The meeting was still going. But things felt… a little calmer. “You have memories from both of them, yes?” Bolormaa asked, looking up at Fordola - who still had barely moved.

Fordola nodded. “And they’ve got mine. Which means somewhere there’s an Ishgardian bastard who knows this as well, as well as the monster.” A deep sigh. “Again, it’s pretty much cheating.” Her voice had begun to shift again, into an Ishgardian accent. “It would have been much nicer to get to know them - then again, who even knows if they’re keeping Garuda alive.”

The way her voice shifted… Minfilia stood, so her and Fordola were eye-to-eye. “You’re still Fordola, though. My beloved Fordola.”

Voice back to normal, Fordola grinned. “If I wasn’t Fordola any more, now that’d be fucked up.”

Neither of the two noticed the interest that Moenbryda was paying to them - but Urianger did, with a soft smile. “They fill a room with their affection for each other,” Urianger mused - before Moenbryda turned to him, with a little laugh.

“And we don’t?” Her simple question caused him to turn red. “I mean, there’s three of us, and two of ‘em. Right, Thancred?” While Urianger nor Thancred noticed it, really, Zale noticed how much Mitron was playing it up. She knew, didn’t she. Their souls - Hythlodaeus and Emet-Selch. She had to know how she was barging into the very love that he’d wanted for so long. What an Unsundered jerk.

Instead, Moenbryda hopped up, giving them both a little nuzzle. “Well, I’m still tired from fighting for my life. Still got the bedrooms set up?” Urianger nodded, and Moenbryda left. Cordis stood to follow, with a quiet nod.

It was still late afternoon, but they had just crossed quite a bit of Eorzea. Slowly, one-by-one, people filed out of the room. Zale with Alphinaud - Alphinaud finally speaking to the Hrothgar as they moved. “About that book…”

“Right,” Zale smiled. “You were curious about summoning beings from other realms. I still don’t quite get why Urianger thought it would help Moenbryda…”

“Her… her parents,” Alphinaud whispered. “They studied teleportation. Maybe they were thinking about Flow. But I—

If my family truly is dead, then I could use those techniques to get closure.” Alphinaud said, as Minfilia couldn’t help but listen. Chuckle to herself.

Zale shook his head. “You would more likely summon a beast then a soul. The lifestream is cruel, the gods moreso—”

“—Wait,” Minfilia said, stopping them. “As soon as I’ve helped move the refugees, I’ve an idea. If we seek to ask about the underworld, I know somebody who can help.”

Zale perked up, utterly perplexed, until Minfilia continued. “Nald’thal.”

Damn. And here he’d thought that Emet-Selch had really woken up. Alphinaud, however, had a little shine in his eyes. “…I’d like that,” he mumbled, as Zale continued to escort him. “But… later.”

Soon, the main room of the Waking Sands was empty, except for Urianger. Urianger sighed, leaning back a little. He could rest for a little…

Urianger didn’t know when he’d fallen asleep - no, it was not sleep. He’d not returned to the land of the faeries - his home. Instead, he’d been dreamless, until his eyes opened slightly. Another figure was against the darkened wall, barely able to stand, trying to sneak by.

The white-robed Ascian. Both of their eyes met - one masked, one goggled. Before the Ascian could teleport away, he stumbled again - barely hovering above the ground. Urianger strode over confidently, before offering him a hand.

“…you do not fear me,” Elidibus whispered, voice harsh and a little jumpy.

Urianger shook his head. “I do. But you have not attacked me - nor are you able to in this state. If you strike me, I shall defend myself.” It was said so matter-of-factly that it caught Elidibus off-guard, if only for a moment.

This man was far more gracious then the others he had reached out to. The leader of this organization and the one who caused Lahabreas’ punishment. His claws digging slightly into Uriangers’ hands, Elidibus rose - with Urianger moving him to the nearest seat. Slumping over, Elidibus cursed this body.

Ever since he had awoken again, ever since the Unsundered needed him, he’d felt in so much pain. Not that he could tell the Unsundered. Not that he dare let them know how he ached and cried for the salvation of a healer. From beneath his mask, he looked Urianger over. “What is your purpose in this organization?”

Urianger was able to settle, when he had an idea. First of all… “Doth thee wish for some water?” Honestly, Urianger did not even know if Ascians drank. Elidibus gave a slight nod, and watched in slight nostalgia (for what? for when?) as Urianger got out some glasses, and broke a water shard into each. Fresh water flowed out, enough to fill them. “I shall answer your question, if thee shall answer mine. I will not ask anything too outlandish - I do not expect to learn of what you desire.”

Urianger smiled a little, as he gave the glass of water over. “But perhaps the Emissary of Mor Dhona hath rubbed off on me. I want to know what common ground we may share.”

Elidibus looked up. Elidibus eyed Urianger, trying to read him. And then, he nodded. “Very well. However, I asked the first question.”

“You did,” Urianger replied, “but we required terms fore I speak. I am a prophet, who seeks to learn from the past to help the future.” A pause, as he began to sip his water, barely dropping his guard. “I also protect the Waking Sands, for the Scions of the Seventh Dawn have moved to a better tomorrow.

…And you? What is your purpose to the Ascian?”

Hm. Elidibus tilted his head. “I am the Emissary. I shall aid my fellow Ascian seek the one true God, Zodiark.” A pause. “What would lead a fae to aid mortals?”

Urianger dare not lie. “I was swapped with a mortal child in their youth - and have grown to love this star, as much as my own.” And yet, Urianger still did not quite know how to explain the why. And yet, a little smirk crossed his lips. “You are able to see that?”

Quietly, Elidibus nodded - before giving a little grunt of pain. “It is easy to see past the flesh - to see what one is. I am surprised a fae like yourself cannot,” Elidibus admitted. “You are still young, then?”

“‘tis rude to ask about age,” Urianger mused, before laughing. “But to one such as you, is everybody not young? I hath read the stories of Ascian involvement in Calamities. I cannot imagine that it is different ones involved in each.”

While neither of them realised it, both Urianger and Elidibus were beginning to relax as they talked. Neither of them stopped sitting stiffly, but their lips were not as tense. “You’re well-learned,” Elidibus commented. “But I do not see you as young.” There was a pause, as if Elidibus was pondering if he should add more. Until he frowned. “Do you have somewhere… I may lay down, to continue our conversation?”

Urianger paused. Before observing Elidibus - he was not trying to decieve him, was he? No, Elidibus trembled with tiny aches, it was obvious to say. Taking his hand once more, Urianger nodded. “I set up a bed in this room for myself. You may lay there.”

…It was Carbuncle-themed. Elidibus blunk a few times, before looking to Urianger. “You like them.”

“I do,” Urianger commented. “I’d not seen one until Moenbryda showed me a stuffed doll of one, when we were little. Oh— Moenbryda is another who works with us Scions.”

All these names that would slip though his mind. But there was one thing Elidibus remembered from before. He was now in a lower position. He closed his eyes - even if Urianger could not see it. “Wild roses?”

“Aye,” Urianger said quietly. “Their symbolism - fragile flowers that cannot survive, stained by war… it is a beautiful thing.”

Elidibus felt words bubbling in his throat, words long forgotten. And he spoke, without thinking. “A world where we can overcome what we have lost, where even the rain and the wind can provide us with strength…”

Urianger stared down. Elidibus went quiet again. Both of them couldn’t help but feel unnerved by the softness the white-robed Ascian felt. Elidibus spoke again. “…I am sore, and I do not know why, Scion. Madness drips from my lips.”

“And the other Ascian do not aid you?” Urianger asked - no longer caring about his promise.

More moments passed. Elidibus shook his head, slowly. “That is not their duty. Their duty is to Lord Zodiark, not I.”

That answer did not satisfy Urianger. He stood, to grab down some potions. “While you are in here, you are my guest. And I shall not allow you to be in too much pain,” he said - knowing deep down this was a bad idea. Had Thancred been too kind and was that why he’d gotten possessed? And yet, he began to make up a potion. “I have one more question, Elidibus.”

Elidibus quietly looked up. Urianger was working hard. He could almost see another in his place. “You are able to see that I am fae, not man. Are you able to see deeper? If my flesh was ripped from my soul, could you see deeper?” It was idle curiousity from Urianger - he didn’t know who he was before, nor that souls carried such marks.

Elidibus looked upwards. Names would be okay, wouldn’t they? “No. Between us three, it is Nabriales who can see who one was. I can see what one is, and Mitron is blind to it all.”

“Those are—”

Raising a hand, Elidibus smiled softly. “You said. One more question - and I answered.” He gazed at the solution Urianger made up. Crude, but… “A sleep draught. To calm my pains, correct?”

Urianger nodded, a little frustrated. “Aye. In lower doses, it allows the body to operate without pain, even if you stay awake. I know not if it shall aid Ascian.

…You are welcome to come back for it, if you do not harm any of my Scions,” Urianger said quietly. “You carry much more knowledge then I - I shall only ask for such as payment.”

A simple deal, but Elidibus knew better then to simply agree. “I know you are fae. And you know that us Ascian and your Scion shall eventually need to fight - for we both follow different paths.

Until then?”

“Until then.”

Gently applying the balm, Urianger gave a little sigh. “If you wish to stay tonight—”

“I cannot,” Elidibus admitted. “I still have other areas to go - to assist my others, with our tasks. But…

…thank you, Scion.”