#panne nini

[teawithaphd]

mood — for the single-word drive!

Ao3 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/56845828

It wasn’t the first night G’raha has spent sitting alone by the campfire, pouring over documents long after the rest of the Ironworks crew had retired for the night.

The gnats from the lake always start buzzing in his ear around this hour, reminding him that he really should invest in some bug spray.

Is that even something they still make, now that bugs are the least of their problems when facing the aftermath of a Calamity?

When G’raha had sealed himself in the tower, he hadn’t thought of what he’d wake up to, if he would even wake at all. He had done what he was destined to, and had played his part. But there is simply no rest for the wicked, and there is much and more for him to do.

Finding a way to undo that Calamity happens to be one of them. As impossible of a feat as that seems to be.

A gust of wind blows in his direction, pushing several papers away from the pile on his lap and onto the ground.

It continues blowing against him, with no less remorse as G’raha rushes to pick the papers up. The thunder beginning to roll in advises him to turn in for the night soon before any rain follows.

But one of the papers that have landed among the stones catches his eye.

A portrait, he finds, different from the journal entries and documents he’s been digging through all night.

He may not be particularly knowledgeable in the arts, but he can tell that the piece was made in charcoal, judging from the smudges of black now on his hands.

And though the drawing is slightly faded, age has not completely erased the incredible detail the artist has put into it. There was a delicate care that was put into each and every stroke, as if the person who drew the piece was desperately trying to capture a memory he could not afford to forget. If only G’raha had spent some time training in the arts rather than pouring all his focus into his books, then mayhap he could have captured a few memories himself.

But he didn’t grab the page to wallow in regret.

A miqo’te woman stares back at him from the drawing, intensity in one shadowed gaze. Where her other eye would remain covered by an eyepatch, while dark hair falls wildly on her pale shoulders.

Perhaps if the sketch were done in color, he might take a guess at who this mysterious woman could be.

A soldier? A hero?

The intensity in her gaze tells as much, but G’raha senses a weariness from the woman in the picture as well, as if she’s fighting back at a world who’s put such a weight on her shoulders.

What could have burdened her so?

Perhaps the Calamity, but G’raha gets the feeling that there’s more to it than that. And though it is inapt for a scholar to make assumptions with no solid evidence to back it up, tis just what he thinks is the truth.

He’s reminded of the last person he saw before he sealed himself in the Tower— the look she gave him when she finally realized that there was nothing she could do to stop him. He saw a weight there that he had not noticed before, as if his loss would not be the first she’s experienced—

No, it can’t be.

He’s gone through every document the Ironworks had that could give him insight on the life she’s lived since he slept.

Twas the first thing he did when he discovered when he woke, and her inevitable end before then.

He pushes down the bitter taste that’s made its way to the back of his throat.

Despite the woman in the painting not being her, he still gets the urge to learn more of her…to learn what ails her, and to do what he was never able to do when he was far too absorbed in finding the truth of his lineage instead of helping the friend who needed him the most.

Share her burdens.

“Hey new blood, looking through that pile again—Oh, what’s this?”

G’raha was so absorbed in his thoughts that he hadn’t even realized the Ironworks crew member who had slipped behind him.

What was his name again….Jesse, right?

“Twelve preserve, I thought I lost that one!” The hyur exclaims, “I’ve been looking for it for for weeks! Thought we lost it on our way back from Ishgard, but by some miracle it now lies in your hands.”

“What is it?” asks G’raha, now even more curious about the drawing.

Jesse beams. “Believe it or not, twas a sketch made by one Alphinaud Leveilleur of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn. A royal pain in the arse that one was to get a hold of…had to pay a whole week’s ration for it. And stave off a whole hoard of hippogryphs on my way back to camp—oh, but don’t tell the chief about that!”

G’raha’s eyes widen. The Alphinaud Leveilleur? Who started the Crystal Braves and traveled so closely to Panne—

If that’s the case, then that means…

“Would you look at that—looks like there’s some writing there I hadn’t noticed till now. Can you read that?”

G’raha scans the page once again, finding the source of Jesse’s observation near the bottom of the sketch.

The charcoal there is smudged, but if he looks closely he can read something there:

Our dearest Warrior

[teawithaphd]

Here Without Our Names

FFXIV

Wolgraha Week | Day 6, “Reunion”

F/M

[teawithaphd]

This was absolutely inspired by your url: how do your character(s) take their tea? Do they tend to go with the more traditional black tea or do they spice it up with different blends? Would they drink more traditional British tea or the American 'iced' tea? Are they particular with how much milk/sugar they put in?

Hiya, thanks so much for your ask! 💕

I actually made a headcanons post a while back on how the Scions and my wol Panne would take their tea: LINK

(if you haven't played 6.1 and on, beware of a spoiler character mentioned)

But! Here's some extra sauce that's not in that post already, plus how my other wol, T'orr Tia, takes his tea:

Panne Nini

She tends to go for her home-brewed teas (which means grabbing a bunch of herbs, putting them in a cup of boiling water, and drinking it) but, if someone were to pass her any other type of tea, she would definitely drink it. She's not generally picky, and not fond of wasting food, but if the tea is sweetened at all, or gods forbid you give her something like boba, she will spit it out.

T'orr Tia

T'orr has a very....peculiar pallet.

He has a new favorite tea every week, and has a special place in his heart for Doman boba tea. He'll also take his tea as sweet as sweet gets; that cup of sugar cubes on the table will be gone before anyone else gets to it, along with the cream and milk. If we want to add in what they like to eat with their tea, T'orr would be the kind of person to have one of everything from a local pastry shop and eat it all in one sitting. (if he’s feelin spicy that day, he adds in a drizzle of hot sauce to further ‘excite the palette’, don't ask me why)

[teawithaphd]

For all your characters! 🤬- does my muse swear often? Do they try to censor themselves around children or elderly people? and also 🎵- does my muse listen to music while they work?

Getting to this ask now, sorry for the wait!! 😭 but, I hope you enjoy nonetheless 💖

Panne

She swears A LOT, it’s pretty much a part of her natural speech, and that’s because the moogle couple who raised her cursed like sailors too. With children, the elderly, god - she will still say fuck.

Despite appearances, Panne is actually quite musically attuned, most likely an effect of being raised by furry musical fluff-balls. If there isn’t any music, she’ll sometimes find herself humming a made-up tune, or something from her childhood. She’ll never admit that she does this though, even if you catch her red handed.

T’orr

The amount of swearing he would do around someone would equate to how much he trusts them. He doesn’t swear much to begin with, but his ‘mask’ is one with perfect eloquence, and would, at most, sound more strained around children and the elderly. Over time, his speech would grow more natural if he trusts someone enough.

Perhaps a remnant of his Sharlayan roots, T’orr dislikes anything that could potentially break his focus, and music, to him, feels more like noise then something genuinely enjoyable. He would prefer to not listen to anything while working, as he feels that it could cloud his judgement.

[teawithaphd]

Under the Blood Moon - Ch. 3

FFXIV

WolGraha Vampire AU

f/m

The slayer manages to use one hand to rummage through her pockets, praying to any gods that can hear her that she finds something to get her the hell out of here. Her chakrams are long gone by now, but she should have a knife or two still deep in there somewhere. Alas, her search bears no fruit. “Shite.” “Now…let us commence the sacred ritual!”

(Yes, it’s been awhile — but chapter 3 is finally here!! *passes out*)

[teawithaphd]

40. What do they wonder about? What sparks their curiosity and imagination, and why? How is this expressed, if it is?

Sorry this took a bit, but thank you so much for the ask!! 😳💖

Panne

She hadn’t done much in the way of wondering throughout her journey, but around the end of Endwalker, she began to wonder what the truth of herself really meant, both physically and metaphorically. She now searches for that truth, as she inherits the dreams she once had in a past life.

T’orr

He more calculates than wonders, thinking up every conceivable course of action mathematically, and plotting schemes accordingly. Crafting new concoctions and min-maxing everything is what truly sparks his imagination; a true alchemist at heart, and perhaps a remnant of his Sharlayan lineage and upbringing.

[teawithaphd]

A Tale of Two Warriors: Book I

Chapter 4

G’raha x wol

f/m

“The hells is this place?” Panne’s voice echoes across the empty expanse of the hall. T’orr lets out an audible groan as he takes the sight in, a bitterness slipping into his tone. “I’ve never been one for theatre, so I hope they’re not planning to entertain us to death..” “This must be the Final Curtain, then…” G’raha ponders with his hand on his chin. “If I recall correctly, this is where—“ “My, my, such unruly guests. ‘Twould seem a little diversion is in order.”

Back at it again with another chapter *backflips into krispy kreme sign and dies*

Series Masterpost

[teawithaphd]

A Tale of Two Warriors: Book I

Chapter 6

G’raha x wol

f/m

It hurts. It hurts. It hurts as he pulls the bow more and more taught, his body screaming at him to stop. He doesn’t know what’s worse right now, but at least the physical pain can numb everything else for now. 

Series Masterpost

[teawithaphd]

A Tale of Two Warriors: Book I

Chapter 5

G’raha x wol

f/m

As they trail down the bridge across platforms, a cold wind blows against them, a reminder of how high up they’ve found themselves now. T’orr notes the trickling water making an island out of where they stand, separating them from the throne holding Xande, intimidating in all his presence despite slumping in his seat. There’s a weariness about him, as if carrying a great weight upon his massive shoulders. Whatever that weight may be, they think better than to question it as he sends a piercing white glare their way and speaks. “You fight valiantly, mortals, but to no avail.” His voice booms as he stands to his full height. 

Sorry it's been a little while, but here's chapter 5 hot and fresh out of the oven! Hope yalls enjoy!! <3

Series Masterpost

[teawithaphd]

[teawithaphd]

Deep Down

FFXIV

Wolgraha Week | Day 5, “Time Apart”

F/M

[teawithaphd]

The Rightful Heir

FFXIV

Wolgraha Week | Day 3, “AU”

F/M

[teawithaphd]

One Day

FFXIV

Wolgraha Week - Day 2, “Colors”

F/M

[teawithaphd]

Starlight, Star Bright

FFXIV

Wolgraha Week - Day 1, “Holiday”

F/M

[teawithaphd]

Träumerei

FFXIV

Wolgraha Week 2023 | Day One “First Kiss”

F/M

Surrounded by piles of books, as he is wont to do, he sleeps soundly - as if he had just fallen into a cat nap. It nearly brings Panne to pause, questioning whether or not she even wants to interrupt his peace. He deserves that and more, after all, after everything he’s done for this realm and her.

But she cannot bear to leave him yet, not on a note like that. Hearing of his hopes and dreams, his promise—as crystal crept up his arms and neck, his cheek, his brilliant crimson eyes: engulfing him in a shade of blue that has haunted her since the day he closed those doors on her…

She pulls out the vessel from her pocket and shoves it to his chest.

She runs—faster than she’s ever gone before, feet taking her through a path she has committed to memory now. Her ragged breaths resound loudly across these familiar crystalline halls, though not enough to distract her from the one thing Panne’s here for.

To ease the heaviness of the vessel in her pocket, only growing heavier with each second she lingers.

She had not even stayed to greet her fellow scions who had carried a similar journey from the Source back to the First; only making sure they were alive and breathing before darting out of the Stones without a second thought.

One last door bars her way, and once she kicks it, she sees a familiar figure of red.

“Raha!”

Without sparing any more time, she makes her way to his sleeping form.

Surrounded by piles of books, as he is wont to do, he sleeps soundly - as if he had just fallen into a cat nap. It nearly brings Panne to pause, questioning whether or not she even wants to interrupt his peace. He deserves that and more, after all, after everything he’s done for this realm and her.

But she cannot bear to leave him yet, not on a note like that. Hearing of his hopes and dreams, his promise—as crystal crept up his arms and neck, his cheek, his brilliant crimson eyes: engulfing him in a shade of blue that has haunted her since the day he closed those doors on her…

She pulls out the vessel from her pocket and shoves it to his chest.

“C’mon, wake up! There’s no time for sleeping!”

No response.

She shakes his shoulders lightly. Perhaps a little jostling will do the trick.

“I said wake up! Raha, if you’re playing a prank on me it isn’t funny!”

She drops his body when even still, he doesn’t even shift.

“Fuck. Raha, please!”

The image of his shaking form in his days as the Exarch, when his body grew ever weaker with each step he took away from the Tower, plays in her mind.

When he was hunched over a rock, regaling her of all the tales of the one person who has given him the strength to carry his plan onwards; the woman who had been his inspiration, whom he had loved enough to put himself through all the pain.

That last smile on his face he had worn as crystal encroached upon it; when she had asked who that woman was.

All of it comes rushing through her like a storm, bringing a burning sensation to the back of her eyes.

“You said—” the crack that comes out of her brings a pause to the rest of her thoughts, “—you said this wasn’t over yet…”

Her vision then grows cloudy as she finally, finally sees the seeker stir.

“Mmmm….five more minutes, please….I promise I won’t miss my lecture…” he mumbles, cradling his head with his hands as a make-shift pillow.

Anger now makes its place along the rest of her flood of emotions that stream down her cheek. She grits her teeth as she punches the vessel to his stomach.

“Five more minutes, my arse! Y-you’ve slept long enough…asshole!”

She sobs into her hands, not seeing as G’raha blinks and slowly rises from his slumber.

Only when she feels a pair of hands gently push her own away from her face, one of them brushing a tear from her cheek, does the realization hit her.

Before her lips could move, however, his own slam into them.

Her eyes widen as he pours everything into the kiss: devouring her lips like a man that’s been starved for hundreds of years. He cups one of her cheeks to tilt her head and deepen the kiss. She could only comply and melt into it, caught in the shock of whatever the hell is happening.

As he pulls his lips away with a wet ‘pop’, he leans back while still in a daze.

“Please tell me I’m dreaming…” he says.

Panne automatically brings a hand to her lip, trying to make sense of the tingling sensation there and throughout the rest of her body.

As G’raha’s eyes trail to the action and the look on her reddened features - his eyes widen in horror.

“Oh…I’m awake.” He chuckles nervously as the realization of what he did without warning or anything hits him, “oh gods, I really am awake!”

The only response he gets out of Panne is an unreadable expression, half covered by the eyepatch she now wears.

“I-I’m so sorry!” He says, stumbling on his words, “I wasn’t aware of myself and I—“

A soft pair of lips meets his — hesitant, but just as wanting as he was all the same.

She pulls away for just a moment, flashing him a knowing smirk. “…just shut up, will ya?”

He dives back in again, letting the caress of their lips speak what their words won’t:

I’m here.

[teawithaphd]

For the 30 random questions: 6, 11, and 21 :3c

Ooo, these are some interesting questions!

6. How are they at taking care of plants?

Panne

She’s on her feet way too often to settle down and take care of a plant, and if she were to have one, she’d probably completely forget about it while getting caught up with other things.

T’orr

He’s far too impatient to grow plants, and would probably bombard them with all sorts of growth formulas and potions to try to get them to grow faster. Alas, they would wilt in the process instead, leaving him frustrated.

11. How do they behave when confronted with deadlines?

Panne

She wouldn’t really care about deadlines, and would just take care of what’s right in front of her. It’s less the deadline that concerns her and more the task that needs getting done.

T’orr

He’s a micromanager and tactician, so he calculates every step he has to take in order to fulfill the deadline, down to even the most minute details. Chronic min-max-er; a real “Dandori” enthusiast.

21. Are they outdoorsy? Do they enjoy hiking, camping, etc.?

Panne

She grew up mostly outdoors, so she lives and breathes being out in the wilderness. Hiking trips and camping would totally be up her alley, especially if she’s doing something like tracking down a massive animal to hunt and bring to friends or family so that they can cook it and eat it together in a big feast.

T’orr

He’s not big on hiking or camping, but he’s rather fond of the serenity being outdoors brings. He especially enjoys finding a place very high up and watching the world below him. Sometimes, he’ll even bring a sketchbook with him and draw some local wildlife (he wouldn’t tell a soul, though).