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year 5, quarter 3
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[attr="class","ayab-text"] The past couple of days had been uneventful as sleep pulled Ifalna into it's healing embrace. All she had been able to wake for was food to keep up her strength and a much needed bath to aid the soreness of her muscles and to cleanse herself. Yugiri had truly been a welcome presence in aiding in her recovery, and Ifalna wished she was able to do more. Her green eyes parted open to greet the midmorning sun with a soft sigh. Rest was important to regain her strength, but she knew she needed to gain back stability within her muscles. There had been so much of her time spent in a wheelchair from the pain of the experiments placed upon her before being delivered back into a bed with no chance to recuperate before everything would start once more. The warmth and security of the blankets was such a security when she knew no one awaited her outside of the room to bring her back to that cold, dark laboratory. [break][break]
Shifting herself up, she swung her legs over the edge of the bed before reaching out towards the nightstand. Within the small, richly embroidered pouch sat the White Materia. It swirled gently with the knowledge of the Ancients as she peered inside to reassure herself that once more she was awake and that she had not passed on this burden to Aerith so soon. Worried flared within her heart as she thought of her daughter possibly out within this city of the world all alone. She took a moment to inhale deeply before exhaling the worries out with the next breath. Ifalna could not allow herself to dwell on such negative thoughts or the sorrow truly would drown her within it's waves. Her daughter needed her to regain her strength so she could be the proper mother Aerith had always needed--not the shadow of a woman too weak to keep Aerith truly safe. [break][break]
Tying the pouch back up, Ifalna set it to the side before gingerly rising to her feet. Her legs wavered beneath her for a moment, but she managed to push herself forward with a few ginger steps. Time was not a luxury she had to recover fully so she needed to do her best to push herself to the limits her body would allow her. One foot in front of the other as she walked around the small inn room at least three times before collapsing back onto the bed. The simple motion of just walking nearly took all of her energy as she took the time to regain her breath. The sound of the door opening had Ifalna lifting her gaze to seek out Yugiri. "Good morning, Yugiri."
Yugiri, true to her word came and went like a shadow, checking on Ifalna, resting in the one chair in the room, however her every return...if Ifalna asked for any information on the missing child would find a solumn 'Nothing yet...' when spoken aloud or in the aversion of the Shinobi's gaze, but she was trying! No one in the town proper seemed to have seen or even have any idea that a child of the description she had given was or if they even existed. There was one instance...in her search that some local kids had approached her saying that they had heard her asking around about the little girl, claiming they had seen her! It had only taken once...Yugiri followed the children feeling a surge of hope that she could reunite mother and daughter, however she was lead to a dead end...where someone had attempted to mug her for her money and belongings. With a disappointed sigh Yugiri had left that alley, her attackers knocked into next week for their insolence in wasting her time, while it may be dishonorable...her pouch DID come away heavier from taking her mugger's coin and turning in any bounties the thieves may have had.
The door would open to find Ifalna in much the same position as every day, still bed ridden, barely able to move more than a few steps before her body gave out on her. "Good morning Ifalna-san, I heard a thump a moment ago, Are you well? You did not fall did you?" Yugiri would ask sitting down on the edge of the bed beside the ailing woman, "I understand the need...to get up, to begin searching with me...but you must recover and rest. your body is...I regret to say ill suited to the task you wish to perform right now. We must work at it slowly." Yugiri would say, her voice still tinged with the same worry and care it always was when the subject of the mother's condition came up. "I....regret to tell you that...someone had approached me, a young boy..not yet a man, but not a child, claiming that he had seen your daughter...I went to investigate, however it was a dead end...there was nothing there. A prank by the young man in a poor attempt at humor." Yugiri would remark still feeling some bitterness about what had happened however....she did leave out a few details...happy that her armor helped to hide some of the bruises from the altercation, her voice however...betrayed the slightest hint that something was amiss with her physically, a slight hiss when she had to move certain ways, utter certain sounds.
Yugiri had to close her eyes in thought, to recenter herself, breathing in and out calmly, her friends missing daughter weighed heavily on her mind even as she attempted to keep spirits up, keep hope alive. She was unsure if the girl Ifalna sought was even HERE in Provo, she recalled several other area's, several other towns, cities she could attempt to search...but not until Ifalna was well enough to walk again. "Arashi has also found nothing when soaring upon the winds either...with exception of merchant caravans and bandits on the roads attacking said merchant caravans." Yugiri would mention the name Arashi...Ifalna could swear she had also seen the shadow of a gigantic bird On occasion just before and after Yugiri would arrive or leave...did the Shinobi have some form of pet or steed? "Once you are well enough...we will take our search to other area's, Ifalna-san. I am....exhaustion my options in this city, we will not find much remaining here to assist us in the search." Tail began to thump and slide across the surface of the bed in slight irritation, irritation at her own lack of leads...she knew she was doing all she could but she as many other's felt there was more she should be doing, she was running herself thin with how much she was out on the streets looking for some small crumb to put them onto the right trail.
[attr="class","ayab-text"]Ifalna smiled just a little sheepishly as Yugiri called her out far too easily on her strained attempts at exercising. Bedrest truly was her best option right now but she needed to move and push herself just a little so her muscles would not regress even more than they had. The adrenaline that had aided her in her escape from Shinra had truly drained what strength had remained to her without the aid of a wheelchair or the painkillers that had been secreted to her by Faz. Her stubborn streak was renewing itself the longer she remained in this room, but she could see how tired Yugiri was as well. It was unfair of her to take the bed so entirely as it left her new friend with only a chair to rest in. "I understand. My recovery will be a slow one, but I do need to strengthen my muscles after I spent so long in that....place. I do not wish to burden you more than I already have." [break][break]
Disappointment bloomed within her chest as Yugiri explained the false lead that had been given to her. There was more to the story as the younger woman shifted in ways that hinted at a stiff, bruised body. Ifalna would certainly know as she had often masked such pain herself whenever she was brought back to the room she had shared with Aerith. Raising her hand, she relied on the materia in her possession to heal whatever injuries Yugiri had sustained. She did not have the energy within herself to cast the magic without aid just yet. Soon she would do her best to regain control over her abilities without this weakness plaguing her body. "You should take your own advice, you know," she teased with a light smile. [break][break]
Yugiri had been pushing herself on her behalf, and she did not wish for her to exhaust herself so entirely if Aerith was not even in this city. It pained her to even acknowledge that fact, but Ifalna would not take advantage of more of Yugiri's kindness. "Please, you have done enough for now. Stay and rest yourself. As you said, we must work at it slowly no matter how much it pains us to admit otherwise." Reaching up, she rested her hand upon Yugiri's shoulder with another reassuring smile. Her sense of urgency to find Aerith burned within her so constantly that it haunted her each and every thought. What if her little girl as lost and alone? What if she had been unable to find a kind soul as her mother had? What if she was crying for her to come find her? Ifalna took a moment to swallow down the fear and guilt that threatened to overwhelm her as she took another steadying breath. [break][break]
"All things will fall into place as they should. We just need to be patient and take one step forward at a time." The advice was to herself as much as it was for Yugiri to hear as well. Poor Arashi no doubt needed a rest as well. Even Ifalna would find it quite difficult to ignore the presence of the large bird that seemed to serve as the shinobi's familiar.
Yugiri could not help the sly, cocky smirk that spread across her lips at Ifalna's sheepish smile, Even if Yugiri were younger...she still knew all too well as the retainer to a lord that staying in one place while sick, injured or recovering was akin to asking her to chop off her arms and legs, she was so used to her busy work, especially with the rebuilding efforts that she rarely had a moment to rest, it was unfair to her if she got to rest, saddling her lord with all of her own tasks and duties! "I know how it feels, Ifalna-san. When I have to spend any long amount of time resting, inactive...I feel horror set in, horror that I will be unable to perform the tasks and duties expected of me. Increasing the workloads of those around me." Yugiri would start, she would curl her tail around the other woman's waist, a gesture to offer comfort, the scales shimmered like pearls in the sunlight that shone through the windows.
"However...even if I know I mustn't push myself, that I should recover to be of better assistance I myself still find it difficult to allow rest to find me." Yugiri would admit, relating even more to the worried mother. "In a way...helping my lord, serving the people of Doma...in some ways we are not so different. I have no children, no heirs of my own, but I see the people of Doma as my family, my brother's sisters...their children are family and if one went missing I would not sleep or rest easy until I found them or heard of their safe return. I am sure as a mother the worry is worse but rest assured....as you knew my pain seeing Solus, I know your pain feeling trapped." Yugiri would offer a weak smile, she may be tired...but she felt the pressure, the pressure of letting her new friend down, of feeling as if she should be doing more, that she COULD be doing more.
Yugiri did wince slightly, not in pain...but from how casually Ifalna had called her out on needing to take her OWN advice. Yugiri sighed, she knew Ifalna was right, she KNEW she needed to rest...that she was doing everything she could. "I try to take the very same advice I give, however....as a lords retainer, as his shadow and his blade, I feel....inadequate for my post, my duties if I am not making myself useful in some way, a sideffect of my training...Shinobi are held to high expectations...I am held to higher expectations than others due to mine close relationship with my Lord...and after my failure to protect his father before him...my one true disgrace." Yugiri would mutter, her hands trembled, the thoughts of failure weighed heavy on her mind...it was no wonder why bshe was attempting to work herself right into an early grave! "Just like you, Ifalna-san....I do not wish to be a burden...I wish to prove I am worthy of your kindness, your kind words and gestures." Yugiri would steady her hands, a slow exhale of breath.
Ifalna continued to offer kind words, concern for the young Shinobi's health and wellbeing, Only two people she could recall had ever done so...Hien...and her partner at Lord Hien's side Gosetsu, Yugiri felt her heart both flutter in her chest, yet also sink at the same time...a lead weight fluttering like a sparrow attempting to take wing, her eyes betrayed the inner thoughts roiling beneath the surface. "You truly are like him...." Yugiri would mutter, only audible enough for Ifalna to hear, and only if she listened. "I will remain for a spell...I will rest, however a Shinobi is only...truly useful if he or she has a master to serve, to devout themself too....to give them orders." Yugiri would say in a low quite tone, "In this world....I have no master or mistress to serve. I feel....aimless, directionless...confused." Yugiri would say opening herself up in a way she had to few others...no one had ever in fact seen this side of her, not even her lord, not her own people! Yugiri was strong....yet she lacked direction...she didn't say anything but she had also been asking about her master...about Gosetsu....if she had no leads on Aerith it was safe to assume she had no leads on them either!
[attr="class","ayab-text"] The tail around her waist was a comforting gesture that Ifalna appreciated. Her appearance truly was striking as her world was populated mostly by humans. Her pearl-hued scales really were lovely to look at especially as the sunlight hit them at a certain angle. Humming idly, she listed as Yugiri opened more of her inner emotions as thoughts. "It's difficult to slow yourself down when there's so much you wish to accomplish. My thoughts of Aerith are never far from my mind, but I have to remind myself she needs me at my best after spending so much of her life in poor health." Her daughter had deserved so much more than the life she had experienced even as she had done her best to keep Aerith's spirits up and her mind filled with all the dazzling adventures they would one day have. [break][break]
"In my world, we have shinobi as well. They hail from the nation of Wutai and hold their honor very preciously," Ifalna mused as she tried to remember everything she had learned about the far-off country. It was most likely not complete same as it was in Yugiri's world, but the concept sounded similar enough. "No one in this world is without flaw or fault, and there's no inherent shame in that. Our mistakes...shape who we are and the decisions we want to make going forward. Each day is a new one to start again no matter how difficult it may feel." Reaching forward, Ifalna would grasp both of Yugiri's hands within her own to help steady them. Her smile was a gentle one as her friend worried about being a burden or somehow failing her. She somewhat doubted Yugiri would be able to fail anyone purposely. [break][break]
Another soft hum escaped her before she pulled the younger woman onto the bed to lay down with her. It was certainly large enough to rest them both and she was not one to toss her turn in her sleep. "In this world be your own master, Yugiri. Find a purpose for yourself that makes you happy. It's a hard thing to find for anyone, but you should live your life for yourself, too." Her own purpose had become raising her daughter to the best of her abilities in spite of the captive life they had lead. Continuing to smile, Ifalna brushed back the strands of Yugiri's hair in a motherly fashion.
Every moment Yugiri spent with Ifalna, was another moment she was able to relax, to let her mind ease in the other woman's comforting presence, she barely even noticed the aches in her body dulling to a low throb from the woman's healing magic she had used. "Hai, you speak wisely on the matter, Ifalna-san. Some people are better at taking things slow...slowing themselves down. I am not one of them, I must have something to do, something to occupy me...especially now, now that I am without someone to serve." Yugiri would say, her tail remained where it was, wrapped halfway around Ifalna's waist like a scaly slightly spikey arm. Yugiri couldn't rightly explain but she felt she could fully trust Ifalna, that this woman would never betray her trust...never turn her back on her, it may have been foolish...but part of her wished to take the woman back to her home in Doma, to show her a land where she would never need to worry about being mistreated by the 'humans'....what ever they were!
Yugiri's heart began thundering, hammering in her chest when Ifalna grasped both of her hands again, the Shinobi was still clad in her armor, she had learned her lesson after the wold incident...and unless she was sleeping or having a bath, the armor stayed ON. Yugiri's eyes closed as she listened to the brief description of the land of Wutai, her heart skipped another beat, so there was a land out there similar to her home....similar to Doma? Part of her wished to see it as much as she wished to show Ifalna Doma but she knew both were very unlikely to happen. "This....land....Wutai....the Shinobi hold honor as highly as I do? Are there people like me in your world? People with horns and scales the color or pearls, the colors or the mignight sky? What are these...human's you have mentioned?" Yugiri would ask feeling curiosity well up now that she had glimpsed a taste of Ifalna's world in her minds eye.
Yugiri felt the gentle pressure, the attempt to pull her down to rest, the young woman would shake her head, pulling herself away with all the gentleness of a one moving something fragile, she stood and began removing her armor, piece by piece it came off, slowly revealing the clothing underneath, simple commoner's clothing, as comfortable as her armor was to move in while wearing it, resting in it was ANOTHER matter! The only thing that remained on Yugiri after removing her armor...was a Kunai what was held in a sheath under the left sleeve along her forearm. However....when Ifalna told her to find a new purpose for herself, to live FOR herself Yugiri would chuckle shaking her head in a gentle fashion.
"I am afraid such a thing is beyond me Ifalna-san....I was born beneath the waves of the Ruby Sea, Exiled from my home...had I stayed I would have been expected to be obedient to whom ever I chose as my partner. As retainer to my Lord Hien I am sworn to serve him till his or my last breath, but I cannot keep that vow if he is not here." Yugiri would say, she would turn to Ifalna drawing one of the daggers she always wore at her hip, examining it if only for a moment to ask herself 'is what you are about to do what you truly wish?' Yugiri stared only for a moment at her reflect in the blade before taking a knee, resting the blade atop her palms, head lowered, hands and blade raised. "Ifalna-san, allow me to serve you, allow me to serve and protect you, serve and protect your daughter as I would serve and protect my Lord Hien and his heirs should he ever have any." Yugiri's voice came with confidence, a practiced motion, practiced words...just with a different name in their place. "Allow me to be your sword, to serve is all I have ever known." Yugiri would say in an almost practiced, pleading fashion.
[attr="class","ayab-text"] "I've never been to Wutai myself, but I believe that they do," Ifalna stated with a somewhat furrowed brow. They had held enough pride in themselves to fight back against Shinra to the point of a truce. That was certainly not something to overlook or frown upon. "Hmm, humans in my world share a similar appearance to myself, but our differences lie in the spiritual connection we held with our star. The Cetra were the caretakers of the planet until a calamity took place that nearly wiped my people out. Over time my people were never able to fully recover their numbers until I was the last one--and my daughter, too." The diversity in her world was not as readily apparent as it seemed to be for Yugiri and her home. There were certainly other sentient beings upon Gaia, but Ifalna had not had the pleasure to meet them herself after she had been captured. [break][break]
A laugh bubbled against her lips as Yugiri resisted her attempts to get her to rest. She should have realized that sleeping in such armor would not be the most comfortable thing to do, so she sat back up and twined her fingers together to rest her hands upon her lap. In politeness, Ifalna cast her gaze to a corner of the room to give the shinobi some sort of privacy. It was also rude to stare no matter her curiosity in how much those pearlescent scales covered the younger woman. Once she seemed to be finished undressing, Ifalna looked back to Yugiri with a tilt of her head at the unexpected chuckle. Was what she said truly so difficult to imagine? Perhaps it was for someone so dedicated in serving another. [break][break]
Her words died against her lips as Yugiri revealed some more of her history and she felt unsure of what reassurances she could even offer. It took time for someone to step past the mold they had created for themselves--whether out of necessity or from being born into it. It seemed that for Yugiri it was because of both. Ifalna watched with a wide-eyed gaze as the shinobi suddenly knelt before her with her dagger proffered to her as some sort of offering. The pleading words felt like a crack to her heart in the face of a woman who knew only to serve others and perhaps not herself. For a few moments, all the young mother could manage was silence as she tried to piece together her emotions and thoughts at this solemn vow placed before her. [break][break]
"Okay," Ifalna said simply, leaning forward to place both of her hands upon Yugiri's shoulders. "If this is what you really want, then I won't say no. Please, don't look at me as your superior or someone you need to serve without thought. I'd welcome any words and thoughts you want to share with me without permission or worry." This was not something she had ever anticipated, nor was she quite sure what to do with someone that wished to serve her. No, she did not quite like that word. A bodyguard, perhaps? Ifalna had an easier time agreeing if she thought of Yugiri as simply a friend helping her, which was still true.
Yugiri closed her eyes listening as Ifalna spoke very vaguely of the land of Wutai, telling her of the Cetra and the Humans. "These....humans...they sound like a race from my home, we call the Hyur's....There are Hyur's of the Highlands...and Hyur's of the Midlands." Yugiri would began to speak, giving Ifalna a better view of where she came from, "There are races we call the Miqo'te..with fluffy cat like ears...and tails. The tall and fierce, yet secretive Viera...they have the ears of a Rabbit." Yugiri would state mentioning several other races, Elezen who have long pointed ears, the Roegadyne who look like Barels chisseled from stone, and Lalafell...who she had hear legends that they were popoto's....who had gained sentience.
Yugiri's head remained bowed down in respect to Ifalna, the hands upon her shoulders, the words of acceptance to her pledge, her declaration to serve brought her great comfort...she felt she truly had a purpose. "I thank you, Ifalna-san...until I learn to survive as I choose to do...allow me to serve you and your daughter, I will whisper words, advice and danger into your ears. Nothing and no one will hurt either of you so long as I am able to defend you." Yugiri would say raising her head, a thankful, relieved expression on her lips, she would rise to her feet, putting away her dagger among her armor and supplies. She would then give in to her bodies desire, sitting back down onto the bed, letting Ifalna pull her down to rest.
"I...apologize...if I begin tossing and turning...talking in my sleep. My...my failures still haunt me." Yugiri would begin to mutter softly, her eyes fluttering, struggling to stay open to her her friend...her master's words, "If trouble arises...please, wake me. I know not if you can defend yourself and as you are still recovering....I would neither ask nor expect you too." Yugiri's eyes would close but she was still awake, still concious, her tail slid across the sheets of the bed, if Ifalna had been curious...despite the horns on her head, Yugiri seemed to have no issues with laying on her side, they posed no problems for her at all! "When I wake next....If you wish...I will tell you of my people..of Doma, the Raen that I claim heritage from.
[attr="class","ayab-text"] "That sounds almost similar to another race I know of--the guardians of a placed called Cosmo Canyon. They're quadrupeds that resemble a lion almost, but they are quite sentient and long-lived," Ifalna explained, brow furrowing as she attempted to remember their name. The young woman could remember Hojo mentioning such a race when on one of his rants regarding the preservation of such precious life. A chill settled within the base of her spine as she thought of the insane scientist. The continued aches and scars upon her body were because of him and she doubted she would ever truly be the woman she had been before being captured. Some scars were far deeper than any physical ones that lingered--and much more difficult to heal as well. [break][break]
Should she be worried that Yugiri was so adamant about having someone to serve? Ifalna was trying her best to understand such a notion, but it was a culture and belief far different from her own. ...or was it, truly? Did her own people not serve the planet as caretakers to her will? Perhaps it was not such an unfamiliar motive to her after all. "Thank you." Was more could she even say? Ifalna had been quite blessed to awaken in this world and have someone so quickly come to her aid and continue to do so. Smiling in slight victory, she happily pulled Yugiri onto the bed and arrange her into a comfortable position. She had often done so with Aerith when her bundle of energy could simply not stay still. [break][break]
"That's alright. As long as you don't mind nightmares." Her smile was a wan one as she considered how she had learned to silently scream in her sleep as to not awaken her daughter. Ifalna had refused to add more fear into her daughter's life with her own pain and sorrow. Perhaps she would be able to learn how to sleep peacefully with more time and knowing that this was not a dream. "I would like that, Yugiri. Tell me everything and anything that you'd like." Reaching out, she began to idly brush her fingers through Yugiri's hair as she hummed a soft lullaby. [break][break]
Yugiri looked to Ifalna, her eyes, tired yet curious...those of a young woman scared to admit her own curiosity, her own lack of knowledge....something that had likely been beaten into her in some way or another, she was a Shinobi! Assassinations and information gathering....infiltration....second nature to her. "T-truly there are intelligent creatures that walk on four legs? I....heard tales of the Dragons....from across the seas, Dragons who taught man many things....yet warred with man when they became greedy....coveted the Dragons power." Yugiri started, to say. A loud noise outside of the Inn, in the streets...likely some drunks getting rowdy even in the mid morning...early afternoon.
The noise caused Yugiri to attempt to jump up to sus out the source, however....her body did not co-operate, she had barely been able to even move her arm. "Ifalna-san.....be honest with me, why did you tremble so when you spoke of the race of large cats of your world? They are intelligent....but....is memory of them that unpleasant? Have you had a terrible experience with one? Pray forgive my ignorance....however I feel the subject has upset you....and I would hear your words....if it will ease the suffering I caused with mine own curiosity." Yugiri would say having no choice but to relax onto the bed once more, Ifalna moving and repositioning the small, scaled woman as easily as she might have moved a child.
Yugiri took several moments to recompose herself, a soft bit of color had creeped into her cheeks from being forcefully moved. No one had touched her even to move her arm.....not even during her Shinobi training....not even when she offered her own life to her lordHien should he truly wish to let his people live under Garlean heels. Fingers began brushing through her hair, the humming of a lullaby.....to the young woman who had never experienced such things....it was strange, her eyes began to feel heavier and heavier, she tried to fight the feeling. "I....d-do not.....mind nightmares.....I-ifalna....-s-san. I still.....h-have.....n-nightmares........I s-saw my f-first lord....s-slain before me....I f-failed to protect him............d-during......w-war...." Yugiri was fading....fast, her voice quivered as she spoke of what was likely her one....true greatest failure...at the mention of nightmares.
