This is a continuation of chapter 3
When Jenlyns joined the Sultansworn he knew that no matter what, he would protect the Sultana. Come rain or shine, war or famine, he was bound by oath to protect her…
An angry mob? Done it a few times.
Assassins? At least one every few months. Hells, Nanamo beat the shit out of the recent one(He'd never say it publicly because the fact one managed to slip by them and get to her was all the Syndicate needed to try and dissolve the order, but he and the rest of the Sultansworn were very proud of her over that.)
Suitors that ignore the fact that Her Grace is both gay and in a relationship? Every. Damn. Week… hell just yesterday he literally had to drag some idiot out by his feet after Nanamo punched him clean in his delicates after he started getting nasty over him being told no… seriously her relationship with Naruko is public knowledge. It doesn't matter how many gifts or pretty things you claim you can shower her with… you can't compete with the damn Warrior of Light. Especially seeing as Naruko checked all the boxes when it came to Nanamo's preferences.. according to Kokoshu that is.
Gigantic god dragon that broke out of a fake moon and was hell bent on destroying the realm?... Ok so he'd leave that to Naruko.
The times Her Grace saw a tiny little spider near her and proceeded to scream like she was being murdered? Honestly, it's happened several times. And he'd never admit it, but it was kinda funny. Like that time she saw a rat at Limsa Lominsa and proceeded to sprint towards Naruko, who was talking to one of her Retainers and proceeded to climb up her side because she thought it was gonna bite her… mind you this was before they started dating… though ironically enough, it happened to be the same day they ended up getting together from what he understood, so take that as you will.
But still, you get the point. But...
This however… oh by Thal, he wasn't trained for this...
"My Lady please. People are starting to stare."
Nanamo looked up in a drunken stupor, a half half empty mug grasped loosely in her hand "And?" She slurred out as she took a messy gulp from her tankard, spilling some of its contents on the dark blue tabard she wore.
Jenlyns gave her a look that bordered on both uncertainty and desperation. The man looked so uncomfortable that the few patrons of the Quicksand did their damndest to ignore the peculiar situation that was playing out. Hell, even a local reporter for The Mythril Eye was desperately avoiding eye contact while physically restraining herself from writing down what was happening. That's how bad the situation was.
No seriously, that woman was sweating loudly and was violently shaking. That's how bad.
"It's unbecoming of someone of you position to-"
"I don't care." With that she downed the rest of her ale. She shuddered slightly at the bitter aftertaste of the cheap alcohol, it wasn't exactly fine wine but it got the job done… gods she didn't even want to think of drinking wine again… not after what had happened.
A real shame too, she had one of the few bottles of 1547 Bacchus that still existed in her wine cellar that she was going to crack open when/if she and Naruko ever got engaged… not that it was gonna happen now. She'd probably sell it or something now. Maybe gift it to Merlwyb or something?
"Milady please you mustn't-"
*Uurp* Nanamo belched loudly before pushing her mug towards Momodi.
"Another ale please." She murmured, pushing her mug towards Momodi. However the older Lalafell woman shook her head negatively. "Nanamo.. dear I think you've had enough."
It was then Nanamo lifted her head fully to glare at the Quicksand's proprietress giving the older woman a better look at her. And to say Nanamo was a mess would be putting it lightly.
The young monarch's hair was out of its usual style and flowed messily past her shoulders, her eyes were red and slightly bloodshot from her earlier bouts of crying, and there were still wet tear tracks going down her cheeks. And to top things off there was a faint red mark on her forehead, the result of her slamming her head into the bench a few times a few hours ago.
It took Momodi a solid half hour to convince Nanamo to stop trying to bash her head in on the countertop.. it was a conversation that she had never thought she'd have, but hey that's life.
"Are ya seriously doing this?" Nanamo slurred out "I'm tha Sultana. You can't-"
"According to Ul'dahn trade and business laws I can. And besides, you are clearly intoxicated to the point that you can't even sit straight. Unlike some establishments, I don't let my patrons drink themselves to death." Momodi bit back somewhat harshly. This wasn't the first time she's dealt with a drunk noble, and by Nald'Thal it wouldn't be the last. And if Nanamo was anything like her mother and aunt… yeah, better to nip this at the bud right now.
Momodi shuddered slightly at the memory of when Nanasha and her sister Tatamu came to the Quicksand some twenty three years ago to celebrate Dewlala's nameday. The amount of spilled drinks and vomit she had to clean the next morning was truly nightmarish. How Tatamu somehow convinced the other patrons to take part in her little drinking competition she didn't know.
What she did know was that was that none of them could hold their liquor and that Dewlala kissed really fucking good.
Luckily, it seemed Tataru wasn't nearly as.. eccentric as her mother while drunk.. though Nanamo as it turned out, was exactly like her mother. An extremely emotional drunk.
Nanamo sat quietly for a moment before her lip started to tremble and her eyes began to water.
"Oh gods please don't start crying again." Momodi begged but it was too late. Small sobs made the way out of Nanamo's lips as she buried her face in her hands.
"I.. I r-really am a..a horrible p-person. F-first I.. I hu-hurt Naruko, n-now I'm t-trying to force y-you to..to waaaaaah!" Nanamo sobbed.
Momodi palmed her face for perhaps the tenth time this night. Jenlyns however looked at the scene with a mix of shock and concern... or was it panic? Both probably, for it was highly unlikely he was trained for this. "I had heard that the two of you had argued.. but surely things are not that bad my lady." He said in an attempt to calm the sobbing monarch.
"Oh I don't know about that." A new voice said.
"Lumi don't start." Momodi warned the Lalafell who was sitting a few seats down.
"Oh fuck off Momodi. This one here made one hell of a fuck up, and instead of trying to fix shit she's sitting here drinking like a fish." The now named Lumi(?) scoffed "Don't know what Naruko sees in you." She muttered bitterly as she sipped her drink.
"Hilumi that is enough. Finish your drink in peace or leave." Momodi ground out. It was bad enough that Nanamo was a sobbing mess, she didn't need this hothead starting more issues. She's already had one all out brawl this week, and like hell was she gonna let another one happen.
Especially since it was just past two in the morning and she wanted to go to bed… but it wasn't like she could just dump the drunk and emotional Sultana on one of her employees though.
Seriously. The last time she did that was with Naruko during one of her drunken episodes a few months back, the girl she dumped the task on to up and quit the next day… something about going to Sharlayan to study psychology or something?
Last she heard, Yuyuko was doing well and was seeing someone. Good for her and all but it left her short-handed for like, a month.
"Really Momodi? I have every right to be pissed at this fuck up. She fucking gave those to bastards a royal pardon, she didn't even wait for us to fucking finish the investigation and just gave them a slap on the wrist!" Hilumi said angrily and quite vulgarly.
However before Momodi could respond, Jenlyns interrupted "What investigation? Also, who are you exactly?"
Hilumi let out a huff "Hilumi Lumi, 2nd Lieutenant of the Immortal Flames, and current acting head of the Diamond Dogs unit. I was leading the investigation into the burning of the Foxes Den FC's company hall."
"F..C?"
Hilumi rolled her eyes "It's shorthand for Free Company. The one that Naruko herself led." She explained.
Jenlyns nodded his head "And why is it you are so infuriated with Her Grace?" He asked evenly. Were this a different situation though, he'd have already hauled her off for disrespecting the Sultana… but something told him to hear her out. Also his gut told him that Nanamo would probably be furious if he did arrest the young woman.
Hilumi let out a sigh "Because I was part of the Foxes Den some time ago, but I left about a month before the Banquet incident to pursue a more stable position in the Flames."
"The Foxes Den was like a family… it didn't matter what skills you brought to the table, when you joined you were one of us. Plain and simple…" She said sadly before finishing off her drink.
"And yet you left." The Captain of the Sultansworn pointed out, earning a scathing glare from the smaller woman.
"Naruko was the one who convinced me to go for it." Hilumi growled before her sneer slowly turned into a bitter smile.
"She had one rule when it came to leaving the FC… and that was that we had to tell her at least two weeks in advance," Hilumi said with a sad smile "And it wasn't her way of trying to get us to stay.. no… no it was so she could properly plan a farewell." Hilumi said softly as she recalled her final night with the Free Company.. and moreover, the words Naruko spoke to her.
'Hilumi… the path of life has many twists and turns. It branch's out into many different directions… and whilst your path leads you down one road, ours leads down another.
One day our paths will rejoin. I know it.
Now dry those tears sister, this party is for you. Go. Drink. Eat. Set Vin's arse on fire or something… tonight is your night…. And I'll be damned if your final night with us is spent up here in the office with you moping.
So come on now. On your feet soldier. You have a party to attend….
No really… Lumi come on… seriously, you're gonna… you're gonna make me start to cry in a minute. And you know h-how I get when I'm emotional.'
"We were a family…" She said softly.
"We were a family.. and then those murdering bastards Syele and Ligart turned on us!" Hilumi said angrily "And then this piece of shit just lets them off the hook!" She continued while glaring at Nanamo.
Jenlyns winced, perhaps he should have held his tongue.
"Hilumi, you know Her Grace's hands were tied." Momodi scolded. "As much as I would love to string the two of them up by their sockets… look, they have connections to the Ala Mhigan Resistance.. and-"
"Is that fucking why!?" Hilumi shouted at Nanamo. Her lavender eyes burning with fury.
"Y-yes…"
"What did they promise? No wait, let me guess, they said they would put a good word in with the leader of the fucking resistance? If so then fucking bravo, you got fucking duped." Hilumi spat.
Nanamo's head shot up "W-what? No.. no Syele said her mother was an old friend of the current leader and that she would put in a good word for us when Raubahn-"
"Syele's mother was a fucking baker that died during a riot in Ala Mhigo when she was fourteen.. her father was a merchant that brought her and her younger sister to Thanalan afterwards after applying and being approved for an immigration pass. Face it Nanamo. You. Got. Played."
Colour drained from Nanamo's face "N-no!... That.. that's impossible. She.. they-'' a sharp pain cut her off as she grasped the side of her head for a moment.
"Played you like a fucking fiddle." Hilumi said venomously before finishing off her drink. "So congratulations Nanamo. You let two murderers off with a pardon because one of them claimed to have an in with the Resistance. You let two fucking child killers free."
However Nanamo didn't respond. Instead her eyes were glassy, as if she wasn't all there.
Hilumi stared at Nanamo "Oh are you fucking kidding me!?" She yelled. She knew exactly what was happening.
With an angry huff, Hilumi turned to Momodi "I'd grab a bucket if I were you."
"Echo vision?" Momodi asked as she reached for a bucket.
"Yep. And given her delicate constitution, she's definitely going to upchuck her dinner… and all the ale she's drank." Hilumi said before turning to Jenlyns "May as well take a seat."
(Vision)
"Glad you could join us finally." Hilumi said with a somber look as she and Naruko walked down one of the many streets of the Goblet.
Naruko let out a tired sigh "Yeah.. things have been pretty busy."
"I'll bet. From the banquet and your exile to Ishgard, to you ending a thousand year long war and then dealing with a Primal that can control time and that shit with the Voidsent.. all the way to that nastiness at Baelsar's Wall. You've been flat out." The smaller woman said as they passed a few adventurers.
"It's been a tough few months. But hey at least it's over now…!" Naruko let out a sharp, pained gasp as she stumbled a moment before leaning on the stone railing.
"You ok?" Hilumi asked in concern.
Naruko took a moment to answer "Y-yeah.. just my injuries from Nidhogg acting up." She said with a wince of pain.
"Nidhogg? But.. didn't you put him down for good two months ago? I would have thought you would be healed up by now." Hilumi said with a frown as she offered Naruko a flask of ice water.
Naruko shrugged as she gently grasped the flask "Yeah, but getting used as a chew toy by an angry dragon that is pretty much leaking tainted aether will do that to ya." She said before taking a long swig of the cool water.
"Shit.. that bad?"
"According to Kan-E, it was a damn miracle I wasn't torn in half. His fangs had pierced my spleen and nicked one of my kidneys as well, amongst other things.." Naruko said as she lifted her shirt slightly to show Hilumi the new set of pale scars that now marred her lightly tanned torso.
And Hilumi for her part was suitably horrified "Holy fuck… is that why you were out of commission for two weeks after?"
"I was unconscious for pretty much the entire first week. I woke up the night of the sixth day and proceeded to get harshly berated by Kan-E, Tataru, Nanamo, Aymeric and Edmont for being so hasty and facing Nidhogg alone. After that Aymeric literally assigned a guard to my room to stop me from leaving."
"Wow...just..wow."
"And then on top of that, Nanamo refused to leave me alone. As in she followed me literally everywhere."
"Even to the toilet?"
Naruko simply nodded her head as she remembered how awkward it was trying to relieve herself whilst Nanamo was sitting across from her on a stool or just standing by the door. Sure it was endearing at first, Nanamo was just making sure she was alright all and hey, it gave them a chance to just talk about random things… then it just got plain awkward after the second day.. especially when she needed to shit.
Yes she loved Nanamo, but seriously. It was just plain awkward… especially because she absolutely tore ass on one occasion and the blank look Nanamo gave her made her want to die.
Yeah, she couldn't look her in the eye for a few hours after that… look it wasn't her fault! Those damn potions play havoc on her stomach ok! Besides, it's not like Nanamo could judge her. Not after the armageddon she unleashed on the toilet in the Waking Sands when she was detoxing from the poison.
"Why?" Hilumi asked, breaking Naruko from her reverie.
Naruko scratched the back of her head "Apparently I wandered off before getting medical attention after the fight. I faintly remember telling them to treat Estinien first… aaaand then a few minutes later Tataru found me face down on the street a few dozen fulms away from the Aetheryte with a sizable puddle of blood growing underneath me."
"That would have given them quite a scare." Hilumi said, shaking her head.
"Oh definitely. The first thing Tataru did after I was finally allowed out of bed was to punch me in the eye. Which then turned into her crying… which then led to her latching onto me.. which led to Nanamo doing the same."
Hilumi rolled her eyes "Crybabies I swear."
"Oh don't act like you did cry when Pyha asked you to be her maid of honour at her wedding."
"That's different!"
"Oh suuuure~" Naruko teased as she ruffled the tanned Lalafell's gold coloured hair.
"Oh sod off." Hilumi shoved Naruko lightly "Don't act like you weren't crying like a baby when Pyha and Vin said they wanted you to be their little one's godmother." She said with a smirk.
Naruko shrugged in response. "Ah, speaking of those two. Pyha was due around a month ago… have you…"
Hilumi shook her head "No.. No, I have no clue where they are. Though if I had to guess they are probably staying with Vin's Ma in Gridania or something."
Naruko simply nodded.
"Or he could be in Ishgard, y'know seeing as his old man is from House Durendaire."
Naruko rolled her eyes "He's a bastard child Hilumi. House Durendaire ain't like Fortemps."
"Hmm.. I guess you're right… anywho, you're probably wondering why we needed you to help out."
Naruko shrugged "I assume it's because I'm the former head of the FC?"
"Yeah… look Naruko, I'm gonna be clean with you. From what we know, Syele and Ligart set the place ablaze the morning you stormed Ul'dah with the Immortal Flames three months back...thing is though, the building still looks structurally sound. And despite the both of them being in custody, they ain't talking… so.." Hilumi explained
"Let me guess, Syele used her key to lock the place down and you guys can't get in to investigate since Pyha and Vin have also gone to ground?" Naruko guessed
"Got it in one."
Naruko let out a tired groan "Remind me why I had those Magi-Locks installed?" She bemoaned.
"You shelled out the extra Gil because you wanted to make sure the place was secured. Hey at least you got your Gil's worth." The small woman jokes.
"Oh ha ha. Very funny Lumi." Naruko rolled her eyes.
"Hey, I'm still pissed that you shelled out for that lock stuff but not an indoor pool."
Naruko shook her head "There is literally a public pool in the centre of the Goblet!" Naruko said, pointing at said pool… and also indirectly at the Lalafell woman who was motorboating a Roegadyn woman on the edge of said pool.
"Yeah, well maybe some of us like swimming naked.. also, damn she's ballsy to do that in a public place.. man she is going to town on those tiddies." Hilumi said.
"I swear, every Lalafell woman I know is either secretly a massive pervert, or a smug nuisance… usually both." Naruko muttered as they approached the charred Hall.
"Don't lie, you love looking at my tight Lalafell body." Hilumi said with a grin as she struck a pose.
"I miss when you were shy." Naruko groaned. Only to yelp when Hilumi gave her a quick slap on the ass.
"And whose fault is that~" The Lalafell lass said smugly.
"Note to self. Never let Tataru meet you."
"Why not?" Hilumi asked curiously.
"Because she'd definitely try to talk Nanamo into a foursome."
"Hey I'd be down for that." The Lalafellin lass said cheekily.
"Please stop.. you're like a younger sister to me."
"Hot." Hilumi said with a flirty grin. "Besides, don't you want to punish your naughty little sis?" She finished earning an exasperated groan from Naruko
"Please don't punish me big sis. I'm sorry I've been a naughty girl~"
"Fucking perverts. You Dunesfolk women are all fucking perverts."
"Says you miss 'I got two Lalafell girlfriends.' You're just as bad." Hilumi said smugly.
"All right, You're going the right way for a smacked bottom."
"Hey don't threaten me with a good time." Hilumi smirked, getting an exasperated groan from Naruko.
A few moments later and after speaking with the investigation team, Naruko and Hilumi approached the sealed door.
"Well… I can already tell that Syele activated a level 4 lockdown." Naruko said as she looked at the reinforced shutters blocking the windows, and the solid darksteel plate covering the door. Though that being said, you could clearly see the extensive fire damage to the structure of the Company Hall.
She had to give it to Cid's people. Sure they didn't have access to Cermet, but instead they used a Darksteel/Adamantite mixture that was a good approximation. Sure it wasn't as strong, but it was good enough that the Eorzean Alliance was now using the mixture for their fortifications.
Naruko let out a sigh. "Alright, I'm opening it up." And with that she approached the door with her key in hand.
Pressing two fingers and her thumb on what looked like a carving of a cactuar's face revealed a keyhole.
Moments later the reinforced shutters receded and the door unlocked.
"Well.. let's see the damage?" Naruko said as she opened the door.
(Vision End)
"Well… that just happened." Hilumi said somewhat unsurprised.
The moment Nanamo stirred from her vision she immediately began to sob uncontrollably while making good use of the bucket in front of her.
And then, poof.
She gathered her aether and teleported away.
"W-where did she teleport to!?" Jenlyns said in a panic.
Hilumi shrugged "Probably to Revenant's Toll."
-Meanwhile-
Naruko laid awake on her bed.
It'd been hours since Raubahn and the others left and she had yet to fall asleep. Not for lack of trying of course, she was tired as all hell.
The red head let out a sigh as she sat up. Looking over to her bedside table she saw the letter that Nanamo had left.
And after reading it yes, her anger towards her girlfriend did cool a bit. But she was still mad over the situation.
Yes, Nanamo made a decision that she genuinely believed will aid them with getting the Ala Mhigan Resistance to play ball… but at the cost of letting two monsters go free with what was essentially an Eorzea wide get out of jail card.
She understood the reasoning behind Nanamo's decision.. she really did…. But fucking hell she could have waited. She could have waited just one more hour.. just until they came back to the Fragrant Chamber to give their report. But no. Nanamo had jumped the gun.
As a leader Nanamo was put into a hard situation. Take the deal and make things with the Resistance easier, or don't and potentially ruin an in with the Resistance.
Honestly she didn't know if her anger was at her girlfriend, or at herself really. Because she could understand why Nanamo did what she did… but the thought of Syele and Ligart just being let go.. the knowledge that they killed three people who trusted them as well as Ardent and Avilia's little girls.. it hurt. And it wasn't a pain that wouldn't fade until they were brought to justice, royal pardon be damned.
"Fuck it." Naruko sighed "I'm gonna have a drink." She said as she slid out of bed and slipped a shirt over her naked chest.
She needed something.. anything to take her mind off this shit. Fuck she'd sit through one of Urianger's long winded explanations at this point… just something to take her mind of the gnawing in her gut.
As she continued down the hall she noticed Krile's room had a light shining from under the door. Indicating that the Lalafellin woman was still awake.
She stopped for a moment before shaking her head. Krile's and her weren't exactly on the best of terms right now.. heh typical right? Of course she'd fuck up a friendship like that.. typical of her really.
Walking towards the main foyer she noticed light peeking out from under the door. "Hm.. did they forget to turn the lights off again?" Heh, Tataru wasn't gonna be happy about that if she found out.
However as she neared the door she heard voices.
"Jus lemme through *sob* I..*sob* I want Naru.."
"Twelve above, Nanamo. How much did you drink?
Naruko froze before shaking her head and opening the door.
A few fulms away stood Tataru who was clad in her pyjamas(i.e one of her shirts) and a very drunk and disheveled Nanamo.
"N-Naru!" Nanamo sobbed out as she stumbled toward the Hyur woman.
"What's going on..oof." Naruko was cut off by Nanamo as she latched onto her and began sobbing uncontrollably
"Nanamo?" Naruko asked gently as she knelt down, causing Nanamo to bury her face in her shoulder.
"I'm sorry.. I'm sorry.." was all the smaller woman said between sobs.
After a few moments, Nanamo settled down enough to talk.
"I.. I saw it. The Echo it.." She burst into tears again.
Naruko just held her. She knew what Nanamo had seen.. a grim and horrific sight.
How Mirabelle's charred corpse had been found near the entrance. The back of her head caved in.
How even though his body was badly burnt, you could see clear as day that they had tortured Vincent before impaling him with a Giantsgall Longsword…
How the bodies Pyha and the children were found huddled in the basement untouched by the harsh kiss of the fire that had burnt the Company Hall… a dagger firmly wedged in the Miqo'te woman's once pregnant belly.
A small mercy that was all Nanamo saw. Unlike herself who bore witness to the act.. a final fuck you from Syele and Ligart who gloated that she would probably have a vision of it happening… It was then she swore their deaths would be agonizing.
While Naruko held Nanamo, Tataru got in contact with Momodi so she could confirm Nanamo was safe and that she would be staying the night at the Rising Stones… and probably for the next day or two depending on how things went come morning.
Roughly an hour later the three women were in Naruko's room after a small trip to the baths to wash the smell of ale and vomit off of Nanamo as she had accidentally vomited down Naruko's back while Tataru was talking to Momodi.
Naruko laid in the center of her bed with Nanamo, who was now clad in one of Naruko's shirts and was cuddled into her left side.
On her right was Tataru who had insisted on staying with them. She was curled up against her with her head resting on her breast.
Naruko slowly drifted to sleep thinking about what comes next.
Tomorrow Nanamo and her will talk.. and after that she will get in contact with the Diamond Dogs.
After all, Nanamo's royal pardon only meant a damn in Eorzea… and Gyr Abania wasn't part of it.
And while yes, she couldn't give the order herself.. She knew Hilumi would do so in her place.
The countdown had begun for Syele and Ligart. She would hunt them like the rabid animals that they are.
Twelve have mercy on any who get in her way. For she will have none.
Well then. No lengthy AN this time, just a small note.
The name for Tataru's mother is subject to change if we ever find out her name in game. Like how I have to change Nanamo's mother and father's names from Kokoro to Nanasha and Nanaku to Sasabal in Chapter 7… which I'll get around to eventually.
Anyway, I'll post the Moonfire chapter when it's done. And on that note, the next chapter for In Crimson it Began is getting there. I'm trying to push it to 8000+ words to make up for not updating it in so long. So I'm sorry it's taking a while.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
See ya.
