#and i have to thank a lot of it to ffxiv in more ways than one T___T that game really is the epitome of Not Just A Game for me

[fatedroses]

So I’m a new follower and I’ve been going through your adventurer zenos tag because I’m loving the idea a lot! But I don’t really know the history behind it. I’d love to know how you started thinking about it and would love to know how Xenia’s relationships with the WOL and the scions developed if you don’t mind me asking? Again im loving your art a lot!!!

First of all thank you for the follow and the ask, anon, and I'm always so happy to hear people are enjoying my art, and my goofy bits of theorycrafting, headcanoning and/or story writing- how ever people want to see it as. BUT- this has also unironically been stuck in my brain since the end of EW:6.0 (I was stuck with the zenos brainrot the moment I saw him at the end of heavensward v-v), and also because among my friend group Zenos is adored, so we end up chatting about this kind of stuff a lot. So, it is time for me to now yap here, beware some spoilers for both Endwalker and DT, and a very long post:

To be honest, the reason I ever even started thinking about it was just seeing Zenos' capacity to change as a character and him unintentionally helping people by just existing in some cases (the scene with Alisaie in Garlemald and the fact that he went to Krile for help so he could help us- reason aside- comes to mind mainly in regards to him changing, even if there are tidbits a bit earlier as well). And, that him imposing his help upon the WoL and the Scions is what I personally consider the most likely course (and I simply sit here and cope lmao I also just really want a minion of him eventually) if he was to return from the Ultimatum. 6.2-6.5 also added to it with both the mentions of him from Zero, the flashback of him over the handshake, and that I personally also saw Durante and Golbez's relationship as an analogy to Zenos and WoL (not helped by the fact that in EN Durante/the knight in black speaks in Zenos' cadence and uses the same armored talking animations but that's more on the meta side of it). I spent a lot of the time I put aside for character research being fascinated by his psychology and how he could grow, even if I will admit by now that what I have as his baseline is a bit of a house of cards, especially in things like his interests, or later potential interests. I base a lot of them off of the concept that he takes after Solus/Emet-Selch far more than is actually narratively stated or even implied, or from filling in the gaps of information with the possibility that implied information was not intentional/meant to be used in the way I use it. For example Varis exiling the theater ship was to get rid of something Emet cherished and for the sake of his own narrative, but something Zenos may have showed interest in too, only based off of how similar the theatrics Emet and Zenos use.

-

Now, as for his relationships, especially with the WoL (Meteor, default man in my case, its mainly because I ADORE the challenge and the experience of what we have as WoL's baseline due to, you know, the constraint of this being a linear narrative mmo lmao, as well as trying my best to stay canon compliant as possible when it comes to the scions' interactions) I write as starting off being exceptionally one sided. It comes from the idea that Zenos either gets himself out of the bubble (because it seems to be implied that this man cant actually return to the lifestream, and therefore can't perma-die, ironic to his character motivations) or with DT, shit goes so far south that we have to use the interdimensional chalice for his help, and that either way they're just kind of stuck with him thereafter. But I'll break it down because it's something that I've worked on writing, but haven't had the chance to draw out quite yet for some of what I'll talk about.

Meteor: It is no surprise that after the Telopheroi towers and Garlemald, on top of what happens during In From the Cold and the moon- that WoL goes from their more neutral, rivalry-leaning stance on Zenos, to pure anger and/or hatred. And this lets me write the dynamic between the two that is Meteor trying to move forward, trying to accept this change seeing Zenos try to help, and Zenos trying to pull away knowing at his core that he boned himself over ruining whatever unspoken trust they had, and given his position, not knowing if something like that could ever be mended, (and not quite knowing how to cope with even the idea that the man he cares so deeply about and kinda looks up to, might detest him just like how Varis did.) Overall it also just comes from the idea that these two overcoming any of their hurdles with each other suddenly makes them into the most terrifying duo, especially since I write Adventurer Zenos as a tank that will just eat all the damage so Meteor can be a stupid little shit with all the sharp objects he has at his disposal.

The Scions: So, imagine this giant super soldier is suddenly alive and in front of you again, offering to help/to learn to adventure for the plan of trying to see joy in this world. And you, knowing that he is right now the world's enemy, the one pinned with everything that happened during the final days, understand that it is highly unlikely that you or the others could reasonably kill him or imprison him for any meaningful amount of time. BUT, you can try to guide him on a better path. Begrudgingly, so that all that shit never happens again. That is what I have the scions stuck with, starting with the twins, then estinien and the students, and finally the wine trio. He doesn't apologize for anything, but he does also do whatever you ask, and overtime he starts (oh no) taking the same liking to the others that started with Meteor. The Scions are who I primarily use to explore the facets we've seen of his character, his protectiveness and the "rivalry" I write between him and Thancred, his curiosity and working alongside the Students and Urianger and Y'shtola, exploration and trying to understand the world better with Estinien, and him learning to connect with others through the twins, especially Alisaie who I imagine him kind of latching on to after she "helped" him, in his eyes.

All and all, adventurer zenos at its core is just what I personally see as his natural character progression going forward, spawned purely from my own curiosity of seeing his archetype of character in the position of having one last chance, and based off very extensive character research that started, honest to god, from me trying to just figure out the scenarios I wanted to draw him in that spiraled very very out of control lmao.

[astrxealis]

okay rambles but i started creatively writing in like ... 5th grade? and. oh god just a little encouragement to anyone looking to get into writing or insecure or whatnot, but HELLS, maybe it's to he expected with my (obviously) very young age and inexperience with writing then, but my writing was really. yeah. Yeah. but then i'm what... a lot older now, obviously, and my writing has gotten leagues better. i'm probably not a good example for this bcs childhood years development stuff are different etc etc BUT practicing writing more and whatnot really does go a long way :]

[madbrake]

Finished Ratatoskr!

Ratatoskr was one of the tricker members of the first brood to draw since there are only three images of her officially associated with ffxiv and two of those are very stylized. I added design notes and thoughts below the cut for anyone curious. They're nothing too crazy since a lot of her design is very similar to other members of the first brood, but I did think about her a lot while working on this piece and wanted to share where I pulled a few elements.

As a base, I gave Ratatoskr the spikier build of Nidhogg and Tiamat based on those images but with some modifications to to match her image in the first brood concept art:

As a result, she has fewer horns and spikes than Tiamat or Nidhogg. The spines along her back are thinner than her siblings’ also to match the concept art and to make her feel a little closer to Midgardsormr.

I also wanted to keep the thick frill(?) of reverse scale plating around her neck from her concept art because it reminded me of Vishap’s more literal neck frill. I liked the idea that some descendants of the first brood might have incorporated elements of her form into their own evolutions. It didn't end up appearing as prominent in my drawing because I had a little trouble wrestling with proportions and the neck bend, but it's there! In pervious drafts I gave her frill identical to Vishap's but I had a little trouble getting it to feel like it fit her design so I stuck with thick scales instead.

Her head shape was based directly on the two stylized images of her from the game. I really enjoyed the strong shape of these. It felt almost shark-like to me:

I don’t usually include other characters or props to my first brood drawings, but I wanted to add the moogles after thinking about Ratatoskr’s history, her dungeon, and her Encyclopedia Eorzea entry which describes her as a bearer of dragon songs and one of the friendlier dragons. I like the think the moogles loved to complement her songs with their own instruments. Working on this piece as a whole made me really appreciate Ratatoskr and legacy all the more and I'm eternally sad that we'll (likely) never get to meet her in game. I think she would have been a wonderful friend. Her design is a little non-standard for a child of Midgardsormer in small ways, but I feel like she was probably a little non-standard as a traveler, songstress, and friend to man.

Lastly I want to give a little shoutout to the site Tales from Dragonstar which was put together by @/ahzuvi-txt and which made my reference hunt a ton easier. It has a lot of wonderful information about the dragons of Eorzea. It's also got an interesting guide to dragon language that I want to dig into soon. I definitely recommend checking it out!

Thanks for reading! Bahamut will be my next and final first brood piece to cap this series off. :)

[robobarbie]

I'm sorry to bother you, but I was just wondering if you have any advice on bringing a character concept into a consistent, compelling character. I have so many character concepts, but I always struggle with giving them unique, consistent identities and voices, and you're so great at that. Thank you so much for creating such wonderful stories!

u r too kind to me. i am no expert, but this is generally my strategy when i'm writing/creating characters:

Remember that characters are more than stereotypes. If I'm making an FFXIV player who loves to shill, I'm not going to make shilling all that he is. That's how you get one-note characters that get a little boring. I try to picture a three dimensional personality that fits around that, even if all parts of it aren't used in text. Like, if I picture all the people who have shilled FFXIV to me over the years, what do they have in common? Quieter IRL, a bit tired of bullies, bad eating habits, etc etc.

Find a way to connect it to something you're familiar with. You write what you know best. If your character is an architecture student, but you know nothing about it, do some research about the field while also connecting that love of architecture he has with a love you might have for something else. You'll be able to write about his love for it more believably if you're tying it to something else you yourself adore.

Life hack: base the character on a person you know in real life. When you base characters off of characters that already exist, I think you run the risk of it not feeling authentic (but that's not always the case). The entire cast of BP was based on a server I was in ages ago -- the characters weren't carbon copies of the people I knew, but those people were good reference points for typing style and initial personality quirks for them all.

Find the fine line between similar characters and emphasize that. Felix already gets a lot of comparisons to Onionthief (deservedly so) but we're making them distinct in the following ways: Felix is colder, Onionthief is less mature, Onionthief is bullied more often in chat than Felix is, Felix is quieter, Felix is less judgmental of mistakes, etc. You find those deeper details that really separate characters and create... well, back to point #1. You create three-dimensional people that could exist in real life.

Edit to add: talk a lot to strangers. You will learn a lot about the variety of people in the world, and the way they interact realistically, if you brave the world and meet new people.

ramble over

[kotias]

2024 fic roundup

Thank you @eybefioro for the tag!

Well well well, end-of-year check-up, huh!

What fandoms do you write in?

Oof. I'll do the exhaustive list + the 2024 list specifically.

2024 list:

Good Omens

Deadpool / Marvel

One Piece

Exhaustive list since my beginnings in 2005, in addition to the above:

Dragon Ball

Eyeshield 21

Harry Potter

Naruto

Avatar: the Last Airbender

FFXIV

How many words have you published in 2024?

Published? Damn it xD

Okay, so, I'm going to gratuitously add the words for an epic secret project, as those will be published for 2024 hehehe.

I will not count the CYOA into the mix, as it is not representative of the actual amount I wrote; I did write a few bits, but in the grand scheme of that collab, I pretty much wrote nothing.

96,881 words!

To which I'm adding around 20k words for the epic secret project, so this leads us to a total of... 116,881 words!

Well, fuck, that's a lot.

/oggles at her WIP folder with 200k+ words of WIPs

I'll also link this slightly different count I did in September.

Hum. Guess I know how much I'll have for 2025 huh :D

What is your greatest achievement this year?

Second greatest: getting properly back into writing.

After 8 years of writing slump keeping me at a tiny 3k words a year, this is simply unbelievable to me that I'm sometimes able to churn out that much in a single day.

First greatest achievement:

The epic secret project that you will hear all about very soon. I loved working on it and seeing it take such vibrant colours and life. It is my baby, and I am feeling genuinely sad that we are reaching the end of this project.

What are your favourite top three fics you wrote this year?

Warzone , a Poolverine fic (Marvel, Deadpool & Wolverine). Summary:

Being a mutant sucks, sometimes. Sometimes, your cells will battle one another to the death, leaving you sobbing in your bed. Or out of it. Fully naked, in the middle of Blind Al's living room.

I really had a lot of fun working on it; this is the ultimate fic format to me, it has hurt/comfort, fluff, domestic bliss, smut, and becomes a songfic. If you want to read something that has my writing identity all over it, this is the one.

Dance Our Night Away , an Ineffable Husbands fic (Good Omens), inspired by @gleafer 's art. Summary:

1944, 29th of February - leap year. Crowley and Aziraphale are invited to a ballroom dance party, and will dance- but angels don't dance, do they?

A light fic, just dancing together in a ballroom on some Frank Sinatra, was is there not to like?

My Arum Lily , an Ineffable Husbands fic (Good Omens), written for gcaledonian on the @goodomensafterdark subreddit. Summary:

Hoowee, laudanum! Last time Crowley does that!

This is 8k words of indulgent porn, I cannot say more than that, because the plot does not exist. This was written for gcaledonian over 2 months in a group chat we shared, advancing with each new prompt she gave me, until I decided I was done.

I then decided to do her a surprise: I had it beta'd, and had 7 remarkable artists do art to illustrate it.

This is The Cemetery Porn. If you like muttonchops, wings, cemetery sex, this is the fic for you.

What was your biggest pit of despair moment?

The goddamn epic secret project that I can say nothing about yet!! It has been so important to this year to me that I simply cannot not talk about it in every way. This is a crazy adventure that brought me to the greatest highs and weirdest lows, but holy shit you guys, it is gorgeous.

What have you learned?

I have learned that by being indulgent, I get other people to be indulgent with me. /whispers epic secret project

It is crazy what I managed to do, genuinely, and I still have a very hard time processing the fact that I managed to pull so many crazy people in my crazy projects. It's just... wow. Thank you, whoever is reading this and recognising yourself. I love you so much.

What fic did you want to do but never made it off the ground?

Pièce Montée, a Sanji/Pudding (One Piece) fic. I'm not letting it go, it's kinda taking the dust here but I'm keeping it alive with some strong CPR, don't worry, it's alive, I'll do something with it hahahahahahahaha

Did you beta any fics? Any favs you want to shout out?

I'm not the best at doing it; after a while, I just... lose concentration and forget to continue.

But, I beta'd for a while this fic: What Have I Lost? it is very good, very worth the read if you haven't!

What ideas are percolating for next year?

Oh wait, let me pull out my fic folder spreadsheet...

Okay, let's go.

Continuing Sheltered Scars, a tattoo AU for the Ineffable Husbands (Good Omens), where Crowley is a new tattoo artist arriving in London, and Aziraphale is an art gallery holder who is a war veteran. I'm very happy with the concept, but have a hard time concentrating long enough to continue, I have to get back to it.

Continuing the edits on Down the Path of Sin, co-written with @daneecastle in a huge-ass RP and that will be added to the multiverse of her Reversed Veil of Worlds. So proud of what we did with it, it's an epic story deserving to be out there.

Writing the Ineffable Rockstars AU fic planned out with @daneecastle , @elenthyaolyenths , @vavoom-sorted-art ; expect around 15k words of it, and it's going to be so great :D

According to my spreadsheet, I should get back to Pièce Montée (see above) and to Tanabata, an Eyeshield 21 fic project that is set 10 years after the end of the story of the manga.

Those are the active WIPs. Now for the plot bunnies running havoc in my brain and waiting for an out...

Miscellaneous fandom (whichever will inspire me to make it happen): University AU - outgoing student officer x professor. This is a pure catharsis fic idea, as I'm an outgoing student officer in a university and sometimes I just need the out.

Deadpool & Wolverine fandom: Streamers AU - Logan with his headset that has like cat ears on it, his streamer name is LHowlett, but his gaming name on any platform is Wolverine. Has a daughter (Laura) who helps him out on raids, but despite his older age, he's clearly an absolute beast at gaming. People follow him because he's got a foul mouth, an absolute jerk to his friends but somehow the sweetest sweetheart when they pick up a new one on party finder- so basically, a golden mentor to new people. The X-Men are his raid party. One day, somebody is missing and they go on Party Finder to get somebody for the empty slot, and stumble on Wade. Logan complains the entire time because Wade isn't a very good listener (annoying for a raid lead) and an absolute chaos gremlin during the raid, but the stream watchers see him chuckle silently and grin for the entire session and soon enough start demanding to see that Dead Pool guy again.

Deadpool & Wolverine fandom: Consequences of the Time Ripper, they swapped and regenerated from the time ripper into each other's bodies, then swapped back pretty quickly but that was weird huh. And then it happens again. And again. And again. And they're very confused as to why, especially as it feels like random times, like they're just watching a movie and Wade bumps a foot against Logan and SWAP - I can imagine the thing feeling like a hiccup that continues for too long and after the 6-7th swap they're just "OH COME ON"! And like any good soulmate story, this finally stops when they get their shit together and finally become a couple and put the label on it. Aka: a 5 times/1 time, like "Five times Wade and Logan body swap, and one time they understand why"

Deadpool & Wolverine fandom, longfic, outlined: Baby Mine, Wade and Logan are looking to adopt; but with their situation and appearances (gay mutant couple, with strange schedules and Wade looking scary to humans), no agency really gives them a chance. One day however, Vanessa calls them, asking if they're still looking to adopt. One of her friends was found dead in her apartment, leaving behind her young baby. They do adopt the girl, and call her Ellie. Fic centered around Ellie's birthdays and other big life events as she grows up.

I... I think that should make up for most of my 2025 year.

Who do you want to thank?

Damn. Where do I even start?

First, thank you to @daneecastle for bringing me into a community that allowed me to meet so many people it was almost overwhelming. I never had so much of a feeling of a community, never met so many fandom people and I have you to thank for it, love.

Then of course comes @goodomensafterdark that brought so many good things to me, such a vibrant and beautiful and gorgeous community, I love seeing it thrive like it is. As a result, thank you to @vavoom-sorted-art for yelling loud enough in my ears about that community to push me to slide into it during the angst war.

I also have to thank all my fellow writers and artists working so hard and so diligently on that project. Thank you all so much, you do not realise how honoured I am that you all trusted me with it. Thus, as the representatives of that joyous bunch... enormous thank you to: @theravenmuse , @eybefioro , @whatareyou42 , @gaiaseyes451 , @theonewiththeshippinggoogles , @quona for being fantastic wranglers with me. Thank you. Thank you so much.

More exhaustive thanks for this crazy team will come in due time. I have feelings, alright?

[driftward]

Title: FFXIV Write 2024 - Free Day 3 - 22. Caretaker Characters: Zoissette Vauban, Y'shtola Rhul Rating: Explicit Summary: Zoissette has many needs right now, and Y'shtola will take care of all of them. Notes: WoL|Sette timeline. CW: Frank sexual discussion, sexual activity

Zoissette was tired, but the good kind of tired. The tired of muscles that had been worked. The tired that came from accomplishment, from success. The tired that came from stretching one's limits. The tired that came from heat pumping through the heart.

The tired that came from physical therapy.

She was well on the way to recovery. Not quite yet ready to fully leave her rooms, not quite fully ready to tend to herself fully. She could, of course, she could. She wanted to, even. But she needed to rest, frequently, and she needed to sleep quite a lot, and the Scions were eager to see after her.

After she had scared them so badly coming back barely alive from beyond the edge of everything, she felt it best to indulge them.

Besides, though she did not want to admit it, it was kind of nice being taken care of.

Y'shtola helped her back towards her bed, ready to support Zoissette should she need it, and she almost might have. A small warm smile played on her face, eyes lazy, feeling languid after the day's work. Her mind played from thought to thought, free like clouds drifting through the sky. Y'shtola carefully got her into her bed, and made sure she was settled in, water and books within reach.

"Is there ought else you might desire from me, before I take my leave?"

"Hmn. Not right now," said Zoissette lazily, already feeling foggy sleepiness starting to drift in to her thoughts. She looked Y'shtola up and down, admiring her form, settling almost a touch too long on her breasts, but finding her way up to her eyes.

Y'shtola just smiled back and raised an eyebrow.

Zoissette laid down, and rolled over. "Maybe you could wear a maid outfit for me," she said, dreamily, already well on her way to sleep.

Y'shtola's ears went back.

"Not one of the traditional ones of course, all dowdy and duty," continued an oblivious Zoissette, "but one of those fancy ones that they call the Isghardian style, which is of course ridiculous, our maids look the same as anyone else's and don't have such interesting bustiers..."

"I beg your pardon," said Y'shtola, sharply.

Zoissette was suddenly very awake. She blinked and turned to see an annoyed Y'shtola.

"Oh! Oh. Uhm. Ahm. Sorry! Sorry. I forgot myself."

Y'shtola closed her eyes, and took a deep breath in.

"No. Nevermind. Forget I said anything," said Zoissette hurriedly, turning over and burying her head under her blankets. "I - I was just - after everything - very tired. Sorry. Please. Thank you for everything. I - I am going to sleep now."

Zoissette curled up under the blankets, and made a pained noise.

Y'shtola grimaced, reaching a hand out, wanting to help, wanting to do something to ease her friend.

But she held back, and considered.

"I shall see you on the morrow, then," she said gently. "Good night, Sette."

"...good night, Shtola."

Satisfied for the time being, Y'shtola headed out the door, and slipped quietly into the evening.

It was good, then, that Zoissette went to sleep early and woke up late these days. It gave Y'shtola a little bit of time to work. Not much, but enough. Tataru was willing to help, and able to keep a secret. F'lhaminn's twinkling eyes above her smile showed she knew more than she had been told, but was also an able accomplice. And so it was, that the next day, that F'lhaminn made sure the general word had been put out that this was a day Zoissette was absolutely under no circumstances to be bothered, that she needed a true rest day to herself, and would survive a day without being mothered and smothered by well meaning friends.

F'lhaminn herself saw to Zoissette's breakfast, as was expected, and Zoissette was yet none the wiser. Y'shtola had to see to some last minute things, last minute adjustments, but she managed to make it to Zoissette's door just before morning passed into noon. Putting her hand on the latch, she leaned in to listen, and then knocked.

"Come in, please."

Y'shtola teased the door open a bit, looking in to see Zoissette in bed, a book in her hand, looking towards the door. She opened the door the rest of the way, and let herself in, being sure to latch the door behind her.

She felt a thrill of delight at the way Zoissette's eyes went wide, the way she slowly looked Y'shtola up and down, taking her all in. The way the tips of her ears began to turn red, and her cheeks began to blush. Zoissette grabbed the edge of her sheet, and pulled it up to her chin, as though she suddenly had to cover herself.

Y'shtola was dressed, head to toe, in a lascivious maid outfit. The bustier pressing up at her breasts, covering them and yet also putting them well on display, the white fabric that covered them standing out against the black that followed under the contour of the swell of her chest. Puffy shoulders that ended quickly, revealing bare arms that ended in little ribboned cuffs. A skirt that was ended halfway down the leg, with the appearance of an apron sewn onto its front. White opaque stockings that accentuated the exact shape of her legs, and little black shoes with a single strap to keep them on, and a smart button to keep the strap in place.

She relaxed her usual sense of self control, and let her tail have a mind of its own, swaying back and forth, high as it was, playing with the many ruffles the outfit had. Y'shtola smiled, and gave Zoissette a deep curtsy, making sure to emphasize the movement of her bust as she did so, before coming back up to stand, one hand on her outwardly cocked him, and smiling coquettishly all the while.

"How may I serve the master?" she crooned, strolling over to the side of the bed to climb up on it. Zoissette stared at her, hands still clutching the sheets to her chest.

"You do not have to do this for me," said Zoissette.

"And yet I have," said Y'shtola, throwing a leg over Zoissette's body, coming to straddle the woman, knees on either side of her hips. She curled a finger under Zoissette's chin, trying to look her in the eyes.

Zoissette averted her gaze, staring off to the side.

"You have well heeded my no, but will you accept my yes?" prodded Y'shtola.

"You don't have to do this for me," repeated Zoissette.

"Perhaps I wish to. Though if this is your no, I shall accept it; and we needs not explore this further if you do not wish. But if you think only of my prior rejection, then set that aside. My wishes must be taken into account if this is to work, and I must needs be free to change my mind, if not yours."

Zoissette's eyes fell, and she was quiet for a moment, before looking back to Y'shtola.

"I like this," she said, her voice small.

Y'shtola made a thoughtful hum noise deep in the back of her throat.

"Then tell me what you want."

Zoissette swallowed, and then tentatively reached up, and pulled Y'shtola into a kiss. Their lips met, warm and wet, and Zoissette pulled, really pulled Y'shtola in. Y'shtola marred appreciatively as fingers wound through her hair, firm against her scalp.

It would be so easy to melt against her, to melt into her.

But instead Y'shtola placed a gently on Zoissette's chest, and gently pushed herself away. Zoissette immediately broke contact, letting her hand fall away from where it had been.

"No. I find I must insist. Tell me, Sette. Tell me. What you. Want."

She sat back, leaning back a little on her hands. She watched as Zoissette's lips thinned. As her eyes began to water a bit. As she bit her lower lip nervously. As her eyes darted to and fro, searching Y'shtola.

For her part, she tried to be as an open book. She let her tail wander free, still curious, still swishing behind her. Ears remaining forward, open. She was serious, but not angry.

She wanted to know. She had to hear it from Zoissette's mouth, in Zoissette's way.

"I want you," said Zoissette at last.

Y'shtola gave her a look.

"How delightfully detailed."

"Please, let me finish," pleaded Zoissette. "I want... I want you, Shtola. I - I want you. You're - you are - you're beautiful to me. I love you, and I want you, and I feel ridiculous. It's not like I can't, cannot, talk about sex. I have had sex! We've had sex!"

Y'shtola reached forward, and took Zoissette's hands as words began spilling out of her.

"I have talked about sex before! With others, true, but still. I mean, I remember the first man I took to bed. He - he wanted oral, and we talked about it. I remembered anticipating that talk coming, I remember reading, I remember getting advice..."

Y'shtola bit her lip so as not to laugh at the mental image of a young and studious Zoissette Vauban looking at whatever passed for what would have had to have been Ishgardian books about sex.

"And after we were done, he seemed to like it at the time. Later on he complained, though. He said - the way I spoke about it. That I was like a whore. He meant it to insult. He was trying to hurt me, and that - that did hurt. The way he said it. Not what he said, though. I was... proud of that later, to be honest. I mean, he had compared me to a professional. You know? I was rather pleased with myself. Me! A professional at sex! And I have explored such things before! I've - another one. He, uhm, he wanted to tie me up. That took a lot of talking really, a lot of work. I... I think he liked the idea of me being helpless."

Y'shtola felt a tiny bit of a warm squirm at the idea of being helpless, a tiny distant twitch. She squashed it for now.

"We learned rope work together, and that was... enjoyable enough. And I remember one, someone wanted me to use a strap-on on his ass. I had to ask him a few times to be sure, and we had to be very careful, but he certainly enjoyed it very much. And I must confess, that experience did have a certain degree of delight to it."

Zoissette was babbling, and Y'shtola interrupted her, as gently as she could manage.

"I am fair certain that I do not wish to hear about your entire tumbling history, Sette."

"Sorry! Sorry. I'm, I am, I am rambling, it's just... I didn't want them. I liked them well enough, you know. I was being accommodating, it made them happy, I was curious, it was nice. It was nice! But."

Zoissette's hands clenched around Y'shtola's, squeezing tight.

"I want you. And I can feel that. It's overwhelming. I feel it, swelling up in my chest. Pressing against my ribs. Like I am going to burst."

She was breathing hard, and Y'shtola reached up behind Zoissette's head, and pulled closer once more, touching their foreheads together, looking up at her through her bangs, sharpening her aethersight until real colour, the true deep browns in Zoissette's eyes, could be seen.

"I am more than willing to explore such things with you, Sette. But you have to tell me what they are."

"I do not want to screw this up, Y'shtola."

"Our relationship is not so fragile as to not survive a few very frank discussions."

"I do not want to upset you."

Y'shtola sighed. She had thought about this, and had ready a response.

"And I find I must needs apologize for my earlier reaction," she said. "It 'twas because I am Miqo'te. My people, fair or not, have a reputation, and as such I have received far too many propositions from those who view me as just an object for their pleasure. Little more than a thing, free for the taking. You are not the cause for my poor reception, and should not have been the recipient of my ire."

"Uhm. Wait. I'm thinking. Uhm. What if... what if I wanted to treat you like that?"

Y'shtola smirked. "Then perhaps I would acquiesce to be owned by a kindly master for a short time, if you wish to speak of such further. 'Tis different between us, as you might well guess."

Zoissette frowned, thinking. "What if I wanted to be treated like an object?"

"That's the spirit," said Y'shtola encouragingly. "There is that curious mind which I so adore."

Zoissette shifted a bit under Y'shtola, then gently pushed against her. "Please move. I think... I think I want to lay down."

Y'shtoal acquiesced, moving off of her, letting Zoissette lower herself on the bed, until she was laying on her side, facing away from Y'shtola. After a moment's thought, Y'shtola followed her.

It was a little ridiculous that she was in bed wearing her shoes. And they were not very comfortable. She would need to speak to her haberdasher if this was to be a common thing. At least the stockings were rather comfortable. It was a little ridiculous to be thinking of this just now. She pressed up against Zoissette's back, and Zoissette leaned back into her.

"I do not even mind that you got upset," said Zoissette, her breathing now slow once more. "Not really. You have a temper, but it is rarely mean. You can be blunt. Honest. I love that about you." She twisted, shifting, trying to look over her shoulder back at Y'shtola. "I do not want that to change. But I think I might be scared. You are just... I do not know."

Y'shtola gave her space, as she rolled the rest of the way over.

"I like that you're blunt. That you are blunt. Frank. But you are not always blunt. Sometimes you tease, I can tell. When you are honest, you get that stern voice. When you tease, you are charming instead. Threatening to put me over your knee."

"Remember that, do we?"

"Calling Magnai little sun."

Y'shtola allowed herself a wicked smile at that.

"And most of the time it's fine. It is fine! But it was different when I proposed the maid outfit. You were mad, and I got scared, and... maybe I shouldn't have. Maybe I should be braver."

Zoissette sighed heavily. "I usually am ... better. You've been mad at me before. That has never scared me. You always have a reason."

"Usually."

"You usually have a reason."

Zoissette reached out a hand, to play her fingers through Y'shtola's hair, even as she looked elsewhere.

"I would like to propose an accord," said Y'shtola.

Zoissette looked up. Met her eyes.

"You must ask for that which you desire, and ever so long as you heed my no, I promise you need not fear my ire on the matter, as I shall not allow it to turn into a true anger. I shall return to you the same courtesy. But this also means you must needs allow me my yes. You may change your mind as well, if you wish, but you must allow me space to say my own yes. Do you understand?"

Zoissette nodded, slowly, and Y'shtola reached up a hand to touch her face.

"Very well. Then tell me, what do you want?"

Zoissette's eyes searched Y'shtola's face, and she reached up to touch Y'shtola's hand in turn. She was close enough that Y'shtola could feel her tense.

"Maybe I want to ruin you," she said. "Maybe I want to take that strap on and lift your tail and find your asshole and pound until you cry. Maybe I want to see what it looks like when Y'shtola Rhul loses her composure and breaks and loses herself in the moment."

Y'shtola drew in a sharp breath, surprised, and almost drew back.

Almost.

Instead she turned to that squirming that had lit up inside of her, and seized her own fears and feelings, and sunk herself into them, claws and teeth and wickedness.

Her nails bit lightly into Zoissette's cheek. Anger turned to heat. She turned it to her own ends. Was she not Y'shtola Rhul?

"Maybe I will let you," she returned. "Or maybe I want you to force me to, oh warrior. Embrace your darkness, and let my shadow swallow you."

Zoissette's breath hitched, and the tips of her ears turned red once more, and her breath became rapid. She pulled back, sitting up suddenly, and began waving her hands in the air.

Y'shtola, feeling the tiniest bit of a smug sense of self-satisfaction at seeing Zoissette's control slip in this tiniest fraction, propped herself up one one arm to watch with a wry smile.

"Too much," said Zoissette. "Oh Fury, that was too much. But..." she turned, and her words began to spill out in a flood. "Really? Are you sure you want to try? You are willing to try? Should we try? Oh, gods. I want that. I want you. I want your everything, Shtola. Right now I have never felt more that I want everything I want to explore everything oh my gods I want to bury my fingers deep in your quim I want to hear you scream I want. Oh, I want. What is happening right now? What am I even doing? What are we doing?"

"Shh shh shh shh shh," said Y'shtola, following up after Zoissette, wrapping her arms around her and pulling close to her, holding her, rocking with her gently while her lover edged towards having a meltdown. "Take a moment. Collect yourself. Breathe. Think."

Zoissette trembled in Y'shtola's arms.

"Think past maybe," said Y'shtola. "You are curious, you are exploring, you are asking questions, but I still wish to have your answer true. Forget yourself. Let go. Be with me, in this moment. Tell me, Zoissette. Right now, what, more than anything, do you truly want?"

Zoissette looked over at Y'shtola, shaking. And in the smallest voice, she said, "Hold me."

And Y'shtola held her. As she buried her head in Y'shtola's chest, and began to cry. Her body began to shake with the force of overwhelming emotion, and Y'shtola could feel it. Could feel how her core quaked, how her shoulders shuddered.

She felt hands clutching to her as though she were a lifeline.

"I'm sorry," sobbed Zoissette.

"It's alright," said Y'shtola, gently. "I've got you."

And that set off a torrent anew. Zoissette's face scrunched, jaw tight, tried to get ahold of herself. Curling tighter. Holding tighter.

Several long minutes passed in the room, just like that. Y'shtola just watched over Zoissette. Held her. Just held her, as she processed whatever this was. Grief? Fear? Y'shtola did not know.

She just knew it was real, and that right now, there was nothing more she wanted than to be here, to help Zoissette through it.

A perverse thought passed her mind. That she may have been privileged to be here for this. To be trusted so, despite, well.

Despite being a blunt and honest and sharp-tongued kind of woman.

But Zoissette saw her as a safe haven, and she knew, in that moment, she would rather die than ever betray that.

Y'shtola swallowed, thickly. Matters for later. After the storm had passed.

And pass it did. Zoissette's tears slowed, and stopped. She got her breathing under control, first in big gasps, then in shallows, then gradually, calm, slow breaths. Her shaking became trembles became a stillness.

"Remind me," she said, her voice quiet, resting against Y'shtola.

"Sette?" asked Y'shtola, gently.

"I am tired of being tired of being this. I am exhausted. Kiss me. Feel me. Touch me. Eat me. Remind me that I'm alive. Remind me that... I am wanted."

She sniffed. "I want you to take care of me." She rubbed her face. "Fury, I'm snotty and gross."

Fortunately, Y'shtola had made sure the maid outfit had come with some accoutrements. Zoissette, after all, did still need a proper caretaker to check on her throughout the day. She reached into a pocket, pulling out a handkerchief, and handed it to Zoissette, who took it gratefully and wiped her face down before blowing her nose.

"Sorry."

"And for what are you apologizing? For having feelings? Needs? The high crime of being human, perhaps?"

Zoissette snorted a laugh, not a derisive thing, just a noise she could not help. She further made a most unladylike noise, cleared her nose the rest of the way, and then gave a warmer, clearer laugh.

Y'shtola smiled. It was a little gross.

And that was surprisingly okay.

"Feeling better?"

Zoissette nodded, setting the handkerchief aside.

"Then lay down," said Y'shtola, sitting on the side of the bed to take off her shoes. She heard Zoissette shuffle in the bed behind her.

She considered her approach, unbuckling her shoes and setting them aside neatly, one by one. She stood up, and looked over her shoulder, to see Zoissette laying down. And to see that she had Zoissette's full attention. The woman was quiet, now. The storm had well and truly passed, and she was just... attentive. Y'shtola swished her tail, and was gratified to see Zoissette's focus and attention shift. She slowly reached down, under her skirt, and hooked her thumbs into her smalls, and slowly, swaying her hips, pulled them off.

She looked again. The mood of the room had shifted. She certainly had Zoissette's full, complete, and judging from the glassiness of her eyes, lusty attention. She turned, and winked, pressing her smalls into Zoissette's hand.

"Hold these for me, master," she said, placing emphasis on the last word. And she laughed at the choking noise Zoissette made.

This was silly. She -was- silly. And perhaps silliness is what was needed, in the wake of what had come before.

"I think I shall enjoy continuing our conversation," she purred, as she put one knee on the bed, and leaned over far enough to kiss Zoissette. A soft, gentle, teasing thing that she slowly leaned into, just enough to really get the feel of Zoissette's lips, before pulling back. She pulled the blanket back, and began to reach for Zoissette's smalls.

"No," said Zoissette. "Let me."

Y'shtola nodded, and sat back, and watched. Zoissette looked down at herself, and reached down, and arched her back to lift her butt as she shimmied her smalls down her legs. Y'shtola appreciated the scene on view. Zoissette was still in recovery, technically. She still had some trouble getting around. She was having a bit of trouble now, but Y'shtola recognized the impulse for what it was, the desire to do things for oneself. And so she content to just watch.

And despite all that, Zoissette was still everything to Y'shtola. She admired the scene, as cotton slid over soft brown skin and powerful muscular thighs. As Zoissette curled, making the quietest pained whimpering noise at the effort, at having to flex so far, to get them around her kneecaps. And her heart soared as at last Zoissette had them down her calves, then around an ankle, then kicked off unceremoniously off to one side of the bed.

Zoissette laid down, throwing her head back, and sucked in a sharp breath, and Y'shtola laid a hand on her shoulder.

"Are you well to continue?"

Zoissette nodded. "...just not as flexible as I should be yet. Aches. I'm alright."

"Very well," said Y'shtola. She sat back and allowed herself a moment more. Her love, bottomless. Even in this state, she was beautiful to Y'shtola.

She would always be beautiful, for she was Zoissette, and precious.

And also, her quim was right there.

"You may want to prop yourself up with a pillow," said Y'shtola, and Zoissette did so. Once she was resettled, Y'shtola crawled up next to her, and threw a leg over her, straddling her once more.

Just the other way around this time. She laid down on Zoissette, finding a position to be reasonably comfortable in, and once she was satisfied, she reached down, and hiked her skirt up, exposing her lower half, to offer Zoissette something to look at. And grumbled a bit as her tail interfered with the motion, before she just sat up and pulled it to a more cooperative position. Hands on her hips, she nodded her head, and then lowered herself once more, hiking her skirts up again.

She could not see Zoissette's face anymore. But situated as she was, she could feel her, feel the way her breath was shifting, feel her stomach tightening, feel that control asserting itself.

Y'shtola was going to find each and every way past that one day.

But for now, she was at last, satisfied with the setup, and finally lowered her head, rubbing her nose in Zoissette's pubic hair, appreciating the feel of it against her cheek as she nuzzled it, and gave one of Zoissette's thighs the gentlest of kisses.

"May I touch?" asked Zoissette.

"You may."

Zoissette was still far taller than her. While she had her face in Zoissette's crotch, there was no reasonable way for Zoissette to return the favor in kind, not exactly. She did not mind. And she did not mind when she felt Zoissette's hands on her ass, and tracing the outsides of her thighs. She let her tail have its way, swishing and swaying, the ruffles of her skirt playing around her butt, bumping into Zoissette's hands and arms, and she wiggled her hips, attempting to entice, showing off.

She fancied herself a gift for Zoissette and Zoissette alone.

And she was giving a show for Zoissette alone to enjoy while Y'shtola herself built up to the main event. She continued to pepper Zoissette's thigh with kisses, finishing with just the tiniest nip, just the lightest touch of teeth to skin. Behind her, she heard Zoissette's breath hitch, while under her, she felt it, felt the twitch of her chest as she gasped. She hummed, deeply and lovingly, and she ran her hands down toned thighs, digging her fingers in just enough to find the texture of muscles. Powerful, almost like thick corded braids, and she took her time to appreciate them.

And Zoissette appreciated the attention in turn, making the most delightful soft noises, her legs slowly spreading apart as she warmed to Y'shtola's touch. As Y'shtola in turn returned to kisses, now on the other thigh. As her hands continued to explore. Pressing against the outside of a buttcheek. Playing along the upper leg. Lightly, experimentally, from time to time, touching Zoissette's outer lips. Feeling Zoissette's breathing grow deep, hear it become throaty. Buring her face deep in the woman's crotch and breathing in deep, noticing and delighting in the change in scent.

At last, however, Y'shtola grew tired of where she was. She simply could not get a good angle like this, not with the way Zoissette was sitting. She pulled away, and Zoissette made a disappointed noise as her hands left her ass. Y'shtola simply looked at her primly as she held her skirts around her waist, climbing off Zoissette and sitting to one side on her knees.

"Sit up and spread your legs if you will, master," she said. Zoissette's face flushed, and she hurried to shift position. "Knees up," she commanded, and Zoissette nodded, bending her knees. Y'shtola moved around to be between them, and rested her hands on Zoissette's knees for a moment, enjoying the sight.

And then she shifted around and made herself comfortable. She was in no rush. The only thing she wished was maybe an opportunity to pull off the maid outfit. She would need to be asking Tataru later about a setup which perhaps featured a blouse and skirt, instead, if she were to make a habit of this.

But that was a problem for later. For now, she had momentum, and she intended to capitalize on it.

But first.

"Is this still alright?" she asked.

Zoissette swallowed, and then nodded. "Yes. Please. Please keep going. I need this. I need you."

Oh, too easy.

"You need me? To what end..." and she paused, waited, luxuriated.

"...master?" said Y'shtola, voice low, dark.

"If you do not eat my quim I will explode," said Zoissette desperately.

Y'shtola laughed, and she kept laughing as she lowered herself slowly, and let her laugh trail off as she got close, and locked her eyes onto Zoissette's as she almost made contact.

Zoissette was tense, still. The anticipation was present in every ilm of her being. Her body was almost iron.

Y'shtola winked, closed her eyes, and her lips met Zoissette's, wetness of tongue meeting the wetness of Zoissette's body, and she heard Zoissette gasp with the release of the breath she had been holding.

She hummed appreciatively, and pushed her tongue between Zoissette's folds. She wanted to take it slow. To take her time. To really appreciate the moment and show her appreciation in turn. But the teasing, the conversation, the openness, the everything was upon her, and she was suddenly aware of a hunger she did not even fully realize she had.

She wanted to hear Zoissette scream, and she wanted it to be her name, and she wanted to push Zoissette over the edge, and she wanted. Oh, she understood what Zoissette meant, she wanted. And so she abandoned herself. Her tongue was in Zoissette as far as it could go, eager, hungry, licking, first one side, then the other. She arched her back and scooted forward, one hand holding her steady against Zoissette's thigh, the other finding its way in, fingers reaching deep into Zoissette's quim. She struggled to control herself, shaking slightly. She had to control herself. Her lips needed to find Zoissette's clit first. She needed to, and there. She puckered, and kissed the clit deeply, her lips around it, her tongue pressing against it, as she made space for her fingers, and pressed.

The suddenness and speed of her attack rocketed up Zoissette's body, and the hand she had on the thigh had to move to push down against Zoissette's stomach, to remind the other woman to stay in place. She felt Zoissette's body tense, felt her lock, her breathing having gone rapid.

"Oh gods oh fury oh gods," panted Zoissette. "Too much too much too much," and Y'shtola, though reluctant, relented, eased off, backed away.

"No no no more more more," said Zoissette immediately. "Don't stop don't stop please don't AH!" she screamed, as Y'shtola needed no further encouragement.

Her lips held suction tight. Her tongue pressed hard. Her fingers, curled, and she jerked her hand inside of Zoissette until, at last, Zoissette boiled over, screaming her name, hands on either side of her head and fingers clenching and clenching against her scalp, Zoissette still controlling herself. Resisting actually grabbing, resisting actually forcing Y'shtola's head to stay in place.

Not that she would have minded. Conversation for late. As it was, she was holding herself in place perfectly find, even though she well had to use her whole body to do so.

Zoissette caught her breath once more, gasping. "More," she said, hoarsely, and Y'shtola was but too happy to oblige. She pressed in again, tongue and lips and hands and face and pressure built up to release, and Zoissette's legs wrapped around her, and she surprised, near crushed by the force.

Zoissette curled tight, and Y'shtola freed herself enough to look up, to see her face, scrunched in focus and concentration as she bore down. She almost needed not do anything, as she just kept her fingers inside Zoissette, moving them rhythmically, and let another wave crash through Zoissette.

This time, Zoissette went limp, practically throwing herself back down on the bed. When she spoke, it was between gasps.

"Okay. No more. I'm done. That's it. Oh, gods, Shtola. I think I'm dead. Oh, gods, it hurts like I'm dead."

Y'shtola became aware of her own breathing, heavy, almost panting. She reached a hand up, to gently stroke Zoissette's side. Zoissette twitched, but did not pull away from the gesture, instead reaching down her own hand to touch Y'shtola's, encouraging it to stay.

"Are you quite alright?" said Y'shtola, truly concerned. That had been rather more than she had planned for for the day. And, in retrospect, possibly more than Zoissette could handle.

"My legs are killing me. My stomach is killing me. I have never been better. Let me die here like this. It's a good death."

"No such thing," chided Y'shtola, but her tone was light, teasing. Relieved, she extricated herself from between Zoissette's legs, and moved up to hold her in her arms. Zoissette, gratefully, rolled to collapse against her.

"Thank you," said Zoissette at last.

Y'shtola played with her hair, and nuzzled the top of her head.

"Have you been sufficiently reminded, my love?" she murmured into Zoissette's ear.

Zoissette looked confused for a moment, but then her face lit up, and she smiled, contented, and sighed happily.

"I am alive," she said.

"And desired," said Y'shtola, and kissed her once more.

[starrysnowdrop]

Why Hali/Aymeric?

This is something that I’ve been wanting to write up for a long time now, and I’ve finally been able to get my thoughts down properly. For those who have been around for a while might be used to my ship by now and can see how their chemistry is, but I know I have some newer followers that might be interested in this explanation. Or perhaps you’re just curious even though you’ve been here forever. Either way, I thank you in advance for taking your time to read this! See under the cut below.

Updated: 09/21/2024

So, you might or might not know that Hali is actually not my first WoL OC. Before Hali, I had made an Auri Hingan Samurai woman named Yume Aino, whom I first created back in 2019, shortly after the release of Shadowbringers (Yume’s blog can be found here: @firelightmuse). I didn’t realize it at first, but because of how I had written Yume, as a stoic, no nonsense warrior through and through, but also someone who was dealing with a lot of trauma and trying to find purpose in her life, I soon had a really hard time shipping her with anyone. Over the years I had tried shipping Yume with Cid, G’raha, and I briefly thought of Artoirel, but I now have found her perfect ship with Zenos. Before any of them, however, my first choice of an NPC ship was Aymeric.

Why Aymeric? Well, it took me quite a while to realize that a huge part of me wanting to ship Yume with Aymeric as a first choice was a very personal one. Aymeric was the first character in FFXIV that I completely fell for. Though I enjoyed the characters of Cid, Haurchefant, and G’raha in ARR, it wasn’t until we meet Aymeric in the Pre-HW patches that I had gotten attached to the world and the story through finding a favorite character of my own. Aymeric is so special to me, and that made me try to ship my only WoL at the time with him. But as you can see, that ultimately didn’t work out.

It didn’t work out because Yume and Aymeric didn’t vibe well with each other. There was a severe lack of chemistry between the two. I had realized that Aymeric is much too polite and respectful of decorum to break Yume out of her shell to make a deeper connection than just comrades that respect one another, and I didn’t think Yume was the kind of person that Aymeric would come to love either, as she would likely remind him of the many Ishgardian nobles that he was around all the time, for many reasons which I won’t elaborate on here due to brevity. And as I didn’t have any other OCs at the time, I just continued developing Yume and an NPC ship with Aymeric was discarded. Although I personally was very saddened by that, I thought it was the right decision for both characters.

Yet, I continued having trouble writing any kind of ship with Yume over time. After a few years, as I kept getting frustrated with the ships I was trying to write for her, I got inspired to make another WoL OC that would be different from Yume in every way. She actually would end up being much more of a self insert than I ever expected, but nonetheless I fell in love with the pink haired, happy go lucky Lalafellin woman who would become Hali Aloke, my pride and joy.

As I got Hali through base ARR and into the ARR patches, I didn’t have any intention on trying to ship her Aymeric and to try a WoL x NPC ship with him a second time, as I actually had intentions to ship Hali with Krile later on in her WoL journey.

But everything changed once Hali met Aymeric in 2.4, the lead up to Heavensward. I saw them in the cutscenes together, and as ridiculous of a height difference they had, I still couldn’t help but giggle and squeal whenever they were together. They just were incredibly adorable, and I couldn’t hold myself back. I just had to try to ship Hali with Aymeric.

So I decided to try to write a few prompts with them together and see how their dynamic was. And it was even better than I had expected. Their chemistry was so amazing, and the dialogue between them flowed quite effortlessly. Not only was I highly impressed and kept getting inspired to write more and more, but I got a ton of positive feedback from so many people telling me that they loved Hali and Aymeric together.

And I guess that was that. I have never looked back since. Hali x Aymeric are my everything (well besides Yume x Zenos now of course); my ship makes me so damn happy. Just looking at them makes me smile and want to write and gpose more. I can’t get enough of them. It’s to the point now that I don’t know if I could ever write a ship better than Hali x Aymeric. And you know what? I don’t even want to try at this point.

I still can’t fully comprehend how a pink haired, bubbly, sunshine of a lalafellin woman and a noble, brave, and charismatic Ishgardian knight could be such a beautiful and dynamic couple that would not only bring me endless joy but also keep inspiring me far more than anything else I’ve ever written. It is utterly beyond my comprehension, but somehow it works. And I am forever grateful that I just followed my heart and wrote what I wanted, and not for anyone else’s approval, but my own.

I somehow hope this helps inspire someone out there to not be afraid and just go for the ship they want to write for, despite what the fandom at large says. Trust me, it’s worth it.

[myreia]

15 Lines of Dialogue Rules: Share 15 or fewer lines of dialogue from an OC, ideally lines that capture the character/personality/vibe of the OC. Bonus points for just using the dialogue without other details about the scene, but you’re free to include those as well!

thanks for the tag, @thevikingwoman and @bearlytolerant, ty frens!

tagging: @roguelioness @lilas @galadae @ellstersmash @fourteenthz

@tsunael @birues @ardberts @gatheredfates @anneapocalypse

@impossible-rat-babies @coldshrugs @gefiltefished @consulaaris

sorry if you've been tagged before, I have... lost track of who has done what. 😂 No pressure, ofc! 💖 tags also for anyone else who would like to share their writing! Feel free to tag me even if I didn't tag you or even if we're not mutuals, I'd love to see what you're working on!!

These are from published (and one unpublished) ffxiv fics. Because a lot of my favourite Aureia lines happen within the context of banter, I had a hard time deciding what to cut and where.

— 1: Far From Happenstance [ARR]

“What’s that thing on your arm?” “This? Ah… well… Perhaps this conversation is best saved for later, perhaps in a less conspicuous place?” “Or we could have it now. Your choice.”

— 2: Uncertainty [ARR]

“Tailing unsuspecting women about the city is nothing to be proud of.” “I have done nothing of the sort! Our meetings have been no more than happenstance, a quirk of nature drawing us to the same spot at the same time. I assure you, Aureia, I am not following you—” She stifles a snort, laughter tugging at the corners of her lips. “Oh…” He blows out a breath. “Oh, you’re joking? That was a joke. You have an unfair sense of humour…” “Don’t make yourself such an easy target next time.”

— 3: To Ash and Ember [ARR]

Lahabrea stares at her, startled out of his victory, mouth twisted with contempt. “How—” Aureia raises a hand, palm sheathed in blinding light. “Get the fuck out of him, you bastard.”

— 4: Sand and Stone [ARR]

“This is good for us,” she says quietly. “The Scions, I mean. We’re exposed here. Ascians, Garleans… it’s only a matter of time before they try again. Mor Dhona will afford us some means of protection we’ve lost.”

— 5: Bitter Frost [ARR/HW]

“You press on,” she says after a moment. She cups her palm between them, subconsciously pulling on the aether around her. A faint flame sizzles to life, warming her fingers. “Guilt can only carry you so far before it bleeds you dry. Just know that the next time… the next time will be different. Better.”

— 6: Divergence of the Heart, Chp 5 [HW]

“I don’t care what they say about me. I’m a hero to some, a villain to others. I can live with it.” “You should not have to. If there was a way—” “Please, Aymeric, I’m begging you not to draft a new statute on my behalf. You can’t decree change and expect centuries-old beliefs to shift overnight.”

— 7: Divergence of the Heart, Chp 7 [HW]

“Happiness? What makes you think I’m happy with this? With any of this?” “You’re the Warrior of Light. Defender of Eorzea and a beacon of hope. Blessed by Hydaelyn and beloved by all. What possible reason could you have not to be?”  “Oh, fuck you.”

— 8: Divergence of the Heart, Chp 8 [HW]

She blinks. It shouldn’t be more simple than that. Does he not comprehend why this is so profoundly embarrassing? “And..?” “And how would this fact be of such radical importance that it would be the sole cause of a change in my opinion of you? Do you believe it so crucial to your identity that I should judge you differently for it?” “No, I don’t think that at all. I suppose I feel I’m… a failure, somehow. As a person.”

— 9: For All the Truths Left Unspoken [HW]

“Oh? Because you seem a little haggard, Thancred. Why don’t you look me in the eye and tell me what time you went to bed last night. Or if you went to bed at all, for that matter.” “It is not your concern—” “No, but you could have at least done the decency of admitting what was going on before you started fucking my friend.”

— 10: A Question of Desire [HW]

She cuts him off with a kiss. [Aymeric] groans softly, leaning into it, and she laughs with delight. “Save it for later,” she murmurs against his mouth.

— 11: Bound by Faith, Chp 2 [ShB]

“Under pain of further admonishment, I told her what I could.” “Nothing unfavourable, I trust,” she says drolly. “Who do you take me for, Aur?” “An idiot, if I’m being honest. Next question?” “…stumbled right into that one, didn’t I?” “Yes.” Her eyes sparkle with fondness. “You did.”

— 12: Bound by Faith, Chp 2 [ShB]

“There. That’s it. Aureia was a name I took by chance. Not because I wanted it, but because I needed it. An alias intended for Ul’dah alone, one I intended to relinquish the moment I could escape the city. But then you called me Aur and it… stuck.” She hesitates, her voice breaking. “I don’t know why it felt right, but it did. You gave me a name, Thancred, without even realizing that that was what you were doing.”

— 13: Bound by Faith, Chp 4 [ShB]

“They don’t hurt. At least, not like this. Sometimes, with astral fire…” She closes her eyes and swallows hard. “He did something to me, Thancred. Whether it was his intention or not, he left a mark that is more than skin deep. Like a part of his aether was seared onto mine. It makes me powerful, yes, but… my magic is not always controlled. It’s never been the same since then.”

— 14: Untitled Post-5.3. Fic, Chp 2

She glances at him and finds him glaring at her. It’s not a real glare—behind the dark look and mock exasperation is a knowing smile. “She’s taken full reign of the apartment. Mess everywhere. Looks like a tempest went through the place.” “Far too easy to imagine that.” “I don’t know where she gets it from.” “Oh, I know for certain. That’s the influence of your bad habits, not mine—” “I—listen here, you ass—” “Oh, an ass, am I? Bit early to deteriorate to name calling, no?”

— 15: Untitled Post-5.3. Fic, Chp 4

“Aur… that suite I mentioned earlier… I was quite serious about it.” “The suite or the sex you want to have with me in it?” “The whole matter.” She pauses, holding the soup out to him. “You should finish it,” she says quietly.

[thelealinhypehouse]

Mains from FFXIV Intorduction (open for rp!)

Name: Nava Reed (fake name)

Gender/Pronouns: Cis Male He/Him

Orientation: Homosexual

Age: 27

Race: Half Elezen (Ishgard) with awaken dragon blood

Occupation: Member of Rogue's Gulid, Adventurer

Home/Origin: Born at Flaceon Nest but raised at Limsa Lominsa

Goal/Motivation: Revenge on Ishgardian Inquisitors and Parents

Strength: Cooking, Torturing, Acrobatic

Weakness: Reading and writing (he can but its slow), hot headed

Likes: Food, fights, pretty clothing (he is alwyas amazend about lace work, how patient you need to be for it and how stunning it looks)

Dislikes: Betreyal, bugs, snow

Class: Red Mage/Dark Knight/Rogue/Machinist

Family/Childhood: Born at Flacon Nest to Ul'dah merchant and Elezen from High House of Ishgard, She gone against the will fo her family to marry the merchant. The war with dragons was raging on and one his village was attacked. During this his mother when was pregnant with him got injuried and few drops of dragon blood fallen on her. She didn't turn. All was absorbed by the baby. When Nava was born his eyes was white, at first they thought he was born blind but it was not. When he was 5 the horns started to slowly show up. At first they tried to hide them under bandanas, hats ect, but they still growing. Cutting them ended up causing alot of pain, because they had veins. Somebody from the village contacted the Ishgardian Inqusition to investigate probally the dragon spawn. They wanted to to Nava away and kill him or something. Parents was acused of heresy but they get the option to repent the sins. Nava before was taking away he just escape the village and thanks to merchant wo was on the way to Limsa he hide himself in one of thier boxes. At Limsa he become street thief. Probally meet Thranced once or twice before he was took by Archon Louisoix. Nava other hand was took by Thief Gulid. This is where meet Jacke Swallow, the future Capitan Jacke of Rogue's Gulid. With him created this gulid and Nava become one of the more fierce member. Taking out more scummy people than normaly. Not before tet more info if there is bigger fish to take out... Years go by, he tried to help people as he could during Calamity. It was hard, there are so many things that happend that time... With Gulid they helped with rebuilding Limsa and areas that was affected. This is when Nava started to think about traveling, to try new things, be at new places, meet new people. He decided to be adventurer, but still hoding Code to his heart and helping when needed.

Quirks:

Great as coinkeeper for gulid.

Always having pair of daggers if magic not gonna work

He is cruel, if somebody hurt people dear to Nava, he will not be gentle.

Master culinarian, took grwreat time at culinarian gulid.

Quote: May gods have mercy for my enemies because I won't.

Introduction: Sitting at on one of the Ul'dah tavern you spot the hyur sitting not farr form you. On second look you spoted the pointy ears. On third look you spotted the horns. You thoght they are maybe some kind fancy decoration? Than you see they finishied thier dring with few big glups, and stand from seat, levaing the gil. He was observing someone that was leaving tavern too. Before he gone he just "fixed" position of his dagger on the belt.

Random info: - He and Jacke where FwB - Can eat alot and loves to try new food

Name: Alden Lush

Gender/Pronouns: Cis Male He/Him

Orientation: Homosexual

Age: 25

Race: Hyur

Associated God: Thalik

Occupation: Studium Absolvent, Thaliak chosen

Home/Origin: Old Sharlayan

Goal/Motivation: Unravel mystery of parents “death” and what they investigate. The Truth

Strength: Memory, Alchemy, Perceptive, lots of aether (all carby are the chonky ones), fast reader.

Weakness: Cooking, No Street Smart, Lots of times lost in thoughts and not looking around, shy with talking. Zero social skills.

Likes: Food, books, sunny days,

Dislikes: Surprises, Mimics

Class: Summoner/Scholar

Family/Childhood: Born at Old Sharlayan to a pair of scholars. They go on expeditions lots of the time, but one in the while Alden joins them as a kid. Once at Costa del Sol met a blonde Miqo'te and became friends. Sadly Alden needed to go back home but promised to go back one day. That never happened, but why? Sadly on the next expedition they went without him, and they didn't come back. The rescue mission was created, but they come back mostly empty handed. They found the destroyed ship, bodies of the crew and a few personal items of his parents including the father book he used as a summoner. They were called dead and now what to do with Alden? There were no other relatives there. Finally was adopted by one of the Forum members, and the era of traveling has come to an end. His guardian told him he can leave Sharlayan only when he graduates Studium. So Alden studied hard to enter there. He chose Aeather Archeology as specialization. Finally when finished his studies and became a full titled scholar, he began to prepare for the journey. To unravel the mystery of his parents and what they found.

Quirks:

When lost in thoughts he walks, and doesn't look where. That show he learned how to swim

Don’t need a book to cast, he only needs some ink and surface to write, but books are handy

Even with perfect memory he always has the book with notes and checks lots of times.

Have favorite seal plushie from childhood

Blessing: Thaliak Blessing - Absolute Memory

Quote: Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.

Introduction: As you live peacefully in Limsa minding your own business you see young hyur on streets that seem lost. Always checking his book in hands and muttering to himself. You see him going one direction, and not even a minute pass you see him going back the same road. Only a miracle that he didn't end up at Limsa water…yet.

Radom info: - Just can't cook, boiling water are his max skills - Few times he broke his glasses, so he have a spare at his coat.

[lustrous-dawn]

Some Positivity

I'm absolutely surprised I do not have an image of my sona with a heart so Zhen will have to do it. Especially given his ‘job’

The start of the year for me has been rough. The folks who know my situation know my words are a severe understatement but I can’t let that hold me down. But it has made it abundantly clear that I am loved. 

Loved.

I genuinely have folks who love me for who am I. 

I couldn't ask for any more words than that today.

I am loved for what I am and what I do and that's all I could ever ask for. And I love myself for it.

So today, lets give out a little bit of love to some folk today. 

Edge; @casteliacityramen

I love how you are incredibly indecisive about reblogging some things on your side account. Something that means a lot to a character that someone may get a free hint on. I mean hell I used to do that all the time in my younger days to keep them on my brain to stay a little consistent on it. But man, I'm sure you've been hearing a lot from other people and honestly I'll be one of them hollering in the back about how we love Rio. 

MepersonallyIwanttoseeRaybutwe’llgetthere. 

The point is your story and characters have managed to grab people by the throat. You have an eloquent way of making them pretty relatable and gripping their attention. 

Hope you're enjoying the day with your significant other :0

Owli; @askvekpa

I always wonder if you be like “THERE GOES THIS GIRL AGAIN ASKING FOR HER DANG LUGIAS TO BE DRAWN AGAIN.” I can't help myself. You're too damn good at your craft and your attention to detail on beasties, dragons and animals alike. It's praiseworthy so I hope you always treat yourself kindly when it comes to what you do. Also, you seem to be doing better in the anxiety department, or I hope so. It's been a pleasure to see you be more interactive as of late with others so I hope you have been able to adequately spread your wings in that environment and get better.

Vega; @pokitsune

MAN I SURELY DO MISS YOU RIGHT. I HAVE SO MANY BRAINWORMS ABOUT YAKO AND ROSHI FIGHTING AND TEA TIME WITH ROSHI. Then I remember you're literally a DM away and my ass is just straight-up forgetful. I remember you chatted away about your Ninetales lore and goddamn I was eating it up. It FUELED ME to be so motivated with my characters, you have no idea. And coupled with your old ask blogs, I am so glad we started to chat last year and I am always grateful you send me images of stuff I can relate with on my characters. 

I hope you're having fun with FFXIV and I hope you and gf are doing something good today or both of you are taking some good ass time to relax.

Skins; @asksavel

I mean there are a lot of words I want to say. Overall it is always overwhelmingly positive. We were both there for each other in a horrible mental down. While mines is a bit still ongoing, you still have been sending me kind words and images to make the day all the more bearable. You noticed I have been withdrawn lately and you consider that when talking with me. 

Communication. It's something I always prized and I really appreciate it when we have chatting. Thank you so much for being the person you are and helping me. It has meant a lot to me.

Kai; @bunnkick

I'm pretty sure you weren't expecting me to do this! But HA I GOT YOU NOW TODAY. 

EVER SINCE YOU TOLD ME YOU CONSIDERED ME A FRIEND I HAVE BEEN LIKE A NERVOUS LITTLE PERSON TO CHAT MORE WITH YOU. I have been doing good to shoot messages your way to check in on you though and I'm proud of that much. Ah, I love your work man. I have been saying this for years as I have been working with you and imma saying it again, your style rocks man. And the chats we have, I love staying up for 3 hours to chat with ya. It's always a great time. 

Now I gotta hit you up for shows. I have been watching some and I always loved your insight ~

[tavshortfortavern]

Reaper!Tav

Reaper is a job in ffxiv where the person makes a deal with a voidsent (being of pure dark aether) to share their power and fight with them in exchange for aether. They fight with a giant scythe and can absorb souls to gain a new form where they merge with the Reaper and look even more demonic. A voidsent is always consumed by hunger and can never really be satiated.

Characters: Wyll, Dammon, Rolan, Zevlor

Warnings: None

Notes: Some crossover stuff. Reaper is the coolest job. Aesthetically and storywise. I really need to get back on track instead of coming up with new ideas

Wyll

Has never heard of a voidsent so assumes your a warlock like him

In a way the two classes are similar. Devils are a lot more cunning and into contracts. Your voidsent is simply a ravenous beast.

The voidsent won't manipulate you into anything. But you feel their bottomles hunger like its your own, making you act rather scary in battle especially when you channel them and become enshrouded

There are clear ups and downs. But if you had to ask, you rather deal with the beast than annoying fucks like mizora or raphael

Once he meets your avatar his alarm does grow. Its definitely different from Mizora but no less dangerous

Overtime he does come to see that you and the voidsent do have a fairer deal. No power plays or manipulation tactics, both of you stand to gain something frok each other.

The voidsent gets to feed and experience light for the first time coming from an eternally darkness ridden world and you get a powerful boost in strength

Has an easier time opening up to you about his deal with mizora and his origins

The two of you understand sacrifice and the want to protect something with everything you had

Admires the way you fight with a scythe. He hasn't seen people fight with such a weapon

You really do look like an avatar of death

But he trusts you to have a hold of that hunger

Dammon

The most open minded of the characters

First noticed you by that giant scythe you carry on hour back. He quickly knows its not a simple farming tool. Really it was a work of art. He's happy to repair it whenever you ask

Not a common weapon either but he's seen the way you weild it. Its enough to send enemies running

But he's also seen you enshrouded, a horrifying spectre clawing out of a dark portal, like Myrkul himself appearing, merging with you

He's been to the hells and seen his fair share. But seeing your new intimidating form made him almost run as well

Doesn't really understand magic as well as wizards but he's always been fascinated with infernal machinery which is a tabboo subject

So when he sees your voidsent out and about with you, is the least bothered by it. Not that he isn't, just less so.

You say you've kinda bonded with them. Telling him the story of a world consumed by darkness, its people turned into voidsent. Your voidsent was just a regular person at some point. he's horrified at the revelation

It was the reason you were willing to bring the avatar around. To see a world with light and color. It delighted him how sympathetic you were, changing his view on the voidsent

He's happy to hear you have a fair relationship, both being equals. Something not at all true for warlocks and their patrons

Might actually greet it when you come over with the voidsent still around

Rolan

Will never admit it but your enshrouded form genuinely scares him. He puts on a brave front

The actual voidsent scares him even more. Doesn't want it anywhere near him. Thank you

Early on he just wishes to avoid it. But when you end up saving him multiple times does he begin to care about your situation

Is the most openly against your deal with the voidsent. He's seen how infernal pacts go, nothing good comes from it. He can't imagine why you would want to lend it your mana. When doing so too much would kill you

And how do you know if this things won't take over?

When he notices you drained on mana, he'll lend some of his own. You did save him and his family after all

He really wants you to get out of this deal but you reassure him that the deal it equitable

You voidsent doesn't want you gone or worse, your its main source of food after all. And you'd like to think you've bonded with them after all this time fighting side by side

He'll huff and call you a fool but doesn't push it. He knows you can handle it better than most people, your kind and good, less likely to be consumed by the temptation of power

Just dont go pushing yourself for other people too much ok? He doesn't want you dying when he hasn't really paid you back (thats all no other reason- shutupyoutwo i can see you giggling!)

Also lectured you once not to bring your voidsent into the shop you'll scare his customers

Zevlor

During that first fight at grove he noticed the strange weapon you carried. It was odd to use a farmer's tool but maybe you needed to improvise?

Then he saw you weild it and the hairs on the back his neck stood up

You were a forced to be reckoned with. Suddenly it wasn't a farmer's tool but an instrument of Myrkul. Reaping souls of your enemies

It was almost mesmerizing watching you hack and slash everything around you. But he noticed the dark energy your attacks emitted

Like Rolan, majorly concerned when he witnesses the voidsent fight by your side

He eventually asks about your abilities and you don't hide the deal you made with this 'voidsent'

Quickly grows concerned for you. There's a chance you could drain yourself dry from fighting this way

At one point he sees you merge with this things and take on a menacing appearance. The scream you let out chilled him to his bone as it sounded inhuman. You dived into battle ravenously, like a man possessed, like a hungry beast

But he couldn't take over fighting, not when you outclass most people. Still he makes sure your not overexerting yourself

The voidsent wasn't a higher being and needed you just as much as you did. It soothed his worries a little but he never likes seeing it hang around

[spotofmummery]

OOC: State of Mummery 2023

On the eve of Amon’s Nameday (tomorrow), I just wanted to take a moment to talk about Spot of Mummery, my creative endeavors (rather the lack of), a bit about what’s happening IRL, and what I’d like to do more of in 2024.

Feel free to take a peek into my life if you wish, below the cut. Your suggestions are always welcome!

I want to start this with a disclaimer – I’m going to talk about difficult things that I don’t normally address here, but I am doing okay. I’ve learned how to work through many difficulties the last couple of years, and this is not a post of lament.

Some might know that I lost my father unexpectedly right before Christmas last year.

Most don’t know that for the last couple of years (and right now currently), I’m also dealing with unexplained chest pain on and off through the year. My heart was checked this past year, and that was all fine. It’s undiagnosed, but I’m thinking (and the cardiologist also thinks) it’s a form of inflammation. The pain I can deal with, the worry about “what is this?” is a bit more troublesome.

All this is to say, I haven’t been very creative in 2023.

During NaNoWriMo of 2022, I finally wrote Amon’s triumphant return to Syrcus Tower in the First, as I’ve wanted to for years. But then, my Dad passed, and it took months for me to finish editing and posting all that writing. I did finally get it done, but my focus was other places, obviously.

In 2023, I haven’t written a word for Amon’s story outside of the Choose Amon’s Adventures (which I’d like to get started up again, maybe) and his silly adventures on Island Sanctuary (which I need to complete with the newest content for the last patch).

My RP interactions here have been little to none. My energy for attending in game events has been low.

I did organize my own event around the NA fanfest, and that went great, actually! Thanks to all who attended!

But aside from that, Lunarcon, and a few small art parties, I’ve kept to myself a lot this year. In fact, my game time in FFXIV is probably an all-time low – and that’s not because I’ve fallen out of love with the game.

On a positive note, the whole fiasco at Twitter/X brought me back to this Tumblr account full-time. I was already moving this direction, but now I’m here primarily. I do have a Pillowfort and a Blue Sky account for Amon, but Tumblr is my main gig.

I’m not exactly sure where I’m going with all this, other than to just note that my creativity and interaction has not been up to snuff this year. I’d love to say something like, “My resolution for next year is to knock it out of the park!” – but the reality is, I’m not sure what I can commit to just yet.

I think what I'd like most of all to start by getting back into enjoying time spent in game with Amon again, for one. Not that I dislike time spent with Amon, just that I recognize that it’s not got that spark that once motivated me (probably user error).

To be fair, though, I haven’t been spending a lot of time with any of my characters in game like I used to. So, it’s not just Amon.

If you’ve gone through a time where you needed to reconnect with your OCs, let me know how that turned out and what you did. I’m open to suggestions!

And if you’ve read all the way here to the end, thanks for listening. You are appreciated, friend! <3

[maeve-is-annoying-about-books]

Dawntrail endpoint review

Or: Wow they really spent half an expansion setting up for this and I love it. You know the deal, spoilers and all. Random internet opinion machine go! ->

I feel like before I get into Heritage Found and Living Memory I gotta talk about Shaaloani. I'm really sorry but I feel like this area, above all others, is really reflective of how Dawntrail needed a hard editing pass. Just one.

To say it's bad would be a misnomer, but the area story as a whole is a little bit of a... a non-sequitur? We just got out of the Rite of Succession's big high point and now we're gonna visit Erenville's home but very little of what happens here relates to the story that comes before or after. A tweak or two and it'd flow a lot better, maybe a story more focused on how Koana's march of progress here affects people. This is a place balanced too far on the side of Reason, and perhaps Lamaty'i can send us here to add a little of the Resolve's flair and unite people. Or maybe I'd use it to focus more on reflection, and here we have something that really caught back my attention.

The trolley crew of the First are reflected here in the train crew and this? Was brilliant. It primed me to look for similar reflections in Alexandria's lands and was very rewarding and more than that I think it's a subtle show of the difference between souls and memories. The train crew are still the same intrepid enthusiasts at a core, true level. At least in terms of FFXIV's world, soul and memory are two different components of a person and the essential difference is demonstrated well with this tiny scene. I'd LOVE to have seen it more repeated across Shaaloani as the intersection between memories, souls, and even our environment.

Then Zoraal Ja happens, the bastard. He is the worst parts of the other three competitors for the throne combined. He always was, we just never see it because he's so obviously strong. There's no way he's insecure, right? But look again at his goal, he wants to unite the world, the only way he could possibly outperform his father and carve his name. He frames it as such a noble goal but the truth of it is what we see in the invasion. He is an insecure coward. He can't die for his cause like he demands others do. He's a piss-poor commander who only cares for terror. He borrows power from others and calls it his own. Lamaty'i thanks us, Koana accepts help, Bakool Ja Ja is at least indignant when his cohort joins the fight. Zoraal Ja is a sad man with a sad death. He'll devour those in his care if it means he can achieve his goal.

He never will. The blasted second head of his monstrous form says it all.

Sphene stands as the true counterpart to Lamaty'i. Wuk Lamat's arc wasn't finished when she took the throne, her plea to stay in Tural with her was proof of that. Like Sphene needing Zoraal Ja. And then, also like Sphene, she grows beyond this need and becomes more assured of her path, albeit it in a gentler and more loving way. If I were to put it in words, Sphene learned brutality from her dependence on Zoraal Ja, while Lamaty'i learns to be true to herself from the WoL's belief in her, thus bringing about the final acts for each, a diametric opposition both sides regret.

In the Dark Knight quests, the WoL (through their counterpart Myste) brings back the memories of others. Giving life to the thoughts of the departed. And it was just as unsustainable then as it is for Living Memory. We see how Myste has to constantly siphon living aether to perform this act and even then it's a vanishing and hollow thing. Most people who encounter our memories know they aren't really there. Living Memory is this act on a worldly scale. Living Memory devours life to produce itself. Living Memory is an eternal golden era perpetuated by feeding on the potential future and other cultures. It is, dare I say, colonialism made manifest. A foreign power who arrives without warning and takes and shapes a land and while it brings a higher standard of living, supposedly, the highest and most revered tier is beyond the reach or knowledge of most.

But. Living Memory is also a place to say goodbye. It's a heaven where you can rest easy knowing some piece of you will carry on and meet your lover again. Hang out with a long-lost friend. Make up with someone who became your enemy due to a mistake. It is an area filled with love and catharsis and beauty with a terrible price for its continued existence. But even if we found some way to infinitely fuel it, I don't think it would be any better of a place, because while your memories live on there, there is no one back in life who remembers you. No one to speak your name or trade a tale with. The people there are more dead than Gulool Ja Ja, a man who is remembered fondly, whose legacy binds disparate people together and whose wisdom guides a new generation. His hand still holds Lamaty'i's, even in death, while the Endless lose their place outside of this nostalgic world of twilight.

Just... fuck, dude. What an incredibly poignant story to tell, one that necessitated the story that came before. What a fitting one for the first expansion to come out after the TEN YEAR arc that led up to Endwalker. It's a story that asks itself how it can hope to stand up to the weight of a legendary legacy and takes its tumbles with aplomb to set the groundwork for a new tale to come. For a new generation and a new leg of the journey.

[glamphantasm]

thank you for the tag @melverie - I'll be answering these as the person behind the damaged oc, who usually inhabits @hostilemakeover territory

15 Questions Tag Game

01 - Are you named after anyone?

Nope. Literally was given "the only name your father and I didn't argue about." - the exact response I got.

02 - When was the last time you cried?

Actual deep sobbing? I can't even remember. Tears? Ugh. Playing P3Re right now. It's wrenched a couple out of me.

03 - Do you have kids?

I have dogs. And about a million oc-types.

04 - What sports do you play/have you played?

Softball as a kid. I think that was about it?

05 - Do you use sarcasm?

I'm sorry, is there other ways of communicating?

06 - What is the first thing you notice about people?

i tend to do a general sweep over them. whatever catches my eye is different for everyone - sometimes height or hair, other times an accessory or an attitude.

07 - What's your eye color?

Blue. Pale-boring-blue.

08 - Scary movies or happy endings?

Scary movies. I have a thing where I'm like... not great with happy endings. They make me roll my eyes too much. A good moderate ending though? A+

09 - Any talents?

I'm an excellent mimic - accents, tone, all that. I cook really well (although I think that's more of a skill - I've done it for like... ever. probably longer than a lot of y'all have been alive), I'm told I'm an excellent leader. I think that's a lie.

10 - Where were you born?

New York - upstate. not city. there's a LOT more to NY than the city, I promise. I grew up opposite Toronto on Lake Ontario for anyone who knows the geography.

11 - What are your hobbies?

Uh. Spending way too much time thinking of fictional men. That's the main one really. Gaming. I'm looking forward to the latest FFXIV expansion, and I'm kind of a whore for Persona mainline games. I try to read, but untreated massive stupid mental issues have made that almost impossible.

12 - Do you have any pets?

2 dogs! One is a gigantic labrador retriever (seriously - I grew up with these beasts. he's the tallest one I've ever known, and at 110lbs he is SKINNI), and an 85lb ball of attitude wrapped in black and white fur. The genetics claim he's pitbull/akita/pyr/chow... but I dunno if I believe it. he's an absolute freak though.

13 - How tall are you?

5f7. so, like... idk. 170cm? is that about right?

14 - Favourite subject in school?

Art and English/Literature. I loved French until I got a horrible teacher.

15 - Dream job?

I don't dream of having a job. I dream of finding an enormous drum stuffed full of cash that will allow me to waste my life chasing pleasure and fun instead of working.

tagging: anyone who wants to <3 (low/no pressure tags to @arklayraven & @daemonicdorset)

[a-pink-beau]

FFXIV Write 2024 #24 - Bar

Summary: Beau goes to the bar after a very long adventure. Gets some unwanted company

Content Warnings: Indirect Transphobia

Spoilers: Endwalker

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

The star is safe. The Final Days are now behind the people of Etheirys.

And Beau could use a drink.

It is fairly late at Mehryde's Meyhane, and very quiet. The people celebrating have gone home, leaving a handful of solitary individuals, nursing their drinks. Beau is one of them.

She has much to think about. What to do with herself now that there are no more wars, people to save, or evil to defeat. She had thrown her life on the line multiple times in the last few days, and somehow she came out of it all alive. Facing the Endsinger, then Zenos, alive is the last thing she expected to be after all was said and done.

And this type of contemplation requires alcohol.

Two drinks and three shots in, Beau found herself sliding her near-empty drink from one hand to another. Everyone around her is happy, but she can't seem to bring herself to feel the same way.

Her train of thought is interrupted by someone taking a seat in the stool on her right, waving down the bartender, and ordering a drink.

He doesn't look like a regular. He doesn't even look like he is from Radz-at-Han at all. 

Beau looks to her left to see a half dozen empty stools running down the bar. Then she looks to her right, at this man who is glancing at her in his periphery as he takes a drink.

The Warrior of Light sighs, then polishes off the last of her drink. She knows what's coming next. She has a fan sitting next to her.

“Can I help you?” Beau is rarely in the mood to play celebrity, especially not tonight. The man shifts in his seat to face her at a 45 degree, a smug smile appears on his face.

“You're the Warrior of Light, aren't you?”

Beau wishes she had more liquid left in her cup.

“A Warrior of Light. Not the,” Beau replies, correcting him. The man raises his hands in a feigned apologetic way, still smiling.

“Well excuse me. Just trying to give my thanks. No need for the hostility. It's a simple mistake.” The man turns back toward the bar.

“Don't need your thanks,” Beau says curtly, instinctively going to drink from her empty glass before realising and setting it back down. The man brushes off Beau's words and waves down the bartender again.

“Then how about I at least pay for a drink for the saviour of Rads At Hawn?” The man stumbles through the name of the city. Beau examines him. He doesn't look drunk enough to mess that up.

“Not the. A. As in one of multiple.” Beau said, watching the bartender approach them.

“One more of what she was just having for this one, if you would.” The man starts rifling through his gil purse for payment. Beau swiftly pulls gil from her own purse and slaps it down on the bar first. The bartender takes her money and quickly gets her another glass.

The man huffs as he takes his hand off his gil.

“Eh, semantics. I mean isn't it true that the other one died somewhere and you lot brought back a new one to take his place?” The bartender sets Beau's new drink down in front of her. “That'd make you the leader by seniority alone, wouldn't it?” Beau grabs her drink with an angry grip as she takes a swig. She isn't liking what she's hearing and the alcohol in her blood is making it impossible to turn the other cheek. She turns to face the man.

“First off, I'm not the leader. Never have been, never will be. So get that through your skull. Second, my friend has done more to save and protect this star than I ever have, so if you want to go throwing around praise, go find the one who actually deserves it. Third, you’re running off bad information, so make sure you know what you're talking about before you go running your mouth.” Beau is not having it with this man. The man still holds onto his smile.

“Heh. Here I thought the Warrior of Light was supposed to be a friendly face to everyone.”

“That's your reasoning for bothering me? Thinking I'd humour you?”

“Oh come on now. From what I hear, the other one is too… soft to have done everything I've heard. No need to pity ‘em. We all know you need to be tough to get things done.”

Beau sets down her drink. She takes a deep breath.

Beau shoots out her leg at the base of the man's stool, kicking it out from under him. The stool rolls along the floor as the man falls where he sat and hits his head on the side of the bar as he goes. 

Beau stands up and looks down at the man on the floor, a hand on the side of his head as he pieces together what just happened.

“Lehon'a is the toughest person I know. You wouldn't last a tenth of a bell in her shoes. Now if you want an example of what tough looks like, since you seem to be lacking in it, I'd be happy to provide examples.” Beau hands tighten into fists. She is ready to beat this man to a pulp. The man looks up at Beau, absolutely bewildered. “If you thought I'd just roll over because I'm supposed to keep up some nice persona, you're dumber than I already think you are.”

The man lays on the ground, frozen in fear. As though he truly never thought someone would ever retaliate against his words. “You know what won the day at the end of it all? Being kind. It takes guts to be kind. Lehon'a has that in spades, while you look like you've got nothin’ inside. But I'm not tough like her. No I'll be mean, just like you.” Beau squats down, her elbows on her knees, now eye level with the man. “I'll get myself dirty. I'll play at your level. Want me to show you?” The man sees violence in her eyes. His fight or flight kicks in and he scrambles backwards away from Beau until he can get his feet under him. He pauses for a moment before turning tail and running out the entrance.

Beau stands back up and looks at the bartender. “Sorry.” She'd likely be hearing from Mehryde in the morning for causing a ruckus. She retrieves the fallen bar stool and returns it to its home before sitting back down in her spot.

Taking another sip of her drink, Beau returns to her thoughts. She truly thought she'd be dead once the Final Days were over, and now had to find purpose.

Keeping pieces of shite like that away from Lehon'a seemed like a good enough purpose. At least that will have to do until I can find something else.

Beau takes another sip of her drink. And for the first time in a long time, Beau let a small smile visit her face.

[sjofn-lofnsdottr]

List 5 things that make you happy, then put this in the askbox for the last 10 people who reblogged something from you! get to know your mutuals and followers (ू•‧̫•ू⑅)♡

Hmm.

#1: My husband. I met him back in ... I believe it was mid-1998 because I wasn't 21 yet (my birthday is in December) and he informed me I was Young. I found that both funny and very rude, given he was ... all of 24, it's just that I was the same age as his little sister AND in the half of the year where we're four years apart instead of three. In any case, we met on a MUD (go look it up, I'll wait) and just ... really hit it off immediately, clicking in ways big and small. When I finally met him face to face in early 2000, I remember thinking it was a shame he lived in California (I lived in NJ, but was out here visiting my aunt and decided on a whim to meet him too) but uh ... well, by August 2001, it wasn't a problem any more, and we got married in 2003. Now that I'm in my forties, that timeline sounds insane to me, but I promise, it made perfect sense at the time.

#2: My family. It's true, I'm a tumblr user that actually gets along with her family really well, and I'm always happy when I get to visit them. My (boomer!) parents raised us to be people, rather than treating us like their belongings, and my three siblings and I have always gotten along really well (teen squabbling aside, of course, but even that was relatively mild compared to some of my friends). I love my in-laws too! I've always felt extremely lucky when it comes to family.

#3: My cats!

I mean, duh.

#4: My online knitting circle. I have a group chat in Discord in which we nerd about our various nerd things, FFXIV being one of the primary things (but not the ONLY thing by any stretch!). I tend to think a lot about The Writing in stuff I consume, and I very often have Opinions I like to Assert, and I'm so glad I have a private place to do so, because it is a containment zone for my less-kind opinions that the internet at large is better off not hearing about, but I still need to get out of my system. They also tolerate me barfing half-formed headcanon thoughts all over their shoes, which I appreciate.

#5: Taking Screenshots. There are so many other things that could go here instead, but this is my snap decision! I have been doing crime-aided gposes for a few years now, but I still feel very new at it sometimes, and the sense of satisfaction I get when I put something together I really like makes me very happy indeed. (And then @petitfarron helps shut up my anxiety about showing anyone else what I've done, and that technically makes me happy too, showing people stuff!)

Thanks for the ask!