((Part of @sea-wolf-coast-to-coast FFXIVWrite 2019!))
“My fault? Nah lass. We followed you. A’int like me an’ Jonae been here b’fore!” Raz snapped back in a hushed tone at E’rallina. The fiery woman whirled around, her hair bounding in her face as fury filled her green eyes. “You assured me, guaranteed that you could get me to the ruins!” She retorted. “OI! In case have missed it, this a’int no ruins!” He fired back.
The blame shifted back and forth as Jonae walked behind. Mostly he stayed out of it. Only hushing the bicking pair when they grew too loud. He was more concerned with the Amalj’aa coming up from behind. A wrong turn into a well armed group of beast men. Something hey couldn’t easily fight their way out of.
“Shut it both of you, aye? Ya both to blame. Stop bitchin’ like a married couple an’ focus on not gettin’ furher lost.” Jonae’s voice of reason seemed to work as both miqo’te whirled to face him in silence. Although this was mostly because both took insult to being married. “That’s an insult.” E’rallina finally spat back. “Aye, deeply insulted you’d even think I’d marry a woman.” Raz spat back.
Jonae shook his head and left the pair to turn down another tunnel. Only to have them scramble after him. As they continued to shift the blame back and forth they walked into a small room filled with stone tablets. And two very confused Amal’jaa whom quickly grabbed their pikes. “Oh shite. Found ya room E’rallina...” Jonae said grabbing his gun.
((I have @sea-wolf-coast-to-coast ‘s prompts for the FFXIVWrite 2019 in que so expect the days to be off. But eventually I’ll get caught up!))
“I promise!” The red haired Raz said as he walked backwards talking to Jonae through the streets of Ul’dah. “You betta! Not acceptin’ no more bounties for people! We nearly died last time you had a scheme!” Jonae retorted as they walked to the inn. “Oi! How was I to know he had his mates waitin’ for us?” Jonae rolled his eyes as they walked in. Raz led his childhood friend to a table where a very pretty lady miqo’te sat alone, her nose in a book as she casually stoked a carbuncle. She was his age, or perhaps older, with auburn hair cut shoulder length. Her skin had a bronze glow and her robes were high priced and well maintained. Certainly did he not expect Raz to plop down across from her.
The carbuncle was quick to jolt, giving a bark and a growl. The young woman quickly looked up and her green eyes seemed to shine like emeralds, leaving Jonae with no words in his mouth. “You cheeky little… Bugger...” Raz cooed. The lady’s round face shifted to a scowl as she closed her book, and quickly smacked Raz’s hand with it. He ripped his hand away in pain. “You startled her and you have the audacity to say such vile things about my precious.” She retorted.
“Ol’right… Calm yer tits m’lady.” She sat back and stared at him incredulously. “You bloody idiot. Way to get her all narky an’ ruin this.” Jonae said as he still stood, expecting this woman to tell them off. “I just takin’ the piss outta her. Lina know I meant nuthin’ by it.”
She smiled at Jonae and gave an even more threatening smile to Raz as she clasped her hands together under her chin. “I’ll remember this when we’re deep in some ruins and you need healing.” She snarked. “Sit. Raz has already accepted my bounty. We just need to finalize the bargain. Which, might I add, he refused to speak of until I met with you.” Jonae blinked but then sat down. She now gave her full attention to Jonae, which the shy boy almost couldn’t handle. Words failed him and he could only look at her awkwardly.
“Now. To explain, I wish to explore Amalj’aa ruins. Which, obviously, will be in their territory. I need protection for this expedition. Because of… my age, no one but Raziax’a took me seriously. I assure you, I am serious and I do have to gil to pay. Name your price.” She said in a resolute voice. There was silence but a nudge from Raz jolted some jumble of words to form on Jonae’s lips. “I er… usually… escort? Honestly? I mean-”
“I go or find another who will take me.” Damn she was not messing around. “No-no! I mean. Aye, that’s fine I just… Amalj’aa are-”
“Dangerous. I’m well aware.” There was sass in her voice as she narrowed her eyes at Jonae. “Will five hundred gil do?” She said. Once coin was mentioned some sense came back to Jonae. “Far more dangerous than five hundred gil, aye? Where do ya want to go, exactly?”
There was a pause. “Zanr’ak.” Jonae’s eyed widened and he looked at Raz, whom nodded and smiled. Smacking his fist into his hand as a non-verbal way of saying ‘we got this’. “Those are not ruins. That’s where the Amalj’aa worship their primal… We’ll do it for no less than two thousand gil.”
“Oh-” She started to say in happy surprise.
“Each.” Jonae quickly added. The woman jolted back. “Are you serious?!” She sounded offended. “Yer are asking us to guide ya to a fiery pit used to summon a primal and bring ya back alive. And I don’t know your name.” He was not budging from this bargain. This was a deadly endeavour. “E’rallina… No one else even entertained my idea… Fine. I’ll pay. But half now and the rest upon my safe return with the knowledge I seek!” She snapped as she stuck out her hand. Jonae looked at Raz, whom nodding in agreement, before shaking her hand. “Bargain accepted.”
((Another for @sea-wolf-coast-to-coast ‘s FFXIVWrite 2019!))
Boots pounded the dusty ground as the three miqo’te ran fast through the tunnels of Zanr’ak. An arrow shot behind them as Raz paused to fire off a shot. Jonae grabbed a automated turret from his satchel and chucked it behind them. “We’re bloody lost with pissed Amalj’aa on our tails! Damnit Raz!” He said as the turret whirled to life and began firing shots at the irate beast men. “Sod it Jonae! You ain’t been here either, mate! Like you coulda done betta!” He retorted as they ran. “Shut it both of you! They wouldn’t even be chasing us if you hadn’t set up that stupid prank!” But this only made Raz laugh.
“Fockin’ hilarious tho aye?!” Both Jonae and E’rallina shot a glare at the red haired miqo’te. E’rallina took out her map and hastily looked at it. “I uh… This way!” She said running down another corridor. Sadly this too was a dead end and they were truly lost. This was the stores of aether crystals, though the Scions and he Warrior of Light did away with them, it seemed the Amalj’aa were slowly resupplying them. Jonae grabbed E’rallina and Raz and jerk them to the wooden barrels. “In! Hide!” He said as they nodded and obeyed. Hopping in the barrels and hiding. Luckily the Amalj’aa passed them by and after a few moments the trio crawled out of the barrels.
“Okay, mate. No more fockin’ pranks. We’re sneakin’ bout now. Got it?!” He snapped at his best friend who feign pouted but nodded. E’rallina however was stuffing aether crystals into her satchel. “Fascinating! They’re begun to replenish their aether crystals. I need these for study.” Both rolled their eyes. “Fine. Let’s just be unlost then, aye?” Jonae said as he face palmed.
((Prompt 6 of @sea-wolf-coast-to-coast FFXIVWrite 2019))
Those first steps outside of the Zanr’ak tunnels were like taking a breath of fresh air. The hot, arrid dry air of Thanalan never felt so good in Jonae’s lungs. Their escape from those dark caverns were thankfully lacking in combat. But the constant sneaking around left the miqo’te frazzled and filled with anxiety. But those first steps back towards Ul’dah felt so good.
“Bloody hells.” He said quickening his step. “R’ioght? Shame we didn’t run inta more lads to shoot.” Raz added, which gained a glare form both Jonae and E’rallina. “Speak for your self. I was happy to avoid further conflict.” She scoffed as she held onto her carbuncle. “Please tell me you got what you needed?” Jonae said as he looked back.
She sighed and shrugged. “I thought it best not to read over what I collected while in those tunnels. I think I got what I needed, but I’ll have to see exactly what when I get back home.” She said as they walked. “These might be the first steps to a profitable business partnership, Jonae’ra.”
Jonae chuckled nervously as he rubbed his neck. “N-now we a’int got to Ul’dah now, miss.” He replied sheepishly. “Oi. What about me, aye? Whot about me heals. I’m a bloody mess.” Raz chimed in. “You’re an idiot and deserve all that. But I should thank you for introducing me to someone with a brain.” Raz scowled as Jonae just chuckled.
E’rallina is a young arcanist who lives and studies in Limsa Lominsa, though she travels to Ul’dah often. Though young she goes on expeditions to collect rare artifacts and tomes, usually pertaining to primals and eikons. She also has no time for flirtatious advances and will more than likely send her Carbuncle to bite the ankles of anyone trying to woo her.
DOODLE DUMP. The viera is for @lady-elizriel who has been such an amazing friend. Even when I shut down from everyone she still came throwing memes and cat pictures at me. Seriously, thank you.
Top two are my girl Erallina, WoW Belf Warlock, as a Mi’qote. And y’all already seen Razzle Dazzle.
I’m starting to get the hang of Krita. And so far me like. :D
