#the gleaners are KISSING

[zakifairer]

The botanist and the gleaner

[adistantstargazer]

5/23 - Kiss Day 💜

[deathflare]

my delusions of gleaners gossiping about erenville bc hes so gorgeous and uninterested (sneaking a kiss in a quiet corner of the last stand)

[masonyin]

1.Piano-playing mother  2.Monna Lisa ‘s Violin  3.American Viola  4.The Double Bass Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp  5.Girl with a Pearl Earring Playing a Recorder  6.Kiss the flute  7.Van Gogh Playing the Clarinet  8.Evening Prayer with Saxophone and Oboe 9.Portrait of Giovanni Arnolfini and his Wife playing French Horn and English Horn 10.Napoleon Riding a Horse and Playing the Bassoon 11.Self-Portrait of Picasso Playing the Trumpet 12.The Birth of Venus and Trombone  13.The Baritonmaid 14.Portrait of Margaret Playing the Tuba 15.The gleaner picking up drumsticks 16.A Timpani at the Folies-Bergère 17.Marat Playing the Guitar 18.The Music of Man 19.The Dream of Playing the Piano 20.Scream

[feralkwe]

22.…in a rush of adrenaline.

for the kiss meme with Kit and whoever you feel like :D.

What was your plan, Kit?

Themis had posed this question to her time and again. At first it had stunned her into stillness, considering him before her, not quite corporeal, yet no longer fading away. At first she insisted she surely had one, though it was a lie he quickly saw through. She had not thought beyond the moment she had begged him—arguably prayed to him—to stay. To remain. To make life together with her his new purpose, and all that entailed. To someone skilled in plans, in considering every angle before acting, surely her panicked eyes as she struggled to come up with something was an obvious tell.

Eventually the pieces fell into place with Claudien's assistance. Papers were forged. An identity was crafted. A cabin reserved on the aether-rich Isle of Haam, perfect for a young gleaner to take up residence as he tended to his new duties. Or, perfect for the Warrior of Light to hide away with her newly resurrected beloved where he could restore sorely-needed stores of aether.

Perhaps though, the greatest surprise of her failure to plan was for the ways that life without burdens had awakened… a very peculiar side of him.

Free from pain, from torment, from the din of souls crying for deliverance, Themis could feel. He quickly deemed every sensation worth experiencing. Food that provoked tears and burned the tongue, warm sun on naked skin, love bites which lingered for days. The tip of a blade pressed to the palm of his hand and a spark of wonder in his impossibly blue eyes. Kit had greatly underestimated the ways in which she would be forced to pivot and race to keep up with his surprisingly impish nature.

"How remarkable. Not even once have you thought to do this?" He grasped her hand, strength and size incongruous with how easily he dragged her across the snowy ground. She stumbled and tripped to shed her clothes quickly lest they become wet in the water they hurtled toward.

"It was never high on my list, no," she laughed. Their feet fell upon the slope of ice just as she freed herself of the last of her garments.

The sharp tingle of frozen ground quickly became burning against skin unaccustomed to such extremes. Apprehension quickly evaporated as excitement overtook her thrill-seeking soul and gravity pulled them downward and into the near-freezing pool waiting. She gulped a lungful of air as he let out a whoop of joy heartbeats before they were submerged. The breath was futile as the abrupt change in temperature forced all the air out of her as shock hit her skin and rushed through her from edges of her long ears to the tips of her toes. Burning cold made her scream out as their faces broke the surface, Themis bursting into a peal of laughter which until recently she'd never have associated with him.

He swam about as they found their feet beneath them, heads barely broken above, then turned about and playfully splashed her with a swipe of his arm across the rippling surface. "Incredible!" he called to her, breathless.

She shielded her face, his laughter infectious even as feeling in her toes fled and every muscle spasmed. Her heart rushed, every detail of the world in harsh clarity as blood pumped in her ears. There were no words to express the way it felt to see him so vibrant and alive and hers. "I'm glad to see you enjoy it." She clutched her arms around herself, already shivering, her teeth starting to clack together.

He struggled against the current, backtracking to her with determination. "No, not the water," he gasped as he grasped her face in both hands the moment he was within reach. "You. This. Much and more have I missed in my thirteen thousand years." He pressed trembling, blue-tinted lips to hers, then broke away quickly. "And much and more will there be to experience anew."

This time, when he pulled her face down to his, as his mouth met hers again and his tongue darted past her lips, the cold seemed to fall away until all that remained was her, him, and this spark of appreciation for existence they would reclaim together.

(Prompts can be found here.)

[this-is-ris]

Ris- Five Character Associations

Thank you for the beautiful Yein content and tag @iron-sparrow! this was such a wonderful exercise to do for my bnuuy ♥ and I'm eager to see more! Trying not to overlap tags, so anyone else who wants to join in please do! » EMOTIONS/FEELINGS

love hope safety grounded curious

» COLORS

green brown lavender baby blue indigo

» SCENTS

forests worn tomes flora wood honey

» OBJECTS

journals gleaner’s coat fresh cut flowers blue crystal necklace traveling pack

» BODY LANGUAGE

bright eyes studying features gentle fingers raking through hair tall and attentive ears heartfelt embrace hand placed over her heart

» AESTHETICS

dried petals pressed between pages in a journal fresh dew kissing the tendrils of a fern warm flickering candlelight starlight and a full moon peeking through forest canopies stack of fluffy strawberry covered pancakes

[yzeltia]

[ TEA ]: sender prepares a mug of hot tea for the receiver. 🫖☕️

Characters: U'rahn Nuhn, Erenville, Drake Tribe Rating: T for Nuhn Summary: U'rahn tends to his duties as Nuhn then duties to his heart.

With the sun set, a rare chill spread over The Forgotten Springs, offering a respite for the Huntresses of the forgotten springs after a long day of Sandworm hunting. The Blackmoon Hunt was yet another moon away, and they had started to think their deadly neighbors had learned after the first few years of their culling that Nyx would be back for them. A chorus of whistling sounded from within the commons, though the voices were quickly silenced as U’rahn pulled a kettle off each burner of the stove. On four trays, he’d laid out fine tea cups and saucers with dragon and knights printed on them, a gift from Ishgard. 

With four kerplunks, he dropped a metal ball filled with Thanalan tea leaves into each of the kettles as U’khuba, U’thyka, and U’odh came in for their respective trays. U’rahn beamed at his cousins and father, putting a large bowl of sugar cubes out for U’odh to take to his mother and daughters while the other two left to check in with the weary Huntresses. U’rahn took up his own tray, wandering out to the outskirts of the village to bring the tray to those who were on duty for the night. He poured for each of them and waited quietly for them to relax and sip and finish their cup before moving on, ensuring that they could take a proper rest.

Once he made his rounds, he returned with the final cup to his own house. There he found Erenville resting in his bed, hand closed inside his field journal as he dozed. Carefully, U’rahn set the tray by his end table then slipped the book free. Curious, he looked inside, finding drawings of the sandworms and notes about their diet and habitat and how they might be deterred from the village without lethal force. He smiled softly, leaning down to kiss Erenville’s cheek softly before sitting up to pour him tea as he roused. “I told you that you would wearrr yourself out if you accompanied the huntresses,” U’rahn said softly, offering the saucer as Erenville sat up, ears slowly rising upward.

“I wanted to find some way to help,” Erenville said, closing his eyes and inhaling the earthy scent of the tea before blowing on it.

U'rahn frowned a bit, ear twitching a bit as he looked at the journal. Reaching out, he put his hand over the top of the other's cup, preventing him from taking a sip and instead pushing his lips into Erenville’s. “Y’know, you don't have to compete with Nyx.

Erenville scowled in a manner that made U'rahn know it was annoyance at his insight. “I do not compete with Nyx.”

“Not directly. Maybe not even um…consciously,” U'rahn said before holding up the other's field journal. “You keep things locked in yourself, but I pay attention. I see you.”

Erenville snatched the book back. “I am a gleaner. I travel over hill and dale for far more dangerous specimens than your sandworms.”

U'rahn nodded. “True. True. But y'know Nyx comes around about this time and does their thing and then we don't have to worry about them. There's a big party and everything. I told you that.”

“Right, but they keep coming back and thus you may need a better solution.”

“Yeah, but we don't want them to go away completely. They’re super important to the springs,” U’rahn said before tapping his foot on the floor. “The tunnels they make help it so that the rains the Sagoli gets make their way to the springs below. So they still need to be able to come around as needed.”

“They go that deep?” Erenville asked before opening his journal. “My research held that Sandworms do not burrow below the sands.”

U’rahn scratched his chin. “Well, after centuries of annoying one another ours are extra feisty and go a lot farther down to get away from us. We hunt the ones that are a nuisance and then when we’re overwhelmed Nyx comes and helps us out now; but, we don’t want them to go away forever. We can also use their fangs for sewing needles and potions. Some decorative furniture too. They’re part of a delicate balance of life out here.”

“Rahn, I understand now. You don’t need to explain ecology to me,” Erenville sighed. “I maintain that I did not do this out of competition.”

U’rahn let his ears flick then rubbed the back of his head. “Well, you’ve never shown much interest in hanging around here before until I mentioned the Blackmoon Hunt. Suddenly you’re around a lot.”

Erenville turned away sharply. “That means nothing.”

“I think it means a lot. You looooooooove me,” U’rahn said before taking the tea from the other before flopping into him for a hug. “Just remember, I love you too, for Erenville reasons and Nyx for Nyx reasons. For instance, you are a lot fussier than Nyx.

“I fail to see how that is something to love. And what did I say about calling me that,” Erenville said before finding himself kissed by U’rahn again. U’rahn pulled back, laughing until Erenville joined him.

[likealittleheartbeat]

Welcome. Collected a lot of my original writing below for those interested. The longest meta is 12 pages on a word doc. The shortest is two sentences. Most are 3-5 paragraphs. Fics are also here. Enjoy.

ATLA Meta

Zuko & Aang The Queer Platonic Love of Aang & Zuko (the longest meta I've written)

Aang's Traumatic Processing

What Do Aang and Zuko 'Understand' w/ the Firebending Masters?

The Theme of Emotional Isolation

On Fandom's Resistance to Zukaang

'A New Drive:' Desire vs. Connection and Zuko's Inner Fire

Touch: Zuko and Aang Don't Construct Intricate Rituals

Aang, Self-Hatred, & The Blue Light of Compassion

Jeong-Jeong's Wisdom: The Pain of Fire

The Negative Capability of the Blue Spirit

Contextualizing Ozai's 'Abuse'

Zuko's Interest in Spiritual Practices

The Avatar and the Firelord: Reincarnation for Zuko & Aang

Are the Firebending Masters Heart-Shaped and Why Does It Matter?

Aang Ran Away (A Response to NATLA)

Why Zukaang?

Post-Colonial Feminisms The Impact of Yue's Sacrifice on Katara

The Girl in the Iceberg: Katara's Winning Move w/ Azula

Ophelia and Katara: Women of Waters

The Implications of an Unconsensual Kiss in Emerald Island Players

Katara as an Indigenous Female Storyteller

Kyoshi and Pacifism

Resisting Romanticism in ATLA

ATLA Resists the Pocahontas Complex, but You Don't Have To

Symbolizing Colonial Rape in ATLA

ATLA Actually IS About the Ships

Context: History & Fiction Sokka & Wan Shi Tong: The Limits of 'The Archive'

Aang's Coming-of-Age: On Rites and Community

Atomic Bombs in ATLA: The Avatar State & Sozin's Comet

Aang's Not the Fictional Orphan We're Used To

Do These Characters Need Therapy?

ATLA's Trope Subversion

A Quick Note: On Bryke and Privileged Creators

Skin & Race in ATLA

An Indigenous Deus Ex Machina

Japan, Monarchies, and Resistance to Euro-American Imperialism

Zero Relationships Are Made Stronger Through Conflict in ATLA

A Follow-up to 'Zero Relationships': Reciprocal Relationships in Times of Oppression

ATLA's references to animated works on Imperialism

The Iceberg as a Novel Visual Icon of Survival

Visual vs. Oral Cultures in the Water Tribes

How Guru Pathik's Voice Actor, Brian George Embodies the Themes of ATLA

Aang as Hamlet

A Theory on Why the Series Ends in Ba Sing Se

The Tragedies of Jet and Hama

Aang & Katara Subverting Romeo & Juliet

Buddhisms and Spiritualities in ATLA On Defending Aang's Character

Death in ATLA

Avatar Alone: On Solitude in ATLA

The Block of Ice and the Crystal Palace

Breath, Air, and Abrahamic Connections in ATLA

The Gaang, Not A Found Family, But a Sangha

ENERGY BENDING

Queer Readings The Masculine Shift in Gay Coding

Queer Rep vs. Queer Themes

Alternatives to Queer Metronormativity in ATLA Tags To Browse My Blog With:

#atla meta, #buddhism, #colonialism, #imperialism, #indigenous, #queer history, #the world is wide (cultural diversity), #history is long (historical connections), #platonic love #likealittleheartbeatrecommends (for works with similar themes to atla), #fanart, and of course #zukaang

Fanfics (of the zukaang variety): Warning Sign: (modern au, 2 chapters, completed); The Gleaners:  (modern high school au, one-shot) Water:  (post-series, 19 chapters, completed) Fluff Fanfics Can Get It: (modern college au, WIP) What Is It Like to Be Full of Lightning?: (missing scene oneshot) The Strength of My Self-Discipline:  (missing scene, rated M, one-shot) False Pretender: (post-series, rated M, one-shot)

Ficlets: “I will seek your light, Aang”

“It’s not that Aang wouldn’t confide his feelings.”

“Right, friend.”

“I know you know this isn’t working”

“The True Blue Spirit”

“In the velvety night, a spark burst”

“If you walk down the spiral staircase”

"I give my secrets to Appa"

“So this is what peace sounds like”

“We didn’t have this whole idea of love back then”

"Zuko finished reading Aang's manuscript"

[lilas]

I am demanding.... er.... respectfully requesting Avi'li and Erenville headcanons please? 人´∀｀)

Hehe, happy to fulfill your demand—er, request for Avi’li and Erenville headcanons (‘•̀ ▽ •́ )φ

When he starts working and hanging out with Erenville more, Avi’li begins to spend his nights in the Noumenon reading different articles and books on various animals, especially those that Erenville talked about that day. He’s excited to continue the discussion the day after!

1. This is going to be a multiparter: from some discussion with friends, I headcanon Erenville has a sophisticated palette taste wise; he’s traveled a lot and has had a variety of cuisine; however the Sharlayan and Gleaner mindset still prioritizes practicality over all else, so when he’s on the road he settles for things like archon loaf, road rations, and plain foods

2. Meanwhile, Avi’li has been practically spoiled with food all his life. Food has always been provided to him (his family, inn food, street food, the House Fortemps staff, Aymeric’s staff, the resistance, Domans, the Last Stand, Mehryde’s Meyhane, Vrtra’s people, etc etc etc). In short, he has no idea how to cook for himself outside of burning rice and having fish that’s slightly too chewy.

3. So when he visits Erenville on the road, regardless of their relationship, he has to suffer road rations and the plainest food for…longer than he’s had to be comfortable with lmao

4. It inspires him to cook! Thus starts Avi’li’s culinary arc.

5. All of this to say: Erenville is the pickiest food critic lmao. He knows flavor profiles and what works and what doesn’t, and he’s a hard audience to impress. It frustrates Avi’li to no end, but it’s a fun challenge you know? Cooking to impress your not-boyfriend! I have a scene in my head where Erenville makes some minor nitpick that no one would actually care about it, but that’s the joke right, and all Avi’li can do is silent scream into a cushion lmao

They’re such a comedy duo to me, they just riff off each other really well? Definitely that pair that is just “yes and”ing each other all the time

After the Boat Kiss(TM), Avi’li touches his lips A Lot unconsciously, with his fingers and also biting it when he’s in thought. He’s thinking about that kiss! Beyond frustrating for Erenville to watch because he Knows because Avi’li is so obvious and yet they can’t make out about it??? Like there’s an easily achievable solution to this and yet….

And this is most I can share until things develop in DT! Thank you for asking and indulging me! (´°̥̥̥ω°̥̥̥｀)

[elizabethrobertajones]

TBH re: Grerenville... I make Frog Canon in ffxiv strictly start from only what is suggested in canon and I can branch off and fill gaps but I don't go into anything too AU that needs to be kept track of, because I am really enjoying the Warrior of Light story as presented anyway and Frog is just the best and most special warrior of light (as is every WoL but she's mine so :))

Just because G'raha and Erenville have never met in canon doesn't mean they can't have bumped into each other given the occasional times they've been based out of Sharlayan since Endwalker. Like, it's humorous to me that they haven't crossed paths yet, especially when Erenville is now hanging out with Krile. But also that is just what we see on the surface so why not say they could have met.

Of course, then we get into the complex knot of relationships that is Frog's life, given that G'raha is pretty much The Boyfriend ffxiv hands you of COURSE he's Frog's main boyfriend (vs, like, Aymeric who is merely courting her in the sense that it's still like 90% show at public events with lots of bowing and dancing and chastely kissing the back of her hand, and 10% frantic meetings in the Forgotten Knight :P)

Frog has totally encouraged G'raha he can date other people if he wants and aside from getting very flustered about Aymeric when she takes him on formal trips to Ishgard, and getting tongue tied about Estinien, he's been hesitant to branch out (mostly because if I tried to hold in my mind the web that is Estinien's love life being Aymeric's ex and Vrtra's consort, if G'raha got into all that it would become some sort of unstoppable katamari ball of ship rolling over everything)...

But what harm could one friendly unattached Gleaner do to all this? :)

enter: Frog declaring Erenville her arch nemesis after the Toad Incident with the same level of devotion to the cause that Zenos took to her. And Erenville reciprocating as the arch rival from an high school anime role in her life with glee.

Yeah, sure. I'll just try shipping Grerenville in that atmosphere. It'll be fine.

[summer-braeniharzwyn]

Fluff Prompt: Chopping and Piling Wood

Summer had built the perfect little cottage for herself in The Lavender Beds. Close enough to civilization to run to a library when the mood strikes, but far enough away from people to quell her anxieties. Being a Warrior of Light was never easy on the heart, but being lambasted with praise every moment made her feel ill rather than proud. She was happy to help people, always, but not at the cost of perception.

She awakened with the sun, her recent travail into being an early riser paid off on beautiful mornings like this. Wanting to stay in bed a little longer, she rolled over and closed her eyes, but the anxieties wouldn’t allow her to fall back into slumber. Sophie was visiting today.

Sophie stayed at Summer’s cottage for a few days every so often, whenever her job as a gleaner allowed it. It was always a joyous occasion, but it never stopped the nervous, bubbling feeling in her chest whenever the day came about. Summer was happy, profoundly so, at Sophie’s soon-to-be arrival, however, her thoughts twisted darkly the closer the arrival became. What if this is it? She questioned, What if she calls it off, what if she can’t do long-distance anymore, what if she’s just fallen out of love with me? Summer considers asking Sophie to turn her visits into surprises. Summer has no idea if that would make it better or worse.

During breakfast, there’s a knock at the door, and her heart jumped into her chest. She had no idea Sophie would be arriving this early. She wiped her face, brushed her blouse and skirt free from any wrinkles, and opened the door. Summer is nearly knocked to the floor from the force of Sophie’s hug, her weight doubled from the amount of luggage she has on her, and Summer couldn’t help the dopey smile spreading across her face. What was she worried about, she wondered, every time. Sophie was smiling too, and kissing her, and, well… needless to say her doubt was washed away in an instant.

“Why don’t you use the fire pit out back?” Sophie asked over dinner. Summer tilts her head in question. They built the fire pit together in Summer’s backyard some months ago, just a small circle of stone right between the garden and the expanse of trees leading into the forest.

“What makes you think I don’t use it?” Sophie was right; she didn’t use it. Not since that first night that they built it. The weather had been perfectly fine, there were no issues there, but…

“I was just looking at it earlier. There’s no ash, no wood, the stones look pristine. It’s fine if you haven’t been using it, I was just wondering why not.”

Summer nodded. Sophie was observant, as one has to be as a gleaner. The real reason was kind of embarrassing, given her size, but she sighed, knowing Sophie wouldn’t judge. “I, uh, don’t exactly have the arm strength to chop wood for it.”

Sophie laughed, “Is that all? Why don’t you use your nouliths to shoot it down? Or your carbuncle?”

“Isn’t that cheating?” Summer’s face twisted up.

“It’s not cheating if you don’t get caught,” Sophie winks. “Besides, who cares how you get it done? You’re all alone out here, I promise no one is gonna be mad at how you get wood.” She frowned at her last comment. “Ignore how I said that. You know what I mean.”

“Yes, I know what you mean,” Summer covered her face with her hand, slight blush at Sophie’s Freudian slip. She sighed a moment later. “I suppose you’re right. I still get caught up in how people perceive me, I suppose.”

“You don’t have to,” Sophie said, putting a hand on Summers’, “You never had to.”

“I know.”

They sit in silence for some time, before Sophie spoke up again.

“How about we have a fire tonight? We can chop up some wood for it before the sun sets, maybe have a few drinks after? Put that pit to good use.” Sophie smiled.

“I like the sound of that.” Summer smiled back.

The two clean up their dinner, chatting idly about fires, the best drinks to have with them (Summer says it’s wine, Sophie argues it’s beer. They do not come to an agreement), and whatever else comes up while washing dishes.

Summer summons an emerald carbuncle, assuming the concentrated wind would be the best to cut through the trees, and brought out her nouliths for their aether shots. Sophie pulled out a hand ax from the shed, spinning it, to Summer’s abject horror, and catching it by the wooden handle without issue. Summer had a hand on her knee, breathing in and out slowly, while Sophie rubbed her back apologetically. She knows Sophie is good with a spear, but it’s still terrifying to watch.

There are a number of old, felled trees on her property already that just needed to be cut up to be usable as firewood. They pick one out that seems dry enough, and get to work, Summer with her carbuncle and nouliths, and Sophie with her ax. The sound of metal against wood, the rush of wind, and aether being blasted permeated the air for the next hour.

Summer looked over to Sophie to see her progress, and was caught up in the sight of her girlfriend, sweat on her brow, muscles straining from effort, and her heaving chest. Oh gods, her head was spinning suddenly. Sophie looks over to Summer as well, smiling softly when she notices she caught her eye. But Summer’s eyes must have conveyed something much less innocent, because Sophie’s smile turned more sultry.

“Like what you see, hon?” Sophie swung the ax into the log she was chopping, splitting it in two in one fell swoop. Summer swallows heavily. Sophie stuck the ax into the stump and sauntered over with a swing in her hips. She wrapped her arms around Summer’s neck, giving her the slightest peck on the lips. “You still want to do the fire? Or do you have something else in mind now?” She tilted her head, but her eyes betrayed her innocence.

“I, uh, I mean-” Summer stuttered, “I- I’d honestly hate for all that hard work to go to waste.”

Sophie laughed, sounding relieved, “Thank you, I was hoping you’d say that. That was a lot of work”

Summer quirked up her lips at Sophie’s response, “Glad I chose correctly, then.”

“I think we have enough wood for a while.” Sophie said, releasing Summer’s neck from her loose grip. “Let’s pack it up and haul it over.”

They do so, a few round trips to get everything, and Summer is still impressed by her girlfriend’s strength, carrying nearly twice what Summer is able to. Though Summer can tell she’s doing it solely to impress her, judging by the strained look on Sophie’s face and the puffs of air she lets out between treks. Once all the wood is over, they work to set up a fire, and in no time, the fire pit is being used for the first time in months.

They sit together, enjoying the warmth of the fire and each other, chatting until the embers die and the moon is high. Summer thinks, I could use this more often, but it will never be as good alone as it is with her.

[ffxivaltaholic]

Prompt #8: (You Pick!) Prickle

#FFxivWrite2024

"Ouch..." He tensed as another cactus spine was pulled from his hand, holding still as best one could in such a predicament, and visibly pouting. Normally the Gleaner was quite careful when working with hazardous flora and fauna, in fact Seedkins and dangerous flora were actually his specialty... The pout was met with a raised brow, the other man's expression focused behind his glasses. "Almost done, one more prickle." He cooed softly, returning his orchid eyes to the task at hand. "I'm surprised, you seemed to be avoiding them with ease earlier, are you tired? Perhaps the sun is getting to you? We could take a break and finish later." Kristoffer continued on as he worked to remove the last cactus spine, turning to collect a salve from his kit. It certainly was a boon to have a botanist and healer alongside on this journey. 'I was distracted watching your beautiful face brighten at the different flowers...'

Diarmune wanted to say the words, to praise his partner and dote upon him, but in the moment it would not be very romantic sitting there with a pitiful expression at being bested by a cactus, and so he merely shrugged, adding little to no clarity to his answer. The response got a small huff of annoyance from the auburn-haired Botanist as Kristoffer went about healing the small cuts on Dia's hand. "Well try to be more careful! If you were on your own this would have been a very unpleasant time. That was seven needles..." The scolding was expected and Diarmune's silvery-white ears would flick back against his head as he tried not to laugh softly while being given a slight berating for his carelessness. Something about Kris fussing over him was so endearing and adorable. "But... I haven't found the weird little guy... Some kind of Sabotender I've never seen before..." The Gleaner complained with a heavy Thavnarian accent, looking at his bandaged hand with slight annoyance. Stupid cactus. Bringing his gaze back up to the other Viera, they exchanged a soft smile as Kristoffer drew Dia's injured hand over, placing a gentle kiss along the linen-wrapped knuckles. "We can come back tomorrow you know... Plus it is getting rather hot out..." Considering it was mid-day the temperature was reaching a point of uncomfortable, even in the shade. Despite being rather suited to the warmth, Diarmune was somewhat in agreement that it was a bit toasty even for him, and it was true they could easily come back another time, even the next day, but he was determined to find the little cactus creature that had scurried away upon being discovered by the pair. It looked like a new Sabotender for sure, but it was small with a little pink flower on it's head. He wanted to study and document it, but the critter had fled into the cactuses with an easy he could not replicate. Thus they had spent the last two hours searching.

A defeated slight left him and Dia nodded, admitting defeat despite his stubborn nature. He simply could not say no to such a cute face. "Fiiiine... Lets go back and get some shaved ice." Something to beat the heat a bit. As Kristoffer nodded and packed up his items, the Gleaner simply watched and admired until a moment came when he could reach out and capture the other Viera's face with his hand, pushing off the rocky edge to stand and steal a kiss before Kristoffer could scold him further. Given the chance he might have pushed for a little more affection from the botanist but something caught his eye. A pink flower... Atop an odd looking sabotender of sorts...

[ximperialknight]

LOOK AT OUR BNNUYS AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. The brainworms have been real and I'm so happy they're in development ;w;

"If you wanted to take a photo with me, at least make sure we're both in frame, Amari."

"Haha, r-right... Sorry!"

When your fiancée is taller than you, one of you has to improvise.

Hi yes!!! Please perceive our Vieras. We've been rotating these two like rotisserie chickens in our DMs for the past few weeks LOL

The handsome green haired Viera belongs to @ximperialknight!!!

[allycryz]

FFXIV Write #12: Quarry

Rated E for eggsplicit

Hades x Nerys, Sharlayan quest chain during Endwalker

A bet, a chase, an interlude

or

Nerys and Hades play sexy hide and seek

She’d equipped herself with botany tools but not anything to mine with–and here she was, sure there was something worth prizing out of this cavern wall.

Nerys peered forward, bracing her hands against the sides of the nook and inspecting the shine of green and purple embedded. Her weapons she could stow into enchanted stones and crystals, why hadn’t she done so with the pickaxe and hammer–and for that matter, the hatchet and scythe she kept on her pack and the myriad other tools she used?

“Careful,” a voice murmured close to the back of her neck, hot breath against her ear. “Quite a compromising position you’ve put yourself in, hero.”

Relief filled her lungs–and not just because he could solve her problem. This was the first hint of teasing she’d heard in Hades’ voice in days. Understandably so, given the horror he was forced to relive with the Final Days at their heels–and no less concerning even knowing why. 

She turned in his arms, her lips grazing his own. ”Perfect timing, could you do me a favor?”

He lifted an eyebrow as his hands found her waist. “Oh?”

“I don’t suppose you could materialize a pickaxe?”

Hades’ sigh feathered over her lips. In the cavern's dim light, his eyes were the brightest thing about him. “How I've fallen--that my capturing you so elicits only packmule requests.”

Nerys laughed, her mouth brushing over his cheekbone. “I’m certainly not complaining about you holding me.”

“Mm.” His gaze flicked away to where their party had already descended–traveling down the mineshaft as the handsome gleaner Erenville had advised. Back to her. “I have a counteroffer.”

“I'm listening.”

“if you make it out of here uncaught…” his lips brushed her ear. “I'll provide all manner of tools and equipment for your foraging.”

Nerys pulled back and his hands gave way, allowing it. She looked around. “Have we been found out by the Forum already?”

Hades chuckled. “No, you've only one thing to fear currently. I'll turn and count to fifteen. That seems fair, given your natural speed and skill.” 

“Hades…” She ignored the pulse low in her belly.  “we haven't the time and we shouldn't dawdle-”

“Then don't get caught.” he shrugged and turned from her, laying a hand over his eyes. “One…Two…”

Nerys moved. What else could she do? She simply had to get out and fast, and she was the Azure Dragoon. A few jumps and accepting the risk of tumbles that came with leaping into dark unknowns…hardly a challenge. 

And he's having fun. Or at least, putting on the airs of a man enjoying himself. Last night he'd said little over their repast or when they went to bed. Gentle kisses between him and her, and Y'shtola, and Urianger. His gaze in a world beyond the four of them as they bedded down in the Baldesion Annex. 

“Eleven!” he sang out as her feet slowed. A moderate incline before her, two passageways on either side that certainly did not go to the level below. 

She turned left and bounded, long leaps that covered a lot of ground. Another nexus, she chose the darker one and vowed to check the other later with its tinges of soft glow. Samples of something must await her. 

The dark did not bother her, nor the narrowness of the tunnels she chose. This was the type of place she had grown up in. For all Hades’ powers, she had some advantage. 

She found a place where light no longer reach and even her vision struggled between shades of sable and charcoal. Nerys touched her finger to her tongue and lifted it–the wind answered gently, barely there. Each step was a searching one till she came across something. A wall. Her palms slid over it, seeking the way forward. 

Nerys found the opening and measured it hand by hand. Big enough to squeeze through. She had chosen a gown over the drachen mail, presenting herself as ambassadorial and proper as the city dictated. The lavender hems were already dirtied from assisting Erenville with the creatures, and now this would tear it further no doubt. (Hopefully she could take a look later and determine salvagability.)

She lowered herself onto hands and knees and proceeded feet first. Fabric rolled under her, something tore. She swore and continued into a widening, widening passage. Without the spikes on her armor, she fit easily into what she realised was a small room.

She pressed her back to a wall and sighed. As good a hiding place as any, when your partner could materialize at will and see the color of your soul. Truly a rigged game from the start.

Nerys smiled. 

And waited.

It wouldn’t be any fun if he just appeared before her. They both knew that. She listened for the scrape of a footstep, a jaunty tune whistled and set echoing through the caverns. A voice calling out for her.

She waited. And waited more.

He isn’t lost. There was no chance of it. And he had been the one to initiate this game–had something happened?

Nerys waited more. Shifted from one foot to the other. Tried to make out shapes in the darkness. Maybe he had run into something in the mineshaft and it needed more effort than usual. Some of the wildlife, Alphinaud had cautioned, were ranked extremely dangerous. If they were in the wild, you’d be sure the different Hunter’s Guilds would have bounties for them. 

Hades was more than capable of handling such creatures. But if they were especially irritating…

She stepped away from the wall to find the passage she’d entered through–and found herself back against it, spine scraping rocks, hands fixed on her wrists. Only the cool, familiar presence of his magic kept her from attacking.

Hades tsked. “It seems patience is not one of your virtues, hero.”

Nerys shook her head. “I wondered if something delayed you-”

“Very few things could delay me.” She could not see well enough to call his movements graceful but experience told her the way he slid both wrists to one hand while the other slid down her chest was the definition of elegance. He squeezed, setting the heat in her alight once more. “Not from this.”

His thigh invaded itself between her legs and an open mouth pressed hungry to her throat. Nerys felt her body growing limp, the soft sound of pleasure escaping her lips. Hades’ chuckle only made her feel the want more keenly.

“Yes?” He purred, teeth scraping along her shoulder blade. The fondling hand slipped down and pushed aside her skirts, and she felt his sigh when it took a few seconds to work through the layers. “Have something to say?”

“Seems you do,” she said, her voice soft, breathy. “Don’t you like my outfit?”

“Right now,” he said, at last finding the hose beneath and working at their tie. “It is not a question of like or dislike–I have no desire for obstacles right now.”

“And I’m the impatient one-”

His lips covered hers, drinking her in as much as shushing her. The length of his body pressed against her; his hips pressed against her own. Any doubt she could have possibly had about his arousal–and she’d had little–erased from the feel of his length hard against her. It seemed the time for talk was over because his clever fingers slipped beneath her smalls and his mouth possessed hers without reprieve.

With no sight his touch made her entire body shiver. Like an exposed nerve brushed over. The sound of his quick breathing echoed around them, her answering little moans loud in her ears. Each brush of his hand sent her body into shudders. 

She felt his grin against her skin even as his touches grew more desperate. There were times–more than half the time really–he would tease her and their partners for near a bell or more. Not now. She heard the slide of his belt and the unclasp of his trousers. The feel of his head rubbing against her was a shock of warmth and she had a moment to gasp before he sank home. 

“You…” Nerys clung to him while she attempted words. “You’re eager…”

“To the victor go the spoils,” he murmured before capturing her mouth again. A dark current threaded under Hades’ voice. His hand seized the meat of her thigh, nails pressing into her skin as he made her accommodate him. 

The building pressure was delicious, made even moreso by his breath in her ear. Hades hit something deep in her and when she sobbed, he chased it until all she could do was make the sound again and again. When her eyes slid shut against the mounting feeling, it only intensified the sensation. 

“Open your eyes,” he told her.

“I can’t see a-fuck, there, right there, fuck-a thing.”

“But I can.” His forehead pressed to hers. “I want to see the look when you surrender.”

Nerys opened her eyes. His shape was indistinguishable from the shadows and it felt like the very darkness had caught her. Her lips parted to say not to worry about her, to chase his own pleasure. Again he stopped her mouth with his as his clever fingers brushed over her at the place they joined. 

When she cried aloud, she thought she saw the gleam of his eyes. 

Little by little he helped her set down legs she hadn’t realised were wrapped tight around him. Gentle fingers traced down her arms, her sides. Lips traced her brow. “That was…quite invigorating. Thank you, my dear.”

She found his cheeks in the darkness and kissed them, one and then the other. Kissed his forehead, the bridge of his nose, at last his mouth. "Any time."

[little-froggie-enclosure]

A Worthy Successor

Fandom: FFXIV

Characters: Deryk, Erenville

Word count: 944

I had a dream about Erenville being one of the Twelve and it took over my brain so now you get this. Enjoy :U

“We did the very same in the days of eld.” Deryk smiled. He let his legs hand over the edge of the cliff and the sea air kiss his fluttering fox brown locks. Green eyes on the Aldenard coast, he thought of a friend lost to time but captured in those brilliant blue eyes, that indomitable spirit and that incredible love for the star. He felt power stirring within him and wondered if the others had felt the same before they’d commended everything they’d been to a mortal.  If Venat had felt the same when seeing those inspiring blue eyes when passing Azem to his dearest friend. “You would die, then.” The viera’s brows furrowed, his expression confused. Erenville stood behind the old god and his hands formed fists. “Besides which- why me? I travel much to be certain, yet… The Warrior of Light, she would be a far more suitable candidate, yes?” Deryk laughed at the gleaner’s assertion. “She would, wouldn’t she?” He smiled. “And yet, she has already been bequeathed a great power of her own. I would not inundate her with more.” Erenville paused at those words. “...Another’s?” Deryk nodded. “Aye, another Traveler, much alike to the both of us. He was Shepard to the Stars, the voice of the people. And a beloved friend.” The viera relaxed his hands. “That still does not explain why you wish to make me Wanderer. Why? I…I am no fighter, no leader.” Deryk gathered  a handful of silken sand from beside him on the clifftop. He raised it hand and let the wind carry it away. “Because you have the heart of a Wanderer, my young friend. You love this star no less fiercely than Meteor or I. You value the natural world and wish for its preservation.” Deryk lowered his hand then turned to glance over his shoulder. Erenville was transfixed by those brilliant green eyes. “I was a fighter. But the next Wanderer need not be if he would not choose thusly.” Erenville stared down at his boots, anything to avoid being caught in that powerful, bottomless gaze. “...And will you vanish as your fellows did? Choose to die because your duty is finished?” Deryk frowned. “Is that what vexes you about this?” “How could a man choose his own death so casually not?” Erenville replied. “There is so much to see on this star that surely…” The viera trailed off.

“I never said that I planned to die, Erenville.” Deryk hummed. Erenville’s long ear twitched. He snapped his gaze up, his nose twitching curiously. Before he could open his mouth to inquire, the god answered. “You see…After our mutual friends placated the Twelve’s desire to deplete our energy in combat, I was encouraged to follow my own heart. To that end, I have chosen to walk this planet as a man rather than a god.” Deryk lifted his legs and pushed up with his arms to get to his feet. He turned around. His travel worn cape fluttered in the breeze. “Not to mention that even our great hero did not manage to spend everything we were given by Hydaelyn. And so we all have chosen promising candidates to take over our seats. To carry our wisdom and continue to guide the star through this time of transition.”

Erenville frowned. “I am no god, Oschon.” “Deryk now, if you please.” The man chuckled. “Neither was I. I was a but man once, one who loved this world like you do. It is not lightly that I offer this seat to you.” The gleaner stared out across the salt. Perhaps somewhere off in the distance, in Tural, his mother prattled on about another adventure. Travel was in his blood. His soul yearned for it. And when he thought of how much the Final Days had rattled him, things suddenly fell into place.

His expression relaxed. “Understand, then, that I do not…” He sighed deeply, shook his head in disbelief. “That I do not accept your offer lightly either.” Deryk smiled. A man with so youthful a face had no place with such a wise expression. He rested a hand on Erenville’s shoulder. The weight was comforting, grounding.

“And you will have the benefit of a mentor who still walks the lands, at least for another good fifty years or so. Perhaps more, if I am so fortunate.” Erenville fixed Deryk with a flat expression but that only served to make the god laugh again. “I am serious! This is no fleeting thing, what you choose. I have the utmost faith in you.” Deryk gently brushed dark waves from Erenville’s forehead and touched his fingers to its center. “Do not fear what you become- but do not underestimate it either. Remain yourself, Erenville,” The sound of Deryk’s voice became distant as aether from another age poured like a raging river into Erenville’s body. The viera could not speak, frozen in place as he felt the energies of a god sear through his veins to kill and revive him anew. “Because the man you are is worthy of being the Wanderer.” Erenville found he could not answer. His last sight before everything went dark was a baby opo-opo clambering up Deryk’s slender form and perching on his shoulder. The god smiled as his divinity ebbed and peace and relief overtook his features. Erenville surrendered to the shadow of unconsciousness, knowing that when he awoke, he would be the Wanderer. That Deryk would be free to live out his remaining years travelling the star secure in the knowledge of a worthy successor chosen. That Erenville would next open his eyes to Etheirys as a god. 

[fumikomiyasaki]

Reverse ™ - for my muse to become jealous of the attention your muse is giving someone else

Hinata & Carol & Erenville

Symbol prompts

Today should have been a more calm day... she promised Erenville to accompany him into the forrests looking for some unique specimen he heard about but at the prospect of her holding onto his arm and walking with him Hinata insisted to come with them, him saying they needed someone to tank them but he also had other reasons... he wasn't fond of her hanging this close with the Gleaner like she did now...

The three treaded along the path... traveling along the river as Carol took both their hands just to be safe to not slip along the rocky surface...

"If my contacts are correct it should be around that pond there."

Erenville pointed to a small pond of sea roses... Carol walked quickly to it inspecting the Lily pads kneeling down as the two Vieras had a chat among themselves.

"Hey Spriggan, do you have to always drag her along and not anybody else?"

"Carols intelligence helps me greatly with my research, don't you have other people to protect as well, Eggplant."

"And you think you can? Its more that she would protect you really."

The two glared at another untill suddenly the Elezen woman stepped in looking up at them both and taking their hands.

"You have to see this, look."

She showed them a bunch of spotted frogs who jumped around the lily pad with a bright smile as she suddenly noticed the two of them going silent. Sighing.

"Listen I heard you two egging another on again... know I appreciate you both around me and you have to accept that. But if you both want some attention-"

She took each of their hands and softly gave it a squeeze and gave each of them a wink.

"I can take all my time to spoil you two my way <3 Cause I love you both. Even if you two bicker a lot."

A sigh escaped both of the Vieras as they joined her in a small hug... she knew it wasn't that long since she proposed this relationship with them but still she was determined to show them what she saw... that they cared about another as well... even if they didn't want to admit it outright... and so her and erenville started to expect the frogs closer while Hinata kept watch to make sure nothing was bothering them till the three had a more comfortable chat back home.

But before they went back inside the Building the Elezen woman placed a kiss on Hinatas Cheek and Erenvilles Forehead.

"I had fun today... if you are done laying everything down, stop by my room, then I can spoil you two. <3 "

With a teasing voice she left along back to her group... keeping up a warm soft smile for the day.