It's been a long day without you

Demi Moore

— J.R. Ward (via quotemadness)

littlexsisterxulric​:

well, this had gone about as well as he’d expected.

‘ i never lied to you, ’ kaleb answered quietly, ‘ you never asked me where he was from and i never corrected him when he said he was from altissia. ’ probably not what she needed to hear right now, but all cards were on the table and he figured honestly was the way to go from here.

standing up from his seat, kaleb bent down to start picking up the shattered remnants of the mug selena had knocked, giving her the space she needed to vent what was going on in her head.

grasping a curved shard of ceramic as he stood, kaleb shook his head, ‘ i never said i was okay with what niflheim did to galahd. and don’t you ever think that i’m okay with them taking your mother from us, ’ blinking, kaleb set the shards of the mug down on the table and they made a deafening clink in he silence that crept into the space between him and selena.

heaving a deep sigh, kaleb crouched to pick up the chair that selena had knocked over when she’d stood. resting his hand atop his daughter’s shoulder, he steered her back to the chair, blue eyes pleading for her to sit down and listen.

okay … different approach.

unzipping his hunting vest, kaleb set it down on the floor, leaning it against the leg of the kitchen table. then he tugged up the hem of his undershirt, allowing selena an unguarded view at the gnarled scars that wound their way along the side of his ribcage.

‘ when i was attacked by that coeurl, the zu took flight and kicked up a dust storm. i lost dave in it and he lost sight of me. i found my way to a cave near keycatrich ruins, figured it was better to bleed out in there than out in the open. but when i stumbled inside, there were two men already in the cave - two men wearing imperial armour. ’

‘ i blacked out, woke up hours later in that same cave, the two soldiers had patched me up as best they could and used what little curatives they had to help me … they were imperial defectors. they were as wary of me as i was of them - terrified that i’d report them for defecting. ’

letting his undershirt drop back down, kaleb took a few steps to the side, tapping his finger against the glass of the window that looked out onto meldacio to where two hunters stood near the old billboard, arguing among themselves over an upside-down map.

‘ they saved my life. so i showed them where they could have a new home - the raid on galahd happened after that. but it meeting them and knowing them taught me that not every nifen is in favour of their emperor’s orders … and they’re not responsible for those orders. leaving is a death sentence in the empire - for ida and her boys to be here, they ran for their lives. and for reno to tell you the truth, well that boy ain’t one to trust on a whim. ’

She wanted him to yell at her, to match her yells with his own because at least then she had something to bounce off of. She had something to rage against and blame for this whole confusing mess. But he didn't, his voice was soberingly calm and measured as he cleaned up the mug she'd broken.

Heaving a shaking breath, Selena felt her chin wobble as her breath caught in her throat when her Dad tugged up the hem of his shirt, showing her the scars he'd earned from the coeurl who had got the better of him before the raid.

She didn't know where this was going, but it was worlds away from Reno and his Mom and Loqi and the Empire and she was on her guard - arms wrapped around her in a self-soothing hug. Selena felt her brow furrow at the mention of imperial soldiers, and then he pointed out the window. She didn't want to move to the window, but she did lean up onto her toes to see who he pointed at.

... those two? Oh gods, what was their names? She didn't remember, but she did remember that her Dad called them dumb and dumber, or tweedle-dum and tweedle-dee. He ragged on them, but even she could tell it was good natured ... and now she knew why.

She couldn't make herself stop feeling hurt and lied to and the last to know this whole thing - they were living with Dave. So Kimia knew too? She was little though. This wasn't her fault. She probably just woke up some morning and Reno and Loqi were sleeping in her house. But Ezma and everyone else knew.

But that wasn't the issue - was it? The issue was that the boy she had been spending all her spare time with, the boy she trusted and really liked - he wasn't really that boy, was he?

"I ... I don't know if I can do that, Dad." Selena blubbered out, tears racing down her cheeks as she took a step back, putting space between her and the window - maybe her Dad was right and this needed to be looked at from understanding and how dangerous it was for people to defect from the Empire, but she couldn't do that right now.

I'll just leave this here.

@proxnotxaxfool

"I hope you're good at navigating," he offered a smile and loading the back into the truck. He had a small carry-all with essentials and some changes of clothes. He had no clue what to pack really; this was an expedition more than a vacation for him.

"- because once we're past the gorge, I'm clueless." He had a rough idea at best, but figured following the roads and signs would be a foolproof enough method.

A garage owner who was once part of the King's retinue? Now that pique his interest as Selena climbed into the truck and he took up the driver's seat. "What's his name?"

"Good might be a stretch - Dad's given me a crash course on the map though, so here's hoping we don't get too lost." Selena laughed, handing her bag over to let him load it into the truck. She kept the rucksack with her though, she had all her essentials in there - gil, phone, charger, map, and all the other things her Dad had insisted on packing in it.

Hopping up into the passenger seat, Selena nodded quickly, loving the fact that she had the upper-hand on the information in this so far - usually she was the one asking him to explain things to her.

"Yup - Cid Sophiar ... Dad also said he's cantankerous and comes off rude, but his bark is worse than his bite. He owns a garage called Hammerhead, its the first fuel station and diner in Leide."

"Counts as supporting in my books. You ever led a rebellion without drinks and food? They'd lynch me within two days. So - you sign your bar up to be a safe meeting spot for my people and in return you can call on us whenever you need help. Deal?"

"I've never led a rebellion. And I don't think I can sign the bar up - I mean, I work there. I don't it. And I'm pretty sure Yama would be pisssssed off if I signed his place up as a meeting spot without his say-so."

"That's a really nice offer, mister, but I think I'm okay. I mean ... who are you?"

@littlexsisterxulric liked for a Small Something

"... you more interested in active battle or supporting and organization roles? We can us either very well!"

' ... uhm, c? none of the above? i'm a barmaid. and sometimes i bake. '

@littlexsisterxulric

@littlexsisterxulric

'Everything - the Rock of Ravatogh, Angelgard, the Disc of Cauthess ... but start with Lestallum.'

He knew Ostium Gorge, and that was at best. At a stretch, Petra knew that the checkpoint was in the Leide region of the mainland, and he knew Galdin Quay was the transport point to The Protectorate. That was his knowledge of the lands beyond the King's Wall.

There was a slight knot of tension in his chest as he wait by the gate checkpoint. He liked to have all the details; to know the risk assessment, the dangers, intel, associates. But he had no clue about the mainland really, beyond his studying of the world map for the past week or so. He was a quick study, but the landmass was huge.

Hearing footsteps, Petra looked up and smiled when Selena rounded the corner with a travel bag in her hand. There was a new pick-up truck parked near the barrier; a few strings he had pulled and some reccies on the mainland - a truck would far better on the roads. "All ready to go?"

He nodded to the truck and handed over the travel ID to Selena, taking the bag from her hand. The travel documents would only be needed for crossing from Lucis to the contested region of The Protectorate. "You said Lestallum first, right? Or any new plans?"

This was actually happening. She felt like a giddy little girl, her stomach fluttering with imaginary butterflies and a part of her still in denial that they were actually taking this trip. Sure, he'd promised and they'd made plans, but a part of her had still expected something to crop up - some riot or protest or some other responsibility that came with his job.

She had a travel bag in her hands, and a small rucksack on her back ... compliments of her father, with a map of the mainland in it, with havens and outposts marked clearly on its expanse, she'd also seen him stuff a few curatives into the bag when he'd thought she hadn't been watching, despite her assurances that they were going to be sticking to the larger outposts.

"Mmmm-hmmm," Selena nodded, unable to keep the wide smile off her face as she took the travel ID from Petra, equally unable to stop herself from opening the papers and skimming what they said, "I'm still good with Lestallum - I know there's a garage a bit after Ostium Gorge if we need to get food or any fuel, Dad said the guy who owns it used to be part of King Regis' retinue."

Adelaide Kane

i hope everything gets easier soon. or at least funnier.

me: replies to one thread me: i am on FIRE

he had watched her stroll through the narrow streets of lestallum early that morning, a familiar face by her side. a part of him was mildly surprised that his would-be student had left partway through the day. it was either a mark of his complacency, or reno was calling his bluff and watching from somewhere else.

either way, he didn't have time to play games. positioning himself far too close for comfort so that the young woman had no choice but to collide with his shoulder, veld immediately reached out to catch the woman's elbow so that she didn't end up sprawled on the ground.

' it's fine — oh. ' blinking with a facade of dumb realisation as his eyes dropped to the woman's bump, veld changed his grip on her elbow to a lighter touch,

' there was a kid running ... are you okay? it was my mistake. let me help you, it's the least i can do? ' he reached out to take the bags from her hands before she could argue, a kind smile on his face.

She spent enough time in the city and its surrounds to know the locals - the ladies who worked in the powerplant, the guy who ran the gas stop across the main road, Vyv and his endless search for a new headline, the staff who came and went to the Leville and the usual stall-holders here in the market place.

This man was new though. Not that it was strange for new faces to come and go in Lestallum. A lot of refugees came to the mainland with hopes of finding a new life behind the King's Wall, but the bureaucracy and red tape of travel IDs and permits made that idealised life harder and harder to attain as the war dragged on.

It was much easier to find a new life in Lestallum. No permits. No visas. No IDs. No city guards or checkpoints - just a chill, free flow vibe.

"Oh, honestly, I'm okay, I promise." Selena tried to rebuff the man's concerns, not wanting to make a scene or to cause herself any more embarrassment, but then he took the bags from her hands and she couldn't say no - right? That would be rude.

"You're very kind, especially when I'm the one at fault."

She mentioned the raid and her childhood in Galahd; that was something she didn’t really touch on, an he was astute enough to recognise it and leave well enough alone. He didn’t know much beyond the Walls, but he was beginning to piece together bit and pieces. It wasn’t a happy picture.

Arm around Selena’s waist, Petra shorted his gait to match hers. “I don’t know when the festival is, but I can organise Altissia.”

“Do you have travel ID? If not don’t worry, I can get that fast-tracked.” ID was required for the ferries that ran from Galdin to The Protectorate. Meeting her gaze, he leaned down and kissed her forehead, smirking at the scrunched-up expression. “He had the intention though, that has to count for something?”

He hadn’t interacted with her father too much, but the man struck him as a man of his word, just like Ulric if he was being honest. Letting Selena lead him into the izakaya, Petra ducked his head beneath the banners and nodded at the proprietor. “- I’ll organise Altissia, anywhere else? What does a city boy like me need to see outside that Wall?”

The little eatery was the same as always - a step back in time. Or a step back to the places she was more used to. A heavy wooden counter, framed photos on the wall that were aged and faded, paneling running along the back wall and a heat that was more warmth than sweltering - places like this reminded her of home.

Just like the bar Nyx and Libertus had made a go of.

Shaking her head, Selena arched a brow at his question, a laugh taking any edge from her voice, "Petra, I barely had the correct papers to get myself through the gate checkpoint - no. I don't have a travel ID ... I didn't know they were a thing."

Grabbing two of the menus from the counter, Selena smiled a hello at the elderly couple who busied themselves behind the counter and then led the way to one of the corner booths.

"Everything - the Rock of Ravatogh, Angelgard, the Disc of Cauthess ... but start with Lestallum. It's close by, it's nice, there's plenty of things to do there, and they have their own festival too."

The little eatery was the same as always - a step back in time. Or a step back to the places she was more used to. A heavy wooden counter, framed photos on the wall that were aged and faded, paneling running along the back wall and a heat that was more warmth than sweltering - places like this reminded her of home.

Just like the bar Nyx and Libertus had made a go of.

Shaking her head, Selena arched a brow at his question, a laugh taking any edge from her voice, "Petra, I barely had the correct papers to get myself through the gate checkpoint - no. I don't have a travel ID ... I didn't know they were a thing."

Grabbing two of the menus from the counter, Selena smiled a hello at the elderly couple who busied themselves behind the counter and then led the way to one of the corner booths.

"Everything - the Rock of Ravatogh, Angelgard, the Disc of Cauthess ... but start with Lestallum. It's close by, it's nice, there's plenty of things to do there, and they have their own festival too."

Grinning at his comment about insults, Selena couldn’t take offence if she’d tried - he had literally just proven her point. Nyx would have said the exact same thing if she’d told her brother that he was starting to sound like Petra.

Her head resting against the side of his chest as they weaved their way further into the web of narrow streets and storefronts, Selena made a silent promise to get him down here during the day some time. It was pretty at night, with the strings of bulbs zig-zagging between the different premises, and the smell of meat sizzling on grills was doing its best to lure them into every open door, but it was equally just as alluring during the day with market stalls selling everything and anything, music playing from random stores and the heady scent of spices giving way to fresh fish the further east you went.

Some day - but for now, she was content with the baby-steps of where they were at the moment.

“There’s a small izakaya down this street, it does some really nice food, I usually grab lunch to go whenever I’m running late for work.”

Stopping mid-step when she heard his words, Selena pulled back so she could look up at Petra, her dark brows arching in a genuine question, “Really? You’d actually be willing to take some time off outside of the Wall?”

Oh, she hoped that didn’t come across the wrong way? It was just - Crown City born and raised. And he had a job that was, though she only recently realised it, pretty high up and important. Even when he had a few days off, if something serious were to happen, she knew he’d have to go into work, which was totally fine. She understood that. But if he were outside of the Wall, then it was a real vacation…

“I’d really like that - I mean, I’ve only ever seen this place on the mainland. I went from Galahd to the islands south, and then here. It’d nice to see some of the places I hear folks talking about - have you ever been to Wiz’s Chocobo Farm, or Lestallum or Altissia?”

He only knew the city, and yet it was huge enough to swallow Galahd a hundred times over. It took longer to travel from one end of the city's limits to the other than it did to travel to a ferry and go back to Galahd ... the city was so huge and so dense, sometimes it actually felt claustrophobic.

But it was safe.

"Before the raid, my Dad had come home for a while - a longer stay than usual. And things were good," She fell into pace alongside Petra again, an arm looped around his lower back as she slotted into that familiar nook beneath his arm and alongside his chest.

"He promised he'd take us to Altissia - to the festival there. He had to go back to the mainland for one more hunt that Dave had asked him to go on, and after that he was done and we'd all go to Altissia for a vacation."

Selena leaned out, scrunching up her nose and pulling a face as they came to the entrance to the small izakaya, "What's that saying though? If you wanna make the Gods laugh, then just make plans, right?"