#UM. should i have a ffxiv tag.

[nemesis-is-my-middle-name]

the first introduction we have to primals, at the start of the game, tells us that they're:

gods

summoned by the beast tribes

using crystals aspected to the deity's element

and a specific summoning ritual

that are unilaterally aether-hungry and destructive

and then almost every primal after that spends its time going no, actually, that's a really narrow and kind of inaccurate definition. shiva and shinryu demonstrate that anyone can summon a primal, if they know how to and they have the ingredients. the game also implies, though doesn't really outright state, that primals aren't actually the gods they claim to be and don't even really have. a single coherent consciousness. they're more of an influx of aetheric energy defined by the circumstances of their summoning. as evidenced by the summoning of bismarck acting nothing like how bismarck would rightly act, and hraesvelgr flat-out telling ysayle that she's never actually communicated with the real shiva, she's just tricked herself into thinking she did, and then also the fact that when the kobold child gets in the way of titan's summoning it throws the entire consciousness out of whack.

the final summoning of garuda, and then shinryu and tsukuyomi show that you don't even need specific belief in the primal you're summoning for it to work. any kind of fervent faith will do, though it's arguably easier to use a deity as a focus because if you don't know in advance that it's possible, "i'm going to create a big monster with my mind" is sort of a difficult jump. you don't even need it to be the belief of people in your immediate vicinity, because yotsuyu uses the history of the mirror she's given to do it all by herself.

also, you can use yourself as a vessel for a summoning, and still retain your consciousness and survive the primal's dissolution, as shown by shiva, and both shinryu summonings, and tsukuyomi. and then there's susano: a kami who arguably effects his own summoning once you bring the three treasures together. and all of those circumstances, along with ramuh, show that primals, while needing a constant influx of aether to sustain themselves, are capable of retaining a consciousness beyond hunger.

so okay, to recap, our new list of primal understanding is:

they're beings formed of a massive concentration of aether

created by some intangible force of united belief

and a single focal point with a desire to create a primal

so to jump back to my original point, the climactic emet-selch fight. at the point right before the battle, the protag is like, beat. the entire party has been comprehensively stomped, and the WoD can't even muster the strength to take another step, consumed as they are by the light within that's finally winning against them. y'know, the massive amount of light aether that was enough to create five lightwardens and change the entire sky.

also, as the talos-building and then your departure from the crystarium showed, at that point, nearly every single person in norvrandt believes with their whole heart in the Warrior of Darkness. maybe not you, specifically, not everyone, but they believe in the nigh-mythic hero bringing back the night, and they believe in the person who's gone toe-to-toe with the lightwardens, beings who can't even die without perpetuating themselves and destroying their attacker, and everyone in novrandt wants you to win, motherfucker. they believe in you.

so we've got aether. and we've got faith. and we've got a single focal point to channel both those things. the final rub is element. the game isn't really... 100% clear whether the primals have to match the elemental energy you use to summon them, (or if it is they care little enough about it that i don't remember), but it definitely influences them, and if you want a specific thing to be created you're probably gonna want to go with the elements that match it. also, dumping a bunch of light into most things fucks it up, like, a lot, as the sin eaters/lightwardens and the whole of the empty demonstrate. the only exception to this that you're aware of at this point is the WoD, who was already primed and able to hold a whole bunch of light via hydaelyn's blessing. (true, you fell apart at the end there, but you were doing really good for three or four wardens, which is three or four more than anyone else can claim!) so even if you do have everything else you need for a summoning, you're gonna need a focus that can actually sustain it without turning into a mad monster.

and what do you have but ardbert, the spirit shade tied to your being, who's been following you around inarguably extant but unable to act without a body. a mother fucking Warrior of Light.

do you see what i'm saying!! you summon him!! you pour all that Light into his spirit, taking everyone's faith in you and turning it into a net for him, using your single fractured body and soul as a focus, passing the torch on to someone who can hold out against the light for a little bit longer. just long enough to see the job done. you bring the fallen hero of the first back for one last dance.

it's arguable that this is actually exactly what happens and it just would've been really fucking cumbersome to show in a cutscene but if shb ended with the WoD summoning ardbert like a primal it would have been a really epic and perfect climax of all the stuff they've been building up about primals throughout the rest of the game

[starry-kingdom]

my favorite very real cutscenes of my wol from the critically acclaimed mmorpg ffxiv that are real and really happened for real i promise

[verflares]

ough woke up to like 100+ new followers... even after pruning the bots !! um thank you very very much!! 😭

i have a pinned (which you should probably also read especially the last paragraph that would be nice) but i guess it'll be nice to do a little infographic post too. if only because the new attention brought by 'one drawing i did tht broke containment' is making me kind of nervous lol

as you might've already guessed i mainly draw, write and post loz here. i have very little interest in drawing anything Besides loz right now so. what you see will be what you get 👍 i don't really post or draw anything lu-related but it Is adjacent to my interests by proxy so i do enjoy it when i see it ^_^ i dont see a difference love is love. as they say

i am also very much an amateur!! i only started learning how to draw again in december after pretty much not touching a tablet for years. you'll probably see stuff that looks wonky or rough because of that but i am trying to tell myself that it is ok. i am cringe but free as they say :)

other than loz though i do unfortunately play and have over 3500 hours in ffxiv. i'm also posting a lot of dunmeshi right now... you might see baldies gate or whatever games i'm playing at the time (my chatter tag is personal.txt). i also like pokemon and i love biology and animals :) i have a cat named mittens

um what else. i play dark knight/summoner in xiv. my favourite zelda game is probably skyward sword. anon is off right now but you can send questions i love yapping and talking about whatever ^_^

here's a small snippet of my pokemon collection. thanks for reading and thank you for stopping by :)

[origamihoshi]

people i want to get to know better!

I got tagged by @emets-selch so yeah okay why not I haven't done one of these things in years

last song: Devil 'fore the Fall by Lydia the Bard

favorite color: green, I need more green in my wardrobe I hardly have anything in green and that makes me sad

currently watching: I don't have any show I'm watching right now um... idk. does youtube videos count? if so I'm gonna say ProZD Plays Games becasue I watch that channel everyday

last movie: I've also haven't been keeping up with movies lately god I need to fix this uh, I can't think of any movie this year I have watched so... I should watch some tv and movies

sweet/spicy/savory: I love all three for different reasons, like probably sweet but I can't have too much sweet or it upsets my body

relationship status: been with my beloved partner for a few years now, love you Carla! <3 <3 <3

obsessions: FFXIV is probably my biggest one, my icon both on tumblr and discord is FFXIV related, and Azem related too now that I think of it. I do also want to throw in here interactive fiction games, that's what my blog mostly is lately right now I feel like. but I'll go back to FFXIV once there's new stuff to play. I do need to get more playtime when I have the money to finally get my padjal alt to the end of DT but that will have to wait for now.

last thing i googled: "fallout 4 fourville walkthrough" I've been playing fallout 4 quest mods lately and trying to figure shit out in a mod becasue I'm easily lost

um I don't know, I don't normally tag people in these but uh here... @monochrome-night, @elegantunknownphantom, @princesspeachsuperstar

[ungrateful-cyborg-moved]

Patch notes

This is with great pleasure and greater relief that I announce today being (mostly) done with updating my blog. It's finally a gen blog and not just a vaguely repurposed FFXIV blog :'D

All tags have been updated. I still have a bit of (manual) clean up to do, but nothing that should get in the way of navigating my blog easily.

My desktop theme has been updated too to reflect the changes. It's mobile friendly, and much much easier to navigate than the dashboard if you're looking for something specific.

My tag list is missing a few tags (environmental stuff, animals, a few characters) but is otherwise up-to-date with the newest tags. I'll finish it either today or tomorrow, we'll see.

The FAQ has been updated. It's mobile-friendly too.

My character roster page is missing a few characters (namely Alakja, Griveroix and Aku). If you're on mobile, you're better off using my pinned post for now.

There's an ongoing poll to let me know if you want me to make an about post for each character or if the pinned post is enough for you. Please vote if you haven't already!

Please let me know if you notice a link that doesn't redirect you where it should. I've tried to make sure they're all working as intended but I might have missed one.

For the few of you that don't follow me for the FFXIV posts: except for the memes and aesthetic posts, all my FFXIV posts now will have the 'FFXIV' tag. Feel free to block it if it gets too much for you, since some days that's really all I post about :'D

And last but not least: there's 767 posts in my queue. I'll update their tags but this I have to do manually so um... the newest posts might not all use the right tags yet. Sorry about that.

[aerialsquid]

FFXIV Write 2024 Day 27: Memory

The next week, Martyn dressed in his most easily removed outfit and headed out for his weekly appointment. His route there crossed with an elezen selling ornamental plants off the back of a chocobo cart. The vines dangling down over the racks of plants reminded Martyn of the trailing vines in Dollmaker's foyer, drained to dust now.

Martyn discretely eyed the price tag and muttered, "The hells is that kind of pricing for a plant," before moving over to the discount shelf. It was just some leaves and roots in a pot, who cared if it was special or rare or whatever. Flowers were flowers.

He walked away from the stall with a half-price orchid in a cracked pot, and an elezen botanist staring daggers at his back. Time was you could haggle properly and maybe even do a little bartering on the side, but after they kicked all the goblins out of the city everyone got more uptight about pricing. You should never let a merchant feel secure, they'd use it to walk all over you.

He was whistling as he walked down the winding tunnel path to Dollmaker's lair. The first few times he'd left chalk arrows on the walls for himself, paranoid he'd be lost in the winding tunnels and trapped there forever. Now he still left marks but they were little dashes, more an afterthought than anything else. His feet knew the way.

The light from his staff glinted through the sapphire earrings still dangling from his ears, sending specks of azure skittering across the floor. He knocked firmly on the round metal disc serving as Dollmaker's front door.

Silence.

Martyn waited, bouncing nervously on the balls of his feet, and finally knocked again. 

Silence.

"Oi, anyone home?" Martyn called out. There was the sudden sound of frantically shuffling limbs and then the door was forced aside, to accommodate Dollmaker's squirming neck shoving its head out into the hallway.

"....my doll?" it asked weakly.

Martyn offered a little half-wave with his free hand. "Hullo. Here for the weekly session?"

"You came. To me? For me?" The mask looked around, as if there was someone else Martyn might have come to see.

"It's Wednesday, isn't it?" [Author note: do we have days of the week names? Does Eorzea have a Wednesday? They have an Odin, right?]

The spindly fingers curled against the doorway. If Martyn hadn't known better he'd have read it as Dollmaker being afraid of something. Whatever something like that could be possibly afraid of."

"Do you…need me to come back later?"

"No! I mean, yes, come in, don't go away, come in, come in!" It scurried back, making room for Martyn to enter.

The place still looked a wreck. Pillows were tossed about, tapestries torn down, and the fountain water was now choked with soggy, rotting leaves.

"Brought you another orchid, since I figured you might be in the market for more," Martyn said. "It's imported, too. Came all the way from New Gridania." He crossed the room and cleared out a little space for it in all the dead vines, twisting it so the lamplight shone down onto the delicate indigo blossoms.

"Ah. I see." Dollmaker was still by the door, now closed. It was watching him warily. "How much do I owe you?"

Martyn shrugged. "Nothing worth mentioning. I just thought the place could use some brightening up." Besides, if it turned out to have some fatal flaw and died the next day, he wouldn't be held liable.

"Oh…"

Dollmaker walked unsteadily towards the dressing room, where racks of dresses hung waiting to adorn its dolls bodies. Next to it was the worktable, which Martyn obligingly climbed onto and lay on his back. If Dollmaker was worried he was going to explode again he'd need to be excessively smiley and consent-implying, apparently.

"Yes, um…I think today we shall…" Dollmaker's fingers hovered over one dress, than another, caught in indecision. Martyn felt the aether in his body freeze in place and braced himself, forcing his racing heart to slow. He would be safe, he would be safe, and if he wasn't safe he'd blow this place up to the sixth heaven–

"I can't," Dollmaker blurted out. Its four hands all dropped as one, head bowing.

"What."

"I can't. Not when I know what you are now. If you were a stranger it would be nothing, it would be easy, but I've seen you now. I know your name. I remember what's under the dress and the paint and the hair. I can't play when I remember who you are."

"Whyssat?" asked Martyn through a locked jaw. Dollmaker waved a dismissive hand and control returned to Martyn's body as it turned away.

"Because I know you want nothing to do with me. I'm a monster with a coinpurse to you, to any of you. And when I know the real you I can't pretend you're my lovely doll anymore."

"If you want something with no thoughts in its head, why not use one of the dolls you already have? Come to think of it, why do you even need to pay a living person for this?"

"Their eyes are so dead," Dollmaker muttered sadly. "They're beautiful and I want…I want something alive. Something warm. Someone…you wouldn't understand, I think." 

[officialauthorofanotherworld]

random name origin fun time discussion:

Also pronunciations :D (I’ll edit this later and add those) (added as of 5:45 PM 6-12-24)

some new stuff added as of 6-26-24 cuz @jev-urisk tagged me :p

(my god, this post is such a poorly formatted mess. help me)

Taka (originally Aka, red, inspired by Karma Akabane)

edit 6/20/24: um wth was i talking about here? When I played Taka for the first time 5 years ago in my first dnd campaign ever (which was a very bad campaign btw, for reasons i might talk about in another note) I had "Aka" down for like 5 seconds (yes, it was based on Karma, tho) before i was like "if i add a T it sounds good" not knowing that Taka was an actual name. (or maybe subconsciously i did, but iirc it was just a "that sounds neat" decision that ended up being actually integral to him as a person, as all names should be :'D)

Pronounced: tah-kuh

low "a" like "aww"

so no, its not "TACKA" like some english speakers would probably mispronounce it. Tahkuh. Tawkuh. Taaaahhhhhkaaaaaaa

ok im sorry

idk, go watch a japanese person say "taka" thats how you say it, idk how to write pronounciations ok???

Fun fact: Taka is the Japanese word for Falcon/Hawk. Fits perfectly with his personality, his obsession with the sky, and his sheer wanderlust/desire to be “free”

Obligatory: no not Eren Jaeger “free”

Beriyl (Beryl)

pronounced: Barrel

He was my friends mage. He was very racist and a bastard person. (old, old beriyl). Beriyl and Arthur and Taka now are so very different from when I first learned about them, their original inceptions (being, well, dnd in a bad campaign) were just very different.

Ecirr (random dnd aarakocra name generator, I think I merged two names to get his full one, and changed the spelling a bit. Ecirr Roarark/Rorrark)

I played Ecirr when Qlul died in a campaign I played in like, 2020(?) I cant really remember when I added him and Qlul but they've been integral parts of my book for so long now I can't recall when I first started writing them in.

Qlul died fighting a nothic, and so I played Ecirr in an attempt to save him. I wanted to save Qlul because I felt bad for him, and my party members wanted to just leave his corpse to rot. I hated that, so I decided to play Ecirr, his childhood friend he'd been "roommates" with at the university. (I say roommates as a joke, they weren't, though they did attend a prestigious school together. The roommates joke is the "they were just roommates" gay sex joke. cuz they're dating)

Pronounced: e-sear (hard e, like eek)

Qlul Klilaark (same as Ecirr)

Pronounced: Qlol Klil ark

like, lull + q, qlull, so qlol?

"aark" is just "arc"

Klil, like "quill" with a k, and no u.

if you say it fast, kind of sounds like "qlul kalark" or "qlul klark" or "qlul quill-ark" idfk ok im bad with explaining these things

"qlul kluhark" i guess kinda another way to try and explain it XD

Ecirr was originally a DnD character who I liked alot and ended up putting into my book. He, like all of them-- both the members of Lucky Seven and Twin Feathers, have come really far.

Eirairr Eirainn

Pronounced: yer rair, yer rain

Same as Ecirr and Qlul.

I’d do my BBEGs but their names feel like spoilers to me despite them being the most interesting to me :c

(Ok fine, click if you don’t mind the villains names being revealed. One of them is probably obvious since he’s mentioned really early but the other two aren’t for a while)

Eirairr was a ranger I played in DnD. He, Qlul, and Ecirr's names were from random name generators. Specifically, the dnd random name generator. I mixed some of the names around to give it my own flair, changed a few letters, and bam.

Like Sargantas was the Sargatanas server in FFXIV, but I always misread it as Sargantas.

Pronounced: Sar-gawn-tiss

sar: like "sardines"

gawn - like gown but with an A, kind of like "dawn" with a G i guess

tiss - like "badum-tiss" for lack of a better example

Zersetsung is a German word for “power” (or was it “control”), and he’s a immortal vampire.

pronounced: (as far as i am aware...)

zur-zet-sung

with a "low" e,

uh..

ok, hold on.

Zur: like "Dur" but with a Z

Zet like "Jet" but with a Z

Sung - obvious, like how you say the word "sung" when talking about the past-tense of singing

Vitsmunir is Russian (I’m pretty sure) but I can’t remember for what

pronounced:

vits (veets)

mu (hard u, like the one at the end of the word "you")

near (like how nier is pronounced, or y'know... near from death note XD)

Fun fact: Sargantas’ soul is sheer black, Vitsmunir’s pure white, and Zersetsung golden!

[theshotsheardacrossworlds]

Day 5: Cutting Corners

Agnes/Estinien. Modern AU. Day 5 of FFXIV Write: cutting corners. Estinien and Agi go shopping as their home renovation begins. Mostly SFW.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Estinien groaned, rubbing his temples. He and his wife were walking through the busy streets of Limsa Lominsa to a shop to pick out fabrics for their home renovation. Agnes was the picture of delight, while Estinien would rather have eighty spoons shoved up my ass.

Agnes giggled. “Cutting Corners is, in fact, the name of the interior fabric store, love. I know it’s not the usual place that Floriant gets his things at in Ishgard, but I’ve been here loads of times and love the selection. After all,” she squeezed his hand with a smile. “Our home is going to be a mixture of our two styles. Who knows—maybe you’ll find some things to your taste!”

Or maybe we can skip this and let Floriant bring us things that are appropriate! Estinien grunted as he opened the door to the shop and was surprised when they entered. It wasn’t like rainbows barfed in here. He thought there would only be massive bolts of fabric, not area rugs, hardware for curtains and drapery, and a selection of custom furniture.

“See! I told you it wasn’t bad.” Agnes grinned, dragging him to a custom couch. She plopped down and leaned her head back. “It’s very comfy, and the best part is that we can have it in any fabric we want!”

No. No. No. I have a couch. I love my couch. It’s a comfy couch too! And it doesn’t clash with anything! Beige doesn’t clash! Heaving a large sigh, Estinien felt a headache quickly approaching. “It’s very nice, but we’re not here for a couch. We’re here to look at fabrics. Maybe even some upholstery to redo those old dining room chairs…AGI!”

Agnes walked quickly to the selection of upholstery and excitedly showed Estinien several different samples she liked. They’re all…fucking so colorful. Why? Gray and beige and white and black are fine colors!!! “Look at this one! It’s called Carnival!”

“I, erm…” I want to burn the fucking carnival.

“Or this one? It’s little patterns in slate.”

“Um…” It looks like little dicks!

“Ooooooh, this is a good one! A nice, solid color—ORANGE!”

Estinien’s mouth opened and closed a few times. Orange belongs as a juice not a chair color!

“Love, look at this! It’s blue! You love blue!”

I love you. I love blue. I don’t love this blue that looks like someone spilled paint all over the fabric. “Perhaps we should see some rugs…AGI! AGI, WAIT!”

Agnes pointed at the rug below her feet. “Look! It’s got blue flowers!”

Estinien sighed and glanced at the tag in the corner. His eyes widened. Seven hundred gil?! For a rug with flowers! Absolutely not. “Are there any that aren’t as expensive?” Do area rugs cost this much? Surely not?!?!

His wife thought for a moment. “Some are less expensive, yes. One second, sexy…” She looked around and then squealed. “THIS ONE!” She took his hand and dragged him to a multicolored rug with various shapes. “Isn’t it lovely? Maybe we could have this as an area rug in our bedroom?”

Or maybe I could set it on fire in Aymeric’s garden? “I…if…if we choose this, then the paint color will have to change, no?” Agi insisted on our bedroom being a “soft lavender” or some shit. That’s enough color in our room.

Her face fell, making him feel like shit. Fuck. “O-oh, right. Um, there’s a few that are cream colored and plain. That could work too.” Fuck. Make her smile again, idiot! She was so excited, and now you’ve ruined it.

Estinien quickly looked at a few of the other area rugs and then snapped his fingers. “Look at this one, sweetheart. It’s gray, but there’s a pattern. Herr…fuck…what’s that called?”

“Herringbone, love.” She giggled, once again taking his hand in hers.

My wife is so smart. I love her so much. Anything to make her happy. Anything to make her laugh. “Aye, herringbone. It’s subtle but still a bit of pizazz.”

Agnes snorted. “I wouldn’t say herringbone has pizazz on its own. Maybe if it has sparkles!” NO. She leaned up to kiss his unshaven cheek. “Oh love, your tastes are a lot simpler than mine.” You love color and light. Bright happy things because you are bright and happy. My wife. My pretty wife who fills my life with love and happiness. “’Stinien, look!” She pointed excitedly to a wall displaying clocks for sale. “We can buy one for the kitchen!” Tugging on his hand, she led them to the clocks.

“I suppose we could, yes…”

“THAT ONE!” She stood next to a large clock on the wall and did an elaborate show off pose.

Estinien barked a laugh. “It’s a nice clock, my love. More than actually…” It’s very industrial. Metal. Old-fashioned. That would be an excellent edition to the kitchen. Having stepped closer and pinching my pretty wife’s ass, Estinien nodded and grinned. “I think we should get it.”

Agnes’s face lit up like a million Starlight sentinels. “Really?! You like it? You really like it?”

He wrapped an arm around her broad shoulders. “Aye. It’s perfect. Let’s see the price tag…” Oh. Fucking hells. Eight hundred gil for a clock?! “I suppose we can—”

“We don’t have to get it if you don’t—”

“Splurge.” Estinien winked and kissed her cheek. “It’s worth it.”

Agnes sighed happily. “You’re worth it, love. Every second of every day.” I have the best wife in the world. “Even though you want everything to be beige or gray.” She stuck her tongue out at him, which caused him to tickle her sides.

“You naughty little sausage roll. I’ll get you, my pretty…” As she laughed, his heart swelled. And my cock. Can’t forget that!

“Ahem.” A sales associate fake coughed, staring at the couple. Agnes, blushing furiously, nearly tripped over herself as she stepped away from Estinien. “May I help you?”

“Erm yeah, we’ll take the clock.”

To Estinien’s chagrin, they bought the clock, herringbone area rug, and a custom chair and ottoman for Agnes. She wants her own comfy chair for our bedroom, so she can sit and read or sew or be adorable. Just don’t think about the cost…

[the-wanted-man]

About | Roman Wyld

Why Do You Hurt? | ♣ Quiz ♣

you swallow pain & fold around it

you have always hurt. you hold it carefully, and twisted in such a way that other people don't have to see it. you don't choke on it. you don't drown. you just have it, the way some people have freckles, this is a thing that lives in your bones. 

you fold instead of fighting because you know how to make yourself small, tuck away the places where they have clawed at, swallow the bruises so you seem clean. nobody needs to see it. you will live through this on your own. you know what you need, and relief isn't it. this doesn't mean you cannot reach out - it means it is not in your nature to do so. you should. hiding does not mean you won't be seen.

Notes: Um lol...Roman didn’t need to be called out like this. Its almost too accurate and I liked some of the wording. ‘You just have it, the way some people have freckles.’ would probably be the best way to even describe his type of sad. These aren’t always spot on but this was overall -- Just o o f. 

Art By: David Davenport

Tagged by: @smira-asah-xiv​.

Tagging: @kestrelvylbrand​  • @enambris​ • @hotaruffxiv​ • @dumb-hat​ • @lazne-of-the-urit​ • @lavender-hemlock​ • @zhauric​ • @aegir-ffxiv​ • @thegildedgun​ • @bolt-from-the-dark​ • @tessariel-aerlinn​ • @ffxiv-sunderedsouls​ • @hexepresso​ • @teknicat​  Since a few of you have multiple alts I did leave it open ended to let you decide!

[daanny2772]

FFXIV Dark Knight Level 35 Job Quest Fan Translation

Due to the differences between Fray Myste portrayed in the Japanese and English versions, I have decided to translate a number of the Dark Knight story quests from Japanese. I am by no means proficient in the language and ask that you forgive me for any incorrect translations. Please do let me know so that I am able to fix the mistakes. That being said, there are liberties I have taken due to the structure of the two languages being significantly different. Thank you for keeping this in mind.

Tumblr user haillenarte has also translated the level 45 and 50 quests along time ago. Go check it out if you haven't yet! https://haillenarte.tumblr.com/tagged/fray

I have recorded and subbed a video of my WOL going through the DRK quests below. I’m sorry that the lvl 35 one had to be split into two, but the future ones I’m working on subbing should not have that problem (hopefully...)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnP6yVSIHpE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pG0IBvqNdIg 

I’ve taken the Japanese lines from https://alnoumin.exblog.jp/24252515/ and have left the name of their WOL in the Japanese lines.

Guided by a Shriek 

Fray seems to be waiting in the Brume for the adventurer to visit.

***

Fray: We meet again, Nyxahk.  Well then, I will be teaching you everything within the extent of my memories about the Dark Knight.

...But before that, is there anything you’re still curious regarding what happened before the conflict involving the young lady?

The mystery that remains is …?

I wonder how that grandmother is doing?

...Huh? Ah, um… That’s right… I think she’ll be alright as long as she’s with that Miss.

But-- there should be something more puzzling than that! Jeez, you’re truly-- (*unbelievable) 

Fray’s charges

フレイ：あれ……言いませんでしたっけ、無実の罪だって。えっ？　もっと詳しく？う、ううん……思い出すので、ちょっと待ってくださいね。

Huh… Now that I think about it, I didn’t say that I was falsely accused. Eh? You want more details? Hm… please wait a little as I try to recall the events.

...Right, right. An innocent woman was being chased by the Templar Knights. As I was protecting her, I was charged with a made up crime. Really, it’s all because I trying to be nice...

But more importantly, isn’t there anything about yourself that you’re curious about?

About the Voice I heard at the beginning

Yes, that’s exactly it. When you first touched my Soul Stone, you heard someone’s Voice in anguish, correct?

You were intrigued by what that voice could have been… It’s possible it was the voice of “a certain someone you must protect” somewhere in this world.

The Dark Knights of the past have believed in protecting the weak, in the way that you should be bonded with this certain someone. ...Were you to turn a blind eye to this person, you would be a failure as a Dark Knight.

In order for you to become a Dark Knight for this certain person, lets confirm the true intents of their Voice. If you can come to wield even stronger Darkness, you may be able to hear that voice again.

In order to obtain even stronger Darkness, a special rite (communion) is required. I have yet to choose a location for the rite… but with the conflict from the other day still fresh, we may get interrupted if we were to remain in Ishgard.

 Let’s head out on a trip. I’ll be waiting for you at Little Ala Mhigo in South Thanalan.

***

Fray: Ah, it’s great we were able to meet up. Without further ado, I’ll explain the details of this rite to obtain further powers of Darkness.

As long as you have my power, we may begin this rite at any time. However, to receive the power of Darkness is the same as awakening the repressed negative emotions within you.

Therefore, if someone who is not strong enough took on the rite, they would be overcome with those repressed emotions and be killed by the power.

In order to avoid that, you must show me the extents of your ability as a Dark Knight before the rite is to happen.

The best way for me to see your true strength is for you to defeat a strong enemy… Let’s go ask the leader of the village to see if there is a suitable opponent or not.

***

Gundobald: Oh, it’s the adventurer. Though we were unable to prepare a reception, we welcome your return. What business do you have here today?

...I see. You require a strong enemy to test the bounds of your strength.

There is one thing on my mind. Just the north of here at the Red Labyrinth, there have been appearances of ferocious Crag Bite Peistes. 

Their strike is strong, and have even injured many fellow beasts raised in this dangerous region.

Fray: That does seem to be a suitable opponent. The main point of fighting as a Dark Knight is to endure the enemy’s powerful attacks while continuing to attack. ...How will we be able to meet this enemy?

Gundobald: That thing seems to be attracted to the smell of goat breast meat brought by the merchants from Minotaur Malm. In order to draw it out, here is the meat I spoke of.

Though this land is poor, I would like to repay what you’ve done for us, even if it’s just a little.

But still, I  am glad to see this. You’ve brought a friend along, and you’re even relying on us...Hm… You say you’ve only just met this person?

For some reason, you two give off the impression of partners having travelled together for a long time, or that of friends bond strongly to one another… Was it just my imagination?

Fray: ...Nyxakh, it’s about time we get going.

***

Fray: Please show me the true extents of your power as a Dark Knight here. Please defeat the Crag Bite Peistes lured by the goat breast meat we placed. 

It seems the attacks from your enemies will be strong. While keeping your injuries to the least amount possible, attacking when you see the gaps in their defenses should lead you to your victory.

…Then without further ado, commence the battle!

***

Fray: Well done Nyxakh. It seems you have improved your skills from last time.

Though the duty of a Dark Knight is to protect, it does not mean thoughtlessly taking on attacks, nor that defeat means losing everything you have.

If you truly wish to protect that which is important to you, determining the movements of your enemy and keeping your injuries within limits are both essential. And how to use the powers of Darkness is also a part of it, right?

There should be no problems for us to carry out the ritual like this. For now, let’s return to the outskirts of Little Ala Mhigo. We wouldn’t want to be distrubed by any beasts attracted by the leftover meat. 

***

Fray: Without further ado, for you to obtain further powers of Darkness, I will carry out the ritual.

Even though it’s called a ritual, it’s nothing difficult. Simply hold your hand out to mine and close your eyes to concentrate. Your emotions will naturally overflow, and the power should well up alongside it.

It would be good if you can hear that certain someone’s voice again… Anyway, if your heart is ready, then please go ahead and give it a shot.

 ***

As you are thinking that your chest feels like it’s on fire, the Voice rings through your head...

???: ...It hurts… It’s painful… Everything… is hopeless...

How many more challenges must I go through to see hope? It’s as if I’m fighting a battle without end...

For what reason do I continue to stand up…? For what reason do I continue to fight? It hurts, it hurts, it’s getting harder to breathe.... Ah, someone....

***

Fray: ...How was it, Nyxahk? It seems that the rite was a success… Were you able to hear the Voice?

Though you were able to hear it, you still do not know their identity…?

But at the very least, it seems that my conjecture was correct. Somewhere in the world, there is a weak person you must protect, their voice connected to you by the powers of the Darkness.

I don’t know how much of the power of Darkness we will need in order to find out the identity of that Voice. But even so, there exists someone only you can protect.

If the voice you heard was able to reach your heart even a little, I think that’s the path you should continue down. Am I wrong, Nyxakh Nemophila?

What a relief… As I expected, you’re kind as well as strong. That certain person to be protected by a Dark Knight like you will surely be blessed with happiness.

To be honest, I travelled with someone similar to you a long time ago. Without any reason, we stepped out into the vast world, our hearts trembling at everything and anything… it was that kind of journey, you see.

But… yes, it was around this place, they defeated a terrible threat and became a hero.

...But being a hero isn’t all that great, you know? Being manipulated by all sorts of things, only saving up a pile of injuries, eventually even becoming unable to see yourself...

And like that, they drifted away from me, until not even my voice was able to reach them.

I don’t want you to lose sight of what’s important to you. If you decide to protect that certain someone, listen carefully to their voice, and please don’t ever avert your eyes from them. 

Then, when you become even stronger, you’ll take on the rite of Darkness again. ...We definitely have to meet up again at the place we first met.

***

t/n:

- Crag Bite Peistes - the english only had it listed as peistes, but the crag bite part is so funny to me because I had and still have no idea what the katakana is referring to so I stuck it in Google Translate. That's what came out and it makes me laugh so I've left it in 

- Jeez, you’re truly-- (*unbelievable) - What Fray says would be close to "People like you--", the unbelievable part is implied. He's pretty much just really exasperated at WOL and it's cute. i love him

- Regarding the person that Fray talks about having gone on an adventure with, their pronouns will change depending on the gender of the character. I've used they for my translations as my WOL uses they.

- the rite Fray talks about is called a communion in Eng which works better imo in the overall scheme of things but i left it as rite here

[ancientechos]

Innocent or Guilty? - Laurelis Thyme

Asked someone to marry you? A blush rises to Laurelis’ cheeks as she shakes her head. “N-no -- I’ve never done something like that before -- ”

Kissed one of your friends? The miqo’te’s lips purse as she considers the question. “Well, yeah...I’ve kissed them...on the cheek, or the forehead sometimes...is that bad?”

Danced on a table in a bar / tavern? “I haven’t, but I’ve seen people do it. I think that just seems a little embarrassing...”

Ever told a lie? There’s some hesitation before she answers this question. “I guess I have. -- Actually, I have. But only because I had to...or because I couldn’t say the truth.”

Had feelings for someone you can’t have? “I used to think I couldn’t have him. I guess that counts, right?”

Ever kissed someone of the same sex? “Yeah! My friends!”

Kissed a picture? “Eheheheh...yeah.”

Slept until 5pm? “Nope!” There’s not a hint of hesitation to her answer. “I usually wake up pretty early.”

Worked at a fast food chain / restaurant Laurelis hums mildly at the back of her throat. “I haven’t really worked there, but I’ve helped out at some places before...when I have the time, I’d love to open a soup kitchen.”

Stolen something? She shakes her head to the side. “Nope!”

Been fired from a job? “Does it count if it’s something I’ve refused to do?”

Done something you regret? “...A lot.”

Laughed until something you were drinking came out of your nose? The woman clears her throat as a flush of embarrassment rises to her cheeks. “I did, but not on purpose or something!”

Caught a snowflake on your tongue? Mismatched eyes seem to catch alight as her whole body thrums with excitement. “I have! When I first went to Coerthas -- I’d never seen so much snow before! I don’t really know what made me think of it, actually, but I just got the idea, and then I just...it was fun!”

Sat on a roof top? “I have! It’s very peaceful.”

Kissed someone you shouldn’t have? “I don’t think so...”

Sang in the shower? Her head tilts to the side. “I guess humming is technically singing? Then yeah, I do.”

Been pushed into a body of water with all your clothes on? “Yes...not really all fun and games all the time, either...luckily I’m pretty good at swimming!” This last statement, punctuated by a wide smile.

Shaved your head? “I would never!” Almost reflexively, her hands rise up to touch lightly at the locks of pink framing her face. “I love my hair!”

Made a boyfriend / girlfriend cry? The miqo’te stiffens, alarm written all over her face. “I -- I don’t think so...? Oh no, have I?! I’d l-like to hope I haven’t...!”

Shot a gun? “No.”

Still loved someone you shouldn’t? “If I love someone, then I don’t think it’s a question of whether I should or shouldn’t...”

Have / had a tattoo? “I have none!” She absentmindedly rubs at her wrist with her other hand. “I don’t really want any, either.”

Liked someone, but will never tell who? Laurelis gives a short laugh. “Well, I ended up telling him, so I guess no.”

Been too honest? Her lips purse as she brings a hand up to lightly tap a finger to her chin. “I don’t think so. I like to think I’m fairly good about these sort of things. Though I guess there are times I could have used some more tact.”

Ruined a surprise? “I’m proud to say I haven’t!”

Been told that you’re beautiful by someone who totally meant what they said? “I, ah -- ” The blush is back in full force, and the miqo’te looks away to hide her face. “Um, I -- I g-guess...? I don’t really...know...why...I...” The words fade into an incomprehensible mumble.

Stalked someone? “Only if I’ve been asked to! And for a good reason.”

Thought about murder? “No.”

How about mass murder? “I would never!” She seems utterly offended you could even think to ask such a question.

Cheated on someone? These questions aren’t exactly currying her favour. Her eyes narrow in anger as her scowl deepens. “No.”

Gotten so angry that you cried? “Unfortunately, yes. But I cry pretty much all the time, so...”

Tried to stay away from someone for their own good? “Tried being  the keyword! I couldn’t really...I guess I’m just too clingy.”

Thoughts about suicide? "...I don’t think I could do it, in the end. You can’t change anything anymore...after that.”

Had a girlfriend / boyfriend? “I have a boyfriend, and I love him!”

Gotten totally drunk during a holiday? “Nope! I don’t really like drinking that much.”

Tagged by: @windup-dragoon and @maiden-born-in-snow ! Thank you!

Tagging: @mommasayu @yumeaino @iona-xiv @whitherliliesbloom​@domandemon​ @astralyehga @thegildenheart @mintdrop @righthererightzao @avwalya​ @nihil242​ @esme-selah​ @wysteria-ffxiv​ & anyone else who wants to do it!

[kaoru-takaida]

LONG Character Survey: Tius Mason

BASICS.

FULL NAME: Tius Mason

NICKNAME: N/A

AGE: 25

BIRTHDAY: 20th Sun of the First Astral Moon (January 20th)

ETHNIC GROUP: Miqo'te (Seeker of the Sun)

NATIONALITY: Eorzean

LANGUAGE(S): Eorzean

SEXUAL ORIENTATION: Bisexual

ROMANTIC ORIENTATION: ?

RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Taken

CLASS: All Rounder

• Specializes in defensive and illusion arts

• Also skilled Paladin, and studying healing arts

HOMETOWN / AREA: NA

CURRENT HOMETOWN/ AREA: Mor Dhona

PROFESSION: Scion

PHYSICAL.

HAIR: White, silver/black

EYES: Blue

NOSE: Sharp

FACE: Pointed

LIPS: Full and plump

COMPLEXION: Natural

BLEMISHES: None

SCARS: Various battle scars and burns

TATTOOS: Regular Miqo markings (blue and bkack)

HEIGHT: 5'9"

WEIGHT: 140 lbs

BUILD: Toned, fit, athletic

FEATURES: Beauty mark left corner of his mouth, and cat feet *new* scar on right cheek,

ALLERGIES: N/A

USUAL HAIRSTYLE: Usually tussled and with a stray bit of hair sticking out and fluffed upward in the back or pulled back in a messy ponytail/bun

USUAL FACE LOOK: No makeup, clean, tired at times

USUAL CLOTHING: Usually short to no sleeves, a few necklaces and something "to show off my nice abs and arms. Because they deserve it. ;3"

PSYCHOLOGY.

FEAR(S): Closed spaces, bugs that crawl, heights, losing loved ones, being weak, captivity

ASPIRATION(S): To support Kaoru and his sister and someday have a family

POSITIVE TRAITS: Energetic, strong willed, straight forward, funny, caring, no nonsense, calculating, stealthy, confident

NEGATIVE TRAITS: Gets jealous easily, blunt, stubborn, acts on emotions, no hesitation to start arguments, cocky at times

ZODIAC: Capricorn

TEMPERAMENT: Hyper comic relief

SOUL TYPE(S): Rogue, Jack of all trades

ANIMALS: White Lion

VICE HABIT(S): Squats, lounging, fishing, sparring

FAITH: The Twelve

GHOSTS?: I guess

AFTERLIFE?: maybe

REINCARNATION?: Probably

ALIENS?: Dude, there are other worlds that we know of. So duh.

POLITICAL ALIGNMENT: What the what?

ECONOMIC PREFERENCE: Um...

SOCIO POLITICAL POSITION: I think you should leave the political questions for Alphinaud...

EDUCATION LEVEL: Basic education, extensive training in illusionary and defensive arts, some training with Arenvald as a Paladin, *new* minimal training in healing arts

FAMILY.

FATHER: Ebinger Mason= adoptive (deceased)

MOTHER: Nanci Heartilind= adoptive (deceased)

SIBLINGS: A'mandi Heartilind (alive)

EXTENDED FAMILY: Scions of the Seventh Dawn

NAME MEANING(S): NA

HISTORICAL CONNECTION?:  N/A

FAVORITES.

BOOK:

MOVIE PLAY:

5 SONGS:

• "Deeper" by Valerie Broussard, Lindsey Sterling

• "Darkside" by Alan Walker

• "Silver Lining" by Hurts

• "Alligator Sky" Owl City

• "Lights" by BTS

DEITY: Azeyma, Nymeia

HOLIDAY: Little Lady's Day

MONTH: January/ First Astral Moon

SEASON: Spring

PLACE: Costa Del Sol

WEATHER: Bright and sunny, warm with cool breeze, clear

SOUND: Waves crashing in the beach, gentle wind, chocobo carriage

SCENT(S): Spice, ocean smells

TASTE(S): Sea salt ice cream, dango, cafe de Leche

FEEL(S): Cotton, soft leather sofa, warm cuddles, cat paw pads

ANIMAL(S): chocobo

NUMBER: 3

COLORS: Light blue, grey, white, black

EXTRA.

TALENTS: Athletic, fast learner, has many tricks up his sleeve, can detect lies without fail, master of illusionary defense

BAD AT: Controlling his feelings, cleaning, minding his own business

TURN ONS: Smart, can enjoy little things and let loose, laughs at his jokes, nice, compassionate, selfless

TURN OFFS: Selfishness, ignorance, pettiness, laziness

HOBBIES: Training, fishing, exploring, playing

TROPES: Sexy comic relief

AESTHETIC TAGS: Pastel blues with white or black, outdoor fitness, ocean skies

FC INFO.

MAIN  FC(S): Nada

ALT FC(S): Nope

OLDER FC(S): Nunka

YOUNGER  FC(S): <sigh>

VOICE CLAIM(S): Bryce Papenbrook voices him?

GENDERBENT FC(S): Pffft.

MUN QUESTIONS.

Q1: IF YOU COULD WRITE YOUR CHARACTER YOUR WAY IN THEIR OWN MOVIE, WHAT WOULD IT BE CALLED, WHAT STYLE WOULD IT BE FILMED IN, AND WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?:

• I guess Tius would fit perfectly in an action comedy. With a but of mystery.

Q2: WHAT WOULD THEIR SOUNDTRACK / SCORE SOUND LIKE?:

• Tius would definitely be into epic trailer music covers.

Q3: WHY DID YOU START WRITING THIS CHARACTER?:

• I wanted to create a character like Chat Noir from Miraculous Ladybug but for my own.

Q4: WHAT FIRST ATTRACTED YOU TO THIS CHARACTER?:

• At first I had planned on making a fanfic featuring him and another person as the main characters, but he eventually was put on the back burner til I needed a romantic interest for Kaoru in the main narrative. He's essentially a catboi who is the culmination of what I find attractive in FFXIV paired with the voice and attitude of Chat Noir from Miraculous Ladybug.

Q5: DESCRIBE THE BIGGEST THING YOU DISLIKE ABOUT YOUR MUSE:

• That I don't really have much of a feel for him 100% yet. He's still in the creation process and has been developing as I go, much like my main Kaoru has.

Q6: WHAT DO YOU HAVE IN COMMON WITH YOUR MUSE?:

• I guess the sarcasm. And the humor. The jokes he uses generally are all my own comedic tastes. So I guess I'm secretly a funny person.

Q7: HOW DOES YOUR MUSE FEEL ABOUT YOU?:

• I think Tius and I would be great friends.

Q8: WHAT CHARACTERS DOES YOUR MUSE HAVE INTERESTING INTERACTIONS WITH?

- Kaoru Takaida: His loving girlfriend

- Hope Gallant: His girlfriend's best friend (@louderthanthedj)

- Alphinaud Leveilleur: Always had a rivalry with for Kaoru's attention which they eventually worked out

- G'raha Tia as The Crystal Exarch: Immediately suspected his feelings for Kaoru and saw past the lies he spun, still a sore topic

- Thancred Waters: Thancred was always a mentor to Tius and teaches him everything he wants to learn

Q9: WHAT GIVES YOU INSPIRATION TO WRITE YOUR MUSE?

• I basically wanted Kaoru to have a romantic interest in her adventures with @louderthanthedj and he became such a great character

Q10: HOW LONG DID THIS TAKE YOU TO COMPLETE?:

A couple of days since I work a crap ton and my internet is poopy.

[dragons-bones]

FFXIV Write Entry #6: Strict Proof Eternal

Prompt: first steps | Master Post | On AO3

tagging: @sea-wolf-coast-to-coast

Synnove fidgeted with her hands in her lap, shoulders hunched as she sat in Professor Mhaslona Fhilfhiswyn’s office. The aetherophysics professor was carefully paging through the grimoire Synnove had made for herself, finished just this morning. The arrays for Ruin, Miasma, Bio, Physick, and others had all received a perfunctory nod of approval, but the Sea Wolf had frowned when she had gotten to the pages set aside for summoning a carbuncle.

Perhaps dedicating half the grimoire to the two-dimensional representation of an emerald carbuncle array was a bit much?

Synnove forcibly stopped herself from picking at her cuticles. She was trying to break that habit since she didn’t have the excuse of the manicures Rereha tried them to once a moon any more.

Professor Fhilfhiswyn tapped the page before her. “What’s this?”

Synnove sat up and leaned over. Page six of thirty dedicated to the internal functions and processing capabilities of the carbuncle, and the professor was pointing to a specific set of equations and coding. Oh, no, she’d spent so long on that part, was it wrong?

“Oh, um,” she said, “that’s an algorithm for self-improvement and organic learning.”

Professor Fhilfhiswyn stared at her long enough that Synnove couldn’t help but start fidgeting again, dropping her eyes. Finally, the professor said, voice flat, “Artificial intelligence.”

“…yes?”

“Why?”

Synnove sat up, blinking, and met the professor’s gaze. “Well…why not? Carbuncles are composed of living aether, so the capacity for intelligent, exponential growth should be possible. Learning, rather than programming.”

The professor blinked slowly, humming, and returned her attention to the grimoire, turning the page. Synnove sat back and again resisted the urge to pick at her nails.

After the pages on internal functionality and processing, there was the section—ten pages—on mapping living aether into a physical form. Shape, mass, texture. After that, twenty pages carefully detailing how the living aether could be channeled into the basic spells for an emerald carbuncle, Gust and Downburst, with room to one day add more if necessary. And, finally, five pages laying out how to link the living aether of the emerald with Synnove’s own and bring the carbuncle into the physical world.

Professor Fhilfhiswyn closed the grimoire and slid it across the desk to Synnove. “What resources did you use when creating the carbuncle arrays?”

“Um, I looked at the standard array the Guild provides to get a sense of where I should begin, but other than I just…did what felt best. I know that’s not very scientific—”

“You made these from scratch.” Disbelief colored the professor’s voice.

“…yes?”

“Did you ask anyone for assistance?”

“Oh, no, ma’am, I wanted to see what I could do on my own. Um. Did I…make a mistake somewhere?”

The professor hadn’t stopped staring at her. “No,” she said, after a long, tense silence. “No, you didn’t. Those arrays are, theoretically, perfect.”

Synnove couldn’t help it: she beamed. If Professor Fhilfhiswyn said they were perfect, then they were perfect. She couldn’t wait to write Auntie and Rereha and Heron about this!

“May I see the emerald you’re using as the focus?” The professor said. It sounded like she was struggling to keep her voice even.

“Certainly, ma’am,” Synnove said. She reached into the pouch of accoutrements she kept on her belt, feeling around for a few moments. Where did it—ah, there it was!

She palmed the stone, pulling it from the depths of her pouch, and held it out to Professor Fhilfhiswyn. The Sea Wolf took it carefully, the stone appearing small in her hands, and carefully held it up as she placed a jeweler’s lens to her eye.

The emerald was a deep, vivid green sphere, a full ilm in diameter. At first glance, it appeared perfectly round—until it caught the light, as it did now with the sunshine pouring into the professor’s office. It practically blazed with green fire, glittering and brilliant, showing off numerous tiny facets. A small hole had been drilled through the very center, allowing the jewel to eventually be strung on a bracelet or necklace.

And the aether that had coalesced around it. To Synnove’s senses, this emerald tasted of the chocolate pudding pie she and some of her classmates had tried at the Bismarck during her second moon at the Guild, the one topped with huge, thick dollops of mint-infused whipped cream. And it sang, a beautiful melody of windchimes and sweet flutes. As soon as Synnove had picked it out of the box down in the stockroom, she’d known this was the emerald to use for her carbuncle.

“This is marvelously cut,” Professor Fhilfhiswyn said. “I’d almost think it was Ul’dahn work. Which of the gemcutters did you go to?”

“Oh! Um. I did it myself.”

Synnove thought she heard a cracking sound, the professor whipped her head over so hard to stare at her. Synnove felt her shoulders creep back up to her ears again and said, “Um. My best friend’s mother is a goldsmith, and she frequently let me observe her work. And she showed me how to cut gems when I asked.”

Professor Fhilfhiswyn carefully removed the jeweler’s lens in her eye, setting it aside somewhere in the mass of papers on her desk. She returned the emerald to Synnove, who cradled it close. The Sea Wolf woman said, “And you’ve been with the Guild how long, now?”

“Six moons.”

The professor closed her eyes and breathed deeply through her nose for a count of seven, held for seven, and breathed out again for another seven count. She opened her eyes. “All right, let’s see you summon that carbuncle.”

“Right now?!”

“No time like the present,” the professor said, pushing herself to her feet.

Synnove scrambled to follow, coming to stand in the empty space between the desk and the door. Professor Fhilfhiswyn leaned up against the wall to give her as much as possible, arms crossed and watching her intently.

Taking a deep breath in an attempt to soothe her nerves—it didn’t work—Synnove opened the grimoire and flipped to the page containing the activation key for the carbuncle array. She took out her channeling quill with the hand with which she was still palming the emerald (she really needed to string it on some leather as a bracelet), checking to ensure the metal nib wasn’t loose and that the white griffin feather Auntie had sent her hadn’t broken. She took another deep breath, this one shaking, and looked up at the professor.

The Sea Wolf nodded.

Synnove pressed the quill to the aetheric ink of the key and began channeling her aether.

The key lit up, and the shadow of an array burst into her life around her. Synnove kept the count in her mind—one, two, three, four, five—and then a shape, vaguely catlike but bigger, with two long ears and three even longer tails, tumbled into existence, landing with a graceful pose on the floor before her.

The carbuncle looked exactly as all the other emeralds usually did: soft fur that almost appeared blue in certain lighting (and that was something that had had arcanists scratching their heads for generations now), a triangular patch of scarlet between its ears. Its eyes were big and round and black, looking around inquisitively, and its black nose twitched as it sniffed the air.

Synnove carefully closed her grimoire, using the channeling quill as a bookmark, latching the book and hanging it from the hook on her hip. She was still holding the emerald focus. “Hi there,” she said softly.

The carbuncle looked up at her, and yipped happily, the sound oddly tinkling, like crystal windchimes. She—and Synnove wasn’t sure how she knew that this carbuncle was a she—sat back on her hind legs, tails floofed around her, and reached up with her front paws. She yipped again. Uppies!

(She’d wonder later how she knew that was what the carbuncle was saying. She’d wonder later how the carbuncle seemed to be talking.)

Synnove cooed, “Oh, aren’t you just a darling.” She bent over, carefully picking up the carbuncle and bringing her to her chest. The carbuncle chittered happily, snuggling in close, and started up a soft, chiming purr.

Professor Fhilfhiswyn clapped her hands together. Synnove jumped, having forgotten the Sea Wolf was there.

“You’re changing your focus of study,” the professor said. “From mathematics to aetherophysics.”

“I am?”

“Yes. You, my dear,” Professor Fhilfhiswyn, “are wasted on just doing geometric proofs for the rest of your career. You, Synnove Greywolfe? You have talent, and I’ll not see it squandered.”

Synnove had been told she was talented before, by her tutors, by Aunt Angharad. This time, though, and for the first time, she believed it.

Her emerald carbuncle purred in delight.

[infiniteleftdoesffxiv]

Getting to know me(me) (again-ish??)

One; Name/alias --

Real name is Nunya Biz, but I go by Infi or Ilma, depending on where folk know me from.

Two; Birthday --

Sep. 1st! I have no idea why the date feels satisfying, but it does.

Three; Zodiac Sign --

Virgo (Aug 23rd to Sep 22nd)

Four; Height --

I have no idea for sure, but apparently around 5 foot 4.

Five; Hobbies --

I have a lot. Besides RP and MMOs, I write fanfiction and original fiction, draw traditional and digital art, sew, collect porcelain dolls and various figures, and I write music as a side pursuit.

Then there's the cooking and baking... Don't get me started on reading. And crochet. And misc. miniature crafting. Or the other video games...

Six; Favorite Colors --

I'd have to say my favorite color of all time is pink. Hot pink, soft pink, pastel pink, neon pink, magenta to salmon... I love pink.

I also love reds and oranges and purples. Blues also come in closely; yellow is a color I'm very much "meh" on. Green... Overall, I'd say I hate it in general terms fjfjshhsjdjfh

Forest green, neon green, or pastel green. Any other greens are greens I Dislike:tm:

Seven; Favorite Books --

I haven't read it in a while, but I remember that I loved "The Cat Who..." series. It was just a fun time. I should read them again...

Warriors was another that I was head over heels for, a while back. Never finished the series, though -- I got to the end of the third arc, read a couple of the extra books, then fell out of reading them.

"The Secret Piano" is also a good book, but it's... Not so much a fiction book than a translated autobiography by Zhu Xiao-Mei. It was a bit of a difficult read (for me, at least), but it's definitely a good book to read if you're interested in what happened during the cultural revolution in China.

Eight; Last Song Listened To --

LittleJayneyCakes' cover of Regardless, Cannon Busters' ending theme.

Nine; Last Film Watched --

Oh god I don't remember. We're gonna count the last film that I chose to watch, since that's easier to remember. Think it was called "Olden Time"? It was an animated short film about an uhhhhh... think of Lumiere and Cogsworth from BatB? YEAH. Except with a TV and a windup cat doll. Old 50s-ish era TV set gets tossed out, meets a little windup cat doll. Things go from there.

It's a cute little bit of animation! Also sad at bits. I don't remember how it went, really, it's been around a year, at LEAST since I've seen it, but it was good. Do recommend.

Ten; Inspiration for Muse --

I've got so many, you'd have to ask for specifics, but a short list:

Eloise, Narua, Nim, Berriath, Tabitha, Carmen, and Fraeswys were based off of original/previous characters I've had in the past.

The rest are original to FFXIV-verse, and the starting point for them always has been "let's take a hook and build off that" (i.e, Yellow Dove: Maelstrom. Sechen: Xaela. Ryoko: Astrologan and Geisha.)

Eleven; Dream Job --

I don't remember if I've said it on my blog before, but my DREAM dream job would be as a paramedic.

My second dream job and the one I'm actually shooting for is to be a piano teacher. It's just... I love it so much, and the thought of passing on that knowledge and helping other people work to play it is just something that makes me happy. It won't be easy, but I'd think it rewarding.

Twelve; Meaning Behind URL --

Uh. Um. Hm. Yeah. I think it's obvious. Self explanatory.

My username tends to be Infiniteleft, and I play FFXIV now, so.... Yeah. Actually, you can also find my BNS blog simply by changing ffxiv for BNS. There's screenshots of Taiwoo (original Tabi), Carmen, AND Nim up there, I think. Alongside a couple of shitposts.

As for "Infiniteleft".... I have NO IDEA why I went with this, but. From what I've been told I told people, I really liked the infinity symbol when I was younger, and I'm left-handed, so I mushed them together because I needed a username. After a previous set of aliases which I won't disclose for the sake of my own peace of mind, this one stuck.

Tagged by: @benes-diction had an open tag so I went ham. Hi Jonesy.

Tagging: Gonna leave this one open, too, actually, with respect towards some people just wanting privacy for the first set of questions. If you wanna do it tho. Please. Go wild.

[nihil242]

Character Interview: Ruri Valeth

What did you have for breakfast? “Rolanberry Waffles and rolanberry Tea! Very fruity morning.”

What can you cook perfectly? “Um well, cooking is not exactly my strongest skill. I’m the type that would set the kitchen on fire trying to cook eggs if not paying enough attention... But I’m learning and trying to improve! Last time I made a nice roast Dodo for my wife and nothing blew up, so that’s a  good sign!”

If you could choose a pet, what would it be? “Geez I already have so many pets.. but I never got a bunny. Maybe we can make room for one!”

How is your relationship with your parents? “I haven’t seen or spoken to them since I ran away from home so.... not very good. Perhaps someday I will try to fix my relationship with them but they haven’t made any effort to contact me either so.... yea...”

What is your favorite read? “I love reading about the history of our star and especially Eorzea. Biographies are fun to read as well. I was never really educated growing up so I’m trying to make up for it now!”

Do you put both socks on first, or one sock, one shoe? “Both socks on first then both shoes. People do it the other way? Well whatever works for them I guess!”

Do you fold your clothes before bed? “NOPE! I just have a giant pile in my closet I go through everyday for new outfits. Gods I have so much clothes it feels like it’s going to rain fabric on my every time I open my dresser drawers or armoire. I should really clean it out and get hooks or hangers someday... and lets not talk about my dirty laundry pile on the floor.”

How do you feel about marriage?

“I am happily married to my wife Iris and it’s the best time of my life right now! Having one person who is always there with you to share you life with is such an incredible experience. Of course it took a long time to find someone JUUST for me but I’m glad I didn’t give up and found them.”

Who was the last person you crushed on? “I don’t really want to talk about it and don’t want to mention their name.. sorry.. let’s just say love at first sight doesn’t always work out.”

What does your dream home look like? And where would it be? “I really like my current place in Shirogane a nice small home with my wife. But if I ever wanted to move a “dream home” it would probably be a large mansion in Mist overlooking the beach. We’d have a bunch of friends staying in the rooms who can’t afford a place of their own and have a ton of parties!”

What’s your worst habit? “I am pretty messy and all over the place when I get excited talking to others so I might leave some stuff behind and other people’s houses a lot. I also don’t really worry about cleaning up in general so lets say some of our home is off limits for now.”

What do you do for a living and how do you feel about your job?

(Art by @cakeyquake)

“I repair and make clothing or armor for other adventurers. I have my own shop in Lavender Beds that I spend most my days in. I love making new outfits so I love my job! I get most my ideas from people watching in Limsa or Ul’dah so I travel a lot as well.”

Tagged by: No one but saw on @nahjaxiv‘s blog

Tagging:  @mystisnykoto @sara-bateson @doc-ravenbe @garlean-nonsense @pulse-oflife @zhauric @invisiblebounds-ffxiv @tiergan-vashir @nozomikei @trishelle @sequoiaofeorzea @jadestormbrand @dantestormbrand @chidorifarcloud @wandering-heart-ffxiv @thorcatte @tehpi-time @sylvistral @swainandco @arkiela @cahli-tia @avwalya and anyone else who wants!

[dingoat]

3 OC songs!

Finally remembering to do this! Was tagged by @kunoichi-ume and gonna tag back @humanrevolt (SORRY TO ADD MORE FOR YOU TO DO but I always want your music gimme Crow n Nines songs plz!!), @nutterbutterbox (even if you never do it THINK ABOUT MUSIC for Jinn n Deidre) aaaaand let’s tag @phasestuff gimme some Vyr’i songs!

I don’t think there’s much by the way of rules for this just share three songs that are relevant to your char/s and explain as much or little as you want idk??

---

Ahuska Crow

My beautiful Bothan girl who I really need to do a nice new portrait of one of these days because SHE HECKIN DESERVES IT. She’s building up quite the playlist and I could throw up a dozen or so songs so let’s try and pick out a nice little trio here...

 Something Wild - Lindsey Stirling

You've got a big heart The way you see the world, it got you this far You might have some bruises And a few of scars But you know you're gonna be okay

(This song just feels like her 100%. So much relevant sentiment, wonderful lyrics, and a great reflection of how she feels about wild places and wild things. It reminds me that she really is a good and hopeful person in her heart of hearts, no matter how dire things can get.)

Bright - Echosmith

And I see colors in a different way You make what doesn't matter fade to grey Life is good and that's the way it should be

(This is Ahuska in love. Married. Blissful as heck for some brief respite in the middle of a series of horrible events. The type of thing I can completely imagine her singing to herself while she practises her space-guitar.)

The Story of Tonight - Lin-Manuel Miranda

Raise a glass to freedom Something they can never take away No matter what they tell you Raise a glass to the four of us Tomorrow there’ll be more of us Telling the story of tonight

(Man, I can never shake this song when it comes to thinking about how Ahuska feels amongst the Deserters. Part of something bigger, and important. Being properly accepted into their ranks meant the world to her.)

Special mention to Mister Blue Sky because this is Crow and Ahuska’s song IC FOR EVER AND EVER and I know I’ve used it in a list before which is the only reason it’s not front and centre here but I can’t NOT MENTION IT. And The Nights, because I have been in love with it since it got thrown at me in RP, another one for the Deserters.

Bonus feature: Waiting for my real life to begin for Ahuska in FFXIV.

And you say, just be here now Forget about the past, your mask is wearing thin Just let me throw one more dice I know that I can win I'm waiting for my real life to begin