#ixal

It wasn’t often Howler went on their own these days. Igey had become a near permanent fixture on the corner of their eye, a sensation of cold and control somewhere to their side, dry yet kind words spoken when guidance was required. A grounding presence, welcome one considering how lost Howler had been before all these. 

And yet, today, Howler was alone. Again. By choice, this time! No job-stone possessions or anything of the like – Howler was here to scout. Just to make sure the corruption hadn’t expanded while they had been away, seeing the Ixals were a perfect target… But so far, it seemed like business as usual, nothing out of the ordinary. Well, aside from the sense of bloodthirst and determination that came with being tempered… But otherwise, there were no spots of unnatural cold or corruption Howler could spot at the very least. 

Just. Bunch of Ixals. Logging trees, building their airships, barking commands, patrolling the area and squawking at one another with wide gestures. Honestly it was almost peaceful, if it wasn’t for the foreboding sense of doom and gloom from all the weaponry scattered about. 

These Ixal were completely different from the ones Howler had actually met, once. It had been years ago, when Howler had barely entered their teens… a group of Ixals, brightly colored and crafty with their hands, had arrived at their latest hideout. 

It had been purely by accident, and yet… they knew of Howlers father. Something about shared interests. One of the few links, a rare source of stories that didn’t come with regret and pain, sadness and grief in waves with every word spoken.

The Echtal Five – Nine, previously, but when they lost their members to the rot and bone and famine they renamed to reflect their numbers better – had stayed for a few months. Speaking of lofty dreams and helping where they could, a mutually beneficial collaboration between all parties until their new airship was done. 

Howler remembered sitting by their workshop, carrying around items with Pearl and Silas following along, asking questions when they could. Learning a few things of the craft, and a greater deal of their father besides. Of how he enjoyed the skies, taking every chance he could to hop on to a chocobo – or any other of his flying mount – just to feel the breeze. But that wasn’t all – apparently the man was a troublemaker and a half.

Howler never was able to hear those stories that apparently involved kidnapping of some craftsman, and drugging people who were causing the Echtal Nine problems before the Ixali completed their first airship. 

The goodbyes had been tearful, as they finally set towards the skies with a couple additional hopefuls…  never to be seen again. 

Howler could only hope they reached their paradise. That whatever was beyond the clouds was kinder than the blackened earth our little clone had been tied down to. 

Pulling themself back to the present, Howler shook their head slightly – that flight had been bittersweet, its conclusion a mystery Howler was not going to get an answer to. The circumstances of that flight would not repeat. They wouldn’t. They couldn’t.

Instead, Howler took in a deep breath, standing up and letting their joints pop lightly. A slight stretch later, they started to think for ways to get back from the camp – would do no good to be caught. 

But… Well, there was the ever so slight problem. A nagging feeling, if you will. The clone wasn’t supposed to be messing with the things that weren’t directly involved with the Corruption – big reason why they hadn’t admitted being from the future, or why they didn’t talk much about the future events. On the other hand… Well the changes Howler was bringing was going to be extremely drastic, anyways.

Messing with things here, preventing the active war-band from taking flight – it was messing with things that they weren’t supposed to. Important rules of time-travel and what not, not that Howler had that many people to talk about such things. … Would it be really that bad if Howler threw just a small wrench in the plans? 

Just a tiny one? 

The ever loyal bodyguard and companion was left to wait. With her own thoughts, pondering just what might be found with the forward investigations. The woman had been impressed when they walked on their own, making the choice for their own spying. As much as Igey had insisted she was just as capable… Well, sometimes, it is best to let young ones stretch their own skills, and to trust-

A rumbling in the distance cut through her thoughts, along with a true orchestra of angry bird sqwuaks. Apparently, Howler had decided not to be a good little clone today. 

“RUN IGEY! I TICKED THEM OFF!”

And there was the clone themself, kicking off dirt and dust with every footstep that hit the ground as they ran low enough to use their head as a third leg. And yet- it was not fear that had taken over Howlers voice. No. It was excitement. 

Howler quickly ran past Igey – only making a quick tap on her shoulderpad as they went, signaling her to follow after them. Preferably quickly.

It was without question that the dark knight took off at a sprint after spinning on her heel, racing after Howler’s wide steps. “What on Etheirys did you do?!”

Howlers only response was not one some would’ve expected. Instead of a string of apologies or promises to explain later… they laughed. A full laugh straight from chest, that threatened to topple the clone over for the briefest of moments. 

No, calling it a laugh was a stretch. 

It was a maniacal cackle, fangs and all. 

“That is not an answer I was seeking, but I believe I just had a personal question solved that was never asked, based on that laugh alone- We’re speaking of what happened once we are safe!” Igey glanced back briefly just the once, to witness the rushing of pissed Ixal clamoring to give chase from their rocky preparations. 

Maybe trusting the clone to their own devices would prove more dangerously chaotic than previously thought.

Within a few minutes, after the dust had settled and the danger had passed, Howler found themself leaning over their knees, taking in deep breaths – and yet, that smile did not leave, small snickers audible from the clone. No shame. None whatsoever.

On the other side of that coin, Igey seemed to catch her own breath far swifter. Putting a hand to hip as the other pointed at the clone. “You. Are ever the unpredictable one. Care to explain what just happened? Whatever happened to stealth?”

Howler let out a quiet giggle, but finally seemed to catch themself a little – those laughs and snickers quieting down, being forced back down. Howler even tried to stifle them by using a hand, finally realizing they had been laughing out loud like that.

Did not get rid of that grin, however. Nothing but fangs and pure joy in that face!

“Funny story- They were gearing up for a raiding party of sorts. So I… may have stolen their airstones. It was going rather well until one of the Ixali spotted me by the crates and well… the rest is, as they say, history.”

“...” The woman looked back where they had come from once, then returned her gaze to Howler. The clone had done a rather unexpected move, yet worth it in a way… The woman heaving a defeated breath. “I see… Unfortunately I can not deny the respect I have for you taking initiative as such.” Even if it had taken their original plans, scrapped them, and left them with something else entirely. “So now here you are, with pockets of airstones? Anything else?”

Howler finally stood straight, stretching their limbs as their breathing had finally evened out, satisfied smirk on their lips – even if it was muted now, Howler becoming more and more like their more restrained, quiet self. “Satchels worth. I also managed to get a good look around – only tempered Ixal and some wolves there, no Corruption in sight. I guess our Viera friend has been keeping a good eye on the place during our absence.”

“Two in one motion I suppose, at least. That is well. Now, how can you be so jovial, and laughing like that, despite being chased by a horde of tempered?”

Howler gave a curious look at the question – the answer was obvious to them, in a sense. But then again… Igey hadn’t lived the life Howler had. So maybe the situation just didn’t seem quite as harmless as it did for Howler? 

“Adrenaline without any real danger, really.”

Seemed as if that answer was more than enough for Igey, as the corner of those lips quirked upwards- and she laughed! Quiet, but a true laugh all the same! “You truly are more you than your gene-doners.”

That… seemed to stun Howler for a moment. Not something they heard often and- Ah. Their ears made couple of visible flicks, as Howler took a quick intake of air. It was odd, how the compliment both soothed and hurt at the same time. And yet, the minor sting was overwhelmed with gratitude, as evident from the shine from Howlers eyes, from the quirk of their lip. 

“Mh!”