Chapter Text
After leaving the deserts of Thanalan behind, Revenant’s Toll became the new base of operations for the Scions of the Seventh Dawn. Though the betrayal in Ul’dah and their entanglement in the Dragonsong War shook them to their very core, the Scions rose from their ashes time and time again to reclaim their mantle as protectors of the great realm of Eorzea.
The revered Warrior of Light gazed over the bustling merchant stalls with watchful, prying eyes. Her long tail thrummed back and forth behind her nervously as she peered over the stone ledge before her to observe the festivities occurring below.
Rowena’s House of Splendors was hosting a festival in the small settlement of Revenant’s Toll. It was partially to celebrate the return and recent victories of the Scions and mostly to celebrate the droves of eager adventurers brought with them, many of whom had pockets lined heavily with coin to spare. Rowena was known for her ingenious ways of making a profit more so than her generosity, though generally she had good intentions. Either way, the residents of Revenant’s Toll had earned this brief respite.
Poppy had been amongst the crowd below not long ago. Perhaps half a bell passed since she slipped away. She mingled with her fellow Scions as she enjoyed a skewer of meat and vegetables. She joked and laughed and felt quite relaxed among the crowd that had formed around the vendors peddling their wares. Why then, did worry suddenly nag at the corners of her mind and cause her to feel wary?
Her thoughts had drifted to the gathering at Falcon’s Nest and the chattering of the crowd that surrounded her suddenly turned too loud. Poppy vividly remembered the woman who was struck down with an arrow and the resulting uproar the act of violence had caused. “Poison,” a sinister voice had hissed in her ear. The food in her mouth turned to cotton bolls in an instant. Had it not been for the Echo, the poison in the meal served to her by that woman would have killed her. “This was never your fight.” The words whispered to her as she drifted away haunted her for many moons to follow.
A crack then formed on the wall she built to suppress her fears and the panic that trickled out screamed at her to run. Poppy knew there was no poison in her food and no one was there to cause her harm but any rationality left was drowned out by the throbbing in her temples. She glanced around to see that her fellow Scions had drifted away into the crowd and she felt momentarily relived. They didn’t need to see her like this. So she slipped away unnoticed to the walkways above to calm her frayed nerves.
Poppy’s elbows pressed against the cold stones as she leaned forward to get a better look at the crowd below. As dusk turned to night, lanterns were lit throughout the settlement that bathed the gathering in a warm light. She welcomed the soft glow as it seemed to snuff out the last remnants of worry from her mind. The delicious scents of roasting meats, steamed vegetables, and sweets of all kinds soothed her further as they wafted up and Poppy scolded herself for leaving without finishing her meal. She then rested her head on her folded arms and counted the Scions for the umpteenth time. Seeing that they were safe calmed her considerably.
She watched as Y’shtola and Thancred bickered playfully while they enjoyed their food. Next to them, Papalymo was clearly scolding Yda for eating what was her seventh serving of sweet dumplings. Urianger stood slightly apart from the group, aloof as always, though a small smile was visible past the hood obscuring his face. Tataru was making a spectacle of herself by juggling several daggers and didn’t hesitate to accept coins offered to her by astounded adventurers and merchants. Near the small audience admiring Tataru stood Krile, who joyfully offered Alphinaud a skewer of meat that the young man took cautiously, careful not to let the sauce drip onto his gloved fingers.
Poppy smirked as she observed the fussy Elezen. Her eyes scanned the crowd and she was confused when she couldn’t find his sister. A fresh pang of panic rose in her chest at the realization of her absence but she quelled it a moment later. If Alisaie hated crowds as much as she hated organizations, then it was no surprise if she had left the festival early.
A soft shuffling noise behind her broke through Poppy’s silent musing. Clearly, she was still on edge as the sound spooked her and she jolted upright, hands instinctively flying to the daggers sheathed at her belt. She spun around in an instant, only to be greeted by the missing Scion herself. The Elezen approached from the direction of the stairwell but stopped abruptly in her tracks.
“Forgive me,” the young woman spoke apologetically. “I did not mean to startle you.” She offered a small smile to the bewildered Miqo’te.
“Alisaie!” Poppy exclaimed happily at the sight of her now accounted for friend. She laughed, relieved, and relaxed visibly as she leaned against the stones behind her. “I was just looking for you, actually.” It certainly wasn’t a lie, though she wasn’t quite sure why she admitted it. Poppy smiled and hoped the embarrassment coloring her freckled cheeks would soon fade away.
“Oh?” Alisaie tilted her head and as she did, snowy hair shifted to further obscure her face. “I’ve been searching for you as well.” She brushed the bangs from her eyes and both inquisitive blue eyes bore into Poppy. “May I join you?” She asked as she shifted in place, seeming unsure.
“Sure,” Poppy replied, feeling strangely flustered. “I can’t say no to my favorite Leveilleur.” Despite her embarrassment, she offered the statement without missing a beat and was pleased when the response elicited a soft scoff from her companion.
“Alphinaud would be disappointed to hear that.” Alisaie retorted as she approached.
“Good,” Poppy said as she turned to face the crowd again. “It’s my job to make him as miserable as possible.” It was a jest, of course. Though it was no secret that her relationship with the other Leveilleur twin was often tumultuous at best, the two of them had grown quite close since the start of their journey.
“I am sure he greatly appreciates your efforts.” Alisaie chuckled as she placed her hands atop the stone ledge and looked out across the merchant stalls. “Speaking of whom, Alphinaud and some of the others were starting to wonder where their champion had run off to,” she added and glanced at Poppy, who averted her gaze guiltily. “My dear brother wished to find you, but I bade him stay and enjoy the festivities. I decided to go in his stead.” Her eyes flitted across the crowd below as she spoke and her tone grew more sarcastic as she continued. “I presumed you disappeared with good reason and knew if I left him to his devices an entire search party would likely interrupt your moment of respite.”
Poppy chuckled at that. “Typical Alphy. Always worrying about me.” The annoyance in her tone was very clearly feigned. The Warrior grinned and leaned her elbows on the ledge once more, resting her chin atop her hands. Though she would never admit it out loud, she thought her friend’s constant concern for her was endearing and felt guilty for making him worry. “Sorry. I just needed some time away from the crowd to catch my breath.”
Alisaie shook her head to disagree with the guilt that seeped into Poppy’s words. “Your role in all this is surely exhausting. I do not blame you for needing a quiet moment to yourself.” She replied, sounding more apologetic than sarcastic now.
Poppy frowned and considered her companion’s words with a thoughtful flick of her tail. The conversation was turning solemn and that simply would not do. So she narrowed her eyes mischievously and looked over at Alisaie as she thought of a way to lighten the mood.
“Sounds to me like you both really wanted a moment alone with your champion,” she commented slyly. “I’m glad the prettier half decided to chase after me.” Poppy’s sugary words were delivered with a coy grin.
Alisaie’s gaze swung to her like an axe and Poppy anticipated a biting remark would follow. “Is it just the ‘prettier half’ that must endure your silver tongue or do you speak this way to Alphinaud as well?” Alisaie shot the question like an arrow at Poppy, whose grin only widened at her reaction.
“Just you, of course! I wasn’t lying when I said you’re my favorite Leveilleur.” Poppy batted her lashes playfully and continued to tease her companion.
Alisaie rolled her eyes in annoyance. “Perhaps I should leave you up here alone.” Her tone held a tinge of irritation and she tried her best to scowl at the Warrior, but Poppy noticed how the corners of her mouth pulled up in the slightest of smiles.
As Alisaie chided her, Poppy could hear distinct notes of music rise above the dull chatter of the crowd that caused her ears to perk up in an attempt to find the source of the sound. She pressed herself against the ledge and spotted a group of bards begin a performance in a less crowded corner of the plaza. The group coordinated their efforts to create a spritely tune that floated above the noise of the festival. Poppy hummed her approval and lifted her head from her hands as she thought of a grand idea.
“Well, you can’t leave just yet!” Poppy exclaimed as she straightened her back and nearly hopped away from her perch. “My lady,” she spoke as dramatically as possible and bent over into deep bow. “May I have this dance?” She looked up and flashed a sly smile as she offered the other woman her hand.
Alisaie stared at Poppy, confused. Her pale lashes flickered like fresh flakes of snow as she tried to process the question. “Really?” She asked, sounding incredulous, and wore an expression that made Poppy think she'd be scolded for making such a bold request.
Alisaie shook her head in disbelief and placed her hand atop Poppy’s a moment later as she sighed, defeated. “I suppose it would be rude to say no to the Warrior of Light.” Her words were punctuated with a wry smile, but she averted her eyes from the Warrior’s gaze sheepishly as she continued. “Though I must admit, I may not be the most skilled dancer.”
Poppy’s ears perked up in surprise. “Didn’t they teach you how to dance at that school of yours?” She asked as she rose from her bow. Alisaie and Alphinaud only mentioned their studies briefly in passing but Poppy had the impression that a fancy school taught fancy stuff like dancing.
Alisaie scoffed at that. “We were taught useful things at the Studium,” she replied pointedly. “Things like dancing were part of our lessons at home.” Alisaie’s nose wrinkled as she made a face that looked like she just took a bite of something particularly bitter.
Poppy tried imagining a hotheaded and stubborn Alisaie suffering through dance lessons and nearly snorted at the thought.
“Needless to say, I convinced my father that my time was better spent studying than parading about a ballroom.” Alisaie seemed quite pleased with herself at that explanation. “That being said, I hope that you can forgive me if I am particularly ungraceful.” She offered an apologetic smile and gave Poppy’s hand a gentle squeeze.
Poppy was suddenly very aware of her friend’s hand on hers. She stared at the soft, pale fingers that rested atop her calloused palm and realized that she would, in fact, have to actually dance with the woman standing in front of her. The idea was starting to seem less and less grand as each second crept past and the usually bold Miqo’te suddenly felt uncharacteristically shy.
“Well, shite,” Poppy cursed and a frown creased her brow. “I was hoping at least one of us would know how.”
Alisaie’s eyes widened in surprise. “You ask a maiden to dance and yet you do not know how? Truly, you have no shame,” she teased and gave the Warrior a long-suffering look.
“It can’t be that hard!" Poppy took Alisaie’s hand and guided it to her shoulder, gently pulling her closer as she did. She placed her own hand on her companion’s waist and then gripped Alisaie’s free hand with her own. They stood face to face now, mere ilms apart. "Just follow my lead.”
“It seems that I have no choice.” Alisaie was clearly amused by the whole situation as she waited for the taller woman’s cue to begin their dance.
Poppy gulped and started to question if any of this was a good idea. However, the music soon found its way back to her ears and she took a step, then another, and soon her confidence returned in full force.
The song was chipper and bright with a quick beat. Not quite suited for the pair of inexperienced dancers, but they stumbled through it nonetheless. Poppy soon realized that dancing really wasn’t so difficult after all. She’d watched enough people do it that she had a vague understanding of how and where to move her feet. The motions were simple; a step back, a step to the side, forward, and then to the other side.
Alisaie kept up easily and followed each step with an effortless grace that made Poppy think she’d just been modest about her level of skill. However, her eyes were practically glued to the ground – perhaps to make sure she didn’t step on her partner’s toes.
When Poppy noticed she tried not to laugh. “Not so bad, right?” She asked as she stifled a giggle.
Alisaie’s eyes snapped from the ground and back to Poppy as if embarrassed to be caught looking down. “I suppose,” she replied, though she still seemed unsure. “It is simple enough with a competent partner.”
It was a compliment – or enough of one – that Poppy’s face lit up with a grin in response. It was time to make things a bit more interesting. She quickened the pace suddenly and took a wide step to the side in an attempt to twirl them both around.
Alisaie clearly wasn't anticipating the sudden change and tripped over her partner’s feet, causing the dance to crash to a halt as she fell forward into Poppy’s arms. A horrified expression crossed her face, but the Warrior was unfazed by the mistake. Laughter bubbled up in Poppy’s chest and she erupted into a fit of giggles. Alisaie soon joined her and their laughter came together to drown out the bards’ faint song.
“Sorry,” Poppy apologized through her laughter. “I’m not laughing at you, I swear,” she promised as she patted Alisaie’s back apologetically and hoped the outburst didn’t discourage her.
Alisaie shook her head as her own fit of laughter subsided. “I, for one, am laughing at myself. It seems that would be the extent of my skill.” She smiled up at Poppy, seeming thankful that the taller woman caught her before she fell.
Poppy just then realized that the few ilms separating them had vanished and she held her companion in an awkward sort of embrace. An electric jolt passed directly through her heart and made her knees weak.
“Well, at least your brave and beautiful Warrior of Light was here to catch you.” A devilish grin spread across Poppy’s face and she hoped it was enough to cover up how flustered she felt.
Alisaie stiffened and instantly stepped back to reestablish the space between them. Embarrassment colored her face as she looked at Poppy with a stare sharp as the daggers sheathed at the Warrior’s sides. The flickering lashes made of snow turned to sharpened icicles in an instant.
“Perhaps I would not have tripped if my dear Warrior had not decided to change the pace so abruptly,” Alisaie replied coolly. “How lucky we are that your usual duties do not require dancing or the realm surely would have fallen to chaos by now.”
The comment hit her like a sharpened knife and Poppy laughed. “At least I can keep my balance,” she shot back and smirked as Alisaie’s eyes narrowed at the comment. Before the other woman could retaliate, Poppy corrected their stance by taking her companion’s hand and placing it on her shoulder once more. “Try again?”
Alisaie hesitated for a moment before she relented and stepped closer to the Warrior. “Alright.”
Poppy started the dance again. Back, to the side, forward, and to the side again. She then took another wide step to the side, slower this time, and turned both herself and her partner in a full circle in one graceful motion.
Alisaie looked surprised at their success, but Poppy was quite proud of both of them as they completed the motion several times. “See? Just took some practice, is all.”
“Warrior of Light, Protector of Eorzea, Slayer of Bahamut, and now Master of Dance. You never cease to amaze.” The tartness in Alisaie’s voice was so palpable that Poppy couldn’t help but snort.
Truly, it was a blessing to have Alisaie back in her life. Her candor was refreshing, if not charming, and Poppy appreciated her straightforwardness. She thought back to the day they parted ways at the Burning Wall and it felt like both a lifetime and day ago.
“You’re going to stick around for a while, right?” Poppy blurted out the question suddenly.
“Of course,” Alisaie replied and a confused look crossed her face. “Why do you ask?”
Poppy shrugged and looked off to the side, embarrassed for even asking such a question. Alisaie assured the Scions just the other day that she would be joining them and yet Poppy was still afraid she wouldn’t stay for long.
“Missed having you around, is all,” she admitted softly, almost muttering under her breath. “Besides, someone’s got to keep Alphinaud in check.”
Alisaie chuckled. “Worry not. I would not leave the burden of such a duty to you alone.” Her tone was still tart but there was a softness to her smile that reassured Poppy.
The song soon came to a close and without its guiding hand their dance fizzled to a halt. A faint applause could be heard below as the crowd praised the bards for their efforts.
“Thanks for the dance.” As the pair stepped apart, Poppy bent over dramatically into another deep bow. She reached out and took Alisaie’s hand in her own and lifted it to her lips before pressing a feather-light kiss to the back of her palm. She glanced up, mischief glinting in her bright eyes, and looked to see her companion’s reaction.
Alisaie observed her coolly but there was a hint of surprise in her expression and Poppy swore she could see a faint blush creep across her cheeks. She sighed as if annoyed by the Warrior’s antics, but smiled nonetheless.
“We should join the others. We have kept them waiting long enough.” With that, she quickly turned on her heel towards the stairwell and walked away, silvery braid slicing the air behind her like a sharpened blade as she left.
Poppy felt strangely breathless as she watched the Elezen disappear down the stairs. She leaned against the cold stones behind her and attempted to collect her scattered thoughts, but the sounds of the festivities occurring below and the grumbling of her hungry stomach soon snapped the Warrior out of her reveries.
She bounded down the stairwell after Alisaie to rejoin the crowd and her fellow Scions, feeling no anxiety this time.