When coming to Limsa Lominsa, Minfilia had not expected to feel so… nervous. She had bested Merlwyb once before, but that was a more dire situation. For most, the threat of a Primal was of more concern then a refugee crisis. Of course, Minfilia knew both were horrific - she knew how Ala Mhigans struggled. And, loathe as she was to admit it to herself, those of Sharlayan may not have the strong wills of Ala Mhigans. They may not find anywhere to shelter - or, worse, be taken advantage of.

She could do this. She had to. She stood out in front of Zanthael, feeling far too exposed in the Bulwark Hall. Pulling her coat a little tighter, Minfilia spoke with a slight bounce. “I must see Merlwyb. ‘tis an emergency.”

The Roegadyn looked down at her, looked her over. Expression barely readable. “You’re the one who stopped Ultima Weapon, right? I can show you to her.”

And with that, Minfilia was face-to-face with Merlwyb. In her office, looking out to the sea. Merlwyb had a slight grimace upon seeing Minfilia, but didn’t say why. Instead, she shook her head. “Can’t imagine you came here for a nice little break, Minfilia.”

“You know I don’t take such,” Minfilia replied, her eyes sharply focused. “Tell me, have your people noticed any boats arriving?”

“They have. They’re still a bit out, but they’re not any threat. Did you come here to—”

“—They are refugees, Merlwyb. Ones who seek to find a new home.” Minfilia began to pace, trying to bury her little worries. “We both recall that the Kobold, Sahagin, and Spoken of La Noscea are already struggling to survive with the meagre resources you and your people hold.” A pause. “These people cannot be housed here, else the conflict between the many tribes will erupt.”

Minfilia hid that she didn’t know if Titan could be summoned again. However, her lips curved into a frown. “Such could cause Leviathan to be summoned. Even if I could then seal them, you must understand it is something I would rather not have to do.”

Finally, Minfilia paused to let Merlwyb speak again. Now she’d managed to speak though her thoughts. Merlwyb was still, tapping her desk slightly. “These… refugees. Where, exactly, are they coming from?”

“Old Sharlayan. I was informed by linkpearl.” A lie, but an easy one.

Merlwyb stopped, and gave a huge inwards breath. “I can imagine them leaving instead of dealing with their problems. And then making it our problem.

What is it you want to do, exactly?”

Confidence finally coming from her, Minfilia gave a little smile. “I wish to take them in.” A beat, as Minfilia bowed her head. “I have been aiding Belias, the Gigas - and the traditional custodian of Mor Dhona. He has given me permission to seek and bring these people in - as he did with those Ala Mhigans who wished for it.”

Quietly, Merlwyb pondered this. “Ah, yes. Nanamo recently mentioned quite a few people were moving from Ul’Dah, to an unknown point.” A chuckle, as Merlwyb made sure she was looking Minfilia in the eyes. “And here we’d suspected it was Ascians.”

They hadn’t told others where they’d gone…? Minfilia should have expected such. But she could not help but feel anger as Merlwyb continued, her voice calm like the sea. “You know that no Grand Company sees Mor Dhona as anything but free real estate.” Still, there was kindness in her eyes. “And I can’t simply accept that some Gigas has come to claim it. Then again, Minfilia, you’ve proven yourself as stronger then half of those so-called rulers - even if you’re not even the ruler.

Aren’t you?”

Minfilia shook her head. “No. I am Belias’ Emissary. We both know it’ll take a lot to be respected, but— I have come not to establish such with you. Not yet. We’ve nothing to offer in exchange.”

“Except,” Merlwyb said with a sly smile, “an offer to take people we can’t take care of.” Now leaning on her desk, Meylwyb stretched out. “I think that’ll be enough for now. Not that I can come help you - but you’ve an ally in us.”

Minfilia was quiet for a few moments, processing it. Her voice shaking. Her tail uncurling, beginning to swish. “…I shall be certain to tell Lord Belias,” Minfilia whispered, before speaking louder. “I do not know how many refugees are coming, but I shall work to get them to their final space. Thank you, Merlwyb.”

 It only took until Minfilia had gotten past the marketboards, the Arcanists’ guild, before she couldn’t hold it together any more. Sure, she had gotten what she wanted from Merlwyb. But she now knew her position - and it was not a place of power. Even if she had slain Ultima Weapon and had the blood of a man she hated stained upon her soul - one she had tried to force to live - they saw her as naught more then some adventurer. Her body shaking, Minfilia let out a loud scream, feeling her fluffy ears standing on end. She cared not if she caused a scene.

That is, until she heard somebody else. “Hey, you got it out?” Minfilia turned sharply on her heels, to face the other— ah. She’d seen him before, fishing in Aleport. A man who did not fit into the fashion of this star. If she had to guess, he was one of the Warriors. Yet, his face looked too soft. Not like many of the others she had met.

That, and he looked geared up to fish. Minfilia lowered her gaze. “…I didn’t scare any fish off, did I?”

The other looked away for a moment, slightly leaning to the side. “That’s not the point - there’s more out there.” He offered a hand out - gloved. “I’m Noctis.”

“Minfilia,” Minfilia replied as she shook his hand. “I’m not okay. I don’t think I… got it out? Is that how you put it?”

Noctis nodded slightly, in thought, before he got out a second fishing pole. “Come on, they’re biting right now. Might help you get your mind off things.”

Soon, Minfilia was seated next to him. “Is that why you fish?” she asked, quietly.

Noctis shook his head. “Everybody needs hobbies, and this is mine. Especially with the new rumours. Have you heard them?” With nary a second to shake her head, Minfilia continued to listen. “There’s a large fish that’s been sighted by coastlines. No… it’s not quite a fish. Looks more like a blob of water came to life and grew bear ears.”

His excitement easy to hear, Noctis continued as Minfilia listened. “I haven’t seen it yet, but that’s part of the fun. It might be a myth, but—”

“Your kind have time to investigate myths,” Minfilia said quietly. Noctis paused, looking at her with a quizzical look. “You’re one of them, right? The immortal warriors.”

At that, Noctis grew quiet. “I heard that we’ve been getting tangled up again. You’re one of the reasons why?” he replied, his voice a whisper. “Lightning told me to look out for a blond-haired lady.”

Minfilia nodded. “I do not claim to understand it all.”

“That makes two of us,” Noctis shrugged, looking back to the sea. “I’m one of the newer people summoned before everything changed. A lot of the older people are dead, and—”

“They’re not immortal?”

“Not really,” Noctis said, his voice growing softer. “Either we choose to die, or somebody makes a weapon out of a manikin. Either way, when we die, our souls are reborn as new people and become part of this land.”

There was a sorrow to his voice that Minfilia dare not force answers from. Noctis sighed, looking down to the sea. “Something big’s happening, and we’re all choosing sides. But I want a bit more time before I need to.”

Minfilia looked out to the sea as well, to the distance. “I fight for Eorzea. And yet, it’s harder then it looks. I… believe that your fight and mine are one, Noctis. But I’m mortal.

What use does a mortal have in an eternal conflict? I can’t even make people believe that Mor Dhona belongs to the Gigas…”

Noctis returned to looking to the sea, as he pulled up another fish. “It’s a new perspective, isn’t it? A lot of us— and a lot of them— well, we withdrew from people.” Shuffling a little as he cast his next line, Noctis tried to give a half-smile. “We’re just not used to how things are. Some of us are still sleeping - and some of… Spiritus? Chaos? The other side, well. They’re tied up with Ascians.”

With that, Minfilias’ gaze focused on him again. Noctis seemed relaxed, but there was a tenseness she could feel from him. “You’re the one… destined… to fight them, right?” That word, destined. It sounded a little awkward as Noctis said it. Minfilia nodded, and Noctis tried to give a better smile. “Then either way, our paths are going to cross.”

Quietly, Minfilia continued to pay attention. Before she spoke, a whisper. “A uniting force…”

“It’s a bit much, isn’t it,” Noctis replied. “You can’t obsess over every little thing, or you’ll end up lost and probably dead.” Even as he continued to reel in fish, as Minfilia still caught far less then him, Noctis sounded so… kind. Was that what it meant to be immortal? As Minfilia gulped back a slight sob, Noctis smiled awkwardly at her. “Do you have any hobbies of your own?”

There was a long pause, before Minfilia smiled weakly. “I’ve not had time for it, but I quite enjoy mining. Seeking rare rocks - there’s some beautiful ones out there.”

“Then,” Noctis said quietly, “why not go do that when things get too much? Just you and your rocks - and some friends, sometimes.” It sounded like such a simple solution, and yet… Minfilia wouldn’t have thought of it. Perhaps. Perhaps—

—her thoughts were interrupted as Minfilia looked up, suddenly seeing a boat in familiar colours. A boat from Sharlayan. Standing quietly, Minfilia bowed to Noctis. “Ah… I have to… go. I’ve my own duties. Sharlayan— across the sea— has fallen, though I’ve not all the details.

They need not suffer like the Ala Mhigans.” Even if it was an utterly different situation, Minfilias’ heart beat for the injustice she was certain would have come for them.

At the mention of Sharlayan, however, Noctis suddenly looked a little awkward. He glanced up at the boat, a few people now visible. He looked back to Minfilia, before standing in a hurry. “I, uh—”

“Bad blood?” Minfilia asked, seeing though any excuse he could have made. “I understand. I… hope we meet again, Noctis.”

With a slight relief in his eyes, Noctis nodded. “You could say that. Listen, you probably get warnings from our kind a lot.” That was an understatement, Minfilia thought - their histories and biases were obvious. Still, she’d listen. “But there’s a woman. Her name is Stella.

Don’t let her know you know me. She’s working with the one who started all of this.” Every word was tense, scared. Noctis’ fishing pole vanished into nothingness, as he looked away from the ship. “I don’t know how to help her. But she wants things I can’t give her,” he said, so very firmly. With a wave, Noctis then ran.

Minfilia sighed a little. Stella, huh. Perhaps she could help answer questions, even if she’d keep Noctis’ involvement secret. There was no point in antagonising any of these immortals - ally or enemy.

She would have so, so much work to do, in but a little while. But she felt a little better about everything - her chances, and her duties. Perhaps Fordola or Milleuda would like to come out mining when they got a break…