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The sun always felt a bit closer in Limsa Lominsa. In Grindania, the leafy canopy of the Black Shroud kept the Twelveswood sheltered from the skies. Ul’dah, in contrast, felt as though the city had erred the star above, and its punishment was the fiery lashes of sunlight that poured over it. It was that pleasant middle ground that had Altani keep coming back, despite her initial poor impression.
She was convinced that the Aetheryte Plaza was actually a window into some part of the seven hells.
If you could get over that hurdle, Limsa was stunning. The ocean hugged the city like a gentle lover, her perfume of sea salt and spray washing over. The chatter of life sounded all throughout; folks haggling their way to a good deal in Hawker’s Alley, gulls above crying out as one tried to steal another’s fish, waves pressing up against the hulls of ships.
None of this was like back on the Steppe. Eorzea was such a new, different land, even with the travel she had done in the realm so far. Always there was something to discover, explore, learn more. Rare was the time that she had time to actually dive into something more than just the surface level. Her duties for the Scions of the Seventh Dawn always had her off somewhere, doing their best to keep Eorzea’s peace in one piece.
Today though, she finally had the time to herself to do something a bit more mundane than slaying a primal.
A fishing rod of rosewood was kept in the Au Ra’s grip, a lugworm squirming still on the hook. Ugh. Lips contorted themselves as her head leaned back. Weird little whoresons, these damn things were. At least she wasn’t the one eating them. Most of the fish in Limsa seemed to want these, so that would be good enough. They can have low standards, Altani would not argue with them.
Ankles crossed themselves as she sat down onto a wide crate, wood creaking lightly under her weight, another against her back. Okay. This will be nice and easy. Catch some fish, maybe sell them onto the marketplace or hells, she could even cook them if they were the edible kind. Perhaps she wasn’t the best culinarian yet, but the guild itself was right here! Perfect. Maybe they would like to buy some off of her?
As she swung the rod back, she hooked something. There wasn’t any water back there though? Not much of anything else actually. She was right by the end of dock here, just a short stroll away from Dryskthota (who had broken the news that yes, she did miss the Endeavor by just a few minutes) and… that was it. So what in Nhaama’s good name—
—All color drained from the Warrior of Light’s face as she saw none other than the Admiral of Limsa Lominsa herself, looking onto her with the most curious expression. That damn lugworm was still squirming on the fine leather of the pauldron.
Was it too late to dive into the ocean?
Twelve above she was walking towards her.
Yeah it was too late now.
Merlwyb’s gloved hand deftly removed the hooked worm from her clothing, fingers dangling the thin wire of the line, and its victim in tow. “I believe this belongs to you, Warrior of Light.”
Dark lips opened for a brief moment, making a sound like a dying wharf rat, closed, and reopened. Just where does she begin? Apologize? That sounded reasonable. Altani would want an apology if this happened to her. “A-Admirial! I’m so, so sorry I did not see you there, are you—”
The gloved hand rose up again, palm out, and Altani exhaled as she took back the bait. “At ease. I know a simple mistake when I see one.” Well, that's good at least. Wonderful actually. The last thing she needed was getting in trouble? Arrested even? Over effectively assaulting the leader of a whole city-state… with a fishing hook of all things. How in the seven hells was she supposed to break that to Minfilla and the others? Thancred would never let her live it down! “... You did not strike me as a fisherman-type.”
“I’m not, usually.” The Xaela agreed, quickly casting her line out directly into the water, rather than behind her. She learned from her mistakes. “But well, was in the area. I wanted to go on one of those ocean voyages to fish. I arrived just as the Endeavor left. So… you can say my luck today hasn’t been the greatest.”
A huff of amusement escaped Merlwyb’s wine-colored lips, and the tension that had found a home in Altani’s shoulders began to slink away. This was going so much better than she would have expected. Chin tilted a bit to the side as brown eyes slid up. She never truly realized how tall Roegadyns could be until she first came to Limsa, and she had thought the Elezen of the Twelveswoods were tree-like. Yes, she was used to the men of her tribe towering, but that was a bit different wasn’t it? She just guessed that she had to get used to having a crick in her neck.
Though admittedly, Altani couldn’t imagine Merlwyb being anything else than what she was. Just… suited her. The stature, the demeanor. Altani never did have a mental image of what an admiral looked like until she saw Merlwyb, and it immediately clicked, a puzzle piece in its exact spot. She looked like she could command the very waves themselves, and they would heed her call. Leviathan eat your heart out.
“I don’t think I’ve seen you just… out and about, Admiral.” The fishing rod was kept lightly in grip, focus sliding away from the waters to her new companion. What was she doing here anyway? “I usually see you in your command room.”
“Believe it or not, I do indeed leave the command room and am not bound to it.” Amusement colored Merlwyb’s voice as her arms crossed over themselves, looking towards the deep blue before them. “But aye, I do not often get the chance to simply walk Limsa as I once did. So when the opportunity does arise, I take it by the horns.”
Was she… looking at Altani’s own horns? Would be apt, yes, but like, there was no way she was referring to actually grabbing her horns like a—
Altani. Altani stop that. As if you were on her radar.
Merlwyb was of course on hers, but in a way similar to looking at the price tag of something far, far above your means. Fanciful, and oh, what she wouldn’t give to win the lottery, but what are the chances of that?
Her attention was pulled away from the Roegadyn, back to the waters that stretched far beyond her vision. Might as well pretend to fish, even though her focus was skyward rather than seaward. All she had to do was just avoid saying something stupid. That could be done, right? Right. Easy work for the primal slayer.
“It’s… nice to just take a day to yourself, hm?” Perfect. A very safe topic. Good work Scion. “We’re both so busy. I haven’t had a real day like this in… oh, only Nhaama knows. It almost feels… odd? Off?” A quick glance was given to Merlwyb, who was silent, allowing her to continue her train of thought. “Like… I probably should be doing something a bit more important than fishing.”
“I think there is nary a soul in the realm that could fault you for taking some time to yourself.” Cool white eyes matched her smooth voice, the Admiral shifting her weight as she leaned against the stack of crates that Altani sat on. “Would it be that you could solve all the problems that plague us, but even that is not your burden.”
Is it though? It felt like it was. Either thrust upon her by Hydaelyn herself, or Altani’s own insistence. If not her who stepped up to be the Warrior of Light, then who would have? Who could have? Her gaze fell onto the grain of the rosewood rod, taking stock of any particularly large cracks. There were none.
“I have given my thanks to you and the Scions before for all that you have done for Limsa Lominsa, and the realm as a whole. I have never been fond of repeating myself, but even I know when it is needed. On behalf of my people, and of myself, we thank you Altani.”
Warm brown eyes blinked twice, her head once again turning to view Merlwyb. She had heard the word of politicians before; words were their sword and shield as they navigated their own battlefield. She has heard when they were insincere (most of the time). This was not that. There was no grand show, no audience but the ocean and the Navigator listening.
The Admiral’s posture was mostly the same; exactly the same if your eye was not discerning. The differences were subtle; her shoulders were slightly forward, fingers laid relaxed against the black sleeves of her coat. Her smile; a rarity that Altani was rather sure she had only seen a handful of times, was gentle. Like the caress of the sea spray as you walked through the city.
The Warrior of Light forgot how to breathe for a moment.
She quickly remembered through, and her own smile overtook her lips. Her back felt the wood of the crate behind her, exhaling. “I only do what is needed of me, Admiral. But thank—”
“Merlwyb.”
“... Huh?”
“You may call me Merlwyb.”
The words tumbled out of her mouth before she could stop them. “... You’re being very kind to the person who threw a lugworm at you.”
That got Merlwyb to cough up a chuckle. “So you are admitting to assaulting a state official? ‘Twould seem you are eager to see a jail cell, Warrior of Light.”
“Whoa whoa wait a minute, I did NOT…!” Altani hopped off of the crate, hands up, fishing rod all but forgotten.
“I jest, I jest.” The Admiral’s smile had long become a smirk, rising to her full height as she stepped away from the crate. What a cruel mistress. “Your line has been tugging for the last minute.”
Had it? She didn’t even notice. Whatever, the fish can have the lugworm. Not like Altani wanted it. A sorry sigh escaped her, looking back as Merlwyb began to walk back towards the city proper, hands linked together behind her back. “‘Twas good seeing you Altani, but I do believe it is time for me to be off. I have business in the city that requires my attention. May the Navigator guide you on your journeys.”
Right, right. Couldn’t keep the Admiral here all day, as much as Altani might want. Or not want. Not sure how much teasing her heart could take.
“Always a pleasure Admir-Merlwyb.” Almost did it. There was that slight movement as Merlwyb turned her head just slightly. “May Nhaama watch over you.”
A small nod was given as a hand rose up, and her steps continued, leading Merlwyb back to her home.
Shaking her head, Altani’s hand wandered back, gripping onto the fishing rod. Reeling the line back in, there was nothing on the hook save seawater.
The sea could have the damn lugworm. She already had the biggest catch you could get in Limsa Lominsa.