#LadyRamora rambles

[ladyramora]

I made deep dish pizza tonight for the first time. I'm really proud at how it turned out. I will most definitely have wicked heartburn later because of the tomatoes, but it was worth it 😌

Layers of cheese, sausage, pepperoni, more cheese, mushrooms, more cheese, sweet sauce for balance, sliced tomatoes, parmesan.

[blindfoldmemory]

“What? You thought ancient beings like us incapable of having fun?”

So I saw one of my favorite writers @ladyramora was going through things so here’s an Ascian in hopes of cheering you up!

[ladyramora]

For the longest time I thought Urianger was a secret dragon. (I blame playing WoW where dragons had a humanoid form.) Whenever I spoke to him I was just giving him the side eye like, I see you dragon-elf-man. Nobody talks weird like that without a reason! But Urianger did. He just talks weird. I'm just silly, I guess. I even thought he was Midgardsormr in disguise! Sometimes characters just have quirks to have quirks. They're not secret dragons. (Though it would be cool. Just saying.)

[ladyramora]

Who's your favorite husband to write?

Did you think this to be a question I could easily answer? I bet you expected me to answer Zenos lol. Actually I don’t think I can pick my fav husband to write. I love them all and enjoy writing all of them for different reasons. I can answer which husbands are easiest for me to write.

Haurchefant would definitely be first, at least my version of him. I like writing him because you can do so much with his character. He can be flirty, sexual, or intense in many forms because of how he is in game. (Plus all the different versions! Mine is probably a mix of all of them, haha.)

Estinien would probably be second. He’s a lot of fun to write, too. I love his grumpiness. (Though I know some people don’t like that Tsundere thing lol.) He’s rough, and grumbly and I love him. He deserves all the love he can get. (Foulques right along with Estinien cause Grumpy Dragoon™)

Alphinaud is third only because I second guess writing him a lot. Would Alphi say this? Am I writing him too much like a blushing teen? (Every time I write Alphi, please keep in mind that he’s older. 18 or 19+) Sometimes I feel maybe I don’t write him snarky, or bossy enough. (I HC actually that Alphi is the only person Ram lets boss her around. 👀)

Aymeric is after Alphinaud simply because I never feel I do him justice. He’s so lordly and regal and I struggle to capture that while still writing him in the situations that you guys send in. Do I make him awkward? Is he smooth enough?

Zenos is last. (Didn’t expect that, did you?! This thot back at it again with Zenos!) I know for certain that my Zenos is soft compared to other Zenos’ (Zenos’s?) out there. I love my murder noodle haired pasta husband (the sauce is blood) but I’m just like… Wow, I write so many gentle, soft husbands. Am I doing this right? Is he scary/intimidating enough? Eh. Soft Zenos.

Anyway, for any of you that read this rambling mess, I’ll stop here, haha…

[ladyramora]

WIP Haurchefant x WoL x Zenos (that nobody asked for)

If I continue this - beware. There be porn ahead. Self indulgent porn. Cause I wanted to. WoL can have their cake (Haurchefant AND Zenos) and eat it, too! So there. Also, first part is temporary character death. Temporary! Angst? Carry on. 

It finally happens. 

 Maybe it was a mistake on your part.

Or mayhap it was ordained by fate, as so many before you had claimed it to be. A mortal wound. And you, Warrior of Light, not infallible. A mortal of many capabilities. But a mortal still. 

 Y'shtola and Krile give their best to save you. To stem the gush of your blood painting the soft grass under you. You stare up, dazed and numb, the sky beautiful blue with fluffy clouds drifting above you. 

 You blink as wet droplets land on your face. Alphinaud stares down at you, your head pillowed carefully in his lap. 

 His eyes so bright blue, tears brimming his lashes. Dripping over his cheeks to slip from his chin and land on your face.

 His lips are moving, but all you hear is a shrill ringing.

 You turn your head, looking at the other Scions spread around your prone body. Y'shtola and Krile are crying silent tears, their healing magic sparkling over you but doing little else.

 Lyse is sobbing. Alisaie is shaking her, tears streaming down her face as she yells about something or other.

 Thancred is crouched at your side, his face solemn as he grabs hold of your lax hand. You smile at him, eyelashes fluttering.

 Urianger is suddenly there. Expression so much more grim without his goggles and hood covering his face. He touches a hand to Alphinaud's shoulder, lips moving as he shakes his head.

 Alphinaud looks down at you, face crumpling with a look of utter devastation.

He curls over you, shaking so hard that it jostles you. His tears splashing on your face. 

 You feel thankful. Instead of being angry, or scared. You want to thank them for trying. For being there for you. In your adventures. To the very last moment.

 You close your eyes, head dropping to the side as you breathe in. Then out - one last time. 

  - - - 

The first thing you're aware of is how incredibly warm you are. A satisfying sleepy warmth that almost edges on being hot. An all encompassing warmth. It is so soothing to your barely conscious mind that you allow yourself the indulgence of simply basking in it for a prolonged moment.

 A lazy yawn builds behind your tongue, muscles tensing for a sleepy stretch as you hum contentedly.

 Then someone chuckles. Breathy and light.

 You blink your eyes open.

 Stunned into awed silence at the sight before your eyes.

Haurchefant. Smiling at you with his head pillowed on your arm. Haurchefant, beautiful blue eyes half lidded in sleepy contentment as he regards you. Haurchefant, hair glowing like a bright halo as morning light filters through to shine on you. 

Haurchefant - bare chested and lying in your personal space so close that you could smell his familiar scent.

 "Am I in heaven?" You ask, breathless at the sight of him.

 Haurchefant's eyes crinkle with his bashful smile. "Such flattery so early in the morning? My dear heart, are you craving some attention?"

 There's a snort behind you as the warmth encasing your back suddenly *moves*.

 "If anyone is to receive attention, it shall be me. I'll not have you monopolise them in your greed."

 Your head jerks so fast you crack it, eyes wide. Your mouth gapes open as you meet the gaze of a sleep rumpled Zenos. 

 He smirks at you, smug even half awake as he closes your mouth with a crook of his finger under your jaw. "Unless you're offering your services, I would rather you keep your morning breath to yourself." 

 Your teeth click together. Horror in your eyes. "I'm in hell," you whisper. How had this happened? If you were in Hell, why would Haurchefant be here? Or was this purgatory? Limbo? Some strange, torturous hell?

 Haurchefant leans into you to address Zenos, the heat of his skin like silk against your own. Your face resting on his chest. Breathing in his familiar smell.

 "That's not a kind way to speak to our lover, Zenos!" Haurchefant is saying, reprimanding the other man. You jolt as you feel a set of finely muscled arms curl around your middle, pulling you back into the cradle his equally muscled chest. 

 His hair slipping over your skin as he dips his head to kiss you. A hot, silken press of lips to your shoulder.His teeth biting ever so carefully into your flesh. Your resulting sound of shock is a strangled gurgle. 

 "My apologies," Zenos whispers in your ear, his voice a sultry rumble. "Forgive me?" 

 You give a high, keening squeak. Jerking your head in a nod as you try desperately to understand what was happening. 

 "How romantic," Haurchefant says dryly, pressing close to kiss your slack lips and then sliding entirely from your bed. 

Your shared bed. 

 Your bed. You bed that you shared. With two... lovers? One of whom had tried to murder you several times??

 You need air. 

[ladyramora]

Hey. Just putting this out there. You guys know how I write stuff from a nameless WoL's pov, yeah? You can send me asks/prompts like that too. I'll write Haurchefant(or whoever) flirting with your WoL till the world ends. Just saying, haha. It doesn't just have to be my dumb elf or my OC's.

[ladyramora]

Handsome Host Cafe AU (Zenos and the Elf husbands. Also WoL)

Something silly I've been working on. A handsome cafe AU with the elf husbands (Haurchefant, Aymeric and Estinien) owned by the twins. (Alphinaud and Alisaie) Instead of DiB cause I suck lol. (Blame Smilesforone!) Silly, indulgent, likely ooc. (Zenos not being a murderous psycho. Also feeling emotions??) So, don't just me too harshly? So if my Ramblings haven't chased you off yet, please enjoy? /bows (Hopefully I got all the typos.) 

- - -

Irresponsible. Lazy. Earn your place.

 Zenos inwardly scoffs, tossing his head back to flick long strands of hair away from his face. 

 He walks into his most recent coffee place, brows furrowed with his thoughts. 

He ignores the cheerful greeting of hosts scattered about, slapping his credit card on the counter top by the cash register, "My usual." He tells the smiling elezen behind the counter. 

 "But of course!" Haurchefant replies, ignoring his card for now as he writes Zenos' name across a disposable cup.

 Zenos lets out a near silent sigh, still mulling over his father's words. His father had some nerve saying such things. His father - who was never around to give Zenos the time of day, yet felt he had the right to judge how Zenos spent his time? 

 Zenos curls his lip, hair slipping from behind his ear to fall into his line of sight. He brushes it back, glancing up in time to see Haurchefant swipe his card. 

 The elezen tilts his head, humming over something as he swipes the card a second time. "It seems your card has been declined, my friend." 

 Zenos's eyes narrow. "Is that so?" 

 Haurchefant shrugs. "So it seems. Well, never you mind,-" Haurchefant pushes the steaming cup towards him. "-it's on the house for a future host!" 

 Zenos snorts, swiping the cup and then slapping the appropriate amount of gil on the counter. "You wish." 

 Haurchefant sighs. "Yes, yes. You've many admirers here. Your good looks - wasted on other pursuits when you could be hosting lovely customers instead!" 

Zenos smiles behind his cup, amused by the other man if nothing else. "As you say, my answer still remains the same." 

 Haurchefant places a hand over his heart, sighing dramatically. "Just you wait, my friend. I'll recruit you yet!" 

 Zenos shakes his head, raising his hand in farewell as he leaves. 

 It seems he would have to have another loving chat with dear old dad.

 ---

The 'chat' with his father had gone poorly, of course.

 Again his father had seen fit to judge him. To look down on Zenos. On his efforts. But to go so far as to cut his access to the family funds? He goes too far.

 Zenos stares down at his phone with intense focus, thumb hovering over his father's contact information. He has a mind to tell his father to keep the money. To disown his only heir. To shove it up his- 

 Zenos grunts in surprise as he slams into someone in his inattention, his phone clattering to the sidewalk below. The person he'd bumped into is not half as lucky, the folder filled with papers they held scattering to the winds.

 Zenos huffs out a breath as they both hit the ground. The other person landing on top of him with enough force to knock the wind out of him. 

 Zenos grabs at his phone laying in his peripheral, safe in it's fancy case from any damage. He turns his head, looking up at the person now straddling his hips and clutching their head with bandaged hands - a snarl on his lips as he bites out, "Watch where you're...!" 

 They open their eyes and Zenos is caught. He falters, the rebuke dying on his tongue as he is lost in the power of their gaze alone.

 Zenos is speechless as they scramble off of him. Feeling strangely bereft as their loss of body heat leaves him feeling cold. His mouth parts as they offer their apologies, zipping about to pick up their scattered mess of papers.

 One had been caught in a tree, the rush of a breeze forcing it free to float down into his empty lap. Plucking it up with pinched fingers - Zenos glances at it, oddly curious what could be so important.

 It's... some sort of flyer?

He looks up, intending to ask about it. To.. initiate conversation. Ask their name. An urge Zenos hadn't felt for quite some time. But as he does so he only sees Haurchefant's turned back, waving off the mysterious stranger with an even odder smile. What was his face even doing. 

 The stranger vanishes before he even learns their name.

 Zenos frowns down at the flyer pinched between his fingers. 'Seeking experienced fighters.' 

 Zenos looks up as a shadow falls over him. "Looks like you bumped into one of our customers," Haurchefant says laughingly, offering him a hand up.

 Zenos sniffs, standing on his own. "Who was that." He demands more than asks, staring off where the 'customer' had disappeared around the corner.

 Haurchefant hums, sidling up next to him with a sly smile. "A regular, my fine fellow. Why do you ask? Interested?" 

 Zenos fights back a flush with pure discipline, glancing down at the flyer with his best air of casual disinterest. "Only about their flyer."

 He looks up, eyebrows spasming with his discomfort at the look on Haurchefant's face. Foxlike in nature, a hand raised to his mouth. Any moment Zenos expected a signature laugh with such a look.

 "What." Zenos grits out, letting his hair fall into his face. Haurchefant smiles, knowingly, as if he could see all of Zenos's hidden secrets. 

 Zenos decided he hated that look. 

 "Nothing, nothing!~" Haurchefant waves him off, turning away but still looking back out of the corner of his eye. "Just.. If you become a host, you might see them again. Perhaps... Ask about that flyer?" 

 Zenos purses his lips, stuffing the flyer into his coat pocket. "I'll... think about it."

 Haurchefant makes a sound of triumph, slapping him on the back so hard that Zenos stumbles. Zenos turns to stare at him with murderous intent, unrelenting until Haurchefant laughs and removes his hand.

 "I'll make a host of you yet!" Haurchefant declares, pumping his fist. 

 Zenos feels his lip twitch, whirling away with a dramatic flare of his coat lest Haurchefant see his smile. "I said I'd think about it!" He calls back.

 Haurchefant's reply is exceedingly optimistic. "I did not hear a 'no'!" 

 Zenos snorts, shaking his head. What a persistent man. 

 Zenos almost liked him.

[ladyramora]

Denying Fate

First things first (I’m a realist, no j/k) I haven’t finished Stormblood yet. So jot that down. But I have been spoiled to how the story goes down, thanks tumblr mobile! So I wrote a little something for my feelings about the WoL and Zenos. This contains spoilers, so if you haven’t finished Stormblood, or gotten however far this is, I don’t want to spoil it for you. It also contain character death spoilers from earlier in the story, so new sproutling players beware. 

Please keep in mind Idk shit about all of msq. So I know its probly not right. But I wanted to write something to convey my feelings. Mostly rage. And disappointment.

Also. This is Healer!WoL point of view. Cause I’m an angry, bitter healer at heart.(Whm for life! Wubalubadubdub!)  Anyway, if none of this so far has deterred you... Please enjoy? :D

Fate. The will of the gods. Of some higher power.

 It was all... Unacceptable. 

 Fate, you think with a sneer. Your hands covered in red. 

 Hands tight around his throat.

 Fate has been particularly unkind, you muse as you tighten your grip. Still, blood seeps through your fingers. 

 The smokey blue of his eyes wide now as they stare up at you. You bare your teeth at him, snarling. Not at him, but at Fate itself. 

"You don't get to decide for me anymore!" 

 Your magic doesn't want to continue, his blood bright on the flowers beneath you. 

 But you make it. 

 You make it!

 It was yours!

 A part of you. And if nothing else, you would control your own fate.

 Your magic shudders. Sparking, and sputtering as you force it.

 "Do as I say!" You command it, your hands burning. 

His hands raise up, scrabbling at your choking grip as blood sprays from his coughing gasps. You glare down into his eyes. 

"I lost someone once." You tell him, the color of your healing magic casting strange shadows on your face. You must truly look a beast now. Monstrous.

 "He was a better man than you. He deserved better!" You shake him, eyes wide with your rage and disgust.

 "He should be alive. I should have been able to do something!" You laugh, hysterical. Mad. It's all you can do not to sob instead.

 You can feel it now, the flow of blood slowing. Your magic bending to your will. His face is pale as death, but his lips are red. Cheeks flushed with precious blood.

 "But instead, I save you." You continue to grasp his throat. Continue to sit on his chest. To stare down into the blue of his eyes. 

Blue. They all had blue eyes. 

 Haurchefant's eyes were blue.

 "Why?" Zenos rasps, voice deeper and lower than ever before. 

 You frown at him. Hating yourself. Hating him. Even more, hating what Fate had decided for you. What Fate was turning you into.

 "You were right. As much as I hate to admit it. We are the same." 

 Zenos smiles. Like you are still prey.

 You stare at his blood on your hands, flexing your fingers. "I've done something terrible - keeping you alive."

 Zenos laughs. "I knew you'd be interesting!" He laughs, deep and knowingly. 

You grit your teeth. "Shut up."

[ladyramora]

Idk what to wriiiiite...

I have so maaaaanyyyyy...

OTL

[ladyramora]

/writes AU stuff with Zenos and the elf husband gang instead of finishing the chapter of DiB I'm working on. Cause I can never focus on one story at a time. Well, I think In Plain Sight was the exception. I loved that one too much. It's my weakness for everything Haurchefant.

[ladyramora]

If you're still taking requests can I have a lil fic for estinien like the one you wrote about haurchefant/wol getting drunk together? If you have time, if not, no worries :)

(*Kermit voice* Hi-ho! - Sorry I’m so late, as usual. I have no excuse, really, except lack of writing motivation with how my job has been recently. Ah… I hope this is to your liking. I meant to draw it out more, but I think WoL needs some sleep. (So do I, lol.) Drunken Estinien is smoother than Sober Estinien. XD This version, anyhow. I was writing him like… Hmmm, I hope he seems IC. Estinien is kinda cocky, though, isn’t he? Anyway, please enjoy?)

This is a Prequel to this OT3 (Aymeric x WoL x Estinien)

....

...

..

The heavy sound of glass scraping across the polished wood of your table has you blinking open your eyes that you hadn’t realized you had closed.

A bottle of familiar booze sits in the middle of your table. You stare at it, eyes drooping blearily, gaze unfocused.

You hadn’t ordered it.

Your eyes focus only as someone sits across from you. That familiar voice addressing you, sarcastic and dry as the Sagolii desert, “Do you ever tire of fighting wars not your own?”

Your lips curve up, eyes dragging over him lazily. “Estinien,” You say on a sleepy sigh. He is a sight for sore eyes. Sore, overtired eyes. You cannot remember when last you had lain down to truly rest.

Estinien is frowning heavily, the light behind him casting an ethereal glow on the fall of his pale, unbound hair. His pale skin a bit more tanned than when you saw him last. Though shadows still lingered under the bright blue of his eyes, he looked far healthier than he had - lying pale and drawn in the infirmary after your battle with Nidhogg. His eyes are sharp, a too bright blue that drag over you with much too knowing a look.

He is…

“Gorgeous,” You say, dazedly and with a heavy tongue.

Estinien’s eyes widen infinitesimally, his head dipping down—his hair, so bright and shiny, slipping over his shoulder and drawing your eyes to the open lacing of his shirt baring his clavicle—and slides an empty glass across the table.

Even with how tired you are, your reflexes do not fail you as your hand snaps out to catch the glass before it can slip over the edge to shatter on the floor.

“Drink with me,” Estinien doesn’t ask in a voice that is rough with what you think to be embarrassment.

You stare down at the glass that you clasped in a loose grip, eyes half lidded.

Estinien pops the cork on the heavy bottle he’d brought, pouring his own glass and then yours. Yours, you notice, he fills just shy of the brim.

“Fury damn them,” Estinien grouses, “You need this more than I do. Look at you,” Estinien slams the bottle down hard enough for liquid to slosh up over the neck, snatching up his own glass to gesture with to your own too full glass. “Been possessed lately? You look about one foot in the grave.”

You grimace, ignoring your glass to touch your face. Fingers tracing under your heavy eyes as you ask, “Do I look so terrible?”

Estinien slams his emptied glass down, leaning in to snarl and pin you in place with furious blue eyes, “No! You look..” He freezes mid sentence, jaw flexing with his grinding teeth. “You look… good.”

Your hand drops to rest near your glass. Good, he said. “Good,” You echo, not questioning him, merely stating that you are glad.

Estinien takes it the other way, you surmise, as his face flushes in the soft lighting. His lips, wet with traces of his hard booze, parting as he tries to elaborate, “Better, I mean. You were so…” Estinien falls quiet. Swallows.

“Sad.”

Sad. Angry. Bitter.

Empty.

You had been many things after the Dragonsong war. You had lost two people who had become dear to you. Your eyes follow Estinien’s fingers as he drags his bare fingers through the water pooling around his chilled glass.

Almost three. Almost. But you had been able to save him. Had been allowed that where you hadn’t been before. Not him, you had thought back then. Had begged - pleaded, even - to the Twelve. To those Gods who had a hand in writing your Fate. Not Estinien too.

Then you had decided you were done asking. No, you decided. You can’t have him. You won’t. I won’t let you take him.

And then you hadn’t.

You smile instead of voicing such things. “I am always better having seen you.”

Estinien clears his throat and pours himself another. “Drink with me.”

You dip your head and lift your glass. Estinien’s favored drink sliding heavy over your tongue. Burning like dragon fire as you swallow it down. Still you tip it back. It would be most impolite to refuse. Besides, you had never been one to turn down Estinien’s offers of companionship.

You finish your glass, warmth settling in your belly. You should have eaten something, you muse, as Estinien pours you another too full glass.

“Good Ser,” You say teasingly. “I dare say, are you intending to get me drunk?”

Estinien snorts into his glass, booze spraying in his humor. He wipes his face and grins at you. “I intend only for you to catch up.”

You blink. Catch up? “Estinien,” You lean in, whispering lowly. “Are you drunk?”

Estinien leans in, breath mingling with yours, “Mayhap a little.”

So more than a little.

You glance at your glass, eye the mostly full contents of the bottle, and make a decision. You grab the bottle and your glass.

Swallowing back your entire glass of booze in one long drink, and then pouring yourself another overly large.

You’re not letting Estinien overdo it on your watch.

“Whoa there!” Estinien gives a huff of a laugh as you tip back your third glass. “Slow down, will you?” He grasps your hand, warm, calloused fingers stroking over your knuckles.

You swallow hard, looking up into his face. The amusement in his eyes. In the curl of his lips.

“Easy does it,” He continues, soothingly. That low, growly quality to his voice somehow even raspier in his partial intoxication.

His eyes are so blue. So vivid. You feel swallowed by them.

Estinien says your name and you blink, shaking your head to dispell the heavy feeling over you. Like being charmed, you think dazedly as you watch Estinien lick a stray drop of booze from his glass.

Seduction. This is a…

“This is a seduction.”

Estinien chokes, looking at you with wide eyes. “What?!” He barks. Trying to play it off, but his eyes look awfully shifty to be playing for innocence.

Ahh. Yes. It all made sense now. His hair seemed shinier than usual. His lips, too. Not to mention how much skin he was showing with the lazy lacings of his dark blue shirt - baring more than the usual of his toned chest. That, then touching you with his hands. And he kept sticking his tongue out and licking things. His lips, his glass. His wrist where he had spilled on his hand and it had dripped over his skin, eyes catching yours as he licked up his inner arm.

“Estinien,” You say, squinting in suspicion. “Are you trying to seduce me right now?” Was this happening or had you finally succumbed to exhaustion?

Estinien struggles to deny it, but the way his cheeks flush and his eyes shift give him away. “What? No! Why would I…? That would be…”

You stare at him and wait.

Estinien’s face falls, and he stops trying to deny it. “If I said yes - that this was a… an attempt to… Ah. …What would your reaction be?”

You tilt your head, turning your glass in your hands. You take a deep breath, pretending to mull it over. You shrug, as though careless. Like everything in you isn’t crying out in relief. You had thought your feelings for Estinien would forever remain unrequited and ever unspoken.

You smile and grasp your glass to clink against his. “All right then, Azure Dragoon. Show me your moves.”

Estinien sits back, looking all sorts of adorably puzzled. Jaw working as he has the nerve to squint at you in suspicion, “…All right.”

As if you would joke about something like this! You nod back at him, quirking a brow in challenge. “All right?”

Estinien knocks back his glass, clears his throat roughly, and says, “Then.. Yes, this is a..” He flushes. “This… is that.”

You slide your glass forward, clinking against his even though it is empty.

Estinien grabs the bottle and pours.

You smile, tracing the rim of your glass.

You are not prepared for Estinien to climb over the table.

“What are you doing?”

Estinien huffs as he settles next to you on your suddenly too small side of the booth. “Seducing you, obviously. Am I meant to do it all the way over there?” Estinien says, sounding rather grumpy for someone trying to seduce you.

He shifts close and you find your back hitting the wall behind you as Estinien cages you in with a hand by your head.

You feel very much drunk suddenly. Your head swimming with the scent of Estinien. That familiar smell with just a hint of something new. Was that cologne? Whatever it was - it smelled particularly pleasing. You cannot help but deepen your breaths to take him in.

Estinien is looking altogether much too smug. “Look at you,” He positively croons. “I haven’t even started yet and you’re…” Estinien leans in, his breath fanning over your lips, “All. Flushed.”

Estinien grunts in surprise as your hand smacks him in the nose, his hands raising up in surrender as you push his face away from yours.

“Not so fast, Ser!” You say breathlessly. Your cheeks feel on fire, but you’ll not be so easily conquered. “I expect a bit more of a proper seduction before you start stealing kisses!”

Estinien barks a startled, if not delighted laugh. His hand cupping over yours to grasp and turn in his hold. His head lowering as he kisses your hand like a proper chivalrous knight.

His eyes gleam playful blue through the soot of his eyelashes, shiny lips curling in a flirtatious grin. “Like this?” He asks in his signature throaty growl as he kisses your hand, over your wrist and up your arm.

You swallow hard. “That’s… rather nice, yes.”

Estinien’s eyes crinkle with his pleased grin, nuzzling his nose and one of those sharp cheekbones against your arm like an affectionate cat.

His thumb drags over the veins on your wrist. “Your heart is pounding,” Estinien sighs. He drags your hand by the wrist to press against his chest between the gaping fabric of his shirt. To feel the racing of his own heart. “Mine too.”

You gulp. Cannot help yourself from spreading your fingers wide and basking in the feel of his skin.

Estinien grins rakishly. “Seduced yet?”

You squeak. “A little?”

Estinien chuckles. “Shall I try harder then?” He leans in, shaking his head just so that his hair falls forward around his face in a waterfall of pale moonlit strands.

The fragrant oil in his hair wafts over you and inspires in you that strange mix of pleasure and hunger at smelling something pleasing. You want a lot of things. To touch his hair. Feel the sure softness of it. To bury your face in it and breathe him in. To rake your hands through his hair and drag his lips to yours.

You only make a strangled whining sound and lean into him, helpless to his magnetic pull.

You let out a startled yelp as Estinien drags you into his lap.

Your hands are frozen against the bared skin of his chest. Eyes wide as you tip your head back to stare into his own.

Estinien expression shifts from purposeful seduction to worried. “Too much?” he asks.

You shake your head mutely.

You are in Estinien’s lap.

You silently thank every god, goddess and deity you know, and all the ones you do not. You have been blessed with glorious fortune this night that you had thought would amount to naught but boredom and eventually succumbing to your exhaustion.

Instead you sat in the Azure Dragoon’s lap as he attempted, and so far quite thoroughly succeeded, to seduce you.

Not just seduce, you muse drunkenly, as Estinien smiles in relief and cups his hands over your cheeks to stroke your skin with calloused thumbs.

“I think I’m drunk,” You say slowly, leaning into him drowsily. Your overtaxed body catching up with you now.

Estinien snorts. “Caught up, have you? Don’t fall asleep on me now.”

You smile goofily, sinking into his delicious body heat with a satisfied hum. “But you’re so warm! Seduce me later.”

Estinien sighs, smiling ruefully. “I suppose it was selfish of me to drink beforehand. To attempt such as you are now. An onze of liquid courage turned to much more than I meant. Feeling your exhaustion now, I suppose? Shall I carry you to bed?”

You let loose a giggly drunken laugh. “Whaaat? We can’t go to bed together! You haven’t even kissed me yet!”

Estinien flushes like he hadn’t just been trying to seduce you. “Together? Ah.. Do you… Would you like me to kiss you?”

You would like him to very much. Yet now your head was dropping. Eyelids fighting to droop closed and remain so. Your cheek falls to rest against his bare skin, nose brushing his shirt. “Kiss me.. Kiss me,” You sigh, nuzzling into his chest.

Estinien does not comment on your sudden change of mind, bless him.

Estinien laughs softly, and you blink up dazedly at him as he curls his fingers under your chin to tilt your head back.

You part your lips, ever so slightly puckered to receive his kiss.

Estinien smiles, lowers his face towards yours, and kisses your forehead instead of your lips.

You make a mild sound of protest. “Tha… doesn’… count!” Your words slur from drink and your mounting exhaustion.

Estinien kisses your forehead again. Then the tip of your nose, laughing as you wrinkle your nose in response.

“I’ll kiss you,” Estinien says gently. Seriously. “When we are both a little more sober. Aye, a little more than rested on your part as well.”

You hear him, but are hardly awake to reply with aught but, “Promise?”

Estinien strokes his hands over your hair and down your back, his voice a throaty hum. “Of course. I promise.”

You close your eyes, feeling safe in his arms, and give in to your exhaustion under the soothing motions of his hands and the soft sound of his breath.

....

Estinien stares down at the sleeping Warrior in his lap with aching fondness, smiling and shaking his head at his own foolishness.

“I question mine own thought processes, truly. What had I intended when you were clearly so exhausted you sat half awake at this table in this questionable bar?”

Estinien sighs. “I have not been known for mine decision making. ‘Tis not mine strong suit.”

Estinien strokes a finger under the shadows lining the Warrior’s eyes. His eyes dropping to their parted lips, slightly curled as if they were smiling in their sleep.

“You continue to be my best decision yet.”

Estinien smiles. “Try again later, shall I?”

The Warrior sighs in their sleep and Estinien nods in affirmation. “Aye. Off to bed with you.”

With some clever maneuvering on his part, he stands from their shadowed booth with the Warrior cradled safely in his arms.

“Right,” he sighs. “Now to find out where you’ve been sleeping. If you have at all.”

[ladyramora]

could you tag your original posts/asks/writing etc? for maximum overbingeing

Usually I do. I've mostly been on mobile lately, and I can't tag asks on mobile. I'll try to tag my asks ASAP. You can find my other writing through #ladyramora writes or #ladyramora rambles. Most of my writing is ffxiv so you can find it on my #ffxiv tag, or just look through the search bar for a character name. Alphinaud, Aymeric, Estinien, etc. Or my character writings are under #Ramora D'aubigne. Sorry, I'll try to fix my untagged posts as soon as I am able.

[ladyramora]

I've given up on doing my asks in order. I'm sorry to all who are still waiting. /looks into the distance and sobs. I've failed you.

OTL

[ladyramora]

Ointment

Haurchefant winced every step of the way to Germanotta's quarters. He is filled with deep regret for dressing with such haste this morning. The incredibly uncomfortable feeling of his greeves rubbing against the heat of his skin mocked him. 'If only you wore your underpants Haurchefant, then this wouldn't be happening!' Haurchefant groaned internally, limping his way through the hall with carefully spaced steps. Still he received odd looks from his fellow countrymen, watching in bemusement as he walked in a rather bowlegged fashion. Haurchefant avoided their inquisitive stares to the best of his ability. He was well aware his fellow knights found him quite strange enough without adding this particular brand of embarrassment into the mix. Haurchefant let out a sigh of relief as Gernanotta's door was finally within his sight after much painful walking. He sped up his pace a bit, legs moving in a careful manner that could be described as a swagger to the untrained eye. But he had no intention of seduction this day. Haurchefant had just reached Gernanotta's door, hand extended to knock when the door opened abruptly. Germanitta blinked at him from the other side of the door, brows creasing in confusion. "For what purpose have you come to my door, my lord?" Haurchefant gave a strained smile. "My dear Germanotta, I have a bit of a strange request to make of you." The female knight was automatically on guard, knowing there must be aught amiss if he addressed her with "my dear" tacked onto her name. Germanotta held in a sigh, "How may I assist you?" Haurchefant shifted in place, glancing over his shoulder to check for eavesdropping knights. Germanotta did as well, frowning disapprovingly as several knights loitered nearby, carefully not looking in their direction. "What is this, a congregation? Get back to your posts!" Germanotta barked out, tone sharp with reprimand. Haurchefant watched in amusement as the knights all straightened up, grumbling incoherently. Germanotta scowled, opening her door wide and motioning Haurchefant inside as she addressed the still lingering knights, "Were mine orders unclear? Enough loitering and back to your duties. Go!" Haurchefant stifled a smile as the knights all flinched, glancing at eachother in fear before scattering in different directions like startled mice. "My, my. Such a fierce display of command. It is quite clear why they call you by the title Lionheart, dear friend." Haurchefant chuckled, walking gingerly into Germanotta's personal room. Germanotta sniffed in disdain, closing her door behind them after checking for any knights foolish enough to linger. "It was my ability to command that allowed me to serve under you in Camp Dragonhead, if you do recall, my lord." Haurchefant hummed, eyes skimming over the strategy table set up in the corner of her room. He picked up a stray piece that resembled a horse, fingers skimming over the finely crafted details. Germanotta stood by the door, watching in amusement as he played with several knickknacks scattered about her strategy board instead of telling her what he needed of her. It was the way he was moving that tipped her off to his sudden appearance at her door. That familiar calculated way he was walking. It seems her lord hadn't learned his lesson after the first time this had happened. Germanotta shook her head, walking to one of her shelves and rummaging through the small cabinet placed there. She sifted through the salves and ointments in her collection, finding the one she needed without much difficulty. Turning back to find her lord poking through her clothing drawers. Germanotta cleared her throat, watching as he quickly closed the one he had been peaking into, turning to look at her with an innocent smile. Germanotta snorts, holding up the bottle she intended to use between two fingers, shaking it with meaning. "We are both well aware why you've come, you need not elaborate. Now let me see what you've done to yourself this time. Strip." Germanotta says, walking to the night stand beside her bed to set the ointment down so she could remove her gloves. Haurchefant gave a theatrical gasp, placing a hand on his chest in mock surprise. "Why Germanotta, how incredibly forward you are! Will you not treat me to supper beforehand? How vulgar. Tell me, do you treat all your partners this way, or am I just special?" Haurchefant fluttered his eyelashes, pouting his lips in a pronounced pucker. Germanotta rolls her eyes, tugging off one glove with her teeth and refusing to blush at his teasing, lest he take it as an invitation for further provocations. "Hardly, my lord. Besides, I much prefer my partners to be within my height range or shorter, not sharing the same stature as a dhalmel." Germanotta says, withholding a smile as Haurchefant squawks with real outrage. It was a lie of course. All in the intent to keep her sanity. If her lord was aware she found him attractive he would be utterly insufferable with his nonstop preening. "A dhalmel!? Is that how you see me? How offensive!" Now he is truly pouting, a petulant whine in his voice. Germanotta tugs off her other glove, rinsing her hands in the water basin on her vanity. "Do you intend to mope all day or are you going to show me the damage? Don't make me strip you myself. " Germanotta says, keeping her back turned as Haurchefant's whining comes to a stop. The silence filled with the sound of shifting chainmail and new grumbling as he takes off his greeves. Germonatto sighs as she hears two answering thuds. "Your trousers too. Just take it all of, will you. It's not as if I haven't seen it before." There's a short pause before she hears the rest of his armor hit the floor as well. Haurchefant sighs loudly, audibly flopping face down on her made up bed. "Germanotta," he groans plaintively, "Please help me. You have my deepest apologies for this inconvenience, but I have no one else to turn to." Germanotta shakes her head, using her pitcher full of drinking water to wet a cloth. She makes a soft sound of disapproval as she turns around, frowning with concern at the rash flushing his pale skin an angry pink. "Look what you've done to yourself ," She murmurs, leaning over him and pressing the damp cloth to his skin. Haurchefant hisses at the first touch of cloth, but widens his legs to give her more room to work. Germanotta wipes him down quickly, cleaning away any sweat and cooling down his skin with the coldness of the cloth. She twists the cap off of the ointment she had grabbed before, scooping out a large dollop of the medicine to smear into his reddened skin. Her fingers are light on his skin, just barely touching in concerned gentleness. Haurchefant sighs softly, turning his head to watch her work. "My thanks, dear friend. What would I do without your helpful ministrations?" Germanotta doesn't pause in her work as she replies, "Go to the actual healer, perhaps? I am pleased to assist you however I am able, but surely you would rather visit the healer for something more potent than what I have on hand?" Haurchefant moans in reply, shaking his head. "And be force fed potion after potion? Thank you for the offer, but I must decline. She's not nearly as gentle as you, besides. You should have been a healer, you know. You have a soothing touch." Haurchefant yawns at the end of his sentence, further proof that he found her presence soothing . Germanotta snorts, wiping her hands clean of the ointment with the damp towel she had used before. She closes the leftovers of the ointment, placing it back where she found it. "All done." She says, making her way to her nightstand to retrieve her gloves. She pauses as Haurchefant makes no effort to reply. She glances as his face, amused to find his eyes closed, back rising and falling with the even breath of sleep. "Lord Haurchefant?" She murmurs, reaching out a hand to wave in his face. He doesn't stir. Germanotta stares at his relaxed face, noticing the dark circles under his eyes. She traces gentle fingers under his eye, pulling away as his eyelashes flutter with oncoming wakefulness. "Ger," Haurchefant sighs, blinking sleepily. Germanotta tilts her head. "My lord?" "Thank you." Germanotta tucks a lock of hair behind his ear, combing her fingers through the silken mass of his hair with a fond smile. "Of course. " He grins, eyes drooping closed as he drifts off again. She steps back, pulling a throw from a nearby chair to drape over him. He deserves a nap. Germanotta pauses at her door to look back as his dozing form , gloves clasped in one hand. "Get some rest." The door clicks shut behind her.