FFXIV Write 2024 #1 - Steer
“I thought he would have been back by now,” Alphinaud mused.
“You don’t suppose he got lost, do you?” offered Alisae.
The group stood in Ok’hanu, having reconvened after their explorations of the settlement. They had been tasked with reviving the reeds and were now gathered together to share their findings, only they were down one of their number.
“He went with a guide, did he not? I can’t imagine how he would have managed that if it were the case.”
Yrys was watching the tree line. There was no sign of a fight, nor any other disturbances in the trees. No, something else was holding up Ryn, and he suspected he might have an idea what.
“Are you still waiting for your friend?” One of the Hanuhanu approached them. “He said he wanted to look at the local plantlife, he might be some time.”
“Son of a– I knew it! Where is he?”
“Oh, er, just down that way a little, you shouldn’t have much trouble finding him.”
“Thank you.” Yrys turned to the rest of the group. “I’ll be right back.” He didn’t bother waiting for any kind of acknowledgement before heading out of Ok’hanu.
Just as the Hanuhanu said, it didn’t take long before he came across a rustling in the undergrowth that didn’t sound like any kind of wild animal. And sure enough, there was Ryn, waist deep in foliage like a child in a sweet shop.
“Oh! Yrys!” Ryn popped up amongst the large jungle leaves, his blindfold pushed up into his hair to facilitate his investigation. “You’ll never guess what I found!”
He ignored the bait into a conversation on whatever thing had caught his attention. “What are you doing?”
Ryn looked at him like he was the weird one. “I’m… looking at the plants?”
Yrys sighed, feeling it deep within his soul. “Did you forget why we’re here?” he asked, wading into the plants himself. “We don’t have time for distractions; we can’t be dragging Wuk Lamat behind.”
“I wasn’t that long,” Ryn protested.
“It’s been almost a bell, if you weren’t so proficient a mage I would have assumed something ate you,” said Yrys, standing Ryn up straight and brushing him down. “What’s in your pockets?”
“Bullshit. You sew pockets into everything. Turn out your pockets.”
Pouting, Ryn did as he was told, and handfuls of leaves and twigs tumbled out onto the ground.
“We can always come back later,” Yrys promised. He took Ryn by the shoulders and lead him back to the path.
“I guess,” Ryn sighed, pulling his blindfold back over his eyes.
Yrys hated to have to pull his brother away from something he loved, but they were here to help Wuk Lamat, and it wouldn’t do to have her fall behind because of distractions. He was glad Ryn had dragged him here, if anything just to steer him in the right direction.
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