Adventurers

Lawrence Fathi steps slowly into the monumental estate, metal rustling with each movement. His helmet turns, scanning the familiar yet so distant surroundings.
Lawrence Fathi: "Home?" Lawrence whispers.
Lucaell Townsend passes by the armored character, needing a double take in order to keep her odd eyes off of a letter or two. With tired eyes, she assesses them. "Let me guess, you're one of the new arrivals for the expedition, too?"
Lucaell Townsend lowers her arm, lips parted sightly. "It's the middle of the night," she remarks. "You can give your name to the guy over there if you want a room, I think," she motions towards the steward.
Lucaell Townsend gets back to her letters, unsealing and unfolding one.
Lawrence Fathi turns his helmet to look at Luca. It takes a few moments for it to register her presence, "...." Innocently, the knight holds up a slip. Signed, stamped and sealed for the expedition.
Lawrence Fathi: "Lucile."
Lawrence Fathi states, with a tone not quite like himself.
Lucaell Townsend slowly turns to look over her shoulder, quiet and fatigued attitude subsiding for something more /alive/, if only out of dread. She just stares, dumbfounded.
Lawrence Fathi shifts oddly, boots shuffling in their place. "...You're the first I meet in a long while..." He mutters, crumpling the slip in his hand and reaching for his helmet.
Lawrence Fathi unlatches the metal, lifting it off his form and tucking it on a latch at his waist. There is a tired expression marring his features, as the hair falls out over his shoulders.
Lucaell Townsend stays still, rigor mortis inflicted by a violent rêverie; her lips part, purse, slowly, as she struggles to fashion words. The letter has slipped from her hand, to the floor - and she has yet to notice it.
Lucaell Townsend: "L ...Lawrence." Is all she manages after a time, blinking a ghostly vision away.
Lawrence Fathi also stares for a few silent moments. His gaze visibly pouring over her, before he catches himself and snaps out of the haze. "I—y... yes!" An unfounded energy returns to him, "It's been quite awhile, Lucili—L... Luca." He concludes.
Lawrence Fathi: "I... I didn't expect to find you here of all places. I've been gone for many many moons."
Lawrence Fathi reached up to rub at the back of his head with a smile.
Lucaell Townsend bend to pick up the letter after that; the moment he speaks, some manner of invisible tether snaps, and she is back to something more aloof - to something more like herself.
Lucaell Townsend: "...I didn't expect to find myself here either. I'm not... Staying," she adds. "I'm here for Sui, and the rooms are free, here. For the most part."
Lucaell Townsend: "I imagine you've been summoned?"
Lawrence Fathi blinks at that, "Ah... one of the sky pirates, then? I remember them from the... the last time I saw them, I suppose." At her question, "I—yes, well... kind of."
Lawrence Fathi: "I found a missive up north, looking for adventurers with address from the Lady of this estate."
Lawrence Fathi: "Apparently I've been getting letters, too... but I've been missing them."
Lawrence Fathi holds up the crumpled paper in his hand.
Lawrence Fathi: "How..." There's a pause, awkward and unsure of how to proceed, "How have you been?"
Lucaell Townsend hides the folded letters in her obi, making a point to look away from him. "...It happens. Can't be helped, no? At least, you're here now. Your family's going to be--" she pauses. "I have been."
Lucaell Townsend: "Very little purpose, very little pursuits. I can't write anything worth a gil these days."
Lucaell Townsend lowers her head, then rises again, turning to him. "Well? Don't just stay here. Let's get you a room."
Lawrence Fathi reflexively glances away at the word of family. Hand reaching for a pocket and stopping, a physical comfort.
Lawrence Fathi: "If nothing has changed... I should still have a room somewhere—but anywhere is good." He looks around before landing back on her. The man offers her a smile, taking a tentative step forward.
Lucaell Townsend: "If nothing has changed? Look around you."
Lawrence Fathi looks around, a small smile gracing him with a light chuckle.
Lawrence Fathi: "...Perhaps where I once stayed is a broom closet by now, I suppose."
Lucaell Townsend: "I wouldn't know. I like to explore, but something about," she pauses rapidly as he steps closer, "...Something about this place unnerves me. I don't wander as much as I'd like to."
Lawrence Fathi closes the distance, stopping just a few fulms away to better appraise the woman. "...Have they been working you to death?"

Lucaell Townsend looks away from him and her eyes lid. "...I don't work for anybody here," quietly.
Lawrence Fathi blinks and then follows after her.
Lawrence Fathi: "That's rather lucky... I was getting bored of the sweeping and lifting myself a moon before my departure."
Lucaell Townsend || The Steward, eyes in an accounting book, lights up at Lawrence's approach. "Ah! Mister Lawrence? That you?"
Lucaell Townsend steps back at that, hands behind her back.
Lawrence Fathi: "But I'm glad you're familiar with the place! More than me, I—" His voice trails, looking to the steward.
Lucaell Townsend || "Unbelievable! Lady Ahsan and Master Salem will be thrilled... We have rooms ready for you, of course!"
Lawrence Fathi: "Y—Y'..." His voice trails in thought, a hand touching at his chin to remember. "...Can we keep this a secret between us for now, friend?"
Lawrence Fathi: "I don't wish to worry my kin overmuch with... excitement."
Lawrence Fathi: "I may not be here for long, after all."
Lucaell Townsend || He nods enthusiastically, good humored. "Looking to surprise them in the morn, are you? I see, I see—"
Lucaell Townsend || As Lawrence mentions not staying long, his smile wanes, but does not disappear. "I'll write another name on the ledger. Between you, me and..." He looks to Lucaell. "The Lady Townsend."
Lucaell Townsend doesn't seem to be bothered by it at all - something rather uncharacteristic of her, of what Lawrence may remember. She simply nods, keeping to herself.
Lawrence Fathi smiles apologetically, brows knitting upward. "I know it's much to ask..." At his relenting, Lawrence smiles. "Thank you, brother. You've been good, yes? Not needed to steal any loafs from the pantry, have you? I'll be stern with Miss Melele, if so."
Lucaell Townsend || Y'mah bursts out laughing, flashing sharp teeth, good humored. "The place's been drowning in gil every since Lucile's Grace. The price over these criminals' heads... Especially the Black Captain! The Admiral herself handed the money over, I'm told."
Lucaell Townsend looks at her boots, as if not hearing the conversation at all. Y'mah doesn't seem to notice it.
Lawrence Fathi keeps his smile, though his gaze only subtly steels at the reference. "I'm glad to hear it, brother. It's been so long since I've made my own reports here."
Lawrence Fathi: "But, I do know how handsy you are when others aren't looking. We should bring you on our next treasure expedition, aye?"
Lawrence Fathi beams energetically. Then bows his head, "Though, we do need to be moving."
Lucaell Townsend || Willing Steward: "I'm not made for this and you know it. And--Yes, yes." He looks for his trusty key rings, magnificent things with hundreds and hundreds of ornate keys. Detaching one from the third ring attached to his vest, he hands it over to Lawrence. "Welcome home, my friend."
Lawrence Fathi closes the distance, taking the key with a warm smile. He clasps the man's shoulder with his opposite hand, leaning forward to press his forehead against his and ruffling his hair.
Lawrence Fathi: "I'm glad to be hear."
Lawrence Fathi separates, "I'll be sure to talk to the others soon."
Lucaell Townsend || Y'mah swats his arm away with good-humor.
Lawrence Fathi: be here* )
Lucaell Townsend || He respectfully bows as Lucaell walks past, farm more strict - with himself. Lucaell reflexively dips her head.
Lawrence Fathi looks over his shoulder toward Lucaell, as a guide.
Lucaell Townsend looks over her own now, to Lawrence, "What number?" Before pushing the door open.
Lawrence Fathi steps inside, swinging the key around a finger idly with a hum. His eyes wide as he looks about the room, "Thal's balls..."
Lawrence Fathi: "This place really is different."
Lucaell Townsend follows Lawrence, letting him open the door - he had the key after all. She bends forwards, both hands behind her back still, looking up, left, then right. "Had I known they had this kind of rooms, I would've faked my identity as some sort of tradeswoman, too."
Lawrence Fathi laughs warmly at her words, "What I would've given to have this on my first arrival from the ship."
Lucaell Townsend: "You should see the public baths, too. Most rooms have their own running water, but the lower tiers do not, like mine."

Lucaell Townsend: "They've made it perfectly unisex, though added a private showering stand formodest dwellers."
Lawrence Fathi turns to lift the axe off his back, unhooking it from a number of latches. It was an ornate weapon, with a number of mechanisms upon it unbecoming of a traditional axe. The design was perhaps sharlayan in make—with something more. Lawrence rests it gently against a pillar.
Lawrence Fathi: "Have they redone the plumbing? Last time I was here, Sululu created a big storm when... well, nevermind. It's like a marvel, coming here after nearly... more than half a winter."
Lawrence Fathi looks at the windows, appraising the flowers and rays of sun.
Lucaell Townsend had noticed it during the trek on the way here - but in the light of the room, she can now observe it proper. Not without a hint of regret. Whatever he says is lost on her, she's thinking about something else.
Lucaell Townsend: "...Where did you get that?"
Lawrence Fathi blinks, looking over his shoulder. "Huh? This?" The man looked down to the weapon, fingertips still on its base.
Lucaell Townsend nods for sole answer, gaze lowered on the weapon.
Lawrence Fathi: "...I spent some time in Idyllshire when I found a weaponsmith willing to... well, do special kinds of modifications. It was..." His voice trails.
Lawrence Fathi: "A whim, now that I think on it. I could not bear to keep hold of my old weapon... I left it in my room."
Lawrence Fathi: "Well, what I thought was still my room, here."
Lucaell Townsend frowns gradually - though out of fear that the man might notice this change in expression, it subsides, for something more neutral. She moves.
Lucaell Townsend: "Did you get other whims like that?"
Lucaell Townsend scoffs a bit, adjusting her sleeves.
Lawrence Fathi follows her with his gaze, lips parting at her question. "...." He looks away, thoughtfully. "...Not similarly."
Lawrence Fathi: "Before I left this place... before I even got close to those I'd consider blood, I had to go through a lot of study. Tutelage... for my anger."
Lawrence Fathi: "I wasn't the best to keep around and my kin sought to help me cope... but after... after all that."
Lawrence Fathi: "I couldn't bear to unsheathe these new feelings, that drove me far far from here. Not to anyone."
Lucaell Townsend: "You're doing it now. And so it has changed." She holds her arms for a time, looking him over. "..."
Lucaell Townsend: "...I wish I could have... Been here for you, as well."
Lawrence Fathi smiles at his own feet on reflex, gaze turning over the table and greenery.
Lucaell Townsend: "What you did for me, then," she pauses, looking elsewhere. The words come out in a murmur, though it is perfectly audible for him. "...More than anyone."
Lawrence Fathi: "I knew you'd make it out. I never doubted it, and so I could help the others to my fullest."
Lawrence Fathi: "...But not everyone."
Lawrence Fathi: "There are goodbyes I wish I still could've said, but I suppose that's life, no?"
Lucaell Townsend relaxes entirely, as if what little energy she had left escaped her in a single, breathless sigh. She reaches tentatively for the chest in front of her, a feverish hand finding it after a second - she sits, unable to admit her legs are failing her.
Lucaell Townsend: "...They took very important things from us."
Lucaell Townsend: "...I... I didn't know until months after I was out."
Lawrence Fathi gives her a sideglance, releasing a breath from his lips. "..."
Lawrence Fathi: "All I could do was watch. I am sorry, Lucile..."
Lawrence Fathi: "I had to request leave, mine nor the captain's protests were heard."
Lucaell Townsend: "Better to watch and reminisce than... Never seeing. Never knowing. I'm reassured in knowing you did everything you could, and so did Iyrnswys and the others." She pauses. "Everyone else was simultaneously thrilled to see me alive - then avoided me. Topics branching out, conversations avoided in a waltz of pity my entire entourage would perform around me."
Lucaell Townsend: "I've made peace with the fact that we couldn't save what was already dead."
Lawrence Fathi turns his gaze to look at her as she speaks, gentle and quiet.
Lucaell Townsend: "Rensa Brokenshire, the Black Captain - my best friend, and savior - died the moment he let go of the rope that'd lead me down the Townsend estate, and failed to follow."
Lucaell Townsend: "...There's only one person to blame for the life they've had." Her eyes pierce through the soil now, wide open. The warmth and gentleness in her tone is gone.

Lucaell Townsend: "And they're already dead." Unblinking.
Lawrence Fathi: "...I was able to take something from Command, before I left. My friends at the barracks looked the other way."
Lawrence Fathi: "A bit of life that didn't die. I suspect you've already felt it, no?"
Lucaell Townsend: "..."
Lawrence Fathi is already shuffling around in a satchel at his waist.
Lucaell Townsend looks in his direction -- then decides against it, shaking her head.
Lawrence Fathi: "The captain wouldn't take it... said it wasn't how these are meant to be left, nor was it fit for a box."
Lucaell Townsend grips the edge of her kimono, looking away. "I don't... I d... I don't want to see it," her eyes find Lawrence's hands in spite of herself, however.
Lawrence Fathi: "But I'd give it to you, if you asked." He holds up a rag, shaped in the silhouette of a rock. Nothing is visible beyond the shape.
Lucaell Townsend can not tear her eyes from it - as if it was the only thing in the room.
Lawrence Fathi: "I... I wont uncover it, if you don't. I just... I didn't ask for it. I don't typically... I don't /ever/ steal things. But I couldn't let it die."
Lucaell Townsend breathes in, then extends an arm, slow, resolve evident.
Lawrence Fathi: "At least, not in a box sealed away at the back of the tower..." He mutters, then blinks. He closes the gap between them gingerly, looking from the cloth with the object and her hand.
Lawrence Fathi holds it out between them, waiting for her to take it rather than give it. It's wary, defined by an apologetic smile.
Lawrence Fathi: "After years of culturing what was in me, I couldn't show those who reside here the anger within this."
Lawrence Fathi: "But you... you deserve it more than anyone."
Lucaell Townsend reaches with both arms now, hands hesitating just once as they get closer to it - eventually, the item is taken, slowly, carefully, as if she were handling a beating heart, still. Her shoulders drop and she bends over it, gaze empty, as she slowly unwraps what hides the item.
Lawrence Fathi looks away from the crystal.
Lawrence Fathi closes his eyes at the display, a show of respect for whatever she might do.
Lucaell Townsend looks into it, its shine enchanting her on the spot, almost - her eyes remain wide but inexpressive, and a fair amount of time passes before she manages to close her eyes, head lowering close to that little weight in her hands.
Lucaell Townsend presses it against her lips in reverence, then holds it against her heart.
Lucaell Townsend: "...Myths say," she lowers it, slightly, looking into it.
Lucaell Townsend: "...Laverna cleaved Blue Fang in half in a single stroke, after her fight with its captain, Carlisle."
Lucaell Townsend: "...Its debris were seized, and it was rebuilt as the Dirge not long after..."
Lawrence Fathi is simply standing, listening in silence. The air between them filled with only small breaths and her voice. Although his closed gaze was faced away, his brows were knit in stern attention to her.
Lucaell Townsend keeps it in her lap.
Lucaell Townsend: "Thank you..."
Lucaell Townsend: "...Lawrence, thank you. Thank you, a thousand times. Ten thousand times."
Lawrence Fathi doesn't smile at her thanks, but his head bows at her gratitude. "...It was the least I could ever do..."
Lucaell Townsend: "There is more you could do," she finally looks up to him.
Lawrence Fathi slowly turns his gaze back to her, a small blink passing between them in mild confusion.
Lawrence Fathi: "More...?"
Lucaell Townsend rises, presenting the stone to him with both of her hands, as one would with freshwater coming from a spring of fortune. "Laverna taught Sue. Who taught you in turn. This crystal is typically passed down women, and although... Rensa..." She moves one, awkwardly. "Sue was meant to have it first, but refused it."
Lucaell Townsend: "...I am sure it has techniques that could help you with monster hunting," she begins. "You should have it."
Lawrence Fathi looks to the crystal, a contemplative warmth resided on his features—like a friend who looked upon their passed out comrade. "...I wouldn't still be here, I think, without it." His hands rise up, cradling just beneath hers as he looks to the relic.

Lawrence Fathi: "I will accept, if you'll allow it."
Lawrence Fathi closes his eyes as water streams down them, his voice cracking. "Thank you." He swallows with a small grunt to clear his throat.
Lucaell Townsend looks into Lawrence's eyes until he closes them - she has no tears to spare, but just enough love: "I'll do more than allow it."
Lucaell Townsend: "...No one believed in me. No one - no one would be sure of my plan. Of what I had decided we should do."
Lucaell Townsend: "No one but the boy from the wreckage."
You smile weakly at Lawrence Fathi.
Lucaell Townsend: "...As he knew the weight that came with such blood."
Lucaell Townsend: "I am in your debt. And I will not forget to honor it before I die."
Lawrence Fathi opens his gaze back to her, eyes glazed and bloodshot from the emotion suddenly overcoming him in silence. There were no sobs that might otherwise be familiar for him. Yet still, it was a grief that had awaited moons.
Lawrence Fathi: "Who am I to take anyone's legacy from them?"
Lawrence Fathi: "I will hold you to it, Lucilia."
Lawrence Fathi: "But in a few decades, I think."
Lucaell Townsend: "As you wait for the time to come, remember yourself. Remember your gentle soul. A man who knew them, and did his best to save another boy." She closes his hands on the stone, stepping closer to him, applying pressure with her fingers: "...A warrior who would dream of freedom."
Lucaell Townsend: "Once a slave, now free..."
Lucaell Townsend: "You ask what you are, I say, someone not so different."
Lucaell Townsend: "These techniques are yours."
Lucaell Townsend lets go of him and looks through the man, arms back at her sides.
Lucaell Townsend: "...With the blessing and curse of a Townsend woman, as per its custom."
Lucaell Townsend: "It's yours."
Lawrence Fathi nods gently, fingers squeezing the crystal before his hand would turn to his own chest with it at her release. "Thank you." He croaks out in whisper, then turns to abscond the patch from his face.
Lawrence Fathi: "...We are done with curses of the blood, I think."
Lucaell Townsend: "...All blessings from now, then?"
Lawrence Fathi: "The blessings of nobodies."
Lawrence Fathi: "That's the spirit of where we came from."
Lawrence Fathi blows his nose with the blinder.
Lucaell Townsend: "...I'm now a very famous Bard, I'll have you know." She adds, nudging his back with an elbow.
Lawrence Fathi staggers forward just lightly, a small laugh escaping him. "I missed your advertisements alongside the Songbirds."
Lucaell Townsend: "Do not compare me to rabble. They are good, but still..."
Lucaell Townsend: "...Target a lot of older men and feed their... Odd fantasies."
Lawrence Fathi: "Right right—aye, then."
Lawrence Fathi: "A famous bard and a soon-to-be famous hunter."
Lawrence Fathi turns to her with a smile.
Lucaell Townsend seems concerned for a moment. "...Will you join the expedition, too?"
Lawrence Fathi blinks and then seems to shirk away mentally, looking up in thought. "I don't know my place there yet... but I was hoping so, in a way. Lady Melele needs the hands from what I saw."
Lawrence Fathi: "There's just... much left unsaid between others and I. I left without a word nor a trace."
Lawrence Fathi: "...At least, beyond the reassignment at Limsa."
Lucaell Townsend: "...You were not the only one. I'm sure they'll understand."
Lucaell Townsend: "They... Really love you, here, you know."
Lucaell Townsend: "You're really fortunate, so don't go wasting all of it."
Lawrence Fathi smiles weakly, "I know they do... but there are legacies here I'm still not confident of. That I'm unsure are mine or someone else's."

Lawrence Fathi: "Be it what marrs my arm or..." His voice trails.
Lawrence Fathi: "That campaign we were on reminded me that I was a nobody. I needed to not forget."
Lucaell Townsend frowns gradually at that, clearly disatisfied with his words.
Lucaell Townsend: "Do as I did. Change that."
Lucaell Townsend: "There's no greater success in mine life - having become someone, independently of the blood."
Lucaell Townsend: "Of the time I wrote a hundred ballads under a moon. Joined the Dragonsong War. Faced specters molded by the Mother on my own terms."
Lawrence Fathi takes a deep breath and nods to her words, "Right."
Lucaell Townsend: "...I, Lucaell the Bard, live for no one but myself. I believe this to be true freedom."
Lucaell Townsend: "...What will you become, Lawrence?"
Lucaell Townsend: "I want to see it."
Lucaell Townsend: "...I want to see it."
Lawrence Fathi smiles at that, "I hope you're still watching when I find out, then."
Lawrence Fathi: "But if you're not, well. I can say I knew you before you became an international wonder, aye?"
Lucaell Townsend passes by him to tap his arm slightly. "There'll always be a place for you at my shows."
Lawrence Fathi smile swarmly at her and nods.
Lawrence Fathi: smiles warmly*)
Lucaell Townsend looks towards the bed, then back to Lawrence. Her hand lingers on his arm, and she looks through the man's chestpiece.
Lawrence Fathi: "I'll always be close to the front, cheering loudly."
Lucaell Townsend: "...I'll write a song for you." Quietly.
Lucaell Townsend: "A good song."
Lawrence Fathi blinks at that and then beams.
Lawrence Fathi: "If you do, I'll be happy to listen. Even though we're friends—I hope—I couldn't allow that to happen without you getting a good sum."
Lawrence Fathi: "Supporting the arts and all, aye?"
Lucaell Townsend lowers her hand towards his, a second coming to take a hold on him proper. She looks back up to him.
Lucaell Townsend: "You're a good man, Lawrence."
Lawrence Fathi reciprocates gently as his glove curls around her. He doesn't say nothing to the statement, rubbing the back of his neck with his opposite.
Lucaell Townsend: "If you'd just lower your head for me."
You smile weakly at Lawrence Fathi.
Lawrence Fathi does so, obediantly.
Lucaell Townsend stands on the tip of her boots to kiss his forehead then his cheek, lingering. Hands find either side of his face and she nests there for a time - finding comfort in silence and proximity.
Lawrence Fathi doesn't flinch from her affections, eyes closing thoughtfully in the warmth of them. His own hands find purchase at the waist of her kimono, gentle.
Lawrence Fathi: "You are good too... none of this talk of curses and what not. We are simply living how we do best, aye?"
Lawrence Fathi: "No matter where Oschon takes us, even if it's clumsy."
Lucaell Townsend leaves her fingers in his hair, finding the back of his head. Head hanging low, she nods very subtly. Words are breathed by his ear: "I have seen your worth. I will stand against those who think you worthy of being obscured at a moment's notice."
Lucaell Townsend drops her forehead against his plastron after that. "...Day by day. With Oschon's blessings and whatever he likes to leave us with."
Lucaell Townsend: "We are adventurers."
Lawrence Fathi parts his lips at that. He lingers there, for a moment, as arms wrap gently around her torso. Nothing presses, mindful of his plating and her personal space in spite of the hug. He nods with a smile.
Lawrence Fathi: "We are adventurers." Lawrence repeats, quiet.
Lucaell Townsend closes her eyes.