#dulia chai mewlah

[froggercube]

Dulia-Chai!

[dragons-bones]

FFXIV Write Entry #9: Matters of the Heart

Prompt: lend an ear || Master Post || On AO3

---

A soft knock on the door jolted Dulia-Chai back into full awareness and she jerked her head up, decades of practice and composure the only thing that kept her from knocking her ink bottle over.

“Dulia-Chai? Do you have a moment?”

The door to her office was open, and she could see a familiar head of soft red hair just over the accounting books stacked in haphazard piles all over her desk. Dulia-Chai beamed. “Of course, Ryne! Come in, come in, have a seat on the settee.”

The door opened wider so Ryne could slip inside fully, and while she did so, Dulia-Chai quickly checked over her current work. Eulmore’s finances had, well, gone to utter shite long before Vauthry’s rule, or even that of his father, and she and the other municipal accountants were having a devil of a time straightening out the records. She had reached a good stopping point, however, and she had been at this for most of the morning already. Ryne had chosen an excellent time to visit.

Dulia-Chai made sure the blue ink of her own notations was dry, closed the book, and pushed away from her desk to stand. She took a moment to stretch out her poor back before she bustled towards the settee.

Ryne was fretting with her hair ribbon, head ducked low, and Dulia-Chai eyed her thoughtfully.

Tea, she decided. They definitely needed tea.

Her Nuzz had installed a small stove for her here in her office, to make it easier to brew tea or even coffee on the days when the finances proved most troublesome. It took only a moment to fill the kettle from the water pitcher one of the pages always made certain was refreshed throughout the day, set it on the stove to heat, and began laying out a tea tray from the cupboard and cold box. Bowl of sugar, small jug of cream, two cups, and of course: a tin of coffee biscuits.

Once the kettle was off the stove and the leaves steeping, Dulia-Chai brought the tray over to the settee, placing it on the low table, and perched on the settee next to Ryne. She poured a cup, added two sugar cubes and a dash of cream, and passed the cup to Ryne, who took it automatically and raised the cup from the saucer to gently blow at the hot liquid before sipping carefully. Dulia-Chai made her own cup—no sugar, healthy glug of cream—and wedged a biscuit onto the saucer before finally settling back.

The drank and nibbled in mostly comfortable silence for a few minutes. While Ryne’s nerves had calmed, she still seemed disinclined to proffer what had brought her here today. Well, then!

“How may I help you today, Ryne?” Dulia-Chai said gently.

Ryne sighed quietly, stuffed the remaining half of her own coffee biscuit into her mouth to keep from answering for a few more moments as she set down her teacup. She chewed, swallowed, and finally said, shy as a lamb: “Were you ever scared your relationship with Chai-Nuzz wouldn’t work out?”

Ahhhh, there it was. Dulia-Chai finished draining her own tea as she best thought how to answer, before deciding the most straightforward way was best, as always. “Certainly!” she said. “We were both young, and the young aren’t always so wise, and it’s common for people of all ages to realize they aren’t a good fit for one another. But here’s the thing: relationships take work.”

Ryne finally looked up, meeting her eyes for the first time today, puzzlement clear on her features.

Dulia-Chai nodded. “It’s something that gets left out of the romances, something even we adults often forget to pass along, because it isn’t glamorous. I adored my Nuzz from the first, but adoration does not make for stability. Of course, I had to convince Chai-Nuzz of my adoration first…”

She took a moment to grumble as Ryne giggled. Stubborn, ridiculous man and his low self-esteem! Even today it was still a struggle.

“How do you do it? Making it work?” Ryne said.

“Talking,” Dulia-Chai said with a firm nod. “If you’re upset, say so, and why. If you don’t know why, say that, too! Sometimes we just feel poorly for no good reason, and it’s important to communicate that so that no one feels as if they’ve done something wrong. If you’d like to do something together, ask. It sounds very simple, but often people expect their loved ones to just know, and that is neither fair to yourself or to them! Though, it’s not impossible to become well attuned to your loved one after long years together; my Nuzz always knows when I need a biscuit or when I need to take a walk if I’m grumpy, but he didn’t know that when we first courted.”

Ryne nodded slowly, nibbling at her lower lip as she absorbed Dulia-Chai’s words. “And…what about just wanting to be alone for a bit?”

“Oh, my dear Ryne, that is perfectly normal, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise,” Dulia-Chai said. “You are your own person, as Gaia is her own person, as I’m my own, as Chai-Nuzz is his. We all have different needs and desires; sometimes that means we want to spend our time with our beloveds, sometimes with friends, sometimes by ourselves.”

Ryne seemed to sag with relief, the tension that had been thrumming through her finally released. “Oh, thank you, Dulia-Chai,” she said. “Some days it doesn’t feel any different with Gaia than before we began dating, and I’ve also been having this awful itch to just…go camping in Lakeland for a sennight like in the old days with Thancred, and Gaia hates that sort of camping.”

Dulia-Chai reached out and gently patted Ryne’s knee. “You and Gaia have a strong foundation, being friends first,” she said, “and that’s good. One’s beloved should also be one’s friend, and some days you will feel that friendship more strongly than your romantic feelings. And your friend knows the two of you don’t need to be bound at the hip at all times! I have no doubt Gaia will understand, and she can enjoy some time to herself and her own hobbies, and then once you’re back, you’ll both be mentally recharged and feeling better. But you have to talk to one another, hm?”

“Yes, Dulia-Chai, I will,” Ryne said, smiling at last. “Thank you again.”

“You are always welcome, my dear. Now…” She held out her arms and winked. “Big squeeze or little squeeze?”

“Big, please!”

As Dulia-Chai gave Ryne a bone-crushing hug that had the girl squeaking in delight, she wondered if a certain black-haired young lady would be visiting her before Ryne had the chance to talk with her.

[ffxivxd]

Female Mystel names consist of "forename + birth place + surname" while Male Mystel names consist of "birthplace + forename + surname".

For example, Chai-Nuzz Mewlah and Dulia-Chai Mewlah should be known as the Mewlahs rather than the Chais.

[gailiag]

A Comprehensive List of Character Ages from Encyclopaedia Eorzea III

Got my copy today and figured I'd compile a list of every character that has an age given in Encyclopaedia Eorzea III! Contains Shadowbringers and Endwalker spoilers. Text version below the cut (warning: it is LONG).

Shadowbringers Characters

Major Characters

Vauthry – 29

Beq Lugg – ~250

Lyna – 33

Feo Ul – "newly blossomed by fae reckoning"

Kai-Shirr Olkoh – 17

Ran'jit – 88

Chai-Nuzz Mewlah – 40

Dulia-Chai Mewlah – 40

Tesleen Stoneplowe – 18

Halric of the Gold House of Aldmere – 9

Seto – at least 140

Runar – 30

Ryne – 17

Gaia – 17

Role Quest Characters

Granson Ketchthane – 28

Lue-Reeq Chalah – 18

Cerigg Morpurse – 25

Taynor Lakplowe – 10

Giott – 22

Cyella Valthane – ~10,000

Crystalline Mean Characters

Katliss Horhand – 39

Facet of Forging

Iola Waldhand – 18

Eismon Valhand – 31

Colana of the Seventh House of Oakbridge – 27

Sue-Rend Maihov – 29

Facet of Crafting

Thiuna – 24

Walden of the Final House of Elmsby – 43

Owell Freehand – 27

Facet of Nourishing

Bethric of the Second house of Pinehome – 36

Facet of Gathering

Qeshi-Rae Kaapoh – 30

Yalana of the Grey House of Ashgrave – 25

Mao-Ladd Moshca – 23

Facet of Fishing

Frithrik – 26

Mervyl Stonehand – 52

Hurielle Stonehand – 22

Lakeland Characters

Callea Skyekirk – 27

Nielden of the First House of Oakbridge – 48

Mauwyl Mudkirk – 23

Tolas Valkirk – 23

Dwarf Quests Characters

Ronitt – 15

Ozogg – 20

Kholusia Characters

Kai-Shirr Olkoh – 17

Tristol Horpurse – 39

Eueliss Hylplowe – 22

Sai-Lewq Jinal – 56

Theva Valfyst – 37

Irvithe Ketchand – 26

Grithil Ketchpurse – 26

Xamott – 50

Korutt – 19

Glagg – 72

Eulmore Characters

Ran'jit – 88

Chai-Nuzz Mewlah – 40

Dulia-Chai Mewlah – 40

The Jongleurs – 18

Mowen Freepurse – 41

The Canary – 17

Hathenbet Ketchkirk – 67

Thoarich Skyeplowe – 73

Anfrigg Morhand – 21

Bosta-Zia Panpah – 19

Amh Araeng Characters

Ghen Gen – 39

Tesleen Stoneplowe – 18

Halric of the Gold House of Aldmere – 9

Thaffe Morhand – 24

Jeryk Motplowe – 23

Jamial Nabaath – 64

Guthjon – 34

Horthur – 53

Kee-Satt Lye – 20

Rhal Ral – 27

Darmal Morfyst – 45

The Fae

Aenc Thon – "as old as the flick of a disappearing tail"

Seto – at least 140

Rak’tika Characters

Runar – 30

Almet – 87

Uimet – 85

Cymet – 83

Lanille – 140

Myalna – 38

Qitari Quest Characters

Valan – 19

Quinfort – 18

Ciuna and Phyna – 48

Qitarl Natl – 14

The Tempest Characters

Tolshs Aath – 63

Paushs Ooan – 18

Grenoldt Freethane – 51

Teushs Ooan – 33

Zumshs Aath – 68

The Empty Characters

Ryne – 17

Gaia – 17

Werlyt Characters

Gaius Baelsar – 56

Valens van Varro – 56

Severa Souther – 23

Valdeaulin Ganathain – 48

Alfonse aan Baelsar – 21

Allie aan Baelsar – 16

Rex aan Baelsar – 18

Ricon aan Baelsar – 17

Milisandia aan Baelsar – 20

Bozja Characters

Bajsaljen Ulgasch – 54

Marsak Apella – 42

Misija Votyasch – 29

Stanik Alubov – 15

Noah van Gabranth – 48

Menenius sas Lanatus – 55

Lyon rem Helsos – near 70

Sadr rem Albeleo – 37

Firmament Characters

Augebert Brasher – 36

Maelie Greystone – 11

Peyraquile Bomptond – 13

Marcelloix Mourelz – 34

Neillemard Hanette – 31

Endwalker Characters

Major Characters

Ahewann bin Alzadaal – 22

Montichaigne Mongrignois – 74

Ameliance Leveilleur – 42

Erenville – 25

Kokkol Dankkol – 43

Wilfsunn Tragbharsyn – 56

Bloewyda Uwilsyngwyn – 54

Matsya – 22

Jullus pyr Norbanus – 21

Role Quest Characters

Shirabaht bin Ardati – 31

Ea-Sura-Supin – 28

Charlet Reed – 19

Minato Urabito – 24

Kisei Urabito – 51

Sharlayan Characters

Montichaigne Mongrignois – 74

Ojika Tsunjika – 21

Dickson Denman – 38

Barnier Clarke – 54

Ameliance Leveilleur – 42

Kytte Kirk – 26

Nenelymo Totolymo – 72

Studium Characters

Rurusha Rusha – 74

Boric Azora – 40

Namono Tayamono – 29

Jude Rose – 19

Jeromere Marette – 20

Debroye – 21

Galveroche Larille – 55

Flaugustert Friont – 73

Hinageshi Wright – 29

Tankin Banjo – 35

T'laqa Tia – 31

Nele Newton – 81

Qih Aliapoh – 26

Labyrinthos Characters

Vtorak Vetasch – "indeterminate age and inconclusive gender"

Erenville – 25

Kokkol Dankkol – 43

Wilfsunn Tragbharsyn – 56

Bloewyda Uwilsyngwyn – 54

Verpaulaine Fouillel – 12

Thavnair Characters

Mehryde bihn Shinan – 40

Ahewann bin Alzadaal – 22

Mehryde bihn Shinan – 40

Matsya – 22

Qerasaf bin Shirashir – 24

Racashir bin Fahleel – 9

Yezahn bin Qulhudi – 27

Sula – 24

Arkasodara Quest Characters

Trna (Arkasodara Quests) – 21

Ogul Khatayin – 18

Kancana – 50

Garlemald Characters

Sicard Spence – 26

Licinia bas Corculum – 18

Jullus pyr Norbanus – 21

Jareck aan Natasch – 43

Vergilia van Corculum – 42

Nerva yae Galvus – 44

Rimelnaud de Thelomaire – 27

Appius eir Callaecus – 30

Galla oen Longus – 33

Volsus bas Malicus – 13

Vipsania dus Malicus – 44

Frontinus fae Malicus – 43

Job-Related Characters

Gunbreaker

Radovan Slobasch – 45

Sophie – 20

Cato nan Mammula – 52

Vitus quo Messalla – 52

Dancer

Ranaa Mihgo – 17

Nashmeira – 37

Reaper

Drusilla Varus – 52

Arnegis Elder – 42

Hermin Hart – 19

Sage

Lalah Jinjahl – 22

Mahaud Stone – 21

Ancel Stone – 26

Guildivain Sailmet – 38

Blue Mage

Latool Ja – 22

Whastrach Ahldwaensyn – 37

Ceadda of the Whalaqee – 14

Zirnberk Fyrgeissyn – 26

Seasonal Event Characters

Valentione’s Day

Lisette de Valentione – "nearing thirty"

Astrid de Valentione – 16

Little Ladies’ Day

Ulala Ula – 16

Narumi Kakeya – 21

Masha Mhakaracca – 19

Aldiytha Thorne – 22

Hatching–Tide

Jihli Aliapoh – 22

Pawlin Morning – 38

Make It Rain Campaign

Nanaphon Sasaphon – 23

Roland Redsteele – 48

Moonfire Faire

Haermaga Bleibornsyn – 39

Beaudefoin Dupaitre – 33

Hildelana Quick – 28

R'fhul Tia – 18

The Rising

Wandering Minstrel – "undisclosed age"

J'bhen Tia – 22

Nhagi'a Jakkkya – 16

All Saints’ Wake

Impresario – "gives his age as 'six hundred and sixty-six'"

Starlight

Amh Garanjy - 27

[yokasaris]

Mystel Surnames (aka Oops All Keeper Names)

putting this cursed Encyclopedia Eorzea 3 info here for my own benefit because I use this blog as a reference still mystel name (Keeper surname equivalent)

Chai-Nuzz Mewlah / Dulia-Chai Mewlah (Mewrilah) Hanji-Fae Bajih (Bajhiri) Lue-Reeq Chalah (Chalahko) Qeshi-Rae Kaapoh (Kaatapoh) Sue-Rend Maihov (Maimhov) Mao-Ladd Moshca (Moshroca) Kai-Shirr Olkoh (Molkoh) Sai-Lewq Jinal (Jinjahl) Tista-Bie Amari (Amariyo) Bosta-Zia Panpah (Panipahr) Kee-Satt Lye (Lyehga)

[autumnslance]

On the occasion of their twenty-fifth anniversary, Chai-Nuzz gifted his wife her mammet likeness, which he made using Talos construction techniques. It was subsequently presented to the Warrior of Darkness as a memento--with one small addition. Mouseover text: “Dear--Dearest--I--I can’t--” -Chai-Nuzz

Me on redeeming the Art Book Code: “I can only give this to one character? Well, Dark Autumn got Matoya’s Hat, and Aeryn’s the one who ‘canonically’ goes through Shadowbringers, so I’ll give it to her.

Me on logging in an hour later: “Why does Aeryn have mail? ...OH RIGHT...”

[yinza]

Patreon reward of Dulia-Chai from FFXIV!

You can support me on Patreon here!

[Image Description: Digital artwork of Dulia-Chai from Final Fantasy XIV. She wears her usual black fur coat and purple dress, and stands lifting a hand to wave enthusiastically at someone off-screen, her mouth open in a wide smile. /end ID]

[autumnslance]

Not to mention the whole thing is pretty much her idea to begin with, with her frustrated suggestion and Y’shtola’s response being “...you’re right and should say it, let’s do this.” And then just...standing by Nuzz, reminding him of his talents and knowledge, encouraging him, and taking care of him, the PC and Scions, the Exarch, and everyone else along the way...

Dulia-Chai is one of the best characters in this entire expansion, on every level.

Dulia cheering her husband on, effectively making sure this entire operation actually happens and thus saves two worlds. Thanks mom! 

[ffxivxd]

Dulia-Chai Mewlah hails from the same town as her beloved, Chai-Nuzz. Not only was she one of the first to see his Talos spring to life, but she also accepted his proposal at age 20, offering him constant support during their transition to Eulmore shortly after.

[autumnslance]

Pausing to Say:

I freakin’ love the Chais. Best couple.

Hugs of Doom for everyone.