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The job was a simple one, typical fare for a slow day. Or at least slow by Scion standards. Whispers crawled the streets of Ul’Dah about a shipment of stolen goods that would be making it’s way down the Sapphire Exchange. It would be hardly something of note if it wasn’t for the rumors of what said shipment would contain: an artifact from the ruins of Ala Mhigo, a supposedly cursed talisman from the heyday of King Theodoric’s reign. Normally this would be a job for the Immortal Flames to investigate but with the reconstruction effort and political talks still ensuing, an investigation of this sort required a more delicate hand. Never mind the fact that it was possible that the crystal embedded into the talisman could be used for more nefarious means.
Tataru apologized multiple times to Mavre for the inconvenience, the idea of sending the Warrior of Light on a mission so simple felt like an insult. But the viera could only laugh it off. If she was quite honest, a job that had less stakes in comparison was almost a breath of fresh air. And beyond her vested interest in affairs related to Ala Mhigo, she would be lying to herself if she wasn’t feeling a bit restless in the calm after the liberation of Ala Mhigo and Doma. And so she linked arms with Thancred, the both of them dressed in the most unassuming civilian clothes they could scavenge and headed on their way.
Retrieving the talisman was almost easy. It was left unattended amongst a range of merchant wares, ripe for the taking. Nothing else of the Mad King’s Trove could be accounted for as well, which only made the talisman stand even more. Considering how it looked, Mavre couldn’t fault anyone for thinking they had just come across a particularly intricate and ancient pendant and nothing more. But there was something just off about it. Even without touching it, she could tell it was singing to her, a light buzz in the air that rang true to her ears alone. That alone was enough to say that the crystals embedded within were aetherically charged in a noticeable way. So as her companion chatted up the merchant, her hand closed over their prize and in moments they were free.
It would be late at night at the local taven before they would return to Mor Dhona, huddled close at a table in a corner as they looked over the talisman. As Thancred explained the information he found, she analyzed the object closer, the buzzing chiming in her ear the longer she held it in her hands. Yet it was to no end. Nothing about it looked or sounded familiar even for all of her time in Ala Mhigo in the first place. After several tankerds and rounds of the clock, it was high time they called it quits. So Thancred got up to handle their accommodations while Mavre handled their bill. She tucked the talisman into a purse close to her person and made her way to the door when she was intercepted by a sudden person. It was a Hyur man that she didn’t necessarily know although she did recognize his eyes making several glances her way as she finished up the last of her drink. She would have not paid it much mind, for even as more and more viera like herself spread across the land, their presence was still rare amongst Eorzea’s masses. But now here he stood in front of her and it was clear that her otherness as not the issue. His face was flushed, pupils darting between her and the rest of the room nervously.
“Is there something I can help you with?” She said, her hand resting comfortably on the hilt of her blade in reflex.
“You…” His voice sounded strained, as if the words were struggling to crawl from his throat, “You’re the- You’re the champion of Eorzea, aren’t you?”
Mavre had to blink in surprise. Sure, it wouldn’t be the first time she would be recognized as the Warrior of Light. And it would hardly be the last. But even still, it was still so rare that she would be spotted and out in the open no less. For the most part, the ones who could recognize that shade of purple and pink locks or the distinctive markings on her face as their hero were those who likely were saved by her or at least fought by her side. But if they recognized her face, then she would have seen theirs as well and his was not a face she recognized. Before she could interrogate him further for his purpose, she froze as he suddenly reached out to grab at her free hand before dropping to his knees. She couldn’t quite catch all that he was saying but the jist seemed to be more akin to a love confession. When she looked up to see who else might be with this man, she was met only with similar eyes as his, like scavenger animals waiting for her to tear him apart before going for the remains.
This was strange. Being approached for romantic intentions wasn’t exactly unusual but this didn’t feel right. He looked more like a man possessed with the desperate way he prostrated himself before her. It felt more like he was praying before her than anything else. Even when she pulled her hand from his, he stayed on his knees in front of her, going on and on about his admiration for her. Getting even a single word in edgewise seemed impossible but it was not as if he was attacking her. Yet at least. So what was the correct approach here? Before she could come with a solution, she felt a hand slip around her waist, thankfully a familiar one. Her eyes glanced over to the returned of her grizzled bard of a companion. Despite herself, there was a sigh of relief as he winked up at her before turning to the pitiful display in front of them.
“My love, what’s this?” He pulled her closer to his side, making a show of possessiveness, “Sorry mate. If you’re looking to propose to my lovely lady here, I’m afraid she’s already spoken for.’
Within the same beat and following his lead, “Yes, now if you will excuse me, my husband and I were just leaving. Have a good night.”
And as simple as that, the pair of them stepped around the man and swiftly left the bar. Still Thancred kept his arm around her, both pairs of ears perked up to hear for any pursurers. Yet they heard nothing in return and so they slowed their steps to turn to each other instead.
“Now I know I’m hardly one to talk but I think I distinctly remember someone making fun of me back in the day for having lady callers surrounding me.” He didn’t even bother to hide the smug look on his face. “And husband? That’s a new one.”
“Don’t start with me.” She shot him a glare before smoothing down the front of her dress, “There was something off about that man.”
“Outside of falling heads over heels for you at first sight? Surely that can’t be a first for you, I’ve seen it happen enough times.”
“Ha ha. No this was different. He spotted me specifically for being the Warrior of Light. He knew who I was.”
“...Strange. And I don’t believe Tataru’s promotional posters with your viera visage on it went through the planning stage.”
“It died in the planning stage, last I check. Furthermore, he was speaking like a man possessed and–” She stopped in the middle of her sentence, her ears turning immediately to a sound off in the distance. “Thancred… We are far from the bar, aren’t we?”
He followed the direction her ear was pointed, his eyes narrowing in the dark. Without a further word, he grabbed her hand, leading her further down the path at a brisk pace. A simple precaution but one that would bore fruit as the sounds grew louder and closer until they were clear enough to be recognized. Footsteps, and a great number of them in pursuit of the duo. They picked up the pace, breaking into a brisk run but even still the pursuers kept the pace. Even as they twisted and turned down alleys and silent streets, they continued to be followed. Soon enough the patience wore thin and they made for their room, running past the inn owner and shutting the door behind them.
For a moment, it was silent. Perhaps they would not dare to follow the two of them into a brightly lit inn and would wander off elsewhere. But as Mavre pressed her ear against the wood of the door, she could hear protesting before the flurry of footsteps started making their way up the staircase. She reached for the doorknob, tired of the whole chase. But Thancred quickly grabbed her wrist, bringing a finger to his lips and shaking his head. It took a moment but she eventually gathered his meeting. Even listening to the clamor outside, she could tell something simple: these people were all civilians. Whatever might be possessing them aside, to turn her blade against them would be out of the question. Furthermore, they had not seen which room the pair would duck into so it was only a matter of time before they dispersed in any case. So it was a simple matter of staying still and staying quiet.
She sighed to herself pulling her head from the door as Thancred followed suit. And she moved to go sit on the bed with her things placed on them. And in a moment of negligence, she sat down, unaware of what was waiting as her seat instead. A gift that was perhaps poorly timed - a tiny mammet prototype that mimicked her voice calling for battle. And so her mechanically produced voice echoed loud in the room and for a moment Thancred and Mavre could only look at each other.
Another moment of silence, followed by a loud clamouring heading straight for their door.
“Gods above, Mavre!”
“I know! Just help me with this!”
They rushed to the door, both of their hands scrambling to bolt down with whatever locks could be arranged. And in time too as there was sudden banging and clawing at the poor door, as if a pack of animals had finally caught wind of their meal. The voices behind the door all clamoured for the same thing, for their hero’s attention. Thancred pressed his back against the door as Mavre moved to bolt down the windows as well as a precaution. Still, the banging continued despite the protests of the staff on the other side. She looked around the room before spotting the cabinet that laid in wait for her manuevering. Using her shoulder and whatever leverage she could use, she pushed the cabinet over. Yet despite having downed many a god, the cabinet gave very little purchase.
“You might want to come up with something else there, Mavre!”
“Thanks for the advice, it’s entirely helpful!” She shouted in return before looking around the room again, And to make matters even worse, the ringing in her ears was starting to pick up, pulsating against her hip.
Wait. What was that?
She stopped her attempts at moving the cabinet and instead dug her hand into her pocket, pulling out that damned talisman. Without any time to question it, she threw it to the ground, stamping her heel on it so that it would snap into pieces. And without another beat, the clamour outside the door stopped immediately. It’s a few moments after before they hear footsteps shambling away from the door along with confused but indistinct voices. Breathing a real sigh of relief, Thancred slid down to the floor, his back still against the door as he looked up at the ceiling. Gingerly, Mavre picked up the pieces of the cursed talisman before placing them into a loose handkerchief from her bag and tying it close.
“That is the last time I am going jewerly shopping with you.” He huffed, making a slow attempt to stand.
Mavre rolled her eyes but smirked regardless and offered him a hand, “Don’t make that sort of promise. If you’re going to be my husband, isn’t there a ring you’ll have to get me.”
He blinked in surprise at her before giving a defeated chuckle and taking her hand.