#kuri missing

Angry curses filled the air as the viera left the confines of Holly’s office. She was angry at herself more than anything. She blamed herself for not being prepared. As if she could watch over each member of the company constantly.  Four days. Elissaria slumped against the wall, defeat weighing her body and soul. How were they going to find Kuri?

Pushing off the wall, her eyes began scanning the area in front of the building. Signs of people passing was all her senses picked up. She stood staring down the path that led to the building. How many had traipsed through here in the four days since Kuri had visited? 

Violetta appeared at the end of the path, marching up it with determination. A look passed between them before Eli nodded at the other viera as she went inside. Eli didn’t believe Holly would betray them so horribly, but anger had ruled practically everyone in the tense confrontation. How much had they broken trust with their accusations?

Only Siegwulf had remained his stoic self. Another reason she would follow the Au Ra to the ends of the world. He might look angry all the time, but he locked it down when it counted. That thought had logic returning to the viera. Kuri had visited and had intended to return to the estate. Maybe she stopped at a vendor along the way?

Sai would scour the streets for any sign of Kuri, Eli trusted that fact. She knew the path that Kuri would take to the aetheryte, if her destination had been to go straight home. Eli’s steps began heading that way. Her eyes scanning for anything out of the ordinary as she moved slowly away from the last place they knew Kuri had been. Where was she?

And more importantly, was she okay?

Elissaria shot another arrow at the target, the motion second nature to the viera who’d used the bow since a child. One after another the arrows followed each other into the center of the target. Muscle memory drove the movements, only the viera’s flickering eyes gave evidence that she was paying close attention to the target’s center. 

Her quiver empty, Eli moved to the target and began to pull the arrows one by one, reloading the quiver with practiced movements. A soft chime had her tapping the receiver, “Yes?” she answered as she began to walk to where her chocobo stood patiently waiting.

She listened intently, hope burning in her chest with each word spoken. She gave a soft “I will,” before both ends went silent. Hefting herself in to the saddle, she rode toward the closest aetheryte. Her fingers twisting the link pearl and then speaking, this time with a firm tone.

“I have a lead, I’m on my way back to Ishgard. Meet there within the hour if you're available.”

With that Eli cut the comm, and prayed to all twelve gods that the information was solid and the company would be on its way to bringing Kuri home.

Sharp bird cries and the smell of salt greeted the viera as she sat by the Limsa aetheryte. Soothing and yet loud at the same time, the bustling port city brought back memories. Some were painful, others precious because of the changes brought about from her choices back then. 

Her stomach finally felt as if it would survive should she rise from the stone bench and the viera pushed up. She stood a breath and then headed toward the ramp that led to the docks of the city. Her destination was the ship she once sailed upon.

The trail for Kuri’s kidnappers had led them to a potential dead end. Elissaria hoped that she still had enough good will saved up. It might be an impossible task she begged from the captain of the Swift Siren but if she didn’t try she would regret it. 

The boarding plank creaked loudly as she walked up to the deck. “E!” came a cry and Eli smiled as she was practically knocked over by the small miqo'te who had hurled herself at the viera. 

“Reshi” was soft as she returned the hug. It was a reunion of sisters. Elissaria was bombed with questions about her life now. It had been years and Eli half regretted not checking up on the miqo'te before now. 

A stern and gruff “hmph” came from the side and Elissaria looked up to meet the Captain’s eyes. With a ruffling of Reshi’s hair and a promise to come back and talk, the viera moved to the Captain. A strong pat on the back was all the welcome the Roegadyn gave before ushering her inside his cabin.

“No sense beating about the shore, what do you want?” his rough voice low as he sat behind his desk gesturing for her to sit in the one chair across from him.

Eli was quick to make her request and then answer his follow up questions. “Will you do it?” she asked as he sat back, arms crossed, a scowl on his face as he pondered all she had said. 

“Aye. But you will owe us.” 

Elissaria sighed, she knew that was coming. “As you will. Whatever you can do to help find those that took her or even just a lead in the right direction.”

Hands were clasped and shook. Eli gave her thanks and a linkpearl for the Captain to reach her. Dismissed from his cabin she headed to the deck.  Reshi had disappeared and so Eli made her way off the Siren. Hope kindled as she walked away giving one last backward glance at the ship that had brought her to her current life.

The crackling from the linkpearl had Elissaria sitting up from her makeshift camp along the water’s edge. Kuri’s voice coming in between static, then the voice of others in the company chiming in.

The viera pushed up from the ground and stepped closer to the water hoping it might bring Kuri in better but it was no use, the au ra’s voice was gone once more.

Anger and despair battled it out in Eli’s mind. Her fists clenched she gazed at the spot her and Sai had tracked the kidnappers to before the trail went cold as they had moved to the water. She’d come back to this spot with the flagging hope that a trail could be found. It was useless.

Eli tapped the matching linkpearl she’d given the Captain of the Swift Siren. Upon his answer, she relayed the directions Kuri had spouted as well as the name. He’d only grunted an acknowledgement of the information then cut the connection. It was all she could do and it made her even more frustrated.

South of the Shroud...they could be going to Thanalan or worse heading toward the far east. If they were traveling by a swift enough vessel, they could be there already.

She closed her eyes, hugging herself as thoughts churned.

So many ports. Some well traveled, other pirate enclaves. With a shake of her head, she headed back to Camp Tranquil and another aetheryte trip.