#FFXIV write 2023

[mimble-sparklepudding]

Prompt #28: Blunt.

I once tried a dalliance with Jacke,

But it turned out I don't have the knack,

He said "I'll be blunt,

You're no good at the front,

So perhaps you should try round the back?"

Absolutely innocent and wholesome silliness.

[umbralaether]

FFXIV Write 2023

Prompt: Ring

A pair of ring-shaped stains of hot cocoa left behind on the desk.

That was the first haunted piece of him she discovered after the initial purge of his things from her room. She could not stand to see the remnants, the things left behind after his soul ceased to be, and chose to pack them away and deliver to House Fortemps. “Take them, please, I cannot bear it.”

It nagged, though. A sharp sense of loss, of emptiness.

She forces herself forward, into her duty, picking up odd jobs on the side. She wanted to stay busy, occupied enough to prevent more ghosts from sneaking in, yet no joy was found in helping others. They saw benevolence where she hid her pain— she was only doing it to quiet the noise of blame ringing over and over in her ears. Should have been faster, stronger… should have never let him come…

After the empty, came the numb.

She no longer cared about the lingering stares of others when the lack of sleep formed dark rings under her eyes— a consequent worth the cost, for memories that refused to fade. She begged to forget, not continue to find him in yellow blooms and light blue cloth, in the smell of chocolate and mint, rich and delicate. She swears to never love again, not like this.

But time goes on, as it always does. The loss fades, and wounds heal, the grief now but a small wisp of hurt.

She feels the warm glow of joy in her chest again when helping others. She laughs when Alisaie and Alphinaud bicker, finds fascination with Y’shtola’s theories and Thancred’s attempts at beating her at cards.

She warms, and learns to smile again.

[uncommonsprig]

FFxivWrite2023 Participation Prize

It’s Fink ya’ll!!!!

[scrollsfromarebornrealm]

Prompt #2: Bark

Haurchefant toed the body of a slain imperial solider, a scowl crossing his features. The Fury had seemed to favor Camp Dragonhead. Some hours before he'd received word of imperial troops having made it into Coerthas under cover of a blizzard. When it came to Garlean encroachment upon his home, the Silver Fuller only had one rule.

Annihilation.

Even more so now, considering that Fortemps' holding was the home of the Fury's chosen vessels--Augustine and Mathye Bishop. The silver-haired elezen exhaled, breath puffing out in white clouds. Behind him he could hear the bark of orders being given, Corentiaux was directing the clean-up effort. The clear weather wouldn't last long, another storm was predicted to move in.

"This is the third anti-magic squad in as many months." He commented. "I feel I need to ask, has the Fury directed you to pass judgement upon the nonbelievers and I wasn't invited?"

"If there was an offensive against the Empire, you would be the first one we'd invite." Snow crunching under his boots, the blue-armored form of Augustine Bishop came up alongside the master of Camp Dragonhead. No longer semi-Primed, he was back to his normal self.

"As for this, you've heard the news from outside. The Black Wolf is on the march." Augustine squatted next to the dead man, patting him down and inspecting his pockets.

"With how he took over Ala Mhigo, it makes sense that he'd look at us. You know how the Vault reacted to my brother's Priming. And Ser Wrymblood's own. We're all just only barely getting along and even then."

"Scouts." Haurchefant mused.

"We're probably not the only ones dealing with this. Ser Borel's contacts have told him that Ifrit, Titan, and Garuda are active. Plus there was word of a unknown Eikon showing up in Limsa." Augustine considered the small pile of items he'd put together. Scraps of paper, a tomestone, a carved figurine of a man in red wood, and a locket. The tomestone was set to the side, along with the papers. The figurine and the locket went back in the dead man's pockets.

"May you enjoy peace on the other side." He murmured, bowing his head. Haurchefant echoed the prayer, watching as Augustine stood up.

"So the Black Wolf is testing for weaknesses then?" He asked. "That makes for ill hearing." Augustine didn't respond immediately, his gaze flicking towards the Nail.

"If I were you, I'd see about getting some men together to investigate Castrum Aquilonis." He said. "Like you said, the third incursion as in many months? They can't be coming from outside."

[eorziapple]

FFXIV WRITE 2023 Prompt 1: Envoy

(( Character: Apple Silverberg, Setting: WoL Apple Mild Endwalker spoilers))

"So we're playing at diplomats?" Apple queried

Thancred flashed her that reassuring smile that always somehow made her worry -more-. "Not entirely playing at that, we mean to get them on board to helping Eorzia, and well, the entire world."

"Thine confusion is quite understandable." Urianger piped in. "Thus is our intended result, yet -not- the approach in which we aim to achieve this endeavor, despite Master Alphinaud's ever optimistic outlook."

Apple chuckled, remembering her first meeting with the young Leveilleur, far too young and far too confident, trying to impress the upper classmen like herself. Very much the opposite approach to her time at Old Sharlayan.

"Precisely." Thancred turns to pack up his pack and furling his long jacket over his shoulders. "We're just old Students visiting home. Can't be blamed if in doing so we discover the source of their reluctance to aid their fellow man and convince them of the folly of their ways."

Apple sighed and began packing, "Curious though, why are we waiting for the others to go first? I figured my cover as an Arcanist would play better alongside Y'shtola?"

Thancred shoots Urianger an amused look, while the latter takes one on himself as he looks down to his young charge.

"My Lady, thou art most esteemed amongst thy peers in both intellect and arcane might. But on the subject of subterfuge and deception...."

"Apple, everyone knows you're a terrible liar. We're here to do it on your behalf."

Another frustrated sigh escapes her lip.

[vulpes-ferus]

FFXIV Write 2023 #8: Shed

Three

Hundred

Years

The world had changed in so many ways - so many wars, so many advancements - and yet, the people were seemingly no different.

'Miyako', so she'd long ago dubbed herself in the tongue of man, had decided it was time to shed her old skin - her old self. The face of a woman who had won the love of a noble... the face of a woman who had gotten swept up in human emotions, only to be caught like the fox she'd actually been.

There was no chance that anyone would recognize her, now - the Doman face she'd stolen all those years ago had been from centuries prior to the lives of these little people. All the same, the East remembered other things - the people of the East knew to be wary of the drifting lights at night. They knew to beware the soft, feminine call for help at the side of the road... they might not know about her - but the legends of her kind had survived. And no doubt, the other auspices she knew were about in the East would eventually sniff her out and take her away somewhere else no doubt far more boring.

And so Akane had taken a new face, as she danced beneath the light of the moon - a more difficult task, with four legs instead of two - but that was the way the ancient deed was done; to become a man, one must first return to fur, and forest: the perfect stick, the perfect leaf, the perfect skull... the perfect dance, the perfect song.

A new face, for a new age.

A new skin, for a new land.

And in her new hand - the soft, white glow of the same soul - the small orb-like pendant still strung on a slip of crimson silk ribbon.

[the-sycophant]

FFXIV Write 2023 - Prompt 04 - Off the Hook

Words | 795 -------------------- The heat was an undeniable burden, the light blouse she wore immediately clinging to skin even after leather gloved fingers attempted to tug at it for a bit of relief. The air was stagnant, quiet, each buzz of an insect or rustling in the underbrush only drawing her lips down further into a frown. She half wondered if she might see her breath in a puff of steam, reminiscent of home, the heat prickling her skin in uncomfortable ways as she fidgeted.

She pinched at the fabric sticking to her breasts, the toe of one boot scratching at an ankle before moving to kick at a sorry root that had been beaten down from the same repetitive motion. Long eyelashes fluttered, irritated by sticky, ash blonde bangs.

Her teeth chewed into the flesh of her cheek, nibbling into it as a distraction from the unbearable boredom of her station, digits now tapping a wild rhythm against her thigh. "I think we've waited long enough." Came her grumble then, hoarse. "There will be nothing for us by the end of this."

"Such impatience." Returned an equally low murmur as her companion moved for the first time in what felt like hours compared to her own constant squirming, the tips of his gauntlets scratching at his throat. "You know as soon as we finish you must return, yes? You do so...rrrarely get out, I'd thought you'd enjoy it more."

Her gloves creaked, palm sliding back and forth over the hilt of her blade, dancing along the engraved ridge of the ricasso. "You know what I enjoy, more so what I have the patience for." She tossed it up, twirling it once in the air, then a second time before attempting to catch it behind her back. "I have been on my very best behaviour and still," the poignard bounced in the grass, thumping softly before she bent to retrieve it with a huff, exasperated with the minimal effort, "and still I am stuck here with you."

"You? Stuck with me?"

She looked up at him up in his perch, frowning at the tone and baring her teeth briefly. It wasn't something she would dare press further into despite the burning need to lash out against the bait dangled so temptingly in front of her. More so with his impassive attitude. "The more quickly we finish, the more quickly we can pretend it has taken us longer than it actually has, yes?" She suggested with a sniff, a hand resting against his tree as she tilted her head to the side. "You could take me into town, you know. I would still be on my best behaviour even for you. I wouldn't tell anyone!"

He hummed. "Mother has a prrroclivity for spoiling you still, I see."

"Such is my nature, is it not? To crave more?" The muscles in her legs were taut, certainly more used to downy pillows and laced stockings than stiff boots and, gods forbid, standing. She couldn't help but squat against the tree, glaring at...everything. Carelessly she ripped out sprouts of budding grass, pouting childishly as her tone dipped into a near whine. "It isn't my fault she indulges me, is it? Not only that, but is that not why you left home? In search for more?" Another sniff, indignant. "She would show you just as much affection were you to stop your travels and visit more often."

An easy shrug. "Perhaps. I can't really say." A flick of long ears, swatting and swiveling at pesky bugs, the thin tip of his tail doing the same. Was he more sweet than she, to have such attention from them? An odd sort of jealousy nipped at her heels. "She certainly does love us equally, though it cannot be denied some children are more needy than others."

She folded her hands around her knees, rocking. "Some like feeling needed, you know." He hummed again, and she made a noise of displeasure. "They do. Is that not why you've brought me along?"

"No."

A long pause, silence meeting her ears once more as she waited for him to elaborate. He didn't. She wasn't sure if he was trying to rile her up, to try and alleviate his own boredom at her expense, as he did. He seemed otherwise content to sit still in silence, but she preferred movement and sound.

As her mouth opened for something witty, surely, they both jerked their heads westward, his ears turning and her nostrils flaring. Blood. Limping. The sounds of an attempted escape snapping branches and rustling leaves. "I am at your ready, sister." He said quietly, and the Keeper was still once more. It seemed he was off the hook for conversation, and she grinned at more interesting prospects quickly approaching.

[miqojak]

FFXIV Write #15: Portentous

She was a portentous little woman - and yet, few could ascertain how much truth to those airs there truly was... or, in reality, few were brave enough to test her, and find out for themselves - which made it true enough, didn't it?

The long-timers in Bluesky could do nothing but shake their heads as young recruit after recruit pushed her, testing the imperious little woman who sat in every seat as though it were a throne, and all those around her were little more than drifting motes of dust taking up her space.

Some lost fingers. Some never showed back up - running for the hills as soon as she pulled their ribs open with no more than mere words, intuiting and exposing their innermost vulnerabilities to all... things that didn't have to happen, if they just showed a bit of respect for authority in the Family.

If there wasn't a reason to test those waters, why find out if all that self-importance was rooted in legitimate power? What else does such confidence spring forth from, if not a legitimate claim?

When she moved through a room, her diminutive size belied the aura about her - the ramrod straight posture, the confident stride, the absolute disregard for anyone or anything that wasn't immediately important to her, or her goals; it was hard to not be either impressed, or... rubbed quite the wrong way by the dismissive, regal nature of this woman, but there was no denying her presence; at least not for those who had chosen to test it - even if few were left who had tried to challenge her. After all - one can run, but a Jackal always collects its due.

[yzeltia]

FFXIVwrite2023 20.Hamper

Characters: Krile Baldesion, G'raha Tia Expansion: Endwalker (No Spoilers) Rating: Teen Notes: I tried not to write about the lucky shorts. Moen Moen shook them out of me. I'm sorry friends.

Krile was taken aback upon entry to G'raha and Keith's apartment. Her dear friend had requested her assistance with some light housekeeping, near desperate in fact. With their daughter essentially arriving out of the aether, her assumption had been that the Miqo'te was struggling to keep up with the mess young ones tended to make. She was surprised to find this was not the source of his domestic woes.

No, G'khenna's things were nearly neatly arranged in a corner. Her desk was organized so all her school books were alphabetized, bookends with a photo of her and her family on one side with a captured moment of leave between her and Khloe on the other. At the side a small crystal magic rod, an umbrella, and a foil with a focus hung off it were latched into custom notches of the desk's top. From pencils to aetheric charts, all the little girl's things had a proper place and were put so. 

No, what ailed the other Archon was not that of his young girl, but of his adult Hyur husband. On the floor in their bedroom, G'raha sat surrounded by the carelessly discarded things of his husband while Krile looked on from the door.

"Scholar save me. How can any one person be this messy? I did not realize how careless he is with his belongings," the Miqo'te groaned, pushing Keith's dumbbells under the end of their bed where he'd taken to storing his other athletic gear.

"Love has a way of blinding us to our partners' habits, Raha. Perhaps a little light scolding is due," Krile said, lightly bending to pick up a few discarded shirts, "Though, how have you let it get this bad?"

G'raha closed his eyes and tilted his head back, ears folding as he swallowed.

"We divided up our chores. His talents lay in the kitchen so I was relegated to the other odds and ends around the apartment. Laundry was among them I suppose."

"So this is more or less a mess of your own making?"

"I've been busy with adventuring and my studies. I know I said I'd pick up around the place but at the very least he could make use of the proper receptacles when he disrobes."

Krile let out a little laugh as the Miqo'te pouted and tossed a pair of Keith's boxer briefs into a basket. Together the friends continued to sort through the clothing on the floor then through a bag of Keith's adventuring gear.

"I would think you'd have a little more joy out of this, Raha. Your things mingled among an adventurer's and rightfully one yourself now. This is probably the more insight than most would ever get to what it's like for a hero behind closed doors."

"I suppose this is reminiscent of two thirds of the Warrior of Lights' dwellings. Krile, that is indeed a good way of looking at this. I have offered my companionship for adventuring and this is just some of the labor that goes into it. I can appreciate the stain on his leathers from him tumbling into grass or a scratch upon his leathers from close combat. The smell of his shirt soaked with the scent of his trrravels and himself," the Miqo'te started, purring as he nuzzled his face into the chest of an undershirt.

"Let's not get carried away now. Here, we have plenty of loads for the wash," Krile said, rolling her eyes ever so slightly as G'raha blushed and tossed the shirt away.

Gathering a basket, she hummed then caught a glimpse of golden fabric sticking out from under their bed. 

"It seems we've missed one," the Scion called out, moving to whip a pair of bomball shorts out from the hiding place.

"Seven hells," the woman breathed out, quickly tossing the garment to the bed before covering her nose, "Those have seen far too much adventure for me to be handling.'

G'raha quickly dived to the bed, catching the discarded shorts, flushing deeply as he stuffed them back under his bed. He sat up, ears pinning back as he avoided Krile’s suspicious gaze. 

“What on Ethyris has gotten into you,” Krile finally asked.

“Nothing. Just leave those be. They’re Keith’s lucky shorts.”

“They’re foul.”

“Imbued with good luck, or so he says. You know how superstitious athletic types arrrre. He is no exception. It is purrre psychology. He believes he performs betterrr, and so he manifests it. A simple trick of the mind, though it is all confirmation bias. I am certain in time that he will see the light, after some exposure to sound slowly administered logic, that his musky shorts have no bearrring on luck and are not as appealing as he has been led to believe.”

Krile covered her mouth, “Appealing? Raha, I do not want to be privy to such debauchery.”

“I assure you, there is no debauchery to be had! It is the general physique and perhemones that-”

“No, say no more! Please Raha. No explanation will be sufficient enough for you to continue. I can hardly say I shall forget that awful stench,” Krile laughed, picking up a basket before hurying from the room.

“Krile! Please! I did not articulate myself sufficiently! Krile!” the Miqo’te called out, face as red as his hair. 

Whimpering, he slumped down to the floor, hands in his face before peaking at the shorts. He closed his eyes, bringing them up to hug for a moment, and in his own bit of superstition asked the Scholar to return his love home safely. Hearing Krile call again, he hopped up then picked up his baskets, face remaining red as he went to get on with his chores.

[zeloinator]

my FFXIV writes 2023 Prompt 1; Envoy entry! Posting them on m Ao3 account and then here as well! Trying to force myself to share my writing and not immediatly delete it.

Heavensward / Endwalker spoilers

Zee goes to Ishgard to delivery several important messages.

[mimble-sparklepudding]

Prompt #10: Extra Credit/Free Choice.

I've named my chocobo Chrysanthemum,

And I want to compose her an anthem chum,

But it's hard to make rhyme,

So I'm finding that I'm,

So desperate for words I might ransom some.

Practically unrhymable silliness. You can blame @pinxli for putting me up to trying to rhyme bloody "Chrysanthemum"! Never let it be said I back down from a challenge, although judging by this nonsense, I probably should have done!

[umbralaether]

FFXIV Write 2023

Prompt: Shed

The storm clouds rolled in fast, and the rain just as sudden.

A torrential downpour interrupting what was supposed to be cherished moment-- one where he would ask for her hand in marriage, at the same place they'd shared their first kiss all those years ago. It had been perfect until now; a beautiful sunset, her favorite meal… he couldn't think of a better night to finally dive in headfirst.

Instead, icy rain soaked every inch of them as they made their way back to Revenant's Toll.

"I apologize for not minding the weather sooner. This was not my intent," He takes her hand in his, leading towards the Rising Stones. They head inside, down the hall and up the stairs to their shared room. The candles and fireplace were already lit, the room warm and inviting.

"Let us shed these wet clothes, I'll run a warm bath."

"Raha, wait."

"Yes, my love?"

"I have something for you." Her expression is coy, knowing. She pulls out a small box from her bag, "You left this back there. I spotted it before we ran off."

Is that what he thinks it is? Shit.

He takes it from her, "Oh, I… yes that is mine."

"I take it you weren't overly flustered just because of the rain."

"Well… it was certainly a surprise."

Aqua eyes meet crimson. She rests her hand on his cheek, "You can still ask, you know. Though my answer is the same."

He swallows. This isn't how he planned it to be, never expected it to be! And to ask now? He looks at her, hair dripping droplets of rain and clothes clinging to her frame, and sees the strong, brave woman who saved the world. He sees his best friend, his better half, and decides that no moment could be more perfect than when he'd asked on the Ragnarok.

So he asks again, "Eisha, will you marry me?"

Her answer is a grin, then a pounce, and finally shedding those wet clothes.

[laeorinel]

FFXIV Write 2023 - Day 8 - Shed

Samara tossed and turned in her tent, thankful she was alone for once and not sharing it with another. The blankets and furs had been tossed aside long ago, the fabric and hairs chafing so much that she wanted to tear her skin off. Or her scales, to be more exact. Shedding her scales while travelling was practically second nature to her, but it did not make it any easier to deal with. 

She desperately wanted to sleep. She had been lethargic for the past two days, with a proper night's rest escaping her. Tonight was not looking to be any different; she just could not get comfortable no matter how she lay herself down. Lying on her side just made the scales on her arms and legs itch like crazy, and lying on her back was far from comfortable. Because of old injuries, some scars across her back cut across the thicker scales that ran along her spine, causing them to shed unevenly, naturally making the whole area much more sensitive. Lying on her front was marginally better, but every time she moved her neck to get more comfortable, fresh scales pulled against ones still being shed, which set off another wave of irritation and made her want to rip the shed off and be done with it. She knew better, though. Doing that would just cause more problems.

Glancing down at the scales on her arms, she figured she was at the halfway point. Most of the scales on her arms were a vibrant dark blue, new fresh scales interspersed with dull patches of darker, almost black scales still waiting to fall loose.  

"Just a few more days, and it will be over..."

She should have known it was nearly time for her to shed and passed on this job and remained behind in Sharlayan. The telltale signs were there. At least then, she would have had access to all the different ointments and tinctures, making the process a bit easier. She was running low on the mixtures used by her people to help, and the herbs she needed to make more did not grow in the lands she was in. There were likely plenty of alternatives, but she lacked the energy or the desire to try and find them in the sweltering heat of Thavnair. And given her irritation at quite literally everything in existence currently, venturing into Radz-at-han or any of the smaller villages was not an option. 

She pushed herself up to sit with a huff, reaching for her satchel and haphazardly searching for something. Empty vial after empty vial was thrown from the bag. She could not have used the last vial already. She was sure she still had enough to last at least one more day. Despite her surety, no more vials revealed themselves. 

The idea of having no relief from this almost brought her to tears until she spied something hidden within the depths of her satchel. Something she did not remember packing or likely did, given how it was wrapped. She wrapped most of her supplies in cloth or thin leather, scraps of materials left over from larger pieces she had made that she could still make use of. They were sufficient at keeping the more fragile items safe from the elements. But this little bundle was not wrapped in anything she had made. As she pulled the white cloth-wrapped object free, she spied the small shell symbol of Sharalyan embroidered on the fabric. Did she buy something from the Sharalyan markets and forget about it? 

Unwrapping the small bundle, she was met with a sight that made her choke up almost immediately. A small jar of ointment practically every Au ra she met in Sharlayan raved about being a lifesaver whenever they shed scales. She had never bought any of this. She could never get her hands on any given how quickly it sold out, so how...?

She got her answer in the form of a tiny scrap of paper underneath the jar. She would recognise the handwriting anywhere, even if her literacy skills could have been better. 

I saw you running low on your ointment. I pray this will not be needed for a while, but it is better to be prepared. Stay safe. - Thancred.

"That man...you always think of everything, don't you?"

Tucking the piece of paper away inside her satchel, she eagerly opened up the jar of ointment, using it sparingly but covering the worst affected areas. The relief was almost instant, taught and irritated skin finally calming down. Lying back down on the mat, she tried once more to get some rest, sleep eventually claiming her as the earthy scent of the ointment lulled her to sleep.

[scrollsfromarebornrealm]

Prompt #1: Envoy

"The Black Wolf has personal reasons for coming to Eorzea?" Minfilia repeated, confusion on her face.

"Well, there's the whole 'conquer in the name of the Empire and cleanse the land of every Eikon and their Dominant bloodline' part, that takes priority." Thancred responded. "But according to what the Alliance's spy network was able to tease out, yes. In fact, he banished Livia sas Junius--his third-in-command!--for apparently botching a scheme that had been currently underway regarding that reason."

"For him to send away one of his most trusted officers means that whatever is going on, it's extremely important." Y'shtola mused. She looked at Thancred.

"Was the Alliance spy able to find out just what exactly is so essential to Gaius?" She asked. The rogue exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck.

"You may all want to sit down for this." He began. "But it seems van Baelsar has a living grandchild in Eorzea."

"WHAT?!"

"According to the spy, an envoy--don't know where from, and I promise you right now all three city-states are scouring their records--- was sent to Garlemald to sue for peace when Solus became Emperor. Their primary point of contact was with Gaius at the time. They failed in the negotiations and left, coming back with empty hands...and a full belly."

"Pregnancy." Urianger breathed. "The child, it was kept then?"

"It seems so. Gaius' own spies told him naught else save for that the grandchild existed. And is currently somewhere in one of the three city-states."

"A grandchild of the Black Wolf..." Minfilia breathed. "Twelve. If this becomes public knowledge they'll be hunted down like a Tempered!"

"Did the Alliance spy find any other details?" Papalymo asked, gesturing.

"None else save for that the grandchild was young--a few years over their age of majority. Gaius is the only one who probably knows the identity of the mother, and probably has set his own people to work trying to track her down."

------

dedicated to @autumnslance and @erickgage

[eorziapple]

FFXIV WRITE 2023 Prompt 2: Bark

((Character: Pippena Pipp, Setting: WoL Pippena, Expansion: No spoilers, sprout safe))

Beads of sweat dripped from the every pore as the sound of exertion echoed over the forest. Birds fluttered away as the sound of a mighty crack followed soon after.

Pippena's took a deep breath as the tall oak gave way to her onslaught of punches. She felt the drain of aether in her palms from focusing so deeply into her strikes, so much so that the tree buckled and caved in on itself after only five hits, after being functionally hollowed out with the powerful strikes, it soon fell northward, colliding with several saplings and sending wildlife scattering to avoid the path of the trunk crashing towards the ground.

Taking a beat to shakes the aches from her arms, she hopped a bit in place to keep her legs limber after taking such a strong stance. She took a deep breath, removed the noise-cancelling headgear off, then moved toward the record-maker she had setup about 10 feet away, setting the playback of the record back about a half minute.

Smiling to herself, she listened to the sounds of the tree cracking and crumbling. The smile morphed into a cocky, proud grin as she loudly declared to the emptied out forest! "I knew that jerk was full of it. 'Does a tree falling in the forest make any noise if no one is around to hear it?' " she mimicked the philosophical query with a good degree of sarcasm and insulting implication of the speaker's intelligence.

"Those Sharlayans think they're so smart, but they can't fool ol' Pip!"

Once again proving her superiority, and this time getting proof for the science team, she headed back to the Acquisition's HQ, sure that everyone would appreciate her investigative research.

[fan-of-many-stories]

2023 FFXIV Writing Challenge

The Table of Contents for all my submissions for the writing challenge! It's complete! The Table has chapters clearly marked by expansion for spoilers, and has a summary for each! I'm proud of my work! Other WoLs featured belong to @phiselene , @aelyriawindrunner , and Nea Nightfall!