“The Third Promise is here?!”
Ty’at scrambled away from the door and behind the divider that split the party’s room in the Andron in two. The behavior was highly unusual for the typically confident and outgoing Xbr’aal, so the rest of her fellow Warriors of Light found themselves highly concerned.
Coconori was the first to speak up. “Is there perhaps something we should know about this ‘Third Promise’?” He approached cautiously so as not to startle Ty’at, as skittish as she already was.
“Oh, no, Wuk Lamat is fine. I swear, there is nothing wrong with her. I just had not expected to encounter royalty from my own country in such a faraway land. I would prefer that she not see me…” Ty’at frantically tried to explain, but soon trailed off as soon as she began attempting to justify her own behavior. The rest of the party only grew more concerned, especially as while this was occurring they were keeping a member of the royal family of a foreign nation waiting for them just outside the building. Were she to witness this sight, there was no telling what potential harm it could do to yet fledgling relations between her home and the nations of Sharlayan and the Eorzean city-states.
Petra spoke up with their typical sternness, “I am afraid we are going to need more than that, Ty’at Majun. It will not do to keep our guest waiting.”
The Xbr’aali woman took a moment to collect herself, taking a deep breath in and out, before finally responding with a steadier hand and voice. “I can assure you, there is nothing wrong with Third Promise Wuk Lamat. My reasons for wishing to avoid her are my own and should not reflect upon her. Please, go on without me. I will join when I am ready.”
Satora and Sibold, who had been standing quietly offering gazes of support that they hoped were comforting towards their frightened friend, nodded affirmatively and began to exit the room. Satora lingered a moment longer by the door, concern plain on her face, as Petra eventually assented to this compromise and departed as well.
Once the room had filtered down to just Coconori and Ty’at, the Lalafellin comrade offered his own final words. “I understand you must have your reasons. Rest assured, we are all here for you when you are ready to share. I promise you we will do our best to minimize whatever fallout there may be. Nothing untoward will happen to you on our watch. You are a valued friend and ally.”
Ty’at returned a small, near imperceptible nod as Coconori left. Alone, she muttered to herself, “Nobody can ever know the reason I left Tural. It’s simply too embarrassing.” Some memories were better left buried and unspoken, after all, no matter how ultimately inconsequential.
