for adamia

[tinyseven]

Thanalan was a dangerous place to be; there were bandits that roamed the deserts, and the sand storms were always a hassle to navigate through if you couldn't find a place to hanker down in.

For Nanatsu, being in Thanalan just meant that it was much easier for people to recognize her as both herself and as the Warrior of Light. She hated going out to run errands to any of the desert towns and usually she sent one of the others in her stead... sadly this wasn't the case for this particular run. The merchant that had a particular item she was looking for refused to meet with anyone else. It had to be her, or no deal.

So, here she was, standing in front of a dilapitated building that almost looked ready to fall apart.... and yet the inside of the building seemed so lively with drunkards and bandits and wayward soldiers. Taking a deep breath, Nanatsu pulled the hood of her cloak farther forward to obscure her face and moved to enter the bulding. The moment she slid the door open, there was a momentary hush to regard her as the newcomer. The silence didn't last long and she was relieved when the patrons deemed her unimportant to focus on, all but one that was sitting closer to the middle of the room with a package near his feet.

That's the direction she moves towards, and once the merchant confirms who the lalafell really is, motions for her to sit down to conduct their business.

Comments

[tinyseven]

The exchange doesn't take long to start, and soon Nanatsu's found herself in a rather intensive conversation about the item in question. Words are tossed back and forth, and there's even a moment where the merchant tosses her a light hearted jab and all she can really do is laugh in amusement. Joking and laughing was good, in her mind it meant that the deal was proceeding in a positive way and that soon she could get the item and then take her leave of public life to hide within the four walls of her out of the way home.

During the coversation, she hardly notices when a large group of highlanders try moving through the seating area. A few of them are already sloshed and one of them is incapable of controlling his hand motions. As he's walking, his fingertips manage to catch on the edge of her hood, tugging it back so that unveils some of her face with eyes wide in shock.

"Ooop! S'rry, lass! I dinnae see you thar!" Internally, she's panicking that someone may have recognized her, but she forces herself not to make a scene and just smiles politely, nodding her head to send the drunken group on their way. When they leave, she tugs her hood back to its original spot, feeling even more on edge than ever while the transaction begins finishing up. Items are inspected, money is changed from hand to hand and everything is complete. The merchant gives her a final handshake before he leaves, leaving Nanatsu with her newly procured item, sitting in a box almost as long as her but thin enough to hold something easily foldable.

[adamia]

She wasn't drunk, but Adamia definitely though she'd seem something just now. That brief glimpse of the lalafell's face, It couldn't have possibly been... What were the chances that it could be? But now she couldn't get the thought of her head. If possibly wasn't zero, then it would be worth checking out, right? All she needed was another look at their face, just a quick one, and she'd be on her way.

She stood up from her table, and walked on over to the hooded figure. As if expecting something bad to happen, some of the patrons immediately looked away from the general vicinity, or made their exit from the tavern altogether.

"Sorry to bother you, but do you have a bit of time to spare?" Hopefully her state of coherence would be a good enough clue that she wasn't there to cause problems. "Just a quick moment is all I ask."

[tinyseven]

There's a small smile that begins peeking at the corner of Nanatsu's lips the longer she stared down at the box. There was so much temptation to open it back up and stare at the item she had just bought, but then really what would be the point of staring? That's not what she had originally intended and it would have been a waste to not use what was in the box.

Well, waste not, want not! It was time to head back home an--

"......?" Nanatsu felt her whole body tense as a voice cut through the ambient silence around her. Her first instinct was to quickly gather her things and leave before anything else could occur, but there was just something about that voice that seemed so.... familiar. It wasn't anyone she had met after being realized as the Warrior of Light but it was certainly someone she knew....

The real question was, did she want to acknowledge someone from her past when she was trying so hard to avoid it? To avoid opening up any more wounds that she had been trying to mend since leaving that snowy over look in Coerthas?

In the end, curiosity won over and Nanatsu sat up, tilting her head back to answer the stranger in kind. Except the moment her eyes made contact with the woman in front of her, she could suddenly feel her vision go white around the edges from memories slamming into her, in almost as powerful a way as the Echo but with less of a headache. Suddenly, before she could even stop herself, Nanatsu could feel a name slipping from her lips in recognition in a volume that could only be heard between the two of them. A name that only meant something between the two of them before a terrible accident that ended up in smoke and magic and the woman in front of her as the end result.

[adamia]

Following through on the less-than-zero chance turned out to be one of the better choices she'd made. The lalafell's face and voice all matched a certain someone, but the fact that they knew that particular name was more than enough the confirm their identity for her. There was only one other individual still alive in the world that knew the connection such a name had with her. Seeing them here, out of all places... "It's been so long since anybody has called me that." It was a life that she had cut herself from. Out of choice, as well as out of necessity.

For all intents and purposes, that name belonged to a dead man.

"Hey." She a took a seat next to her, eyes closed as her thought briefly went back to those earlier years, and a certain travelling companion. They... weren't necessarily all that skillful back then, but they had managed to keep each other alive.

"It's been a while."

[tinyseven]

Back then, she had been clumsier and so innocent about the world outside of the hot desert sands of Thanalan. Even when the Silver Bazaar fell underterrible times, it was a paradise compared to the lives adventurers lived on a daily basis. Nanatsu had really only survived those long days with one other person who was just as green as she was...

.... they weren't green anymore. She had spotted those knives from yalms away. Knives that clearly had seen their fair share of use. There's a small twinge of sadness that passes over Nanatsu's features at the thought. Time really did change everyone, and she could only mourn the loss of their innocent selves before smiling at her companion from long ago, "It has been awhile, hasn't it?"

The purchased object sits in front of her, forgotten for the time being. The real question was how she was supposed to carry on the conversation without seeming too awkward about their lots in life in a room full of strangers who had nothing to do with either of them?

"I wondered if I'd ever see you again after you left."

[adamia]

"I probably should've said something to you, back then. I owed you that much. But I just... I needed to get away, from everything, and everyone. I needed to start over." A clean slate, which was easy for her considering the situation she'd found herself in. A brand new form without any attachments to the form made it particularly easy for Adamia to 'start over' as she she'd wanted. She was largely successful, in that regard, and even more successful in how full her pockets were with gil.

It just wasn't how she'd expected to get it done. A pair of knives that had been extensively used, and not just on prey when camping out in the wilds.

She was so inexperienced, back then. Struggling to get her footing, much less put food on the table for herself and her travelling partner. And now... Adamia certainly had the skills, but it wasn't supposed to be like this.

"It's nice to see you again, I missed you. And... I'm sorry."

[tinyseven]

Nanatsu could only shake her head, that understanding smile still spread on her lips at the apology. True, it had hurt when her companion had up and left, but it only made sense to do some person re-evaluations in such a special situation like theirs. But, she mused to herself, would things have been different if her companion had stayed instead of seemingly like they disappeared into the aether? Perhaps not, but at least she would have had company in the life that had been thrust upon her once she was Hydaelyn's champion realized.

Still, there would be no point in being bitter about what could have beens; not when it involved her companion sitting in front of her, "I... I missed you too."

Oh, that came out a bit more emotional than she would have preferred. That had been a swell of emotions rapidly raising from her already aching heart, but she had to control herself. Just for now, "I'm just glad that you're alive." Which is more true than she meant it to be. Too many had died around her, because of her, for her. People she didn't know, people she knew too well. It would have been heart breaking to have found out if anything like that had happened to....

"So, what am I supposed to call you then?" Pause. "Since, I guess you go by something else....?" That had been clearly a male hyur name she spoke and this was definitely not a hyur, nor a male she was reminiscing with.

[adamia]

There was a brief chuckle coming from the horned woman. In truth, she had not been born as an Au Ra, much less a female. Certain events had caused her to end up that way, events that couldn't be reversed, and the effects on her body, as she knew, couldn't be undone. What could she really say to people? That sort of potion wasn't exactly available via the local merchants, and it wasn't like anyone would believe her story without a shred of evidence. A new form came with a new identity. A new name, and a new life.

"... Adamia. That's my name, now." It didn't particularly adhere to common naming conventions, but it had been done so purposely. Mostly due to her line of work. "The old name... doesn't really mean much to me, anymore." She had cast it aside, along with everything else in her old life, and everyone. It was... one of the hardest things she'd ever done. Just, erasing your old self like that. Difficult, though necessary.

"But you're looking well, Nana." She said, revisiting that old nickname for her. "By the twelve, how long has it been?"

[tinyseven]

Nanatsu repeats the new name, letting it roll off her tongue, face scrunched up as if she were concentrating very hard. Which really was the case. If he really had moved on to a whole new identity, she respected and cared enough for him to at least try and use that new name... It was a really pretty name, she did have to admit.

"Two years, I believe." Nanatsu hums softly to herself, thinking back to how long it had truly been and trying not to be bittersweet about how much time has passed since they were together, "Yeah... yeah about two years, give or take." Lots of giving and lots of taking... both bad and good.

There's a sudden shake of her head, trying to dispell those depressing thoughts away because of where they would end up leading her. So instead she just smiles gently at Adamia, re-adjusting her hood so that at least her friend could see her face better. She wasn't better, but she wasn't at the bottom of worse.... not yet anyway, "You've let your hair grow out. I like it, it's nice."

[adamia]

Her eyes widened slightly at the mention of her hair. It was longer than before, true, but she still kept short out of convenience and not wanting to have it get in the way "... Thanks." It was a nice enough compliment, though unexpected. She'd never really taken the time to think of her hair that way. Merely that it was... there, and that was it.

Adamia would've liked to have returned the compliment, but it was a little difficult with the hood obstructing so much of her head.

"You want to head somewhere else? We can probably find a more private spot to catch up." And they most certainly had a lot to talk about.

[tinyseven]

Her mouth opens to give a positive response, but when her mind filters through all the locations that Central Thanalan had to offer the excited expression fades away to one of pensive thought as she lowers her head. Any place near here had a higher risk of being noticed, but she couldn't offer somewhere else too far. ...

"Yeah, let's do that." Reaching for the box on the table, Nanatsu tucked it underneath her tiny arm while sliding right off the chair she had occupied, "Let's hope we find a place around here that isn't full of fiends and monsters." Her head tilts upwards motioning with her head towards the entrance as her feet start moving to the chocobo railings where her black chocobo was tied up.

[adamia]

As the two left, so did a number of the other bar patrons. It wasn't just coincidental timing, though. Adamia had seen this happen too many times already, and had picked up on all the subtleties. She knew that they were being followed. Though she couldn't imagine why, it mattered little. They obviously weren't interested in friendly conversation, especially if they were the type to frequent that tavern to begin with.

"We have company." She quietly told her friend. "Outnumbered, too." Adamia was remaining calm about it, though. Just another day...

[tinyseven]

As they shuffled out the exit, Nanatsu's ears had picked up the not so subtle sounds of the chairs scraping across the floor along with heavy footsteps. Her eyes narrow, eyes glancing to the side over her shoulder before facing herself forward. Her shoulders shift as she takes in a deep breath, steeling herself for the inevitable confrontation that's about to happen, "Do you have a chocobo? I think I could fit you on mine and we could make a run for it."

The black chocobo tied to the railing lifts its head, rumbling a small wark at seeing its owner being followed by unsavory people. "It's okay, boy. Calm down." Casually, but not really casually, Nanatsu reaches up to the reigns and starts undoing them, her movements deliberately slow so that the assailants aren't privy to the fact that they're not that sneaky.

"What do you want to do?" This was not how she wanted to spend her afternoon at all.

[adamia]

"I'm going to take care of this." Both hands were on each knife, gripping them tightly. In a past life, she might've considered a tactical retreat. To live and fight another day and worry about the rest later. But that life was over, and as far as she was concerned... 'Adamia' hadn't built a name for herself by running away from a couple of thugs.

She turned to face the would-be pursuers, listening as they made their intentions clear. They were there for her, though the rest of the specifics weren't as important. The Au Ra darted forward, knives held out and slicing through their clothes and flesh. She was fast, skilled, and efficient.

They had no chance.

[tinyseven]

Nanatsu's whole body turns around, hand slowly reaching back for the staff that had been so carefully secured around her back. There's a small moment of relief that washes over her, kind of glad she hadn't been recognized, but it's immediately squashed because of who they were after. She doesn't even get a chance to say anything when Adamia jolts forward to take care of business.

Her eyes widen, watching as clothes and skin are sliced open, but more the person who is doing the slicing and dicing. There's no time to lament over the innocence gone from her friend as she notices a thug rushing out from out of the woodwork to try and get the upper hand. Without even blinking, Nanatsu unhooks her staff from her back and with almost blinding speed, is immediately at Adamia's back, pushing the assailant away with a Fluid Aura.

There's a small mumbling under her breath as she concentrates, body glowing in a bright light for a few second before she starts knocking magically thrown earth at every single person still standing, forcing them to rethink their plan of attack to avoid the large boulders she's casting out with ease.

[adamia]

The thugs are dispatched without too much trouble, with both Adamia and Nanatsu showing off just how much they'd grown in the time they'd been apart. Skills picked up for battle, and... lessons that had been learned, with most of them being harsh and sobering. Some of the attacks ended up running away, though others weren't quite so lucky. Fresh blood dripped from both of Adamia's daggers, and had even managed to splash on her face.

A face that showed to be largely undisturbed by the mangled bodies she'd just left behind, or that their blood was quite literally on her.

Once the danger was done and over, the Au Ra turned around to face her Lalafell companion. "Still happy to see me?"

[tinyseven]

Once it looked like the attack had finally ceased, Nanatsu let out a deep breath that she had been holding and relaxed enough to lower her staff to her side. Her eyes take in the carnage that the two of them had wrought, and for a moment, she lets her eyes shut tight once she beholds one of the assailants with a bit of blood dripping from the corner of his lips in such a familiar line....

Nanatsu's breath is shaky, and she almost misses Adamia's question but it's enough to force the heart breaking memory away -- long enough for her to turn those quivering eyes to her companion who has remnants of blood all over her.

Slowly, she lifts her hands up, puckering up her lips and placing her thumb and middle finger to her mouth as she blows, a small whistle chirping through the silence. Her black chocobo seems hesitant at first, but he trots over to the lalafell who had already reached into her robe to pull out a handkerchief. When she's within climbing range, she hoists herself up secure on his back before she nudges him to stand close to Adamia. That's when she does it -- reaches up with the cloth to help wipe away some of the blood that's still wet on her friends' face.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Her smile is small but it's there and it's honest and there was no way she could ever hate someone that knew her before everything.

[adamia]

There's a bit of surprise, as Adamia's eyes widen after having the blood wiped off her face like that. She didn't... really expect to have repulsed her friend, but to see her taking it so well. That much hadn't been expected by her. She couldn't help but wonder if Nanatsu had seen so much during their time apart, of if her was just desensitized to it all...

There was a brief chuckle from her.

"You know, I've been... Looking for you for a long, Nana." The days and weeks had been to blur together.

"I was beginning to think I'd never see you again."

[tinyseven]

There's a slight pause as Nanatsu finishes cleaning off the rest of the blood from Adamia's face. A small wave of guilt washes over her features, that honest smile becoming somber, much sadder than she had meant it to be. The lalafell was never good at hiding her feelings, but she would at least try to keep it together for this occassion.

"I've been around." Around was an understatement. She had been all over Eorzea and all through different parts of Coerthas. Hard travelled would be an understatement to say the least, "It's hard to stay in one place when people need healers." Or the Warrior of Light, she thinks to herself before finally being content with her clean up.

"Fate would have brought us back together, dear friend. If it hadn't happen today, it would have found another day, I'm sure."

[adamia]

"So have I, but even another day would've been a day too long." Each day she would've hoped to have finally run across her, but each one had ended in disappointed, with only a new start to tomorrow to really be hopeful over. "And I can see that you've made some new friends in our time apart."

Many new friends, indeed.

"Though I don't think I much approve of them, Nana. Their company doesn't suit you, I'm afraid." There a smile, a force one. A bit of humor to help both of their moods.

[tinyseven]

"Huh?" There's a stunned and confused look that covers the lalafells face at hearing about her new friends. But, then she looks down at the group of people they had practically plowed through without so much as batting an eyelid. They hadn't been after her. They had been after her companion. She was astute enough to tell where there true sights had been.

But, she plays along, smiling just enough for this situation, and shifts forward on her chocobo to leave quite a bit of room, "Well, if you don't like them, who am I to argue?" She has every right to argue, but for now, "Shall we go then?"

[adamia]

Adamia nods and climbs on board with her friend from so years past. "Yes, lets be on our way. I'm beginning that we might've overstayed our welcome." And she certainly didn't want to be having any of that, not when so much blood had already been shed.

"If I can ask... Where exactly do you plan to go?"

[tinyseven]

Nanatsu is lucky that her companion is behind her, because a look of comedical uncertainty falls over her features as she tries to shift her brain from taking down a large group of thugs to taking a nice stroll through the desert. With a soft cluck and a nudging of her legs against the bird, they begin moving at a brisk pace away from the tavern and down the closest road to take them away.

"You didn't forget, did you?" She glances over her shoulder, tossing a teasing grin Adamia's way, "Thanalan is my home. I know where all the good places are."

And with that, she starts leading them quickly through the dusty trails, past the border from central into western and far enough from the main roads that it'd take a bit of searching, but with a beautiful view of Nophica's Wells as their backdrop. No one could sneak up on them this way, and that was what Nanatsu preferred.

[adamia]

"I'd imagine you do. I don't come here more often than I need to." It wasn't particularly her place to be. The environment, the people, the memories... None of those would do Adamia any favors. The only reason she was there today was so that she could keep on her search for Nanatsu. A search that had finally turned successful.

"I hope that the other 'places' aren't as rowdy as the one we just left behind?" That wouldn't do at all.

"I... I really missed you, by the way."

[tinyseven]

"Oh, certainly not." She answers, watching the familiar scenery pass them by, sending wave after wave of memories of her childhood flooding into her mind. She makes no note of all the nostalgia she's experiencing and instead finally brings them up over to a tree and tugs on her black chcocobo to stop him from moving.

Nanatsu places a gentle hand on the neck of the chocobo, soothing sounds leaving her lips before she shifts to slide off the saddle with rather practiced ease. She secures the chocobo to the trunk of the tree and before she leaves him to his own devices, feeds him a snack.

He kweh's happily and that's all Nanatsu needs as she shuffles over towards the edge of the cliff and sits herself down, allowing her legs to dangle off the sides to and fro, "So!" She begins, reaching up to slowly pull back her hood, completely freeing her now black and red hair shuffled up in a neat ponytail. A far cry from the purple her short hair used to be, "Catching up right?"