# FFXIV Stories # 1 - Change in Plans setting: Shirogane, FC house background: Liyana was from Radz-at-Han and left after her parents were killed during The Final Days. She was previously an apprentice at the Weavers Guild. --- A knock sounded at the open office door, and a small voice on the verge of tears asked, "Kydani? Got a moment?" "Always for you, my dear." Kydani looked up as Liyana poked her face around the door. Her friend was clearly upset, eyes red-rimmed from crying. She stood in alarm and approached the small Au Ra, taking her hands and sitting with her in the chairs near her desk. "What's wrong Liya? Are you ok?" Liyana shook her head, wiping away a tear trailing down her cheek. She took a deep breath, composing herself. "I...don't want to go. On the trip. To Tural." She didn't seem to be finished, so Kydani wrapped one arm around her shoulders and gently prompted, "no problem, but is there more to it?" "I think..." She paused and took another deep breath. The tears that had threatened broke through, and her voice shook. "I want to go home. To Radz-at-Han." Kydani wrapped both arms around her friend and let her cry, making soothing noises as she rested her chin on Liyana's shiny black hair. She wasn't entirely surprised. As the shock and trauma of The Final Days wore down and became less immediate, she'd expected Liyana would want to go back and help with rebuilding efforts and re-establish her own life. She'd done well as an adventurer, but she'd never had the thrill for it that some people had. Liyana had seemed increasingly restless and unhappy as the date for the Tural trip approached. This certainly explained why. "Sweetie, that's fine. There's nothing wrong with wanting to go back." "But I'll let you all down. And them. And Kiran." Kydani shrugged as she answered, "Not at all. I'll go instead. Truth be told, I'm stagnating in this office. I'll just let Rorik and Kiran know, and the rest is just paperwork." Liyana hiccuped a little laugh. Kydani notoriously hated paperwork, though she dealt with it because someone had to, and she was the nominal head of the free company. What she actually meant was that she'd tell Erenville, and he'd have the guild make whatever arrangements. Kydani pulled away and patted her back soothingly, keeping one arm around Liyana's shoulders while she handed her a handkerchief. "Have you told Kiran?" Kydani knew they'd been involved to some degree, but had no idea how serious that relationship was. Liyana shook her head again. "Not yet. I think I needed to tell someone else first and feel like everyone wasn't going to hate me. Weren't? Whatever. But I will. I know he deserves that from me. It's always been casual. Maybe in another time and another place..." she trailed off and shrugged, wringing the handkerchief in her hands nervously. "He's such a sweetheart, and he's been so kind to me. I don't want to hurt him. But I think he'll be ok." Kydani nodded. She didn't know the newest free company member well, aside from that Rorik thought he was a good person with a lot of potential. That was enough for her to accept him. Hearing Liyana speak well of him too gave him another few points in her book. She wished she had more time to get to know him and possibly train with him before the trip, but they'd make do. The trip itself would probably provide some time to at least chat. "Well then, that's settled. We'll get you booked on a ship back to Thavnair. Any plans yet for your return home?" Liyana nodded and smiled, her face lighting up with excitement. "Yes, I've been corresponding with an old friend who's been working with the Weaver's Guild as they've been rebuilding. I've been showing her my designs and we've been chatting about how to preserve our customs and traditions while..." Kydani clasped her hands in her lap and leaned forward, smiling and listening attentively as Liyana detailed her plans. Yes, THIS was her true passion, and she should get to pursue it. As Liyana wound down, Kydani couldn't help a small clap of excitement. "That sounds so wonderful and just perfect for you. I'm SO glad you're getting this opportunity! I do expect both updates and a discount." She winked at Liyana, then turned serious again for a moment as she held her hands. "You ALWAYS have a place here, if you ever want or need it. I know you'll be successful, and you'll thrive. But we are your friends and will always be here for you." Liyana's eyes filled with tears again as she hugged Kydani tightly and knew she would be ok. # 2 - On the Way to Tural setting: on the ship to Tural background: Because we've always played the MSQ together, I treat our characters as (very elite) adventurers who are "deployed" together as a team of two - like special ops minus the military connotation. Kydani still has some white hair here because it hasn't finished growing out after Shadowbringers. It's gone later on. --- Kiran leaned his arms on the rail of the ship, watching the moonlight dance over the gentle waves. They'd been on the ocean for two days, and he felt like he was just now decompressing from the flurry of activity and changes before the trip. His thoughts bounced around restlessly. New combat forms, Liyana, new combat forms, advice, new combat forms, Kydani... Oh no. He'd forgotten to give her the snack box he'd picked up at The Last Stand. He mentally noted to do that first thing tomorrow. A woman's quiet voice asked, "mind if I join you?" Without looking, he gestured to the railing nearby. "Be my guest. It's a beautiful view." The person leaned on the rail beside him, close enough for conversation but far enough to allow him space if he preferred. He covertly studied his new neighbor as much as the moonlight allowed. Miqo'te, dark hair pulled into a braid, cute face, well toned arms that indicated she worked them often. He snuck another glance. Make that very cute. Kydani closed her eyes, enjoying the sea wind on her face. A smile spread across her lips. She was glad to be out again, on the way to a new land even. The promise of adventure and new experiences made up for the press of last minute preparation. She was relieved that Rorik understood her need to go, to do. It was strange to embark on a journey without him. Not that they were inseparable, but they had shared so much. Working so closely with someone else would be different. Kydani let another few minutes pass in silence, allowing her thoughts to wander. She knew Kiran was trying to study her without being obvious. "You don't recognize me, do you?" she asked, her grin obvious in her voice. She saved him from answering by turning her face toward him, revealing the white lock of hair over her right eye. "Oh! Um, Kydani. Hey." Kiran was glad the night hid his blush as he realized he'd been inadvertently checking out his free company leader and new partner. Again. "Hey. Sorry I caught you off guard." She paused and added tentatively, "I'm sorry about Liyana too. Are you ok?" It should have been incredibly awkward, but it was clear she genuinely cared and wasn't asking idly. Liyana was Kydani's friend, and she likely missed her also. He decided to answer sincerely instead of giving her a glib response. "I miss her." He lapsed into silence, gathering his thoughts. "I think I knew that was coming. I'm happy for her. But yeah, I miss her." Kydani reached over and patted his arm. More silence, but it was comfortable. He preferred that to platitudes. Eventually he spoke again. "Thank you for coming on this mission...trip...quest." She beamed. "I'm glad to. I love traveling. I know it's not a pleasure trip, but I hope we have some down time. I've been driving Erenville nuts asking questions. Did you know they grow coffee actually IN Tural? They have lots of varieties. The elevation and climate is perfect for it." She wrinkled her nose. "There's a special and expensive variety where the beans are eaten by a monkey or something and pooped out. I don't think I'm interested in trying that." Kiran blinked at the sudden torrent of... Coffee information. Kydani noticed and stopped instantly. "Sorry. I get carried away sometimes." He smiled at her. "No, it's ok. It's nice to listen to someone talk about something that they're excited about." A small pang, as he thought of Liyana telling him her plans. He ignored it. "So you're a red mage?" "Was. I needed a change. I brought chakram and a katana. We'll see what strikes my fancy." "Could try combining them. Make up an entirely new something or other." She laughed. "I like to improvise and try new things, but that might be a bit much. What about you? What's your weapon of choice?" Kiran hesitated for a moment and thought about his voidsent pact. He didn't think he was ready to tell her about that specialty, and he didn't want to start off his working relationship on a lie. Thankfully he could still give her a truthful answer. "Well, I heard about a dual sword technique they practice in Tural. It was developed for hunting ...well, monsters? Big ones, like primals. I've been practicing that." She nodded. "Sounds pretty useful. We could practice together? Spar a little? The ship's huge. I'm sure we could snag a little space on the deck." "Good plan. Maybe in the morning after you finish your forms? They're the same ones Rorik does, right?" "They are! I started doing them with him a few years ago, and it's just habit now." She gave him a friendly and inviting smile. "You could join me? They're good exercise even if it's not your style of swordplay." "Sure. Tomorrow morning then." Kydani gave him a friendly slap on his shoulder and turned to walk away. "Hey," he called after her. "Do you want to come to my cabin?" Her face went blank as her eyebrows shot up. "For snacks! Food! Last Stand!" She laughed heartily, and he joined after a moment. "I thought it was awfully soon for you to start propositioning me." Since Kydani was clearly unbothered, he couldn't resist winking and adding, "unless..." She laughed again, rolling her eyes and giving his arm a solid whack. "Calm down there loverboy. I will take your snacks, and I will share my cookies." It was Kiran's turn to raise his eyebrows. She ignored it and continued proudly, "coffee biscuits. I made them myself. Had to wrestle someone for the recipe." She kept a straight face and slight smile as he stared skeptically, then giggled. "Ok, fine. I did make them myself, but no wrestling was involved." Kydani turned away and gestured back to him. "C'mon. We gonna go eat or what?" Kiran smiled and followed. She didn't need to know he was admiring the view along the way. # 3 - The Ball setting: Tuliyollal, after 7.3 --- Kiran stared at the engraved invitation in his hand with distaste and looked over at Kydani. "We have to go to this, don't we?" She nodded. "It's diplomatic. We have to show up, but we don't have to stay for the entire night." He gave her a plaintive look. "You can get all dressed up and have everyone swoon over you," she continued coaxingly. "And there will be food." He flapped the invitation against his hand a couple of times, then pointed at her with it. "Fine. Since you mentioned food, I guess I can live with it." She chuckled at him and started thinking about what to wear. --- They didn't talk much about the upcoming ball in the coming weeks. It was a function like many others Kydani had attended, and Kiran had warmed to the idea but wasn't enthusiastic. There was no question that they would attend together. If nothing else, they could share their suffering as they engaged in people watching and waiting for the evening to end. Neither knew what the other was wearing. The surprise might make the evening more fun. As honored guests, they'd have rooms in the palace for the night, which would make getting ready easier in addition to saving them the trek back across the city after. On the day of the ball, they made their way to the palace in companionable silence. Their outfits had been sent ahead, so they only needed to present themselves. Once they arrived, they were shown to their rooms in the guest wing. They'd been placed conveniently across the hall from one another. After confirming what time they planned to go down to the ball, they retreated to their rooms to dress. Some time later, a quiet knock sounded on Kydani's door. "Ky? Are you ready or do you need some more time?" "A moment," she called, taking a final look at herself in the mirror to make sure everything was in place before crossing to her door. Kiran began to say something as she opened the door, but whatever he intended to say tapered off. Kydani wore a black sleeveless sort of tunic that came almost to her knees in the front and to her ankles along the back and sides. A wealth of silver embroidery accented the tunic - enough to shimmer in the candlelight without looking overdone. Slits to either side of the front showed a length of her thighs that he quite approved. Slender silver chains connected sleek shorts under the tunic to sheer black leggings with embroidered edges. Rather than slippers she wore black suede boots embroidered to carry on the pattern of the tunic. The outfit was finished with silver wraps around her forearms and a silver filigree circlet. Kiran realized he was staring as she gave him a small, self-conscious smile and twirled. "Do I pass muster?" His breath caught for a moment. Smiling softly at her, he replied, "you look like a warrior queen." She blushed charmingly. "You look pretty fantastic yourself." He also wore a sleeveless tunic, cream and deep wine slashed diagonally by a sash with copper embroidery. It came to his waist in the front, while the back hung in a tail to his calves. Below the tunic, loose black trousers tucked into black boots with gold metalwork. Intricately worked bracers accented his forearms. The colors set off his creamy skin and red hair while the lack of sleeves showed his arms off nicely...very nicely. He offered his elbow with a teasing smile. "My lady, let's go make people stare." Taking his elbow, she looked up at him enquiringly. "Dare I ask?" Kiran laughed. "No mischief planned on my part. I never know about you, though." He chuckled as she gave him a playful smack with her free hand. "I meant that we're easily the most spectacular pair here." She shook her head, smiling wryly. "You are...very sure of yourself." He grinned at her, and they lapsed into silence as they entered the event room and were announced. The two made a couple of rounds, talking to people they knew and being introduced to people they didn't. Kiran had been right; they did attract quite a lot of attention from the entire room. He could feel the tension in Kydani's body and stayed close to her, his hand resting lightly on the small of her back. She flashed him a quick smile of appreciation and gradually relaxed, feeling silly that she could attend military meetings and special councils and save the world but quailed under the admiring stares of strangers. As they finished their second round of the room, Kiran announced, "I see the snacks!" He grabbed Kydani's hand and dragged her along to the first of the refreshments tables. "One plate at a time," she muttered to him, giggling. "You can't make me!" he replied impishly, "or not without making a scene." "Maybe not, but I can take it out of your hide tomorrow." She smiled at him sweetly, her eyes promising pure mischief. Kiran sighed theatrically. "Fine, but I am making multiple trips." "Absolutely acceptable," she agreed as she reached for a plate of her own. Plates filled and champagne flutes acquired, they found an out of the way table. Kydani took her first good look at the room pressed into service as a ballroom. The dark stone walls were covered with banners and bright flowers. Sconces and extra braziers brightened the area, though it remained dim enough to be called cozy. Chairs and tables had been tucked into alcoves along the walls to provide quiet places to eat and talk. It would never be called grand, but it was festive. They compared their snacks and chose items from each other's plates to share. She'd missed the chocolate covered strawberries and ate some of his. He hadn't had room on his plate for the mini tacos and ate hers instead. He laughed at her indignant look and got her another plate with more mini tacos and her own strawberries. They sipped their drinks and watched the other attendees, enjoying each other's company and their quiet spot. After they finished their drinks, Kiran stood and held a hand out to her with a challenging grin. "Shall we dance, my lady?" She took his hand and stood. "You can dance?" "Honestly, not a lot, but I can steer us around the floor in something simple like a waltz." "Well then, lead on." Kiran guided her to the edge of the dance area and turned toward her, his other hand coming to rest on her back as she raised hers to his shoulder. They slipped easily into the steps of the dance, gliding around the ballroom and attracting yet more stares. Kiran felt Kydani begin to tense up again and squeezed her hand. "Just concentrate on me and the dance steps." She glanced up and nodded, fixing her gaze on his brilliantly blue eyes. She'd always thought they were beautiful. He smiled at her reassuringly. Kydani's cheeks warmed as she suddenly registered how close he was and how nice the muscles of his shoulder felt under her hand. Sure, they were close to each other sometimes in meetings or combat, but it was not at all the same. There was not this intense awareness of him as a person. Kiran was not doing much better, though he hoped he was not being obvious. He enjoyed sneaking looks at the pretty Miqo'te when she didn't notice it. He didn't know how he'd missed that she was so stunning. Her eyes sparkled and her golden skin glowed under the warm lighting. This close, he realized how small she was - not quite up to his chin. He fought the urge to pull her closer and wrap her against him in his arms. That would be quite the spectacle. She'd kill him. She probably had a hidden knife on her right now that she'd use to do it. And so they danced, her gracefully and him better than either of them expected. They took breaks, ate more, drank much more, danced with each other and with other people, but mostly with each other. She taught him a few more dances. He became daring and added in some twirls and a dip that left them both breathless. Before they realized it, "we don't have to stay long" turned into the wee hours of the morning. --- They returned to their rooms, laughing and chatting amiably about the evening, the other guests, a million unimportant topics. Kiran gave Kydani one last twirl at her door, prompting another round of giggles from her. He smiled, then reached out with his free hand to touch her hair, letting his hand drift down to her cheek. Kydani smiled back at him, her thick lashes shadowing her eyes as she tilted her face into his hand. He took a deep breath and began to lean in, then sighed silently. "Perhaps another time, when we're sober," he whispered. She blinked at him in confusion, and he took a long step back and bowed over her hands. "Sweetest of dreams, my lady," he told her softly before brushing a kiss on the back of her hand. He looked up and held her gaze a moment longer before turning to cross the hall to his room. Kydani stared in shock, the hand he'd kissed going to the cheek he'd touched. She went into her own room and leaned back against the door. Had Kiran almost kissed her? Had she wanted him to? She smiled to herself, touching her hand to her cheek again and enjoying the slight tingle she still felt. Kydani hummed one of the songs they'd danced to as she practically floated across her room and changed for bed. She quickly fell asleep, still smiling with her cheek pillowed against her hand.