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Kan-E-Senna explained the complexities of their predicament clearly and with an air of grimness. “Though we seers can commune with them through feelings, naught that we can impart will serve to aid them in identifying Y'shtola. Nay, they must needs be presented with aether which is akin to hers. If you could but find a family member….”
Yet with that final sentence, X’whis made an awkward, disbelieving noise. “Do we have… least a quarter of an hour, say?”
All eyes turned to him, ranging from curious to shocked.
“X’whis, pray, do not tell me you mean to request a hiatus to our audience.” Alphinaud sounded a little mortified.
Which highlighted the need to explain. “Y’mhitra lives here in Gridania- Y’shtola’s sister. She’s been aiding me with my arcanima and summoning.”
Tataru would gasp happily. “Oh that’s right! Y’shtola told me about her once!”
The Elder Seedseer smiled with relief. “That is most fortunate indeed! Pray seek this sister out, then, and bring her to Everschade. There, we shall petition the great ones' aid in finding your lost companion.”
As they left the Lotus Stand, he’d wave Alphinaud and Tataru on. “I shan’t be long. Head to Everschade.”
Alphinaud would nod slowly, “Are you certain you will not need any assistance explaining or…?”
X’whis quirked a brow at the boy as a response.
“No, no, you are correct. We will be there and ready as soon as Y’mhitra and yourself arrive.”
The walk through Gridania is familiar enough. X’whis had dared slip here after everything had happened…. Mercy, when he and Y’mhitra had been confronted by a captain of the Immortal Flames, he had been so on edge his very aether could have cut someone. He had thought that perhaps the man hadn’t recognized him- though now he knew that wasn’t likely the case.
When he had parted from Y’mhitra after that, he had promised to return with news of her sister. This was not likely news that would please the woman- but he had no doubt it would bring her to action.
As he’d expected, he would find the scholar at her usual haunt near Apkallu Falls. “Y’mhitra, I have news.”
Perking up as his voice, the other miqo’te turned his way. “News?”
“Of your sister. Though your aid is needed to make it good news.”
Her expression turned sour and worried, “Meaning it may currently be bad news?”
Seeing little point in softening the blow, X’whis nodded. “Y’shtola is yet lost to us. Are you familiar with Flow?”
Y’mhitra nodded, “I am.”
“When fleeing Ul’dah, it seems she made use of it. Though by our best investigation, failed to come out the other end.”
“A forbidden spell, of all things! That she should be so reckless….” Y’mhitra shook her head with worried disapproval. A motion that brought a ping of homesickness to it for X’whis. “But what's done is done. I thank you for bringing word to me. Needless to say, I should be glad to help. But… how?”
“According to the Elder Seedseer, the Elementals may yet direct us to her. However, they need someone with similar aether to act as… a compass, so to speak. Someone like a relative.”
The woman nodded in understanding. “Though we were born of different mothers, our veins course with the same father's blood. I hope that this will be enough for the Elementals.”
“Enough for me- but perhaps that is irreverent to say.” He’d smile her way as he turned to leave. “Everyone is already waiting for us at Everschade. If you haven’t any pressing business, I am not of the opinion we should dally.”
The ritual is rather quiet. As X’whis suspects many rituals of white mages surely are. He puts a supportive hand on Y’mhitra’s shoulder after he overhears Tataru’s prayer.
They would bring her back. The fortune they’d had to get even this far was monumental- it felt as though the Twelve themselves already willed it.
Just as soon as the thought passed his mind, the air shifted. Glimmers of brilliant light began showing themselves. Kan-E-Senna announced when she found the wayward Scion, and at her call the light began to coalesce and take shape. It was quite the beautiful sight actually- for as long as his eyes could withstand the gaining luminescence.
Once Y’shtola’s form found ground again, it was Y’mhitra who understandably took off first. X’whis stayed behind. Fond as he’d grown of the woman they’d put the preparation to rescue, he knew damn well this moment was not his place.
Something it seems Kan-E-Senna agreed with him over, as she would halt Tataru’s dash and Alphinaud’s approach with a gesture. Promptly having her Wood Wailers bring the woman to the Roost to begin her recovery.
Y’shtola would recover well, with many healers- her own sister included- so eagerly at her aid.
Still, there came a point when naught else could be done but wait. It was then that Y’mhitra came to sit beside him at the Roost. Placing her tired head and arms together on the table.
Saying nothing, he brought a hand to her back and rubbed between the shoulders. “...I cannot heal- not if my life depended on it. Still, if I can do ought else, simply say the word.”
Aqua eyes peered up at him from where Y’mhitra had nested her face on her arms. A small smile appearing as well. “...Naturally. You are a good man, you know.”
“...Hardly.” X’whis would glance away, but the motions of his hand persisted. “Simply… a man with a brother.”