#bam1

The night was cold and her feet ached— but it was good to feel the smooth cobbles under her feet again.

Hjin had let Rabanastre, she had left Dalmasca for that mattered and simply wandered. Wandered from out post to outpost, examining her life as it was and simply put herself back closer to her roots— the the earth and the Land, listen and feel the Wood pulsing through each and every bit of life. Hjin’s wanderings had lead her far across continents and waters.

But now the deaf Viera was home and she felt whole again.

She felt alive.

Hjin reached the door to her home and unbolted it before quickly casting a pall of Silence as her faithful wolfhound quickly bounded towards her. She could see his muzzle moving in happy howls, whimpers, and barks as he circled her in sniffing madness. Hjin had missed the beast, having been gone for six months or longer surprised the Viera that Jakobi still remembered her. But Hjin gently scolded herself.

She was his mother in a way. She had raised him as a pup to help her.

And she had left.

Hjin smiled and knelt down to kiss the dog’s great head and smiled at his scent of Plains Lavender. He much have been bathed not too long ago, which meant that Montblanc had kept his promise of having someone take care of Jakobi and her home while she was away. Which was wonderful because all Hjin wanted now was rest. 

Slowly Hjin made her way to her sitting room and plopped down on the deep, cushioned armchair that was placed by the fireplace. The room was cool and Hjin knew she could probably go bathe but now that she was down she felt no want to get up and do anything.

Or couldn’t for that matter.

But still, with due diligence and patience the hound had become his ally, first tolerating him, then outright greeting him whenever he turned up. And during this time, while Hjin wandered and the small moogle in the dashing waistcoat kept his word, Rude too was a visitor to the place, a second set of hands to make sure nothing was touched or moved.

But the lack of a greeting at all on his arrival some time later raised the alarm in his mind immediately. The house felt different too, occupied, alive. 

Hjin slowly righted herself in her seat before pushing herself up, being wary of the sharp ache at her leg which throbbed.

It was what she got for wandering for six months but... Hjin needed to do it.

The Viera huffed a laugh through her nose as she watched the dog bounce on his front feet, something she had taught him to do as a pup to alert her of visitors--

Wait--

She had forgotten to bolt the door when she came home. 

Hjin's ears laid flat at that realization and grasped the doorway for support  when she reached it, her free hand crackling with static electricity. When Hjin finally looked around the corner she was met with a gun, familiar dark glasses, and a sweetly familiar face. The Healer's ears raised as she relaxed as a smile pulled her lips. The Thunder on her palm faced off.