[Gair / Tasri]

Armed and armored, a Flame far from the sands of his beloved desert. Gair lingers outside the Carline canopy, tankard in hand, he had been conversing with his eldest niece for nearly a whole bell. Sharing their farewells and a tender embrace before she heads for the Stillglade Fane to be with her conjurers once more.

[Luna / Luca]

Through the doorway, Luna enters the Canopy. Far from her usual attire, she was dressed casually - a dark tank and loose-fitting trousers, and resting in her hair were some blue flowers. She looked almost joyous for once, a smile on her face. She did not even notice Gair and his niece, instead going to the counter to order some drinks. Trailing behind Luna was Lucatiel, in her usual dress and carrying a basket of flowers, with a headband made of those very plants. She looked quite happy, twirling around as she walked, looking between Luna and A'erina who was accompanying them. “Riiiina! You never told me theres so many dangerous flowers! I'm glad you did, cuz now I picked a bunch of good ones! I don't think Luna knows which ones are safe!” She gives the cat-friend a big smile, still gently twirling as she walks into the canopy, blessedly not knocking into anyone.

As she twirls, she notices Gair and a Mi'qo she didn't know, stumbling in place and stopping her spin to wave at them. “Gaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiir! Heeey!”

[A'erina]

A'erina nods at Lucatiel. “ I couldn't let you go picking flowers in the shroud, it helps to know these things, Luca, I'll make sure to give you a better list for next time.” Obviously, the Canopy was always their intended destination and she watches as Lucatiel bounces around as she notices Gair. “ Ah, when you made your little announcement, you didn't tell me I'd get to see not one, but two of my cousins.” She turns to Luna momentarily. “ Thanks for letting me accompany you, I got a few things I needed for myself, and I got to make sure neither of you picked something you shouldn't have. ”

[Gair / Tasri]

Tasri dips her head, she was already on her way to depart, but she turns heel and lingers for the moment as Lucatiel and A'erina both greet her. “Miss Luca, right?” She queries, then turns to A'erina. “It's good to see you, too.”

Gair sets down his tankard on a nearby barrel of flowers and adjusts his stance some, hands resting on his sword belt. “Lucca, Rina.” His expression is measured, calm, but firm. “Sorry for the short notice, I know y'all got your own shit'ta do. But I wanted'ta at least see one friendly face 'fore I go back up there for the last time.” *Maybe even the last time I'm a free man, but…fuck it.* “How've you been keepin' since?”

[Tretesta]

“Last time seems a bit ominous, Brant…” A familiar yellow helmet arrived from down the path of the blue badger gate, which was removed to reveal a thoroughly worn out Hyur a duffel slung over his shoulder “I'm sure you have plenty of reasons to head in and out of Ishgard, so I'm hoping you're planning on showing up around here after this little trip.” Tret set down his bag, produced a rag from his back pocket, and wiped sweat from his brow. Then, Raising a hand towards the doorway, he'd signal inside for a drink to be brought out to him, crossing his arms as he faced the gathering. “So, what's so special this time to warrant a call?”

[A'erina]

A'erina puts a hand on Thasri and ruffles her hair “ Of course it's good to see me, Nothing wrong with saying hello to my favourite cousin, eh? ” She removes her hand from cat head and looks towards Gair and walks on upto him. “ Nah, I ain't got nothin' important goin' on anyways, so if you want me to come and see you off, then you can rest assured that I will. ”

[Luna / Luca]

“Yay! Then I'll get even prettier ones for hats and bracelets and necklaces and and…. and other things! Then I can make Luna wear them!” She looks back at Tasri and Gair, smiling. “Hiii! Yeah, I'm Lucatiel! Nice to meet you, you're umm… Uhh-Thazaree, right?” She nods at the woman before turning to Gair.

Luna turns to A'erina, still with a wry smile. “It is no worry. I am appreciative of your guiding hand towards our plant procurement. I would not wish to see myself nor Lucatiel obtain some sort of rash or worse.” She nods towards the woman before turning to Gair, listening in.

Lucatiel pauses. “Well, Luna brought me out to a nice little place in Gridania! We've been just relaxing and swimming in the lake and and fishing and picking flowers and sleeping on the dock! Well, that was Luna not me!” she confides excitedly.

Luna sighs. “Lucatiel, you need not inform him of every last detail…”

[Gair / Tasri]

Tasri smiles patiently at Lucatiel, close enough. She nods at the other youth, her ears perking up as the conversation continues. “Mmhm, it's nice to meet you.” Far more demure than her saltborn uncle, she lingers at his side, quiet and polite. The bristles at the hand on her head though, letting out a squeak of surprise as her elder cousin assails her hair. She fusses over her hair amid the conversation.

“Not ominous, just realistic. We're goin' into a tough fight, 'an I'm gonna do somethin' a bit stupid,” Said Gair, the dumbest of asses, finally becoming something self aware to his own stupidity. “So I figured I'd warn y'all, you know? So ya ain't surprised if I end up in a box, or behind bars.” Not in the least bit dramatic over this declaration, it was with a causality one might expect from one talking about the weather.

Gair homes in on Tretty aside, *it's actually good you're here*, he thought. “You can ship a bird, aye? I might end up in Gyr Abania 'an need somethin' that can run.”

[Luna / Luca]

Lucatiel blinks. “What? Why would you be in a box?” she asks, completely oblivious.

Meanwhile, Luna scoffs at the man's words. “Not this again, so melodramatic. As I said once before, I have no intentions to carry your coffin nor retrieve you from a gaol, so do not let that happen. I would be rather cross.” She says before turning to Luca. She just stares, not wishing to say anything lest she bring the girl's mood down again.

[Pipino]

Pipino suddenly can be seen lightly jogging, looking a bit bit frazzled as she made it down the hill toward the Canopy, clearly in a bit of a huff. She was dressed not quite as polished as typical, a much more casual, homely look about her - a comfortable sweater, a rather casual skirt. She looks relieved as she sees the gathering of mostly familiar faces, waving and making it to the group, placing a hand to her chest and catching her breath.

“Oh! Good! I heard the message and… well, you were in town so… well, I would be remiss if I did not see you off while you are….” she stopped, taking a deep breath before continuing, “…while you are so close to home and all!”

[Gair]

“Sorry, the Twelve can only wonder where I've found a taste for the dramatic,” Gair thumbs an ornate focus hanging from his belt, his gaze homing in on Luna. His lips curl up into a small smile for the Ishgardian woman. “I ain't gonna let either happen without a fight, though. I just know what can happen when you try 'an play a fools game like mercy, is all.”

He was amid the process of getting comfortable, shouldering off a blade lacking a hilt when he'd heard Pipino's voice. His gaze darts to her and he directs some of that warmth in his smile at her. “Well look what the Coeurl dragged in!” He sounds genuinely surprised, touched even, by the trickling in of people. “It's good'ta see you, Pino.”

[Pipino]

She takes a moment to get her bearings, simply giving him a few nods with a warm smile back up to him. “Yes, truly! We certainly do not seem to see enough of each other these days, but just when I think fortune might favor us, it seems you shall be called away yet again! But, well, let us make the most of the opportunity while we yet have it, yes?”

[Vinalo]

Returning from one of their regular meditation walks into the Shroud, Vinalo casually walked past the Blue Badger checkpoint into the city proper. 'Some cider'll hit the spot after that,' they thought to themself. Unlike most days, they were wearing their traveling tunic instead of the standard green robe. Just a few yalms past the guards, they noticed a familiar blue-haired Lalafell jogging down the hill into the Canopy. Not wanting to alarm her by yelling across the way, Vinalo simply picked up the pace a bit, hoping that her speed wasn't any cause for alarm.

[Gair]

“Warden bein' merciful, it'll be the last, one way or another,” Gair tells Pipino. “But we'll have'ta make the Traders pay for this time apart, there'll be interest'ta collect on my return.” After a pause, looks over Pipino's head to spy Vinalo on their approach. He raises a hand to hail down the Lalafel with a wave of his gauntleted hand before he asks Pipino. “I trust you've been well? How fares your exploits as a markswoman of late?”

[Pipino]

Pipino turns over her shoulder as Gair waves, seeing Vinalo and waving with a friendly grin before turning back to Gair. “Ah, well, I cannot say there has been much progress exactly, but I am certainly at least keeping my skills honed, as few of them as I possess. I am starting to get a bit more adventurous in my journeys with Pinion - ah, my Chocobo… I cannot recall if the name ever came up. I am afraid the book project Vinalo and I have engaged in has taken a bit of priority over the brand adventuring I had planned, not that it is unwelcome. It is simply a much more peaceful exploration. But at least I am receiving quite an education on plant-based survival skills as a result, which are surely to help me in my eventual goal of traveling a bit more.”

[Vinalo]

Once Vinalo got close enough, they noticed that Pipino was far from the only familiar face within the Canopy today. They waved back to both Gair and Pipino in succession as they walked up the steps to the tavern. Hearing the tail end of Pipino's side of the conversation, they simply smiled and gave a friendly nod to the group of friends, plus one unfamiliar face.

“Well, this is an unexpected gathering of friends. What's the occasion?”

[Gair]

Gair tsks audibly at the news, but he continues to wear a small grin. “That's right, Kerb's taught you the reigns. We should ride for the desert sometime, blow shite up again. Maybe this time I can pony up for some of the targets rather than let'cha take the bill for it all.” He rumbles out a chuckle. “Or find a place'ta rough it, put that book to the task. See if we don't starve or die from an odd plant.”

With Vinalo's approach, Gair lifts his chin in greeting toward them. His tone dry and sarcastic, but good-natured. “Bein' accosted for all my worldly wealth, meager as it is.”

[A'erina]

A'erina balls up a fist, trying to keep her face from showing any emotion as she listens to Gair talk about where he's going and the possibility of not coming back at all, but she finds herself unable as she raises her voice a little at him

“ No! You don't get that luxury, okay?! You come back from there still standing so I can kill you myself, you hear?! Talkin' like you might not come back at all. That's bullshit, y'know! ”

She moves close to him, eyes starting to glisten a little from the lighting in the canopy

“ Let me come with you, please. I can help you! Don't… Don't let me lose another cousin, Gair…”

[Gair / Tasri]

Gair straightens up at the sight of the misty-eyed Miqo'te, he immediately holds his hands up in surrender. Helpless, he cannot argue, only damage control. *I've never seen A'erina like this.*

Tasri too looks wide-eyed at A'erina, she knows her uncle is a soldier. But the reality never has settled in for her. Her gaze darts up at Gair, demanding of an answer, something.

“Hey, heyheyheyhey…” Gair starts, repeating the word over and over to try and find the room to think. Buy himself some time to compile a response that can somehow mend the situation. *Were it only my choice to make.* He shakes his head down at A'erina, awkwardly reaching out with that same hand to pat her on the head, then Tasri. “It ain't my call who goes on that ship. You know I'm a soldier, any fight could be my last, loathe I am to admit.” After a pause, he hastens to amend. “I'm gon' go out there 'an crack some heads, ain't gonna go down, not without raisin' a fuckin' mountain'a hell. Warden's truth.”

[Tretesta]

Tret had busied himself with cooling off and listening, musing on the mission and the crowd that had gathered. He turned to look up at and shield his eyes from the sun, then stepped in a little closer to the door,. About the time his beer was brought. Quietly requesting another, he'd chug the first one, set the glass down, and draw out his little note pad. Looking about the entrance, Tret disappeared into the Canopy, and returned with a chair, setting it and homself down on the front porch to begin writing and waiting for his second drink. Now was not the time to discuss logistics, it seemed.

[Blue]

Blue would not appear from the doorway to the Canopy but rather the staircase that lead up to it, dashing up to the top with all the vigor of a woman who'd simply heard the word 'Last' echoing in her ear and went from there.

She carried a small cloth sack in one hand, a faint rustling heard from within with every bounce of her step. Her eyes alighted on the gathering of many of friend including Tretesta but Blue made her way past them if only to approach Gair first and foremost.

With all the grace and sincerity the Xaela could muster, she'd present the bag to him, eyes darting shyly to the floor. “All the crazy adventures you do Gair, I know you'll come back safe and sound.” She must have heard some of the conversation between Rina and Gair before coming over. “But take this. It's not much but for a long journey I'm sure you and Gust might appreciate what's inside. Don't eat the candies though. Those aren't candies.”

Once he'd taken it, she'd withdraw back and away and give others space to chat to the man proper, smiling to herself at the gathering of those who wanted to see Gair off proper.

[A'erina]

A'erina is content with the Gair headpat while he speaks, but immediately swats his hand away shortly after

“ You have to come back, okay? No excuses, Gair. ” She dries her eyes a little bit. “ You… You gotta come back, 'cause You're gonna see my dad again and he wants to apologize to you too. So nothin' better happen to you out there, otherwise I'll come and bring you back myself, okay? ” A'erina wraps an arm around little Thasri and holds her “ Don't you worry either, I'm serious, I will go and get him, I promise. ”

[Pipino]

“Oh, certainly! Both of those things sound like productive, and dare I say nostalgic uses of time but…” she gestures to A'erina. “What….what is all this doom and gloom about… Well, you already said it. This whole not coming back business.”

[Vinalo]

Though they hadn't gotten a straight answer, everyone else's reactions made it obvious what was going on. Their smile remained, but their tone of voice softened a bit.

“Hey. Unless you're being sent on some impossible mission - and I'd hope you'd know well enough not to go - there's no reason to talk like all's lost already.”

[Gair / Tasri]

Gair accepts the sack from Blue between talking with everyone else. He's somewhat well mannered this whole time, dipping his head respectfully in greeting. “I'll make sure he gets 'im, Blue. That's real thoughtful 'an sweet, thank you.” He holds the cloth sack down and at his side.

“We're well prepared for what's to come, best as can be by my estimate. But…”

There's always a but, Gair stands a touch straighter. *Best to let them know what to expect goin' in* “I trust you know what the Canis Lupis were, homegrown proxies of the empire?” He lets that question settle for a moment before he explains. “We're fightin' folk like that, too, 'an we intend to smuggle those who survive, out. Along with another whose reformed. Give 'im a chance, cause a noose is all they'd get if we took 'im back south.”

Tasri squeezes A'erina tight, but she looks unsurprised by the news. Likely as she was informed before this meeting. “Just…don't get caught.” She squeaks out.

He hastens to explain, “And it's only a handful of us on that ship that's doin' it, so…aye. Skullduggery 'an smugglin' from me, who'da thought it?”

[Tretesta]

Tret slowly rises from his chair after he was satisfied with his bit of writing. He'd stop blue as she turned away to give her a kiss atop her head, then approached Gair again. “Alright…. I can have a good Ala Mhigan bird ready for you. Hell, I can have anything you might want to have along with a bird. You know… Food, drink… tools, explosives…” The last two Tret added quietly, then he tore out a clean page from his book and pushed it into the highlander's hands “I can also be there with the bird, if you think it's warranted. Whatever you need though, write it down, leave it with the gate attendant downstairs before you board, and I'll be around to take your order. No charge, so long as you make it back.” With a grin, he then added “Full price, if I have to come after the estate, though.”

[Luna / Luca]

Knowing to let the man have some breathing room as the cavalcade of friendly faces begins to inhabit a tiny portion of the Canopy, Luna and Lucatiel go towards the counter to get some drinks for themselves. As they move, a simple scoff can be heard from Luna at the man's pointed comments about dramatics.

Luca is happily rifling through the basket of flowers, admiring all the different petals and colors. Like a proud child displaying her work to her mother, she holds the basket up towards Luna, inaudibly saying something excited. The woman seems to look down at the basket and pat the girl's head in response, smiling and nodding approvingly.

[Blue]

Blue beams at Gair, nodding her head gently at his words before she finds herself kissed on the forehead by Tret. The Xaela stays by his side, letting things settle a bit with the huge gathering around them.

[Gair]

From his bandolier, Gair plucks a steel pen out that rests beside a pair of pliers. He presses the tip against his tongue and the sound of flesh and saliva hissing makes a slight, 'pssss', sound. He has a few quick things to jot down, rather than leaving ink to dry, there is a sooty trail etched into the parchment by heat. ||To the mining village of Ala Hara: a draught chocobo, a covered wagon, provisions for about ten or so people.|| He quickly passes the note back and then he hefts up the hiltless blade for Tretty to take. “I'll need that spare if I end up out there, if not…well, the boys'll need the wagon 'an the food.” After a pause, his gaze lowers and his head inclines. “Thank you, all of you.”

[Tretesta]

Tret gingerly takes the sheet from Gair, staring at the words hard and then up to the man again “…Well Alright then, didn't need it right now, but I appreciate the extra day to think on it. About how long do we expect until its needed? Weeks end? longer?” he takes the curious blade, looking it over, then slips it carefully into his belt “It will all be there waiting for you, though. And yeah…Do be careful with that… Candy… if it's what i think it is…Blue..” he looked suspiciously at his Wife, crumpling the paper up and stuffing it into a pocket “How do you still have those?”

[Luna / Luca]

Having secured their drinks, Luna walks over to Gair as he speaks his seeming last rites and puts her hand on his shoulder. “If aught occurs that you need an arm to stay the avatar of death, you need not tarry on contacting myself. You know this.” she says with a completely serious tone.

Lucatiel meanwhile is happily drinking her glass of water while still looking at her basket.

[Blue]

Blue looks to Tretesta innocently enough. Well as innocently as the always-smiling Xaela can. “I never used all of them…but they were super helpful when I did. Plus they're fun to throw!” She giggles softly.

[Pipino]

Pipino fiddles with the earing on her right ear, looking a a bit serious, but not exactly concerned. She seemed to be rather determined as she gazed up at him as he described the circumstances. Removing it she holds her hand up toward him. “Look, this earring has become important to me because it is part of a promise I made so he could feel some connection with me when I am off carrying out my… stranger responsibilities. I have his ring, and because I do, I must come back from whatever troubles I find myself in, a mark of a promise of sorts to always find a way out of something. So… you do not have to wear it, but if you have spare room for small trinkets, perhaps take it with you. It brings me luck and, well, you need to give it back, so you will find yourself back sooner than later, I would imagine.”

[Vinalo]

Vinalo's eyes widen as they watch Pipino remove and offer her special earring to Gair. They knew well enough what it symbolized before she explained it to Gair, Pipino having shared its tale moons prior. They tried to think of something that'd possibly help in whatever danger Gair seemed like he was preparing for. Vinalo suddenly started searching one of their many pouches for something.

“I don't have any good luck charms, but this might help if you're in a… difficult situation,” they say, pulling out a large chocolate-brown capsule about the size of their thumb. Pipino might recognize it from many moons ago “This here will dull all but the most severe pain. It won't treat anything, but maybe it'll let you push through where you might not able to.”

They offered it to Gair with a smile. “Bite it, but don't swallow, and it'll do the rest.”

[A'erina]

A'erina acts like the best cousin a cat could ask for, assuring Tasri that everything will be okay. “ I'll be around if you need me at all, okay? Now that things with me an' my dad are cleared up and I no longer have life-ruining midlanders to worry about, you should come with me to see them again, yeah?”

A'erina watched as all the present company seemed to be offering Gair a myriad of things. She opened up her satchel, wanting to join in on the gift giving. She notices a vial of her suppressant which she has stopped taking thanks to her recent findings. Of course giving the suppressant to someone with the Inner Beast curse can cause it to subside for an entire day, but usage of it on someone who doesnt have it, is something akin to an adrenaline shot. “Nah, he won't use it. Could give him my sword, then he'd have to bring it back.” A'erina didnt really plan this far ahead and brought nothing of meaning with her as she actually tries to offer him her sword.

“ Take it. Mum made it for me so you have to bring it back.”

[Gair]

“Week's end, please. I'll make sure you're well compensated, never let it be said that a son of the Warden 'an the Traders ain't gonna pay their dues.” Gair answers Tretty with an affirming nod. His gaze flits back into the bag with the mention of the suspicious candies, he plucks one out to examine it before he drops it back in. *Black powder? Huh.*

Overwhelmed at first by the giftgiving, he cups his hand to accept the earring from Pipino. “Your favor, huh?” Staring down at the small piece of jewelry, he holds it up between two fingers before he brushes his lengthy hair back to show brass rings hanging from either ear. Not just brass loops, but full-sized regular ass finger rings. He fiddles with his own ear ring and replaces it with Pipino's. Visibly softening as it dangles delicately there. “Now we're bound by the Spinner's thread, entwined by the fates. You can be certain I'll be back'ta return this 'fore the next moon.”

This highlander was already burdened by armament and his own gear, A'erina's sword would be far, far too much for him to accept. He looks down to the brass ring in his hand before he removes his second one hanging from the opposite ear. “How 'bout this…since you two are so adamant 'bout comin,” He directs his gaze between Luna and A'erina both. “Should I truly be wayward, it's up'ta you two'ta set fate right.” He holds out one ring for Luna to take, then A'erina. “Immutable proof of my fire.” He adds, looking to A'erina in particular after. “A'shara's fire, these're yours until we meet again.”

With his hands empty and earrings doled out, he looks regards Vinalo and their apparently tasty offering. He holds it up to his nose for a whiff, *looks like chocolate, but…huh?* He inclines his head gratefully to them. “What'll happen if I do?” He asks good-naturedly and then pockets it. “Warden's mercy, thank you. I'll make certain it's put'ta good use.”

There is always uncertainty with farewells of this nature on the eve of a battle. Hope, anxiety and the sting of loss felt afterward. The Spinner's tapestry is at times a cruel and tragic thing when the threads are spun. But on this day, our circle of comrades greets Her loom forthwith. Sending off one of their own, unfettered by the burden of having not given their final farewells. But this is not always the case…

[A'erina]

[Tretesta]

Tret slapped a hand down on Gair's shoulder firmly, bright smile still beaming “Well, only if you insist. I was gonna make it a name day or saints wake present. Just to obligate you to give me one back, neh? The lot will be waiting for someone. If I'm not there myself, I'll make sure whoever is looks out for some folks who have been to hell and back.” He moves the hand to lightly pat the side of Gair's head and then backs off, nodding “Don't be a hero, you lunk. History is written by those that live.”

[Blue]

[Luna / Luca]

The woman accepts the ring, squeezing her hand tight over it and nodding at the man. “You will return to retrieve this ring, or I shall chase you into the depths to give it back.” She places the ring snugly into her pocket, and puts her arm around Lucatiel's shoulder who had now joined her. The girl was not sure what Gair was on about, but even she could feel the gravity of the situation and was just listening.

[Pipino]

Pipino has many regrets, mostly related to wasting her time doing what she considers nothing. She spent the first thirty-three years of her life doing things she didn't necessarily want to do to please others, constantly betraying herself again and again. She didn't feel it was worth the trouble, and before she knew it, a third of her life had already slipped away. She didn't change anything for anyone in Ul'dah. She selfishly lived in luxury and hoarded her money like a good Monetarist. She caused a woman to lose her life and a family to lose a mother and wife. She pretended she was doing good things, but they weren't enough, and she knew that deep down, but it felt good to pretend. She was always pretending, and now that she is older, it pains her greatly to realize how much of life she willingly frittered away.

[Vinalo]

Vinalo tries very hard to live without regrets. Are there things that they wish did or didn't happen? Yes, of course. But the road they've walked is filled with people they might never have met, or things they might never have done, if life went differently. The idea of losing what they have to service an unknown makes them uncomfortable. But, if one asked them, Vinalo would have an answer. The smithy woman who crafted and gave them their first earrings, vanished without a trace. By the time Vinalo could return with pride in themself and what they'd done, to thank her for how important and precious her gift was, she was gone. They hold onto a sliver of hope that someday, somehow, their paths with cross and Vinalo will be able to tell her their story and her part in it.

[Gair]

It would be Gair, this time, who steps up to the bar of the Carline Canopy. “'Ey, mum, get us another round.” He's turned away from the party, leaned up against the counter. Relieved by the respite availed by their absence, but it wasn't because he did not adore their company. No, it was precisely because he did.

Mother Miounne watches Gair's expression shift, she's seen a hundred-hundred of these scenes before. As she prepares a large tray with a dozen or so frothy tankards. A complete stranger, but her motherly nature bleeds through, warm and reminding. “The Matron has blessed you with a bountiful harvest, cherish them.” Her gaze lifting from Gair to gathering behind him.

I know, damnit. He inhales sharply, as if a knife had just been thrust into his heart. Suddenly, Gair's gaze becomes a mist, quickly averted from his lone observer. Don't let them see, just be the fool they know. Did it just rain indoors? A pair of droplets hit the counter, he takes a moment to compose himself before he scoops up the next round for his friends.

Drinks would be shared for a few bells more, farewells said, laughs had and ways eventually parted.

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Home –> Character Index –> Gair — Tasri — Aerina — Lucatiel — Luna — Pipino — Tretesta — Vinalo — Blue