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.
Six Summers have passed now, ever since Aikirees first reached this place. She always likes to come back and reflect on the year that has passed. Originally she’d come here alone, but after our journey to the ends of the universe and back, I’ve been accompanying her since then.
This time, Aikirees was there well earlier than I was, and since she’s grown this past summer by quite a bit, both literally and figuratively, finding her in the usual spot was pretty easy to do. I landed close by on my golden glowing bird, and headed over to greet her.
“Beat me to the spot this year!”
Aikirees nodded with the biggest adorkable grin on her Hrothgar snout.
“Zee yup yup! Got zee here’sies at zee dawnbreak’sies!”
Aikirees over the months had gotten a lot more quiet; she hasn’t really explained as to why, but I suspect it has something to do with her transformation, I suspect even now it weighs on her mind.
“I probably would have gotten here sooner, but letters from Laureine and the Leporines held me up. It’s not because of the mess on the desk!”
“Uh-huh’sies, you ever gonna’sies clean that thing’sies?”
I paused, stunned to think of something witty to reply with.
“Y-yes, j-just… oh shush!”
Aikirees bellowed in laughter; her laugh especially now is really contagious as I started to as well.
“It’s good to see you like you used to be, ‘Little’ One.”
She smiled, and gave a slight nod. We glanced out over the clear skies of the Churning Mists. It’s been at least the summer since we were here together last. Always gorgeous views there, and the crispy cool winds over my ears felt so nice. Thoughts of our Tural journey went through my mind, and began where we’d head to next and as to what is going to happen with the strange ‘Vana’Diel’ in the near future.
“…Mama said’sies to tell you zee ‘Hi’sies when I returrrrrned from my journey’sies.”
Unprovoked, Aikirees said the first thing ever involving her journey. I looked at her in complete surprise.
“Y-you saw mother??”
She simply nodded with a warm smile.
“I didn’t realize that you– wait don’t tell me, did you die again!?“
“It’sies a bit zee complicated. Lot’sies of zee things I don’t understand’sies, but zee Sissy Tess and zee Miss Laureine probably’sies know zee more about it. Zee Mama did give’sies another life’sies, which kind of might have caused zee beeg change’sies.”
Mother always said she’d give her life for us, I didn’t think she’d do it literally, even after she’s been gone for so long now. I honestly didn’t know how to react to the information, but the fact that Aikirees is still here, even if she’s bigger an a lot more fuzzy, is thankful enough to whatever happened out there.
“…Thank you, mother.”
I said quietly to myself, but I suspect Aikirees heard it as well.
“So, tell me, you have anymore surprises like that up your sleeves?!”
Aikirees just laughed.
“Zee nope’sies!”
“Ah, well, I guess I shouldn’t be that surprised honestly. Having a Viera pop out the Archives, Tess’ odd behavior the last time we all got together. We certainly are a quirky trio of sisters aren’t we?”
Aikirees laughed and beamed a grin.
“Just zee awesome’sies that way’sies!”
“I suppose so!”
We both laughed a laugh that could be heard across Moghome, and then small talked for a bell or so. Not sure what this next year holds for us; only the path we walk will tell that tale, but I know we’ll be back here once again next year to swap stories and enjoy celebrating another Churning Mists Day again together.
“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.
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…
If anyone has ever visited EOCA HQ, they’ll more than likely run across this large and messy desk just past the lounge area. My old map making desk, still covered in old scrolls, notes, drawings, and just rather unkempt all this time. However, there’s a few mementos and memories placed on here that I cherish very fondly with priceless sentimental value.
1 – Star Globe. This is a double-edged reason for being here. The first being that no cartographer’s desk should be without some sort of globe on it, and the other being that I’ve personally had a globe on my desk ever since I was a very young bun. My Dad got me a globe when I was either 3 or 4, and it’s so old that it still has USSR along with East & West Germany on it. Certainly had a lot of love, and a lot of solar bleaching happen to it over the years.
2 – Azelma’s Flowers. Back when EOCA hit Rank 30, which as of this writing is the max rank for a Free Company, I was gifted these flowers from our dear friend Azelma in congrats of achieving the feat. This is something that we honestly thought would have taken a lot longer to accomplish, but with perseverance we managed to do so well before the end of Endwalker. I made sure to give them a place on the desk as a memory.
3 – Kibby’s Flowers. During my more active tenure with The Burgundy Room, I would assist with staff and handling tips at the end of the shows. One show, once it was all concluded, I was gifted these lovely red flowers from Kibby who was performing at the show that evening.
4 – Burgundy Flowers. These flowers I can’t remember who personally gave them to me, but given the red ribbon I dyed on it, someone from Burgundy during the earlier years did so during the end of a performance. I have been gifted several other flowers, including one from Sirena, but those have been placed in my apartment instead. Sirena’s in particular has a pink ribbon on it.
5 – Coffee Mug. There’s a lot of these around HQ, and certainly my desk is no unfamiliar place for a nice hot mug. Representing a lot of aspects of my life, but also when I would work on maps, there usually would be some coffee in close proximity!
6 – Winery. This one not many folks would probably know the story behind it. Years, and years ago when the Aether Event Center was around (it’s been gone a long while now), and I was just starting out before EOCA was established, I was making the maps for the Aether Event Center and working/participating in events they hosted. It was a very fun and wild time, but once the AEC’s mansion was acquired/established, I was surprise gifted my own desk within it! The desk was so gorgeous, and it had these bottles of wine and glass on top of it. I wanted to keep those early days’ memory close.
7 – Carbuncle Lamp. Kind of part of the above, one of these was on my desk as a nod to Aikirees’ love of Carbuncles during the AEC’s tenure. It has since been placed down on my desk for that reason, and I think Aikirees appreciates one just being there to help illuminate the desk overall.
8 – Envelopes. Kind of a self-jab with how I tended to organize requests, and other items that came across my inbox. Rest assured, everything was done and addressed in a timely manner, but was just not well organized for the longest time.
9 – Notes, schematics, old drawings, etc. Another self-jab: my catch-all of everything that is not sprawled out all messy-like on the desk. Various things piled within these mountains of paper. The rest of them have made it with moderate success into The Archives proper.
I think that coves the basis of that desk. The walls have maps and schematics on it, along with a bunch on the desk too. It’s a chaotic mess for certain, but the memories it holds are priceless and timeless to me and I wouldn’t want to change it for anything.
There we were… just standing there, in Lower Jeuno. It was rather jarring for me, but I suspect for Aikirees, it was a far different feeling. A feeling that I could only ever imagine, and one do I not suspect many if anyone around her could. The stories she told ‘Tess’ and I growing up, all those years ago, we thought they were just that.
Aikirees told many stories about Vana’diel when we were all very young, still living in southern Othard. She told the tales of how she grew up in a placed called The Republic of Bastok, before traveling to a Gustaberg, highlands named Konschtat, sandy dunes of Vulkurm. Adventuring through those places and seeing a Kingdom of Sand.. Sand’Oria I believe she called it, Federation of Windurst, and of course Grand Duchy of Jeuno.
Vana’diel to her was far more that just stories she kept telling us, with tales talking about the the aforementioned, but so many more places in such detail as well! Aikirees would insistingly keep telling ‘Tess’ and I that this was all real and she had been there. We would usually just dryly humor her in agreement in fear of getting mother’s wrath upon us for teasing Aikirees. I think she knew we were doing so, but looking back, I wish I had listened and believed her more…
Somehow, in some way however, mother seemed to always know she was right. ‘Tess’ and I never really did understand what mother meant, but it seemed to resonate with Aikirees, and it made her happy. Even after we fled our village to start anew in Kugane years later, she still would tell the tales from Vana’diel, even if she told the same one multiple times – she certainly had her favorites!
Even with us being older, and I still just thought they were fiction, she found comfort in telling them and I began to take a similar sensation in hearing what she told to the point where I’d engage back asking about specifics. She always knew what to say as well!
Once she grew into her Summoner role in Eorzea, she picked the outfit she wears to this day claiming it was the one she wore in Vana’diel. While initially I thought it was a rather… unique combination, I can understand why she adores it so much – even more so now witnessing what I have.
I looked over at her, grabbed her paw and gave it a gently squeeze. She didn’t really react, just kept looking over Lower Jeuno. Knowing she knew everything about this place and how much it meant to her made me want to hug her so badly, but I resisted the temptation.
“I’m sorry… So sorry for how we treated you all those years ago. This was your home at one point, in another life, wasn’t it? We’ll set this right, we’ll fix this just like we always do – together.” A faint smile appeared on Aikirees’s face, nearly invisible to see unless one was around her as long as I have been. Still not reacting, aside from a gently squeeze back to my hand in return.
As Aikirees sleeps deeply one night, faint memories that are, but also not, hers come passing through her mind. A world she once would have called her home in a past life, Vana’Diel. As vague as the images are, she’s able to make out what they are and when in time.
The first being an early memory of many many summers past. Just starting out as a fledgling Summoner, barely after befriending what would become one of her closest soul bound friends, Carbuncle. There she was standing in front of a large floating crystal – even now she could sense that the presence inside was the powerful primal, Titan. One of many she had to encounter on her journey back then to be able to fully weld the power of the Primals. Ultimately, Aikirees succeed in such an enormous task, and seeing the memory once more brings back the rest of the journey she took to do so. At first all she had was Carbuncle, but in the end she had many friends to call upon for aid.
Some of the memories she tries to make out whisk by far too quick for her to recall clearly enough, but once the memories of the Primals had faded away, one of a looming and dark castle pierces through the fog in her dream.
She knew this place, and knew a dark presence lived there. Even in her sleep, she curled the edges of her mouth with a low snarl. Castle Zvahl Baileys was the name of this foreboding place, and it was here she with her friends took on a defeated the Shadow Lord. Unsure as to why this memory pierced her mind so clearly, even as vague as it came to her, it didn’t make her feel well nonetheless.
A lot of whirlwind memories continue passing by with such force, but a couple become less vague and more clear with warmth behind them. Some of the friends she made along the way appear as she adventured throughout some parts of Vana’Diel.
They were with her through a lot of trials and tribulations, but also for the small quiet moments as well. She remembers a lot of the silly memories that they all made together, but also the ones that got everyone to save the world over and over again. Everything from small group gatherings in a few places, to taking on Ark Angels on floating continents, there was no short of moments happening throughout her life there!
But… why now, what does it all mean? She knew this life, and it was two lives ago now – not counting the one she was gifted recently. More of the moments pass by quickly, but she begins to have a hard time focusing on them. Her conscious returns to the now, and all of the images she kept seeing disappear within a dark cloudy haze.
Aikirees slowly wakes back up, back home in HQ. Sitting up for a moment, she decides to hop out of the top bunk bed and head out of the bedroom for a moment. Trying to not stir me in the processes (she almost did so successfully, but I am Viera after all!), Aikirees heads outside to help clear her mind.
As she stepped outside, the cool crisp night air of Ishgard helps clear her mind a bit. Unsure of it all, she takes a moment to pause and star at the stars. Will there be more of these dreams? Are they an omen of things to come? She shakes the thoughts from her mind, and heads back inside to get some rest the remaining part of the night. Only time will tell why now of all times these memories of a past Echo come rushing back.
Feels almost like yesterday when we were here in this same attire practicing healing magics. It was shortly thereafter saving all of existence from being destroyed, so with said reality having been saved, we turned from our usual dark arts to its complete opposite for a time. Lest not to replace our fiery ways, but to keep our elements mostly in balance and not to forget doing so entirely.
Aikirees arrived there, on the Airship Landing at Radz-at-Han, just before daybreak. It was mostly clear and we were getting ready to visit with the Hippo Riders and see what we could do for them this day.
Rather than like the last time she was waiting on me, where she was a Miqo’te leaning against a few boxes with a wicked smirk across her face, she was looking off into the distance towards the East. It was calm, with just the slightest hint of a breeze passing over the landing, and I suspect she was focused on all of her surroundings. She looked so calm.
About the time I approached her to let her know we could head out, the sun broke the horizon giving us a gorgeous warm glowing view of a new day over Thavnair. We looked at each other for a moment, and then back to the horizon for another to bask in the morning light, and then headed on out like we have done so many times before and will here on after as well.
It feels like forever since I’ve seen this wooden swing, just on the outskirts of a small fishing town in Thavnair. Aikirees and I sat on it one evening summers ago shortly thereafter saving the Star and, well, existence itself from being unraveled. The calming sound of the waves lapping against the sands with the breeze gently flowing makes the swing a real ideal spot to collect one’s thoughts.
We shared the spot here back then, and just watched the sun plummet into the sea. It was nice. It was what we needed after everything. Can’t recall exactly what we were up to back then, but I’m certain it had something to do with training – most likely honing our skills as Paladins at the time.
That was then, and this is now. Recently returned from Tural once again honing our skills as we continue to grow for the new adventures on the horizon. Arriving first, I took a spot on that old swing. Unsure where Aikirees was, as I hadn’t heard her shadow wolf anywhere close, I just lost myself being reminded of why this old swing was such a wonderful little spot.
Moments later, I hear the thud and familiar sound of heavy paws approaching. It was Aikirees and her shadow wolf getting close, and as she did, she dismissed her wolf that I am convinced still wants to devour me and plops down with the lack of delicateness that Aikirees has become known for since her journey. Not that she was ever the most delicate with things, but it’s certainly more noticeable now. Not that I’m complaining, as it’s part of her charm and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
She sat there for a moment, letting out a growl of a purr having all of the similar senses and reminders come back to her of this old swing. I rested my head against her shoulder, not something I’m still used to being able to do now, to greet her before letting up.
“Training going well?” I asked her, not really exactly sure what to conjure up since we’re together so much.
She smiled and humored me. “Zee yup yup! Helping’sies zee Hippos’sies Riderrrrs is alway’sies zee fun too!” “They really are, yeppers.” Letting out a chuckle with my reply and a soft smile.
“It’s certainly been a while since we’ve been here, missed this old swing. Glad it made it through everything too.” Aikirees smiled with a small nod, as I just continued. “Glad to be here again with you, Little One. We’ll have to make sure to come by here from time to time no matter where the road decides to take us next.” She excitedly replied with her usual ‘Yesh’sies!’ and we just went back to gazing out to the wide open clear blue sea.
“Wonder where the winds will take us next…?” I ponder out loud while enjoying the gentle sea breeze dance across the tufts of my ears. Aikirees furrows her fuzzy brows a moment to the inquiry. “Well, no matter, when or where it happens, we’ll take it on like we always to.”
She smiles and gently nods again. “Still’sies on your zee mind’sies to, isn’t it sissy’sies.” Her inquiry comes again from how she looks now. “Well, it is yes, but I’m not going to bug you about it; you’re still you and always my Little One.”
I returned to resting my head against her shoulder again, and could hear her begin to purr soon after I did. “We’sies got this, zee Sissy’sies. Whereverrrr we go’sies, we’ll kick’sies zee tail’sies as long as we got’sies all of zee us!” I nodded while continuing to rest on her shoulder, trying to keep my ears from brushing against her face.
“Yeppers, we do. No matter what. When that journey is all said and done, we’ll come back here once again to this old swing.”
Aikirees and I spent some time around HQ in the early hours of the night. Not necessarily saying much, but just basking in the cool Empyreum night hearing the Moonfire Faire fireworks going off in the distance. I think the last time we had a moment to even remotely try to do this was well before heading to Tural and even working on our islands.
It was brief as it usually is, but felt longer. I think Aikirees just being there was support enough without having to say anything. The poor cats are having a rough go at things right now, and my old map desk’s papers seem unending even now. Of course, Miss Laureine assists when she can and I know Miss Lizicus tries to keep everyone in high spirits with her carefree approach to everything, but my rock has always been Aikirees. I’ve always been the one to look over and protect her, but now I really don’t think she needs all that much protection – perhaps she’s trying to do the same for me and the rest of us now.
I ended up dozing off into her shoulder at the sound of distant fireworks, with her fuzzy warm shoulder being a comfort for such tired ears. Once the moon had reached directly above us, I felt a gentle nuzzle on one of them and awoke as our sign that it was time to head to sleep.
We head into HQ and warm up next to the entry fireplace, but before proceeding down to the bunk behind the office, I head into The Archives for a moment. Meandering back to the far end of it, with an eerily glowing fireplace and rows upon rows of shelves littered with any sort of notes or loose maps that one could think of, are two mannequins I placed in there moons ago.
One was of my wedding dress to my dear Sirena almost a full year ago now, while the other is of my old Burgundy Room dress. I haven’t worn it in over a year, and I don’t know if I ever will again. Just gazing at it in the near-silence of the Archives brought back so many fond memories of that time.
I really don’t know how much time had passed, but in the crackling of the fireplace, I could hear the footsteps of Aikirees. She’s by no means sneaky, but her approach caught the attention of my ears as they angled towards her. I didn’t look away from the dress, but the next thing I knew was two fuzzy arms had wrapped themselves around me. As derpy as she can be, she always means well, and to all of the souls she has touched or met, they can also attest to this of her being as well.
She embraced me like that for a moment, not overly-tight but just enough to let me know she was there. Her newfound Hrothgar growl/purrs were a more obvious giveaway, but that was beside the point. I grasped and rested my chin into one of her paws for a moment, before we headed out of the Archives and to the bunks below.
“Thank you, Little One. We got this, as we always have.”
As for anyone out there reading this that might be having a tough spot; you got this. You kick so much tail, and you’ll continue to. Sometimes all it takes is that little reminder, but even if it looks like a lot of dark and no light, it’ll pass and that light will be back in full force. Just keep your light going, and keep kicking tail. I’ve had my malms of darkness as well, so it might not be the same sort of turbulent, but it will be light again.
Continue to be ‘zee awesome’sies,’ and y’all got this!
There she was, just sitting atop the Dawn Throne, on a clear starry night. Stargazing off into the distance with not a care in the world. Well, rather that’s what she would like any onlookers to think, but I knew better. Aikirees does have a softer side through her unrelenting optimism.
I watched over her that night, while she just gazed it away. I think she needed it, as a lot has happened and none of which even I’m sure of yet. She hasn’t stated what happened on her journey just yet, only the fact she was spared the loss of another life. Assuming that is the case, that doesn’t make me feel better as to what transpired.
I suppose only time will tell when she wants to talk about it. I just know that this moment of her doing this in Azim Steppe is important to her. She loves watching the stars, and I knew of a time before all of this, even before our journey onto the First, she did this very thing in this very spot, and looked outwards into the cosmos.
Once the dawn broke over the Steppe, I approached her not saying a word. Her ear flinched in the direction of my boots, but she didn’t look away from the rising morning light. Still not saying a word, I just hugged her, and continued to.
“It’s alright, Little One. you’re alright and you’ll continue to be. I’ll still watch over you and continue to protect you as much as I can.”
We decided to get together in the Lavender Beds, an old spot we used to relax and just enjoy the tranquil scenery from time to time before we had HQ. It was a cool misty morning, and all that could be heard was the rustling of the leaves with the waterfall off in the distance as the only sounds.
We sat there on that rock for what felt like an eternity in time. I knew what was coming, and I just wanted time to stop if only for a moment. “You know, you don’t have to do this, Little One.” Finally speaking up, breaking the tranquility, but really not looking away from the waterfall. I didn’t get a response, just a pause and the light brushing of Aikirees’ shoulder onto mine. Her tail swished and curled up to my back.
She was trying to comfort me.
I let out a sigh; not of despair, but of acceptance of what was to come. I looked over at her, and tried my best to give a happy and supportive smile. Aikirees just beamed the brightest of smile, such that it could pierce even the thickest of misty mornings, right back at me. “I’sies zee know’sies.” She replied, before laying her head into my shoulder comfortably. “But’sies yew zee know’sies we has hadeded dish zee talk’sies already. I’sies want’sies tew dew dish tew get zee stronger’sies and have mi’s own adventurrrre’sies fur zee once’sies.” I put my arm around her, and give her a gentle hug. “I know, and I know I’ve brought this up numerous times. Sirena and Juli seem very supportive as well, so I just need to as well. I am you big sister still, so I’m always going to worry regardless.” I let her go, and she springs back up smiling all the same still.
We spend a few bells there, mostly reminiscing about the last two summers or so of all the things we’ve done. The good, and the not so; from heading to Sharlyean for the first time, and when we returned after such a long journey. We really have done a lot in what feels like such a short time.
Once the afternoon sun was upon us, she hopped up and went to change real quick, but before long she was back in more traveling attire with a large knapsack on her back. “I’sies should’sies get zee gewing’sies, zee Big Sissy’sies.” I nodded back at her. “Alright, I suppose I should head back to HQ and make sure I have everything packed for the journey as well…”
Aikirees smiles warmly. “Promise me, you’ll make it to Tural safely. Still planning on meeting near the port once we arrive?” She nods at my inquiry, and leans in to give a hug while I just sit there on the rock still. “Zee yup yup! I’ll’sies be zee der’sies!! Yew’sies zee see’sies! I’ll’sies be strrrrronger’sies and zee talk’sies zee bettah’sies!” Without pause, I just simply laugh. “Alright! Deal! Safe travels, Little One; I’ll see you there.”
With that, we exchange our farewells, and I watch her walk off to parts unknown. The last time I watched her doe this was in Kugane many, many summers ago. I had a similar fear back then, but we did finally reunite and I was very hearkened to see how well she had been fairing.
After what felt like days, I finally got up from the rock, and head back to HQ to proceed with making sure HQ’s orders were all in affair before departing myself.
HQ felt so quiet and empty. The cats were all packed and ready to go themselves and were off getting their final rests in before heading out. Lizicus and Laureine had already embarked themselves, much to Lizicus’ chagrin. I make my way to the office, gather some notes from my messy desk and begin to head out.
Glancing at our bunk beds, with all of Aikirees’ carbuncles still lying around at the foot of the bed, a somber feeling washes over me. I shake my head, gather the rest of what I want to take to Tural, and begin to head there myself. Having Aryiah look over HQ with all of us away shouldn’t have me worried at all. She’s done it all before and she’ll keep everything in check, I just know it.
I just truly fear that this will be the last time I see Aikirees the way she is and has always been…
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.
