n15_w1150 by Biodiversity Heritage Library Via Flickr: Jardin de la Malmaison A Paris :De l'imprimerie de Crapelet, et se trouve chez l'auteur ...,1803-1804. biodiversitylibrary.org/page/43518517

For Inanna, a small bag was resting on her desk. Inside, stones click and clacked together, and a leatherbound book rested underneath. When examined, she would find that Merlin left her a gift of rune stones and a grimoire. Technically, he left two – one was a copy of the one he carried. Translated painsakingly into the Eorzean language for her to read, and the other was a blank one. Decorated with a eight pointed star similar to a compass, it was stained a lush red with gold embossed in the whorls and intricate designs. The small note on the inside read:

For when you start your own path – you’ll have a guide and a place to put your thoughts. Use the stones at night when the moon is gone or full, your answers will be at their clearest then.

The letter wasn’t signed, but the mischievous dried white acacia flowers left behind was an indicator as to who left it.

Though Inanna had spared no effort in making her office an inviting space, she rarely got to spend time in it. Her travels often kept her away, and when she was home, she spent her time with Ophiuchus as much as she could.

But still, it was hers, and she could not neglect it - not when it was filled with so much of herself. Ivy trailed from window planters and covered the frosted glass windows, leaves swaying gently in the breeze coming in through open Ishgardian doors. As she stepped into the office from the balcony, tucking an unruly silver-blue lock behind her ear, she hummed to herself and headed over to her desk, spotting the mysterious parcel as she drew near.

The flowers drew a curious arch of her brow as she lifted one of the dried flowers to her nose and scented it absentmindedly, fingers trailing over the gorgeous leatherwork before opening the topmost book. But mild curiosity morphed quickly into affection as she took in the treasure trove of knowledge he had left for her, scanning each page with growing delight. She had long realized how wise Merlin was beneath that mischievous exterior, but she had never dreamed he would share so much at once.

Scooping both tomes and the bag of runestones up, she hummed to herself as she danced around the room, excitedly gathering what she would need. A pen, an almanac, her cards... she would be quite busy for a while. At the very least, she had a few days until the next lunar cycle, so it seemed she might extend her stay in New Amaurot for a time.

Perhaps she might find some time to pay the magus a visit in kind in the meanwhile.