Ascilia, Scion of Light

It was three and a half bells to midnight in Thavnair. At this hour many of the people living along its gentle shores and within its sprawling forests would begin to turn in, eager to wake right around the crack of dawn. Those who had business through the night were usually fishermen hoping for a better catch in the dark, or those who pursued stargazing as a hobby or profession. There was one other exception, of course: The city of Radz-at-Han. Even now the city's streets were brightly lit and its halls and hearths were bustling with the fires of life, and Mehryde's Meyhane was no exception. Each and every table was awash with the chatter of the tavern's patrons.

All save one, which had fallen oddly quiet.

Glancing around the table at her guests, Ascilia wondered how best to broach the subject matter at hand. Between her years as Antecedent and the Oracle of Light, she felt she'd entered into a greater understanding of life upon her star. The mind, the body, and the soul were all playthings of one another, shaping each other and being shaped in turn. Thus was the case with the girls who became her vessels, their hair turning blonde and their eyes clearest sapphire. Thus was also the case that Ardbert, a male Hume, had held within his breast the burning embers of her beloved's soul. But none could claim to have a perfect understanding of this influence—not even the Ancients, who had built their society around the power of creation.

All this was to say that, in learning as much as she had, Ascilia had grown aware of her own ignorance. There was no shame in that—in not knowing something one hadn't considered before. At least, so long as one was willing to learn.

With this in mind, she chose to break the ice.

"So you are Lily's sister then," she spoke aloud, giving Rubedo a well-practiced smile. "'Tis a pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name is Ascilia."

Turning away from her sister, Rubedo seemed to regard Ascilia timidly, her eyes flitting back and forth between her and the waitress Mihleel. A moment later she seemed to relax, returning the smile with a faint one of her own. "Thank you. May I... may I join you all?"

"I don't see why not," said Y'shtola, echoing Ascilia's own sentiments. "One might believe this turn of events was even expected, elsewise we would have no need for a fifth chair."

"It's as Y'shtola says," Ascilia began, pointing to the aforementioned chair, positioned halfway between Y'shtola and Lily. "Please, take a seat wherever you feel most comfortable. And on that note, you are welcome to eat with us if you so choose."

With a quiet nod, Rubedo headed around her sister. Grabbing the chair, she paused for a moment, then seated herself right where she was. It was then, as their eyes made contact, that Lily broke her own silence. "Sorry, I just... I haven't seen you since we were children. You were... taller than me back then, remember?"

"She was?" Mihleel asked, tilting her head. "Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen a child Viera..."

"That does not surprise me," said Rubedo, smiling at the waitress. "But Lily has the right of it, I'm afraid. I was... tall... for my age."

"Hm hm, I'll bet you girls were as cute as ever, though!" As she picked up her serving tray, Mihleel glanced around the table. "Now then, what will you all be having tonight?"

"I don't see a menu anywhere," said Y'shtola, shaking her head. "No matter. I don't suppose you could give me a suggestion? I have something important to attend to in the morning, and my stomach doesn't handle spiced meats quite as well as it used to."

At this, Mihleel turned halfway, pointing to the counter at the other end of the room. "Right, sorry. Tonight's shift has been busier than I expected, and I forgot it at the counter. But for a suggestion, you may enjoy a shawarma wrap—they can be served without meat, if you so desire."

"That will do nicely, in fact," Y'shtola smiled.

"Curry," said Estinien.

"Hamsa, or Jhinga?" asked Mihleel, tapping her fingers on her serving tray.

"Is there a difference?"

"Hamsa curry is made with tenderloin from a local cloudkin of the same name," Lily answered, beaming a prideful grin. "While Jhinga curry is made with prawn caught off the coast of Thavnair."

"Jhinga, then," Estinien replied.

"Mhm, mhm." Nodding, Mihleel turned next to Ascilia Lily. "And what will you two be having?"

"Jingha Biryani," said Lily. "Haven't had it a long time. Used to be my favorite."

"Your favorite?" Ascilia asked. "I think I'll have that, too."

"So two orders of biryani, one curry, and a vegetarian wrap. I'll be back with your meals in about twenty minutes!" With a bow of her head, Mihleel turned to leave. But before she could take more than a step, she stopped and glanced over her shoulder. "Oh, and the usual for Ruby, right?"

"Ah!" Rubedo gasped, clasping her hands together. "... Is... is that alright? I don't wish to impose..."

"At Mehryde's Meyhane, we look after our own," Mihleel soothed, smiling warmly. "Besides, they should keep for another month before we need to dump them."

"... Very well," Rubedo relented with an oddly contented sigh. "Thank you."

As Mihleel departed for the counter, silence returned to to their table. Once more, Ascilia assessed the situation, that she might find the best foot forward to keeping things lively. But between the touchiness Lily had been hiding earlier that night and their new guest's nervousness, their options were limited. In fact, only one topic seemed at all appropriate at this juncture.

"May we get back to what we were discussing earlier?" she asked, drawing everyone's attention to herself. "Lily, I believe you had something else to say regarding Shtola's ambitions."

"Are you certain you wish to bring this up before a stranger?" asked Y'shtola in turn, motioning to Rubedo. "Family to a friend, of course. but a stranger nonetheless."

At this, Rubedo leaned forward, lowering her gaze to the table. "It is alright. I won't utter a word of your plans with the Void, not even to Mihleel."

Crossing his arms, Estinien raised an eyebrow. "And just how did you come across that information? You were already here when we arrived, so you couldn't have been eavesdropping elsewhere..."

Lily cleared her throat, then reached up and gently flicked one of her silver earrings. "I don't mind discussing this in front of anyone. Really, it's the sort of thing I'm all too happy to talk about." Then, leaning back in her chair, she raised her head towards the ceiling. "After I took Unukalhai's soul to the First, he made quick friends with some of the adventurers I've worked with during our time there. Taynor in particular joined him in experimenting with opening hollows, that they might ascertain what state the Thirteenth remained in."

"Really?" asked Y'shtola, rapping her knuckles against her cheek. "I had thought the art of creating hollows was lost to the Flood."

"Forgive me for intruding," Rubedo began. "But what is a 'hollow'?"

"Another name for a voidgate, though hollows are temporary and will close on their own," answered Lily, her eyes still on the ceiling. "Taynor was able to pass through one opened by his blood brother, and full-bodied voidsent were able to cross over through his and Unukalhai's." Then, lowering her gaze, she suddenly smiled. "Gaia has also dabbled in creating portals to the Void, though not quite as much lately. And like Unukalhai and Taynor, hers were able to pass hordes of voidsent and sin eaters with ease. To say nothing of herself and Ryne, much to my chagrin."

"Then was Vrtra wrong?" asked Estinien. "He believed only the Source shared such a close connection to the Void."

"Perhaps not," Y'shtola grinned. "I would not discount his words with a single point of data. But one thing is certain: If the means to open pathways to the Void exist even on the First, then that only brings me even closer to my goal."

"This plan reeks of madness!" Rubedo hissed under her breath. "I am sorry, but it does! Do you not understand the threat these devils possess? Whyever would you seek to invade their domain!?"

"To venture forth and see the horizon beyond. And to uphold a promise to a friend on a distant world." Looking the indignant Viera in the eye, Y'shtola shook her head. "You may think it folly or madness. But I am not asking you to put your life on the line for the sake of my ambitions. Rest assured no harm will come to you, if that is what you fear."

"I—" Rubedo began, only to be silenced as her sister spoke over her.

"But you are asking me," Lily concluded. "... And to that I say this: Give me a little more time. I'm not opposed to helping you. But I retired from the adventurer's life for a reason—to take back the reins of my life, and live it on my own terms." With a long and heavy sigh, she grabbed her glass of water and took a sip, then peered into its depths. "Truth be told, I only came along today because I wanted to support my beloved. But in the back of my mind, I'd always feared it would lead to something like this. And I don't want to lose you, or anyone else dear to me, ever again."

"Well, consider me touched," Y'shtola confessed, looking a mite embarrassed. "I hadn't expected such a turnaround from you. But as you wish. And what of you, Estinien?"

"Not interested," he answered, nursing his own mug. "I have my own duties to attend to, and traversing the Void is not one of them."

"I'm afraid I'm still undecided as well," Ascilia confirmed, seeking a chance to speak her mind. "But I will commit myself to aiding you in securing the gate, at the very least."

"My little sister has the right of it," Rubedo began, a panicked look adorning her face as she struggled to breathe. "I have seen them, within and without Valnain's walls. Scores of voidsent descending through tears in the veil upon the bloodiest of battlefields." Narrowing her eyes at Y'shtola, she continued on. "Effortlessly they devoured capable soldiers, still fresh from the very battles that begot their arrival. And you would seek to open a gate to their very home! How am I to believe that any number of you could hope to stem their tide?"

"Be at ease, friend," Ascilia began, forcing herself to smile for their guest. "I know it must be difficult to trust a group of perfect strangers at their word, but believe me when I say that Shtola would never willfully endanger innocent lives."

"I've seen the phenomena you're talking about," Lily began, reaching over to tap her sister on the shoulder. "And I've also seen the voidgate Y'shtola wishes to open. It won't be big enough to let in that many voidsent at once."

"But—"

"If it concerns you so much," Y'shtola interjected, tapping her fingers against her sleeve as she folded her arms, "Then mayhap you would feel safer back in your native Dalmasca."

At this, Rubedo fell deathly quiet, her gaze falling to the table once more. Not terribly surprising, Ascilia thought. Whatever her reasons for leaving had been, they were hers to share and keep as she saw fit. But all it took was a brief glimpse of the scowl on Lily's face to understand just how badly their friend had erred. And so rather than linger on the topic, she sought to push the conversation down a different road. "I believe we have said all there is to say on this matter for now. But just a moment ago, Estinien, did you not say you had other duties to attend to?"

"Mentoring the Radiant Host," he replied, raising an eyebrow at Ascilia. "Did we not speak of that earlier today?"

"Mh, 'twas in our departure from Radz-at-Han that afternoon. I simply thought it was nice to have another goal to look forward to. Perhaps I ought to do something similar, and pursue a goal of mine own making. One idea springs to mind, if you would all hear me out." As she waited for her friends' attention to settle on her, Ascilia took her drink in hand, savoring the cool rush of liqueur running down her throat. Once she was satisfied, she set her mug down and smiled. "In the wake of the Final Days, countless souls across this star were no doubt exposed to star showers—a portent of their narrowly averted end. But in witnessing such a calamitous display, I am all but certain that those who've awakened to the Echo must surely exist among the survivors."

"Just as it was in the Crystarium," said Y'shtola, raising a hand to her chin. "So focused was I on the matter of our survival, I hadn't stopped to consider the possibility..."

"It's a shame you didn't awaken to it yourself," Lily added, a slight edge unmistakable to Ascilia's heart in her tone.

"A shame indeed," Y'shtola sighed. "But I have lived without it my entire life—'tis no great endeavor to continue doing so."

After clearing her throat to grab her friends' attention, Ascilia continued on. "Quite so, Shtola. But such individuals who have awakened to the Echo are no doubt in need of a mentor of their own. One who has an intimate understanding of the gift, and can help them learn to utilize it towards better ends."

"This 'Echo' you speak of," Rubedo began, a mix of plaintiveness and curiosity adorning her face. "Does it grant one the power to see the future?"

"That is but one of many unique abilities granted by the Echo," Ascilia beamed, clasping her hands together as an old memory resurfaced. "Tell me, have you ever experienced a sudden, inexplicable loss of consciousness? Had the sensation of being pulled away from reality and left adrift, a mind without a body?"

"Yes!" Rubedo exclaimed, pressing her hands to the table as she slipped up from her seat. "I-I have, in fact. Many a time—"

"Third time this week, right?" asked Lily, shooting her sister a sheepish grin. "Sorry about that. Couldn't help but eavesdrop after noticing it."

"... That is... correct, yes." As she returned to her seat, Rubedo kept her eyes on her sister. "You understood what you saw, then?"

"Of course," said Lily. "I have the Echo, too. I know what it's like to live with it, Ruby."

Watching the anxiety within Rubedo begin to melt away, Ascilia couldn't help but feel she would be open her next proposition. "Then I believe the matter is settled. Once our business with the voidgate is concluded, I shall open the Path of the Twelve once again. And I would be delighted, Rubedo of Thavnair, if you and Lily walked with me in this endeavor."

"Th-thank you. For this opportunity, thank you." With a gentle sigh, Rubedo glanced over to her sister. "Mihleel will be happy to hear of this, I think."

"Happy to hear of what, Ruby?"

All eyes at the table swiftly turned to the newcomer—Mihleel, it seemed, had returned. In her hands once more was a serving tray, covered in an assortment of dishes.

"Ah, Mihleel!" Rubedo gasped, her eyes lighting up in surprise. "It's nothi—no, not nothing. But perhaps it may be better to save it for later tonight? 'Tis a big development, perchance for the both of us."

"Really! Hm hm, I'll be looking forward to it, then." Quickly yet carefully Mihleel began to unload the dishes Ascilia and her friends had ordered—topping only as she handed the final dish to Lily herself, having apparently caught the skepticism in Lily's eyes. "... Ah, I know that expression. Whatever you're thinking, Ruby and I are, well, she's like a little sister to me."

"Is she now?" Y'shtola asked, a faint impish smile adorning her face as she motioned to Lily. "It just so happens that earlier, Lily was wondering if you saw her the same way."

"Y'shtola!" Lily blurted, her cheeks blazing red. As were Rubedo's, Ascilia noted. "Don't, don't say that.... Mihly, she was only kidding!"

"Mihly, hm? Sounds like a cute nickname a little sister would give~" Giving Lily a wink, Mihleel pulled away and took up her serving tray. "It's not really my place to say this, but when she arrived earlier tonight, Lily was in a rather negative mindset. I just couldn't bear to see one of our saviors suffering like that, and did what I could to make her feel at ease. That's why I introduced her to Rubedo—I was hoping a fellow countrymen and refugee from Dalmasca would make her feel at home." Then she began to turn away, only to stop for the final time that night. "Oh, right! The Meyhane will be closing within a bell, though you're free to stay up to half a bell late if necessary. If I'm not available, please give your payment to Mehryde at the counter."

"Thank you, Mihly—Mihleel." Lily stammered, covering her face as the Auri waitress departed. "... Please, everyone. Forget this moment. Or I'll die of embarrassment, and then haunt you."

"We wouldn't want that," said Estinien dryly, stirring his bowl of curry with a piece of flatbread before sticking it in his mouth. "Mh, hotter than wyrmsbreath..."

"Indeed," Y'shtola added, giggling to herself. "... In any case, pray consider my offer thoroughly before giving me your answer tomorrow. As for tonight... enjoy yourself, my friend."

"Speaking of which," Ascilia began, following in Estinien's example. Despite the Azure Dragoon's proclamation, however, she found it quite pleasing. "... You and I will be embarking for Sharlayan in the morn, correct?"

"After a proper night's sleep, of course. Though in truth I'd rather be there right now..." With a sigh, Y'shtola picked up her wrap and brought it to her mouth, taking a large bite. "... Mmm, this is actually quite good..."

***

Compared to the ruckus they'd made before their meals were ready, the five had eaten in relative quiet. And with dinner out of the way, the three groups among them went their separate ways. Estinien departed for Meghaduta, where he had been boarding for the past four months at Vrtra's behest. And though Rubedo proved cagey about where she was staying, she assured their group that she would be safe and secure for the foreseeable future. And Y'shtola, in spite of her promises to rest, had hurried on back to Sharlayan. At least they had both agreed to take linkpearls to stay in contact with them. With everyone else gone for the night, that left Lily and Ascilia alone as they made their way to a local inn. Having paid to rent a room for one week, the pair swiftly retired within.

Taking in their room's modest furnishings, Lily couldn't help but feel pleased. Though not quite as large, the room wasn't so different from her private suite in the Crystarium. There was a small table for two on one end of the room, with earthenware pots of flowers decorating the walls and hanging from the ceiling nearby. Just beyond it was a large window covered by two pairs of warm colored curtains. Close to the table was a little kitchen counter, about waist high to herself, and next to it was a crackling furnace to heat the room and power the lanterns on the chandelier above the room's center. Finally, opposite the furnace was a double-sized bed—large and sturdy enough for an arkasodara, to say nothing of a pair of lovers.

Setting down her pack and kneeling before it, Lily began to dig through it for a nightgown to change into. She had no obligations of her own aside from catching up with Y'shtola and Ascilia later that day, but it was still important to get a full night's rest. And so it came as something of a surprise to her when Ascilia kneeled down and embraced her from behind. With a soft gasp she stopped and glanced sidelong over her shoulder, smiling back at her beloved.

"Excited to be alone with me again?" she asked. "The sheets and blankets look pretty cozy, but I imagine they'll be a pain to wash."

"Then we'll use the floor," Ascilia purred as she gave Lily a tight squeeze. "... But before that, I wanted to speak with you about something I've noticed today."

"Oh?" Lily tilted her head ever so slightly. "What is it?"

"Firstly, I wanted to commend you for doing your utmost to keep a level head," said Ascilia, letting go of Lily as she stood up. "I know how difficult it must have been to bite your tongue at dinner, and even earlier with Vrtra. But if you'll pardon my prying, why is it that their words troubled you so?"

Lowering her head, Lily fell silent. Truth be told, she hadn't expected her feelings would be noticed. But if anyone were to see beneath her forced stoicism and calm demeanor, it would surely have been Ascilia. And though she had hoped to simply let go and carry on like nothing had happened, having been granted this opportunity, would it be so wrong to simply speak her mind? And so, clearing her throat, she did so.

"I lived in the city of Radz-at-Han for a little over twenty years," she began, gazing into the depths of her pack. "I hold this city, its people, and this very nation in high esteem. With a clear heart I look back on my days here and see the good that came of them. But this was not always so."

"I think I understand," said Ascilia, kneeling down in front of her this time. With a gentle touch of her fingers, she guided Lily to look her in the eyes. "Tell me what happened to you, love."

"... Where to begin...?" Lily wondered, unsure herself. "I... suppose the beginning would suffice." And so she began to spill her past for her beloved, the memories flowing forth with every word. "When I was but a girl of nineteen summers, my mother Seventh Heaven passed away. At the time Garlemald had but recently invaded the fringes of Dalmasca from neighboring Bozja. We were meant to book passage on a ship bound for Doma—but with her death, I took the opportunity to see my dreams fulfilled instead."

"So you journeyed to Thavnair, and learned the art of dance," Ascilia surmised.

"That's right. But on the night of my departure, word arrived that a Garlean fleet would soon blockade the port of Valnain." Memories flashed behind Lily's eyes as she shut them tight. The salt and wind. The smoke and sounds of artillery ringing in the distance. The cracking and creaking of the wooden hull, and the encroaching dread. "Ours was the last ship to safely leave the harbor. Not a day went by that I wasn't sick to my stomach, and no night passed where I was not plagued with macabre dreams of sea monsters clad in foreign steel, seeking to crush my only lifeline to a better tomorrow."

"Oh, Lily..." Leaning forward, Ascilia kissed her on the brow. "You needn't say any more. I apologize for dredging this up..."

"It's alright. Really, it's for the best that I get this off my chest." Taking Ascilia by the hand as she stood up, Lily moved over to the bed to make herself comfortable. There she sat down and, as her beloved took a seat beside her, she continued. "When I finally arrived in Thavnair, I was full of hope for my future, and sought out mentors for my chosen profession. In time I blossomed into a beautiful crimson flower. But the fate of Dalmasca was ever on my mind, and I made this abundantly clear week after week. Dedicating my performances to my homeland, protesting the occupation, shouting my truth to any who would listen..."

"You were a political firebrand in your youth?" Ascilia asked, placing her hand on Lily's lap. "Would that we were born in the same generation—we'd have been fast friends, I think. But given Thavnair's staunch opposition to war, I can't imagine that went over well."

"At first it did," Lily replied, reflecting back on those early years. "My performances were popular with the crowds. And as Dalmasca's invasion was still fresh in everyone's minds, I found no shortage of support. Our little troupe even performed for the satrap himself, if you can believe it."

At this, Ascilia tilted her head. "The Satrap? Surely you don't mean Vrtra?"

"Hm hm, no," Lily chuckled. "I wouldn't mind if he asked today, but back then he remained hidden from the public eye. No, it was a young Ahewann who received us."

"Ah, I see," Ascilia nodded. "How did that performance go?"

"He loved it, really, and had nothing but kind words for our entire troupe," she explained, smiling faintly. But that smile soon after gave way to a sigh. "... But that marked the day Thavnair turned its back on Dalmasca. Measures were taken to avoid any perceived provocation of Garlemald, which held an iron grip over the neighboring seas. Officially those measures included the deportation of any Dalmascan, Bozjan, or Corvosian expatriates. The administration knew what would lie in wait for us should this come to pass, however. So in practice we were pressured to renounce our pasts, and become Thavnairian instead."

"That does seem like a sensible solution," Ascilia began, only to bite her tongue. "My apologies. I shouldn't be saying such things."

"You don't have to apologize. It was a sensible solution," Lily reassured her. "My countrymen knew that as well, and complied with little complaint. For a time even I paid lip service to this decree. But as the years grew, so too did my frustrations—and the need to have my voice be heard." As her gaze drifted away from Ascilia and to the fireplace across from them, Lily watched as the flames danced within, as if struggling with one another for air. "...That's where the trouble began. For fear of reprisal, my words were met with disdain and criticism. My performances were met with heckling and demands I get off the stage... I would be followed home by strangers, and on some nights would awake to banging on my apartment door. When I tried to turn to my former countrymen for support, they kept me at arm's length. So I turned to liqueur instead—and started fighting back."

"Fighting back?" asked Ascilia, audibly bewildered. "Lily, what did you do?"

In the depths of the fire, Lily watched the scenes unfold. "My critics I criticized, calling them Imperial bootlickers. My hecklers I challenged and, in the rare cases where they didn't back down, my performances became brawls. My stalkers I led astray and ambushed where and when I could, until they left me alone." Then, as a flame suddenly burst against the fireplace's inner walls, she winced. "... One... incident always sticks in my mind. A nighttime performance at what would later become Mehryde's Meyhane. I hadn't so much as uttered a word while on stage, but midway through a drunken patron threw a half-empty wine bottle at the dancers."

"Good heavens!" Ascilia gasped. "None of you were hurt, were you?"

"Both the bottle and shattering glass missed us, thankfully," Lily replied. "But after that, he began to shout. 'Get out of our country', 'Go home and die for Dalmasca'... along with some colorful words I shan't repeat." Returning her mind to the present, Lily turned to look her beloved in the eye. "My sister's own feelings aside, that's why I was upset with Y'shtola at dinner tonight. I suppose I didn't do a good enough job keeping my anger in check—perhaps I owe her another apology."

"I don't believe she minds, or even that she noticed," said Ascilia, reaching over to stroke Lily's shoulder. "Regardless, thank you for telling me. I only hope this moment together helped to give you some... closure or peace of mind, if nothing else."

"I do feel better about my past now," she replied, smiling warmly. "Looking back, some of what I'd endured was born of fear. And what was born of malice, it seems, was dealt with over my thirteen years of absence. Thavnair today is little different from the one in my rosiest dreams—a beautiful nation I can't help but love." Then, laying her head on her beloved's shoulder, she gave a needy sigh. "Hope I haven't put you out of the mood. It would be a shame if you didn't help me break in these sheets."

"I thought you were worried they'd be difficult to wash," Ascilia remarked, hugging Lily to her side with one arm and stroking her thigh with another.

"We can apologize for that in the morning," said Lily, smirking. "But I'll leave the choice to you. If you'd rather we just cuddled..."

"Take off your clothes," Ascilia ordered her. And after Lily silently stood up and quickly disrobed herself, she felt the warm touch of her beloved's arms as they wrapped around her exposed stomach. "Tonight, you belong to me. Understood?"

"Be gentle," Lily teased, gritting her teeth as Ascilia gave her a firm slap from behind. "Yes, my wild rose."

"That's my little galbana lily," Ascilia cooed, gently turning Lily around before guiding her down to her knees. At this vantage, though her beloved was at least a head shorter than Lily herself, her naked form seemed more akin to a towering goddess. "You look adorable like this, you know~"

"So I'm told," Lily stammered out, her cheeks burning red. "Please, show me what you need."

Wordlessly Ascilia sat down on the edge of the bed, inviting Lily to come closer with her finger. Slipping forward, Lily took her position between her beloved's legs, lifting her fingers on the approach. "So do you want me to—"

"Hush," Ascilia ordered, grabbing the back of Lily's head and pulling her all the way in.

Feigning a moment of struggle, Lily swiftly found her beloved's legs locking themselves around her neck and shoulders, cutting off any avenue of escape. "Mmmf," she half-grunted, half-moaned into Ascilia's thighs and lips.

"Right where you belong~" Ascilia giggled. "Be a good girl and start licking. Slow and easy, now..."

***

"For wood-warders, bathing is both necessity and luxury. We can not afford to idle away the minutes stripped of our means to defend ourselves, but neither can we afford to go without. Thus it's best if bathing is done quickly and discreetly, with a lookout posted."

As she soaked in the bubbly hot water of the earthenware bath, Rubedo reflected on her father Ulfr's words. Despite her best efforts, she'd taken poorly to the life of a wood-warder. The training itself wasn't the hard part. Life beyond the fringes of Camoa was difficult, of course, but despite her early bouts of clumsiness she was a quick learner. No, the problem had been adjusting to the people. Aside from her father, the only company she'd had for a decade and a half since were strange and unfamiliar men. That was their experience too, and they tried their best to make her feel welcomed.

And yet she felt far more comfortable here, sinking beneath the foam in the privacy of a foreign friend's washroom.

It didn't bother her anymore that this was the case. What did bother her was that she was thinking about this at all. That chapter of her life had been closed decades ago. But meeting with her sister after forty-five years apart from her had done more than dust off faded childhood memories. It reminded her of what she'd lost, and what she'd left behind. And tonight she wanted none of that.

"You have a bright new future ahead of you, Rubedo," she whispered in her mind. "In any case, you can't go back. So let the past go. Let it die."

But the past was a bird of prey, cunning and tenacious, and it was catching up.

A bell later she was standing in the kitchen area adjacent to the living room—a small wing of counters, cupboards, and a stove. She had donned a simple flowing nightshirt and a pair of matching pants, and was pouring over a fairly recent alchemical codex—after pouring herself a fresh cup of chai—when she heard the subtle click of the front door unlocking. Quietly she marked her place in the tome before setting it beside her cup. Then, giving her back a stretch, she turned to greet her housemate. "Good evening, Mihleel, and welcome home. You're back earlier than expected—how was your date?"

"Everything went pretty well, though we cut things off early tonight," Mihleel answered, yawning as she passed through the living room. "My, that smells heavenly. Is it chamomile?"

"Cinnamon and ginger too, a personal favorite," Rubedo shared, smiling faintly as she poured a second cup, then presented it to her friend. "Go on, have a taste."

Gingerly taking the cup from her, Mihleel took a whiff of the rising steam, then sipped the contents. "Mmm... it tastes even better than it smells. Thank you, Ruby."

"Think nothing of it," she replied, turning aside for a moment to grab her own cup. "Since she's not with you, I take it something came up? It is nothing serious, is it?"

"She needed to wake up early tomorrow, that's all. An order came in before my second shift ended for skilled laborers—seems the satrap ordered the construction of new ships tonight." As she continued draining her cup, Mihleel gave another yawn. "Maybe I'll check in on her in the morning before we go shopping, seeing as how I've the whole day off. That's if I don't just sleep in..."

"By all means," Rubedo suggested, motioning to the door to their shared bedroom. "With how hard you work, you deserve a good day's rest."

Setting down her empty cup, Mihleel shook her head. "You're too kind, really. But we do need to restock the pantry, and there's a few other odds and ends I'd like to pick up." And then, rather suddenly, her eyes seemed to light up. "Oh! A new cosmetics shop opened up the other day. Wanted to look at their selection once I had the free time. You'll come with me, right?"

"A... ah," Rubedo stammered, the composure she'd built up over the past hour taking a hit. "W-well, I wouldn't mind it."

"Wonderful!" said Mihleel cheerily, pumping her hands before embracing Rubedo, hugging her tight. "Hm hm, I just know you'll love it! Oh, and after we'll go to that tailor you're so fond of."

"They were working on one or two things for me, weren't they...?" As she slipped one hand around her diminutive friend's shoulders, Rubedo rubbed her chin with the other. "A dress and... the clothes off my back, aheh."

"it's been so long since I last saw you in that ensemble," Mihleel remarked, pulling away as she poured herself a second cup of chai. "That shade of red, and the black boots and gloves... it all looked rather fetching on you, but if you want a suggestion, you could try blues or purples in the future."

She certainly is energetic tonight, Rubedo thought to herself. "I'll take that into consideration. But look at how restless you are, Mihleel. Will you even be able to sleep tonight?"

"After another cup, maybe," she replied, waving away her concerns. "Say, back at the meyhane, you mentioned having a big development you wanted to talk about."

"I did, didn't I?" As she finished her own cup, Rubedo set it down and folded her arms. "As you know, I came to Thavnair gifted with the power of a Seer. But I can not control this gift, and it inconveniences me more than anything else."

"Mhm, mhm," Mihleel nodded. "Go on, Ruby."

"That girl, Ascilia, enlightened me as to the true nature of this gift—for starters, they call it 'the Echo'. And she has offered to help me control it."

In truth she hated lying like this, especially to someone as kind hearted as Mihleel. She had known about such powers for years, owing to her studies in pursuit of higher education and a better way of life for her countrymen. But it was necessary to keep the truth of her identity a secret, and so she'd feigned ignorance on that matter.

On many matters, in fact.

"... My gift could turn from burden to blessing, if what she says is true," she concluded, smiling down at her Auri friend. "What do you think?"

"It sounds incredible to me," Mihleel replied, draining this second cup of chai even faster than the first. "You should definitely take her up on the offer. And even if she can't help you, I get the feeling you'll get along with her nicely." Then, raising a finger to her chin, she suddenly smiled. "Do you think your sister and her friends will be in town tomorrow?"

"Lily might, but as for the rest..." she answered, trailing off as she considered how best to reply.

Though she remained firm in her belief that the Miqo'te sorceress's aims with the Void were foolish at best, it was hard to determine whether warning the populace was wise. It seemed unlikely that the extreme instances she remembered from her time in Dalmasca would be repeated here, and an undue warning might cause a panic, leading to senseless injuries and unnecessary deaths as well. But the public did have the right to now if someone was putting their lives in danger. And yet, given the confidence the sorceress had in Lily's ability to defend her...

"... I believe they are traveling to Sharlayan tomorrow," she finished. "By aetheryte, of course. Given how taxing it is, they may not return until the day after. Why do you ask?"

"How lucky they must be," Mihleel suddenly sighed. "I've scarcely been out of Radz-at-Han's walls my whole life. To think these travelers can go anywhere they want so effortlessly." Then, shrugging her shoulders as she poured a third cup, Mihleel returned to her usual self. "But I suppose that means we could still run into Lily. If we do, we should invite her along."

"I... don't see why not," said Rubedo, eyeing Mihleel's cup warily. "... If you continue to drink like that, you will wake up in the dead of night."

"Fine, fine..." As she downed her third cup and set it aside, Mihleel yawned and turned away. "I'd best get ready for bed anyways. Could you fetch my nightclothes while I clean up in the washroom?"

Rubedo opened her mouth to respond, but before she could Mihleel had already jetted off, locking herself in the washroom. With a heavy sigh she finished her own cup of chai, then grabbed her alchemical codex and headed into the bedroom. As much as she adored her friend and housemate, and as much as the Viera owed her for taking her in when she had nowhere else to go, her stubbornness and the frenetic energy she brought to those she felt needed it could wear down stone into sand.

With another, softer sigh, she dismissed such thoughts. That energetic stubbornness was exactly what endeared Mihleel to her. Being with her felt, perhaps, a bit like returning to home. To the place she had always belonged, until her father took her away. To...

To the past. And there it was, staring back at her in the corner of her mind's eye. In that vision of the past, in that shared memory.

Her father Ulfr's cold, glimmering golden eyes. His face, sharp as a bird of prey. But the Black Vulture had been a woman... hadn't she?

Rubedo shook her head, dismissing the thought. To try and fit every and any white-haired Viera into the shape of the enigmatic mercenary was at best a futile effort. And so instead she turned her thoughts to the busy day she and Mihleel had planned just now. Then, picking out a knee-length camisole and underwear for her Auri housemate, she closed shut the wardrobe and turned away.

To a bright new future, or so she hoped.