((A day after Ale Solves Everything...))
***
Antimony walked alongside Ulanan through the streets of Ul’dah with a morose expression and body language - hands clasped low in front of her, tail and ears drooping. There was still a bit of waneness to her skin from an earlier hangover. As she walked, she said to the lalafell, "Perhaps... perhaps she left to follow K'ile. And it's only coincidence."
Ulanan, on the contrary, walked just like she always did: stomping her feet down the ground like she was squeezing money out of it with each one. She tilted her head to Antimony's direction but didn’t turn to face her. "Maybe, but she left through the Gate of Nald. If she wanted to follow him, she would have left throught Thal's." She rubbed the bridge of her nose briefly. "It's more likely she had a parcel for Black Brush."
Antimony looked strained for a moment and fell quiet. Her gaze lifted to the stairs they approached, and the large doors beyond.
“Is K'airos a good Brass Blade?â€
Antimony paused midway up the stairs, wringing her hands. "I'm... certain she is. She wa--is a very talented girl."
Ulanan smiled. “Then you don't have to worry. She can't abandon service just like that, and she did not quit as far as I could gather.â€
Antimony drew in a slow breath, and though she didn’t look particularly convinced, she still nodded at the lalafell and murmured, "You're right." She hesitated as they near the door, wrinkling her nose uncomfortably.
“Have you been in the Ossuary before?â€
Antimony glanced down at Ulanan. “Ah, no. It's... it's not a good place.â€
Ulanan raised both brows. "It's Nald'thal's temple, a place to honor and remember the dead. It's also where thaumaturgy is taught." One tiny finger was raised and pointed to the sky. "It's perfectly harmless."
Antimony looked off to one side and then just continued forward. Ulanan coughed at something she had stuck in her throat. The lalafell then turned her head from one side to the other. "If he has any decency he'll be dressed properly. Look for a pompously dressed man and then for a blond tail."
“Properly..?†Antimony glanced around, between the massive pillars and towering bookshelves.
“Not bright colors.†Antimony frowned at the lalafell’s words, while Ulanan instead glanced around the massive bookshelves and towering pillars.
D'hein Tia was likely identifiable by the fact that one ear stuck straight up, but the other sat awkwardly off to one side, his tail pinwheeling ludicrously behind him.
Antimony blinked at the cowled miqo'te and let out a faint sigh before approaching, followed closely by Ulanan. Crossing between two impossibly large pillars, she stepped up behind him, looking over his shoulder at the books he seemed to be absorbed in, and then, ears drooping further, lightly touched his shoulder and cleared her throat. “… D’hein?â€
D'hein chuckled, his down ear sitting up and his up ear flicking around in a circle. Instead of getting a reaction from D'hein, it seemed as though Antimony pushed a button that turned his inner monologue external, as he began to mumble to himself, "So then once the body is frozen it's more conducive of electricity! Freeze first, then lightning. Is that really how it works though?"
At his words Antimony paled and stepped back, glancing towards Ulanan.
Ulanan returned the glance, not looking very surprised by this. She looked back at D'hein's cowl and tried interrupting his monologue. "It's part of the aether cycle. Like the movement of your ears."
D'hein glanced down at the Lalafel, "Ah! Ulanan. Are you looking for work? I need someone to find me some frozen meat to throw lightning bolts at. Red meat would be best."
“This is... thaumaturgy..?†Antimony’s words sounded uneasy.
Ulanan shrugged. "Just the stupid part." Then, in a more cheerful but not particularly loud voice she added: "D'hein, I've come with Antimony. Have you seen K'airos lately?"
D'hein turned full round to Ulanan, closing the book in his hands with a clap. "Not since the other day. Have you asked Antimony?" His gaze continued to the side to spy the other woman. "Oh, hello Anitmony! Have you seen K'airos lately?"
The older miqo’te furrowed her brow, looking almost angry for a split second, and exclaimed with a slight hint of the tears she'd been drowning in and out of since yesterday, "No, I have not!"
“D'aijeen visited Antimony last night and said she and K'airos would leave forever.â€
Antimony's tail shivered, grey fur standing on end, and curled until it was tucked against the inside of one leg.
D'hein let his shoulders slump and muttered, "That does sound like something she would say." And then, taking a step towards Antimony and extending his hand, "Antimony, I hope she didn't upset you significantly. Children can be so cruel."
Antimony watched D'hein in silence for several seconds, as still as a statue. Then, very suddenly, she burst, bringing her hands to her face, "What have you taught her, D'hein?!"
“I imagine she simply wished to upset you and timed her appearance and threat with K'airos' mission,†Ulanan suggested in a comforting tone, pausing before adding, “Whatever that was.â€
D'hein looked confused, his hand wavering in front of him, and then he flinched back a half-step. One ear shook. His tail flipped to the side and went still. "I... have taught her... life skills?"
Antimony's shoulders shook. "If not you, then--then someone! Someone's hurt my baby girl and twisted her--turned her all around! That she'd associate my love with--with other things..."
“I... am not... I don't understand. Granted I had assumed there would be some awkwardness on account of certain factors, but...â€
Ulanan looked as confused as D'hein was.
Antimony's expression twisted, clearly upset but extremely reluctant to go into further detail. After a time, her ears drooped and she murmured towards the floor, "I couldn't do what she wanted me to do, to show that I loved her. And so now she's taking Airos away."
D'hein tapped his book against his leg, causing the scepter there to flicker in the ambient light. "I'm sure K'airos will have something to say to that."
Antimony pressed her lips together, not looking convinced.
“Could D'aijeen try to trick or trouble her to travel away?†Ulanan questioned.
“D'aijeen can be very convincing,†D’hein conceded, “but she's always expressed a desire to give K'airos what she wants. What does K'airos want more than her mother? I'm sure once D'aijeen understands how much K'airos wishes to stay with you, she will relent.â€
Antimony kept her face down-turned as she replied, voice low, "You did not hear her words. I've no doubt she'll persist." Her smaller friend looked between the two, unsure of who was more likely to be right.
D'hein sighed and said, "D'aijeen returned to the commune last night and was there when I left this morning. Perhaps we should go speak with her and resolve whatever she holds against you. She often needs a firm hand."
Antimony's features tensed at that, looking almost frightened by the prospect. But, she considered hesitatingly, "If both of us... perhaps..." She wanted to sound hopeful, but it didn’t quite get through.
“I think it would be more convenient to meet her in neutral grounds,†Ulanan interrupted.
D'hein looked down at Ulanan. "If we chase her down in the commune we can corner her alongside D'ahl. If we attempt to meet her in a neutral location she may choose not to entertain us." At that, Antimony worried her fingers about one another, tail twisting around one thigh.
“...who's D'hal?â€
“D'ahl is a close friend of D'aijeen's who I worry may be encouraging unhealthy behavior,†D’hein explained. “I doubt that even D'ahl would support D'aijeen's interference in K'airos' life.â€
Ulanan nodded once. "Alright, then." She looked at Antimony. "I imagine we should go as soon as possible. Are you comfortable with this idea?"
Antimony's ears bounced anxiously, the twisting of her hands growing more vigorous. "We should go now. Who knows when she'll--she might already be gone! Off to find Airos and--I'll never see them again...!"
“Oh, was Ulanan coming as well?â€
“If... if she wishes,†Antimony said after a moment. “Ah, you don't have to burden yourself with this, Ulanan...â€
Ulanan raised a brow. "Would it be too complex to get a lalafell into your commune?"
“I doubt anyone will even notice a Lalafel. Antimony, on the other hand, should dress herself more richly. The tribe judges almost exclusively on appearance and clout, which is why they felt comfortable abusing you.â€
Antimony gave D'hein a look that managed to convey a full spectrum of frustration, worry, fear, and just general all-around anxiety in one go. "This is no time for shopping!"
D'hein frowned, and his tone hardened, "I didn't gift you that dress out of idle pride. You are not in Limsa. The leaders and movers of Ul'dah are not pirates and hoods. You will never warrant their attention if you look like a refugee. You must portray yourself as one of their peers. It is not optional."
Antimony twisted her hands into her tunic. "But I--we will be with you! Shouldn't that be enough...?"
“You overestimate my clout.â€
“Maybe I should dress like a wealthy woman and pretend Antimony's my attendant. Or is your tribe racist on top of classist?†Ulanan made an honest question there.
“A wealthy woman would have an affluent servant.â€
Antimony let out a short sigh, ears splaying out to either side of her head before shifting back. Her tunic twisted a bit more. "Alright, alright. But... quickly, please. I don't want to risk--"
“Your tribe sounds like an awful place to be,†Ulanan decided.
“I'll wait at the commune. I assume you remember how to get there.â€
To that Antimony turned away and nodded. Ulanan followed after her, "You didn't throw the clothes away, did you?"
D'hein turned back to the bookshelf and lifted the book to put it away, but couldn’t find the slot it went in. He seemed conflicted for a moment before just shrugging and walking off with it.
To her friend’s question, Antimony murmured a quiet, "No," as she made to leave the Ossuary.
***
Antimony walked alongside Ulanan through the streets of Ul’dah with a morose expression and body language - hands clasped low in front of her, tail and ears drooping. There was still a bit of waneness to her skin from an earlier hangover. As she walked, she said to the lalafell, "Perhaps... perhaps she left to follow K'ile. And it's only coincidence."
Ulanan, on the contrary, walked just like she always did: stomping her feet down the ground like she was squeezing money out of it with each one. She tilted her head to Antimony's direction but didn’t turn to face her. "Maybe, but she left through the Gate of Nald. If she wanted to follow him, she would have left throught Thal's." She rubbed the bridge of her nose briefly. "It's more likely she had a parcel for Black Brush."
Antimony looked strained for a moment and fell quiet. Her gaze lifted to the stairs they approached, and the large doors beyond.
“Is K'airos a good Brass Blade?â€
Antimony paused midway up the stairs, wringing her hands. "I'm... certain she is. She wa--is a very talented girl."
Ulanan smiled. “Then you don't have to worry. She can't abandon service just like that, and she did not quit as far as I could gather.â€
Antimony drew in a slow breath, and though she didn’t look particularly convinced, she still nodded at the lalafell and murmured, "You're right." She hesitated as they near the door, wrinkling her nose uncomfortably.
“Have you been in the Ossuary before?â€
Antimony glanced down at Ulanan. “Ah, no. It's... it's not a good place.â€
Ulanan raised both brows. "It's Nald'thal's temple, a place to honor and remember the dead. It's also where thaumaturgy is taught." One tiny finger was raised and pointed to the sky. "It's perfectly harmless."
Antimony looked off to one side and then just continued forward. Ulanan coughed at something she had stuck in her throat. The lalafell then turned her head from one side to the other. "If he has any decency he'll be dressed properly. Look for a pompously dressed man and then for a blond tail."
“Properly..?†Antimony glanced around, between the massive pillars and towering bookshelves.
“Not bright colors.†Antimony frowned at the lalafell’s words, while Ulanan instead glanced around the massive bookshelves and towering pillars.
D'hein Tia was likely identifiable by the fact that one ear stuck straight up, but the other sat awkwardly off to one side, his tail pinwheeling ludicrously behind him.
Antimony blinked at the cowled miqo'te and let out a faint sigh before approaching, followed closely by Ulanan. Crossing between two impossibly large pillars, she stepped up behind him, looking over his shoulder at the books he seemed to be absorbed in, and then, ears drooping further, lightly touched his shoulder and cleared her throat. “… D’hein?â€
D'hein chuckled, his down ear sitting up and his up ear flicking around in a circle. Instead of getting a reaction from D'hein, it seemed as though Antimony pushed a button that turned his inner monologue external, as he began to mumble to himself, "So then once the body is frozen it's more conducive of electricity! Freeze first, then lightning. Is that really how it works though?"
At his words Antimony paled and stepped back, glancing towards Ulanan.
Ulanan returned the glance, not looking very surprised by this. She looked back at D'hein's cowl and tried interrupting his monologue. "It's part of the aether cycle. Like the movement of your ears."
D'hein glanced down at the Lalafel, "Ah! Ulanan. Are you looking for work? I need someone to find me some frozen meat to throw lightning bolts at. Red meat would be best."
“This is... thaumaturgy..?†Antimony’s words sounded uneasy.
Ulanan shrugged. "Just the stupid part." Then, in a more cheerful but not particularly loud voice she added: "D'hein, I've come with Antimony. Have you seen K'airos lately?"
D'hein turned full round to Ulanan, closing the book in his hands with a clap. "Not since the other day. Have you asked Antimony?" His gaze continued to the side to spy the other woman. "Oh, hello Anitmony! Have you seen K'airos lately?"
The older miqo’te furrowed her brow, looking almost angry for a split second, and exclaimed with a slight hint of the tears she'd been drowning in and out of since yesterday, "No, I have not!"
“D'aijeen visited Antimony last night and said she and K'airos would leave forever.â€
Antimony's tail shivered, grey fur standing on end, and curled until it was tucked against the inside of one leg.
D'hein let his shoulders slump and muttered, "That does sound like something she would say." And then, taking a step towards Antimony and extending his hand, "Antimony, I hope she didn't upset you significantly. Children can be so cruel."
Antimony watched D'hein in silence for several seconds, as still as a statue. Then, very suddenly, she burst, bringing her hands to her face, "What have you taught her, D'hein?!"
“I imagine she simply wished to upset you and timed her appearance and threat with K'airos' mission,†Ulanan suggested in a comforting tone, pausing before adding, “Whatever that was.â€
D'hein looked confused, his hand wavering in front of him, and then he flinched back a half-step. One ear shook. His tail flipped to the side and went still. "I... have taught her... life skills?"
Antimony's shoulders shook. "If not you, then--then someone! Someone's hurt my baby girl and twisted her--turned her all around! That she'd associate my love with--with other things..."
“I... am not... I don't understand. Granted I had assumed there would be some awkwardness on account of certain factors, but...â€
Ulanan looked as confused as D'hein was.
Antimony's expression twisted, clearly upset but extremely reluctant to go into further detail. After a time, her ears drooped and she murmured towards the floor, "I couldn't do what she wanted me to do, to show that I loved her. And so now she's taking Airos away."
D'hein tapped his book against his leg, causing the scepter there to flicker in the ambient light. "I'm sure K'airos will have something to say to that."
Antimony pressed her lips together, not looking convinced.
“Could D'aijeen try to trick or trouble her to travel away?†Ulanan questioned.
“D'aijeen can be very convincing,†D’hein conceded, “but she's always expressed a desire to give K'airos what she wants. What does K'airos want more than her mother? I'm sure once D'aijeen understands how much K'airos wishes to stay with you, she will relent.â€
Antimony kept her face down-turned as she replied, voice low, "You did not hear her words. I've no doubt she'll persist." Her smaller friend looked between the two, unsure of who was more likely to be right.
D'hein sighed and said, "D'aijeen returned to the commune last night and was there when I left this morning. Perhaps we should go speak with her and resolve whatever she holds against you. She often needs a firm hand."
Antimony's features tensed at that, looking almost frightened by the prospect. But, she considered hesitatingly, "If both of us... perhaps..." She wanted to sound hopeful, but it didn’t quite get through.
“I think it would be more convenient to meet her in neutral grounds,†Ulanan interrupted.
D'hein looked down at Ulanan. "If we chase her down in the commune we can corner her alongside D'ahl. If we attempt to meet her in a neutral location she may choose not to entertain us." At that, Antimony worried her fingers about one another, tail twisting around one thigh.
“...who's D'hal?â€
“D'ahl is a close friend of D'aijeen's who I worry may be encouraging unhealthy behavior,†D’hein explained. “I doubt that even D'ahl would support D'aijeen's interference in K'airos' life.â€
Ulanan nodded once. "Alright, then." She looked at Antimony. "I imagine we should go as soon as possible. Are you comfortable with this idea?"
Antimony's ears bounced anxiously, the twisting of her hands growing more vigorous. "We should go now. Who knows when she'll--she might already be gone! Off to find Airos and--I'll never see them again...!"
“Oh, was Ulanan coming as well?â€
“If... if she wishes,†Antimony said after a moment. “Ah, you don't have to burden yourself with this, Ulanan...â€
Ulanan raised a brow. "Would it be too complex to get a lalafell into your commune?"
“I doubt anyone will even notice a Lalafel. Antimony, on the other hand, should dress herself more richly. The tribe judges almost exclusively on appearance and clout, which is why they felt comfortable abusing you.â€
Antimony gave D'hein a look that managed to convey a full spectrum of frustration, worry, fear, and just general all-around anxiety in one go. "This is no time for shopping!"
D'hein frowned, and his tone hardened, "I didn't gift you that dress out of idle pride. You are not in Limsa. The leaders and movers of Ul'dah are not pirates and hoods. You will never warrant their attention if you look like a refugee. You must portray yourself as one of their peers. It is not optional."
Antimony twisted her hands into her tunic. "But I--we will be with you! Shouldn't that be enough...?"
“You overestimate my clout.â€
“Maybe I should dress like a wealthy woman and pretend Antimony's my attendant. Or is your tribe racist on top of classist?†Ulanan made an honest question there.
“A wealthy woman would have an affluent servant.â€
Antimony let out a short sigh, ears splaying out to either side of her head before shifting back. Her tunic twisted a bit more. "Alright, alright. But... quickly, please. I don't want to risk--"
“Your tribe sounds like an awful place to be,†Ulanan decided.
“I'll wait at the commune. I assume you remember how to get there.â€
To that Antimony turned away and nodded. Ulanan followed after her, "You didn't throw the clothes away, did you?"
D'hein turned back to the bookshelf and lifted the book to put it away, but couldn’t find the slot it went in. He seemed conflicted for a moment before just shrugging and walking off with it.
To her friend’s question, Antimony murmured a quiet, "No," as she made to leave the Ossuary.
![[Image: AntiThalSig.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/179079766/AntiThalSig.png)
"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."
Hipparion Tribe (Sagolii)Â - Â Antimony Jhanhi's Wiki
