#no I haven't forgotten to do prompts I've been busy with job hunting

[digimonloving]

Questions

Is anyone interested in silly prompts for kofi donations? Only asking since uber for interviewing is getting very pricey for me. :^)

[potassium-pilot]

FFXIVWrite 2023, Prompt 19: Weal

Firesday nights in the Forgotten Knight was always a busy day, but today, the place was bursting to the seams with people. Perhaps Gibrillont shouldn't have been so surprised; word of some sort of secret project the Temple Knights were a part of that took everyone out to Cartineau Flats a few nights ago began to spread. Still, this flood of templars combined with his usual Firesday night crowd made a busy night even busier.

Lucia was among this crowd of Temple Knights, standing in a corner by herself, nursing her drink with a contemplative look on her face. She knew, of course, that these knights were the victors in a harrowing battle against lunar primals and tempered Garleans; the ones that weren't here were either resting in the hospital or resting in a morgue. Regardless, despite distancing from everyone in the pub, the last place she wanted to be was in her quarters alone. After spending the last few days alone, she needed to be near people.

She heard the doors upstairs swing open and saw who climbed downstairs. Dia approached the bar and pretended to complain, "Can't jump downstairs with this crowd, Gibrillont."

"Thank the Fury. I hate when you do that."

Dia laughed mischievously.

"Look at this place! As if I ain't busy enough, I've got Temple Knights, the city guard, my usual drunken sods, those godsdamned Skybuilders from the Firmament, and now you're here."

"Do you just not like money?"

"Money's great; work ain't."

"Well, I've got terrible news for you: you're about to make more money."

"What do you want then?"

"Your bread recipe, but since it seems you're taking that to your grave", she turned around to face as many people as possible, then yelled loudly, "a round on the house for everyone in the pub!"

The whole of the pub cheered loudly, with the exception of Lucia, who simply watched the revelry and gave a calm smile. Only Gibrillont seemed unhappy with this, but he accepted that he signed up for this when he took this job. "What's got you in a bright mood, or with the coin for the matter? You chose a hell of a night to try that."

"I got really lucky during a treasure hunt today. Figured I'd share my luck a bit."

"Lucky me", Gibrillont sighed, albeit with a slight smile on his face. "Gimme a bit- gotta prep a metric tonze of alcohol."

"Take your time."

Gibrillont began his preparations while the patrons started gathering at the bar. Lucia remained, however, especially as she barely made her way through her first drink. This made her an obvious sight for Dia, who's eyes brightened up at the sight of her. "Commander Lucia!" Dia called happily before sauntering to her.

Lucia gave a small smile, despite being rather happy she didn't have to be the one to initiate a discussion tonight. "How are you? Feels like I haven't seen you since...you know."

The commander laughed mildly. "Of all the people I can think of, I think you've earned the right to simply call me 'Lucia'."

"You sure? Even in front of your knights?"

"Quite sure, though I appreciate your thoughtfulness in the matter."

Dia nodded. "Very well." She turned to face the same direction as Lucia. "You picked a good corner for simple observation. You've got the downstairs staircase to the Brume on your right, the whole of the bar is here in plain sight. You can really keep an eye on everything."

"Such is why I stand here every time." Lucia turned to face Dia and asked, "Forgive me if this sounds as if I'm ungrateful for your presence, but I presumed you would have returned to Lord Aymeric."

"Normally, I would, but he's got himself holed up in his office. If he's there past midnight, however, I'll fetch him myself."

Lucia smiled amusedly. "I may join you. He should rest after that."

"I couldn't agree with you more. At any rate, I didn't expect the crowd. I should have expected this, really."

"Everyone in here deserves it. Those that aren't also deserve it."

Dia couldn't help but notice a tinge of regret in her voice. "How are you, by the way? You didn't seem to answer my question before I moved onto another topic. My mistake."

Lucia's face returned to the same contemplative look. "I was ruminating on something I was told earlier today."

"Oh?"

"Something that I fear I can't say with this many people."

"...do you want to talk about it, Lucia?"

"...yes, but I fear I'd need to find privacy."

"You know, I've a charm for that."

"Privacy?"

Dia nodded. "I have a charm that can make it so only you and I can hear what we say to one another. Would that help?"

"...you scare me sometimes."

"Can't believe that's what gets you", Dia joked.

"Very well. Do what you need to do."

"It's already done."

Lucia's eyes widened. "But you've done nothing."

"I gave a little flick of the wrist. If you need proof, watch this." Dia cupped her hands around her mouth and yelled, "Maelstrom can bury the Temple Knights any day of the week!"

No one responded.

"Not even a head turn", Lucia remarked in amazement.

"They can't hear it. So, what's going on?"

Lucia took a breath. "Lord Aymeric has asked me to lead a contingent of people into Garlemald."

Dia's jaw dropped. "Spinner help me, he's actually doing that? That's career suicide!"

"He told you?"

"He told me he had an idea to do that. I told him it'd be a nice idea, but I didn't think he'd go through with it. Oh gods, I hope it doesn't backfire on him."

"I'm unclear. Are you in support of this idea or no, Dia?"

"After what we saw in Cartineau, I'm inclined to help them before things get worse. That said, I know people do not like Garleans. I'm not even a big fan of them...present company excluded, of course. And Cid. And Maxima. And...I can tolerate Nero, I suppose. I can't get into how I feel about Gaius."

"Gaius van Baelsar?"

"Just Baelsar now. Long story."

"One I would like to hear another time", Lucia commented.

"But isn't it nice? You get to go home, in a sense."

Lucia shook her head. "My life was solely dedicated to gathering information, and I'm afraid that much hasn't changed after swearing my services to Lord Aymeric. I've heard news come in about the state of Garlemald."

"And?"

She frowned. "It's all but destroyed..."

"What?"

"The tempered have ravaged the place. Innocents have taken to hiding wherever they can, but more and more fall under thrall of the tower every day. I return not to my home, but to a shell of itself. I return to wreckage and ruin."

Dia frowned. She took a deep breath to center her thoughts. "But isn't that why it's a good thing a contingent is being developed? Even if it ends up being woefully unsupported, as I half expect it to be, that's still quite a few people coming to help. Means there's yet something to be saved. And though it won't be the homecoming you expect, you'll be responsible for the future of the place. You get to help make the home Garlemald deserves, not whatever an Ascian decided should be its course."

Sure, that Ascian saved my life. He's still an arse.

"I suppose so. I'm afraid that does little to comfort the thought of my immediate arrival."

"What are you thinking?"

"Though I would make the same decision I made those years ago, this changes naught of my betrayal. I will be seen as a traitor by my countrymen. I will be seen as a murderer of my people. None will look at me and believe me a safe presence. And I can't say I blame them either."

"Yes, I can't say I expected anything less than a narrow viewpoint from Garlemald, of all places. Still, you have something they don't."

"And what would that be?"

"Insight. Leadership experience. Sure, they'll probably think you akin to an animal at first glance, but you're in a unique position where you can use what it is you've learned and turn the tide of public opinion. Especially once we stop the tempering and get the disparate legions sorted out, I think you'll be able to change minds quicker and more effectively than you think."

Lucia smiled. "I appreciate your optimism."

"It's rare I have it", Dia laughed. "Aside from your own skills, Eorzea has a lot to offer. It's got a bounty of food, plenty of skilled artisans, plenty of coin to share, and more. If you've got a contingent of Eorzeans with you, ready and willing to share the prosperity of the land, and not the way Solus liked to 'share prosperity', I think you'll do fine."

Lucia's smile seemed to grow brighter. "I'm glad someone here has some faith in this."

"I'm in too good of a mood to not. Now will that help you stop nursing your drink? You should get a drink while I've got the free round for everyone. You should celebrate the victory here, too."

"Perhaps in time, I'll feel more like to lend myself to celebration. I will finish my drink, however."

Dia grinned.

"Grab your bloody drink, Dia!" Gibrillont yelled.

The two turned to the bar. "I'm trying to have a moment here!" Dia yelled back jokingly.

"I'll pour this drink down the abyss outside if you don't grab it! You did this to me!"

Dia rolled her eyes. "Fine!" She told Lucia, "Let me grab my drink and come back to you. I've been wanting to speak with you more."

"As have I. Seems like a fine night to try."