#prompt: steer

[tallbluelady]

Steer

After giving Urianger a kiss goodnight and watching him teleport back to Mor Dhona, Rowan hesitated at the gate of her newly reclaimed home. Mama was staying the night and there was only one conversation they could possibly have.

"He really is quite handsome, isn't he?" Mama started.

"I tend to think so," Rowan said, gathering dishes and placing them in the sink.

"And his voice! Thank you for steering the conversation back from the realm of aetherial but I almost wouldn't have minded just listening to him ramble!"

"Urianger's fairly coherent if you pay attention. He enjoyed teaching Ryne during his time on the First." 

"Who?" Mama tilted her head as she came to the sink to help clean up.

"A young woman, about the Leveilleur twins' age." Has she met Alphinaud and Alisaie? "They're all, uh, sixteen or seventeen summers, I believe."

Mama nodded and handed Rowan a tea cup to dry off. They had cleaned their cups from their tea before she asked, "Does he treat you well?"

"Aye." There was more to that question but Rowan wasn't going to reveal anything without further prompting.

"Urianger seems so tender with you. He seems more timid than when I met him to go to Rhalgr's Reach. He wasn't very outgoing then but it's like he... hurt you in some way and is trying to make up for it."

"It was for a good - he doesn't - he doesn't want to hurt me anymore." Rowan grimaced. That was not the right thing to say.

"What did he do to you, darling?" Mama's voice got icy. "I'll either have it from you or rend it from him."

Rowan sighed and pulled her mother towards the couch. "Urianger has it in his head that he has to do things alone. Instead of asking for help or... criticism on his plans he hides them. It would have been fine if he told me what would have happened. I would have agreed with the actions, but he kept the details from me to - to shield me of all things."

"He kept secrets to keep you safe? Did it even work?"

She shook her head. "Nay. Not in the end. We all made it out alive but even if he was forthright with only Y'shtola it may have been better. But the Exarch asked Urianger to keep it all a secret from us so... he did."

"If he was asked to keep that secret, then Urianger was only the accomplice. Which does not absolve him of the guilt he should feel for hurting you."

"I daresay it may haunt him to the grave. But despite all that, I want to be with him. I've never felt more safe than when I'm in his arms, or actually understood for once."

"I only fear that he'll lie to you again, darling."

"Everyone lies, Mama. And everyone has expectations that I save them. Urianger has at least declared that he regrets doing so, and that he wants to change. He always sought to help me with my burdens. He knows he can't take them from me. But he tries his damndest to make sure I get through the trials I have before me."

Mama's face softened and she sighed. "I suspect that no man would ever be worthy of you, my darling. But a man who strives to be worthy is close."

[kailani-ffxiv]

Prompt #1: A step forward

Clear waves sloshed against the wooden hull. A cool breeze swirl in raven hair twisting up to into the canvas. Feet dangled in the open air rotating with the movement of the sea.

Fresh start. At least a new beginning, a direction. She had been lost in thought and indecision for many moons she wondered if she'd ever find a way out. Perhaps cautiously optimistic that she wouldn't need to watch her back as closely... He had her back, even if she hadn't asked she knew he would know if anything changed.

New contract, new face, new trust... regardless of where this led her it was rolling her forward. Back where she felt at peace, doing what she was good at. It's exactly where she was suppose to be, except... No it was good but... it's the present not forever. Ride the surf until she's called to the shore once more.

[starrysnowdrop]

FFXIVWrite 2024 #1: Steer

Idiom: steer clear of; to stay away from purposely; avoid.

During the events of patch 4.3, quest “Under the Moonlight”; Hali tries to convince Yume to take a step back from participating in the investigation of Zenos’ death and potential resurrection.

“Yume, can I talk to you about something?”

The auri samurai glanced down at her pink-haired lalafellin companion and nodded. “Alright, what’s the matter?”

“Well, you see…” Hali scrunched up her face, trying to figure out how to say what she wanted to say. She folded her arms and continued.

“Look, Alisaie and I, well we are worried about you, and we thought that perhaps you might need to take a step back and let us deal with the… umm… problem at hand.”

Yume shrugged her shoulders, not following Hali’s train of thought. “What? Why would I need a break? I’m fine.”

“Yume… you have had to deal with a lot lately—”

“So have we all! Honestly I was thinking that Alisaie might need to take some time for herself with Alphinaud embarking on a diplomatic mission to Garlemald and all. She is the one that needs to relax for a while. But I’m alright.”

The lalafellin astrologian shook her head and looked up at Yume with a concerned expression. “While I agree about Alisaie, I still think you need to rest too, you know?”

Yume was growing tired of Hali dancing around the issue, or was it the person in question. She raised her voice as she replied, “Just say it already! It’s because of Zenos, isn’t it?” She sighed and placed her hands on her hips. “You don’t understand. He is alive, and I need to know if it’s really him, or if an ascian has claimed his body!”

“Yume, listen to me! I think you need to steer clear of all this right now, especially when we tell Lyse the truth. She’s not going to be happy with hearing that Zenos lives, in any capacity whatsoever. Do you really want to be there to witness her reaction?”

Hali briefly closed her eyes as she began to recall the events of the past few days spent in Doma.

“You just had to deal with Asahi threatening you over his obsession with Zenos, and you are still clearly shaken up by the echo vision we saw earlier, so perhaps you should go back to the Rising Stones to relax, meditate, and clear your head. I will keep you updated on everything, I promise.”

Yume shook her head, with slight irritation in her voice as she wanted to put this whole needless conversation to rest. “…No, Hali. I need to see this through for myself, and that’s final. Lyse will just have to be a good little leader and learn how to tolerate me being in her presence.”

This time it was Hali’s turn to sigh. Yume and Lyse were not on good terms with each other anymore, not after they have had several fights over Yume’s fixation on Garlemald’s crown prince. Though Yume never wavered in her duty and fought Zenos alongside her and their friends, Lyse couldn’t stand how much Yume seemed to talk about Zenos, and how the samurai picked up and read every tome she could that held information on him. To not only Lyse’s eyes, but everyone else’s, Yume seemed to be growing obsessed with him, and she always seems to talk about him as if he were a long-lost lover…

Hali wondered for a moment if that was how she looked like when she recalled her days in Ishgard with Aymeric, but she quickly pushed those thoughts from her mind and shrugged. There might be another dramatic argument in the near future between Yume and Lyse, but it couldn’t be avoided if Yume insists on going to Rhalgr’s Reach with her.

“Alrighty, suit yourself.”

Yume’s Blog: @firelightmuse

[sealrock]

07. morsel

cw: descriptions and imagery of body horror, dehumanization word count: 435 words

Stacked up against his fellows, he was but a fraction of their height—a morsel of a man (his superiors never hesitate to remind him of that fact), piecemealed through dozens of painful, corrective surgeries since that terrible accident almost eight years ago.

The damage from the car accident, as it turned out, was more internal than first realized—paralysis set in soon after the rescue from that lonely roadside, the sudden movements splitting his spinal cord into tiny gritty pieces, on top of other issues.

"Don't worry," the man in white whispered as he loomed over the boy, the blinding overhead light of the operating room casting his masked face in shadow, "we'll take good care of you."

There was no saving his left eye, the hole left behind long since shut and scarred over, but he adamantly refused to have it replaced with something inorganic, something inhuman. He had enough bodily autonomy to have some choice in the matter. Garlean technology had advanced in the eight years since he was orphaned; various leaps of progress the scientific community achieved the longer the war effort dragged on. That meant the men in white could use the boy (no longer a boy, a man) as a test subject of sorts, a ground zero for bionic enhancements for other, more willing, soldiers.

He was more metal than meat, more wires than blood vessels. The more the men in white took away, the less human he became. The metal plates and screws stunted his height, so they gave him HGH. His legs acted on accord with minuscule implants deep in his brain, the pain of living a cursed existence numbed and placated with powerful drugs by the men in the white building. Augmentation was necessary to outweigh his physical disabilities. He could run faster, react quicker, his strength increased sevenfold. He was the prime example of a "perfect man." in the eyes of the military. But to him, he was a freak of nature.

His heart was still his, pumping both blood and nanomachines through his fractured body. At night, as he lay in his cot, he would place his hand atop his breast, the rhythmic thumping of the organ soothing him to sleep, a ticking lullaby in his ears to keep him calm before he endures another waking nightmare.

His commanding officer scoffed at his crisis of self, only repeating what he had heard his entire life:

"You knew what you were getting into. You have one purpose, to serve the Emperor in body and spirit, uncomplainingly."

To which the boy—man—no longer man, would say,

"Sir, yes, sir."

[avampyone]

Prompt #1: A New Path

Characters: Seraphine Desmarais (Hemlocke), Seiro Malkavi

Synopsis: While recovering from hemlock poisoning under the care of the Vath, Seraphine meets a new companion that presents him with a life changing opportunity.

Setting: Dravanian Forelands near Loth ast Vath.

Warning to mentions of death and domestic violence.

-----------------------

The night reined on with not a cloud in the sky that gave away to a clear view to the moon and stars on high, emitting down a dim soothing light in the clearing of the Dravanian Forelands. A river cut right through the smoldering wastes, offering a gentle hum from the safe spot they settled in nearby. Although greenery was sparse in this part of the land, it had taken no time at all to gather fallen branches amidst the remains of ruins nearby to build up a fire. 

Seraphine had been in awe at the ease of which his companion had set fire to such. Now, he sat rapt upon every word with his legs folded under him. There was a plain gray woolen blanket tucked comfortably around him, his features reflecting an unhealthy paleness and dark shadows under his dull red eyes.

The cool wind lightly ruffled his short black hair with a tired but appreciative smile lining his full lips, “...The Azim Steppe sounds most beautiful to behold. Describing it the way you do, I feel as though I have had the pleasure of traveling there myself.” He paused, taking a fresh steady breathe inward as if all the fresh information took him far away from his present troubles, “The thought of seeing the rising sun there on a foggy morning...I wonder if I might have the chance to see it myself one day.” His regal tone lowered in uncertainty. His slender fingers covered in ash remained tightly gripped around an ornate silver dagger in this lap.

The man in question named Seiro, a Dotharl hunter, sat perched atop a long since abandoned wooden log, watching the skewered trout cooking atop of with a few helpful pointers from Seraphine who had witnessed his earlier struggle. His roughened hand covered in a layer of black bandages reached out to turn the skewer to the other side of the roasting fish with a proud grin set to his features, “Yes, beautiful as you say and worth the journey there. And you? You do not seem keen to speak of yourself.” Seiro’s peculiar gaze with one dark violet eye and the other outlined in a limbal ring of bright red lay unwaveringly as if searching.

Tearing his gaze away so suddenly, Seraphine fidgeted uncomfortably under the blanket like something agitated him far worse than the affliction he was still recovering from, “I must be honest and say that it would all be quite unpleasant to hear. Even now, I... I still cannot believe it. All this time...He had killed her...I forgot...How much did I forget?” His words turned into a soft babble mixed in with anxious breathing.

With a soft worried chuff, Seiro shifted upward on high alert to watch the smaller man to come to his aid if needed. His brows knitted together and a gleam of understanding in his depths tinged with an unspoken sorrow, “Life unravels differently for all. A weaving of sorrows and joys – It makes us all who we are at our core. You need not trouble yourself.” There was a natural deep rumbling to his voice that sought to calm his new companion.

Seraphine’s form had grown tense under the heavy blanket, the fingers of his free hand shaky when they went to grip one of the ruffled sleeves of his linen shirt appearing burnt along the edges. His bloody depths lowered with shame like something in him crumbled in the light of Seiro who peered without judgment, “Well...there is nothing to return to. Tis simple as that. I-I killed him...the man who I thought was my father. And something strange happened. It hurt too much, and I became angry; something came out of me...and I burned it all down. Everything. The whole manor is gone...” It all came out in a quick breath of rushed words and lowered voice like he was at confession, still unable to lift his eyes away from the bonfire between them.

“It might be true. I received a missive on my eighteenth Namesday about my true father that I ignored until now, you know...A monster or a devil. I may be like him.”

With a long steady gaze over Seraphine who spoke this in a pained whisper, Seiro took another leisurely swig from the bottle of ale he had dangling in one hand with the label far since faded from a constant barrage of different elements encountered during travel. He hummed thoughtfully, his curved shiny black horns gleaming with the gold of the trinkets that bedazzled them, “Say this is true? I argue the origins of birth do not deserve death. With those bruises, you only sought to survive, no? I would do no less in your place.” His low tone chimed out without hesitation, gesturing his hands out like he knew not what else he could have done.

The dark haired Ishgardian came up to absentmindedly touch at the pale length of his neck that bore outline of black and blue hand imprint with brows furrowed in confusion, “Do you really think so...? All this time, I wondered if something may be wrong with me. But I have spent so long trying to be someone else...to become a perfect partner in marriage. I cannot even be sure of who I really am. But all I know is that I never wish to return home.” The hand at his neck gestured out uselessly, uncertain where he was going with this.

Finally, he managed to lift his gaze back towards the general direction of the Loth ast Vath with a softness that hadn’t been there before, “The Vath were exceedingly kind to care for me in my time of need. I find comfort in hearing stories of their lives and culture. But I still fear I could prove a danger to those around me. Something awakened in me then... I cannot ignore it either.”

A warm grin spread across Seiro’s features when leaning forward that he came to grip his shoulder in a manner that was surprisingly gentle for one of his apparent strengths. Such was one that Seraphine didn’t attempt to flinch away from the brief touch before Seiro settled himself back with his long shining black tail swaying gently behind him, “Think of it this way – You are free to steer your life as you desire now. You do not have to remain as you are. You can become who you wish to be, mm? To journey where you please. There are none that you owe that now apart from yourself.” He reached to take ahold of the skewer now, offering a bite to Seraphine that he declined before he began to blow lightly to help cool the still steaming fish.

“I travel to the lands of Thanalan for a place called Ul’dah for my own purposes. You can come with me if you like. I have heard there is a guild known for their unusual techniques with funerary rites. The many tomes they hold there could help you find answers. This could give you time to think about what you really seek and forge a new path for yourself.” Seiro added in a deep lull of an ever-carefree tone, finally taking a bite into the piece of plain fish with a delighted hum of satisfaction while he chewed.

“Become who I wish…” All these words skillfully shocked Seraphine to the point of silence until then, his soot covered hand finally easing off the hilt of the dagger ever so to relax in his lap in front of him with slender fingers clasping together in thought. There was a long reluctance in him when he peered downward, “I suppose all I really want is to be...important to someone. And not as a possession to have. Not for a title, riches or looks.”

A soft sheepish laugh escapes him, finally looking up to the hunter with a sense of his strong composure coming back to him, “But, I have digressed long enough. Please accept my apologies for conveying all this to you so freely...It felt...troubling to hold back all this time. You have certainly given me much to think about. I shall give you an answer soon I assure you.”

[eorzeashan]

it's a shame that swtor doesn't have flying mounts because the agent deserves to ride a stolen thranta. as a treat.

[cadrenebula]

Prompt #1: Steer

Adel had been glad that the Arcanist's Guild had been accommodating of her request. Even more so when she had been told that a familiar face was available too. This was not a trip she wanted to make with some fresh faced arcanist.

This arcanist was one she had closely worked with before. Together they had put on a nice spooky display a couple times in attacks on Garlean vessels. Sadly it was a short lived bit of fun since the captain had decided not to let it continue. At least she got to live up to her nickname as the Frost Siren. Sadly it didn't seem to rattle many of the upper command on the Garlean vessels, just those under their command.

But now that things were relatively peaceful... It left many of the Sirens with time on their hands. Especially Adel. There was little for a healer to do when they weren't doing battle and getting injuries. Some of her sisters had found things to do. Not Adel though. At least not without the pressure of Captain Rhoswen.

Standing with her arms crossed as she looked now at the approaching miqo'te woman. How she had let her captain talk her into making a venture to look into who her father was... An shake of her head and a heavy sigh. "Karigan. Pleasure to see you again."

"Ah the lovely Lady of the Frost." Karigan chirped happily as she joined Adel on the end of the pier. "The Guildmaster told me you needed a seasoned arcanist for a little journey."

"Aye. It will be just us. So I needed a mage I trust. You up for a little adventure before my captain tosses me to the sea for annoying her?" Adel had rolled her eyes a little at Karigan's choice of naming. She definitely preferred Frost Siren more than any title containing Lady. But reminding Karigan rarely got her anywhere anyways. So she let it go. "I've decided to look into my father's side of my bloodline. But to do that we need to travel across the sea. I already secured the passage for two."

"Oh! Now I admit I'm curious as to where we might be heading. Yes I am good for a little adventure. And it honors me to hear you trust me enough for such a trip. If I remember right, most of your sisters could care less about their sires." Karigan tilted her head curiously, ears wiggling a little.

"Trust me, I do not care about him. More than anything I am curious about my specific magic and alignment. I don't get it from my mother. She isn't even elezen. So more than anything I want answers for myself. I honestly could care less if I even find my old man. I'm a Siren and they are the only family that matters." Adel shrugs with a frown. "Besides it was the captain's suggestion."

"You never could refuse the good lady captain when she tells you something." Karigan chuckles softly. "Well shall we go catch our boat before we have to guide a ship ourselves instead? I would hate to be late and miss the ship."

"Yes. Let's get this over with."

[ryssbelle]

Day 12 of inktober and linktober spicy and princess

she wanted to try some of the spicy curry lol

Like what I do? Consider supporting me on Kofi! Or Consider getting a commission!

[chocoblep]

#1: Molding an Opinion

Prompt: Steer

It would have been easier to just tell the Duskwight no, to deny him the loan he was asking for simply due to the fact that he would likely be entering a hostile market were he to sell in any of the three main city-states. He didn't say no, though–not yet, anyway. He wanted to see if the man had come up with this conclusion on his own. As he eyed the admittedly pristine earthenware specimens that the man had set on his desk, he made a deal with himself: He would say yes if the potter could find the best marketing opportunity with just a couple pointed questions from Rath. If he couldn't, then he would not be able to save himself when prejudice or oversaturation hurt his business.

“Tell me, Master Sauveterre,” he began, folding his hands on the desk’s light oak surface and tapping his foot a couple times against the Green Room’s moss-like carpet. “How is it that you intend upon marketing yourself? Who is your target consumer?”

“Ah, an excellent question,” the man began, lifting a hand to stroke at his dark beard. He turned his single fuchsia eye to meet Rath's own particolored pair as he spoke confidently. “My target consumer is anyone who needs tableware or any other earthenware goods that could feasibly be made by my hand. While I would prefer to sell to more upscale clientele, given my specialties and proclivity for more unique artistic pieces, I am also not averse to providing for the basic needs of families, individuals, and establishments alike. As for marketing myself…” He paused there, furrowing his brow. “I am well aware of the prejudice toward my kind that is rampant in the Shroud. I imagine Thanalan has its fair share of potters, given the materials readily available to its denizens. La Noscea has the drawback of dealing with more imported goods than the other nations, which might make it difficult for me to stand out. Therefore, I want to target Ishgard. Noble houses are always looking for a new thing to showcase their wealth, and my art could be just that. With the ongoing restoration project there, the need for basic items is currently at a high, and there are not so many in my line of work that I have seen there.”

Interesting. Rath had not expected the insightfulness that had been presented here. He had guiding questions ready for any other answer, but it seemed the man had already gotten himself where Rath would have suggested he go. He made a show of picking up and examining one of the pieces–an earthenware vase carved with climbing ivy, each cutout displaying different layers, all of differing shades of green. It was both sturdy and elegant.

“They drink quite a lot of tea, and I would assume they prefer much more delicate items than these,” he commented., sweeping his hand out in a gesture toward a trio of mugs on the desk.

“Which is why I am here,” the man replied, an earnest smile on his face. “I need a better kiln and a more suitable workspace to break into porcelains… ah, no pun intended.”

“I see. And if I grant you this loan, it would be for securing your new workspace and equipment?”

“Ah, yes… and also relocation costs. I have a bit saved up for that, but moving my current equipment that far is expensive.”

M’rath unfolded his hands and reached to the side to grab a blank piece of parchment and begin drafting a contract. “I will take a chance on you, Raoul, but before we discuss the exact terms of the agreement, tell me how much you would charge for this vase. It belongs in this room.”

He glanced to the Duskwight, lips twitching as he caught the surface thoughts dancing around in the man's head. Now it was time to see if he was properly valuing his work.

[winddragonart]

FFXIV Write 2024 #1: Steer

Mother Crystal dimmed Fate of the Star in our hands Let's do right by her

[ohwell-itsme-but-danganronpa]

Pit orphanes kaimaki's kid (kind of)

Hina: I had an AU where Kaito got really sick and knew he was gonna die so he recorded all these videos for his daughter before he passed and instructed Saiou to give them to her at different points of her life It was based on the elephant from inside out dying lmao He plans videos for moments that might not even happen He has several shovel talk videos And they differ based on his kids sexuality He made all these coming out videos of him being supportive

Beez: help the way i was about to say imagine he has a video prepped for when his daughter gets a bf but she turns out gay [sob emoji]

Sini: He went through his gay acceptance/understanding arc

Hina: Comforting after a breakup. “I know your partner broke your heart, and that sucks. I promise, I’ll haunt them for the rest of eternity, and I’m sure your uncle Kokichi will make their life a living hell.” Okay just Imagine He’s recording all these taps And there’s so many But you can see him slowly getting more run down as he does But he’s still smiling in all of them He wants his daughter to know just how much her dad loved her. He knows that Shuichi and Kokichi will take care of her But

Sini: IT'S NOT THE SAME He wanted to see his daughter grow up

Hina: Exactly That’s all he wanted, more than anything But he won’t be able to I headcanon he gets sick when she’s really young too So he doesn’t even know if she’ll remember him, and that’s another reason he wants to make these

Ves: there's a video of him apologizing in case she inherits his sickness

Hina: I think he has a video just labeled. “Give this to her when she’s ready” and it’s him explaining how he died This is gonna sound really stupid but he leaves his daughter these galaxy crocs and now she wears them all the time They’re a million times too big (Also his daughter having to do a project for school about her hero and she picks him)

Checkers: does he leave her The Jacket

Hina: Absolutely Also I imagine he tells Saiou not to watch the videos before she does. He wants her to be the first to see them And the first time they show her one and she’s just so excited, not really understanding As they realize exactly what they are

Sini: "Dada!" : D She reaches out

Ves: there's simple videos of him singing lullabies, reading stories, etc that she watches over and over as a little kid she knows his voice as well as anyone else's :')

Hina: Also just when she argues with Saiou, screaming about how they’re not her real dad.

Checkers: How old is she when she sees the first video? Hina: Probably 4-6 I don’t have an exact date for when Kaito dies but She’s around those ages

[me? coming in late and changing the flow of the conversation? more likely than you think]

Wh. What happened to her mom?

Hina: Great question. No idea skskskskks

Sini: I assumed Maki was the mom-

Hina: I wasn’t sure if it was Maki who just went MIA or what but Mom isn’t around

Ves: if mom isn't in the picture. wouldn't he have had to give up going to space? for her?

Hina: And he was 1000% ready to do it

Sini: She's his brightest star

Hina: Also when I said it was inspired by the elephant from inside out [sends gif of the elephant saying "Take her to the moon for me. Okay?"] That’s the quote I based this on

I don't want Maki to die in child birth so divorce it is, my default hc for her realizing she's a lesbian only after a longterm relationship with him not working out the way she thought it would Activated

Hina: Does she try to reach out to Maki later

I think Maki would just, loose the rights in court at first bc Kaito is better off and later be unavailable for some reason

She's broke bc the divorce goes thru as her fault and not an agreement so Kaito takes everything and then she moves to another country for work

Clown_Chaoticz: OHHH. If the reason over her leaving is along the lines of her having the realization it isn't the life she wants. It would be so cathartic for them to have a conversation later on that's just Maki explaining why she couldn't be her mom. It's not that she had done anything wrong, some people are just not cut out for that lifestyle. She wasn't. And she won't be. It's not the beginning of a new relationship between them. But its closure. I like that sorta thing

I didn't know how to put it but, yeah, I don't think she fought to get the weekends

Clown_Chaoticz: Does she keep in contact with saiou at least?? How is Maki even feeling at the moment?? Did they separate on civil terms? Did they fight over it? Does she even get to grieve the friendship she lost?? MAN

I think it's really bitter and messy bc the kid is 2 or under and Kaito just refused to do an agreement of any kind because of that

Hina: DAMN KAITO MADE A HOT MESS OF THE DIVORCE?

If she's leaving them, then she's leaving with nothing, if she's breaking apart their family then she doesn't deserve any time with their daughter, should have stayed if she wanted to see her regularly He'd believe in staying together for the kids, it's his traditional upbringing striking again

Clown_Chaoticz: OHHH I didn't even think about the traditional nuclear family dynamic he'd favor Yeah I could see that being a source of conflict Man everyone here is NOT having a good time

Checkers: does Maki even know Kaito’s dead

Clown_Chaoticz: MAN IF SHE AT LEAST HAD THE PIECE OF MIND THAT SHE WAS LEAVING THE KID WITH KAITO NOTHING CAN STOP HIM. SHE DOESN'T HAVE A DOUBT THAT HE'D COMPENSATE FOR HER ABSENCE TEN FOLD ONLY TO REALIZE HES DEAD

Ves: HER DAUGHTER IS BEING RAISED BY KOKICHI!? SHE LEAVES YOU FOOLS FOR TEN MINUTES

Checkers: Is she even allowed to visit her daughter

Hina: I think that Maki doesn’t meet their daughter again till she’s older

Ves: is the daughter angry or just tired

Hina: I think a little bit

Apollo: I think Kokichi would be hesitant to let her visit but after talking to Shuichi, they'll allow it

Sini: It's Maki, and given his possible trauma with being abandoned, probably even by his parents…..Yeah-

Apollo: Kokichi, having his own abandonment issues: I dunno Shuichi: Kaito would want them to at least meet once Kokichi: Ugh you're right…But I'm being in the room to make sure everything goes well. It's awkward but can you blame him? He has his own issues he's still working through plus he's never had the best relationship with Maki

Sini: And then she pulls something like that which makes it sm worse He sees her as hypocritical in a sense, cause an orphan like her should've known better to do that Kaito knowing that his death will inflict the same trauma on his daughter that his own parents' death did on him : D It adds more reason to why he's upset at Maki

Checkers: She really just inherited both her parents’ parental issues

Apollo: Plus she's being raised by two guys with their own issues regarding parents. That poor girl

Sini: I don't think she'd be good in any of the V3 cast's hands. They're all fucked She's inheriting some trauma

Clown_Chaoticz: Okay. Considering part of the reason Maki and Ouma don't get along in the first place is due to ✨️ projection ✨️, "I hate that I look you and see the worst of what I could be/have been" silly guys who both end up throwing the last thing they'd ever want done to them at each other. IMAGINE the bitter feeling that would come from watching someone like Ouma live comfortably in the life that for a while she thought she wanted. Why couldn't she have had the same peace he seems to? Why was she never to fit herself in a place like that? She wanted to be happy about it. Why couldn't she be?

Sini: YEAH! Girl was forced to be a caretaker in the orphanage she lived in. It was something she was expected to do since she was young, it became one of her ultimate talents. It's part of what defined her….How could she not acheive what was expected of her her whole life?

Ves: taking care of children was the only reason she kept living for so many years…why shouldn't it be the core of her life? why can't she make herself keep doing it? she doesn't know how to live for herself. beyond the parentification, who even is she? but…she doesn't HAVE to live like that anymore. no one's got a gun to her head anymore. so… i'd flee the country too honestly maki on her self discovery europe backpacking trip

Hina: Caring for kids and having your own are so different She just Doesn't know how to be a mother in that way To actually be seen as nurturing Also her having to grieve Kaitos passing But not knowing how

Checkers: I assume it’s been a few years between Kaito’s death and Maki finding out It’s been so long, how does she grieve? She doesn’t know, like she doesn’t know how to face her daughter after so many years apart does her daughter even remember her

Hina: Her daughter probably doesn't She was only two Kaito having a video about Maki He has a couple: "For when she asks about her mom" "If her mom comes back" "If she wants to find her mom"

Checkers: I just had an awful thought Is there a video for in case Shuichi/Kokichi dies

Hina: Oh no He probably has one Wait imagine Something happens to either Shuichi or Kokichi And she just becomes terrified

Apollo: NOOOOOO SHE'S LOST HER DAD, SHE'S ONLY JUST SORTA RECONNECTED WITH HER MUM AND NOW ONE OF HER UNCLES IS HURT/DEAD

Hina: Just If something happened to one of them and she was ready to drop everything for them instead of Maki

Apollo: Maki doesn't know how to feel cause on one hand, she deserves it. She hasn't been in her life at all but on the other hand…It's Kokichi because despite how much of a help he's been in replacing her raising her daughter, a part of her still can't get over what he was like when they were younger

Checkers: I think it’d make for an interesting dynamic too if Shuichi was the one hurt, because Maki would see how capable Kokichi is with her daughter even under that much stress

Apollo: Like part of her still thinks Kokichi won't take things seriously but he seriously steps up and she has to admit he's changed from the brat he was Like she forgets that he's a LEADER It drives her nuts but she has to thank him

Hina: Maki has to deal with the fact that her only blood related family, likes her mortal enemy more than her That. Kaito would sooner trust their daughter with Kokichi Ouma than her

Apollo: It just…Hurts in a way she can't describe. She knows she left and all. She's not surprised Kaito trusted Shuichi but Kokichi? Was she really gone for that long that she missed him changing? Or was she too blind to see that he wasn't as horrible as she thought he was?

Sini: Love Maki realizing that she had Kokichi wrong the whole time And Kokichi in turn coming to terms with how complex Maki is

Hina: I'm just thinking about the idea of Saiou showing these videos to their daughter and when she first meets Maki she's just like. "You were absent my whole life, I know my dad more than I know you." And the fact she knows Kaito better when he was gone when she was an infant just

I'll give my idea for what could happen before someone else makes it angstier than it has to be: Shuichi gets shot while working on a case, so they rush to the hospital without knowing any details, but it's just a scare and he's mostly fine, going to have a cool scar, the bullet is already removed by the time they get there, it didn't hit anything vital and he's stable

[milaswriting]

'we never go out of style' with P! 👀💕

Extras from P x MC on their way to the Grand Royalton:

Maybe there's another scientific way to battle stress, one that psychologists don't know about. That's your analysis when you see P dressed in emerald green, the type of green that glistens under twinkling stars and moonlight.

There's ease and comfort all mixed into one despite the chilling wind that threatens to cause goosebumps over your skin, despite the silence between you and P as you both walk down a lengthy path.

It almost stays like that until P's voice hits your ears.

"How are you feeling?" they question.

If there's something you could constantly praise P on it's their considerate nature, whether it's your favourite trait about them would take some more contemplating.

You shrug your shoulders a little as your steps fall in sync with theirs. "I've felt worse." Your gaze glances down at your attire. "I think I've looked worse too."

It's not something you imagine, P's gaze does flit over you. It's in a studious manner, beginning with facial features, before quickly scanning you from head to toe and back.

The same way a picture speaks a thousand words, you think a simple glance could do the same.

But simple glances don't linger. They don't rake over your body with P thinking of unspoken words that you're so desperate to hear.

They avert their gaze for a brief moment before speaking again. "Call me a flatterer, but I wouldn't pair someone like you with the word 'worse'," P says with confidence.

The compliment causes the corners of your mouth to shift upwards — a smile along with good company, a smile along with P as your company.

"Okay," you murmur. "I'll call you a flatterer."

They chuckle, the kind that only widens your smile and makes you want to hear the sweet sound again. "Then you'd be surprised about my compliments for you that haven't been mentioned."

That causes your breath to catch, in the same way when you hear something wildly far from your expectations. P expects to casually flirt in a manner that contains no filter, that tells you what they want without any hidden agenda.

Maybe they're telling you exactly how they feel about you, or they're simply getting used to being your fake date for the night.

The entrance to the Grand Royalton is in sight, and the two of you could step in no problem, or you could stay out here and continue the glances, the flirting, and the dancing around each other until someone makes a certain move.

You clear your throat as you watch other couples filter into the event. "Thoughts on how the night will go?" you ask in a somewhat serious.

P's lips purse together. "In our favour, I'm hoping — whatever that may be."

"And if it doesn't?" you shoot back.

P smiles at you this time, one that's both suave and inviting. "Then I would've spent the night with you, so why would I complain?"

[eoinmcgonigal]

hey I know you already did touch for Eoin and Paddy but if it’s not too much to ask for can you do it again? I’m new to the series and they are one of my favourite pairings.

Of course!! (And welcome! I hope you have so much fun with the show ^^)

Touch + Paddy/Eoin

No one's watching.

No one can watch. In the long, dusty miles ahead, they are free from prying eyes. Paddy can reach out, and Eoin can answer. Their hands can rest peacefully together, Paddy's thumb stroking idly, contentment tugging at his heart as they head further into the desert.

And then the truck jerks, one of the wheels catching on the terrain, and—to a chorus of irritated curses from the back of the truck—they burst out laughing. Eoin takes his hand back to wrestle with the steering, righting their course, and Paddy watches him, grinning, eyeing up all that he is free to touch in the time they have between here and wherever it is they're going.

Rogue Heroes KTF

[quirkycoterie]

The Crow's Nest

Aliiza concentrated on the swirls of the mists ahead of the ship. She knew from more experience than most would even guess at how to read each one for hazards in the water, even though the hazards themselves were unseeable in these conditions. The helmsman just had to trust in her calls. Her body registered the swells of the ocean below them as her eyes parsed the other movements. Her hair in a ponytail stayed out of her eyes and was as good an indicator of wind speed and direction as any other tool for her.

The raging winds and mists had come suddenly and she'd climbed up to replace the usual navigator. At regular intervals she'd assure the helmsman they were clear. It was hard for anyone to tell how much progress was actually being made and they were too far out for lighthouses. Finally, she saw the lifts and eddies in the mists she'd been watching for. Her voice sounded out to the helmsman, "We're at the first break! Hard to port by 40 degrees now!" She held the edge of the nest as the helmsman made the correction and the crew worked the sails. Now... she just had to guide them thru 5 more difficult breaks.

[memoriesofgelmorra]

FFXIVWRITE Day 1: Steer

Welp, here's my first entry into #ffxivwrite this year! Spoilers for the Island Sanctuary questlines, so if you haven't gotten to 'An Ideal Marriage', don't read.

Moments in time like these reminded Chantelle why Emmanellain and Sicard got along so well, despite their differences. Bicker like a married couple they did, but they wouldn’t pop up so often together if they didn’t get along in some degree… The Ilsabard Contingent had been good for the privateer and her favourite second son of Ishgard, for all she had wanted to box her beloved ear’s after Emmanellain had proclaimed Artoirel’s wish for his younger brother during the grand introductions. Honestly, you would have thought Artoirel would know the worth of different battlefields when she was fought with her words as often as her bow…

The memory of her reunion after the Final Days (and indeed, the tugging of Artoirel’s ear as she gave him a right talking to) brought a smirk to her face, and it was one Sicard caught in the midst of bickering still with Emm. “Oi, Chantelle, what’s got you grinnin’?”, his gaze was skeptical, but it was said with all the rancor of lazy, younger sibling. So no rancor at all.

“Just reminiscing, dear Sicard!”, as she turned to look at Emmanellain. “I doubt Artoirel told you, but I gave his ear a right boxing for that comment he passed to you on sending you to the Ilsabard Contingent! ‘Making a name for yourself, honestly!’, as if you hadn’t already proved yourself quite the connection-maker in Ishgard and beyond already!”

A flush spread across Emmanellain’s face, as he clearly hadn’t expected the comment. For Sicard, who knew of Chantelle as the Warrior of Light, the context was left unsaid. “Artoirel bein’ his elder brother.”

“Indeed!”, Emmanellain exclaimed. “The Count of House Fortemps since the end of The Dragonsong War!”-

“And my beloved.” She said, cutting off him before his true, but odiously long ramble began. “We’re betrothed in all but name at this point. Luckily both of us are busy with tasked deemed righteous by the highborn of Ishgard, so we have a little leeway. Still, it means I can give him a lecture when he deserves it. And he’ll damn well listen to it, by the Fury.”

Emmanellain took a more pensive look at Chantelle, “I-I hadn’t realized you cared so deeply about that…”

“Artoirel is my beloved, but that makes you my future brother-in-law. So of course, I care, silly Emm.” She heard a snort from Sicard at his side, but only rolled her eyes as a response.

“Besides, you two remind me of myself, when I returned to The Shroud, five seasons after The Calamity. ‘Twas 25 myself then. Barely knowing what path I would take as an adventurer, where it would lead. Nary the faintest clue what my fate had in store, with The Scions. As ‘The Warrior of Light’. And even then it took a good, long time to understand where I wanted to steer my path. The Dragonsong War was the start of said path, but it took Doma and Ala Mhigo to learn what I wanted the Warrior of Light to be for Eorzea. For the star.”

“So, what yer’ sayin’,” Sicard replied, in a contemplated tone. “Is that if the Warrior of Light had to find yer’ own path, then it’s unavoidable for anyone.”

“No matter how uncomfortable it might be at times…”, concurred Emmanellain quietly.

“Indeed. But on the bright side, any advice I can give, I give happily. By the Twelve, at least being the Warrior of Light means I have lots of experiences to take lessons from. I can’t help you learn to breathe underwater though. You need the blessing of the Kojin for that.”

[egpenrose]

Writing one looooooong sentence

I am going through the writing exercises in Steering the Craft by Ursula K. Le Guin. As much as I thought I struggled with writing only short sentences, writing one mammoth sentence was harder. Le Guin suggests a goal of 350 words and after a couple of revisions I got up to 121.

This work, simply titled "Prora Prohesy #13," depicts a man—possibly of Huryian descent—wielding a sword-like weapon with other disjointed elements (most notably a frog, an oil latern, and a dandelion seed) placed over an abstract background, and was painted by Prora Chamberlain, widely considered a prodigy of the divinity arts, in 3092—near the end of Chamberlain's life at age 22—for his patron Mr. Ekleipsis Oberron, a tenured professor of divinity at Lignum Parvum University that Chamberlain once studied under and developed a close personal relationship with despite their age differences, which added credance to the Oberron Interpretation of Prora Prohesy #13 claiming that the main subject is Mr. Oberron himself, as oracles often channel premontions regarding those closest to them.