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copiousloverofcopia · 3 months

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UNHOLY FUCK Ghesties!

THIS IS IT! The final chapter of Death and Flowers is coming at you!!!

I hope you all enjoy it!!!! Our poor Copia and Ollie have been through so much. Will they have a happily ever after?

Commissions are OPEN, please see pinned post for Carrd info!

*Special thank you to @gothdaddyissues for the banners*-hit me up ghestie I owe you a fic or something for using these.

Death & Flowers

It hadn’t been serious, it never was with him. While Papa was suave and Ollie enjoyed their time together it wasn’t meant to be. She knew it wasn’t something meant to last…something permanent but—here she was. It was only one missed pill and life forever changed.

Chapter 14: Long May He Reign

Also available HERE on AO3! Haven’t started yet? Start from the beginning HERE!

Definitely NSFW below the cut!

They didn't bother to wait for the rest of the ghouls. Copia, along with Alpha, Omega, and Aether began working their way to Saltarian’s office. The Cardinal, having finally put all the pieces together. He was angry at himself for being so blind—the answers were right there in front of him the whole time.

“Tell us Cardinal, who is responsible for this?” Aether asked, watching as the anger inside both Omega and Alpha grew. Threatening to billow out of them like Hell fire—consuming anything and everything in their path.

“It is those men–the League. Maybe Saltarian, I think he has been assembling them to overthrow the Ministry. The Emeritus family and the ghouls are just casualties in their pursuit of it.

“Then… then why weren't they after you?” Aether asked, knowing the truth of Copia’s parentage. It would have puzzled Copia too, had he not overheard the conversation between Sister and Saltarian from before. Now he knew exactly why he was overlooked, despite his heritage.

“The man has a soft spot for Sister… I am her son and from what I have learned, I was never supposed to know Nihil was my father. Blissful ignorance meant to keep me safe in favor of her. But now that has all changed.”

“This is fucking insane; how did they think they were going to keep everything in line without the support of the ghouls. Like it or not, we are essential for the connection and power from the Dark One himself.” Alpha snarled, as they walked, trying his best not to go running off on his own to fight them. The ghouls, confused and betrayed by all they thought they knew.

“I am sure the plan was to have some of you become fodder for those hungry to condemn someone for the Emeritus family deaths, but I can only assume they never meant to imply that all of you were involved. I am certain now that this is why you were framed. Blamed for Primo, Secondo, and Terzo’s deaths.”

“How do you know?” Omega asked.

“The scent. I don’t have senses the way you do, but I have recently come into contact with the same smell Aether described. It was overwhelming on Bishop Martin… it has to be them.

A few hours before…

Saltarian sat at his desk, head in his hands as he waited for the California Ministry to contact him. Hoping to have Copia set up to stay there for the majority of his time of touring. He wondered if he would be able to continue on as planned. His love for Elizabeth had already cost him so much and now with her carelessness, she threatened to undo everything he had worked so hard to orchestrate.

He could hear it from down the hall as they approached. The sounds of footfalls on the tile, made with a sense of haste. Then as expected and without a knock, Bishops Mauro, Henry, and Martin came charging into his office. The looks on their faces telling him this was no casual visit.

“What is it?” he asked them.

“We have a problem.” Bishop Mauro began, looking at the other two to see who might be next to speak.

“What problem?” he asked, rubbing his eyes. Allowing his pen to fall to his desk, and the room to grow quiet before he looked up at them.

“We have learned some very disturbing news, your excellency.” Martin continued.

“Seems our dear sweet Cardinal is not the father of Sister Olive’s child.” Henry smirked, a glint of evil in his eye. One that had far surpassed anything Saltarian had ever seen. The news was powerful, yet not a complete surprise to him. The most interesting part was the thought that Copia knew and still claimed the child as his own. Saltarian, now wondering if the Cardinal and Sister Imperator had conspired against him this whole time.

“He’s also Nihil’s son… a fact you seemed to be aware of, yet we are just now hearing of it. Is this true Mr. Saltarian?” Bishop Mauro asked, watching for a crack in Saltarian’s resolve. He was angered to the core—maddened. He had tried to do right by Sister Imperator. Hiding her bastard son from the eyes of those he answered to—those who also wanted the end of the Emeritus family. Only to have the bloodline kept alive and well in his child. Sure, that it was Sister Imperator who outed him as knowing the secret.

“I see... that conniving bitch. That is preposterous.” he hissed under his breath. “You know what you need to do.” he nodded to the bishops. The men, acknowledging him as they set course to eliminate them all—Nihil, Copia, Olive and the child.

Present time

Copia rounded the corner and ran straight into Bishop Martin, he was covered in blood. Unabashed by walking around in broad daylight. His smug smile, sending a chill down Copia’s spine.

“What have you done!” Copia yelled, the crest of his knuckles bashing into the bishop’s jawline as he threw the first punch. Sending a cascade of blood from Martin’s mouth to the floor. The ghouls standing behind them, growling and tails snapping in the air like whips.

“You really are a fool.” Martin laughed, his face already beginning to swell from Copia’s right hook.

“Whose blood is this? If you don't tell me what is going on, I will let them devour you whole, you figlio di puttana!”

“All this energy over your dead brother's whore?” Martin chuckled. Leaving bloody fingerprints behind on Copia’s cassock as he tried to hold him back from another hit.

“I’ll fucking kill you.” Omega roared, Aether and Alpha holding him down so that Copia may get answers before Omega went and tore him to shreds.

“Oh Satanas Ollie.” Copia choked, his stomach sinking as the words left him. Scared that the blood may be hers.

“Relax Cardinal, you precious whore is fine. Though not for long. This blood… belongs to your old man.” he grinned, as Copia dropped his body to the ground. Running behind him into Nihil’s office. Only to find the old man dead in his chair–throat slit and blood decorating the walls.

“Oh fuck.” Aether said, as he and Alpha followed him into the room. Omega, still in the hall. Sinking his teeth into the bishop's carotid before his body went completely limp in the ghoul's arms.

“He’s gone.” was all Copia could say, quickly setting course back into the hall where he found Omega hovering over the bishop. Barely clutching onto his mortal coil.

“She’s next.” he said, choking on his own blood. The ghouls and Copia, realizing instantly what he meant.

“We need to get to Ollie and Luss now!” Alpha growled, taking off full force alongside Copia and Aether as Omega finished off Martin.

As they made it back to Copia’s Papal suites, there was an eerie quiet. The door cracked open and no sign of Ollie or Cumulus to be seen. Copia and the ghouls carefully crept inside. Searching for them, until finally they could hear the sound of glass breaking from within the bedroom.

As they ran inside, they saw them. Two men, in shining silver ghouls' masks, holding Ollie and Cumulus captive. Knives to their throats and the two of them struggling against their captor’s grips. Cumulus, doing her best to try and bite them, while Ollie cried. Her hands, never leaving her belly.

“Ollie! Cumulus!” Copia cried, attempting to run for them before watching the men adjust their blades. Stopping the Cardinal in his tracks as the ghouls continued forward.

“Take those off! You can’t fool us you motherfuckers.” Alpha hissed, watching as the men removed the masks. Revealing themselves to be Bishop Mauro and Henry. Copia’s suspicions had been confirmed. It was the League who was responsible for the deaths of his brothers—and his father.

“Step any closer and we will slit their throats.” Bishop Henry told them. Pressing the blade against Ollie’s neck. A string of blood, beading up along the cut as she cried out.

“Copia!”

“It’s alright amore.” Copia called out, the bishops laughing at his weak promises. Amused with his idea he had any control, knowing they held Ollie and Cumulus within millimeters of death.

“We will tear you apart before you do anything to them!” Omega roared, looking into Cumulus’s eyes. Doing her best to remain calm as her life lay in the balance. Never showing her fear to them as they continued on.

“Please you all are nothing but rabid animals. No sense or reason. You’re disposable. There are millions more like you awaiting summoning. None of them will ever know better.” Mauro smiled. The three ghouls standing their ground, teeth bared and tails swishing. Ready to pounce if they only are given the chance.

“Let Ollie and Cumulus go, take me instead. They have done nothing to you. It’s me you want. I am Nihil’s son.” Copia begged, trying his best to inch closer to them without setting them off.

“There’s just one thing…a tiny… little… thing.” Henry said. Slowly brushing back the hair from off Ollie’s shoulder. Trembling in his grasp. “This is a problem.” he said as his free hand traveled down from her shoulder and over her chest, finally settling over the swell of her belly.

“Don’t you fucking touch her.” Copia said, his teeth gritted and his rage boiling over. Bloodthirsty and ready to end them.

“It’s nothing personal, Cardinal. The Ministry is just done with Emeritus. Sorry you got caught in the mix. Then again, you all are nothing but fools.” Mauro hissed. The tension was unbearable. Every second lingering as they stared each other down. Copia and the ghouls helpless but to watch until somehow, they could find a way in.

Suddenly from the shadows, a figure appeared. Pushing past the men and bringing himself front and center. Positioning himself between them. Announcing himself as the man of the hour, the one who held all control—Mr. Saltarian.

“Not yet Henry…” he said, stopping things from moving forward until he had his final say. Wanting to draw out Copia’s torment for as long as humanly possible. Relish, in his agony as he watched his lover and child slowly be murdered in front of his eyes.

“Ti sei rincoglionito?!” Copia growled, his white eye—blazing with fury. Chest heaving and ready to kill Saltarian where he stood.

“You know, I had a mind once to consider you a son. After all I have known you since your whore of a mother carried you.” Saltarian began, smirking at him as he crossed his arms. Lifting up a condescending brow and snickering to himself.

“You are nothing—” Copia began before Saltarian cut him off.

“I am everything… I have done everything. You know the whole reason this order, the League, was founded was to get rid of them. I may never have been able to become Papa myself, but I could have still had control. If your mother hadn’t been stupid enough to tell you about Nihil.”

“Don’t you dare…” Copia began.

“I did EVERYTHING FOR HER!” Saltarian yelled back, turning around to rip away the knife from Bishop Henry. Pressing it into the side of Ollie’s belly, just hard enough to draw blood. The blood, staining her dress as she cried out.

“Ah!”

“Please don’t hurt her!” Copia pleaded, ready to give his life for her. The ghouls snapping and snarling behind him. Waiting for an opportune moment to strike. Dying to taste the blood of the men on their tongues and pick their flesh from their teeth.

“This is your fault Copia. Had you never been born she might have been mine. Not attached to that old bastard for so long. Even then I would have given you the Papacy to please her. Getting rid of Nihil so you could start anew with me pulling the strings—but now since she managed to ruin it all helping you and helped to protect this pathetic Emeritus whelp…” Saltarian said as he raised up the knife, “...I guess I’ll have to kill you all and take the miter myself!”

Saltarian threw Ollie to the ground and lunged towards Copia. The blade, barely missing his chest and digging into his shoulder. Copia groaned as he pulled it out, him and Saltarian struggling to take hold of it. Copia’s blood painting the floor, slick and red.

The ghouls took their opportunity in the confusion. The bishop’s had grown comfortable, letting down their guard when Cumulus thrusted her elbow backwards into Mauro. Knocking him back onto the floor. The ghouls and ghoulette, flooding over him and ripping him apart with their bare teeth and sharp claws. Bishop Henry panting as he tried to take off. Aether, jumping over his gorging brethren to snatch him.

The ghoul’s claws sunk deep into the flesh of the bishop’s back as he screamed. Blood curdling and powerful as he fell to the ground. Ollie, still laying on the floor, cradling her belly in her arms as she watched in horror at the scene. The ghouls devouring the Bishops and Saltarian and Copia fighting to the death.

The ruckus in the Papal suite had alerted others, crowds of siblings and other clergy members spilling in from the halls. All too shocked and afraid to make a move. Worried that their involvement would seal the wrong person’s fate. Watching as Copia and Saltarian continued to scuffle. The knife dancing between them, always a split hair away from stabbing one or the other.

Ollie pulled herself up, grateful to a pair of sisters who came to collect her. Surrounded by pieces of what once was the bishops. Covered in theirs and her lover’s blood. Catching Copia’s eyes for a brief moment, her tears once again began to shed. Wondering to herself if this was the last time, he would ever look at her.

Seeing Ollie was all he needed. The thought of never seeing her again, never holding her again, gave him strength beyond measure. Toppling Saltarian to the ground and hovering over him. Knife raised high as he was ready to strike.

“You know it's far from over. I am not the only one who wanted the power of the Ministry to be their own.” Saltarian said, spitting up at Copia.

“Your vitriol nature has done nothing for you. How does it feel to know his son bested you after all.” Copia told him, gloating at the idea. Saltarian made one last stitch effort to get the blade. Punching Copia in the gut as he tried to take it from him. The two men, rolling on the ground over one another–until suddenly they stopped.

The two of them, looking down to see the blade piercing into Saltarian’s heart. Immediately he began choking. Feeling his death approaching. Every beat of his heart, bringing him closer as he began to bleed out from the inside.

“This baby will be born, and the Emeritus bloodline will continue…and one day Saltarian, he will become Papa…” Copia began, watching the light starting to fade in Saltarian’s eyes.

“No…” Saltarian shuddered as Copia pushed the knife in deeper. Twisting it as he spoke, “And long may he reign!”

Epilogue

A Few Years Later…

As the lights died down on the stage at the last of the Los Angeles shows, Copia remained bowed. His heart pounding in his chest and the thrill of the crowd cheering “Papa” echoing throughout the arena. Never did he imagine his life would be like this. Admired by all and revered by the Ministry.

It had been so long since his humbler beginnings. The night of his true rise to power was long behind him. Followed swiftly by the sweet embrace of Fatherhood not long after. Becoming Papa, despite it all, in the in between.

Now that he had been in charge for some time, Copia decided that after the Imperatour he would step down. If there was one thing Saltarian got right—was that new blood was needed in the Ministry. Terzo's son—his son, would one day rise to power and until then Copia wanted the Ministry to be helmed by someone else. Copia, knowing he had done all he could there after working to reform things.

He had worked hard to bring down all those who co-conspired in the deaths of his father and brothers. His mother was forced to step down from her position within the church. Toured for years with Ghost, and helped to foster a new wave of worthy siblings of sin and respectful members of the Clergy. Knowing that now was the time for someone else to lead.

He and Ollie had never been better, raising their little boy to the best of their ability while on the road. Never leaving each other’s side, even now. No longer haunted by the ghosts of the past as they worked to create their own family. A life, a love, something special just for them.

As he exited the stage, he caught sight of them. The two things he cared about more than anything else, his sweet Ollie and little Giovanni were standing there waiting for him backstage. Juice boxes, held in his pair of small hands as Giovanni went running up to his daddy. Copia, hoisting him up in the air and squeezing him tight in his arms. Ollie, following right behind him, a smile spread wide across her face.

“That was incredible.” Ollie cheered, coming to plant a kiss on Copia’s smeared painted cheek.

“I should say so, what do you think piccolo? Did daddy do a good job?” he asked Giovanni.

“I loved it!” his son cheered, throwing his arms around Copia. Juice spraying in the air and all over the back of his father’s vestments. Ollie, quickly coming to help try and help clean it up.

“Gio, you need to be more careful.” she told him. Giving him a cheeky look before dapping away at the spill.

“It’s alright cara, I won't be needing them much longer anyways. You know very soon Gio, daddy and mommy are going to take you to the country. Spend some time in the quiet… I feel it's well earned. For all of us.” Copia chuckled, sending Ollie the sincerest of smiles. Ollie was overcome with emotion. So happy to have time to enjoy just each other. The nightmares of the past behind them. She was unable to help but kiss him. Relishing the feel of his lips against hers and the sounds of their son’s giggles as she hummed in contentment.

“That it is Papa—that it is.”

Notes:

figlio di puttana- son of a bitch

Piccolo- Little one

#Death & Flowers #Copia x Ollie #Copia #Cardinal Copia #Copia x sister of sin #Copia x OC Ollie #ren writes #ghost #the band ghost #ghost fic #ghost fanfic #ghost fanfics #ghost fanfiction #the band ghost fic #the band ghost fanfic #the band ghost fanfiction

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myrfing · 2 years

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6.2 MSQ spoiler thread [estinien voice] kumbhira ribeye baby [varshahn voice] did he drop it in dirt

YOUR...BABY HEAD? THE... NO BEARD SCALES?

howling screaming best himalayan salt lamp ever

this is so. LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOO

this party comp is nice...yshtola is my forever gamer and estiniens a funny guy. and big varshahn is um. big varshahn. also first time i think they've ever left the autofill as healer for the pc lol

ohhh i looove the twisted surrounds. and god making varshahn pull more in his newly minted freshman meatsuit sorry for the evil

watching his ass use shield lob 5 times in a row for an enemy right next to him. Yea you need to be a dragon

*taking pics of everything* I have to show cylva does she know this lady.

yshtola asking if voidsent appreciate flowers too...man they kind of screwed themselves over by making the void already in CT when their aesthetic sense was erm worse but they really are making the best of it. it looks cool even if halloweeny

common tongue between norvrandt and the 13th...is that the weenis woonis or was there a different babel event. ohh thinking about the golden dhyata now

oh man she's cool.

also people were mad about this line weren't they? i dont get it that's pretty par for the course for the bodyjacker guy

her voice is so nice lol

"are you his friend" "im gourd I dont know anything about that" most ic response laughed like hell. also people said these choices were mean they arent even half as mean as I want them to be sorry to the lovers

YSHTOLA NOT YOUR AETHER LMFAOOO LET GOURD GIVE HIS GIRL YOUA RE FUCKINGGGG PUTTING GAS ON THE PEDAL 24/7

oh so she's like vaulthry

her little hat tilt...moe

why doesnt...like...why dont we just kill the guy or. gourd absorbs the aether. i know suspended disbelief needed here just man

yshtola being the one to give zero her name...the way they. Well.

also she's still cool but she's also very lame. win

...sorry fray

statue of a guy who died doing passage of arms

im lookin for thos deepeyes...

man these little guys can have a little aether. it's fine gourd has a lot and he never fucking uses it except all at once I guess

zero's little sad house of nobodies. love it. yes the house and heart yshtola

SHE'S SUCH A BORN IN A WET CARDBOARD BOX ALL ALONE LMFAOOO HER HIDEOUT...NO NAME...ONLY KNOWS TRANSACTIONAL BONDS...so real. the oc of desolate 12 year olds everywhere

girl you got snot fountain in your mind palace

ok I know barbariccia is naked lady boss #43461 but hi. you're green as hell like pea soup

wtf she killed those little dudes. they were just hanging out

host says they cant seat us until everyones here wol sighs and takes out their azem crystal

snot hair lady a little fun

NO deepeyes in the void :(

aw ciriatto is relieved and says farfarello quieted down after we slonked her shit

SO FUNNY MAKING ESTINIEN CARRY HER? SO FUNNY ALSO PRETENDING THE WOL DOESNT HAVE MASSIVE AETHER RESERVES YET AGAIN

yesss lets feed zero zero feast zero eat

miss hydaelyn bringing me the cool kids wide and far

varshahn (politely) She is a pain in the ass. But that's ok

LFMAOAOAOAOOA YOU CAN BE LIKE I'm going to my island.

aww..zero feeling warmth and light for the first time in ever

nidhana is so reliable she is just everywhere I guess

DO NOTTTT INSULT NIDHANA ZERO >:[_____]

SHE SUCKED THAT APPLE DRYYYYY HELPPPP

also varshahn. Grow up

[jp writers] human connection and belonging is The Apple (Fruit)

...i bet shes going to die when taken outside of her pond and thats why shes okay with it after all that. Zero U Are So

varshahn's customer service voice with her AHAHAHA

fuck thee aethernet we are walking so you get to see PLANTS and SKIES and COLOR and ARCHITECTURE and PEOPLE

im so glad that the first place she sees as herself in the first is thavnair cus it's such a gorgeous and lively place

lmaoaoooaoaao you just got unlucky zero you got a pretty weird guy

WOO YEAH YSHTOLA the 13th as the life will fill the universe again weaping crying whatever

omg let the eyeball goop enjoy thavnair too

Golbez Grip

there's the Promises We Dont Know About again

i like the void's goofy asses. next is the x.3 patch so someone is going to have to eat it raw

#ffxiv #6.2 spoilers

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wesimpforxiao · 3 years

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Say My Name and I’ll Be There: 10.3: The FINAL Chapter!

Author’s Note: IM SO SORRY IM A DAY LATE I ENDED UP BEING BUSIER THAN EXPECTED AND HAD TROUBLE WRITING BUT HERE IT IS!!!! THANK YOU FOR READING! Be sure to stick around for Inception(Childexreader) ;)

"Xiao! Come here real quick!"

The yaksha glanced your way but didn't bother to get up since you were the one approaching him. It took a moment to register that your hands were entangled in his hair, placing something in it. Your smile was unusually bright today--so much so that it was blinding. Not that he minded though; you've been through a lot these past few months. Maybe this was the happiest you've been in awhile.

"I knew it," you beamed as you admired the flower crown atop his head, "You look so cute!"

"C...Cute?" His gaze flicked away from you for a moment while the tips of his ears reddened. "I-"

"Oh, take the compliment already. We've been together for awhile now. You don't need to be so shy around me." You let yourself fall back onto the grass that was shaded by a large orange tree. Is it a gingko? I need to ask Aether next time he comes in here, your mind trailed.

"I..." Xiao returned his attention to you and lay down next to you, careful not to invade personal space and always leaving an inch or two of space between the two of you. He let his hands lay on his abdomen until he jumped a little from you scooting over without a word. When he looked at you, he was greeted by a cheeky smile.

"I know you're not used to this type of thing called affection, but I can tell you don't mind it."

"Hmph. You've gotten smarter."

"Hey, I told you I'm not a stupid human!"

"You're beginning to sound like Aether's companion."

"Okay, there is a huge difference between emergency food and a stupid human."

"So you admit it?"

"Ugh, keep this up and I'll have no choice but to put more flowers in your hair."

"Do you dishonor every adeptus you come across?"

"Well, you're the only adeptus I've met besides Rex--Er, Zhongli!" The filtered sunlight peeking through the leaves above blinded you when you broke eye contact with Xiao, so instead you propped yourself on your side and admired the view behind him.

Aether's Serenitea Pot was massive. It had to span a mile or two in every direction, and the entire territory sat upon five tall cliffs that were connected via wooden bridges and held flowing waterfalls. The weather was always pleasant day-round. There were several pets outside of the main house on the main cliff that you had befriended, while Xiao seemed to connect the most with one of the gray tabby cats near the entrance. You had caught them sitting quietly together on several occasions.

"Granny would've loved this place," you sigh.

"I shall go with you to visit her grave." He didn't look at you as he said this, but the sincerity of his words rang as clear as the sky above. "...She'd be happy to know you're safe."

"All thanks to you." Despite originally admiring the scenery, your eyes had drifted downward and landed on his stomach. Both of you were fully healed by now because of Bennett, and neither of you had any lasting effects from your battles minus the required resting time. Your side held a prominent scar both at your front and your back, but did Xiao even get scars? He never revealed the answer--mostly because you were too embarrassed to ask--and thus leaving the idea to your imagination.

"I should probably check on the situation outside soon; it's been awhile since Aether updated us." Xiao sat up and summoned his spear--he had mentioned a few times that it was difficult for him to relax here and needed to keep himself busy since a comfortable life is a foreign concept.

"Oh, right..." Your gaze followed his figure as he rose to his feet. Sensing your--what was it, disappointment?--Xiao turned to you and removed his flower crown before gently placing it atop your head. That action was followed by a faint smile, then his lips lightly pecked the tip of your nose.

"I shouldn't be long."

"You two love birds have made quite the nest here! I've gotta say, Aether's got great taste." A familiar voice caught both of you off your guard and Xiao's stance became aggressively defensive in an instant. You and Xiao were supposed to be the only ones in the teapot at the moment, and even then, those who did occasionally stay in here didn't greet you like this. The person that voice belonged to wasn't welcome--or at least, belonged to a presumably-dead man--regardless of that savior act he pulled in Snezhnaya.

"Childe?" More shocked than afraid, you too rose to your feet. "What're you doing here?"

"Isn't it obvious? I came here because I had something to say." The harbinger was as carefree as ever, but as he walked towards you a slight limp became noticeable in his steps. He was hiding an injury, but was it from Scaramouche or from Aether?

"What did you do to Aether?" Xiao's voice was as low as a growl as he raised his spear higher. He stood slightly ahead of you to ensure your safety since you no longer had a vision and couldn't use those mysterious anemo powers ever since the rescue. And knowing you and your idiotic tendencies, he had to make sure you didn't do something stupid like try to fight Childe if provoked.

"Haha! Relax! Aether and Mr. Zhongli are doing just fine; in fact, they allowed me to enter!" Childe hid a wince when he stopped walking, but noticed the flicker of recognition in your eyes. His lips curled upward with flattery. "Don't worry, ojou-chan. A little scuff isn't going to take me out."

"I-I wasn't worrying about you."

He seemed unconvinced but faced Xiao again anyway. "You'd be pleased to know that both Aether and Zhongli let me in on their own accord--no manipulation from me whatsoever." The fact that he had to clarify that! "Why don't we chat over lunch? I'll cook. Show me to the kitchen, girlie?"

.............

To say that you and Xiao were staring was a bit of an understatement. Here you were, both sitting at the dining table in the main hall of Aether's adeptal house watching Childe cook up a meal fit for a large family while expertly navigating the kitchen like it was his own. And when he served you, the delicious aroma that wafted into your nose was nothing short of enticing. You and Xiao withheld your utensils--one out of weariness, and the other because it's not almond tofu.

"What?" Childe let out a slight chuckle as he took his seat and dug into his plate. You have no idea how thankful he was that there were forks in the drawers instead of chopsticks. "Oh, perhaps you two already ate before my arrival? More for me then I suppose."

"Um, so why are you here?"

"I figured I'd give you an update regarding our little situation outside."

"'Little?'" Xiao couldn't contain his scoff. He hadn't dismissed his weapon either, and it levitated beside his seat.

"Seems like the quiet life hasn't changed you one bit, yaksha." The harbinger stopped stuffing his face and set his fork aside to look at you. "Regarding what happened with Scaramouche, I think it's safe to say I won."

"If it weren't for you coming here today, I would've assumed your untimely demise." Ignoring Xiao's look of disapproval, you reached for your utensils and started to eat. Both of you hadn't taken your eyes off of the harbinger as he cooked, so the chances that he may have tampered with the ingredients were low. Plus it'd be out of his character to go about eliminating enemies like that. "I'm grateful that you saved my life, but don't think for a second that that makes up for everything you've done to us."

"Oh, I wouldn't dare. I know I've been aggressive for lack of a better term, but I'd like you to know that I'm only like that when it comes to my duties as one of the eleven harbingers. Aside from that, I'm happy to call you a comrade just as I view Aether and Zhongli."

"Woah woah woah," you nearly choked. "I'm certainly not going to start viewing you as a friend now."

Childe simply laughed at your objection. "Think what you may, but I do respect you and the rest of Aether's party. As for my motherland and it's affairs, I think you'd be happy to know that the Tsaritsa has stopped her pursuit of you and Xiao. She's not exactly appreciative of you wrecking the palace and would like to avoid any further destruction that can hamper her current plans."

"That's all it took for her to leave us alone? You must be joking." The archon had spent so much time and resources on hunting and imprisoning you--the idea of her giving up just like that had to be unrealistic, right? And the fact that Xiao managed to bring the entire palace down...there's got to be some sort of bounty on your heads.

Childe met your gaze and held a level of sincerity equivalent to the time when he confessed his feelings and offered you a position among the harbingers on Dragonspine. "Not in the slightest. Regardless, you're free to lead carefree lives from now on. Though if you'd like to rejoin the Fatui I'm sure I can pull some--"

"Nope. I'm done with that."

"Ha! Very well then." Childe resumed eating with an amused grin on his face, but Xiao wasn't satisfied with this conversation yet.

"You've given us no reason to trust your words." His stare was hard and calculating as he tried to decipher any hidden motives behind Childe's friendliness. It wouldn't be unusual for this to be some kind of trick. In fact, he expected that there'd be some sort of catch.

The harbinger sent a brief glance Xiao's way before guiding another forkful of food into his mouth and shrugging. "...Like I said, think what you may. I don't care if you two choose to live in this realm or in Teyvat with the rest of us. But then again it must be incredibly boring for a guardian yaksha to be lounging around in this domestic place. I know I'd be driven mad if I had to live in such a quiet place for so long."

Xiao didn't flinch or give any indication that he was right, but your eyes briefly flicked his way. It was uncomfortable for him to be 'relaxing' here with nothing to do. It wasn't surprising that he'd be yearning to go out and uphold his contract with Rex Lapis again.

............

"Childe, wait." Your hand gripped his forearm rather aggressively as he reached for the door handle to take his leave. Xiao had heard a disturbance outside and went to check on the realm just in case, so it was only the two of you inside the mansion.

"What is it, ojou-chan? Miss me already?"

"Yeah right." As he turned to face you, your grip lightened until you let go. He hadn't called you 'Mezzetin' once since he got here, only referring to you with this nickname like old times...Childe raised a confused brow. "Why?"

"...Why? Why what?"

"Why did you save me? You could've just let Scaramouche kill me back there. So...why did you risk your life to save mine when you didn't care less when I was tortured?" Your stance was firm as you faced him head-on. "I need to know."

"Ah," Childe awkwardly scratched the back of his head, "that." Some sort of conflict flickered in those blue eyes of his as he formulated an answer he didn't quite know himself. "Like I said earlier ojou-chan, I've always seen you as a com--no. As a friend. Just as Zhongli and I converse despite the Osial controversy, I see you in the same light despite my loyalty to the Tsaritsa."

"That doesn't answer my question, though. You had several opportunities to stop what was happening, and it was only then when you decided to step in. So why then? What changed your mind?"

"I don't know."

"Bullshit, Tartaglia. There's got to be strings attached to this, right? You expect something in return from me? Just get on with it already and tell me."

"I doubt you'd be satisfied with my answer regardless," he muttered mostly to himself. "I may be kind of a bad guy, but I'm not completely heartless." He observed the stumped expression that sat on your face as the gears turned in your head. Then, he turned to the door again. "When you're ready, you should join Mr. Zhongli and I for drinks sometime. Farewell, girlie." He was gone.

Despite the deep-rooted grudge you held against the harbinger now, you couldn't help but still hold some sense of familiarity or gratitude for him. You might just take on that offer if only to purposely antagonize him at the dinner table.

......

"Xiao, how did you get your tattoo?" The two of you were sitting beneath another one of the many trees native to Liyue in the adeptal realm, still waiting for news regarding your return to the mortal realm. Several days have passed since Childe paid you a visit, and Zhongli and Aether still had yet to check in on the two of you. To keep Xiao occupied and keep him from worrying, you'd ask him questions. "I don't have any of your memories of it."

Despite his memories being shared with you due to your bond, the further back in time they're from, the blurrier they got. The oldest memory you could 'remember' dealt with the god that enslaved him, and even then, there was no mention of the mysterious green markings that sat on his arm.

"I've always had these markings," he answered gruffly. He had sat up a moment prior with the intent to exit the teapot out of concern for your companions, but your random question caught him off guard. His amber eyes narrowed cynically when your fingers traced them.

"Do they have a special meaning?"

"'Meaning?'" His gaze averted for a moment as he decided whether or not to indulge such a topic. But your eyes were so full of life as you traced his arm, and your touch was so warm... "They represent my true form."

"True form?" You tilted your head and attempted to picture whatever the heck he would be, but all you saw were a bunch of random shapes. The other adepti in Liyue are shaped like deer and cranes, but what the heck was this mosaic supposed to be picturing? "And, uh, what would that be?"

Xiao let out a tiresome sigh and realized he may have made a mistake in answering these questions. Now that he had told you, you weren't going to stop asking until you got to see for yourself. He never uses his true form; very few had ever seen it and those who have have already passed. Zhongli had only ever seen it once.

Seeing his apparent concern made you raise a brow. "No way. Don't tell me your true form is a bug or something!"

"Tch. Is that really what came to mind?" Xiao shot you a glare before standing. He was planning on walking away and ending the conversation, but your silent pleading made him reconsider almost instantly. We are alone, he thought. Perhaps I could show her once. "Fine," he grumbled. "Close your eyes."

You obeyed. He didn't exactly say 'no' when you asked if he'd be a bug. He wasn't going to appear as such...right? Butterflies fluttered in your stomach at the anticipation. And just as your excitement grew, so did the winds that brushed past you. Even the leaves in the tree above were shaking violently. Then, everything stilled. Something soft brushed your fingertips, which were resting on your knees. It was a cue.

"Hm?" Xiao was no longer standing over you. Instead stood a majestic bird with blue and green feathers that shimmered like glitter in the sunlight that filtered through the tree branches. "You're--!"

"--a bird," he finished. He didn't say anything for a moment and allowed you to take it all in, seemingly shy or even embarrassed as you instantly reached out to touch him.

The blush that rushed to your cheeks was ignored by the both of you while your fingers grazed over the feathers that stuck up from the top of his head. He was beautiful; as breathtaking as a peacock, even. Your fingers trailed down the back of his long neck, earning a rise of feathers as Xiao contemplated your movements. His feathers were softer than the finest textiles in Liyue! And the tail feathers he had must've been as long as you are tall. They glowed a light blue that's similar to the eyes of his mask.

"So beautiful," you whispered in adoration. Xiao shifted his wait to his other foot. "Thank you for showing me." The fact that he did showed how much trust he placed in you--

The sound of a twig snapping scared the crap out of both of you--so much so that Xiao immediately transformed back into his mortal self. Since he was so close to you though, it looked like he was sitting on you from the front angle.

"Hey guys! Sorry it took so long to check in--" Aether nearly stumbled when he approached you. "Um...am I interrupting?"

"No!"

"The Vigilant Yaksha is BLUSHING?!" Paimon squealed so loud that the three of you scowled. "And what's with that sitting position?! You--"

"Paimon!" Aether swatted at his companion before she could say something that angered the yaksha. "We came here for a reason!"

"Hey! Paimon is NOT a fly!"

"It's confirmed to be safe now. You two can come home!"

"Wait, really?" The two of you stood up. "Are you sure?"

"Yep! There's no issue with the Fatui anymore. Everyone's backed off. We'll see you at the Pavilion for dinner to celebrate, okay? Don't be late!" The two partners exited the realm in a flash.

"Ready?" Xiao turned to you.

"Right now?! It's so sudd--"

"You don't have any belongings here anyways." The statement cracked a smile on both faces. "Let's go." He reached to tap the symbol on his hand.

Your hand grabbed his. "Wait! Let me see you a little longer." He was confused to say the least, but you didn't bother explaining how gorgeous he looked in the light right now. Those amber eyes mirrored your own--though perhaps it'd be more accurate to say the opposite. This is the last chapter of the crazy 'adventure' and the dangerous waltz with the Tsaritsa. In just moments you'd be back in reality, return to Liyue Harbor, return to your Granny's grave, and he would return to his duty of protecting Liyue. One more moment in this peaceful environment is all you need to admire him before life got hectic again.

Now your new adventure will be permanently at Xiao's side for however long your lifespan is: training with him, supporting him at his darkest moments, and loving him. No matter what Teyvat brings next, you'll be able to take it on head-first despite lacking a vision and at his side. You'll both thrive, not just survive. And as you peered into his eyes, you could tell he felt the same. "Okay," you nod. "I'm ready."

#wesimpforxiao #wesimpforxiaoupdates #genshin x reader #xiao x reader #genshin impact #say my name and ill be there

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mirrorgrets · 3 years

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Teyvat, the twins, and the Archons: a theory

Hello today I will be explaining my genshin impact theory which is most likely right because I say so and I have an inflated ego

Note: I will be referring to the MC as traveler and the Leader of the Abyss Order as such or as the missing twin for neutrality’s sake. And also because I chose Lumine and I can’t bear to say Lumine is “evil”

Note after writing all of that: Actually, I’m wrong. Reading it made me realize how batshit off the rails it all sounds. But here it is anyways because it’s a funny theory.

Contains multiple spoilers for the entirety of the game (1.3 edition)

Part 1. Gnosticism, Archons, and Humanity

I think by now, most of us have heard of the Gnosticism theory. If you haven't heard of it, Gnosticism is the belief that humanity could be more than what we are at present because of the world we're in.

Gnosticism has many versions but the basic concept of it is that humans are stuck in a fake world where our full potential is locked away because of our belief in false gods. The true God is the creator of the true world and between us and him, are beings called Aeons. One Aeon who is called Sophia (meaning Wisdom) created a being who thought of himself as the One True God and created the physical world in his flawed image. Oh, and he gave seven beings rule over the world he created, who are called the Archons.

Under Gnosticism, humans are thought to be part physical, but also have a spiritual component in us that grants us divinity. But because the false god and archons actively work to make sure we never realize that there is divinity within us, we never reach our full potential.

Connecting this with genshin impact, the humans in Teyvat have access to visions that give them power, as well as a chance to attain godhood. However, they believe that it is a gift from Celestia instead of a thing any of them can attain themselves. In fact, they don't even know that if one "receives" a vision, they can become gods because it's a secret that only Archons are privy to. Venti says this himself at the end of the prologue section of the main storyline when we ask him about visions.

It seems like Celestia doesn’t want humans to ascend to godhood. If we pair this with what we know from the Main Storyline trailer that Dainsleif narrates, it becomes clearer. He says that Celestia goads humans with their seven treasures, rewards for the worthy, the doorway to divinity. However, it seems like there is a warning for those who dare to try and ascend, as if they say that the throne in the sky is not for us even if we have the means to.

Doesn’t that seem to contradict the purpose of the vision? Yes, it is a means to help humans live in Teyvat, but why give out visions when the Archons know fully well that it could help them gain access to Celestia? Doesn't it then seem like visions are not gifts from the Archons but instead innate power that all humans possess?

Part 2. What are the twins + What is Dainsleif + What are they doing in Teyvat + the Genesis Pearl = A Loop

Most signs point to the idea that the twins are actually older than they look. It seems like Lumine and Aether landed in Teyvat at least 500 years ago during the cataclysmic event that wiped out Khaenri’ah.

Going back to the idea of Gnosticism, the true God sends out Messengers of Light to the false world to guide the humans to their full potential. And we see traveler helping their companions ascend further, reaching their fullest potentials when they “max out.”

Furthermore, it doesn’t seem like they’re human. During the 1.2 Dragonspine event, Albedo does tests on us, and though he doesn’t tell us his complete findings, he alludes that we are like him, created from a substance that is yet to be defined. This goes off from the theory that he’s a homunculus, created from chalk, purified soil, the building block of the world. Aside from that, after our fight with Childe, one of the dialogue options after he mentions the fact that traveler can use both anemo and geo, is that they’re slowly gaining back their true power.

And of course, when the twins first enter the world, they have actual wings which were stripped by the Unknown God. Doesn’t seem very human to me.

So, if the travelers are Messengers of Light, then why is that not their main goal? Based on the We Will Be Reunited trailer, when the Abyss Mage mentions the traveler to the missing twin, their face looks shocked, like they just remembered that they have a twin. There’s desperation in their steps when they rush to the cliff to see their twin again, like it’s been so long since they’ve seen their sibling who they literally forgot. I think that aside from stripping them of their power, the Unknown God also took away some of their memories.

So the missing twin might remember the actual purpose as to why they’re in Teyvat, but didn’t remember their sibling until recently, and traveler remembers their sibling but doesn’t remember the reason why they were in Teyvat in the first place (or they do but that isn’t their main concern since they’re putting their sibling first).

So how does Dainsleif relates to this particular segment? Well, in another version of Gnosticism, Aeons come in pairs. Sophia’s partner was Jesus. Now, in the Main Storyline trailer, Dainsleif alludes to a woman when at the very end of the video where he says “My memory has all but faded completely, but I will always remember, how she too loved these flowers.” The flowers are the flowers Lumine especially likes, the ones she adorns in her hair. A flimsy connection it may be, but a connection nonetheless.

Now, I’ve seen theories about Dainsleif being an older version of Aether, but that theory doesn’t hold water if you choose Lumine as your traveler or if you consider the fact that Dainsleif and Aether don’t share the same eye color. Yet, it’s not completely off. There are thirty Aeons in total, although this number can differ in other versions of Gnosticism.

Now, in Dainsleif’s quest, we immediately question this stranger as he is somehow omniscient, if we haven’t already questioned him with all his narration in the Collected Miscellany videos where he hints that he knows more than we do. I will say it now: I think that Dainsleif takes upon the role of Jesus.

I could be wrong. But I think I’m right. For now.

In another version of Gnosticism, Jesus goes to the false world and saves Sophia, as she forgets who she is, she forgets her divinity and is stuck there. If we follow the theory that Dainsleif is actually the second heir from the Gnostic Chorus teaser, and that he is searching for the Genesis Pearl. The Genesis Pearl symbolizes the beginning and purity that is incorruptible. This could be the essence of Sophia, the lost Aeon who incidentally created the false god.

Back to the Main Storyline trailer, Dainsleif says that the war has already begun, and that is just a continuation of past battles. We could take this in a sense that the conflict has reached its boiling point and that it was only because all these problems were left alone for too long. However, we could also consider the possibility that Dainsleif has lived through whatever the twins are going through right now because he is the first Messenger of Light to step foot in Teyvat.

We can also look into Dainsleif’s name, which is a Nordic name, actually written as Dáinsleif. This means Dain’s Legacy which is the sword of King Högni, which aided him in a never ending battle that went on until Ragnarok.

It seems like the twins are repeating a cycle that has already happened to Dainsleif and whoever the unknown woman who also likes the flowers the missing twin likes. All four of them are Aeons or Messengers of Light.

So who is that woman? I have no idea. It could the unknown god but that feels like a stretch. The unknown god might actually be the demiurge, the false god that created Teyvat and the seven Archons, and not Sophia herself. It could also be Paimon who might have some kind of relation to the unknown god, whether it be that she is the unknown god, or she is a being from Celestia. Either way, both feel like shaky theories.

But of course, Mihoyo is only taking inspiration from Gnosticism and several other sources which could lead them to take creative liberties when applying it to the game.

Part 3. The Abyss Order and Khaenri'ah: war crimes against humanity

Going back to my point about the twins’ original goal to why they went to Teyvat in the first place, let’s question why the missing twin joined forces with the Abyss Order and began to lead them to burn the throne of Celestia.

While we don't hear the missing twin mention Celestia in the We Will Be Reunited trailer, the only other time a throne is mentioned is in the Main Storyline trailer when Dainsleif mentions that Celestia does not want humans to ascend to take up a throne in the sky.

Back to the safety of the game's actual lore, we understand that Kaenri'ah is a godless nation that might have underwent a calamity that might have killed off most of its people since they were closer to understanding the truth, and were technologically advanced, compared to the other nations of Teyvat. An alchemist named Gold ultimately led to this cataclysm due to their greed for seeking erudition.

It is safe to assume that Celestia wiped out Khaenri'ah and all the technology they created. We could also assume that the people were all killed, yes, but it would be better to assume they were cursed instead. Into what though?

The hilichurls.

In the archive section of the game, under the books, there's quite a lot written about the hilichurls, thanks to Jacob Musk. The author describes the hilichurls to be drawn to old relics of the past, with even attempts to recreate it. Their way of lifestyle is even described, and it looks like they worship the element itself and not the Archons who represent it.

Doesn't it seem like the hilichurls have a connection with the ancient civilization of the past? Not to mention their strange connection to the elements in which shaman hilichurls (samachurls) can harness the elements without the use of a vision? If I am correct with my theory, then hilichurls were once citizens of the bygone Khaenri'ah who discovered they could harness the elements without an Archon's blessing that came in the form of a vision.

It doesn't feel too surprising considering that for monsters, hilichurls are quite smart. They even display human-like characteristics. In the game, we see them dancing, sleeping, just minding their own business in general. They have their own architecture and their own language. In the Hilichurl Cultural Customs book, we even discover that hilichurls are not as barbaric as they are made out to be as they have leaders who decide their policies and course of action. It's as if they have their own culture.

Ultimately, the hilichurls are part of the Abyss Order. The organization's main goal is to get undermine Celestia's rule, and at this point of this mess I call a theory, doesn't that make them stand in a position where nothing is painted as black and white as it seems. Yes, they do heinous things like steal, possibly murder, and set off a dragon on Mondstadt, but it looks like they're operating through a "the end justifies the means" kind of morality.

And the missing twin shares this sentiment. As they had seen what Celestia had done to Khaenriah 500 years ago before the beginning of the prologue, their desperation grows. Their war with destiny will not stop until Celestia falls because it is their ultimate mission. Traveler has taken up the safer side of this war, wherein they help the humans but the missing twin has taken up the side of fallen humans. This is why they're not evil per se; just going through questionable steps to achieve a righteous goal.

Part 4. Teyvat and its Archons

Based on all that, it seems like I’m painting the Archons to be the bad guys. I am. They wiped out an entire civilization on the basis that they might learn the truth of the world, and their uncanny closeness to Celestia.

But we like Venti and Zhongli, right? Of course we do! However, they were still complicit in the downfall of Khaenri'ah and the limitation of humanity in Teyvat.

To start, Venti had his gnosis was forcibly taken from him. He doesn't seem to mourn over that (although he could be hiding it) and it looks like he can still present himself in a godly manner as we see in Venti's quest when he revealed himself as Barbatos to Stanley. When we spend time with him under the tree of Vennessa, while he divulges the secrets of Celestia to us, he still seems to comply with them. This could be chalked up to the fact that ultimately, he is Mondstadt's Archon and also the weakest of the seven. We could also consider the fact that at the time of Khaneri’ah’s downfall, he was in Dragonspine with Dvalin, dealing with Durin.

With Zhongli, it becomes a bit more interesting. He gave away his gnosis under the agreement of a contract we do not know the details of. But why he did? Why not because of his regret as the geo Archon and of love? Zhongli once ruled over Guili Plains with another god named Guizhong, the god of dust. Guizhong loved their people but perished during the Archon War. He then moved their people to Liyue Harbor and in her place, began to love them. Although he is stilted with the way he deals with his people, we see that he cares. Over the years, he has grown soft and shed the persona of Morax, a god who dealt with war. He says this himself and it feels like his ability to care extends beyond that of Liyue. It's possible he gave up his gnosis because he understands what the Tsaritsa is doing and what she's fighting for.

The Tsaritsa is the cryo Archon and the god of love. However, according to Tartaglia, she had to harden herself to go through with her plan. But what is her plan but an act of love for humanity? Wiping out Khaenri'ah could've opened her eyes to the inherent cruelty of Celestia. The timeline makes sense because Venti said that 500 yers ago, he knew her well but now, not so much. It’s at that point she loses whatever loyalty she had for Celestia. She had to steel herself and begin her plans to overthrow Celestia, which involves taking the gnoses of the six other Archons to fight the false god and alleviate humans from the hell they are in. That is her way of showing her love to humanity.

Teyvat is only a false world. We have seen many instances of this being hinted at like when Katheryne of the Adventurer’s Guild says “rebooting” or “error” as if she is only a program, or when Scaramouche says that the sky and the stars are all fake. Even in the game, if you take a closer look at the stars, it feels fake, as if it is a dome that traps the humans in Teyvat. Even more unsettling, when going deeper within the Spiral Abyss, the more stars you see which could mean Teyvat is actually upside down and that go deeper within the Spiral Abyss, we are ascending closer to the true world.

What greater act of love could the Tsaritsa commit other than giving humanity the truth?

Part 5. In conclusion: none of this makes sense

To summarize my main points:

Genshin Impact takes a lot from the mythos of Gnosticism

Visions are not gifts from the Archons but an inherent power from humans that come from their own "divinity"

The twins and Dainsleif are related in some manner

The twins are repeating a cycle that Dainsleif has already been through

The twins are suffering some kind of memory loss

The twins are in Teyvat to help humans realize their power

Celestia is not heaven but more like hell

Teyvat is a false world

The Tsarita is actually good

The Abyss Order is a morally grey organization

Archons are bad

This could all be wrong as this is only a theory. But the connections I pointed out make a bit of sense. There’s still more lore to uncover as we’ve only unlocked two regions and the Pale Princess and the Six Pygmies only have one volume out so far (this book is important because an Abyss Mage says that there is a lie within it) so this could all be debunked when new regions are unlocked.

Still, it’s a pretty fun theory to believe in at the moment. Thank you for reading this mess I call a theory!

#genshin impact #genshin impact theory #lumine #aether #dainsleif #venti #zhongli #and when im wrong ?#who cares this is a funny theory actually #if anyone wants to discuss this theory ahaha my dms r open #also if i have made any mistakes pls tell me LMAO #take shot whenever i say gnosticism I HATE IT HERE MY BRAIN IS SO FRIED #i could write this more seriously but to keep myself from slipping im writing this what i call i can get away w comedy in my academic papers #bc its not funny #just me barely holding onto the tendrils of my sanity #yes i linked a wikipedia page LET ME BE I DONT WANT TO EXPLAIN RAGNAROK ANYMORE #wont mention battle pass anymore for dainsleif its too long lmao

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hiraemy · 3 years

Text

Lumine and The Goblet of Fire

Word count: roughly 2.7k for this part

disclaimer: first of all, this au was heavily inspired by @majunju 's incredible art! she made chilumi as beauxbatons and durmstrang students and my brain went brrr so i had to write something for them??

both Genshin Impact and Harry Potter are not created by me. However, i took the liberty to mix a lot of concepts in this AU, so have that in mind when reading.

for sake of plot, lets pretend that Durmstrang is located in Russia. Lumine, Paimon and Aether are the only ones from Beauxbatons, while the rest are from Hogwarts unless mentioned otherwise. All the characters that have adult models, like Jean, Lisa, Kaeya and Diluc are presumed to be adults, with Childe being the only exception. Also, all the characters that use children or teens’ models are students, with a few exceptions like Venti and Scaramouche [mihoyo pls stop giving us confusing ages and body models i never asked you anything]

(please, have in mind that english is like, my third language, if you notice a spelling or grammar error, feel free to message me!)

Act One: Lumine and her stupid impulse control

“I’m going to put my name on it.” Aether broke the silence suddenly

“What...? No! Oh god, I expected that from Paimon, but you’re just as bad as her!”

There were a lot of things that Lumine hated.

Open shoes. A very specific type of silk-flower based perfume(Aether once tried it because he wanted to impress a girl, but it ended stinking for two weeks straight). History of Magic. Condensed slime— those that Paimon loved, but she couldn’t even see it without being sick—, potions that took more than one single day to brew. But the worst, certainly was—

“C’mon, Lumine! You’re just afraid that you’re going to get your ass kicked in the tournament!”

...when Aether was being dumb.

“No, I’m not!” She countered quickly, ignoring the way Aether smirked like he knew exactly what buttons to push. Actually, it wasn't that far from reality, if she was being honest. She eyed the paper carelessly torn from his notebook that had his name as if she could burn it only with the power her heavy gaze. “You’re being dumb! Are you deaf or something? DIdn’t you hear them saying that the Triwizard Tournament has a high death count?”

“Paimon is sure it isn’t that bad!” The half-fairy smiled at her, eyes twinkling in greed and mischief. Lumine narrowed her eyes at the way she happily jumped in her steps, staying afloat in air for more time than it was normal to common humans “After all, they're opening it again, right? I’m certain that the ministry has done something to make it safer!”

“You’re the one to talk! You don’t care about anything other than the mora!” Lumine was quick to shut her down, sending a glare that didn’t affect any of the two. In that moment, the three of them entered the hall which had the Goblet of Fire in its full glory, a bunch of Hogwarts students surrounding it like curious birds, eager to know which students were applying for the tournament.

“Have a bit of faith, wont’ya?” Aether smiled boyishly, flicking his wand from his sleeve and hitting it slightly at the top of his head, also giving a wave to a bunch of ravenclaw girls that awed at his presence. He continued in his confident stride, each step leaving him closer to the Goblet “Arent I the best of our school when it comes to Charms? Besides, I have my beautiful, great and awesome sister which of course, will give her full support and use her full knowledge to—”

“Shut up, you know it's not that what I’m concerned with!” Lumine hissed, grabbing her brother’s wrist and tugging, lowering her voice. In the corner of her eye, she saw the Dumstrang guys eyeing her, Aether and Paimon like wolves, ready to pounce on them. “You heard the rumors, right? Please, don’t tell my you’re that reckless-”

“What rumors?” Paimon squeaked, her eyes going wide for a fraction.

“The Fatui. You know them, right? The Tsaritsa’s pawns.” She whispered, narrowing her golden eyes and not daring to let her guard down when she was in the same room as the Durmstrang and Hogwarts students. “There are rumours that they are at the move. Some say that her personal minions, The Harbingers, are also involved in some dark scheme around Hogwarts.”

“Nah. You’re just being paranoid, there’s no way someone of that caliber would be here" Aether raised his eyebrow and Lumine wanted to tug her hair out in pure frustration. “Besides, it’s not like I'm some helpless dead weight. I know I already said it before, but I’m really confident it’s going to be fine.”

“Aether is right, Paimon thinks you should relax!” The white-haired girl smiled brightly, nodding her head to herself. “Or even better, you could enter the tournament too! It would make our chances of representing Beauxbatons even higher!”

“Don’t you ever listen to me? Why would I—” Before she could complete her nagging, Aether quickly threw his paper into the Goblet, the flames flickering aggressively before consuming his entry. Her mouth fell open in disbelief, but the crowd around them didn’t seem to notice her reaction as they gave a round of applause for her twin.

“What, Lumi? Are you afraid of losing?” He made a point of taunting her with the most infuriating shit-eating grin he had “Or… Maybe you’re not up to the challenge…? Y’know, it’s really okay if you feel too scared to face some bad guys—”

Ah. Right.

Aether knew how much she loathed being underestimated.

“Shut up!”

"Aww, there is no need to be this angry! I'm your big brother, of course I'll know when you feel too scared to put your name on the Goblet! It's okay to feel insecure, and I think it is better for you to not enter as you might not be able to—"

The crowd cheered again as the Goblet of Fire consumed another entry from Beauxbatons Academy.

“Lumi—”

“Shut up, im still mad at you.”

Aether smiled sheepishly under his sister’s heavy glare and Paimon giggled. Lumine also sent her a heated look, making the half-fairy squeal childishly.

“Luuuuumi!” Aether whined, making her sigh. “Don’t be mad at me! You were the one who put your name on the Goblet, right?”

“Don’t act like you’re innocent! You know damn well what you did—” She hissed like a annoyed cat. Aether pouted and tried to trap his sister into a hug, but she slapped him away on pure instinct.

“Chill, chill! At least we’re getting a feast tonight, right? Not like we don’t eat well in any of the other nights, but a guy told me that Hogwarts’s food is really amazing on these special days!” Aether pleaded, the bright grin revealing how amused he was with his sister’s grumpiness.

“Free food is great, but free great food is even better! There is absolutely no way you can be mad after you eat, right?” Paimon tried, and Lumine let out an even more tired sigh. “Besides, a lot of students applied for Beauxbatons! What are the chances of you being chosen, especially since you don’t actually want to do it?”

“Shut up Paimon, you just jinxed it,” Lumine scolded half heartedly, tucking her notebook under her arm.

The bunch of Hogwarts students were a handful. Even with the merged classes to accomodate the Beauxbatons and Durmstrand delegations, it seemed like the hosting school’s own students were never going to be used to see them in the classrooms and corridors of the castle. Everywhere they went, their blue uniforms made the crowds stare them down with admiration, suspicion, curiosity or even anger in some cases.

Aether and her were somehow getting even more stares than the other Beauxbatons students. Her twin shined under the spotlight, offering a gentle smile to the brave girls who tried to talk to him sometimes —how strange it was to see her brother gathering a bunch of fangirls—, but she felt uncomfortable under the attention.

“You’re too tense, Lumi” Her brother chimed, as if he could read her thoughts. His arms were carelessly fold behind his head and he shot her a gentle smile. “No one is going to bite your head off if you smile a bit, right? Just relax!”

“Now, the moment you all have been waiting for...! The Champion Selection!” The Headmaster, Barbatos announced, his voice carrying in the big hall and being able to shush all chatter. With a swoosh of his hands, the lights on the walls dimmed down, leaving the Goblet of Fire as the main attraction.

Lumine felt a shudder in her spine, knowing that despite seeming like a simple gesture, the skill level required to perform a wandless and also wordless spell was higher than everything could even imagine herself doing. Deep inside her gut, the respect she had for the Hogwarts Headmaster was raised to the roof, especially since his appearance was nothing but of a kind and carefree young boy.

Below the table, her hands were connected in a silent prayer. Her luck couldn’t be that bad, could it?

If everything went well, neither her or Aether would be chosen.

“Mr. Alberich, would you like to do the honors?” Barbatos asked a blue-haired man, who Lumine vaguely recalled being a member of the Ministry of Magic named Kaeya. As he nodded and approached the Goblet, she felt her shoulders getting even more tenser.

The flames flickered aggressively, but Kaeya didn’t seem to be intimidated by it. He slowly extended his hand, the fire spiking suddenly and changeling from blue to a menacing pink as it spat a piece of paper.

“From Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Albedo!”

The crowd— majority being from Hogwarts itself, the hosting school— cheered loudly, the most excited ones being from Ravenclaw. A boy dressed in blue rose from his seat, his ash-blonde hair styled in a braid at the back of his head and teal eyes immediately catching Lumine’s attention. He quickly went to the front and was guided by one of the teachers to a backroom, disappearing from everyone’s view. Mr. Alberich waited until the cheers died down to announce the next Champion, the flames shaking as if the own Goblet was impatient. Finally, with a burst of green, another paper flew into his hands

“From Durmstrang Institute, Childe!”

This time was the turn of the students seated at the end of Slytherin’s table to scream, a lot of figures rising at once and making it almost impossible to pinpoint who exactly was Childe. However, Lumine could see how a tall guy with a slim build was receiving some strong pats on his back, his messy ginger hair being attacked by another short guy who was too enthusiastic. His eyes still glinted with pride and excitement, even if the neatness of his red uniform was entirely ruined by his peers.

She clapped politely, lowkey still distressed about the next Champion. She was suddenly startled when the guy, who was definitely Childe as he finally went to the front, made unexpected eye contact with her. His eyes lingered a few seconds more than she would be comfortable to admit, making her even more anxious.

Mr. Alberich approached the Goblet again for the third name. For some reason, Lumine thought that the man was being slow on purpose, or that the Goblet was being too indecisive, as the flames flickered between blue, yellow and orange aggressively for a few seconds. Everyone else seemed to notice this too, a few curious whispers breaking out between the students. Kaeya narrowed his eyes and then, not a second too late, the Goblet spat the last entry.

“From Beauxbatons Academy…”

Her stomach dropped and she thought she would throw up on the spot.

“...Lumine!”

Aether screamed the loudest, right beside her ears. Paimon came to a close second though, shaking her by her shoulders like a ragdoll as if there wasn't a tomorrow.

"Lumi! Lumi! What are you waitin' for? Go to the front!" She got up, feeling her stomach do all the kinds of flips and lowkey dizzy. Her head couldn't even register properly the cheers, her mind too busy shouting all the bad words she knew at her mental images of Paimon and her brother.

She took in a deep inhale, keeping her breath until she was in the front of the whole hall, right in front of the teachers. Lumine saw the Beauxbatons Headmaster’s eyes take her in with slight tension in his slender fingers and she couldn’t help but to feel out of place.

"Mr. Zhongli…" She greeted quietly at the man, his tiny nod being the only thing to indicate his acknowledgment. He quickly led her into the backroom she saw both Champions go before, his brown cape flying elegantly behind him with every step.

"Miss Lumine, what a pleasant surprise… I must admit I didn't expect you to put your name in the Goblet." Zhongli started as a matter of fact, even if his eyebrow had a curious arch, as if expecting her to explain this turn of events.

“Yeah, neither did I, if I’m being honest.” She sighed, her hand wrapping around her stomach to hopefully help with the nausea and anxiousness

“Be assured, I’m sure the Goblet of Fire made an excellent choice for our school.” Zhongli said, his voice acquiring a softer tone, probably noticing how the blonde fidgeted a lot. Lumine clenched her fists, taking a deep breath. The man didn’t say anything else, and both of them reached a room decorated with Hogwarts’ trophies from the many tournaments held before.

She immediately saw Childe in a corner, poking a shiny statue that seemed to react at his mean touches, his eyes shining with some kind of rush and impatience she really didn’t want to explore any further. A tall woman, with elegant white hair that reached at her waist and ice blue eyes, slapped his hand harshly, freeing the poor statue from the Dumstrang’s clutches. Lumine didn’t know who exactly this woman was— It was common knowledge that Durmstrang Institute’s headmaster couldn’t be bored to attend the tournament personally—, but she could assume safely that she was at least a teacher.

With his distraction taken forcefully from him, Childe finally seemed to notice Lumine, turning on his heels with hands on his pockets. The witch felt another chill, incredibly uncomfortable with his heavy gaze analysing every feature, but she prayed to every god that she could at least maintain the stoic features she was quite infamous for. His blue eyes stopped carefully to analyze her face— a fact that she pretended to not notice by looking away—, with a satisfied(?) smirk appearing on his face that screamed bad intentions.

It took more than she would like to admit to pretend she wasn't the least affected by his heavy gaze on the side of her face. Her arms crossed around her face, her hand resting discreetly above the hidden pocket in her blazer that had her wand. Golden eyes searched the room again for another distraction, until they landed on the figure of the ash blonde boy chosen for Hogwarts.

He was pretty, no one could deny that, but even if he had those stupid charming eyes of his, there still was something about him that really threw her off. She couldn't exactly pinpoint it, but Lumine was sure that Albedo had some kind of deep dark secret kept hidden in himself. Was the whole Harbinger thing making her paranoid?

Before she could answer her own question, Barbatos entered the room with other Hogwarts teached in tow. The three of them— her, Childe and Albedo— came closer to the fireplace where everyone gathered, eyeing the teachers and the Headmaster who stood in front of them in a neutral position, except for mr. Zhongli, who was behind her, and the mysterious woman she supposed was Childe's teacher behind him. Occupying the vacant space, a pretty woman immediately went to stand at Albedo's back. She had light-brown hair and alluring green eyes, but the most iconic feature was her curvy body accentuated by her purple dress.

If she had to guess, she would assume that she was Ravenclaw's house head. Technically, Barbatos had to be a neutral party, as the hosting Headmaster, even if everyone knew his favouritism towards his own school.

"Well, now that we're back here, far from prying eyes, guess I can finally drop the formalities!" The small man suddenly said with a big smile, catching her off guard. In the corner of eye, she saw that Childe had a similar reaction, but Albedo seemed exasperated. "I must say, this year's competition is going to be tough. But I'm sure you three will be able to handle it just fine, hehe!"

Oh god. Was Barbatos like this in real life…? Suddenly, the previous mighty and ruthless image she had of the Headmaster was shattered. All the books talked about him as one of the seven great wizards of the last war, so she expected something more… Aggressive?

"Venti, please." For a greater surprise, Mr. Zhongli seemed used to his attitude, poorly hiding his smile behind a fist.

"Yeah, right. The Triwizard Tournament" He forced a cough, hardening his expression and straightening his posture. "From now on, Mister Childe, Mister Albedo and Miss Lumine will face difficult trials to determine which one of you is the greater wizard. I should also mention that the prize will be eternal glory and ten million mora, of course."

"We already warned you before, but let me repeat it. If you don't take these challenges seriously, you'll probably be squashed to the ground." Mr. Alberich stated bluntly.

"Is there a chance of dying?" Childe asked, the way his head tilted indicating that he wasn't asking just because he was scared.

"There were a few casualties some years before, but this time, the Ministry is making sure to bring some precautionary methods." He answered cooly, his expression not changing the slightest. "That being said, we still stand on the recommendation that you take extreme caution."

He didn't deny it. The fact didn't pass above any of the students' minds, Lumine tensing her shoulders, Childe grinning madly and Albedo pressing his lips.

"Anyway, about the first task," Barbatos took the lead again, a satisfied smirk on his lips. "The three of you will face an ability challenge. In other words, you'll be facing magic combat right from the start."

"Against each other?" Lumine asked, not wanting to fight Childe even in her dreams. He exhaled some mad, maybe sociopath vibes if she looked at it from a certain angle, and she certainly didn't want to test her theory.

"Nope," Barbatos said easily, tilting his head in fake innocence "Where's the fun in that? I can't say anything else, since it's supposed to be a secret until the trial— Ah, by the way, about the test, it will be on November 24th. You have two weeks to prepare, so have fun!"

Forget every good thing she had thought of him before. He was a Madman. She was surrounded by a bunch of madmans.

Oh dear lord.

#genshin impact #genshin #genshin lumine #paimon #aether #genshin childe #Chilumi #fiction #wow look at me again #brain go brrrr #getting into another fandom be like #brainstorming for 30 hours #and then regretting all life choices #aether is dumb but we love him anyway #paimon is a half fairy sorry i dont make the rules

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therovingstar · 4 years

Text

Like Flowers Aflame

Summary: “I took your kill.” He almost starts when she calls to him, turns her head, and meets his gaze across the distance between them, still poised as he is on the wide steps. He questions which strikes him first: her dark eyes, ringed by a fire all their own, or the mild smile playing about her lips. She shrugs a shoulder. “Sorry.”

Hien x WoL (pre-relationship), <2700 words, fluff and feels, mild descriptions of blood.

@ffxiv-writers

AO3 Link

It is pandemonium, still, throughout the city and beyond its walls. Soldiers, leaders, resistance volunteers; dozens cross his path without him once being able to put a name to a mien. ‘Tis little surprise; he and his are the foreigners here, and there is no one who would recognize his face anymore than he would theirs. There are exceptions, of course, in a precious few, but they are justifiably occupied with the small matter of their nation’s new freedom.

He knows the feeling well. He should be with his own, miles away across the seas. And yet…

Lyse was a beacon in red, waving them down in the crowd. “I saw her earlier,”she said, “helping the other healers. Then I heard she went up top.” The young woman pointed above her head, and he followed her finger to the top levels of the Ala Mhigan palace, gleaming white and smoky gray against the blue, early evening sky.

“For what reason?” Yugiri asked. Lyse shrugged.

“Something about sussing out the aether in the atmosphere? Making sure that primal doesn’t show back up, presumably. We’ve already removed Zenos’ body. Guess it’s a precaution.”

That was all he needed to hear.

“My lord, where are you going?” Yugiri called to his back. Hien looked back over his shoulder, offering a bracing grin.

“To retrieve our hero, of course.” And before anyone could respond, he rallied himself and disappeared back into the bedlam.

He should be with his people now, or at least crossing those great waters to return to them. And he will be, come the definitive end to this day of revolution. But first…

The Gyr Abanian sun begins its descent in earnest as he traverses the residents’ quarters and approaches the palace. It paints everything in shades of orange and gold, from the stone buildings to the cargo wagons to the dented armor of Garlean machina and the torn uniforms of Alliance soldiers. For a moment, one can almost ignore the carnage of the day, so effective the dusk is at casting it all in gilded hues. It makes him yearn for the sight of the Ruby Sea at such a time, when the waters are burnished with a fire to rival Hell’s Lid.

How surprised he is, then, when he enters the palace under cover of chaos, climbs the staircase, and steps foot onto the shore of another kind of sea entirely.

There is a garden aflame. Hundreds, thousands of them, pink and red and white blossoms swaying as if from the tips of candle wicks under a breeze that teases his cheeks and the white fur lining his collar. Water gleams in golden pools bordered by white marble and teeming with green leaves and lotus.

It is beautiful, a landscape painting turned reality, and made a portrait by the lone Raen woman standing at its center, still as a sculpture.

But first, I wish to find her. See her, speak with her. Just for a moment.

What a ruler he is.

“I took your kill.” He almost starts when she calls to him, turns her head, and meets his gaze across the distance between them, still poised as he is on the wide steps. He questions which strikes him first: her dark eyes, ringed by a pink fire all their own, or the mild smile playing about her lips. Odzaya shrugs a shoulder. “Sorry.”

Hien blinks once, perhaps twice, before he bursts with a laugh.

“Aye! I suppose you did!” He approaches, his steps light, and stops several fulms away from where she stands bracketed by blossoms. “‘Tis fitting, I think.”

She looks surprised. “Truly?” Skepticism coats her gaze and tone as she turns in his direction.

“Truly,” Hien confirms, and crosses his arms, considering. “Zenos yae Galvus took much from me, certainly, but I am hardly the only one. Every Doman, every Ala Mhigan, every person who lost a home or a loved one or a livelihood to the Empire’s greed and his supposed ennui…they all deserved a chance at his head.” His gaze finds the place where the man in question’s body fell; his spattered blood still shines unnaturally jewel-like under the evening sun on the marble, as well as the petals of nearby flowers. Beautiful in the most morbid of ways. He grins suddenly, and looks at her. “My heart warms knowing that you thought of me, however.”

“A brief thought as he attempted to eat me, yes,” she admits, half sarcastic. Hien chuckles.

“Conqueror of Bardam’s Mettle and proud samurai I may be, but I know well that my skills paled in comparison to the man who felled my father, renowned swordsman that he was.” His grin widens. “I could not have hoped to defeat Zenos with my blade any more than a farmer with her hoe or a merchant with his silver tongue.”

“Give yourself a touch more credit, ‘Fire Walker’,” Odzaya replies, a thick purple brow lifting as she smirks. “You would at least do better than the merchant.” Hien guffaws, and her expression turns curious. “Speaking of silver tongues, whose was it that convinced you to come all the way up here?”

“I looking for you,” he answers easily, “of my own volition. Lyse mentioned something about your doing aether surveillance.”

Odzaya shakes her head. “Nothing so pedantic; I’ve not the tools on hand, nor the patience to use them. I was merely satisfying my own paranoia, more than anything.” She shifts back to her previous position of facing the far end of the gardens, and Hien follows without thinking, unwilling to resist his own curiosity. Soon, they both stand on the site of the Garleans’ last stand, where Zenos’ primal – Shinryu, he overheard it called – was previously bound. “Here is where it is most concentrated,” she tells him. “Feel it?”

He does, slightly. Sees it, as well. A strange thickness to the golden air as it enters his nostrils, barely visible undulations of sickly green at the edges of his periphery. A taste on the back of his tongue, just this side of bitter. He cannot hone in on any of it, distant sensations that they are and try as he might, but it makes his skin itch, his lungs reluctant to expand for what they may suck in. He looks beside him to find Odzaya’s eyes closed, her nose lightly wrinkled. Little doubt she senses more, for better or worse. “I will say,” he begins, crossing his arms, “I am glad we have not to compete with such creatures in Yanxia.”

“Mm,” Odzaya hums in agreement. “Be glad they’ve taken so much to these lands, instead.”

Hien thinks, then grins. “Ah, but then we have no Warrior of Light, either. Perhaps it would be a fair trade to deal with the occasional evil being knocking down our doors, to have one such as yourself in our regular company.”

She snorts once, and her smile, having disappeared beneath her concentration, returns. “Selfish.”

“At times,” he replies, and grins wider at her profile. “As we all are.”

They share silence, then, but for the wind through the blossoms and the gentle trickle of water. If he strains, he can hear the din down below, but up here, they seem separated from it all. It reminds him of the Azim Steppe’s plains, where malms of grasses stretch into infinity. Where one could seemingly chase the horizon forever and never encounter a soul.

He misses it. Here, however, with her, it feels as if a small fragment of the feeling has returned to him, even on this foreign soil located on the other side of the world. A power she gained as khagun, her connection to the land allowing her to carry its essence with her? Or merely a power she has all her own and over him, to conjure fond recollections of those days that were as fraught as they were halcyon?

“On the Steppe,” Odzaya begins suddenly. Hien mildly startles, thinking for one impossible moment that she read his mind. Then she continues. “There is a belief, that to interrupt a hunt is to interrupt fate. It is a sacred bond, that of two souls opposed. Predator and prey, seeker and sought. A matter to be left to the gods and the gods alone.” She opens her eyes and shrugs lightly. “A silly thing to consider perhaps, given what soil we are on and my extensive record of solving others’ problems. But…”

“But?” he encourages.

“But unlike those others, who gave me their blessing to act in their stead,” she says, and looks up at him, her sun-red gaze keen beneath the clean cut of her braided bangs, “you did not. And I recognized the desire in your eyes when we fought together in the Naadam and in Doma. To meet blades with those to stole so much from you. Regardless of your chance at victory.”

I see. So that is her quandary, then, and why she has brought it back to the fore, despite his assurances. Hien sighs, thoughtful, and absently rests a hand on the hilt of his katana. “You are not wrong,” he answers honestly. “A large part of me longed to meet the man on the battlefield. Partly for my father, as well as my countrymen. But also for the sake of my own pride.” He huffs once in amusement at his own foolery, and his thumb plays with the catch, teasing a release of the blade. “Would I be able to hold my own against the warrior no other has? T’was a question I could not help but ask myself, however ridiculous.”

“I took away your opportunity to find out,” Odzaya says, her gaze somewhat regretful. Hien laughs aloud.

“Fret not, my friend! Regardless of our blades never meeting, I received my answer well from the ‘hunt’ I witnessed between the two of you.” He takes his gaze to the palace’s tower and surrounding spires, a broken beacon still smoking in the aftermath of their duel. “I could scarce imagine besting the man, let alone a beast of the magnitude he became.” He sobers, and his smile gentles. “No, I am content to have had you there in my stead, and the stead of all those who suffered from his deeds.” He faces her fully, then, and makes a show of bowing low. “Just as it was my honor to have you at my side during my country’s liberation, so it is my honor to have had my personal hopes met by your hand.” When he straightens, only to be met with her widened gaze, he grins broadly once more. “I daresay you are performing your role well. ‘Tis a khagun’s duty to fulfill the wishes of her people, no? And from what I’ve gathered since arriving here, you have many outside of the Steppe.”

To his surprise, the woman scoffs lightly. “As if they would know the title.”

“I am here, yes? And Lyse, as well as a contingent of the Xaela who chose to take the journey here in your name.” He thumps a fist to his armored chest in a warrior’s gesture. “We will inform them.”

Odzaya shakes her head emphatically. “Keep the knowledge to yourselves, if you please. The last thing I need is more unnecessary ceremony. They already make too large a matter of me on this side of the world.”

“Can you blame them?”

“Yes,” she replies bluntly. “And you and Lyse for making it worse if you talk.” When he merely shrugs in answer, she narrows her eyes and angles herself toward him once more, her mouth pursed. He notes the medic’s uniform she wears, identical to the one worn by others he saw about the field but for the extra padding about her torso and arms, her armored boots, and the white and red cloak clasped at her neck. An attempt to make her abilities known, perhaps, while still blending in. Frankly, it fails. She still stands out like a lone lantern in the dark, not just for her scales or the vibrancy of her hair, but for the understated grace and power with which she carries herself. Like the blooms around them, he reckons, his eyes absently finding them; far hardier than they look, for all the epic battle that just took place here put them through. Even the ones that bore the brunt of Zenos’ bloody collapse have sprung back up in a way the warlord definitely did not, bruised but otherwise unscathed, and no less beautiful.

His gaze returns to her, and his smile, for a moment, turns inward. “Fitting,” he says again, this time as a murmur to himself.

“You said that,” Odzaya replies. He forgets about those keen horns sometimes; even Yugiri still blindsides him with all she manages to hear. “Still thinking about it?” she inquires.

“Just wondering what it is like to face a dragon in combat,” he says, in effort to cover his momentary daydreaming. To his surprise, she answers immediately.

“Hot and messy,” she states with all confidence, as if it is a knowledge she is intimately acquainted with. “And terrible-tasting. The blood gets everywhere.” She absently licks at the thick width of her bottom lip, and Hien splutters before he can control himself.

For every substantial thing he learns about her, like her gift for healing or her war-torn past or her casually rubbing shoulders with some of the most prominent figures on either continent, it is the smaller things – the fact that she sharpens the decorative edges of her staves and adores children and has apparently tasted dragon’s blood – that set his heart racing for reasons he is not quite yet willing to ponder.

“I suppose we’re done here. You did come to retrieve me, yes?” Odzaya makes the first move for the rooftop’s exit, her cloak billowing briefly outward with the abrupt spin of her heels. Hien comes back to himself with a small shake of the head, and she lifts a brow. “Are you alright?”

“Aye,” he says, pasting an easygoing smile on his lips. “Perhaps it is the aether, along with the hectic events of the day. My attentions seem to be scattering themselves.”

“You did come a long way,” she replies, and pauses, turning to face him once more. When next she speaks, her voice is softer. “Thank you, for the record. For doing that. Coming.” Hien’s smile widens.

“I said I would come,” he says with gentle conviction. “T’was a promise, yes?” Odzaya shrugs.

“Crossing an ocean is a long way for a promise, especially for a king with a country.”

“I could not well leave my khagun to do battle alone,” he half-jests. “A small difference we ultimately made, but it was a difference, still. And it was the least I could do for what you did for me and mine. And what you have done now.”

It is practically nothing, for all that she has done for him. A hundred years he could spend in attempt to repay her, and he fears he would still fall short. It says something, he thinks, that he still wishes to try.

“Well, you have my gratitude,” Odzaya says, and lifts herself briefly onto her toes, her head lowered just enough for her locced bangs to cover her eyes. A gesture of shyness, he inexplicably recognizes, having seen it last on the Steppe, when her family made such a fuss over her return to their midst. The realization brings that earlier inward smile to his face in full, blatant force before he can stop it.

“As you have mine,” he returns. Their gazes find one another again, and when she returns his smile, it is warmer than the sun on his face.

He dares to think he would cross another ten oceans, just to bask in its heat as he is now.

A hundred years. Ten oceans.

Small prices to pay for her eyes upon him.

#hien rijin #hien x wol #final fantasy xiv #final fantasy 14 #ffxiv #ff14 #odzaya malaguld #otp: starry-eyed #storytime #reposting to try to get these tags and links to actually work

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roses-and-grimoires · 4 years

Note

Relationship & Courting antics Asks: 1-30. *whistles innocently and strolls away* >.>

Lol! Fine @thedarknesssings, you troll. *crackles knuckles* Let’s do this.

Cutting for length:

♥ Do they seek out love or let it find them? Are they even interested in romance?

Idris is a complete and utter romantic, so yes, he is interested in romance. Though, interestingly, he doesn’t tend to actively seek out love; most of his relationships he’s rather… fallen into. For someone who likes to pretend that they are confident and unflappable, he is rather shy when it comes to making the first move.

♥ When they have a crush on someone, how do they let them know?

Oh, Idris is so bad at this. The poor guy is both deeply romantic and wants someone to share that part of his life with and deeply afraid of rejection. He tends to be nicer to them, for starters, and will leave them gifts like flowers and the like, as well as doing favors for them. If those don’t work he might escalate and do some sort of grand romantic gesture.

♥Tell us about a time they were rejected.

Back when he was attending the Scolasticate he had a crush on a another student. It didn’t go well for him; she was a noble and he was a bastard without any claim to title. When he did try to ask her out he was very soundly rejected without her giving him a second thought.

♥ Do they spend a lot of time in the courting stage or attempt to get to first base as fast as possible?

Courting. Idristan really needs that connection with someone in order to feel safe enough to drop his guard and actually enjoy a relationship.

♥ Do they wait to be intimate until after marriage or break all the social rules?

Oh, he definitely doesn’t wait until after marriage, that’s for sure. I wouldn’t go so far as to say that he breaks all the social rules, but rather is aware of them and knows how to dance at the edges of them. After all, it’s fun to have people speculate about what you, a proper, upstanding Ishgardian might have been up to and know that they have no proof.

♥ Do they have open or closed relationships?

He used to be fairly strictly monogamous, but has soften a bit on it (partially thanks to being around some friends). The whole idea of an open relationship is honestly a bit new to him and he’s still trying to figure out how it all works.

♥ How do they feel about polygamy?

He’s overall neutral on it. He doesn’t really think it’s for him and definitely doesn’t get either Miqo’te culture at all, but he also truly could not care less what other people are doing. It’s Not His Problem.

♥ Are they loyal to their partners?

Oh, absolutely. He would go to war for them (and arguably has…).

♥ Are they patient with their partners?

More than most people. Which, to be fair, in his case is a very, very low bar to clear.

♥ Do they include their partners in most aspects of their life?

This is something he’s bad at. The fact of the matter is, Idristan is involved in a lot of things, from mercenary work to Ishgardian politics, and they’re not necessarily things he can bring people into (especially before they all blow up in his face). He’s trying to be better, but there’s only so much he can really do there.

♥ Do they make an effort to find someone with similar views, be they political or moral?

Absolutely. He could never be with someone who considered him sub-human or who couldn’t accept his heretic past or some of his current actions (which are very dubiously legal). Fortunately for him, the groups that he spends the most time with don’t tend to keep such people around for long (with one or two notable exceptions…).

♥ Do they seek to find a partner purely to further the bloodline and name, is it for true love, or is it for pleasure alone?

Mostly love, with a bit of pleasure thrown in. While his family name is very important to him, he is under no delusions that it is to anyone else. And while he might like children at some point, right now it isn’t a major priority for him. He’s content to enjoy how things are now.

♥ Do they sleep in the same bed/room as much as they can or do they sleep separately?

As much as they can. Touch is incredibly important to Idristan so he likes just being near those he cares about. Plus it helps him sleep better; having company is often better than being alone when the nightmares strike.

♥ Do they make it a point to eat at lease one meal a day together with their partner, or do they do as they please?

Idristan makes a point to eat with Solenne when he can, since that means that he knows that she’s had at least one decent meal. When he can’t do that, he trusts the cook he hired to see to it. Granted, a lot of this is because he knows how wrapped up in work she can get, as well as not trusting her to cook. At all. (And with good reason).

♥ Do they enjoy talking to their partners before going to sleep or is it straight to dreamland?

Typically straight to dreamland I think. Granted, a lot of that is because Idris often uses tea blends to help him sleep and ward off nightmares.

♥ Do they have at least one bonding activity they devote to doing with their partner exclusively?

Idristan and Solenne are both very good dancers. I think there’s been more than a few nights where they’ve just put on music and danced, or else went out to some high class party and utterly dominated the dance floor.

♥ What sort of characteristics or quirks draw them to someone?

A sense of humor. Since his own tends to drive people away, anyone who actually returns some jabs is automatically more interesting to him.

♥ Do they have a ‘type’?

Very much so. Idris needs people who can challenge him, who will stand up to him and banter with him. He appreciates wit and intelligence, someone who knows how to take care of themselves, and who is maybe just a bit dominant and unafraid of saying what they want. Elezen is a plus.

♥ What was their first impression about their partner/person they are courting?

Idristan’s first impression of Solenne was... quite an interesting one. He ran into her while she was essentially possessed. By the end of their meeting he had realized that she was in trouble and, of course, set out to try to help.

Ghost was a bit more low key in comparison. He noticed hoe good looking he was, of course, and how quieter he was compared to Marius, but sharp.

♥ How did their relationship start?

Idristan and Solenne’s began after a long, long period of mutual pining. The reason for this was because Idristan didn’t want to start one with her because he was fairly sure he was going to die (or worse), but... things got bad and Solenne managed to convince him that it was better to take advantage of the time he had. He’s very glad she did.

Idristan and Ghost I’d say properly got started after Idristan got shot during a Covenant mission. Ghost came to check on him, Idristan was honest, and Ghost offered to share aether with him, annnd things went from there. It probably helped that Idristan apologized for implying that Ghost is a monster that should be killed.

♥ What was the most romantic time they had with their partner?

I think it would have to be the time that Idristan and Solenne went down to the beach to dance under the moonlight. Especially that first time. That was special.

♥ Tell us about a sacrifice they made for their significant other.

While Idristan feels like his home will always be Ishgard, he knows how important Gridania and the Shroud are to Solenne. And so he bought the two of them a little house there.

♥ Do they apologize to their partner even if it wasn’t their fault?

No. While he is better with his partners than most people, he still has some difficulty apologizing even when he needs to, let alone when he doesn’t.

♥ Will they lie for the sake of their significant other’s happiness?

To a point. He mainly sticks to lies of omission, since he knows very, very well that he can’t get away with lying outright to Solenne. And even then he tries to avoid it, both because she can usually tell and because it doesn’t tend to work out for him.

He has bent the truth with around Ghost and is currently keeping quiet about some other things so as to not alarm him, but that’s less about his happiness and more because he would likely try to stop him if he knew what was going on.

♥ If they could choose their partner again, would they choose the same person?

Oh, absolutely. He deeply loves Solenne and would do anything she asked. If anything he would have wanted to run into her earlier; it might have saved both of them a great deal of pain.

He’s not quite there with Ghost yet, but he deeply cares about the thief. He’s going to do everything he can to protect him and to not abuse the power that he’s given him over him.

♥ What do they love most about their significant other?

Idristan loves Solenne’s confidence. She is someone who knows what she wants, how to get it, and has the stubbornness to know that she will get it. He absolutely adores that and has the highest respect for it. He is more than happy to help her with her ambitions.

As for Ghost, he loves how surprisingly tender and protective he can be. He feels safe around his thief, like he can completely drop his guard, and that’s not something that he can say about many people. And it’s not something that you’d necessarily expect from Ghost, so that makes it all the more special, as if it’s their own little secret.

Honestly... there’s some overlap here. Idris has a type and it seems to be confident people who are not afraid to get some blood on their hands.

♥ Have they had dreams about their partner/the person they are courting?

Oh, absolutely. All sorts of dreams. Some of them are quite pleasant, others he probably couldn’t describe without blushing. And some nightmares as well. Having something happen to the people that he cares about is one of Idristan’s biggest fears, especially if he is somehow involved (which, considering he has accidentally almost killed Solenne once, is not an unfounded worry).

♥ Do they understand their partners/person they are courting’s feelings without them having to say anything?

Yes. Despite how grumpy and curt he is around most people, he is actually very empathetic and good at reading people, and that goes especially for people that he cares about and has taken an interest in. While he’s missed a few things and has a few blind spots, on the whole he usually has a pretty good general idea.

♥ How do they express their love to their partner?

Touch. He will be borderline clingy with the people he cares about. Part of it is that it’s his preferred way of showing closeness, part of it is that he’s likely a touch deprived. He will also bring them little gifts (flowers are a big one), and just generally tries to be very attentive. He will sit and listen if he thinks they need that, or else will drag them out to go dancing or the like to distract them.

♥ Would they leave the person they love if it meant saving their life/giving them a better chance at life?

He actually tried that once. Solenne then proceed to figuratively kick some sense into him, and he wouldn’t dare to do it again. Whatever happens, they’re going to get through it together.

#Anonymous #ffxiv #balmung #idristan agache #replies

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ghouls-dream · 5 years

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HC: Papa (s) and the ghouls' favorite habit of yours 🖤 (I felt bored in the buss to my hometown sO ENJOY BBYS)

Papa Nihil: cleaning all the time (even when you're not nervous)

I have a strong feeling that Nihil is one of those people who simply can not stand a dirty, untidy place. His office is always clean, shining and it always smells fresh. And I guess that's what he loves in you the most - you both share the same opinion (and passion lol) in wanting your place to be nice and tidy. Whenever Papa sees you folding clothes, cleaning the dust or whatever else, he, again, reminds himself of one of the many reasons why he fell in love exactly with you.

Papa Emeritus I: giving a good night kiss to all the kits

I see Papa Emeritus I as a really caring person, someone who'd spend a lot of his time helping the Sisters of Sin to do their work or simply just take a good care of the youngest members of the Church. He is extremely affectionate when it comes to the little ghouls and loves to watch you putting them to sleep in the afternoon and in the evening. But what Papa loves the most in you is your sweet habit of giving a forehead kiss to all the little ones before bedtime. He sees that as a small act of big love and great connection to the world around you. That's why he thinks that exactly this little ritual of yours is so sweet. And of course he enjoys looking at how your motherly love shows every once in a while.

Papa Emeritus II: making little notes and putting them everywhere around the Church (being organized)

Papa Emeritus himself is a really self critical person, as well really punctual, serious and strict. Many of the ghouls (and his brothers sometimes) find this extremely annoying, but not you tho. In fact it's not a surprise you are his perfect match - you're as well organized as himself. Your little habit of putting small sticky notes around the Church that remind you of your "chores" and "tasks" for the day is something he adores. Sometimes he even puts another sticky note beneath yours saying "You're doing amazing, mi amor." or something of that matter.

Papa Emeritus III: twirling a lock of your hair

This one is a big fan of making ladies swoon over him. No matter what he does - smiling, chuckling playfully or a simple wink... He's "the ladies man" and loves to see the sisters blush or giggle in their response to his flattery. But what makes Papa Emeritus III lose his mind over you is your sweet habit of twirling hair around your fingers. It drives him nuts because this exact small gesture shows him how "excited" or nervous you are around him. Papa loves to remind himself of the power he has over girls, but what he adores is to see you play with your hair whenever he speaks to you - it makes him crave you in every single way.

Copia: always tapping on any kind of surface

Cardinal is the type of guys that notice every single change - in the atmosphere, in people's moods or whatever. He knows damn well when something is about to escalate or when someone is getting angry. And so he noticed your habit of always tapping your fingers on a table surface (or any other kind of surface lol) whenever you're tired or getting frustrated. Copia honestly finds it adorable when you do it and always tries to remind you to remain calm or just "have a walk with him" in order to relax.

THE GHOULS

Rain: naps

Power naps, regular naps, spontaneous naps... Doesn't really matter, Rain loves to see you sleeping. (Not the psycho way lol) The watery ghoul loves to have you cuddled next to him, you tracing your fingers on his chest as he gently brushes your hair... Which causes you to fall asleep in his arms. That's one of Rain's favorite things about you - he knows well how hard you work as a Sister of sin and that you get tired easily, so seeing you taking a small nap, while laying on his chest, makes the ghoul not only feel special but as well loved in a magical way.

Dew: shaking your leg when you're sitting (no matter if you're nervous or not)

Of course Dew will like a habit of yours that includes being nervous , but not really showing it. Little do you know - he always knows when you're feeling anxious. The ghoul finds it adorable when he sees you shaking your leg, whenever you're sitting next to him. He'd usually chuckle or make a stupid joke about it, then will probably brush your tight gently and whisper something like "Relax, baby, everything is fine."

Swiss: watching you put on (or redo) your lipstick

Swiss is head over hills about your habit of always trying to look your best. No doubt his favorite part is when you put your lipstick or try and redo it. The way the paint spreads across your lips and makes them look even more kissable, drives him insane. Similar to Papa III, he finds it hard not to want you ever single time you do this (which is quite often) so whenever he gets the chance, Swiss finds a way to ruin your lipstick and make out with you at every given moment.

Mountain: picking up flowers everytime you go out

One of the things the earthy ghoul loves the most about you is your little habit of picking up flowers. Whenever you two go out (on a date or just for a simple walk), you always start taking daisies or other flowers, putting them in a small bouquet. Mountain adores your love for nature and whenever he sees an opportunity, the ghoul takes one of the daisies you've got and puts it in your hair, reminding you how beautiful you actually are.

Aether: always humming a song while doing chores

I have a feeling that Aether is one of those "stay-at-home-people". He enjoys home made food, or a quiet movie night, or a family-friends gathering or some of that matter. This is also one of the many reasons why he fell in love with you - because you understood perfectly this side of his and loved staying at home. So whenever you started cooking, or tidying up, or do something else, you'd always be humming a song. Aether can't help but smile each time this habit of your shows because he adores your passion for music.

Cumulus: getting distracted super easily (daydreaming)

Cumulus is one of the most loving ghouls and persons you have ever met in your life! She has a heart of gold and there is a place for everyone in it. Especially one for you and your sweet little habit of daydreaming. Whenever someone starts talking or explains some really long stuff, you kinda drift off in your own world. This is a habit you're not really proud of, but Cumulus finds it absolutely adorable so she'd always kiss your nose and remind you to "come back in this reality" .

Cirrus: brushing her hair before sleep

Cirrus loves having her hair touched! No matter how - if you'd braid it or do something else with it, she loves it. What the ghoulette loves the most is your little bedtime routine of brushing her hair. There is no other better way in the world to make her feel relaxed after a long ritual or simply just make her sleepy. She would always turn her head to you at some point and give you gentle kisses in order to "thank you" for what you do for her.

#the nameless ghouls #aether #dewdrop #ghost #ghost bc #nameless ghouls #the band ghost #rain #ghouls #swiss #mountain #papa emeritus #papa emeritus iii #cardinal copia #ghost band #ghost hc #ghoul #papa emiritus ii #papa nihil

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lyllyan-weiss · 5 years

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LONG Character Survey: Lyllyan Weiss

BASICS.

FULL NAME: Lyllyan Aster Weiss

NICKNAME: Lyl, Lily, Lil' Lily.

AGE: 21

BIRTHDAY: 11th Sun of the 6th Astral Moon (November 10th)

ETHNIC GROUP: Auri|Xaela (In Eorzea)/ Human (Out of World)

NATIONALITY: Eorzean (In Eorzea)/American (Out of World)

LANGUAGES: Eorzean, Draconic, basically anything due to the echo.

SEXUAL ORIENTATION: She is Bi. Swings both ways. She loves all.

ROMANTIC ORIENTATION: Biromantic

RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Depending on the different routes on the story, she will be either single or taken.

CLASS: Jack-of-all-trades

•Knows everything and knows how to play everything.

• Favors caster classes above everything else.

HOMETOWN / AREA: N/A

CURRENT HOMETOWN / AREA: Shirogane is where her apartment is, but she sees Ishgard as her home that she spends her time in, and then the Crystarium had became home to her as well.

PROFESSION: Scion, Adventurer, Full time hero in both her world and Eorzea. In her world she is a waitress and an artist/animator.

PHYSICAL.

HAIR: Right now it is Brown with Light brown Highlights

EYES: Purple (Right), Green (Left)

NOSE: Small and Sharp

LIPS: Small and full

COMPLEXION: Pale but fair.

BLEMISHES: None.

SCARS: In Eorzea, her scars are battle scars that is more aligned on her back. They do not show up when she is in her world.

TATOOS: The Scion Tatoo on the part where the neck and back meet.

HEIGHT: 5'0

WEIGHT: 130lb (Eorzea)/ 150lb (Her World)

BUILD: Short, Thin and fit.

FEATURES: None really.

ALLERGIES: Rolanberries in Eorzea, Strawberries in her world.

USUAL HAIRSTYLE: Long hair with a half braid in the back in Eorzea. In her world she has short hair that stops in the middle of her neck.

USUAL FACE LOOK: Warm color Eye shadow applied lightly to the eyes and a very nude color for lipstick in Eorzea. In her world, she hardly puts make up on, but usually has dark circles due to being tired all the time.

USUAL CLOTHING: Depending on her mood, she'll go very modest, or wearing a bikini with thigh boots. In her world, she is always modest with usually a t-shirt and sweats.

PSYCHOLOGY.

FEARS: Bugs (Mainly Arachnids, spiders are the worst.) Antilions that hide in the sands. Losing her love ones. Becoming Sin Eater. Being alone. Falling.

ASPIRATIONS: Explore all of the worlds she could go to, but also to make animations that can change the world.

POSITIVE TRAITS: Stubborn, happy go lucky, Compassionate, tries to take care of everyone, protective, loving, friendly, trusting.

NEGATIVE TRAITS: Stubborn enough to push past her limits, usually getting her hurt. She so selfless that she tends to forget about taking care of herself. She can be too trusting of others that she often gets hurt in the end. She usually bottles her problems with the worry of being a burden to others. Very emotional driven (Just ask Ser Zephirin).

ZODIAC: Scorpio.

TEMPERAMENT: Artistic and Motherly

SOUL TYPE(S): The Priest, The Artisan, The Server.

ANIMALS: Cat

VICE HABIT(S): From the definition that I read, her faults are that she feels like anything bad that happens to her or her friends are her fault, and that she sometimes Envy others. But her hobbies that she enjoys are reading, triple triad, drawing, and writing.

FAITH: The Twelve. Even in her world she believes in the Twelve.

GHOSTS?: Definitely

AFTERLIFE?: I hope there is one.

REINCARNATION?: Well so far that we know, reincarnation is a thing, right?

ALIENS?: I doubt the world was made for one type of civilization, plus multiple worlds. Yes.

POLITICAL ALIGNMENT: Uh...Alphinaud does politics for me.

ECONOMIC PREFERENCE: Just trying to survive, man. Stable, I guess.

SOCIO POLITICAL POSITION: Uh... Alphinaud???

EDUCATION LEVEL: Lyllyan herself has had up to some college in her own world. In Eorzea, she has an understanding of Aether and well has learned all the classes, so being able to pick up something new, she can learn fairly quick.

FAMILY.

FATHER: Captain Carebear (Mykel Weiss)

MOTHER: She doesn't have the ability to go to Eorzea so her name is Lynn Weiss.

Siblings: Lucas Weiss(Rafien Dalarain(Deactivated)), Nathaniel Weiss(Random Guy (deactivated)), Olivia Weiss (Never been to Eorzea).

EXTENDED FAMILY: Grandmother(Nana)(Deceased), Granfather(Poppy), Fortemps Family (Rest in Peace Haucherfaunt).

NAME MEANING(S): Lyllyan is based off of the Lily flower. Aster is based off of the Aster flower, and then Weiss is a name given to those with white hair or pale complexion.

HISTORICAL CONNECTION: Um...Ascian? Amourotine?

FAVORITES.

BOOK: If its Manga, It's Rurouni Kenshin. Books would be the 'Septimus Heap' series by Angie Sage.

MOVIE/PLAY: Movie would be 'Wizard of Oz'. Favorite Play would be 'Hamilton'.

5 SONGS:

•'Seasonal Feathers' by Len and Rin Kagamine

•'Drakkar' by Distrion and Electro-Light

•'Light it Up' by Robin Hustin and TobiMorrow (feat. Jex)

•'Stitches' by Shawn Mendes

•'Perfect' by Ed Sheeran

DEITY: Thaliak

HOLIDAY: Valentione

MONTH: November/ 6th Astral Moon

SEASON: Spring

PLACE: Rak'Tika Greatwoods

WEATHER: Rain

SOUND: Ocean waves.

SCENT(S): Cherry Blossom, sweet.

TASTE(S): Favorite food is Bacon so....also likes sweet things.

FEEL(S): Fuzzy blankets, warm cloth, soft.

ANIMALS: She loves all animals! If she had to narrow it down, it would be Cats, Pandas, and Chocobos. Does Pokemon count?

NUMBER: 8 but screw Construct 8

COLORS: Purple, light green, light blue.

EXTRA.

TALENTS: Drawing.

BAD AT: Math. She used to bring her homework to Eorzea to have Alphinaud and Urianger help her.

TURN ONS: Oooo. Funny, kind, calm, generous, but also romantic.

TURN OFFS: Selfish, rude ass hoe, and killing my friends.

HOBBIES: Singing, Drawing, Reading, Exploring, Triple Triad.

TROPES: Mother Hen.

AESTHETIC TAGS: Chocolate and Caramel. Honey. Lavender and Leaves. I think that's how this works???

FC INFO.

MAIN FC(S): Scions of the Dawn. It consist of Dad and myself.

ALT FC(S): None.

OLDER FC(S): We did have an FC on Gilgamesh called Lionheart with the Tag FF8. It was one that we had started the game when we got out of beta, but moved to different server/data center.

YOUNGER FC(S): *Confused Au Ra noises*

VOICE CLAIM(S): ??????

GENDERBENT FC(S): *Even more confused Au Ra noises*

MUN QUESTIONS.

Q1: IF YOU COULD WRITE YOUR CHARACTER YOUR WAY IN THEIR OWN MOVIE, WHAT WOULD IT BE CALLED, WHAT STYLE WOULD IT BE FILMED IN, AND WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?

•So, I'm already making a comic that I want to make as an animation for the story of FFXIV with my character and her friends. This character was specifically built for FFXIV, but it has a twist. Kinda like a Sword Art Online ordeal, but instead of Millions of people playing are stuck in the world, it's just like 100, but they aren't stuck, in fact they are just chosen to go between their world and Eorzea. If they die, they don't actually die, but respawn, even in their own world, but they feel how they die and the only way for them to die in any shape or form is by natural cause like old age or sickness. This would be a 2D animation in the anime style and be a multi episode series with multiple seasons. I even though about branching out to go certain routes so that Lyllyan can end up with all my favorite characters. I would call it Final Fantasy XIV: A World Reborn.

Q2: WHAT WOULD THEIR SOUNDTRACK/SCORE SOUND LIKE?

•With it being a Final Fantasy story, it would have Final Fantasy Music.

Q3: WHY DID YOU START WRITING THIS CHARACTER?

•Lyllyan Weiss was made to represent me and she still does, but also inspires me to be more like my courageous heroic self. Because of this, I have been able to do things like crossing a bridge that's in bad shape to get to the other side without the fear of falling, just to get back to my mom who went to the other side on a trip we had.

Q4: WHAT FIRST ATTRACTED YOU TO THIS CHARACTER?

•She is literally me.

Q5: DESCRIBE THE BIGGEST THING YOU DISLIKE ABOUT YOUR MUSE.

•Just like me, she is stubborn and hard working, but there are times she pushes herself way too much. She hesitates to ask for help, not because she doesn't trust the people around her, but more of trying to not burden them. Others wish she would open up to them and also rest when she can. Raha has to literally force her to rest, and she nearly gets herself killed against the first battle with Rahjit because she kept getting back up to fight even when the others beg her to stop.

Q6: WHAT DO YOU HAVE IN COMMON WITH YOUR MUSE?

•Almost everything. Major thing is that she doesn't look like me, but also I know when to quit.

Q7: HOW DOES YOUR MUSE FEEL ABOUT YOU?

• I feel like if Lyllyan and I were to meet in person, we'd get along just fine. We would play video games all day long if we could.

Q8: WHAT CHARACTERS DOES YOUR MUSE HAVE INTERESTING INTERACTIONS WITH?

•OH BOI HERE WE GOOO

- Leveilleur Twins: Alphinaud and Alisaie are very close to Lyllyan. Alphinaud used to pull Lyllyan out of class to have her hurry up and go through the story, now its chill and play ace attorney. Alphinaud, depending on what route is taken, is definitely in love with Lyllyan and is constantly teased about it by everyone. Alisaie is like a sister to Lyllyan. They have had many nights where the pulled 24 hours playing Sims. Alisaie is who Lyllyan tries to protect the most between the two. She's also the reason why Lyllyan is now Bi. Lyllyan absolutely adores her and if the route is taken, they end up being the cutest couple.

-Leon D'hart: An Alt character that I made that depending on the story and route, he is also Lyllyan's Lover. He is a character made by Square Enix to be the Warrior of Light replacement if Lyllyan did not succeed in preventing herself becoming a light warden. His story with her is a bunch of trial and tribulations, but in the end they do end up married.

-G'raha Tia/Crystal Exarch: The main story Lyllyan's Lover. Great friend to start out and tears were shed when he sealed himself into the tower. He really kept Lyllyan guessing when he was Exarch. When Emet-Selch kidnapped him, Lyllyan was hellbent on getting him back. Now she visits him at the first everyday bring stuff from Eorzea for him, and even occasionally stuff from her world. He is her world as she is to him.

-The Scions: Thancred and Lyllyan are like Big brother, Little sister. He protects her, and scolds her as such. They may act like they hate each other, but the moment either gets hurt, the other is at their sides. Though rumor has it that Thancred had feelings for Lyllyan. Y'shtola is close to Lyllyan, but is usually not around often. Shtola usually is often around to keep an eye on Lyllyan's aether since her amount is quite high compared to the others and her fellow Warriors of Light. Urianger is someone who used to hardly talk to Lyllyan, but started opening up more after the years. He had watched her grow from 15 moons to now 21 as the others, but they seem to be more special to him. Lyllyan swore to protect him if anything ever happened especially after he asked her her thoughts on his new attire. Tataru is a precious angel and if anyone was to hurt her, Lyllyan would kill everyone and then herself. Ryne, even though she is not a scion, she is a scion. Ryne worries about Lyllyan, but is often in awe of her. Lyllyan and Thancred adopted her, and she's ended up calling Lyllyan mom on many occasions.

-Ser Aymeric: Depending on the route, he would be Lyllyan's Lover and he tries to protect her when he can, be it politics or in war. He has a dream to journey with her, and though he can't do so with Lylyan Weiss the Au Ra, there is nothing saying he can't make a character and become a Warrior of Light himself and travel with Sakura Yue(Lyllyan's Alt).

-Zenos Yae Galvus: So this guy commits Seppuku and then shows up at Lyllyan's job as her new Bartender. They end up becoming friends through the job, and the fact that Zenos is bored out of his mind that he can't go kill people,but finding out later that he is back makes Square Enix themselves worried about this guy.

-Estinien: Lyllyan had adopted him as her Edgy Son. He hates it. He reminds her that he is older than him, and she retorts about beating him as a Lalafel. He usually starts brooding after that on a high building that usually takes Alphinaud and Ser Aymeric to get him down.

•I'm only stopping this cause there are so many more characters!!!

Q9:WHAT GIVES YOU INSPIRATION TO WRITE YOUR MUSE?

•Music and Playing Final Fantasy. Mainly XIV, but others do count too, but also reading all the other fanfiction and comics about final fantasy XIV.

Q10: HOW LONG DID THIS TAKE YOU TO COMPLETE?

About...4 hours? Maybe more? My hands definitely hurt from all the typing! XD

============

Tagged by @amandafullmetal

Tagging @ladyramora @ranier-layarte @scholarlostintime @fabledtactician

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sad-goomy · 5 years

Text

GladMoon Week Day 5

Before

Summary: There are complications after Moon returns from Ultra Space, memory is a fickle thing, and Gladion wonders where to even begin. Read on Ao3

Yarrow Healing, courage, and protection

The trip back from Ultra Space doesn’t go as smoothly as they hoped.

They don’t let Gladion see her for the first week – family only, the doctors say.

But he has other things distracting him anyway, like his mother’s critical condition. It’s quickly decided that Lillie will go with her to Kanto, and he’ll hang back to try and keep Aether afloat, and there’s plane tickets and calls to specialists and last-minute board meetings.

As the dust settles and the guilt creeps in, he gets a call from Hau.

He’s going to visit Moon, because they’re letting others visit now, and does he want to come (because Hau really doesn’t think he can bear to see her like that alone)?

So he goes to the hospital, and for once Hau is quiet, and everything is too quiet.

Sun catches them outside the door, and Gladion realizes that the last time he saw him, he was screaming, tears and snot streaming down his face.

They greet each other in barely more than murmurs, and then Sun clears his throat and shifts his weight again and can’t quite release the breath he’s holding. “So, uh, she’s doing fine, but...” A sigh, a look at both of them, and then he says something that Gladion can’t quite comprehend.

The words are swimming around in his head, and they only muddle together when they step inside. Hau goes first and lets out a soft gasp, and her mother looks up at them with an exhausted smile.

Moon lays in the bed, and Gladion didn’t realize one person could have so many wires attached to them. She’s three shades paler, and her gray eyes are so foggy, and even with the beep of machinery everything is too quiet.

She looks at him, and she tilts her head towards her mother, brows furrowed in confusion, and her mother is leaning in to whisper something – suddenly Sun’s warning reaches his ears.

“She won’t remember you.”

And Moon just watches them both with a smile, and Hau is stepping towards her bed and saying something and Gladion just stands there and everything is too quiet.

The nurse explains traumatic amnesia to him and Hau in the hallway. She tells them that it’s temporary, that it’s luckily only affected more recent memories of Alola, that really, her memories should come back to her soon.

“How long?”

Hau and the nurse turn, and Gladion is trying to keep his breathing steady as he repeats, “How long until she remembers again?”

There’s no good answer she can give him, and so the nurse simply tells him the truth.

“We aren’t sure.”

It’s quiet again, but not in Gladion’s head. Everything inside of his body is five seconds too fast, and everything outside his body is five seconds too slow. There’s white noise in his head but he can hear Hau ask, “Is there anything we can do to help her remember?”

She tells them that visiting can help, that sometimes an old photo or story might spark something but it’s just a matter of time, and try not to overwhelm her.

Then the white noise is too loud and he’s not sure when but he’s following Hau out of the hospital and the static only clears when the sun blinds him.

He’s back the next day.

But this time he doesn’t have Hau, and her mom is here, and he has no idea where to begin.

“Those are lovely flowers.”

His eyes flicker down to his hands, and he’s almost startled by the sight of a bouquet in his hands. “Yeah, I just...” When he looks back up, both of them are staring at him, and it’s not unkind, but he has to swallow something acrid when he realizes Moon’s expression is guarded.

It’s the smile she gave him before he really knew her, before they saw the best and worst of each other, before they started staring at the other person in quiet moments and trying not to get caught.

“Here.”

Her mother mercifully takes the flowers from his arms, and she sets them on the windowsill, where a line of cards and balloons and plushy Stufful has formed.

Moon nods in his direction, giving him a small, “Thank you.”

He wonders if anyone has tried to tell her about him. Did Hau drop his name when he visited? Has Sun mentioned a rival?

But she keeps looking at him like a total stranger, and before she can open her mouth to apologize, he blurts out a goodbye and rushes back out into the hallway.

It’s another week before he works up the nerve to visit again, and even then, it takes a text from Hau saying that she’s looking better, that things are starting to come back in bits and pieces, and she’s still the Moon they remember.

Gladion wonders if that’s ironic or not, but dissecting it puts a pit in his stomach and he dismisses the thought on the elevator ride up to her floor.

Sun is closing the door behind him when Gladion walks down the hall, and he blinks away his surprise at seeing the blond.

They exchange pleasantries, and it’s awkward, and Gladion realizes too late that he’s not exactly friends with Sun. He didn’t mean for that to slip through the cracks, but it has, and he has to clear his throat before asking, “How is she?”

“Better.” The boy pauses, searching Gladion’s face for a moment. “She asked about you the other day.”

His hopes rise.

“Well, she asked about the awkward guy who dropped off some flowers, and I figured it was you.”

And his hopes fall.

“Yeah, that was me.” He feels his face heat up and looks to the left, staring at the room number on the wall.

Sun watches him a moment longer, and then for the first time since Moon returned from Ultra Space, the corner of his lips quirks up. He mumbles a goodbye and brushes past Gladion, shaking his head and secretly wishing the boy luck.

With nothing else to distract him, Gladion steels himself and steps inside, finding that Moon still isn’t quite alone. Her team is out, crowded around the hospital bed as she laughs at the Pokémon, weakly petting the feathers she can reach on her Decidueye. Her Toxapex is actually the first one to notice him, and it cries out with a smile, drawing attention to him as he stands awkwardly by the door.

“Hi again.” He bends down to carefully pet the grinning Toxapex standing below him (just like Moon showed him how to, avoiding the spikes).

Her Decidueye hoots a greeting, and Moon smiles, brows furrowed for a moment as she thinks. “Hello...Gladion, right?” He nods, and her hand drops from Decidueye with a small frown. “I’m sorry, I don’t -”

“I figured,” he cuts her off, because to hear the words out of her own mouth might just break him again. It’s hard enough to watch her sitting up, still connected to so many machines, and moving so slowly. Toxapex whines for a moment, and then she shuffles back towards the rest of the team.

Moon watches, clearing her throat of something and unable to look at Gladion. “There’s still so much I don’t remember. It wasn’t even until Sun brought these guys that I remembered I even have Pokémon.”

The chair by her bed is empty, but he stands at the door. It feels wrong to sit in it somehow, because really that should be for someone more important, and does he even count as her friend?

Is there even a way for him to tell her that they might have been on the verge of something more?

He’s been silent for too long and she fidgets with her fingers, ignoring the dull pain in her joints. “Do you want to sit?”

“I can...” His eyes flicker to the door, then back to her small form and that smile for a stranger. “I can go.”

She tilts her head, pursing her lips. “I’d rather you stay,” she says, voice small and eyes hesitant, “If you can.”

He can, he knows he can with a deep breath, and he walks around her team and takes a seat and doesn’t know where to start.

So she asks, “How did we meet?”

And he starts at the beginning.

By his fourth visit, she still can’t remember him, but there are bits and pieces that surface.

The nicknames flow from her without a second thought, as though they never left her mind; for once, he’s happy to be called Gladbag.

When he visits with Hau while she’s eating lunch, and she offers Hau her malasada without prompting, mumbling about how Gladion doesn’t like sweets.

Now she’s telling him about the physical therapy she’s started as she struggles to open a pack of fruit snacks he got her from the vending machine. Her fingers fumble as she explains that it’s not so bad, just frustrating, because it must have been the gravity and the lack of equipment and now her body just feels a little wrong.

He lets her struggle for a moment more, a stubborn huff pushing past her frown. “Want me to try?”

She holds it out to him and he smirks, only to struggle with the plastic seconds later. “Not so easy, is it?”

There’s a pause and then he’s cursing under his breath and she’s laughing delicately at him and it’s so close to Before until the fluorescent light above them flickers.

“How hungry are you?” he asks, looking at her out of the corner of his eye.

She grins, a teasing lilt on the edges of her voice. “Starving.”

He’s flipped the colorful little package at least seventeen times, trying to tear at different angles, and he almost has it once but his fingers slip.

And then, (finally,) it bursts open and gummies scatter across her bed. Gladion winces at the sight, turning to her with an apologetic smile. “At least I opened it?”

There’s something in her eyes, and her lips are parted as she stares at him – not like a stranger this time – and he opens his mouth to ask what she’s thinking when he finds that he can’t.

Because her lips are on his.

It’s quick and heated and then she’s pulled back, her hands still cupping his face as she grins.

“I just remembered everything, I think,” she explains slowly, and he knows even before she continues because that spark is back in her eyes when she’s smiling at him, “Including how long I’ve been waiting to do that.”

Then her fingers are off his cheeks and lifting a Pecha-shaped gummy to her mouth, popping it in with a smile as he just continues to stare at her, dumb-founded. There’s only one question that can manage its way out of the blank space his brain has become.

“How long would you say you’ve been waiting?”

She chews thoughtfully, tapping her chin with a finger as she looks at him and she’s back, all of her is back, and she’s smiling at him like he’s so much more than a friend. Then there’s an impish spark in her eye, and she laughs, lets it all out without a guard, and he’s laughing too when she says it because of course she would (and he wouldn’t have it any other way now).

“I don’t remember.”

#gladmoonday #lonashipping #gladion x moon #pokemon fanfic #mahinashipping #text #well this one is technically late bc it's 1am #so the end is real rough but goomy needs to sleep so no editing we die like men #love me a good amnesia!au #moon: lmao what an idiot this guy can't even open up a pack of gushers #moon .2 seconds later: wait he's MY idiot #i imagine this takes span over like 3 weeks? which is......probs way too long for someone to have traumatic amnesia #but im not a doctor (i just play one on tv)#FOR REAL goomy's going to bed

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rasenkaikyo · 5 years

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Hina’s Twitter #DailyHeadcanons (thus far)

If you’ve been tracking my Twitter you have probably seen me attempting to put out various headcanons per day for my OCs, and catching up on days where I don’t. Most of them have been about Hinako. Here are all of those to current, including those from a “1 like = 1 headcanon” thread a while back (Thanks again to everyone who contributed to that with a like!).

Hinako is effectively a secular geomancer, as her art has the similar structure but the foundation of different pretenses oriented about the importance of kami.

Because the kami manifest in any aspect of nature, from the rocks to every living individual, the use earth wind and water are construed to be pure, positive manifestations of kami essence, hence their extensive use in shinkan healing, sealing and purging.

Shinkan principle also includes the light of kami, the purported manifestation of soul, which bears resemblance to white magic of the west. Some of the more potent spells, however, extrapolate from one's self more than the latent aether around them, in accordance with soul.

Hinako bears a soul crystal that has long been shared among kannushi of her former temple. It appears as a magatama made of jade.

The shakujo Masakaki, validated in the lorebook in its use originally as a ritual stand, is standard for the temple priests that become shinkan. In their case it became a signature aid only after the priests adopted a versatile field-based approach.

Spells, too, evolved as priests took a more active role beyond their normal bounds, whereas originally such cants were usually full blown norito - prayers of testament to the kami. Hinako recites norito and meditates daily to steel herself in advance.

Hinako's bloodline is a Hingan clan that began as naught more than dairy farmers in the north end of Koshu, rising to status of preeminent warriors to protect their land during the Age of Blood. Pragmatically they allied with the Mitsurugi clan at war's end and remain prominent.

Hinako can detect differences in the flow of aether and by extension any atypical and anomalous areas. Especially where the veil is thin or where something might be lurking, she can manipulate natural energies to pull out what is hiding behind the veil or even open gateways.

Yukai, the Hidden World, is the eminent alternate facet of reality overlapping the known world, where the supernatural can hide or cross over - from yokai to voidsent to the spirits of Reikai and the kami of Shinkai. It is also the most viable one within reach of Hina's magic.

Hinako's equivalent of Holy is the norito-koto Mabataki, an emergency purifying technique described as a projection of the user's spirit, a single blinking eye of the kami making its victims flinch. Its greater counterpart, combining latent aether, is Qi Release: Tenbatsutekimen.

A big influence to Hina of late has been Saint Martha from Fate, due to her voice HC being Hayami Saori. It works well with Hina, as she is of staunch discipline but it hasn't always been that way. Her strength lends both to her constitution and her potential to deck you.

One of Hinako's mother Honoka's favorite things to do was make jewelry out of flowers preserved in resin. She gave these delicate lucky charms in some form to all the important people in her life: chiefly, her brother Yoshichika, her husband Katanobu, and her first child Hina.

Iwa-no-Sato, Hinako's home village, was reputable in a few ways, but the strangest thing it was notable for were the numerous tapirs that dwelled in and around the village and temple; the result of a foreign trader's misfortune and several of the non-native animals escaping.

Iwa-no-Sato, once a lively hub between regions of Othard, has since been abandoned when the 12th Legion made a sweeping effort to eradicate pocket cells of the Resistance after Doma's razing. Its tenkonto has been destroyed and its falcon porter displaced.

As described in roleplay with Tola, Yugiri's refugee convoy was not immediately turned away from Hingashi, but given temporary respite in Kugane while pleas of asylum were attempted to the island chain and at the Thavnairian Consulate.

Hinako has a way of conveying her general intentions without uttering a word, in a similar manner to the Qestir, to those with whom she has formed a bond. Perhaps the most intrinsic, complete link of this sort has been made with Mozu.

Hinako didn't initially take up her priest discipline with grace as a child. She was stubborn and reckless and blamed Granddad for her parents leaving them.

She kinda Didn't Understand and Morimoto wasn't the best teacher for her from an emotional point. Although she is far more cool and composed now, occasionally she can still be a little... snappy.

During her training, Hinako was taught in martial arts and swordsmanship not just for the skill, but for the principles in the art meant to bolster the mind, body and spirit. Methods of precision and awareness would be carried on in her strength as a priest.

One treasure of the Daigo clan is Dojigiri, a katana of mythic quality carried in the family for ages and supposedly once wielded by Morimoto himself. It was named for having slain an oni in legend; stained with the demon's blood, the blade gained a fiery glow.

The existence of aramitama and nigimitama are important concepts in Hinako's belief. They are considered facets of the spirit endemic to all souls, including two additional 'hidden' facets. Maintaining a sense of balance is key to Hinako's regular meditation.

As countering excess aramitama with force is one means to dispel it, Hinako has proposed friendly 'healthy' sparring with Mozu, with a degree of mutual benefit - placing faith not in that Mozu couldn't kill her but she can take anything Mozu delivers regardless.

There are ritual ways to let one's aramitama pour out or boil over to see release. These methods are naturally considered quite dangerous as they often see the subject in a berserk state for the duration of release.

"Yuniwa" is the term the shrine priests have given to similar principles Asylum and Sacred Soil; a section of purified earth with the original purpose of helping connect with kami, it encourages healing the body and spirit.

The ancestry of Hinako's profession can be traced to early geomancers, Auri shamans from the north, and Raen priests from the Ruby Sea - the latter carrying principles of Kojin magic and religion.

Hinako regularly commits a part of her prayers to her girlfriend, bidding the kami to ever watch over her. She also always sends a small prayer in Susano or Byakko's name whenever she sees a thunderstorm, be it overhead or looming majestically in the distance.

Subtly tied around near the base of Hinako's right horn is what seems to be a single little flower-shaped ornament, not dissimilar to the blossoms that she at times wears on her head or as a necklace. This is in fact her linkpearl.

My timeless #DailyHeadcanon is one that spawned when @catearenthusiast took a candid shot of Hina from behind a cake, it was decided that after Hinako had tried cake for the first time while in Eorzea she has been enamored with the decadence and artistry of cakes ever since.

Hinako has a comprehensive understanding of tending to plants for it was important to take care of the sacred trees in and around the shrine, like the 'sakaki', but there have been times where she would plant new flowers and the like in areas for the beauty of it.

Hinako is known to have been bold and spirited from a young age. Occasionally she would steal away with her longtime friend Mine and peruse the vibrant streets of Doma proper, enjoying the myriad food and craft stands.

In the end, the truest form of soul is pure and good; there is no 'evil' in Hina's belief, only that which has been tainted along the way. It is for this reason that she gives a prayer to any life lost in this world regardless of circumstance, including Imperial Garleans.

Hinako has not just a perception of one's individual aether up close, but of the "current" or distribution of aether over a broader range, which allows her to head to general points of interest. Of course, she cannot pinpoint exact spots from too far a distance.

While she is very cognizant of large areas of instability, like constant ones such as the crystal embedded in Pharos Sirius or the entire region of Mor Dhona, or something as drastic as a primal summoning, more centralized forms of corruption are a harder read from malms away.

It is believed that in the beginning of days, the great kami walked freely in the Natural World. Things changed over time, however, and eventually the kami could only hold a more subtle or latent presence without being a detriment to the land and qi around them.

Of Hinako's spiritual awareness, arguably nowhere is as potent a place to be than in the Black Shroud. The uniquely teeming nature of the "kami" there leaves the priestess particularly keen about her surroundings unlike any other location she has known.

Hinako regularly forwards the large part of her earnings in tending to property or for others' benefit, at times to the point where she barely has any money for herself. Seeing that she's not one to ask for favors, Mozu (or Mine) tends to treat her on worse days.

Hinako occasionally indulges herself in tea ceremonies, and in the beginning Mozu would merely watch from afar, then later be encouraged to partake herself. The first time Hina did it with Mozu after Doma's liberation, they finished it with a kiss. uwu

Hinako dresses fairly straight-forward as a priest, but she's fond of pretty kimonos and dresses with brighter tones or soft pastels. She would have gone and perused Doman vendors for such, and such went into the dress she took up after starting out in Eorzea.

Aside from her flowery preferences, she may have also chosen to somewhat invoke the spirit of a journeying summoner from Far Eastern lore of ages past...

During her initial Eorzean travels, Hinako happened upon the shop of an Ala Mhigan pâtissier. Beholding the immaculate confections, she just had to purchase a piece of cake. She has loved the dessert since. (xoxo @kukurubean )

On some days when Mozu is gone for a mission, Hinako will kinda just... try on Mozu's kimonos and gear, and walk about or exercise in them. She also times this in ways where she'll show up in Mozu's gilet at 893 HQ, mostly for sake of reactions (esp. from Kiri).

Erring away from the somber epithet Hōzuki, Hinako has come to give Mozu an occasional nickname of her own: "Suzume", literally sparrow, drawing from themes of her family. She will endearingly call her girlfriend her "little sparrow" as well.

Suzu is a logical shortening of this also.

Following the apropos advice of a Valentione's Day fortune-teller, Hina's idea of making the most of the day was to take Mozu into the scenic Yanxian peaks, just as Honoka did with her as a child. She could scarce think of anyone better to share the view with.

Hinako's Magatama, her soul crystal, is regularly attached to a rosary (juzu) firmly wrapped around a band on her arm, and comes into play in various practices. Such use was adapted mainly from ascetic monks in the region.

Against Mozu's swifter and precise methods, Hinako was taught to "stand with the might of the mountain kami" around her, firm and strong. It is for this reason that she is more durable than she appears, and capable of hauling a grown Auri man pretty easily.

The priests of Iwa often worked afield when called to task for their cleansing and purification rituals -- which due to the potential unknowns, the invisible threat, meant the necessary garb of Doman iron plate armor and underlying chain mail.

As a child, Hinako would engage with other kids in staging elaborate, jidaigeki or chanbara-coded pretend play, in which almost every time Hina herself was a samurai warrior - doubtlessly inspired by her father and grandfather.

Although she would now downplay her capability for physical combat and err away from violence, perhaps it isn't so farfetched that she took to learning the sword.

🌸🌸🌸

#ffxiv #ffxiv rp #balmung #writings #Headcanon #headcanons #daily headcanons #about #hinako daigo #mozu torioi

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forgiven-whimsy · 3 years

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5 favorite recent writing bits

So @kunstpause tagged me to share 5 recent writing bits I enjoyed and am proud of. Under the cut for length, with Ao3 links to the complete piece.

In no particular order: Wicked Apology Emet-Selch/Azem 5.3 and Tale from the Shadows spoilers, set right after the grape incident. Rated E

He followed her, slowly, stretching, missing her comforting heat and circled her with a self satisfied smirk, knowing full well her obeisance would take convincing, counted on it even. He snapped his fingers. His robe blinked from view leaving him in a simple tailored button down shirt and trousers. “If you are quite done with your impertinence, I might speak of consequences.”

A quick flick of her wrist divested Astrea of her outer robes, and Hades nostrils flared at the sight of her, she’d anticipated his game. She wore a short black skirt that was sinful in the way it hugged her hips and the flare of her bottom. Above she wore a corseted blouse, The neckline bordering indecent. Nestled between her veritable heaving bosoms was an amethyst pendant of deepest violet on a thin golden chain, a gift, a promise of forever. It was infused with his aether that she might have a piece of him regardless of how far her travels took her.

“And what does the esteemed Emet-Selch have to say pray tell.” She gave him a sweet smile that was anything but, matching his mischief as only his lover could.

“Restitution has been demanded of you from the convocation, and your duty demands your acquiescence. Lahabrea requests repayment for his good faith, to which you have agreed, and you have even freely offered repayment to Elidibus, though he demands nothing of you.” She followed him with her midnight eyes until he circled behind her. Delicately his fingers traced along the golden chain that held his pendant, goose flesh puckered the pale skin of her breasts. “And yet, dear heart,” he spoke directly into her ears, and though she fought it there was no hiding the fluttering of her pulse or the sharp inhale when he tugged the pendant free, body warmed, and thrumming with power. “You have offered nothing to the architect of your deliverance, your soul’s mate, whom you have wronged most gravely.” He pressed his lips to the shell of her ear and she swayed, leaning against his chest. “Whatever am I to do with you?”

From Shadows Estinien/WoL, set after 5.1, long fic, friends to lovers, roommates, PTSD. Rated E.

The exchange was a fortnight ago, but the guilt lingered, thoughts circling back to Shiloh time and again. His feelings towards her were complicated, a tightly wound knot he didn’t know how to start untangling so he ignored it, and avoided her. Watching her from afar was easier than facing her head on. Estinien rankled at his own cowardice. He cared for her far more than he would ever let on, admitting only that she was a dear friend, and he was fiercely protective of those he considered friends. He swelled with pride whenever he heard of her exploits. He was grateful to her for saving his life, he found a measure of peace since she’d rescued him, rediscovered who he was in the absence of revenge and hate, and the person who had emerged, though damaged, wasn’t a person he disliked.

And yet there was a current of resentment and anger. When nightmares gripped him, she was a chief player in the terrors his subconsciousness visited upon him, and he had killed and been killed by her more times than he could count. When a dark mood would plague him, which was, frustratingly, often, he cursed her name, and the second chance at life she and Alphinaud had gifted him. Estinien had asked Shiloh, specifically, to kill him, and she’d denied him that release. And always, always it all spiraled into guilt and shame, the guilt of surviving when far better people than him had gone to Halone’s halls, people Shiloh had loved. No, better to keep his distance, better for him, and for her. She was more than capable, the Warrior of Light didn’t need him. Let it Snow Aymeric/Wol, Self indulgent Starlight Fluff/smut. Rated E.

The wind howls through the tunnels connecting the Pillars to Foundation. The snow, if the tiny icy knives can be called snow, fall sideways, cutting into exposed skin. The air is heavy and damp, seeping directly into any unfortunate traveler's bones. It’s the kind of weather that aggravates old wounds, and old joints, the kind that claims the lives of the unwary. Halone’s own fury batters the city perched atop the peak of a mountain. Shiloh squints against the onslaught, each step through the heavy snow slow and measured, there’s ice beneath the snow, and unfortunate falls were not uncommon in Ishgard under these conditions.

There’s no turning back, her destination and her starting point stood at equal distance, so she soldiers through the snow drifts piling up throughout the tunnels. The Warrior of Light is bundled in what was an almost comical amount of layers, tail and horns wrapped in custom made knit scarves. Golden eyes and a bright red nose poke past her knit hat and the scarf she has wrapped around her face. Mittened hands clutch a small blue and silver box, fingers nearly gone numb, her toes not faring much better as they tramp through the ever deepening snow blanketing the city streets. Lord Edmont’s urging for her to change before leaving rings in her ears, and she regrets ignoring his advice. When she emerges from the tunnels she’s not sure if the wind is worse or better. The snow renews its attempt to bury her, or transform her into a snowman, her pace slows in the heavier accumulation, but at least now she can see her goal.

The doors to the congregation are flung open with a deafening slam, Shiloh turns and struggles to close them. The blowing snow eager to claim whatever space it can. Gone are Handeloup and Lucia, gone are the scribes, and the chirugeons, gone are the Temple Knights, all but one. It was Starlight eve afterall, and the Lord Commander insisted that those under his charge be with their loved ones, out of the cold on Ishgard’s most sacred night. That he didn’t apply the same compassion to himself fuels Shiloh’s frustration and gives her the additional strength she needs to finally close the heavy wooden double doors against the storm. A sigh puffs from her lips and she slides down the rattling wood, a draft flitting through the bottom cracks, she’s too drained, too cold from her trek to move. Aymeric runs into the congregation's main chamber, sword drawn, only to be met by the sight of Shiloh’s half buried figure, more snow then Au Ra, sitting on the floor.

“Shiloh?” He sheaths his weapon and hurries to her side. “What are you doing here? You should be with the Fortemps.”

“So should you.” Shiloh lifts the small gift she’d clutched to her heart in an effort to protect the shiny blue wrapping paper and delicate silver ribbons she’d taken such pains to get just right. “Happy Starlight?” She tugs the scarf from her face, and wills her lips to stop chattering long enough to give him what she hopes is a sweet smile.

Clamor ffxivwrite2020 prompt fill, Gaius and WoL. Rated T.

The smoke from the Ultima wreckage stung her eyes, and made it hard to breath. Shiloh secured Thancred to Maggie, checking his pulse again, checking his pupils, he was alive, unconscious but alive, and given the circumstances it would have to be enough. The metal of the decimated castrum creaked, and she was acutely aware that she was on a broken elevator. She moved quickly, ready to mount up and get out, only to be met with a long echoing groan. She froze, knowing it was Gaius Van Baelsar.

“Seven hells.” She muttered harshly under her breath before she stepped away from the magitek armor and sprinted towards the fallen Garlean.

She couldn’t find a pulse or even properly assess him with all of his armor in the way so she searched for a latch that would release his helmet. A click and a hiss later, she was pulling the metal horns from his head, his third eye shone amidst the blood and sweat marring his otherwise strong, dark features. She set to work, pushed her Aether into his body stopping the worst of the internal bleeding. She didn’t need magic to see that he was concussed, his pupils were pinpricks in his hazel eyes, but he was awake, and that was promising. After a tense moment he breathed deeply, a pain eased.

He tried to get up but Shiloh pushed him back down, “stay still.”

“Your mercy is a weakness.” The gravel of his baritone having lost much of its strength.

Shiloh kept working, focusing her energy on repairing a bleed close to his lungs.

“This isn’t mercy.” She spoke without looking at him.

“If not mercy, then what?”

“Justice.” Slowly she sat him up, keeping a glowing green hand close to his abdomen lest her delicate work be undone.

“One would think that dying among the castrums flames a fitting justice.” He winced and she slowly pulled him to his feet.

“That fate is far too kind, given your crimes.” Shiloh was diminutive next to Gaius, still she put one of his arms around her shoulders, letting him lean on her as they slowly made their way back to the waiting magitek armor. “Besides, long before I was a warrior or champion, I was a healer, I made an oath to offer succor to the sick and injured.” She glanced up at him, “even if the injured is my enemy.”

War of Hearts Zenos/WoL Arranged Marriage AU, long fic, enemies to friends to lovers, Rated M.

It was absurd, laughable almost were it not happening in real time. Before her stands Varis, not a priest of the Twelve, to her right stands the man she was marrying, not the love of her life, not even someone she might like, no, to her right stands her most hated enemy. Zenos Yae Galvus. And Shiloh stands stock still, in a gown of shimmering gold, trimmed in red, the three interlocking diamonds, symbol of her long standing enemy embroidered into the delicate fabric, the same colours repeating in the bouquet she holds. She’s surprised any flowers at all deign to grow in the northern waste that was Galremald. Strange that she can still be surprised considering the outrageous betrayal that brought her here. She speaks the words of fealty, words of love, words of promise, and dutiful to the last, she places her hand over Zenos’s and Varis twins the red and gold cord around their hands. The weight of the ring on her left hand itches, as if the metal had been tempered in acid.

Shiloh had been many things in the preceding years, weapon, symbol, and now, bribe. She was the cost the Eorzean and Doman Alliances have paid for peace. She is the concession, by giving her to Garlemald, Varis has effectively disarmed his opponents, not that he hadn’t given back, the castrums in Eorzea and Doma are being dismantled as the farce carries on. The leaders, for their part, had done a good job of wringing their hands in a show of contrition and regret, but ultimately their people had to come first, even the Scions, her friends, or so she’d thought, had said it was for the good of the realm. No one, not a single one, had thought to put her wants, or her needs first. They were present, all of them watching as she turns, watching as Zenos, towering over her, takes her chin in his hands and bends to kiss her. That she doesn't recoil, or fill his mouth with bile is a miracle, likely her last. Hydealyn is ever silent, even as the crowd claps for the royal couple. She is named princess, and a gaudy Garlean crown is placed on her head. Absurd. Shiloh is in the seventh hell.

When the ceremony ends she takes Zenos’s arm and is led to the grande reception hall. He even pulls the chair out for her, ever the polite monster. They sit on a raised dais, course after course of food brought before them, and each tastes like ash in her mouth. Garlean nobles and Erozeans alike present gifts, one after the other the alliance leaders declare their friendship and present a gift that would remind her of home. She does not smile, she does not pretend, let the alliance leader's final memory be of her disdain, she hopes they choke on their guilt. If she could have burned the gifts, she would have, sadly thurmaturgy was not her strength, though she knew enough to light the entire pile on fire, were it not for the aether dampening shackles she’d been given upon her arrival in Garlemald. They appeare to be nothing more than golden bangles, but they were narrow enough that they could not be removed, and removing them required a controller. A controller Varis held. The emperor had cited safety, knowing full well she was present under duress, knowing full well the destruction she was capable of. He promised he would unshackle her when he knew he could trust her not to kill them all while they slept. She supposed she would be wearing them until her dying breath.

As for who I would tag, Everyone I would have, has been tagged, so if you see this and would like to participate, consider yourself tagged.

#whimsy writes #whimsy words #ffxiv #choosing 5 was hard...I wish I could have chosen a passage from a later chapter from From Shadows...but it wouldn't make sense #cries in multishipper #Shiloh is busy #Also there are pieces here that arn't actually part of her canon #but I just like writing her #one day I'll write a piece for Sofi too

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keeperofthelilacs · 7 years

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Detailed Character Meme (aka Cae goes overboard)

Detailed Character Info: Cae’saries Songbless

Appearance:

Gender: Female Race: Miqo'te, Keeper of the Moon Height: 4 fulms 11 ilms Eye Color: Blue/green Hair Color: Pastel Purple

The Facts:

Name Day: 24th Sun of the 4th Astral Moon Occupation: Adventurer, Healer, Treasure Hunter Allegiance: None, a bit anti-Ul’dah/Monetarist Sexual identification: Female Romantic identification: Hetero/Demisexual Alignment: Neutral Good Criminal History: Jailed for wrongfully after being charged with harassment/assault on guard for touching her inappropriately. Relationship Status: Married happily Sweet On: Kaladin Stormbless

Favorites:

Favorite food: Meats, cheeses, nuts Favorite drink: Cold clean water Favorite artist: Mother nature Favorite scents: Cold Autumn mornings, Mountain Air, Lavender Favorite person: Kaladin Stormbless

Ten Facts:

1. Shopaholic. Cae always lived a fairly minimalistic and basic life of traveling with her mother. They strayed from well traveled places, seeking ever further reaches of Eorzea. However, Cae has started to settle into a real home, and with it a real tendency for the latest fashion. Her closet has made a name for it’s self, sometimes it even seems to be living... Be careful around it.

2. All that Glitters is Gold. Treasure hunting is both a hobby and a source of income for Cae and her husband, Kaladin. The puzzles, the daring, the challenge, the reward of finding valuables bring the two of them closer together.... and funds certain shopping tendencies.

3. If the Crown Fits. Cae was an only child growing up. Her mother and her were very close, only occasionally traveling with her sire and father. That being said, her parents seemed to be dearly in love, and loved her dearly. She was and is good with dealing with the harsh realities of travel. The weather, the exercise, the dangers of traveling are nothing new, that being said, upon finding her mate, things changed. She adores being doted on, she adores being taken care of. If there isn’t any real benefit for her to do something, she will balk at doing it, often poofing in times when chores are being talked about. She enjoys petting, praise, and getting her way. She makes a good leader and often mixes, being a good leader with being used to leading her own life and getting her way. She is both a princess in caring and leadership, and a princess in being picky, self centered.

4. Patience is a Virtue. Probably one of Cae’s greatest strengths and weaknesses. Cae has a natural talent for teaching and helping others. She has an ability to reach others, often being able to explain something in various ways as she understands that not everyone learns the same way. However, outside of teaching or being helpful, she’s incredibly impatient and instant gratification is a huge driving force to her every day life. She hates when people repeat things or when she feels the outcome is something she already knows.

5. Find What Feels Good. Cae is incredibly hedonistic. Silks, cashmere, velvet, miqo’te tails, if it’s soft, she wants to touch it. She luxuriates in fine (high quality) things, she lives for them. While she doesn’t mind being dirty, her bath routine when she’s home is quiet extensive, with a variety of flowers, oils, and soaps for use. She loves smelling good and feeling silky.

6. Keeper of the Lilacs - Cae’s signature color is pastel purple. From her hair color, to clothing, to the lavender she picks for her rooms every few days, to the flowers she bathes with, it’s a larger part of who she is. It’s not a purposeful choice for some of it, the sunlight having bleached her hair to a light color, the lavender being readily accessible in Gridania, the flowers that leave her feeling silky. It just happened to come together.

7. It’s the eye of the...Hawk. Adventuring is a never ending job, meaning long days, weeks, months alone in the wilderness. With 20 plus years of experience, it’s not too much of a challenge, but being able to ease the journey is important. In her travels, Cae ended up learning Falconry from Ishgard. She now has a hawk named Faile that is trained to both help her hunt and to carry packages/letters to her friends and family. She often uses Faile to carry rare herbs for medicines to her contacts to speed up her process. She also enjoys her bird’s company and will often talk to her when she’s around.

8. Life and Death. Cae’s talents mainly lie in healing. Having a need to help, especially the wounded, has led her to study various avenues of healing methods. She has gained an aptitude for healing with herbs and potions. Having traveled extensively she considers her self an expert in various fauna, knowing when a plant could be helpful down the road. Because she’s familiar with herbs to heal, she also knows those that can be poisonous. She’s not above using poisons to disable people if work calls for it, or a serious situation arises. She has also picked up some of the healing arts of Astromancy, already feeling she had a connection to the night sky via her love for Menphina as a Keeper. Relying less on cards and more on the stars and herself, she is able to heal more serious wounds, but only does so if she is out of potions/salves or the wound is more dire than a potion can heal. In extreme cases of exhaustion and mana depletion and in a life or death situation of people she loves, she will use her life force to reach out to those around her to heal them. Her life aether manifests in the form of aetheric butterflies, and her family and friends who’ve seen/been affected by phenomenon reported a flash of bright light and they felt for a moment they walked among the stars. After this rare aetheric outburst occurs Cae will be in a coma for any where to a few days to a few weeks. She would much rather sacrifice her own life to save those she loves, than live with out them.

9. Not your Forte. While healing is where Cae’s main talent lies, she is apt with a bow. Having used one from the time she could lift a small one made for her by her father, she has been using it to hunt and on occasion, as self defense. She is not a master markswoman, as her desire to use it outside of necessity hinders her desire to use it as a weapon. That being said, she has killed with it, and can hit a fair amount of targets should the need arise. She occasionally tips her arrows with poison from plants, mostly to paralyze opponents. Many of the more legendary archers have been dubbed Bards, something she is sometimes referred to, more as a joke, than in a serious nature. Cae can not sing AT ALL. She is both tone deaf and does not at the voice that one would find appealing. So why call her a bard? Because she has one hell of a loud voice and can throw out a speech in the midst of battle able to arouse the fires of passion in the most morally deplete men. She inspires them to hold their ground, to fight until the last breath. She may not be a traditional bard, with a dreamy voice and masterful storytelling, but she can light the fires of people’s vigor and spirit when called for. You’ll probably have a good chance of winning with her as your moral, just don’t ask her to sing you any victory chants...

10. The Secrets of a Smile. The Calamity hit everyone hard and in different ways. For Cae, it caused her to both lose her parents and her memory of them. Being struck be falling debris during the event while traveling alone, she only has a vague inclination of her parents. She remembers things like feelings, some facts, like her first bow being given to her by her father. But names and faces are beyond her. She looked for them but not being able to describe anything about them to anyone leads her to believe they died in the Calamity. As the years pass it’s only been reinforced as they have not reached out to her as well. She also harbors extreme guilt over not being with them when it struck, and over living when they did not. She has some complicated issues with being left alone. She is not fond of cities and often leaves for solitude of nature, however loneliness is a huge fear for her. She has not confided in her friends and family (her fc, husband, etc) about her parents death and the issues she has with it, which have lead to depression, so she puts on a smile and goes on with life.

Five Things:

They like-

1. Her Husband & family & pets 2. Praise, feeling appreciated 3. Silence of being in far away places 4. The sound and smell of rain 5. Feeling clean, soft and lovely

They Dislike-

1. Being touched on her tail + ears by anyone but a select few 2. Pointless violence & belligerence 3. Not getting her way 4. Ul’dah + Monetarists 5. Fish

Good Traits:

- Fiercely Loyal - Understanding - Patient teacher - Caring and Motherly - Leadership

Bad Traits:

- Self Centered - Stubborn as hell (it takes a lot to change her mind) - Argumentative - Impatient with most things - Bossy as hell

Fears:

- Losing her loved ones - Her husband dying - Large natural disasters - Spiders - Not being able to save someone with her healing - People being mad at her

#ffxiv #cae #my rp #rp info #rp

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stark-dynamic · 5 years

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JOURNAL OF: Irma Gerd (and Sieglinde Stark)

This journal was discovered by Zeus Zenith and S’ento Tenshi on the 20th Sun of the 1st Astral Moon, after the meeting that occurred. Certain pages are tabbed, the following entries are those tabbed pages, the ones that Zeus deemed “important” to finding Sieglinde.

@givethemtothegallows

INTRODUCTION

My name is Irma Gerd (and Sieglinde Stark) and this journal shall serve as a record for my various adventures and is my personal log.

If I am somehow missing or incapacitated in any way, shape or form, then let this journal be of potential assistance to whomever finds it.

15th Sun, 1st Astral Moon, 1573 (Year 1 or 2 of the Seventh Umbral Era)

This is my first entry, just got this journal the other sun. I am Irma Gerd. A friend helped me create this name, but other than that.. I don't really remember who I am, I remember seeing something big falling from the sky, and a lot of voices. Hopefully as I write through this, I will remember more about who I was. Until then, I'll just have to survive.

20th Sun, 2nd Umbral Moon, 1574

I recently found out that I am of Ala Mhigan heritage, or at the very least I come from the region of Gyr Abania. Considering my skin tone, accent, and other factors I am inclined to agree. I also found out that I seem to have an affinity with firearms. I must have had a lot of experience with them before I lost my memory.

Seeing as though I am tight on gil, I am considering taking up bounty hunting. Perhaps that will also help me take my mind off the nightmares.

4th Sun, 4th Astral Moon, 1575

This sennight has been hell...low on gil, low on clean clothes, and almost got myself killed. I was tracking a bounty over to eastern Thanalan when I got ambushed by what I could only assume was a large beast. I must have blacked out because I barely remembered what happened. All I remember was a blue glowing light, and the feeling of being strong, like someone or something powered me up.

The nightmares are not stopping. I think they're getting worse...who are all these people and why are they screaming...? They keep scaring me..."

24th Sun, 4th Umbral Moon, 1577

Another sun, another bounty grabbed. Things are starting to become uniform at this point I feel like. I am starting to get the hang of this aether bullet thing as well. Will help getting bounties easier.

The nightmares I am keeping at bay, I will not stand being tortured by them anymore. These people screaming, dying, cursing me...are they people I killed...? I don't remember killing before I got this journal...and all the people I killed were bounties and evil crooks like murderers. I would never harm an innocent..I hope I didn't...

17th Sun, 4th Astral Moon, 1582

No bounties today.

But I did run into a peculiar group of people in Pearl Lane the other sun. I assisted those who were fighting against a shadowy...beaked man. The struggle caused a lot of damage to the surrounding area. A mess of rubble and ice.

One of those who were fighting, a lalafell named Chachanji, helped regale the story to me about "whispers" causing night terrors, wanting to cause chaos and misery. I surmise that beaked man was a member of this Faceless, as I later learned from the Silver Grace Clinic, particularly one Doctor Lukel Sol'ba, who properly explained to me on the situation. I'm not about to let these Faceless have their way with this star.

I can tell things are about to get more interesting from here on out.

18th Sun, 4th Astral Moon, 1582

I have decided to join the Glass Network after hearing about them from Doctor Sol'ba. This will be the first time in years that I have been part of a company or organization...I hope I can fit in, I should..

I can't let these thoughts cloud my judgement. Right now the main concern is the Faceless. They must be stopped from causing more despair and nightmares.

28th Sun, 4th Astral Moon, 1582

For the first time in years, I feel like I have truly woken up from the nightmares and despair that has plagued me. Hope...it's been so long and after defeating the Faceless, I have finally discarded this mask of hope I put myself in. Even now I am still much weary.

I have been a part of the Glass Network for the past few suns, but now I can truly join in and help out.

9th Sun, 4th Umbral Moon, 1582

I met a nice and interesting Miqo'te today among others, calling herself Akyhi. She helped me get a new change of clothes and picked out new colors to replace the old black and purple that reminded me of despair. I love these, I really really love these. Akyhi has really cheered up and helped me be reborn.

I have also renounced bounty hunting, or at least being a hitwoman. I will find other ways of making gil. Hopefully legal of course.

19th Sun, 4th Umbral Moon, 1582

I received a package yesterday, when I was certain I had not ordered anything. A box wrapped in matte-black paper with a green ribbon. And I saw a parchment tucked into the satin folds. When I looked at it, it read

"For dear Irma, a gift to bring you comfort."

Out of curiousity, I opened the box, and what I saw...wow...

It was a jade amulet, a beautiful one at that, connected to a silver chain. It's really beautiful...but I know better than to just carelessly accept gifts from strangers. There was no receipt on the sender.

For now.. I think I'll keep an eye on it and observe it. For some reason this pendant feels familiar...

20th Sun, 4th Umbral Moon, 1582

This jade gift is very interesting..and pretty.. Whoever made this is amazing...other than that, nothing substantial.

[There is also a small doodle of a flower in the corner, and some of the writing seems different, a bit less refined than normal]

21th Sun, 4th Umbral Moon, 1582

Still nothing of interest. Had a good meal.

I guess it helps I love the color green, and..jade is my favorite..kind of jewel. ♥

[The writing is more noticeable on this one, along with more drawings.]

23rd Sun, 4th Umbral Moon, 1582

It's strange.. I don't remember much of last night.

Either I passed out from exhaustion or I somehow got drunk on something.

Although..I feel HAPPY and CALM for some reason, like I had a nice cup of hot TEA on a cold winter day. I feel like today is going to be a great day! ♪

[More doodles of flowers, tea and hearts are on the page. The words in capital are written with the less refined handwriting, and it feels like it was mashed in there in between Irma's more refined handwriting]

12th Sun, 5th Astral Moon, 1582

Something's wrong...I keep seeing and hearing things that are not there...who is this woman...and why does she look like an older me...? And who are these voices...? They seem familiar..."

She looks like she could be my mother. My....MAMA.

[Again, interlaced with doodles, this time some of them are scribbled out.]

18th Sun, 5th Astral Moon, 1582

I turned in the jade amulet I received to Serris for Containment. Maybe she could ascertain the true nature of that gift.

However...I was hesitant to part ways with it..it's just.. SO PRETTY..I don't know why.

What's happening to me...?

23rd Sun, 5th Astral Moon, 1582

There was an attack at the facility at Revenant's Toll, by someone named Descending Bear. He had a hostage, Fiona. I came to help rescue her along others. Bear...I think I heard his voice before...one of the voices I hear in my thoughts...

I had my gun ready to shoot him once the hostages were saved, or upon command. I...was so scared...he scared me...I..hesitated to pull the trigger.

He was forcing people to drink from this..liquid happiness... I wanted to shoot I DON'T WANT TO BE BAD I wanted to save them I'M SCARED I WANT MY MAMA wanted to do something.

[The page seemed a bit torn up, the parts of Sigi's handwriting (CAPITAL LETTERS) has been scribbled out, along with any doodles drawn on there.]

1st Sun, 5th Umbral Moon, 1582

Now that I am more composed..

I managed to reunite with my..guardian, Zeus Zenith. Together we joined a few others of the Network in exploring a strange cave a few suns ago. Heard there was lost magitek in there that I could use, especially since I learned more about this..H.E.R.A. System inside my body, as Zeus calls it.

The cave was like a dungeon, and there was a "princess" that needed saving. Of course there was not really a princess, but a weird spider-woman who called herself Rachnea. Apparently she was playing the role of a princess out of boredom....I really don't like spiders....

Anyways, I managed to come home with a very neat prototype weapons system and a transformation armor system... if I can fix these I can perhaps get them to work with the H.E.R.A System.

4th Sun, 5th Umbral Moon, 1582

Field test of the transformation belt "Ride-Driver" as dubbed by Zeus was moderately successful. The bodysuit generated by the inherit R.I.D.E.R. subroutine in the H.E.R.A. System is now reinforced by shape memory alloy that forms armor onto the bodysuit, and I can use the Driver in order to force start R.I.D.E.R. The weapons system is also a moderate success, able to connect to the H.E.R.A. System and adjust accordingly.

However, there is still the flaw of R.I.D.E.R. draining my aether supplies after each transformation. And I need to charge the Driver up with aether in order to initiate the transformation.

5th Sun, 5th Umbral Moon, 1582

I saw the woman again, this time with a child that looks like a younger me.

I..feel like there's someone else inside me..influencing my actions... I don't know who she is, but I hope she won't make me do anything I might regret later on. Other than that..business as usual. R.I.D.E.R. systems still working.

5th Sun, 6th Astral Moon, 1582

I am not sure what to make of this.

I have been called a thief by Belladonna for apparently using her armor tech. I don't understand, I never stole anything from anyone, nor would I ever. If she meant the Ride-Driver...I don't know...I made it from a prototype system I found in a dungeon, and I made it with the inherit R.I.D.E.R. system in my body in mind. I have never even known that this system was even Belladonna's...and I doubt it but...

I'm going to try and explain all this to her, hopefully everything will go well...

13th Sun, 6th Astral Moon, 1582

Uh hi...Irma Gerd is..not here right now. This is Sieglinde Stark. And Irma is asleep right now.

I remember a bad memory...flames....she must have seen the flames too...might be why she fell asleep. It's..how long has it been....? Even now I'm still trying to get everything together...

So I guess I'll be using this journal for now then..

[This entire entry is not written with Irma's handwriting, instead it is all Sieglinde's more crude handwriting.]

20th Sun, 6th Astral Moon, 1582, Sigi

Alright...been a sennight or so since I was saved from the Fens... With Irma's permission I have added my name to the cover, and we are officially sharing the same journal. It feels weird...because we are I guess the same person...? Except not really, because Irma.. Irma is not really me, she's a soldier. I myself don't know how to fight. I only used her knowledge...it's weird...but I will probably get by...

21st Sun, 6th Umbral Moon, 1582, Sigi

I don't understand...Descending Bear... he appeared in my dream, in our dream... he..he killed everyone...killed my family... Even now I still remember..it was scary..! I don't want to sleep again..not if it means seeing him in my dreams again...!

25th Sun, 6th Umbral Moon, 1582, Irma

The last few eves have been peaceful. Descending Bear has not been seen in our dreams since that one night. Sigi had the heart to sleep properly again thanks to words of encouragement she had at the Starlight party. I am thankful, but I also worry for her. I fear that she is slowly being negatively affected by the nightmares. I will keep an eye on her but at least she is able to rest well at night. Next time he comes though, we'll both be ready. Until then, Happy Starlight.

Happy Starlight.

[The last part was written by Sigi.]

3rd Sun, 1st Astral Moon, 1583, Irma

Descending Bear had appeared in our dream again, this time we were not surprised. He did not do any harm to the town in the dream, only just try to lower our spirits through words. He called me imaginary...I take offense to that. I am my own being, even though I am also a part of Sieglinde...I lived my own life..

For both mine and Sieglinde's sake, we cannot stay separated like this...I want us to be one person, to be complete...that is for the best...I just hope Sieglinde agrees..

6th Sun, 1st Astral Moon, 1583, SIGI

I pray that the parasite does not find this page..

These sennights have been torture...I hate it. I hate that Bear, I hate being helpless, I hate being weak! And I hate Irma! She's nothing but a parasite that took my body from me!

I have been asleep for 20 years, and all this time this parasite was living the life I should have had...or had not....sometimes I think I should have died with my parents.. but as the parasite keeps reminding me...I'm still alive...so I guess I still want to live..

I'm just tired of all this...this Network...this is Irma's place, not mine, my place is my home in Ala Mhigo...I still remember being with my family, looking at our placard with pride whenever we return home from playing...

Next time I see Bear, I will kill him. I want this madness to end....I just want to sleep....

[The page is torn, sloppy, and the handwriting is unsettling, errors corrected, words scratched out, and doodles everywhere. Notable are doodles of gears, meant to represent Irma]

8th Sun, 1st Astral Moon, 1583, ONLY SIGI

This will be my last entry in this journal.

The parasite..has been expunged. Stabbed with my own knife. And Bear has been witness. For the first time in 20 years, I feel free.. I feel really free..! It's time to leave all of the parasite behind...this Network.. this..robot...everything...it's not me....it's not Sigi...

Bear has instructed me on what to do...I won't follow the Dowager...but... ..I don't want to lose this freedom...I just...

I just want to go home. And that's what I will do, once I leave.

Mama...I'm going home...

[This is indeed the last entry, as everything else after this page is non-existent or blank. This is the end of the journal. Although on the page, there are still doodles. There are more gears in this one, one of these doodles is a blue gear with an Eorzean "I" inside...interlocked with a green gear with an Eorzean "S" inside...perhaps Irma is not really dead...?]

#sieglinde stark #irma gerd #glass network #split personality #mother's madness

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the-gay-tactician · 7 years

Text

To Ignite a Blossoming Flower

Chapter 1: Igniting the Spark: Freya!

Pzzzt! The computer buzzes, as someone rings the younger girl. A smirk crawls on her lips, she waves as she answers Professor Kukui. The man's bare chest could be seen through his jacket; it gives him an absurd, yet stylish look. The young Kantoan looks curiously at him, wondering if everyone dresses like that in Alola.

"Hey there! Good evening! So the day has finally come that you're moving to Alola!" Kukui exclaims. Freya eagerly nods.

"Alola is a region made up of several islands." A photo of four islands appears as he continues his explanation.

"That could be the reason the region is of nothin' but rare Pokemon, yeah! There's no shortage of Pokemon here in Alola either! Such mysterious creatures." Freya notices the professor's bizarre accent; hardly anyone spoke like that in Kanto. However, as she turns her eyes to the Pokeball Kukui was now holding in his hand, her face fills with excitement. A blue light flashes, and a small pup-like Pokemon appears; it's a Rockruff!

"Ruff, ruff!" The little Pokemon was now Freya's main center of attention, it was too cute for her to look away!

"You'll find 'em all over. In the grass, in the caves, in the sky and sea…. Here in Alola we love our Pokemon, and we depend on them heaps too. Some of us even battle with 'em, if we call ourselves Pokemon Trainers!" The man's attention was now also on Rockruff as it began to be fiddle with the camera in front of it, leaving Freya with a grin on her face and a chuckle in the air.

A Pokemon trainer, huh? Someday, I hope to be strong enough like Pa was. Before the young girl's thoughts consumed her, the Rockruff stirred up enough commotion with the Professor to snap her attention back to the screen.

"Rockruff! Can you wait until I'm done talkin' to play?!"

"Ruff!" Rockruff made its exit off the screen, as Kukui turns his attention back to Freya for his last few minutes.

"I see you've already got a picture set for your trainer passport! And…. Freya's your name! I can let everyone know a bit about you since that's all set. Once you're settled in and everythin' we'll meet up and I'll show you around! Your house isn't too far from the lab, so I'll head up soon. Alright coz, see ya later then!" He disconnects from the call with a genuine smile.

"Freya! Come help me unpack the rest of these boxes!" Her mother's voice echoes through the house, as they spent a restless night unpacking and finally settling into their new home.

3 Months earlier….

"Don't worry Nebby! I won't let anyone harm you.. just stay put in the bag." A young blonde girl huffed as she ran, a small purple looking Pokemon stuffed in her bag. Lillie had stolen Nebby, and close behind were two Aether Foundation in hot pursuit!

Just as the young maiden thought she had escaped the men chasing her in the Foundation's lower floor, she ran into yet another employee trying to prevent her escape; she had trapped herself! Lillie began to panic, the clanking of buckles and vicious stomping echoed through the foundation. The employees managed to close in on Lillie, she had nowhere to run to.

"Nebby, I'm so sorry… if only I wasn't so useless," Lillie muttered, and gripped the bag as she fell to her knees with tears flowing from her eyes. Just as hope seemed miles away, Nebby started glowing, and unknown powers she had never seen rippled through the bag.

Suddenly, the crashing of waves could be heard, and rays of sunlight beamed across the shoreline. A small figure laid unconscious, just a mile from a nearby lab. A weakened Nebby, peered outside the bag, too afraid to move. The only thing it could hear was Lillie's soft breathing.

"What in the world?! How did you get here?!" Burnet gasped to herself, finding Lillie collapsed on the sand. The Professor struggled in picking up the younger girl; she was not particularly heavy, but Burnet was rather exhausted already. The tan woman looked up at the calm night sky, as the wind peaked along her backside, swaying her hair. So many questions that would be answered later when the smaller figure in her arms awoke.

"Phew! Morning already, eh? Man, the sunshine sure does feel good, nothing like in Kanto, right, Meowth?" Freya's mother smiles down at the Kantoan Meowth, who was enjoying the warmth from the Alolan sun.

"Mrrar!" It gave the woman a playful bat on the leg, then slowly gazes over its surroundings.

"Hey, go wake up Freya for me, please? She's going to miss her big day, she has to start her new journey!" Freya's mother looked down at the cat-like Pokemon with excitement. Her only child is finally starting her own Pokemon adventure.

If her father could be here now, he would be so proud!

Meowth eagerly pounces through the house, straight for Freya's room. Beneath her computer sits a bulky desk, housing half opened boxes containing small trinkets between its legs. A copy of the latest monthly PokeNews lay open on the desk's edge, and a Ditto bean bag sits undisturbed a few paces from the entrance. The Kanto native Meowth rushes into the room and leaps onto Freya's bed. Meowth quietly observes Freya, who lays in a peaceful slumber.

"Nyarrr!" it meows, gently swatting at Freya's nose, causing her nose to crinkle with a soft sniffle.

"G'morning, Meowth." the girl mutters sleepily. She straightens herself up to face Meowth.

"Nraaaar!" The feline Pokemon greets her again, and leaps from the bed to return to its owner.

Lazily, she runs her fingers through her hair, letting her wavy, jet black lengths crash neatly below her shoulders. Sliding off her firm mattress - her ocean blue sheets trailing behind - she turns to fix her bed in haste. She then analyzes the room for fresh clothing. Freya notices a pair of capris dangling from her bed frame, and a t-shirt that drapes over the computer chair which she swifty gathers. Walking over to her closet, she scavenges through a half open box containing her sneakers and pair of socks that hide inside, and eases them on her feet. After spotting her belt that slips firmly around her waist, she carelessly makes her way into the kitchen.

Tripping over her feet, Freya catches herself on the countertop. Upon straightening herself, Freya grabs a honeycrisp apple, larger than the palm of her hand.

"Freya, darling! Come outside!" the girl's mother yells outside from the porch.

"Mmm… okay!" she replies, after taking a delightful bite into the succulent apple. She stumbles her way through the door. The older woman greets her daughter with a powerful hug and points towards the ocean view. Freya takes her surroundings in, gratefully basking in the sunlight.

Suddenly Freya panics, "WAAAH! Shoot, my new glasses! Do you know where they are?!" She desperately searches through her pants pockets.

Her mother pulls a case from a box that had been stacked next them, containing Freya's new pair of black framed glasses. She passes the case to her panicking child, with a playful grin on her face.

"Already misplacing things, are we?"

"Not funny mother!" The young new Alola resident puts her frames on and sighs in relief.

"Are you finally ready now? The professor should be on his waysoon." Mother stares at Freya, before rummaging through the box again.

"I think there's still one more task I have to complete before I can say I'm actually ready," Freya turns her attention to her mother's hands, her eyes glimmer at the sight of red and white.

"What do you have there?" She peers over her mother's shoulder.

The older woman whips around, gestures for her daughter to take the Pokeball, and the two stones she holds in the opposite hand. She reaches for the Pokeball and two mysterious stones - a small green one placed as a charm on a necklace, and the other in the center of a small blue scarf - Freya could feel the rush of excitement fill her.

"Hold on dear, there is one last thing your father left for you. I suggest you read it wholly, and thoroughly." Her mother hands her the small letter, placing the two stones in the same hand as the Pokeball.

'My loving Freya,

It seems your time has come to embark on a new journey. One that brings you excitement, fear, joy, exhaustion, but more importantly: love. Though I do not know what trials you have ahead of you…. Never give up! When times get tough, smile, believe in Charmander, and more importantly… yourself. You will meet many people along your journey. You'll make many friends, possibly even rivals! Everyone in some way will make you a greater, and stronger person. If you find yourself stuck, don't hesitate to ask for help, for it does not make you weak.

You're probably wondering what the two stones are - your partner, we both know what Pokemon that will be, as I did everything I could to get you one! I hope you come to like him, as much as he will you! Those stones resemble a powerful connection between trainer and Pokemon. When the time comes, you will see that some bonds evolve far greater than you could ever imagine… But only if you can succeed such a great ordeal! I know you can achieve such a thing one day.

Be safe, and remember, don't take the ones you call precious to you for granted.

I love you Freya,

With all my heart,

Father'

Freya stares at the stones and Pokeball intently, reminiscing over her father's smile; she wipes away the small stream of tears. She grips the letter and looks back at her mother, more determined to start her journey.

I'll be sure to make you proud, I promise. Freya stares out toward the calm ocean.

Knock, knock! Both mother and daughter look at each other for a few seconds, before Freya's mother realizes who may be at the front door. She gently nudges Freya back into the house to let the guest in.

"That must be Professor Kukui! Quick, Freya let him in!" Before mother could finish, Freya began sprinting to the door. The younger girl adjusts her shirt, and opens the door to meet Kukui's friendly eyes.

"Alola, cousin! It's nice to finally get the chance to meet ya!" Gesturing him to come inside, Freya bounces around greeting her professor. The bizarre looking man extends a hand out, and she gladly shakes it in response as her mother enters the kitchen.

"Alola, Professor! Freya has told me so much about you!" the woman declares, and shoots a smile at Kukui.

"Ha ha, I'm glad to hear that." Kukui returns his focus to Freya, eyeballing the Pokeball and two knickknacks in her hands.

"So you've already got your Pokemon? That's great coz! How about we get a proper greeting!"

"Actually, we're just about to meet it as well, Professor! Here goes!" Freya gleefully tosses her ball up, and a blue light flashes in the room. A small orange lizardlike Pokemon appears, and everyone gasps in awe at the creature.

"Char?" The Pokemon glances around the room, looks up at the Professor, and then to Freya. When their eyes meet the Pokemon walks up and nudges the girl's hand. Charmander gently grabs Freya's hand and smiles at her with admiration.

"Charmander! Char- char!" Freya eagerly lifts the Charmander up into her arms and into an embrace as he returns the gesture.

"A Charmander, huh? That's amazing coz! Haven't seen one of them in a while! Super rare here in Alola!" Kukui carefully examines the orange Pokemon as Freya places it back down to process its surroundings.

"Like father, like daughter! I'm so happy for you Freya!" Her mother exclaims, however it went over Freya's head as her attention was on her Charmander.

"Tysame!" Kukui and her mother give Freya bewildering expressions, however the Pokemon began to understand the girl. She gently lets the word slip from her mouth again, "Tysame…"

"Tysame…?" The word was rather eccentric to Kukui. Looking at Charmander, Kukui was able to interpret what Freya meant behind it.

"What in Arceus' name are you babbling about, hon?" To her mother, the name was still baffling.

"Tysame." Freya points to the Charmander.

"Chaaaar!" The Pokemon gives the Kanto woman a smile, then takes notice of Meowth. The feline Pokemon gives its new orange friend a greeting, and initiates on a friendly chase around the humans.

"I believe that's a fine name for such a partner, coz! But now that introductions are complete, why don't we go on a small trip up to see the lab? I got a gift for ya, then I'll show you around a bit." Kukui smiles at Freya, who responds with a nod.

"Alright Tysame, you heard the man! Time to get going for now!"

"Char-char!" The girl recalls the Pokemon back into its ball, and places it on her belt. Freya leaps next to her mother, with a wide grin on her face and gives the woman a hug.

"Oh, Freya dear! Before you leave don't forget to grab your bag and hat too! They should still be in the box you left in your room." As her mother states.

How many things is that now? AGH! I don't have time for this! Freya agitatedly rubs her temple.

"Ha ha, so you also have a nifty looking hat coz? Well, hurry up, and go grab your things. I'll meet you outside." Kukui waves to Freya's mother, then heads through the door.

The young girl stumbles into her room, and digs her way through a box that sits behind the door. She grabs a black backpack and a grey and blue beanie. Clumsily adjusting her scarlet-shaded bangs slightly over the rim of her glasses, she pulls the beanie over her head. Freya sprints into the kitchen, tripping face first into her mother's back.

"AAAH! Be careful, dear! Don't forget to come back, and tell me all about it, alright?"

"Alright," Freya yells, "See ya later, mom!" She rushes through the door, meeting the Professor outside.

"There you are, coz! What took ya so long, eh?" Kukui jokingly says to the girl.

Freya inhales deeply, the smell of the ocean breezes putting her at ease. She glances back one last time at her house, then back to the road where her journey was just about to begin!

"Sorry, Professor… Let me ask ya something," she says, smiling brightly at her elder, "Do you ever like to take your time to thoroughly enjoy what you set out to do?" She adjusts her glasses to prevent them from falling. The wild looking man nods at her in earnest.

"Sure do. I revel in studying really strong moves for battles! Something you gotta take your time with. But enough about that, there's something better waiting for you!" The Professor starts to guide Freya south towards the lab.

This is remarkable, and scary all at the same time… I'm really excited! I feel like my heart could explode anytime. With Tysame by my side, I'm sure things will be fun! I wonder what sorts of Pokemon we'll find? Dad, I hope you're watching, cause I have no freaking idea what's bound to happen!

Hey guys! To find regular updates of this story, check out https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12319910/1/To-Ignite-a-Blossoming-Flower

#pokemon sun and moon #fanfic #lillie x moon #OC #pokemon sun spoilers #charmander #professor kukui

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