Informing the Paladins of Ul’dah is a very simple matter. After just a brief conversation with your mother, someone is posted to watch the Alchemist’s guild for the foreseeable future. According to her, there ‘really should have been someone there all along anyway,’ so it is done without much hassle. From there, the only other issue to worry about is the classical problem of pesky glamours. Luckily, dispellers can simply be set up around the aethernet shard to catch people by surprise should they warp in.

After this, it’s practically out of your hands. While you’ll be sure to keep up with the latest developments, you have set a trap that is being handled by the authorities of Ul’dah. Of course, it is your responsibility as a researcher to make sure you have done all you can to potentially catch the culprit, but the sad truth is that a good assassin doesn’t leave any clues behind, and frankly, this one left you with the barest minimum possible.

Two questions remain unresolved. Why was Louix a target and who actually wanted him dead? Both of which are significantly easier to answer after you have caught the killer. While some mercenaries are ruthlessly secretive, many will give up their contractor quickly in exchange for a reduced sentence, and preferably, anonymity.

For the time being, you have been asked by The Scions to remain quiet. If too many people are seen investigating this case, it will only encourage the assassin to remain in hiding, so keeping things ordinary is ideal. You had hoped this would mean more time to spend with Erden-- given how complicated things have been, there hasn’t been any time for what you actually enjoyed about your time together. Quiet, secluded places have always been your preference, doubly so in his company.

Unfortunately, the Waking Sands poses two problems with this. First, it is dreadfully small. While there are back rooms that are somewhat private in the form of dorms and reading rooms, they are often bustling with people and open to many distractions, thus divesting them of the precious silence that so easily gives way to intimacy.

Secondly, there is a lot of work to be done. The tasks are strange and, frankly, menial, but the pay is good enough that it just seems like an endless supply of adventurer’s guild tasks. Since Erden needs to be accompanied by Phekda at all times, you haven’t even been able to use these as an opportunity for some peace and quiet. And in case that wasn’t enough…

The morning of your first night sleeping in The Waking Sands, you are shaken awake.

“...Hmmgh?” You drowsily open your eyes. After rubbing them for a moment, you see Olahr standing menacingly next to your bed, looking down at you. You barely refrain from yelling in surprise before he silently beckons you toward him and motions for you to remain quiet. You turn to your left and see Erden still soundly asleep in his bed, and slowly rise from underneath your covers. When you reach for your clothes, Olahr quietly grabs your wrist and shakes his head no, handing you a pair of shorts instead, but no top. After a little bit of charades, you slip the shorts on over your smallclothes and are coaxed out of your room without any shirt, which is a mildly humiliating experience but made much more bearable by a lower number of people around.

Most of the headquarters is underground, and as such there are no windows for light to pour in from as the sun rises. This, along with unlit lanterns, gives a frightening and empty feeling to the still-waking waking sands. Of course, with your half-keeper eyes, navigating is not too much trouble.

There is something sacred about being up so early, before others begin to stir. You don’t often appreciate it, because some part of you enjoys staying up late into the evening, scribbling away in your notes on potential geometric patterns and places to investigate, but the dark feels comfortable early in the day. Every step feels louder and stronger, and every sound more significant. Even simple actions, like opening and shutting doors, feel special and secret.

Olahr leads you towards the entrance of the building. On the way there, you see others who are quietly at work, though greet you only with simple motions. Outside, there is not a soul to be seen. He guides you up and around to the furthest edge of Vesper Bay’s coastal perimeter, where he has a small area set up. Once you’ve stepped away from the building, you feel comfortable speaking in a normal tone without fear of disturbing others.

“...Olahr, what is this about?” You cross your arms as you approach the brick cliffside.

“I’ve been thinking a lot about what you said, when you first arrived here. About how you wanted to tell me the truth about Erden, but there wasn’t a good time, so I have decided to make that time now.” Olahr sat on the ground and motioned for you to do the same. “You said that you were sorry about what you had done, and I said that you’d have to earn my trust again. So, do you want to do that or not?”

“Of course I do.” You say earnestly, taking a seat next to him.

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“Good.” He judgmentally leaned forward. “Drop and give me thirty push ups then!”

“H-huh?” You pull back, and suddenly all the weirdness is making some form of sense.

“Every day we’ll come out here and do some exercise, and you’ll have plenty of time to talk about anything that's been bothering you after the fact.” He said passionately. “And then since you’re coming out here every day, it’ll be proof of your dedication to honesty and hard work!”

“Can’t we just meet in the morning and do something nice, like have coffee?” You beg, but your pleas fall on deaf ears.

“Nope!”

“But-!”

“Anah’to!” Olahr raised his voice.

“Hnnng.” You let out a defeated sigh and get into position.

This entire thing is a complete humiliation. So, yes, you were TECHNICALLY training to be a Paladin for a significant amount of time, but your strength was the BIGGEST obstacle that prevented you from achieving that end. Olahr gets into position next to you and matches your tempo exactly, and around fifteen is when you start to really feel your own inadequacy. You squeak forward until twenty-five, and by then your arms tremble enough that you can’t bring yourself to drop down again.

Olahr starts cheering you on with more enthusiasm and energy than even your own mother did, which gives you the courage to squeeze out another two, and just as you swear you’re about to collapse…

“Alright, that’s great! Hold that pose for just a second.” Olahr grabbed the wand affixed to his waist and cast a quick healing spell on you. “Alright, now finish that rep!”

The restoration gives you BARELY enough energy to finish up before collapsing completely. You are completely and raggedly out of breath while Olahr effortlessly drops back down and keeps going as he talks.

“It’s not good to depend on healing magic like that since it can actually prevent muscles from growing any bigger, but in small doses it can help prevent the muscles from tearing too much!” He leaps up to his feet once he’s finished. “I brought you an undershirt, too.” He hands you a white, very short tank top that covers so little of your body it feels almost just as humiliating as walking around shirtless, not that you have the breath or energy to point that out. He grabs a cup he laid out and fills it with water using his wand before handing it over to you.

“Once you’re done recovering, we’ve got some chores we need to do. Namely, we have to go back to Gridania and get you and Erden’s stuff from the conjurer’s guild, and also I imagine you’ll be wanting to get some more clothes from the Arcanist’s Guild. Well, assuming you intend to stay here more often, at least. I suppose I should have asked.”

“Why…” You squeak out as you catch your breath before downing the whole cup of water.

“Why what?”

“Why…Why do I have to do this?” You roll onto your back.

“...” He pulls you up into a sitting position and pats you on the back. “Well, there’s a lot of reasons, even more than what I’ve already told you.” He paused for a moment. “It’s true what K’yoko said about you and Erden the day he got hurt, right? That you had to heal him and then drag him back in the cold, and that’s why you needed healing?”

“Yes, that’s all true.” You try to fix your posture instead of just slouching forward limply.

“There have been a few times now where Phekda has gotten badly, badly hurt, and my healing wasn’t enough to fix things up.” He explains, leaning back and looking out to the ocean besides you. “And when that happens, I’ve had to scoop her up and sprint back with all my might to the nearest settlement that has more advanced healing medicine available. A place to rest, to eat, all the work.

“And you know? She’s so light, I can manage it, but it’s another thing when you’re fresh out of aether and you have to carry someone. And let’s not forget, if SHE has taken enough damage to fall in battle, then you know it’s serious.” He turned back to you. “I don’t know why you care so much about Erden, and I doubt I’ll ever understand it, he’s such a complicated amoral mess, I just…” He let out a heavy sigh. “Regardless, if you’ve decided that he’s worth protecting and saving, then you better damn well be ready to drag him out of more fights like you’ve had to already. Next time, you probably won’t be so lucky as to get him out unnoticed, either.”

You finally manage to steady your breathing and have a lot of time to reflect on the words said to you. Honestly, you can’t really pinpoint exactly how much longer you just quietly sit there together before Olahr asks you if you’re ready to move on with the day, and after a little bit of mulling it over you say yes.

You return to your room and change into your normal attire, and every movement feels mildly agonizing. As you put your pants back on, you feel a weight in your pocket and reach down, your hand finds Erden’s soul crystal. Another day, another secret to keep. Turning back to Erden, he is still sound asleep-- best left undisturbed. Perhaps, later, this can be a conversation in private. When Olahr returns to your chamber doors, you release the crystal back into your pocket and turn back to him.

He’s clearly ready, and smiling expectantly. You’re ready too, you suppose, so you grab your Grimoire from your bedside and make your way out.