Chapter Text
Nihlih let out a long, gusty sigh, slumping back in her seat in a very unladylike slouch, her boots slipping across the floorboards of the chocobo cart as she gazed listlessly out at the forested canopy that they rolled by. Behind her battered, overlarge glasses, the young Moon Keeper looked exhausted and felt more than a little in need of a return to the hotsprings that she'd only just left. Her vacation had hardly felt like one, what with the sudden outbreak of vilekin and pirates, and she felt sore and battered all over. Not that she could talk of it to anyone, she mused to herself, plump lips forming a hefty pout as she ran a hand over one of the frizzy plaited braids that she'd carefully tucked over her shoulders. No, there was not a soul in all the Shroud that she could voice her troubles to, for the tiny bespectacled Keeper was none other than the Moonlight Magician. It was a role she'd stumbled upon almost by accident one eve, but it was one she took very seriously. Charged by Menphina herself with the task of spreading love and righting wrongs the world over, she often set out to do battle with all manner of beasts and fell creatures that could not be bested by mere weapons alone.
Yet for all the importance of it, Nihlih found it exhausting, yet now was no time to sulk! Battered and bruised she may be, but she'd been hearing some rather upsetting news on her travels in Limsa. Outbreaks of vilekin and voidsent in the Twelveswood with no explanation were plaguing the Woodwailers and the adventurers that traveled the roads, and she was going to put a stop to it! ....As soon as she'd had a good meal, a bath, and likely a nap. Possibly in that order, she thought glumly, pressing a hand to her grumbling belly. No sense trying to right wrongs when she was too tired and hungry to see properly after all!
In fact, it was with this thought that she nearly tumbled from the cart when it pulled up to a stop at the gates of Gridania, her foot slipping from the steps down, her backside landing heavily on the top step.
"'ey miss, no lollygagging! I've got more stops to make after this!" The cart driver glowered, and the young girl wilted under his gaze, her ears folding flat and her tail drooping.
"M-my apologies, ser." She mewed, a flush of embarrassment staining her freckled cheeks as she bowed her head and scuttled inside, the lancers stationed at the gate waving her through after a cursory glance. In this form she hardly garnered a second look, her dark hair unkempt in spite of her efforts from all the traveling, her round face made more childish by her spectacles and plaited hair. Scuffed and dusty from days on the road, she looked less like a champion of justice and more like another stray urchin leftover from the Calamity. The only truly remarkable thing about her were her eyes; vast and luminous, with the color of moonstones, though they were more often than not impossible to see behind scratched lenses and her overgrown fringe of hair. Frankly, it mattered little to Nihlih, as she hardly wanted to attract attention to herself. Fighting evil would be far harder if everyone knew who she truly was. So she carried on, smoothing her hands over her dress while she tried her best to tug some of the wrinkles from it, though much to her dismay it seemed as if her efforts were in vain. Well, hopefully the rest of her things weren't so rumpled, and she hoisted her battered satchel higher upon her shoulder as she made her way to the inn.
Head bowed and mind occupied with the worrisome thoughts of vile creatures and the scent of lunch she could smell wafting from the Carline Canopy's kitchens, the young woman paid little attention to the room about her and missed the shadow looming above her until she walked clean into it. Nose and pride bruised, the only thing that stopped her from landing flat on the floor yet again was the hand that gripped her shoulder.
"Steady now, lass! Best to mind where you're headed a bit better, hmm?" The voice was gentle and warm, startling her badly as she hurriedly looked up, a heavy stain of embarrassment flooding her speckled cheeks.
"My apologies, ser! I did not—I mean, I was—" she sputtered, twisting the hem of her dress in her hands as the man laughed, though not unkindly. His laughter was as gentle as his words had been, his closely shorn brown locks curling delicately across his brow in feathery sweeps. His eyes were the green of fresh leaves, and he gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze that left her tail curling.
"No harm done, miss. You look as if it's been a long road to Gridania, best rest up now, hmm? Can't let such a sweet face be ruined by puffy eyes, after all." He bowed in order to stoop to her level, smiling in a way that was almost playful, and she found herself ducking shyly away, her tail curling about her knees.
"You'll have time enough for flirting later, Matthaious. Leave the lass be afore I tan your hide myself, we've little daylight to waste on your sightseeing." A sharp, commanding voice cut through the air, followed by a stern-looking archer she knew by sight. He was tall and broad shouldered, his steel-colored gaze sharp like a falcon's, and his pale cornsilk hair was close-cropped. He was one of Gridania's finest archers, known for the power of his bow and the deadly speed of his draw. Turning his gaze from his companion to Nihlih, she found herself wanting to duck behind the soft-spoken hyur to get away from his intense stare.
"Now, now Aurlault, I'll not tease her anymore so don't go scaring her with that glare of yours. No lady likes a bully, my friend." He gave Nihlih a sly wink before he joined the daunting elezen, clapping a hand to his shoulder as they turned towards the door. "I've news from Bentbranch less than a bell ago, we should start there, once you and the lads are ready." They continued on out of the Canopy's shade, though Nihlih could not help but watch them go, her ears pricked with sudden interest. Bentbranch, hmm?
Well, it wasn't much, but it was certainly a start. Aching muscles forgotten for the moment, Nihlih Labharo turned towards the innkeep’s counter, tail whisking back and forth through the air with a newfound sense of purpose. First, a much needed meal and bath, and then it was high past time for the Moonlight Magician to make her appearance.