Work Text:
The trip from Kugane to Old Sharlayan must have been a grueling one.
Flecks of snow fell over the Last Stand. Though the structure of the peaceful eatery shielded Framboise from the flurries of floating precipitation, the chill failed to elude her. She shivered as she hooked a finger through the handle of her mug, slender, naked fingers encircling the hot porcelain as she hovered her latte beneath her nose. The wafting steam worked wonders to thaw her nose, and as she inhaled the cozy scent of brown sugar and caramel, she felt her anxieties subside, if only for a while.
“Miss Framboise!” A chipper voice that didn’t belong drew Framboise out of her brain fog like a fish caught on a hook and line. She pulled her hunched-over back straight against the back of her seat, returning her mug to its saucer. Lifting her eyes, her sterile smile was poised and prepared for interfacing just about anyone who’d docked the harbor that day.
Hancock Fitzgerald had quite the skip in his step as he approached, his trademark smile evolved to a full grin at this point. "Has anyone told you how well you blend in here? You appear quite in your element in Old Sharlayan, I must say!” Given his mirthful tone, she couldn’t quite discern whether it was a compliment or a tease.
While she was mulling over how to respond to either, the giddy merchant slipped into the seat across from her, as though he’d planned this mid-day rendezvous all along. It was funny, given his observation on how she blended in here – as conspicuous as she was in Kugane, Hancock fared no better here, his bright blue kimono standing out against all the sun-bleached white of the academic city-state.
He proceeded to lean back casually, but stopped mid-way and instead launched forward, leaning across the table to peer at her cup with a theatric sniff. “Is that coffee in your cup?” Only then did he proceed to actually recline in his seat, propping an elbow on the back of his claimed chair with a playful snicker. “Aren’t you quite the onion? Still learning something new about you after all this time.”
Framboise finally lifted the latte to her lips as she watched him wordlessly, silently conveying that yes, she did on occasion drink coffee. Especially in times such as these. She set her mug down with a gentle ‘clink’ and finally allowed herself to sit back herself. “‘All this time’? It hasn’t been that terribly long.” She scoffed haughtily, folding her arms across her stomach loosely and tucking her cold fingers beneath her elbows.
He hadn’t moved an ilm, and yet somehow he’d managed to summon the barista from across the floor. It must’ve been a glance from behind those obnoxious glasses. “You make a fine point, I concede.” He pointed to something on the menu and granted the waitress a polite, albeit hasty ‘please’ before turning his attention back to his miqo’te companion. “Made all the more clear upon being in your delightful company once more.” His smile was relentless, which only hardened Framboise’s icy disposition.
Framboise inhaled through her nostrils, and once more retreated behind her coffee. It was a light roast; not really bitter at all…given, the milk and the sugar probably didn’t hurt. Her nose scrunched all the same - it was still a stronger brew than the tea she was accustomed to. Her expression made Hancock laugh once again.
“Does Sharlayan tea not meet your discerning standards?” Hancock’s shoulders wiggled a little as he shifted in his seat, his chest visibly puffed in pride that his hospitality in Kugane faced no such judgment.
She clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth and turned her head to face out towards the harbor. “More that coffee tends to keep me warmer for longer.” That, and milk offset the fact that in all the clamor and excitement of their allies’ arrivals, she’d neglected to feed herself.
Hancock’s eyebrows lofted above the rim of his glasses, and he tilted his head back, finally taking notice of the snowfall. “Ah. Is that so?”
Framboise snorted softly. If anything, she’d expected a man born in Ul’dah would be as prone to a chill as she. How long had he been in Kugane that he’d managed to build up such a tolerance? Moreover, just how cold did Othard get in the Winter? She’d never been in those parts in the colder months. Though perhaps that was a fact she should keep to herself, lest the man across from her launch into one of his trademark lectures on the charm and mystique of Kugane wintertime.
She must’ve been ruminating again, for all of a sudden there was a weight, a warmth upon her shoulders. The scent of coffee and warm milk was quickly replaced with satsuma, hinoki, and faint traces of incense. Once again she returned to the present in the Last Stand, the ocean’s horizon gradually swallowing the sun in the distance.
“The sunset here is different than it is in Kugane, isn’t it?” Hancock’s voice adopted a wistful softness as he returned to his seat, absent his haori jacket which had now found its way draped over Framboise’s shoulders. He followed her gaze towards the horizon, folding his arms casually and crossing his leg. “More gold than crimson, I suppose.” Indeed, the entire coastside city was awash with a faint golden hue, though Framboise knew it was his jacket more than the saturation that granted her a newfound warmth. She found herself smiling in spite of herself. No doubt Hancock took notice.
Whether out of his own sense of embarrassment, or more likely out of mercy, he diverted his attention towards the barista. “And now I find myself in need of that hot beverage I ordered.” he tutted.
Now it was Framboise’s turn to be merciful. “Does Kugane ever get this cold? I’ve never been in Winter.”
That won over his attention. “Most certainly not! I daresay these climes are downright insufferable!” The cheery lilt in his answer would have been downright comical if she hadn’t been so sudden-struck by pity for the man lending her his coat. “Kugane seldom gets snowfall. If you wanted that, you’d be better served traveling to the northeast, to Bukyo.” He paused a beat for effect, before adding. “Though I wouldn’t recommend it. The bugyo - er, governor - prefers to keep his city free of outsiders like ourselves.”
The barista circled back around to their table, delivering Hancock his own hot beverage - a soothing milk tea. Comparatively mild in comparison to her own selection, curious–though given his energetic approach to the table to begin with, his quick jump from one topic to another – it dawned on Framboise that he might actually be restless. Whereas she’d acclimated well to the studiums and lecture halls of Old Sharlayan (thanks to Krile and the Students of Baldesion association), Hancock was likely faced with unpleasant reminders of his initial arrival in Kugane and the uphill battles he fought to gain acceptance and establish himself in such an isolationist setting.
Framboise placed a gentle palm upon the center of the table, extending it towards him in what she hoped was an accommodating gesture. “Have you been met with any trouble upon arriving here?”
“Mm?” The cup was still pressed to his lips, and Hancock’s glasses had slid a fraction of an ilm down the ridge of his nose, granting Framboise a rare glimpse of amethyst irises. He drew back abruptly. “Trouble? Ha!” He found the very suggestion laughable! “Not with Lady Tataru and Madame Leveilleur pulling the strings on your behalf!”
Framboise gave a small shrug in acquiescence. He did pose a fair point. With allies like hers, seldom did she have to fret over the smaller details. It went against her innate nature; she sought solace in the finer points of business, and she was hesitant to relinquish control to others - even if those others were trusted friends.
Her fellow businessman across the table watched her demeanor shift, and without a word between them, he understood. “Come now, dear Miss Framboise. Think of it this way;” he set his cup down, and placed his hand - warm, surprisingly so - over hers, giving it a reassuring pat. “You have nothing to stand in your way. So rather than worry your pretty head over that which is beneath you, let’s focus your attentions on what delights await you when you make your way back to Kugane this winter?”