(Sort of a two part in one writing. Starting out with Stefan and Destiney. An then moving to Lancefer and Destiney. @ishgardiansnow An there is a purpose to this. It’s… laying the ground work for Dest moving towards becoming a RDM like her FFXI version once was. I realize there will be a lot of people going to RDM probably but Dest on FFXI was ICly a RDM and I would love to push her back towards that path again. I miss her FFXI counterpart.)

Barely a word between them over the last nine years. Entirely separate lives that barely crossed. Now they stood in the same yard. Her yard.

She had still been shocked the day she had found her brother at their childhood home. Stefan had actually returned home. Actually visited mother for a change. It was the first time she had seen her brother since running into him in Ul’dah about two years ago and telling him about their father. Nine years since he had run away from home.

Mother had sent him with her when they went to a party Soren and Lloire had been throwing. He had been reluctant and tried his best to remain out of sight while there. She had not expected him to answer her message now with his behavior then.

Yet here he stood on her lawn. Looking confident and proud as he stood with one hand on his hip. Watching her with a curious look.

“Are you sure this is what you want to do? To learn spells of this kind?” His tone was not condescending. But edged with a concerned caution. “You’ve never displayed interest in this sort of thing before.”

“I want to learn. There is…” Her voice trails off as she looks down to her hands. The talks of a war on the horizon. The possibility her work with the Immortal Flames could put her over there among it. The kidnappings. She was tired of being a victim. Tired of being vulnerable. “More reason then ever for me to learn this now. Stefan…”

A wave of a hand as he smiles ever so slightly. “So now it is my turn to be the better sibling. About time I will admit.” He motions for her to stand over towards the maple tree. “I’m sure you already know most of the basics. If Uncle didn’t teach you then… Well he was a fool if he didn’t. Shall we get to work then?”

Destiney nodded to her twin. Never had she used aether in this fashion. For healing and protection yes. Not for fighting. It was still something that would not solve her entire problem. However it was a start. Something more to defend herself with.

They worked for hours. Until Stefan made them stop as evening began to approach. Claiming they needed to eat. Destiney was almost relieved when he even offered to cook. It was a simple dish but filling. At least one of them had some decent cooking skills. Destiney needed to remember to bother J’siris for some more lessons sometime. A comfortable silence settled between them as they ate.

---

Stefan had left with a promise to come back again tomorrow. More practice until he felt her skills acceptable.

It wasn’t long after he left that Lance came by her house. Destiney had also contacted him. Whether it be through magic or weapons… One way or another she would stand a better chance at protecting herself and those she cared about. No more victim.

“Here. Ready to practice?” Lance asked with a warm smile as he held out an old training sword for her to take. “We’ll start with the basics and as you get comfortable I’ll teach you more. I’ve had years at this. Don’t be disappointed if this takes time.”

“Of course. I know it takes time.” Destiney said with a nod as she tested the weight of the weapon. Wielding a bow was vastly different then a sword. The weight was odd in her hand but not uncomfortable.

“Do you ever plan to explain what has given you this sudden drive to use a sword?” Lance asked as he positioned the training dummy to his satisfaction. “Or is this something you would rather keep quiet?”

“Lance… I… I can’t tell you. I wish I could but… It’s not something I should. Please respect that.” Destiney frowned as she remembered the incident with Aeri. Aeri’s words about Lance and Alex. More to the picture. If he wasn’t willing to talk about Alex then she wasn’t willing to talk about Aeri. Mostly because she was afraid of her cousin’s reaction. To the idea that Dest had been kidnapped again. Especially since it involved both Alex and Aeri.

A disgusted sigh and shake of his head. “Fine. I won’‘t push. You know I never would. If you said it’s better not discussed then fine. Let’s begin.”