Now, it was not uncommon that different Chocobo were shared among people. Usually, people had a flock of them. But when the same stocky Chocobo had returned to Yda after helping the ambulance, she seemed overjoyed - beginning to brush though their feathers, the happy chirps filling the air. But soon after then, she began to get the bird ready to carry her wagon home. There was no fussing - well, a little fussing. From both Yda and the bird.

She’d sit out in front of the wagon, of course. Her bird, her control. Still, it meant that Minfilia was stuck with just Thancred, Bolormaa, and Fordola. All people she felt a little awkward about, for one reason or another. So, instead, she was watching out a window. There was something that confused her, and she couldn’t help but vocalizing her confusion.

“It’s only five years after the Calamity, but there’s so many well-maintained roads… how?”

“Oh?” Thancred said, joining her side, before looking outside. “That’s even more recent. A little after the Calamity struck, representatives from Alfitaria came to offer their assistance in rebuilding. In exchange, they have dispatched many scholars to study the changes post-Calamity.

Their people have experience with calamities, or so I’ve heard - until recently, their land was covered in a toxic miasma. Adventurers set out in caravans to collect a liquid that could repel it - when it coated crystals. While the air here isn’t toxic, it’s become more and more common for adventurers here to use the same caravan system.

It’s… strange, to see Eorzea evolve so quickly,” Thancred admitted. “The paths are maintained by hired adventurers - to scare away monsters and the like, alongside repairs.”

Minfilia looked from the roads to the skies, gently sighing. “I suppose they’re not for Beast Tribes?”

Thancred paused. Before nodding a little. “Alas, you’re right.” The bumps of the road filled the air, as Thancred continued, frowning softly. “While there’s no laws against it, nobody in Ul’dah will sell a wagon to them. And they’ll be quite suspicious over those who are ferried across the sea or brought from the Twelveswood.”

It wasn’t as good as it sounded. And yet, it was good enough - and, besides: “It’s made it a lot easier to move equipment around.”

Even if there was racism involved… Minfilia frowned, before looking to Thancred. Analyzing him - he didn’t look a day older then he did five years ago. It was a comfort, even if it was a small one. “Thancred… thank you.” Minfilia said, her voice half-dying. Thank you for surviving, she did not say. Thank you for still being you, she did not say. No, no - she couldn’t voice all of that.

A little distracted, Thancred took a moment to realise she’d just thanked him - and he frowned. “Please, don’t. If Yda’s telling the truth… I’ve forgotten you, haven’t I?”

Minfilia froze. Before nodding a little. “Yes… ahem, you have. I did not know how to tell you, but…”

“…you know, if you were part of the Path, we have their old records in the Waking Sands. We could just… look them up?”

—how had Minfilia not thought of that? He gave a little smile, before Minfilia gripped to him, before pulling away. She shouldn’t have hugged him, but that— that was a genius idea!

Still, Minfilia looked back outside. “I suppose travelling by wagon has made Ishgard richer - unless their Chocobo aren’t the ones being used…?”

“They are,” Thancred said. “While some of them are more usable for riding, these ones were first bred to help drag supply wagons around. Though, it’s strange.”

“What’s strange?”

“These Chocobo show traits of wild Chocobo… from far across the seas. Did you see the feather clusters that drape down? They’re Sharlayan Chocobo.”

That much was true, Minfilia thought. She remembered that she had seen pictures of wild Chocobo, and the males used them to show off to the females. They’d go all sorts of strange colours around when they could breed… and those feathers were valuable. Thus, Dravanian Chocobo had taken over their territory, and seemingly wiped them out.

It… was good that these traits were returning. At least, for the wellbeing of these birds. But then, Bolormaa looked backwards, interrupting. “Didn’t Sharlayan try and use magic on those birds?”

Thancred shrugged. “It doesn’t seem to have stuck.”

The three continued to talk idly as the caravan continued to move onwards, towards the Waking Sands. Paths had been repaired, and the Chocobo seemed to know mostly where it was going. Truly, it was a lot more relaxing then having to walk… and yet, it felt so strange that it had been so accepted so quickly.

…something Minfilia would need to look into later, she thought.

It took a little while to return to Vesper Bay. Nights of camping outside the wagon, days of travel and light discussion. It was comfortable, and almost too easy.

But as the Chocobo - who Minfilia had learned was called Chobi - drew into town, she couldn’t help but stare a little. The settlement was more developed then she remembered. There were buildings! People living around! And… a statue of Lolorito? She gave a slightly disgusted face for a moment, before her eyes continued to gaze around. Building new homes to replace those who fell - but she couldn’t help but feel a slight disgust. (They were for Ul’dahn citizens, weren’t they? They looked rich enough for that - not to house the many homeless who had no gil to their name, and no way to gain it.)

Also, the statue of Lolorito looked a lot worse the closer she got to it, as everybody got out of the wagon. Chobi was fussing a lot more as Yda removed his harness, before she moved to open up a treat bag. To give the bird a stroke and a treat… well, that was how it was, wasn’t it? Perhaps Chobi was a personal bird. Minfilias’ hand stroked against the bronze of the statue, curiously. It was maintained - that, enough, made her know.

“The Syndicate.”

Thancred turned on his heels, and stopped his slow walk. “Yes… they own this land. But they don’t own the Scions of the Seventh Dawn - as much as they’d like to.” Dismissive, Thancred offered his hand out to Minfilia. “Come, come. Unless you’d like to have his ugly mug looming over you?” His words did not betray his heart - there was a slight vileness to his tone, even if he tried to mask it behind his movements. That’s just how it went, though. Thancred seeked to put up his mask, so that nobody could disagree with him.

Minfilia wished he could drop the mask with her. But he’d forgotten her, and so he’d forgotten that trust. Still, she took his hand - if he tried to flirt with her, she would scream. Before politely correcting him. Bolormaa followed them, looming as always - it was hard not to loom when you were bigger then anybody else around. Yda, having finally calmed down Chobi, skipped behind them - pushing her way casually to the front. But, after all, she was a firm leader. She gave a soft little sound, knocking on the large wooden door to the Waking Sands.

The door opened slowly, creaking as if it’d not been oiled. A small Lalafell in pink stood there, before she lit up. “Yda! You’re back—

—and you brought others?”

Yda bounced a little, half-kneeling down. “Yup! We fixed up the issues near Little Ala Mhigo - well, not the societal issues. Did an ambulance come by here?”

The Lalafell nodded. “The woman they brought here is in a stable condition. She’s been moved to the infirmary - though was there a reason for her coming here and not being treated there?”

“There was,” Yda said as she began to walk in, gesturing to the others, “and that has to do with what we did. After all - Primal-based injuries still need to be watched, right?” A little bit of a lie - but it was true. “Anyway - Tataru, we need to get the old records of the Path of the Twelve down. Can you get on that?”

Tataru looked to Yda. Then to the group. Then back to Yda. “I don’t know… is this your idea, or is it actually a good idea?”

Thancred cleared his throat. “Don’t dismiss her ideas, Tataru. While we give our report to our current leader, we need you to get those records… haven’t you noticed the new person with us?”

Nodding a little, Tataru looked right at the silent Minfilia - who seemed to have a soft little frown. A heartbreak nearly visible on her face. (Tataru didn’t recognize her, either. But, of course, that was to be expected.) Still, Tataru looked Minfilia up and down… before giving a firm nod. “She can come in with you all. I’ll get to digging them out - try and not confuse our leader?”

It was weird. Minfilia wondered who their leader was… but she would soon learn, she supposed. Perhaps get re-introduced to old friends.

Perhaps meet new ones.

The Solar was lit more then Minfilia expected for an underground room. The building, actually, was a lot larger then she expected for a base - it was underground, however, and so it was easy to mask how large it had begun. The building was full of life, voices coming from all around.

But the Solar was quiet. And at the table - sitting on a rather fancy chair - was Papalymo. So he had stepped up to lead them… it made sense, Minfilia thought, as she looked him over.

She didn’t get long to do so, however, as Yda bounded though the room and picked him up. Ignoring his protests. Ignoring the little whines as he slumped in her arms, getting peppered in kisses. And finally shifted a little as he was dramatically flopped back into his chair, paper on his desk now messed up from Yda laying on it, love in her eyes. Kicking back a little, Yda grinned. “Sooo… expect me back this early, Papalymo~?”

Papalymo finally found his voice, after having to calm himself. “No, I didn’t.” His slight smile was visible, as Yda stretched more - booping him on the nose, chuckling. “It was actually quiet around here, for once.”

“Aw, come on. Lyse couldn’t have been that quiet, right?”

As the two fussed about each other, it was Bolormaa who looked at Minfilia and Thancred, confused. Her obsidian black tail lashed, one of her hands gripping to her dark skin. “Are they always like this?”

Thancred nodded - and after a moment, Minfilia nodded as well. Seemed that things hadn’t changed - even if, well, Yda was actually alive.

Papalymo let out a loud cough - clearing his throat - looking to the group. “Well. Yes. I’m glad to see you back as well, Thancred - Bolormaa. And—

—who are you?”

Again, Minfilia felt her heart sank. But before she could speak, Yda spoke - still in Papalymos’ face. “Oh, her? She’s the one who took out Ifrit! Her name is Minfilia, and she’s joining us.”

“Don’t I get a say in it…?” Papalymo wondered, before pushing Yda slightly away. “So there was an Amalj’aa summoning of the Primal Ifrit. And, due to the aid of Minfilia, it has been ended. The Brass Blades will control crystal imports more closely, I suppose?”

Yda let out a whistle. “You’re good. But, uh… actually… it’s a bit of a weird situation. I think we need to get Uri in here - he actually helped. Unless he told you about it?”

Papalymo shrugged. “He didn’t tell me anything - is he doing shady things again?”

“You know that’s half of what he does,” Thancred joked, his expression warm. “For the good of us all - though I wish he would tell us a bit more. Shall I go get him, while you and Minfilia get to know each other?”

Papalymo gave an affermative nod, and Thancred left. Bolormaa sat down to watch, as Minfilia gave a soft wave. “Yes - hello. My name is Minfilia Warde, and I have what is known as the Echo.” Though she hated this, she hated that she was having to reintroduce herself over and over, it was not her right to get angry. After all, she was a diplomat. If a diplomat could not do what she did, then they’d be a bad diplomat. She had to weave her words carefully, however.

Papalymo bowed his head, even as Yda finally got off his desk, beginning to pick up his papers. “It is my pleasure to introduce you to the Scions of the Seventh Dawn, Minfilia. Since you already have an, ahem, glowing review from Yda… well, I cannot see a reason to refuse you membership. And we can always use more with the Echo to aid us.”

His smile relaxed her, and Minfilia relaxed - her hand slipping into her sachel— right. The silent Primal, cuddled up and half-listening. Fordola hadn’t spoken much since they left Little Ala Mhigo… but why would she? This was a lot to take in. “Thank you.”

Papalymo continued, smiling at her. “Take a seat - I imagine that it’ll be a lot to take in, if we need to talk with Urianger.”

But, before Thancred could return with Urianger, Tataru entered. Yda nodded, skipping over again. “Oh, right. I asked for some old records, Papalymo - we miiiight have something weird going on with Mimi.”

…Mimi? Yda was giving her a nickname? How… cute. She put the papers down, and gave a little nod. “The old Path of the Twelve records. Just need to find…

…where the leader is listed…”

Yda trailed off, wiping her forehead - but making sure to brush her hair down afterwards. Her dark skin had gone slightly pale, and she covered her mouth. “It’s true… uh, Papalymo? I’m reading this right, right?”

Papalymo peered over the desk, pulling the paper down slightly. He, too, went a little pale. “Is that her…”

“Her name, yes. Uh, I didn’t wanna lead with it, but… Minfilia claims she used to be with us but we forgot her because she went though time or something?”

Minfilia approached them both. And there it was, in slightly faded ink. Her name - as the leader of the Path of the Twelve.

Proof that she existed. Proof that she wasn’t just making it up. Minfilia couldn’t help it - she let out a soft squeak, and slid to her knees. Tears began to slip out, the softest imaginable. Without thinking, Bolormaa moved over to give her a soft embrace, the Dotharl wrapping around her. Not just because it could comfort her, but— well, Fordola slipped out of her bag as well, to put her tiny claws on Minfilia.

Minfilia Warde existed. Minfilia Warde existed, and this was proof. Even if they didn’t remember… who would forge such a thing? A hand went to her head - Yda was comforting her as well, as she looked to Papalymo. “I don’t know why we’ve forgotten her either. I thought you would.”

Papalymo closed his eyes. “No, no. I’m baffled. And this hasn’t cleared anything up - but I’m willing to accept it. After all, Tataru held onto these records with her life.”