“This is…†Nabi’s eyes widened as she looked over the ornate fabric of white and red silks woven together. The embroidery in golden thread was exquisitely detailed as they curled and twirled in elaborate patterns throughout the dress. She glanced from the robe in her hand to the man who had gifted it. “This is quite beautiful. But entirely unnecessary.â€
Elam Grave gave her a pleased grin and shook his head. “But if you are to attend the All Saint’s Wake celebration as my guest, I'll see you properly dressed. You like the costume?â€
Nabi lowered the robe into the box it had been delivered in, taking care to fold in the sleeves as she did so. “Of course! I’ve never seen the like. I would assume it was just a beautiful dress.†Her hand went to the gloves that were also laid within the box, her fingers tracing the red cross that marked the length of it. The hat that was also folded within had similar design. “You say that this is a costume?â€
“Not exactly,†the Highlander’s smile was slightly twisted to one side. “It is a very close replica of the robes that are granted to Ishgardian priests.â€
“Ishgardian priests?†Both eyebrows shot up even as she reached for the teapot to pour her guest a cup. He had come to her clinic with a wrapped gift box and an invitation to an All Saint’s Wake celebration in Shirogane. “Is... that appropriate?â€
Elam gave her a wide roguish grin. “Why, All Saint’s Wake is all about dressing as something inappropriate. Beasts and creatures of darkness have one night a year to come out to wreak devilry upon the land. Why should our costumes not reflect such chaos?â€
Nabi chewed her lower lip in thought. She had come to learn the violent reception that the Au Ra received in Ishgard in the years past, and while much of it was a thing of the past, the disfavor she still received from some Ishgardian foreigners by way of subtle glances and avoidance was something that did not go unnoticed. A part of her however wanted to disregard all that historical decorum since it only represented wrongful perceptions and unnecessary restrictions; and yet… she knew religious beliefs held strong sway in the minds of many. Although she did spy some Hingans also taking part in the foreign celebrations and donning masks that would otherwise fly in the face of their worship to the kami.
So then what was really making her hesitate in accepting Mister Grave’s invitation? He had been nothing but generous and friendly since he approached her stall many suns ago.
“I do not trust strange, 'generous' individuals,†Tserende’s words suddenly echoed in her thought.
Despite the fact that it was Elam Grave who told Nabi about the western holiday, and helped her get some of the rarer ingredients so she could attempt to make certain Ishgardian dishes as a surprise for Tserende, the meeting between the two men were cool and distant. The Highlander, who had been nothing but charming yet businesslike during their first meeting, was polite but aloof when Nabi introduced him to Tserende and left quickly soon after.
And now here he was, inviting her to be his guest to a party.
“No need to answer right away, lass.†Elam seemed to notice her hesitation as she closed the box. His expression was patient and his voice calm. “How goes the potion making?†He gave her a new grin. “Did you have a chance to study the samples I brought?â€
“Oh yes!†Nabi quickly brightened as she set the box aside. She rose from her seat to retrieve the collection of bottles on the shelf. She arranged them on the table in front of him. “This drug you brought from the west, it’s fascinating. It turns your skin as hard as steel.†She brought one of the smaller bottles up to her eyes for examination. “You say you have all the ingredients needed to make it?â€
Elam nodded, setting his teacup down onto the table and folding his arms upon it. “I do. The yield by our alchemists had been small and unpredictable at best. The effect is unfortunately short in duration.†He leaned onto the table, his eyes intent upon her. “D'you think you can make something that lasts longer? Maybe even increase the potency?â€
A slow smile emerged upon her lips at the challenge. “Perhaps. I think so, given enough time and all the ingredients. I can think up a few additional things I might be able to add to it to see if it is compatible.â€
Elam answered her smile with a broad grin of his own, his white teeth nearly gleaming as he did so. “Had a feeling that you would be one of those rare assets. An undiscovered talent in the East. I'm looking forward to seeing what else you’d be capable of, given the right resources. And if you’re successful with this task, I have many more projects that might interest you. And more rarer ingredients that I have access to in Eorzea and beyond.â€
Nabi could not deny that her curiosity was piqued by the proposal. To be able to work with reagents she had never seen before! To learn about alchemical formulas that others have created far across the world. “I can’t wait!†She beamed. “I am sure there are ways where both eastern and western medicines can enhance each other as well.â€
“I'm counting on that, lass.†Elam’s gaze on her lingered with a sly smile. He lifted the teacup to his lips to finish what remained before rising from the table. “Now, try on the dress and see if it suits you. I'll come by later to escort you to the party.â€
Nabi parted her lips to protest but the man walked out before she could say another word. She pursed her lips with a small furrow to the brow. The Highlander was certainly an insistent fellow, but at least the potions he had commissioned from her came with a generous pay. And he seemed quite benevolent, gifting her with rare figs, and now a beautiful gown. Still, something tugged at her in the edge of her thoughts that made her uneasy.
Was it because she wanted to attend the party with a specific individual and Elam Grave was not he?
Nabi shook her head and gathered the bottles again. She would just politely decline the invitation when he returned, since she did want to try and distill some of these new reagents he had provided her.
But her gaze did occasionally stray back to the dress in the box...
Elam Grave gave her a pleased grin and shook his head. “But if you are to attend the All Saint’s Wake celebration as my guest, I'll see you properly dressed. You like the costume?â€
Nabi lowered the robe into the box it had been delivered in, taking care to fold in the sleeves as she did so. “Of course! I’ve never seen the like. I would assume it was just a beautiful dress.†Her hand went to the gloves that were also laid within the box, her fingers tracing the red cross that marked the length of it. The hat that was also folded within had similar design. “You say that this is a costume?â€
“Not exactly,†the Highlander’s smile was slightly twisted to one side. “It is a very close replica of the robes that are granted to Ishgardian priests.â€
“Ishgardian priests?†Both eyebrows shot up even as she reached for the teapot to pour her guest a cup. He had come to her clinic with a wrapped gift box and an invitation to an All Saint’s Wake celebration in Shirogane. “Is... that appropriate?â€
Elam gave her a wide roguish grin. “Why, All Saint’s Wake is all about dressing as something inappropriate. Beasts and creatures of darkness have one night a year to come out to wreak devilry upon the land. Why should our costumes not reflect such chaos?â€
Nabi chewed her lower lip in thought. She had come to learn the violent reception that the Au Ra received in Ishgard in the years past, and while much of it was a thing of the past, the disfavor she still received from some Ishgardian foreigners by way of subtle glances and avoidance was something that did not go unnoticed. A part of her however wanted to disregard all that historical decorum since it only represented wrongful perceptions and unnecessary restrictions; and yet… she knew religious beliefs held strong sway in the minds of many. Although she did spy some Hingans also taking part in the foreign celebrations and donning masks that would otherwise fly in the face of their worship to the kami.
So then what was really making her hesitate in accepting Mister Grave’s invitation? He had been nothing but generous and friendly since he approached her stall many suns ago.
“I do not trust strange, 'generous' individuals,†Tserende’s words suddenly echoed in her thought.
Despite the fact that it was Elam Grave who told Nabi about the western holiday, and helped her get some of the rarer ingredients so she could attempt to make certain Ishgardian dishes as a surprise for Tserende, the meeting between the two men were cool and distant. The Highlander, who had been nothing but charming yet businesslike during their first meeting, was polite but aloof when Nabi introduced him to Tserende and left quickly soon after.
And now here he was, inviting her to be his guest to a party.
“No need to answer right away, lass.†Elam seemed to notice her hesitation as she closed the box. His expression was patient and his voice calm. “How goes the potion making?†He gave her a new grin. “Did you have a chance to study the samples I brought?â€
“Oh yes!†Nabi quickly brightened as she set the box aside. She rose from her seat to retrieve the collection of bottles on the shelf. She arranged them on the table in front of him. “This drug you brought from the west, it’s fascinating. It turns your skin as hard as steel.†She brought one of the smaller bottles up to her eyes for examination. “You say you have all the ingredients needed to make it?â€
Elam nodded, setting his teacup down onto the table and folding his arms upon it. “I do. The yield by our alchemists had been small and unpredictable at best. The effect is unfortunately short in duration.†He leaned onto the table, his eyes intent upon her. “D'you think you can make something that lasts longer? Maybe even increase the potency?â€
A slow smile emerged upon her lips at the challenge. “Perhaps. I think so, given enough time and all the ingredients. I can think up a few additional things I might be able to add to it to see if it is compatible.â€
Elam answered her smile with a broad grin of his own, his white teeth nearly gleaming as he did so. “Had a feeling that you would be one of those rare assets. An undiscovered talent in the East. I'm looking forward to seeing what else you’d be capable of, given the right resources. And if you’re successful with this task, I have many more projects that might interest you. And more rarer ingredients that I have access to in Eorzea and beyond.â€
Nabi could not deny that her curiosity was piqued by the proposal. To be able to work with reagents she had never seen before! To learn about alchemical formulas that others have created far across the world. “I can’t wait!†She beamed. “I am sure there are ways where both eastern and western medicines can enhance each other as well.â€
“I'm counting on that, lass.†Elam’s gaze on her lingered with a sly smile. He lifted the teacup to his lips to finish what remained before rising from the table. “Now, try on the dress and see if it suits you. I'll come by later to escort you to the party.â€
Nabi parted her lips to protest but the man walked out before she could say another word. She pursed her lips with a small furrow to the brow. The Highlander was certainly an insistent fellow, but at least the potions he had commissioned from her came with a generous pay. And he seemed quite benevolent, gifting her with rare figs, and now a beautiful gown. Still, something tugged at her in the edge of her thoughts that made her uneasy.
Was it because she wanted to attend the party with a specific individual and Elam Grave was not he?
Nabi shook her head and gathered the bottles again. She would just politely decline the invitation when he returned, since she did want to try and distill some of these new reagents he had provided her.
But her gaze did occasionally stray back to the dress in the box...