#ashkin

[therealdesastrffxiv]

hi :D

I got art of my goth-jock OC Finn, he's very excited to meet you.

ART CREDIT TO trebol_queen ^^

[fictionkinfessions]

I've been fighting it for too long and cannot anymore. Hi, I'm Ash. From Fantastic Mr. Fox. I am once again short and (*paw motions*) different, and y'know what? That's ok. There may be no one or very few other people who kin from the same source but I'm ok with that. Even if I do kinda miss my cousin. Me and my baby sister (she was trans) ended up living with his parents, actually, because things didn't really get better and stay better with our folks (if you think my mom and dad were good parents, you weren't watching the film closely enough, and when I didn't retain the level of apparent skill brought about by a literal life-or-death situation, my dad's pride in me vanished pretty quick), and he set things up for us to stay with them.

I wasn't bullied in the school I went to when we moved, so that was nice. I even found a boyfriend. I had a good life, and I didn't completely walk away from my parents. The distance was better for us in the end, family dinners over holidays were actually nice and while they weren't good parents, they were good family once they weren't directly responsible for my care and upbringing.

[fever-pitches]

Call me excite bike 3000 cause this shit slaps

[hares-breadth]

Bunch of fuckin

*rattles fists

Stupid ass beautiful-

(From this point the audio transcript devolves into a plaintive, mewling sort of grumble and the speaker can be seen blushing and clasping their cheeks angrily)

[ahollowgrave]

So --

Her undying nature, to be frank. Mortals are suppose to die! It completes a cycle that is vital to life and the star. Odette knows she's technically (un)dead, but I don't think she's delved much further than. Because it's scary and it's unnatural and it makes her feel bad so she ignores it. Is this the right move? Probably not! But she's 21. But Pigeon, you cry, isn't she a psychopomp? How can she guide the dead while ignoring her own undead state? EASY. People do things all the time while ignoring themselves. To Odette, the work is because Menphina, her most holy and loving bride, bid her do it and not because her own death and resurrection were manufactured* to make her a beacon for souls/ghosts/spirits. I often say Odette "doesn't need" sleep, but the truth is Odette cannot sleep. She cannot fully rest. She also can barely enjoy food, clinging to sweet treats because it's something she can taste and indulge in. These get worse as she 'ages' and eventually even sweet treats will taste of nothing but ash. Dust. To me, the idea of seeking rest and being unable to obtain it is... horrifying. We know what lack of rest/sleep does to people, we know how sleep depravation is used. Odette can 'rest' in a sense, but it's never enough for her. And of course the ultimate rest that death brings is beyond her reach. Until -- Who knows! She has no idea why she's like this**, she has no idea how to fix or it even if she would want it 'fixed' right now. She is constantly at war with what she knows is "Right" and what she Wants.***

The horror of knowing your time was up a while ago and yet here you stand. Have the grains of sand frozen in their fall through the hourglass? If you look away to they resume? What happens when they begin to fall again? What if they never do. What if, on the edge of your understanding, you swear you see a grain move? Odette is very much a horror character but I've packed it all away like those snacks in bean cans. You know the ones.

*manufactured death and resurrection!? by who!? to what end!? (: **she has no idea but someone certainly does. ***'right' = she should pass on, return to the aetherial sea and take her place in Menphina's frozen heaven. But she wants to keep living, to experience the star and to know love and heartbreak, joy and sorrow. Whose to say that isn't right, either?

Because I am a little hobgoblin and I love to read about peoples' OC's, I wanted to chuck out a random WoLQotD that I didn't want to use as a single ask for my drive: What, in your opinion, is the most horrific thing about your character's story? Is it who they are and how they treat the world? Is it where they came from; the wars, political divide, state of their family, etc. Is it the magic they wield/was it an event that defined them?

I love a little horror/angst in my worldbuilding, so I want to hear yours.

[bugsterrarium]

mr. backwards...look back at how he acts!

[ffxivxd]

Ying-Yang is an ashkin with two heads atop a monster's shoulders. Some say that its the result of a soul torn by unresolved feelings--manifesting the opposing forces in all sentient beings. However, some just believed it to be a twin headed beast.

[thefreelanceangel]

Impatience gnawed at him. Keeping himself moving upward at a steady pace, neither bolting blindly ahead or rushing wildly down the slopes he saw leading to the temple took more effort than he'd imagined self-control ever would.

Perhaps becoming wholly embodied had given him a wider perspective, but it also came with more entanglements and frustrations than he'd imagined. Even standing on the edge of the still pond that fairly sang with purified aether...

He felt only frustration.

If she'd been there with him, he could have enjoyed the moment of respite from climbing the mountain. Could have enjoyed the breeze sweeping across the water, the crisp air, the ambient aether that all but fed him...

She wasn't there, and so he could not bring himself to linger. Nor could the awareness of the need for caution hold him back from sprints that carried him up the paths and down slopes until he reached the rise above the temple's back entrance.

There he did pause. Not simply to catch his breath, to clutch the glass drop against his chest that held her precious blood, but also to gauge the situation.

He could walk in. He saw that clearly enough. No traps were laid, no guards stood. And the red thread that bound him to her went beneath the temple, through the temple. He needed to proceed forward in order to find her.

And yet...

Even approaching the door, he felt something warning him away. The mononoke he'd encountered--seedkin, ashkin, other such varieties--were nothing compared to the presence he could sense within the temple.

Not the enthralling life of the kami, but something else.

...and if he didn't need to go in there, if that red thread which bound him hadn't led beneath the temple, he would've turned immediately and left to avoid it.

He drew a deep breath, pressed the vial to his chest hard enough to impress a bruise beneath the glass, and forced his paws to carry him forward.

[hazelkjt]

OC Introductory Post

Hello, and thank you for stopping by my blog! I'm Hazel and this is my main character for everything FFXIV related, from raiding to rp'ing. My pronouns are he/him, I'm an early 20's college student still trying to figure out what to do with my life, but I'm getting there!

I had mentioned this before but I'll reiterate it here: this blog was originally just for my main FFXIV OC, Hazel Kha, but because trying to manage multiple blogs was pushing me away from doing anything with these character I'm consolidating this one to have all of my OCs on it rather than just one. Those old blogs will remain up to keep the content from disappearing but I will not be utilizing them anymore. I'm sorry if you followed me here exclusively for the Hazel stuff, she will still be the main focus of most of my posts here but there will be others posted up here and there.

I'm situated on Zalera (Crystal) and spend most of my time either raiding or taking GPose shots, but regardless I look forward to seeing everyone's creativity here on the Tumbles.

Anyways, onto the intro bits to them all below the Read More

Hazel Kha

Age: 24

Race: Xaela Au Ra

Height: 6'4"/193cm

Nameday: 25th Sun of the First Umbral Moon (February 22nd)

Gender: Female (She/Her)

Sexuality: Bisexual

A young hunter and warrior of the Kha tribe, Hazel is a proud daughter of the Azim Steppe who has always longed to see more, to do more. Through her mother's collection of foreign books and literature she came to daydream and wonder of the lands beyond the Steppe. Her desire for adventure high a fever pitch when coming into possession of a wandering samurai's soul crystal, and all the memories and knowledge it contained. She would hold on to the stone dearly for years, until one fateful day she had a chance encounter of a lifetime and through it found her way across the waters to Eorzea. After arriving she found herself under the employment of the Sharlayan scholar Nolanel Corbeaux, working as both research assistant and hired hand to help defend against threats. Not long after Hazel finds herself under the tutelage of Lia Amelune of Ishgard, retired Dragoon and head of her own noble house. Extremely curious and adventurous by nature, Hazel's love of the unknown is matched only by her competitiveness. Idealistic and prideful, Hazel takes to each new day with excitement and wonder in her eye.

Claire Ashe (Claire Bas Syndris)

Age: 29

Race: Garlean

Height: 6'2"/188cm

Nameday: 17th Sun of the Third Astral Moon (May 17th)

Gender: Female (She/Her)

Sexuality: Lesbian

A pureblooded Garlean who spent most of her childhood and teenage years living in Ala Mhigo under Garlean occupation. She grew up befriending many of the Ala Mhigan children there without her parents knowing. After her two closest friends were beaten to death in the streets, Claire revoked her family name and fled the city, no longer disillusioned by the Garlean propaganda she was fed her entire life. She traveled to Ul'dah and came into contact with the Lemures, where she was then trained by Drusilla as a Reaper. With her training and pact with the Voidsent Sidian, Claire aided in the revolution to liberate Ala Mhigo from Garlean control. She now works aboard the merchant ship The Enduring Deeds as a deckhand and the ship's main cook. She wears a bandana at all times to hide her third eye, paranoid over the general consensus most people have of Garleans. She puts up a cold and harsh exterior, which as of this point might not be as much of an act anymore, but underneath is a truly kind soul afraid of being hurt and hurting others just from existing.

Derrinall Evramont

Age: 33 (physically)

Race: Duskwight Elezen (also Ashkin/Undead)

Height: 6'7"/200.6cm

Nameday: 9th Sun of the First Astral Moon (January 9th)

Gender: Male (He/Him)

Sexuality: Pansexual

Derrinall Evramont originally lived during the final years of Gelmorra. His family were that of knights, dedicated to serving the people, though unfortunately his life was not lost in service of this oath. Sickness claimed him a few years before the total fall of Gelmorra, his soul adrift yet still holding strong to his memory and sense of self for centuries...that is, until he was brought back to the star for reasons he did not know. When he awoke again he wandered the ruins of the crypt he was buried in, eventually stumbling upon two he would learn to be kindred spirits, in a way. The two strangers helped him to recover even as he kept his personal information close to his chest, eventually pointing him to work and housing in Ishgard. He found work under Lia Amelune, both as house servant and a member of the House's ranks of knights. Derrinall's previous experience as a knight of Gelmorra saw him quickly rise through the ranks to become Captain, a title he holds with pride and only the occasional harassment of the Lady he serves.

E'venna Zekiel

Age: 22

Race: Seeker of the Sun Miqo'te

Height: 5'4"/162cm

Nameday: 3rd Sun of the Sixth Astral Moon (November 3rd)

Gender: Female (She/Her)

Sexuality: Straight

E'venna Zekiel is the eldest daughter of five children. After her father was tempered by Ifrit and subsequently killed, she took it upon herself to help her mother care for her younger siblings, specifically her triplet younger sisters. It wasn't an easy road to get where she and her family are now, especially in a place such as Ul'dah. E'venna began her "career" in back alley fights, as she had always been scrappy in a brawl. After getting into an impromptu fight outside the Pugilist's Guild she was offered membership, and upon joining took it upon herself to partake in Coliseum matches. The shine of her golden hair is matched only by her bright smile and optimistic personality. Combined with her unorthodox and playful fighting style in matches and soon E'venna had earned her the nickname "The Dancing Coeurl" from dedicated fans of her's. Her tournament winnings are a major boon to the family, with it they are able to put the three youngest through a formal education. Her family members almost all strongly disapprove of E'venna's line of work she can't imagine herself doing anything but. She's found her place, and that's in the ring.

Exploding Goldfish

Age: 36

Race: Hellsguard Roegadyn

Height: 7'2"/218cm

Nameday: 30th Sun of the Third Umbral Moon (June 28th)

Gender: Male (He/Him)

Sexuality: AroAce

Exploding Goldfish, simply known as "Fish" by most everyone, was born to a family of miners in Uldah. Throughout his life he was surrounded by heavy machinery, sparking a lifelong love of machines and inventing. His youth was spent learning everything he could about technology. His studies eventually paid off and he scored the job of his dreams working as part of Garlond Ironworks...for a while. An accident during a project cost Fish partial vision in his left eye and his position in the company. Scarred and humiliated, he drifted for months before finally finding secure work and pay at Wolves' Den Pier. Fish spent his time maintaining the machines used in "Rival Wings" competitions, and when he wasn't working on repairs he was drowning his self-pity in alcohol. It wasn't all for nothing, however. While at Wolves' Den, Fish chanced upon meeting a scrawny Viera living under the pier; Qara Wen. It took some coaxing but eventually Fish was able to befriend him, and over time that friendship evolved into brotherhood. And so when Fish was recruited to join the merchant ship The Enduring Deeds, his one request was that Qara be welcomed aboard as well.

Perseverance "Percy" Kha

Age: 9

Race: Midlander Hyur

Height: 4'0"/122cm

Nameday: 3rd Sun of the Second Astral Moon (March 3rd)

Gender: Female (She/Her)

A certain time, and a certain place...where a certain young spark was chosen to light the way. It is in this reality that a young girl lost everything. Her family was killed, and even her memory of them were taken from her. She was rescued from the same fate as her mother and father by the Warrior of Light, Hazel Kha. With no one else left alive to raise the child Hazel became Percy's guardian, and slowly accepted her place as the child's new mother figure. Hazel has been slowly acclimating the young girl to her new life, hoping to be able to deliver the childhood she deserves. Perseverance has grown to love reading, a pastime brought about by Hazel's own love of literature. Thanks to her favorite genre being heroic fantasy and also viewing her new mother as a larger than life hero, Percy has become fascinated with the idea of being a hero herself once she grows older. She is soft spoken, quiet, and quite blunt when she does speak, but Percy does have a good heart. What the future holds for her only time will tell, but thanks to the love of her new family, Perseverance's future is shining bright.

Lanwa Carmine

Age: 19

Race: Hhetsarro Miqo’te

Height: 5'0"/152.5cm

Nameday: 2nd Sun of the Sixth Umbral Moon (December 2nd)

Gender: Female (She/Her)

Sexuality: Polyamorous Pansexual

Growing up in the lap of luxury, Lanwa had always just wanted excitement in her life. Her childhood was one of privilege and excess, but it wasn’t ever enough to satisfy her. Quite the rebellious child growing up, Lanwa joined a street gang when she was 15. There she caused a commotion for the people around, but it wasn’t quite what she felt she wanted in life. Eventually this led to her leaving the gang and taking a chance as an Air-Wheeler Racer, joining the pro circuit at only 17 summers old. Lanwa quickly became a top contender in the races, earning the nickname “The Crimson Chaser” thanks to her red bike and racing suit. Prideful, competitive, and narcissistic, Lanwa relishes in her newfound fame and fans, alongside the thrill the life-threatening races provide her. But even after finding where she wished to go in her life, there remains a slight sense of something still missing in her life…something she can’t quite explain…

[necro-man-sir]

"Natural death is just the start of progress."

Kieva is my character on Mateus! She is an alchemist and doctor by trade, and focus' her study and research on Ashkin, mortuary and embalming fluids, as well as more experimental and less than ethical testing in her personal time.

Much of her history is kept close to her chest, as are many of her outward feelings or opinions. She is a stoic yet warm, friendly in many regards, and enjoys the company she happens to be blessed with at the time, though rarely seeks it out for herself.

Rumours spread about her due to her macabre fascinations, but outwardly, she is painfully normal, if a little private.

If you were ever looking to rp and see me online and IC, please feel free to say hello! I will be working on her carrd further soon!

[therealdesastrffxiv]

Warning: Do NOT feed the Ashkin.

No matter how nice he asks or nice he looks.

Finn bites. (sometimes not intentionally).

Also, here's some fun writing for this guy. I post screenshots of my lovelies all the time but not bits of story. I think I should change that! (should you be interested, click keep reading :) )

Context:

Basically, Gideon was an evil sidekick to Rook, who's been tormenting these people for years (straight up torture for 'scientific info' but also pleasure.) Gideon sold his body to her to get his people resources after the fall of Garlemald. In exchange, he rose the ranks and provided her the tech she needed to advance.

He went on a journey and spared (mostly because the dice said so - he was never meant to survive but did) along with many of his people.

His sister, Morana, was put through the Resonant experiment because of him, and gained necromancy - Morana is the necromancer who raised Finn. Her people and Gideon's people had clashed for years, and so, Gideon's people have been torn to pieces by the zombies for a while.

Callista had been forced to work with Gideon to survive, because she found him during the fall of Garlemald and he took her in…despite her having tried to assassinate him in the past for being a corrupt Garlean commander hellbent on conquest.

(Gideon is a whole different can of worms and actually is on a redemption arc ^^)

STORY:

“You sure you’re alright to go talk with him?” Finn asked, staring Morana down with concern. He’d followed her out of the room, having finished up breakfast and fixating on trying to help her. Like a loyal hound, always concerned, even if he could sometimes be… well, Finn. 

A long pause, and Morana grumbled, “No. But I have to be.”

Finn nodded. Softly, he asked, “Want me to join you? I could explain to him how well I could–”

“Probably not a good idea, Finny,” Morana murmured, turning to chuckle at him. She took in a deep breath and leaned in to give him a hug, holding him tightly for a moment. He returned it, his concerns intensifying. She could show affection, sure, but typically did so openly only when very, very nervous. Wanting him to be reassured, Morana said, “You can remain near the place, how’s that. If something happens, you can come in and help.” She didn’t know what that would entail exactly, and was confident that wouldn’t come up. It would give Finn peace of mind, though.

Returning the hug, Finn repeated, “Not a good idea,” sheepishly, but then grew serious. “Understood. Remain near the room. I will do that, Morana. Even if I hope things do not erupt into violence for the sake of your sanity.”

“You hope things don’t erupt into violence…. Right. Sure you don’t.”

Finn gave her an awkward smile as the hug ended. “I don’t,” he tried, and at the eyebrow raise from the necromancer, he chuckled. “Specifically for your sake, otherwise, yes, I would love to be involved in violence.”

“There’s the real answer,” Morana said softly, smirking at him. Her smirk faded, and she hugged herself for a moment, closing her eyes. “....I’m frightened, Finny.”

“You want me to get Ced?”

“No. He and Cass are there with one another. But… all of you comfort me, we’re a family. We’re comrades. We’re close friends. You being here means a lot. I hope you all know I don’t derive comfort from Ced alone.”

“Oh, we do, mistress. But the feeling is mutual,” he said softly. “And not just because you give us aether and flesh to chomp on.”

“...You word things in a very interesting fashion even when not trying to,” Morana mumbled.

Finn gave her a dazzling smile. “That was very tame,” he assured her. “I will stay here.”

With that, well… he stayed there. When Morana rushed off to a guest room she was directed to, he had the mental struggle of going to see if she was alright. But gentle reassurance from Phera told him it was best she was left alone to recover from such heavy things. He knew it wasn’t that she didn’t want to see him or any of the other Ashkin, but that, well. Being alone sometimes was very much needed. Thanking Phera profusely (and inquiring very descriptively if she could dismember the voidsent she was restraining, feeling sad when told that wasn’t quite possible just yet), he headed out to his wanderings. 

“...This is all so…” he murmured to himself, unsure of how to feel. Finn knew Morana (17). He’d caught onto her quirks - as many of their people have. She could snap one thing and mean another. Her tone indicated that she wanted so badly to hate Gideon forever, but was slowly cracking. She had expected the opposite of what happened. She’d expected to face someone who confirmed all of her beliefs, and was met with the opposite. 

What does one do in that situation? Faced with someone so horrible and twisted, but hearing an entirely different person, one you cannot help but *feel* is telling the truth? 

Finn made his way down the halls of the City, eventually coming upon Callista’s room (12), a location he learned about by observation. Pacing, he eventually… knocked. 

Most (normal) people would head out after the lack of response for about fifteen seconds - but Finn could hear her heartbeat intensifying and scent her fear. She was off put by visitors, people wanting to talk with her. 

Hm. 

Maybe this was a bad id–

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps grabbed his attention, and he blinked, refocusing. The door creaked open, and pale purple eyes fixed upon him before immediately glancing away. A light intake of breath indicated her fear. “Finn?” she muttered softly. “...You’re not here to…  … hurt me, are you?”

“What? No,” Finn said. “Though I could tear you to pieces really easily, and really… *really* wanted to in the past, you are no longer on the menu, unfortunately.”

“... Un… for…”

“Yes,” Finn said in a dead serious tone, clearly not catching on that he is just *not helping*. “Your flesh looks tasty and you were an enemy. The former still applies, the latter does not, which allows you to be disqualified from becoming a meal. You, Ares, Sparrow, and I had a movie night, and we were birds. Did something happen between now and then to make you question my motives?” he asked with genuine worry.

Callista stared at the ground, her fear intensifying. “...No, just my own thoughts.” Callista was torn between admitting Finn absolutely terrified her and realizing that this was just him being him(10). After a shudder, she took in a deep breath. “We’re.. Friends… I … I think. Er, why…are you here, then?”

“You have my word, Callista, I will not bite you without permission,” Finn said gently. “No touching the frightened…” He studied her for a moment, then smiled lightly. “Magpie. I will be a good butcher bird, I promise.”

Callista couldn’t help but smile at that, recalling the memories and how, well. Happy-go-lucky and gentle the very intimidating Ashkin could be. “Okay,” she muttered. 

Finn’s gentle smile soon faded, however, and he sighed. “...I wanted to talk about what I overheard. I do not know if I should, but… it is something you should know, too. And I am unsure how to feel. You know my mistress’s brother more than I. So…”

“Oh… you can come in, and we can talk.” Callista led him in, took a seat, and continued to not really look at him, shy despite their friendship and entirely off given all of the circumstances stressing her out endlessly. Finn did not seem to mind at all, and in fact, delved into what he overheard.

By the time he finished, Callista was wearing a deep frown. She stared at her hands before saying, “I’ve not mentally been all that there, Finn… I’m sorry. My past comrades have really left an impact. I’m … not doing well at all. (12).” From there, she proceeded to bury her face into her hands and begin to sob (19), not having the mental strength to hold it from Finn, but babbling, “They’ve changed but I am still so… so… I … I…”

Finn widened his eyes, the instinct to comfort overwhelming. The shy woman was no doubt on edge, though. Softly, he asked, “Hey, need a hug?”

“A shirtless Ashkin who wanted to rip me to shreds at one point and could very well do so now would like to offer a hug,” Callista squeaked. “...sure. What could go wrong.” There was a hint of melancholy humour in her tone which caused Finn to chuckle. He got up and took her into his arms, giving her a very gentle, friendly hug. 

Callista returned his hug, relaxing just slightly and continuing her sobs. Eventually, she calmed down after several deep breaths. “I… I want to be okay again. I want to be their friends, again. I want to check up on them more, Gideon too, I… I … but right now it is so hard. It sounds like Commander Gideon has truly changed but is just… aimless. I want him to be okay, to show him forgiveness. Irene, Krista, and Nico, too. Mintha always…stuck to the shadows, but those three… frightened..me… erm. But. I want… I don’t know.”

“You’re shattered,” Finn said softly. “And that is okay. You do not need to forgive them now or ever.”

“But… that is the thing. I want to. A-and… maybe Morana does too. But does…does that make us bad people, Finn?”

“No. Why would it?”

“We were hurt so badly by them… and…a-and… but…”

“You are in control of what you do, Callista. Hey. Look at me.” He leaned back as the hug ended and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. Callista flinched and glanced at, then away from him. Finn smiled. “Close enough,” he said gently. “This is coming from your new friend who previously would want to rip that bastard to shreds, alright? It isn’t wrong to change your mind. To forgive. But no one should force it. That is your decision, it is Morana’s decision. And if neither of you do, that is okay, too. They have their own demons and have dug their own graves. For some. It is too late. For some. It is not. Anyone who demands you forgive them or decides you are a terrible person for forgiving them, if you do, is unreasonable.” 

“Okay,” Callista whispered. “...What do we do, Finn?”

“I do not know. How are you feeling?”

“Not okay. I needed to know this but… not okay. I want Gideon to be okay, though. I don’t want him to hurt himself, I just – right now, I’m … I’m not able t-to…”

“Which is okay. Morana cannot, either. Do…whatever it is you wish to do. I came here wondering if you thought it was all true. It seems like that is the case.”

“I saw them change, it… it was… so surreal. A miracle. It was all true, yes, what you heard. His change of heart. He’s… so lost. And I cannot help him right now. I can barely help myself.”

“Are you frightened here in the City?”

“I am,” Callista admitted. “In Garlemald, I took it day by day. Focusing on my targets, successfully destroying a few. But a woman of the shadows on the streets, not all…there. Then it… it fell…. A-and I had to rely on the EVA… for quite some time. I … stopped being brave. I do not know if I even was in the first place.”

“You carried on, which is still brave,” Finn said softly. Callista sniffled, just closing her eyes. “Need me to leave?” 

“...No. You can stay.(15) I… would like to spend time with you, Ares, and Sparrow again, if … if they are… okay with it. I just… just wish I could grasp how to handle everything. I thought I was, but it all went down again. The more I thought about it, the more frightened I became.”

Finn nodded. He looked around, then spotted a TV. “I have about 15 hours before I head out to a different place for important matters.  I think… in that time… we can do another movie or two. What do you think? Are you okay with Ares and Sparrow coming here? I see you have a small setup.”

“Y-yes… Ares helped with that, Sparrow too… erm… but, yes, I am okay with them coming here. Can…”

“I can go fetch them,” Finn said cheerfully. “Here, you stay in your hidey-hole, and I will call upon our very excitable friends. Oh, and do not feel insecure about being so quiet, I know you’re thinking that. I am a mind reader, after all.”

Callista widened her eyes. “You–”

Finn laughed, taking Callista into a hug again briefly and ruffling (messing up) her hair. “Nope, Ashkin cannot do that, but I made you admit it right there. A point for Finn!” He cheered, causing Callista to smile lightly and roll her eyes. Finn said, “Stay here, I will fetch the birds like a loyal badger.”

With that, he set off to spark another movie night, this time in ‘Callista’s den’!

[fictionkinfessions]

Why am I suddenly gay for Gary flipping Oak /lh

- Ash (Pokémon)

[fever-pitches]

[ahollowgrave]

how good/bad is odette at 🔪 — melee weapons ?

Getting better everyday! She's got one of the best mentors in @iron-sparrow! And their growing collection of students and friends means she's has an ample supply of sparring buddies. Even if she has to wore them about the crying -- which usually happens after, when the adrenalin drops. She can old her own! Her very small statue, her fatness, and her general demeanor leads people to underestimate her. But she's very light on her feet and she's capable of shrugging off powerful hits.

Thank you for the ask!

[ Skillset Symbol Meme ]

[scrollsfromarebornrealm]

Prompt #30: Two Heads Are Better Than One

(CW: blood, gore, violence)

-----

When hunting vampires, two heads are better than one.

(old Tonawatan proverb)

*******

The night had gone to the hells in a handbasket. With a ribbon attached.

"ΑΑΑΑΗΗΗΗΗ! ΑΛΛΑΑΑΗΗΗΗ!! AAAAAAHHHH!!"

"Shut up!" Mathye bellowed, but he knew it'd fall on deaf ears. The Dustwatch deputy hadn't stopped screaming since the vampire attack had begun. How they'd not passed out for lack of air, the doctor didn't know and really couldn't question at that particular moment.

"ΑAAAΗΗΗΗ!! ΑΑΑΑΗΗΗΗ!!! ΑΑΑΗΗΗΗΗ!!!"

Nor could he pause what he was doing to make them shut up. With a growl, Mathye threw out more little seed-balls, channeling Weave directly into them. Plants exploded into life and surged to more than twice their normal size-blackthorn, buckthorn, hawthorn and rowan, he needed to create a hedge between himself and the undead. Garbled screams and curses came from the vampire thralls that ran straight into the still growing plants, and with satisfaction Mathye watched as the hedge continued to grow and push forward. The only problem was now that he couldn't see what was in front of him-but at this point, it didn't matter.

This isn't going to stand up to their leader, however. Dimly Mathye registered the screaming had stopped-and risked a quick glance behind him. The Dustwatch deputy had fainted, and the rest of the town's makeshift hunting group had fled.

Sonva-

Mat! Augustine's voice cracked to life on the linkpearl. Mathye!

"I'm here, I'm here!" Mathye lifted his right hand to his ear, while he shoved the left into another pouch strapped to his waist.

What happened!

"The remedy didn't work, that's what happened! The fool overpowered these numbskulls and went screaming towards long-in-the-tooth out there!" The oldest child of a local wealthy farmer, bitten by one of the higher-tier vampires that haunted the region. The plan had been to keep them drugged while the remedy to purge the vampire's toxin from his system did its job...but the local townsfolk had decided to use the victim as bait to lure in the undead. Too late Kemakka had heard of the mad scheme and had sent Mathye and Augustine to help or in this case, kidnap the victim and get them back to Stonewood, where they could receive better care. However, the vampire had attacked the town on two fronts with a small army of ashkin-and forced the brothers to split up, along with the town's defenders. And while Mathye had his hands full with a panicking Dustwatch deputy and terrified townspeople, the vampire's victim had broken free of their bonds and overpowered their guards. Too late Mathye had noticed and could only watch as the vampire tenderly embraced their lover...before ripping out their throat in a shower of blood and gore.

That had started the Dustwatch deputy's screaming.

Then the vampire's thralls had swarmed, and Mathye had found his hands full. The last he'd seen of the vampire, they'd been stuffing their victim's heart into their mouth.

I'm not that far away! Mathye spun around again, taking in his surroundings. His eyes spotted something perfect-a two-story building, complete with upper balcony and even better, a ladder to the roof.

"Hey Augustine?"

Mat?

"I have a bad idea." Silence over the linkpearl, and then the air crackled with the most profane oaths Augustine knew. Mathye winced-some were borderline blasphemy; he'd be setting out a few apology offerings on behalf of his sibling-

"Curse later! Get on top of that two-story!" He barked, triggering the pearl to keep it active. Right hand now free, he reached for his herb-knife-just as voidflame attacked the hedge in front of him. The plants screamed as they died, their voices stabbing into Mathye like a thousand blades-their agony was his agony. Unable to stand, let alone form a coherent thought, the doctor collapsed to his hands and knees, struggling to draw in a breath. The stink of voidflame and the smell of burning wood filled his nose, and his stomach roiled.

"Well, well." A silky voice purred in the air above him. "One of the Bishop brothers! I never thought I'd be so lucky!" Mathye glared at the leather-patent shoes in front of him, fingers curling into the dirt as he tried to keep breathing.

"You're the sour one though." The world around Mathye blurred. Suddenly he was dangling in the air, fingers tightening around his neck. Seed balls fell from one of his pouches, the stitching had come undone.

"If I bite you, you'll probably give me indigestion." The vampire blinked as Mathye started to wheeze with laughter. "What's so funny?"

"Indigestion." Mathye whispered, his voice raspy. "That's about to be a real big problem for you right now."

"Huh?"

Mathye reached for the Weave again-strings of it coming from the seeds that were in the vampire's belly and shoved his power into them. The vampire's eyes widened-and then it started to scream. Roses and nightshade erupted from its flesh, stems and flowers engulfing the creature's body, choking off it's scream as they bloomed from its' throat. Mathye suddenly fell to the ground as the fingers gripping him let go, and he watched as the vampire's head suddenly disappeared in a bloom of flower petals and black blood.

Augustine had made it to the roof.

Mat!

"I'm okay, I'm fine..." Mathye wheezed. "Just...need a nap. And a shower. And a drink." He watched as the gruesome display in front of him collapsed under its own weight.

"Maybe all three at the same time."

[avampyone]

Prompt #18: Unexpected Meeting

Characters: Arazul De'fleur, Hemlocke, mention of Seiro.

Synopsis: Charged with helping the wounded, Arazul takes a much needed moment for himself and finds something hunting him in the dark.

Setting: Lochs, Battle of Ghimlyt Dark.

Warning - Blood

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Many long hours had passed with the sounds of explosions and battle cries could be heard in the distance. The skies were black but remained visible thanks to the many wildfires and search lights off in the distance. At the medical tent, many were already gathered to be seen and tend to all the simple wounds they could without the assistance of magic.

With sweat beading on his brow, Arazul disposed of his blood soaked gloves and took in a calming breath with the hopes to ease the pounding of his heart, “I.. need some air…” He murmured off deeply to one of the other physicians present but doubted the attendant had heard anything in her busy hustle.

A small spring trinkled down from a sparse forest nearby the tent that the doctor strode off to afford himself a few quiet moments alone. Thin fingers rose to rub firmly at his temple when the pounding of his heart fell to sync with a growing headache he sought to fight off.

Despite recovering from the coma, this panic was one of many symptoms that he tangled with in the aftermath of his condition, “No, not now…There’s still too much left to be done. This is different from before…” He whispered out loud, knowing well that self-talk helped to bring him out of this state from time to time.

Arazul’s long ears perked after a moment in alarm when the distraction came in the form of a shuddering bush off to the left of his current position. Something crouched in wait – attempting to hunt him. He cursed under his breath to have forgotten his sword back at the tent, but he wasn’t entirely without any weapon. Slowly, he reached inside the inner pocket of his jacket to retrieve a scalpel trying to keep as still as possible.

He heard the creature take a decisive step forward, beginning to make out the glow of glaring red eyes from the green coverage. With an inhuman snarl out, a quick movement tracked the heavy footfall of boots displacing red dirt underneath towards him to pounce right at him.

Luckily, the doctor was quicker and stronger than he was – He lifted his forearm in time to feel the maw press down upon and sharp canine teeth piercing easily through the cloth to flesh.

Gritting his teeth to bite back the conflicted feeling of pain and burning pleasure shooting up his arm, Arazul had dropped the scalpel from his hands in their tussle. He quickly retaliated with one well-placed blow of his curled fist to the middle of his attacker’s stomach that sent him stumbling back and ultimately flopping back onto the ground.

Detachedly, Arazul noted that he might have enjoyed being bitten with the way the burning venom sought to tantalize, but under these circumstances and from a man he didn’t know- “Unsanitary...” An unpleasant frown formed at the doctor’s purple tinged lips, unlikely not to go away any time soon. The doctor peered down at the young man whom he assumed to be another one of the empire’s experiments gone wrong.

He hummed thoughtfully in consideration of putting him out of his misery, “I think he may be around Cecilia’s age…” After picking up his scalpel, he reached into his pocket for a pair of thick bandages tinged with a heavy red dye. Arazul tied him up for good measure to make sure he wouldn’t be of any more harm to himself or others.

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“So, you mean to tell me your condition is a form of vampirism...like a fabled ashkin? My sister used to read romantic nonsense about them...Are they not supposed to follow some sort of cliché – seductive and alluring..” Crossing one now cleansed and bandaged arm over the other, Arazul’s brow rose to look over Hemlocke with a speculative glance over.

The smaller elezen with his face covered in soot, disheveled hair, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth, clothing torn up from the ferocity of the battle – it wasn’t anything like he expected.

“Well, if you will excuse me for not fitting your expectations! Ashkin or nightkin...I have no idea. But still, a battle is hardly the place for all that.” With his wrists raised above him and intricately tied up by the thick bandages that bound them, Hemlocke moved his hands experimentally as if to test them. He found no give whatsoever in their snug hold. His heavy crimson eyes wandered over the doctor’s tall form, inevitably ending on his bare neck.

A sharp pain of hunger cut through him that had him restlessly fidgeting and groaning against the stretch table Arazul had laid him down upon, “And as much as I enjoy waking up to the sight of a handsome man leaving me tied me up..I-I need to get back out there. I lost track of Seiro in the fight. He was so nervous when we left...need to watch his back.”

With a heavy sigh, Arazul shook his head to hear him dissolve into endless mumblings to himself in his concern over his friend. This had been exactly what he needed to feel something like his old self again – focused with the challenge of a problem to solve, “I know of the man, and I assure you he can take care of himself. You have far more pressing concerns…”

He trotted off back to the main tent to see herbs and potions they had on hand. The condition of craving blood was a curious one, but the vanity in him persisted that there was nothing that could not be eased by a medicinal solution.