#Female... mystel

[zylphiacrowley]

Miqo March Day 9: Flower

[nothingxs]

FFXIV Write // Duel

To anyone who was familiar with the bandits here, among the purple leaves of these trees, the sight of her was not so strange. But to anyone who was unused to the sight? In the front stood a tall, muscular Mystel woman, rendering her already an oddity. She was much taller than one of her kind, standing maybe a head shorter than an elf—making her stranger still. And the strangest thing of all was that she was not just one of the foot soldiers.

The woman slowly marched to the front of the caravan, massive axe slung over her back, the haft held between her shoulders as her arms hooked over it. She smirked, her wild, furious red hair dancing in the breeze as her ears leaned forward, alert, almost predatory.

She was leading this particular group.

The captain of the caravan had marched to the front of the group, weapon sheathed at his side, his heavy heater shield held firm in his left arm. "Hear me, Maia-Lea. What we carry is for the Crystarium, not for the likes of you and your ilk. Step aside and we can avoid unnecessary bloodshed." His armor was well-maintained, and his helmet obscured most of his features above his nose.

"Let me get this straight, ye filthy whoreson. Yer suggestin' that I take my lads here 'n go, and y' won't hurt us. That right?"

"That is correct." The Galdjent man rolled his shoulders, then tilted his head side to side.

A decent group of Hume and Elven bandits had surrounded the caravan from a safe distance in the trees, with many of them having already drawn their weapons—assortments of swords, spears, daggers, axes and hatchets sprung among them; perhaps nine to twelve in all.

"Well, from what I'm seein', yeah? We've got th' bloody upper hand." And with an upnod from Maia-Lea, a smattering of arrows landed around the caravan of goods, several of the wagons being pelted with arrows that splintered into the wood to bury themselves, and myriad more lining the ground around them. A number of the caravan guard around the caravan whimpered and cowered, shields raised defensively in terror at being outnumbered. Another dozen elves, making themselves known from the trees for just a moment before slipping back under cover and moving, putting into question the true size of the bandit forces assailing the caravan.

The captain snarled. "A spineless coward, as always—"

"Right," Maia-Lea suddenly interrupted, slamming her axe into the ground. "See, I'm real tired of hearin' you say that, again 'n again 'n all over again! So I've decided I'm…" She raised her right hand, her index finger sticking up. "I'm gonna give you and your own a way outta this one, lad."

It was hard to see, but one could imagine the captain raising his eyebrow in that moment. "Well, that's rich, coming from you. Very well, I'll humor you—what is this, so-called way?"

"We've done this a few times, Vers! Three times now, y' come here and think yer prepared, and three times now things have gone ta utter shit for you 'n yours. And every time y' keep yappin' about how I'm a coward. So! Here I am." She drew a line on the ground with the blade of her axe before hefting it back over her shoulder, and stepped over it. "You 'n me, one on one! Your men are tired of gettin' their shite kicked about 'n I'm tired of y' not understandin' that th' fee for passin' through these woods is half o' what yer carryin'."

Vers tilted his head. Maybe his eyebrow raising could not be seen, but the helmet did allow a visible smirk to cross his lips. "Oh? And what are the terms of defeat?"

"Well," Maia-Lea started, "I figure I'll just knock th' wakin' outta ya like I usually do, and then when that happens, I'll politely ask yer lovely fellows t' start unloadin' half th' cargo, and I won't touch a hair on their heads."

"And what's in it for us?" The other guards had started to murmur amongst themselves.

"Hmmm. Hadn't thought of it, since it ain't happenin', but sure, y' can have me, I guess, and we'll back off. If that ain't good enough, well, we can just kick y' shite up 'n down th' road as normal, and take our things anyway, so…" The crowd of bandits chuckled and laughed at the assertion.

Vers' smirk turned into a broad grin, and he slowly drew his sword. "You will regret your challenge to me. I will see you rot in a cell."

"Don't think I will! Lads, let's make a ring, why not?" The bandits lowered their weapons and moved, encircling the entire area a bit more carefully, setting the stage for Maia-Lea and Vers both, and they both started to circle each other.

"Make your move, cur." Vers dropped into a stance, sword at the ready, pointed forward in preparation.

"Gladly!" Maia-Lea leapt, axe at her side, a gleeful expression painted on her face as her axe came around.

[ffxivxd]

Female Mystel names consist of "forename + birth place + surname" while Male Mystel names consist of "birthplace + forename + surname".

For example, Chai-Nuzz Mewlah and Dulia-Chai Mewlah should be known as the Mewlahs rather than the Chais.

[pensola]

Gotta love Dawntrail's (and honestly, at times XIV since ShB and beyond) continuing trend that for every silent female miqo'te in the background, they give us three miqo'te with dialogue.

Either they are truly commited to retconning the miqo'te's gender ratio lore and hope nobody comments on it so they don't have to achknowledge it like they admitted they are too incompetent to make natural curls as hairstyles, or there is something about the Hhetsarro (and Mystels, to be honest) that make them have equal amounts or more male miqo'te than female.

[azikarue]

2023 Fic Recap

Little late with the recap this year, but it's still January, right? For now?

Going into 2023, my goals were to 1) update "Bliss", 2) participate in MayBlade, and 3) work on/finish some WIPs. Poor "Bliss" is still waiting for its chance, but two out of three isn't bad!

I'll ramble more at the end of the post, but here's a recap of everything I posted in 2023.

❖

A Kiss for Luck

Summary: Before his crucial battle against Mystel, Max takes a moment to center himself. He wasn't expecting company. Set in my Saint Shields in G-Rev AU. Pairing: Max/Mariam Chapters: 1/1 Words: 1,855 Rated: K+

This fic was the first of six short oneshots I wrote to commemorate Valentine's Day. I did something similar in 2021, where I wrote a handful of Max/Mariam kisses and published them during the week leading up to Valentine's Day. When I was planning my writing for 2023, it felt like something fun to tackle again, and it gave me a lighthearted and relaxed start to the year writing-wise. So, I ignored my entire list of goals and wrote this (plus the next five) based off of six kiss tropes. I chose a different pairing for each.

For this one, I indulged myself doubly by starting with Max/Mariam and by setting it in my Saint Shields in G-Rev AU. Ever since I started pondering this AU, the moment in this fic is one that I knew had to happen. I'm sure the Saint Shields would have a lot to say about BEGA. I'm also sure that Mariam would remember the lessons she learned from Max and would be happy to throw them back in his face when he needs it most. And I love the excuse to visit early Max/Mariam days, even if it's in an AU setting. I write so much about them as adults that it always feels refreshing to write a little closer to their roots. This one holds a special place in my heart.

❖

A Kiss on a Scar

Summary: Every mark on Tala's body has a story and Julia does her best not to ask questions. She doesn't always succeed. Pairing: Tala/Julia Chapters: 1/1 Words: 1,883 Rated: T

When I chose this trope, I knew exactly which ship I would write for it. I was glad to have more practice with these two after writing them for a couple of my MayBlade 2022 chapters. For some reason, I tend to shy away from any member of the Blitzkrieg Boys when I write. I think it's partially because they have such a strong fan base and I'm never sure how my personal image of them will rate. Honestly, I've spent so many years in the fandom focusing on more underrated characters that I'm not even sure I have fully developed ideas for the Blitzkrieg Boys. Tala/Julia feels more niche, though, like it's a safe place for me to play around in.

While writing this, I was a little unsure on characterization. Namely, how much Tala would share without prompting and how much Julia would prompt him. I think there's still some gaps in Tala's character arc between seasons that I need to fill in mentally. He's very open with Tyson when discussing BEGA and Boris. I can only assume that's some combo of righteous anger and maybe therapy? Or just figuring himself out now that he's free from Biovolt's clutches. Julia is a bit of a mystery, too. Mostly, I worry that I'll end up writing her too similarly to other female characters on accident. Reading this fic back, I don't dislike the way I wrote them. And it was a stage in their relationship that I hadn't written before this point, so I enjoyed it a lot!

❖

A Kiss with Red Lipstick

Summary: Usually Queen has more fun at Enrique's family parties. But she usually doesn't have to go out of her way for his company or spend the night stone cold sober either. Pairing: Enrique/Queen Chapters: 1/1 Words: 1,784 Rated: M

This chapter was just me writing for me. I was pleasantly surprised when it got more than a single note when I posted it on Tumblr, because I know this is such a random ship with an, arguably, even more random interpretation. These are the two I write about when I want messy drama and chaos. Red lipstick kisses feel very messy and chaotic, so here we are.

This falls into the same story line as the last Enrique/Queen fic I wrote. It was fun building upon that idea.

❖

A Kiss at the Beach

Summary: Salima gets caught staring. It lands her in deep water…so to speak. Pairing: Ray/Salima Chapters: 1/1 Words: 1,180 Rated: T

I'll never turn down the chance to write some cutesy Ray/Salima. I imagine the two of them traveling around together a lot, living an almost nomadic lifestyle between tournaments or stops home (to White Tiger Hills or Salima's apartment). It's always a treat to indulge in that line of thinking, especially for a sweet moment like this.

❖

A Kiss to Shut Her Up

Summary: Mariah has a talent for uncomfortable conversations. Rick's working on his strategy for getting out of them. Pairing: Rick/Mariah Chapters: 1/1 Words: 1,253 Rated: T

This was one of my favorites when I wrote this series, and I still love it a year later. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I love writing Rick and Mariah's dynamic, especially from Rick's in-denial, grumpy point of view. He's a fun character in general, and I love how Mariah is the perfect person to keep him on his toes. And I had the line about her climbing him like a tree in reserves for what feels like forever, so it was nice to finally give it a home.

❖

A Kiss for the Winner

Summary: Tyson wins another World Championship and Hilary needs a minute to process his reaction. Pairing: Tyson/Hilary Chapters: 1/1 Words: 1,987 Rated: K+

I remember agonizing over this fic because I didn't want Tyson or Hilary to feel out of character. I've written a fair bit of TyHil since then, so I think that worry has subsided somewhat, but it was VERY REAL when I wrote this. I think the fact that the fic centers around a disagreement added to that anxiety. Arguments can be tricky. I didn't want it to feel like they resolved things too quickly to be believable or that Hilary's feelings were dismissed. In the end, I'm very happy with how it turned out.

❖

Subtly Sweet

Summary: When Hilary's computer crashed, she hoped work would be a distraction. Instead, she has a run-in with a vending machine and finds an unlikely hero in Tyson. Now if only he wasn't such a royal pain. Pairing: Tyson/Hilary Chapters: 1/1 Words: 4,320 Rated: K

I have this fic to thank for being able to tick my "work on/finish some WIPs" box in 2023. Very grateful to it for the feeling of accomplishment it gave me. 😄

For a fic that was sitting as a WIP for a year, it cleaned up nice! As a WIP, it was mostly dialogue with some vague outlining that I'd started, then left hanging. Sometimes pinpointing the perfect dialogue to take a plot from Point A to Point B can be a struggle, so when I reread my notes, I knew I had to take advantage of a good thing while I had it. The phone call scene wasn't originally included, and I remember doing a healthy amount of tweaking to get it right, but once it was there I couldn't imagine the story without it.

Fun fact: The original spark of an idea for this fic came from a conversation with RedWheeler literal years ago. I can't remember if we were discussing TyHil specific songs, but "Tangled Up In Me" by Skye Sweetnam came up and I couldn't get the thought of Hilary kicking a vending machine out of my head. Also, how is that song 20 years-old already?

❖

Life in Color

Summary: A collection for MayBlade 2023. Pairing: Multiple Chapters: 31/31 Words: 65,225 Rated: Varies (everything from K to M)

The pièce de résistance of my year. 💎

I, once again, did not finish my MayBlade entries on time. Unlike my first try, I accepted the fact that I would fall behind ahead of time. I think it made me feel much less stressed overall, but it also might have contributed to me falling behind faster than before? It's a double-edged sword. I know that I was in a better place for this round than I was when writing "Just A Moment", though. Life was much more balanced and I gave myself time to rest and recoup in between chapters, as needed, rather than spending all hours writing, editing, and falling asleep on my keyboard.

I'm very proud of this collection. I love challenging myself to write about some of my favorite, underappreciated characters alongside some of the characters more typical to my fics. I think I said this last year, too, but I love to see which chapters people like best and how it can vary between FFN and Tumblr. Sometimes I'm surprised by how things play out. Like, I was very shocked that the first chapter was so well-received on Tumblr, seeing as it focused on the Saint Shields. I'm sure it was because it was Day 1 of the event, but it was nice to know that some of my favorite characters got their time to shine. That was the case for more than one chapter, and I'd write a slew of notes on them all if it wouldn't make this post way too long.

All in all, I saw more engagement on "Life in Color" versus "Just A Moment" and I'm so grateful to anyone who read or interacted with it in some way! 🤍

❖

As I reflect on 2023, I can acknowledge that I took some positive steps forward in my never-ending quest for balance.

I'm teaching myself every day that it is okay to let go of things without guilt and pick them back up later. I can't be everything or do it all 100% of the time, and that's all right. It doesn't have to be all or nothing, and I can start things without having any idea of when I'll finish them. I can take a break from things that aren't serving me or causing more stress than I can handle. I can choose myself first and follow my whims. I can log off and be present.

In 2024, I don't know what my fanfic uploads will look like. I'd like to update Bliss and work on more WIPs. MayBlade is up in the air. I love participating, but it always turns into a bigger production than I bargain for. I may just need to participate differently, if I choose to do so.

September thru December are notoriously busy months for me, with May and June getting honorable mention. I'm not saying I'll be totally absent those months. Just putting it out there for me, so I know to go easy on myself. If I do nothing but read and take day trips and spend quality time with the people (and animals!) I love during that time, then it will be a year well spent. 🤍

As always, thank you to everyone who has interacted with any of my uploads this year and to the people who cheer me on and feed my fandom fire. I appreciate this little circle of the internet so, so much, and I hope 2024 brings only the best to you all! 🥰

[ferrocyan]

Chapters: 1/1

Word count: 2344

Pairing: Lue-Reeq/Warrior of Light

Characters: Lue-Reeq, Warrior of Light (female)

Rating: Gen

Additional tags: Pre-relationship

Summary: After failing the day's hunt for a Cardinal Virtue and an awful family meeting, the Warrior of Darkness couldn't help but want to cheer her new friend up. Nothing does the trick like a small victory, with a side of compliments.

(A loose rewrite of the level 74 DPS role quest "Freedom from Privilege")

Detour

  "Keep your coin, Father! We're leaving, C'astarhte! Right now!"

  Lue-Reeq stormed out of the Beehive. Tart understood why; being dismissed so utterly by his own father must have hurt, not to mention that he had been insulted in front of all the patrons of the Hive. It made sense that he wanted to get out as fast as he could. He didn't say where they would rendezvous afterwards, but Tart could probably find him at his usual seat at the Wandering Stairs. That would make sense. What didn't was how much this situation didn't sit right with her.

  The man Lue-Reeq called his father didn't spare Tart another glance. Nor did the woman beside him. Only the elven servant glanced over uncomfortably, mumbling when Tart caught his  gaze about how upset Master Reeq looked. Tart scowled and left them.

  It wasn't fair. Lue-Reeq was being dismissed by everyone, his own family and friends chief among them, and judging from his delight at Tart simply making their appointment, more people besides. It seemed that the only people who gave him the time of day were those interested in his coin. Tart hadn't known him for long, but what she knew of Lue-Reeq was that he'd called Tart his friend, treated her to lavish meals, and despite the carefree impression he gave off, held odd affections for everything around him. It was unfair that others couldn't do the same for him.

  Tart looked around the inner hall of Eulmore. no sign of a blue-haired mystel-- ah, out on the walkway. "Reeq, wait up!" She tried to call out to him to no avail. Tart huffed and ran after him, shouting his name a few times, then decided it was enough.

  A long bony finger emerged out of smoke, tearing a hole in space with its claw. Tart stepped in, came out of a similar tear fifteen yalms away, and-- collided with something solid.

  Lue-Reeq yelped as he fell. His momentum brought him ass over teakettle as he bumped into the suddenly-appearing Tart before him. "What the--C'astarhte? How?" he cried out. "Wait, I didn't mean to hit you! Please put the blade away!"

  Tart realized that the impact made her automatically pull out her scythe. "Oh." She sheathed it on her back. "Sorry." So he'd been near exactly fifteen yalms ahead. Tart noted the necessity to practice on the distance of Hell's Ingress. "Tried calling after you, but you didn't hear me."

  "You did? Ah. I thought it my imagination. My apologies." Lue-Reeq got up with her help. He rubbed his forehead with a grimace, then asked, "Do you... still have business with me?"

  Tart nodded. She needed to express a sentiment contrary to the dismissals that Lue-Reeq had received today. Only... she only now realized something important. Tart had only known Lue-Reeq for a combined three days. All she knew about him was that he was a friendly person. What could she tell him that would be valuable?

  Her best guess was that she could say something appreciative about his fighting prowess. That was the basis of their partnership, after all, and Lanbyrd had insulted him about it directly. But Tart hadn't yet seen Lue-Reeq in a fight. She couldn't say anything of value when she had no idea about him.

  Lue-Reeq tilted his head at her silence. "If you mean to ask for your payment, rest assured that I wasn't about to flee. I merely thought we could meet up at the Crystarium like before. But, ah, I do apologize for leaving first--"

  "That's not it," Tart blurted out. Shit, she needed to come up with something, fast. Rummaging into her bag, her fingers brushed against a stack of papers. She took them out and shoved them at Lue-Reeq.

  He accepted the stack, mouth agape in bewilderment. "This is...?" he prompted, then read the topmost paper. Or tried, rather, because after a few seconds of scrutiny he looked at Tart. "I can't read it."

  Oh wait, those were the Grand Company hunt bills. Tart shuffled through the bills until she found one with letters she didn't recognize and gave it back to Lue-Reeq.

  He gasped. "Oh, you can't read this one because it's in a different script, am I right? Very well then! This is a beginner-rank bill from Clan Nutsy, requesting the slaughter of three germinants, for the reward of, uh, three sacks of nuts? Is that a currency you're familiar with?" Tart nodded. "Well, if you're sure. I personally doubt that nuts are a valid form of compensation--but I digress. Authorized by the Eulmoran society of--" Lue-Reeq paused, gulped, then continued, "why, the esteemed Clan Nutsy has given indication of the germinants' location, after all! Whale's Breach, now that would be not a malm to the southeast of Gatetown. You can't miss it! Best of luck to you, then, partner."

  "Us," Tart corrected. "You're coming with."

  "I'll be waiting at the Wandering Stairs with a cele-- pardon?" Lue-Reeq had been waving goodbye as he started away, but now his hand hung awkwardly in the air. He gestured at himself, unsure. Tart nodded. "Why?"

  Tart crossed her arms. The first time they met, Lue-Reeq had asked Tart to show off her fighting prowess for his judgment by slaying a sin eater. So she had fought while he watched from the sidelines. The second time, they'd split up in search of a spider-like sin eater. After finishing it off, Tart had been overtaken by the Echo, and Lue-Reeq found her in its throes after he was done. Relaying as much to him, Tart concluded, "So we've never really fought together, no? When you say we're partners, I'd like it to be earned."

  Lue-Reeq flinched, his ears standing on end then drooping. "That is... not the first time I've been told the same. But we're partners in slaying Andreia, so all that matters is that we fight her together. Germinants cannot possibly compare to a Cardinal Virtue!"

  "Doesn't need to," Tart shrugged. "What matters is we do it together. No more objections, right? Surely not." She stuck out her tongue at Lue-Reeq, then headed to the stairs. Lue-Reeq made a distressed whine behind her.

  "Wait, the lift is over there!"

  "We're taking the stairs."

  "Why?! Oh, fine, just don't leave me!"

  Tart's gambit was working better than expected. a little ways southeast of Eulmore Lue-Reeq pointed out a pair of beasts sitting by a small creek. Massive rounded bodies, great maws sat below tiny faces, and a brown flower that had seemingly sprouted from the top of their heads. Seedkin, then--made sense why they would be called germinants. "Those would be our quarry. A little too close to settlement, aren't they? What are the guards thinking?" he wondered.

  "That they could leave their culling to hunters. Like us." Tart looked around for one more. "There," she pointed south to another germinant. "You grab that one and come back here. I'll get started on the two."

  Lue-Reeq frowned. "It's quite far away. Why don't I kill it by myself, and--"

  "To-ge-ther."

  Throwing his hands up, Lue-Reeq readied his bow and started off towards the lone seedkin. Tart pulled out her scythe and ran towards the germinants, then swung at both at once, beginning the offering of blood for her friend of the void. In short order Lue-Reeq returned, and Tart stepped into Ingress to meet him.

  With three enemies grouped up, Tart switched her strikes into wide swings, scythe spinning in wide arcs that left cyan arcane trails, while Lue-Reeq kept his arrows trained on his quarry. Radiant arrows flew and converged upon each germinant. A phantom arm tore out of the reaper's shadow and enveloped the seedkin in a sea of smoke. Choked, they fought back by spraying poisonous gas towards their attackers. but it was no use. The beasts soon fell to the pair of hunters.

  Lue-Reeq exclaimed in relief. "Wicked white, that was quite a thrill! I managed to escape unscathed, thank the gods for that. You are unhurt as well?" Tart nodded at him, and Lue-Reeq placed his hands on his hip with a sigh. "Great! Now if you have no further need--"

  "Proof of the kills."

  "Ah," Lue-Reeq said, though his face betrayed his cluelessness, "of course." Tart knelt beside one of the seedkin and plucked a petal from the flower on its head and a few seeds from its center. Lue-Reeq followed suit.

  After he helped her pack the flower and seeds into her bag, Lue-Reeq stepped back. standing silently as if waiting for a dismissal, hands running over his forearms. Tart thought it was the time to execute the real purpose of her gambit. She walked towards a nearby rock, sat on it and gestured towards Lue-Reeq to sit beside her. She then took out two apples and gave him one. They ate in silence for a moment, accompanied only by the swaying grasses on rolling hills.

  "You know," Tart said, "you're not bad. I don't know much about archery, but your technique is very clean. Efficient, no wasted movement, very well timed. I was amazed how fast you could nock arrows and have shots lined up perfectly. It was nice to fight with you. Good job, Reeq." She smiled at him as she finished.

  Lue-Reeq stared open-mouthed at her, the apple he was about to bite into nearly falling out of his grip. "Really?" he shrieked, then covered his mouth. "I mean, ahh, I did tell you how skilled I am, surely?" His hand was still barely covering his mouth, but it didn't stop the giggles escaping its confinement. "So you see! You see!" Ears flicking in punctuation, Lue-Reeq's face split into a massive grin, accompanied by a deep blush.

  Tart watched him, astonished. Her idea had worked much better than expected--the trap had sprung, and it released his spirits and cheeriness along with it. Yes, she liked him best smiling like this, after all. Entertaining the thought of reaching over to pet his ears, Tart hummed. "Mmhm, Reeq's the best."

  Lue-Reeq gasped as she said it. "So I haven't been imagining it! You... you've been calling me Reeq?"

  Oh. Wait. "Yes," Tart answered. She had, because that was how Lue-Reeq referred to himself before, and she thought that meant he wanted her to use it. He didn't seem offended by it now, but, "is it no good?"

  "No!" Lue-Reeq blurted, then quickly added, "It's all right if you'd like to! Or, or not. You are free to call me whatever you like!"

  Tart glanced at his tail, swishing back and forth eagerly, and held back her laugh. "Reeq is fine?" To his furious nodding, Tart continued, "then you can call me Tart, too."

  The suggestion froze Lue-Reeq. Something about it made him quiet, looking away and mouthing silently. "Wicked white," was all Tart could catch.

  He cleared his throat. "Um, Tart?"

  Oh, Tart realized. Come to think of it, she had always wanted someone to call her by that nickname. She savored the sound of it, like the crisp aftertaste of a ripe apple.

  Wait, Reeq was talking to her. "Yes?"

  Fortunately he was rather deep in thought. He said, hesitantly, "I have something to confess."

  He folded his hands in his lap, half-eaten apple cradled in the middle. He shifted to face Tart better, then spoke. "As you may have gathered from our exchange, I am a free citizen of Eulmore. Owing to my parents' considerable wealth, I have enjoyed a relatively privileged upbringing. Privileged... and unbearably boring, which is why I quit the city and resolved to become a bounty hunter."

  His chin dipped onto his chest as he continued. "I'm well aware of my fortunate circumstances, which is why I've elected to conceal it from the people of the Crystarium. People are... wont to come to uncharitable conclusions when they find out." He braved a glance towards Tart and gave her a small smile. "But I feel like you and I have established a rapport, so I think I can bring you into my confidence?" he asked, hopeful. Tart nodded and patted his shoulder, which relaxed immediately. "I'd be grateful if you refrain from telling others as well."

  Having discarded the burden of secrecy, Reeq exhaled loudly, jumped onto his feet, and pumped his fist in the air. "Now then! Since Lanbyrd insists on turning this hunt into a race, I say we beat him at his own game! We find Andreia and slay her before he does! Alas, I refused Father's money in a fit of frustration, and that will certainly hinder our efforts... but, I'm sure we will manage!" he exclaimed.

  "Ah, but now that I think of it," said Reeq, "I don't know if I can give you more than a token sum of payment today. I... I do hope that won't deter you from joining me again?" He tried for a hopeful grin while posing the question.

  "I'm not in this for the gil," Tart said. Reeq stared at her for a moment, head tilted to the side, then guffawed.

  "Of course, of course you aren't. Perish the thought! Hah, haha."

  Huh, Tart thought, did he think she was lying? She considered something else. "Then consider your help today as an extra payment. That settles it?"

  Reeq opened his mouth, said nothing, closed it again. He scratched his chin. Stared at rocks in the middle distance as if they offended his aesthetic sensibilities. Finally, he shrugged. "If you're alright with that, then by all means. We part with no debts to each other." He offered Tart a handshake. "I look forward to our future success together. As Tart and Reeq, bounty hunters extraordinaire!"

  Tart offered him a smile back, but it was only after they'd parted, Reeq walking back towards Gatetown while she rode Enbarr to Stilltide, that she really grinned ear to ear. No matter what duties the Exarch would give her, Tart decided she was going to see Reeq again as soon as she could.

(Originally posted on 16/11 aka my WOL's nameday (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*.✧ thanks for reading!)

[starrysnowdrop]

Upon Distant Shores

[melfinamoonwind]

[feroshi]

[zadien]

For the Fic Writer Ask Game. 7. What do you love most about being a fic writer for your fandom? 9. What inspired you to write your first fic?

11. Who is your favorite character (s) to write about and why? 14. Share a snippet.

7. The fact that I get to sit in my own little corner of the fandom, play with the characters the way I want to and people just accept that. No one’s coming up and trying to police what I do, no one’s telling me I’m wrong for shipping what I ship, it’s really nice. Everyone’s very ship and let ship, and while what I write might not be everyone’s cup of tea, if I reach out to the fandom for help, I know there’ll be a response.

It’s such a unique fandom; the show has been over for decades, I know there was a manga recently, but for the most part there’s been years without content but this fandom still produces content. There’s been no real absence and it has kept me motivated to keep writing all this time. I love the characters of course, but it’s been the fandom too, even if I’m just existing on the fringes. It’s like we’re all in this big playground and people are hanging with their friends, but they’re casually keeping an eye out for everyone else too. And that’s just a really good feeling. And if me creating content makes someone else feel inspired to keep going too, then all the better.

9. I used to write Buffy fanfic decades ago, based on just wanting to take that world and do more with it. But for this, I’ll use SLTS (because technically it was published before L/H). And that came about because of my endless love of Mighty Ducks and wanting more from it - more female characters, more character shenanigans etc. And there were only 3 films, so I needed to create more. I was also currently watching Beyblade and there were so many characters, all of them with these odd dynamics and then they all joined up in Russia and I just thought, let me scoop all of you kids up and put you on a high school hockey team. Nothing can go wrong. Also I wanted someone to get under Kai’s skin. I’d also read a lot of CanonxOC (it was big at the time) and while the fics were great, I didn’t relate to the OCs. They were so feisty and pretty and guys loved them, girls wanted to be them (and often fought with them). I wanted someone I could relate to, a little less OC/ One Tree Hill drama. I wanted team camaraderie, the kind of friendships where they can insult you but if anyone else does they’ll suffer, I wanted girl friendships and movie night in the common room. So I created SLTS, which has its own many problems, but still remains something I’m super proud of.

11. IIIAAANNN!! I love Ian. Ian has the best dialogue, the best internal thoughts, he’s funny and witty, gets annoyed by the slightest things. He’s just so entertaining and he has such range, from the little brat, to the over protective brother. Depending on who he’s with in any one scene, I get a different version of Ian to play with. He’s has a fantastic dynamic.

Honourable mention must go to Hilary of course because her thought process is nuts, and she’s so strait laced in some scenes but then goes full on neurosis and it’s 0-100 in the blink of an eye, and half the time I’m left with whiplash. Which is also very fun to write. Kai too needs a nod, because he’s just the polar opposite in parts. Depending on what fic I’m writing, he’s either very stoic or very suspicious, bordering on conspiracy theorist (and with his past why wouldn’t he suspect every person of being out to get them?). He’s just very internal and I end up with paragraphs upon paragraphs of just Kai’s very brusque thoughts. (And Mystel too - actually I love everyone, it’s why I write an ensemble fic.)

14. Kane pushed himself to his feet, showing off those explosive movements everyone wanted to see from him. “What? Are we going to a rink?” He frowned. “The only one around is Bakuten high and I’m not setting foot in Reject territory.” They’d already run into the resident moron brigade and Kane was loathed to do it again. 

“No, we’re definitely not asking the rejects for any favours. I’ve had enough of them for the day.” 

“Oh?” Kane asked, bending down to grab his energy drink from his bag that still carried the scent of chlorine from the pool. If he’d known Tala was going to be late, he could have swung home and dropped it off. 

“Ran into Foxy at the garage when he was dropping off his car.” 

“You sure he didn’t know you were going to be there? The amount of times one of their little youth leaguers has wandered past this place during the week he must know every step we take.” 

“It was probably just a coincidence. He had a few things to say though.” 

“Of course he did, loves the sound of his own voice.” He’d say it was a genetic thing but he didn’t want to piss Valkov off further in case he did tie him to the nets before going on his weekend away. “Most of what Foxy has to say doesn’t hold water. It’s just a waste of—” Kane’s words of wisdom died when he caught sight of two familiar figures entering the other side of the basketball court. “Why are they here?”

[witchofthescions]

The first thing to cross over to him in the vast gulf between unconsciousness and wakefulness were voices. As he drifted closer to consciousness, he could pick out two men. One, the roegadyn knight he encountered in Coerthas. The other, the hyuran man he overheard talking about retrieving the Eyes of Nidhogg. He'd already suspected they were connected, but this conversation more or less confirmed it.

"You shouldn't have brought him back here, Bran—"

"Code names, Arbert," the knight said. "Especially with a native in our midst."

The hyur huffed and folded his arms over his chest. "The point still stands, Blanhaerz. What were you thinking, bringing him here? Especially after he attacked you!"

"Oh come off it, lad. As if you never did the same."

"...That's beside the point."

The roegadyn addressed as Blanhaerz let out a sigh. "...I couldn't just leave a young man lying out in the cold. I may have forsaken everything I once was physically, but... I'll be damned if I give up everything."

Arbert, the hyur, let out a heavy sigh. "...Given the choice, I can't say I wouldn't still do the same. But why bring him here?"

"It's not as if I could take him somewhere more populated," Blanhaerz argued. "We're supposed to be keeping a low profile, after all. I can't just go waltzing into a busy city, dump an unconscious Mystel on someone's doorstep and be done with it."

"Miqo'te," Arbert corrected him. Blanhaerz's eyes widened before he muttered an unfamiliar curse. Arbert simply laughed. "See? It's not just me!"

Blanhaerz waved a hand dismissively. "Regardless, I couldn't drop him somewhere safe, nor could I stomach the thought of simply leaving him to freeze to death."

"If he possesses the Echo then that shouldn't be an issue," came another voice. A female Miqo'te stepped into his view, looking faintly amused.

The two men grimaced and looked away. What, exactly, was that supposed to mean?!

"Careful what you say around our 'guest,' J'roomhale," Blanhaerz commented. "I'd rather we didn't scare the lad off."

J'roomhale glanced over to him, her grin widening. "Oh? I didn't realize you were already awake."

Somehow he doubted that, but he wasn't going to call her out like this. Instead, he made a show of stretching his limbs as if newly awakened and sat up. He gave an idle scratch of the ear and shook his head.

"Now that you're awake, we should perhaps introduce ourselves," Arbert said. "I am Arbert, and these are two of my companions. You've already met Blanhaerz, though perhaps not by name. And this is J'roomhale, whose bow you narrowly escaped last we saw of you."

The amused expression didn't leave J'roomhale's face, though she seemed to be sizing him up judging from the way her ears flicked forward.

"What might your name be?"

He briefly considered giving them a fake name, since it was clear that none of them were using their true names. On the other hand, what difference would it make if he used an alias? While their current actions were questionable, from the glimpse he'd gotten of their past, he was certain they were more heroic than villainous.

Though that didn't mean he was going to give them his full name.

"Gohnoh'a."

"Well met, Gohnoh'a. Apologies for the abrupt change in topic, but... have you ever fought a primal?"

[ivanxemear]

There was always a point in the night where the diurnal staff were sleeping but the night owls were busy with their personal lives. No work was to be done and the halls of Seraphim’s Rest grew peaceful and eerily quiet. It was then that Ivan stole away a recent report and he highly doubted it would be missed at least for a few hours. They so rarely read them anyway.

The file was kept tightly closed until he was back to the emotional safety of his home and the privacy of his office. For the longest time Ivan’s golden eyes only glared invisible holes in the folder. Luun told him what had happened on the last trip to the First, who he had seen. But he needed to see it on paper, the permanent record of the description. He heaved a sigh then flipped the file open, his fixation pausing at a certain title as he read. “King in Red.” Well maybe some people read these reports.

Ivan’s hand came up to cover his mouth as he got to the description of a woman, a middle aged Mystel with white hair and white skin. His breathing grew fast and anxious and he read the words over and over and over, praying for a mistake. Surely there had to be some small detail to explain this away, to make this impossible truth go away.

The Keeper’s emotional stress had little time to breath as he thought back to a conversation with Kletty and then a very different one with Felyna, two opposing sides of his story. An arrogant and prideful sense of self preservation welled up in him the longer he stared at the words. They deserve to know.

There were eyes on him and he finally turned to look up at the painting that had been hanging behind him, the physical proof that Luun knew exactly who he had seen. A painting of the Xemear family, the six people together were another impossibility brought to reality but this was through the caring and talented hand of a dear friend. A sense of responsibility waved over him as he looked at the visage of his mother. “They never should have gone there.” He said to her, knowing she never would have let him use that as an excuse to withhold information.

He turned back to the desk and picked up his quill, feeling like he was stabbing an exposed nerve as he dipped it down into the ink. He wasn’t sure what any of this meant but he knew he could not figure it out on his own so he released this small token, this small nugget of information.

Next to the description of the female Mystel a small note was added in Ivan’s Xemear’s tidy and distinguishable handwriting.

“Reflection of Ruhki Xemear.”

[candideangel]

Flower Dreams

Fairy Kingdom AU Words: 2122

“How dreadfully boring…I figured in a fairy kingdom’s defense someone would at least attempt to put up a bit of sport…”

An older hume towered over a much smaller one, who was reaching out for a bow, just within reach...so close...but steel came crashing down on the wood, smashing it to bits before her eyes. Eyes cold as the steel to the heel of his boots glaring down at the female figure under him, but in those depths was just nothing. “And you, by far are the one most boring of all.” There was a click and a blinding flash, pain, then just nothing but darkness.

Even when her eyes had opened, the once vibrant world around her had been muted and dulled. Nothing seemed to shine in its usual luster. Vaguely she heard orders, and silently obeyed, armed men falling into a faint as with the flick of a wand flowers sprouted and circled, sprinkling their magic pollen until they dozed. The rest often left to the others, even then she stared on in this grey world; dull, lackluster….

Boring…

~o~o~

Mystel ears twitched absently at the silence of the forest, nothing but the sound of a piece of parchment being scratched on with a quill pen. The path up through trees and wood had been dreadfully quiet, he swore he could hear his own thoughts echo. G’raha breathed out softly through his nose as he glanced about, “Am I even going the right way at this point?” he muttered to himself, allowing the ink a moment to dry before closing the book. He looked back to where he had come, a thick fog lying on the ground making the path behind and ahead of him difficult to see more than several fulms in front of his face. A craving for knowledge as he had been researching in books, and while writings were scarce in history, his curiosity piqued about the land of dreams, a place run by pixies that were supposed to weave dreams to keep nightmares away from those all around the land. Supposedly.

Getting there however? That was a task in itself. The Kingdom of Rainbows, or Il Mheg was often off limits to mortals. Some who did trespass into the territory never returned, most of them looters looking for something to plunder from the rich land. This was probably an exercise in futility. He stiffened though when his ear twitched a little and he turned to some of the trees nearby, “Who’s there?” he called, while not shaken terribly from a sudden noise that he picked up sounding like a hiss. Only silence greeted him and his shoulders sagged a little, “Get ahold of yourself G’raha, you’re just making noise out of nothing. You’ve been surrounded by silence too long that your mind is playing tricks on you.” He shook his head a little bit and would strap the book shut, setting it against his waist and he would continue his way ahead...though he did glance over his shoulder every so often to catch a glimpse of something.

However, little was he aware that he was not alone, holding a pink pixie lightly in her grasp, the fairy tender of the very place he was coming to the forbidden land for...was watching him very closely.

G’raha’s legs were becoming sore, he was about to finally take a break as he was cresting a hill. Everything throbbed dully, but he stopped, just through the remaining trees he could see somewhat through the fog, flowers bright against the grayed canvas of the clouds on the ground. And while it was still far away he could see the faintest shimmering of wings in the distance, the sign of the palace to the newest in the line, the Fairy Queen as rumors mentioned, the crown jewel that housed the beloved majesty. For a moment he could feel his heart nearly stall, and he was certain when the fog would clear up, he could only imagine the beauty hiding behind the curtain. Slowly he would start walking along the path ahead of him, not once glancing to the ground where long since red had dried, paw marks dug in dried mud from rainfall.

As he was just making it to the end of the treeline, he saw something flutter past his vision, giggling a little, then followed by other small balls of light that also chimed with their own giggles. Perhaps those were the pixies? He wasn’t sure, there was a mention in books, but anything that depicted them...they didn’t look like the most friendly of creatures. That was when everything perked to alert, he heard something loud and rumbling like heavy footsteps, followed by a bellowing roar. A chill had gone up his spine and as he turned he saw a large bear-like creature charging without a stop right in his general direction. But it wasn’t a normal bear, this one was a bit larger in size and had blooms sprouting all over its body.

Cursing, he made for a blade in his belt ready to fight and protect himself but a breeze ruffled his bangs as something came between him and the bear’s path. Words passing lips in a language he wasn’t certain of, eyes going to large glimmering blue and pink wings like that of a butterfly. Cracking something dry between palms did this being chant something so soft and sweet-like before blowing a glittering dust towards the charging beast. Silence passed for a moment, everything slowed as a heavy thump came and the bear collapsed onto its side...and snoring? The beast was asleep? Curiosity he paid no mind to the being before him and went to investigate, “It’s...It’s sleeping?” he was surprised as he confirmed it, heart still pounding heavily in his chest as he looked it over. “How in the world did you…” His words stopped short as he felt something land upon his head, he made to grab it but his body felt as if he was no longer in control...swaying and heavy as if held by stone weights. A sparkling dust got in his eyes, and just as he turned to look upon the assailant, his vision began to blur and his body collapsed onto the ground right next to the bear’s.

“How come you wouldn’t let us play with him a little more, Atalanta is so boring!” A pixie complained nearby with a group of others with them. Green eyes stared down at the mystel for a moment until a pink pixie fluttered over, crossing their arms.

“You should have just let him get eaten like the last one. Goodness knows Rosebears need to eat too. What do you expect to do with this mortal? After all, none are too fond with them crossing into the land.”

Atalanta sighed softly and brought up a wand, muttering soft words before with a few flicks of the wrist the mortal’s sleeping body vanished from sight, making sure that the destination was the hill where he had begun, much, much further from Il Mheg. “Titania isn’t going to like that you’ve gone against her wishes!” The pixie warned but Atalanta would glance to the pixie and look over to the fog laden land, then to the pixie swarm and back to the pink one again.

“Bring him to Lhye Mheg, I’m only going to give this mortal a warning, and that will be the end of it.” she replied before turning and butterfly wings fluttered to life and went to the fog covered land that would slowly be lifted, but only to their vision alone.

~o~o~

G’raha’s eyes fluttered open, at first everything a blur, hearing the sound of rushing water, above him was sky the color of a pink rose, clouds a shade reflected by sunset floating by lazily. Slowly he sat up and almost lost his balance as his hand slipped off an edge of a marble fountain...only this fountain stretched...and stretched for malms ahead, water jetting clear as crystal. Just as he straightened he stopped just short of rubbing his temples when a soft voice spoke behind him. “You should know that mortals are not to set foot on Fae land. Whether for ill or for well.”

He expected to find a person beyond the falls of water, but instead the ripples blurred and broke the solid image like a painting ruined by a rainstorm. “I haven’t come for any of ill-intent, you must believe that what I have come for was only research, to study the world of Lhye Mheg, nothing more.” He tried his best to explain himself. 

“Much has been risked keeping you alive, had it been another, or none at all, they would have seen you eaten by the rosebear without second thought. Perhaps turn your corpse into some lovely shrubbery.” The voice that replied, female, was sharp as a thorn. “This will be my only warning to you; do not come back to Il Mheg. When you wake, go home...because if you so choose to intrude a second time it will not be someone as kind as I that keeps you alive, or alive at all.” 

“But I don’t…”

“Unless you have her majesty’s favor, then you are in danger each time you try to step in the land. Now, go, wake. Go back home...and never come here again.”

“Wait a moment! I don’t understand!” He had just woken in this land and wanted to know where he was. He wanted answers. As he reached for the wall of water, he was repelled by a magic barrier. But silence was his only answer, and he grit his teeth. He wasn’t sure if he was awake or not. “What do you mean “wake up” I’m awake right...now…”

Fluttering farther afield, Atalanta would soon land her toes in the grass, glancing back, waiting...and when she recognized his presence as gone, she dropped the illusion, the long stretching fountain no longer there, just the typical round marble one, still gushing water like normal. Far off, she could hear the sound of giggling children, but she wasn’t paying much heed, green eyes gazing down at the flowers under her. What was to be richly vibrant, were slightly off-color, while not black and white...she knew deep down that the true colors were not what she was seeing. But something had stood out on that mystel...something that had gotten her curious enough to follow him...enough to build a need to make sure he was the one thing he kept safe this time.

“What’s wrong?” her pink pixie companion wondered curiously, long yellow colored nails against palm and wrist as their knuckles were to their cheek in thought.

“I’m...not sure.” Atalanta muttered softly to herself then glanced to the pixie, “...Red is supposed to be vibrant right?” In return was a stunned silence. Oh, the pixie was aware of the fairy’s condition, but this is the first time the Spring Flower Fairy had ever truly made mention of a color and its vibrancy. Perhaps they should report this new finding, perhaps the fairy was becoming better!

~o~o~

G’raha though would soon startle awake staring at a no longer rose tinted sky, and instead it was blackened with many stars twinkling above his head. His memory was fuzzy on how he ended up where he was but as he sat up he stared at the hill he had just walked, then behind him to the purple foliage behind him. “Gods damn it…” he muttered under his breath then paused as he reached up, finding something soft and velvety he would remove it from his head, staring at the beautiful crown of blue and purple flowers in various shades. It was rather pretty, but his nose twitched a little, and he took a curious sniff from the flowers, while there was a scent of the blooms that were arranged; there was something off. “Must’ve been magic to put me to sleep…” he muttered looking down at it then to the hill, frowning a little.

“Curry favor with their majesty? How in the Seven Hells do I do that when I can’t even step foot in the place?” he groused then sighed staring at the crown of flowers in his hands. Then he looked back to the way home, it was still so far away, he would just have to take shelter at one of the military outposts and rest there. Perhaps then he would mull over what he could remember, and perhaps return with a better plan of action without appearing as an intruder upon Fae soil.

[dholwrites]

All The Little Things

Notes: Commission piece for @dialga Relationship: Crystal Exarch x Female WoL (Na’na Niall) Rating: G - General. (Very high fluff content) 

Ao3 Link

4 sweet moments between a knight and her prince after the return of the night.

1 Stars and the Moon

The stars danced before his eyes on the backdrop of a pitch sea. They sparkle together with the full moon, hung high and clear as the sun. Ever since Na’na returned the night to Lakeland, he couldn’t resist the way it pulled his eyes upwards. The way the tower walls glowed under the moonlight tugged at the memories of his youth; moments when he would hide out in high corners to read a book, discuss theories with NOAH, or catch himself daydreaming about Na’na. G’raha quietly chuckled to himself. It had been a while.

“There you are, I was wondering where you disappeared to,” a sweet voice called from behind him. Na’na had climbed up the stairs into his hiding spot, her footsteps barely letting out a sound. How she knew to look up here, he would never know. The sound of his heartbeat echoed in his ears as she moved to sit down next to him. His gaze lingered on her profile, captivated by the way her hair and ribbon played in the wind, a smile on her lips and excitement in her eyes. Thankfully, she was too distracted by the constellations to notice his staring. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it? You can see all the stars from up here.”

“Yeah...” He trails off before turning his gaze back towards the sky. “It reminds me of the skies in Mor Dhona. I wish I could see them again.” With you. Those words fell at the tip of his tongue like lead, yet his heart flutters at the mere thought of being so balant about his affections.

‘It’s not as lovely as you.’ Would that be too cliche? Perhaps ‘you’re more beautiful than every star in the sky,’ would be a better choice?

“Oh, Raha, you silly prince.”

“Prince?! But- I- I’m- wh- w-wait a moment!” His heart leaped with joy at the nickname. His cheeks grew warm as words tumbled out of his mouth before he could catch them. Did his words slip without him realizing it? His train of thought came to a halt at the sudden warmth on his hand and side. Na’na had slid from her spot to be right next to him, resting her head against him. G’raha could barely calm his frantic heart before it leapt out of his chest at the soft hands taking his. 

His gaze begins to drift back towards her eyes as they light up at every constellation she can find in the night sky. Then to her lips, captivating him by how soft they look. Surely they would feel just as soft when he kissed her. His eyes continued to travel until they found their way to their intertwined hands. They felt so small compared to his own. His mind whispers to hold onto her, to keep her close even if she needs to leave. That still hadn't changed since he last saw her centuries ago. 

“Raha?” He snaps back into reality at the sound, blinking owlishly when they lock eyes again. 

“Apologies, I can’t help but get lost in thought. I couldn’t help but think about the Source.”

Na’na lets go of his hand to wrap her arm around his back, pressing herself to his chest. “Even if you are here in this world, we can still see the same sky. Remember, no matter where you are and who you become, you will still be my ‘Raha’.”

With her simple words, a realization dawned upon Raha; if Na’na Niall hinted at wanting to touch a star, he would gladly put the entire galaxy into her hand. 

“You look at me like I’m a star in the sky,” Na’na jokes, giving his hand an affectionate squeeze.

G’raha lets out a small laugh, “Because you are.” 

2 Sharing a Meal

G’raha lets out a sigh at the sight of books piled high around him. Most of them were books borrowed from the Cabinet of Curiosity, while everything else he brought from the Source. Hopefully, at least one of them would help him find a solution to the Scion’s predicament. He owed it to them for causing this when he first summoned them here. Yet his mind started to wonder every time he attempted to pick up a book and start his new task.

Days flew by in a daze after their stargazing date, and G’raha had gotten even clumsier since then. Lyna had more than once saved him from tripping down the stairs, pulled him aside from running into a lamppost during an inspection, and made sure that he was actually paying attention to what he was reading. The captain had become increasingly distressed over all the accidents, despite his best attempts to assure her that he was definitely not getting sick. The source of his mishap is much more... personal. No one needed to know that he’d been daydreaming about the Warrior of Darkness, especially not if there was a chance that word would get back to her. 

His thoughts come to a halt when something sweet gets shoved into his mouth.

“ Rarararahaaa~” A familiar voice cooed from behind him. Not a moment later a piece of cake carefully balanced on a spoon appeared before his eyes, this time offering it for him to take it instead. Na’na had moved beside him with two slices of cake balanced on the other hand. “Say ‘Aaaaaaah~’”

“Aaaah,” he hesitantly opens his mouth and allows himself to be fed, the warmth of his cheeks coming back twofold. G’raha took the extra time to savor the piece, the sweet and fluffy cream with an equally light and soft sponge, the cake baked perfectly. “Did you get these from the market downstairs? They are perfect.”

“You can thank me by finishing a slice.” Na’na had already scooped another piece into his mouth, letting out a huff as he obediently chewed. “You shouldn’t be overworking yourself! I was hoping that you would take it easy now that the First isn’t in danger, but then I hear from Lyna that you’ve shut yourself in the study for hours again. You need to take breaks too, Raha.”

“I was just researching on how to get the Scions back home.” Well, at least he should have been. He’s been watching her go about her day, sometimes talking to the Scions and other times fending the weak from monsters. The way she moves, interacts, and fights captures every bit of his attention. And there is nothing he wants to change about it. “You told me that Krile believes that their lives could be at stake because I poorly summoned them to the First. I need to work to get them back to the Source before something bad-.”

“That is not a good excuse! You’ve been holed up here for the past few days without a break and I refuse to let you continue this until you get some sleep.” She shoves another spoonful of cake into his mouth without warning, only when she was sure that he finished did she take it back. He could feel bits of sticky cream coating his lips. “Since you can’t be trusted to take care of yourself, I’m going to do it for you.”

He barely had time to hide the grin that wormed its way to his face. G’raha felt almost a little giddy with joy as she worried about his health. It would be much easier to simply agree with what she says, but hearing her words always made his heart flutter. 

The miqo’te finally closed the book in his lap and set it aside. “Na’na, since I have fused with the tower, I do not need to sleep anymore. It does not affect my health to stay up for hours to get what I need done.” 

There was angry look that flashed across her eyes, one sharp and dark enough to kill a Primal. G’raha barely managed to suppress his laughter behind his hand; all he sees is the pout she is trying to hide behind the facade.

“You leave me with no choice.” A pair of lips meets his. Her lips. Her lips are sweeter than cream and softer than cake sponge. His breath caught in his throat, eyes fluttering closed as he returns the kiss. He could feel the drumming of his heart in his chest, his thoughts giving way to his senses. A delightful shiver runs up his neck when she pulls away and gently brushes his lips with her own. His focus remained at her lips. He felt drawn to her like a moth to a flame.

“Can I have another?” is his only hushed reply.

  3 Stories

G’raha had taken a break from his studies to see Na’na before she headed off on her next adventure, but the scene before him made him hesitate to join in.

“Miss Na’na! Can you tell us another story? Another one about the knight!” A flock of children swarmed around her, their joint efforts managing to lure her to the grass patch beside the building where more children were playing. Many of them had stopped their games to join the crowd. “But I wanna hear about the big monsters she fights!”

Among the crowd, a red haired mystel child stood out to him. Their short hair is much darker than his own, but the red shine is unmistakable under the sun. Would his child look like that? Heat burns at his cheeks at the thought, but he is reluctant to stop. A mystel child with red hair and golden eyes would be the heart of the Cystarium, and he had no doubts that their child would be doted on by everyone. 

“Did you think I wouldn’t notice you, Raha?” G’raha jumps back at the sudden voice. He would have tripped over his robes if Na'na didn’t catch his hand in time. She pulls him towards her, allowing him to use her as support to regain his balance. Once she was sure that he’s fine, she bows down to peek under his hood. Their eyes catching each other and causing her to break out into a grin. “Careful, I don’t think the Crystarium would be happy if they found out that their Exarch got injured on my watch.”

G’raha was going to wave off the children’s concern, only for Na’na to take his hand and drag him over. Some of the children scrambled up to their feet to greet him. Before he knew it, he was sitting at the front next to Na’na with her head resting against his shoulder. He could feel the curious, innocent stares directed towards them by the children, with some of the kids even whispering to each other. He made sure that his hood was still pulled up and over his head to provide him a refuge to hide his expression. 

His tail flicks and curls nervously, with the tip occasionally peeking out at the edge of his robes. G’raha had entertained these children before, yet now he wasn’t so sure what he should do, not without attempting to move away from Na’na. Luckily, she had already begun to spin her stories, one tale after another of the places and things she’d seen. A large plain where tribes of Drahns roam, where they would battle each other to claim the right to rule over all others. A kingdom of knights waging a war against dragons in a frozen tundra, and their descendents finding peace after a hundred summers. A princess that lives underwater, giant owls that protect books, and talking fish too.

He knows each and every story like the back of his hand, but hearing it being told by Na’na herself allows him to see it more vividly before his eyes. Be it the cold nipping at the end of his fingers and tail, the chatter of Reunion in his ear, or the ache of traveling in his bones. G’raha perks up when a fluffy tail suddenly brushes against his own, carefully stroking up and down before wrapping around the end of his own tail. A hint of who it is comes from the shaking of stifled laughter rumbling at his chest and the squeeze of her hand on his knee. 

“Na’na,” a voice calls from a distance. G’raha turns his head towards the source to spot a hyur approaching them. He’s dressed in dark armor with a bastard sword strapped to his back. He looked almost apologetic for interrupting her during her storytime, but clearly there are more important matters. “I need a bit of assistance with something.”

Na’na gives him a quick nod before slowly rising to her feet. G’raha went along with her, his hand lingering in her hold and reluctant to let her leave so easily. He watches as she apologizes to the kids for cutting the story short. The children quickly chime in with their complaints about the abrupt ending, also getting on their feet to complain. They only stop and start to split off into their group of friends after she made a promise to share more stories the next time she was free. 

“Looks like I’ll have to cut our time short as well, Raha,” she whispers to him as they follow the Hyur towards the main gate, their fingers still intertwined with each other. Na’na tugs at his hand to pull them to a stop just a few steps away from the gate. She was tapping her cheek with her finger, her eyes staring ahead without seeing. 

“Don’t push yourself too hard. You’ve already saved the First, surely everything else can wait.” It was a poor excuse to get her to stay, they both knew it. She had always been able to see through his words and find what he really wanted to say. Na’na gives him a wave of her hand, claiming that it would be quick. He wished he could go with her, to leave his duties behind for a moment and enjoy the adventuring life with her; taking down enemies side by side, spending nights cuddling each other around a fire, and hearing the rise and fall of her chest when they finally retire to bed.

“Na’na, next time, would you mind if I join you?” The words slip out before he can stop them. His entire body froze at the realization before his eyes slowly moved to see her reaction. Her own eyes widen at the question, ears perking up and shoulders stiff as if she doesn’t quite believe what she is hearing. Her gaze darts back and forth between him and the entrance. A lapse of intense regret crawls up the back of his neck in her silence. It’s enough for him to feel the cold sweat starting to form under his hood.

“You want to come on an adventure with me? Of course!” He lets out a sigh of relief, the tension slipping from his shoulders. Only for him to be pulled forward by his hood, Na’na’s lips colliding with his. A kiss that he returned back, returning her affection with as eagerly. Just as quickly as it started, she was gone. Out of his arms and already making her way towards an unknown destination. Her hand waving at him from a distance as she calls out, “Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon!”

G’raha could see the end of her tail was wagging with excitement that she wasn’t even attempting to contain. He bids her farewell, standing at the entrance of his great city until he can’t see her anymore. Only then does he turn around and make his way back to the Tower. His fingers reached up to trace where she had kissed and wished that he could feel them once more. 

Perhaps when she returns. 

  4 Running a Dungeon

He could feel it. The aether tingled under his skin and brimmed with energy. Every healing spell sealing cuts and healing bruises as he got them, yet they continue to come even when they are hurrying to the next nest of enemies. It struck him as odd, surely Na’na of all people should be able to tell? Still, he didn’t question her judgment and pushed on. 

Days leading up to their departure, Na’na poured over maps to figure out the best place that would best match both their skills. When he told her that any place would be fine, she was quick to point out how well he was doing when he was in Kholusia. She was blunt about making sure that she doesn't take him too far from the Tower. G’raha couldn’t help but let out a chuckle to himself, the one thing that is his source of power only turning out to be his greatest weakness. In the end, it’s worth it when he gets to see how much she frets over the little things. Yet, that doesn’t explain her healing. 

She settled with the Rak’tika Greatwood, it is close enough that he won’t feel sick 

Ancient trees scattered around with their branches stretching towards the sky and their roots cemented into the ground. The sun rays filtered through their leaves, giving the place an otherworldly glow. The only sight back in the source that might even compare would be the Black Shroud in Gridania, yet even then they couldn’t come close to how large the trees were here.

Before long, the moon had replaced the sun in the sky. The warmth of the makeshift campfire and sweet aroma emitting from the mug in his hand was more than enough for him to regain his strength. His other senses were more focused on the wisp of space between him and Na’na. The fire casts its soft light on her face, framing her portrait in a loving glow. Her eyes shone like amber in the morning sun. It felt like for a moment the world had stopped to marvel at her. He would gladly sit there for eternity if he could. 

He finally mustered up the courage to ask the question that had been on his mind since they had set out earlier. The small worry had bloomed into a huge concern, as she had been excessively healing him all day but still refused to rest. Even when he suggested they take a break. “Na’na, you were healing me for quite a bit today. Are you feeling alright? Is something wrong?”

Na'na smiles at him apologetically and moves in her seat on a large fallen branch to turn towards him. G’raha slides close enough for their knees and thighs to touch, even his tail moved to brush against hers, almost wrapping them together in an attempt to ease what nerves she might have. Was something troubling her? Has he done something wrong? Wait, what if his tanking skills need some work and she’s too sweet to tell him to improve? Had he been bad enough to warrant overhealing? He was slowly spiraling further into his mountain of worries, only for the gentle brush of Na’na’s hand to startle him back into reality.

“I have a Dark Knight stone. It’s not mine, at least not from the beginning. It was N’hect’s.” Her voice becomes softer and softer with every word, her gaze turning up towards the stars glittering in the night sky. His ears perk up at the name, one that sounds strangely familiar but he can’t remember from where. Her grip on his hand brought his attention to her sheepish smile. “He was my first knight, the one that showed me that chivalry can and still does exist in this world. When he… fell during the war, I decided to take up his job.”

Na’na shifts in her spot to pull out a small pouch from her pocket and drops its contents onto an open palm. It was her stone, a yellow rune carved onto the deep red background. He had only ever seen drawings of them in books as a way to pass down specialized abilities. This one was worn at the edges, and a few nicks and cuts showed its age. “During the war, we fought side by side. I got careless… It was a blow that neither of us expected and he was able to react first.” 

She closes her fist around it, eyes brimming with unshed tears as she tries to keep herself together. Her voice becomes small and tight as she tries to keep the emotions from leaking through. His own heartaches alongside her as she continues. “He lost his life to save mine.” 

“I have already lost him.” Her eyes tearing up looked like wells of gold, and he could see her pure love and honesty. Her hands dropped the stone to squeeze his own before she lifted it to cup her cheek. Her head turned slightly to brush her lips against his palm and melted his heart in turn.  “I don’t want to lose you too. You gave me hope. You gave me the hope that the world is worth saving. When we met, I was questioning if it was really worth all the pain that I was going through. Your kindness, your thirst for knowledge, and all the little things that make you so genuine. I’m scared that I will lose you one day too.”

“I know that you have been working yourself to death and you’re not alone anymore,” Na’na whispers to him like it was her best-kept secret, she reaches out to cup his cheek and turns him to face her. “Remember when you told me that you thought of me like a star in the sky? I don’t want to be, I don’t want to be somewhere out of reach. I want to be beside you. Instead I want to believe that the stars have led us together again, and I want nothing more than for us to remain that way. Taking one step after another, together. For the rest of our lives.”

G’raha attempts to blink away his unshed tears, but she continues to whisper sweet words. “My princeling, my Raha. You give me the hope to continue fighting this fight. That this world I fight for holds someone like you.”

“I love you.” 

Her hand reaches up to twirl a strand of his hair, her eyes fluttering closed and forehead pressed against his. G’raha finds his own eyes closing and feels the tension in his shoulders starting to break away at her words. Words that he never knew he needed so much. “At the end of my legends and stories, I want to be together with you. No matter what becomes of the Warrior in everyone’s eyes. I will find myself coming back to you, my beloved Raha.” 

Na’na laid bare her heart to him, every word causing his tears to slip until they were all running down his cheeks. G’raha takes in a shaky breath to calm his racing heart. Despite knowing how much she loves and cherishes him, his heart would flutter and his body grows warm whenever she said those 3 words. 

“I want to be with you through all your adventures. Fighting alongside you, sharing meals around a  fire, and sleeping beside you under a starry sky.” He finally found his words, opening up the deepest part of his heart for her to see. His palms feel sweaty and a creeping feeling of embarrassment comes up his spine to cover his face with a blush. Still, he shakes his head out of shame and leans forward, pressing his forehead against her. The world fell away once he felt her breath on his lips, and it was taking all his self control to not kiss her senseless.

With lips just ilms apart from meeting, he whispers out his confession. “Not just that, I want to see your smiling face to be the first thing I see in the morning and the last thing I see before I fall asleep. I want to see kids running around with my hair and your eyes, to be the shoulder you lean on, to be the person you seek out in a crowd.”

“I want to spend the rest of my life with you and only you.”

[fae-fire]

MYSTEL F Attire (Boi Chest and Vanilla)

MOD ARCHIVE 

meri for the Boi Chest https://www.xivmodarchive.com/modid/7869 Ko for helping me fix the vertices in 3ds max to close the hole in the neck area. SE for the outfit So this is a port of the 5.3 Spoiler outfit for a certain favorite character for female models. The Boi chest is a one for one port while the female vanilla chest size has the necklace slightly moved to account for the boob space. There is slight boob physics to the female version that I added but I didn't touch the normals for the shadows. Feel free to do whatever to make it bigger or add better physics to it. The Allagan sets are the boi chest which is perfectly flat with no shadow or boob physics with the rest of the outfit while the high allagan chest pieces of casting and aiming (and the replicas which are dyeable) are the vanilla chest size. Please do not post ports of this to other items on the xma. You can use the item converter to get most of the results you want, though I did have to touch the metadata for the high allagan tops so please keep that in mind. Please dm me DIRECTLY if you have questions or issues since I can't respond to bug reports to answer questions. If you like my mods, please consider buying me a ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/rae Follow me on twitter for mod updates and progress: https://twitter.com/rae_xiv My commissions are open as well. Please DM me on twitter or discord for more information.

[walkingflowerxiv]

Character Study: Pfarblyss

Traits & Characteristics

Bold - all that applies to your muse Italicized- any that are applicable in some way Extra notes in (parentheses)!

• Eyes: blue | green | brown | hazel | gray | gray-blue | other(Pink)

• Hair: blond | sandy | brown | black | auburn | ginger | grey / white | multi-color (Shades of pink)| other

• Body Type:   skinny | slender | slim | built | curvy | athletic | average | muscular | pudgy | overweight

• Skin: pale | light | fair | freckled | tan  | olive | brown | dark | discolored

• Gender:   male | female | trans | cis | agender | demigender | genderfluid | other | doesn’t like labels | don’t have any definite headcanon either way

• Sexuality: heterosexual | homosexual | bisexual | pansexual | asexual | demisexual | other | unsure | doesn’t like labels

• Romantic Orientation:   homoromantic | heteroromantic | biromantic |  panromantic | aromantic | demiromantic | unsure | doesn’t like labels

• Species:  midlander hyur | highlander hyur | wildwood elezen | duskwight elezen | hellsguard roegadyn | sea wolf roegadyn | dunesfolk lalafell | plainsfolk lalafell | keeper miqo’te (mystel) | seeker miqo’te | xaela au ra | raen au ra | other(Mixed Heritage)

• Education: high school | college | university | master’s degree | PhD | other(Tradeskills and Apprenticeships) 

• I’ve Been: in love | hurt | ill | mentally abused | bullied | physically abused | tortured | brainwashed | shot

• Positive Traits: affectionate | adventurous | athletic | brave | careful | charming | confident | creative | cunning | determined | forgiving | generous | honest | humorous | intelligent | loyal | modest | patient | selfless | polite | down-to-earth | diligent | romantic | moral | fun-loving | charismatic | calm

• Negative Traits: aggressive | bossy | cynical | envious | shy | fearful | greedy | gullible | jealous | impatient | impulsive | cocky | reckless | insecure | irresponsible | mistrustful | paranoid | possessive | sarcastic | self-conscious | selfish | swears | unstable | clumsy | rebellious | emotional | vengeful | anxious | self-sabotaging | moody | peevish | angry | pessimistic | slacker | thin-skinned | overly dramatic | argumentative

• Living Situation: lives alone | lives with parent(s) / guardian | lives with significant other | lives with a friend | drifter | homeless | lives with children | other(Lives with sister) • Parents/Guardian: mother  | father  | adoptive | aunt | uncle | foster | grandmother | grandfather | other

• Sibling(s): sister | brother | none | other

• Relationship: single | crushing | dating | engaged | married | separated  | it’s complicated | verse dependent | other

• I Have a(n): developmental disorder | learning disorder | personality disorder | mental disorder | anxiety disorder | sleep disorder | eating disorder | behavioral disorder | substance-related disorder | PTSD | mental disability | physical disability | other

• Things I’ve Done Before: had alcohol | smoked | stolen | done drugs | self-harmed  | starved | had sex | had a threesome | had a one-night stand | gotten into a fistfight | gone to hospital | gone to jail  | used a fake ID  | played hooky | gone to a rave | killed someone | had someone try to kill them