#my pink haired elezen

[abyssalmermaiden]

its been a while since I took screens of her just because

anyway- I love her a whole lot she's so GODDAMN CUTE

[dvalshock]

i feel like over the years of my playing kal's design is not as unique as it was back then.

[starrysnowdrop]

FFXIVWrite 2024 #4: Reticent

Adjective: disposed to be silent or not to speak freely; reluctant or restrained.

During the events of patch 7.0, level 97+ quests; Hali cannot seem to trust Queen Sphene of Alexandria, no matter how sweet and kind she seems.

“Hali?”

Aymeric’s voice snapped Hali out of her thoughts as she looked up at her beloved.

“Oh, yes, my love?” Hali asked.

Aymeric crossed his arms and looked down at his lalafellin partner with concern. “What’s wrong?”

Hali sighed as she finally began to speak aloud her thoughts, her words dripping with sarcasm. “Huh? What do you mean? Why would there be anything wrong? Besides people using souls as a commodity, and memories of loved ones being wiped from everyone’s minds… yeah totally nothing wrong here! Haha…”

“Hali, tell me, what else is on your mind. You have been scowling since we arrived in the Outskirts. Wuk Lamat is busy looking around for the moment, so you can be honest with me.”

Aymeric reached out and took Hali’s hand in his, and Hali squeezed his hand in turn as she replied, “Okay, so, am I the only one who thinks Sphene is completely suspicious and doesn’t believe a word she says?”

The elezen chuckled as it was his turn to bring the sarcasm. “Oh, you mean the Queen of Reason who had absolutely nothing to do with the attack on Tuliyollal whatsoever, and who now wants to us to do the dirty work of overthrowing King Zoraal Ja, when they have been seemingly co-ruling for nigh on three decades now? That Queen Sphene?”

The pink-haired lalafell breathed a sigh of relief. “Alright, so I am not going crazy then. She is SUPER suspicious, right?”

Aymeric gave a quick nod. “Absolutely. I haven’t spent so many years of my life playing the political games of the Ishgardian nobility so that I couldn’t recognize someone whose reticent nature is hiding a more malicious agenda.”

Leaning in towards her, Aymeric cued Hali to lean towards him as well, knowing that he would need to speak a bit quieter, as to not have any of the locals overhear them.

“She is not to be trusted. But we need to play nice and get as much information out of her as we can. She still has the upper hand here, because we are nearly clueless as to how their society functions still. We need to be cautious.”

Hali sighed and gave Aymeric a pouty face. “Alright… I’ll smile and be nice to Queen Sphenie… I guess…”

[dawnslight-aegis]

18. hackneyed (make-up)

“What are your plans for Starlight?” The question slipped out before Aymeric had the chance to think better of it, and he winced at the flat stare Estinien sent him in response.

They hadn’t known each other terribly long, and been tentative friends an even shorter period of time, but even so, Aymeric knew how sensitive the other man was to any even oblique mention of his family.

He cast about for a follow-up statement that wouldn’t sound completely trite, and settled on a peace offering: “My mother makes an excellent holiday roast, if you’d like to come by. Far better than anything we can afford on our pay, and I wouldn’t wish the Congregation’s idea of Starlight dinner on my worst enemy, much less a friend.”

A grunt was his only answer, and Aymeric sighed internally. He hadn’t expected much, honestly. The dragoon-in-training was recalcitrant on his best day, but he was also unfailingly loyal, and completely unconcerned with social status in a way that was incredibly refreshing. Aymeric liked him a great deal, even with his sour attitude – and if Estinien accepted the invitation, maybe it would stop his mother from fussing about him being lonely, which always inevitably led to her trying to persuade him to live at home rather than the barracks.

Aymeric had not had many friends in his youth, and truthfully, joining the Temple Knights had been as much an attempt to find somewhere to belong as a place to prove himself and serve his city. He had hoped that his fellow recruits would judge him on his own merits, but the highborn gave him a large berth for the same baseless reasons they always had, and most of the lowborn sneered at the idea of another noble son playing knight – especially one who was his father’s heir. Spending his nights in the comfort of his childhood home would only make that problem all the worse.

Most days he attempted to distance himself from his parentage – both the truth and the rumor – but no one, not even his detractors, could begrudge him going home for Starlight.

And so he was sitting at the dining table, regaling his father with only slightly embellished stories from his recent forays into the highlands, while his mother put the finishing touches on a meal she still insisted on cooking herself, when there was a dull thud against the heavy wood of the front door.

His father always dismissed their meager household staff to their own family homes for the holiday, so Aymeric rose and hurried to the door himself, trying not to be too hopeful. Perhaps it was merely a group of carolers, or a friar accepting alms for the children of the Brume.

Opening the door revealed a rather disgruntled young elezen man, hair released from its customary tail, and clad in linen shirt and calfskin trousers that looked nice, if a bit rumpled, and entirely unsuitable for the season. Aymeric stared at him in shock for a moment, before his face cracked into a wide grin. “Estinien! I did not think you were coming!”

His excitement was met with a glare. “Are you going to let me in or not? It’s bloody cold out here.”

Aymeric stepped aside just in time to avoid being pushed aside as Estinien shoved himself through the doorway without waiting for an answer.

“My apologies. What made you change your mind?”

Estinien folded his arms across his chest, thin mouth set in an irritated line that Aymeric was beginning to suspect was partially embarrassment. “I never said no. And you were right, what they serve at the barracks tastes like chocobo’s arse,” he declared loudly, and Aymeric could hear a soft snort of laughter from his father in the dining room.

As they walked towards the dining room, Aymeric murmured a quiet, “mind your language in front of my mother, please.”

Estinien’s ears turned a bit pink, and suddenly he went from looking like a man of two and twenty to a boy of fifteen. “I’m not a bloody imbecile, I know how to behave,” he hissed back, and Aymeric very politely did not point out the hypocrisy in his word choice.

As they entered the dining room, so did the Lady de Borel, heavy silver platter held in delicate hands that had begun to shake more often than they did not. Leaving Estinien to stand in the doorway, Aymeric darted over to his mother and took the platter from her, ignoring her protests as he did so.

“Well, who’s this, then?” asked his father, peering at Estinien over his spectacles, and Aymeric smothered a laugh at how uncomfortable the man looked. ‘Twas uncharitable of him to find amusement there, but the man looked as if he had stepped onto a battlefield filled with dragons, rather than a friend’s home with his elderly parents.

“Estinien Varlineau, ser,” he responded, awkwardly, shifting his weight as if unsure of his welcome. “Aymeric invited me.”

As Aymeric put down the heavy platter of food, he decided to throw the poor man a lifeline. “Father, you will remember that I mentioned a young dragoon who saved my life two moons ago? That was Estinien, who has since become a good friend of mine. As he is unable to return home for Starlight, I invited him to ours.”

His mother gasped and walked over to Estinien, taking his hands in her own. “Oh, of course! Thank you so much for looking after our boy. Come, sit.” She tugged him towards the table and Estinien followed, looking a bit overwhelmed as she ushered him to the seat next to Aymeric’s own. His father rose and pulled out her chair for her as she walked back around the table, sinking into it gratefully, and Aymeric squashed a twinge of worry for how unsteady she seemed.

Estinien sat as he was bid, casting a slightly bewildered glance in Aymeric’s direction as he carved the roast and deftly transferred it to plates. “That’s laying it on a bit thick, isn’t it? As I recall, it was you saving my damned fool hide. Twice.”

Aymeric shot him a warning look, then shook his head, face falling back into a pleasant mien. “Ah, but if you had not wounded that dragon as you did, it would not have fled the battlefield, and instead finished what it began with the rest of our company. Thus I owe you my life, and my thanks.”

Ducking his head and fidgeting, Estinien didn’t say much throughout the dinner, only speaking when spoken to (and without any more swearing, praise Halone), save to compliment the cooking, which made Aymeric’s mother glow with pride. They had scarcely finished eating when his parents excused themselves, his father gently guiding his mother up the stairs as she leaned on him in exhaustion.

Aymeric sighed. Clearly she had overtaxed herself today – ‘twas likely that this would be the last Starlight dinner she cooked herself.

Turning to his guest, he held up the half-empty bottle of wine, then refilled only his own glass when Estinien shook his head. “I am glad you came. They worry too much, and I think you being here eased that somewhat. Or at least made them less likely to openly fuss over me.”

A faraway look came over Estinien’s features, doubtless thinking of his own parents, and he shook his head. “Wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Fancy house aside, you actually live like people.”

“Glad I am to have disabused you of the notion that I am some spoiled little lordling, playing at war,” Aymeric responded, a faintly bitter twist to his words.

“Oh, have no doubt, I still think you’re spoiled. Just in a normal way, not the highborn brat way.” Estinien grinned and tossed back the last dregs of his wine as if it were a mug of ale.

Aymeric laughed and shook his head. “’Tis better than the alternative, I suppose.”

Wood scraped over stone as Estinien shoved his chair back. “I should be getting back, I’m sure they’ll have us doing drills in the morning.” He turned away as he stood, then paused, not looking back. “Thanks,” he muttered, then tromped towards the front door without another word.

Whether he meant for the invitation, or for the arrow to the eye of the dragon that nearly killed him, or for the offer of friendship, Aymeric didn’t rightly know, but it warmed his heart as surely as the wine did.

[atiredsnowcat]

wake — for the single-word drive!

~A month after she first woke up in the Source with no memory, Gridania~

"I don't remember that much of my life," the lalafell wrote in her journal. "My first clear memory, besides, of course my name and… age I believe, is me waking up in the Shroud. And having this… image? in my head of this tall person, way taller than me and maybe even an Elezen. And them telling someone to 'stop' and feeling snapped out of reality? I know it was a female voice. Alas, it's been a month since I've been living here. It's been quite weird to get used to this place. I barely see people my height and all the elezens are looking at me quite weird, like I don't belong her? I started picking up bits here and there about using weapons but I can't say I've found something I really want to use. I've learnt a few magic spells to heal myself in case of need, I know how to use a bow to hunt here and there and a lance in case I have to fight in melee range. But I heard people talking about different cities? Something around the beach that's the home of the pirates? A place deep in the mountains that has problems with dragons… And also this one place that is ruled by someone that's my race! And oh, lots of lots of more places but there's also this empire? That is quite against these cities. I want to travel everywhere. Get the chance to actually discover these places!"

A small knock is heard at the door. The lalafell closes the journal and jumps from her chair. "Who is it?" She says in a small voice. 

"It's Minoune. I've brought you some food! And also can you open the door? I'd love to discuss some stuff with you."

The pink haired lalafell opens the door. A tall Elezen, a head shorter than the door frame itself is waiting there. She smiles warmly, just like a mother would do to her child. She kneels down, pets the little girl on the head and then proceeds to place the food on the empty table near a few chairs. 

"So what is it?" The lalafell tilts her head, sitting on one of the chairs. 

"Well… I brought the case of your amnesia to Kan-E-Seena… and well the Twin Adders have been quite happy with your combat progress and they're willing to offer you some quests as well"

"Ok cool…" she says, sounding a bit uninterested. "What's the thing about Kan-e…?"

"Oh! She's the Elder Seedseer. She oversees the Shroud and talks to the elementals. And I've talked to her about your amnesia and she talked with some scholars that she knows and we might get in contact with some people to help you with your memory!" She claps her hands, looking excited at the lalafell. "Aren't you happy with that, Yuki?"

Yuki just shrugs. That was the name she got from a traveler that found her. A tall lady with red hair. She got told that her “race” is called lalafell, even though the term seemed weird for her. Sure, she only remembers that her name starts with "Yu" but that doesn't give a lot of information. She remembers seeing the blue big crystal as well, the one being all "Hear. Feel. Think" and not "Hey you're in Eorzea, in the Black Shroud, here's a guide on how to be human since your memory is gone"... She sighs. "These gods are sometimes useless".  She quickly shakes her head. After all, the elezen is still talking about some stuff. 

"Anyways, I've got your first quest and you should  go to the central shroud tomorrow! Don't forget to pick a suitable weapon, you never know what you might encounter!" Minoune averts her eyes. "And I'm still not sure what type of combat you're good at even… It seems you're just… good at everything?" She shrugs. "Not my place to judge, alas. It's just from what I've heard from people!"

"No uh… No offense taken" Yuki says in a faint voice. She barely talked this month and she sometimes has small moments when her pronunciation isn't the best. The lalafell always gets annoyed when someone points it out so she just doesn't talk that much. "I suppose see you tomorrow for some supplies and more details?"

"Definitely!" Said the elezen, clapping her hands once again. "Then hope you have a good rest and I'll see you tomorrow!" She gently pets the head of the small one and leaves the room. 

Yuki liked the silence. Helps her with sorting her mind, which is a disaster right now. She goes back to her desk and opens her journal. 

"Minoune just visited me. She still tries to act as a mother. Hearing people call me 'Yuki' it's a bit weird these days since I'm still not sure if that's really my name. But even then, who knows what my name is? No one seemed to even recognize me and all these names of races just sound a bit weird to my ear. Their appearance is familiar, but the term is different than what my mind is used to, it's just that I can't for the love of the saint ones remember what exactly it is. It's not that important I suppose, I can have some conversations with people, even though some point out that I have a particular accent. The annoying thing is that I still haven't seen that one tall lady that I've met that came up with the name. I could have maybe asked a few more stuff or why they picked that name in the first place but alas, it just looked like a simple adventurer. I'm probably overthinking this too much, it's not like I'd ever meet them again."

She closes the journal. Yuki places a hand over her chest and closes her eyes for a bit. That feeling of emptiness in her chest every time she thinks that. Just the fact that she might have a lead about her memory and she can never find it again. She glances towards the window, looking at the moon shining between the tree's branches. Is this how the moon feels, every night? Just lonely that she's so far away from the stars, but alas, they seem so close to her? An unreachable thing that seems so, so reachable? But what does she know? She's not the moon. She's just a little star that's oblivious of everything, burning their own story 'till it's nothing more than a spark that people barely remember. Not significant for anyone, as no one knows who she is. Or what her purpose is in this realm.

"Hear. Feel. Think" the words echo in her mind. The voice did sound familiar, like an old friend? But then that shard presented herself as a goddess of light so what does this little spark know about the brightness of that crystal. Maybe she just heard it somewhere else. Somewhere in the past, before the events of this month. After all, it does feel… close to that "Stop" she heard a while ago. She shakes her head. "Maybe too much overthinking for one night". Yuki closes the window and lays down on her bed, managing to get a bit of sleep for the next day.

Once the morning arrives, the lalafell manages to get out of her bed. At least she knows she's not the most "morning" person you might find around.

[chitsuu]

OC Kiss Week 2024: Rain

Still doing this little challenge this week, since I didn't manage to do it all last week, with my FFXIV character and his husband (@kitshunette’s son)!

Also, I’m not much of a writer, but I decided to write a little something for each drawing, little windows in their story (which is also why I’m using the @ockissweek prompt list but not in order)

I actually got overly excited over this one, even though this is not a paper made for very detailed illustration and I wanted to keep things simple,,,,, but it took form under my eyes and I couldn't stop,,,,,,

Eli decided he did not like the rain.

He frowned, glaring at the window of his bedroom, where he could see the heavy pouring that was currently taking place outside. It had been raining without a moment of rest since yesterday’s first light, and it showed no sign of stopping. Eli dramatically sighed. He was supposed to be on a date this evening, and yet he was stuck in his room - well, more accurately, in his bed. Apparently going out under the rain in a cropped vest and shorts was incompatible with the concept of being healthy, and he had caught a nasty cold.

He shivered a little, and concluded that since his night was ruined, he might as well give up and transform himself into a burrito. Just as he finished wrapping his long limbs inside the warm blanket, he heard a little rasp against his door.

“You can come in.”, he grumbled.

It was either his big sister coming to offer him some medicine, or her wife, who would never pass out the opportunity of snatching the warm cup of milk that was on his bedside table.

Except it was neither of them, and a much taller shape appeared at the door frame, hovering anxiously.

“Shashahua told me you caught a cold, and that you were stuck in bed. I wanted to check on you, are you feeling better?”, the blue haired man asked, a worried look on his face.

Eli felt a rush of very different emotions all at once. Happiness at seeing the familiar face of his now boyfriend. Embarrassment from getting sick just before their date. Flattered that he would still come to see him. Relief that his nose had stopped producing indecent amounts of snot a bit earlier in the afternoon. Mortified that he was currently looking like some kind of giant slug.

He coughed a little, hoping to distract Jisul while he tried to smoothly move the blanket around so that he would not look like he was being eaten by it.

“I’m feeling better this morning. You didn’t have to come you know?”, Eli started then promptly added, “No that’s not it, I’m actually really happy you’re here. Thank you.”

He could feel his face flaring up, and hoped the Au Ra would mistake it for the fever. Why did he have to be like that?

Jisul beamed, and Eli belatedly realized he had come all the way to his bedside. He scooted over a little, a shy unspoken invitation. An invitation promptly accepted, as his boyfriend sat next to him on the bed, looking a bit pink at the cheeks.

“I’m sorry we couldn’t go on our date. I know you wanted to see the Starlight festivities, and I wanted to see them with you too.”, Jisul said in a small voice.

He looked really dejected, as if the weather was somehow something he could have prevented. Well, knowing him, if he could do it for Eli, he would. And Eli would do the same.

The Elezen reached a hand outside the blanket, and took Jisul’s hand in his.

“You don’t have to be sorry for that. We can always see them later,” Eli softly said, “or even next year.”

Pulling the hand towards him, he gave it a gentle kiss. Speaking of future dates gave him butterflies, and he tried his best to stay casual. They started dating not so long ago after all, and even though they had a crush on each other for the longest time, at least according to his big sister and her wife, wasn’t he being a bit forward?

“Sounds good to me. Next year and the following years to come would be nice.”

Eli’s heart made a somersault. Jisul was looking at him with crescent eyes, full of a confident love. When their eyes met, they both blushed before turning slightly away, overwhelmed by the sudden confession.

“I should go”, Jisul started after a few moments of comfortable silence, “you need to rest more-”

“Can’t you stay a little?”

Eli was actually not ready to let him go, even though he was indeed starting to feel tired and in need of a nap.

“Please. Until I fall asleep?”, he pleaded.

As if pleading was necessary, considering Jisul had not even made the slightest movement to remove himself from the bed.

“Can I? What about your sister?”

The Au Ra looked a bit intimidated at the idea of getting told off by the Lalafell.

Eli chuckled.

“It’s fine. She and Sisi are probably expecting you to stay so they don’t have to worry about me.”

And so they can tease me come tomorrow.

Jisul laughed a little, and opened his arms. Eli found himself wrapped in a soft embrace and snuggled closer to his boyfriend’s chest. The Au Ra was more on the cold side in terms of body heat, but it balanced nicely with the warmth from the blanked and his fever.

“Should I sing you a lullaby?”

“Hm.”

Eli closed his eyes, unable to fight the drowsiness, as Jisul started to sing a soft ballad in Xaela.

Eli decided he liked the rain a little after all.

[hythlodaeus-mynewoldfriend]

Well here we have it! I apologize for the wait time @lily-ohfally but I do hope you enjoy this little piece of Lily and Haurchefaunt having a moment in Shadowbringers. Thank you so much to @sasslett for arranging this swap! It was a lot of fun!

No warnings. word count 1.5k

Time is limited, Lily knows this. Knows that they don’t really have time to relax and take in the scenery, yet how was he to be expected to focus on any of that when it felt like years since he last saw Haurchefant? Well for Haurchefant it really had been, two years to be exact and of all places for him to have ended up Il Mheg was the last place Lily expected.

He would have sooner bet on his beloved to be at the Crystarium waiting for him. “While I did for quite a long while, this place despite appearances felt like home.”, He had told him, something Lily did have a hard time believing when home was cold, snowy and its grey hazy filter overshadowed by the warmth the people living there had. Il Mheg was nothing like that, warm, bright, and a sweetness one could taste on the breeze as it made ripples on the crystal blue lake. Maybe it was the castle that brought back feelings of Ishgard, Lily would have to ask him again when they had a moment’s quiet.

“I am sorry to have kept you waiting my darling,” Haurchefant calls out as he jogs up the hill, his silver hair blown from his blue eyes, smile sparkling, and in some of the most relaxed clothes Lily had seen outside the bedroom, a simple cotton puffed sleeve shirt dyed a soft blue with dark brown pants and black thigh boots. The whole thing makes Lily want to see just how it looked on the ground as his eyes roam up and down, stopping when he lands on his hands. He carries a book with him that Lily looks at curiously with a smile.

“No need to be. I wasn’t waiting long.” His cheeks darken when Haurchefant sits next to him, arm looping through his. “What was it that you wanted to show me?”

“I simply wanted your company,” he answers, lacing their fingers together, “I also wanted to give you a chance to be honest with how you’re actually holding up. I know it can’t be easy for you being this far from home.”

Lily inhales deeply, “It isn’t, you’re right about that. I want so badly to go back and make sure they’re okay but….” He shakes his head, making his ears fall just a little more in his line of vision, “I am doing something by being away from them. I am ensuring a future for them. If being this far is what it takes then so be it. I will pay the price.”

“Well you are far from alone, so you will not have to carry it alone, my love,” he leans over to kiss his cheek, deepening the red in Lily’s cheeks and bringing a small smile to his face, “And I promise you, we will have you back home before you know it and all will be well.”

Lily nods with a sigh looking over the pink scenery of Il Mheg, catching the glimpse of some pixies fluttering about. “You know I was wondering something, if you’d be willing to indulge me.”

A dangerous smirk plays on the elezen’s features, “For you, I will always indulge.”

“Maybe a bit later,” he chuckles with a nudge, “I’ve been wondering once again  why you chose here.”

Haurchefaunt looks over at him giving a small tilt of his head, “I don’t think I quite understand what you mean.”

“Well I expected to find you at the Crystarium, maybe helping Lyna out with the guard. Instead I find you here with the pixies.”

“If it’s any comfort I did not intend to stay out here when I simply set out to make sure Urianger made it here safe.”

 “Oh, so that’s how it happened, though it shouldn’t surprise me with you love. When I asked the first time, though, you said this place reminded you of home.”

“And you wish to know just how it reminds me of home.” Lily nods, Haurchefaunt looking ahead and closing his eyes taking in the sweet ghostly scent of pine. He lets the feeling of fresh dew grass tickle his skin, the dappled sunlight through the branches of a cedar tree he would lay under as a young man warm his face. When he opens his eyes it's for the briefest of moments that he’s no longer in a foreign land, but home….home from eight years ago. “You spent most of your time in Thanalan, yes? Then you only got to experience my home as the cold and snowy land it has become. Before the Calamity though…..the lands were green, trees were lush, fog and mist only rolled down from the mountains to deliver rain. It was beautiful.” 

“Tell me more, please.” Haurchefant nods starting on stories of his youth, which has Lily closing his eyes listening to the descriptions of an idyllic place, catching glimpses throughout Haurchefaunt’s life with the Echo. The joy radiates from each one and it's one of the few times that Lily can consider it a gift. “I truly wish you could have experienced it before the Calamity. I admit I was disheartened for the amount of time that you stayed in Ishgard, it was long enough to where back then the seasons would have changed from the winter into the beautiful spring when the wildflowers bloomed and the herds of caribou would return. It was a breath of fresh air every year….”

Lily takes in the melancholy in his love’s eyes that dim the nostalgic smile, “Maybe it will one day return,” he says softly with a squeeze of Haurchefaunt’s hand, “It cannot possibly stay that way forever, and when it does return I will be right there with you to take it in.” 

The two bring their lips together, Haurchefaunt’s fingers caressing up Lily’s neck and jawline to rest his hand behind the viera’s neck intensifying the kiss. Lily’s hands start to wander the knight’s toned body looking for the hem of his shirt. Haurchefaunt releases a breathy moan into their kiss when Lily grasps onto his hips. As Haurchefaunt turns to face Lily more the book he brought out with him falls between them, halting the kiss. The two look down at it a moment before they laugh, Haurchefaunt returning to his original seated position not even bothering to fix his more open shirt. 

“What is that?”

“This,” he answers, dusting the book off, “is the other reason I invited you out here. I found this tome at the Cabinet of Curiosity and I thought its contents were just lovely. I wished to share them with you.”

“Oh.” Lily’s eyes go a little wide as he tries to put on a smile. He peers over at the open pages, the letters and words blending together, “Well I do enjoy the sound of your voice.”

“Good. Because I’ve memorized a few so you can follow along and lay in my lap.”

“But I-.”

“You do not need to know any of it, and I am not turning this into a lesson. I simply find that poetry must also be seen along with being read.” Lily tilts his head with a furrowed brow, “Trust me. You will understand soon enough. And do not feel bad for asking me to stop and repeat them. I will recite to your heart’s content.” Haurchefaunt moves to allow for Lily to get into place, flipping the pages to the first poem with its words curving like wind. He clears his throat before starting to recite the poem as Lily’s eyes follow along to the words he can recognize as images form more clearly and the near neutral cadence of the elezen’s voice takes on a more melodic beat with the rise and fall of each word. The echoes of the sea crashing on the shore envelop his ears, salt landing on his tongue and a nostalgia for a place he’s never seen forms in his chest as the words elongate. Enchanting and calming and finished all too soon as Lily is left wanting. Wanting for a place he knows nothing of but can see in his mind’s eye as if he had lived it. Lily had heard many a song, heard lyrics that could make him sad, elated, and inspired but none created the sensations he’s trying to hold onto. Even the books his sister would read to him and used when teaching him couldn’t stir these images for none had their words look as they do in this book. 

He flips through the book catching glimpses of poems that make mountains, ones that keep straight but place themselves all over the page, and some that have words of differing sizes. He beams looking up into Haurchefant’s blue eyes. His smiling face matches his own, running his fingers through Lily’s short hair, something the viera didn’t even know started as the poem took him in, “Shall we move onto the next one?”

Lily shakes his head, “Once more, love.” 

“As you wish.”

[arty-ffxiv]

Welcome to my FFXIV sideblog! It’s lovely to have you here; my name is Laurel, but you can also call me Arty ✧.*

You can learn more about me here. Please note that I like/ follow back from my main account, @laurel-resting!

This is a multi-muse blog for my FFXIV roleplay characters; you can learn more about them below.

RP Status: Active

Born as a Moogle in the Black Shroud, Kupa’s transformation into a pink-haired Viera was a feat of alchemical dubiousness brilliance by a Sharlayan researcher named Rhotrael.

Unable to return to her previous form at present, Kupa has the freedom to explore Etheirys and spends her time doing odd jobs; adventuring, courier work, waitressing, gardening and baking.

Warm, friendly and excitable, Kupa is learning more about the world each and every day.

✧ RP Info ✧ Reference Sheet ✧ General Kupa Tag ✧

RP Status: Active

As a young woman, Ohka was fortunate to meet the love of her life during a chance encounter- an Ishgardian-born Elezen merchant named Quillion Espinoux.

Relocating to Ishgard and remaining tenacious and steadfast through the challenges life sent her way, Ohka's world was turned upside down when Quill was found dead in their marital home. Rumors swirled about Ishgard and Ohka was declared the primary suspect.

Traumatized, cautious and slow to trust, Ohka has returned to Gridania after the tumultuous and isolating murder trial- she's got a lot of processing and healing to do.

✧ RP Info ✧ General Ohka Tag ✧

RP Status: Semi-Retired

Growing up in the lush forests of Raincatcher Gully and in the shadow of Castrum Occidens, C'arta is no stranger to the dangers facing Eorzea or Etheirys at large.

Fiercely restless and ever- curious, C'arta is most often seen around Eastern La Noscea with her pet tapir, Nugget, in tow. Previously working as a mercenary-for-hire and adventurer, she's since retired, now working as a guide for visitors to the Gully and a huntress for her tribe.

Stubborn, competitive and impulsive, C'arta utilizes her skills as a Monk to help make their little corner of Etheirys safer for her little siblings.

✧ RP Info ✧ Reference Sheet ✧ General C'arta Tag ✧

RP Status: Active

K'eshhe's backstory is a work in progress ✧.*

✧ RP Info ✧ General K'eshhe Tag ✧ [coming soon!]

✧ This is not a spoiler-free blog.

✧ This blog is LGBTQIA+ friendly and a safe space.

✧ I refuse to yuck others yums here; I also follow the mantras of ‘nothing nice to say, then say nothing’, and ‘be curious, not judgemental’.

✧ I do not condone, support or tolerate racism, sexism, or hateful & belittling behavior.

✧ There will be some NSFW content on this blog; I ask that anyone under the age of 21 to please not interact with my content or blog. I have no interest in interacting with minors.

✧ My ask box is always open, with anon enabled should you want that security. Feel free to be your delightfully unique, unhinged self in my inbox!

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I hope you enjoy perusing through my blog! ♥

[becquerelnoir]

I love white haired ocs but in a setting like FFXIV where so many people have it

making a character who has albinism (like me and my self insert elezen do) means you have to be super specific about that character having albinism

esp if they wind up not having pink/red eyes.

[placesyoucallhome]

FFXIVWrite #4 Off the Hook

He knew what he was walking into, didn’t mean he liked the bureaucracy of it. 

“A dozen counts of theft, three poaching, four resisting arrest, and… one public indecency?” The Serpent officer raised an eyebrow over the stack of papers, an elezen man looking none too pleased to be on this job in particular despite the cushy seat and clean desk, flanked by standing serpent privates, an uninterested hyur boy, and a familiar moonkeeper. Mikro’a only shrugged, giving nothing, that was only the list of broken laws he’d been caught for. 

“Yeah. And you said--”

“I know what I said.” The elezen snapped, “For enlisting for the Cartinau conflict, your record will be wiped. A clean slate. On paper.” 

The threat was clear, gone, but not forgotten, he’d still be walking on eggshells at best, he wouldn’t be arrested for previous crimes, but new ones would not be given any grace. Dark claws scratched at ratty clothes and dingy lavender hair, he didn’t have anything to lose at this point really. But the only other moonkeeper in the room looked like she was about to lose her lunch, dark skin almost ashen, pink-purple ears flattened back as she could only look at Mikro’a in abject horror. There was nothing she could do, could say.  

“I get it. Sennight of barracks and training, then off to the bloodfields.” He huffed again, a hand held out to ask for a pen, to scribble along the bottom line of the contract laid out in front of him. The officer pushed a quill and ink pot over, time to sign his life away. 

“No, wait--” She finally burst, reaching out to stay Mikro’a’s hand, the officer sputtering orders to stand down that she couldn’t heed, “You can’t- If you’d just said you wanted to do better- I- I could’ve figured out something, we could’ve--” 

“Mihki, you know damn well you wouldn’t have given me a second thought even if I had been on my knees about it.” He pulled his hand out of reach, and she flinched back. 

“N- No. No I-” She stuttered, she’d given up her family tradition of poaching, looked down her nose at the rest of them as they struggled in the Shroud. She struggled into the ranks of the law and order instead, and now she was going to have to file her baby brother’s death sentence for it. It was too late.

His signature wasn’t much more than a scribble, the paper shoved back over the desk before he turned to leave for the armory and barracks, “Hey, at least I’ll get a few meals before I die, more than you ever did for me.” He shot over his shoulder, he knew what he was walking into. 

[chicinlicin]

i keep forgetting to post my responses to wol/oc questions over here OTL so here's a little hoard of elf facts

Compare your height to your wol/oc's!!!

rune is short tall. lumi is tall short . together none of us are tall lol

rune is shorter than elezen min height. lumi is taller than max lala. i'm me sized.

first drawing and most recent!

rune was very briefly a pink witch before going tits out cowboy at an alarmingly speed (shit actually i need to draw more cowboy)

i will always find it funny how fast i also went from drawing like steven universe and cute magical girls to "i will now only draw my scrunkly as shit elf. they are literally the only thing i want to draw" and i've learned so much from that lol

i think it was literally like a month between cute witch and fantasia thoughts fffkfflff (that art is from like june, so here's a more recent one cause i love comparisons :D )

for those with wols/ocs that have names that don't follow their race's naming conventions: why did you choose that name?

rune is an alias they chose to avoid being tracked after leaving sharlayan, only to later find out no one had enough interest in their research to warrant finding them :| but they liked it so it stuck

they do have a proper elezen name but i keep changing it cause i'm indecisive, but also they'd only use rune around most people anyways so it's fine fffff someone says they're good at inscribing runes one time and they make it their whole thing

ooc reason is cause i name all my game characters some variant of rune aren after my first skyrim character so i don't spend 6 hours on the character create screen and i didn't think i'd like playing enough to worry about a lore compliant name OTL

#wolqotd player question — are you younger or older than your WoL and did any thought go into their age?

I had rune around 30, then I mathed a bunch figuring out how long it took jannequinard and leveva to learn astromancy, and serendipity goldsmithing, how old they'd be at the sharlayan exodus, and how long it'd take to become an archon...to end up at 30 again OTL

oh I'm gonna be rune age next year fghffgfffgf

Lumi is 32 and had a similar thing but figuring out how old she'd have to be to have a red mage stone, and training in a bunch of fields. I've been thinking she should be a little older though...

Other than you wol(oc)’s current hair color, what color would they dye it?

rune naturally has greyish brown hair, they get the top bleached, this is an excuse for me to show them with their hair grown out lol

I've tried them with yellow before which worked surprisingly well, they'd try any colour as long as it keeps the two-tone

what does your wol/oc think about archon loaf? are they from sharlayan? was 5.3 the first time they tried it?

rune is sharlyan. unfortunately. they love it. even after leaving they still eat it when they wanna work instead of make real food. eating a proper meal will make them sob with how nice it tastes, then later they're back to eating the stupid loaf again.

their mum grew up near gridania and makes a somewhat nicer version without the fish. it still has most of the uh- qualities of a traditional archon loaf though

[abyssalmermaiden]

layering

aka- I like the mesh version of this top more but it needed a shirt over it to work for Aryaille

[keanearts]

Braided Nerves

Rating: gen

Words: 1133, oneshot

Pairing: unrequited Haurchefant x WoL

Including: Alphinaud

Warnings: fluff and angst, mentioned canon character death

Summary:

Once Haurchefant tried to show Miyhu how to braid their hair, and once when they tried it for himself.

Ao3 link:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/48309616

Fic and notes under the cut:

Notes:

Here's my WoL, Miyhu; https://toyhou.se/21821261.miyhu-ruphar#66383828

---

"It's simple," he had said, fingers moving deftly through Miyhu's hair, now loose from it's usual ponytail, "I believe you would struggle to find a child in the whole of Ishgard who couldn't do this."

His voice was light, teasing, as he separated the strands of hair, "even you would have no trouble with it if you deigned to open your eyes."

Miyhu squeezed their eyes shut tighter in petty response, a wide grin spreading across his face as the Elezen behind him tutted jokingly. It was nice, the feel of his fingers running through their hair, the gentle way he teased out any knots and the light scratch he'd offer the base of their ears when he came back up to them, the Miqo'te could almost fall asleep where they were sat if he wasn't careful.

A fact that didn't escape Haurchefant as he flicked their notched ear with a chuckle, "stay with me Miyhu, this is an important meeting for you, I can't have you falling asleep and ruining all my hard work."

Reminded of the reason for his ministrations, the Warrior of Light grumbled, finally opening his eyes to see his own reflection in the mirror in front of him, set upon the dresser of the Fortemps guest room they were currently occupying. With the mirror, he could see where Haurchefant was sat behind him, he had said that even if they had been standing, it would've hurt his back to braid their hair if he stood. An over exaggeration of their height difference, but it was admittedly easier for them to both sit, and it made it more fun for Miyhu to flick his tail between Haurchefant's knees.

Haurchefant had a soft smile on his face as he finished up the end of the braid, tying it with another pale pink ribbon to match the other braid.

"Just one more step, my dear friend, then I'll release you," he spoke quietly, gathering a braid in each hand and wrapping them up around Miyhu's ears, holding them in place with one hand as the other reached past them to a small box sat next to the mirror, "I had this made for you, I'd hoped the colour would allow it to stand out against your hair."

His voice was quiet still as he opened the box, revealing a metal hair pin in the shape of red carnation flowers.

Miyhu let out a little gasp, reaching instantly for it, "it's so pretty!"

"Yes…" with their gaze on the pin, he didn't see Haurchefant's own eyes fixed solely on them, longing etched deep in his face.

Miyhu started to twist in their seat before Haurchefant's loose grip on his hair reminded him that they couldn't, and instead settled for staring intently at Haurchefant's reflection, "it's for me?"

Haurchefant smiled back at their reflection, "of course! Presuming that you like it, that is."

"I love it!" Miyhu said defiantly, clutching the pin to his chest as though Haurchefant would force it from him, "but… it looks espensive…"

Haurchefant closed his eyes for a moment, with no care to correct them on their pronunciation, he found them far too adorable at times. Opening his eyes again, he held a hand out for the pin so he might return to their hair, and said, "I would find a way to bring you the stars themselves if it would make you half as happy as this silly old hair pin does."

Miyhu handed the pin to him, then flashed him with a smile that Haurchefant believed could cure any woe, "I don't need the stars, Anty," they said as he carefully pinned their hair into place, "I'm happy just being here with you!"

Haurchefant patted their hair, making sure everything was in it's proper place as his heart attempted to leave its own, "and I you," he whispered back as they tilted their head this way and that, admiring his work.

---

The pin lay on the dresser before them, a blotch of colour in a greying world, a sharp red just like the blood upon Haurchefant's lips as he spoke his last words, staring up at Miyhu like they were the entire world as they cradled him, desperately begging that he doesn't leave them.

Fumbling fingers attempted to braid loose hair, but every attempt had it look messy and childish, not exactly the image the Warrior of Light wanted to give out at the funeral of a hero, a brave soul, and such a dear friend.

A sharp cry of anguish tore from his throat as he slammed the dresser, hair flying every which where, and carnation hair pin clattering to the floor. Miyhu gave a stuttered gasp, and slid to the ground so quickly their knee cracked loudly on the wood, but they ignored the flaring pain as he grasped the pin with wild eyes, turning it over and over to check for damage.

Once certain it was fine, he clutched it to their chest, letting out a small sob as he did so, and knelt there, rocking back and forth with it in hand. They didn't know how much time had passed before they heard their door crack open, and they didn't look up as he heard Alphinaud's light footsteps move towards him.

"Miyhu…" his voice was thick from crying, and Miyhu snapped back into their role.

Scrubbing roughly at their eyes, he stood, keeping the pin to their chest with one hand, "Alphy," they said, attempting to sound as normal as they could, as though they hadn't just also been crying, despite the red eyes and tear tracked face, "come here."

They extended an arm and the teenager immediately launched himself into them, hugging them tightly, "I'm- I'm sorry," he sobbed, "I came to- to comfort you- and now-"

Miyhu shushed him gently, starting a rumbly purr in their chest to help calm him, "it's okay Alphy, it's okay."

Alphinaud shook his head vigorously against their chest, but did not speak again as Miyhu guided him to sit, still wrapping him in a hug, "I- I wanted to help you," the young Elezen whispered, "not to- to cry on you."

Miyhu grabbed a cloth, and smiling softly at him, they wiped his face dry with gentle motions, "it's okay to cry," they said, "I've got you."

Alphinaud's face crinkled up again, fresh tears falling as he buried his face again in their chest. Miyhu pet his head gently, purring quietly for him, giving him all the comforts he could as they pieced themself together for him. He needed them to be strong.

Miyhu's eyes fell on Thancred's tunic lying across the bed.

Everyone needs them to be strong.

Still holding Alphinaud, they reached across and placed the pin on top of the tunic.

---

Notes:

So the name for this came from the lyrics "our nerves were braided under ceiling stars'" from the song Cicada Days by Will Wood so if you wanna listen to that while readin go ahead-

Also Alphy wasn't supposed to be in this but he didn't even knock on the door he just waltzed in like he owns the place-

[starrysnowdrop]

"...Who did this to you?" || "Let it go (Name), it doesn't matter-" || "Yes, it does. Who did this to you?" For Hali and Aymeric

((This one is a bit shorter than some of the previous prompts, but I thought it was appropriate nonetheless. Sorry that it took me forever to get this one done! Hope y’all enjoy!! And thank you so much @meepsthemiqo for the prompt!!))

“Who did this to you?”

Hali x Aymeric, cameo by @traveler-of-light’s Astrid

During the events of the Ghimlyt Dark in 4.5; SB/Pre ShB spoilers ahead

“Hali! Where are you?! Hali!” Aymeric was running as fast as he could, desperately trying to look among the piles of magitek rubble and broken bodies, searching for any sign of the lalafellin Astrologian, but so far, he had not seen any trace.

Then he saw it: a flash of pink hair out of the corner of his eye. Aymeric gasped and ran over to her, throwing Naegling to the ground and kneeling next to her.

“Hali!” The lord commander’s voice was strained as he laid his hand on her bloodied cheek.

Hali’s pink hair was disheveled, her astrologian robes were stained with a mixture of blood and dirt, and her star globe laid closed next to her side. For a brief moment, Aymeric feared the worst, yet he dared not voice that fear aloud.

He gently lifted her into his arms, cradling her small form against his chest, and noted that she felt so light, as he lifted her without effort, but it was concerning that she had not seemed to even notice him lift her off the ground.

“Hali… please! Open your eyes!”

That seemed to do the trick, as Hali stirred and her eyes fluttered open, but she was straining to breathe. She had just enough strength to smile up at the elezen. “Aymeric? Is that… really you?”

Aymeric briefly closed his eyes, straining to hold himself together, but his voice turned dark as he looked down at Hali’s frail form.

“…Who did this to you?” He asked, though he was almost certain who had done it, he had to hear it from her lips.

“Let… it go Aymeric, it doesn’t… matter–“

“Yes, it does. Who did this to you?” He growled.

Hali closed her sea green eyes once more, recalling the events that led to this moment. “Zenos… or should I say the creep inhabiting his body… Elidibus I suspect.”

Aymeric let out a deep breath. He knew it. She hadn’t escaped from the Ascian nor had she been caught in crossfire or anything of the sort. It was the Ascian himself that cut her down.

Hali opened her eyes and looked up at Aymeric, continuing her story. “Astrid and Arslan were fighting off other Imperial grunts while we took on the Ascian. Before he could strike a blow, Yume fell, unconscious like the all the rest. That’s when Estinien appeared. I told him to take Yume and run, while I tried to hold him off, but… I wasn’t strong enough.”

Aymeric shook his head and gently smiled down at her. “Oh but you were. You successfully allowed Estinien to escape with Yume in tow, and he brought her to our chirurgeons before informing me that you were still on the battlefield and needed my help.”

“Where…” Hali was struggling to speak, so Aymeric lifted her up higher so that he could hear her faint words.

“Yes?”

“…Where is the Ascian?”

“Retreated, along with the Imperial forces, for now at least. You did it, my friend.”

Hali gave a small smile and lifted her hand up to Aymeric’s face. “Aymeric… please, don’t leave me.”

“Never. I’ll be right here with you, I promise.”

“Aymeric, Hali!” A feminine voice called out from the darkness, and when Aymeric looked up, he saw the familiar face of his childhood friend running up to him.

Before Aymeric could respond, Astrid gasped and put her hand to Hali’s forehead. “Oh no, what happened to her? And where’s Yume?”

“Mistress Aino has likely fallen unconscious in the same manner as the other Scions, but we need to confirm that this is indeed the case. She’s safe with our chirurgeons in the field. As for Hali…”

Aymeric stood up with Hali being held close to his chest while not even looking up from the tiny woman in his arms.

“I’m taking her back to Ishgard, far away from the battlefield where she can be attended to by every available chirurgeon in the city! I can’t lose her, Astrid!”

Astrid frowned deeply, a knowing look in her eyes as she heard the desperation in Aymeric’s voice.

“Meric…”

Aymeric glanced at Astrid and commanded, “Astrid, pray return to General Aldynn and brief him on all that has occurred here. If he has further need of me, I will have my linkpearl on hand.”

“Got it.”

With Astrid’s swift acknowledgment, Aymeric then channeled the spell and within seconds, he had teleported himself and Hali away, leaving Astrid to sigh to herself before she took off to find Raubahn and the other alliance leaders.

[starsandauras]

Prompt 25: Call it a Day

FFXIV 30 Day Writing Challenge Prompt 25: Call it a Day

Brigid hummed softly, eyes closed and head tilted forward as Urianger’s long, thin fingers brushed through her curls, working out the worst of the tangles before separating them into three sections. Next to her sat Ryne, Thancred running a comb through her hair, preparing it for the same treatment. Ryne was more awake than Brigid was, and was doing the same for Gaia.

Gaia had no one’s hair to tend to, and instead let Cred sleep in her lap. It was actually quite cute, and his dark scales and dark hair blended in with Gaia’s nightgown and housecoat. Not that anyone but Ryne would risk saying such to her.

“Art thou awake?” Urianger asked, voice a whisper as he started to cross the locks across each other. Brigid hummed again, shrugging her shoulders, and Thancred laughed softly, separating out Ryne’s hair just as Ryne started on Gaia’s.

“Sends her halfway to sleep, every time,” he said fondly, and Ryne hid a quiet laugh behind a hand. “A wonder that she and Alisaie remained awake long enough to take care of each other’s hair during their sojourn to the Ruby Sea.”

“Was doin’ Alisaie’s first,” Brigid murmured, sighing softly as Urianger’s fingers brushed the back of her neck.

Thancred’s hands went faster than Urianger’s, the Elezen having been trained by many long years helping Alphinaud and Alisaie to gentleness, so that Ryne’s hair was done first, her pink ribbon woven into the braid. He used the end to tie off Ryne’s hair, just as the girl did the same with Gaia’s, her ribbon a deep purple that almost blended in with Gaia’s hair. “Alright girls, off you pop,” he said, patting Ryne’s shoulder.

Ryne bounced up, bright smiles, as Gaia slowly stood, making sure Cred didn’t wake. The boy made a sleepy noise, turning his face into Gaia’s chest, an arm flailing over a shoulder. “Thank you, Thancred,” Ryne said, quiet but happily. Gaia hummed in agreement.

“You’re welcome, my dear,” he murmured, and was only a little surprised when Ryne wrapped her arms around him in a hug. He easily and quickly recovered and hugged her in return, glancing up at Gaia, eyebrow raised.

She sniffed. “Even if I didn’t have Cred, absolutely not,” she said, but without any heat.

Thancred grinned, patting Ryne’s head when she pulled back. “Good night, girls.”

Saying their quiet good nights, the girls just as quietly left Brigid, Thancred, and Urianger’s bedroom, carrying Cred with them. Thancred turned back to the other two, where Urianger was tying off Brigid’s hair with a deep blue ribbon. At Thancred’s raised eyebrow Urianger smiled, shaking his head.

Brigid wasn’t quite asleep, but she wasn’t quite awake either, swaying lightly in her seat. A rather besotted expression crossed Urianger’s face, “Come along, my desert rose,” he murmured, and that was all the warning Brigid got as Thancred watched Urianger sweep her up into a noblewoman’s carry. She was tired enough that it didn’t shock her awake, but she did grumble softly. “To our repose.”

“Mm-hmm,” Brigid hummed, unconsciously mimicking her son’s earlier behavior, though her arm flail was much more graceful, leading to her hand resting on Urianger’s shoulder, holding on.

As Urianger settled Brigid into bed, Thancred went around the room, turning off the lamps, leaving only one still lit. It was the one on the nightstand on his side of the bed, and it was turned off only once Thancred had slid into bed behind Brigid, who had already claimed Urianger’s chest as her pillow for that night.

A light kiss passed between Thancred and Urianger, and Thancred leaned down to kiss Brigid’s temple, smiling when she shifted enough for a proper kiss, brushing her fingers against a cheek. “Good night Bookwyrm, Spitfire.”

“G’nigh’…”

“I wish you the most pleasant of dreams,” Urianger whispered, kissing Thancred again, before the man turned off the lamp, plunging the room into soothing darkness.

[hallowed-nebulae]

his bracket/poll won't be until next week, but here's more k'pheli/sae'pheli'ehva propaganda, for the wol tourney run by @woltourney ! these sketches are messy bc the lack of spoons hit ahaha

the appearances are as follows, left-to-right top-to-bottom: A Realm Reborn, Syrcus Tower alliance raid (Crystal Tower questline), midway through Stormblood, Labyrinth of the Ancients alliance raid (Crystal Tower questline), post-Crystal Tower questline. and a doodle of k'pheli and g'raha (from just before ST raid)

some notes under the cut, bc these got rambly oops:

k'pheli has two names! technically "k'pheli tia" is the second one, and sae'pheli'ehva is the first one; it's due to the worldbuilding of the au he's in, which i might elaborate on at some point later. but both names are equally valid and he'll answer to either of them

technically he's a self-insert but i added lore for how that works, so in-universe he's the incarnation of a god responsible for creating the plane of existence. because of this he does radiate divinity sometimes, though other times he's just some guy. in-universe he's also worshipped bc people (g'raha) Notice the divinity and go (in the tone of the history of the world and everything) "we should make a religion out of this" and then they did.

adding onto that, because the god he's an incarnate of had black hair, the more he's worshipped the darker sae'pheli'ehva's hair gets, and it'll eventually turn black. the blue streaks are crystal (as is the lighter blue eye), and the blue streaks are to do with him being the crystal god (because the whole religion that worships him popped up around mor dhona and the crystal tower -- i'll elaborate on this later)

after g'raha gets sealed away, the tips of his ears and tail turn black permanantly while the rest returns to the original pink color, and k'pheli cuts his hair short. it grows out from HW to post-SB, where it ends up going down to about his waist.

he's got chronic aether sickness and due to divine nature creates a ton of aether-filled crystals to try and lessen the amount of aether in his body. all of the crystal jewelry that he wears is made by his own hands and he'll give out any crystals he makes for free. as a gift.

k'pheli is afab genderfluid but uses he/him for convenience; the little marks at the corner of his eyes are actually tattoos to match what a male miqo'te's face marks would look like, but he's too lazy to cover up his other natural ones.

the crystal streaks in his hair increase over time, though by post-SB they've stopped growing. they're just sorta there.

his canine teeth are made of crystal, as are his claws. he loses about 60% of his tail around the waking sands incident (yknow, when pretty much everyone is killed) and regrows the missing 60% as crystal (though this is somewhat a painful process)

technically this image is inaccurate, since he isn't learning archery until the crystal tower questline (g'raha is the one to teach him the basics) and only tears through archer/bard quests after the world of darkness when g'raha gets sealed away. it made for a good visual contrast with the dragoon armor though so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

since he's a gelmorran miqo'te (more on this on another day), he's naturally taller than other miqo'te. gelmorran miqo'te are generally the same height as elezen, but poor k'pheli is short. luckily for him, short for a gelmorran miqo'te is tall for any other miqo'te, and as such he's several inches taller than his beloved g'raha. perfect height difference to rest his chin on g'raha's head and hug the allagan history nerd from behind.

i couldn't think of what to put in the bottom right corner initially so i just put that little g'raha/k'pheli doodle there. the ship of the two of them has a name and it's crystalline connection, bc i like my themes. and yes g'raha has freckles, it's what he deserves. k'pheli will trace the freckles in an invisible constellation with his fingers, as one does

the one crystal eye has a white pupil because i thought it looked cool and also something something divine eye. i dunno the vibes are neat

i have not actually played SB or post-SB or ShB (i've been watching a letsplay) due to being a free trial player, so any of sae'pheli'ehva's outfits from post-HW or onwards have yet to be properly ironed down. oops. if you see inconsistency in outfits due to this, don't worry about it! it's gucci!