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manafonts · 23 hours ago

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sneak posting this at 6am with no identifying tags. y'shtola & y'mhitra / 2810 / M for topic not content

The shining sun’s rays bleed through Gridania’s leafy canopy, creating spots of warmth and shadows that its busy occupants waded through. Between the hurried carpenters, bustling leatherworkers, and the occasional Serpent soldier, Gridania is as Y’shtola expects. The contrarian nature of the shroud’s settlement—a bustling city state still maintains the reticent peace of the wood—is familiar to the perusing archon. Her visits to Gridania often bear the same purpose, to visit her sister. Though there were occasions where her journey dictates her presence among the Black Shroud, her sister causes consistency in visit—that is if it could even be considered consistency given the requirements of her’s and Y’mhitra’s work.

It is a point in effort to ensure communication with her sister does not fall idle. The work and observation of Limsa Lominsa and by proxy La Noscea as an isle held no shortage of work between the gripes of the kobolds and ambitions of the sahagin. Though periods of time could pass between their spare meetings, once available she would never squander the Opportunity to do so. Y’mhitra seems to hold the same sentiment, that her perusing and researching allagan ruins often left her bereft of outside contact or days or weeks at a time.

By luck, these ventures often became the subject of discussion. Though they both held different expertise—Y’mhitra specializing in allagan histories and Y’shtola in that of aetherial studies—the each could hold a candle to the other’s topic, challenging assumptions, and filling blanks with thought provoking questions. Even if bereft of the latest adventurer’s details, they found a number of topics worth conversing, even those deftly personal.

Y’mhitra stands at edges of Apkallu Falls as she normally does when they meet, a preferred spot of hers within the city state citing that the “sound of the falls are soothing” and never challenged thus after.

“You’ve returned in one piece,” Y’mhitra says as Y’shtola approaches in stride, “Twould stand to mean your journey to the nymian ruins was successful.”

“Aye,” she replies idly at first, choosing her spot across from her sister, glancing at the falls abreast, “though nothing of consequence was found, the opportunity was ultimately valuable. Anyroad, did the tome I shared avail you of any pertinent knowledge to your research?”

“It did!” Y’mhitra spoke cheerfully, “subsequently, I will be returning to cartenau in the coming days to test its theories within.”

Y’shtola nods, glad that the tome she found in her last journey of Allagan source bore fruit for her sister and her studies, “will you be venturing alone?”

“Rammbroes would never allow it.” Y’mhitra clicked her teeth at the thought, “not to say I have not ventured of my own accord without his knowing well—you know. This time, I felt it pertinent to the greater knowledge of the Sons and by order I will be escorted.” Her disappointment exhumed by the word escort not missed by Y’shtola and made her smile in return.

“Still attempting to circumvent Rammbroes’ want to keep you hale and whole?” Y’shtola says, mildly amused, “Tis sounding oddly familiar, Mhitra.”

“Now, now—” Y’mhitra’s hands come to rest on her hips, “cartenau is very much uninhabited save for a few malfunctioning automatons that are very easily warded with a spell or two.” She says, “however, I think it is not comparable to attempting to infiltrate the halls of amdapor alone and being nearly turned to stone.”

Y’shtola shakes her head, crossing arms over her chest, “The comparison is not correlative—”

“I would say it is,” Y’mhitra feigning the act of being lost in deep thought, “or should we traverse the long history of your most famous decisions?”

Y’shtola’s challenging stare gives way to the roll of her eyes, “There is no need, less you wish to peruse the achievements accompanied by these decisions in kind.”

“And allow you the satisfaction? I would hardly ever allow it.” Y’mhitra chuckles, and her sister simply smiles, “Nonetheless, escort or not, the opportunity is one worth taking on—perhaps even the company I am assigned may be an enjoyable one. Since that of the occupation of cartenau is a sensitive subject for the city-states, many of our ventures thus are secured by them.”

“Ah.” Y’shtola hums, “Twould explain why escort is necessary—given the circumstances of the territorial dispute, going without representation could leave them to believe the Sons disregard that dispute.”

“Thus, cutting very much needed ties—yes.” Mhitra clarifies solemnly, but quickly returning to her chipper disposition, “I have decided, in turn, to regard this as an opportunity. The Grand Companies often supply their best to outside affairs.”

“Mhitra.” Shtola squints, crossing her arms over her chest, she opens her mouth to speak but is interrupted.

“What are your intentions—” Mhitra playfully imitates her sister’s tones, and sighs, “you always ask, and you’ve known well the answer each time. Why air the question once more?”

“And rob you of the opportunity to surprise me with a unique answer?”

Y’mhitra pauses to think momentarily, tapping her own cheek “You’ll be pleased to know that I am as you are, a creature of habit.” Her expression falls into a long sigh, gaze averting, “Ironic that you would chide me to such subjects that you are so averse.”

“I am not—” Shtola begins, but stops to pause, gauging the growing smile growing on her Y’mhitra’s features, “I will not be pulled into your larks, Mhitra.”

“Avoidance only hurts your argument—or better, proves my point.”

Y’shtola waves a dismissive hand at her words, “What you would deem avoidance, is an aversity to be pulled into your game. That you would go to such lengths—”

“To broach a personal topic with my dear sister?” Y’mhitra says, still maintaining her grin.

“Which bears no issue, your manner of doing so leave little in the way of appeal.” Y’shtola admits, leaving little in expression to say otherwise.

“Ah yes,” Mhitra starts, placing a hand on her chest playfully, and speaking in overly whimsical tones, “Shtola I would like to start of conversation with that of the very personal and very private topic without any preemptive context or information—surely you would not chide me then thus confirm that I am correct in your aversity to such?”

“Mhitra.” Y’shtola says again those the sternness of her voice is weakened by the quick glances about them to catch if others were in earshot. When none seemingly are, she continues on, resisting the grit of her teeth, “should you wish to broach the topic, it is possibly to do so without being so—”

“Insufferable?” Y’mhitra finishes, and given the look about her, she only found further amusement.

“Your words.” Y’shtola says flatly, though offering a half shrug.

“It would perhaps be less amusing if I were so complacent, but I digress—” Y’mhitra makes a piffling attempt to fake the seriousness of her expression, “Should we return to the topic at hand?” Y’shtola’s brows furrow and she takes it as a yes, “Could you pinpoint when exactly you became so prudish? Though I understand your interest in romance has never been truly prominent, your ability to converse in regards has seemed to wane. Would that be by the decline in experience?”

“Where do such bold questions reside?” Y’shtola retorts in mild disbelief, “As if I have not broached that of similar topics to you in confidence—and you choose to trivialize such moments now?”

“That is true, yet it has been eons since, Shtola, what ventures you have taken as of recent you have either kept secret or simply have not had. I would not fault you for aversion, but I could not accept the secrecy as a fair answer as it alludes to my loss of your confidence.”

“You have not lost my confidence, though your sudden shift in interest has undoubtedly become more prevalent—that you have taken to prevaricating marks of more import.”

“A perilous effort to change the subject. To be clear, by default, aversion is your answer. Know I would not fault you for such, I simply wonder begets such sensitivity to the subject.”

Y’shtola’s laugh is incredulous, “I would recommend leaving such an assumption behind, for it and your line of thinking are incredibly unfounded, demonstrably so.”

“And can you provide proof?”

Y’shtola chooses silence as her reply, the ire growing in her stare for her sister who is clearly unfazed—Y’mhitra’s simpering standing infallible. That her sister could hold a talent for backing her into this corner of all of them is a talent she grew to loathe, and her show of reluctance only proved as much.

“Mayhap.” Y’shtola starts though quickly raising a hand to halt her sister whose readiness to rebuttal, “However, I will make one thing very clear, Mhitra. I do not hold aversion for such subjects, nor would I retract the confidence I place in you—though you may by impossible to deter once you’ve chosen a path, I would be remiss to lose you as a confidant.”

Y’mhitra’s expression, giving up the retorting spirit to trade it instead for warmth as the admittance. “I appreciate your saying it.”

“And before you start again—no I have not delved into, in recent, the warmth of another.”

“As I suspected.” Y’mhitra says in confident confirmation, amused smile growing among the daggers Shtola stares into her. “No matter, opportunities are lost and found each day—it is at least a point of solace that you at a minimum know your preferences.”

“Ah.” Y’shtola’s hum speaks to growing amusement of the subtle admittance, “And you have not?”

“Well—” Y’mhitra says, dipping her chin in exasperation, “To be truthful I believe I have.”

“Where I’d expect jubilance, you say it as if it were a dismal realization.” Y’shtola says under raised brow, “And you are of mind to share it?”

“Sounding is eager is unbecoming, Shtola.” Y’mhitra says, disregarding the annoyed shift in her expression by the closing of her eyes in an effort to remember, “there was a woman, she was very sweet to me prior—perhaps a little timid in nature, but very sweet nonetheless.” When her eyes open once more, her expression is pensive. “Perhaps that was the issue that arose later into the night.”

Though Y’shtola holds a plain expression she becomes an avatar of listening, though still passing a second glance to their surroundings to check if any were in earshot. “By what means?”

“Oh,” she starts careening her head mildly side to side, choosing her next words, “She was so sweet, perhaps more charming if she were more comfortable from the beginning—you know the soldier types. Quiet, stoic.”

Y’shtola nods, thinking of another that seems deftly familiar to the description shared.

“But—” Her sigh is heavy, “Its translation in private was not as I had hoped, and my encouragement, I believe, only caused further... apprehension.”

“You pushed her too far.” Y’shtola says as a well hazarded guess that was only confirmed by the seemingly forced smile.

“In some ways, yes but mayhap not in the way you’re thinking.”

“You presume to know my thoughts.” Y’shtola snorts in reply, “More so, for one to chide on aversion you are very purposely dancing around what happened.”

Y’mhitra clicks her teeth at her words, “That is because I do know your thoughts.” Y’mhitra says pointedly, arms coming to rest on her hips, “And as I said prior—eagerness is unbecoming.”

“As you expect me to wait for you to find the courage—” Y’shtola says through her chuckle.

It was Y’mhitra’s turn to roll her eyes, “I expect you to let me tell you without judgement, hopefully that’s not too much to ask.”

“I cannot judge what I have not heard.” Y’shtola says, crossing her arms loosely, “If you wish to change the subject, feel free to make an attempt.”

Y’mhitra shook her head, a long breath leaking out, “You see, as I said before, she was very sweet to me, and all through our experience together she remained sweet. But I found myself feeling…” a long inhale through nostrils, and let out at, “bored.”

“Due to her… being sweet?”

“Yes—well, no.” Y’mhitra rests her elbow on her own wrist as the lifted hand curled to let her chin rest atop.

“It was the timid charm and kindness to me that drew me to her, however, that same attitude in intimacy was, well,” she pauses to think, “feels akin being coddled.”

“I take it that you expressed this to her?”

Y’mhitra snorted, completely amused, “By the heavens, no. So far into the moment I would have been remiss to have completely ruined it. I instead thought to give encouraging suggestions.”

“That she did not take.”

“On the contrary, she did but with little success—a fault of perhaps some reservations to my requests and, in all likelihood, performing them.” Her eyes widen suddenly in epiphany, adding “You remember the staunch Lisman lieutenant you once shared your grievances of?”

Y’shtola’s eyes narrow, “Aye—what of it?”

“What we’re the words you used to describe her?” At Y’mhitra’s pondering Y’shtola’s gaze only grows harder in her sister. “Obedient, passive,” she taps her chin, “I believe the word you gave the most emphasis to then was restrained.”

“Your point.” Y’shtola says snappy, but not maliciously.

“I believe I wanted her to be the opposite—aggressive, commanding. For my experiences she was, perhaps, far too gentle with me.” Y’mhitra sighs then, “odd that I presumed that such kindness hidden under such a stoic exterior coupled with their occupation would hide even further an urge for authority.”

“I see.” Y’shtola says, offering a half shrug, “How long we’re you familiar with her?”

“Long enough to bed her, Shtola—what would it matter otherwise?”

“Perhaps if you had taken the time—“

“To research her prior? Study her? Interrogate her?”

“Get to know her.” Y’shtola says simply.

“Not all can lay in wait for months at a time to be so willing, nor did I truly wish to procure some sort of connection—the who was not as important as the what.” Y’mhitra’s chin dipped at the thought.

“Then it is of your own doing.” Y’shtola says, curling fingers to thoughtfully tap her chin, “mayhap in the future you could simply ask.”

“Simple to say—“

“And easy to do.” Y’shtola interrupts, “None would fault you for seeking your escapades with preference in mind.”

“Escapades.” Y’mhitra scoffs out, “You say it as if it were some petty adventure. I won’t deny that your tendencies towards a more direct approach would avail more, very obvious, clear results, however I do prefer a level of tact in my escapades.”

“Your precious tact has brought you here, how much is it worth preserving?” Y’shtola says ignoring the implication of her lack of tact, and perhaps the truth behind it.

“It is worth plenty, when it goes accordingly.” Y’mhitra’s head cants, gaze drifting to the falls, “just as I’m sure your indiscretion has availed you with the results you desire. As always, it is upon the other to seek out their own desires and preferences in me, should I engage.”

Y’shtola’s titter seeps through her words, “You profess your distaste of my judgement yet still find a way to judge me.”

“In good fun!” Y’mhitra professes, “knowing you, your judgement may still pass though it lacks the dismissive presumptions—I could hardly ever forsake the opportunity to return your considerations.”

“How kind of you.” Said deadpan, and only met with her sister’s sidewinding smile, “I presume you’ll not be returning to her.” Y’mhitra is quiet for longer than she expects, Y’shtola’s eyes narrowing, “Mhitra.”

Y’mhitra’s shoulders raise briefly before hands defensively gesturing with each word, “To achieve desired results, several tests must be performed first, only then a comprehensive understanding can be fully considered.” Y’shtola’s reply only seemed to an expression clearly saying, you’re joking, she adds, “as I said before, she is very sweet to me. Very tall as well.”

“You are impossible.” Y’shtola breathes out, expression dissolving into a gentle grin.

“Perhaps a trait I’ve learned through observing my dearest sister, whom I should thank.” Hands coming to rest on hips, Y’mhitra says, “you have always been the easiest to speak to Shtola—I could never be more grateful for your visits.”

“As you’ve been a faithful ear to my own diatribes—our sentiments are similar.”

Y’mhitra’s smile and following laugh spread to her sister, not in humor just simply just the joy of the other’s company. Y’shtola has come to appreciate these moments with Y’mhitra, that their stray conversations were often a refreshing turn away from the consequential topics among the scions. And though their conversations sprang from one topic to another, professional or otherwise, the air of joy never seems to fade.

#was written as a means to practice dialogue a voice to some degree #and then i never shared or posted it anywhere #so i guess i am posting it here #as the only extent of my writing career on tumblr #would have gone on ao3 but i... dont feel like it #anyways whatever #maybe i will post it on ao3 one day #w #it feels longer on tumblr #ouagh #this is not in relation to ffxivwrite

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