Chapter Text
It was… bittersweet, being back here. Erenville never really gave himself space to unpack his feelings on what had happened - he didn’t really have the opportunity to contemplate on it, nor was he the type to be in touch with deeper emotions. He simply lived, and worked through things in his own time. That was how Viera were, across the salt - they had long lives, just like the Shetona. You had the gift of time to process the hurt.
Still, seeing his childhood home covered in eternal lightning, the stink of ozone in the air instead of the dry desert air and the sun blasting down on his back, felt wrong. Nothing he could do about it, of course, and the Warrior needed him looking out for the Alexandrians outside the keep. Idle hands, as they say.
“Erenville,” the fabled Warrior of Light, right-hand of Vow Wuk Lamat, was kind enough to grace the Shetona on this permanently-stormy day. Erenville was not much for social niceties, only giving a little wave and no hint of a smile in response. Given the enthusiastic, motivated stride towards him, he immediately knew he was about to get involved in something.
“You’ve come with news?” He readied himself for the worst. Every visit was some new surprise, and never a good one - never a ‘the levin is calming’ or ‘we’re heading back to Eorzea because everything’s worked out.’ After saving the universe, that might be too much of an ask.
“Actually, I’ve got a pretty big favor to ask. A bit of a quest,” Meteor was rubbing the back of his neck. Erenville’s eyes narrowed slightly. “So, do you know anything about inside, in Solution 9? Inside the keep?”
“... not… in depth,” the suspicion was growing, and Meteor could tell.
“Well…”
Erenville didn’t seem shocked whatsoever by the “unaugmented” challenger in the Arcadion - it was about right for whatever life-threatening mischief the Warrior of Light got himself into. He just listened, arms folded, as the vaulted hero went on to explain their grand plan to free all the souls inside the Arcadion.
“Well, you can’t ever have downtime,” was all he could think to say. He kept his honest curiosity about ‘feral souls’ to himself, for now. “And you need me for what? Information on local beasts? Alexandrian fauna are not my forte.”
“No, see, that’s just the backstory,” Meteor was clearly building up for the big ask. Erenville was building up for a big ‘no.’ “You know how some folks here were trapped, right? Well…”
Erenville was looking at Meteor, and then something caught his eye. His gaze wandered away, and Meteor followed it - something bright, almost glowing against the dark sky. A pair of tall ears, a horrendous gaudy shade he’d only seen on poisonous frogs and tropical plants, bobbing along, attached to an equally gaudy Shetona.
“Uh, lemme explain this faster – see, there’s a Shetona who wants to visit where his mom grew up and find this rare kind of Wavekin, right, and –”
“Heyyyyyy, sorry I’m late! Early? What time even is it?” The figure was pulling out some… square, like the technology that Oblivion was using. “What’s crackin’, boys?”
Erenville looked to Meteor, eyebrow quirked, waiting.
“He’s a retired Arcadion fighter, wanting to connect with his roots. Learn the local dances. See the…”
“The Raintriller!” The neon Shetona practically sparkled with excitement. “My mom told me about it when I was a kid, and I’ve been into frogs every since! A big scary beastie.”
Erenville’s eyes moved between both parties.
“... you are asking me to… be a guide? You are aware I am not a fighter, right?”
“I am, baby,” the unknown Shetona grinned, and his teeth were perfectly white. Erenville had noticed the general hygiene and appearance of Solution Nine residents to be unfathomably perfect. Electrope had many uses, after all. “Even without the feral soul, we use magic and train in combat. Mine’s a bit different than, y’know,” he gestured towards Meteor, all the silver rings and bracelets jangling on his wrists as he did so. “But if we get in trouble, I won’t bring you down. Also, I’m good at climbing.”
“He climbed a tree just to prove it. In heels.”
Erenville remained silent, not wanting to show any sign of emotion until he had a moment to figure out what the hell to do here.
“Nah, I got myself some new threads. Check it,” he held out one toned leg, showing off neon green and lavender purple boots. “Asked my friends who do hunting for some recs.”
Meteor tilted his head slightly. “You don’t have to keep up a persona for Erenville. I think he’d prefer you didn’t.”
“Huh? I’m just like this. Jeez,” the neon Shetona’s ears went back slightly. One of those, was it? The kind who wore their heart on their sleeve so much their ears talked with them. You didn’t see them much past a certain age - he must be young. His heart hadn’t matured yet.
“You want me to help you find The Raintriller?”
The young man brightened, flicking these gaudy purple shades up into his brightly coloured hair. He extended a hand, absolutely covered in jewelry.
“I used to go by Dancing Green on the Arcadion stage, baby, but my momma named me Anemoia. Gotta blend in with the Alexandrians, y’know? I've got a Shetona name, too, if that’s more your style.”
There was a long, tense, uncomfortable pause. The young man, Anemoia, was still smiling, unfazed. Meteor was staring at Erenville expectantly. Erenville had known this would happen.
He gently put a hand over the one being extended to him, pressing it down slightly. Not shaking back. The neon Shetona was clearly confused.
“Sorry, Anemoia, I need to speak with our mutual friend very quickly. Five minutes, if you would.”
–-
“I’m sorry, I’m taking someone born in the secluded Solution Nine out into the real world? Out of the dome?”
Erenville was not trying to be mean - he was understandably flabbergasted that he wasn’t asked about this ahead of time, before being stuck on escort duty. At least so the young man wouldn’t be so heartbroken by Erenville’s rejection. Erenville was a consummate professional gleaner, who worked alone - he was not used to travelling with others, let alone someone who had lived in a secluded, protected area where not even death was a threat. Professional fighter or not, the young man would get bit by some insect out in the wild and want to go home.
“I said it was a big favor!” Meteor tried to placate their friend, but they knew how unfair this had been. It… just sort of happened, and Green was such a charismatic guy, it was hard to let him down. Honestly, any of the Arcadion kids could have suckered Meteor into this, but that was his burden to bear.
“You’re going to get this guy killed. Are you coming with us for safety?” Erenville was becoming more and more curt, his arms never unfolding. Even his ears had moved back slightly.
“Not on the way back, no - just take the train. I’ll catch up with you in Tuliyollal, and we can head out to find the target from there. If… that’s okay.”
“I am – I am trying really hard here,” Erenville rubbed his temple, “but you can’t spring this on someone. Please don’t ever do this again.”
Was that a yes?
“Consider Anemoia like… a special delivery. If that makes it easier.”
“I cannot cage him,” Erenville retorted flatly.
“Ask nicely and he might oblige, for a little while. I don’t know him very well, but I’m only a linkpearl away. I owe you, okay?”
“Oh, you do. You absolutely do. I’ll spend the train ride writing up an entire contract for how much you owe me.”