#Goodnight Eorzea.

[takamoris]

When it’s 1am and Duty Finder hasn’t popped in over an hour you know it’s time to give up and go to bed.

[mooglesguard]

Goodnight, Eorzea.

[mielmoto]

honey (ffxiv) voice: i have only ever loved one man and let’s be honest that did NOT turn out well

[biff-adventurer]

mfw people write english names in hindi... it's cringe, bro... indian ppl write english in english... since, u know, they got colonized... by the british... for 200 years...

[aethernoise]

[yezielmoore]

8. Tepid

Is that you, Thancred? Is it? >:3c

.-,-.

Without looking up from the book she was reading, Athene reached for her cup of tea and made a face at the tepid temperature. 

She considered the cup and the pile of unread books at her elbow and sighed in defeat. She put the half empty cup back on the table and stretched her back until her spine popped, tail thumping her seat in relief. 

A break was definitely in order then. She looked up and paused.

"Where is everyone?" Athene wondered out loud at the only Scion that remained at his table.

"Asleep, I'd wager." Thancred said with a careless shrug, giving her a long look. One of his daggers hung limp from his hand. Going by the soiled rag next to his elbow he must have been doing some maintenance.

"But not you?"

He shook his head, still giving her a strange look. "Too wired to sleep right now. But what about you? What's keeping you up?" His eyes flickered to the stack of books. "If anyone is giving you extra work…" he trailed off.

Athene's eyes widened. She was touched by his concern, unnecessary as it was.

"Oh! No! No, it's nothing like that." She denied, a smile spreading on her face. "Simply a bit of personal research."

Thancred blinked several times. For some reason he seemed surprised at her candidness. Had she been rude to him without noticing? She hid a wince. That… was all too possible if he caught her in the middle of something. 

"Oh?"

"I'm still new to Eorzea, so I'm brushing up on recent events, Primals, Ascians,” she made an all-encompassing gesture with her hand. “The whole lot.”

“I see…” Thancred gave her a somewhat strained smile. “Well, I'm not exactly the scholar my compatriots are, but if I can be of help, do not hesitate to look for me.” Much to his evident shock he yawned out the last word. “Although perhaps not tonight,” he added ruefully.

“You look tired,” Athene noted.

“So do you,” he chided right back, then reeled back, as if surprised by his own reaction. Athene thought he looked troubled for a moment, but he immediately covered his expression with an apologetic smile. “Forgive me. The past few days seem to have caught up to me, I didn’t mean to sound so familiar.” With an efficiency that showed his experience, he gathered his things and was on his feet mere seconds after. “Goodnight, Athene.”

“Goodnight, Thancred,” she returned the sentiment and watched him disappear out of the door. 

Athene hummed to herself, strangely unsettled by the talk, but chalked it to the late hour and a long day of studying. Perhaps Thancred had the right of it, retreating when he did. 

With a disgruntled sigh at the need of physical bodies, she grabbed the book she was going through right now and followed the rogue’s steps to the dormitories. Maybe a good night of sleep will bring her closer to understanding people. In all likelihood no, so she would settle for a clearer mind.

[firstblesssed]

Words Unsaid

ffxivwrite2022: 12 - Miss the Boat

625 words | Crystal Tower ARR | Masterlist

When a researcher came running out of the crystal tower, shouting how G’raha had ordered them all out, Elletha immediately knew something was up.

She wasted no time in rushing there, Cid and the others a short distance behind her. They made it to the main door of the tower, stopping only due to a familiar voice from inside, asking for them to go no further.

Elletha watched as G’raha revealed himself, glowing red eyes standing out against the dark, blue crystal of Syrcus Tower. She noticed he was pointedly avoiding eye contact with her, opting to look at Rammbroes instead.

When he revealed his plan of putting the tower into a deep sleep, she felt a cold wash over her, unable to speak for a moment. She was torn between jumping in there herself to make him snap out of this foolish plan and running away so she didn’t have to witness whatever was going to happen. She found herself doing neither, instead staying still in shocked disbelief, unable to form words even if she knew what to say.

Did he know it would be hundreds of years before these doors would open again? Did he know they would never be able to speak to each other again? Did he know that he was shattering her heart into a million pieces?

G’raha finally made eye contact with Elletha again, and in that moment she forgave him. She could see the pain and sorrow in his expression, incredibly guilty and begging for forgiveness as if she wouldn’t a thousand times over. Instead of the anger he was probably expecting, she offered him a smile, tears pooling in her eyes.

Her comrades started shouting about how they’d catch up intechnology, how they’d soon rival Alag’s potential and come knocking on the doors of the tower in a few years. By the Twelve she wished it were true.

“G’raha.” Elletha said weekly, the urgency in her voice making her companions stop with their promises.

He looked up at her and the words she meant to say died in her throat. She remembered all the time they spent together, late nights in each other’s tents spent listening to the other talk of their interests, sharing jokes and stories, making promises to adventure together, swimming in the lake and huddling for warmth, a profound closeness drawing them together inexplicably. 

She wanted to voice her feelings on all of it, but she knew deep down that if she would, there was a chance he might stay. Elletha wanted to be selfish, wanted so badly to voice her thoughts and feelings for once for that small sliver of hope that he would come back with them out of the tower. But the fate of Eorzea wouldn’t allow it, the tower’s strength too much for anyone to wield and so it must be sealed away. Her own desires were not worth sacrificing the land she had thought so hard to protect.

And so all that she wanted to voice died along with that hope.

“I’ll see you soon. Have a nice nap.” She said, trying her best to hide the wobble in her voice.

G’raha smiled warmly at her, bid their friends farewell and turned to head deeper into the tower. The doors rattled closed behind him, Elletha watched as he gave one more glance over his shoulder, mouthing words that only she was meant to see.

“Goodnight, my inspiration.”

The doors slammed shut, the group standing in stunned silence for a moment before they started planning what to do next. Elletha wipes the tears gathering in eyes before they could fall, turning to face Cid with a brave face

“So,” She started, ignoring the dull ache in her chest, “What now?”

[1morefairytale]

Prompt 30: Abstracted

((Hooboy. This one is not good. But it's done!))

“You know I wouldn’t normally ask this of you. I wouldn’t normally ask anything at all, really, because I know you’re busy with your own things and I don’t want to inconvenience or bother you because I know that irritates you, but I don’t think I can do this without you and it’s not the sort of thing that I can ask anyone else. I definitely can’t ask anyone official for this. Not that I’m saying that someone official would be better or anything. Because in this case? They wouldn’t! But I recently learned that I’m not especially good at climbing-- “

Malika had just walked in the door of the La Noscean daycare when she was accosted by… whatever this was. She’d only come here because it was the closest safe place where she could get some sleep in a bedroom that had been specifically set up for her. She didn’t have any interest in watching over children, or getting to know the members of this free company as dear friends, or, really, interacting with anyone here at all. She definitely hadn’t had any plans to have a conversation about… whatever this was… with the green-haired, goody-goody Raen who worked here.

“Uh.” Malika said blankly and then blinked as she tried to figure out what in the seven hells was even being asked of her. “Hi, Saachi.”

“Oh, I’m sorry!” Saachi grimaced. “I should have said hi first.”

“No problem,” Malika assured her. Then, pretending she had not heard any part of the rambling request at all, she began moving towards her room. “Goodnight.”

“Oh,” The Raen flushed slightly, embarrassed to be put in a situation where she had to make the request all over again. As far as Malika was concerned, she didn’t have to make the request again. She’d hoped that her walking away from it would make the polite Raen too uncomfortable to attempt again. Alas. “Oh. I was hoping I could ask you for a favor. Which I’m very sorry about because you look very tired. And I wouldn’t normally ask you but--”

Oh no. Not the whole thing all over again! Malika closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and then smiled when she opened them again. “Right. Ok!” She put a hand up to stop the poor girl. “Tell me again what you’re wanting? But give me the short version. Like the very very very short version. Like the one sentence version.”

“Ah. Ah hah,” Saachi chuckled nervously, fully aware that she was very bad at giving ‘very very very short, one sentence version’ of anything. “Right. So. I need you to steal something.”

Malika’s eyebrows shot right up. Her ears did too. She was suddenly interested.

“Oh no.” Saachi lamented. “That was one sentence on its own. I’m really bad at--”

“It’s fine, it’s fine,” Malika assured her. “And being a ‘hero in training’ as you call yourself, you don’t steal things, huh”

“Not usually,” Saachi answered a bit awkwardly. “It’s less about trying to be a hero and more about--”

“Ok. So what am I stealing? Why?”

Saachi took a deep breath and exalted it slowly through her nose to calm her nerves. “It’s really really bad is why. Gods knows I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t really really bad...but it is. If I were better at climbing I’d do it myself. I wish I could do it myself. But I’m slow and noisy and this is really a matter of discretion because the person involved doesn’t have a great record of being trustworthy and--

“Saachi,” Malika said again patiently. “What am I stealing? Why?”

“On a job with the Adders my team uncovered a magical artifact. It’s a book. It has no title. It’s got a very simple binding and a very basic brown cover. It looks, honestly, just like a blank journal. It didn’t even look very ancient to me. Like you could just find this journal in any bookstore in Eorzea. And that’s exactly the problem. It’s not a blank journal at all. Well, I mean it kind of is? The thing is--- this is a book that hasn’t been written… yet. It writes itself as you read it. The way the scholars talked about it is that it is a book that is created somewhat out of time and can’t be written until it’s read. But for the person who does read it, it can lead them to-- well, the scholars said insanity is the best case scenario.”

“The best case scenario is going crazy?” Malika didn’t have the energy to ask how a book could possibly be “out of time” or not be written until it was read. She definitely didn’t have the energy to listen to the theoretical explanation of it at this moment either. She was certain it wouldn’t lead her to any greater understanding of how artifacts worked and that it would definitely just eat up more time. “What’s the worst case?”

“They think it could be like some kind of contagion. Interaction with the person who read the book could make the people around them crazy.”

“Ah,” Malika answered. “Ok. We’re on the same page then… Apologies for the pun… Anyroad, it sounds really really bad. It also sounds stupid, strange and unlikely. But,” she sighed, “No more so than any other artifact I’ve heard of, I guess.” It would be forever a mystery to Saachi and Malika both what could inspire people who made artifacts to create items like this.

Malika shook her head, “But if you found the book and gave it to the Adders, why am I stealing it?”

“Well, it looks like any other blank book, remember?”

“Uh huh.”

“So… one of the Adders on the job got it confused with another book. They took and vaulted an actual regular book and this led to that, I guess, and now an Ul’dahn noble has this book. We can’t just go asking for the book--”

“Why?” Malika asked, unconvinced. “My guess is that if you knock on someone’s door and ask to have a blank journal because, and I quote, ‘Best case scenario: If you open the pages and read it-- don’t ask me how you read a blank journal, you just do-- it will make you insane. Worst case: it makes everyone insane.’ that they will probably have a lot less interest in using it as a diary for all the things they get up to and people they push around day to day. Hard to get much out of being a wealthy asshole if you’re too crazy to enjoy it.”

Saachi frowned and then shrugged her shoulders, conceding the point that it would, certainly, be difficult to enjoy being a noble if narcissism was somehow replaced by full-blown madness.

“Well. It’s just as likely that hearing that they have a powerful artifact that could have such a devastating effect on people would make them want to -keep- the journal and use it as a weapon. As you pointed out, this is a very influential and wealthy person. This noble, in particular, enjoys collecting rare items. Getting this item, even just asking for it, would surely have political repercussions. So we’d really prefer they not even know about this.” Saachi wiped her hands, sweaty from nerves, on her apron and continued. “Which is why, ideally, we’d get in without anyone noticing and switch that book for an actual journal. Then they’d never even know what happened. But the house is staffed. There are maids, butlers, guards, dogs, the works. And we suspect the book will be on the third floor in the study, the library, or the bedroom. If you can get to the backyard of this place without being seen, you can get into the windows of each of those locations. But you have to be quiet.” Saachi wrung her hands nervously and sucked on the inside of her cheek. “And you can’t be caught.”

“Ok, boss. So you want me to sneak around this well-fortified mansion after climbing to the third floor, evading all possible people that could be up there--”

“--and any alarms,” Saachi dutifully pointed out.

“--And any alarms. Right. Try to find this specific non-descript book in possibly a study or a library that will be full of books and hope I get the right one without opening it to make sure and replace it with this decoy blank journal?

“...Yeah.”

“Great!” Malika laughed. “This sounds stupid, horrible, tedious, and impossible. I’m in.”

Saachi blinked and relief washed over her face. Her eyes widened and a giant, appreciative smile spread across her face. “Really? You will? I can’t thankk you enough! It’s a really good thing that you’re doing. Heroic even! It could potentially save so many lives.”

“You just have to give me your necklace.” Malika motioned with a nod of her head to the opal choker the Raen wore around her neck. Correction: that she always wore around her neck.

Saachi’s hand instinctively went to it and her relief completely vanished. “My necklace? I… I but… why?”

Malika shook her head. “Doesn’t matter why. Do we have a deal?”

The why, of course, was that it seemed to be an item that held extreme personal significance to Saachi. Items of significance were the only items Malika ever really cared about acquiring.

The Raen felt the opal in the center of the choker with her thumb, her expression far away as she momentarily went back in time to when she’d first acquired it. It was a look Malika knew well. It was the look people always had when they were about to give up something they loved. A shot of guilt crawled up through Malika’s stomach and then through her veins. She rotated her shoulders in an attempt to get it to slide off her. She could no more stop her compulsion to take people’s most treasured belongings than Saachi could stop her compulsion to be a big damn hero. But Malika wasn’t a big damn hero. She wasn’t a hero at all. And she wasn’t about to stand here and let Saachi confuse her for one either.

“Ok,” Saachi said, unfastening the necklace to hand over. “But I’m going to get it back.”

Malika’s eyes widened with surprise. She hadn’t expected that. “And how are you planning to do that?”

Saachi, face resolute and proud, and a stubbornness in her eyes that Malika was unaccustomed to but had heard about before, answered, “In a sentence: I will steal it back if I must.”

The Miqo’te grinned. Her tail swished. And, for one moment, she stopped thinking of Saachi as every other goody-goody she’d ever met. “Really? I thought you said you can’t do that.”

“I can’t climb to the third floor quietly to steal something. I never said I can’t steal at all.” She gestured to the choker with her head in the same manner Malika had moments previously. “So that is only yours until it’s not again. Please go get the artifact back.” And from her bag she withdrew the very simple, very plain decoy journal.

Malika chuckled and put both items in her bag and bit back the urge to make a crack about hiding the choker on the third floor of some building. Instead, she simply said, “You got it, boss.”

[otherworldseekers]

FFXIV Write Day 3: Scale

Severia x Nero

636 words

This scene takes place during the CT quests when Severia and Nero are traveling together for Reasons (tm) in my personal canon. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On the second night, their camping preparations went much more smoothly. Nero took it upon himself this time to set up the campfire. Once again Severia made tea, but this time he did not complain. It was not long before they were sitting quietly across from each other separated by the fire and Nero allowed her to finish her tea in blessed silence. 

Severia was gazing thoughtfully into the flames of the campfire when Nero spoke up. “Gil for your thoughts, Warrior of Light?” 

Truthfully, her mind had been serenely blank, but his question jarred her for reasons she couldn’t immediately identify. She was almost taken aback by the words that came out of her own mouth. “Would you please stop calling me that?” 

“I beg your pardon?”

“Warrior of Light,” she almost choked on the title. “I… hate it. I hate being known that way…”

Nero raised an eyebrow in surprise. “And yet everyone calls you by it. Even your friends.”

“I know. But… it’s not me.” 

She tried to explain. “They started it after we… after Operation Archon was successful. I didn’t expect it to be so… And no one ever asked me how I feel about it.”

“How do you feel about it?” asked Nero. 

“I’ve heard their stories about the Warriors of Light. The ones who helped save Eorzea from destruction in the Calamity. And I’m not like that. I’m not… a hero.” 

“Without a doubt you have saved countless lives. If that is not a hero, what is?”

“Someone… someone larger than life. Someone who didn’t stumble into all this by accident. Someone who doesn’t continue to make so many mistakes. Not me.”

“I’m not sure they would agree with your definition.”

“They don’t understand!” Severia felt herself on the edge of tears. She curled in on herself, tucking her arms around her legs, tried to make herself as small as she felt. “I don’t deserve to be thought of like that. Sooner or later they will find out that I’m not what they expect me to be. I’m not enough. I’ll never be enough.” 

Why am I telling this man my innermost thoughts? And why does it feel so good to tell him? The realization came to her that it was because he was listening. She could tell as she watched him across the fire, that he was taking in every word she said. His face betrayed only an intense concentration… on her. 

“Aren’t you going to say anything?” She prodded. 

“Only if you want me to.”

“Tell me. What you you think of the great hero now?” 

Nero considered her words with a seriousness all their interactions until now had not prepared her for. He did not laugh at her or taunt her or lecture her. He merely gave her a smile softer than any she had yet seen. “I think that there is no scale in the world on which you could be measured and found wanting. You underestimate yourself. Take it from someone who has measured you and found you to be far more than he was prepared for.”

A laugh bubbled up out of her, a release of tension from her limbs. “I wonder if I should really listen to the man who looked at me and saw a power source for the most dangerous toy in the world.”

Nero looked only slightly chagrined. “Didn’t we agree that the past is behind us?”

“I don’t believe I did agree to that,” said Severia. 

“Besides, I learned my lesson. I see you quite differently now.”

Something about the way he said it made the heat rise to her cheeks. Don’t. Don’t, she begged her body. Don’t respond to him like this. 

“I... think we should get some sleep. But thank you. For listening.”

“You’re welcome. Goodnight, Severia.”

[lizzy-frizzle]

I just had to write the first date, so here it is~!

The First Date

Lizzy shows up in Reunion, she’s wearing the armor she wore while fighting Bahamut.

[It’s probably my nicest outfit? She’s a warrior, she’ll probably wear something similar.]

The two agreed to meet at reunion, and then leave from there. Since Sadu is unable to use aetherytes to teleport, Lizzy decided they can take a nice flight on their yol’s together to go to New Gridania.

Lizzy shifts uncomfortably, sitting on a rather rude rock.

[Why don’t they have benches here?]

It’s about midday, Lizzy wanted to leave early so that when they arrived in the shroud the sun would still be up. She wanted to make sure that when they’re walking through the Black Shroud the sun is setting. That’s the most beautiful time of day in the shroud.

That’s when Sadu showed up at Reunion. She was dressed in a traditional dress that Lizzy was unfamiliar with. Lizzy could feel her heart stop, along with her breath. Sadu looked a little uncomfortable in the outfit, not used to dressing up. Lizzy felt tremendously awkward for showing up in battle gear now.

“Hey, Lizzy,” Sadu said, tugging at the edges of her dress in a futile attempt to make it feel more comfortable, “I asked the mol for help, and they put me in contact with your scions, who told me to ask a short woman, Tataru? For help.”

[Ah, Tataru, that explains it.]

“You look,” Lizzy floundered for the correct words, “breathtaking.”

Lizzy looked down at her outfit and started feeling a little embarrassed.

Sadu looks Lizzy up and down, “I like your coat! There’s uh, some blood on it.”

Lizzy nearly covers her face in shame, “Oh gods, I missed a spot. Sorry, I wore this outfit when we fought the Elder Primal Bahamut, I don’t know who’s blood this is...”

Sadu’s face becomes one of that of curiosity, “Bahamut?”

[Does she somehow not know?]

Lizzy starts, “Oh, uh, Bahamut was this giant dragon that nearly wiped out Eorzea, he was reawakened kinda when me and Alisaie were poking around some old places.”

Sadu’s eyes widen, “You did it alone?”

“Ah no, there were a couple other adventurer’s, I’m not that strong.”

“I’m honored you would think to wear such an outfit around me.” Sadu admits, “So, this Gridania place, shall we go?”

“Yea,” Lizzy says, then her energy starts returning, “Yes! Uh, it’ll be a little bit of a flight, but it shouldn’t take too long.”

~At Rhalgr’s Reach~

“Hey, I wanna check out something real quick,” Lizzy says running over to a counter with some people dressed in strange outfits.

Sadu just watches and gets as close as she’s willing.

Lizzy appears to be looking at some necklaces, there’s one with a cloth band and some sharp angles as the focal point of the necklace.

Lizzy sighs, and walks toward Sadu, “It’s too expense, but I really want the Diamond necklace.”

Sadu stops for a minute, [Too expensive? People don’t just hand things to her? How disrespectful.]

Lizzy goes over to another counter and starts looking at other wares.

Sadu approaches the counter, and points to the necklace, “I’ll fight you for this!”

Gelfradus looks shocked for a moment, “Uh, miss, I’m certain you could kick my ass, but that’s not how we trade here.” he stops for a moment, Sadu doesn’t stop glaring, “I notice you’re a friend of Miss Lizzy, so how about I give you this instead, it looks identical to what you want, but I won’t lose as much profit. In return you don’t turn my face into mashed popotos.”

Sadu takes the necklace, and looks at it, then looks at the necklace Lizzy wanted, “Very well.”

They look similar enough, at least from what Sadu can tell, “Can you put something on it?”

~At New Gridania~

Lizzy and Sadu hop off their yols just outside the south gate, Sadu shifts nervously. Lizzy notices, and reaches for Sadu’s hand.

“Hey, this is your first city right?”

Sadu tries to force herself to relax, and initially doesn’t take Lizzy’s hand.

“It’s ok,” Lizzy reassures Sadu, “If people see you holding the Fierce Warrior of Light’s hand, they won’t think twice about you.”

Lizzy punctuates this with a giant smile.

Sadu reluctantly takes her hand, “Ok.”

Lizzy can feel how tense Sadu is through her hand.

“Relax, I’m here with you, and no one is going to bite.”

Sadu doesn’t relax, but she does walk a little closer to Lizzy.

The two wander through the streets, Lizzy shows Sadu all the hotspots. She shows her where Lizzy first became an adventurer, the Grand Company where she’s trained numerous people in her squadron. Sadu challenged each one to a fight, and promptly won against each one that accepted the challenge. They then went to the conjurer’s guild, where Sadu met Lizzy’s first mentor, E-Sumi-Yan. He was very intimidated by Sadu’s aura. They stopped at the amphitheatre, and luckily there was a play in practice. They didn’t stay long cause Sadu kept wanting to fight people that looked at her weird.

They approached the markets, and Sadu gripped Lizzy’s arm. The loud noises were a bit too much, and the crowds were a bit too overwhelming, so Lizzy decided to skip that one. Lizzy was hoping to buy Sadu something there, but decided it would be better to forgo it.

The two left New Gridania, and started wandering through the central shroud.

The sun started casting warm shadows across the area. With oranges and yellows mixing into a pure warmth when they struck your face. It was a calming time, They walked while discussing random things from their childhood, adventure’s they’ve been on, creatures they killed. Sadu eased up tremendously while they walked, opening up a lot more than Lizzy expected.

Then they entered the south shroud and the whole atmosphere had changed. It got dark, and the area had a heaviness to it.

“Ah, Odin again.” Lizzy stated as a matter-of-fact.

Sadu looked at Lizzy, “Odin?”

“Oh right, Odin is a primal, it appears randomly occasionally. I should probably go kill it real quick.”

Sadu’s eyes flared to life, “Can I help?”

Lizzy stopped slightly shocked, then realized, [Oh, right, warrior. Of course she’d wanna fight Odin.]

“Sure, it’ll be fun!” Lizzy starts running towards the source of the disturbance, Sadu following close behind, staff already drawn.

When they get to Odin, it’s standing there terrorizing some adamantoises.

“Alright Sadu, be careful, his attacks can be vicious.” Lizzy puts her ninja crystal in her pocket and pulls out a different one. Her outfit switches to robes and she pulls a book out. A glowing faerie appears out of nowhere. “I’ll make sure you’re as safe as I can, though.”

She concentrates on her book and Sadu feels a presence around her, “Ok Sadu, would you like to lead?”

Sadu begins casting a spell, as she starts, Lizzy also starts reading from her book. They finish their casts at the same time, and Odin is struck by two attacks at once in a flash of black and red. Odin casts out several swords towards the two, and one strikes at Sadu’s leg, it however is reflected off.

[A shield then?] Sadu thinks, as she summons several stones from the Steppe and begins casting Falling Dusk.

Lizzy sees Sadu concentrating on her Khun Chuluu, and prepares a strong shield and places sacred soil down under her. Then begins to try and distract Odin to give her more time. Odin spawns more swords, nearly breaking through some of Lizzy’s shields on Sadu, and tearing through her own, cutting her arm. Sadu’s spell completes, and a small meteor lands on Odin. The wind from the blast throws numerous innocent creatures back, but Lizzy and Sadu both stand where they are, watching the smoke clear, and a very dead Odin lay on the ground, before having it’s aether returned into the lifestream.

“See?” Lizzy gasps and winces at the wound on her arm, “Easy.”

Sadu walks over and inspects the wound, she tears off a strip from her dress, [Sorry Tataru.] Sadu begins wrapping Lizzy’s arm with it.

Lizzy could’ve healed herself, but decided this was nicer. She switches back with her ninja crystal, and sees the bandage and injury still in tact, but she doesn’t mind all that much.

The sky clears, and they notice that night is nearly on them.

Lizzy looks at Sadu, “That was fun, let’s go back to Gridania though before more things try to take my attention.”

They begin the walk back, Lizzy can’t help but notice how amazing Sadu looks under the moonlight, with the fireflies wandering among them. [This is perfect. I want this forever.]

When they return to Gridania, Sadu appears more relaxed this time, they sit just outside the Adventurer’s guild, their legs hanging off the cliff, as fireworks go off in the distance. They have a perfect view.

Lizzy had arranged for the fireworks show. Gil well spent, to be honest.

As they sit on the cliff side, their hands resting in each other. Lizzy spots a bit of cloth tucked under Sadu’s dress.

“Hey, what’s that?” Lizzy instinctively asks.

Sadu looks at where Lizzy was pointing, and noticed the necklace band hanging out. “Oh, uh.” she takes it out, and shows Lizzy, “I saw you wanted this, and since you took me on a pretty cool date, I just figured I should get you something, you know?” She fidgets in her spot, and tries to play it off as no big deal.

Lizzy turns to allow Sadu to put it on her.

“Uh, what are you doing?” Sadu asks.

“Oh, I just, thought” Lizzy starts blushing, “Well, I thought you’d like to put it on me, if that’s ok?”

Sadu blushes, and nervously brings it over Lizzy’s head. Then quickly goes back to looking at anything besides Lizzy.

“Thank you, it’s perfect.” Lizzy looks at Sadu watching the fireworks, each time one goes off she flinches, but looks in awe.

Lizzy looks down at the necklace and notices some writing on the backside. As she reads it she smiles.

~Back at Reunion~

Sadu hops off her yol, and turns to Lizzy, “This was a really nice night,” she starts to rub her arm, “I was really nervous cause this was my first date.”

Lizzy feels a wave of relief over her, “It was my first date too, if I’m honest.”

They stand in an awkward silence for a moment.

Sadu begins to speak, “So uh, goodnight then I guess,” she turns slightly, “I’d like...” Sadu takes a deep breath, and tries to reassert herself, “I want another date. Next one I get to pick.” She gets a fierce look in her eyes.

Lizzy can’t stop herself from her motions, and moves to hug Sadu. This time she doesn’t get flipped. Sadu however misread the motion again, and went in and kissed Lizzy.

They stand for what seems like an eternity in each other’s embrace, and when they part they both become extremely awkward and anxious.

The silence hangs as they fidget uncomfortably.

“Um, t-thanks” Lizzy splutters.

Sadu, flustered, responds, “You’re welcome.” And then runs off towards the Dotharl Khaa.

Lizzy collapses on the ground when Sadu is out of sight. Sitting down, all she can manage is to touch her lips with her fingers.

[The next date!]

[circusredmage]

Getting ready for bed.

Goodnight Eorzea. ✨

[windup-dragoon]

In the warmth of spring

|| FFXIV write - 2020

|| Prompt #16 - Lucubration 

|| Post ShB 

|| wol x Hien

|| 1360 words

|| References - Pain 

|| With mentions of Illya, Laurelis, Arianna, and Moth’ir 

|| In which the Prince struggles with celebration 

Spring in Doma had always been his favorite season. The earthy tones of Yanxia were abruptly replaced with bursts of color. From rich scarlet hues, soft blushing pinks, to the purest of whites he had ever seen. All of these and more in full blossom this time of year. And it was for this reason that he had chosen to hold his coronation until now. 

He wanted the world to see how truly magnificent the enclave could be. Certainly it was without the charm or history of Doma Castle that now sat at the bottom of the river, but this was home now. Where his people could feel safe once more and flourish. Together, they would create a new history for Doma. 

A single blossom fluttered before him now, caught in the breeze of a brisk evening. The flame of his lantern flickered, sending shadows dancing across his parchment. Bold markings of fresh ink stretched out before him, the tiny flower, taken much too early from the branch, landing squarely on his working hand. His brushstrokes stilled while jade colored eyes studied the blossom. 

For the last week or so he took to the pavilion in the One Garden. A chance for peace and solitude as to better lucubrate over his work. While writing in the company of a certain Warrior of Light was, and has been, possible, it was simply too distracting to have her so near by. To hold her at a distance and ask for sheer silence seemed unfair to him, especially when it was their bedchamber to share. Where else would she go then so he could be at peace? Lest his mind wander and get lost daydreaming of her, so very near and far all at once. 

Instead it simply made sense to take leave for a few hours before midnight and hurriedly scribble his thoughts down on parchment before his train of thought escaped him. 

But now, in the stillness of the moment as the feather soft petals of the blossom caressed his skin, Hien staggered back into the here and now. The One River babbling at the docks had somehow grown louder at his ears, suddenly very aware just how heavy his eyelids felt. 

His work laid scattered before him, shared between hundreds of rolled parchment and hastily written ink. All of this was in preparation for his coronation. One document, somewhere among the mess, held a speech he would give to his people. He was incredibly proud of the words he had conjured from thin air that night and simply bubbled with excitement to see how well received it would be. Another was a simple list detailing events as they would occur, a timeline for his own knowing as he had never been to a coronation before nor remembered his mother or father ever once discussing the matter. But the one he struggled with the most, a piece of parchment with blotches of ink where he had fumbled with the brush or lost his concentration, the very same piece he helplessly tried to finish even now, titled only with her name. 

Hien had difficulty swallowing as he read over what he managed to produce, chewing on his lip as his cheeks flared scarlet. Another blunder. This would never suffice. His choice of words were always much too flowery, too heavy-handed or just too flat. Never could he find quite the right way to say what had been on his mind for months. Even extending inquiries to her friends seemed of little help. 

‘Say it romantically!’ Was Laurelis’ opinion. He hoped it would at least sound romantic in some way.  

‘Be honest and straightforward.’ Illya had replied. If he were too poetic, the sentiment would be lost to her, this much he knew. She often mentioned struggling to hold a conversation with Urianger after all. 

‘...Flowers?’ Arianna squeaked in her mousy way. 

‘Why are you asking for my opinion?” Emet-Selch was... certainly of no help. He was unsure why he even bothered to phrase a question to the man anyway, besides the fact that wherever Arianna went, the Ascian was close behind. 

With a sigh on his lips, Hien set aside his brush, his free hand capturing the little blossom and letting it rest in the center of his palm. Perhaps with the arrival of more of their friends and companions he could ask for more opinions. Moth’ir and Thancred were surely due to arrive any day, accompanied with their darling daughter Marmot. The two seemed more level headed; certainly they would have an answer for his struggles. 

For now, however, he would have to abandon the subject for another day. Exhaustion had crept up on him, leaving dark rings beneath his eyes and an ache in his bones that demanded the sweet comfort of sleep. But as he began collecting his parchment, it dawned on him. His stomach sunk, his heart beating with a hollow thump. 

There would be no goodnight kisses or a warm embrace beside him this night. Just as there had been none the night before. Early the day previous she had left for Eorzea with only a fleeting kiss on the cheek to remember her by. He had missed it then, too overwhelmed with decoration choices to see the urgency in her mismatched eyes as she rushed to depart. 

Perhaps something had come up with the scions. 

At least that was what he told himself all afternoon, realizing there was a piece of him missing while she was away. He felt himself drift from conversations, thinking about her and her far away adventures without him. What horizons did she see? Did they make her think of him? He could almost see it now as he closed his eyes; Kiri eagerly pointing out constellations in a foreign sky and telling him stories of her travels. He could almost hear the laughter in her voice while they cuddled close beside a fire, sharing a meal and drink in unknown wilds. 

Just as his mind began to wander from him, shouts from the pier snapped him back. Slowly he roused from his stool to look toward the docks only to see a sail of a boat folding in. A small boat, to be sure, but so late? The prince abandoned his work out of curiosity, only the little blossom still in his hand coming along for the ride. 

The little harbor of the enclave had a few fishermen helping tie the newly arrived boat down, pulling it flush against the stonework for the passengers to step out. Hien arrived in time to spy Az’hala and Isho, Kiri’s companions, help an older Roegadyn man off the boat. Isho, who had been stationed in Kugane, met Hien’s eyes with a look of ice. The Au Ra always had an unflinching, stoic expression to him, but this? This was unsettling. 

“Friends! Welcome!” Hien called out, descending the few steps with leaps and bounds. His heart was practically vibrating in his chest cavity. Was Kiri with them? Az’hala’s golden eyes faltered, his brows drawing together that had Hien’s smile wavering. “...Who is this guest of yours?” 

Even in the dark of evening, Hien could see the silvery outlines glittering in torchlight. The roe’s features were heavily scarred and sunken over time. He held his hands together, as if the evening breeze was cold and bit at his crooked fingers. The man looked between Az’hala, Isho, and then to Hien with sparkling, wet eyes. 

“A-Are you... Hien?” His voice trembled. 

The prince cocked a brow and shifted his weight. What was going on? “Aye. And who are you?” 

“My lord,” Az’hala ducked between them, “This is Eyriwolk. Kiri’s father-” 

Before his tense jaw could fall, Hien watched the roe’s features crumple and massive shoulders shake. “This young lad said you could help.... Please! I ain’t got much but... Please, my girl... They’ve got her.” 

The roe fell to his knees with Az’hala at his side. Isho, always the quiet one, crossed his arms and looked away before anyone noticed the fury in his eyes. And as for Hien... 

A tiny little blossom fell from his hand. 

[winterstorm032802]

Detective

Alphinaud: I need to know, who took my sketchbook?

Thancred & Alisaie & Y'Shtola & Urianger & Ryne & G'raha Tia: ...

Alphinaud: Oh? The silent game, I see, well I'll have you know that *puts his hand up pointing one finger up* Nora here is a world class detective, during her ways whilst saving Eorzea *looks at Nora*

Nora: *wearing a dark purple chic tuxedo dress with black leggings and black flats* I got this Alphinaud

Alphinaud: *blushes and smiles* I believe in you

Nora: *winks*

.

Nora: *puts down a folder and looks at Thancred* Thancred Waters, gunbreaker, romancer to all. Where were you last night?

Thancred: I was sleeping

Nora: Oh yeah? Pray tell, whilst sleeping did you mayhaps awake to find someone out and about?

Thancred: ..No

Nora: *slams her hands on the table* Liar! Listen, we can do this the easy or hard way. So which way do you want to do this?

Thancred: What's the hard way?

Nora: *smirks and snaps her fingers*

Feo Ul: LISTEN here mortal! When my Sapling asks you a question you tell her what she wants to know [do you understand me?!]

Thancred: *sweats* I saw Y'Shtola out

.

Nora: Y'Shtola Rhul, sorceress, Master Matoya to others. Where were you?

Y'Shtola: Last night, I went to get a book at the Occular

Nora: Did you cross by anyone?

Y'Shtola: No

Nora: Thank you for your time

.

Nora: Ryne, Oracle of Light. Where were you?

Ryne: I was asleep

Nora: Your story checks out *smiles* Thank you for helping Ryne

Ryne: *smiles*

.

Nora: G'raha Tia, Crystal exarch, keeper of the crystal tower. Where were you?

G'raha Tia: I was reading

Nora: Your clear

.

Nora: Urianger Augurelt, Astrologian, friend of the Pixies. Where were you?

Urianger: I lied in my chambers reading on thy books of Ascians

Nora: Did you see anyone?

Urianger: Mistress Alisaie arrived, and said goodnight

Nora: I see..

Urianger: By chance did thoust figure something out?

Nora: Mayhaps

.

Nora: Alisaie Leveilleur, red mage, sister of Alphinaud Leveilleur, granddaughter of Louisoix Leveilleur. Where were you?

Alisaie: I was asleep

Nora: Lies! Urianger told me, he saw you as you had said goodnight. BUT your chambers is far from his, he resides close to where Alphinaud and my rooms are. So tell me, where were you?!

Alisaie: *sighs* I confess, I did it but look *shows Nora his sketchbook to a few pages of Nora, drawn*

Nora: ...

.

Alphinaud: Nora, did you find the culprit- *blushes* Alisaie! You took it!

Nora: Indeed she did

Alphinaud: Nora, why are you sitting next to her?

Alisaie: She decided to look at your drawings alongside me

Nora: *blushes and looks away* No! I'm looking for evidence

Alphinaud: But you found the culprit

Nora: Irrelevant

Alphinaud: No it's very relevant!

[sootcloak]

Regret’s for the Dead

~2000 words of loosely written dialogue & set dressing with even looser editing because this time around I’m trying to do one every day and just post it cause otherwise I’ll never get them all done. It ain’t for work, I’ve got to learn to live with the messiness of creation or I’ll never post anything.

January Prompt: Revenant - A person who has returned, particularly from the dead. (Often re-contextualized in fantasy media as an undead creature with a fixation on revenge or justice.)

@seaswolchallenge

   The winds and clouds over Terncliff are often clear - leaving the moon to shine brightly down on the cliffside township. Sleeplessly, Gaius steps from the old, shelled-out building the Resistance had afforded him near the occupied square. Vaguely, he hears someone tell him ‘goodnight’ before turning out a lamp in the foyer.

   “Rest well.” He half-says, as footsteps recede from behind him. Taking a deep breath of the salt-leaden, night air he shuts the door behind him and walks out to his usual spot near the fountain. The Ironworks hand should be in bed, and the guards are a quiet sort unlikely to approach him, of all people. It’ll be nice and private. At least as private as he could get. He turns the corner to the square.

   Moonlight falls in shafts down through the clouds. The horizon beyond is dappled with stars and darkness both. And there, in the square proper besides that lovely fountain is a monster.

   He had once thought her a woman, maybe even a heroine as with many of these other Eorzean adventurers. But she wasn’t an adventurer. She was a huntress, of men and other monsters alike. He had thought her small, weak, and fragile when he had met her all those years ago. A mind limited by a flawed body. He had not yet seen her dance as a vicious, cutting gale. Or watched her erase lives from fields away with the casual disinterest of a scribe scratching tasks off a list. And while he did not see the wound made, he has seen the scars. She is not fragile.

   The lalafellin woman’s hair hangs in loose, tangled curtains around her back, rather than the braid she wears in the day. It’s greying blonde like dusty sunlight falls over a dull brown, sleeveless tunic. It was rare to see her out of uniform, let alone in something which could be broadly considered sleepwear. She did not like to lay bare her failings to the world.

   Her left arm glints in the dim light of the lamps and stars. All metal and thick Garlean ballistic fibers. Cords in place of muscles, gears in place of joints. The scar where it joins her shoulder is jagged and stark, even against her deathly pale skin. Her left leg, too, is left mostly exposed to the night air below the knee. Much the same fashion, save for the thick exhaust ports along her small calves.

   It was, in truth, easier to look at the metal and wire, though. At least then, the horror of machinery making skin stretch and bulge in wrong places was avoided. That the ports along her right calf break through skin is a fresh horror.

   “If you’d prefer I move -” She calls without moving, “- you could always ask.” She reaches besides her, hand meeting the neck of a bottle.

   “A drink?” She asks.

   “Vavara. That won’t be necessary, Lieutenant. I’ll be on my way-” He begins, his boots hissing on the sand-dusted stone tiles of the road as he turns.  Emerald eyes, shining from the way they catch the light, meet his as she turns in her seat.

   “Don’t give me that, Legatus. I doubt you can sleep any more than me.” Her knowing, confident tone grinds against him. The low, soft way she speaks forces him to focus and listen to hear. Like being grabbed by the collar and held firm.

   “Your ‘Blessing’ pry into my past again?” He says. His frustration bleeds into his tone.

   “No. It’s the rings under your eyes. Your gait. You’re tired. Can’t sleep though, else you’d not be here. ‘Sides-” She pulls the bottle back to herself and throws her head back with a swig. “My hallowed ‘Blessing of Light’ has yet to grant me the honor of near-omnipotence. Just headaches, here.” She grins with bright, fake teeth. A sigh pushes out from his chest, and he closes the distance and sits alongside her on the fountain. She offers him the bottle, and he just shakes his head. A shrug. Another long draught.

   “Thought you didn’t drink.” He says. His eyes measure her reaction. She looks away from him, off towards the sea. Her metal hand reaches up and waves dismissively before batting a stray strand of hair from her cheek.

   “I don’t.” She declares. “Stomach’s half gone with the rest of what I’d need to get drunk. I like the way it burns my throat, even if I can’t taste it anymore. Reminds me of when I came back to Eorzea.” Her words are upbeat, if reserved. She shows him the bottle label without turning her body. An old Lominsan rum. Still dust on the bottle. Mostly full. He glances up to the cap, where the wax has been freshly broken.

   “That’s right, you mentioned you’d served.” He says. His speech almost feels automatic, as though he were running on muscle-memory alone.

   “Planning on filling the night with polite conversation? You’ve already looked at my file, Legatus. Not to mention we fought back in the Praetorium. Hells, I’m sure you were briefed on me in one way or another when I went rogue.” She takes another sip. He takes a long breath and nods, old memories coming unbidden.

   “It was shortly after the Meteor Project - I was assigned additional protection since other legions were having their leadership covertly culled. I remember.” He admits. His words get heavier as he speaks, as though weighed down by gunmetal. She just nods and waves the bottle at him.

   Neither say much else for some time. The night stretches, stars and the greater moon slowly tracing paths across the distant black. The sea wind drifts in and out. She drinks, slowly emptying the bottle bit by bit. He watches the buildings around him, tracing the scars of ammunition, shells which blew the road apart but was rebuilt. The barricades placed throughout the streets. The towers looming overhead. Fine white stone stitched apart by dark black metal.

   Were the Empire to return at this point, would they erect more of these structures? Make a prison of this port? The resources to hold this point simply do not exist - and yet to turn after seeing so plainly what these people would be made to endure again. Is that cowardice? Or would standing be a pyrrhic path to vengeance, bleeding them further with more shells and bullets scattering them and their homes.

   He shakes the ideas from his head. Steadying his breathing again. He can’t afford to get bogged down in emotions, especially now with the last of the Weapons on the horizon. He leans forward, hand reflexively moving to his forearm, where his old cannon would have been mounted.

   The sound of a  bottle tapping against stone jerks him out of his thoughts. Vavara’s eyes are closed, head tilted straight up towards the sky.

   “I joined the legion because of you.” Her words drag his heart into a pit in his chest. A sinking dread.

   “Do you regret that decision?” He asks, certain the answer will not be something he likes.

   “No, I don’t.”

   “Then, why-”

   “Would I have deserted? Why do I now hunt the Empire’s finest? I don’t regret joining. I learned much and more in the Empire’s service. I’d never have survived as long as I have were it not for what I learned there - probably would’ve starved in an alley or gotten shelled when the Resistance took the city back. Then again, Zenos’d’ve never chopped me up. Whether I went along or not, though, the folks I enlisted with would have died all the same.

   “I don’t regret the decision in the same way you can’t really regret getting gored by a bull. Just happens. Can murder the fucking bull so it doesn’t happen again, though.” She lets herself stew a moment, before throwing a long swig back and then shaking her head. Sends her hair scattering.

   “If I were to change anything though, I’d have left earlier. Got real on board with some of what we were doing, twisted it up in my head that eventually it’d pay off and the poisoned promises the Empire made would come to fruition. Bet that sounds familiar. Lest I remind you,” She gestures at the masks on his hip.

   “We are of a similar profession, ‘Shadowhunter’. We were then, and we are now.” Her right hand reaches over to cup her left forearm, squeezing the metal tight.

   “Paid dearly for our failings and ambitions, too. Best we can hope is to shoulder the cost ourselves, ‘stead of it falling on someone else.” He grumbles something akin to an agreement, but otherwise says nothing. His brow furrows, mind tracing their collective past’s outline. Matching them against each other. She interrupts him before he can stew in the silence too long.

   “I’m sorry I couldn’t save him. The Emerald Weapon’s pilot. Wasn’t fast enough.”

   “I… It was not your hand which set this in motion.”

   “Again, you’ve read my file. You can say it was not mine alone, but I certainly had a part to play in this.”

   “It would be foolish to assume everything in your file is accurate. Plainly, news of your death was exaggerated as mine was. Much the same is at work in the other details of your service as well, I would assume.” He says. His hand slowly drops down to rest on the masks at his hip.

   “Legatus...” She looks at him with a strange, vexed look on her face. “What about me looks alive to you?”

   He takes a long moment, breath slowly filling his chest. The scent of ceruleum which lingers on her fills his lungs. The way her shining eyes gaze back at him feels like oncoming traffic. Headlamps and flashing lights. Her porcelain skin, segmented and rigid in places where it tries to mimic the real thing, shifts as she leans back. There is true flesh there, but it’s grey and without vigor. Poisoned, even. It meshes with the prosthetics and the replacements in uneven patches, rimmed by nasty, discolored scars.

   “What irony would that be -” She sighs, looking away from him. “- what poetic bullshit.” She looks down at the label of the booze, holding it away from her. “Maybe this is working on me.” 

   “Legatus, listen;” She swings the bottle as she speaks, back and forth with the cadence of her speech. “I don’t breathe, I don’t have a heart anymore, I can’t really eat or drink. Veins are filled with more oil and ceruleum than blood. My aether is stored in my core, so I technically have a ‘soul’, but it can’t be changed in the same ways as yours. I’ve also been pulled and cut apart, limb from limb, more than once. I’m about as alive as your gunblade. Or some autonomous, revenant thing going bump in the night.” Her prosthetic elbows into him, a steady, pressurized vibration felt in the metal. A too-lax grin flashes on her face, sharp teeth and ill-fitting humor meshing awkwardly.

   “I do rather like that image, I’ll admit. What I’m saying is this - everything my file says I did in the name of the Empire? It’s true.” She takes a long drink, looks out to sea, and speaks in a soft, somber tone.

   “Though at this rate, I doubt any of those who dwell above will see me judged for my sins. Trapped here as I am.

   “So if anyone has a right to judge me for my failings - it’s a fellow dead man walking. Namely, Legatus, you.”

   She holds the drink back towards him, half-empty as it is. The slosh of the bottle is audible as she pauses dramatically.

   “So. Changed your mind on that drink?”

   “If you insist.” He growls, taking the bottle from her hand. He tips it back quickly, a short, shallow draught. He hands the bottle back, a grimace on his face.

   “I prefer Garlean wines.” He says through a restrained cough.

   “Oh, that so? Sorry to offend your delicate tastes, my lord.”

   “Stow it.”

[candideangel]

Crux

FFXIV Writes 2020 | Prompt 1: Crux | Pairing: Crystalangel (G’raha Tia x WoL/Angelique) Post 5.3 mentions

Back in those halcyon days of exploration of ancient Allagan relics, the idle days of study in a cramped tent reading by the light of a lantern for bells on end. G’raha Tia could recall when he had met his inspiration in that forest, while his fingers clutched refined aethersand attuned to water as he hid in a tree. He remembered her face, those emerald eyes that looked as if they were sapped of any true spark of spirit, but still so pretty and of course he remembered what had been once a severe hair style of a bun to keep out of the way when her arrows would find their mark digging into the flesh of the beastmen. How he had chuckled before when such a straight face had looked like it had been ready to kill him when he teased her with his voice.

Of course, that look to kill had followed when he finally introduced himself, though she had put on what had been the falsest smile he had known. She was being polite at the time for Cid and Rammbroes’ sakes, but Gods did she look as if she were ready to pull out a knife and cut him up in the middle of the night. They had been often paired up for research and the enthusiasm had been mostly him at the time, but her mammet-like disinterest seemed to be something he had been determined to try and change. G’raha would get into her personal space despite the faint goosebumps that would rise up on her skin and when he first tried to put his arm around her shoulders in the most friendly manner possible she had shoved him so hard he had ended up cutting his palm on a shard of crystal. That night Rammbroes had told him that he should probably be a bit kinder to her personal space.

Some days Angelique returned to the camp, looking worse for wear even in freshened clothes, energy sapped away from her. G’raha didn’t remember a time he didn’t fuss over the bandages whenever they were stained in crimson and the times he had to force her to be still so he could fix them. He knew he probably annoyed her at times and even he admitted those times he had been forceful, but he was her friend even when she didn’t accept it. He told her that, and he saw a glimmer of surprise on her face, cheeks red and about to argue, but it had been swallowed down....except a soft voice giving a meekest ‘thank you’.

That had been the first time the Warrior of Light spoke to him.

As their time together grew longer yet shorter at the same time, they had communicated, and Angelique had often teased him with ear rubs even if he at the time didn’t like them. She was curious about why he kept brushing his bangs over his one eye, a habit he had gained in his tribe, and eventually they had started to genuinely sit down on nights by the fires and talk about research, the possibilities of the Allagans, but it was at the time mostly G’raha teaching her more about them. She didn’t smile a lot, but when she was amused, it made his heart flutter. Those were the days he believed that Angelique had accepted him as someone who could be in her space after he had subconsciously wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and though he apologized at the time...he remembered her faint smile to tell him it was okay.

Lines were crossed...a divide that had been wide open being bridged.

However, those peaceful days would come to an abrupt end with his final goodbye. He had thought about it long, and hard to make the decision to put the tower back to its rest. The night before had been just as painful as his goodnight, he and Angelique had snuck away to one of their favorite places, Angelique had begun to turn excited with the prospect of tomorrow...a tomorrow he would not be there to see. He could still recall the moment that he had nearly kissed her then, her soft breath close to his lips, his thumb lightly caressed against her cheek. He had been just about to abandon his destiny for her, to spend each moment with her, go on adventures and follow her down the path she was walking...maybe even be a scion as she had suggested when it was all over. But...he didn’t...he pulled away at the last moment, blaming a spot of dust or something on her skin, and offered to take her out for drinks that night wanting to spend as much as he could with her...until the evening hour waned away and dawn came.

He saw the way her eyes shone with unshed urges to cry when he spoke of putting himself and the tower to sleep once more. She looked at him with a cross of someone hurt, betrayed, and yet...somewhere understanding. While others promised they would be there when he would wake, promises to prepare Eorzea for what the Crystal Tower had to offer, she remained quiet...but he could tell there was so much she wanted to say, the lump in her throat forced her to be silent. However, when the doors did shut, he could remember the explosion of her voice, remembering how his ears lowered hearing her curse and be angry, and feel even his own heart chip down the middle as he had to force himself to not look back.

“Raha?” A clear voice pulled him from his idle musings, G’raha sitting up in his chair, realizing there had been a book in his lap. It had been research notes, “You’ve been staring at the same page for a while now. Are you alright?” Angelique asked curiously as she moved into his line of vision, but the miqo’te just smiled to himself as he shut the book.

“Tis nothing to fear, [my love].” He spoke watching as her face bloomed red as the Fae language came unbidden from his lips. “Suppose I was just remembering something from our past.” He watched as those eyes that had long since used to be vacant, glinted and shined like a bright stone, and a smile was on her lips. Her hands suddenly grasped around one of his and before G’raha realized what was happening he found himself being pulled out of his seat, stumbling a little to catch himself. “Wh-What’s going on?” he questioned curiously when Angelique had pulled him without so much as a warning.

“I want us to go to the Gold Saucer for a bit, have some fun!” She spoke excitedly and while it wasn’t an adventure, or a Griffin horde needing to be culled. The thought of the lights and sounds overwhelming G’raha’s senses did put him off a little, but the urge to make up for the time they had lost was something he was willing to put up with some discomforts.

“Alright, let’s go.” he agreed and with a smile on his own face he followed behind, the warmth of her hand around his. Even in the days he had been the Exarch, recalling the shadows in her eyes, but also noticing that Angelique had changed. Where the crux had truly lain was still unknown; it could have been the influence of their earlier days, it could have been the time spent in isolation when falsely accused of regicide (according to Heavensward), but in the end whatever it was he was happy to know that all the changes had come and all for the better. A hero changing from a mammet-like personality that refused to say no much less say much of her feelings, or spoke more when spoken to, to a young woman who wasn’t afraid to express herself...it made him the happiest to know he was part of this change and part of her life.

[gararmstrong]

A night for the senses.

(Thank you to an amazing @crescent-ffxiv​ for putting on the event last night.) MY FRIENDS IT IS GOOD TO BE BACK!  My name is Garinn Armstrong: Dragoon, healer, fishermen, and chef at your service.  Coming back to Eorzea has been anything but boring.  From running into old friends, to joining a free company, to the free company falling apart because the officers were burned out.     I know how hard it is to run a company, and I might give a speech about it at some point.  Needless to say, I had almost given up on Eorzea, and was ready to pack my bags until yesterday.  

Lillith, one of my beautiful women, and I were thinking about what to do that evening during some pillow talk.  We flipped through the pages: most seemed to be taverns.  Now, I love Taverns!  But we were looking for something more, well exciting!  Then we saw it.  Crescent moon goth night.  We laughed and talked about our younger days of wearing black and listening to that type of music.  With a smirk we flew to our closets to figure out what to wear!  We decided to match for the evening - black outfits and purple masks.

We relaxed for several hours and then made our way to the event.  To my amazement there was a line!  I must be honest I have never stood in a line to get into an event before, but it gave us time to talk and the hype to build.  We honestly thought we might not stay long if it was this busy, but would give it a shot.

Security was at the door, asking if I had any weapons.  Of course I had to flex for the man, as these muscles are weapons of their own!  They laughed and checked them in.  We paid the entrance fee and were each given a black rose for the night.  Then we entered. The basement was a maze with cozy spots to hang out and talk.   The middle floor had several rooms, but the fun was on the top floor!  Several well done bars, rafters for onlookers, and an amazing open dance floor.  As soon as an upbeat song came on, with a smile on my face, I grabbed Lillith and we hit the dance floor.

I have not danced in quite a long time, and even then it was more classical music at Ishgardian Balls.  However, this highlander loves to dance.  I had forgotten how much I loved it until the loud music was coursing threw my body.  I don’t care how raunchy or silly we looked as we switched between grinding or bouncing around.  I was dancing the night away with a beautiful woman and it was amazing.

After a couple hours of dancing she had to go to bed because of work. I escorted her out, and after a goodnight kiss went back inside.  I immediately ran into a cute redhead leaning on a wall that I thought needed to be drinking and dancing, and so introduced myself!

Her name was Jenny, an adventurer and hunter with a dangerous free company.  We also ran into Loksia and immediately hit the bar.  A couple of drinks in and Loksia was already flirting with the bartender, when we went back to the dance floor!

At one point they turned down the music and a band went on stage!  The night is hazy, so I apologize if I forget their name.  It was Rosa or Sora or something of that nature.  Heavy rock and roll and full of emotion and energy!  The crowd was cheering and jumping to her music!

   From there my guildies had to leave and I was back on the dance floor.  Talking to all the cute women, dancing, having fun and making friends.  I had a blast, and it wouldn’t be me if I didn’t take one of them home for the evening.  Which one?  *Walks away whistling innocently.*

-edit-  Her name was Savo, I was way off!  Still an amazing performance.

To Lilith, Jenny, Loksia, Pim, Ren, Lenneth, Fheyla, Sora, East, West, Akiko, and Crescent moon, thank you for an amazing night!  I am eager to get back into my dancing shoes already, and I know all of these people will be on the lookout for the next one.