Diverging Paths
Dwen was meandering her way back to her inn, cheeks flushed and smile soft. Dinner had been wonderful. Rex continued to be sweet, charming, and delightful. For the first time in several moons, Dwen felt like the world around her was giving her a bit of peace. And more than a few blessings besides.
Dwen’s thoughts were interrupted by the soft chime of her linkpearl. Dwen didn’t hesitate to answer, her hand pressing to her ear. “Hello?”
“Ceridwen, sweetheart. Good evening.
“Father! Hello! It’s a fair bit later than evening. What has you calling so late?”
“Ah well, I didn’t wish to interrupt your dinner date. Rather, I was hoping to hear how it went.”
Dwen stops in the walkway, surprised for a moment, and blushing vividly. She glances around at the sleepy road, merchants and workers trundling their way home under the Thanalan stars.
“Ah… Well… Dinner went well. Did Sirus tell you I had a date? I thought he knew better!”
“Ah heh. My apologies, sweetheart. Suan overheard your brother’s end of your last conversation, in the library.”
“Oh. I see.”
“So, when do I meet your new paramour?”
Dwen nearly stumbles into a merchant in her surprise, whispering apologies, before turning back to her call.
“Father!”
“What? If Bryce approves, surely they’re an upstanding sort.”
“That… That’s not the problem, Father. I just don’t want Rex to be overwhelmed. Sirus is a world of energy by himself. Our household isn’t really tiny anymore.”
“I suppose I can see your point. I still want to meet this… Rex?”
“Wu’Rexa Norh. A squire. And Lady Blanchimont’s fiancée.”
“Hmmm.. Ser Norh must be quite the marvel then, gaining both yours and Lady Blanchimont’s affections.”
“Father! Please… Rex is… Rex is sweet. Charming. Kind. Understanding. Darling.”
“Do you feel happy, when you’re with Ser Norh?”
Dwen’s feet slow and she smiles fondly at the paving stones, running her thumb over her palm, where she’d been holding Rex’s hand earlier.
“I do. Happy. Safe. Like… Like I can tell her everything.”
“Have you told her?”
“No. I’m going to. Bryce and I are meeting with her and Lady Iris in a few suns. I’ll tell them both then.”
“Very well. A pity your brother isn’t so easy to match.”
“Father!”
Her voice was a little too loud, and a little too scandalized then, startling a poor guard nearby. Dwen blushes and scurries along, quickening her pace back to the inn.
“That’s unkind, Father! You know how Sirus feels about that.”
“I jest. I jest. Perhaps unkindly, yes. It baffles me that he is so happy with no hand of his own to hold. But well… I suppose I don’t really need to comprehend it fully.”
“Thank you for trying to understand, at least.”
“Speaking of… understanding.”
Dwen sighs and deflates, waving tiredly at the innkeeper, before heading towards her rented room.
“Here we go.”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I know you have your mother’s sense of adventure. I worry. And… well. Suan overheard one other thing.”
“I see.”
“Kugane? Really? It’s so far.”
“It’s not set in stone yet, Father. But, there’s work to be done there. And well.. would you rather Bryce and I trail after some mercenary band into Gyr Abania?”
“Now who’s being unkind?”
“Me I suppose. I know it’s far, Father. But Kugane does have an aetheryte. And… it wouldn’t be just Bryce and I. Furthermore, Kugane has laws about violence within the city. I’d likely be safer there, than I am here in Ul’dah!”
“You’re going regardless of my wishes, aren’t you?”
Dwen sits on the bed in her room, frowning softly.
“If I can? Yes. I don’t want there to be a schism between us, Father. But… I can’t stagnate in Ishgard. There’s less need for chirurgeons there. And well… This opportunity would likely be less battlefields. Also, I’d have a chance to expand my skills. Learn eastern medicine.”
“Very well. I have one request.”
“Yes?”
“Bring Ser Norh and Lady Blanchimont to meet me. Just a sit down in my office, to be… less overwhelming. I’ll make sure Rhydia has the apprentices busy.”
“I’ll talk to them and see what I can arrange.”
“Thank you sweetheart. Well, I’ll let you be now. Give Bryce my love.”
“I will. Please be sure you’re heeding Maymay’s instructions. I don’t want you having another relapse before I go on the road.”
“You can be sure she’s militarized the household against me. Tsuli alone is a terrifying force of nature now.”
Dwen laughs then and shakes her head.
“Good for Tsuli. Alright. I’ll stop nagging. I love you, Father.”
“I love you too, Sweetheart. Be safe.”
“I’ll see you soon.”
“Fury keep you.”
“And you. Good night.”
“Good night.”
Dwen sighs and tugs out her linkpearl, when the line goes silent. She smiles and murmurs, “Well… This will prove to be interesting.”
((for mention: @rexnorh @lominsianlily & @icpyrefangs ))
