Within the inn, Minfilia gripped a pillow tightly, her claws digging into it - dressed in a simple night gown. Y’shtola returned with tea she’d ordered - not alcohol, they all needed to be sober for this. Her, Fordola, and Minfilia. Damnit… it was taking a little too long for one she’d called up to arrive. How long did it take to get a boat over? But Y’shtola tried to still her tail.

“To begin - Bolormaa told me, before she left for her yearly trip, that Alisaie stole Titan and… flew away.” Y’shtola did not quite believe that an Elezen could fly, but she did not hesitate in her explanation. “Thus, wherever Titan is, they are with Alisaie.”

Minfilia bit her lip. “…I promised Alisaie I would not speak on why she might have taken Titan. But we shall need to keep monitoring the Kobold, in case Titan may be summoned again.” The words felt bitter, as Minfilia slumped down - biting slightly into the pillow. (She’d pay to replace it.) “She won’t misuse Titan, though. Pray, do not think she would.”

Even now, Minfilia defended one who stole, for all intents and purposes, a superweapon. It was a little annoying, honestly. And she couldn’t hold back her true thoughts. “You’re defending her? And here I thought you’d be angry at her. She did cause you to lose track of one of these Primal.”

Minfilias’ heart beat faster, and she continued to bite the pillow, thinking hard. “She—”

“She left Ramuh behind as well,” Fordola said, as she kneeded the bed. “So you know, it’s not just Titan.” Both of them looked to her, and Fordola curled up like a kitten. “I know Minfilia is a little weird, but she’s worth trusting. And if she trusts Alisaie, I do.”

Y’shtola rolled her eyes a little. “Is that something Garlemald drilled into you?”

“It’s common sense!” Fordola snapped back, louder then he expected. She looked to them, before clearing her throat. “To trust a partner. Sure, Lord Gaius might have taught me some of it, but it’s… nice. Don’t you have a partner, Y’shtola?”

Sputtering, Y’shtola put down her tea. “I don’t.” After a moment, she finally gripped her tea cup again. “I know it is the Sharlayan way, but I find it easier to work alone.” Minfilia looked between them, and sighed. She remembered how passionate Louisoix was, discussing how everybody should have a partner, somebody they trusted with their life.

It was sad, then, that Louisoix didn’t seem to have such. Perhaps something had happened? Y’shtola continued to sip at her tea. “My mentor found it easier, as well - the one I had before Louisoix.”

“Do you think Alphinaud and Alisaie have such?” Minfilia asked - knowing that Alisaie wasn’t meant to exist. She was, honestly, more curious about what the two of them would think.

Fordola spoke first, tail swishing. “I don’t really know Alphinaud - he’s the twin, right?” Minfilia nodded, and Fordola tsked. “I don’t know. Twins can be a handful, and might wanna fight. Then again, I’ve heard of a pair of really fuckin’ good fighters in the Empire. So… I guess they might? Except they don’t stick together.”

Y’shtola was thinking deeper, before sighing a little. “I agree, a little. If they were partners like Louisoix wished, they would be together. Not pursuing their different paths.”

Minfilia nodded to them both, biting into her pillow again. The tiny tail she’d grown beginning to flick, uncontrolled. “…Do you think we can hide what’s happened to me? The scales and claws were easy, but— I don’t know why this has happened? I have ideas, but… b-but…”

Unlike before, Minfilias’ lips began to quiver, and she finally began to cry. Minfilia Warde had not wanted to cry before, but she was just so tired. Her eyes met the others, and Fordola let out a grumpy sigh - cuddling up to her. “Least you’re still people-shaped,” Fordola mumbled, cuddling closer to Minfilia, giving her a soft lick.

Minfilia continued to sob, though. Minfilia continued to cry. And Y’shtola then quietly untucked the blanket, and placed it around the shivering mutated woman. “I believe we can stay here for a little longer. Our meeting with the Admeral is not until tomorrow.”

Trying to wipe the stream of tears, Minfilia looked over at Y’shtola, before lowering her head. “…Y’shtola? I wish you remembered me.”

That hurt. Y’shtola took a step forward, towards Minfilia, before stopping. “I wish I did too. I believe you, Minfilia. I truly do.” Why else would Minfilia be so damn selfless that she’d lose more and more of herself? And then, an idea came to her mind. “While we wait for an ally to arrive with… supplies, I wish to try something.

May I? It will not hurt.”

Minfilia nodded, and Y’shtola slipped next to the shivering Hyur. Her slender fingers moved to Minfilias’ new fluffy ears - they were where her old ones were, but they almost looked Miqo’te-esque, and Y’shtola reasoned, well. They had that soft spot as well, the bit that just felt so nice to get scratched. Herself, she didn’t let just anybody do it. Maybe Phae? But nobody else. Just as Y’shtola thought, Minfilia let out a little soft yelp, before relaxing into the touch. It was… nice?

Y’shtola did not realise she was letting out a soft little purr, as she leaned into the other lightly. “I have heard Hyur do not have this same reaction,” she said - before Minfilia tensed. Wrong words, she supposed.

Her eyes now hollow, Minfilia sighed. “I’m no longer Hyur,” she said. It was not said sadly or painfully - it was a fact.

“You want to belong,” Y’shtola replied, looking deep into her eyes, blinking slowly. “That is why you want to be remembered.”

Deep in thought, Y’shtola continued, her voice vibrating with the softest of purrs. “I believe I would act similar. But, instead… if we cannot remember, I wish to make new memories.” Still, these fluffy ears and tail were concerning. As was everything. “I did not mention it earlier, but Bolormaa - and some of our other Scions - spoke of you earlier.”

Now Minfilia was listening harder, looking at Y’shtola, tears finally stilling. “They worry. I did not tell them of your changes, mind you - but they learned of the sealings. We all worried one Primal might get away—”

“—and now Alisaie stole Titan. So they did,” Fordola said, curling up, watching them both from her place on Minfilias’ lap. “I mean, basically. Even if we trust Alisaie.”

Minfilia sighed, giving a little frown. “I’m glad they worry. I’m glad some worry for me.”

Fordolas’ heart dropped. “Minfilia, you’re worth worryin’ about!” she huffed. Minfilia began to stroke her cheek, quietly, her cheeks twitching - her tiny whiskers still itchy.

She’d need to cut those off soon. Y’shtola then staood, suddenly, and moved towards the door - she gave Minfilia a small frown. “One of said allies has arrived. Pray, she is not here to hurt you - I have pre-warned her of your condition.”

Joy. Minfilia hoped she would not be pitied, though she also wished for such. The large inn doors opened, and a Miqo’te entered - K’pandolu, who carried a small bag with her. She was quiet, but had a firm step. Minfilia pulled her blanket over her ears, looking very cozy.

Fordola nuzzled into Minfilias’ thigh, giving her a few nip-like kisses.

K’pandolu bounded over, putting the bag down on the inn rooms’ table. First of all, she got out some small biscuits. “I thought you could use something sweet to eat - Yda made these,” K’pandolu said, with a soft smile. She offered two out - Minfilia took one, and K’pandolu hovered for a moment. Before beginning to eat her own.

Whenever Minfilia ate food Yda made, it made her think of family. Her own mother was dead now, both of them. But for a moment, she could pretend she was still alive, and that she’d sent them cookies. Curling into her blanket more, Minfilia finally relaxed.

She gently purred, before stopping herself. “…I am not Miqo’te,” she reminded herself, even as Y’shtola released her ear. She was… what was she?

“You could pass for one, though?” K’pandolu said, her tail swishing. “I mean, sure, your ears are a little lower down. But, you know… we aren’t the only Miqo’te.”

“That’s true,” Y’shtola mused, “though no Miqo’te-esque race has been made seen that looks like this. However, it was also said that all Au Ra had no wings - and then, the Gria made themselves known.”

Minfilia looked up, confused, and Y’shtola swished her tail. “Ah… hidden deep in Dravania, there are a subset of Au Ra who had shed their scales - but have grown wings, alongside acting far more aggressive.”

If Bolormaa was here, she would protest - none were more aggressive then the Dotharl - but Minfilia nodded to herself. “Many knew me before, however. How could I— how could I pass this off?”

A pause, and then Minfilia gulped down her fear, alongside some tea. “I believe I should tell Merlwyb. Show her my conviction. We can discuss what I should pass myself off as later.”

The moon hung over them, after all, and Minfilia let out a yawn - she had a little sniffle afterwards. (Fangs had grown in her mouth.) “My meeting is in the morning… might I ask that I meet with her alone? I do not know how this will go. But I wish to negotiate my way myself.”

K’pandolu tsked, before smiling at Y’shtola. “We’ll be heading back to the Waking Sands afterwards, right?”

Y’shtola shrugged. “I still have business to attend to - I’ll be returning later. Shouldn’t you be returning to the Pugilists’ Guild?” Ah, so K’pandolu was a Pugilist… or was she more? Minfilia didn’t feel like asking, as she bundled under her blanket… it was warm, and Fordola was still kissing her.

Swiftly, she fell asleep. Y’shtola sighed, looking to K’pandolu. “I want you to befriend Minfilia as soon as possible. She… needs more friends.”

A pause, as K’pandolu let out a little click. “Ones who she didn’t know… I think that’s an okay thing. But she could also use people like you.” A little bounce, as Minfilia dozed. “Even if you don’t remember her, you’d still make a good friend. I think so, anyway.”

Quietly, Y’shtola put a hand to her chest - as they both walked towards the door, to go rent a second (and perhaps third) inn room. “It’s not that easy,” Y’shtola said. “I am trying, K’pandolu - but I imagine it’s painful for both of us. When I look at her, I feel a throbbing pain…”

“…could that be your memories?” K’pandolu asked, head tilting.

Y’shtola nodded, sighing a little. “It reminds me of the light that appears when we think of the Warrior of Light. But I doubt she was them - the Warrior of Light slaughtered Primal without a second thought.” A pause, as Y’shtola strained to remember. “There was no other way, to them.

I still think they had a soft spot for those we call beastmen, but I doubt it is like Minfilia.”

K’pandolu paused, slowly thinking. “…You remember a little?”

“Only a little. There are a few more facts I remember - most of all that they were not Ala Mhigan. Not like Minfilia,” Y’shtola said - her voice dropping to a whisper. “I still hope to locate them - and currently, I’ve gotten another lead. That is where I shall be for the next while…”

“…I want to come with you,” K’pandolu said. “I mean, you’re already meeting with Phae, right?” At the mention of Phae, Y’shtolas’ cheeks turned a tiny bit red. “Unless it’s a date~”

“Nonsense,” Y’shtola said, tapping her cheek a little. “I simply require her knowledge of certain trades. It would be helpful to have another with us. I do not know how long these investigations will take, however - you’re okay with that?”

K’pandolu nodded, and so the two agreed - leaving the slumbering Minfilia to finally get some rest. She needed it.