Chapter Text
It was a chilly autumn day as G’raha Tia walked toward the center of town. Eorzea University had entered the post-midterm lull before finals. The All Saint’s Wake decorations were coming down only to be replaced by the Starlight Celebration. He almost felt bad for the Harvest’s Moon festivities, but they weren't always popular in every part of Eorzea, and many of the city-states had taken to creating their own spin on the celebration at different times of the year.
Turning the corner saw the familiar cafe down the street. If he could focus on the holidays it just might ease his nerve. Caffeine would only make his anxiety worse, but he was willing just for the excuse to see the pretty barista that worked there.
‘T'is no way to think about her.’ He scolded himself, knowing they weren’t familiar with each other outside of a few awkward experiences. Still, a warm drink would brighten his spirits so he could focus on his next exam. Caffeine would also just make him crash and burn out by the end of the day, and he didn’t particularly enjoy the idea of making a fool out of himself again.
Glancing at his reflection in the window of a closed storefront. Trying once more to brush down an unruly cowlick that had formed overnight. Krile had chided him for falling asleep at his desk once more, and of the day he wanted to look presentable.
His destination was two doors down. Taking a deep breath before losing his nerve and heading to the library to study. He pushed forward into the shop. A little tinkling bell chimed as he entered. The warmth of the shop was enough to reinvigorate him to the task at hand. He thanked his stars as he took a quick survey of the store. It wasn’t empty, perhaps today could be the day he could finally reintroduce himself.
The pretty barista, sans, Miyako Sora, a fellow Miqo’te, historian, and alchemic prodigy was currently retailing some tale to…Thancred Waters. G’raha tried not to be disappointed, it would only make sense one of her fellow Scions would be visiting her at work. Trying not to sulk as he found himself a booth in the corner.
His ear twitched as Miya continued her story to an over-eager Thancred. Knowing eavesdropping was impolite but unable to stop himself.
“After that, we were letting everyone get the hang of diving into the water and swimming around. It was all fun and games until Urianger tried to dive off the higher board. Like, we all agree Alphinaud is a bad swimmer, but he shows improvement each lesson. Urianger hit the water and just sunk to the bottom like a rock. It took me and Alisaie to drag him back to the shallow end.”
The white-haired man snickered, sending her into a fit of giggles.
“Did he just have that stunned look when you got him out?”
“Yes! He couldn’t figure out what went wrong. I thought Alisaie was going to drown him herself, but before she got the chance Alphinaud thought it would be a good idea to give the high board a try, so she had to go back in just to drag Alphy out.”
The pair burst into another round of laughter. He had seen her from a distance before, but G’raha couldn’t look away. Her face lit up in laughter, and of course, it would be Thancred to incite such a reaction out of her. Sliding down into the booth out of embarrassment, he wasn’t jealous, no he would have no right to be jealous. He simply wanted to be as familiar with her and her other friends.
He should have just waited for Krile to come with him. She was always better in social situations, and she knew Miya quite better than he did. Yet, with the new semester on the horizon, there would be new recruits to their organization, as well as friends they would be sending off onto their next adventures. Krile had shooed him off like a child in the way.
‘You should go see Miya, I heard she’s working today. Might be a good chance to get to know her.’
They had met months ago during freshman week. Both of them recent transfers to the University. During a university-wide scavenger hunt, they had been paired together. He had thought they were having a great time and were a shoo-in for first place. But he had gotten overconfident and they ended up placing second. The first-place competitors had gotten a small scholarship to help with their college finances. Miya had been polite enough after the competition, but he could see the disappointment in her gaze.
Since then he had been too afraid to talk to her despite sharing several friends and interests. He constantly saw her around campus, but couldn’t get the nerve to talk to her.
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“So, will you be joining us next weekend?”
“Yeah, I’ll be flying solo this time around though.” She sat down her rag, examining the counter as Thancred leaned in from the side. Half tempted to put Thancred’s idle hands to work for once. He would be better suited to clear out some of the heavier boxes lying around in the back, not to mention the decorations needed to be properly stored so she could get out the Starlight Celebration decorations.
“I’m surprised the lad made it through the introductions.”
Miya bristled at the reminder of their last ‘family’ dinner. Having invited an old acquaintance to join only for him to get intimidated by the other scions and excuse himself. It had been a stretch, and she felt bad for all parties involved…but still. She had hoped it would have worked out a little better.
“Alright Mister Flirty, I assume you’d be too busy stalking one of your many admirers or have you learned your lesson this time? Mmmh?” She pressed, a smirk forming on her lips as Thancred choked on his drink. Sputtering a new mess for her to clean. The reaction was well worth it as he tried to compose himself. Garnering a few sideglances from her patrons at the commotion, she was unable to quell her own laughter.
Tears collected in the corners of her eyes, earning her a harsh glare from Thancred before he smoothed back his hair as if a single hair had strayed.
“Mister Calm and Collected Waters, my my how you’ve fallen.”
“Hush or I’ll send your thesis off to the school paper again..”
She scoffed rolling her eyes at him. “They decline my last application, what makes you think this one will get accepted? At this point, your only wasting your own time.” Wiping down the counter again, she tried to not let the frustration inside her show. She could see Thancred relaxing, his cold heart melting for a moment.
“This year will be different. Just keep your chin up.” He reached forward, ruffling her hair much to her annoyance. Nothing else was said before he staggered off. She took a deep breath, taking stock of the cafe. It was the end of the weekend, and she didn’t expect many customers other than the few stragglers. Particularly one certain redhead that was sulking in the back corner.
Slightly surprised to see him, even more, surprised to see him without Krile. She didn’t know much about him other than his study field, and that he was also an archon. He mostly seemed to bust to speak to her these days, always caught up in some other task. Slightly afraid he was annoyed at her for losing the scavenger hunt. He had been one step ahead of her the entire hunt. Had she been more efficient they would have won.
He always seemed to have the attention of the crowd.
‘He’s almost as flashy as Thancred.’ Alisae had gripped once as they had passed on campus. Miya has secretly wished she could be that talented. Have command over her peers and let her voice be heard during class discussions. She had seen him shine in class and envied his talent. Having earned a reputation for being stoic, she didn’t have much time for friendships and study groups.
So many of her friends were already Archons, and she had only gotten in with a few recommendations from the City-state leaders for her help with the beast tribes. Not to mention a good word from the other Scions. Honestly, anyone could have stumbled into her spot, and she worked twice as hard to remain here.
And remaining here meant holding down this job. Pushing herself off the counter she brushed off her apron. She set another pot of coffee to make before heading towards the corner booth. She wanted to know the infamous G’raha a little better but doubted today would be that chance. Still, it was her chance to take.