[ It's true that M'ahina must be used to having an entourage of sorts that would often smooth over situations or arrange accommodations for her, to say nothing of the fact that her clout had long ago made it possible for her to get what she wanted anywhere she set foot. That doesn't mean that she'll be incapable of falling back on her general gregarious nature to be convincing now that she's far from her usual stomping grounds.
She'd managed well enough on the First, after all. Granted, she'd had G'raha secretly looking out for her in that case, but it's at least prepared her for this to some degree. Ardbert isn't worried.
This world is very little like the First thus far, though. The wide roads and the strange vehicles that speed by whilst barely checking to see if there was anyone in their way was just one example. Though as Ardbert's led into the building where M'ahina has chosen to take shelter, he finds something more familiar, though not in a good way. This is where the destitute gather, and he can't help but think of Gatetown. No doubt M'ahina had felt the same when she first found this place.
He stands near the entrance for a few moments, scanning the room before he turns back to M'ahina. Cozy is a generous way of putting it, but he's in no position to complain. ]
It's the sort of place where you can come and go without too many questions being asked, I would wager. That's something, at least.
[ How he still has it in him to find silver linings, he couldn't say. But having M'ahina at his side makes it a tad easier. ]
Lead the way.
[ He can't imagine they'll have much in the way of privacy, but mayhap she's been able to cobble something together. ]
[ She nods; it has been a blessing none of the native residents are questioning this particular group. None seem to be from Eorzea or Norvrandt, but like she and Ardbert, most of them of are fighting a bit of an adjustment period.
She makes her way down the rows of blankets to the spot where she's been sleeping. It's against a wall in an out of the way corner, in a spot most of the others seem to have avoided because it's next to one of the broken windows and a bit more exposed to the elements. It certainly isn't private, but it's about as isolated as one can get in an open space. ]
It's a bit like camping, in a way. [ The sleeping in the dirt portion of it, at least. And she does have a view out to the unfamiliar stars. ]
I'll find you a blanket. ... And maybe some food? [ Surely he would need to eat in his present state? ] Oh! And I'll go talk to the man helping people get sorted to temporary jobs. You could come, if you'd like. Or you can stay and get your bearings, whichever is easier.
[ It's a lot all at once, and just a tad overeager. She's just trying to keep herself moving forward. ]
[ As M'ahina leads them through, Ardbert can't help but send glances toward all of the people gathered here. Many of them look as displaced and unsure as he feels, and if nothing else, they seem to have a whole host of other people in a similar position to them. Which is not a good thing, he realizes, but it does mean that there's at least one place where they can let their guard down slightly.
They reach their destination, which isn't even a room — simply an isolated corner. Ardbert's camped enough on the road that he's no stranger to such "accommodations," and there's possibly even something the slightest bit nostalgic about it. ]
A blanket and food is a good start, aye. [ Oh, yes, he'll need to eat, won't he? Ardbert hasn't given it much thought thus far, but the very suggestion has his stomach churning and twisting, suddenly too aware of how empty it is, and he heaves out a breath. It's intense enough that he even feels a mite nauseous. ]
You go ahead. I'll wait here, if that's all right.
[ He sinks down to the floor and leans his back up against the wall, shooting M'ahina a brief smile so as to not worry her too much. He's fine, truly; he simply needs a moment. ]
[ M'ahina nods with a smile of her own, content to give Ardbert his space. His presence is enough; she would not want to force herself to his side at every second. Part of her might enjoy the thought, but so too is she aware that people at times need to be able to breathe.
Her errands take much longer than she's suggested. As is often the the case, she finds herself distracted and side-tracked. Asking people how they're doing, helping hand out what small supplies there are, the little things she's gotten into the habit of doing to earn people's trust. Ah, the job negotiations, as well... The man helping them establish identities in this place is about somewhere. He seems somewhat dubious of her plan for herself and warns her she is not like to see many earnings for a while, but she shrugs the advice off; she's used to it.
That accomplished, she finally remembers the task she was actually on, and appears with a pillow tucked into arm, blanket around her shoulders, and a tray with food and drink in her other hand. She sets the items down, and tosses the blanket over her friend with a beam. She still isn't feeling well, but it seems she's recharged much energy by meddling her way through the warehouse. ]
Oh! You'll be wanting this... [ she fishes through her pockets and hands him a small device. ] Evidently, the people use these tomestones for communication. Our identities and wages should be stored on it as well. I confess I'm not certain how the latter is supposed to work, but I'm sure it will make more sense once we've seen it in action.
[ So she would assume. She takes the moment to settle into her own blanket and grab her food--an unknown dish and a cup of hot tea. The dish, while passable enough, has a decidedly strange aftertaste she does not think she's prepared to question, but the tea is perfectly average. ]
[ While Ardbert is not quite comfortable or trusting enough to doze off while M'ahina is gone, he does stay put. If he had more energy, he would have been wandering around himself and getting the lay of the land, mayhap even meeting a few people. It's always a good idea to know the names and faces of the people who you'll be spending time with, for better or worse.
But this entire situation has exhausted him. The shock of being in a physical body was one thing, but he also isn't used to the way one functions anymore. Feeling tired, feeling hungry, it's all bound to take some getting used to.
So he remains where he is, observing the few interactions he can from his spot — those walking past or engaging in brief conversations with each other. Everyday talk, if more desperate than mundane because of the situation they're all in. Ardbert has become very good at observing people, and he almost forgets for a moment that he's visible.
M'ahina's return serves as a reminder, and Ardbert perks up as soon as she appears, some brightness returning to his gaze. He laughs as the blanket falls on him, but then reaches out for the pillow to set it behind his lower back before taking the tray of food. The dish isn't something he recognizes, but he has no reason to be picky.
Though before he can take a testing bite, M'ahina hands over the device, the tomestone-yet-not. He blinks down at it, poking at the screen for a few seconds before he sets it aside. Later. ] I imagine we'll get used to it... much like with everything else in this place. Thank you.
[ And now, the big moment. He places the tray in his lap and steels himself, drawing in a breath and letting it out again as he gathers some of the food onto his spoon. This shouldn't be such an occasion, and yet he expects M'ahina will understand. He catches her gaze. ]
How is it? [ It might help to know what to expect. ]
[ She tilts her head slightly. She had not anticipated Arbert being hesitant to eat, in truth, but then, there is a certain sense to it. It's one of those little things so easily taken for granted. ]
Hmm... It's... different? Not to put you off your appetite, but I would suggest following your bites with a drink.
[ Normal, at first taste, with a strange texture and stranger aftertaste. Not so much to make it inedible, of course, but it's far from a grand feast. ]
Or mayhap it would taste better with a helping hand?
[ She holds out a spoonful of her own food to him with a playful smile. The glint in her eyes suggests she does not expect him to partake, though it's not as if she could protest if he did. ]
[ It's hard to imagine that anything could actually put Ardbert off his appetite at this point, though there is a sense of melancholy that he isn't eating some familiar and well-loved meal, but something from another world that may not be to his taste.
He's hardly in a position to be picky, though when he realizes M'ahina's trying to feed him herself, he laughs and waves her off. Surely she hadn't been serious...
Lifting his own spoon, he takes a sniff of the porridge-like substance, then pushes past his misgivings and eats it all in one bite. At first there isn't much to say about it, but then the aftertaste hits the back of his throat and he grabs for the tea to wash it down.
The tea is a bit more familiar, and all in all, he can't complain. ]
Well. That wasn't so bad. I've had worse, that's for certain. [ And the fact that he'll be eating with someone else helps as well. ] How did it go? Did you find whoever you were looking for?
[ As they talk he continues to eat, and soon enough he's getting down bites with nary a second thought. ]
[ She chuckles quietly too herself as she eats a bit more. It would seem Ardbert knows her a bit too well to truly catch him off-guard, but even just a laugh is well worth it. ]
I did! [ Somehow, amid all her other running around. ] We've temporary identities and work. I believe an apartment is being worked out as well? It's... [ He reaches for her tomestone and fiddles with it a bit, and ... frowns. She's never actually been very good with this sort of thing, growing up in a place that tended to frown upon it. Most of her dalliances with technology have been either sheer luck or with the assistance of more competent help. ] ... Well, he pulled up a map on this, somehow, but... I'll figure it out later.
[ Or ask the man in question to show her again later. Whichever. ]
He did seem to have some reservations that I can sustain myself preforming, but... Surely it can't be that bad? Or no worse than beginning to adventure with nary a gil upon your person because you were bored.
[ Temporary identities, work, and lodgings in the future? That's quite a lot to get settled in not much time at all, and Ardbert would be impressed if he didn't already know that M'ahina is the sort of person who gets things done. Even then, he's still a bit impressed.
Pulling up a map on the tomestone certainly sounds useful, and Ardbert decides to do some preliminary poking at his own device after he's finished eating. He also isn't that good with technology, but now seems to be the time to learn.
Somehow, he does believe things will work themselves out. They're here together, and so they'll also be able to support each other, even if funds get tight. ]
Scraping our earnings together, I imagine we'll get by. And if we have to get creative, then so be it.
[ Because yes, both of them started out with next to nothing and found their way. Ardbert quirks a smile before focusing in on his food again.
And, through a bite: ] Once we've got that settled, we'll have to do some investigation into how to get you home, of course.
[ Whether he comes back to Eorzea with her, or to Norvrandt, or they figure out some way to piece their souls back together. The latter feels a bit morbid now that he's flesh and blood again, but they do not yet know by what design. And perhaps more importantly, that is not her desicion to make, and one far too important to force or take from him. ... Though she certainly means to insist she won't leave him here.
Of course, it needn't be right this moment, or even soon, so there is no point in lingering on the thought. ]
And we'll be in a decent enough spot to do so. There's a reason the adventurer's guilds set up shop in the local taverns!
[ Well, that and the sellswords and former hedge knights they were trying to coax into meaningful work were a bit fond of their cups, but that's neither here nor there. ]
[ That is the question, isn't it? Ardbert pauses in eating for a moment as he considers what would happen if they were to find passage back to Hydaelyn. He has no body to return to, even if he seems to (somehow) have one here, so would he simply convert back into aether and return to M'ahina? Or has some higher being granted him a kindness by giving him a physical form, one he'll be allow to keep regardless of where he travels?
There is, of course, no way of knowing. Not when they're not sure who or what is responsible for their appearance here in the first place.
Even with all of this uncertainty, however, M'ahina manages to insert some brightness. How one could ever consider her a Warrior of Darkness, Ardbert couldn't say. When he looks at her, all he sees is light. ]
Aye, you're not wrong about that. [ He smiles briefly. ] I'll be curious to see how the taverns of this star compare to the ones we know.
[ Nudged out of his more anxious thoughts, Ardbert polishes off the rest of his meal and his tea. ]
Not terribly different, I would assume. [ Even in trying to reconcile her image of such a place with the oddities she's seen here, surely a place to drink is a place to drink? ] Or hope, rather. And with you there, mayhap I won't need to worry my mug has been poisoned!
[ Which can be counted among those jokes she wishes weren't quite so true. ]
Still, I suppose we'll see tomorrow.
[ Which she is looking forward to, in more ways than one. The company goes without saying, but it will also be good to quit this place. There is an air of... being lost, perhaps. She's somewhat glad Ardbert won't be lingering here as long as she has. ]
[ That's an alarming thing to announce, and Ardbert looks to M'ahina with widened eyes. ]
Is that something which happens to you often?
[ Despite how close the two of them are, there's still plenty they don't know about each other's lives, about all of their experiences and adventures. Even after joining his soul with hers, it's not as if Ardbert suddenly became privy to all of M'ahina's memories.
And yes, tomorrow. Ardbert's eager to get started on something, even if it's menial work. It's still the first step in their journey here, wherever it may take them, and it will make him feel a bit less like he's drifting. Which, suffice to say, is a feeling he's grown quite tired of by this point. ]
Well... I wouldn't say often, but I've cause to be paranoid, I think. It was during a peace conference, and one of the dissenters... strongly disapproved of my presence. [ To put it one way. ] Oh, and the time sultana was given sleeping draught and I was subsequently framed for murder. That was fun.
[ She gives a wry smile and shrugs. It was rather not fun at all, actually, but it feels ages ago now, and things eventually worked themselves out. Either way, she is unbothered. ... Though she does prefer to see her drinks being poured now. ]
You must have gotten into equal amounts of trouble, yes? It was quite the merry band you had going!
[ "Fun" is one way of putting it, though Ardbert realizes that M'ahina is being facetious. She would rather make light of something than dwell on it, and he understands it's her way of coping with things that are, by all accounts, quite horrible. He appreciates that she's so open with him, even when it comes to memories she might not want to relive.
When she turns the subject back on him, Ardbert hums in contemplation as he lifts a hand to rub at his beard. ]
Yes, plenty of trouble, though nothing quite like what you've described. [ After a pause, he meets her eyes. ] Though I shouldn't expect our journeys to mirror each other exactly, should I?
[ Plenty of the broad strokes were similar, but he suspected the details would differ quite a bit. ]
Well, I suppose not, and yet... [ Hmm. It's difficult to explain her thoughts on the matter, but she will have to try her best. ] I almost wouldn't be surprised if they did? Parallel worlds and so forth, so some strange coincidences may not be all that strange after all.
[ Something to that effect, although she already knows that he is correct. Their journeys weren't exactly the same. But there was something strangely nostalgic in the way Ardbert spoke of Norvrandt, and of the bits and pieces she'd collected of his friends; perhaps not a mirror as such, but in the same spirit all the same. ]
It's enough to be curious about, in any case. Then again, I'm told I can be a bit of a busybody.
[ She's not certain she agrees with that assessment, of course. But so it goes. ]
[ Ardbert nods, accepting her explanation of it with little in the way of protest. He suspects that they will stumble upon these similarities when they're least expecting it, and yet there's a joy in that, isn't it? He doesn't find their mirroring of each other to be anything upsetting or eerie, not now that their link is so well-understood.
The same, yet different. It describes many things about the two of them.
His lip curls up on one side as he draws the edges of the blanket up and then spreads it to wrap it around his shoulders more firmly. ] That may be true, but I can't say I necessarily see that as a bad thing. Your desire to know more about others comes from a good place, from what I've seen.
[ He'd had plenty of time to observe M'ahina and how she handled situations by now. Usually when she pries into someone's affairs, it's because she senses something is amiss and wishes to help. ]
Sometimes! [ She gives a small laugh. ] Sometimes, it's naught but curiosity. Or a habit, you could say?
[ Such information has a way of making itself useful later, but she can't say it's her intent to fish for later jobs--it's just fun meeting people. Figuring out their workings. In this case, there seems fair little to discover in a way, but who can say? They may yet surprise each other.
She sets the remnants of food aside and smooths her blanket out over the ground, electing to lay on top of it instead of smoothing it out, curling into a little ball. ]
A shame it's so late.
[ Though she admits she probably needs the rest. ]
[ Ardbert shrugs, because even then he doesn't see what the problem would be with M'ahina showing what he knows would be genuine curiosity in another person. That desire to learn more, to connect, is natural.
If they wanted, he suspects that they could stay up all night chatting about this and that, or nothing at all. But the rest is something he knows he likely needs, after not truly resting for so, so long. And he also suspects the other people holed up in this temporary housing with them wouldn't be too thrilled if they continued to make noise long after everyone had gone to sleep. ]
Worry not. [ He smiles at her briefly as he scoots himself back up until he's leaning against the wall. After resting his forearms up on his knees, he decides he's more than comfortable enough to fall asleep. After long days spent traveling on the road, Ardbert learned how to sleep just about anywhere. ] Tomorrow's another day.
[ Unless this was all some strange dream, but... no, he does believe he can tell the difference by now. ]
[ Rest comes all too easily for M'ahina. The facility gets quite cold at night owing to little protection from the elements, and she awakens more curled into her blanket than she started -- wrapped around it rather than draped over her, as most people would. But as the sun rises, the spot transforms from cool stone to a patch of warm light, and she awakens well rested and refreshed. More so than she has been in some time, as it seems the headache that's been plaguing her since arrival has finally broken.
A glance at her companion shows him to still be asleep, and rather than waking him, she hops to her feet and starts the fold up the blanket. From sheer force of habit, she finds herself asking if any of their fellow refugees need any assistance and finds herself quite busy in a series of menial tasks, though unlike home, it is not customary to reward such services here. She finds she doesn't care much; it will keep her occupied until either Ardbert wakes up or she grows bored and wants to move on to things of greater import. Though hopefully it's the former. ]
[ Both drifting off to sleep and waking up the next morning are things that Ardbert hasn't done in nigh on a century. The falling asleep part had happened naturally enough, the sheer exhaustion draping over him before he could think too hard on it as his newly corporeal body did all the work.
Waking up, on the other hand, is more of a trial. It's been so, so long since he truly slept that he finds the act of waking to be far more difficult that it should be. He does become aware of the warmth of the sun on his skin (a sensation he missed more than he could have ever realized) and the hustle and bustle of other people moving around and exchanging some hushed words now that it's morning.
However, it's only as he senses M'ahina approaching again, no doubt to check in on him, that he finally finds it in him to crack open his eyes. That groggy feeling, not to mention the sensation of sleep at the edges of his eyes, is both new and nostalgic all at once. He lets out a large, open-mouthed yawn as he sits up and rubs at his eyes. ]
... G'morning. [ Even his words come out thick with sleep. Ah, it's been too long. ] If I'm honest, I feel like I could sleep another sun or two.
[ Of course, that won't be happening. There's work to be done. Through another yawn, Ardbert stretches his arms above his head and lets out a groan as he back cracks in a few places. ]
[ Ah, yes. That feeling of being run down by a chocobo carriage--she knows it quite well. ]
It doesn't let up, I'm afraid. [ She gives a small, sympathetic chuckle and smile a hand to help him to his feet, should he accept it. ] Or, it didn't for me, at least.
[ Though now that it's passed, she is both ready and willing to be productive enough to make up for the time she's lost, and entirely unwilling to slow her momentum. ]
Mayhap we can find you some tea, and leave the heavy lifting to me until it works its magic? ... As it were.
[ She doesn't mind. Their main tasks of the day are becoming acquainted with their lodgings and their new jobs, which she hardly needs Ardbert coherent for if he's truly feeling out of sorts. And if he still feels weary by the time said tasks are done, it would seem preferable for him to get more rest in an actual bed while she scours the town for information. ]
[ While this sense of exhaustion is bone-deep and far more physical than what he's had to put up with in decades, it's not as if he hadn't also been tired as a shade. A different sort of tired, to be sure, but there had been so many days when he'd just wished for it to be over, while also knowing he was cursed to exist (in the broadest sense of the word) forever.
He had been able to rest within M'ahina, for better or worse, though he wouldn't say he's eager to return to that now. He knows it's where he'll end up eventually, but the chance to live alongside her is admittedly intriguing.
After taking her hand and finding his feet, he rubs more sleep out of his eyes. ]
Tea would be good. I'm confident my energy will return to me eventually. [ After a pause and moment of consideration, he gives M'ahina a brief nudge in the side. ] Can't have you taking on all the work yet again.
True. I might get bored, and then where will we be?
[ She grins and leads the way to the refreshment table set out for fellow refugees--might as well make one last use of it before they find their real accommodations. That, and they don't yet have coin to find a real cup.
She then leads the way outside, where the city has considerably more bustle than the night. The roads are filled with magitek vehicles, so noisy and in such a quantity that it's difficult for her to pick them out individually, even with her sensitive hearing. For those on foot there are different paths, equally crowded, and learning to navigate those is a simple matter of following the townsfolk. ]
A bit much, isn't it? That's why I tend to go out at night.
[ The citystates of Eorzea were nothing, compared to this, and truth be told it can start to hurt after a while; she's not used to having to filter everything out. This, combined with many odd looks in their direction. Their attire doesn't match their surroundings, though the looks are much more pointed at her than Ardbert. She suspects it's her features, since he city is filled with Hyur and a single Miqo'te to be found. Her smile remains in place, though a slight droop in her ears and a bit of a flick in her tail belies some minor agitation. She has never been shy of crowds, but this is not the kind of attention she likes. ]
[ Generally speaking, M'ahina being bored is not bound to end well. She isn't the sort of person who can put up with being idle, and that's something Ardbert can relate to, even if his adventuring days feel so far off now. He'd had to be idle for decades, granted no other option, and so having to live in the moment now is going to take some getting used to. He does grab a cup of tea (literally, in a cup made of paper or something like it) and takes it along with him as they wade back into the city.
While Ardbert's senses are nowhere near as sharp as M'ahina's, that doesn't necessarily make the hustle and bustle any less overwhelming. This is a far cry from the other two worlds that he knows, and while he's certain that when it comes down to it, people don't truly change, the set dressings are enough to throw him off.
At first he's so distracted by everything around them that all he can do is focus on following M'ahina, one foot in front of the other as he takes it all in. Eventually, however, he does notice the scrutiny she's under, or the way people will not-so-subtly whisper to each other after passing them by. ]
It seems they don't have Mystels here, then? Or Miqo'te. [ Same difference, truly, and their worlds were connected enough that there were such similarities. Not here, though. Is it even one of the Fourteen? ]
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She'd managed well enough on the First, after all. Granted, she'd had G'raha secretly looking out for her in that case, but it's at least prepared her for this to some degree. Ardbert isn't worried.
This world is very little like the First thus far, though. The wide roads and the strange vehicles that speed by whilst barely checking to see if there was anyone in their way was just one example. Though as Ardbert's led into the building where M'ahina has chosen to take shelter, he finds something more familiar, though not in a good way. This is where the destitute gather, and he can't help but think of Gatetown. No doubt M'ahina had felt the same when she first found this place.
He stands near the entrance for a few moments, scanning the room before he turns back to M'ahina. Cozy is a generous way of putting it, but he's in no position to complain. ]
It's the sort of place where you can come and go without too many questions being asked, I would wager. That's something, at least.
[ How he still has it in him to find silver linings, he couldn't say. But having M'ahina at his side makes it a tad easier. ]
Lead the way.
[ He can't imagine they'll have much in the way of privacy, but mayhap she's been able to cobble something together. ]
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She makes her way down the rows of blankets to the spot where she's been sleeping. It's against a wall in an out of the way corner, in a spot most of the others seem to have avoided because it's next to one of the broken windows and a bit more exposed to the elements. It certainly isn't private, but it's about as isolated as one can get in an open space. ]
It's a bit like camping, in a way. [ The sleeping in the dirt portion of it, at least. And she does have a view out to the unfamiliar stars. ]
I'll find you a blanket. ... And maybe some food? [ Surely he would need to eat in his present state? ] Oh! And I'll go talk to the man helping people get sorted to temporary jobs. You could come, if you'd like. Or you can stay and get your bearings, whichever is easier.
[ It's a lot all at once, and just a tad overeager. She's just trying to keep herself moving forward. ]
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They reach their destination, which isn't even a room — simply an isolated corner. Ardbert's camped enough on the road that he's no stranger to such "accommodations," and there's possibly even something the slightest bit nostalgic about it. ]
A blanket and food is a good start, aye. [ Oh, yes, he'll need to eat, won't he? Ardbert hasn't given it much thought thus far, but the very suggestion has his stomach churning and twisting, suddenly too aware of how empty it is, and he heaves out a breath. It's intense enough that he even feels a mite nauseous. ]
You go ahead. I'll wait here, if that's all right.
[ He sinks down to the floor and leans his back up against the wall, shooting M'ahina a brief smile so as to not worry her too much. He's fine, truly; he simply needs a moment. ]
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Her errands take much longer than she's suggested. As is often the the case, she finds herself distracted and side-tracked. Asking people how they're doing, helping hand out what small supplies there are, the little things she's gotten into the habit of doing to earn people's trust. Ah, the job negotiations, as well... The man helping them establish identities in this place is about somewhere. He seems somewhat dubious of her plan for herself and warns her she is not like to see many earnings for a while, but she shrugs the advice off; she's used to it.
That accomplished, she finally remembers the task she was actually on, and appears with a pillow tucked into arm, blanket around her shoulders, and a tray with food and drink in her other hand. She sets the items down, and tosses the blanket over her friend with a beam. She still isn't feeling well, but it seems she's recharged much energy by meddling her way through the warehouse. ]
Oh! You'll be wanting this... [ she fishes through her pockets and hands him a small device. ] Evidently, the people use these tomestones for communication. Our identities and wages should be stored on it as well. I confess I'm not certain how the latter is supposed to work, but I'm sure it will make more sense once we've seen it in action.
[ So she would assume. She takes the moment to settle into her own blanket and grab her food--an unknown dish and a cup of hot tea. The dish, while passable enough, has a decidedly strange aftertaste she does not think she's prepared to question, but the tea is perfectly average. ]
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But this entire situation has exhausted him. The shock of being in a physical body was one thing, but he also isn't used to the way one functions anymore. Feeling tired, feeling hungry, it's all bound to take some getting used to.
So he remains where he is, observing the few interactions he can from his spot — those walking past or engaging in brief conversations with each other. Everyday talk, if more desperate than mundane because of the situation they're all in. Ardbert has become very good at observing people, and he almost forgets for a moment that he's visible.
M'ahina's return serves as a reminder, and Ardbert perks up as soon as she appears, some brightness returning to his gaze. He laughs as the blanket falls on him, but then reaches out for the pillow to set it behind his lower back before taking the tray of food. The dish isn't something he recognizes, but he has no reason to be picky.
Though before he can take a testing bite, M'ahina hands over the device, the tomestone-yet-not. He blinks down at it, poking at the screen for a few seconds before he sets it aside. Later. ] I imagine we'll get used to it... much like with everything else in this place. Thank you.
[ And now, the big moment. He places the tray in his lap and steels himself, drawing in a breath and letting it out again as he gathers some of the food onto his spoon. This shouldn't be such an occasion, and yet he expects M'ahina will understand. He catches her gaze. ]
How is it? [ It might help to know what to expect. ]
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Hmm... It's... different? Not to put you off your appetite, but I would suggest following your bites with a drink.
[ Normal, at first taste, with a strange texture and stranger aftertaste. Not so much to make it inedible, of course, but it's far from a grand feast. ]
Or mayhap it would taste better with a helping hand?
[ She holds out a spoonful of her own food to him with a playful smile. The glint in her eyes suggests she does not expect him to partake, though it's not as if she could protest if he did. ]
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He's hardly in a position to be picky, though when he realizes M'ahina's trying to feed him herself, he laughs and waves her off. Surely she hadn't been serious...
Lifting his own spoon, he takes a sniff of the porridge-like substance, then pushes past his misgivings and eats it all in one bite. At first there isn't much to say about it, but then the aftertaste hits the back of his throat and he grabs for the tea to wash it down.
The tea is a bit more familiar, and all in all, he can't complain. ]
Well. That wasn't so bad. I've had worse, that's for certain. [ And the fact that he'll be eating with someone else helps as well. ] How did it go? Did you find whoever you were looking for?
[ As they talk he continues to eat, and soon enough he's getting down bites with nary a second thought. ]
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I did! [ Somehow, amid all her other running around. ] We've temporary identities and work. I believe an apartment is being worked out as well? It's... [ He reaches for her tomestone and fiddles with it a bit, and ... frowns. She's never actually been very good with this sort of thing, growing up in a place that tended to frown upon it. Most of her dalliances with technology have been either sheer luck or with the assistance of more competent help. ] ... Well, he pulled up a map on this, somehow, but... I'll figure it out later.
[ Or ask the man in question to show her again later. Whichever. ]
He did seem to have some reservations that I can sustain myself preforming, but... Surely it can't be that bad? Or no worse than beginning to adventure with nary a gil upon your person because you were bored.
[ Which she's certainly never done... ]
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Pulling up a map on the tomestone certainly sounds useful, and Ardbert decides to do some preliminary poking at his own device after he's finished eating. He also isn't that good with technology, but now seems to be the time to learn.
Somehow, he does believe things will work themselves out. They're here together, and so they'll also be able to support each other, even if funds get tight. ]
Scraping our earnings together, I imagine we'll get by. And if we have to get creative, then so be it.
[ Because yes, both of them started out with next to nothing and found their way. Ardbert quirks a smile before focusing in on his food again.
And, through a bite: ] Once we've got that settled, we'll have to do some investigation into how to get you home, of course.
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[ Whether he comes back to Eorzea with her, or to Norvrandt, or they figure out some way to piece their souls back together. The latter feels a bit morbid now that he's flesh and blood again, but they do not yet know by what design. And perhaps more importantly, that is not her desicion to make, and one far too important to force or take from him. ... Though she certainly means to insist she won't leave him here.
Of course, it needn't be right this moment, or even soon, so there is no point in lingering on the thought. ]
And we'll be in a decent enough spot to do so. There's a reason the adventurer's guilds set up shop in the local taverns!
[ Well, that and the sellswords and former hedge knights they were trying to coax into meaningful work were a bit fond of their cups, but that's neither here nor there. ]
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There is, of course, no way of knowing. Not when they're not sure who or what is responsible for their appearance here in the first place.
Even with all of this uncertainty, however, M'ahina manages to insert some brightness. How one could ever consider her a Warrior of Darkness, Ardbert couldn't say. When he looks at her, all he sees is light. ]
Aye, you're not wrong about that. [ He smiles briefly. ] I'll be curious to see how the taverns of this star compare to the ones we know.
[ Nudged out of his more anxious thoughts, Ardbert polishes off the rest of his meal and his tea. ]
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[ Which can be counted among those jokes she wishes weren't quite so true. ]
Still, I suppose we'll see tomorrow.
[ Which she is looking forward to, in more ways than one. The company goes without saying, but it will also be good to quit this place. There is an air of... being lost, perhaps. She's somewhat glad Ardbert won't be lingering here as long as she has. ]
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Is that something which happens to you often?
[ Despite how close the two of them are, there's still plenty they don't know about each other's lives, about all of their experiences and adventures. Even after joining his soul with hers, it's not as if Ardbert suddenly became privy to all of M'ahina's memories.
And yes, tomorrow. Ardbert's eager to get started on something, even if it's menial work. It's still the first step in their journey here, wherever it may take them, and it will make him feel a bit less like he's drifting. Which, suffice to say, is a feeling he's grown quite tired of by this point. ]
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[ She gives a wry smile and shrugs. It was rather not fun at all, actually, but it feels ages ago now, and things eventually worked themselves out. Either way, she is unbothered. ... Though she does prefer to see her drinks being poured now. ]
You must have gotten into equal amounts of trouble, yes? It was quite the merry band you had going!
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When she turns the subject back on him, Ardbert hums in contemplation as he lifts a hand to rub at his beard. ]
Yes, plenty of trouble, though nothing quite like what you've described. [ After a pause, he meets her eyes. ] Though I shouldn't expect our journeys to mirror each other exactly, should I?
[ Plenty of the broad strokes were similar, but he suspected the details would differ quite a bit. ]
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[ Something to that effect, although she already knows that he is correct. Their journeys weren't exactly the same. But there was something strangely nostalgic in the way Ardbert spoke of Norvrandt, and of the bits and pieces she'd collected of his friends; perhaps not a mirror as such, but in the same spirit all the same. ]
It's enough to be curious about, in any case. Then again, I'm told I can be a bit of a busybody.
[ She's not certain she agrees with that assessment, of course. But so it goes. ]
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The same, yet different. It describes many things about the two of them.
His lip curls up on one side as he draws the edges of the blanket up and then spreads it to wrap it around his shoulders more firmly. ] That may be true, but I can't say I necessarily see that as a bad thing. Your desire to know more about others comes from a good place, from what I've seen.
[ He'd had plenty of time to observe M'ahina and how she handled situations by now. Usually when she pries into someone's affairs, it's because she senses something is amiss and wishes to help. ]
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[ Such information has a way of making itself useful later, but she can't say it's her intent to fish for later jobs--it's just fun meeting people. Figuring out their workings. In this case, there seems fair little to discover in a way, but who can say? They may yet surprise each other.
She sets the remnants of food aside and smooths her blanket out over the ground, electing to lay on top of it instead of smoothing it out, curling into a little ball. ]
A shame it's so late.
[ Though she admits she probably needs the rest. ]
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If they wanted, he suspects that they could stay up all night chatting about this and that, or nothing at all. But the rest is something he knows he likely needs, after not truly resting for so, so long. And he also suspects the other people holed up in this temporary housing with them wouldn't be too thrilled if they continued to make noise long after everyone had gone to sleep. ]
Worry not. [ He smiles at her briefly as he scoots himself back up until he's leaning against the wall. After resting his forearms up on his knees, he decides he's more than comfortable enough to fall asleep. After long days spent traveling on the road, Ardbert learned how to sleep just about anywhere. ] Tomorrow's another day.
[ Unless this was all some strange dream, but... no, he does believe he can tell the difference by now. ]
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A glance at her companion shows him to still be asleep, and rather than waking him, she hops to her feet and starts the fold up the blanket. From sheer force of habit, she finds herself asking if any of their fellow refugees need any assistance and finds herself quite busy in a series of menial tasks, though unlike home, it is not customary to reward such services here. She finds she doesn't care much; it will keep her occupied until either Ardbert wakes up or she grows bored and wants to move on to things of greater import. Though hopefully it's the former. ]
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Waking up, on the other hand, is more of a trial. It's been so, so long since he truly slept that he finds the act of waking to be far more difficult that it should be. He does become aware of the warmth of the sun on his skin (a sensation he missed more than he could have ever realized) and the hustle and bustle of other people moving around and exchanging some hushed words now that it's morning.
However, it's only as he senses M'ahina approaching again, no doubt to check in on him, that he finally finds it in him to crack open his eyes. That groggy feeling, not to mention the sensation of sleep at the edges of his eyes, is both new and nostalgic all at once. He lets out a large, open-mouthed yawn as he sits up and rubs at his eyes. ]
... G'morning. [ Even his words come out thick with sleep. Ah, it's been too long. ] If I'm honest, I feel like I could sleep another sun or two.
[ Of course, that won't be happening. There's work to be done. Through another yawn, Ardbert stretches his arms above his head and lets out a groan as he back cracks in a few places. ]
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It doesn't let up, I'm afraid. [ She gives a small, sympathetic chuckle and smile a hand to help him to his feet, should he accept it. ] Or, it didn't for me, at least.
[ Though now that it's passed, she is both ready and willing to be productive enough to make up for the time she's lost, and entirely unwilling to slow her momentum. ]
Mayhap we can find you some tea, and leave the heavy lifting to me until it works its magic? ... As it were.
[ She doesn't mind. Their main tasks of the day are becoming acquainted with their lodgings and their new jobs, which she hardly needs Ardbert coherent for if he's truly feeling out of sorts. And if he still feels weary by the time said tasks are done, it would seem preferable for him to get more rest in an actual bed while she scours the town for information. ]
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[ While this sense of exhaustion is bone-deep and far more physical than what he's had to put up with in decades, it's not as if he hadn't also been tired as a shade. A different sort of tired, to be sure, but there had been so many days when he'd just wished for it to be over, while also knowing he was cursed to exist (in the broadest sense of the word) forever.
He had been able to rest within M'ahina, for better or worse, though he wouldn't say he's eager to return to that now. He knows it's where he'll end up eventually, but the chance to live alongside her is admittedly intriguing.
After taking her hand and finding his feet, he rubs more sleep out of his eyes. ]
Tea would be good. I'm confident my energy will return to me eventually. [ After a pause and moment of consideration, he gives M'ahina a brief nudge in the side. ] Can't have you taking on all the work yet again.
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[ She grins and leads the way to the refreshment table set out for fellow refugees--might as well make one last use of it before they find their real accommodations. That, and they don't yet have coin to find a real cup.
She then leads the way outside, where the city has considerably more bustle than the night. The roads are filled with magitek vehicles, so noisy and in such a quantity that it's difficult for her to pick them out individually, even with her sensitive hearing. For those on foot there are different paths, equally crowded, and learning to navigate those is a simple matter of following the townsfolk. ]
A bit much, isn't it? That's why I tend to go out at night.
[ The citystates of Eorzea were nothing, compared to this, and truth be told it can start to hurt after a while; she's not used to having to filter everything out. This, combined with many odd looks in their direction. Their attire doesn't match their surroundings, though the looks are much more pointed at her than Ardbert. She suspects it's her features, since he city is filled with Hyur and a single Miqo'te to be found. Her smile remains in place, though a slight droop in her ears and a bit of a flick in her tail belies some minor agitation. She has never been shy of crowds, but this is not the kind of attention she likes. ]
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[ Generally speaking, M'ahina being bored is not bound to end well. She isn't the sort of person who can put up with being idle, and that's something Ardbert can relate to, even if his adventuring days feel so far off now. He'd had to be idle for decades, granted no other option, and so having to live in the moment now is going to take some getting used to. He does grab a cup of tea (literally, in a cup made of paper or something like it) and takes it along with him as they wade back into the city.
While Ardbert's senses are nowhere near as sharp as M'ahina's, that doesn't necessarily make the hustle and bustle any less overwhelming. This is a far cry from the other two worlds that he knows, and while he's certain that when it comes down to it, people don't truly change, the set dressings are enough to throw him off.
At first he's so distracted by everything around them that all he can do is focus on following M'ahina, one foot in front of the other as he takes it all in. Eventually, however, he does notice the scrutiny she's under, or the way people will not-so-subtly whisper to each other after passing them by. ]
It seems they don't have Mystels here, then? Or Miqo'te. [ Same difference, truly, and their worlds were connected enough that there were such similarities. Not here, though. Is it even one of the Fourteen? ]
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