binxisaphe

[binxisaphe]

Commission of Binx’sae.

Artist: @ko.tsukii on twitter.

[binxisaphe]

Binx'sae was sorting his way through the field of maize, going from plant to plant at random inspecting stalks for signs of disease or infestation. Taking note of the overall health of the plants. It wasn't until he he had stopped to look up and around, scanning the field did he realize the presence of others around him. Twelve others. Short in stature, shorter even then himself.

 Eleven pairs of the same silver eyes he had stared back and up at him, while one of crimson stole glances before returning back towards the soil. The children. It was the shy one that gave him pause and softened his voice, Nemi Jhezhe. The orphan of the Jhezhe clan, hanging back and a small distance away from his nephews and nieces and the other children of the Saphe clan. Resting his hands on his hips after looking over each of them in turn. "So.... what's it you lot are up to? Y'all aint just starin' at me for no reason in particular." 

 It was Cia'a that spoke up for the rest of them. The oldest of the children. The oldest of his nephews and son of the current Matriarch. "We where askin' Aunt Mia about why you follow another of the twelve instead of Nophica like the rest of the clan..." The child raised a hand and pointed to Binx'sae's youngest sister. His eye's followed and found the woman amongst the maize field and while she wasnt close, she was close enough to hear. He also noticed she took care not to be facing him currently despite the quiver of amusement he noticed in her ears. 

He sighed and shook his head, looking back to the oldest. This again. "You lot finished your chores, yea?" He watched as all the children nodded their heads in unison, leaving him nothing to do but suck his teeth audibly in annoyance at his sister. Focusing back in on Cia'a "Rhalgr. Cia'a. Call 'em by his name, you shouldn't be afraid to say one of the twelves name. I know you know that's who you're askin' about." 

His nephew spoke up quickly. "But he's the Destroyer. Why do you worship him? Nophica is the mother of life...  isn't he the opposite of her?" His gaze shot up back from the child towards his youngest sister again. He knew she could hear this and feel his stare boring a hole in her, but she moved about her work without a care in the world. Finally he spoke. "Aye, he's the Destroyer. But it's not like that. It's..." He stopped, realizing he was speaking to children. He had to explain it simpler. "All the twelve are needed. Even the Destroyer. But he isn't just runnin' about drestoryin' things, Cia'a. Your mums never told you the story of how the world was made?" He took in all the children now, looking to all their responses. Some shook their heads no while others simply stared back at him. 

A final sigh of resignation as he threw up his hands. Clearly his work was decidedly done for the day. "Alright, alright. Come on, gather round then. I'll tell ya." He sunk down to the earth, crossing his legs and waiting patiently as the children got comfortable. Lhia, his youngest niece took it upon herself to climb into his lap and sit on his knees. Staring up at him expectantly. He motioned for the others to move in closer as well, even going so far to reach for Nemi and pull him to his side as the girl hesitated to sit and tried to keep a distance from the other. 

He had been accused of showing the orphan girl favor over his own kin before, and they might've been right but he'd never admit to it. Satisfied that the children where all still and seated as he scanned all of their faces before speaking. "So it was said in the beginnin' there was no light, no dark, no time. Only the Whorl, and it wasn't till Althyk came did things start. Time started as he stepped into this world, and with him he brought the weight of the world. All the lands and alike made, but it was empty. But it wasn't long before he'd be joined by another. The whorl sent forth a babe. Cryin' and cryin' and her name was Nymeia. But for all those tears did made a lake, a single giant lake."

He paused to watch the children. Making sure they where all listening and he had their attention. He did, twelve sets of eyes stared back at him expectantly. "Well as Nymeia grew and aged. Althyk and Nymeia eventually fell in love. Had children of their own, even the gods have children. So from that Menphina and Azeyma was born. The Sun and the Moon. So with this day and night was brought to our world. Cycles and cycles of night and day passed before again, the whorl sent another. Thaliak, carrying all the wisdom and knowledge of the world. Then Thaliak drew from the lake of Nymeia's tears and carved rivers through the lands to the farthest corners. It wasn't long before Azeyma took a fancy towards the wise and clever Thaliak and after the two fell in love they had children of their own. Llymlaen and Nophica."

He paused once more, looking at the children. Eager faces now intent at the mention of Nophica. "So, Llymlaen took the waters from the lake of her grandmother's tears and created the vast seas of the world, but Nophica... She was a lonely child. Her loneliness is what brought forth the greatest of the creations. For Nophica breathed life into our world and created all manners of life to keep her company." He stopped and gestured to the forest around them. "It's even said the spirits of the forest where one of her oldest and first creations to be her friend against loneliness."

"And once life spread fully across the world. Another did appear. But not from the Whorl. None of the other gods knew where Oschon came from, but he appeared one day and wandered across the lands. Mountains risin' in his wake. The cold air from these mountains would drift down towards the warm seas and back up again, creatin' a new kind of life. When before it was only for land and sea. Now it extended to the skies. Those very same winds brought love into Llymlaen's heart as well. But for all that love, she had to love Oschon from afar because the man could never overcome his own wanderlust." He smiled at the children. "This was a time of great, great creation. But..." He looked over their faces once again with the pause taking them all in. "It was also a time of even greater chaos."

"Oschon's mountains rose and fell at his wanderin' whims. Thaliak's rivers flowed and raged with no rhyme or reason. Llymlaen's seas grew and grew, swallowin' whole region's of land before the gods even knew they were gone." He raised a hand and pointed towards the sky. "To bring order to this chaos, Nymeia reached into the heavens and pried the strongest and brightest comet from it. Pullin' it down towards our world and givin' it a purpose. Nymeia then directed it to destroy the excess created by her sons and daughters."

"And destroy he did. He reigned in Oschon's mounts, Llymlaen's seas, Thaliaks rivers, Nophica's rampant spread of life. Rhalgr brought balance to the Chaos. After his descent the world was calm for a uncountable amount of cycles..." He smiled at all the children. "Then the other three of the twelve showed up. Byregot, Halone and Nald'thal. But they're not so important." He waved his hand. "So do you understand now? The destroyer isn't just a god of destruction. He is a god of balance, all things in life need balance. Without it, it all falls apart. At least... that it why I follow him now." He looked away from the children towards his youngest sister who was standing unusually still nearby. Still upholding her pretense of inspecting the crops. He looked back to the children reminding them once more.

"Besides, I never gave up my faith and worship in Nophica. She favors me as much as Rhalgr. Ya'll seen't the state of these lands before I returned. The Matriach and her sister couldn't keep anythin' growin' for long." He said the last bit loud enough for his youngest sister to hear, satisfaction spreading as her ears slowly pinned back against her head. He waved all the children up from where they where sitting. Slowly getting up himself after they started to rise from around him and out of his lap and ushering them towards the houses and out of the fields. "That's enough for one day, comon. Wash up. Supper will be soon." He was slowly following after the group until he felt a gentle tug on his hand.

There was a brief moment of confusion until his eye's met Nemi's. The orphan girl had grabbed his hand and held fast to it holding him back from following the others. Staring up at him with a determined look on her face. "The others also say Rhalgr gave you his power. To wield against your enemies Unc-" The girl stopped herself short. He heard the slip of the tongue, but gave no outward reaction to it. "How do I get his power for myself?"

Drawing in a breath slowly, then calmly exhaling as he closed his eyes. The elder Keeper gathered his thoughts. He knew why the girl asked after it, and his heart ached for her. Finally he opened his eyes and met hers. "We can not pretend to know the will of the Gods, Nemi. I only wield a splintered fragment of his power. But if...   IF, he ever does deign it right to give you a splinter of his power. I'll show you how to hone it." Tugging her along as he started to walk towards the houses, he wouldn't let himself be stopped this time with more questions. Privately hoping to himself that would be enough to satisfy the girl for now.

[binxisaphe]

Made one these neat little card things with this website :D

https://characa.kkimu.dev/

[binxisaphe]

[binxisaphe]

A pair of commissions I got from a artist over on artists and clients.

https://artistsnclients.com/people/zafranghazale

[binxisaphe]

[binxisaphe]

Ayyyyeeee Binx and Morha are in this. Really talented member and amazing rper from the CDN surprised everyone by doing a group thing. Awesome artwork.

@morha-ffxiv

🐈That’s a lot of cats… Some good beans from CDN!

[binxisaphe]

Binxi looked around at those present today at the gathering of Clans. Making a note of each face before silently nodding to himself and taking a deep breath. Slowly exhaling out any nervousness or jitters before he spoke. "Most of you do not know me, and the few of you that do. Not so well. I am Binx'sae Saphe of Clan Saphe. Hailing from the northwestern reaches of the Twelveswood." The diminutive Keeper stood straighter at the declaration. Evident pride showing.

"My clan is also equally unknown to most. Especially now more then ever since there are so few of us left at all. So I come before you now to share the story of my people." He smiled before continuing.

"What little of our Oral history remains, the few of us know by heart. Some of our stories are completely lost to us now. Either with the passing of time or by the near destruction of my clan caused by the Hounds descent. But one of our most important stories, at least I think it is our most important one. Is the how and where of my peoples origins." He paused briefly again before continuing. His tone shifting as he recited the tale he knew by heart.

"The Saphe clan, in truth. Is no older then four or five generations, there is a reason for this. Before then our Clan did not exist, not as this name or as they are now. Long ago before my fore bearers ever migrated across the length of the forest, they called the south eastern marshes and lakes in the forest home. There where five clans in this area where my own hailed from. I do not know the names, nor do any of my kin any longer. Somethin' that faded from our minds over the passin' of the story and forgotten to time. But out of those five clans. There was one in particular. Stronger. Bigger than the rest. The four smaller clans ended up in constant conflict or contention with the larger clan as they poached on huntin' grounds or disputes over which clan held what land grew. Finally there was no other option, blood was drawn. It was then that these four smaller clans rallied together. Combined their strengths, compensated for each others weaknesses. United as one and rose up against the larger clan that made life for them and their own hard in the forest."

Another pause as he scanned the crowd of faces again, this time his smile filled with sadness.

"They also sealed their fate. The combined strength of the four clans numberin' nearly of a hundred fell and where defeated at the hands of their rival. Some of them escaped. A hand full from each clan I am told. But they knew if they remained, they would too be hunted and share the fate of the fallen. So my fore bearers took the only option they had left, remainin' banded together. The remnants of the four defeated clans fled, migratin' north and west across the forest. Findin' no friends and only wary hostile faces where ever they stopped. Angerin' more then one clan along the way with accidental trespassin' and poachin' of lands unknowningly. The survivors convinced Menphina had abandoned them. That they would find no mercy, no place that would be a haven to them. Somehow the idea that they should leave this forest altogether became a solution. Plans where forged and made to head north through the forest, across the lands of Coerthas and to another forest entirely that they might find a place to call home. But..."

His puase this time accompanied a grin as moon shaded eyes looked between faces again.

"But when they had stopped. Restin' on the edges of the forest nearly free of the twelveswood all together, in a area that that plants grew withered and stunted. The waters murky and muddy. Did they finally find a glimmer of hope. When the small band of survivors awoke the next morn, they had found things not as they remembered. The forest suddenly lush and vibrant. The waters crystal clear and pristine. Seeds discarded from a meal the night before already sproutin' in the soil where they had fallen. They had taken it as a sign. That one of the Twelve where moved by their plight and took pity on them. It wasn't Menphina they praised for their good fortune, but Nophica. Daughter of Azeyma. For it was by her power that she reached down from the heavens and touched the lands they slept on and imbued them with her blessing. My people today still swear by the fact that Nophica is our savior, the only of the twelve that took heart for our people. And we flourished under her blessin'. They had found home. Somewhere safe. Saphe."

His tone shifted. He had finished his recital of the story, continuing to speak his own mind. "But even then, our neglect to Menphina would not go unnoticed. So when the hound descended from the heavens, we where spared nothin'. Almost destroyin' my people for a second time. It is my hope, that by sharin' our history with you. That if we fail to restore our clan a second time. Our history will not be lost to time and that someone will at least remember our story."

He glanced from face to face. Everyone somber, quiet. He wouldn’t hear any applause for this tale. He nodded to himself before turning to walk around the campfire and take his place among the others. “That’s it. That’s all I got.”

[binxisaphe]

“ᵀʰᵉʳᵉ ⁱˢ ᵃ ᵐᵒᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵃᵗ ʳᵉˢᵗˢ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ qᵘⁱᵉᵗ ᶜᵒʳⁿᵉʳˢ ᵒᶠ ᵃ ˡᵒᵛᵉʳ’ˢ ˡⁱᵖˢ.” 

(ft. @binxisaphe <3 Gonna smooch all over Eorzea.)

[binxisaphe]

The small orange and yellowish crystal glinted in the afternoon sun as Binxi turned it over in the palm of his hand. It was strange that something so small. So seemingly ordinary, could be of such value. More so to him, because of where it came from rather than what it was.

 Inherited was the word they used. Too him it just felt like they didn't know who else to give her personal affects too. With no family left, he had been the closest thing left. So they gave him what little possessions she left behind, unknowing of the crystal hidden within. 

 At first he dismissed it as nothing more than a simple crystal. Until he stumbled upon what it was and the memories locked inside. The owner of the crystal, a man he slowly came to realize was her father. Left his knowledge to her and something else. Memories. Memories that would serve no purpose to anyone but her. Of her and her father. Her mother. 

 It was a painfully clear reminder that the crystal was never intended for anyone else.  That he had failed to keep her safe. And as if by some sick joke of Nymiea she had twisted fate that he may possess it. So that it could reopen an old wound over and over. Never allowing it to heal properly. His hand clenched around the crystal, cocking his arm back with the intent to throw it into the waters of the Reach. 

 He sighed, dropping his arm back to his side. Even though he exhausted the knowledge of the crystal. He couldn't bring himself to part with it. It was the last connection he had to her. And he clung to that no matter how much it pained him. But eventually... The crystal would start to take his own memories. Perhaps then, when he had nothing left to surrender to it. He could finally pass the crystal on, and finally let go completely.

[binxisaphe]

// Queues for Leveling Roulette, turns into Date Night Roulette || ft. @sehla-vie, @morha-ffxiv & @binxisaphe! AAAA WAS SO LOVELY TO MEET YOU BOTH IN-GAME. What a way to do it though XD Thanks so much for the fun tonight!

[binxisaphe]

I really like how this screenshot came out :3

ft. @morha-ffxiv

[binxisaphe]

Binxi sat alone amongst the ruins of the circles of answering. Setting sun basking it in shades of orange and long shadows. The diminutive Keeper was fond of this site. Often found here training alone, or lost in meditation sitting amidst the rubble left behind. The site was elevated. High enough to enjoy the breeze that passed through the towering peaks of Gyr Abania.

 The feel of the wind was one thing he missed. The forest that bordered these lands, the self same woods he called home. They could be stifling. The dense vegetation of the shroud didn't leave much for the wind to flow through.

 It was why he often left the forest to meditate. Like he was doing now. Legs crossed under him. Eyes shut. The gates of his chakra opened wide letting aether free flow through him. He was completely still in this. With the exception of beads passing through forefinger and thumb at sequenced intervals. 

(Un)fortunately for Binxi, a T'yoshi was also there for a while longer than he has, also meditating and completely still. Her chakras all open allowing her aether to flow free, but upon sensing Binxi's aether, her own aether flared as if out of anger, like a fiery hurricane about to hit. Muscles tensed, veins appearing. She still remembers, Binxi. She still remembers.

The sudden surge of power. It invaded the calm blank nothing that was his mind. Distracting him. His hand froze on the beads as he stopped count and recitation of his mantra. It was a wonder he didn't notice another before the surge of aether, especially one already opened to the gifts of Rhalgr like they where. But he recognized it for what it was, if not to whom is belonged to.

 Mulling it over he sighed, taking the length of beads and rewrapping them around his forearm. Letting go his hold on his chakra and allowing gates to slide shut one after the next until none remained open. His eyes slowly opening as he looked around. He didn't see anyone else in the failing light. Leisurely the small Keeper got to his feet. Dusting off his pants before he causally walked in the direction of the aether surge. Curiosity once again getting the better of him.

 Rounding a pillar, or what was left of one. He saw her there sitting as he had. In meditation. He hadn't seen T'yoshi since the last operation was carried out in the tunnels. Canting his head, he stood watching the woman. Wondering if she had even noticed his approach now that he had let go of the power of his gifts. Leaning against the pillar, he decided to call to her instead of approaching. "I did not know you where here Sister." 

The surge of raging aether subsided as the scarred monk of a Seeker does not meet Binxi's gaze, but it still surrounds T'yoshi like a fiery windy barrier. "Neither did I, Brother." She said the last part forcefully, with an angry undertone.

Keeping his eyes on T'yoshi he tapped his chin in thought as he chose his next words carefully. He spoke slow and deliberate. "You sound strained Yoshi. Somethin' botherin' you?"

 His voice and expression where friendly, but it didn't match his eyes. Pale silver orbs keeping vigilant watch on the Seeker. Even though he felt the surge of power subside, he could still tell she held onto it.

"I am talking to him." She opened one of her eyes, showing a very angry glare aimed at Binxi.

He snorted at her response, head shaking slowly as she glared at him. If the glare was suppose to cow him, it didn't seem to work in the slightest. He chewed on his lower lip in thought. He knew exactly why she was mad at him, debating to play the fool or confront her on it was the decision he was battling with. The latter won out. He didn't return the heated glare with anything but genuine curiosity. "So you're still upset over that? I am not sure why."

"...You killed an unarmed and surrendered imperial soldier in cold blood. You clearly defied Alliance orders, and you don't seem to care. It is only fortunate that you left before the leaders arrested you alongside that Elezen traitor." Yoshi took a deep breath, stood up, and faced Binxi straight in the eye, starting to walk towards him. "And the worst part was that I stayed quiet. Out of respect, for you being a brother Fist of Rhalgr, and Elder Tigre's pupil." Yoshi stands tall at five fulms and seven, possibly eight ilms. Tall for a female Miqo'te like herself. "I am basically harboring a criminal."

"Yes, I killed my enemy." He didn't deny it. His tone was flat. Even. He kept any emotion from it. "I suppose I did defy orders, but that has been handled. My pay has be cut until further notice. So no, you are not harborin' a criminal. " He watched as she stood and turned to face him before walking closer. 

 He remained leaning against the pillar. "And to be fair I never asked you to do me any favors. But I guess thanks anyways?" He shrugged it off. "Perhaps if this was a normal war. I'd of not dispatched him. But this isn't a normal war T'yoshi. You understand this yes? To me so few fail to realize this with how quickly we are willing to turn on ourselves and sentence our own to death. Blind to the truth."

"Truth? What truth? That, let me guess, all imperials are evil, grunts or otherwise? That you wasted potential information that could be useful to the Alliance? Tell me Binxi, what is the 'truth' to this war?" T'yoshi's tone rose and grew more angry with each word.

"That its not that simply they wish to defeat us. They want to eradicate us, or was proof of them draggin' the hound from Menphina not enough for you. This isn't just a fight to defend lands, or countries, boarders. Its a fight for survival, a right to live." He waved T'yoshi off, turning his back towards her as he took a few steps away from the woman. "You are naive enough to think they'd talk, tell anyone anythin' of import? Not likely. You do know what legion that is on Ala Mhigo's doorstep don’t you? They already think us weak, soft. We'll spare their lives and keep them fed an safe even if they reveal us nothin', so long as they surrender." 

 He paused, looking out towards the forest. "Do you know what happens to us, If we surrender to them? Ever have the misfortune of being a prisoner of Garlemald? What I did was a mercy compared to what they've done."

She remained silent the whole way through, although her expression doesn't seem to change. Her chakra seemed to calm down however. Perhaps Binxi's extremist words are somehow ringing to her. Garlemald won't stop until all Eorzeans are dead. So why bother accepting their surrender? 

 "So it's better to kill every imperial then. After all it's a fight for survival. Kill or be killed." T'yoshi brought out a smile...an eerily calm smile, as she walked towards Binxi. 

 "Maybe I have been too naive after all, Binxi. After all I've never tried to kill, and I have been a lousy soldier. My sister is a better soldier than me." She stops walking, when she is exactly one ilm away from Binxi. She slowly and quietly brought a fist towards Binxi's back, just enough to not make physical contact. 

"However...mercy or not..." And boom, in an instant, T'yoshi opens all her 6 chakra gates and unleashes a powerful fiery one-ilm punch right into Binxi's back. "...That is not enough to be absolved by me."

The keeper kept his eyes towards the forest to the west. Watching the suns last rays pass over the top of the trees. Minutes now and it would be gone from sight. The sky taken by darkness. Despite it all, his calm even tone of voice, casual demeanor. T'yoshi had him on guard since the moment she spoke to him. He had already been wary of the woman. 

 His ears flickered at the sounds of her footsteps crunching sand and rubble underneath. The sudden calming of her gifts. How suddenly agreeable the woman was to his words when a moment before they where hard to swallow. He didn't trust any of it. Least of all the woman at his back. His own gates flung wide, releasing the flood of aether through his veins. Grasping for it, forcing it. Binxi forced it into the only aspect he knew. Air. Empowering him to move faster then should be possible, until he expelled it in a powerful gust of wind. Kicking up sand and rubble, screening the both of them. Reducing visibility almost to nil. 

Her fist would of found nothing. He was already gone. Slamming shut his gates as soon as they opened, the wind dying and sand falling without his control. He was no where in sight. Faint hastened footsteps reverberated off the ruins with no discernible direction to which way. Then there was silence. Until Binxi finally called towards her, his voice echoing off the ruins as well. Making it difficult to tell where he was. "You wish to do me harm, Sister?"

Yoshi does not react in outright anger. Instead she caaaalmly straightens herself, with tranquil fury apparent on her face. She also closes her own gates, possibly so she can be able to sneak up on Binxi. Hearing his voice echoing through the ruins, she pursed her lips. She didn't like hurting a fellow Fist like this, but his methods are too extreme. They may not be best suited for a Fist of Rhalgr. 

 "Tell me, Binxi. Does Elder Tigre know of your folly? By killing a surrendered soldier, you are giving truth to their claim that we are savages. Do you truly wish to continue on with that knowledge, Brother?" 

 She then hopped off the Circles of Answering, almost looking like she was flying elegantly before landing on her two feet in front of Schism, slowly walking a bit before turning her head back to the temple. Closing her eyes, she takes a deep breath and tries to sense Binxi's aether. 

 "Know that I don't wont to do this. You seem more fit to be a soldier than a Fist, in my eyes at least." Her voice is calm, but she does feel pained towards Binxi. Why does he have to be the way he is? She fears he may be going down a dark path from which he may never come back.

The keeper's laughter echoed off the walls of the darkened ruins. The sun had finished its descent past the horizon and the shroud of night was settling in. Which only aided the nocturnal Miqo'te. His pale silver eyes could pierce into the darkness where his diurnal cousin's could not. 

 "Wrong." The single word bounced back towards   T'yoshi followed by a moment of silence before he spoke again. "I wonder where this silly notion came from. You honestly believe that is the reason they call us savages? The Empire does the same and worse, no Sister. That is not why they call us that." 

 There was another pause but this time he started again giving the woman no time to interject a answer. "They call us savages because they believe us to be primitive and inferior to them. Our countries, our cultures, our way of life. It does not fit with their grand design of world conquest. Instead they would see us subjugated and shown a better way to live, a less 'savage' way to live. If you truly wish to rid yourself of the imposed title of savage, all you to do is submit to them and give up everythin'. Become another functional piece in their grand machine that is the empire." 

 "Me on the other hand. I will continue to fight, to resist. To be a 'savage'." The silence returned, only broken by the soft sound of skittering feet. The sounds of them reverberated of the wall still offering little to no direction other than he had retreated deeper into the temple ruins. 

 His voice echoed back towards her. This time filled with amusement and curiosity. "Tell me Sister. What is it you mean to do, that you do not want to?"

The seeker clenched her fists, emanating with a fiery aether, before walking inside the temple ruins, listening to Binxi's words. To his question she replied, with a serious yet sad tone. 

 "...To seal your fists. Or break them. Because I do not thin you are worthy of His art." Even with the bale of darkness setting in, it did not frighten the diurnal woman. She had grown up in a mixed nomadic tribe, and she can use her own aether as a radar or sonar. Upon stepping inside, her voice echoes through its walls. Unknown to her there are shadowy figures that have been spying them from the shadows up above, eavesdropping. One of them speaks into a linkpearl, relaying information. 

 "You did not answer my first question, Brother. Does Elder Tigre know of what happened? I cannot believe you had been left off with a mere pay cut. You should have at least spent time in the gallows for that war crime, or even stripped of your rank and fired." Her chakra flared in her rising anger, alongside a singular...shadow chakra..hidden but unlocked inside herself, that she herself hid. "You sound as if you were one of the extremists that attacked at the Levinfist hosted at this very temple, or even one of the Griffin's men." 

 She then paused and tried to calm down, but then started again without giving the man a time to interject, as payback, while at the same time looking down into the abyss on the path between the entrance and the inner sanctum. "Maybe your views are justified. I am sorry if you or a friend happened to have been a former prisoner of Garlemald. But your words cannot absolve you of your actions. If I talked that day, you would probably not even be here anymore. Your actions helped put everything at risk, and they caused the chaos that also put that one Ishgardian against his people. You endanger everything we’ve worked for."

She remained silent as she entered the inner sanctum, staring up at the large statues before closing her eyes. Did she really have the right to be speaking all this? Maybe people, even herself are blind to the truth. She truly does consider Binxi's words, but then she opens her eyes, possibly also metaphorically. Is she really just a regular student at this point? Maybe it's time for her to move on up. As she calms down, her singular shadow chakra also closes. Last time Binxi probably saw Yoshi before tonight, she had 5 light chakras...was there a 6th chakra waiting to be open..? Or possibly the 7th...it is unclear. 

Speaking with a curious tone of her own, she asks, "Tell me, Brother. Why did you choose to become a Monk, let alone a Fist of Rhalgr? Did you truly wish to help people, or are you harboring a darker vendetta? Revenge? Envy? I want the honest truth, Binxi. I wanted to become a Monk because not only did I want to be strong, but it was to protect my friends and family. But I also did it without trying to kill. Call me a lousy soldier, but I am glad I did not stick with becoming a soldier, because ever since I became a Fist, I have grown, lived, and fought. Even now I struggle to overcome past and present weaknesses. I still bear the scars, all physical, emotional and mental of when I fought in the Revolution." She raised a scarred arm clenched into a fist. "I have my fellow brothers and sisters, especially my mentor, Elder Singing Stream, whose words and training still echo in me to this sun." She then lowered her fist. 

 "They have guided me on a path of light, Binxi. I fear that you tread a path of darkness, and soon there may be a point of no return. I am not fearful of you, Brother. I am fearful FOR you. So tell me, why did you become a Monk?"

The scrabbling sounds of boots and hands on stone could be easily heard as T'yoshi made her way into the temple. But the Keeper would still be nowhere in sight. The sounds instantly dying as she continued speaking and made her way into the temple. To his credit the Keeper did well to keep himself hidden.

 Although it took effort on his part to not outright berate the woman. Her words burned his ears as irritation rose up in him. Forcing himself to bite his tongue as he tracked the woman through the temple, she was making it easy on him. Holding on to her chakras like she was, it was like a blazing beacon in the night. It wasn't until she entered the inner sanctum and finished speaking, questioning him yet again did he finally speak up. 

 "No. Worren doesn't know." He was using the echoing sound of his own voice to mask his exertions and the continued sounds of his boots scraping on the old stones of the temple. "And I endangered everythin', how? By killin' another Garlean? You honestly believe that shite you're sayin'? We where to strip them of their armor and lead them bound. So tell me how where we to collect this precious information I supposedly robbed everyone of? If you'd have half the sense to think for yourself, you would of realized we couldn't've  managed escortin' them back quickly enough. Not with the amount of wounded we had. So we would of been found and they rescued by their allies that where quickly pushin' back into the tunnels. You're right..." He took a moment to quell his irritation, pushing all emotions aside as he continued. 

"...you are a lousy solider. Would you have preferred them to be freed and allowed to rejoin their ranks to have another chance at killin' another Eorzean!? While we perish or end up as prisoners?!" Binxi puased giving himself a break. Catching his breath before continued. "And that Ishgardian that you oddly enough lay the blame at my feet for. He was the one that struck down a prison first. Not I, I was merely followin' his lead since he came to the same realization I did a moment faster. It was a shame his own turned on him so quickly. Like a pack of rabid dogs. As for my own, I was ordered to remain silent then to leave. They gave out a punishment they thought was deservin' of the circumstance."

The keeper looked down into the darkness of the schism from where he clung. If T'yoshi hadn't noticed yet, she would definitely realize where he was soon. "As for my path leading into 'darkness'..." He said the words mockingly, glancing back up towards one of the holes in the roof of the schism. That was his exit. He had been scaling one of the pillars towards the ceiling. "Id be more concerned about you. A path of light you walk? Can't be too well lit if you just decide you're going to attack your brethren from behind unprovoked. In an attempt to maim them on some rage induced self righteous quest to pass judgment and deliver punishment. Real pious of you." 

 Binxi felt he had wasted enough words on her. Unblocking the aether flow from his chakras, he propelled himself off the pillar towards one of the holes in the ceiling. Focusing the Air aspected aether he controlled to send him upwards with a powerful gust of wind. Once in he reach he grappled for a handhold desperately, barely finding one in time before he almost plummeted into the abyss of the schism. Hanging from the hold he found in the roof he looked back down into the abyss and called out his farewell. "Farewell T'yoshi. Hopefully the next time we meet you have better control of your emotions." Turning his attention upward Binxi began to finish the climb up and out of the roof of the temple.

((Rp logs from a scene between Binxi and T’yoshi ( @team-nysa ) that went down in the Monk Discord.))

[binxisaphe]

[binxisaphe]

Had so much fun at my first Grindstone tournament! Definitely had a blast meeting some new people! 

@binxisaphe

[binxisaphe]

A hand brushed down the neck of the large bird. Gliding over sun soaked orange feathers. Drawing the chocobos attention to the small Keeper that had entered the worn down stable silently.

Binxi smiled up at the bird before continuing to inspect the creature. Running a hand over the chocobos back. He was old, the orange in the birds feathers where quickly giving away to grey. Past his prime. He had originally came to the stables looking for the chocobo to pull a plow. His sisters had told them that they had one for the job. But he had expected one... Younger? This chocobo looked as if he was reaching far into its lifespan. Sighing inwardly as he finished his cursory inspection. He glanced around the stables.

It was built big enough to house more but this was all they had. It wouldn't work, the bird was too old. He'd likely keel over from exhaustion from plowing a field. Turning pale eyes back towards the bird he couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity with the creature. Was this the same...?

His ears flickered at the sound of footsteps entering the stables, breaking his train of thought. Turning to look only to see Cia standing there staring back at him. Chin held high as she regarded him with a cool expression. But he could see it, the small twinge of irritation just around the eyes. She was still mad he had dressed her down and switched her with a tree branch the other day.

He decided to speak first. "So you've come to tell me to clear out again? To leave, huh?" His face was calm but he couldn't keep the defiance out of his voice. His sister must've picked up on it because her features twisted into a mask of anger as soon as she heard it. Opening her mouth to shout at him again. But to his surprise and with visible effort she smoothed her features into a semblance of calm. Even if the words that came next where clipped and curt.

"No. I have thought it over and Mia agrees with me. You should be allowed to stay. To help. If that's what you're truly after. We can't manage the farm alone. So if you would help to see our clan restored to what it was, we'd allow it." He just stared back at his sister. No doubt this was Mia's doing. She must have talked some sense into her finally. "But..." But. He knew there was going to be a catch. There's always a catch.

"But. If you're going to stay. Return to us. Then you have to live by the laws of our clan. Do what's expected of you by your Matriarch." He turn to face her fully, crossing his arms over his chest as he waited for her to get to the point. Speaking up only to encourage her to speak plainly. "Spit it out already."

It was surprising when his sister actually shifted her feet. Glancing around the stables as if she didn't want to be there or say what she was about to. But that surprise quickly turned to suspicion. "You remember the pact that would be struck when one of ours would take a mate with another from another clan? We need you to do that now. Make ties with the other clans, multiple ties. You are the last eligible male of our clan, so that responsibility falls on you now." Her words had started slow but rushed out as she continued. He just stared back at his sister as she nodded to herself as if affirming what she said with a gesture.

"No." He said it so easily that it didn't even seem to register with Cia at first. Turning back to face the bird he ruffled at the feathers on its neck. But not before he saw the confusion in his sister's face. "W-what do you mean no?! That’s what we decided. Do you not care about the future of our people?!"

"Seems to me you're doin' alright on your own in that regard. You and Mia have plenty of children. Why are you after more...?" He turned partly to look back towards his sister. She had found time to collect herself while his back was turned, but the question still drew a sigh of irritation from her.

"Not for us. For the girls. Eventually they'll be old enough, and they are the future of this clan. They're going to need those ties to other clans. They cannot manage the fields entirely on their own. You, me. Mia. We will not always be here. Quite frankly, I am not sure how you have the energy to do what you've done already." The irritation in her voice slowly died and shifted to curiosity and then... concern? He hadn't been expecting that.

He just waved off the concern. "I have my ways." He wasn't about to go into explaining his training with the the Fist of Rhalgr and Chakras and the boon of the destroyer. Or the fact that he was relying on those gifts heavily. "It would be helpful if the children's fathers where here to help, and since we're on the topic. Where are they? Did you not bind them to the land with the pact?"

It was his sister who looked chagrined by the question. Shuffling her feet and glancing back towards the entrance of the stables, as if looking for a distraction to save her from answering. No luck, she was going to have to swallow her pride. "My two eldest. Their fathers are not to return. The one who sired my other three returns on occasion."

His lips where drawn into a frown. "And Mia?" He asked expectantly. But something she said clicked in his mind. "Wait... what do you mean they are not to return?"

Cia sighed as she began her explanation. Her voice slowly growing harder with resentment. "I made poor choices with them Binx'sae. They where not very kind with me. They where not good men. They are not allowed to return here." She let that explanation hang in the air. Her voice softened a touch as she offered a weak smile. "As for Mia. her children are all fathered by the same man. He comes by regularly to check on us."

He just stared at his sister. "Well then... why in the seven hells am I out there in the field working it alone?! If the other two still come by then make them honor their pact and work the fields." The keeper bristled with irritation. Up until he returned, it had looked like the fields had gone to seed and remained untouched for years. "Also, why is it Mia only takes one mate? If these ties are so important. Why force this on me alone?"

She rounded on Binx'sae, some of the heat returning to her voice. "They are not farmers, you idiot. They don't know what to do. But now that you're here, you can show them. I’m... I’m sure they'll honor their pact." Her voice wavered with uncertainty near the end. But quickly hardened in defense of her younger sister. "Mia is different. She found someone. Someone that actually cares for her. I didn't have the heart to tell her to... Just let her have this Binx'sae. If one of us can be happy let it be her. I would not have her go through what I did."

Her eyes pleaded with him, staring. Waiting for a response. Finally he just made an irritated noise and turned back to the chocobo. "Fine." That was all he gave her as he reached up and started stroking the birds feathers again. "We're going to need new chocobos. This one is too old." He said offhandedly, switching back to casually talking about work.

"Fine..." Cia echoed the words in disbelief and blinked. His simple agreement not completely sinking in yet. "Where are we to get new ones... with what money?" Then it finally clicked. "Wait, you mean you agree?" She couldn't help but feel relieved, she was almost positive this would of ended in another argument between the two.

Binx'sae glanced back over his shoulder looking towards her. "I said fine, didn't I? Don’t push your luck." Scowling he turned his attention back on the bird in thought before finally letting out a audible sigh. "I'll handle. Don’t worry about the money. We're going to need new chocobos, there's no way around it."

Her tone was lighter now. As if a sudden pressure was lifted from her shoulders. "You don't need to rush out and find them right away. The girls have years until they're ready for that, so take your time." She had been talking about him finding suitable mates. "I’m going to go tell Mia."

She was almost out the door of the stable when Binxi turned to speak to her. Opening his mouth to yell after her before stopping and just sighing again. Great. He moved to turn back to the chocobo until something caught his eye. Freezing him in place. Natoshi. What was that hawk up to now. There eyes locked, and the hawks gaze bore into him unyielding. Saying nothing. Until the creature finally took to the air and flew off. What was he doing here, watching? Shaking his head and pushing it from his mind. Binxi returned to what he was doing. Muttering to himself. "Stupid bird..."

"Kweh?" The chocobo tilted its head to look down at the diminutive Keeper.

"No. Not you." Reaching up he patted the side of the chocobos neck affectionately. Assuring the bird the insult was not intended for it.

[binxisaphe]

🎆😘🎆 (ft. @binxisaphe)