Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

     For all the good Hydaelyn’s Warriors of Light did for Eorzea, there was only so much they could do. At the end of the day, threats to the realm such as primals and Ascians always took precedence over anything else. If a Warrior of Light could solve your local or personal problem, you were certainly luckier than most. Though, what of everyone else? You certainly could wait and pray to the Twelve that one, some, or all of the Warriors of Light would stumble upon your dilemma if you couldn’t solve it yourself. Or you could rely on mercenaries and sellswords and other adventures. Inspired by Hydaelyn’s champions as much as they were by gold and glory. One step above that was enlisting the help of the Wood Wailers, Yellow Jackets, Brass Blades… maybe the Adders, Maelstrom or Immortal Flames if it was serious enough.
     But what was one to do, when the problem faced originated from the underbelly that had tunneled itself under Eorzea’s proud city-states? Her best worst-kept secret. Everyone knew the web of shadows and the monsters that lurked within were more than cautionary tales for naive, over eager merchants. Screams of those who missed a payment, or broke a promise, or backed out of a deal could oft be heard under the boughs of the Black Shroud or tucked away in the musty alleys of Ul’dah and Limsa Lominsa. And if you were smart, when your ears caught the sound of a fool’s plea for help, no you didn’t. If you didn’t care, the wails of innocent people getting mugged or abducted by slave traders was no more troublesome than a loud alley cat. But what was one to do, when you gave a damn?
     A whisper here, a note there... and eventually your pleas fell into the hands of those who hunted what lurked in the dark. And if they thought it necessary, the issue was passed along to the Dutiful Sisters of the Edelweiss. Not every hand belonged to a Sister, but every hand knew one. Those who lived their life in the shadows knew the Dutiful Sisters weren’t a priestess covenant from Limsa. They also knew the heirs to the Upright Thieves legacy had no jurisdiction outside of Vylbrand. Their code bound them to the isle and the streets of Limsa Lominsa. Nothing more than the Admiral’s stealthy pets, the end of the day. What could they do once a blackguard crossed the Strait of Merlthor? Merlwyb had them all on a tight leash. Many a fool laughed on the shores of Aldenard, blissfully unaware of the truth.

Jacke had no leash.

And if need be, he had the authority, no questions asked, to bring as many Sisters as he saw fit to the mainland.

     Though lately, there were fewer Sisters patrolling Vylbrand which oft meant Jacke found himself crossing the water alone. He didn’t want for allies, but his job would certainly be easier if his guild were with him. It had yet to recover from being decimated by the Ivy assisting another Garlean Spy, Cassian fae Sulla, to escape. The final head count was twenty, twenty Sisters dead. Though he’d given the Warriors of Light a much lower number. He hadn’t the heart to crush Himi’s spirit who already felt guilty; they’d been trying to rescue her from Cassian, after all. Jacke never once blamed her – but he knew she’d be beside herself if she knew the truth of how badly the Sisters were hit.
     Jacke rapped his fingers against the bar, wondering how his dear friend was doing. He’d seen little of her since the Bloody Banquet even though the Scions and Warriors of Light were cleared of any wrong doing; not that most of the realm thought they were criminals anyways. You’d only heard that if you’d been present or were wealthy enough to pay for rumors.
     He shifted in his seat. The wooden stool had long been warped by the desert heat and the measly cushion nailed onto the top was so threadbare it might as well have not been attached. He nursed a whiskey that was more water than alcohol – but it served him just fine. Jacke was on the trail of a wanted man and though he was more than capable of fighting drunk, he preferred not to.
     The trail of the hyur he hunted led him to one of the many taverns tucked away in the nooks and crannies of Thanalan. The type of establishment you entered when you needed a break from peddling your illicit wares. You didn’t ask anyone’s business and you never looked at anyone’s face for too long. If someone got stabbed or shot you kept on drinking and let the staff deal with the body – if it was left behind. Which, Jacke would have carted his target’s corpse off by now if there wasn’t some woman sitting in the bugger’s lap. The only thing Jacke caught from her appearance was that she had a long white hair done up in a braid. Her face was otherwise hidden by goggles and a mask. Though whatever she was whispering to the middle-aged hyur had him not minding her disguise. Pretending he was stretching his back, Jacke caught a second glance and noticed her hand toying with the hem of the man’s pants. Ah. That’d do it. Patrons of places like this did well to ignore that sort of behavior as well. Possibly because most of them hoped it would happen to them.
     Jacke drowned out the giggles, but he couldn’t ignore the snap of a pistol firing. He turned again to see the half-headless body of his mark flop onto the table, knocking over unfinished drinks. The woman was already halfway out the front door holding a scroll in her hand. Cursing internally for being beaten, Jacke paid his tab and nonchalantly exited. It was well and good the hyur was dead, but Jacke did also need that scroll.
     His woolen cloak meant to protect him from the coolness of the desert night and double as a disguise felt heavy and cumbersome on his shoulders. Scratching the fabric a few times before ditching in, he hid in plain sight – Jacke had a new target to hunt.

     Either she didn’t know how to hide her tracks or she hoped Jacke would follow. Regardless, he caught up to the woman, spotting her on the edge of a cliff. She appeared to be waiting for someone. Jacke knew he couldn’t give her the chance to leave. But before he could approach, she turned, roughly looking in the direction he was, blew a kiss, and stepped over the ledge. He heard what sounded like a faint scream. Had it been a misstep?
     “Sssseven hells!” Jack squawked as he rushed forward. He assumed if she’d done it intentionally, there had to be a boat or something waiting for her below; but when he looked over the edge, there was nothing. Nothing but the waves crashing against the rocks. If it’d actually been a misstep and she’d landed in the water, she’d be dead. If there’d been a boat, he couldn’t see where it’d gone to so quickly.
     Dragging a hand down his face, Jacke admitted a temporary defeat as he heard three quick beeps in his ears. The signal that he needed to turn his linkpearl back on to receive an important message, or get back to the nearest safe spot. Having no desire to turn his linkpearl on just yet, he opted for a trip to the Quicksand. He could take the chance to ask Momodi if she knew anything about the white-haired woman.

    “Sorry, Jacke.” Momodi shook her head as she slid the missive across the bar. “Ain’t nothin’ more I can tell you about your mystery woman that you don’t already know.”
   
    “Shit. Well, figured it didn’t hurt to ask...”

     “Of course! Now, your pop sent that with the instructions to read it as soon as it was in your hands. No waitin’.”

     “Hmn. Wonder what-” Jacke’s face paled as he read the three word message. Before Momodi could ask, he’d teleported back to Limsa Lominsa. Staggering a little after arriving in the aetheryte plaza, but using it again to blip as close to the Drowning Wench as he possibly could. He stumbled inside, towards his father who had just finished giving a sprout the “welcome to Limsa!” schpeel.

     Baderon jumped as his son slapped the note on the counter. “I see ye got me-”

     “What the hells do ye mean, Himi is missing?”

     “Alas, that be all we know.” Merlwyb sighed as she leaned back in her chair, folding her hands in her lap. “As grief stricken as she was, and with naught a soul left to seek vengeance on, I do not believe we be looking for a corpse.” She set her jaw, watching Jacke pace in her office. “Captain Swallow, calm yourself.”

     “Why didn’t anyone call me the moment she vanished?”

     “They thought they could find her; between himself, Yugiri and Oboro Van was confident ‘twould be an easy thing.” Merlwyb stood, escaping her desk so she could grab his shoulders. “Sit, breathe. Pacin’ a rut in my floor won’t do you any good.”

     “Aye Admiral.”

     “I’ve spoken with the Lord Speaker. He is amicable to your… range including Coerthas and Ishgard proper. In fact, he welcomed it. This includes the Sea of Clouds, if you don’t mind the airship travel. Now. With Ishgard once again open to outsiders your accent will not be questioned as heavily as it once would be. But I needn’t lecture you to remain vigilant. Not everyone is happy with the changes in Ishgard.”

     “Yes, Admiral.”

     “And I know ye be more focused on finding her, but do not forget Resin is AWOL as well. Should you learn aught of that, report it immediately.”

     “Aye.”

     “Good. That is all. Now, go. Go and bring her home.”

     Jacke was never going to complain how cold Limsa nights could get ever again. Pulling his coat close to his body, the short walk to Skysteel Manufactory felt malms away thanks to the bitter wind. Only when the heat of the manufactory washed over him, did he finally relax. Well, he relaxed until the scent of grease, oil, and the hiss-clangs of machinery nearly overloaded his senses. But hey, at least he was warm!

     “Greetings, good sir!” The tallest Elezen Jack had ever seen greeted him warmly. “Have you an order to make, or pick up? Or perhaps you have come here to begin your training as a Machinist?” Lord Stephanivien beamed, to hide his sadness, eagerly awaiting the answer.

     “Somethin’ else, actually...” Jacke pulled his scarf down. “I be lookin’ for a dear friend o’mine. Have ye seen Himi?”

     “Ah.” Lord Stephanivien rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, as I told her fellow Warriors of Light a week ago, I unfortunately have not. However; Rostnsthal may have! He’d just left to venture briefly to warmer climates shortly before anyone came ‘round to ask me. He returned this morning; though he’s stepped out to have a dri – ah! Speak of the devil!” Stephanivien waved to his master marksman as he bumbled inside. “Pray, do you have a moment, this fellow has a question for you!”

     “Oh? What sort o’gent wanna talk with me – blessed Navigator! The day has come!” Rostnsthal squawked once he took one good look at Jacke. “The Dutiful Sister’s what lurk in the shadows ‘ave come t’string me up!”

     “I beg your pardon? None of that made any sense my good man.” Stephanivien quirked an eyebrow. “More slang I’ve yet to learn?”

     “Ahaha. Just a wee joke among the good folks o’Limsa Lominsa...” Jacke spun a white lie to reassure Stephanivien. He swiftly moved to Rostnsthal, clapping a hand on his back. “How ‘bout the two o’us go for a little stroll, eh? Won’t take long, just wanna share whids with ye...” He tried to sound as nonthreatening as possible, but poor Rostnsthal was convinced a dark fate awaited him. Stephanivien thought the whole exchange odd, tilting his head as the two men left, but, well…. There was already much going on and figured it was best not to ask. He doubt a friend of Himi’s was here to hurt the man.

     “The moment the Holy See rejoined the Alliance, I wondered if ye lot would have a bigger huntin’ range. I won’t run. Only bloody fools try an outrun the shadows. Just make it quick, aye?” Rostnsthal sputtered and shut his eye once they were alone. “Though mind tellin’ me what I’m bein’ done-in for?”

     “Ye daft sod, I ain’t here to string ye up cause ye broke the code. I’m just looking for me friend Himi, have ye seen her?” Jacke explained, more than a little amused the a pirate so far from home still feared the Sisters. They were doing their job right, then.

     “Oh.” Rostnsthal awkwardly cleared the back of his throat. “Aye, I be familiar with the lass. When I heard this mornin’ not a soul seen her in a week I assumed she’d gone back to her sisterly duties. I’m guessin’ that ain’t so.”

     “She ain’t a Sister.” Jacke clarified. “Dove’s just a dear friend.”

     “Huh? That so? Funny. Seems like the lass would fit right in. Though that does explain a thing or two; Now I won’t claim I know her well or nothin’… but I did see her ‘bout a week ago. She came in, early that mornin’ lookin’ for Stephanivien but me Lord hadn’t come in for the day just yet. I was gettin’ ready to head out meself, so I’d come in early to leave a few ideas for trainin’ exercises for the new blood, see? Gave her a stone, a pistol and one o’em aether...something or others. Then she was out the door, gone! After I left, I noticed her manacutter missin’ from the airship landin’.” This was something no one had mentioned to Jacke yet; probably because they didn’t notice.

     “How d’you know it be hers?”

     “I was in here when them Ironworks folks were makin’ em for the Warrior’s o Light and that Dragoon feller. I remember the leather for the interior gettin’ left to dye a smidge too long so her seat was a different colour than the rest o’em. Not that she ever cared. Just one o’em silly little things ye just never forget, aye? Would always see it parked up there… but when I went to catch the mornin’ airship I noticed it wasn’t.” He stroked his chin. “Surprised no one thought to count the cutters.”

     “And she didn’t say where she was goin’?”

     “Nope.” He shook his head. “Lass seemed all out o’sorts. Now, some might think me a daft fool for not stoppin’ her. A distressed woman, askin’ for a pistol an runnin’ off. But I’ve seen me fair share o’people what ready to do themselves in. An’ as distraught as she was, she seemed more like she was runnin’ away to start over. I be familiar with that sort o’person meself...” Gods, both he and Jacke prayed his assessment was right.

“Thank ye kindly; ye think o’anythin else, or ye spot the dove somewhere, I’m assumin’ ye know how to discreetly get that info over to me, aye?”

“Aye, that I do lad, that I do.” Rostnsthal nodded. After Jacke departed, he clutched his chest, feeling like he’d just spoken to death itself and lived. “I needs me another drink...” he muttered, shuffling off to the Forgotten Knight.

     Jacke found his way through the Pillars, keeping his head low, avoiding catching anyone’s attention. He studied the airship landing as he approached, thinking how someone surely would have noticed her leaving. So she must have put on a disguise, and she was mistaken for just another Ishgardian making use of the manacutters, or something. Or maybe no one saw her at all. Perhaps she was better at being a rogue than Jacke wanted to admit.
     Despite keeping his head low, a distressed trader was quickly making his way over to Jacke.

     “Young man, you have the look of a lad who’s seen his fair share of trouble – maybe you’d be willing to help me with mine. I need a capable sort to head into the Sea of Clouds and track down my missing airship.” He pleaded. “The Warriors of Light are all busy with other matters, but really, any well seasoned adventurer will do! I had to mortgage my soul to get that vessel built, so winning the contract to ferry supplies out to Cloudtop was a real weight off my mind. But it seems my luck ended there─my ship was due back in Ishgard bells ago and I've been praying for a glimpse of her sails ever since!” The man fussed as Jacke politely listened, just as he was about to explain that he probably was ill suited for the task, the merchant made a curious statement. “I can't help fearing the worst... What if she's run afoul of sky pirates!? My creditors will have their ponze of flesh!”

     “Sky Pirates?” Jacke’s attention was piqued properly. Nodding, the merchant continued, rambling on about the new kind of thief. Jacke recalled a conversation he’d had with Himi, what felt like a lifetime ago. She’d gone off to the Sea of Clouds to de-stress, running into a fellow… some cove she claimed also upheld a code. Much in the same way Jacke did. Which made more sense now; if there were Sky Pirates that needed to be kept in check. Even though her Chocobo was missing, Himi had run off with a pistol and a manacutter. The dove was afraid of the ocean and you couldn’t get any further away from the waves than the bleeding sky. This was the best lead Jacke had. He eagerly obliged the man, offering to travel to Cloudtop to investigate.

     With guidance and a borrowed chocobo from a knight stationed in Camp Cloudtop, Rontremont, Jacke was swiftly on trail of the wayward supply ship. It didn’t take him long to find the thing not even half a bell later, stranded on a small island tucked away, out of site from anyone who may have helped. Her helmsman cried out for aid, more than relieved to see a (hopefully) friendly face. Jacke rushed to his side, drawing his daggers, ready to fight. He noted, and was very relieved, that one of the fiends currently harassing the small cargo ship was not Himi.

     “What've we got here, then? Think you're some sort of hero, do you?” The leader, a bulky male Roegadyn stepped forward. “Well then, you won't mind if me mates here join the fun. Make for a more heroical tale, won't it?...The tale of how three sky pirates fed a meddlin' little shite his own bloody eyes!”

     “Hang on, that green bandanna… ain’t that a Sister?”

     “Ain’t no Sister’s in the bloody sky ye daft arse!”
A smile spread across Jacke’s face. Oh, the Sisters were definitely doing their job right if even Sky Pirates were worried. Before he could confirm who he was, a red and black manacutter buzzed above their heads.

     “What the – Oh gods, I know that ship! It’s-” The lead thief whimpered and his lip wibbled as the manacutter landed and a tall man disembarked. “You...you're Redbill Leofard! We ain't done naught to you or yours. What do you want with us!?”

     “I think I made me position pretty clear: you take on the mantle of sky pirate, you agree to a certain code of conduct. And codes ain't worth much if folk go around breakin' 'em. Frankly, lads, you're makin' us look bad, and we can't have that. No hard feelin's though, eh?” Three shots, three dead pirates. He wielded his sleek pistol as gracefully as a Sister would their daggers. If this wasn’t who Jacke was searching for, he couldn’t possibly imagine who else it could be.
He waited for Leofard to end his conversation with the helmsman, several questions already laying in wait on his tongue, and half expecting the man to leave before he got his chance to speak. However…

     “As for you, rogue, ‘tain’t often someone beats me to the scene… But then I’d expect naught less from the man in charge of the Dutiful Sisters – Captain Jacke Swallow, I presume?” Leofard grinned wide, holding out a hand to shake. “We’ve apparently got a little more than bein’ upholders of a code in common.” He winked. Jacke nodded as he gave him a firm shake.

     “Aye, ye’ve the righ o’it. Don’t suppose ye’ve seen the dove lately, have ye?”

     “Indeed! Why I saw Heems less than half a bell ago!” Leofard crossed his arms. “Was actually on my way to figure out how to hunt you down! Not that she knows I was off to do that when I told her I was steppin’ out. And before you get worry wrinkles all over that cute face of yours, I’m still abidin’ by her two rules! The first being only four folks are allowed to know where she is if they figure it out on their own; Ser Aymeric, Jacke Swallow, Thancred Waters, and Minfilia. Ain’t knowin’ who them last two are but they must be a couple of real special people if she holds then in the same regard as the bloody Lord Commander and the guild master of the Dutiful Sisters.” Leofard rubbed his chin, circling around Jacke to get a good look at him. “And you don’t have your own manacutter, aye?”

     “Aye; a cove in Cloudtop lent me a Chocobo so I could get to the smaller floatin’ areas what have no bridges...”

     “Ah! Well, can’t have that bird learnin’ how to find me doldrums, so we’ll just send her home with a note you’re fine and a thank you.”

     “So how am I gonna…”

     “You’re comin’ with me in mine. Just don’t wiggle too much.”

     One could almost forget they were flying malms above solid land with the way the clouds rolled about like waves. Sea of Clouds indeed. The little islands floating were really no different than the ones found on the ocean, Jacke thought. Though it was a bit… colder than the ocean.

     “Home sweet home~!” Leofard grinned as the islands that housed the Redbills base came into view. It wasn’t huge, but it was bigger and build better than Jacke expected. “Oh good, Birdie ain’t gone nowhere.” Leofard commented, looking towards a white manacutter with a wine-dark seat cover parked carefully in one of the bays. “Mind that first step, don’t want you fallin’.” Leofard helped Jacke climb out. “Ain’t afraid of heights, right?”

     “Nah. I’d be a piss-poor rogue if I was too scared to scale the riggin’.”

     “Perfect! Just be careful till you get your sky-legs, eh, captain?”

     “Hardy har. I see why Himi likes ye.”

     “Aw shucks!” Leofard grinned, holding the door open. A stairwell carved into the rock, lit up by small lights greeted Jacke. “I see why she likes you too.” Leofard whistled, watching Jacke walk up the stairs.

     “What?”

     “Nothin’.”

     Leofard introduced Jacke to any crew mate that passed them by, but they didn’t stop to chat. He lead Jacke across one of the short bridges, towards a curvy building slapped together with rusty red metal. Upon entering, Leofard first led Jacke past a door that held both a meeting table and a bed - an odd combination, but they were limited on space, after all – then passed two more doors before giving the third one a chipper knock.

     “C’min.” Jacke heard Himi’s muffled voice on the other side.

     “Guess who I found scurrin’ about in the clouds, Birdie.” Leofard grinned wide as he opened the door, stepping aside so Jacke could enter.

     “Who – oh!” She honestly hadn’t expected to see Jacke there when she turned, squawking slightly when he practically tackled her for a hug. “Couldn’t last a couple of weeks without knowing where I was, hmn?” She teased.

     “I didn’t last a bell!” He huffed. “Ain’t a soul tell me ye were considered’ missin’ till today! They coulda’ told me sooner! Me mission weren’t that sensitive!”

     “How rude of them.” She rested her chin on Jacke’s shoulder as he held her tight.

     “Dove, why ye actin’ like ye be alright?”

     “Because I am fine.” She smacked her lips.

     “So if I went back an’told everyone where ye were...”

     “I don’t want anyone to know where I am, what I’m doing.” She snapped, pulling away from the hug. She went back to studying a strange device, and wouldn’t speak to either of them any further. Sighing, Leofard jerked his head towards a different room, and Jacke left Himi alone to join Leofard in the odd… meeting... bedroom. Leofard poured him a drink, and explained what he could.

     “She showed up, in the meetin’ spot, eyes red from cryin’ something fierce. All she said was that she didn’t wanna be a Warrior of Light anymore. Didn’t want to be a hero. She wanted freedom, adventure that didn’t force her to make unfair sacrifices… I reckoned somethin’ happened but I wasn’t about to pry. Been a lil’outta the loop with news from Ishgard lately...” Leofard downed his drink with one swig.

     “Aye...somethin’ sure did...” Jacke mumbled, explaining the events of the Vault. “Straw that broke the chocobo’s back...” He muttered. “Dove was always gettin’ a raw deal anyways. That just… was too much. I could tell. I think avengin’ him was the only thin’ keepin’ her goin’. But the bubble popped ‘pon millin’ the bloody curs.”

    “Aye, that’d do it.” Leofard nodded solemnly. “I know a thing or two about losin’ somethin’ you can’t get back...” His eyes flicked to the painting of a striking Elezen woman with bright blue eyes, fair skin and raven black hair, hanging on his wall. “I’ll pretend you didn’t tell me, though. Just in case she don’t want me knowin’ yet.” He winked.

     “I’m just happy she’s at least somewhere safe, with a cove what’s got a good head on his shoulders.”

     “Aw, shucks. You’re cute too.”

     “I..wh .. no I meant that-” Jacke’s face flushed red.

     “Gotcha!” Leofard finger gunned at him. “I knew what you meant, and I meant what I said!”

     “...Navigator preserve me.” Jacke dragged his hands down his face.

     “Why don’t you join us, Cap’n?” Leofard extended an invitation. “We’re dealing with an honest-to-gods ghost ship! My guess is she's another relic left behind by the Allagans, but we won't know for sure 'til we've had ourselves a good poke around inside. ...And liberated whatever ancient treasures she's got molderin' away in her hold, of course.” He grinned.

     “Eh? What makes it a ghost ship?”

     “The same thing what makes a ghost ship on the sea a ghost ship, ‘cept this one flies.” Leofard leaned back in his chair and plopped his feet on the table. “We’ve got manacutters to spare and they don’t take much to learn to fly – unless you wanna keep flyin’ around in me lap, which is fiiiine by me!” Gods, it was like talking to Thancred if he’d stayed in Limsa and became a Pirate.

     “I ain’t sure how much help I’d be...” Jacke confessed.

     “You kiddin? The way Heems talks about you I’d say she’s either smitten and telling the truth, or smitten and lying.” Leofard wiggled his eyebrows. “And really; we could use all the help we can get, and though she fits right in with the crew and I’ve been havin’ fun gettin’ to know her better… She needs a familiar face, I think. From my understandin’ that Thancred is missin’ as well and I don’t well bloody think I could convince the Lord Commander of the Temple Knights to join us without anyone knowin’.” Leofard shrugged.

     “Aye, that’s fair.” Jacke rubbed his chin. “Alright, I’ll do it for th’dove. Just this once, mind.”

     “I’ll bet ye won’t be able to stop at just one!” Leofard laughed. “But even just one is more than enough help! Thanks, fellow Captain-of-the-Code. I’m lookin’ forward to workin’ with you and seein’ you in action!”

Chapter Text

     “Bah, what’s the noise now?” Leofard wrinkled his nose at the aggressive chattering of an argument. His lips twisted into a sneer as the squawking of his right-hand woman, Stacia, and another familiar voice drew closer. “Piss all. Oi, Jacke – why don’t you go check on Birdie for a second? I’m about to have some unwanted company.”
Jacke nodded with no argument or question, slipping out of the room before the mystery guest entered. He didn’t bother to look back as he hustled to Himi’s door, knocking a few times, hoping she’d let him in.

     “Himi, it’s just me.” He knocked again.

     “No shit. Fine, come in.” She grumbled from inside, but didn’t open the door for him.
She was laying on her bed, face down in her musty pillow. Jacke casually approached, arms tucked behind his back.

     “Dove I ain’t draggin’ ye back to land, if that be yer worry.” He sat down on the edge of the mattress, dragging a hand through her hair. Noting the colour curiously. Seeing it so pearly white instead of flaming red was… odd. For lack of a better word. It was like the sun had been ripped from her soul and replaced with the moon.

     “You’re not?”

     “Nah. In fact, Leofard’s given me an invite to help snoop ‘round this ghost ship o’yers. Thinks ye can do with a familiar face.”
Himi rolled onto her back.

     “Don’t you have other assignments to take care of?”

     “Ye be me only one, right now. Admiral’s orders. But I won’t spill a whid where ye be.” He made a zipping motion across his lips. “Ye’ve me whid on that.”

     “I thought you weren’t into this kind of adventure?”

     “Bah! If it means spendin’ time with ye, and bein’ here for ye, I’d follow ye to the moon.”
Despite being malms high in the sky, her room was humid and musty. He noticed her shirt was loose, unbuttoned at the top.

     “Pffff. Fuckin’ cheesey.” She looked away, but she smiled all the same. Boldly, he placed a hand on her thigh – she didn’t object. But whatever he had in mind was overruled by muffled shouting down the hall. “What in the fuck?” She sat up, buttoning her shirt up much to Jacke’s disappointment.

     “Leofard said sommat ‘bout unwanted company.”

     “Euugh, fuckin’ nuts I know who it is now.” Himi snorted as she scooted off the bed. “C’mon, time to go kick a bitch out of the nest.”

     “Hmph. I thought you cleverer than this, Redbill. But no matter─I always get what I want in the end. 'Tis merely a question of method.” Captain of the Talons, Radlia, stormed out of Leofard’s quarters, nose in the air.

     “I’m not above teleporting you into the middle of a volcano. You know I can do it.” Himi wiggled her fingers in Radlia’s direction.

     “Oh, his bed-warmer is still here.” Radlia pursed her lips together. Her one good eye fell upon Jacke. Biting her lip as she carefully studied him, interested in this curious new addition.

     “Now there's a face I've not seen before. Hmmm. You don't have the look of one of Leofard's little birds.” She licked her lips, thinking there was something familiar about that shade of green… Stories from Limsa Lominsa of what lurked in her shadows…

     “He’s a guest.” Stacia interjected, glaring at the unwanted visitor. “You understand the concept, don't you? You know, when someone is invited, instead of just burstin' through the door whenever she damn well pleases?”
Radlia clicked her tongue and rolled her eyes. Tossing a playful smirk at Jacke before fluttering her eye at Himi.

     “Well, Snowbird, if you ever decide you want to warm a superior bed; mine always has an opening.” She blew a kiss. Jacke thinned his lips, a quip already forming on his tongue. But Himi beat him to it.

     “Sorry, you’re not the kind of cunt that interests me.” Himi smiled, so, so sweetly.
Jacke sputtered as Leofard whooped and slapped his knee. Radlia’s face fell, cheeks flushing as she stormed off. Stacia let out a long, long sigh, having long since given up on babysitting Himi’s mouth.

     “That was Radlia, captain of the Talons. She knows Leofard's the best sky pirate alive, and the fact he won't join her sticks in her craw.” Stacia explained to Jacke, once she realized he wouldn’t know who the woman was. “We can’t actually decide if she’s genuinely interested in Himi or just being a snot.”

     “Not that it really matters; I’m not interested in her either way. She was hot for all of thirty seconds and then she started being the not-so-fun kind of bitch.” Himi shrugged.

     “Aye, don’t think I’d want to be alone with the mort either.” Jacke grimaced. An old memory tried to resurface, but he quickly buried it, lest Himi’s Echo went off. She needn’t see any of that. “So… ye know where this ghost ship be?” He cleared his throat.

     “Nay; which is why we have our crewmate, Utata workin’ on a way to track the vessel. Let’s pay a visit to her; though first, Himi your ‘bo looked a little ruffled earlier. I think he doesn’t care for the Talons much.”

     “Awwe, I’ll go give him some scritches first.”

     “So this be where yer bird went.” said Jacke. “Everyone’s been wonderin’.”

     “Well, I didn’t want to leave him behind; thankfully he likes the cold. And can fly. He can also fight so he’s kinda become the unofficial watchdog.”

     “At first I thought Leofard mad for agreein’, but I can’t lie, he’s a treat to have ‘round.” Stacia confessed. She and Leofard exited while Himi dipped back to her room to grab some gyshal greens. Jacke followed, wanting to ask her a question or two

     “So...” He rubbed the back of his neck, mind focused on what Leofard, and Radlia said earlier. “You an’ Leofard…?”

     “Eh? OH. No.” Himi shook her head. “I passed out in his room, and he wanted to just let me sleep. But Radlia burst in there the next morning and made a very bold, possibly jealously fueled assumption. Don’t worry Jacke; there’s only one person on this whole floating Island I’ve shared a bed with – and that person is you.” Gyshal greens in hand, she gave him a coy kiss on his cheek. “No need to be jealous~!” A teasing wave as she left her room. His face flushed, fighting the urge to scoop her into his arms.

      "Oi! Ye know I ain’t jealous – I just. Was curious. Is all.”

     “I guess you wouldn’t need to be jealous.” She turned while walking to boop his nose with the greenery. “You got to fuck me first; and the only reason we’re not screwing on the regular is because you’re trying to be noble and protect me from the monsters what lurk in the shadows. Ironically.”

     “Dove!” Jacke wheezed, fanning himself.

     “Me~! Now go catch up with Leofard; he’s already suspicious of my approved list of guests and if you linger too long he’s going to think we’re having a quick snog. If they’ve gone to one of the bigger islands, one of the deckhands can take you.”

     “Thought we lost you to snoggin’!” Leofard playfully elbowed Jacke once he’d arrived.Himi was right; Utata was on one of the larger floating islands; the one that held the Redbill standard – a marker for friends or supplies to be picked up.

     “Ah, no. I was just fussin’ out o’worry.” Jacke’s face turned red.

     “Damn, really? I’d’ve snogged her, if I were you. And if she was amicable to it. I’ve gotten, so, so close though. We just need the right, romantic, suspenseful moment an’ I’m certain she’d be all over me.”

     “Gods, ye be like Thancred an’ Lord Haurchefant rolled into one.” Jacke snorted. Honestly? He agreed with Leofard. He wish he had been getting in a quick snog.

     “I will take that as the highest of compliments.” Leofard mock bowed as Himi joined the group.

     “…Shootin’ the shit instead of letting Utata explain anything?”

     “You know it!”

     “Boys, and Himi.” Stacia sighed, but she was smiling. She gestured to a female Lalafell, who was plenty amused by the antics – and well used to them by now.

     “Greetings! The name's Utata!” The rosy cheeked Lalafell introduced herself to Jacke. “I suppose you'd call me the Redbills' chief of engineering. Smithing, carpentry, magitek─if it's part of an airship, I can fix it! ...Just don't expect to see me waving a cutlass and swinging over the rails. If there's fighting to be done, well, that's what we have you lot for!”

     “Pleasure t’meet ye, dove!”

     “Ooh! A Limsan accent! A different kind of pirate!” She wiggled.

     “Aye, I suppose. I be upholdin’ me own code back home.” A small grin escaped his lips.
Stacia shot a look at Leofard, who dutifully ignored it.

     “Ohho~! You’ll have to tell me later, but for now, ladies and gentlepirates, I am happy to report that we’ve overcome the last obstacle to boarding the ghost ship!”
Leofard was more than eager to hear how her project was proceeding, grinning wide as she went on to explain how her “ectocompass” worked. She’d discovered how the derelict had a unique aetheric signature. The device was tuned to track it so they wouldn’t need to grope blindly through the clouds. As fun as that would be, finding it before the Talons did was a smidge of a priority.
     Stacia informed the others they were all stocked and ready to go. He just needed to give the word. Eager to leave, Leofard instructed Utata to remain behind – as she said, she wasn’t the fighting type. He smacked his lips, realizing Jacke had yet to be given a flying lesson.

     “I suppose I can have you on me lap again.” Leofard flashed a toothy grin.

     “I think ye ain’t teachin’ me on purpose.”

     “Perish the thought! I had every intention of whisperin’ in your ear, everythin’ I know about flyin’!”

     “I’m sure.”

     “...Leofard we’re takin’ the ship too, not just a few manacutters, did you forget that?” Stacia sighed.

     “Aye, I did.” Leofard smacked his lips. “Ah well, I’ll get you in me lap again sooner or later.”

     “Captain, leave the poor man alone, he hasn’t even known you a day!” Stacia flicked his ear before motioning for Jacke to follow. “Come on, the Captain, Himi and I are takin’ our cutters, but the rest of the crew that’s goin’ will be on the ship. You can ride with them.”

     “’Ppreciate it dove.”
Himi waited until Jacke was well out of earshot before she bapped Leofard’s chest with the back of her hand.

     “Reign it in, will you? That shit actually makes him uncomfortable. According to Thancred, it’s a genuine miracle I even get hugs from him. So quit it.”

     “Aw shit – aye I’ll calm down.” Leofard rubbed the back of his neck. “Sorry, saw how cute he was and got a little excited.”

     “I’m sure he appreciates it, deep down, otherwise he probably would’ve killed you. I dunno. There’s been times where he’d pull me into a hug, but he still squirmed like it was making him uncomfortable. I think Thancred knows why; but Jacke hasn’t told me and I haven’t felt the mood to pry.” A small shrug as they made their way to their manacutters.

     “I won’t pry neither.” Leofard nodded, sincere with his words. “A man’s allowed to have his secrets; an’ if he wants ‘em told, ain’t gotta be heard from no one but himself.” He adjusted his goggles before taking off to follow the airship. “I know a thing or two about secrets...” One final thought as they dipped into the clouds.

     Half a bell passed before ghost ship came into view. A boxy, black mark on the horizon. Bobbing through the clouds like a boatrocking on the waves. Jacke’s jaw dropped as they flew closer, fully realizing the prodigious size of the ship. Several times the size of any galleon he knew, with bony wing like appendages sticking out of it’s black and violet, twisted hull. It certainly wasn’t anything built in this era, that’s for sure, but it didn’t look like any Allagan tech he was familiar with. He thought he saw movement across the hull; but surely it was a trick of the light, nothing could be living on this thing, right?
The airship dropped him and another Redbill off at the landing platform, alongside Leofard, Himi and Stacia. The others were remaining behind, just in case the Talons showed up. Feet now firmly on the ghost ship, Jacke’s eyes took in the twisted patterns and the rib-like roof that encased the ship. Despite the gloomy, sinister colour, the vessel felt more… alive. Organic. The supports looked like sinew covered bones, a spine, tendrils, and less like a ship built with wood or metal. But there was a railing, lights, stairs – clearly this had been used by people, at some point. So it was definitely constructed.

     “This isn’t Allagan.” Himi watched the shadows carefully.

     “Aye; was ‘bout to say I ain’t ever see Allagans use so much black and purple before.” Leofard muttered. “Any idea what era, Birdie?”
Whispers tickled her ears, teasing her mind as a familiar pang crawled around in her chest.

     “Mhach.”

     “...Fuck.” Leofard’s attention flicked to the roof. “Alright mates, this’ll be a wild adventure, but don’t let your guard down. If this is a shadow of Mhach, that means there’s definitely gonna be voidsent to go along with any booty we find.”

     “Voidsent? Leofard, should we turn around -”

     “Pah! And leave the spoils to the Talons? Fuck no. But Himi can go first, with Jacke – oi! Where’s Jacke?”

     “Oh c’mon.” Himi grinned. “You never hear the stories about him? The shadow that sends monsters running?” She pretended to inspect her firearm. “You won’t see him, unless he wants to you.”

     “Birdie you’re makin’ it hard for me to not flirt with him nonstop; but let’s quit gabbin’ and get goin’.”

     Jacke had been right; something had been moving across the hull. Manta rays that looked like they’d crawled from the seventh hell itself. They took little notice of the party, but they were in the way so they had to go.

     “I got this.” Himi flicked something on her wrist, before taking aim. Six shots; two for each voidsent. They let out horrid screeches as they lost their corporeal forms, getting a rude send off back into the void. A fourth, attracted by the commotion, dove through the ribbed ceiling, fully intending to slam into the group. Leofard pivoted, ready to fire, when Jacke appeared suddenly on the beast’s back. His daggers plunged into its head, and though the crash landing wasn’t pretty, he managed to divert its path just enough it slammed into a spine-like pillar. Flipping off its back and landing perfectly on his feet as if it were nothing. Leofard shot the stunned voidsent for good measure, making sure it was sent back to the void like its buddies.

     “Shit, remind me to never piss you o-… where’d he go? He was right there! I was lookin’ at him and everythin! All I did was blink!”

     “Don’t blink, or you’ll miss ‘im.” Himi teased.
The way was clear for a few minutes, until they rounded the corner and found… gryphons. Regular gryphons.

     “Ah..hmn.” Stacia quirked an eyebrow. “I’ve got a question or two ‘bout that...”

     “Well, I doubt we’re the first adventurers to come through here.” Leofard studied the beasts carefully. “Bettin’ their masters didn’t make it past the voidsent. Or the masters of their parents’ so on, so such.” Leofard shrugged. “Guess it depends on how feral they are -” He was interrupted by their agreeing screeches as they charged. “Got me answer!” It was a shame such beautiful animals had to be dealt with; but they weren’t in the business of taming feral gryphons. It had to be done by someone who damn well knew what they were doing, otherwise they’d be eviscerated. Leofard made sure it was quick and clean. They weren’t voidsent so they were a little easier to contend with. He sighed, drooping his shoulders. “What a waste.”

     “Nothing to be done.” Stacia frowned.

     “Aye, you’re right ‘bout that. Onward!”

Chapter Text

     Jacke awoke to a sore head and a ringing in his ears. Grunting as he pushed himself up, his legs wobbled as he slowly gathered his bearings. They’d killed the gryphons, then what? His lungs filled with a sour humidity – as if he were standing in the middle of a tar swamp. Rubbing the back of his neck, he looked around in the dim indigo lighting at the bottom of a….slimy tunnel? A gust of air triggered his memory:
     “Ah...right...got blown down a tunnel...” He mumbled. The gryphons had died, they tried to press forward but the walkway was broken. Himi had made a joke that maybe the ship was designed that way, when an air currant knocked them all into a tunnel. He figured with a ship this size, it must have once been a ventilation shaft. Either that or the Void mages liked to surf slimy tunnels. Groans escaped Leofard, whom Jacke almost hadn’t noticed crumbled in the corner. The other two Redbills were also now stirring.

     “Shit...me head...” Leofard grunted as he sat up. Jacke was right at his side.

     “Ye gonna live?”

     “Aye, just a few bruises. Ain’t nothin’ new.” Leofard flicked slime off his hands – or at least tried to. Jacke gave his shoulder a squeeze before studying their surroundings again. Possibly the only reason they’d finally stopped was because this tunnel had caved in. He soon realized he didn’t see Himi, but there was someone standing in the cracked opening to his right. Jacke would recognize the robes of an Ascian anywhere. He snarled, ready to grab his daggers, but not attacking just yet. Perhaps this was the helpful Ascian he’d heard so much about. The Ascian’s breathes were heavy, as if they’d been panicking. They looked at their hands, before looking at Jacke… then turned and fled.

     “Oi!” Jacke shouted, taking chase. Having half a thought the Ascian appeared to be built more like a male than female; wasn’t the helpful Ascian a woman? Perhaps this was someone different. But they had the robes of an Overlord…

     “Hey wait, what’dya see?” Leofard called out as his two crewmates finally came ‘round. “Damnit...shit...augh.” Leofard wasn’t about to leave either of them. He saw that Himi was also not with them. “Fine mess this already be...”

     Jacke chased the Ascian through the twisted, broken hull of the Void Ark. He caught up to him once; the Asian had pulled his hood and mask off. Had Leofard been there, he would have recognized the face of a ghost Himi had accidentally glamoured onto hers – or so Leofard had theorized. A face she so often saw in her dreams… and nightmares.
     “Who...” Jacke noted the other man’s striking sea-green eyes; not unlike Himi’s. But the Ascian ran again without saying anything. Jacke cursed under his breath, taking chase again. Scrambling up the broken catwalk back onto the main floor of the ship, squinting as the light change assaulted his eyes… and immediately ran into Himi.

     “Dove!”

     “Oh, whee. You’re up on you’re own – where’s Leofard and the others?”

     “Ah-”

     “Right behind him!” Leofard called up from the bottom of the catwalk Jacke had just scaled. “Thinkin’ I’m gonna catch me breath first before climbin’ that.”

     “Jacke did you seriously ditch them?”

     “I..wh...but I saw an Ascian – did ye not, love?”

     “Noooo?”

     “Eh, that’s what you were starin’ at?” Leofard grunted as be began to climb. “Was wonderin’ what you saw.”

     “Ye ain’t spot the bastard too? He was standin’ right in the openin’.”

     “Mnnnope.”

     “Ascians can choose who they’re visible to.” Himi shrugged. “Well, if you’ve got an Echo or are otherwise one with a sharp mind, they either can’t hide at all from you or have a harder time doing so. Maybe all the time you spend hanging ‘round helpin’ me gives you an edge.” She playfully elbowed him.

     “Well, least you ain’t callin’ me crazy. But why’d YOU leave.” Jacke asked.

     “Clearing out the trash while everyone was unconscious. I would gesture to the corpses, but voidsent don’t typically leave those for long.”

     “Fine by me.” Leofard snorted as he and the other two reached the top. “Though can ye two birds do me a solid, eh? Please no more runnin’ off. That worried me more than a bit.”

     “Er, right, sorry...” Both apologized sheepishly.

     “Water under the bridge!” Leofard grinned wide. “Now, lets keep huntin’ for that booty!”

    “Hang on; Himi looks like she needs a break.” Stacia pointed out.

     “I’m -ffffffff ahh okay, I guess I could… probably use a breather.” Himi mumbled, not daring to challenge Stacia’s hard stares.

     “ Hells! You are obnoxious!” Tremant grumbled as he slapped the tome against Emet-Selch’s chest. “ I am fully capable of taking aether from the land to fuel my spells without issue, thank you very much.” Both were dressed in feathery robes, to blend in with the spellcasters of Mhach.

     “ I know typically I would be all for this sort of disruption, encourage it, even. But you keep whining about wanting to stop or stall Calamities and here you go, disrupting the flow of aether just enough that you’ve given the others ideas. Congratulations. You’re now the problem.”

     “I! Wh! Fuck you! How can they possibly twist this into a Calamity, there’s not enough Black Mages to -”

     “Oh haven’t you heard? Amdapor and Nym are in a tizzy. Keep this up and you’ll start a war.” Emet-Selch smacked his lips smugly.

     “Tsk! Oh please! Black Mages only temporarily borrow for a few spells, it restores itself quick enough. Amdapor and Nym are both smart enough to realize that.”

     “Hmn. Maybe. Maybe not. Depends on who whispers what, where.”

    “ You wouldn’t!”

     “I may not, but even I cannot stop the others plotting forever. I can probably convince them this isn’t worth pursuing. You know what I want; but if you say no I can’t promise you’ll like the outcome~!”

     “I’m not apologizing -” Tremant sucked on his lower lip as a hyur woman with spiraled violet hair entered the library. She studied her surroundings, humming curiously to herself. Face lighting up when she spotted him.

     “Ah! I beg your pardon sirs.” She curtsied. “ But is one of you the librarian, Tremant?”

     “Yes, that would be me. How can I help you?” He smiled, catching Emet-Selch walking away with a flippant hand gesture. Tremant held his tongue, avoiding tossing out one last quip. Focusing instead on the...very lovely before him.

     “ Ah, well, I’ve read everything in my collection about voidsent, and I was wondering if perhaps I could take a look at the restricted section here?” She asked hopefully.

     “Doooo you have permission from the Coovvveeenn?” He asked coyly.

     “Well they didn’t exactly say no.”

     “But they didn’t say yes?”

     “I suppose not.” Her cheeks flushed. “But I am a very responsible mage, I can assure you!” She looked at him so, so hopeful. Tremant leaned on the shelf behind him.

     “Well… since you asked so nicely. But just this once; and I’ll be hovering over your shoulder the entire time. What’s your name…?”

     “Ah! A thousand apologies; you may call me Cessair – hopeful void mage.”

     “ Well, Hopeful Void Mage Cessair; follow me~!”

     “You awake?” Leofard nudged Himi’s shoulder as he plopped down next to her, letting his legs dangle over the broken edge.

     “Hmn? Yeah. Just lost in thought.”
He made sure no one was looking before slipping a small, dense aether crystal into her palm.

     “Feel like I’m feedin’ a primal.” He joked.

     “Eugh. Seriously, put a bullet in my skull if I was.” She mumbled as she drew every last drop of aether out; it perked her up, a little, but it still didn’t feel like enough. “This sucks.”

     “Are you sure you don’t wanna talk to an expert?” Leofard nudged her again.

     “They wouldn’t want to help me, they’d just accuse me of being a different kind of primal and kill me.” She grumbled.

     
     “Aether debt.” Emet-Selch sighed, carefully holding Tremant up. “Your pool may be deep, but it is still smaller than before; you went too far beyond your limits. It will take you time to recover.”

     “I don’t have time to wait. Either help me or let me go.”

     “...Very well.”


     “Don’t make me turn this adventure around.” Leofard snorted, glancing behind them, grinning at Jacke who was now focused on the pair. “Your boyfriend’s gettin’ antsy.”

     “He’s not my...” She bitterly pursed her lips together.

     “Coulda fooled me!” Leofard teased. “Onward, then?”

    “Yeah… let’s go.”

     Void rays, Marlboro’s (somehow?), void addled plant beasts, a winged demon – who’d left behind some beastly voidsent and didn’t bother to fight at all – and now a...giant amorphous blob. With. Tentacles. This was a little more than Himi had bargained on. How many bullets would it take to kill that thing? Could she risk Jacke or Leofard getting hurt? One spell… she could take it out with one spell – well. Maybe a couple.

     “Himi love, I know that look. Don’t ye dare.” Jacke furrowed his brow.

     “Birdie, listen to him. We can handle this together, don’t over do it.”

There was Cessair; smiling at Himi in the darkness. She stepped forward, cupping Himi’s face gently.

     “You just couldn’t help yourself, as always.” Cessair stroked Himi’s cheek with her thumb. “Just this once, mind. I doubt I will be permitted to do this again.”

     “Himi! Himi!”

     “Ahha-h what?” Himi snorted, waking in Jacke’s arms. The blobby corpse of the...whatever the hell that voidsent was supposed to be, lay a charred mess in the middle of the musty room. “Yay we won?” She cracked a smile; knowing damn well she was about to receive the lecture of a lifetime. But she didn’t. Jacke just stared at her, silently. Frowning, shaking his head with disappointment. She would have preferred a lecture. Once he knew she was fit to stand, walk, continue, Jacke nodded without another word and vanished into plain sight.

     “Ooph. Ain’t known the man long but I can tell he’s pissed.” Leofard whistled, patting her back. “No more of that, eh?”

     “...Okay.”
Himi thought she spotted a curious cat standing on its hind quarters,  peering at her with large eyes, but when she looked again, it was gone. Probably just another voidsent or simply her imagination.

      She walked again in darkness. Surrounded by whispers, and hidden, countless eyes watching her every move. But Himi puffed up her chest, one foot in front of the other as the whispers slowly joined, rising together in crescendo.

     “Mhach, Mhach, beware the dark, keep away or lose your heart.” They warned. Himi bit down on her lower lip, eyes glancing up. A chained coffin, emitting an unfriendly pink light, towered above her.

     “You’ve come back~!” A cheeky voice called from within. “Please, won’t you let me go~? I promise to be good~”

     “Mhach, Mhach, beware the dark, keep away or lose your heart.” The voices pleaded louder. And louder. Until their chant was the softest yell Himi had ever heard. She covered her ears. Her breaths labored. She couldn’t apologize enough.

     “I’m sorry I -… Mhach wasn’t evil! They were never supposed to be… it was never supposed to end like that!” The words fell from her lips but she didn’t know why she was saying any of it.

     “Mhach, Mhach, beware the dark, keep away or lose your heart.”

      “They weren’t evil people, I promise!” She squeaked. “They just… they were just mislead!”

      “And who’s fault is that?” The voice of an Ascian taunted her from the shadows. Shit, she knew the voice… which one was it…? “You lead them down the path; then refused to remain leader. Citing free will and insisting you didn’t want to turn the people of Yafaem into your puppets. And look how well that turned out! Bravo! Bravo~!”

     “Mhach, Mhach, beware the dark, keep away or lose your heart.”

     “But...I….” Himi’s voice squeaked as the whispers overwhelmed her. “I’m sorry!” She wailed. “I’m sorry...I’m so sorry… I’m sorry...” She curled into a ball, hiding from herself.

     And then she was standing, in the back of the group. Everyone else was focused on the naga and the winged serpents flanking her. The tightly sealed coffin that had haunted Himi’s vision loomed behind its guards. The three voidsent stared past the group, right to Himi. As if awaiting orders. Himi put a finger to her lips. A red glyph flickered over her face. Silently ordering the voidsent to keep quiet, before giving a simple wave of her hand, ordering them to leave. The glyph faded.

     “Where are they going!?”

     “Ain’t lookin’ a gift chocobo in the mouth!”

     “Bugger me... I expected danger, but not a hells-spawned bleedin' nightmare made flesh like that! I ain’t complain’ if the rest of the voidsent are pissin’ off cause they know not to mess with us now!” Leofard stepped forward, studying the giant coffin. Already plotting ways to peak behind the seals. Himi shuffled forward and looked to Jacke, but he still wasn’t interested in speaking with her. “Right, then─let's have a look inside that dirty great coffer-type...thing. Summat tells me it's filled to the brim with booty.” Leofard eagerly rubbed his hands together. Somehow, Himi knew… there wasn’t treasure in that thing.

     “That ain’t the only one ‘round here… is it just me or has this ship gone from lookin’ like it be made o’bone an’ flesh to… bein’ made o’hundreds o‘em coffins...but smaller?” Jacke grimaced.

     “Ew gross.”
The ship shuddered.

     “Don’t look at me! I never moved a muscle!”

     Diabolos ignored the party as he weaved his magic, undoing the chains and wards enveloping the Queen’s prison.

     “What in the seven hells is that bastard doin'!?” Leofard growled. Jacke wasn’t sure if he was up to fighting whatever voidsent was in that thing. But he would If he had to.

     “This way! Swiftly now!” The odd cat Himi spotted earlier called out to them, motioning with his small paw for them to follow.

     “Er...can anyone else see that talkin' cat over there? Bloody hells, this adventure's gettin' queerer by the minute...Still, I'd rather take me chances with a prattlin' puss than stay here. Get your things, mateys─we're leavin'!” As the Redbills bemoaned loot lost, Himi and the cat locked eyes.

     “...Tremant!?” The cat squeaked, then shook his head – later, he’d deal with that later. A pang of familiarity shot through Himi and she was so, so glad she was the only one with the Echo present.

     “C’mon, dove!” Jacke grabbed her wrist as they all followed the friendly critter to safety. Relative safety. They were at least, able to avoid any more voidsent but still had to deal with the ship shuddering and banking, breaking some of the more delicate pathways.
     Once they reached the docking area where the manacutters were, Jacke instinctively turned left to re-join the Redbills that had come on the airship.

     “Nooo nope!” Leofard grabbed his arm, motioning for the ship to take off with his free hand. “You’re ridin’ with me, ain’t wastin’ time and your safety runnin’ cross that rickety walkway with everythin’ shakin’ like this.” He’d have no arguments from Jacke as he pulled him into his manacutter. The mystery talking cat jumped aboard Himi’s, with no objection from her. All four manacutters peeled away from the ship, battling tumultuous winds and hungry clouds before breaking free. Escaping into the clear night. Himi hadn’t realized they’d been in the ship long enough for the sun to set.
     It wasn’t long before the ship breached the clouds as well; appearing, for a moment, as if the whole thing was about to fall to pieces in the air.

     “Yeah, I’m sure that’s normal.” Himi mumbled.

     “The ship's breakin' up… Is he tryin' to bring her down?” Leofard watched curiously. He and the others barely missed the beam that shot from the now exposed… well...canon? Eye? Leofard really wasn’t sure what to call it. Regardless of the name it could shoot something bright. That something had even torn a void rip into the sky; a long, thin sliver. Well, thing in compared to the massive ship, but it was wide enough for a manacutter to slip in if they weren’t careful.

     “The voidsent is attempting to initiate a dimensional displacement! But the gate─it cannot possibly be large enough for the entire ship...” The cat explained. Gasping when the bottom of the vessel opened up like fingers revealing a hidden object within a hand. Diabolos, the demonic voidsent that’d freed the coffin from its chains, was now towing it out of the ship and into the rift. “The Queen's Coffin! He takes it beyond our reach!”
As soon as the voidsent slipped through with his prize, the rift sealed as if never there to begin with, and the ship sunk below the clouds once more.

     “Well, there don't seem much point hangin' 'round here. Let's get back to solid ground.” Leofard sighed, leading everyone back to the gauntlet where they’d left Utata.

     The curious cat dug its paws into the rocky soil. Sighing wistfully as his big eyes studied his new surroundings. “Long has it been since my paws have trodden aught but those cursed decks... Would that I had made landfall under better circumstances.” He turned to Himi; wrinkling his snout as he tried to decide what he wanted to say to her first. She stared back, debating on whether or not she wanted to ask about the name he called her. Alas, Radlia was there to spoil the mood. She’d been waiting with her crew for Leofard and his to return. Utata was in her clutches; and she was more than willing to kill the poor girl if she did not get what she wanted; the ectocompass. Leofard gave it willingly without hesitation. Stacia though the gesture mad, but Jacke had a feeling there was a little surprise in the coveted device. His hunch was confirmed once Radlia left – a linkpearl had been slipped inside.

     “That's very clever and all, but how were you proposin' to stop her from gettin' her hands on that derelict and its great big cannon?” Stacia sighed.

     “I ain't worked that part out yet. But I 'spect it'll start with us keepin' a close eye on the Talons. 'Fore we get into any of that, though, I've got some questions what need answerin'.” Leofard turned his attention to the feline, who had resumed his staring contest with Himi. Leofard took note, but didn’t ask right away.

     “You wish to know more of the Void Ark? The “ghost ship,” as you call it?” The cat pulled his gaze away from Himi long enough to address Leofard.

     “The Void Ark... So that's its proper name. Aye, I'd like to hear whatever you'd care to tell us, puss.”

     “His name’s Cait Sith.” Himi corrected.

     “Good! Got his name already.”
Cait Sith had half a mind to point out that he had not told the woman his name. Instead, he simply stated he was curious to hear their own stories, and insisted that he was to be called his proper name. “I will not respond to “puss” or “cat,” and most decidedly not “furball.” He huffed.

     “Good luck getting Leofard to call you anything else.” Himi thought to herself as they all returned to the Parrock.

Chapter Text

     Leofard leaned back in his chair, feet propped up as he waiting for Cait Sith to begin. The lanky feline marched across the map laying atop the surface of the table, finding secret satisfaction in hearing the weathered parchment crinkle with each step. Jacke sat in a chair next to Leofard, Himi was trying to avoid looking at Cait Sith as much as possible, and Stacia and Utata were focused on the curious critter.

     “My tale begins long, long ago in the city of Mhach, which once stood in the lands of Yafaem.”
Himi turned her attention to the far wall. Mind wandering to a rainy night, one of many that once plagued the realm… There was that man – the one whose face she’d dreamed, the one she accidentally wore one day…

     Tremant walked side by side with Cessair. Both wore feathery black robes, befitting void mages of Mhach. She had her arm linked with his, sheltering under a single umbrella, barely made for two.

     “ You’re so strange.” She smiled. “A spell would do just as well to protect us from the rain.”

     “Sure~!” Tremant grinned. “But then we wouldn’t need to walk so close to each other.”

     “Oh! You cheeky man!” The woman giggle, playfully bapping his chest. “You’re so much bolder than most men I know.”

     “Well, I can certainly promise men like me are in very limited supply.”

     “You say such funny things; funny accent… Odd name. You are most certainly not from Yafaem. Won’t you tell me?” She pleaded. “I give my word – I shall not tell another soul.”
H e thought about it, diverting them into a gazebo so they could sit. She eagerly listened, even removing her hat so she may look at him with both eyes, he did the same, out of respect.
     “My city – my home city, as you’ve guessed is not in Yafaem.” He started with a small smile. “The place I originally called home, when I was… younger. Was called Amaurot.”

     “Amaurot?… Hmn I’ve not heard of it, and yet, somehow, the name resonates within my soul.”

     “It does that; anyways… Amaurot burned, heh. It’s gone now. There’s no way to bring it back. Which is probably why you’ve never heard of it and if you asked even your brightest scholars they would look at you as if you had two heads.”

     “But what of her people?”

     “...We ah. Went in different directions, you could say.”

     “That’s… so sad. I’m sorry. Thank you for telling me, but, I’m so sorry for prying.”

    “Bah! It’s fine. It’s nice to talk about it. Even if only a little.”

     “ But-”

     “Cessair, I promise, it’s alright. I don’t mind.” He took the back of her hand and kissed it gently.

     “ Yes but – oh!” Cessair pointed out into the garden, at a poor, little black cat shivering in the rain. “Oh the poor dear! I must fetch it, one moment.” She returned with the shivering creature a few seconds later. “It’s so chilled – and look at those darling eyes! Oh! We must get you inside – Tremant, master of teleportation, do you mind?”

     “Not at all! I shall see you tomorrow, then?”

     “Why tomorrow? I know the hour is late, but I would not mind the company as I tend to this poor creature.”

     “ Right, of course, yes I will… yeah!” He eagerly leapt to his feet, trying to hide his excitement.

     Himi sucked on her lip, pinching the bridge of her nose. She could feel another vision clawing its way to the surface. She wanted nothing to do with it. Giving the excuse the Echo was overwhelming her, she slipped out of Leofard’s chambers. Jacke almost followed, but Leofard gently grabbed his arm.

     “Eh, let Birdie have some air.”

     “Is Tremant not feeling well?” Cait Sith asked.

     “Tremant? I ain’t knowin’ a Tremant – do you mean Himi?”

     “Ah. That is their current name, very well. Himi.”

     “...Aye, that be her name. An’ she’s prolly fine, just tired. Continue, Puss.”

     “Cait Sith, not Puss, now, where was I...”

     Himi paced along the narrow docking bay. A part of her wanted to jump into her manacutter and fly off to find somewhere else to run. But where could she go? What was left that was familiar and safe? She didn’t want somewhere new, she wanted something familiar. But there was… nothing.

     “Do you think Himi’s okay? She hasn’t stopped pacing.”

     “Think that Echo of hers is goin’ off?”
She picked at her gloves as her mind tried to come up with a solution, a location. Himi wanted to teleport, but her body just wouldn’t let her. Too unfocused, she remembered what happened if she tried to port when distracted. What if she ended up in the Crystal Tower and couldn’t get back out? Actually, that wasn’t so terrible. She had a manacutter now, she could just fly to the top of it where Xande’s throne sat. No one would ever think to look for her there. Maybe. What if they did? She wasn’t the only one with a manacutter after all.

     “Himi, careful!”

Mhach, Mhach, beware the dark… what did that even MEAN? She covered her ears as the whispers plagued her once more. Himi could feel a cold presence claw its way through her very being. It wanted her to remember, she needed to remember. But another inside her wouldn’t allow for that to happen.

     With Cait Sith’s tale finished, and Leofard agreeing to help (Couldn’t lose the skies to Voidsent or Radlia, after all), Jacke sat back in his chair, wondering just what the hell he’d gotten himself into. Idle conversation broke out about preparations; it would be some time before they could go after the coffin. Leofard had just swung his legs off the table when a buzzing alarm sounded. Stacia and Utata’s faces paled immediately, but Leofard jumped right back on his feet.

     “Check the aether nets! Go go!” He barked, and the two quickly got over their stupor.

     “What’s that buzz mean?” Jacke asked as everyone ran out of the room, including a curious Cait Sith.

     “Means man overboard; borrowed a bit of Allagan tech to catch anyone who’s fallen over but the nets don’t last forever!”

     “Oh, my!” Cait Sith gasped, his little paws going over his mouth. Jacke cursed, right on Leofard’s heels.

     They quickly discerned the landing strip was where the fall had occurred; by the time they got down there the person had already been fished back up. Himi, and a blonde, Keeper of the Moon Miqo’te, were sitting on the walkway, panting and shaking. A male Roegadyn was doubled over, hands on his knees as he tried to keep his composure.

     “What in the seven hells happened?” Leofard demanded.

     “Ah, tripped over me own two feet!” The Miqo’te answered without hesitation. Leofard gently bopped him in the back of the head. “Sorry Cap’in! Won’t happen again!”

     “You were lucky you weren’t alone! Don’t scare me like that again, eh?” Leofard plopped his arm around his shoulders. “Let’s get you a stiff drink...” He left the dock with his crew member. Jacke eyed Himi suspiciously, who hadn’t yet stood.

     “She grabbed him.” The roe Redbill quickly explained. “She’s ain’t ever seen someone fall before and it’s just got her spooked, is all.”

     “Ah.” Jacke didn’t believe him for a second, but he had no desire to push the matter. Leaving with Cait Sith.

     “You have the look of a man who doubts what occurred.” Cait Sith mused as they scaled the winding staircase.

     “I doubt a Redbill be clumsy enough to trip over himself.”

     “Suggesting?”

     “Himi fell; but there be no reason to lie ‘bout it unless the dove walked off.”

     “Yes; I thought the same thing.” Cait Sith pursed his lips together.

     “What would she do that for though, eh?” Jacke jumped as they rounded a flight to nearly crash into Leofard. Who looked sour; arms crossed, brow furrowed.

     “Think you can get the answer of of Birdie, Swallow?” He asked.

     “Maybe. But there be a good chance she was just pacin’ as she is wont to do, an’ her Echo went off.” He vaguely gestured with his hand.

     “Me crew wouldn’t lie about it if that be the case.”

     “Ye know that for a fact?”

     “I sure as fuck do know that for a fact!”

     “Gentlemen, please!” Cait Sith shut his eyes, sighing deeply. “Bickering over the motive of your shared lady-love will solve naught. I shall speak with her later. I can be quite good at getting people to speak their mind willingly.”

     “Sh-shared lady love I ah -” Jacke’s face turned red. Leofard’s cheeks were also hot, but he waved a hand dismissively in the air.

     “...Ain’t gonna lie, I be open to the idea of not bein’ monogamous. If the two of you be interested~!” Leofard blew a playful kiss in Jacke’s direction.

     “But...but the dove and me ain’t even...” Jacke sputtered, cheeks flushing as Leofard's grin grew deviously wide. 

     “….Why’s everyone clogging the stairs for?” Himi huffed, calling up from the flight below.

     “Nothin! No reason. We was just movin’, Birdie.”

     “….You and Jacke snogging, Leofard.”

     “HA. No. You hopin’ for a show or sommat?” Leofard snorted as he continued his way up the stairs. Himi grumbled about how weird everyone was being as she pushed past Jacke, not giving him a second glance. In all fairness, that was the attitude he’d given her earlier. Perhaps it was justified. Perhaps he should… go speak with her.
     Just as Jacke moved to reach out, his link pearl went off. A high profile mark the sisters had been hunting was about to show his face. The sort of mark Jacke needed to deal with personally. And he was set to meet someone who’d been causing a stir lately in underground rings. Chewing on his lower lip; he pretended like he hadn’t found Himi yet and that maybe this mission would help clear his head.

     “Fine mess...” He grumbled once the call ended. Annnnd now Himi was gone. “Where’d the dove go?” A sigh. It wasn’t as if there were a lot of places for her to go to on this floating island.

     “Second Himi rule; don’t ask where she’s going.” A Redbill nodded. Jacke rolled his eyes. Whatever. He’d deal with her later.

     “Right well – gotta deal with a thing only I can.” Jacke shrugged. “I’ll be back, though.”

     “Aiight. Just return to the standard when you need a lift back.”

     Piss, gunpowder, cheap alcohol, leather, and sea salt. A pungent scent cocktail uniquely attributed to pubs lurking throughout La Noscea. In the past, there was always at least one Dutiful Sister lurking in the shadows, watching for code breakers, hunting for marks. Now, a handful of them had slipped through the cracks; the Sisters had yet to fully bounce back after almost a dozen of them were slaughtered by Imperial spies.
     A tanned elezen with lilac eyes and silver hair, who smelled too much like pine and snow entered Siren’s Wake; but he wasn’t out of place. He’d been there plenty times before, enough so he was considered a regular. One with enough sway that with one nod towards the Highlander barkeep, was enough to clear pub. Patrons either paid their tabs and left, or scurried upstairs to their rooms.

Except for one Midlander woman who remained sitting at the bar. She wasn’t forced to leave.

     He sat next to her. Back to the bar, elbows resting on the stained wood. Bartender placing a drink next to him before shuffling into the kitchen. But he didn’t touch it. Instead he eyed the woman, interested. Noting her tall boots, short skirt, musty leather jacket and a long, white braid draped over her shoulder. Her face hidden by goggles and a mask.

     “I’m assuming your boldness is indication I can mutter the timeless phrase; ‘We meet at last’.”

     “Glad you’re not a fucking moron.” She snorted. Voice slightly distorted from her mask.

     “Glad I’m not a disappointment.” He slipped his hand down to rest it on her knee.

     “Business first.” She clicked her tongue. “Work, then play.”

     “A shrewd business woman after my own heart.” He reached into his coat pocket with his free hand, pulling out an old, weathered map. “I don’t usually wait. Consider yourself lucky I have found in you, the perfect woman to take as mine. Otherwise you wouldn’t be seeing this until I said so.” He had it out long enough for her to confirm it was real. After that, it was back in his pocket, his hand slid a couple inches up her thigh.
“I’ve been told I’m stubborn.”

     “You wouldn’t have the reputation that you do, Snowbird. Were you a lesser creature, like some of the filth that scurries into this pub. So what do you want this map for? The treasure it apparently leads to has been long proven false.”

     “I just like collecting such things.”

     “Mhn. I see.” He slid his hand further. “I can respect that. And lest you worry, my family won’t notice any time soon the one they have in their records is a forgery.” His grin widened as he slipped his hand under her skirt. “So short; and no smalls? Bold, or stupid. Reckless, even.”

     “Why bother? We both knew how this meeting was ending; and I knew we’d be alone when you decided to go with your favorite past time of ‘how high can I slide my hand up before I get slapped.’”

     “Ha! Oohhh, Snowbird I’d bend you over this bar if I didn’t give a whit about how filthy it was. I’ve a permanent room upstairs; how about we give the patrons their watering hole back, hm?” He let out a sharp whistle to signal to the barkeep the pair were headed up. He downed his untouched drink, linking arms with her as they headed upstairs. Halfway up, he thought a shadow in the corner of his eye moved. But ah; there was nothing there. A trick of the light, he was a jumpy man after all.
     Down the corridor and one right turn later, and they were at his room. Tucked away in an otherwise vacant hallway. Just how he liked it. The rooms around him were rented out last to ensure his privacy. He’d already had the walls and floors soundproofed with material and magic to further guarantee no one could listen in on his activities through the walls. One could never be too cautious, and he’d learned his lesson in Ul’dah. You only made deals there if you wanted someone to potentially be listening. A game he sometimes enjoyed, but not today. He hastily undid his belt buckle while she slowly unbuttoned her top.

    “It’s been sometime since I’ve bed a hyur; the rest of my house is quite picky, you see.”

     “So I’ve heard.”
He was already naked; she was not. He thought she was being a tease – she wasn’t. Before he could toss out a cheeky, flirty quip, she snatched her pistol out of thin air and shot him point blank in the chest. He sputtered blood, confused, hitting the floor face-first. Already dead. She wasted no time in rifling through his jacket until she found the map.

     “Finally got you.” She mumbled aloud.

     “Aye, an’ I’ve got ye.” Jacke twisted her arms behind her back, forcing her pistol to fall harmlessly to the ground. He pressed his lips against her ear. “The only reason I ain’t stringin’ ye up yet, is because I know who ye be, love. Himi – ye better have a good reason fer breakin’ the code in me territory, an I’ll have no taradiddles.” Shooting the bastard was relatively fine, though Jacke would have preferred him alive. It was the filching off a corpse he wasn’t a fan of – not to mention everything else she’d been doing in her current disguise. Like that scroll he still wanted.
     “Somehow, I knew you weren’t gonna listen to that second rule.”

     “Himi. This ain’t a time to be wisecrackin’.”

     “I’m not stupid; I wouldn’t break the code; he’s one of your wanted dead marks. You haven’t been able to catch him because he went home; To Ishgard. Which up until recently was technically beyond your reach.”

     “...Love ye’ve only been gone for a couple o’weeks how’d ye work that out?”

     “Echo tipped me off in a bar the other night, and like the vast majority of men from Nobility, massive weakness to having their ego’s fluffed.”

     "So. Ye show up on Leofard’s door...”

     “And we went out to drinks at the Gold Saucer; this guy was complainin’ at the table next to us about his family to his goons. Echo went off, and that’s that….. Please let me go.” She asked softly; but he could tell by the waver in her voice she was starting to get scared. Jacke let out a long sigh before releasing her.

     “Normally I’d be draggin’ yer ass to Limsa. I still should, ain’t matter I know ye. But I won’t; cause yer head clearly ain’t screwed on right. Leofard know ye were willin’ to shag a stranger for what? A map?”

     “...No, he thinks all I did was pay for it with gil – which I did. I just got a massive… ‘I’m about to become this noble’s secret lover’ discount. And I’d like him to not know that second part, thanks.” Seeing no need for the mask and goggles, she removed and pocketed both.

     “Love!” Jacke frowned, gently cupping her face. “Ye ain’t gotta do that… I’d rather ye pinch the bloody thing!”

     “Well, when someone – never mind. I don’t want to grumble about this now.”
She crossed the room to the dresser, gruffly opening drawers to pull out clothes.

     “Ain’t this his room?”

     “It was. Until I convinced the barkeep to make it mine.”
GODS only knew what she meant by that. This was exactly what he and Thancred had worried about when they’d refused to give her a pair of daggers. To him, ‘twas plain whatever the Empire taught her had begun to resurface. What the hell would they do if enough of her memories came back and she decided to return to Garlemald?

     “Dove how much gil ye got?”

     “Currently? It’s all gone now. It’s amazing how much you can save when you don’t have a home or apartment.”
Jacke opened and shut his mouth a few times, unsure of how to respond to that. He dragged a hand down his face – jumping with a start when she started to undress.

     “Love what’re ye doin’?” His face turned pink, finding it impossible to look away.

     “What? You’ve already seen me naked before and I trust you – though I honestly wouldn’t complain if you jumped me right now. Bed’s over there.”

     “Aye, it be over there while there be a dustman on yer floor.” Jacke pinched the bridge of his nose. “I ain’t in the habit’ o tippin’ the velvet in the vicinity o’ a fresh corpse.” He eyed her, a little exhausted already. “An’ I be noticin’ yer takin’ yer sweet time in gettin’ rigged. Yer still...completely...” He gestured to all of her. The only thing she was wearing were a couple of bracelets.

     “Typically after banging someone; I tend to loose all modesty with them in private. And well, it was only once several months ago; but it counts.”

     “Loooove; I’m tryin’ to be a respectful dimber-damber here...”

     “You can’t be trying all that hard, you haven’t looked away once.”

     “….Get dressed ‘fore I lose me mind an’ decide I ain’t give a whit there’s a dead man in here.”

     “Fine fine.”
Jacke chewed on his lower lip as he watched her slowly put on the outfit she wore around the Redbills- smalls included, this time. As well as a pair of goggles and a face mask. He had a passing thought she was dressed more like a musketeer or privateer than a Warrior of Light. And that was more than likely intentional.

     “So. I know it’s a lot easier for you to leave the Parrock – since you can just teleport out, but it’d be a bitch for you to get back. I’m willing to wait for you to turn in his head so I can take us both back. If you promise to not say anything to Leofard.”

     “Aye; ye know I be good for secrets. Just know love, if I think yer gettin’ too reckless, I will be tellin’ him. The cove cares about ye, eh? Under all that flirtin’ I can tell he’s gotta good heart. Don’t let him find out the hard way...”

     “…I don’t know how well I can promise that but I’ll...” She grumbled. “Be sure to not get in over my head.”

     “That’s a good girl. Now, ye go an’ wait for me out in the nearby trade post, aye? If the sisters see ye here they’ll get nosey tryin’ to figure out who ye are. And ye still don’t want anyone knowin’ where ye be, aye? Thought so. Now git.”

     Jacke found it extremely difficult to not imagine having Himi under him, moaning in pleasure as they returned to the Parrock. She kept her mask on even though the Redbills all knew it was her. Jacke noted her breaths were a little heavier – was the mask helping her breathe? But before he could ask, they were already in Leofard’s chambers. Cait Sith was surrounded by books in the corner.

     “Oi! There’s me birds!” Leofard swung his legs off the table. “Was wonderin’ were you got to, Swallow… you break Birdies’ second rule and follow her?”

     “Nay, had to deal with a mark. Then I returned to Ishgard, pretendin’ I was continuin’ a lead...askin’ em questions… makin’ em think I ain’t find her yet.”

     “Ah, smart, smart. Birdie… you ain’t taken your mask of yet. Are you wheezin?”

     “I...” Wheeze. She couldn’t lie, but gods, she didn’t want Jacke to know… But her knees wobbled, buckled. But she caught herself on the table.

     “Himi!” Leofard was right at her side. “Birdie, you promised only solo portin’ and no long distance teleportin’!”

     “I swear I only solo’d and didn’t go far! I just didn’t expect… well… some folks were getting swarmed by Mandragora and I’m not that fast of a shot yet so I.. panic flared.”

     “Himi!” Leofard guided her to a chair. “You gotta be careful! If you get too sick, I’ll stop carin’ you don’t want to be found and I’m takin’ your butt back to Ishgard to get you a chirurgeon, you understand me?”

     “...Yes...”

     “Yes what.”

     “...Yes Captain.”
Hmn. So there was somewhat of a leash… Jacke squirreled that away for later.
     Leofard gruffly told Jacke to fetch the crew’s medic. It wasn’t an order, Jacke could tell he could say no… but what for? Besides, with the way Cait Sith was already scuttling awkwardly out the door he got the feeling Leofard was itching to give her a lecture. He probably didn’t believe her story. Good; maybe. Though he’d have to be more careful now next time he followed her out; he hadn’t realized she suddenly couldn’t teleport as she pleased as usual. Once they were alone, Leofard tapped his forehead against her mask.

     “Birdie; Jacke found you, didn’t he? An ya ported him back too?”

     “...Maybe. I hadn’t told Jacke, I promise!”

     “Aye, I know he wouldn’t have made you do it if he knew. Ain’t somethin’ worth lyin over, eh?” He shook his head. “I got some crystals stashed under me bed; if Stitches can’t perk you up, I’ll think of a reason to kick everyone out again, alright?”
She nodded, slumping her shoulders. How embarrassing...

Chapter Text

     Himi tried ignoring Jacke as he hovered in the doorway. Keeping her focus on the painting of the beautiful elezen woman hanging in Leofard’s room. Occasionally flicking her eyes up to the large fan in the ceiling keeping the space comfortable. He wouldn’t stop looking at her though. Sucking on his lower lip as he internally worried for her well being. He’d seen her injured before; but never like this. So ashen and weak. Like she’d crumble to dust any second.

     “A good meal and full night’s rest and she’ll be good in the morning.” The crews medic, reassured Leofard and Jacke. “I don’t have the aether pool to pump a lot into her.” A small apology, though it was hardly needed. “Don’t know what ya did, girl, but you know you gotta watch your aether!”

     “We can at least get on that meal, eh?” Leofard grinned, pretending to not be worried. “Oi, Jacke, Puss, come with me to Idyllshire; might take a couple of bells to get there and back. But they’ve got some good, aether rich foodstuffs there.”

     “If you do not oppose, captain, I would prefer to remain here. I can more keenly sense any fluctuations in her aether and will be able to ensure her health while you are out.”

     “Fine by me, Puss. Looks like it be just you an’ me, me fellow captain!” Leofard clapped a hand on Jacke’s shoulder.

     “Best o’luck.” Stacia gently teased.

     Jacke still wasn’t entirely comfortable piloting manacutters, especially not for such a long distance. Besides, sitting in Leofard’s lap wasn’t all that of a terrible thing. Though he did notice that Leofard was a lot quieter than usual. Jacke attempted several times to make conversation but the skypirate remained distant. Jacke hadn’t known the man long, but he could tell something was eating him. Opting to give him the silence he craved, Jacke ceased trying to force a conversation and simply let his mind wander. Most of his thoughts involved Himi undressing in front of him. Occasionally they were interrupted by imagining Leofard removing his clothes. Oh, he was going to suffer tonight.
     Once they landed in Idyllshire, Leofard’s mood perked right up. ‘Twas nearly impossible to keep a sullen face with goblins around. He noticed right away how on edge Jacke was and quickly explained how Idyllshire functioned. Although the Illuminati lingered around the outskirts, the Goblins here had little interest in causing harmful mischief. Leofard also noticed a couple of “adventurers” take one look at Jacke and scurry away in fear before the rogue could see him.

     “Annnd first thing we’re gonna do is get you outta your green duds. Lest you freak out the populace.”

     “...Did ye see some code-breakin’ cur?”

     “Ah, tut-tut. Shoosh!” Leofard leaned down to put a finger to Jacke’s lips. “We’re here for Himi and if you want to keep your promise about keepin’ her location secret, you can’t be seen walkin’ round with me, eh? Least not dressed like that.” He grabbed Jacke’s wrist and dragged him into one of the re-purposed buildings. It hit Jacke, as the pair hustled through the sea-green lamplight, that Thancred spent time here, back when this was still a proper colony of Old Sharlayan. He wondered where he could be hiding; maybe even here? But surely by now he would have heard the Scion’s names had been – no, wait. It had all be kept secret in the first place. Thancred wouldn’t be able to know.

A grunt escaped him as Leofard shoved a new set of clothes into his arms. He’d been so lost in thought he completely missed who Leofard had acquired them from.

     “In here – ain’t no one usin’ this room.” Leofard dragged Jacke into a musty room; something intended for storage at one point. Moldy books were strewn about. With the way Sharlayans were about knowledge it boggled him they would permit this. Maybe they were all duplicate copies.

     “What do I owe ye?”

     “Pah! Ain’t gotta pay for a thing, it’s all covered don’t you worry.” Leofard winked. “Now take your clothes off, will ya?”
Jacke sputtered, face turning red. Leofard flicked his forehead, and turned around.

     “Th-thanks.”

     “Didn’t take you for the shy type. Ain’t you used to undressin’ ‘round people? Figured you gotta do a lot of costume changes when on the job.”

     “No, it ain’t somethin’ I do on the regular.” Jacke grumbled, face still flushed. He undressed and redressed as quick as he could. Though he struggled with tying some of the clothing. Leofard turned back around when he heard Jacke struggling.

     “Serves you right for wearin’ sandals and buttons.” A slight tease as Leofard bent down to tie Jacke’s knee-high boots first.

     “Sandals be better for sand an’ hot weather!” Jacke huffed.

     “Aye, and we ain’t got neither in the sky!” Leofard let out a laugh, standing and spinning Jacke around. “This bit ties back here, see? Helps keep the wind out of your clothes when you’re flyin’. Surprised you haven’t been whinin’ much yet.”

     “Well...ye won’t hear me spare whids bout how cold Limsa gets ever again...” Jacke mumbled. He stepped towards the door, but Leofard stopped him.

     “Hang on mate; gotta swap this out too.” Leofard snatched the green bandanna off of Jacke’s head.

     “W-wait!”

    “...Seven hells that be the fluffiest hair I ever did see!” Leofard blinked.

     “Aughh...damnit.” Jacke facepalmed.

     “And here I expected you to have a haircut like mine, I didn’t expect this!” He pocketed the green bandanna and ran both of his hands through Jacke’s hair. “I ain’t ever seen you take that thing off and yet your hair bounced up like it’s been as free as a bird! You look so heroic. Who knew there was a hero hidin’ under that furrowed brow?” Leofard’s cheeks grew warm; Jacke looked good before but oh, now he was adorable.

     “...Do I really gotta walk around without...” Jacke mumbled, slightly leaning into Leofard’s hands and he continued to play with Jacke’s hair.

     “Naw, I got other shite for ya.” Leofard pulled his hands away, plopping a pageboy hat and goggles on his head, then tied a red and black handkerchief around Jacke’s neck. “There! Now you’re dressed like a Redbill, but look fancier than most me crew so at least you can still look a lil’special since yer a captain yourself. And this way we ain’t gotta try make up a group o’pirates ain’t nobody heard of before an’ try an’ keep our story straight.”

     “Fine, but I ain’t sloggin’ a pistol around.”

     “Fine by me.” Leofard grinned. “Now, let’s get that stuff for Himi, eh? Here, shove yer clothes in the bottom of me bag...”

     Jacke hadn’t expected much from the stalls. He’d assumed that Leofard had made a bold boast, how wrong he was. “It ain’t no Hawker’s alley. But it be better than what I’d expected.”

     “Well, can’t have an adventurer hub without good grub, eh?”

     “Hello Leofard~! New crewmate?”

     “Somethin’ like that. A visitin’ friend, is all. Now, how much for the-”

     “Take what you want! On the house; don’t argue it. I still owe ya for your help the other day.”

     “Truly, you be too kind, but I’ll accept your offer anyways!”
Jacke tuned out the rest of the conversation as he studied the ample crowd of Goblins and adventurous Eorzeans. He recognized a few mercenaries, and couple of marks – though he was smart enough to not go after them right now. They were low priority, besides. Not enough evidence to freely string ‘em up. He spotted Ysayle, flipping through a journal a young Miqo’te child had just given her. He was certain she didn’t know his face, but he turned away all the same.

     “Take care, Cap’n! Hope to see you again real soon!”

     “When I know a pretty face like yours be waitin’, how can I stay away?” Leofard winked as he handed a full bag of supplies to Jacke. “C’mon you – git.”

     “Ye sure this ain’t all too heavy for yer manacutter?” Jacke asked once they got to the small ship.

     “Naw. Even with all this we ain’t half the weight of a male roe and they can carry ‘em just fine.” Leofard reassured Jacke.

     Leofard was a little chattier on the way back to the Parrock. A few comments about how, yes, Jacke didn’t feel as cold as they flew, followed by talk of Himi and her current condition. Leofard wasn’t sure why what was happening was happening, but he knew fighting Thordan and the Heaven’s Ward had something to do with it.

     “Maybe we should just pop on over to this Azys Lla.” Jacke joked, absentmindedly leaning back into Leofard. Who sucked on his lower lip as a flirt came to mind. Before it could pass his lips, Jacke’s joke sunk in.

     “Wait that ain’t a bad idea...” He glanced out at the sunset kissed purple-pink clouds. “Anyone can get in there now, right? Anyone with an airship that is. We can grab Puss an’ go on a little investigative adventure, the three of us.

     “Ye think it be safe?”

     “Ain’t no safer than the Void Ark. You handled yourself well in there, Captain~!” Leofard leaned in to playfully nip at Jacke’s ear. Apologizing immediately upon remembering Himi’s warning. Jacke’s face was redder than a Limsan banner, but he didn’t vocalize any complaints.

     “Oh? Dove tell ye to lay off o’sommat?”

     “Aye, somethin’ like that. Passin’ on a warnin’ Thancred gave her.”
Jacke barked a laugh, feeling cared for and embarrassed at the same time.

     “Bet he didn’t even explain the why to the dove.- adorable, those two be.”

     “Now I’m tempted to ask whhhhy?”

     “Ehhmnn...” Jacke internally cursed his fumble. “Whids for later.”

     “Alright, I won’t pry.”

    “….An ye don’t need to...shy away entirely from the...”

     “Say no more~! If Birdie sasses, I’ll tell her I got your blessing.”
Jacke chuckled, elated the return flight was much livelier than their first journey.

     It was barely past the 7^th bell when Himi crawled into bed. Not suspecting at all her two favorite captains were about to scurry off with Cait Sith to Azys Lla. Stacia had her doubts. Suggesting that Leofard take a few more Redbills with him to the Allagan facility. Perhaps another day, he promised. But for now they were specifically trying to figure something out about Himi. He had no desire to blast whatever information they discovered out to the whole crew.
     Jacke divulged what little information he knew to Cait Sith, with Leofard filling in the blanks during their flight. The feline familiar listened intently. Humming every so often to indicate he was listening. As his paws touched the metallic roads of an Empire that was ancient history in the days of his master, he couldn’t help but wonder what other secrets this place held. A shiver ran up his spine, forcing his fur to stand on end.

     “Yes; I sense a disturbance; up on high. We need not walk – nor do I think we could get there on foot regardless without great effort.” Cait Sith pointed a paw in the direction they should fly before scrambling back into the manacutter.

     “Seven hells.” Leofard muttered as they stepped on to the platform where Himi fought way too many primals all at once. What was left of it, at least. Much of it was covered in a fine, white sand.

     “Hmn. As I thought.” Cait Sith prowled across the sand, studying his surroundings. “She is a Black Mage, yes? Then I believe she did not merely dip too deep into her own aether. She dipped so low and ‘borrowed’ so much aether she rendered the land unto dust. However, it’s still a small enough area that it will return. Eventually. Give or take a few hundred years without intervention.”

     “Birdie ain’t ever do that before has she?” Leofard looked to Jacke, who could only shrug.

     “This certainly warrants further investigation.” Cait Sith huffed. “Need I remind both of you gentlemen that this sort of reckless behavior is what lead to your aptly named 6^th Umbral Calamity.” He crossed his arms, giving both men a shrewd look. “Pray, if you think it not possible for one individual to set off such events. ‘Twas one individual who started the War of the Magi.”

     “Oh, that’s how it happened, eh?” Leofard muttered.

     “Quite. Now, the event occurred prior to my creation. But my master was more than eager to enlighten me. So. Now that we have a semblance of an idea of what took place here, what did you hope to accomplish? Surely this warrants more than a stern talking to.”

     “Aye. But I don’t think Birdie be willin’ to listen currently. Let her get her aether back some, and then we’ll bring it up.” He looked to Jacke, hoping the man would agree. Leofard relaxed when Jacke nodded.

     “Very well.” Cait Sith pursed his lips, disappointed but he had no desire to argue. There was still much preparation to be done as to not be caught off guard when the time came to tackle Diabolos. This mini-adventure had been distraction enough.

     Leofard went right to bed upon their return to the Parrock. Cait Sith opted to take a tome outside to read, and Jacke… hummed. He wasn’t tired all that much, so used he was to working all through the darkmans. Most of the crew were in bed, or didn’t know him well enough yet he felt like pestering them for company.
     He slipped into Himi’s room, intending to just check in on her while she slept. But, well. When he noticed how she tossed and turned, muttering and whimpering he hadn’t the heart to leave. He stripped down to his smalls and crawled into bed next to her. Jacke draped an arm around her, holding her close, brushing a hand through her hair. Eventually, she did calm, wrapping her arms around his.

But by morning when she finally awoke, he’d already gone.

Chapter Text

     “Eugh, are you fucking kidding me? It needs a special cipher?” Himi slumped in her chair. Arms crossed, nose wrinkled in a sour pout. Stacia tried to give her a reassuring arm pat, but it did little to quell her annoyance. Jacke resisted the urge to make a quip about so quickly killing the man she’d gotten it from- but the man was marked. If Himi hadn’t had killed him, Jacke or another Sister would have.

     “Aye, that it does, Birdie, that it does.” Leofard shrugged. “No matter, we just keep pokin’ around. Or we figure out the cipher ourselves.”

     “Where did you acquire this item? Perhaps they have the cipher, or at least, know where to obtain it.” Cait Sith suggested. With a small huff, Himi sunk in her chair lower.

     “...Yeah that’s out of the fucking question.” She grumbled.

     “I see.” Cait Sith pursed his lips together. He turned his attention back to the map. “Although this is past my time, and thus, not something Mhach in origin, I can still try my paw at figuring out what’s needed to solve this puzzle.” Puzzle indeed. He wouldn’t be surprised if it was a simple solution; after all it took these silly hyurs nearly half a bell to realize all they needed to do was hold the map up to a light to see the hidden instructions.

     “Me old man knows a thing or two bout codes.” Jacke mumbled. “If’n ye don’t mind waitin’, I can scribble down what’s written an’ ask him.”

     “Why don’t we just go with you? I’d like to meet your Dad. Himi can wait outside and guard the Manacutters. She’s had a couple of days to recover now, she’ll be fine!”

     “The hell ye wanna meet me dad for?”

     “I just wanna know who I gotta impress later, in the long run.” Leofard wiggled his eyebrows. Himi snorted and bapped Leofard’s arm. “Ow. Besides, it ain’t like he gonna recognize me. Unless he’s from Coerthas, but even then...”

     “Fine, fine. Suppose it’ll save me a trip back.”

     “While you chase this thread, I shall remain here. Both for this map and preparing for our inevitable return to- well, not specifically the Ghost Ship, but to that particular situation.”

     “’Fair ‘nuff, Puss.”

     “Should we even be doin’ this in the middle o’that, anyways?” Jacke grimaced.

     “It’s fine. It’s better than wastin’ away here. I can only polish me pistol so many times...Ow.” He flinched again when Himi gave his arm a second whack.

     Baderon eyed the two rain-soaked patrons as they sloshed their way into the Drowning Wench. The perfect tavern to be a patron of, with how waterlogged their cloaks were. Clearly not of Limsan make; although the current storm was rough even by Limsa Lominsa standards, at least the cloaks here were better suited for rain. The pair would be at least a little drier.

     “Ye two ain’t from around ‘ere, I reckon. Otherwise ye’d ‘ave stayed ‘ome. ‘R least worn somethin’ better suited fer this weather.” He cracked a warm smile as they sat at his bar. “Although….” He leaned on the bar, amused, looking to the shorter individual who had yet to pull up his hood to show his full face. “Mind ye, I be thinkin’ one o’ye should know better...’ello son.” Baderon reached over to lift the sopping hood. “Lookin’ like a drowned bilge rat, ye are.”

     “Aye… it be all we had. Regardless, can ye-”

     “’ooold up. Are ye two in a rush? No? Then get yerselves into yer room, outta those wet clothes ‘fore ye make yerselves sick. An’ I’ll bring up some ‘ot soup, aye? We can talk then.” Baderon pointed towards the inn door. Jacke didn’t even argue, he just sighed and motioned for Leofard to follow.

     “Ain’t we gotta sign in or somethin’?” Leofard asked as they walked right past the Innkeeper.

     “Naw, I got one o’em permanent rooms.”

     “Well ain’t you fancy~! What you need your own room for? Ain’t you got a secret lair ‘round here or somethin? Can I see?”

     “Cause sometimes I need it. An’ maybe. An’ if I do, no.” Jacke elbowed Leofard playfully as he opened the door to his room. Leofard idly wondered how the fireplace was already crackling before they’d even entered. He noted the furnishings were similar to the ones in the forgotten knight. Jacke pulled a drying rack towards the heat, slopping his cloak across it first before kicking off his boots. Leofard followed suit, curious as to what they would be wearing while they awaited – ah, of course. Jacke was pulling extra plainclothes out of the dresser.

     “Most o’this be too small for ye, but this be too big on me.” He tossed a hooded grey robe to Leofard.

     “I ain’t gonna be upset if it ain’t reach the floor.” Leofard snickered. Politely turning away from Jacke; who did the same as the two changed. No sooner had they finished draping their wet clothes across the rack, there was a knock on the door. Baderon’s muffled voice announcing himself on the other side. Jacke called out that is was safe to enter, and the comforting scent of fresh, hot chowder filled the room. Baderon placed the tray on the table; there were also a couple of tankards of watered down ale and a basket of fresh rolls and butter.

     “Yer turnin’ into Mother Miounne.” Jacke snorted, but he was grateful as he took his seat at the table. Baderon laughed, kissing the top of his son’s wet hair.

     “Father’s intuition. ‘Ad a feelin’ ye were gonna come ‘round today an’ ‘ad the Bismark send some grub over.”

     “Oh?” Jacke quirked an eyebrow, noting how silent Leofard was as he sat across from Jacke.

     “Aye.” Baderon eyed them curiously. “...Yer friend ‘ere know...”

     “That Jacke’s the Rogue Guildmaster and upholds the code? Aye.” Leofard nodded – gods the chowder was damned good – and flashed Baderon a wide grin.

     “Aiight; well. Then I ‘ad a feelin’ ye would be ‘round today cause I just ‘erd this mornin. Bout someone beatin’ the Sisters to a mark. ‘Ad a feelin’ despite yer current mission ye’d be feelin’ a bit sour. That Yellow Jacket Captain sure be tickled. The Thalassocracy ain’t care which way the job be done. But….” He waved a hand dismissively.

      “Aye. A little sour. Cur was spittin’ distance from me an’ I still got snubbed.” He grumbled.

     “Ah well. Can’t bag ‘em all.” Baderon smiled. “Now, what was it ye wanted me to ‘ave a look at?” He eyed the curious coded note Jacke plopped onto the table. “This got somethin’ to do with ‘Imi?”

     “Hopin’.” Jacke dared lie. “She ain’t hidin’ in any city, an’ the dove can teleport wherever she damn well pleases. So we be thinkin’ she might be hidin’ in some ruins. But half o’em be hidden behind cryptic directions an’ we’ve run out o’places we can think to look. Dove’s well traveled long before she met the Scions. She can get anywhere she wants but...well...” He waved a hand.

     “Mnn.” Baderon nodded quietly, taking a gander at the symbols. “’Ow’d ye know this be a code an’ not an old language?”

      Leofard perked right up. “Cause I know all of the known ancient languages. An’ I know me codes. Well, er. Most of ‘em. I know this be an older one; but I ain’t ever learn to crack it on account of...I ain’t ever find the right cipher.”

     Baderon nodded, impressed. “I ain’t get yer name-?” He realized.

     “Ohah! Leofard Myste, sir.”
Jacke thought it a little funny to hear Leofard speak so formally. He really was trying to impress his father.

     “Myste, eh? One of ‘em Ishgardian orphans, aye? Thought so. ‘Ad a few Mystes join the adventurer’s guild over the years. Well, anyone me sons keeps for company be all right in me book. Ye ever need anythin’, don’t ‘esitate to call on ol’Baderon, eh?”

     “Yessir!”

     “Bah, just call me Baderon like everyone else.” He chuckled. “Well boys, I got bad news ‘an good news. Bad news, I could crack this bugger, but it’d take me a couple o’weeks, at best. Good news, ye find yerselves a dragon old ‘nuff an’ willin’ to yap and they might tell ye how to read it. Or do it for ye. If only ye ‘ad ‘Imi with ye.” He sighed dramatically, shaking his head. “’Eard she ‘elped make nice with ‘em.”

     “Aye, shame we don’t know where she be.” Jacke muttered. Not completely a lie, she could’ve wandered anywhere by now. Leofard could tell Baderon wasn’t buying the fib. He expected the man to get mad, annoyed, or call Jacke’s bluff. But instead he remained calm, quietly nodding, as if he understood.

     “Aye, a shame.”

     “Wait, hang on...” Jacke plucked the note off the table to give the scrawlings a shrewd look. “Wait ye mean, find a dragon?”

     “Well; as Himi and her other heroically inclined friends revealed – but honestly it be known to any one what traveled more than an ilm outside of Ishgard, prior to the Dragonsong War but were always labeled as heretics – there was a period of time where the two mortal enemies were buildin’ stuff together.”

     “That’s all well an’ good, but how did ye know it was-”

     “Story for another day.” Baderon gave a cheeky shrug. “I can still take a crack at it; ye just let me know if ye find a dragon what’s willin’ to talk.” He winked. “’Old tight, looks like yer clothes be almost dry… give me a few an’ I’ll be right back with somthin’...” Baderon took his leave.

     “I like your dad. He’s fun.”

     “Aye. He fusses too much sometimes, but he’s...yeah.” Jacke shifted awkwardly in his chair.

     “Your mum ‘round too somewhere?” Leofard asked curiously.

     “No...she… ain’t.” Jacke shifted awkwardly again. “She’s been gone, er...I was barely four when she...” Jacke waved a hand dismissively. He didn’t seem interested in elaborating.

     Baderon returned shortly after they’d dressed into their now dry clothes. He had three raincloaks and a weather-proof satchel which held a container of hot chowder, rolls, and a few other goodies. “Don’t waste yer whids on actin’ a fool why I be givin’ ye three cloaks an’ more chowder.” Baderon gave Jacke a stern look. “Now get ye gone; rain’s stopped suddenly but ye know that just be the calm ‘fore the real storm starts. I’m guessin’ ye won’t be able to convince ‘er to come into the city til this shite passes? No? Figured.” He sighed. “I ain’t seen ‘er, but I’ve ‘eard a story or two what ‘appened in Ishgard. I know a broken soul when I see ‘em. Ye boys take good care o’er, ye ‘ear me?” Both nodded. “Bene. Now git!”

     “What’s in the bag?” Himi asked as Jacke and Leofard rushed into the cavern where the manacutters were stashed.

     “Hot food from me dad. No, I ain’t say a whid. Pops just knew.”

     “S’nice havin’ supportive parents ‘round.” Leofard hoped he didn’t sound too bitter with that comment. He was happy that Jacke had at least one still alive. He knew Himi’s mother technically was, but the woman was a Legatus in the Empire, and as far as Himi was concerned, was dead to her. The identity of her father was a mystery that would never be solved, most like.

     “Aye, an we’d better be gettin’ out o’here unless we wanna get stormed in.”

     “Manacutters be fine in the wind; but a storm...” Leofard grumbled an agreement. Just as he jumped into his seat, a crack of lightning illuminated the cave, almost immediately followed by a thunderous boom. Himi jumped, swearing up and down to herself she’d seen faces in the pockets of shadow on the cavern wall that had been untouched by the light. Faces of people who had died, drowned, centuries ago. She stepped back, deeper into the cave as the rain came down in sheets. Several more steps back as water rushed into the cave. But Jacke and Leofard didn’t appear to be worried. They just stared at her. Waiting. Waiting for her to do something. To save them.
     But the water rose too fast, and swept her deeper into the cave. Her back hit a stone wall; she had but a moment to catch her breath. A golden fairy flew around her in distress, as everyone around her wretched and cried out in pain. Their features, their shape melting into little green monsters – Tonberries. Himi tried to croak out an apology, she swore she didn’t know that Lahabrea had – too late, the water was sweeping her away again. She slammed into a rock; White Mages were scrambling, crying out all around her. Begging the Elementals for forgiveness, but their pleas were ignored. Maybe, maybe if she mustered up enough aether she could teleport everyone to safety. She had to at least try, do something, anything. But as she stepped away from the rock everything gave way under her feet. Her head spun, her heart ached.

     “Tremant! I need to speak with you right away I-” Cessair rushed through her home, swinging the door wide to Tremant’s private study. She thought she’d heard him return home. “Tremant I – what are you wearing?”

     “Ah...” Tremant rubbed his temples, nursing a headache that had suddenly set upon his head like a thunderous storm. It had prevented him from changing fast enough; on him still were the white robes of Amdapor, stained with fresh blood, his blood. “Oh this looks bad I...”

     “I should say so.” She shut the door behind her. “I may not be a fan of this war, but my heart breaks at the thought of you being a traitor – to any side.”

     “Believe me, my dear, I’m not a traitor I’m never a traitor I-… I’ve just been trying to get this war to stop. Trying to work my way up the ranks, trying to get people to listen but they just… won’t! I could probably force them, but I don’t want to do that. I don’t want to mind control people into listening to me.”

She stared at him in disbelief, though in reality, she knew it was foolish enough to be the truth.

     “So you use your unmatched ability to teleport everywhere and no one’s the wiser?”

     “Pretty much.”

     “Just when I think I’ve you figured out...”

     “What was it you wanted to tell me?” He tapped his shoulder and his robes changed to that of a voidmage.

     “Ah! Right – Tremant, the storms. The constant rains; I’ve studied the aether of the land and… and I fear everything is shifting to favor water, element wise. If this rain does not stop, if this war does not stop, our whole world with flood.”

     “...I...”

     “...You have not the look of a man who is surprised.”

     “I assure you I am very surprised!”

     “Tremant, do not lie to me. Please.”

     “...I… yes. I’ve known for a while that a flood was inevitable.”

     “And you said naught!? How long have you known? Long enough to have, perhaps, given us plenty of warning in time to stop it? Though I think there may still be a chance – regardless you said naught!? Not even to me!?”

     “I couldn’t. If I had, I would’ve been caught.”

     “By who.”

     “Cess...”

     “By. Who.”

     “Ascians.”

     “You’ve spoken with an Ascian? Those fabled cloaked men of eld what lurk in the shadows and the nightmares of all who walk the path of good? Are they reason for the War? Is this their fault?”

     “In a way. I guess you could say. This war is the fault of a very stupid Ascian who said and did the wrong thing at the wrong time. Or right time, depending on who you ask.”

     “And you know this, because...”

     Tremant’s heart sank into his stomach. He could feel the void mocking him as his shoulders slumped. A red glyph flashed over his face. “Because I’m that moron.”
Cessair let out a small squeak as she stepped back.

     “This whole time!” Her mind raced – excited, scared, angry. “A man of secrets, indeed.”

     “I didn’t want to scare you!” He frowned.

     “Well. I suppose.” She swallowed hard. “If you thought ill of me and wanted me harmed, you would not have asked to marry me, years ago. Nor would I have bore you two children if I thought you evil.”

     “Some girls like a bad boy. I wouldn’t have judged.” He smiled, then, frowned. “I… did often think how to tell you. Just one of those things that never seem like you can say it, the timing is wrong, but well...”

     “Make no mistake my love, I’m furious, but I am also curious.” She peered. “Whatever mistake you made aside, you knew about the flood – and have been working to stop this war, which in turn would stop the flood. But Ascians live for chaos, destruction, do they not? Why stop this?”

     “Because I’m not like them.” Tremant shook his head. “Because as much as I love to cause mischief and have fun, as you know~, I… find life worth protecting. I find mortals, worth protecting, flaws and all.” He stepped forward, cupping her face in his hands. “You, all of you… are worth saving, protecting. You’re not pawns or sacrifices. Not not, not ever.”

     “Us mortals...” A smile escaped her. “How long, you must have lived already, being an Ascian. Despite your desire to save us, we must look so small to you.”

     “I have stood amongst the immortal giants, and yet you tower over them all.” He leaned in, kissing her deeply. She draped her arms around his neck, losing herself in his embrace. She did, eventually pull away in haste.

     “Ah! But still, I must warn – hush, I came to this conclusion on my own and without your help. Your Ascian brethren will not be able to point fingers. I will go to the Coven, I shall bring Cait Sith along with me, I will speak to them. At least plant the seed. How soon will the flood occur?”

     “At the current rate; it will still take a few years but I cannot promise you a certain amount.”

     “That is fine.” She kissed his cheek. “Wish me luck, my love. And I’m still mad for the secrets! You best be ready to spill all when I return home.”

     “For you, I will tell you everything I can. I love you.”

     “And I, you...”

Mhach, Mhach, beware the dark, keep away or lose your heart.

           Mhach, Mhach, beware the dark, keep away or lose your heart.

                            Mhach, Mhach, beware the dark, keep away or lose your heart.

                                                              Mhach, Mhach, beware the dark, keep away or lose your heart.

                                                                                                            MHACH, MHACH, BEWARE THE DARK, KEEP AWAY OR LOSE YOUR HEART

     “IT’S NOT MY FAULT.” Himi screamed, clapping her hands over her ears.

     “Not a soul blames you for aught.” The calm, low voice of Merlwyb spoke to her. Himi snapped to attention, absolutely befuddled and thought perhaps, she was hallucinating. Behind the Admiral – dressed for a storm – Leofard and airship workers were moving the now covered manacutters to safety, while Jacke watched Himi, face wrought with worry.

     “Aaauhwuhdiimural..”

     “Worry not, Captain Jacke and Leofard has me sworn to secrecy. That said, you have no idea how relieved my heart is to see you alive. Many of us had started to worry you may have killed yourself.”

     “It’s tempting, some days.” Himi muttered.

     “I figured as much; but I’ll have none of it. If I find out you have, I will drag you back from the Aetherial Sea myself, you hear me?” She pulled Himi into a tight embrace.

     “I...oh..okay.” Himi mumbled quietly. “I’m still confused as to why you’re here.”

     “You three buffoons have had terrible luck with your timing.” She explained. “A hurricane fast approaches and even if you’d left the moment there’d been a break in the rain, you lot would have been caught up in winds. Matters little to me the Ironworks built those clever things, not a one of you has ever flown through a storm such as that. Even if your flying machines survived a crash, I doubt the three of you would. Baderon put out the call the moment the wind shifted; and there are only so many places where you could have hidden.” Merlwyb quickly escorted Himi and Jacke out of the cave. “Quickly now, we’ve precious little time.

Chapter Text

     Leofard hustled into the lift, joining the Admiral, Himi, Jacke, and a pair of Maelstrom guards. He announced that everything flying; including Limsa’s precious airship, were all safely stored for the oncoming storm. Merlwyb nodded her approval, noting Himi and Jacke’s friend had an authoritative air about him. She was eager to learn more about this new face.

     “City looked secured too; but ain’t the lower levels at risk o’floodin? What about everyone down there…?” Leofard thought of the Brume, which always took the brunt of Dravanian attacks.

     “They’ve all a means to get to high ground, if it comes to that.” Merlwyb answered with a curt not. “Ishgard had her wards against, dragons, yes? We’ve ours against storms. We survived a Calamity and Leviathan; a hurricane is nothing.” Merlwyb grinned as the lift came to a jolty stop.

     And how right she was; all around Limsa wards flashed over every inch of rock; doubled on weaker points such as doors and windows. Larger ships had long left port, smaller vessels stashed as safely as possible, and Limsa’s Lighthouses prepared to do what they needed to to keep the lights going for any poor ship what found itself stuck in the middle of the storm. Merlwyb’s second in command, Grand Storm Marshal Eynzahr Slafyrsyn, saluted as the lift doors opened, appraising her that the city was good and ready to weather the beast of a storm.

     “Any other orders, ma’am?” He asked, flicking his eyes curiously to Leofard, then to Himi.

     “Aye. If anyone asks if you’ve seen Himi, no you have not.”

     “Understood, ma’am.” He nodded, flashing a warm smile to Himi. “Good to see you alive, Storm Captain.”
Jacke and Leofard both choked on air as she saluted, much to the amusement of the Admiral.

     “What? You think a woman of her caliber remains a private this long? Nay. I’d make her commander if it didn’t mean keeping her here forever. Which I do not think she would enjoy.”

    “The absolute irony of you bein’ part of the Maelstrom when you’re afraid of the ocean, Birdie.”

     She shrugged. “I love Nanamo, Raubahn and Kan-E-Senna to bits, but Ul’dah and Gridania set of my nerves more so than Limsa.” And the Admiral was hot, to boot. But she’d be damned if she admitted that out loud. Though sometimes she wondered if the Admiral knew, especially with the way she was currently trying to hide a smirk.

     “Didn’t expect ye to be the same rank as me.” Jacke snorted, amused.

     “Wha-hauhaat?” Leofard whipped his head around to stare. “You mean you’re like a.. Captain Captain?”

      “...Cove I ain’t gettin’ away with half the shite I do if I ain’t.”

     “I thought you were like...captain, as in, a ship captain. The regular kind.”

     “Worry not, Master Leofard; Captain Jacke has a cool head on him. He’s not one to wave his military rank around. In fact, he's technically under orders to not mention it. I think even most of his people think he’s simply a regular captain as well.” Merlwyb motioned for everyone to follow Slafyrsyn in to a rarely used drawing room; so often the Admiral was cooped up in her office, doing paperwork. But there was little need to do it now with the city shut down till Navigator only knows when. Himi’s stomach rumbled, and Merlwyb offered to have Himi’s food re-warmed and served, as Jacke and Leofard had already had their fill.

     “Er, if it’s not too much trouble...”

     “Course not. ‘Tis not as if we’ve a primal to hide from and all activity has ceased.” She chuckled. “Now,” her attention shifted to Leofard, “I must admit, this cove has me curious. You balked at the ranks of your friends, and yet, you’ve an air of authority yourself. Leofard, was it?”

     “Aye, ma’am.” He wondered if he should salute.

     “Your pistol strapped to your side has not gone unnoticed; so clearly a man of action. Be you a captain yourself? The regular kind, as you put it.”

     “Aye, that I be.” He nodded. Should he say Sky Pirate? Or would that get him in trouble?

     “What sort o’Captain?” Her grin widened, daring him to say it.

     “Er, a Sky Pirate, ma’am.” He couldn’t just. Well. He felt like lying was a fool’s errand.

     “Ha! I know a fellow pirate when I see one.” She slapped her knee. “Be it sky or sea, a pirate knows a pirate. Now, you must be one that behaves, if Captain Jacke hasn’t strung you up.”

     “Aye; me an’ me crew what ensures a certain code is kept amongst the clouds. Break it, an’ you pay, one way or another.” He relaxed, feeling right at home in Limsa, despite it not being in the clouds.

     Merlwyb nodded in approval, leaning back in her chair. “Good! Glad to hear there’s someone keeping the skies clear of trouble. Have you support from Ishgard officially? In the way Limsa supports her rogues; even if discreetly.

     “Ah, no Admiral. I ain’t been told to stop, but I ain’t ever have a chit chat with the Lord Speaker to see how er...far me jurisdiction can go. If ye know what I mean.”

     “Aye, I do. Well. I can tell you’ve a good head on your shoulders. If you need someone other than Himi to vouch for your character, do not hesitate to call.”

     “I appreciate that greatly!” Yeah; he was going to like Limsa. It was now home away from home.

     As the hour grew late and the storm clearly had no end in sight, the three stranded guests were shown to their quarters. Merlwyb had one level all to herself; not unlike an apartment. And below her floor there were seven rooms set aside for guests. Roughly the same size as those in the Mizzenmast, but considerably fancier. Almost too fancy, Leofard thought. But Himi had been staying at the Fortemps manor for so long she didn’t seem to phased; and Jacke, well. He was hard to read sometimes. Well, now he was easy to read as a Maelstrom soldier called him upstairs. Despite Merlwyb relaxing on her paperwork, something had, apparently come up that required Jacke’s immediate attention. His face fell, worried, also a little rueful as he was hoping to get in more comfortable clothes. But he followed the messenger dutifully.
     Leofard sucked on the inside of his cheek. He and Himi had the floor to themselves, now. They were both capable adventurers who could hold their own, so there was no need for any guards to be stationed on the floor. Himi meandered into the room she wanted to use; crying out when a particularly loud burst of wind rattled the shutters. But the wards held fast.

       “Fucking, fucking bloody fucking stupid ocean weather, fuck you Navigator this feels intentional.” She loudly cursed. Leofard held back a chuckle, offering to help distract her from the storm as he stepped into Himi’s room. He intended to shut the door behind him, but it bounced slightly, remaining ajar.

     For a mercy, Jacke’s sudden meeting with the Admiral barely lasted an hour. All the same, it left his stomach churning worse than a green sailor’s out on the ocean for the first time. Howling from the storm was loud enough he didn’t think the lift creaking to a halt was heard. Which is what he wanted. Slipping into the shadows, Jacke meant to quietly slip into his room to avoid the other two. He knew they’d ask questions and he didn’t want to talk about it. Giggling and muttered quips came from Himi’s room; the only one with a light on. He didn’t give it much thought, they were often up late and it wasn’t as if it were the middle of the night. Half past nine, maybe ten? He hadn’t gotten a good look.
     As he walked carefully across the – thankfully carpeted – floor, his eyes were drawn to movement within Himi’s room. Playing cards were scattered on the table and floor, whatever game they were being used for over and forgotten. His cheeks flushed when he realized Leofard had a hand up her shirt, the other deftly working to remove her pants. Jacke quickly realized he should probably leave. It mattered little neither of them knew he was there. Or that there were plenty of times where he had to wait for a mark to finish screwing a wench before slitting their throat. But Leofard wasn’t a mark and Himi wasn’t a wench. And, gods, Himi still had the Echo. Twelve forbid she realized he’d been watching because he thought too loudly now, or later. Clothing plopped to the floor and he knew exactly what they wanted to do; and good on Himi for letting herself to seek out new, healthy relationships. He felt a twinge of “missing out”, but he wasn’t angry, or jealous. He just wanted her to have fun and be happy. Besides, he reminded himself, she was polygamous and – gods he was still here. Jacke stepped away, only to step right back when he heard Himi ask Leofard to wait. Apologizing up a storm, Jacke peeked back to see her face in her hands.

     “Too fast for you Birdie?” Leofard brushed a hand through her hair. She reluctantly nodded.

     “I want to so badly but I just, can’t. But if I didn’t know you I could. Or if you were...” She trailed off.

     “I were Jacke~?” He gently teased. “Well, Birdie, you’ve known him for a while. A stranger has no emotional attachment and you an’ Jacke have already had fun, right?”

     “...Yeah.” She admitted. Jacke felt his cheeks flush deeper. “No one knew- well, I’m pretty sure Van had us pegged but keeps his mouth shut, and Haurchefant knew.” She struggled to say his name. “Actually he lamented a few times that Jacke never joined us. I felt that might’ve been too overwhelming so I never. Er. Asked.” She sighed and Jacke was eternally grateful. Haurchefant, would have, indeed, overwhelmed him. ...But then again, he wouldn’t have said no. Oh well; perhaps in another lifetime.

     “I think that just be it, Birdie. Jacke’s familiar, I ain’t.” He shrugged. “Er, familiar in bed.” A small clarification. “Don’t matter you’re accustomed to being in a relationship with more than one person at a time. Your heart’s still achin’ and wantin’ someone familiar or someone you know you ain’t ever gotta see again.” He kissed her cheek. “I ain’t insulted. And I ain’t gonna be jealous if you spend tonight with someone else. As much as I would love to explore your body like I do the clouds, I ain’t gonna pressure you. Hate bastards what do that.” He wrinkled his nose.

     “I’m sorry...”

      “Will you quit apologizin’?” He pinched her sides. “Ain’t got nothin’ to be sorry for, Birdie!” Leofard got dressed, Himi just sat on the edge of her bed and didn’t bother.

     Jacke ensured he was well clear of the door when Leofard left. He made a comment about Jacke not being back yet, much to the disappointment and worry of Himi. A joke about leaving her door open wide enough so that Jacke couldn’t possibly miss her, left them both giggling and Jacke struggling to not make a sound. Leofard quietly retired to his room, none the wiser that Jacke was mere feet away. Himi, still not bothering to re-dress, door fully open, gathered the playing cards from the floor and table, returning them to their box. She pawed through some other games, but nothing caught her eye. It was here Jacke realized he might have sightly messed up.
     Leofard had already confirmed that Jacke hadn’t returned; if Jacke were to suddenly appear outside her door, or go into his room and clearly shut his… Himi might not know he was there but she wasn’t a moron. Things had momentarily quieted enough that she’d realize the lift door hadn’t opened. She’d also probably hear him yank on the crank to call it back to the floor and -

     “Jacke are you going to keep standing outside my room like a dork, or are you going to come inside?”

     Sputtering, Jacke hastily slipped inside, making sure the door was well and shut behind him. “Dove, how did you…?”

     “I didn’t. Said it for the hell of it because I knew you’d drop your guard just enough around me to not try and call my bluff.” Well, bloody hell. Jacke flattened his expression, cheeks flushing a deep red and face growing hotter as she draped her arms around his neck. “I won’t ask how long you’ve been out there, as I’m certain your answer would just be some variant of ‘not long’ or ‘long enough’. So.” She hovered her lips teasingly above his. “So I’ll say instead; What’re you slinking in to my room at this hour for?” Her lips brushed his, but she didn’t go for a kiss.
      Jacke wanted to say for her. He wanted to admit he’d seen her failed attempt be intimate with Leofard. His thoughts adding in his conversation with the Admiral, he wanted to tell her he understood. After all, he hesitated with her plenty. Even if their reasons weren’t exactly the same, he just. He just wanted to be able to explain, not just to her, but to Leofard as well. He’d understand as well, Jacke felt. He let out a small huff, instinctively grabbing her hips to push her off. But he didn’t want to. He really didn’t. So as soon as he pushed away he pulled right right back.

     “Seven hells...” He grumbled, glancing away, feeling a fool.

     “Did someone hurt you, Jacke? Or are you just naturally disinterested or disgusted by physical intimacy? It’s fine if you are. I’ll stop pushing, if so.”
Someone did hurt him, yes. Multiple someones. All of which were – no, no, mustn't think about that. Not now. Gods, how his soul ached with his desire to tell her. But all he could mutter was that he wasn’t repulsed. Himi made the very sweet promise she’d never hurt him and would kill anyone who dared to harm him. He knew she meant it. Every word.
     
     It didn’t register completely with him that he mumbled he knew she’d never do him ill. He was more focused on how warm her skin was as his fingers gently glided across her body. How his touch gave her goosebumps, how his fingers occasionally passed over a scar that was hidden by either makeup or a glamour. Most likely a glamour. He wouldn’t pry. But his mind did replay Leofard trying to take her to bed, as well as his own memories of the one time he and Himi had been intimate, months ago. His imagination eagerly began planning for what he wanted to do with her tonight as the storm raged on.
     But as he pulled his own clothing off, watching her fall backwards onto her bed, his welcomed thoughts were intruded upon. Older memories, awful memories, here to spoil his good mood and remind him of things he wish he could forget. Placing doubt in his mind. What if Himi was like the others? What if she was secretly one of them this whole time? What if she was the right hand woman of the man who’d… No, she’d never. He silently argued with himself, every movement a reflex, every touch an old habit that laid dormant. It wasn’t until she’d let out a breathy moan he realized she had one leg wrapped around him as they rocked their hips together. He dug his fingers into her mattress, exhaling sharply as he focused on her as much as possible. All the little sounds she made, how the sweat formed on her skin, how flushed her face was, how it felt to be inside her… warm and slick, begging for more.
     Alas, terrible memories, and even worse assumptions about her clouded his senses. What if she hated this? Or maybe he hated this? What if she was waiting to stick a knife in him and take him back? Once again, a loud, squeaky moan of pleasure, almost drowned out by thunder, pulled his focus back to her. Jacke smiled, enjoying the way she squirmed beneath him while breathlessly uttering his name, voice pitching when all she could do was moan. He found amusement that she couldn’t decide where she wanted to have her arms. Eventually she squeaked out an indication she was close; and Jacke was determined to not miss it because his mind wanted to spiral.
     She arched her back slightly, letting out a breathy keen; much quieter than last time they’d had sex, but also, last time they were in his very-sound-proofed-room. It really didn’t matter the wind was howling or the walls here were also made of rock, the door, floor and ceiling were still wood and honestly, YEAH it was a little awkward screwing knowing the Admiral lived on the floor above. A bit like trying to sneak a young love into your room when you still lived with your parents. He followed suit, when his body finally snapped and poured into her, he stifled his own moans as much as possible. Eventually burying his face into her shoulder.

     Morning arrived, slightly lighter than the night but still consumed by a hurricane. Jacke stirred, yawning as he slowly awoke. He was still in Himi’s room, her nude form pressed against his as she continued to slumber. The sheets they were wrapped in still smelled of the night before, and he internally apologized to whomever did laundry around here. Maybe he could do it himself as to not… dump the pleasure mess on some poor bystander. But then again, considering the sort of guests that would stay here usually maybe they were used to it.
     Either way, and despite half the night was a blur in his memory, he had no regrets. His body was relaxed; he felt good. Perhaps there was a small hint of feeling foolish he let his doubts consume him so badly he couldn’t remember everything. But physically, he hadn’t felt this good since the last time they’d had sex as that was also. The last time he’d been in bed with anyone.

     “Still here~!” Himi happily muttered, eyes remaining shut as she nuzzled his neck. Jacke could feel her hands already roaming around his body.

     “We ain’t even had breakfast yet an already yer gettin’ handsy.” He teased.

     “Maybe I want you for breakfast.” A breathy chuckle escaped her. “The way you were frantic, yet passionate last night has me hoping we’ll have sex that good a third time. I would, also, then have no choice but to come to the conclusion at that point this relationship had blossomed into a romantic one.” She gently teased.

     “Alright.”

     “Eh?”

     “We dock in the darkmans a third time, yer me girl.” He grinned. “After all, a cove only beds a dove thrice if she be his love, or his favorite wench.”
Himi guffawed, playfully whapping his arm.

     The day was mostly uneventful; Merlwyb was loaded with paperwork that had been patiently waiting, leaving the three slightly stir crazy as it was still unsafe to be outside. Jacke was pulled into the Admiral’s office a second time, and this meeting left him so emotionally drained he slipped into his room and locked the door without another word after dinner. Leofard and Himi were worried, but, they didn’t want to hound him. Instead they raided the game storage, playing everything they found at least once, then eventually inventing new ones. By the middle of the night, Himi was in Leofard’s room, on his bed and on her back with a couple of his fingers inside her. But that only lasted for a few minutes before stress overwhelmed her. They didn’t do anything else the rest of the night; aside from sleep together, neither having bothered with sleepwear.

     The second morning brought a diminished storm and a knock on Leofard’s door. Without even thinking, he rolled out of bed, careful to not awaken Himi, and yanked the door open completely in the buff. Thankfully, it was Jacke standing on the other side and not a poor Maelstrom soldier or the Admiral herself, gods forbid. Jacke noticed right away Leofard, the lucky bastard, appeared to be completely clean of scars, new or old. Jacke could tell he wasn’t wearing a glamour.

     “Whossat? ThayouJacke?” Leofard squinting, having neglected to put on his goggles.

     “Aye, it me.” Jacked was eternally grateful Leofard appeared to have vision issues and thus, had missed Jacke’s moment of weakness where he’d ogled him. Then again, he probably wouldn’t care.

     “Sommatwrong?” Leofard yawned, wondering why the room felt so drafty.

     “Nay; breakfast just be ready for a spell an’ the two o’ye slept in.”
   
     Leofard stared into the distance for a second as his brain slowly woke up. He’d gotten plenty of sleep and he and Himi hadn’t been romping all night, it was just. One of those mornings. “OH. Right. Shit, yeah. Breakfast. I...I need to get dressed, why didn’t you say nothin’!”

     “Ain’t even fazed.” Jacke shrugged, a smirk spreading across his face as Leofard stepped back into his room. And promptly tripped over his own two feet.

     He stumbled, crashed into the floor despite his best efforts to not fall, awakening Himi with a start. She asked if he was okay as he reached up to snag his goggles from the nightstand. Jacke, hands on his hips, looked away as he fought the urge to not laugh. He waited in the doorway as they got dressed, nobody feeling shy or awkward or trying to find privacy. It was...nice. Jacke thought. Despite his memories once again, trying to spoil the moment, he was still able to enjoy the moment. Just three folk’s who spent their days either adventuring or trying to make the realm a better place, enjoying each other’s company. Trusting each other. Didn’t matter if there were potential romantic feelings mixed in, he’d care about Himi and feel comfortable around her regardless. And Leofard was growing on him fast. He wondered if they felt the same; they must, otherwise they surely would have kicked him out? A worry for later. Right now, the three were piling into the lift so they could get warm food in their bellies. Hoping the storm would continue to abate so they could leave today. There was much to do.

Aside from each other.

Chapter Text

     Greed; the downfall of fools. A pity this doomed crew of Sky Pirates, twelve in total, had no concept of the idea. All they saw was a small airship with no captain. Bobbing through the clouds like a miniature copycat of the gigantic ghost ship rumored to roam the skies. One that still clearly had its cargo in tact, one ripe for the picking.
     “Pilot must’ve fallen asleep and fallen off.” One of the hyurs stupidly theorized. Fallen asleep and slipped off, indeed. Because that was a common occurrence.Despite how ridiculous the statement was, no one else argued it. Or boarded with caution. It wasn’t until their own captain was having his skull crunched on by Diabolos did they realize the lost ship had merely been a trap. And where could they run? None of them were birds who could fly.
     Diabolos really didn’t need to eat them for their aether, but the screams of terror from the living as he ripped their crew mates and drank their blood was incredibly satisfying. Their horror satiating another hunger that forever gnawed at the voidsent. His eyes fell upon a pair that he thought were frozen in fear; but he saw they were trying to teleport away. How adorable. He contemplated letting them flee, to run around like madmen amongst the populace, spreading fear...

     Himi ensured her face was well and covered as she entered Idyllshire. The storm finally abated enough in Limsa, allowing them to leave. Even still, it’d been a rough flight for a decent chunk of their travels. Leofard and Jacke were already in the tavern. But she had her hide her manacutter out of sight, in the off chance Ysayle or someone else she knew saw and recognized it. She had wanted to continue on to Tailfeather, but poor Jacke was still getting used to flying and was looking a little green around the gills. Sea legs help little in the air.
     Speaking of Ysayle, Himi spotted her talking to a miqo’te child, sitting behind a ramshackle booth. It look all of Himi’s self restraint to not tackle her for a hug. Stiff upper lip, Himi made her way to the tavern. Her hands barely touched the door when a pair of frazzled sky pirates, covered in the blood of their buddies, pushed past her. They flung wide the doors, hollering to the sky pirate and adventurer filled room there was a literal demon in the sky, eating people.

     “Aye, we warned you morons about that the other day. Did you go after a lost airship? We told you those were a voidsent trap!”

     “B-but!”

     “Was it Diabolos? That big thing? Yeah that’s something for the Warriors of Light to handle.”

     “When they get around to it.”

     “Ain’t you heard? Two of ‘em are missin. I betcha they died fightin’ what’s-his-face and his men and no one in the know wants to people to know.”

     “Don’t be dumb, the girl was seen after that, you tit.”
Himi huffed, annoyed still by being shoved aside and stomped to an empty table.

     “Oh cheese, did you two push Snowbird? Good job pissin’ her off. She’ll haunt your dreams now.”
She huffed again as the two Sky Pirates threw themselves at her feet, begging forgiveness.

     “Snowbird’s got a reputation.” Jacke mused as he sat across from Leofard.

     “Aye, she’s gettin’ one.” Leofard nodded, watching her shoo them away- by placing the muddy bottom of her boot on their faces and giving them a good shove. “Currently she’s the only one who can get away with that in this here establishment. We’re all tryin’ to keep it clean and free of riff-raff. We’re doin’ a good job of it, but, you know.” He shrugged. “People get horny weird around her here so the barkeep don’t mind her bein’ a little aggressive when someone pulls some weird shite.” He sipped his drink as a couple of mercenaries dragged the pleading pair out of the building.

     “Hmn...Diabolos...ain’t that the-”

     “Aye.” Leofard thinned his lips, knowing exactly what Jacke was going to ask. “Me crew ain’t called with updates, but after their caterwaullin’ I’m thinkin’ we should head back an’ go after this current adventure later.”

     “Might be wise.” Jacke agreed. “Should we go tell her the plan?”

    “Aye, let me. People ‘round here know me well enough to know I can get away with this.” He downed his drink, then sauntered over to the bar to acquire two more. Jacke watched him take the drinks over to Himi, handing her one as he joined her. Jacke noticed immediately how everyone else in the bar shifted, turning their attention away from the pair.

     “I don’t know who I’m more jealous of. Redbill Leofard or Snowbird.” A female mercenary sitting near Jacke huffed, fanning herself.

     “They a couple?”Jacke asked innocently.

     “Ain’t you one of his crew?” She quirked an eyebrow.

     “I be new.”

     “Ah.” She nodded. “They might be. Half the people you ask would say they’re just flirtin’ to cover up whatever business they have. The other half is convinced they’re fuckin’ on the regular.”

     “Which side be ye?”

She shrugged. “Flirtin’. Look at the way he looks at her; like he’s still tryin’ to impress her. That’s the look all women get from a man who wants her to spread her legs but hasn’t gotten shite, yet.”

     “Nothin’ for both o’them yet, then?” Jacke took a sip of his drink.

     “Naw, despite gettin’ shoved in the door earlier, she ain’t usually this relaxed. Someone fucked her good sometime in the past couple of nights.”
Jacke nearly choked on his ale. The mercenary gave him a good slap on the back.

     “You good, mate?”

     “Aye. Me thanks.” He could see Leofard and Himi looking his way out of the corner of his eye as he bapped his chest. “Shite, ain’t had me lungs burn like this in a long time.” Cough, hack, wheeze.

     “Honoured to be the one to break your streak!” She snorted. “I owe you a new one.”

     “Can I get a rain check?” Jacke asked as Leofard rejoined him.

     “Ain’t dyin’ on me, are you?” Leofard teased, giving a polite nod to the woman who’d been chatting up Jacke.

     “Naw. Just laughed at the wrong time.” Jacke’s lungs still stung, but at least the coughing had stopped.

     “Good! Cause I be in a mood.” Leofard playfully grabbed Jacke’s collar, encouraging him onto his feet. The woman gave a small whoop of amusement.

     “Have fun, sprout, I’ll be sure the rumors you’re about to start will be good ones.” She laughed, watching Leofard guide Jacke through a curtain covering a set of stairs leading up. As did most of the patrons. Himi took this distraction as her chance to slip outside, drink untouched.

      Leofard made sure another couple, who were leaving a different room, hair a mess, wearing pieces of each other’s armor, saw him and Jacke go into a long abandoned study, shutting the door behind them.

      “Leofard what-” Jacke was interrupted by Leofard placing a finger on his lips.

     “Just actin’ like business as usual. Ain’t bout to announce our business to others that don’t need to know.”

     “We couldn’t have just left?”

      “This way Birdie gets the extra time to get to wherever she hid her cutter.”

     “...I suppose?”

     “What? Don’t like the idea of makin’ everyone think we’re snoggin’? Again?”
Jacke’s face turned red as he stared up at Leofard. Huffing, crossing his arms, failing to come up with a witty comeback.

     “There’s somethin’ disappointin’ bout that, aye.”

     “Maybe I oughta for real.” Leofard, momentarily forgetting Himi’s warning, pulled Jacke close and leaned down to give him a kiss. He meant for it to be quick. Just a tease. But his chest buzzed as his lips locked with Jacke, and the rogue must have felt the same way because his arms were almost immediately draped around Leofard’s neck. How long were they there? They certainly had no idea, but it was long enough that the two only stopped kissing because Himi buzzed Leofard over his link pearl.

     “Where are you two?” She asked, more confused than annoyed.

     “Er, sorry. Got distracted.” Leofard cleared his throat. “Meet you in the clouds.”

     “...Alright.” Himi ended the call, and hopped into her manacutter. But before she could take off, the two pirates from earlier jumped from the bushes, plopping their hands on her cutter.

      “Wait! Snowbird! They say ye got a fearsome crew what lurks in the shadows!” One pleaded. Oh gods, were they asking to join or beg her for help?

     “Hands off.” Her voice changer gave her growl a deeper rasp.

     “Please! Someone’s gotta do somethin’ and the Warriors of Light ain’t give a shite ‘bout us sky pirates!”

     “I said hands off.” She withdrew her pistol and placed it between the eyes of the taller pirate, and fired. The bullet went clean through his skull, and his friend gasped in shock, then laughed.

     “Aw nuts, that stings.” The shot pirate complained. “Good thing that ain’t me head!” There was a swoosh as the illusion vanished, and a cackling Imp replaced him; no surprise the other man revealed himself to be the same.
Diabolos had decided to not permit the two men to leave, after all. They’d given him a fantastic idea, at least.
     Himi cursed under her breath, firing again only to miss as both Imps launched themselves at her. One chomped down onto her neck while the other bit into her left arm.

      “Fuck OFF.” She growled, snapping her fingers and setting them both on fire. The Imps were nothing against her magic, as weakened as she was. But she didn’t have it in her to change into her white mage robes to heal. Did she have a potion? No. Eugh. Same as always then. Always the one getting hurt. Always the one getting into some sort of stupid trouble. Leofard and Jacke didn’t even know where she’d hidden her cutter and were already probably in the sky by now. Was this neck bite fatal? Fuck if she knew, but she was definitely bleeding a lot. Could she stumble into Idyllshire, at least? Yeah. She totally could. Himi grunted as she rolled out of her manacutter, bleeding everywhere and hitting the ground with an awkward thunk. On your feet, go go go, she told herself. Slap a hand over the bite and just keep shuffling forward. Which way was Idyllshire? She hit the ground again. The bushes rumbled and she prayed it was Jacke or Leofard.

     “Right through here, did you say?” A familiar voice sounded through the shrubbery. Himi thought the coincidence too much. But no, the voice did indeed belong to Krile. When the hell did she wake up and travel to Eorzea? And who the hell had she been talking to?

     “Oh my!” Krile gasped upon seeing her. “Someone in need of healing, indeed!” She quickly rushed to Himi’s side, none the wiser it was her. Though Krile had a funny inkling in the back of her mind she should know this woman… Healing first, questions later.
     Thankfully, it look little effort on Krile’s part to mend either wound. Even though Snowbird was a presumed stranger, and from the stories she heard was gruff to anyone she didn’t know, Krile found her quite polite and agreeable. As if they’d met before. What were the odds that this was… no, no. Since they were both chosen by Hydaelyn, surely there would be little doubt this was Himi. Besides, there was a firearm slapped to this woman’s side and Himi would never use such a weapon.

     “Thank you.” She muttered.

     “’Twas nothing! Always happy to help! Mind you, had that woman not waved me over I might never have walked this way.”

     “Woman?”

     “Mhmn. Dressed in dusty old mage robes that almost looked like museum pieces, spiraled hair. Didn’t catch her name, but she seemed worried for your well being.”

     “Oh.” Himi muttered as if she knew what woman Krile was talking about.

     “Would you like assistance back into town? Or shall I have someone fetch you...”

     “No. I just need to catch my breath, then I’m leaving.”

     “Are you sure?”

      “Yes. I’ve someone waiting for me. I recover fast.” She used to, anyways. Krile could sense the deceit, but decided not to push the matter. Relenting, she nodded, waved, and shuffled back towards town to continue shopping for Matoya. When Himi was certain Krile was well out of earshot. She called out to Midgardsormr. Hoping he was listening. There was no immediate response, but he did eventually make a sparkly entrance in his small form.

    “Thou pushes thyself too much beyond thine current limits.” He chided.

     “Pssh. I just need a lil’boost. Just enough so I can walk back to the manacutter and catch up with the other two.”

     “Very well. But tonight I will see to it, thou does naught else but rest.”

     “Fine, fine.”

     “Birdie what in the seven hells?” Leofard eyed her as she finally pulled up beside him and Jacke, high above the clouds.

    “Oh those pirates came back around again and got handsy. So I shot them.” She’d made sure to hide the ghosts of the bite marks under the same glamour she used to cover all her other scars up. She doubted they’d leave permanent marks, but she didn’t want anymore fussing while the skin healed. Jacke grumbled, as expected. Unwanted handsy people always riled him up. Leofard was equally unamused, spitting into a cloud as he uttered a “good riddance!” Back to the Parrock, then, their other adventure on hold for now.

     They returned just as golden hour began. After dinner with the rest of the crew, Leofard was immediately dragged into a meeting with Stacia and Cait Sith. Jacke tried to spend some time with Himi, but she begrudgingly admitted she was exhausted, desiring to turn in early for the night. Jacke thought she looked a little paler than usual, and had a feeling the blood on her jacket did not belong to someone else, and was in fact, hers. He was sure of it, having caught the stains on her manacutter. She’d neglected to hide those. So he opted to have a quick visit with her Chocobo before mingling with the rest of the crew.
Himi, ensuring her door was good and locked before pulling off her bloody clothes. Tossing them haphazardly onto the floor; she’d deal with them later. She shuffled to her bed, almost forgoing crawling under the blankets. But the desire to roll up in her sheets won. No sooner had her head flopped onto her pillow, did Midgardsormr appear again. A size between his smallest and the form he took when flying her somewhere. Something akin to a medium sized dog. He wasted no time, plopping right atop her as if he were indeed, a dog who’d jumped onto his master’s bed. Or a very large cat in need of cuddles.

     “What is this, heretical nonsense?” Himi joked, honestly not minding at all. The weight of him on her was incredibly relaxing. He let out a snort, bopping the top of his head against her chin.

     “Hush.”

     “I’m husshhiinnnggg...” Himi yawned as she shut her eyes, soon lulling off to sleep. Midgardsormr hummed, recalling his friend who had fallen asleep to the beat of his heart, so many times in the past...with so many different faces.

     “Sleep well, old friend.” He muttered, nodding off to sleep himself. Also knowing, and highly amused, his presence was setting Cait Sith’s nerves off in the other room. But he was so focused on the matter with Diabolos and the Queen’s Coffin he put the daunting source of aether in Himi’s room out of his mind.

Chapter Text

     Jacke shuffled off to bed with Leofard and Cait Sith still in hot debate. Awakening the next morning to the two still arguing. Which continued through lunch, dinner, and for a second night in a row, Jacke went to bed with the stubborn pair in heated debate. Himi had also remained in her room all day. Which was fine by him. He damn well knew she was nursing an injury.
     A second morning of debate greeted Jacke and Himi both. He thought they should intervene, but a mumble from Himi indicated there was little use in arguing with Leofard when he was being bullheaded and he’d apparently met his match. Unstoppable force, meet unmovable object.

     “I see why ye get on so well then.” He teased, letting out a grunt when she elbowed his ribs.

     “I’m going to go do a thing; don’t follow me this time, I swear to gods.”

     “I be also steppin’ out to do somethin’. Ain’t me fault if we end up crossin’ paths later.”
Himi scoffed and stomped off; already in the same mood as Leofard, Jacke noted.

     Himi grunted as the pub owner, a tall hyur who was stronger than he looked, slammed her face first onto the bar in Siren’s Wake. Stained and polished from years of elbows, spills, blood and drinks with no coasters. He pinned her arm behind her back, then leaned down to whisper in her ear.

     “The price of my continued cooperation has increased, dove. You’re really making a name for yourself; so I think it’s only fair! After all, I gave you ‘your big break’, as they say in the entertainment business. Can’t have a reputation if people don’t talk ‘bout you and it was me tongue waggin’ what got people slitherin’ your way!” He hissed. She wanted to argue the barkeep had done most of that work, seeing as the owner rarely showed his face to patrons. But she wasn’t in the mood for a lengthy argument over semantics.

     “So you want what, double the gil?” She grumbled.

     “Ha! You say that like I ain’t noticed your coin’s counterfeit! I ain’t no spring chocobo, I know magic’d gil when I see it.”
What bullshit, she thought. She hadn’t tampered with the money at all. But again, wasn’t in the mood to squabble; if he was lying, ‘twas plain he was after something specific.“Ah, right. So you’ll want me as a regular bed mate then.” She snorted; how predictable.

     “That’s part of my increased price, aye.” He nodded. She rolled her eyes. “But you’re also gonna start doing me some favors.”

     “….Really? That all?” She sighed, even more unimpressed. “You could have just said that without pinning me against the bar. So. Something you want now, other than screwing me?” Though he certainly seemed eager to also screw her over.

     “Aye. I need a certain cargo moved. I’ve got a client, see, who’s been looking for the right kind of help. Finally found it. A real nice family, they’re lucky they get to stick together! Ain’t I gentleman?”

     “People aren’t…” She sputtered as she felt him loosen her belt.

     “After that, I got a few miqo’te that need to be gettin’ to their new...patron.” He slipped his hand into her pants. Normally she enjoyed it when he was bold and a little rough; but the current topic made his attention ominous.

     “I’ll join you in bed as often as I can,” she grunted as she felt his fingers inside her. “But I’m not helping you traffic people.” In fact, she was already planning on alerting Jacke. Though she realized too late, that perhaps she shouldn’t have told the guy she wouldn’t. She should have accepted, gotten the “cargo”, get them to safety then tell Jacke.

     “Alas, the gil be too good from me clients to just accept gettin’ to fuck you whenever I want. I don’t love you; I ain’t gonna pine or fight for your affection.” He laughed. “There’s just a novelty to the idea, of getting to fuck a Warrior of Light who thinks I have no idea who she is.”

     “Don’t be stupid. I’m not one of the-”

     “I ain’t no fool. I pawed through your belonging’s once after we screwed the first time. Found your shite. If you’re gonna play in the underbelly with the big boys you shouldn’t carry around anything what can be pinched and identify you.” He laughed. “And I gotta say, the price the Empire is willin’ to pay for your safe return, is enough for me to consider us square. So which will it be?”

     “That’s a fucking nobrainer; I’d rather be dragged back to the Empire than shuffle people around, how selfish do you think I am?” She squeaked. Wondering what the hell he had found that tipped him off.

     “Pity. I was kinda hopin’ you were one of ‘em entitled heroes. Shame to loose ya to Imperials.” He sighed. “Oh well. We can at least go upstairs and screw the day away; ain’t got anyone upstairs and today patrons know I don’t open the bar till dinner.”

      “Ye don’t? Damn, could’a swore the sign on yer door said open...”
Himi recognized Jacke’s voice immediately. Embarrassment mixed with gratitude that he’d followed her. Or as he said earlier, simply crossed paths. She grunted as the owner’s fingers roughly pulled out, whirling around to glare at Jacke.
     Jacke was sitting at a table in the corner, feet propped up, washed in shadows. She wasn’t really sure how the corner managed to be so dark when the rest of the tavern was well lit. It also reminded her of the time she and Thancred had gone drinking in and ran into trouble. Jacke had sat at a shadowed table then too.

     “How the fuck did you get in here!? And when?” The man demanded.
   
     Jacke swung his feet off the table and sat up proper. “Ain’t no lock what can keep me out, mate.” He leaned forward, rage building in his eyes. “Step away from th’dove an’ give yerself up, eh? Ain’t no need to make a fuss.”

     “Listen creep, this here’s my establishment and you’ve got no authority to tell me what to do!” He grumbled, grabbing Himi and shoving her towards the stairs. “Wait for me in your room, while I kick this joker out.”

     “Yeah good luck with that.” She snorted. The man reached for a pistol, but Jacke was faster. One blink and he vanished from his seat at the table, reappearing behind the man. Another blink and the man was unconscious, hanging by his ankles, from a rope tied round a beam. His pistol laying uselessly on the floor.

     “Naw, ye bleedin’ idiot. When it comes to curs like yerself, I most definitely have the authority to tell ye what to do.” Jacke kicked the weapon away, well out of easy each in case somehow, the man escaped. He pointed at Himi, then upstairs. “Fix yer pants, get yer shite, an’ wait for me in yer doldrums. Ye ain’t comin’ back here. Period.”
Himi grumbled, but she listened, stomping up the stairs like a child who’d gotten caught sneaking out.
     Thankfully, the man she’d liberated the room from had a couple of trunks she could use to pack her ‘shite’, as Jacke had so delicately called it. Most of what she had was clothing; different disguises and what not. But there were a few trinkets; gifts from people trying to win her favor. She could hear Jacke speaking with others downstairs; he called in the Sisters, most like. Himi sat on the edge of her bed, waiting for the inevitable lecture.
     A few minutes after the voices quieted, the stompy steps of Jacke echoed in the stairwell, then the hall as he approached. Her door was already open; he slammed it shut upon entering her room. She couldn’t tell if he was more worried or angry.

     “That be why I said this world ain’t for ye, dove.”

     “Cause he slammed me into the bar for some finger food?”

     “No- I’ll laugh at yer pun later- cause ye toddled right into his grubby fambles, love!” Jacke threw his arms up in the air. “Maybe when ye had all yer memories an’ yer aether weren’t drained, ye be a goe worthy o’the late emperor’s favor. But that ain’t who ye be now!” He growled. “Ye’ve only been masquradin’ as some sort o’ pirate queen for a few weeks an’ that blackguard figured out who ye be right from the start! I don’t know what he found on ye that tipped him off ye be a Warrior O’Light but at the very least ye should’ve known better! If yer gonna screw a cove to get shit from him, ye don’t stay over! You fuck’im then leave! Ye only stay if ye trust ‘em, or ye ain’t got nothin’ to hide!” He dragged his hands down his face. “Ye spent all this time frettin’ bout the empire snaggin’ ye back, then ye nearly hobbledygee right into their fambles -”

     “I know, I know. I should have had him lead me to the people first then-”

     “...NO!? I mean, a possibility I suppose, but no! Ye gotta confirm he ain’t bluffin!”

     “…..Wh… How do you know he was?”

     “Love for a fuckin’ mercy, the coves an’ morts what he was referrin’ to were already rescued this mornin’.”

     “….How was I supposed to know-”

     “EXACTLY ME POINT, LOVE.” Jacke stared, exasperated. “Ye ain’t a Sister, ye ain’t got our intel, an’ even though I be out here pretendin’ I still be lookin’ for ye, I still be checkin’ on what’s what in case they need me for sommat. An ‘fore ye can even ask, there ain’t a thing ye’ve done since findin’ ye that’s made me want ye to be a Sister.” His heart ached to watch her deflate, but he had to be honest with her.

     “Guess I can’t do anything right, after all.”

     “Love, ye be amazin’ at so many things; but ye aren’t at yer best. What do ye think would’ve happened if I weren’t here, hmn?”

     “He’d be balls deep in me right now and I’d be bored because he’s not as good in bed as he thinks he is?”
Jacke gave her a forlorn look, another thing thing he’d have to laugh at later. “Love.”

     “I’m not wrong.”

     “Love yer assumin’ he didn’t have half o’mind to knock ye out before ye did anythin! Aye, the Empire may be eager to get ye back, but ye know who else wants ye? The lowest of the low, dove. There be means to keep you complacent, and there be a swarm, of eager curs what keep their eyes on the market to see if ye turn up on it. I ain’t sayin’ that as hyperbole. It be fact.” His voice cracked. “An’ I know ye know that if ye ended up there that I wouldn’t couch a hogshead till ye were rescued. But we don’t get to everyone in time an’ I would never...be able to live with meself if ye vanished forever or found ye milled on me doorstep.” He cupped her face with shaking hands. “I still have nightmares o’ when Cassian almost bagged ye. So please, Himi. Stop playin’ in shadows not meant for ye, eh? Lights like ye get swallowed whole.”

     Himi wilted further, a tad guilty but… “Fine...” Maybe, she told herself.

     “An I’m tellin Leofard what ye been actually up to.”

     “What!? Why!? He doesn’t need to know.”

     “Aye, I think he does. This everythin’ that’s yers? Bene. Obviously that ain’t fittin’ in yer manacutter so I’ll deal with its transport.”

     It was a long, long trip back to the Parrock. Himi gave up on entertaining Jacke with jokes. As soon as they docked, he marched her right to Leofard’s quarters, who was still in heated debate with Cait Sith. “Leofard, there need be whids exchanged with ye.”

     “Does it have anythin’ to do with Diabolos?” Leofard sighed.

      “Naw. But it be best if everyone but Himi an’ me skedaddles.”
Stacia, Utata and Cait Sith exchanged wary glances, but they did not argue. Jacke apologized for dumping another problem on his plate, but despite the exhaustion, Leofard really needed something else to talk about for a minute or two. Jacke dove right in to explaining, Leofard’s face growing darker and wearier with every completed sentence.

     “Himi.” He sat up in his chair once Jacke finished speaking. “You acted like you’d found, pinched, bartered or paid for all that shite with gil.”

      “So what.”

     “So what!? What d’you mean, so what!? Himi, it’s one thing to bang random folk cause you’re both horny and have thrown back a few pints; taking scum of the realm to bed is completely different! Especially if you ain’t got a crew what knows what you’re doin’ so they knew when you’ve been gone too long! I never pressured you to give details because I trusted you to not be impulsive and reckless!”

     “I bet if I was a guy you’d-”

     “Be given the same lecture! ….Plus an added one of tellin’ you to wrap it so you don’t leave a trail of maiden’s carryin’ your kids!”

     “I still think you’re both blowing this out of proportion.”

     “Birdie you almost walked right into the dragon’s mouth!”

     “But I didn’t!”

     “Only cause Jacke was there! And only cause he didn’t listen to you!”

     “I would’ve been fine! I always am.”

     “Ye ain’t fine now.” Jacke snapped.

     “This isn’t the end of the world!”

     “It would’ve been the end o’me world!” Jacke shouted and stomped his foot before storming out. With few places to go, he harrumphed back into his room and slammed the door. Leofard sighed, rubbing his forehead. Gods, he was tired.

     “Himi. I ain’t gonna tell you to stop paradin’ round as Snowbird – yet. But from now on, if you catch wind of some treasure map or sommat you are going to tell me, and tell me where the item is, and we’re going to procure it in a way what doesn’t use your body as payment. I can’t stop ye from screwin’ some smokin’ hot dame or whatever you’re in the mood for, that you wanna pick up for a one-nigher cause I be guilty of that too. That ain’t the problem; I mean some folks might say a thing or two ‘bout that but honestly you’re a grown adult, I ain’t gonna put a chastity belt on you. And I can’t even begin to comprehend what you’re goin’ through.” He stood, chair squeaking as it was pushed across the floor. “I hate to pull this card, but I’m gonna. If he were alive still; would Haurchefant not give a shite, or would it worry him? Would he let you put yourself at risk like that, all for a map or a mark?”

     Himi looked away, face scrunching, twisting as she failed to hold back her tears. “N-no...” Her voice cracked.

     “He’d tell you to find another way, aye? Another way to get what you want without lowerin’ yourself to their level.” He pulled her in for a hug, resting his chin on the top of her head. “SO that’s what we’re gonna do, savvy? A better, safer outlet for your grief. I think one-nighters, screwin’ adventurers that would’ve also turned his head is a fine start.” He smiled as she laugh-sobbed into his chest. “But no more dancin’ that fine line of codebreakin’, eh? Otherwise either Jacke’ll have to string you up in a non-sexy way or I’d have to shoot you.” He pulled her away, one hand on her shoulder while the other wiped her tears away as she laugh-sobbed again.

     “I’m sorry...” She replied meekly.

     “I’m just happy you’re not halfway to the Empire or the black market.” He kissed her forehead. “I’m gonna go talk to Jacke. Captain to Captain. You can either curl up in me bed or yours. Whichever.”

     Leofard entered Jacke’s room with no resistance. The rogue was pacing back and forth, arms crossed, muttering quietly to himself.

     “And here I thought I was stressin’” Leofard teased. “You doin’ alright?”

     “I be fine.”

     “That so? Hmn.” Leofard stuck his arm out to end Jacke’s pacing. “Cause Birdie did make one good point; you got every reason to be upset but you’ve kinda exploded over this.”

     “I be fine.”

     “No you ain’t.” Leofard guided Jacke over to his bed and sat him down. “Ye ain’t gotta tell me your secrets if you don’t wanna. A man’s owed that much. And I ain’t known you long, but even for you that storm off seem like somethin’ you ain’t really known to do. So. We can sit and talk or just sit and cool our jets, eh?”

     Jacke buried his face in his hands, mulling over his thoughts. “I be calm...”

     “You spinin’ a taradiddle, as you’d say?”

     “I...mph.” Jacke playfully bapped Leofard’s chest with the back of his hand. “It’s nothin’.”

     “You’ve been kinda mopey ever since the Admiral pulled you aside; you ain’t in trouble for not tellin’ her where Himi is, are you?”

     “No, no. Admiral was a worried kind of miffed but she understood right away, an’ told me she’d have done the same. But that weren’t why she pulled me aside for whids.”

     “Oh?” Leofard nudged him to continue. Jacke weighed his options, before speaking.

     “There be this... real bloody bastard o’ a cur what makes his livin’ kidnappin’ folks. Usually young kids, an’ sells ‘em to the highest bidder. Or keeps ‘em for himself. I... had been put under the impression that he an’ his whole crew were milled years ago. Dustmen in pine boxes, I was promised. Come to find out, not only that be a taradiddle, the man’s been spotted again. In Eorzea. Same crew an’ everythin’.”

     “Shiiiit.” Leofard set his jaw. “We ain’t tolerate that nonsense in the sky neither. He tries traffickin’ anyone in an airship he be gettin’ a bullet in his skull. Or somewhere in his body if he be needed for questionin’”

     “Bene. He ain’t deserve much mercy.” Jacke’s lip wibbled. “I ain’t allowed to go after him; she says. The rest o’ the guild is, but not me. An’ at first she didn’t want me knowin’, but she didn’t want me gettin’ surprised at the wrong time, see.”

      "He too strong for you or somethin’?”

     “No I...” Jacke glanced at the floor, fidgeting, suddenly feeling small, like a child. He was only a few years younger than Leofard; Jacke himself was 27, Leofard was 32, but right now it felt… like twenty years, or more. That five year difference not always a large gap at this age, but imagining Leofard being an older kid when Jacke was still small was… he wasn’t really sure how to describe how the mental image worked. He cleared his throat before continuing. “I can’t remember how old I be; around four, methinks. Me dad weren’t home, he still was out doin’ the mercenary thing. Me mum an I… I can’t remember where we be or what we be doin’ but she an I were cornered by the bastard. So she did what any lovin’ mother does. Shovin’ me into that pirate’s arms an’ kickd away. Shoutin’ somethin’ about she can just fuck another bloke an’ have another kid. I weren’t worth protectin’.”

     “Seven fuckin’ hells...”

     “An that be me childhood.” Jacke let out a small, stress-reducing laugh. “Me Dad didn’t know what happened so it took a few years for him to find out I was even missin’ an’ a few years still to track me down. A member o’the Upright theives, saved me, in the end. S’what inspired me to pick up a pair o’stabbers an’ a few years later when the Upright Thieves were reorganized into the Dutiful Sisters an’ the code was… well it weren’t officially figured out entirely but it be more strong of a list.. they made me Guildmaster. An’ that be me life. I be settin’ the standard for the future of the Sister’s. But I ain’t ever known a normal life, I ain’t ever, had a minute where I weren’t in the shadows or lookin’ over me shoulder or questionin’ the motivations o’ every cove an’ mort an’ other what comes me way. An’ I don’t want a crumb o’that for Himi. I don’t give a rat’s arse she did whatever goe stuff she did in the Empire, spyin’ on other Imperials to see if they’re traitors ain’t the same. It be a whole different kind o’ shadow. And I know it be stupid cause she be a Warrior o’Light an’ a few years older than me an’ even on her off days she can often take care o’herself, but today...when she was so willin’ to give herself up… I knew he’d no intention o’givin her to the Empire- I… Alright maybe over reacted a little but she’d already almost been snatched once before an’ Twelve only know how many times that I don’t even know ‘bout it cause ye know how the adventurin’ life chews up an’ spits out women half the time, an’ I just...er. Sorry. Ramblin’...”

     “Sorry aye, back up, how long were you…?”

     “I be around eleven or twelve when I was finally rescued.”

     “Shite, Jacke. That explains a thing or two; bout Thancred’s warnin’ to Himi who then warned me; does she know?”

     “Not a lick. Maybe she’d understand where I be comin’ from better but I don’t wanna upset the dove any more than she already be.”

     “I won’t say nothin’ unless you say I can.” Leofard made a zipping motion across his lips.

     “’Ppreciate it.” Jacke fell silent for a moment before continuing. “Honestly, one o’the hardest parts was growin’ up...er...sorry wait I don’t wanna...”

     “Oi, trust me, I was an orphan in the Brume, yet ain’t gonna shatter me poor innocent ears or nothin’.”

     “Ha! Right...” Jacke sighed. “I mean I’ll spare ye the graphic details, but I grew up thinkin, nay, knowin’ me self worth be tied to what I can do for someone in bed or how good I be at millin’. Someone did try to rescue me once before I was finally; that poor soul got a bullet in his skull. I was made to pull the trigger so. I ain’t. Sorry no offense, I be stickin’ to stabbers an’ I ain’t pickin’ up one o’them firearms again unless I have to.”

     “Understandable. I won’t try and talk you into it anymore.”

     “Bene.” Jacke relaxed. “...Course, goin’ back to what I was sayin’, obviously despite me feelin’ that way, I wasn’t beddin’ people any more cause I be a kid an’ yadda yadda.”

     “Aye, either you’d end up back were you’d been or at least concern every adult what knew you.”

     “Mhmn. Needlessly to say, I hit eighteen an’ almost ruined me whole life again. That be. A story for a different time but. Augh. Himi ain’t a kid, but it….just...”

     “Felt like she was startin’ to tie her self worth to pleasin’ others in bed? I think she be too stubborn for that, but I can see why you’d be worried.”

     “I care ‘bout the dove a lot. I genuinely do. But I don’t think I be right for her, and I think even if Haurchefant were still alive I don’t think she’d be lovin’ me for the right reasons? But I still wanna...give it a shot.” Jacke’s face flushed. “Cause I ain’t, ever been in a healthy relationship for obvious reasons. An’ despite me preachin’ bout me job gettin’ in the way or whatever excuse I give. It’d be… nice. I don’t know if we be right for each other in the long run, but I still wanna try. ...And not to rub it in yer face none but she be. Amazin’. In bed. I hope ye get a chance to find out first hand, cause. Yeah. Haurchefant was a lucky lucky man.”

     “Not monogamous yourself either?” Leofard snorted.

     “I don’t know if it be a result of...” Jacke gestured idly. “Or it just how I be anyways. But I do like the idea of; say she be me girl, aye; I like the idea of when I can’t be there for her emotionally, or physically, she’d have someone she could go to. Maybe even someone I could go if she couldn’t come callin. Someone we could also spend time together with at the same time. It just… feel..nice. But if I only get one, then that be fine too.”

     “I’ve just got so much love in me heart.” Leofard fluttered his eyes. Jacke snickered. They fell silent again. Leofard held his arms out, quietly asking if Jacke wanted a hug, which he accepted immediately. Leofard held him tightly, resting his chin on his head as he had done with Himi.

     “Now you listen to me, now...” Leofard mumbled. “You survived hell and didn’t let it turn you into a horrible person what hurts others the way you were. And you might not be officially part o’me crew, but I’ll be damned if I let anythin’ happen to you, y’hear? You’re fun. I like ya. We got a lot in common- no I weren’t peddled, but I had to get me arse saved too as a kid. Wouldn’t be here now if I hadn’t, I’d be some sort of scoundrel. One that breaks codes instead of upholdin’ ‘em. That man and his crew try anythin’ funny I’ll shoot ‘em all meself.” Leofard harrumphed. “Now...” He pulled away from the hug ruefully. “I better go check on Birdie, I might’ve punched below the belt to make a point.” He cleared his throat.

     “Oh? What’d ye say?”

     “Might’ve asked if she thought Haurchefant would be supportive of her bein’ that reckless or would he be worried and ask her to stop; ‘twas effective. A low blow, but effective. I think she gets it a little bit better now.”

     “….Aye ye should probably check on her.” Jacke scooted back, wiping his face. “I should apologize too, I’ll come with ye...”
Neither realized Himi had scooted into the hall and heard almost everything. Her heart wrenched with guilt as she ducked back into Leofard’s room. Thancred must have known what happened to Jacke, hence his warning, but… well. She decided she was going to keep her lips zipped and pretend she hadn’t heard.

Chapter Text

     Cait Sith let out a sharp sigh. Standing on the edge of Leofard’s bed, he pursed his lips together as he studied the tear-stained snuggle pile in the middle of the mattress. The three hyur were tangled in each other sleeping-still dressed, thank the gods- with cheeks still glistening from the tears that had been shed hours earlier. He loudly cleared his throat. Which was enough to jerk Leofard and Jacke awake, though Himi needed a little more coaxing. Cait Sith had more words to share with the good Captain, and asked if the other two were done with him yet.

     “C’mon dove...” Jacke muttered, coaxing her again, this time off the bed so they could get breakfast.
No sooner had they finished their mean, did Stacia approach, already exhausted with the day. Leofard and Cait Sith were already arguing, again, and she’d had enough of it.

     “Talk some sense into them, will ya?” She pleaded. Dumping their plates in a dirty dish bucket, they followed her back to Leofard’s quarters. “Like squabblin' children, the pair of them. Help Leofard settle this, would you?” She sighed, pushing the door open.

     “T-...Himi, Jacke! Rational minds such as yours is most welcome! Pray reason with this wind-addled brigand!” Cait Sith puffed up his tail.

     “If you're here to ask about the Queen's Coffin then you'd best turn around and walk straight out again. This aggravatin' furball's turned my mood sour as month-old aldgoat milk” Leofard grumbled, hefting his feet onto the table. “...The “search” is givin' me ulcers, is what it is. By all reports, Diabolos is lurkin' somewhere in the heavens, buildin' up his forces. But the sky is a vast dome, as high as the ocean is deep, and we've not the pirates to scour every damn floatin' rock.” He pointed a finger at Himi. “And we ain’t havin’ you teleport everywhere neither! Don’t even suggest it!”
     And so the argument went, ‘round and ‘round. Cait Sith convinced that despite his crew being a bunch of ne’er-do-wells, that perhaps other crews would be eager to help, just for the sake of doing the right thing. But Leofard insisted pirates didn’t work like that. Even Jacke was silently inclined to agree. Aside from the code-enforcing ones, even if a crew didn’t cause trouble they weren’t exactly rushing out to save the world every time there was an issue.
     On top of that, the smuggled linkpearl was providing no insight into what Radlia and her crew were up to. Almost as if they’d gotten bored of the whole thing. Cait Sith continued to insist they seek help, why continue to spy on Radlia and not simply ask for her help? Leofard spat at the very idea. Cait Sith hissed.

     “Woooaah, woah. Let’s all take a calmin’ breath, aye?” Jacke got between Cait Sith and Leofard, holding up his hands. “Cait Sith, Leofard be right; pirates ain’t got much o’drive for heroics. They like adventurin’ an’ treasure, but ye can’t partake in either if ye be dead. An’ heroics tend to leave people dustmans.” He hated bringing that up around Himi, and the way she wilted immediately crushed his heart. Even Cait Sith noticed the change in her demeanor, and placed a gentle paw on her arm to express his sympathy. Harrumphing, Leofard grumbled that Utata was having some trouble with a project related to the Void Ark, and suggested that everyone bugger off to deal with it.

     “Well, I should rather discuss the properties of the Void Ark than continue with this fruitless debate!” Cait Sith snorted, jumping from the table to skitter out the room. Himi followed, not wanting to be around a grumpy Leofard, and Stacia followed as well. The only one who lingered was Jacke.

     “Get you gone, too.” Leofard huffed.

     “I ain’t goin’ nowhere.” Jacke pursed his lips together, knocking Leofard’s feet off the table so he could sit on the edge. “I know ye be right ‘bout the state o’pirates. But Cait Sith be right too. This whole thing could turn into a point o’no return if we take too much time searchin’.”

     “I. Don’t. Need. It. From. You. Too.” Leofard rolled his head from side to side.

     “Ye be the sort o’cove what holds onto his pride, eh?” Jacke snorted.

     “And what if I do?”

     “Askin’ for help ain’t a bad-”

     “If I never asked for help, you nor Himi would be here.” Leofard sat up, bapping Jacke’s knee. “I just ain’t got no interest is splittin’ any loot we find with assholes what might just stab us in the back for all of it after helpin’ us save the world.” He threw his arms up into the air, exasperated. “I ain’t even really want to save the world either, I’m just doin’ it cause I live here too!”

     “Scared?”

     “Shut up.”

     “Ain’t nothin’ wrong with-”

     “Zip it!” Leofard snapped. “Piss off, why don’t you? Go see why Utata is grumblin’ or somethin’.” He immediately regretted those words. Jacke stared coldly, a mix of hurt and annoyance.

     “Fine.” He smacked his lips, sliding off the table.

     “Awe, wait, Jacke, Captain me Captain, don’t-”

     “Zip it.” Jacke made a zipping motion across his lips before storming out.

     “Awe...fuck me.” Leofard dragged his hands down his face. He leapt to his feet, dashing out into the hall. “Alright, you got me! I am scared!” He called out to Jacke, who was just about to leave the building. He paused, turning on a heal, arms crossed, nodding for Leofard to continue. “But I ain’t scared for me own life, piss all whatever happens to me. But I wouldn’t be able to live with meself if anythin’ would happen to me crew. Surely you understand that?” Leofard didn’t know how right he was.

     “Aye.” Jacke closed his eyes, thinking about the Sisters dead because of Cassian tol Sulla’s bold escape. “Ain’t got a need to imagine how that feels, cause a decent chunk o’me crew were milled ‘cause o’some Imperial cur.” A sigh escaped him. “It ain’t ever gonna leave me. I’ll be havin’ nightmares for the rest o’me life. But at the end o’the lightmans, an’ darkmans, there be a job to do. An’ all me coves an’ morts knew what they be signin’ up for.” He opened his eyes to stare Leofard down. “Ye ain’t gonna be able to keep ‘em out o’harms way forever. Sooner or later, for one reason or another, they’ll be findin’ themselves in Nald’Thal’s halls. Maybe even the Fury’ll pick up a soul or two.”

     “Watch ‘em never get hurt under me watch...” Leofard grumbled.

     “An who be makin’ sure ye ain’t the one gettin’ hurt?” Jacke snapped.

     “I can take care o’meself and me crew!”

     “Do ye not trust yer crew to have yer back?”

     “Course I do! They just won’t need to, is all!”

     “Prideful, arrogant...” Jacke huffed as Leofard closed the distance between them.

     “Were you hopin’ I’d volunteer you?” Leofard playfully pinched Jacke’s chin.

     “Pah! Ye ain’t gotta volunteer me. I got yer back anyways.”

     “Ohho? Only known me for a few weeks, and already so loyal.”

     “Few weeks spendin’ nearly all me time with ye. It be like knowin’ ye for months...”

     “I see, I see...” Leofard leaned in, but shouts from outside interrupted whatever he had planned. Talons were spotted on the horizon, heading right for the Parrock.

     “I don’t think the compass is broken.” Himi mused as she turned Utata’s current project in her hand. “If you built this second one the exact same way, I doubt it’s magically just not going to work like the first one.” Himi handed the new ectocompass back to Utata. Cait Sith nodded, inclined to agree with Himi. He inquired as to how the compass worked in the first place, listening carefully as Utata explained how it was attuned to a unique signature that emitted from the Void Ark.

     “Of course! The ark was propelled by the siphoned energies of voidsent! Could it be that the compass was tracking not the vessel itself, but the aether of the entities imprisoned within?” Cait Sith’s tail flicked eagerly. Diabolos and the Shadow Queen were no longer on the ark, therefor, it stood to reason the compass was no longer tracking the vessel itself. If they plotted a course based on this… there would be no need to request assistance from any other crew. A nice, happy solution that would certainly be welcome news to Leofard. A nice, happy solution, spoiled by Stacia buzzing on Utata’s linkpearl, announcing that Talon airships were fast approaching their nest.

     “You threaten my crew, steal our compass, and now you come crawlin' to me for help? What kind of unholy mess have you cretins stumbled into?” Leofard stared at the groveling pirates. He expected a fight; not pirates on their knees, calling a truce, begging for help. The absolute irony, at least Cait Sith held his tongue. He kept his hand on his pistol, just in case this was a very, very, well planned ruse.
     The Talons had discovered first hand what Himi, Utata and Cait Sith had figured out; the compass was tracking Diabolos and the Shadow Queen. Immediately overrun by voidsent and most of the crew captured or knocked out of the sky by a giant spider demon, these measly two ships were all that was left. The Deckswab pleaded once more for the Redbills to save Captain Radlia. Leofard thinned his lips, and Jacke wondered if he’d leave his rival to die via demons. Even if she was a menace, was she enough of one to die in such a way, Jacke wondered.
     Stacia suggested listening to the linkpearl again; buzzing, then some cussing… a mention of an Mhachi artifact, more cursing, then screaming. Radlia was alive – for now.

     “If those screams were an act, then consider me fooled─I don't think the Talons are layin' a trap here. I've half a mind to leave Radlia to her fate, but I never turn my back on an adventure! Especially when the scent of treasure is in the air, eh? Now, tell me where you found these ruins!”
Jacke stifled a laugh, how quickly Leofard covered up his kindness with greed. Jacke saw through it, but Cait Sith’s disappointed ear flicks indicated the subtle ruse had worked on him.

     “...You'll help us, then!? You're a good man, Redbill! We left the captain in the Yafaem Saltmoor, just northwest of Mor Dhona.” The deckswab sighed in relief.

     “In Yafaem, you say!? Then you must speak of the ruined shell of Mhach itself! ...By Shatotto's black heart! Could they be after the Nullstone?” Cait Sith perked up, flicking his eyes to Himi before turning his attention back to Leofard.

Yafaem.

Mhach.

Shatotto.

Nullstone.

Words that dug deep their claws into Himi’s mind. Her heart. Her soul.

     Only Cait Sith could sense the way her aether churned. He said naught as Himi missed Jacke asking why his manacutter was named “Raimille”, and Utata admitting she had no idea. He said naught as the conversation moved from the chilly outdoors to inside Leofard’s chambers. He said naught as Himi stood there, disconnected from the world as Leofard asked him to explain the artifact Diabolos was hunting.
     “...If I am to speak of the Nullstone, then I must first explain the method by which Mhachi sorcerers would bind the voidsent into service.” He felt her aether churn again, and still, he said naught about her plight. But he watched her carefully as he explained how voidsent “cooperated” with mortal sorcerers to enter our world, since they otherwise could not. But it was foolhardy, was it not, to assume even carefully worded contracts would not always be honored by the most devious of demons.

     “My dearest coven...”

Not now, Himi thought, gods, not now.

     “My dearest coven,” The wayward Ascian overlord bowed deeply. “Once before, your highest of members came to me to learn how to summon Voidsent to your side and I obliged.” He tried not to look at the disappointed expression wrought across Cessair’s face. Was this part of his stupid mistake that lead to this war, she wondered. Tremant smiled, as if nothing were wrong. “After all, summoning is something I am particularly good at.” A small chuckle. “But I come before you today for another reason. A gift, from me to you.” He held out his hand and a tome seething in aether appeared. “You are all mortal still, and I’m sure you are quickly learning that voidsent are not mindless beasts yearning to be dominated. But living, breathing, thinking beings that hunger for something their world lacks, mn? You’re learning how smart they are, how devious, how tricksy.”

     “Get to the point!”

     “I was about to hush, don’t interrupt. I almost made the thing for you, but if you built it yourself perhaps it would command a better understanding on how to use it properly. In this tome, is everything you need to construct a nullstone – something that will send any misbehaving voidsent back to the darkness whence it came. And I. Mean. Any. Voidsent; from Imps to kings and queens, and Clouds of Darkness if you are so unlucky. As an old friend of mine would say, do not squander it, this gift I bequeath you.” He handed the tome to one of the magi whose face was long forgotten. His attention once again flicked to Cessair, Cait Sith dutifully clinging to her leg.

     “Why give us this? The ability to obliterate an entity completely? What if we figure out how to use this for other means? What if we find a way to subjugate your ilk?”

     “When it comes to the glory of Mhach….”

     “...The ends justified the means...” Cait Sith sighed.

Chapter Text

     Salt. The unmistakable bitter stench cutting through the swamp musk churned her stomach. A pervasive reminder that Yafaem touched the sea. Weathered ruins marked the outskirts of the city of Mhach; where many Black Mages once lost their sense of morality, and many more lost their lives.
     Amongst the white and purple flowers swaying in the humid breeze, she could see them, the ghosts of Mhach. Those who some 1500 years later had yet to return to the Aetherial Sea. Aimlessly walking the overgrown, crumbling streets weeping, mourning their fate, or running amok, as if they could still somehow save themselves from rising waters that had long receded. She fought the urge to whistle for a particular three-headed dog.
     Leofard and Jacke had already gone on ahead, blissfully unaware of the specters as they dealt with the sarcosucgus infested swamp. No sooner did they kill one scalekin did another lunge from the water. Cait Sith made sure to stay far away from the gnashing of their teeth filled maws, large enough to swallow a Lalafell whole. Himi took a step forward, intending to help, but as her foot crossed an invisible threshold a shudder washed over the lost city. Every spirit stopped what they were doing, all eyes on her, now. Chanted whispers of “Mhach Mhach beware the dark, keep away or loose your heart” filled the air. Though not a single mouth moved. Cait Sith kept peering in her direction as Leofard and Jacke, still unable to see or hear anything odd, congratulated themselves on killing the final sarcosucgus, making it a grand total of six dead beasties. She knew there would be more danger ahead, she needed to move forward to join them. She needed to help them clear away for the others.
     Stacia and the Redbills, plus the few Talon’s fit for travel finally caught up, passing right by her, none the wiser. As if she were as invisible as the spirits only she could see. Himi took another step forward, the dead now faced her. A third step, and in the blink of an eye they all moved closer. Arms reaching out to her, faces twisting in anger.

     “Liar.”

         “You abandoned us!”

“You knew!”

     “Thief!”

                 “Monster!”

“You left us to die!”

     “We could have all been saved!”

“Traitor!”

          “Traitor!”

                       “Traitor!” That one word, repeated ad nausea, backed by the hushed nursery rhyme. She had to ignore them, she had to continue forward. Himi carefully lifted her foot to take another step, but-

     “HALT.” Cait Sith hollered, holding out his paw. Himi dutifully balanced on one leg. Finally, Jacke and Leofard noticed she was still back at the start of the path.

     “What’s wrong, puss?” Leofard furrowed his brow as the feline familiar skittered to Himi.

     “Himi has had the misfortune of stepping onto a trap ward. If she moves, she will trigger it and be afflicted with Doom, with only a minute to spare before she perishes. A moment to focus, if you please, and I can safely dispel it before such a fate befalls her.” He held both his paws towards the faded sigil flickering under her foot. “Did I not warn that such a trap was unnecessary?” He muttered. Himi nervously laughed, as if some part of her knew what he meant. She shut her eyes as he worked, and a moment later he announced it was safe for her to move. The spirits were not gone when she opened her eyes, but they were no longer reaching for her and continued to watch her every move. Himi felt Jacke’s hand in hers, giving it a squeeze and softly asking if she was alright, or if she needed a moment to gather her bearings. But, she insisted she was fine enough to continue; a lie, of course, but he took her word for it.

     “Alright Birdie, front and center, eh? We’ll clear the way for the rest o’the Redbills so they can scour the area for Radlia and what’s left of her crew… and whatever shiny baubles we can get our greedy hands on.”

     “There be spiders up ahead.” Jacke warned.

     “That’s fine, my gun has a flamethrower mode.”

     “Aye, likewise.” Leofard nodded. Jacke stared them both, absolutely bewildered. “What?” Leofard grinned. “You think Lord Stephanivien isn’t gonna give the likes of us nothin’ but the best?”

     “Remind me to thank the cove later.” Jacke shook his head, chuckling.

     And what a glorious inferno it was. Not a single spider or sticky cobweb could withstand two cackling best-friends-with-benefits wielding flamethrowers. The blaze put the burning Talon airship to shame, and even the demon spider eyed the trio warily as they entered her nest. Arachne hissed when they continued to advance, stomping her front legs against the webbed ground. “I can smell the light infesting that one...” Another hiss escaped Arachne as her eyes fell upon Himi. Who tilted her head to one side then the other as she studied the woman...harlequin...spider...demon.

     “Would.” Himi shrugged.

     “What.” Jacke whipped his head ‘round to stare at her, unsure if she was serious or joking. Leofard immediately doubled over from laughing so hard. Somewhere, in the middle of Thanalan, a lone succubus felt jealous and wasn’t sure why.

     “What? The female half is cute.”

     “Dove, raise yer standards, please. Leofard quit flashin’ yer ivories, it ain’t funny!”

     “What’re you talkin’ about, Swallow? That’s the funniest fuckin’ thing I’ve heard in me life.”

     “Anyways, she can die now.” Himi raised her firearm, needing little time to aim before discharging her weapon, hitting Arachne’s forehead dead center. For good measure, Leofard unloaded his bullets into her chest, whilst Jacke sunk his blades into the joints of her legs, cleanly removing them. He thought she smelled just as bad as she looked, and couldn’t see what Himi did in her. Not that that mattered much; she was dead now anyways.
     Cait Sith watched the scene unfold, thinking how some people just never change. Eyes flicked to Himi’s foot, which she’d subtly nudged against the voidsent, stealing aether the demon had selfishly taken from this world. He pretended he didn’t see her do this at all, when Leofard asked what he was staring at.

     “Nothing.” He watched the voidsent’s body finally disintegrate into sparks of void. “Merely pondering the state of my home.”

     “Ah, right. This must be hard… seein’ your city such a mess.”

     “It does not do to dwell on such matters. Let us continue.”

     Of course, it would be raining. Of course. Himi grumbled to herself as the pulled her hood over her head. Cait Sith wondered just how she was able to fit her hair under it with such ease. Jacke was more than accustomed to this sort of weather, and found amusement in hearing Leofard and Himi grumble. Laughing as Himi excitedly pointed out steps leading to a building that still had its roof. The last thing he remembered was looking down at the wooden planks that had been placed to fix the broken bridge across the tributary.

     How familiar, this darkness was. The cold. The crushing weight. A pressure swelling, churning in her chest. Warm, putrid salt water in her throat, her mouth, pouring across her lips. Air fighting for its rightful place in her lungs. She coughed, wheezed, and sat up. Cait Sith, Jacke and Leofard lay near her, soaked, unconscious, but breathing. Behind her was a waterfall pouring onto the broken walkway, ahead lay what was left of the heart of the city. Once proud ruins stood atop pillars of stone that had yet to succumb to erosion and time, jutting out from water that could barely be seen; but she could hear it, and smell it. Salt. Even more salt. The city called out to her, she could feel the past tugging at her. Himi had sat up, but it was someone else who stood.
Tremant didn’t look back as he slowly entered the city, Ascian robes flittering in the musty breeze. Despite the destruction, he could still see an echo of what had been. Sea-green eyes glowing brighter than usual, the dead, both the hidden specters and the monstrous conglomerates that did not need special sight to be seen, ducked and skittered away. Spectral flames that matched his eyes flickered and parted, revealing hidden paths through the crumbling city. He walked forward, determined to make things right.

     Jacke groaned as he awoke, glancing at Cait Sith and Leofard who were also stirring, and noted right away Himi wasn’t with them. He cursed slightly, coughing as he got onto his knees.

     “Everybody livin’?” Leofard groaned, also letting out a few coughs.

     “Aye, but Himi ain’t here.” Jacke grumbled. “Dove went on ahead, I can see footprints in the dirt over there.”

     “Bloody hell, what’d she leave us behind for? She must’ve seen somethin’.”

     “Are ye good to walk? We better catch up with her ‘fore the dove gets into trouble.”

     “More like she cleared the trouble for us.” Leofard mumbled as the trio made their way through the ruins. The dead stayed away, and the sea-green flames ensured they stayed on the right path. Even Cait Sith noted that the city appeared to be guiding them to exactly where they needed to go. A pyramid resting just above the city. Every inch of the ruins smelled of death. The rotting, permeating stench of citrus and fish on a summers day. Cait Sith insisted the city did not smell as such in his time. Jacke and Leofard wondered if he’d just been too accustomed to the smell back then.
     Their journey took them winding through crumbling walls and exposed hallways, eventually leading them to a narrow, winding staircase. Stepping carefully, walking silently in the darkness before exiting onto the mostly intact Shrine of the Goetic; where three wonderful surprises greeted them. First, they saw the corpses of Talons littering the ground, second, the spindly, horned highborn voidsent Forgall, sitting atop a necrotic sphere.Thirdly, an Ascian overlord, who made sure to put his cracked red mask over his face before turning to look at the trio.

     “Oh. You’re awake now.”

     “Tremant!” Cait Sith’s tail puffed up. “I was wondering when you would disgrace us with your presence!”

     “...Ouch!?” Tremant pouted. “That cuts deep, that does.” Leofard thought he seemed familiar, but couldn’t put his finger on it. Jacke, however…

     “That’s the cove I saw in the Void Ark! I know it be!”

     “Oh, aye? What’s he doin’ poppin’ up wherever we go, and why d’you know him, puss?”

     “This bumbling fool is responsible for all of this!” Cait Sith huffed.

     “I didn’t do it on purpose!” Tremant pleaded.

     “Since when the hell do Ascian’s not do nothin’ on purpose?” Jacke grumbled.

     “And where’s Himi!?” Leofard demanded. Tremant tilted his head to one side, as if trying to figure out who he was talking about.

     “Oh! Her. You’ll find her at the end of your adventure today. She’s fine.”

     “She better be!”

     Tremant shrugged, looking a little exasperated. “Fine, don’t believe me, whatever. But I’ve got things to do. Forgall? Jump of the edge and kill yourself.”

     “W-what?”

     “Now. Your necromantic magic insults me.” He waved a hand flippantly. “Or do I need to call-”

     “No, no! You will not...” Forgall immediately flung himself off the edge, plummeting into the darkness below. Cait Sith huffed as the other two watched in shock.

     “This does not make amends for all you did! Intentionally or not!” Cait Sith stomped his foot.

     “At least I’m not fool enough to permit them to fight Ozma; did you really think the three of them were enough? Even with her, those two don’t even come close to her strength on a good day. And she is not, having a good day.”

     “What’s Ozma?” Leofard asked.

     “A defense mechanism that devoured cities and dimensionally compressed them. You can ramble on about needing to prove your worth to reach the nullstone all you want, as if the thing can judge you. It cannot. But it bloody well needs be retrieved, doesn’t it? I’ve not the ability to hold your hand through this entire ordeal. I’m pushing my luck as is. Now shut up and let me clear the way.”

     “I don’t trust you, not with Himi missin’!” Leofard meant to charge the Ascian, but he found himself frozen in place. A faint ticking of a clock echoed in his ears; he quickly realized Jacke and Cait Sith were also unable to move. T’was if time had stopped.

     “Child’s play~!” Nabriales cackled as he stepped past the three and sauntered towards Tremant.

     “So long as it holds until we are finished.” Elidibus mused, walking past them on the other side.

     “Of course it will.” Nabriales scoffed.

     “Oh come on! How are we supposed to believe you now!?” Leofard shouted, still trying to move.

     “Do or don’t it doesn’t matter. The results will be the same.” Tremant sighed, shaking his head. “Come on, let’s go, lest my favor timer runs out.” And with that, the three vanished into swirls of darkness. Leofard didn’t think Cait Sith knew how to swear, until the colourful strong of words left his mouth, all directed at Tremant.

     “I remember when they built this~!” Nabriales cooed, admiring the swirling sphere. “I even recalled thinking that this had Azem’s fingerprints all over it. What with the dimensional compressing and all. Seat of the traveler, you know! But alas, Emet-Selch was so insistent that Azem no longer existed. Fancy that!”

     “Not that anyone ever truly believed him.” Elidibus mused. “Once more, I find myself doing your duty, brother.”

     “Yeah, well. Feelin’ a little under the weather.” Tremant grumbled. Elidibus transformed into the heroic visage of a champion from times long past, the one who all Warriors of Light on every shard were compared to, named after. One, two, three swift strikes were all that was needed to destroy the thing, well, mostly destroy. It was now the gateway to the highest part of the temple, where the nullstone was stored. Stored, being a very generous word. Calofisteri, once a mortal sorceress, had consumed the blood of voidsent and imbued the artifact into her head to become its guardian; no one had asked this of her. She screamed and growled upon seeing Tremant, cursing his name. Another stop spell from Nabriales prevented her from lashing out with her… hair.

    “Hmn. I do think there’s another voidsent on the Thirteenth that also uses her hair as a weapon...” Nabriales mused. “What was her name…. Barbarella?”

     “Barbariccia.” Both Tremant and Elidibus corrected flatly.

     “Whatever. Well. This is where I make my leave, as I am not needed.” Nabriales shrugged, stepping into the darkness. Tremant rolled his eyes; of course Nabriales was the first to cut out as soon as possible. He felt Elidibus pat his shoulder as he walked past.

     “...My condolences.” The Emissary genuinely sounded sincere.

     “About what?”

     “About Haurchefant. Lahabrea went too far.” Elidibus frowned, vanishing into the shadows.
Himi let out a small, teary huff as she dragged her hands down her face. She took a moment to regain her composure, wonder where the hell she was and how she got there, before stepping to the still frozen Calofisteri.

     “Again, lovely, would, but I need the big glowy green thing attached to your head, darling.” Himi gripped it tightly, and began pulling. “You could make this easier and just give it up, you know!”

     “FIGHT MEEEE!”

     “No!”

     “PROVE YOUR WOOORTH.”

     “Bitch, I don’t need to prove my worth to anyone who indulged in voidsent blood and slapped on a gold bikini, enough people have died already because of Diabolos and whatever her name is.”

     “SLOVENLY MARAUDER!”

     “...VAINGLORIOUS TWAT.”

     “UNKEMPT WENCH.”

     “INSUFFERABLE BEACH BUNNY.”

     “MORONIC MERCENARY.”

     “LICE-RIDDEN SIREN!”

     “HOW DARE YOU! MY LUSCIOUS LOCKS ARE FREE OF PESTS.”

     “Really? You’re more mad about that than me calling you a vagi-”

     “...Himi are ye two done flirtin’, or.” Himi whipped her head around to see Leofard, Jacke and Cait Sith standing at the edge of the platform. She wheezed and sputtered, loudly insisting she wasn’t flirting with the self-made voidsent, even if she was very lovely. “I dunno, she’s lookin’ eager for you to keep insultin’ her.” Leofard sucked on her lower lip.

     “She is not!” Himi looked between her friends and the still frozen voidsent, who was staring at her wide eyed, and a little too hopeful for Himi to continue.

     “1,500 years is such a long time to not have someone else bask in my glory...”

     “...Aiight enough of that.” Himi dug her fingers in, yanking as hard as she could. Cait Sith once again noted she was sneakily stealing aether from the voidsent. Jacke and Leofard jumped to her aid; between the three of them yanking and Himi subtly stealing aether, Calofisteri screeched as the nullstone was yanked from her head. Just in time, as the last ticks of Nabriales’s spell signaled the end of it. The voidsent’s lifeless body hit the floor, vanishing into a puff of darkness a moment later.
     Himi was more than happy to hand the green sphere off to Cait Sith; the thing was as large as his head, and his spindly arms really looked like it should be too heavy for him to carry. But he managed just fine. Looking as happy as a barn cat with a freshly caught rat.

     “You've done a fine job dismantlin' the defenses, you three. I only wish we could say we had the same success, but Radlia and her Talons were nowhere to be found.” Stacia sighed as she joined them, admiring the size and design of the structure. This pyramid was the only part of the city that had remained untouched to time.

     “Yes, it is quite distressing, but we must focus on claiming the prize at hand. The Nullstone is ours!” Cait Sith held up their prize triumphantly.

A short lived victory, as an unfamiliar cackle echoed all around.

     “The trail left for your companions led me right to you!” A scythe wielding, harlequin-like voidsent hovered above the platform. “Well, well, well! If it isn't the adventurer I've so longed to dismember!” He gestured to Himi, who struggled to remember when she’d met this one before. “Praise Lord Diabolos for this opportunity─I shall gift him your head in gratitude. Ah, and speaking of gifts, I've brought a present to celebrate our gleeful reunion!” He turned his head to reveal Radlia, dangling in the air beside him by her void-wrapped wrists. Alive, and looking mighty humbled.

     “Shit.” Jacke mumbled under his breath. He looked to Leofard when Ferdiad offered to exchange Radlia’s life for the Nullstone. But Leofard wanted nothing to do with her. Announcing as such as he stepped closer to Ferdiad, drawing and aiming his pistol at the Talon captain, and not the voidsent.

     “I just thought to crow over her grave!” Leofard snorted. Jacke was a little taken aback, was Leofard really that cold? Or was she really that bad of a person? ...Did he really have any room to judge? Or maybe… he noted Leofard had put himself between the voidsent and Cait Sith, blocking the feline from the demon’s view. Currently, Cait Sith was putting all of his focus on the Nullstone; a diversion? Jacke kept his mouth shut and his attention focused on the monster.

     “Redbill!” Radlia sputtered.

     “Don't give me that look, Radlia. What? You thought I was here to save your sorry hide? You've never been aught but an obstacle to me. Do you remember the first time we met? You were roarin' with laughter at the sight of all them Allagan relics until I used your pretty blonde head as a steppin'-stone!” He guffawed. Himi’s head ached with the Echo just enough to know he was lying. Sort of. She fought off the rest of the vision as now really wasn’t the time.
     Radlia started squirming and kicking, cussing out Leofard for being nothing but a selfish bastard. Shouting how she wished she could blow a hole in his belly. To which, Leofard politely reminded her that she couldn’t shoot the side of a cathedral at ten yalms. Jacke thought about the shouting match Himi had earlier with that other voidsent; there was no further doubts as to why these two had become such good friends.

     “Silence, you grinning fool! You've ruined my moment, and now I'll ruin your smirking face!!” Ferdiad screeched, upset at being upstaged by a foolish mortal. He dove towards the platform, scythe ready to slice through Leofard. Who leapt safely to the side so that Cait Sith may blast the demon with a mighty beam of light from the Nullstone; whatever he’d done, the sphere was now a twisting black and magenta staff with a silver cube as the head.

     “AAARGH! IT BURNS!”

     “This world is not your stage, unholy harlequin! Begone from our realm!” Cait Sith commanded. A flash of light, and the fiend was gone; but not destroyed. He promised to make them scream one day, and the dark fetters around Radlia’s wrists vanished, letting her fall to the floor.

     “...The bugger got away. And I think we'd best do the same.” Grumbled, leading everyone out.

     Back at the Parrock, Himi had no answers for Jacke, as Leofard partially chewed out Cait Sith for the Nullstone having only driven away Ferdiad. As Himi swore up and down she wasn’t sure how she got into that final chamber, nor did she ever see any Ascians, Cait Sith promised he had only used the Nullstone at a fraction of its power. Leofard compared it to a dulled blade, so long as Cait Sith didn’t know how to wield it properly. But… he had picked up on Leofard’s bluff, taking advantage of it to summon what power he could from the artifact, being the one to save Radlia in the end. Cait Sith was flummoxed by the compliment as Leofard swaggered off to join Jacke in questioning Himi.

     “Well, Elidibus is the Ascian in white. He calls himself an emissary and occasionally tests heroes and or… helps in some weird way. I think he’s some sort of neutral Ascian, I don’t know.”

     “And the other two?”

     “Well, the one with time spells is Nabriales.” She frowned. “…Absolutely failed in killing him, so, thanks for the reminder he’s still running around. As for the other, I’ve no idea. He doesn’t ring any bells.”

     “That is surprising.” Cait Sith muttered to himself. “Though I suppose I should not be surprised.”

     “What’re you mutterin’ about over there, puss?”

     “Hmph! I was wondering if you’d hit your head, in Mhach, as I am certain you just paid me a compliment.”

     “I can take it back if you want.”

     “Nay!”

     “Cait Sith.” Jacke quickly interrupted before an argument could break out. “Ye seemed to recognize that third Ascian cur, what can ye tell us ‘bout the cove?”

     “I suppose I can enlighten you some.” Cait Sith flicked his eyes to Himi before turning around to skitter to Leofard’s chambers. Radlia was resting, so there would be a little time before she would be ready to give her sob story.

    Pacing atop the table as he so often did, Cait Sith picked his words carefully. “That Ascian, the one named Tremant, was there the night my mistress plucked me from the rain and turned me into her familiar. He was… dear to her. Imagine her surprise when one day she discovered that she had born two children to an Ascian.”

     “Oi, I’d say he was a bit more than dear to her!” Leofard guffawed.

     “Indeed; he was good to my master make no mistake. I know naught of what became of their offspring during the flood. However, an Ascian is an Ascian. His attempts to fix his mistakes were lazy and oft lead to more trouble. But he rarely, if ever, intentionally tried to cause it.”

     “So ye don’t think the cur’ll be trouble for us?”

     “I’m sure he misses her; having long outlived my master. It would not surprise me if he continues to try and be helpful, I can’t deny he probably was today in regards to Ozma, but as I said, an Ascian is an Ascian. And that is all I will say of the man.”

     “Awright, I won’t push.” Leofard shrugged. “Let’s get some grub in us while we wait for Radlia to rest up, eh?”

     “You go do that, I’m grabbing a quick nap myself.” Himi yawned, slipping off to her room.

     “Suit yourself Birdie.” Another shrug. He figured he’d bring her a plate later, cause he knew she’d be starving by the time she awoke.

About half a bell later, Leofard pushed Himi’s door open with a plate of food in one hand, drink in the other. Letting out a long, long sigh as he immediately noticed she wasn’t in her bed. “Birdie...where do you keep flyin’ off to?” He muttered, setting everything down on a table. If the food was cold and the ale warm by the time she returned, that was her own fault. He shut the door behind him, returning to his own room where Jacke was waiting with another round of ale for them both.

In the center of Mhach, a female Ascian stood, sighing tiredly as once again, the ghosts of drowned Magi stared and clamored to her.

     “Well...someone needs to do his job if he won’t.” A frown before she put her fingers to her lips and let out a sharp whistle. The dead froze as the sound echoed through the city. Silence, then several three-toned barks as a massive, three-headed dog bound from the depths to dutifully stand next to her. He wagged his tail, panting eagerly as he looked between her and the spirits who were now slowly backing away. Sea green eyes illuminated from the darkness of her hood. “Be sure to pay the ferryman on the way down.” And that was all the order needed for Cerberus. Souls wailed and pleaded; they weren’t ready, they had unfinished business, they enjoyed roaming the ruins, excuse after excuse to not be dragged to the sea. But she did not permit a single one to stay. Their return to the star was long overdue, she reminded them. When Cerberus did not return, she knew the job was done. A cold hand gripped her shoulder, a familiar hand, and she tensed. “It had to be done.” She told him. “And I would do it to you if I wasn’t so bloody sentimental.” She turned to look at Haurchefant; but he wasn’t there, just a widow’s grief and a Warrior of Light’s guilt. Huffing, she left in a swirl of darkness.

     Himi sat up in bed, yawning, stomach growling. She spotted the meal waiting for her on the table, the food still hot and the ale still cold! Someone must have just dropped it off while she was napping, she figured. Wasting no time, she dug right in, wondering why she still felt so exhausted.

Chapter Text

     “Where’s the rest of my crew?” Radlia’s question still rang in Jacke’s ears. Gnawing on his thoughts like a pervasive earworm. Thoughts he tried to drown out with the stiff drink clutched in his hand, his third of the day and it wasn’t even five pm. Jacke nursed this third glass though; this nameless hole-in-the-wall never watered down anything. He was the only customer, but that wasn’t unusual. There were hardly ever more than a few patrons at a time and even fewer conversed with one another. This is where you went when you didn’t want to be alone, but you didn’t want company either. A quiet place for the haunted. He frequented this spot when he was freshly eighteen, and he was fairly certain half the vomit stains on the table he was sitting at were because of him from those days. The broken window that had been boarded up for the past nine years was definitely his fault. He tried to pay to have it replaced, but the owner waved it off. Claimed that people were always breaking it from the outside or in, and it was just as well to keep the boards up.
     His reasons for being here then, were different from today. Today he was mulling in the familiarity of losing most of his crew. That look on Radlia’s face when she’d realized… he knew how she felt. She wasn’t worth shedding tears over, from the way Leofard spoke about her, but he knew what was going through her head right now. Gods, if anything had happened to V’kebbe and Underfoot too… Jacke knew he would have walked away from being Guildmaster right then and there. He still might, if the Imperial spy responsible for killing over half his crew was never caught.
     The creak of rusty hinges signaled that the customer count had now gone up to two. Jacke kept his head lowered, more focused on his drink and not caring who the person was or their order. But the newcomer only politely nodded to the bartender, not ordering a thing. Instead, he approached Jacke, dragging a chair over so he may sit across from him.

     “What is the phrase, so often used? Ah yes, is this seat taken?” He asked. Jacke knew that voice.

     “Oboro?” He jerked his head up, surprised, even taking a moment to rub his eyes just in case he was seeing things.

     “Might I suggest wallowing under a waterfall instead? That is considerably better for your health in the long run, and is quite refreshing!” The shinobi nodded, face drawn seriously.

     “In this gig, ain’t a sod what expects to have a long run.” Jacke polished off the rest of his drink, setting the glass upside down on the table as he flinched at the burn crawling down his throat. “Were ye intentionally lookin’ for me, or…?”

     “I was. Your father knows you well. You are very lucky to have such a strong parental figure in your life.”

     “Ain’t ever spilled whids what say otherwise.” Jacke mumbled, rubbing his eyes again. “What’d ye want? Somethin’ happen?”

     “Many things, always. But I ran into our mutual friend and fellow shadow, X’vanet, and he told me a curious thing. He and the others have made the decision to end the search for Himi. But from my understanding, you have not. Is there something you know?”

     “That be an awfully loaded question.” Jacke sighed. “Why did they stop searchin’ for the dove?”

     “According to him, he and one other are the only two who even think she’s still alive.”

     “Well, make that three, I guess. Ain’t restin’ me dew beaters till I find a body.” Jacke grumbled, but Oboro peered at him, folding his hands atop the table. He leaned forward before replying.

     “I was not aware you were a man who lies to his friends.”

     “Eh?”

     “You are dressed for a much colder climate than where you usually roam, and you wear the colours of a...different crew.”

     “And?”

     “Jacke, her friends are hurting for her absence. If you know something, why not say something? At least give them some reassurance that she is safe?”

     “I dunno. Why ain’t ye back in Doma sharin’ the truth with yer elders?” Jacke snipped, rising to his feet. Oboro opened and shut his mouth several times, before closing his eyes.

     “Ah...” He nodded. “I see. I understand. I will say naught, and will pressure you no further.”

     “Thank ye.” Jacke muttered.

     “Jacke.”

     “Aye?” Jacke was already halfway to the exit.

     “...Be kinder to yourself. It was not your fault.”

     “Like hells it wasn’t.” Jacke thought to himself before slipping out into the grungy alley.

     He didn’t smoke, but as he pulled his collar up around his face to avoid the stench of cheap cigarettes and cigars all around him, a part of him almost caved into starting the habit. No Limsan rogue with his job with half a brain would ever, though. Can’t sneak up on someone when you’re hacking out your lungs.
     A squeal from the tunnel off to his right caught his ear. Amongst the towers of questionable crates awaiting shipment or collection, a haggard, washed up sailor had his pants down and a young hyur woman, about Jacke’s age, was bent over a crate with her dress hiked up. Neither had noticed Jacke, or if they did simply didn’t care. His fingers twitched, reaching for his blades with the annoyed woman reminded the man he either needed to hurry up or pay for more time. Ah. Something that wasn’t worth his attention right now. Unless… he sighed internally, hiding in plain sight.
     It was over before it even began. The man just couldn’t perform and she laughed him right out of the tunnel- no refunds. Jacke watched the miserable oaf lumber off, muttering how that was his last gil. Jacke prayed the man went and found an honest job and didn’t become a code violation later, for the man’s sake. Jacke returned his focus back to the woman, who fixed her dress then counted her gil.

     “Damnit! Broke bastard… still don’t have enough.” She grumbled out loud. “Navigator, send me someone with gil for once.” She smoothed out the front of her dress after pocketing the coins.
Jacke attributed the twist in his gut as his stomach simply upset he’d had three drinks with no food. He left the shadows, sauntering by as if he’d just got there and hadn’t been watching. She called out to him with a singsong voice, beckoning him closer. Her striking white eyes pierced into him so sharply he was almost too intimidated to approach.

     “Need help with somethin’ dove?” he feigned innocence.

     “You look like a man who’s in need of the gentle touch of a woman.” She cooed, draping her arms around his neck. “I think you’ll find my prices are very agreeable.” Pressing her chest against him, batting her eyes so sweetly. He’d never come across anyone so...forward before about the services they offered. Maybe she was new to this. She was close enough he could smell the flowered perfume on her. The fancy stuff. The kind you don’t find cheap or in large quantities. So she was either very good at rationing her perfume from fortunes past, a thief, or someone was spoiling her.

     “How much will this get me?”

     “Darling that’s enough to have me until tomorrow morning. Which I can do, if you’d like that~!” She smiled wide. Even her lipstick and earrings looked expensive. Which was wild because he’d only offered her a hundred gil; most woman that got you a couple of hours, or three. She really must be new.

     “Sounds fine by me.” He muttered, ignoring the way his skin crawled. “Though I’m guessin’ we ain’t gonna stay out here?”

     “Gods no, I’m not that bold.” She barked a laugh. “You got a place in the city?” She brushed her lips against his.

     “Just a room in the Mizzenmast.” A partial truth.

     “Oh, not there.” She was awfully quick to shoot that down. At least she knew better than to take a client there. His father wouldn’t allow it; he’d turn a blind eye for most adventurers but there was no way he’d permit Jacke to bring up a lady of the night – well. Late afternoon.

     “What about yer doldrums?” Jacke asked.

     “Oh, I suppose~!” She batted her eyes again. “I live with other people though; but I’ve my own room, they may be home, they may not be, I hope that’s alright with you? Or are you shy and the thought that others might hear unsettles you?”

     “It be fine.” he hated that, actually. But he had a hunch. And an upset stomach.

     Half a bell later she was leading Jacke to a building at the end of a pier. One he was more than familiar with. Partially for the same reasons he knew of that quiet pub, but also because the Sisters had had to make the occasional call, to ensure that everyone living there was there willingly, even if begrudgingly. Upon entering, she called out that she was going to her room and was to be left alone, but no one replied. Which was… odd. There was always at least a person or two lounging around, or the matron making sure a client wasn’t there to cause trouble. There was considerably more fabric hanging along the walls, and whatever perfume she was wearing nearly overwhelmed his senses. It was certainly going to be the only thing he could smell for awhile.
     Her room was just as covered in wall trappings as the rest of the place. He was surprised her bed wasn’t just a pile of fabric. If there was a window, it was well hidden. She carefully lit an oil lamp so there was a little light, and he noted he could now make out a few items on her dresser. A hand mirror, a brush, makeup, perfume, all high quality, from what he could tell. Items you would expect to find in the home of a woman with wealth. This was not a place you stayed if you had wealth. Even if she bagged “clients” like him for a month she still wouldn’t be able to afford such luxuries.

     “Ye gonna give me yer name, dove? So I know what to keen when I be deep in ye?”
She barked a laugh, staring at him with those piercing eyes again as she slowly began to strip for him. Explaining she found names too personal for such an occasion.

     “It’s like finding a stray pup.” She grinned devilishly. “Name the thing and it’s impossible to give up, even if you can’t keep it. And I doubt even you could afford to keep me~!” She chewed on her lower lip, flopping back onto her bed. Legs spread and beckoning him closer with a playful hum. A part of him wanted to screw first and ask questions later, but he attributed that to the booze still talking and he held onto his resolve. She was lovely though.
Jacke approached cautiously, nodding his head in understanding, clothes still on as he crawled onto the bed and straddled her. She tossed him a confused look, before cursing slightly when he snatched one of her earrings – a hidden linkpearl. Which he shut off immediately.

     “Or someone owns yer name an’ gets bit by the green eyed monster whenever another cove screams it, but be greedy enough to keep usin’ ye.”

     “Oh don’t be silly! Most everyone has link pearls these days!” She huffed as he crawled right off her.

     “Not ones this fancy.” He shook his head. He was ready to ask what happened to the matron of this place, when the sound of a boot kicking her door echoed in the small room. Jacke vanished before the second kick could knock the wood off its hinges. The woman squealed, swiftly covering herself with her blanket. Two hyur dressed as Yellowjackets stormed into her room; Jacke knew damn well they weren’t real Yellowjackets.

     “I was supposed to have until tomorrow night!” She pleaded.

     “Wellness check, you left your area without permission.” A snort.

     “You could have knocked!”

     “Though we heard another voice in here.”

     “Well it’s obvious there ain’t another soul in here!” She spat, not giving him up. “My clients have all been rubbish today, I was about to pleasure myself, so I would greatly appreciate it if you’d leave me to my fingers and put my door back!”

     “That so, eh? Ha! How dumb do you think I am? You think I ain’t know what a rogue is, and that Limsa is crawlin’ with em?” He drew his pistol, aimed, fired, and missed her by a hair. Jacke internally sighed, glad he had rightly called the man’s bluff. “Well, guess I was hearin’ things, but let’s be sure, eh?” He immediately aimed for the oil lamp, and fired.

     Oboro had never been so happy, and so distraught, to be right. He hadn’t gone inside the ah, establishment because he wanted Jacke to have some semblance of privacy for his. Business. But when flames began licking at the windows and the unmistakable stench of smoke wafted in the air, Oboro immediately sounded the alarm and pulled his mask up as he ran inside.

     “The bloody ‘ell is goin’ on?” Baderon watched as his off-duty Yellowjacket patrons rushed out of the Drowning Wench. Followed immediately by a bell ringing in the distance – the alarm of a fire somewhere in Limsa. She may have been carved out of stone but there was plenty of lumber, ammunition, ships and gods only knew what else that could destroy a decent chunk of the city if not handled swiftly. He’d get the details later when people returned later to wash the smoke taste in their mouths with booze. For now, he’d make sure he was well stocked as he tried to ignore his gut telling him something was deeply wrong.
     He just couldn’t. Baderon left the bar in the hands of I’tolwann and S’dhodjbi, if any fresh faced adventurers came looking for him, they would need to wait. It was easy enough to figure out where the fire was, and he joined the crowd of looky-loos which included a few familiar faces around Limsa. Now, it was no secret what sort of establishment hunkered down, but most Limsans didn’t care. So long as no one was there against their will or being sold like cattle, people just looked the other way.
     But what was curious, and concerning, was how quickly the fire had spread and the lack of escapees. Part of the wharf had caught fire, and from the murmuring of the crowd, Baderon learned that only three people had gotten out. Broke through one of the windows and jumped right into the harbor where they had to be fished out. Alas, it appeared that it had already been too late for one of the individuals; a body covered in a white sheet was being carefully loaded onto a skiff. What a pity, Baderon thought, turning his attention from the building to look at the victims. Stomach twisting further when he saw Oboro sitting on a crate, wet and still trying to catch his breath. A young woman in a charred dress, was having her burns tended to. His eyes flicked to the one covered, he couldn’t see the face, but he knew. He also knew he couldn’t say a thing or make a scene. No one doubted the existence of the code enforcing rogues; but they’re weren’t known. A regular Limsan that never got in any sort of trouble would never be able to pick out a face or name a name. And that’s how Jacke liked it. Only certain individuals, namely people of rank, knew who was a sister and who wasn’t. Mostly to avoid accidentally arresting one in the middle of a job. For everyone else, if they knew Baderon had a son they just thought he was either a regular dock worker, a mercenary like his father, or a Maelstrom Captain. If Oboro was here, Jacke was probably here, and if Jacke was here, he had more than likely been hunting down some sort of lead.

Baderon’s mind swirled with possibilities, never taking his eyes off the skiff even after it left once Oboro and the woman boarded. He didn’t even notice Commodore Reyner approach him.

     “Baderon, Baderon.” He gripped the guildmaster’s shoulder. “Maelstrom Command. Now.” He hissed just above a whisper. He was being sent there to identify Jacke’s body, he was sure of it. Keeping his composure, Baderon silently nodded before skittering away from the crowd.

     Baderon was escorted right away to the infirmary. Keeping a stiff upper lip, he stepped through the door, expecting the worst. Instead what he got, was Jacke sitting up in bed as a Maelstrom medic tended to the burns on his face whilst chastising Oboro. A second doctor was furthering the woman’s care.

     “Jacke!?” Baderon’s voice cracked. “I thought...”

     “Shrew’s idea. She recognized me face and assumed I was workin’ a job. Didn’t wanna risk me face gettin’ too memorable or somethin’.” Jacke wheezed. “Weird idea but I ain’t complainin’.”

     “So what the ‘ell ‘appened?” Baderon sighed; he’d need a good, stiff drink later.

     “Exactly the question on my mind, Tenfingers.” Merlwyb joined them. The medics promptly saluted before finishing their work. Saluting again once they were dismissed until further notice.

     “Hello ma’am.” Oboro bowed respectfully.

     “One of Yugiri’s aye? Mine thanks for helping my rogue.”

     “Ah! ‘twas nothing, ma’am. I couldn’t stand by and watch a friend get hurt...”

     “Good man.” She smiled warmly. “Now, Captain.” Merlwyb turned her attention to Jacke. “Pray, tell me there’s a good reason why you were, why it all burst into flames, and why I’ve been informed that two Yellowjackets be amongst the dead.”

     “When the good Commodore gets a look at those coves, he’ll note they ain’t his.” Jacke snorted before launching into a coughing fit.

     “Oh? Elaborate, if you can. Is that the reason you were there?” Merlwyb quirked an eyebrow.

     “I’m afraid it’s my fault ma’am.” The still nameless women croaked. “We were goin’ up for a good long screw, he had my services till tomorrow morning, see… but I left the area I was ‘supposed to stay in without checking in with my boss, then Jacke found and turned off my hidden linkpearl. So he sent a wellness check, as he likes to call them. They heard Jacke’s voice through the door, so when they forced their way in and didn’t see anyone other than me, they knew there had to be a rogue. So they decided to ‘smoke the rogue out’. ” She frowned. Heads whipped towards Jacke at the mention of her buying her time.

     “...Son.”

     “I weren’t gonna do nothin!” Jacke wheezed. “Yer wattles miss the whids ‘bout the dove havin’ a boss? The type o’cur what bugs his meat an’ sends goons out on a wellness check?” Jacke hacked up a bit of soot-ridden phlegm. Oboro had a million questions about an apparent difference in culture, but instead of asking his face turned a bright shade of pink.

     “Nay, I heard her words loud and clear, Captain.” Merlwyb frowned. “Some blackguard treating you no better than cattle?”

     “Aye… a few months back, I went to pay off the rest of my late husbands debt, you see. I even had a little extra with me just in case… but the bastard decided right then and there he wanted triple what was owned. I would have slit my throat right there to spite the man, but… but they had found my daughter at my mothers and taken her. Said she was the perfect age to pay off everything owed. But what sort of mother abandons her child like that?”

     “My mother.” Jacke thought bitterly. Baderon immediately crossed the room to sit next to Jacke, pulling him in for a tight hug as if knowing exactly what his son was thinking.

     “So long as I keep working and paying what’s due, she’s safe. She has no idea what’s happening. He spoils her, see. I think she reminds him of a child he must have once had. Doesn’t mean he won’t hurt her if the situation calls for it.”

     “I understand. Captain Jacke; this is your wheelhouse. I shall leave you to it, I’ve a date with the charred innards of a building.”
     Once the Admiral had left, Oboro sat on Jacke’s other side as he went through another round of coughing. “Jacke...” He frowned. “I do not think it wise if you continue this particular investigation in your condition. Permit me to take this young woman to your people, and I will assist them in your stead.”

     “Aye, mill a cur o’two for me, eh?” Jacke relented without argument.

     “How about three?” Oboro smiled warmly, leaving with the still nameless woman as soon as the doctor cleared her to leave. Jacke was also discharged, permitting he didn’t overdo it and got some proper rest that night, his coughing should subside by tomorrow at best, or overmorrow at worst.

     “To the Mizzenmast, then.” Baderon ruffled Jacke’s hair. “I’ll get yer duds mended an’ laundered, an order some grub from the Bismark eh? ‘Ow’s that sound?”

     “Bene...” Jacke decided he wasn’t going to tell Himi what happened, to avoid her fussing and worrying later. A plan, that went right out the window upon returning to the Drowning Wench.

     “’Ello, Leofard!” Baderon greeted him warmly. “What brings ye into Limsa?”

     “Lookin’ for this one.” Leofard eyed Jacke curiously. “Himi was fussin’ since you left so suddenly. So I came here while she checks out Idyllshire.”

     Jacke tried to hold in a cough, but couldn’t. “Blimey...”

     “Oi, you catch a cold or somethin’?”

     “Something be right.” Baderon sighed, shaking his head. “Got caught in a fire, this one.” He wasn’t about to let his son lie or hide what’d happened earlier. Leofard balked, having sincerely not expected that to be the reason for the coughing. Jacke was immediately ushered up to his room, and Leofard promised to bring down his clothes once he’d changed.

     “Shite, Jacke. Can’t take me eyes off you for a second, you’re just as bad as Himi!” Leofard gently teased.

     “I didn’t go runnin’ into fire on purpose!” Jacke huffed, struggling to remove his clothes.

     “Sit, I got you.” Leofard wasted no time in undressing Jacke, noting his skin was slightly pink in some places. “Aye, figured, a little cooked but ain’t nothin’ worse than a sunburn.” Leofard hummed. He went to the drawer were Jacke stashed his plain, loose clothing and dressed him with such ease, Jacke couldn’t help but make a joke about Leofard being a nurse in his past life.

     “Eh, maybe.” Leofard muttered. “How’re your lungs feelin’?”

     “Fine.” He wheezed.

     “Mhm.”

     “What? I be fine!”

     “Aye, you’re not dead, that makes me happy.” Leofard shrugged. “But the air is thinner up in the sky, Jacke. I don’t want you up there while you’re wheezin’.”

     “But-”

     “It’s gonna take puss awhile yet to figure out that Mhachi tome Radlia plopped in his fuzzy lap. Relax, you ain’t gonna miss anythin’.” Leofard plopped next to him. “What sent you runnin’ from the sky to a fire, anyhow?”

     “Eh… ain’t worth botherin’ yer wattles with.”

     “Jacke I flew all the way down here, specifically, for you to bother me with it. Spill, or I’m sickin’ Himi on you.” He gave Jacke a stern look.

     “Arrgh...” Jacke flopped backwards, wheezed, decided pussyfooting around it would never work, and explained. “What Radlia said, ‘bout her crew. I just knew how she felt, savvy? Ain’t givin’ her too much sympathy but… it made me think o’me own milled crew. Six feet in pine boxes, now. Still ain’t replaced most o’em.”

     “Ah.” Leofard frowned, looking away. They sat in silence for a second before Leofard continued. “Aye, I ain’t a fan of hers, never will be. But even the shittiest people we know still got people they care about.”

     “Aye, suppose it be true.”

     “And it also be true, you got a lotta people that care ‘bout you, Jacke. Includin’ me. So how ‘bout we make a deal, eh? I won’t tell Himi you almost died in a fire today, and next time you feel like takin’ a page from her book and bookin’ it, you come to me, savvy?”

     “I didn’t almost-”

     “How did you avoid death today?”

     “….Oboro.”

     “Then it counts as nearly dyin’ and me offer stands firm!”

     “Alright! I’ll come runnin’ to ye.” Jacke huffed. “But then who do ye go runnin’ to if everyone’s comin’ to ye?”

     “I usually mumbled to meself and get lost in a pint or two.” Leofard grinned.

     “Leofard!”

     “What? I be the captain! I can’t dump me problems on me crew!” He protested.

     “Aye but I ain’t yer crew.” Jacke sat up. “So ye better be comin’ to me if ye need wattles to fill, whids in yers.”

     “You drive a hard bargain, fine!” Leofard snorted, resting his hand atop Jacke’s. “...I’m really glad you’re okay.” He gave it a gently squeeze before getting to his feet. “I’ll be right back; don’t go nowhere I’m just takin’ yer clothes to yer dad.”

     “I’ll be right here.” Jacke promised. And for once, he stayed put.