The Black Opal

Bayn awoke to unfamiliar surroundings, noting his room's lack of magitek appliances. The following events re-entered his mind as he collected himself from the sheets. Once upon time, the former Pilus was called upon to aid in the extermination or capture of insurgents ferrying deserters out of Ala Mhigo. Hot on their trail the soldier cornered the insurgent who was already on the brink of death, but then...

Hear

Feel

Think

 It was a wonder he recalled the words, what happened next however seared into his brain even now.

A vision of a mother and daughter, or so he assumed. After helping the masked woman escape Bayn was brought to her home, and what was to be found was not a girl of 6 years, but a woman 19 years grown if he had to guess. 

Lyse, Yda called her. Her younger sister, not daughter.

In the vision he heard voices, but no names. 

Good night Mommy...

Bayn froze remembering those words were what triggered the events that followed. His instincts took over, and yet he could recall everything perfectly, using a blasting round for a smokescreen, transporting Yda across Ala Mhigo and dodging his own patrols. The healing rounds he used to treat her along the way. 

The vision, it was real he knew that, but what did any of it even mean!?

Rather than think on it a moment longer Bayn left his bed and took a deep breath. 

As he scanned the room he noticed a parchment on the desk. 

Dear Bayn

Sorry to leave you without much notice, but Papalymo and I had to get to an appointment. Lyse is at school and won't be back till this afternoon so you'll have the house to yourself for a while. I can give you a proper tour when we get back, but go explore if you're feeling comfortable. Breakfast is on the dining room table.

Wishing you the best, Yda Hext

After reading the letter Bayn left his room, and noted how quiet the house was.

Naught stirred.

Bayn took in the decor walking downstairs. He knew nothing of Sharlayan Architecture and couldn't help but find even the staircase fascinating. 

There was one thing, however, he recognized in the living room.

A white griffin on a canvas of purple. The standard of Ala Mhigo before the invasion. Many were destroyed as he was told by others who took part in the invasion. However, those who bowed their heads to the Empire were allowed to keep a few as respect for their heritage. 

Provided they didn't flaunt it.

Such things Gaius Van Baelsar might dismiss as a petty crime.

Twas unfortunate his station did not allow such leniency. To allow it would be an affront to the empire. There was already a resistance and all.

Bayn recalled the Ala Mhigan tattoo Yda had on her face. The Ala Mhigan standard couldn't be publicly displayed, but those face tattoos weren't too uncommon for commoners and resistance members alike.

Continuing, Bayn entered the kitchen and found a plate of biscuits with bread loaves and a cup of tea on the side. Bayn sampled the biscuits pleased with the taste. He, however, frowned after sampling the bread loaf. He powered through the piece he had already ate and drank it down immediately with tea.

His frown only grew as he saw there were two more loaves besides the one in his hand. For being brought into the home of strangers Bayn dared not disrespect this act of kindness.

The frown never left his face as he chewed through the loaves.

The biscuits were no small comfort to his palette.

His meal was complete, and Bayn began to think of what to do next.

He was free to explore Sharlayan, one of the Empire's biggest goals to conquer. If the immigration officers were anything to go by, however, his presence would disturb the populace. Lyse already gave him a warm welcome.

A pang of guilt hit Bayn. Despite her reaction Yda still wanted him to stay. Lyse and Papalymo however were still apprehensive. 

The thought of making others uncomfortable in their own home made him feel disgusting. Bayn could only imagine his father would heed him politely leave. 

"(To where though?)" Bayn thought. He let out a sigh, letting himself slump in his chair. Instead of overthinking the ex-imperial decided to do what he always did when he had time on his hands. 

Make bullets.

Upon entering Sharlayan Bayn was not immediately cleared to openly wield his weapons. However, upon request, he was allowed to keep his Bozjan gunblades cartridges. 

6 in hand, but 4 empty. 

Those 4 went into healing Yda in Ala Mhigo, her injuries severe as they required every resource he had and more. One of the bullets used wasn't even for healing, he had to use the raw aether to twist it to his means on the fly. A trick his father could pull off, but Bayn's talent for weaving aether was limited. His own healing bullets could never compare.

That particular cartridge was basically wasted, on the surface at least. Yda was healed enough to move on her own in a few hours. 

The ones he used on Yda were all crafted by his father's hands.

"(Dad...)" Bayn thought. With a frown, Bayn sat on the sofa in the living room and began to channel aether into the empty cartridges. 

The process to make his own healing bullets would take no small time, and with cartridge in hand time did pass. 

By the time he got to the third the morning was long gone. Unbeknownst to him Lyse had returned with guests, as they sat in the kitchen.

Lyse ignored his plights and studied the book in front of her. At her aid were a pair of young elezens identical in every way. From their blue tunics to their white ponytails.

"Alphinaud can you explain this part again?" Lyse asked.

"No problem at all. Aetherolgic Theory suggests corporeal aether and incorpal aethers do not remain constant and yet when both wither return to the lifestream. That being said other instances like familiars suggest that beings made of aether make us question the fact if familiars themselves are corporeal or incorporeal like ourselves as they do act on their own when made a certain way." the young elezen began to explain further. 

Lyse barely hung on to his words as she began to feel her concentration wane and tension build in her skull.

As the two interacted the girl opposite Alphinaud did not pay attention to them, but kept her eye on the half-garlean in the other room. 

Hard-focused Bayn still worked to craft his healing bullet.

"You shouldn't bother with him. Just pretend he's not here." Lyse had warned upon entering the domicile, and fierecly.

Now if only the young Alisaie Leveilleur, was one to listen to every warning given to her.

Looking back and forth between her chatterbox twin and the imperial, the 11-year-old went to sate her curiosity. 

Whatcha doing?

Bayn did not immediately react to the child that popped before him. 

"Healing bullet." he said not taking his eyes off the cartridge he was channeling.

Alisae inched closer to the cartridge intrigued by his words.

"Care to elaborate?" she asked. 

Slowly the aether pulsating from Bayn ceased and he put away the cartridge he was channeling. Instead, he grabbed another and presented it before Alisae.

Bayn lined his thumb upon the cartridge just so, and struck it like a matchbox.

The aether released itself upon Alisae like a splash of water. The vapor persisted on her being for a time before fading.

Alisae checked her person and found herself feeling refreshed.

"How's your ankle?" Bayn asked.

Alisae lifted her knee to reveal a bandage along the back of her leg. Without hesitation, she removed it and found the only blood on the bandage. 

"All better." Alisaie said performing a few practice kicks. 

Alisae happily plopped next to Bayn. "Thank you." she said. 

"You're welcome." Bayn said smiling back. Bayn put down the used cartridge. He picked up the cartridge he was channeling earlier. 

Alisaie picked it up and inspected the empty cartridge, and as she looked at Bayn's posture, she immediately began to mimic his process.

Much to his amusement.