The two of them, in pure silence, gazing out at what was and what could have been should they have not succeeded. While one perpetually ponders the ‘what-if?’ the other only sees how far they have come and accomplished. They have done so much, the two of them together, and much more lies ahead before them.
Just for a moment though, time seems to freeze seeing what had happened and what could have passed, but it did not and the two of them are thankful they were able to help stop the second coming of the End of Days.
“Let’s go, Cuz, we’ve seen how this plays out, and gave it Hells. We got a lot of tails to kick on the road ahead.” Laureine snaps out of her thoughts and glances over at Lizicus showing her usual confident smirk back at her. She smiles with what confidence she can muster, and they both return to their world below, safe from what could have come to pass once again.
One late afternoon over at HQ, I managed to catch up with Miss Laureine who was working on some side-projects. This project in particular, seemed to be some combat field research, and so I decided to give her some assistance for a spell. Once that was all done for a moment, we sat down in our gazebo to chat at see how things were going.
Hearing what her and her cousin had been up to, it took me back just how far Miss Laureine has come every since that faithful day I met here just roaming around Gridania.
“Do you remember that day those summers ago?”
Laureine just stopped for a moment looking up at be bewildered. “W-what’s that, Missus?”
Miss Laureine has always been known to be prim, polite, and professional in everything she does to everyone she talks to, well everyone but her cousin. She tends to keep her in line as much as possible, which I have to admit I find amusing as it reminds me of the early years with Tess, Aikirees, and I.
I smile back at her and give a subtle chuckle. “The day I met you, back in Gridania.”
“O-oh, that day! I very much do, Missus, but why do you bring it up?”
“It just came to mind talking with you and hearing all of the adventures you’ve been up to with Miss Lizicus.” Miss Laureine smiles back. “It was quite a day; I do recall being very overwhelmed by Gridania seeing as I had just arrived there not too long ago. I-I wasn’t sure where to go or what to do.” I nod in return, and she continued. “But then you came along, Missus, gave me assistance, and helped me understand Gridania far better by coming along with me around the town answering all of my inquiries with no objections!”
“You were very excited to be there, and just so exploring every area of the city you could access!” Miss Laureine laughed. “I really did, Missus!” She recomposed herself and then continued. “But then, when the day came to an end, you asked me that one question that forever changed my life. You asked me to come with you!”
I smiled and nodded back at Miss Laureine. “I did, and you accepted. You learned about everything you could get your hands on and feel deeply in love with Allagan technology” Miss Laureine smiled and nodded warmly in return before I continued. “Here you are now, you’ve gone to the ends of the known existence and back, you’ve grown to protect those around you, including not just Aikirees and Aryiah, but our beloved Juli and Sirena as well. You’ve become so strong, and I am so proud of you for it.”
“M-Missus…” Miss Laureine’s voice began to waver with emotion; this might have been the first time I’ve ever seen her like this.
“You can craft like the best of them, brought Miss Lizz into the fold, and have helped me out tremendously even though I never asked you to. I’m very grateful we crossed paths on that faithful day; you such a wonderful Au Ra”
I could sense that Miss Laureine was on the brink of tears at this point. I got up, grabbed her hands, and lifted her gently to her feet, and then hugged her as tightly as I could. Miss Laureine began to weep, and I continued to comfort her.
“M-Missus…” I just kept embracing her.
“Thank you, Miss Laureine. Thank you for everything.”
After a little bit, Miss Laureine hugged me back gently, thanked me, and then we parted ways back to our adventures again. Seeing her back then to now feels almost like it was yesterday that faithful day happened. She’s grown so strong and so powerful with everything she’s learned over these summers. I look forward to where her adventures with her cousin take her, especially as we inch ever closer to our journey to Tural.
Some screenshots were taken from the Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail official benchmark program!
Aikirees, tired after another day of adventuring and working on her island, retires to her top bunk bed within the lower floor of EOCA HQ. Tuckered out as she is, she almost immediately heads off into dreamland. For a time now, Aikirees has been planning a journey of self-reflecting, a journey to become stronger and to try and communicate more like her elder sisters. She wishes to be more helpful to her dear older sister who has protected her for so long now, and she wants to protect her back so badly…
Her dream starts off like any other, but with the thoughts of her impending journey on her mind, her dream skews towards those thoughts. Since she’s partially quantum and has lost two lives already, she can sense things in the Aetherical flow that extend beyond the boundaries of Etheirys, even without the assist of her beloved Carbuncles. The dream starts off like any other though, her disembarking from Ishgard to begin her journey.
However… soon thereafter, she see’s flashes of a red-haired figure. “T-Terrestia zee Sissy?!” She thinks to herself in the dream. But it doesn’t add up as this figure doesn’t seem to have long Vieran ears, or she can’t make them out. All she can vaguely see are flashes of fiery green eyes from within the figure. A gush of wind, and a flash of red & white, the land goes black for a moment, but the faintness of the Aetherical Sea can be seen around her.
She looks down at her hand, and her eyes widen. Something is off, but she can’t understand why this is…
Aikirees appears to not quite be herself. “Dish has to be’sies zee dream’sies trying’sies tew trick’sies mi’s.” She ponders and comes to that conclusion. Aikirees begins to walk through this Aetherial Sea; the red figure flickers in front of her once again.
“Zee Tess Sissy’sies…?” She shouts out, her voice is not the same as it echoes through the sea. The figure doesn’t say anything, but it begins to mover closer towards Aikirees aggressively.
Aikirees readies her newly discovered claws to defend herself only for the red figure to rush clean through her body revealing vivid visions.
One vision shows her off in a faraway land, on chocobo’s back instead of her beloved shadow wolf. Hearing things growl and howl off into the distance. Her ears far keener on hearing such sounds much farther away almost as well as her sisters can with their Vieran ears! Another vision flashes before her fighting with comrades against incredibly ferocious foes! She sees faraway lands not familiar to her, but some familiar faces alongside for the journey. Her dear elder Sister with her as well, fighting side by side nearly equal in strength and power!
In the final visions, she is back in familiar lands: The Black Shroud, very close to Gridania to be exact. All tired out, even in a dream, she slowly makes her way back to the City-State in preparations to return to Ishgard…
Aikirees stirs from her slumber for a spell. Looks at herself, grasps her tail, ears, and feels her face. “Dat wash’sies some zee dream’sies…” She says in a whisper outloud, and wonders who or what the red figure was with the fiery green eyes. Could it have been Terrestia, or someone far worse..?
What will her journey of reflection behold? Is her Seventh Life in danger? Is Terrestia really and truly the one out to get her now that the protection barrier has been broken? Only time will tell what’s in store for the Little One, and that time draws all the ever closer…
Upon returning to HQ, Laureine heard something faint but familiar coming from downstairs.
“Let the revel begin!”
“Susano!?” She thought with a quickly flashing moment of panic, but she knew that couldn’t be as he was dispatched many summers ago while traveling through the Ruby Sea. She paused and gathered her thoughts for a moment as to how this could logically be possible.
“The seas part for we alone!”
The Susano-like voice could be heard faintly echoing across HQ once again. Laureine snapped to her senses, and rushed downstairs to see what it could have been, ready to summon one of her weapons to assist in stopping the Primal once again if necessary…
…Only to be bemused upon discovering Lizicus knocked out from a teeny-tiny version of the Lord of Revel. Recalling a gift she had acquired from Missus Sirena a few moons ago, Laureine wouldn’t have thought that her cousin would actually attempt to spar with the innocent looking wind-up figurine and be completely knocked out by it’s finely crafted replica of Susnao’s famous sword.
Laureine let out a sigh of disbelieve and relief, covered her cousin with a blanket, turned off her miniature Susano to not cause anymore unintentional havoc, and went to bed. She knew once her cousin awoke she would stumble into the bunk eventually, as it’s not like Lizicus to miss out on sleep when she can.
April 7th 2019 is Churning Mists Day, the day Aikirees first made it to this gorgeous area. It’s an important day for her and it happened well before my arrival in Eorzea…
Up on the floating peak of Sohm Al on a clear crisp day, Aikirees while wearing similar attire as she did the first time she arrived here, looks off into the vast sea of clouds that make up the Churning Mists. Far off into the distance she looks upon Zenith’s magnificently colossal structure jetting far up into the heavens. She simply stands there gazing with a smile, while enjoying the cool winds on her ears, and gently moving the grass and puff bolls around her. Aikirees closes her eyes and lets in a deep breath, and just like that time seems to stand still in this tranquil moment.
“Oh, you’re already here!”
Aikirees’ ear flips towards the direction of the voice, and she turns to see that I’ve finally arrived at the summit to meet her. She smiles and goes back to gazing off into the distance, while I approach to join her.
“Ish zee fifth’sies zee year’sies nao, zee Sissy… Five’sies zee year’sies since I furrrrrsteded visited here…”
Aikirees says, not looking away from Zenith. I smile while doing the same, and joining her in just gazing outwards. After what felt like an eternity, I spoke up.
“It has been quite the adventure; I still remember when you left Kugane that faithful day. All full of excitement ready to seek out new horizons. There’s that part within you that just yearned for travel, and I still haven’t quite figured that part out.”
I glance at her and see the smile on her face still there strong as ever.
“…And you certainly found it. Saved Eorzea, ended the Dragonsong War, and even helped take back Ala Mhigo. All before I finally was able to catch up with you. You’ve grown so strong, Little One.”
Aikirees breaks away from gazing off into the distance and looks up at me with grin, and I return the gesture in kind.
“Sew zee has yew, zee Big Sissy! Yew were alway’sies zee stronk’sies one’sies doe!”
I chuckled lightheartedly back at her.
“I appreciate the notion!”
She simply smiled as not a care in the world, even after everything we had seen and done whether together or apart, she always has and continues to see the best and brightest in everyone around her.
“Thank you for always letting me come with you on this day to reflect; I know it’s important to you, as you reminisce about the past.”
Aikirees nods an acknowledging nod back.
“Ish zee nice’sies to has zee company’sies. I’sies know yew zee worrrries’sies about zee mi’s lot’sies, but yew’sies dun has tew. Even’sies with zee upcoming’sies jourrrrney’sies, I’ll be zee fine’sies! We’sies gone’sies tew zee edge’sies of dish existens’sies togethurrrr’sies after zee all’sies!”
I pause not really sure what to say, she is right, and it just shows how much she really has grown. Instead of saying anything to contest, I simply smile warmly at her my dear little sister.
“You’re right, Little One. Just, promise me you won’t lose anymore lives.”
I chuckle back, mostly in warmth but with a hint of precaution hoping she doesn’t sense it. The rest of this special day, that Aikirees has simply named ‘Churning Mists Day’ we go and visit places she remembers very fondly during her first time here all those years ago now, making sure to visit with both the dragons and moogles, see some of the beautiful views, and ultimately with it ending in a peculiar spot where she shared a warm fire with some dear friends – one of which whom sacrificed herself to help end the Dragonsong War.
The sky crackled with lightning, and the fierce battle between Nidhogg and us two was beginning to show just how treacherous this was about to become. He narrowed his eyes, gazed upon our souls about to let loose a fiery attack, while sending out his horde to protect him in the process.
Once the horde was dealt with, he let our an ear piercing roar of sheer rage before lifting off the ground with his majestically massive wings. The sky crackled once again before turning a hue of red. Looking around to see where he might strike next with all of the rage he had been building up, I paced back a few steps signaling to Sirena to get close.
The ground shook with red symbols forming, and once I noticed what was about to beholden the two of us, I thrust my blood sword into the ground for anchoring and channeled what aether I could muster into my trusty Allagan Shield that has served me well for more summers than I can recall.
As the sky grew blood red and the symbols on the ground around us began to glow even brighter, I knew the time was nigh. Using the aether channeled into my shield, I released it into protective wings to keep the both of us from feeling the full wrath of Nidhogg’s mighty blow.
“You will not hurt, Sirena; you will not hurt Aikirees, Juli, my daughter, nor the cousins. You will NEVER hurt anyone I care about ever again. As long as I have this shield, I will continue to protect those I hold dear. You, Nidhogg, you time is nigh… you will never hurt anyone again!”
With that, the mighty wyrm descended with such force the ground beneath us quaked and shivered for a moment. The sky continued to stay red and when the dust settled, Nidhogg had returned to the air just floating there, possessing Estinien’s body, and looking down at us beckoning to finish this battle once and for all…
After a long day of adventure, the two cousins reconvene at the end of it at EOCA HQ’s warm fire pit. Shortly thereafter arriving and telling both tales of adventures they did separately, as well as talking about the ones they did together, poor Lizicus begins to nod off right then and there.
As much as Laureine wanted to chastise her cousin for doing so, she simply just smiles and lets her drift for a moment before nudging her to let her know it’s time to retire for the evening.
“Cuz, you looked so peaceful nodding off there at the fire pit, even if it was for just a spell. I know you really appreciate sleep and rest, so I just let you do so without giving you a hard time. Sorry I had to, but I really didn’t want you to go fully asleep in that position, especially with exposed legs and that corset out in the cold weather for a prolonged period of time. Even so, thank you for the brief talks about how everything went today; these little moments together mean so much to me.”
“Oh, heya there, Cuz.” Lizicus says to Laureine on a rainy night in Gridania. They both have been fighting hard in their Dragoon training to nearly reach the top now.
Laureine smiles back at her “So what are you doing here, aside from getting wet?” A quick pause happens between the two before Lizicus comes to the realization of the surmount of rain and puts up an umbrella for the two of them to temporarily reside under. “Ah well, you know me, absent minded at the likes of even the weather.”
The both get a good quick chuckle out of the retort before Laureine looks at her cousin with a heartfelt expression. “You did good tonight assisting the Missus Sirena; proud of you.” Lizicus, taken aback from the compliment for a moment before reacting. “Y-yeah w-well, i-it’s nothing really. Just felt like you needed a hand is all!”
Laureine smiles a faint blushing smile. “While that may be true, you really did a good thing, so thank you for that.” Lizicus faintly smiles in response before glancing away.
“S-so anyway…” Lizicus continues, changing the subject and reverting her gaze back at Laureine, “Here we are near the end of our training.” Laureine smiles, “I suppose so, Cuz; it’s been quite the journey!” Lizicus grins in return and nods. “Yeah, and it’s been so rad taking it on alongside you!” Laureine’s expression unchanged, aside from showing some exhaustion. “So, Cuz, where to from here before the big trek Westward?”
Lizicus looks at Laureine expressing contemplation. “Oh, I don’t know, maybe reside on a tropical island on the outskirts of La Noscea for a while? Just want some additional time to relax and sleep before our big trek there would be so rad.”
Laureine laughs out loud. “That sounds like you!” Lizicus scoffs. “Oh yeah? What about you then!?” Laureine thinks for a moment. “Well, probably delve into more Allagan research, or help the Missus with anything they need.“
Lizicus pauses and thinks for a moment. “…Yeah, you know that does sound good too. If you need my help, you can always just ask after this training is over.”
Laureine smiles warmly at Lizicus. “Thank you, Cuz; I will try to not pester you on your vacation as much before we head Westward too after this!” She lets out a happy chuckle towards Lizicus.
All Lizicus can do is smile warmly back at Laureine while holding the umbrella until the rain stops. Once the rain ends they part ways for a spell.
Laureine returns to EOCA HQ before Lizicus and gets all settled into her bunk to sleep. Meanwhile, Lizicus, while getting settled into bed at HQ mutters something before falling asleep herself.
“Hey, Cuz, I know you’re probably asleep, but… thanks for everything and putting up with my antics. I do appreciate what you do for everyone and The Missuses. I’ll try to look after you as best I can, even if I have to use my brashness to get us out of a jam. Love you lots, Cuz, sleep well~”
After finishing up all of the tasks for the week, I caught up with Aikirees in Labyrinthos near Margaret’s place on a rainy evening. We coincidentally finished our running around for the week in the same location and gave her some much needed cover from the rain.
While not much for small chatter, as we tend to a lot while adventuring as well as just being plain exhausted, I simply looked down at my dear little sister smiling. She looked back up and flashed a tired smile herself. I was only able to muster one thing before both of us returned to HQ for the evening.
~”I know the winds are changing, and we’re heading Westward soon to a new land. You’re growing up so fast and becoming so strong now. No matter what happens in the future, you’ll always be my Little One, dear sister. I shall always be there to protect and look after you.”~
After a long day of adventuring through all of Etheirys, and the First, the two cousins return to Headquarters on this cold wintry night. Laureine placing her technological Allagan Lance and bodysuit into her private chambers, meanwhile Lizicus placing her trusty bow that was a gift from Laureine and armor away in her (rather sparse) private chambers’ armories.
After a quick clean-up and having some hot tea with a little to eat, they both just relax in front of the lower level’s large stone fireplace. They’re normally seen either together or keep in touch as to where they are while running around the vast world, and even on occasion are seen sitting and chatting somewhere, but not like this. On this cold night, while the snow comes down in Ishgard, they are fully relaxed with not a single care in the world even if just for a moment.
Everything from their future endeavors in Tural, Laureine’s next big Allagan idea, Lizicus’ favorite type of drinks, and what the latest ‘rad’ thing she saw in Old Sharlayan the other day just to name a few. All sorts of other things along with that that just came to mind while resting there listening to the light jazzical music from the Orchestration and the crackling of the fire. Lizicus ultimately laying down on a floor pillow slowly dozing out as Laureine just looked at the fire smiling and enjoying the company of her sometimes stubborn cousin, their pets, and just letting time freeze in this tranquil moment.
While it may have been a cold winter’s night outside, it was an incredibly warm and cozy night inside. Stay warm everyone, and enjoy a wonderful fireplace with a hot drink on these cold wintry nights.
The other evening, while Laureine was out adventuring on her own taking care of her own personal tasks and objectives that are usually unable to be done during the normal weekly tasks, she comes upon Sirena on the First assisting Granson to find a specific Cardinal Virtue. It was a very lovely intermission of rest from both of their adventuring, where then a couple of U.F.Os come along and attempt to tractor beam them away.
Seemingly miscalculating their size versus said alien vehicles, it ended up being more of a float hammock of sorts. Meanwhile the two kept chatting until their attempted abductors gently put them back on the ground and flew off in a hurry. Quite possibly to find a target far smaller that could be picked up properly.
Anden may want to look over the flock a bit more thoroughly this evening…
