Smudge Marks & Engel Werks

Thayrin walked quietly thought the undergrowth carrying his small parcel of cookies, Rylea right on his heels. The morning was slowly turning to afternoon as the mists gave way to bright, scattered light from the tree-top canopy.

"Don't stray off the path," he said, yet never once looking back towards his kitten shadow, "the Elementals are very unhappy so it's best if we don't aggravate them."

Rylea's ears flicked backwards.

"Why are they mad?" she asked.

"They're not mad," Thayrin replied. "They are scared."

"Why?" The kitten asked again.

Thayrin shrugged.

"I don't really know. I overheard some of the other craftsmen talking about a rumor going around that the lesser moon of Dalamud is getting bigger. Maybe that's what has them upset."

Rylea paused and gazed sky-wards thought the leafy tree canopy.

"I don't see it," she said, shielding her eyes from the sun as she balanced on her toes.

Thayrin sighed then motioned for Rylea to follow.

He stopped in front of a small rock cairn, stones stacked three high with another flat stone in front. On the makeshift table-stone sat a carved stone cup holding sweet-smelling dried branches. He knelt down and placed the wrapped cookie cloth onto the flat stone.

"I thought we were going to see your mommie," Rylea asked.

Thayrin took a deep breath.

"This is where my mother is," he finally replied. He untied the bundle and laid out the his mother's favorite snack.

"Oh," she said, her hands wringing her yellow skirt. The awkward silence surrounded the two as he prayed at the cairn.

"What happened?" The kitten finally asked.

Thayrin rocked back on his heels and his hands dropped to his knees.

"She just got really sick one day," he replied. "The conjurers tried to heal her, and it helped a little. But she never truly got better. They said she strayed too near the old Amdapor City ruins."

Rylea cocked her head, her right silver ear twitched slightly.

"The ruins are bad?"

"Very bad," he said. "They are cursed. Most people it doesn't affect, but mother..." he paused, and collected his thoughts. "Mother just started having problems breathing. And every day, it just got worse until she couldn't breathe anymore. Her soul's at peace now, within the Aetheral Sea."

Rylea placed her little charcoal hand on Thayrin's shoulder.

"I'm sorry," She said, her voice almost a whisper.

For the first time since they left the Crafter's Commune, Thayrin turned and faced Rylea.

"Don't be," he said, "It's not your fault Mother got sick." The young Elezen adjusted his seat so his legs were crossed in front of him.

"What happened to your father?" he asked.

She shrugged her shoulders.

"Never had a Papa," she replied. "Always been me and Mommie."

"I see," Thayrin nodded his head.

He turned slightly and picked up two of the cookies that he had laid out, then handed one to Rylea. Her face lit up, as bright purple eyes glinted in the dapple sunlight. She took the cookie, all smiles. A moment later her face fell and she glanced back at Thayrin.

"You sure? These are for your Mommie," she said.

Thayrin's blue eyes narrowed, a flat expression on his face.

"I'm sure Mother would be very cross with me if I didn't share."

Rylea beamed a broad smile back at him then took a huge bite out of the pastry. Thayrin smiled softly then nibbled at his own.