aetherstories

[aetherstories]

“Anger is just anger. It isn't good. It isn't bad. It just is. What you do with it is what matters. It's like anything else. You can use it to build or to destroy. You just have to make the choice."

"Constructive anger," the demon said, her voice dripping sarcasm.

"Also known as passion," I said quietly. "Passion has overthrown tyrants and freed prisoners and slaves. Passion has brought justice where there was savagery. Passion has created freedom where there was nothing but fear. Passion has helped souls rise from the ashes of their horrible lives and build something better, stronger, more beautiful.” ― Jim Butcher, White Night

Private, independent fandomless Original Reaper and his bonded demon, as written by Sparrow. With verses for FFXIV, Marvel, The Dresden Files and more. Established the 22nd of December, 2024 See here for guidelines, muse info, verses and content warnings

[aetherstories]

It's a laugh, nonetheless, and Cassius smiles at it. And just like laughter lacks full joviality, so does his smile, but then again his heart is heavy and even if it wasn't, Cassius has long been a serious man. He could not afford otherwise, at Court, when he knew his every movement would be scrutinized... and afterwards, as a mercenary, he's never managed to be boisterous. He's efficient, and he's steady, and that's all he can be.

If he mourns something that almost was a home, well, there's little to be done. All they can do is keep walking forward, and that means making their way to Ishgard.

He does not truly hold much hope that they might more of their kin, all in all... but some hope still lingers. Because he's not yet comfortable discussing his past beyond minimal details, and the accent he cannot really get rid of, and yet...

"Hope is always worth holding on, and so I'll be glad to let you protect mine." He smiles, and it's not dishonest, albeit just a bit playful.

It would be Tai Yang's kin far more than Cassius', all in all: he is half Garlean, but that is not something he's ready to speak of yet, when his kin on both sides is in the Empire or in Doma, and they have never felt so far.

Nevertheless...

"Our people are long-lived." He tells Tai Yang. "Just like Garlemald was not always an Empire, and many Viera remained, Ishgard was not always isolationist." He adds. "Just let us keep that in mind, and hope we might yet find our allies soon." He continues. "Some of the Scions are so young," he confesses, "and I worry for them."

And then, in a moment of honesty, he speaks again.

"It is never easy to leave one's home."

the barking laugh that escapes tai yang is a few stops short from truly lighthearted, its ring the barest bit hollow and dry, but it is a laugh nonetheless. someone must laugh in heavy times as these; it wouldn't do to lose themselves entirely to the cold, external nor internal. " by nymeia's fortune, i hope neither of us suffers such questioning — though the thought may be encouragement enough for me to find something more appropriate to wear once we arrive, " tai yang jests in turn, a modicum of warmth coloring the words as they leave his mouth.

he doubts severely that the people of ishgard know a single thing about the gold saucer, though the possible whiplash of some elezen noble being familiar with the blinding and colorful lights of that place ... while cassius thinks of home, tai yang entertains the notion of the gambling elite. for a spell, anyhow; there is much else to be distracted. cassius' voice, for example.

although not every single thing that cassius said was dripping with the utmost importance or wisdom, it was all nonetheless interesting to tai yang, especially here and now, where every single distraction from the course their lives were taking was sorely appreciated, needed. even when the topic shifts to home as it does now: a vague concept that sleeps in tai yang's breast, that he knows less about than cassius for reasons not quite so willing as a peoples who have unanimously agreed never to speak of. for as much as it weighs his heart to think about, it is a grief he is used to, acclimated to, and which easily overshadows, for a spell, the fresh wound which still bleeds heavy.

" uncommon as they seem to be in eorzea ... the scholars in gridania hadn't anything to offer as to whereabouts. " nor anything else of viera, tai yang leaves unspoken. " empty of a lead as it may be, even so — it is a hope worth holding on to, that we might find even a scrap of kinship here. " in this unfamiliar place, closed off to the outside world as it is, where they are sure to stand out like burning pyres. tai yang would be surprised to see a single lalafell (barring tataru) or miqo'te wandering the paved streets of ishgard; the distant possibility of viera anywhere in this frozen land ... he was not optimistic, but it was something to hold on to, however loosely. then, with the intention of joviality, he says, " i will hold it for the both of us, so you might not suffer the disappointment of being met with naught. "

[aetherstories]

There is not outright aggression, and that is a welcome change. Lahabrea thinks rather poorly of mortals, of those cursed with lifespans that are barely enough to get them out of childhood, for some. Five centuries are much to the short-lived, and yet Lahabrea has lived that many, many times over.

He does not notice how his memory frays, these days. How much Zodiark's unending grip on his very being pushed him beyond sanity. All he notices is patterns to exploit, and creatures to manipulate, and an impossible goal to work towards.

And his plans, right now, intersect with those of the mortal that almost killed him, once. He will not pretend it does not sting.

"I know where they are." Is what he says, at the posed question. And then, before Tai Yang might attack, he speaks again. "Though it is not of my doing, nor that of my equals," he warns him, "I have seen them."

There are two plans he wished to work towards, all in all. If he can hasten a shard's demise, he shall: he will also use the time without a hero on the Source wisely. And if Hades must nap again, then Lahabrea will have offered valuable advice once. He has conquered the ears of kings with less.

"Theirs is a familiar plight." He even speaks. "Though not one you have experienced yourself."

i have not come to fight, lahabrea tells him, and were his nerves not already shot through to the seven hells, tai yang might have found it in him to laugh incredulously at that. the ascian's sole interest in him, it felt, was to kill him and his: lahabrea especially had been particularly keen on that, all those years ago when they first met. tai yang is half tempted to remind him of this fact, to interrupt the unsundered and be done with this interaction ... but he is smarter now than he was then, even if only marginally, and despite his current reaction to this sudden and unwelcome resurfacing, he and his blade had been well-tempered over the years. the warrior of light, though it may have well been hard to believe, is not as haphazard or heady as he had been.

so, it is with raised hairs and bated breath that he listens to whatever may come out of lahabrea's mouth. naked as he feels without the hilt of his guillotine in his hands, he does not reach for it, keeps himself still.

the mention of the scions is nearly enough to push him over that edge. and then, confusion washes over him, and shortly thereafter, doubt; expression shifts and wavers, emotions plain upon his features, emotions he would normally have done well to at least try and conceal. he cannot be reckless. he cannot be rash. most of all, he cannot blindly trust a word out of lahabrea's mouth.

" what about them? " tai yang asks, and though there is a bitter bite to his words, lahabrea can feel that he is not incapable of being reasoned with. slim as the opening may be, it is there.

[aetherstories]

It is not so easy to categorize, he says, and maybe once upon a time, when he walked streets no longer in existence, he might have agreed. Alas, he was faced with the choice, with deciding what their civilization was.

A kinder man than Lahabrea would have mourned their plight. He is, however, no longer that man.

"You are in a position, Lord Commander," he says in the end, "that might see you called to make choices. To decide what Ishgard is, and what it can survive without."

There is exhaustion in his voice, not that it's old news in any way.

"Consider this advice, if you must." He smiled. "Or just an expression of an elder's curiosity, nothing more."

A bizarre question, he thinks, one that does naught to settle the discomfort that lingered within his stomach; how uncomfortably it twisted around, a warning that came from deep within his bone marrow. His silence on the matter remained, however, and his attention was given in what could be understood as an undivided manner, though quite otherwise.

"I don't think one can easily categorise." Aymeric uttered, finally sitting himself down, if only to keep up appearances. "Ishgard is a city steeped in a grand amount of history; doused in no small amount of tragedy and struggle. And it's people? Stubborn, determined survivors if naught else- though not missing their difficulties or flaws." A pause, timed; "Why-?"

[aetherstories]

"Ah, so you are shy." Decreed Astraeus, tone easy and comfortable both and just this once, not mocking, not joking either. Just understanding. "That is alright."

Don't let it be said that the Traveler cannot be merciful, sometimes. Then again, they do adore Hades, and the man only likes attention on his terms. Like an oversized cat, that friend of theirs.

Achaeus, however, seemed far more nervous than that. Which could hardly be solved: it was a dreadful consequence of Amaurot being Amaurot, Azem thought.

"There are many kinds of attention, however. Many ways of being watched. And not all are wrong." They point out. "Admiration is not a bad thing, and so many people are not admired enough, wouldn't you agree?"

Paranoia sank into the marrow of bones, pale eyes taking note of surroundings - - though there was little in the meadow of fields, Achaeus could note others some ways away, and there was always the possibility of people lingering where he couldn't see- It wasn't a thought process he was particularly enjoying, but he turned his attention to company, regardless.

"...I don't really like the idea that I'm being watched constantly." He admitted, fidgeting with his hands; "I'm not the sort of person that gains attention, I've become rather used to the quietude of being ignored. Possibly being watched, well that's just... I don't like that."

[aetherstories]

╰┈➤ ACTION PROMPTS : Loving Actions (SFW) a set of action prompts, varying from platonic to romantic ! an assortment from simple ones, to more niche or specific ones that i happen to like. prompts become more descriptive as the list goes on. all sfw, and please keep them that way ! these are meant to be fluffy and sweet ! please do not add to or edit this list ! * add “+ reverse” to swap the roles for any prompt !

• GESTURES •

[ BLANKET ] — sender drapes a blanket over receiver’s shoulders

[ MEAL ] — sender places a warm-cooked meal in front of sender

[ TAKEOUT ] — sender arrives at receiver’s home, bearing takeout from receiver’s favourite place

[ HOODIE ] — sender lends receiver a hoodie that may or may not be oversized for them

[ HOLD ] — noticing that receiver is nervous or scared, sender offers out their hand for receiver to hold

[ LULLABY ] — sender hums or sings a lullaby to receiver, to calm them down or provide them comfort

[ ADJUST ] — sender fixes an article of receiver’s clothing, but does not stop there. they fix receiver’s hair, turn them around to check their outfit, etc, all to make sure that receiver looks their best

[ DANCE ] — sender pulls receiver into a dance, but not on a dance floor ; in the midst of somewhere unconventional ( such as a kitchen or balcony ) , for a quiet, private dance, that may be more of gentle swaying than proper dancing

[ SONG ] — cradling receiver close, sender tucks their head near receiver’s neck and begins to quietly sing or hum a tune. a song, just for receiver, quiet and special and close enough to be felt against receiver’s neck.

[ PREJUDICE ] — sender, after touching & guiding receiver’s hand to assist them in doing something ( such as stepping up onto a higher platform or guiding them somewhere ) , releases receiver’s hand … but their own hand hesitates before retracting, sender still able to feel the sensation of receiver’s hand against theirs.

• HUGS •

[ REFUSE ] — sender, already embracing receiver, refuses to let go when receiver tries to move or move away

[ TACKLE ] — sender tackles receiver in a hug, possibly knocking receiver to the ground in the process

[ TIGHT ] — sender tightly hugs receiver in a strong embrace

[ SOFA ] — sender sits on the sofa that receiver has already been sitting on, snuggling up next to receiver and wrapping their arms around them in a comfortable hug

[ BEHIND ] — sender sneakily approaches receiver from behind and wraps their arms around receiver’s waist in a hug

[ CALMING ] — after finding receiver full of worries or fear, sender wraps them in a tight hug, reassuring receiver that they are there and helping to ground receiver

[ MISS ] — before receiver can leave, perhaps on a long travel or dangerous journey, sender rushes up behind them and hugs them, having one last big hug

[ SPIN ] — excited to see receiver, perhaps after a long period of time, sender rushes into an embrace, going so far as to lift receiver off of the ground and spin them around

[ SIDE ] — sender, standing next to receiver, takes another step to the side to close the distance, then wraps an arm around receiver in a side-hug

[ HAIR ] — while embracing receiver, sender begins stroking and running their fingers through receiver’s hair as a calming gesture

• KISSES •

[ CHEEK ] — sender kisses receiver’s cheek to wish them good luck before an event / a performance / etc

[ UP ] — sender, shorter than receiver, stands up on their tippy toes to kiss receiver’s cheek

[ DOWN ] — sender, taller than receiver, leans down to kiss the top of receiver’s head

[ EXCITEMENT ] — sender spontaneously kisses receiver, full of excitement after an event or receiving news

[ SPINNING ] — sender lifts receiver into a spin, kissing them gently and chastely as they set receiver back down onto solid ground

[ FOREHEAD ] — sender gently kisses receiver’s forehead, their lips lingering against receiver’s skin in a tender moment

[ PEPPER ] — sender peppers receiver’s face with butterfly kisses, across their cheeks and over their face, smiling all the while with intermittent laughs

[ SHOULDER ] — hugging receiver from behind, sender kisses the back of receiver’s shoulder, lingering with their face pressed against receiver’s back

[ PALM ] — idly playing with receiver’s hand while receiver does another task ( writing, reading, etc ) , sender then sneakily kisses receiver’s palm

[ ASK ] — in the midst of a tender moment, the two of them already close together and within distance to be kissed, sender quietly asks if they may kiss receiver

[ REQUEST ] — sender, near receiver, watches the person they love, full of adoration ( perhaps with a love they do not yet know is requited ) . quietly, perhaps nervous or timid, sender asks if they may kiss receiver.

[ SECRET ] — sender and receiver, as forbidden lovers, share their last few moments before being pulled back into their lives. sender, catching receiver before they leave, gives them one last kiss as a goodbye, and a promise that they will meet again soon.

[ DISTRACT ] — sender surprises receiver with a kiss, intending to distract them from their current task, perhaps work they have been doing overtime or a project they have been focusing on for a long time. sender intends to create a distraction to tear receiver away from their work/project, or perhaps to bring some levity and lightness to interrupt receiver’s work

[ BALLROOM ] — in the middle of a dance, perhaps a large ballroom, sender’s and receiver’s eyes meet in the midst of their partnered dance. sender, perhaps without thinking, leans forward and kisses receiver

[ KNUCKLES ] — sender, after guiding receiver’s hand ( such as to assist them in stepping up onto a higher platform, or to lead them somewhere ) , goes to release receiver’s hand … but not without pressing a chaste kiss to their knuckles, soft and lingering

[aetherstories]

MULTIMUSE MEME: Send a " ⭐ " and I will list muses I would be interested in throwing at yours, or potential muse combinations if you are also a multi. If you like any of the suggested combinations, you are welcome to come plot or start interactions with them.

If you can't see / use the symbol for any reason, send " star! " instead. If you are a multi and you want to see which muses I would be interested in throwing against a specific muse of yours, send ⭐+ that muses name.

[aetherstories]

@soulsbetrayed liked for a random muse starter call! The blue dice said: 3 - Cassius tol Sarvas And my d10 said: 5 - X'rhun Tia

He's perhaps not the most reassuring presence, a young Viera man stirring a pot over a campfire while his bonded Voidsent polishes a scythe by his side, but then again he won't dismiss Esseia without reason, and she does like to make sure his weapons are sharp. She says it gives her something to do.

"I must admit, I've only met one other Red Mage." He tells the Miqo'te, his Garlean accent long softened over time. "But your discipline does have my curiosity. There are not many that seek balance."

[aetherstories]

Random muse starter call!

How does this work? Easy: Under the cut, there's a picture of my four 6-sided dice. I'll roll one of them, and the number decides the muse, in the order they are posted below. If I roll a six, I roll again.

To get a starter, just like this post or reply with the muse or muses you'd like a starter for. You can also choose the dice I'll roll (but if you don't I'll roll a d4 to pick it) :3

Muses:

Lahabrea

Fourchenault (aka Emmerololth)

Cassius tol Sarvas (& Esseia)

Y'rhika Tia (aka the former Ascian of the Twelfth Staff)

Astraeus (aka Azem, the Traitor)

The dice:

[aetherstories]

💭 + parenthood ( for any muse that tickles your fancy with this !)

𝓗𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓬𝓪𝓷𝓸𝓷𝓼 — send 💭 + a topic to receive a headcanon about said topic. || Accepting

Am I really supposed to choose with a topic where I have so much to say? Nope. Let's talk parenthood, and all my muses :3

Lahabrea is one of my two muses that are canonically a parent, and I headcanon that he has been a father more than once, both before the Sundering in our verse (considering Venat his child as well) and after, with Mae... but also during Allagan times. He was one of the many Emperors of Allag, and raised children with a purpose, yes, but he was unable not to grow attached to them. Not to be their father, not to mourn them when they passed. It was why Emet-Selch was the one who took that role, in Garlemald: they all feared Lahabrea could not handle that anymore. And they would have been right.

Fourchenault is my other muse with canonical children, and despite the way he goes about it, he sincerely loves his children, and wants nothing more than their safety and happiness, for all he has put the former before the latter some times, and that's caused its fair share of friction. He was already an Ascian when the twins were born, and if he had not already been willing to do anything to keep Sharlayan and his family safe, holding them for the first time would have solidified that conviction. And when they were sent to the first, Fourchenault did check on them, from a distance, and as much as he could afford without Emet-Selch noticing... which wasn't much.

Of my remaining muses, the least likely to have children would be Astraeus, the fallen Azem: They did not have the interest just yet, in Ancient times, and now they are too consumed by their mission. They would, moreover, not see themselves as parent material, being too aware of their wanderlust but also believing a child needs some stability to thrive.

Y'rhika Tia, on the other hand, is someone who, as a lesser Ascian, could not have children naturally, but would like to adopt them at some point. He was adopted by two women, a Hyur and a Roegadyn, and his was a happy childhood, so he would like the chance to offer that to someone else, if he has a partner and/or enough stability to properly raise a child or two.

Regarding Cassius and Esseia, well... Esseia, as a Voidsent, cannot have children, but she has bonded for life with Cassius and would very much look over any children of his, blood or not, and perhaps bond to them at some point, once Cassius' age -despite him being a Viera- means he retires.

Cassius, on the other hand, can and for a long time he expected to have children, at some point: he was the right hand man of the Prince of the Garlean Empire, and so he did expect to someday marry, for his mixed heritage would not matter as much when he was a Legatus, and marriage would of course involve children. And as much as he hoped of liking or even loving his hypothetical wife, he expected the marriage to be political, and for his role as a father to be mostly of a provider and teacher at some point. Now, however, Cassius' outlook in children is a shade different: he does not really expect to marry, and is not sure if he wants children himself, but after all he has seen and done, at some point he'd like to retire and become a schoolteacher. He believes children are the future, and he has always enjoyed interacting with them, and would like to help guide the next generations so they don't make the mistakes of his.

[aetherstories]

𝓗𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓬𝓪𝓷𝓸𝓷𝓼 — send 💭 + a topic to receive a headcanon about said topic.

[aetherstories]

It's not that Lahabrea knows little: there is an Elezen underneath the black cloak, under the clawed gloves that were once mourning attire and now he wears to mourn the people that once were. And that Elezen, stolen body that it might be, is still able to move unnoticed, to listen, to hear. So the rumors, he's heard them all.

And he's been at enough courts, through enough civilizations, to have a small idea of what to expect. But that is hardly enough, isn't it?

"Oh, I know what people murmur, and I know what people say. But hearsay is a treacherous treasure, Lord Commander, I have found. And I am old." He reveals. "Old enough to know better."

Certainly not an Elezen, and certainly older than the ground they're standing on. Far older than Ishgard, and older still than all dragons save one.

"What is Ishgard to you?" He asks Aymeric, in the end, from behind his mask of office. "Is it an ideal, is it people, is it a place?"

There truly is just something about the fellow in his company that sets Aymeric's nerves alight, something he doesn't quite trust. For the moment, however, he says naught about it and decides to remain cordial - to cause issue within the upper echelons would only spell issue for him in the long term and, frankly, he had enough to contend with.

"I'm certain you know enough of me to bring a conclusion." Aymeric utters; talk among those of the city had always been rife and he'd never been one to hide aught at all; how he had gained his position, where he had grown up, the rumours of his heritage; truly, there was naught more to learn of him. "But if you have further questions, I'm sure I can offer an answer that will satisfy."

[aetherstories]

Why wouldn't they be watching them, Astraeus wondered, given the way chaos followed them, attended them every step of their way. Why wouldn't they be watching Achaeus, they also wondered, when the Traveler had decided he was worthy of curiosity... and their curiosity was near boundless, in some ways.

"Maybe they're intrigued. Maybe they're thinking, or marveling at the way we wear our robes. Or maybe it's not anyone at all," he pointed out, "and it's just the creatures of Elpis, being themselves and wanting to know us." They offered, far more playful than anything else.

@aetherstories asked : do you think they're watching us right now ? - From Astraeus, to Achaeus

"...watching us?" Achaeus was hardly the kind of fellow many would hang around with, too timid and frightened of his own shadow, skill-less and near absent of aether; sewing the seed of paranoia was likely not the best idea. He's quiet, the pale of his gaze darting around to try and espy anyone of whom may have been lingering, but in the meadows of flowers there were few spots to hide - - and not seeing anyone only made his uncertainty worse.

"...Why would they be watching us?"

[aetherstories]

No need for dramatics, and there's a dark eyebrow raised at the wording, before the Speaker nods. Formal as the current Lahabrea might be, he is not so arrogant that he will demand respect as the current Pashtarot does, for all that meeting concern with a dismissal is not something he's particularly fond of.

"It is hardly dramatics when we are well aware of the creatures Pandaemonium houses." Is all he points out. Tone even, tone steady... and even steely. Because some things must still be said.

"I expect all the necessary... paperwork regarding the incident has been completed?"

Must he send someone to Elpis to see that it is handled, or have the arrangements done already? Because it has been a long time since he has walked Elpis, but there are some in Pandaemonium who deserve the chance to visit, despite the task before them.

@aetherstories asked: Koios, is that ... blood ? - From Lahabrea

"--hmm?" A brow raises, gaze raising from the vast expanse of biological plans and blueprints to gaze over a shoulder toward his unexpected visitor. Palms, leaning against his desk, claw fingers inward ere straightening his back - regarding company with no small amount of idle annoyance. Koios detested disturbances, of any kind.

The mention of blood had him gaze around, double checking paperwork and the like for any marks before he looked at himself: blood having dried down an arm and around a few of his fingers:

"--some variety of fiend clawed me while travelling back through Elpis. I simply haven't tended to it yet, no need for dramatics."

[aetherstories]

We (I) don't talk enough about Cassius' occasional frustrated/angry ranting in his native Garlean, and how sometimes the fake accent slips and instead of the soldier-like Eastern Garlean accent comes out the very fancy Court accent.

And how the only reason people don't catch up is that they're not familiar with Garlean accents... And Cassius pretends to be a man of few words.

[aetherstories]

There is caution, Lahabrea is too old not to notice it, and there is a mutter he ignores, and even decides, in a moment of generosity, to not even begrudge. It's the library, perhaps, or maybe simply the way he cares so little for these brief flickering souls that are but embers when compared with the flame they should be.

But he knows better than to ignore them fully, and so he has summoned this man, and he gives his answer as the book behind him closes. He has not touched it.

"We must be more alike than we seem," he tells Aymeric, "for it is curiosity that moves me, as well as the goals we share."

Goals he pretends to share, in truth.

"We have not spoken much, Lord Commander." He tells him. "But if we are to work together, and it seems to be the case, for the Archbishop has seen the value of our counsel," he adds, "I would know those who wield power in Ishgard."

He would know their failings, and how to use them. All else matters not.

There is something that feels as if it crawls up his spine when he is in the company of the fellow reading before him, the very atmosphere in the room somewhat heavy and almost dry to breathe. Aymeric had never been able to put his finger on quite why the unknown figure made him feel uneasy, but he oft listened to his instincts and thus kept his every word and position cautious.

He stands curtly in the doorway, only stepping within the room once he was spoken to, preferring to not sit himself down for the moment but instead stood near to a window;

"As expected." Aymeric uttered, not having seen the Archbishop himself in quite some time and he wonders if they are perhaps hiding illness with notions of business or other important endeavours. "I'm curious, then- why you would summon me here?"

[aetherstories]

One of these days I need to write down a meta/headcanon compilation about Viera and the Garlean Empire, and Cassius' interactions with them.

But the basis would be that many Viera left after the Republic became an Empire, but the ones who stayed and were Garlean citizens already remained citizens.

And also: Viera are long lived, and most come from a very insular society, which they fully left behind. So I fully headcanon that they look after each other. That any newcomer Viera is welcomed with open arms, and taught and guided, because they will always be outsiders in a way but they are not alone.