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By the looks of it, Thancred was not having it today. His duty that day was a simple one, but at this point he should’ve just taken a day off and fool around instead. This was how he handled his morning in Thanalan before resting in Ul’dah during noon. He thought he would spend the rest of the day fooling around with some of the women again.
That was where he spotted her near the Weavers’ Guild. Double bun-haired Au Ra. Little miss Aelynn, as Momodi would call her. It's impossible to miss her in an army of mostly Hyurs, Lalafells and the occasional Roegadyn. She was one rare eye candy, and he has yet to scout her for a place within the Scions. For the few times he has been in her company, she has potential, and lots of it. She would be a fine addition indeed.
That day was not the day, however, he had matters at hand, and the woman was lost in thoughts, staring silently at the showcases of the week.
He couldn’t help himself to join her this time, just casually joining her sides. “And what are you looking at today?”
He didn’t know her much so far, but he knew her long enough not to expect a vocal answer. He simply looked up into the direction Aelynn’s finger pointed at. A rather simple, but colorful dress. In style, different than the one next to it.
“This one? It is a rather cute one. Think you can pull it off? Maybe I can pull some strings to get it at a discount.”
It took a moment before she shook her head in silent disagreement. Not because she thought she couldn’t pull it off. Her eyes’ focus was still on it, however, in a critical gaze.
“..........Ul’dah’s way of weaving is different from home.” She closed her eyes, thoughtful. “Now looking at them side-by-side, I can see I still have more to learn.”
It was clear it was mostly thoughts for herself, but Thancred realized that because he was there, she decided to speak up.
“So you know the style for that dress?”
“Hannish. This dress is for showcase purposes. Redolent Rose – the Weaver’s guildmaster – is adamant to it, showcasing his newcomers’ best works.”
It was easy to put two and two together. “Is it your work?” He immediately saw how she turned her head away from him. “You can tell me, I am not going to laugh at hard work.”
“Both are,” she corrected him. “He gave me an assignment for the first dress, but due to my particular way to process things, he asked how I normally do it. This is how this one came to be. Which, understandable. I’m normally used to doing the smaller things, with more colorful threads and silks, but it still is more of a novelty here so I feel like some of them are afraid to use them while I’m hesitant on the more… muted colors…” and she accidentally started to go on a tangent.
Thancred did not mind hearing her mumbling words he couldn’t understand much. Yet.
“That said,” he took back control of the conversation once he felt she was slowing down, “how come you are not working and just staring?”
“Got kicked off the Weaver’s guild for the day. The receptionist just casually told me to take it easy for today. Also got kicked off the Thaumaturgist’s guild for the day… ‘Darkness can wait’, Cocobuki told me,” Aelynn answered, imitating Cocobuki’s voice. “And Momodi just casually told me there was no job for me and handed me a cake too, telling me I should just enjoy the view… It does feel a bit lonely.”
“You never rest,” Thancred noted. Not a single day where she was seen running around helping the locals of Ul’dah. It was understandable. He probably would’ve done the same thing.
He suddenly felt her gaze on him. Looking him, up and down, down and up.
A smile.
A little grin he swore he saw on a certain Lalafellin lass.
Oh. Oh no.
“Say, Thancred, are you actually free for the afternoon? Would you be able to help a lady in distress?”
“With the way you just said that, I feel like disaster is about to come.” He crossed his arms, making sure he wasn’t looking interested in what she planned to do. Oh, he was. Just seeing her more animated is interesting.
“I am no troublemaker.”
“Finder of trouble is what you are. But I am free. What do you need me to do?”
“Be my experiment, Thancred.”
If it was under any other context, Thancred would be made speechless by her sudden boldness. Instead, in the few times he blinked, she was already taking his measures in the corner of her sponsored private quarters.
“.....Do you need me to undress,” he inquired, a bit intimidated by the calculated silence he was given.
She was focused on working her spinning wheel and her needle. “I am certain you find yourself to be quite the beauty, but please, no undressing in the holy grounds. Hey, no snickering!” She immediately turned her head in his direction.
“The holy grounds,” he repeated.
He heard a groan as he saw her go back to her work, and soon enough, she went back to humming and mumbling about what she wanted to do.
“I hope you don’t mind the colors of this. I’ve yet to try fitting a male Hyur so far.”
“Who has it been so far?”
“Myself, a few Lalafells… a close friend of mine in Radz-at-Han, and even a childhood friend in my tribe but this one was mostly for jokes, back when I wasn’t considering it an option.”
“And I thought Thanalan was how far you’ve been from home.”
He got no answer from it. All right, she may keep her secrets. In hindsight, he knew she was just focused. Reminds him of a certain Miqo’te. They would certainly hit it off if they met. Not his job to play cupids, but…
“All done,” Aelynn muttered to herself, a smile plastered on her face. “Try this real quick for me.”
He obliged.. then swore under his breath. “That is a bunny outfit.”
“Sorry, I always wanted to do that once.” She took a good glance at him. “Of course, it is made more loosely than anything, but I guess it could work for a kid’s nameday. This outfit, however, does not fit you.” She handed over her actual work. “There you go.”
“What is up with you and being a teasing little…”
She didn’t let him finish his thought. Just a genuine smile. There was something unsaid, and he was not willing to find out yet.
“Oh, I forgot, what about payment? It does not have to be in gils.” He shot his shot.
It took her a long second. She tried to process it, then opted for a silent kiss on the forehead and a pat. And gils.
Good enough for him.
“Aelynn, what was that about,” was his question several moons later, back at the Waking Sands. After she was recognized as a Scion, he saw her get quite close with Y’shtola and Yda. Well, he did expect she was way out of his reach. He also expected her to be closer to Y’shtola, and look at them, it was almost as if they were about to start dating anytime soon.
“What, can’t a lady have some fun?” It was Aelynn’s answer as she worked her needle next to Yda.
“I just wanted to ask, why that day in particular you felt quite whimsical when normally you are the introverted wreck that you are?”
Aelynn looked up. Stared at him in silence. Maybe a little bit and she would’ve casted Fire on his arse. “Felt like it.” Oh, you’re fun to tease.
He decided not to question it further, and left, having duties in hand. Y’shtola came to the common room in his stead, seeing him practically flee, then a little glance at the women while Yda were laughing.
Y’shtola raised an eyebrow. “And when are you going to tell him?”
“Just let him be clueless! It would be funny if he couldn't get that cookie.”
“I’m more surprised he hasn't checked a calendar at this point. This is not like I kept this date a secret when I joined the Scions… I guess I was too vague.” Aelynn shrugged. “But for me, this is how I handle beautiful memories with new people.”
“Sooo…. what are you planning to weave next,” Yda inquired, completely interested in keeping the quiet one talking.
“I might ask Tataru’s help for this one, but…..”
It only took the next 17th Sun of the 2nd Umbral Moon for Thancred to catch on.