"Ryne, please." The Viera set a hand on her shoulder, hoping to soothe her. "Beatin' yourself into th'ground isn't goin' t'help anyone."

"But I'm the only one who could possibly save you! And I-- I can't! I don't know how!" She covered her face in her hands, breaths growing pitchy. "What did Minfilia sacrifice herself for if I can't even do that?!"

"Ryne..." Stomach sinking, Meiko fell quiet and squeezed her eyes shut. She didn't have any answers, either. All she could do was scold herself for worrying the poor lass; for not holding her light as well as she did her liquor.

She allowed the girl to cry it out for a minute as she figured out what next to say.

"Lass, listen," she tried finally, kneeling down to be closer to the other's eye level. "It isn't on you to save me. I know you want to, and believe me, I'm bloody glad you an' the others are tryin'. But what matters to me is makin' sure the First is saved from its ruin, and ensurin' the others get back to the Source. If we can achieve that an' naught else, then whatever must be will be."

Ryne's sobs had quieted, but had yet to fully stop. Face still covered, she managed out in a rough gasp, "But what's the point of it all of you're gone, Meiko? You're just as important as everybody else!"

She's right. Listen to her.

I know, Fray. Shush.

"Aye. Which is why I'm not goin' down without a fight," she agreed gently. "But that is my fight, Ryne. Even with your help, my survival'll count on my strength built on top of your aid. An' you've already given me so much."

Seeing some of Ryne's hair had been caught beneath her hands, she ventured to gently pull some of the strands free.

"You've already had t'bear the weight o'so many who came before you, Ryne. You don't need t'carry my fate, too."

Ryne took a shaky breath, which turned into sobbing once more. She tried to say something back, but her words were indiscernable as her frame curled forward in grief. Meiko put her arms around the other, holding her close but not so firmly that her grip was inescapable. She was steady. She let Ryne cry as much as she needed to for the next few minutes, quiet but supportive.

As her sobs quieted, Ryne sucked in a breath and moved to slowly hug Meiko back. She clinged to her but still couldn't manage to say anything, tucking her forehead against Meiko's shoulder.

"If there's a way for me t'be saved, Ryne, then I will be," Meiko assured her. "It'll come up an' we'll figure out a way to achieve it. We have t'believe in that an' just keep movin' forward."

Tomorrow they would seek a way to the Tempest, where Emet-Selch had invited her to lose the last of herself in private. If she had been able to speak during his grand monologue, she would have quipped that he'd be more irritated watching her descend into madness than if she kicked his arse outright.

There was no way she would just lay down and die. Not after everything they all had been through. Everything she had been through.

And certainly not at the risk of burdening Ryne's conscience any further.

"I'm scared to move forward, knowing all that I've learned," Ryne confessed, slowly lifting her head. Her brows furrowed and her lower lip trembled again. "That makes me a coward, doesn't it?"

"Hells no, lass. It makes you a bloody normal person," Meiko dismissed. "Fear's not anythin' to be ashamed of. Keeps you alert an' alive most th'time. It only starts bein' a problem if you let it stop you."

Ryne let the words settle over her, slowly sliding her eyes shut. After a moment, she nodded and gently drew back. Meiko released her, then finally got up off the floor to stand at her full height again.

"You're right, Meiko. I can't let these things stop me -- even if they're scary." Her eyes, still red and blotchy from crying, slowly opened again. She took a breath, then added, "Just please -- please tell me if there's anything I can do or try to attempt to help you. All right?"

"You'll always be the first one I call," Meiko nodded. "Thank you for carin' about me, Ryne. Even if there's nothin' you can do about the Light at this point, the fact that you care for me is just as empowerin'."

"Really? Then I will go out of my way to make sure you know I care about you!"

The Crystarium was always her first stop. Sometimes it was her only stop depending on how much time she had, which worked well enough as it was the central hub of Norvrandt, and messages could be carried off in haste with Feo-Ul's assistance (after much praise and apology). Her best trips were the long ones, though.

Today would be the start of a long one, as she was also on an errand for Y'shtola that would likely require some thought from Beq Lugg, as well as Cylva and Unukalhai. She always sought out Ryne and Gaia first, though, and it didn't take her long to learn they were likely in Ryne's apartment at the Pendants. She waved to the Manager of the Suites and headed up the stairs to the familiar room.

As she neared the door, Meiko paused to knock, only to hear familiar giggling coming from inside. How cute. Feeling a bit cheeky, she decided to let herself in and surprise them.

"Guess who's back from 'cross th'Rift?" she greeted in a singsong tone, swinging the door wide open -- and watching the black blur that was Gaia fling herself across the room with enough speed to nearly knock over one of the chairs.

Puzzled, Meiko was about to apologize for giving the other teen a fright, up until she looked over at Ryne and saw the lass was practically radiating crimson. And adjusting her hair.

Ah, fuck.

Fuck.

The Viera abruptly turned away, one hand coming up to shade over her eyes despite there being nothing scandalous to see. Or unsee.

"Uh! Sorry -- um," Shite. Fuck. Oh, she felt terrible now! And also couldn't help but think about Thancred's reaction. Not that anyone would be particularly surprised, but -- "Uh, I --"

"Gaia, no!"

Meiko looked back to see Ryne restraining Gaia, who had picked up her mallet in furious response.

"You're supposed to knock! Were you born outside?" she demanded angrily, somehow redder than Ryne.

"I--I actually dinnae know that answer, but no! M'sorry! I was just tryin' tae surprise you!" Meiko held up her hands in defense, then slowly let them fall to her sides and hung her head. "Okay, okay, you can hit me." It probably wouldn't kill her.

"We're not hitting anyone! It was a mistake, Gaia!" Ryne managed to pry the weapon from her hands. The other girl huffed and folded her arms, fuming as she looked away. Shaking her head, she turned back to Meiko. "It really is okay! We're always happy to see you, Meiko. Just--please knock next time."

It is such an important moment for Meiko's development, as well as her relationship with Thancred, when he bids she take Minfilia (whom I'll call Ryne from now on for sake of simplicity) and leave him to fight Ranjit. Because this has happened before -- at the end of the Bloody Banquet, there is an unspoken understanding between two older siblings and friends: I trust you to protect my family when I cannot.

And then, immediately afterward, Minfillia is taken away by Hydaelyn. It isn't like there is anything that could have been done, but Meiko is twisted up by guilt from that point on and all throughout Heavensward. This is covered in a drabble I wrote here.

Ultimately, by post-Heavensward's end, Mei and Thancred finally talk -- maybe, kind of -- and she understands that he does not blame her for Minfillia's loss. Like, obviously it wasn't her fault, but it helps absolve most of the guilt she has around it.

Throughout the events of Shadowbringers, Meiko is immediately protective of "Minnie", not just because of her importance, but because she sees herself in Ryne's helplessness. She does not call her "Minfilia" because she does not want her to feel like a mere reincarnation. She builds her up, reassures her, and does her best to instill her with as much confidence as she possibly can. She is also hyperaware of Thancred's struggles, and empathizes with him (although she's not so sympathetic that she won't call him out if he hurts Ryne unintentionally).

Abigail Rye: I'm pretty intoxicated.