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@lightblooms.bsky.socialSep 3, 2026, 10:40 AM

#ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2026 | #wyraverse #djeahfic - Day 2 - Register

A'djeah has a chat with Erenville as the shadow of the forum looms over both of them. Set before patch 5.5, 794 words.

A'djeah would consider herself more cautious than curious. It made her an outsider in Sharlayan society, where a thirst for the unknown and the seeking of truth was often rewarded, where only the most forbidden of knowledge could appease such scholars. She would not consider herself ignorant, simply a person who yearns for the familiar, the routine. However, she knew how deadly rumors could be. Not just for reputation, but the way they ate at the mind, in the back of a head, a churning mixture of worry, fear, and intrigue. The latter was always the most dangerous part. The desire to watch a disaster unfold was its own kind of curiosity. One not driven by intellectual pursuits, but something much more base, and perhaps even instinctual. And she held one such potential disaster in the palm of her hand. "This can't be correct…" She murmurs to herself, as she flips the paper over in her hand, to double check its contents, make sure she has read it correctly and isn't just exhausted from her additional duties as wife and mother. She's used to gleaners being requested all sorts of strange flora, fauna, tomes, and even artifacts— heavens knows her own husband asks for the strangest and most exotic of fish to be procured for his own studies— but all of these tended to be delivered to places within Labyrinthos or the Studium. Rarely, if ever,"below"— and never in this quantity. "Trouble with the bookkeeping?" A familiar accent cuts through her thoughts, and A'djeah looks up with a warm smile. "Hello, Erenville," A'djeah says, and knowing the viera is usually all business, she cuts the idle chatter. "Just making sure I read the intake forms correctly. Your shipment has already been taken down into Labyrinthos."He registers her concern for a moment longer than she would like, but his gaze is thoughtful, and his words careful. "I actually was just there. I received a new list of requests from the forum while there." Erenville hesitates for a moment, glancing back at the other workers of the Peristyle before deciding they're occupied enough to continue the conversation unfettered. "I was wondering when myself and the other gleaners who typically procure flora and fauna return, if you could ensure the boats would be ready for transport." The paper underneath her palm on the counter feels hot all of a sudden. "Surely the researchers at the Hamlet are not running you that ragged?" "I do not think this list is for the wanton desire of some miscellaneous students and researchers if it's coming from the forum." He briefly flashes its contents to her for the quickest glimpse, and she can see that true to his word, the forum's desires are extensive. A'djeah pauses. There are more eyes and ears in Sharlayan than most would care to admit. The pursuit of knowledge was only welcome if it did not involve the forum's business. "The majority of shipments lately have been below." Her voice is low, quiet. Only the forum and select few researchers were allowed beneath Labyrinthos— the area off-limits to even archons. "I've noticed as well." Erenville briskly pockets his list. "I do believe that the forum is preparing for something." She is more cautious than curious, but here the two intermingle and claw at each other. The desire to watch disaster wins out. Her throat is dry, but she cannot help the question that lingers on her tongue. "Whatever do you think for?""Another migration, perhaps. The majority of species they've been asking for lately could be utilized as sustenance during travel." If he is at all worried, A'djeah cannot tell, at best, Erenville seems almost nonchalant. "I do fear that the gleaners may be pushed to their limit if this continues." A'djeah pulls her own inventory sheet back behind the counter, the conversation now shifted to something actionable. "I can ensure there are necessary boats and trolleys provided the inventory lists given to me are accurate. As for compensation from the forum, you may need to petition for that yourselves." He nods, and gives her a light wave farewell. "I shall keep that in mind. Thank you for your time, A'djeah." A'djeah gives a curt nod, and pulls the sheet back out to look at it, as if starting at its contents will give her any more answers. She moved here to feel safe and secure— the idea of being forced to leave gripped her heart and forced a pit into her throat. She caves to that instinctual, carnal desire for morbid curiosity. She heads back to the shelves to pull records, careful not to turn heads. She has had secrets hidden from her before— she will not have it happen to her again.