(Sorry for the hiatus, holiday and work! Hoping to get a bit back on track now! ^_^)
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Riven pulled her cloak even tighter around her, nerves fluttering in her stomach. This was the time of year that night fell early, and already the city bells were chiming the hour. Normally by this time she wassafely in the housing area for the bulk of Ishgard’s military, including the dragoons-but she’d run behind while ordering feed for Swiftsure and Lainey at the chocobo stables. The thought had crossed her mind that she should have gone to the Forgotten Knight and ordered one of their large meals there to bring home, but instead Riven had thought she’d had enough time to go shopping at the Croizer…
Idiot. Idiot, idiot,idiot! Her boots clicked against the stone as she took one of the great staircases down from the Pillars, noting the few clergy that were hurrying upwards, towards safety. Ever since the fires, it had become unsafe for outsiders and clergy to be out at night in both Foundation and the Brume. Riven had done her best to curtail her nighttime wanderings-if the sixth bell saw her safely in Vahn’s house, preparing dinner and settling down to a night of reading or drawing. If she was at the Free Company's headquarters that she and Vahn both were a part of and wanted to return to Ishgard, she waited until the morning. As she stepped down into Foundation proper, Riven noted that the exodus was a bit more in force down here. People were either hurrying towards the gate, the aethercite, the chocobo stables, the steps leading up to the Pillars, or even to the Forgotten Knight’s plaza.
What is it that they say? Walk as if you are thinking of committing a murder. But Riven wasn’t too sure if she was broadcasting that with her body language-how did one walk as if they were going to kill someone?  Shouting jolted the small brunette from her thoughts, and she turned her head. A priest was trying to get away from three raggedy-looking men, and a small crowd was starting to form around them. Almost automatically Riven’s footsteps slowed;maybe there was a way she could help…
“Do not!â€Â Before Riven could say anything, an arm hooked around her waist, propelling her forward. Reinhardt’s young face was grim, his right hand gripping his lance as if expecting to be attacked at any moment.
“Reinhardt!â€Â Riven exclaimed. “What are you doing here?â€
“Off duty and praising Halone I came here to see if you had passed by. You are normally home by this time!â€Â Reinhardt guided Riven towards another set of steps just past the aethercite.
“I ran behind at the chocobo stables.â€Â Behind them the yelling grew louder, and Riven bit her lip. “I thought I had enough wriggle room to get dinner-things tonight.â€
“Then you should have called for me!â€Â Reinhardt shot a glare towards a shifty-looking elezen who was eyeing Riven. Thankfully the gates of the housing district were just ahead-and even luckier, they were still open to allow stragglers in. The moment they were on the other side,Reinhardt sighed in relief and dropped his arm. Riven paused, sagging as tension fled her body.
“Gods! It cannot continue to be this troublesome every night!â€Â She exclaimed.
“I’m grateful I am not on lower patrol duty.â€Â Reinhardt muttered. He shot a glance at the now-closing gates. “Come on, Miss Riven. You should be inside, not outside.â€
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Riven pulled her cloak even tighter around her, nerves fluttering in her stomach. This was the time of year that night fell early, and already the city bells were chiming the hour. Normally by this time she wassafely in the housing area for the bulk of Ishgard’s military, including the dragoons-but she’d run behind while ordering feed for Swiftsure and Lainey at the chocobo stables. The thought had crossed her mind that she should have gone to the Forgotten Knight and ordered one of their large meals there to bring home, but instead Riven had thought she’d had enough time to go shopping at the Croizer…
Idiot. Idiot, idiot,idiot! Her boots clicked against the stone as she took one of the great staircases down from the Pillars, noting the few clergy that were hurrying upwards, towards safety. Ever since the fires, it had become unsafe for outsiders and clergy to be out at night in both Foundation and the Brume. Riven had done her best to curtail her nighttime wanderings-if the sixth bell saw her safely in Vahn’s house, preparing dinner and settling down to a night of reading or drawing. If she was at the Free Company's headquarters that she and Vahn both were a part of and wanted to return to Ishgard, she waited until the morning. As she stepped down into Foundation proper, Riven noted that the exodus was a bit more in force down here. People were either hurrying towards the gate, the aethercite, the chocobo stables, the steps leading up to the Pillars, or even to the Forgotten Knight’s plaza.
What is it that they say? Walk as if you are thinking of committing a murder. But Riven wasn’t too sure if she was broadcasting that with her body language-how did one walk as if they were going to kill someone?  Shouting jolted the small brunette from her thoughts, and she turned her head. A priest was trying to get away from three raggedy-looking men, and a small crowd was starting to form around them. Almost automatically Riven’s footsteps slowed;maybe there was a way she could help…
“Do not!â€Â Before Riven could say anything, an arm hooked around her waist, propelling her forward. Reinhardt’s young face was grim, his right hand gripping his lance as if expecting to be attacked at any moment.
“Reinhardt!â€Â Riven exclaimed. “What are you doing here?â€
“Off duty and praising Halone I came here to see if you had passed by. You are normally home by this time!â€Â Reinhardt guided Riven towards another set of steps just past the aethercite.
“I ran behind at the chocobo stables.â€Â Behind them the yelling grew louder, and Riven bit her lip. “I thought I had enough wriggle room to get dinner-things tonight.â€
“Then you should have called for me!â€Â Reinhardt shot a glare towards a shifty-looking elezen who was eyeing Riven. Thankfully the gates of the housing district were just ahead-and even luckier, they were still open to allow stragglers in. The moment they were on the other side,Reinhardt sighed in relief and dropped his arm. Riven paused, sagging as tension fled her body.
“Gods! It cannot continue to be this troublesome every night!â€Â She exclaimed.
“I’m grateful I am not on lower patrol duty.â€Â Reinhardt muttered. He shot a glance at the now-closing gates. “Come on, Miss Riven. You should be inside, not outside.â€
