#Tansui Ginsuke

[storytellers-and-co]

Took me a whole month on and off, but here we go! All of the fellas on this blog with their respective Pride flags!

[dogicrimsonofficial]

Oops all eyes. Drew all of my FFXIV main OC's eyes (to use as an icon for a sideblog). From top left to bottom right; Jason Windsaga, Jydirot Deresnels, Tansui Ginsuke and Ruo Hikko (someone I have not featured here yet!).

[storytellers-and-co]

Tansui's Adventures - #18, Amal'jaa and Roegadyn

Life could never be easy, could it? Tansui was actually starting to miss the cookie-sharing at this point. After the efts - and being almost run over by quite a few of them - he was informed that a shipment of ether had gone missing. On top of that, Amal’jaa blood was requested. 

Fun times. 

Especially after Tansui made it to the stolen supplies, and started to rummage about after taking a cursory glance around - trying to make sure there were not Amal’jaa about. 

Except there was. 

A single shout of a low, rumbly voice, full of promises of violence, of fire and pain and hurt and chains. Tansui felt himself freeze, unable to pull the staff out right away as he heard the heavy footsteps rushing towards him. 

‘Move. Move. Move. Move.’

A hulking, dark mass was coming towards him, followed by another.

‘Move! Move! Move!’

Finally, Tansuis fingers twitched, hand reaching for the staff - too slow, far too slow, they’d make it to him before the first spell could be cast, and he was here alone, alone, alone- 

‘Move dammit! MOVE!’

“Cover your horns kid, it’s about to get loud!”

A foreign female voice snapped him out of the fearful, frozen state - causing him to duck down, arms going over his horns as a loud twing-bang echoed from somewhere behind him. The Amal’jaa were pushed back, and Tansui let out a small sound from the back of their throat - before finally wrapping their hand around the staff, pulling it from its holster. 

Aether built around, bringing in a freezing cold - cold that Tansui launched at the first Amal’jaa that had been shot at earlier, pinning them down into the ground, encased into the ice. 

Taking a look to the side, there was a Roegadyn right next to him. Tall woman, with a wild grin and a gun. A gun she used to shoot at the other Amal’jaa, laughing all the while as the barrel turned bright red. 

Tansui focused once more towards his enemy, blood boiling even as the cold built in his scales - earlier fear turning into searing anger. 

Few more Blizzards and shots from somewhere to the left and back, and the two would-be-attacker lizardmen were downed. Tansui let out a silent, soft sigh, standing up and turning towards where the Roegadyn were - about to thank them for stepping in when they did. 

Except… they were gone.

Cameo: Wynona Starfinder by Moose-Productions

[storytellers-and-co]

Tansui's Adventures - #9, Allies and Enemies

By the time Tansui had delivered the treats and gotten the news, it was starting to be evening again - and he was more than ready to just curl up by the stairs and sleep. However, Papashan informed the thaumaturge about something alarming… 

Someone of importance had gone missing. And the rounds were to find some clues. And now, knowing someone was out there, alone and possibly in danger, how was Tansui supposed to sleep? Answer, they couldn’t. And thus, the new mage set for searching this missing person. 

Thankfully, it didn’t take too long - natural curiosity and their ability to attract situations was for once playing in their favour… until, as the roguishly handsome stranger with white hair and quick with so fittingly put it, the dead came out to play. 

Tansui hadn’t fought against Voidsent in what felt like years, and yet they’d always remember the stench of one. Thankfully though, they had some help this time - the stranger taking majority of the heat while Tansui could focus on slinging his spells. Magic from both the mage in training and the Voidsent flashed in the night, illuminating the otherwise dark landscape - the steel of the strangers sword glinting at every spell and attack slung. 

Even when additional company was brought in, or when the claws came far too close for comfort, or when they were starting to run awfully low on fire-power for a short moment, Tansui felt oddly at ease - knowing someone was there, had his back for however short of a moment, that they weren’t in this alone for once was a comforting thought. 

One last Astral Fire was what finally took the Voidsent down, allowing Tansui to take a step back, catch his breath, and let the stranger help with the lady. She was apparently his responsibility, or some sort - Tansui might’ve slipped on his focus roughly there, distracted by a crystal on the ground….

[storytellers-and-co]

Tansui's Adventures - #26, Tense Feelings

Fufulupa was quick to inform Tansui what the dagger in his hands truly was - and dismissed them just as quickly as they dismissed any notion of taking over the leadership.

Fair, not everyone was ready to take such a role, not when they still had someone they looked up to anywhere near them. It was wordless praise of the highest caliber, and not everyone was ready to accept something like that - be it because they were humble, or because they didn’t trust a single word from anyone's mouth.

Which category Tansui fell in, we do not know - for the second they brought in the dagger for Fufulupa, he was quick to direct Tansui to a new area. Some thaumaturges had been gathering by the nearby ruins, and could use some guards. Seeing they were in his profession, Tansui should’ve felt right at home patrolling the area…

Or so it should’ve been, in theory. However, Tansui felt ill at ease. It was like he was being watched. Something about the area just… crawled right up their spine and tail. And it seemed like others like them sensed it too; there was a Miqo’te guard with a gunblade - Tansui suppressed a shudder at the sight - looking around with a serious look on his face, even when perched and seemingly relaxed.

So when an order came to go to the nearby settlement and make sure there was enough fish for the next meal, Tansui was more than happy to get out of the dodge….

Cameo: C'aithus Nuhn

[storytellers-and-co]

Tansui's Adventures - #16, After Golem

Beat the golem. Check. Save a man who wanted to change the world for the better? Check. See the white-haired lad who Tansui had come to consider an ally? Check. Get another vision and promptly pass out upon seeing him? Also check. 

In all fairness it might’ve also been the injuries he had sustained during that fight - partially dislocated shoulder hurt, even when one was accustomed to pain and injuries and high on adrenaline.

So, the moment of not feeling anything but emotions as moments from the white haired man’s past was being delivered - not much, just enough to show he was determined to prove himself to… someone. Louisox? With how many problems Ul’dah had, surely he’d have chances to do so. A clear flirt, too - at least in a tasteful way. Or maybe it had more to do with his looks, with how the ladies swooned. 

Ah. Thaumaturges guild was visited too, with that mask on - if only briefly. Tansui really should head back there after all this and-

A groan escaped from the little Au’ra, as the rays of sun got into his eyes. Covering them with the dirtied sleeve, the tiny thaumaturge let out a whine - only to realize they had been laid against a stone to sit against. 

“We really need to stop meeting like this,” the familiar voice of the rogue chuckled, close - sounded like he had walked over and bent down. Tansui opened one of their eyes to take a look - only to see the man offering his staff back. Tansui must’ve dropped it… “People will start to talk. Then again, you seem to always be in the middle of the situations I am investigating, so mayhap I should start following you about?”

Tansui took their staff back, letting out a disgruntled sound. Please no.

“Oh? Is my company that unpleasant?”

Tansui narrowed their eyes… and then gently bonked the man on his head with the staff. Ignoring the laughter from the rogue, Tansui took a look around - the workers were banged up, but otherwise alive, and Wystan… Wystan was gone. 

“Ah, if you’re wondering about your friend, he had to flee. Unfortunately, Lord Lolorito is not one to leave loose ends… Which means your involvement in dismantling his trap must go unmentioned, just for your own safety,” rogue mentioned, getting up from the crouch - and offering his hand for Tansui to help the mage back up. 

“But where are my manners - Thancred Waters, at your service… is what I’d like to say, but I have business elsewhere, so I cannot linger long.”

Tansui patted the dirt off of his shirt while listening, wincing as hand touched on the injured shoulder - something that caught the mans… Thancreds, attention. “Oh, you’re hurt? Here let me-”

Before Thancred could touch Tansui however, the Au’ra caught his hand. Not hard, just to get his attention briefly - before turning it a bit, and wrote with their finger against Thancreds wrist, spelling their name. T-A-N-S-U-I.

“Tansui… your name?”

Tansui nodded in response, giving a bit of a grin. It wasn’t always easy, trying to communicate with people when you couldn’t talk.

“Well, it is a pleasure to formally make your acquaintance. Still, that shoulder needs to be looked at, so if you would hold still just a moment…”

Within the next ten minutes, Tansui’s shoulder was reset, an order to take it easy was placed on him, and a suggestion to go visit Momodi was given.

You know what… it had been far too long since Tansui had left the safety of the city. Maybe it was time to head back in for a bit, just so he could heal from this ordeal….

[storytellers-and-co]

Tansui's Adventures - #25, Morning and a Dagger

You’d think one would not sleep so soundly after all of that - yet Tansui had no issues falling asleep on the dirt and ground. The mage knew they had done good, taking out the biggest threat, and if anyone was still alive after that, they’d be too busy trying to rebuild to attack this little camp anytime soon.

Their token forces could take care of the remaining trash, at least for now.

If anyone in Lost Hope knew what Tansui had done, they didn’t voice it - there was slightly more pep to the kids steps, and the Brass Blades seemed little more alert, if not relieved.

Leofric gave a tired, but a thankful look towards Tansui as the young lad sat down for breakfast soup - partially sponsored by the mage themselves, as they had managed to snag a couple beasties on the way back.

“I’d like to ask you a favour, friend,” the old captain commented, before passing something to Tansui. A knife? “Could you take that to Fufulupa?”

Before the captain would explain, he left the fire - heading to a patrol, it seemed. Tansui took a better look at the knife given to him. It was dated, at the very least, worn… but well maintained and cared for. Nodding to themselves, Tansui tied the blade to their hip - they had considered returning to Horizon soon, anyways.

Anything to get away from the scent of the smoke that still lingered in them…

[storytellers-and-co]

Tansui's Adventures - #11, Finally, they're awake!

Tansui wasn’t usually a very vocal creature, but waking up on hard ground with a headache warranted one groan to escape from the tiny Au Ra.

At least the stranger hadn’t left them to their own fate. 

“You alright there? In my experience ground makes a rather inhospitable surface to sleep on, especially one that is so full of rocks.”

Tansui let out another groan, before he pushed himself up from the ground, dusting the dirt off the robe he had been given. Looking around, he saw the lady lalafell they had run over to help, safe and sound. Good. 

The two even started to talk about the Voidsent that had been set on them, while Tansui tried to get their outfit cleaned. 

“Don’t suppose the answer came to you in a dream?”

Dream… dream… The crystal! Tansui suddenly jolted, before patting their pockets - pulling out a book. One quick look and wave of a hand, the two unfamiliar faces shared a glance before patiently waiting for Tansui to write their story down in that ratty, beat up book. 

Thankfully their handwriting had become better over the course of the past two days, it was like riding a chocobo - a skill you don’t really forget, once you start again. Silently, they offered the opened up book to the man to take a read. 

After a raised eyebrow and a quick read, the white-haired one hummed. “Interesting… I hadn’t considered the Crystal.”

The following outburst - or talking to one self as the man put it - and then another outburst - from the lady this time - gave Tansui so much whiplash that when they got told to follow after her, he didn’t question anything. It had been a bloody long day and night, and Tansui just wanted to go and find a corner to have proper sleep in finally…

[storytellers-and-co]

Tansui's Adventures - #15 Not So Easy Jobs

Things, as it always seemed, had taken a turn to the worse. 

Wystan’s hired help turned out to be less than helpful, and now lives were in danger. Few thugs, Tansui could’ve probably handled. Maybe. It would’ve been hard, but Tansui had come to trust their skills in combat enough to at least cause some harm and then get away.

Except things were never that easy. 

“O mournful voice of creation…”

With those words, a golem had appeared. And suddenly, running away was no longer an option, lest Tansui would leave people at the mercy of the unknown assailant. The young mange gritted his teeth, and took a better hold of his staff - charging in wasn’t exactly a style of a thaumaturge, but flinging in as many destructive spells as possible, even when the golem was charging right at them? 

Now that apparently was the Black Mage way. 

Though Tansui did reconsider his choice of career between the moments when they were flung, and when he felt something around his shoulder pop thanks to the impact against the ground. An electric arc had shot out from his staff mid-air, hitting the golem that was standing in the water - followed soon by ice, as soon as Tansui was back at his feet. Keep the thing still while they checked the damage. 

Nothing was broken - only partially dislocated. Unpleasant, but not unmanageable, and easy to pop it back in place with a quick movement. Especially with all those extra seconds he had managed to buy. 

He’d have to take a few days of rest after this… or maybe dip into the savings, and get a potion or two. At least they weren't out of the fight just yet. 

Flexing fingers, Tansui let out a sigh. He’d have to end this fight, quick. 

[storytellers-and-co]

Tansui's Adventures - #22, Couriers

Drunken Stag was quick to give Tansui some advice as a thankyou - and Tansui was quick to follow the said advice, taking out some vilekin to take his mind out of things. Focus on different task. And just like Drunken Stag had said, the impromptu pest-control was rewarded - not with just gil and praise, but another task as well. 

To figure out what happened to a specific letter. Not the worst job, as long as nothing jumped out at Tansui… most likely would, if the letter was late. Who knows what happened to the courier? So, mentally preparing himself, Tansui took onto the road - this time very much avoiding the chocobos. The birds were cute but they could sense Tansui’s fear dammit. Though it turned out their worries for the courier were for naught. “It’s just a little bits away from here! If you want the letter to go there faster, you might want to deliver it - I’ll be stuck here for a while longer, can’t go anywhere as long as Zephyr’s leg is still like this. Thanks mate!” 

From a pest-control to a courier. You know, not the worst job. In fact, with how quickly things tended to blend into violence, Tansui was rather grateful for a change of pace… now, onto Lost Hope!

[storytellers-and-co]

Tansui's Adventures 11.5 - SURPRISE LESBIAN WINE AUNT GIFT ATTACK

A well earned rest, he thought. 

Shame it did not last - on the count of a mischievous duskwight fairy-grandmother, apparently, as she dropped several bags on top of Tansui before running off. Laughing maniacally. 

So, apparently Tansui had acquired some unknown benefactor.

… Just what had he gotten himself into?

Cameo; Terania Loruth by Phyrephox!

[storytellers-and-co]

Tansui's Adventures - #20, Devil Chocobo

Momodi suggested a new place - a change of scenery, an area where an adventurer was needed and where Tansui could just forget their worries for a good moment. Good ol’ adventure that involved helping people and making connections. 

And, she suggested that he should take a chocobo ride. 

Tansui, within the first minute or so, decided that this was the most horrible idea anyone had ever given to him. The mage could’ve sworn the feathered beast underneath him was secretly very aware and very sadistic, for it kept bouncing and jumping over things, not slowing down even for a second despite Tansui’s apparent fear.

[storytellers-and-co]

Tansui's Adventures - #24, Coldblooded Arson

[Warning, this weeks chapter might be distressing to read to some readers. Warnings for mentions of starvation and physical trauma, as well as active murder of a crime-lord via fire.]

[We also have a themesong for this chapter.]

Crimelords. Tansui already had very little love for them, but this took the cake, the cheese and the bread - quite literally, the vile ‘baron’ had sucked Lost Hope dry, taking what little they had left and leaving them with just the dust, shards of broken dreams, and their hunger.

The empty eyes of a starved child, the raspy and dry coughs from a man who couldn’t stand anymore, a guard determined to try and keep everyone alive despite everything being against him…

Could you really blame Tansui for what he was going to do?

True, how they did it… not really orthodox. There was no glorious battle to the death, no open challenge and close fight where the heroic would stand victorious.

No, the justice Tansui brought was not hard won with glory, but rather silently in the night, with full understanding of the cruelty, of the cowardice of it. Oh, sure, the small Au’ra paused before proceeding with the plan, wondering if this was right.

The paralyzing pain, days of wondering if they could move, mocking laughter and emotions of powerlessness, the dry coughs, the tears that would never come out, broken knuckles and wondering if the next day would be the day when one of the gods would finally find it in themselves to bring even sliver of mercy upon them. It all flashed in Tansui’s memories, carved into skin and bones and his very breath that would never forget the taste of mold and blood on his tongue.

Never again.

Never again.

With a curled lip, teeth bared and eyes focused forward, Tansui snuck into the camp - child's play in the darkness, with his darkened cloak masking him into the shadows. And from there, it was a single, simple spell, placed in exactly the right spot to not only start and spread, but start in a location that would be impossible to get to and smother without tearing down the whole building first. Not to mention how much smoke it would cause… first ones would die from suffocation before the fires would get to them.

The screams started, all too late - calling for sand and water and anything to stop the flames from getting their stolen goods, their shelter from the heat and sandstorms alike, to get their leader, their so-called Baron from the house, unaware that they most likely had perished in the smoke already.

And Tansui watched. He watched, unbothered by the bandits who were getting burned left and right by the arcane fires, unaware that mere sand wasn’t enough to take out the fire born from magic, simmering rage, and cold, calculated intention to cause as much harm as possible.

Tansui took one last glance… and pulled his capes collar closer, turning around. It was dirty work, dirty deed, dirty way of doing it.

But it hadn’t been the first time they’d submerged their hands into the worst kinds of filth just to survive.

At least this time it was for the survival of someone else.

[storytellers-and-co]

Tansui's Adventures - #16.5, BABY

It had been a long, exhausting day - both emotionally and physically. Being reminded how cruel Ul'dah could be, being attacked, having possible friend on a run... it was no wonder the tiny au'ra was down the slumps.

So when he was signaled over upon entering Hourglass by a man in golden armor, it was no wonder Tansui was a little apprehensive.

All of that vanished the moment they were presented a new tiny friend he'd never lose.

(Based on real interaction I had. Thank you Kronar for a pick me up when i needed it the most!)

[storytellers-and-co]

Final header for the character pages done - Tansui, you gave me such a hard time, I had no idea what to do with your background -3-

[dogicrimsonofficial]

To Tansui: “It looks like your genes are afraid of heights!”

At first, there was a blink. And then, there was a pout. And then, a tiny irritated growl of an Au'Ra who was well aware of their less than stellar height. STILL!

Those were some mighty words from someone within fire-spell distance!