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psijic-toast · 2 years

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FFXIVwrite 22: Veracity

Ao3 if that’s mor eyour cup of tea

Narantsetseg Borlaaq was a practical woman, or so she liked to think. If there was an issue, she set out to resolve it, whether it be through her own skills and experience, or by enlisting the help of another. She tackled problems head on, working them over until they gave in. While others at the Arcanist's Guild played with theories, she put those same hypotheticals into practice.

So, when concerns and doubts of the future began to plague her mind, she tried to do something to ease it.

“Wren, might I have a word?”

The wind rolling over Silvertear Lake stole most of her words away, but Wren had managed to catch enough. With a glance to Hoary, who motioned he would continue keeping an eye on the kids, Wren made his way over, slumping down on the rock she occupied.

“What can I do for you Nara?”

“You’re likely to outlive all of us, correct?”

“I…” The look he gave her was hard to describe, but could be summed up as ‘Why in the Eorzean seven hells are you asking?’. “Yes, I suppose. Viera have a longer lifespan than those of other races. I prefer not to think about it, really”

“May I ask a favour of you?”

“Should I be scared? I honestly can not tell where this conversation is going”

“No, no, it’s nothing to worry about” Nara tried to reassure. Admittedly, it wasn’t the most desired start to a conversation. Perhaps she should have planned this, and not just have blundered into it. “Or, well, not in the way you may be worrying?”

“Don’t leave me in suspense here”

Nara took a breath, taking a moment to prepare the words this time. As she ran through them in her head, her eyes settled on her son, playing in the tall grass with Estelle, and a few other children of Toll. Haphazard flower jewellery adorned their wrists and hair as they chased one another, yelling and laughing.

“The Borlaaq tribe is composed solely of women” She started, eyes not leaving Erden as he sprinted to catch Estelle out. “Boys and men are not allowed within it. When a Son is born, we are to leave him within one year of his birth, whether that be in the arms of another, or… simply left to the Steppe”

“Nara…”

“It’s not common for women to leave the tribe to raise their sons, but nor is it unheard of. My own mother left for a time when her son was born. And I chose to leave to raise mine. But… one day I plan to return to the Steppe, to be with my sisters again”

She glanced over to Wren, who motioned for her to continue.

“I don’t plan to leave for some time, not until Erden is old enough to fend for himself. But even still, it would bring me peace to know someone is watching out for him”

“And you decided to lead this heartfelt request with ‘Hey, you know how we’ll all die before you?”

“Oh, shush you!” She knocked his arm, a light giggled mixing with his more hearty laughter. In the distance, Erden perked up, alerted to his mother’s laughing, giving Estelle time to escape. “It’ll give me peace that he’d have someone throughout everything. And I’m sure others would be glad if you kept an eye out for Estelle too, considering her predicament is similar to yours”

“A predicament I wouldn’t wish for someone who’s already lost so much. But you needn’t worry Nara. Even if you hadn't asked, I would have looked out for them - if for no other reason than to give you all less reason to haunt me when I’m old and lonely”

Nara’s smile was radiant, a weight lifted off her shoulders. The thought of leaving her son had weighed heavy on her mind for some time, increasing with each birthday passed. Despite the jokes, she didn’t doubt Wren’s veracity.

She didn’t get a chance to thank him, before said son barreled into her side. His grin could only be described as infectious, as he hooked a small loop of flowers around her horn.

“What are you laughing about Ma?”

“Oh, Wren just poked some fun at me pumpkin, that’s all”

Erden’s eyes seemed to light up, turning to Wren.

“Are you doing anything right now uncle Wren?”

“Uh, no, I guess?”

“Do you want to play tag?”

“I mean I should probably go back - oh, no, we’re off. Bye Nara!”

Nara laughed heartily as she watched Erden drag Wren away, the latter waving as he submitted to his fate as ‘it’. Yes, She thought, they’ll be in good hands.

#FFXIV #ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2022 #Narantsetseg Borlaaq #Wren Ironwood #Erden Kahkol

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