#.. thread §

Curling up with a mug of hot tea in her hands near the campfire, Minfilia looks up at the miqo’te woman with a tired but warm smile on her face. It’s been a long journey of traveling and catching up with the Warrior of Light.

She’d kept her ears to the ground, constantly on the lookout for the Scions’ movement. Minfilia is still unsure, still lost on what she’d do if she ever saw them again.

Though it seems that she’d have to confront that confusion of hers sooner than she’d like when she comes across Lyse. Or did she still go by Yda?

She pores over paperwork to catch up on all of the Warrior of Light’s movements thus far. There is so much to be done, to work through. The guilt from all that time ago still settles over her skin and sinks down to the very marrow of her bones. How had she not kept a better eye on the Crystal Braves? On the Warrior of Light’s health? On Alphinaud? The former Antecedent lowers the stack of papers in her hand, lost in thought. Alphinaud. Has she even seen him when she arrived back at the Rising Stones?

The door creaks open as a familiar face comes into view.

“Oh! Alphinaud!” Minfilia jolts out of her seat in the Rising Stones’ solar, an uncertain grin tugging at her lips, as she regards Louisoix’s grandson. “I... I meant to greet you earlier.”

She blinks rapidly before the tears start prickling at her eyes. Gods, is she going to greet all of the Scions with crying? Still, the last time she’d seen any of them was when the turncoats of those Crystal Braves chased down the Scions and the Warrior of Light. After such a horrific episode and becoming the Word of the Mother, she’s full glad to see familiar faces.

Minfilia responds to Yen’s concerns with a knowing look and leans over to gently pat the Warrior of Light’s shoulder comfortingly.

“If this is who I think it is,” the Antecedent begins with a warm smile that crinkles the corners of her eyes, “then you needn’t worry. Take heart in this and talk to him. I’m sure things will work out well for the both of you.”

Then she leans back with a mischievous gleam in her eye as her smile broadens. “Though... I do hope you don’t mind my curiosity but... may I ask what you like about him?”

It’s been a slow process of getting used to civilization again. Her aether feels too jumbled, too unstable that she fears using an aethertye might scatter her into pieces. She’s been forced to travel on foot—not that she minds this now that she has a steady supply of food and a bit of help. 

It’s just been so long since she last saw her friends and allies.