#oc: jargal qalli

[paintedscales]

AuRaugust 2024 :: Day Nine :: Journey

"We walked on paths carved by those before us. We walked paths unknown to all. We journeyed across the Steppe with no real goal in mind most days. Sometimes just cherishing the experiences as they came was enough."

[paintedscales]

AuRaugust 2024 :: Day Three :: Trade

"I knew that in Reunion, there were those that would try to take advantage of foreigners that would come to trade within the markets. I didn't think that there would be one so brazen to try and trade us faulty gear for the bounties we had procured. I don't think anyone was happy with the transaction -- especially when we came back to refute the trade that had taken place."

[paintedscales]

AuRaugust 2024 :: Day Nineteen :: Soar

"I never imagined myself taking part in Bardam's Mettle to qualify for the Naadam. The trials were...interesting, to say the least. I'll be honest, too... Flying has never been something I've gone out of my way to do. Even airships make me a little queasy at times. It feels too out of my control. However, bursting forth upon the back of a yol from the proving grounds and seeing my friends and former tribe members cheering for me...it was exhilarating."

[paintedscales]

FFXIV Write 2024 :: Day Four

Prompt: Reticent Characters: Nomin tal Kheeriin, Arik Dotharl (Noykin), Jargal Qalli Warnings: ... Descriptions regarding depression? Word Count: 608

Master List

Quiet…

The journey from the southern side of the Sea of Blades into Reunion had been quiet. Both Nomin and Arik walked in front of their horses, reins held in their hands. Upon the back of Horse sat Jargal, her gaze pointed upward toward the sky on a face still as fired clay. She had been reticent, foregoing speaking -- singing -- to either Nomin or Arik the entire time she had been in their company.

Of course there was cause for worry every now and then. Jargal had been within their company for roughly a week at that point, and it was difficult for Nomin to keep an eye on her. Not so much because Jargal was a difficult person, nor was she particularly adamant about slipping away. Quite the opposite. Jargal sat in silence with them, ate in silence with them, rode in silence with them…

What made it so difficult for Nomin was this pressure, this…miasma that emanated from Jargal. It was like a weight bearing down against Nomin’s chest, pushing the breath from her lungs as she felt this asphyxiating sadness. It was just as difficult when she laid down to sleep as it was for her to get up and walk. Though she knew not what drowning felt like, Nomin imagined it felt like this.

“Nomin…?” Arik’s voice cut through the silence, a much needed blade to piece that cloying fog. When Nomin looked up at him, the bags forming under her eyes and the way her skin seemed sallow made Arik frown. His brow knit together with concern. “You’re not looking well. I can lead both Horse and Wild Sun the rest of the way to Reunion. We should get you off your feet and some water in your belly.”

Had it really been so bad?

“It’s fine…” Nomin attempted to protest.

“It is not fine,” Arik rebutted. “Push yourself too hard and you’ll end up collapsing.”

A thud and rustle of grass was heard as Jargal dismounted from the back of Horse. She approached Nomin, keeping to herself as she had been this entire time. Both Nomin and Arik looked at Jargal, bemused as she lifted a hand and pressed it against Nomin’s cheek. The action itself caused Nomin to flinch before standing still to let Jargal do…whatever it was she intended.

A low hum came from Jargal as she closed her eyes. Aether swelled within the surrounding winds, and Nomin could feel it embrace her. It was warm and welcoming -- a far cry from the week of that weight that squeezed at Nomin.

“O winds I ask you to cleanse, to ease, to heal / Dispel the ailments that this one can feel,” Jargal sang, a verbal component being used to manipulate and focus her usage of aether. Healing magic.

Nomin had never had healing magic used upon her before. It felt…nice. Like being wrapped within a warm blanket on a winter night.

“What…” Nomin started, staring down at Jargal.

“Quiet now, close your weathered eyes / Dream of life under star-strewn skies”

Just as quickly as the spell before had relieved Nomin of that weight, so too did this spell make her eyes feel impossible to keep open. Her hand slipped from Horse’s reins, and she then fell forward onto Jargal, who struggled to keep herself from buckling under the sudden weight…at least until Arik hurried over and scooped Nomin into his arms.

“What did you do?” Arik asked, completing Nomin’s question for her though she slumbered too deeply to hear the answer for herself.

“Simple words to simple spells to aid and heal / Let us hurry, for she will need a meal”

[paintedscales]

FFXIV Write 2024 :: Day Sixteen

Prompt: Third-rate Characters: Arik Dotharl (Noykin), Nomin tal Kheeriin, Jargal Qalli Word Count: 392

Master List

Crrrrrunch!

The wood of the hatchet Arik had been using to help shorten one of the logs they had for the ger splintered apart. A curse was spat from his lips as he threw the broken tool down in frustration against the ground, standing with fists and jaw clenched afterward. He then turned and strode toward Wild Sun, taking the reins from his saddle and starting to get him bridled.

“Where are you going?” Nomin asked, standing from her own position after hearing the clamoring Arik had been doing.

“Back to Reunion,” Arik replied tersely, that Dotharli nature bubbling to the surface. He then looked at Nomin and jabbed an angry finger in the broken hatchet's direction. “That lying merchant said this would have lasted moons. I take it out for not even three bells, and the damn thing has already split apart!”

Jargal herself had also been watching, an expression of unease settling upon her features. She was not fond of yelling or loud noises in general. Arik's frustration had set her on edge, halting her from fixing up the staff she had been crafting for herself.

“You’re not mad at us, Arik. Take a breath,” Nomin said, that tug of her aether alerting her to Jargal’s feelings of wanting to run away.

Brow still furrowed, Arik took in a sharp breath of air before slowly exhaling it through his mouth. He seemed oblivious to Jargal’s discomfort before Nomin placed her hands on her hips and silently jerked her head in her direction with a look of expectation. When Arik looked, his expression of annoyance faltered before it became somewhat guilt-ridden.

“Jargal… Sorry…about that…” Arik said after a moment.

A small nod of acknowledgement was all that Arik got in response, and that had to suffice as Jargal had been selectively mute for some time now. But, now that there was at least something, Nomin sighed and started getting their stuff picked up. It was no good to keep their materials scattered about.

“Well, let’s head back. All of us bought tools from that stall. If they’re all third-rate, I have a mind to have a few words myself. The pelts we traded for them were freshly cleaned and tanned.” Nomin’s own brow furrowed. “And there’s no way we should have to deal with these tools when winter is upon us.”

[paintedscales]

FFXIV Write 2024 :: Day Twenty-One

Prompt: Shade Characters: Jargal Qalli Word Count: 191 Notes: Song (well, lyrics -- written by me) and story

Master List

Grass shuddered and whispered with wind’s gentle teasing; a song of the land, delicate and appeasing. Eyes closed, a horn to listen, given into the serenity of the moment.

Sweet little child, rest your weary eyes

Rest your soul beneath warm, sunny skies

Listen to all the singing birds

Chirp and trill they sing their words

The sun washed over skin and scale, a warm touch akin to a comforting hand.

The road’s been unkind to you, rest now

Rest now

Until there is morning dew, rest now

Rest now

Wind tugged and teased at hair. It was playful and good natured.

Under shade of the grand forest bough

You live your life the way you know how

Take a breath and settle here

Slow it down and sleep my dear

Jargal’s hand stroked over Nomin’s forehead, pushing locks of hair from her face. It had been three days since the final confrontation of Ultima Thule, and she had not yet woken.

All Jargal could do was sing during her visit to the infirmary.

When you wake we will be near

Hear this to assuage your fear

Rest now

Rest now

[paintedscales]

[paintedscales]

FFXIV Write 2023 :: Day 17

Prompt :: You pick! (Hymn) Characters :: Nomin tal Kheeriin, Arik Dotharl (Noykin), Jargal Qalli Warnings :: Implied Suicide Attempt, Depression Word Count :: 527

FFXIV Write 2023 Master List

The mood had been somber and quiet as Nomin, Arik, and Jargal traveled the Steppe together. Only two days had passed since Arik had rushed forward and saved Jargal's life. The memory of it replayed in her head, over and over. There were certainly things there that disconcerted Nomin, but mostly about herself more than anything.

Since then, Jargal had stopped singing everything she wished to communicate as well. There were sometimes hints of a melody to her words, but that had just been remnants of her Qalli upbringing. She had said something that was somewhat heartbreaking concerning it: "why should I keep singing when everything I sing is about how sad I am?"

And so travel had been rather quiet, only some words exchanged about directions, if they should make camp, if anyone had been hungry or cold… Though it had been Arik in particular that had gone out of his way for Jargal, making sure she had water, and making sure she had at least someone who cared for her with her. Even if Nomin herself had cared as well, she had less skills in being able to speak or say much. Instead, all she did were small acts of kindness where she could.

"Reunion isn't far now," Nomin said as their group had stopped next to the banks of the Rai Khaal. She had been washing her face and whatever other parts of her that felt sticky or unclean from their travel. Turning her attention more fully toward Arik and Jargal, Nomin asked, "are you two holding up okay?"

Arik had replied with an ‘mhm,’ though Jargal had still been relatively silent for the most part. She sat close to their camp, her knees brought to her chest as she stared blankly at the campfire pit that had been dug and prepared. It was taking some time, but at least Jargal had helped with getting some stones put around the pit to keep the fire from becoming a hazard.

When night fell and the fire had been burning brightly, Jargal was left with some skewered meat on a wooden plate next to her. Her gaze had at least lifted from the fire up to the night sky.

Both Arik and Nomin had seemingly and silently taken turns keeping an eye on her. They both worried in their own ways.

“What a sight / What a night / To behold your beauty / To behold this life in me…” Jargal had started in song. Her voice started soft at first, a tinge of ache and sorrow still evident within her tone. But there had been something else there -- a sense of wonderment and realization.

“In the light of the pale moon / With its shine, your boon / With the caress of gentle wind / New life doth ascend…” Jargal sang to no one…no one but herself at that moment. Her gaze was ever pointed upward toward the sky, its stars, and the moon that hung there. Her hymn…to the night? Perhaps to herself.

As Jargal sang and vocalized, there was at last, more of a calm that allowed itself to snake through the campsite and temper the air around them.

[paintedscales]

🎤 - Can your muse sing well? Do they sing often? If they were to stand up in front of a crowd, would they be able to sing in front of all of those people?

Hiii, Valdiis! Thank you for the ask! \ o w o / I hope the start of your week has been way better than mine. TT u TT !

☠ ― 𝑀𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑆𝑦𝑚𝑏𝑜𝑙 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑜𝑛𝑠

Not Nomin! At least, she doesn't believe she sings well, and so whenever she sings, it's very much when she believes herself to be alone. Nomin hums more than she sings, but she likes song and dance. Mostly listening to the songs, and dancing to them.

Now, Jargal, on the other hand.

Jargal is of the Qalli tribe, and so she grew up learning to sing, as it is part of their tribe's lifestyle and mode of communication. However, many of the songs that she sings are very...depressing. :') She has some trauma and just a lot of stuff that she battles.

Since traveling with Nomin and Arik on the Steppe, she slowly stops singing to communicate, but she writes songs and performs them. Her voice is considered beautiful, which is another source of grief for her, because she wants to sing beautiful songs that are worthy of her beautiful voice. Not sad songs that make her cry.

I'm still writing and developing her. Honestly, a lot of ideas came to me to make her while listening to rather sad, but beautiful songs. I already have this backstory that kind of sets the foundation for why she thinks the way she does, and why she's content with more or less abandoning the Qalli lifestyle.

When that chapter is out, more will be revealed. (Mostly to me, because, again, I'm still writing and developing her.) \ o w o /

Bonus Nomin if she were asked to perform with Jargal:

Too uncertain, and not wanting to be there.