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let-minnow · 1 year

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A Dance, Warrior of Darkness? (Part 1)

Warnings: FFXIV fanfic, Shadowbringers Patch, Wol/Exarch, Miqote/F/WOL, The First. If you do not wanna be spoiled, git outta heeeer.

A dalliance between peers that could end poorly, or oddly.

Disclaimer: I do not own any FFXIV Characters or storyline appropriately placed or misplaced.

The people of the Crystarium oft kept their works and activities of daily living the center of focus, but every once in awhile, they would hold a type of celebration where they would dance, feast, compete, and just enjoy the presence of one another's company. Almost a type of festive togetherness for the people of Lakeland.

Minnow was overwhelmed by the sights, smells and especially the smiles and laughter.

With the fall of the second to last Lightwarden, the return of most of the night sky and (most importantly) the decrease in Sineater attacks, the people of Lakeland were in exceptionally high spirits. This ball would be vastly different than most, mainly in the fact that there would be no competition. Almost a festive get-together of appreciation and gratitude. The warrior of darkness loved festivities, but knew that she had, of late, grown tired of them. Mainly of the need to arrive, smile her face off, then lay in bed at the end of the night only to wake well past noon from the exhaustion. It would be nice to just exist in the pool of civilian normality rather than have attention always be drawn to her in gratitude or some other thing, not that she didn't appreciate it.

As the evening pulled into the darkening of the sky, Minnow found herself watching the party from the high stair swirling up and around the building in the dimmer light.

It felt more comforting, being up here, and somehow, someway, she had not been called to make the toast or be given a toast. No one came to insist upon an appearance, though she was technically here just not in plain sight, and for it she was ever grateful. Her onyx-colored tail swished contentedly behind her as she enjoyed the music and watched the twins below enjoy the party together. A smile stuck to her mouth as she observed a coy look suddenly overtake Alphinaud and he said something very tight-lipped, but not so much to avoid Alisaie's gaze of irritation. His eyebrows bounced at her, knowing his words had hit their mark and he quite luckily dodged an air-cutting swing of her hand. Thankfully she just barely missed slapping a passerby. Minnow found herself closing her eyes and huffing mirthfully as Alisaie made an attempt to give chase to the suddenly quite elusive older brother.

"I see you have made yourself comfortable as an observer, Warrior of Darkness." A kind, familiar voice startled her from her left. Standing about eight feet away was the Exarch, a soft smile taking up his mouth. That extremely familiar upper lip. It bugged her because as much as she knew she had seen a similar lip shape before, she could not particularly recall where or when. She nodded and straightened her stance in respect. "Might I join you here? I hope I am not encroaching upon your solitude."

Minnow shook her head and gestured with her hand that shadowed the empty space beside her so as to say 'be my guest'. She was glad of his company in the fact that she had time to gauge him in a more relaxed environment than the usual room they met. More ability to gain clues, were there any to be found. His soft smile widened a bit under his cowl as he calmly came to stand beside and observe the festivities in a similar fashion as she. They spoke not a word for a few moments as they watched the people of the Crystarium enjoy their dances and congregations. Minnow wondered deeply about who and what the Exarch was and why, but when she stood beside him like this, in quiet or no, she did not feel like she was in the presence of an adversary. A strong leader moreso, but here and now, Minnow swore she felt the comfortable silence and calming energy of an old friend.

It was so easy to trust. To be what he asked. It made her nervous and even so, her curiousness ever deepened.

"I should have ascertained your stance on the matter before suggesting this little celebration." He murmured aloud, gaze still upon the dancing crowd as he tilted his face for her to better hear him over the heightened voices from down below. "I would have realized that they were not exactly your forte." She felt her eyes widen as he gently nodded. "Yes... It's obvious. It must have been exhausting back home."

That right there. So easily, he understood her just from body language and actions. Subtleties alone helped him figure it all out so easily. His observance could be done by anyone, but he came through for it the most verbal. She knew it was because she'd undertaken a terribly large burden for Lakeland and all of what was left of the First, but it felt very nice to be understood at face value. Also a bit unnerving by someone who wouldnt show his face, and though the fact itself bothered her mind, her energies felt safe for these conflictions.

She shrugged, sighing to herself as she shifted into a more comfortable position as she let her arms rest over the metal bar, allowing her to hover the festivities below. "They are, but that's only because they ask me to toast or be spotlit or some other silly thing to make sure I know they're all grateful. I know it wouldn't happen here... But it's a bit overwhelming sometimes."

He nodded at her statement, seeming quite understanding. "Then this shall be the last time it happens like this. That, I can promise." An odd feeling hit her at the words that left his lips. As if he truly meant it in an echoing, numbingly true kind of way. She turned her head to look fully at him only to find a seemingly smaller smile than before, almost as if it were a bittersweet statement that had escaped him. Had she upset him or seemed ungrateful at all? Her stomach panged in guilt, ears flexing.

"Exarch, truly, I meant no offense-"

"No," he breathed quickly, "-I did not mean for it to sound so broken. The fact that you are here to note their gratitude is a kindness, but to you... As unintentional as it was, it likely felt like an obligation. This was supposed to be relaxing for you, and I've made quite a mess of many things out of desperation, and that you have helped the First in so many ways... I cannot be grateful enough." He bowed his hooded head in solemn respect, which immediately startled her. "Thank you, Minnow. For all you've been doing and for what you have done." His guilt for her friends being stuck here was really shining through thick this time around.

Her ears drooped to level with her skull. "Please, don't thank me. Not yet." She turned to stare down at those in crowds, dancing and sipping and laughing their night away. "Even as one strong in faith for the future... I've not yet finished the job." She paused. Her vision was radiant, but not quite so beautifully. Most of what she saw was blinding, but not so over-encumbered in light that she could not decipher faces and objects. It was the proof that she had slayed Lightwardens... And how impossibly Light she was becoming.

The Exarch held that heavy pause with her but nodded as she exhaled a note of hope for changing the subject. "The music is glourious! It flows and ebbs so wonderfully, I feel myself becoming a part of this building; enduring and feeling the majesty of the minds behind these wonderful people you guide. It is nothing short of amazing."

"I have to agree with you there." He leaned into the conversation without waver. "They really know how to pull you into a routine, whether you ask or no." He delved, sounding happy to hear about something here that made her feel good to be present in. Minnow felt a spark of maybe a memory strong enough to be felt; Her only intuitive power besides the ever fickle Echo. She tilted her head to him, grinning curiously.

"A few times too many pulled to be a part of something a bit fantastic?" She asked, shifting slightly closer to see his face a bit better. With any luck, she would get a chance to see some features. He tilted toward her, quite advantageously for Minnow's goal but she could only see what was already there before. Or allowed to be seen. It had to be a glamour, no doubt about that.

"Ah..." He hummed, seeming humored in the thought. "To dance, yes. I cannot do much music, but dancing is a simple thing if you live here in Lakeland. Once, I was enjoying what I was hearing as I shuffled by with some paperwork near the Plaza and happened to stop and watch of the crowd learning some ballroom type of step. They pulled me in at some point, though as much as I did learn quite a bit, I was quite uncomfortable. I lost a few parchments due to some wind catching while I was predisposed in learning, but someone thankfully retrieved them and repaired any damages."

Minnow found herself beaming watching his expression change with every piece he described, his smile small and melancholy in the end. "You truly have wonderful bounty of people. They are kind, like you." She hummed, looking down at them as they enjoyed their company and looked at the Exarch again.

His mouth opened secondarily, as if he was unsure what to say for a second. "Oh no... They are not mine. If anything, I am theirs... Rather I am for them and theirs. Everything they are, they are by benefit of hoping for the future of the star and simultaneously working towards it. I am but a guidance and a friend to their goals."

"You guide and help them,... Are they not for you, as well? I cannot see them not thinking the same way. When they work, I feel the same kindred spirit as I do when I see you encourage and search to help us out of the predicament..." She gritted her teeth as she felt confliction. "-I'd hoped to avoid bringing up again but it would seem that I have done it myself." She rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly, not noticing the paused expression the Exarch wore as he gazed at her. "Point is... You and the people of the Crystarium work on a similar wavelength and it shows. I trust your people... And for some reason, I trust you, Exarch."

The music rose in volume as Minnow eyed him, then closed her eyes to inhale as she turned her head to look at the glass ceiling. After a short pause, the Exarch cleared his suddenly very cloudy-sounding throat.

"And with that, I have a proposition, Warrior of Darkness." He stretched out his hand toward her as the music picked up in tempo, a confident smile replacing the melancholy one from before. Her heart picked up its pace. "I am not a great dancer... But I would be honored if you danced with me, here, above the Crystarium in mostly private so there feels to be no pressure from a crowd." He paused. "Do not feel obligated to say yes, of course. I am no stranger to being nervous in such circumstances and I hope that any remaining pressure is relieved and you choose precisely what you desire." His hooded head turned, hand still lingering in air.

She took it before his neck finished the turn outward, stopping him dead in place to shift back to her, looking surprised proper. Minnow smiled in short-lived embarassment at his reaction and nodded. "I don't dance... Although, I do want to dance with you..." Brief eye contact with his hood seemed so deeply electric. "So, how does one do this dance?" It was so quick, she wasnt quite sure she saw it, but 'neath the cowl, either she saw a shadow play or Minnow temporarily saw the Exarch beam. Whether that was the case or no, the thought had her stomach warming in anticipation. Regardless, it had quickly vanished into an expression of heated focus. Stepping forward, he reached out his crystaline right arm.

"See this hand? Place your left hand into the middle as if you're trying to grab it all the way around." She did so, and the Exarch nodded in confirmation. "Yes." A drawn out whisper as he then tapped his left shoulder. "And your right hand shall sit upon my opposite shoulder to let my upper body guide your direction." Minnow let her hand reach to his shoulder as he matched her stance. "Just there, and my left hand goes at the waist. Then, to my right, we slowly step together." He shifted, and Minnow felt herself slide along awkwardly as her focus went immediately to her feet and her hand closed around his crystal one, and most importantly, his left hand at her side. She only thanked the Gods that he chose to not touch her skin with the lack of cloth between breast and hip.

The Exarch's mouth hinted at amusement as her eyes shifted down but his tone did not show it as he guided gently. "When I step, you'll follow me, but when you do so, try to pick up your leading foot only to just hovering the floor as we step, a sweeping step, like so, and it will feel like you are gliding across the ground with me."

She followed his action and found him to be correct. Her mouth opened in suprise and elation, and quite quickly as she found her rhythm.

"You're a natural, of course." He hummed as she looked up for a second or two. His expression seemed content, almost as if he'd already known she would be fine. It only made sense, for she was quite coordinated when it came to learning physical activities.

After a moment or two, she finally got brazen enough to stop looking at her feet and face her dance partner as he guided their steps. They stepped and shifted and glided like that for a time, Minnow began to realize she was having an absolute blast as the routine became habit. "This is... I can't believe I've not tried before." She murmured. The Exarch cleared his throat a little bit as they continued their slow, steady steps.

"It takes a level of consented intimacy; being very close to another human body. It's only natural to be uncomfortable about the thought at first. Though I must admit, this is the first time I've felt comfortable doing this. Perhaps it is because I am in the teaching position this time around."

Minnow grinned cheekily, her shoulders bouncing with her involuntary amusement as she thought of the Exarch learning to dance for the first time.

He was right, though. The closeness was a bit stressful, but it eased quickly when the learning began. Her left hand holding fast to a crystal right was quite interesting to say the least. To be perfectly blunt, the one thing that had never left her mind since it had made contact was his hand on her waist. It felt far more intimate than any other act of the dance, but she knew it was actually quite a natural, normal part of dancing. Reading books where romance started at a ball or a celebratory dance was quite common and Minnow couldnt help but wonder if this kind of physical contact was exactly the reason, amongst other things. Dancing was also another way to figure out what people were like up close, and no doubt had to have close conversation. Another intimate kind of action.

"What are you thinking about?" He whispered suddenly, catching her off-guard as it pulled her from her scattered thoughts.

"Huh?" She began, slipping off balance during a jumbled step. The hand that held her waist suddenly pulled back and up as her hands tightened on his shoulder and fingers for stability. All these working together ended in a complete halt of movement and their bodies being very tightly pressed together. Their expressions wore heavily of shock and Minnow felt her face burn red. Suddenly, the Exarch began to chuckle and he began to stand her aright, helping her correct her own posture.

"I cannot help but fear I may have tread upon a private thought."

Minnow straightened as they reenstated their dance poses. "No, not quite so private... More like I got lost in my own head thinking about books."

He breathed out kindly, but said nothing as they continued their activity. She turned her focus upon his hand as she held it back, twisting in glide as the Exarch spun her suddenly. As she came to a stop, his shoulders shook as he grinned.

He was fully enjoying himself!

Her heart rate had already picked up in her embarassment of her stumble, now it rose in pace everytime they inched closer, everytime he laughed...

She wondered how the translucent stone fingers would feel caressing her face or her back. Where did it all cover on him? Would he answer if she asked about it?

"You have that 'lost in thought' look again, and it does not look to be about books." He stated, slowing his movement to avoid the potential earlier mishap, she knew. Her ears perked as he then asked, "A gil for your thoughts?"

Unable to control her suprise, she laughed because now she really wanted to ask, consequence of his response be damned.

"Hold your coin, it may not be worth paying for in the end."

His head tilted in question, but the curiosity painted on his mouth as amusement. "Now this, I simply must hear."

Minnow blinked, then giggled again, composing herself with a long breath before she began.

"Your crystal..., where does the crystal fully cover?"

His head tilted upward, which instantly had Minnow looking straight into his hood without means to disguise it. Still, nothing of difference from before. It didnt hurt to try. His mouth pursed in concentration, which had her in immediate pause. That reminded her so strongly of...

"It covers a decent amount." He finally said, breaking Minnow's concentration as he finally levelled his head to face her. "It takes up my arm, a portion of my chest, a large section of my shoulders and reaches up my neck on both sides, only just touching my cheeks. I am lucky it is not full, I may have been rendered quite useless if it had."

"What about... You know." Her eyes flashed down and up quickly, as to not use any potentially uncouth language in regards to his... Lower regions. This question fully paused him, his mouth opened as if he were aghast.

Ugh... Minnow thought, this may end badly, but he did in fact ask and definitely wanted to hear it. She hoped beyond hope that he'd find it odd enough to laugh a bit. During her mental trepidation, he suddenly tilted his head to his left only slightly and hummed, almost as if he didnt know... and actually had to think about it. Gods, she may get an actual response.

"You mean 'below the belt', as it were?"

She nodded, allowing a toothy grin in her silliness. "You asked, I delivered."

He purses his lips again, looking to the left once more, then restraightening as a response finally formed.

"That's... Actually quite difficult to describe." A second of quiet had passed when suddenly his mouth shifted from a gentle repose to a clever looking smirk. "With your consent, I could always just show you."

Her heart stopped and her mouth slung open, startled beyond belief.

That cheeky little shite! He had sneakily taken what remained of her collectedness, but she found herself suddenly unable to say she didn't want to.

At first, she was too curious. Now, however, she wanted to see him. Give into a mad suggestion. Be touched by crystal hand...

He must have seen too much shock on her face, because he then grinned outright and breathed, "Apologies, it was a poor je-"

"I'm... I wouldn't mind." She paused, thinking about how to properly or politely agree to such a thing. "I have... Been curious about you since our fourth meeting. Being around you feels, in a way, comforting and familliar. And now... I'm very interested in knowing you."

Her tail swung slowly yet purposefully behind her as he seemed briefly lost for words. The cleverness had seemingly been exumed from his voice as he responded gently, almost held together.

"That will not be necessary, I assure you. You have life ahead of you and a home to go back to and this venture is so brief and..." He trailed off, noticing her tail or maybe her expression. He was closing his window... So his secrets truly were too close to his heart to just open up. Smart man, but his secrets interested her less and less as the tension blazed.

"You may jest, but I do not." She pressed, her hand upon his shoulder squeezing him gently. "If our time is brief as you make it sound, then may I spend it with you? Like this?" She paused, trying to gauge his expression. If she didn't know any better, she'd say the Exarch was on the edge of his feet as his grip upon her stiffened. She continued.

"Mayhap... A bit closer than this, in a different room with a different vibration?"