#and a sabertusk...

[fexel]

I found this in my WIP folder and finally decided to finish it.

[blogfanreborn777]

Sabertusk Sejuani by Izzy Medrano

[queenoffishingandcookies]

It’s the tiny lore things that slip past the radar that are really interesting.

One example are Sabertusks.

According to the bestiary, sabertusk once guarded the King of Lucis. After one Sabertusk apparently ate a young prince of Lucis, they were cursed to live in the state we see them in as enemies.

[chippersweetbaby]

they're tired of being here, but i just noticed i can lure sabertusks here and kill 'em with blizzard - here to this hill which has a great angle for taking photos of my bois covered in ice. so... we're not leaving any time soon.

[dazaralor]

To cut is to seek obliteration of the self. This precept is infallibly true, for to cut clean and true one must erase all illusion of self, efface all distraction and desire till all that remains is the flame of will bared and roaring like an inferno. One must swing not with their arm or their wrist, but with the center of their chest, bereft of all doubt and other desire, knowing with absolute certainty that their will is to be made manifest on reality, and the sword, the glaive, the blade is the extension of that will, so as the brush is when composing verse, or illustrating an image.

I have walked the sevenfold path and confronted my aspects, have meditated toward the oblivion of self to see my will become manifest in reality with every stroke and swing of my glaive, yet even for all my years of pursuit I would scarcely claim to have even approached the cusp of mastery. It is a lifelong dedication for all but those select few, who whether by the grace and favor of the loa or the fire of their own hearts step into the hall of high legends, or the annuls of cataclysmic villains. I would not say this, yet neither would I say my progress is negligible, or even middling. False modesty is worse than unfettered ego, for at least ego is loud and honest, and guides one to its heart.

I do this so my blade might find purpose, for a blade honed for its own sake will inevitably cut down any it find it has opportunity to cut, and such indiscriminate violence is the ruin of the soul, the fallowing of the heart into a desolation in which nothing may grow or flourish, only die a lonesome death.

Of late my purpose has taken a new and unexpected trajectory, seeing my glaive raised on behalf of a man by the name of Zul'Rajai, the captain of a vessel in service to Zandalar and, by extension, the Horde. He is an intriguing man with a comportment that reminds me of a distinguished hero from one of the epics from the Empire's younger years, works of such age and character that it's a wonder they survived the turbulence of the age of the Council of Tribes. He is a man with a want to see good done, but tempered with a pragmatism that I shall take the measure of as time goes by and provides opportunity. They must be carefully balanced, good intention and pragmatism alike, else either lead to ruin of the soul. It is my hope we will share drinks, draw blades, and exchange stories soon.

I encountered Zul'Rajai, his wife Zajora, and a blind healer also amongst their crew named Deh'meva while attending the opening night for a gathering known as the World's Faire Carnival. By circumstance we all wound up occupying one space among the crowd, and certainly I had an appreciation for their presence as I watched a troupe comprised largely of members of the Alliance perform an oddly familiar style of drumming, and perhaps a familiar story, mere years after assaulting our ancient capital city and assassinating our king. I suppose some things simply can't be helped however, and once the opening ceremony finished, we dispersed. I may have gone on my way had I not encountered Deh'meva on her own, separated from the others, and though I had no doubt she could find them regardless of her being sighted or not, I still volunteered to assist her so she would not feel surrounded by small, pink creatures. We wound up separated along the way, but eventually I came across Zajora, reunited with Deh'meva, and we were re-joined by Zul'Rajai not long after.

I would be remiss to neglect to remark on either of the women I shared the evening with. Zajora, Zul'Rajai's wife, is a woman who makes an immediate impression of her practical and decisive nature. Though I could only hope to know the particulars through a gift of scrying, for certainly a woman as her would guard the secrets of her heart and story as a Sabertusk guards her young, she still makes apparent the strength of her character, her impatience for meandering and time wasting. A woman that would be excellent to befriend or ally with, and terrible to have as a foe. As for Deh'meva, she was more reserved, quiet. I believe the most we spoke of was regarding her unfortunate allergy to birds before she succumbed to its malady, and retired for the evening. A shame, for though I only briefly engaged she seemed a sweet, thoughtful soul, and I hope to find a moment to share her company again soon.

The evening that followed was almost inauspicious, a variety of sedate night as I seldom find myself in possession of. I am often on my own given the unpredictable course of my journeys, but even with these strangers there was a pleasant tone to what may well have otherwise been an obnoxious evening for the simple charm of their company, company that did not feel so jarringly misaligned to my own as is often the case when I sojourn from village to village, city to city, following what esoteric guidance I am prescribed by the accumulating presence of Hi'reek, or the jeering cackles of Jani. Perhaps it is good my solitude is ending, for a time.

Eventually we joined another of their crew, Harun, and while I had spoken with Zul'Rajai and Zajora of their work and the possibility of joining their crew, the circumstances of Harun compelled me to expedite my decision, as he had been afflicted with a terrible curse tied to some undead malady afflicting the Stormwind province of Duskwood. The particulars of this curse, at least such as they were outlined to myself, and the way they taxed the tauren, compelled me to take action sooner rather than later. I will be absconding for Duskwood following the completion of this entry, and will outline my findings upon my return. May Hi'reek's shadow never be far from my path.

[galahdanblade]

❝ that wasn’t an apology & you know it. ❞

he was getting too used to dave's mannerisms. a few weeks back and he wouldn't have pivoted to avoid the elbow the head hunter tried to bury in his ribs.

fuck that shit. the hunter was too keen to try and appease every single person he came across - that wasn't always possible. and kaleb wasn't about to bend down and beg forgiveness from some prick who had given them guff for not sorting the sabertusk issue sooner.

' — it wasn't meant to be. you're here to help, not be abused. '

[galahdanblade]

that comment had a snort lodging itself in the back of kaleb's throat - freya was an utter newbie to this place and hunting and she'd already heard all the horror stories about old cantankerous cid. once upon a time and kaleb may have agreed with the stories and comments he could only assume the younger hunters were circulating about the old mechanic, but he'd grown to know that cid had his ways for a reason.

his rough exterior guarded a good heart, and any ear-splitting lectures or insults he spat at folks, came from a place of concern. he cared about folks and he'd lost enough people in his life to not want to see that happen to anyone else.

' ah cid's not so bad, his bark is far worse than his bite - trust me on that one. i kinda got off on the wrong foot with him when a first came here. '

trust jeanne to fill the new girl in on all the locals, though it did have him curious as to just how much the ex-hunter had mentioned to freya? there were a lot of stories to be told, and jeanne was privy to most of them at this stage, especially where he was concerned.

' cindy's a saviour, she's forgotten more about cars than i'll ever know, and she keeps our fleet ticking over when we can't. ' he trailed off, eyes darting to where the sabertusks were still prowling, they'd spotted them both at this stage, so there were now involved in a game of come-closer. no problem, it brought them further away from the anaks, last thing he wanted was one of them getting a wayward kick of the colossal beasts mid-fight with a sabertusk ... been there, done that, not fun.

' wiz is gentleman, he was the uncle of dave's first wife - if you're ever stuck out for lodgings or supplies or a chocobo, he's your man. and he damned good tipster too. '

"Oh, the cranky old guy? I've heard some of the other guys talking about him." And about Cindy too, though that talk usually died away when she drew into earshot. She seemed to be someone the hunters were eager to see. "Jeanne warned me to be on my best behaviour when dealing with him."

Turning around in a slow circle as they walked, Freya took in the surrounding landscape and could see more of those Anak creatures oping a bit further away; maybe that's what those sabertusks were hunting? Some other hulking beasts stomped the ground over near the rusted remains of an imperial tank. She guessed they were dualhorns from her limited knowledge of the local creatures.

"She said great things about Cindy though, says she's the only decent mechanic outside of Insomnia, and probably better than any inside the Wall too." Turning back to look at Kaleb as the wind began to pick up and dust gathered on the breeze, Freya pulled her cap lower against the gritty wind. "- mentioned some others too, said a guy named Wiz is the only tipster worth talking to in Duscae."

[kunselxsoldier]

❝ aren’t you a jewel in a junk heap? ❞  

Horizon: Forbidden West

He was still getting accustomed to the accents of the mainland, trying to get an ear for the local people, or 'folks' as they called each other.

But it was the sayings that really sent Kunsel blinking dumbly as he tried to work them out: as ornery as a sabertusk with a toothache, ruffled his feathers like a distempered chocobo, kickin' like a mesmenir in a mood. They went on and on, more and more specific to things he didn't understand.

It was one of the quieter days in Lestallum when he'd noticed the old lady struggling down one of the narrow alleys, trying to didge racing children. So he came to her aid and offered the woman an arm to hold on to, slowly walking her home. She was kindly, dressed in dark clothes and with a stage habit of phrasing her sentences back to front.

Turning to walk back up the alley, he was caught off-guard by the cheery voice. 'aren't you a jewel in a junk heap?' He was getting better at discerning the thick accents, dipping his head and smiling at Lestallum's head hunter.

"Thanks I think, miss Kim." The old woman made another appearance and waved at Kim before closing her door again. "She seems an interesting lady."

[meissashush]

🍄🌻🌾(platonic)🌿🌸☄️☄️☄️ for Ro.

🍄 What are your OCs favourite snacks? Their favourite comfort food which always cheers them up when they’re down? Favourite meal to make? Do they enjoy baking and cooking and are they any good in the kitchen?

Rosea is a sweets person. If given a choice, she'll near always consume something sugary over anything else. Chocolate especially, but sweet fruits and vegetables are also just as likely. And if it's also a carb? No questions asked, she's eating it. It's a no brainer that baked goods are a comfort food for her. Her favorite meal, however, is pretty much anything with chicken in it.

She can cook. She can even do so passably. Her enjoyment of it is more contingent on getting the food afterwards, however.

🌻 What little things do they notice about people or the world around them that make them happy? What tiny little treasures do they find in the normal every day that makes the world seem a little brighter for them?

Rosea is an avid people-watcher. Not really on purpose, more as a side-effect of always staying aware of her surroundings, but the attention to others in public spaces means she has witnessed a lot of somewhat private moments in people's lives. She loves seeing people just living their own lives and experiencing joy. From the awkward teen couple bonding over cute merchandise in the mall to the toddler seeing bubbles for the first time, it's those little moments of joy she holds close. It helps her get through her more isolated days.

🌾 Describe your OC through the eyes of someone absolutely head-over-heels in love with them (platonic)

You get the bonus of nonplatonic because I'm fucking moronic and messed this question up on Garbria's.

Also this question stalled me so long I'm just giving small blurbs so I can finally just post this.

"Oh man, this kid is going to be the death of me." - Nyx

"I've had this kid for ten minutes and if anything happened to her, I would kill everyone and then myself." - Cor

"Why must I be in love with an idiot?" - Ignis

"I will not strangle my girlfriend, I will not strangle my girlfriend, I will not strangle my girlfriend--" - Gladio

"How am I this lucky, man? How did I get a girl like this?" - Prompto

"Do the Astrals hate me? Why did I end up with a girl like this?" - Noctis

Bonus:

"Why are all Leonis's the same?" - Aeo, Regis, Clarus, Papavera, and every other person unfortunate enough to love them

🌿 What way does your OC show that they care without using words? What way do others show your OC that they’re cared about without using speech?

She's always been more of a 'do-er' than a 'say-er'. Blame it on the infamously taciturn Immortal, but she's not always good at saying how she feels. She'll show her affection by saving the better parts of a snack, waiting to watch a show, and going out of her way to make someone she cares about's day a little easier.

🌸 What are some of their favourite things and why? List as many as you can think of!

Sleep, pineapple flavored candy, chocolate, chicken patties, a train ride when its not crowded, chocobos, zus, mega-fauna in general, dogs, cats, maybe just all animals, except sabertusks the fuck is wrong with those things?, jersey knit cotton, hoodies, over sized t-shirts, tonberries, ulwaat berry flavored anything, coffee, warping, etc etc etc

☄️ Does this OC deserve better treatment from you? Do you make them suffer just a little bit too much? Be nice to them!

☄️ Does this OC deserve better treatment from you? Do you make them suffer just a little bit too much? Be nice to them!

☄️ Does this OC deserve better treatment from you? Do you make them suffer just a little bit too much? Be nice to them!

LA LA LA LA I CAN'T HEAR YOU OVER ME BEING SOOOOO NICE TO HER AND HAVING NO IDEA WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT

/)(>-<)(\ <- not listening

[harpooni-rhooni]

this is camouflage

[soldier-lodbrok]

Well. That sounded shit.

"Oh, a little further than Gongaga to be honest... but if nothing else, that is good enough maybe."

Gongaga was remote as hell, too. But there were splinter cells of Avalanche there, maybe enough amicable bonds for them to pass a message on to the SRC.

Scratching the beard on his chin, Glenn hummed as if he pondered her suggestion.

"Fine, I think I can wait till your husband returns. But the radio is a need, not a want.", he grinned. he just needed to get word back to base. Cosmo, preferably. That they were still all alive. A chopper vanishing without signal usually was a bad sign.

He didn't want Ifalna to worry too much either.

"Your husband was a hunter you said, right? I knew some on the mainland. Good guys. Nice to make deals with them, they have the best hides and teeth of beasts in their inventory. Once traded with one of them - bunch of thin sabertusks against an ointment he needed for his bad ankle."

"Jack of all trades, mast of none unfortunately." She offered the answer with a chuckle and s shrug. Being the smith of their town wasn't a pressing job to be fair - fix some lobster pots, re-weld some old machinery, maybe the odd time make a knife for one of the hunters. Other than that she was the barmaid and tipster here, something that came organically from running the inn for its old owner.

Their farm was something she held onto, inherited from her dad and she tried her best to keep the small herd of livestock going, and the few crops. It was too expensive to buy produce and get it flown to the islands.

"Sara is just fine," she offered another smile and nodded as a customer gestured to the lager tap. A radio. Now that made her thoughts whir. She wasn't sure where this man was from, nor his allegiance just yet; the last they needed was Shina landing here.

"Afraid that depends; the ones we use for music are short-wave and their signal only stretches as far as Gongaga. How far away are your friends?"

"My husband's home tomorrow and he has a much stronger radio in his kit." Being a tipster had taught her the art of friendly conversation and how to get information with a charming smile.

[heythisonesprettygood]

pet doggie :))

[chippersweetbaby]

frostbite and chocobo magic

[galahdanblade]

the full hunter experience ... nah, not until a sabertusk or cactuar popped out from behind one of the rocks or until an iron giant's rumbling growl shook the ground. and here's hoping he didn't tick those off the hunting bingo card on day one with sarah and selena on the mainland.

the glare sarah shot him didn't go unnoticed. but kaleb bit down on the inside of his cheek - things were shit enough right now without making the atmosphere any worse between them. she was upset because of nyx, and an argument would make this whole shitshow worse on selena.

so kaleb shouldered his rucksack, lifting up the tailgate of the truck and slamming it into place. nodding his head as he headed for the haven.

' he already knows. it's too close to dusk to sent another truck out right now, they'd make it to us, but we'd still end up camping here ... along with whoever came to help us. '

' they'll be out at first light. ' boots crunching on the stones and dirt as they grew closer to the haven, kaleb fished his cell out of his pocket, holding it out and offering it to sarah, 'y'can try nyx now if you want? '

From here [X]

A dilemma ... that was definitely what this was. She hadn't wanted to leave Galahd, digging her heels in and arguing every possible angle she could, but the whispers were growing and growing from the tipsters she knew on the mainland.

The kindly man named Wiz told her of rumours he had heard; imperial airships on the edges of Lucian territory, slowly moving further and further from the Protectorate northwards, like they were scoping areas. Galahd was a tiny spattering of islands ... but it was alarmingly close to Insomnia on a map. Enough to be seen as a middle finger to the King who had recalled his protection and Wall from the area.

But none of their neighbours had wanted to hear it; things were fine. The hunters had helped set up defences against beasts and daemons. They were learning how to manage. It had been Kaleb to finally convince her they should leave; they hadn't been on good terms in a long time, but she knew he wouldn't fear-monger for no reason.

Hands on her hips, Sarah looked from the flat tyre to Kaleb and then to the haven in the near distance. Why hadn't he checked for a spare tyre before taking the truck the entire way to the ferry? Resisting the urge to pinch the bridge of her nose, she counted to five in her head and gave a small nod, with a mustered smile for Selena. "Come on sweetie, looks like we're getting the full hunter experience."

She didn't even know what she was properly angry with Kaleb; they hadn't been a proper couple in years now, but neither had they called an end to the marriage-turned-volley-of-arguments. It was nearly easier when he chose to stay away for those weeks and months on end, hunting and avoiding home. Moving towards the truck, she shouldered a rucksack and decidedly left the heavier things in the hunk of junk, shooting Kaleb a glare. "I want to call Nyx tomorrow morning first thing."

He would be in Insomnia now, and it made her heart skip a beat with guilt and blame she silently aimed at Kaleb. If he had been around more, then maybe Nyx would have stayed with them? Maybe he wouldn't have jumped at the chance to join the Kingsglaive and put his life in danger just like his father did with the hunters?

"I know what a haven is." She didn't need him talking to her like an idiot; she had been a tipster and knew the dangers of the night. "Just focus on getting word to Dave, you can do that correctly, right?"

@galahdanblade

[pretty-boys-on-a-roadtrip]

÷ Eye to eye ÷

[hobo-chancellor]

I can’t go two feet without running into them during the day.