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The journey to arrive in Kugane was long and tiring, having to swim across seas more than once. But when they finally arrive, and after a very confusing tour from a man named Hancock, they are offered a stay at the Bokario inn. The group of liberators are quick to accept, but the innkeep tells them they do not have one single room to accommodate them all.
“It’s okay!” Aella proclaims cheerily, “We can split up!” She turns to her companions and points to them in order, “Siri and Al can stay in one. Ali, Alphi and Leni in another, and Lyse and I in one!” she grins, proud of herself, “That way we can have just three rooms instead of…” she trails off, thinking, “Six?”
Sirius sighs goodnaturedly next to her, “Seven, Aella.”
“That’s what I said!” A chorus of laughter erupts from all of her friends, but they nod and agree that they would be saving their gil that way too.
The innkeep overheard their conversation and had already set to have their rooms ready, "If you follow me, your rooms are right this way.”
They all follow the man and file into their respective rooms. When Aella and Lyse are shown theirs, Aella practically vibrates with excitement, “So cool!” she squeals. The Miqo’te is already diving on the tatami mats, feeling them with her hands, “Check it out, Lyse!”
The blonde couldn't help but chuckle at her enthusiasm, but the floor isn't what caught Lyse’s eye when she entered the room. Instead, it was the one single futon set in the corner of the room. One futon for the two of them.
She clears her throat awkwardly and sets herself next to Aella, who is now spread across the floor, “It is very different from the ones in Gridania or Ul’dah.”
“That’s what I was thinking!” Aella sits up on her elbows, eyes sparkling.
Lyse almost has to shield her eyes from the metaphorical beam of light coming from the other, but she laughs along, “It has gotten quite late now, do you think you’ll turn in soon?” Lyse inquires, hopeful to make Aella notice the dilemma they've found themselves in.
It wasn't like Lyse didn't want to share a room or bed with Aella, but she was one of the Warriors of Light! She was already asking too much from her when she asked to help her homeland, surely the other wouldn't want to stay…that close with her.
“Hmm, now that you say it,” Aella fully sits up, yawning and stretching–Lyse has to look away from where her shirt rides up slightly, “All that swimming did tire me out.”
The Miqo’te looks around the room and her gaze lands on the futon, Lyse expects it to fall into disappointment, but instead Aella brightens again.
“The beds are interesting too! They’re on the ground, I bet it's super comfy.” Aella crawls over to the futon, pulling it out from the wall a bit, “It’s big enough for both of us too!”
Lyse stammers, “Are…are you sure?” was the only question she could muster. She wanted to say how Aella shouldn't share with her, not after she's kept herself hidden the whole time and then asking her something so selfish–
“Why wouldn't I be?” Aella asks, a tilt to her head. And when Lyse’s gaze snaps to hers in surprise, she sees how innocent Aella’s eyes were and how truthful her response was.
Lyse blinks dumbly at the other, “B..Because I’ve lied to you this whole time…” the confession slips through her lips.
Aella frowns, “When you had to, to protect and honor someone? That’s hardly a lie to me,” her frown deepens, “It’s..j…justifiable."
Lyse only stares at Aella in shock, jaw slightly agape. Aella grins, “Siri taught me that word, and I think it fits what you've done perfectly.
“I wasn't ..." Lyse tries to correct her, not that she was shocked about her new vocabulary, but because Aella didn't resent her.
“If it’s anything,” Aella shrugs and tugs the comforter off the futon to crawl in, “I’m happy we got to share a room, it will make us closer,” she pats the area next to her, “I think.”
Lyse follows her movements, a laugh bubbling out of her chest, "You're the one that made the arrangements. “
“Huh…small world.” Aella grins again.
Lyse erupts into more laughter, slowly and cautiously laying in the futon next to the other, “Not what that phrase means.”
Once Lyse’s head hits the pillow, she is sure the other can hear how loud her heartbeat is. In front of her was the intense gaze of the Ninja Warrior or Light, she felt like she was being picked apart underneath it. Lyse tries to look anywhere else, but her heart speeds up as she realizes Aella had let her long hair down as it cascades over the pillow, framing her just perfectly.
“Is there something wrong?” Aella asks, but it was more of a whisper with how close they are.
“N–No, I was only looking at how long your hair had gotten.” She speaks a half truth.
“Oh…” Aella’s gaze also falters, moving her hand to weave through her hair, “I guess it has, huh?”
“I like it.” Lyse suddenly spits out. Her mouth drops open in shock at her own words.
But Aella giggles, and Lyse’s heart skips another beat.
“Thank you. I like yours as well, it's very blonde and pretty.” The Miqo’te says in another whisper.
“Thank you..” Lyse muttered out, heart calming down at Aella’s calm reaction.
“You know…” Aella starts out, turning so she's laying on her back, “I don't think I’ve been this excited before.”
Lyse hums inquisitively and she continues, “My heart feels like it’s about to burst out of my chest, it won't stop pounding.”
The blondes eyes widen, so it isn't just me she thinks, but quickly back tracks. Aella just said she was excited about something, not weirdly…nervous around her.
“I think it’s because…I get to help you get your home back, Lyse.” Aella confirms, turning just her head back, her previously sharp stare now had softened into something else, something Lyse couldn't place.
“I…” The words die on Lyse’s tongue, “...thank you.” she mutters out, a small smile forming on her face.
Aella smiles back, turning on her side again and reaching for Lyse’s hand, “When it’s all over, you have to show me around.”
Lyse allows her hand to be taken, Aella gently holding it and placing both of them on the pillow they shared, “Of course, I would love to.”
Love slips heavily out of her lips, but with Aella’s warmth radiating off of her and her soft gaze calming her, she can’t get herself to care. After more shared whispers and giggles, the two women slowly drift off into a restful sleep, not moving their intertwined hands even an inch.