#paradyme capellago

[fulcrum-agent]

HeroForge, a company that does custom 3D printed minis, has a new colour print option. I wanted to mess with it a bunch, so I did up minis of a couple of my characters, my boyfriend’s character ( @paradymeshift ) and a friends characters.

[claire-xiv]

I could’ve killed the Kid for dragging my arse away from the work I was doing, were it not for the fact that he was actually intelligent for once, and planned ahead. I assume this Exarch is to thank for that, more so than the Kid.

Both were rather shocked when I arrived in the manner I did - mind, body, soul, and with my wardrobe and armaments. The Mage-Kid’s guess was that it was due to Nuntiae’s fuckery, and he’s probably right, though he seemed pleased with the fact it happened. Something about creating better possibilities later.

There’s a reason I don’t work with children, and those two reminded me why really quick.

At least I can go back and forth whenever I want, apparently.

I hadn’t expected to meet anyone I actually knew in this hellscape of a world. Plenty looked familiar or had similar aetheric qualities to the people I knew back home, but none quite fit their counterparts there to a tee.

Until this evening.

Not that I have any sort of intimate familiarity with the lad I ran across, but his face and aether were identical to someone I’d met back home. When I’d created the auto-scan module for my glasses, I didn’t think it would ever actually be useful - and it turns out it’s become immensely useful.

His name is Paradyme, and while he wasn’t forthcoming at all initially, I did convince him to admit we were from the same place. I’d run into him at one of those magic faires that happen from time to time back home, though I doubt he much recognised me, given I’ve changed quite a bit visually since then.

Though nearly a moon has passed since my first arrival, the poor lad’s been stuck here for around two years. I suspect he’s little in the way of connections to the Allagan brats, which makes me wonder how he arrived here at all. I’m quite sure the Mage-Kid would love to know as well...so perhaps it can become a bargaining chip in his damn little game.

I took him for some sort of spoiled prat initially. He was lamenting over the loss of his private crafting company and having to claw his way back up through the ranks of the Crystalline Mean, for all the world sounding like the Stag complaining of Eorzea’s terrible intelligence networks.

Pleasantly, while he still seems to be something of a prat, he’s not a spoiled prat. Nor is he much like the Stag, as I had feared when he said he was a financier for the academy that runs those faires, coupled with how distant he was playing at being at first.

I suppose we both rather have to take whatever comforts of home we can get, whether we find each other to be lacking or not. He’s rather trapped, and I’m rather bored, neither of which make for an enjoyable time.

Not all that long after a Hrothgar that had a pattern suspiciously similar to Red checked up on us, to see if we needed more drinks or food, Goldie decided he had to run off. He seemed a touch unsure and perhaps minutely disappointed that he didn’t know when our paths would cross again, so I forced him to let me see his linkpearl.

He was hesitant at first, given it hadn’t worked since he arrived; he didn’t strike me as much of a technologist, and his surprise at the fact the damn thing could be linked to one of these more advanced tomestones made that clear.

The lad refuses to get one of the tomestones and seemed to have a rather traumatised expression when asked if he had one. Something about being thoroughly done with the devices, which I’m sure that Rowena’s to blame for such feelings.

Gods know if they weren’t so much more advanced than our own, I’d never bother with the damn things either because of that bitch.

Might be advantageous to have a pocket-crafter here. I’ve little patience for Katless and the many rules of the Mean, so if someone else can suffer through it for me, all the better.

I’m on the fence as to whether or not he’ll prove to be more than a lad, albeit a useful one. Some of his answers were rather disappointing, while others showed a glimmer of wit and intelligence. It would be nice if someone up here were worth more than being a means to an end.

Time will tell, as they say.

OOC

Featuring: Paradyme Capellago ( @paradymeshift ) with mention of ‘Oskar’ ( @roscoerackham )

Locations: The Wandering Stairs, Crystarium, Norvrandt; The Pendants Personal Suites, Crystarium, Norvrandt

[jancisstuff]

Halloween Party and Haunted House

((Very belated - thank you generous hosts!))

Mummy Prize!

[ashe-xiv]

Ashla sank down onto the soft padding of ‘the study pit’, falling back against the large cushion that surrounded the small area. Her head fell back, and she stared up at the ceiling for a long moment, frowning.

Outside of the structured setting of the military, she was fairly awkward about interpersonal situations. The awkward interaction between herself and the manager of the Solace this evening wasn’t sitting well with her, but she didn’t precisely know how to further address the matter.

The ceiling, however, remained silent - lacking in answers as much as she was.

Sighing, she pushes herself back up a little, letting her lower back rest against the cushion behind her. The small, leatherbound tome she charishes, opening it before laying it on the table before her. She then takes a scroll case from her hip, pulling out several pages she had written while the book was being restored by a woman named Nu Li - who had done a wonderful job reparing the book to its pre-waterlogged state.

The parchments are set to the side of the book, as she extends her left hand over the pages. The bracelet beneath the sleeve of her jacket alights, a shimmering rainbow of twelve colours bleeding out from below the black leather. Pages begin turnning on their own volition, as graphite and ink turn to aetherdust, each page slipping upward into its own tiny cloud. She glances at the parchment, calculating how many pages they will take, the pages of the book fluttering forward as she does. Once she has alloted enough for the writings, the pages hault, the book open to a page that had never been written on before. The first little cloud of aetherdust begins falling onto the page, reforming the words and images it previously contained. The the page turns, and the next tiny cloud shimmers down onto the page; the process repeats several times, until there are no more aetherdust clouds.

Her right hand then reaches for the first parchment as the pages flutter back to where the other writings had begun, laying it against the face of the page in question. The parchment begins to shimmer as the aether is merged with the page it rests on, the ink and graphite settling into place. She repeats the process several times, the book turning its pages on its own accord until all of the parchments have been added.

Sighing, reaches for the book with her left hand, the illumination fading, while her right reaches for one of the waiting quills. With a glance towards the door to the library, she begins writing in a more traditional fashion.

I believe I may have, at the very least, disappointed Mister Paradyme, although it seems he was already in something of a sullen mood by that time of the night.

Althought the Solace is open to anyone who needs assistance, at any time, it appears that they have a monthly publicised open house, of sorts. When I returned from gathering more supplies, both Mister Paradyme and Mister Kete were standing in the lobby, in another of their sort of arguments together; usually that does not occur as such without an open house going on.

While I was upstairs putting away the things I had bought - which has left me rather pitifully destitute again, the doctor that began volunteering last open house arrived; I could only hear a little of the conversation, but it confirmed that something other than the day-to-day activities was occuring.

Being that I have been here for at least a moon, without having had much chance to speak to Mister Paradyme about restitution for staying so long, I asked if there was anything I could assist with; he rather energetically appointed me to greet anyone arriving, saving them from the cold prickliness of Mister Kete.

Unfortunately, despite remaining open for several hours for the hope house, no one arrived; we all suspect it has something to do with the various All Saints’ Wake festivities. Many a institution is offering free food, drink, and sweets at the moment, so very few are direly in need of a free meal this moon.

This seemed to have ruined Mister Paradyme’s mood; while the doctor and Mister Kete had already vacated the lobby for the kitchen and dining hall downstairs, he rather insisted I join them after the doctor came up to check on us - without coming down to join us.

He unfortunately arrived at a very awkward moment. The doctor had asked how things have been while staying here, and whilst admitting I practically live in the library - but not that I really have not used the bed in the boarding area I selected - she asked about what I was doing up in the ‘study pit’, as Mister Paradyme has termed it. Before really saying much of my own pursuits, I acknowledged that I was not particularly fond of the term selected - apparently right as Mister Paradyme came downstairs.

As is his right as the manager, I suppose, he told us all that it was the ‘study pit’, and we were to like the term; even Mister Kete dislikes it, and he is a Xaela - something sounding like the fighting pits of the Bloodsands or the Coliseum back home should appeal to him.

He did not really wait for much of an apology, even though I offered it to him as he went back upstairs. There was a small debate about whether or not I should go after him, but that was distracted by a rather crass comment from Mister Kete. After the doctor chided him for being lewd, I did get up and go fetch a bowl of soup and some bread to take up to the manager.

While it took a moment to find him, eventually I discovered him in the library, staring at the area he calls the ‘study pit’, the table covered with the tools of my research. When I offered him the food, he declined it in a manner that made it clear he was not as fine as he was claiming to be.

I attempted to call him on it as politely as possible, and he replied that he had every right to be a bit off considering the work he had put into tonight, and the lack of attendance. I had what my cohort used to call ‘a redhead moment’, and upset a tad, I reminded him that I was here - and have been, so his work was not in vain, as he thought.

Oddly, he both acknowledged and somewhat thanked me for being here, before excusing himself for the evening; he claimed he would return when his head was clear.

Which left me standing rather awkwardly in the library with fresh soup and bread, and a rather odd feeling of having made a mess of things between us.

I could not just let the food go to waste, not with what Mister Paradyme and his employer mean for it. So I dismantled it into aether, and absorbed the energy from it; given the magics I study, replenising my aetherpool is vitaly important, so it was not wasted.

By the time I finished, Mister Kete and the doctor had come upstairs, trying to figure out where Mister Paradyme had gotten off to; I explained to them an abbreviated version of what happened, which only lead to Mister Kete making a snarky remark about the manager.

There was another brief argument, of sorts, over Mister Kete and his apparent fear of getting a vaccination, before the doctor took her leave. Mister Kete was not - and I think generally is not - one for socialisation once it is not required of him, so he took his leave into the back rooms of the Solace, and I came back up to the library.

I have been trying to figure out what to do about the manager ever since. I really am concerned that I offended him, when his mood was already tarnished, and I do not precisely know how to ammend such.

People are...a tad confusing, when one is not simply following orders or pre-established strategy.

The quill is returned to its inkwell, before her hand hovers over the damp ink; another flash of illumination from beneath her sleeve, and the ink is dry. Ashe closes the tome, and slips it back into its pocket on her sleeve. With a sigh, she stands and takes out a small postcard from the Moogles, glancing at the instructions on it as she leaves the library.

((And tagging @paradymeshift, @lance-of-fury, and @medicuscailius-ffxiv ...which it won’t let me tag so @maidenoftime-ffxiv instead.))

[komainu-no-hana]

[vexredain]

ღ - Aight butt pirate. Thoughts simply from the boat to the Far East. Bring it.

Romantic attraction: none | very low | low | medium | high | very high | extremeSexual attraction: none | very low | low | medium | high | very high | extremeAesthetic attraction: none | very low | low | medium | high | very high | extremeSensual attraction: none | very low | low | medium | high | very high | extreme

“Th’Goldsmith that we ‘ad on th’Prow? Sweet lass, full o’ sass, not really sure if she realises that she blushes th’moment ye even turn an’ look at ‘er, or maybe that was just me, quite th’flirt, an’ can’t ‘andle it back, which is somethin’ that’s entirely too cute. One o’ th’first things ye’ll notice is that lovely red ‘air, sticks out from a malm away sorta deal, makes ‘er pretty recognisable. Hm... Gotta say I like th’eyebrows, too, she likes usin’ ‘em t’punctuate things which makes me think she must ‘ave some strong muscle behind ‘em, Got lovely taste in clothin’ too, though from a Goldsmith I’m not sure I’d expect much else, but that adds t’th’whole thing, I mean, who don’t love a lass that dresses well. Other thing, amazin’ body, well done, lass.”

[kisskissrommie]

➸

Rommie: Okay, but here’s the thingRommie: You being a woman now is unfair to me.Rommie: How the fuck am I supposed to remember to charge you?Rommie: I CAN’T LOSE THIS REVENUE STREAM, PEAR.

[leroymurrand]

The Struggle

The night was long, and Leroy found himself sleeplessly staring at the white wall across from him with a knitted brow.

He had attempted rest, trying to get comfortable on his clinic bed, but the man knew he was fooling himself. His healing ribs screamed at him for whatever position he laid in, and he ultimately decided that sitting would be the better option. Breathing still felt terrible, of course, but sitting upright at least put the weight off of him. Ultimately he wished the pain was the only issue he had.

The rest of it dealt with the girl next door to his clinic bed; a girl who had begun to talk in strange tongues in her sleep. Not exactly the most comforting thing to say goodnight to, and definitely a factor in making him wonder why in the bloody hells he allowed her to come.

Leroy wasn’t particularly good at bossing people around, much less anyone like Kotone. It wasn’t his business… and it was due to unfortunate circumstance that her friend had wound up the way that he did. He understood morally why he agreed to have her go. Logically, though… not so much.

He had fully admitted that he did not quite understand Kotone, a strange friend of Katja’s who had a penchant for dancing. She was a slight thing. Tiny, really. As white, if not whiter, than the sandy beaches at the Mists. By all descriptions, a lovely young lady. A good friend to those in need of one. But that was hardly what she was, by Leroy’s standards.

Healing was her trade, so she had said to him on a few occasions. He believed her too, considering it was by Kotone’s hand that he had found his way back to his human shape from the dragon blood curse of Ishgard fame. But ever since then, he could see that something else swirled about her like a misty shroud. An aetheric veil of mysteries. He could barely understand it with his newly awakened sixth sense. Within this tiny young woman lay something incredibly powerful; but whatever it was, Leroy could only guess at.

That innate gift that she had, whatever it was, was why Leroy had let her come to rescue Paradyme in the first place. Not that she’d take no from him, but he had his ways for making sure people stayed behind. But he didn’t utilize them. She had a right to go, regardless.

And now he questioned whether that was the right choice or not.

Leroy had been dreading the day that they would go back to the old house. Taking adventurers or mercenaries unfamiliar with her boosted chances up for Jan’s survival. Everyone who had faced her before wanted to kill her. The sound of condemnation from the lips of his friends brought her ever closer to an icy grave. Ultimately, he knew he didn’t want that for her. He couldn’t bring himself to justify it much, considering the state she was in. She was out of her mind. Severely damaged by aether poisoning and the forceful transformation she had undergone. Regardless of these facts, nobody really gave an indication that they cared. But Leroy still did. He loved Jan, even now.

That fact alone made him shut his eyes fiercely. Those thoughts and emotions of her stopped him from staring at the white wall so he could push away the red heat behind his lashes. The feeling of overwhelming loss hit him harder than he anticipated. Ultimately, it didn’t matter that he loved her. What he had hoped to achieve was now impossible.

And it was Kotone’s fault.

He had brought the girl to help, and by her hand, he watched everything he hoped for fall to pieces. It honestly felt worse than the orb of gravity that had ravaged the pair of them. Physical pain, he could handle; the undeniable sense of defeat, loss, and hopelessness that resulted from Kotone’s actions made everything else irrelevant to him.

Logically, he knew she had no idea what she was doing. Logically, he also knew there was no way to predict how Jan would have reacted. Think logically. Proper as always. Always the gentleman. Always understanding, responsible, and sympathetic.

Always the pillar of calm and reason, despite the storm.

From the way things were going, he doubted Kotone would even remotely remember what had transpired in those caves. She’d likely walk away with a story of how she nearly died, but survived a dragon’s assault. She and her friends will go their merry way, glad to see her happily recovered; Paradyme and Kotone were thankfully not victims to the dragon’s ire any longer.

It was probably for the best.

How could an old man blame his melancholy on the actions of a young Au Ra? Leroy certainly couldn’t answer the question seriously. It would be stupid. Especially since nobody really understood he still had bloody feelings for his wife. That he still plotted and planned to somehow release her from that scaled prison.

Bitch. Dragon. Crazy. Insane. Obsessed. All new labels for Janine Sufrey, Lady and scholar of the stars. Leroy had honestly thought and hoped she could be what she used to be…

But then the summoning happened. All because Kotone touched that gods damned corpse.

His thought process stopped on that fact again, and he couldn’t help but feel numb.

Without much cajoling, Leroy got himself off of the bed to walk about the darkened clinic.

He would have preferred a walk around the yard, but he felt too tired for that. Too hot. Too sweaty. All considered, very uncomfortable. His ribs ached with the movement, and he couldn’t help but touch at the small scar left behind by Shiro’s healing. Despite his minor exploration, Kotone continued talking in her sleep. This time, it shifted over to something a little bit understandable… but then it faded into something alien once more without much goading. He actually growled at her; it was an odd guttural sound that felt more primal than human. But that was the extent of his frustrations aimed at the girl.

As much as he disliked Kotone at the moment, he was not insane. She was as safe as if surrounded by friends in here, even with his self-made animosity. Though his emotions were certainly high, he wasn’t about to do something stupid or regrettable. By all accounts, she likely did something logical for her. Ultimately, Leroy knew that any condemnation would be useless.

It didn’t make him feel much better. With a sigh, he sat in a chair that had a large desk in front of it and found himself lighting a lamp to see. He doubted Kotone would wake from the tiny oil lamp; her slumber was a strange one, and even now Leroy could just sense the tingle of something strange in the air close to her. Ignoring it seemed easy enough, but the presence was just bloody electric, making the hairs on the nape of his neck stand up.

Despite this, he looked around, hoping he’d find something to pass the time. No important documents lay about, thankfully. Even if there were, Leroy didn’t consider himself to be nosy. Regardless, there was some blank parchment and some scattered pens. Medical study books. Very standard fair for a Clinic.

He picked up a pen and some spare pieces of parchment, and waited for his mind to spark him into some sort of activity. Writing, maybe. Dare he draw? Perhaps just some shapes? After a few drawn lines, he found himself writing words in the form of a letter. Kotone, From what was accomplished, I technically should be thanking you in our rescue of Paradyme. By your friends and loved ones, I technically should be worried for your safety just as much as they are; and by all means I am, internally. However, they are overshadowed by feelings of deepest mourning. Not for you, nor for kin. But for the already dead. Or soon to be.

Many who have met Janine only know her as a mad dragon, bent on her machinations. But I knew her as she was: Janine Sufrey Murrand. My wife. My lover. My best friend. The mother of my children. But most important of all was that she was herself. Considering all of this, my ties to her are still strong despite the unfortunate circumstances surrounding her current predicament. Ultimately, I made a promise to her; a promise that I take very seriously. Even though she considers me her enemy, I had fully intended to fulfill that promise to her. I believe you understand what I mean. Promises are important, no matter what kind. Unfortunately, due to this excursion, I am at a loss.

I had a plan to subdue her, though I admittedly shared it with no one. On that front, I stand responsible for it. Trust is a hard thing to earn in this world, and I didn’t trust anyone save myself for the safety of my wife. For that, I am sorry. Perhaps if I had told you, I would not hold the animosity I now hold against you.

Your actions, though pure in intent, I’m sure, caused Janine to unleash something I didn’t even think was possible. Her panic doomed us and I can see why. The corpse you had touched was that undoubtedly of Natalie: my youngest daughter, and the unfortunate victim of murder. I can’t fathom how Janine views her remains, but considering the shrine I think she likely saw her as some sort of martyr. Perhaps a catalyst for what we saw later in that cave.

My feelings have grown complicated on the matter. Please know that logically I don’t blame you for what happened. You aren’t responsible for it. No one really is, save for Janine herself. If I were somehow unbendable in will, I would follow that logic; but unfortunately I am conflicted and hurt. Emotionally I seek retribution, as I now must face the reality: I must feel the loss of my wife for a second time.

I had a small amount of hope that I would be able to save her. But by your hand, I must admit to myself that this hope is vain and dead. Perhaps if I were a smarter man, I wouldn’t have to suffer so. But such is my lot in life. In time, I might thank you for this revelation. Perhaps I might even come to terms with it. But for now, I feel nothing but anger and sadness… and it is unfortunately aimed at you. Please pay that no mind. Or try to. I need time to myself. It is complicated for me. I do not know what plagues you, but I wish you nothing but good health and a good life.

Leroy Murrand

 When he signed his name, Leroy realized he had filled three sheets of paper. He stared forlornly at the words, more tired than he had been in years. Setting the pen down, he gave the letter one final look and then firmly began to crumple the delicate sheets. They ended up angrily tossed in a bin saved for scrap.

With the lamp still burning, Leroy covered his face with his hands and waited for the sun to rise.

[lance-of-fury]

FFXIVWRITE2020 PROMPT 22: Argy-Bargy

Featuring @paradymeshift , because I refuse to acknowledge his Britishisms.

“That’s my final offer. Take it or leave it.”

Anhe folds one arm over her chest, brow furrowed. The other was lifted to her right ear, index tapping at a small, light-blue pearl that hangs from a bangle. A linkpearl, those now-common means of long distance communication in Eorzea and beyond. She had many of these, for many reasons; today’s reason? An argument, with an Ul’dahn businessman. One of Anhe’s least favourite kinds.

Unintelligible words come in response. As they come through, Anhe takes to pacing, heels clicking on the marble floors of the kitchen. All too often, she took her business conversations to Aetherbound Institute, the research institute she ran; something about the place helped to straighten her thoughts and put her in a mindset better suited for business. Unfortunately, some were not inclined to listen, and this man was one of them. “No, you don’t get that much of a share. Did you forget what we spoke of the other day?”

More words; more grumbling. Anhe’s eyes roll, and she turns to lean upon a pillar. It is at this moment that another sound fills her ears: the sound of footsteps ascending stairs. Over she glances to the steps nearby, to spy the culprit: what she sees first is a shock of finely-maintained red hair. Enough to tip her off immediately.

It was Paradyme Capellago. One of the other members of the Institute’s Board of Directors, and a fast friend besides. As he finishes climbing the steps, the midlander man lifts a hand in greeting. “‘Lo there, Anhe.”

Her head lifts, hand covering the linkpearl for a moment- just long enough to whisper back to him. “Hello, Paradyme.” Back to the pearl immediately, her annoyance resumed in full force. “And I TOLD you, we’re not having a deal unless there’s at least a portion of proceeds donated to charity. That’s the price you pay for my services!”

One of Paradyme’s brows lift as he reaches over for the tea kettle, a cup plucked up from the other side. Purple eyes watch her, for he hardly needed to pay attention to the process of pouring tea at this point (the benefit of practice).

Words, unintelligible to all but the Headmistress, ring out from the pearl connection. Whatever they were, they did not sit well with Anhe, for her head lolls back, mouth opening as if to groan. No sound is released, but the mimed action is clear enough; her eyes even roll back in annoyance, before she snaps right back to the conversation. “No- no, no, NO. We’ve been over this more than once-” More sounds cut in. Anhe’s foot taps in annoyance.

“Having a little argy-bargy there, Anhe?” Paradyme mutters, cup lifted to his lips to sip.

That stops Anhe in her tracks. Though the other voice keeps on spewing arguments, the Headmistress’s body halts its tapping and agitated motions. Gradually, her head rights its position; bright blue eyes move slowly to look at him, pure confusion writ on her visage.

“...What?” The redhead blinks twice.

A slender hand covers her ear and linkpearl both again. “Paradyme. What have I told you about making up words?” 

[epis-xiv]

The truth of the matter is...

     ...for all his protestations...

            ...he doesn’t regret a thing...

                    ...if anything, he regrets...

                            ...that it didn’t happen sooner.

Featuring: Paradyme Capellago ( @paradymeshift )

[fulcrum-agent]

9. Hesitate

Morning came all too soon.

His head spins as his mind replays the events of the night before — the sudden awakening mid-way through his planned sleep. Discovering the entirely naked Xaela woman hovering over him, the frantic attempts to calm the situation down so he could process it.

It took a considerable amount of diplomatic skill to convince the Auri woman to sleep for the evening.  He did, eventually, manage by allowing her to remain curled up along his side.

Master.

The title rings through his brain while fingertips rub his temples as he hovers over the sink in the bathroom. It's not like he hasn't had others call him such before, it's just never been so literal. Sometimes, when he's teaching smithing or some other skill, a student would elect to use such a title. Even rarer, a lover used such in the bedroom.

But none of them ever meant it, not really. Not so adamantly as his new...

...his new what?

Twelve above, he wasn't even sure what to consider her. Everything that came to mind was highly inappropriate and didn't help the situation any.

"Ward," he murmurs to himself, splashing water onto his face. "I'm sure that can work, for the moment."

Face washed, he continues to linger in the bathroom for a long moment, hesitating to return to the other room, well aware that the woman was still basically nude. She was...amply endowed, so none of his shirts fit her form while his most enormous jacket barely closed around her chest.

"Must do something about that, immediately," he chides himself as he runs his hands over his face.

Taking a deep breath, he finally turns and heads towards the door that separates the bathroom from the rest of his private quarters. With his hand outstretched to slide the paper and wood structure aside, he again pauses for a long moment.

"You can handle this, Paradyme," he murmurs in an attempt to convince himself. "You've handled far more complicated - Elodi, for example."

He squares his shoulders a bit, straightening his spine as he begins to slide the door open. With another deep breath, he steps out of the bathroom; hesitation shoved aside as he confronts this new problem head-on.

(( @paradymeshift ))

[aegir-ffxiv]

The Menphina Madness Blitzball Season is over!!!

Thank you so much for everyone who participated and helped out with this event, especially my co-GM Iota Draconis, the people who helped with the mechanics and referring: Aiden Mathias, Akos Talon, Hali Naras, Araceli Caillen. All the performers, our DJ Wendy, and our announcer Don Coconero!

Thanks to the cheerleaders, the Garlean escorts, the 4th Auxiliary, FLEET, and all of our sponsors, especially Sidara!

And thank you Maelstrom Radio for letting us stream with you, and Caiden the Stoic for providing the voice of Don Coconero in the final match! A SPECIAL THANKS TO DYLAN THORNE FOR ARRANGING THE CHARITY EVENT! 

I created this picture as a thank you for all the hard work the teams put in!

The Limsa Lominsa Buccaneers: Moengeim Bhalnwyn, Dylan Thorne, Fahron Elikha, Leanne Delphium, Asa Naeuri, Rastirah Kacha, Leona Jeanne Northgate, Rhan’li Zohra! The Ul’dah Gil Turtles: Reagan Runsford, Neroki Tpes, Qadan Qulaan, Ryanti Veanysus, Sylastair Wolfhart, Paradyme Capellago, Stephany Gillmeister, and co-captain East Achilles O’hteco!

The Gridania Sea Chocobos: Alan Ejinn, Syluss Koelain, Vherin’to Levanha, Baptistaux Hortimonte, Arcadius Vernos, Kophon Sunlily, Ishra Levanha, and Gegeruza Xixiruza!

The Ishgard Eyes: Oliver Delvants (sorry Coconero forgot to announce you last night!), Durendel Bladebreak, Gemini d’Argent, Reinhardt Pendragon, Irga Ronsolloux, Villette Laurent, Fiona Arianna de Serevaine-Delaine, Rex Sahashin, Ramona Zale, Idristan Agache!

The Ala Mhigo Royal Griffons: Agni Isole, Sil Ascheblade, Cerise Maylithos, Colt Sterline, Fjolnir Drakenbane, Skadi Woodward, Sain Ironheart, Alexei Zolotse!

The Kugane Koban Crushers: Kara Skyfallen, Cirina Malqir, Asahio no Haruhi, Rydia Misuto, Blitzball Player, Ashe Zahra, Momo Kurogane!

The Imperial Ala Mhigo Salt Barons: Mynxe nan Janus, Eigaar oen Hellus, Yuuto oen Ueda, Octavius oen Nero, Albrecht kir Berginer, Blappa jen Wydaar, and Talon Khaine!

The Garlemald Classiarii Techinicii: Khallendra sas Khaine, Fujiko bas Chosai, quo Faustius, Jin, Innocentius jen Shinra, Rattus aan Rattus!

Cheer Squad: Tyme Northstar, Daliqara Vachir, Dylan Thorne, Sidar Hartnell, U’illya Verial, Jean Ashdale!

Thanks for RPing with us!

[veils-and-hearts]

PHOENIXFAIRE (2/16 @ 7 PM EST, Mist Ward 1 Beach by Seagaze Market) (!!! UPDATED WITH VENDOR LOCATIONS !!!) Map of Festivities & Additional Info FEATURED ENTERTAINMENT 7 PM EST – Opening Performance by Delirium 7:30 PM EST – Phoenixfaire Games: Lover’s Tide & Wanderer’s Champion hosted by WYNG with a performance to follow Menphina Madness – In honor of an upcoming Blitzball Tournament, a demonstration will be held. Come learn to play from the pros! Hosted by Aegir VENDORS Event security provided by Relexano Delmandi of Golden Fox Mercenary Corp.  Golden Fox Mercenary Corp will be providing routine perimeter sweeps, patrols, weapons checks (as needed) and further assistance to festival guests. Additional security will be provided by Khokanchin Mercantile and associates.

Golden Gil Casino will be providing all sorts of games of chance throughout the festival. Chidori & Co. – Flower pins and flower vendors.  Come stop by and purchase a flower for a special someone or yourself!  A list of colors and their associated meanings can be found here. Lady Llinos Silvernail of Ul’dah – Smoke Scrying and Horoscopes.  Come and write a question or the name of a person down on a parchment to be fed to the flames, the smoke will divine whether your luck will be favorable or less so.  Horoscopes can also be read for those wanting to know what the stars say of their strengths and weakness, their lucky colors and so on.  Hoshichou Monsaran – Divination, Tea and Cards.  Come and seek a detailed reading of your fate from the famed fortune-teller. Golden Fox Trade House – Spicy flavors from the East and cold tea, as well as treasures from Othard such as tea leaves, spices, tea sets and more!  Come get your supply of festival fireworks here as well! Capellago Crafting Consortium, run by Paradyme Capellago – Crafter of fine trinkets and baubles.  Come and purchase a souvenir for yourself or a special someone, or a trinket made with your lucky colors. Fahron’s Fabulous Finery, run by Fahron Elikha – Fashionable threads and accessories for looking your best at the Phoenixfaire! Vernos Hammerworks, run by Arcadius Vernos – Come stop by and see the fine array of metal-worked items or place an order for a custom piece. Quench Your Palette! run by Moengeim Bhalnwyn – Local artist and studio owner Moengeim is offering easels, frames, original paintings and prints.  Also offering literature for her bi-weekly art classes.  May also be hired for portraits and home renovations.  ((Offering in game paintings at below-market board prices!)) Bandee Pakshee – Providing Near-Eastern cuisine ranging from cold dishes and drinks to spicy treats and delicacies. Fontaine’s, run by Archemides Fontaine – Offering a variety of flavors ranging from spicy to cool from a diverse menu, including a few Ala Mhigan dishes!.. Shroudrose Teahouse, run by Faye Convington - The Shroudrose will provide fresh cups of hot or iced tea in a variety of flavors, complimented with decadent sweets from traditional favorites to festive goods in the spirit of Phoenixfaire. If you would like to sign up to be a vendor, there’s still time!  Please see the initial post for our Discord information. If you’d like to compete in the two events Lover’s Tide and Wanderer’s Champion and want to reserve a spot, please contact Llinos#2108 on Discord! See you there!

[ashe-xiv]

The parchment was delivered to her in the morning, while she was still lounging alongside the injured man. Initially, she’s confused, until she turns the letter over, and finds the kingdom’s seal holding the letter shut - and in an instant, she knows who it’s from.

She considers ignoring the letter, setting it on fire, dismantling the aether until there was nothing left.

But she didn’t. She opened it, and let her eyes fall on the familiar characters of their native language, and she realised that the letter is for her eyes alone.

As he waits beside her, the pain within his lower back and spine increasing from the tension of watching her expressions, she reads over the words once.

Twice.

A third time.

Taking a deep and controlled breath, the small leather-bound tome is retrieved from the nearly proportionately small satchel that hangs from the headboard of the bed they lay upon. She opens it, still taking slow and measured breaths, finding the first blank page.

Parchment is settled against parchment, as illumination sparks from around her left wrist. The loose page fades into the bound page, the seal on its back becoming a watermark made up of four different colours, as the lettering sears itself into the tome. As the last character embeds itself into the page, the light from around her wrist dies.

አሽላ,

ይህ ጥሩ ሆኖ አግኝቶኛል ብዬ ተስፋ አደርጋለሁ. ዶ / ር ዛኒን በየትኛውም ሚስጥራዊ ስልቶች አማካይነት, ይህንን እንድትፅፈው አነሳሳኝ, ስለዚህ እርስዎ እሰከሙ ፀሐይ ሲነቃ ይሄንን ለማንበብ እንደሚችሉ ተስፋ እናደርጋለን. ሁለታችንም በአካል ጉዳታችን ውስጥ ለመኖር እንዴት እንደታጨመች ስመለከት, አንድ ሀሳብ ሀሳቤን በትክክል ለመግለፅ የተሻለ ደብዳቤ ነው ብዬ አስቤ ነበር.

ለብዙ አስርት አመታት ባልተመረቁ አመራሮች ላይ የመጨረሻውን ምሽት እንድንተወው ገፋፋኝ, እናም የእኔን ይቅርታ እንጠይቃለን. ልክ እንደ እኔ ለትውልድ አገራችን እራሳችን በእራሳችን መንገድ እንደምናደርግ - እና ለእኔ ለማንኛውም ዲልሜላካውያን ስእለ ቃላትን ቢሰረዝም, በፈለጉኝ ጊዜ ለመዋጋት ዝግጁ ነኝ. በደንብ ያልተማሩኝ አንዳንድ ጊዜ ሊያይ መስማት ባይችልም እንኳን ጥሩ ስራ ይሰራሉ. ያለፉ ተሞክሮዎች የእራስህን ጨምሮ የሌሎችን መልካም ፍላጎት አሳውረውኛል.

በዛም ጃራ ላይ, በራሴ መንገድ ይሄን እፈፅማለሁ. የበረሃ ሳራሻን ኩባንያ ሠራተኛ እንደመሆኔ መጠን ሀላፊነቴ በእኔ ትከሻ ላይ ይወድቃል. ሁልጊዜ እርስዎ እንደሚያደርጉት እንደ አስፈላጊነቱ እንደሚስተካከል እተማመናለሁ. በቅርብ ጊዜ ስለተከናወኑ ድርጊቶች በቂ መረጃ ባለመኖሩ ወደ ሌላ ሰው ሊመጣ የሚገባውን ቅጣት ማሰብ እና አባቴን ሊገድለው እጓጓለሁ, እና በዚህ ሁኔታ መጨረሻ ላይ ነገሮችዎን እንደሚፈጽሙ መተመን.

ብዙውን ጊዜ እንደሚወነጅቱ, ሲወርድ ሲኖር በእርጋታ መቀመጥ አልችልም. አይኔን ስለከፈተ እና ሁልጊዜም በምሄድበት መንገድ ላይ አንድ ጊዜ ደግሜ ደጋግመኝ ነበር.

መልካም አድል, ሊዮ

Her breath becomes erratic as the tome closes, the letter preserved for time and eternity, and by the time she places the leather book back into the satchel, her shoulders are shaking. The man beside her reaches a hand out, touching her back, stroking his fingers over her exposed skin with the gentlest touch he can manage, in his injured state.

The touch releases the emotion she has been trying to bottle up, and she chokes on the first gasps as she begins to cry, the freshly healing cut that bisects her throat nearly cutting the sound off. His hand pauses, laying flat against her back, a wordless murmur reaching her ears, concern and consolation in equal measure calling her back to him.

She slips back down to his side, curling up against him as her emotions break free en force, his arm wrapping around her frame, as best it can, given he can't move properly yet. His lips kiss the top of her head, lingering against the fiery red hair, his own more blood-coloured hair falling into his eyes from the motion.

He holds her, without asking questions, the first in this strange land to have vowed to protect her, well before the one who had written the letter had. She is guarded, as close to him as she can be without him shifting his position, his hand brushing over her back with that gentle touch, until the exhaustion from her tears allows her to drift into sleep.

Kissing the top of her head again, he vows to himself that he will never be the one to make her cry.

[drunkdungeoneers-ffxiv]

Hanging on one of the dojo walls, a ranking board detailing the win-loss ratio of every company employee that has sparred in the room, ordered alphabetically by first name. The board is updated after each spar. The employee with the best win rating holds the title of Company Champion; the title means nothing except bragging rights.

Dojo Rankings (Season I)

Closed

Everschade Bracket (41 matches or more)

• Champion: Kyojin Borlaaq

Kyojin Borlaaq: 48-40 (0.54)

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Sapling Bracket (40 to 6 matches)

• Champion: Robin Belmont

Anhe Dulain: 8-2 (0.80) Aurina Hayle: 4-2 (0.66) Charging Thunder: 10-5 (0.66) Dalanoth Ithiel: 6-11 (0.35) Fiona Delaine: 6-4 (0.60) Fumio Aogane: 6-2 (0.75) Kairi Autumnlight: 1-5 (0.16) Kersch Schwarzer: 2-4 (0.33) Kundek Qerel: 13-19 (0.40) L’alor Nunh: 15-16 (0.48) L’eyline Talyn: 19-12 (0.61) Maho Datura: 3-3 (0.50) Nuellea Solainteau: 7-6 (0.53) Robin Belmont: 9-2 (0.82) Syn’thiel Lyrin: 11-8 (0.57) Zihji’li Nhikna: 4-7 (0.36)

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Sprout Bracket (5 matches or less)

• No champions among Saplings

A’rihnn Worldstrider: 1-0 (1.00) Accendie Redsteele: 3-2 (0.60) Adlai Mishra: 1-4 (0.20) Anri Molkoh: 0-3 (0.00) Bragi Odinson: 0-1 (0.00) Cicielle Cielle: 1-1 (0.50) Cirina Malaguld: 0-1 (0.00) Constantine Rhade: 3-2 (0.60) Connor Kinnison: 0-1 (0.00) Defiant Bride: 0-1 (0.00) Deitrala de Verglace: 1-0 (1.00) Drith Buduga: 1-0 (1.00) Erah’sae Zhwan: 0-3 (0.00) Ethalrin Dawnblade: 2-1 (0.66) Ibakha Qalli: 1-1 (0.50) Ingkko Nalgi: 0-1 (0.00) Junvyr: 1-3 (0.25) Kattyne Aeris: 1-3 (0.25) Khora Velaceras: 0-1 (0.00) Khulgana Borlaaq: 0-1 (0.00) Krie Arda: 1-1 (0.50) L’kahlee Rahm: 2-3 (0.40) Laplace Daemon: 1-0 (1.00) Lyuri Felnica: 2-2 (0.50) Meziene Zujier: 1-0 (1.00) Nelani Nunne: 0-1 (0.00) Orin Kai: 0-2 (0.00) Orion Llewelyn: 0-1 (0.00) Paradyme Capellago: 2-3 (0.4) Qarabolor Kagon: 2-1 (0.66) Qaranai Dotharl: 1-0 (1.00) Quiet Gale: 0-3 (0.00) Ryuka Yumitori: 1-1 (0.50) Teixilea Kagon: 0-1 (0.00) Theodora Zural: 3-0 (1.00) Theon: 1-1 (0.50) Tristan Wyke: 1-1 (0.50) Tsukiko Tanshi: 1-0 (1.00) Wyra Sibimet: 0-2 (0.00) Zhuzhuli Zhuli: 3-2 (0.60) Zihji’a Nhikna: 1-4 (0.20) Zihji’to Nhikna: 0-1 (0.00) Zorah Shapa: 0-1 (0.00)