Setting: Shortly after the Doman Refugees arrived at Revenant's Toll, and before word of Leviathan arrives
Author’s note: I desperately wanted this interaction from Yugiri, but I know I’ll never get it. So I wrote it myself, enjoy!
Word count: About 980, give or take
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"Are you sure, my friend?" Concern lit up the eyes of The Antecedent, as a young Raen Au'Ra stood before her.
" 'll be fine, Minfilia." Koura smiled in response, trying to reassure her friend and leader. "We need as much room as we c'n get right now. 'm okay spending the night in a City-State. 'll be back as soon as the sun comes up, I promise."
The adventurer turned to leave, her long pointed tail gently swishing behind. She opened the doors to exit the Solar, before Minfilia called out again.
"Please, take care, Koura."
"I will, thank you." One last smile, and then she was gone.
The Rising Stones was the new home for the Scions of the Seventh Dawn, a group of people that Koura could almost call family. Everyone seemed deep in conversation as she passed by. A few waved, and she waved back. But she had no intention for idle chatter tonight.
Not tonight…
The purple gloom of the sky started to fade away with the setting of the sun. It would be dark soon, and traveling by foot wouldn't be much of an option. Especially not when she would have to travel through the freezing snow of Coerthas- definitely not.
She'd have to use a teleport, for sure. But Koura wanted some time to herself, a place where no one would exclaim about her position of "Warrior of Light". Outside of Revenant's Toll was a perfect spot for that, since the place was so small. And there, the stars were the prettiest behind the soft glow of the Crystal Tower.
The refugees were from Doma..
The thought swirled around in her head. Doma…. Her home. It was… it was gone.
A choking noise escaped Koura's throat, followed by quick gasps of air. She curled into a ball, trying hard to keep the tears in until ultimately deciding to just let them go. She felt so sick to her stomach, every ilm of her body feeling like it was tearing itself to pieces. Tortured sobs started to fill the air.
Doma was GONE. And there was nothing she could have done about it.
She cried for what felt like hours. The sun had sunk below the horizon, and the chill wind of night started to sink in. She should leave soon, and she started mentally rehearsing the return spell in her head. But she didn't dare speak the words aloud, not yet. She wasn't ready to pretend everything was okay.
Suddenly, Koura felt a light tap on her shoulder. She looked up, expecting to see Cota, a fellow Au’Ra who oddly seemed to always be nearby. But instead she saw the masked figure of Yugiri standing over her, the air of mystery following shortly behind.
Oh gods….
"Are you alright?" The Doman leader spoke in a soft and gentle voice.
Koura buried her head in response, along with a few muffled sobs and her tail wildly shifting along the ground, almost as if it were a fleeing snake.
"Mmm 'm s-sorry…" She finally managed to mumble out, not daring to look the other in the face.
"Hmm? Praytell, what do you have to be sorry for?" Yugiri gracefully sat down next to her, and Koura felt a gentle touch on her elbow. "You and your people have shown only kindness. You have our deepest gratitudes."
"L-lady Yugiri…" The young Au'Ra rubbed away some of her tears, while trying to clear her voice. "W-with all due… respect. I… I don' feel… Worthy for your gratitude. I sh-should 'ave been there for Doma when it- mmmph."
"You do not feel worthy? Please, explain." Koura couldn't quite make out what kind of face Yugiri was making, but she had her guesses. Her fellow Au'Ra sounded confused if anything, with no hint of annoyance or anger.
"My lady… I know who you are. I've known since you first introduced yourself. Five years ago, I was taken in by others like yourself. My parents had perished in the massive earthquakes back then, when the moon was falling out of the sky." Koura paused, sharply inhaling. A few more tears found their way streaking down her face.
"For the longest time, I wandered the streets of Doma, evadin' the Imperials. Until finally, I was caught, and I was forced to abandon my home. I wanted to eventually go back but. But now… Doma is gone, and there was nothin' I could have done." The tears started to roll back into quiet sobs. "I wasn' there when y-you all needed me the most."
Yugiri remained silent during the explanation, and kept quiet for a few moments after. Koura could only feel the pit in her stomach fall deeper as heavier guilt started to set in.
"My friend, you are here for Doma now." Those warm words cut through the cold silent air. "What has happened in the past is merely that. It brings me exceedingly great joy that a warrior such as yourself hails from our homeland. I am proud to call you one of our own."
It was Koura's turn to be silent now. She contemplated the words which Yugiri said. She still didn't feel like she deserved any of this, and yet...
"...Thank you. I really needed to hear that." A small true smile snuck up on her face, lighting up her teary pink eyes. "I'll do my best to help Doma regrow, till sea swallows all."
"...till sea swallows all? That is an odd saying." Yugiri shifted to a different sitting position. She was likely uncomfortable sitting on the rocky soil.
"Ah-! Ye can blame the Maelstrom for that one." Koura chuckled, rubbing the back of her neck. "That'll be the Grand Company I belong to. It's just what we say. Come on, let's get you back to The Rising Stones. Mor Dhona is not the safest place at night."
