Dates of the Realm
Chapter 1: The Building of a Relationship
Characters: U'rahn Nuhn, @driftward's Nyx Blackmoon, Tatarumaru, Sezul
Rating: T for Nuhn
Notes: Thank you to Driftward as always for line edits, dialogue pitches, and letting me borrow Nyx.
U'rahn huffed, fussing with his beret as he looked over the Fallground Float to catch his reflection. It seemed no matter which way he shifted it, a stray hair would escape.
"...stupid hat," he grumbled as he straightened his back, getting a soured glance from a passing Viera.
Plopping down on a bench, he leaned back and looked up to open sky, one of the few places in Gridania that opened up in such a way. A strong wind blew overhead, carrying leaves from the Shroud upon it, gold and green dancing about.
"Looks like it'll be a rough flight…but," he started before closing his eyes, "I'm sure I can take the fiercest of gales with Nyx by my side."
U'rahn's cheeks pinkend as the words left his lips, happy that no one was around to hear him say such a sappy thing, or so he thought. His ears perked in his hat as he heard a booming laugh. Sitting up, he looked around for the source, only spotting a patrolling wood wailer. A glint of light catching his eye, he quickly turned, seeing a spriggan staring up at him from behind a potted plant. His eyes narrowed, "...are you?"
"Rahn, I have arrived."
U'rahn jumped as Nyx's voice sounded from behind. Turning, tail high, he nodded then took a step back.
"So you have," he wheezed, "You'd think I'd be used to you popping in."
"Yes, I have established that pattern."
U'rahn chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "I guess you have…Anyroad, what do you think? I'm pretty sharp-looking today aren't I?"
Nyx looked on, head subtly giving a single nod, as if scanning him.
"You have less exposed skin than normal. Is this another formal event?"
"No no! I just threw on my alchemy gear cause it's nice for flying in. We're gonna meet up with some of my friends and take an airship ride, with me as pilot."
"Understood."
U'rahn smiled then took Nyx's hand and started on the path to Proud Creek, careful not to slip on the dirt and leaf paths, never quite getting the footing he needed to hike the more fertile landscapes of the North. After a bit they passed into the Ehactl Nine, the Nuhn and Nyx receiving friendly waves from the locals as they tinkered away. In a ravine, the Dezul Qualan sat docked, an Ixal and Lalafell hard at work fixing a gear to it.
"Yo! It's your alchemist Herrro! Is he ready to fly?"
Sezul Totoloc visored over his goggles as he looked up at the two. "Squaaaawk! It's the Featherless Herrro and the Blackmoon," he called out, imitating U'rahn's purr.
"Oh! U'rahn! And Miss Blackmoon?" Tataramu called out in surprise.
Letting go of Nyx's hand, U'rahn dropped down to the dock with a little jump. "I said I was bringing a guest, didn't I? Though, I guess her reputation precedes her."
"Yes, though, of all the people in Eorzea, I did not think…" Tataramu started, watching Nyx jump down beside him.
"I have assisted many beings across Etheirys when they have asked."
Tataru and Sezul gave a nod of affirmation, the former looking to U'rahn, "How exactly do you know each other though?"
U'rahn's face reddend, "Well, yeah. Nyx is my…um…" he started side-eyeing the other Miqo'te while Sezul and Tataramu looked at him expectantly.
"Rahn has not yet formalized the nature of our relationship with a title."
U'rahn was taken aback at the statement, "Ah. Well…we went on that date and smooched," he started, poking his fingers together.
"Squawk! How rude! Did you not even bother building The Blackmoon a nest?"
"You shouldn't let a lady assume your intentions. That's rather rude, U'rahn."
U'rahn panicked, looking between the three as his friends ganged up on him. Straightening up, he cleared his throat, ears folding back. "I see. Then, Nyx, I would like to formally ask you to be my…my…girlfrrriend."
"Accepted."
U'rahn let out an exhale while Tataramu snickered and Sezul crossed his arms while shaking his head.
"Squawk…not even a courtship ribbon offered. Featherless folk are a mystery."
U'rahn blinked then looked to Nyx, the woman seeming unbothered as usual. "Ah, well…hmmm. Anyroad, is Dezul Qualan ready? Need me to synthesize some more fluids for the bladders?" he asked, eager to show off his alchemic progress.
"That actually would be quite helpful. And I'd very much like Miss Blackmoon's goldsmithing skills to repair some stripped bolts on the wing joints."
"Acknowledged," Nyx answered, following the Lalafell onto the craft, leaving U'rahn to grab some supplies from the vendor above before returning to utilize Sezul's workbench, carefully mixing together a concoction while the owner stooped over him from behind.
"Don't you start squawking at me, I know what I'm doing," U'rahn huffed, not bothering to turn as Sezul clicked his beak in annoyance.
After a moment, the tools hissed and steamed, signaling the concoction had been brewed successfully. Grabbing an empty bladder, U'rahn filled it, then beamed over at Nyx and Tataramu, holding it over his head with triumph.
"Rrready," he called out, pleased that nothing had gone wrong.
"Yes! As always Miss Blackmoon's skills outshine our own when it comes to the finer workings of the craft," Tataramu praised.
"The Blackmoon is indeed the most skilled of the Featherless. Squaaaawk!"
Together, U'rahn and Sezul boarded, the latter signaling to the other Ixal to make ready for their departure. After settling the bladder in its spot, the Nuhn hopped to the wheel and pulled the shaft to let the ship float skyward.
"Kinda cool how we both helped build the ship. I knew others pitched in but I suppose I didn't think to ask who," U'rahn laughed, tail curling around Nyx's waist as they lifted off, "Bet you didn't know I was not only a great pilot, but a master alchemist as well!"
"I believe there is, by your written admission, evidence you've piloted Le Pomme d'Air and damaged it. As for your alchemic abilities, I was aware of such, as your room holds many instruments and materials of the trade. Your skill level has yet to be determined; however, as we've not fallen out of the sky, I believe them to be adequate."
"What's that about damaging a ship," Tataramu called back.
"Nuthin, don't worry about it!!!"
Chuckling, U'rahn pulled above the shroud and let the wind carry them for a moment. "I guess I over exaggerate a bit don't I?"
"Habitually."
"Heh. I just want to seem impressive is all…but, yeah…ever since I was little I've liked mixing things together. The folks at the Company of Heroes were always good about it and indulged me by pretending to use my potions…though Curious Gorge actually did one time and it knocked him out so bad I thought I'd be in trouble for weeks. Everyone thought it was funny though, and after that everyone pitched in to help me learn the basics. It's the only thing I'm smart at."
"That's not true."
U'rahn blinked, looking to Nyx as she looked back at him.
"You've shown intelligence in combat and most social situations. If I'm not mistaken you are fond of the culinary arts, fishing, and hunting as well. Disciplines that require a degree of both patience to learn and continued knowledge to perform."
"Are you saying…that I'm smart?"
"In some ways, yes."
U'rahn perked up a bit, ears fluttering joyfully as he hugged Nyx with his tail. "Rrreally? I've never heard anyone say that before."
“Not surprising,” Tataramu muttered, loudly.
U’rahn grimaced then returned to focusing on the skies ahead, soaring over Gridania and down to the southern part shroud. The winds picking up, he frowned then motioned for the Lalafell to come back over to take the wheel.
“Winds are getting rough, could you take over?” he asked.
“All good.”
Moving aside, U’rahn beckoned Nyx over, holding onto a rope as Tataramu guided them through the turbulence. “Sorry, I’m not the best at steering against the wind.”
“It is good to know your limits.”
U’rahn nodded, smiling at Nyx as they bumped along in the air. After a moment, the craft stabilized and coasted along, turning back toward the North Shroud. Shifting, he turned and fished into his pocket, pulling out some bright red lace ribbon. “Sezul mentioned some ribbon as a symbol of our courtship...so I got some for you when I went to get chemicals for the bladder, and while the solution blended, I dyed them. They’ll match the jacket I gave you.”
Nyx nodded then took the ribbons, tilting her head side to side as she tied them into her twin ponytails, earning a softer smile from her beau, taking it as a sign of appreciation. “Kind of nice having an outing where I don’t get maimed or my eye put out, yeah?”
“I have noted you seem rather indestructible. I am sure sustaining additional damage would not take away from our outing together, as it has not before.”
“Yeah? Enjoying yourself then?”
“I am, Rahn.”
"Good. I'm glad."
Sighing with relief, U'rahn put his arm around Nyx's waist, eyes shifting to the horizon as they glided along with Tataramu at the helm; blissfully unaware of the spriggan stowaway watching from the back in approval of the couple. And so they floated on, their first outing without a mishap, not even a splinter of wood dislodging from the vessel. Among the leaves gracefully dancing to the shroud below, the only thing to fall that be day was U'rahn, deeper into his affection for Nyx.
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Seoc Totoloc
THE BASICS ––
Age: 32
Nameday: 26th Sun of the 6th Umbral Moon
Race: Half-Keeper of the Moon Miqo'te, half-Highlander Hyur
Gender: Male (trans)
Pronouns: He/him
Sexuality: Gay
Marital Status: Married
PHYSICAL APPEARANCE ––
Skin: Pale
Hair: Blue
Eyes: Naturally blue; when his right eye was injured in the Calamity only the right turned red; when corrupted by Light on the First, that eye turned gold
Height: 5 fulms and 5 ilms
Build: Broad-shouldered with strong arms
Distinguishing Marks: Black fingernails; injured right eye which he usually covers with an eyepatch
PERSONAL ––
Profession: Engineer; Warrior of Light/Darkness
Hobbies: Carpentry; reading; singing; writing
Residence: Empyreum
Patron Deity: Byregot
RELATIONSHIPS ––
Spouse/Significant Other: Geist Sturmlanze (husband)
Children: Damus Vergrove (son); Sateli Totoloc (daughter); Zazel Totoloc (son)
Parents: Sezul Totoloc (father)
Other Relatives: Zinnia Totoloc-Corvus (granddaughter who traveled from the future)
Pets: Nicias (Seoc's chocobo); Fuzzywhiskers (Geist's fat cat traveling companion)
CONTACT INFORMATION ––
Server: Halicarnassus (Dynamis)
IGN: Seoc Totoloc
Timezone: EDT (GMT-4)
Seeking: Folks to do PvE/PvP content with, as well as people who want to chat about OCs without necessarily seeking RP. I am also considering testing the RP waters again, so if you are willing to be patient with a rusty RPer, let me know! I would prefer RPing on Discord rather than in-game, but meeting people in-game is fun too!
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I have completed all of the ARR Beast Tribe quests at least once! So here I will list them from worst to best.
One note first though, I kind of expected the quests to be, y’know, about the beast tribes. But most of the time they’re actually about some dull playable race NPC. Which is disappointing.
5. Amalj’aa - BOOOOOOORING. The Amalj’aa are a bog standard “noble warriors” race, Loon Gah exists and the storyline is a dull paint-by-numbers revenge plot. It’s just boring. The music in Zahar’ak kicks ass though.
4. Sylphs - It was a real toss-up between Sylphs and Kobolds, but the Sylphs were handicapped by having easily the most annoying player race NPC. Other than that there story is dull but fine, and the Sylphs themselves are a fun little race and you get to see the ones from the MSQ again which is neat.
3. Kobolds - This one is easily the most comedy geared and it works for the most part. The Kobolds make me think of the Stupid Rat Creatures from Bone so I find them endearing. My biggest problem with this one is the quests by and large just feel really mean spirited and it takes away some of my enjoyment. At least it has the least invasive player race NPC! And the Kobold battle theme is SO GOOD.
2. Ixal - I like this one actually! Tatamaru (?) is easily the most engaging player race NPC and I adore Sezul Totoloc. Also, airship lore! A goal I care about! Watching the Dezul Qualan take flight was actually kind of nice. Also it gives oodles of crafting exp, which is great, and a nice soothing camp theme.
Sahagin - By a long shot. First, no player race NPC to annoy me!!! Second it’s just a genuinely good story. A little ditty about the cycle of revenge and what people would do for their families. And I really like “I fucking hate you but peace will kill fewer of my children” as an explanation for a former enemy than the stupid “Oh well I’m not as relevant so I guess we can be friends now teehee!” we often get in these types of games, it feels more real. Anyway Clutchfather Novv is my dad now.
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