#of just like. what did happen to them. what happened to the friend lyse had

[trivia-yandere]

two sentence horror story

Years ago, your best friend, Jimin, and you made a pact that if one of you were single by the age of 26 that the two of you would just marry the other.

masterlist | @darkuni63 @momnomnom @sweetempathprunetree

writer: lyse

word count: 2.095

warning: naive reader, manipulative jimin, dark themes, yandere tendencies, dacryphilia, masochism, unprotected sex, creampie, smut, oral (m receiving), blood, jealous reader, murder,

Years ago, your best friend, Jimin, and you made a pact that if you were single by the age of 26 that the two of you would just marry the other.

Jimin watches as his friend - you -  reads the words on the small card - the wedding invitation he has given her. He awaits your reaction - maybe a hurt one? A look of sadness and betrayal? Or would you be upset and scream at him?

“Please join us for the wedding of Park Jimin & Kim Ji-yeon.” your words are low and lack emotions - monotone like. 

Your mind is swirling with the new information. You push yourself away from the kitchen island you were leaning on.

Jimin had not told you that he was thinking of marrying Ji-yeon anytime soon. He had admitted that he was thinking of it - but it was hard to ever believe Jimin when he was balls deep inside of you.

You met Jimin back in your childhood. Your mother and his being close friends and it was bound that you and he would be just as close. Jimin was your first kiss - you weren’t his - and he was the first man who taught you about sex - even if you weren’t his.

In High school, you and he had made a pact. “If we’re both single by the time I’m 26 then I’m going to marry you.” Jimin laughed, and you had, as well. Jimin always had a partner by his side so you took it with a grain of salt.

At first.

But slowly, you realized that you wouldn’t allow yourself to be in a relationship. Your earlier relationships ended for a few reasons. Jimin knew no boundaries. If he wanted your attention, he demanded it. You called off many dates because Jimin decided that he wanted you to be in his presence and boyfriends didn’t appreciate it. 

JImin also didn’t like when you would think about giving yourself to another man - he told you countless times that all they wanted was to ruin you; take your body and use it for their pleasure before dropping you like you were nothing to them. 

You stopped yourself from dating a few years back when one boyfriend suggested that you choose between him and Jimin - and how could you ever not choose your best friend?

Sex with Jimin happened countless times - starting back your first time and you asked him about sex. You had a boyfriend who you were semi-curious about sex with and Jimin had told you that he would show you the in’s and out’s of sex. It was painful at first, but you were grateful that Jimin showed you - even if you never had the chance to experience it with any other boyfriends.

Jimin never halted his sexual adventures with you even when he himself was in a relationship. Time after time, he’d come to your home and you knew just what he wanted. It’s what you wanted, as well. He’d fuck you so deeply - passionately. He’d suck on a nipple as you rode him or slapped your ass while he fucked into you.

“When did you propose?” you asked Jimin who then flashes you a dazzling smile.

“Last Tuesday.” Jimin responds, and your eyebrow is raised. That was the same day he had canceled a date with Ji-yeon to have dinner with family and yours. His old bedroom brought back familiar memories - especially when he had you bent over his bed while he fucked inside of you, hand over your lips to prevent you from moaning too loudly. He wasted no time in proposing and making invitations.

You lower the invitation in your hands until it drops onto the floor. 

Jimin knits his brows, but he isn’t oblivious to your reaction. He understands that you’re hurt by his sudden actions - he hasn’t even expressed he wanted to marry Ji-yeon.

“Penny for your thoughts?”

Your heart is pounding outside your chest. You’re unsure if you’re being dramatic or if your lungs are indeed collapsing. You cannot breathe, and you feel yourself grow stiff.

“Y/N?” Jimin’s voice appears to be far away - so far that it’s growing difficult to hear him. You’re trembling now. 

Are you cold?

Are you frightened?

No.

You were pissed.

Jimin places a hand upon your forearm. You’re brought back into reality. Jimin’s eyes are shining with concern.

Jimin groans when your hand connects with his cheek. He does not expect to feel it again - and again until your palms turn to closed fists.

You’re punching him uncontrollably. Your tears are hiding your vision and with each punch you’re grunting and hissing. 

“Y/N.” Jimin begins to block your punches, but he’s only human. He’s never seen you this upset before and now he’s unsure how to calm you. 

You resort to kicking when Jimin has both of your wrists in his hold. 

There wasn’t a reason for Jimin to marry someone else - not when you gave your body to him time and time again. You remained single for him and he wants to marry Ji-yeon - a woman that couldn’t pleasure him the way you could.

It didn’t make any sense.

Jimin didn’t want it to make sense to you - he enjoyed your reaction. In all honesty, he reveled in it. Was it sinister of him? Your tears are streaming down your face at such a rapid pace that it excites him - his cock especially. He understands that it’s wrong of him for wanting to hurt you (emotionally) but he cannot help it. You were such a naive woman now that allowed him to do any and everything to you - far too naive that he cannot imagine another man doing this to you.

You were lucky that it was him - someone who truly cared for you. Loved you.

“Y/N!” Jimin screams and now you’re limp with wide eyes. 

You blink a few times to unblur your vision.

You fall to your knees, hands tugging at Jimin’s jeans. His cock springs out when his underwear goes with it. He’s now holding the kitchen island for support when he feels your hands wrap around his cock.

You open your mouth to suck onto the tip of his cock. Your tongue twirls around it hungrily, hands pumping the length of his cock.

Jimin bites his lip and groans, eyes fluttering close while you slurp against his cock. You do so vigorously - determined to show Jimin that you were who he truly wanted and not Ji-yeon. You’ve learned to know how he wanted you to pleasure him - and not even when it came to sex. You enjoyed massaging Jimin after a long day of work while he talked about his day. You would have dinner ready for him - cooked an hour exactly before he was off so it’d be warm by the time he came home. 

“You’re always so good for me, Y/N.” Jimin flinches when the tip of his cock reaches the back of your throat. He hands his head back and releases a low chuckle before biting his lips. 

“Stand up.” Jimin hisses. “I want to cum in you.”

You did as you were told, kicking off your own jeans so that Jimin could enter you. You lean against the island while Jimin positions himself behind you. He shudders upon feeling how wet and sticky you were - you loved pleasuring him.

Jimin enters you hastily, your walls are tight and inviting. He’s thankful that you never allowed another man to take advantage of you. He grunts out a long moan, thrusting into you slowly, enjoying the sensation that it gave him. 

Your hands grip the sides of the island just when Jimin’s thrusts become faster and deeper. The entirety of both of his palms grip your ass - he loved to do this when he was fucking you from behind. He loved your ass in general and whenever he had the chance to have it in his hands, he would.

Your pussy clenches around his cock, your ass slapping aggressively against his abdomen. You loved Jimin and the way he pleasured you - always fucking into you so deeply that it always had you creaming around him. This is how it should be - you and him and just you and him. No other woman; no Ji-yeon.

Jimin leans down to your neck and sends a kiss on the nape of your neck. His thrusts are sloppy and he’s grunting and breathing heavy in your ear. His warm breath hits your neck and it sends goosebumps throughout your skin.

“I love you, Jimin.” you nearly shout. He’s thrusting into you so lovingly that you’re already coming undone. “I love you so much.”

You confessing your love to him wasn’t new - especially when it came to sex. But Jimin never got tired of hearing it. It made him feel bigger than what he truly was; more powerful. You gave him this power with your undying love and lack of judgment. You would always love him and he was selfish and reveled in this fact.

Jimin cums inside of you deeply, twitching as he falls on top of you. He doesn’t remove himself from inside of you until he’s fully soft.

You’re trembling, not bothering to move. You hear Jimin behind you getting dressed. You don’t bother to face him.

“I love you, too.” Jimin murmurs to you, and your heart feels whole.

“Y/N. Hello!”

Ji-yeon is a sweet woman. She’s petite with a blunt cut, dyed blond. Her eyes are small and brown and you recall Jimin gushing how her eyes resemble the galaxy - a revelation that hurts you upon hearing it. 

Ji-yeon invites you inside her home and even makes tea for the two of you. She speaks about Jimin and the proposal - flashing you her ring. It hurts your heart to see the large ring on her finger and just how happy Ji-yeon was.

You wanted to be happy for her - be happy with her.

But your heart wouldn’t allow you to. The ring Ji-yeon is wearing is the ring that belongs to you. You waited for Jimin for years, denied countless men who wanted you. 

Ji-yeon didn’t give her life away for Jimin. She didn’t deserve this life.

Ji-yeon lifts the cup of tea to her lips and she blows gently. The ring sparkles underneath the light in the small kitchen. 

Your hand squeezes your own teacup in your hands as you sip.

“I want you to be a part of the wedding, Y/N.” Ji-yeon says suddenly, and your eyes widen. “You and Jimin are like siblings.”

Siblings?

Ji-yeons words replay in your mind a thousand times over.

“At first I thought you and him were a couple.” Ji-yeon giggles lightly. “When we first met, I was so convinced!”

Your breathing hitched.

“Wherever you were, Jimin was and vice versa. How wrong I was.”

Ji-yeon stands, turning away to go towards the sink. She turns on the water and begins washing her tea cup.

“When Jimin asked me out, I was shocked to learn that he was single.” Ji-yeon continues. She rubs against the tea cup rigorously. “But he assured me that you were like a sister to him.”

Ji-yeon turns off the water once the cup is clean. “I’m glad he has someone like you in-” She turns around and yelps when something clashes along her face. She falls onto the ground, her hands barely able to catch her.

Years ago, your best friend, Jimin, and you made a pact that if one of you were single by the age of 26 that the two of you would just marry the other.

Jimin stares in horror as you stand over his fiance’s bloodied body, holding the largest knife he’s ever seen.

You don't notice Jimin behind you, but Jimin's eyes watches closely as you drop the knife onto the ground besides Ji-yeon. It rattles off of the ground and you kneel besides her, snatching the ring off of Ji-yeons fingers.

"Y/N."

You jump at the sound of your name. Your eyes are wide when you turn to see Jimin, and now you're crying. Tears are flowing down your cheeks rapidly and you're on your knees begging for his forgiveness - but Jimin was not upset.

As sad as it sound - his wife dead and bloodied on the ground a few feet away - he could never be upset for how far your love had gone. He had pushed you to this point; the point of no return. His heart flutters with the thought of you killing for his love - and Jimin could never love you any less now.

#two sentence horror story #trivia-yandere #bangtan smut #bangtanwriters net #bangtanwritershq #btswritingcafe #bts smut #btswriterscollective #btswritersclub #jimin smut #jimin yandere #jimin imagine #jimin x reader

[kicktwine]

beating my writers block back with a fork again, this time everyone goes to sleep

Ch’ari Tia returns to Ala Ghiri and immediately makes a beeline to the hammocks. 

He swears, every time something Happens, which happens a lot, something Happening, and he doesn’t get time enough to take an uninterrupted catnap afterwards, a cherub dies. Ala Ghiri has kindly set up rows of woven hammocks to cater to the influx of people, some of which are already taken by bandaged or exhausted rebels. Ch’ari finds an empty one next to a wall, and collapses into its sun-warmed embrace, letting the tense conversation wash over him. 

He is simply not going to think about it until his head is clearer. That’s been his solution for many things, and it’s worked well enough so far. Every time he is forced to make a split-second decision it comes out more violently and stupidly than he means it to, but every time he is allowed to think he ends up with something resembling an intelligent response. It is why he doesn’t speak much in conversations of politics or conflict — better to leave the talking to someone who can think rationally in the heat of the moment, not someone whose first instinct is to pull his tongue at the tyrant. 

Naps are a wonderful cure for overthinking and stress and all those associated emotions. It is late in the afternoon now, such that a beautiful gold light warms the stones and colored fabrics of Ala Ghiri, which means it is the perfect time of day to have one. 

Speaking of overthinking. Ch’ari squints open one eye at the sound of his friends, who he made sure were inside and talking with General Raubahn (who is yalms in that direction, he could have sworn), who are not talking with the General. Instead, Lyse is talking to the General, and Alphinaud and Alisaie seem to be busy talking with the injured, taking notes in Alphinaud’s small sketchbook. 

Ch’ari frowns. That is not what that’s for, someone should have given Alphinaud a proper notebook or something, not let him use his charcoal paper for war notes. That, and they should both be resting, after the disaster that was the tower — Ch’ari had never seen them so shaken, which is not something he wants to extend however possible. Both of their backs are straight, however, going about some errand with business-like airs. One would think them unaffected. 

Except, notably, for the fact that they have not let go of each others’ hands since then. 

Alisaie glares at anyone who looks at them for too long, as if daring them to say anything about it. She is not doing the talking, she keeps one hand on her brother’s and one hand on her rapier. Alphinaud, greatly inconvenienced by the fact that he has one hand for notetaking, seems content to walk in front and half-pull her around behind him, as if he were the one who initiated, not her. Shielding her from any such comments, in his own way. Though, Ch’ari notes, his is the tighter grip, and he refuses to even let go to adjust his pen. 

His eye tracks them all the way through ten hammocks, and in that time he thinks, and he decides that if they will not do as they’re told and rest (which he thought Raubahn would tell them to do, and he suspects he did, they’re just not listening) he will simply have to make them. 

Alphinaud’s ears perk when he sees Ch’ari lounging in the next hammock, and he trots up at a respectful distance to greet him. “Taking a well-deserved rest for once?” He asks. Alisaie regards how his limbs are all sprawled in different directions, and conceals a snort with her unchanging expression. 

“Yes sir,” Ch’ari drawls. “I think my muscles may well have fallen off if I didn’t stop moving right this second.”

“You have done the most busywork out of anyone. How are you faring? Do you need anything?”

“Well enough. Is that what your little notes are for? Askin’ everyone if they need anything?”

“Oh— yes. Sort of. I thought — we thought it would be prudent to ensure everyone is having their needs attended to, you know. After such an event it’s very likely we’re missing things, equipment, injuries, anything like that.”

“To make sure no one’s hiding anything,” Alisaie says, accusation tinging her voice. Ch’ari ignores her, he’s innocent of all crime. Or, that crime, at least.

And it’s a good way to do virtually nothing while keeping your hands busy, Ch’ari notes. Ala Ghiri’s healers are exceptional, and so are their organization leaders, and whosoever’s needs are not attended to will probably be attended to very soon. 

“Well,” Ch’ari says, “In that case I uppose I would be glad for…” and he trails off nonsense-mumbling, side-eyeing the twins. 

“Sorry, what was that?” Alphinaud asks, stepping closer to hear him. Ch’ari does not often ask for much, preferring to get it himself. Alisaie squints.

“Oh, you know, some… mrghprrhms.” Trails off again. Alphinaud cocks his head and furrows his brows. 

“You… May have to speAUGH!”

As soon as he’s in grabbing range Ch’ari‘s arm snakes out and snags him around the waist, yanking him into the hammock with an ungrateful squawk and sending Alisaie tripping over her feet after him. She manages to remain standing, bent over the hammock with a flabbergasted stare as Alphinaud is wrestled into the empty space at Ch’ari’s side. 

“Ari!” he yelps.

“Get rested, blue boy!” Ch’ari crows. 

“No! I have to — my sketchbook!” Said book and pen has fallen to the ground beneath the hammock, blessedly closed and not bent on some page. Alphinaud grabs his sister’s arm with his now-free other hand, trying to pull himself out, but Ch’ari tightens his grip.

“Ch’ari, release my brother,” Alisaie says. 

Ch’ari aims a look full of evil intent her way. “What’ll you give me for him?”

“Ten Gil.”

“Ten?!” Alphinaud‘s muffled voice cries. 

“Fifteen.”

“Mmm… not sufficient. He is very warm, you see.”

Alisaie’s hand slowly frees itself from her brother’s so she can aim an unimpressed arm-fold his way. It shakes, but only slightly. “Incorrect, I know for a fact his circulation is terrible.”

“Really? How’s yours—“ Ch’ari lunges and just barely manages to grab Alisaie by the middle, even though she saw him coming and tried to dodge out of the way. He yanks her into the hammock as well with a triumphant “Too slow!”, but Alisaie is determined not to go down as easily as Alphinaud. As soon as her back hits the hammock she wriggles sideways at full force, sending the entire hammock swinging wildly. It twists in the middle and Alisaie realizes her Horrible Mistake and clings to it to avoid being unceremoniously dumped on the ground, tail straight out and waving from side to side in an attempt to balance. 

They must look ridiculous, a crumpled bundle of hammock with three puffed out tails sticking out the bottom and flailing arms gripping the sides. Eventually, though, Ch’ari manages to pull a nearly upside-down Alisaie against his other side, the hammock curling over their sides. 

Alisaie’s tail thwacks against the ground, her ears getting red. “Let go of me this instant!” She hisses. 

Ch’ari tries very hard not to laugh at her and almost succeeds by covering it with a large comical yawn. “I don’t think I will, really!” He says. 

“We have things to do,” Alphinaud complains, notably not moving. Alisaie tries to push herself up and out, but the hammock rocks unstably again and she ends up stuck in a crouch lest she be flipped upside down again. 

“Yeah, you have resting to do,” Ch’ari says, his voice losing the silly affect and his ears going flat. “When was the last time you slept?”

“This morning,” Alphinaud says with what is decidedly not a pout. Alisaie slowly looks away and mutters something guiltily. 

“They do not need your help right now. They have it handled,” Ch’ari says firmly, gesturing to the Ala Mhigan healers bustling efficiently to and fro. “If anything, they should be handling you.”

He pulls Alisaie back down, and thankfully she doesn’t resist this time. She still seems uncomfortable with being held, at all, something Ch’ari specifically remembers Alphinaud being unfamiliar with until he did it some five or six times. He’s surprised he’s so reticent to the concept, but he chalks that up to being a Miqo’te thing. 

“I’m afraid I’m too awake to sleep,” Alisaie says, quietly. “If that’s what you intend to make me do.”

“I intend you to sleep by your own merits, be it now or in the very near future. Do not make me sleep spell you,” he threatens. 

“Don’t.”

“It isn’t even night,” Alphinaud mutters.

“Unrelated,” Ch’ari yawns. A real yawn, this time. And he’s not just being stubborn — the twins look like raccoons on their best days, and after today, they look like sad Ishgardian relief painting children. Very dark circles-y, and not much like children and more like strange blob things. That last part is an exaggeration on the part of the twins but not Ishgardian painted artwork. Clearly, sculpture is their area of expertise. 

“I am going to sleep. You can join me if you wish, but you’re staying right here and resting at least until I’ve started snoring, savvy? Then you can keep doing… whatever it is you were doing.”

Alphinaud sighs. “Fine. You fall asleep in an instant anyways.”

“Very well,” Alisaie mutters. “I’ve embarrassed myself enough today, might as well go for gold. At least you chose a hammock out of the crowd.”

“I’d never choose a middle hammock. Too noisy,” Ch’ari says. He pulls both twins closer to his sides. “Five minutes, at most.”

(Twenty minutes later, Lyse sneaks a picture of Ch’ari splayed on his back in a hammock, Alphinaud curled up against his left side and Alisaie with her arms folded and head dropped onto the Miqo’te’s shoulder, all soundly asleep. Alphinaud’s arm is slung over Ch’ari’s chest, his hand held securely by Alisaie’s. Unfortunately, the picture doesn’t capture Ch’ari purring like a ceruleum motor.)

#my writing #again. No Edits this is just written like in my notes app I don’t think while doing these #Ch’ari #ffxiv #play game #alphinaud leveilleur #alisaie leveilleur #all I have in me is soft. Points a gun at the twins and when it goes off it’s just a soft explosion of cotton. Get fluffed idiot

[miqomonkly]

Character Inspiration: I'lyanna Zahn

Short(ish) Story to Start:

I've mentioned it before on a different post and maybe on a different site, but I wanna place it here as a foreward:

I never had an inspiration for Lyanna to start. She was my brainchild, who happens to have a lot of traits comparative to other pop culture icons.

When I first created her my idea was simple:

I wanted a catgirl who wasn't your average catgirl. I wanted one who was strong, who could take care of herself and be taken seriously by the world around her. Having her become a Monk seemed the most logical choice, as that connection to hand to hand combat seemed like a gateway to self-sufficiency.

It's been a long journey for me and her. And even now, I'm still learning about her and her story, and it continues to fill me with joy, pride, and sorrow. And I will continue to learn more as I share her with all of you wonderful people.

So... let's get into it, shall we?

Top Left: Cal Kestis

A rather spontaneous addition to this list, Cal Kestis is a tricky one to connect the dots to. The main connection comes from his life; the life of a survivor. His family - or what he considered his family - had been destroyed in one fell swoop, and those that remained were being hunted. In both of his games, Cal lost people he cared about, or worse, was betrayed by them. Sorrow was ever his companion, and itnled him ever closer to a dark and dangerous path... But through it all, he kept pushing. Fighting for a future where he and others like him no longer had to hide or love in fear, he continued to rise to the challenge.

Lyanna is no stranger to this kind of pain, and she, too, has risen to conquer it. Like Cal, she has lost much, but she will not give in to sorrow and despair. With her new family, she will fight for a world where all can finally know peace and love free from fear.

And she, at the last, my finally heal.

Middle Left: Tifa Lockhart

Tifa is an easy tie-in, and some might see it as a cop out when comparing the two. Tifa is strong, beautiful, and can kick your butt with only her fists and a prayer. To many, she's the shining example of the female companion; always by your side, honest, kind, heart full of gold.

I never made that connection until recently.

I still know so little about Tifa. I never played FFVII, and I never cared enough to look into her when I saw her around the internet. To me, she was just another sexy girl who could kick your butt; a dime a dozen in the video game world (I did have my closed-minded gamer period too, ya know!)

With the FFVII remake, however, I have had more time to see Tifa for her character than her appearance. And the more I learn about her, the more I see the connection between her and Lyanna. Kind and compassionate, fighting injustice at every turn, all while still remaining soft on the inside. Tifa is a fantastic woman, and while I don't think Lyanna will ever reach her level of fame, she is a fine example for my girl to strive to be like.

Bottom Left: Alita Battle-Angel

Once more, another spontaneous connection. What little I know of Alita comes from the movie, and even then, I've only seen bits and snippets of scenes from it. What I have seen, however, is a testament to her character; she sought out answers to her past in spite of the opposition she faced, from enemies and friends alike. And those answers pushed her further to grow and overcome all her challenges... even when she lost those she loved.

Top Right: Lyse Hext

Lyse is, once again, an easy choice. Same discipline, same world, same trials... okay, maybe not the same, but they definitely have some overlap.

In my headcanon, Lyse is as much a factor in Lyanna's story as she is in hers; they both take inspiration from each other whether they see it or not. The more I think about it, Stormblood touches on the darkest parts of Lyanna's depression and grief... so much so that she nears a rather serious breaking point. It is the stalwart faith of one Lyse Hext, as well as the many who value Lyanna as a person beyond her title as Warrior of Light, who manage to bring her back to fighting shape.

Middle Right: Kazuma's Grandfather (Fruits Basket)

This unnamed side character has had more of an impact on me and my character creation than I've realized over the years. I read the manga well over 13 years ago, and the story of this man has stuck with me ever since.

To summarize; the ancient Chinese zodiac is reincarnated over the centuries into human forms. However, there is a thirteen member that is included in this cycle: the Cat, who was deceived by the Rat into not attending the emperor's party. As such, the spirit of the Cat has always been a cursed one, and no one seems to love the Cat as they are not a true member of the zodiac family.

This man, the previous Cat before the character featured prominently in the manga, suffered much disdain and scorn from his "family" simply because he inherited the Cat's spirit. But through it all, he was a kind and gentle man, well acquainted with grief but choosing to smile all the same. Such a man who has suffered as he should have every right to be angry... but he chose kindness.

I see Lyanna in a similar light; she's known grief, pain, betrayal, and suffering... and in spite of it all, she chooses to remain kind and show love to everyone. Only those who have spurned her kindness in too great a manner (Ilbed, Laurentius, and Yuyuhase, for example) are no longer worthy of her life... but even then, she strives to show love to all people, no matter what walks of life they come from.

Bottom Right: Sora Takenouchi

Digimon will always have a special place in my heart, and Sora here has a place even deeper. Quite possibly my first animated crush, there are several connection between her and Lyanna.

First off, her selflessness; Sora was always putting her friends first, doing her best to keep them safe. This could occasionally become overbearing, as she demonstrated with Biyomon on several occasions, but her heart was always in the right place. Likewise, Lyanna does her utmost to care for others and their needs... even at the cost of her own needs.

Along that train of thought, Sora's darkness has, at least on one occasion, drowned out the rest of her emotions and even sense of the outside world. The darkness, sorrow, and despair that Lyanna holds in her own heart has more than once threatened to overcome her and drag her over the edge. But just like Sora, Lyanna has the companionship of dear, tried, and true friends who are there to pull her back from the brink. And their inspiration is enough to keep her going... even at the end of all things.

This was WAAAAY too long coming. The ever so wonderful @chadhunkler tagged me some week or so ago, and I've been trying to get it done forever. I hope it was worth the wait!

I cannot currently think of anyone specific to tag, so if you see this and want to participate, please feel free! And feel free to tag me as well, because I would love to see all of your lovely works!

#ffxiv #final fantasy xiv #miqo'te #ff14 #my oc #oc: I'lyanna Zahn #character inspiration

[sparklecryptid]

Gladio: so why is Oceanus like that?

Lyse: oh. Well. We used to just throw him at something or someone we wanted dead and wait while he went ahead and killed them, destroyed their base, and then waited for us to get what we wanted from it before we all left.

Gladio:…..and how many times did this happen

Lyse: far too much. But he was the best we had. He did it without complaint. I wish it was different. I wish we didn’t put so much on his shoulders, but we did and I still have to live with it.

Gladio: not just you. Him too. He has to live with what he had been put through, he has to live knowing that he was a weapon.

Lyse: he was our friend. But that doesn’t change it does it? He was still a weapon. No matter how much we love him, he was still a weapon.

#sea song verse

[wildstar25]

2, 4, 16

question list

2. How did they learn to fight? Have they learned other martial or magical arts since then?

Arsay's first fighting skill was arcanist magic! Her caretaker, Emrara emra, was a retired adventurer who had specialized in healing magic. The bookcases of Arsay's home were lined with old grimoires and codex from Emrara's travels, and she would often sneak one or two out of the house to try and figure out what all the shapes and lines were meant to do. By the time Emrara figured out her kid was practicing magic, little Arsay had managed to figure out summoning the carbuncle familiar by "thinking of fun shapes!". Any attempt to teach Arsay the actual geometry behind the magic led to the most messed up carbuncle known to man. I'm talking full on mess of polygons you'd see in a corrupted game. Frustrated, Emrara resigns to let Arsay practice magic however she can; and begins to pen a letter to her old guild stationed in Limsa Lominsa. Maybe in-practice Arcanists might be able to teach her. That said she instantly found herself in the rogues guild upon arriving at limsa. She learned all her rogue skills from Jacke! She picked up surprisingly quickly too. Granted she's used a knife before, its pretty standard to have one on your if you sail at all. But dual wielding is a different story! She's always been spry and light on her feet, so that might of given her a leg up! This then of course led her to meeting oboro and learning ninjustu from him.

Arsay did of course go back to the arcane, and even learned the ancient Allagan art of summoning with the help of Y'mhitra! since ushering in the seventh astral era, she's tried out a few other types of fighting techniques but not much has stuck. Most of what she learned came from her traveling companions. She demanded Estinien to teach her how to use a lance as they traveled through Coerthas and Dravania. As well, she had gotten Lyse to give her some tips with hand to hand combat as they travels through Orthard.

She's also picked up astrology and machinistry (would they call it gunnery?? not sure) while she was running about Ishgard but those are just hobbies for her!

4.Are they the kind to ask first or stab first? Was there a time they really should have picked the other option?

Definitely ask first! She'd feel terrible if she hurt someone who wasn't being actively malicious! Plus as a scion she's always interacting with high ranking figures from other nations... the last thing she wants to do is cause a political event.

The only time that she wishes she had done otherwise was on Baelsar's wall. Had she simply gone for the throat right away instead of letting Ilberd monologue and enact his summoning.... well she felt like she had let everyone else down in that moment.

16. Tell us about the two major events from MSQ that left the deepest emotional scars on your WoL.

Heavensward and Shadowbringers 5.0 -> 5.3 spoilers under the cut!

The first that comes to mind would be the the vault!

While she could easily deny the possibility that her scion friends didn’t make it out of the tunnels in ul’dah; she couldn’t will away what happened to Haurchefant right before her eyes. A dear friend died to keep her safe. She felt terrible, and so very guilty. She’s no stranger to death at the point in her career but this is really when it hits her just how much she has to lose. This is when the cork pops on that bottle of grief she had put on her mental shelf. If he could die so could have the others. All of them, all her friends, could be dead so she could keep fighting another day. The pain and heartache she had that evening was like nothing she'd ever felt before. From then on she swore to do anything she could to make herself feel worthy of the life she’s been granted through their sacrifice and heroism.

This also became the point where Arsay started being much more clingy with her friends. Fully aware any day together could be their last, she refuses to let a single opportunity to let her friends know how much she loves them go by! As well, Arsay decided she'd smile twice as wide whenever she can; her way of honouring her fallen friend.

---

The second moment is a tie between what happens in the final chamber of pyramid temple and the right after the seat of sacrifice

What can I even say about them other than wow Arsay's poor, big ol' heart sure got sent to the meat grinder in shadowbringers. I mean watching Y'shtola fall to the mysterious voice in the source had already given her enough heart ache, now she had to see her fall into a dark pit (presumably to her doom) too?? This was so very cruel!! THEN she had to see her bf get crystalized! turned into a statue!! AND there was a chance that the memory transference wouldn't even work for him specifically! She was literally so devastated about both events as they took place. It doesn't matter if they are fine now, the faces of her loved ones in those "final" moments are absolutely burned into her brain forever.

#Arsay Nun #WOL posting #ffxiv wol #wol questions #Heavensward spoilers #shadowbringers spoilers

[tahri-nhupuju]

Time for me to fully write out my timeline of "When did each Scion figure out Tahri and Y'shtola Had Feelings for one another. (Number 3 WILL surprise you!)"

Basically, this is a thing I've had in my head for a while that's pretty central to Tahri and how I write her, so I figured I should put it up on my, y'kow, Tahri blog.

So! First to realize Something Was Up was Thancred, who caught on during the ARR Patches. However, since this was Pre-Shadowbringers Thancred, and there wasn't really that much there yet, he just kind of assumed they were thirsty and needed to bang, and didn't think much more about it.

Second was Urianger, who caught on shortly after Tahncred, and was the first to realize there may be more than just hormones at play.

Third is actually Alphinaud. You would think Mr. Socially Oblivious himself would be among the last, but actually he Picked Up The Vibes not long after Urianger, and instead instantly assumed that they were dating. When presented with evidence to the contrary, he also straight up just asked Y'shtola "Wait, I thought you and Tahri were dating?" And she dismissed the idea, playing off their playful flirting as A Miqo'te Thing he wouldn't understand. Which it actually pretty much was at the time, since Y'shtola had picked up on just how traditional a Keeper Tahri was (i.e. no care for -and an active disdain of- monogamy as a concept and 100% down for some casual flirting between gal pals) and how autistic she was (would not even try to read into it anyway). He then 100% bought that excuse, and blindly stuck to it despite all the evidence that things had changed between them.

Then, Papalymo, who was trying (and failing) to teach Tahri magic at the time caught on, which meant Lyse caught on. And then it was just a hop, a skip, and a jump until the other scions knew. Most importantly, Minfilia. Who grew worried that if anyone tried to intervene in this blossoming romance, it might backfire and push the Warrior Of Light, Champion of Eorzea, Eikonslayer, all that jazz, away from the Scions.

Tataru had the solution.

She swiftly set up a betting pool, and "invited" everyone to join, on the caveat that any interference would forfeit your bet, as well as the bets of whoever else won because of it. Thus was equilibrium maintained.

Things stayed like that for a while; Moenbryda joined the betting pool immediately, and Tataru didn't even have time to mention it to Krile before she asked about it and placed her first bet.

Alisae was strongarmed into joining, otherwise she would have snapped at them to Just Kiss Already by the first week as a full Scion.

Fast-forward to Shadowbringers, and this is when Tahri and Y'shtola themselves figure out they do in fact have feeling for one another. Shortly after their reunion in Rak'tika in fact.

For Y'shtola the revelation came when she realized she felt somewhat let down by the reunion, thought about it, and realized what was so underwhelming: Seeing Tahri again should have felt like coming home. Not this massive misunderstanding and the awful truth of what was happening to her soul.

For Tahri, it was shortly after that, when she found herself a little sad to meet "Master Matoya", and see how different Y'shtola was now. Then the relief of seeing her let her guard down when they were in the shelter of her home, and realizing that it was still the same Y'shtola sheknew and loved.

But of course, there were more important things to deal with, and this wasn't the time, and other bad excuses that they both come to regret come Amaurot. But by then it's Too Late, and neither wants to burden the other with a confession.

And then it's over, and they have to find a way back home, and neither of them want to be so selfish as to bring it up.

And then Elidibus happens. And spirits Y'shtola away. And Tahri doesn't know if she's still alive or not, and she is forced to run a gauntlet of every foe she ever fought, and she has to kill her own friends! And then she fights Elidibus, wearing Aardberts corpse, telling herself that Y'shtola has to be alive. He has to be telling the truth. He wouldn't sink so low as to have her kill the real Y'shtola in the guise of an illusion, right?

Right?

So she's beating the shit out of him, tempers flaring, her Inner Beast raging, and then Y'shtola walks in.

And basically just goes "Are you two done, we need to talk- Yes, I escaped my bonds the moment I woke up, now shut up and listen!" And then proceeds to call Elidibus out so hard that the Emissary of Zodiark runs away with his tail behind his legs shouting "You don't understand me!"

And she's not just fine, but triumphant. And so casual about the whole affair. And deduces how Tahri came here, and states plain as day that she intends to ride Elidibus' portal back down to the bottom of the sea to get her things back.

And Tahri just looks at her.

And when Y'shtola asks her what's on her mind, she doesn't even think before blurting out "Can I kiss you?"

And Y'shtola said "I thought you'd never ask." And then she kisses her.

They emerge from Amaurot holding hands, and are met by a chorus of "Fucking Finally!" from the others, except Ryne and G'raha, who didn't know (Ryne kind of had her own shit to worry about, and G'raha was too caught up in his own crush on Tahri to even notice).

Then of course, a lot of things happen, but nothing relevant to this post. Until after the Scions return to Etheirys after the Endwalker falls.

Because when they all recoup after dying and saving the world, Thancred jokingly suggests giving Tahri and Yshtola some time alone. And Estinien asks "Why?"

And they realize he has somehow not noticed, being the last Scion to Realize.

#ffxiv #endwalker spoilers #ffxiv oc #recitation > excogitation #y'shtola x wol #tahri nhupuju #tahri x y'shtola #excuse the rambling format #I just had to get it out #also I just had Too Much caffeine

[graha-stan-account]

FFXIV Write Day 4: Freebie!

J'napha's half-brother has had his share of adventures in and out of the bedchamber, and he's no decorated war archer. Surely the Warrior or Light, who just so happens to be his sister, must have her fair share of kiss-and-tells? Well, he would be mistaken. She's never quite... thought of things in that way, much less found the boldness to act.

---

"You're boring. I've already told you plenty of my lovers over the years. Surely, the Warrior of Light rarely spends a night alone?" K'hrah leaned in on one elbow against the tavern table, lifting a wry eyebrow, a smirk creeping up his cheek. Napha took to studying the wood grain.

"This is fine, isn't it? Oak, or maybe, you know, it might be walnut." She drew a finger down the length of the inset plank. K'hrah slapped her hand away.

"Sister mine, come now," he said, tilting his head as though to spur her on. "You receive letters every moon from Ishgard, do you not? They have that handsome lord leading them. That woman in Ala Mhigo writes too. She's an old comrade, isn't she? Surely, there must be a history there."

"You're fishing. Why?" Napha frowned.

K'hrah wobbled his head and crossed his arms, non-committal, but still stubborn. "Well?"

"Lyse is an old acquaintance, yes." She looked at him, pointedly. "Those letters aren't to me. The Scions are monitoring a situation, Hrah. Tataru sees they get where they belong." Napha shifted in her seat, clearing her throat and the irritation in her voice.

"Napha," K'hrah admonished. "You're overthinking things." He nudged her with an elbow. "What of your Scion pals? The more time you spend with someone, sometimes... things happen. Well, have they?"

"Come off it, Hrah. By that measure, I could start some lewd rumors of you and your lute." She looked away, taking a gulp of ale.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

She set the tankard down. "What I mean is I'm the iron fist of the Scions. I do as I'm told," she paused, then quipped: "and that's the long and short of it."

"Hardly!" K'hrah slapped the table with both palms. The Lalafell at the adjacent table stopped her own conversation to glare.

"I am easily the most dim in that room of brilliant minds. I play my role, and they theirs. They are content to send me into the fray." She knitted her eyebrows at some unpleasant memory. "Sometimes it's at their own expense, yes, but I've already come to terms with it. It has gotten me this far."

"What of that Seeker?"

Napha new precisely which Seeker.

"That one is an old friend. A dear friend." Napha neglected to mention he as well conspired to lay her at death's door before yanking her away.

"Is that why you brought him with you when you came to hunt me down? Or is it because inn blankets are often so threadbare?"

"It's not- that's not-"

"But he wishes it. It needn't mean anything to you. So why not?" K'hrah shrugged, tipping his glance to peer beneath Napha's fringe. She stammered. "Ah, but it would mean something to you, wouldn't it? Hm." K'hrah crossed his arms, tossed his head to one side and pondered loudly. Then he straightened up and swirled the wine in his glass. "You're a mess."

"It's just not the way of things." She dodged his glance, staring at something too far away to see.

"Napha, what you take for custom and law, if you were to give it a tug, you'd find it has no roots. I've been around, okay? I know. Tradition is just faerie stories that help someone with power have their way. Our sad little tribe was no exception." He lifted his hands to placate her rising agitation "Now, I'm not saying bear the man's children. Just..." He bobbed his head, searching for words. "You know. It's good to blow off a little steam." He waited a moment, then leaned in, irritation lacing his words, "I don't know why you're being difficult, you're no shut-in by any measure, else you wouldn't be treating it like the appetizer course before heading to the Chapel of the Twelve."

Napha did not much care for his choice of words.

"I'm only saying: sometimes the appetizer is the whole thing. The whole point."

"Stop calling it that."

K'hrah turned away. "Then make a move or I'll snap him up myself." He paused. "And I'm only here for the appetizer."

"Stop."

"Then you best be about it, sister, else you'll have to close my head in that book of yours to keep me away."

"It's not the right time."

"Ah, I've heard that one from you before. A right pile of excuses is what it is."

"No, it's not that. It's..." Napha mimed with her hands before her, as though she could pluck the words she needed from the air. "He's happy for the first time in a long time." She sighed and then turned to her brother, eyes full wide and voice tender soft. "He owes me a debt for that second chance. How can you know your heart when you have a debt? And when you can suddenly have anything in the world, how do you know if it's what you really want or that it's just the thing that's before you right now?"

K'hrah would not be moved. "Hm, I'm not sure. Why don't you tell me, Napha? You've two worlds of prospective lovers and you're wringing your hands over one stray Tia."

Well, he did have a point.

#my wol #mention #g'raha tia #ffxiv #ffxivwrite2022 #ffxivwrite #k'hrah will 100% be mr steal ya boy #but also ur girl on occassion

[witchofthescions]

With Shinryu defeated, Zenos plummeted to the ground like a falling star, landing in one of the flowerbeds and sending petals everywhere. Ernastral and her fellow Warriors of Light teleported onto the ground, safe and sound.

Lyse and Alphinaud came running in, the former immediately running to Erna's side and placing a concerned hand on her arm.

"Are you alright?"

Ernastral nodded, even as she still felt herself reeling from the fight and everything that had just happened. Movement from the flowerbed opposite them caught their attention. Zenos dragged himself to his feet, spitting out blood. The two back to back battles had finally taken their toll on him... or maybe the tumble from the sky had finally injured him. Who could even say at this point.

"Zenos!" Lyse exclaimed, shifting into a fighting stance.

Zenos retrieved his blade and let out a shuddering laugh. "The hunter has indeed become the hunted. And yet… there is only joy. Transcendent joy that I have never known. How invigorating, how… pure, this feeling."

Lyse's lip curled in disgust and rage. "Is that what this was all about? All the meaningless death and destruction? So you could feel something!?"

"Meaningless? Men die that others may live. Those who survive are stronger for it. Not that you could ever understand. To have stood upon this great stage of fools… to have played my part to perfection…" Zenos lifted his face to the sky, an almost peaceful look on his face. "Oh, this… this moment… let it be enshrined in eternity. My heart… beating out of time… So clear, so vivid, so real… So real."

He raised his blade and pressed the edge of it against his own neck. It took half a second for Ernastral to realize what he meant to do.

"Coward!" Alphinaud shouted.

"Stop!" Lyse launched herself towards him, hand raised.

Zenos looked right at Ernastral, a peaceful smile plastered on his face. "Farewell, my first friend. My enemy."

Lyse did not reach him in time. They could do nothing but watch as his lifeless body toppled over into the flowers.

#the unending journey (drabbles) #born in blood (stormblood) #!suicide implied #((ask to tag))

[dreamangel-ren]

FFXIV Fluffvember

3. Nameday Surprise This fluff story is about the Scions celebrating Ren’s nameday which she completely forgot. The one telling the story this time is my WoL since it’s from her perspective. SPOILER ALERT: This does take place after the events of EW, so if you haven’t reached or just started playing the expansion, RESIST THIS STORY NOW! Other than that, enjoy! *** It has been several moons since my friends and I have returned from the edge of the universe to stop Meteion from forcing the Final Days upon our star, Etheirys. To me, it’s very hard to believe since I remember like all of the madness happened yesterday. Each Great Nation has been extremely busy with recovery for both structure and the civilians; I already had an idea on the amount of damage that the chaos left upon the cities. I bore witness to the flames that ravaged upon a village in Thavnair – it was a terrifying nightmare seeing those innocents turn into blasphemies. Of course, the leaders wanted me to participate the memorial services of those we had lost; I couldn’t refuse since it must’ve been hard on the families, and I wanted to support them any way I can. Other than that, although they urged me to get all the rest I need, I couldn’t sit still; I would lend a hand whenever the opportunity is available. I’ve made myself so busy to the point that I lost track on keeping up with the supply and demand of the market board; those ingredients weren’t going to gather themselves. In fact, these past few days has been so hectic that I just realized that my nameday has passed. I was more surprised than I was disappointed about missing the day that I was born which for my case, that was a long LONG time ago. If I did have the chance to rest, I would be bored out of my mind with nothing to do. Everyone has their own agenda to follow, and it would be rude of me to just force them to pause their duties to just spend time with me. Most likely, I would be at home just renovating some of my clothes that got damaged from previous battles. I really miss my family otherwise known as the Scions. We’ve decided to split up once we realized that our main objective has finally been fulfilled. Just about all the tribes throughout Eorzea are no longer tempered by their own gods and have joined forces with the Allied Nations – our service was no longer needed (for now). Despite that, there were still some unfinished business at different parts of the realm: Thancred and Urianger decided to go to Sharlayan to check on the Loporitts, Y’shtola had started her research involving traveling between shards, Alphinaud and Alisaie wanted to assist Jullus and his people rebuild in Garlemald, Estinien planned to head back to Radz-at-Han to serve Vtra, and last but not least, Krile and G’raha had their task on the renewal of the Students of Baldesion. Although, G’raha insists that I can visit him whenever I choose, I didn’t want to interrupt their work. So here I was at home, reviewing some paperwork discussing updates from the nations until suddenly my linkpearl started ringing. Who was contacting me? I had no idea. Whoever it was, maybe they can save me from being a hermit. “Ren?” a familiar voice called from the other end. It was Lyse! It’s been a while since I last spoke with her. “Hey Lyse! How’s it going? Is everything okay?” I responded rather swiftly. “Oh, I’m fine. Are you doing anything right now?” “No! No, not at all!” YES! Another quest in the making! I wonder what the trouble could be? “Good! Make your way to the Rising Stones, it’s an urgent matter!” She quickly hung up before I can utter a sentence. It must’ve been serious. But, why the Rising Stones? I could’ve sworn Tataru forced us out of the place and to never return. With haste, I snapped my fingers and my entire wardrobe transformed from my lounging wear to the appropriate gear for the occasion that I haven’t fully comprehended then made the teleport to my destination. *** The weather in Mor Dhona was just how I like it – fair with warm temperatures and a little breezy. As usual, the streets were filled with adventurers new and old; in fact, it was more packed than it was than the last time I was here with my friends. I suppose with the Final Days no longer a threat and the Grand Companies capable of handling themselves, this was the place for the free spirits to find new adventures to head off too. I took a quick moment to breathe in the fresh air before beginning my search for my Highlander friend; she was nowhere to be found amongst the crowd. The Rising Stones, of course – nearly forgot. Surely, she must be inside, I thought. I walked inside to find the place completely empty – even the almighty coin keeper, Tataru, wasn’t present. The only thing I could hear was my footsteps along with the echoing voices from outside. I miss the lively yet calming aura that beset the building every time I came in; I would check up on everyone to make sure they’re in good health before making my way to the area where the dream team were waiting for my arrival. With that in mind, I went straight for Dawn’s Respite – no figure in sight. “Okay, let’s try the Solar,” The room where the Scions use to rendezvous before our dear Antecedent, Minifilia would give a debriefing about our next important task. Normally, I would find the masked boy, Unukalhai standing before the desk, but here lately, he hasn’t been available. “Where is everyone?” I increased my walking speed as I investigated each room inhabited throughout the building. The chefs were invested in their cooking while the artifact venders were occupied with some new sprouts arguing about their untradeable items. The only place left was the rooftop. My lungs were starting to ache from breathing quite heavily from fast paced walking; I slowed down for a minute or two to catch my breath. Once I regained some energy, I resumed my steps towards the spot. All of a sudden, I had a strong feeling that something big was waiting for me just around the corner. I bit my lip as I took a deep breath as I made my way to the door entrance which somehow felt like an eternity to get there. I slowly took a step out and peered to the left to find my family who yelled, “SURPRISE!” I couldn’t believe it; after some time apart, the Scions were here together again for a celebration which I believe was for me? I covered my face to hide my biggest grin as I slightly bent over to take in the wave of excitement that clashed onto my being. Shortly after, I could see Lyse charging directly at me as she gave me a big hug. “Happy belated nameday, Ren!” “You guys!” was all I could say while that smile of mine was still glued to my face. We made our way to the rest of the group as each made their approach to greet me with a hug. “I can’t believe that you’ve missed your own nameday!” Tataru yelled. “Things have been very eventful before and after our latest expedition, so I lost track of time?” I chuckled as I sheepishly rubbed the side of my neck. “Excuses.” Alisaie retorted sarcastically with her arms folded shaking her head. “Really, I mean it!” I playfully shoved my sworn sister. “Seriously guys, you didn’t have to do this for me.” “Oh, but we wanted to,” Krile replied. “You’ve done so much for this realm, and you’ve been working extremely hard. So much so that you rarely have the time to acknowledge that you’re here - with us.” “So, it was our mission to make sure that this celebration takes fruition,” Alphinaud responded with a smile. “ALPHY!” I dashed over to him to give one of my biggest embraces. “Thank you everyone, really.” “Now, what are we waiting for, time to party!” Lyse gleefully shouted. *** Throughout the afternoon, I was enjoying one of the most peaceful days I had in a long while– just spending quality time with my family as they celebrate my nameday. We had spent most of the stretch chatting away about pretty much anything. Even though Alphinaud and Alisaie were still not at the appropriate age to drink, that didn’t stop Thancred, Urianger, and Estinien to have a drinking contest; it was absolutely hilarious watching them trying to maintain their soberness. The food was very delectable thanks to Tataru and the chefs that assisted her. Of course, no nameday is complete without gifts. Although, I didn’t expect to get anything, I have received some from a certain few: Alphinaud had made a portrait of me which it was absolutely stunning; surprisingly, Estinien gave me a citrus scented perfume which he claimed will prevent me from smelling like a Cuchulainn’s arse – is he saying that I smell? Y’shtola gifted me some special tea while Alisaie had made homemade gingerbread cookies – made by her (oh boy) – to go along with it. The last one to bequeath me a nameday gift was my beloved, G’raha. The present he gave me was pretty large; what could possibly be inside? He seemed more excited about the gift than I was as he gently soothed my back with his hand. “Happy nameday, my love,” he says with a warm smile. As I started unwrapping the gift, I caught Lyse, Krile, Yshtola, and Alisaie standing together with a huge grin on their faces – this observation encouraged me to open the box even faster. At last, I open the lid and my jaw dropped in astonishment. I’ve always admired Lyse’s traditional Ala Mhigan dress: the design, the colors, the way it flows from movement – so elegant and beautiful! What was given to me was an exact replica of her attire; it had all the pieces including the hair manual to duplicate her hairstyle. I didn’t care if I look like a clone of the Resistance leader, I wanted her outfit! I squealed with joy as I jumped into G’raha’s arms hugging him to the point where I may be suffocating him. “By the twelve, how did you know?” “Well, most credit goes to the girls,” G’raha clarified. “They were the ones who told me about how much you admired Lyse’s apparel.” “Yeah, you wouldn’t stop talking about it ever since you first saw it,” Alisaie stated staring directly at me. I beamed right at her as she rolled her eyes with a “you’re hopeless” look. “However, it was your prince who went to go find the best weaver available to have a replica made for his dearly beloved,” Y’shtola replied as she gazed towards the male miqo’te with a smirk on her face; her remark made his cheeks warm. “Oh, but that’s not all,” Krile intervened with a giggle. “When he discovered that the shipment for his lover’s gift was delayed due to a robbery from bandits. He immediately went to go pursue them to retrieve it.” I couldn’t help but laugh at the story. Typical G’raha – always going the distance for the people that he cares about; that’s one of the reasons why I love him so much. However, there was one issue that quickly came to mind. “Wait, how much did you spend on getting this made?” I firmly questioned him. He confidently smiled. “To everyone’s surprise, nothing. When I discussed to the weaver on who the commission was going to, they instantly accepted the task and reassured that payment won’t be necessary. They consider it as a way of showing gratitude for having you as the hero of our star.” I glanced at my gift again as I placed my hand on the dress to feel the fabric. “This is incredible.” I then turned to my boyfriend to give him a warm kiss, “Thank you so much. Thank you all.” “Well, aren’t you going to try it on?” Lyse asked. “I will later when I get home. After all, my prince has to make sure that the dress fits me,” I winked at him. I swear at that moment, most of the group groaned – except for Raha which he was completely red. “Ah, get a room you two!” Thancred bellowed from the background; the slurs in his sentence indicated that the alcohol has dominated him. Meanwhile, Urianger was completely out while Estinien was trying to hide his drunken state. I burst into laughter once again as I thought to myself how lucky I am to be alive to have such amazing people in my life. (My thoughts: I feel pretty good about this one. I had fun going inside Ren’s mind and telling the story from her perspective; I imagined every scene as I went along. When I got Lyse’s outfit from the online store a while back, I made a headcanon that Ren got the outfit as a belated birthday gift. XD I did have a hard time deciding on how I was going to write this prompt which is why this entry is posted late. Got another entry that may be late too so Xp As for the 2nd entry on the list, I skipped it because I believe that one is better off as an illustration.) Like it? Cool beans! Think it’s cringey? Ah well, too bad. XD

#ffxiv #ffxiv endwalker #fluffvember #writing #scions #wolxnpc #my warrior of light #nameday #surprise party #lyse hext #tataru taru #krile baldesion #g'raha tia #y'shtola rhul #thancred waters #urianger augurelt #estinien varlineau #alphinaud leveilleur #alisaie leveilleur #WE ARE FAMILY!

[storms-path]

Day 25 - Champion (Extra Credit)

Author’s note: Follows on directly from the last prompt, so check that one out first!

The storm was still raging on outside. Sanda, squeezing the last bits of rain out of her hair, was beginning to seriously doubt the locals’ claims that Ala Mhigo was a dry, arid land. Fareena looked equally unimpressed, having found shelter in the palace rather slower than Sanda had. She was still fussing with her ears, trying and failing to get the rain out of them. Her hair was equally sodden, the rough ponytail drooping pitifully from the added weight of the storm. She looked truly miserable, but Sanda suspected much of it was an act for her audience of one.

The pair had managed to hole themselves up in what was likely a storage area before the Resistance had swept through. Now it was… still a storage area, but for Resistance equipment instead. Out with the old, in with the new, Sanda supposed. Still, it was warm and dry and had boxes to sit on so it wasn’t all bad. And it’s safe from gawking soldiers wanting to talk with the heroes of Eorzea. A merry band of which Sanda now found herself in. She still wasn’t sure what to make of that.

Suddenly the doors flung open as a conspicuously dry Stalwart Mountain burst through, grinning ear to ear. “I win!” she declared, striding up to Fareena as the doors swung closed behind her. “Pay up.”

Fareena looked just as confused as Sanda was. “Pay you? For what, exactly?”

“The bet. The bet we made before we even went over Baelsar’s Wall. The bet you just lost.” Stalwart was still grinning smugly, in stark contrast to the suddenly furrowed brow of Fareena.

“Bullshit I lost, where’s your proof?” She rose up suddenly from her seat, but she still couldn’t match the towering height of Stalwart, even including her waterlogged ears. “You’re not getting a single gil until I see it for myself.”

Stalwart’s confidence was unshakeable. “Go and see for yourself, then. I just passed them in the corridor, holding hands and gazing into one another’s eyes.” That was more than enough for Fareena, who shoved Stalwart aside and wrenched open the doors with all the subtlety of a spooked chocobo. Then she was gone, leaving a very confused Sanda and a powerfully smug Stalwart behind.

“What exactly is going on here? And for that matter, how did you know we’d be in here?”

Stalwart, apparently just realising Sanda was in the room, twisted with a start. “Oh, Sanda! Sorry, it’s something of a running bet between Fareena and I. Technically we’ve had it running since we joined the Scions, but then the banquet happened and…” Stalwart trailed off as realisation dawned. “You know, perhaps it’s best I don’t tell you. Wouldn’t want you to find out that way.”

Now Sanda’s curiosity was piqued. “Find out what?” If there was one thing she couldn’t stand, it was people keeping secrets from her. Particularly since, by all logic, it involved her sister. Sanda’s eyes bored into Stalwart’s, unrelenting until she finally gave up.

With a grimace, Stalwart responded. “Alright, fine. But if Arashi asks, you don’t know anything. So, you know Arashi and Lyse are close, right? Practically best friends, but I always thought there was something more there. Fareena agreed, but she always claimed nothing would come of it. So Fareena and I, we made ourselves a bet, right? I bet that sooner or later, Arashi and Yda – oh, she was called Yda at the time, since she was masquerading as her dead sister, but that’s not important – I bet that eventually they’d figure it out and admit their feelings, but Fareena bet the opposite because she’s a contrarian and loves losing, but just now I saw Arashi and Lyse out in the corridor looking for all the world like a pair of young lovers and-”

“Stalwart, take a breath.”

…

“Right, sorry. So anyway, I saw those two out there looking very flushed and very pleased with themselves and so I went to find Fareena and get my gil!” Stalwart finished with a decisive nod, satisfied that everything was explained. Which it was, mostly. But Sanda hadn’t quite expected Arashi to take her advice to heart quite so quickly. Good for you, sister.

It was at this moment that Fareena decided to burst in once more. She wore a particularly disgruntled expression, which just about confirmed everything Stalwart had finished explaining. With a scowl that could cut stone she fished through her pouch and produced a handful of gil, thrusting it at Stalwart and then stalking right back out again.

“Well,” said Stalwart, shattering the awkward silence Fareena had left in her wake. “I think that means I win. Remind me to congratulate Arashi next time I see her.” Then she left, counting her newly won gil.

“Huh.” Sanda’s words were barely audible, starkly contrasting the ruckus of mere moments ago. “My sister’s found herself a lover.”

#ff14 #final fantasy 14 #ffxiv #final fantasy xiv #ffxivwrite2022 #ffxivwrite #sanda washi #fareena hagen #stalwart mountain #meanwhile at the peanut gallery hq #stalwart and fareena are the type of friends to continually bet on the stupidest things just for the satisfaction of beating the other #this is one of many bets they've run and it's probably not even the longest runner #sanda will learn in time how to deal with them both #but for now she gets to marvel at their weird dynamic

[kicktwine]

So how was stormblood? I know it's very hit or miss for people, so what're your thoughts?

I understand why it’s hit or miss! It — to get to the point i would be straight up lying if I said I was an unbiased consumer because I’m not, I’m a coastal American mid 20s rando with a Lot of very current cultural baggage around concepts like patriotism and freedom. And Hamilton references. It all has a sweet and strong and very anti-occupation message (along with themes I very much enjoy dissecting like the constant assertion that it Doesn’t Have To Be This Way, or the expansion into You may not understand this person but you must be able to accept them,) but when combined with Stormblood’s shakier coherence in writing and dialogue and pacing, it comes off as A Bit Off. to me. And I think it missed ever so slightly just due to how it was all structured and set up with the characters we have and motivations we have because the stuff OUTSIDE or Adjacent to the main story, despite how out of place it could feel, was structured great!! Like the Kojin and the Ananta trial and the Kugane mishaps and trying to murder Zenos twice and the ghost ship. Could the main structure have come across very well yes absolutely! It does it on and off it succeeds in there often! But sometimes it doesn’t. I can see a lot of where concepts were promised and not fully delivered, pacing was a bit off, things just happened without really belonging there (despite how much I loved Susano, he could have been better structured. same with many instances and also I feel like the unethical science should have been MORE IMPORTANT THAN IT — maybe it comes back. Who is that scientist.), sometimes dialogue felt somewhat canned. I feel like in a consequences-heavy expansion, many things just didn’t have important consequences, which was very strange

HOWEVER! I cannot give the new gameplay features abd dungeons any crap they are all SO GOOD. And so PRETTYYYYY. And there were so many solo duties that ruled! Every dungeon in this expansion was like whoa this is a PLACE im in you know what I mean??? I’m in a place that’s big and there’s people and there’s NEW MECHANICS and active time maneuvers (??!!!!!!!) and unique fights! I can jump on the roofs in Kugane! And, mind you, when the dialogue was good, it was good. Lyse has a fantastic voice actor. Alisaie is my favorite girl elf creature in thw world. Estinien is like the best p- the guy ever. also m’naago is my new friend. The tower was a great part of sb to me despite my singular gripe. I think Zenos’— I know it’s controversial to some people because he does assume your wol to be a bit more murderous than some people would prefer their characters be and doesn’t take no for an answer, but his um speech did something to my brain a little bit

ON that note the ending was very fast?????? Or like — not FAST, but I wasn’t expecting Zenos or Shinryu to go down in one fight. Two co-op fights, right next to each other. I kind of wanted to beat him up myself. And when Zenos was so impossible to beat before. I was expecting both of them to be WAY harder. Though Shinryu is a COOL fight I’d do the royal menagerie again in a second. I was kind of expecting a three stage trial? Like Nidhogg? I love going into space hiiii big dragon where were you this whole time… u were shafted… but u could not be suffered to live so. Maybe if we’d gotten an instance of fighting the dragon alone after beating the trial?? Could have been Themes. I don’t know

anyways no I can’t quite pin it down, but I’ve said it before I think they had the outline for the story and then built it and went oh this is too much and not enough at the same time and got stuck writing the whole thing after getting stuck in the story they already had. A COMMENDABLE job for getting turned around like that, way better than a lot of video games stories out there, good gameplay and areas that didn’t feel too empty. glances at coerthas falcons nest area. I think the ways they did the exploration thing was good, having us venture further into occupied territory etc, but so much exploration stuff felt oneoff and not there to do much for someone who has been skipping almost all of the side content except stuff I’ve been told is good. It almost felt like they were Trying New Stuff a lot, and some of it succeeded some of it failed. Such is trying stuff!! Such is trying to imitate what you had while making something new and exciting! And I can’t fault them for that

so like — putting aside the fact that I haven’t done post-sb which is like missing 40% of the Thing according to past expansions and my thoughts very well might change, i would 100% do the fights again, maybe watch some cutscenes, but I don’t think I’d NG+ this one. where is that lady selling buuz it is a CRIME i did not get to have any buuz let me buy one yoshi p

#hi Zenos I’m not going to go get tea with you but would you like to drown in a swamp with our antlers locked until someone’s head gets #ripped off and the other guy has to carry it staring at him for the rest of his miserable existence #play game #I can’t stand you as a horrible person or cancerous political presence. I bet you want to rip my throat out about it #u want me to fight you so bad it makes you look stupid #stormblood spoilers #maaah I don’t want to put my thoughts in main tags I’m writing a 30 minute high school English essay. Just grabbing thoughts and going #the more I think about it the more I think shinryu NEEDED a second one player fight #every other final fight has been multiple tri- wait well. Hm. Nidhogg was a patch quest. #no I stand by it the final HW fight was a cliffhanger so u knew a bigger fight was coming. Shinryu needed a second stage you had to fight #alone with your teeth and claws. Kill the eikon yourself; eikon-slayer. what else could you do. Nothing #nothing but kill it #This was always meant for you #maybe with Zenos inside losing control of it? maybe with him snarling at us the whole time. idk idk #I am starting to feel embarrassed for typing so much and having raw unrefined thoughts so that means I have to hit post #AND SHINRYU WAS SUPPOSED TO BE STRONGER THAN BAHAMUT I don’t know

[selene-ffxiv]

more onswers to thonkers

----------------------- CHANGES

7. Have they gone through any physical changes? What scars have they collected, and how do they feel about them? Did they sprout horns or other features as a result of spells or pacts gone wrong? How did light corruption impact them? Or have they walked away miraculously unscathed? Are they more peculiar for how eerily unmarred they are?

Most noticably, Kian's got a scar on his cheek, picked up during Operation: Archon. While he used to hide it behind his hair for a while, he barely even thinks about it anymore these days. Then there's a whole number of smaller scars on his arms, he picked up in fights while still living in the streets. Then there's the mark on his ribs left by Zenos during their fight at Rhalgr's Reach.

8. What is one of their biggest regrets? Has it had an effect on how they act moving forward, for better or worse?

His biggest regret happened before he even really set out on the whole adventurer thing. He had a falling out with his best friend Ryuu, and while it lead short term to him trying to avoid forming new connections altogether, eventually it just meant he values friendship and love much more now.

9. The Warrior of Light has been through quite a lot, but what is a moment, big or small, that bolstered and renewed their spirit? Was it a cup of hot cocoa or a lovingly crafted sandwich? Did someone give them a few words or a gesture at just the right time that meant the world to them? (Of course, this can be a canon event or headcanon!)

Every damn time somebody steps up although they are not the Warrior of Light, Champion of Eorzea, blessed with the Echo. Seeing people try their best, especially if they are no fighters.

10. What does home look like for them now? Do they still return to the home where they started, and if so has it changed at all? Or have they found or forged a new home? Who do they live with, if anyone? What sort of things do they keep in their personal space?

Home is where the heart is, so it's with wherever with Ryuu and in Ala Mhigo with Lyse.

11. Despite everything, is it still you? Has the core of who they are as a person remained true through everything, or have they been changed by what they've experienced and learned, for better or worse?

He'd like to think he's a better person now. And he certainly is. His days are much brighter now, though at night, when his guard is down, nightmares sometimes pounce.

#ffxiv #ffxiv wol #oc: kian asmadi #oc: selene azem #oc: ryuu tenshi

[popotobun]

"Drinks for the dead" for WIP Wednesday please!

They drank in silence for more minutes than they should have, letting raw nerves settle. Finally Thancred lifted the bottle and poured what dregs remained out onto the stone, “To Papalymo, a good friend and mentor who I should have listened to more. A great mage and better friend, though he was a pain in the ass through and through.”

Kell shook his head with a look of disbelief, “That’s honoring a friend? Thancred, you’re terrible at this…” he lifted his own bottle, mulling over his words, “I wish I’d known you better, Papalymo. You were a good man. I’m glad you were there for Yda and Lyse both, even if I only knew one of them. I’m sorry I couldn’t help any more than I did… If I just..”

The words lodged in his throat and he had to stop, set the drink down, hug his knees close enough that he could hide in them. Only then did they spill out, “I should have been able to stop Ilberd. I should have grabbed him. I could have killed him before he… It’s my fault.”

At the same time, Thancred reached over to squeeze his shoulder, “It’s not your fault.” 

Their words clashed, echos just slightly off from each other. “Oh, Kell… You do know that none of this is your fault? If we had to assign blame to any Scion, young Alphinaud would be closer than you could ever claim to be and I can’t bring myself to assign him the blame either.”

Kell shook off the hand, letting a little bit of his earlier anger seep back out, but this time it was directed at himself instead of his friend, “Every time, Thancred. Every time we try to do the right thing, people we care about end up dead and I don’t know how everyone else can carry on like nothing has happened…”

#wip wednesday #ffxiv #ff14 #oc talk: kell #heavensward patch spoilers #part of this is older #but there's a chunk of NEW as well #i just wanted to put the whole moment together

[scionshtola]

1, 11, and 32 for cori and shtola PLEASE 💗

thank you azia! 🥺🥺

What, specifically, was the catalyst for their physical attraction (if applicable) to the other character? In other words, what in particular had them like “Oh, they’re…hot…”

The first time Cori was conscious of it was not until she saw Shtola again in ShB for the first time...everything about the dress is a lot to take in after everything leading up to that point and given what Shtola looked like the last time she saw her dklfjsd. But a lot of Cori's minimal free time in ShB is spent looking back at moments and going "oh I felt weird then because I wanted to kiss her."

Shtola's is a much quieter moment in ARR, before she knew she had feelings. Cori just leaned over her into her space to show her something in a book and their faces were inches apart, Cori was beaming at her, and Shtola was like. oh no they're hot. She kept a pretty good lid on it though! And even when she didn't, Cori is oblivious.

11. What fears, past traumas, etc. would be hardest for them to talk about with their partner?

Hmm for a long time I think Cori has a hard time talking about Haurche--and not just Haurche, but the related history of their dad sacrificing himself for their family, and the related fear of Shtola's similar actions (partly because this is something they accept about her, and vice versa). There's also some things from the events of Endwalker they find it difficult to talk about right now--in particular, they haven't been able to cast for months and are worried they won't be able to again.

Shtola is less clear to me but I've been thinking a lot lately about her and Matoya. She was sent there at 7 years old and at first treated mostly like an unwanted nuisance. That changed and she clearly loves Matoya a lot but I have a headcanon that she might have been pretty lonely as a child and I don’t think she likes to talk about it! Also I think she doesn’t like to talk about her time in the life stream or potentially letting go of her aether vision.

32. How do their friends react to finding out they’re a couple? Do they have lots of mutual friends? Did their friends know, perhaps before they themselves did?

Many of them learn at the exact time it happens, because Cori kisses Shtola in front of a bunch of them 😂 The only surprising thing to them is that it’s finally happening—they’re both very obvious about being in love, the only people who didn’t know were each other. All of their friends are very happy for them and that they’ve finally figured it out, especially the few that know just how long Shtola has been pining for Cori (which is like. Tataru because she has eyes, Urianger because Shtola was like that guy can keep a secret, and maybe Lyse because she’s the one who relayed the Cori/Hien kiss and might have clocked Shtola’s reaction).

It’s not long before the two of them exchange rings-they may only be in a relationship a few weeks/months but really they’re picking up a few years into it emotionally agdhsj and some of their friends think it means they got married, and are more surprised to find out they didn’t than they are surprised that they got together in the first place.

#coldshrugs #ask #thank you 💛💛 #i feel like my answers are so long agdhdjsj #oc: corisande ymir

[song-of-the-rune]

Since I am presently waiting on laundry, here's Xylluna's relationships with various NPCs, in no particular order.

Ancients

Hades: Extremely conflicted. Their love was strong enough to be burned into both of their aether and last across lifetimes... But at the same time, this is late emperor Solus. He also worked to destroy the reflections. He did a lot of heinous things, and especially with the Lopprrits' explanation of tempering, Xylluna won't ever quite be able to forgive him despite their attraction to him. They occasionally seek him out in secret, but there's a good deal of guilt mixed in.

Hyth: Mostly amicable, but they find it hard to understand how Hyth can forgive Hades so easily. This prevents them from being able to be genuinely close with him, but Xylluna does mostly enjoy his presence as long as the conversation stays casual or purely intellectual.

Scions (Living)

Hydaelyn: "I appreciate your blessing, and you did what you had to do," but Hydaelyn is otherwise too... unapproachable. They're more likely to ask the Twelve for guidance, truth be told.

Krile: She's cool. Would like to spend more time befriending her. They haven't spent much time together as Krile is typically playing a support role.

Urianger: Put them in a room together and no one else will get a word in. Urianger has you covered on the flowery speech, and Xylluna can fill in all the technical details. They get along like a house on fire, except the house is a library, the books are all audiobooks, and they're all playing at once. When no one else is around, they have no trouble diving into deep conversations about pretty much anything. Xylluna has some unrequited, low-lying attraction for him, but it doesn't result in any real tension.

Thancred: Very close friends, sometimes with benefits. Coordinate a lot on research tasks. If Xylluna is isolating themself, Thancred is usually the first to check in on them and make sure they haven't been stuck in their own headspace for too long. He's one of their main confidants.

Y'shtola: They work together really well professionally and are pretty friendly. Xylluna has a bit of a crush on her, but she sees them more as a family-type figure, so it never goes anywhere. Xylluna often sends letters back to Runar on Shtola's behalf.

Alisaie & Alphinaud: Adopted them informally the moment they joined the Scions (or perhaps even a bit before). Would die for either of them.

"Yda"/Lyse: Fought side-by-side too many times to count and always look forward to having her there next time it has to happen. They're that certain kind of friend who you don't talk to much, but they'll travel halfway across the world for you. As long as the solution involves punching things. (It will somehow involve punching things -- just perhaps those things will be training dummies.)

Tataru: Let's be real, Tataru is the mother hen of all the Scions. You can't not be friends with Tataru. Xylluna is constantly getting little handmade things from her, and has trouble reciprocating -- not for lack of trying, but because if you try make Tataru some tea she will have you sit down and make it herself.

Estinien: You ever had a close friend you would just silently hang out with for hours? Who didn't need a constant update on what you're doing or how you're feeling, but that was why you felt like you could talk about anything? That's these two.

G'raha Tia: Xylluna is only casually interested in dating him -- does not live up to returning poor Raha's feelings. They've agreed that they are, formally, not dating (to keep Raha from getting his hopes up), but outsiders sometimes think they are as they go on adventures together and are both okay with lots of physical contact (a result of both being Miqo, mostly).

Scions (Deceased)

Papalymo: Xylluna always looked up to Papalymo, and he's ultimately the reason they chose to join the Scions. They spent a lot of time together chatting over food or on cart rides or the like. They were good friends, and his death is never going to stop stinging, even if it's gotten easier.

Minfilia: They were, surprisingly, not all that close. They often only really saw each other in passing, when Minfilia was passing along the next plan for Xylluna to enact.

Ala Mhigo

Fordola: A lot like Xylluna's relationship with Lyse, they're surprisingly close with Fordola. Yes, she's done a lot of bad things, but in Xylluna's eyes she was pressured into that situation and is trying to move past it. They also appreciate that they can ask her for advice on something and know they're going to get a real answer. And Fordola's a fun sparring partner.

Arenvald: Friends. Since he became disabled, he's leaned a lot on Xylluna for emotional support in learning to cope with his disability and some internalized pre-conceptions. They've started meeting regularly for lunch.

The First

Giott: Let's be real, half the time, Giott's just looking for a reason to beat something up, but she will do anything for Xylluna and they'll do anything for her, too. They still grab drinks with some frequency -- and some magnitude. Xylluna's one of the few people Giott can't easily drink under the table.

Ryne: Adopted instantly. Leaving her behind was a difficult decision. Xylluna will drop anything to go take care of Ryne.

Gaia: She can be a little irritating, but she's Ryne's girlfriend so you gotta take care of her too, y'know? And she's a good kid.

Runar: They're fairly friendly, but lately all Runar wants to talk about is Master Matoya, which makes it hard to talk about much.

The Ironworks

Biggs & Wedge: These three have spent way too many nights forgetting to sleep because they were busy with some project. Xylluna isn't quite as inseparable from Biggs and Wedge as they are from each other, but it can get close sometimes. If Xyll has an idea, they're sure to bring it up with these two.

Nero: "What are you doing in my house at 3 a.m. and since when was this thing magitek", but it goes both ways. Nero is the unexpected close friend of my dear warrior of light, and he has seen things none of the Scions will ever know about. This is due in part to both of them lacking the decency to announce their arrival. They both just drop by whenever they need help or to chat about something, and they have a friendly competition going about who can make the most ridiculous, but still useful, magitek contraptions. Nero is, naturally, usually winning.

#ffxiv spoilers #ocposting #ocs.xylluna runesong #ff #ff:xiv

[elfyourmother]

Ysayle for the ask meme, please!

My NOTP for them

The only one for the longest time was Estinien/Ysayle and tbqh even though I did a complete 180 on it after examining the root of why it squicked me out so badly, it’s probably the top ship that I am extremely wary about seeking out content for and am very, very picky about--I don’t actually seek out content for it.

And now I cut because it’s soapbox time.

It’s complicated, but I used to resent the hell out of it as an Ysayle stan because I was so starved for anything with her, but it seemed like damn near all of the sparse content in her tag involved Estinien. And in really gross and heteronormative ways that always reduced her character. The only thing I can possibly compare it to is the extreme flanderization of Aerith that happened over time post og FF7, both in fanon and in the actual Complication, where all of the fire and determination--everything that I loved about her, everything that made Aerith Aerith--got chipped away until she became this two dimensional ~soft~ messianic angel figure who died for Cloud and only exists as tragic inspo for the friends she left behind.

Istfg there’s an entire cottage industry of art and fic like this out there with Ysayle. And it drives me batshit insane! lmao like I get the worst rabies. Ysayle’s lot in life was not to suffer and suffer and then become a terrorist and hit rock bottom and suffer some more and then Redemption Equals Refrigerator. And so much Estinien/Ysayle shit I saw ran on that. Just endless angst to the point of wangst, and then she dies for Estinien’s character development, the tragic speedbump on the way to him finding True Love with his Real LI(tm), whether it’s Aymeric or WoL or both.

It’s really not dissimilar to the Haurchewol content that drives me batshit insane, only it feels even worse because of the blatant misogyny involved, and because again if I wanted to see any kind of Ysayle stuff this was the Ever Given in her tag, and the fact that she was twisted into this gross heteronormative caricature in the process. If I never see another fanart of Ysayle as some passive doe eyed waif clinging to him it will be entirely too soon.

In general, Estinien/Ysayle is a prime example of what I always talk about when I say that as a bisexual I ship m/f, I don’t ship het. I can’t stand het!Estinien/Ysayle--them fighting all the time on the road trip being taken to mean that they ~secretly want to fuck~, reducing their very real and very valid conflicts with each other in ways that feel very demeaning to both of them but especially her, and solidly going against just why I liked their dynamic in the game so much in the first place: finally a man and a woman in a story don’t get along but he doesn’t act like a misogynistic shithead towards her and she’s not portrayed as some hysterical shrew that needs to calm down, it’s not rooted in anything but legitimate conflict. And the aforementioned fridging.

Initially, I actually wrote Ysayle as a lesbian in my ‘verse for a long time, and emphasized their friendship in my work instead. I convinced myself that Estinien/Ysayle squicked me because of that. But eventually she and Haurchefant had too much chemistry in a thing I was writing, and I started to feel like Estinien constantly hollering about her being like a sister to him was protesting too much. There are characters I definitely see as lesbians (Joye, Lyse, Sadu, Cirina, Drusilla among others) but I had to be honest with myself that Ysayle wasn’t one of them, and that my reasons for writing her that way weren’t especially authentic but rooted in my aversion to the heteronormative stuff I was seeing (and also some weasels re: my shipping tendencies and a little internalized biphobia). Once I unpacked it, I realized there was nothing inherently disconcerting about the ship to me, it was just that the way others were conceiving it that put me off. I was under no obligation to do it that way in my own work, and once I gave myself permission, it really felt right and I realized I actually love it.

Ysayle actually lives to have agency and purpose and a character arc outside of Estinien, and development that ultimately has very little to do with him, which is why it works for me in Gisele’s story. I very much enjoy and explore their dynamic stripped of all that nasty heteronormative baggage.

So tl;dr: I actually ship it to death, but it has to be done in a very specific way for me not to upchuck or be incensed and I frankly don’t trust most of fandom to handle it properly, I have to be totally honest. At minimum she’s got to survive Heavenward. I mean I can’t handle reading fic that follows canon wrt her anyway but I absolutely Cannot deal with Estinien/Ysayle angst where she dies. I don’t care how well written it is, it tweaks literally everything in me that made me believe it was squicky to me for so long.

My BROTP for them

Emet, funny enough. Obviously they both have the Enemies of the Scions turned beloved members of the order thing in common. But despite her own checkered history with Ascians (I hc it was Igeyorhm who taught her how to evoke Shiva, while Lahabrea was working Thordan--it was their plan to play both sides against each other), Ysayle was actually the most strident voice in favor of Hades joining the Scions that didn’t belong to Gisele. He infuriates her at times with how glib he is, and what a smug little shit he can be, but she respects the fact that he’s really rather sincere all things considered, and he respects her tenacity a great deal. The really funny thing is a big reason why Hades is so fond of her is because she often reminds him of Elidibus at his best, though he’ll never ever say it in a million years. (It’s the quiet confidence.)

My OTP for them

The elfpile but specifically Gisele/Ysayle, forever and always. They're perfect foils for each other, and the enemies to friends to lovers trajectory was so unbelievably natural as a result. They understand each other in ways no one else does, on a deep, soul sort of level--they’ve literally seen each other’s darkest, most painful memories and felt nothing but profound empathy for each other and a deep need to comfort each other. Quite simply, Gisele is everything Ysayle has ever wanted and needed after a lifetime of suffering in solitude burdened with what she believed Glorious Purpose(tm): a true companion, someone who loves and accepts her and shares her struggles. Being with Gisele was the first time in a very long time that Ysayle could simply be Ysayle. And on Gisele’s part, Ysayle is someone she can share the gravity of her own path with, who gets it on a level even the other people who love and support her most can’t, by virtue of the fact that she’s walked it herself.

My second choice pairing for them

Outside the elfpile, I am very fond of Ysayle/Y’shtola, like very fond, with or without Gisele, and I legitimately struggle to put into words just why it feels like a warm fuzzy blanket on my heart, except that they just have this quiet understanding with one another that doesn’t especially want grandiose gestures. There’s just so much love and respect and genuine affection between the two of them.

Ysayle/Lucia is another one I’m very fond of with or without Gisele, for a lot of the same reasons I ship Ysayle and Aymeric so badly--the enemies to lovers thing is so, so good with them.

My fluffy pairing for them

Ysayle/Haurchefant is made of so much sunshine. The whole basis of their relationship is compersion. He loves her unconditionally and reminds her to be kinder to herself. She reminds him that there’s nothing noble about suffering and that he’s allowed to need people as much as they need him. It’s so lovely and pure.

My angsty pairing for them

I already talked about Ysayle/Stephanivien At Length in his answer so I’ll talk about Aymeric/Ysayle for a sec because it’s fraught for a lot of the same reasons, but much more so given Aymeric’s higher profile and extenuating circumstances in Gisele’s story.

Obviously there was the inherent issue of them having been avowed enemies for so long. No one knows more than Aymeric the actual toll caused by Ysayle’s crusade against the Holy See, because he had been fighting her schemes on all fronts since the minute she came into prominence and organized what had to that point been fairly disparate groups of malcontents and wild eyed fanatics into the deadliest threat to the Holy See in centuries. Aymeric knew exactly how cunning and dangerous she was even before the Primal summoning business. She’d successfully infiltrated the Temple Knights, even, which is how she got close enough to destroy Daniffen’s Collar. Ysayle had been a thorn in Aymeric’s side from day 1, the cause of many sleepless nights in his office. And more than anyone besides Haurchefant, Aymeric knows just how much Ishgardian blood is on her hands. Which is why it meant a great deal to him that she turned up that night to quell her followers during the riot. It was proof beyond doubt that she could be reasoned with, that she could be as powerful an ally as an enemy--it planted a desperate seed of hope in him, even, and he was greatly disappointed that she’d slipped away before he could parley with her.

And! Aymeric absolutely did not question Estinien when he was startled out of bed in the middle of the night by linkpearl a few weeks later, groggily listening to the quiet explanation that Lady Iceheart had been gravely wounded in the process of coming to their aid against the Garleans and Cid was going to bring her back to Ishgard for immediate care by the chirurgeons. Because that’s just their relationship. And Aymeric knows damn well that Estinien’s like a feral cat and is cynical and suspicious of people’s motivations and slow to trust as a result, because he’s known and loved him for years and years by then.

So Aymeric sheltered her at the Congregation’s infimary; only Lucia and Handeloup knew who Ysayle actually was. Captain Whitecape only knew that she was under Aymeric’s personal protection and was to receive the very best of care. He got to know her then, visiting her often. Aymeric was wary, of course, but Estinien vouching for her the way that he did--with obvious affection, because Aymeric caught onto that very early on--did a lot to put him at ease. He trusted her, despite everything. And he fell in love with her without even realizing it. It was post Dragonsong, when the Inquisition came for her in the middle of the night, when he finally did.

And Ysayle...well, she didn’t want to like Aymeric, much less fall in love with him. He was her mortal enemy, even more than Estinien; if Estinien was a weapon that butchered Dravanians, Aymeric was the hand that wielded him. The Archbishop’s own hatchetman, as far as she was concerned, the embodiment of the Holy See’s sins against Dravania, a self-righteous zealot who at best blindly believed the Church's lies without question and gleefully perpetuated them at worst, glorying in the Dravanian blood he spilled in the name of the Fury. She wanted so badly to continue hating him. But the man she finally met was wholly unlike any the evil caricature she had built up in her head in order to justify her crusade. He was merciful, and compassionate, and reasonable. And he believed her, no questions asked; he’d even taken her side, and gone to confront the Archbishop, something she would never have expected in her wildest dreams. Like Haurchefant, Aymeric shattered her preconceived notions of Ishgardian knights and noblemen with extreme prejudice. Ysayle realized what a good man he was, how very wrong she’d been about him, and kind of despaired a little about it even as she began slowly falling for him.

It was Gisele that brought them together, naturally. But it’s always been incredibly fraught for Ysayle, the way she feels about Aymeric, and it’s entirely because of their history of animosity and the atrocities she committed against Ishgard. There’s always been an element of that with Estinien too of course, but it’s that much more for Aymeric, being the political creature that he is, as the de facto ruler of Ishgard--no one was spreading ugly rumors that she seduced the Azure Dragoon and turned him against his own people. But this is why for instance she didn’t marry Gisele and the others, and why she tries to make herself so inconspicuous when she’s in Ishgard. The last thing Ysayle wants is to make Aymeric’s life difficult or complicate matters for him, especially not after he risked his position and his reputation to protect her. If it were up to her she would remain in the shadows. But he would never ask it of her because he has too much honor and respects her too much. They’re discreet mostly for her sake, their closeness attributed to her position as the Scion whose sphere of influence is Dravania and her shared role as an ambassador between it and Ishgard. But it’s rather an open secret that she’s his mistress though, especially by the time Endwalker rolls around. Which is why I think after everything is said and done post 6.0, she probably will marry the lads. Maybe it took her helping to save the whole damn universe to finally accept that she’s worthy of stepping out of the shadows, and that she doesn’t have to be defined by her past where Aymeric and the others are concerned.

But there will always be that lingering cloud over the Ysayle and Aymeric; Aymeric calls it “the shadow between us”. And part of loving each other the way that they do is their frankness in accepting that.

My favorite poly ship for them

The elfpile without a doubt, and specifically for Ysayle it’s about finally having the companionship and the unconditional love that she had desperately craved for so long, as much as her individual feelings for each of them. I talk about this a lot in the context of her membership in the Scions, but it’s even more true in the context of the OT6: the Harriers were followers, they were not friends or companions or partners. Many of them were, in fact, wild-eyed fanatics. And her own belief in her destiny did a lot to set her apart even from the ones who weren’t. Ysayle was repulsed in a lot of ways by the whole thing, and it’s the real reason why she rebuffed the followers who constantly threw themselves at her. Once or twice she succumbed to her profound loneliness and took lovers from the ones who were relatively normal, but she always hated herself for it afterwards and none of it meant anything to her. It was really an awful way to live tbh, but at the time she accepted it as the personal price she had to pay in order to see justice done. The work was ultimately the most important thing to her, and if she had to sacrifice her own happiness for it then so be it.

Gisele et al completely shattered all of that in the best possible way, and helped her heal from all of that in ways even Ysayle would struggle to put into words. More than anything, Ysayle finally has people who accept her for who she truly is, not fearing and worshiping her for some grandiose role. People who approach her as equals, who are attracted to her for her and not because they think she’s a living saint. They just make her feel normal, and I can’t overstate how very much she needed that.

My weirdest pairing for them

(again I’m not fond of this wording)

Probably Ysayle/Vrtra in light of canon but I was shipping it the second we met him in MSQ. The irony of it all is just too damn good tbh, this woman who once very sincerely believed she was the reincarnation of Hraevelgr’s consort years later genuinely falling in love with his brother, who has quietly built the society she dreamed Ishgard could be. I mean canon even touches on it, when Estinien and Alphinaud talk a bit wistfully about how Radz-at-Han is the embodiment of Ysayle’s dream of man and dragon living in harmony, the way it was in that distant golden age of peace.

It’s not just sad “oh well” talk in my canon. Ysayle fell in love with Vrtra and Radz-at-Han, as much as Gisele did. Both mean more to her than she could ever really express. And in the process of doing so, Ysayle finally understood her faith in Saint Shiva in a way she never did when she had deluded herself into thinking she was the saint reborn and running around scheming and killing in her name.

#character death mention #ice wife #otp: stone and steel #not me writing essays and dissertations about ysayle again fsdhfks #yloiseconeillants #ask bisho #ship memes #askbox memes