#Waking Sands

[graha-stan-account]

I kinda love it. 👀

If you love it too, it's on the shop: CranberryBoss

There's also a sticker.

[khepri-sunscale]

6: Officially into ARR on these timeline photos. Khepri says hi from the Waking Sands! 👋💜

[miqolena]

The sylph's peaceful expression belies the fact she no longer lives.

I still remember how this quest affected me 7 years later, which is a testament to that effect, as my memory is not great. It was the moment I got invested in the characters and the world I was in now. I noticed that the bodies took a long time to pick up but Noraxia's body took only a short time because she was small and light while the others were not. Suddenly I cared. I wanted vengeance on Livia.

Funny that I would invent additional lore for Livia later that makes her into even more of a villain without even thinking about how I initially felt about her.

[travelling-hydaelyn]

Lahabrea possessed Thancred before this questline even started which means these are back to back Laha interactions. Here is how he greets the WoL in the Waking Sands immediately after his Disney villain introduction.

Meanwhile in Minfilia's solar:

presumably he took a brief break from running Alphinaud's errands to go dramatically laugh at the WoL

[sirensongsea]

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pray_return_to_the_waking_sands.mp4

[khaopybara]

alley rose by conan gray for @mbjw!

you wrapped your fingers around my neck and pulled me into your desperate breath the way you kissed me hot and fast i knew it'd be the last

(hey juls, i hope you liked it. thank you for trusting me to make this and for encouraging me. you're great!)

[theworldinclines]

[funguslesbian]

If I have to see one more person talk shit about the Irish language I'm going to lose it. If I have to see one more person call the Irish language Gaelic I am going to lost it. If I have to see one more person make fun of the name Siobhán specifically I am going to lose it.

[bird-inacage]

Only Friends Episode 1 | Ray being an Adorable Pest

"How did you manage to live this long?" - Sand

I WANNA KEEP HIM IN MY POCKET. HE IS SO FRIGGIN ADORABLE. Ray is every bit the feral disaster I was expecting him to be. He be acting like a feisty gremlin but really he's just one big giant baby.

[impossible-rat-babies]

vierapril day 22--showers

"it took far too long for me to realize why they looked at me with such scorn that day. my thinly veiled insults disguised as mere comments had reached the end of their patience and they would tolerate no more of my prattle, save that which was required of them."

[dazzledrole]

you don’t understand, i’m obsessed

[how-much-for-a-whump]

Boy 7 (2015)

[altair214]

If Dream of the Endless had access to the Am I The Asshole subreddit "Am I the Asshole for condemning my lover to Hell?"

"I was informed quite recently by a friend that this is a good place to receive unbiased judgement on past actions of mine that were not well received by people. As there are few beings I trust to ask for unbiased, well-meaning judgement from, I turn to the internet.

After a recent excursion to Hell, my raven saw fit to inform me that condemning a past lover to Hell might be seen, in my raven's words "as a dick move." My sibling, who has seen fit to give a mortal the tools to imprison me for a century and has made an attempt on my life, has criticized me before for the decision I made to condemn my lover to Hell.

Our story took place 10,000 years ago. She was a mortal queen and very beautiful. She was desired by many, but she refused them. One day she laid eyes on me, not knowing who or what I am, and decided that I would be her lover. She pursued me, and eventually found me in my realm. We began to get to know each other. She truly loved me at first. And I loved her. No one had ever loved me enough to go to the lengths she had to find me. I offered to make her the queen of my realm. But when she truly began to understand what it is that I am, and that I would not abandon my realm to be her lover, she became fearful. I did not want her to leave me, so when she ran, I ran after her. She hurt herself in the hopes that it would make me disgusted with her and leave. When she saw that she did not scare me away, she allowed me to heal her. We made love all through the night.

In the morning, her city was destroyed, for the First Circle had decreed that one of the Endless cannot love a mortal. We had both known that. She had tried to put an end to our relationship before it was too late, but in the end our desire for each other had overcome all else.

In her despair, she killed herself. I was distraught, I would have made her my queen. But she chose death over me. She chose to abandon me, she chose to abandon hope, for death. Still, I would have forgiven her for that transgression. I would still have her as my queen. I would still love her.

But she rejected me. Even though she loved me, she would rather die than be with me. So I told her that I would offer my love a final time, but if she once again would choose death over me, that I would condemn her soul to Hell.

She did not answer at first. She said that we were never meant to be together and that darker things would come to be if we tried to be together. I asked her once again as she was making the journey to the Sunless Lands. She told me to leave her. I asked her for the last time. She refused me and I condemned her to Hell.

She sought me out, only to reject me. To reject dreams by killing herself. She loved me and yet would choose to die rather than be with me. She would choose Hell rather than be with me even though she sought me first. I felt that my actions were justified. She was not moved by the pain that her actions caused me. What could I have done except punish her for her callousness?

I felt I was completely justified in my actions until very recently when I saw her in Hell. I had not thought of her in a long time, though I still loved her. But my recent experience of being imprisoned for a century had changed me in ways that I have only recently admitted to myself. For the first time I wondered if perhaps my original judgement to condemn her to Hell was made in error. So I am turning to here at the recommendation of a friend. Am I the Asshole?"

[alannah-corvaine]

ꜰᴇʙʜʏᴜʀᴀʀʏ ▶ ᴅᴀʏ 1  ↳   ꜱᴛᴀʀᴛ

we were strangers starting out on a journey, never dreaming what we'd have to go through.

[astrology-bf]

May DWC Day 4: Celebration

@daily-writing-challenge

(CW: Death Mention, PTSD, Mild Spoilers for A Realm Reborn)

The success of Operation Archon was nothing short of miraculous. Still struggling to recover from the Calamity and barely united in the face of internal and international disputes, Eorzea nonetheless stood free in the face of both Garlean and Ascian machinations. There was every reason to celebrate.

And yet…

Y’shtola’s face was somewhat pensive as she made her way through the halls of the Waking Sands. Much like Eorzea herself, the Scions of the Seventh Dawn struggled to rebuild in the aftermath of tragedy; the demands on their organization were proving a bottleneck to replenishing the ranks, so their desert headquarters remained uncomfortably empty. Truth be told, Y’shtola herself had business elsewhere were there not a more pressing concern demanding her attention.

There was every reason to celebrate. And yet, the hero of the hour, the man who rode out of the burning ruins of the Praetorium on the back of a magitek reaper after having defeated van Baelsar, the Ultima Weapon, and Lahabrea himself… seemed not to care.

Ifan had wasted not a moment in celebration before immediately returning to work. He seemed disinclined to spare time for socializing, let alone revelry, and Y’shtola had begun to notice a distinct pattern of Ifan being conspicuously elsewhere whenever Thancred was around.

All of that bothered her. Ifan was a hard worker, yes, but this recent display of ascetic diligence would have put a Studium valedictorian to shame: it was unlike him to forgo his indulgences, Thancred included. But what bothered her the most was his incuriosity about the more arcane aspects of his encounter with the Ultima Weapon and Lahabrea. He was disinterested in discussing the subject outside of formal meetings, and even during those he largely stayed silent beyond answering direct questions. Not a single insight, nor even idle speculation. Very unlike him, indeed.

Her ears perked as she heard a door open and close from the corridor ahead of her. Sure enough, Ifan rounded the corner a moment later. He stiffened briefly as he caught sight of Y’shtola, then smiled and gave the sorceress a wave that was too casual by half. “Hey, ‘Shtola. Wasn’t expecting to see you here.” he greeted.

“I had heard you were due to stop by here. It is good to see you, Ifan.” Y’shtola replied with a graceful nod. ”Might we have a word, if you’ve the time to spare?” she asked.

“For you, always. What’s up?” Ifan answered brightly, crossing his arms. 

“That was my question, actually.” stated Y’shtola, watching Ifan carefully. “Is aught amiss?”

The magician failed to hide a momentary flag in his expression. “Amiss with…?” he asked, only for her gaze to provide all the clarification needed. “Ah. Do I give that impression?” Ifan hummed as his smile became sheepishly sedate.

“I feel I know you well enough by now to say that you are not the sort to spurn chance to celebrate a victory. And lately you have achieved a triumph beyond what any of us could dare hope.” she said. Her voice was gentle, and her expression softened as she stepped forward to close the distance between them. “Ifan. If my perspective on things is skewed, you needn’t feel like you can’t correct it.” 

Ifan’s smile cracked. He sucked on his lips and closed his eyes, expression twisting. “...I can’t get anything past you, can I?” he let out in a strangely tense tone, as if breathing pained him.

The sorceress’ expression grew more serious as the tips of her ears lowered slightly in concern. She reached forward and placed her fingers over Ifan’s, feeling his digits twitch at the contact. “Do you remember the Navel?” she asked as she peered up at him. “You confided in me about you being a black mage, and then bade me promise to check your ambition. I should think that includes reminding you that you have people willing to help shoulder your burdens.” 

There was a long and ugly silence. Then Ifan opened his eyes and let out a choked noise like he’d been struck in the chest, his other hand gripping his shirt. “Lahabrea, he k-... I died...” he forced out, tilting his head to hide his eyes behind his hair as if unable to close them of his own volition. The confession itself was almost inaudible.

Y’shtola’s ears twitched as if uncertain they’d heard him correctly. “You d-” She leaned back slightly, looking him up and down as her hand tightened around his. Then her lips pursed as she bit back all but the most relevant questions. “...You live now, yes?” she asked, leaning forward to peer at Ifan’s face again.

Ifan’s face was twisted up, teeth bared in a grimace and eyes fixed on a memory. “I don’t… I don’t know. Maybe? I…” he mumbled, hand trembling against hers. He took in a choked breath, fighting back tears. “T-thought it was Thancred, that he’d got control back, and I… I hesitated…” 

Y’shtola’s ears fell flat upon realizing what it was Ifan was implying: how Lahabrea had gotten the best of him. A faintly horrified gaze broke through her usual composure, and she reached up to cup his cheek with her free hand. “But you were returned to us? How c–" A breath escaped her.  "Ah. Hydaelyn. I see.” The sorceress lowered her eyes to Ifan’s chest where his other hand was wrenched into his shirt so tightly that his knuckles turned white. He was hunched over slightly, and he seemed to labor for breath: the very image of a man remembering being impaled through the chest. Y'shtola placed both her hands over the straining knuckles, her fingers gently coaxing him to release his death grip on the white fabric and take a breath. 

Ifan's fingers laxed, his eyes slowly closed, and he inhaled shakily. “...’Shtola, what if I’m a…” he whispered, then trailed off. He seemed unwilling to finish the sentence.

“Even assuming that is true, what are you afraid would change?” she asked.

Ifan took a while to answer. He tensed repeatedly, as if struggling physically with the question. Then, at last, he spoke. “I don’t want to have to fight my friends again. Every time Thancred laughs, or even just reaches for me, I’m back there. It’s not even his fault, it’s m…” His hand left his shirt, moving instead to cover his face as the tears began to fall. “I ca… I don’t want to do it again. Can’t. Sorry. Y’shtola, I’m sorry…”

He was still speaking as Y’shtola stepped forward and threaded her arms around his chest, a hand placing itself opposite where he’d clutched his chest and rubbing in soothing circles. “You needn’t apologize, Ifan.” she said quietly. “I merely grieve for you, having had to endure something so…” She grimaced and shook her head. “I cannot imagine."

Watery hisses escaped between Ifan’s teeth as he stifled his weeping in an effort not to attract the attention of passersby within the Waking Sands. His face remained hidden behind his hand as his other arm clung tightly to the sorceress embracing him. “Don’t tell the others. Please.” he managed, his jaw resting against Y’shtola’s temple. “Hurts too much right now, I can’t… When does it stop hurting?”

“I’m uncertain.” she answered quietly. Her voice remained even, but the sorceress was privately grateful that the fabric of Ifan’s shirt quickly wicked away the moisture from her eyes. “But you have my word that I will still be here for you even after it does.”

[mrvenuspluto]

HEALING SOUL CHAMBER

I want take your mind, soul to a warm and calming setting. Need you to imagine, go get your favorite therapeutic candles, remove your heavy layers of clothing. Either bedroom, living room or anywhere that is peaceful for you. Oh yea! Please make sure you are alone with no disturbance. Place candle(s) around your room, bed, create you a sanctuary of healing. Lay a soft sheet down, light each candle now lay on your back. Its so much stress, baggage on your mind, shoulders need you to close your eyes, try to relax your mind and body. You may have to remove everything thats on your mind, take all those obligations, mundane task, stressful thoughts and let them dissipate. Need you to imagine you are on a peaceful island, the sky is purple with multiple colored clouds that change into any thought you have. You can smell fresh fruit as it gets dispensed into your hand just from a lick of the tongue. The air is so settled, calming and adjust to your emotions and mood. Your feet are embedded into the warm black sand made from black onyx and black kyanite. Every desire you wish for, every thought you crave for is yours from a glance and a wink of the eye or the emotions of your feelings. You dont have to walk to the beaches shore to feel the cool wavy water splash up against your legs. The water will come to you as it splashes across your feet, ankles and calves as it washes away the black crystal particles from your limbs. Now that your body is at a relax state, now you can focus on healing your whole body. I need you to focus on all 7 chakras, each chakra controls multiple organs, nerves while each chakra focuses on specific body functions within that region of the anatomy. You know where you are hurting, in pain, low deficiency, need strength or just balance. Im going need you to stay focused, dont let the outside of your body, effect your meditative state which it will try its hardest. ( your subconscious is very powerful, its something you built up for years and lifetimes also indoctrinated with false beliefs which gives denies power to one self, now you need to overcome those weak, falsified, ideologies.) Now focus on that one area of your body where it needs healing, now draw out the picture of that specific location and body part, organ, nerve etc. Be creative, you need to tap into your right brain, left brain wont be as good of use in this healing process. Now slowly slide your hand across the area while having a great intent to heal it without a doubt, any doubt or disbelief will transpire into a negative effect and be a waste of time. Now gently rub it, carress it while imaging to heal it, picture it being repaired, fixed, new, regenerated and healthy. Dont ask DEMAND IT!, you are the creator of your anatomy and have the power to heal yourself. Become a surgeon with your mind, thoughts, imagination and creativity. Now apply pressure to the area, if its your throat chakra, rub your hand across your throat while carressing and envisioning the color ( blue which represents the throat chakra) while meditating, how you WILL ( not want) communicate, express, manifest more efficiently and effectively. Your body will feel warm, your head and neck will feel heavy with tension its ok. You are now trying to let your soul take charge, your mind been in charge so so so long that its a natural reaction for these different scenarios to take place. Its your subconscious trying to bring you back into this reality realm that you projected for yourself, now you must recreate a new realm that is suitable for your new perspective of life. Now you need to tap back into that warm place you created and let your body be at ease and let your soul coast across the silky, satin clouds that taste like passion fruit.

Now if you pain or regeneration is needed in your root chakra area. You need to open your legs, place both feet together while making bottom of them touch. Your legs should be in a shape of a diamond. Now envision that area of pain or weakness being healed while placing your hand over this specific area, but not touching it just feeling the energy, vibration and anticipation of it being touch while letting the power of your mind connect to this area. You need to make your thoughts and focus connect to that area and become one. Now place your hand on this area while gently carressing this area while your thoughts are entwine with this are. Your body will feel at peace and rest. Now just lay there and listen to your body respond while it reacts your orders. When you feel a spark that goes to your brain, you will feel sensations throughout your body and travel from your brain to all the areas you been working on ( neurotransmitters) waking up and communicating with everything in your body to heal and regenerate you back to health. You will have a taste of the fruit from the meditative state while opening your eyes and lifting your head up. Now its very very very important to still have the same mindset you projected while meditating. No negative thoughts, feelings, ideas or outlooks should come from your mindset. You create your own reality, now this should be repeated as much as you need, doing this everyday will become a natural habit that will futher along your healing and regeneration to your whole being. Now im going need you to wake up! You been in my healing chamber for awhile!