#cattposting.myart

[cattaliatayuun]

Turns out you CAN draw whatever you want forever [obligatory nuance here]

[the-lonely-catt]

When the fictional characters in your brain suddenly meet, and you realize they look... similar. (Shorter are twins Alphinaud and Alisaie from FFXIV, taller is Grim from A Date With Death)

[the-lonely-catt]

It's very scribbly, but I only have one hand available rn so this is a phone project. Anyways have you heard of my son :3

i made a character sheet. free to use as you wish, feel free to change whatever you want XD open source ass thing. spent all of ~maybe an hour on it.

Credit: the text in the insert-image box comes from this video, and the text for the top three lines (intense, complex, fruity) comes from this post. The actual image was made with the free NBOS character sheet creator, which is a sort of dated but free and solid text-layout sheet maker intended for ttrpg style character sheet creation.

[cattaliatayuun]

Wanted to play around with gpose after I got the level 50 Lancer set...

It is now 4:30am.

Good news though, I haven't lost my photo editing skills!

Time to sleep 😭

[the-lonely-catt]

A little late, but I finally did my artfight page LMAO Anyways this is my first artfight so I think getting it done before July 1st still counts! Also if you're doing artfight you should add me so we can have a very cool and artful July :D

[cattaliatayuun]

Real photo of me my WoL upon receiving a copy of Encyclopedia Eorzea vol.1

[cattaliatayuun]

Prepping for art fight with a lil portrait! :3

Gotta stop trying to push myself to do digital I think? It can be fun when I reeeally want to, but pencil and paper just feels so much more natural rn, and I think art fight will be way more fun if I stick to it :D Anyways yeah a lil portrait of my WoL for her character page! TheLonelyCatt on artfight if you wanna take a look over there ;P

[cattaliatayuun]

Alright back to fluff for the soul. Yes I write two things and two things ever (fluff and angst), and no, none of them are ever substantial beyond quick one shots XD If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

FFXIV Write Day 25- Perpetuity

No warnings except for like. Borderline candy sweet fluff, I guess. Cavity achingly sweet on occasion but yeah Zero connection to MSQ. Feat. mine and my boyfriend's WoLs :3

---

"Li,-"

"Not my name."

A quick laugh escaped Dev at how quickly he was cut off. He leaned back on the couch, peering over its back to look across the lounge at Cattalia.

They'd slowly been making progress on decorating this room, and despite it still being partially empty, it was already feeling like home. A square of couches on one side for a sitting area, a piano and some awaiting empty space on the other, with a simple bar between them, tucked against wall.

Awash in the warm glow of the chandelier overhead, Cattalia flipped through a furniture catalog, eyeing the empty space next to the piano in hopes that something might jump out at her-- metaphorically speaking.

"What! All the Scions get to call you Tali, but I'm not allowed my own nickname for you?" Dev complains, feigning offense despite the wide smirk on his face. Cattalia scoffs, turning to raise a teasing brow back at him, barely managing to stifle a laugh as she saw his upside-down face half hanging over the back of the couch.

"That includes you, y'know. Besides-" She closes the book, hands resting on her hips with a huff. "You have an entire language of words to pick from, couldn't you pick your own pet name?"

Dev vanishes from Cattalia's sight, slumping longways onto the couch with a long, dramatic sigh.

"I did! Two letters, from our alphabet, as they appear in your name!" He protests, gesturing widely enough that Cattalia could glimpse his hands moving from the other side of the couch. She rolls her eyes, tossing her catalog onto the presently empty bar and resting her forearms on the top of the couch, leaning forward and feigning annoyance as she sighed.

"Remind me again, why I married you?" She teased, the necklace she kept her wedding ring on hanging between them like it new it was a relevant set piece. Dev grinned, one arm wrapping around her neck, the other tugging on her arm with slowly increasing force.

"Because you love me?~" He suggested innocently, still trying to pull her over the couch. Cattalia snickered, a teasing smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.

"Ah, yes, because you never leave me alone. How could I forget." She retorted with a roll of her eyes, before sighing and giving in, rolling shoulder first over the back of the couch, and into Dev's gleefully awaiting arms. He was quick to catch her, and wasted no time nestling her into a comfortable position to snuggle.

"Now why would I ever do that when it would mean parting from you?" He beamed, holding her close and gently nuzzling his forehead against hers. Cattalia's ears fluttered happily, unable to wipe the smile from her face even as she continued.

"You're not helping your case." She returned flatly, raising her brows at Dev expectantly. Seeing such a scene from the outside, one might even suspect that he was the clingy one, but nothing could be further from the truth.

"You don't seem too upset with your circumstances." Dev remarked casually, running a hand through Cattalia's hair with a teasing raise of his brow.

"Oh I'm just seething-" She started to retort, attempting to shift slightly so she could use her arms to further emphasize her point, but Dev only hugged her tighter, smirk widening in the process.

"In fact, I believe you went so far as to marry me about it, isn't that right? Mine in perpetuity and all that?" He continued with a confident wave of his hand. Cattalia groaned, facepalming into his chest for lack of other options.

"That is not what that means!" She counters, slightly muffled by Dev's shirt but still very audibly frustrated by his misuse of words.

"I'm not hearing a no my beloved~" He teased, unaffected by her attempts to change the topic of conversation.

"You're impossible." She finally relented, looking back up at him with a reluctantly fond sigh.

"Oh come on, stick the landing! Is it really so hard to say?" Dev nudged her with his arm, brows raised expectantly, still waiting to hear the words she'd been so carefully avoiding.

"You've asked me plenty of questions by now, how could I possibly know which answer you're looking for?" Cattalia dodged again, feigning ignorance with a shrug and roll of her head, before she looked back to Dev to see him in full carboy pout mode. Her act dropped, narrowing her eyes at him momentarily before breaking under his expert coercion.

"Alright, alright..." She relented, and Dev's pout quickly lit up into an eager smile again. Cattalia's expression softened, leaning into his chest with a light chuckle.

"I love you too, my knight."

---

I am only mildly embarassed to be posting this, which is better than I thought it'd be tbh, so I'll take it as a win. And in the case this is vaguely incomprehensible, you have my deepest apologies, but I had to add a few mild in jokes or else I wouldn't have done it justice XD Thanks for reading! 💙

[cattaliatayuun]

Angst for the soul. Perfect fix for most problems I think.

FFXIV Write Day 24- Bar

Warnings: stormblood spoilers!! Early to mid stormblood timeline wise, otherwise no content warnings though. Just traumatized perfectionist angst with my favourite scion.

---

Eyes closed. Focus. Feel the wood grain of the staff in your hands, the way the aether flows through your hands and out of the deep red ruby at its top. There was a way-- there had to be a way. Breathe in...- no, slower. Relax the tension in your muscles, you need to be faster. If anyone should be able to do this, picture it clearer, hit harder, it's you. So why doesn't it...

Cattalia let out a heavy breath, eyes blinking open, though half lidded with frustration. The setting Ala Mhigan sun made a valiant effort at blinding her, but she was far too busy to be bothered. Hold on.

She blinked again, mind finally returning to the present. Setting sun? Hells, she'd promised she would just be training for a bell or two, she hadn't intended to stay out this long.

Spinning around, hands fumbling for her lanner's call, Alphinaud was already walking up from the pale desert road.

"Surely the Warrior of Light doesn't need supervision while she trains, mm?" He asked, brows raised teasingly. It was a relief to see he didn't seem bothered. Cattalia relaxed somewhat, tucking the horn back onto her belt with a dry laugh.

"Absolutely not. Surely it's not such a sin to take my job seriously?" She brushed it off with another quiet laugh, but there was a flicker in Alphinaud's expression. If something had gone wrong in her absence she was sure he would've said so by now, but if that wasn't it, then what was off? His pause was only a fraction of a second, so... maybe it was nothing?

"Only if you want us to start expecting your lateness." He returned with another jab, but his playful tone had dimmed. Something was definitely off, but she didn't have the energy to pry. Talia closed the distance, walking to Alphinaud's side as he turned to start walking back with her.

"Point taken, I'll find a better way to keep track of the time." She relented with a sheepish smile, deciding it was better to ease his concern, even if she couldn't ask for details right now. His brow furrowed slightly in the corner of her vision.

"Or... perhaps a break is in order? You've been at this for days, and improvement takes equal parts rest." He suggested lightly, his logical explanation only making the gears in her mind turn faster, hardly even considering what he was actually trying to tell her. She looks over to him, pace unchanging as she considers his expression. Brow furrowed, his eyes are on the horizon, but they flit over the distant cliffs as if his mind is elsewhere. He turns to look at her in kind when he notices the movement, features softening when he tries to return his expression to its usual state.

"My apologies, if my recent habits have worried you. I've yet to make much progress, but if cutting back might help..." She apologizes half heartedly, hoping she wouldn't have to plainly admit her failures yet. She'd spent hours trying to hone her casting in the last week, but still nothing. Alphinaud scoffed, looking up at her under half lidded eyes.

"If you think that's working on me, you're sorely mistaken." He insisted flatly, arms crossing with a quiet huff. This was quickly getting more complicated than she'd hoped. "Cutting back isn't a break, no matter how little progress you're making." That cut a little deeper than she'd expected it to, hearing him mention her progress. She winced, head falling to look at the ground passing beneath their feet.

"Things are getting serious, Alphi. If Y'shtola couldn't even-" The words caught in her throat, the memory of that awful fight flashing in her eyes. Not worth it. She shook her head, trying again.

"I owe it to everyone to improve. To raise the bar." She answered, tension palpable in her simple response. There was a frustrated sigh from her right.

"That's not-" Alphinaud stopped in his tracks, quickly pulling Talia's eyes back to his as she heard his newly audible annoyance.

"The bar cannot be set at- at perfection, Cattalia!" He snapped, the grit of guilt in his voice only making it hit harder. Talia flinched at the volume. He let out a heavy sigh, voice quieting, though still just as firm. His stare practically begged for her to actually listen.

"It's only a matter of time before it crushes you."

The lump in her throat suddenly fell, becoming a dark, heavy pit in her stomach, his every word adding to the weight. Eyes wide, her ears pinned back against her head, tail curling tight around her leg; the intensity of his concern felt crushing enough.

"But I-..." She tried to resist, but the words weren't coming out. She wanted to assure him that she would be fine, or agree with him, or say anything to escape the aching in her chest. She gawped for a moment, stubbornness threatening to keep her on the path the she'd chosen, but... it eventually gave out, breaking open like a dam as she was flooded with guilt. Her teeth grit, resisting the tears starting to sting at the back of her throat.

"How long have you been...?"

"You've been completely out of sorts ever since The Reach. Needing time to process, I could understand, but this... this warpath you've put yourself on..." Alphinaud almost seems at a loss for words for a moment, before resteadying his gaze.

"No man is an island. I won't stand idly by while you try fighting this war alone, Tali." Of course he'd remind her of her own words in a moment like this. How odd it must feel, to be on the other side this time. And that nickname... he was really pulling out all the stops.

"Nothing gets past you, huh?" Her words are joking, but her voice is strained and quiet. Alphinaud only watches, letting the silence do its work. Cattalia sighs softly.

"Alright. But I'll... need some help."

"I was hoping you'd say that."

---

God the paranoia after that attack on the reach, the isolation??? I imagine it takes almost the entire rest of the expansion to tone it down, and I mean once thats over, well,, more angst fodder !!! :DD LMAO

Thanks for reading 💙

[cattaliatayuun]

I suppose it's time to dust off my writing brain and write something. Completely unedited, but here's yesterday's ffxiv write prompt! (I started this when it wasn't out yet alright ;-;)

FFXIV Write Day 11: Surrogate

"They're sprouting!" Cattalia cheered excitedly, hands resting on her hips with a proud grin as she looked down at the budding plants in her garden beds.

"Are you still out here cooing over your plants, 'Talia?" Dev shut the door to the free company house behind him as he called out to her, his jab not going unnoticed. Her brow furrowed for a moment, casting a light glare back across the yard at him, before turning back to her plants with a huff.

"They're not mine. Krile wanted me to germinate them for her." Cattalia corrected dismissively. Dev only scoffed, strolling up to her side, brow raised in question. His eyes narrowed, giving his girlfriend a once over, and then looking to her garden beds. He crossed his arms, visibly unconvinced.

"So you're going to be able to part with these plants, once they're grown enough for her? Right." He teased, a smirk widening on his face as he watched Cattalia gasp at his accusation, gaze snapping up to look at him. Her arms crossed defensively, mouth opening and closing a few times in an sputtering attempt to find a retort, before she managed to speak.

"O-of course I will! She needs them for her research, and I offered to help her, not stand in her way."

"I didn't ask what you offered, darling." Dev's smirk was bordering on a grin now; she was too easy to tease. Catt rolled her eyes with a quick shake of her head.

"And I'll be sure she gets them. I'm just making sure they're properly cared for while they grow-- or am I only allowed to hate them? Perhaps indifference would be better?" Cattalia asks with a testing squint, and Dev takes his cue to head back inside, but not without a comment on his way out.

"A healthy balance is important for growing things, 'Talia! Better teach 'em some swears before they go home, just for good measure. Have fun talking to your plants~" He waved behind him, lilt in his voice only making Cattalia groan louder. She looked back at her plants, still in the same well tended state she'd left them in a few minutes prior, and let out a quiet sigh.

"They don't need to know swears! Ugh, you're impossible..." Her voice trailed off, jogging to catch up with him and catch the open front door door before it closed.

---

Short and sweet! Very fluffy, just me and @dev-tayuun WoL's cause I couldn't think of anything else. I was hoping this would be done before today's prompt came out, but such is the curse of writing midday lmao. Thanks for reading! 💙

[cattaliatayuun]

Of course I like the sketch when its on lined paper, I challenged the universal law of doodle quality (and drawing too close to the archon mark I copied out of boredpm)

Alternative caption: get cherished idiot

[cattaliatayuun]

Artfight attack for @badkarma1998 ! Kinda got obsessed with drawing the silly little wind-up babies, is it obvious XD

Bonus (low effort) reaction shot beneath the cut~

[cattaliatayuun]

Back on my bullshit again fellas

FFXIV Write Day 16: Third-rate

No spoilers except maybe for late ARR I guess? Once again almost entirely disconnected from MSQ.

The sun burned bright overhead, and a light breeze wafted the ever-present smell of smoke over the Gridanian clearing.

"Y'ever seen a Miqo'te who couldn't hunt?" The question stung like the insult it was intended to be, and Cattalia couldn't help but wince. Her father shoved a bow back into her small hands, growl implying what would happen if she fought back again.

"I heard there were some researchers, a group from a nearby tribe, headed up to the abandoned Sharlayan settlement-" She answered anyways, still quietly hoping she might not have to make a failure of herself again today.

"And they'll be made short work of on their way, d'you understand me?" He was getting louder, so she squeezed her mouth shut, eyes falling the bow in her hands fearfully as she nodded.

"Stop concerning yourself with rumors of passersby, and maybe you'll finally live up to our family name. Get to practicing." He demanded flatly, strapping a quiver over her shoulder with a rough tug and stepping back, arms crossed expectantly. She wasn't sure what all he expected, though. All she knew was that fighting back was useless.

She swallowed nervously, knowing exactly what was about to come-- what had happened every other day she'd tried to train-- but still as scared as ever. She shifted the bow into her left hand, holding it aloft and grabbing an arrow from her quiver, staring past her hand and to the target behind their home. Her bow was already starting to shake. Her right hand came forward, fingers hooking onto the string, and she pulled back...

It barely moved. Her hands were calloused, but in all the wrong places, and she'd never been very physically strong. The bowstring dug into her skin, sitting in a painfully bare spot just before her lute playing callouses. Why did she have to stop playing?

Then the release. The arrow flew, almost all the way to the target, but drifted gently to the ground a few fulms from its destination. The same sight she'd seen, almost daily, for the last few moons. There was a heavy sigh to Cattalia's side, and her face quickly went hot with frustration. She wasn't even 14 yet, and her father expected her, a musician, to become an archer, what, overnight?

"More of this farse, 'Tali? You're my blood. Start acting like it." Another strike, his words were getting sharper now. Her eyes started to water, throat stinging in the effort to keep her emotions down; she couldn't even bring herself to try for another shot. She lowered the bow, letting out a shaky breath and staring into the ground, trying to sort through the tempest that was her current emotions.

"I know I'm a third-rate shot, but I am trying, Father..." She muttered quietly. There was a tense silence, the only sound coming from the soft breeze rushing through the grassy fields around their house. Then, a scoff.

"A third-rate daughter, more like."

The bow and arrow clatter to the ground. Not that Cattalia could hear it; nothing could get past the blood rushing in her ears now. She didn't bother looking behind her when she ran, bolting into the field without a second thought as tears started streaming down her cheeks.

He never cared. Maybe one day he had, but surely not anymore. What point was family if all they did was leave or betray you? No, she decided, she didn't need any. Mother had raised her well, but now it was time to make her own decisions.

There was a faint crunching of grass behind her, a distant call of her name that only made her run faster. Still, a shadow started to grow at her heels, looming over her as it approached. She needed to run faster, hide somewhere, anything but this, anything but this.

She felt a hand on her waist and almost screamed, but only managed a gasp as everything was suddenly dark.

"Eaaaasy, easy. You were making quite the racket over here. Feeling alright, 'Talia?" Thancred's kept his concern light, voice gentle as he ran his hand over her shoulder in a small gesture of comfort.

It was a dream. Just a nightmare. A real one, mind you, a vivid recollection likely thanks to the echo, but... it was the past, now. Her eyes fluttered open, taking a deep breath and surveying her surrounds. Seems she'd taken a nap on a couch in the Rising Stones, and it seemed relievingly empty. Thancred was half crouched next to the couch, a concerned, yet hopeful smile on his face. Right, he asked a question.

"Yes, sorry, I'm... better now. Just a nasty memory." She explained, letting out a tense breath. Thancred raised a suspicious brow, but didn't ask further. Instead, he stood, smile settling into a more familiar pleased one with a nod.

"Right. Well, we're getting dinner in half a bell-- whoever's around that is-- so I'd suggest tidying up if you'd like to join. Family meals are worth the effort, wouldn't you say?" His emphasis gave Cattalia pause, looking up at Thancred with a blank stare for a moment while a smirk tugged at the corner of his lip, before she realized she must have been talking in her sleep. She blushed, hurriedly sitting up and trying to tidy her unkempt attire to hide her flustered state.

"Yeah- of course! I'll be sure I don't look like I just woke up, by then. Thanks." Thancred chuckled and started walking off.

"Anytime."

Seems she didn't mind a family after all.

---

This girl (me) can write SO much angst comfort. Haven't even gotten to my peak self indulgence yet but that's because these prompts keep whispering WoL lore to me so thats what we get XD This is almost full stream of consciousness stuff, no time for editing or thinking too hard, and I'm absolutely baffled that it's turning out legible. Thanks for reading! 💙

[cattaliatayuun]

Tried to do yesterdays, but I got too busy to finish my idea :( BUT I'm back! Just in time to do a prompt I've had my eye on ;D

FFXIV Write Day 15- Make Up Day!

I'll be snagging Day 3- Halcyon

Literally no connection to MSQ or real mention of it spoiler wise, but I imagine this being somewhere in early or late Stormblood probably. All that matters is that the WoL has known Alphinaud for A While.

Halcyon: Characterized by happiness, great success, and prosperity; often used to describe an idyllic time in the past that is remembered as better than today

---

The stage lights were bright, but not as bright as the smiles she saw in the audience.

Cattalia held her lute like she'd been born with it, playing the strings with ease as her gaze flitted between the half visible faces beyond the glare of the lights. Her voice floated above it all, the crowning jewel in her soft, but impactful performance.

As muscle memory took over, her mind was free to focus on the finer details of her playing, adding flares to her strumming or extra notes to her vocal runs, and the experience was just as satisfying to execute as she imagined it was to watch. She was warm under the lights, but hardly ever uncomfortable with the attention; she knew her skill spoke for itself. She put her heart and soul into the climax of the music, and-

Knock knock.

Cattalia's eyes snapped open, mouth squeezing shut as she spun around to face her door.

Right. That wasn't who she was anymore.

With a quiet sigh, she set her lute on her bed, and prayed that whoever was at the door hadn't heard her. It'd been ages since she'd actually had time to practice. Stepping to her free company room door, she tugged it open and braced for the worst.

"Cattalia- err- my apologies, I can come back later if now isn't a good time." Alphinaud stood in the hallway, arms already crossed with a guilty crease in his brow. "I would've sworn that was from the orchestrion..." He muttered to himself, though it was perfectly audible from right infront of him. So he had heard. Cattalia's chest tightened as she felt a soft blush crawl onto her face; her confidence of years past had long since faded with disuse. She put on a small smile and shook her head.

"Now is a fine time, what do you need me for?" She assured with a question of her own, keeping things light and trying to refocus him back on whatever task he was here for. Now, however, he seemed wholly distracted.

"Right! The- hmm- well, if you would indulge me a moment..." He trailed off for a moment, gancing down the hall and shifting his weight as if he had some reason to be nervous over the question. "...the music just a moment ago, was that you?" There it was. Of course it was him who had to ask, and when he knew perfectly well what the answer was, too. Alphinaud was her best friend, she couldn't just...

It was Cattalia's turn to break eye contact, instinctively glancing in the direction of her lute (thankfully out of eyeshot from the door) resting on her bedspread. She'd never mentioned this peice of her past to the Scions, in hopes of putting off the inevitable performance request until she could relearn her muscle memory... and hopefully forget what happened the last time she had an audience. Still, Alphinaud was awaiting a response. She looked back to him, smile faltering.

"Sure was." She answered with a tense nod. "I'm still remembering how to play, so it's not much to listen to right now. Hope it didn't bother you." Her explanation was brief, and her flat out apology only seemed to baffle Alphinaud more.

"Bother me? The only thing that might bother me is that you've hidden this talent of yours for so long- that sounded incredible!" His brows raised in insistence as he assured her of his thoughts, but it only flustered Cattalia further- especially when it felt undeserved. However, Alphinaud wasn't finished, looking once again deep in thought.

"I came with an errand from Tataru, but she said it could be done anytime in the next week, so it's not a rush... I just can't believe..." He trails off again, hand resting on his chin in thought before he starts thinking out loud again.

"We've traveled hundreds- likely thousands of malms together, and yet you've not once mentioned an interest in music. An appreciation for it, sure, but you sound like a practiced musician." His curious musings shot through her mind like an accusation, and she couldn't help but feel a bit guilty. It was a major part of her life, and it made sense that it showed, even when she was out of practice.

Her expression fell, and the guilt must have been plain enough on her face to make Alphinaud speak again before she could, a nervous smile suddenly on his face.

"Not that I'm upset-! Please, don't mistake my questioning as any kind of annoyance. I'm simply surprised that you- that I never-" He paused, letting out an amused sigh. "Just, count me impressed. You have quite the voice, 'Talia." She could feel the blush on her ears now, but she'd let Alphinaud speak for plenty long enough, and crossed her arms with a light huff.

"If you insist... you have my thanks, Alphi. Don't expect hearing it to become a habit though." She added quickly, still hoping she might keep her practices somewhat secret for the time being. Alphinaud seemed startled for a moment, before he realized what she meant, his previous energy quickly dropping from his voice with a small nod.

"I... understand. If you're not ready to share, then I won't pry." It was almost painful how disappointed his quiet words sounded, even if he was trying not to make it obvious. "Apologies again for the intrusion- I'll leave these here and let you return to your-" He held out a small pack of notes, but froze when Cattalia turned and walked to the other side of her room, ignoring his offering entirely. In her few steps to get there, she took a deep breath, trying to settle her very loud mind. Thankfully, all her thoughts at least agreed on one thing.

She grabbed her lute and walked back into view of the door, gesturing for Alphinaud to come in with a shift of her head. "Since when have you not enjoyed prying into other people's secrets? You may as well stay, if you're already here." She offered, attempting to ease her stress with a playful jab.

He seemed to take a second to register everything-- the sudden change of mind, her teasing remark, the lute she now held in her arms-- but his mind eventually caught up with her, chuckling as a soft smile returned to his face. He stepped inside, setting the notes on a table just inside the door.

"A personal invitation? How could I refuse."

---

FINALLY a chance to write my boy. Haven't had a good chance to work him into a prompt yet, but now we get some lore a n d some Alphi! Can't have people thinking I'm normal about the video game characters I like. Thanks for reading! 💙

[cattaliatayuun]

Alright, after a shit week at work I'm FINALLY back, words are happening in my brain again :D Hoping this trend continues, but for now, self indulgent writings!

FFXIV Write Day 22: Make-Up Day

Make-Up Prompt: Telling (Day 14)

Notes: Shadowbringers spoilers!! Takes place almost immediately after main patch finishes.

---

"I thought I might find you here."

Cattalia jumped at the sound of The Exarch's voice, his steady, curious tone a shock in the quiet Lakeland night. She let out a reluctantly amused sigh, resting her fabric work in her lap and turning to face him from the stump she'd claimed as a makeshift seat.

"You don't even want to sound a little surprised? "Oh, Talia, what are you doing back so soon?" Nothing?" She asked with a quiet chuckle. Not that she'd been expecting him to be awaiting her return with every passing second, but he seemed so unphased with her silent reappearance that it felt more like he'd predicted it.

The Exarch let out a small laugh, leaning against a nearby tree with a shake of his head.

"Mayhap I would've, had I found you by chance." That much was obvious. She may have been near the Crystarium, but this was still the middle of the woods. The Exarch paused, whether out of reluctance, or to choose his words, though, she couldn't quite tell.

"The Pendants Manager sends his condolences." He explained and delivered his message in one sentence, and the previously playful air of the conversation quickly dimmed. Cattalia's previously attentive posture slumped slightly at the words, gaze falling to the grass with a bittersweet smile.

"I'll have to thank him when I get back..." She managed, idly tracing the embroidery in her lap with her thumb. The Exarch's eyes were drawn to it in the silence, unsure if she had more to say and leaving her the space if she needed it. The threads depicted a familiar looking axe, and some words he couldn't quite make out at that distance, all upon a background of small beaded stars. In a momentary glance, Talia caught the new focus of his attention.

She let out a quiet breath, looking back to her work properly. 'We fight as one.' Just seeing the words made her chest ache, but having them in her hands instead always eased the echo in her mind somewhat. Watching as her ears fell, the Exarch moved to sit next to her in the grass, trying and failing to mask the concern in his eyes as he looked between the weaver and her craft. He took a breath, just about to speak before Cattalia finally looked over at him.

"Here. You can still read Eorzean, right?" She held out the embroidery hoop for him to hold, and the Exarch's mouth hung open in pause as he looked at it. He blinked, taking in the considerable amount of detail he'd missed previously, before recovering with a huffed laugh and a nod. He reached his hands out, gingerly taking the frame from her, as if it might shatter with a wrong move.

"This is..." He didn't even bother commenting on her question, eyes flitting over the piece in growing awe. "How- how long have you been working on this?" Their fight with Emet hadn't even happened a week ago, and while he didn't know much about textile work, the stitching in his hands seemed like weeks of work, minimum.

Talia's brows raised at the reaction, though she realized she should've expected it. Few save Alphinaud (who seemed intent on telling just about everyone he met of her skills outside combat, for some reason) knew the real extent of her abilities with needle and thread. She let out a sheepish chuckle, combing her fingers over her tail as a nervous fidget.

"Tataru insisted that I rest, when I returned to the Source. So only a few days, really. It certainly came along faster than I expected thanks to her small hoard of thread." She recounted, smile softening at the memory. Tataru was nearly ecstatic when she mentioned her plans-- something about art relieving the soul-- but she'd just needed something to do, lest she tear herself apart first.

Apparently her response wasn't what the Exarch had been expecting either, and now seemed properly at a loss for words. It was a fitting compliment for her, wordless and not requiring a response, and one that she gladly accepted... but her thoughts went elsewhere in the silence.

"So..." She paused for a moment, waiting to be sure the Exarch wasn't still completely lost in his own thoughts. His eyes broke from the embroidery after a short moment, raising a brow at her in silent question.

"How... how did you find me? The manager of suites merely knew I was returned, not my destination." She asked hesitantly, curiosity returning to her in the lull. The Exarch's brows raised, an amused smile tugging at his lips as he delicately rested the embroidery hoop in his lap.

"This spot is a favourite of yours, is it not?" It was Cattalia's turn to he startled, head tilting to one side in confusion. The Exarch couldn't help but laugh softly at her surprise.

"No one would dare interrupt the Warrior of Darkness, but you've more eyes on you than you might think, Talia. Well, that and..." He paused, a hesitant fondness in his voice. "Your demeanour is always rather... telling."

A series of emotions crossed Cattalia's expression: guilt, fondness, confusion, but his last sentence quickly brought a blush to her cheeks. She scoffed, rolling her eyes with a huff.

"Right, so everyone can read me like an open book, and my private spot is common knowledge." She hadn't meant to sound so bitter, but the way he stated it so plainly didn't feel great either. This wasn't news, persay, but the fact that he'd known about her habits before now... she wasn't sure how to feel about it.

"Most people use that knowledge to allow you your privacy, you know." The Exarch assured softly, not having intended to bother her, but also not wanting to answer her question with a lie either. "Would you have rathered I not come?"

They used it... Is that really why she'd never seen another person out here? To afford her privacy, even in the middle of the forest? A sting crawled up the back of her throat, suddenly having to fight to not sound a little choked up. He... they were all... gods these people were too nice.

"Of course not. It's..." The words caught in her throat as she watched The Exarch's face subtly light up. She forgot how similar they were sometimes.

"It's nice, to have company for once."

---

Can you tell post patch is kicking my ass rn? I loved this prompt when I saw it initially, but the idea I had at the time really just didn't end up working. So I had to come back to it with a new concept for a second chance. Real miqo to miqo communication moment I think XD Thanks for reading! 💙

[cattaliatayuun]

We're getting the hang of this now B)

FFXIV Write Day 13: Butte

Takes place during Stormblood, but no major spoilers, just a society mention and location name.

(Butte: an isolated hill or mountain with steep or precipitous sides usually having a smaller summit area than a mesa)

White knuckles, and the burn of wind-blown sand against skin. It was too early for this.

Cattalia held her staff out, her tense, intentional breaths matching her unmoving stare. Still, her staff shook at the ends.

Ahead was a dense group of Qalyana, rapiers and spears held far more confidently than one would expect, considering they were facing the Warrior of Light. Unfortunately, it was probably warranted-- they did have her cornered against a sheer cliff after all. Their hissing and jeering was more than enough to assure her that they also knew they had the upper hand. She sinks deeper into her defensive stance.

They just had to be melee fighters. On any other day she'd pick her way through the crowd and force them to split, but there was no way she'd last in close quarters like this. A caster's worst nightmare, come to life in the windy peaks of Ala Mhigo, and it was quickly approaching its climax.

As if taunting their prey, the Qalyana were savoring their approach, and Cattalia didn't want squander the opportunity. Her mind raced to find a way out, some way the pieces could fit together that involved her not being in this spot anymore. Her back leg skidded on the stone beneath her, sending a couple of stones tumbling comedically over the edge of the platform, and shifting the few choice possessions she had hanging from her belt. Not that she could bear to look, mind you; her fear of heights was too heavy a weight in her stomach right now for that.

Still, the warriors approached. Cattalia could practically feel the ledge under her heels. Somewhere down below, a griffin cawed.

That sounds like-

Oh no.

She had a solution, and no matter how awful it was, there was no time to find another. She sheathes her staff with one hand, and grabs a horn from her belt with the other, blowing into it with all the breath in her lungs. She didn't even bother putting it away, too terrified of dropping it with how quickly she needed to move. Horn still clutched tightly in her hand, she crouched,

And jumped back.

A second ago, the air had been hot, dry and sharp despite how light the breeze was. Falling through the air at slowly increasing speeds however, it suddenly felt a lot colder. Hair whipping around her face, she could barely even make out what was going on, only extending how much of an eternity her weightless fall felt like. Was her call not loud enough? Did her bird not feel like saving her life? A rapidly approaching shriek cut through her thoughts, the sound relievingly familiar.

Rough leathery claws clamped around her waist, forcing a startled cough from Cattalia's chest on impact, but her hands quickly clung to the bird's legs regardless. It worked. How the hell am I alive right now.

Her glowing red lanner cocked it's head to the side to glance down at her, surely looking like an absolute wreck in it's grasp. Noticing the look, she tried to say something, but her body simply refused to move. She swallowed, having to consciously unset her jaw, and her lungs quickly gasped for air. Had she been breathing? That wasn't important now. After a few more breaths, she managed to get words out.

"Thanks for the lift, Ember." Her voice was still raw, throat dry from the panic, and she could practically hear Ember grumble above her. The bird gave a short disapproving caw, and Cattalia could only scoff, shaking the tension from her body as much as she could while held by a large bird.

"Any chance I could not be carried like cargo?" The claws give her a momentary squeeze. Cattalia groaned. How the hell did this bird know exactly how much she could squeeze without hurting her? She let out a reluctant sigh.

"I'll make you lunch~" She offered hopefully, and could practically feel the switch flip in Ember's body. Then, she was dropped. One ungracious squeak and a bit of flailing later, Ember swooped underneath her, landing her flat in the middle of the lanner's back. She collapsed into her companions feathers, shaking her head in disbelief.

"Spoiled brat..."

---

I love thinking of how this habit started. Early into playing ffxiv I realized you could jump right before your mount summons, and I've been thinking of situations like this ever since. Super satisfying to finally write one out, even if it's not in my comfort zone of dialogue heavier interactions. Good for practice! Thanks for reading 💙