Clouds rolled in overhead, deepening the shadows cast by Drybone’s tall walls. A new smell joined the dust and corpses on the air, and it sent the few merchants eking out a living around the courtyard scrambling to secure the tarps over their goods. At one stall – more a series of crates stacked in rows to display an array of fruits and vegetables of questionable age – a young miqo’te, pale of skin and hair and dressed in clothes one might describe as “adventuringâ€, peered among the foods. "No chilies..."
She selected an apple from the tray and dropped a few gil coins in the stall owner's outstretched hand, offering her a nod and a smile before taking a big bite from the piece of fruit. The merchant went back to securing her goods, and not a moment too soon, for with a rumble and a crack, the sky very suddenly opened up.Â
“Ah... it's raining...†The miqo’te shrugged and ignored the sudden squall, absently munching her apple while she looked over the rest of the produce.
A short hop away, Antimony kind of shuffled up to one side of the little grocery. She had a small bag tucked in the corner of one arm, up against a robe that was rather thoroughly stained with mud. She eyed the fruits, flinched when the rain started suddenly, and then shifted her gaze to the other miqo'te nearby. Pink… hair?
The – yes, that was pink hair, or maybe more of a lavender? – miqo’te caught the other's eye. "Hello."
Antimony wrinkled her nose at a thought and then took a half step towards her, "Ah, excuse me, miss... I don't suppose... do you know of any way to help with this smell...?"
“Smell?†The woman sniffed the air and wrinkled her own nose. “I have something that might work.â€
Antimony looked around, catching the eyeroll of the merchant and wincing before saying to the miqo'te with an awkward wave of the hand holding the bag, "Yes, the... corpses. It makes it... well, it's rather difficult to do... anything with it as it is.â€
The other miqo’te reached into her satchel and drew out a small crystalline vial filled with a clear liquid. "Understandable. Here. It's perfume made from the petals of moonflower." She handed the other the vial. “You can put a bit on your upper lip and it should block out the scent.â€
Antimony blinked in surprise. "Oh! I didn't expect... what do you want in return? I've got--well, here, I have coin..." She shifted the bag in her grip and started digging around in it.
Waving her hand dismissively, the pink (lilac?) haired miqo’te, a Keeper by the looks of her all around, said, "Don't worry about it. I don't lack for coin." She turned back to the fruit and picked up another faerie apple, tossing a coin to the shopkeep. This she offered to the other miqo'te. "Have an apple?"
Antimony looked uncomfortable at the thought of accepting the offered perfume as is, but did so anyway. When the girl held out an apple towards her, she squinted in consideration. "I haven't... met you before, have I?" She blinked at the apple and then with some embarrassment, "Oh! Ah, I should... I assure you, I can pay for things myself!" She was suddenly keenly aware of her appearance, and of her reliance on the charity of her once-thought-dead daughter; the facts of it were rather shameful.
“It's okay. You look like you could use some cheering up.†She pushed the apple into the other's hands. "You also look familiar. I think I know you. Or have met you." She gazed upon the older woman in deep reflection. “Ah! The Shroud! At a tavern. I don't remember which.â€
Antimony furrowed her brow at the apple but accepted it as well, then glanced back up at the other miqo'te. "I'm... sorry, my memory is usually much more--" She stilled, and then, "Oh! That was before--"
The lilac (definitely lilac… or white?) haired Keeper frowned as something rustled from within her satchel. She pretended not to notice this.
“Yes! In... Bus... Budders...†Antimony sighed and shook her head in resignation.
“That place. Buscarron's Druthers.†The Keeper brushed wet locks of pale lilac hair from her eyes. "Let's get out of the rain. It's not likely to stop for a while."
Antimony held the apple carefully against her. When the other spoke she nodded, "So I've... noticed."
Growling and muttering something unintelligible under her breath as the satchel rustled again, the younger woman said, “Come on. Actually... where is a tavern here? I don't know.†She looked around, seemingly lost in that thought.
Furrowing her brow in brief confusion at the woman’s muttering, Antimony shook herself at the question. "Oh, ah... I believe it was.." She turned around, squinted through the rain. "Ah yes, this way."
Behind her, the other miqo’te glanced down at her wet clothing and shook her head.
***
Antimony sighed with no small relief as she stepped inside, taking a moment to wring out one sleeve. The action was rather futile, considering the state of her clothing already, but that didn’t deter her efforts.
The other woman, the lilac-haired Keeper, closed her eyes and suddenly, steam began to rise from her clothing as aetheric energy was converted into heat. In moments, her clothing was dry. “I can dry yours, also,†she offered.
“Warmth. And shelter,†Antimony was saying. “Ah, an appreciation for this I... what?†She blinked at Aeriyn and then did a doubletake.
“Your clothes are soaking wet. You'll catch a cold. If you want, I can dry them for you.â€
“... Oh! You're--you're one of... those!†Antimony exclaimed with no small amount of awe.
The other miqo’te nodded.
Her eyes went a bit wide with interest. "You must tell me how that works!"
“Okay. It's not a difficult casting. But don't you want dry clothes first?â€
Antimony's ears twitched, dripping a bit of water to the floor. Then she shook herself and cleared her throat apologetically. "Ah, yes. That would... thank you."
Smiling, the younger woman closed her eyes again, focusing aetheric energy through her and into the world. She placed a hand on the other's sleeve and steam started to rise gently from the sodden robe. In the space of a few moments, the robe dried out.
Antimony watched where Aeriyn touched her with rapt attention, as though that single point were the center of a universe-wide puzzle.
“It's a good cantrip to know if you travel in Thanalan a lot during monsoon season,†the Keeper said as she completed the spell. “I'm going to sit down.â€
“... Incredible!†Antimony stood still for a moment before remembering herself and hurrying after the other woman, looking a bit less ragged, though no less muddy.
Down the steps and off to a corner on the left, the Keeper woman had settled herself at a small table lit by a single lantern. There she yawned and stretched in her chair, her tail standing straight out before wrapping around her left thigh. “It's not really that impressive. It's useful, though. I've found that the most useful applications of magic are often the least impressive ones.â€
Antimony watched the woman as she sat as well and, after a moment, cleared her throat, "I'm sorry, I can't quite... well, perhaps I should simply--I'm Antimony. If you don't recall. Which! You'd.. have no reason to! But just in case!" What a fabulous introduction that had been.
“I didn't remember your name, so thank you for reminding me. I'm Aeriyn. It's not a miqo'te name; I'm adopted.†She paused. “Was adopted, I should say.â€
Antimony smiled just slightly, allowing for a moment the name – Aeriyn – to call up some rather comforting memories. It had been well before any of this... "It's no... matter to me. I recall you being quite... well! That spell alone says it all. Ah, if I had my notebook, I'd ask for details and..." She shook her head slightly, tail wriggling a bit before settling down at her side. She glanced at the apple Aeriyn had given her.
“You should eat that. It's at peak ripeness. Very good,†Aeriyn advised. “As for details, it's something that shouldn't be too difficult for anyone who has even the slightest knowledge of thaumaturgy. Aether absorbs heat easily, but it's not difficult to convert it to heat either.â€
Antimony startled from some thought she'd inadvertently fallen into and blinked at Aeriyn for a second or so before seemingly recalling why she was there. "Oh! Yes. Of... course. Thank you." There was very little ceremony in her next action, which was to take a solid bite out of the apple. She closed her eyes as though it's the most rapturous experience ever. She spoke again after a moment of chewing, "Thaumaturgy... that... oh, isn't that some Ul'dahn..." She grimaced. "Well, I suppose warmth at least has little to do with corpses.."
“I don't know how much you know about aetherial manipulation, but there are generally three ways of utilizing aether to affect the world: thaumaturgy, conjury and arcanima,†Aeriyn explained. “Are you trained in any of these? My explanation will make more sense if you are.â€
Antimony considered the apple in her hand for a moment and then, "Well, I wouldn't say officially trained..." Certainly it had taken her long enough to develop enough rapport with Limsan businesses that she could actually find employment, much less any sort of recreational education. “However... I've read a great deal from the libraries of the arcanists' guild in Limsa.â€
“Can you utilize arcane geometries to manifest aether?â€
Antimony blinked and looks strangely bewildered. "I... well." Her tail twitched, and though the woman beside her was significantly younger, Antimony felt suddenly like a student about to disappoint a teacher. "I've... never actually tried. Only... I just found the concept of it so fascinating, I suppose, and it never occurred to me that I could possibly... well, do any of that." She shook her head.
“Anyone can do it. Well, usually. Garlean hyur can't, as a general rule, but that's due to external factors.†She didn’t elaborate on that, instead continuing, “It's just a matter of training, knowledge and practice.â€
“Ah, and you so young! It's a rather incredible thought.†Antimony tilted her ears at Aeriyn in interest. So much skill and knowledge. She reminded her of a more well-adjusted… no, no she would not go there.
Aeriyn seemed to wilt a bit in her seat. "I don't look my age."
Antimony blinked, frowned, and then, "I... apologize. I didn't intend to... well! Better... better subjects! No one likes to dwell on ill... ah. You were explaining aether!"
Aeriyn smiled and waved away Antimony's sputtered apologies. "Do you have a grimoire of arcane geometry? If not, I can teach you with mine."
Antimony's expression faltered slightly and her hands worried at the apple. “I'm... afraid I have not much of anything at the moment. But! It's no matter. It will all work out. I'd love to hear more from you, regardless.â€
“You can't get very far without a focus, no matter what sort of magic you want to use,†Aeriyn shook her head. “The clothes-drying cantrip is easier for a thaumaturge, but I've managed it using all three methodologies. I'm a... I suppose you could call me a researcher, a scholar of magic. I have informal training in conjury and a... unique form of arcanima, but I was rigorously trained in thaumaturgy in my youth. At least I assume so.â€
“I'm afraid I'm.. out of luck in that respect, then. Though if I knew the theory behind it, I'd be more than satisfied. To understand what manipulations you carried out... well, perhaps I'm not meant to do such things.†Antimony finished this statement with a slight, humble shrug.
Aeriyn took a sip from her ale. "Don't limit yourself."
Antimony watched Aeriyn for a moment and then smiled softly, the expression more in her eyes than the rest of her face. "I wouldn't call it that. Simply a healthy respect for... well. It's all a moot thought anyway. I've got none of my materials with me, much less any sort of focus."
“All right, well, I can show you using my grimoire. It would be easier, since you already have some foreknowledge and my staff is not... safe for novices.â€
“... Not safe?â€
Not giving an explanation, Aeriyn reached into her satchel and dug around. A small, feminine exclamation of annoyance emanated from inside the bag.
Antimony blinked at the bag. "... Was that..."
Aeriyn sighed and addressed the satchel, "So much for keeping you hidden."
“Uhm...? Miss.. Aeriyn?â€
Aeriyn opened the travel bag widely and a burst of golden light flashed upward. In response, Antimony's eyes widened and she leaned back sharply in surprise. "What is--a demon in your--!" She froze and blinked rapidly at the... glowing... thing.
“It's not a demon. It's just Rinah.â€
“Just... just "Rinah". Oh! Of... course…†Antimony's ears swiveled in confusion. "What... is it..?"
The creature, a vague humanoid shape visible through the bright glow of light, fluttered her wings and glanced at the other miqo'te, then turned toward Aeriyn. “Who's this? A friend of yours?â€
“Antimony,†Aeriyn introduced. “You kept making noise in the bag and it was pointless to keep trying to pretend I didn't hear it.â€
The light turned toward Antimony. “Oh. Hello.â€
Antimony squawked at the small voice. "It--it... Oh dear. I've never... read anything about… this before.â€
“Rinah is a fairy,†Aeriyn explained. “I rescued her from the old temple of Oschon near Camp Bronze Lake. She's actually why I'm here in Thanalan. Somehow she wound up imprisoned in a shard of corrupted aether many, many years ago, during the fall of the Nymian civilization. She's been disconnected from the flow of aether.â€
Antimony stared wide-eyed at the bright light, within which she could make out the form of... a person? She blinked hard, her tail swishing once. "How is it... what.. is it made of...? Ah, her--her I mean!"
The fairy – Rinah! Fairies had names? Fairies could talk? Fairies were real? – glanced uneasily at Aeriyn. “You're being awfully free with information.â€
“It's okay, Rinah,†the Keeper assuaged. “It's not you the Syndicate cares about, anyroad.â€
Antimony frowned briefly at Aeriyn but very quickly went back to staring at the fairy in confused awe.
Rinah turned and glanced at Antimony. “My physical form is comprised of aether. I suppose you could say I am made of magic.â€
“That's the problem. She's been disconnected from the astral flow. Rinah's only still alive now because I periodically infuse her with mana.â€
Antimony's mouth works silently for a moment, Rinah’s glow casting harsh shadows on her features, before she, very slowly, reached out with one hand as though to touch Rinah. "Fasc--fascinating.."
Aeriyn shook her head in frustration. "If I can't figure out how to reconnect the shattered link, or somehow anchor her to this plane..."
The fairy fluttered forward and alighted on Antimony's outstretched hand. “I'm quite solid, as you can feel.â€
The older woman startled but quickly recovered, squinting through the glare of her glasses. “How does she keep form..? Like a carbuncle?â€
“The same process, yes.â€
Rinah crossed her arms as her expression assumed a pout. “I'm right here, you know. You can ask me.â€
Antimony Jhanhi flinched and gave both Aeriyn and the fairy a chagrined look. “... Ah! Oh! I'm... sorry. I didn't--well, I mean I've never seen... But carbuncles aren't sentient!â€
“Carbuncles are not, no,†Rinah agreed. “But other astral beings are. The most obvious example an Eorzean would understand would be the primals.â€
Antimony frowned, looking vaguely uncomfortable at that mention of the aether-hungry beast-gods. "Aether... taking form to make... thought? I suppose thought is similar to a spell... like a brain... oh, this is incredible! And you just..." she turned to Aeriyn, "Just found her?"
“Sort of.â€
“Hm?†She gave the younger woman a confused look.
“I work for the Maelstrom. I was sent to the temple of Oschon to investigate strange magical phenomenon. What I found instead were Garlean soldiers.†Her expression sombered briefly before she continued, “After the battle, I searched their bodies to try and figure out what they were doing in the temple in the first place. I found a shard of corrupted aether in one of their packs. There was a... presence inside the crystal.â€
Antimony shook her head, "It's no matter. This! Oh, you must be so... well!" The intrigue on her face washed it clean of many of the deep lines of anxiety that had plagued her features up to that moment. It made her look more youthful than she perhaps had in years. "This is fascinating! I must... how do you shape thought? And will? What equation drives you..." She half-spoke to Rinah, half to herself.
“Arcane geometry doesn't drive me or shape my will,†Rinah chuffed. “It only calls me to this place. Unfortunately, it also stranded me here.â€
Antimony blinked at that. ".. Are you sure? There's... no shame in learning one's inner workings..!"
Aeriyn nodded at Rinah's explanation. "Practitioners of arcanima utilize their magical formulae to establish a link between the physical world and the aether.â€
Rinah added: “Carbuncles are different; they're magical constructs. That's why they aren't sentient.â€
“There are other methods of calling and summoning, taught and developed by different civilizations. The Allag summoners could call upon the power of the primals themselves. The scholars of Nym established pacts with fey beings much like Rinah.â€
Antimony might have looked briefly disappointed at that, but the expression was gone quickly, replaced by a furrowed brow towards Aeriyn. "She is, ah, "dying" then. Why do you think Thanalan will help her..?"
“The Calamity left behind a massive area of corrupted, crystallized aether here,†Aeriyn gestured. “I need to obtain samples to study so that I can deduce how Rinah was cut off from the astral flow.â€
Antimony's eyes widened briefly. "Oh, to be involved in such--" Her words cut off suddenly, her expression falling. "Ah. Well. I... have no doubt you'll find something worthwhile, even if it... isn't quite what you were after."
“What do you mean?â€
Antimony shook her head and gestured with one hand, "Just as you said - a chance to study corrupt, crystallized aether! Even if what you find isn't directly applicable...! Well, it would be an interesting find regardless."
“Oh, yes. You seem to be very interested in these things.†Aeriyn thought for a moment. “If you're so fascinated by magic, why are you so reluctant to practice it yourself?â€
Antimony's tail twitched. "Well, it is what I... I mean, it's not my job, but still.. it's good to have a hobby!" Antimony's features slackened somewhat into a more distant expression. "I'm not... entirely incapable of aetheric manipulation. Though, ah, I didn't realize it was precisely what I was doing until relatively recently." She shook her head slightly.
“I don't understand,†Aeriyn blinked round eyes. “How could you do something without knowing what it was?â€
Wincing at that, Antimony struggled for a moment. How could one relate the kind of isolation from the world she’d spent her whole life in? In a way that wouldn’t make Aeriyn think she was some foreign… weirdo? "Well, it's just that I--well, we... had a different explanation. It's no matter, though! As it's all the same in the end."
“Oh.†A pause. “What is your job, then?â€
Antimony answered that question with much greater ease, "I perform investigative accounting work for the Commerce Re--ah..." Her ears drooped. "For... freelance, I suppose."
Aeriyn didn’t miss the slip and her ears twitched thoughtfully. "Your employers aren't fond of publicity?"
The older woman winced. "No, it's not that. Just... Well!" She tried to inject some measure of cheer in her voice, but likely failed miserably, "I suppose one could say I've recently shed the chains of steady employment!" She tried for a smile, but it ended up  more of a grimace. There was nothing happy in being fired.
“I did the opposite, though I suppose "recently" is a matter of debate. I was an independent contractor before I signed on with the Maelstrom.â€
The fairy, who had been rather quietly hovering between them during this, glanced at Aeriyn, her expression tired. “I'm going to rest for a while.â€
Antimony furrowed her brow in thought, "Ah yes, right. I do recall you doing some kind of... contractual work in the Shroud for... oh, no matter." She looked up as Rinah spoke, watching her move with interest.
“Okay. How are you feeling?†Aeriyn questioned.
“Not good,†Rinah sighed, if fairies could indeed sigh. “But that's not any different than usual. I'm going to rest and conserve the aether I've absorbed...â€
“I can try another infusion—“
Antimony pressed her lips together in concern.
Rinah shook her head. “Not so soon. You'll need your strength to deal with the creatures in the Burning Wall. If I rest, I should be fine.â€
“All right.†Aeriyn opened her satchel and carefully helped Rinah back inside. With the flap of the bag open, a small wooden box-like object was visible, containing within it what looked like a very tiny, fairy-sized bed.
Still feeling a bit awkward talking to a manifestation of aether, Antimony still managed a genuine, "I do hope you feel better soon."
“Aeri will find the answer. I know it.â€
Aeriyn watched Rinah tuck her wings in and curl up on the fairy-sized bed before closing the satchel's flap. “When I found her inside the crystal, it took me several suns to figure out how to free her without killing her. During the process, I discovered that she was conscious and aware while frozen within the shard. She had been that way for at least a hundred years. Possibly more.†Her's ears drooped and her tail curled tightly around her leg. "I know beings like Rinah view the passage of time differently than miqo'te, but I can't even imagine how horrible that was for her..."
Antimony watched the satchel in silence for a moment before letting out a slight sigh, "It is good she, ah, has someone who can take care of her, at the very least. Fortunate that one like you found her and not... well."
“I don't know exactly what the Imperials wanted with her, but it could not possibly have been good.â€
Antimony nodded at that and then tried for an encouraging smile, the best a mother knew how to give. "This... burning wall sounds promising, at least. I wish you luck in your expedition." A pause. "And... perhaps I could hear of its results..?"
“I would not mind sharing what I learn. I travel all over for my work, but I live in Limsa Lominsa and will return there after my task is complete.â€
“Ah, that.. is where I live! Or... well, yes. It is.â€
Aeriyn blinked and tilted her head quizzically, "You live there... or what?"
Antimony shook her head, waving the hand still holding the apple a bit awkwardly. "It's not a concern. I'm simply busy elsewhere at the moment." She looked past Aeriyn, thinking.
“Oh.â€
Antimony smiled and very deliberately took a bite of the apple.
Aeriyn stood up then and finished off the last of her ale. She doffed her satchel and offered Antimony a smile. "The rain's stopped for now. I should be on my way. The longer I remain in Thanalan, the greater chance my presence here will become known."
Giving Aeriyn a confused look for a moment and then, Antimony slowly brought her own thoughts back in alignment with the present enough that she processed the girl's words. She smiles. "Oh! Yes, of course. I wouldn't think to delay such an... well, an important adventure."
Aeriyn bowed courteously. “Thank you for your company. I'll look forward to seeing you again in the future.â€
Antimony opened her mouth to say something, was at first at a loss for words, and then just smiled before finally managing, "And you as well. Thank you, Miss Aeriyn, for this much appreciated distraction."
Aeriyn started to walk away from the table, but stopped herself. "You seem to be busy with something, otherwise I would have asked if you wanted to accompany me."
“Don't worry!†Antimony made to hastily assure, forcing another smile. “I understand. I'll simply have to... well, I'll get the details from you at a later date.â€
“I could use the help, to be honest... I hired an adventurer to protect me from the creatures that infest the area, but I will have to do the analysis and collection myself.â€
Antimony furrowed her brow and looked away a bit guiltily. "I would... truly love to assist, I assure you, but... I cannot risk delaying my own, ah, adventure, so to say."
Aeriyn smiled back. "Ah, well. I will just have to manage on my own. We'll speak again soon, I'm sure."
Antimony watched Aeriyn leave in silence before returning her attention to the apple in her hand with a sigh.
She selected an apple from the tray and dropped a few gil coins in the stall owner's outstretched hand, offering her a nod and a smile before taking a big bite from the piece of fruit. The merchant went back to securing her goods, and not a moment too soon, for with a rumble and a crack, the sky very suddenly opened up.Â
“Ah... it's raining...†The miqo’te shrugged and ignored the sudden squall, absently munching her apple while she looked over the rest of the produce.
A short hop away, Antimony kind of shuffled up to one side of the little grocery. She had a small bag tucked in the corner of one arm, up against a robe that was rather thoroughly stained with mud. She eyed the fruits, flinched when the rain started suddenly, and then shifted her gaze to the other miqo'te nearby. Pink… hair?
The – yes, that was pink hair, or maybe more of a lavender? – miqo’te caught the other's eye. "Hello."
Antimony wrinkled her nose at a thought and then took a half step towards her, "Ah, excuse me, miss... I don't suppose... do you know of any way to help with this smell...?"
“Smell?†The woman sniffed the air and wrinkled her own nose. “I have something that might work.â€
Antimony looked around, catching the eyeroll of the merchant and wincing before saying to the miqo'te with an awkward wave of the hand holding the bag, "Yes, the... corpses. It makes it... well, it's rather difficult to do... anything with it as it is.â€
The other miqo’te reached into her satchel and drew out a small crystalline vial filled with a clear liquid. "Understandable. Here. It's perfume made from the petals of moonflower." She handed the other the vial. “You can put a bit on your upper lip and it should block out the scent.â€
Antimony blinked in surprise. "Oh! I didn't expect... what do you want in return? I've got--well, here, I have coin..." She shifted the bag in her grip and started digging around in it.
Waving her hand dismissively, the pink (lilac?) haired miqo’te, a Keeper by the looks of her all around, said, "Don't worry about it. I don't lack for coin." She turned back to the fruit and picked up another faerie apple, tossing a coin to the shopkeep. This she offered to the other miqo'te. "Have an apple?"
Antimony looked uncomfortable at the thought of accepting the offered perfume as is, but did so anyway. When the girl held out an apple towards her, she squinted in consideration. "I haven't... met you before, have I?" She blinked at the apple and then with some embarrassment, "Oh! Ah, I should... I assure you, I can pay for things myself!" She was suddenly keenly aware of her appearance, and of her reliance on the charity of her once-thought-dead daughter; the facts of it were rather shameful.
“It's okay. You look like you could use some cheering up.†She pushed the apple into the other's hands. "You also look familiar. I think I know you. Or have met you." She gazed upon the older woman in deep reflection. “Ah! The Shroud! At a tavern. I don't remember which.â€
Antimony furrowed her brow at the apple but accepted it as well, then glanced back up at the other miqo'te. "I'm... sorry, my memory is usually much more--" She stilled, and then, "Oh! That was before--"
The lilac (definitely lilac… or white?) haired Keeper frowned as something rustled from within her satchel. She pretended not to notice this.
“Yes! In... Bus... Budders...†Antimony sighed and shook her head in resignation.
“That place. Buscarron's Druthers.†The Keeper brushed wet locks of pale lilac hair from her eyes. "Let's get out of the rain. It's not likely to stop for a while."
Antimony held the apple carefully against her. When the other spoke she nodded, "So I've... noticed."
Growling and muttering something unintelligible under her breath as the satchel rustled again, the younger woman said, “Come on. Actually... where is a tavern here? I don't know.†She looked around, seemingly lost in that thought.
Furrowing her brow in brief confusion at the woman’s muttering, Antimony shook herself at the question. "Oh, ah... I believe it was.." She turned around, squinted through the rain. "Ah yes, this way."
Behind her, the other miqo’te glanced down at her wet clothing and shook her head.
***
Antimony sighed with no small relief as she stepped inside, taking a moment to wring out one sleeve. The action was rather futile, considering the state of her clothing already, but that didn’t deter her efforts.
The other woman, the lilac-haired Keeper, closed her eyes and suddenly, steam began to rise from her clothing as aetheric energy was converted into heat. In moments, her clothing was dry. “I can dry yours, also,†she offered.
“Warmth. And shelter,†Antimony was saying. “Ah, an appreciation for this I... what?†She blinked at Aeriyn and then did a doubletake.
“Your clothes are soaking wet. You'll catch a cold. If you want, I can dry them for you.â€
“... Oh! You're--you're one of... those!†Antimony exclaimed with no small amount of awe.
The other miqo’te nodded.
Her eyes went a bit wide with interest. "You must tell me how that works!"
“Okay. It's not a difficult casting. But don't you want dry clothes first?â€
Antimony's ears twitched, dripping a bit of water to the floor. Then she shook herself and cleared her throat apologetically. "Ah, yes. That would... thank you."
Smiling, the younger woman closed her eyes again, focusing aetheric energy through her and into the world. She placed a hand on the other's sleeve and steam started to rise gently from the sodden robe. In the space of a few moments, the robe dried out.
Antimony watched where Aeriyn touched her with rapt attention, as though that single point were the center of a universe-wide puzzle.
“It's a good cantrip to know if you travel in Thanalan a lot during monsoon season,†the Keeper said as she completed the spell. “I'm going to sit down.â€
“... Incredible!†Antimony stood still for a moment before remembering herself and hurrying after the other woman, looking a bit less ragged, though no less muddy.
Down the steps and off to a corner on the left, the Keeper woman had settled herself at a small table lit by a single lantern. There she yawned and stretched in her chair, her tail standing straight out before wrapping around her left thigh. “It's not really that impressive. It's useful, though. I've found that the most useful applications of magic are often the least impressive ones.â€
Antimony watched the woman as she sat as well and, after a moment, cleared her throat, "I'm sorry, I can't quite... well, perhaps I should simply--I'm Antimony. If you don't recall. Which! You'd.. have no reason to! But just in case!" What a fabulous introduction that had been.
“I didn't remember your name, so thank you for reminding me. I'm Aeriyn. It's not a miqo'te name; I'm adopted.†She paused. “Was adopted, I should say.â€
Antimony smiled just slightly, allowing for a moment the name – Aeriyn – to call up some rather comforting memories. It had been well before any of this... "It's no... matter to me. I recall you being quite... well! That spell alone says it all. Ah, if I had my notebook, I'd ask for details and..." She shook her head slightly, tail wriggling a bit before settling down at her side. She glanced at the apple Aeriyn had given her.
“You should eat that. It's at peak ripeness. Very good,†Aeriyn advised. “As for details, it's something that shouldn't be too difficult for anyone who has even the slightest knowledge of thaumaturgy. Aether absorbs heat easily, but it's not difficult to convert it to heat either.â€
Antimony startled from some thought she'd inadvertently fallen into and blinked at Aeriyn for a second or so before seemingly recalling why she was there. "Oh! Yes. Of... course. Thank you." There was very little ceremony in her next action, which was to take a solid bite out of the apple. She closed her eyes as though it's the most rapturous experience ever. She spoke again after a moment of chewing, "Thaumaturgy... that... oh, isn't that some Ul'dahn..." She grimaced. "Well, I suppose warmth at least has little to do with corpses.."
“I don't know how much you know about aetherial manipulation, but there are generally three ways of utilizing aether to affect the world: thaumaturgy, conjury and arcanima,†Aeriyn explained. “Are you trained in any of these? My explanation will make more sense if you are.â€
Antimony considered the apple in her hand for a moment and then, "Well, I wouldn't say officially trained..." Certainly it had taken her long enough to develop enough rapport with Limsan businesses that she could actually find employment, much less any sort of recreational education. “However... I've read a great deal from the libraries of the arcanists' guild in Limsa.â€
“Can you utilize arcane geometries to manifest aether?â€
Antimony blinked and looks strangely bewildered. "I... well." Her tail twitched, and though the woman beside her was significantly younger, Antimony felt suddenly like a student about to disappoint a teacher. "I've... never actually tried. Only... I just found the concept of it so fascinating, I suppose, and it never occurred to me that I could possibly... well, do any of that." She shook her head.
“Anyone can do it. Well, usually. Garlean hyur can't, as a general rule, but that's due to external factors.†She didn’t elaborate on that, instead continuing, “It's just a matter of training, knowledge and practice.â€
“Ah, and you so young! It's a rather incredible thought.†Antimony tilted her ears at Aeriyn in interest. So much skill and knowledge. She reminded her of a more well-adjusted… no, no she would not go there.
Aeriyn seemed to wilt a bit in her seat. "I don't look my age."
Antimony blinked, frowned, and then, "I... apologize. I didn't intend to... well! Better... better subjects! No one likes to dwell on ill... ah. You were explaining aether!"
Aeriyn smiled and waved away Antimony's sputtered apologies. "Do you have a grimoire of arcane geometry? If not, I can teach you with mine."
Antimony's expression faltered slightly and her hands worried at the apple. “I'm... afraid I have not much of anything at the moment. But! It's no matter. It will all work out. I'd love to hear more from you, regardless.â€
“You can't get very far without a focus, no matter what sort of magic you want to use,†Aeriyn shook her head. “The clothes-drying cantrip is easier for a thaumaturge, but I've managed it using all three methodologies. I'm a... I suppose you could call me a researcher, a scholar of magic. I have informal training in conjury and a... unique form of arcanima, but I was rigorously trained in thaumaturgy in my youth. At least I assume so.â€
“I'm afraid I'm.. out of luck in that respect, then. Though if I knew the theory behind it, I'd be more than satisfied. To understand what manipulations you carried out... well, perhaps I'm not meant to do such things.†Antimony finished this statement with a slight, humble shrug.
Aeriyn took a sip from her ale. "Don't limit yourself."
Antimony watched Aeriyn for a moment and then smiled softly, the expression more in her eyes than the rest of her face. "I wouldn't call it that. Simply a healthy respect for... well. It's all a moot thought anyway. I've got none of my materials with me, much less any sort of focus."
“All right, well, I can show you using my grimoire. It would be easier, since you already have some foreknowledge and my staff is not... safe for novices.â€
“... Not safe?â€
Not giving an explanation, Aeriyn reached into her satchel and dug around. A small, feminine exclamation of annoyance emanated from inside the bag.
Antimony blinked at the bag. "... Was that..."
Aeriyn sighed and addressed the satchel, "So much for keeping you hidden."
“Uhm...? Miss.. Aeriyn?â€
Aeriyn opened the travel bag widely and a burst of golden light flashed upward. In response, Antimony's eyes widened and she leaned back sharply in surprise. "What is--a demon in your--!" She froze and blinked rapidly at the... glowing... thing.
“It's not a demon. It's just Rinah.â€
“Just... just "Rinah". Oh! Of... course…†Antimony's ears swiveled in confusion. "What... is it..?"
The creature, a vague humanoid shape visible through the bright glow of light, fluttered her wings and glanced at the other miqo'te, then turned toward Aeriyn. “Who's this? A friend of yours?â€
“Antimony,†Aeriyn introduced. “You kept making noise in the bag and it was pointless to keep trying to pretend I didn't hear it.â€
The light turned toward Antimony. “Oh. Hello.â€
Antimony squawked at the small voice. "It--it... Oh dear. I've never... read anything about… this before.â€
“Rinah is a fairy,†Aeriyn explained. “I rescued her from the old temple of Oschon near Camp Bronze Lake. She's actually why I'm here in Thanalan. Somehow she wound up imprisoned in a shard of corrupted aether many, many years ago, during the fall of the Nymian civilization. She's been disconnected from the flow of aether.â€
Antimony stared wide-eyed at the bright light, within which she could make out the form of... a person? She blinked hard, her tail swishing once. "How is it... what.. is it made of...? Ah, her--her I mean!"
The fairy – Rinah! Fairies had names? Fairies could talk? Fairies were real? – glanced uneasily at Aeriyn. “You're being awfully free with information.â€
“It's okay, Rinah,†the Keeper assuaged. “It's not you the Syndicate cares about, anyroad.â€
Antimony frowned briefly at Aeriyn but very quickly went back to staring at the fairy in confused awe.
Rinah turned and glanced at Antimony. “My physical form is comprised of aether. I suppose you could say I am made of magic.â€
“That's the problem. She's been disconnected from the astral flow. Rinah's only still alive now because I periodically infuse her with mana.â€
Antimony's mouth works silently for a moment, Rinah’s glow casting harsh shadows on her features, before she, very slowly, reached out with one hand as though to touch Rinah. "Fasc--fascinating.."
Aeriyn shook her head in frustration. "If I can't figure out how to reconnect the shattered link, or somehow anchor her to this plane..."
The fairy fluttered forward and alighted on Antimony's outstretched hand. “I'm quite solid, as you can feel.â€
The older woman startled but quickly recovered, squinting through the glare of her glasses. “How does she keep form..? Like a carbuncle?â€
“The same process, yes.â€
Rinah crossed her arms as her expression assumed a pout. “I'm right here, you know. You can ask me.â€
Antimony Jhanhi flinched and gave both Aeriyn and the fairy a chagrined look. “... Ah! Oh! I'm... sorry. I didn't--well, I mean I've never seen... But carbuncles aren't sentient!â€
“Carbuncles are not, no,†Rinah agreed. “But other astral beings are. The most obvious example an Eorzean would understand would be the primals.â€
Antimony frowned, looking vaguely uncomfortable at that mention of the aether-hungry beast-gods. "Aether... taking form to make... thought? I suppose thought is similar to a spell... like a brain... oh, this is incredible! And you just..." she turned to Aeriyn, "Just found her?"
“Sort of.â€
“Hm?†She gave the younger woman a confused look.
“I work for the Maelstrom. I was sent to the temple of Oschon to investigate strange magical phenomenon. What I found instead were Garlean soldiers.†Her expression sombered briefly before she continued, “After the battle, I searched their bodies to try and figure out what they were doing in the temple in the first place. I found a shard of corrupted aether in one of their packs. There was a... presence inside the crystal.â€
Antimony shook her head, "It's no matter. This! Oh, you must be so... well!" The intrigue on her face washed it clean of many of the deep lines of anxiety that had plagued her features up to that moment. It made her look more youthful than she perhaps had in years. "This is fascinating! I must... how do you shape thought? And will? What equation drives you..." She half-spoke to Rinah, half to herself.
“Arcane geometry doesn't drive me or shape my will,†Rinah chuffed. “It only calls me to this place. Unfortunately, it also stranded me here.â€
Antimony blinked at that. ".. Are you sure? There's... no shame in learning one's inner workings..!"
Aeriyn nodded at Rinah's explanation. "Practitioners of arcanima utilize their magical formulae to establish a link between the physical world and the aether.â€
Rinah added: “Carbuncles are different; they're magical constructs. That's why they aren't sentient.â€
“There are other methods of calling and summoning, taught and developed by different civilizations. The Allag summoners could call upon the power of the primals themselves. The scholars of Nym established pacts with fey beings much like Rinah.â€
Antimony might have looked briefly disappointed at that, but the expression was gone quickly, replaced by a furrowed brow towards Aeriyn. "She is, ah, "dying" then. Why do you think Thanalan will help her..?"
“The Calamity left behind a massive area of corrupted, crystallized aether here,†Aeriyn gestured. “I need to obtain samples to study so that I can deduce how Rinah was cut off from the astral flow.â€
Antimony's eyes widened briefly. "Oh, to be involved in such--" Her words cut off suddenly, her expression falling. "Ah. Well. I... have no doubt you'll find something worthwhile, even if it... isn't quite what you were after."
“What do you mean?â€
Antimony shook her head and gestured with one hand, "Just as you said - a chance to study corrupt, crystallized aether! Even if what you find isn't directly applicable...! Well, it would be an interesting find regardless."
“Oh, yes. You seem to be very interested in these things.†Aeriyn thought for a moment. “If you're so fascinated by magic, why are you so reluctant to practice it yourself?â€
Antimony's tail twitched. "Well, it is what I... I mean, it's not my job, but still.. it's good to have a hobby!" Antimony's features slackened somewhat into a more distant expression. "I'm not... entirely incapable of aetheric manipulation. Though, ah, I didn't realize it was precisely what I was doing until relatively recently." She shook her head slightly.
“I don't understand,†Aeriyn blinked round eyes. “How could you do something without knowing what it was?â€
Wincing at that, Antimony struggled for a moment. How could one relate the kind of isolation from the world she’d spent her whole life in? In a way that wouldn’t make Aeriyn think she was some foreign… weirdo? "Well, it's just that I--well, we... had a different explanation. It's no matter, though! As it's all the same in the end."
“Oh.†A pause. “What is your job, then?â€
Antimony answered that question with much greater ease, "I perform investigative accounting work for the Commerce Re--ah..." Her ears drooped. "For... freelance, I suppose."
Aeriyn didn’t miss the slip and her ears twitched thoughtfully. "Your employers aren't fond of publicity?"
The older woman winced. "No, it's not that. Just... Well!" She tried to inject some measure of cheer in her voice, but likely failed miserably, "I suppose one could say I've recently shed the chains of steady employment!" She tried for a smile, but it ended up  more of a grimace. There was nothing happy in being fired.
“I did the opposite, though I suppose "recently" is a matter of debate. I was an independent contractor before I signed on with the Maelstrom.â€
The fairy, who had been rather quietly hovering between them during this, glanced at Aeriyn, her expression tired. “I'm going to rest for a while.â€
Antimony furrowed her brow in thought, "Ah yes, right. I do recall you doing some kind of... contractual work in the Shroud for... oh, no matter." She looked up as Rinah spoke, watching her move with interest.
“Okay. How are you feeling?†Aeriyn questioned.
“Not good,†Rinah sighed, if fairies could indeed sigh. “But that's not any different than usual. I'm going to rest and conserve the aether I've absorbed...â€
“I can try another infusion—“
Antimony pressed her lips together in concern.
Rinah shook her head. “Not so soon. You'll need your strength to deal with the creatures in the Burning Wall. If I rest, I should be fine.â€
“All right.†Aeriyn opened her satchel and carefully helped Rinah back inside. With the flap of the bag open, a small wooden box-like object was visible, containing within it what looked like a very tiny, fairy-sized bed.
Still feeling a bit awkward talking to a manifestation of aether, Antimony still managed a genuine, "I do hope you feel better soon."
“Aeri will find the answer. I know it.â€
Aeriyn watched Rinah tuck her wings in and curl up on the fairy-sized bed before closing the satchel's flap. “When I found her inside the crystal, it took me several suns to figure out how to free her without killing her. During the process, I discovered that she was conscious and aware while frozen within the shard. She had been that way for at least a hundred years. Possibly more.†Her's ears drooped and her tail curled tightly around her leg. "I know beings like Rinah view the passage of time differently than miqo'te, but I can't even imagine how horrible that was for her..."
Antimony watched the satchel in silence for a moment before letting out a slight sigh, "It is good she, ah, has someone who can take care of her, at the very least. Fortunate that one like you found her and not... well."
“I don't know exactly what the Imperials wanted with her, but it could not possibly have been good.â€
Antimony nodded at that and then tried for an encouraging smile, the best a mother knew how to give. "This... burning wall sounds promising, at least. I wish you luck in your expedition." A pause. "And... perhaps I could hear of its results..?"
“I would not mind sharing what I learn. I travel all over for my work, but I live in Limsa Lominsa and will return there after my task is complete.â€
“Ah, that.. is where I live! Or... well, yes. It is.â€
Aeriyn blinked and tilted her head quizzically, "You live there... or what?"
Antimony shook her head, waving the hand still holding the apple a bit awkwardly. "It's not a concern. I'm simply busy elsewhere at the moment." She looked past Aeriyn, thinking.
“Oh.â€
Antimony smiled and very deliberately took a bite of the apple.
Aeriyn stood up then and finished off the last of her ale. She doffed her satchel and offered Antimony a smile. "The rain's stopped for now. I should be on my way. The longer I remain in Thanalan, the greater chance my presence here will become known."
Giving Aeriyn a confused look for a moment and then, Antimony slowly brought her own thoughts back in alignment with the present enough that she processed the girl's words. She smiles. "Oh! Yes, of course. I wouldn't think to delay such an... well, an important adventure."
Aeriyn bowed courteously. “Thank you for your company. I'll look forward to seeing you again in the future.â€
Antimony opened her mouth to say something, was at first at a loss for words, and then just smiled before finally managing, "And you as well. Thank you, Miss Aeriyn, for this much appreciated distraction."
Aeriyn started to walk away from the table, but stopped herself. "You seem to be busy with something, otherwise I would have asked if you wanted to accompany me."
“Don't worry!†Antimony made to hastily assure, forcing another smile. “I understand. I'll simply have to... well, I'll get the details from you at a later date.â€
“I could use the help, to be honest... I hired an adventurer to protect me from the creatures that infest the area, but I will have to do the analysis and collection myself.â€
Antimony furrowed her brow and looked away a bit guiltily. "I would... truly love to assist, I assure you, but... I cannot risk delaying my own, ah, adventure, so to say."
Aeriyn smiled back. "Ah, well. I will just have to manage on my own. We'll speak again soon, I'm sure."
Antimony watched Aeriyn leave in silence before returning her attention to the apple in her hand with a sigh.
"Song dogs barking at the break of dawn, lightning pushes the edges of a thunderstorm; and these streets, quiet as a sleeping army, send their battered dreams to heaven."
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