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Many things had happened since the Scions had returned from the edge of the universe. Of course, there was the welcome back party, the “thank the gods you're not dead,” party, and by the third one, Leodonna couldn't have even told you what they were supposed to be celebrating. All she knew was she was getting free booze and more time with her wife, which she couldn't complain about. But if she had to complain… she would have said that too many days of socialization, and one too many “thank you for saving our star"-s was starting to wear on her patience.
It did not help that groups of Studium students had camped inside the Baldesion Annex's lobby to get to chat with the saviors of the star, thus delaying them from getting any rest. If she had been on her own, she would have just politely declined talking, but her better half was always willing to say a kind word or two to whomever wanted to thank her. So, Leo endured.
However, by the umpteenth time someone shook her hand and asked for her to recount her adventure, she stared holes at her wife from across the lobby of the Annex, who unspokenly read her expression. Gotta go?
It was all she could do to only nod, and not just teleport to their estate to leave when surrounded by a new group of admirers. Drui's eyes held humor in them, but she smiled and stood up, clearing her throat to get everyone's attention to her instead. “Hello all, if you're interested, I'd be happy to tell you all of how we were able to save our star. But then we must retire to bed thereafter. Gather ‘round, if you please!”
Leo smiled to herself. That was her bard. As people began to eagerly turn and start to crowd Drui, she mouthed I’ve got it. Meet you soon. Leo didn't know she could feel more grateful. She blew her wife a kiss as she slowly carved her way to the back door, Ojika giving her an apologetic look and wave as Leo slipped out into the cool Sharlayan air. She hadn't realized how hot it was in the lobby. But between her own social, physical, and emotional exhaustion, she wanted to escape. To find some place to hunker down that nobody would think to look for her, at least until Drui was free.
Hmm… the Last Stand? No, too risky being in the open air. Maybe I could take a Fantasia and just go incognito for a few days? No, too drastic… Her feet had led her to her answer while musing-- The Studium Library. Of course, she thought quickly as she pushed her way inside, quickly shutting the door behind her, nobody would think to find the acclaimed “actions before words” Warrior in a place full of books.
Though the late hour usually didn't deter the most dedicated of students, the gigantic room still blessedly empty compared to the last handful of days. Everywhere had been packed. Now it was just a matter of finding a section with a tall enough stack of books to hide behind until her wife could call her on the link pearl they shared to call the coast clear.
Weaving through shelf by shelf, none of the students here at such a late hour even looked up from their studies as she passed. After a handful of minutes she found a rather unremarkable table in a back corner, slightly darker and cooler than the rest of the library's regularly occupied spaces. She checked for anyone’s items to lay claim to the space, and finding none, pulled out a chair and collapsed into it, closing her eyes. Finally… Some respite…
“Ah, I seeth thou art also at thy wits end.”
Leodonna didn't need to open her eyes to know it was Urianger. Nobody else she knew used the word “seeth”. She opened one eye and raised an eyebrow, surprised to see the Astrologian in slightly more casual clothing than usual.
He'd forgone his draping jewelry and skirts for a simple white cotton shirt with languid sleeves, with accompanying decorative laces near the neck. Most of all, Leodonna noted, he was wearing pants. Just… run of the mill, regular black pants that laced in front, no funny business. She almost wondered if perhaps she'd just misheard the “seeth,” and this was a different Elezen completely.
She nodded to him. “Uri.” She sat up straight, stretching before opening both of her eyes again. “You're up late. And look… comfortable.” She spoke her thoughts politely, hoping he would understand it wasn’t meant in offense.
He nodded, smiling at the familiarity of the nickname before gesturing to the other open seat at the table. “Would it vex thee for a moment more of company?"
Using her foot, Leo tactfully scooted the other chair out for him to join her. “Normally when I'm exhausted, yes. But for you and the other Scions? Vex away.” She paused to smile a little before adding, “Just please don't ask me any hard questions, riddles, or requests. My brain is completely fried.”
“I am most grateful. Be assured, I will refrain from any late-night quizzes.” Leo chuckled at that while Urianger sat. After a couple moments, she smelled a calming aroma that accompanied him. After a few moments, she realized he had come with two small cups of tea with hot water. For a second time, she raised an eyebrow at him.
“Are you supposed to have that in a library?” she asked with slight amusement.
“I may bear the mark of an Archon,” Urianger mused, starting to pour the hot water into the cups, “but that does not mean I do not also… Bendeth rules from time to time.”
“Woah, careful now, tiger. Having food and drink in the library is a serious matter.”
He chuckled while setting down his small teapot. “Might I interest thee in this small indulgence of mine?” He pushed the saucer forward slightly, which Leodonna accepted.
“Thank you,” she said, taking a small sip and returning it to the saucer, the flavor surprised her with its simple and yet sudden richness. “I’m not normally a tea woman myself, but this is pretty good.”
“Ah, the same as she,” he said offhandedly. Leodonna cocked her head slightly.
“...Pardon?”
“--I mean only to say that we concur. This flavor was one of Moenbryda's favorites.” A look of fond remembrance traced Urianger's face before dropping into a small smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
“I see,” Leodonna said simply, taking another sip. A few quiet moments passed. Not awkwardly, but enough to let them both sit in the weight of mentioning their lost companion. “I was about to ask why you had two cups, not just one for yourself,” she added softly. “One for her?”
“Thou art as perceptive as ever, mine friend.” He took a drink from his own cup before frowning at it. “Naturally, the tea was her own idea, back in our days as students. Though improving, I am beginning to harbour doubts I will ever be able to recreate exactly how she made this particular brew.” Setting the cup down, he patted the table gently, as if it would react harshly if given too much pressure.
“This table was where we would meet. Or, she would most often find me, more like." If Leodonna had more brain power to spare, she might have noticed a bit of blush dust his cheeks as he said this, despite the low light. “Though I am loathe to admit, I actually have an enchantment placed upon this table. It makes this spot harder for others to find.”
“To keep it safe.” Leodonna tactfully replied, spying some old, runic etchings down one of the table legs upon closer scrutiny.
“Indeed.” He gazed somewhere, as if wistfully reliving thousands of moments all at once. “I often came here during times of immense stress or study, though both were often hand in hand. I was used to being alone, but she would bring me tea, and…” Urianger paused, his voice failing him. “...help me to feel… Less so. And now, mine own ritual of bringing tea for a late, stressful night continues, in spite of the… differences.”
Seeing the most verbose Scion struggle for his words made Leodonna's chest begin to ache. It wasn't often he spoke about their lost companion, so she did not dare stop him-- especially since it seemed to be weighing on him. However, a nagging question nibbled at the corner of her mind.
“I did not know Moenbryda for long,” Leodonna ventured carefully, watching his expression. “but in the time I did, the fire in her could have lit up any hearth.”
The edge of Urianger’s lips tugged into a soft smile. “A truer assessment cannot be made.”
“I do have to ask then,” she continued, “how was I able to find your special table, with the enchantment on it?”
“How indeed,” Urianger mused, his deft fingers sliding in and out of the grooves he had carved into the wood long ago as a sort of soothing method. “Perhaps the enchantment is fading from time. Or perhaps…” He paused, a lump forming in his throat despite his best efforts. His voice hovered only slightly above a whisper as he finished, “...or perhaps it is simply because, in many ways, you remind me of her.”
To Leodonna’s shock, silent and sudden tears began to slip out of Urianger's eyes. He seemed just as surprised, slowly catching them and swiping them away on his napkin. “Mine apologies my friend, I did not… I did not anticipate this. I think the recent events of Ultima Thule happened to… That is to say, they a-accidentally happened to align with…” his words sputtered out, buckling beneath him.
Leodonna realized what he meant-- it felt like a shock of levin through her nerves. Though he hadn't shown it at the time, seeing her near lifeless after her battle with Zenos had shaken something loose that had been repressed deep within him. He had seen the death of Moenbryda in her. It wasn't hard to see why-- they had similar builds, personalities, and mindsets. But she isn’t Moenbryda. As his friend, she had an obligation to help him through this, no matter how tired she was.
“Uri, listen to me.” She lightly held his shoulder, her gaze steady and voice soft, but determined. “You loved her. And though it was not nearly as long, I did too, in my own way. But I'm not her, my friend. I can’t be a replacement of her for you.” He breathed in a tense breath, but nodded.
“No. Right. Of course, you are not.”
“That said-- I am sorry you have had to carry this alone. And it is an honor to remember that I carry part of her flame within me. Every battle we win, every step we've taken, every moment all the Scions spend together is because of her, and her sacrifice that day in the Waking Sands. We-- I, owe her an immeasurable debt that I can never truly repay. The constant gratitude we've all been given the last few days belongs to her just as much as any of us.” Leodonna patted Urianger on the shoulder before leaning back in her chair to continue.
“I knew her as a warrior, a scholar, and the only person to rattle you while you wore your oversized blanket of an outfit,” she added with gentle humor. Urianger's breath rushed through his nose, but he continued listening. “--but I didn't get to know her as well as you did. And I'd like to know who she was before her sacrifice. The real her. She was so much more than just the one action. Tonight has reminded me that more than anything else. So, if you'd ever like to tell me more stories about her, I am here to listen, and help shoulder some of her memory with you.”
Urianger did not speak for a long time. Leodonna didn't either, only sipping at her tea. She hoped she hadn't gone too far too quickly. Finally, after multiple contemplative minutes, Urianger spoke again, voice tear-stained but steadier.
“I cannot thank thee enough for your invaluable support, mine friend. I consider it an honor to call you as such.” He finally met her gaze again, his fingers circling the rim of his cup. “I am gladdened to have the reminder of who I have now, rather than constantly adding to the ache of those I have lost.”
Leodonna smiled, her body relaxing again finally. “Good. I'm glad. We'll find a place to set down this grief. Together.”
Urianger's smile touched his eyes again. At this, he held up the remainder of the hot water. “More tea?”
“I'd be delighted.”