From the Heavens (Final Fantasy XVI)

𖥸 Duty of a Courtesan 𖥸

|| Information ||
This short story takes place during the second time skip. Joshua has yet to reunite with Clive.

|| Plot ||
At the behest of Isabelle, Lyra goes undercover at the Veil to gather information from a client. The arrangement, however, has Clive on edge.

PS—I did not proofread this chapter for any grammatical/spelling errors.

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|| The Hideaway ||
|| Central Storm Deadlands ||

"By the heavens..." Lyra muttered, gazing at the letter Isabelle had sent her. "Should I truly do this?" Her ally in Northreach was asking her to act as a courtesan in order to get information from a certain client who was supposed to be visiting in the coming week. The reason Isabelle was asking her for help was because this particular client had strict taste in women and she fit the bill perfectly.

"Do what?" Clive asked, having walked into their shared room.

Lyra didn't try to hide the letter from him. Instead, she hastily gave it to him. "Isabelle needs my help."

The man read the letter, but his mind didn't seem to process the information. He read it two more times yet was still shocked. "Am I...reading this correctly?"

"Only if you deduce Isabelle is requesting I go undercover as a courtesan," she replied. "Trust me, I had to read it many times as well."

He lowered the letter, meeting her troubled gaze. "What will you do?"

She let out a heavy sigh. "I promised Isabelle I would do anything to help her. If my being undercover aids her, then so be it. Regardless, I want to know your feelings on the matter."

Clive put the letter on the top of his desk. "I wish to ask for more details of what Isabelle desires from you. Once I have a more thorough understanding, I shall sort through my feelings."

Lyra nodded. "I agree. I want to help, but I will need more information regarding the specifics. I do hope you aren't needed elsewhere because it seems we'll be departing for Northreach."

Suddenly, the couple turned to the door when they heard whining and scratching. The woman walked over and opened the door, allowing Torgal to enter. The canine barked happily as he trotted over to Clive, his tail wagging fervently.

She smiled and petted the top of Torgal's head when he came over to her next. "It seems the three of us are departing for Northreach. Shall I provide us with wings?"

The man shook his head. "No. I will not allow you to waste precious energy when we have another means of transportation. We shall use Obolus' service. To the docks."

|| Northreach ||
|| Northern Sanbreque ||

Reaching their destination, Clive and Lyra entered the city with Torgal following close behind them. They walked through the streets until they arrived at the Veil. To their surprise, Isabelle was waiting outside. She noticed the couple immediately. "Oh, my. I was not expecting you to be accompanied, but it is no surprise your darling Clive came along. Considering the content of my letter, it would only make sense for him to be concerned of my request."