#WoL Adjacents
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" once you're stripped clean, what's at your core?" Quiz
Got tagged by @sylaurin to do this quiz here. So, without further ado.....
Y'dehlya Rhikta:
acerbic wit
you're a mentor — an old scarred wolf, an injured soldier, a disgraced paladin. your teachings read as shamelessly pretentious, speaking in rhymes and biting down hard into anyone stupid enough to make the wrong move. this isn't your first life, nor your second, nor your sixth — you'll make the most of your time shackled to this world, no matter how many loops it takes to get it right. with every defeat, you reincarnate; a little smarter, a little quicker, crueler and nastier. will you choose to be brutal, equalizing, that final strike in the face of your enemies? will you go soft, become tender and domesticated? the choice is yours. it's not like i can stop you.
Actually yes, this fits her. But I feel like this answer is also a reference to Persephone and a sign that I should develop the idea that her reincarnations up until Y'dehlya have been going up against Ascian plots since time immemorial.
U'reksh Tia:
rippling sunset
you’re the nicest person i’ll ever meet, probably. with an undying passion to protect those who can’t protect themselves, you’re energetic and bubbly to a fault. it’s cute, watching you run around trying to tie up loose ends. i feel bad for you — out of everyone you know, you probably have some of the deepest trauma, more than anyone’s aware of. this isn’t something that you want attention for at all, and you’d really just rather forget it exists at all… even then, it seems like you can never escape it. i wish you a pleasant rest of your life, full of rippling sunsets and free of prying eyes.
*looks at the MSQ* Yeah. Yeah....
But probably also like the above answer, but with Ares.
Kouh'to Rhikta:
warped metal:
it's not working out the way you want it to. no matter how hard you try to look scary, the very picture of karmic retribution, your efforts will inevitably fall short. you're out of place here, a broken doll and a used marionette. there's nothing to gain in pretending you can't be hurt like anyone else. there's nothing to gain in pretending you aren't human, that you're made of twisted steel and distorted memories. embrace your humanity. embrace your vulnerability. give in to trust.
Honestly yeah, this one really fits him. Poor boy. But he gets there...in like, Endwalker.
Tagging....Hey @sasslett, @calico-heart, @avalon821, @pangolinheart, and you, if y'all are up for it.
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hey guess who I drew again
full spicy pic over at cohost or twitter!
#sid's art#ffxiv#not WoL#triad of light au#she's adjacent anyway#for once it's just nudity but i don't trust tumblr
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Lian and the Capitalist Fuckboy AU 5/?
1. 2. 3. 4. 5 (here) 6.
…because it certainly couldn’t be that…
By the time Lian actually woke up, only the wound on her left cheek required the green paste. There was a great deal of crying and even more working, trying to catch up on everything they’d both missed during her illness. Of course, Lian wasn’t allowed to work. She lounged on a padded chair in the inner courtyard while Mingyun, Minghong and her assistant worked, occasionally fielding her questions.
Minghua and Mingzhu rearranged and redecorated the manor with the help of the family’s servants from the main house. Mingtao had taken over the kitchen, since all of the servants that worked in the Kugane house had been given a nice vacation as a reward for tending Lian during her illness. Mingyu escorted his parents back and forth between the main house and Kugane.
Hancock promised his own assistant a vacation once he’d caught up on everything. Catching up involves several long meetings with Lolorito discussing strategy to recover from the perceived weakness of the slow down.
Their business partners seemed more understanding than their Uldan counterparts would have been, but the world hadn’t stopped, despite how much it had felt as if it was going to.
It’s only after a month that most of the Feng family returns to the main house. Mingyun and Minghong stay to keep Lian from working, but the others leave one by one. The manor shows signs of them long after they’re gone. Hancock wouldn’t have classified it as undecorated or unlived in before, but he internally conceded that was his own cultural ignorance now that he could see the difference.
Mingyu and Minghong had aether crystals scattered around for their magics, as well as thick mulberry paper, carefully sculpted plants, an array of staves and cases of chalks, tinctures and elixirs.
Minghua and Mingzhu left behind paintings-in-progress, to be finished on future visits, fans both as wall-decoration and weapons and mounted calligraphy that Hancock suspected had some kind of secondary function. Though Lian’s regular cook had returned from vacation, the recipes were definitely ones
Mingtao left instructions to be made and featured a startling array of deep-sea fish and plants Hancock had never heard of before, let alone seen or eaten.
Mingyun had small writing desks and brush sets conveniently situated around the manor.
Lian’s parents had erected a shrine for their ancestors and mounted their wedding robes and jewelry for display in one of the sitting rooms.
It’s during their first dinner alone again, her brothers eating at the holstelry with clients, that Hancock asks, “Should we start moving back into your room?”
Lian ducks her head down with a blush. “Ah, that is our room, now. My parents were upset I was still in my old room. They said I should have moved into the master suite when they gave me control of the business topside. ‘Filial piety is all well and good, but there’s an image to maintain.’“
“Can’t argue with that,” Hancock says, sure that Lian had, in fact, argued with her parents about it. He takes a sip of tea. “Lolorito got in touch. Apparently, there are people from the Far East, and I quote, ‘sniffing around asking questions’ about me. Do you know about that, or should I be worried?”
Lian covers her eyes, “Ahhh! I didn’t think it would be so soon.”
“So you do know about it.”
“Yes.” Lian takes her time answering, eating as an excuse. “You, of course, agree with me that it was most likely the Blessing of the Moon that saved my life.”
Hancock nods.
“The elders and my grandparents are not of that opinion. They believe it was a sign from the Heavens. And further that in order to fulfill Heaven’s will, we should be married.”
Hancock freezes, cup halfway to his mouth. From what Mingyun said, clearly Lian’s brother had thought, but for Lian to confirm it! And for such a reason! But then his thoughts hesitate and he lowers his cup to the table. “Why are they investigating me? I assure you, I am not secretly an Uldan prince. My mother may not have married my father, but I do know who he is.”
“No, no, it’s not that. Whether or not they find you suitable has been overridden by what they perceive to be Heaven’s will. They aren’t trying to legitimize you, they’re trying to find your eight characters.”
“My what?”
“The time of your birth, down to the hour. Families exchange this when arranging a marriage and give the information to fortune tellers, who determine auspices dates for the couple to be married. It’s one of the early stages of negotiation.”
At the activation phrase ‘negotiation’ Hancock’s bashful reticence disappeared like it had never been. “Negotiation. Yes, you mentioned it was very much like a business contract. When will I be brought to the table for these?”
“Traditionally, never.” Lian pauses, then waves her hand. “That’s not strictly true, but it’s complicated. The point is, your family is supposed to negotiate on your behalf, but since your mother and her family has passed and you officially disavowed your father upon making your fortune, my nainai has been drafting the contract herself.”
“That won’t do at all,” Hancock says. “Especially not if I’m marrying in. I was paying attention when you discussed Mingyun’s prospects over the last month. I love you dearly, but I won’t agree to a contract that was never advocated on my behalf.”
Lian bursts into pleased giggles and grabs his wrist. “I was going to bring it up. I didn’t realize nainai was this impatient. You can swear someone in as foster family and they can negotiate. Or if you were ever formally apprenticed to someone you trust to handle it.”
“Well then,” Hancock says, pleased. “Well then, indeed. I do think Lolorito would love the opportunity to negotiate with your family.”
Lian’s smile is sharp and predatory. “Don’t think he’ll be able to get one over on nainai just because he’s a member of the Syndicate.”
“Oh he wouldn’t enjoy it if it weren’t a challenge. In fact, I think giving him this may make us even.”
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ask 1 of 3 because I fully expect complicated to essays to this as you answer for practically all of your WoLs
8. How did they feel about the liberation of Ala Mhigo? Do they feel it could have been handled differently? Where they at all bothered by how they were involved?
{original question collection post - curious about anything else?}
Oh you are absolutely getting essays, especially with that intro and this question.
The matter of Ala Mhigo and its liberation is something that (un)surprisingly deviates from canon in the fact that all four of them deeply care about seeing it liberated. That resistance you see in canon is non-existent here in part because one of them is Ala Mhigan. You also get the eventual inclusion of W'khittri - another Ala Mhigan - but she's apart of the later groups.
(more below, as usual)
The liberation of Ala Mhigo was a fight they'd wanted to get in on since after becoming a team in ARR. Once they realized how well the four of them worked together and they shared similar goals, that's always been on the agenda. Seraphin is from the region and has family stuck in Little Ala Mhigo; Teodore employed Seraphin, sure, but he would see the nation liberated just from how he's seen its treatment at the hands of the Alliance; Gwendoline is effectively an underground chirurgeon that's been taking care of the medical needs of Ala Mhigan refugees who fled to Gridania yet were scorned by the nation, so she's got no delusions over what needs to be done; and while Surkukteni doesn't have many personal ties outside of Seraphin, she is the adoptive daughter of a war refugee (Kitase, a Doman) and would put herself into this for Seraphin's sake alone yet she has so many things pushing her towards this fight. They were planning on helping with the liberation effort after the Praetorium, but of course the Banquet.
The liberation of Ala Mhigo varies in how you get to the jump from Rhalgr's Reach to Kugane in this canon because the group has more political investment in this campaign than canon wol does (yes I'm still angry that "this isn't my fight" is an option to pick but not for Ishgard? the fight you were forced into?). This all started as far back as Surkukteni forging better ties between Little Ala Mhigo, the U Tribe, and the Amalj'aa groups - first the Brotherhood of Ash, and then slowly working with the tempered tribes. This was the backdrop of ARR for her as she helped them build up an alliance against the Immortal Flames and Ul'dah, which put them in a position to be in on Ilberd's plans since the four are significantly more involved earlier on. It means they have an easier time pulling him out of canon trajectory, they manage to keep him alive, and while he still does a lot of what canon dictates, his staying alive is to be a counter to how Raubahn just melded in with Ul'dahn politics (specifically the Syndicate?) while leaving Ala Mhigo by the wayside. Ilberd helps them integrate more with the Resistance, they spend a lot more time with the Ala Mhigans, and then Rhalgr's Reach falls and the party is now split.
Their main regrets are the fact they couldn't get to it sooner and so many people suffered as a result of it. The Dragonsong War was something they never intended on getting involved in, yet they got swept away in it and two of them came out of it really fucked up (Seraphin's left leg was mauled and struggles a bit with tanking, while Surkukteni nearly died against Nidhogg and lost a large chunk of her left side - both have limps, both struggle with their original jobs, and it sucks). They regret that they weren't as thorough that they could have been, but especially that they were put into a situation where they did have to split between Ala Mhigo and Doma - Surkukteni and Gwendoline went to Doma with most of the extra party members while Seraphin and Teodore stayed behind. Even though Seraphin wanted to stay, he still feels awful that he's not as useful as he could've been. Even though Surkukteni wanted to help Doma, she's still pissed that the cost of getting more military support for Ala Mhigo was the political freedom of her birthplace.
Surkukteni could've gone without Hien's involvement and the interference into the Steppe's rite of succession just to get more aid for Ala Mhigo, could've gone without getting further disabled by Zenos to where she effectively gave up on ever being a Dragoon again, could've gone without Papalymo's and Conrad's deaths, and really could've gone without the nasty attitude the Alliance took when she began to help the Resistance. Gwendoline - as someone who goes to Othard - shares many of Surkukteni's regrets.
Seraphin could have gone without some people (a fair number of the Scions, unfortunately) questioning his involvement and his commitment. He would've preferred if they could've dealt with it without having to bargain with other nations just to ensure that his parents could return home. He wishes they had, had a stronger front against Garlemald when Rhalgr's reach fell, and it makes him sick to his stomach that they weren't there sooner since so much of the physical home that his clan and his adoptive family used to live on is now just decimated by the Garlean's conquest. Teodore - similarly - shares a lot of these regrets.
The original WoLs wanted to be involved in Ala Mhigo's liberation and were building up rapport with both the Resistance and various factions impacted by Garlemald's campaign, but the Dragonsong War threw a wrench in all of that and caused so many problems within the group that required them to seek the aid of nations that wanted nothing to do with this conflict. They could only throw around their titles so much, and the only wish they had acted sooner and more efficiently - then maybe they wouldn't have lost so many people.
Bonus: mentioned the Amalj'aa here briefly, but this aspect is something that is a really major part of my rewrite. It's involving the tribes more into MSQ, and this aspect is how it doesn't really make much sense for the Ala Mhigan refugees to be automatically against any of the Eorzean Tribes considering how they are with the Ananta. While it's understandable that there are a great number of tempered factions, I don't feel like it's very fair for them to hold that same animosity that the nations do to even the non-tempered. Hence the arrangements struck between Little Ala Mhigo and the Brotherhood of Ash before it expanded to the three main groups of Southern Thanalan excluding anything associated with Ul'dah. This carries over to various Amalj'aa joining in the Resistance effort, wider ties with the Eorzean tribes, and eventually you see a fair number of people not aligned with the Eorzean Alliance working within Gyr Abania for the liberation of Ala Mhigo (so the energy we see in 5.4 and on but much earlier), and it's in part intentional to humiliate the Alliance into doing something. This is an entire thing that I can very easily ramble about, but basically just to summarize: the Grand Companies have to be coerced into fighting on the side of Ala Mhigo in canon, so the solution in the rewrite is to not rely on them and instead rely on bonds that the WoL group have formed over the course of their adventures - which means everything's gonna look a bit different.
Tl;dr: they weren't upset that they were involved; they were upset that they weren't involved sooner and only could do so with all this needless baggage.
#original#ffxiv#final fantasy xiv#mxkelsifer#asks#answered#answered wol question#answered wol questions#writing#also notably but unrelated but ishgard's own relationship to the adjacent tribes is entirely different and doesnt frankly need repair#because im geeenuiineellyyy sick of how the tribes are treated#it's the only major arr nation that doesnt really seem to care that much about the existence of the tribes and their interactions with#tribes like the vath and the vanu vanu imply they have a Very different relationship compared to the rest of aldenard#so im taking that and ala mhigo's attitude with the ananta and make them the fkn sane ones because Im Tired#also i really dont get how ishgard and gridania are the allies when rhalgr is halone's dad like come the fuck on#basically the grand companies needed persuasion. ishgard needed no persuasion#because Im Fucking Tired
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This is such a villain fit, i hope some other ppl will join me in putting their awful lil blorbos in it! 👀
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Love imagining that in both my WOL ship and in an Estinien ship, Gaius is, in fact, not the space heater in bed: they are.
(Gaius absolutely snores and sleeps deeper than he has in decades when he gets to share a bed with either one of them. Their pure radiating warmth reminds him of times curled aside a ceruleum heater.)
#i feel like e.stinien being warmer than most is a common headcanon post hw#and. my WOL is fire aether adjacent. like her mana signature is fire#so she runs Very Warm too#g.aius waking up a full 12 hours later with drool on his pillow because a.lta removed her warm hand from his back to shower. lol#ⅹⅳ tertius oculus ( hcs. )
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#several days late to 'reacting' ig but I dont have much to say about dawntrail other than im excited for it!#im not really big on pirates or pirate adjacent stuff so im meh about it but YIPPEE NEW CONTENT#also I think itd be nice for wol to go on a nice relaxing trip with the scions for once instead of having to fight The Horrors#not to say there wont be horrors in dawntrail but surface level its just a fun little trip :)#though im gonna need to upgrade my graphics card before it comes out... its literally At the minimum required hardware#its also 8 years old and im running a two monitor setup so Im due for one anyway bc it is c r y i n g#cal speaks
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Kogami must remind himself that Othard is no longer his hunting ground to patrol and keep an eye out for since he has duties that place him everywhere else, but old habits die hard, and when the soil is beneath his feet, he can’t help but go about his old wanderlust ways, looking out for any stragglers in need of aid or unruly monsters to fell. Better he than his past Sekisegumi coworkers that would turn a blind eye to those things, anyway.
It’s a rainy afternoon, so he doesn’t expect many people to be out, though he’s heard rumors of a fox creature of sorts making an appearance in the Yanxian fields, spirits wandering about and taking men to their graves in the river.
Kogami is no stranger to folklore, and had once heeded cautionary words in regards to them, but there’s something he can only describe as odd in the air that takes him closer to where he’s heard some of the rumors take form.
He feels chills in his spine, a tingle in his tan scales, but his curiosity drives him further. He passes wildlife undetected; while his instincts tell him to turn back, he persists until he encounters a natural crossroad, and a tall man and a miqo’te woman who have their backs turned towards him. They don’t appear to be from here, he thinks, as he inspects their clothing, but then he spots the familiar, rotund form of Namazu just past their legs. With the man’s body language, he can assume that they’re talking, but Kogami knows from experience that they’re likely up to no good.
And, being the good Samaritan he is…
“Oi, oi.” He says, approaching the group. “What do we have going on here? You’re better off not sparing any gil, if that has anything to do with this.”
@amaeranthos - for hildy!
#v: forge ahead. — ( ffxiv )#i left it entirely ambiguous on whether it's scion-adjacent kogami or if it's wol kogami! <3#but!!! the setting is as we discussed but this time ..... namazu#by this，and this only，we have existed. ∶ ( ic. )
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@battlethrill : ✿ [ 𝙿𝚁𝙴 - 𝙴𝚂𝚃 𝚁𝙴𝙻𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽𝚂𝙷𝙸𝙿 ]
FRIENDSHIP. childhood friends / work buddies or coworkers / family friends / friends with benefits / smoking buddies / adventure buddies / fake friends / recently friends / party buddies / friendship of need / dying friendship / circumstantial friendship / partners in crime / old friendship / [ your muse ] is the good influence / [ your muse ] is the bad influence / [ my muse ] is the good influence / [ my muse ] is the bad influence / opposites attract / ride or die / frenemies / roommates or flatmates / penpals / exes to friends / enemies to friends / other
ROMANCE. childhood sweethearts / [ your muse is mines ] childhood crush / [ my muse is yours ] childhood crush / exes / exes to lovers / forbidden lovers / highschool sweethearts / secret relationship / opposites attract / long distance / unrequited [ from your muses side ] / unrequited [ from my muses side ] / unrequited [ from both sides ] / skinny love / friends to lovers / enemies to lovers / spurious relationship / power couple / newly entered / soulmates [ metaphorical ] / soulmates [ literal ] / awkward / turning toxic / toxic love / cheating [ on your muse ] / cheating [ with your muse ] / other
FAMILIAL. siblings [ half ] / siblings [ step ] / [ my muse ] is an older sibling figure to your younger sibling figure / [ my muse ] is a younger sibling figure to your older sibling figure muse / [ my muse ] is a parental figure to yours / [ my muse ] is a child figure to your muse / guardian figure / legal guardian / adoptive child / foster child / [ your muse ] is taken under mines wing / [ my muse ] is taken under yours wing / other
ANTAGONISTIC. dangerous to each other / dangerous to others / unpredictable / rivals / petty / developing into sexual or romantic tension / based off family matters / based of off circumstance / based of professional matters / based off misunderstanding or lies / conflict of ideology / betrayal / hero - villain dynamic / enemies / fight club / friends turned enemies / lovers turned enemies / exes turned enemies / other
#battlethrill#➢ asks .#i left familial blank bc while i myself didn't see any of those working out i am still#open to if something happens to align itself for them down the line maybe like the possibility of found family ?#if it happens to go that way. some kind of dynamic adjacent or like that idk so imma just let it lie for now fjkkgjlhj#also can we talk about how technically mana's beef with zenos deadass is like 80% circumstantial bc they just#so happened to be on the sides they were on as wol / prince of garlemald respectively like#and can we also mention how i wish in end/singer zenos was more than just a mf platform i had such hopes when they had him#bust in like that but then he just. did nothing#NOT EVEN ANY VOICE LINES ?????#PAIN#fight club is just#idk i just think everyone should have a pal a friend an acquaintance just someone you can punch and get punched by#and have that be totally chill. its like ur bi weekly schedule#honestly i just picked out things i thought could be interesting and would kind of still align to both mana n zenos properly so feel free#to tell me ur thoughts on this
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FFXIVWrite 2023 Prompt #28: Blunt
blunt (adj.): having an obtuse, thick, or dull edge or point; rounded; not sharp
Rating: T
Word Count: 178
Asahi looked back over his shoulder at the Scions. "Don't try to follow me. I had more of you people than I could stomach in life, nevermind in death." He said scornfully, earning him a glare from each and every one of them.
"Likewise. I pray we do not meet again." Alphinaud replied. Asahi turned from them and began to walk away. Kouh'to grabbed his Blue Magic cane and silently approached the specter, briefly turning back towards the rest of the group with a warning glare in his eyes and a finger to his lips.
"Hmph. You had better hope not." Asahi continued disdainfully. Just as he was about to fade into the aetherial sea, Kouh'to smacked him in the side of his head with his cane, a loud cracking and splintering resounding across the platform they were all standing on. Asahi fell down with a yelp as he faded away in a hazy purple cloud.
Kouh'to looked at his now-broken cane, then back at the Scions. "I have been wanting to do that for a long time."
#ffxiv#ffxivwrite2023#endwalker spoilers#asahi sas brutus#WoL Adjacents#My WoL Adjacents#Kouh'to Rhikta#Yes. he broke a BLU cane on Asahi's head
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I know shippy stuff and canon-adjacent stuff is popular and I'm certainly not dissing those. I like them too, they're a lot of fun! And AUs are great, I have so many!
But man, I wish there was more... idk, emphasis and exploration of the FFXIV lore, and those moments that have to have happened but aren't shown on screen - talked about and written about and illustrated here on tumblr.
That's usually been my favorite part of fandoms, discussing the lore with other fans in-depth and sharing theories, and seeing how everyone's characters would handle those big or quiet moments from the story itself. Exploring how a game mechanic/boss fight would feel from a story perspective, and what it would mean to the characters.
It's not entirely absent from here, but even when I make my own meta posts, even if they get lots of notes, I tend to see very little discussion added compared to what I'm used to from other fandoms. And when new patches come out, there's not a lot of deep talk about the story itself circulating. Maybe I've just been lucky in my previous spaces!
But... I want to know how the WoL and Graha bonded during the Crystal Tower raids. Did they sit around the campfire at night and talk? Did they drink and sing and laugh and argue?
What was it like, recovering from Ultima Thule? How did it feel to set out on the road again, leaving the title of Scion behind? Did they give their friends a tour of Ishgard? Did they visit Edmont? What was it like in the trenches of Ghimlyt Dark, for these characters who have never seen war before, versus the ones who have? Did the WoL help stabilize Lakeland, and tend wounded after the sin eater attacks?
I want late night study sessions with the twins, bittersweet work in the hot sun rebuilding Ala Mhigo, learning to fight on dragonback, Hraesvelgr's brood visiting Ishgard on diplomatic forways. I want snarking with Emet Selch while you help people with "side quests" in Norvrandt. I want gentle moments with Ryne on the road because if anyone understands the suffocating feeling of immense responsibility Hydaelyn and Minfilia have dropped on that child, it's the WoL.
What was it like for the WoL to fight the pirates in Sastasha? To see the women taken captive there? To see the Drowned mutilated by Leviathan's tempering? How did they handle the narrow tunnels and rickety elevators in Copperbell, and the giants angry after centuries of unjust imprisonment? Did they step in Aurum Vale's goldbile and have a shoe burnt off? Did they bring a pet korpokkur home from the Arboretum? Do they carry scars?
Do they take the manacutter out for joyrides? Did Grani recognize the color of their soul, and choose them over the tempered twist of Emet Selchs, or did Emet charge his familiar with looking after them? Have they ever been robbed in Limsa Lominsa? Did they ever buy loinfruit?
Does that goobbue sproutling grow up? The coerl kitten become a battle steed? The wolf pup a guardian? Do the sylphs play games with the WoL when they visit the Shroud? Do they carry a polished shell to remind them of their Clutchfather? Do they stop by the guild to check on the Deftarm whenever they're in Dravania?
What was it like trekking the spindly mountains of Othard, riding a Yol for the first time, seeing the endless plains of green, and the dead white of the Burn?
Do they still have nightmares about Haurchefant, or are they good dreams remembering his smile? Did he teach them to make hot chocolate? Did they stay up all night when the Scions lost their souls, waiting by the bedsides with a candle and feeling helpless?
Do they visit Amaurot, even after Emet Selch is gone? Are they still trying to remember? Did they look up at the night sky in Elpis and feel an indescribable sense of loss?
Was there ever a moment in Endwalker where they almost became a Blasphemy themselves? Did they ever answer Venat's question? Do they know that the love their friends had for them, saved them?
#idk its SUCH a good story and theres so much cool lore#i want to keep digging into it and i miss having a community focused around that aspect of a game#ffxiv#ff14#wyn gabs#manifesto#apparently lol#autism brain go brrrrrrr#text#shadowbringers spoilers#endwalker spoilers#long post
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So how was stormblood? I know it's very hit or miss for people, so what're your thoughts?
I understand why it’s hit or miss! It — to get to the point i would be straight up lying if I said I was an unbiased consumer because I’m not, I’m a coastal American mid 20s rando with a Lot of very current cultural baggage around concepts like patriotism and freedom. And Hamilton references. It all has a sweet and strong and very anti-occupation message (along with themes I very much enjoy dissecting like the constant assertion that it Doesn’t Have To Be This Way, or the expansion into You may not understand this person but you must be able to accept them,) but when combined with Stormblood’s shakier coherence in writing and dialogue and pacing, it comes off as A Bit Off. to me. And I think it missed ever so slightly just due to how it was all structured and set up with the characters we have and motivations we have because the stuff OUTSIDE or Adjacent to the main story, despite how out of place it could feel, was structured great!! Like the Kojin and the Ananta trial and the Kugane mishaps and trying to murder Zenos twice and the ghost ship. Could the main structure have come across very well yes absolutely! It does it on and off it succeeds in there often! But sometimes it doesn’t. I can see a lot of where concepts were promised and not fully delivered, pacing was a bit off, things just happened without really belonging there (despite how much I loved Susano, he could have been better structured. same with many instances and also I feel like the unethical science should have been MORE IMPORTANT THAN IT — maybe it comes back. Who is that scientist.), sometimes dialogue felt somewhat canned. I feel like in a consequences-heavy expansion, many things just didn’t have important consequences, which was very strange
HOWEVER! I cannot give the new gameplay features abd dungeons any crap they are all SO GOOD. And so PRETTYYYYY. And there were so many solo duties that ruled! Every dungeon in this expansion was like whoa this is a PLACE im in you know what I mean??? I’m in a place that’s big and there’s people and there’s NEW MECHANICS and active time maneuvers (??!!!!!!!) and unique fights! I can jump on the roofs in Kugane! And, mind you, when the dialogue was good, it was good. Lyse has a fantastic voice actor. Alisaie is my favorite girl elf creature in thw world. Estinien is like the best p- the guy ever. also m’naago is my new friend. The tower was a great part of sb to me despite my singular gripe. I think Zenos’— I know it’s controversial to some people because he does assume your wol to be a bit more murderous than some people would prefer their characters be and doesn’t take no for an answer, but his um speech did something to my brain a little bit
ON that note the ending was very fast?????? Or like — not FAST, but I wasn’t expecting Zenos or Shinryu to go down in one fight. Two co-op fights, right next to each other. I kind of wanted to beat him up myself. And when Zenos was so impossible to beat before. I was expecting both of them to be WAY harder. Though Shinryu is a COOL fight I’d do the royal menagerie again in a second. I was kind of expecting a three stage trial? Like Nidhogg? I love going into space hiiii big dragon where were you this whole time… u were shafted… but u could not be suffered to live so. Maybe if we’d gotten an instance of fighting the dragon alone after beating the trial?? Could have been Themes. I don’t know
anyways no I can’t quite pin it down, but I’ve said it before I think they had the outline for the story and then built it and went oh this is too much and not enough at the same time and got stuck writing the whole thing after getting stuck in the story they already had. A COMMENDABLE job for getting turned around like that, way better than a lot of video games stories out there, good gameplay and areas that didn’t feel too empty. glances at coerthas falcons nest area. I think the ways they did the exploration thing was good, having us venture further into occupied territory etc, but so much exploration stuff felt oneoff and not there to do much for someone who has been skipping almost all of the side content except stuff I’ve been told is good. It almost felt like they were Trying New Stuff a lot, and some of it succeeded some of it failed. Such is trying stuff!! Such is trying to imitate what you had while making something new and exciting! And I can’t fault them for that
so like — putting aside the fact that I haven’t done post-sb which is like missing 40% of the Thing according to past expansions and my thoughts very well might change, i would 100% do the fights again, maybe watch some cutscenes, but I don’t think I’d NG+ this one. where is that lady selling buuz it is a CRIME i did not get to have any buuz let me buy one yoshi p
#hi Zenos I’m not going to go get tea with you but would you like to drown in a swamp with our antlers locked until someone’s head gets#ripped off and the other guy has to carry it staring at him for the rest of his miserable existence#play game#I can’t stand you as a horrible person or cancerous political presence. I bet you want to rip my throat out about it#u want me to fight you so bad it makes you look stupid#stormblood spoilers#maaah I don’t want to put my thoughts in main tags I’m writing a 30 minute high school English essay. Just grabbing thoughts and going#the more I think about it the more I think shinryu NEEDED a second one player fight#every other final fight has been multiple tri- wait well. Hm. Nidhogg was a patch quest.#no I stand by it the final HW fight was a cliffhanger so u knew a bigger fight was coming. Shinryu needed a second stage you had to fight#alone with your teeth and claws. Kill the eikon yourself; eikon-slayer. what else could you do. Nothing#nothing but kill it#This was always meant for you#maybe with Zenos inside losing control of it? maybe with him snarling at us the whole time. idk idk#I am starting to feel embarrassed for typing so much and having raw unrefined thoughts so that means I have to hit post#AND SHINRYU WAS SUPPOSED TO BE STRONGER THAN BAHAMUT I don’t know
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Lian and the Capitalist Fuckboy AU 1/?
1. 2. 3.
Rokkon Spoilers Adjacent
AKA. No Traumatic Backstory AU!
Context: Lian’s parents were together against the wishes of their own parents. They very much wanted to be married, but both of their families were influential and extremely against it. There wasn’t a great reason against the match, but once Lian’s parents started rebelling, both families doubled down.
Unfortunately, this only drove her parents to be more certain. In the end, they intentionally got pregnant to force the issue. This resulted in Lian. Lian’s grandparents had fraught relationships wit her parents for years.
By the time her first younger brother was born, Lian’s parents had been brought back into the fold and restored to their positions as their families’ respective heirs and her brother (and successive siblings) were given names with the generational character (Ming) like their cousins. Lian’s name, however, was not changed at this point. She was left without it because she was her parents darling, cherished, first child and her grandparents didn’t want their displeasure to be forgotten.
(this didn’t stop her grandparents from doting on her, but the undercurrents were there, you know)
The divergence comes when Lian is ~22. In most universes, she catches the Blue Tongue Flu, brings it back to her city and disaster, but in this one she simply didn’t contract the illness from her hyur contact.
Starting around age 18, Lian met with her parents’ contacts on the surface and learned business first hand. It didn’t take long for her parents to realize she could understand all of the foreign languages perfectly. When presented to the community elders and when combined with her gift for magic, they declared her Blessed by the Moonlight (what they called the Blessing of Light).
She was then pulled between expanding her skills as a merchant and expanding the family business now that they wouldn’t have to deal with communication issues and the Elders’ insistence that she focus solely on her magic to one day take on a position as one of their own.
After the trouble caused by her parents’ marriage, Lian has come firmly down on the side of filial piety so she only practices as much magic as her grandparents instruct and devote the rest of her time to their businesses.
By the time the Seventh Calamity strikes the world, Lian’s family business has an official office in Kugane where their long-term partners are equal parts disgruntled (to have their business shared among others) and pleased (more and better goods). While Lian is the primary figure at the Kugane office (thanks to the Echo), her erdi Mingyun and sidi Minghong are functionally fluent in Hingan and often take shifts on the surface.
One year after the Calamity, there’s a huge scuffle on one of the piers in Kugane. While Lian usually stays out of such things, she felt a surge of highly attuned aether and went running. She quickly boarded one of the Kraken’s Arms’ ships and saved captain and crew from a nasty Ananta relic that they’d bought from a shady contact of their own.
Carvallain was encouraged by his local friends to acknowledge a life debt to Lian and they made an agreement that Lian, as a master mage, would look over relics the Kraken’s Arms brought into port, sorting them into Dangerous, Just Enchanted, and Actually Worthless It Just Sparkles along with first crack at purchasing any she wanted.
With her elaborate hanfu, xizhang and bright disposition new arrivals to Kugane don’t recognize her as a merchant at all. It’s like this that she first meets Hancock in the small museum open to foreigners. She clocks him immediately as a merchant, but approaches as a friendly fellow-foreigner. She listens attentively as he explains what he knows of the pieces, what is commonly known in Eorzea about such things and his thoughts based on the academic writings he’s come across. In turn, Lian details her own people’s perspective and thoughts on the Hingan art and goes into depth about the painted screen donated by her great-grandparents and still on display.
The next time they meet, Hancock is eating in the market, a variety of local foods spread out on the table in front of him. He’s still making his way through trying everything. Hancock compliments Lian on her Eorzean and she explains she has a gift that lets her communicate with people in any language and she doesn’t quite control it. If someone speaks to her in Hingan, she will respond in Hingan, but she won’t know what language she’s speaking in, only that it’s not her own, so while she suspected they had been speaking in Eorzean she had no way of being sure.
Hancock, of course, has read mentions of the Echo before and explains what the Eorzeans think about the gift, as much as he knows, at least. At this point, he is certain that she is an adventurer, dressing nice both to impress future clients and to show off her successes.
It later, when he’s trying to make a deal with a Hingan merchant, that Lian arrives for a meeting with that self-same merchant, still immaculately put together, but this time trailed by visible servants and a made-up assistant. Hancock is quickly ushered out, so quick he hasn’t even settled on his reaction.
In the end, he’s charmed that he’s been fooled. He’s observant and well-trained from Ul’dah, but this is far from the first example of him not accounting for the massive cultural differences. He makes an appointment with her offices to see her, but when they meet in a business context, Lian is all sharp politeness and refusals to make any deals with the East Aldenard Company. Her people have no interest in his goods and have several very good export contracts already.
He good-naturedly teases her about how differently she acts in a professional setting and they are somewhat friends.
While Hancock does ask her for advice on dealing with Hingans, she is bolstered by generations of contracts and a culture much more closely related to Hingan. They keep the relationship purely social, though Hancock will occasionally ‘shoot his shot’ at a business deal, it is mostly for a joke.
Lian takes to cooking for him because she’s a consummate older sister and, if she’s being honest, more than a little lonely being separated from her large family. She knows it’s for the best, given the Echo and the competitive advantage it gives her, but she is still a stranger in a strange land, even if her home is much closer than his.
Eventually, Hancock makes a romantic overture, and Lian doesn’t react immediately. She’s pleased, she’s concerned, she’s confused, it’s a lot. No one’s been romantically interested, that she knows about, and this is... not how it’s done back home. There’s a process. Rituals. All of both families are involved and it’s more-or-less only pursued as a precursor to marriage.
But... She has been in Kugane for several years. She is friendly with Carvallain, she is aware that the rest of the world does not do things in the same way. Shyly, she explains the broad strokes of that to Hancock, who is nothing but polite about it. He doesn’t want to make her uncomfortable or push against cultural boundaries. Despite how ruthless he is in the business world, Lian does believe him based on their interactions up to this point.
She tells him she’ll think about it.
Her eventual conclusion is that what her grandparents don’t know won’t hurt them and while Hancock isn’t personally going to gain her any leverage via a relationship, exploring how other people court can’t really hurt, right?
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do you really have three WoL-adjacent OCs if you don't make them do a Singin' in the Rain pastiche
#ffxiv#tonkatsu udon (wol)#elezen#gposers#ff14 gpose#shio soumen (wol)#ton gpose#ceres bellum (wol)#hyur
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Four times Scions assume the nature of Hallima's relationships, and one time they are completely wrong.
Wol: Hallima, Au Ra he/they. Occasional vague references to other WoL's
Timeline: ARR to vaguely mid-EW. Explicit spoilers for ShB and Dark Knight HW quests.
rating: T (swearing, references to sex)
Pairings run the gamut from traditionally romantic to found family to queerplatonic to friends with benefits, inlcuding but not limited to:
WoL/Aymeric, Aymeric/Estinian, WoL/G'raha, WoL/Leofard (physical only), WoL/Estinian (estinian insists its companionably physical only but lbr he's Attached)
To say the entrance of what remained of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn into Ishgard had been a cold and miserable affair would be nothing short of an impressive understatement. Still reeling from the loss of their friends and on the run, even once they start to get their feet under them, ending the Dragonsong War and earning the respect of much of Ishgard’s historically xenophobic population, they generally had greater things on their minds than something as petty as romantic entanglements.
It was a missed opportunity of unfortunate timing, looking back. Haurchefaunt could not have been more obvious in his intent, but the recipient of them simply did not have the attention to spare for them. Something which Haurchefaunt seemed to understand at least, even if that does not quite soften the sting of grief and lost potential. All present were aware of them though, even if there wasn’t space to act on it, and it is generally quietly agreed upon to let such matters lie for a time.
Which is why Alphinaud is rendered entirely at a loss for words when Emmanellain takes him aside to inquire after exactly that.
“I beg your pardon?” He has to make sure he’s heard right.
“Our dear old boy has made quite a name for himself you know, it would be passing strange if no one at all has made any advances on him.” Emmanellain nods with confidence, as if this makes perfect sense. Perhaps to him it does. “And as House de Fortemps leading gossip monger t’would be remiss of me not get my news direct from the source. Or direct adjacent to it at least.”
“I rather think we have more important things to worry about, don’t you?” Alphinaud holds himself steady, despite desperately wishing there were a nearby window he could throw himself out of.
“Not at all!” Emmanellain says cheerfully. “The dalliances of the nobility have ever been the subject of much gossip and scrutiny, t’would not be an exaggeration to say it is an entire realm of politics within itself! And our dear mutual friend most certainly counts after all he has accomplished.”
Something niggles at the base of Alphinaud’s ear, and he’s learned to listen to his instincts in matters such as these.
“How much gil do you have riding on the answer?” He asks. Emmanellain ducks his head slightly at having been caught out, but barrels on despite the flush dusting his eartips.
“That’s of no matter, old boy, truly. Even if I did not I would be curious as a dear friend!” Emmanellain pauses then, lowering his voice. “There are rather more nasty rumours attached to those one’s too, of course.”
“Is that a threat?” Alphinaud glares, posture tensing sharply with the implication. He hadn’t expected such a thing from the youngest Fortemps son, but then he hadn’t expected it from the Crystal Braves either.
“What?” Emmanellain blinks, surprised. “No, not at all. I merely wished to hear the truth from the chocobo’s mouth. Second-hand. Mostly because our dear Warrior of Light is surprisingly difficult to get a hold of.”
This is not Alphinaud’s experience, who hardly has to utter a word before Hallima would be there ready to offer advice or support. He rather suspects this is on purpose.
“Fine.” Alphinaud heaves a heavy sigh. “What rumours?”
“Oh a great many, but most recent are some sightings of him in the Brume. It’s all a touch confused, but there’s something about other dragon men and a lovers quarrel.”
“Well there definitely wasn’t a lovers quarrel.” Alphinaud snorts. Such a thing would require a lover, first of all. “But he has been spending a lot of time in the Brume and Forgotten Knight, that much is true. I believe he has taken up a mentor in knighthood there.”
“Oh?” Emmanellain seems delighted by this. “Perhaps this does explain some of the rumours, and the rest are simply exaggerations for a salacious crowd. Is he truly taking up sword and shield like Haurchefaunt?”
Emmanellain seems so hopeful at the prospect of the Warrior following in his departed half-brother’s footsteps that Alphinaud hesitates to answer.
“I do not know for certain. I know only that he has taken up the sword and meets with his mentor whenever he has a spare moment.”
“I see, I see.” Emmanellain nods solemnly. “Perhaps that is where the tales of lover’s quarrels arise then. T’would not be the first nor the last coupling that sprung from the heightened passions of battle and the tight bond between mentor and disciple.”
“I sincerely doubt it.”
-
The truth was this.
Meeting Sidurgu is…. strange. Amongst other things.
Past the obvious fact that they share a heritage and beyond the fact that Hallima is resolutely ignoring that first fact for his own peace of mind, there is something about Sid that feels familiar in a way he can’t quite pinpoint.
Sid is rough and blunt and not always quick to catch on, but who cares deeply at heart beneath all the carefully crafted spikes and scales of his past. Rielle is small and quiet and still learning to unearth the firebrand wit and bullheaded stubbornness that her past tried so hard to bury. She reminds Hallima of Minfillia, were Minfillia an elezen girl of barely twelve summers and a parental unit who does not deserve a title so kind as ‘mother’.
But Sid reminds him of… someone. No one. He’s not sure.
It’s not Haurchefaunt. In fact Sidurgu couldn’t be more different from Haurchefaunt if he tried.
Maybe that’s it.
(It won't be for months yet that Hallima will meet another Auri adventurer, and weeks after that before they find their way to the Azim Steppe. Both of these things will bring answers and questions more in equal measure)
It’s obvious when they first meet that Sid and Rielle are both still grieving their lost friend, a friend that Hallima’s subconscious had stolen and appropriated in a way that thoroughly blurred the line between where Hallima began and Fray ended. Esteem slumbers now, curled deep within the Abyss unless needed, but to deny his existence is to deny simple reality. Many would have found that reality difficult to grapple with, but thankfully Sid is no stranger to the unorthodox ways the powers of a Dark Knight can manifest, and bears him no grudge for it.
Perhaps that’s why, despite Sidurgu by all rights being everything Hallima tends to gravitate to in a partner aesthetically- tall, elegantly beautiful, undeniably masculine- nothing ever quite arises between them. Perhaps he simply feels like he’s trodden upon Fray’s grave enough already.
Which in the end suits all of them just fine. Hallima doesn’t need that sort of attachment to swing by the Forgotten Knight just to share a drink and talk, or to be pulled outside by Rielle in order to engage in an impromptu snowball fight. They are brothers in arms, in the truest, purest sense of the phrase, united in the darkness of the Abyss.
Pain brought them together, and love makes them return.
-
(“Did you see the way he reacted?” Rielle asks, after Hallima has left and it is just her and Sid left in the Forgotten Knight.
“To what?” Sid glances at her, curious.
“Your story about the Orl.”
“What about it?”
“I’m not sure exactly… Almost like he was remembering it. Do you think something similar happened to him?”
Sid hums to himself, almost a growl in his throat, but not quite so menacing. It’s possible, no one seems to know much of the vaunted Warrior of Light’s past after all.
But there are certain things that… The warrior’s purely Gridanian accent, his obvious lack of knowledge for their shared history, the age wear on his scales that any Au Ra would have long since put a traditional balm on… Sid himself has lost much and more of his cultural identity since the family of his birth was torn so brutally from him, but he retains what scraps he can. Hallima on the other hand seems to know almost nothing. It wasn’t far fetched at all to think another tribe fleeing the Steppe may have met a fate similar to his own.
“Maybe…” Rielle bites her lip, unsure if she should continue. “Maybe you’re not the last Orl.”
“Don’t be stupid.” Sid snorts. “He’s not Xaela.”
But even to him the excuse is weak. He remembers there being at least two Raen amongst the Orl, either married or adopted into the family in the course of their escape from the Empire. There may have been more, but the memories are too fuzzy and distant now to be sure.
He does remember the day a new babe had been born into the family, though mostly for how he couldn’t ride in the cart that day and the next as a result, and his feet had hurt terribly by the end of it. His father had carried him when he could, but at ten summers Sid was quickly getting too big for such extended exertion, and could only do so for short periods.
He remembers sneaking into the cart in the dead of night to stick his tongue out at the sleeping babe and mother, childishly upset at being put out and wanting to vent his frustration. Both had slept on entirely unaware of him, and he’d left feeling foolish but calmed. He doesn’t remember what either of them looked like, shrouded by memory and darkness.
“I guess it must’ve just been that Echo that people talk about then.” Rielle says, and Sid doubts she’s completely bought his deflection but she lets him have it anyway.)
-
It was no secret amongst the Scions that Aymeric was courting the Warrior of Light, or at the very least attempting to. If the many letters and gifts did not give it away, then Alphinaud’s tales of the utterly besotted looks that Aymeric would give said Warrior certainly would.
The question was not whether Aymeric was attempting to court the Au Ra. It was whether his affections were reciprocated.
“Hallima is a bit… inscrutable in these matters.” Alphinaud admits as the group sits around a table in the Rising Stones.
“Mayhap he simply has no interest in them.” Y’shtola says, paying full attention to the conversation despite initial protestations at its silliness. “Some do not, after all.”
“Minfillia was like that, wasn’t she?” Alisaie asks, and Y’shtola nods.
“Aye, oft did she tell me that she could not imagine an individual love eclipsing her love for Eorzea as a whole.”
The pang of loss stings still, but there is comfort in discussing their lost leader in this casually fond way.
“Hallima’s not though.” Thancred shakes his head, arms crossed.
“How do you know?” Alphinaud tilts his head, genuinely confused. Thancred shrugs.
“I just do. I’ve got a sense for these things.”
“For all save thineself.” Urianger says just evenly enough to give lie to the dry humour beneath. Thancred flicks his fingers at him, but the action lacks any true annoyance.
“You better not have slept with him.” Alisaie warns, pointing a finger at him like a sword. Thancred puts his hands up defensively.
“Come now, what do you take me for? He’s not my type. You know, the feminine kind.”
Alphinaud fiddles with his cup intently, while Alisaie stares flatly at Thancred, and Urianger coughs under his breath. Y’shtola hides her expression in her tea.
“What?”
“None of this tells us if Hallima is aware of Aymeric’s advances.” Alphinaud taps his fingers to his cheek thoughtfully. “It’s possible he may have interest but simply does not know the intent behind the gestures.” This is a silly use of his intellect, but it’s nice to use it for something less serious once in a while. Like having a sweet after weeks of nothing but Archon Loaf.
He doesn’t actually mind Archon Loaf all that much, at least not compared to many, but he could still enjoy the sweet all the same.
“Well, if you ask me, and you should,” Tataru speaks up as she approaches the table, arms full of a large platter replete with snacks, “I don’t know if Hal knows the more noble courting gestures, but he definitely knows the language of longing looks and lingering touches.”
“And how do YOU know that?” Alisaie says, scandal in her tone. Alphinaud raises an eyebrow at her, surprised at her reactions. Usually he was the prudish one (in her words).
“I pay attention.” Tataru winks, passing the tray up to the table for all to reach.
“Well, we know he is not of any noble house.” Alphinaud says.
“Obviously.” Alisaie snorts. “If there was a noble house full of horned dragon people anywhere on this continent I think we would know about it.”
“Indeed.” Y’shtola idly rubs a finger along the rim of her cup. “It does make one wonder how he came to be in this part of the world. His kind are not a common sight beyond the far East.”
“Forsooth,” Urianger says quietly, unheard by all aside Y’shtola when the snack platter is nudged the wrong way and clatters loudly to the floor to the dismay of all. “I believe he dost not know.”
-
The truth was this.
Hallima has had less and few opportunities to explore things like relations and relationships in his largely brief time of being properly aware of them as a concept. Which is to say this is why he entirely missed Haurchefaunt’s intent until he lay dying in his arms, by which point it was, of course, much too late.
This event did prompt Hallima to pay more attention to these things however, and thus did in fact catch on to Aymeric’s gesture’s fairly quickly, with only a few stumbling blocks in the form of how Aymeric is also simply just… Like that. Particularly with Estinian. A fact which neither of them bring up until months later when Hallima stumbles into Ishgard looking more than a little haggard and exhausted besides.
“I feel as if it’s been an age and more since we had the chance to talk.” Aymeric says as he fills a pair of cups with a wine he has been saving for just such an occasion. “Even by letter, you are a difficult man to send mail to.”
An understatement if there ever was one. Hallima snorts and takes the offered cup, drinking long and deep before relaxing back into the too-plush chair with a sigh.
“Though by your countenance I surmise that your tales of late have not been entirely joyful.”
“You could say that.” Another understatement. Hallima doesn’t really want to talk about the way the Scions appear to be dropping like flies to some mysterious malady, or how much sleep they’ve been losing worrying about Alphinaud and his self-imposed mission to Garlemald. “Tell me about Ishgard. How the changes are coming.”
“As you wish.” Aymeric nods, and so he does. It’s nothing Hallima doesn’t already know really, having seen the fruits of his labours whilst travelling through the Brume and during his visits to Sid and Rielle. They let Aymeric’s voice wash over them, soft and smooth and a balm against so many other worries.
They don’t even realize they’ve dozed off until what must be much later, still sitting in the plush chair but now with a crick in their neck and a blanket draped carefully across them. Candlelight flickers beyond closed eyelids and the sound of a quill on parchment the only noise. They are still in Aymeric’s study, and apparently the man had no issue with a sleeping Au Ra occupying his spare furniture while he worked.
They rub the crust from their eyes with a wince, trying to gauge the time but all they can really gather is that it’s dark as pitch through the windows, which tells them only that it is somewhere between dinner and breakfast.
“Ah, you’re awake.” Aymeric looks up from his parchment with a smile. “Forgive my leaving you to your rest, but I thought you might need it.”
Hallima nods, but does not elaborate. They still don’t really want to talk about it.
“Sorry about that.” They say instead, attempting and failing to smother a jaw-cracking yawn.
“No need for that. If my friend needs to recoup his rest in my study then that is what he shall receive.”
“Is that what we are?”
Hallima blames their sleep addled state for the blunt slip of the tongue, but thankfully Aymeric seems neither surprised nor offended by it.
“First and foremost, yes, of course.” He says carefully, setting his quill down to give Hallima his full attention. “But if you mean in regard to the possibility of us being something else… Well, perhaps that is a conversation long overdue.”
Perhaps it is. It doesn’t still the nervous beat of Hallima’s heart. They nod.
“First before all else I must ask you; Hallima, is a relationship something you want?”
“… I don’t know if that’s something I can give.” They admit, wincing at the necessary honesty. “Even if I weren’t always pulled hither and yon I’ve never felt the call to stay in a single place for long.”
Aymeric’s smile is soft and he shakes his head.
“Nor would I expect you to, but that isn’t what I asked, my friend.”
“I…” There are so many things, so many reasons, they bottleneck in Hallima’s throat. “I’ve never…”
“Would it help, perhaps, if I made clear what it is I would beget from such a connection?”
Hallima nods. Aymeric stands then, moving around his desk and kneeling in front of them, his expression serious but not hard.
“I would have your company when you have time to give it. The chance to lavish you with affection and gifts and whatever you should wish for that you cannot attain yourself. I wish to give you a place you may always return to, whensoever you may want or need.”
Aymeric takes a breath, but he’s clearly not finished, and Hallima waits, heartbeat pounding in their ears.
“By that token I do not require what some may consider part and parcel of such a relationship, though I would welcome most all the same. I would not tie you down like a bird within a gilded cage, either physically or emotionally, nor do I require what most would consider the… consummation part of things.”
“You can just say sex.” Hallima says, feeling a touch light headed. Aymeric gives a small chuckle.
“Indelicately, yes. I would most certainly welcome it, but only at your own comfort. Which brings me to an important… Consideration, if we were to go through with such a partnership.”
Somehow this grounds Hallima, and they start to feel steady again. They are used to things being asked of them, but more than that they need this clarity.
“Which is?”
Aymeric takes a deep breath, for the first time looking a touch nervous himself, worrying a strip of fabric between two fingers in a subtle tell that Hallima only sees because they know to look for it.
“You are aware that Estinian and I are… close, yes?”
“Yes…?” Hallima tilts their head before realization hits them with the force of stampeding chocobo’s. “Oh.”
Aymeric’s smile becomes thin in the face of Hallima’s apparent shock, and it makes Hallima wonder how many of these conversations Aymeric has had where this was the point where things turned south.
“Indeed. To put it bluntly, Estinian and I have had our arrangement for a great many years now, and I will not abide jealousy or possessiveness where he is concerned. If this is not something you believe you can do I ask that you say so now, I will judge you not for it.”
Several things click into place in Hallima’s head and heart at once.
“You’ve been scorned for this before, haven’t you?” Is out of their mouth before they can think better of it, followed quickly by a wince and, “Wait, that’s- you don’t have to answer that. Sorry.”
“’Tis a natural curiosity.” Aymeric’s chuckle is sincere at least. “Aye, I have. Not all are suited to an arrangement like this, and many simply cannot fathom splitting romantic commitment twixt multiple partners. As stated, I judge them not for their natural inclinations, only regret in their poor reaction to anything different from their own.”
They’ve seen enough of Ishgard to know how rigidly the state adheres to the familiar, both for survival and comfort. Hallima can only imagine how carefully Aymeric had to tread with something that would have so easily invited scandal at best and accusations of heresy at worst.
Hallima may not have known such a thing was even possible a bell ago, but already it feels as natural as breathing to them.
“Doesn’t seem that strange to me.”
“Full glad am I for that, then.” Aymeric’s smile loses much of its tenseness. “I take it you are not opposed..?”
“Consider me fully in favour.”
-
Aymeric doesn’t get much more work done that night.
-
All things considered Tataru Taru manages to establish a solid network of gossip and information from her seat within the Forgotten Knight with astonishing speed. Such was the talent that she had recently discovered in herself, and one she was determined to put to full use. For the good of Eorzea of course.
Being as how the bulk of her experience lay in being tender to the Scion’s collective coinpurse, it thus made sense that she grew to know who was of like inclination in the area as well. So it was that when a hyur woman took her seat next to Tataru, Tataru was not at all surprised by it.
“Stacia.” She greets, barely looking up from her mug (watered down, but alcoholic enough to keep an appearance).
“Taru.” The Red Bill Pirate greets in turn, motioning to the bartender for a drink.
“I hear you’ve picked up an adventurer to help with your recent troubles.”
Tataru expects her to play coy, make her guess, but instead Stacia grins.
“That we did. And you’ll never guess who.”
Tataru feels like she can, actually.
“The bleeding’ saviour of Ishgard himself!”
Got it in one.
“Well well, lucky for you.” Tataru means that sincerely. “I’d say your problems are all but solved now.”
“Well, not quite yet, but it’s looking a damn sight better than it was before. Not to mention the Captain has taken such a shine to him, it’s right nice to see.”
Tataru squints up the pirate skeptically.
“We are talking about Leofard, right? The incorrigible flirt?”
“Oh he’ll flirt up one side and down the other, make no mistake.” Stacia nods. “But he don’t often mean it past a little fun. Wouldn’t surprise me none if he tried to talk Hallima into joining the crew full time.”
“He’s welcome to try.” Tataru snorts, taking a sip of her watered down beverage. Stacia chuckles.
“Aye, tis clear the Warrior’s heart is elsewhere, but even still. Even just making the offer means much from Leo.”
Tataru may not know the man herself, but she can imagine it well enough. Too bad for him, she rather doubted Hallima was the sort to be swayed by a pretty face.
-
The truth was this.
Hallima could definitely be swayed by a pretty face at least once.
-
(They part ways sated and on good terms with no strings attached. A night less about passion than about the feeling of safety without the burden of unresolved emotional baggage. Hallima has a standing invitation to come back anytime.)
-
It’s not that surprising when it’s Alisaie who confronts Estinian. Nor is it surprising that she does so alone, which tells Estinian that he is about to get an earful and a half from a child who stands less than half his height.
A bizarrely common occurrence since he had joined up with the scions, all told.
That said however, he has no intention of playing into whatever her hand is, so when she stands imperiously over him with arms crossed and glaring he responds by leaning back in his chair and staring right back.
She, predictably, hates this, and it’s not long before she cracks.
“What are your intentions with Hallima?”
Estinian blinks. Of all the things for her to take him to task for, he honestly hadn’t expected that one.
“What?”
“What. Are your intentions. With Hallima.” She repeats, as if he is a particularly slow and impetuous child.
“In what regard?” He waves a hand. “As a fellow scion? As Azure Dragoon? As brothers in arms against the end of all on this star?”
“As a-“ Alisaie flushes as red as her coat. “As a. Partner. Romantically.”
“None.” He answers frankly. Alisaie glares again.
“You had better not be lying to me. We’ve all seen you coming in and out of their room at all hours.”
“I am many things but I am not a liar.” Estinian huffs. “And what I, or the Warrior of Light for that matter, do on our own time is our own business I should think.”
“It is.” Alisaie admits, though it seems to cause her great pain to do so. “I just… Want to make sure they’re treated right. We all know how they tend to put all others above themself.”
Estinian feels himself smile a touch. This much is a fact, and he more than understands the protective instinct for a loved one; there are at least two bodies buried in the snows of Coerthas of some particularly unsavoury souls who had attempted to take advantage of Aymeric’s good nature and unorthodox relationship for blackmail purposes.
Aymeric doesn’t know of course, and Estinian is inclined to keep it that way.
He reaches out to put a hand atop Alisaie’s head gently.
“A noble cause.” He says. “And one I would likewise pledge myself to.”
Alisaie bats his hand away, trying and failing not to pout adorably at being treated like a child, but she seems mollified by his reaction at least.
“Well. Good then. Right.”
-
The truth was this.
Estinian and Hallima are assuredly not courting, though they do often commiserate on their mutual connection through Aymeric. This much was accurate.
They are also, and this Estinian entirely failed to mention to Alisaie, definitely fucking when time and energy permits.
Which isn’t that often all told, but such is the reality of being the hero’s of a star.
-
The truth is this.
Hallima has a type.
Tall, pretty, undeniably masculine.
G’raha Tia, by his own measure, fits none of these things particularly well. All things being a matter of perspective of course, he has long forced himself to be realistic where his personal hero was concerned.
Unfortunately he was not wrong to either. G’raha was masculine enough to be sure, but his is a boyish sort of charm, quite apart from the more measured and confident types he has seen Hallima drawn to time and again. The same could be said for his looks as well, G’raha considers himself to be rather middle of the road as far as aesthetic went, and while that did not bother him overmuch it did much to dampen his chances.
As for tall, well….
Every time he has to crane his head up to look the seven fulm Auri in their vibrant magenta eyes, G’raha knows he never really stood a chance.
Of course that would imply that he ever thought he had a chance before such preferences became clear, and that is nearly as laughable as said chances, but still. At a certain point it does feel a bit like the universe is laughing at his fool stubborn heart.
Not that any of this really matters of course. Even if G’raha had any plan for surviving past the hero’s return to the Source (he does not), all he truly wanted was to just.. Be there. By the Warrior’s side, adventuring and laughing and telling stories. What cruel irony of his own making it was that he cannot have even that, hidden beneath the Exarch’s mantle as he is.
But the Warrior will live. Hallima will live. And that is all that matters.
For both the star…
And for him.
-
(Hallima calls his name, and several hundred years of resigned determination crumbles like dust.)
-
The truth is actually this.
Hallima had a pretty good idea that he knew who the Exarch was from about…. week two. The only reason it took that long was because G’raha had glamoured himself quite thoroughly to hide his mi’quote traits, and obviously spent many years training himself to hide whatever other tells he could. Unfortunately for G’raha, Hallima had an uncanny ability to remember people, even amongst beast tribes that many had difficulty telling apart. It is probable that nothing short of a full fantasia transformation would have thrown them off for long, and the body dysphoria as a result of a transformation not fully wanted- as well as the rarity of the substance- just wasn’t worth it in the long run.
So yes, Hallima knew, and held their tongue about it. They didn’t know why G’raha was so intent on hiding his identity, whether to throw off some pursuer or perhaps had lost his memory or some other strange effect of Syrcus Tower, but Hallima had every intent of figuring it out before they went blabbing to all and sundry about it. Unfortunately whatever investigating they could do had to take place in between everything else, so it’s no surprise when they never really get anywhere with it.
In the end they run out of time, and as the Exarch steps forward in a blatantly fake attempt to play the villain, Hallima knows it’s now or never.
They call his name, his hood and glamours falling away, revealing his expression to them for the first time since the doors of the Crystal Tower had closed between them so very long ago.
He looks heartbroken.
Looking back, Hallima will realize this as a turning point, if a small one of many, but a significant one nonetheless. It starts to become clear just the kind of depth of emotion that G’raha harbours for them, and it’s… Intimidating. Something which almost rings absurd when it becomes clear that G’raha fully believes that he is far beneath the Warrior’s time or attention.
And yes, Hallima will be the first to admit that he has a Type. This much is most certainly true.
However, and this the perpetually self-doubting mi’quote had failed to take into account, it is not the only factor.
Did it mean that it took a bit longer for Hallima to notice said affections? Yes. Did it mean that Hallima had to spend a non-zero amount of time trying to figure out what they felt beyond pure physical inclination? Also yes. There was also the small matter of how G’raha had essentially been lying to them for months on end, and regardless of his understandable reasoning, that still stung a bit. Not enough to sour them, but it did add to the pile of complications Hallima needed to work through before their feelings could go anywhere.
All this was of course significantly stalled by the ever present threat of the Final Days and all that surrounded them, so it’s not until much, much later that Hallima finally gets to walk into Sharlyan and offer G’raha the one thing he wanted most of all.
“An adventure?” Red ears perk in surprise and excitement as Hallima talks various details with Krile. There is a long pause as he wrestles with his desire and his responsibilities, and then-
“Ohhh, go on, Raha.” Krile says with a laugh. “I can handle things here for a bit. Bring me back a good story, alright?”
Hallima finds himself grinning at the sheer, animated joy G’raha springs into with her permission, barely waiting long enough to put his books down before he’s out the door with a spring in his step and a shine in his eyes.
It’s this moment that Hallima wonders why they didn’t find him attractive before.
They wait a few days, taking the opportunity to finally spend some more low-stakes time together and get in some of that adventuring that G’raha has longed for. It’s the least he deserves after everything he’s given and sacrificed really. Hopping from place to place, solving mysteries and fighting monsters. It rings of a simpler time to both of them really.
It’s a beautiful night, the moon hanging full and bright in the sky, partial cloud cover and a lack of wind rendering the night temperate enough to make the campside fire almost unnecessary but for the kettle simmering just above the low flame.
G’raha pokes at the embers with a stick, sending a shiver of sparks into the air, a small smile on his face.
“A few more minutes, I should think.” He says.
“For your legendary hot chocolate recipe?”
“Did Lyna tell you that? Well, she may have over sold it a touch, and I am no culinarian, but I will admit that this one thing I can make to standard.”
“As long as it’s not sludge then it’s probably better than anything I could make.” Hallima says. “Seriously though, I’m sure it’ll be great, give yourself some credit.”
G’raha’s ear flicks, a pleased tell.
“I must thank you again, my friend. This trip has been nothing short of everything I had hoped for.”
���Good, I’m glad.” Hallima grins. “But we’re not done yet. We have at least another week or two before Krile will start expecting us back.”
“We had best make the most of it then.” G’raha meets Hallima’s gaze, relaxed and content in a way he rarely got to be, brilliant red hair lit to glowing in the dim firelight.
“That’s the plan.” Hallima leans back and closes his eyes, basking in the fire’s warmth and considering his next move.
And he would have to make the next move. Raha certainly wasn’t going to.
”Ah, I do believe it’s ready!” G’raha announces proudly as he lifts the kettle from its hook. Hallima waits patiently as G’raha sets about pouring the warmed milk into a pair of cups, adding a precise mix of chocolate and spices to them and stirring carefully.
“Thank you.” Hallima says when he’s offered his share, and the two sit quietly as they sip carefully on the drink.
“I was right. It’s delicious.” Hallima grins teasingly at G’raha, who tries to cover his flush with a cough, though the tilt of his ears betray him anyway.
“Very good. I wasn’t sure if it would be quite the same, as Aldgoat milk and what we used on the First is of a slightly different consistency and- ah. Anyway. I digress. I’m glad you like it.”
“Don’t stop yourself on my account.” Hallima chuckles. “I like listening to you ramble.”
“You say that now, but you’ll regret it by hour five.” G’raha warns, but his lips are turned upwards. “Even Krile tires of me after a long enough.”
“I suppose I will simply have to take a break by getting you some water. You must be parched after that long.”
“You tease, but truly there have been times where I could have kissed such a person for bringing such refreshments in the midst of a long lecture.”
“I’ll have to keep that in mind.” Hallima’s smirk does not lessen, and he rests his chin on the palm of his hand.
It takes G’raha a second to process that the intent of the tease is exactly what it sounds like, and from there he flusters adorably, ears flicking and eyes darting to and from Hallima several times in quick succession. His tail swishes wildly behind him.
“Ah, pray do not tease me so, I beg.”
“Hmm, I will try but the urge to make a dirty joke about begging is strong.”
G’raha groans and buries his face in his hands, embarrassed but not truly upset as far as Hallima can tell.
“Seriously though, G’raha.” Hallima leans forward. “I’m not blind, and even Y’shtola can see it. You’re one of the most stubbornly determined people I have ever met and that’s saying something, and yet…”
“What do you…?” G’raha lifts his head to look up at Hallima, confused. Hallima leans down until their noses are nearly touching.
“I know what you want.” He whispers. “Consider this your invitation to take it.”
G’raha stares wide-eyed up at Hallima, frozen.
“I- you-“
“Have I misread?” Hallima tilts his head just slightly, taking care not to accidentally catch G’raha with the tips of his horns with the movement. G’raha swallows audibly.
“No.” He finally finds his voice. “No, you have not. Forgive me, I did not expect…”
“Reciprocation?”
“Yes.”
“That’s my own fault, probably.” Hallima leans back again, sensing they will have to do some serious talking before getting anywhere. Fair enough. “In the First I wasn’t really… In the right mindset for that, and then the whole star was set to be wiped out and. Well. Needless to say I only just managed to spare Aymeric a visit last week, there just hasn’t been time.” And even in the brief moments there technically had been, such matters had been by necessity pushed far from the forefront of his mind.
“Speaking of Aymeric, are not you and he…?” G’raha fiddles with the bracers on his arms nervously. Hallima tilts his head again.
“You don’t know? I figured it would be common knowledge by now. To make a boring contract short and sweet, yes he knows and we are both free to bed and court who we will. Which is something you would have to be okay with.”
Hallima takes a sip of their rapidly cooling hot cocoa as he waits for G’raha to finish processing what he is being offered. It can be a lot to take in at once, he knows, but thankfully Hallima is nothing if not patient.
“You- Really?” G’raha seems to still be struggling.
“Am I really in an open relationship that you would have to be okay with being a part of if you and I were to court? Yes. Am I really open to the idea of courting you? Also Yes. Enthusiastically.”
G’raha laughs a little then, a surprised sort of sound.
“Forgive me, my friend, I have made a poor showing of myself and been nothing but tongue-tied. But if you truly do mean it-“
“And I do.”
“-Then I would accept.”
Hallima grins so hard his cheeks hurt.
“May I kiss you?”
“Please.”
-
Bonus:
“Ameliance have I mentioned lately that if you had even an shred of masculinity to you I would climb you like a tree?”
“T’would be a short climb for someone of your height, I’m afraid.” A laugh.
“Seriously though are you sure I can’t talk you into-“
“I am afraid not. Fourchenault may have his faults, but I do love him.”
“Okay but I have this mi’quote friend who would jump at the chance to court you properly. I’m just saying.”
“I shall take it under advisement.”
#HALLIMA FINALLY LOOKED AT G'RAHA#it is frankly absurd how long that took#anyway uhhhhhh i am not a romance writer despite how much ship fic i read#so hopefully this reads as only mildly awkward#this also ended up being way longer than i thought it would wtf#will i ever stop poking at Hallima's backstory? probably not#flight's making things again#fanfic#fanfiction#ff14#ffxiv#final fantasy xiv#final fantasy 14
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