#continuatn

The nation bustles with life – serenity an all-encompassing assurance, in contrast to the turmoil that occurred just beyond the haven’s shores. Sharlayan was secluding – a hiss to all outsiders, and wary of those who are heedless to them. Thus, Jahliqai takes to keeping to himself as the others wander off to tour the city – arms crossed as he leans against a secluded pillar. Here, he watches the sea – eye following the rhythmic pull and push of those waves crashing against the pier. 

When he hears grass crunch under footfalls, he doesn’t signal his acknowledgement with a subtle turn of his head (as he is wont to do), but instead hums to himself – welcome to the company.

“ you foolish man. ” her voice is harsh, laced with worry and concern as her eyes narrow. she tsks loudly, beginning to press a gauze to the wound upon thancred’s arm. “ surely you’ve learned some sense of self-preservation by now, or did your time in the life stream take that too? ”

   “ my friend.  you needs not handle this all on your own  ━  for whatever it may be worth, know you’ll ever have a staunch ally in me.  “  

THE THOUGHT strikes him at the oddest times. underneath a sea of stars, in the light of a flickering candle guiding them through a winding cave, staring in wonder at a field of elpis flowers growing so very boldly where nothing should. what was once a barren wasteland, ruined by the garlean empire’s never ending pursuit of all, is now hope that time may yet heal all wounds. 

this would have been beyond my reach not so very long ago.

the urianger who had first set foot on eorzea would have steadfastly refused the offer for adventure. never would he have heard the words thancred spoke and volunteered himself for the journey. not for fear of what he would find, oh no, but for fear that he would be refused. laughed at. scorned for even considering it. a holdover from a childhood where he was always out of step. of interests which dictated that he should be the hand moving unseen, his role never in carving the future but instead in puppeting all into place to see it through.

what a fool he was. preferring to live in the past than face the fear of fumbling in the present.  how much he would have missed had he not come to realize that fate is what you make of it. that you miss every shot you do not take. life is a cascade of precious moments, oh so many doomed to slip through your fingers and fade to dust, and...

and he’s still learning to be bold in all ways. that thought chases him when their hands bump when they walk and he mutters apologies instead of holding fast. it happens again and he makes the excuse of reaching for the map, clearing his throat as he trails a long finger along the river they’ve been walking beside, comparing it to the treasure map he had memorized. it’s uncharted territory in a realm he’d thought they’d come to know like the back of their own hand.

          “  Is this the part where you finally cave and tell me that we’re lost, or is this the longest shortcut in the history of Eorzea we happen to be traveling through?  “  Is it because she’s starting to get cranky and tired? Maybe. Is she going to confess such out loud? Absolutely not. Not when she can simply keep on teasing him instead.