Chapter Text
Alphinaud and Alisaie Leveilleur, grandchildren of the great Louisoix Leveilleur, are finally arriving in Eorzea. They had wanted to witness the land for themselves, see what Eorzea was truly about. No matter if they annoyed each other, they were together. That's the most important part of it all.
The moment they stepped foot on the soil of Thanalan, though... Gods, they could immediately feel the shift in environment. It was as if the air was thickened by the aether itself. It was almost suffocating with how thick the aether seemed to be. They weren't used to this sort of environment. Aside from that, too. Hells it was hot. The twins both glanced at one another, knowing they most likely were going to melt from all the intense heat.
Although, Alphinaud found that his sister could move around a lot easier than he could. Every step he took, he felt nauseous and heavy. "Are you alright?" He could faintly hear Alisaie ask. Was he? He didn't think he could lie, even if he wanted to. "As much as I would like to say yes," Alphinaud musters, and sighs, "I don't think I would be able to convince you of such."
Alisaie laughed, and Alphinaud immediately knew he was right. She could read him like a book. Of course Alphinaud could do the same, if he had the strength to. They were twins, after all, and Alphinaud couldn't ask for anything else. Even if it was exceptionally annoying at times like these.
"Of course you wouldn't. I feel nauseous as well, I must admit, yet I clearly don't have it as bad as you do, brother dearest." Alphinaud scowled at that. He would be fine soon, there isn't a doubt of it in his mind. Yet the offer of resting for a while as they travel to the city of Ul'dah, that lay silent on Alisaie's tongue, was extremely tempting.
Alphinaud pulled his posture upright. "Let us find an inn for the day. It has been a long day." Alphinaud managed to say in the most normal way he could. Alisaie raised an eyebrow at that. "Alright. If you say so."
Later, after the two finally managed to find an inn room, Alphinaud could be alone. Alisaie had said she would go get some groceries, and that Alphinaud should rest up. He truthfully couldn't be happier that his sister was as stubborn as she was. He did not want to walk with his legs feeling as they could collapse any second.
He didn't even notice her come in until she, presumably right in his face, said: "I'm back." She could have probably sent him to the heavens above, with how much he jumped. "By the Twelve, Alisaie..." He mumbled. Said elezen snickered. "Yeah, yeah... I got you some medicine. You look like you need it." Alphinaud pulls himself up to a sitting position, finding that to be a rather bad idea. He holds a hand over his mouth, forcing back the feeling of vomit in his mouth.
"That bad, huh?" Alisaie could hardly hide her feeling of pity for her brother. A walk around the plaza had easily cleared her up by now, yet her brother... Alisaie shuddered to think what could happen if he tried to attune to the aetherite by this point. "Make sure you don't release your breakfast first, then take the medicine. I'll leave it here for now."
Alisaie then sat down next to Alphinaud on the bed, through she placed the medicine next to him first. It was a lot cooler inside than out, and she could think enough to pull out a book and start reading. As her eyes read the words on the pages in front of her, she could feel her brother's eyes on her. A sorry state for him, she had to admit. But she didn't mind. She also tried not to mind when her right shoulder felt a whole lot heavier.
"Is it really so bad you have to use my shoulder as a pillow?" A remark Alisaie tried to bite back, but she silently damned her mouth that couldn't stay shut. A hum from her brother dearest next to her told her enough, though. "Fine... do as you please." Silence followed. Alisaie appreciated it, if she were honest, it gave her time to focus on her reading.
"I'm sorry.." Alphinaud piped up. Alisaie glances away from her book, finding her brother's face laced with a frown. "For what? You have barely done anything?" Alphinaud's frown increased, leaving Alisaie confused.
"I'm sorry for being such a burden on our first day here." Alisaie bit back a scoff, not caring that Alphinaud could probably feel it. "Oh, cut it out, will you? You are certainly a burden on my shoulder, yes, but not past that." Alphinaud shrinks in at that. He knew his sister was being sincere, but he truly felt guilty for ruining their trip so far. Yet he didn't have the strength to argue with his twin. He knew she was right to worry, he would be too, if he were in her shoes.
Aethersickness was nothing to sneeze at. He knew he would have to acclimate to the vast amount of aether in Eorzea compared to their home. He didn't expect it to be this bad though, even if Alisaie didn't seem as bothered by it as he did. It made him feel childish in a sense, seeking comfort in his twin this way.
Yet even still, he found part of him didn't mind. Being cared for by his sister like this... Perhaps it wasn't that bad, after all.