Doot de doot doot do

[wouldratherbecrafting]

"And then it went kaboom," Xieathe slurred, making an explosion noise and waving her arms in a semi-circle above her head. She was a bit unsteady on her feet, and Ostrie kept her upright with a gentle nudge. The lalafell didn't seem to notice. "I think Astrid would have been impressed."

"I'm sure she would," the elezen said, amused at her friend. The woman had doffed one too many wines and it definitely showed, but considering the occasion, Ostrie didn't have the heart to chide. Freeing Ala Mhigo was a cause for celebration, after all, and her friend so rarely indulged in the lighter side of life. Besides, she was here to make sure the white mage didn't cause too much trouble now that she'd embraced irresponsibility for the night.

Xieathe grinned, then plopped down on a chair in front of several empty wine glasses. She seemed a bit put out that they held no more liquid, but shrugged it off easily. "As strong as I was then, though, I am certain I could defeat any enemy ten times faster now," she offered breezily, glancing at her friend. Her grin widened. "Surely I could give you a run for your gil."

Ostrie returned the lala's smile with a steady stare, arms crossed beneath her breasts. "A white mage outdamage a dragoon?" She chuckled. "I think not."

Xie narrowed her eyes. "We can go outside," she said, but when she was unable to stand, the mage slumped back in her chair, clicking the side of a glass with her nail. "Tomorrow. We can go outside tomorrow."

The elezen nodded, taking a seat opposite her friend. A handful of Ishgardian knights walked past and she waved at them politely. "Are you sure you wouldn't rather take a walk among the flowers, breathe in some fresh air?"

"We have discussed this," Xieathe replied, sliding down her chair before pulling herself back up. "I don't need fresh air. I need another drink."

Ostrie sighed. The battle against Zenos had affected them all in different ways, but she couldn't help notice Xieathe seemed particularly keen to wipe it from her memory. She only ever saw her friend imbibe when she was troubled, and though she didn't ask for the particulars, she knew the lalafell well enough to know Zenos' parting action kept the white mage up at night. "One more, and then I cut you off."

Xieathe grinned with girlish charm as her friend motioned for one more glass, please.

******

The party was still going strong when Ostrie motioned to Pepebehi. She was standing off to the side with a very clearly inebriated lalafell white mage who was currently making something of a fool of herself.

"I don't suppose you could help," the dragoon asked, gesturing to her friend. Xieathe was standing on the table espousing the greatness of lilies and threatening to stone anyone who disagreed. Thankfully, the only ones paying her any mind were himself and Ostrie - and a large fern tucked against the window and table. "I can't convince her to leave."

"I'll see her home safely," Pepebehi replied easily. He climbed up beside his fellow lala and gently took her by the arm, nodding solemnly at her very serious assertions that she could take out a rafflesia "without anyone else's help." She jabbed him in the chest, squinting, but he waved her off and helped her down, ignoring her insistence she could do it herself.

The nighttime air in the Lochs was thankfully cool, snapping at their clothes as Pepebehi lead Xieathe out of the palace toward the cluster of repurposed servants cottages they currently called home, thanks to Lyse.

"Did you not like the party?" Xie asked, a childish lilt to her voice and just the faintest hint of slurring.

"It was lovely," he replied, "but having a moment alone with you beneath the stars is far more appealing."

The white mage snorted, her usual silent, withering stare replaced by a boisterousness he couldn't recall seeing before. She punched him lightly on the arm. "You know that does not work on me, or did you think me easier to charm when I've been in my cups?"

Pepebehi chuckled. "It did seem possible."

Xieathe laughed and punched him again before tripping on her own feet and stumbling forward with a yelp. Pepebehi snatched the back of her tunic and wrapped an arm around her waist, but it wasn't enough and they both spilled to the hard earth below, grass tickling at their skin as the breeze picked up.

"Are you hurt-" the red mage asked, only to be cut off by Xie's loud laughter. She rolled over onto her back and stared up at the clear night sky. The stars blinked down at her.

"Ostrie was right, as always," she said, turning her gaze toward him. He raised a brow and pushed himself up to sit beside her. She chuckled. "I used to drink everyone under the table, but I suppose we all lose a bit of our charm eventually."

"Worry not," he replied. "I've plenty to spare." A pause. "I must say, though, you don't strike me as the sort."

Xie nodded, then obviously thought better of it when her eyes crossed and her face paled. He really did need to get her home. "It was a long time ago." Her words hung in the air between them, heavy and uncomfortable. She didn't offer any follow-up.

Pepebehi furrowed his brow, then stood with a flourish and offered her a hand. "Well, I just realized I did indeed miss something at the celebration," he said, grinning as she gingerly took his hand. He gently lifted her to her feet, drawing her close when she nearly lost her balance. "Might we dance?"

He could feel her tense up for a fleeting moment before she laughed. "Incorrigible," she murmured, but she didn't let go, and when he slowly began swaying back and forth, she joined in, laying her head against his chest. "Ostrie was right again, of course."

"Oh?"

But she didn't answer, her eyes lidded, arms wrapped lightly around his waist as they danced in silence. He'd simply meant it as a cheeky response to her earlier comment, but he couldn't deny the warmth spreading through him at her touch. He leaned into her and pressed his cheek to her hair. She must have missed another step, however, because a moment later she was leaning all her weight into him and the two almost collapsed to the ground again. Only when he heard the slow, steady cadence of her breathing did he realize she'd fallen asleep in his arms. Pepebehi chuckled to himself, then lightly shook her awake. "Dance is over," he whispered. "Time for bed."

The two stumbled the rest of the way to her cottage, and it was all Pepebehi could do to open the door without sending her sprawling to the ground. He lead her inside and gingerly laid her down on her bed, careful to remove her dusty boots before tucking her in.

"...Ostrie ... to herself ..." the white mage mumbled, burying her face in her pillow. She groped about until she found his hand, clasping it with a surprisingly strong grip. " ... stay ... "

Pepebehi blinked, surprised, then pulled his hand gently from hers. "Another time, my dear," he whispered, leaning in to kiss her forehead. She murmured into her pillow, but he couldn't understand. He waited a moment to make sure she was comfortable, then moved back into the den and flopped down on a chair, staring at the ceiling.

"You fool," he chided.

The red mage awoke to a shaft of light piercing his eyelids and the sound of cutlery. He groaned, neck stiff from sleeping upright, and slowly looked down. A teacup sat neatly on the table beside him, its floral aroma wafting up on tendrils of steam. A wedge of lemon and saucer of honey were carefully arranged around it.

"There's food, as well," Xie said. Pepebehi glanced up to see a visibly embarrassed white mage in the door to her kitchen, unable to make eye contact. She'd redone her hair into a loose braid. He thought it looked lovely.

"I'm fine," he said, taking a long drought. "It's delicious."

"As it should be," she replied, some of her vigor returned. She took a seat across from him in the only other chair, sipping daintily from her own cup. "I made it."

A long pause. A pointed sip.

Silence.

The clink of a teacup placed on its saucer.

The creak of a chair.

A sharp breath.

"Thank you."

Pepebehi about spit out his drink. "To what do I owe such kind words?"

Xie glowered at him, but it lacked its usual deadpan disapproval, and she sighed. She busied herself with a teaspoon, loudly clinking it against the sides of her teacup, but even that seemed a milquetoast display of disdain. She stopped, instead staring at her hands, and he noticed a dark blush begin to cloud her cheeks. "For staying," she finally mustered, her entire face burning burgundy.

"A gentleman never leaves a lady in need," the red mage replied sincerely, his usual flirtatious bluster gone in the face of her confession. "Ever."

She nodded, face still aflame. She looked like she was about to disappear into the threadbare upholstery. "You're welcome to do so again, if you want." Her shoulders just about swallowed her head, white hair obscuring her expression. Xie cursed beneath her breath and Pepebehi was certain he heard Ostrie's name yet again. He really did need to talk with the dragoon soon.

Setting aside his tea, Pepebehi stood and, in one fluid motion, closed the distance between them. "I would like that," he said, genuinely happy to hear an offer he had long since accepted was never going to come. He leaned down to kiss the top of her head. "On one condition." That caught her by surprise and Xie leaned back to stare up at him, clearly confused as well as flustered, if her complexion were anything to go by. He grinned. "Grant me a proper dance first?"

Her eyes narrowed and she punched him, but a smile tugged at her mouth all the same. "You fool."

The red mage grinned. "Only for you."