#cant wait to return to shadowbringers

[abimee]

i need to flesh out tock's lore more cause theres a lot of stuff that sort of floats around about her that i dont know if i want to make canon to her or not but i do want something concrete. especially in regards to her and luka cause endwalker brought some tasty ideas forth

like i personally really like the general comcept of her and luka's footsteps being out of sync in terms of parallels between wol!luka and wol!tock but their paths still paralleling each other, since mags started playing this game much earlier than me, but since we experienced endwalker together they momentarily came really close to this sort of nebulous/metaphorical/magical idea of their worlds "touching" --- they exist in each others lore as non-wol counterparts (luka in tock's lore is just a catboy back home who likes to go fishing and isnt an adventurer, and tock in luka's lore is a dwarf on the first who wants to write music about luka's adventures since she herself cant leave kholusia), but even their wol selves are interconnected in a way

ultima thule is where they truly get to "meet" in a way --- i do however like the idea that their paths became one earlier in endwalker though, but it was in ultima thule that these two seperate universes could collide since ultima thule is a nest at the edge of the universe, so its here where two distinct worlds could only ever truly meet. and thats where the depiction starts of Tock sort of "feeling" someone here

even though i technically experienced ultima thule first irl, i like to imagine Tock hearing an echoe (for the song, Echoes in the Distance) of someone else walking alongside her, and a sort of metaphorical foot path she follows after this apparition (coming back to Footfalls), and it gets loudest at Base Omicron. I always played around with the idea that the graha tia in Tock's universe of Shadowbringers who gave his memories to Tock's Graha was in some way connected to Luka, so Shadowbringers was where Tock first felt this sensation of someone beside her, since Shadowbringers was the endgame when i started playing. Its nothing either of them are fully aware of, but Graha is one of the "bridges" between their two universes that is papee thin yet there

and of course at the walk up to the elpis flowers I think that sensation returns, and simce dynamis is what manipulates ultima thule and made these apparitions of others appear, that the little piece of wol!luka that exists in wol!tock's heart made his existence manifest to her side, not as his own person/recreation of him, but more like dynamis drew down that barrier that these two from colliding, yet neither were fully present --- Tock was still in her timeline and Luka in his, but in ultima thule their footfalls briefly lined up and the two becames, as they say, "close in the distance"--- and as Tock walked herself up the path to meteion, luka was doing the same in his own timeline, and they briefly walked together through the hardest and final test of their hope

From there the concept becomes fuzzy because i always try to keep tock and luka as wols seperated so i dont wanna step on mags own oc lore, since luka is not mine and hes got his own rich and complex meanings for endwalker and ultima thule, but sometimes i like to think about what it wouldve been like if in that moment of using the azem stone and standing before meteion Tock saw Luka, the true Luka, for the first time.

but this is all again not necessarily canon because mags is always putting crazy good thoughts in my head and due to not writing down my endwalker thoughts and how. OUGH endwalker is im always reworking these ideas and moments because ultimately all i need is to know that where tock walks is the same path luka walks and they both walk forward together even if they dont know it. Because to Tock Luka is a catboy back home she needs to return to because hes waiting for her return with a warm meal and to Luka Tock is a dwarf on another start he needs to return to because she'll have a new song for him. But little do they know they are so much more to each other in places close in the distance

[orime-stories]

Returning her Job Stone & The Rigging?

Thank you! <3 Story list here, more answers here and here. (That last link includes a snippet of The Rigging.)

After Shadowbringers, Aurelle can't bring herself to use White Magic anymore for Reasons. She eventually works up the courage to explain this to the Elementals who, alongside A-Towa-Cant, had charged her with stewardship of the rare art. They are Not Pleased.

This is a snippet of a conversation between her mother and Aymeric in the aftermath.

Returning her Job Stone

“My daughter had you in her corner, supporting her. Had the Elder Seedseer herself. And I still don’t understand all this A-Towa-Cant business, but if a literal legend stirs himself to plead my daughter’s case… Truly, we could not ask for more. And thanks to all of you, the Elementals were moved to spare her the full brunt of their Wrath. We were all worried she might never be allowed home again.”

“She lost something dear to her even still.”

“She did. But it sounds like you lot have been teaching her fancy star magic anyway. I’m sure you’ll help her to fill the space in time. And we’ll all be here for her. Whatever she needs.”

He nodded, contemplative and sorrowful.

“You’ve been so good for her,” her mother continued. “Keep doing whatever you’re doing, and she’ll be alright.”

“I must beg your assistance there also. She loves you dearly, all of you. And I am sure you shall make all the difference when it comes to getting her back on her feet.”

“Oh she’s stuck with us. You’re lucky she wasn’t exiled, or that fancy manor of yours she’s always going on about would have gotten a lot more chaotic.”

He laughed. “I should very much like to host you all someday. I have wondered how your father would find Ishgardian cuisine.”

“He’ll be tearing up your kitchen to figure out how it all works, having a grand old time either way. Now go be with her, I’m sure she’s waiting for you. And,” she winked, “you can make as much noise as you like.” Then she gathered up the mugs and left him sitting there, heat blossoming across his cheeks. The Silmontier women certainly had a knack for getting under his skin in that regard.

[laeorinel]

FFXIV Write 2022 - Day 13 - Prompt - Confluence.

Shadowbringers spoilers. Heavy-ish on the headcanon in this one, but I always figured using certain magic in the First would be difficult even if gameplay-wise, there was no issue.

I may re-write this one when I have the time since I'm not 100% happy with how it turned out.

"Godsdamnit all" 

Since coming to the first, Samara has had difficulty communicating with the elements. Their voices were so faint here, so very different to those of the Source. It had made her healing spells particularly draining to use, relying purely on her own aether. 

As she travelled around Norvrandt, the voices would shift and change in power. In Amh Araeng, most of the elements were silent, only the voice of fire spoke to her, and it sounded discordant and apathetic. Kholusia was similar, the faint voices of the sea and wind fearful and despondent. 

Il Mheg was the only place that felt "normal", but the elements of ice and lightning refused to heed her call even then. Time spent only with the fae folk had changed them, making them lethargic and unconcerned with the concerns of man. 

In the Rak'tika Greatwood, all of the voices of the elements were strong, but the earth most of all. Yet when she called for their aid, her plea went unanswered. The elements had grown cynical and closed off. 

Even after returning the night sky to most of these lands, her requests went unheard. The elements were dormant, uncaring if the world changed or remained as it was. 

Which is what led to her current predicament. Lakeland had come under attack from Sin-eaters, and while they had been defeated, it had come at a cost. Many of the Crystariums defenders had risen to the challenge, only to be cut down by wicked claws and teeth. The Scions were also among that number, Thancred being among the worst off. 

The Crystariums' healers were doing what they could, but there were too few resources to go around. Were they on the Source, Samara could offer succour and healing to all of them, but here...

With a shake of her head, she clutches the soul crystal of the white mage, pale magic engulfing her. She knows what needs to be done, even if it may mean her passing out for a few days from exhaustion. Her leather and metal armour shifts to pure white robes, and her sword fades into the form of a staff. The distant echoes of A-Towa-Cant and the teachings of the white mages of old filled her mind.

If the elementals refused to listen, she would find a way to make them listen. 

"Feo Ul, my loveliest of branches. Your sapling has a request for you." Samara says as she moves further into the infirmary, utterly oblivious to the looks of confusion from those around her. She assesses the injured as she waits for the familiar orange spark of magic that foreshadows the fae's arrival. There were more severe injuries than she had hoped, but there was little to help it now.  

"Ah, my adorable sapling! For once, you do not forget me!" 

"As if I ever could," she says with a smile before returning to the serious task at hand, her expression hardening. Feo Ul notices the shift in demeanour, standing, or more accurately floating, a bit straighter. 

"The elementals of this land are quiet and unmoving. The Light has forced them into submission. I would wake them up, but I will need your help." Samara says as she reaches for something in her satchel, taking out a small wrapped bundle of seeds. 

"Take these seeds and plant them where the aether flows converge in each region. Petition the aid of the elementals in my stead. Surely the words of Titania will carry more weight than mine. They are probably sick and tired of me yelling at them to help."

Feo Ul raises a brow at the bundle of seeds, waving their hand and levitating the small pouch towards them. "My dearest Sapling, if power is what you require, I would gladly share you mine." 

Samara shakes her head, sighing as she glances back towards the infirmary. "It is not simply a question of power or the means to heal my allies and loved ones here and now. This world will never recover without the elementals, even if we bring the night sky back to all corners of Norvrandt."

She begins making her way to the centre of the courtyard, looking around her and seeing the wispy trails of aether flow to and fro. "I will stand at the centre of the courtyard, where the various aether streams converge and wait for the elementals' answer. Tell them I will fight for this world even if they forsake it. That a mortal is doing more than the power of nature combined to oppose this fate and that if they believe me wrong for doing so, let them prove it. Otherwise..."

Samara slams the end of her staff down on the stone slabs beneath her, an almost clarion tone resonating with the aether, causing it to well up and gather. "It is time for them to wake up and do their damn jobs."

Feo Ul looks at her adorable sapling, immense pride welling inside them. "I would expect nothing less. I will do this for you, and we'll get the crotchety old spirits moving." And with another flash of orange, the King of the faeries disappears from view. 

And now she waits. She waits to hear a response to her call. She can practically feel all eyes on her, her friends and allies watching from the infirmary, the Exarch, the guards around the courtyard. She ignores it all, focusing on the flow of aether around her. For now, it is unaspected, little more than the energy of life without form or substance. 

And then she feels it. A faint tug at her consciousness at first, then she feels the pull that comes with aether changing aspect. Opening her eyes, she notices the fragment of the elemental spirit before her, then another forms, and another. 

The first elemental to respond is the one she expected. Water, the element that nourishes and sustains all life. Then Earth and Lightning. Fire and Wind take their sweet time responding, but eventually, they join the growing chorus. 

As the elementals return one by one, she feels the confluence of energy building. She dares channel her healing magics further and further away through the aether that flows around the Crystarium, the gentle song of the elements soothing both body and soul. 

A soft smile forms on her face. Even as the Light inside her rages, barely held in check by her blessing, she feels at peace for the first time since coming to the First. 

[azulann]

✶ Write 2020 Masterpost ✶

✶ FFXIV Write Info✶ || ✶ Personal Tag ✶

**Completed!**

Prompt 1. Crux - Reunion

Yura and Iemori; Yura meets with her father after leaving 3 years prior

Prompt 2. Sway - Dream

Yura and Vetelle; Yura recalling her past relationship with her mother

Prompt 3. Muster - Departure

Post-Vault; Yura departs home once more

Prompt 4. Clinch - Other Side

Small 5.3 Spoilers; Yura x Alphinaud; Yura and Alphinaud keeping an old promise

Prompt 5. Matter of Fact - Dance

Yura and Asta; Yura explains a bit of her dancing history

Prompt 6. Observe (You Pick!) - Tall

Yura, Vetelle and Alphinaud; Absent Minded Brooding by Yura

Prompt 7. Nonagenarian - Goodbye

Iemori; Iemori reflects on his daughter

Prompt 8. Clamor - Machine

Yura/Asta thoughts on being Warriors

Prompt 9. Lush - Refuge

Yura x Alphinaud; Yura reflecting on her time away from home

Prompt 10. Avail - Boredom

Yura, J’thel, ASta, Akiiyo and Alisaie; Yura and Alisaie trying to entertain themselves

Prompt 11. Ultracrepidarian - Truth

Yura and Alphinaud; The young pair reflect on what it is to be an Au Ra in Ishgard

Prompt 12. Tooth and Nail - Remember

Yura reflects on her life in the First and her regaining of her memory

Prompt 13. You Choose! (Dream) - Comfort

Yura and Alisaie have some late night takes on the state of things 

Pre-Shadowbringers spoilers

Prompt 14. Part - Refract

Some inner thoughts as Yura mourns her innocence.

Prompt 15. Ache - Innocence

Yura continues to mourn her childhood as J’thel reassures her choices

Prompt 16. Lucubration - A Nights Sleep

Asta thinks she's about to return home to a lecture, but something a bit moe pure is waiting for her

Prompt 17. Fade - Gentle Scars

Not all scars fade away

Prompt 18. Panglossian - Distraction

Yura is trigger happy and no one is shocked

Prompt 19. Where the Heart Is - A Game of Chance

A fight over a game causes some serous reflecting

Prompt 20. You Choose! (Grief) - A Dimly Lit Sky

Stormblood patch spoilers; Brief mentions of Alphianud x Yura but could be seen as platonic

TW; Blood and Injury

Prompt 21. Foible - Hum

Yura is in an unusually good mood and clearly cant take being called out on it

Prompt 22. Argy-Bargy - Regard

Yura needs to take better care of herself

TW; mention of injuries but nothing very visual

Prompt 23. Shuffle - Pride

Minor mentions of Stormblood story

Yura, as usual, is not happy.

Prompt 24. Beam - Treasure

Sometimes it just takes the small things to make people smile the brightest

Yura and J’thel, appearances by Alisaie and Y’shtola

Prompt 25. Wishes - Jar

Yura reflects on and old habit, wishes once made and wishes yet to come

Prompt 26. When Pigs Fly - Water

Yura is tired of dealing with Alphinaud’s aversion to swimming aka this is goofy writing from my ill mind but it was fun

Prompt 27. You Choose! (Forward) - Trail

J’thel bearing the burdens of another young life as he thinks on why he’s even there / about 1 ½ - 2 years before ARR

Prompt 28. Irenic - Need a Hand

Yura is STILL trigger happy and J’thel can’t get away from it

Prompt 29. Paternal - Father’s Daughter

Yura has always been close to her dad. Of course her leaving would be hard for him to take. 3 Years Before ARR

Prompt 30. Splinter - Shell

Sometimes it’s good to reflect

Post canon; Yura x Alphinaud, future kids but mostly Yura-centric