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wilanserulia · 11 months

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You know what, tumblr seems the perfect place to voice ramblings about my OCs, so maybe let's start with my FFXIV Warrior of Light, Wilan, whose story is actually deeply entwined with my other FFXIV OC Delen.

I'll try to be brief, even if this is just a basic outline, especially so from Stormblood onward. I'll throw in some photos to keep things interesting though.

Wilan Serulia hails from a small archipelago of islands off the coasts of Vylbrand, in the Rhotano Sea. Son of a fisherman, Wilan has never been quite fond of the family trade. When out at sea he only had eyes for the land he could see in the distance, desiring nothing more than to see what lies beyond the horizon.

When he came of age, against his parents' better judgement, he got rid of pretty much everything he owned to buy an old sword and a one-way journey toward Limsa Lominsa, where he would start to earn a living joining the ranks of people who tried to help their community while so much manpower had been diverted to oppose the Garlean invasion. In other words, he became an adventurer.

A few years laters, now with a good deal of experience under his belt, he eventually crossed paths with the Path of the Twelve. Minfilia Warde's organization looked to recruit people who had awakened to the Echo, and Wilan himself had received Hydaelyn's calling some time after beginning his new life. Through her he came in contact with the Circle of Knowing, led by Louisoix Leveilleur, who became a mentor for him, channeling his raw motivation and good intentions and giving him purpose.

Events set in motion by yet unknown forces would eventually lead to the Seventh Calamity, and despite his and the Circle's best efforts to stop Garlean legatus Nael van Darnus in his tracks, Wilan is unable to arrest Dalamud's descent.

At the culmination of the battle of Cartenau Flats, as Dalamud hatched to reveal the elder primal Bahamut, as even their last measure failed to contain the Calamity, Louisoix invoked Althyk's power to keep Wilan save in an aetherial slumber from which he would be restored no less than five years later.

Reawakening to a world scarred but in the process of healing, Wilan would soon get in contacts with his associates from the Circle of Knowing and the Path of the Twelve, now reunited under the new name of Scions of the Seventh Dawn. Together with them, he would successfully thwart the XIV Legion's attempt at conquering Eorzea and be acclaimed as a Hero.

In the following times, he would meet a refugee from one of the Garlean provinces by the name of Delen Aldanea. Having lost almost everything in her escape from Terncliff, including her own mother, Wilan decides to take the auri girl in to give her a place to stay and, at least on paper, a job, to aid her with immigration paperwork.

Not long after Wilan would find himself framed for the attempted murder of the Sultana of Ul'dah. Bitter and resentful, with apparently his whole homeland turning against him, Wilan and two other Scions sought political refuge within the walls of Ishgard where, unable to keep himself out of trouble, he ended up tangled with the city's Thousand Years War; he would eventually defeat Nidhogg and bring piece between dragonkind and mankind.

While his name back home had been cleared, Wilan didn't yet make a return. Some of the traumas he went through weighed down on him, and he felt like he needed to find a better way to deal with the ever-increasing expectations and the amount of dreams he found himself carrying on his back.

He accidentally came across the corpse of one of the so-called dark knights of Ishgard and came in possession of his Soul Crystal. The crystallized aether resonated with his soul in turmoil, recognized in him the desire to be a positive force in the world weighed down by unnecessary complications. It wishpered into his ears a way to deal with it all, to close his heart to the pain. To this day he couldn't be sure if the voice he heard wasn't entirely his own, either.

Either way, he gave his answer to that whisper. He would find a different way.

Eventually, however, he came across a man from Gyr Abania, going by the name of X'rhun Tia.

It had happened as he was coming in defense of a little girl, dashing in as a proper hero, not merely dispatching of the girl's assailants with ease but infusing in her hope by his very presence. After everything was settled, Wilan asked the man if he could teach him how to be like him.

X'rhun had recognized something in Wilan, something raw and unfocused but either way pure. He would accept his request, he'd teach him how to be a Red Mage, but as Wilan would soon find out his tutelage would involve more than a new fighting style. X'rhun was adamant that a proper hero needed to be refined and well groomed, to be well-read, to have proper manner, a sharp tongue, elegant motions. This and more would be part of his training, an intensive formative journey that would see Wilan fundamentally reconsider his way of life.

When he finally returned home, donning a bright red coat tailor-made for him by his friend in the Scions Tataru, Delen was shocked to find him so thoroughly changed. The man he remembered being genuine, spontaneous and simple to a fault now appeared cloaked in an aura of formal gestures and polished language so thick that she could barely see the person she remembered behind it.

Feeling something was terribly amiss, she insisted in trying to have him talk, and it took some time and a good deal of determination but she eventually got to the end of it: Wilan had ended up wrapping himself in a "hero persona" of sort, in a way to put some distance between himself and the horrors he had to deal with. He wore it like a mask over his eyes so that nobody could see his tears because, as he told her, "a smile better suits a hero". Her dedication to reach him, to let him open up about his traumas, to not let it all bottled inside, had managed to bring down one of the biggest walls they had built between themselves. For a night, for one night, they felt close, connected.

They would put distance back between themselves soon after. Wilan had always been very adamant on not allowing himself to become entangled in this kind of romantic bond, not with the role he was called to cover and the risks that came with it, now less than ever. She knew it, she understood it, she respected it. It didn't mean they could ignore what happened, however.

Some time later, as the winds carried the scent of a storm about to start on the Gyr Abanian front, they would meet again. They caught up on each other's latest events. They tried, almost failing, to keep out of each other's way, and then dancing dangerously close to the boundaries they had set up for themselves Delen asked Wilan if she could also teach her hot to fight, to defend herself, to be an adventurer like him. And, she left unsaid, to spend more time together.

War eventually broke out on the Gyr Abanian front. Wilan took part in it, and eventually coordinating a jointed rebellion he played a pivotal part in liberating Doma and Ala Mihgo alike. The empire had once more been pushed back into Garlemald.

When they'd meet again, as promised, Wilan would teach Delen how to fight, and figured she would be best suited to learn the arts of Red Magic like he did. They would indeed draw closer to each other, but in their renewed intimacy however they ended up crossing a line too many.

Worried by their increasingly close emotional attachment, Wilan chose to put even more distance between the two of them. He would himself be absorbed by his role as the Warrior of Light, leaving little room for his personal life. Having lost his closest emotional point of reference, he just carried on taking everything onto himself, hidden behind what little protection his "mask" offered, ultil a particularly traumatic event when he almost risked losing himself to endless Light really got to him.

Once back home he longed to hear Delen's voice, to tell her some of what happened, but she had gone on living her own life, putting him in the past, or so he figured from the way she answered. He decided not to bother her any longer and to just leave her alone. So it was with heart heavy with doubt and regret and crumbling under the weight of endless expectations placed on his shoulders, that he found himself facing the new advent of the Final Days.

This marked a particulary miserable point in Wilan's life, as he found himself trying to be a beacon of hope for everyone around him while wanting nothing else than to give in to despair, to crumble down under the weight and let it all happen, to stop this desperate struggle against the inevitable. And when even Hydaelyn dissipated, the near divine being who had chosen him as her mortal champion to begin with, he couldn't hold it together anymore. He broke.

As he re-emerged to the surface he found Delen looking for him. He had warned her to seek refuge in Sharlayan, so that she could leave the planet when he would inevitably fail to save the world. She understood at once something wasn't right, insisted with speaking with him in private, and they had barely closed the door to his room when Wilan broke down in tears. They spent the whole night talking. Tears, hugs, despair, their love, the meaninglessness of it all. It was rough, it was painful, but little by little he felt relieved. Healed.

She had invited him to consider, at least imagine, a future, a possibility when he'd be free of his mantle, free to pursue his own happiness. Maybe, together. He smiled bitterly. He would love that, he would want nothing else than to let himself drift away in the imagination of that future. But as he boarded the starship Ragnarok that day, Wilan knew in his heart he would have died out there, fighting to the bitter end.

That he got rescued at all was nothing short of a miracle. That his companions and friends managed to resuscitate him from the grievous injuries received from the battle could probably only be ascribed to the dynamis-charged air of the edge of the universe. It only really hit him that he was still alive when Delen flew halfway across Eorzea to see him, safely returned to their planet. Battered and bruised, only in that moment he felt a flame burning in his chest.

They kissed. Earnestly. Openly. Intensely. They didn't even need to say anything out loud.

Wilan's coat had been damaged beyond repair. Tataru had offered to repair it anyway, but he refused. For the last few years that red coat had been a symbol of his calling as the Warrior of Light. Now he was no longer Hydaelyn's champion, and peace had returned. Of course, he would rise to the occasion should the need arise. Of course he'll answer the call of everyone who will cry for help. Because that was his nature. But now, he was just another traveler.

As expected, life wouldn't exactly be quiet after this tremendous ordeal, but there was now a newfound peace in Wilan, an internal balance, and somebody who he finally decided to accept at his side.

Much of the story, from here on out, is still left unwritten. But despite any shadow that looms at the horizon, the new day's dawn shines bright.

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tallbluelady · 2 years

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Many apologies to Kate Beaton.

#X'rhun Tia's Fencing Club for Ladies #rowan argentas #urianger x wol #shitpost shaturday #i actually made these poses for the time i started posting my longfic #but the regency au is too strong

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adodysey · 2 years

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All my Caine/X’Rhun Tia sketches. Enjoy the gays

#ffxiv #ff14 #my art #miqo'te #viera #WoL #Caine #V #X'Rhun Tia #red mage #sketches #mini comic #npc #npc x oc

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setzer-hoolian · 1 year

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So I've been up in the air about doing this, but I'm going ahead with it! Introducing my Warrior or Light (and group dad) Setzer Hoolian

Setzer was born in Ala Mhigo and raised by his mother's tribe after she died in childbirth. His family, however, was less than kind. In fact, Setzer spent most of his years locked in a basement as they pretended he didn't exist. He never knew his true tribe, as his father was nowhere to been seen.

When Ala Mhigo was invaded by Garlemald, Setzer was abandoned by his family. Hoping to leave him for dead in the streets, Setzer was saved by a Miqo’te in red before being place on a carriage that brought him and many other refugees out of Ala Mhigo and to Ul'dah. Setzer was only fifteen at the time, and though confused and scared, shed no tears for the loss of his home. To him, this was freedom.

It's on the streets of Ul’dah that Setzer spent the next twenty years of his life. After struggling for the first couple of years, he was found by a Hyur who had made his infamy by stealing from the Syndicate to give to the people living on the streets and refugees in need of assistance. Sero Hoolian was the first kind person Setzer had met, and he taught Setzer how to survive. Setzer is incredibly grateful to the man who saved his life and even took Sero's last name as his own, having no title or status in his tribe.

A few weeks before the calamity, Setzer fell ill, and Sero had left to purchase medicine for him. When Sero didn't return after a few days, Setzer went searching for him. He managed to find Sero, but what he found was a broken mangled body. Setzer never fully recovered from that day and was nearly arrested for Sero's murder but was saved by a kind Lalafell named Lilira who happened to be with him when the body was found. Only days later, Setzer learned that Lady Lilira was, in fact, Nanamo, and she, alongside Raubahn, helped get Setzer a place in the Gladiator’s Guild so he could survive.

Following the calamity, Setzer began making a name for himself in the guild. He wasn't the best. Being a gladiator certainly wasn't where his skill set lay, but it helped him earn money and provide for the kids he had taken in. Cerelia, 19, a half elezen half hyur from Gridania. Torin, 18, a half Roegadyn half hyur from Mor Dhona, Bram and Barrett, 17, twin Hyurs from Limsa, and Nyx, 15, an Au'ra from Ishgard. All the kids Setzer had found on the streets and taken in, wanting to give them a better chance as Sero had once done for him.

It's through his care and protection of the kids that Setzer eventually gets dragged into being an adventurer and finding his crystal of light. Something he still to this day wishes never happened. As an Ala Mhigan growing up on the streets of Ul’dah, he never wanted people to know who he was and even as he started adventuring, joining his traveling party and the Wild Roses, he hid the fact that he was Ala Mhigan even from them. For the longest time, he hid his children, too. He knew that his adventuring would be dangerous, and he didn't want to put his children at risk.

As his adventures grew and became more challenging, Setzer became abysmally aware that his ability to weild a sword and shield was more of a hindrance than a help, and after a chance encounter, Setzer runs into X'rhun, a man who not only would become his teacher and close friend, but his lover and husband. A man who saved his life not once but twice now.

#setzer hoolian #wol x x'rhun #ffxiv #final fantasy xiv #x'rhun tia #red mage #red mage kitties

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timlordangel · 9 months

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They are in love, your honor

#x'rhun tia #ffxiv #wol x x'rhun #final fantasy xiv #ffxiv gpose #gpose

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superfluouskeys · 2 years

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as time goes by

Final Fantasy XIV \\ Azem/Emet-Selch, WoL/X’rhun, WoL/Glraha

Just three short one-shots because my brain is fried and I wished to be on some bullshit but could not decide which bullshit lol! Does NOT contain Endwalker spoilers!

“Are you planning to ignore me all evening?”

To his immense displeasure, Azem seems nothing short of amused by the accusation. “I’m not ignoring you, Hades,” she says with an easy smile. “It’s a party.”

“We are in public,” he hisses.

Azem laughs. Much as he’d like to find the sound infuriating, he has never quite managed it.

“Oh, I am sorry, Most Honourable Emet-Selch.”

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jewish-anime · 3 years

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these cats are gay!!! good for them, good for them

#x'rhun tia #wol x x'rhun #warrior of light #miqo'te #ffxiv #Final Fantasy XIV

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ievaxol · 2 years

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OKAY LET ME TRY AGAIN

I am expectedly here to request x'rhun/wol

Prompt: wol can't get their close quarters combat quite right and is embarrassed about it

If you're not familiar enough with X'rhun to write him though

Then erenville/wol.

Wol has asked erenville to teach them about frogs. Erenville is quizzing them on their knowledge and they're doing woefully poorly.. or perhaps they're just distracted BC of who it is whose teaching them

It was rare that their paths crossed nowadays, rarer still that both of them had enough time for a spar. X'rhun kept abreast of her exploits best he could, piecing together the intel filtered through his contacts whilst trying not to sound overly eager for any updates on her whereabouts. Despite practicing that self control he couldn't help the way his foolish heart sped up when he caught a glimpse of her in the fields of Mor Dhona, nor how pleased he was that she agreed to going a few rounds. -- Her spellcasting is sublime, always had been. Like fireworks her spells explodes over the sparring area, pointed and precise bursts of aether delicately balanced to sting but not harm. It is a real treat to see her in action - he never tires of it - but he was waiting for something else. A shift of her foot followed by something to close the gap - The Warrior hesitates when she is close enough to follow up on the attack - just for a second - but it is enough for X'rhun to get a strike in with the blunted practice blade. Even with him holding back she hisses in pain and drops her rapier, embarrassment evident in her eyes. "Again." She grinds out and X'rhuns eyes narrow. This is not as it should be. "Let's go again!" The Warrior presses and instead of acquiescing he calmly sheathes his blade, holding her gaze all the while. "My friend, long have we traveled together. You are not only my former student but someone I consider a friend. Will you not tell me what's wrong?" The Warriors hackles rise visibly but only for a brief moment; then her shoulders sag and she all but collapses against the miqo'te in a hug he did not at all expect. "It's Zenos -" she starts and X'rhun doesn't quite freeze but it's a close thing. He's heard of the spoiled princeling from Garlemald and the destruction he's wrought - he knew the warrior has crossed paths with him as well, has heard the whispered tales in dimly lit inns. "I see him," she whispers into his chest like it would hurt her to speak it out loud. "When I fight. In every face. Close quarters they - they terrify me." X'rhun considers this, slowly wrapping his arms around the slender woman. His words, usually eloquent and ready at a moments notice, fail him. What did she endure that led his brightest student to falter like this? "I must relearn, Rhun," she says, determination lacing her words - but there's an edge of fear to them, too. "Won't you help me?" He takes a step back and searches her face, tucks an errant strand of hair behind her ears. The use of his name sends a shiver down his spine that he quickly quashes - this is not the time for it. "You know my calling is to teach red magic to whomsoever proves themselves worthy - and you have proven yourself beyond the shadow of doubt. If you can stand my tutelage once more, I'll gladly have you." X'rhun smiles and she exhales, a glint of hope in her eyes.

#x'rhun tia #x'rhun x wol #ffxiv #x'rhun #the only way to get more familiar with him is to write him!#hopefully it landed somewhat in character #fun fact i went back and replied some rdm quests to try and grasp his voice #thats why this took so long HAHA #ask #askprompt #crimsonsynastry #thank you for the prompt!!!!#almost wish i could do the erenville one too hm hmmm #mine writing

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aoife-asturmaux · 4 months

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after seeing some good x'rhun fanart on twitter i decided to spend my evening sexualizing an old man

t'zekh.exe has stopped working

i um. i'll uh. i'll show myself out,

t'zekh's smile while looking at him though.......................... my heart

and then i unlocked ~ultimate power~ and made this one and decided i should probably go to bed. catboy yaoi overload

#miqo'te #warrior of light #x'rhun tia #wol x x'rhun #catboy pics #ffxiv #narrative

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strawberdii · 2 years

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Berdi & X’rhun

Pose by Epsilon Nu (with minor tweaks) | Fairy Preset

#GPOSERS #wol x x'rhun #x'rhun #x'rhun tia #Berdi and X'rhun

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dholwrites · 5 years

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*waggles brows* Please write for best husband X'rhun Tia having a cute moment with the WoL

BEST HUSBAND IS HERE

https://dholwrites.tumblr.com/post/188821266458/flower-crown-xrhun-x-wol

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tallbluelady · 1 year

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X'rhun Tia's Fencing Club for Ladies

Woops, I forgot to post this even though it was done... 2.8k

Chapter Three: The Circle of Knowing

Rowan found herself getting into a very comfortable rhythm in Sharlyan, despite her meeting with the Garlean dignitary. According to Alisaie, it was all Lord Forchenault could do was to keep him occupied and out of sniffing their more prized secrets. A lot of that included taking him to see rather obvious secrets. It was all a huge game of cat and mouse that for the moment, everyone seemed rather keen on keeping Rowan out of. So much so that Rowan had yet to see hide or hair of Lord Solus, even when she did visit the Leveilleur estate.

And she visited the Leveilleur estate often! There was always some sort of refreshment at the estate after each session of the Fencing Club. Alisaie had secured invitations to each of the ladies who attended, including some of the newer members. To Alisaie's chagrin her mother had asked that her brother Alphinaud be allowed to attend these little get togethers. But Rowan had found the young man rather charming, if a little more erudite than her sister. It likely helped that after realizing that Alisaie was on a first name basis with the entirety of the Fencing Club, he offered the use of his first name as well.

It also likely helped that Mr. Arugelt was often there at the brunches or luncheons as well. Despite her knowing all of the ladies of the Fencing Club, she rarely felt comfortable in large sprawling conversations. And on top of that, she never felt that she was welcome to take anyone out of their conversations or to interject into others. The last time she had done so in Gridania had always ended badly, so she kept mostly to herself. But when Mr. Arugelt attended the meal, she had a very willing partner to trade her recent discoveries she found in her books with. She had just been discussing such a discovery when the day turned far more exciting than she would have imagined.

"...though, I daresay thou art on the cusp of learning to manipulate aether in that manner thyself. Mayhap if thou consultest with Mr. X'rhun about it - he seemeth to be the type of fellow who shareth such knowledge liberally," Mr. Arugelt said after Rowan described her findings on the Gyr Abanian art of Red Magic.

"Do you really think so?" Rowan asked.

He nodded. "Verily. I know that Lord Leveilleur seeketh those with open minds on all matters aetherial. I doubt my teacher took the time to even consider a less apt instructor."

"Then mayhap I shall approach him after our next instruction. Though I know not how I would pay him for the private instruction if he was actually willing..."

"I shall confer with Lord Leveilleur on the subject for thee. Alisaie, too, hath shown great ability with fencing and it may very well be her preferred choice to channeling aether."

Rowan averted her eyes shyly. "If it would help Alisaie's aetherical instruction as well..."

"Ms. Argentas, I would have thee remember that Sharlyan places the highest priority of the education of our people. As thou art now residing here, thou art included in that number," Mr. Arugelt said.

"A high tide raises all ships, does it not?" Alphinaud added, leaning in. "I know my grandfather would be more than willing to cover any extra cost, Ms. Argentas. And who knows, mayhap Mr. X'rhun took the original offer of teaching fencing to find more students for the aetherial art."

"It still feels awfully kind... but thank you, both of you," Rowan said.

The two of them gave her rather satisfied smiles at that and the tea continued at a leisurely rate. Lord Solus was being shown some other corner of Sharlyan that day, so they were free to take their time in the Manor. So it was to almost everyone's surprise when a new face popped into the study.

"Am I interrupting something? No one wants to tell me where Lord Leveilleur is..." the man said.

"Thancred! Thou hast joined us at last! What news from the mainland?" Mr. Arugelt rose from the table and clapped the Hyurian man on the shoulder.

Rowan studied the man as he and Mr. Arugelt had their little reunion. He was about average height for a Midlander, with tanned skin and white hair. He too had the Archon's Mark, though his was on his neck much like Mr. Totolymo's was. He had a dashing sort of air about him and a dazzling smile to match.

"And who are all of these fine ladies? If I didn't know any better -"

"- and thou dost -

"- then I would say that you have quite the collection of eligible women. Come now, I wouldn't say anything crass in present company..."

A few of the ladies rolled their eyes. Obviously, they knew Thancred - Mr. Waters as he was introduced - from before he left for the mainland. He bowed deeply at Rowan when she was finally her turn.

"So you're the one everyone's talking about. I can't say that you leave anything left wanting visually," Mr. Waters said.

Rowan merely nodded, noting the scowl on Mr. Arugelt's face. Was he...? There wasn't much time to wonder as Rowan was tucked into a conversation with Khaliun and another of their acquaintance, a Ms. A'quexta Rhini, as Alisaie and Alphinaud asked Thancred for news of the mainland.

"I heard that Mr. Waters is one of Lord Levielleur's most trusted spies," the red haired Miqo'te woman said in hushed tones.

"Spy?" Rowan and Khaliun chorused.

"Keep your voices down," A'quexta hissed. "Despite Sharlyan's appeal for neutrality, it doesn't do to leave your nation clueless."

Rowan and Khaliun both nodded at that in a conceding fashion.

"It does seem prudent to have a first hand account on all things..." Khaliun mused.

"But you said he was specifically Lord Leveilleur's spy," Rowan said. "Does he have them against the will of the Forum?"

"Like the Forum's opinion would have sway over a man such as Louisoix Leveilleur," A'quexta rolled her eyes. "Lord Forchenault himself doesn't hold any sway against his father. I've heard tell that only Lady Matoya in Dravania could turn Lord Levielleur's ear. And they tend to agree with each other on political matters. If she would ever get involved in such matters herself..."

While Rowan would not have so quickly made friends with the Miqo'te woman naturally, seeing as she was a more out-going and talkative person than she, A'quexta seemed to readily take Rowan under her wing in all the gossip of Sharlyan. Like her, A'quexta had lived in Gridania for a time before moving to the island and taking advantage of the knowledge that was so freely given. The main difference between them was that A'quexta was also seeking knowledge that was not so freely given. Where Rowan found a road block, A'quexta found it a challenge to overcome and she readily engaged with it.

It seemed that she was successful in her acquisitions, and Rowan and Khaliun spent a large amount of the tea time listening in to what A'quexta had to say about the Leveilleurs, the forum, and the entire nation of Sharlyan. By the time they were ousted from the study by a beleaguered butler, Rowan felt as though she knew almost everything there was to know about Sharlyan's political situation.

Well, mayhap knew was too strong a word. She wouldn't paint A'quexta as a liar, but seeing as her first friends on Sharlyan soil were those so closely linked to the Leveilleur family she wasn't wont to think ill of them. Although A'quexta herself seemed more fond of the family rather than the Forum...

"Is aught amiss, Ms. Argentas?" Mr. Arugelt asked when they were walking to her cottage after the lunch party was over.

"Oh. Ah... well, I heard something that you may be able to elucidate for me..." Rowan said. "I... how do I put this... What... you and Mr. Waters. And mayhap I should include Mr. Totolymo in this... what is your relationship with the Leveilleurs? My understanding is that Lord Leveilleur was very active in the Studium before Sharlyan's exodus from Dravania. And that you were all his students, or at least recognized by him in a scholarly fashion. Is there more to it than that?"

Mr. Arugelt tried starting a phrase a few times before he could answer. "What thou hast surmised is true. And I shall endeavor to answer thy frankness in turn, but in more secluded surrounds."

"Oh?" That piqued Rowan's interest.

He nodded and they continued to the cottage. "I hath oft admired the glade in thy mother's garden and I feel that shalt serve our purposes well."

Rowan opened the gate when they arrived and remembered the fact that their cottage here was so well situated. With all the kindness she had been shown so far, she wondered if even their living situation had been subsidized by a member of the Leveilleur party. A dark part of her whispered of a time when the shoe would fall and she and her mother would be expected to pay back the debt. But the gentle manner that Mr. Arugelt and the rest of them treated her swept those odious thoughts aside, like how he swept the bench for her to sit on.

"Ms. Argentas, I believe that we hath been trying to give thee a shield of ignorance by not including thee in these matters. But as Alisaie hath so rightfully put it, thou art one of the keenest minds we hath encountered in a long time," he said.

Rowan started to blush. That was high praise from most, and higher still from Alisaie.

"So it standeth to reason that we should include thee in the goings on of our party. Lord Leveilleur, along with the Students of Baldesion, representeth the more active approach to Sharlyan's policies. 'To ignore the plight of those one might conceivably save is not wisdom—it is indolence.' Tis a stance I hath taken to heart as I follow in his footsteps. How familiar art thou in the battle of Charteneau?"

"Fairly. My father and brother were both lost to us in that battle."

Mr. Arugelt's face softened at that. "My condolences. Tis no small thing to lose a loved one, much less two at once."

Rowan nodded. "Thank you, sir. Lately, I find myself more spurred on to help in any way I can... even if it's in a small way. If I can prevent more bloodshed so others don't have to suffer the same way Mama and I have, then I'll gladly take action."

"Tis that selfsame spirit that spureth Lord Leveilleur. Twas through his guidance that the city-states of Eorzea were able to rally against the Garlean threat. And though many were lost, many more could have died that day." He looked at the two moons in the twilight above them. "Our organization - the Circle of Knowing - seeketh to keep the Star spinning on its course."

Mr. Arugelt continued to explain how the Circle of Knowing were able to do so, and what role he personally took before the Battle of Charteneau. All of which left Rowan dumbstruck.

"That was you? All of you seem so capable, so wise! And you think I can prove useful to your organization?" Rowan asked.

"Aye, I believe that thou mayest. If for naught but for thy fresh perspective. From Alisaie's tellings of the Fencing Club, thou art quick-witted and able to devise thy way to victory in seconds."

"That, I feel is an exaggeration, sir..."

"She doth have an effusive tongue for those she findeth worthy, but I have yet to find her judgement wanting," Mr. Arugelt said.

There was something in those gold eyes of his that caught on Rowan's heart. What ever precise emotion it was, she couldn't tell, but he was earnest and honest and true. She found she couldn't handle it and had to change the subject.

"W-would you like to come in for dinner? It won't be anywhere near as elegant of a meal as at the Leveilleur's, of course, but I'm sure Mama would love to entertain you," Rowan offered.

Mr. Arugelt paused for a moment, looked up at the darkened sky and gave a short chuckle. "I hadn't realized how long we hath been speaking. I feel a change in environs for a meal shalt serve me some good."

Mrs. Argentas was more than happy to see Mr. Arugelt walk in with Rowan and offered him to dine with them as well. It wasn't a large meal, but it was one of Rowan's favorites: cold meats, cheeses, and dried fruit. Mr. Arugelt was effusive in the conversation as Mama was, and the three of them settled into a comfortable conversation about food preservation across the various cultures of Eorzea.

Before Rowan could stop her, Mrs. Argentas brought out some of the old Gelmorran wine she brought with them to Sharlyan.

"Oh, Mama, no one likes the Gelmorran wine..." she said as she took the plates off the table.

"I do. You do. Tis a delicacy amongst our kind and I do believe that Mr. Arugelt has a defined enough palate to appreciate it," Mrs. Argentas said.

"I hath not the honor of trying the Gelmorran variety before," Mr. Arugelt said politely. "From what fruit doth the spirit draw from?"

"Mun-tuy beans." Rowan said with a grimace. "Tis a very unique flavor, Mr. Arugelt. I've grown to like it in my adulthood, but I shall pour you a glass of water to chase it."

He let out a high pitched oh as Mrs. Argentas poured him a glass. "Twould not be my first choice for an alcohol, but I am not one to turn away a new experience."

"Oh, that shall make for a good toast. To new experiences!" Mrs. Argentas raised her glass.

Rowan raised hers and saw Mr. Arugelt swallow as he raised his. Rowan took the initiative and took a large swig. She could appreciate the earthy tones because it was part of her heritage. That and it was the first alcohol Mama would let her drink.

"Tis sweeter than I had anticipated," Mr. Arugelt said, reaching for the glass of water.

"Well, the wine makers are wont to add more sugar to ensure fermentation, Mr. Arugelt," Mrs. Argentas said. "Would you care for another glass?"

His face blanched, and Rowan could see that twinkle in her mother's eye she got when she was playing with young men.

"Ahh, n-nay. I must return to the Leveilleur estate. My friend Mr. Waters but recently rejoined us and there is much to discuss, and I would prefer to do so with a clear mind."

"Oh, very well. Mayhap next time."

Mr. Arugelt nodded and rose from the table.

"Oh, I'll see you out, Mr. Arugelt." Rowan almost ran so she could apologize to him.

The pair made it outside before she felt safe enough to tell off her mother's behavior without offending her. Mr. Arugelt took it all very evenly.

"Tis no matter Ro - Ms. Argentas," Mr. Arugelt said, shaking his head. "Pray excuse me, the wine must have been more potent than I thought."

"Ah, ah, tis true that it is fairly potent. Uh..." Rowan felt her eyes fluttering like she was some sort of novel heroine. "You... you are far more than welcome to call me 'Rowan'."

He smiled in a fashion that caught on her heart again. "I thank thee. If I may, I shall also extend the invitation of the use of my forename, Rowan."

"Thank you, Urianger." Rowan liked how the syllables flowed out of her mouth.

That heart catching smile of his continued for a bit until something pulled him out of his reverie. "Oh, I had all but forgotten..." He dug into an interior coat pocket. "Aether and Anatomy. I did recall that thou wert looking for a text on atherial manipulation, and this tome doth contain some of the more concise words on the subject."

He handed her the book, and their fingers brushed for the merest of moments. Rowan felt a bit of a spark nevertheless as she took the book. She tried to focus on the contents of the book rather than their brief touch.

"Tis more than I imagined... Oh, Urianger, you're my hero!" she said. She caught herself before she wrapped her arms around him.She gripped the book instead.

He didn't seem to notice. "Tis no matter at all Ms. - Rowan."

"I do believe we're talking in circles now, Urianger." She started to laugh.

"Aye, that we are. I do believe it is time to bid thee good night, though I am loathe to do so."

She nodded. It may have been the wine that wanted her to become the tiniest bit improper and kiss him, but it was the thought of her mother's heart that stayed the action.

"Good night, Urianger."

"Good night, Rowan."

#x'rhun tia's fencing club for ladies #i need a writing tag #aether and anatomy #rowan argentas #urianger #urianger x wol #regency au #i've had this done for weeks now but i totally forgot to post it =_=;#new years resolution is to actually post my stuff online for other people to read/see #but yeah #this is a cute chapter #okay lbr they're all cute chapters XD

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