Jess’s smile faded quickly, and she instinctively tightened her embrace a little.  She had only known Sani a month now, maybe even a little less, but the thought of being without her - even for just a few days - filled her with dread.
If Sani was aware of Jess’s feelings, she didn’t immediately show it.  After another pause, she looked up again, an impish grin spreading over her face.  “He wants me to bring you with me.  He wants to meet this raven-haired beauty who stole his little girl’s heart.â€
Jess blushed, and looked a bit surprised at this comment.  "I...I'm...speechless love...He...what?†She blushed and squeezed Sani again.  “However,†she continued, “I regret nothing about stealing, though you were the thief in the night.â€
Sani giggled and pulled Jess' arms around her a little tighter, "There was no theft, I gave it freely.  And,†she continued,tapping Jess’s hands to get the other woman to let her go, “he wants you to come along with me. It's kind of twofold really." she added nonchalantly.  She hopped down to the floor and moved quickly to the fire, turning the now charred kabobs in an attempt to salvage the meal.
Jess, still a little flustered at the thought being introduced to Sani’s parents stammered, “I...wow, I don't know what to say…â€
Sani giggled. Â "You should probably start with something like 'I'll ask Garry if I can go.'"
Jess laughed and nodded. Â "I guess that's a start...wow, hon, I'm...this is a surprise."
"It's not just a 'meet the parents' kinda thing love.  Well, it sorta is.  But it's also to provide protection for the caravan.  Your ability with the bow will come in handy where we’re going, anyway.† Sani turned her attention back to the kabobs, still explaining to Jess.  “We will not only be meeting father, but we will also be providing support and security as they travel from Horizon, through the deserts, and over to Camp Drybone.†Â
Jess laughed teasingly, “I've never been on a caravan before.  It sounds as if you're bringing me to work!â€
Sani smiled "The caravan is so nice and relaxing, for the most part. Â And yes, there may be some work, but only if we get attacked."
Jess wrapped Sani in a hug, happy, but still a little apprehensive.  “Are you sure?†she asked.
Sani looked up into Jess’ eyes, “Sure about what love?â€
“That you want me...to meet your parents?â€
Sani beamed with delight, “Well...yes, I’m sure.  This trip you'll meet father for sure.†Sani paused and looked down, still holding Jess’ hands tightly.  “And...I guess we can go see mom, I...I want her to meet you.† Sani nodded, looking back up at Jess with renewed confidence.  “Yes, I absolutely want you to meet them.  Will you come with me?  Your company will mean a great deal to me.  Besides,†she added with a squeeze of the hand, “it will give us a chance to be out of the house for a few days.â€
The pair enjoyed what was left of their meal, Jess giggling at their forgetfulness while Sani looked mortified about the ruined meal.  They discussed when they would be leaving, how’d they be traveling, what to pack, what to wear.  Jess was familiar enough with the region - she had grown up in the borderland area between the Shroud and Thanalan - but she listened intently as the Lalafell spoke.
“It’s a very rough part of the desert adjacent to the Black Shroud, and many caravans are attacked there.  Ours lost an entire section back before the Calamity.† Sani took another bite of her burnt kabob, washing it down quickly with a gulp of juice.  “We lost family with that one; our cousins, Sai and Fif, their parents were part of it.  An advance scouting party for the Garlean empire found them and killed the whole caravan.† Sani shook her head, pausing for a moment.  She finally took another bite of meat before continuing.  “Because of this, Sai and Fif felt like they were to blame for what happened.  They trained even harder and battled on the fields of Carteneau against the Garleans, to make them pay for what they had done to their parents.
“A few years ago, during another raid, our mother got pinned under a carriage.† Sani paused again, biting her bottom lip.  She sniffled a little, and finally worked up the courage to continue.  “She survived the wreck, but died a few days later due to complications.â€
Jess gasped, covering her mouth with her hands.  “Oh love...I’m so sorry…â€
“Sari and I were in Limsa at the time: there was nothing we could have done.  It was...a freak accident, but I promised myself that no one that I cared about would ever die again on that trek as long as I was alive.  So, a couple years ago, Sari and I were out with them, we were attacked,†Sani paused her story, reaching up and touching the scar on her shoulder that Jess had seen a few times, and continued on.  “We all survived and made it to Drybone.  I’ve made the trek there and back every year.† She looked up at Jess, smiling wide now.  “I’m glad you will be there to watch my back this year.â€
They continued talking into the night, talking and laughing, before finally making their way to bed.  They fell asleep, curled up in each others’ arms, dreaming about the adventure that awaited them.
If Sani was aware of Jess’s feelings, she didn’t immediately show it.  After another pause, she looked up again, an impish grin spreading over her face.  “He wants me to bring you with me.  He wants to meet this raven-haired beauty who stole his little girl’s heart.â€
Jess blushed, and looked a bit surprised at this comment.  "I...I'm...speechless love...He...what?†She blushed and squeezed Sani again.  “However,†she continued, “I regret nothing about stealing, though you were the thief in the night.â€
Sani giggled and pulled Jess' arms around her a little tighter, "There was no theft, I gave it freely.  And,†she continued,tapping Jess’s hands to get the other woman to let her go, “he wants you to come along with me. It's kind of twofold really." she added nonchalantly.  She hopped down to the floor and moved quickly to the fire, turning the now charred kabobs in an attempt to salvage the meal.
Jess, still a little flustered at the thought being introduced to Sani’s parents stammered, “I...wow, I don't know what to say…â€
Sani giggled. Â "You should probably start with something like 'I'll ask Garry if I can go.'"
Jess laughed and nodded. Â "I guess that's a start...wow, hon, I'm...this is a surprise."
"It's not just a 'meet the parents' kinda thing love.  Well, it sorta is.  But it's also to provide protection for the caravan.  Your ability with the bow will come in handy where we’re going, anyway.† Sani turned her attention back to the kabobs, still explaining to Jess.  “We will not only be meeting father, but we will also be providing support and security as they travel from Horizon, through the deserts, and over to Camp Drybone.†Â
Jess laughed teasingly, “I've never been on a caravan before.  It sounds as if you're bringing me to work!â€
Sani smiled "The caravan is so nice and relaxing, for the most part. Â And yes, there may be some work, but only if we get attacked."
Jess wrapped Sani in a hug, happy, but still a little apprehensive.  “Are you sure?†she asked.
Sani looked up into Jess’ eyes, “Sure about what love?â€
“That you want me...to meet your parents?â€
Sani beamed with delight, “Well...yes, I’m sure.  This trip you'll meet father for sure.†Sani paused and looked down, still holding Jess’ hands tightly.  “And...I guess we can go see mom, I...I want her to meet you.† Sani nodded, looking back up at Jess with renewed confidence.  “Yes, I absolutely want you to meet them.  Will you come with me?  Your company will mean a great deal to me.  Besides,†she added with a squeeze of the hand, “it will give us a chance to be out of the house for a few days.â€
The pair enjoyed what was left of their meal, Jess giggling at their forgetfulness while Sani looked mortified about the ruined meal.  They discussed when they would be leaving, how’d they be traveling, what to pack, what to wear.  Jess was familiar enough with the region - she had grown up in the borderland area between the Shroud and Thanalan - but she listened intently as the Lalafell spoke.
“It’s a very rough part of the desert adjacent to the Black Shroud, and many caravans are attacked there.  Ours lost an entire section back before the Calamity.† Sani took another bite of her burnt kabob, washing it down quickly with a gulp of juice.  “We lost family with that one; our cousins, Sai and Fif, their parents were part of it.  An advance scouting party for the Garlean empire found them and killed the whole caravan.† Sani shook her head, pausing for a moment.  She finally took another bite of meat before continuing.  “Because of this, Sai and Fif felt like they were to blame for what happened.  They trained even harder and battled on the fields of Carteneau against the Garleans, to make them pay for what they had done to their parents.
“A few years ago, during another raid, our mother got pinned under a carriage.† Sani paused again, biting her bottom lip.  She sniffled a little, and finally worked up the courage to continue.  “She survived the wreck, but died a few days later due to complications.â€
Jess gasped, covering her mouth with her hands.  “Oh love...I’m so sorry…â€
“Sari and I were in Limsa at the time: there was nothing we could have done.  It was...a freak accident, but I promised myself that no one that I cared about would ever die again on that trek as long as I was alive.  So, a couple years ago, Sari and I were out with them, we were attacked,†Sani paused her story, reaching up and touching the scar on her shoulder that Jess had seen a few times, and continued on.  “We all survived and made it to Drybone.  I’ve made the trek there and back every year.† She looked up at Jess, smiling wide now.  “I’m glad you will be there to watch my back this year.â€
They continued talking into the night, talking and laughing, before finally making their way to bed.  They fell asleep, curled up in each others’ arms, dreaming about the adventure that awaited them.
![[Image: 869c6507898bcb89.png]](http://sigs.enjin.com/sig-ffxivarr/869c6507898bcb89.png)
