Chapter 36: Friends Gathered
Krile had been right: catching up with Y'shtola, Urianger, and Thancred first at the Last Stand had definitely been a good starting point. While he had declined staying till the drink ran out, he had certainly gotten his fill of food.
He doubted he'd ever get his fill of companionship, though. He would have loved to linger just to exist beside them for a while longer but time was short and he truly did want to check in on the others.
The walk to Noumenon was quite pleasant. Like every other coastal place he had visited, his thoughts wandered briefly to Limsa Lominsa, a mild sort of homesickness settling low in his chest. He wasn't quite sure when Limsa had become his second home but he was happy it had. It made moments like that leisure stroll along Old Sharlayan streets comforting and reassuring, the sound of the water - both those of the ocean and that of the numerous waterways - soothing the anticipation buzzing high in his chest.
Twelve, let them make it back.
He shook his head as he came over the last rise, drawing himself away from that dangerous precipice. He could stress himself over the possibilities on the trip there. Right now he needed to not spiral into a ball of anxiety before they even had a working mode of transportation.
Not that that was fair to the Sharlayans that had been working on the ship. It worked just fine, it just needed a speed boost.
Hopefully that was going well too.
He caught sight of red in the gazebo next to the Noumenon's entrance just as he nearly started down a different spiral. Abruptly changing course, he wandered over and couldn't help the smile that spread across his face at what he found.
Alisaie and G'raha did not look overly comfortable sleeping sitting up but it was certainly adorable, not that he would say as much out loud. Alisaie would be quick to punch him in the arm for such a comment if she didn't settle for just yelling at him. Still, it was clear they had been busy. Quite the number of books were piled around them looking well browsed. He shook his head, that smile still on his face. Well, if they were so tired to sleep like that, he wasn't about to wake them now.
He relocated the books that had been between the pair for him to sit down in their stead. He settled close to G'raha allowing for enough room for him to carefully guide Alisaie sideways. She mumbled something in her sleep but curled into his leg without waking, her head cushioned on his thigh. All it took for G'raha to lean against him was a tug at his sleeve and the man simply tipped into him, head finding Echo'a's shoulder. Content to stay there for as long as it took, he leaned his head against G'raha's as he idly ran his hand over Alisaie's hair in slow, languid strokes.
The familiar sound of lalafell footfall approached. Echo'a opened his eyes, his hand stilling on Alisaie's head as he sought out the approaching figure. Krile came to a stop before him and gave a little wave. He offered her a smile in return.
Krile's gaze drifted over the other two and she let out a soft chuckle. "Knowing them, they're probably dreaming about the celestial adventures to come."
Echo'a chuckled. "Most likely. At this point, I would be surprised if it wasn't the same dream."
Krile's smile grew before her gaze settled on Alisaie. "Just as well. They've been running themselves ragged of late." Echo'a wasn't certain what to make of the emotions that settled across Krile's face but she tried to keep her expression as close to fond neutral as she could. "Unlike you and the others, I'm a few steps removed from the danger and excitement." She shook her head. "The things you all get up to never fail to impress me. But by the same token, I can't help but worry. Not only for your safety, but…" she sought out his gaze, holding it when she found it still watching her, "but for your happiness. After everything you've sacrificed, you earned it a thousand times over." Her gaze drifted again. "From the simple pleasures of tucking into a hearty meal or…or collapsing into a comfortable bed. To the grand triumphs of visiting legendary lands or finding true love - you deserve all the joy in the world. There is so much that life has to offer. So much to be treasured and shared with those we hold dear." When she looked at him again, her expression was determined. "So promise me this: come what may, you won't give up on your own happiness. When you're out there, fighting tooth and nail, it's all too easy to forget. But in the end, your passions will be your greatest strength of all. Remember that."
He offered her a fond smile and an earnest, "Of course. Though," he looked down at Alisaie as he started running his hand over her hair again, "kind of hard to forget that with the companions I run around with." He gave her a cheeky grin. "They might be a bit prone to finding and causing mischief in equal parts but they're good folks."
Krile giggled.
G'raha stirred against his shoulder, straightening with a groan still in a half-sleep state. "Hnn…" Those ruby eyes settled on Echo'a, not quite alert. "This feels…familiar…"
Echo'a chuckled. "It's good to see you awake, G'raha," he said, repeating words from what felt like an age ago simply because he could, though they were softer this time, quieter as if coaxing the other to remain asleep.
G'raha stretched long and tall as Alisaie started to stir on his leg. "Well, 'tis good to be…" G'raha froze mid stretch, sleep seeming to have finally released the other miqo'te. G'raha glanced from Krile to him, asking, "Wait, what are you-? What am I-?" And, just like that, reality set in. Alisaie sat up, blinking blearily at the rest of them. "Gods, don't tell me I fell asleep."
Krile laughed. Echo'a glanced at Alisaie. It seemed sleep was quite quick to leave her for she seemed far more alert than G'raha had been shortly after waking. Krile was quick to point out, "Not that there's any shame in it," her smile grew cheeky, her words teasing, "but you were sleeping like babies."
G'raha buried his face in his hands and moaned. "How embarrassing."
Echo'a patted G'raha's shoulder as Alisaie rose swiftly to her feet, took the necessary steps to stand before him, and place her hands on her hips, threatening, "Not a word to anyone. Understood? Not. One. Word."
He chuckled, shaking his head. A part of him was rather tempted to tease but with her anger currently pointed at him, he knew better. "No one will be the wiser," he assured her, his hands coming up with palms towards her in a show of nonconfrontation.
Krile was not going to be that gracious, happily teasing, "I'm told that sleeping in proper beds of your own choosing is a much more effective way to prepare for battle."
Alisaie glared at Krile for a good second before she ultimately sighed, burying her face in a hand as she bemoaned, "Trust me, I'm well aware."
G'raha spoke up, drawing the focus away from Alisaie. "So, what were the two of you doing here?"
Krile answered first. "I had a few books to return to the library. Thought I'd take care of it while I could."
G'raha looked to him. "And you?"
He offered a soft smile. "Just taking advantage of the last quiet moment we might have for a while yet." Recognition flickered through G'raha's gaze. "And I certainly couldn't think of anything better to do than spend that time with my friends."
After a moment of appreciating the sentiment, Alisaie started questioning him about who all else he had seen already that day before some sort of tangent was found and the others were quickly snagged into some conversation Echo'a found himself simply listening in on, content to just coexist. During the start of that tangent, though, G'raha leaned into Echo'a's shoulder without a word and Echo'a pressed back, grateful.