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Though Nanamo’s gaze said this should be a private conversation, she truly couldn’t not observe what was bound to be a pivotal point for Raubahn. Her words had shaken him slightly, but her words alone were not enough. So she would watch, and see Nanamo do what she could not.
So she hid in the flowers, as a Ninja. Concealed in shadows, she saw the look on Raubahn’s face when he turned to see Nanamo. He immediately kneeled as he said, “Your Grace!? I-There was no word…”
Nanamo suddenly looked serious, and Sunana held her breath at the command in her voice as she stated, “Raubahn Aldynn. You are hereby dismissed as General of the Immortal Flames, and relieved of your seat on the Syndicate.”
She watched the surprise on his face, very clearly being utterly shocked by this as he said, “But, Your Grace…”
“Raubahn, I am no longer a child.” She almost sounded chastising in her resolve, though her voice was happy and caring as she told him, “Stay here, in your homeland. Work with your brethren. Rebuild Ala Mhigo!”
He looked sad in the face of her resolve, and completely hesitant as he said, “You desire to stand alone-I understand. But remember what happened…” How could anyone forget her attempted assassination? Clearly not Nanamo as she stated resolutely, “I remember full well the consequences of my naivety! And thus did I consult at length with a most trusted advisor ere I embarked upon this course!”
She meant her, of course. Nanamo’s gaze fell, as did Sunana’s, and Raubahn seemed a little insulted as he said, “A most trusted advisor!? And what of me? Am I no longer deserving of your confidence?”
She cried when she heard the tone Nanamo used as she shouted, “What trust can there be between us when you withhold the truth from me!?” Honestly Nanamo sounded as if she would cry, and the wavering tone only continued as she said, “Did you think me oblivious to the anguish in your eyes when you spoke of returning to Ul’dah!?”
Raubahn didn’t know what to say, and now Sunana could see tears in her friend’s eyes. She truly sounded so sad and betrayed as she said, “For years and years, we have trusted one another, yet now you refuse to confess your heart’s desire!?”
Raubahn looked so lost, and very concerned as Nanamo’s eyes dropped. And he was very hesitant when he said, “I swore an oath to you that day on the sands. I pledged my sword-”
Nanamo wiped her eyes, though her voice still wavered as she said, “And it has served me well. But in Pipin you have forged a new sword, as sharp and deadly as the blade you bequeathed him.”
He certainly had. Odd that Raubahn had not thought to fully instate Pipin when he already entrusted his legacy to him. She recalled their conversation with Lolorito as Nanamo said resolutely, “I will show you a sultana who can wield every weapon at her disposal-including Lolorito and his Monetarist cronies!”
Sunana had to move a little to see it, but Nanamo had tears in her eyes again as she said meaningfully, “So follow you heart…please. You are home. You are free.”
She had not seen Raubahn on the brink of tears before, it sounded so strange the way it strangled him when he spoke her name. Such feelings bounding about this large flower filled plaza, she was unsure if her heart could handle it. But she wanted to see this, it was such an important moment. So she watched as Nanamo walked forward and kneeled before her friend, catching his gaze as she said, “Smile for me, Raubahn. I would have this parting be a joyous one.”
As if she didn’t have tears in her eyes as she smiled so happily. But it did make him smile slightly as he said, “Thank you, Your Grace. It has been an honor to serve you and Ul’dah.”
Nanamo wasn’t quite done bossing him around, it seemed. The tears had lessened a bit as she said, “Tomorrow you will serve Ala Mhigo, and fight for the good of all Eorzea. Am I understood?”
He looked down, eyes closing as he said dutifully, “Yes, Your Grace…”
They both got to their feet and looked to the stars, and Sunana did as well. She watched a shooting star pass by, and as she did she chose to walk away. To wish upon a shooting star was rather childish of her perhaps, but she simply wished the best of both of her dear friends.
-
Honestly, she did not like the lack of confidence Arenvald had in his strength. But she supposed he was right that her strength had eclipsed a great many people. Suddenly though, Alphinaud mentioned that Nanamo was looking for Raubahn and he had pointed her to the rooftop garden and hoped he was still there. She wanted to state that he was, but suddenly Nanamo appeared as she asked judgmentally, “Are you in the habit of gossiping about the affairs of royalty, Master Leveilleur?”
Sunana immediately burst out laughing, and she went to the ground as she heard the panic in Alphinaud’s voice as he said, “Certainly not, Your Grace! I was merely informing my companions-”
Ah she loved Nanamo’s mischief. She gave him a very clear smile as she stated, “Be at ease, Alphinaud. ‘Twas only a jest.”
“You are telling many more jests to important personages lately, Your Grace. I rather like how much your mischief frazzles others.” Sunana had managed to get to her feet, and she immediately rushed over to hug her friend, who promptly asked her, “Would I be correct in thinking you watched the proceedings at the balcony?”
She looked to the side in guilt before saying very indignantly, “What, you thought I would simply ignore such an important moment for two people I highly respect?!”
She picked up Nanamo in a hug, who very harshly slapped her on the head and said, “You could stand to respect others’ privacy, you know!”
She recognized the signal to put her down, and chose to heed it as she stated, “Well, at least I am talented at keeping secrets.”
“You certainly looked about to give it away though.” Pipin had raised an eyebrow at her, and she stuck her tongue out before she said, “I was tempted, but that is not the same as doing!”
Both her friends burst out laughing, and eventually she couldn’t help but join them. Her other allies joined too, and somewhere among the laughter Pipin managed to drag Sunana over to him, then motioned to Nanamo as he said humorously, “The floor is yours, Your Grace.”
Once all had stopped laughing the groups joined, and once they all had their places Nanamo looked up to Raubahn as she said, “But I must yield the floor to Raubahn. He has an important announcement to make.”
She smiled, as did Sunana and Pipin. Raubahn had to clear his throat for a second before he explained, “As of yesternight, I have been relieved of my post in the Immortal Flames and the Syndicate both…”
Their comrades took a step back in surprise as they realized what he said, and Sunana parted from Pipin as he said with a smile, “...I shall be assuming my father’s duties. And may I say that Tizona has never felt heavier upon my back.”
“You wear it well though.” She truly meant it, and she gave him a kiss on the cheek to prove it. He blushed, and she giggled before joining him in a hug once again. She couldn’t help her mind wandering a bit to the fact that as he had now assumed his father’s duties, she was now partnered with a Syndicate member….
That was sure to aid her prestige. That was a little selfish, but she didn’t feel bad for it when she knew wholeheartedly that he deserved it, and would carry his duties out with the same resolve that he always had.
Though her mind had wandered, she could hear the slight bit of hesitant excitement in Raubahn’s voice as he said, “‘Twould seem I am in need of employment. Mayhap one of my old acquaintances can introduce me to a mercenary company or some such…”
She felt Pipin shrug, and she pulled out a bit as he looked up to his father with a simper as he said, “You may be getting on in years, Father, but you’d struggle to find a band of sellswords who wouldn’t snap your hand off-your…remaining hand.”
She felt kind of bad laughing at that, it was in slight bad taste. But Nanamo laughed too, and that made her laugh harder. She could still hear humor in her friend’s voice as she said, “Yes, the Bull of Ala Mhigo need not be put out to pasture just yet…”
Then she started laughing harder, and Pipin let go of his love so she could roll on the ground in laughter. She let out added giggles as she heard Raubahn say, “Your Grace has developed a wicked edge to her humor. And you, Pipin, would do well not to laugh when the future may hold the same for you! I always said you were a bad influence on your friends, Sunana…”
She gave a short “Ha!” Before pointing at him as she said, “You cannot blame me for their humor! I did not teach them it after all…just encouraged it a little.” She looked off to the side as she said it, because she knew that was exactly what he meant. That only made her friends laugh harder before Pipin helped her back to her feet as he said, “That was not much of a rebuttal.”
“Well…‘tis hard to rebut the truth I suppose.” She couldn’t help giggling again, and Nanamo put a hand on her shoulder as she said, “Oh you know full well our similar sense of humor did much to nurture our friendship! Laughing together is one of the greatest joys of companionship.”
Their little trio had become a group hug, and as they did Lyse looked to Raubahn as she said, “So…does this mean you’re staying?”
He nodded, and he sounded a little hesitant as he said, “Aye. That seems to be the way of it. I would be glad to aid you in rebuilding our nation. If you’ll have me.”
As if he needed to ask? She gave him a very obvious look, and he looked surprised before Lyse said with a laugh, “”If,” he says! Welcome home, Raubahn.” Lyse walked forward and extended her hand, and he took it. After their handshake Alphinaud crossed his arms and said, “Well, that was unexpected…though you seem distinctly unsurprised.”
He looked to her, and she raised an eyebrow as she said, “Well for one I am astute, for another I very much enjoy meddling in royal affairs!”
She looked to her friend, who gave her a pout. She simply patted her head, which made Nanamo swat her hand away. Alphinaud looked on this exchange with humor as he said, “Well, perhaps you are more astute than I give you credit for…that or I am losing my touch.”
She stuck her tongue out at him, and he stifled a chuckle before looking to Raubahn as he said, “In any event, one thing is certain: Ala Mhigo will rejoice at the homecoming of her dearest son.”
“Hear Hear!” Her shout was so loud Pipin cringed a bit at the proximity, but he chuckled before added an additional “Hear!” With Nanamo bouncing in joy as she also added, “Hear!”
They heard Raubahn laugh, and truly he could not have asked for a better homecoming cheer.