I was reminded the other day (by Sounsyy's shameless plug no less) that I had written this up loooooong time ago for this prompt but never actually posted it!
I thought about what would be the earliest defining moment in Roen's history, and it would have to be her Garlean mother dying when she was young. So what if her father never became involved in a project that took him away from home and her mother was never recruited by the Ala Mhigans and lived?
Roen would have had a nurturing mother throughout her formative years, she likely would have felt no need to rescue anyone and thereby never taking up the sword and shield. She would have been a lot less tomboyish and would have never tried to sneak into the Battle of Carteneau to impress her negligent father. Would she have never come to Eorzea...? Well...
I thought about what would be the earliest defining moment in Roen's history, and it would have to be her Garlean mother dying when she was young. So what if her father never became involved in a project that took him away from home and her mother was never recruited by the Ala Mhigans and lived?
Roen would have had a nurturing mother throughout her formative years, she likely would have felt no need to rescue anyone and thereby never taking up the sword and shield. She would have been a lot less tomboyish and would have never tried to sneak into the Battle of Carteneau to impress her negligent father. Would she have never come to Eorzea...? Well...
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Spoiler
Four years ago.
Roen closed her eyes and concentrated, her hands hovering over a small rock. Her brows furrowed in concentration as she sat still with her legs crossed on giant tree stump, a stubborn and unmoved rock as her only company. She focused her thoughts as well as her breathing, even as she willed the energy of the elements around her to bend to her will--
“That rock looks perfectly content where it’s at,†came a whisper that tickled her left cheek. She felt a hand sliding around her waist. “I don’t think it is going to move for you, Roen. No matter how much you want it to.â€
Roen lifted her hands, peeking at the rock that still sat in front of her. “Grrrr!†she growled, falling back into the man who had snuck himself to a seat behind her, her arms flopping outward for dramatic effect. She wrinkled her nose at the rock, then gave the man a glance over her shoulder. “I think Miss Rae is mistaken. I do not have any aether reserve. I cannot channel this thing called conjury.â€
“The fact that you are even trying to practice an art that belongs to the foreign primitives,†the young man said with a tsk, and shook his head at her. “You know your father would not approve.†His long blonde forelocks fell in front of his scolding hazel eyes.
“Do not chide me, Julian!†Roen spun in her seat, poking the man in the chest twice. “Who was the one that snuck out Miss Rae’s files on conjury in the first place!â€
Julian laughed even as he winced. “Hey, hey! No tickling!†He held up his hands in protest. “I only did that because you were curious! And well…†He scratched his head with a sheepish grin. “It was better than you getting personal lessons from Miss Rae.â€
“She is not that bad.†Roen narrowed her eyes at him. But she could not deny what they both knew: Raelisanne Banurein was a strange and aloof woman. Ever since she had arrived years ago from Ishgard, all mystery and swirling silver hair, she had been an intermittent fixture in her family’s life, working closely with her father. And while Miss Rae's demeanor was polite and ever proper, the woman’s violet eyes always seemed, at best, completely devoid of emotion... and at worst, exceedingly cold.
Julian snorted. “Well I am glad it is not her approval I need to get.†His hand took hers as he offered her a broad smile. “I’m sure I can win your mother over. Your father…?â€
All pretense of reprimand melted away as Roen matched his smile. Color rose to her cheeks. “I am certain he would approve as well. Especially if you wait for mother to return from Ala Mhigo.†She dipped her head slightly, suddenly feeling bashful. “They both know how I feel…†she trailed off, clearing her throat.
“But has he forgotten or forgiven me for sneaking you out of that ball? After all, you were supposed to be presented to all sorts of wealthy, handsome fellows.†He feigned a grand gesture with a wave of his hand, but his voice did not quite succeed in suggesting any kind of remorse. His lips were curled in a roguish grin. She loved that grin. “Or that we then went on a chocobo race, in the rain, and… ruined your dress?â€
Roen shrugged, her modesty dismissed in favor of the delightful memory. “Oh but you said I would not be able to ride as well in that dress.†She flashed him a victorious smile. “As I recall, I proved you wrong!â€
Julian smiled, his gaze upon her turning tender. “You did.†Their eyes met and held each other for a long moment, before he quickly leaned in for a stolen kiss. He immediately leaned back and cleared his throat, eyes looking about the forest as if critters were spying on them.
Roen looked around as well, but it was more of an effort to suppress a smile that she felt was growing far too big for her face. “Well, hopefully when you announce your intentions to my father, we do not have to sneak out and--â€
“Miss Luraes! Miss Luraes!†The shout rang through the woods, quickly followed by the rustling of leaves and bushes behind them. They both hastily pulled back from each other, Julian sliding off the wooden stump to stand back up and Roen absently straightening her braided hair and her riding coat. Soon a man burst forth from the woodline, and Roen recognized him as one of the guards from their home. He wore an expression that bode ill tidings.
“Miss Luraes! You need to come quick.†His words were urgent, his eyes wide with distress.
“What is it, Thomas?†Roen rose to her feet, alarm tensing her muscles.
“It is your mother.†Thomas said, his voice and eyes lowering with sorrow. “There’s been an accident.â€
Almost two years ago.
“You have grown, duckling.â€
Roen eyed the dark-skinned Highlander woman with wary eyes then nodded. When had she seen Delial Grimsong last? Perhaps it was her tenth nameday. She had not laid eyes upon the woman in many years. But her proud and regal poise lingered in her memory.
“Miss Rae said that you had a lead on the Resistance,†she said quietly as she looked about their surroundings. Their voice echoed in the cave just above the Blackbrush station, but their vantage point allowed them to see that no one else was within earshot inside the cave.
“A bit eager, aren’t we?†The Highlander canted her head, and her pale eye narrowed. “You have only been in Eorzea but a moon. Just because Banurein has sent you my way does not mean you hold any authority. I’ve known you since you were a suckling babe at your mother’s teat.†She paused when she spied the quick frown that creased Roen’s brows. “Mm, my apologies. I heard of your mother’s passing.â€
“That is why I am here, Miss Delial. Eorzea is where they are stealing the ceruleum from for their explosives, to bring across the border.†Roen’s voice was firm and determined. “We need to stop them here. At the source.†She tried not to think about her grief-stricken father, or the tearful farewell she bid to Julian. But she could not let her mother’s death be without… some kind of purpose. My mother will have a legacy. Even though a part of her knew that her mother would have never wanted her to infiltrate the land she had always been curious about, and plot against the people who she had never thought would be her enemy.
But it was the Ala Mhigan Resistance and their violence that had resulted in her mother’s death, so Roen had come to Eorzea--to this place called Thanalan--to root out and eliminate one of their sects.
“So.†She trained her gaze on the Highlander. “What do I need to know?â€
“Let us start with the names of our targets then, duckling.†Delial curled a cold smile. “Greyarm. Wolfsong. Stomchilde. Get to know them, before we drive daggers into their misguided little hearts.â€
Four years ago.
Roen closed her eyes and concentrated, her hands hovering over a small rock. Her brows furrowed in concentration as she sat still with her legs crossed on giant tree stump, a stubborn and unmoved rock as her only company. She focused her thoughts as well as her breathing, even as she willed the energy of the elements around her to bend to her will--
“That rock looks perfectly content where it’s at,†came a whisper that tickled her left cheek. She felt a hand sliding around her waist. “I don’t think it is going to move for you, Roen. No matter how much you want it to.â€
Roen lifted her hands, peeking at the rock that still sat in front of her. “Grrrr!†she growled, falling back into the man who had snuck himself to a seat behind her, her arms flopping outward for dramatic effect. She wrinkled her nose at the rock, then gave the man a glance over her shoulder. “I think Miss Rae is mistaken. I do not have any aether reserve. I cannot channel this thing called conjury.â€
“The fact that you are even trying to practice an art that belongs to the foreign primitives,†the young man said with a tsk, and shook his head at her. “You know your father would not approve.†His long blonde forelocks fell in front of his scolding hazel eyes.
“Do not chide me, Julian!†Roen spun in her seat, poking the man in the chest twice. “Who was the one that snuck out Miss Rae’s files on conjury in the first place!â€
Julian laughed even as he winced. “Hey, hey! No tickling!†He held up his hands in protest. “I only did that because you were curious! And well…†He scratched his head with a sheepish grin. “It was better than you getting personal lessons from Miss Rae.â€
“She is not that bad.†Roen narrowed her eyes at him. But she could not deny what they both knew: Raelisanne Banurein was a strange and aloof woman. Ever since she had arrived years ago from Ishgard, all mystery and swirling silver hair, she had been an intermittent fixture in her family’s life, working closely with her father. And while Miss Rae's demeanor was polite and ever proper, the woman’s violet eyes always seemed, at best, completely devoid of emotion... and at worst, exceedingly cold.
Julian snorted. “Well I am glad it is not her approval I need to get.†His hand took hers as he offered her a broad smile. “I’m sure I can win your mother over. Your father…?â€
All pretense of reprimand melted away as Roen matched his smile. Color rose to her cheeks. “I am certain he would approve as well. Especially if you wait for mother to return from Ala Mhigo.†She dipped her head slightly, suddenly feeling bashful. “They both know how I feel…†she trailed off, clearing her throat.
“But has he forgotten or forgiven me for sneaking you out of that ball? After all, you were supposed to be presented to all sorts of wealthy, handsome fellows.†He feigned a grand gesture with a wave of his hand, but his voice did not quite succeed in suggesting any kind of remorse. His lips were curled in a roguish grin. She loved that grin. “Or that we then went on a chocobo race, in the rain, and… ruined your dress?â€
Roen shrugged, her modesty dismissed in favor of the delightful memory. “Oh but you said I would not be able to ride as well in that dress.†She flashed him a victorious smile. “As I recall, I proved you wrong!â€
Julian smiled, his gaze upon her turning tender. “You did.†Their eyes met and held each other for a long moment, before he quickly leaned in for a stolen kiss. He immediately leaned back and cleared his throat, eyes looking about the forest as if critters were spying on them.
Roen looked around as well, but it was more of an effort to suppress a smile that she felt was growing far too big for her face. “Well, hopefully when you announce your intentions to my father, we do not have to sneak out and--â€
“Miss Luraes! Miss Luraes!†The shout rang through the woods, quickly followed by the rustling of leaves and bushes behind them. They both hastily pulled back from each other, Julian sliding off the wooden stump to stand back up and Roen absently straightening her braided hair and her riding coat. Soon a man burst forth from the woodline, and Roen recognized him as one of the guards from their home. He wore an expression that bode ill tidings.
“Miss Luraes! You need to come quick.†His words were urgent, his eyes wide with distress.
“What is it, Thomas?†Roen rose to her feet, alarm tensing her muscles.
“It is your mother.†Thomas said, his voice and eyes lowering with sorrow. “There’s been an accident.â€
Almost two years ago.
“You have grown, duckling.â€
Roen eyed the dark-skinned Highlander woman with wary eyes then nodded. When had she seen Delial Grimsong last? Perhaps it was her tenth nameday. She had not laid eyes upon the woman in many years. But her proud and regal poise lingered in her memory.
“Miss Rae said that you had a lead on the Resistance,†she said quietly as she looked about their surroundings. Their voice echoed in the cave just above the Blackbrush station, but their vantage point allowed them to see that no one else was within earshot inside the cave.
“A bit eager, aren’t we?†The Highlander canted her head, and her pale eye narrowed. “You have only been in Eorzea but a moon. Just because Banurein has sent you my way does not mean you hold any authority. I’ve known you since you were a suckling babe at your mother’s teat.†She paused when she spied the quick frown that creased Roen’s brows. “Mm, my apologies. I heard of your mother’s passing.â€
“That is why I am here, Miss Delial. Eorzea is where they are stealing the ceruleum from for their explosives, to bring across the border.†Roen’s voice was firm and determined. “We need to stop them here. At the source.†She tried not to think about her grief-stricken father, or the tearful farewell she bid to Julian. But she could not let her mother’s death be without… some kind of purpose. My mother will have a legacy. Even though a part of her knew that her mother would have never wanted her to infiltrate the land she had always been curious about, and plot against the people who she had never thought would be her enemy.
But it was the Ala Mhigan Resistance and their violence that had resulted in her mother’s death, so Roen had come to Eorzea--to this place called Thanalan--to root out and eliminate one of their sects.
“So.†She trained her gaze on the Highlander. “What do I need to know?â€
“Let us start with the names of our targets then, duckling.†Delial curled a cold smile. “Greyarm. Wolfsong. Stomchilde. Get to know them, before we drive daggers into their misguided little hearts.â€