#Ahlis Ildilayan

[dragons-bones]

FFXIV Write Entry #28: Humiliations Galore

Prompt: irenic | Master Post | On AO3

This fill is partially in response to @ahlis-xiv‘s fill for ultracrepidarian, which you can read HERE! (And it goes without saying you should read her other fills and assorted writing, too!) The Ahlis mentioned herein, of course, belongs to her. \o/

--

Synnove felt her face twist into something foul and ugly and absolutely capable of curdling milk as she stared down at the letter on her desk. Halulu took one look at her and immediately fled back to the relative safety of her own office one floor down.

The envelope was fine vellum, waxed to protect its contents, tied with twine and the tie further sealed with wax. It was unremarkable, really, and appeared no different from any other important missive that Mealvaan’s Gate might receive from near and far.

Save for the seal of the University of Radz-at-Han pressed into the wax.

Synnove’s lip curled up in a sneer.

Mama, just open it, Galette sighed from her usual perch draped around her shoulders.

Synnove grimaced, but reached for the envelope and slid it closer to herself on the desk. She wedged her thumbnail beneath the wax seal and wiggled back and forth until it popped off, then slid the vellum from the twine and opened the flap. Reaching in, she pulled out two letters, folded over and individually sealed with different wax and stamps, at which she frowned.

And then raised her eyebrows as she noticed the thicker letter of the two, the one closed by deep red wax with a plain stamp, had writing in a very familiar hand on the outside.

READ THE OTHER ONE FIRST.

Now, what in the six hells was Thaisie Valeroyant up to?

Synnove stared with narrow, suspicious eyes at the letter from the Chair of the Department of Arcanima from the University of Radz-at-Han’s College of Mathematics, drumming her fingers on her desk for long moments as she mentally flicked through a list of possibilities. Finally, she let out a heavy sigh and scowled, snatching up the other letter, popping the wax seal, and unfolding it.

My dearest Mistress Greywolfe—

Synnove dropped the parchment, recoiling with a disgusted shriek. Galette HISSED, rising to a crouch as she bared her teeth and bristled her fur, tails lashing.

She knew that handwriting, knew that deep blue ink, knew that absolutely repulsive cologne that wafted into her face.

The first letter was in her hand in an instant, wax seal ripped off and parchment unfolded.

I promise, Synnove, the other letter is worth soiling your fingers and eyes.

Synnove ground her teeth, rage roiling through her, but she took a deep breath through her nose for a five count. Held it for another five count. Let it out with a final five count.

“Thaisie, you are going to owe me so much alcohol,” she muttered under her breath. She set down Thaisie’s letter and reached up to pet Galette, soothing them both for a few moments. Then, she picked up one of the half-sticks of graphite from the pile in the corner of her desk, and used it to poke the other letter flat, sneering as she did. Once that was done, she threw the graphite into her trash bin.

Finally, with a grimace, she leaned over her desk to read the letter from Bahram Zarir.

Synnove sat back after the first flowery paragraph and exchanged a confused look with Galette. “Did he actually…?”

I think so? Galette chittered, ears flat against her head.

They leaned forward again to read the next paragraph.

“…Ah. Never mind. He still, in fact, has his head shoved up his ass so far that the apple on his throat is actually his nose. Good gods, how as he gone this long without developing critical thinking skills, or the ability to remember what he wrote in a previous paragraph?”

She continued reading, occasionally muttering comments such as, “My gods, you absolutely disgusting piece of worm-ridden filth,” to which Galette snickered. Finally, she reached the end of the letter, and slid back into her chair.

And started giggling.

It evolved into a full body guffaw, rising from deep in her belly, and Synnove bent over as she howled with laughter, for so hard and so long it became silent heaving that shook her whole body. Galette sighed and rolled her eyes, holding on as her perch pitched to and fro. As Synnove finally calmed again, she brushed tears from her eyes.

“Oh, my gods, that was hilarious,” she wheezed. “Gods, I only hope I’m there on the day his hubris gets his sorry plagiarizing ass killed so I can laugh him all the way to the Hell of Water. What a cunt.”

Still chortling and catching her breath, Synnove carefully picked up Bahram Zarir’s letter with the very tip of her thumb and forefinger, and dumped it in the trash.

“Please remind me to get Ivar to burn that later,” she said, wiping her hand on her pants.

Yes, Mama!

Then, finally, she picked up Thaisie’s letter to read.

He really is such a prick, isn’t he? It’s a wonder he hasn’t become a victim of Thavnairian politics, but then he’s probably too thick to be a credible threat to any of his relatives or their myriad enemies. Just a shame we got stuck with him. I’m fairly certain the dean was dreaming about defenestrating him and a few other of the legacy children during the last open thesis read.

In any event, I thought you might enjoy the attached to make up for the toad’s sorry attempt at civility: a copy of the abstract for Master Zarir’s latest article. It’s still technically in peer review, but you’re a peer, as dirty as that no doubt makes you feel. Do what you will with this.

Also, yes, I know, I owe you alcohol. I already have a nice bottle of arak picked out for the next time Thubyrgeim allows you off your leash, or I’m able to attend a Lominsan conference.

Kisses!

Thaisie

“You’re such an asshole, Thaisie,” Synnove said fondly, shuffling the parchment to the second page. Zarir’s greatest weakness as a researcher was that frequently, he did have original ideas…but was frankly terrible at the execution and he outright stole others’ work in bits and pieces and tried to make a whole from it that fell apart if one breathed on it too hard. So, what trash was he on about now?

She read the abstract once. Blinked. Read it again, slower this time, than gave it a third pass.

Synnove set the parchment down flat on her desk, mind racing.

Zarir’s article was in peer review, and therefore it wasn’t public knowledge or in open circulation; the only individuals with copies would be Zarir, the reviewers, and Thaisie. He wouldn’t be able to add anything, with how the University handled its legacies’ attempts at academia, the peer review was mostly for show and the article would be published in the latest issue of their mathematics journal. There would be no turnaround time for Zarir.

And there was no way for anyone else to possibly know what he was publishing. Further, it was incredibly common for academics to hit on similar ideas and develop them in parallel without knowing until the other was published.

Zarir’s idea was similar to that of someone else’s here at the Gate. Oh, not hugely similar, but enough for the mainstays in the field to have a solid guess of which articles either had been reading and drawing inspiration from. But Ahlis had gone off in a completely different direction and what was more, her math was sound, the research actually done rather than theorized, and with a high chance of her succeeding and creating a new breakthrough in arcanima. And Ahlis’s work was ready for presentation at the upcoming research symposium. At which a few of the Hannish—not Zarir, if only because the dean didn’t want to deal with the political fallout of letting him set foot in Limsa Lominsa and the resulting murder—from the University would be attending.

Synnove smiled, slow and deliberate and sharklike, a dark chuckle rising in her throat, as she reached for a piece of fresh parchment and a graphite stick. She was quite thankful now that she hadn’t replied to Ahlis’s note just yet.

Ahlis,

I think you are more than ready! You’ve done your due diligence, even surpassed it, in laying your foundation. I still cannot find flaws in the theorems and equations you’ve laid out—your mathematics might need the occasional proofing, but your grasp of the principles is superb, and we’ve all needed a second set of eyes on our work when we’ve looked at the numbers for too long.

You are an excellent arcanist, Ahlis. As intimidating as it is to present research, the symposium presents a wonderful opportunity to receive feedback and collaborate on further avenues to explore your hypothesis. And, if word on the grapevine is true, I have no doubt your work will be leaving certain members of our community absolutely green with envy.

Give ‘em hell!

-Synnove

She signed with a flourish and folded the letter into neat thirds, wrote Ahlis’s name on it, and bound it with some of the leftover twine from Thaisie’s packet. “Amandina, Roksana,” she called out as she tied off the string, “would you like to run an errand for me?”

The twins poked their heads over the edge of their basket, the picture book they had been carefully pawing through forgotten. Their ears stood straight up, noses twitching in excitement—and then they were tumbling out of the basket and darting right for Synnove’s desk. Oh oh oh yes yes yes! they peeped excitedly. Errand errand errand we can do it!

The carbunclets skidded to a halt at their mama’s feet and looked up at her with huge eyes, their mass of tails shaking with excitement. Galette huffed, exasperated as always with their endless amounts of energy, but didn’t otherwise say anything as Synnove leaned over with the letter in hand.

“Do you remember where the Gate’s mailroom is?” she said, solemn.

Yeah!

The arcanist held out the letter, and Amandina very carefully accepted it, clamping down with her teeth to hold it firmly.

“Bring this down to the mailroom,” Synnove said, “and give it to Coster, and only Coster. He’ll make sure it’s delivered to its intended recipient! And then, once you’re done, come right back here, all right?”

Okay, Mommy! warbled Amandina, a determined set to her face.

We’ll be right back! said Roksana with a peppy chirp.

Then, rather than turn and trundle towards the door to her office, as Synnove thought they would, Roksana took one of Amandina’s ears into her mouth, and with a pop! of displaced air they were…gone.

Dead silence, as arcanist and carbuncle both stared, jaws hanging open, at the space the twins had been in just a few moments before.

“When did they learn to do that?” Synnove said, faint and bewildered.

I dunno. Galette tilted her head. Can I learn how to do that?

“Absolutely not, you’ll use it to break into the coldbox for my pies.”

Galette slumped into a full body sulk.

[autumnslance]

Hung out with @ahlis-xiv At the AzureArtParty on Coeurl tonight!

So many people @_@

[starswornoaths]

19. a kiss with tears (I don't remember if I asked one of these before lol, but have at it *hand gestures*)

Just this once, something legitimately serious for them :3c I hope this is okay!

Ahlis squinted at Serella’s back in blatant suspicion as they made their way through the Shroud. To anyone who didn’t know the duo, there would be no cause for such mannerisms, certainly not when they were doing naught more than walking down a well worn road in relative, companionable silence, but Ahlis knew, despite Serella’s insistence to the contrary, that something was bothering the Paladin, and deeply so.

Serella hadn’t said a single pun. Not once. Not since they met in Carline Canopy and left in search of their hunt mark, certainly not now that they were coming to the Honey Yard to collect their pay.

Not to say she had been cold, far from it, but what warmth Serella had offered Ahlis in conversation had been surface level. A far cry from her typical almost-too-chummy mannerisms. Prodding, even tactless prodding, hadn’t inspired much more than a tepid, “Oh, I can’t be annoying you all the time, Firefly.”

Ahlis’ eyes narrowed further yet, pondering on what had caused the change in her companion.

She wasn’t left to wonder for long. They met with the farmer that put out the bounty, a local who worked with the beekeepers. Though he handed Ahlis their pay, it was Serella he couldn’t stop looking at, scrutinizing her as if he knew her. Ahlis wondered how; the man looked twenty years their senior, give or take.

She pondered further how the Paladin doggedly avoided his searching eyes, how she stayed some paces away.

“...Ellie? Little Ellie?” The man finally called out.

Serella flinched.

“It is you! My, how you’ve grown!” He brushed past Ahlis to move closer. Serella angled herself some few ilms further away. “And into a fine swordswoman, no less! I’d thought you lost when the village-”

“Uthen and I made it fine.” She managed, and Ahlis had never heard her sound so tense.

If the farmer had noticed, he seemed not to care. “Boy, we sure could have used such skills back then! You might have singlehandedly saved that godsforsaken place!”

“Unlikely. I was but eight summers.” Serella replied thickly.

“Oh, sure, sure, but you know what I mean.” The man dismissed. “Mighty fine shame what happened to you folk. Had some good people to trade with what came from there, back in the day. If it weren’t for that fool of a father you had-”

Tyrfing cut through the air so sharply it whistled when the Paladin drew it, the glinting edge of it against the man’s throat. Where she had been drawn away from herself she was now pulled taut as a bowstring, her pose sturdy as a mountain. Ahlis’ hand instinctively reached to her back for her staff but had to stop herself, shocked that Serella had drawn her blade for something that was not, inherently, a threat.

“If you value your life, you’ll stop right there.” She snarled in a voice that practically didn’t sound her own. To Ahlis’ ears, it was too low, too much of a growl, to be the carefree Paladin she had worked alongside. “ My father only ever did what was right. He was a good man- a better man than you ever could be. If you’re too much of a dirt licker to realize what's really the threat to Gridania, you blame me for what happened that day, and no one else.”

The farmer looked near to pissing himself, knees knocking and hands trembling as they were. As quickly as the moment happened it was over, and Serella was sheathing her blade. Contempt was writ plain on her face.

“The Twelveswood bade you forget that place. I suggest you do so.”

Serella left. Ahlis chose not to tarry, and fell into step beside her.

Their silence was less companionable on the way back to the Canopy. Ahlis didn’t know how to begin to break it- and just this once, she felt a flicker of envy for her companion’s knack for talking through tension.

“If he refuses to honor the bounty, I’ll pay you what you’d be out.” Serella spoke up. “Shouldn’t have done that. I’m s-” After a pause, she tried again, “I’m not sorry I did it. But if you get screwed because of it, then I’m sorry for that.”

“I wouldn’t be. And I’m not taking your money.” Ahlis snorted in indignation. “Though you could stand to explain what in the seven hells happened back there.”

A harsh way to offer comfort, or a lead up into that offer, but such was her way, she supposed.

“My childhood village.” Serella said in a detached tone. She never stopped looking out to the road ahead of them. “We took in refugees from Ala Mhigo when I was a kid. The Twelveswood didn’t like that. Ordered us to send them out on their way, regardless of whether doing so would kill ‘em or not.” Her fists, bunched around her pack straps, squeezed so tightly, Ahlis could hear the leather creak. “I begged my Da to plea on their behalf. To let them stay, at least long enough for them to be okay.”

Her voice cracked, and when Ahlis looked up, she was horrified to see unshed tears clinging to Serella’s long lashes.

“Arcbane...”

“He did. They stayed. And the village was destroyed for it.” The tears began to fall in fat rivulets, their path caught and guttered away from her mouth by her scars. “I can’t even show you where it was on a map, because it was decreed to be forgotten. I know where it was, but all that’s there is a clearing, and it was my godsdamned fault-”

Just as the Paladin began to crumple, Ahlis moved in front of her to force her steps to halt. Never had Serella looked so beside herself, eyes wide and glassy, scarred lips quivering with the effort not to cry. It did not suit her, the Black Mage decided.

Softness did not come easily to Ahlis. Even as she took Serella’s face in her hands, she was just shy of rough about it, tugging insistently to pull her back to the present.

“Serella.” Ahlis said forcefully, biting back a wince even as she did. With a harsh sigh, she tried again, “You sweet fool. You said yourself, you were but eight summers old. And you know what was really responsible.”

They wouldn’t dare say it here, lest it invoke Greenwrath. They weren’t that foolish. Not even Serella on her worst days.

“...I blame myself regardless.” Serella sighed, eyes fluttering shut as more tears leaked out. “Logically, I know I shouldn’t. I know that.”

“Fool of a Paladin, going and making yourself care too much.” Ahlis clucked her tongue, even if she smiled in fondness despite herself. “It’s your biggest weakness. And your greatest strength.” She used her thumbs to swipe the last of Serella’s tears away. “May you never lose it.”

Though her eyes were still red and puffy, the Paladin’s lopsided smile was genuine.

“My mighty companion, pretending she doesn’t have the selfsame trait. That she isn’t an inspiration to me.” Serella’s hands came up to cover Ahlis’, still on her face. “May I kiss your palms in thanks, fool of a mage?”

Just this once, Ahlis let the comment slide. With a toss of her head to hide her faint flush, she huffed, “If you must.”

“With your permission, I must.” Serella said with a nod, moving to press a kiss to each of Ahlis’ palms.

The warmth lingered, even after Ahlis took her hands back. She clenched her hands to trap it there a little longer.

“Fool.” Ahlis said again, though whether as an admonishment to Serella or herself, she couldn’t tell anymore.

“Fools together.” Serella said with a nod, scrubbing at the last evidence she had cried at all. “My partner in crime. Let’s get back, yeah? I’m starved.”

“Ever thinking with your stomach, Arcbane.” Ahlis tutted, though they fell back into step with such ease, it was as though they had never stopped at all. “Just like your brother.”

“My appetite is far less prodigious, I assure you.” Serella shuddered. “Though your words have certainly given me food for thought.”

“Oh good, your brain’s been rather starved of it.” Ahlis shot back before she could stop herself.

“Ha! Was that a joke? From Ahlis Ildilayan?! I’m amazed! I’m honored!” Serella gasped.

“An insult! Which is naught new for me, and you of all people should know that!” The Black Mage huffed.

“But that one was actually funny!” Serella roared with laughter at her answering agonized groan.

Ahlis had never been so glad to hear Serella’s puns as she was the rest of the walk back to Carline Canopy. Not that she would ever admit it.

[nalukahvi]

FFxivWrite2019 Participation Prize  - @ahlis-xiv 

I had the pleasure of drawing Ahlis’ name from the pool of participants in the 2019 FFXIV Write challenge hosted and maintained by @sea-wolf-coast-to-coast ! 

All Rights Reserved; This work is not free-use and may not be taken, claimed, edited, copied, redistributed, or otherwise used without my consent. Reposting is 🚫, Reblogging is ♥

• • • ⦃ Twitch ⦄ • ⦃ Twitter ⦄ • ⦃ Commission Info ⦄ • ⦃ Ko-Fi ⦄ • • •

[pervasivescariness]

[ OCTOBER 30 2019 ]

CRYPT - Ahlis Ildilayan 

@ahlis-xiv

We were on the same page with this prompt, friend. You mentioned the lochs and I had Skalla in mind at the first mention of crypts! Combination treasure hunt and spooky crypt adventure! Hope poor Ahlis doesn’t get too spooked being around all those dead things! Glad I had the chance to draw her again!

BUT YEAH HERE WE ARE, THE END OF DRAWTOBER! We got one more day to go and I’ve got a spooky surprise planned, STAY TUNED! <3

[thegildenheart]

“My turn!” (if you're still taking these?)

Allie Lindblum and Ahlis Ildilayan have joined your party!

• Starting Dungeon: “Oh, miss Ahlis of the Star-Banner! Are you lending me Aurora and your fancy magics, today?”• Assisting: “I’ll keep you protected, just focus on those fire spells, okay? We got this!”• Being Assisted: “Phew, thanks! It’s good to know you have my back, miss Ahlis! And so stylishly, too!”• Idle Dialogue:  “Y’know, I’d kill for a ribbon like that. Um, your headband. I tried to wear one a few times but it gets tangled in my dreadlocks and then Alisiae ends up having to untangle it. Y’know what she’s like!”• Witnessing Ahlis KO: “Miss Ahlis! Oh no! Y-your wonderful hair will get all mucky on the ground!”• Reviving Ahlis: “I got you, see? Don’t worry! Even a Warrior of Light’s brilliant conviction falters sometimes right? I won’t tell miss Alyx, either.”• Finishing Dungeon: “Ahlis of the Black and Allie of the Gold, winning big! I can… call myself that right? It’s not disrespectful…?”

Bonus Cold Weather: Owing to Ahlis’ struggles with colder climates, Alley would do her best to keep Ahlis out of the cold as much as possible, or away from ice spells and the like, even at the risk of herself! She herself revels in the cold, and so won’t pay any mind to protecting Ahlis from it as best she can.

Bonus Ruins: If the dungeon is a ruin or some kind of digsite, Alley will cheerfully listen to Ahlis’ quips and Easter Egg lines, and ask some questions of her own!

Another Warrior of Light Allie would look up to a great deal, Ahlis’ cool rod and impressive use of fire magic would certainly wow Allie. As ever, she would do her best to draw and keep emnity to keep the Black Mage safe, and offer to shield/Cover her if she decides she wishes to risk ley lines in a fight.

Send me a MY TURN! to see how Allie/Alley would react to you in her party!  

[limitsbroke]

⭐️! (Maybe? :>)

⭐️ Over casual (oft one sided) conversation, Ahlis tries to explain the mechanics of arcanima to a particularly unreceptive Lancelaux. It quickly leads to heavier drinking and burning through most of a pack of cigarettes as he pretends to understand.

For each “⭐️” I get, I’ll write a headcanon about our muses.

[aethernoise]

Among other things, 2018 had some of my proudest /gpose accomplishments when it comes to couple screenshots. Here’s to 2019 and even more unapologetic ship content! 

some highlights above featuring @ahlis-xiv and @holyja (& special guest @kukurubean )

[moonlifter-archive]

∞! (you wanted ask soooo lol)

send me a ∞ and my character will tell you…

If I Think They Are: Ugly || Plain || Alright || Cute || Freaking Adorable || Pretty || Beautiful || Hot || Stunning

If I Would Go On A Date With Them: Not even if we were the last two one earth || No || Maybe || Eh….Sure || Yes || WILL YOU MARRY ME

If I Trust Them: Not At All || Not Really || Kind of || Yes || With My Life

If I Care About Them: Not At All || Not Really || Kind of || Yes || Deeply

If I Would Sleep With Them: Not Enough Alcohol in the World || No || Maybe if I were wasted || Maybe || Eh…Sure || Yes || TAKE YOUR CLOTHES OFF NOW!

My Comfort Level With Your Muse: Keep a Distance || Okay You Can Stand There, But Don’t Touch Me || Let’s Get Coffee and Talk || Let’s Cuddle || I Can Change In Front of You || Let’s Take a Bath Together

If I See You As: A Stranger || An Acquaintance || A Friend || A Close Friend || My Best Friend || A Crush || The Love of My Life

sadly, we’ve never discussed anything for aedwen & ahlis so i dont think i could do ic answers any justice, but that’s something i’d be open to changing! all in all, i think aedwen would feel herself a bit beneath ahlis in all things, even if she’d not really behave that way (girl’s pride is too large smh).

[nophicas-ward]

Ahlis and Aymeric for @ahlis-xiv! 

[ahlis-xiv]

Black Mage Bae <3 (artwork by the very cool @laskulls!)

[dragons-bones]

👫...? (With Synnove? Unless you wanna go hog wild and pick another char have at it lol)

We’re gonna go with Synnove for this one because I don’t really see either Heron or Alakhai interacting with Ahlis beyond professional adventuring, and any interactions between Ahlis and Rereha can probably be summed up as, “Rereha dodges being set on fire.” :P

—

>> Most of the younger students at the Guild assume they two don’t get along. Why? Put Synnove “my carbuncles are functional AIs and also my kids” Greywolfe and Ahlis “carbuncles are tools” Ildilayan in the same room and ask about proper carbuncle functionality. Watch the pair maintain icy, barely-polite demeanours as they rip into one another’s theories and research with brutal efficiency. The senior arcanists consider this an excellent time to get some popcorn.

>> Whenever both women are in Limsa Lominsa, the pair will meet up at one of the city-state’s many bustling cafes, usually one run by one of the Ala Mhigan expats that made it out to Vylbrand during the diaspora. Over tea (for Ahlis), coffee (for Synnove), and assorted traditional desserts and snacks, they will gossip like fishwives and verbally tear apart the latest crap arcanima paper out of Radz-at-Han.

>> The pair got dragged out to the Drowned Wench with the rest of the Aetherophysics Department after winter exams once. After five glasses of red wine, Ahlis agreed to a few rounds of Triple Triad with an equally-sloshed Synnove, using Synnove’s two favorite rules, Ascension and Plus. Ahlis wiped the floor with Synnove, and then the rest of their party. (To this day Ahlis is still mostly convinced the Department is pulling her leg on this, as her memories of that night are fuzzy. The hangover the next day was awful.)

>> The explosion rocks the whole Range, the shockwave knocking the third-years practicing their Ruin III casts on the beach to the ground, and a plume of smoke, dust, and blue flame that rises into the air can be seen by the ships of the Lominsan Armada 2nd Squadron five miles from the island. When the smoke clears, Ahlis and Synnove, are standing at the edge of a brand new crater some twenty fulms deep. They are slightly dusty, both their hair in a general disarray, their stances both set wide to keep from being knocked off their feet. Synnove writes something in her notebook, scowling. Ahlis crosses her arms and says, “That was disappointing.” Synnove grunts an agreement.

(”They are so cool,” one starry-eyed third-year says.)

[britishmuffin]

The second set of Nouveau November commissions have been done a while, silly me forgot to post em!

Ahlis Ildilayan for @melpomeni_mandy / @ahlis-xiv

Eivør for @AmRainbowBee / @stardancereivor

Altea von Erston for @praestrom / @holypaladins

Kentaro Kazama for @oneesan

Applications for this Patreon Art Event will close at the end of November! Information can be found here. Cheers~

★ patreon || website || twitter ★

[starswornoaths]

fog. hearing stay awake as they are carried to safety.

Have I mentioned that Ahlis deserves a pay raise every time she works with Serella? Because she does.

Serella, being a lover of history and obtuse, rarely relevant facts, wanted to know who coined the term, “routine mission,” so she could trace the family tree to the next living descendant of that absolute fucking moron, track down where they lived, and eat their shoes for coming up with such a stupid fucking saying.

Surviving was the priority, however- currently, the voidsent that had crashed down upon their intended hunt mark was winding up for a spell aimed directly at Ahlis’ head...and she wasn’t leaving her leylines, committed to casting her own spell first.

Which was...probably fine. Most likely. Serella should just stay out of it and trust her partner-

She threw an aether tether to Ahlis, casting Cover on her, the moment she realized that despite Ahlis winning the little race for who could cast first, the voidsent was just going to cast despite dying.

At least it had been a hunk of ice, and not a fireball, Serella though mildly when she felt it connect with her shield.

Then the impact of such a massive weight being flung at her sent her careening into the rocky mountainside they’d been pressed against, and the world started to spin.

“What in the hells got into you?!” Ahlis huffed, all but sprinting to her side. “I knew what I was doing!”

“It was going to hit you.” Serella wheezed.

“I was casting fire, you smooth brained oaf! I wouldn’t have been hit!” The mage fumed, and Serella almost swore she could see Ahlis physically refrain from whacking her over the head with her staff. 

The faint, “oh,” that left Serella’s mouth sounded stupid even to her, but then everything sounded a little off. And looked a little off. When did Ahlis start swaying?

“Stay awake. You have a concussion.” Ahlis seethed, taking Serella’s sword arm and hauling it over her shoulders.

“That makes sense.” Serella dazedly replied.

Ahlis attempted to heave her companion to her feet, but the weight of Serella’s heavy armor and heavy muscle made her wobble back to her knees with an “oof.”

“Get your legs under you- hells, what do you eat?!” Ahlis grit her teeth and managed to force the Paladin into standing.

“Low hanging leaves from the trees, remember?” Serella giggled at her own joke, even if it wasn’t terribly funny. “I’m a dhalmel.”

“You’re a fool.”

“Don’t underestimate me. I can be both.” Serella insisted, lifting up a finger.

“Seven hells, walk. We need to collect the bounty from the Thaumaturge’s Guild- and you can bet I’m demanding a pay raise for this bullshite.”

“Good on you. May the raise be bounty-ful. Raise some hell, demand some change.”

“I will drop you.” Ahlis warned.

“I’d deserve it.” Serella shrugged, but largely fell silent for the remainder of the limping back to base.

[lordcommanderaymeric]

Commission for @ahlis-xiv | Interested? Buy me a coffee!

Ishgard remembers.

It was a simple phrase, yet it held so much power and meaning behind it, called out by many a Temple Knight from the Steps of Faith to the peaks of Gyr Abania. And indeed it was true; Ishgard did remember, and would always do so, because to forget what the Warrior of Light had done for them would be unconscionable. The Lady Ahlis had delivered them from the chains of the past not once, but twice. While the city-state was still in its process of rebirth, and the throes of revolution were of course ungentle at times, none could deny that it had come far from where it had been under the guidance of the Archbishop -- as evidenced by the opening of the Gates of Judgment and its return to the Eorzean Alliance, where its standard now stood tall and proud on the battlefield with those of Ul'dah, Limsa Lominsa, and Gridania.

It was with equally great pride that Aymeric de Borel, Speaker of the House of Lords and Azure Dragoon for a New Era, did lead Ishgard's troops onto the front lines of Ala Mhigo, to fight side by side with their brothers and sisters of Eorzea and free their fellow nation from the tyranny of Garlemald.

The gates of the royal palace grounds had been forced open, if only somewhat, and the armies wasted no time in taking advantage of this entrypoint. Cannonfire and explosive magics were replaced by the clashing of steel and gunshots, and in this moment, Aymeric had never felt more alive -- for a knight's place was on the battlefield rather than behind a desk, he would argue. (And he was still, and always would be, a knight.) The heavy footsteps of Lucia and his men echoed in tandem with his own as they hurried through the streets and up the steps inside the main building. Naegling glinted in the warm sunlight as he raised it high into the air, its beautiful azure blade stained by dark crimson from enemies cut down along the way, and he shouted out a war cry:  "We are the spear of the Fury and the shield of our brothers! Who are we?"

"Ishgard! Ishgard!" The accompanying voices cheered.

Making their way towards the throne room ahead of them were Ahlis and her companions, and Aymeric couldn't help pausing for just the briefest of moments to admire the Warrior of Light in all of her fearsome, untamed glory. Indeed, Ishgard did and always would remember -- mayhap he most of all, or so he vowed as the onslaught resumed. They would continue to carve a path and hold off the reinforcements so that the hero of the hour could focus on the crowned prince Zenos.

Amidst the shouts of orders from both sides rang that familiar phrase from other Temple Knights, brimming with pride and gratitude both:  "Ishgard remembers, Warrior of Light!"

------

Camp Dragonhead seemed like an appropriate meeting place for the newly appointed Lord Commander and the Scions of the Seventh Dawn, given the Holy See's stance on outsiders, the nature of the meeting, and that it was Lord Haurchefant Greystone who held ties to the organization. That said, Aymeric was somewhat surprised at the hospitality extended to him and his entourage, what with the general mixed feelings regarding his position. But in some bittersweet way, he supposed that Haurchefant would not be the sort to hold his birth against him, given that he too suffered from being a bastard child.

Besides, they both shared a mutual -- although unspoken, in his case -- excitement towards the Warrior of Light, for Aymeric had heard much and more about this fabled woman from Count Edmont de Fortemps, who in turn had been told all about her from Haurchefant himself. Not to mention the surge of rumors that had begun circulating throughout Ishgard as a result of the various feats performed by the adventurer and "hero", many of which stemmed in one way or another from the infamous "Lady Iceheart" and her band of heretics.

Haurchefant had bade them come at their earliest convenience, assuring them that hot chocolate would be awaiting their arrival, much to the amusement of the Borel son. Between the two of them, Lucia did tease that it was his sweet tooth which hastened their trip, yet they both knew well that it would not do to keep their company waiting long, nor would it be wise to linger away from the city walls for too long either, what with the chaos brewing behind the scenes from the increase in heretic attacks. Needless to say, Lucia and he made their way to the encampment with due haste, riding upon the backs of their armored chocobos through the wind and snow. Coerthas weather seldom was docile these days, ever since the Calamity had turned it into perpetual winter. Fortunately at least the route to Dragonhead was both straightforward from the Gates of Judgment, and not at all treacherous -- given that the Goobues which wandered about were harmless, preferring instead to focus their appetites on mirror apples and other surviving fruits.

Through the curtain of falling snow, the outline of the stone fort finally came into view. A House Fortemps Knight, having been standing guard at the open entryway, moved out to greet them with a wave and salute.

"Ser, ma'am," he announced, voice raised to be heard over the whistling of the wind. Next, he gestured towards the main building. "Lord Haurchefant will be pleased to see you. Worry not, I will see to it that your chocobos are stabled and properly cared for until your departure." Aymeric and Lucia dismounted, and as the guard reached to take the reigns of their steeds, he added, "The other guests arrived some time ago."

Lucia shot her commander a glance, as if to say, 'Fashionably late,' to which the Lord Commander could only nod. So they were, indeed.

The walls of the fort acted somewhat to break up the wind, and though it was not much relief, it was enough to elicit gratefulness. Any reprieve was, after all, a welcomed one. If the cold bothered him, however, Aymeric did not show it, preferring instead to maintain his calm and collected composure, something that in turn was mirrored by his First Commander. He proceeded across the grounds and inside to the seat of the commander.

Almost immediately, Haurchefant rose from his chair, offering them a broad smile and salute.

"Greetings, my friends! 'Tis good to see you hale and hearty!" Though not the most professional of greetings, Aymeric as always found a certain fondness and comfort in the man's earnestness. While Lucia saluted, he preferred to bow instead, much to the seeming delight of Haurchefant. "Shall I prepare that hot chocolate for you both? Had I known you would be arriving so soon, I confess I would have had it ready on hand to warm you both up with!"

"That will not be necessary," Aymeric gently assured, finally breaking into a smile. "Is it true, then, that they are already here?"

It seemed to take a moment for recollection to hit the other man, and he lit up more than he already had. "Aye, quite so! They arrived a few bells ago, and are waiting in the intercessory as we speak. Come -- I will take you to them!"

The trio took their leave back out into the bitter clime. The intercessory was but a few paces away, tucked out of sight and guarded by another knight who moved aside upon seeing them. The salute he gave was acknowledged and returned with a nod, then Haurchefant pushed the wooden door open, and allowed the others to enter first.

The spacious room was warm from the crackling fireplace. In the center was a long table, ordinarily used for mediation and interrogation, and sat at one side, watching them, were a young Elezen male and a Hyur female. The fair-haired youth must have been Ser Alphinaud Leveilleur, which meant…

Even as Haurchefant introduced he and Lucia to the pair, Aymeric's thoughts were focused on the Highlander woman, not particularly on the other's words.

Ah, so this was the great adventurer-turned-champion, Ahlis Ildilayan herself. He was struck first not by her beauty, but by her very presence; without a word she commanded the room, and he found his breath catching subtly in his throat. She was more magnificent than he could have ever imagined. A million thoughts and questions raced through his mind, none of which would be given voice, nor would his excitement be shown beyond a polite smile -- for this was a business meeting, and the last thing he would want was for his eagerness to get in the way. (Besides, Lord Haurchefant held enough enthusiasm for the both of them, as was always the case.)

Suffice it to say, then, that while this would be only the first of many significant meetings between them, Ser Aymeric would never forget this one in particular.

[bamicommissions]

Commission for @ahlis-xiv, Ahlis Ildilayan.