The peace on the ship had lasted for a span of time Lunaire was unaccustomed to. Beyond idle chatter and tending to Wuk Lamat when the ocean's rocking became too much for her, Lunaire found herself somewhat complacent. She should have found the peace relaxing and well-deserved after everything. Instead, she found it wound her nerves up more. She almost hoped for another storm to pass their way, if for no other reason than to give her something to do.
"You seem…bored," Erenville commented beside her, as she gazed out towards the horizon.
"Is it wrong to admit I am?"
"Not at all. Though I must admit, I am glad you are bored. Excitement for you tends to spell doom for most around."
She chuckled. A fair comment, if a little harsh. But she did appreciate Erenville's bluntness. A welcome relief from the verbosity of some of her other companions. Not to say she disliked talking with them, but she didn't mind someone being more forthwith.
Lunaire turned her gaze away from the rippling blue and to the ship. Their other companions — Wuk Lamat not included — had found other means of occupying themselves. She had to applaud Alphinaud's ability to read while the ship rocked so, for she certainly could not.
"What's Tuliyollal like?" she asked Erenvile, hoping striking conversation might ease the drudgery.
"I think Wuk Lamat may be able to give you a better answer."
"I fear she may be rather indisposed." As if to confirm, the sound of retching sounded from the near distance.
"A fair point. You'll have to forgive me if my descriptions leave much to be desired."
"I'm sure you'll do it justice."
He put a hand to his chin and seemed to think on his answer. He meandered towards the railing of the ship and leaned against, and Lunaire settled in beside him. His yellow eyes flickered back and forth, as if drawing the images of the location to his mind. Putting the image to his mind as thoroughly as possible to describe it best.
"I'd say you might think of it as similar to Ul'dah or Radz-at-Han. The marketplace in particular. But far more colorful."
"Oh? That sounds nice, actually."
She tilted her head back, staring up into the other deep blue surrounding them. The sun warmed her skin and made her nostalgic for days long ago. A childhood oft forgotten in the busyness of her life. The sun warmed her skin and the breeze tousled her hair in a way not too dissimilar to what she felt as they sailed to Tuliyollal, with a similar sort of innocent excitement welling in her chest.
"I wonder if it'll remind me of home. When I was a kit in Ul'dah, I used to spend much of my time scurrying around the market stalls."
"Oh, you're from Ul'dah?" Erenville blinked a few times, but seemed to accept the notion quickly. "I had thought you unlike the people I've met from Gridania."
"You can tell the difference?"
"To a degree, yes. Everyone has different habits based on where they come from. You notice it the more places you go. You find yourself picking out others who are strangers to strange lands, all because of how they act. An Eorzean in Tural is easily picked out, the way a Turali in Old Sharlayan is."
"You weren't easy to pick out."
"I've spent a lot of time in Old Sharlayan. I know their habits and ways. They've become my own."
"Would you have guessed I was raised in Ul'dah, then?" He glanced over, his hand coming to rest on his chin again.
"Perhaps, given enough time. I'm sure certain things would have stuck out."
"Such as?"
"A propensity for spices in your food. A proclivity for warmer climes. A preference for lighter colors and ornate embroidery on clothing. Those sort of things." She nodded. Things she would have never thought about, but caught the eye of a gleaner. "Even a preference for certain types of tea can give you away."
"Really?"
"Mhmm." He nodded frankly. "For instance, the only people I have met who love chai more than Thavnairans, are Coerthans."
Lunaire nodded in agreement. She had shared many a well-spiced blend in Coerthas. Shared cups with old friends, some not visited recently enough and others long gone. A few memories let slip into her mind, but she brushed them off. Perhaps why she didn't relish such peaceful journeys. The thoughts that would resurface. The way it would make her heart ache when it was meant to be filled with joy.
But she told herself not to linger. They were going on a new adventure, not wallowing in old sorrows. Though, she supposed, there was nothing wrong with letting her memories come with her. Taking them all on another adventure with her, to lands unknown to them. It would be worse to forget them, she reminded herself.
"Do you spar, Erenville?"
"I do not. Though gleaners do need to have some combat training, we don't spend much time honing it. If you seek such entertainment, you'll have to rely on Alisaie for that."
"A shame. It's a great way to clear your mind."
"I have always heard." He smiled, but in a way that betrayed his sympathies. "Perhaps, if I've nothing better to do, I'll come by to watch. I'm sure if Wuk Lamat can stomach it, I'll send her over to watch."
"I think she'd enjoy that."
"Agreed."
Author's note: I had originally planned to write them having a conversation during the storm, but I felt the scene was a little too chaotic for them to have ended up doing much more than going back to rest afterwards. I, again, like the idea of these too being more than simply cordial, but much warmer when away from everyone else. Erenville gives me the impression of someone who struggles to open up, especially around so many people.