#wolstinien lite

[paintedscales]

Day Eightstinien

War of Hearts by RUELLE (Joel Sunny dramatic violin cover)

I... decided to slap together a video that pays homage to what I could of Estinien's journey from ARR to near the very end of HW patch content. I don't really edit together a lot of videos lately. But I hope it's enjoyable at the least!

[paintedscales]

a13 :: Takeout

I was originally going to reverse the roles. But as I kept writing, the roles ended up how they are now. Still very meh about my Modern AU, but I face it with brass knuckles ready to fight.

Word Count: 1,555

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

Murmurs and mutterings were evident among the members of the study group that had gathered at the Baldesion Annex. It had been Lyse's groan as she flopped forward onto the table that cut through the smaller whispers and sharing of notes or study material. It had certainly grabbed the attention of everyone else as they looked over at the flaxen-haired individual who looked more than defeated.

“So hungry…” Lyse whined. “We’ve been here for hours at this point. Surely we could at least stop to get something to eat?”

“Has it truly been so long already?” Y’shtola asked, looking up from her textbook and glancing about the area for a clock of one kind or another. When she finally spotted it, the hands upon it pointed to it being several hours late into the day indeed since they started crunching to prepare for upcoming exams. Her ears had flattened slightly before she closed her textbook and tapped her fingers momentarily upon the table.

“I think we’re well enough due for a bite of one kind or another!” G’raha happily said, his ears flicking up momentarily. His tail also twitched with some manner of excitement at the prospect of getting food. He had already been fishing in his pockets for his phone.

Nomin peered up from her own historical studies material, her eyes darting around the study group that had made itself present that evening. Her tail had slowly curled to the left, the hunger in her stomach now more noticeable with the discussion going on. Clearing her throat and closing her book, Nomin had given a sheepish smile before offering her two gil: “I…I also wouldn’t mind ordering something if that’s what we’re doing. The Last Stand should still be open. Or, uh, The Shiokaze?”

Eventually, the study group had discussed food options and plans, getting them submitted for delivery. Studying had slowed directly to a halt as now the group had either conversed with one another about upcomings, interests, or news articles that had been of interest. At least while they all waited for food to arrive.

Nomin’s personal study group consisted of herself, Lorha, G'raha, and Aymeric. They had been studying for their history exam that had been coming up. However, now that they had free time, Nomin had meandered a little closer to the study group that had been focusing on their Dravanian language material. More times than not, Nomin had often been surprised how into it Estinien had been; she even had him tutor her on occasion.

Estinien’s study group was almost always small by comparison to everyone else’s. Ysayle had been a common sight. There were a number of people that often came and went, however, but Estinien and Ysayle were always rather diligent about their language studies.

“Whah ohleh dran kohl in?” Nomin inquired. She had hoped she got the words and grammar correct, but Dravanian was always a little difficult to wrap her head around completely.

“That’s not that bad. Have you been studying?” Estinien asked in response, not actually answering Nomin’s inquiry.

“Ah, well, no… Was it actually good?” Nomin was a little surprised by the praise.

Ysayle, on the other hand, had chuckled softly. “It needs a little more… breathiness to it, but it was at least understandable. I’d have worded the question more like ‘swhah kohl drah ohlen in,’ though. If you really want to nitpick at pronunciation and grammar. Remember that in certain contexts, words don't need to constantly be given 'life' with the 'n' sounds.”

“I guess I still have more to refine. But hey, we can add that to our study plan when we’re not preparing for our respective exams?” Nomin posited, nudging Estinien playfully with a grin pointed in his direction.

“Only if you spare me your notes on Ishgardian history,” Estinien replied, gathering his notebook and loose notes so they could be set aside.

“Yeah, absolutely.”  Nomin leaned on the edge of the table, half sitting on it as she glanced between both silver-haired elezen. "So how is your study session going? I don't imagine preparing a whole essay written in the old Dravanian tongue is going to be an easy task."

She paused.

"Well, I don't know for you two. For me, I'd probably make the professeur have an aneurysm trying to read my notes. It doesn't help that Dravanian is all just ancient transliterations from then til now." Nomin ended her statement with a sheepish chuckle.

"We've actually been debating what our essays should be about," Ysayle replied, sighing as she plopped her elbow on the table and placed her cheek on the palm of her hand. "I wanted to do an essay on the unification of Hraesvelgr and Shiva creating peace between Dravanian and old Ishgard all those years ago. Estinien wanted to do an essay on Nidhogg's fury turning into a millennia-long war after Ratatoskr's murder. You can imagine we have some…differing opinions on the subject."

Estinien shrugged, letting out a small 'hmph' of annoyance. He then leaned back in his chair, his manner blasé as he refused to comment on Ysayle's explanation to Nomin. Even if they had been relatively decent friends, they had debated often on what was right or what was wrong with Coerthan and Dravanian history, being some of the more fervently involved students of the subject.

“Regardless, I suppose two different historical essays aren't a terrible thing to brainstorm on - especially if it helps with ancient Ishgard and the exam that's coming up with that. I’m sure that the professeur will appreciate the effort at the least," Ysayle sighed, an almost dreamy quality to it as she adjusted her posture to sit up straighter.

"Hm, well… then I really doubt my notes would help, actually…" Nomin said, more for Estinien’s sake than Ysayle's. Her tail slowly curled to the side, a pensive expression on her face. "I can't actually imagine I'm more versed in Coerthan history than either of you."

"I'd still appreciate the notes when we make time for our own study session," Estinien commented, lacing his fingers behind his head as he kept his attention pointed away from either the auri or fellow elezen.

Nomin glanced at Estinien curiously before she looked up when G'raha's notification sound played on his phone. He had stood up with a grin before pumping a fist. His tail wiggled joyously behind him as he addressed those present in the area: "the deliveries are here!"

“It’s about bloody time,” Lyse piped up, standing excitedly from her study group. “I’ll go with you to pick it up!”

“I’ll go as well,” Estinien offered, standing. The chair he had been sitting in stuttered as it slid backwards. He joined with the others, a couple extra hands tossing in their offers as well, given how many people were actually there to study. Thancred and Hien were others that decided to help out -- and good thing they did, because when they had all returned, their hands were relatively full, not to mention the driver that had made the delivery had come back with everyone, their own hands full.

A halfhearted cheer from those that had been awaiting food filled the room. Soon enough, the tables were crowded as the students picked around and got the meals they had ordered. Nomin, too, received her meal; a waxed cardboard box from The Dazkar Huntress that housed four buuz, and four khuushuur. She could feel her mouth water as she looked at and smelled the food.

Collecting her box of yummy goodness, Nomin went back to where she had been studying history with her group. However, she paused when she glanced in Estinien’s direction. Now that he had helped with bringing in the food with everyone else, he sat alone, only drinking from a water bottle that he brought with him.

Glancing down at her box, Nomin’s tail twitched and then slowly curled before she walked over and offered the box to Estinien. When he looked down at her, she simply smiled.

“Not hungry,” Estinien said.

“You’re the only one without anything to eat.” Nomin replied with a small huff. “Besides, I ordered a bit much. Four of each? I’d be full before I even started on a third of either of what’s in here.”

Estinien pursed his lips, narrowing his eyes at Nomin all the while. Eventually, a defeated sigh left him before he reluctantly reached into the box and pulled out one of the khuushuur.

“And you’re certain? You didn’t order more as a means to have some left over later?” Estinien pressed, pointing one end of the khuushuur at Nomin. In response, Nomin smiled innocently, her tail curling from side to side.

“I have food at home, you dolt. Plenty of fresh fruits and veggies,” Nomin playfully replied. Though she attempted to keep up this playful facade, she really did worry about Estinien and how he tended to treat himself. “Just eat it; I’m more than happy to share. I’d feel bad if you left study famished when everyone else had something before going back home. Besides, I’m sure Aymeric will be happy to scold you over me if he finds out.”

“Hmph…” Estinien frowned before taking a bite of the dumpling. “Tell him anything that leads to him interrogating me and we’re not friends anymore.”

“Then eat.”

[paintedscales]

a03 :: Markets

Newly released from the infirmary, Nomin gets an unexpected visitor and takes a trip to the markets of Sharlayan.

A Soft™ Fic Prompt Meme

I may have gotten a bit carried away with where everything was going.

Word Count: 2,845

In the days that Nomin rested and recovered at the infirmary, she learned that Estinien brought her some gifts in the bag he had brought with him during his first visit. Nothing new, though appreciated all the same. Things he knew Nomin cherished, just to have them while she was confined to staying there.

Her shagai and her copper pendant were two of those items. Estinien knew of the copper pendant -- what significance it held for her. Though he bided his curiosity on the bone dice in the blood red leather pouch.

Estinien’s nightly visits became common over the rest of the days Nomin was required to recover. Though he had his own room and board, he often simply found respite in sitting at the bedside and laying his head on Nomin’s lap while she read or sketched. Sometimes he would listen to her read some of her stories aloud, finding himself lost in her voice as he allowed the words to create imagery in his mind’s eye. Sometimes he would simply doze as Nomin ran her fingers through his hair.

Eventually came the day that Nomin was finally granted leave of the infirmary, and the first person that greeted her was G’raha. His ears perked with joy upon seeing her, and a relieved expression bloomed on his face as he rushed in to give Nomin a big, long hug. All the while, his head rested at the nook of her neck and collar while a smile grew upon his lips.

Of course Nomin reciprocated, enjoying the feeling of having one of her friends there.

Warm.

Welcome.

… Tangible…

Most importantly: real.

“My friend…” G’raha sounded as if he were holding back tears. It was near enough to make tears start stinging Nomin’s own eyes once again that week.

He, along with a handful of others, had not visited the infirmary while they took care of other matters in Sharlayan after the Ragnarok had returned. As Nomin had heard it, a number of chirurgeons had come and retrieved her from the craft on a stretcher after she succumbed to unconsciousness once again. They, and the other Scions at the time, were eager to get her proper care.

Estinien and the twins had really been the only three that had been the most available. Estinein, of course, had the least to contribute to Sharlayan’s research and findings overall. As for the twins, their father often found himself coddling them -- a notion that Nomin could only imagine after having been present for Alisaie’s griping about it. Evidently, this all afforded them the most amount of time to check in on Nomin over the others. Often, Nomin had been the audience to Alphinaud’s sulking over his lack of involvement at times.

“‘Tis so good to see you hale and whole,” G’raha said, a small shake to his voice. He let go of Nomin and composed himself. His smile was infectious, and Nomin returned it warmly.

"And it is so very good to see you, Raha," Nomin replied in kind as she adjusted the satchel that rested on her shoulder and then rubbed her eyes. "I hadn't been expecting you -- nor anyone, really. But I'm glad all the same."

"I've been helping Krile organize and take care of the Annex. Biting my nails all the while as we only heard updates from the chirurgeons, twins, and one time from Estinien.” G’raha replied, immediately breaking into a tangent. “'Well,' they often told us; 'she's been recovering well.' Alisaie was always quite spirited when she spoke of your recovery; surely she's eager for a chance for any moment of her brand of sport against you. Alphinaud also tells us you've been painting again."

"Mhm," Nomin affirmed. "It was something to do -- a comfort to fall back on."

However, Nomin found herself curious as to Estinien’s take or reports. If he made any at all.

"... Has…Estinien said anything?" Nomin questioned, bringing a hand to the strap of her satchel and starting to walk toward the exit of the building. G'raha followed close behind, soon falling into step next to her as he caught up.

“Hm?” G’raha’s ears twitched forward with consideration as he held his chin between his thumb and index finger. “He never said much. If you want something he said verbatim… ‘She yet draws breath. Let that be enough as she rests.’ Other than that, he never gave the impression he visited often.”

G’raha’s words did not surprise Nomin. Of course Estinien would likely keep to himself, or he simply made himself scarce overall.

A smile tugged at the corner of Nomin’s lips as she pulled the door open and stepped out into the sunlight with G’raha alongside her. Her smile widened as she took in fresh, crisp air before tightening her coat around her to contend with Sharlayan’s natural chill.

Being out of that stuffy infirmary was so freeing!

“Well, my friend…” G’raha started, not taking the same amount of time to appreciate the fresh air as Nomin. “Have any ideas in mind for what you’d like to do first? We still have a good fortnight or so before the ship is ready to take us back to Eorzea proper.”

“You know… I don’t think I ever got to visit the markets Sharlayan has to offer,” Nomin mentioned, thinking about it. She looked over her shoulder and gave G’raha that same warm smile. “Alphinaud must have gotten his start somewhere when it came to art growing up here. I’d love to browse the wares the markets have when it comes to sketch journals, paints, brushes, and other such items. I feel like I’ll have much more time in the coming days to focus on committing vistas to paper, hide, or canvas.”

“Then let us be about it!” G’raha eagerly replied, his tail flicking upward along with his ears.

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

There were some slight aches and sores that came back to haunt Nomin even before she made it to the markets with G’raha, but she powered through them. They were nothing compared to some old instances, after all. At least, that was what she attempted to convince herself of.

With her leave from the infirmary, Nomin intended to make the most of it -- and so she did as she poured over the wares on display. Books, trinkets, garments, salves, and tools -- all that and more had been on display.

G'raha found a prank glamour prism on display while Nomin perused, applying it to himself in that brief moment. A mustache of neon green sprouted underneath his nose, and his eyebrows became bushy caterpillars of the same hue. Nomin could not help but to laugh once she looked over at him. With a laugh of his own, G'raha puffed out his chest and placed his hands on his hips, showing off his new look.

Nomin, on the other hand, once she went back to looking around, found a rather gaudy shawl and draped it over herself with a flourish and a twirl. The metallic threads glittered in the sunlight, sparkling in a dazzling array of silver. As they continued, Nomin had been prone to goofing off with G'raha.

So long as they were able to have fun and laugh about it, it seemed to have been shaping up into a day well spent. Especially after being cleared from the infirmary.

Eventually, they finally made it to a stall that carried art supplies. Blank canvases of all sizes were kept safe under shade and cloth protection. Paints of many different hues lined the wooden shelves. Moleskin and leather sketch journals were stacked upon one another, their blank pages begging for creative release. Their brush sets were…

"... There…there aren't any brushes?" Nomin could not hide the dejection in her voice as she looked about the shelves. Her brow knitted together with a hint of disappointment. Even G'raha's ears drooped a bit when he heard her tone.

"'Fraid not, lass," the stall owner said. "Sold our only set around noon."

“I…see…” Nomin frowned and looked back at the other goods offered for sale. She lingered on some paints and eventually chose some colors that she had yet to experiment with, and then took up a leather bound sketch journal. She paid for them and got them situated in her satchel before she and G’raha took to leaving the markets.

“Surely they’ll have a new set before we leave for Limsa Lominsa,” G’raha said, doing his best to be optimistic for Nomin’s sake. He forced a sheepish smile, and a hand was brought to rest upon the auri’s shoulder.

“Perhaps. I never got an opportunity to see what Sharlayan had to offer for painters… What with all our own and the star’s concerns taking precedence,” Nomin replied. She managed a ghost of a smile in G’raha’s direction before she started to walk toward the Annex. “But…I’m glad I got to see and even purchase something. Besides, I probably have enough brushes as it is. You know, some of them haven’t even seen use yet?”

It was clear Nomin was attempting to remain optimistic.

The walk continued on like that. G’raha let Nomin speak, only asking a couple questions every now and then about her art, her hobbies, and things of the like. She was happy to speak at length about painting -- how she got into it, how it was always there as a source of comfort and joy in her youth. All things that G’raha had not really known about till then. They had little time to speak of such things in the past, as it turned out.

Plus…it had been a nice distraction from the disappointing lack of brushes that could be purchased.

In time, Nomin and G’raha made it to the Annex where they parted ways. G’raha spoke of how he probably should have returned to Krile’s side to help with more organization and documentation.

While it seemed to Nomin that it felt like something was being left unsaid, she decided not to question it as she walked the familiar path to the room that had been lent to her during her stay there in Old Sharlayan. She listened to the click of her boots echo in the marbled halls before she finally paused in front of the all too familiar door.

Raising a hand, Nomin hesitated. She was not quite sure why, either.

A deep breath was taken and Nomin’s hand found purchase on the handle, pushing it open. The familiar sight of the room greeted her. But so did the unfamiliar sight of banners, flowers, and presents.

Her free hand went to her mouth, a swelling in her heart as it did. For Nomin could not believe the sight. The unfamiliarity yet sincerity of it caused a welling of aching warmth to overwhelm her as yet another barrage of tears spilled from her eyes. She walked forward, hand slipping from the door and allowing it to silently swing shut behind her.

Welcome back, Nomin!

Feel better soon!

The Grand Companies of Eorzea pray for your good health.

Slowly walking toward one of the chairs, Nomin slumped in it as she did what she could to process her feelings.

It was no hero’s welcome in the sense that she experienced before with raucous applause and whooping… Still, it allowed her to pour her emotions completely without the audience of anyone else but herself.

Reaching over for one of the cards, Nomin looked at it. A crude drawing of a little miqo’te child was on it with their hands in the air -- presumably cheering for Nomin, who was drawn next to them. What struck her more was that the child who made this did not draw Nomin’s horns or tail as black, but blue.

Opening the card, Nomin read the messy scrawl: Thank you foR saving the staR. MaMa n papa thank you too. I’M gonna be a big sisteR soon, n i’M hapy I’ll git to see my new sisteR oR bRotheR.

Nomin brought her hand to her heart, a smile growing on her face as she choked out a relieved and touched laugh.

“By night’s good graces…” Nomin breathed, moving her hand from her heart to covering her eyes as she leaned back in the chair. Seeing the card really put things into perspective at the gravity of what she and the other Scions accomplished. Now that she had the time and air to breathe, she could actually process everything. All the decisions and actions that culminated to this point.

Moments passed, and Nomin still clutched the card. She had no idea how long it had been, but she had dried her tears with that time. The lingering burn was still there. She took the time to feel everything until a rapping came at the door.

Sniffling and wiping her eyes once again for good measure, Nomin placed the card down and approached the door. She was surprised her Echo had not alerted her to the presence of others. When she opened the door, the welcome sight of Alisaie, Alphinaud, and Estinien greeted her.

“You’re actually here!” Alisaie exclaimed, grinning as she elbowed Alphinaud in the ribs. “I told you she would be.”

“So you did,” Alphinaud defeatedly admitted with a sigh, rubbing where his sister struck him. However, as defeated as his tone was, he looked back up at Nomin with a smile both upon his lips and evident in his eyes. Estinien’s own expression had warmed, his mouth curling into a gentle smile once he saw Nomin out of her infirmary garb and more in her usual attire.

“Are you amenable to visitors at this time?” Estinien asked.

Nomin chuckled silently, opening the door wider for the trio of elezen to enter in. “Of course. Please, make yourselves comfortable. Not that you would need my permission for that last part.”

“The last time I was here, we were all having a meal together,” Alisaie said as she breezed past, walking over toward the pile of presents that had been set upon the table. She picked up one of the smaller parcels, glancing over it before turning an amused look in Nomin’s direction. “It’s a good thing we had no intention of eating in since it seems our dear hero has quite the load to bear with all these presents and well wishes.”

“Speaking of which… We have something for you!” Alphinaud announced, looking rather pleased with himself. It seemed evident beyond words that whatever they had for Nomin, it was his idea or suggestion. Alphinaud then looked toward Estinien and motioned toward Nomin; “Estinien, if you would, please?”

The former Azure Dragoon shrugged with a sigh, unable to mask the slight smile on his face while he approached. It was only then that Nomin noticed the paper-wrapped gift tucked under his arm. He set it down on the table before Nomin and lingered. All three of them seemed to have been waiting for Nomin to tear into it to see what they had gotten her.

Tentatively, Nomin reached out, glancing between everyone before she finally started peeling back the layers of paper.

The iconic sigil of the Sharlayan shell was the first thing she noticed; its emerald visage striking upon the wooden box. The second was the polished horse chestnut’s golden hue with its darker mottling; a wooden case. For a time, Nomin found herself just admiring the color and sheen of the box.

“Well don’t just stare at it! Open it up already!” Alisaie excitedly urged, placing her hands on the table and leaning forward.

Nodding, Nomin unclasped the box and opened it. The sight within made her gasp and drop the top of the case back on itself with a sharp snap! She clutched her hands to her mouth to stifle her surprised gasp. Once she collected herself as swiftly as she could, she opened the box again. Nomin pushed the top wider so that everyone could behold the contents: a collection of twelve paintbrushes neatly packed within, their hardwood handles painted that emerald green of Sharlayan, copper ferrules tightly hugging cream colored bristles to the handles securely.

“You…you were the ones that bought the last set at the markets?” Nomin asked, still gawping at the brushes.

“We’d all gotten word that you were to be released today,” Alphinaud responded, taking a seat opposite of Nomin. “Given that you expressed an interest in collecting paintbrushes when we were in Ishgard, I thought it a meaningful gift if we were to pick you up a set of Sharlayan make.”

Alphinaud paused.

“You…do like it, yes?” Alphinaud questioned with some hint of uncertainty.

“O-Of course I do!” Nomin exclaimed, standing suddenly and looking up at everyone with an expression tinged with a sense of worry. Slowly, she leaned back in her seat, a hand raising so that she might caress the painted, polished wood of one of the brush’s handles. “This…this is genuinely one of the most thoughtful gifts I’ve received in a long time.”

Expression softening, Nomin smiled warmly and genuinely.

“Thank you all for this. I love it.”