#Two Lalafell (but one of them was raised by Goblins)

[desertleviathan]

The worst thing about having 13 alts in Final Fantasy XIV isn't the amount of repeated effort that goes into all of them, progressing them through the same content and the same grinds.

The worst thing is the nagging feeling that there should be 14 of them. Because that's what number the game is.

[munchix-home-cooking]

RP Log: Munchix and Rayena go hiking

@rayenaray :D

Munchix Bogbelly - After a day's worth of rest, Munchix is ready to tackle ‘the big hike.’ In preparation, he’s already asked around about how best to hike up to Yanxia’s hidden tree, to which he was mostly met with looks of confusion. But a few have vaguely directed him eastward, and so, that’s where he’ll go!

Munchix Bogbelly waves to Rayena. “Ready to head out?”

Rayena Corsano raised a brow. "Yes, but, are we sure this tree is even here? A lot of people you asked seemed confused, where did you even hear about this thing?"

Munchix Bogbelly pats Rayena on the shoulder in an attempt to dispel any anxieties she rightfully had about his tree hunt. “Rumors of rumors of rumors, heard first in drinkinghouses in Kugane. But do not fret! I’m sure there’s some inkling of truth in all this.”

Rayena Corsano made a small smirk. "Alright, well, I am ready and have food packed if we get hungry once we're at the tree." she nodded with a beaming smile.

Munchix Bogbelly: “Ah, a tastymost idea! I’ve also packed a few snacks for the road, so hunger should not be a problem.” He momentarily places his backpack on the ground and opens it, revealing an array of neatly packaged bento boxes and wrapped foods. Basically a buffet worth of food. Munchix smiles back as he hefts the cargo back up, and begins marching towards the mountains in the east.

Rayena Corsano beamed at all the bento boxes before making a nod and following him close behind, watching for anything to sneak up on them again.

Munchix Bogbelly confidently walks at a steady pace, absolutely masking the fact that he’s pretty much just wandering up the hill without a clue in the world of where he’s going. But the weather’s nice, and the two find themselves higher up, with a view of the landscape below. Munchix whistles as he looks down. “Hope you’re not scared of heights.”

Rayena Corsano looks around as she easily climbs the hill before pausing to look down below. "No, not really. I am just hoping we don't run into anything and we're on the right path."

Munchix Bogbelly: “At this height, I figure the worst we can run into are birds. Hm, and maybe unidentified flying objects?” He takes a moment to pause, and then continues, banishing the thought from his head. “Anyway, being up here reminds me of home.”

Rayena Corsano smiled warmly. "I can easily toss my chakrams at any birds that come for us. So, where is home for you? Home for me would be Limsa." she nodded.

Munchix Bogbelly conjures up an image of Rayena, tossing deadly chakrams at the local fauna. It’s both comforting and amusing. “Ah, good ole’ Limsa! That’s my home /away/ from home. Have you been to the Bismarck?” He pulls himself up higher, grabbing an exposed tree root to steady his climb. “But ah, yeah. I’m from Dravania. It’s not the easiest place to visit on a whim.”

Rayena Corsano grinned and nodded. "Of course, many, many times, even in my childhood. My favourite thing there was the lobster rolls. Delicious." she beamed. "I don't think I've been to Dravania, I don't venture in that area very often..."

Munchix Bogbelly: “Ooh, yes! The lobster rolls are delicious, muchly. Maybe I cooked you something? I trained there for awhile. Still training, even.” He looks around to find his bearings, then continues hiking. “It’s not exactly what uplanders call, a civilized place. Used to, but not in recent times. Nowadays, it’s mostly inhabited by rough adventurers, goblins, and leftover Sharlayan machina. Which is fun for some?” A curious glance is given to Rayena. Maybe she was the scholarly type?

Rayena Corsano beamed, clasping her hands together. "You'll make me lobster rolls? Well, I won't turn that down." she nodded. "I mostly stick to the cities nowadays, I don't venture much further. What sort of things do you do there?" she smiled.

Munchix Bogbelly is just. Given life at Rayena’s reaction. Cooking for others really was core to what brought Munchix joy. “Duly noted! When we’re in an area with lobsters to roll!” He thinks a bit about Dravania, that wild area that not many passed through, even in its heyday.

Munchix Bogbelly: “My gobfamily would mostly pass from area to area, scavenging any old bobblebits and ekking a living off the land. Wasn’t until I left for Limsa that seeing non-goblins became the norm, rather than the exception. Everyone is...so tall!”

Rayena Corsano smirked. "Well, everyone is tall except for us, female au ra, lalafell and possibly female midlanders, I got used to it rather quickly." she nodded.

Munchix Bogbelly: “You’re a decent height. Though yeah, the first time I saw a lalafell I nearly blew a gasket. Thought I was hallucinating, even!” He laughs at the memory. “In Limsa though...truly, it’s like walking among giantfolk. Roegadyn are simply too tall!”

Rayena Corsano nodded and smirked. "Yes, a lot of Roe there, especially the sea wolves and more so if you're with the Maelstrom or the yellow jackets, have to crane your neck so back just to look at 'em in the face." she giggled.

Munchix Bogbelly bends down to examine the ground. A couple of delicate pink flower petals float on the surface of a puddle. Hm, a sign that they were walking in the right direction? Only time would tell. He gets back up and continues. “Sometimes I just give up. Stare directly in their chest while we talk, neck hurts too much looking up.”

Rayena Corsano smiled. "I always try and look at everyone in the eyes or make it seem like I am by looking at their nose or lips." she then looked towards the ground as he bent down, making a soft audible gasp. "Is that a pink flower petal? I-is this really real after all?" she looked a little surprised.

Munchix Bogbelly groans, like a kitten thoroughly chastised. “I know, I know. But I’ve spent the better half of my life looking down, that I think my head just isn’t used to looking up anymore! All excuses on my part...” He looks onwards, searching for a trail of petals to follow. “Aha, yes, Rayena! And we’re hot on the tree’s trail. Shouldn’t be far now.”

Rayena Corsano smiled. "Well, you can always practice and if your neck gets sore just give an excuse that you need to leave." she beamed, than clasped her hands together. "Oh, I am starting to feel excited! I can't wait to see it." she said, then grinned.

Munchix Bogbelly: “Practice? Like this?” Munchix begins to look up and down, still walking all the same. It’s not exactly conducive to maintaining one’s balance, and a second later he trips on a stray stone. He totters frightfully close to the edge of the cliff.

Rayena Corsano gasped. "Munchix!" she said, moving quickly after him to pull him away from the edge of the cliff. "I don't mean while you're walking, more if you're standing still or sitting." she giggled softly.

Munchix Bogbelly is, thankfully, reined back in by Rayena. He would nod, but his neck is tired from all that practice. “Ach, got it. I might’ve sprained something there...” Munchix massages his shoulder, and then gives it a few good twists. Probably still fine!

Rayena Corsano looked at him with a concerned look. "Should we head back? I could make you a warm compress for your neck, ease the tension." she nodded, giving him a warm smile. "Or..." she said, placing a hand on the back of his neck, he'd feel a soothing warm sensation as she used healing magic on his neck.

Random! Rayena Corsano rolls a 316.

Munchix Bogbelly - The healing magic was somewhat effective, but given that it was meant to treat a shoulder sprain and not a life threatening injury, even somewhat goes the distance. Perhaps it’s the altitude interfering with the magic? Either way, Munchix gives a nod of thanks to Rayena, and feels a little more energized. “Oh, you didn’t have to! But thanks, muchly.”

Rayena Corsano frowned. "Hmm, which it had done more." she said, clenching her hands then spreading her fingers. "I suppose the warm compress will help then. Are you well to move forward?" she asked, smiling softly.

Munchix Bogbelly ‘s tail quivers, then fluffs up. He looks to the right. “I get the feeling we’re very close to our destination, so I’ll be fine to hike up this last part. Though I’ll certainly take that compress when we get there!” He gives her a thumbs up, and then follows the path the petals have laid out for them.

Munchix Bogbelly - After spending several bells climbing, the mountain finally caves in, revealing freshwater and islands of blossoming trees. Munchix nearly faints from excitement.

Rayena Corsano follows close behind, huffing before sitting down once they stop. "Wow, this is real. It's beautiful." she smiled warmly.

Munchix Bogbelly finally recovers from the initial shock, and wobbles down the slope. It’s more than he expected (and in some ways, he expected nothing, so this is infinitely more!). “This is...it’s wonderful! Gobsmacking picturesque!” At the lake’s edge, he cups some of the water and splashes it onto his face, cool droplets refreshing after so much climbing.

Rayena Corsano remains seated as he cools off with the water, slowing her breathing down to a better stance. "Well, this is really nice, you can probably swim and drink the water here." she smiled warmly.

Munchix Bogbelly: “Oh, I’ve heard all manner of stories about mysterious watering holes, of brain eating leeches and vile critters.” He dips his feet into the water and lets out an audible sigh. “....I don’t know why I brought that up. T-this water is probably safe! Scare myself, eh?!”

Rayena Corsano frowned. "Sounds like a story of why my ex was scared of drinking water but, pretty sure this is fine." she smiled warmly. "We can probably just relax here for a few bells."

Munchix Bogbelly dries himself off and takes a seat by Rayena. The air here was certainly crisp. There was something cooly serene about the place - the sound of water, of wind, and the silence in between. He smiles. “Relaxing sounds good.”

Rayena Corsano smiled warmly at him before pulling out a couple sandwiches from her bags and a bottle each of lemonade, handing him a sandwich and a bottle of lemonade. "Well, I say we deserve something to eat after that hike." she grinned.

Munchix Bogbelly takes the food offering in hand. “Ooh, how homey! What’s in it?” He raises the sandwich in particular.

Rayena Corsano beamed. "Slice dodo, some peppers, lettuce, and mayo. The lemonade was also made at home." she nodded.

Munchix Bogbelly: “There’s something about home cooking that’s hard to replicate in fine dining. I think it’s all the love that goes in it.” He scarfs the sandwich down and leans back, satisfied. “I brought some things too! Dried persimmon slices from Namai, and bento boxes...That’s if you’re still hungry. I have at least ten lunches packed, hah!”

Rayena Corsano grinned. "I mean, I can usually always eat." she said, taking a bite of her sandwich. "What's in the bento boxes?" she smiled.

Munchix Bogbelly pulls out one that’s wrapped in a red patterned cloth, and opens it. Inside are two half sausages (fried such that the meat curls up like a tiny octopus) a breaded pork cutlet, an egg omelette, and a salad all served alongside a bed of rice. Each different type of food is carefully in its own little cup, and overall the presentation swings far towards the cute end. “They’ve all got different things. Here.” He hands it to Rayena.

Rayena Corsano looked at the bento box and gasped. "It's so cute!" she beamed, placing down her sandwich and taking one of the boxes and starts to eat it. "Maybe I need to learn how to make this. I am not very good at Eastern food but, fish dishes and baked things, I am pretty good at." she giggled.

Munchix Bogbelly: “Being cute seems to be a big gobbin’ part of bento. I’m still learning myself, but I could teach you what I’ve figured out so far.” He reaches into his bag and grabs a bento for himself, enjoying it alongside Rayena’s lemonade.

Munchix Bogbelly sips the drink wistfully, and slowly shuts his eyes. Sure, there were things he had to get to. Like gathering samples from the trees, and determining whether its petals had any culinary potential. But for now, it was enough to relax under the sun with a friend and good food at his side. It was enough.

[jasleh]

FFxiv 30 day writing challenge

Prompt 17: Fate

Jarexx was in… a void. It wasn’t black. It wasn’t really white. It was just… nothing. “Nothing” was also what he appeared to be standing on, though with absolutely nothing even vaguely resembling solid ground, it didn’t seem to be triggering his usual fear of heights either. He turned around, and realized he wasn’t alone. There was a … creature staring at him, with an expression somewhere between curiosity and amusement. It… he? was green (a goblin without a mask? Couldn’t be, not enough joints in the legs.) with … uncomfortably familiar hair, a long thin nose, and absolutely massive ears. He was leaning up against nothing like it was a wall, arms crossed. Seeing Jare notice him, he pushed off the non-existent wall and walked closer, beginning to circle him. Jarexx reached for his gun, found it wasn’t there. The creature smirked at the movement. Then he spoke in a taunting tone.

“Fuckin’ short.”

Jarexx stiffened indignantly. It wasn’t like this creature was that much taller than him. Seven ilms, at the most. “Maybe you’re too fucking tall!” The thing gave a pained expression, ears going back.

“What the fuck was that accent. I don’t even know what you’re tryin’ ta mimic an’ I could still tell it was terrible.”

Jarexx glared at him, but dropped the fake accent. “I’m doing the best I can. And it’s not that bad. I doubt any non-Ul’dahn can tell the difference.” The thing snorted derisively.

“Accents are easy.” And just like that, he was speaking in the tones of the highest tier of Ul’dahn society. “I can do the difference between Kezan, Gadgetzan, and Booty Bay. In at least ten different languages. Do you know how many people can even hear the difference?” He grinned, displaying a mouth full of shark teeth. “Not fuckin’ many.” He was back to his previous accent now. Jarexx had never heard of any of those places. He was starting to get very frustrated.

“What are you?” he demanded. It wasn’t like the other was bothering to be polite, so why should he?  The thing rolled his eyes. Yellow eyes.

“I’m a goblin,” he said. “Obviously.”

“You don’t look like a goblin.” Well, not that Jarexx really knew what goblins looked like, but the body shape was all wrong.

“Says the guy who looks like some sorta mutated gnome.”

“What the fuck is a gnome?”

“Fuckin’ ugly. ‘Least you have pointed ears.” The… goblin… paused in his pacing and pointed at Jare’s left ear, the pained expression returning. “Why have you kept the fuckin’ earrings? I got rid’a those before I even left! Granted, it was because they got ripped out, but father through a fuckin’ fit when I refused to get the ear re-pierced. You can imagine, I’m sure.” He smirked, flicking his own left ear. Jarexx noticed the notches for the first time. Two notches, two earrings… Jarexx raised a hand somewhat defensively to his earrings. “But why just swap ‘em out for silver? I fuckin’ hated the damn things.”

Jarexx stiffened in panic. “I… I don’t…”

“Oh don’t play dumb. I know I ain’t that stupid. You must have at least partly figured it out by now. Though I suppose I do have a slight advantage in that area.”

Jarexx was figuring it out, but he was trying to deny it. There was no way that this… ugly thing could be him.  The goblin was watching him, looking exceedingly smug. He gave an elaborate bow that Jare couldn’t help but think was sarcastic and introduced himself.

“Jarexx Muzzleflash, born Jarexx Blackchain. But if you didn’t already know at least half of that, you’re fuckin’ lying.” He flashed another toothy grin. “Obviously, I’m the better looking version.”

Jarexx glared, balling his hands into fists. He was not going to justify such an obviously false statement with a response, letting the curl of his lip speak for him. It made no dent on the other’s grin.

“This is some strange dream, isn’t it?” Obvious, now that he thought about it.

“Probably. Or a side-effect of one of Tern’s experiments. Maybe both. I’m not gonna worry about it unless it looks like we’re stuck here though.” The goblin thought about this for a moment, then added, “Actually, being stuck here might be an improvement, with how the world’s gone to shit recently.” He looked up at the blank nothingness above them. “Definitely an improvement.” The statement sounded distinctly bitter.

Jarexx frowned. “Who’s Tern?”

“No one you’d know.” The goblin tilted his head, considering. “Well, probably. You know any dragons?”

“... no?”

“Then you don’t know him.”

The goblin pointed at one of Jare’s arms, changing the subject again. “You hiding anything under those gloves?”  Jarexx stiffened indignantly, fighting the urge to cover up the part of the scar that extended past his right glove, but the goblin held his hands up in a placating gesture. “No, no. Here. Look.” The goblin pulled off his own gloves, tucking them under one arm, and displayed his forearms to the lalafell. A thick slashing scar crossed his left arm, and the right… the right had a star-like scar that made a deep dent in the arm, with lightning-like lines branching from it, as though the arm had been hit so hard the skin had split from the impact. It was ugly. Very ugly. Jarexx pulled his own right arm up to his chest and clutched at it without fully realizing he had done so. “There, you see? Just curious what you’ve got.”

“How did that happen?” Jarexx gasped.

“Eh, the details are kinda fuzzy. But I remember getting thrown at a wall. It wasn’t a fun time. But how about you?”

Reluctantly, Jarexx pulled off his own glove. “Nothing on the left arm,” he said, displaying the electric burn. The goblin studied it with interest.

“Kinda similar, isn’t it? Must be fate, heh. Got anything else?”

“Just this.” Jarexx pulled the collar of his shirt aside a little, exposing the scar the arrow had left on his shoulder. The goblin rubbed at the spot on his own shoulder.

“I had a thing there for a while. Not really visible anymore. It was never that big, but it used ta glow in the dark, with glowing tendrils spreadin’ out from it, kinda like the scar on your arm. Magic contamination. It faded after a while though.” He grinned, then pointed at the scar on his face. “Better watch out, or you’ll end up with this one too.” Jarexx shuddered and the goblin laughed. “It’s not that bad, just took some gettin’ used to. The worst one’s here.” He traced a line with his finger from his left shoulder to his right hip. “Ain’t stripping enough ta show that one off. You don’t look like you could survive somethin’ like that though. I wouldn’t have, if I hadn’t been close to help. Raptor nearly gutted me.”

“Lalafell are tougher than we look,” Jarexx said, somewhat defensively. Not that he wanted to find out. Everything about this situation had him off balance, and he resented the other’s easy manner. The goblin laughed at him and he wished he had his gun.

“Lalafell? Stupid fuckin’ name for a race.”

Jarexx sputtered indignantly, only to see the other fade out of existence, still laughing. He was alone in the void now. He looked around and then…

… opened his eyes. The room was dark. Still the middle of the night. He could hear Sunstone snoring next to the bed.

What a bizarre dream, he thought. I can’t imagine where it came from. He rolled towards the wall and tried to go back to sleep. By morning, all memory of the dream had vanished.

[jasleh]

What was Jas' childhood like? I think I've heard about Chazzwik's but not hers

Jas’s was definitely better than Chazz’s, but still not exactly great. A lot of people (especially those in her age-group) gave her a lot of shit for being a soldier’s bastard with an unknown father. She was raised mostly by her grandparents, as Ava had duties to attend to, although Ava (and Imlerith, as Ava’s best friend and also as “ok, but what if I’m the dad”) also were there when they could be. When she was around... 14-ish, her grandfather gave her a dragonhawk hatchling, that she named “friend” in thalassian because she didn’t really have any. (Thal is still alive, but very very old) She mostly spent her time in the woods around Silvermoon trying to avoid people. Her grandfather wanted her to become a ranger, but she never did because she assumed no one would accept her there either. She did, however, have a supportive family, which counted for a lot. ... Ava once broke some kids nose for beating Jas up, which was... uh... not the most productive thing she could have done? And she also nearly got court-martialed for it. But her heart was in the right place lol. The bullying didn’t stop after that, but it did get more subtle.

... because I’m on the subject, gonna throw in their FF versions’ childhoods too >_>

so, goblin Chazz’s childhood was pretty fucked up largely due to the fact that his parents were (unintentionally) horribly neglectful. They died when he was a baby, but that still shaped the whole family dynamic. 

Lalafell Chazz, on the other hand, had a pretty decent childhood. Because his parents weren’t isolated inventors, they were part of Cid’s workshop. So, while they were still obsessive and forgetful, there were a lot of other adults around to fill in the gaps. Chazz and his siblings basically grew up with a ton of “aunts and uncles” looking out for them. As a result, they are all a lot better adjusted and generally happy (even if their parents still tend to forget their names. And how many of them there are)

Elezen Jas on the other hand... oh man. She grew up in Ishgard. As a lowborn knight’s bastard with an unknown father. It was... it was Bad. Ava’s parents aren’t alive anymore in this world, so it was just the two of them. And Ava... couldn’t really protect her. Ava barely kept her job after getting pregnant. It was pretty much only because Ishgard needed warm bodies so badly because of the Dragonsong War. And while Ava is many things, she is very good at her job. However... having a kid put her on very thin ice, so she had to down-play that as much as possible, or they both would have been left completely destitute. So she couldn’t stick up for her daughter at all. Jas got out as soon as she could and moved to Gridania (where she met Chazz, who had gone there to study conjury \o/)