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[tinyseven]

Being a Lalafell was hard. The shortest race of the five major races, there was already a prejudice against the way they looked. Belittled for their height -- being compared to children no matter how old the lalafell in question actually was.

For Nanatsu Natsu, it gave her a slight advantage to her title as the Warrior of Light. After all, who would have ever guessed that Hydalaen's chosen came in such a tiny little package? She had to admit, it always amused her to see the shocked look that passed on everyone's face every time she was introduced as her official role in the world of Eorzea. Like she had won some kind of unspoken battle that even Lalafells could be of importance, too. It also hurt too, underneath it all. For all the good she did for the world, she was still belittled for what she had been born as and not for all the things she did. Most days, she let the insults and teasing about her height and her "baby face" roll off her shoulders. But, too many things had happened in the wake of the Sultana's assassination and the charges against the Scions that brushing aside mere gossip had become harder and harder to do the longer they resided in Camp Dragonhead.

It had been a very rare day for Coerthas -- the usual snowfall had finally cleared and blue skies and a bright sun could be seen up above. On this day, Nanatsu had taken the chance to escape the stone walls of the compound and soak up the sun. She had always been a creature of the light, having grown up on the sun kissed desert sands of Western Thanalan. There was nothing that could compare to the delicious sun and the comforting warmth it gave her. It was one of the few pleasantries she had left right now and she was going to take it.

The majority of knights that were stationed there knew her, most acknowledged her with a nod, some greeted her much more warmly, but that rare and warm day had brought new recruits to the Camp. The reception she got from them was less than amicable.

"... Truly, this Camp must be in need of warriors if they have such a small outsider roaming about."

Nanatsu had been in the process of her stroll when she paused in her tracks. The soldiers from Ishgard proper knew they had her attention, but they continued like they hadn't seen her.

"Does Lord Haurchefant know there are children running around? Perhaps someone should help this little one find her parents before the dragons attack and she's caught in the crossfires."

She could feel her cheeks blossom red in embarrassment and in frustration as their haughty laughter rang through her long ears. Her hands clenched tightly at her sides, and it took all her self control not to reach back and grab her staff to send a Fluid Aura their way. Maybe they'd think twice if they were soaked to the bone and ended up with a cold thanks to this /child/.

There hadn't been enough time for them to send more of their barbed words her way because soon she could hear the familiar sound of Haurchefant's voice cutting through the daily sounds of the Camp. He had come out to meet the new recruits with the usual decorum that came with being a higher military officer. Still, his personality was bright and amicable and inviting and soon he spoke to the recruits like they had always been there.

Nanatsu didn't want to walk away from the exuberance that oozed off the Captain, but it was the best time to escape in case the newly arrived soldiers remembered she existed. She only got a few steps away, however, when Haurcefaunt's voice called out to her from across the quarry.

"My friend!" Nanatsu's head slowly turned behind her and she first noted the disgusted looks she was being given before focusing on the silver haired elezen's beckoning wave. Well, she couldn't just /ignore/ him to hide... So with a deep breath and a straightening of her back, Nanatsu strolled forward until she stood next to him. He glanced down at her, eyes warm.

"I see the morning has found you well, my dear friend." She nodded in response, unable to keep a smile from spreading across her face, "It has! After being cooped up inside due to that storm, I needed the fresh air."

Haurcherfant's amused laughter rang like bells in the air, only lingering long enough before that tone he used shifted back into a more proper voice that was aimed to all the new soldiers standing at attention, "Let me introduce to all of you my guest, Nanatsu Natsu."

The expressions she was met with were neutral but once her eyes skimmed past the two who had been so demeaning in their words, she could tell that they were less than pleased, still, if Haucerfaunt noticed, he made no motion of it. "Miss Natsu is usually in the medical wing or found in the kitchens. She and her companions are the ones responsible for chasing the heretics through Snowcloak and besting Lady Iceheart. More recently she is the one that bested Vishap during his assault on the Steps of Faith."

There's a collective sound of surprise from everyone and if all eyes weren't on her before, they were /now/. That usual feeling wasn't there, where she'd feel a bit proud at their reaction. The last thing she wanted right now was attention of any kind from these strangers and she felt herself shift awkwardly at the praise.

"We were informed that those battles were won by the Warrior of Light. Surely--"

"Miss Natsu has proven to be one of the most capable warriors I have ever had the honor of watching and serving with. She has more than earned her title as the Warrior of Light and I pity those that find themselves at the end of her spells."

Nanatsu's eyes widened and she had to tilt her head back to look at his smiling face. There was something off about that. Had... that been a warning? She's so in her shock that it doesn't register that he's staring straight into her blue eyes until he speaks, "Please, do enjoy the rest of your morning, Miss Natsu. Days like these are far and few between out here."

Her head jerks to look back at the sky, and she just nods enthusiastically before taking a step back and bowing her head. Boot covered feet shift and soon she's walking away towards the west exit of Camp Dragonhead to get rid of the stares she feels at her back.




The rest of the day passes without any more ill-bred comments. She had found a clutch of Mirror Apples not too long after leaving the Camp and had returned to the kitchen to make some warm apple cider for everyone. The knights and other officials had appreciated the warmth offered by the Warrior of Light and it left her heart feeling content that she had brought a small bit of happiness this day for them. Nanatsu had also spent a little time with Tataru, who had found excitement in some technical books involving leather working in the library, as well as strike up a small conversation with Alphinaud. Still heavy hearted from everything, but he seemed to be getting better at reaching out for the comfort of his friends in rare intervals.

The next thing she knew, it was finally dinner time and the beef stew the cooks had made was almost heaven sent. She had taken her usual spot with Tataru and another elezen from the medical ward, and the three of them were in light conversation over something unimportant, but it made Nanatsu laugh and she needed it.

But her laugh was quickly drowned out when Haurchefant's boisterous and excited laughter filled the mess hall. Her eyes lifted up from her half eaten bowl of stew and she watched him quietly. A warmth filled her chest, nothing like the missing light from Hydaelyn, the longer her gaze lingered on the tall elezen. It was a warmth like sitting next to a cozy fire. She hadn't even realized how long she was staring before their eyes finally met.

Crap crap crap crap. Don't freak out, Nanatsu mentally scolded herself, DON'T FREAK OUT. A small flush of rosy pink adorned her cheeks, but she managed a smile and a nod, receiving one in return before turning her attentions back to her dinner companions. The elezen from the medical ward hadn't noticed Nanatsu's inattention to her story.... But Tataru had and was grinning knowingly at her.

Nanatsu just shook her head, ignoring that look and went back to her stew which was cooling of faster than she liked.




Sometime near the end of dinner, Alphinaud had finally come down to join them, and she and Tataru had stayed when most had left to retire or head to their shifts for the night. It didn't take the younger elezen long to finish his food and soon the trio had separated to head to their respective quarters.

"Ah! Miss Natsu!"

The lalafell paused in her steps, looking behind her to see an older male elezen, one of the head cooks, with a tray that consisted of a kettle and a empty mug of something that smelled heavenly. "Good evening. Are you retiring for the night?"

Her head nodded in response, eyes glancing at the tray curiously and with wonder, "This? I'm bringing this to Lord Haurchefant in his office. He requested some hot chocolate while he worked on reports."

For a moment, Nanatsu hummed in thought before holding her arms out for the tray, "I couldn't impose! Surely, you have better things to do..."

It took Nanatsu all her control not to smirk at the irony of that comment, knowing full well that many of the "better" things were errands just like this. Instead, she shook her head, arms still out to receive the tray. The cook, knowing that determined look on her face, could only sigh with a shake of his head, "Well, if you're quite sure..."

Another determined nod and Nanatsu found the tray being passed to her gingerly. There's a second where she fixes her balance, but that's all it takes before the weight of the tray became balanced. "You've worked hard in the kitchen. Go ahead and rest up for tomorrow Mister Cook."

She's given a grateful smile and Nanatsu returns it in kind before turning back around and heading towards Haurchefant's office. When she gets there, luckily for her the door was opened a crack, all she had to do was nudge the thick wooden door open with her shoulder and she could fit in without a problem.

Being small did have it's advantages.

Her ears catch Haurchefaunt's surprised noise which is then followed with that warm voice greeting her, "Good evening, my lady!" When she finally stands in the room proper, his eyes shine happily at her from his desk before they move down to the tray she had in her hands, "Is that..."

"I saw Mister Cook in the hallway and offered to bring it over. I was in the area anyway," a small lie, but he didn't need to know that she was closer to her room than here. Her feet brought her to his side of the desk, and she could hear the small groan of the wooden legs of his chair as he pushed back, "Here, let me."

There's a brief moment when his hands reach for the tray and she can feel just the barest brushes of her fingertips against his. In that moment is when her lungs refuse to breathe and her heart stills, only to drum hard once the brief touch is over. Nanatsu just pushes a strand of her dark purple hair behind her ear and takes a very small shuffle back, hoping he hadn't caught her mental stumble.

Her blue eyes watch as he set the tray down on a clear spot on his desk, but she's confused when he gets up, "I do have an empty glass. Pray, you'll share a mug with me, my friend?" Haucerfant's eyes are shining excitedly in the fire lit room, waiting expectantly for a positive answer. He doesn't wait very long and Nanatsu, much like early, can't say no to that face. Quickly, he moves on over to a cupboard and retrieves a mug for her.

"Normally, these are the glasses we reserve for the 'special' guests, but, I think an exception can be made for tonight." Well, she had /tried/ not showing that she was moved by his words, but the laugh that escaped his lips proved that he had seen her whole face light up red. He made it quite obvious that he held her in a high regard. Praises were something common considering she was the Warrior of Light, but when they came from Haurchefant, Nanatsu wasn't sure if it was hero worship or something a little deeper...

Her glass was filled first before he poured the delicious sugary goodness into his own mug and when he handed the glass over to her, it was easier to grab it without allowing their hands to meet. Once he was sure that she had her glass, he takes his mug and holds it out with that grin that was too infectious, "To great company."

His mug and her glass clink gently and soon they're both partaking in a hot chocolate that's at the perfect temperature. Nanatsu's eyes watch over the rim of her glass as he exhales after the first sip, and when he turns to look at her, she can't help but smile. "You really like your hot chocolate."

Her silver haired companion grins, and she notes just how boyish it kind of looks as he glances down at the liquid, "I heard from a few people that your cider was most delicious. It's a shame I was unable to try it before it was gone."

She could feel her cheeks heat up at the compliment, and with a free hand, raises a hand to wave off the compliment shyly, "It's just an old recipe that my mother taught me when I was younger. We used to get fresh produce during my youth and when we'd get apples in, we'd buy so much to make for the whole Bazaar."

In her mind's eye, Nanatsu could imagine the Silver Bazaar still bustling with so much life, business and happiness and it makes her smile wistfully at the old days. Not now, where her family was one of the few remaining in the ruins of her home. She just sighed, sipping her drink before continuing, "It's not the same type of apples, but your kitchen has all the other ingredients, so I took a chance and made the cider."

"'Used to', my lady?" He gets a somber nod in response, and Nanatsu can't help but look at the blazing hearth as she explained the status her home and how it got to the dilapidated state it was today.

"I became an adventurer to send money to my family, for repairs and to acquire items that they can sell and bring more business ventures." When she turned back to face Haurchefant, his eyes are wholly on her and she's sure he can see the worry that's on her face. So, she tries to smile it off as well as go back to her hot chocolate, "I guess one of the perks of being the Warrior of Light is that I can send all the rewards their way."

For many moments, he's quiet, and the silence makes her anxious. She's not sure what to say to fill the quiet, because she's sure that anything else she says will only go downhill from here, "You truly are remarkable, Miss Natsu."

Nanatsu just shakes her head, lowering her head and glass of mostly downed hot chocolate, "If I hadn't known of your generous heart before, surely this would have convinced me."

Slowly, his hand comes down to her rounded chin, urging to raise her head to look straight into his eyes... Eyes that seemed to be moving in closer the more she thought about it, "Your parents are quite lucky to have a daughter like you looking out for them." He hovered a yalm or so away from her face, for a second Nanatsu was almost sure he was going to swoop in and close the gap, before pulling back and taking her glass in the same movement, "Shall I pour you another?"

"N-no, that's alright." By the twelve, did she actually stutter? Damn it, now wasn't the time for that, "I should be going to sleep. You had better do the same too!" Now that her hands were free, Nanatsu had full reign to waggle a questioning finger at the elezen, who was now laughing at the scolding.

"Of course, my friend. Once I finish this last report, I will retire to my quarters post haste." Nanatsu could only give him a skeptical look while in return he just smiled down at her with the most innocent expression ever. In the end, she could only give in and believe that he would, in fact, not stay up too late and her gaze softens when she does. She sighs, the faintest traces of a smile lifting the corners of her mouth, before bowing her head and moving to leave the room.

"Nanatsu."

Just as she gets to the door, she freezes. It wasn't often that he used her first name, and every time he did, the urge to hear it again always lingered in the back of her mind. She forces a calm look on her face and she turns to look at him, "Rest well, my dear friend and I shall see you on the morrow."

There's a final wave goodbye, and Nanatsu slips into the hallway and out of sight, unaware of the smile that's spread across her lips even after she's dressed for sleep and curled up in a bed that's too large and blankets that are thick enough to ward off the cold.