#Retainer of Light: William O'Donnell

[starsandauras]

Prompt 13: Check

FFXIV 30 Day Writing Challenge Prompt 13: Check

“Coffee biscuits, fourteen?” Brigid read off the list, looking up at William, who was seemingly shoulder deep into her bag.

After a moment of rummaging, William pulled a smaller bag out and opened it, taking only a moment before he nodded. “Aye.”

Brigid hummed and went back to the list. “Raw rubies, six?” A hum and a nod. “Allagan platinum bits, two hundred?”

“…seriously, Bi Bi?” he asked, looking up at her.

She shrugged. “They’re fittin’ somehow, and I’m savin’ them for the Enclave. Should be in a wee bag.”

William sighed but he dug around again, pulling out a small coin bag. He opened it, then huffed. “Allagan gold bits.”

“Oh, should be a hundred of those.”

William shook his head but started counting them anyway, mouthing the numbers as he did. “Aye, ‘undred.” He sat the bag to the side and resumed his search for the platinum pieces, eventually finding and counting them. “Gang tae be doin’ a purge of yer damned bags one of these days,” he grumbled.

“So you’ve been sayin’ for a year now,” Brigid murmured. “Namazu, one?”

“Brigid!”

“I’m kiddin’, I’m kiddin’!”

[starsandauras]

Prompt 3: Temper

FFXIV 30 Day Writing Challenge Prompt 3: Temper

So this deals with the aftermath of Fuckface’s Fourchenault’s introduction in 5.5. As you can expect, it’s rough. Be safe.

Also, Will’s accent is here.

Thancred didn’t know where Brigid had gotten off to. He’d expected her to be with Alisaie, but instead found Cred with her, the two of them hugging each other tightly. He’d stayed silent, not wanting to interrupt the moment between aunt and nephew, and returned to his search.

“Have you seen Brigid?” he finally asked William, after checking his room. It wasn’t uncommon for her to hole up with her twin after fraught events, but she wasn’t there either.

William shrugged, not looking up from his task of sharpening Brigid’s daggers. “She took ‘er staff an’ ran off, nay tellin’ where tae.”

Thancred blinked, confusion writ clear across his face. Brigid hadn’t picked up any of her black mage weapons in what seemed like years, since being recruited by the Sisters. “…which staff?” he finally asked.

Another shrug as William thumbed at a blade, testing the edge. “Ye ‘member tha’ one she wus pickin’ up back in Rak’Tika?” Thancred did indeed remember that one. She’d mentioned how nice it was that the focus was flat, how it’d do very well as a bludgeoning weapon if push came to shove.

(As it was still during their… estrangement, he wasn’t entirely uncertain he wasn’t the one getting shoved.)

He was about to respond when the sounds of an explosion came through the walls, muffled though it was. William finally looked up, huffing out a small laugh. “Found ‘er,” he said, wan smile on his face.

“Indeed,” Thancred murmured, giving William a distracted wave before following the sounds of apparent destruction out the door of the Stones, out of Mor Dhona itself, and down the path towards the Tangle and Castrum Centri.

The splattered remains of the Nyx that usually roamed the area told him exactly what Brigid was exploding. They had needed culling anyway, though it was a task usually left to less experienced adventurers these days.

He turned the corner of a rock formation just in time to see Brigid fling out her arms, staff in one hand, the hems of her favorite robe fluttering around her feet (the one she’d been gifted from the Mol, well cared for all these years), hair flying around her head from the force of the aetheric explosion he recognized as Fire IV. When the flames cleared a gigas dropped at her feet, body still smoking.

He propped himself against the rocks and crossed his arms, trying to appear nonchalant, mostly for her sake. “Spitfire?” he called out, and tried not to flinch as Brigid turned her gaze on him. She had earned that nickname honestly, and he could see her beautiful eyes still burning, watched that lovely mouth twist like the flames were about to force their way out with him as her new target. She blinked, once, twice, and the flames were forced to bank.

“Miodóg,” she called back, voice not quite flat, but certainly far less energetic. He took that as his okay to approach her, and he did, holding his hand out for hers. She tiredly jabbed the end of her staff in the ground and took them, letting him draw her against his chest.

“I heard,” he murmured, as she settled her head on his shoulder. “The broadest of strokes, of course.” Brigid made a sad noise, and he rubbed her back slowly. “Tell me what happened?”

“How could he be doin’ that?” she asked, sorrow almost drowning her words. “How could he be disownin’ them like that?” She was shuddering, the surest sign of her attempting to hold back tears and on the edge of failing. “He’s havin’ amazin’, wonderful, brilliant children! How could he be doin’ that?” A great sob tore itself from her chest, and he held her tighter, trying to shield her from anyone who might see her in such a state. “Throwin’ them ‘way loch trash!”

“I don’t know,” he murmured, a hand threading into her hair and cradling her head. He couldn’t understand it, couldn’t understand how any father, even one like Fourchenault, could do such a thing to his children. He couldn’t do it to Cred, and Cred wasn’t even his, as far as blood went (his in all the other ways that mattered though). He knew Louisoix would be furious with his son, however. Privately he hoped Ameliance destroyed her husband upon his return to Sharlayan.

Privately he also knew this wasn’t wholly about Fourchenault Leveilleur, not consciously; this was as much about Hereward O’Donnell, but he wasn’t about to bring that up to Brigid.

“Even Alphinaud’s nay a bad son! He’s growin’ up bein’ a fine man! He was jus’ stumblin’ a lot!” It was probably the most positive thing Brigid had ever said about Alphinaud, and Thancred tried not to breathe out a laugh as she said it. “And Alisaie! She was curin’ temperin’, and he wasnae even carin’! All the work they’ve been doin’, and they’re bein’ treated loch naythin’!” She inhaled deeply, breath shuddering, and she looked up at Thancred. His heart broke a thousand times over as he took in reddened, tear-filled eyes, her own broken heart splashed across her face. “You werenae hearin’ Alisaie,” she whispered. “What she was sayin’ to Alphinaud, how both of them were devastated.” She tightened her hand in his shirt, as though that would get across the pain they’d all suffered. “How could we be lettin’ him walk ‘way?”

Thancred sighed and rested his head on hers, as Brigid buried her face in his shoulder again, her own shuddering in quiet sobs. “He’s lucky he lived,” Thancred murmured, smiling softly when he heard a wet laugh come from her. “He deserves to be the one lying at your feet, smoldering. But right now we need to focus on Alisaie and Alphinaud.” He squeezed her tight, trying to comfort her. “Cred’s with Alisaie right now, and Urianger’s going to talk to her soon.”

Brigid nodded weakly. “Cred’s a good lad,” she whispered. “He dinnae lochs seein’ his Auntie Saie sad.” She sniffled, pulling back again. “Where’s Alphinaud?”

“Estinien’s with him, they’re probably collecting firewood or something.” And Brigid laughed at that, eyes sparkling with something other than tears, finally. “He’ll probably come out of this with Estinien’s surname now.”

Brigid nodded again. “I was thinkin’ of offerin’ Alisaie me own, if Urianger wasnae offerin’ her his first.” She sighed softly. “And I’m thinkin’ of writin’ Dulia-Chai, might be doin’ Alphinaud some good to be hearin’ from her.”

“Or she’ll be so furious that she’ll find a way to cross the Rift under her own power and have words with Fourchenault herself,” Thancred risked joking, and smiled wider when Brigid laughed again, leaning into him. “Come now, we should return to the Stones, let the Nyx population recover.” He looked down at their feet, where the gigas’s body remained. “Or before the rest of the gigas notice us.”

Brigid looked down at it as well, and after a moment she pulled away from Thancred. Screaming with rage she tore her staff out of the ground and bludgeoned at the gigas, ending with a savage kick. Breath heaving she turned back to Thancred, putting her hand in his.

“Goin’ to be killin’ that man next I’m seein’ him,” she declared, voice rough. “Or ‘least punchin’ him.”

“And he will deserve every moment of it,” Thancred agreed, as the two made their way back up the hill towards Mor Dhona.

[starsandauras]

Prompt #12: Idiots

FFXIV 30 Day Writing Challenge Prompt 12: Fingers Crossed

The return of Iolaire Argentum! Again! And now I can link his person’s tumblr! @corbix is entirely responsible for this and our attempts to figure out just what the fuck Ishgardian courtship even is.

They were such idiots, Estinien thought to himself as he watched Iolaire and Brigid walk in front of himself and William. Their party was patrolling the outskirts of Camp Dragonhead, ostensibly watching for dragons and Garleans (and the occasional giant and badly behaved karakul), but in fact… he was watching two idiots dance around each other.

It was so obvious to anyone who knew anything about Ishgardian courtship that Iolaire was desperately trying to court Brigid and yet clearly the bloody woman was absolutely blind! And of course he got the front row seat to the sheer embarrassment of it all. But as William rubbed his hand over his face as he too watched the idiocy progress he was as much aware of how blind his sister was as Estinien was.

“’E wus givin’ ‘er peach blossoms,” he grumbled, and yes, of course William would be the one to know Ishgardian floriography. He would be the one to know that Iolaire had absolutely announced his intent to court William’s twin sister with that bouquet… and he clearly also knew that his sister was one of the most blind fools under the Fury’s gaze.

“And a blade,” Estinien added, eyes flicking to the spare knife Brigid kept strapped at the small of her back, having been the “lucky” one to witness that particular gift’s bequeathment. She had smiled so widely he was certain she had to know what Iolaire had just done, and yet!

“An’ Sohm Al tarts,” William replied, running his gloved hand through his hair in frustration.

“He does know she can’t cook for shite, aye?” he grumbled, keeping half an eye on the two in front, laughing at some inane thing one of them had said. It was tradition to return like for like, a weapon for a weapon, food for food. “And of the four of us he’s the only one who can cook beyond field rations?”

“Aye… dinnae how ‘e wus thinkin’ ‘twas gang tae work,” William said on a sigh. “’E’s always cookin’, nay bein’ obvious he’s favorin’ ‘er loch tha’.”

The two paused as they watched Iolaire take Brigid’s hand in his and press a positively gallant kiss to the back. Like a knight accepting a favor from his lady fair. It was a textbook display of chivalry. The stuff sung of by bards.

It made Estinien sick to watch them be so stupid over each other.

William held out his fist even as his eyes were set on the cloyingly sweet, horrifically oblivious pair. “Here’s hopin’ she’ll be figurin’ it out wi’ the clothin’?” he said, and even as Estinien knew it was as hollow a hope as any other to be found in Coerthas he sighed and bumped his fist against William’s in a mock toast.

“Or the masquerade,” he grumbled.

By the Fury please let Brigid realize what the man was doing. If she didn’t, someone was going to have to tell her, and with his luck…

…oh. Shite. It was going to have to be him, wasn’t it?

Bloody idiots!

[starsandauras]

Prompt 7: Pawn

FFXIV 30 Day Writing Challenge Prompt 7: Pawn

Will’s accent makes a return~

Brigid stood to William’s side as he laid the items out on the counter. Clothes that Connor had outgrown but were still in good enough repair, shoes they’d all grown out of, crystals that they’d found, even a few articles of jewelry that had belonged to their mother. The lalafell behind the counter squinted at each item, tutting and shaking his head over most of it and setting aside the rest, mainly the crystals and jewelry.

He sighed once he’d gone through everything, taking a pencil out from behind his ear and doing some sums on a pad of paper. “Ye don’t bring much, do ye?” he asked, making the twins look to the ground in embarrassment. “Well, this is what I can give ye.”

He slid the paper over to William, and he looked over it, frowning. “Jes’ five ‘undered gil? Fer all tha’?!”

The lalafell shrugged, shaking his head. “I’m limited by what ye bring, and what it’s worth. If ye don’t bring anything of worth…” William grumbled and Brigid patted his arm, the movement drawing the other man’s attention. “Oh, that’s a pretty ring ye’re wearin’ there, lass.”

Around Brigid’s neck was a gold chain, and upon that chain was an amethyst set in a gold ring. She blinked up in surprise and absently put a hand just below it. “Aye, thank ye…” she said hesitantly, confused.

“I’d be more than happy to take that off yer hands for a pretty sum,” the lalafell all but sang at her. “Say… one hundred gil?”

Brigid shook her head furiously and even tucked the necklace under her top, pulling her shawl tightly around herself, sinking away from the man. “Nay,” she said, quietly but firmly. “Nay.”

“You’re quite certain? Not even for… a hundred fifty?”

“Th’ lass wus sayin’ nay,” William nearly growled. “Jes’ be givin’ us th’ five ‘undred an’ we’ll be leavin’.”

Another shrug and head shake. “Very well then, not that ye can afford to turn down such an offer in yer state…” Still, items and gil were exchanged, and the two of them collected the rejects.

Brigid snuggled close to William as they left and William wrapped his arm around her protectively. “He’s nay gang tae touch it, Bi Bi,” he murmured to her, leaning down to press a soft kiss to her hair.

“He cannae have it,” she whispered. “Dinnae care how bad things are gettin’, he’s nay gettin’ Mum’s ring, and nay is anyone else.”

William nodded and gently stroked her hair, thinking of all the other items their mother had left their family. “Nay if Ah’m havin’ anythin’ tae say ‘bout it.”

[starsandauras]

Prompt #20: Sharing is Caring

FFXIV 30 Day Writing Challenge Prompt 20: Bisect

They were twins, yes, but that never meant that they would always get along. Especially when food was scarce and they both wanted the same thing.

Brigid, legs barely bending at the knee, ran up to Briggite, tears running down her face. “Mama! Li Li willnae be lettin’ me have th’ last honey cake!”

Briggite sighed and looked over to where her daughter had left her youngest son sitting, and sure enough tiny baby hands were clutching hard to the very last of the cakes Hereward had baked that morning. She shook her head slightly and scooped up her daughter, tutting soothingly at her as they walked over to her youngest son. "Little spark," she said softly, sitting down next to him. "Why are you bein' mean to your sister?"

William looked up at Briggite and clenched harder at the cake, digging little fingers into it. Brigid made a sad noise and Briggite stroked her hair. "M'ne," he grumbled, accent barely intelligible at his age.

Briggite held back another sigh, counting to five as she did. She loved her fiery children, she did, but goodness if they didn't live up to their names at times. "You have to share, little spark. Here, let me have it."

William watched her suspiciously for a moment but finally handed over the cake to her. She leaned over to place a quick kiss to the crown of his head. "Good lad," she murmured. She held it out where both children could see and then neatly tore it down the middle, handing one half to each of the twins.

"Thank y'mama," Brigid said quietly, sticking a corner into her mouth quickly, as though it would stop William from stealing it from her. William grunted but also started nibbling on his half.

"You're welcome beag amháin," she replied fondly. "Remember though, you're always needing to share."

[starsandauras]

Prompt #6: Happy Babies

FFXIV 30 Day Writing Challenge Prompt 6: First Steps

The world was such a big place, and they were both so tiny. So they stuck together, watching the world side by side with big green eyes only a few shades different from each other’s.

They had yet to learn to walk, so Mum and Da were content to set them down on a blanket nearby, trusting they would stay put while they took care of the house or ran after Llewellyn and his ever growing menagerie of injured animals and occasional voidsent. And they did, more than happy to babble nonsense at each other that they still somehow understood. Besides, if they really wanted something all they had to do was make the right amount of noise they had three people who would take care of it, right?

And so life continued, until one day Brigid saw something bright and colorful. They were outside (and things were even bigger there!) and the air was moving and it made other things move! And she saw it, far away but so very pretty. She reached out for it but she couldn’t grab it! She pouted and William patted at her shoulder, babbling at her.

She babbled back, pointing at the pretty thing. William looked in that direction, his own eyes widening as he saw what she wanted. He frowned, grunting slightly. He babbled again at Brigid, face set in a determined expression. His intent apparently conveyed, he grabbed hold of a nearby chair, pulling himself to his feet.

Brigid’s eyes widened and her mouth opened in a small O shape as she watched him sway in place a moment before taking just as determined steps towards it. He grabbed the brightly colored pretty thing in chubby baby hands and brought it back to Brigid, dropping it over her head. She squealed happily and laughed, hands just as chubby bragging at what rained down.

And that was how Brigitte and Hereward O’Donnell found their twin children, William walking over to and pulling up fistfuls of grass and flowers before throwing them at his sister, the both of them giggling happily.

[starsandauras]

Prompt #17: The Archbishop’s Summons

FFXIV 30 Day Writing Challenge Prompt 17: 17: Obeisant (defined as the act of showing respect; being deferential to authority figures)

Also known as: Why they really shouldn’t let Bri be the “face” of the Warriors of Light in Ishgard.

Guess who’s back, back again. Iolaire’s back, @corbix is awesome.

“We have just received a message from the Vault. His Eminence the Archbishop requests the presence of Mistress O’Donnell.” The steward bowed, awaiting the expected answer.

“An invitation from the Archbishop!?”

“What an honor...” The other two sons of Count Edmont spoke over each other, faces in a combination of surprise and awe.

“A personal summons is indeed a great honor, and given recent events, you would be wise not to delay…” Edmont hinted, an eyebrow raised at Brigid.

She raised her eyebrow in return. “He cannae ‘ford me.”

All sound in the room ceased. William facepalmed. Alphinaud and Tataru sighed.

Count Edmont blinked, the only thing that betrayed his surprise. “Pardon, my dear?” he asked slowly.

Brigid shrugged. “He. Cannae. Afford me.” William groaned, shaking his head, his hand still in place. She glared at him, scowling. “You’re knowin’ ‘tis bein’ true!”

“She’s right, he can’t,” chimed in Iolaire from where he was leaning against the wall.

“Tha’s nay bein’ me complaint and ye’re kennin’ tha’!” William grumbled back. “Ah’m nay havin’ any part ay thi’.”

The steward’s face remained impassive, but he did turn to Count Edmont. “What message shall I convey, my Lord?”

Thankfully Count Edmont had much experience with willful younger Elezen, so he only adjusted his grip on his cane. “Pray inform His Eminence Mistress O’Donnell will be along anon,” he replied. The steward bowed and left to perform his task. “Now, Brigid…”

“I’m nay respectin’ the man in the slightest,” she objected, crossing her arms as she did. “I’m seein’ the way the Brume’s bein’, how the priests are actin’. I’m bein’ an outsider, aye? Nay one of his subjects, bein’ at his beck and call. If he’s wantin’ to be seein’ me, well. ‘Tis bein’ nice to be wantin’ things, isnae it?”

The group clearly had no idea what they could even say to that, and Brigid kept her arms crossed, unwilling to budge. William was mentally running through what appropriate clothing Brigid even owned, wanting to be prepared for when they did finally convince her that when a country’s head of state requested her presence, it was not actually a request.

Eventually Iolaire sighed. “I’ll go,” he said, pushing himself off the wall. “I’ll be called for eventually; might as well get it over with.”

“You’ll be tellin’ him—”

“He can’t afford you,” he agreed. “And never could.”

[starsandauras]

Entry 10: Stable

FFXIV 30 Day Writing Challenge Prompt 10: Stable "Lung fever" is an archaic term for pneumonia.

Brigid was three years old when the lung fever set in.

She didn’t remember it well, mainly she remembered the struggle to breathe, the feeling of her parents’ hands checking her, hushed conversations that she didn’t quite understand, and William. She remembered William curled around her, silent but steady, as though he could somehow guard her from her illness. She remembered him holding her close as she coughed into his chest, and how much it hurt. She remembered holding tight to him, her breath rattling in her chest.

William never caught it. They were never able to figure out why.

Recovery was long and slow, unable to keep up with her brothers for very long before her chest started to burn, before she started coughing and couldn’t stop. Her da would pause, sigh, and easily scoop her up to carry her around. It wasn’t fair! She wanted to run around and play like all the other kids!

She got sick again. And then again. Over and over, before she reached ten years. More than a child her age should. Every time her parents fretted. Every time William was at her side. Every time recovery took that much longer. Every time they would have to spend more and more coin on her.

William still never got sick. She could cough in his face (and had a time or two, accidentally) and not once did he catch whatever illness had attacked his sister this time. Sometimes Brigid was angry at him for it, that he got to be healthy, but most of the time she was simply glad he was there for her.

Especially when he figured out how to get her back out of spasm, so that sleeping would be easier, and recovery could be that much quicker.

As she got older she got sick less, but the damage had been done. The sole blessing of her young age meant it was easier to adapt, for her body to adjust to the damage. Sometimes she could even pass for someone healthy. But when the cold sank in, when she pushed herself past what she knew were her limits, when things were stressful, she would collapse, end up with whatever illness of the lungs was passing by.

But William would be right beside her, holding her close as she coughed into his shoulder, digging his knuckles into her back. Always.

[starsandauras]

Entry #7: Retainer of Light

FFxiv 30 Day Writing Challenge Prompt 7: Serendipitous

She could not wait to leave Ul’dah again. Brigid pulled a strip of fabric over her nose and mouth, for all the good it would do at blocking out all the dust and sand. It wasn’t much, but anything to avoid landing in the Quicksand’s inn again, hacking out grit and mud for a week. It had startled her, the difference in La Noscean sand and Ul’dah sand, but she knew better now.

She also had not expected the line at the retainer vocate to be so bloody long, by the Twelve. Did everyone decide today was the day they were going to hire one or something? She wondered for a fleeting moment maybe she should come back later, or even on the morrow. It wasn’t as though Minfilia had given her a deadline to hire one, or even required her to hire one at all. But Brigid did rather miss how organized everything used to be, so off she went.

If she was going to be honest, she missed her twin.

William had always kept the house so neat and clean, especially when she’d needed to focus on the latest set of pants for Connor or a new shirt for Arthur (and even during her ill-advised attempt at making him shoes) and it had been such a help while she had been tending to their mother. It was one of the things she’d missed most when she’d left home, and of course she kept things clean, but it was the organization that she was, not to put too fine a point on it, absolutely horrible at. A retainer would have to help with that; there was simply no possible way having one would make things worse after all.

She sighed, forcefully enough that her makeshift mask fluttered. Her feet were starting to hurt too, this is what she got for wearing shoes wasn’t it? Maybe she really should come back later, the line was barely moving anyway…

“Bi Bi?”

She blinked in shock before nearly giving herself a sprained neck as she whipped her head around. Only one single person in the whole star called her that. “Li Li?!”

She found herself suddenly tugged out of line and up into a firm hug, almost too tight but in a very nice way. She ignored how the line quickly ate up the new space, much happier to see her twin, even if it was completely unexpected. Instead of putting her back down he adjusted his hold on her into a princess carry, holding her up as though she weighed nothing more than a dodo feather. “Ye made it tae Ul’dah after all?” he asked, a bright smile on his face. She nodded, smiling brightly under her makeshift mask and it made her eyes crinkle and twinkle in delight.

“Oh aye, and so many other things have been happenin’!” She glanced around, looking for some place more out of the way and her eyes widened slightly when she caught sight of a cafe that was almost a literal hole in the wall. Perfect. “I’m havin’ some spare coin, are you wantin’ somethin’ to be eatin’ or drinkin’?” She pointed at it, looking questioningly at William.

He glanced at it, and then smiled brightly. “Aye, ‘tis soundin’ guid.” And with that he started towards it. With Brigid still in his arms.

“Liam, wait! Be puttin’ me down first!”

After some odd looks from the staff William did finally set her down on her feet so she could recover some semblance of dignity before ordering a cup of tea and a chocolate pastry. She wrinkled her nose at the coffee William ordered (”Black as Arthur’s soul,” he teased, ignoring how Brigid pinched the back of his hand for it) and watched him tear into a honey muffin. She took a sip of her tea, sighing as it soothed the parts of her throat that were already scratched by the sand.

“‘Tis bringin’ you to Ul’dah Li Li?” she asked, glancing over him. “Is Connor finally movin’ on?”

William grinned and took a large bite out of the honey muffin. “Oh aye—”

“Mouth closed, love,” Brigid said mildly, and William scowled, but he quickly downed his food and hurried it along with his coffee.

“Aye,” he started again, mock-pouting as Brigid grinned up at him. “He’s joinin’ th’ Gladiators’ Guild.” Brigid dropped her spoon with a clatter, eyes wide in shock. He shrugged. “Lad wus sayin’ he wus wantin’ far ‘way from Limsa as he culd be gettin’.”

“Aye, but… Gladiators?” she practically hissed. “He’s beein’ a wee babe still, he cannae—”

“He’s bein’ seventeen, Bi Bi,” William said soothingly, placing a hand over hers. “Same as ye whaur when ye whaur leavin’.”

“Aye but I wasnae joinin’ the Gladiators!”

William sighed. “Aye, but he wus. An’ Ah was thinkin’, well, nay much holdin’ me back in La Noscea, save Art in th’ Arcanists’ now, might as well be followin’ th’ lad.” He spread his arms and shrugged. “Sae here Ah am, lookin’ fer new work.”

Brigid sighed, waving for a server. “Can I be gettin’ some whiskey and a blood currant tart, please?” she asked, smiling when the server nodded and went off to fill her order. “Any thoughts love?” she asked, picking apart her pastry and eating the chocolaty bits first.

William glanced out the window, eyes scanning the streets. “Ah was thinkin’ either joinin’ up wi’ th’ Flames or takin’ a retainer job. Wuldnae be makin’ tae bad a quartermaster ‘ventually.” He propped his chin up with his hand. “Nay much water here,” he murmured.

The server returned with a glass of whiskey and a large serving of blood currant tart, and Brigid smiled again in thanks before tipping the glass into her tea and digging into her tart. “I’m lookin’ for a retainer, now that you’re mentionin’ it,” she said casually, but her lips quirked up in a smirk as William looked at her, eyes wide. “Well why else would I be standin’ in that line from the Sixth Hell if I wasnae lookin’ to be hirin’ a retainer, darlin’?” she asked, a laugh in her voice.

William stared at her for a long moment before laughing as well. “Well then ‘tis a lucky moment, me findin’ ye, aye? Prol’ly wuldnae e’en be needin’ tae gae through th’ retainer vocate…”

Brigid smirked, taking a sip of her tea, enjoying the burn of the whiskey down her throat. “Then I could be havin’ three retainers for the price of two.” She laughed at the utterly offended look on his face. “I might be needin’ all that extra space for my craftin’, Li Li!”

“Ah’d be organizin’ yer things sae well ye’d be findin’ space where nay any was bein’ tae be startin’ wi’, ye ken tha’!”

“Oh aye?” she asked, wiping a bit of currant juice from the corner of her mouth. “Wantin’ to be provin’ that, me brother?”

William looked her square in the eyes, and holding her gaze he unblinkingly picked up her teacup and knocked back half of it, not even registering the alcohol in it. “Jes’ be watchin’ me, darlin’ sister.”

The two of them slowly smirked at each other, eyes clearly saying “Challenge accepted.”

[starsandauras]

After Morning Tea

The mornings where Brigid was the first to wake were rare, but when she did she felt as if the world was quiet and at peace, no matter what would actually be happening outside her doors.

For a few moments she simply laid there and enjoyed the quiet, her head pillowed on Thancred’s chest, ear pressed over his heart. It soothed her, the steady thump in his chest, and she smiled softly a moment before she slowly slid out of his grip. Thancred was a cuddler in his sleep, fancy that. It wasn’t something she’d expected, but she did find it charming.

Assured that she hadn’t woken him she laughed softly before scooping up the nearest set of clothes and pulled them on, padding her way in bare feet out of the bedroom and to the small stove near the fireplace. She quickly built a fire and set a kettle of water on to boil as she busied herself setting out well used but equally well loved mugs, scooping tea leaves into each one.

“Ah’m smellin’ tea,” came a grumble behind her, and she giggled as she looked over her shoulder to find her twin brother, sleep mussed and clearly only awake enough to get those three words out. That’s right, he’d crashed in the spare room the night before. She got out a third mug.

“Mornin’ Liam,” she said with a grin as he pressed a kiss to the crown of her head. “Nay bein’ quite ready yet.” She stood on her toes to press a return kiss to his cheek, and he ran bleary and disapproving eyes up and down her body.

“Wearin’ his shirt,” he grumbled, and Brigid blinked before looking down at herself. Indeed, she’d accidentally managed to slip on Thancred’s white shirt instead of her green one from the night before, and it hung limply from her smaller frame. She sighed and tried to pull one sleeve up so that the shoulder seam would be settled on her actual shoulder and not halfway down to her elbow. It quickly slid back down and she shook her head, mostly to herself.

“Aye, ‘tis seemin’ I am,” she said, shrugging at her brother. He only made a ‘hm’ sound and Brigid huffed. “Least I’m wearin’ a shirt?” she pointed out, and Will winced. She sighed in return. It was difficult to be mad at her little brother, even when he was being prickly about her relationships. “Be goin’ to wash your face darlin’, you’re still bein’ half ‘sleep,” she murmured fondly, reaching up to comb her fingers through his shaggy hair. He grunted but made his way to the room Brigid kept the washbasin in, and she shook her head, just as fond as her voice.

A minute or so more passed, with Brigid focused on the tea that she didn’t notice anyone behind her until arms wrapped around her waist, a warm body settling against her back. “Found you,” Thancred mumbled, burying his face into her neck, breathing in deep.

She laughed softly and bent her knees slightly in order to make it easier for him to prop his chin on her shoulder. “Was I worryin’ you?” she asked, and he shook his head, nuzzling her hair.

“I was simply hoping for a bit of a lie in today,” he said with a grin, and she laughed fondly as she let him slip a finger under her chin and draw her face close enough for him to slide his lips over hers in a soft kiss.

“After tea,” she promised, turning fully in his embrace and draping her arms over his bare shoulders. He’d always been so warm; it reminded her of La Noscean sun and she leaned into him as they kissed again, soft and sweet and lingering. It was sweeter first thing in the morning, not as likely to be rushed and assured of privacy.

Well, most of the time.

She pulled back enough to nuzzle him softly, noticing his eyes were still a bit foggy with sleep as well. “And after we’re kickin’ Liam out,” she added, and laughed brightly when that fog quickly fled and brown eyes widened.

“William’s here?” he asked, only the smallest sliver of panic slipping into his voice.

“Oh aye, he’s bein’ ‘bout as sleep addled as you though,” she assured him, hands sliding over his shoulders and down his chest. Thancred was quiet for a long moment, and Brigid kissed his jaw sweetly, trying to pull him out of whatever thoughts he’d gotten himself lost in.

“…Trousers then?” he asked after another moment of silence, and Brigid couldn’t help it, she laughed again, long and loud, draping herself against him.

“A-aye, I’m thinkin’ so darlin’,” she finally gasped out between giggles, shaking her head again. “I’m keepin’ the shirt though.” He huffed out a laugh and kissed her temple, near the corner of an eye.

“As you should, it looks far better on you,” he praised and squeezed her tighter against him before kissing her again. She melted into him, hand sliding back up to tangle in his short hair and pulling him closer. He tasted of spice and the barest hint of sweetness and she would drown in his taste and warmth forever if she could. They paused long enough to breathe the other in, then resumed their kisses, forgetting completely about the tea behind them. And about their guest.

At least until a sudden flash of black, red, and blue ended in half of Thancred’s face being covered in familiar black leather. His shocked, wide eyes pulled another peal of laughter from Brigid, and William huffed, hair still mussed but looking far more awake.

“Stop gropin’ at me sister an’ be puttin’ yer trousers oan,” he grumbled, arms crossed over his chest. As Thancred chuckled and pulled his trousers from his face and where they’d settled on his shoulders William huffed again and grabbed the kettle, muttering something about Hyurs not respecting morning tea time.

Brigid giggled a final time and made a point of patting Thancred’s naked bottom, half to annoy her brother (“An’ ye’er nay needin’ tae be gropin’ him too!”) and half to encourage her lover to dress enough for decency’s sake. “After tea,” she promised, leaning down a scant fraction of an ilm for a final kiss, ignoring the pointedly dramatic groan from her twin.

“After we kick William out,” Thancred promised in return, smirking at her.

[starsandauras]

Entry 30: Two Heads Are Better Than One

FFXIV 30 Day Writing Challenge Prompt 30: Two Heads Are Better Than One

Brigid sipped at her tea as William stood at the hunt mark board, deep in thought as he looked over the bills. She lowered her cup and perched her chin in her hand, laughing to herself as he frowned firmly enough to create deep furrows in his brows. Her dear twin, so often so very serious about matters.

Finally he took out a graphite stick and a small pad of paper and started taking notes. Once done he made his way back to her, dropping heavily in the chair across from her, taking a deep pull from his own drink.

“You were writin’ them all down, werenae you~?” she teased, and she smiled widely as he glared flatly at her.

“Loch ye’d be lettin’ me leave any ‘hind,” he grumbled, only for her smile to grow even wider.

“Nay ‘tall, mo chroí~” she sang lightly, laughing and jerking away from William’s playful swipe at her arm. But it was enough impetus for her to unroll her map of Tural and pull out her map pins. “Aye, well, shall we be startin’ in Urqopacha or Kozama'uka?”

William leaned in, picking up a map pin. “Best tae be startin’ in Urqopacha, tha’ goat sucker B rank’s there, shuld be takin’ it out early loch.” He checked his list and stuck a pin near the agave fields. Brigid nodded and added one near Icuvlo's Inn.

Between the two of them they worked out the most efficient path for each mark, including areas to check for the Chupacabra.

————

“Man,” Araki said as he handed Matsu his pack, “I’m glad Ajisai warned us about Eorzea wanting surnames.”

“A shame she didn’t warn us sooner,” Matsu agreed, setting his pack down next to his chair, tapping the hand holding his pen on the small table they had between them (one of Araki’s early carpentry attempts, one of the legs was slightly too short and the whole thing wobbled). “We could have been thinking this over long before now.”

Araki shrugged, crossing his arms behind his head. “It’s not like it matters, right? Just for the paperwork, we’ll likely be the only Araki and Matsu over there.”

Matsu sighed. He loved his brother, he did, but sometimes… “I’m sure someone will try to call us by surnames, Eorzea can be…”

“Weird?”

“…yes, weird. Not the word I was looking for, admittedly, though you’re not wrong.”

Another shrug as Araki kicked his feet up on the table. “Then let’s just pick something, dude. Something we at least don’t hate the sound of.”

“Where do you come up with these words?”

“Doesn’t matter. Name, pick one.”

Matsu sighed and started going down the list, the both of them considering and marking off various names.

Finally Araki lowered his feet and rubbed his face. “What about Ryuzaki? That old clan, they’re dead now right? No one to contest it?”

Matsu blinked and looked down at his list. “That’s… not a terrible idea.”

“Great, we’re good, let’s fill out the paperwork and get going.”

————

Once upon a time, when the Leveilleur twins were very young, and more prone to getting along, sometimes they could be found in their nursery. Free to be the young children they were, and not the prodigies their family knew they could be.

Alphinaud had not yet shown his talent in art, and so the children were joined in crayon drawings, the two of them sprawled on their bellies on the floor, Alisaie’s feet kicked up and swaying happily back and forth.

“Alisaie, that’s not the color of grass!”

“It is here.”

“But it isn’t!”

“I’m pretending, Alphinaud.”

Alphinaud pouted as his sister colored the ground in teal, but couldn’t come up with an argument he thought she would listen to. So he continued coloring the sky, in the correct shade of blue.

They shifted slightly to make more room for each other, Alisaie’s feet still kicked up, as they drew themselves, holding their grandfather’s hands. The three were little more than blobs of blue, red, and brown and white, but they could tell who they were and that was what mattered to the twins.

Suddenly they heard a door open in the hallway, and Alisaie’s head snapped up. “Grandfather!” she called out, all but snatching the drawing out from under Alphinaud’s yellow crayon (and Alphinaud was relieved that the crayon wasn’t actually in contact with paper at the time) and dashed out of the room.

Alphinaud followed a little slower (honestly, how did Alisaie move so fast?), but soon caught up in time to see Louisoix kneel and wrap his arms tightly around his granddaughter, laughing all the while. “Hello to you as well, my dear,” he greeted warmly, and extended his arm to invite Alphinaud in. “There’s my grandson,” he added, as Alphinaud easily joined them.

“Grandfather! Look what Alphinaud and I made!” Alisaie all but shoved the drawing in Louisoix’s face, but the older man easily moved back with the experience of both father and grandfather. He smiled and released the twins in order to take the picture in hand, giving the picture its due.

“Well look at this,” he said, grinning at them both. “A perfect picture of the three of us.” He stood, with only a little difficulty, ruffling both twins’ hair. “I shall put this in a place of honor in my office.”

Louisoix smiled down at them, warmly enough that suddenly, Alphinaud didn’t mind what color Alisaie had used for the grass, because it was good enough for their grandfather.

[starsandauras]

Prompt 7: Noisome

FFXIV 30 Day Writing Challenge Prompt 7: Noisome "Beag amhain" translates to "little one"

“N-nay,” Brigid weakly whined, just as weakly pushing her mother’s hand away.

Brigitte pulled back just a little, fingers of one hand glistening with beeswax, the other holding a jar. She sighed, looking down at her seven year old daughter. “Beag amhain,” she started softly, slowly, “you’re knowin’ it’ll help you.”

Brigid shook her head with all the energy she could muster, pulling her blanket up to her face, rolling to her side to hide her face in her pillow. William shifted enough to stay tucked up next to her side, looking up at their mother balefully. “Nay,” she said again, a touch more insistent.

Their mother sighed again, shoulders rising and dropping, before turning to their father. “Hereward,” she said, and it was the tone of tired mothers with willful children the world over, desperate for help from the other parent.

Hereward sighed and stirred the honey colored liquid in his own bowl before coming to Brigitte’s side, sitting down. “Ocean dear,” he said, dragging his daughter’s attention to him. “Ye need tae breathe.”

“C’n breathe,” she grumbled, just before a crackling cough erupted from her throat, to be muffled in her pillow. William made a sad noise before starting to dig tiny fists into her back.

“C’n ye?” Hereward asked, an eyebrow raising for a moment. “Be easier if ye’d let yer mum rub some salve on yer chest.”

Brigid, her eyes screwed shut as she coughed, barely opened one to first glare at her father, then her mother. “Stinks,” she grumbled, somehow managing to burrow her way even further into bed.

“A lot,” grumbled William, easily following after his sister.

Their parents looked at each other, a wordless conversation passing between them. Brigid started coughing again. Finally they both sighed. “Beag amhain,” Brigitte first, then. “I’ll bake an apple for you, if you’ll let me apply the ointment.”

Brigid narrowed her eyes at her mother. “An apple an’ a honey cake,” she countered, turning her eyes on her father, more specifically the bowl in his hands, the smell of onion wafting from it. “Icky.”

They looked at each other again, and Hereward shrugged. Brigitte sighed and shook her head fondly. “Aye, alright beag amhain. But only if you dinnae fuss about taking the cough honey when you’re supposed to.”

Brigid turned to her other side, locking eyes with William. A similar wordless conversation passed between the twins, until finally William nodded. Brigid scowled but finally nodded as well.

The camphor ointment still stank, and the onion soaked honey still tasted disgusting.

[starsandauras]

Prompt 8: Tepid

FFXIV 30 Day Writing Challenge Prompt 8: Tepid

Will’s accent’s back again. Guess Will wants to talk a lot this year.

Connor sat in a corner of the aetheryte courtyard in Mor Dhona, prodding at a rock with a stick, curled up in on himself and sighing softly. He was in a Mood, with all the seriousness the capital deserved, but he didn’t know why. Not that that was especially unusual, really. Connor tended to Moods, ever since he was a child.

Which was why he didn’t react at all when he heard William drop to the ground next to him. “Alreet lad, ‘tis botherin’ ye?” Connor shrugged, still prodding at the rock. “Loch tha’, huh?”

Connor shrugged again, barely putting enough energy into ignoring his brother. For a few minutes they remained like that, Connor prodding at a rock and William sitting next to him, watching the aetheryte slowly spin. William’s sigh was the only warning Connor would get before getting dragged against William’s chest, squawking in shock. “William! Swivin’ ‘ell!” William propped his chin on Connor’s shoulder, smirking.

“Got ye talkin’,” he teased. “‘C’mon lad, ye ken ye c’n talk tae me.”

“There’s nothing to talk about! I’m just in a mood! I don’t know why!” William hummed, nodding in understanding. “And before you ask, aye I’ve eaten, slept, and had water.”

“Sae ye’re jes’ in a mood,” he agreed, humming again. “Might be needin’ a better distraction than a rock then,” he said before tilting his head towards the gleaming spire he’d heard people talk about. “Been hearin’ folk talkin’ ‘bout them findin’ somethin’ doon thar. Try helpin’ them out, see if ‘tis helpin’ ye.”

Connor blinked at the spire, considering it. It would be a change, and it’s not like he’d have to be all Warrior of Light with them (oh, maybe that was part of the Mood, he thought), and he wouldn’t be in the shadow of his family either (…oh, that too…). “Yeah, okay.”

William laughed and ruffled Connor’s hair before standing and helping his brother up. “Thar ye gae! Enjoy yerself lad!”

Connor didn’t exactly have the highest expectations, but at this point? It certainly couldn’t hurt.

[starsandauras]

Our Flying Mounts

It’s mostly ponies. Because the ponies can fly now.

Bri straight up adores Aithon, the Ifrit pony. FIRE! This mount holds a special place for me too, as it was my first pony drop way back when. Total accident, shouldn’t have even been in that party as it was a WT I didn’t even need, which I didn’t even realize until I went to apply the sticker, and yet I rolled on the first whistle I had even seen drop and got it.

Also I just really like that the Elezen ladies ride side saddle on the ponies. Wish we did that on other mounts.

Like I’ve said previously, Will isn’t out of ARR yet, so he doesn’t have a flying mount. But ICly he mostly sticks with the Fortemps Chocobo (I don’t have a name for it yet), so have a picture of Bri on hers. It’s a sturdy bird, well trained, and Haurchefant wanted us to have it so Will uses it. Might as well since we already have it and all.

Meanwhile Art’s over here with the Garuda pony, Xanthos. I like it for him because I like how the music reminds me of Assassin’s Creed and also... other than the black chocobo it’s his only flying mount. Art likes it because it’s a hell of a lot more comfortable than the other ponies and he has no idea where to put his hands on the yol.

[starsandauras]

Your WoL’s Leveling Gear

So I’m behind as hell (yay whatever the fuck I just dealt with this past weekend) which means I’m gonna slap things on one post for a bit to cut down on dash spam. I will be using cuts but if they show up on mobile is... anyone’s guess really. #Tumblr is a functioning website, as one of my friends has as a tag.

Bri likes to glam her clothes, so while you’re seeing the Thavnairian Wool Autumn Dress, a pair of daggers, and a yellow rose, she’s really wearing the Scavean Gear and the Raksha gear, including the daggers. The earrings are the Lapis Earrings and the necklace is the Nomad’s Choker of Aiming.

Will still isn’t out of ARR (we’re on the Believe in Your Sylph quest right now) nor do I have a functional glam for him yet, so I just went marketboard hunting for what he’d likely wear.

Weapon: Molybdeumn Daggers 

Chest: Anemos Gambeson  (Dyed hunter green)

Hand: Gyuki Leather Halfgloves of Scouting (from Bri)

Legs: Anemos Sourel (Dyed black)

Feet: High House Boots

The accessories are all stones that represent the siblings, referencing the “Of Leaves and Loves” chapter of my FFXIVWrite2017 series.

Ears: Malachite Earrings (Llewellyn)

Neck: Wolf Tourmaline Choker (Connor)

Wrists: Emerald Bracelet (Arthur)

Ring 1: Lapis Lazuli Ring (Brigid)

Ring 2: Azurite Ring of Aiming (Himself)

Arthur isn’t out of Heavensward yet! (If you’re on Crystal and want a bonus for all of Binding Coil, let me know because I really need to run that before Alisaie gets mad at me.) So under this he’s wearing the Hailstorm Caster’s gear, which he finds far too tight and looks much better on his sister, thank you very much. He likes the book though. The book is nice. His main glam is the Riviera Shirt, Hyuran Boots, and whatever for the rest.

The earrings are the Platinum Earrings of Healing and ICly were his inheritance from his mother. He got his ears pierced specifically to wear them and never takes them out (unless he hands them directly to Matsu, because he’s the responsible one of the boyfriends).

[starsandauras]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Final Fantasy XIV Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Warrior of Light/Thancred Waters Characters: Warrior of Light (Final Fantasy XIV), Thancred Waters Additional Tags: Lazy Mornings, Morning Kisses, annoying brother, Will's Accent Series: Part 4 of The World's a Beast of a Burden, Part 1 of So Kiss Me Summary:

A quiet early morning, some tea... and someone's twin brother.

Prompt #1: Early Morning Kisses (From this prompt list on tumblr)

A small surprise to help us all through this maintenance.