30 Day WoL Writing Challenge-Day 25 Dusk
@seaswolchallenge @ffxiv-writers
Rose stood on the little hillock watching as the light of the day faded before her, the ancient keep still standing in the distance. She could almost convince her self as it always had. But, the luminous gossamer wings glowing faintly in the gathering gloom turning to lavender as the rain began to fall shattered that wistful dream. Behind her the Gladjient could hear the sound of rustling feathers and the gentle squelch of taloned feet in the mud.
"Even now it is as beautiful a sight as ever," the amaro who approached stated stopping behind her.
Tears stung the edges of the White Mage's eyes as she replied, "Aye bitterly so for me Boulder."
The old amaro moved closer wanting to grant her what comfort he could. She whirled to face him burying her face into his damp chest feathers and wrapping her arms around his neck as hot tears began to fall. He simply laid his head over her shoulder letting its weight be comforting.
She quietly sobbed against her old friend, she may have saved the First from the Tyranny of Light and in turn the Source from a Calamity. But it still hurt, the only one left that she had known from her childhood was the amaro whom she was now weeping against. The Gladjient’s family, her friends were dust or worse.
Rose could barely stand seeing it her world, her home ravaged by Ascian machinations. Her family's fate unknown. The White Mage had to be honest with herself until now she had been terrified to ask Boulder of their fate. Of what they thought of their daughter’s disappearance.
Shuddering from the crying and the chill rain she stepped back along with a breath bracing herself. Then looking the amaro in the eye and asked quietly, "Boulder, what....what happened to my family during the Flood...were they....."
Boulder did not flinch from her searching gaze instead he met it and replied softly, "They fled along with the remainders of Voetburt to what would become the Crystarium. There they lived out their days in peace within the shadow of the Crystal Tower even as the sky filled with Light."
Rose breathed a sigh of relief glad to hear that her family hadn't become Leafmen or Sin Eaters but had managed to survive, "What...what did they think of me disappearing."
Boulder stepped up to her again giving her a soft nudge stating, "They were worried, but they had no true fears. Your parents knew you were strong, and they trusted you would survive."
He then gave her a big amaro grin, "They thought you might one day return. I knew you would I just knew it would take time."
"How? I didn't even know if I was ever coming back,"
The amaro then bobbed in understanding stating, "Because he said so, the Exarch."
"Betcha dad was thrilled when he heard that he was responsible for the poof away in the first place." she replied ruefully picturing what the Gladjient would have done when hearing it.
Boulder shook his head, "He didn't know the Exarch never told your parents or sister that you would come back. I alone knew of it because he loved to come and talk."
At her questioning look he sighed looking off in the distance, "I think he was lonely and feeling the pressures of the responsibility he had taken up. He put a face on for the refugees reassuring them that they were safe, that he could protect them. But, late at night he would come to what would become the Rookery and bear his soul to us."
The White Mage blinked slowly then nodded it understanding it seemed G'raha hadn't been exaggerating when he said she was his inspiration.
"The Exarch would tell us stories. Tales of the Warrior of Light and her adventurers. He would tell us how much he admired her and wished he could be as great a hero."
Rose snorted, "He sells himself short. The man did everything his ancestor wanted in making the Tower a beacon of hope for all to see but the dumb Miqo'te just doesn't see that."
Boulder bobbed in agreeance gweeing to emphasize, "Aye he seems to think himself unimportant. He always told us that when the time came, when all seemed lost he would save you even if it cost him his life."
Rose closed her eyes remembering that moment on Mount Gulg. When the Light was threatening to overtake her and he stood there drawing it into himself. Trying poorly to sound like a villian. The moment that followed was one of two that she could be grateful to the bastard Ascian for. Shooting him, while harming, had saved the stupid Miqo'te from his foolishness.
"He tried to, but fortunately our enemy unintentionally saved him. " She told the amaro.
"I for one am grateful for. The man has ever been a kind and generous soul. He didn't need to fall as so many had already to the Light."
Rose nodded then chuckled stating, "Lets get some cover from this rain and I will tell you how selfish and bratty he was as a younger man."
Together they made their way beneath the nearby pines. Their spiny branches thinning out the torrent. She leaned against one of the trees and began regaling him with the tale of NOAH's attempts to unlock the secrets of the Tower and G'raha's part in all of that leaving out not a single embarrassing detail.
