#and ryne and her family

[haunted-xander]

You ever think about how Ryne probably got a more honest yet closed-off Thancred while Minfilia got a more disingenuine yet open Thancred?

Like, the Thancred Minfilia knew and grew up with was the one we saw in arr, the flirty, teasing and sassy but friendly man who was clearly not very honest seeing as no one- not even Minfilia- noticed how worn out he was from his constant work. Even just by hw he's noticably more prickly and. not quite rude but. more outwardly cynical? He's always been kinda cynical, but in arr his teasing and banter hides it well, which never disappears but is more. natural? genuine? now. Krile directly points out that he's much more brusque than she expected of him based on how Minfilia described him.

And sure, you could attribute that behaviour to his grief and stress (which is certainly a part of it) but considering he acts much the same in ew, when he's finally moved on and come to terms with everything (and is also post-shb character development), I think it's safe to say that this is the most honest we've seen Thancred be.

But this is all Ryne has known him to be. She's never seen Thancred be flirtatious or as social and friendly as he is in arr, she's only seen him be brusque and cynical but still teasing and kind. But he's also far more closed off from her (and others) bc of That Whole Deal going on. Urianger has told her more about Thancred's true feelings than Thancred himself has. and even that's not a lot, for Urianger is not only not a mind reader and doesn't know everything that goes on on Thancred's head, but also is reluctant to share more than is necessary since it's not his place to divulge these things (and also he himself is not free from the folly of emotional self-isolation).

With Minfilia though, he's open enough that she's never doubted that he cared for and loved her even when he couldn't spend much time with her, and she felt comfortable enough to admonish him when he did his usual self-destructive behaviour (you know, becoming an alchoholic at 17 and All That Entails)

Just. food for thought

[scionshtola]

prior to going to rak’tika, ryne expresses nervousness over meeting shtola. and then the first thing shtola does is threaten you over being a sin eater (to which ryne says she’s even more intimidating than she imagined). and the second thing she does is go off on thancred in front of her for how he treats her. amazing first impressions lol

[ecoamerica]

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The recording is now available on ecoAmerica's YouTube channel for viewers to be inspired by student climate leaders! Join Aishah-Nyeta Brown & Jerome Foster II and be inspired by student climate leaders as we recognize the High School Student finalists. Watch now to find out which student received the $25,000 grand prize and top recognition!

[enavant]

━━ ❥❥❥ @ichoric feat. minfilia : 🌑 minnie @ isu she prolly got nervy SEND 🌑 TO CRAWL INTO BED WITH MY MUSE ━━ accepting !!

      SLEEP DOES NOT TAKE HER, no matter how they try to close their eyes && fall into the realm of dreams, it is a fruitless endeavour. && yet she does not expect a little visitor, still does she greet her with patience && kindness as the girl crawls into her bed, akin to the memory of her brother sneaking close to find comfort in more dire times in their youth — how fond she is of those familial bonds, strongly caring is she since a young age, protective && motherly in the absence of the real thing. to her, the girl is just that : a child, despite the title she carries, she is her && she has her own agency && emotions && fears ( an unmoving stance she takes in view of the oracle ).

      arms encircle her, much as a mother would to soothe her child — pulling her tight && covering her gently. it isn't a motion she needs to be asked for, capturing her in gentle, careful comfort. they are ever && violently aware && familiar with the weight that can be so heavily stacked upon small shoulders — a bleeding heart for those who are their title before a person.

      ❝ can you not sleep, little one ? you need not worry of the world outside of this room while you are here, i'll keep it all far from you so you may rest. or if you are needing of an ear to listen, i do have two very fluffy ears available. ❞ soft chuckle leaves the dancer, ears wiggling as she gives the girl a smile.

[astrxealis]

wow i get all like this over ffxiv but imagine when i finish nier

[sarellathesphinx]

In all ways except physical I am laying on the ground thinking about Thancred Waters

[sntoot]

a while back i made them both fake phone backgrounds because i thought it would be cute (it was well worth it)

[ecoamerica]

Watch the American Climate Leadership Awards 2024 now: https://youtu.be/bWiW4Rp8vF0?feature=shared

The American Climate Leadership Awards 2024 broadcast recording is now available on ecoAmerica's YouTube channel for viewers to be inspired by active climate leaders. Watch to find out which finalist received the $50,000 grand prize! Hosted by Vanessa Hauc and featuring Bill McKibben and Katharine Hayhoe!

[impossible-rat-babies]

Thinking about thancred at 5am I guess

[dadcred]

frenchbringers notes (7/?)

[to ran’jit]

EN!THANCRED: not another step! you’re fight’s with me.

FR!THANCRED: you, you stay right there! i won’t let you shatter the dreams of those whom i made my sister [minfilia] and my daughter [ryne]. they are my only family! 

------------------------------------------------------------

THANCRED EXPLICITLY CALLING MINFILIA AND RYNE HIS SISTER AND DAUGHTER RESPECTIVELY AND DECLARING THEM AS HIS ONLY FAMILY (in present tense because earlier, thancred says he still defends minfilia’s ideals because it’s proof that she existed; so this is how he keeps her alive) fucking killed me man i am s o b b i n g at this translation

[viiioca]

Estelle de Laussienne

B A S I C S

Name Estelle de Laussienne (born Fauconnier)

Nicknames None in regular use; her adoptive brother uses "Essie" to get under her skin.

Age 24 (ARR) - 30 (Dawntrail)

Nameday 17th Sun of the 5th Astral Moon

Race Half Sea Wolf Roegadyn / Half Midlander Hyur

Gender Cis female

Orientation Bisexual

Profession Chirurgeon. She's a woman of many roles and skills, but only one professional license, though in another life -- say, in a non-WOL AU -- she might have wound up the Scions' "diplomatic advisor" (crisis manager and fixer).

P H Y S I C A L A S P E C T S

Hair Black; as of the end of Shadowbringers, salt-and-pepper with a shock of white in her bangs. Coarse curls are courtesy of her roegadyn heritage. She has never cut her hair ("long hair is a woman's glory" and all -- have you seen Halone's? You cannot convince me there's nothing in Halonic scripture about it) and mostly wears it pinned in complex updos.

Eyes A dark violet, inherited from her father.

Skin A light, rainy-day grey inherited largely from her mother, with her father's cool pink undertones.

Tattoos/scars Being a healer -- and a terrible patient -- Estelle has few scars of her own, as she takes care of her own injuries and prides herself in the sort of detailwork in her physicking that reduces or prevents scarring. Which means the ones she does have are from the wounds she was too incapacitated to heal herself, gnarly clusters of keloids and ragged hypertrophic slashes from effective but graceless emergency healing: sternum to hip from the fight with Elidibus at Ghimlyt; side to side across her belly from the fight with Zenos at the end of creation; and her oldest, a mottled burn scar around her left shoulder and collarbone from the dragon attack that took her parents. She keeps them glamoured when able and looks at them as little as possible.

F A M I L Y

Parents

Hermine Fauconnier Her roegadyn mother; the seneschal and right hand woman of House Laussienne, Hermine was in charge of its books, employees, and trade logistics, and her service in return won her family as stable, secure, and comfortable a lifestyle as a lowborn could wish for outside of the Church. Deceased.

Renaut Fauconnier Her hyuran father; a chirurgeon formerly of the Hospitaliers who transitioned into rural medicine as a traveling physician once he tired of the battlefield. Deceased.

Perette de Laussienne Her adoptive elezen mother; the head of House Laussienne and a shark in the waters of Ishgard's nobility who raised Estelle like she was her own daughter. For better or worse, Perette taught her much of what she knows. Deceased.

Siblings

Verain de Laussienne Estelle's adoptive brother. While they had a good relationship in their youth, a wedge formed not long into their teenage years when it became clear his mother's favor rested with a lowborn halfbreed. Still alive and currently head of House Laussienne, having been unceremoniously handed the reins when Estelle suddenly left Ishgard -- a fact that has done nothing to repair the rift between them.

Grandparents

None still living.

In-laws and Other

Over time, Estelle develops no shortage of family-like relations: Edmont, who regards her as a daughter; Alphinaud and Alisaie and Ryne, the little siblings she never had; the Scions, living together like a colony of stray cats. (And, though this is quite far in the future and something she would not want to think too much about even then, Lyna would technically be her daughter-in-law. The absolute dawning horror the first time Lyna calls her "grandmother" as a jest.)

Pets

Animals tend to like Estelle more than Estelle likes the concept of caring for an animal long-term, especially with how much she travels. The absolute closest she comes to owning a pet is spoiling the Rising Stones' resident ratcatchers.

S K I L L S

Abilities

Arcanima The cornerstone of her combat abilities and field "healing" (more like Preventative Medicine), which branches out into Allagan summoning as she spends the years between Heavensward and Dawntrail refining equations based on primal waveforms.

Medicine This includes everything in the typical Eorzean chirurgeon's skillset -- everything from general practice to surgery to autopsy is on the table (hah) -- as well as an alchemical background to synthesize and administer basic pharmacological treatments.

"Politics" The catch-all umbrella for her social skillset, Estelle relishes the networking, information gathering, and strategic maneuvering required to throw one's weight around in powerful circles.

Hobbies

Languages Though the Echo translates for her, it's still a rare and special skill regarded with suspicion in most corners of the world. Estelle enjoys picking up what she can of the local language in her travels to put people more at ease, especially as she wanders out to more rural locations.

Sketching/watercolors A skill picked up in a previous relationship, though her fondness for it far outlived her fondness for her lover. She finds it relaxing to draw and paint the sights in her travels, and she keeps extensive journals.

Cooking A domestic skill cultivated to a high level in the interest of being a "good wife" in her youth, turned into something of an obsession for learning new foods and techniques as she travels the world. Estelle delights in any occasion she has access to a stove and the opportunity to set a lively table.

Piano All young ladies of good breeding learn the arts during their education, and Estelle is no exception, though the piano is the only instrument that stuck. She enjoys playing when she finds the time, and a piano to actually play on.

"New skills" Estelle takes any opportunity to throw herself into doing something badly for the simple joy of trying something new. Most attempts to train for more physical skills like archery and swordplay fall under this category: things she'll likely never take seriously, but she enjoys using these moments to build new connections and relationships with her teachers.

T R A I T S

Most Positive Trait: Her friendliness. Estelle finds it natural to move into the lives of others and share their spaces, joys, grief, and problems; if she doesn't find success, it certainly isn't for a cold demeanor and lack of goodwill.

Most Negative Trait: Oh we've got a whole answer for this one. There is only so much friendliness can accomplish when Estelle does not accept the vulnerability of real connection.

L I K E S

Colors: Contrary to her severely black and mostly monochrome wardrobe, Estelle most enjoys dramatic, rich jewel tones and soft pastels.

Smells: The complex layers of an expensive, well-made perfume; fresh-cut jonquils; the chaos of food stalls in an open-air market; aspen woods in a crisp, fresh snow

Textures: Soft furs; the inner lining of a favorite pair of gloves; the smooth gloss of lacquered wood; the weighted feedback of ivory piano keys.

Drinks: A glass of well-aged dry red wine; coffee in the Ul'dahn style, unfiltered and highly sweetened, flavored with cardamom; Ishgardian tea, strong black leaves dressed with bergamot, steeped directly in hot milk and sweetened with buckwheat honey.

O T H E R D E T A I L S

Smokes: Yes, infrequently, and never socially; in times of high stress, she will smoke exactly one (1) cigarette when alone and thinking very deeply on something she wish she did not have to think deeply about, or when she needs to aggressively work over a problem in her mind. She's picky about her tobacco and prefers a Hannish clove-spiced blend. (Her case holds 20 cigarettes and the only time she's had to refill it because she's simply run out is during Endwalker.)

Drinks: Yes! All the time. I imagine Ishgard has a very robust drinking culture woven into most social rituals (alcohol features more prominently in Heavensward than nearly any other expansion except perhaps Endwalker) and Estelle is a very social creature. Of course there's an aperitif! And of course there is a glass or two of wine with dinner. And of course there must be a digestif. And of course there will be a nightcap as the evening winds down. She likely consumes more alcohol in a year than the rest of the Scions combined, and that includes that era where Thancred was getting trashed regularly to avoid coping with the Lahabrea situation. That said, she very rarely drinks alone, and almost never drinks with the intention to get inebriated.

Drugs: Nothing hard, but if someone hands her a bhang thandai during a festival in Radz-at-Han she's not going to turn it down.

Mount Issuance: For the same reasons Estelle doesn't keep a pet, she also doesn't keep a mount; she prefers to take carriages and ferries and airships, ride along with caravans, or rent chocobos. When she needs a pair of wings or to go somewhere she would feel guilty bringing a live animal, she relies on the sliver of his aether that Midgardsormr left with her to summon his form much the same way she might summon an egi.

Been Arrested: Estelle has spent most of her life being a law-abiding citizen. The amount of laws she's broken in the line of duty has spiked rather dramatically since joining the Scions, of course, as it turns out that subversive operations and overthrowing heads of state is illegal in those states, but good luck arresting her.

thank you for the tags @oneiroy, @ubejamjar, @ahollowgrave, and @idalenn!! i actually did a tag thing this time i did it i did the thing i was tagged to do

tagging……..@astralflows @menphinaswhitemage @archaiclumina @yloiseconeillants @rhotdornn @angelinecarax @fairygodpiggy @ilbers @mostlystarsandcandybars @caorann8 @morgana96 -- and anyone who hasn't been tagged yet!! i wanna read your lore

[haunted-xander]

I think about that scene in the Ocular where Ryne suggests she fuse with Minfilia properly so so much. It manages to very clearly demonstrate exactly what is wrong with her & Thancred's current dynamic.

First of all: Minfilia. The ghost of Minfilia is constantly haunting them both, it's the root of Thancred's grief and reticence as he doesn't want to lose her again, but nor does he want to lose Ryne. And for Ryne, she's the source of the constant objectification she's been subjected to her entire life, proof of her worthlessness as an individual person. The scene has the existance of Minfilia be the main point of tension, being that this whole plan will decide once and for all if she comes back or not.

And secondly: The complete lack of communication and, as a result, massive misunderstandings. Thancred says everything but the things he should, never telling Ryne anything regarding how he actually views or feels about her, be it in regards to Minfilia, or as her own individual person. And Ryne in turn assumes so much about how Thancred DOES view and feel about her, believing without a doubt that he wishes she was gone just so Minfilia could return.

This scene is the first and only place were Ryne actually confronts him about this, directly telling him 'I know you haven't told me anything because you thought it best for me'. She also says she thought it the best at first too, meaning that the sentiment she repeats throughout shb of 'I wish he'd just say he hates me' is a (relatively) more recent thing. What she has wrong, however, is that she actually doesn't know Thancred's true feelings like she claims. And when she says she does, Thancred immediately tells her 'No. No you do not', all while never actually saying anything to indicate what he actually feels (his ability to avoid voicing is feelings is almost impressive at this point. Also very depressing).

And the cherry on top is that the one who actually manage to grasp and voice the truth in this interaction is fucking Emet-Selch. Mr. I-dont-even-consider-you-alive is the one who is open about the feelings involved. Emet-fucking-Selch. Thancred gets so pissed off about it, too(tbf he gets pissed off at everything Emet does but, ya know).

And then he storms out and Ryne, who isn't looking at anyone let alone Thancred, doesn't really see his full reaction to Emet's words and therefore still hasn't quite grasped what Thancred is actually feeling, the poor girl.

[plounce]

it's so fucked uppppp that we had to leave ryne behind in the first!!! not because i think we shouldve yoinked her to the source, the first is her home, but because she had to get left behind by her family. i know she has gaia (happy pride btw) and the crystarium has a thriving and supportive community but it's still so sad. i think about her. she was with thancred every day for years and now she can't ever be again. she could always go to the bookman's shelves and find respite and comfort and kindness and now that building will always be empty. even if she's doing okay she must still be processing such unimaginable grief. the transition to adulthood ran her over like the fucking kentucky derby

[lavampira]

15 lines of dialogue

rules: share 15 or fewer lines of dialogue from an oc, ideally lines that capture the character/personality/vibe of the oc. bonus points for just using the dialogue without other details about the scene, but you're free to include those as well!

tagged by @gwynbleidd @carlosoliveiraa @coldshrugs @redwayfarers @impossible-rat-babies @scionshtola @cherrypikkins ty friends!!

and tagging (with no pressure!) @hythlodaes @birues @hylfystt @creaking-skull @rolangf @aphoticfairy @daggertongue @famewolf @sangrefae @lysehexts @oh-yeah-no @gatheredfates and YOU <3

15 LINES OF D’ALIA LIVEQ

1. D’alia winks. “She likes me better.” cooking an intricate dinner

2. “Mayhap,” D’alia returns, unable this time to stop the laugh that escapes her at the insufferably fond look he gives her. “‘Tis better to endure the cold this way, don’t you think?” lazy kisses in bed

3. “I am scarcely the most injured one between us, and besides, would you prefer to rehash with Rielle on why you so readily throw yourself in harm’s way?” sleep, I’ll keep you safe

4. “You’re doing well by her, Sid. There’s naught to worry about if you simply listen to her.” promises to keep

5. “Should aught happen that you require aid, the members of House Fortemps are trusted friends. Tataru, another ward of the house, will remain here, too. She isn’t the most combat-inclined, but she’s resourceful.” As she trails off, running a hand through her rosy hair, warmth spreads up her neck. “Pray say something before I make more of a fool of myself with my babbling.” promises to keep

6. “Minfilia, you wound me. What must I do to earn your attention before I leave?” your sweet confession

7. “I don’t want to be an obligation. Not to you.” candle in the dark (wip)

8. “Sid, I—” D’alia swallows down the admission on the tip of her tongue as he looks at her in silent question, her heart hammering against her ribcage. After a pause that drags more like a lifetime, she says, “I need you.” candle in the dark (wip)

9. “I can’t,” D’alia cries, a rush of loathing swelling through her chest at the way her voice breaks as much as the wrongness of the deep, hoarse sound of it clawing out of her dry throat. No, not mine. Not mine. “This body, I— I can’t.” steel your heart (wip)

10. “Before aught else, I’m a mage,” she states, folding her arms over her chest. “I do know a thing or two about aether.” burn into the velvet sky (wip)

11. After a sip from her own tankard, she says instead, “You swore to me that I’d see my family again, even when I didn’t think I would. ‘Tis not as dire as that, mayhap, but I want you to know that I’ll make certain you see Ryne again, too.” stay the course (wip)

12. Before she can think better of it, D’alia glides towards her and sinks to her knee before the vanity chair, clasping a hand over the other woman’s still holding that damned brush. “I… need to know that you’ll be safe.” petals for armor (wip)

13. Her vision swims, even as she tries to blink away its blurriness. “But how can you trust me after I nearly—” untitled rahalia au (wip)

14. “Please don’t,” D’alia interrupts, grasping at his forearm before he can turn away from her. She draws in a shaking breath as his palm settles on the back of her hand, thumb gently sweeping over her skin, and she tries again. “Please, Raha. I’ll go mad if I stay cooped up any longer. I just need out of this godsdamned room, even a short while.” untitled rahalia au (wip)

15. “‘Tis rude to sneak up on friends,” D’alia says with a frown. untitled zeralia au (wip)

[myreia]

FEBHYURARY XXVIII: NEW ADVENTURE

Autumn comes to Old Sharlayan. Though the taste of snow is in the air, the sun remains bright and warm, even in the evening. They arrived a few months prior, ostensibly for a short visit that has now become a long-term stay. Ameliance was quick to warn against the discomfort of aetheryte travel in the last trimester, and insisted—despite their protests—that they take the guest house. Alphinaud must have spilled the beans, though it isn’t much of a secret to spill. Aureia and Thancred live their lives on the road, contract to contract, adventure to adventure. The closest thing they have to a permanent residence is a small apartment in Mor Dhona, and that’s more of a glorified storage closet for her numerous weapons than anything else. This vagabond life suits them. They haven’t had the need to settle. But it was a good idea, in retrospect. Y’shtola is here permanently, having made it her base of operations while she throws herself into her research. Alphinaud and Alisaie return to visit their parents, now more than before. G’raha and Krile are about with the Students of Baldesion. Tataru has contacts throughout the city; if she isn’t showing up cheerfully unannounced, then someone sends the message. Urianger is never far away, appearing out of nowhere most days with a knowing smile and a Loporrit in tow. Estinien is quick to make the trip from Thavnair, justifying each excursion with increasingly trivial expenses before disappearing back to Radz-at-Han, face flushed with embarrassment. Their friends, their family. All save Ryne, whose absence tugs at her heart like an ache. She would be there if she could. She could barely contain her excitement when Aureia told her the news some months ago during her last visit to the First. Ryne is and will always be their daughter. Some day, they will be reunited. Some day they won’t be divided by the stars. But for now… the others are here, should they need them. Should she need them. It’s a daughter, Aureia is certain of that. She doesn’t know her yet, but her love for this child—their child, impossible child, wondrous child, an accident that took them by surprise—blooms in her heart every day she wakes. The hope she has for her, for the life she will be free to live. Daughter of an orphan and an exile. Of two warriors who have only now put down their blades and sought well-earned rest. Of a father who came from no family at all, and a mother scarred by the horrors she was subjected to by hers. Whoever she is, she will be well-loved. She will have the best family she could ask for.

[morgana96]

My Oddly Specific FFXIV Cooking Headcanons

Morgana (my WoL): A master culinarian and hardcore gourmet. Her father is also an accomplished chef from whom she gained most of her experience. People have literally had "Ratatouille moments" while eating her food.

Haurchefant: A decent cook who's been improving recently thanks to tips he got from Morgana. But honestly, his real specialty is beverages — he makes the best hot cocoa in Coerthas, as well as several other drinks and cocktails.

Alphinaud: A reformed rich kid™ who can't cook to save his life. He's quite embarrassed to have gone this long without knowing how to even make simple meals. But recently, he's started taking occasional lessons from Morgana in an attempt to improve.

Alisaie: Another reformed rich kid™ who can't cook to save her life. She's also very embarrassed about it and is now taking lessons with Morgana, but she's managed to turn it into a race with Alphinaud to see who's first to make something edible.

Thancred: Technically a better cook than Alphinaud and Alisaie. He mainly knows bare minimum recipes from growing up on Limsa's streets, and he's not very good at seasoning food. He actually got motivated to improve a little while taking care of Ryne.

Urianger: Actually alright at cooking, but his tastes can be EXTREMELY weird. He'll make a perfectly normal meal one day, but then the next day he'll make one of those unhinged recipes you'd find in a vintage 70's cookbook.

Moenbryda: Not the best chef in the realm, but way better than Thancred and the twins. If she practices a recipe enough, she'll eventually get the hang of it — much like when she taught herself how to make cockatrice meatballs for Urianger.

Y'shtola: Got banned from Matoya's kitchen as a child and hasn't been seen cooking since. She also refuses to elaborate on what exactly she did to get herself banned.

G'raha: Has specific dishes he's good at making, but is well aware that he can't bake for shit. Ask him for a sandwich and he'll make you one with just the right amount of each ingredient. Ask him for a cake or a batch of cookies and the kitchen's at risk of going up in flames.

Tataru: A very talented culinarian. She and Morgana love to make food together — especially baked goods and sweets to share with their friends and Scion colleagues.

Krile: Doesn't cook much, but she's not too bad at it. She's memorized a handful of good recipes that she used to enjoy with her grandfather and other Students of Baldesion.

Estinien: People who don't know him well jump to the conclusion that he can't cook at all. But he's actually quite competent, especially compared to several other Scions. He learned from childhood how to build a fire and cook over an open flame, and while his skills in the kitchen aren't perfect, he can follow a recipe and make something at least decent.

Ysayle: Thinks she's not a very good cook, but actually isn't that bad. She was genuinely surprised when her soup was complimented during the journey to speak with Hraesvelgr, and once she gets a new start with the Scions, she asks Morgana to help her recreate some recipes her family used to make before the Calamity.

[cyborgpulsebooks]

actually you know i bitch about shb!thancred a lot and how his whole arc in the expac (as well as in post-hw let’s be real) reduces minfilia to haunting the narrative and also he doesn’t always treat ryne great, BUT,

i would be lying if i didn’t say that his relationship with ryne makes me uh, fucking cry. the fact that his first instinct when he hears that she exists and that she is being locked away and abused by a theocratic dictatorship with the largest military in the world is to go free her as soon as possible no matter the cost makes me cry. the fact that even with all his butthurt and trauma and his flaws he has the presence of mind to eke out some semblance of family with her and urianger makes me cry. the fact that he teaches her how to defend herself first makes me cry. the fact that despite everything he fucking pulls his head out of his ass and learns to relate to her as a real father and child instead of a standin for someone he misses makes me cry. the fact that despite everything ryne keeps him in her life and in her heart makes me cry. thanks for coming to my ted talk

[zylphiacrowley]

I may or may not have stole the idea to do this from @sae-mian Original template by @7thastralera

I've been wanting to explain X'vahl's relationship to each of the scions for a while now, and this template is such a good way to do so at-a-glance. Buuuuuut because I fail to keep even the shortest story short, of course I've provided details under the cut

Tataru Taru [close friends]: Tataru was the first among the scions who made X'vahl feel welcome as a friend and more importantly, as a person rather than a solution to their problems. They remain close friends and she is incredibly good at reading him when he tries to hide his true feelings about things... She's also good at spurring him to action when he needs it.

Y'shtola Rhul [close friends/sibling-like]: X'vahl and Y'shtola might act like they would like nothing more than to see the other trip and fall on their face, but anyone who knows them knows that they would also be among the first people to square up against anyone who would threaten the other.

Erenville [romantic/wants to be closer]: X'vahl did not mean to fall in love with Erenville. I mean... no, he's not in love. It would be foolish of him to give his heart away to someone only to have it inevitably shattered once again... He definitely doesn't feel at peace whenever Erenville is around him... He doesn't feel his stomach do flips whenever he hears his voice, or his heart beat ever so slightly faster whenever they touch... No, he's not in love... That would be reckless... but X'vahl has been known to act recklessly from time to time... and maybe... maybe he could give his heart to someone again... maybe this time... maybe this time things could be different...

Yda er... Lyse Hext [friends]: Oddly enough X'vahl felt closer to her when she was pretending to be Yda. It didn't help that heartbreaking news from his past suddenly resurfaced shortly after she revealed herself to be Lyse therefor intrinsically linking Lyse to that sinking feeling of loss and guilt. Logically, he knows she has nothing to do with it and therefor it's not her fault but he cannot help the feelings. For those reasons alone he has trouble becoming closer friends with her, but for the same reasons he also still considers her to be a friend. Besides, she is still one of the people that he feels the most comfortable reminiscing about Papalymo with.

Estinien Varlineau [distant/wants to be closer]: Estinien's recent induction to the Scions has meant that he and X'vahl have gotten a chance to get to know each other better as friends after that whole business with Nidhogg left them with a rather strained relationship previously. He still wouldn't consider Estinien to be more than a colleague, but he's open to a friendship with him. Estinien is also one of the people who is able to make him laugh so hard he cries... even if he doesn't mean to.

Thancred Waters [friends]: X'vahl was closer to Thancred before meeting up with him again on The First. They weren't best friends before by any means, but they shared a drink or two and friendly banter from time to time. However, seeing him acting so callously towards Ryne soured their relationship considerably. They have started repairing their friendship, but not before X'vahl lashed out at him about it first which may or may not have ended in an out-and-out fistfight.

Ryne Waters [familial]: Ryne is one of several people that immediately sets X'vahl to "dad mode". He feels especially protective of her after seeing how Thancred treated her when he first met up with them on The First. He saw a lot of himself when he first met the scions in how he thought she was being treated and he tried to pay extra care to make sure he wouldn't make her feel like she was only being used like he did before.

Minfilia Warde [distant/wanted to be closer]: Unfortunately, with her being the de facto leader of the Scions when he knew her, she also bore the brunt of X'vahl's resentment over being treated like a weapon to be thrown at any manner of problem that Eorzea faced at the time. Looking back at it, he realized that she was in a position not unlike his own. He wishes he could've gotten to know her better so he would've had someone to talk to about the echo, but more so because he knows now that she would never have asked more of him than she would've done herself if she could.

G'raha Tia [close friends/familial]: G'raha is the one among the scions that X'vahl trusts implicitly, but not before they sat down and had a serious conversation about never repeating the secret keeping and self-sacrificing stuff ever again. Truth be told, they would still both die for each other, or kill for each other if it came to it. Along with Tataru, G'raha is the only other person who can easily read X'vahl, though G'raha is much gentler about coaxing X'vahl to express his feelings. He is also the only one among the scions that X'vahl has had a legitimate breakdown in front of after he confided in him almost everything about his past.

Alphinaud Leveilleur [familial/close friends]: X'vahl has all but signed the adoption papers to legally adopt both the twins (had both their real parents actually disowned them, he would've). He and Alphinaud have been through so much together that it would be difficult for them not to be close. The whole business with the Crystal Braves did put some strain on their relationship but that have more than repaired that bridge now and, at least in his heart, X'vahl considers him to be his own son.

Alisiae Leveilleur [familial/close friends]: X'vahl considering Alisaie to be his own daughter in his heart is not helped by the fact that his own biological children also happen to be twins and he can't help but think about them whenever he's around the Leveilleur twins. Alisaie has been known to call him "dad" from time to time, whether or not it's on purpose or on accident is something only she knows. X'vahl admires Alisaie's unrelenting dedication to protecting her family. It's a trait he wishes he shared. He thinks that if he did, maybe he would've been able to be there to see his own kids grow up...

Urianger Augurelt [close friends]: Despite all Urianger's eccentricities and proclivity to keeping secrets, X'vahl trusts now that he has his best interests at heart. Even if Urianger isn't willing to divulge everything to him, X'vahl knows that there's nobody who can brew a better cup of tea, or spend a more stress-free and enlightening afternoon with.

Krile Baldesion [distant/wants to be closer]: For as long as they've now known each other, Krile and X'vahl still haven't gotten to spend much time actually getting to know one another. He admires her kindness and knows that she and G'raha are close, and since he trusts G'raha's judement so thoroughly, he's almost certain that he and Krile could be close friends if ever they got the chance to be. Maybe a trip to Tural will provide them that chance?