kalina-moonbride - Tumblr blog

[kalina-moonbride]

"I love you , I'm glad we're friends"

[kalina-moonbride]

"emet-selch had a point" girl the ancients' clothes are called sophist's robes...

[kalina-moonbride]

yes critical analysis of media is super valuable but I think suspension of disbelief isn't practiced enough

"the beginning relied so much on fate/chance meetings/a bizarre set of circumstances that could have solved the conflict if avoided" babe that's an inciting incident

[kalina-moonbride]

Reblog if you think it’s okay to platonically say “I Love You” to your friends

[kalina-moonbride]

/showleft

The fic. Is here.

/showright

The infamous "longfic" I've been talking about for like... over a year now? Now has the first 5 chapters posted on AO3. I'm going to try to gradually post them, now that I'm refusing to let myself edit and edit and edit and edit and edit- it's not perfect and it won't be and that's fine.

Please enjoy my first foray into fic (Since I started writing this before anything else I've posted on Tumblr) and my biggest project in a very, very long time

[kalina-moonbride]

Announcing the FFXIV Creators Support Group Discord Server

I have created a new discord to cater to the needs of people like me. People in the FFXIV fandom who enjoy engaging in creative activities (whether that's art, writing, gposing, character development, world building, etc.) but often deal with self-doubt and insecurity about it. This server is meant to be a safe space where you can talk about these feelings without being judged or scolded. A place where we can share and encourage each other with understanding and empathy.

In addition, the goal is to maintain it as a small and manageable group for those of us who have trouble feeling comfortable in larger servers. To this end, I will not be posting a public invite. If you are interested you can DM me for an invite or you can simply like this post and I will contact you.

I hope to hear from some of you soon!

[kalina-moonbride]

Vacation

Context: Post Endwalker, at some point before the side story “In Storm's Wake”. Spoilers: Various references to events from Stormblood, Shadowbringers, and Endwalker. Warnings: None. Challenge: @ffxivpolyamoryweek! Details here.

Choosing Kugane as a destination for a romantic getaway meant weeks of preparation, as G'raha had never been there, and Y'shtola's immersion in regional language and custom had been cut short by Zenos's blade. But the payoff was so, so worth it!

Kalina Moonbride had much to show her beloveds: the Hanamachi, where the geiko vied for fame and patronage with fashion and dance; the Sekiseigumi barracks, where Inspector Hildibrand once thwarted an unjust ritual suicide; a teahouse on the aetheryte plaza, whose ash receptacles bore discreet makers' marks of the Gridanian Carpenters' Guild. Raha took to it with his characteristic wonder, absorbing every detail of the city and the Warrior of Light's stories into his copious memory of this star's history. Y'shtola remained more reserved, as was her wont, but clearly enjoyed herself all the same, chiming in with nuggets of esoterica, or appreciating and remarking upon the vibrant character of the city's aether.

As twilight fell, the throuple settled in with bowls of udon at a table in the aetheryte plaza—well away from that teahouse, as none of the three feline-adjacent folk much cared for the smoke. In the glow of hanging lanterns and the aetheryte itself, G'raha fell into a contemplative mood, staring absently into the sky when not slurping noodles.

“Are you all right, Raha?” Kalina tugged at his little finger where it rested on the table.

“Oh! Yes, of course.” But his attempt at a reassuring smile looked tired or sad.

Y'shtola tilted an eyebrow. “Let us not have secrets, now. If something troubles you, we would hear it.”

“Hmm.” It took him several moments to collect his thoughts. “Hearing about more of your adventures, from your own mouth. In times past, I wanted nothing else in all the world. It was my dearest fantasy to someday even hear you call me 'friend'. And now this?” He nodded down to where Kalina's hand still held contact with his. “It would not be a stretch to say I idolized you. It's not that I feel unworthy”—he said this quickly and emphatically, seeing horror creep across Kalina's face—“I did ask to shoulder some of your burdens, after all! But the fact remains that you sometimes seem… larger than life. And I'm still trying to find my way as your equal, your partner. If that makes sense.”

Y'shtola swirled chopsticks in her bowl. Kalina might have hoped she would rebuke G'raha's sentiment, but she did not. Instead, she too sounded a little distant. “Near the end, on the First. It hurt to look at you. Like staring directly into the sun.”

Kalina's voice nearly cracked. “I'd hoped I could leave that behind, when I'm with you two. That in these moments, I wouldn't have to be the savior of Eorzea, or the Warrior of Light or Darkness. Just… Kalina.” It was not yet dark; she instinctively lowered her voice, saying that name, and remained quiet as she continued. “I don't love any differently than anyone else.” Her hand withdrew from G'raha's, as she folded both hers in her lap.

Y'shtola looked back up at Kalina, her face regaining its customary confident edge. “And yet, you are all those things, whether you wish them or not. If we were to forget them, we would fail to embrace you as you are, whole and complete.”

“I apologize,” said G'raha, putting a hand to his chest. “I tried to preserve the atmosphere. But you did insist.”

“Better this way than unsaid, however difficult.” Y'shtola lifted her bowl to her lips and sipped broth, projecting calm. “I will say this, for my part. I suffer not to walk in anyone's shadow, not even the mighty shadow cast by the Warrior of Darkness.” She held a faint, tight smile for a beat, reveling in the tension of it. “And so, dear Moonbride and Tia, I intend to walk beside you both, for as long as our paths remain converged.”

G'raha nodded, eyes regaining their spark. And Kalina did laugh, if only a little. But as they finished their meal, and the stars came out, for that evening it was enough.

[kalina-moonbride]

I muted somebody this week who was like "Emet-Selch is such a sympathetic villain, I would have done exactly the same things he did"

Sympathetic yes, hot sure, but let's try leaving the genocide fantasies out of it, please @.@

re: that last post i always find it funny in a side-eyeing way when people are like, die hard fans of the ancients and are (at best) toeing the line of "emet-selch was right actually, the unsundered world and people were infinitely better than the current situation" and get super involved in their azem and stuff but then will be like. making elaborate polyamorous shipping headcanons/flashy romance scenarios, designing custom outfits and masks fitting their azem's personality, etc. like. "so you agree? the freedom of expression, and vibrancy and variety of cultural elements are desirable? the traditional amaurotine values and lifestyle are stifling?". better thank venat for the sundering if youve ever enjoyed putting your wol in fun or sexy little outfits, huh!!

[kalina-moonbride]

Celebrations

Context: Post Endwalker main (6.0), with EW Hildibrand quests resolved. Spoilers: Vague/off-hand references to A Realm Reborn, Shadowbringers, and Endwalker events. Warnings: None. Challenge: @ffxivpolyamoryweek! Details here.

Kalina, Y'shtola, and G'raha sat on a bench in the Gold Saucer's Event Square, each tucked into their share of the space without touching. Patrons hurried past them, and even the occasional familiar face pretended not to notice them there.

Namedays weren't a major occasion where Kalina had grown up. If the topic arose at all, it was cause for a word of congratulation and a hug, at most. So when G'raha had asked Kalina what they might do for Shtola's special day, she was at first nonplussed, and then casual. “Oh, we'll think of something.” Then when the time came, her whim settled on the Saucer. Fun, cheerful, in a locale where Y'shtola hadn't spent much time before!

It turned out, there was good reason the sharp-minded conjurer had never paid the place any attention. There was nothing for her, here. Too loud, gaudy, and exploitative.

Chocobo racing? These poor creatures. Should we liberate them? Cuff-a-Cur? Hardly a contest between my arm and yours. I think they'd object if I used magic. Slice is Right? Leap of Faith? Is this supposed to be training? Triple Triad? Rather simplistic, isn't it. And I haven't any cards.

G'raha had done his best to elevate the mood with enthusiastic participation, as if Y'shtola might appreciate his antics in lieu of the activities themselves. Then he came across the Crystal Tower Striker. That miracle of the Allagan Empire, the spire that pierced worlds, heart and anchor of G'raha's story for two lifetimes and more: one Manderville Gold Saucer Point for a chance to bash it with a hammer. He tried to laugh off the discomfort, but from that moment he was in no position to raise the trio's average levity.

Unable to bear it any longer, Kalina lurched to her feet. “All right, I have one last idea. If this doesn't work out, we go home and … I don't know. Eat cake and go to sleep.” She led the way, and G'raha and the lady of the hour solemnly followed.

Y'shtola's ears perked up when they arrived, if for no other reason than that the noise level was substantially lower, here. The hubbub of the casino still murmured in the background, but the room itself produced only conversation—and the click of tiles.

“Doman Mahjong,” Kalina announced, her voice hopeful. “Have you ever played, Y'shtola?”

She rapped her cheek. “I have not.”

“I've only played a few times, myself,” Kalina admitted, “but I think you might enjoy it. Let's start a game! It's meant for four players, but they have automata that can fill in while helping us with the rules.”

They settled in around one of the tables, covered in felt with tiles stacked and ready. Y'shtola still looked skeptical. “Mostly I've heard what absurd sums of gil people wager. And lose.”

“It doesn't have to be like that,” Kalina assured her, trying not to sound desperate. “It can just be a friendly competition, nothing more won or lost than pride.”

“Hmm.”

As they played a tutorial game under the stilted instruction of the automaton, though, Y'shtola began to warm to the activity. The statistics, risk and reward; watching opponents to guess at their goals, while concealing one's own; even the peculiar practice of referring to game elements by their Doman names instead of inventing some translation, all captured her attention. She studied a list of yaku as if she were deciphering a Ronkan stone tablet. By the time they were ready to start their second game, the mood had thawed considerably, as Y'shtola called her pons and riichis with the flourish of an enthusiast. G'raha, too, forgot to brood. He put on a competitive game face Kalina had only seen before when he'd parried the strike of a Blasphemy on the snow fields of Eblan.

A voice politely interrupted. “Might I join you? A gentleman doesn't suffer his friends to play with automata.”

They looked up from their work resetting the table. The newcomer flexed. Posed. Flashed a smile with brilliant white teeth.

“Hildibrand Manderville!” Kalina grinned back at him.

Y'shtola presented a smile of her own, in good spirits at last. “Please do step in. These two have yet to provide me with any challenge.”

Kalina breathed a surreptitious sigh of relief as the Inspector dismissed the automaton and sat down, making small talk with her beloveds. Later, she would have apologies to make, and put extra effort into understanding what they all needed from a celebration like today's. But for now? Perhaps this nameday could be salvaged.

[kalina-moonbride]

especially when one of a given asshole's moves is "God says you have to forgive me btw"

also worth noting that "abusive" doesn't actually mean "irredeemable" either.

there's a lot of people that have done things in the past that were bad, because they weren't taught any better, or they were in an overall toxic situation where EVERYONE was shitty (like a cult), or they were just at an especially low point and hurt others for it.

you don't have to forgive them. you don't have to ever speak to them again. you can be angry with them until you die if you want.

but society cannot function if we don't allow them to move on. to change their behavior and fuck off somewhere else and build meaningful relationships without bothering you again. we need a path for people to change, or nothing ever will.

[kalina-moonbride]

Alternate Universe

Context: Gunnhildr's Blades quest line, post Delubrum Reginae. Follows the continuity of my two-shot fic “How (Not) to Return to the Source.” Spoilers: Incidental references to elements of Bozja duties. Warnings: Sexual language. Challenge: @ffxivpolyamoryweek! Details here.

Kalina Moonbride lay in the tent at Utya's Aegis, breathing hard. Her throat felt ragged; she had a number of smarting wounds from fangs and claws; and her womb… well. She wouldn't say full, that had a different implication. Satisfied. She'd go with that.

On her left, Marsak Apella shook his head and chuckled, his chest heaving as well. “And so Blade Moonbride claims her conquests, even off the battlefield.”

She wrinkled her nose at him. “It's not like that. Don't you need this too? When you've witnessed so much death, to throw yourself into the creation of life instead?” Distantly, Imperial artillery thumped against the Ironworks barriers.

On her other side, Zlatan made a choking sound and turned to stare at her, his lack of spectacles giving him an unconscious squint. “Excuse me? Are you trying to become pregnant?”

“What? I think a couple of camp brats would brighten this place up quite a bit.” She swatted his nose in affectionate rebuke. “Pff, come on. I wouldn't do that to you.”

“All joking aside,” Marsak rumbled, “I sometimes wonder, why us? The Blades are but new comrades in arms, to you. Why make your bed here, and not with those who joined you to fell primals, and Ascians, and stranger creatures yet? You speak so fondly of them when telling war stories.”

“Perhaps she misses the company of her own kind?” guessed Zlatan.

“It is good to be among Hrothgar,” Moonbride agreed. “You're right-sized, gods. But that's not it.” She sighed, staring up at the slope of the tent's roof. “The Scions… they don't like to look at me, lately. And it's hard to meet their eyes even when they do.”

Marsak looked across at Zlatan, sharing a puzzled expression with him. “Why so strained?”

“I made a hard decision. In an urgent moment, without their counsel. And to a one they think it was the wrong call, that something else could have been done.” She put a hand to her face, ran a claw through short fur dark with war paint. “And as many times as I've lain awake remembering, or fallen asleep dreaming of it? I can't even say they're mistaken.”

Marsak nodded gravely. “Then you're among your own kind in more ways than one. There's not a soldier among us who hasn't wept wondering if they've taken one life too many, or saved one too few.”

Zlatan put a hand over hers. “We won't avert our gaze, Kalina. We carry these burdens together, lest we collapse beneath them.”

“Ha.” A dry, sad, coughing sort of laugh. “Come here, you two.” She drew them down close, letting them surround her, and closed her stinging eyes.

[kalina-moonbride]

Role Changes

Context: A few nights after 'First Time Sleeping Together', so level 84 main scenario. Spoilers: Vague references to important Endwalker events. Warnings: Sexual interactions and innuendo, non-explicit. Challenge: @ffxivpolyamoryweek! Details here.

Y'shtola was about to unlace the back of her dress, nightgown at the ready nearby, when she saw G'raha setting out a pillow on the andron's bench, again. She paused. “G'raha. You mean to continue sleeping on that tiny thing? Isn't it uncomfortable?”

He blinked and looked at it, as if the matter hadn't even crossed his mind. “It's not so bad. It's nostalgic, really! I spent many nights like that when I was a student, with others from the study group continuing long after I'd dozed off.” He glanced over at where Kalina sat on the edge of the feather bed in her smallclothes, observing the conversation. He scratched bashfully behind an ear. “Though I could return to my own room, and give you two your privacy.”

“No, no, no.” Y'shtola tapped a fist on her cheek. “Stay here. And while I'm away, you and Kalina can push the table to the wall, if you would.” She swept from the room.

G'raha tilted his head; Kalina shrugged broadly; but the two of them set to the task. The table was long and terribly heavy, but the Hrothgar Warrior of Light, at least, had little trouble hefting her end of it. They managed to shift the furniture aside with minimal strain before Y'shtola returned.

The sorceress carried in a cloth-wrapped bundle, which she set on the floor where the table had been. Then, with a gesture and a short burst of aether, she commanded it to unfold. In a satisfying fwoomp, the package expanded to become a Hingashi style futon. “There. That shall serve much better, for now.”

“I don't know why I didn't think of that,” G'raha remarked. He gave a short bow. “Thank you, that will suit me much better.”

Y'shtola grinned. “You mistake me. I'll be using it, tonight. You and Kalina have the main bed.”

That startled both of her counterparts, and they reacted in unison. “What?”

The briefest flicker of doubt crossed Y'shtola's face, but she persevered. “If I have misread you, Raha, I shall take correction. But you appreciate being close to us, do you not?”

“Certainly.”

“And you have no aversion to physical touch?”

“From those I love this dearly? None whatsoever.”

“Then all is well.” She put hands on her hips. “On the morrow, we can request the feather bed be replaced with one that sleeps three. And if that requisition should be delayed, with Sharlayan in uproar, we'll continue rotating night by night.”

Kalina's tail flicked, then curled, as she considered. “I wouldn't mind, Raha, if it works for you.”

He looked vaguely shell-shocked, but nodded. “It's a fair arrangement.”

With that settled, they returned to their nighttime routine: changing into sleep clothes, extinguishing the lights, and climbing into their beds, however newly configured. Since Kalina was quite a bit taller and broader than the Miqo'te, G'raha found himself tucked in against her chest.

“Your heart is pounding,” he remarked, quiet. “You're sure you're all right?”

“I… will be?” She paused, eyes open, gazing out into the dark of the room. “This will take some getting used to. It did with Shtola, too, but…” She cast about for a delicate turn of phrase. “There we had options? For relieving the tension?”

“Ah. I'm sorry…”

“No, please, don't be! You're you and I love you. It's just—different. And new to me.” As close as they were, she could feel no reaction from him. Not like lovers past. Not like the hot ache she herself felt.

They lay there in silence for some time. She synchronized her breathing to his, let the smell of his hair fill her nose, closed her eyes at last. The desire remained, but the need of it subsided, suffusing into the greater warmth of the time and the place.

“If it helps,” Raha said gently, “This may be the happiest night of my life. Final Days or no.”

Her throat hurt suddenly; she thought she might cry. It did help, though. “Yes!”

“And it will only be better, when it's all three of us!”

She managed to push the choking feeling out into a shaky laugh. “I am very much looking forward to it.”

“So until then. Goodnight!”

Sleep did come, then, carrying those thoughts of imminent perfection away into dream.

[kalina-moonbride]

Date Night

Context: Shortly after Endwalker main story (6.0). Spoilers: None, though it'll make no sense absent familiarity with the Return to Ivalice raids. Warnings: None. Challenge: @ffxivpolyamoryweek! Details here.

“The Majestic Imperial Theater Company is making a stop in Limsa Lominsa,” said Y'shtola, flourishing a trio of paper tickets printed with intricate Eorzean script. “Shall we?”

“That sounds delightful!” said G'raha, beaming. “Count me in.”

Kalina gazed past her lovers into nothing, the thousand yalm stare. “Denizens of the abyss, from ink of blackest night, I summon you.”

G'raha tilted his head. “Beg pardon?”

“Denizens of the abyss, from ink of blackest night, I summon you.”

Y'shtola shook her head, then patted Kalina's arm. “I won't pressure you to confront anything traumatic. But if you should recover, a seat awaits you.” She tucked the third ticket into one of the straps crossing the Hrothgar's abdomen.

“Denizens of the abyss, from ink of blackest night, I summon you.”

Y'shtola offered her arm to G'raha, who allowed himself to be led away, though not without a puzzled and concerned glance backward at the mumbling Moonbride.

“Denizens…”

[kalina-moonbride]

Also known as 'Sea had a shower thought and SEAFLOOR validated me.'

Hi all! Would you like something fun to do in the lead up to Dawntrail? This is my extremely laid back (Count)Down To Dawntrail challenge, hosted predominately through SEAFLOOR, but open to anyone who might be interested in participating.

Submissions open June 21, 2am PDT and consist of the following:

DAY ONE, JUNE 21, ARR: Create a gpose or fic around the word realm or reborn, or set somewhere in ARR.

DAY TWO, JUNE 22, HW: Create a gpose or fic for the world heaven or ward, or set somewhere in HW.

DAY THREE, JUNE 23, SB: Create a gpose or fic for the word storm or blood, or set somewhere in SB.

DAY FOUR, JUNE 24, SHB: Create a gpose or fic for the word shadow or bringer, or set somewhere in SHB.

DAY FIVE, JUNE 25, EW: Create a gpose or fic for the word end or walker, or set somewhere in EW.

DAY SIX, JUNE 26, DT: Create a gpose or fic for the world dawn or trail, or shows your character getting ready for a new adventure!

DAY SEVEN, JUNE 27, FREE DAY: Create a gpose or fic that encompasses your love for the game/your character's love for the world around them OR talk about how the game and the people you have met have made an impact on your life. Tag your friends and loved ones!

DAY EIGHT, JUNE 28, EARLY ACCESS! Go forth, be free, have fun!

I'm going to copy/paste the exact FAQ I have on my server but you're welcome to send me an ask if you have any further questions!

How many days do I need to participate?

As few or as little as you want! If the prompt for Endwalker is the only one that interests you or you just want to take the free day to gush about your friends, that's fine!

What counts as a submission?

Anything creative! There's no minimum requirement provided you have fun with it.

What happens if I miss a day?

Devastation. Absolutely nothing. All I ask is that you don't post the prompt early (if you can help it). You can plan and prepare for it now but I'd like for works to go live each day rather than randomly or all at once!

Is there a prize at the end?

Not at this stage! People in my server get a fancy role for participating but there's no 'prize' as such. However, if you want to volunteer one, feel free to reach out to me!

Did you make this FAQ on the fly?

Absolutely. I'll probably add to it. DFKGJHFSD.

If you end up participating, I'd love if you tagged your works with #(count)down to dawntrail. That way I can see and reblog them!

[kalina-moonbride]

hrothgar women from outer space

[kalina-moonbride]

Mundane Tasks

Context: A non-canonical side jaunt, somewhere mid Endwalker--later than level 84, before the level 88 quest "Hither and Yarns". Spoilers: Patch 2.5 and level 84 main scenario quests. Warnings: Some crude sexual language. Challenge: @ffxivpolyamoryweek! Details here.

White sand got into everything. Showed up everywhere. Came from everything. It came in on people's shoes, sure, but also anywhere the Loporrits had cut, sanded, caulked, or otherwise fabricated building material rather than simply wishing it into being with creation magicks, it drifted around as sawdust. The accommodations for the people of Etheirys, then, remodeled in great haste without any time to fuss about cleanup, were positively caked in it. It reminded Kalina of the Copied Factory, which in turn made her shudder.

The Loporrits had revised the Ancient-sized bedrooms down to something more like lodging at the Carline Canopy or the Forgotten Knight, or perhaps even a Scholasticate dormitory cell: right over the line from “cozy” into “cramped”.

It was certainly too small for three people.

A magicked broom swept white sand into piles near the open door. Kalina then attempted, by way of practice on her mediocre conjury, to use Aero to blow these piles out into a greater accumulation in the corridor outside. She'd made some progress, but all else equal, letting the broom handle the whole operation would have done a better job. On the bed, its clothes clean and free from moon-flour, G'raha and Y'shtola sat taking a break. Or rather, G'raha sat, his back to the wall and legs half folded; Y'shtola lay down, with her head on his thigh. Raha idly pet her shoulder.

“There's something I've been wondering about, Kalina,” said G'raha.

His voice was as calm and even as ever, but Moonbride shot him a look of faint suspicion. “Oh?”

“Is it awkward at all, being here on the moon, with the name you've chosen?”

“Tread lightly, Raha,” said Y'shtola with a smirk. “You may convince her to change it. Again.”

Kalina's Aero dispersed in a whoosh, blowing white sand in all directions, most of them still within the room. The broom began correcting the failure, uncomplaining. She groaned. “I chose it because of the night sky! For the Night's Blessed and the Warrior of Darkness and all! I didn't know we'd be going to the moon, or thinking about living there.”

Despite her words of caution, Y'shtola couldn't resist joining in. “Does the moon know and condone that her Bride has taken other lovers?”

“I'm not fucking the moon!”

“That part's not a problem, I'm sure,” said G'raha lazily. “You're not fucking me, either, and yet all is well.”

Kalina sank down onto a neo-Amaurotine chair still smudged with white dirt. She sat backward on it, resting her chin on its head, pouting with eyes closed. “Maybe I will change it…”

Y'shtola hopped down from the bed and crossed the brief space to her side. She lay a hand on top of the Warrior of Light's head, and caressed down to cup her cheek. “We tease out of love, Kalina ser Moonbride. By any name you choose, you remain ours.”

“Well said.” A guilty look settled onto G'raha's face. “It's unkind of us to make fun of the name of a friend who's passed, besides.”

“Ah, that is fair.” Y'shtola withdrew her hand from Kalina to form a fist and bow her head, sending her thoughts heavensward. “Moenbryda Wilfsunnwyn, I beg your forgiveness. As all faults dissolve in the sunless sea, may my error trouble you not.”

Kalina regarded the two of them with skepticism. “It's not her name exactly. I did go by 'Moenbryda' for a while, like Y'shtola was 'Master Matoya'. But when we returned from the First, I went with something that sounds alike, yet more my own.”

Y'shtola and G'raha stared at her for a silent moment. Then looked at one another. At last Y'shtola turned to her with an expression of perfect gentleness, holding back laughter. “Kalina, my love. In the Roegadyn tongue, 'Moenbryda' means 'Moon's Bride.'”

“What?!” She reflexively tried to sit upright, but with the way her weight had shifted in her awkward configuration to the chair, her chin immediately came back down onto the chair back. “Ow!”

“I'd thought it was intentional.” Y'shtola shook her head. “I should have asked.”

G'raha descended from the bed. “Let's go for a stroll, shall we? Get some air, let the broom do its work, come to terms with personal revelations.” He led the way with Y'shtola, giving Kalina a moment.

“I will have to change it again,” she said mournfully, to the broom.

[kalina-moonbride]

First Time Sleeping Together

Context: Level 84 quest “Returning Home”. Spoilers: References to character beats from Shadowbringers. Warnings: Sexual interactions and innuendo, non-explicit. Challenge: @ffxivpolyamoryweek! Details here.

Kalina Moonbride and Y'shtola Rhul stood outside the andron, their conversation drawing to a close with Y'shtola satisfied in the Warrior of Light's well-being. “I suspect it will grow colder as the night wears on,” said the sorceress, “so do be sure to stay warm. Sleep well, and may the shadows keep you.” She bowed, with arms folded and held forward: the little parting benediction of the Night's Blessed.

Cold or not, Kalina's heart melted in that moment. She and Y'shtola were the only ones in the whole of the Source for whom that gesture held special meaning. Thancred and Urianger were familiar, sure, but they didn't believe, they hadn't practiced it. Being of the Night's Blessed was a small, strange, secret bond between these two women alone in all the world.

She had declined an invitation to enter the andron, when she arrived, but maybe… “Shtola… don't go yet, please.”

The Miqo'te's ears twitched at the affectionate omission of the tribe marker from her name. “I've said what I came to say. Is there aught else?”

Kalina looked down, willing herself past shyness. “You wouldn't have to … say … anything.” She reached out and put a hand under Y'shtola's, open, that she might freely withdraw if she wished. “Help me stay warm? Like you want me to?”

“Ah…” Her pale eyes filled with sadness, and she too couldn't look into the other's face. But she closed her hand over Kalina's.

“I know you miss Runar. Maybe not as much as he misses you, granted.” Kalina glanced up to see how that landed; Y'shtola smiled a little, wistful, not offended. “I don't want you to forget. But I could help fill the absence, if you'd have me.”

Shtola reached up with her free hand, touched Kalina's fur at the collarbone. Her fingers slid under the chain that connected the bodice of Kalina's Makai jacket to the choker around her neck, closed around it, a faint tug. “This is your desire? To be something more than friends and comrades?”

Ilms away from those fingertips, Kalina's heart raced. “Yes! It has been, for some time. I… guess I lacked the courage until tonight.”

Y'shtola let out a breath between her lips, not quite chuckling. “That you of anyone would speak of failed courage! But it is a dangerous thing, is it not.” She looked up, searching Kalina's face with those literally soul-piercing eyes. But whatever she found there seemed to settle her mind. “…Very well. Let us see what comes of it, together.”

Gods, she wanted to freeze this moment, keep that look on Shtola's face and those hands right where they were, but… the door. She tightened her grip on Y'shtola's hand, turned and pushed through into the andron.

“Oh?” Y'shtola hesitated, and let go of Kalina's hand, as the door shut behind them. There, curled up tight with a pillow and a blanket atop a little padded bench, lay G'raha Tia, sound asleep.

'Oh' indeed. Whoops. “Uh.” Kalina lowered her voice. “Right. Raha came knocking too, maybe a bell ago? For much the same reason as you did. Checking on me, like, to see if I was okay?” She made frantic, meaningless little gestures with her now-free hands. “And yes, I invited him in, too, just like you but… no, different! It's not, um, physical, with him?” She found it more and more difficult to keep her voice to a whisper. She fussed with her choker and its chain, beneath which her skin still felt hot. “I mean, even if it were, it'd be fine! It is fine! We can all be together, it's okay.” She met Y'shtola's eyes directly at last, her expression desperate and pleading. “If it's okay, I mean. With you?”

Y'shtola's body language went very tense and strange, as if she were caught between three different possible reactions at once. Was she about to turn back toward the door, or put her hands on her hips, or lean her head onto one palm? But finally her shoulders relaxed and her expression softened, and she let out a little huff of suppressed laughter. “You're sure he wouldn't object?”

“Yes!” She said it at full volume, and realizing as much, clapped a hand over her mouth. Thankfully, the man on the bench didn't stir. She lowered the hand along with her voice. “We've talked about it, even. What it'd be like, if some of us Scions were … closer. He'll be delighted, I promise.” A parade of thoughts came crashing to a halt in a disastrous pile-up. “But, um, it'd be kind of us to let him sleep. We shouldn't do anything… loud.”

Shtola giggled, the most girlish outburst Kalina had ever witnessed from the woman. Then she closed the distance between them with three long, slow, stealthy strides, and looked up at Kalina.

“I think we can manage.”