Sand in my shoes [ OPEN ]

[Desu Nee]

 

I...can't do it anymore. Gotta rest...

 

 

Being an adventurer isn't never easy, specially when you got so many problems. One of them is having albinism against the unrelenting sun and unforgiving sand in the arid region of Thanalan. It was simply a courier job, one she done relatively well, but the way back was more complicated, what with being attacked every once in a while by bandits and wild animals because you are doing the big mistake of wandering alone in such a region. She fended herself off, but again...she really is quite fragile.

Moaning in pain and shoving her body against a rock to provide the smallest shade, she sits and softly massages her face, which is a bit irritated and in some points bleeding due to the effects of the sand. She hated this, she hated it all...curling a bit to get the most of the shade, she takes off her left boot and tilts a bit, a small but constant stream of sand spilling back to the desert.

 

 

( Kinda with bad internet right now, so doing here. Replies welcome even...if it's kinda in the middle of nowhere >.> )

[Gegenji]

"C'mon, Avenger! Go, go, go!"

 

This day found Chachanji darting across the Thanalan stretches on his little Chocobo, Avenger. After his thrilling race with Ms. Roen, he had found himself often wanting to go out and go full tilt from astride his bird. It was probably why he had started taking more delivery-style jobs from Ms. Momodi, so he can have an excuse to do that very thing.

 

The two were stampeding back from such a task now, in fact. He had been tasked with relaying some paperwork to a mining site in place of a sick courier, so he had gathered up his bird and a snack or two for the trip, and set out on his way. Now he was returning triumphantly, hoping to make it back almost as quickly as he had made it there.

 

... At least, that had been the original plan. He had almost missed her, her white hair and skin almost blending in with the endless stretches of light tan. The fact that she was propped up against a rock gave her a stark contrast, however, as well as her clothing. He found himself slowing curiously as the gap between them lessened, and with the blur of motion dampened some... he notes spots of red on her raw, ivory-hued face.

 

"Um... h-haldo there, are ya akay?" the youngest Gegenji queried as he pulled his bird to a complete stop next to her, the albeit small bird's bulk adding just a bit more shade for the pale-hued Lalafell.

[Desu Nee]

Ahn...?

 

 

She looks up to the individual, and blinks a bit. It takes her a while to process his question, but she looks at herself, and chuckles a bit...yeah she looks really like a mess. She could really use a chocobo. She looks at him and tries to clean her face, and at least look barely presentable.

 

Oh...yeah, sorry, just taking a bit of a rest! The sun has been quite unforgiving today, more than unusual.

 

 

She waves her hands a bit dismissively...

 

Did a courier trade for Ms. Momodo, but I really don't have a chocobo so had to go by foot.

 

 

She gazes at the bird completely jealous...she really could use a Chocobo. Specially here, albeit the sand would probably hit even harder, but she wouldn't deny the mobility would be wonders, it's quite hard moving long distances when you got such short feet.

[Gegenji]

"A rest, huh? Um, well, a-anythin' I can do ta halp out? L-looks like yer bleedin' a little bit there." Even as he spoke, he urged Avenger to squat down some to make his dismount easier. "I, uh, I do errands fer Ms. Momodi too... so we gots ta look out fer each other, right?"

 

He didn't have any bandages or anything like that, but little bumps and scrapes were what the dumbed-down version on Physick his brother taught him was for. He was almost in the middle of doing the motions for it when he caught himself. It was... probably for the best to get an okay for doing that sort of thing, huh? He'd gotten himself into trouble enough for being too helpful... but he was still ready to use that Physick of his regardless.

 

"Um... I also have some water 'n snacks... if'n that's more yer thing," he offered shortly after, his violet eyes flitting to his seated bird. His snacks were, in truth, more of his beloved Yellow Drops. Probably not the best snack to bring for desert travel, but he always carried some around. If not for himself, then for those who were in the mood for a nice burst of lemony flavor.

[Desu Nee]

Well, generosity wasn't a thing she saw really often...except from Ms. Momodo of course. She looks a bit surprised, as she puts her boot back and takes off the other, letting another small stream of sand fall off.

If you don't really mind...I am kind of thirsty.

 

 

One would think it was rude of her to accept but even if she's young, Ququki has to be pragmatic. Excessive Honor doesn't give you water and food. She takes a long look at the other Lala, before speaking.

 

But before that can I have your name. I really would like to know the name of my "savior"

 

She giggles a bit, beginning to wear her other boot back.

[Gegenji]

Chachan gives another worried glance towards the scrapes and such on her face, but ultimately fishes out his waterskin from one of the saddlebags strapped to Avenger. They were a relatively new purchase for him, but the guy at the stall had been just so persuasive about them! And he could carry all sorts of neat stuff in them too!

 

Right now, along with the waterskin and some more... tangible snack choices like a sack of dried jerky, he also had an extra smith's hammer and a few other odds and ends he had ended up collecting in the bags like a Qirin. It looked not unlike a weekend camping bag that had been childishly stuffed with anything that Chachanji might find even remotely useful for the trip.

 

"A-ah, right, that's... prolly a good idea, yeah," he admitted with a nervous chuckle. He was still so bad with introducing himself before trying to help folks out. Always led to these sort of awkward exchanges too. He tried to smooth it over a bit by handing over the waterskin as he continued. "Th' name's Chachanji - Chachanji Gegenji, nice ta meetcha."

[Desu Nee]

Ququki Quki.

 

She mouths a thanks, before tilting her head and the waterskin, the refreshning liquid running down her throat...it's funny how thirst give value to such little things like water. She actually packed water for herself but hey, that means she doesn't have to use her own canteen.

 

She stops drinking, and looks at it for some seconds, before handing back the waterskin.

 

Hmm, I recognize this style of name...you're from the East of Thanalan?

 

 

She tilts her head, a bit curious, and gets up, still holding the waterskin.

[Gegenji]

"A-ah, nice ta meetcha, Ms. Ququki," he replied awkwardly as he retrieved the waterskin from her. "Me Mama's actually from Ul'dah. I'm... err... not. Though I've been livin' there fer a couple'a moons now."

 

Speaking about his heritage was still a bit of a touchy thing. He still could recall way too easily that other lady Lalafell that had gotten on him and berated his homeland when he let slip the knowledge of his Doman heritage. He had since had several occasions where people had found out his Othard roots and been completely fine with it - one of them being a former Garlean, in fact! - but he still felt this niggling urge to keep quiet about it around strangers.

 

"Ya feelin' better, now?" he asked as she stood up, standing a couple ilms taller that the stout, stocky little Dunesfolk. His violet gaze remained on her own crimson orbs regardless, though they did detour to her scrapes now and again. "Th' offer ta halp wit those scrapes is still open if'n ya want it, by th' by."

 

Behind him, Avenger trilled and got back to his feet, eager to shake some of the sand out from his feathers.

[Desu Nee]

Ah, it would be nice...

 

Ququki holds her head a bit, grimancing. Yeah, a small headache coming, probably the sen, Making a click with her tongue, she looks a bit beyond the horizon...

 

How close are we from some...settlement or maybe Ul'dah. I admit I got a bit lost, I've been just following the road and hoping it would lead me somewhere.

 

 

She sighs, straightening her clothes, and rubbing her left hands on her face. Even if he healed, it would be simply temporary. It's not even the result of the bandits or wild animals and more of the effects of the desert on her frail being. The fact he still haven't asked why she looks as such is at least nice, she really dislikes explaining her condition.

[Gegenji]

"Ah, a-akay, hold still, then," the green-haired Dunesfolk murmured, drawing the simplified Physick spell seemingly in the air. Healing aether coalesced around his fingertips as he seemed to wipe it away at the end, as if he had swiped his little hands through a jar of blue-white jelly. It was with these glowing fingertips that he traced lightly over the scrapes, which would slowly mend themselves shut in their passing. Perhaps it would only be temporary, but its fairly obvious that Chachan himself was not much of a forward-thinker.

 

"Settlement?" the youngest Gegenji murmured thoughtfully as the last line of crimson faded away on her pale face. "Err... w-well, I was jus' headin' straight back ta Ul'dah, but I think Black Brush ain't too far from here. It'd be... err... a bit cramped, but I could give ya a lift on Avenger."

 

The Lalafell's violet gaze turned to his bird. Avenger, oblivious to the promises being made about him, was busy trying to get a few stubborn granules of sand out of his wing with his beak. When he felt his owner's gaze on him, he perked up and gave a cheerful "wark." The Chocobo was quite small - though appropriate for someone as diminutive as Chachanji - and it would indeed mean being clumped almost uncomfortably close together if Ququki were to take him up on his offer.

[Desu Nee]

She took a long look at the bird, measuring him and the space she would have. Indeed, it would be fairly crampled, but beggars can't be choosers. She really didn't want him to carry her to Ul'dah, that would be just abusing generosity.

 

Beggars can't be choosers, Chachanji.

 

 

She stands up, and holds her hands behind her, tilting forward.

 

Albeit you're being suspiciously nice. I'm really sorry for the sudden rudeness, but can you prove me you're just getting the next slave for the ring? It's Ul'dah, everyone can be bought for the right amount of coin.

 

 

She narrows her eyes, holding her small staff behind her back. Half of her really doubted this Lala really had any bad intention on her head, but if she learned one thing of her life as a refugee is really not trust situations that are too good.

[Gegenji]

"S-slave!?" Chachan repeated in surprise, for surprise was exactly how he felt about such an assumption. He hadn't even considered that sort of thing - he saw someone hurt on the side of the road and had wanted to help. Did... did slavers actually do that sort of thing? It brought a frown to the Lalafell's lips before he shook his head to dismiss such thoughts from his mind.

 

"I'm... I jus' like ta halp people, is all," he admitted, rather lamely. "I'm trainin' ta be a Paladin ta do just that, 'n I do odds 'n ends fer Ms. Momodi to halp folkses in other ways. Though... I... I 'spose I have no way ta prove that, huh? At least, not out here in th' middle'a nowhere."

 

He looked a little dejected, perhaps at his own inability to prove his trustworthiness. He glanced away from her, his violet gaze on the horizon as he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. Behind him, Avenger returned to picking the bits of sand out of his wings.

 

"I..." he paused. "I... guess ya'd jus' hafta trust me."

[Desu Nee]

Leave me with your sack of bits until we reach Ul'dah.

 

 

She smirks a bit, raising her eyebrowns, and giving a little smack sound with her tongue.

 

Bandits don't really trust anyone besides themselves, so if you let me hold your sack of gil, that's proof enough that you really meant well. If you do any turn I don't like I'll just melt the gil into liquid gold.

 

 

It's...harsh, she has to admit, but something this underage thaumaturge adventurer learned very soon in her life is to look at a Free Chocobo's Beak. Holding her hand, she keeps smirking.

 

I'm sorry if I sound really harsh but...I really got bad experiences with trust.

[Gegenji]

"M-my what!?" Chachan asked initially, curious to her initial phrasing. Once she clarified what she had meant, he gave her a little sad look not too far removed from one might see on a freshly kicked puppy. Still, he shuffled about his person before finally producing a small pouch.

 

"If... if that's what it takes ta get me ta halp ya..." he bemoaned, offering the little bag to her. "I don't think ya'd be able ta get enough fer even an ingot, though."

 

True to his word, the pouch was almost pathetically light. He had been living hand to mouth since arriving to Ul'dah, and that had been exacerbated when he brought Gran under his care. The dwindling resources were stretched even more when he started making small trips to help feed the refugees outside the city walls. So, even with him finally thinking there was some merit to his father's words and start actually selling the armor and weapon pieces he could forge to friends and allies... he was still living only slightly above poverty himself.

 

"That better?"

[Desu Nee]

...{ What a cutie } Very well, but I still got my eye on you!

 

 

 

 

She climbs on the Chocobo, holding on his back.

 

Let's go?

[Gegenji]

Chachan gave a small nod, unsure if her words were an actual warning or merely playful ribbing, as he clambered onto Avenger's back. As she approached to climb on behind him, he inched forward as far as he could onto the seat rise to allow her the most room possible. This, of course, also left him effectively straddling the pommel, which was certainly not the most comfortable position in the world. It might've been more bearable if he had actually worn his armor, but he had figured this trip would be a simple to and from thing.

 

Instead, he had offered up what little gil he had as a collateral so he could help a girl he found scraped up and worn out on the side of the road. After she accused him of potentially being in a slave ring. Well, he wondered with a small sigh, it was still the right thing to do, right? Better than leave her to suffer on foot under the relentless Thanalan sun. He looked over his shoulder at her both in thought and in response to her query.

 

"Oh, um... r-right." With a light tap of his heels and a click of his tongue, the young Chocobo started off again - this time bearing a surprise extra passenger.

[Desu Nee]

As the trip goes relatively quiet, Chachanji's passenger keeps quiet, holding on him...her silence seems thoughtful...but eventually she speaks again.

 

Sorry. I'm being way too much trouble for you than I'm worth.

 

She sighs and looks to the scenario, animals and other adventurers passing by. She always liked riding chocobos, as little opportunities of riding them she realistically got.

 

I've been really rude about all of this, I genuinely thought you would just leave me. I'll pay you upfront when we return to wherever you stop.

 

 

Her holding gets a little softer, her voice going from a stern tone...to an almost childish one, like a kid after being punished.

[Gegenji]

Chachanji looked over his shoulder at her at her apology, giving a small smile.

 

"Hey, it's fine, no worries," he stated simply, shifting a bit to try to get into a more comfortable position against the pommel. "I really shoulda expected ya ta be at least a little 'spicious at my offer. Guy ridin' up on ya outta nowhere 'n offerin' ta give ya lift? It is kinda skeevy."

 

He looked forward again. He wasn't having Avenger go full tilt like he would have had be been alone, lest his passenger slip and fall due to the jostling. To his credit, though, the Chocobo didn't seem to mind the extra weight. He just scampered along contentedly enough, bright eyes flicking to whatever caught his interest as they went.

 

"'n don't worry none 'bout payment," the green-haired Dunesfolk added, letting go of the reins with one hand long enough for a dismissive wave. "I'm doin' this 'cuz I wanna halp, that's all."

[Desu Nee]

I like to help when I can too. It gives a fuzzy feeling doesn't it?

 

 

She lets go, her arms laying a bit loose as she lets the breeze hit her face. Sure, the sand hurts, but her mood brightened a bit, so she doesn't care.

 

Why ya like to help, Chachanji?

[Gegenji]

"Um... well, yeah, th' fuzzy feelin's a part'a it," Chachanji mused thoughtfully as they rounded a bend. Even with Avenger's slowed speed, they were making solid time, and Black Brush would be visible on the horizon soon enough. Barring any other sudden surprises, of course. "But it also jus' feels... right, y'know? Halpin' people jus' seems like th' right thing ta do, so I do it."

 

There was more to it, of course. His desire to help and protect people had been tempered by recent events, and the cause of his increased resolve only just as recently brought to light through his conversations with his two Paladin mentors. Still, what he answered with was still the honest base to his reasonings, the feelings that had initially started him on the path he now walked. And that seemed reason enough for some light back-and-forth during a Chocobo ride.

 

"So, ya mentioned Eastern Thanalan," he continued, trying to keep the friendly banter going. "Are ya from there, or are ya Ul'dah-born?"

[Desu Nee]

She sombers a bit, remembering her family. It's never pleasant to remember of them, and her much happier times, but so far the Lala has been so nice, she can't possibly negate him this knowledge.

 

Born there. My father used to own a series of Mines across the area, and we lived in a small private village he built for us and the workers.

 

 

Her tone is soft, as she looks in the general direction of East.

 

There's nothing there anymore, so I just say I was born around the area. I don't even remember exactly where it was.

[Gegenji]

"Oh..."

 

Chachanji can hear the somber tone in her voice. Definitely sounds like something went south at some point or another. Mines dried up? Workers left? It wasn't nice to pry, though, considering how it had taken quite a bit of prodding for the youngest Gegenji to open up about his own family with his friends. So, instead, he decided to try to put a positive spin on things.

 

"Wow. A whole village, huh?" he repeated curiously. "It's hard enough ta forge a full suit'a armor... I can't imagine how much work must go inta puttin' a whole town tagether."

 

And yet it was all gone. Well, that took the wind out of his sails. He couldn't help but compare it to Doma, a place also gone now... though perhaps for different reasons. He frowned a bit at the thought, but his face was turned forward, so hopefully his passenger wouldn't notice it.

 

"A home gone, huh?" Even with the hiding of his expression, Chachan can't quite keep the sad, wistful tone from his voice. "W-well... it's never truly gone as long as ya remember it, right? 'n... 'n there's always a chance fer findin' a new home."

 

He spoke with experience on that last one. Despite losing Doma, he had found a place at the Hourglass and as Ms. Momodi's errand boy. And now, with his initiation to the Coral Sea... he truly started to feel at home again. The bits of Doma he had slipped into his room at the Coral estate definitely helped, though. Considering how Virara had reacted to the sliding doors, it was apparently not an uncommon feeling.

 

"Just gotta stay positive."

[Desu Nee]

...Yeah. Gotta keep positive.

 

 

No use just spoiling the rest of his mood by saying how his simblings simply left her to die. No, that would be far too unnecessary. She simply forces a smile...

 

Where do you consider home?

[Gegenji]

Chachan looked over his shoulder at her again at her question, both brows raised slightly. He could see her wincing a bit as the bits of sand carried on the wind scratched at her face anew. He'd probably need to give her another light Physick touch-up once they reached Black Brush Station. But that was for later, for now he had a question to answer.

 

"Well, I gots three, I 'spose," he replied with a shrug, keeping his violet orbs on her own reddish ones. "Th' home I was born, a'course..." He kept silent about the fact that this first one was gone as well, razed by the Garleans. "But there's also th' Quicksand 'n th' Free Company house over in Mist."

 

He turned forward again as he continued.

 

"After I came ta Ul'dah, I lived outta th' Hourglass. Leavin' ta do errands 'n coming back ta th' tavern fer meals 'n talk ta folkses," he said thoughtfully. "I met a lotta me frands there, or through folkses I met there. A'fore I knew it, it was like a second home ta me. 'n even if'n I don't live there anymore, I still do errands fer Ms. Momodi 'n hang 'round th' Quicksand."

 

He squinted a bit. A few of Black Brush's taller structures had appeared over the horizon, inching their way further up into the sky as they approached. It wouldn't be too much longer until they were safely within the confines of the outpost's low walls.

 

"As fer th' third? Well... I have a lotta... close friends there." His mind's eye flitted briefly between his "big sister" Leanne, the pink-haired Lalafell Memeli, and the soft-spoken Hyur Jancis. The happy moment when Dhem and Tau got married, and the depressed wreck the latter became after the former's death. Of Ja'ren and his cult-enslaved mother, and of the trial that sought to punish Sigurd for trying to save the company's First Mate. "They're... like family ta me, th' lot'a 'em. 'n isn't home where yer family is?"

 

Though, he thought with a slight cant of his head, wouldn't that mean he had four homes then? His actual family was up in Revenant's Toll with the refugees, so wouldn't that make that his home as well? Man, this was getting confusing. He shook his head and turned both his gaze and attentions back to Ququki.

 

"So... even if one is gone," he stated. "Or jus' one ya moved 'way from... ya can still keep it in yer heart, even as ya find yerself another. Home is where th' heart is, right?"

[Desu Nee]

I'm not sure I think I can do that..

 

 

Too much comes to her head. The endless wandering as a miserable refugee. The pain on her skin and bones without her medication. The short patience of her family until the boiling point. Her sister leaving them all, tired of endless bickering and rivalry of an once happy, united family. His oldest brother last letter, wishing them, specially Quki luck in life. She wished she could have found memories of her happier times...but those just made her life post-calamity have a much bitter taste.

 

Too much happened, and these memories are meaningless now. I'm all alone...