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Thancred Waters looked around before loosening his tie and unbuttoning the top two buttons of his shirt. Banquettes were all well and good, but the song and dance of it all was insufferable. He looked out at the merchants and nobles, frustration pulling at him. What a silly charade this all was. He scanned the crowd, and his eyes caught a glimpse of a glowing red, like metal in a forge.
The man was wearing a long blue duster, only acceptable in this climate due to the late hours. His white shirt was secured with a cravat, a bright green stone at its center that matched his eyes. The blue stone earring that hung opposite his silver ear cuff marked him as the man of honor. He sipped at his drink, but his eyes would not pull from the handsome man. His hair was worn similarly to the day they first met, the long loose copper braid draped over his shoulder instead of the messy high ponytail he wore when he was out and about. He moved about like a leaf in the wind, keeping a courteous smile as he talked to the nobles.
A good actor too, it seemed, judging by their last conversation.
He considered making his way over there, saying hello to him. Honorable intentions only, he told himself, trying to tame the blush overtaking his features. He did not want to interrupt, though, so he waited for the next part of the banquette. He was unaware of how long he stared, but he was pulled out of it by those same green eyes meeting his, piercing him from across the room. He tried to cover up with a grin and waved. Much to his surprise, the man beamed back at him and worked to excuse himself from the conversation when a glass clinked.
It was time for Raubahn’s speech.
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Dorien Aurifort hated everything happening here. He was no stranger to pretending among the upper class. Thanalan nobles seemed no different than Ishgardian nobles in that sense. Speak their praises, ask about their grotesquely lavish jewelry, mind your tongue, and speak not of other nobles unless they are spoken of first, else you may uncover a blood feud.
Even the jewelry he wore felt much. In addition to his cravat, the earring he had been gifted felt heavy, and he felt as though he was acting above his station, but Papashan assured him everything would be fine. He made his way back to his friend every so often in an attempt to reign in his sanity. The humble “stationmaster” was at least realistic.
He talked to him about the agenda for the rest of the evening. Soon, a speech, and then another hour or so of conversing as more food was brought out. A nagging feeling pulled at him, as if he was being watched, so he knew he would have to go back to socializing soon enough. He looked around, trying to figure out who could possibly be targeting him for his attention, when he met a pair of familiar brown eyes.
His shirt was tailored, showing off his figure, and he had at some point undone the top buttons of his shirt and loosened his tie. His usually messy white hair was tamed and styled, the bangs still mostly there but slicked back. A flirt even in this stifling place, it seemed. He was also likely drunk, given his flushed face. Still, another normal person was refreshing. He grinned and moved to excuse himself from Papashan, who, when he saw Thancred too, rolled his eyes and shooed him off.
As Dorien moved to push through the crowd, a glass clinked, and he stopped.
It was time for Raubahn’s speech.
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Crowds shuffled about after the Flame Commander’s speech. Now that the Sultana was on the floor, things had gotten more hectic. It even seemed that people who were not there before had shown up to speak with her. Thancred frowned and tried his best to pin down his friend’s location. For an elezen, this should not have been a significant issue; however, Dorien was no taller than some hyur and was lost amongst the elite. He should have known better than to seek him out. Dorien was the man of honor, and Thancred was but a scholar, only allowed to attend by virtue of being the Scion stationed to Ul’dah.
He may not have seen the elezen, but he did catch Raubahn cutting through the crowd and followed him with his gaze. Upon looking ahead towards the man’s destination, he saw exactly who he had been looking for. Hidden in the shadows, it was no wonder Thancred had not spotted him. It looked as though he used the Sultana’s entrance as a means to back out of the limelight altogether.
He made his way there slowly, not wanting to interrupt his conversation with the other man. He worked through the crowd, greeting those he came by and exchanging pleasantries when a loud gasp cut through the room. Everything stopped, and he looked at the source to see a small lalafellan woman, pointing at the adventurer, now passed out in Raubahn’s arms.
He couldn’t be serious. Again? Here of all places?
He pushed through the crowd now, giving his apologies as he did so. He made his way to the larger man and gave him a nod. “What’s the situation?”
“Ah, Thancred, excellent timing. We were speaking on the history of Ul’dah, and it seems he fell asleep!” He spoke loudly, the crowd around him becoming placated as he let out a laugh. “If you could bring him to the Hourglass? My duties are going to keep me here, unfortunately.” He then set the elezen down as Thancred leaned in, and this time, in a whisper, “I have reason to believe that he is one of Hydalen’s chosen. He showed me a crystal he had picked up as we spoke.”
Thancred nodded and undid another button on his shirt so he could have more free movement. The other man was taller, but he was light as a stick, making the task of carrying him much more manageable. His breathing was relaxed, combatting the stern expression on his face, likely from whatever vision he found himself in. He knew of these well enough, having witnessed Minfilia react to such things. He let out a sigh...At least he was with Raubahn when it happened, he thought.
Of course, you're happy it was Raubahn. No one else would have passed him off to you.
He pushed the voice aside and, with a huff, made his way to the Hourglass. He was different; his intuition was correct. He would have to tell Minfilia immediately.