Azlyn found herself in a bit of a conundrum as she stared up at the ceiling of their home. N’thuzu Tia, Ozwin, and Roll went out to buy a gib to go spear fishing. Richiro Wichiro decided to walk Koroko Koko back to her residence in Ul’dah before coming back. Kida went straight to sleep in one of the rooms, as her long day had finally caught up to her. 

Azlyn sat in the room she had claimed to be her writing space, she had balanced a pen on her face, just above her lip as she was attempting to write. There was quite a bit she wanted to talk about, but her mind was racing ahead of her pen. Which made it painfully obvious that she really should just call it quits on her writing session that night.

Which brought her to the next thought process—should she use up some of her funds to visit home? With it being two days before Starlight, she knew she should make an appearance. Yet she didn’t want to bother them if the scholars and archons were busy working.

It was truly a brain picking dilemma.

Sighing, she let the pen drop from her face and activated the linkpearl.

“Raha?”

She waited, letting the chirp of the device ring before his voice came through.

“I’m surprised you’re calling me this late. And yes, before you ask: I ate.” He replied cheerfully.

“Good to know.” Azlyn chuckled. “I was thinking about dropping in.”

“This time you actually deigned to inform us!” She could hear the mock shock in his voice. “Yeah, just come on by. We’re still slaving aw—owww that’s my ear you’re pulling! Archon Galuf, you know I did not mean it like that.” Azlyn could hear in the background Archon Galuf bickering to G’raha Tia, and then she heard the familiar voice of Krile.

“It’d be good to see everyone again.” Azlyn explained to the linkpearl. “Did you all want or need anything while I’m on this side of the world?”

“A few moments with you would be nice.” G’raha Tia perked, only for him to pause and say. “Nevermind. Archon Galuf just gave me the stink eye. Well, we’re in the study when you do come by. Talk to you soon.”

“Okay!” She let the call drop and reached out to the desk for another pen. She scribbled a note informing anyone who might look for her that she would be in Sharlayan for a day or so, and then grabbed some of her belongings. When she felt like she had everything in order, she teleported.

She found herself by the main crystal plaza in Sharlayan, the evening lull made the area especially quiet. Azlyn thought of the small crystal by the Library, where she then walked into the massive archive and up the spiraling staircases to the floors above.

“It’s as if nothing changed.” She could still smell the musty tomes and fresh print off the books.

There were scholars working, even this late into the evening. Many of them had pressing agendas that were urgent, while others were laid back. Azlyn would have liked to think the Students of Baldesion were a laidback bunch—but after the calamity—they were one of the few driving forces that held onto the knowledge about primal aetheric activity. Amongst other things as well.

She arrived on their floor, where the bookshelves lined the walls and were filled with countless tomes. She could still remember times when she was younger, and had to organize all of them by Archon Galuf’s system—only for him to forget he created the organization and decided to change it again. It was a very long weekend as she last recalled.

Azlyn stepped past the desks and work stations, weaving through the abandoned chairs from the scholars who went to sleep. She went straight for the closed door that led into Archon Galuf’s personal study—where most of the forbidden tomes were located as well as G’raha and Krile for most of their day.

She knocked upon the wood.

“Come in.” She entered with the Archon’s permission, opening the wide door to see Krile sitting on a tall chair. She was reading a book with a pair of bifocals fixed upon her nose. She still wore her trademark yellow cowl with cat ears.

“Azlyn!” Krile smiled, closing her book. “I didn’t think you meant tonight.”

The Au Ra sheepishly scratched behind her neck. “I guess I wanted to come by as soon as I could.” She noticed Archon Galuf had been holding a pot of tea that he was pouring into his cup. He smiled up to her. “Good evening Archon Galuf, I hope you don’t mind the intrusion.”

G’raha Tia scoffed from his spot, opposite of Krile. His tail waved faster than it typically would have. “You’re not an intrusion. Every year you say that.”

Archon Galuf chuckled, she could tell he was getting older and older the more time she spent away from the study. “Welcome home. Make yourself comfortable. Anything you want to read while you’re here?” He had forgotten about his own drink, deciding to pour everyone a glass of tea instead.

Azlyn walked over to one of the high chairs by Krile. “It’s good to be back—is there anything you’re studying I can help out with? You all seem quite busy of late.”

Krile shook her head. “If we’re busy, it means you’re also just as busy. How are you feeling?”

Archon Galuf distributed the cups of tea around, and then examined her with a keen eye. “It seems you’re looking healthy. Last I heard you were prone to fainting. Nah’zel and Liliana would have been wrought with worry.”

“It’s slowly getting better… I think.” Azlyn struggled to bring forth a smile.  “We found some temporary solutions, but who knows if it’ll help toward a permanent one.”

G’raha Tia drummed his fingers on the desk. “I suppose drowning yourself in an excess of aether would solve your troubles of losing aether.”

“That’s not healthy in the long run though Raha.” Krile wagged her finger. “How does it feel to become a slayer of primals?” The Lalafellin grinned up to her. “The Slayer of Ifrit, and now Titan’s Bane… what will be next?”

Archon Galuf scratched his chin. “Well, if we’re speaking platonically, in Eorzea the most like contender to arrive would be Garuda of the Ixal tribes. They have had more activity of late—strange that the Amalj’aa and Kobolds are being quiet.”

“One step at a time.” Azlyn gave a reassuring nod. “Oh! Speaking of which—who was the Sharlayan who was sent out to Limsa Lominsa to help activate the beastmen tribe aetheryte?”

The three of them raked their heads, before G’raha Tia snapped his fingers. “Ejika went out there!”

Azlyn winced thinking to herself that it was who she thought it was. Nervously, she sighed. “He succeeded in pissing off our Scion from malms away—I suppose that’s a feat only he’s capable of.”

Krile let out a groan. “Twelve forfend—what did he say now.”

“Said any scholar worth her weight in salt could easily work the beastmen tribes aetheryte.”

Archon Galuf sighed. “He is not one to mince words—the boy is quite sharp with his tongue.”

G’raha grumbled down at his work. “If only he’d be sharp with his work.”

“Hmm?” The Archon raised an eyebrow to the Miqo’te.

“Nothing.” He whistled, returning to his own work.

Azlyn smelled the tea that steamed up from her cup. The aroma of dried leaves and a faint scent of herbs tickled her nose before she drank some of the contents. While the grog she chugged early that evening with the group had been refreshing, this homebrewed cup of tea managed to hit the spot. She relaxed into her high chair.

“How is it?” Krile asked, ignoring G’raha Tia. 

“It’s flavorful.” 

“I had much practice over the years after you left Azlyn.” The Archon mused happily, scratching his beard with his hand. “You never know what good one has until it’s gone. I do miss your home brew teas.” 

Azlyn chuckled. “Maybe tomorrow I can go to the garden and pick out some herbs and fruits then.” 

“Some of the children will be happy to see you.” Archon Galuf continued. “They enjoy the stories you craft after all.” 

G’raha didn’t stop in his reading, flipping the page. “Yeah, they always flock me whenever I am reading the mail.” 

“I think it’s the one reading it that does a good job telling it. Writing and telling are two different things.” Azlyn beamed. 

Krile started to scribble down some of her last notes, and then stretched her limbs. “Raha does have a way with telling stories. The kids do enjoy when he sings to them.” This caused the Miqo’te to flush. 

“D-don’t be telling her that.” 

Azlyn laughed. “You’re kind.” 

She could see his face flush, his cheeks under his bangs started to turn as red as his hair and Allagan Royal Eye. 

Archon Galuf walked around the table, to the head of table. He seemed to have remembered his own cup of tea, slightly cooler now that it had time to rest. “Ah, that’s where it went.” He reached down to sip his cup. 

Azlyn reached over for one of the books piled in several different sized stacks. She pulled the first one, and skimmed the contents. The atmosphere within the study was relaxed, everyone working on their own work diligently and effortlessly. 

She yawned after a couple hours of light reading which garnered the attention of the Archon. He smiled over to her. “You must be tired. You three should call it a night, it’s late.” He began shooing them away from his study, Krile shrugged while G’raha snagged the book he was still in the middle of. 

“You can kick me out, but you can’t stop me reading!” The Miqo’te joked with the tome in his hand. 

The Archon merely reached out to grab the tome from him. Krile chuckled as G’raha watched in mock horror as he proceeded to drop the spine on top of his head. “Tonight you can give it a rest. Consider it a Starlight Miracle you can have a day off.”

Krile chuckled into her hand, before she looked down the hall. “Father only let us off the hook because you’re here Azlyn. Otherwise he would have forgotten we were working in there.” She waved goodbye to them. “I don’t need to tell you to be a decent escort Raha. I’ll be going to bed. Good night you two.” 

Azlyn waved back, smiling. 

G’raha nervously fidgeted as if she had put him in a spot. “Good night.” 

“So Raha, anything new happen since I last came? Jeez, it feels like months ago!” She chuckled happily, walking back down the halls to the spiraling stairs. “I know it hasn’t been months, per say, but it just feels like I haven’t seen you in a while.” 

“The last time you came by was just after Ifrit.” 

Azlyn lifted the ends of her hair, chuckling at the memory. “Oh yeah, I charred my hair pretty good then.” Raha ran down the last steps over to the door. Azlyn walked right through the threshold. “Thank you.” 

G’raha Tia followed after her, letting the doors to the study close behind him. “It’s gotten a bit longer since.” He noted, matching her pace with ease. They walked down the winding paths of cobblestone to the outskirts of the Isle of Val. “We keep getting requesting from Louisoix’s grandkid—so we do whatever we can to help. I’ve been neck deep in looking at the old archives—trying to find out more about the sightings of paragons. I haven’t seen anything in the Allagan texts. Emperor Xande would have documented a paragon if he’d been acquainted with one.” 

The girl hummed to herself. “Speaking of ancient Allagan texts...” She pulled out the grimoire with the soul gem in the cover. “I had the opportunity to meet Y’mhitra from the Sons of Saint Coinarch. They unearthed the—“ Azlyn had been interrupted so fast as G’raha plucked the book from her with a wide, ecstatic gaze. 

“Is this an Ancient Allagan grimoire used for summoning!?” 

Azlyn smirked, “In layman’s terms—yes.” 

He started perusing the texts, reading through it as they walked. “Where did they find this...? By the Twelve, is this a soul gem in the cover?” He flipped it closed to examine the green stone. “Azlyn, please tell me you’ve got some skill in this.” 

“I can show you the egi of Ifrit when we get to the house.” 

G’raha Tia started to sprinted ahead with her book, as Azlyn was left behind. “Let’s go!!”

She called out to him. “Raha wait!” She began jogging after him, only to see him skid to a halt and run back to her. Azlyn gave him a curious glance, before he grabbed ahold of her to throw over his shoulder. “W-wait!” 

She hung like a bag of potatoes as he started running again. 

“You’re too slow!” 

He laughed as she hung helpless on him, she couldn’t help but chuckle—thinking back to their younger days when he got super excited about something and wanted to show her as soon as possible. 

She was given the opportunity to use her legs once more when they were in front of the familiar one story home with the surrounding front and back deck, the gardens were thriving even in the winter season. Overhead she could see the darkening clouds that looked ready to burst.

G’raha Tia handed the book to her. “Show me.” 

“Alright, alright.” She laughed, opening the bookmarked page where she started drawing out the symbols designed for summoning the egis. She spoke in ancient Allag, the language musical in tone and presence. 

She could feel the aether shape and form a ball of heat, as G’raha Tia watched intensively. “Fascinating!” He walked around the summoned egi, and then looked back to Azlyn. “Is that how you’re summoning?” 

Azlyn blinked. “...Yes?” 

He shook his head, “No—no, that won’t do. We need you to exude Allag presence—can’t be reviving something by flinging your hands like a flimsy mimzy.” 

“I resent that.” 

He stepped up behind her, adjusting her posture and setting her hand to hold the book up. “I don’t mean it to sound mean. Just want you to look your best.” 

Azlyn glance to the side, seeing his head over her shoulder. “I doubt when I’m fighting my enemies will rate me a ten out of ten for excellent posture.” 

G’raha rolled his eyes, “Just humor me.” 

She let him maneuver her and she felt a bit better standing upright with the book held up in her left hand. He then stepped in front of her, giving her a quick look up and down. 

“Okay, just remember this stance—actually—“ He then reached forward to lift her chin slightly. “There—now if you could perfect your death glare, you’d make even Emperor Xande wish you were part of his militia magicians.” 

She laughed at him. “This week I have been training extra hard to fix most of my stances—however my trainer only focused on the melee ones.” 

“But you’re already pretty efficient with your fighting—hell—we’re trained together since we were kids.” 

Azlyn lowered the book, holstering it. She chuckled, only to see white flurries begin to drop in front of them. “...Snow?” 

“Huh?” He moved a hand out to catch the substance, and rubbed the cold substance. “It’s a prelude to the Starlight Celebration.” 

“That’s only a day away.” She laughed, moving to the house to go inside. “Maybe the kids will be able to make themselves a snowgoobue.” 

He followed after, hopping up the deck with ease, as they entered the common area. It was still the way they left it, taken care of and lacking dust. “I escorted you back to your abode safe and sound, I’ll see you tomorrow then.” 

Azlyn was slowly making her way into the bedroom, holding the door open. “You’re not staying?”

G’raha Tia seemed at a loss by her question. He was blinking slowly. 

She sighed. “You know we have plenty of blankets and pillows. And it’s snowing.” 

“Am I to understand you want me to stay?” 

She raised her hands up in defeat. “If you don’t want to, it’s fine. I’ll see you tomorrow. Night.” Azlyn went to close the door, however before it closed all the way, she found resistance as he placed his boot into the doorway. 

“Don’t start putting words in my mouth. I’ll stay, just wasn’t expecting an open invitation.” He pulled the door open and stepped inside. She chuckled, walking over to the futons stored up in the cupboard. 

Azlyn allowed him into the room, a playful shake of her head before she bounded over to the folded futons in the corner.

“Here let me help.” He stepped forward.

The girl smiled. “Thanks!”

Together they maneuvered the bedding, pillows, and blankets—and when it was all settled Azlyn wiped her hands. “I can’t believe it’s two in the morning.”

G’raha flopped on top of the futon, taking up much of the space. He spread out with a smirk. “To be honest I’m surprised you’re still functioning. You’re more of a morning person.”

“Used to be a morning person.” Azlyn knelt by the side, grabbing a pillow. Since the Miqo’te did not move an inch, she decided that he would just be in the way. She placed her pillow on one of his arms and proceeded to lay on top of it.

“Woah there, that’s like right on the elbow joint.” He reached over with his other arm to scoot her closer to his side. He tossed the pillow away and tucked her into him instead. “It’s going to be colder in the morning.”

“Do you think it’s going to snow more?”

She curled into him with ease—laying an arm over his chest. He merely reached up with his hand and grabbed hold of her arm, drawing light circles with his fingers.

“It’s been forecasted to fall within the weekend—it’s possible.” His tail lazily thumped against the bedding. “You comfy?”

She nodded, nuzzling herself into the crook of his arm and neck. He started singing in a low voice, quiet for only them to hear, a tale of the heroes of eld from Ancient Allag—from triumphs to disasters, successful encounters and catastrophic natural disasters.

She listened intently about the Magnificent Scylla and how powerful a mage she was—from Glasya Labolas, the indestructible guardian—how he singlehandedly took upon an entire army by himself. The Genius Amon who brought back to life the First Emperor Xande. Many of these tales were ones G’raha Tia had told her growing up—way too many tales with different heroes and heroines all striving for a perfect utopia.

Her favorite story followed the sole surviving member of the royal family—Princess Salina which Azlyn had picked up on subtle hints dropped by her best friend that maybe his family had ties to this person—however he never specifically spoke of it with her.

She could feel his drawing small circles over her arms still, changing the patterns when he changed keys in his story. It was soothing, as she steadily relaxed just as sleep took her. Just before she fell asleep, she felt him turn his head to hers, pausing in his story. She was half way into sleep when she felt the lightest touch upon the crown of her temple, a lingering press of lips before he let a long sigh go.

“I missed you. Who’d have known you’d be charging headfirst into your own adventure…” He must have thought she was sleeping as he tightened his hold around her. “One day I too will become like those heroes of eld—making history. But at that time—I wish it will be us together.”

Azlyn stirred, groggily popping one of her eyes open. “…Okay. I promise.” She then tilted her chin up to face him. She could see his flush growing on his cheeks as if he’d been caught doing something. Azlyn reached up to touch his face, noting the bit of heat on his cheek.

“You weren’t sleeping?”

“…almost there.” She murmured and pulled her face up closer to his. She returned what he had given her earlier, softly pressed lips upon his lower jaw. When she was done, she yawned and curled back into the nape of his neck. “For good luck.” She mumbled.

She felt him move, the hand that had been drawing circles upon her arm had been moved up to his face. He grumbled something into it that was indiscernible to her. After several moments longer, she spoke softly. “Good night Raha.”

He removed his hand from his face, letting it drape back down onto his chest where her arm laid across. “Good night Azlyn.” His voice had a slight shake in his usual persuasive manner, as if he were still fighting back nerves or the jitters.

She slept well after that—not realizing how tired she truly was until the next morning. Beside her slept her best friend, he looked like he’d finally gotten some semblance of rest as he steadily breathed. Not knowing what time, it was, she did notice one significant change. The temperature did drop a significant amount—she could feel the brisk cold air, and the crunching sound of what she assumed had been snow. She could hear the stampede of feet going up the steps of the front porch rousing her from sleep at last, just as the front door creaked open.

There happened to be a chattering of different voices, most of them sounded young.

“Krile! You said Azlyn came late last night?”

“Where is she?”

“We want to have a snowball fight!”

Azlyn pulled herself up from her bed and felt G’raha Tia stir as she moved. She would have left, had her companion not pulled her back on the futon with him.

He grumbled in her ear. “Are those children here already?”

She chuckled. “Sounds like it.”

“Give me four more hours.”

“I’ll grab her, go run out front and prepare your trenches.” They heard Krile talking with the kids, telling them to go out. The door to the bedroom opened as Krile walked in—she smirked down to them. “Rise and shine, you’ve got visitors.”

Azlyn patted Raha on his arm and he noticed Krile’s entrance. He immediately let the Au Ra go as he shot up into a seating position. He turned away with a red tint on his face.

“Comfortable?” The lalafellin chuckled into her hand.

“For the record I was a perfect escort.”

“Sure.” Krile gave it to him as Azlyn laughed aloud. “What time did you two actually go to sleep?”

Azlyn shrugged, making her way over to the mirror with wash bin. She grabbed the wash cloth and dipped it into the water. It was frigid. “Sometime after two or three in the morning.”

“Something like that.” He agreed.

Krile shook her head. “You know we left the study a touch after midnight.”

“Why are the kids up this early?” G’raha grumbled, rubbing his tired eyes. He eyed the time close to six in the morning. “Don’t they like to sleep in over the holiday break?”

“Father may have woken them up early to tell them their favorite sister is back.”

Azlyn felt more awake now after the frigid wash cloth was wiped upon her cheeks and eyes. “I shouldn’t keep them waiting then—you can sleep still Raha.” She gave him a wink before running out the room. Krile followed her.

“Anything of note I should be aware of?” The Lalafellin with brown hair pulled back into a ponytail gave the Au Ra a quizzical glance. Azlyn chuckled once more.

“What entails ‘Anything to note’?” Azlyn asked back, leaving the house to see a large white expanse of cold, white plush snow. It must have steadily increased in quantity as the night grew colder—even then she could see the clouds had been releasing a fresh new set of white flurries upon them. She could see her breath as they crossed the porch.

“I don’t know—love interest maybe.” Krile amended, speaking to her softer now.

“Don’t you start acting like Kida.”  Azlyn smiled, looking over her shoulder to the house where moments later after they left G’raha had emerged with his hair pulled neatly back into the braided ponytail. “But I’d be lying if I said nothing didn’t happen.”

“Double negatives. Wow.” Krile quirked one of her eyebrows to her, her curiosity piqued however G’raha Tia had caught up to them. “I suppose that’s as good as I’ll get to hear.”

G’raha Tia scooped down to form a snow ball. “Who’s ready for the fight of their lives!” He shouted out to the mounds as several children’s heads popped up. They widened their smiles as they saw G’raha throwing the first snow ball at their protective zones.

The squeals from the kids echoed in the front as an impromptu battle erupted where balls of white balls were thrown haphazardly all over. Azlyn and Krile had to duck behind cover while they watched the kids all converge upon G’raha’s open flank.

“Gah!” He yelped, as several balls pelted him from all around. “Avenge me…bloody princess!” He dramatically fell in the snow before she popped up from her mound.

“Come on! I’m not even in Eorzea!” A snowball pelted her right in the face, and she blinked the pain away. “Alright that’s it!”

They played in the snow with the kids from the orphanage for a few hours—well until their clothes were wet from the cold, plush snow—and they were sniffling from the brisk air. Krile had to stop their battle to usher the kids back home to get them warmed back up and ready for lunch. Their day continued without many breaks as Azlyn, Krile, and G’raha Tia were entertaining and preparing not only lunch but dinner later on that day.