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hydecurator · 4 years

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If not graven idols, what is Christian art?

For Christians, Sunday was Palm Sunday, the day they celebrate, and some even reenact, Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, when his supporters climbed the tress and strew his path with palm fronds.

Anonymous (French), Christ’s Entry into Jerusalem, ca. 1325, stained glass (20 1/16 x 13 5/8 in.), The Hyde Collecction, Glens Falls, New York, Bequest of Charlotte Pruyn Hyde, 1971.114. Photo credit: Michael Fredericks.

In the Middle Ages, when every church was perceived as a manifestation of the Heavenly Jerusalem, the church became a representation of the early city. Galleries were built over the west door for the choir to occupy as the clergy and laity processed in as Christ had once ridden into the holy city. At Wells Cathedral, a hidden gallery was constructed within the stone façade to accommodate the choir. The boys’ voices emerged through holes in the wall behind sculptures of angels.

Detail: West facade of Well Cathedral, 1220-48, Wells, Somerset, UK. Holes behind the quatrefoils filled with sculpture allowed the sound of the cathedral choir to resonate as one entered the cathedral’s west door on Palm Sunday. Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker, "Wells Cathedral," in Smarthistory, July 18, 2017, accessed April 6, 2020, https://smarthistory.org/wells-cathedral/.

This week, Holy Week, is the most important in the Christian calendar. On Maundy Thursday, the faithful will commemorate Christ’s last supper with his disciple, when He washed their feet, mourn His crucifixion on Good Friday, and celebrate His resurrection on Easter Sunday.

At the end of the Maundy Thursday service, priests in Catholic and Episcopalian churches will follow the centuries-old tradition of stripping the altars of their rich liturgical paraphernalia. They will carry away candlesticks, chalices, and crosses, and fold up richly embroidered altar cloths. Statues will be removed or covered. The church will be left bare. The sacrament will be removed from the high altar and placed in a temporary Easter Sepulcher, representing the removal of Christ’s body to Joseph of Arimathea’s tomb. I always find it striking to watch this ceremony. The congregation leaves the darkened, denuded church in silence.

It is a wonder, given the stricture against “graven idols” in the Ten Commandments, that Christian churches should have so much religious art and, indeed, such a rich cultural history of fine art, architecture, music, and the decorative arts. Once the Early Church started to accept Gentiles, particularly anyone who had grown up with the Greek and Roman pantheon of gods and statuary, it was something of a losing proposition to forbid all imagery. The fight was lost with the conversion of the Emperor Constantine in 315. He gave the Roman church silver statues of Christ and the apostles. Such cultural largesse was a standard form of imperial patronage and one the recently legalized Church was not in a position to refuse.

The Church developed several arguments for its use of and expenditure on art. Firstly, it needed to be able to perform the liturgy in a suitable building and with ritual implements. Secondly, as Pope Gregory argued in around 600, imagery helped to educate and catechize a largely illiterate congregation. The twelfth-century Abbot Suger of Saint-Denis, who in some sense was the creator of the Gothic style, wrote in his defense of the artistic riches of his abbey church that the beauty of the bejeweled liturgical vessels and the aura created by the brilliant stained glass helped to raise his thoughts from the mire and sin of this world towards the glory of heaven. In truth, he was also motivated to use art in the same manner as royalty and the aristocracy. He sought to instill awe in those who might otherwise challenge the Church’s position. It was necessary to ape the trappings of secular authority to advance and protect the Church’s own claim of independence and internationalism over and above the power of local rulers. As a divinely established institution, the glory of the Church reflected the majesty of God.

The adoption of worldly trappings of authority is beautifully rendered in The Hyde Collection’s St. Peter Enthroned (ca. 1475-1500). Here Christ’s chosen head of the Church, the first pope is regally attired like a medieval monarch. He sits on a grand sculpted throne, swathed in a bejeweled cope of rich velvet and gold threads, wearing the papal triple tiara and holding the regalia of his office: the cross and the keys to the kingdoms of heaven and earth given to St. Peter by Christ Himself.

Unknown (Flemish or Portuguese, St. Peter Enthroned, ca. 1475-1500, oil on panel (12 1/4 × 8 1/2 in.) The Hyde Collection, Glens Falls, NY, Gift of Charlotte Pruyn Hyde, 1971.6.

There have been moments in the Church’s history when it has banned imagery. The Orthodox Church went through two periods of iconoclasm, the destruction of imagery, in the late eighth and early ninth centuries. Calvinists during the sixteenth-century Protestant Reformation whitewashed church interiors. English Puritans decapitated sculptures and smashed stained before boarding ships and sailing for the New World where they built their stark, unadorned meetinghouses.

The Catholic Church enthusiastically reasserted the power of religious art in the Baroque period. Shaken by the Protestant Reformation, it reclaimed its authority and rebuilt itself, constructing massive, richly adorned churches. The princes of the Church were as magnificent as any lord or princeling, the Pope as any monarch. We see redecoration of churches The Hyde Interior of a Gothic Church after Pieter Neeffs the Elder (1625-50). The side altars are dressed in altar cloths and adorned with tall winged Baroque altarpieces. At the far east end of the church, through the arch of a rood screen that divided the world of the clergy from that of the laity, one can discern a high altar, bedecked with candlesticks and a colorful altarpiece.

After Pieter Neeffs the Elder, (Flemish, ca. 1578 - 1659), Interior of a Gothic Church, ca. 1625 - 1650, oil on panel (13 × 11 3/4 in.) The Hyde Collection, Glens Falls, NY, Gift of Charlotte Pruyn Hyde, 1971.31.

In its day, the painting would have been viewed as a confessional declaration. Protestants in the newly independent Dutch republic possessed paintings of their whitewashed church interiors. In this painting by Pieter Saenredam ( 1597-1665), the Calvinist emphasis on the spoken word over the liturgy performed at an altar is manifested in the prominent pulpit positioned halfway down the left side of the church.

Pieter Jansz. Saenredam (Dutch 1597-1665), The Interior of St Bavo's Church, Haarlem (the 'Grote Kerk'), 1648, oil on panel (174.8 x W 143.6 cm), National Galleries of Scotland, Scottish National Gallery, NG 2413, Photo credit: National Galleries of Scotland

The Hydes were Presbyterian. Charlotte Pruyn’s family were descendants of Dutch Calvinists. I have always thought that a certain Reformist modesty regulated their lives and collecting. It did not affect the quality of their collection, rather it manifested itself in the scale and tone of what they collected. Hyde House is unique in its design but not ostentatious in scale or decoration. The Rembrandt is the largest painting the Hydes ever bought. In collecting religious imagery, they avoided large altarpieces, gruesome martyrdoms, and Baroque saints in ecstasy. Neither did they buy grand eighteenth-century portraits alluding to an Old World aristocratic heritage.

As patrons of religious architecture, they were governed by an elegant restraint. We see this in their patronage of Ralph Adam Cram (1863-1942) architect of the First Presbyterian Church (1927) in Glens Falls. Cram was the leading American Gothic Revival architect of the early twentieth century, the architect of New York’s Riverside Presbyterian Church. The Hydes’ archive contains many letters to Cram concerning design and decoration. They traveled into the Midwest and through New England to visit and review other churches, garner ideas, and assess the work of craftsmen. The restraint in the architectural decoration at First Presbyterian is reminiscent of that of the Cistercian movement, founded in response to the lavish decoration of Benedictine monasteries like Saint-Denis. St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153), the founder of the Cistercian order, argued that for monks who were devoted to the study of the Bible, narrative cycles, whether painted on walls or glass, were an unnecessary and indeed dangerous distraction. Direct access to scripture negated the need for religious art.

Ralph Adam Cram (American, 1863-1942), First Presbyterian Church, 1927, Glens Falls, New York.

For the Hydes as collectors, religious art exemplified styles and movements within the history of Western art. They largely overlooked its religious function and meaning. Yet the art was never intended simply to be pretty. Its raison d’être lay in its liturgical role, what it taught, or the power it projected. I will examine these roles in further postings this Holy Week.

#hydecollection #wells cathedral #gothic

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mythriteshah · 3 years

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Ladies and gentlemen: the time has come once again! After yet another winter’s time of gathering resources, the Higuri Regalia is proud to announce the 4th “Regalia Largesse”!

For those unaware or uninitiated: The Regalia Largesse is an annual event spanning anywhere between 5-7 days that occurs around the late spring/early summer, and is considered the “pinnacle of Noblesse Oblige”! During this event, individuals from the Higuri Regalia’s hierarchy will make appearances within the various city-states to offer wares to the adventuring public - FOR FREE (Tips and donations are always greatly appreciated, but never mandatory)!

On Sunday, May 9th, at around 7PM EDT, look for a Party Finder ad from any one of the Regalia members; they will provide you information on where they are, and what items will be offered, with a detailed list of what’s available while supplies last. Due to the ever-increasing quantity of wares, their post duration has been extended to three hours.

Also, throughout the week, starting at the commencement of the Largesse, those who are willing to partake in a special contest will receive a number. On the Friday evening/last day of that week (i.e. the end of the Largesse), a raffle will take place where a series of numbers will be drawn, and those who win will be offered prizes!

RULES:

To enter the raffle, simply ask the representative currently posted during that day; a tracker is kept throughout the course of the event, and is shared amongst the Regalia members.

You MUST attend the final day of the Largesse in order to qualify for a chance to win.

In the event you are unable to attend the raffle for any reason, you are allowed 1 proxy to vouch for you, so long as they state whom they are replacing.

If your number happens to be drawn, you are offered a chance to decline a particular prize if you have eyes on another, but a winner will be decided for the sake of fairness.

Notes: Sprouts (New Players/Adventurers) will receive Flying Beds and/or Coffers o’ Kupos as a consolation gift.

HUGE UPDATE TO THIS YEAR’S LARGESSE: due to the increasing popularity of the Menphina Madness Blitzball Tournament (@for-gold-and-glory), as well as being the proud sponsor of the Gridania Sea Chocobos, the Higuri Regalia is also offering a complimentary gift to the players in correspondence to their affiliated team.

Gil Turtles: Flying Chair

Sea Chocobos: Castaway Chocobo Chick

Storm Sirens: Spring Dress (females) or Southern Seas Shirt (males)

Heavensguard: Hraesvelgr Attire Coffer

Royal Griffons: Ivon Coeurlfist Doll

Koban Crushers: The Gold Whisker

High Seraphs: Casual Attire Coffer

Immortal Lions: Thavnairian Wool Autumn Shirt (males) or Wool Autumn Dress (females)

Salt Barons: Magitek Predator/Magitek Avenger/Magitek Helldiver F1

Madness Cheerleaders: Their choice between Wind-up Yuna, Lulu, or Rikku

The prize list includes the following, and are subject to change:

1st Place Winners: A Gilded Mikoshi/Golden Ronkan Flute! (x3 each; 6 winners)

2nd Place Winners: An Incitatus Whistle/Night Pegasus Whistle/Dodo Horn/Copycat Bulb! (x1 each; 4 winners)

3rd Place Winners: An item (or items) from the Mog Station worth ≤$33! (3 winners)

4th Place Winners: A copy of Modern Aesthetics: Early to Rise! (15 winners)

Look for these beautiful individuals throughout the week for the item(s) of the day. Note: stock may (and will) expand between now and the commencement of the Largesse, so everything listed herein is not final:

Sunday, May 9: Shiro Reina (Ul’dah, Steps of Nald; Patrolling Emerald Avenue)

Items: Parasols (Black; Vermillion; Plum; Calming Checkered; Cheerful Checkered; Prim Dot; Pastoral Dot)

Monday, May 10th: Treasurer Susuna (Ishgard, the Pillars; The Last Vigil)

Items:

Mounts (Albino Karakul/Zu/Ufiti/Megalotragus/Dhalmel/Construct 14/Gabriel α);

Ballroom Etiquette (Eatapple/Broom/Riceball/Bread/Insist/Confirm/Scheme/Fistpump/Highfive/Malevolence/Guard/Lean/Read/Decadent Decoration)

Modern Aesthetics (Controlled Chaos/Wind Caller/Samsonian Locks/Form and Function/Saintly Style/Modern Legend/Gyr Abanian Plait/Battle-Ready Bobs/Scanning for Style)

Tuesday, May 11th: Yuanji Yuji (Kugane, Rakusui Gardens)

Items:

Chocobo Barding (Tidal/Levin/Ice/Highland/Expanse/Hive/Orthodox/Sephirotic/Sophic/Zurvanite/Abigail/Reveler’s/Blissful/Shinryu/Byakko/Suzaku/Seiryu/Machinist/Lunar/Titania/Innocence/Hades/Ruby/True Light/Emerald/Queen’s Guard/Diamond/Doman/Nezha)

Wednesday, May 12th: Umimi Umi (Limsa Lominsa Upper Decks, The Aftcastle)

Items:

Rare Minions (Fat Cat; Littlefoot; Owlet; Dwarf Rabbit; Morpho; Bullpup; Road Sparrow; Silver Dasher; Hunting Hawk; Mandragora Queen; Paissa Patissier; Paissa Threadpuller; Mameshiba; Black Hayate; Shoebill; Armadillo Bowler; Clionid Larva; Meerkat; Monkey King; Bacon Bits; Miniature White Knight; Ancient One; Domakin; Little Leannan; Tiny Echevore; Assassin Fry; Mudpie; Private Moai; Chameleon; Salt and Pepper Seal; Sungold Talos; Dhalmel Calf; Aurelia Polyp; Axolotl Eft; The Gold Whisker; Magitek Predator/Helldiver F1; Ivon Coeurlfist Doll; Petit Pteranadon; Yukinko Snowflake; Byakko Cub; Scarlet Peacock; Seitei; White Whittret; Save the Princess; Drippy; Conditional Virtue; Dress-up Thancred; Wind-Up Namazu/Magnai/Sadu/ Susano/Lakshmi/Ravana/Tarutaru/Matanga/Zhloe/Hien)

Thursday, May 13th: Sesena Sena (Old Gridania, Mih Khetto’s Amphitheatre)

Items:

Vanity clothing (Taoist’s Shirt & Cap; Company Tabard; Cashmere Poncho; Ao Dai; Non La; Whisperfine Woolen Coat; Raincoat; Dalmascan Draped Top; Thavnairian Wool Autumn Dress/Shirt; Adventurer’s Hooded/Fireglass Leather Vest; Boulevardier’s Ruffled Shirt/ Quaintrelle’s Ruffled Dress; Adventuring Sweater; New World Jacket, Hose & Headdress; Craftsman’s Singlet; Craftsman’s Apron; Craftsman’s Coverall Top & Bottoms; Thavnairian Bustier & Headdress/Bolero & Sarouel; Thavnairian Wool Autumn Shirt/Dress; Ala Mhigan Gown; Southern Seas Shirt & Skirt/Trousers; High House Bustle/Justacorps; Rebel/Urban Coat; Crescent Moon Nightgown/Straw Capeline; Summer Indigo Shirt; Calfskin Rider’s Jacket; Kupo Attire; Hraesvelgr Attire; Peacelover’s Attire; Casual Attire; Frontier Dress & Pumps/Jacket & Hat)

Friday, May 14th: Lord Thiji Higuri (The Goblet, Ward 7, Plot 43; Aldenard Branch Headquarters)

Items: Raffle; *weapons made-to-order (GSM/WVR/ALC Specialist)

*NOTE: If you have the required Trial item for a specific weapon, please present it; all other components will be on hand. Be advised that Specialist recipes different from the ones listed above will not be crafted, unless another individual nearby is able to meet those requirements.

We look forward to serving you all, and thank you for choosing the Higuri Regalia, Where There is Power in Beauty.

#thiji higuri #Higuri Regalia #pib catalogue #fashion #high fashion #Lalafell #lalafell master race #lalashell #menphina madness #Ul'dah #Gridania #Limsa Lominsa #kugane #regalia largesse #largesse #balmung #ffxiv balmung #ff14 FFXIV

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mythriteshah · 3 years

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During the Higuri Regalia’s 4th Annual Largesse, the representatives were graced by the presence of one of the Ivalice Theater Company’s finest: the popular actor known as Roscoe Rackham (@boneswain), who, with his stage name of Marvelous Cid (or T.G. Cid), also serves with his fellow colleagues in their Blitzball team: the Ivalice High Seraphs.

Considering the Lucavi Assembly’s theme coinciding with the introduction of the Prima Vista and their retelling of the Zodiac Brave Story, the Mythrite Sultan made it one of his primary directives during the event to ensure that the High Seraphs were flagged down and notified of this beautiful clothing line.

On the third day of the Largesse, Head Secretary Yuanji Yuji, who expressed how much of a favorite Roscoe was to the Angels, was able to provide the actor with a copy of the PiB Catalogue for him and his friend Dzherard Vant to peruse. Given how the Regalia smiles upon the fine arts, she would further extend the hand of generosity by allowing him the option to choose one ensemble to be made for free.

It did not take long for Roscoe to immediately resonate with the Gigas’ Charge, and, with much enthusiasm, selected that as his desired item, much to Yuanji’s delight. Soon he may be going by the moniker of “Marvelous Belias” alongside his High Seraph colleague!

(Credit and thanks to Poydesses Prue - aka Marvelous Mustadio - for this adorable masterpiece!)

#thiji higuri #Higuri Regalia #pib catalogue #Lucavi Assembly #roscoe rackham #lucavi #belias #ffxi belias #aries zodiac #zodiac stone #ivalice #thavnair #high fashion #fashion #ffxiv fashion

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mythriteshah · 3 years

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Valide’s Vow

Several turns of the sun have passed since the first appearance of that strange arctic occurrence in Thavnair’s jungles. There have been sightings and reports all around the region of similar happenings: glaciated waterways; rime-encrusted shrubs and small spires of ice which glistened like crystals beneath the moonlight, all wrapped up in a beautiful spectacle of snow and frost.

Though these were ephemeral, and would not last longer than a bell’s worth, the Near Eastern natives and tourists alike who came upon these sites beheld them in awe.

Yet as they would remain in the immediate area to bask in this irradiant scenery, their hearts and minds were overwhelmed by feelings of sadness – of longing and loss – so powerful that some knelt to tears at the stark beauty of it all. These indelible waves of emotions moved even the dancers of Radz-at-Han’s troupes, yet they would find themselves hard-pressed to properly move, attempting to use these areas as backdrops for their performances.

Even the Kreigstanz’s efficacy was suppressed.

What was the cause of this breathtaking yet mystifying sight? Where next would it arise? Even the Angels of the Regalia were investigating these events, while others kept the looming threat of the Telophoroi at bay across the realm. For now, however, there was peace within Radz-at-Han, and the sun would begin to set over the land.

Within the Regalia’s Main Branch Headquarters, Thiji Higuri sat upon his usual sofa, garbed in his exclusive Wamoura robe as he silently watched the Near Eastern sun fall over the horizon. Nestled across his lap was a claymore made from pure mythrite he had brought over from the Aldenard Branch. His fingers ran along the cool metal of the blade, staring down at the engraved statement as though he were in a trance.

“As long as you make it out of a battle alive, you are one step closer to fulfilling your dream…”

The words echoed in his mind, along with his memories of the past – some glorious, and some painful. Nyra, who had been perched atop the back of the sofa, was resting her eyes before she heard footsteps approaching behind them. Her master was too engaged with his mulling to even acknowledge it until he would see another hand resting upon the hilt of the claymore. Thiji lifted his head upwards to find his mother, Lady Mimizo, grinning with a tall glass of Winter Lassi ready for him. He could never deny a glass of cool lassi, and eagerly took it, as his mother quietly removed the blade from his lap, resting it against the sofa with the blade down. She sat next to him, taking another glass from the end table before taking a few sips of her own.

“Your generosity is boundless, my son,” she opened. “How are you faring after the Largesse?”

He was silent. Not because he did not have an answer for her, but because he did not know how. But Mimizo knew her son well, and could easily persuade him to speak his mind. She reassured him with a soft hand upon his, staring directly at the Mythrite Sultan. “Naught but us are here, my beloved son. Do not be afraid.”

“Not afraid, Mother,” he began. “I am merely… tired. This realm always has problems arising, and despite all the efforts these ‘adventurers’ keep expending to stave them off, I had not dared to believe that things would soon arrive at our doorstep. Our non-aggression pact with Garlemald maintained our neutrality between it and the other continents, and we flourished immensely as a result… Now the same sick drama unfolds again, and all the realm faces conflict.”

“And we will see it through together!” Mimizo stated. “Yes, you may have hung up the mantle of adventurer, but that means naught. You are still more than capable of defending our home without bearing such a title. And perhaps this is all a sign! You may have kept your edge sharp with your secret training, but perhaps it is now time to show Hydaelyn what the new and improved Mythrite Sultan can do.”

Thiji sighed, reclining in his seat as he took another long sip of his lassi. He wasn’t in the mood to go charging into battle and felling scores and scores of whomever or whatever was unfortunate enough to stand in his path of carnage. Thiji may have enjoyed the life of battle and glory for a time, but that was behind him. He is now the head of one of Eorzea’s most prominent providers of the gemcraft and textile industry, not to mention one of its foremost fashion empires. And just recently, he has essentially become a beacon of generosity and goodwill thanks to their Fourth Annual Largesse, which had just concluded not even a sennight ago.

“New? Improved? Perhaps…” he spoke. “… But I don’t wish for that life again – stamping out primal incursions and the occasional onslaught of ravenous beasts; delving into parts unknown to pacify the surrounding area… Such stress would only accelerate my aging; my ice blue and silver white tresses would turn grey before I even reach thirty.”

And even if he did return to the forefront, a thought lingered in his head – more painfully irksome than any obstacle he has thus far faced. He needed to finish the remainder of his lassi in order to get it out, however…

“And what of my dream, Mother…? What of that?”

Mimizo paused for a moment, looking over her shoulder to inspect the claymore with Nyra. She then placed her glass on the table and scooched closer to her son. Thiji’s gaze remained fixed to the setting sun, his eyes welling up with tears, which made Mimizo’s motherly instincts kick in.

“Oh, Thiji… Let it out, my son,” she cooed, comforting him with an embrace only a mother could give. He did not sob, but silent tears did indeed fall from his smooth face, and Mimizo did her best to dry them, not wanting to see her firstborn’s face marred so. “The dream you so cherished is a beautiful one indeed. There is nothing nobler and purer than fighting to protect someone you love so dearly. And when you return from the peril – when you emerge victorious amidst the ashes – your dearest is there, welcoming you back with open arms. Even when the entire world was against her, you stood your ground – just like the knight did in the play.”

“But I am no knight, Mother,” Thiji replied with his head lowered. “I don’t even have a sorceress… All my aspirations – all my desires – ‘twas all weighed upon realizing that romantic dream. I pursued this for so many winters in a desperate bid to uphold the title of Sorceress Knight, only to be shunned again and again by the cursed Lover and Spinner both. What am I now?”

“A man with nothing to lose,” Mimizo quickly answered, as if she had waited to say that for many moons. “There are many things in this realm to be feared, and one of which is a son of man who has seen much, been dealt enough cruel hands, and endured numerous hardships. You became a Dark Knight after what transpired in Coerthas, and from there you channeled your emotions into a weapon. You were younger then, but now those same feelings have been honed – refined into something deadly. You have tamed it, Thiji, and now you can control it into a power far greater than what you’ve wielded thus far.”

The lamenting Sultan looked past her mother to see the object beside the end table - the picture his niece and nephew drew of him holding hands with the Sultana of his dreams. It was a reminder that somewhere, she was out there, waiting for him… somewhere.

“Your heart is enormous and golden, my son. Those who are the most gracious and kind are the loneliest; those who are the most downtrodden always wear the brightest smiles, and those who are the most damaged and broken… are the wisest. This is nothing to be ashamed over – it is a universal truth. Your sorrow… your grief… your loss… your longing... you’ve made it into something beautiful, and it stands before you to this day: the Regalia. Your Angels would agree, as would your father. Your dream of becoming a Sorceress’s Knight is not dead.”

Nyra flew down and perched herself atop Thiji’s head, reassuring him with a nod. “Even Nyra is with you, as is Glacius,” Mimizo added. He still seemed unsure about that statement, given how long he has been without a Sultana. Some people were even referring to him jokingly as the “Mythrite Bachelor” for arguably being one of the longest-running single nobles in the realm. Little did Thiji know, however, that his mother would have plans for him in the coming summers.

Moments later, they would receive a ring from his linkpearl. Thiji had immediately regained his composure as if nothing had ever happened over the past few minutes, answering the call while Mimizo listened in.

“My Sultan! It’s Sesena! We just spotted a sizeable army of Voidsent bombs approaching from the south! We’re holding them off at the beachhead, but they seem to be attracted by all the ambient aether from these weird ice sites!”

“Or it’s probably due to the fact that the Moonfire Faire’s coming early…” Sosona joked. “We’re not sure who or what’s leading them, but we know they’re close if they appearing in such numbers.”

“Ensure they are contained within the southern beachfront; if any of our native warriors are present, support them as necessary,” Thiji ordered. “I will join you anon.”

“Yes, My Sultan!” Sesena and Sosona replied before ending the transmission. Thiji’s countenance became one of tranquil fury as he jumped from his sofa to obtain the claymore, only to be stopped by a soft hand to his forearm.

“No,” his mother said sternly with a shake of her head. Her son arched a brow, questioning Mimizo’s actions. Then, she would lift the folds of her outer robe to reveal a pair of bladed fans that were holstered at her waist. The Mythrite Sultan’s eyes widened upon acknowledging its appearance, meeting his mother’s gaze with a slight head shake.

“They’re not ready for this, Mother,” Thiji said in defense.

“Precisely, Thiji,” Mimizo immediately replied, “which is all the more reason for you to make them get ready. Victory in battle is important, but so is making a statement. You, my first and greatest son, who has helped bring our slogan and motto into prominence, have all the capabilities to show our enemies why they should never cross the Regalia or the Near East’s finest. Show them your true power, Thiji.”

He hesitated. Thiji always tried his hardest not to reveal his well-guarded secret that was his redoubtable skill as a dancer. However, there was no reason to fear, for the enemy was at his doorstep, and the only ones who would bear witness to his performance were natives of the Near East. Realizing this, he sighed away his doubts and turned away from his mother, making his way to the dresser where he would begin donning his dancer attire: a shirt-and-sarouel combo, with babouches to match. After checking his nails for any blemishes or marks, he nodded to his reflection before Nyra provided the finishing touch: the blue hydrangea corsage, which was nestled right above his left ear. Once his transformation was complete, he eagerly took the fans from Mimizo, who was grinning from ear to ear. Grasping one in each hand, they gave off a soft hum, pulsing an icy blue as it resonated with his aetherial signature. Thiji then flicked his wrists, unfolding them as they released tiny particles of frost from their bladed tips, beholding the majesty of these weapons for but a brief moment before folding them once more.

Mimizo approached her son and cupped his face with her hands before giving him a loving smile.

“Now you are most rightfully equipped, Thiji,” she spoke. “Embrace your sorrow. Accept it, and bring the beauty of winter to your friends and foes. Steal their hearts; make them weep; leave them breathless. Everyone has their part to play, and you’ve been on an intermission for far too long. And now the stage is set, my son. Your finest hour awaits.”

With empowered resolve and vigor, Thiji holstered the fans at his waist and left the chambers. Nyra flew in close after him as he would then begin to call for Glacius and his mate, Suki, to carry him into battle. And as the Mythrite Sultan would vacate the Main Branch Headquarters and the city-state proper, Mimizo watched silently as he disappeared into the jungle thicket, her brows furrowed in determination.

“Thiji… whether it comes a moon from now, or two summers hence, I swear that, on my title as Valide Sultan, you will have your dream restored; you will have your Sultana…”

“I swear it.”

#thiji higuri #Higuri Regalia #short story #thavnairian #hannish #radz at han #thavnair #Lalafell #lalafell master race #sorceress knight #dancer #winter

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mythriteshah · 3 years

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The Sultan’s Dream

“Nyra… Glacius… It has been a journey of ten-thousand malms since we stepped foot upon Eorzea. I was but a simple lordling that wanted to make a name for himself, with nothing but my two greatest companions – my best friends – by my side. You two were always there. Through my triumphs and my failures, you were all I had to depend on.

Yes, I have my Angels to watch over and safeguard myself and the Regalia, but even they are not always around – unlike you two. ‘Tis not often I am given an opportunity to simply enjoy the scenery and share my thoughts; there are few whom I trust enough to divulge my deepest secrets. And to tell you the greatest truth of all, Nyra & Glacius… I’m tired. My time spent in Eorzea was one filled with so much turmoil that I would not even wish such a life on my worst enemies. And although I’ve brought the Regalia to a shining age of prosperity, I had still suffered a great deal since I first became an adventurer.

All this conflict is for the cloudkin. I’ve already cavorted with enough primals to live three full lives. And the repeated incursions of the Garlean Empire are evolving into quite the proverbial broken record. There are numerous other adventurers and ‘heroes’ strewn about the realm to make an army; what’s one merchant-lord in the grand scheme of things?

We’ve played our part on this grand stage of imbeciles, Glacius. Nyra. But now it is time for the curtains to descend. I am done fighting and tempting fate – I’ll grow old doing this for so long. ‘Tis time we returned back home to where we belong.”

Thiji reflected back on his speech he gave to his two most trusted companions some summers ago. While he has gained and lost much throughout his time as an adventurer, he was tolerant of the outcomes and made peace with them. Of course, there are certain moments in time he wish would have changed for the better.

His confrontation with the Harriers and their leader in the heart of Snowcloak, though successful in its objective, costed Thiji the life of the only Angel who ever loved him – Mamai Mai, who was given the title of “Lady” posthumously. She insisted on accompanying the then Mythrite Prince and his comrades-in-arms in his assault, offering her pugilistic skills to the table. Unfortunately, she was waylaid unexpectantly by what may as well have been a sub-zero blast of cold by the Lady of Frost. Thiji may have withstood the brunt of it, but Mamai was not so prepared, and she fell as a result. This was the beginning of a martial awakening within Thiji, for this event catalyzed his ascent – or descent, to some – into the path of the Dark Knight. This would later be realized in its fullest when he battled against the fourfold master of the blade in His home turf: Ravana, Lord of the Hive.

“Martial perfection”, the Amalj’aa called it. The apex of one’s skill for which all Amalj’aa seek to strive. This concept stuck close to Thiji as he eventually took up the sword and shield, continuing his adventures as a Paladin during the campaign to liberate Ala Mhigo. When he had faced off against the Lady of Bliss, whose Qalyana dreamers were coaxed into summoning their false deity due to threats from the Garlean Empire, he had received word from Nyra, who bore a message from one of his Angels informing him that his then-Sultana, Nanago Nago - whom was with child and under the care of Sarielle - had succumbed to her own avarice, consuming gratuitous amounts of aether from his weapons collected throughout his journeys during the Dragonsong War. The resulting effulgence – combined with her own innate powers as an Astrologian – caused her and their unborn child to perish in a stellar explosion, effectively removing them from existence. Another crushing loss – greater, even, than the one incurred from losing Mamai. Thanks to the laws of time and space, no one but he and his Angels know of this event. Once more unhinged, Thiji found new strength in not only his martial, but his magical prowess, effectively dispatching of the Lady of Bliss, though at the cost of his own blade and board… and his soul crystal, which he casted away with his armor following the battle.

It always seemed passing strange that the Dunesfolk nobleman from the Near East would gain new strength and prowess by leaps and bounds at the expense of some tragedy – this only further added to his eccentricity. He was a calm individual, but was incredibly vindictive – especially if one ever crossed his Angels, whom he cared for so dearly. Others may not have picked up on the cause of these… awakenings, but Thiji was more than aware of it. Some days following the Largesse, when he was alone in his Aldenard Branch office, he gazed upon a glistening blue greatsword of exquisite make. It was made by a Dragoon friend of his who had a fascination for all things Allagan, and upon the length of the blade was an engraved sentence:

“As long as you make it out of a battle alive, you're one step closer to fulfilling your dream.”

More than just pretty words to the Mythrite Sultan. He had experienced many battles and came out of each intact. Even now, as the kingpin of the Higuri Regalia, Thiji had even conquered a battlefield which extended beyond the physical: the realm of high fashion. He toiled for many winters to get to where he is now; to be the titan of aesthetic and philanthropy which has earned the respect of many (and, for some reason, the ire of some). Yet therein lies the problem:

What dream remained?

Sure, Thiji Higuri was a man of ambition and intellect. But he had not enjoyed the pursuit of a dream since the assault on Djanan Qhat. Ever since he was a child, he was spellbound by a particular play, and never missed a single showing. Thiji had experienced it so many times that he could (and probably still) recite the entire script verbatim. It was a tale of romance and tragedy; of a powerful sorceress with a good heart who stood up for a broken country’s people, and the solitary man who rose up to defend her: the Sorceress’s Knight.

A dream he may have fulfilled after the Dragonsong War, but was snatched away prior to Ala Mhigo’s freedom. It was a sensitive topic, and seldom brought up in the Mythrite Sultan’s presence, lest an Angel earns his anger. Why keep the claymore, then, if he had no dream to pursue? What other meaning could the decorative sword have to Thiji if he is a man bereft of that driving force?

The evening following the Largesse, the Mythrite Sultan was no longer present at the Aldenard Branch. He had begun making for the Main Branch for reasons as of yet unknown – probably to oversee the release of the Blessed Wardrobe’s second clothing line. As usual, his Advisor, Veeveena Veena, was present in his chambers, enjoying some Winter Lassi as she gazed upon the moon with that lovely smile on her face. It was yet another peaceful night in Radz-at-Han, and though she has seen the view many times, it was no less breathtaking to behold for the Near Eastern flower.

Veeveena took a few sips of her drink as the winds suddenly began to rise. The trees amidst the emergent layer of the jungle which could be seen from the city began to sway and billow, and would eventually cause a whisper or three to blow through the balcony. The sudden shift in temperature caught her off guard as the Dunesfolk woman let out a soft gasp, stumbling somewhat, but maintained her posture as the numerous jewels and decorations on her sampot clinked like wind chimes against her body.

“This breeze…” she whispered to herself. “Could it be the North Wind? Has he arrived in Radz-at-Han?” The sheer thought of meeting the elusive debonair was too enticing to resist, and Veeveena would quickly down the last of the lassi, enduring the brain freeze that would follow. As swiftly as she could, she doffed her garb to put on some evening attire before making her flight from the Main Branch Headquarters. Forgoing the usual method of taking the bridge out from the city, she utilized her fans to conjure wind-aspected aether to propel herself upward, gliding down gracefully toward the canopy.

Meanwhile, as Veeveena made her way to the rivulet, a lone figure was seen dancing about. It was shrouded entirely thanks to the shadows cast by the dense canopy beneath Menphina’s light. The figure’s movements were seamless, effortlessly transitioning into fouettes, sliding along the waters from one side to the other as they froze over, striping the rivulet with bands of ice. All throughout was the sound of steel ringing through the night air, and that same icy wind began picking up once more as the figure gathered aetherial energy for a brief moment before soaring from one end of the river to the other in a twirling flourish. Upon reaching the apex of the jump, it performed a flawless jete, the silvery moon cloaking the figure all the while as if the spectacle was taken straight out from a painting. The concealed terpsichorean was releasing the stored energy as it did its finish, resulting in an arch of slick ice to form over the rivulet. Sticking the landing with one final twirl into a plie, it detected movement within the trees. It did not bother to take the time to discern the incoming presence, and instead fled the scene with a blinding dash into the forest floor.

When Veeveena had finally emerged, the figure she believed to be the North Wind was nowhere to be found. All that she beheld was the stark scenery of a partly-frozen rivulet, the banks dotted with shards of frost, and an arch spanning its breadth. “This is beautiful… but the North Wind could not do this,” she thought, as she felt the scintillant snow particles kissing her face. While she was awestruck at the sight, Veeveena had to report this occurrence to her peers. Without wasting another moment, she contacted the Angels at the Main Branch, who would then arrive within the bell.

The “S” Trio (Sena, Sona, Suna) and the “L” Trio (Lena, Luma, Lina) were investigating the area as Veeveena brought them up to speed on what happened to the best of her ability. Sosona was easily able to deduce that the lingering aether was not the result of a primal’s thanks to her aetherometer obtained by the Scions of the Seventh Dawn (who, when asked about how she acquired them, stated that they didn’t seem to be using them anymore anyway); Lelena and Lilina, with their own unique abilities, further deduced that the culprit was not using the ambient aether or the influence of a construct; Luluma and Susuna had also come to the conclusion that the focus area was away from any wildlife or beastmen, so none were harmed from the result of this… phenomenon.

What really stood out, however, was Sesena’s observation after gazing upon the frozen arch for several minutes:

“Hey, Angels… do any of you feel… different?” she asked them. “Miss Veeveena?”

“Yes,” she replied. “I thought I was the only one who felt such… emotion from this scene, so I did not address it.”

“Miss Veeveena’s right… I don’t feel all that chipper,” Lilina commented, holding a hand to her heart. “It’s not… aether sickness, but when I gaze upon this scene, I’m seemingly overcome with… sorrow. But it’s a sort of… beautiful sorrow – like a dying maiden being held in her lover’s arms before the last flames of life fade from her eyes…”

The other Angels absorbed Lilina’s words, taking in the scenery, watching the snow particles dance in the air. The longer they remained, the more these senses seemed more profound. They may have been involved in many conflicts both small and large, but the Angels were no strangers to emotion – especially ones as palpable as what they were experiencing. They felt tranquility… yet sadness; bliss… yet loss. It was as if they were traversing a thin line between positive and negative emotion.

“I’ve heard tales of his prowess, Angels, but I don’t think even the North Wind is capable of something like this,” Sesena commented.

“Whomever it is,” Sosona began, “they’re damn good at expressing themselves.” The Angels remained for a while longer, until the icy spectacle would be whisked away by an errant gust of wind, freeing the rivulet from its frozen state in a cloud of diamond dust.

From atop the city in the Main Branch Headquarters, a Lalafell woman veiled in mythril blue and silver watched silently from her vantage point. Lady Mimizo, the Valide Sultan, was surprisingly awake during this bell, her face obscured by one of her fans. But for what reason was she spying on the Angels?

As Nyra flew to her side, Mimizo looked over her shoulder to find a slumbering Thiji, who seemed to be well into his sleep, a rare smile of content made visible on his face. His mother would grin in kind as she gave a kiss to the owl’s cheek.

“[I am indebted to you, Nyra. Thank you for keeping this secret for so long. But soon, the Angels will have to know. Until then, pray hold your tongue a while longer],” Mimizo whispered to Nyra in their native tongue. She would bow her head before taking wing, flying off into the night sky. Mimizo gazed upon the vestiges of the ice particles swirling into the heavens, enjoying the sight for a moment before quietly leaving her son’s bed chambers. She would return to accompany her husband before the Angels would make their way back to report this event to the other branches.

“May your dreams bring you the bliss you so rightfully deserve, my beloved son…”

#thiji higuri #ffxiv #higuri regalia #ffxiv a realm reborn #balmung #lalafell #endwalker #thavnair #hannish #radz at han #thavnairian #short story #dancer

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mythriteshah · 4 years

Text

A Higuri Regalia Special Announcement

“Salaam, children of man! I am Susuna Suna, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Higuri Regalia! I am also a proud Angel and daughter of Radz-at-Han, born and raised in the Near East! I’ve some big news for you all, but first, some backstory.”

“For those of you who’ve been living under a rock in the seabed of the Indigo Deep for the past five summers, the Higuri Regalia is one of the foremost companies originating in the Near East. We have made numerous appearances throughout the years since the advent of the Seventh Astral Era, and have offered a great multitude of wares far beyond what even I can count!”

“Because of everything we’ve done for the citizenry and adventuring public alike, we have an incre-he-he-hedibly large reserve stock from our big giveaway events, as well as whatever our field operatives and merchant fleets find during their travels! Believe me when I say that the monetary value from our items alone would make even the Syndicate’s wallets shriek in terror! As a result, Lord Thiji Higuri is one of Hydaelyn’s wealthiest philanthropists!”

“And wealthiest bachelor, but don’t tell him I said that!” *wink*

“But all this information may not seem all that great to you. That’s all right, too. I’m sure the burning question in your minds are: ‘What does all this mean for me?’ Well, if you hold your horsebirds for a bit, I’ll be happy to tell you!”

“Despite the usual solution of otherwise selling these products, we don’t feel like killing ourselves trying to fight everyone else on the market boards. Seriously, that crap’s for the cloudkin, and y’all know who y’all are!”

“Said items are extortionately expensive for the common folk to purchase, which is why I’ve cleared it with the Mythrite Sultan to commence our own initiative that I am calling: The Sultan’s Opulence Service, or SOS! Rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it? This was inspired when our Sultan was bored one day and made some items from our reserve stock. I asked to borrow them and gave them away to some lucky people who came across me in the Royal Promenade a few suns back! And that’s when it hit me: we could do this on a more frequent basis in between our bigger events! Unless of course you would all prefer to spend millions of gil to own the ever-so-well-sought out clothes of our people!”

“Didn’t think so! Most of you are too thrifty for such practices!”

“If we come across anything in excess – items, cuddly pets, furnishings that are damn well too large to fit in one’s inventory – I will be making appearances around Hydaelyn every sun, every sennight, or whenever we’re off-duty and just feel like showing ourselves! The items we have available will change from time to time, so if you don’t like what we’re offering, don’t fret, because there’ll be another chance in the future! Which also reminds me: they’re first come, first served, so if we’re out of stock for the day, you’ll have to try again another time. Or if you ask nicely enough, I can put in a request for the Mythrite Sultan to have it mailed your way! Lastly, you can only choose one item! We don’t take kindly to greedy folk! Trust me, we smack those types of people around on a regular basis.”

“Yours truly shall be around the Royal Promenade in Ul’dah. I won’t be the only one, though! Other Angels have agreed to pitch in to the SOS as well!”

“Isja, our beautiful model, shall be posted in Gridania, usually around Mih Khetto’s Amphitheatre and the Greatloam Growery!”

“Miss Himmeya, our badass Enforcer, will be in Rhalgr’s Reach (Yeah, that place still exists), watching her former colleagues train around Chakra Falls!”

“There’s no set time in which we’ll show our faces, so you’ll have to keep an eye on that thing you adventurers call the ‘Party Finder’ to partake of our services! Per protocol, tips and donations are always appreciated, but never mandatory!”

“We hope that you can take full advantage of the Sultan’s Opulence Service: because Servants Can Be Rich, too, And So Can You!”

“… Otherwise you’re waiting a whole ‘nother year until the next Largesse.”

#thiji higuri #Higuri Regalia #Public Service Announcement #FFXIV #FFXIV A Realm Reborn #ffxiv heavensward #balmung rp #FFXIV crystal #crystal rp #ff14 ffxiv #Lalafell #lalashell #lalafell master race

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mythriteshah · 4 years

Text

Powerful and Beauteous Secrets

Another summer; another Largesse. This would mark the third successful occasion that the Higuri Regalia has used its vast resources and connections to give back to the public. Despite the smiles and joy the sennight-long event brought, it was an exhausting effort for the Mythrite Sultan, as well as the Angels in his employ.

After singing the praises of the aspiring songstress, Tu’shasha Tusha, she was welcomed in as an honorary Angel of the Regalia. Furthermore, an alliance had formed with an individual most rare: an Ul’dahn philanthropist by the name of Lord Zezeriku of House Dede, and founder of Dederiku Tradeworks. Yet again did the Regalia prosper from these newfound friendships, and their name and fame would spread through the realm as a result. With the Largesse finally over, Lord Thiji Higuri retired to his private chambers in the Aldenard Branch Headquarters.

Later, into the dead of night, a hooded lady approached the estate grounds. She was adorned with a forest green cloak bearing the emblem of historic Gelmorra on its back, with a clasp showing the symbol of Nophica holding it together, and covering her body from the neck down was a beautiful dress of similar color, with Gridania’s flag proudly displayed on the wearer’s breast. Noticing the grounds weren’t manned, the individual walked along the path of the cobblestones leading to the front door, and would knock twice. Silence. After a short while, she knocked again. Another moment’s pause would pass before a snow owl bearing a crown of mythril on its head and the symbol of Nald’thal on its breast flew from one of the opened windows, perching itself upon the branches of one of the peach blossom trees which covered the grounds.

“Lady Nyra, thank the Twelve…” whispered the woman. The owl nodded before pointing a wing towards the window out from which she flew. A Lalafellin woman with platinum-grey hair popped her head out, fighting back a yawn.

“Sorry, ma’am,” she sleepily stated. “The Higuri Regalia is clo—“

Once her focus came back from rubbing her weary eyes, she immediately noticed the individual – a familiar face she had not seen in winters. Her malachite eyes then shot wide as she gasped her name. “Miss Celuwen?! What are you doing wearing that?! You know we haven’t released the next issue yet!”

The woman lowered her hood, revealing an attractive Wildwood Elezen with silvery eyes and golden-blonde hair.

“Pray forgive my intrusion, Archangel Sesena,” she stated, “but I’ve news most urgent to give to our lord.”

Without another word, Sesena nodded and hurried to the door and let Celuwen in. The Elezen wasted no time to share whatever news she had to give with Sesena, and when it was done, her eyes went wide with shock.

“You… You can’t be serious…!” Sesena gasped.

“I wish this were a jest, Archangel Sesena, but it is as real as ever,” the Elezen replied. Sensing commotion, two Ananta from below quietly approached the Head Secretary and Celuwen, armed with a rapier and a cane.

“Misss Ssesena,” spoke one of them, “what iss amisss?”

“Bimala. Ekanta. Celuwen has come all the way from the Main Branch with dire news,” Sesena replied. They would then proceed to relay her information to the Ananta twins, and their faces displayed the same shock and dismay that Sesena had shown to Celuwen.

“I sshall rousse the estate,” Ekanta said as she hurried over to the advisor’s office. The others, meanwhile, hurried downstairs to wake Sesena’s sisters before Bimala quietly knocked upon the partition to awaken the Mythrite Sultan.

“My lord Ssultan,” she spoke quietly. “Pray forgive disturbing your blisssful sslumber, but I bring word from the Main Branch.”

“I hear you, Bimala,” spoke Thiji from the other side. The Ananta battlemaid collected herself before she spoke. The words were difficult to bring out, but for the lord she served, she would not turn back. One brief exhale and she would speak…

“…The Valide Ssultan has been captured.”

Once she stated those words, she backed away from the partition. Trepidation took over as everyone fell in beside Bimala. They could feel the tension rising amidst the deathly silence. After what felt like a bell’s time of waiting, a loud thud resounded throughout the estate, which made everyone jump. The partition door would then slide open violently, revealing the Mythrite Sultan. His expression was calm, but they could sense the underlying fury. He glared at each of them before taking a step forward, and then another. His Angels, still frozen in fear, watched as he made his way to the center of the room, with no other sounds filling the air save for the soft humming of the diamond chandeliers above and the babbling waters of the nearby fountain.

“Where and when?” Thiji asked sternly.

“About a sennight ago, right as the Largesse began,” Celuwen answered immediately.

“A pirate gang from Uznair calling themselves the Bounty Brigands stole into Radz-at-Han in the darkness of night and kidnapped the Valide Sultan!” Sesena explained.

“The other branches have been informed, as well My Sultan,” Sosona followed. "They were last seen heading west, towards the Sea of Jade."

“Oh, no…” Susuna sighed. “The ransom they’ll be asking for alone will hurt us! Kidnapping an Angel is one thing, but the Valide Sultan?”

“They won’t,” Thiji replied. “Miss Shishira.”

“Yes, My Thiji – er, My Sultan?” Shishira acknowledged, correcting herself.

“Ready my weapons,” he commanded. Everyone exchanged looks with each other as three small rings were heard.

“Wh-Which ones…?” Advisor Shishira hesitantly asked. He simply turned his head to her and replied, “Yes.”

Without another word, Shishira, Sesena, and Bimala hurried to the space obscured by the large Valentione’s Day beds to unearth a hidden stash of weapons. The Advisor grabbed what appeared to be a stave of some sort; the Head Secretary retrieved an Awoken Deathbringer, Thiji’s greatsword from his stint as a Dark Knight. As for Bimala, she delicately cradled a beautifully grimoire of Near Eastern make in her hands. They would approach their lord, and one by one would he take the items from their hands; the grimoire he opened, inspecting its contents before stowing it on his left hip’ the Awoken Deathbringer was strapped behind his back’ the stave, he held in his right hand. A fizzling sound was heard, and the otherwise ordinary stave activated, as a bright orange globe of aetherial energy danced around the top of the stave, resembling an unblinking eye. This was the Kaladanda Lux, an anima weapon that Thiji had decided to have created during his time as an adventurer, when his Stardust Rod proved insufficient. Once armed, he spoke into the linkshell he had established…

“O dearest Angels, from flowers born, bear unto this realm your thorns.”

At that moment, all feelings of fright had abandoned them, and in its place was determination and the burning desire for justice, as well as a small hint of malicious intent, as if something within the Angels had been roused.

“Hm? What iss thiss?” Ekanta asked.

“It’s the hidden order of Thiji’s Angels,” Sesena explained. “It’s uttered only during a time when beauty need no longer be shown, and instead we must use power. And for all our bravado, we knew what it meant when Lord Thiji issued these orders and readied his favored weapons in anger…”

“It meant no one was safe,” Sosona finished. “In other words, this is a call to arms; an all hands on deck.”

Seconds later, voices would be heard from the linkpearl…

“Royal Reaper Umimi Umi has bloomed!”

“Yuanji of the Soaring Dagger has bloomed!”

“Lelena Glaciergrin has bloomed!”

“Lilina Wide-Eyes has bloomed!”

“Luluma the Duty-bound has bloomed!”

“Enforcer Twelvefist has bloomed!”

“Isja Coldgaze has bloomed!”

“Meriri of Fated Winds has bloomed!”

“Archangel Sesena Sena has bloomed!”

“Susuna Gilseeker has bloomed!”

“Sosona of the Cerise Barrel has bloomed!”

“Shishira Flameveil has bloomed!”

Every able-bodied Angel from across the Regalia’s branches answered the Mythrite Sultan’s call. Their hearts swelled, lifting their spirits for what was to come. There was another voice that would be heard after a brief pause…

“… Veeveena the Visceral has bloomed.”

The Angels in the Aldenard Branch gasped and cheered upon hearing Veeveena’s voice. Among all the Angels under the Regalia’s wings, combat-wise, the Main Branch Advisor was the deadliest, with the Head Secretaries coming to a close second. As Thiji prepared his robes, he issued his orders…

“Miss Yuanji, send Mamai’s Vigil over to us. We will await its arrival in Ul’dah for pickup.”

“Yes, My Sultan!” the Head Secretary replied from her end.

“Miss Umimi, send Jaanavar’s Vision to the Main Branch and rendezvous with Miss Veeveena; take Miss Isja and Miss Sonalice along with you - for I’ve a special task for them,” Thiji ordered. “While you’re making your flight, see if you can find any other Angels along the way.”

“Will do, My Sultan!” Umimi acknowledged. “I am sure Miss Playful Blossom would love to get in on the fun!”

“Once the team from the Othard Branch retrieves Miss Veeveena, we will converge on the last known location of the Valide Sultan’s whereabouts, which was a nautical malms away from the Sirensong Sea, according to Miss Celuwen. The team aboard Jaanavar’s Vision will commence diversionary measures until we arrive. Once we do, we’re hitting them with all we’ve got.”

“Yes, my Sultan!” the Angels acknowledged.

“If these imbecilic Brigands make it to the Canals of Uznair, liberating her will prove extremely complicated. All other Angels will remain in their respective branches and maintain them until we return. Operation: Mythril Waves has now begun.”

With the gauntlet thrown down, Thiji marched out of the Aldenard Branch Headquarters with his team in tow. Bimala and Ekanta saluted them as they left, with Celuwen bringing up the rear. Meanwhile, the airship and submersible were quickly deployed from the Othard Branch, going full speed ahead towards their destinations.

As for Veeveena, she stole into her lord’s private chambers and found a pair of fans. These were far from ordinary fans, however, as they were bladed, and had a mythril-blue finish. The cloth connecting each blade had the engraving of an owl’s wing that was displayed when the fan was unfolded. Nodding in approval, Veeveena calmly stowed them away and set out for the port, awaiting the Jaanavar’s Vision.

As the light of Menphina’s gaze upon Hydaelyn waned, the morning would soon come, and with it, Azeyma’s warmth. From the beauteous waters of the Jade Sea, a small fleet of five: four caravels flanked a large galleass in the center, and upon their sails were the insignia of a turbaned skull with a blade driven into it from the top. The decks of the ship was littered with Midlander and Miqo’te males, along with some Roegadyns strewn about. They all wore golden vests with white sarouels and turbans – no doubt Near Eastern attire.

These ruffians engaged in lots of drinking, fistfighting, exchanging shoes with one another (if they had any), and forcing their prisoners to walk the plank, and all the while they threw gold and gil in the air, showering themselves in riches. On the flagship, a mustached Dunesfolk male with ice blue eyes and a bandana was guarding the entrance to the brig. One of the shipmates – a scruffy-looking Midlander – approached him.

“Oi, Blue-Eye. The boss wants to see the Valide Sultan. Time to wake ‘er up, yeah?”

“Why? We won’t be making port for another turn of the sun!” he replied.

“Exactly,” said the Hyur. “S’why the cap’ n wants to make sure she’s well taken care of before we get that ransom!” He cackled and took a huge chomp of his mirror apple before walking away. The Lalafell shook his head and quietly opened the door to the brig. Closing the door behind him, he approached the cell. It was decently maintained, for a ship’s standards. On the other side of the iron bars was a gorgeous specimen of a Lalafell, with snow white tresses and eyes to match. She was garbed in an ice blue-and-silver gown and veil of Near Eastern make never before seen. She rose from her slumber and saw the male unlocking the cell door, arching a brow as he did.

“The captain wants to see you,” he told her as he opened the door. Though her folded hands were tied, she had no issues getting up, gracefully exiting her cell with the male. Once she made it above decks, the shipmates began hollering and giving catcalls to the lady. She could only groan in disgust as she made her way above to the captain’s quarters.

“Pipe down, ya bilge rats!” said the Highlander from before. “She belongs to the captain! Anyone who lays a finger on ‘er is gonna lose it, along with the rest o’ their arm!”

The turbaned Lalafell escorted the Valide Sultan into the lair of the captain, stopping just before she entered so that she doesn’t try to make any funny moves. Inside his quarters was a velvet chair, serving as the captain’s throne, with treasures from the Bounty strewn about the area. On the far corner of the quarters was a mannequin adorned in a unique sherwani with a butterfly imprinted on it, and a long turquoise cloth akin to a sash was wrapped around the waist area.

As for the captain, he was a Hellsguard Roegadyn with auburn skin and tapered brown hair covered by a gilded tricorne. When the door opened, he opened his eyes, revealing golden orbs that matched the uniform of his fellow pirates. Beside his chair rested a large axe made from Giantsgall, a material found exclusively within Thavnair. A sly grin crept along his face as the Valide Sultan slowly approached, calm and composed.

“Welcome back, darlin’!” greeted the Captain with open arms. “I missed seein’ your flawless face!”

The Lalafell male overhearing the conversation from outside rolled his eyes in annoyance.

“It has only been a few bells, Captain Gracious Coeurl,” the Valide Sultan replied in a soft tone. “And while I have been enjoying your men’s hospitality over the past sennight aboard the Gilded Blade, I have begun to grow homesick, and would kindly request that we return to Radz-at-Han.

Gracious Coeurl laughed so heartily that the entire ship could hear it; the Lalafell who escorted her even had to cover his ears.

“You know we can’t do that, sweetheart!” he said back. “We’re not lettin’ you out of our sight until we obtain that ransom! With it, the Bounty Brigands will become a major power and rival even Limsa Lominsa’s fleet!”

“Oh, my dear Captain,” she began, “Money is not always everything!”

“As if yer one to talk!” he snorted. “You and your brood have been sittin’ in the lap o’ luxury for so many summers – you’ve got some power in Radz-at-Han as a result of this! I’m sure that House Higuri and the Regalia wouldn’t mind partin’ with a gil or two – or a billion!”

He cackled again, rocking back and forth on his “throne” all the while. The Dunesfolk lass sighed, feeling pity for the Roegadyn as she looked back at the male, who only gave her a glare and a head shake. Some of his crewmates caught wind of the conversation and decided to listen in as well. “And who’s gonna save ya? The Mythrite Sultan? That boy hung up his fightin’ days for nigh on three summers now! He’d have better chance fightin’ us with a sewing needle than a sword!”

Gracious Coeurl’s men joined in on the laughter, but the two Lalafells were unamused. Their revelry would be cut shortly as the Miqo’te manning the crow’s nest cried, “Avast! Ships off the port bow!”

“Ahh, the rest of our fleet has finally decided to join us! Better late than never...” spoke Gracious Coeurl. He rose from his seat, grabbing his weapon before pointing at the Dunesfolk guarding the door. “Blue-Eye! Keep the Valide Sultan in yer sights!”

“Aye-aye!” acknowledged the Lalafell halfheartedly. He took the lady by the arm and followed the captain out to the deck, where they would see four more caravels and another galleass, bearing the same colors as the Gilded Blade. They hailed their fellow Brigands and drew closer, greeting them with cheers.

“Looks like they took care o’ the Blissful Bosom for ya, Captain!” spoke the Highlander, obviously Couerl’s First Mate. “And they even brought us a few beauties!”

He pointed out a pale-skinned Viera woman on the Blissful Bosom with pure white hair like the Valide Sultan’s, and blue highlights. She was striking numerous poses for them while a pink-haired female Midlander with crimson eyes was enchanting the crewmen with her movements. They were both dressed in a jade green cheongsam with a golden dragon coiling around the length of the dress.

A third woman was seen above, by the helmsman’s wheel - another Hellsguard Roegadyn like Gracious Coeurl. She sported black hair with a violet bang that dangled over her right eye, and she was wearing a lustrous dress with scintillating wings of gold that she flourished and flaunted, twirling around for the men above decks. A circlet of the purest sapphire gleamed in the light of Azeyma as she danced, and once she caught a glimpse of the captain, she winked.

“Gyahaha! Excellent work, boys!” yelled the Captain. “This has been our biggest haul yet! Now step to it - we make for Uznair, and that ransom’s as good as ours! But save that angelic lass for me!”

“Aye-aye!�� cheered the Brigands as they got to their stations. As they hoisted their colors and prepared to set sail, a large thud was heard beneath the waves. Everyone ceased their current actions as they looked around in confusion.

“A sea beast…?” murmured one of the pirates.

“Nay – skywatcher’s called for calm seas today,” spoke another Brigand. A moment of silence later, another thud was heard, much louder than the previous. Gracious Coeurl, now on high alert, grasped the haft of his axe and searched the waters beneath them, but what he found was two of the ships were beginning to sink!

“Wha…?! W-We’re takin’ on water?!” shrieked the helmsman. “A-Abandon ship! Get to another vessel!”

“Just fix the godsdamned holes, you fools!” Gracious Coeurl commanded.

While the main crew stayed to try and mitigate the sinking, some of the pirates were able to make it to the Blissful Bosom. Despite making it safely on board, the sailors enchanted by the Hyur pointed at them. A brief pause, and soon they began turning on their own men! They drew their blades and began to cut down the hapless survivors.

“How dare you scallywags mutiny before your captain so shamelessly?!” Gracious Coeurl roared as he brandished his axe. He ordered the Gilded Blade to move in close enough for him to leap over the deck after a running start. As he landed on the other galleass, the impact was sufficient to knock some of the charmed Brigands on their rear ends, and he would begin hacking away at the traitors.

Meanwhile, the two ships yet unscathed from the second group readied their cannons to fire. Amidst the confusion, the Valide Sultan and her “escort” retreated into the captain’s quarters, while the Viera and Hyur women climbed the mast to reach the crow’s nest. The Hyur snapped her fingers once they were about halfway, and the charmed shipmates would suddenly snap back to reality. When Gracious Coeurl gave the signal, the two ships would open fire upon the mutinous vessel to scuttle it.

“Now! Fire! Send these traitors to the Sirensong!” he ordered, which caused the once-charmed crewman to protest. Gracious Coeurl didn't seem to have any qualms towards sending his own men into the depths. The ships, however, did not respond, and remained still. “I said fire, ya scoundrels!” Again, the order was not obeyed. All that was heard was sounds of battle from below the decks of both vessels, with bodies being flung through the floorboards. “What in Thal’s bulbous balls is goin’ on?!”

"It's those wenches, sir!" cried the Bosom's helmsman. "They're sirens, sent from the south to beguile us!" Before they had time to react, however, the Roegadyn fanned her wings out proudly, using the light of the sun to shine with such brightness that it may as well have seared the eyes of her captive audience. She then proceeded to deliver a flurry of whirling kicks that sent them either plummeting into the drink or skidding across the floorboards.

"Never touch the dancers," she curtly stated with a wag of her finger. Gracious Coeurl growled and stepped toward the woman, but before he could even take two paces, a voice was heard from below...

“Avast, Bounty Brigands!” This gave the pirates quite a scare. “This is your only warning: return the Valide Sultan to Radz-at-Han at once! Failure to comply will result in dire consequences!”

“You and what army?! I still got plenty o’ men left for ya!” the captain taunted back.

“Good answer – me and this army was hoping you’d say something like that! Thank you for your time!” responded the voice. Once more did the waves turn still, and everyone was looking around in confusion. A voice broke through the silence…

“Airship abaft!”

Everyone turned around and saw – you guessed it – an airship with ice blue sails moving at full speed towards the pirate fleet. Aboard it was the Mythrite Sultan, with Sesena, Sosona, Susuna, Meriri, and Shishira in tow, glaring daggers at the captain as he came into view. Gracious Coeurl made it back to his ship and readied himself as the aircraft drew closer.

“Come on, then! I’m ready for ya!” he roared. Just then, from below, a shark-class submersible emerged from the depths, and out from the hatch came Yuanji, Lelena, Lilina, and Luluma, shouting cries of battle as they began to board the vessels. All the Angels (save for the Roegadyn, Viera, and Hyur, of course) were no longer in their usual attire of which they are known to wear. Instead, they wore silvery boleros and brassieres lined with blue trim, with veiled turbans and sarouel to match. The pirates drew their blades and charged, but before they would meet them head on, the decks were bombarded by magicked arrows, ice shards and fireballs!

From above, Lord Thiji, Meriri, Sosona, and Shishira provided ranged support, while Sesena and Susuna jumped from the airship to join their fellow Angels in battle.

“Hang on to your gil pouch, sis! We’re goin’ in!” warned Sesena, hot dropping onto the Gilded Blade using her mythrite scutum.

“I always hold onto my…” was all Susuna could say back before they touched down with such force that they broke through the deck of the Gilded Blade, the resulting debris knocking out some of the Bounty Brigands.

“These lasses are downright mad!” murmured Coeurl, watching these wild women invading his beloved fleet. Meriri, on the other hand, waited until she was close enough to jump onto the Blissful Bosom’s crow’s nest to join the Viera and the Hyur, who had armed themselves with bows and arrows they wrested from their former captives, shooting at the pirates’ hands and arms to make them fall from the mizzenmast…

“Oi, Isja! Yer supposed ta fire a warnin’ shot, first!” Meriri scolded.

“That was my warning shot,” she coolly replied. “If it wasn’t, their skulls would be driven into the mast.”

“Ooh~! I knew you had a little fire behind that icy stare of yours!” teased the Hyur, who was undoubtedly Sonalice Aida.

“Remind me not ta get on a Viera’s bad side…” Meriri said aloud. Aboard the leftmost vessel which formed up with the Blissful Bosom, Yuanji was acrobatically avoiding danger long enough for Lelena to blast them from behind with frost spells. The Hingan Head Secretary then readied a fan of aetherially-charged daggers and glared some of her own at the pirate-ciciles...

“I’d offer mercy, but I must fulfill my duty...” she uttered in her native tongue before launching her knives with such force and velocity that it pierced through the frozen Brigands’ bodies, and shattered them. The aetherial daggers fizzled as they flew off into the distance.

On the caravel opposite of her was Luluma, balancing herself on the bowsprit on one leg as the Brigands struggled to stay on with both feet. Her skill with the polearm showed as she was easily smacking foes overboard with her mythrite pugil stick.

“And they call themselves pirates...” Luluma scoffed as she turned around, taking a moment to enjoy the sea breeze. A Miqo’te pirate (who was conveniently last in line) crept up the bowsprit to get the jump on Luluma, but just as he would be within ilms to strike, a small black orb of unaspected energy whistled through the air and struck the Miqo’te in the head, exploding on impact and blasting him over Luluma’s head and off the ship.

“Sister! Over here! I’m open!” cried a voice from the bow of the ship. Concentrating ice-aspected aether into her Stardust Rod, Lelena released a ray of frost towards a line of pirates, who managed to duck out of the way to reveal Lilina, who had her grimoire opened and out in front of her. A small “ring” emanated from it as the ice ray collided with and was being absorbed into the book. As Lelena’s magic had ended, Lilina’s grimoire began to glow white, seemingly unable to contain all the aether it had taken from her sister’s spell.

“Look out, it’s gonna blow!” cried a Brigand. Yuanji and Lelena had managed to find cover behind some barrels in time before the aether within the grimoire detonated, coating the deck with ice and snow, freezing the pirates solid. The resulting feedback propelled Lilina into the air several yalms before landing in a nearby pile of snow, softening her fall.

From below the two remaining vessels which flanked the Blissful Bosom came Himmeya and Rhaegos, who were both cracking their knuckles after their cleanup session. The Fist of Rhalgr disciple would then get a call on her linkpearl…

“Hey, Himmeya. Bet I can catch more bodies than you!” challenged Rhaegos, who was on the ship opposite from her.

“You’re on! Let’s see what your stint in the Azim Steppe did for you!” she spoke back.

“Hah! I’ll go easy on you – I won’t even use my hands!” he replied before the link would be cut. Cue the Royal Vizier proceeding to systematically blow the men down with his feet and head, dodging their attacks as he did. Himmeya scoffed, banged her Fists of the Fiend together, and started to go to work.

“Quickly! Get to the Valide Sultan!” commanded Gracious Coeurl as he crossed blades with Sesena. The Brigands not already fighting Susuna rushed to the upper decks to apprehend the Lalafellin lady, but before they could get within fulms of her were they met with an effulgent blast of greenish-blue aether which launched them into a considerable height - Coeurl's First Mate being among them taking the brunt of the attack.

Looking back up, they saw Thiji by the helmsman’s wheel, levitating on a lotus flower with his hands together in some sort of mudra, and his eyes were closed. Behind him was a brown-haired woman brimming with aether, wearing a blue-and-gold lehenga with a pink dupatta floating behind her. Two golden lotuses held the dupatta aloft, and levitating from her back was a golden “halo” that gave off a radiance like none other.

The Valide Sultan then pointed towards the sky, seeing two objects glinting in the light. She would pull on the ropes which bound her hands as best she could as to allow space for the objects – which were bladed fans – to slice through and set her free. A small gust blew from the hatch of the submersible, meanwhile, as Umimi and Veeveena jumped onto the vessels which flanked the Gilded Blade, wasting no time to kick some pirate butt, blasts of water and wind emanating from their attacks, respectively.

“I despise having to throw away my proper lady tendencies,” Umimi commented as she was rending her enemies asunder, “but no one screws with my in-laws!”

“That makes two of us, Lady Umimi!” Veeveena said back, juggling a few Brigands in small tornadoes. “It’s one thing to upset the Royal Reaper...”

“... But another to anger you!” Umimi finished. She hoisted her scythe over her shoulder as she planted a foot on the back of an unconscious pirate. Veeveena fell in beside her, fans brandished and brimming with wind energy. “But look who all decided to tempt Nymeia and gain the unfortunate luck...”

“TO RUN INTO THE BOTH OF US!!” they shrieked in unison before charging back into the fray.

“They’re just Lalafells! Don’t be so intimidated by those… pipsqueaks!” shouted Gracious Coeurl. Lady Nyra swooped in from above and struck at his tricorne, knocking it from his head. Sesena, taking advantage of this, broke through the deadlock and delivered a shield jab to his gut, sending him backwards a few fulms.

“Hey, Sosona!” said Sesena, speaking into the linkpearl. “Show the captain here why he should be intimidated by us 'pipsqueaks' when we’re pissed off!”

“Copy that, sister,” Sosona acknowledged from on board Mamai’s Vigil. She chucked what appeared to be a miniature autoturret in the shape of an orb to the left and rightmost caravels. Upon landing, she pushed a button on her aetherotransformer, causing them to unfurl and gave off a high-pitched tone, signaling its activation. As the Brigands were attempting to disable them, Shishira then sent a good jolt of thunder-aspected aether into Sosona’s aetherotransformer before she loaded her mythrite-barreled arquebus with supercharged ammunition, discharging the energy in the likeness of a laser into the core of each turret, causing a reaction to occur that made them glow a bright violet and spin wildly in place. Sparks began to flicker and dance wildly around the autoturrets, which made the pirates back away.

“Making these assholes shit themselves in three… two… one…”

On “one”, she pushed another button on her atherotransformer, with the only thing following being the dazzling spectacle of the caravels engulfed in globes of lightning, paralyzing everyone on board while turning the surrounding area into a miniature light show. Upon seeing that, some of the Brigands still locked in battle had seen enough. They knew they were outmatched, and they knew they chose the wrong noble house to endanger, thus they dropped everything and sat around the deck, surrendering to the Angels.

“Thank you, dearest Veeveena! And thank you for that light show, Miss Sosona!” spoke the Valide Sultan as she picked up the bladed fans. Beside her was that same Lalafell who was keeping guard, only this time he was wearing the sherwani that was on display in the captain’s cabin, proudly brandishing a jeweled mythril scimitar. Two Brigands attempted to seize them, but the Lalafell male easily disarmed his opponent, while the Valide Sultan danced elegantly around hers, cutting him in the knees, then the chest, and as he hunched over in pain, finished with a firm somersault kick to the chin, blowing the man down.

“What the – the Valide Sultan can fight?!” Gracious Coeurl gasped in astonishment, shaking off the blow as he stood upright again.

“From where do you think my beloved son gets his combat prowess?” she replied. The Hellsguard was confused.

“Wait… which son?” he asked. His response would be the Mythrite Sultan’s eyes opening up in a violent manner, glowing a bright blue as an aura of vacillating energy enveloped him and his familiar. The Valide Sultan shook her head in disappointment.

“How dare…” she chided before turning to Thiji. “Beloved son? If you would, please.” Thiji stretched his arms out as mandala-like sigils danced around his hands, preparing to cast a deadly spell.

“H-Hold on! I concede! The Valide Sultan is yours!” he pleaded, dropping his axe and then to his knees. Hearing his cries for mercy, the Mythrite Sultan relaxed his form, calming the aura around him. At this point, the battle was won, and all the other ships had either been occupied or surrendered over to the Angels. They all stopped and looked over toward the Gilded Blade, anxious to see how this would end. But before the silence became too awkward, Thiji’s next word was, in Thavnairian dialect:

“la.”

And, in an instant yet almost comical fashion, he reopened his eyes, reactivated the vacillating aura, finished the spell, and inundated Gracious Coeurl in a pillar of Blissful Aether, blasting him utterly within an ilm of his life. This expended the power of his trance, and the aura would dissipate, along with the familiar, as Thiji stood back on his feet.

"There is power in beauty!" cried Sesena with her blade raised to the sky.

"And the Angels have both in spades!" responded the Angels, uttering their post-fight catchphrase.

With the Bounty Brigands now routed, the operation was a success. The Angels rounded up the surviving pirates and threw them in the brig, while others pleaded for clemency – some even looking to reform and serve the Regalia. They would then convene on the galleass to tie up the Brigands' leader against the mizzenmast of the Gilded Blade.

"Lord Fafastima! Lady Mimizo! Are you two well?" asked Shishira.

"We are! And we are glad you all came when you did," said the Valide Sultan. "Fafastima and I would have been hard-pressed to deal with these ruffians ourselves were it not for your timely arrival!"

"I was getting tired of that man flirting with my lady!" Fafastima followed. "Took every onze of my being to not blow our cover!"

"Wait, so you mean you planned for this to happen?" spoke Yuanji.

"That is correct," Mimizo responded, "and we sincerely apologize for putting you all through so much trouble following your big event!"

"'Tis never any trouble, Valide Sultan," Veeveena stated. "We were formed to serve the Regalia and deal to with anyone who dares to threaten it! "

"He is fortunate I did not have to draw Deathbringer, or his head would be rolling across the deck right now..." Thiji uttered as he approached Gracious Coeurl, who had barely come to. Once he realized how hopeless things seemed for him, he lowered his head dejectedly.

"Bugger it... we would've been a naval power to rival Limsa Lominsa..." he groaned.

"You will not have that honor nor that luxury any longer," Lord Fafastima declared. "As of right now, your Bounty Brigands are under new management!"

The Angels turned toward Thiji's father and mother. "Consider them disbanded!" he continued, "because the Regalia's got its own merchant fleet now, thanks to your generous donation!"

"Merchant fleet?!" the Angels gasped.

"We - well, mostly husband dearest - had begun to grow complacent in our retirement after Thiji took the reins, and Fafastima - ambitious as ever - decided to continue his adventuring!" Mimizo explained. Fafastima wrapped an arm around his son's shoulder, laughing as he did.

"With our boy here making the Regalia as prosperous as it can be from his efforts, there was little room for it to grow!" Fafastima said, piggybacking on his wife's words. "And it’d be poor form for us to let him do all the work while we still had energy and verve to spare! Thus did we take it upon ourselves to start our own merchant fleet! A shame that two of them had to be scuttled, but we can make do with eight! Now we can help in our own special way: by securing trade routes from The Corvos Narrow to the Sea of Jade!"

"But I do not understand..." uttered Isja. "How is it that you two have adapted to a life at sea with great aptitude in so little a time?" The others saw truth in the Viera's words. They were perplexed over how well Thiji's parents had applied themselves in the short week they had been out at sea. The only ones who weren't truly disturbed by this conundrum were Sesena and her sisters; Lelena and her sisters; Veeveena, and Umimi, who fell in behind Lord Fafastima and Lady Mimizo.

"Ye haven't figured it out yet, lass...?" Gracious Coeurl mocked. "The brine's already gotten to yer pretty head, I see!" He laughed through his pained state for a few seconds until he would receive a hard jab across his face by Isja, promptly shutting him up.

"Miss Isja. Everyone. I pray that you forgive me for what will be stated next, for there are secrets hidden even within the Regalia that I have not disclosed until now," Thiji pointed out.

"Pray enlighten your devoted Angel, My Sultan," Isja pleaded with a bow.

"Gladly. But you must not disclose this information to anyone outside of our circle - including our allies," he forewarned. She and the others gave a nod, and Thiji would begin making his way to his parents, turning back to face everyone.

"Despite our refined and graceful disposition, Radz-at-Han, the city-state of Thavnair and its capital, is a pirate haven. Furthermore, unlike Limsa Lominsa, which is a thalassocracy, Radz-at-Han is an aristocracy, and its governing bodies consist of the houses of noble families that live there. The Higuri line is - as you may have guessed - among them, and our power and influence has grown considerably over the past few winters."

"Thanks in no small part to you, son!" Fafastima reassured him. "We got pirate blood in us, and perhaps ere long, we'll be pirate lords of The Bounty!"

"Then, if that's the case, ma’am, and forgive my boldness," stated Himmeya, "but what did that man mean by 'which son'? Was there any meaning behind that, or was he just being dim?"

"You all truly didn't think my son and Horu were the only heirs to the Higuri family, did you?" giggled Mimizo. "Rest assured that our dynasty will endure through the coming ages, for there are several other offspring who walk among us! Fafastima the Second; Mimizo the Second; Thalaji; Jajama… "

This revelation left everyone stunned. Fafastima, however, was guffawing from it all - so much so that he fell on his back, his turban falling on the floor as well. The implications of this moment were made clear, though they were no less amazed at how well the Valide Sultan was able to maintain such youthful vigor.

"That's well an' good, but if that's the case, milord, why were you so glum all this time bein' the bachelor that ye are?" Meriri questioned. After a pause, he turned towards the Consultant of Metals (which was Meriri's title in the Regalia) and gave his answer:

"’Tis always a good feeling knowing you've a faithful significant other by your side."

His Angels could only laugh in response, joining in with Fafastima and Mimizo. After a few long moments have passed, the Angels had gathered the surviving pirates, who had fallen under the banner of the Regalia. Fafastima would address them, stating that the Bounty Brigands were no more, but should they choose, they would be granted amnesty for their acts by serving under him and the Regalia, forming his merchant fleet under their new name - the Mythril Wavetraders, taking after the rescue operation that his son had coined.

With everyone agreeing on the new name, and the Bounty Brigands' former captain being coerced into Fafastima's First Mate (since his previous one was sent to a blissful demise), the Angels would begin to go their separate ways, with the Main Branch and Othard teams taking to the depths in Jaanavar's Vision. The airship, Mamai's Vigil, would remain on standby for the Mythrite Sultan, who was saying his farewells to his parents...

"Try not to cause too much trouble, Father," he warned. "I would not want to have to draw steel on the next band of imbeciles who deem it a genius idea to kidnap Hannish nobility."

"We live for the excitement of the seas, Thiji!" Mimizo replied. "But worry not: we will keep a profile low for your sake!"

"No promises to anyone who tries to attack us, though! I've a mind to capture them and add 'em to our fleet!" chuckled Fafastima.

"We've always been proud of you, beloved son. Please do not stress yourself out, for you've an empire to run! In due time, I know that your own Haseki Sultan will come to you someday!" his mother said as he held her son tenderly. "Which reminds me: you should get back home; you've a fashion catalogue to finish!"

With that, he smiled and nodded before turning towards and boarding Mamai's Vigil. He gave a final wave to his parents before they took to the skies. Once they had disappeared into the heavens, Fafastima and Mimizo turned to their new crew - or employees, even - and pointed their weapons at them, causing them to jump in fear.

"All right, boys!" the father of Thiji spoke. "You've seen what the Regalia's best and brightest can do - so unless you want another helping, I suggest you keep your loyalties to us, and we'll have no problems! Or else my wife here will have to discipline you at her discretion! We clear?!"

"Aye-aye!" acknowledged the "merchant-pirates" before scrambling to perform their duties, repairing the damages and getting the ships ready to set sail. The Mythril Wavetraders that became the Regalia's extension through the waters of Hydaelyn would serve as a great boon for the summers to come. And with the Higuri Dynasty’s future far safer than everyone (within their sphere, anyway) had initially imagined, the Regalia maintained its golden age of power, beauty, and profit.

(Many thanks to https://www.instagram.com/sapphrix/ @shadottie and @tsubi-uru for the pictures!)

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