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The logs crackled as X'yahma poked at them. The fire was slowly dying, but at this hour, it didn't matter. A tent was set up to keep them from the elements. Musosai gazed upwards at the sky, at the cloudless, starry night while Momozigo was whittling a piece of wood. Ideally into something to placate the Elementals.
Their path had taken them back through Thanalan on the way to Gridania. While Momozigo insisted on taking an airship, Musosai simply hadn't the coin to pay the fare. This was well and good as far as X'yahma was concerned- he had the chance to visit Loonh Gah and Ruha, however brief.
"You seem a little downtrodden, friend," Momozigo said idly. "Since we set out from Highbridge. Aught the matter?"
Green eyes flicked over to the Lalafell, still whittling and paying little attention to his surroundings. "I simply didn't want to leave home so soon. Destroyer knows I spend too little time there as it is."
"See, Momozigo?" Musosai said, looking back down to him, "there was naught to worry over."
"I thought you were from Gyr Abania." Momozigo stopped whittling.
"I... I am?" X'yahma's ear twitched.
A devilish grin manifested briefly at the corner of his mouth. "I see. You were seeing someone, weren't you?"
X'yahma froze, his eyes wide that his intentions were discovered so quickly. "Yes," he finally said, wary of lying in his master's presence.
"Ooh, tell us about her!" Momozigo's eyes lit up. X'yahma looked away, hoping to hide his red face.
"Now, Momozigo," Musosai said, "'tis plain she is a wonderful woman for our friend here to reluctantly resume his travels with us." X'yahma sighed in relief, he was thankful his master could sense his discomfort. "But I will not deny I, too, am curious. Pray, satisfy this old man's curiosity."
An unseen blow took the wind from X'yahma's lungs. He'd rarely mentioned Loonh Gah to anyone- even the Scions. For them to ask so brazenly, he should- "You win. Least of all because you'll hound me if I keep quiet." He let out a breath, using the moment to fumble about as to where to begin. "I'm sure at least one of you know my name and what I do. My travels take me all over the realm, and even over the seas, as fate has it. And I miss my wife so dearly," he added a little flair to his thoughts as he spoke. "I thought to take the chance to spend the night with her."
"Is she pretty? What color are her eyes? Does she have-"
"Patience, Momozigo," Musosai cut him off. But there was no sign of him drawing steel.
"She's my wife, if I don't say she's the fairest of all women I laid eyes upon, she'd tie me to a cavalry drake's belly and drive it to Ul'dah and back," X'yahma chuckled at his own joke. The other two joined in, though Musosai only cracked a smile. "But more than her, I wanted to see our daughter again. Every week I spend away is one I fear she'll forget my face. I'm not even sure if she even knows who I am. I've spent most of her life out at sea as it is." He stopped himself before his thoughts crashed downwards like an avalanche.
"Few would blame you, given your circumstances," Musosai said suddenly. "Simply put, you are at war, if not with a conventional enemy. You keep the realm safe. While you may not be there every day for those you love, you risk life and limb to ensure their safety. Furthermore, to create a better world for your child." He looked right into X'yahma's eyes. "You are a good father. Let no one, not even yourself, say otherwise."
"Thank you, Master," X'yahma said.
A silence hung in the air, broken by the pops of the burning log. "I believe it is your turn, Momozigo."
"M-me!?"
X'yahma laughed as the tables were turned.