It was a later part of the evening, near nightfall. Just about everyone had retired at this point to their respective quarters, homes, and couch in Lizicus’ case. Just the faint dim light and sound emitting from HQ’s workshop could be seen and heard.
Miss Laureine taking a little moment to finalize reports on the airships from their previous journeys through the Sea of Clouds, along with some minor repair work. While doing so, the sound of her hammer hitting the anvil to create the repair parts attracted only one person getting ready to head back to the familiar place Reinylla was sleeping: Elizara.
Laureine deep in thoughts & focus on her work hadn’t noticed Elizara enter the workshop, nor did she say anything to Laureine to let her presence be known. Instead, she cautiously walked close by and sat down beside her and just watched as Laureine toiled over the anvil. Once Laureine noticed Elizara sit down, she gave her a warm smile of acknowledgement before returning to her work. Elizara just continued to watch with sharp focus as she continued to finish up the repair parts.
Once she was all done, a small silence filled the workshop, with only the low humming of the navigation panel and project in progress’ HUDs making any sort of noise.
“Hey, uh–“
Elizara began to say while still sitting on the floor.
“Hmm, yes, Mistress?”
At this point Laureine had already gotten up to examine the airship console to oversee repairs.
“…what’s it like to have those horns and a tail?” Laureine paused completely on her task to think a moment, but soon thereafter let out a soft humored sigh before finishing up right-quick. Without saying anything, she walks back over to where Elizara was still sitting; the look on her face was both curious and worried as she might have asked something overly offensive.
Instead, Laureine squats down, smiles, and curls her tail in front of the both of them.
“Here, Mistress.”
She holds the end of her tail out as an offering to Elizara. Reluctantly, Elizara holds it gently, feeling the warm scales across her fingers. She lets out a quick quiet laugh flashing a smile across her face, and then releases Laureine’s tail.
“I-it’s not what I expected, but thank you.”
“You’re very welcome, Mistress.”
Elizara excited fires off a handful of questions towards Laureine, and as best as she can answer them. They spend a bell or so doing this just sitting in the Workshop before the both of them retire for the evening. Elizara manages to safely make it back to where Reinylla is resting, as does Laureine to the quietness of her chambers.
It seemed to have been a good evening to help Elizara feel more more comfortable than she has been prior, and hopefully with that a good night’s rest alongside Reinylla.
Happy Moonfire Faire y’all! May y’all have an absolutely wonderful one this year!!
I think this year’s might be one of my favorites thus so far. The new ship combines almost all of the assortments of entertainment that Moonfire is known for and adds upon it! It kind of reminds me of the really fun and scenic All Saints’ Wake’s Sneaky Hollow they added a few years back but with the jumping puzzle included. The music on the boat changes at night time also to give it that nightly concert vibe; it’s really something to behold.
The event quest itself is pretty short, which seems to be the par for the course with all of the recent ones. There’s some folks who don’t tend to like this, but I’ve never really minded it being on the shorter side to be honest, and with a place to simply just hang out after the fact has far more weight to it personally. The outfit this year is basically a wetsuit with a hoodie and sandals, and it dyes really well – it’s really nice!
Moonfire Faire in general has always had a special place in my heart, and it was also when ‘Totally Not a Gazebo Day’ event happened, which that in itself was such a fun time. I digress, however, and I wish y’all the very best Moonfire Faire season, and certainly head on out to Limsa Lominsa/Costa del Sol to enjoy all of the festivities that the event has to offer!
Hoping to see this make a return for a few years if not more thereafter, as it is really fun nice place to vibe for the season.
“Don’tcha like it, hun? I got it wit’ all of them Gold Saucer Points we keep collectin’!”
Reinylla excitedly shows off her Chief Bunny outfit to Elizara who just continues to look on with disapproval.
“You do realize where we are. Outside. Under a gazebo. In a city-state that is expressly cold. REGULARLY!“
It would take a moment or so longer for Reinylla to realize this through all of the excitement, and within that moment of realization, Elizara throws her coat over her head and shoulders.
“Come on, let’s get you inside and next to one of the fireplaces. If you catch cold, you’ll never hear the end of it from me!”
Reinylla, slightly shivering, expresses a silly smirk on her face as the both walk into HQ to warm up.
Reinylla was suddenly alone, hearing the feint echo of Elizara’s shouting from what feels like so very far away. Lahabrea appearing in front of her for the final confrontation. After some rather brash antagonizing from Lahabrea, the two began to clash – Reinylla’s adventuring and training all put to the test for this very moment.
The two clashed for what felt like many of bells, neither wavering, but it wasn’t much longer afterwards that between Hydaelyn herself and what gave Reinylla the extra strength to overcome her foe.
“Lookie here, tall dark and dreary, I got’er someone to get there back to, so it’s really time for you to go!”
She is filled with, DETERMINATION.
With that, her final blow was given, and with such power not only was it over, another was saved in the process. Realizing now that everything was still collapsing before her, it was very much time to make an escape and quick. Not exactly where to look or what to do, she only had moments to ponder the next move.
She heard off in the distance, approaching rather quickly; a magitek, her magitek barreling through the burning facility to give aid in a quick escape. Quickly hopping aboard, she rushes towards where she and Elizara were back fighting the Ultima Weapon. Upon reaching said location, she spots Elizara looking around for Reinylla, only to be quickly scooped aboard the armor as they continue quickly out!
“Nice’of ya to drop in here, darlin’!”
“Y-you! …You idiot!“
Reinylla grinning back at Elizara and back forward again as they all manage to get out and into safety right as it all comes crashing down.
With that, Operation Archon was a complete success. Everyone updates everyone’s status via linkpearl with the two Vieras heading off to daybreak while riding the magitek armor. The two do end up getting a bit of rest before the next morning in Mor Dhona, and the celebration that Reinylla has sorely earned from all of this.
Elizara decides to stay well in the background, while Reinylla joins everyone introducing the dawn of the Seventh Astral Era. While the whole celebration was lovely, Reinylla subtly headed to where Elizara was, and gives her the biggest hug ever.
“I… wh-what was that for?!”
“Oh, just everythin’ there, darlin!”
Elizara, still very puzzled, does return the hug after a long pause.
“Yeah, don’t mention it.”
“So, ya ready to hit ta hills?”
“Yeah, sure; yeah, that does sound good.”
Reinylla beams the brightest of smiles to Elizara, and then grabs her by the hand tugging her off to the next big adventure. The two safely reunited with the realm safe and sound. What lays ahead on the horizon for these two’s next adventure is fast approaching.
There they were, the two Vieras at the pinnacle of Operation Archon, about to storm Gaius van Baelsar’s base of operations: the Praetorium. Without even saying anything, Elizara boards the Enterprise and beckons to Reinylla to follow suit once she’s on board.
The flight to the landing site was quiet, nothing but the sound of of the airship itself could be heard.
“Hey, sug. If anything happ–“
“Nothing like that will happen. I’ll make sure of it.”
Shocked at Elizara’s resolve, all Reinylla could do was smile with obvious concern behind it.
“We’re in this till the very end, right? So.. so, it will be fine.”
Elizara’s emotions could be slightly heard bleeding through the words.
They land at the site with a gentle thud, and the two along with Cid disembark from the Enterprise to do what they came there to do. Several forces later had them face to face with Gaius himself, and after taking out a large foe, Cid stays behind to keep communications open with Elizara and Reinylla heading deeper to take care of the Ultima Weapon itself.
After donning some magitek armor themselves, they blow through an incredible amount of resistance only to be greeted with a blasting door that knocks out the armor itself upon destroying it. Shortly thereafter said door, Nero tol Scaeva block their path. After a brief talk between him and Cid, he turns his focus to the two Vieras. However, Elizara’s sheer determination of keeping Reinylla safe from any harm ended up being no match for Nero, and he was quickly taken out of the fight.
With Cid quickly contacting them, and Nero fleeing the scene with a conveniently placed power outage, there was very little left blocking them from reaching Ultima. Gaius attempts to stop them from reaching it. However, between their combined force, makes it even a surprise for him to realize this wasn’t a simple task to be taken lightly. They quickly hurry after Gaius but not before he activates the Ultima Weapon.
With a little bit of help from Hydaelyn herself, they’re able to stave off the weapon’s eikon powers and even rip them away. Lahabrea makes his move, and activates Ultima’s most powerful ability – Ultima itself. Thanks to one more timely shield from Hydaelyn, Elizara and Reinylla just had the stripped and worn down remains of the weapon left to worry about.
“Enough of this! Come one, Reinylla, let’s end this and go home!”
“You got it, darlin’!”
The two attack the Ultima weapon, dodging its surprising amount of tricks even after being through all of this, but before it could manage to let out another Ultima spell, Elizara’s determination reached its highest heights.
“Absolutely NOT!! You will NOT harm her!!”
A bellow war cry of sheer anger with very obvious subtle hints of other emotions rang deep within, and from what appeared like it came out of nowhere – arrows of pure light rained down on the battlefield.
It was over. The Ultima Weapon had been defeated.
Gauis being emergency ejected from the weapon itself lied motionless before the two.
“You think he’s okay, sugar? Maybe we should check’er somthin’?”
“Why- after… all thi–, ugh… You’re such an idiot. Come on, let’s go home.”
Partial confused, but in agreement, Elizara and Reinylla begin to look for an exit from the wreckage. However, only upon walking just a few paces forward, Lahabrea appears all of a sudden and takes Reinylla away!
“You… you BASTARD! Bring her back here!!”
Nearly shrieking in anger at what she just witnessed, all she could do now is hope for Reinylla’s safe return…
Elizara, glancing outwards at Castrum Meridianum with Reinylla next to her.
“Huh, oh, a right, yes. Let’s get-a to it then!”
Elizara takes point and begins to rush ahead into the forces that await with Reinylla backing her up with the spell power she has learned to wield throughout her journey thus so far.
Upon taking out the first wave and a magitek armor, they appear to have come to a dead end.
“Where-to now, darlin’?”
Elizara shrugs, looking around for any sort of option before Cid contacts Reinylla with a solution.
“…he wants us to, what!?“
“Jump on down this ‘ere trash chute!”
“Wh- no. Absolutely not! I’d rather climb the wall over there!”
“Aw, come’er on, sugar! It’ll be fun!”
“…how is that fun!?”
Before Elizara could continue to protest, Reinylla excitedly jumps down the chute. With a loud exasperated sigh, Elizara jumps down to join her as well. Continuing their battle throughout Castrum Meridianum, taking out more soldiers and a drill-mech, they’re finally face to face with Livia sas Junius herself.
“Look-a, sugar! It’s her!“
Not even pausing, Elizara aims her arrow at Livia’s helmet.
“Yep. Payback for Waking Sands.”
Reinylla nods with a mixture of emotions, and the battle between the two forces begins! Bullets, fire spells, and arrows litter the battlefield, and finally at the end, the two Vieras were triumphant.
A quiet near eerie feeling falls over the area. Elizara and Reinylla still eyeing the now lifeless body of Livia, making sure it was in fact over with. Finally, Elizara lets her guard down and holsters her bow.
“..Let’s go. Just one thing left to do.”
Reinylla nods and puts her staff away with that. They both leave Castrum Meridianum slowly and exhausted from the ordeal. They report back to the Alliance and begin the final phase: Praetorium. Once they’re both rested up, it will be time to put their journey together up until now to the test.
Reinylla approached the gate that would lead her into Cape Westwind. She knew what was more than likely going to happen upon proceeding forward. Elizara standing close by, wanting to lend assist, but knowing she couldn’t.
“Hey, Reinylla, I–“
Before she could finish the statement, Reinylla intervened.
“Wait’a for me, sugar. I’ll be alright; it’s just’a like last time!”
“B–“
She walked over and placed her index finger on Elizara’s lips, with a gentle confident smile.
“Wait’a for me. This isn’t the end of me, darlin’.”
Elizara, stunned and unable to conjure a response quick enough, did what she was told and watched as Reinylla entered into Cape Westwind alone. All that could be heard thereafter was the yelling of soldiers, spells of fire, and Rhitahtyn sas Arvina going toe to toe with Reinylla herself. Elizara did her best to keep any additional solders from running into the battle for lending assist, and it wasn’t very long before it became silent.
“R-Reinylla…?”
Elizara creaked open the gate and hollered out into Cape Westwind, only seeing smolders and smoke from the two’s clash.
“Reinylla!?”
She shouted as loud as she could, only to hear her voice bouncing across the smoke. She rushes into the area, trying to hear any sign of Reinylla through the crackling sounds of the smoldering ground. Panic began to sink in, but once she heard footsteps through the smoke, a cautious relief washed over her.
Slightly staggering, Reinylla makes her way out through the battlefield towards Elizara. Nearly collapsing into her arms, Reiynlla knew she was safe at last.
“I-I did say that I’d be alright, sugar.”
“You idio–“
At that point, Reinylla fell asleep with Elizara holding her. She embraced her dear friend and let her rest for a bell or so. Once Reinylla was capable of walking on her own again, they headed back to Minfilia, Alphinaud, and Rabauhn to bring the good news.
“You ready?”
Reinylla nods, determined.
“I’a sure am, darlin’! Let’s show them what’a we got!”
Elizara smirks.
“Alright then, together until the end. Let’s show them what we’re made of!”
With that, the two proceed through the massive gate and into Castrum Meridianum. Their journey together is inching ever so closer to the first major climax with many more adventures yet to be revealed!
Elizara says with near-affection concern to Reinylla who was fully garbed in a stolen Garlean uniform.
“I’ll’a be fine, darlin! I promise! We’re going to get in there and get our friends’ all nice and’a back out in once piece!”
Her carefree and unbiased lack of concern for what she was about to embark on somewhat gave comfort to Elizara.
“Alright, I’ll cover you as you make your way in.”
Reinylla nodded, and as Reinylla headed into Castrum Centri with some familiar comrades, she gave her the cover fire from her arrows. After that she was on her own with only the sounds of alarms and explosions giving no comfort to Elizara who started to worry.
For what felt like forever, Elizara saw off in the distance the Enterprise coming in on the southern side of Castrum Centri. She quickly ran as far as she could towards that side with only the sounds guiding her, finally getting a clear sound if not faint of everyone safely making it out aboard that faithful airship!
With a huge sigh of relief, Elizara followed the airship back to Ul’dah via her trusty fat cat.
She rushes into Ul’dah in time to see the Enterprise dock in Airship Landing high above the city. Finding out the Scions rushed into a meeting at the Royal Promenade, she headed there immediately. Her waiting felt like an eternity, only with her impatient foot tapping keeping her company. Finally Reinylla and the Scions appeared from within, and Elizara rushed up to the Reinylla who was in a fairly lighthearted mood even with everything she just endured.
“You-you– idiot! I was so worried! Are alright!? Here let me look you ov–“
Reinylla could see the distraught all over Elizara’s face, and simply just hugged her. The motion caused Elizara to break out into tears.
“Ah, hey, darlin’. I’m alright. Nothin’ to it is’a all! We all got’on out of there thanks to that Cid feller and his fancy flyin’ contraption!”
“Just… don’t do anything that wreckless again! At least not without me!”
“Of’a course, sugar! Together to the end and’a beyond!”
Reinylla hugged her for a bit longer, with Elizara smiling with a gently nod at the notion, they took their time walking together back down towards the Quicksands to plan their next leg of the adventure.
‘To the End and Beyond.’ Little do they realize how literal that will become in the future…
“Sure I’ma sure! What could possibly go wrong with this here’a thing, darlin’?”
Elizara, paused and thought for a moment.
“It’s… oh I don’t know… a literal floating black hold right in front of you making weird chanting whispers!!”
“Is’a that what that sound is? I just thought’a I was hearin’ things or just’a hungry is all!”
“Why– ho-…!?”
“It’ll be perfectly fine, sugar! Let’s just’a see what happen’s when I place this here red goopy lookin’ vial near it like’a I was asked to!”
Reinylla lightheartedly placed the vial of demon blood near the void rift. The eerie sounds coming from within the portal began to grow louder.
“If you stick you hand into that thing or something comes out, I swear to the–“
Right then, Reinylla pokes the void portal.
“Reinylla!! What did I just say!?”
“Oh’a sorry, darlin’ the funky soundin’ voices asked’a me to–“
At that moment, several imps appeared out of the portal and attacked Reinylla!
“I TOLD YOU THIS WAS A BAD IDEA!”
Elizara yells at her, while drawing her bow to help in dispatching the imps before they could do any real harm. Once the imps had been taken care of, Elizara stomps off and sits down on a boulder close by, while Reinylla lightly chuckles at the whole ordeal.
“Well’a that was sure fun! C’mon! Let’s do that again, darlin’!”
Needless to say, that didn’t go over well with Elizara. As much as she can be annoyed with Reinylla’s sometimes carefree recklessness, she doesn’t want any harm to come to her as well. However, the annoyed feelings didn’t last very long and the two took off to parts unknown.
Reinylla commented out loud to break the ambient but relaxing sound of rain falling over Fallgord Float.
“Yeah… nice night to take a break here. At least we made it to the inn before the rain picks up even more.”
She quickly turns to look at Elizara.
“What? Is the ‘big bad’ ole Elizara scared of’a some rain? Afraid’n you might just’a melt?”
Elizara doesn’t respond directly, but the color of her cheeks give the answer. Reinylla lets out a lighthearted laugh.
“Ah I was’a just kiddin’ there, darlin’! Yer right though, nice place’a to call it a night!”
The two have had quite the journey thus far, having taken out two primals and a chimera along the way. Elizara doing her best to continue to learn and understand herself, and her skills, better while making sure to keep the green-eared Reinylla safe from harm as much as she possibly can.
As for Reinylla, she’s becoming quite the artisan in the Dark Arts of black magic; if I weren’t to know any better, she might even be a rival for Miss Laureine in understanding it very quickly! Always seeing the world in wide-eyed wonder, it almost reminds me of the early days upon seeing Eorzea for myself while seeking out where Aikirees had ran off to many months before.
From the letters I receive, and I assure everyone do read as they do not get lost in the pile of desk letters already in existence, Reinylla has gotten pretty close to Elizara, but as for her I think only more time will tell how she’s feeling. I suspect being out and about as an adventurer has helped but still far from where she’d like to be.
I’ll keep looking forward to reading the letters from them as they continue to adventure forth, and from Miss Laureine’s visit with my Sister when she does the task I entrusted her with.
“He said do… what with this fish!?” “Put it around’a here for some reason or’another.”
Unable to comprehend the reasoning, Elizara continues to look upon Reinylla dumbfounded.
“A. Fish. Freshwater no less. Right. Here?” “Yessum, darlin'” “To what purpose!?”
Reinylla shrugs.
“Somethin’ about’a frog?” “… a what?” “Frog, ya’know those little hippity hoppy fellers.” “I know what a frog is!” “Oh good! I was worried there fer’a moment that where you came’a from, there were no fro–“
Elizara interrupts Reinylla with a loud huff.
“Fine! Now what?” “We just wait’a over there fer a bit’er so and somethin’s supposed to happen.”
The two retreat back a bit and within the bell a massive bullfrog-like creature appears and gobbles up the fish.
“Now!”
Reinylla states in a whisper to Elizara. The two leap out and dispatch the massive creature with ease.
“Well that’a was sure fun! Wasn’t it, sugar?” “It. was. A huge frog.” “It sure’a was, wasn’t it!”
Not really even phasing Reinylla, the two head back up into Costa del Sol to plan the next course of action now that the beaches around it were just a bit safer with such a creature gone. They take the next day to enjoy some rest at Costa del Sol, as Aiki and I have many times. Upon nightfall, Reinylla heads down to the shallow waters of the beach, not realizing Elizara was coming right behind her.
“Oh! Well’a if I’a knew you wanted to come too, I’d ‘ave offered as well!” “It’s…fine. Mind if I sit alongside you?” “What a silly ‘ole question is that? Of course it is!”
“Hey. Sorry about earlier.” “What’cha mean, sug?”
“About being huffy and skeptical, I just sometimes still don’t understand why we’re running around doing these things. Like… don’t we have some big bad… what is it called again, ‘Primal’ to deal with?”
“Oh, well’of course we do! We’ll get to that soon, darlin’! This is all just part of the journey! Helpin’ people and seeing the sights! It’s not’a always about the destination!”
Elizara ponders the remark for a moment.
“Huh. Good way of thinking I suppose.”
Reinylla nods lightly and grins, not saying anything.
“…thanks.” “Fer what, sug?” “Just. Thanks.”
Reinylla smiles and boops the side of Elizara’s head with her own, then go about stargazing for a while longer.
“Yer’a good bean, Lizzy. Dun let anyone’a tell you differently.”
Not really reacting to the remark from Reinylla, aside from a soft sigh and a faint smile. They small talk for another bell or so before retiring that night. Another big day ahead tomorrow for the two of them while they inch ever so closer to their final destination.
While traveling through the Black Shroud, Reinylla was tasked with investigating Haukke Manor. While initially not concerning her all that much having Elizara with her, upon reaching their destination is when the reality of it sank in.
“This’a place sure is creepy.” “… we’ll be fine, let’s get to it.”
Elizara’s stark response somewhat gave Reinylla the courage to get her legs to move forward.
“Y-your’a right behind me, right sug?” “Yes, you’re going to be alright, come on.”
Elizara walks up alongside Reiynlla with her bow in one hand, and gently grabs Reinylla’s hand with the other.
“Here, let’s go.”
Elizara, trying as best as she could, beings to gently and slowly walk towards the corridors, feeling the shivers in Reinylla’s hand every step as they proceed. Once the first area was cleared out though, Reinylla’s fear lessened and the two proceeded with the investigation as planned.
“I don’t think I could’a done that without you, darlin’.”
Elizara scoffs at her remark at the end of it all.
“I said you would be fine! You got that strength in you, I-I just nudged it is all.”
“I think you bein’ there, sug, is what gave me that strength. Don’t be sittin’ there sellin’ yerself short, and thank ya.”
If one were to look hard enough, one could see a faint shade of pink across Elizara’s face appear.
“L-let’s go.”
Reinylla chuckles lightly and the two make there way back to Gridania. Onward to their next adventure!
“No. Not really. Just. Everything is so fuzzy. Like, some sort of structures? Nothing I’ve seen so far here with you even remotely resembles it though.”
“Huh.. I’a wonderin’ what you’ra seeing then…”
There’s a small pause between the two as they both look at the warm campfire they decided to stay near for the night.
“Maybe~”
Reiynlla begins while not taking her eyes off the fire.
“There’sa rumors I’vea heard that over in that thar new world of a place with marvels far exceedin’ that of Hydaelyn herself! Maybe we can’a get there one’a day it’ll jog somethin!”
Elizara turns to look at Reiynlla with a faint smile.
“… yeah. Maybe. I’d might like that.”
Reinylla smiles, turning back to Elizara.
“So’a tell me then, darlin’! What you do remember, tell me some regailin’ things even if just ole silhouettes! We got’a fire here, might be fun to try and make shadows out of them!”
Elizara laughs.
“Yeah? Alright then, let’s see how good your skills are at that!”
The two laugh at one another, as Elizara begins to, as best as possible, tell some faint stories from before her arrival in The Archives. As much as Elizara continues to be reserved, Reinylla’s determination to get her to open up is almost as strong of a will as ever – rivaling that of Aikirees’ potent will to protect everyone and everything she cares about!
The two talk for a few bells, and with the fire burning out, the two call it a night. Until next time~
Reinylla and Elizara decided to return to Ul’dah, which just so happened to match up with the Little Ladies’ Day even going on. The two split up for a bit to walk around and see the sights, with Reiynlla paying a visit to the Sapphire Avenue for a spell.
“Oh! There you are, darlin’! Here! I gotchu a little somethin’!”
Reinylla excitedly hands over a fairy sized boxed, practically shoving it into Elizara’s hands, tied together with a twine-like rope.
“Uh, thanks? What is it?” “Just’a open’er it, sugar! It’s a surprise!”
Elizara carefully opens the package, with Reinylla’s excitement beaming off the tufts of her ears.
“Wait, what is this?”
Elizara holds part of the gown up from the package, not exactly sure what to make of it.
“It’sa dress, darling! Surely you know’a what that is??” “Y-yes, just never wore one before.”
Reinylla furrows both her brows and ears a smidgen.
“What’cha mean? You’ve a neve’ring wore one before??”
She ponders for a moment.
“Well, here’a then, come along!” “Wh-hey, hey! Slow down, will you?!”
Reinylla once again dragging Elizara off towards the Adventurer’s Guild by the hand, nearly causing her to trip over practically everything in the way. After some struggling, mostly on Reinylla explaining the process, Elizara was dressed up and soon after was Reinylla.
“You look’in so gorgeous there, darlin!”
Reinylla exclaimed in sheer delight. Elizara looks over herself, not sure what to make of it all.
“T-thanks, I think? I feel a little… silly. What’s the occasion that I can wear my normal clothes anyway?”
“It’s fer the Little Ladies’ Day event, sugar!”
“The, oh, the reason for all of the decor, I take it?”
Reinylla nods several times.
“Why, yeppers! The very same! Come along, let’s go!”
Rather than dragging Elizara by the hand again, she beckons to her in the direction they needed to go in to take all of the sites, sounds, scenery, and festivities that this year’s Little Ladies’ Day had to offer.
The event this year was assisting someone new to being a Seneschal Prince, while seeking out information as to how & what it all entails.
It was wholesome and good as they usually are, with the ending being a big fun performance on the Little Ladies’ Stage.
Dusk fell upon Ul’dah, with the two Vieras feeling a bit on the tired side, with a healthy dose of being able to accomplish helping out the big event take off without any major hitches. Once the sun started to set and the festive lights were lit, the stage was set for the big performances.
The two took pause to enjoy it off a little in the distance from the steps leading down towards the stage itself. While watching and listening to the Songbirds perform, Elizara turns towards Reinylla.
“Hey, Rein. I-… thanks for this day. Means a lot.”
Reinylla beams.
“Anytime there, sugar. We’ll get’cha memories back before’ya know it!”
Not exactly sure how to react, Elizara half smiles before the two return their gaze towards the stage. The two end up watching the performances and enjoying all the festivities until the very early bells of the next morning. Not exactly certain how to disgown, Elizara simply flops onto the bed and gets some sleep for the night; she’ll inquire with Reinylla in the morning in regards to such a task.
The two’s bond grows stronger, but their journey is still just in its infancy. Only time will tell where it finally leads and what ultimately is discovered about Elizara’s past. Until then, the two I’m certain will continue to look after themselves just as strong as ever.
“What is it, Sug— oh my good gracious! Where did you get such’a dorable feller?!”
“S-someone in, what’s the name… ‘Drybones’ gave me it, and it just, I don’t know, picked me up and then took off into the air?? H-how does that even— are you listening!?”
“Who’sa adorable big’ole fluffy kitten? You are, just arent’cha!?”
“I–….”
At that point, Elizara knew she was temporarily trapped sitting atop a flying cat in Eastern Thanalan, while Reinylla ecstatically petted and doted upon the adorable feline for as long as she could. The burning questions of how she got into this predicament and how it took flight to begin with will have to wait until a later moment it seems.
As Laureine told Elizara, she approached me the next morning while I was at my desk having my morning tea glancing over some documents.
“…I see. T-this is a rather interesting turn of events, even for The Archives.”
I respond to Laureine’s entire recount of the night prior, still a bit unsure how to proceed.
“May I see the scroll you found next to Elizara?” “Oh! Why, of course, Missus! Here, this is what I found with the faint glow.”
I gently take the scroll from Laureine’s grasp and began to examine it. The scroll appeared to be incredibly ancient with near impossible language to understand. The glow that Laureine had mentioned was all but gone now.
“This is a rather unique artifact… not anything I would have placed or asked anyone to put in there…”
I say out loud while continuing to examine both sides of the scroll: in and out of the light, the material it was made of, and the way it was written.
“W-what of Mistress Elizara…?”
Laureine inquires, almost holding back a feeling of force; I ponder this for a moment.
“…well, hmm. She doesn’t know where, or even what she is, which in itself very strange. I don’t think it’s a good idea for her to remain in HQ, as I believe her going out to see the realm would do her some good and hopefully give her a recollection to her memories.”
Laureine agreeably nods.
“I concur with that, Missus, but… on her own…?” “Oh Twelve no! That would be cruel. However, the question becomes as to who will go with her. You are busy with your own tasks, along with keeping Miss Lizz on her tasks.”
I resist the urge to chuckle at Lizicus’ and Laureine’s rather interesting relationship, as I all well know how family can sometimes be.
“Well, let’s see here….”
I pull out a tome with EOCA’s roster and start to thimble through it.
“Well, Sirena and Juli have been making a really wonderful and cute team as of late. Aryiah is off to Twelve knows where, and I don’t even know when we’ll see her again. Aikirees and I are usually off doing the same, as y’all are…”
I flip a couple more pages through the roster.
“Hmm… Reinylla.” “Oh! The Viera who helped us found EOCA and you relocate?”
I smile and nod.
“Yeppers! The very same. She’s incredibly warm and has been wanting to depart from Ul’dah for a time now and see the Realm. It would also benefit for Elizara to be around another Viera – help her better understand herself.”
Laureine’s worried expression softens.
“That does sound like a good idea then, Missus.” “Hopefully so. I’ll make contact with Reinylla via linkpearl to let her know where to meet her. Laureine, please escort Elizara to the rendezvous point in Ul’dah once the time has been established. Answer and/all questions she might have on the trek, and please do try to help in any way you can too.”
Laureine smiles and bows.
“At once, Missus!” “..oh, and one more task for only you.” “W-what is it, Missus?”
I hand the scroll back to Laureine rolled carefully up and sealed.
“You need to take this to Terrestia. If anyone can understand where this came from or what this is, she’s the most likely.”
Lauriene slowly takes the scroll from my hand.
“Y-your sister…?” “Yes. You’ll have to do it without any of us making contact, but once you get close, she’ll find you just from that scroll alone. Just… when you have time, no hurry or anything, but until then keep that scroll safe.”
Laureine nods uncomfortably.
“Y-yes, Missus, it will be done.” “Right then. Let’s get these two together and see what happens.”
As asked, Laureine escorted Elizara to Ul’dah. Within a bell, she’s approached by an enthusiastic, red-haired, heterochromatic eyed Viera.
“Well, howdy there, darlin’!”
Elizara snapped out of her daze to look up at an excited Viera greeting her.
“Oh, erm… H-hello? I.. take it your Reinylla?” “Sure ‘am there, sugar! Nice ta meet’cha, Elizara!”
Elizara continues to look up at Reinylla, not certain what to make of her.
“Mind if I take’a seat next to ya?”
Elizara without saying anything subltly nods at her inquiry.
“Thank ya! Awfully kind’of ya! So, tell me about yer’self?” “… it’s just Elizara, there’s really not much else to say right now.”
Elizara began to recount the story of where and how she appeared without knowing much else aside her name – not even what she was.
“Quite the tale, hun! Can’t say I understood’n all of it, but sounds like ya had quite the journey! Can’t say I can’a boast anythin’ close, just a humble Viera from across the Eastward Sea yearn’in for adventur’in!”
The two began to talk for a number of bells, well mostly Reinylla regailing her quiet beginnings in the far, far Southern part of Othard – far more southern than Aikirees and I. Just nearly the opposite side of that continent from where Lizicus and Laureine grew up, in fact.
“…You’ve had quite the journey here…” “I guess’in so! Neva’ really thought of it that’a way!”
Reinylla chuckles.
“Wonder how far I’ve traveled then…” “Well, there’sa only one way ta find out, sugar! How’a bout it?”
Elizara pauses, nearly frozen, at the thought.
“…You want me to come with you?”
Reinylla excitedly nods at Elizara.
“Absolutely, hun! How’a bout being my travelin’ companion? I’ve been a’itching to go out on my own fer a time now!” “I.. don’t know.”
Reinylla furrows her brows for a moment. “Aww, come’er on! It’ll be fun! Who’a knows, some’thing or other out there could give that’a memory of yers a good jarring!”
Elizara doesn’t say anything, only going back to being lost in thought.
“Well, that’a settles it then!” Reinylla hops up from the stone bench with an incredible amount of delight.
“Come’on, Sugar! We’ra burnin’ daylight!” “W-wha, b-but I didn’t agr—“ “Yes’a you did! Come onnnn! I want’a see the realm! Let’s go, Hun!”
Elizara, slowly gets up from the bench, with some reluctance, but Reiynlla quickly grabs her hand and tugs her towards the Adventuring Guild.
” I’am so excited! We gonna to have such an a’venture together!”
All that Elizara could muster was a smirk while trying not to trip being nearly dragged towards the Aventuring Guild there in Ul’dah.
“But’a first! We need ta’get properly equipped ta head on out’of here!” “‘Properly Equipped…?'” “Yeah, sugar! Can’ta be runnin’ around out there wit’ no way of defending ourselves!” “..Ah?”
With that, the two of them begin their journey across the realm, one with aspirations to see it all with the other just trying to make an understanding of everything. Only time will tell what what those two will get themselves into, and what will be uncovered of Elizara’s mysterious past.
One late night, well after all of us had turned in for a nice rest, Laureine decided to step into the wandering corridors of The Archives for some light reading. She’s not unfamiliar with The Archives, as she has done this many of times before, while initially just to place old documents from my desk to the main entry point area in the early summers of being part of EOCA. She’s always had a fascination as to what old tomes, books, and documents she’ll stumble upon in there within The Archives’ many many winding corridors; however, no one really knows what one will find within The Archives now, as it’s become its own entity upon itself.
After a few bells of simply wandering and greeting the local will-o’-wisps that reside within The Archives, Laureine found a nice thick book relating to comparisons of Allagan technology (one of her personal favorite subjects) and other-worldly technologies not familiar to even the Alexandrians. She fell into a deep concentration of all the diagrams with incredibly exquisite details that are far beyond my comprehension, but not for very long as about one-third through the pages, Laureine heard something echoing throughout The Archives that had not ever been heard before.
Placing the book back upon the shelf, Laureine decided to investigate whom or what would/could have made such a sound so deep into The Archives. She had her trusty spear capable of being summoned for the ready at any notice, so she wasn’t concerned for her well-being.
“I-it’s probably one of the Missuses, it has to be this far in The Archives…”
Laureine thought to herself as she continued to cautiously get closer to where she heard such a noise. The thought of it being a malevolent will-o’-wisp did cross her mind, but she was on friendly terms with those denizens of The Archives, so it was quickly dismissed.
“Missuses…? Are one of you in here? …Cuz… is this a prank??”
She inadvertently hoped it was Lizicus just pulling her tail, but alas, that wasn’t the case. The closer Laureine got to where she heard the sound, another strange almost voice-like echoed through the corridors. It sounded like a person, but one unknown to her.
“H-ello…? Is anyone there?”
Laureine called out, but with no response, beyond hearing her own voice bounce across the walls lined with shelves. This was a part of The Archives that Laureine, nor anyone really, has ever ventured through in the past. The corridors themselves seemed to bend as time and space that made it up were being manipulated in some way. She grasped the small node that could summon her spear very tightly now, but restrained from using it as to not make matters possibly worse.
This area of The Archives felt darker, and the eerily quiet of no response to Laureine’s call out began to unnerve even her. Upon getting very close to where she heard the initial sound and voice, Laureine turned into a side corridor to be greeted with a rather big surprise.
“A.. a… Viera!? H-here!?”
Laureine thought to herself in disbelieved surprise. She kneels down to check and see how she is – alive, but just mostly unconscious.
“Where could have you come from…”
This part of The Archives is just endless winding and warping corridors with the main entrance yalms away from here; the questions that began to boil up in Laureine’s mind became near limitless. She looked around at the books to try and understand the context of the situation, but nothing really stood out as a clue. Looking on the ground around the mysterious Viera to see if any of those could be of help to even remotely how anyone could have made it back there.
A scroll near the Viera’s back side faintly glowed with unintelligible letters to Laureine. She picked it up and carefully examined it.
“It’s not Eorzean, nor any language I’ve ever come across while traveling the Realm and beyond. Perhaps a Reflection…?”
She decides to take the scroll with her and ask me about it later on, and upon placing the scroll into her carrying node, the Viera stirs to regain consciousness.
“Hnnng… w-wh–..?”
Her eyes open to see Laureine kneeling over her with a concerned expression.
“Who– wh- what are you…?”
Slowly trying to get up from off the cold ground, Laureine assists.
“H-hey, it’s alright. You’re in a place called The Archives held within Eorzea Cartographers’ Headquarters. I’m Laureine, and you are–?”
The Viera winces back from Laureine’s hands.
“What are you!?”
Laureine pauses, unsure of what to make of the inquiry.
I’m an Au Ra, Miss Viera. We’re fairly common here, but I suspect where you’re from, we are not?”
The Viera shakes her head in disbelief.
“I’m a… what…?” “You’re a Viera, or that’s what you appear to be. The Missus is such one who hails from Southern Othard. Are you familiar with the term?”
The Viera shakes her head at Laureine’s question.
“Never heard of such a place, or this ‘Eorzea Cartographers.'”
The Viera’s ears begin to tingle with subtle twitches to her surroundings.
“W-why is everything so loud? Why can I hear literally everything so clearly?” “It’s your ears; being a Viera gives you heightened sense of hearing to the point of capabilities no one else really can.”
She touches her long lightly fuzzy ears in more disbelief.
“Argh, I don’t understand any of this. How can I be here, what am I!?” “W-well, how about a name for starts, Miss Viera?” “… Elizara.” “Ah! Well, please to meet you Mistress Elizara.”
Laureine bows to Elizara in greeting like she has done so many times to new folks she has met – more times to me than I’d prefer but she really keeps to her etiquette.
Laureine helps Elizara off the ground and begins to explain where they are, what continent, City-State, and what Etheirys is to give her some sort of foundation to see if any of it helps. Unfortunately, Elizara seems to be completely unaware of where she is.
“So, none of that helps?”
Elizara shakes her head more puzzled than before.
“N-no, it doesn’t. L-aureine was it? C-could we please get out of here. The sounds of this area are starting to give me even more of a headache…” “Ah! R-right! Apologizes, Mistress. Let us quit of this place and see what The Missus has to say about what to do.”
Elizara shakes her head in annoyance.
“P-please, just… Elizara. I’m no Mistress.” “A-pologizes, Mistress. It’s rather habitual.”
She shrugs at Laureine and the two of them begin to slowly with caution make their way out of The Archives. The winding feels like it takes many bells before reaching the entry area. As Laureine opens the door to HQ’s first floor, she glances at the wall time-keeper to see only a single bell had passed since her entry into The Archives.
“W-well that’s new…” She remarks with some disbelief at the lack of time that had passed.
“W-well seeing as only a bell has passed since my journey through The Archives and meeting you has happened. It’s still the middle of the night. You can stay in my chambers until the morning. I have a very comfortable area with a warm fire to make you feel at home, I hope.”
Elizara’s annoyed bewildered expression that she has kept for most of the journey out of The Archives softens.
“…Thank you.”
Hearing this delights Laureine as she had been worried all this time of hostilities.
“…Let’s also find you some clothes so you’re not wandering around in skivvies too.”
Laureine lightly chuckles to help break the ever-softened tension. Elizara looks down at her clothes, or rather lack-thereof and smirks in return.
“…Y-yes, I guess that would be a good idea, it’s freezing in here!” “Ah! R-right! One fireplace coming up – that is one accompany we very much do no lack in HQ, Mistress! I’ll get you some tea as well?”
Laureine begins to escort Elizara to her chambers as the night continues for a set of practical clothing, a warm fire, and apparently a strong cup of coffee. This is just the beginning as Elizara adventures have only just begun…
