#amh post

[yasmeensh]

Feeding a stranger.

Neanderthal woman and AMH baby :))

my beloved

#personal project #paleolithic #Neanderthal #I thought I posted this but discovered I haven't #I really enjoy drawing Neanderthals #AMH = Anatomically modern human

[calumhoodgoss]

Here for comfort because I FUCKING KNEW IT.

I'm posting from bed because I'm too depressed to get up.

OH MY FUCK I DIDNT EVEN NOTICE THAT

Crying

Screaming

Throwing up

WHAT DO WE THINK GUYS IS IT AN ENGAGEMENT RING

#im in denial #i cant believe she wouldnt post showing it off?? #like at least a little tiktok wearing the damn thing #wish that i could wake up with amnesia #also just had a huge stalk through a bunch of accounts and why is NO ONE TALKING ABOUT THIS #babes are you the first person to even realise it #an expert in our midst #5sos #5 seconds of summer #calum hood #almondmilkhunni #amh

[the-acid-pear]

smash or pass jeff the killer

Very funny MILO THE KILLER yeah I know it's you you changed your name and moved to Argentina to hide it but I know it ! ! 👿

Anyway, smash.

#luly talks #aaand post #asks #not-amh #fact that that joke is completely lost for the rest of the public enhances it. to me.

[blur0se]

#amh posting

[maladaptivedaydreamsx]

babe, we're in this till death to us part atp <3

#my post 📫 #aerin.jpg #l'hôtel.ikepri #ikepri.yves #abt; ikepri #ignore the balls looking heart.. i don't have the pretty hollow symbol one one the new phone... amh #smh*

[thegreatyin]

a short summary of my very serious and very intricate ragdoll lore except i don't explain anything and it's drawn in the shittiest way possible

#yes i know alphinaud didnt wear that outfit at any point in amh araeng however this is a shitpost and i can do what i want #yin art #ffxiv #the wildest post to ever grace the maintag of a fandom. ur welcome. #for those not graced in fantasy final lore all you need to know is catboys arent supposed to live that long. and ragdoll is dead outside #yes outside not inside #any questions

[nights-at-crystarium]

One of the biggest beauties of ShB is ambiguity. Personally I would've loved if there was no "right" side ever, but of course, the mmo medium needs bosses to fight, heroes need their villains.

We're told all the time, the Source and the reflections, the original and the copies, the greater and the lessers, but Lakeland, the place that welcomes us into a new [lesser] world, looks gorgeous, and the Crystarium's literally designed to be easy to love, no, not by the game devs, by the Exarch himself. However he couldn't have built it all on his own, countless people of the First must've contributed. It's not just a thing architected by a guy from the Source, it's a flower of the First, that one stubborn plant that grows in a crack of a paved road.

It's a post-apocalyptic world. The entire thing could've easily looked like Amh Araeng or the shanty town around Eulmore. People could've easily been as unlikeable as many of those who we save in the Source over and over again. Or at least, not interesting. Yet, this [lesser] world's vibrant and captivating, rich with history, albeit most of it's just hinted at, still, it makes you believe and wonder. You don't see the First as a lesser world as you walk it. I think it adds to the overarching theme of ancients vs sundered.

The dev effort that went into building a new world from scratch, making Norvrandt feel tangible, has paid off in so many ways, this being just one of them.

#ffxiv #shb spoilers #text post #analysis

[voidsentprinces]

Shadowbringers took Emet-Selch from ARR Lahabrea levels of mustache twirling, Saturday Morning Cartoon villain. All monologue and evil laughter while his evil boobs malevolently boobed down the Post-Stormblood's darker breast boobily and changed him into an actual character. And the first Ascian who actually spent time with us in a more meaningful way. Flipping them from one note, evil that must be defeated. To one we came to understand and a group that connected to our character's literal past reincarnation that we do not recall.

Additionally, atmospherically, Shadowbringers brought us to Post-Apocalypse that wasn't 28 Days Later, Mad Max or Rapture-esque. While pulling from all those series. Its a world 100 years after the Apocalypse was averted but still causes the world to live in its shadow.

This expansion seems to be the beloved darling of the community. Even topping Heavensward in most regards. But, also, personally, I feel like Shadowbringers is only good Shadowbringers for the last three levels of it. And rest is just so much set dressing and putting together the A-Team. For lack of a better comparison, 70 - 79 is our Avengers Infinity War. We get the band back together, fight off the big bad and actually almost win. But then we lose and we lose HARD and we spend a handful of quests somewhat wandering aimlessly until we resolve to go after the one who took victory away from us. That lead up, to me, is alright but the story didn't really HIT, outside of my long winded story analysis reasons, until we reach Amaurot.

Even its Post-Patches seemed to struggle to figure out what to do. Having Elidibus bounce hither and thither without the Scions really trying to stop him because, "We don't know what he is up to." which was counterproductively frustrating to me. You are literally not stopping and banishing the villain so the plot can happen. Alisaie literally kept tabs on the Warriors of Darkness because we were focusing on dealing with Nidhogg. Why the hell couldn't they have kept tracked and harassed Elidibus at least? But no, the sky starts to shower stars and then it is go time. And while To the Edge and the Seat of Sacrifice are awesome. My suspense of disbelief that our Scions would just shrug and only off screen keep tags on lesser Ascians and then just be like, "I dunno fellas, this here Elidibus is tricky." strikes me as dense. Like, this is denser than a dead star. They let things happen for the sake of it happening.

Bottomline, there is some wiggle room here. Shadowbringers may be the community's darling. But I wonder if, its just because we remember the super highs of Amaurot to Seat of Sacrifice. And kind of brush things like; the Ran'jit fights, the Supernatural problem of Lucifer's Cousin's Roommate being the big bad in Lunar Primals, Thancred's treatment of Ryne and Speedrunning him some redemption in the Amh Araeng second half.

I'm rambling now, as a whole. Did you enjoy Shadowbringers? If not why? Vote your answer and leave your opinion in the tags if you'd like.

Note: I am aware that the Post-Patch production was stunted by the COVID Pandemic. Still, I'd like your opinion about anything you felt lacking. Even with that dead whale hanging over the entire thing.

[brineffxiv]

Understanding hurts. He was just a little guy, and was doing his best to save his people, even though he could barely remember them.

Is that enough? I don't know that it's enough...

That does seem the most likely explanation. I've thought about it quite a bit, why would Emet-Selch make a plan to assist me in taking down Elidibus? And the best answer I can come up with, was that it was an act of compassion for his friend. He knew how fraught and lonely their struggle was, and he knew both who and what Elidibus was now and who he used to be. And he would have known how impossible that struggle would have been for Elidibus on his own. Emet-Selch was the ancients' last true hope for restoration; without him the fight would be an exercise in cruelty, for both sides. And so, knowing there was a legitimate chance I could kill him, he put contingencies into place for the constellation crystals to make their way into my hands.

The big outstanding question I have is, was that really him, or was it a shade he had constructed of himself? I lean towards it being a shade, just on the gut-feeling that it would be easier to attach a synthetic entity to the crystal than it would be to summon his soul from the aetherial sea. Also, if his soul could be called so easily, one would think it would be prudent to plan to restore himself to life. But then, there's quite a lot I don't yet understand about life, death, and rebirth in the world of this game... so perhaps there is still a chance it was actually him.

Oh, hi Beq Lugg. Sorry if I don't seem too excited: I've just been through the emotional wringer.

You don't know how big a relief that is to hear.

That is significantly less of a relief. I'd thank you all to stop talking before you give me an ulcer from the stress.

...I will not cry again... I will not cry....

My friends all have business to tie up and goodbyes to say before I take them back to the Source, so off they go. Alisaie invites the Exarch and I to accompany her to see Halric one last time. From there I travel to Eulmore to see Alphinaud and the Chais and continue the Exarch's tour of the realm.

Next stop is Il Mheg, and Urianger, who has found Ardbert's soul crystal, and bids me deliver it to Seto...

Where this beautiful interaction takes place. When he closes his eyes, Seto can sense Ardbert within me. And somehow, Ardbert is able to speak to him, one last time.

And I cry. Again. The crying just won't stop.

In Slitherbough, Runar begs Y'shtola to stay, which isn't possible. But he thanks her for everything, and Y'shtola swears that she will find a way to travel between the worlds and come back again. Because there are too many mysteries here yet unsolved.

On to Amh Areng, where I catch up with Ryne and Thancred on their way back from saying their goodbyes. And hey, a mention of Gaia outside of the Eden raids!

Finally we head back to the Crystarium, where Ryne gives us a truly touching goodbye. And Thancred finally tells her just how proud of her he is. Good man, Thancred.

And then the whole of the Crystarium is there to see us off!

And to give me a final message for the Exarch. They have learned what happened to him, and what is about to be attempted, and they are sending all their love and confidence that he will be fine. I promise to give it to him when he wakes.

And then we are off... to the Source!

.

.

.

Ah. This is probably a good place to stop this post.

.

.

.

Okay maybe not just yet.

Yes. That is the perfect image. It will live in my heart as a beautiful memory of Shadowbringers.

*cries some more*

#ffxiv liveblog #rhesh'a tag #y'shtola rhul #beq lugg #emet-selch #elidibus #crystal exarch #g'raha tia #alisaie leveilleur #alphinaud leveilleur #urianger augurelt #thancred waters #ryne #lyna ffxiv #shadowbringers #baseless speculation #thoughts on lore

[autumnslance]

Year of the OTP - April 2023 - Canon Divergence/AU

(("I’m not great at writing AUs" I say in the March post, not realizing I'd picked up my clown makeup that day. I meant to write something else out of the possible prompts; this happened instead. More notes at the end. Year of the OTP prompt list here. This is 3550 words of an alternate Shadowbringers timeline.))

Crack

His gunshot struck true, the familiar dissipating with an ear-splitting screech and burst of aether.

“Bastard!” Ran’jit shouted. Still moving too fast, going from stumbling to rushing in, fists connecting with a suddenly fragile-seeming sternum and ribcage.

Air knocked out, he flew backwards.

“Zaine!” Thancred’s voice sounded far away.

Crack

The gunblade’s last shot filled the air, bursting with the girl’s aether.

There was a gurgled cry, and then a slumping sound. Ran’jit said something Zaine couldn’t make out as he made himself partly sit up—just in time to watch the general finish falling to the ground, dead.

The point of Thancred’s gunblade dug into the dirt as he fell to a knee, panting. He was bruised and bleeding, having taken the brunt of Ran’jit’s rage while Zaine dashed around with his revolver and automatons, trying to get in shots past nearly impenetrable defenses. It had been hells, but together, they’d done it.

Thancred tried to stand, then fell, splayed out on his back in a puff of dust.

“Thancred!” Zaine rasped. He tried to get up, but oh, that hurt; he definitely had some cracked—maybe broken—ribs, his cuirass the only thing holding him together, and none too well. He crawled to his companion.

Whatever rogue’s trick Thancred had been pulling to vanish so completely from Ran’jit’s preternatural senses—even Zaine, familiar with Thancred’s aether and abilities and with a few tricks of his own, hadn’t been able to sense him—had taken its toll, perhaps even more than Ran’jit’s martial arts and magicks had.

Zaine knew what a dying man looked like, and Thancred was standing on Thal’s threshold.

“No no no you don’t,” Zaine rasped as he finally reached him. Thancred’s injuries were extensive, but it was definitely the aetheric drain—in a man who couldn’t properly manipulate aether—taking its toll.

And yet Thancred, with an arm over his eyes to shield them from the unrelenting Light above, smiled, the whisper of a word finishing with a last breath as Zaine reached him.

“C’mon, Thancred, stay with me,” Zaine begged, searching through his comrade’s many pockets and pouches. “Godsdammit, where are your potions?”

He knew some had been used in the battle, but wasn’t certain when Thancred had last restocked; surely before they had returned to the desert. Zaine finally found the remnants of two vials smashed from one of Ran’jit’s crushing attacks, and swore in Thavnairian.

“If I find whoever taught you that aetheric cutoff trick, I’m wringing their neck,” he muttered. He barely had enough energy for himself, but something had to be done.

“The girl needs you,” Zaine said, certain of her choice. “Aeryn needs you. You gotta stay with us, brother.”

He wasn’t nearly the mage his sister was, but he had no options. Drawing on what little he had left, he cast his own rudimentary healing spell.

Were those familiar voices calling their names, or his own wishful thinking?

Zaine blacked out as Thancred coughed in a breath.

—

The night sky over Amh Araeng was clear and cold. Looking out over the shadowed landscape from the balcony of the old inn, Zaine could almost imagine himself back in Thanalan, if not for the great glittering wall of translucent crystal along the southern horizon.

“Farewell, sweetheart,” he whispered, tears prickling at his eyes even as he smiled.

He had given up his last chance to see her, but couldn’t regret that decision.

Not when he had looked up to see his sister’s relieved, tear-streaked face. It was the damn rogue she had embraced first, her eyes bright with joy.

Zaine didn’t regret it when they’d caught sight of the girl and her changes, inside and out. Couldn’t regret, seeing the look on her face when Thancred gave her a new name.

Perhaps, Zaine thought, he had let Minfilia go long ago without quite realizing it, his and Thancred’s contentious relationship one of habit and a lack of honest discussion, even as they stood side by side to keep their Scion family safe.

“Gil for your thoughts?” the man in question asked from right beside him, having silently joined Zaine, knowing he hated it when Thancred did that.

Zaine managed not to jump, only shrugged and smiled. “Thinking we had a helluva day and I’m going to be sore for a moon, even with our friends’ expert healing.”

“They’re certainly better at it than you are,” Thancred agreed.

“It was enough to keep you alive.”

“It was, and I am grateful. Though I wish it had not come with risk to yourself.”

“I’d do it all again—including the lecture from Y’shtola—in a heartbeat,” Zaine replied. Their sorceress had not been amused by the levels of aetheric drain both of them had committed.

“Brave man,” Thancred deadpanned. “Though I feel the same. Thank you, for having my back. Even if I haven’t always been as gracious about it as I could have been.”

“Thank you for always having mine. Even if I haven’t always been good about it, either.” Zaine looked at the Floodwall again. “It’s funny how much we’ve been pricks to each other, when it’s the last thing she’d have wanted.”

“Well, you are quite stubborn,” Thancred said, smiling.

“Says the most aurochs-headed man I know,” Zaine answered with his own grin.

“I suppose that’s better than what you usually call me; what was it? Hamsa-headed?”

“That too, but we’ll ignore that for now.”

They laughed, then winced, as not all of their injuries could be magically healed and the foray into the depths of the well hadn’t helped. They were both similarly attired in simple spare undershirts and trousers, the Scions having retired to Twine before returning to the Crystarium on the morrow—and their gear was in desperate need of cleaning and repair, only some of which could be done in the mining town.

“Talked to Ryne yet?” Zaine asked, trying to sound conversational. Her new name took no getting used to, fitting perfectly.

“Just finished; there was much to say. And now we both needed a bit of…Well.” Thancred shrugged.

“I can see that. But you and her’ll be all right.”

“I hope so.”

“Thancred, it’s been obvious you love that girl, even though you were a bloody idiot about how to show it for too long. And she adores you, even though she was too scared to say it—due to you being a hamsa-head.”

“Ah, there it is,” Thancred drawled. Yet they both remained relaxed, the interchange containing none of the tension and heat that even a day ago Zaine would have expected out of one or both of them.

They had left it in the sands with Ran’jit’s corpse, where it belonged.

“But,” Zaine continued. “So long as you remember how to use that silver tongue of yours to actually talk like a person to her, it’ll work out.”

“I do think we’re on our way.”

“There is one thing you ought to do tonight yet, though.”

Thancred raised a brow. “Oh?”

Zaine let out a breath, and then gestured to a nearby window, interior view blocked by thin curtains. “Go talk to Aeryn.”

The shift was subtle, but Thancred’s demeanor went blank in an attempt to disguise his feelings.

“I know you two were sneaking about like a couple of adolescents back in the Source,” Zaine said, holding up a hand to forestall Thancred’s protest. “And there’s been at least one rendezvous here in the First, unless I miss my guess about what you two got up to in Rak’tika.” Now Thancred looked away, not embarrassed, but not willing to look Zaine in the eye, either. “And there’s still much to do and a lot going on…”

The way Aeryn had gasped and clutched her chest after taking in this last Lightwarden’s aether was concerning. His mind went back to Y’shtola’s privately mentioned concerns, and Urianger’s recalcitrance.

“…But if this adventure has taught us anything, it's that we shouldn't keep putting off what needs to be said. And any fool can see how you two feel about one another. Waiting on it won’t make it easier—and the opportunity may slip by at all.”

“Speaking from experience?” Thancred’s gaze remained on Aeryn’s window.

“A little,” Zaine said. “When I found out five whole years had passed, and with everything happening…Minfilia and I decided to take it slowly, especially since it seemed we’d barely begun before Carteneau. We wanted to figure out where we stood after she’d lived so much more time, while I hadn’t. We were really only just sorting ourselves out again when…well, when the Banquet happened.” He shrugged. “And now here we are, where you’ve lived five whole years while no time’s passed for Aeryn, after you’d both barely got your heads out of your arses to begin with, and Twelve only know what tomorrow’ll bring.”

“Right.” Thancred took a breath and straightened “And you’re not going to be bothered if aught does happen between…us?” He forced the last word.

“‘Course I’ll be bothered; that’s my baby sister. And if you hurt her, once she’s through with you, I’ll beat down whatever’s left.”

Thancred laughed only a tinge nervously (and with another wince), his practiced suave demeanor holding a tide of doubts and concerns at bay. “I seem to recall a similar sentiment spoken between us before, if in reverse.”

“I never claimed to be original. You said it prettier though, sounded way more threatening.”

“Thank you, I do have a reputation to uphold.”

“In all honesty though…I just want her to be happy. You too; you both deserve it. Don’t you dare,” Zaine said, when Thancred immediately tried to argue. “You two are disgustingly cute together, especially when you think no one’s noticing, but it’s good for you. So go talk to her, cuz after all the shite you’ve pulled, it’s needed.”

“Very well,” Thancred said. “Assuming all is well between you and I; ‘twas my reason for coming out here, after all.”

“‘Less there’s something I don’t know about, I think we are good. Finally.”

Thancred smiled slightly, clapping a hand on Zaine’s arm as he stepped away. He paused and took a breath before heading inside. A few moments later, a shadow crossed Aeryn’s window as she moved to answer her door.

“I need a drink,” Zaine said, waiting until two shadows crossed the window again to go inside himself.

—

A bath almost had Aeryn feeling clean, and now she sat cross-legged on the narrow bed in the tiny room. There was no point sitting at the small square of a table to write; it and the chair were the only spaces available for her pack and other gear. So she had out her little lap board for sketching and writing in her journal.

More messy sketches tonight; words were proving difficult, though she had a few random, broken phrases thrown in. Notes to herself for when she was in a better mindset to properly record the long day’s events.

They ought to finally sit up for Minfilia, in the tradition of their people for a lost loved one. Not tonight; she was not going to be able to stay awake all night, nor was this room good for doing so. She needed space, and things to do, and to convince Zaine to begin with…

She had a feeling of someone nearby; nothing concrete, no sound, yet something caught the edge of her empathic senses. After a long wait, she just about gave it up as imagined when there was a tentative knock on the door.

“Yes?”

“It’s me,” Thancred’s voice was soft and further muffled by the old wood. “Might I come in?”

Aeryn set aside her journal as she unfolded and stood. It was a few short steps to unlock and open the door. “Is everything all right?”

“Yes, fine, I just wished to…talk.”

Her brow raised. “He really did beat the sense into you, didn’t he?” She stepped aside to admit him.

“Very funny,” Thancred replied dryly as he looked around. “One would think the Warrior of Darkness warranted a larger room.”

She wrinkled her nose at the title. “If I was sharing with Alisaie or Y’shtola, perhaps. But Alisaie’s rooming with Ryne, and Y’shtola and I decided ‘twould be best to have our own spaces, small as they are. I’m surprised this inn has so many rooms.”

“Likely from far more prosperous times; this building’s pre-Flood,” Thancred answered, sitting on the edge of the bed for lack of anywhere else. “But I didn’t come to speak of our accommodations.”

“You and Ryne have spoken?” Aeryn sat next to him.

He chuckled. “Aye, and we’ve come to an understanding, I believe, though she required some space to think on all that was said.”

Aeryn nodded. “Quite the day for all involved.”

They sat in silence for a breath, then both tried to speak at once, staring at each other for a blink before sheepishly chuckling. She knew her usual easy blush already crept across her cheeks.

“You first,” Thancred said.

“I’m sorry you couldn’t be there with us,” she said. “I wish we’d made certain of Ran’jit’s fate in the Ronkan ruins so that you could be.”

Thancred shook his head. “We had no way of knowing he had his own tricks to survive that fall. And perhaps…it worked better that I was not present. I never wanted to influence Ryne’s decision—though I hadn’t realized that no matter what I did, that’s exactly what I was doing.”

“But I know how much you wanted to see Minfilia again. I made sure she knew…though it seemed she did already.”

“I said my piece, lying there in the sands. And I am at peace with that. So please; think no more about it. I did what I had to, to ensure Ryne’s success. I have no regrets on that matter.” He frowned a little, as if wishing to continue but unsure how.

“Just one more thing then: Thank you. For letting Zaine stay.”

Thancred raised a brow. “He didn’t give much choice. I wish he could have gone with you, wish he had not taken such injuries. Yet I cannot regret that he stayed either.”

“I was scared for you both; I was afraid of what would happen if either of you tried Ran’jit alone. I…” she paused in thought. “I’m happy you’re here,” she finally said, quickly, not quite looking at him but smiling as she carefully covered his hand with her own.

He turned his palm up to grasp her hand, idly running his thumb along a thin scar. “I’m quite happy to be here as well,” he said quietly. “Alive…and in this room.”

Her blush was in her ears. “You um, wanted to say something a bit ago?”

He took a moment, holding her hand. “If I were to have…further regrets this day, Ryne is not the only one to whom I owed a conversation. I know we’ve…tried, and it did not go well.” She nodded and managed to not cringe at the memory of their argument in his Crystarium apartment. “But I cannot go longer without…speaking my mind.”

“Zaine put you up to this?” she tried to joke.

“More ‘strongly encouraged.’ A relief, really, given our own contentious history.”

“Are you two all right? Given…everything.”

“I believe so; I went to clear the air with him, and found it already so, strangely enough.”

Aeryn thought about how to ask her next question. “And…are we all right?” She wanted to wince.

“Well, that rather depends, doesn’t it?” He turned to face her, still holding her hand. “I’m no longer angry about that argument, and wish to apologize for not being more forthcoming about…a good number of things.”

“I ought to be the one apologizing, what I said was horrid.”

Thancred huffed out a laugh. “Not entirely unwarranted, and I know why. Nor was I terribly reassuring. I must say I do prefer the…discussion we had in Rak’tika.”

Her blush’s heat crawled all the way down her neck. “I appreciated the um. Reassurance there,” she said.

He lifted her hand, brushing his lips over her fingers. “It made me realize how very much I’d missed you. I thought I already knew, after years spent dreaming of your memory, as well dreams of seeing you again.” Her breath caught, unable to look away from those warm golden-brown eyes as they watched her. “You know,” he continued. “I wrote you letters.”

“What?”

“Just after the turn of the year, when Norvrandt would see the equivalent to your nameday. I knew time was not passing for you, yet there were so many things I did not risk forgetting. It gave me an excuse to put down a good many thoughts. Some feelings.” His free hand played with a lock of her long, loose black hair.

Aeryn’s heart was pounding. “What sort of feelings?” she asked, voice barely above a whisper.

“Ones I hesitated to name, but after today, and whatever’s happening with you and the Lightwardens…Well I should like to think I have learned my lessons.”

“Didn’t you once claim you were a terrible student?” she teased.

“Only when I did not care for the subject.” His hand cupped her cheek now. “But you I could study forever, in an attempt to learn every detail.”

“…Oh,” was all she could answer, her mouth suddenly dry. She ought to be able to say more than that, but her head was spinning and her pulse was rapid.

Thancred cleared his throat. “I…love you, Aeryn,” he said. “I am in love with you. I don’t expect aught in return,” he added quickly. “But I’m here, and I’m yours, if…if you want.”

In Aeryn’s mind, a puzzle piece clicked into place as a sensation she had been unable to define clarified. A feeling she had held close inside, sensing the same within him but afraid they had been simply reflecting one another—it was not a reflection, but a connection, and it had a name.

She leaned forward, pulling him to her for a kiss. He took a moment to relax, due to the surprise, but quickly recovered, arms around her, sighing into a closer embrace.

Aeryn reluctantly broke away, resting her cheek against his. “I love you, too,” she whispered. “I think for a while, I just didn’t realize it. Now that I have, all that I want is you here.”

Thancred let out a deep breath against her neck, a last level of tension melting as he held her. “Well, certainly less awkward that way,” he tried to joke, but emotion thickened his voice.

Aeryn couldn’t help a brief giggle. “Can you stay tonight?”

“If that is your wish. Though I’m afraid I’m not fully recovered.”

“That’s all right; just you being here is enough,” she replied as they shifted, until lying side by side on the narrow bed, holding one another close in assurance and comfort after the day’s events.

She recalled the first time they had simply held one another like this, talking until they had fallen asleep, in an officer’s bunk the night before the assault on Ala Mhigo. Thinking back, her brother had made some oblique comments the next day.

Aeryn grinned. “Although, if you don’t mind, I’ll still want to borrow your shirt briefly in the morning.”

—

Morning dawned clear over Amh Araeng, all pinks and golds before becoming blues. It was still cool, and most folks were yet in bed, the novelty of the night sky keeping many awake longer than usual the evening before.

And so Zaine found himself in the inn’s kitchen—with permission from the sleepy Ronso grandmother usually reigning over that space—to start the coffee and a simple breakfast for his comrades. They would have to set out to return to the Crystarium before long.

A familiar step caught his ear, and he braced himself. A moment later he had acquired an Aeryn backpack, her arms over his chest, legs hanging behind his, her toes not quite reaching the floor.

“I’m trying to cook y’know.”

“I just wanted to thank you,” Aeryn replied, way too close to his ear.

“For breakfast?” Zaine asked dryly.

“For last night.”

“Dunno what you mean, and don’t want to.”

Her arms tightened briefly in a hug, and she brushed a kiss on his cheek. “Well thanks anyroad.” She let go, landing lightly and turning to the coffee pot.

Zaine glanced her way, then looked again. She was preparing two mugs which was questionable enough, but what had truly caught his attention was the familiar shirt that certainly did not belong to her, hanging on her slim frame in a way it did not when he’d seen it worn by its broader-built owner the night before.

“Ugh,” Zaine grunted as Aeryn gave him a bright, sweet smile, before carrying both mugs back upstairs. Given how sore and achy he still felt this morning, could they truly have—

“No,” he said to himself. “Not thinking about that.”

Back to focusing on breakfast and what would come next once they returned to the Crystarium. There might even be a few changes, he thought with a glance at the stairs, before they considered the last Lightwarden.

And while he might take a brother’s prerogative to grouse about a certain change, he wouldn’t have it any other way.

—

((My usual canon divergence of "Ran'jit shoulda died at the trolley by Thancred's hand" is present; in mainline, Ran'jit's tactics are for 1 opponent, and Aeryn had helped Ryne with some magic that was incorporated into that special practice Cartridge. Here Ran'jit knows how to fight against two, but Zaine's presence both disrupts and makes up for the lack of Aeryn's aid in the cartridge.

That Zaine's here at all is a major divergence from my usual Aeryn WoL canon; mainline, Zaine doesn't come out the other side of Louisoix's spell, diverted by Hydaelyn and making a choice to aid the injured divinity directly. She chooses to send him back here instead of accepting his offer. With Zaine present, Aeryn gets to share the burdens and responsibility of being a WoL, so in some ways is lighter in mood and has more fun, though her imposter syndrome's worse, as she initially sees herself as second to Zaine for too long; it's only in ShB and EW that it becomes more apparent to her whose story this is (Zaine figured it out awhile ago).

The other major change to my usual story, is with Zaine to talk to, Aeryn also doesn't have her same regrets about Haurchefant, and here, the "I love you"s exchanged with Thancred comes earlier than in the main story (where it happens before facing Emet-Selch in Amaurot, though Thancred also says it in a letter after Mt Gulg). Zaine is a mediator and counselor at heart, and keeps the Scions grounded a lot of times in this AU.

Aeryn and Zaine just getting to be siblings has been described as "bittersweet" given his loss in the main wolverse. They're their own kind of bond, in more ways than one.

I have a whole outline of "Zaine Lives" up to 6.1. This is ridiculous. I have enough to write for my main WoLverse. Darn blorbos.))

#Final Fantasy XIV #Lyn Writing #YOTP 2023 #Shadowbringers #Thancred Waters #Thancred x WoL #wolcred #shippy nonsense #Zaine Striker #Aeryn Striker #Lyn Edits #Minor Canon Divergence #Wolverse AU #I need to just accept I've lost control to these characters

[sezja]

50 (punctual) for the twine boys

One Word Writing Prompts (still accepting)

The sky overhead turns glorious shades of orange and violet, which Thaffe recognizes - through some soul-deep memory, dimly recalled - as a sunset. He pauses in his work, gazing skyward. It sets his heart to racing: sunset means night, the unfamiliar blanket of darkness which had settled over Amh Araeng only yesterday, after over a hundred years of Light. It had emerged wholecloth the night before, after the slaying of the Lightwarden, but tonight...

Tonight he'll get to watch night fall properly.

Or perhaps not, he thinks, catching sight of Jeryk dashing toward the trolley tracks as quickly as his legs will carry him. What is he up to? It wouldn't be the first time the man's worked through the late hours on some project or other... but that was when there was always ample light to be had. With night, true night, falling soon, there's no telling what trouble Jeryk might get himself into.

And he's been acting odd since they'd gotten the Talos up and moving again. Thaffe doesn't know what's gotten into him, but it doesn't seem wise to leave him unattended for long.

He glances at the sky again, then sighs. Dammit, Jeryk.

The shadows are already deepening as he sets off down the tracks; he keeps his eyes on his feet, careful not to misstep in the unfamiliar darkness. He recalls Jeryk's breakneck sprint and grits his teeth - he'd be a lot more worried about it if Jeryk hadn't been dashing across the tracks, heedless of the risk of falling or snapping a leg, since he could walk. He expects the regular pattern of the ties comes as naturally to Jeryk as flight comes to a bird.

"There you are," he says, nearly bumping into the smaller hume in his concentration; Jeryk spares him half a glance. "What are you-"

"It should just about be time," Jeryk says, gazing up... not at the sky, like any normal person, but at one of the lanterns hanging alongside the tracks.

Thaffe blinks at it, as though he'd forgotten the things existed - for all they've been keeping the tracks and equipment in something like working order these past few years, he hadn't thought to consider the lanterns. Who would? Who had need of lanterns in a world drowning in Light? In times long past, he supposes, many of the miners of Twine would have headed home from the mines either in the dark hours of the morning or just after sundown, and they'd have welcomed the lights along the tracks leading the way home...

True darkness settles over them, broken only by the stars overhead. Beside him, Thaffe hears Jeryk draw in a breath and hold it.

The lantern flickers.

And lights.

All along the track, the old lanterns blaze to life, a lifeline between Twine and the mines.

Jeryk lets out the breath in a cheer, practically applauding; Thaffe reaches a hand out to steady him, resting a hand against Jeryk's back - but his own heart leaps in unexpected celebration, kindled alongside that little lantern.

It's a little piece of Twine, back from the dead.

"Right on time," Jeryk says, smacking the lantern post almost affectionately. "Just like they did before the Flood!"

"You've been repairing them," Thaffe guesses, marveling. "How did you even think to start?"

"When night came to Lakeland." Still gazing up at the lantern, Jeryk leans into him, and Thaffe welcomes it, winding an arm around the shorter man's shoulders. The night comes with the same chill as ever, and Jeryk's excitement gives off a warmth all its own. "I thought... wouldn't it be something if the Warrior of Darkness made their way here, too?"

He hadn't dared hope. A lot of things have happened in the past couple of days that Thaffe hadn't dared hope for.

"Good thinking." He gives Jeryk a little squeeze. "And now I won't have to fear breaking my neck chasing after you down the tracks at night."

Unrepentant, Jeryk grins, pecking Thaffe on the cheek with an unapologetic kiss. "I wanted to make sure the lanterns lit on time, that's all. We can run the trolley at night! What's more exciting than a trolley ride under the stars-"

"Some other time." Thaffe steers Jeryk homeward. "I've had enough excitement for a few days."

#twine boys #my writing #thaffe #jeryk

[strawb3rrymilksh4ke]

AMH (role swap)

decided to post here cuz yes

role swap AU aawwwwww yeaaah!!!11111

took me hours or probably days ☠☠

#alice mad and hopeless #fnf fanart

[calumhoodgoss]

Amh is super pretty but I need to remind myself that she’s obviously had fillers and Botox done. Obvi her lips and I feel like she got a brow lifting done, atleast.

Look at the brows slowly raise 😂😂

Also those lines under her eyes are the same ones that Kylie Jenner has right now and it’s from filler.

I’d even go as far as to say she got that buccal fat removal or whatever cause how do your cheekbones and jawline go from this

To this in like a month?

And I know like makeup and lighting and angles but she doesn’t look like she has that much more makeup on than the other pics, the angles of the other ones would show similar definition and the lighting is similar enough that it should be that drastic.

She could’ve also lost some weight really quick but those are pretty much the two choices.

Also no hate on fillers and Botox and shit, I just need to remind myself that I don’t have that kind of stuff 😂

this is a master post omg love it

RIGHT THOUGH she's definitely gorgeous but there is no doubt that she's had a shit tonne of injectables done. she went through a really pillow face looking stage for a while there but I think she's calmed down with the filler lately and honestly she looks a lot better

the brows I think she's gotten botox to lift them and also just changed the shape of her brows (straighter not arched anymore)

as for the buccal fat, it could be true but the biggest difference in those photos is that the first three are full flash photos and the most recent one is natural filtered light. makes a worldd of difference so it could just be that BUT I wouldn't put it past her to have had the removal either

tbh it's a bit odd that cals with someone who clearly cares a lot about her looks and her online/external perception when he doesnt even use socials (publicly at least). like you'd think he'd go for more the off-line low maintenance type .. its just odd

[myrfing]

how are the reflections one main language only. saw a post and am honestly baffled by the claim 🤨 nabaath/amh araeng is certainly not germanic & that’s already only within one small segment of a single continent on a planet that otherwise was lost to the flood. i guess you could say the devs drew a language to build a strong focus on but even then ?_? bit of a wild claim innit

#if anything the languages are like…geographical neighbors to the source #so they picked another european country to base off of re: voeburt and ishgard #like il mheg is the geographical pin to coerthas they just didnt get hit with the calamity winter #we dunno how voidgates work re: how close they land geographically especially with domains #but we probably just havent seen much of the void at all #to be real this take kind of annoys me especially with how it’s always landing european fsr. Why #even just aldenard on the source isn’t

[blur0se]

#amh posting

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

hiiii I wanted to ask you amh, why don't you write headcanons anymore? :00

It’s a combination of not having enough time and energy/motivation for it. I have to prioritize taking care of myself and also tend to real life obligations.

(I’ll go into more detail, but it’s sort of dull and somewhat personal so I’ll slap it under the cut!)

After 2 to 2.5ish straight years of posting almost every day, it kind of wore me and my spirit down 💦 This is especially true of headcanons, as they often involve multiple characters (as opposed to imagines, which mainly involved 1 or 2 characters as the centerpiece and the rest as brief supporting roles) and taking the time to think long and hard about their unique perspectives and reactions to sometimes highly detailed situations. The format of headcanons themselves also just does not align with what I like to do the most; it usually doesn’t allow for extended dialogue or fun canon character interactions (most headcanon requests involve self inserts, meaning more reader-canon character interactions than canon-canon interactions).

Each of the characters is unique, and I want that to be reflected in my works. I’m of the mindset that my writing should be such that you can’t swap out a character’s name for another’s without it losing meaning. A character should be able to act and speak in a distinctive manner; they cannot be easily replaced with another person. A large part of this, of course, also stems from my own perfectionism working against me… so it feels like the stress is really coming from all kinds of places 🥲

Something I realized after taking writing requests for so long is that I wasn’t able to write what I personally wanted to. There was an unspoken pressure to constantly put out new content, as well as communication I received that left me feeling immensely uncomfortable. As a mild example, I often received requests that disregarded my rules and/or involved subject matters which I found to be invasive or icky, things which I explicitly stated to NOT bring up to me; it was clear that some (some, NOT all) people cared more about getting free content over respecting an individual’s boundaries, and didn't even spare a few minutes to do me the courtesy of reading my rules and staying within my comfort zone. Sometimes I just got the impression that writers or content creators in general were just not being respected. I didn’t want those frequent enough bad experiences to seep into and taint a hobby that I love so much, so… I had to limit the frequency of writing requests for my own good.

The TWST fandom is just the kind that is eager and hungry for fan content (especially considering the relatively slow output of canon content in the actual JP game). Unfortunately, that has the side effect of killing the joy of creative writing for me 😔 The demand was so high I couldn’t keep up with my supply and I burnt out hard. Think of a star—it burns so brightly in the night sky, and one day it will just have nothing left to give and just… go out.

I decided to drastically scale back my writing requests (the majority of which were headcanons) and to mainly focus on writing what I find interesting and what makes me happy. Talking about lore, theories, and putting out only a few (2-5) imagines every month has been very chill. I think I’m in a much happier and less stressed place now! ^^

I do want to get back into writing headcanons and doing writing requests in general, but only when I personally feel like it and most likely on a smaller scale/at my own comfortable pace. Creative writing is a cherished hobby of mine, and the instant it starts feeling like an obligation then… well, it’s no longer a hobby and it wouldn’t be very fun for me anymore. “Having fun” was the whole reason I first started this blog, so I want to stray true to those roots.

#question #notes from the writing raven