#|| muse | fourchenault ||

[aetherstories]

@pcndaemonium asked: “ They will consume you. Change you… into something else. ” ( from Ascian!Hege to Emmerololth)

Has it not happened already, he wonders, and oh how sudden, unwanted laughter blooms in his chest. There's no mirth to be found within it.

"You too have changed, Hegemone." He replies, in the end. "What is to say this is not for the better?"

It's a lie, and it tastes as such as he speaks it. He should be the healer of eld, not a scholar far too young to hold the memories of an immortal.

And yet they are, both ghosts.

[aetherstories]

He was not unaware of how his actions would seem, in light of his involvement with the Forum. In light of what Amaya knew, the suspicions that appeared could be even more nefarious.

There was, he told himself, little that could be done, at the moment. Either they would push the matter or they would not, but Fourchenault was still there as a representative of the Forum, and he had a goal. An agenda to push, a city to save. Even more, if it was within his means, but it rarely was. 

“That is not my intention.” He spoke, nevertheless. 

He forced himself not to look back, towards his children. He wasn’t sure his resolve could survive that. As Amaya next spoke, however, his frown turned deeper. 

“I believe we are done here, Warrior.” He sentenced. 

They would reach Sharlayan or they would not, and he would have to settle for alternative plans. Or for taking the field himself. But what Fandaniel had unleashed... there was little that could be done, but what had already been planned. And he would see his children safe.

Their anger wanes a bit and they let go of his arm only to cross their owns in front of their chest. not at liberty to talk about matters - if it had been about any ascian ploy he could talk openly to them, amaya had after all not been naive about their found family's more... questionable morals.

...the forum then, perhaps? something he could sincerely not talk about because he was fourchenault and not a member of the convocation?

"...you have to see that by pushing your children away and hindering our attempts to stop fandaniel it looks like you are either siding with him or the remaining ascians." even if that was not the case because amaya knew how much fourchenault cared for his family ( or they had thought they did ) the uneasy feeling could not be shaken off. perhaps something had changed, perhaps he now did wish for a rejoining? for the goal the ascians held... or perhaps it was the forum. whatever the true reason for his behavior it did remind amaya of someone.

"perhaps you and father are more alike than you want to admit."

[lilbittymonster]

✨ = How important is family to your muse?

Family is actually quite important to Kitali, in the sense of "family is the people you choose and who choose you". There is no end she would not go to to protect the people she loves and cares for.

Being treated well and loved is even more important, however, and she will be the first one to suggest burning a bridge if the situation turns sour.

Examples being Yotsuyu and Fourchenault. Yotsuyu's family treated her like absolute dogshit, and Kitali found no fault with her killing her parents. And she immediately extended the offer of giving the twins her surname instead once Fourchenault disowned them in the Lotus Stand.

Thanks for the ask @raynshyu!

Family Headcanons

[ainyan]

Snippet (Woven Souls Prologue)

I've decided to explore some childhoods and see where they intersect.

“I still don’t see why I had to come along.” Thancred kicked a pebble along the street as he and Louisoix strode from the Aethryte towards the manor where Fourchenault and Ameliance had made their home. The Dravanian Colony had been established several years before, and Louisoix’s eldest son and his wife had recently chosen to join the Sharlayans who had elected to move their studies of the Aetherial Sea closer to the Antitower.

Louisoix never lost his smile as he strolled along, his hands folded at his back and his gaze roaming about the colony, studying the changes made since last he’d been there. “I wanted you along. That should be reason enough. But if you need more, it was either you come with me, or your mother was going to skin you before the new session begins.”

The young hyuran boy grimaced, shoulders hunching against an imagined blow. “I was only trying to help,” he said plaintively. “How was I supposed to know she would have Lady Varineaux over for tea?”

Reaching out, Louisoix placed his hand on Thancred’s head and the boy fell into a sulky silence. “She appreciated the thought, but neither the timing nor the lack of permission.  You’re a bright boy, Thancred. Over-bright, sometimes. You need something to stimulate you at every turn. I’ve been considering enrolling you early in some classes at the Studium.”

Thancred stuttered to a stop. “Really?” he asked, staring up at Louisoix. “You said I couldn’t start at the Studium until I was fourteen.”

Turning, the older man smiled down at his young ward. “Only a few classes, mind you. One or two, just enough to keep you out of your mother’s hair when your private school is not in session. Master Casiliat has been asking after you in particular.”

“The Bardic instructor?” he asked after a few moment’s thought as he trotted to catch up to his father. “What does he want with me?”

Nodding to a lalafellan woman as she rushed by, Louisoix smiled a secret smile. “Your brains, your hands, and the potential of your voice. You’re a very clever young man, and you’ve got quick fingers and a quicker tongue. He thinks you’ve the makings of a first-class bard - and, perhaps, a first-class spy.”

Once more, Thancred skidded to a halt. “A spy?” he whispered. “Me?”

“Perhaps. At the very least, the training will help you in other aspects of your life,” came Louisoix’s calm response. “The younger you begin training, the quicker you will learn, and that is true in both music and espionage. You’ve the mind and the skills for it. Have you the desire?” At the boy’s rapid head-nod, he smiled. “Then I will speak with Gadriel when we return home.”

With a whoop, Thancred leapt into the air, pumping his fist, then darted ahead of the older man, his reluctance forgotten in the promise of an early start at the Studium. Louisoix continued at his slow, steady pace, his face bright with pride as he gazed after his younger son.

They’d said he was crazy for adopting the stray wharf-rat who had tried to pick his pocket on the docks of Limsa Lominsa. Bad blood, they’d said. Pirate-spawn, destined for the headman’s noose. Rough, dirty, coarse, they swore he would never amount to anything.

Louisoix watched Thancred laugh as he darted towards the stately manor lying just off of the street, pale silver hair shining in the sun, long bones strong and wrapped in young muscle and golden skin. It had taken only weeks and several dozen baths - and the application of some tough love - before even his most ardent detractors had to admit that the boy had not only fast hands, but equally quick wits, running mental races around their own well-favored offspring. His charming words and ready grin had kept him from making too many enemies, and within his first year, few in Sharlayan remembered his less than illustrious beginnings.

Of course, he mused, watching as Fourchenault came out of his house and frowned at the boy pelting towards him, not everyone did. Thancred skidded to a halt in front of his older brother, resting his hands on his knees and panting furiously as he fought to catch his breath. Louisoix could hear Fourchenault’s scathing tone as he neared, but only managed to catch a few of the words. “... dignity… Sharlayan… Leveilleur…”

Sighing, he reached out and caught the back of Thancred’s hood as the boy straightened abruptly, fire in his eye. “Good afternoon, Fourchenault,” he said to his oldest son.

“Good afternoon, Father,” the younger Elezen replied only a little stiffly. “I see you chose to bring the boy with you.”

Thancred made a face. “What gave it away?” he asked pertly, then winced as the older man’s hand tightened on his collar. “Father thought I could help you and Lady Ameliance unpack,” he added sullenly.

“That would be lovely, Thancred.” Right on cue, Fourchenault’s young, lovely wife swept out of the house and strode up to Louisoix and Thancred, kissing first her father-in-law, then her brother-in-law on their cheeks. Louisoix smiled at her, while Thancred turned red and mumbled a hello. “I’m sure you’re both starving. Come in, lunch is just about ready. I’ve readied the Blue Suite for the two of you; it overlooks the gardens and I’m certain you’ll find it quite restful.” Sliding her arm through Louisoix’s, she guided him through the entryway into the foyer. “Come in. Welcome to our home.”

[kintsugiscars]

💕💥👓!

[ three ways meme ]

💕 - Three ways my muse shows affection

Falling asleep. He is incredibly paranoid as time goes on so if he feels safe enough to sleep that's a huge sign of affection.

Talking in his real voice. He's used to hiding his true dialect to appear more heroic.

Drinking something prepared for him. Again, paranoia and trauma make it difficult to accept drink prepared by someone he doesn't trust. If he drinks tea you made, for example, he trusts you with his life.

💥 - Three ways my muse shows anger

Violence. Cliche, yes, but as someone who reigns in his anger until the breaking point, if he is pushed to violence he is impossibly upset.

Chilling calm. He does not yell. He simply narrows his eyes and talks colder.

Defiance. For example, when Fourchenault disowned the twins at the end of ShB, Lex immediately registered them as part of his family wherever he could. They have full access to his estates, they are in charge of his will, etc etc.

👓 - Three ways my muse shows intelligence

He's top tier at diffusing situations. He literally feels what everyone around him feels and as such can turn it into being able to calm people down.

He loves researching history! His area of expertise is Lominsan history and the Crystal Tower. He could bury his nose in books all day.

Despite picking up more martial classes later, he does know a lot about arcane circles due to his time as a summoner. It's a fact easily forgotten but he still enjoys reading about arcanum.

[aetherstories]

Their voices are softer, gentler, a painful reminder of how young they had been, when all was lost. When all burned away, before they knew it.

He does no longer hold the height he remembered having, and he feels small beside the shades. It is even more jarring, beside these two, even if he will not waste aether in such matters.

They do not remember him, of course, and part of him is tempted not to stir things. He does not know enough of shades not to worry about stirring memories. He will not hurt them if he can help it. Then, however, Artemis speaks.

"Yes." He replies, voice almost choked, as he reaches a hand towards her shoulder. Can he touch them, he wonders?

He knows they are shades, and yet...

@aetherstories from

the shades pause their silent conversation when emmerololth approaches ; something akin to buzzing rather than the distorted voices. they both examine him behind their masks, silent and barely moving for several moments. ' you know our names ? ' one shade finally speaks up, the slightly taller of the two.

by his height he shouldn't be much older than them, but they both hesitate. something is wrong. how can that be true ? it's any other ordinary day for them, all the adults abuzz with work and research to be done about ... about what ? they never asked. they never thought it necessary. the smaller of the two, artemis, shifted on her feet. ' papa ... ? '

[mnemosyne-xiv]

Koana sighed. “Master Fourchenault recommended you two, along with this woman,” he said, sparing the memoriate a glance. “Why must we add a fifth?”

“If you think there's going to be too many cooks in the kitchen, you’ll be happy to learn that our friend loathes large parties and would rather work by her lonesome than entertain a crowd.” Thancred chuckled under his breath. “Besides, for as much trouble as she’s bound to cause, the insight and arcane mastery she’ll offer is more than enough to make up for her terrible attitude.”

Zero gave a faint nod. “Remia won’t disappoint.”

“Assuming thine companion deins to make an appearance,” Urianger spoke up. “Though, I find it curious she didn’t outright reject our request…”

“Talking behind a womans back is hardly polite.”

“I knew you’d come,” Zero said, a smile spreading across her lips as she turned towards her partner.

Remia shrugged while she walked up to the quartet. “You’ve agreed to go, so I have no choice but to at least humor the boy.” Her uncovered eye flicked to the man in question. And then she smirked, clearly amused with what she saw. “This is the Second Promise? Oh, what a waste of time this is about to be.”

Koana recovered from his initial shock only to glare at her. “And what is that supposed to mean?”

“Just look at you,” Remia mused, “and those memories of yours. My oh my, you’re going to lose to your sister because someone is too deadset on innovation without heeding the peoples wants and needs.”

“Remia,” Thancred said warningly.

She sighed. “Fine fine, what is it you want? He’s a lost cause, so perhaps you three have a better reason for urging the head of the Forum to summon me?”

Urianger nodded. “We wish for thine wisdom in the Rite of Succession.”

“Solely wisdom, or do you want me to fight for a man who isn’t fit to rule as well?” Remia asked.

“Give him a chance to speak, Remia,” Zero said.

Remia’s expression softened the slightest bit. “Go on then, tech-kitty.”

Koana exhaled a breath to calm himself. “I want to bring the technological advancements of Sharlayan to my homeland as a means of helping my people, and to repay my father for all the opportunities he has given me.”

A suffocating silence fell around them. Everyone’s attention was fixed on Remia who in turn stared at Koana, her blind eye seeing right through him. But after what felt like hours, she finally spoke.

“You’re genuine. Perhaps a bit awkward, and an utter failure when it comes to socializing—but that’s hardly a pre-requisite for a ruler considering the two voidsent i’m stuck advising on the Thirteenth…” Her voice trailed off while she further weighed the risks and rewards of this potential partnership. “Though, your heart is in the right place, your people coming first and foremost. Politics aside, ultimately that’s what truly matters.”

Zero smiled. “That’s her way of saying she’ll help.”

“Assuming you can tolerate her, that is.” Thancred then said, both him and Urianger chuckling as Remia awaited the Second Promises decision.

Koana cleared his throat. “What can you offer?”

“Depends, do you believe the golden city to be real?”

“I do.”

“And you’ll find it, no matter what?”

“I will.”

Remia cracked a smile. “Then I offer you all of my knowledge and strength in exchange for all that you learn after I make you Dawnservant.”

[scrollsfromarebornrealm]

Prompt #27: Sole

Fourchenault was praying that he could get to Sharlayan quickly, for three very major reasons.

The first; getting himself and Riven into the safety of Barnier's people as fast as possible. He had just only barely fended off the assassins that had revealed themselves from the ship's crew. Whether they were Iato or Sevestre's people, Fourchenault didn't know.

The second; Riven's allies were in hot pursuit. The only thing that would check them was the threat of Priming in a fully populated area.

The third; Riven needed medical attention. From the night of the attack she'd gone catatonic, silently sitting in the corner of her cell, crying on and off. Fourchenault had ordered a light to be on at all times to soothe her terror, but it wasn't enough. And it wasn't as if Fourchenault couldn't treat her, he could. He wanted to. But if he removed the anti-magic irons--Riven could Prime. And in her state, she'd be out of control. Drugs weren't an option--a Dominant could fight their way back to consciousness. And he couldn't trust Riven to not Prime--up until the attack she'd been raising hell. Now she simply stared at the floor--weeping. She wouldn't eat or drink, and she hadn't slept. If they could reach Sharlayan, he could get her isolated in a warded space--and remove the restraints.

"Sir." One of the few remaining guards broke into Fourchenault's musings. "We're about twelve hours out."

Praise Thaliak.

"Has she changed?" The guard shook their head, and Fourchenault bit back a curse. Not that it was preventing him from swearing every single vile thought on Iato and Sevestre for putting him, the Forum--all of Sharlayan in this situation. For making him add to the trauma of a child he'd watched grow up--all because she was the sole recipient of an Eikon.

Not for the first time Fourchenault cursed Site Sixteen, and the danger that the misbegotten research was causing to the exodus plan.

[aetheryic]

happy Father’s Day to my muses dads (thancred, uri, lahabrea, gaius, rusi, Fourchenault i GUESS -)

[aetherstories]

The man was tall, indeed, taller than many Elezen, even if as a young man he had been all but tall, using his generally grump expression to be listened to. The curse of being an Elezen, being short for so many years. 

Still, strength of will, knowledge and some ruthlessness had brought him where he was, and he’d grown used to a certain level of respect. And so he could only blink, as the Warrior of Light produced a stool from her bag, and used it to be... not as short. 

For a moment Fourchenault regarded her, not entirely certain about just how unimpressed he was, before he arched an eyebrow, not at all softening his expression. 

“There is magic that allows one to levitate.” He told her, absolutely deadpan. “Perhaps it might interest you.”

@aetherstories || what is your wisdom, four cheese

Lumi refused to be intimidated by Fourchenault; she'd decided that immediately the first time she met him, when she'd realized the man was stupidly tall and kind of mean looking.

It was why she had, right this moment, held up a hand when he'd opened his mouth to say something, and then gone and pulled a whole-ass stool out of her bag, set it down and then climbed atop it before nodding at him to continue whatever lecture he'd been planning to give.

"You were about to say?"

[aetherstories]

@ichoric liked for an Emmerololth! Fourchenault starter! (So have one for Alisaie too because I couldn't decide)

"Sharlayan is not a city of soldiers."

He would know it well, despite his experience in as a Sage. He had long done all in his power to ensure that was the case, he had long expressed his derision regarding foreign conflicts.

"It would be foolishness to send scholars into war."

[snotsloth]

"When I was a boy, growing up in Idyllshire, I dreamed of coming here one day. I wanted to attend lectures at the Studium, read every book in Noumenon, even just sit at the harbor and watch Gleaners bring in rare samples from all over the world," Orion mused. His gaze drifted across the icy blue waters of Scholar's Harbor, taking in the bustling droves of gleaners carefully unloading and ferrying cargo, trailing little clouds of breath in the Northern air behind them.

"It's truly a shame that you were denied entry until the imminent end of the world," Y'shtola said as she joined him in leaning her elbows on the railing. She cradled one of the cafe's massive mugs in her delicate hands and the aroma of strongly brewed black tea wafted into Orion's nose. "Your intellect could have led an entire Faculty, given the opportunity."

Orion hummed a wistful agreement, his amber eyes still transfixed by the controlled chaos of Scholar's Harbor. He absentmindedly fiddled with the wedding ring on his finger, it's presence still alien to him.

"After all our adventures across this star and the First, the humble attractions of Sharlayan must feel anticlimactic," Y'shtola said.

"Are you kidding?" Orion laughed. He turned towards Y'shtola, his whole face lit up by the wonders of childhood dreams. "There's a greenhouse the size of a city underground! The Noumenon possesses ancient Allagan texts thought lost to time and some even completely unknown to the outside world. There's a spaceship in the basement! Sharlayan is everything I dreamed of as a boy and more besides!"

But then the melancholy returned, its grip tight around his chest. "It's just a shame they chose to hoard all these wonders, instead of sharing them with the wider world," he said.

"Once this is all over, we can help change that," Y'shtola said in a decisive tone. "After preventing the End of Days, convincing a bunch of stodgy politicians to open Sharlayan to the wider world should be a walk in the park."

"Thanks to us, dragons peacefully walk the streets of Ishgard," Orion added. "The conservatives on the Forum are nothing compared to the House of Lords."

Y'stola smiled up at Orion, clearly proud. "Fourchenault should be shaking in his boots. Now," she slipped her hand into the crook of his arm. "Help me back to our table? My aethersight is strained after all that time in the stacks."

"It would be my pleasure," Oriona said, patting her hand and tucking his elbow close to his body so that she stayed close and didn't risk bumping into a stray chair as they strolled back to their companions.

Five years ago, Orion had been afraid to even approach Y'shtola, for fear she would dismiss him as every other Sharlayan had. Now he was walking with her, arm-in-arm through The Last Stand, sharing dreams of revolution. The man he had been then could never have dreamed of where friendship with the petite archon would lead him.

[autumnslance]

FFXIV Write 2024: 18 Hackneyed

“This is,” Thancred began, waving the thin paperback carelessly. “Quite possibly one of the worst things we have yet read.”

Aeryn snatched the book from him before it slipped—purposefully, the dexterous bastard—from his fingers, glowering. “You liked the characters.”

He grinned at her indignation. “I liked a character, and how she makes the others come to life when sharing scenes, but one well-written character who is quite likely the author’s self-insert cannot make up for a trite and tired plot. Which you said of it first.”

“I said it employed some hackneyed tropes that did weaken the climactic moment,” Aeryn said, trying to smooth the spine and cover again. “You’ve gotten crumbs in the binding, how in the world…”

“Anyroad,” Thancred said with a dismissive shrug. “I think we can agree that even for a cheap yellowback, it’s a stale and clichéd tale that was produced for a quick gil and will be forgotten just as easily.”

Aeryn nodded, shaking the last of the crumbs out and fixing a few dog-eared corners. “It’s the sort of novel that lives up to the stereotype of purchases from those wandering book stalls. Yet you never fail to let them stop you and sell you some tawdry affair.”

“When we were young, Fourchenault once called them a plague in the city streets, and thus did they become my favorite places from which to purchase reading material,” Thancred replied cheerfully. “I have in fact found a few rare gems among the muck, now and again.” He gestured at the tattered tome Aeryn was attempting to clean up. “This is not one of them.”

“Highly readable, though,” she mused. “You know it’s drivel, and yet keep going because it simply moves along.”

“Oh, the author has a way with words, certainly. Neither of us stumbled or grew tongue-tied whilst reading aloud. Excellent craftsmanship. Now if they could only extend that to plot and characters.”

“Perhaps they do,” Aeryn said. “The bookseller said this is an early entry in a series.”

“No!”

She nodded. “A dozen and counting, all around that one shining character and her exploits.”

Thancred rubbed his chin. “Hrm. This may bear further investigation, then.”

“You said you hated it.”

“I said it was among the worst things we’ve ever read. That doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it. And so did you.”

“Well. Sure. But do we really want to read more?”

“Now that we are aware of the possibilities, I say we unfortunately need to. It’s become an imperative.”

Aeryn rolled her eyes.

“I’m quite serious,” Thancred said, getting up and meandering to the door. He looked over his shoulder and smirked. “Especially since some of that authorial talent with wordplay during the sex scene had quite the impressive effect on you.”

Her blush instantly darkened her cheeks as she opened her mouth to retort, snapped it closed again, and resorted to glaring and fuming about how mad she actually wasn’t. She would not throw the book—for various reasons, chief among them her tendency to baby anything bound—but it was probably one of the closest baits he had managed yet.

“Come along,” he urged, nonchalant. “Let’s find that bookseller and see if they have more of these wretched things, and if they do in fact improve with the writer’s practice.”

She did join him, and arm in arm they made their way out to Sharlayan’s streets and plazas, searching out cheap and terrible reading material.

[autumnslance]

Thing I meant to mention was the Forum insistence on the Scions as a disruptive foreign element and expelling the entire group from the city.

Except the majority of Scions are Sharlayan citizens. Even Thancred and G'raha, originally immigrants granted citizenship in their childhoods and earning their Archon marks. We find out during the research that G'raha's originally Corvosi and sent to Sharlayan as a small child thanks to the Imperial occupation. Louisoix brought Thancred home (though did leave a lot to his specific rogue mentor) and in ShB Thancred admitted Louisoix was like a father that Thancred didn't understand how to accept when coming in off the street. The only actual outsiders of the senior group and present in the city are Estinien and (Assumed Generic Default) WoL.

Fourchenault trying to position his own children and foster brother, alongside the others, as foreigners is wild and I can only imagine even those who wanted the Scions safely out of the way lest they disrupt The Plan were struggling to keep a straight face on that one.

Also here Fourchenault is pushing the unreasonably hostile attitude that Ameliance pretty much says is a front cuz something, she doesn't know what, is going on, but it's the indication Fourchenault's outward attitude is at serious odds with his true feelings, and expression is not something he's good at anyway--which also hearkens back to Alisaie directly comparing Thancred to Fourchenault, particularly his struggles with expressing himself to Ryne in healthy ways, at one point in 5.0; it's a bit of between-quest-steps click dialogue so easy to miss, but I thought back in ShB it was interesting for Alisaie to note that, and Fourchenault's reactions in 6.0 bring it to mind.

Louisoix did great things for the world and is a hero of Eorzea to be remembered--but on a personal level, with Fourchenault, Thancred, and Moenbryda, the flaws of the mortal man show through in certain ways. The twins, and perhaps even Urianger, were young enough to not realize them. Y'shtola belonged more to Matoya and has her own stuff going on as a result, while Papalymo had his own family and was old enough to have a grasp on himself versus his beloved mentor.

Also someone on the writing team apparently likes the trope of "loving dad doesn't know how to express himself so acts like a jerkass until his head is forcibly removed from said orifice" (they do it again in Pandaemonium, and given that's involving Lahabrea, it's another instance of "Twelves' sake you and Thancred really are alike to where if we didn't know better we'd think he was your sundered reincarnation").

Sharlayan's reacting to the disagreements between Fourchenault and his children read like regular drama from a family of dramatics. Apparently in JP there's another term and cultural more being used for how he cut the twins off that isn't quite as harsh as "disowning" which'd make sense if that's the case, and makes the writing of the family side of this make way more sense than how drastically it comes across in EN initially in patch 5.5 versus how it's handled at all in EW itself.

Back to it...

Sharlayan and Labyrinthos today!

I'm always fond of the conservationist angle FFXIV takes in many of the crafting and gathering quests, and Erencille's duties, at least, fall along the same lines.

Other gleaners dealing with procuring knowledge not related to flora and fauna...we don't hear a lot of, though Shaggles' quest chain has a gleaner who apparently pestered an alchemist for a specific tool when they probably just coulda...gotten a similar one? But that might be that particular gleaner; it's a "not enough info" situation.

Mandatory MMO poop side quest. Also a Werlyt mention for a rare cheese created by masters in that region.

Erenville says workers right, and we love him for it. Also for clocking Our Heroes in their frog disguises.

The "heartbloom", better known later as Elpis flower, introduced here too, with Krile finally realizing why she's had issues since arriving in Labyrinthos. What we know now, it makes sense this is where they start conversing. Also where we get reassured as to the fate of Minfilia's soul, hints of Emet-Selch's, and reassurance Hydaelyn hasn't bound the WoL.

Keep Galuf Baldesion's name out of your mouth, lady. The Crystal Exarch comes out to play with the Forum; G'raha's experience with civic matters and city budgets and planning coming in quite handy. His slight tone and stance shifts when he goes Exarch-mode are my favorite things.

Thanks for the hand, Scholarch. Also Sevestre in the background, one of the few not wearing one of the Forum's dumb hats.

And time to meet Ameliance. Another mention here of her funding and donating to the Scions, as a way to support her children, though later we learn she was involved even before the twins left Sharlayan, keeping a hand in her father-in-law's endeavor. But she's a tad cautious here in this discussion with the WoL.

Also pretty sure her correspondence with Tataru is what got her the twins' current measurements and clothing preferences, and is the reason our receptionist didn't gift them new gear on returning from the First; Tataru knew Mom had it covered.

There's also the gift of Fourchenault's old nouliths for Alphinaud.

A few hints too from Ameliance on Fourchenault's behavior versus his true feelings, and who exactly is actually running this household. In fact, there's something about Ameliance that reminds me of Venat; not just the superficial "pale white-haired woman" angle, but the mischief, rule bending, the general delight at the world--while underneath there is a sharp, canny mind, a will of iron, and a desire to do what's right, though perhaps in a more roundabout way than we might prefer. And I feel like there's an intent there and I may need to muse over it a bit more.

You can really see where the twins get a lot of their traits when studying both Fourchenault and Ameliance.

Also sorry Alisaie, but your house is massive and fancy. My apartment could fit in the foyer. You were raised as a "spoiled princess" (and we have the receipts from ARR, darlin'), just deal with it.

So many little lore reminders and hints of things to come in later quests, or even the patches. Well worth replaying so much later for the refresher, as well as fixing my notes.

[mmorpg-escapism]

FFXIV Write 2023 - Day 6: Ring

G'raha's face lit up at the tail end of Kokkol's rant. "Do you speak of Allagan-refined adamantite, perchance?"

"You know of it?" Y'shtola veiled her surprise well, considering she had forgotten just how well-studied G'raha really was.

"Only in the most general terms, I'm afraid. I do recall that it was vital to Dalamud's construction and launch. The secrets to its creation were closely guarded, and are lost to us."

"Aye, that's the stuff! We were fortunate enough to salvage a wee bit for the aetherburner from a chunk of Dalamud that came hurtlin' our way during the Calamity. With more... well, an extra six percent efficiency would be child's play." Kokkol's face fell. "It's a cryin' shame that we've no other sources."

Alisae piped up, confused. "Surely the many shards scattered throughout Eorzea would suffice? Why not get the refined adamantite from them?"

"We've tried, believe you me," explained the engineer. "Only drive cores from Ragnarok-class internment hulks would have had any, and the gleaners haven't been able to get past the very operational defenses. It's rough going..."

"Well, finding things in dangerous places is a specialty of mine," Besany offered. "I could go, if you'd like."

"You might find that more dull than anything, given your experience." Alphinaud mused. "Besides, there are multiple internment hulks in Eorzea alone, so doing this alone may not be the most efficient option. But if we could salvage from each simultaneously..."

A lightbulb appeared to go off over the boy's head. "Thancred, is the linkshell we established before you went to Garlemald still active?"

Thancred grinned a knowing grin. "Of course. The floor is yours." A tiny bead flashed in the air for a moment, hanging between the pair as if to notate its' importance before Alphinaud caught it.

"What's this?" Fourchenault asked, bewildered.

"Gathering firewood, so to speak. Alone, we can accomplish little, but joined by others, we may yet build a bonfire to carry us heavensward."

Alphinaud put the linkpearl to his ear and let it ring for a moment. The weight of calling a favor in like this settled over every Scion in the courtyard. The bewilderment of the two Forumites in attendance only accented the gravity of what was to be done.

Then he spoke:

"This is Alphinaud. The Scions have need of you."

[starrysnowdrop]

👀 …someone my muse likes, but doesn’t trust. (For Hali)

💩 …someone my muse dislikes, but admires. (For Yume)

👀 - ((This one was also asked by @lunaria-de-borel!)) Now this one might be a little controversial, perhaps…

Hali actually likes Urianger, and she has had great conversations with him, especially since he switched to her discipline of Astromancy. They have studied together and they compare notes when they interpret the movement of heavens, and they have taught each other techniques that the other had not yet learned.

However, Hali just can’t seem to trust him, not after he has deceived her and her fellow Scions and WoLs time and time again. He has done it, or this last time he had almost done it, one too many times for Hali. Urianger will have to win her over if she were to place her trust in him ever again.

💩 - Okay, someone Yume dislikes but admires, huh?? Well, only one person comes to mind…

Yume really doesn’t like Fourchenault, because he acts too much like her own father that banished her from her home, as Fourchenault disowned Alphinaud and Alisaie very much in the same manner that Lord Aino disowns Yume. But yet she can’t help but admire him for being a strong figure that is trying his best to save his own children and as many lives on the star as possible, not to mention that she has recently learned Soumanautics, same discipline as Fourchenault. Her feelings on Fourchenault are a bit complicated as a result.

Thank you so much for the ask @mimble-sparklepudding!! 🥰💖