Chapter Text
Kenda sat on the low stone balcony off the side of the Seventh Sage, watching as the busy foot and sea traffic of Limsa Lominsa began to dwindle with the setting sun. She closed her eyes and let the last strong rays of sunshine warm her face as she took a deep breath of salty sea air.
"It's good to be home," she thought with a smile.
The last few weeks had been a blur of stress and fighting and, if she was honest with herself, fear, though it would never do for the Warrior of Light to show it. Now though, with the Final Days averted and the Scions of the Seventh Dawn "disbanded," Kenda had nowhere she had to be. For the first time in years she could roam the world for pleasure, go wherever she wanted to go; and yet, despite the world being at her fingertips, her heart had led her home.
Limsa was rough, loud, uncouth, and wild, and there was nowhere else Kenda would rather be. She had friends all over the world, and had fallen in love with many beautiful places in her travels, but the bawdy nature of the seaside port still managed to take her breath away.
"Or maybe," a voice in her head whispered, "it's not the city that takes your breath away, but rather-"
The loud rumble of an argument coming up the stairs to the balcony distracted Kenda from her thoughts as a group of men arguing like children burst through the double doors.
"Alright, alright! Cease your squabbling, the lot of you!"
A tall Elezen man with tanned skin, red hair, and striking white eyes walked onto the balcony, his narrowed gaze focused on the men.
"Ah, it's him. The real reason you're breathless."
Kenda felt a slight burn in her cheeks as she shushed the voice in her head. Yes, it was true that Carvallain de Gorgagne, Captain of the pirate crew known as the Kraken's Arms, was exceedingly handsome, well spoken, and brave beyond measure, but he was also one of Kenda's oldest friends. She had met him when she first left her family's farm to try her hand at city living. He had shown her around, helped her find a place to stay. Hell, he had even been the one to bring her to the Marauder's Guild after seeing the natural ease with which she picked up his axe. And, yes, while Kenda had always harbored feelings for the rougeish pirate, she'd never admit to such a thing. She had lost enough in her life, and losing Carvallain's friendship was not an option.
"I'll not have my crew bumbling and blathering like idiots through the city, fighting about Twelve knows what!"
The men had lined up against the balcony opposite Kenda as Carvallain began to tear into them. The surprised expressions on the men's faces as she was finally noticed by all but the Captain made her grin, and she winked at them all. She knew almost everyone on the crew of the Kraken's Arms, and while her presence was surely a surprise, she knew her outfit was the cause for some of the prolonged stares. While they usually saw her in armor of some sort, today Kenda had decided to wear something more comfortable… and it just so happened to show off an ample amount of her cleavage.
"Trying to draw the eyes of a certain Elezen pirate, hmmm?"
Kenda huffed at the voice in her head. "It's a comfortable shirt. That's why I wore this."
"Keep telling yourself that, dear."
She shook her head to clear her thoughts and went back to watching Carvallain and his men. She noticed how the crew's eyes kept darting back and forth between her and their Captain, and she could tell Carvallain was getting upset he didn't have their full attention.
"What in the bloody hells is so distracting?!"
Gerald, his First Mate, spoke up. "We, er, seem teh have a visitor, Cap'n."
Carvallain swung around, the curse that had been ready to fall from his lips dying in a single breath.
"Kenda?"
"About time you showed up. I've been waiting here most of the afternoon."
"Why… when did you get back into town?"
"This morning. As for the 'why'... that's a long story."
Carvallain grinned at her before turning back to his men. "Begone, all of you. And if I hear of you all acting like arses again tonight, I'll have your hides. Understood?"
A resounding chorus of "Yes Captain!" filled the air as the men quickly made their retreat, though not before the more bold among them came up to Kenda to compliment her.
Carvallain had to hold back some choice words for the men ogling Kenda. In truth, he couldn't blame them. She was an extraordinary person, and a great beauty besides. The most beautiful woman he'd ever seen, in fact. And- he just noticed what she was wearing. Carvallain's eyes widened as he took in her tight pants and her flowing, billowy, low cut shirt. Her long hair was tied back in a series of intricate braids, and as the last rays of late afternoon sun surrounded her she seemed to actually glow.
"Carvallain? Are you alright?"
The Captain blinked and realized his men had left, leaving just the two of them on the balcony. "By the Twelve, woman. What are you wearing?"
"Do you like it?" Kenda said with a grin.
"That is beside the point," he replied as a slight blush came to his cheeks.
She smirked as she stood and approached her friend. "It's much more comfortable than armor. Much more piratey too, don't you think?"
"And why would the vaunted Warrior of Light want to look like a pirate?" He crossed his arms and gave her a bemused look.
"Well," she said, holding her hands behind her back and smiling coyly, "I was hoping the best pirate in all of Hydaelyn would consider giving his dear friend a spot on his crew."
Carvallain blinked and stared at his friend, confusion on his face. "Why…?"
"Surely you've heard that the Scions have disbanded. And since I'm out of a job I thought it would be nice to get back to my roots. I am a Sea Wolf, after all."
"Not all Sea Wolves are pirates, or even sailors."
"Of course not. But that doesn't mean I can't be."
"You've never worked a ship before."
"No, but I'm a quick study and willing to put in the work."
"Kenda…"
"Carvallain."
The Elezen stood there, unsure of what to do. One the one hand his heart was screaming to bring her aboard. Having the woman he'd harbored feelings for for years now suddenly working alongside him seemed like a dream. On the other hand though, bringing a completely novice crewmate on board would be a hassle, and he wasn't sure he wanted a woman who he knew many of his crew were attracted to on board with them.
"I don't know, Kenda…"
"Oh come now, I'm sure there's something I could do while I learn how to sail. I could cook, or mend clothes for the crew."
"Well…"
"Or perhaps the Captain simply needs a companion for his long journeys?" She asked with a grin.
Carvallain stared at her. Surely she wasn't implying what he thought she was…
"I didn't realize you'd gotten into the 'companion' business."
Kenda stared at him for a few moments before understanding what he meant. Her cheeks turned scarlet, and she buried her face in her hands from embarrassment.
"Oh! No, no, no! Gods…"
Carvallain laughed and stepped closer to her, reaching for her hands and bringing them down from her face.
"You must forgive me, but I just wanted to check and make sure that wasn't the case."
She looked into his eyes and he was instantly breathless. Her bright, teal eyes always reminded him of when sunlight struck shallow water.
"You honestly think I'd go from Warrior of Light to prostitute? How many years have you known me, Carvallain?"
"Too many," he said with a grin.
She rolled her eyes and smiled in response.
Lamps all over Limsa were beginning to be lit as the sun faded from view, and the warm glow over the city was peaceful. Carvallain looked at the women in front of him, thankful that she was here, that she was alive at all. He'd heard the stories, after all. He tightened his hold on her hands and brought her closer to him, causing her to look at him in surprise. There had been a tension between them for years, and he'd be an idiot to deny his feelings for her. Though he was sure nothing would ever happen between them beyond friendship, he still worried for her safety, wondering every time she left Limsa if it would be the last time he saw her.
"Kenda… I've been worried about you. I'd heard the stories, and while many seemed too fantastic to be true-"
"They weren't." She sighed deeply and lowered her gaze. "The last few weeks… hells, the last few years have seemed too crazy to be real. But much and more than whatever stories you've heard has happened."
Carvallain felt his heart freeze in his chest, and he couldn't respond. She raised her eyes back to his.
"I'm so tired," she whispered.
In an instant he had pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly against him as if he could somehow take the pain from her soul. Hiding his feelings be damned, he refused to stand there and not comfort the woman he cared deeply for. He didn't know how long he stood there holding her, but when she finally pulled back it felt too soon.
"Thank you, my dearest friend. I… needed that."
Carvallain smiled as he raised one of her hands to his lips. "Anything for you, my lady. Now, I think what you need is some good food, better drink, and the best company this side of Eorzea."
Kenda laughed and nodded.
"Come on then," the Elezen said.
"Wait, just one moment."
Carvallain looked at her, a question in his eyes, when she quickly leaned in to place a soft kiss on his cheek.
"Fury…"
"Your Ishgardian is showing," she teased. "Now come on! I swear, as hungry as I am, I think I could eat a whole chocobo."
Carvallain laughed and grabbed her hand once more, leading her out of the Seventh Sage and into the warm Limsa night.