Aveen was nervous. He was nervous when he woke up. He was nervous when he packed some things for the travel to Ala Ghiri. He was nervous when he helped the Alchemist store the important and expensive tinctures and medicines into the huge bags at the Saddle of the Chocobo. He had just found his way around this camp and now he was already sent away from it again. Sometimes he didn’t like fast changes. Maybe he was even nervous because of Somna’a, too, although he actually trustet the older Miqo’te. Aveen just felt that today would not be a good day (again) and he already felt the strength it would cost him, to keep his mood up. That last half year in Kugane he had those days coming and going frequently. The mind can be a fragile thing.

Somna’a was hired for the job to accompany him to Ala Ghiri and back. A bit reluctantly maybe, because the medics have not been blind to his dismissal from the resistance group just some days ago. But they couldn’t argue against Aveen’s point that this way they would not have to spare another medic. Other wounded fighters could arrive here at any time. So it was settled. The Keeper would protect their trainee and the two chocobos on their travel through the southern Peaks. Aveen observed that Somna’a had a kind and careful behavior around the Chocobos. He practically couldn’t leave his fingers from their soft neck feathers and it was adorable how is ears flew up happily whenever a bird gave a soft Kweeh towards him. Their two feathery companions were a yellow male, who carried the Alchemist Goods and their bags, and a redish female. The last time Aveen had ridden a Chocobo was one or two years ago when Tristan had been in a health treatement in a fishing village in northern Hingashi and he had visited him there. What a wonderful time that had been…

“Please be careful on your way, Aveen.” the Au Ra woman said with a smile and clapped Aveen on a shoulder. “Your contact in Ala Ghiri is called Minasho, a Raen Au Ra. He will take care of you two and the Chocobos there. Greet him from me.” Aveen nodded shortly and gave the Alchemist a smile back. ”I will, Ira.” he said and turned to the readied Chocobos and Somna’a standing next to them in his famous copper-brown coat with the long, wavey sleeves, the longer backside and open jacket. Without the bandage around his belly, even more skin … and muscles… were visible as a result and the Keepers darker skin shone in the morning light. With his self-confident and relaxed posture he looked again as if he owned this place, without seeming unapproachable or snooty. He actually looked more like a Seeker, Aveen had thought some times now. With his warm colors in his skin, Clanstribes on his jaw and blond hair. But Aveen knew that was biased thinking and maybe he was just so used to having a Keeper with a colder color palette around him for so long.

“Shall I help you into the saddle, m’lady?” Somna’a said cheekily as Aveen grabbed the reins of the red Chocobo but he had no intention to ride out of this camp like a mocking Prince with his Squire.

“We just walk.” Aveen stated calmly and led the female Chocobo out of the camp, the yellow one following with his reins tied to the saddle of the red one.

“We will need some hours before we arrive in Ala Ghiri and better speed up besides. Otherwise we might not reach it ‘til nightfall. Are you used to such long marches?” the Keeper asked after some minutes and checked Aveen’s outfit which were his comfortable Sneakers, a shirt under a warm cardigan and jeans. ”You don’t look like a hiker, if you ask me.”

Aveen sighed. “I will not sit idly in a saddle while you walk your soles off, Somna’a.”

The other Miqo’te had to grin about that. ”Ah, no worries. It’s my job to get eaten first and let you escape if a bear decides to attack us.” Great. Just the mental image Aveen needed right now. But he just smiled about that.

He then looked on the road before them which lead them down a gentle slope. The steps of the Chocobo’s big feet made muffled sounds on the sand and sometimes the glass vials in the bags jingled an unsteady Song. Somna’a was right. Aveens feet would start to protest in an hour or so. But he just had the feeling that moving his body was making his head clearer for now.

Somna’a seemed to sense Aveen’s uneasyness.

“You alright?” he asked while walking next to the bluehaired Miqo’te, one ear towards him, the other more towards the opening landscape. In case of trouble he still was at work and not here to chit chat with the Healer.

“I just didn’t sleep well last night.”

“Oh, so you slept better when I was around?” Somna’a had spend the last night in the patient’s tent again. Fortunately without any trouble regarding Hargrim and the others. “By the way, did you put a protective spell around you the night before, or not?” he asked casually.

Aveen looked at him, the soft wind dancing through his hair and pushing it a bit away from his forehead so he pulled it back in. A habit he couldn’t shake off when it was one of those days. Somna’a had even seen the scar already, but Aveen still felt naked when he felt the bare skin there against wind or the sun.

“I did.” Aveen admitted and his ears sank shortly, feeling sorry for his caution.

“Clever boy.” Somna’a just said with a grin. “But if I truly had the intention to harm you in any way, I would be the most stupid Miqo’te in Eorzea. You’re a Healer, you’re doing important things for my people.”

“People without perspectives can get ruthless from time to time.” was all Aveen said to that and instantly regretted it. “I mean….uh…” he began to stammer, but Somna’a just smiled at him.

“You’re not wrong there.” he assured the younger Miqo’te and then focused on their surroundings for some moments. Autumn was slowly starting, but the dry summer air was still palpable on the skin. Trees were tough things here, enduring the heat and dry grounds in the valleys between the rising and falling mountain formations of the Peaks.

“If you every need to talk about anything, I am a good listener, by the way.” Somna’a offered. “And if I have to look at your sad face the whole day, that’ll make me sad, too.” he said casually. Aveen felt a strange kind of shame crawling up his breast. He didn’t even feel sad. He just didn’t feel as confident and optimistic as he should.

“Sorr—” he startet but Somna’a turned without stopping his pace, so he shortly walked backwards next to Aveen, holding one index finger up. ”First Rule, Aveen.” he just said and winked at him. We don’t apologize for feelings in this house. Aveen couldn’t help but smile, honestly this time, as he looked at the sassy man before him.