serai-querel

[serai-querel]

Namazu Nockdown

Just did an lighthearted one-shot RP session that started with Serai and Auggie (@truth-and-sun) getting kidnapped by namazu on the Azim Steppe, and ended with a Manderville-esque scene of equine freedom on the outskirts of Reunion.

It was absurd.

It was hilarious.

It was glorious.

And the namazu - Gyoka, Gyosui, and Gyofuku - will return.

[serai-querel]

Do I spy Serai and (A'gust) @truth-and-sun at the Starlight tree, and Serai about to beat the stuffing out of someone in another piece?

I do! Thank you so much, @minoruru, for your delightful treatment of our blorbos!

You guys don’t know how much I enjoy doing experimental pieces and how grateful I’m that you give me the trust to make them T /// T these are the ones I did in december and january  THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT ! ! 

[serai-querel]

[serai-querel]

yuanxiao lantern festival, 盘门panmen, suzhou, jiangsu province by 雨晴烟晚85

[serai-querel]

Nothing fancy about this gpose - basic standing pose, no mods - just a Neneko gshade filter and some lighting. But, goodness, the new video card lets me take screens at unreasonably high detail.

[serai-querel]

More Or Less

[ Photo by Zany Jadraque on Unsplash ]

Serai fell to her knees in the wet sand, swaying once before tumbling to her back, and laid still save for the rise and fall of her chest and the twitching of her tail. She finally opened her mismatched eyes with a start when the surf washed up and over her feet.

“I’m never gonna beat you, am I?” She levered herself up on her shoulders, turning to peer at the figure a few yalms down the beach with a mix of amusement and chagrin. “What was that last move, anyway? You haven’t taught me that one yet.”

Serai’s opponent was only slightly more composed, seated rather than collapsed on the sands as she caught her breath. “Oh, that.” The elezen’s reply held a carefully cultivated note of nonchalance, “That’s Resolution.”

“You mean it’s not called Verboom?”

Their laughter was drowned out as the surf washed in again, and Serai scrambled backward, crablike, to find a crosslegged seat on drier sand.

“No, no, it isn’t, but maybe it should be. You seemed ready for it, though.” Blue eyes gleamed mirth from under white locks of hair. “Besides, there was a chance I might have lost to you otherwise. But,” she raised one finger to make a forestalling point, “I still have a few tricks left to teach you.”

Serai put her sword and focus on her lap, delicately cleaning sand from each. “Do you have time to teach me that one before we’re done?” An impish smile as she offered a sidelong glance. “Verboom?”

“Oh-ho! You haven’t been humbled enough for one day, have you?” The elezen rose from her sandy seat and met Serai’s grin with an eager smile of her own, sword extended and focus floating above her other hand. “En garde, and watch more closely this time!”

A graceful roll brought Serai to her feet, her impish grin turning fierce as she saluted her opponent and assumed a ready stance.

Tending their nets down the beach about a quarter-malm, a group of Arkasadoan fishermen mostly ignored the distant boom and flash of aether. They’d gotten used to the pair’s practice duels. More or less.

* * *

They stopped at the Great Work after the lesson was finally done. Serai to pick up a small bundle of hard-to-find alchemical reagents, the other to gather a larger package of medicines and supplies. Both politely declined the offer of a hippo cart ride to Radz-at-Han. Instead, the unhurried walk to the city was filled with their usual small talk: discussion of technique or weaponry, applications of the art both practical and theoretical, recounting past fights. But little and less of other matters.

By unspoken agreement, they sidestepped the personal. After all, it wasn’t a reach to guess who one was, and they each had their own concerns. This was an escape, a place and time to focus on parry and riposte, balestra and flèche, the balance of aethers and aggression. A good fight, after all, had a way of clearing the mind. Most of the time.

More or less.

“You don’t usually press to learn new techniques so quickly.” The elezen’s voice filled a natural lull in the conversation. They’d just passed the Giantsgall Grounds to step upon the bridge to Radz-at-Han, the city looming before them. “Is everything alright?”

“Mmm? Oh yeah.” Serai adjusted the strap of her bag across her shoulder. “I wanted to tell you it might be a while before I can make it out here again.” She gave her “teacher” an apologetic smile, “We’re going to be in Kugane for a time, and the aetheryte fees have really been adding up.”

“Kugane? Whatever takes you to the Far East?”

“We’re looking for someone who’s been missing a while, and we heard that’s the last place she was.” A fair explanation, detailed enough without crossing that nebulous unspoken line. “Besides, I haven’t been home in almost a year.” The xaela offered a wry smile. “Family, right? You know.”

Her companion rolled her eyes and shook her head, a thin braid of hair swaying with the motion. “Oh, Twelve above, do I know the travails of family.” She looked ahead, blue eyes settling on the far side of the bridge. “I suppose it all works out, though. My friend,” the word was strangely emphasized, “is back to their usual exploits. And they were supposed to be enjoying a simple life. I may be busy for a time myself.”

Serai frowned, a particular foreign expression for the usually bright au ra. “I guess it's my turn. Everything’s alright?”

“Nothing they can’t handle with a little care.” The utmost confidence in her tone. “It never is.” A few more paces, and they stepped off the bridge and across the city’s threshold. “You’ll be careful in Kugane, won’t you? I’d miss our lessons, even as intermittent as they are.”

“Me, too.” Serai’s steps slowed to a halt. “I’m gonna take the airship back, save a few gil,” She gestured towards a set of stairs leading west. “Nhaama watch over you. And your friend too.”

“Twelve’s blessings. Oh, and Serai?”

She stopped, one foot already on a step.

“Watch your quinte. You leave it open too often on flèche.” The young elezen smiled, “not that I’d know anything about being aggressive on the attack, of course.”

Serai’s laughter echoed off brightly-painted city walls. “I will!” And then she was gone, steps taken two at a time as she climbed the stairway towards the airship landing.

* * *

I ought to introduce her to the others sometime, Alisaie mused as she made her way towards the aetheryte. The package of medicines was small enough to teleport with her and would be put to good use by the Garlean refugees. Reason enough to come to Thavnair from time to time, she told herself, to refresh the supplies used at Broken Glass and Tertium. It was almost an indulgence to spend time teaching Red Magic to the curious au ra she’d met at the training dummies just outside Yedlihmad. Something outside the other work that never seemed to end.

Not everything has to be about saving the star, she told herself. You’re allowed a little friendship for yourself.

More or less.

[serai-querel]

Steppe warrior

[serai-querel]

Serai and her mother

Yes, old meme, but this is everything you need to know about Serai's relationship with her mother, Maarhai.

[serai-querel]

New year, new post! I find these tend to get the most traction and help people find others the best, so please give this post a like/reblog if you’re a Final Fantasy XIV blog predominately interested in the following: character/world-building, roleplay and screenshots. If you’re looking for more people to interact with, feel free to use this as a plug to include your carrd/lfc posts, etc; that way people can find you at a glance using tumblr’s notes! Just make sure to note that’s what you want so people are comfortable contacting you.

If you’ve come across this blog for the first time through this post and want to know what @mooglemeet is all about, I encourage you to take a look at the pinned post here.

[serai-querel]

chinese garden in winter by 一只拍照的依琳

[serai-querel]

Seeing is Believing

Max turned the vial between her fingers, its contents casting a faint, crimson glow. The shop was dark and dusty, lined with a layer of comforting silence. Tobacco smoke hung thick in the air. She felt at home among the oddities, rarities, and antiquities of Grimorium Verum. Or as close to home as she would allow.

“You’re awfully quiet, Bato.” Max’s fingers closed around the vial, sealing away its light and ethereal warmth. “Gil for your thoughts?”

She stole a fox-quick glance over her shoulder. And there, framed by towers of decrepit books and obelisks of junk she found the greatest antique inside Grimorium Verum. A raisin of a lalafell  hunched over the sandstone counter, milky gaze narrowed through a thick veil of smoke. Grey hair hung limp over his shoulders, left to grow wild and unruly. A black coeurl made fat and lazy laid on the counter next to him. Chirped when the man gave its belly an absent pat.  His lips shriveled into a deeper scowl. The pipe hanging from them bobbed when he muttered.

“Nothin’ important.”

“Same as usual, then.”

Max’s laughter died prematurely when Bato remained quiet. Not even a twitch to hint that she’d been heard. She cleared her throat, gaze flitting to the curio cabinet. A mental note was made: whenever the opportunity presented itself, she’d drag that old sense of humor under the table and smother it.  

“Anyroad- I have something for you.” The vial was returned to its home on the rack. A placard beneath it labeled the vials in thick, black letters - Voidsent Blood. Max reached into her jacket, procuring from its folds a velveteen pouch. She hovered uncertainly. Then tossed the pouch onto the counter. “Happy Starlight.”

Bato’s eyes flicked down to the pouch. Smoke rolled over his lips as he barked a humorless laugh. “Starlight?” - withered fingers curled into the plush fabric- “Heh. Ain’t ya’ just sweet.” He slid the pouch into a drawer, then returned his attention to Max. Stared at her through wire-thin brows. She knew that look very well. It was a look that demanded no nonsense.

So, she tried again.

“I need a favor.”

Keep reading

[serai-querel]

Visit Teatime’s Shroudrose Teahouse & Tavern at Happy Hour for an evening of half-off drinks, good company, and live entertainment! Happy Hour is a monthly event regularly held on the last Thursday night of each month. Shroudrose Tavern seeks to provide a bar environment that is both casual and refined, where those from all walks of life may gather to enjoy one of our unique cocktails or a bite to eat, and a bit of conversation among friendly company.

Join us on Thursday, December 29th at 9:00 PM EST at Lavender Beds, Ward 5, Plot 58 on the Balmung server of the Crystal Data Center in the tavern downstairs. Doors open 9:00 PM EST. Performances begin at 10:00 PM EST. We look forward to seeing you there!

Featuring performances from…

Rivette Dotharl Nagali Kaladan Hawker SnowCat Niamh Runlaeth @niamhrunlaeth Dane Escherra @dane-ffxiv Cadence Allerion with Nim A' Mor Fehri Shoya Aji Eikhyrne

[serai-querel]

Your honor, I love them a normal amount.

A'gust Tia (@truth-and-sun) and Serai Querel

[serai-querel]

Serai Querel

[serai-querel]

Ship Dynamic

If you want to summarize A'gust (@truth-and-sun) and Serai as a couple, you can't go wrong with Milo and Kida from Atlantis: The Lost Empire.

[serai-querel]

Short hair!

Please do not use my art without permission