#oday

[lorspolairepeluche]

behold: Themst.

This is Oduyanga Oronir Oduyanga Tsollogo Nergui Tsollogo Oduyanga “Oday” Solongo Oronir, also known as Oday of the Rainbow, Scion of the Seventh Dawn, former exile, Warrior of Light, and General Menace and Nuisance to All Eorzea.

Smith @bladeverbena​ dragged me along behind him into FFXIV story, but as i am sadly hindered by anxiety from successfully playing combat games, he was kind enough to build Oday in the CC with me on a vidcall earlier. Bless u my beloved smiffman.

Bonus screenshot of Altanaran “Altan” Oronir, Oday’s beloved late husband.

In their “canon,” Oday isn’t the Warrior of Light, but one of the original “Warriors of Light,” aka the party that got yote into a rift when Louisoix realized there wasn’t gonna be any winning against Bahamut at Carteneau.

Oday tumbled out five years later near Ul’dah, taking on the name Nergui (literally “no name,” i.e. a name given to evil spirits to mislead them) and quietly rejoining the adventurer’s guild. They were content to stay on the down-low, but that pesky sense of justice and their bad habit of standing up for the downtrodden got in their way, and they ended up as guest of honor at a banquet thrown by the Sultana and their old friend General Raubahn -- who, like everyone else, didn’t remember them. Knowing they had to get out of Ul’dah before memories broke them, they took Raubahn’s offer of being his emissary and, after confessing their true identity, left the city.

However, along the way, they met a Viera by the name of Ressaunt, who was similarly hailed as a hero in Gridania -- and who was similarly tasked with bringing the proposal of memorial services to the other two leaders. They fell in together, and Oday discovered that Ress also possessed the Echo when he saw a vision of the Calamity -- specifically, what Oday saw of it.

Flashing forward a bit, they joined the Scions together, already friends, and Oday once again confessed that they remembered many of the main members of the group, since they were one of the “Warriors of Light.” A Roegadyn woman snorted and said, “So was I.” (Indeed she was -- Doenlona Wyssbharwyn, monk and champion of the deadpan snark. Other old party members re-met along the way include Zieh’to Pahjantal, Miqo’te red mage; and Vespersineaux “Ves” Evequaint, Elezen white mage.)

Oday saw hope in Ress, and they promised to keep him safe and be at his side. Through good times and bad, they stuck with him, and it turned out mostly well. It was on the way to the Azim Steppe that Ress noticed Oday getting quieter and quieter, and when he asked what was wrong, they simply said, “There are places on the Steppe I’m not allowed to go. I’m not even permitted to visit my husband’s grave.”

This being the first time Oday had ever even mentioned to him a husband, let alone a dead one, Ress was understandably taken the fuck aback. Turned out that Oday was originally known as Oduyanga Oronir, born into a highly tradition-devoted clan against which they chafed, and chafed hard. However, their saving grace came in the form of Altanaran “Altan” Oronir, next in line to the khan’s seat, who saw Oday’s fierce heart and fell in love, and his younger brother Magnai, as proud and strong as Oday. Oday fell in love in return with Altan and his kindness and steady-eyed understanding, and the two of them were wed shortly after Altan became khan. Their marriage was blissfully happy, but tragically short -- Altan was grievously wounded during a Naadam less than two years later, and after Magnai, promising he would win, ran off to try and do so, Oday, also wounded, didn’t dare try to carry Altan to the healers alone in the middle of a melee. Their husband died cradled in his injured spouse’s arms.

Less than six months later, with Magnai as the new khan, the elders of the clan attempted to bring the rebel to heel by invoking the tradition that a widow of a chief would marry the next. Oday refused and, frustrated with the Oronir tribe’s refusal to accept the change they and Altan had tried to make, had a knock-down-drag-out argument with Magnai that ended with Oday exiled from the tribe.

And now they head to the Steppe for the first time in years...

(Spoilers: Oday wins the Naadam and becomes khagan, as they had planned with Altan for the Naadam in which he died, by defeating Magnai after stopping him from killing their friend and a very violent rehash of their last argument; they’re absolutely delighted to turn the entire fucking Steppe on the Imperials who show up. And they maybe fall in love again with a certain fellow exile, this one from Doma...)

More Altan because Smith’s a fruit (affectionate) and took extra screenshots of him:

Big handsome man. Oday still loves him.

[louisbxne]

AALIYAH as TRISH O'DAY

ROMEO MUST DIE (2000) Dir. Andrzej Bartkowiak

[igorlevchenko-blog]

Hunting portrait of a Hlaalu nobleman. Vicinity of Balmora. Left bank of Odai river. Sometime in 3E 420s.

[ambitious-playmate]

Aubrey O'Day

[moment-japan]

尾台彩香

[mirai-e-jump]

Beautiful Catalog Vol.3 ft. Kamen Rider Ryuki Cast Members Takashi Hagino x Ryohei Interviews & Photoshoot (translations below)

Publication: September 30, 2003

Takashi Hagino (Takeshi Asakura/Kamen Rider Ouja)

-I no longer make impulse purchases, like when it comes to snake print clothing (laughs)-

With a bright smile on his face, Hagino-san entered the studio. His pure white, rough style was perfectly balanced with the grass zori (sandals) on his feet, which was a unique choice! At first glance, it looks loose, with only the innerwear fitting to his body, but, it gives off a masculine feel. Against the natural materials, his silver accessories stand out.

Hagino: Fashion…..I'm not too picky about it~

He mutters to himself. His style is modest, contrary to his seemingly carefully coordinated choices.

"First off is the staff's favorite, here he is wearing a fluffy knit sweater."

Hagino: Uwah, who's that, me? My hair's all curly (laughs).

"We were most interested about this one. The growing reactions from those around you saying, "Cute~!," caused you to look nervous, which in turn made you look even cuter."

Hagino: During the time of that shoot, I was asked, "Please hold this plushie." Do I have to? It seems that stuff like that is becoming pretty common these days (laughs).

"What's your favorite fashion to wear?"

Hagino: Last year, all I wore was black. Black tanktops and such. Right now, I really want to wear whites. It's nice isn't it~? White! The other day, I saw Beckham wearing white on the cover of some magazine. He was also wearing pants like the ones I wore today. I thought, "Let's do this! I have the same fashion sense as Beckham" (laughs). From now on, I want you to call me Beckham (laughs).

"B-Beckham?? You want us to…..? Next, a jacket with fur that gives off an affectionate big brother feel. It's a very refreshing look!"

Hagino: I feel like I've never worn something like this either. It has a natural feel, like when you go out to walk your dog. By the way, the other day, for two days straight, I went to this pet store and was obsessed with this half chihuahua and papillon breed. When I looked at them, they hid in embarrassment. It was so cute! I was really hesitating whether to buy them or not, but the price for such a small and cute dog was 380,000 yen ($2,500)! The store is open until late in the morning, so I spend alot of time there. The shiba inu's and all the other dogs are just so cute to look at.

"Do you ever make impulse purchases?"

Hagino: Not anymore. Due to the "advice" of some store employees, I no longer buy snake print clothing (laughs). At the time, clothing with snake patterns were hard to come by, so when they saw me looking they said, "That'll look good on you~." They said, "We'll lower the price (alot)~." I thought, "Alright then~," and bought it. If you go shopping with friends, you'll have someone to stop you, but if you don't and go alone, you'll end up getting stuff that you can't afford. It's dangerous (laughs). I had to learn that recently.

"I'm not very particular when it comes to brands, but, the ones I like are Jil Sander and Dolce & Gabbana."

Hagino: I can't afford to buy all that because it's expensive, but, I do think it's really cool. Lately, I've been thinking that it would be nice to dress in a more formal way for such occasions. Wouldn't you want to try it? A dinner party on the roof of a building with a swimming pool. I'd even prepare business cards with a alot of lies on them (laughs).

"With fashion, Hagino-san says, "It's fun, it's like playing a game." What do you wear when you go to bed or to just relax?"

Hagino: It's either denim shorts or cargo shorts. I'll wear a T-shirt or tank top on top, which I'll take off when it's hot. The rest of the time I wear tracksuits (laughs). When I go to work, I'll wear either a T-shirt and jeans or tracksuit. I like to be able to change into my costume quickly and then take it easy.

"Finally, this last outfit is a multi striped suit with a strong sense of personality. With his hair up, he's transformed into abit of a bad boy. The manager said he looks like, "A respected elder brother." Hikawa Kiyoshi-kun from our office wore a similar suit for his "Zundoko Bushi" MV, but the vibe is totally different."

Hagino: It's so cool, the look reminds me of Lenny Kravitz! He's fashionable and looks good in fur, T-shirts, and all kinds of strange stuff. Compared to when I was first wearing the knit sweater, I feel like I've relaxed abit. It feels like I'm back (laughs).

"By the way, I hear you're very particular with your eyebrows."

Hagino: If I forget to draw my eyebrows before going out, I feel very uncomfortable (laughs). When I draw it myself, it's like a straight line. I'm not improving at all. I don't check my whole appearance in the mirror before going out, but I always pay attention to my eyebrows (laughs).

-I'll be a prince! But before that, I'd like to play a dirty role-

"He started doing karate about 3 years ago because he was attracted to the civility of the sport after playing many detective roles in the past. He takes time out of his busy schedule to attend karate, which he says helps him maintain his health and improve his voice for stage plays."

Hagino: I'm currently a yellow belt (6 kyu). I hope to be green this year, and brown within the next two years. Even before shooting for the photobook, I ran a marathon, went to karate, and did push ups when I'd wake up in the morning……that all I keep doing (laughs). Surprisingly, I don't mind doing these things.

His photobook, "Actor, Takashi Hagino," is filled with emotional and sensitive words that resonate with the heart.

"You say so many wonderful words."

Hagino: I wondered, "What can I do with this photobook?" I thought maybe I could include some words or afew sentences. But, it felt like, "As soon as you add color to a painting, it's ruined." I thought it'd be more interesting to write down what I was currently thinking, like a time capsule, so that later on I can say, "This is who I was!" I personally really like the poem "Confirmation."

"What's your favorite outfit in the photobook?"

Hagino: I liked the denim jacket~. That guy near the swingset, he may have been more offended by the unlikely setting of swings, rather than the fashion I was wearing (laughs).

"How was the stage play, "Yokosuka Dobuita Story," in which you played the leading role?"

Hagino: I really enjoy the stage experience. I also like the live feel of it. Since the foundation of a play is the stage…..I fully felt the determination of everyone around me, and while it was fun, I also fully enjoyed the live conflict that only a stage play can bring. I thought that as the rehearsals continued, I could feel so much of the warmth, cheerfulness, and sadness coming out of them.

"What do you think of Joji, the role you played?"

Hagino: In the beginning, he wasn't a nice guy…..but, he was a good guy. I think I was able to show him having fun and being sincere, so I'd like to add more variety if I ever play a role like that again.

"What scene was most memorable?"

Hagino: In the proposal scene with Kaori, played by Junko Mihara-san, she changed the way she spoke each time we performed it, and did so with different tricks, such as sulking or teasing. Gradually, our rhythm and breathing become the same, and my lines came out without being conscious of it. The scenes with Mihara-san were alot of fun to do.

"It's been announced that you'll play the role of the prince in the Cinderella musical. A bad prince…what's that about?"

Hagino: Quiet! (laughs). I don't think that's it, I think it's just a regular prince, but the script hasn't come in yet, so I don't know all the details. I am looking forward to the dancing in the musical. Although, I'm worried about singing. You know how the dialogue suddenly flows into a ballad like song with, "Why~"? I become nervous the moment, "Why~," comes up (laughs). But. I'll keep practicing and show you the fairy tale prince in all his glory.

"Will the prince's costume be……white tights?"

Hagino: My manager told me that if I wore white tights, right here (his crotch), would look really cool (laughs). No, rather, it's a wonderful fairy tale like costume. The show will be held in more than 20 locations across the country, so please look forward to it!

"What kind of roles do you want to play in the future?"

Hagino: Since I've already decided to play a prince, I'd like to play a serious and grim role before that. Something like a dirty role.

In his photobook, Hagino-san affirms that he loves humans, as he wrote, "Are you a human being? If you're a human, then you must be a wonderful one." This love for people is what makes his acting so refined, as he focuses on the essence of humans. We're really looking forward to seeing him as a fairy tale prince and in serious roles.

Ryohei (Shuichi Kitaoka/Kamen Rider Zolda)

-Is this too subtle? When it comes to this coordination, I think I should do my best.-

In a quiet studio located in a certain part of Tokyo, the sound of a camera shutter clicking resonates. The sounds are followed by rhythmical changes in facial expressions, poses, and overall atmosphere, creating the rich and colorful, "Ryohei World," almost like a perfectly beautiful picture were being painted.

Within the light, he strikes perfectly balanced poses that'll take your breath away, while occasionally trying to make us laugh by crossing his eyes and saying, "This is what real coordination looks like!"

While casually flapping his white coat, he says:

Ryohei: About 2-3 years ago, I used to wear clothes like these all the time during the Fall and Winter, but now, I don't wear them anymore. It's exhausting to wear them all day, don't you think? These days, I think it's better to dress comfortably. I wonder, have my shoulders become more relaxed as I've gotten older? Well, it's nice doing something like this once in awhile! It makes me feel motivated to strike the perfect poses.

"You picked out that coat."

Ryohei: The length is perfect! This half coat actually is a half coat. For some reason, usually, a half coat is a short coat, and a long coat is a half coat (laughs).

"Were there any problems with the size?"

Ryohei: No matter how big the clothes are, when I wear them, I always think, "These are way too small!" I do adore more loose fitting clothes. I can't pull off the look though (laughs).

"While not being particular about brands, Ryohei-san says, "I don't think something being expensive makes it better." He enjoys buying secondhand clothes, with sneakers making up half of his collection. He also claims to have about 50 pairs of unopened shoes. Today, he's wearing stylish leather sneakers."

Ryohei: I love sneakers. I sometimes think, "Even if they last a lifetime, I wonder, do I have enough?" I'll also put them in their box and stack them, it's really cool to look at (laughs). I don't really do it anymore, but there was a time when I used to pick out clothes that matched my shoes.

"Do you check your whole appearance in the mirror before going out?"

Ryohei: That's essential. Sometimes I'll dress in a way that makes me think, "Is this too subtle?," Although, I'm usually pretty ok with it. Fashion is like an extension of my hobby, so I think I should be doing my best at it. During the times I go on a date with a girlfriend, I think I should only make decisions when I really have too.

"Do you make snap decisions for a date??"

Ryohei: It depends on how long we've been together, but in the early stages of a relationship, a man wants to make a big impression (laughs). Well, if you've been together for 3-4 years, I think, "Alright, who cares~."

"That's terrible?!" (said by the entire female staff)

Ryohei: I don't think you have to be so cool in front of your partner all the time……I think it's okay to just look natural. So, it's not terrible, it's really not (laughs).

"What if after 3-4 years, she's wearing something she doesn't really care for?"

Ryohei: Well, that's exactly who I am. That's why I think we'd be compatible (laughs). You do your best at first, and once you're familiar with them, it doesn't matter what you look like.

"Do you care about your hairstyle?"

Ryohei: For me, I'm not particular with hair, so everyday my hairstyle is slightly different. When I go for a straight perm, my hair loses all its volume and flattens, regardless of how thick my hair is. A tip I can give, is to only use your hair dryer on areas that are particularly annoying and have strong frizz. It's easier to set up the look that way.

"Your eyebrows have a nice shape to them."

Ryohei: I don't do anything with my eyebrows. I don't want them being thin. It makes me lose the "impact" of my face and causes my appearance to change (laughs).

During the chair sitting shoot, the chair was too low compared to Ryohei's height, so he brought out a stepladder by himself, making it a very interesting shoot. Wearing a knit hat, Ryohei's beautiful face looked even more attractive, and he looked like a European college boy with an unfamiliar expression on his face.

"What is key to dressing well?"

Ryohei: I don't have any particular stances…..but, I don't want to be outdone by clothes. I want to make an effort to wear them, and even if I think they don't look good on me, I'll try and find a way to make them look good.

"You seem to be very good at posing."

Ryohei: During my time staying at motels, I studied my poses by looking in the mirror, so I wouldn't have to do them on set and feel embarrassed. It's like it's already been ingrained in my head. If I don't do them properly, the photographer won't be able to take any photos.

"While at Hagino-san's house, the two of them once practiced posing together while looking in the mirror. During the shoot, Hagino-san laughed and said, "Posing by Ryohei!," and he did the same pose Ryohei did, showing that they seem to get along really well. What advice do you have for for making your appearance look more beautiful?"

Ryohei: Pose standing slightly diagonal…doing so will make you look thinner. Always think of ways to make your appearance more slim (laughs).

"When did you first discover your style?"

Ryohei:…..I still haven't found it (laughs).

"Normally, wouldn't you discover fashion in the same way a girl would?"

Ryohei: Hmmm……It think it's alittle different from that (laughs). Rather than about clothes, I was thinking more about how to make people laugh and how to entertain them. When it comes to the clothes I'm wearing now, I don't think I can say whether they're good or bad. I might say later, "Why did I think this was cool to wear?" Fashion is an indifferent thing for me, but it's like a time capsule that reflects that moment in time……It's something that reminds me of who I was at one point.

-The action was difficult. Since my reach is different, it's difficult to get the timing right.-

"How was it working with veteran actors (Natori Yuko, etc) on "The Woman Prosecutor of Kyoto"?"

Ryohei: There was alot to learn just by listening and watching. The way they said their lines, it was so natural, me on the other hand, I'm still trying to perform well. In my head, I can see it all very well. But, it's hard to actually do it. On set, we called her "Professor Natori," since we had alot to learn from her.

"You made your first attempt as a voice actor in "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED," correct?"

Ryohei: Actors can make facial expressions while speaking, right? It's easy to tell when someone's "angry" because they speaks in an angry tone and has an angry expression on their face. I looked at the voice actors and thought that they're skilled at manipulating their voices. They do whatever they want. The way they react, the way they breath…..as an actor, I've learned alot from them.

"I heard that the shooting for the upcoming film, "Bird's Eye," in which you play the lead role, was difficult due to wire acting."

Ryohei: It was quite difficult. But, it was something of a challenge for myself.

"Please tell us some highlights of the film."

Ryohei: It's an action film. But, I only had 3 days to practice. I couldn't even meet the person I was going to be working with until the day of filming. Being so tall, I had a different reach from my partner, so it was very difficult to find the correct timing. When you punch, you take a step forward, right? But when I step forward, I get too close, so I end up performing a limp punch (laughs). I'm sure there must have been a better way to do it, but unfortunately, I didn't have time to do any research.

"The way you beat them up was impressive though."

Ryohei: I was mostly on the receiving end (laughs). RIKIYA-kun (Kawaguchi Rikiya), who played Tsuyoshi, used to box, so as expected, his punches were excellent.

After the photo shoot, Ryohei-san went to the waiting room. Among the outfits there, he found a pair of yellow pants with purple square patterns on it, and his eyes started to sparkle.

Ryohei: This, it's amazing! I want to wear it right now! Can I try this on?

Just as Ryohei enjoys fashion with a carefree attitude, and takes on challenges with an open mind, while also exploring new areas as an actor one after another, absorbing them naturally and without hesitation. His sincere attitude to cherish every moment and his mischievous spirit of challenge expands "Ryohei's World" endlessly, by giving off a refreshing charm. We won't take our eyes off his future challenges.

[odai-alkhatib]

I l🫶🏻ve you all

odai ..

[lunar-gl1tch]

ryohei odai has become such a jolly ojisan it warms my heart

the silver in the goatee....chef kiss

[j-gravure]

尾台彩香 (Odai Sayaka)

[lorspolairepeluche]

Day’s End

look, this is a well-established pattern. i see @bladeverbena​ make a new oc, and i immediately have to make an oc of my own to hype his oc up and be the Best Friend, and then within a week i’m in tears over my oc’s tragic story and have made like five other ocs to populate it. this is exactly what happened re: ress and oday.

Anyway. AHEM. This is my enablement of contribution to the AU first seen in this fic of Smith’s. Set maybe a few weeks to a couple months after the squad returns on the Ragnarok. (Mild CWs for alcohol and discussion of pregnancy, past abuse, past suicidal ideation, and death of a significant other. Nothing described graphically. I promise. Also, goes without saying, FFXIV spoilers up to mild Endwalker spoilers.)

WITHOUT FURTHER ADO.

“You know, with how many children you adopted even before you stopped being an asshole, I thought you’d be happier about the news.”

Gaius wasn’t surprised to hear someone — he’d heard heavy steps climbing the stairs toward his room and his balcony — but the sound of that voice in particular piqued his curiosity. That wasn’t to say he jumped in surprise. Certainly not. Simply a small startle out of his reverie. He turned to the doorway. “Oduyanga Khagan.”

“Did I scare you?” At least they had the decency to try and hold back their smile at the idea.

“I simply hadn’t ever heard your voice below fortissimo before. I didn’t realize you were capable.”

“Ah, laugh yourself stupid about it.” But they’d let the smile creep up as they rolled their eyes, and they held out two metal flasks. “Share a drink with me? Sunsets are even more stunning when seen from a roof.”

“How did you even get in here?” he asked, even as he relinquished the last of his grip on the balustrade and followed them to the trapdoor in his solar that led to the roof above his apartments.

“You said it yourself — I’m the khagan. You can get in almost anywhere when you’re an allied foreign dignitary.” They tugged the rope that both opened the trapdoor and dropped the ladder concealed above it. The piece of ceiling swung inward to let a shaft of reddish evening light pour lazily down on the dim landing. “Look urgent enough, hide the booze, and say that you need to see Lord Baelsar immediately, and everyone’s jumping to throw open the doors for you. Couple that with the descriptions Ress has given me of the building, and oops, I practically have the run of your home.” They gestured him up the ladder before him — a courtesy to the person who actually lived here, perhaps.

Gaius gripped the ladder and began to climb. “I’m unsure as to how I feel about the idea of you having access like that and the gall to use it.” He almost paused at the first feel of the wind in his hair unhindered by other buildings, but the khagan had already hopped the first few rungs below him, so he clambered out onto the roof tiles.

“Hey, with all the trouble Lord van Ballsack Better-Than-Thee gave me — on two separate, near-apocalyptic occasions — I think I deserve to annoy you once in a while.” Their head popped up grinning with sharp teeth. The red of their hair was even more intense in the sundown, and their pale irises glinted with mischief. “Plus,” they grunted as they pulled themself up, “I thought I should at least make an effort at a rapport with you. If only for Ress’s sake.”

Gaius sat back on his heels from his aborted motion to help Oduyanga up from the ladder. “How…how is he doing?” The last time he’d seen Ressaunt — the Warrior of Light, he corrected himself in a moment of absurd propriety — was less time in the past than it felt. Ressaunt’s pale skin had been just a shade away from dead white, the darkness under his eyes had been even deeper than the fading bruises on his body, and he’d all but collapsed in Gaius’s sitting room. That had prompted a frantic Ser Aymeric de Borel to come rushing through the aetheryte network to spirit him back to Ishgard. And…

“He’s on the mend. We all are, but…he took the worst of it.” They kept their face turned toward the western horizon as they said it.

Gaius simply nodded, without bringing up how every time he’d seen Oduyanga and Ressaunt fight as a team, Oduyanga had many times taken an almost subconscious step forward, placing themself bodily between Ressaunt and the enemy. Even when that enemy wielded the power of three eikons.

“Honestly, I came here partly to get a break.” They offered him one of the flasks as they situated themself with their legs dangling down over the edge of the roof. “As soon as I was well enough to walk again, what do you know, being khagan comes with duties. Cirina had mostly been managing what she could and fending off the rest in my absence, but once Mag and Temulun heard I was back, I was summoned home like a child for suppertime. I only managed to go to Doma — to tell Hien in person that we’re all right — by invoking the foreign-allies excuse. It’s been extremely useful lately. Thank the gods that my term as khagan is only a year.”

“You don’t intend to compete again?”

“I have what I needed from the last Naadam — allies to reclaim Doma, proof of my own worth, and…” Here they paused, fiddling with the cap of their flask before taking a swig from it. “Anybody ever tell you I’m a widower?”

“Nicéphorien is dead?” Gaius blurted. He gathered the full improbability of that an instant after Oduyanga nearly choked on the next sip of their drink.

“Gods forfend. Thybé’s fine. Or as fine as any of us are after…” They waved their hand airily to indicate the arduous prevention of yet another apocalypse. “That. And we’re not married. Haven’t found the blessed time for that. No — no, I was widowed before I met him. Lost my husband in a Naadam. But, as it turns out, when the Au Ra Xaela refer to the Steppe as speaking or alive, they mean the spirits of its warriors. So when I claimed the title of khagan…well, I got my closure, at least.” There were many things not said there, and Gaius did not ask after them. “But I came to talk about — well, you, really. I was serious earlier: I thought you’d be happy.”

“I…” Gaius had no words to say about it. He’d been trying to find the right ones for days now, ever since Ressaunt had looked him in the eyes and told him. “You were right that I…took in many children. Those in whom I saw…potential.”

“And the ones whose fathers went insane with obsession.”

“Cid fit both those criteria, I’ll thank you to recall. But…I could not…I never managed to truly be a father to any of them. I was always a soldier foremost. I did not see them grow up the way I wished them to. And I never made time for any relationships except those. I do not…comprehend how it is one goes about this sort of thing. Either of these sorts of things, a relationship or…”

Oduyanga only gave a soft hum to gently let Gaius know that he did not have to finish that sentence. They kicked their legs back and forth in the empty space below. “I didn’t, either. Still don’t, on the second count. I don’t think Ress knows entirely, either. He has Aymeric for the relationship part, but they both understand that Ress is the kind who wants…more. The kind who can give more. Hien and Thybé and I are the same way. Ress has more love than he can really give to only one person.” They shook their head and tipped their flask back once more. “I’m going meandering again instead of saying what I wanted to say. What I came here to say.”

“I expect it’s something about how if I cause Ressaunt even a whit more hurt than he has already experienced, you shall return it tenfold on the blade of an axe?”

“That part comes later,” Oduyanga laughed.

The brilliant red of the sky had faded to a deeper violet, melancholy and soothing in one, and Oduyanga’s voice softened with it. “I wouldn’t have made it in the Empire. No, not even if I were one of the lucky ones that Legatus van Baelsar fostered. I chafe at…well, everything. And you’ve been on the receiving end of it far more than enough times to know that I have an extremely bad habit of shooting off my mouth when I really should not. No, I wouldn’t have survived as any sort of Garlean, born or subjugated. I almost didn’t survive where I actually was.

“I was always what one might politely call a hellion. As I grew older and did not grow out of my…rebellion, I was called many less kind things. I was considered a nuisance at best and a threat to tribal convention and normalcy at worst. Someday I’d have to settle, they told me — settle into my prescribed role, be who I was always meant to be, not this…oddity, this freak accident of a person who defied every known law of being an Oronir.

“I was convinced no one would ever see me for who I was, that if I stopped fighting, I would be forced into my allocated place with those who bear and rear the tribe’s children. I envied the Dotharl — no one gave so much as a damn what gender a Dotharl was, so long as they were glorious. And I convinced myself that the only way I would ever have a chance to be who I wanted to be was if I were the strongest. If no one dared tell me that I wasn’t what I was supposed to be. I would never bend until I broke myself — die young in a blaze of glory, and no one would ever be able to deny that I was the strongest as myself. I wouldn’t survive on the Steppe — but I could survive at the top of a hill of bones. It was a dark outlook.”

“That seems an understatement,” was all Gaius said. An instinct in him rose, the same instinct that had seen the core of brilliance in Rhitatyn and the steely strength in the children of Werlyt, but he held his tongue again.

“The fact was, I convinced myself of all this so well that when someone did see me as I wanted, as I really wanted to be seen, I didn’t believe him at first. He saw past the strength and the rage and the dead-set conviction that I had to be the best. So when he was kind to me, I thought at first it was a ruse, that he was trying to appeal to me and bring me into the fold. He was next in line to be khan, after all. Thank Azim that he was, in his own way, as stubborn as I was.

“In the end, my hostility got the better of me. I thought I’d force him to show his true colors and simultaneously reinforce that I was the strongest. The Oronir khan is supposed to be the best warrior in the clan, after all — no one would forget the one who had bested their leader. So I challenged him. A battle, one-on-one. And I won. And then, with him on his ass on the ground, my axe sunk into the dirt between his legs, me standing over him…he did something wildly unexpected.”

“And what was that?” He was fairly sure of the answer, and Oduyanga’s smile at the last glimpse of sun over the horizon confirmed it before they even answered.

“He asked me to marry him.”

Gaius couldn’t help the smile that crept up on him too. “And did you accept?”

“It took some convincing after the fact, but eventually? Yes. I did. And…we might not have had long together, but however short it was, and however badly it ended, that was the most happiness I’d ever known. Altan looked at me and saw me. He gave me the chance to be that, to stop having to fight for it. He gave me the time and space to be who I was.”

“I am gladdened that you had that joy. However it ended,” he echoed.

“So am I. I’m grateful to him still. I am who I am now because he gave me the love I needed to be who I was then. Granted, I was still stupid enough for the longest time after Altan to not realize that someone else might eventually want to give me that love again,” they laughed. “But I finally caught on, and now…now, I think I might actually have time to savor it again. I have the chance to be myself — the self I want to be.” Oduyanga nudged Gaius with an elbow, careful to keep the spike at the point gentle against his ribs. “And the point of me laying bare to you my whole sorrowful history is that — you have that chance now too.”

“The chance to…be myself?” Is he…not himself?

“To have a future where you don’t have to fight for it all. You’ve never known much besides fighting, have you?” They gestured to the sky, its color falling gently to darkness like a leaf from a tree, to indicate the wide world and the wider future. “Well, now you have the opportunity to…take time for you.” They hesitated. “And, if you want him, for Ress too. And…for the kid. If…if you choose to — to be a father? You can choose that without having to shed blood for it.”

They lapsed into silence together, the words that had been spoken hanging between them and the ones that hadn’t dancing invisibly in the air. Gaius took three drinks with long pauses between them before Oduyanga said abruptly, “Besides — whether you choose that or not, I’m going to be helping to raise this child. And do you really want me being the only bastard teaching your child right from wrong?”

Gaius mock-shuddered at the very idea of it, and for the first time, the two of them both laughed together. “Khagan, take no offense, for I mean none, but I very much do not want you being the sole adult teaching any child right from wrong.”

“You know the foreign-dignitary thing was just an excuse to get in here, right? You don’t have to use my title. Just call me Oday already, old man. All my friends do.”

Friends. Gaius nodded and let his smile be safe on his face.

Oday raised their flask toward him. “To the wonderful people who give us good things we don’t expect.”

Gaius touched his flask to theirs with a soft clanking of metal. “To futures we never thought we’d have.”

“That’s the spirit.”

Together, they sat on Gaius’s roof and drank until the stars blinked above them.

[igorlevchenko-blog]

—The clan Rethan has famously built a hunting lodge halfway-or-so to Hla-Oad, at a place called Odai Plateau—most singular location in a way of being at the intersection of three different biomes, each encapsulated by mountains: the swamps of Bittercoast, the fungal verdance of Odai valley and further down the stream—a taste of ash-swept wastes. Though not much of a hunter myself, having went on a few hunts hosted by Rethans I can say those sport a kind of a unique, kaleidoscopic, quality—both in terms of weapons used and the variety of game (including the one Bosmers infamously call: the most dangerous prey in the world). The day-long hunt commenced in Bittercoast, proceeding clock-wise across the river by a boat which kept coursing alongside the bank for our convenience. Among the score of Netch, Nix Hounds, Shalks and one Kagouti, I've managed to down a flying flock of Cliffracers with a well placed fireball—quite an accomplishment, if I do say so myself.

P.S: I've also attained some proficiency at telling hunting stories, which in the same way as big-fish stories of the Isle of Stirk lean towards exaggeration.

[spockvarietyhour]

Stargate SG-1 "Bounty"

[skajador]

So yeah, you're gay

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[odai-alkhatib]

L O V E

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