Rhianna

(From Sunday, June 7th) Rhi started rifling through Alexander's books and notes, reading and researching. Nothing about PACMan remained, but there was still some earlier research. Hours passed. Noon came with a knock at the door. "Busy," she responded without bothering to look up. "Mistress, I'm sorry to bother you, but a message has arrived and I also have your lunch," came the concerned voice of one of their servants from the other side of the door. "Message?" Rhi rose to her feet and opened the door. "Yes, ma'am. Just arrived as we were making your lunch." The young woman holding the tray cautiously curtsied. The hearty aromas of aldgoat stew and freshly baked bread filled the doorway. Rhi's stomach clenched in protest and sent a warning shot of burning bile edging up her esophagus. She took a slice of bread and the message and waved the tray away. "Crush up some fennel seed and make a tea of it. Keep it coming. No sweetener. Just..." she looked around the room, "just keep it coming and set it on the chair over there." "Yes, ma'am," the young woman nodded as she turned away, concern creasing her brow. Their Master was missing and their Mistress was stressed and ill and there was nothing they could do to help. She was tempted to try to get word to Ceilia, but she'd been given strict orders to not contact anyone unless something happened to Rhianna. As the door closed behind the servant, Rhianna returned to Alexander's desk and opened the letter. "Excellent." The Dancer was on the job; she leaned back in the chair, holding the letter in her hand. A single word and the entire sheet burst into flame, then disintegrated into ash. She brushed her hand along her pants then turned back to her research, the slice of bread forgotten on the desk. The servant returned sometime later, unheard by her Mistress. The young woman entered timidly and placed the tray on the chair as she had been directed. She hesitated, then poured Rhianna a cup of tea and set it gently on a clear patch of the desk. The motion caught Rhi's eye and she looked up. "Ah, thank you, Ellisande." "Of course, Mistress." She then motioned to the now-stale slice of bread. "Would you like some fresh bread, Mistress?" Rhianna shook her head. "No, thank you. No sense in wasting it. I'll have a bite when my stomach has settled." "As you wish, Mistress. Shall I check on your tea in an hour?" The questions, while Rhi understood they were necessary, were grating; she had work to do. She nodded irritably. "Yes, yes. Just refill when it's empty. I'll ask for dinner when I desire it." "Yes, ma'am, sorry ma'am," she bowed repeatedly, quite contrite. Rhianna waved her away, already engrossed in aetherial diagrams and absentmindedly sipping her fennel tea.

The clock ticked relentlessly as Rhianna lay staring up at the ceiling in the dark room. Tick... You're still awake. Tock... How mad has he gone? Tick... Morning's far off. Tock... He'll be further by dawn. Tick... You should be preparing. Tock... You've just been his pawn. She grabbed the pillow, wrapping it over her ears and rolled over onto her stomach. It gurgled queasily. She swallowed bile and briefly wondered if she was getting that ulcer she'd always told him he'd give her. Growling, she sat up and swung her feet over the side of the bed as she threw the pillow back down onto it. A snap of her fingers and a small flame flickered to life in a lantern, lighting the still-unfamiliar room. She was still at the Bastard's Honor; she'd promised Menelwen she'd stay the night, but she was restless, unable to sleep, and none of the tomes or scrolls she desired were there. She wanted to find something. An answer, a cure, but for now this room of comforts felt little more than a cage. She rose, pacing, glancing at the clock that continued to mock her. Two thirty-three. 'That can't be right. I've been here longer than that, surely.' She moved to the window and peered out. The stars twinkled brightly in the black velvet sky; there was no sign of the dawn. Would that she could conjure the sun. Her feet padded softly as she resumed pacing. Perhaps something to aid her sleep? But what? Nothing too harsh. Her stomach twisted again, bile rising. A tea or warm milk? Her stomach churned in response. 'Tea it is.' Putting on her robe, Rhi took the lantern and slipped quietly out to the kitchen. The Honor was quiet save for a couple of giggling voices that could be heard coming from one of the rooms. 'Sounds like someone's having fun,' she thought as she continued past. Menelwen's kitchen was, thankfully, well-stocked. Only a few minutes rummaging through the cupboards rewarded her with some chamomile and peppermint. A tea cup, some water, and a little thaumaturgy to heat it and... tea! She settled into a chair at the table, sipping her tea slowly as she stared into the lantern's flame, her mind wandering. The tick-tock of the kitchen clock grew fainter as she lost herself. It was sometime later she roused herself, realizing her tea was gone. Forty minutes had passed and sleep tugged at her. She rinsed out her cup, placed it in the sink, then headed back to her room. This time the giggling room was silent as she passed by and only her own quiet passing was to be heard. Entering her room, she carefully shut the door behind her. Her robe she shrugged off the carefully folded, placing it with her things. With a flick of her fingers, the lantern extinguished as she crawled back into bed. Sleep came more easily this time and with it dreams. The puzzle pieces she had been straining to put together snapped into place. Rhi awoke hours later, the sun skirting the curtains to brighten the room. She packed her things and penned a quick message to Menelwen thanking her for her hospitality and letting her know where to find her. She then returned home, to Gridania, and locked herself in Alexander's office. There was much work to be done...

To Limsa, she decided. From there she hoped to get in touch with two of her contacts. She led her chocobo, Aetherwind, from the Honor's stables. She ran her fingers along the bird's neck before slipping her boot into a stirrup and mounting. "Come on, Aether. Give me all you've got," she whispered, then tapped him with her heels. He surged forward, charging through the streets of Mist, then into the meadows of Lower La Noscea. His breath sounded of a smith's bellows, fast and steady, matching the hard beat of his stride. Riding low in the saddle, Rhianna ran her fingers along his neck again, whispering softly as she channeled aether into him, reducing the strain on his body as he ran flat out towards Limsa. By the time they arrived at the gates, he was winded but not spent. Rhi slid out of the saddle and handed his reins over to the stable attendant. "Walk him," she said, tossing the stablegirl a few coins as she strode into the city. As she made her way to The Drowning Wench, she could already hear business was booming; the crowd was spilling out of the tavern and into the surrounding walkways. Above the roar of conversation and laughter she could hear the strains of a lady minstrel's song: "Away away my lover has gone~ Across the sea and far beyond~ There to find his fortune and gold~ Fighting fearsome enemies bold." Rhi shouldered her way through the crowd, pushing towards the innkeeper. She gave him a nod in greeting as she finally made it to his desk. "Have you a couple of pieces of parchment, a candle, and a quill to spare?" "Sure enough, lass," Mytesyn responded, reaching under his desk. "Here you are." He slid them over to her. Coins clinked lightly on the desktop, barely audible over the din of the tavern, as she paid him for his kindness. "Thank you." She moved aside to give other patrons access and claimed a small corner of his desk to begin her work. "My love, he was a poor boy born~ War from him his family torn~ Wanted us together to be~ Desired riches before he took knee." She penned the first to the Dancer: The second she penned to Raniall Lightstone: "Away away my lover has gone~ Across the sea and far beyond~ There to find his fortune and gold~ Fighting fearsome enemies bold." Carefully she folded each, sealed them with wax, and returned to the innkeep. "Please have this delivered to Sergeant Raniall Lightstone of the Immortal Flames in Ul'dah. It is urgent." Mytesyn nodded, taking the letter, as well as the additional coin she offered. "As you wish, ma'am." "Thank you." She replied, turning towards the bar. "He found his treasure; he found his prize~ And in Leviathan's grip he died.~ Broken my hopes and scattered my dreams~ Oh how my heart aches, for vengeance it screams!" She caught sight of Baderon; the barkeep looked to be in the weeds, running ragged to keep up with demand for food and ale, but he seemed to be taking it all in stride, joking with his customers as he handed over their libations. Rhi awaited her turn and when he finally turned to her, she greeted him with a smile. "Baderon! I just want to pay the Dancer's tab and buy her a round." She motioned towards the shelf where he kept the regulars' mugs neatly arrayed, top-side down. "Certainly! She will be happy to hear of it," he smiled, taking the pouch of coin and the letter. He went over to a mug on the wall, flipped it right-side up, and placed the items within. When he returned, Rhianna had already gone. "Away away will I be gone~ Across the sea and far beyond~ There to find my fortune and gold~ And avenge my lover from seas dark and cold." The minstrel's tune wound down, fading beneath the waves of the crowd as Rhianna made her way back out into the night.

To Limsa, she decided. From there she hoped to get in touch with two of her contacts. She led her chocobo, Aetherwind, from the Honor's stables. She ran her fingers along the bird's neck before slipping her boot into a stirrup and mounting. "Come on, Aether. Give me all you've got," she whispered, then tapped him with her heels. He surged forward, charging through the streets of Mist, then into the meadows of Lower La Noscea. His breath sounded of a smith's bellows, fast and steady, matching the hard beat of his stride. Riding low in the saddle, Rhianna ran her fingers along his neck again, whispering softly as she channeled aether into him, reducing the strain on his body as he ran flat out towards Limsa. By the time they arrived at the gates, he was winded but not spent. Rhi slid out of the saddle and handed his reins over to the stable attendant. "Walk him," she said, tossing the stablegirl a few coins as she strode into the city. As she made her way to The Drowning Wench, she could already hear business was booming; the crowd was spilling out of the tavern and into the surrounding walkways. Above the roar of conversation and laughter she could hear the strains of a lady minstrel's song: "Away away my lover has gone~ Across the sea and far beyond~ There to find his fortune and gold~ Fighting fearsome enemies bold." Rhi shouldered her way through the crowd, pushing towards the innkeeper. She gave him a nod in greeting as she finally made it to his desk. "Have you a couple of pieces of parchment, a candle, and a quill to spare?" "Sure enough, lass," Mytesyn responded, reaching under his desk. "Here you are." He slid them over to her. Coins clinked lightly on the desktop, barely audible over the din of the tavern, as she paid him for his kindness. "Thank you." She moved aside to give other patrons access and claimed a small corner of his desk to begin her work. "My love, he was a poor boy born~ War from him his family torn~ Wanted us together to be~ Desired riches before he took knee." She penned the first to the Dancer: The second she penned to Raniall Lightstone: "Away away my lover has gone~ Across the sea and far beyond~ There to find his fortune and gold~ Fighting fearsome enemies bold." Carefully she folded each, sealed them with wax, and returned to the innkeep. "Please have this delivered to Sergeant Raniall Lightstone of the Immortal Flames in Ul'dah. It is urgent." Mytesyn nodded, taking the letter, as well as the additional coin she offered. "As you wish, ma'am." "Thank you." She replied, turning towards the bar. "He found his treasure; he found his prize~ And in Leviathan's grip he died.~ Broken my hopes and scattered my dreams~ Oh how my heart aches, for vengeance it screams!" She caught sight of Baderon; the barkeep looked to be in the weeds, running ragged to keep up with demand for food and ale, but he seemed to be taking it all in stride, joking with his customers as he handed over their libations. Rhi awaited her turn and when he finally turned to her, she greeted him with a smile. "Baderon! I just want to pay the Dancer's tab and buy her a round." She motioned towards the shelf where he kept the regulars' mugs neatly arrayed, top-side down. "Certainly! She will be happy to hear of it," he smiled, taking the pouch of coin and the letter. He went over to a mug on the wall, flipped it right-side up, and placed the items within. When he returned, Rhianna had already gone. "Away away will I be gone~ Across the sea and far beyond~ There to find my fortune and gold~ And avenge my lover from seas dark and cold." The minstrel's tune wound down, fading beneath the waves of the crowd as Rhianna made her way back out into the night.

(From Saturday, June 6th) The warm evening air welcomed Rhianna as she stepped out of the Bastard's Honor. Pinpricks of light, the first stars of evening, shimmered in the edges of her vision, barely visible. Her eyes passed blindly over them, the cogs of her mind whirring, thoughts racing as she planned her next moves. Two men had already lost their minds and, at this rate, she felt she wouldn't be far behind. Work on the Primal Aether Collection Manifold, or PACMan, had completed earlier that week and after many long-houred days, Alexander had finally granted her two weeks respite. She hadn't been two days at the Bastard's Honor when the news came of Captain Dogberry's rallying cry for mercenaries to fillet Leviathan again, and THIS time he had a new weapon. She knew Alexander had to be involved in it, but her attempts to contact him were in vain. Despite the knot in her stomach, she'd hoped he was simply lost in research again. If only she were that lucky... They'd met up with with the "good" Captain at his ship; he was bearing a spear that had a brilliantly glowing gem embedded in it. It was materia unlike any she'd seen outside of Alexander's notes and research; she was certain it was his. Where was he? Why did she know nothing of this weapon's forging? Foreboding had weighed heavily within her as they were escorted by two Maelstrom ships to where they would challenge Leviathan. The great aether-beast met them on the roiling waves. He coiled around their vessel, causing it to rock dangerously in the water. Massive waves splashed across the deck, mixing with blood, giving the sea foam a pink tint as it washed down the ship's sides. Bones and timbers cracked, fangs snapped, weapons scraped across his shimmering scales and aether burst in fiery explosions as the combat raged on. The beast was weakened, then Captain Dogberry cried out and plunged the spear into Leviathan's heart. The battle was won, but only just. They had little time to catch their breath and tend the wounded before Dogberry was proclaiming himself the new "Lord of the Whorl" and slew the Maelstrom's emissary sent with them into battle. Even as the group of mercenaries attempted to subdue him, the crazed captain had then called upon his crew to fire upon the Maelstrom's ships. As the Maelstrom gathered their wits and returned fire, the mercenaries managed to subdue the captain and his crew, but not without injuries being sustained on all sides. Much to Rhianna's dismay, Menelwen was among those wounded, but she had no time to deal with it; all their lives were at stake. Rhianna removed her own shirt and began frantically signalling their surrender to prevent the ship and all aboard being sent to the bottom of the dark, cold sea. Their surrender was accepted, the Syldra's Revenge was boarded, and all aboard were taken into custody. Their interrogation began aboard the Maelstrom ship as Captain Dogberry's ship slipped beneath the waves. Even in chains, Dogberry continued ranting, reaching for his spear. Rhi finally took it, and drawing from her memory of Alexander's notes, shattered the glowing gem attached to it. Already exhausted from the fight with Leviathan, the effort sapped what little energy she had left, but the primal aether within the gem dissipated and, with it, Dogberry's mind seemed to be restored. With that, they were all sent to the brig; Captain Dogberry and a man named Vash, who claimed to be his First Mate, were in chains. With the assistance of Blake, another medic, they'd managed to patch up Menelwen as Dogberry spilled the information about working with Alexander. Rage filled her, fueling her, giving her a second wind, and by the time they reached port, she was ready to blow out the side of the ship to go find Alexander. As luck would have it, only Dogberry and Vash were deemed threats and retained; the rest were released. Rhi left for Gridania immediately to find Alexander. Upon reaching her home, she found her servants frantic. Alexander had not been home in several days. Worry and anger warred within her as she headed to his office to look for clues. When the door opened, she could do little more than stand, gaping at the sight. It was a wreck, even for Alexander. The machine they had toiled on day and night for weeks was a near-unrecognizable mess; pieces were missing and others damaged well beyond repair. His notes, all of his notes on the project were incinerated. All, except for a few pages resting on his desk that radiated a slight aetheric signature, warding them from the fate of their fellows. Rhi grabbed them and started to read. They mentioned a secret project, one he had been working on alongside the PACMan. Using Primal aether, Alexander had been creating a new type of materia; "magicite", he called it. She remembered helping him with some of the early research and theoretical calculations, but she had never realized he had taken it to completion. The containment of Primal aether had a whole new set of problems, but to condense it? He hadn't accounted for all the problems... She read through his notes. It was clear his mental faculties were degrading, his behavior growing erratic. He wished to protect people from the "unworthy"? A slippery slope. Finally, the words at the end; "Rhianna...stop us." They pulled at her heart; Alexander was in danger and was counting on her. And yet... the idiot knew he was losing his mind. Why didn't he contact her? Destroy the magicite? Something? At least he had destroyed the collection machine before disappearing into the wilds of Gridania. Frantically, Rhianna had returned to the Bastard's Honor to inform Menelwen and the others. They'd discussed. They would plan. They would hunt for him. But for now, they had to prepare. Rhianna had preparations of her own to make, people she needed to contact. And so she stepped out into the warm evening air and started to plan.

Yes. A lot of the stuff we take for granted in the contemporary world did not exist back then, that being a permanent bureaucracy. We might expect a place like Garlemald to have it, but as for the other countries, I doubt there is anything of the sort. For RP purposes I've assumed there's a city-hall type of place, at least in Ul'dah, where taxes are collected and licenses are handed out and all that. They seem the type to also enjoy a little bureaucracy and making money. It's the perfect place for bribes, too! Limsa has the Arcanist's guild where merchant and I'd assume tax records on said goods is kept.

LOL That's awesome, Dog! I'd love to bring, Rhi, too, more as an observer. We'll have to see how our timeline goes. In the foreseeable future she'll be too busy chasing Alexander with her Legendary Cast Iron Frying Pan of Feminine Wrath and trying to cave in his cermet-like skull thanks to his "poor life choices" to be worrying about much else.

We were there for Dogberry's birthday? I thought we were just there to watch people get eaten by Nixes. DARNIT! I know a bit of your birthday history, Dog, and we were happy to show up. Sorry our internet was being a pita. We did have a blast and look forward to next year's. MUWAHAHAHA!

Hey C'lai! This was kind of a one-off event that was part of a plot Alexander and Dogberry have been working on for quite a while. I've been wanting to set up my own expedition into BCOB, but Rhi's likely not going to have time for it soon due to her ties to Alexander's own story. Sometimes it sucks being the assistant of a megalomaniacal, demanding, possessive workaholic; Rhi rarely gets time to herself for her own stories. lol

All aboard the Menanna! We like mangos and bananas! Give us some tea And alcohol, please! And don't disturb the cabana!

Wherever you're shipping them to better be a nice, private tropical island with plenty sun, alcohol, and cabana boys and girls to serve them because they're going to be too tired to serve themselves.

Good!~ Rhi would be quite upset if anything happened to Mene.

Following up on Dogberry's post, story aside, running end-game level content in as an RP event is tricky. (And yes, I still consider BCOB end-game.) You need decently skilled players to be able to participate. If people don't know their classes or mechanics or aren't willing to take instruction and learn, then things can hit a wall and get extremely frustrating for all involved. Ideally RP events shouldn't be "learning" or "clear parties". That said, if there's a capable player who knows their class, but needs the clear on a simpler fight, I have no problem giving them a shot at it. However, players who aren't familiar with their class or roles on simple fights or harder will have to wait til AFTER RP, as I consider it unfair to ask 7 people who came to RP to carry someone or expect to wipe multiple times. We ran into that problem on Saturday. We had someone who didn't know their role or the fights, and not only that, did not listen or wait for instruction. In BCOB 1-4 you can still bungle through. With difficulty, but it can still be done. One person like that in SCOB or FCOB (Or Ultima HM) will spell disaster. One person can wipe the entire group and I absolutely refuse to subject people coming to an RP event to a "learning party" unless it's explicitly stated as such. All that said, I have no problem helping someone clear content once the RP's over if I'm available and if if they're polite, patient, and obviously trying. If they're rude and feeling entitled to a carry and not trying to learn their role or the fight, then they're on their own. Attitude is everything. Also, this is for one, unnamed person in particular (and anyone else who might think this behavior is a good idea)- If you're coming to a "content" RP event where it was already stated that "we'll run multiple times if we have a lot of people", then don't pitch a hissy fit when you're swapped out to get other people who haven't participated AT ALL, yet, in. The bitchfest we got when we politely asked you to step out so someone else could participate wasn't cool. Nor was the fact that you clearly weren't listening to experienced players who were trying to help you in the instances you hadn't cleared, which was all of them. If you're going to bitch at others, think only of yourself, and waste peoples' time because you refuse to think you have anything to learn from anyone, then you will find yourself being excluded from events (not just ours). Yes, I'm a big meanie-head (and probably worse). I know; you don't need to say it. Everyone else- You were awesome. Great attitudes, players, and RPers. I look forward to playing with you in the future.

Thank you for coming; We hope you had fun! Adventures were had And treasures were won! Alexander was pleased, Cackling, and giddy, And Captain Dogberry Earned his tree fiddy. Rhianna and Menelwyn Are now looking glum So much work to be done And not enough rum! You all made it possible, This story today. We hope you'll join us again For our next little foray!

Wait... Tom has a brother? I thought he was an only child? And where can this guinea pi- ...er... brother be found?

I'm capable on Heals, DPS, or Tank, but, as we've done before, we can be there ICly on one job while actually (oocly) being on another job to balance the party. Rhi's a medic, though I may wind up tanking or DPSing. She'll still be there IC as a medic. Just ignore her armor and shield... or her fireballs. RP's just a big game of pretend, anyway.

We'll go over things oocly, but, as Alexander said, with current ilevels and with Echo, we should be fine. A few hiccups will be expected for those who need to learn the fights. It's not like we're hitting T5.

((Raniall used with permission.)) Ceilia's earlierst memories were not of family or toys; of those she had none. No, they were studies in magic and healing. From the moment she woke up her day began. She had her chores which taught her to care for herself and how to be a good, obedient wife some day and she had her medical lessons, building on her natural healing skills. Mistakes were not tolerated. Failure at her lessons meant beatings. She had to be better than competent; she had to be perfect. Nothing less was tolerated. This failure today... failure on a subject she had been drilled on. Failing to take action that would have been required to save a man's life... it would have meant her execution. The sandy gravel crunched under her feet as she strode onward, as aimless as her thoughts. The waters of her mind churned as thoughts, like spooked fish, flitted in and out of the shadows. 'I have failed. I am a healer and I have failed to safeguard a man's life. This is what I was trained for... My entire life has been spent tending to others, healing them. If I cannot recognize a man in need of medical attention then... then what good am I? What is left for me to do? What is my purpose? Where do I belong?' Her eye, starting to well with tears again, swept across the black horizon. Suddenly, her surroundings seemed alien and strange to her. Her birthplace, so far away, was no home. And Ul'dah, once growing comfortable, now strange and threatening with the recent upheaval. Her current "family", such as it was, had left for Miss Oruissi's house in Gridania, but was that even home? The Master was little better than those who raised her and Miss Oruissi partnered with him. As for Gridania itself, she wasn't sure she could face the green boughs and conjurers of Gridania again after her recent failure as a healer. Kind as they were, she was not one of them, either. And what of her love? She came to a halt as her thoughts crossed over him and guilt surged anew. In her distress, she'd left him where he'd fallen asleep, exhausted from his fights, surrounded by those still lingering after the tourney. 'Oh no! I have left him there! Idiot! Imbecile! You are useless! You are supposed to protect him and you are worthless as a healer and now as a lover. You have gone and left him alone! You idiot! You are no good to anyone!' Her stomach twisted as the voices of the past came back, mocking her as she berated herself. She stood, swaying, indecisive a long moment. To continue on, lost? To collapse here and cry, giving in to the weight of her loss? Or, return to her duties and perform them until she could be relieved of them? '...I cannot leave him alone. If I walk away, I have completely failed him. If I stay, then at least it is something until I can find someone better to take my place.' Shivering, she turned then, and made her way across the alien landscape, back to where she'd left him. It was with relief that she saw he was still there, by the camp just outside of Ul'dah, blissfully snoring beneath the tree he'd fallen asleep under. Quietly she slipped over to him, kneeling on the ground beside him. "Rani... Rani wake up." Her fingers lightly brushed his cheek. Her only response was his gentle snore. Of course, it would take a herd of buffalo stampeding across his head to wake him. He was a soldier, though, and she knew one way to get a soldier's attention. She moved a little away from him to give him room. "Sergeant Lightstone." "Yessir!" Raniall sat up abruptly, peering around into the gloom with bleary eyes. "Rani, it's me. You've fallen asleep," she said softly. "We need to get you to bed." "Oh..? Right... right. What time is it?" He stood up groggily, only half awake. "Near morning. You should get back to the barracks." He took a moment, ensuring his armor and weapon were still with him, then squinting, bleary-eyed into the darkness, his blue eyes briefly passing over the campfire at the encampment. With a grunt, he nodded, then took her hand, leading her back towards the city. "You enjoy yourself today?" he asked, making casual conversation. "Mhm." She softly vocalized, nodding as she watched her footing. Raniall stretched his arms out, the leather in his armor creaking. "Good." He looked towards her, grinning. "I'm glad. I think I might do it again." She merely nodded, continuing to watch the ground in silence as he rambled on about the excitement of the day and his future plans for Grindstone conquest. The walk seemed to drag on forever and she was grateful when they finally arrived at the barracks. Raniall turned to face her, taking her hands in his. She no longer had an excuse to avoid his gaze and her eyes met his. Instantly, he knew something was wrong; his smile turned to concern. "Ceilia? Are you all right?" She nodded. "I am just tired." She was a horrible liar and both knew it, but Raniall decided to let it slide for now. He took a moment before responding. "You should go home and get some sleep, then." His fingers gently lifted her chin. "And you know where to find me if you need me, love, right?" Ceilia nodded again. "I... I know, love. I should go home and sleep." The Flamesworn wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. He rested his head on hers, taking in her scent and warmth, reluctant to let her go. "I love you." He whispered, just loud enough for her to hear. Her stomach clenched as he held her, the comfort she usually found in his arms warring with her loss of purpose. She squeezed him in response, biting her tongue to force herself to keep her composure. "I... I love you, too, Raniall." He squeezed again, then relaxed, releasing her. Holding her hands in his again, he smiled, though worry was still evident. "Stay safe, love." "I-I will." She tried to smile up at him. "You, as well... love." The word was so difficult to say when she expected to be leaving for good. She didn't know, yet, though; everything was a jumble in her head. "I... I must go b-before Miss O-Oruissi finds me missing." An excuse, but the truth, as well. Raniall nodded as Ceilia forced a smile, squeezed his hands, then hurried away. Brow furrowed with worry, Raniall watched her until she disappeared from view before making his way inside.