aquaveiled | Abraxas IC Inbox

[ A pint, Thancred can manage. He's not so low on coin that he can't make that work, and he isn't going to worry Himeka by even making reference to his current financial situation. He's already found ways to earn his keep in Nott, and he suspects he'll uncover additional methods before long.

But then the hug comes, one he really should have expected. Himeka squeezes tight, almost knocking the air out of him, and he lets out a warm chuckle as he returns it, resting his chin atop her head for a moment (while also taking care not to bump her horns).

It is good to see her in the flesh after all that's happened and how much his life has been uprooted.

As they pull away, he heaves out a sigh at her comment and nods. ]

I won't argue that point. This time, anyhow.

[ So with that, they head into the tavern and find their usual table, putting in orders for their pints. Thancred lifts up a leg to rest his ankle on his opposite thigh and leans back in his chair. ]

How have things been in Solvunn? I understand you all had to retreat underground for a time as well.

[ If only she had more coin to share with him. Solvunn, being so intent on trade of goods and services as it is, has little use for it unless trading with outsiders. What she does collect usually gets spent in Nott anyway. But she would be happy to send him off with what she has left.

Not that she's paying for Thancred hugs or anything. She knows she gets those for free.

It's nice to be back in Nocwich too. The tavern has become something of a usual haunt and even if it's only once a month, it feels homey. Her tail even curls around one of the legs as she settles. ]

We did, yes.

[ Himeka, instead, leans forward towards the table, resting her forearms on it. ]

The land seemed blighted and the gods were angry, so they thought it'd be best if we got out of their way. Which upset some of the animals that live underground, unfortunately...

[ She shakes her head, turning her attention to Thancred properly. ]

But that's nothing in comparison to your journey, I imagine.

[ Blighted land, angry gods. That doesn't sound so different from Scion business back home, if he's honest.

Thancred raises a knowing eyebrow. ]

You must have found it frustrating to be shoved into a place far away from all the action.

[ Although it all seems to have calmed down by now, so perhaps it had been a false alarm of sorts. Better safe than sorry and all that.

Himeka's quick to turn the question back on him, and Thancred sends a reflexive glance around them to ensure there's no one nearby before he responds with a confirming nod. ]

Nothing I haven't been through before — with you, I might add. I'm only relieved I had some manner of advance warning before it all started. In that sense it was an improvement over our escape from Ul'dah.

[ It isn't a time that he brings up lightly. There had been much lost then, but it was also so long ago now, the wounds at least partially healed over. ]

[ Her lips take the form of a wry smile at that. He does know her well, doesn't he? She never enjoyed staying idle for long, less so in cramped conditions. ]

We made due, don't worry.

[ There were plenty of animals to wrangle and preserve (and incidentally cook) to keep her busy for a while.

But minor it is. It's Thancred, after all, who has had to find a new safe zone. Of course if anyone could weather it, could make the necessary arrangements...the memories do turn her smile a little softer. It would be easier if she could go through it with him this time again. ]

That and not having to wonder if you've been dead for several months.

[ Don't forget that detail, Thancred. ]

[ Ah yes, that. Thancred pauses for a moment, not wanting to handle his response to this in the wrong way because he knows it was a difficult time for Himeka, Alphinaud, and Tataru. They no doubt worried that all of their Scion friends had lost their lives, or suffered some even worse fate.

Maybe some of them came out a bit rougher around the edges, and as for Minfilia, well... they hardly need retread that particularly tragedy.

But eventually he does send her a wry smirk before he takes a sip of his ale. ]

I imagine that by now you're quite familiar with my ability to scrape through near-death experiences, eh?

[ First during that bout against Ran'jit, then in Ultima Thule — he's well aware that he makes a habit of such self-sacrificial acts. At least this time around no such thing was called for. ]

[ How many people have they lost? Much too many. Close friends, allies, kind acquaintances, faces she'd only seen in passing but knew they were all fighting for the same thing. Death is as much a member of the team as an adversary.

Given her own proclivity for putting herself in dire straits, she's in no position to hold him so accountable. But she does anyway, because it's Thancred and because she's allowed to.

To his credit, his delivery is perfect and all she can do is huff. ]

A very nasty habit, thanks!

[ She shakes her head. ]

Still...I'll admit, from what I know of Nott, it seems like it may be much safer in some ways.

[ A nasty habit is one way of putting it, but in Thancred's defense, what else was he supposed to do when Meteion appeared on the Ragnarok and sucked the very air from the cabin? He hadn't fully realized what he was doing until it was done, with dynamis taking his will and turning it into reality.

All's well that ends well, at least. They're both still here.

Thankfully, Himeka lets him off easy, and Thancred is quick to nod. ]

Aye, I think it suits me a bit better as well. I also have met with Nott's ruler before, one Lyle Vela, and he is open to harboring any Summoned who are not in the good graces of the crown.

[ Of course, that crown is now upon a different head entirely, but Thancred can't say he's eager to return to the castle either way. ]

[ They are all willing to put their lives on the line for the work the day. But when it comes down to it, seeing the people you care about fulfill that potentiality is hard. It's scary. The amount of times they barely make through it alive make it seem like they always will.

Himeka hopes that still holds. She believes in them.

She knew that Thancred has been making moves in Nott for a while, but for for the leader to making it a sanctuary for the Summoned? That is big news. ]

He is? That's wonderful. And you don't think the monarchy would try to follow up on that?

[ She remembers now Anastasia turned her and Estinien over to the King and Queen, but she does understand that politics are a little different in Nott. ]

[ It's a good question, yet Thancred does not have a good answer. He pauses for a moment, then heaves out a sigh and gives a shake of his head. ]

It's difficult to say. I don't know as much about Sidwell as I would like, not enough to hazard a guess as to how he'll rule. For now, the best thing we can do is keep our heads down.

[ And maybe they'll get lucky, and Sidwell will have a list of greater priorities than chasing down a few stray Summoned.

It would be a stretch to say he'll be better than Queen Ellya, but he might have different goals, if nothing else. ]

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