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The sun shone bright over Limsa Lominsa, bearing down on those who traveled across its stone pathways and sturdy docks. Merchants, crewmen, and sailors of all kinds made up the crowds, though adventurers could be found peppered throughout the ports mainstays. One such traveler was a blonde Viera, whose long ears bounced with each step, and who had to shield her eyes against the sunlight upon stepping out onto the docks. She squinted against the warm glow, scanning the calm waters around her for a particular ship… or for the Elezen that would be standing beside it. To her surprise, she found that it stood out among the other ships - not because it was particularly grand, but ironically because of how small it was.
"That has to be it," she murmured aloud to herself, before breaking into a jog across the wooden planks. The canvas pack strapped around her shoulders bounced weightily against her back, but such loads were no trouble for the seasoned adventurer, and it scarcely slowed her down. Soon enough she spotted the man she was looking for, his bright red hair illuminated boldly in the daylight. "Tommont! Tommooooont!"
He turned, a stern expression immediately melting into a brilliant grin. He held his arms wide and the Viera threw herself into them, embracing him with all her might. Were it anyone else, she would have sent him careening onto his arse, but Tommont was just durable enough to hold fast to his unruly partner. "Eldest! You've made it just 'n time! She's about ready t' set sail!"
"Good, that means I missed all the hard work." Eldest beamed playfully. That was the whole point, after all; a relaxing voyage for the two of them to celebrate their recent trials… and the acquisition of Tommont's very own ship, of course. She still recalled just how elated he'd been at the news, and he'd spent almost every gil he owned for the chance at a sailing ship all his own. Even Eldest had to admit, she was quite remarkable: three masts rose up from her deck towards the endless blue sky, each adorned with clean white rectangular sails. She was dwarfed by every other ship in the harbor, but her size was deliberate, only requiring a small crew to operate her. She was just as seaworthy as any other ship here, Tommont had assured, and she would have no trouble at all carrying them to their destination. As Eldest's eyes trailed across the hull, she noticed that a particular detail had yet to be added. "Still haven't given her a name, then?"
"Aye," Tommont scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Still waitin' for the right one to come 'long."
"What, you didn't like my suggestions?" Another teasing grin and a nudge to go with it.
"'Course I liked 'em!" He blushed a bit as he replied. "It's just that… it's me first ship! It aught t' be truly special!"
"Fair enough," she chuckled, slipping from his grasp. "I still think 'The Water Lily' is a great fit. Or 'The Marigold."
"Then get yer own ship." Tommont smiled, rolling his eyes. Just then, one of the Elezen's crew-mates dashed over, another Viera with blue hair and a lean frame. She was the crew's rigger, Ingi, if Eldest's memory served. Ingi flashed a shy smile at Eldest before whispering something into her young captain's ear. A frown momentarily darted across his lips, but it quickly faded into a confident smile. "We'll be sailin' on glass, I'm sure we can 'andle it!"
Ingi opened her mouth to say something, but the thought melted into an affirmative nod, and she turned away to continue her work. Eldest raised an eyebrow, but Tommont flashed her a reassuring look.
"She's worried 'bout us settin' sail alone, but there's really nothin' t' worry for! We're meant t' have clear skies ahead of us." Eldest just shrugged.
"Well, you're the captain" She said, poking him firmly in the chest. "I trust you."
He blushed more blatantly at that, clearly still unused to being called captain. He really did look the part, though: his posture was confident and authoritative, accentuating his broad shoulders and solid physique. An open red shirt showed off the anchor-shaped scars that adorned his chest, and high-waisted trousers added to his height, as did the captains' hat he wore. More than ever, he looked like the leader he aspired to be. "You ready to climb aboard?"
"As ready as I'll ever be!" Grinned Eldest. Yet as they stepped towards the ship, another voice called out urgently behind them, one that was deeply familiar to Eldest.
"Wait! Hold just a moment! Oh, make way, make way! Chief financier coming through!" Eldest looked over her shoulder to find a small form weaving between legs much taller than her, and in a flash of pink a Lalafellen woman appeared before them, holding a roll of papers and panting heavily. "Thank the Twelve I'm not too late!"
"Tataru!" Eldest called out to her in a burst of excitement, greeting her with a wide smile. Her partner offered a wide smile of his own as the diminutive coin-counter of the Scions greeted them with an exasperated grin.
"I swear, surviving the streets of Limsa is harder every time I come here!" Tataru huffed indignantly as she held up the roll of documents. "I pray you understand how much I care for you to bear with the incessant crowds… "
"Did something come up last minute?" Eldest asked, concerned. The Lalafell's clutch of parchment was retrieved by Tommont, who quickly unrolled it, his bright eyes flickering back and forth across the page.
"Nothing for you to worry your fluffy little head over! Just a few instructions I overlooked. Not to mention, I wanted to see the two of you off! The island should be more than ready for you by the time you get there, so you just worry about enjoying your little honeymoon!"
"It's not-" Eldest felt her cheeks grow flush as she impulsively blurt out a retort, only to stumble on her words. "I mean, we aren't even-"
Tataru burst into laughter, beaming up at the blushing couple. Tommont didn't say anything, either completely engrossed in his reading or purposefully hiding his visage. "Oh, I'm only tugging your ears! Though I'll admit sometimes I forget you aren't properly wed! Still, I couldn't help myself."
Despite her embarrassment, Eldest couldn't help but smile back. "Suppose the least I can do is let you tease me. We really appreciate you setting this up, Tataru. We've really been needing a getaway."
"Oh, don't I know it! Now, don't let me keep you two waiting any longer. If there's anything you should need, pray summon me on your linkpearl at once!" Despite her size, Tataru was quick to shoo them back towards the ship, and Eldest laughed as she hefted her pack and darted away, waving goodbye as she did. Ingi gestured to a ladder hanging off the side of the ship, and the blonde Viera nimbly lept onto it, mounting it as though the canvas on her back was featherweight. Within moments she was standing on the deck of the ship, and she set her pack aside as she looked around.
To her, the deck was fairly unremarkable; standard, even. While the masts were certainly more impressive up-close, the half-furled sails and comparative size to other ships made them look no taller than a youthful Gridanian tree. A few barrels and piles of equipment were strewn around, but she could tell that Tommont and his crew had hardly had a chance to make themselves at home on their brand new vessel. There was little in the way of personalization - no bunting or banners, flags or pennants - she could practically catch the scent of fresh-chopped lumber over the ocean spray. Honestly though, she wasn't sure that she should have expected otherwise. Towards the stern the deck was raised, accessed by a short set of stairs leading upwards, where she took note of the ships's wheel: that's probably where they'd be spending most of the voyage. She averted her gaze to her right along the bow, however that's when she realized that Tommont hadn't followed her to the deck. Swiveling to the railing behind her, she leaned over to find her captain speaking with a bespectacled Duskwight Elezen; the crew's navigator, if memory served.
"Everything alright?" She called out, and the two Elezen glanced up at her in unison. Tommont smiled reassuringly, and nodded for good measure.
"Aye! Just goin' over the route for good measure! The crew's arranged a tow out of port. Go 'head and settle in, I'll be up in a few!"
Eldest shrugged, offering a wave to the two men before turning her attention to the deck once more. She hadn't a clear idea of where she should keep her things, so she brought them towards the center of the deck, where her pack would be less tempted to fly overboard. As she surveyed the ship once more, she took notice of a set of doors just behind the ship's wheel, barely visible from the raised quarter-deck. "Wonder if that's the captain's quarters," she thought aloud, but before she could explore further, one of her tall, leporine ears caught the sound of footsteps mounting the port-side ladder. Tommont appeared moments later, and he grinned at her, rushing over to greet her.
"What do ye think of 'er?" He asked, gesturing to his ship. "A real beauty, isn't she?"
"I've got the whole journey to admire her," said Eldest, nudging him playfully. "Now c'mon, show me how to raise anchor!"
With youthful enthusiasm, Tommont led her over to a large mechanical device embedded in the deck, which looked to her like a wheel wrapped in heavy chains. He instructed her to take hold of a large brake lever while he engaged the mechanism, and at his command she pulled the lever tight. It gave way under her might, and with a loud hiss the machine whirred to life, pulling the massive chains with relative ease. Eldest felt the ship rock beneath her as the weight of the anchor was lifted off the seabed, lurching against calm waters. Without hesitation, Tommont hurried to the quarter-deck, taking his rightful place at the ship's helm, and Eldest rushed behind him to be at his side. With the anchor raised, the ship began to slowly glide across the water's surface, answering the sea's siren call, and Eldest heard voices calling from the docks. She ran to the railing nearby, grinning as she saw Tataru and Tommont's crew waving them off.
"Oh, do take care! Send word as soon as you've arrived, you hear?"
"Farewell! May the Navigator guide you true, and may the Wanderer fill your sails!"
"Don't get yourselves lost!"
"- and don't hit the reef on your way out!"
With a hearty laugh, Eldest leaned precariously over the railing, waving at them all the while. "Goodbye! 'Promise not to let Tommont wreck the ship! He'll have to deal with me first if he does!" She turned away from the parting crowd, flashing her partner a playful smile. Tommont just rolled his eyes.
"Go on, settle in, it'll be slow goin' 'til all the sails are set and we catch a good wind. Once we're on open waters I'll finish the rigging, so you can just relax, love."
"All by yourself?" Eldest crossed her arms and raised her brow as she watched him grasp the wheel. "Don't you want my help?"
Strangely, he looked a little surprised. "Had it in m' mind you'd want t' take it easy for our maiden voyage. You'd… really want to help? 'Course I'd have t' teach ye everythin'…"
"Of course, you big lug head!" Eldest grinned, slugging Tommont on the arm playfully. "You really think I'd leave you to do all the work yourself? 'Sides, I know full well you wanna prattle my ears off about your new ship. Just tell me what to do, captain!"
Watching Tommont's bewildered gaze turn into a massive, dopey smile sent flames fluttering through her heart, his excitement becoming fully infectious. He let go of the wheel to catch Eldest in a tight embrace, twirling her around as she let out an involuntary laugh.
"Llymlaen's winds, Eldy, if you aren't the most beautiful thing on the seas! I've so much to teach you, gods where to start?" Tommont paced with excitement as Eldest watched on sheepishly, feeling a bit embarrassed, now.
"It's not a big deal, honest! Just show me what to do already!"
He laughed again, his smile brighter than the sun. "Alright, let's get clear of th' harbor, and I'll teach ye how to set sail!"
Passing through the harbor was a slow and lazy affair, as it turned out. Eldest had traveled on many ships by now, but each time she forgot just how slow they were to drift out of port. The tow they were receiving from a small boat in front of them was helping, but only marginally. Thankfully, Tommont saw fit to fill the time by discussing all the features of his new ship.
"Ye've probably already guessed that ships aren't meant t' sail with such a paltry crew," he began. "Aye, but that's where we've got a bit of an advantage. Tataru was clever 'nough to call in th' Garlond Ironworks, and Cid made a few modifications to our ship!" He bent down near the wheel, pointing out a familiar logo on the wooden pedestal. "Thanks to Garlond, we've got a few unique automations. I'm not gonna act like I've got the specifics, but there's a controller below deck connected to th' riggin' that'll keep us on course even w' no one at th' wheel. Pretty clever, aye?"
Eldest nodded, imagining a bulky machine below deck attached to lots of ropes and wires. Even if Cid himself had been around to explain every detail, she would've gotten lost in moments.
"Once the rigging's set, all we have to do is mark our course and the computer will do th' rest! Alas, we've still got plenty to set up ourselves. Remind me, Eldy, can y' tie a sailing knot?"
She shrugged. "A couple people've tried to show me, but I don't think it ever really stuck."
"Ha, well let me give y' a reminder, just 'n case." Tommont lead her to one of the masts, where a silver cleat was fastened to the side. A length of rope was wrapped around it, leading up to the sail above. He began to unravel it carefully, keeping a firm grasp of the rope as to not let it go slack. He held it out to her, fully untied now. "Here, hold it tight."
With a nod she grasped it, following along. He moved behind her, standing close to her side. "Start on th' far side of th' cleat, then you'll wanna pull it up 'n around. From there…"
She did her best to follow his instructions, though she had trouble visualizing them in her mind. For a moment, it seemed to make sense, only for the rope to slip from one side of the cleat. Frustrated, she tried to be more confident in her movements, only for the rope to end up far too taut, forcing her to start again.
"Damn it all… I thought I was better at this."
Tommont was patient, watching without judgment as he calmly repeated his instructions, but not needlessly so. He waited for Eldest to look to him for help, and then he did.
"Here. Just hold th' rope steady, and I'll guide ye."
Taking a step closer, Tommont slowly moved his arms around her, and settled his hands over her own, allowing him to guide them. Making sure she held the ropes tight, they started over together, his gentle touch leading Eldest's hands around the cleat expertly, going over, under, around, almost like a careful dance. It made her blush, drawing forth an old memory of theirs: Eldest, a young Viera, holding a training bow within a clearing in the Twelveswood; Tommont, kneeling down behind her, guiding her aim and posture with that same expert touch. It was miraculous just how small Tommont made her feel sometimes… and even more so that she liked it. He was the only one who could do that, though she had never told him so. Still, he must have known, and that's why he so freely took her hands in his, covering her scars with his own as he did, his chin coyly resting between her ears which drooped with a kind of shyness. Before she knew it, Tommont was stepping away, and the knot appeared before her, completed. She blushed.
"See? Not too tricky, once ye get the hang of it." He said, smiling.
"Right…" Eldest let out a sheepish laugh as she stared at the knot. "Er… could you show me again?"
The ocean lapped drowsily at Tommont's ship as he showed his partner around, talking at length about the fundamentals of sailing with youthful enthusiasm. Even as he discussed the tedium of maintaining the rigging or cleaning the deck, his joy was writ plain on his face. Were it anyone else, Eldest might grow weary of listening… Tommont was just special like that, she supposed. He explained how their course would be set, how the sails would be lowered and tied, and showed her more of the Garlond mechanisms that would keep them in the right direction. Finally, he lead her up the rope trellis - ratlines, he called it, which Eldest found funny - and helped her up into the crow's nest at the top of the center mast. Here, Eldest could see everything.
"How's the view?" Tommont asked, pulling himself up after her.
Ahead, Eldest found herself greeted by the open sea, an image as welcoming as it was daunting. There was an overwhelming amount of blue, unbroken as the sea met the sky in the distant horizon - never ending, only changing in hue. On another side, she glanced upon the silhouette of Pharos Sirius, which brought back a charming memory of Eldest chasing her partner around a dungeon. Then there was Limsa, sitting proudly upon the ocean at the ship's rear. The unabated sun reflected brilliantly off the polished white stone of the city, glinting as though to wave farewell. Eldest smiled.
"Y'know… I feel like I've seen Limsa's skyline a thousand times… but it feels fresh this high up."
"Really? Airships go much higher, in my experience."
"Well, yeah," she chuckled sheepishly. "It's different, though! Like the angle and all that! What do you want me to say, that the view sucks?"
"Fair enough," Tommont replied, smiling.
Afterwards came what Eldest expected to be the most unsettling part of running a ship: actually setting the sails. She thought he would ask her to climb out onto the yard and let loose the sails herself, but her partner only laughed at the suggestion. In reality, the sails had been mostly set back at the dock by the crew, and all Tommont and Eldest would have to do is pull rope into position via pulleys, set ties when they were sufficiently taut, and adjust the sails a bit as they set their course. That was the simplest way of putting things; Tommont went into great detail as he explained the names of each cloth and line, and the way they could be used. He told her the difference between larboard and starboard, went into the intricacies of wayfinding, and even went on to compare his ship to that of others. He wanted her to know what made his perfect for him, she thought. Tommont was so animated in the way he spoke, that Eldest wasn't certain if she'd ever seen him like this. It was like the child he'd left behind so long ago had returned to him in this moment, healed by his dream come true. It warmed Eldest's weary heart.
Once they had set their course, Tommont returned to the ship's wheel, pressing a button embedded in its stand. There was a series of clicks, and as the young captain moved away his hands, Eldest could see that the wheel was moving subtly on its own.
"There! That's all there is t' do fer now. Garlond's machines can keep us on our course from here on out… which means you and I can have time to ourselves!"
"And here I thought you'd be talking about your ship the entire ride," Eldest teased, beaming at him as he lead her back down to the main deck.
"I never said I was done doin' that," he said back, shaking off her words. "In fact, I've yet to show you the best part!"
With a bit of a dramatic flourish, Tommont threw open the twin doors to the captain's quarters, gesturing for Eldest to step inside. Behind them was a surprisingly humble little room, lacking much space to be considered grand, though the large window that left the wide open ocean visible at the back helped greatly. It wasn't furnished with much: a desk at its center, a few shelves at each side, and a bed just large enough for two nestled in a corner near the door. There was a bit of storage for clothing, and a tiny washroom that might as well have been a closet. Still, it was probably quite the luxury that Tommont and his crew had access to a place to wash themselves at all on such a ship.
"Homely," said Eldest, honest and inoffensive. Tommont looked proud.
"I was unsure if I needed quarters all my own, but the crew insisted. Ultimately I'm glad to have them - privacy goes a long way on the open ocean."
"I start going mad without it," said Eldest, recalling the long voyages to Old Sharlayan and Kugane. She moved towards the window, glancing down at Tommont's desk and letting her fingers glide across the smooth wood before gazing back at the horizon, watching it between the thin posts that framed the glass. It was quiet for a moment, save the creaking of the ship and the gentle rush of the ocean. Peaceful. She could feel Tommont watching her, though she couldn't hear him moving.
"How does it feel?" she asked him, turning towards him. He almost looked startled.
"Mm?"
"The ship I mean. Finally having your own. Are you happy with it?"
"Of course I am," he turned to her, eyes twinkling. "It's a genuine dream come true. I suppose I saw m'self leadin' a bigger crew, but… how could I protest? We're all still gettin' used to one another, mind you, yet they're all good, honest folk. Reminds me of when I was just settin' out with 'Nini, Tiza and 'Mura. Course, there's no replacin' them - or you, love! Just… feels like startin' fresh again, yeah?"
"Yeah," she said wistfully. "I know what you mean."
"Yeah… Though, it still gets awful lonely at night. It's obvious somethin's missing."
Eldest tilted her head in the way she did oh so often when she was confused. "What do you mean? Thought you're used to sleeping on your lonesome."
"That's not-" he huffed, apparently flustered. "I'm tryin' to say… it feels more like home now, in this moment."
"Mmm makes sense. Having somewhere to take it must make it feel more real."
"No, I mean…" He stumbled over his words, stuttering, failing to keep her gaze as his cheeks grew flush. "I-I mean… I-it's 'cause you're here, Eldy."
She blinked, once and then twice, before the meaning of his words washed over her like a warm breeze. Heat filled her cheeks and she quickly glanced away, trying to hide it and find a distraction. Even after all this time, affection was a tricky thing, even for the Warrior of Light. First Tataru had teased them with talk of honeymoons, and now Tommont was forcing her heart to skip beats. Even after so many years, after shared kisses and nights of passion, his bumbling attempts at flirting left her feeling like a sheepish, useless little girl more than anything else - cursed by Menphina herself no doubt.
Like always, girlish impulse got the better of her. With a sudden show of force, Eldest grabbed Tommont by the collar of his shirt and hurled him to the bed, throwing herself upon him with a grunt. The wooden frame creaked under the sudden weight, but it was more than sturdy enough for the two of them. With the Elezen pinned she buried her face in his chest and hid there. Her plan was flawed, however, as enveloping herself in his warmth and scent only lit the flame brighter in her chest. The heart was such a damnable thing, she thought to herself - why must she always react so childishly?
Yet Tommont only laughed; a deep, gentle sound that she felt rumbling in his chest. He placed a hand on her head, and she flinched. Eyes of deep blue peered up at him, glaring softly.
"What's all this for?" He chuckled, though she realized the sound was masking a touch of anxiety. "Did I… speak out of step?"
She shook her head, more frustrated with herself than with him. "Just needed you to shut up… You were goin' too mushy on me."
He laughed again. "And here I thought ye' took offense. Y'know, we really aught to get used to sweetnin' our tongues if we plan on gettin-"
"Don't say it…"
"Hmph. Well… we can't be this dreadful at sweet talk forever, love."
Eldest sighed, refusing to meet his gaze. "Maybe we will. In fifty summers you'll still be tripping on your tongue. My hair will go gray before I'm any good at taking compliments."
The room was quiet for a moment as Tommont considered her words. "I think that'd be well, if it means you'll give me fifty summers with ye'"
Somehow, her face got even brighter, prompting her to headbutt his chest. "Seven hells… how're you a better flirt when you're not even trying?"
Tommont laughed at that, sheepishly scratching his head. He tossed aside his captain's hat and shifted his position on the bed, meaning to get comfortable. Despite all her bashfulness, Eldest didn't move from his chest, instead getting more comfortable on top of him. His shirt was askew, as it so often was, allowing her to trace a finger along the scars that decorated his chest. They framed his bosom as twin anchors - an on-the-nose aesthetic choice for the seafaring Elezen, but one he wore handsomely. She always found great comfort in tracing his scars, just as he found joy in tracing the flame-shaped aether burns that curled around her right arm. Tommont had occupied himself with her hair for now though, which was equally delightful. Just to mess with him, she'd occasionally flick one of her long, leporine ears at his head, which just made him roll his eyes. He never complained about her teasing, so surely he enjoyed it.
When the two didn't speak for some time, a realization came upon her; she was growing to enjoy the quiet. There was no desire in her to fill the air as she so often did, no sense of awkward silence that she needed to combat. Of course, it was never truly silent, not with the ever-present ringing in her ears, but even that didn't seem to bother her. It could have been the pleasant rush of water beneath them, or her partner's heartbeat that soothed her - they drowned out the ringing, after all. Perhaps she was just maturing past her restlessness.
With such serenity came affection. She looked up at her first love, her childhood crush, and found that he'd been watching her. Blushing, Eldest attempted to repress any embarrassment, and it prompted her face to return to nestling in his chest. Wanting to assert herself, she found her lips pressed against his chest, causing him to tense. She liked when he flinched - she could feel his muscles flexing underneath his sun-kissed skin, his heart seeming to skip a beat from just a touch. Wielding that power always gave her a bit of confidence.
Flashing him a glance, she caught a blushed expression as she started to trail up his chest, lips leaving no mark save for the twitching of flesh and muscle. Her hands trailed up his sides at first before moving to his arms. He'd let go of her for the moment, so she took the opportunity to steal away his hands, pinning them under her strong fingers. Eldest heard his breath catch as her lips found their way to his neck, delighting in the tender flesh there. It was one of her favorite spots to tease, and this time was no different. She pressed her overlong incisors into his flesh, feigning a quiet growl - a rabbit turned hunter. Before long, her lips were hovering above his, and she locked eyes with him. His gaze was soft. Full of desire. Consent came in the form of a slow nod.
With that, Eldest pressed her lips firmly to his, now using her full weight to pin him to the bed. She didn't know what burned more hotly - the warmth of his skin, or the fire in her chest. It was so very rare that she caught him alone like this, and the uncertainty of sailing without a crew left her. Malms of ocean were all that surrounded them… not a citizen nor Scion could interrupt them here. It urged her further, as if that fear of someone disturbing them had been holding her back, making her more bold. Her hands moved to grasp at his shirt, pushing it aside, slowly trailing lower as if to take more. Yes, she had him now… and nothing would be able to-
Suddenly, the ship reeled to one side. Eldest found herself unceremoniously tossed to the floor by the force, thumping against the wooden planks as her world spun. The furniture creaked and Tommont's things clattered around, but nothing fell or crashed; a bit of clever magic, certainly. Stunned more from surprise than from harm, Eldest found herself looking to Tommont, who looked equally bewildered, now sitting up in his bed. She turned, looking out the window behind her. The sky was still clear, yet the waves were disturbed, like a colony of antlions rumbling from beneath the soil. Was something attacking them? Some form of serpent or kraken? The thought urged her to her feet quickly, and Tommont followed her lead.
The disturbance became clear as soon as she parted the twin doors. In the distance, a massive bundle of clouds rose towards the sky, flashing with bursts of light. The air below was thick with rain. Around the couple, the once-glassy sea had begun to grow choppy, and the ship rose and fell in tandem with the upset waves. A storm had put itself directly in their path, like a beast hungry for prey to consume. Tommont cursed.
"Llymlean below… t' think a storm of this size could sneak up on us like this…"
"I thought you were certain the seas would be calm the whole time?" Eldest looked to him, uncertain. Tommont winced.
"I… Aye, well, there might've been a… slight chance of storm… The skywatchers assured me it was extremely low, so there shouldn't-"
"Yet the chance was there, huh?" Eldest sighed. Never a moment of rest, it seemed. "Can we turn around? Avoid it altogether?"
"No," said Tommont. "We couldn't sail against the winds… we could attempt t' sail 'round, but a storm of that size… It wouldn't be a guarantee."
"What do we do then?" She asked. Abandoning their ship wasn't exactly off the table… but she'd only recommend that if their lives were in serious risk. She could wield teleportation magicks to return the pair to shore, but Tommont's new ship would be forsaken. If there were other options, she'd take them.
"Well," her partner said. "We could either do our best to sail perpendicular to the storm in a bet t' skirt it, but with only two sets of hands I doubt we'd be quick enough. Getting caught w' our sails out would surely capsize us in that scenario. Or…"
"We could brace the ship?" Eldest suggested. Tommont nodded.
"Aye. It'll be a difficult task. Garlond's machines won't be of any help in the storm - it was designed for calm seas. I'll have to take control of the ship m'self."
"Well, you have me," Eldest said with a smile. Tommont looked uncertain. "Please. Tell me what to do, captain. Just like before."
"Hells… Right then, if you're certain." He looked to the sails above them, the wind curling against the sheets, pulling them towards the storm. "We need to reef the sails lest the stormwinds cast us aside. One or both've us will have to climb the rigging and wrap them 'round the spar - er, that wooden pole supportin' the sheet. We also need to make sure the deck's secure. There ain't much in the way of supplies we need t' move below deck, but we'll need t' make sure every door n' hatch is shut tight."
"Let me do most of the heavy lifting," said Eldest. "Guide me through it, shout if you need. You should take the helm, find us a good path around or through that tempest." Tommont looked like he wanted to protest - unsurprising, given that Eldest intended to take on the work of an entire crew - but it didn't take an expert to know that someone needed to pilot this thing if they were going to survive a storm. The young captain nodded, rushing up the stairs to the helm as Eldest surveyed the deck. There were a few hatches she would need to close, so that would be simple, however she had no idea where to start with hoisting the sails. She looked to her captain, now ready at the wheel.
"The ropes we tied earlier," he said, pointing to the mast. "Set them free, then pull to close the sail. Garlond's machines should make up some of the work. Then tie 'em again, like I taught you!"
In a burst of speed Eldest rushed to the mast as the waves began lapping at the ship hungrily, the wind starting to pick up around her. She hastened to untie the rope wrapped tightly around its cleat, and the moment it came free she began to pull. Pulleys creaked and whined as the sail began to move, starting to close like a bird withdrawing its wings. Even with the assistance of the magitechnical pulleys, it took much of her strength to pull the ropes, going hand over hand as her muscles strained against her shirt. She heard another command from Tommont behind her.
"Good! Don't withdraw the mainsail entirely! We need it open a touch so we can still control the ship!"
An affirmative grunt was her only reply, feeling relieved that she could stop prematurely. Without giving it much thought, she returned to the cleat, tying a knot around it just as Tommont had shown her, securing the rope and the sail for now. Yet there was more to be done. Her partner called out directions to other ropes she needed to pull or release, and she found herself darting around an increasingly slick deck. The ship reeled again as the waves churned around them, and she stumbled to the deck with a frustrated grunt. She'd been on so many ships before… where were her damned sea legs?
This isn't fast enough, she thought, getting to her feet and looking at the storm looming ahead. The rain was starting to meet them, misting the ship occasionally as the outer bands of the storm threatened them… though she supposed it could just be from the ocean itself. Either way, the deck would only grow slicker, her movements less reliable. As she started to pull on the next line, a thought occurred to her. She glanced down at her belt, noting the pouch at her hip, one she carried with her everywhere: a pouch full not of gil, but of jobstones. Yes… that could work.
As she finished tying the next knot, she unclasped her pouch and reached in, searching for a particular stone. Her fingers always found the orange Azem stone first, but she disregarded it, pushing it aside in favor of another. Eldest grasped it firmly, feeling the yawning maw of the void reaching out to her: a reaper's stone. She secured her pouch and held the stone, letting the void grasp at her, connecting with a strange sensation. It was unorthodox… but what choice did she have? As she set her gaze to the ships mast, she leaped forward, and a small, black, swirling portal opened up to greet her, consuming her as she dashed. In a blink, it opened again on the far side of the ship, only a few steps from her destination. Sliding to a stop, she grabbed the line connected to the front sail - the jib, if she wasn't mistaken - and began to adjust it. Tommont called out with surprise.
"The hells was that?" he shouted, his voice carrying on the winds.
"My best idea yet!" Eldest replied with a laugh. She quickly secured the line before returning to her partner in a flash, warping through another void portal that carried her right up to the cabin doors… a little too close, actually, as she slid directly into them with a thunk. "Ow! Well, maybe!"
"Whatever works," Tommont called over. "Good work. Next is the hard part! I need ye t' climb the rigging and wrap most of th' sails 'round the spar, like I told ye! Don't worry about makin' it perfect, long as we got enough sails secured and the mainsail can steer us, we'll be fine!"
"Roger! I mean, aye!" Eldest called. She glanced up, then ahead at the storm. Tommont had started to change course, hoping to try and miss the bulk of the squall by sailing around, but she could tell they'd never avoid it entirely. She had to be fast. Leaping up into the air, she was quickly swallowed by another portal, appearing in the air as though through flight. Again, she overshot her mark, appearing several fulms above the spar, and she tried to grab it as gravity pulled her back down. Her hands slipped, sending her tumbling back towards the deck.
"Shite, shite!" She caught herself with another portal, momentum sending her upward through the second, and this time she managed to catch the pole, clinging to it. Grimacing, she shuffled across the slick wood towards the ratlines, giving her stability so she could actually handle the sheets. They were heavy things, but with the sails mostly withdrawn, she was able to grab them and loosely wrap them around the spar. It doesn't have to be perfect, she reminded herself as she grabbed a rope and began to wind it around both cloth and pole, tying the sail to the spar so it could no longer catch wind. It looked terrible, and the far end was still loose, but it was something.
"Good enough for now!" Tommont called, his voice carrying a hint of worry. "Now the larboard - er, the other side!"
Eldest repeated her task as commanded, hastily reefing the larboard sheet as she watched the storm grow closer; they'd be swallowed in mere minutes. The waves around them grew taller, forcing Eldest to cling to the rigging as the ship swayed and churned. There was still more to do… she needed to be bold. Looking to the mast ahead of her, Eldest prepared another portal - she would leap from one mast to the next, using her link to the void to cover the distance. She jumped, vanishing in a blink, and then appearing mere ilms from the rigging. It caught her, threatening to tangle her like a fly in web, but Eldest righted herself against the woven rungs of rope.
That's a better target, she thought, climbing up the rest of the way to reach the spar. Again she reefed one sail, then another. It was growing harder as rain weighed on her and the cloth, and she had to use every onze of her strength to move the sail. In the moment, fighting primals and gods felt downright easy compared to this kind of work - part of her wished she was wrangling Leviathan instead of these blasted sails. She cursed as she struggled to keep hold of both the sail and the rigging. The winds were battering her, threatening to toss her aside as the waves conspired with them to shake the vessel beneath. From this height, she could feel the way it rocked and churned so much more potently. She had to fight back nausea.
Despite the ocean's best efforts, she succeeded in her task, and began quickly climbing down the rigging. The sails were as secure as they were going to get, but more needed to be done. Tommont shouted commands, guiding her around the ship as the storm loomed dangerously close, a wall of rain rushing towards them, resembling the brush-like teeth of a great whale.
"Storage hatch! Starboard side!" the captain called. She rushed to the open hatch, shutting and locking it quickly. Tommont cried out again, alerting her to a crate that was starting to slide across the deck. She caught it, struggling against the slick floorboards. It was all she could do to keep it from flying off the railing. She looked around, wondering what she should do, until suddenly Tommont was at her side, carrying a spool of rope. At his command, the pair found a place to secure the cargo, working together in haste.
"Get back to the helm!" Eldest protested, feeling chilled as a wave crashed against the starboard side, spraying her with icy salt.
"This is all that's left!" He cried against the roar of the wind and waves. "I want to get you below deck!"
"And let you brave the storm on your own? Like hells I will!" said Eldest. They finished securing the crate, and Eldest quickly pocketed her reaper stone.
"I'll be fine! You should-"
"No, Tommont!" she grabbed his arm. "We do this together!"
He gazed at her, both worry and affection burning within blue crystal, until finally he nodded. Together they ran back to the helm, Tommont taking the wheel while Eldest waited by his side. Moments later, they were consumed by the tempest. Winds that had teased and pulled before now sliced with an icy vengeance, the rain pelting both of them fiercely. Tommont held tightly to the helm, and Eldest to him, the two fighting to stay on their feet as furious waves crashed around them. She could hardly see in this weather, but Tommont seemed to steer with purpose, guiding their ship through and around the mighty crests that surrounded them. Even as the chill threatened to seep into her bones, Eldest felt an odd sense of safety, especially now as she clung to her capable captain. No matter what, he would see them through this storm, and Eldest trusted him with all of her being.
The storm swirled around them for what felt like hours, pushing and pulling at the nameless ship, unceasing, unrelenting. Then, as suddenly as it arrived, the storm ceased. Torrential rains calmed to a soft drizzle, the black clouds giving way to a brilliant burst of orange. As Eldest wiped the rain from her glasses, she saw salvation: the little island Tataru had described, approaching them on the horizon. The pair exchanged no words as they made their approach, but their relief was palpable. Tommont guided his ship as close as he could to the island, and Eldest helped him set anchor. There was no dock, so they had to use a small dinghy (which blessedly hadn't been torn from the ship) to cover the rest of the distance. The moment Eldest's foot sank into sand, she collapsed, her body feeling heavier than Titan's heart. Tommont crashed beside her, falling onto his back, breathing deeply of the salted air. Land… sweet, beautiful land.
They laid quiet for some time, watching as the sun began to set beneath the waves. The storm was but a memory now, existing as a small, gray speck on the horizon, oblivious to them. Eldest could hardly believe it had left a clear sky in its wake. Gulls called to each other above them, the waves calmly lapping at the island's rocky shore while the wind merely whispered in song above them. It was quiet. Serene. Welcoming. She looked to Tommont, and he looked at her with a smile.
"You did good, captain," she said, gently grasping his hand. He blushed.
"Nay. Just did what needed t' be done," he said.
"Well, without you we wouldn't have made it here."
"Perhaps… though if I hadn't rushed us out to sea, there'd be no need for such a thing… or if I'd just brought my crew…"
"I'll admit, that was pretty stupid." Tommont blushed more deeply, but Eldest just smiled. "Then again, I'm pretty stupid too."
Tommont chuckled, squeezing her hand. "Only you would think t' use yer voidpact t' climb rigging. Bloody had my heart stop a few times."
"Hey, just did what needed t' be done," Eldest said. Tommont grinned.
"Then perhaps… if I may be so bold… we can keep bein' idiots together."
Eldest nodded, shifting her body closer to his. His body was no warmer than her own; they'd both been near frozen by the icy ocean storm, and the pair still wore their soaked clothing, and yet she felt her heart warmed by his touch. She warmed further as wild visions of romance crossed through her mind, unrestrained, untempered. It made her blush immensely just to consider it. Yet… she thought to Tataru's teasing words from before, and to her conversation with Tommont in the cabin. It felt childish, to still be flustered by mere thoughts, to have such fears from something so benign. She'd defeated gods, saved worlds, conquered despair itself… surely she could conquer this too?
She shook her head, trying to clear her mind. Was she really ready for something like this? Was Tommont? The two had been through so much together, saved one another more times than either could count. They'd come of age together, rekindled their affection after separation had frozen their hearts, fought and loved and grieved… She knew she needn't rush things, but after so many seasons, wasn't she really just stalling? Her parents came to mind, their unbreakable bond having shaped her heart and her desires. Could she have that with Tommont? Would it be greedy, or foolish? Well, if it was the latter… they could be foolish together.
"What is it?" Eldest nearly jumped a fulm off the ground as Tommont spoke, breaking her free of her thoughts. She stared at him, glaring at first, but then softened when she saw his worried expression. "I- Sorry! Y' looked so… perturbed. I'd begun t' worry I'd ruined our vacation."
"No… no it's not that at all," she said, feeling sheepish. "I was just… considering something…"
"What about?" he asked. Eldest bristled, her body shaking as she tried to find the words.
"W-well… I was just… y-y'know… Tataru and um… stuff she said… and my parents - they really like you, y'know - and it's just um… some of the stuff you said had me thinking…"
"Yes?" He said, eyes urging her on. That damnable fool… couldn't he just read her mind and say what she was thinking? Why did it have to be so difficult?
"I've just like- we've been… together for a long time… so I was thinking that maybe y'know… we could maybe… what if we got a house? In Limsa or Gridania? Yeah, somewhere homely for us, and then we could live together and be close to your ship and your crew, and I could keep doing my thing… and we could… we…"
"Aye," Eldest froze at the word, stunned. She looked into his eyes to find joy unlike she'd ever seen. In a moment the man had become a child again, staring at her as though she'd just given him the greatest of gifts. "Let's do it! Let's get married! I think a home in Limsa would be wonderful! We could get a place by th' water, just a quick skip from th' docks. Perhaps Tataru could help us with that too…" He paused, suddenly extremely flustered. "T-that… that's what you were goin' t' say, aye? That y'… want t' um…"
Eldest lept upon him, surprised in herself at the euphoria that had burst through her chest. She pressed her lips unto his, embracing him as tightly as she could. The frosty chill of the ocean spray seemed to vanish all at once, warm bliss replacing it over every ilm of her body. It was like a dam had formed around her heart, and only now had she finally broken through, letting her passions flow freely through her. She felt the sun against her back as she kissed him again and again and again. The pair seemed each to laugh between the kisses, and Eldest was surprised to find tears welling up in her eyes. Why had she denied herself this elation for so long? Had it really been so easy to just… say it? Did it matter? She had pledged herself to Tommont, and she was happier than she'd ever been!
"We'll have to tell my parents!" She said suddenly. "I'll have to tell Lyna, too! Then the Scions, and Nanamo and… and…"
She looked up. Above their heads, a miniature, mechanical mammet was standing before them, looking down with digital eyes, expressionless. It was dressed oddly, wearing a cat hood that flowed down into a small coat. Eldest blinked.
"Are you quite finished exchanging fluids? Or shall I allow you to desecrate my beach before we proceed with introductions?"
Eldest lurched upright, pulling herself off of Tommont. He just laid there, bewildered.
"Thought this place was uninhabited?" He said.
"It is. Save for myself and a few dozen mammets," the construct responded. "Mistress Tataru informed me of your arrival, I've been tasked with ensuring your comfort during your stay. As such, I have instructed the mammets under my command to take care of you while I supervise."
"I… see." Eldest looked at Tommont, who just shrugged. "Right just… give us a moment."
"Very well," said the Felicitous Mammet. "Your cabin is waiting for you at the top of the hill. Come up when you are ready. Or don't. Stay here the whole time if you want." With a curt nod, the mammet turned and walked towards a dirt path winding up the hill above them. From here, Eldest could just barely make out the roof of a well-constructed cabin. She looked to her partner… her fiancé.
"Well," said Tommont, sitting up and brushing himself off. "We've a few moons to ourselves… mostly. Let's save the planning for after, aye?"
Eldest smiled, climbing off his lap and helping him to his feet. She moved to gather her things from the nearby dinghy when Tommont suddenly swept her off her feet, lifting her to his chest.
"Let th' mammets handle it," he said with a grin. "We need t' get out of these clothes before we catch a cold."
Laughing, Eldest threw her arms around his neck, blushing brightly. "Well then by all means, lead the way."
With the setting sun at their backs, Tommont carried Eldest off towards their island sanctuary, teasing and chatting all the while. She still couldn't handle his flirting well, so flustered when he teased her, stumbling over her words when she retorted. Yet fifty summers was a long time. By then, perhaps they'd both be better at it. Still a pair of fools of course, but fools with sweetened tongues and joyous hearts.