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Lalli Physalis

Sargatanas [Aether]

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  • 9

[RP] Heavensward - Nothing Owed

Public
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.
Comments (9)

Annabel Ashcroft

Faerie [Aether]

Very good as usual hon! The journey continues, LOTS to write up yet! LOL

Lalli Physalis

Sargatanas [Aether]

Thanks a lot! I'm really looking forward to it. Ishgard is so damn pretty, so far all I've done is take a billion screenshots xD

Annabel Ashcroft

Faerie [Aether]

Oh God, I LOVE the architecture of Ishgard! Many think it's so gray and bland, but I see such beautiful craftsmanship. I also REALLY love the music. Honestly, I think it's my favorite city looks wise.

Lalli Physalis

Sargatanas [Aether]

Ikr? I personally love the gothic architecture style, the cathedral, the statues... it reminds me of being a wee lad visiting Europe for the first time.

And yknow maybe it's because I'm Canadian but I dig the snow/cold look. If/when they release Ishgard player housing I'll be all over that (except probably not because I'm not much of a camper).

Siglinde Skysworn

Sargatanas [Aether]

While this is setting up Lalli's continued letter-writing, it also establishes his and Haurchefant's relationship. My favorite bit is how H starts off by asking for a favor and Lalli in classic WoL-ness immediately stands at attention. Bwahahaha! He got Lalli good there! Lalli needs to stop doing this, he'll just let everyone walk all over him if he keeps it up!

Siglinde Skysworn

Sargatanas [Aether]

I gotta say though that while H is super popular among the players, he didn't make a huge impression on me in the MSQ. It's hard to discuss it without spoilers, but let's just say that he always struck me as a simple and straightforward character who served his narrative purpose well and I never gave a lot of thought to his relationship with the WoL beyond that.

Siglinde Skysworn

Sargatanas [Aether]

BTW between the Puff of darkness, Fat Cat, his Ahriman and the bluebird Lalli is accumulating quite the menagerie of followers. At this rate he will be trotting into Azys Lla with a zoo on his tail!

Lalli Physalis

Sargatanas [Aether]

Haha right? I don't think the WoL says no to anything during the whole MSQ. Good thing the Scions and etc. aren't particularly manipulative or we'd all be in trouble.

About Haurchefant: at the risk of sounding like a huge hipster, I liked him before it was cool (AKA before HW came out and he was just a rando quest-giver in Coerthas). It seemed to me back then that he was the only character to openly care about the WoL, while everyone else was more focused on what the WoL could do for them >:C

Lalli Physalis

Sargatanas [Aether]

Then of course HW came out, I was elated to see that my favorite giraffe had a bigger role, and my heart come torn clean out :') so of course I have to honor that experience even though it's bittersweet. LIKE HOT COCOA /brood

Omg it's been hard to keep myself from adding to Lalli's followers, can you believe. I wanted to include Mini Midgardsormr too but I was like yo, Lalli, cease at once. You have too many critters to keep track of as it is.
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