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wip wednesday

He led the way back up the beautifully tiled ramp and back out into the desert air. He sucked in a breath, glad to be away from the heavy weight of the ruins, and something cold pressed against his throat. He jerked, pain blossoming along his throat. Thing fingers fisted in his hair as a flare of alarm burst across the bond. Haurchefant lurched from the doorway, sword singing as he unsheathed it.

"Stop!" A woman's voice rang out in his ear. The knife cut deeper into his skin and blood slipped down his neck. “Don’t come closer I’ll cut his throat!”

Ysayle shoved her way in front of Haurchefant, holding him back bodily. She threw a hand behind her to hold Haurchefant, and reached out for Bastien. “Wait, please. You do not have to hurt him. We’re listening.”

The fingers in his hair tightened. Pain lanced across his scalp. The voice beside him asked, “Who are you?”

“We are travelers, looking for work,” Alphinaud said.

“I saw you come from the castrum. Who are you really?” The knife pressed deeper. Bastien grunted.

“Unhand him,” Haurchefant growled. He pressed against Ysayle’s back, bristling as he tried to move around her. Arenvald grabbed his arm with both hands. “He will not harm you but I will.”

Bastien was dragged back a step and he stumbled. The voice said, “I see he is important. Answer my questions and I’ll let him go. Who are you really?”

“We represent the Scions of the Seventh Dawn,” Alphinaud said. He stepped forward, his hands held palm out to show he carried no weapons. “We are from Eorzea.”

“Why are you looking for Rhalgr’s Reach?”

“We knew Yda and Papalymo,” Bastien said. More blood slid down his neck. He swallowed delicately, trying not to press further into the blade. “We know they were looking for the Griffin. We need to find him.”

“Were you involved with what happened at the Wall?” The fingers in his hair twisted harder. He couldn’t stop the sharp gasp of pain.

Haurchefant lurched, but Ysayle and Arenvald contained him. Alphinaud took a hesitant step forward, hands still out. “We want to stop it from happening again. Are you… Are you with the Resistance?”

“You knew Yda?” The fingers in his hair twitched.

“Yes, please, let Bastien go. We can talk.”

The knife at his throat loosened, and the woman shoved Bastien forward. Haurchefant broke through Ysayle and Arenvald’s guard and grabbed at Bastien. Warm, dry hands cupped Bastien’s throat, pressing against the wound to stop the bleeding. Alphinaud stepped in front of them while Bastien covered Haurchefant’s hand with his own, touching a bit of healing aether to the cut through their hands.

“You’re that Bastien?”

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"Oh my, ser Vey, I hope you haven't been on your feet all day."

Bastien glanced over his shoulder to see Krile approach, a delicate frown on her lips. "We've been busy, Krile. People are dying."

"Yes, I am aware." Krile scanned the map table. "However, you sustained a terrible injury not seven days ago." She leveled her gaze at Alphinaud. "And are still recovering. Surely you are not planning on an excursion now."

Haurchefant pressed his lips together firmly and clenched his jaw. A flicker of irritation rippled over the bond, despite Bastien's dampened half. Alphinaud inhaled to steady himself. "Miss Krile, it is imperative we find the Griffin. Time is of the essence. More people will die if we do not find him."

"You are going nowhere without a trained healer over the age of twenty," Krile said. Alphinaud's jaw dropped. Before he could sputter a reply, Krile cut him off. "No. This is not a discussion. Bastien, and ser Greystone, have survived a terrible injury. I will be coming along."

"You will very much stand out in Ala Mhigo," Raubahn said, lifting an eyebrow. "Especially in that hood."

"Oh, disguises! How clever." Krile clapped her hands together."I think we can arrange something," Alphinaud said. "Tataru will certainly assist if we ask."

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wip

"Oh gods," Alphinaud gasped, his voice cracking.

Yda and Papalymo lay sprawled across the cold metal tiles, motionless. Bastien stared, uncomprehending, while Alphinaud rushed forward and fell to his knees beside Papalymo. Bastien's legs gave out, and Haurchefant's hands gripped him fiercely around the waist and eased them to the ground. Haurchefant wrapped his arms around Bastien's chest and held him firm. "Stay with me," he breathed in Bastien's ear. "Baz."

The heaviness of the air seemed to increase. Bastien had a hard time breathing. Every breath in took unholy amounts of effort. A few strands of Yda's hair had blown free of her turban. It was blonde, bright and gold, beside Papalymo's dusty blonde. His stump ached wretchedly.

"Baz, I am with you." Haurchefant's voice drifted into Bastien's ears. It sounded like he was so far away, yet his arms tightened across Bastien's shoulders. Almost painful pressure, grounding Bastien to the top of this godsforsaken Wall. Nailing him to this reality. Yda and Papalymo were dead. Edmont was dead. Y'shtola and Minfilia were dead.

He blinked. Raubahn crouched before him, a hand on his shoulder. "I will handle their bodies. They were here with the Griffin's men."

Bastien dragged in a breath. His head cleared a bit. "The Griffin?"

"Aye. The Griffin was doing some sort of operation with the Resistance here."

"What happened here?"

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Hey ya'll with Ala Mhigan WoLs: Please tell me some lore you have about them! Do you have any head canons about Ala Mhigo?

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wip

Over and over the scene replayed. Bastien could not stand. He could do nothing but watch as Edmont was killed each time. His arm ached, and he wrapped his right hand around his left bicep, gripping hard. At some point he started crying.

“Oh, my dear one.”

Bastien flinched, and slowly looked up to see Haurchefant standing beside him. He glowed slightly, with an internal light, and he was dressed in light cotton clothes. He knelt beside Bastien, tears on his cheeks.

“There is nothing you could have done,” Haurchefant said. He knelt, and reached out and brushed Bastien’s hair back. “Why do you torture yourself so?”

The pain in Bastien’s arm grew, and he gripped it harder as if he could stop it. “How-” He unstuck his tongue from the roof of his mouth and swallowed thickly. “What’s happening…”

“You’re dreaming, my dear one,” Haurchefant said. He let his hand rest against Bastien’s cheek, thumb brushing against warm skin. His left arm was in a sling, tied against his chest. “You have been asleep for almost five days. The healers need you to wake or you will die.”

“I should have been there,” Bastien said. He stared at Galvus. The sword in his hand, bathed in Edmont's blood. “I should have saved him.”

“Baz, will you look at me?” Haurchefant touched Bastien’s chin, lightly. His fingers were warm and dry.

Tearing his gaze away from Edmont was one of the hardest things Bastien had ever done. He stifled a sob, and met Haurchefant’s eyes. Pale blue against white, white skin. He looked worn. Dark shadows circled his eyes, as if he had not slept in days.

“I’m hurting you,” Bastien said, shifting away. Haurchefant gripped the back of his neck before he moved too far.

“No. No, you could never hurt me,” Haurchefant said. “But I need you to wake up. I will not lose you to this.”

“I didn’t save them,” Bastien said.

“You cannot save everyone,” Haurchefant said. “But you tried. Oh, how you tried. And that is what matters. And you need to wake, now. We will walk this path together. You are not alone. Please come back with me. We will bear it together.”

The fire around Bastien dimmed, burned down to ashes that smoldered gently in the cold stone. Somewhere over Haurchefant’s shoulder, the sun was trying to peek over the horizon. The promise of warmth and light was just in reach.

“Okay.” Bastien reached for Haruchefant’s wrist and gripped it, his hand slick with blood. A fine tremor took his body.

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Bastien approached the back door- it led to the kitchens if he remembered correctly- and lifted a hand to knock. The door whipped open and a blade thrust towards his face. Haurchefant yanked him back by the collar and deflected the sword with his armguard.

"Gods!" Artoile gasped.

"Halone's frigid cunt, Artoile. You nearly beheaded him." Haurchefant gripped Bastien close, his hand painfully tight around Bastien's arm. Bastien felt rattled by the jolt of fear that splashed across the bond. He forced himself to exhale slowly, and settle his racing heart.

Artoile stood on the threshold, longsword in hand, sweating, with his hair pulled back from his face. He wore light leathers, not casual clothing as one would in their own home. He stepped to the side and scraped his bangs back from his forehead. "Come in. There's been attempts on the house nearly daily. The staff are terrified. The ones that remained, anyroad."

They entered the manor, and Artoile shut and braced the door behind them. He stalked past them. "What do you expect me to do? You came over the garden wall like thieves in the night. We're in a war, if you haven't noticed."

It was then Bastien noted the windows were boarded up. One in the kitchen was broken. Only one wall light was lit, casting the entire room in deep shadow as they moved through. Many of the doors to exterior rooms were boarded up as well. He saw evidence of fighting. Impact marks and scratches in the wood and along the walls."We've been moderately well protected, as the lowborn understand we are on their side," Artoirel said. "But that has not stopped all attempts."

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wip

That night, as the other Scions prepared to bunk down for the night in their Tailfeather cabin, Bastien stood on the little walking bridge and stared at the stars. Thancred had returned without Urianger or Alisaie, and hadn't said a word to Bastien. He went to bed with tear stains on his cheeks, and Bastien didn't know what to say to comfort him. So he came out to turn his gaze upward and hope tomorrow would be better.

He felt, over the bond, Haurchefant approaching. Bastien straightened, sighing. "I'm sorry."

"Nay." Haurchefant drew alongside him, and draped a small blanket over Bastien's shoulders to ward off the chill.

"I'm keeping you up."

"Tis not a worry." Haurchefant rested his forearms on the railing of the bridge and looked up at the clear night sky. "Tis beautiful out here, and with good company." Bastien sighed again. Haurchefant huffed a soft chuckle and turned to him. He held out a hand. "Please, if I may."

Bastien placed a hand in Haurchefant's, curiosity piqued. Haurchefant enclosed Bastien's hand in both of his and closed his eyes. The warmth of the bond spread through Bastien, further even than their joined hands. Every muscle in his body unlocked. It felt as if he had taken a drink of warm tea, or sank into a soothing bath. He let out a soft sigh. He couldn't remember the last time he felt so relaxed.He felt Haurchefant's heartbeat align with his. That strange, comforting aspect of the bond sliding into place as they stood quietly. They breathed in tandem for a few moments, until Haurchefant opened his eyes and Bastien felt the bond withdraw. The cold night air pressed in on his shoulders and neck. Haurchefant smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Come to bed."

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A year in GPose, 2024.

Not much this year. Between the slow expac and my FC imploding I didn't really do much gposing. Here are a few:

(I'm the tonberry lalafell)

Had the urge for muscles so I spent some time as a Highlander this year.

My 'I have defeated the end of the universe; bow before me' glam.

My new discord avatar

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The first arc of the fic I've been working on for almost 3 years now is posted in completion! It's an alternate universe fic featuring everyone's favorite knight: Haurchefant!

Please give it a read, I'm very excited to share with you.

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Happy Haurchefant Day~!

Some Haurchefant things for your perusal:

Haurchefant Lives AU: https://archiveofourown.org/works/57506056

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"We just want to talk." Bastien stepped closer, around the protective bulk of Haurchefant's shield.

"You've even brought the Warrior of Light. How thoughtful." Arbert sneered, the long shadows on his face turning it into a violent mask.

"Why are you here?" Bastien approached Arbert, getting well within arms reach before he stopped. Estinien's lance still pointed towards Arbert's throat. "I know you deal with an Ascian. We're not going to hurt you if you don't attack us."

"That's great. Our purpose here is to kill you." Estinien's lance jabbed firmly into Arbert's neck, drawing a small line of blood. "Not right now, obviously. Please keep a firmer leash on your guard dog before he hurts himself."

"Estinien." Bastien placed a hand on Estinien's lance, gently drawing it back a fraction of an ilm. He watched Arbert's face carefully, trying to determine how much truth the hyur was speaking. "Where are you from?"

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2023 Gpose Wrapped! I didn't really do a lot of gposing this year, just took some screencaps while I stewed on my fanfic. But I had a few:

(oh yeah i got married this year!!!!)

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During some downtime in my AU, Aymeric teaches Estinien the finer points of archery. As a treat.

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