It was midday in the Black Shroud, and as the warm sun washed over the trees, rocky hills and streams of the central region, Ginal surveyed her work, almost admiring herself as she looked over the many funguar she had felled. She was already nearby when the call went out to put down the suddenly rampaging fungus creatures, and she jumped at the opportunity.
A good chance to test myself...or a good way to get myself killed?
It had been a long fight, an hour or so at least, for the funguars had just kept coming, and coming. She admitted to herself that finding the will power to persevere, and the composure to control herself, were every bit as difficult days later, as it was during her Lancer trial. She had nearly given in and fled from the enchanted fungi, until something had stirred inside her.
"Focus. You can do this."
She touched her cheek where the hyur woman had smacked her, a half frown forming on her lips. Ginal still wasn't sure she appreciated the tail pulling and the backhand, but the results were undeniable.
Thank you...
She looked up at her temporary battle companions, some female roegadyn pugilist, and her spell casting elezen companion, "Thank you both for your aid!" she called with a wave. The two nodded and waved their farewells, then began hiking away from the former battleground. The miqo'te woman eyed herself over, and began wiping off ichor and other bits of funguar from various spots of her armor.
"Heeeey!" called a young, friendly male voice. "Lookin' good, girl!"
Ginal half turned, looking up and over her shoulder to see heavily tanned miqo'te male sitting on an outcrop that overlooked her field of victory. "Thad!" she happily called out, "How long have you been up there?"
The man, who looked to be in his early twenties, grinned mischievously at her, "Long enough to watch you kick some ass!"
She rested the blade of her spear in the soil, shifting her weight to one leg and folded her arms, looking slightly unamused with an exaggerated frown, "And you were going to give me a hand, when? Or are you just trying to keep a scar off your left eye?"
Thadthadius stood and dusted off his long green coat, the patterns of swirled gold sewn into it indicating the classic outfit of a devout summoner, "You didn't need it. Besides, your fighting style is inspirational, with all those tumbles n' flips n' such. " his expression shifted to a knowing smirk.
"And I suppose it has nothing to do with this?" she indicated her not quite knee length skirt.
The man feigned shock from his perch, "Good Lady, what ever do you mean?"
The redhead turned on her heel in a mock huff, arms folded over her chest with a whip of her tail, "Just get down here, already. "
And maybe I'll give you the peek you're after...
Since Thadthadius had nothing better to do with himself that day, he volunteered to tag along with his female friend on her errands in the Shroud for the local Wood Wailers, thinning the numbers of the more aggressive wildlife. After some hours had passed, the two ceased their day's adventure to take shelter at a local guard tower. They sat just outside its wall to share a sunset meal.
The miqo'te woman relaxed against the stone wall, her ears drooped a bit as she absently swirled her mug of mead, momentarily staring away from her friend.
The purple eyed young man curiously leaned forward, "What's so interesting over there?"
"Hmm...doesn't she look great in that armor?" Ginal indicated a female elezen Wood Wailer standing guard outside the wall.
Thadthadius tapped at his goatee as he looked to the female guard, then to his companion and smirked, "Well, that's an interesting thing to learn about you today, Gin."
A blush crept over her face as she shook her head, "No, Thad!" she insisted. "I mean, you know, strong. Noble. Like she can take on anything and she knows it."
And yeah, I guess she's pretty.
The miqo'te man chuckled as he leaned back against the stone wall, downing more of his own mug. "Ah, yeah, I guess so. What about it?"
His female friend stared at the ground for a moment as she found her words. "You think I'll ever get there?"
"What, are you kidding?" Thadthadius replied to disbelief. "Girl, you're already amazing at what you do. You're as sharp and deadly as talons."
She tilted her head to look up at him, "Talons, huh?" The purple eyed man nodded, scratching absently at his goatee again.
"Though that's not all about you. You're like...silk."
Ginal giggled as she playfully bat her tail at his, "How am I like silk?"
"Well, I've seen you be gentle, like with chocobos and kids." The young man turned himself to better address her. "And you're strong, too, even if you don't know it."
The redhead frowned slightly and glanced away, "I'm not that strong."
Thadthadius rests his hand on her shoulder, "I saw that your were faltering earlier, with those funguars. But right when I was gonna jump in, something took hold of you, and you kicked some 'shroom ass! Strong and gentle as silk, girl."
She pondered his words for a moment as she stared into her drink, "Silk and talons..."
Ginal smiled softly as she searched her friends eyes for signs of sarcasm or jesting, and found none. Thadthadius' gaze softened as he stared back, his tail reaching over to gently brush her own. "And like all things made of silk, you're...you know" He suddenly turned his gaze away, his last word mumbled.
Ginal's ears twitched, "Wow, even these ears couldn't hear that. What was that?"
The young man sighed softly and looked back to her, "You're...really beautiful, Gin."
She smiled and softly laughed as she put her mug to her lips, "It's just the mead, Thad."
Please tell me more.
The young man moved closer, resting on a knee as he reached for her hand, "Really, I mean it...you're beyond beautiful."
Ginal felt her heart racing as their gaze was locked, his expression soft and his eyes probing as she felt his lion tail entwining with hers. "Thad..."
Do I really want this? Can he even accept me for what I am?
A rustling from the nearby trees, as darkness crept over the small outpost. The sound of a snapping branch, and the two miqo'te turned their attention to see the female Wood Wailer readying her lance in a battle stance. Ginal scanned the trees and bush, her ears twitching as she strained to see or hear. She caught a whiff of a smell she was unfamiliar with, "What is that smell?"
Thadthadius grimaced as he pulled a large, engraved tome from his coat. "Ixali!" he called out, quickly flipping through his tome until he found his specific page, and began reading to himself. Hearing Thadthadius' call, the female guard turned to call for aid from within the outpost.
From the darkened treeline beyond the immediate road, from the right flank of the guard tower, they came all at once. The large, monstrous bird warriors spilled out as they squawked and cawed and growled their battle cries, wielding crudely crafted weapons of various make. The Wood Wailers of the outpost rushed to engage several of the Ixali, their part of fight obscured by the dancing torchlight and the fading sunlight.
A flash of light in the corner of her eye, and Ginal turned to see her friend materializing aether into one of his Egi constructs she had heard of, though she couldn't begin to know what Primal this one was taken from. Thadthadius shouted a command as he pointed to another small group of Ixali coming from the out left flank. "Gin, watch it!" he cried, and she turned to see the warrior charging and squawking angrily at her, banging its crude sword and shield together.
Ginal had never seen an Ixal up close, only heard the tales of their viciousness and depravity. Its large, long black horns looked utterly demonic, only enhanced by the ugly mottled skin and large beaked mouth. Its eyes bore down on her with rage and hunger. She felt her heart in her throat as her legs began to tremble underneath her.
"Ginal! You can do this!"
She dropped low, her spear forward and her eyes narrowed. The bird monster towered over her as she spun her spear to deflect its sword. Momentarily off balance, the Ixal swordsman put its weight into another attack, bashing Ginal's torso with its shield. She tumbled to the ground, her chest aching as she drew in a desperate breath. Her foe was already on top of her, swinging its blade down with all its might. She brought her lance shaft in front of her and locked with the enemy sword. The Ixal pressed down hard, her own muscles struggling to hold it at bay. Its beak twisted in a wicked grin, and she absolutely hated the reek of its breath as it muttered something in that bizarre cawing language. She knew when she was being taunted.
"Stop...mocking...me!" she cried through strained breath, her heart pounding in anger as her peripheral vision seemed to fade until all she could see was this beast on top of her.
She managed a sudden turn of her lance, throwing the Ixal sword aside as she rolled to her feet. She locked her opponent's gaze, her tail upright and stiff as she gripped her lance tight. She bore her canines in a long, angry hiss and leaped forward with all the strength her legs gave her. She was in front of the Ixali before it could properly react, jabbing and thrust her lance furiously as the beast only barely kept up enough to deflect her attack. "Stop mocking me! Gods damn you, just shut your ugly mouth! Shut the hells up and leave me alone!" she spat the words through clenched teeth. Her vision grew more narrowed as the world began to turn red.
What gives you the right?! I never did anything to you! Leave me alone!
"Composure of self, and a determined will." "Focus!"
The miqo'te woman blinked and shook her head, her proper vision returning as she realized she had indeed connected her weapon to her enemy, the Ixal's arms and legs sporting multiple bleeding slashes, its sword on the ground. As her anger subsided, she already felt tired from the emotional outpouring. The beast before her cawed angrily and seized its opportunity and drew a crude, jagged dagger. Grabbing her lance and forcing it aside, then plunging the dagger quickly into her shoulder. The pain was even worse as the blade withdrew. Ginal screamed in pain and was shocked by the sight of her own blood. She desperately clutched her lance with that arm, though the effort was more painful than she had thought it would be, and she threw herself around the larger creature. She jumped back a bit and threw her lance forward, impaling the beastmans back. It squawked defiantly and fell to its knees, then to the ground.
Ginal turned to see Thadthadius and his Egi fending off the last of their foes, the tanned man turning to give her a triumphant grin. Ginal's ears twitched as she heard a scraping sound, turning to see her opponent slowly rising and raising its retrieved blade. Suddenly its eye went wide as flames began to form along its arms and legs. It screeched briefly in agony as the fire quickly consumed the beasts body and turned it to ash.
Ginal blinked in disbelief as she looked up to see the pointy hat and puffy sleeved coat of a black mage. "You stole my kill!" she insisted.
"Maybe, but you've got to admit that was some amazing casting!" came a jovial, almost sarcastic voice of a young man, as she noticed a swishing black tail.
"Madam, are you alright?" came a soft toned, educated voice of a man from her side. A well dressed, dark haired elezen man strode up to her, and she recognized the thick glasses and square hat of the studious scholars. He gently placed his hand on her shoulder, "The wound goes deep. If you don't mind?"
"Gin, you okay?" Thadthadius called as he rushed to her side.
Ginal smiled through the pain at the elezen, "Actually, I'd rather if my friend handled that. No offense, sir." The elezen nodded as Thadthadius looked over the wound and began to channel aether through his hands.
"Would that be short for Ginal?" the elezen asked.
The redhead quirked a brow and nodded, "Yes...Do I know you?"
The elezen smiled and shook his head, "No, but I lead the free company that employs Grezel. He speaks of you often. My name is Timothy." The miqo'te girl winced as her friend's aether swirled over her shoulder, the wound slowly mending. "We were employed by the Twin Adder to track some Ixali hunting parties that slipped through the border, and this was one group we had been tracking." Timothy explained, his words deliberately enunciated.
The elezen turned to the miqo'te mage, "Aerick, contact Grezel's group and tell them one Ixali party is neutralized. Ozalie," he turns around to address a black haired hyur girl, sporting purple and brown leather armor with a large bow resting on her back. "Check the Wailers, see if they need aide." The woman nodded and hurried off.
Ginal looked down at her shoulder to see that the bleeding had ceased and the flesh was mended. She smiled at her lion tailed friend and flexed her arm, "I guess you've got more than your good looks after all, Thad." Thadthadius grinned wide and playfully shrugged.
"We'll escort you two back to the city gates." Timothy approached, searching between the two for approval.
Ginal harnessed her lance on her back and looked to her friend, "I think that's fine. Thad?" The elezen bowed politely and went to retrieve his companions.
Thadthadius surveyed the now starlit battlefield and let out a low whistle, "One hell of a first date, huh?"
Ginal softly chuckled and reached her hand up to touch his cheek. "Next time, just ask a girl out for dinner." The two miqo'te joined their new friends on the road, and began their march toward Gridania.
Maybe I can do this...Maybe I can do more than I thought. Thank you again, Ywain and Selah.
A good chance to test myself...or a good way to get myself killed?
It had been a long fight, an hour or so at least, for the funguars had just kept coming, and coming. She admitted to herself that finding the will power to persevere, and the composure to control herself, were every bit as difficult days later, as it was during her Lancer trial. She had nearly given in and fled from the enchanted fungi, until something had stirred inside her.
"Focus. You can do this."
She touched her cheek where the hyur woman had smacked her, a half frown forming on her lips. Ginal still wasn't sure she appreciated the tail pulling and the backhand, but the results were undeniable.
Thank you...
She looked up at her temporary battle companions, some female roegadyn pugilist, and her spell casting elezen companion, "Thank you both for your aid!" she called with a wave. The two nodded and waved their farewells, then began hiking away from the former battleground. The miqo'te woman eyed herself over, and began wiping off ichor and other bits of funguar from various spots of her armor.
"Heeeey!" called a young, friendly male voice. "Lookin' good, girl!"
Ginal half turned, looking up and over her shoulder to see heavily tanned miqo'te male sitting on an outcrop that overlooked her field of victory. "Thad!" she happily called out, "How long have you been up there?"
The man, who looked to be in his early twenties, grinned mischievously at her, "Long enough to watch you kick some ass!"
She rested the blade of her spear in the soil, shifting her weight to one leg and folded her arms, looking slightly unamused with an exaggerated frown, "And you were going to give me a hand, when? Or are you just trying to keep a scar off your left eye?"
Thadthadius stood and dusted off his long green coat, the patterns of swirled gold sewn into it indicating the classic outfit of a devout summoner, "You didn't need it. Besides, your fighting style is inspirational, with all those tumbles n' flips n' such. " his expression shifted to a knowing smirk.
"And I suppose it has nothing to do with this?" she indicated her not quite knee length skirt.
The man feigned shock from his perch, "Good Lady, what ever do you mean?"
The redhead turned on her heel in a mock huff, arms folded over her chest with a whip of her tail, "Just get down here, already. "
And maybe I'll give you the peek you're after...
Since Thadthadius had nothing better to do with himself that day, he volunteered to tag along with his female friend on her errands in the Shroud for the local Wood Wailers, thinning the numbers of the more aggressive wildlife. After some hours had passed, the two ceased their day's adventure to take shelter at a local guard tower. They sat just outside its wall to share a sunset meal.
The miqo'te woman relaxed against the stone wall, her ears drooped a bit as she absently swirled her mug of mead, momentarily staring away from her friend.
The purple eyed young man curiously leaned forward, "What's so interesting over there?"
"Hmm...doesn't she look great in that armor?" Ginal indicated a female elezen Wood Wailer standing guard outside the wall.
Thadthadius tapped at his goatee as he looked to the female guard, then to his companion and smirked, "Well, that's an interesting thing to learn about you today, Gin."
A blush crept over her face as she shook her head, "No, Thad!" she insisted. "I mean, you know, strong. Noble. Like she can take on anything and she knows it."
And yeah, I guess she's pretty.
The miqo'te man chuckled as he leaned back against the stone wall, downing more of his own mug. "Ah, yeah, I guess so. What about it?"
His female friend stared at the ground for a moment as she found her words. "You think I'll ever get there?"
"What, are you kidding?" Thadthadius replied to disbelief. "Girl, you're already amazing at what you do. You're as sharp and deadly as talons."
She tilted her head to look up at him, "Talons, huh?" The purple eyed man nodded, scratching absently at his goatee again.
"Though that's not all about you. You're like...silk."
Ginal giggled as she playfully bat her tail at his, "How am I like silk?"
"Well, I've seen you be gentle, like with chocobos and kids." The young man turned himself to better address her. "And you're strong, too, even if you don't know it."
The redhead frowned slightly and glanced away, "I'm not that strong."
Thadthadius rests his hand on her shoulder, "I saw that your were faltering earlier, with those funguars. But right when I was gonna jump in, something took hold of you, and you kicked some 'shroom ass! Strong and gentle as silk, girl."
She pondered his words for a moment as she stared into her drink, "Silk and talons..."
Ginal smiled softly as she searched her friends eyes for signs of sarcasm or jesting, and found none. Thadthadius' gaze softened as he stared back, his tail reaching over to gently brush her own. "And like all things made of silk, you're...you know" He suddenly turned his gaze away, his last word mumbled.
Ginal's ears twitched, "Wow, even these ears couldn't hear that. What was that?"
The young man sighed softly and looked back to her, "You're...really beautiful, Gin."
She smiled and softly laughed as she put her mug to her lips, "It's just the mead, Thad."
Please tell me more.
The young man moved closer, resting on a knee as he reached for her hand, "Really, I mean it...you're beyond beautiful."
Ginal felt her heart racing as their gaze was locked, his expression soft and his eyes probing as she felt his lion tail entwining with hers. "Thad..."
Do I really want this? Can he even accept me for what I am?
A rustling from the nearby trees, as darkness crept over the small outpost. The sound of a snapping branch, and the two miqo'te turned their attention to see the female Wood Wailer readying her lance in a battle stance. Ginal scanned the trees and bush, her ears twitching as she strained to see or hear. She caught a whiff of a smell she was unfamiliar with, "What is that smell?"
Thadthadius grimaced as he pulled a large, engraved tome from his coat. "Ixali!" he called out, quickly flipping through his tome until he found his specific page, and began reading to himself. Hearing Thadthadius' call, the female guard turned to call for aid from within the outpost.
From the darkened treeline beyond the immediate road, from the right flank of the guard tower, they came all at once. The large, monstrous bird warriors spilled out as they squawked and cawed and growled their battle cries, wielding crudely crafted weapons of various make. The Wood Wailers of the outpost rushed to engage several of the Ixali, their part of fight obscured by the dancing torchlight and the fading sunlight.
A flash of light in the corner of her eye, and Ginal turned to see her friend materializing aether into one of his Egi constructs she had heard of, though she couldn't begin to know what Primal this one was taken from. Thadthadius shouted a command as he pointed to another small group of Ixali coming from the out left flank. "Gin, watch it!" he cried, and she turned to see the warrior charging and squawking angrily at her, banging its crude sword and shield together.
Ginal had never seen an Ixal up close, only heard the tales of their viciousness and depravity. Its large, long black horns looked utterly demonic, only enhanced by the ugly mottled skin and large beaked mouth. Its eyes bore down on her with rage and hunger. She felt her heart in her throat as her legs began to tremble underneath her.
"Ginal! You can do this!"
She dropped low, her spear forward and her eyes narrowed. The bird monster towered over her as she spun her spear to deflect its sword. Momentarily off balance, the Ixal swordsman put its weight into another attack, bashing Ginal's torso with its shield. She tumbled to the ground, her chest aching as she drew in a desperate breath. Her foe was already on top of her, swinging its blade down with all its might. She brought her lance shaft in front of her and locked with the enemy sword. The Ixal pressed down hard, her own muscles struggling to hold it at bay. Its beak twisted in a wicked grin, and she absolutely hated the reek of its breath as it muttered something in that bizarre cawing language. She knew when she was being taunted.
"Stop...mocking...me!" she cried through strained breath, her heart pounding in anger as her peripheral vision seemed to fade until all she could see was this beast on top of her.
She managed a sudden turn of her lance, throwing the Ixal sword aside as she rolled to her feet. She locked her opponent's gaze, her tail upright and stiff as she gripped her lance tight. She bore her canines in a long, angry hiss and leaped forward with all the strength her legs gave her. She was in front of the Ixali before it could properly react, jabbing and thrust her lance furiously as the beast only barely kept up enough to deflect her attack. "Stop mocking me! Gods damn you, just shut your ugly mouth! Shut the hells up and leave me alone!" she spat the words through clenched teeth. Her vision grew more narrowed as the world began to turn red.
What gives you the right?! I never did anything to you! Leave me alone!
"Composure of self, and a determined will." "Focus!"
The miqo'te woman blinked and shook her head, her proper vision returning as she realized she had indeed connected her weapon to her enemy, the Ixal's arms and legs sporting multiple bleeding slashes, its sword on the ground. As her anger subsided, she already felt tired from the emotional outpouring. The beast before her cawed angrily and seized its opportunity and drew a crude, jagged dagger. Grabbing her lance and forcing it aside, then plunging the dagger quickly into her shoulder. The pain was even worse as the blade withdrew. Ginal screamed in pain and was shocked by the sight of her own blood. She desperately clutched her lance with that arm, though the effort was more painful than she had thought it would be, and she threw herself around the larger creature. She jumped back a bit and threw her lance forward, impaling the beastmans back. It squawked defiantly and fell to its knees, then to the ground.
Ginal turned to see Thadthadius and his Egi fending off the last of their foes, the tanned man turning to give her a triumphant grin. Ginal's ears twitched as she heard a scraping sound, turning to see her opponent slowly rising and raising its retrieved blade. Suddenly its eye went wide as flames began to form along its arms and legs. It screeched briefly in agony as the fire quickly consumed the beasts body and turned it to ash.
Ginal blinked in disbelief as she looked up to see the pointy hat and puffy sleeved coat of a black mage. "You stole my kill!" she insisted.
"Maybe, but you've got to admit that was some amazing casting!" came a jovial, almost sarcastic voice of a young man, as she noticed a swishing black tail.
"Madam, are you alright?" came a soft toned, educated voice of a man from her side. A well dressed, dark haired elezen man strode up to her, and she recognized the thick glasses and square hat of the studious scholars. He gently placed his hand on her shoulder, "The wound goes deep. If you don't mind?"
"Gin, you okay?" Thadthadius called as he rushed to her side.
Ginal smiled through the pain at the elezen, "Actually, I'd rather if my friend handled that. No offense, sir." The elezen nodded as Thadthadius looked over the wound and began to channel aether through his hands.
"Would that be short for Ginal?" the elezen asked.
The redhead quirked a brow and nodded, "Yes...Do I know you?"
The elezen smiled and shook his head, "No, but I lead the free company that employs Grezel. He speaks of you often. My name is Timothy." The miqo'te girl winced as her friend's aether swirled over her shoulder, the wound slowly mending. "We were employed by the Twin Adder to track some Ixali hunting parties that slipped through the border, and this was one group we had been tracking." Timothy explained, his words deliberately enunciated.
The elezen turned to the miqo'te mage, "Aerick, contact Grezel's group and tell them one Ixali party is neutralized. Ozalie," he turns around to address a black haired hyur girl, sporting purple and brown leather armor with a large bow resting on her back. "Check the Wailers, see if they need aide." The woman nodded and hurried off.
Ginal looked down at her shoulder to see that the bleeding had ceased and the flesh was mended. She smiled at her lion tailed friend and flexed her arm, "I guess you've got more than your good looks after all, Thad." Thadthadius grinned wide and playfully shrugged.
"We'll escort you two back to the city gates." Timothy approached, searching between the two for approval.
Ginal harnessed her lance on her back and looked to her friend, "I think that's fine. Thad?" The elezen bowed politely and went to retrieve his companions.
Thadthadius surveyed the now starlit battlefield and let out a low whistle, "One hell of a first date, huh?"
Ginal softly chuckled and reached her hand up to touch his cheek. "Next time, just ask a girl out for dinner." The two miqo'te joined their new friends on the road, and began their march toward Gridania.
Maybe I can do this...Maybe I can do more than I thought. Thank you again, Ywain and Selah.
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