Shinobu sat quietly at the Quicksand bar, the day’s activities somewhat catching up to her as she rested herself on her elbows. Her attention, such as it is, was set on the inn’s proprietress, Momodi Modi, who was having a chat with a Hrothgar patron sitting before her. Until now, most of the words were things she would tune out, but a passing mention of the Near East had her attention. Her tail idly swung side to side behind her, and her eyes would look up and down at the two occasionally. She still knew she should get food in her before the end of the day, but that was at the back of her mind at that moment. For now, she would listen.

  Even with the elevation tucked behind the counter, the man had to hang his head quite low to meet Momodi’s gaze. By the look of it, he was quite well-traveled and lively – speaking openly and jovially, accompanying most of his statements with expressive gesturing, yet maintaining a dignified air about him. His words were hard to understand at times, owing to his fairly long, protruding fangs, made even worse by his distinct accent, but it was clear he spoke with great respect. He spoke at length of the sights of Thavnair, and a trip he had planned to return to the East, even though the initial topic was more along the lines of trade routes.

  While this was enough to get the Raen to be attentive, the Hrothgar would soon mention things further East – designs to visit Hingashi and make his way into Othard. This quickly made her progress from attention to fixation, and a little while later he would notice her staring pointedly at him. Shinobu herself did not even realize she’d begun to stare; only really sinking in once their eyes met. She looked away briefly, clearing her throat, before watching him from the side quietly again. This time, she was much more conscious of her pose, trying to seem relaxed despite the brimming interest.

  “Forgive me, milady, is something the matter?” He asked with tact, watching Shinobu curiously. His arms, gesturing grandly but a moment ago, now laid at his side placidly. One at rest on the bar, the other laying in his lap. He chuckled softly, a quiet purr in his tone. “If I have gotten a touch too boisterous, I must apologize. I cannot help but speak with passion oftentimes!” His demeanor was a lot more understated, but his respectful disposition still showed in the way he waited for Shinobu to answer.

  “He’s certainly spirited, I’ll give ya that.” Momodi pitched in, turning to prepare herself to serve another customer. “Now, Dimitri, as much as I’d love for ye to regale me with more tales of far lands, I’ve got others to look after. If ye’ll excuse me!” She traipsed away, wasting no time in receiving another and leaving the two to their thoughts. With the rush, one might assume she was glad someone was there to take over the conversation. Nevertheless, the Hrothgar turned toward her and briefly raised his hand as a goodbye before facing the Raen again.

  Shinobu sighed deeply, her face sinking into one of her gloved hands for a moment out of embarrassment as Momodi spoke. Clearing her throat softly and setting her hand down, she finally wished to say something, but she didn’t quite meet Dimitri’s gaze yet. She looked down at the bar table – at her balled up hands. “No, it’s…no fault of yours.” Her gaze rose somewhat, looking off past the bar for a moment. “It was simply interest. I wished to listen before aught else, but I may have gotten ahead of myself.”

  The Hrothgar adjusted himself in his seat slightly, fixing up his cuffs before relaxing his pose again. With an understanding nod, he followed. “I see, I see. Apologies for thrusting you into this situation unprepared, milady…?” He trailed off into a questioning tone at the end, as if to ask for her name. With his apology, he offered a simple, reserved bow as a show of respect.

  “Hagane.” She completed his words, turning to face him with her entire self. “Hagane Shinobu, alchemist at the local Guild.” Her speech was terse as usual, but her posture straightened somewhat as if to mirror the nobility the man gave off. “The fault may be on my part, if anything. I should have spoken sooner.”

  Dimitri crossed his arms, giving a warm smile. “Oh, perish the thought!” He tried to reassure her, waving a hand briefly before resting it upon the other. “Now that I have your name, it is only fair that you should know mine in full.” He spoke somewhat solemnly, but maintained his jovial countenance. One hand rested upon his lap as the other splayed across his chest as if to gesture to himself. “I am Dimitri Tirasch, a lost son of Bozja. Please, call me Dimitri.” His head dipped somewhat briefly, as if to give another bow.

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  “Lost?” Shinobu questioned, but only shortly – as to not interrupt him overmuch.

  “Might I ask if you are familiar with the plight of my people?” He asked, wishing not to make an assumption.

  “I know of the occupation that your people endured, but not much more than that. It was around the same time as Dalmasca, yes?” The Raen inquired, clutching her hands together and resting them on her lap.

  “Indeed…” He dipped his head, crossing his arms. He seemed pensive, somewhat. “The Empire left us bereft of hearth and home, and thus I resolved to escape.” He took a deep breath, his smile returning somewhat. “Needless to say, the event left me quite stricken for a time. However, as I recovered, I vowed to travel the world and see its beauty instead of dwelling on the evils the Empire would visit upon me and my people. I would let the world know, even if it is just from my presence, that Bozja still lives.” His posture straightened afterward, and his smile seemed to gain warmth. “Just as the other nations under the yoke of Garlemald still live and endure. If you will allow me one guess, you too are testament to that.” He chuckled gently, a faint purr in his tone once again.

  The statement clearly struck a chord with Shinobu. She simply looked at him – she opened her mouth in the faintest way, but no words would come out.

  “You hail from the Ruby Sea, yes?” Dimitri asked, and unlike anyone she’d met before, he did so in her native tongue. Inarticulate as his words were, the simple gesture was touching enough.

  “I…Yes. I do.” She hung her head low, a lot of thoughts going through her mind at that moment. The Hrothgar chuckled, almost trailing into a jovial laugh.

  “Ah! I spoke true, then! Hah!” He cheered, back in the Eorzean tongue. “It took practice, and no small amount of mishaps to learn – but even so, my Doman could use some refinement.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, giving a friendly smile. “Your name, paired with your accent, faint as it is…it would be remiss of me to not take notice.” His countenance turned somewhat serious, trying to open the next topic with the tact it would deserve. “If you do not mind my asking…what brought you here, Lady Hagane? I had known the Raen of the Ruby Sea had their own sanctuary.”

  Shinobu sighed, looking down at her gloves – her hands – for a good while. “That is…” She opened with a faint trepidation in her tone. “…not a question I am ready to answer. You’ll forgive me if I refrain.”

  Dimitri closed his eyes, giving a gentle nod. “I will not impose upon you, if that is your wish.” He spoke softly and respectfully, straightening his stance once more and resting an arm on the bar table. “A Doman alchemist…it is of no surprise that you would show such interest in my descriptions. Is Thavnair a place you would like to see?”

  Shinobu nodded in confirmation. “I’d like to hone my craft, as much as I can. It goes without saying that a visit to the cradle of alchemy would not go amiss.” She crossed her arms. “Not that it were possible, as it is now.”

  Dimitri, mirroring her, crossed his arms as well, giving a wry smile. “Quite the opposite, milady.” He spoke, quick to counter her pessimism. “Three days from now, there will be a boat ready to ferry people from Vesper Bay to the pearl of the Rhotano, Limsa Lominsa. From there, one would be able to link to another, larger ship in waiting, ready to weigh anchor and head to the seas of Thavnair. The waters there are shallow, so we would have to make the rest of the trip by dhow – a smaller Thavnairian sort of boat – all the way to the port of Yedlihmad. If you can cover the cost, Lady Hagane, the opportunity is there.” He chuckled. “You would not go alone, either! I plan to take the same boat, so I could see the painted mountains of Thavnair once again. But of course, do not feel pressured to join me. It is your choice.”

  Shinobu weighed her choices, but could not quite form an answer just yet. “I’ll think on it. Thank you for informing me and making such an offer, at any rate.” She examined him as she spoke, part of her still wanting to make sure he was trustworthy. Aside from his immaculate black attire, an ornate cane was laid across his back – one that seemed similar to the rods employed by a thaumaturge. Looking around afterward, she noted to her surprise that the Quicksand had mostly emptied in the time it took for them to chat, and night had fallen upon Thanalan.

  She adjusted her coat and took a deep breath. “...I must get going, now. But again, thank you for the offer. I’ll consider it.” She began to walk away.

  “Time flies…” Dimitri said under his breath, calling out to her and raising his hand as she went toward the exit afterwards. “Again, do not feel pressured!”

  Outside, as she held out her hand toward the Aetheryte shard, another realization hit her. Amid all of that…

  …she completely forgot to eat.