Once Minfilia returned to the Waking Sands, she felt the weight of everything crash down on her. She lost track of time, truly, as she bundled into her room. Days turned to weeks, and she continued to twist and turn, feeling sick. Perhaps Lightning would come by? Or perhaps she would be asked to read the letters between Urianger and Ramuh? But instead, she remained in her room - the darkness building over her.

She needed this, damn it. But every day, Bolormaa visited. And every day, Fordola remained there, making small talk - when she wasn’t training by playing with plush dolls and mammets. But Bolormaa had been so kind - bringing food and not making Minfilia speak if she didn’t want to.

But, now, Minfilia finally did. So when Bolormaa arrived with some food and water, she cleared her throat. “Bolormaa… may I ask you something?”

The Au Ra jumped a little, before beaming. “Anything.” As Bolormaa settled, Minfilia began.

“I… I don’t think I truly understood until recently, Bolormaa. What it’s like to be forgotten. Even if my mother was alive— even though my family here are alive— only I remember them.”

Bolormaa was quiet. Trying to find the words - but her life was so very different. Each were remembered, and each were reborn. If one of them vanished from history? It wasn’t something that could be concieved. Each of them were a web, reborn over and over, keeping it strong. But, instead, Bolormaa put an arm around Minfilia.

And then, she got an idea. “Your name was written down. Your old name was remembered.

What if we spoke of your story?” Minfilia looked up at Bolormaa, and Bolormaa beamed. “You know. Wrote it down. It seems that whatever happened couldn’t change books, right?

…If it’s not too sensitive, though, I’ve wondered. Why did you change your name?”

Minfilia wiped away her tears, and frowned - moving to rest her head on the lap of the larger Dotharl. Her skirt was comfortable, as was her hand as she began to stroke though the others’ hair. “I had a few reasons. First of all, my father… Garlemald might have tried to hunt me down, because of his place. But even before I changed my name, I had begun to consider such. I… I told him, thankfully, before he died.

I didn’t feel that Ascilla was the name for me. It’s that simple.” Minfilia was quiet for a while, before looking up at Bolormaa. How confident Bolormaa was with her body - even going shirtless sometimes. She then looked back down at herself. “Minfilia is a… much more feminine name, don’t you agree?”

Minfilia hoped she didn’t need to spell it out. That Bolormaa would understand - they were both not seen as women when they were born. That they had to show themselves and prove themselves but now they were seen as they always were. And from the spark in Bolormaas’ eyes, she understood. Gently, Bolormaa booped Minfilia, smirking with that confident Au Ra grin. “So. Minfilia is Minfilia. And always has been. Just like Bolormaa is Bolormaa.”

Suddenly, though, Bolormaa lifted Minfilia up. And laughed. “But right now, Minfilia deserves the sun. It’ll make you feel better!” Minfilia tried to protest - she was still in her night gown, after all - but Bolormaa gently carried the other. Before pausing. “I did the same to Urianger. Don’t worry. I’m trying to get everybody outside. It’s a beautiful day - the skies are clear!”

And with that, Minfilia was outside. Minfilia couldn’t help but shudder a little as the sun hit her - but in a good way. She almost felt like she was feeding from the sun, somehow. (In the back of her mind, she wondered if it was because of Ramuh. If she’d gotten inflicted by changes by Ifrit… though, on the other hand, she’d spent a lot more time around Ifrit. Fordola. She’d need to find out, though.)

Quietly, though, Minfilia whispered to Bolormaa. “I want to remain Minfilia, Bolormaa. But… I’ve begun to grow scales.”

Bolormaa blinked, tail beginning to swish - utterly confused, voice wavering a tiny bit. “Is that bad?”

That made Minfilia snort a tiny bit. “Of course it’s a little bad. I’m a Hyur, Bolormaa. Not an Au Ra.”

“Still. Scales would make you more protected, wouldn’t they?” Bolormaa said. Minfilia sighed, still in the arms of the larger being - being cuddled close. “But I think I understand. It took a lot for you to be like this, right?” Minfilia nodded, and Bolormaa gave her a little nuzzle - grunting a little. “I have heard of other Dotharl who like their bodies in certain ways. Because it is them. Their body and soul should match. I am not like that, but I understand.”

Minfilia listened, as the Xaela sat close to the quiet Elezen - Urianger had been forced out here, it seemed, but he had brought out a few books. He seemed to be writing things down. But Bolormaa continued, her voice quieter. “You are Minfilia. Scales or not.” Bolormaa tried to give the softest of smiles, before gasping - Minfilia grasping her tightly. A thick arm wrapping around her, Minfilia relaxed with a soft sigh.

That is, until her mind turned to Lightning. And her request… she had no idea how many were going to be there. And it was tiring just to change one - would the others wait patiently? Squirming (but failing) to free herself from Bolormaa, Minfilia frowned - and looked to Urianger. “…I met with somebody who wishes to use my abilities, Urianger.”

Urianger didn’t seem to hear her - but that was expected. Minfilia knew that he needed to know you were talking to him. Urianger still turned, though, and Minfilia repeated herself. With a twitch of his ears, Urianger gave a little smile. “Which ones? Your duty as a Warrior of Light, or your abilities to save those who are destined to lose themselves?”

“The latter,” Minfilia said, still squirming a little. Urianger quietly closed his book, placed it down by his side, and grabbed another. Minfilia recognized this new one - it was one he’d been seen drawing in even before the Calamity, often when he saw a new creature. He leaned closer to Bolormaa - and opened it, beginning to show Minfilia.

Inside were patterns, similar to the one which had been used for Ifrit and Ramuh. Underneath, there were notes on creatures. All kinds - alterations based on each. His gaze under his goggles did not waver. “Each creature can be distilled into a glyph. Not just the Esper, like the scars upon thy back - though they are able to express their glyph, for they are aware. Part of my studies into the nature of Primal was to discover these marks.

…I believe this research would be better in thy hands,” he whispered. His hands shaking. Minfilia knew a little about how Urianger ticked, and she managed to place a hand to his hands.

He didn’t want to give this up. And, instead, Minfilia shook her head. “Urianger. I much prefer asking you for copies of such. You’ve documented this over years - you know how to find such.

Instead, I have a query.” Minfilias’ tone did not waver, and Urianger seemed to light up - vibrating a little. Smiling a little, in his soft little way. “We know that if multiple beings are caught in the glyph, they are all sealed in the same way. That is why we cannot let the greater public know about such,” Minfilia explained - before shaking her head. “But the request I’ve been given is for multiple beings. Have you heard of Lightning?”

Urianger froze at that name, before he gave a firm stare. “Tell me more of this Lightning.”

Minfilia explained what she had gone though. The strange woman who hunted Ascian, and seemed otherworldly. Who carried healing salves that were not Eorzean, and seemed to recoil at their secret password. But she cared. She cared about some people. And she believed Minfilia. And that led to talking about the strange woman, Prishe, who had attacked her. But who had also gifted her clothes. As Minfilia explained, Urianger seemed to grow more and more concerned.

His fingers stroked his now-closed book, in thought. “Those names come up in tales of the War of the Magi. A woman who struck like lightning - who gave her name as the same. She had no loyalties, and warned of the Great Flood - her, alongside a white-furred Voidsent, are written about in recently rediscovered documents.

As for the name Prishe, it is one which has appeared in relation to the Dragonsong War - but such records are near-impossible to research. If she is a Paragon, however, then that would explain it… their meddling knows no bounds.” It was odd, though - well, to those who did not know Urianger. His voice did not seem to change as he explained - even if most people would be filled with anger, that wasn’t how Urianger showed it. “If Lightning has returned - then she is one to ally with.”

Minfilia finally had gotten Bolormaa to let go of her, and she had begun to pace. “Perhaps one of the ones she wishes for me to aid is the Voidsent. But I promised I would… but at the same time, Urianger, we both know that these abilities tire me.

Would it be possible to create seperate glyphs, and power them at the same time?”

At her question, Urianger suddenly stood - excitement though his body. In his spare hand, there was a glow - and an odd staff appeared in his hand. Minfilia knew that - it was his true weapon, to lay traps and carve… glyphs. Of course! That’s why he used a staff! “I hath an idea of how it would work.”

Urianger had begun to trace out ideas in the dirt - they’d moved to the lookout post just behind the Waking Sands. He drew smaller circles to encase those who’d been changed, and began to figure out how they’d need to connect to a main one. Too much, and they’d all become one being. Too little, and it wouldn’t work. What it seemed, from his magic infusion tests, was that the one casting the spell needed to be in a larger glyph themselves. With a little smile, he turned to Minfilia. “We do not have numbers?” he asked, as he continued to trace minute details into the connecting lines. Every little one mattered, he knew, as he sketched them into his book.

Minfilia frowned. “No, I do not. So this has to be easily expanded… but you enjoy the challenge, do you not?” She couldn’t help but notice the back of his robes were moving… oddly. Bolormaa noticed it as well, and looked to Minfilia with confusion. Did she know what this was?

Minfilia didn’t, and thus, she took a half-step closer. “Urianger… may I ask a personal question?” Urianger turned to them, finally taking a break - though still thinking heavily about the problem.

“I believe this solution will work up to thirteen beings - a common number in magic, though I do not know why— what doth thee wish to know?”

Instead of Minfilia asking, however, Bolormaa spoke up. “Do you have a tail, Urianger?” Both of them looked to Bolormaa, and that soft smile.

It was a little rude, but Bolormaa was trying her best. Urianger sighed. “Will thee not tell anybody - least of all Thancred? I do not wish for him to know yet,” Urianger said - keeping the truth about Thancreds’ state in mind. He couldn’t just say Thancred was possessed, after all - could Paragon hear further? Would Lesser Paragon leak it to him? In order to save Thancred, he had to keep things secret.

Silently, though, he lifted the back of his robes - to reveal a silvered tail. It was cared for, smooth and covered in jewels and bangles - mostly golden, alongside a familiar icy blue. Urianger showed them for a few moments, before dropping his robes once again. Bolormaa covered her mouth, but her wagging tail showed how she felt. Minfilia, meanwhile, nodded quietly to herself.

Urianger embarrasedly gave a little grunt, before Minfilia looked to the patterns. “It seems oddly simple,“ she commented, “but magic isn’t too complex, once it’s crafted. I may only use magic rarely, but I respect it.”

Yes, right. The magic. Urianger gave a nod to her, as he showed her the page in the book. “There should be minimal aetherial leaks between subjects, if any - and, thus, they will be sealed and converted into a safer form.

…I think, Minfilia, we should study how to alter such forms. For the sake of both Ifrit and Ramuh.”

The way Urianger spoke, Minfilia gave a warm nod. “So you’ve begun to befriend Ramuh. I knew it’d work out!”

“Aye! Ramuh has gifted me much knowledge - and much to think about. I… do not know how to explain it yet. Trust that I will, however.”

The two were interrupted, though, when they heard the hurried panting of somebody coming their way. Y’shtola. Minfilia turned, and was surprised to see Y’shtola looking slightly worried. “There you are,” she said, looking over the three of them. “We have an emergency meeting. Come, now.

…Titan has been summoned.”