“Let’s go through this again,” Priya said as she looked at the arrived guest, Krile, Tataru and the pixie Feo Ul. The pixie had arrived moments before the others and gave poor Nanaki a little fright. So now, Priya and Draco were talking to their guests in private. But little did they know that two curious miqo’tes were listening. Little Seena, a child who had admired Cleo for her whole life and Nanaki, one of Cleo’s best friends and retainer.
“The reason why this Exarch summoned Cleo to the first, was to avert a coming calamity here?!”
“And you want me to help you find Estinien and investigate this Black Rose who’s the cause of the calamity?” Draco asked.
“We could use some help to convince Estinien,” Tataru said.
“You’ve fought alongside him once back at Ala Mhigo,” Krile continued.
“But why summon our daughter to the first?” Priya asked concerned.
“So she and her friends can bring back the night sky to the first,” Feo Ul explained.
“To explain better, the first is almost consumed by the light, causing eternal days and no nights.”
So in other words, kill two birds with one stone! Draco tought. He looked at Priya who looked worried back at him. Feo Ul started to swoon around them.
“And susch a brave soul she is! Thinking so highly of her friends well being and even carrying a baby inside her!”
“Is Cleo having a kitten?” Seena’s voice asked. The group looked straight at the two peekers.
***
“It’s better that we actually split up,” Krohman said after him, Cleo and the others had discussed of what to do.
“Then we can learn qicker what we’re dealing with!”
“I’ll look for Alphinaud, while Krohman is looking for Alisaie,” Cleo said.
The Exarch smiled and nodded with satisfaction.
“I will provide mounts for you then,” the Exarch said. Esper leaned toward the wall sighing. Skan appeared beside her.
“Everything will be fine,” Skan said.
“I still don’t like that Cleo is wandering of alone,” Esper said to Skan.
“What if something goes wrong with this enchantment of yours?! What if she loses the baby?!”
Skan stood in front of her.
“Nothing will happen to her or the baby,” Skan said.
“I will do everything to make sure that she’s safe! You have my word on it!”
Skan hadn’t forgotten the moment when Cleo took the blade for him when an another Ascian who had possesed Mudrei Arks body and was about to give Skan the killing blow. Cleo had jumped in front of him then, saving him.
(link if you're wondering:
https://eu.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodestone/character/11597932/blog/3072611/ )
So he had decided then that he would watch over Cleo from the sidelines.
“It’s not too late to change your mind, Cleo,” Esper said as they were ready to recive their mounts.
“You don’t have to do this. You should think more of yourself this time!”
“I know that,” Cleo said as she swung her sack over her shoulder.
“But I don’t know what we’re up against yet. And the best way to learn is out there!”
Cleo then placed her hands over her stomach.
“But still… I feel like that I can do anything for this child!”
Krohman placed a hand over Espers shoulder.
“She has already made up her mind and nothing can change that for the moment,” Krohman said. Y’shtola hadn’t exactly taken it easy at the beginning of her own pregnancy either.
“All right,” Esper sighed.
“You’ll find information, I’ll battle against the Sin Eaters here until you come back! Safely!”
***
"Welcome to the Shiokaze Hostelry!" Orn Khai cheerily called out to the newly arrived patrons. The little dragons’ eyes widened recognizing one of the faces.
“Draco! How nice to see you again! You as well Silver!”
Silver gave a friendly roar outside, waiting nearby the docks. After a long time with talking and convincing, Draco finally gave in to the lalafellin maidens words. If this was the only thing to do, then his little girl could be safe. So he summoned forth his dragon brother Silver and had him carrying him and the lalafels upon his back searching for Estinien.
“Is it true Draco!? That Cleo is laying an egg!?” Orn Khai asked.
“Whose is it!? Him!?”
Orn Khai smirked toward Estinien who spat out his wine in complete surprise and sending glares toward the little dragon.
“It’s not an egg,” Draco replied annoyed.
“And it’s definatly not Estiniens’!”
“Why do I get the feeling that you’re not here for a social call?” Estinien asked. He picked up his travel sack with the tip of his lance and swung it over his shoulder. Then he leapt.
Draco sighed. Krile and Tataru were definatly right in that Estinien had to be convinced to help. Draco leapt after Estinien and it was only the start of the game of cat and mouse.