The Day Is Yours
By: Fiona_V
Jammy had a determined look in her eyes as she wandered the streets of The Mists. Her running shoes pounded the pavement, her parka catching the wind on the sharper turns. She wore a large pink backpack, the two wiry ears of her companion poking out of either side of the top flap. Her tail was perked upright and her nose wiggled as if she were on the hunt. One hand was closed in a tight little fist, while the other pinched tightly around an open pink envelope and the golden letter within. The woman passed by a chronometer that hung in the main square of the residential neighborhood. She paused and glanced at the time…it was noon.
“Oh gosh!” Jammy said as she stared at the time. “I didn’t know I was out that long.”
Jammy frowned and raised the envelope in her hand.
“Almost a full hour, and I don’t feel like I’m any closer to figuring this out.”
She paused and studied the envelope one more time. The letter was addressed to her but had no mention of who sent it. She didn't recognize the handwriting, and it didn't have any particular scent to it. If there was a clue as to who sent it and why, the maid couldn't see it.
“Hmm… so frustrating.” Jammy said with a sigh.
“What’s frustrating?” a voice asked, lips right next to her ear.
“WHAAAAaaa!” Jammy shouted.
The voice startled the Miqo’te so much that she leaped up what felt like three whole fulms. Her arms flailed like windmill blades and her cute little fangs flashed as she gritted her teeth. She turned her head side to side until they fell on the voice's owner, a platinum blonde-haired Viera woman, with beautifully tanned and toned skin, and an athletic figure. She was wearing a cyan training bra and a pair of matching workout pants.
“F-frey?” Jammy said. “You scared me.”
Jammy laughed a nervous laugh. The other woman was so strong and striking. She could wear the ruddiest clothes for her morning training and always look so beautiful and resplendent. It was no small wonder why she was so important to The Silver Talons Free Company or why she had the heart of their mutual friend.
The maid was surprised she didn’t startle her more often.
Frey waved her hands in an apologetic gesture.
“I’m sorry, Jammy,” Frey said. “I saw you walking around and wanted to say hi. But you looked so focused you must not have noticed me coming. But what are you doing exactly?”
Jammy’s tail swished back and forth. She waved the envelope over her head, bringing it to eye level as she spoke. “Oh! I got this weird letter early this morning. It mentioned clues to something made just for me. Don’t know who sent it, but I have a few days off so I just had to try and figure it out!”
Frey grinned and moved closer to the maid. She snatched up the letter, examining it with silent amusement.
“Oh yeah? That’s exciting! Had any luck?”
Jammy shook her head.
“No, but I’ve only been looking for an hour or so. But hey, if you’re free…do you want to help me look? Bowie got bored and fell asleep in my backpack.”
Frey giggled and gestured to the letter.
“Sure! But let’s see the letter. Maybe we can put our heads together.”
“Sure! Here’s what it says.”
Jammy drew the letter out of the envelope. The paper was rough against her fingers despite the pastel color it had. She unfolded the letter. The top of the page had a sketch drawing of the Mists as seen from the highest northwestern entrance. The rest of the letter was a short three-line poem that read:
Greetings Fair Maid May This Letter Find You Well
I’ve Hidden a Treasure That You Might Find Swell
Your First Clue Shall Ring True
Jammy glanced at her friend once she read the letter.
“Obviously it’s a riddle. But I’m not sure what it’s asking for.” Jammy said. “So I’ve been walking around the neighborhood hoping that something would pop up.”
Frey hummed and tapped her cheek. She stared intently at the letter and tapped her toe as she thought.
“Hmm…Find you well. Might find swell..Shall ring true?” Frey said. “I think the rhymes are what we should be looking at. Don’t you?”
Jammy blinked at the taller woman.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, think about it. Well…swell…what else rhymes with those?”
“Pose?” Jammy said with an impish grin.
Frey reached for the Miqo’te’s ear and pinched it until the maid yelped.
“No time for jokes, Mew. I’m being serious!” Frey said.
The girls laughed together, though the nickname made Jammy blush.
“Alright alright…what rhymes with Well and swell? Hell…shell…fell…Zell?”
“Zell? That’s not a word.”
Jammy shook her head. “No, but it sounds like a good name, doesn’t it?”
Frey narrowed her eyes. She pinched her fingers together.
“I swear Jammy, you HAVE to be messing with me. The poem is talking about a bell. Bells ring don’t they?”
Jammy gasped and clapped a fist into a palm.
“OH YEAH! You’re right. So we should be looking for a bell then?”
Frey smiled and folded her arms across her chest.
“I think so. And you know where I saw a bell?” She gestured towards a tall building made of white stone on the far side of the neighborhood. “Doesn’t the Topmast have a bell hanging over the chocobo stables?”
“...Does it?” Jammy said.
Frey sighed and giggled at the girl.
“Come on~ Follow me and let’s check it out!”
The two girls then raced through the neighborhood with a bounce to their steps. Frey pulled ahead, as she was the more fit of the pair. But she kept an even pace so the Miqo’te maid would never be far behind. But for her part, the maid seemed invigorated by the hunt, especially with the company of her friend. So neither girl was out of breath, by the time they reached the Topmast.
The apartment complex was a tall and impressive building designed in such a way that the residents would have a splendid view of the sparkling beach nearby. But the girls found their attention drawn to a far more humble stable not too far from the entrance. Because there they found a silver bell hanging high upon a wall.
Frey smiled as she looked at the bell. She rested her arms on her hips and spoke with a bellowy purr.
“See Jammy,” the taller girl said, “I bet what you’re looking for is right around here.”
“So what do you think we’ll find?” the maid said.
“I dunno. But let’s find out. I’ll check out the bell and you look around; sound good?”
“Mmm hmm!”
Jammy smiled a toothy smile. Her face was warm and joyful. The girl’s tail flicked and swished side to side. She spun her tail so fast that Frey wondered if the girl would fly away if the winds shifted just so.
The girls separated then and looked all around. Frey studied the bell with a serious look on her face, while the Miqo’te crouched down and tippy-toe stepped as she sniffed and poked for some sort of clue.
It didn’t take long for her to stumble upon a shovel that had her name carved along the handle. The shovel stuck out of the ground near a pile of loose and freshly dug dirt. The girl laughed and grabbed the shovel, and let instinct guide her as she sank the shovel into the dirt and began to dig.
Shunk Shunk TINK!
When the shovel hit something metallic, the girl’s eyes shot wide open. She laughed and dug and dug until she found an upturned shallow pit and a small iron box beneath. The girl squatted down and plucked up the box, then looked over her shoulder and waved at Frey.
“Frey! Frey! Come over here! I found something.”
The Miqo’te then examined the box. It was lightweight and small enough to fit completely in both of her hands. The box was only as dirty as you'd expect from being placed in the ground for a short length of time. It had a single bronze latch that wasn't locked.
“Hey Jammy, what do you have there?” Frey said.
“I found a small lockbox. I think whomever sent me this note wanted me to find it.”
“Then what are you waiting for?” Frey said. “Open it up and let’s see what’s inside.”
The maid flipped the latch, opened the box, and looked inside. She found a sparkling silver necklace. The jewelry piece had a small pendant at the end which had the shiniest pink stone the girls had ever seen. Beneath the gem was a note that had a single word written upon it…Jammy.
“Wow!” Jammy said. “This is so pretty! Do you think the sender meant this for me?”
Frey laughed and patted the Miqo’te’s shoulder.
“Of course they did. Didn’t you say the clues were addressed to you? And look at that letter. They must have wanted you to see this.”
“But…it’s so fancy. I don’t know if I should…”
Frey shook her head and pressed a finger against the other girl’s lips. She leaned in, her hot breath brushing against her skin as she whispered into the Miqo’te’s ear.
“Don’t you dare say this isn’t for you or that you don’t deserve it. It’s a day off and you found this treasure. So…why don’t you wear it?”
Frey didn’t wait for Jammy to respond. She plucked the pendant out from the box, then undid the clasp in the back. She rested the shining jewelry against her chest, then drew the silver chain up and around the girl’s neck.
Jammy shut her eyes and held her breath as she relished the feel of the jewelry upon her skin. It felt warm and made her body tingle in ways she never imagined. She gasped when she heard the click-snap as the clasp was replaced and locked behind her neck. It was a sound somehow both familiar and foreign.
“There.” Frey said. “A necklace fit for a princess. Don’t you agree?”
Jammy gasped. Her jaw dropped as she focused on what her friend had said just then. A necklace fit for a princess. A princess. Princess.
Frey then pinched the girl’s cheek, pulling playfully.
“Hey, Jammy! Wake up. You still have to read the letter don’t you?”
Jammy shook her head from side to side as if she had just broken through a spell. Her cheeks were red with a flushed bashfulness as she plucked the letter from the box. She opened the page and found another poem contained within.
“Ok…let’s see what this says. Are you ready?”
One Clue Found, One more to go
My Princess Shall Find It At The Golden Show
Seek the Dealer With The Purple Pin
You'll have your treasure if you win
Jammy smiled. She knew exactly where to go next.
~~~
The Golden Saucer was one of the most garishly decorated spots in all of Eorzea. Everything was plush carpets, golden filigree, and enough flashing lights and jubilant music to fill twenty festivals every day. Gaudy, flashy, and shallow; yet it was adored by far more than it turned away.
While many considered the gaming space to be noisy, Jammy always enjoyed it for what it was. So unlike in The Mists, she took the lead. She bounded and spun through the halls with skips, hops, and bounces. She led the taller girl from the airship dock through the main foyer, and around the corner to her favorite part of the gaming center.
“And here we are!” she called out to Jammy. “The Triple Triad Battlehall.”
She swept her hand around, indicating the tables that dotted the room. Each table had fanciful employees in the showy uniforms of The Golden Saucer, with Triple Triad decks by their sides and gaming tables in front of them. Most of the tables were already occupied as gamers and gamblers tried their skill and luck in equal parts against the House that Gil Built.
Frey drank in the scene then smiled as she patted the other girl’s head.
“Oh I see! That does make sense. So then, we just have to find a dealer with a purple pin, right?”
Jammy bobbed her head.
“Yep yep! Hopefully the table isn’t taken up. I don’t want to lose my chance at the prize.” Jammy said.
She took a step into the battlehall when a pair of large gray-brown hands slapped down on her and Frey's shoulders.
“A prize ye say?” said a familiar voice. “Is that what my favorite women are doing here?”
Jammy turned around and found her face to face with a large bust just ilms away from her face. Her cheeks burned and turned into a tomato-red shade as she forced herself to look up past the woman’s breasts. She soon found herself looking into a pair of golden eyes.
The woman was noticeably taller than her or Frey. She had a face that was soft, sensual, and inviting from her playful smile to the beauty mark near her chin. Her hair was a short cut with dark black locks ending in purple tips that matched her equally purple lips. She wore what may have once been a tux with tails but was now closer to a leotard. A tiny white cap rested atop her head with a bright red flower complimenting her look.
Jammy knew this Roegadyn woman as Pfrymlona, her
“Ahoy Jammy, what brings ye and Frey out today?” Pfrymlona said again.
Frey smiled at Pfrymlona and stood behind Jammy. She squeezed the Miqo’te’s shoulders and held her in place.
Jammy found that curious since she rarely greeted the Roegadyn without kissing her. It almost felt like the girls had been planning something.
“Oh, I spotted Jammy in the Mists and we’re hunting down clues to a treasure just for her. Want to join us?”
Pfrymlona grinned.
“Aye, I would be pleased to join ye.” The Limsan said. “So then what’re we looking for?”
Jammy motioned inside the battlehall.
“Come with us! We’ll explain on the way.”
The trio made their way around the battlehall. They stopped at every table and checked out the dealers on duty. They all wore similar outfits; colorful vests and trousers for the masculine-presenting dealers, and bunny outfits for those presenting as feminine. J’mari had felt equal parts euphoric and embarrassed the first time she put the ears on. Still, the girls soon found that none seemed to be wearing pins as they circled the room.
At last, they were left with only one table remaining, the one in the center of the room. It was the dealing table for the high rollers in The Golden Saucer. Those who played Triple Triad across the whole of Eorzea to test their wits and decks against the trends and rules that spread across the known world.
It was a legendary table that was rarely used throughout the day. And that day was no different; for behind the counter stood an Au'ra wearing a red vest with gold lines strewn across it. The dour-looking Au'ra had a serious expression on their face. But what stood out to the girls was the decorative purple grapefruit pin, resting on their lapel.
“Look girls!” Jammy said. “That dealer has a grape pin! They HAVE to be the one we want.”
Pfrymlona laughed and reached down to clap a palm across the Miqo’te’s seat.
“Aye? Then go and win yer prize, girl!”
J'mari yelped at the touch. She gave the Roegadyn a look and flicked her tail to swat the taller woman's hand. She then hopped and skipped across the room. When she reached the central table, she nearly fell over herself and had to catch herself by grabbing at the table's edge.
“Excuse me!” Jammy said. “I want to play against you!”
The Au’ra sniffed and looked down into Jammy’s eyes. The dealer’s expression barely changed as they bobbed their head, then jabbed a finger at a nearby sign that read, Invitations Only.
“Sorry miss,” the Au'ra said, “Today this table’s reserved. You need a written invitation to take part.”
The maid almost walked away. But she looked all around the room and realized that the dealer in front of her was the only one with a purple pin. Unless the women had arrived too early…or too late, this high roller table HAD to be the one meant for her.
So Jammy made a face at the Au’ra. She then reached into her purse and withdrew the letter she found in The Mists. She then waved it around and offered it to the dealer.
“Is this what you’re looking for?”
The Au’ra looked down at the page, then smiled and bobbed their head.
“Yep, looks like that’s the one. Then you must be the princess.” The dealer said.
The Au’ra ducked behind the table. Jammy listened as the dealer opened a door and slid something out from whatever drawer they had hidden back there. Then they stood back up and set a wrapped box on the table and set it to their right.
Meanwhile, Pfrymlona and Frey walked behind the Miqo'te. One woman standing behind each of the smaller maids. They looked like guards and soldiers protecting their charge from the imposing high-roller's table dealer.
The Au’ra looked at the taller women, then settled their eyes on Jammy’s.
“Good afternoon, Princess. Allow me to explain the rules.” The Au’ra said as they motioned to the table. “This table and my time has been reserved for you. You have two hours to win three games in a row. The rules will change every other game and you are only allowed three substitutions during the challenge. If you win, you get the box. If you lose, then you may have it but will have to pay 2 million MGP. Is that understood?”
Pfrymlona and Frey gasped.
“Ye sure ye can handle them?” The tallest woman asked.
“Doesn’t matter, Lona,” said the Viera, “We’ll be here cheering you on, no matter how long it takes.”
Jammy beamed as the women wound her up. She felt so much bigger and bolder than ever before. It was almost as if their support lent her strength she didn’t even know she could possess. It was more than enough that she looked positively daring as she jabbed a finger at the dealer. Her other hand reached inside her backpack to a special plastic box that was tucked away in a hidden pocket sewn into the side.
“I have my deck right here!” Jammy said as she withdrew the plastic box.
It contained a set of decorative Triple Triad cards that were each stored in pristine sleeves. A prize card in a gilded sleeve signed by the Manderville patron himself sat in the front of the box. The dealer stared down at the signature on the sleeve, their eyes now wide open and their jaw slack.
"W-wait? You are a Triple Crown winner?!" The dealer said with more emotion than they had shown during the entire conversation.
Jammy laughed and bobbed her head. “That’s right! Three times even! So I accept your terms! Let’s play.”
The match that followed could have been one to write about for generations. With sweat and trembling hands as every play and move was considered. Because champion-level games were off the clock as they were as much a performance for curious onlookers as they were battles of mental fortitude and wit.
But that wasn't the match that happened that afternoon. As Jammy played card after card with confidence. The girl's strategy was a mix of craft schemes and brutish plays. Card after card changed colors to match Jammy's side. And in the end, she came out on top winning with a 14-point lead across the first three games. She gave a haughty laugh, the back of her palm resting against her chin. She had seen a woman in Doma celebrate her victory this way and thought she would try it on herself. It felt good.
After the game, the Au’ra dealer slumped into their seat. Their arms fell slack to their sides as they stared dumbly at the table in front of them. Time passed and the Au’ra could only chuckle as they finally spoke, while the girls were hopping and cheering for the remarkably swift win.
“By the Twelves most damnable features, you made me feel like a first timer.” The dealer said. “I don’t think I’ve seen a more intimidating foe than I have tonight.”
The Au’ra sighed. They then reached for the wrapped box and offered it to Jammy.
“Your prize, Princess.”
Jammy laughed and took the box from the Au'ra. She slammed it down on the table and was busy undoing the ribbons and wrapping paper when the Au'ra gestured to Pfrymlona with a sweeping gesture.
“I’m sorry Madame. It seems I wasn’t up to snuff for buying you time. Forgive me.”
Jammy blinked. Did she hear what she just thought she heard?
She looked over her shoulder at Pfrymlona and saw that the Roegadyn had the deepest blush across her cheeks. Her lips were curled in a bashful smirk while sweat ran down her cheek.
“What do they mean, buying you time?” Jammy said. “Were you my mysterious admirer?”
Frey patted Jammy’s shoulder. She leaned closer and pressed her chest against the smaller girl’s shoulder.
“Actually, we both were. If you want, we could walk and talk, unless you don’t mind them overhearing us.”
The Au’ra laughed and clapped their hands together.
“Please! After that trouncing, I deserve SOME entertainment.” They looked at Jammy. “Please say you’ll say your peace here.”
“Uhhh…sure. Please tell me now.” The Miqo'te said. She then looked at Lona and Frey.
The two women moved side by side. Pfrymlona gestured to the box on the counter, while Frey spoke up.
“Well first, why don’t you open the box. It’ll make more sense when you see what’s inside.”
Jammy looked away from the other women. She shrugged and then tore away at the rest of the paper and ribbons. The dealer was kind enough to collect the waste and throw it away so the maid could focus on the surprise within.
Once the wrapping was tossed away, she opened the box. And inside she found a small three slips of paper. Jammy picked up the pages one by one and examined each and found that they were paid-in-full receipts. The first was for a clothier in Ul’dah. The second was for reservations for three in The Golden Tiara Dinner Club. The last was for a weekend-long stay in The Sultan’s Coin, one of the most famous and expensive hotels in all of Ul’dah.
“Wait…” Jammy said. “...are these all for me?”
She looked between the other women with tears in her eyes.
Pfrymlona smiled and looked at Jammy.
“Aye. Remember when we last had a night out together? You gave us the idea of saving up for a treat for the holiday.”
Jammy blushed at the memory. She remembered it well, especially the things that the girls did together when they were alone. Things that she dared not think about, with a stranger so close.
“Y-yeah, I remember…” Jammy said.
“Well, did you forget what's comin' this weekend?” Frey said. “It’s Little Ladies Day! And as The Legend of the Lost Lady says, no girl should feel like they aren’t a lady. Or…our princess.”
Pfrymlona grinned and winked at Jammy.
“Aye! We were hoping to tie you up with games for a few hours until the clothier opens. Then ye’d have yer own choice of dresses for dinner. Then, after dinner, we’d retire to a hotel in a Sultana’s Suite. So ye could be our princess and take charge of how we spend our time.”
Jammy’s cheeks were soaked with tears. She cried so much, she struggled to see the other women. It was hard for her to breathe, and even harder to ask the women why. But she HAD to know. So through her tears and wavering voice, she finally managed to ask:
“B–but why?”
Pfrymlona patted Frey's shoulder. Frey nodded at her fiance and then spoke with a proud voice.
“Because you’ve always been our princess. We care about you very VERY much and could think of no better way to spend the holiday, then with you. Will you accept?”
Jammy couldn’t believe what she had heard. It was like every dream she ever had was coming true in one fine day. The maid wanted to pinch herself to see if this were a dream, but there was a part of her that was so afraid of waking up if it were. And that fear made her hurt like she had never hurt before.
The other women then reached out and took her hands in theirs. Pfrymlona’s touch was rough and doting. While Frey’s was firm but soothing. The women pet the Miqo’te’s knuckles as she cried.
Finally, Jammy cast a shy glance up at the two women, after the tears ebbed and faded.
“Will you two call me Princess Jammy all weekend long?”
The other women giggled and offered a nod. Pfrymlona sank into a deep theatrical bow, while Frey pulled the girl’s hand up for a kiss across her knuckles.
“Our princess’ wish is our command,” both women said.
Jammy had never felt happier.
----
So this story is a commission written for my besty. Just a cute sweet tale of a happy trio. I hope you enjoyed reading this. And you can always support my writing at my ko-fi.
