shtola, S'eni found herself lamenting the fact that these past few days of travel, the other Miqo'te had been sleeping strictly above her. A necessity, she knew, but a really annoying one. Oh well, no use getting annoyed about it, she thought and reached under the bed to pull out both of their traveling bags.
After handing over Y'shtola's, she proceeded to pull out the clothes Tataru had prepared for her and spread them out on top of her bed. A warm-looking coat, thick tights, and a pair of gloves and boots that looked like they could weather even the harshest of winters. Their mistress of coin had truly outdone herself.
She removed her adorning jewelry and slipped out of their himation, soon followed by her arm wraps and boots, leaving her in little but her underwear. Just as she was about to reach for her tights, she stole a glance at her lover, who was putting on a top right now. And was currently facing S'eni with her back.
A playful smile forming on her lips, she sneaked over, raised her arms and wrapped them around Y'shtola's waist just as she made to grab a pair of pants. "Got you, Shtola!" she sing-songed into the other Miqo'te's ear.
"So it seems," Y'shtola replied dryly. "And what is this going to be?"
"Oh, I don't know. You looked like you could use a little bit of cuddling right about now."
An amused giggle escaped Y'shtola. "Really?"
"Hm, really," S'eni hummed and pressed herself closer to her. "Though maybe—"
Fingertips brushed against soft skin as her hand began to travel upwards, stopping just under the hem of the top.
"—we could use this little moment to ourselves for something else."
"That's not a good idea and you know it." Y'shtola wiggled a little to try and get free. "Somebody might walk in anytime."
"True. But there's always time for this."
"Eni—" Before Y'shtola could say any more, S'eni gently took hold of her chin and turned her head to capture her lips in a deep kiss. Whatever protest the other Miqo'te held, swiftly evaporated as she began to return the kiss with equal favor. Looks like I wasn't the only frustrated one.
Their lips parted for a brief second, but still long enough for Y'shtola to sigh.
"What's wrong?" S'eni asked.
"It will be quite busy when we arrive."
"Don't worry." she smiled warmly and began leaning back in, her voice lowering into a sweet whisper. "I'll make us some time."
Y'shtola simply hummed into the kiss.
They stayed like this for a couple of minutes, lips locked in their passionate embrace; a quiet moment just to themselves before the storm that was undoubtedly waiting for them. But, of course, it was not meant to last, and the door soon opened, followed by a familiar voice. "Oh no! I am terribly sorry!"
Breaking their kiss, Y'shtola and S'eni looked towards the door, where Cirina was hastily averting her eyes. "I-I did not mean to intrude..."
With a sigh, S'eni let go of Y'shtola and moved back over to her clothes. "No, it's fine. Come in," she said, offering a silent prayer that it wasn't Sadu. She doubted she would have any stomach for the Dotharl's taunts right now. A quick glance over to her lover told her that she was just as annoyed at the interruption, despite having previously warned her about it.
After making sure there really was no naughty business afoot, the Mol stepped into the room, heading in their direction as soon as the door closed. S'eni could already tell that Cirina was about to apologize again and raised her hand before she could even utter a single word. "How are things going on your end? From the relative quiet, it seems you have managed to keep the peace between Magnai and Sadu?" she asked, taking the tights and sitting down to put them on.
"Yes. But it certainly has been no easy task. Especially not with the other Dotharl's becoming restless," Cirina said. "I believe it is only knowing their Khagan is present that they have not yet picked any fights."
"Come now, don't sell yourself short. You were the one to convince Sadu to join in the first place, and without so much as raising a finger. Meanwhile, I would've probably been forced to duel her again."
"If you say so..."
"I do." She smiled, and added with a wink, "as your friend, not your Khagan."
The Au Ra's lips rose into a smile of her own.
"But you can tell them that it won't be long now."
"I will." Cirina nodded and headed over to her own bed to do what she came here to do, leaving Y'shtola and her to change in peace. Once done, S'eni looked at herself, tapping the tips of her boots on the floor and clenching her fists a few times to test the gloves. She then threw a couple of punches and kicks into the air and, finding the freedom of movement sufficient, nodded to herself.
She then looked towards Y'shtola, who had just finished putting on her own, slightly more form-fitting coat. Her eyes locked with silvery white ones. Whatever it was the Telophoroi were going to throw at them, they were ready.
A little calm before the storm that is probably my favorite arc in Endwalker! Really looking forward to delve into Garlemald!