#also dancing Thancred was there

[pumkinbones]

@discountdps and my eternal bonding ceremony! It was gorgeous and so much fun. It was honestly the most special thing to me. I will treasure this moment always. I love you so much.

I will put my speech below the cut. It's similar to my partner's but we practically have same brain. It made me tear up writing it and then I did actually cry for Kitsu's speech. <3

Now before I start mine, I will preface that I bet Ran that our speeches would be almost the same. So you get to hear it first from me you nerds.

The moment I met you, I knew you were special. That night we sat in Ren’s café and talked for hours about lord knows what, I felt a connection. Even though you were this mysterious cool guy I just met, I felt like, hey I need to talk to this guy more.

As the years slowly passed I found myself wanting to be in your presence more often. All because you made everything in my life a little bit brighter. So, I’d always try to attend farm parties, Jagd events, or even idle in front of the market board to strike up a conversation if my schedule allowed it. Then when I could catch you in a voice call, I made it my mission to get you to laugh. Because it’s honestly one of my favorite things about you.

These small moments made me happy. And when we got separated, I felt devastated. I felt like I left a part of me behind. Though I dismissed it as I miss my friends in the FC. Although it was true, when I looked a little deeper, I was mostly missing you.

When I finally had enough and did come back, you were still there by the bell, and greeted me with a /dote. My heart swelled with joy.

When I was going through hard times, you were there for me. Talking me, listening to me… I felt seen and heard. That’s when I knew you were my missing piece, but I did not want to ruin what we had.

I could never stop talking about you before and it totally got worse despite wanting to maintain balance. Always leading with a “My buddy Ran-”. Convincing myself we are just friends. Ignore the fact that we started spending more time together in call. And that I plastered art of him all over the FC discord. And that we should totally ship our characters “for fun” and you agreed. Ahem…

We finally stopped dancing around each other when I was at Tyr’s convention, after a little adventure. My shy guy told me how he truly felt. Everything screeched to a halt, and I was flabbergasted and elated, unable to believe this was truly happening. You made me the happiest person in the world that day! I would have never bet on you being the one brave enough to say something first. And I am glad you were.

Since we’ve been together I have learned so much about you! I can confidently say you are the biggest nerd and goofiest guy I’ve ever met. Not this suave cool dude, as I initially thought. (As you tell me, you never claimed to be cool.) But you know… I wouldn’t have it any other way. This just made me love you even more.

So today I will tell you all that I found my person, my gerblin, my gay little treasure that I want to hold dear for as long as I am able. And I vow to do whatever it takes to be the partner he deserves.

I love you Ran, with all my heart.

[scionshtola]

i was doing a dungeon with trust right now trying to figure out why y'shtola was Last on the aggro table and when i looked at her she was standing by the boss, not casting and hitting it with her staff

[turpalauri]

Hello Ena! I have some questions for you 🦁

Send ❤️‍🔥 to see them with someone to whom they are attracted (whether or not they admit it) or someone who is attracted to them. Or both.

Send 🕺🏻 to see them dancing.

Thancred insisted that Ena must also be able to handle melee combat. A bow and arrow are handy, though not so much when the enemy is up close.

Send ❤️‍🔥 to see them with someone to whom they are attracted (whether or not they admit it) or someone who is attracted to them. Or both. Thank you for the ask ! (prompt list)

some extras because why not ↴

[headcanons-n-shit]

Hello

Your newest post reminded me i had an idea. The bois comforting wol who is having a nervous brakedown from all the stress. Bonus Ardbert.

I really like your stories. Especially the angsty ones.

(TAZ The Breakdown plays in the background)

(Mild shadowbringers spoilers)

Thancred literally (accidentally but still) disassociated so hard from the stress that he gave up his body to the bad guy for a bit. If anyone gets what youre going through, its probably going to be him. Hes not going to waste his time on empty platitudes: hes going to get you a glass of water, a warm blanket, and a hot meal, and let you cry it out on his shoulder for as long as you need to.

(And if that still doesnt help, well. Sex is still on the table. Its rarely a good idea, but hes all out of those.)

Urianger is probably breaking down with you lets be real. Every future my mans has ever read has included world-ending catastrophe, and, sure, youve thwarted it every time (usually with his help) but. What if this time you dont? What if this time you fail???? Its an unreasonable amount of stress for one man to be carrying. He probably does a fantastic amount of fantasy weed to cope and still all it takes is seeing you break down for him to also start blubber-crying.

Graha seems kind of detached and distant at first. "Shower water food" he commands you, in the voice of Lynas grandfather the Crystal Exarch, firm and uncompromising and impossible to disobey, and you might miss the way his voice and smile are strained. The way his hands clench and unclench at his sides. Hes never regretted turning back time to help you save two worlds, but. Its times like this that he wonders if he shouldnt try again to give you a happier ending.

Estinien is a firm hand on your shoulder, a steady shoulder to lean on, because he gets it. The feeling of being trapped in your own body, puppetted by powers so much greater than you can imagine, almost greater than you can comprehend... Youre breaking down for the both of you, honestly, because hes spent so long training the iron discipline to resist nidhoggs influence that he doesnt know how to anymore. This is. Cathartic. For the both of you tbh.

Aymeric wishes in this moment, more than anything, that he could just. Just be with you. Out on your journeys, giving you support by your side instead of from a distance. And he knows, he knows, that the support he gives you is important, that his ability to move nations in your favor has helped far more than any single sword at your side ever would. But he bears the weight of a nation while you bear the weight of a star, and that just. Doesnt seem fair to him.

Haurchefant knows that theres some things that hot chocolate cant fix but. Its a good starting place if nothing else. Something warm and sweet right now couldnt hurt, neither would a soft blanket and a roaring fire. He'll sit with you, bundled up together, and just listen if thats what you need. Or he can talk-- he has plenty of embarrassing stories about Artoirel that he hasnt shared yet. Either way, he'll happily help you wipe your tears away when youre done, and then drop a delicate kiss on your forehead.

Stand tall, he says. A smile better suits a hero.

Sidurgu is surprisingly good at this. Or, maybe not so surprising? Rielle is very mature for her age, but shes still a child. He probably does this whole song and dance every other week. And you feel a little bit like a child, the way he bullies you into the shower and then bundles you up in blankets and pushes food at you, but. Beneath the gruff words and scowl you can tell hes worried. Frustrated. This is exactly the kind of injustice that as a dark knight he swore he would fight, but hes just one man, there isnt much he can do about the desolation of the star. But he also needs you to know that he'll always be in your corner. Whether in this little way or if you need him to help you kill a god, he'll always come when you call.

BONUS

Ardbert has never felt so helpless in his life. He cant touch you, cant be a shoulder you can cry on. He cant even fetch you a glass of water. All he can do is stand there and watch as you break apart in your bed in the Pendants, and its. Its torture, worse than anything any ascian could ever conceive.

Still. He does what he can. And if all he can do is sit at your bedside, his hand hovering half-through yours in a mockery of touch while he tells you stories of his adventures, or friendship and triumph and happier times, well. Its the least he can do.

[autumnslance]

YOTP 2025: January - May I Have This Dance?

The immediate aftermath of the battle for Ala Mhigo had been the usual weariness of such clashes. Aymeric was reminded of the final battle against Nidhogg, the relief and joy tempered by the work needed to care for the wounded and tend to the dead, to clear away the rubble of battle to allow passage and respite, proper rebuilding to come in the following months.

But also the impromptu celebrations, that relieved joy welling up until it could no longer be contained despite the losses, the freedom from fear an intoxicating sensation after so long. He smiled as he watched the Ala Mhigans find those feelings now, accompanied by their Eorzean cousins.

What began as military chow time turned into a feast, as locals joined in with what little they had, accepting relief packs from the Alliance even while sharing their stores of illegally hunted game, carefully hidden crops, dishes of surreptitiously collected salt, and of course, bottles of arak. It was a day of thanksgiving, excess could be excused.

A Gridanian Bard lifted a fiddle, joined by comrades across the Companies and a few of the community with a variety of instruments. Soon enough dancing began.

The Scions were spread throughout the crowds, working as tirelessly as ever, but someone pressed meals into Arenvald and the twins' hands, and gave Y'shtola and Urianger drinks. Aymeric heard Krile laugh, some of the strain of her own horrific experience lifting.

It took a moment to find a specific Scion, in emotional conversation with Lyse. Aeryn did not seem weary despite her exertions the day before—there had been a concerted effort to ensure their champion obtained several hours of sleep, and now she seemed alight with excitement as their talk moved from teary eyes to laughter, shoulders relaxing and toes tapping in time with the music.

Aymeric walked through the crowd with intent, but just before he arrived, another figure stepped up to the women. Aeryn's face lit like the sun as Thancred held out his hand. "May I have this dance?" he asked. He seemed far less assured than usual. Almost giddy, in fact, his expression mirroring Aeryn's.

She nodded in answer, and they skipped out to join the others gamboling in the open spaces.

A number of things clicked in Aymeric's mind at once. Of course. He was a tinge disappointed, perhaps, but it was understandable. Yet he couldn't help a smile at his friends' happiness.

"Thank the Twelve," Lyse said. "They may have finally figured themselves out. I was about ready to shove them both in a closet until they talked."

Aymeric laughed. "And 'tis likely you would have had help. Still, we cannot allow them to have all the fun. Commander?"

"Just the one," she said, taking his hand. "I've had a few other offers."

They joined the dancers, victory and freedom fueling their motions, while everyone pretended not to notice how two particular Scions danced liked there was no one else in the world.

[blissfulalchemist]

WIP Word Train and Last Line

Got tagged by @statichvm to do a little word train with various wips and then give the last line I've written which is Clídna centric. Tagging @shallow-gravy @adelaidedrubman @shellibisshe @chyrstis @voidika @florbelles @unholymilf @lasersinthejungle and anyone else that wants to! The word if you wanna do word train I bestow is SHIELD. Have fun!

Last Line:

“I do wish you’d reconsider our offer,” she grunts, “You wouldn’t be forced to fight, you could have a choice in what you do.” “And when it all comes tumbling down once more? What then?”

Word Train - SIGH

S - She hears the others begin to draw their weapons, senses the knight’s watchful gaze study them, hand moving to grab his own. “Clídna,” Clive warns, “I don’t think this companion of Shiva is as friendly as you are.”

She looks over her shoulder at them, frown forming, “Just….give me a minute. Maybe we don’t have to fight him.” When they lower their weapons she faces the knight once more. “Forgive them. They mean no harm. May we speak?” He remains silent but still looks down at her, Clídna feeling his yet to be seen weapon lower. “We are alike, you and I. Our wards blessed us with their power so that we may have yet another means to protect not only them, but others as well.”

----------------------------------

I - “I see. Well I can’t say I recognize the variation you were just teaching.”

Alma tilts her head, “You know Rosarian waltzes?”

“I know a great number of them.” His gold gaze falls back to Joshua, “Would you be opposed to me showing you the version I know, Phoenix?”

Prince Dion gives a knowing look that Joshua picks up on, offering up Alma’s hand, “I would not, so long as Alma does not oppose a change in dance partner.”

----------------------------------

G - “Go. I’ll catch up once I’ve treated their injuries. That includes you Stasia, help them find Lucia and her sister.”

Stasia gives one last glare to the man before turning on her heel, “Let’s head towards the ice field. If I were to run away from people that could harm me that is where I would go.”

“Once there we’ll split up, with you sticking by Siberite.”

She keeps quiet as the three rush towards the frozen river, splitting off with the warrior and Stasia going left. “You were pretty harsh back there,” Sib says, eyes scanning the ground for any trace of recent movement.

“It was the truth though. Their fantasies need to meet up with the reality around them. These people want to see their loved ones again and you lot have a way to make that happen, they just need to live to see it happen.”

----------------------------------

H - Her fingers lightly trace the design, “A lance and some kind of holy symbol maybe?” She traces a rough copy of the design into the ground without the lance, studying it, “But you’re right, nothing I can recognize past or present in the political world.”

“And you do know a lot more about that stuff than anyone.”

“Well we hardly touched on Meracydia during my studies, so it's possible it's from there, but hmm….” She brushes back some of his hair, tracing along his stubble clad jawline giving a frown, “Whoever did it ruined a really handsome face, probably been on him a long time.” Demos gives a small eye roll, Sib giving a quick glare, “Don’t judge me, I know you were checking him out also.”

His jaw tightens and arms cross at the accurate observation, “I assume you and Thancred are planning on inviting a third?”

She huffs, “Just help me flip him over. I’ll even let you search him for any additional identification.”

[paintedscales]

FFXIV Write 2024 :: Day Thirty

Prompt: Two Heads Are Better Than One Characters: Nomin tal Kheeriin, Tandem Chorus, Manaka Shimizu Word Cont: 975 Notes: What If Scenario

Master List

Curled and tucked away within one of the hanging chairs, Nomin relished the warmth of the fireplace within the Starry Garden. While she was not quite fond of making the trip into Ishgard, she found herself quite reliant on one of the staff members that worked there: a Raen by the name of Manaka Shimizu.

As it so happened, Manaka was Echo-blessed, and that was quite the valuable trait when it concerned the rise of any primal threat that might have shown themselves. Thankfully, ever since the threat of despair and ruin became naught but a whisper on the wind, these worries were mostly quelled.

A shuffle was heard, but there was barely a trace of aether to pick up on. Lifting her head, Nomin tore her attention from the dancing flames to the person who had just arrived. A hyuran man who seemed just a bit fatigued, his hair was pulled back into a loose bun -- likely for working the venue. There was a familiar sort of air about him, and Nomin could only lift a brow in contemplation as she adjusted herself further.

The man looked over, a slight look of surprise on his face.

“Hey, sorry… I didn’t disturb you, did I?” the man asked.

Nomin shook her head in response, adjusting herself further so that her feet were back down on the ground. Observing the man further in the limited firelight, she asked, “You…wouldn’t happen to have a sister, would you?”

“Huh?” the man’s attention flicked from the fire back to Nomin. “I, uh… Yeah, but…she’s in Hingashi for work. Why?”

“... I thought so,” Nomin replied. Her expression warmed a bit. “Her name’s Primam, isn’t it? I worked with her for a bit.”

The man’s expression brightened. Nomin, just like with Primam, could not readily pick up on his emotions like she could with people native to Etheirys. His aether was like a trickle, if that.

“Y-Yeah, that’s her! How is she?” the man asked, taking a seat close by in one of the armchairs. His attention was focused on Nomin entirely, eager to learn.

“She seemed in good enough spirits last we talked. Excited about the job we did since it meant getting some extra notes and pieces for the museum she works at,” Nomin briefly explained. “Granted, she did also say she wished she had a bit of your strength on our trip -- though her use of magic is quite awe-inspiring.”

“Heh…yeah, she’s always been good at that,” the man responded. He then held out his hand to Nomin in greeting. “Tandem Chorus, by the way.”

Another Garlean sounding name. Was that just the norm where they came from?

Nomin held her own hand out, shaking his. “Pleasure. Nomin tal Kheeriin; you can just call me Nomin.”

“Nomin, huh? Nice name.”

“Thanks, I picked it myself.”

This elicited a chuckle out of Tandem. He loosely laced his fingers together, resting his arms in his lap as he leaned forward in casual fashion. “It’s really nice hearing that it seems like my sister’s doing well. It’s… Well, thank you. We don’t get to see each other much since we can’t really use the aethernet.”

Nomin’s brow twitched upward. She supposed she should have expected that. She and Primam never had to use aether travel since Hingashi and Shirogane were just ferry rides away from one another. But then…that seemed to imply that Tandem took a moon long journey into Othard if he even went to visit at all.

But…it seemed evident that whatever was going on with Primam and Tandem was not like what was going on with Thancred at all. Primam was still highly magically potent -- and she was expecting that Tandem was as well. Meanwhile, Thancred needed someone like Ryne or Y’shtola to charge his rounds for his gunblade since he could not do it himself.

“That’s rather strange,” Nomin commented. “I mean, your sister just seemed…so very magically-inclined, it didn’t seem like attuning to and using the aethernet would have been an obstacle.”

“Hah, you’re telling me…” Tandem replied. “Actually, I had half a mind to save up and head into Sharlayan to learn more about aether travel since one of my co-workers brought it up. It’s something that I think Prim would be more taken to, but she’s been learning about other things in Hingashi that I’d hate to pull her away from.”

Tandem leaned back with a sigh. “Still, two heads would be better than one on that front, and my sister’s been a lot smarter than me when it comes to the application of magic.”

“Well, it’s not my place, but…” Nomin started. “Your sister’s saved my hide more than once during our trip together… I can see about speaking with someone to make your trip to Sharlayan that much easier if and when you decide to commit to it.”

“Oh, no, I…” Tandem brought a hand up to rub the back of his neck. “I mean, that’s really nice of you and all, Nomin… But…”

“Don’t be stupid and accept the offer,” came a sharp tone from above them. Manaka had been leaning against the railing up top, and was just now making her way downstairs. Her aether became much more apparent to Nomin as she descended. “It’s not every day you’d get an offer as good as that one. Especially from someone like her.”

“Hey, c’mon… I’ve been saving up to pay my own way,” Tandem refuted.

“And you’d be a fool to blow all those funds in travel and bunk costs with no way back, especially if you can’t secure funding. Sharlayan is an island nation, and you’ll be hard pressed to find work there that isn’t becoming a Gleaner,” Manaka shot back. “Unless you’re really good at swimming, I suggest you take an offer from the Warrior of Light herself.”

[dualcastimpact]

Finally got the itch to play and resubbed for November, and instead of continuing Dawntrail MSQ with Raginmar before 7.1 drops later this month, I'm speedrunning ARR with Valeria so I can join my friends next weekend for a Crystal Tower first-timer party. Why bother slogging through ARR to run it with Valeria when Fionn is right there in post-ARR? Because I'd never healed through an alliance raid before and I thought it'd might be nice to try with friends instead of with randos in roulette (laughs)

Also look at how pretty Valeria is!! Nothing like falling in love with your blorbo (again) to get you pumped about playing them.

Anyway.

I'm currently at the Little Ala Mhigo sequence with Valeria and going through the sylph questline for the nth time reminded me why Yda and Papalymo are arguably the least likable Scions for me. I've mentioned in another post how the game insists on making the player feel something for Moenbryda's and, to an extent, Papalymo's deaths despite not giving the player any chance to connect with either of them emotionally, and I think the sylph questline really showcases that latter part for Papalymo in particular.

The early segments of ARR goes like this:

The adventurer arrives in the city-state of their choice to begin their journey and, in the process of getting their feet under them, gets embroiled in events that demonstrate their heroism and main character syndrome in service of their chosen city-state.

Following those events, the adventurer makes a bigger name for themselves by going around the three city-states and dealing with problems local law enforcement can't be arsed to deal with (i.e. dungeons), which attracts the attention of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn.

Naturally, the adventurer cannot resist the main character syndrome call of adventure and they join the Scions, who elect to slowly ease the adventurer into what they do by sending them to deal with a primal threat head-on (see: Ifrit).

Then they send the adventurer to deal with another primal threat (see: Ramuh).

And then another (see: Rhalgr).

And another (see: Titan).

But wait, you say. The Little Ala Mhigo sequence doesn't have any primals involved! Sure, but only because it didn't work—Wilred and the other Ala Mhigan youths had planned to summon Rhalgr using crystals stolen from the Amalj'aa, and we know now from Myths of the Realm that the Twelve can in fact be summoned as primals, making this a primal threat nonetheless. The Scions just didn't know it at the time.

Excepting the Rhalgr questline with the Little Ala Mhigo youths (that you mostly handle alone), the Ifrit, Ramuh and Titan questlines act as introductions to the Scion members who accompany you as you deal with the primal threat: Thancred for Ifrit in Ul'dah, Yda and Papalymo for Ramuh in Gridania, and Y'shtola for Titan in Limsa Lominsa. It's an effective method of introducing them, for the most part! Thancred is shown to be knowledgable and resourceful, coming up with a plan to trap the criminal abducting people for the Amalj'aa. Y'shtola is proud and aloof (and for good reason!), disdainful of the Company of Heroes' antics and yet stepping up to the challenge of sending the adventurer into Titan's domain with nothing more than a weak kobold aetheryte and her own expertise on the aetherial flow.

Yda and Papalymo show up right when Komuxio was about to pass on the letter to the sylph elder from the adventurer, thereby rendering their entire efforts useless. The adventurer has already won Komuxio's trust! It was very nearly done! But then Yda and Papalymo come along, loudly proclaiming to all and sundry that they're envoys from Gridania and demanding that the sylphs not refuse them, for they carry an oath of peace from the Elder Seedseer herself, instantly raising Komuxio's suspicions. And then, when the adventurer is forced to win the trust of the sylphs again, Yda sunnily suggests the adventurer dance to endear themselves to the sylphs—as if they don't already know that!—while conveniently coming down with cramps in her legs that prevent her from dancing as well. Papalymo is equally patronising and useless in his advice for the adventurer to perform their customary do-gooder heroism and run errands for the sylphs to show goodwill, all while doing nothing himself.

The dynamic duo are equally useless at Buscarron's Druthers—it's the adventurer who goes in to speak with Buscarron, and runs an errand for Buscarron while the tavernkeeper keeps an ear out for news of the elder sylph's whereabouts, and investigates the double-dealing Laurentius at his behest. What do Papalymo and Yda do? Stand outside the tavern like fucking lemons. Useless. Not a smidge of investigating or detecting or canvassing to be done between the two of them. They swoop in right near the end of the sequence, when Laurentius has been dealt with and Buscarron has news of the elder sylph being sighted in the Thousand Maws of Toto-Rak—first to sanctimoniously correct little old Buscarron on how very important for big politics the elder sylph is, and then to order the adventurer to delve into the dungeon on their own lonesome to rescue the elder sylph while Papalymo tends to Noraxia's wound and Yda goes back to the Adders for "reinforcements".

In short, the sylph questline does indeed showcase Yda's and Papalymo's character—and they are nigh-unlikable in that they are condescending and dismissive and unhelpful. The questline doesn't show anything redeeming about them. Thancred has you infiltrate the Amalj'aa camp to retrieve information all by yourself, sure, but it was his idea to ensnare the kidnapper and he pretended to be vagrant refugee alongside you instead of leaving you to act out the plan alone, and it was he who liaised with the Immortal Blades to muster the forces to stop the Amalj'aa. Y'shtola is also condescending and dismissive and largely unhelpful—she didn't do a single thing to help you in your errands for the Company of Heroes—but she supported you in areas outside your expertise and she was the one who reported back to Limsa Lominsa that Titan's threat was no more. Yda and Papalymo don't even report back to Little Solace or the Twin Adder about your success! You had to update Commander Heuloix yourself! They don't help endear themselves to the sylphs, they don't help look for Frixio, they likely had no idea about Laurentius selling Wailer secrets to the Imperials, and they don't even liaise with the Twin Adder! It might as well have been a solo mission for all the good they were for!

And they expect the player to feel bad when Papalymo died? When Yda—in actuality Lyse—lost Moenbryda in post-ARR, and then went through her breakdown from losing Papalymo and subsequent character journey from post-Heavensward to Stormblood? But I digress—just like Moenbryda, the game doesn't spend nearly enough effort to make the player care for Papalymo like they did for Thancred and Minfilia and Y'shtola and fuck, even Tataru. The difference between Papalymo and Moenbryda is while the game didn't showcase Moenbryda enough likely due to time constraints (Moenbryda was introduced in post-ARR and they killed her off not too many quests later), the game absolutely flubbed Papalymo's character the one time it was perfect for them to showcase it.

Of course mileage may vary. Of course there are those who like Papalymo's character and enjoyed what little the game had of him and wished he didn't get shafted by the narrative. But for me, making me go through a situation where not only did he not contribute anything other than obnoxious pontificating but also actively set my progress back, it became very, very difficult to care much for him. Especially when the rest of ARR doesn't attempt to rectify that. When they don't try to show you more about him, to make you care about him enough that you would feel sad when he sacrifices his life to momentarily stall the dread primal Shinryu. Remember, his death is hearkened back to. It's one of the major events in post-Heavensward. Lyse keeps narrating her journey to distant lands to Papalymo. There's a sidequest involving his father in Endwalker.

But they do not make us care enough about him to warrant that level of pathos, and it all started with the Sylph-management quest chain.

[coffee--fiend]

The Star and the Storm

There was something so isolating about the stars that slept above Coerthas. The silent beacons flickered steadily, far away from the war-torn lands and innumerous lost souls wandering below, impassive observers to the countless tragedies ravaging the land.

‘An unfortunate trend this world is cursed to repeat, it would seem..’ Adhara’s ears fell as he sighed. Looking up at the mosaic of lights dancing above brought comfort, though. ‘So long as the stars shone above there would be a path forward..’ Or so he told himself. Even the heavens themselves hadn’t walked away from the last decade without their fair share of scars, as Menphina could attest. To think it could happen to the Lover, forever left to mourn her fallen hound below like any other mortal. It would be poetic if it wasn’t so disquieting. Would the stars also wink out in this lifetime? Would they too betray the steady promises of the past? He tore his eyes away from the sky with no small bit of effort. ‘It wouldn’t bode well to have an episode here, so close to the others. It’s not..’ His brow furrowed as he cut that thought off before it could be completed. This was his lot in life, regardless of how poorly fate had chosen. He would shame the brave souls who came before him if he broke here.

He turned his head just slightly enough to watch the others without giving away that he was paying them any attention. Noxis leaned carelessly against a scraggly tree, feet crossed over one another as he played a tune on the odd instrument he had called a harmonica. Alphinaud seemed to be intrigued at its design, even if none of his questions were being answered by the man in question. Fortunately for the boy, Gliese appeared to be filling him in on what details she knew after countless nights arguing with the viera to knock it off and choose a less offensive instrument. He exhaled, a small smile ghosting across his face as he watched their antics. To her credit, it was proof that the girl had been listening. Right now the last thing he wished to handle was their concern, not with his walls so close to tumbling down. His face fell as he once again found himself turning to the star’s silent regard in hope of an answer he knew did not exist.

Adhara had been named the Warrior of Light after the battle against the Ultima weapon, yet the title felt larger than he could ever live up to. He was just one man, and not even a particularly skilled one: mortal as any other, yet for reasons beyond his comprehension, it seemed the world looked to him as if he held all their answers, and all he could do in response was turn to the stars for the selfsame answers his betters believed him to have. He was a mere researcher, not some vaunted guardian of the star. He was, and would never be, someone special. That bloody mockery of a banquet was proof enough of his failures. He squeezed his eyes shut, dread washing over him at the mere thought of who was left behind. Minfilia, Thancred, Y’shtola, Papalymo, Yda.. Did they still draw breath? Were they rotting away in a dungeon somewhere within the belly of Ul’Dah, paying for his sins? The train of thought was interrupted when a warm gush of iron flooded his mouth. It would seem he had bitten his tongue as he mused yet again. Grimacing, he wiped his mouth with his sleeve and counted down from ten. ‘Best not render myself injured and a fool..’

When he opened his eyes, he was greeted with the sight of a snowflake drifting down in front of him. He watched it as it drifted, dancing in both the wind and the warm puffs of breath that came from him. A strange sense of melancholy washed over him as the snow drifted down in gentle flurries around him. Such a beautiful thing, yet so deadly. ‘They say that each and every snowflake is unique, born unlike any other. I wonder if the isolation hurts them too..’ Once more, he felt his ears fall alongside his spirits.

He wrapped his tail closer to himself, a weak mockery of comfort he was too cowardly to seek out. Comfort he knew he needed, yet.. was he really in a position to be so meek? Would that not only distress his companions further? He couldn’t afford to show such weakness, to lose his heart could very well mean he would be the reason the others fell. He stared blankly ahead as he considered his options, holding his arms close and saying nothing.

“Are you unwell, my lord?” Adhara jumped at the sudden voice, shaking a sizable amount of snow out from both his hair and tail at the motion. Arashi stared at him from behind that featureless helmet of hers, iron face forever clad in a grimace. The two simply looked at one another while his mind caught up to the moment, yet the moment it did he couldn’t help but sigh. How embarrassing. Of all his companions, she was easily the most stalwart. She was sure footed, confident in each and every action whether on the battlefield or off, and never so weak as to break down and sob. What he would give to share in that confidence, perhaps then he would finally be someone worth the titles heaped upon him.

The knight must have realized he was back in the present, as she cocked her head to the side and appeared to give him a once over. “It isn’t wise to linger so far from the fire, follow me.” She only motions at him, turning away to begin heading back to the now dim and empty campsite. He was unsure of how long he had been sitting there, gazing sightlessly at the falling snow, but clearly enough time had passed if the pile of snow atop his head was any indication. His joints popped in protest once he stood, adding even more evidence that he may not like the answer to that particular question. He fell into step aside her without comment, more than aware there was no defense to give for his actions. At least Arashi was kind enough to not call him out for the fool he apparently was.

He must have been getting distracted again, as the thud of wood dropping into the now roaring fire snapped him out of his reverie. He blinked at the flames as they danced wildly within their pit, shaking his head. In the fire light, he could make out that the knight appeared to still be watching him closely, guarding whatever thoughts and judgements she had deep within her psyche. His ears lowered slightly as a wave of shame washed over him.

“I suppose I just have a lot on my mind this evening, please forgive my carelessness. I can assure you it won’t happen again.” He sighs, looking at a collection of pebbles and twigs before him in favor of making eye contact with his companion. He only heard the sound of rustling armor in response. ‘Typical Arashi..’ he thought, with just the slightest inkling of frustration. ‘If I were even a fraction as calm and collected as she, perhaps the others would still be here. Perhaps Gliese and Alphinaud wouldn’t cry themselves to sleep at night.’ He dragged his claws through his tail, glaring hard at the ground beneath him. ‘Some Warrior of Light I turned out to be..’

“You shouldn’t blame yourself, you know.” His eyes widened when he heard Arashi speak up from her place poking at the fire. “A shield can only take so many blows before it breaks. Everything has its limits.” He looked up and noticed her gaze was set upon him now, a faint white glow shining out from the eye of her helmet not reflecting the blaze between them. “People.. warriors, are no different my lord.”

“I am no shield, though. Just some lost scholar playing at being a guardian. Regardless, I’m not bothered or blaming myself. I’m just.. thinking.” He huffed, resting his head on his knees and just staring ahead. He was not sure what exactly she meant by bringing up a shield, but he knew an effort to distract him from the truth when he heard it.

“Are you really any different, or is that merely your regrets speaking? Forgive me for my breach of station, but I am certain that in this you are gravely mistaken.” He simply sighed, lazily dragging his eyes to the knight sat across from him, before raising his hand in a non committal gesture.

“You know I don’t really care for that protocol nonsense in the first place.”

At that, he hears an amused huff from the knight. “Fair enough.” He hears her readjust herself, drawing his eyes to her once more, but what really catches his attention is her drawing the massive greatsword that lives on her shoulder and plunging it into the earth.

“Back when I first picked up this sword, my master at the time taught me that there are two types of warriors in this world: Those who save and those who slay.. those warriors who would become living shields and those who would rather become an animated sword. They might use the same tools, but their mindset is what determines who they will be with a blade in hand.” She grabbed the handle of her sword, drawing it from the dirt and holding it aloft so that Adhara could better examine it.

The massive blade was black as pitch, he had known that long before, yet looking at it bathed in the amber light against the backdrop of the snow gave it a new weight. It was steady and sure, and in an indescribable way, something about that felt.. almost aware. Of both what it was, and what it must do. A shiver raced down his back at the mere thought, and he looked back towards Arashi with no small bit of trepidation.

“My sword has seen endless battles in my hand, bathed in the blood of the guilty and innocent alike, without even a moment’s hesitation. It is the judge, jury, and executioner all at once. That is what it means to be a sword. A sword will never falter, she must always aim true or her mission will end in death, and the death of everyone she is fighting to protect.” She sheathes the large greatsword, looking back at Adhara in the dancing fire light once more. “You may fear that you too are a sword, Adhara, but you do not have that kind of edge. You can’t have that edge, not when you have ever been a protector at heart.”

He looks down at the ground once more, a series of doubts racing through his mind all at once. While he could admit that she was correct in his inability to be truly ruthless even when he ought to be, he still couldn’t quite accept this idea that he was some form of shield. He had only failed to protect his companions, time and time again: it was a miracle they had gone as far as they had with himself at the helm.

“If I am meant to be a shield, then I am a badly broken one.” He mumbled, picking up a pinecone and examining it in the light.

“My comrades- the other scions, that is, were captured and seemingly imprisoned or worse back in Ul’Dah. We don’t even know if they made it through the night of that damned banquet, all we know is that they stayed behind so that we could escape. Of everyone who fought that day, I am the only one to have returned.” He clenches the pinecone, crushing it with his fist.

“Had I stayed behind sooner, would they still be here? Would they be safe?” He tosses the broken pinecone into the fire and rests his head back on his knees.

“Had I broken, would they have lived?”

The two of them say nothing, for the space of a moment. The only sound between them being the soft crackling of the fire and whisper of the wind. A wolf’s mournful cry echoes somewhere to the south, lost to the blizzard.

“Is that not the price of war, though? You can’t save them all, regardless of how hard you try.” He looks back at the knight, about to refute her statement, when he sees that she is also staring hard at the burning pinecone within the flames. “They were shields too, and just like yourself, they had people they needed to protect or they couldn’t live with themselves. Can you truly look within yourself and say you would have done any different in their shoes?”

Adhara re-examines his companion in the fire light, seeing an entirely new side of this argument he had initially dismissed as ridiculous. Was it truly that simple? Could he really accept that there was no one person at fault for that bloodbath beyond their foe? He wanted to recoil at the mere suggestion, but to do so would be disingenuous to his friends’ memories. No, as much as it pained him to admit, Arashi could have a point here: Not that it would change the fact that he still failed, in the end. He sighs, looking back down at the pinecone as it crumbles into a pile of ash. “At least then, perhaps I could have done something useful.”

“They chose to stay behind so that you could live because your life meant something to them. Hell, you still mean something to them even if you hide behind this cowl of ignorance.. They look at you like you hung the stars themselves. Surely that is worth factoring into your assessment, my lord.” He looks back at his knight one last time, something warm briefly fluttering in his chest. Despite everything about it feeling like a mischaracterization of his situation, he couldn’t dismiss her out of hand. She had her point, although he had never even considered that she would pay enough attention to make it in the first place. He offered her a soft smile, ears flicking as he did. “You are kind to say such things, my friend.”

“I am no such thing, my lord. Just another knight offering a different perspective.” She sat back, crossing her arms and leaning against the same gnarled tree Noxis had been enjoying prior. “Regardless, this conversation has gone on long enough. It would seem we have attracted prying ears, after all.” She just barely nods her head behind him.

His eyes widen, and he snaps around just quickly enough to make out a spotted ear and a white braid speeding back inside their tent, followed by harsh whispering. He sighs. ‘Teenagers..’ Shaking his head, he looks back at his companion and offers her one last grin, this time truly genuine.

“Thank you.. I think I really needed that. Though, I still insist that you are kind; you can’t change my mind on that front. I’ll make a friend of you, just wait and see.” Although she is still wearing the same snarling helmet as before, he can feel her rolling her eyes at him.

“Whatever you say, my lord.”

—---------

Wrote a little thing featuring my sillies back in HW,, i love them so much aaaaahhh

[tsunael]

fic authors self rec

When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers. Spread the love ❤️

I was tagged by @myreia !! I don't have any published fics because I can barely call myself a writer. I just have endless wips that go nowhere.

If you're a writer consider yourself tagged.

—01. Something About Fray.

FFXIV | Tsuna + Fray Mature | body horror, gore.

-> Part of a HW fic that would include Tsuna letting go of inhibitions, and learning of the nature of her Fray in the process... and how he was never really there to begin with.

The pain in her head had moved southwind to burn a hole into her breast, as if her own heart had set itself ablaze square between her ribs and fanned itself with every breath. Weakly, she lifted her head to stare into the abyss.

—02. Peaches.

FFXIV | Tunasan Explicit | a rat eating a piece of fruit fucknasty waxing poetic style

-> A part of a much larger fic about the months Tsuna spent recovering in Sharlayan, and how they can't quite seem to stay away from one another now that it's all said and done.

She tittered behind her hand. “You would simply come through the window again regardless.” “– And you would do well to keep it locked, else a thief in the night may just steal you away.” He brought out her smile, though it fell rueful as her voice went soft, marred by a cynical edge that did not suit her. “After all that has happened…” She drew out a deep sigh before craning up to look him, her eyes, searching. “… I would welcome it.”

—03. Onto death.

Persona 3 | Akihiko Sanada + end game character Everyone | major spoilers for P3 -> Once upon a time I used to RP Akihiko.

“ I’m not afraid, ” he says onto death, softly, kindly.

—04. La bise.

Persona 3 + Persona 5 | Akihiko + Haru Okumura. Everyone | Spoilers for both games.

-> A hypothetical... time-skip situation that I used to enjoy thinking about a lot.

“ You look like you don’t belong here, Okumura. ” His words betray his expression, still rueful of this hypoxic environment.  “ ‘Guess that makes two of us. ”

—05. Rumour.

FFXIV | Tunasan + Aymeric mention. Everyone | haha yay🌈

-> The most guilty pleasure, self-indulgent GARBAGE of a fic that I would love nothing more than to read but I'm not talented enough to continue. Something about Tsuna getting invited by Aymeric to some ball.

Would totally include Tunasan being bitter, jealous exes, spiteful corset tightening, and height differences that are so ridiculous that dancing is actually impossible. Tataru (yay) and Emmanellain (derogatory) are also there.

“Jealousy, is it…?” Her painted lips hissed about the word but her resulting smile was sour at the edges. She slowly tilted her head sidelong in mute challenge. “How many years has it been, Thancred?” He licked his teeth as his eyes flickered at the corners. A mad glance at the wall told her all she needed to know. 

[likemosaic]

general chiyo headcanon dump regarding ARR + the post patch. tw for emetophobia mention. mild arr spoilers!

chiyo was resistant to joining the scions at first, especially due to thancred and her fear of men (which presented more as "leave me alone", resenting his persistent efforts to recruit her). he convinced her by having her meet minfilia (who encouraged chiyo to join and explained the echo), but chiyo had lingering "annoyance" (read: a big crush) towards thancred. until he was possessed, at which point she felt awful and repentant, and sincerely apologized for misjudging his character. they have a good relationship after that, depending on verse. with @windcovet's verse, they start dating after he's rescued and are currently still together, though in an open relationship that can be...turbulent, to say the very least. they still argue and can't agree on anything, but when shit gets real, they're there for one another.

during her time as a mercenary, chiyo acted as a shinobi and a bard to kill her marks, but not as a samurai, despite being trained as one as a child. she viewed what she was doing (taking contracts to kill less than reputable men) as unclean and not worthy of using her samurai blade for. after she completes the ARR quests for samurai going into heavensward, however, chiyo's childhood love for her blade is returned, and she gives up mercenary work to become a part-time samurai again with the scions.

though she was tasked with killing lord lolorito by teledji adeleji, chiyo chose to give up being a mercenary and to "go straight" just before the praetorium, having been positively influenced by the other scions. unfortunately, this meant that yugiri and the doman refugees suffered the consequences of that, when lolorito refused to accept them into ul'dah. though it was a blessing in disguise as they were able to go to revenant's toll instead. still, chiyo resents lolorito for it and blames herself, as always.

the sylphs were very impressed by chiyo's dancing (her having been a performer for many years) and call her "dancing one" as a result. they also tried to marry her to ramuh (read: temper her). she politely but firmly declined.

chiyo loves moogles and was mostly busy fawning over king moggle mog during the trial. useless bard.

chiyo taught yugiri and the other doman au'ra how to apply a linkpearl behind the horn properly, as when she arrived to the west, she had no one to teach her.

chiyo is obsessed with nanamo: she thinks she's incredibly cute and idolizes the sultana. she actually sleeps with a plushie of nanamo, though she keeps it a secret. her idolization is no secret, though, given her very evident fangirling everytime they interact.

chiyo was shocked that doma had rebelled and been crushed in her absence, as she had left doma years before; she blames herself and feels that if she had been there, she could've helped, though it's more likely she would've just died. during the rebellion, chiyo's ex-boyfriend was killed by a particular garlean, and it comes up again in stormblood. chiyo receives an echo of the event upon meeting yugiri but doesn't know how to decipher it until stormblood.

chiyo is terrified of water and threw up over the railing multiple times during the leviathan trial.

[nayci]

Tagged by the lovely @keldae. (I didn't forget about this I swear…)

Thing of note, I am an unashamed Canon x OC/Reader fan soooo take that for what you will. lol

3 Ships

Joshua Rosfield/Suraya Murdoch (Final Fantasy 16) These two have lived rent-free in my head and my soul since Final Fantasy 16 game out. Still waiting for it to come to PC so I can actually play it but I digress. Hasn't stopped my brain from coming up with something. Somehow their story ended up being childhood friends to lovers to boot. Normally I go for an older man, younger woman vibe. But for these two? It's reversed and it's wild and I adore it. Joshua being the inheritor of the Rosarian Duchy and Suraya being the adopted daughter of Rodney and Hanna Murdoch. So, the two of them inadvertently got pushed together during the early years since her father wanted her to get the most out of her upbringing, self-defense being a top priority along with her studies. Suraya was and still is incredibly protective of Joshua's happiness and hated his mother with a burning passion for how she treated all of them, even to her own detriment. That said, Joshua formed feelings first when they were children, but never had a chance to speak of them before the fall of Phoenix Gate. So it was years before anything could happen. Suraya on the other hand, never had a chance to even think about it until they were reunited, and she had to come to terms with the fact that her ten-year-old friend was no longer a boy, but was actually a young man determined to bring her the happiness and joy she gave him, should she wish it.

Vergil/Alya (Devil May Cry) These two shitheads have also been living rent-free in my head since 2019 and have given me at least five different massive fanfic reworks since then. And it continues to morph and change so I just keep flipping my desk over at this point. Anyway, for these two it was never an overt thing. They pretty much fell together without ever explicitly talking about it as neither was looking for a relationship. Behind the scenes Dante was over Vergil's bullshit, Trish and Lady were over Alya's bullshit, and Nero was like: fuck that I'm not getting involved, and watched from the sidelines with Nico who had a betting pool that everyone was in on much to the pair's annoyance after the fact. Either way, Alya wanted answers after her father was murdered and Devil May Cry is who ended up coming to her aid. To that end, it opens up a massive can of demons and angels. But those angels aren't your traditional light and loving kind. Having the upbringing Vergil had, or lack thereof after his mother's death, he was always wary about opening up again, and in many ways still is, but Alya takes it in stride. And for that, Vergil is silently grateful. In turn, he is her protector and rock, and a good listening ear. What he can't say in verbal words, he will say in written poetry. This is more of my status quo, older man, younger woman vibe, but with the added bonus of magic, demons, and a slow-burn romance.

Graha Tia/Khulan Noykin (Final Fantasy 14) Listen, when I got into Final Fantasy 14 back during ARR, me and my Warrior of Light didn't think too much of the Allagan cat boy. He was a friend, nothing more to her at the time, and while she did mourn for him when he locked himself in the Crystal Tower, she also understood. Plus, she was dealing with her own feelings for a certain rogue bard soon-to-be gunbreaker. It wasn't until Shadowbringers that Graha Tia came in dropkicking Khulan in the face, and Thancred being a complete ass didn't help. Khulan during this time saw much of herself in Graha Tia's willingness to die for a cause and hated it. Not him of course, but seeing a mirror of some of your faults is never a fun thing. As their friendship developed after defeating Emet Selch, it eventually became a dance around the subject of feelings. Graha never feeling like he was good enough for her and Khulan feeling the exact same way but of herself towards him. Everyone else saw it as it was blatantly obvious, but the events of Endwalker came before anything could become of it. Khulan ends up in a dark place during this time, almost robotic like her ARR self, but a lot more deadly than her early days of being just an arcanist. It's when she begins losing her friends that the walls around her heart begin to break, and Graha's sacrifice was the breaking point. When all of it was over and they were back home, the two of them start to explore something more as Khulan recovered from her fight with Zenos. Now, going into the events of Dawntrail, me nor Khulan know where this is going to go. But hey! it's a new adventure!

First Ship

We're going back to when I was but a small eight/nine year old child and loved Ash and Misty as a pairing. During this time I didn't know what fandom was or that people wrote fanfic and created art. So it was mostly me creating terrible drawings. Did I self insert into pokemon as well? Of course I did! lol

Last Song

"The Phoenix" from Fall Out Boy. I just discovered it after find a GMV for Final Fantasy 16. It was so good I had to find it in my Apple Music and is now on repeat. I regret nothing regarding my hyperfixation.

Currently Reading

"A Court of Thorns and Roses" by Sarah J. Maas. Yes I'm late to the game, but hey! I made it! Am I only on chapter 3? Also yes, but hey, I'll get throgh it eventually.

Last Film

I think it was Mission Impossible 3? It was on at work so it was just background noise.

Currently Craving

A vacation. A true, real, good vacation. Tagging anyone who wants to do it

[dainesanddaffodils]

Y’all uh. holy fucking shit I’ve finished Endwalker! So here we have the last (pre-Dawntrial) breakdown of Cimorene’s feelings on her friends and comrades!

Thoughts post-ARR | Thoughts post-Heavensward | Thoughts post-Stormblood | Thoughts post-Shadowbringers

And now, without further ado, Cimorene Greystone’s post-Endwalker relationship vibes!!

Estinien - after some awkward dancing around it - that everyone picked up on - they’re finally officially lovers (after he came to her room. you know the moment.) Cimorene truly loves everything about this ridiculous man, trusts and understands and respects him and knows he feels the same - but also neither is really used to a Conventional Courtship so currently things are a little touch-and-go as they figure out where they want to go moving forward

Alphinaud - her dearest and most beloved baby brother now and always. There is nothing more to say; he means everything to her.

Alisaie - her dearest and darlingest baby sister now and always. Deserves the fucking world and also A Break.

Thancred - the work friend to real friend pipeline kicked into high gear this expansion, though admittedly for a minute it was much more on his side than hers (and took her off guard when she realized how close he considered them). Now he’s a bestie and she cares deeply for him.

Urianger - you did it buddy! you got Cimorene to care about you! Maybe if, as you yourself point out, you’d talked to her before now it would have been sooner! Nonetheless better late than never and she looks upon you - and your relationship with Thancred - with fondness.

Y'shtola - bestie now and always. Cimorene loved getting to spend more time with her while dealing with the Thirteenth. She thinks her world-hopping ambitions are a bit Insane, but like, affectionately - and also if anyone could pull it off, it's her. She can't wait to see where she goes, figuratively and literally.

Krile - That's! Cimorene's! mom! She loves her very much and she is thrilled beyond words that she's going to be on their next adventure, properly. It's what she fucking deserves! (but also nothing is allowed to hurt her or Cimorene will riot)

G'raha - is a lot more chill with him now that he, himself, is a little more chill around her. I'd still say she considers him like a close work friend, but like, she's open to that growing down the line

Tataru - absolute fucking queen who 100% deserves her own trade empire. Cimorene has her back for anything she needs going forward

Vrtra - Cimorene loves him so so so much. Her strong attachment to Midgardsormr means that she met Vrtra and felt immediately protective of him (and he, in turn, of her). Conversely, however, she never feels… at ease around Varshahn because he constantly gives her Uncanny Valley Heebie-Jeebies, even though she knows it’s Vrtra. In spite of this she still cares deeply and would do anything for him.

Matsya - BEST BOYYYYYYYY full stop lmao

Nidhana - Cimorene is like, ever so slightly intimidated by her and her scientific enthusiasm but like, also not in a bad way. Cimorene's just not science-minded at all so half of the things she says go very much over her head. But she's so sweet that it doesn't really matter in the end

Hythlodaeus - i the player love him. Cimorene loves him. Cimorene’s Azem loved him. Most beloved of characters of all time methinks

Hades - Cimorene’s Azem’s relationship with him is that one post that’s like “ships that appear unhealthy but when you consider the two people involved this is actually the healthiest thing for them” and that colors a lot of how Cimorene interacts with him. Like this constant “fuck you” said with unbearable levels of affection.

Venat - Cimorene never, uh, fully trusted Hydaelyn and she feels really bad about that now lmao Venat is so good and Cimorene now holds her in such high esteem like. This woman is Everything.

Hermes - She feels bad for him... like, she does, really. But also. Your hubris, man. Your hubris. She watches him unintentionally orchestrate his and his world's downfall with such precision and is helpless to stop him and so it's never hate. it's not even pity. It's just a sad, tired resignation.

Meteion - baby girl you never asked for this. you just wanted flowers and candy apples and were instead given this man's depression and existential dread and an insane amount of unstable untested power. this wasn't your fault. like... it was, but Cimorene never blames her.

Themis - *DISTRESSED SOBBING*

Zenos - no amount of philosophical posturing is going to convince Cimorene that you have anything whatsoever in common - or even make you interesting to her. she does not think about you at all. leave her alone.

Zero - took all of 5 seconds for Cimorene to say 'this is my sibling now.' She's very protective of her but also is always worried she'll say the wrong thing while teaching her the World - and is glad others have also hopped in to help in that regard. Is so proud of her growth and her heart. Wants only good things for her now and always

… and that’s all she wrote!! This is kinda insane to think about really

See you all in Dawntrail!!

[headcanons-n-shit]

since there was already a prompt abt pining can i ask for hcs on how the ffxiv boys (+leofard?) would go about expressing their interest in a particularly dense wol? 😊

We do love a dense motherfuker

Thancred is fucjing suffering over here. He cannot possibly make his intentions any more obvious. The problem is that hes accidentally played himself-- hes spent so long disguising his feelings as jokes, or as ploys on missions, and now you just assume that his flirting and holding your hand and wanting to be in your space all the time is just what the two of you do. He ends up having to go all rose petals and sappy love confession under the moonlight like some kind of storybook love interest. Its so sappy, embarrassing, but its also so, so sweet.

Urianger is, unfortunately, painfully Sharlyan about the whole thing. He gives you nice paper, expensive ink, masterwork tools, intricate glasswear for your alchemy lab. Practical, highquality armor. A delicately embroidered handkerchief. He thinks hes being overly forward with his affections, you think hes just being a really good friend, yshtola would rather drown herself than watch the rest of this soap opera play out.

Literally what else does G'raha need to do to prove his devotion to you??? The man unwound time and unraveled space just to be by your side. He was practically your sugardaddy your entire time on the First. He almost, almost thought you were flirting back with him when you brought him food from the Last Stand, and then Alphinaud and alisae and krile trotted in behind you and it took every ounce of his Exarch discipline not to retreat with his tail between his legs. Pls this man is suffering.

Estinien literally can not. Look me in the eyes. This stinky dragoon has spent a good half his life behind an armet. He is a horrible mix of country bumpkin, career soldier, aymeric's half-assed attempts to pound courtly decorum into estiniens dumb empty head, and Nidhoggs instincts. He wants to cook you food, drag you into a corner and kiss you silly, send you flowers, and bring you something he killed with his bare hands. He ends up doing all four. Not necessarily in that order.

Aymeric is dying. You are going to be the death of him. He has gone through great pains to discover your favorite flower and have them always displayed in your room. He has written you letters full of poetry. He has showered you with gifts. He has invited you to dine with him. At this point the other nobles are asking whether its going to be a spring or summer wedding, and he doesnt know how to explain how you are still woefully oblivious bc he cant explain it himself.

Haurchefant gave you a LITERAL DOWRY. He handed you the reins to an extremely expensive war-trained black de chocobo in front of everyone whos ever mattered to him and also half of ishgard, and then he had to stand there dying internally while you praised him for being a "good friend". There are bets not on whether hes going to throw you over his shoulder and carry you to his room to. Ahem. Prove his devotions. But rather on how long it will take him to break.

Sidurgu. Barely has memories of the Orl traditions around courtship. His mother had often regaled him with stories of how she had courted his father. Food, presense and friendship, proofs of skill. And yes, it frustrates him that you seem to brush off his attempts, but. Well. It took almost five years for his mother and father to get together, from the way they told it. Hes learned a lot for your sake, and for rielles. He can learn patience too.

Leofard is a pirate. He doesnt dance around the bush, he strikes when the metal is hot and takes what he wants. It works well with garlean airships and the odd unfortunate merchant. Not. So much with you. One, because your consent and emotions are important to him. Two, because you are so. Fucking. Dense. He steals silks and jewels and fancy foods for you, spends time with you, saved your life from diabolos, told you his sad life story. Hes one step from throwing himself at you like some fainting dame, and its embarrassing.

(Hes not gonns stop tho)

[dragons-bones]

FFXIV Write Entry #30: Denouement

Prompt: amity || Master Post || On AO3

A/N: I'm a little sad I have to break my streak of "tear out my readers' hearts" with my last prompt fill of the challenge, but alas, the prompt just did not at all work with the idea seed I had on the backburner. Ah well, always next year! Instead, we come full circle. :)

--

Were he still a wet-behind-the-ears sixteen-year-old, Alphinaud imagined he would probably be crediting himself for the sight before him.

Synnove’s yard was crammed with tables and chairs dragged from her house or hurriedly purchased from the carpenters at Red Rooster Stead, arranged in such a way as to ensure the riot of color that was her garden remained relatively unscathed. The core of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn were all present—himself, Alisaie, Thancred, Y’shtola, Urianger, Estinien, Krile, Tataru, G’raha, and the four Warriors of Light—and not for the first time, he stifled a giggle at the sight of half their number all bearing white hair. Rereha had a point that they seemed to collect them, particularly after they practically bullied Estinien into joining.

(A pang throbbed in his heart; he missed the acerbic wit of Papalymo, and wondered how the thaumaturge would have gotten along with their newer members.)

There were Hoary Boulder and Coultenet, and Ochre Boulder and the Cockburne sisters, and Riol and F’lhaminn. There were former Scions, too—Lyse, of course, currently engaged in a three-way push-up competition with his sister and Dancing Heron, but also Arenvald and J’moldva and V’mah, cheering them on.

It was the ones who had never been Scions that were the most astounding guests.

Ser Aymeric was the least surprising, though at one point in time he might have been the most shocking one to see, considering Ishgard’s self-imposed isolation. He sat next to Synnove, the pair of them each with a carbunclet on their lap, the both of them deep in discussion with Thancred, Lucia (on a brief leave from the Ilsabard Contingent), Hilda, and Raubahn Aldynn. Nearby, Synnove’s aetherophysics advisor from her student days, Mhaslona, and Admiral Merlwyb presided over the large pit in which the food for the clam bake was cooking, the Admiral not hesitating to shove Ivar away with her foot whenever the ruby carbuncle came over to try to burrow into the coals.

At another table, Nanamo Ul Namo, Kan-E-Senna, and Rereha were introducing Lord Hien to Tonk; Alphinaud wasn’t sure who looked stranger to his eye in such casual dress, the Sultana or the Elder Seedseer. Perhaps the Seedseer; Kan-E wasn’t quite as focused on the cardgame, half her attention given over to a discussion with the Scion mages and Y’shtola keeping her wineglass topped off. And it looked like Nanamo and Rereha were using Kan-E’s distraction surreptitiously teaching Hien either how to count cards or how to quickly reshuffle the draw deck, with the Doman king’s shoulders shaking with laughter.

Alakhai, Estinien, and Yugiri in a knife-throwing competition was probably the least strange sight today.

From his place perched on the fence surrounding the yard, Alphinaud smiled and shook his head. Once, he had thought he had all the knowledge and answers to solve Eorzea’s problems; surely all the city-states needed was to be led in the right direction. His direction.

The arrogance of it.

“What’s got you so maudlin?”

He glanced over and smiled at his twin, who smiled back even as she easily hauled herself up onto the fence next to him.

“The arrogance of youth,” he drawled.

Alisaie snorted, and looked out over the yard. As always, he didn’t need to explain further for her to grasp what he meant; he dearly wished she would give herself more credit for her perceptiveness. “Well, it’s not like we played no part in the fate of the star,” she said.

“True,” Alphinaud said. Without thinking about it, he began tapping out a rhythm against the fence board with his heels. Alisaie joined in a moment later. “And it certainly it turned out far better than we ever dreamed.”

“I can’t believe the Sultana cheats at cards,” Alisaie muttered.

Alphinaud stifled a giggle. “I can,” he said. “She’s always had a bit of a devious streak.”

“And Rereha and the Admiral carefully cultivated it like an orchid in a hothouse.”

There was no stopping his laughter at that.

It wasn’t correct to say that everyone here was the dearest of friends, but the ease with which they all let down their barriers spoke of their mutual respect, that this time was an opportunity to rest and enjoy the fruits of all their labors. It had taken work to get here: Eorzea united, truly united, for the first time in their history, Ala Mhigo and Doma freed from the Garlean yoke, the Ascians gone with Zodiark and Hydaelyn and the Final Days.

And what better way to celebrate than with an old Scion tradition of gathering for food and drink and good company? The Final Days were averted and, most importantly, all four of the Warriors of Light were now declared fully hale and whole, no longer under the baleful eyes of the Sharlayan healer corps.

They were the true lynchpin to this wondrous gathering, the Warriors of Light. Everyone here had played some role in where they all were today, but without the four women around whom they orbited, would they have done it at all? Would they have defeated Gaius van Baelsar, or ended the Dragonsong War, or freed Doma and Ala Mhigo, saved the First, saved all of existence from the grief and loneliness of the Ancients echoing through time?

Alphinaud didn’t think so. It was their tenacity, their compassion, their utter ridiculousness, that truly brought all these people together and gave their star hope for a better future. Not that he’d be able to convince the four of them of that.

Well. Maybe one of them, though even she was more likely to merely play it up for humor rather than actually believe it.

“Oi, Alisaie! Bunny!”

Speak of the devil.

“Not that name,” Alphinaud groaned. It had been years since that accursed nickname had been leveled on him.

Rereha cackled as she bounded over to them. “Baby bunny,” she said, sing-song, “your hair is the same color as the loporrits’ fur. Your favorite color scheme for clothing is the same as theirs. You are ‘bunny’ forever!”

Alisaie threw back her head and laughed as he dropped his face into his hands. He took it all back, at least about Rereha Reha. She was a menace to society and it was a miracle she hadn’t incited an international incident by sleeping with the wrong person.

The pink-haired lalafell reached out with both hands, grinning. Alisaie took her right hand with a matching grin, and Alphinaud let out a put upon sigh—feigned, of course—but took Rereha’s left. Rereha tugged gently, and the twins hopped off the fence, letting her drag them across the yard as she skipped backwards.

“We’re putting a handicap on Heron for the push-up contest,” she said, “and we need both of you for it!”

“Why not just use Tyr?” Alphinaud said.

“Heron still has some limits right now, and Healingway will kill her if she exceeds them.”

Alisaie snorted a laugh, though Alphinaud was certain Rereha wasn’t exaggerating.

As they traversed the length of the yard to the corner where Heron and Lyse were, a flash of iridescent blue caught Alphinaud’s eye. He turned his head to follow it.

A small flock of bluebirds, each with a pair of long, graceful tailfeathers, were flitting above the yard, one with a sunflower bloom in its beak, and if he didn’t know better, he would have assumed they were playing a game of keep-away. The birds twirled and danced through the air before winging their way to perch on the lowest hanging branch of the oak tree in Synnove’s yard, from which hung a swing that currently played host to a napping Galette. The bluebird with the sunflower was in the middle of the flock, and even from here, Alphinaud could see her sharing the seeds with her sisters, as birdsong joined the chorus of chatter and laughter in the yard.

Alphinaud grinned as he followed his sister and their friend, and wondered what new adventures—and new friends—awaited them all on the morrow.

PREVIOUS || FIN!

[eriyu]

Ehryu Raav

B A S I C S

Name: Ehryu Raav (don't mind that all the paperwork spells it "Ehriyu") Nicknames: Yu (to her family only) Age: 26 (at the beginning of ARR) Nameday: First Sun of the Second Umbral Moon Race: Keeper of the Moon Meracydian Miqo'te Gender: Female Orientation: Bisexual, greyromantic Profession: Adventurer :)

P H Y S I C A L     A S P E C  T S

Hair: Bubblegum pink, 2A, medium-long Eyes: Right: light blue. Left: light purple, pinker after rejoining with Ardbert Skin: Medium-light grey Tattoos/scars: No tattoos, miscellaneous scars (a couple from Endwalker, the rest from when she was younger and half her friends weren't absurdly accomplished healers)

F A M I L Y

Parents: Kinoh and Tavh'li :) Siblings: She's the oldest of five! There's Dyaala (1 year younger), Yuhl (6 years younger), Mhet (7 years younger), and Kinoh'a (10 years younger = the twins' age). Grandparents: ...around, I'm sure... I have vague ideas of a large extended family, but they're staying vague until I know more about her home. In-laws and Other: She's adopted the twins as additional little brother and sister if that counts. Pets: Her family had miscellaneous creatures around when she was little, but none of particular note. I don't think chocobos are considered pets.

S K I L L S

Abilities: The big (obvious) ones are fighting, singing, playing instruments, and dancing. Is "inspiring people" an ability? Beyond that she's a jack of all trades — loves picking up every skill she can, but doesn't usually dedicate enough time to them to become a master. Hobbies: Again, everything she can get her hands on, at least briefly. It's a bit difficult to categorize things separately as "hobbies"... like she doesn't really put aside time to do certain activities; she just starts going in a direction and keeps going until she stops lmao.

T R A I T S

Most Positive Trait: Selflessness :) (alternatively, unflagging optimism) Worst Negative: Selflessness (: (alternatively, failure to think things through)

L I K E S

Colors: Years ago, Yuhl told her that purple was "her color" and she ran with it, but honestly she loves all sorts of bright colors. Hot pink and yellow are up there. Smells: Grass, and rain. Streets full of different kinds of restaurants. Fresh laundry. Textures: Silk. Grass again. Marble. Not a whole lot that she dislikes, though. Drinks: Water with lemon or mint. Anything she's never had before. Whiskey.

O T H E R    D E T A I L S

Smokes: Nah, zero interest in it. Especially since she values her voice so much. Drinks: Socially. She'll enjoy getting completely trashed on special occasions when she's quite certain the end of the world isn't nigh. Drugs: Anything with significant health effects is off the table immediately, but she could be tempted to try anything that's fairly harmless by a friend. It's also possible that she and Thancred got super fucking high on their first trip to the Great Work due to a slight miscommunication about dosage differences between Arkasodara and smaller races... Mount Issuance: Her black chocobo and Argos are canon. Other MSQ-relevant ones like Maggie and the Yol are still around but probably not really "on call." Everything else is nebulous. Realistically does she own a flying car? Probably not. Can I still say she loves blasting the stereo on the Regalia? I sure can!!! Been Arrested: If she managed to avoid it from the bloody banquet all through Heavensward, I'm gonna say she's avoided it everywhere else too.

Tagged by: Nobody, I stole it from a long-dead blog :)

Tagging: @gatheredfates @lilbittymonster @tallbluelady @starrysnowdrop @calico-heart @nhaneh @wildstar25