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Rivayn crossed his arms as he stood near the doorway, trying to come up with something helpful to say. Alphinaud sat cross the room, slumped over the table with a hopeless expression on his face. The boy had taken so much onto his shoulders and had given so much to the Scions, but he was just that – a boy. And for the first time, Rivayn truly realized it.
Oh, it had been one thing to poke fun at the sixteen-year-old elezen boy who never missed an opportunity to take charge and give orders. But now that everything had gone to hells, it was different. Alphinaud had failed – at least in his mind – and Rivayn had no idea how to help. It was a role he had never needed to fill, but now that everyone was missing, there was no one else.
It was starting to really sink in that they were gone. All of them. Rivayn had always been the muscle and never the brains – he had been happy to leave the responsibility to Minfilia. Now he'd have to finally take charge, and he had no idea how he was going to pull it off.
But even more than that, Rivayn was beginning to realize just how much he had come to care for the rest of the Scions. He had spent his entire life avoiding connection, and somehow there it was without his consent. Now that the numbness was finally starting to fade, the pain began to worm its way toward his heart. His jaw clenched, both in determination and in anger. He had promised himself he wouldn't let this happen. Not again.
But it did happen, and no amount of frustration was going to change that.
"It's not your fault," Rivayn finally announced from across the room. Alphinaud looked up, and the expression on his face was so pitiful that it might have moved even the coldest Ishgardian heart.
"It is my fault," Alphinaud insisted as Rivayn moved toward his chair. "T'were it not for my vanity – my ego – and my insatiable need for power and prestige, none of this would have come to pass."
Rivayn took in a deep breath. What was he supposed to say? He wasn't the one with the silver tongue, or the unequivocal logic, or the warm and unwavering resolve. "None of us saw this coming, Alphinaud."
"Yes but–"
"No," Rivayn interrupted. "There are no buts. From the beginning, we've all been in this together. Bad things have happened, but Scions stick together."
Alphinaud's frown had turned into a downright pout. "The Scions are gone."
"No, we're not," Rivayn corrected firmly. "You are not alone. I'm still here, and Tataru is too, and we're not leaving."
For once, Alphinaud did not stir to respond. He seemed determined to be morose, and Rivayn could understand why. As hard as he was trying to be positive for the boy's sake, he felt just as hopeless as Alphinaud looked.
The two were interrupted by the sound of a heavy door opening behind them. They looked up in time to see Haurchefant step inside, awkwardly juggling several mugs in one hand as he tried to close the door behind him. The elezen smiled warmly as he approached. "My friends," he greeted them, setting the mugs down on the table between them. "I thought perhaps you could use some warmth."
Alphinaud glanced down briefly, but his moping would not be interrupted. Haurchefant gently nudged one of the mugs toward him, and finally Alphinaud relented. He picked up the mug, taking a brief glance inside before taking a sip. Even in the midst of his melancholy, he could not prevent the slightest of smiles from appearing on his face.
"I thought that might do the trick," the older elezen said with a smile. "Tis made from the finest chocolate Ishgard has to offer, at least according to my father. 'Tis sure to put a smile on any man's face,' he always says."
Alphinaud's weak smile remained. "Thank you, Lord Haurchefant, for your lasting kindness."
"Please, just Haurchefant," the elezen insisted with a hearty laugh. "We are all friends here, and there is no need for such formality."
"Very well, Hauchefant," Alphinaud returned with a nod. "We are deeply in your debt. Your continuing hospitality is... is..."
For the first time since Rivayn had met him, Alphinaud seemed at a loss for words. His lip quivered slightly, and Rivayn worried the boy might burst into tears.
"Fear not, my young Alphinaud," Haurchefant returned with his customary smile. "House Fortemps will do everything in our power to assist you, and you are most welcome to remain here at Camp Dragonhead as long as you have need of shelter."
"Thank you, Haurchefant," Rivayn said quietly.
The elezen eyed him curiously before turning his attention to Alphinaud. "I brought enough hot chocolate for all of you, but where is Mistress Tataru?"
"I'm... not sure," Alphinaud admitted.
"Perhaps you might fetch her?" Haurchefant suggested, seeming pleased when Alphinaud agreed. As the boy disappeared out the door, Haurchefant turned his attention to Rivayn. His smile disappeared, and his eyes grew stern. "How are you, my friend?"
"I'm fine," Rivayn lied. The cynical expression on Haurchefant's face might have been comical, were the circumstances different. "I'm... I don't know what to do."
"Is that truly what bothers you?" Haurchefant asked.
Rivayn sighed defeatedly. "I told myself I wouldn't do this again. After my brother, I swore I wouldn't let anyone in. And then after Aestyr..."
"The heart is not a gate to be locked," Haurchefant reminded him. "One might erect a wall in an attempt to protect it, but walls have a nasty habit of crumbling under siege."
"Do you really believe that nonsense about it being better to be hurt than to be alone?" Rivayn asked with a light chuckle.
"Of course I do," Haurchefant replied. "Losing those you love is a pain beyond words, but the love itself..." Haurchefant smiled. "It is worth it, my friend."
"It doesn't seem like it right now."
Haurchefant crossed his arms. "Would you truly trade the friendships you’ve made with your fellow Scions just because they might be gone?"
Rivayn wanted to snap a response, but his friend's words gave him pause. He wanted to say yes, that he would. That it would be easier if he had never met any of them.
I would have been a lie.
Finally, Rivayn simply sighed. "I don't know how you stay so positive all the time."
"Probably the same way you do," Haurchefant returned with a smirk.
"What, by painting over all my problems with a thick layer of sarcasm and–" Rivayn paused mid-sentence as he realized the truth. "Oh."
"The lives we lead are not easy, my friend," Haurchefant reminded him. "Tis why we stay stronger together. Do not regret the love you've shared with friends just because it may not last forever."
"Now you're getting sappy on me," Rivayn accused, a smile finding its way to his face. Haurchefant seemed satisfied to see his friend in better spirits, but before they could continue their conversation, the doors opened to reveal Alphinaud and Tataru.
"Welcome back, my friends!" Haurchefant greeted them ardently, waving them toward the table. "Tataru, we have saved a mug of hot chocolate for you, to warm your body and soul."
"Thank you, Master Haurchefant," Tataru said with a smile as she climbed up into the chair and reached for the mug.
"Just Haurchefant," he reiterated. "I apologize but I do have some business to attend to. If you need anything, however, you have but to call for me and I shall return anon."
The elezen bowed lightly before leaving the wayward Scions to their own devices. Rivayn took in a deep breath as his two companions – his friends – sipped at their hot chocolate at the table with him. Somehow Haurchefant always managed to say just the right thing to get him to see the real truth. It was annoying, if he was being honest, but it was always something he needed to hear.
"Why don't we rest tonight," Rivayn suggested softly as he reached for one of the mugs. "We can discuss the future in the morning."
Tataru nodded in agreement. "And don't forget what Minfilia would always say."
Rivayn cocked his head slightly. "What's that?"
"It's always darkest before the dawn."
Rivayn felt a smile begin to form on his face. "Minfilia is right," he agreed, glancing at Alphinaud. "She wouldn't give up hope, so neither will we."
The boy returned the smile. "We are agreed," Alphinaud announced with a swell of confidence. "Tomorrow we will look to the future."
Rivayn set his mug down. "Tomorrow we make for Ishgard."