A Realm Reborn

[levelthreehooligan]

Far From Home

A rickety carriage ride, a pair of snow white siblings and a Moogle. Without knowing it, you all started the same way. This is the beginning of your story, all of you,during your first trip to the City State that would change your lives.

Whether it be under the lush canopies of the Shroud, through the busy thoroughfares of  Ul'Dah or amongst the whispering sea winds of Limsa Lominsa, each one welcomes you, feels like home.

With only the weapon you scampered away with, the clothes on your backs, and an inexplicable feeling of purpose - You have arrived. 

 

Comments

[seasoflight]

Felih smiles at the sight of the lovely little townhouse, ears perking up specifically at the sight of the orange tree. He's a little envious, admittedly- he doesn't have a home of his own, but a nice little place like this seems cozy, a place to aspire to one day.

And then he realizes- oh! This is Q'uila's family home, because the scent of oranges and pastry immediately hits his nose as the door opens. He feels another pang of envy strike his heart all over again- a doting, loving mother, fawning over her kit. Family- home.

He shouldn't intrude- and he immediately flusters when the woman invites him in. "Oh, no no- I'm merely- that is, I was just escorting her safely, is all. Maelstrom duties, you know- don't worry about me. I shouldn't intrude," he says with a little laugh, trying to make an easy exit. "I've only just met Miss Q'uila today, so-" he tries to explain, even more flustered when the woman actually pulls him into the house. "A-Ah-!"

[dragoonrouge]

Q'uila's ears bolt upwards and she flushes, as her Mum drags Felih into the house, "Mother! Please he clearly-" She is cut off by the chastising glare of her mother who is currently pulling Felih past Q'uila in the tightness of the hallway and into the lounge, pressing his shoulders down with surprising strength to get him to sit in one of the armchairs, tutting as she does so.

"I shan't hear no protest dear, if you helped my daughter then consider this a reward yes?" She smiled at Felih, crow's feet and laughter lines deepening as she does so, but it looks to be an expression that is frequently worn on this woman's tanned face. "Uila!" She hollars back into hallway as she sits down on the sofa on the opposite side of the coffee table to Felih. "Offer our guest a drink!"

Q'uila shuffles into the lounge, ears folded back slightly, tail tucked in close to her leg and her face aflame, a picture of an embarrassed kit. "What would you like to drink Felih, we have water, ale, orange juice, or lemonade?"

Once Felih states his preference, Q'uila makes a quick jog to the kitchen as her mother focuses on the young man before her. "So Felih, how long have you been working with the Maelstrom? Do you have any other jobs?" Her amber eyes unblinking as she catches every twitch of his ears and tail.

[seasoflight]

Felih is very startled to find himself dragged into the house by Q'uila's mother, ears up in mild alarm as he finds himself in someone else's home- a near stranger's home! And just as quickly, the woman handles him down into a chair and leaves him blinking, stunned, because it all happened far too quickly for the Maelstrom officer to handle.

"I- er, well, I wasn't much help, really, your daughter seems more than capable of handling herself. I just prevented anything from starting to begin with, I suppose," he explains, still looking mildly lost, unsure of what to do here.

He can see how flustered Q'uila herself is, though, so he just decides to humor her mother and not tease the poor young woman he's only just met. "Ah... lemonade is fine, thank you," he says, before he finds himself alone with Q'uila's mother. Suddenly, there's rapid-fire questions, and he does his best to answer.

"Ah, well- only a year, but I've worked my way up the ranks well enough," Felih explains. "I sort of bounce from job to job, but I've a variety of trades I can make use of. Goldsmithing, weaving, cooking... I've skills in botany, hunting, and fishing as well," he explains. "I suppose magic is my primary means of battle, and any work requiring such skills.

[dragoonrouge]

The older woman's Amber eyes gleam at the mention of cooking, and she leans forward, gaze assessing. From the kitchen comes the sound of skin slapping together, Q'uila face palming in kitchen.

"Pay her no mind." She waves a hand dismissively at her daughter. "Cook you say? Tell me young man, are you a member of the Culinarian Guild?"

Q'uila comes back into the lounge, three ice-cold lemonades in hand and puts them down on the table, ears twitching and tail curling.

"Mum, Dad and the rest of the Maelstrom won't let you poach one of their men."

Q'uila's mum barks out a laugh, and smiles smugly at the two, "No-one in the Maelstrom knows their way around a kitchen well enough to stop me from poaching anything. My daughter may be able to defend herself but you were still conscientious enough to help. So," She claps, a smug grin on her face, "That attitude requires reward. Next time you drop by the Bismark, ask for T'ana Towa, you're going to be getting a Masterclass in deserts and pastry."

Q'uila at this point has gonna and come back from the kitchen with a tray of freshly baked orange tarts which she places on the table. She let's out an impressed whistle at her mum's offer.

"Twelve Felih you are lucky. Honestly though, thank you for you help and company today."

[seasoflight]

Felih blinks. "Ah, well- yes, I am," he says, startled but not bothered by the question. He was rather proud of his station in the guild- he was climbing the ranks rather quickly, he thinks. He did love creating delicious food, watching the way people lit up when they took a bite: it felt comforting, in a way. He was good for something- he could still bring people joy, somehow.

He's happy to accept the lemonade though, fond of citrus, and he sips it quietly while mother and daughter talk- and he nearly chokes when Q'uila's mother makes her offer.

"T'ana Towa- the T'ama Towa?!" he says, stunned, voice strained from mild inhalation of lemonade. He's flustered, trying to clear his lungs and composure, cheeks dark in embarrassment mixed with surprise. "You know her- she'll teach me?!" His tail is quivering and puffing up behind him, ears perking right up in hopeful delight. To learn patisserie from the famed master herself...!

"Twelve- I hardly did anything, I should be thanking you for such an offer...!"

[dragoonrouge]

Both women are shooting Felih identical grins at his obvious excitement, shooting each other a look.

"Well Mum," Q'uila begins faux innocently, "Looks like someone admires your cooking if he's that keen to be taught by you."

"I'll say," T'ana replied before handing Felih a tart. "Now try this and tell me what you think."

[seasoflight]

Felih chokes all over again. He spends a few moments wheezing and just trying to get the refreshing summer drink out of his airway- which unfortunately is not refreshing at all when inhaled. When he finally calms down, his tail is still bushy and triple its usual size, ears up and eyes wide.

"W-Wait- that- you're T'ana Towa!? I- I'd not even realized, I- I've never had rank or opportunity to see you myself, and Q'uila...?" he looks at Q'uila in confusion, before something clicks.

"Ah- you must be of two different tribes, then!" Felih says, gently striking a fist to his palm as he figures it out. But, ever weak to sweets, he delightedly takes the offered tart and takes a bite into it.

His tail quivers and he starts to purr as it melts on his tongue, ears drooping against his hair in blissful relaxation. This... is... amazing... His sweet tooth is in heaven. No, all of him is in heaven. Twelve, the pastries must be blessed.

[dragoonrouge]

Q'uila pats his back lightly, as much fun as this man was turning out to be she really would rather not have him choke to death in their lounge.

"Yeah, Mum married into the clan-" "Worst decision I ever made." T'ana cuts in teasingly. "Now," She stood up, straightening her apron, "Uila shall see you out when you're done and I look forward to our cooking lessons Young Felih." With that she leaves the lounge and heads deeper into the house.

Q'uila waits until Felih has finished his tart and his lemonade before leading him to the door. "Thanks again for your help Felih, and sorry about Mum, she gets very intense about her cooking...Which reminds me, give me a moment." Q'uila dashes off into the kitchen and returns moment later with some extra tarts wrapped up in a tea towel. "Here, Mum's first challenge for you will be to try and figure out the ingredients and cooking methods she use to make these.

She hands the tea towel over to Felih and grins at him, "Hopefully I'll see you around but if I don't good luck alright?"

[seasoflight]

Felih blushes a little more, flustered but in the end, star-struck and delighted. "Y-Yes- I look forward to it! Thank you!" he chirps, tail quivering in excitement and delight, looking forward to more cooking lessons. He will master pastry yet!

He follows Q'uila out once he's finished his tart, before looking in surprise at the parcel of it dropped into his hands. "What an interesting challenge... I'll do my best, then. Thanks for the study materials," he jokes with a grin. "I'll see you around."

With that, he gives a small bow and takes his leave, thrilled with the serendipitous turn of events.