“Do you think we might encounter brother now that they have relaxed the locks on the city’s gates?†The youngest daughter of seven mused as she tied the lacing of a particularly uncomfortable corset for the evening’s event. Like her younger brother, she had soft features, a dark brown hair she kept pristinely styled and an overly curious voice. “Francette, you don’t have the time to ponder such things again! We cannot be late to the Astrologians’ meetings once again. Please hurry and finish dressing! You know as well as I that our brother ran from the gates at his first opportunity. That he’d even tried to keep in contact after deserting his position in the Dzemael Knights that father had worked so hard to appropriate for him is still a mystery.†The reprimands came from the eldest of the seven daughters in the Kirche family, Eloise. It was an odd coupling that the youngest and oldest daughters were the ones that had developed a sense for Astrology, the other five girls having found various positions in noble offices or on battlefields.
The small Duskwight family had served under the Dzemael household, for centuries, having found they were accepted without malice. “Please Francette, hurry! You know it takes over a bell to reach the Observatorium. Have you finished?†From the end of a hallway in their home, the youngest daughter finally appeared, attempted to move as quickly as she could in the outfit. “It’s...I….I’m nearly ready!†She managed to breathe out as she tried to lace up her left boot. “By the Fury’s wrath, why must we wear all of this?! I can hardly move, let alone have a breath.†She looked to nearly trip as she finished the knot of the lacing. “Because this is the example we must set. Come now, we mustn’t keep the carriage waiting any longer.†As they took their seats, Francette gazed out the window towards the gates to Ishgard, wondering aloud again.
“But...if he did show up, do you think father would even speak to him? It’s been how many years now? Think of all the wonderful tales he could have of life outside the city!†“The two of you really did come out the same, didn’t you?†Eloise sighed slightly as she secretly wondered the same. It had been years since their youngest and only little brother had fled the city to live outside the gates to study the world. “But...I suppose he likely returned to his addiction to studying. You of all should remember how hard it was to get his attention if there any books nearby.†Eloise had to be stern. She was the eldest daughter and soon to be the public face of the family. She simply did not have the time to wonder about Francois and whether he was surviving well on his own. Meanwhile, Francette had found her mind once again racing with various memories of their childhood. The words seem to endless flow from the more outgoing younger sibling. “Oh of course I do! I can still remember the time he’d found the book on Miqo’te names and decided he wanted to be called by one as well! He... ,†she sniffled, tearing up just thinking about it again, “he’ll come back! I just know it! Even the stars have predicted that he’ll return to the city.†Francette tried to silence herself. She knew if she let herself say anymore, she would begin cry and then her makeup would run, and then they surely would be late for the evening’s read of the stars. She quietly uttered a few last words, thinking back on happier times.
“I just really miss him, is all. It’s been years. I still pray each night that Halone deliver him alive and well back home…â€. Her eyes began to sting as some of the makeup got in them. Reaching for a handkerchief she kept in her coat, she lightly dabbed at her eyes to alleviate the pain. “I’m sorry...it’s happening again.†The youngest sister tried her best to not cry while her older sister turned away. Eloise did not know how to handle the situation. She couldn’t handle the sight of her sister crying over the past once again and spoke as calmly as possible. “Please Francette. You promised you would not let your makeup run. Just...make sure you have calmed yourself by the time we arrive.†Eloise took her turn of staring out the window. There was nothing of interest to see in the city, but it was a viable distraction. It was likely going to be a chilly evening as they approached the observatory.
The small Duskwight family had served under the Dzemael household, for centuries, having found they were accepted without malice. “Please Francette, hurry! You know it takes over a bell to reach the Observatorium. Have you finished?†From the end of a hallway in their home, the youngest daughter finally appeared, attempted to move as quickly as she could in the outfit. “It’s...I….I’m nearly ready!†She managed to breathe out as she tried to lace up her left boot. “By the Fury’s wrath, why must we wear all of this?! I can hardly move, let alone have a breath.†She looked to nearly trip as she finished the knot of the lacing. “Because this is the example we must set. Come now, we mustn’t keep the carriage waiting any longer.†As they took their seats, Francette gazed out the window towards the gates to Ishgard, wondering aloud again.
“But...if he did show up, do you think father would even speak to him? It’s been how many years now? Think of all the wonderful tales he could have of life outside the city!†“The two of you really did come out the same, didn’t you?†Eloise sighed slightly as she secretly wondered the same. It had been years since their youngest and only little brother had fled the city to live outside the gates to study the world. “But...I suppose he likely returned to his addiction to studying. You of all should remember how hard it was to get his attention if there any books nearby.†Eloise had to be stern. She was the eldest daughter and soon to be the public face of the family. She simply did not have the time to wonder about Francois and whether he was surviving well on his own. Meanwhile, Francette had found her mind once again racing with various memories of their childhood. The words seem to endless flow from the more outgoing younger sibling. “Oh of course I do! I can still remember the time he’d found the book on Miqo’te names and decided he wanted to be called by one as well! He... ,†she sniffled, tearing up just thinking about it again, “he’ll come back! I just know it! Even the stars have predicted that he’ll return to the city.†Francette tried to silence herself. She knew if she let herself say anymore, she would begin cry and then her makeup would run, and then they surely would be late for the evening’s read of the stars. She quietly uttered a few last words, thinking back on happier times.
“I just really miss him, is all. It’s been years. I still pray each night that Halone deliver him alive and well back home…â€. Her eyes began to sting as some of the makeup got in them. Reaching for a handkerchief she kept in her coat, she lightly dabbed at her eyes to alleviate the pain. “I’m sorry...it’s happening again.†The youngest sister tried her best to not cry while her older sister turned away. Eloise did not know how to handle the situation. She couldn’t handle the sight of her sister crying over the past once again and spoke as calmly as possible. “Please Francette. You promised you would not let your makeup run. Just...make sure you have calmed yourself by the time we arrive.†Eloise took her turn of staring out the window. There was nothing of interest to see in the city, but it was a viable distraction. It was likely going to be a chilly evening as they approached the observatory.
