rhea-nix

[rhea-nix]

FFXIV Write 2024: Prompt 18, Hackneyed

The tented alley of Sapphire Exchange in Ul'Dah carried many a vendor who either boasted of having the best or did indeed have the best and needed little boasting at all. On an evening, there are shouts from many to give their wares a glance, to not turn an eye to something they believed to be hackneyed; they only had the best.

In this moment, Rhea, arms behind her back, was observing rings. Nothing with jewelry, rather, gold rings. The man running the shop said she could try anything she wanted. Nodding, she spent a few minutes, slipping on one circle of gold after the other. Feeling nothing, until: one ribboned slim ring. It almost looked like a tiny golden rope had been intertwined and she could feel an energy pulsing from it. This is it, she thought.

"How much for this?" the white-haired mage asked, holding it up.

[rhea-nix]

FFXIV Write 2024, Prompt 14: Telling

"Look over here," Rhea pointed out to tree trunk. It's bark was deteriorating faster than it's brethren surrounding it. The fungal growth appeared to be accelerating. Her eyes were drawn to the branches, pointing up, she showed the local town representative, "Those branches are becoming brittle and will soon snap off."

The representative an older Au Ra woman nodded, "Is it possible to save it? What is the cause of this?" Turning back to her, Rhea crosses her arms, "There are many issues that could be the cause: animals causing damage over time, fungi seeping into its roots, a curse, and sometimes," looking back at the immense tree, "sometimes it's time for a tree as old as this to go."

[rhea-nix]

FFXIV Write 2024, Prompt 13: Butte

A deep sigh left Rhea's mouth as she turned another page of "Wondrous Sites of Eorzea." Different terrains that she's never seen, each one interesting. It's not that her upbringing in the Shroud hasn't held her attention. The mysteries of the forests, the creatures that roam, the elementals to abide by, the different people who inhabit the ancient woods, are all part of her heart that she holds dearest.

And yet...something about these rock formations that she's looking at has captured her. Her finger runs on the glossy page, making a squeaky sound. A valley sprinkled with bushes, an immense rock reaching up high to the sky.

"Would that I could venture to a place like this someday..." pouting, leaning on her cheek as she turns to the next page.

[rhea-nix]

FFXIV Write 2024, Prompt 12: Quarry

The stagger of tiny rocks drifting down as footsteps walked over the slabs, accompanied to the stillness of the manufactured mining spot. A guide of the area, a young Miqo'te boy walked ahead of Rhea, explaining that the minerals she was looking for were up ahead.

"Do many folks come here to extract minerals?"

The boy with a bandana wrapped around his neck kept walking, focusing on his task, "Once in a while." He had a sort of drawl to him. "I'll get miners usually. Folks like yourself not usually. Other times, when the mood is sour, them big corrupt folks will try to steal the land from us by force."

Rhea's eyebrows raised in surprise, but before she could answer. The boy turned around smirk, "Don't worry, we take care of them good-like. Found the stones your lookin' for!" He pointed to a corner slight above them.

Once they climbed up, in a small corner, were calcite veins; lime- green stones. "Which one you want?" the boy asked as he took out a pick. Rhea crouched down to look at the different patterns. She saw a smooth run of the crystal against the rock that appeared like a wave crashing into sand. "This part right here," showing the size she wanted.

"You finna sell it?"

"Hm not at all, I'll be having a jeweler make them into earrings. These possess energy that gives strength to our inner being. Sometimes when you're practicing as a thaurmaturge, anything to help keep you balanced is needed."

After the boy was able to take out the piece Rhea needed, she handed him his gil and they walked back together to the outside of the quarry. Attaching the pouch with her new found belonging to the mount she rented, "Hey, I know you can handle yourself but if you ever need help, be sure to let me know hm?"

The boy chuckled giving a small wave, "Yes ma'am!"

[rhea-nix]

FFXIV Write 2024, Prompt 11: Surrogate

Rhea's surrogate, Mother Irma, is a small old woman. When people go to her for any aid, the thing they are quickly reminded about is her swiftness.

A former conjurer, Irma, dedicated her life to making a home for the orphaned children of the Shroud (even though she would welcome any lost soul in her home and make them feel like belonged).

She has helped many mothers give birth as a midwife; teaching children about cultivation and honoring the elements of the Shroud.

On her day off she can be seen sitting in the front porch of her moss-covered home, by a fire. If she sees you, she'll raise her hand in greeting.

The thing that Rhea thinks of the most when she thinks of her while traveling are her crystal blue eyes and her voice that would her name whenever she drifted too far from the hut. Her voice that would offer any advice that needed, a voice that breaks her heart to think of the day she won't hear anymore when she does indeed pass on from this life.

[rhea-nix]

FFXIV Write 2024: Prompt 10: Stable

Up a wooden path, there was a moss covered ranch house. Not far from Bentbranch Meadows. The Chocobo caretakers moved about either tending to the large creatures, or their feed.

One of them upon seeing her waved her over to the crops. They explained that there gyashl greens that weren't able to grow as fruitfully as the others. Crouching down, Rhea took a look for any pests and did indeed find a nest in the ground. Taking out a bottle of repellent she poured it over the greens. The bugs dissipated.

Standing back up, she turned to the caretaker and handed them a few more bottles. "You might have another nest nearby, let's go take a look and spread this repellent over some spots so they don't have the same ideas."

It was a small thing and a quiet task, but necessary ones in Rhea's mind to contribute to the health of the Shroud.

[rhea-nix]

FFXIV Write 2024: Prompt 9, "Lend an Ear"

Her back felt cold from a flat surface below her. Even though her eyes were closed, she continued to feel spinning in her mind. 'If I open my eyes, maybe they'll still be there...I have to figure out how to get by without them noticing...' Even with her eyes closed she could still hear tiny murmurs and whispers.

Clenching her eyelids tight she took in a deep breath and looked up. They stopped moving, the droopy little fiends. Pushing herself off the ground and slowly sitting up, she stared at the black pot of orchids. Their petals were normal. A curious color of red, white and faded magenta.

Rhea began to stand up when she saw it again. The orchid's column, the tiny piece below the petals, made a clicking sound and reverted into a mouth in each one, tiny little groups of whispers, "Lend us your ear, Rhea." "We have such delights to share."

Her heart was racing, they began to droop again, their petals melting down to the ground, dripping steadily onto the ground into a pool which produced a fragrant aroma. "Listen to us, please, please." Its tiny voices, grew into growls. "Take in our delights, Rhea, share in our radiance, all you have is to pluck our mouths, drink of us."

A shuddered Rhea, croaked, "No." Her movement finally kicked in and she ran to the door. Turning the doorknob, that was jammed. The orchids grew louder and larger, "Take in our delights or we shall devour you." There was a bright light that burst from under the door. Slamming her palm on the door, Rhea screamed for help, while the flowers grew angrier and angrier. Fearing that she had little time, she grabbed her rod and without thinking summoned a large fireball that burst a hole through the door.

Running through it, she saw a maid at the inn, with a tray of food. She stared at Rhea then at the door. Launching into a feverish recounting of what had just happened, the maid turned and said, "Ma'am the flowers are the same..." Rhea looked into the room and did indeed see a normal bunch of orchids, not melting, not dripping, not talking.

Rubbing her face, she took in a deep sigh while the maid walked through to inspect the room at the inn. After a moment, "Ma'am, pardon did you drink this?" she held up a tiny bottle of a liquid of thick consistency. "The dreamtoad ooze? It's possible."

Crystal Lupa: Wild Orchids (2024)

[rhea-nix]

FFXIV Write 2024: Day 7: Morsel

A bowl of soup placed infront of an old woman. Rhea walked back to the stove to pour herself a cup. "Doesn't it look good?" she called out. The old woman grunted, staring down at the bowl.

Sitting down to join her, Rhea smiled at her companion for the day. Feeding the elderly in Yanxia was a difficulty some times. Waiting for the old woman, Tukrix to pick up the spoon and eat.

"What's this anyhow?"

Trying to lead by example, Rhea took a sip and it was indeed good. "It's a creamy soup full of herbs."

"I don't like herbs."

"You won't even taste it. It's mostly potatoes anyhow! Just a modest morsel to try?" Rhea continued eating.

"My daughter loved potatoes."

After a moment's pause, Rhea responded to Tukrix, "I know..."

Eventually, Tukrix took the spoon and slowly ate, the two silently having their small bowls of soup.

[rhea-nix]

FFXIV Write 2024: Halcyon

(Reference made to a dream in previous post)

Another page in Rhea's dream journal following one of her being ushered into the arms of a spirit of storms reads:

"Last night, I dreamt of the spirit again. I was running into their arms and they continued moving further and further back. My feet ran after them as quickly as they could. The small house I had been in disappeared behind me. The water that I ran across felt solid.

The spirit remained without expression, arms extended, the rain and storm surrounding us. Slowly these arms began to grow plumage; their mouth's flesh extending into a long beak, their hair smoothing down into feathers that rested softly on their head. Its transformation from sprite down to a small halcyon bird which is no bigger than a sparrow with bright blue and green plumage. It's feathers gliding in the water. We traveled together a little longer until we arrived to its nest.

The storm had drifted away leaving the night's sky open to us. My little feathered friend had brought me to a nest that sat on the waters; three perfect eggs smaller than her, waiting for her. I knelt down and sat with them a while under the immense body of stars."

[rhea-nix]

'Les Contes Drolatiques' by Honore de Balzac illustrated by Gustave Dore, 1881.

[rhea-nix]

FFXIV Write 2024: Tempest

A well-rested sleep is a imperative value to carrying on normally in your waking life; unless you have a predisposition to a bad mood. However, Rhea since she was young had vivid dreams, sometimes they foretold future happenings but most of them were reflections of her own emotions that were preoccupying her mind.

Because of this habit, she would keep them recorded in a journal. Below is one such dream:

"There I was, in an empty cabin that was drifting in a vast ocean. I walked up to the doorway and stared out to endless water. Grey clouds hovered but did not drift naturally as they would when the wind blows through them. Everything was quiet. I looked back into the house, looking at the wallpaper made of a particular mustard color. I'm not sure what it reminds me of but it felt so familiar.

Turning around back to the doorway, there was what I can only describe as a spirit standing there. They appeared mortal but did not feel of this realm. Their hair was wild, bundled in knots. Their body and clothes were grey, clinging tightly. Neither of us moved. Their lips had no color, their eyes, as a I moved closer, were striking. A lightning bolt flashed behind them. Their mouth moved but I heard nothing. Before I woke, I heard thunder, rainfall and the spirit opening their arms to welcome me into the storm."

[rhea-nix]

FFXIV Write 2024: Day 5: Stamp

PLOP! A heavy rubber stamp hitting the parchment on the counter sounded. Rhea nearly dropped the tome she was pulling from the shelves in the Arrzaneth Ossuary library. Collecting herself she opened the tome on a table and began reading. After a few minutes, successfully delving into the history of thaumaturges who participates in funerary rites until --

PLOP!

Rhea looked over in the direction of the front desk towards Yayake, the polite receptionist of the Thaumaturge's Guild. It was a younger apprentice, who was enthusiastically stamping documents at the desk. Moving back to the text another stamp and another and another!

A deep sigh of resolve as Rhea sunk into her chair staring up at the ceiling, while Yayake praised her apprentice on the hard work they were doing.

[rhea-nix]

FFXIVWrite 2024 #4: Reticent

The reputation of Lady Amandine's beauty was whispered and envied throughout the Shroud. However, none more so than the lady herself it was rumored. "I hear she imports creams from places as far as Thavnair and smells of exotic fruit," one child said holding onto the bars of the Haukke Manor fence.

"How can someone so beautiful rarely leave the house?" a boy next to Rhea muttered. Rhea's eyes were fixated on the windows. Every single one was either shuttered or curtained. Her reflexes almost kicked wanting to drag her as far away from the group, when she saw movement from one of the curtained windows.

If she saw the lady herself, would she feel enthralled?

The sun was beginning to set, casting shadows on the house, and a hush before the wild sounds of creatures would begin. In this hush, one child whispered, "There's maidens she's murdered and drinks their blood to stay beautiful." Two began to retort that it were not true.

A feeling that only exists in children overcame Rhea, she could not move away but also felt a magnetic pull to want to move closer to the house.

"We should sneak into the house, see the lady and find out if its true," the boy next to Rhea said, and looked at her. There was a look of determination to make up her mind soon. To move forward would be accepting real consequences.

"It's getting too dark..."

"That's the perfect time to go. We can walk up to the house unseen by anyone."

If she saw the lady herself, would she feel enthralled?

Her foot finally was freed from the clutches of the mental roots that constrained her, or perhaps it fell asleep. Losing her balance, she tumbled. While the children, were distracted by Rhea's lack of coordination, they decided they would come another day.

That day would never come, the house would fall to a dark madness, and Rhea could never tell anyone after she fell she saw a tall elegant figure pull back a curtain and stood there watching them.

[rhea-nix]

FFXIVWrite 2024 Day 2: Horizon

A small leather duffel bag on Rhea's mattress, closed shut. Outside the window was a going away party; streamers, treats, children running amok, a small jug band playing hearty music.

Mother Irma, shrouded in white, had placed her hands on a taller, older Rhea who was crouching down to meet the old woman's height.

"The time is almost come," the old woman whispered, giving her a motherly kiss on the forehead. Tears streaming down Rhea's face. Others around them said:

"The adventures!"

"And the food!"

"All the people you'll meet!"

"AND the food!"

"All the presents you'll send us!"

"DON'T forget the FOOD!"

Rhea laughed at the one shouting about the food, a smaller Miqo'te boy. A carriage pulled up to the hut, her home. Someone had run inside and retrieved her duffel and placed it in her hands. Another person, passed her a bouquet. Another threw leaves and twigs at her feet, thinking it would work as confetti. It sort of did but with dirt. She didn't even remember saying goodbye. Only faces blurring away. Watching as the distance that the carriage pulled her away further and further turned the hut smaller and smaller and tinier and tinier until it was no more.

[rhea-nix]

FFxiv Writing Challenge - Day 1: Steer

A small wooden hut on the edge of the Black Shroud sat still in the morning dew. On this quiet morning, a wrinkled pale hand patted one girl softly. The girl turned over to see her warden, basket in hand, a bonnet over her hair. "Miss Rhea, we walk to collect the herbs this morning."

"Yes, Mother Irma," Rhea sleepily muttered, getting out of bed. Moving swiftly and tired but not to wake the younger children who were still sleeping undisturbed, an angel's breath on their peaceful faces.

Bidding a good morning to Mother Y'lota who would stay with the other children, Rhea felt the crispy air on her face. Her and Mother Irma's footsteps crunched on dried leaves and twigs. They spoke very little except for when Mother Irma would instruct Rhea on the different flora they encountered.

Mother Irma's coat was made of worn leather and the hood a velvet material, that the morning sunbursts shining upon the material gave the impression of a gliding mossy rock. She stopped in front of a dwarfed shrub that grew rigid, multiple branching stems. The old woman beckoned Rhea as she knelt down setting her basket of collected herbs. Rhea joined her and also placed on gloves.

"These are Heather, they typically cannot grow in shaded areas but thrive in danger." she rubs the tiny green leaves. "You may collect the flower tops that have bloomed. Should we find any white ones, we can use them either for protection wreath on the houses, of tea that the others can drink when they have colds or cannot sleep. In some cases they are used in a bath to treat wounds but for today we'll steer clear of any danger so I won't have to teach you just yet how to apply it." As Mother Irma had quietly explained, Rhea was picking the flowers and placing them in the wooden basket beside her.

The flowers were mauve and smelled faintly woody but the scent disappeared right at the tip of the nose. She sat there with the old woman in the quiet hours of the morning until the baskets were full of tiny white and pink blossoms, speaking in the hush of the forest of medicines until the surrounding fauna began to awake and take its morning promenade.

[rhea-nix]

After years of observing these caddisfly larvae, French naturalist and artist, Hubert Duprat, wondered if the caddis flies would use any materials to build their cocoon. He introduced flakes of gold, pearls and opals to the caddis flies and they did in fact use them for their cocoons. They use their own silk as the glue to hold their pupal constructions together.

[rhea-nix]