There are things in life that can easily be explained in words, so that they can be understood even by people who have never experienced them.
Snow is not one of those.
At face value, it is simple enough. Frozen crystals of water, falling from the sky. Merely rain, but with more substance - the kind of substance that speaks of the dual nature of the cold, both sharp and heavy, both stinging and numbing.
But to truly understand snow, you need to know of snowstorms. You need to know the fierce sense of safety felt by those hearing the wind wail against their windows while they sit by the fire with hot cocoa. You also need to know the voiceless despair of those lost in a
blizzard, their fingers stiff, their lips blue, their minds unraveling into the hungry maw of the great white.
Lalli knew both those things. Both memories brought him back to Haurchefant.
***-Ah, my friend! I'm glad I could catch you before you left.
Startled, Lalli dropped the potions he had been carefully loading into his chocobo's saddlebags, catching them right before they broke on the frozen ground. He did an about-face, on high alert, and finally sighed in relief when he recognized who had just addressed him.
-Lord Haurchefant, he said.
The knight answered with a look of concern that instantly made Lalli's gut twist in shame. Haurchefant had been nothing but comforting and kind from the very moment Lalli and Alphinaud had staggered into his hall a few weeks ago. Embarrassed at such an imposition, the lalafell had done his utmost best not to add to his host's worries, but it had proven difficult. He felt simultaneously exhausted and incapable of rest, sensing danger in the slightest sound or movement.
-Apologies, Lalli. I did not mean to scare you. Is something the matter?
-Not at all, my Lord. I simply am... excited, yes, to finally set out for Ishgard.
-Of course! replied Haurchefant, beaming. Oh, to take in the splendor of the Holy See for the first time... I wish I could accompany you and see it through your eyes.
The elezen's enthusiasm brought a smile to Lalli's face, although it remained invisible - he was clad in traditional
black mage garb, complete with a mask that almost completely concealed his face. It would have been quite a boon for the wanted man that he was if not for the fact that the tall hat and hex-spun mythril robes actually created an eminently recognizable silhouette.
-This makes for a great segue into the reason I came to find you, actually, continued Haurchefant. I've given some thought to
the favor I would like to ask of you.
-Anything, immediately replied Lalli. Anything. If it's in my power, I'll do it.
Haurchefant's expression softened.
-I thought you would say that. In that case, I think you'll find my wish quite an easy one to fulfill: I want you to write to me.
Lalli's eyes widened. He'd expected a request to bring low some dragon, primal or imperial legion - but he should have known better, really. He burst into laughter.
-But that's nothing! You don't need to call upon a debt to get me to write you letters!
The elezen smirked, his eyes crinkling in amusement.
-Ah, but see, you say that because you have not yet read the fine print of this contract - which you have already agreed to, in case you need to be reminded. Firstly, I want you to write to me often, as often as you can. Secondly, I want you to omit nothing. Joys, sorrows, idle thoughts, hardships... I want to read it all.
-Th-that's...
The elezen strode forward and knelt down, gently squeezing one of Lalli's shoulders in one of his gigantic gloved hands. Beneath the thick fabric of his robes, the lalafell was pretty much just
skin over bone, and he could tell that Haurchefant was being careful not to hurt.
-I know you've hidden some things from me for my sake, but I want you to know that it's not necessary. I have always and will always believe in you, and I feel you could use a... confidante of sorts. Though I won't always be on the road with you, I would accompany you in spirit. If you let me.
The lalafell let out a choked sound and looked down, instinctively hiding his dangerously teary eyes. At a loss for words, he reached up and grasped Haurchefant's wrist, trying to convey through that simple touch the unholy mix of fear, gratitude and guilt swirling in his chest. An eternity passed before he found the courage to speak.
-I've already said yes, haven't I, he murmured.
***Somewhere inside the Fortemps manor in Isghard, a heavy wooden door creaked open, and a previously empty guest room was suddenly empty no more as a tall Elezen butler ushered in a lalafell in dark clothes. The lalafell thanked him with a shaky bow before dropping his bag to the floor and collapsing onto the large feather bed.
He waved his hand and the fireplace came alive with a familiar warm glow. Once the room had heated up a little, he removed his hat, allowing a tangled mess of orange curls and braids to spill onto the blankets.
A large
cat-adjacent animal then wiggled out of the bag and took residence upon the lalafell's chest. He started petting it absent-mindedly.
Finally in Ishgard, then, a voice spoke clear into his mind.
What will you do now?Opening a pair of bleary eyes, the lalafell looked around the room. It was undoubtedly cozy, with luxurious rugs and tapestries covering every surface to ward off the cold that settled into the masonry. Through a tall glass window, he could see snow falling peacefully outside. He could have sworn he smelled the distant aroma of hot cocoa.
Out of the corner of his eye, he spied a large mahogany writing desk, complete with inks, quills and sheafs of fine parchment.
He smiled to himself.
-Write, I suppose.