#gosetsu everfall

Letting the quiet sounds of the Hostelry wash over her, Lihtbryda makes a noise of understanding, taking a mouthful of her drink and watching Gosetsu over the rim of her cup.

"It's only natural. You've spent your whole life taking care of Lord Hien, and now you're freed from that duty. It must feel like a mountain has been lifted from you," the mercenary replies, looking out over the railing of the balcony to the street below.

"Ha! Very true. A great mountain, more weight than I ever thought I could bear. But... a weight I miss. Is my Lord doing well? Is he keeping pleasant company? Is he getting enough rest?"

Staring into his cup, the Doman falls quiet for a few seconds before shaking his head. "Bah! Here I am with a woman such as yourself and I can only speak of my past. Tell me, is the talisman I gave you any help in controlling your heat?"

Touching the slip of paper around her neck - already smouldering at the edges, but suppressing her temperature to bearable levels - Lihtbryda is about to answer when a shimmer of Aether at Tenkonto catches her eye, and she grins, nudging her companion.

"It looks like you're going to be able to see what kind of company he's keeping."

Sure enough, materialised into Kugane is Lord Hien himself, arm in arm with a pale-haired Hyur.

"The Kami bring serendipity indeed," Gosetsu muses, "but I would not wish to intrude on his time with his lady friend. Besides, I believe you promised a trip to the springs?"

Getting to her feet and throwing a handful of coin on the table, Liht smirks. "Indeed. Come on, we'll find somewhere quiet."

Grynewaht’s and Yotsuyu’s return precipitated a flurry of activity, not all of it pleasant. In particular, the sight of Grynewaht carrying an unconscious Asahi over his shoulder drew alarm and criticism.

“I can’t leave you alone for a minute!” Krile cried at him. “That’s the ambassador from Garlemald! Do you know what you’ve done?”

“He was trying to do something suspicious!” Grynewaht retorted. “Bugger shouldn’t have gotten in the way of my fist if he didn’t want to end up like this.”

My entry for Stormblood Fanbook Collaboration Project! Coming in winter 2017! see details on this link (will be updated later!) to get the book!

Lihtbryda began once they all had their mugs in hand. "We'll sing all night and drink all day..." Trailing off, she looks meaningfully at Gosetsu, a grin on her face.

Guffawing, he shakes his head, pausing for a moment to remember the song he heard sung around campfires by armsmen from far away. After a few moments, he grins, taking up the next line.

"...And on the girls we'll spend our pay!"

Without missing a beat, Akimune picks up the song from his father, a grin on his face.

"And when it's gone, then we'll away,"

All three voices raised in unison, they raise their mugs in a salute, bellowing together,

"To dance with Jak o' the shadows!"

The trio each take a pull of their ale, laughing, before launching into the next verse in harmony, their song echoing from the stony cliff walls for hours to come.