"You really want to help me clear my name? You're dumber than I thought."
Eniro would shrug off Cyprus's offer as soon as he made it, much to the dismay of the Au Ra in question. The Lalafell pulled the hoodie of his brown cloak over his head before shoving his hands in the cloaks pockets. He wouldn't break eye contact with Cyprus during this small process, which made him slightly uncomfortable.
"Look, dragonboy. People like me aren't supposed to get second chances. We're dealt a bad hand by fate and have to live with it. Can I do anything about it? No! And neither can you. So I'd recommend stepping off before you do something you'll regret."
Eniro spoke bluntly and from the heart, truly hoping that Cyprus was at least competent and decided against helping him. However, as the Lalafell guessed, this wouldn't be the case.
"You and me are one in the same. I lost hope once like you. I'm from Ala Mhigo, If you haven't guessed, and people from there are treated like dogs for just being who they are. The empire tried expanding, they tried advancing their forces across the entire realm and this caused Ala Mhigo to fall under its radar as a candidate. So no, I'm not stepping off, because I can sure as hell bet that I'm the only person who gets you."
"Nobody gets me."
"You don't know that! So just, please....Give me a chance to help you."
Cyprus walked closer to Eniro with a pleading expression. He knew his pain and suffering all too well, and would give anything to keep the people he cared about from going through what he went through. Eniro took some time to think about this but eventually caved. If Cyprus really thought he had a chance, then Eniro would let him take it.
"Okay, fine. You want to play hero? Then be my guest."
Eniro was getting physically angrier the more and more Cyprus spoke, which showed in the way his eyebrows began to furrow and his teeth began to bare.
"Just know that from now on, everything is on you. If this doesn't work out, Then consider the writing already on the wall.
Eniro made sure that Cyprus understood the weight of trying to help a killer, That trying to help clear the name of someone who's been scribed in blood would come with irreversible repercussions. However, Cyprus was determined to help him find a new purpose in life past the one that fate wrongly granted him. And luckily, he knew exactly where to start.
"I'm not afraid of the risks that will come with it, But I alone can't clear the name of a killer. However, I know some people who can....Ever heard of House Fortemps?"
"What, You mean the highborns down this alleyway?"
Cyprus nodded and stood back up, making a stride out of the alleyway and up the stairs that lead to House Fortemps. Eniro simply adjusted his cloak and followed, trusting the Au Ra but wondering what exactly he was getting himself into.
12th Sun
Second Astral Moon
3:33 PM
Mor Dhona
Cid, Biggs, and Wedge all awaited the envoy that would be joining them at the Crystal Tower. Cid watched as the tower gave off a radiant blue glow and the white lights from the inside shot through the towers surface. It was an astonishing sight, but one with much uncovered history that Cid meant to find out the true meaning of. Biggs and Wedge were keeping watch for stragglers or any kind of intruders upon their project, to which Cid would inform them soon enough wouldn't be necessary. The Crystal Tower was a massive Allagan structure that served as a stepping stone for the entire races advancement. It was hidden away during the Sixth Umbral Calamity before being uncovered by archeologists and scientists many moons before Cid had even been born. Now, it was his turn to find out what the empire that thrived on technology and royalty had left behind for Garlond Ironworks to resurface themselves.
"Whoever this Ishgard envoy is, their slower than Dariya. It's been nearly two hours, where are they?"
Cid was plainly upset at the delay of the Ishgard envoy, having been told by Wedge that they should have arrived an hour ago. Biggs rubbed the back of his head while the Lalafell in question stared off at the entrance of the Eight Sentinels. Eight statutes, all of them being accurate renditions of Allagan kings and queens who had once bared the throne of the Crystal Tower. Behind the statues stood the tower itself, And there wasn't a clear way to get in as the statues held up an Aetheric barrier all the way through. As Cid began to doubt the timing and reason of this envoy, a familiar pair of boots came walking over the stone tiles that lead to the Ironworkers trio. This pair of boots belonged to none other than Lord Haurchefont, who was sent on the behalf of Dariya-and to some extent Alphinaud-to assist in the unearthing of the Crystal Tower at the Warrior Of Light's behest. She would have gone herself, but the wards of House Fortemps had called to her unexpectedly beforehand.
"Ah! What a pleasure it is to find you here, Master Garlond. And at the same ends of your companions as well."
Haurchefont would greet the engineer as he and Cid shook hands upon making eye contact.
"The pleasure is all mine. I have relayed the same jest to Biggs and Wedge ere their own arrival to Saint Coinach's, but alas, I truly do have a lot of explaining to do. So...The Crystal Tower...."
Cid began to explain the intricacies and workings of the Crystal Tower to Haurchefont, who had caught on surprisingly well as he explained it. Cid handed the man and linkpearl and an Aether current tracker before leaving the Eight Sentinels. Biggs would follow him as Wedge and Haurchefont were left to scout the outside of the tower for a way in. However, it would come to pass that Wedge's former ailments were true. Someone was watching them, and they had a mind to get into the Crystal Tower under any means necessary.
12th Sun
Second Astral Moon
3:39 PM
Ishgard
The energy within House Fortemps told only a part of Ishgard's history within Eorzea. Framed memorabilia hung off the white coated walls of the interior and shone an exceptionally royal feeling within the manor. However, this feeling of pride held dear by the royal house was sundered as two unfamiliar figures entered it's manor. Eniro and Cyprus came in unannounced and unrecognized, but the Au Ra was gifted with a hug from Dariya who had been there for some time after being called back. Alphinaud was there as well, but wouldn't speak until after learning who these two new faces were.
"And supposing of these two, they are...?"
"Well, this guy is Cyprus! You haven't met him yet, but he helped me out in the Praetorium during Operation Archon. I owe this guy my life, Y'know!'
Dariya would explain to Alphinaud who crossed his arms and smiled at the taller man.
"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Cyprus. I am Alphinaud Leveilleur, but I doubt you haven't heard my name used in one way or another."
Cyprus gave Alphinaud a respectful bow in which he received back a few moments afterward. The man then shifted his gaze down to the only Lalafell in the room, who crossed his arms and sighed reluctantly.
"N. I'm sure you already know my name if you don't live under a rock."
At the mention of his alias, Eniro was met with widened eyes and audible gasps. The mercenary of Ishgard was in the flesh of the highest royal house within the Holy See, and he couldn't care less about how any of them thought of him. A part of himself already knew how they would react.
"Y-you're the mercenary of Ishgard! Who the hell gave you the right to enter our home!?"
"Don't blame me, highborn. Blame dragonboy here who gave me the idea of waltzing in to make amends."
Eniro barked at Artoriel, scoffing once he finished his sentence and looking away angrily. Artoriel was one of the three sons of House Fortemps's highest ward-Count Edmont De Fortemps-and was assigned by his father to guide the Scions Of The Seventh Dawn through the outskirts of Ishgard until they had an idea of what to do. Artoriel shook his head and looked at Edmont who closed his eyes and sighed.
"I wish for anything but the incoherent bickering you two have already engaged in. N, all I seek now are answers to the questions I'm sure everyone here has on their minds. Why are you here?"
Edmont would ask Eniro as the boy took a few steps forward. Dariya and Alphinaud stepped back to give him space while Cyprus crossed his arms and sighed. He would do the talking.
"Let me explain before you get yourself into more trouble, N. I want to give him another chance besides being known as the mercenary of Ishgard. He deserves a shot at turning his life around, and all I want is to see if we can help him do just that. I came to Ishgard from Ul'dah to help the Scions find their footing again, and along the way I met someone who needs that just as much as you guys. So please....consider it. There's more to him than just blood and steel."
Cyprus would vouch for Eniro who sighed and shoved his hands into the pockets of his ragged brown cloak. He felt embarrassed that someone like him was being put into good light by someone he just met, but he began to assume that this was the only route he could take until the Scions Of The Seventh Dawn found their way again. So, he kept his mouth shut and let Cyprus do whatever talking he needed to do.
"....Hmm..."
Edmont and Alphinaud entered a state of deep thought as Cyprus finished his explanation. Alphinaud seemed a lot more open to the idea of giving Eniro a second chance at life, but Edmont wanted to make sure that no more innocent lives could be lost thanks to a simple idea. There needed to be precautions.
"I shall take your proposal into consideration on his behalf, Cyprus. But let me make one thing very clear."
The Counts attention turned to Eniro.
"If you wish to have even the slightest chance of solace within House Fortemps, then you must cease these senseless killings you intact for a fistful of Gil. You've ruined more lives than helped them, i'm sure of it, and the residents of House Fortemps will not assist a killer who refuses to change. Are we clear?"
"Crystal."
Eniro spoke as the room fell into silence there after. He soon turned around and left House Fortemps, the exchange between himself and Edmont getting Dariya to start thinking. He didn't seem like he was being honest...
"For now, we should get you all into newly fit garbs. Wearing the same clothes you escaped Ul'dah with won't help anyone, I fear."
Artoriel would suggest to which Dariya and Alphinaud agreed too with stoic nods. Cyprus groaned and decided to go with them, leaving Count Edmont alone in the living room of the house and giving him some much-needed time to think.
Two Hours Later
Mainly because of Dariya's picky fashion sense, two hours would pass until the group of three were ready to show their newly furnished clothes and reinvigorated determination to the likes of the Count himself. Edmont watched as Dariya, Cyprus, and Alphinaud came out from the hallway back into the living room. Both men groaned as Dariya seemed more than giddy to show her new look, a look to which Artoriel insulted jokingly.
Let's just say Artoriel won't be waking up anytime soon.
What Cyprus was surprised to see on his way out was his brother Stryker standing beside Edmont, giving his signature shite-eating grin towards the newly clothed trio. Dariya stuck her tongue out at him while Alphinaud gave a respectful bow, leaving Cyprus to simply shake his head at the unannounced arrival of his kin.
Alphinaud was the first to show his new garbs to Edmont, the clothing in question having been knitted by Tataru before she left. The Elezen boy now wore a white tunic covered by a blue coat that split down the middle, alongside a pair of white thigh boots and black gloves. He had a House Leveilleur issued earring on his left ear and redid his hair into a ponytail held by a blue knot. His outfit was made at the behest of an Academian Scholar like himself, and though he wasn't much a fan of change, Alphinaud came to accept the new outfit with an open mind and a metaphorical breath of fresh air.
Dariya's outfit was a lot more open than the others, being a red Uraeus Coat with black accents and an Ishgardian necklace to accompany it. She had black winter fit gloves and black thigh boots alongside a red tonga and what seemed to be a small brown bag on her left hip. In this bag was a map of Ishgard and the major areas surrounding it, a spyglass that could see up to 25,000 meters far, and most importantly, a pair of glasses specifically designed by Dariya just to look cute. She also redid her hair to be longer and more of an auburn color than its old short length and fiery red contrast.
Cyprus on his end was given clothing akin to that of a sky pirate, being fitted with a black and dark gold coat alongside black baggy pants and a pair of Ul'dahn original boots. He had what seemed to be a Garlean issued tear gas canister hanging off of his right hip, with other canisters of the same substance latched onto his belt.
As the newly formed trio of House Fortemps showcased their newly made garbs, Count Edmont chuckled with his hand resting on his cane.
"It seems Mistress Tataru was correct on her assessment with your choice of garb. But now that introductions and a well deserved pair of clothes are out of the question, I would ask you of a....recollective retelling, Dariya."
The Viera turned her head to Edmont and raised an eyebrow.
"What brought you all to Ishgard in the first place? You were brought into House Fortemps at the behest of my son, yes, but....but why?"
As he asked this, Dariya put a hand on her chest while Alphinaud looked down in a sudden state of grievance. These were memories they would both rather not have to explain to anyone, but it was neccessary if the remaining Scions Of The Seventh Dawn were to get anywhere. So, Dariya began to recollect.
"It...It happened just shy of a week's past..."