#About Samga

[dariusult]

FFXIV Write Day 13- Butte

Of all the ways to spend a trip to Southern Thanalan, very few people would choose to spend it scaling a vertical rock face. Yet that was precisely what Darius, Sudeki, and Samga were doing. In the far reaches of the Sagoli Desert sat a small cluster of stony spires, and at their center rose a massive stone obelisk. A mountain had once stood here, but countless millennia of wind and rain, stripped away everything until only the mountain's bones remained, the grandest, loftiest peak serving as home to a rare prize: the extremely rare bloom of the one-of-a-kind Sabotender Sonadora, said to blossom only once every thirty years. The rare flower was said to have exceedingly potent medicinal and hallucinogenic properties, making it an invaluable prize for any enterprising alchemist. However, the enterprising alchemist in question wasn't about to travel across malms of sun-blasted sand dunes and then scale a 900 fulm tall rock face just to get an impossibly rare alchemical ingredient. She had people to do that for her; and said people who were doing it for her were about half-way up the cliff when things started going wrong.

Darius had the tedious job of finding places to hammer pitons into the cliffside as the trio climbed, with Sudeki and Samga climbing ahead to scout for a path up the rock face. Odette and Twilight Dove had also come along on the excursion, but Twilight Dove elected to stay behind because of her weight, and Odette simply refused to engage in such 'unbecoming exertion' under the midday sun. That left Darius, the most qualified to handle the equipment, Sudeki, apparently the most experienced climber, and Samga as backup. They had made fairly quick progress, but the situation above Darius appeared to be quickly deteriorating. The two girls were getting impatient with the Midlander's significantly slower pace.

"Hey, Darius!" Sudeki shouted down at the Hyur as he tapped another piton into a crack in the cliff in order to secure the climbing rope. "I'm just gonna go off the line and climb straight up! Okay?"

"What?" Darius stopped hammering and squinted up at the Miqo'te, or at least as much of her as he could see, which basically just amounted to her feet, some of her leg, and her tail. "Don't do that!"

It was too late, the Miqo'te had already unclipped herself from the line. "It's way faster this way! Be back in a jiffy!" She turned her head and looked at the similarly small Xaela girl scaling the cliff next to her, still on the line. "Samga, you stay with Darius and help him climb."

Samga furrowed her brow at Sudeki's suggestion. Why was she going on ahead? Did she think she was a better climber? She wasn't. The young Xaela took a moment to look down at Darius who was shouting something about safety up at Sudeki, but the Miqo'te set out heedless of the Hyur's warnings. Samga's eyes narrowed as the Miqo'te began quickly ascending the cliff. This was a challenge that wasn't going to go unanswered. The Xaela wordlessly unclipped herself from the line and cast the rope off behind her before shooting up the cliffside after Sudeki.

Darius stared blankly as he watched the rope that the two girls had been connected to went falling away from the cliff, draping itself over his shoulder as it fell past him and then just hung there, seemingly as disappointed in the two girls as he was. "I should've known..." The Hyur muttered to himself as he began picking his way up the cliff, taking care to follow the path that he had memorized Sudeki and Samga taking as quickly as he could. Though he still had to test every grip and foothold, they were both much lighter than him, after all.

"This is more like it!" Sudeki said to herself as she effortlessly ascended the cliffside, her eyes darting between outcroppings and potential handholds as she practically flew up towards the apex of the butte. She'd get up there, get the blossom, and then start climbing down to meet the other two so they could descend the rest of the way using the rope- easy. She and her Dad had climbed cliffs like this all the time, and they'd never used safety equipment. Climbing without gear was really simple: just don't fall. If you followed that one rule, you were fine! As she ascended, the Miqo'te suddenly picked up movement in the corner of her eye and quickly glanced over to see Samga zipping up the wall past her. The Miqo'te's eyes widened in shock. "What the-?!" Her shock quickly gave way to annoyance, and she hurried her pace, catching up to the Xaela who was racing her up the cliff and grabbing onto her, bringing both of them to a halt. "I told you to stay back!"

"Why?" Samga replied cooly, narrowing her eyes at the Miqo'te next to her. "I'm faster than you."

Sudeki immediately felt a spike of annoyance run through her body. She clenched her fists as tightly as her handholds would allow, causing an uncomfortable 'CRACK!' to issue forth from the wall she and Samga were still in the process of ascending. Ignoring the increased peril, Sudeki instead focused on her rival climber. "You are not faster than me. Not in a million years!"

Samga stared back at Sudeki, her expression shifting ever so faintly: the sort of movement that would've been imperceptible to anyone who didn't know the Xaela as well as Sudeki did. The corner of Samga's mouth remained down turned, and her eyes remained locked in the same steely glare as always, but she had just smirked. She had DEFINITELY just smirked!! The young pugilist then turned and resumed climbing, bumping Sudeki with her elbow as she climbed up past her.

That was IT. Sudeki wasn't gonna let that smug steppe-dweller get the better of her in something she knew she was better at! The Miqo'te scrambled up the cliff after Samga, quickly overtaking her and throwing a shoulder into her side and shoving her out of the way as she passed. "Lookout, slowpoke! Heh."

As Sudeki passed Samga, the Xaela's arm shot up and grabbed her leg. Sudeki knew what this meant—this wasn't a race anymore, now it was a fight. Keeping a grip on the wall with one hand, Sudeki twisted out of Samga's grip, letting herself dangle from the rock as she swung her other leg back and kicked both Samga's arm away and obliterated her handhold, knocking a chunk of the cliff out from under the Xaela's grip.

Finding herself suddenly without handholds and with gravity seeking to assert itself, Samga clenched her teeth and fired her hand directly forward with as much strength as she could muster. Her fingers pierced into the solid rock as she made a grip for herself. Another disconcerting 'CRACK!' sounded out from somewhere deep inside the cliff, but neither pugilist paid it any heed. Samga used her now greatly improved grip to launch herself up after Sudeki, who had wasted no time in hurrying up the wall after she had kicked Samga free of it.

Seeing Samga approaching once again, Sudeki opted to act first, letting herself drop and grabbing a lower handhold to give herself enough downward momentum to swing herself into a kick aimed at the Xaela's side. Samga responded by bending at the waist, forming a bridge with her body that let Sudeki's leg slip beneath her, she then quickly jumped off the wall and grappled the Miqo'te, wrapping her arms around her in an attempt to catch her in a chokehold. Sudeki managed to prevent Samga from getting a proper grip by pulling her arm up and blocking the Xaela's arm from getting around her neck. While Samga was attempting to get a proper grapple on Sudeki, the Miqo'te groped around for a foothold with one of her legs, eventually finding one that gave her enough leverage that she could pivot against the wall, spinning and slamming her back into the cliff—with Samga clinging to it. The Xaela grunted in discomfort and lost her hold long enough for Sudeki to squirm out of her arms, spinning back around and pressing a counterattack.

Not too far below, Darius was still undergoing the laborious process of climbing up the wall, but now he was being showered by dust. "Ugh.." He turned his head and spat some grit out of his mouth, squinting angrily up after the two girls just in time for a hail of gravel to pelt him from above. "Gah!!" The Hyur lowered his head and stuck tightly to the wall as the gravel turned into stones as the pieces of the cliff being knocked loose by the battling climbers above fell past him. "Are they seriously fighting up there!?" He growled under his breath and threw his head back, glaring up at the two shapes above him. "ARE YOU TWO INSANE?!"

The two girls, so intensely embroiled in battle as they were, did not answer. So instead, the mountain answered for them. CRACK! CRACKCRACK! A fissure appeared between Darius's arms and legs, a thin hairline at first, rushing up the cliff towards Sudeki and Samga, whose clash was shaking the very stone around them as they exchanged blows. The crack widened, and widened, becoming a yawning rift in the side of the mountain. Darius grabbed on as tightly as he could, shouting a warning up at the two other climbers, but it was too late.

Samga and Sudeki continued exchanging blows, trading hits and handholds as they jockeyed for position over each other. But then the cliff they were fighting against wasn't there anymore. Both girls reached out to get new handholds without taking their eyes off of their opponents, but no handhelds could be found. Almost in sync, the two glanced to the side, seeing a fissure wider than the both of them opening where the cliff once had been. The girls exchanged glances, each silently accusing the other as they began to fall, and fall, and fall... This wasn't good.

Seeing the two girls falling free of the cliffside, Darius acted as quickly as he could, taking the length of rope in hand, he looped it over itself a few times to give it enough mass to throw and then turned as much as he could before shouting to the two of them as he flung the line into the trajectory of the two. "CATCH!"

Sudeki and Samga's arms both shot out in sync, each grabbing onto the rope which quickly reached the limit of what the pitons would allow them to pull from the mountain and snapped taut, swinging both of them back to the cliff.

Seeing them begin to swing in, Darius breathed a sigh of relief, but said relief was short-lived as the piton holding him up suddenly sprung out of the shifting rock with a loud PING! The piton exiting the wall struck Darius in the side of the head with enough force to knock him senseless, sending him tumbling off of the cliff. His belt coming undone as the rope pulled against it in a display of characteristic bad luck for the Hyur. He managed to come to his senses from the blow just in time to see Sudeki and Samga staring down after him, eyes wide in fear. He was pretty far from the cliff, and he didn't have any equipment on hand to fix this... 'Is this seriously how I'm gonna die?' the Hyur bitterly thought to himself. 'After everything, this is what's gonna do it?'

"Shitshitshitshitshit!!" A familiar voice sounded out from the ground as it rushed up to meet Darius, the Hyur barely registered hearing Twilight Dove yell "I'VE GOT YOU!!" Before a hard impact knocked the wind out of him and he went tumbling into the sand alongside the owner of a strong pair of arms that gripped him tightly as they tumbled to a stop together.

Darius's eye fluttered open and he was greeted with a view of the blue sky, as well as a stabbing pain in his chest as he gasped for air. A similar wheezing rose up from behind his head, followed by a gasp.

"Y-you alright?" Twilight Dove's voice shakily resonated from behind his head.

The Hyur looked down and saw the strong pair of arms had in fact belonged to his long-time Hellsguard companion. He let out a long sigh of relief and felt his body just go limp as he relaxed, still alive. "Thanks, Dove..."

"No problem." The Hellsguard said with a pained grin. "When I saw those two start fightin' I worried that this might happen."

Before Darius could answer, a shadow was suddenly cast over the two of them. An unamused Odette stood over Darius and Dove, her big floppy sunhat framing her head in shadow. "The hells are you all doing?" She asked, clearly annoyed with the turn of events that unfolded on the butte. "We're never going to get out of here if you all keep messing around." She stepped back and cast a disdainful glare at the two girls dangling from the rope hundreds of fulms up off the ground. "In case you hadn't noticed, it's miserably hot and dry here!"

Darius slowly rolled off of Twilight Dove, landing in the sand with a dull thud, a sharp pain shooting up through his chest indicating that he had not landed unscathed. The Hyur sucked air over his teeth and winced. "Think I might've busted a rib."

"Yeah... Me too." Twilight Dove added, still laying flat on her back. "Might have to call this job a failure."

"Ohhhh no." Odette objected as she took her sun hat off and glared up at the summit towering overhead. "I didn't trudge all the way out here just to not get paid. We're getting that stupid flower." The young Elezen then seemed to have a sudden realization and whirled around to face Darius and Twilight Dove, both still splayed out side-by-side on the sand. "Why don't we get the airship and just lower someone down onto the top of that thing?" She paused, then scowled as she had a sudden realization. "Actually, why did we walk here at all!? We could have just flown the whole way!"

"Aether currents..." Darius said, lifting up a hand and drawing a swirly path through the air with his finger. "Too volatile in this part of the desert, nothing can fly... It's why you don't see any birds around here either." He then motioned vaguely in the direction of the butte towering overhead. "Top of that thing is functionally an island that nothing can reach. That's the reason the thing we're looking for grows there and nowhere else."

"Ugh..." Odette rolled her eyes and glared back up at the top of the rock formation, then followed the slope down about a quarter of the way before glancing to one of the other supporting buttes that didn't reach quite as high, then to another, lower one, then another, lower still. Seeing a path for herself but not at all pleased that she was going to have to take it, the young dragoon walked over to Darius and crouched down at his leg, picking it up with one hand and pulling a knife out of his boot before dropping it back in the sand with an unceremonious 'thud'.

She then set to trudging through the sand towards the rock formations, muttering to herself as she went. "If you want something done right..." She came to a halt at the base of the vertical rock face and pointed up at Samga and Sudeki, who by now had managed to get back to the sections of rope that were still secured to the cliff. "You two, get down here!"

Sudeki looked down at Odette, then back up at the rest of the climb above them, and then back down at Odette. "But-"

"NO BUTS!" Odette shouted. "I'm dealing with this RIGHT NOW!"

Before Sudeki could even ask what Odette meant, the young dragoon suddenly shot up into the air like a bullet, landing on one stone column before jumping up to a higher one, and then a higher one, rapidly climbing in elevation with each leap. When she couldn't get high enough to reach another foothold in a single jump, she'd jump into the massive central butte and kick off, springing between walls as she gracefully and effortlessly ascended, until arriving at the flat plateau at the very summit of the mount. There, sprawling languidly out across the rocks, was a massive blue-green cactus. Thick fleshy pads radiating out from a stocky central trunk like arms, with very little in the way of needles to protect them- the plant having no need for such things in its isolated environment. At the end of each arm and at the crown of the central truck, a single intensely purple flower bloomed. Taking care not to step on the plant or cause it any undue harm, Odette cautiously made her way to the nearest arm and gingerly began prying the blossom from the end of the pad.

Back on the ground below, Sudeki and Samga finally completed their descent, the pair making their way over to Darius and Twilight Dove, who by this point had picked themselves up off the ground.

"So when Odette said-" Sudeki started, but was immediately cut off by a thunderous impact into the ground next to her, which sent a wall of sand washing over herself, Samga, Darius, and Twilight Dove.

From behind the wall of sand, in a now sizeable crater on the surface of the desert, Odette came casually walking out, flipping the vibrant purple blossom into Darius's hands with the callous disregard of someone throwing out a piece of garbage. "Alright, job's done." She said flatly as she scooped up her sun hat and placed it back on her head before glancing back at the others. "I'm going home."

The four stood in stunned silence as Odette slowly left the scene, only Sudeki finally breaking it. "Wh-" She stared wide-eyed after Odette, then, as she processed everything she'd seen, finally snapped. "WHAT WAS THAT!? SHE JUST JUMPED UP THERE?!"

"Yeah..." Darius said as he packed the blossom into the big leather backpack Twilight Dove was wearing. "Part of the reason I asked her to come with."

"THEN WHY WERE WE EVEN HERE!?" Sudeki shouted, still outraged at the progression of events. She turned and angrily motioned to the butte. "WHY DID WE EVEN BOTHER CLIMBING, WHAT WAS ALL THAT EVEN FOR!?"

Darius shrugged—or at least attempted to—but a cracked rib somewhere in his chest reminded him that it was a bad idea, causing him to wince and lower his arms. "Ugh... Well I can't make her do it if she doesn't want to."

"Well then why don't we ALL just go become dragoons." Sudeki fumed. "Can go jumpin' all over, anywhere we want, like WHOOP DE DOO!" The angry Miqo'te waved her hands through the air spastically to accompany her 'whoop de doo', then shoved said hands angrily into her pockets before shooting a glare at Samga, who was standing next to her, positively stone-faced. "Why don't you say somethin'?"

Samga's eyes shifted away from Odette to Sudeki, and after a moment she said quietly, "I'm not becoming a Dragoon."

"No one's becoming a dragoon." Darius interjected. "Let's just go home and try to forget this ever happened." He then raised a hand and pointed at the cliff behind Sudeki and Samga. "You two make sure to retrieve the rope before you leave though."

"Agreed." Twilight Dove said, turning and beginning to head out after Odette. "Luckily, if we're gonna have to do this again, it won't be for another thirty years."

"Thirty years too soon." Darius muttered, falling in step next to the Hellsguard.

Samga and Sudeki were the last to leave, silently pulling the rope down from the mountain and then rolling it into a neat coil which Sudeki looped over her arm to carry. The Miqo'te let out a long sigh and began walking. "What a waste of time."

"Mm.." Samga grunted in agreement, walking along next to her. "Didn't need to come all the way out here to prove I'm faster than you."

And that was about when they started fighting again.

[azimsteppe]

Some of you may know about them already, but this is Samga Mol, an oc I've actually had nearly as long as I've had Cassern! I never properly revealed them before now, but I think their story deserves to be told.

Some details about Samga:

They have a storied history with Cassern...!

But, the two of them don't talk now... I wonder what happened?

They're nonbinary & bi, they/them pronouns

They have a pretty gloomy personality, but have a warm, caring side too (mostly for Ysayle)

I'll start talking about them more on here from now on! They're nearly as important as Cassern to me, and very important to her story. i always had this urge that i had to get it "just right", but, that was just holding me back. i hope you like them. ty for reading!

The Crimson Scourge—

Neither man nor woman, some say the most infamous of Iceheart's Sinners is naught more than a wyrm's wrath made flesh.

No one has seen their face and lived to tell the tale.

[determinedbuns]

🐯 - Do you think you have similar characteristics to your muse? (Slamga or Ikki)

Samga? Well he was originally a shitty self-insert a long time ago, but I feel overtime he’s managed to grow into his own character. Still, some characteristics we share remain even if I basically took some traits from myself and cranked them up to 11.

Ikki? Weeeeell.. Other than our love for our friends, I don’t see myself as chipper or energetic as Ikki, nor as.. optimistic as her, not nearly as motivated or active. Not really.

[crystarium-cafe]

Tonight was Cecily’s last night as my Second-in-Command. Raha came with me to offer his well wishes, as he and Cecily have become good friends. A month or so ago I mentioned that personnel changes were on the horizon, and I am happy to announce that Cecily was promoted to captain of her own unit. She is taking Sofine (as her SIC), Labonrit, Alimahus, and Inghilswys with her, and will be soon joined by past squadmates Koenbryda, Rhylarr, and Samga. I have every confidence that Cecily and her new squad will do well. Prior to her departure, Cecily finished training her replacement: Nanasomi, who has tapped Kumokiri as her second. Kumokiri’s a wee bit nervous about her promotion, but she smart and a quick learner. She’ll do fine. As for myself, I cannot deny that I look forward to training my new squadron. As any of the Scions can tell you: I greatly enjoy teaching new people— be they soldiers, or adventurers. Pushing them to find their limits, and then helping them reach past them, is something I never tire of.

[yuaffxiv]

LFRP - Yua Luann

The Basics ––– –

Name: Yua Luann

Age: 21

Race: Raen, Au Ra

Gender: Female

Sexuality: Straight

Marital Status: Widow

Server: Balmung - Crystal

Physical Appearance ––– –

Hair: Raven locs that fall to her lower back

Eyes: Space Grey 

Height: 4′9

Build: Petite and toned

Distinguishing Marks: Small scar that can be found on the back of her neck, she usually keeps her hair down to avoid attention to it. Has freckles on her nose and cheeks.

Common Accessories: Eastern styled Custom pink hairpins

Personal ––– –

Profession: Seamstress, fabric merchant, and black marketer  

Hobbies: Playing the koto, sewing, and day-drinking 

Languages: Common Erozean dialect and Hingan dialect 

Residence: Shirogane

Birthplace: Kugane

Relationships ––– -

Spouse: Koretane Daito (Deceased)

Children: None

Parents: Samga Qestir - Mother (Unkown)  Katsumoto Okeya - Father (Deceased)

Siblings: Unknown

Other Relatives: Unknown

Traits ––– -

* Bold your character’s answer.

Extroverted / In Between / Introverted

Disorganized / In Between / Organized

Close Minded / In Between / Open-Minded

Calm / In Between / Anxious

Disagreeable / In Between / Agreeable

Cautious / In Between / Reckless

Patient / In Between /  Impatient

Outspoken / In Between / Reserved

Leader / In Between / Follower

Empathetic / In Between / Apathetic

Optimistic / In Between / Pessimistic

Traditional / In Between / Modern

Hard-working / In Between / Lazy

Cultured / In Between / Uncultured

Loyal / In Between / Disloyal

Faithful / In Between / Unfaithful

Additional information ––– –

Smoking Habit: None, but wouldn’t be against it Drugs: None, but wouldn’t be against it Alcohol: Frequently

RP Hooks ––– –

I’m looking to find more dark/mature themes to rp out, and I don’t have many restrictions. Big no to death and dismemberment of my own character though. There’s plenty of hooks to work with but here are some that come to mind:

Other Eastern Based characters: Yua finds herself traveling often for work, but it would be nice for her to find some personal connections back in the East as well

Black Marketers: She’s no newcomer to the business, but still have plenty to lean. Specializing in rare artifacts but looking to trade in narcotics as well

Intel: The public knows her as a famous seamstress socialite, her connects with people higher up within the Bakufu allow her to gather information with ease. Of course willing to trade it... for a price.

Her husband: Questions still arise about how this infamous black marketer ended up dead. Perhaps you were an associate of his and looking for the truth? Be weary though, curiosity killed the cat...

Contact Information  ––– –

You can reach me in DMs here, or my discord! Yua#2020

[lambs-rest]

CTC: Labyrinth of the Ancients II – Bones, Bhoots, Bombs and Behemoths, Oh My! I

“The maze that surrounds the base of the tower is known as the ‘Labyrinth of the Ancients’. During this initial foray, I suggest you concentrate on ridding the place of hostile elements. When you reasonably certain the maze is secure, contact me via linkshell and we shall join you post-haste – no matter what Master Garlond says!”

“Though we would prefer if any relics you encounter remained intact, you have leave to do whatever is necessary to secure ingress to the upper levels of the tower. Fortune go with you, Granye.”

---

“C-Captain, are you sure we’re qualified for this?”

A pink-haired Duskwight woman tailed Granye nervously, clutching her conjurer’s staff and keeping her voice low as her eyes combed the internal structure of the labyrinth. Boiling lava glugged along troughs carved into the stone floors, pouring down from the walls across the vast room that was decorated by shining blue crystals. She squealed as a jet of magma erupted to their left, spewing high into the air before sloshing back down into the broiling pit far below the walkways.

“Come on, Rivienne, the commander wouldn’t have brought us all the way out here if we weren’t!” piped up a midlander Hyuran woman, skipping forward to clap the Elezen on her lower back and making her flinch. “Have some faith in her!”

“Auelin’s right.” A short, white-horned woman at the front of their group assured. “That the Captain trusts us with such an important mission is something we should take pride in.”

“It’s not that I don’t. I just…”

“Yer worried ‘bout bein’ the only healer, aye?” Granye guessed, glancing at Rivienne. She nodded fretfully. “Tha’s why we’re takin’ this slow. We’re nae sure what’s waitin’ fer us in ‘ere, so it’d be silly to rush around.” She stopped at the foot of a flight of stairs, halting the group and turning to face them. “Right, listen up! We’re walking into the unknown, here! No heroics, no risks, an’ we stick together. Yehn, yer our primary tank. ‘mokiri, take care o’ any surprise nasties tha’ try to flank us.”

The peach-haired Keeper nodded brightly and strode to the front of their formation, a swirl of light bathing her as she activated Iron Will. Kumokiri took up position beside her.

“Elchi, To’odi,” the tall, Xaela spearman and blue-haired Lalafell pugilist both fixed her with their attention at their names. “Stay on yer toes an’ work together to take out the enemy quick as ye can. None o’ the usual splittin’ up to see whose count is higher, aye?”

Totodi pouted at that and crossed her arms, but nodded, Elchi dutifully nodding.

Granye pointed at the rest of her unit; the ranged fighters. “Samga an’ Sofine, give Rivienne a hand with yer Physicks if she needs ye to. It’ll be hard healin’ all o’ us on ‘er own.”

“Right!” Samga, the grey-skinned Xaela woman, grinned with enthusiasm as Sofine nudged her fellow Duskwight with a comforting smile.

“And me? What about me, Captain?” Auelin prodded eagerly.

“Yer with the others on the rear. I’ll be up front with Yehn leadin’ the way, so I’m countin’ on ye to keep the damage whittlin’ away at enemies. Now, everyone clear on their roles?”

“Yes, Captain!”

Their cry echoed throughout the stone walls of the labyrinth’s entrance, soothing Granye’s nerves and filling her with pride.

She would not soon forget the surprise when she had declared to her Immortal Flames squadron that she would be taking them all out for a large-scale mission. It would be the first time all nine of them took to the field together, and Granye was more than a little worried about how they would fare. Far from doubting their cohesion with each other, she was more concerned with how she would lead all eight members at once. Usually they went in groups of four on their own, or three under her direct command.

But they had all come so far from the first days of recruitment. They had seen comrades come and go, move on from the Flames to take different courses in life, and grown stronger as a unit.

They set off into the Labyrinth, climbing the stairs and looking up at the three spinning slabs of stone, each glowing a different colour at its core, circling a huge, floating stone pillar that was covered in odd glowing squiggles. They stood at the top of the stairwell, looking around cautiously. The right and central paths were barred by a very obvious lack of walkway.

“Well, that’s not suspicious.” Sofine remarked, pursing her lips as she looked at the only open way – the left.

Yehn shrugged at her as she led the way, shield up and sword at the ready, Kumokiri a step behind with Granye.

Yehn Amariyo had been one of those in Granye’s squadron the longest. The Keeper of the Moon had hailed from New Gridania and after losing much in the Seventh Umbral Calamity, she left the shade of those verdant boughs in search of a new life. She had found it in the Immortal Flames. Yehn had joined Granye’s command as a recruit fresh out of the Gladiator’s Guild, and been the much needed tank to their team – which at the time consisted only of Granye and the two Duskwight women.

Rivienne and Sofine had both left their homes in the Shroud – Rivienne from East Shroud’s Honey Yard, and Sofine from South Shroud’s Mun-Tuy Cellars – around the same time, and decided to journey together. Granye would not pretend she had never seen the disgust with which many Wildwood Elezen treated their Duskwight brethren. She knew why the two women would have wanted to leave Gridania and its customs behind, and she was glad they had found each other along the way.

Granye still remembered the day she announced they would have another Gridanian joining the team. The Duskwights had looked almost mortified, until Yehn bounced in, ears pricked and tail curling happily from side to side. She’d been delighted to find other Gridanian natives so far from the forest, and the three had formed a fast friendship.

“Enemies ahead, Captain.” Yehn said suddenly, halting the party halfway down the stairs.

Granye eyed them and grimaced. “Eugh. I’ve seen somethin’ like ‘em in Amdapor Keep. Nasty bastard with a bad tail whip. Right, take a big one each an’ face ‘em towards us. Everyone focus on ‘mokiri’s nasty first. Yehn, drag the sprites to ye, an’ ‘mokiri, pluck em off her once yer ugly is dead. Ready?”

The squadron nodded and Kumokiri activated her own Iron Will.

Kumokiri was a stranger to Eorzea; a Raen from the Far East, from a place she called Sui-no-Sato. She rarely spoke of it, and told Granye only of how the tradition of her homeland was stifling. She was in Doma when the capital fell, and was spirited to Eorzea aboard a boat by Yugiri – a woman Kumokiri openly confessed to admiring. “Her tale was the reason I left my home. She inspired me to take action. I had intended to make a life for myself in Doma, but…”

Instead, she ended up making a life for herself in Eorzea, leaving the safety of Revenant’s Toll and striking out on her own. Kumokiri had taken to the Gladiator way like a fish to water, very much unlike her idol’s quiet, stealthy techniques.

When the last of the large, black, leathery-skinned, gaunt-faced monsters fell, it was Totodi who looked up into the room beyond and whined. “Chief, we’ve got more uglies!” They followed her sight and let out a collective groan.

Elchi was breathing hard. “C-Can we take a short rest, Captain?”

Samga came up behind him and slapped his backside, making him squeak. “No time to stop for your weak little lungs, Iriq! We have to get through this place, or die in it!”

“I-I really don’t think it’s that dramatic, Samga…” he muttered quietly.

There ensued a great amount of apologising and pleading of mercy from Elchi in the moments that followed.

Samga was a Xaela from the Tumet tribe; a group where it was tradition to tie children to a tree upon reaching their tenth summer. If the child managed to unbind themselves and catch up with the tribe at the next site, they were given a name. Granye wondered if her rather survivalist nature was because of this. In contrast, Elchi was from the Iriq; a tribe that accepted the male babes born into another all-female tribe. He was somewhat timid and soft-spoken, but a good soul. Samga might say too good.

The two had found each other on a boat over from the Far East and been nigh inseparable ever since. Samga loudly insisted that it was because Elchi was helpless, and horrible at standing up for himself, so someone had to. She openly teased and bossed him around. But, when asked why he let her, Elchi always just shrugged and smiled. “I know it’s how she shows she cares.” Indeed, they balanced each other quite well. Samga had a habit of pushing herself to exhaustion in her efforts to grow stronger in her Arcanist training, and it was always Elchi who helped her get back on her feet. Those were the times when she would be scolded by him.

Elchi had a quiet kind of strength to him. He was rarely effected by the words of others, which helped when he was the only man the squadron. So many times he had been mocked for being surrounded by ‘a bunch of girls’ by rookies or those oblivious to the squadron’s strength. It wasn’t by design that Elchi was the only man in the squadron – there had been many fellows before him. But they had a habit of being inspired to wander Eorzea, armed with the skills they had learned under Granye’s command. They wanted to be like her, to do good for those around them, good that sometimes they could not accomplish while under the Immortal Flames’ banner. Granye wouldn’t stop them if they wanted to do so, either. It made her feel a bit better, knowing there were good people she knew and had fought alongside out in the world, working to do what they could to make it better.

“He’s right though.” Totodi agreed. “I could use a short breather too. They were tough, and looking at that horde over there, it’s only going to get tougher. We need to pace ourselves. Especially if that floor starts filling up with poison like this one did.”

Samga made a sour face and relented, letting Elchi out of the headlock she had wrestled him into.

They milled around the doorway to the next room, trying to figure out how to approach the imps and lanky demons inside.

“…You might not like to hear this, chief,” Totodi started, “But I think we’re going to need more people.”

Granye sighed. “Aye, I think ye might be right, To’odi. But let’s push on as far as we can ‘fore I go askin’ to recruit more buggers to this expedition, aye?”

Totodi nodded and took to checking her wraps. She had been a relatively new addition, but a valuable one. She was a local to Thanalan, born and raised in the Silver Bazaar. Having grown up in the fishing village when it was still a bustling hub of trade gave her a keen eye and a level head. Once upon a time, she had wanted to be a Conjurer, seeing their obvious lack of a second healer to balance their numbers. When Granye insisted that she choose the discipline she desired, however, Totodi was swift to march off to the Pugilist Guild and come back with a pair of bone knuckles. Her size made her deadly efficient with them, too. Able to sneak under and around larger foes almost completely unnoticed, Totodi wreaked major havoc on enemy leg joints, especially when she had gotten her now-favoured pair of Gaintsgall Claws.

Auelin bounced up to Granye in the brief downtime, eager and gazing enviously at her Ironworks gear. “So, uh, did you manage to work out something with the Ironworks about gear, Captain?”

Granye shook her head regretfully. “Nae yet. I’ll try an’ bring it up with Cid after we’re done in ‘ere, though.” Then she tilted her head. “Although, they did say we could keep any treasures we find. We might find somethin’ worth keeping, or sellin’.”

She bounced on her heels, thrilled by the possibility. “Really!? Oh, Twelve, I hope we find some boots! I so need a new set, and the standard issue Company ones just…don’t feel right, you know?”

Granye nodded. “Too heavy, aye?”

“Right!? We almost got some the other day in the Darkhold, but,” she shrugged and thumbed at Elchi, “Turned out they were for lancers.”

Auelin came from Northern Thanalan, the daughter of a worker at the Ceruleum Processing Plant. She’d been inspired by Operation Archon, by watching the Alliance pass through her home to finally uproot the XIVth legion. Once the Imperials had been scattered to the wind and the Castrum blown sky high, her father had given her his blessings to go to Ul’dah and enlist in the Immortal Flames. She hadn’t expected her application to be accepted really, with her limited experience, much less to be accepted into the squadron of the Saviour of Eorzea. She had been…a little overbearing, at the start. Always gushing praise, and watching Granye when she should have been training, or shooting arrows. The more time she spent among them, though, the calmer she became and the more she pulled her weight as part of the team.

“Right, we ready to go? Same as before; Yehn, take an’ hold the bulk o’ the enemy. Riv, focus on keepin’ ‘er up. Sofine and Samga, you’ll ‘ave to start fillin’ in with the healing. An’ remember to watch the floor! Let’s go!”

-

“W-We…We got it this time, right?” Elchi warbled.

Yehn groaned into the floor.

“I think so.” Rivienne whispered, laying spread out.

All nine of them were collapsed in varying stages of exhaustion.

“I think…I burned through all my mana that time.” Sofine groaned.

“Lucid Dreaming saves lives.” Samga gasped, hunched over and leaning on her knees.

“At least we found some treasure?” Auelin offered weakly.

Granye groaned and heaved to her feet. She was used to the strain of such fights more than them, true, but that bloody carcass of a dragon just would not die.

Three glittering crystalline coffers had appeared before them when the beast finally fell and stayed down. Granye went to the first and puzzled over it before twisting at the lid. It split apart in the middle, the two halves spinning and lifting away from each other. She reached into the bottom tub.

“Huh. Looks like the ancients were in the habit o’ givin�� out clothes to people who beat ‘eir traps! Totodi, I reckon this is somethin’ ye can use.”

The lalafell wandered over and took the black sash from Granye. “Oh! Yes, indeed! This is perfect to replace my current belt!”

Granye went to the second floating canister and opened it again, this time pulling out a pair of striped gauntlets. “Yehn, ‘mokiri, you’ll ‘ave to draw lots fer these.” Yehn pushed herself off the floor and sat up, facing the Raen and breaking out into a round of shears-parchment-stone to decide who got it. Kumokiri pulled shears to Yehn’s parchment and whooped in victory, catching the gauntlets Granye tossed her way.

Granye cranked open the last crystal canister and cocked her head at what lay within, holding them up and inspecting them. “Auelin, I reckon ye got yer new shoes.”

The archer immediately perked up. “Really!?” She sprinted over, and Granye turned to hold out the small pair of white, silver and red shoes. She took them with a delighted gasp.

“Oh they’re absolutely hideous! I love them!”

Granye muffled a snort as Auelin immediately sat down and changed into her new boots. She bounced upright and shimmied around in them, lifting her feet to look at them before letting out a squeal. “They’re so garish but so comfortable! Thanks Captain!”

Granye nodded, smiling. “All righ’, enjoy yer new boots. We ready to move through the big ol’ swirlin’ teleporter?”

The others slowly got to their feet and nodded, Granye leading the march to the aether pocket.

When they passed through it, they stopped and stared.

“This is…the entrance?” Rivienne questioned.

“Looks like… Oh! Captain, look! The right side has opened up!” Sofine shouted, pointing at the now extended bridge.

“Let’s go!”

-

It wasn’t long before they were met with a roadblock, one that was a little harder in figuring out.

The new path had split into three, and of course they had all filed into one. Totodi had noticed the unusual arrangement of the platforms in each area, and how they lit up when a certain number of people stood on them. Elchi had realised that the colours that lit up on one platform matched another in another path. The bloated, open-mouthed beast that floated like an ugly balloon before them was, during this time, untouchable.

“I think we need more people, chief. Four people need to stand on each of these pads for them to light up, so we’re going to need at least…six more people, I think. We can split into groups of five down each path.” Totodi offered.

Kumokiri frowned, hand on her hip. “I think we’ll need more than that. Those bloated gas-bags keep spewing out monsters. How is one person to attack the creature and the ones it brings forth? I’m sure one person could fight that thing on their own if they had others watching their back, though.”

Granye sighed and crossed her arms. “Ye’ve got a point. All righ’, lets back out fer now. I’ll see where I can get some more folks from. How many do ye reckon?”

Kumokiri shrugged. “There’s no way of knowing. Mayhap enough to make two more even groups of eight? We seem to be doing well with our numbers, but if three groups get split up into any less than that, I fear we will reach another brick wall. We’ve no idea how far into this labyrinth we’ve delved, either.”

There were nods of agreement. “I-I would feel much better if the healing was shared between two conjurers.” Rivienne added. “It’s quite a strain on my mana to keep this up on my own.”

Yehn nodded. “I think we could thin out the armour a bit more if we had more groups. More people to do damage means the trash gets taken out faster, and more healers means the tanks won’t be so hard pressed.”

Granye hummed. “I see yer point. So, what? One tank per group, two conjurers an’ the rest be fer damage?”

“That sounds perfect!”

“But we won’t be able to stick together…” Auelin mumbled sadly. “It’s been so much fun going out, all of us together like this.”

Elchi patted her back. “That’s not strictly true, Auelin. This is the first time the maze has imposed a need to split up like this. And besides, thinning out our squadron means there can be people in each group to keep the supplementary forces in check and lead them without incident. Can you imagine? Twenty-four people, all working together like that?”

“It’ll be like a Nadaam, but friendlier!” Samga added enthusiastically.

Granye shrugged. “Not sure what tha’ is, but either way, we’re nae getting’ any further with our numbers now. We’ll head out an’ I’ll tell the lads the case. Meanwhile, I want the rest o’ ye to bunk at the Toll. No sense goin’ back to Ul’dah when we’re nae done ‘ere.”

“Yes, Captain!”

---

“When you called me on the linkpearl, I confess, my hopes were somewhat unreasonably high.” G’raha Tia said.

Granye sighed, leaning her back against the crystal tree at Saint Coinach’s Find. “We got somewhere, but nae as far as I hoped.”

“So, how many more bodies do you need again?” Rammbroes asked.

“Uhh…fifteen. Reckon I can gather up some more folk from the Toll. Always adventurers comin’ through. Maybe I can get some o’ the Scions in on the fun.”

“Now, wouldn’t that be a treat!” G’raha laughed. “To see the Scions of the Seventh Dawn out in full force… Nations would tremble at the sight!”

Granye chuckled, a sigh slipping out. “Reckon the Archons’ll be too busy to show, so dinnae get yer hopes up, wee robin.”

G’raha suddenly blinked, his tail stilling its flicks and his ears pricking straight.

“D-Did you… I’m sorry, but, did you just call me wee robin?”

Granye looked at him, a mirthful grin on her face. “Aye, I did.”

G’raha floundered, his jaw opening and closing, a light blush dusting his cheeks. Cid burst into laughter. “Go easy on him, Granye! He’s not used to your nicknames.”

She shrugged innocently, the smile never shifting, and pushed off the tree. “Right, I’ll be off to round up some more plucky souls eager to stick ‘eir noses into this maze! Keep it locked tight till then!”

G’raha was still blinking in surprise as she waved goodbye.

——————————-

<- Previous | Next TBW ->

[baidar-oroq]

08-Clamor

Twelve years ago, the Sea of Blades, the Azim Steppe.

The outriders of the Oroq tribe, by now, consider their search to be perfunctory, fueled as much by tradition as it was their admiration for Jagadai, who insisted that they continue to search for his brother. They all know that the best case scenario for young Baidar is being captured and enslaved by the Oronir, for his trail had led towards the Mettle, and in the dying days of the old year as the Tsagaan Sar approached, the Oronir would surround the Mettle in force, claiming any foolish enough to approach. The likelier case, though, is that the boy is dead, killed either by predators or by the trials of the Mettle itself. But yet they push on, led by Jagadai, who is not willing to give up on his brother yet. 

Even if he privately wonders what drove Baidar to attempt the Mettle at his age. 

No Oroq has ever succeeded at the trials of the Mettle younger than eighteen summers; Jagadai had been twenty-three summers himself when he’d attempted it, and misfortune had ended his attempt before he tamed the cloudkin, a boulder that had smashed into the path just before he had reached the end, shattering his elbow. He had recovered from the injury to continue to serve as a warrior of the tribe, though he suspected that in later years his elbow would ache on cold and rainy days, but as the heir apparent to his father, he would have to display caution on the next time he attempted the Mettle. His failure was seen to some as an achievement, though, since many did not survive their failure. The gods would favor him the next time, some in the tribe said. 

Baidar was only sixteen summers old. Sixteen years old, and he had taken his spear and had snuck from the camp one night a week ago, what tracks he’d left headed for the Mettle. Sixteen years old, and probably dead, but Jagadai was not giving up. 

His parents seemingly had; his father, Bujir, had seemed more offended by Baidar’s breaking with tradition than worried that his younger son had vanished alone on the Steppe. Ibakha, his mother, had shown more concern, but that, as they say in Reunion, was a low bar to clear. Neither of his parents seem to understand Baidar, to understand his talents with a spear, his ability to hunt and track, how good he was at these things. Already Baidar was Jagadai’s superior in arms, rarely losing a sparring contest, and the boy had been hunting since he was fourteen. The tale of how Baidar had slain a purbol at the age of eleven-to be accurate, he dealt the final blow after a hunting party had done much of the work, but nevertheless-is a quiet legend in the tribe. Jagadai marvels that Baidar, who’d followed him on the hunt and had leaped into action when the purbol threatened him, had even managed that. 

Bujir, of course, merely focused on how disobedient his son was.

Be honest with yourself, Jagadai, especially if your brother is dead; he did it because he wants their approval for once. He thinks it will take the Mettle to attain that.

Jagadai is so lost in thought over his brother that he doesn’t at first hear one of the outriders shout, but the man pointing in the distance catches his attention. Jagadai follows the man’s gesture and sees a single yol, flying low across the ground, and on instinct he pulls a spear from the saddle of his stallion. It is not typical for a single yolrider to attack a party of riders numbering ten, but as a scout for other groups, a yolrider is dangerous. He prepares for whatever is to come, but he is in no way prepared for the yol to dive down at a rapid pace and fly so close overhead that he feels the beat of its wings, nor is he prepared for what he hears:

Baidar, yelling at the top of his lungs from the back of the yol, “HEY JAGADAI!”

The noise that hits Baidar as he brings the yol in for a landing on the edge of the current encampment of the Oroq is a palpable thing; Jagadai had raced ahead to notify the tribe of Baidar’s unlikely triumph at the Mettle, and fully a third of the tribe, mostly the young ones and few of the warriors who fought beside of Jagadai, is waiting, cheering, yelling, asking questions, and mostly wondering “how?” He fancies as he dismounts from the yol that Azim himself can hear the clamor of the tribe at his triumph. He is sixteen years old and he has defeated the Mettle. He feels someone smash into him, and he half expects it to be Jagadai, but no, it’s Samga, and the girl hugs him tight before saying “You ridiculous fool, how did you do this?”

Baidar is about to answer when he realizes that the clamor is gone, that all he can hear now is the wind as it whips across the Sea of Blades, and he is not surprised when the crowd clears and there’s his father, his mother at his side, and the expression of disapproval on both of their faces simply murders the mood. He sees confusion on Samga’s face, confusion on the faces of the youngsters that surround him, especially the children, but he isn’t shocked. Nothing I do meets their approval. I’m not Jagadai, he thinks. He rests an arm against the neck of the yol and gives his parents his most reckless, carefree smile. “I’m back,” he says. “Made a friend.”

Bujir is silent for a long moment, before he shakes his head and sighs. “You left the tribe alone. You violated our custom and tradition. You were to be eighteen, my son, if not older, and would only attempt it if we intended to fight in the Nadaam. What do you expect for someone who flaunts our tradition and laws?”

“I do not know. ‘Hey, son, see you’re back. How’s Bardam’s Mettle this time of year’?” A few of the crowd chuckle, but quietly. It did not do to offend the khan, after all. 

Bujir considers his son for a moment. “You succeeded at the Mettle, then?”

Jagadai steps up beside his brother, doing, as he always does, his best to navigate the gulf between Bujir and Baidar. “What, father, do you think he just found a yol out on the Steppe and talked it into coming? He succeeded. He is Baidar Yolrider of the Oroq now.” Whether you like it or not, he does not say. 

Ibakha moves between Bujir and his sons, forestalling whatever the khan is likely to say next. “He is a yolrider, yes. But he also disobeyed the will of the Khan and the traditions of the Oroq. When you are khan, Jagadai, you’ll understand how important it is that your word is obeyed”

“When I am khan, I will accord warriors with the respect they deserve for their achievements, even if they break with tradition,” Jagadai says. He knows that both he and Baidar will pay for this moment in future days; Bujir, after all, does not treat either of his sons well, he just avoids most of it because he has the fortune to be the firstborn. He looks at the tribe and says “Let them have this moment, father. We can debate how wrong Baidar was later.” 

Bujir nods, sternly. “I bow to your wisdom, my son. Celebrate the triumph of Baidar Yolrider then.” He and Ibakha turn in eerie precision and march in their direction of the khan’s yurt. 

They have not yet reached it when the clamor begins anew. 

“I am sorry, Baidar,” Jagadai shouts over the noise of the crowd. “I honestly don’t give a fuck how old you are, you’ve done something no Oroq has. You did well.” 

Baidar is somber for a long moment as the celebration continues to break out around him. Then he flashes his brother a wicked grin and says “Just getting started. One day I’ll win the Nadaam.”

Jagadai laughs. “Sometimes I almost believe you will.”

[slicinghood]

★*･ questions addressed to your muse.

Tagged By: @determinedbuns Tagging: Anyone who wants to do this!

“Ah crap, here we go again.”

▌WHAT IS YOUR REAL NAME?  

"Red. Nothing more, nothing less!”

▌WHAT IS YOUR /REAL/ NAME?

"Did I stutter or something? Geeze.”

▌DO YOU KNOW WHY YOU WERE CALLED THAT?

“.... take one look at me and have a guess!” “But before uuh... this body, I didn’t exactly have much of a name.”

▌ARE YOU SINGLE OR TAKEN?

“Once upon a time I might’ve been really bashful to answer this, but...” “Heck. I’m surrounded by rabbits, what do you think?!”

▌HAVE ANY ABILITIES OR POWERS?

"Gray Magic. Something which I really need to come up with a better name for.” “Long story short, I’m my own source of magic and the effects depend on what I’m doing.” “For a combat situation, infuse a sword swing with it? Could either power up the blade itself or shoot out one of those slices I’m more than sure you’re familiar with by now.” “Otherwise, it just kinda makes my life easier. I’ve been trying to find out exactly everything I can do with it!”

▌WHAT’S YOUR EYE COLOUR?

“It’s weird, kind of... inverted I guess. Have a look.”

▌HOW ABOUT YOUR HAIR COLOUR?

❝Red. But not the ketchup-red edgelord kind. It’s a nice, light and simple color!”

▌HAVE YOU ANY FAMILY MEMBERS?

❝No.”

▌OH? WHAT ABOUT PETS?

❝Does Samga count?”

“Not really. Don’t got time to take care of an animal.”

▌THAT’S COOL, I GUESS. NOW TELL ME ABOUT SOMETHING YOU DON’T LIKE.

❝Oh please! You’ve heard me complain about things way too many times now!” “To keep it brief... uuh, I don’t like dogs all that much. Also jerks. Also stuck-up nerds.” “And a few other things.”

▌DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES/ACTIVITIES YOU LIKE TO DO?

❝I like tailoring. From sizing, to sewing to decorating, it’s hella fun to just come up with as many outfits as I can!” “... not that I’ll ever wear half of these. Frilly things and other stuff doesn’t... really look all that good on me.”

▌EVER HURT ANYONE BEFORE?

❝Who hasn’t? This question’s kinda pointless cause, if anyone says no, they’re a big fat liar.” “Even the nicest people out there have hurt someone. You can’t really avoid it.”

▌EVER KILLED ANYONE BEFORE?

❝... let’s skip to the next question.”

▌WHAT KIND OF ANIMAL ARE YOU?

❝I’m not. Least I don’t think I am?” “I’m a doll! That’s about it.”

▌NAME SOME OF YOUR WORST HABITS.

❝Some? Good, or we’d be here until next week!” “Let’s see... I talk too much, I’m kind of a jerk to people without thinking, I guess I’m kinda selfish sometimes...” “And I tend to judge people and situations way too often. Dunno if any of that counts as a habit.”

▌DO YOU LOOK UP TO ANYONE AT ALL?

❝Yes. And I couldn’t be more thankful they’re all so close to me.”

▌GAY, STRAIGHT, OR BISEXUAL?

❝Anything goes.”

▌DO YOU GO TO SCHOOL?

❝No. In all technicality, I didn’t even have a childhood.”

▌DO YOU EVER WANT TO MARRY AND HAVE KIDS ONE DAY?

“I can’t have kids, even if I wanted to. And while I don’t care much for the whole marriage thing, it’s a nice gesture I guess.”

▌DO YOU HAVE ANY FANBOYS/FANGIRLS?

“I hope not. Disappointed enough people already.”

▌WHAT ARE YOU MOST AFRAID OF?

"That depends. If you mean like, a normal kind of fear, it’d be giant angry dogs, or fire. Can’t stand it for obvious reasons.” “But if you mean, like... a ‘deep’ fear, I guess it’s... losing everyone again.”

▌WHAT DO YOU USUALLY WEAR?

"Whatever I feel like, if I’m off duty. Mostly depends if I’m going out or staying home.” “Otherwise, my uniform, cloak and mask.”

▌DO YOU LOVE SOMEONE?

❝Of course I do, and I’m not afraid to say it!” “Beth has been... heck. I guess the only way to put it is... a blessing. Some days I gotta double check just to make sure I’m not dreaming, you know?”

▌WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU WET YOURSELF?

“I’m kinkshaming.”

▌WHAT CLASS ARE YOU?

“Class? You mean financially or combat?” “Former, I’m... slightly above average? I’m paid more G than I know what to do with, but I don’t have anything expensive to spend it on. Other than like, occasionally buying a new phone whenever a cool new model comes out, or anime box sets...” “But I don’t have anything fancy, at least not since my life-size Mew Mew Kissy Cutie statue caught on fire.”

▌HOW MANY FRIENDS DO YOU HAVE?

❝I don’t know how many I have left.”

▌WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON PIE?

❝Banana or apple with a pinch (and I mean a bunch) of cinnamon!”

▌FAVOURITE DRINK?

❝Cinnamon tea.”

▌WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE?

❝My hidden field, back at the CORE. It’s a home away from home.”

▌ARE YOU INTO SOMEONE~?

❝I already answered this.”

▌WOULD YOU RATHER SWIM IN THE LAKE OR IN THE OCEAN?

❝Lake. Not that I really have an option, given I’m hecking cursed when it comes to the ocean.” “I swear, every single time I tried going for a dip when I had the chance, a huge wave tossed me right back at the beach!”

▌WHAT’S YOUR TYPE?

❝Don’t have one. It’s more of a individual basis.” “Though the one thing I can’t stand is overly childish people. It’s okay not to know everything, or not to be as sour as me, but if you sugarcoat everything and can’t take anything seriously, you’re getting punched.”

▌CAMPING OR INDOORS?

❝Depends on the place. If it’s a snow heckhole like Snowdin, I’ll stay inside. But if it’s a manageable location like... Waterfall or something? Nothing like falling asleep looking at the ‘stars’.”

[a-forlorn-soul]

Prompt #10: Nhaama’s Path

FFXIVWrite2019

Prompt #10: Foster

Rating: SFW

Warnings: None

Timeline: Approx three months ago

A groan escaped the Xaela who had somehow managed to appear from the Aether at the Aetheryte in Reunion. Not many among the tribes bothered with their use, but he had long since realized there may be times that he’d need to do so. Thus he staggered in the bitter cold air of the Steppes, the home of his people, with his eyes moving about the camp slowly while fighting the effects of aether sickness. He only did this in the hopes of figuring out if he had made it there before Chabi or not.

<”I cannot believe that she ran off like that…”> he grumbled to himself upon not seeing a sign of her at all.

After taking a few moments to gather what strength he could he took slow uneasy steps to make his way around the marketplace. At every stall he stopped to ask if anyone had seen someone matching Chabi’s description, and so far it seemed that he had in fact gotten ahead of her. Nhaama was watching him since it appeared that she had not ever attuned to the aetheryte in Reunion. It was enough for him to pause a break to avoid passing out from exhaustion.

He had little chance to actually rest, however, as while sitting himself down on a rug for those to ease their feet he found himself nearly flinching at a shout. <”Kete!”>

Turning in the direction of the shout he saw a sight he had not in more years than he could ever possibly remember. With skin as red as his and hair as black as night a small xaela woman came running towards him, and despite the passage of time he could still remember the name that belonged to her face.

<”MaraL?!”> he responded, forcing himself to his feet in order to catch his sister in his arms, <”By Nhaama I did not expect to run into you here.”>

A bright smile and soft gold eyes looked up at him after pulling away. <”Nor I you, brother. I thought I was imagining things when I saw you, you have been away for far too long,”> she told him, her smile remaining bright.

In true Xaela fashion neither of them showed their true emotions out where others could see. No instead they only smiled at one another after their embrace, remaining as stoic as ever. <”That is an understatement. How are mother and father? And the other two demons?”> he questioned in a taunting voice.

<”They are fine,”> Maral answered with a musical laugh, <”Though things were getting difficult there for a time. Turbish is keeping the Tribe under his lead with a rock fist. He would not let anyone who was not loyal to only him out to hunt,”> she explained, her voice becoming somber, <”Even those are becoming fewer, most regret siding against you as the Khan.”>

<”I always knew that would come to pass. You said were, though.”>

Her smile brightened right back up when he pressed for more information. <”Yes, then we received your message and instructions should the Tribe need to free itself.”> At this point her tone went from somber to almost blood thirsty. <”Hope was fostered among those who have been struggling.”> There was then a pause while her eyes narrowed in slight pain. <”It is not too late Kete. You could still-”>

<”I cannot, I will not,”> Kete cut her off with a shake of his head, <”It must be Yesui. She is my choice for Second and thus the rightful Khatun of the Tribe. With you and Ibakha at her side she can do it.”>

Sighing Maral let her head hang in response to his answer. <”I thought you might say that.”>

<”I am sorry sister,”> he muttered and brought a hand up to try and get her to look at him, <”A season ago I would have gladly returned, but I have made a life for myself in the West. A tribe actually. And there is one…”>

<”Oh? Are you perhaps finally settling down Kete?”> his sister suddenly prodded with an impish grin, <”Mother was beginning to worry that you really were hopeless. I just figured it was taking you a while to find a blind woman who had been knocked dumb by a dzo hoof.”>

With a loud laugh he shoved his sister and rolled his eyes. <”Far easier to find than you finding any kind of man that can stand you,”> he retorted with a sigh.

<”So you truly wish to remain in exile in the West?”>

<”I do. Yesui can handle things in my place, we both know she will make a better Khatun than even Samga. All you need to do is make sure that Ibakha does not convince her to kill Turbish,”> he said in a serious voice, <”He must be humiliated and then sent West to me.”>

She glared at him before slamming a fist into his arm. <”What do you take me for? Ibakha only does what I allow. Now come, let us go and get food and khumis while we discuss the rest.”>

Nhaama really was guiding his path, at least that is what he thought as he followed his sister off to a tent to rest. That was the only explanation he could think of. By her hand Chabi made her way to the Steppes in a manner that caused him to give chase right as his sister was bound for Reunion. Now hope was given to both him and his Tribe for a better future.

[dariusult]

FFXIV Write Day 7- Morsel

The luncheon battlefield lay littered with the scant remains of delectable dishes- plates picked clean and vessels vacated of whatever culinary delights they may have once contained. The sole survivor of the carnage—a modest finger sandwich containing thinly sliced cucumber suspended in a layer of cream cheese—sat demurely on a mostly empty platter in the middle of the table, the crumbs of its fellows serving as the only proof that it had, at one point, not been alone. Though it too, would soon join its fellow sandwiches in oblivion as hungry eyes peered down upon it from the edges of the table that would serve as its final stage.

The two perpetrators of this great culinary culling crouched at the edges of the table opposite each other; A blue-skinned Xaela girl on one side, and a pink-haired Miqo'te on the other. Their eyes both intently fixed on the final morsel of the formerly lavish spread that lay before them. The Miqo'te girl, Sudeki's, eyes flicked up from the sandwich to her rival across the table. "That last one's mine, Samga."

Samga's eyes narrowed into menacing slits, the young Xaela's gaze darting to meet the Miqo'te's for the briefest of moments before she suddenly lunged with the speed of an uncoiling viper. Her hand flashing through the air on a trajectory to snap up the solitary sandwich.

But Sudeki moved just as quickly, diving forward and extending her arm with incredible alacrity, her fingers coming into contact with the delicate porcelain platter and sending it spinning to the far side of the table, causing the sandwich to deftly pivot out from under Samga's grasping hand. Seizing upon the opportunity, the Miqo'te scrambled after the platter, climbing up onto the table and clambering into striking distance of the tasty treat in a split second.

Samga wasn't about to lose a meal that easily, though. As soon as the food was knocked from being nearly in her grasp, she planted her now sandwich-less hand down on the table and jumped up, swinging a leg around in a sweeping kick across the table aimed at Sudeki in what was, perhaps, a needless escalation of the situation. But not an unexpected one.

The incoming kick forced Sudeki to stop her pursuit of the spinning plate as she turned onto her side and raised her arms to block the incoming blow, the force of the impact sending her rolling off of the table.

The other diner cleared from the field, Samga made her move, diving for the sandwich and grabbing the plate just as it reached the very edge of the table. It seemed as though the mealtime match had been decided, but the entire table suddenly shifted under the Xaela's feet—this wasn't over yet.

Having been kicked off the table, Sudeki dropped down to the ground, rolling onto her back and using the momentum of the fall to swing her knees up to her chest, coiling her body like a spring, she braced her hands against the ground behind her head and kicked straight up into the bottom of the table—the sheer force of the blow flipping into the air both the table and any unfortunate Samgas who might've been on top of it.

Despite being catapulted into the air, Samga managed to keep her grip on the sandwich-bearing plate, twisting herself in the air and landing on her feet just in time for Sudeki to strike the bottom of said plate with her elbow and pop the sandwich into the air.

The sandwich spun into the air, flying up above the pair of peckish pugilists who clashed furiously as they attempted to jockey for prime food intercepting position. Neither fighter was able to gain the upper hand on the other as they each grabbed one side of the plate and yanked it one way, then the other, and then back, and then back again.

The sandwich slowly reached the apex of its ascent as the two girls fought over possession of the plate, it hung in the air for a moment as its momentum ran out and then began to fall back towards the ground and the probable fate of being rendered inedible. Unless you weren't picky about eating something that fell on the floor, but it'd probably get bits of hair stuck to it, or it'd seem fine and then you'd bite into it and feel unexpected grit on your teeth... nobody likes unexpected grit.

Seeing the sandwich plummeting to its grisly doom, Sudeki and Samga exchanged glances, and in a moment of temporary cooperation, both dove to the side together, each with one hand on the plate, and caught the sandwich mere ilms from the ground.

"Heh.." Sudeki cracked a grin at the close call, throwing an appreciative glance at the Xaela laying next to her on the ground. "Not bad."

Samga glanced down from the recently-rescued sandwich to Sudeki and nodded stoically. "Mm.."

Both girls slowly redirected their gazes to the lone sandwich, the last of its kind, tragic in its solitude. After a moment of quiet contemplation, Sudeki looked back down at Samga. "Seems like a waste for only one of us to take it. You wanna split it?"

Samga's eyes met Sudeki's then slowly drifted back to the sandwich. After a moment of silent contemplation, the Xaela nodded once. "Yeah..."

Moving together, the two girls pulled the plate closer until it was between them, and then they each grabbed one side of the sandwich and pulled, splitting it neatly in two. The two exchanged glances once more, then each bit into their respective halves of the sandwich.

After eating in silence for a moment, Sudeki swallowed the delicious treat and flashed a grin to Samga. "It's better eating with a friend."

"Mm.." Samga nodded in agreemet, her mouth still full of sandwich.

"Wh- WHAT HAPPENED IN HERE!?" A sudden exclamation from the doorway snapped the two girls out of their moment, drawing their twin gazes to a frazzled looking Darius, standing in the doorway with a pot of tea in his hands.

"We've got a job, right?" Sudeki said, slowly picking herself up off the ground. "'Ate the lunch to get our strength up for work!"

"Catering a lunch WAS the job!!" Darius shouted back.

To this day, the company has never received another catering job.

[luckybunstuff]

Also a pair of quick sketches for @determinedbuns because he and I were talking about making samga more cowboy and I suggested red dead redemption clothes

[rude-axe-legend-blog]

-Samga walks up to Susie and holds out a box to them. A small ribbon was tied at the top colored in green. Inside it would be a Ham Sandwich nestled in a bed of salted potato chips- "Brought Ham Sandwich day to you, sorry about earlier."

   She looks over the sandwich care package, grabbing the sandwich, opening it…looking it over as thoroughly as possible….

* What….what’s the catch here?

[determinedbuns]

how fluffy are the respective buns on a scale from 0 to 10, with 0 being not fluffy, and 10 being litteral pom poms

“I’d give myself about... an 8, prolly a 9 on some days.”

“⑨!”

“Perhaps a 7, or a 6.”

“a 5, not too fluffy, but not too thin.”

[ask-thegoatbro]

dunno if you takin these but 📖 Samga

“...Samga...”

“...I dislike him, perhaps that dislike is purely from what happened in the study room. After all, why should I like someone who would allow a doll to talk about their ‘allies’ as if they would turn on their backs because they weren’t solely for their crush ‘omen’. A lot of problems may not have existed if he would have just admitted to Red’s dangerous attitude to everyone. Instead, he makes me look like a fool in front of Xanos and Eydis for what? Because I threaten red? At this point, from everything I witness, it’s childish to be upset what I did there compared to all of the actions from some of these people have done.”

“ I believe he is just a fool from how this rabbit acts and thinks. Speaking of him thinking he seems to really care about food like a gluttonous creature. I simply can have him do certain tasks with the promise of food. I do intend to keep my promise. It’s funny... such an easy thing to exploit and he’s taking it.”

“What to look out for is that he seems to have a SOUL? and at times emitted some kind of warm feeling. Tch, not like I care much for it. I don’t really respond to such a thing after all. The fact that I’m pretty dead inside and how much I dislike him I cannot seem to really care. He also seems to have some kind of rage state although it’s nothing I should fear. It seems to backfire on him and cause him damage as he stays in such a state. As I how I look at it, I was able to get out of the creature that took me hostage with my own flames and the Help of Emmy and those vines. He needs to go into such a state. Ah, yes this is a good moment to point out that he easily isn’t that very smart. Well, he is a fool for a reason.”

“Now, I don’t hate him nor do I like him. I suppose he is a middle ground and there nothing anything I can really do about him as he is just an idiotic gluttonous rabbit who sounds like he really dislikes doctors. He can be a tool and someone that can get in the way. I’m sure he’s a good person but from what I had to deal with my dislike of him and how disappointed I am with him I don’t have much good to speak of. I’m hoping he won’t do anything to make anything worse or get in my way as he knows nothing of what I’m trying to do for everyone.”

[two-littlesouls]

For both pins, Cammy and Emmy's, a message is sent from a certain Rabbit though he sounded out of breath, as if he were running while speaking. "We're goin' t'snowdin, Omen's missing, Emmy. We're gonna go get her back. Meet us there!"

Cammy listened carefully to the message, he had been waiting for a call like this for a while. Had they made a breakthrough?

“Aye aye! I’ll be right there!”

The one thing that lingered in his mind was how Samga had called Emmy over in the same message. He recounted how things had been weird between the pair of them for a while, and how Emmy hadn’t really been herself, but he didn’t feel nervous this time. He felt hopeful. Despite the circumstances, maybe something like this would help get them on the same level again.

-----

Emmy barely had time to sit on the couch in Medi’s place when Samga’s loud voice startles her up.

“I heard already from John! I’m goin’ now!”

She looked to Medi with an awkward smile, heading over for the door, “I’m sorry but I gotta go! Cammy will be there too! Thank you for lettin’ me come in for a sec!”

The door was still unlocked so the girl could easily exit, quickly opening it with a wave to the doctor before going back out in the cold. She does, in fact, close the door behind her. A small worry about seeing Cammy since things have been awkward was shaken away, now is not the time for that! 

[soulofironblood]

From the distance, a pair of running figures could be seen dashing off towards Snowdin, one of them called out to Eydis, waving at her. It was Samga! "EYDIS! C'MON!" The Rabbit called out. He rushes over to the Knight and spends a few moments catching his breath. "Ha.. We've got a lead.. c'mon!"

The knight had just got done training and was about to head back home for a little rest until the duo of Red and Samga came rushing by, to her surprise though they were still in a hurry and more shockingly.

They had a LEAD?!

“Wow wow wow wow WOW! SLOW DOWN you two we got a bit of time for whatever, just. explain to me this lead a little before yer go rushing in, cause y’know it might not be SAFE?!?!”