#endwalker.

The peace that had settled over the land still didn't quite feel real. Perhaps that was why Meiko had taken it upon herself to visit and check in on those near and dear to her, while her brother had returned to the simple task of taking on adventurer's errands. She had visited the First, and all of those scattered across Eorzea and Othard, and now had returned to Sharlayan.

Everything was fine. Better than fine, even! Yet still she felt the need to see her friends, in person, rather than rely on linkpearls or letters. And so she checked in on the students of Baldesion and even those in Labyrinthos -- and all were present and accounted for, save for one: Nok'to. Fortunately, she was pointed in a general direction of the Last Stand, where he may simply have been getting something to eat.

He was not there, unfortunately, and Meiko found herself wondering if she may have to contact Kijin or just walk the city in its entirety -- when a pair of ears caught her eye. Viera were a more common sight in Sharlayan than most anywhere else on the Source, but these in particular were notably larger than average. But more than that, they were memorable -- she had seen this one fighting alongside Nok'to when the skies had burned above Garlemald. They would be familiar, then, wouldn't they?

Worth a shot, at least.

After everything that had gone on with Garlean Empire, Meiko had felt her stomach sink at the rumors of another mysterious magitek machine accompanying an equally mysterious man in black.

"Not fuckin' the day," she muttered as she made her way out into Thanalan. Despite the potential danger of yet another Asican making trouble, however, she hadn't reached for her Linkpearl to alert the others. Not even her brother. She would, of course, if the rumors proved true...but people were sometimes blind. Or paranoid. Or stupid (herself included). And if it truly were a threat worth investigating, someone would've come running into town screaming already. So, hopefully...

...

Huh.

It wasn't all that hard to spot the strange magitek vehicle from a distance, but she nearly missed the lad curled up in front of it looking like how she oft did after too many firewaters. Perhaps that was why she didn't draw her weapons as she approached, albeit cautiously.

Sometimes Meiko forgot how tall she was when she was in Limsa Lominsa. Sure, there were handfuls of Hyur and Lalafell and the occasional Miqo'te, but Roegadyn were so commonplace! She only had to look down to chat with someone half the time in Limsa! It was almost as good as Ishgard!

But she did get a good view of things. That was also required if you lived in La Noscea -- watching the streets for wee pickpockets. Meiko wouldn't even mind so much if she didn't need the things she had on hand, and if half those pickpockets weren't just doing it for fun.

Regardless, Meiko always kept an eye out -- so seeing a wee Au Ra lass wandering alone, looking distressed, immediately drew her attention. She did glance around -- sometimes folks weren't above using wee wains as bait -- before approaching.

"One like you?" What, was it blue? Did it have feathers? Err, feathery leaves? "Aye, lead on." She let the lass take her hand and pull her about. It was hard to imagine the words 'kind and sweet' associated with the man that would become fucking Fandaniel, but she had met the man herself.

Hermes was more like a wet bag of shite trying to fertilize a garden -- inoffensive, well-meaning, and a little sad.

But she wouldn't say that to sweet Meteion, no. Again, she found herself identifying with this shy, well-meaning lass who couldn't get her words out right. Perhaps she should have insisted on staying in on that meeting, but something in her said that following Meteion would be just as fruitful, if not more.

Underneath the masked-clad face, one may see a smile, a twitch of the lips. The figure pressed forward, until the figure is finally behind the lass who cast her own darkened flame, a rushed thrill that often came over her when she did.

"Normally I would ask why you're still doing shite for them," that familiar voice scolded. Ah, got that from her they did, "but I am more so glad your spark never dimmed." A swarm of calm washed over the burning embers. Fray had honestly missed this, missed her. "Keeping it together?" — From Fray so you know I'm not just teasing

At first, Mei thought she had imagined it. Maybe she had eaten something that had gone off, or she was catching a cold. But in that same moment, she knew exactly who it was.

"Aye. S'much as one can when savin' th'world."

Meiko did her very best to visit the First at least once a month. Not solely to check in on the state of the world itself, but because she missed so many people. Especially --

"Ryne!"

Meiko found Ryne with little trouble in the marketplace and made an immediate B-line for the teen, waving as she approached.

"Your usual delivery Viera -- Viis is back wi'another round o'letters from th'Source," she greeted, handing over a few letters. "I trust nothin' else has gone awry in th'last few weeks?"

Friendship Starters, Vol. 4

"Erenville! Hey!" Meiko gave a cheerful wave as she spotted the hardworking gleaner on her way back to the Mih Khetto Amphitheatre. Pumpkins of various sizes decorated the area -- as well as most of the rest of Gridania -- as well as similarly-shaped paper decorations and plastic cut-outs of bats. Those young and young at heart were running about, giggling and playing pranks and asking others for sweets. Mei herself was finishing off what must have been her sixth pumpkin cookie.