"I'm not much of a storyteller, though I always enjoyed reading them in books." Ampere said in response to Lazulle's suggestion as he and the Miqo'te sat back down. "In fact, I'm sure during lessons we can use novels to help your literacy, Elle, and then we can both benefit. It has been...a long time since I've read something for the sake of enjoyment."
Maybe it was the alcohol that had found its way into his blood, or the melodic lull of the singing tavern dwellers, or the flickering flame of the dim lantern at the center of their table, but the lancer suddenly felt a nostalgic image emerge to his mind.
"What is this?" A tall, raven-haired woman asked in an even, but edged voice.
"Give it back." A small boy hissed back, trying his best to look defiant through red-rimmed eyes.
"This is how you'd spend your time, rather than training? Fairy tales. Frivolous stories." She grimaced as she flung a leather-bound book into the flames of a nearby fireplace. "You hide away in these little fantasies because you are weak. You've always been weak."
"That wasn't mine! I borrowed it from the library, it can't be replaced!" The child shouted in rage and horror as tears ran hot against his face.
"Good." The woman murmured as her cold eyes reflected the rising embers of the fire. "They likely won't lend you anymore after this, then."
Ampere's left eye twitched as he tried to shake away the scene from his mind. Tilting his head back and pressing his mug to his lips, the Duskwight then took several healthy gulps. He silently hoped that the alcohol could help subdue his thoughts, but it seemed to have the rather undesirable side-effect of making him far more talkative.
"A story...I have one." The Elezen spoke gradually as his large hat dipped further down over his face. "...There was once a thaumaturge who was trying to further hone his craft in the city of Ul'dah. He wasn't particularly good at magic or casting spells, but he seemed to be against utilizing other methods of combat."Â
The lancer paused to take another swig of his drink, no longer aware of how much it was loosening his lips.
"He met a group of orphans who helped him despite his own ineptitude. Why the children took pity on an adult stranger, he would never understand. And even though he was greater in years, they were far smarter and taught him much about how to survive in the cruel streets of the city." Ampere's eyes seemed to fade in color as he continued his tale.
"The thaumaturge promised to repay the children, to help them find a real home and make honest livings. But soon he had to leave to take part in a great battle between two warring armies, to protect the future home the orphans had not yet found." The male Duskwight recalled as he watched a waitress give both Lazulle and himself fresh mugs to drink from.
"He did eventually manage to return. But by then, most of the children had already died. Only one remained, but she did not recognize the thaumaturge at all." Ampere stopped his story to take a long sip from his newly obtained beverage.Â
As he gulped the brew down, the lancer made a surprising movement and actually took off his hat, turning it over in his hands as his eyes roamed over its surface.
"...Of course she didn't, how could she? After all, she was a grown woman by then...while he had not aged a single day." His last few words were barely above a whisper, and the pale Elezen's eyes were downcast as he placed the hat back above his head. It appeared his story was complete.
"That was...just a tale I heard, once. My apologies if it went on a bit long." Ampere said quickly as he took another drink from his mug before setting it on the table with a hollow thud. "Anyone else feel like sharing?"
Maybe it was the alcohol that had found its way into his blood, or the melodic lull of the singing tavern dwellers, or the flickering flame of the dim lantern at the center of their table, but the lancer suddenly felt a nostalgic image emerge to his mind.
"What is this?" A tall, raven-haired woman asked in an even, but edged voice.
"Give it back." A small boy hissed back, trying his best to look defiant through red-rimmed eyes.
"This is how you'd spend your time, rather than training? Fairy tales. Frivolous stories." She grimaced as she flung a leather-bound book into the flames of a nearby fireplace. "You hide away in these little fantasies because you are weak. You've always been weak."
"That wasn't mine! I borrowed it from the library, it can't be replaced!" The child shouted in rage and horror as tears ran hot against his face.
"Good." The woman murmured as her cold eyes reflected the rising embers of the fire. "They likely won't lend you anymore after this, then."
Ampere's left eye twitched as he tried to shake away the scene from his mind. Tilting his head back and pressing his mug to his lips, the Duskwight then took several healthy gulps. He silently hoped that the alcohol could help subdue his thoughts, but it seemed to have the rather undesirable side-effect of making him far more talkative.
"A story...I have one." The Elezen spoke gradually as his large hat dipped further down over his face. "...There was once a thaumaturge who was trying to further hone his craft in the city of Ul'dah. He wasn't particularly good at magic or casting spells, but he seemed to be against utilizing other methods of combat."Â
The lancer paused to take another swig of his drink, no longer aware of how much it was loosening his lips.
"He met a group of orphans who helped him despite his own ineptitude. Why the children took pity on an adult stranger, he would never understand. And even though he was greater in years, they were far smarter and taught him much about how to survive in the cruel streets of the city." Ampere's eyes seemed to fade in color as he continued his tale.
"The thaumaturge promised to repay the children, to help them find a real home and make honest livings. But soon he had to leave to take part in a great battle between two warring armies, to protect the future home the orphans had not yet found." The male Duskwight recalled as he watched a waitress give both Lazulle and himself fresh mugs to drink from.
"He did eventually manage to return. But by then, most of the children had already died. Only one remained, but she did not recognize the thaumaturge at all." Ampere stopped his story to take a long sip from his newly obtained beverage.Â
As he gulped the brew down, the lancer made a surprising movement and actually took off his hat, turning it over in his hands as his eyes roamed over its surface.
"...Of course she didn't, how could she? After all, she was a grown woman by then...while he had not aged a single day." His last few words were barely above a whisper, and the pale Elezen's eyes were downcast as he placed the hat back above his head. It appeared his story was complete.
"That was...just a tale I heard, once. My apologies if it went on a bit long." Ampere said quickly as he took another drink from his mug before setting it on the table with a hollow thud. "Anyone else feel like sharing?"
