it's something i have to do
i was there, too
before everything else
i was like you

- nine inch nails, "the fragile"

estinien watches viserra pause as she spots him, then do her best to ignore his very existence as she retreats. he rolls his eyes and approaches alphinaud instead.

"does she fare any better than the last i saw of her?"

alphinaud seems distressed. "i'm afraid not. i know not what to say to her... we lost a friend, before we sought sanctuary in ishgard. she was not like this then."

"and we have work to do."

alphinaud chews his lip, nodding.

"i'll handle it."

"are you—" the boy appears to think better of his words, and promptly clamps his mouth shut.

estinien cocks his head. "well? spit it out."

"...are you sure that's wise? the situation may require a more... delicate hand."

"they're but words, boy. she'll not die."

alphinaud straightens, anger darkening his features. "viserra does not need more wounds inflicted upon her, least of all from you."

"and whom do you suggest? would you volunteer to deliver her from her stupor knowing disaster will befall all of ishgard should she not wake from it? are you willing to have that blood on your hands should you fail?

alphinaud is silent.

"come." he sets his lance aside, intentions clear. "face me."

"i don't report to you, dragoon."

he replies as if she hadn't spoken. "prove to me you're ready for combat."

"and if i don't?"

"you won't go."

"and on whose authority will that decision be made?"

"you think the lord commander—you think anyone would send the warrior of light to her death? you can hardly see two ilms past your face right now."

"estinien, i'm fine."

"prove it."

it's nothing like the drills he's led with new recruits.

she wants to beat the living hells out of him.

good.