#v'tenpe tia

[yzeltia]

FFXIVwrite2024 30. Two Heads Are Better Than One

Featuring: @driftward 's Fredrick the Poroggo Characters: Koana, V'tenpe Tia, Gulool Ja, Jullus pyr Norbanus, Alphinuad Leveilluer, Wuk Lamat, Bakool Ja Ja, U'rahn Nuhn, Violet Fisher, Jannie Eyradoux Fortemps, G'khenna Summers, Khloe Alipoh, T'kebbe Morh Rating: T Summary: Closing Vignettes about family, love, and friendship. Notes: Taken from by Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Thanks @autumnslance

-Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor-

“I cannot thank you enough, son.”

Koana’s ears perked at V’tenpe’s praise. “Son?” he thought to himself before having his back patted firmly by V’anille's father. He supposed it was true, his mentor now bound to him by marriage. “Son”. Praise. It warmed him in a way he thought would nigh’ be possible again.

“Guncle Tenpe! I got the wrenches you asked for Gulool Ja’s voice rang out, holding a set high above his head as he wandered over to their work station. 

“Sorry kiddo, those are A’rahn wrenches. I need the Ratchet kind today. Go ask your Auntie Mauhli for those, okay?” V’tenpe instructed, parting Gulool Ja on the head as he took the wrenches from him.

“Okay! Uh…is Koana okay?” Gulool Ja whispered.

Koana blinked as the two stared at him. He touched his face finding a stray tear, then wiped his face off with his ascot. “Some dust in my eye is all.”

“Okay then,” Gulool Ja said, hesitating a moment before running off to get the right tools.

V'tenpe raked his hand through his hair, smiling as the boy ran off. He turned to Koana, shaking his head before squatting down to deadlift the large gear. “Y'know. With your friends gone back to Eorzea or wherever, I bet it's a hard adjustment. You had brothers to get stuff off your chest. Now it's just you and your sister and Anille, and you've got in your mind to keep yerself stoic and level headed. Probably moreso with your fancy title being the Vow of Reason.

“But life's going to be like fixing up this train. Sure I could do this by myself, but it'd be harder on my own. I'm fortunate to have a good hearted son to tag along and my little helper visiting too. Makes the whole thing easier to get through and I don't accidentally wear myself out. The mind is a lot like that too. You keep it all in your noggin’ and you'll burn out. You understand me?”

Koana nodded, swallowing a little before coming over to help V’tenpe fix the gear upon a spoke. “I am, admittedly, finding myself missing my father at times. You are right, I think I might be letting my title prevent me from grieving,” he explained before lowering his ears. “Thank you…dad.”

-If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. 

But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up-

Alphinaud punched his fist into the snow, ass sore from being knocked back while his entourage of Garlean pears laughed at his expense. Two years and a handful of ilms had done little to better his chances with swordplay and he’d regretted his pride, preventing him from asking his sister or Estinien to train him in the art.

“Stick to books Eorzean,” one of the guys laughed before going quiet as Jullus stepped in to reach down and help Alphinaud back to his feet before picking up the training sword the other had been given.

After examining it, he threw it to the other’s feet. “You gave him a damn weighted sword. Is this how the new Garlemald is going to win their fights? Cheap tricks? Sod off you lot and run some laps,” Jullus ordered, watching his company men groan, one slugging the instigator in the shoulder.

Alphinaud bitterly clenched his fists and hung his head. “It is just as embarrassing to lose as it is to have you jump in for me every time I lose a challenge. Though I suppose I should take comfort in knowing they’d set me up for failure.”

Jullus shook his head. “Honestly, you have no business holding a sword. Even if you hadn’t been given a disadvantage your stance and movements are too…noodley for lack of a better word.”

“I’m not seeing how that is to make me feel any better,” Alphinaud said before finding his chin pulled in by Jullus. He flushed as he was kissed, letting it do its job and calm his.

When Jullus parted he smiled then laughed. “That’s not going to work for me much longer is it? I fear each time we part you’ll return a head taller,” he said before hearing his troop scream in the distance. “As for making you feel better. I hosed down a section of our run.”

Alphinaud looked around Jullus, seeing the group trying to pick themselves up on the iced over path. He sighed, unsure if he wished to thank the other for preemptively coming to his defense or scolding him for creating an unsafe environment for his friends. He supposed as long as no injury came from it, he could enjoy a moment of watching them stumble about one another with Jullus’s arm around him. He smiled to himself then turned to attempt to steal another kiss, surprising himself that he no longer needed to lift up on his toes and could meet him at his level.

-Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. 

But how can one keep warm alone?-

“I HATE ALPACAS!!!!!”

Bakool Ja Ja jumped and put a claw over Wuk Lamat’s mouth, silencing her frustrated scream as it echoed through the peaks of Urqopacha. “Careful my Vow, you could cause an avalanche,” Mystic warned before letting her go.

“Sorry. I am just so frustrated. Tobli should build higher fences if he doesn’t want these fiends escaping. I should have had Koana handle this as soon as I knew the petition involved the furry little fiends. I’m sorry that I ever tried to like them,” Wuk Lamat ranted before holding herself as a wind blew by them. “Though I wish one was around. I could really use something fluffy and warm. Hopefully the wind will pass soon,” she continued before the wind howled and picked up. “Okay, maybe we stop for a moment until it calms down.”

Bakool Ja Ja nodded, following Wuk Lamat’s lead to take shelter under an overhang of rocks. He swallowed, watching her shiver and peak out toward the snowy roads. Swallowing, he cleared Might’s throat then rubbed the back of his head. “Vow, if you are cold I could help.”

“Cold? I’m not cold. I’m fine…Really fine,” Wuk Lamat said as she chattered. “I’ll shake it off soon and we’ll be on our way to find that alpaca in no time. You’ll see.”

Bakool Ja Ja frowned with both heads, watching her stubbornly buckle forward as she held herself. Inhaling, he worked up his courage. It was duty as a Landsguard to keep the Vow safe, despite her stubbornness…but, to embrace her. He felt heat rise in his faces at the mere thought. Working himself up, he stepped forward then hesitantly hugged her from behind. “I apologize, but I cannot watch you freeze to death,” Mystic said, feeling her straighten up in his arms.

Wuk Lamat stood stiffly for a moment, not saying anything as she was held. After a few breaths, she leaned back into the warmth of the blessed siblings, ears slumping. “Thank you, Bakool Ja Ja. This is not…unpleasant,” she said carefully.

Being thanked was still new to him. More heat flooded his faces as she relaxed against him. As the snow blustered about outside their small shelter, he stood and held her for as long as she’d let him.

-Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. 

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.-

Rrahn rushed forward, dodging Black Cat’s swipes with a flip to the side before releasing a flurry of blows into her stomach before going for an uppercut before being repelled by a biscuit maker. Violet watched as he flew over her. Blowing her hair from her face, she launched herself forward and began to swing wildly with her gunblade before discharging a bullet, only to have Black Cat relocate herself across the field making her tumble forward past Jannie. Jannie raised her blade defensively, capturing Black Cat’s attention and letting her start to punch and kick at her blade.

On the other side of the ring, G’khenna did her best to maintain a healing aura around the field as the Warriors of Light got knocked around while ahead of her Khloe went all out with her blades, fighting Black Cat’s deflecting tail as she tried to land a blow before catching a flick of the appendage. Khloe let out a cry as she was sent flying backward into G’khenna, knocking her out of her concentration. Black Cat’s attention on them, they held each other and let their eyes grow wide as the fighter appeared before them and raise both fists high, ready to bring them down on them.

“What’s this? A new challenger approaches,” Metem’s voice called out in surprise.

As the girls braced for impact, a pink carbuncle jumped in front of them then created a barrier about them both. On impact, Black Cat recoiled then jumped backward only to be ambushed by the Warriors of Light once more. Standing up, they found a pink-haired girl next to them tossing her hair as she held an open grimoire.

“KEBBE!” Khloe and G’khenna called out, both hurrying to hug her tight.

“Sorry I’m late! It was really hard getting over here,” she laughed, ears fluttering as she hugged her best friends back.

“Khloe, I mean, I missed you so much! We had a huge adventure!”

“We participated in the Rite of Succession and found the City of Gold,” G’khenna added before yelping as a powerful beam hit the panel that they were on once, then twice.

“MY RING!” Metem’s voice cried out in despair.

The trio yelled as the panel shattered beneath them, all three falling into the field below before finding themselves levitated and placed safely back on an unblemished part of the ring. 

“Catch up later! Let’s help the others take this lady down,” T’kebbe said, raising her book in the air then casting a broil toward Black Cat.

“Ahem! Please bear with us while we repair the ring,” Metem’s voice sounded out before it dropped into an angry muffled hiss. “Someone! Get that weird frog out of here.”

The girls blinked then returned to battle. Behind them Fredrick hopped as fast as he could around the stadium, robotic sentries chased him. All these years later and Miqo’te girls continued to be nothing but trouble.

[yzeltia]

FFXIVwrite2024 22. Convergence

Characters: V'anille Tia, Wuk Lamat, V'mauhli, Krile Baldesion, Alisaie Leveilleur, V'tenpe Tia, Bakool Ja Ja, Galool Ja, Koana, Mewazunte, Zereel Ja, The Citizens of Tural, U'rahn Nuhn Expansion: Dawntrail (Spoilers for Level 99) Rating: G Summary: V'anille and Koana finally say the words. Notes: Thank you @dapperpea for the prompt! Dialogue used from Level 99 Quests

“Ooooh! You’re so beautiful Anille! Koana will be stunned,” Lamaty’li let out, eyes wide as V’anille looked at himself in the mirror, his mother settling in his circlet atop his head.

“Agreed. You look lovely. All eyes will be on you,” Krile added.

He flushed lightly, turning to look over his shoulder at his soon to be sister-in-law before grabbing at his robes. “Thank you Lamaty’i. Krile…Though, don’t you think this might be inappropriate with everything going on?” he asked, attention drifting out the window where only days ago had Alexandrian ships threatening their advance in the sky, thinking on the night they’d started to become a family.

“Zoaal Ja had become unimaginably powerful. It was only with  Anille's help that we managed to defeat him. And now I have a responsibility to the people of Alexandria. And above all to Gulool Ja,” Lamaty’i said as V’anille followed her, Koana’s hand bumping into his own now though unable to commit to taking it. Gulool Ja looked up to Lamaty’i, letting out a little surprised gasp as she turned and beamed at him. I promised, didn't I? I wanted us to become family. And it isn't only out of obligation. Since I've gotten to know you, I've come to really like you.”

Gulool Ja smiled back, nodding at his aunt. “Right.”

“You too Anille! After everything we’ve been through, we’re already as good as family,” she sang, reaching out to put his hand into Koana’s.

“What!?” Koana let out while Lamaty’i raised her brows at him with a mischievous grin.

“What do you mean, “what”? The more family you have, the merrier, don’t you think? Come on, let’s head to the barrack,” Lamaty’i laughed while winking at V’anille. “Like Papa did by taking us in, I want to make my family bigger! You wouldn't mind some extra family too, right, Anille?”

Koana let out a sigh, squeezing V’anille’s hand lightly before turning to the give him a small smile before turning as Gulool Ja stopped in front of them to look up at them. “I'd like to be family with you too, V’anille.”

“I’d like that too,” V’anille responded in turn before gesturing up toward Lamaty’i as she strode ahead.

“This is the perfect time! It will be good to raise Tuliyollal’s spirits and ensure everyone in Tural can celebrate and go home with full bellies,” Lamaty’i sang.

“Lamaty’i has the right of it. Sometimes a large celebration is just what a city needs after a tragic event. Something to lift people’s spirits and unify them,” V’mahuli said, putting her hand on her son’s shoulder. “Everything you do now will be in the scope of Tural. The people love their regency here. They will share in your happiness and sorrows just as have done theirs since you’ve arrived.”

“All of…Tural. How many people did you invite Lamaty’i!?” V’anille asked, turning swiftly towards her.

“Well, everyone!” Lamaty’i laughed as V’anille stumbled then took a seat again, looking rather pale.

Alisaie lounged in her chair, fussing with her dress before sitting up to look at Lamaty’i. “This does seem well timed. On the precipice of us pursuing Sphene and in the wake of Zoraal Ja’s defeat. This isn’t just for Tural is it? Koana is rather practical.”

“What? He’d never do that to Anille! He loves him with all his heart. In fact when I want to stop him talking about Sharlayan and I ask about Anille so he’ll get flustered and stop talking to let my ears rest,” Lamaty’i said, getting a laugh out of V’mahuli.

“Well, it wouldn’t be fair to say this wedding was wholly his idea,” V’anille reminded her, finding the strength to sit back up again.

V’anille held himself as he looked out toward the sea, the sun setting on the horizon. 

“Begging your pardon, Anille, but might I have a moment ere setting forth? In private,” Koana asked before jumping as Lamaty’i patted his back.

“Oh! Are you going to give him the the thing,” Lamaty’i asked eagerly.

Koana’s ears flattened before he straightened up, face slightly flushed. “Yes, I had thought to save it for later, but in light of these recent developments, I feel now is the time. As Lamaty’i says…I have something for you. Please come with me to Bayside Bevy.”

V’anille swallowed then followed, heart racing as Koana offered his hand as they made their way down the steps toward the shopping district. Lamaty’i followed, escorting Gulool Ja behind her. “Hehe, I hope you like it,” she taunted while her nephew looked around all the shops in awe.

“Are these all shops? It’s so different from Solution Nine,” the boy marveled. 

“Most of them are. If you see something you want I’ll see if I can get it for you,” V’anille offered with a little smile, getting an wide eyed smile from Gulool Ja as his head swiveled about to see if there might be something he’d like.

“Aw. That’s so sweet,” Lamaty’i said, “Isn’t Anille sweet, Koana?”

“Yes,” Koana answered briskly before stopping in front of a stall tended to by an older Tonawantan man. “This is it Anille. Tuliyollal is safe in no small part due to your valor. As a token of our appreciation, I have commissioned special equipment for you and the Scions. While it is inadequate as an expression of gratitude, I pray it will serve you well in your coming mission.”

“It apparently incorporates foreign technology. Leave it to Koana to request such a thing, eh,” Lamaty’i laughed, patting Anille’s back.

Koana pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “Mewazunte yonder has the equipment in his keeping. Just say the word, and he will bring it out.”

“Thank you, Koana,” V’anille said with a small smile, turning as Lamaty’i made a noise of disapproval.

“Surely you’re not going to leave it at that,”she protested.

“I don’t know what you mean,” Koana said, keeping his gaze elsewhere.

“What about the ring!? I thought you were giving him the ring,” Lamaty’i said, stamping her foot as he tail gave a little flail.

Koana looked down, eyes wide as his cheeks tinted from embarrassment. V’anille staggered himself, hand over his mouth as he too felt blood rush to his face. “A ring?”

“Yeah. He had it specially made with the same sort of jewel he used for my own. Yours has a much deeper meaning though I think. C’mon Koana! You made it this far,” Lamaty’i said, moving behind her brother to give him a push toward V’anille.

Koana stumbled from the push before pushing his glasses back up on his face again, avoiding V’anille’s nervous gaze. “It’s as Lamaty’i said. I have commissioned a ring for you. I had intended to give it to you after the ascension ceremony; however, at the time I did not think I would be elevated to that of the Vow of Reason. Then with everything that came after there was never a good time…and with you pursuing Sphene it still feels like this comes at the wrong moment,” he started, eyes flitting back toward his sister briefly before lowering onto one knee. “Yet this is the moment we have. Anille, you traveled the salt to be reunited with me and made my home and family yours. I am not well versed in matters of the heart, but I do know that my life has only been richer with you in it and that I could not bear having a sea between us again. If you will have me, I would pledge to stay by your side and ne’er part again.”

Anille swallowed, turning Mewazunte as he brought out a small box with an emerald ring. “Koana…of course I will…”

“You didn’t Lamaty’i,” Alisaie laughed out.

“Well, I was just trying to help. Koana was going to do it eventually,” Lamaty’i protested. “I mean, Anille is already family. This is just going to be a party for it and gives him a fancy title. We’ll call him The Reason’s Promised, or something.”

V’anille laughed too then stood back up. “I don’t need a title. I am just happy to be accepted.”

Krile smiled, swinging her legs on her chair before climbing up on it to pour them some champagne. “Well, I think it’s a lovely story and one that is very apt for our Dawnservants. Come, let’s have a drink before the event starts.”

V’anille nodded, striding over in his robes to take a flute and down it before perking his ears right before a knock sounded out. Turning, he watched as the door opened, his father striding in followed by Bakool Ja Ja.

 “Anille! Son, you’re beautiful,” V’tenpe breathed out, the gruff looking man’s eyes watering at the sight. 

“Now don’t you start. You’ll have the entire wedding to be a mess,” V’mahuli sighed, handing her husband a flute of champagne.

“Um. Here. I saw these flowers growing by a cenote and my mom helped me make them into a corsage,” Might said, approaching Wuk Lamat.

“ I thought they’d suit you,” Mystic added, handing Lamaty’i a box that held a glowing blue flower and ribbon inside.

“Oh! It’s so pretty! Thank you Bakool Ja Ja,” she said, clawing open the box then fitting the corsage around her wrist.

Bakool Ja Ja nodded and rubbed the back of Might’s head as he recoiled bashfully, trying not to take up too much space as he watched Lamaty’i happily show off the flower to her friends. 

“Well, we came to get this half of the party to let them know everything is ready down below,” V’tenpe said, moving back toward the door.

“My dad is performing the ceremony,” Bakool Ja Ja chimed in.

“That he is. Let’s get everyone to overlook and get ready for the ceremony. Anille, I’ll come get you in just a moment,” V’entepe instructed, ushering the party out the door leaving Anille alone.

Taking a breath, V’anille wandered to where the champagne was to pour himself another glass, downing it quickly before shuddering. His life had changed so fast, and everything seemed so precarious for all of it. Now, with Koana ahead waiting for him, it seemed like it had all meant to be and that worrying about whether the other would accept him or not had been entirely silly.

He looked at himself in the mirror, touching his chest before looking through the reflection as his father walked in and shut the door. 

“You ready Anille,” he asked.

“Yes, father,” V’anille answered, turning and coming to his side.

“I hope you don’t mind but I gave Koana the present I intended for you,” V’tenpe said, leading his son out of the room and into the hall. “I intended to give it to you but I think it suited him a bit more.”

“What was it,” V’anille asked, letting his ears twitch as the sound of music echoed toward them.

“Your grandfather’s pocket chronometer. You never held much interest in it and it seemed to fit the lad’s aesthetic. If you’re fussed about it he’ll be more than happy to give it to you.”

V’anille shook his head. “No, that’s a perfect gift for him…thank you dad.”

“Heh. No need to thank me. I was actually caught up in the moment. He offered to help your mother and I get settled in Shaaloni. Asked if we’d help them build up their railways and teach folks engineering and combustion. If your mother is up for it too, we’ll be moving, settling down nearby to keep an eye on y’all.”

“Really!? That would be amazing,” V’anille breathed out before hugging his dad tight.

“Oh good! I was worried you’d be horrified by the prospect of us hovering around. Though, it’d kill me to cross the street from our future grandkids. Gulool Ja too, he’s the best little assistant now. Keeps me flushed in electrope,” he hummed.

“Grandkids. I think you’re getting ahead of yourself,” V’anille breathed out.

“Well, you’re going to adopt right? Koana seemed to like the idea.”

V’anille held his breath a moment then shook it off, rounding the corner to find his friends and family lined up and waiting for him. Koana stood in the middle, dressed up in a white suit and smiling softly in his direction before looking down as Gulool Ja tugged the hem of his jacket and handed him the rings a bit prematurely.

There was a brief hesitation from V’anille, not that he didn’t want to go forward, but that he was finding himself on the verge of tears. He wandered forward with his father, getting a kiss on the top of his ear from the man before having his hand placed in Koana’s hand while Zereel Ja cleared his throat and began to speak.

V’anille couldn’t concentrate on the words, lost in Koana’s violet eyes as he smiled softly at him. He nearly forgot to breathe as they stood their hand in hand in front of their loved ones, uniting two halves of Hydaelyn somehow in the process. Koana smiled then brushed his hand through V’anille’s hair as it came to give him to say his vows.

“It is no secret that I went to Sharlayan and fell in love; however, I had not expected to do so beyond their culture and technology. Anille, you crossed The Salt to be at my side, and when I foolishly refused you, you joined my beloved sister in her bid and stayed loyal to her. Even when I realized the errors of my ways, your loyalty to my family outweighed your need to be reunited. It was then I realized you were the one to be by my side,” Koana said before his eyes widened, “And it’s at this moment, I realized I’ve never said it aloud. Anille, I love you.”

V’anille laughed lightly, tears rolling down his face as he squeezed on Koana’s hand. “Did we really get all the way here before saying it? I love you Koana, and Tural. When I came here I was so afraid…but as soon as Lamaty’i figured out how I felt I immediately had a sister and partner in crime. I’m standing here with you, the love of my life, because of her…You so often ask for us who travel with her to take care of her, but, today I’m going to make my vow not to you, but her.”

V’anille turned, smiling as he reached out to take Lamaty’i’s hand. “Lamaty’i, I promise to love and protect your brother for as long as I live. To make sure he doesn’t get lost in his work and takes breaks. To always stand by him and support him.”

Lamaty’i snuffled as tears and mucus ran down her face. “Anille,” she whined before pulling him into a tight hug, cracking his back a bit as she choked out a sob.

Koana watched, letting out an amused laugh then shook his head. “Lamaty’i, may I have my fiance back?”

“Right. Yes, sorry,” Lamaty’i apologized, releasing V’anille.

Zereel Ja cleared his throat. “Well, if you’re finished. I decree that what has been converged here never be torn asunder. I present to Tural, the Vow of Reason and his Promised. You may now kiss.”

Koana smiled then put his arm around V’anille’s back leaning in to kiss him as their friends and family cheered. A chorus of cheers came down below, Tural erupting into cheers before singing out “So smile and let the rainbow sing!”

V’anille smiled, moving to the railing to wave down at the people below, Koana holding his waist as he let tears of joy run down his face, soon joined by Lamaty’i and the rest. Turning, he held onto Koana, looking up at him. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” Koana cooed, leaning in to kiss V’anille again.