#with giott too

[designsdefiance]

m'seyli "lalafell kisser" rhel + her many small girlfriends

[ferrocyan]

giott is so funny in japanese honestly. her gimmick is that she talks like an old man, which does go well with her thick white beard (and iirc her animations are using the male lalafell too). the player is meant to assume this is a grandpa dwarf. but then the joke is subverted, it's revealed that not only is giott a woman, she's only 22! so like, can you IMAGINE what she sounds like in-universe? would our wols be fooled or is it obvious this is a girl talking like an old man? or even like, an old woman? i do wonder if giott has a rly elderly sounding voice lol

[flame-of-tar-valon]

writer asks 🐇📚🔪 ^_^

🐇 ⇢ do you prefer writing original characters, reader inserts, or a mix of both? 

I don't like making reader inserts because I spend way too much time in my head on characterization. Prior to writing for FFXIV, I never actually wrote any fanfic that had original characters, but FFXIV is a game where having an original character is... fairly unavoidable.

I used to exclusively use established canon characters, which was hell to research because I had to get the characterization of their internal monologue just right. ESPECIALLY if I was deviating from canon because I had to make it distinct in a compelling way while still showing a logical progression from canon to fic. I had a lot of fun with this in my (since deleted) Homestuck AU where the beta kids didn't get to play sburb until 3 years later.

📚 ⇢ what's the last thing you wrote down in your notes app? 

Lue-Reeq / Tataru Giott / Estinien Taynor / Nero Granson / Edda

This was my brainstorming for my Shadowbringers AU where the closely-intertwined-fate people sent to the First are Tataru, Nero, and Estinien. I was trying to come up with a fourth person, so that each of the travelers from the Source gets to help one of the Virtue Hunters, and I settled on Edda. For reasons. :)

🔪 ⇢ what's the weirdest topic you researched for a writing project?

Oh boy. Ummm let me think. I researched a lot about geology/chemistry for the Beryl Throne / Ironbook novellas I started ages ago. I started learning about comparative political geography when I started outlining my series about The Widow and the Dragons. I spend a lot of time looking up name etymologies and linguistics stuff whenever I make a new character who needs a name. Idk. I've looked up a lot of sailing terminology and naval tactics stuff (there's actually an ATLA fic I read that does an amazing job with this!) and similarly I've researched a lot of culinary stuff too. Also weaponry. I have recently spent hours researching rapiers/smallswords/hangers/cutlasses/etc for Lleidspaer.

None of these are super weird though, so idk. I did a deep dive into the history of tarot when I was homebrewing a ttrpg thing once.

[sunkeeperxiv]

FFXIV Write 24 - Bar

Timeline/spoilers - post 5.0/ShB Role quests

Daca'li receives a gift at the Wandering Stairs.

Daca’li hid a chuckle as Mei-Tatch put three drinks down in front of Giott, only to prick his ears forward in surprise when he slid one of them over to Daca’li.

“Courtesy of our own waitress, Cylva,” he said by way of explanation. “I do believe she’s appreciative of you helping out with these eaters.”

Giott nodded, a broad grin on her face. “Well, then I’d say you’ve certainly earned it. I’m not too proud to say you were a lifesaver during our encounters with Sophrosyne. Quite literally.”

Daca’li pointed his ears back a bit out of modesty. “I got there in the end,” he replied. “I daresay I wouldn’t have managed without your patience.” Healing was an entirely new endeavor for him, and while he couldn’t quite explain his newfound affinity for astrology, he couldn’t deny it had come in more than handy by the end of their encounters.

Giott waved him off, already draining one of her tankards of ale. “You were a fine healer! Once you stopped dropping all those cards on the ground, at least.” It was genuine embarrassment that pinned his ears this time, and Giott responded by laughing uproariously.

“Aye, it’s a wonder you and Urianger didn’t both give up on me a week in.” He pulled the drink closer to him and peered into it. It was the same ale Giott was drinking, which was to say it was the same ale most of the Stairs’ patrons drank. Giott achieved her preferred level of intoxication through quantity, not concentration.

He cast his eyes across the bar and the tables and found the waitress quickly enough. She was an elven woman with silvery hair and a graceful way of moving across the plaza that, while it was certainly useful for carrying mugs and bowls without spilling their contents, had caused him to almost peg her as one of the petitioners when he’d heard there were bounty hunters looking for help.

She deposited her current delivery on a patron’s table and turned, returning to the bar. Immediately, she caught Daca’li watching her, her eyes meeting his from across the plaza. There was a moment’s hesitation in it, but she inclined her head slightly to him. He raised his tankard in response and turned back to the bar, taking a surreptitious sniff before swallowing some of it. It wasn’t Buscarron’s mead, of course, but it was a fine drink in its own right. There were places where the drink was much worse, or much more watered down. Or, more commonly than he’d like, both.

“D’y’think she likes you?” Giott asked. Two full tankards sat in front of her once more. Daca’li hadn’t even noticed Mei-Tatch approach. He made a face at her.

“That’s not the impression I’m getting. I think it’s more of a, ‘thank you for keeping my best patrons alive’, between your bar tab and Lue-Reeq’s food bill.” Truth be told, he didn’t even think it was that. There had been something somber in her expression when their eyes had met.

“Think it’s something more to do with you dealing with the Virtues,” Mei-Tatch chimed in, taking an empty tankard from Giott. “She’s always taken a keen interest in any news regardin’ them. We’re all glad to see those eaters put to rest, don’t mistake me, but I think she’s got a reason for being especially interested in ‘em.”

“Oh? What might it be?” Giott asked, leaning over the bar as far as she could.

Mei-Tatch only shrugged. “She don’t talk about herself much. I only know what I’ve noticed and what my customers tell me.” That was still a lot. Mei-Tatch was an excellent repository of information on the Crystarium’s populace.

“I won’t begrudge her her secrets,” Daca’li responded. “There’s still another virtue prowling around, besides, so mayhap she’ll feel moved to explain once that one’s dealt with.”

Giott shrugged and turned her attention to a fresh tankard, and Daca’li sipped at his own considerably more slowly. Something about the woman seemed familiar, although he couldn’t place her to save his life… but sometimes the best thing was to give things time. Either she’d make it obvious, or he’d work it out.

[keicordelle]

The Sweet Sorrow of Old Memories

FFXIV | Lamitt & WoL | General | 2003 canon divergence, returning home, reminiscing

After a hundred years adrift, Lamitt finds herself back in Tomra, a silent observer to the Warrior of Darkness's journey. The familiar village stirs old memories, and, as it turns out, some feelings are universal. Be it a shard away or 100 years past, everyone misses their home.

Another anonymous commission featuring Yesuntei! I love the idea of Lamitt being her reflection in place of Ardbert, the two of them mirror each other quite well!

My ficlet commissions are open through kofi, and if you're interested in a longer piece like this, send me a message and we can talk!

-

The afternoon sun bathed the familiar landscape of Tomra in its golden radiance. Brighter, now that the omnipresent veil of the Light had been lifted. Gentler. It turned the cracked buildings and half-hewn rock into something almost beautiful. Dwarves bustled within the stone walls that marked the town's edge, heedless of the spectral figure that watched them.

It was a painfully familiar sight. How many years had it been since last Lamitt had lain eyes upon her home? She could imagine it was unchanged, that if she were to enter the rusted iron gates, she'd find her mother and her sister within, tinkering with some new mechanism or polishing a trusted pickaxe. Just like it had been before, so very long ago. Before everything had gone so very wrong.

And yet its differences showed through even from a distance: buildings layered in splotchy green tarnish, new mouths dug into the rock face, the tips of the horns on Ziggut's helm worn off. Time had been no kinder here than anywhere, and Lamitt felt its effects all too keenly this close to home. Her former home.

Yesuntei's tail swished nervously as she approached the gate. "Do you think they'll talk to us?"

"I don't see why not," came the gruff answer from beside her. Giott's shoulders lifted in a noncommittal shrug. "No guarantees they'll have anything useful to say, though."

Lamitt trailed after them as they made their way into the village proper, a silent, unnoticed companion. She would have held her breath as they crossed over the threshold, had she needed to breathe at all. Still, something like a chill passed over her as they stepped through the gate and into the village she'd abandoned so long ago. The village that had abandoned her.

[Read the rest on Ao3!]

[styrmwb]

Rambling About Magic the Gathering X Final Fantasy - Final Fantasy IV

I don't have a special thing to say about IV. Imagine if I could reasonably fit all of these into one post, my life would be easier. Yours wouldn't though. That's a lot of scrolling.

Dwarven Castle Guard

I don't REALLY understand the flavor here, but I do really like the art. IV deserves to have the dwarf slot, even if they are in multiple games.

The Lunar Whale

The art here is incredible, with the moon and the Tower of Babil in the back. Having an airship basically give you an extra card in hand feels very fitting. Propels you forward.

Cecil, Dark Knight/Cecil, Redeemed Paladin

Cecil is one of the simplest, most perfectly executed cards I've seen so far. A simple change from deathtouch to lifelink, AND they translated his special command from both jobs into card form pretty much exactly. In a way, where Darkness uses life, I also like how it activates his transformation when you're halfway dead, like it's halfway through the game. VERY happy with this card.

Kain, Traitorous Dragoon

Poor Kain getting labeled for something that wasn't even his fault (HE WAS MIND CONTROLLED!) I really like how your opponent gets control when you attack with him. You don't want him to get too close to the big bad. Take out the enemies. Unless you want something out of it (which this mainly just feels like a way to balance his effect so it's not totally bad).

Mysidian Elder

This does feel like a card that they made to fill out the smaller, not legendary creature ranks. But this is a great example of old FF sprites in Magic artstyle, I'm a big fan of it. Would have maybe appreciated a little Palom and Porom looking through the door or something, though.

Chocobo Kick

First off, antlion appearance! Woo! This definitely does more than the original simple attack that Chocobo Kick was, but I like that it's here.

Rydia's Return

I love how this card can interpret Rydia's return in two different ways; one where she comes back from "the dead", and one where she grows in power. That's how I see it, at least. Look at Cecil's smile in the art, it's very good; and the Mist Dragon looks amazing.

Giott, King of the Dwarves

I'm. So Glad. That Giott got a card. Over like, Anyone else in the party. Regardless of me being miffed about representation, he does fit well with the previously mentioned Dwarven Guard card, and the art is really good.

Golbez, Crystal Collector

YEAHHHH THIS IS THE GUY I WANT TO SEE! I feel like the villains have generally been some of the best cards in the set, it's awesome. The art is killer, with both his Amano look and his DS look, not to mention that red background in the alt art and the appearance of the Shadow Dragon. I love this so much. His effect is also amazing, needing you to collect eight crystals to do massive damage. You ARE the Zemus.

Rydia, Summoner of Mist

First off, BEAUTIFUL art. Her outfit seems like a combo of her classic art and her After Years art, which is interesting, but the sparkly bits and the mist/Mist Dragon just give the card a great aura. I feel like the Landfall might be in reference to her leaving and returning? Maybe? I'm a little more certain on her Summon thing, which obviously interacts with the Summon cards in the set. I read a comment that said "from the graveyard" was an allusion to the fact that the Eidolons live in a separate realm, which I'd buy for a dollar.

Tellah, Great Sage

The woodblock style alt arts they've done in this set are beautiful, and Tellah is no exception with that storm of icicles. Of course he has to have the ability to sacrifice himself for a giant spell. It would have been interesting to see if they could translate his stats lowering, but honestly, probably for the best gameplay wise that they didn't.

Elixir

Not really a IV card, more of a general FF card, but look at that Hummingway, it's so sparkly and shiny. I can't wait to never use this card. I might need it later.

Baron, Airship Kingdom

THIS art is INCREDIBLE. They have that classic opening formation of the Red Wings in front of the two moons in the sky, this is like, FFIV in one painting.

Mountain

For the generic land of this game, we have Mount Ordeals, where Cecil becomes a Paladin and you fight Scarmigleone. Amazing choice of location, and beautiful art of the location.

Cid, Timeless Artificer

4 our fourth Cid, we have the big man himself jumping out of the airship with a bomb as the party escapes the Underworld, which is his best scene. The joke of having every Cid be the same card does start to show its flaws when there's a more unique Cid like Pollendina here, who could hit things with a hammer, but it's awesome regardless.

Rosa, Resolute White Mage

Another VERY IMPORTANT CHARACTER stuck in the Starter Kit is Rosa. I guess one way to look at it is it's a great place to put in extra guys that didn't quite make it. I need to wind back the salt. Regardless, I do love her effect combining both her bow + aim AND her white magic with the reach, lifelink, and the +1 counters increasing damage. Really good transition of game to game.

FFIV has 14 out of 309 cards, representing 4.5% of the set. Cid is Cid, and Rosa is in the Starter Kit. For the game that I feel like people really start to care about the series (cause it was the 2nd one released in America), I would have expected a bit more from it, but the cards they DID make? Holy shit, the transition of character to card for this game's been outstanding. I'm really really impressed with the IV cast.

Things I would have liked: The Four Fiends again, or at least Rubicante. Plus I feel like Edge not being there kinda sucks? He's one of the final party members. IV has a lot of party members, so I can understand not everyone showing up. But man. Kinda stinks to not see Edge, or Yang, or fucking Zeromus? But we got Giott. Oh well, gameplay is important, I suppose.

[toadeyes-miqote]

Decently managed by Tataru and her contacts on account of being an Ishgardian citizen and a Gridanian officer. Mainly to ensure that her time is not wasted by "official time wasting bureaucratic business" that certain city states are so prone to doing. Her aides are very trollish and are still vindictively trolling certain city states. Whatever else Hylnyan does outside of official business wherever she is up to her. so she has decent amount of self and people time.

Based in Shrouds-Limsa but has some sort of focus rotation every 3 months - Ishgard-Coerthas-Dravania /Sharlayan-Thavnier / Othard / First /Ala Mhigo-Garlemald (ignore my chaotic Aetheryte hopping in game to the Gold Saucer)

not on Moon, Elpis or Ultima Thule much as she's not allow to camp overnight or stay more than three days by Tataru's orders (emotional burnout regarding empathy so I don't log her out from there) Unless we can further explore Elpis' story, there's no reason for her to remain there too long lest a morbid fascination with the past take root. (Would we be allow to hunt down Azem or find out more stories?) Tataru views Elpis and anything related as a very big clean up job left by the Asicans with no one to bill (unless Solus has a trove to pay for this). Emet and Elidbus would get an earful from her if they ever meet.

Monthly pops back to The First as Ryne's personal mail moogle and mail delivery only since the three months rotation still stand. Feo Ul will contact her if there is emergency.

Not much places to visit on the First. she hangs out with the Cardinal Sin Hunters (Giott is very good at this downtime thing), the Vis hunters or Crystalline Mean when she's not doing FATES, Tribal or Custom

Doma is guest teacher job at the enclave and checking in on vocational school for guilds collab. Some Khagan duties at Steppes (this is actually her down time with the Mol, Dothari and Qestir)

Ishgard-Coerthas-Dravania is mostly checking in on family(more down time), friends and guild collab

Ala Mhigo-Garlemald is less work and more checking in with key people and doing hunts. Raubahn, Lyse and Lucia have a bigger foot print in those places.

Yes rotation focus is actually leveling based

What is your WoL's social life like?

[abimee]

i need to find a character in ff14 to hit with the butch beam but its hard to find a woman in this game who has both a fleshed out personality and more to her than 5 cutscenes

[karygurl]

what's there to celebrate? (ffxiv)

Takes place after the final quest of the base Shadowbringers expansion. Cassandra’s “victory” feels more like a failure.

Despite the late hour, the Crystarium was alight with lanterns and fireworks after the Scions and Exarch had returned. Drinks were on the house at the Wandering Stairs (much to Giott’s excitement), and the plazas were filled to the brim with people shouting and laughing and cheering. Beyond a barebones crew of sentries that were rotated several times during the night so that all could partake in the celebration, all of Lakeland had arrived to celebrate as well. It as a party like none Cassandra had ever seen. 

Ishgard, Doma, and Ala Mhigo all had celebrated amidst varied states of rubble. This, this sparkling place of hope, was a beautiful city already poised and ready for the chapters ahead. 

And Cassandra couldn’t bear to look at it.

All she could think of was another city, deep beneath the waves, hovering in its twilight at the precipice of disaster. It hadn’t mattered to her that it had been a recreation; it had happened. Those people, innocents, multitudes, had died. She’d beheld the entire world at her feet as it burned and suddenly all of Emet-Selch’s posturing and dramatics had made sense. He wanted it back, and he would do anything for his world.

So would she.

It didn’t make the loss any easier to swallow.

She knew his plans had to be stopped at any cost, but the loss of memory to history was something she couldn’t overcome. He had been one of a staggering few who remembered, who’d lived through it, not just the end of his own world but the end of several shards of the Source; all the horrors and joys and rises and falls of the ages, and he was someone who’d been there for it all, lived it himself.

Someone who looked at her and saw… what, exactly? She never did find out, though at times she could have sworn that there had been something inside of her drawn to him. And now the only one with the answers she sought was dead, at her own hands. The tears that had flowed freely down her cheeks as he'd died, smiling at her, confused her more than she could express, leaving a knot in her chest that had yet to ease.

So she remained standing on a quiet balcony overlooking the festivities below, and tried to keep out of sight. Her mind was too full, processing too much to be of much use to those who needed this moment to celebrate. They deserved better than a maudlin, distracted excuse for a “hero.” 

“Are the drinks not to your liking?” a voice piped up from behind her, nearly sending her over the railing. “Not that I’d blame you, if I didn’t know better I’d say Glynard is watering them down to make them stretch far enough to keep everyone in their cups.”

Thancred settled in next to her, his gaze drawn down to the attendees but she could feel his attention on her. As always, he missed nothing.

Cassandra watched him for a moment before her eyes returned to the reveling as well. 

The companionable silence stretched between them, the din from below a pleasant hum to Thancred’s ears. He’d watched her earlier when she’d done her best to try and participate in the proceedings. He was used to cataloging people's reactions, passively, almost lazily; they were often more telling than their words. In that regard, it had taken mere moments to see the almost too-wide smile on Cassandra's face, the thundering pulse at her neck, the sound of her voice pitched just a hair too high, to know that she was pushing herself to be friendly to everyone who approached her. It looked like panic, smelled like fear. She’d brushed him off earlier when he’d offered her an excuse to leave early, but it seemed she’d finally given in and snuck away on her own regardless.

Up here on the balcony, away from the expectations and exultations, she looked exhausted and miserable. His heart ached for her; after all she’d been through, she deserved rest, and he knew that celebrations like this had always made her uncomfortable. But he had a hunch that this was more than just exhaustion. 

He wanted to lighten her load, offer something to make her smile, but he sensed that this burden was too great or deep to be affected by buoyant banter. Instead, he offered her sincerity, a gift she’d proffered no few times to him. “What is it?”

Cassandra remained silent for a moment, though her furrowed brow was proof of her putting effort in figuring out how to answer the question. Finally she spoke, in starts and stops. "I don't know how to… be normal, anymore. Everything is... it's hard to respond to everyone’s excitement when everything feels so inconsequential, compared to…” She shook her head. “But that's not fair, to anyone! I should care, about everything that's important to them, they finally have hope for their world for the first time in a century and no matter what I'm thinking of, I should care, I should..."

"Because that's what you do?"

Her shoulders hunched. “Isn’t it? Because it’s what they need? After everything they’ve been through, how can I be so selfish--”

“Because you’ve saved their godsdamned world, that’s how,” he snapped, inhaling sharply and biting back his tongue. When he spoke again, his tone was more even. “You have given everything for these people. They are grateful, certainly, but their feelings should not supercede your own. You’re just as important as they are. And if you need rest, then you have worked harder and longer than anyone else across the length and breadth of these lands, and if you don’t deserve it, then no one does.” 

She bowed her head, sighing heavily as the weight of his words to sink in. “Do you think… I could skip the party? Would anyone notice?”

He raised an eyebrow at her. “If you’re asking if I can get you back to your quarters unseen by partygoers, then perhaps you haven’t seen me in action lately.”

That got a smile out of her, though her gaze was still on the commotion below. She hesitated before glancing over at him again. “Is it okay that you’re missing the party? You’ve already sacrificed some of it for my sake, I don’t want to take you away from it if it’s something you’d enjoy yourself.”

Thancred stepped away from the railing and offered her his arm. “I would be nowhere else in Norvrandt.” After she’d looped her arm through his and they began a lazy stroll along the elevated walkway, his mind racing ahead to formulate a route that would have them arriving at her room with the least amount of attention, he added, “Particularly as Urianger has taken it upon himself to remind me of my… indiscretions, when last I imbibed on the Source. I can’t tell if he’d rather I drink only water, or if he’d like to see me return to my old ways for his own personal amusement, but either way I think I’d rather just avoid his schemes completely, if you don’t mind.”

Her laugher brightened her whole expression and brought a smile to his lips. Anything he could do to make her life easier and happier, he would. She’d saved them all, after all. He owed her everything; it was the very least he could do.

[rainofaugustsith]

In Praise of Doing All The Things - Cardinal Virtues Edition

Viri is currently working on leveling several jobs, but also completing tribal missions and FATE zones in Shadowbringers. I'd ideally like All The Things done before doing the Seat of Sacrifice trial, but that might be a stretch with the FATES. I have finished four zones but am quite a ways off for the other two.

I'm so glad that I did all the Cardinal Virtues before getting to the end of the WoL/D's time in the First. The perks of that have been:

Shadowbringers spoilers, Cardinal Virtues spoilers, ahoy!!

Getting the quest with Cylva explains exactly what Elidibus is attempting with Ardbert. Elidibus is just repeating the Shadowkeeper scenario: propping up Warriors of Light, encouraging them and tipping the balance too far to Light. I wanted to scream every time one of the Scions or the Exarch was like "we don't know what that rascal is up to." VIRI KNEW.

All of the NPCs from the CVs, as well as Cylva, were choices when the WoL/D got their late night visit in their quarters. Cylva's was especially interesting, even though they managed to make her look foreboding even when she's completely agreeing with the WoL/D. And for the others, the Mage DPS and Healer NPCs who visited are people I wish Viri could take back to the Source with her, or visit all the time, because she adored them.

You get a ton of lore which is really helpful, especially with Lamitt's quest and the dwarfs. I still wonder how the people on the First would react to a non-masked Lalafell WoL, considering what happened to all the unmasked dwarfs on the First.

During the Heroes Gauntlet dungeon, it was so meaningful to me that so many of the WoL/D's allies turned up to help them, every step of the way. If you have all the CVs completed, you get those quest NPCs also fighting for you along the way, complete with banter that suggests they themselves might find teammates.

Caption: Giott the Aleforged: Ugh, I would kill for a drink right now... Lue-Reeq of the Gilded Bow: When this is over, I'll buy you as many as you want! Steelarm Cerigg: Oho, does that offer extend to me as well? Granson of the Mournful Blade: Save the talk for the tavern! We're not out of the woods yet! Steelarm Cerigg: Let's finish this quick and have those drinks! It's free, so Taynor can't complain!

[smolkatsumi]

school AU [2/?]

here’s part 2!!

enjoy!!

---

- hien rijin

> ethnic studies major period...but has secret minor in child development

> you both have been dating since high school, but he moved away to study in the student exchange program

> you had a great glow-up while he was away, and when he came back, he almost failed to recognize how  much you’ve changed thanks to puberty

> he likes to poke fun at you and you were that one fun couple that everyone wishes they were

> yugiri and gosetsu were being wingmen by keeping lien updated in what you’ve been doing because he never realized how busy you are now

> he became a teacher, while you became a successful small businessperson in selling themed teas and gender reveal items

> people were in a frenzy when you posted about your own gender reveal and upcoming wedding plans

- magnai oronir

> contrary to belief he actually is a type of ethnic studies major, but considers dropping out because he’s not a school guy

> before you both dated, he was a jock and when you both began to date, he was full time boyfriend and quit his jock gig

> sadu never lets him live it down that he’s a big simp for you, but she threatens him if he hurts you, she’s going to hurt him personally she loves you

> this is one of the situations where you have mad dog privileges because he WILL glare at any passing men who want to sneak a peek at you

> he’s a big baby, but he’s your big baby so take care of him, okay?

> EXTRA: it took him days to approach you and little did he know, you liked him and thought he was pretty cute; let’s just say he was shy and shocked and his little tail wiggles are adorable

- lue-reeq

> as a senior, he was single ready to mingle, but girls weren’t too into him since he was a 110% dorky

> he complained to granson and giott that he was going to die single for life, until cerigg suggested his friend, who worked at the dormitory marketplace

> lue-reeq assumed that his friend was trying to mess with him but his curiosity got the best of him when he looked you up on IG and thought you were SUPER cute

> when he walked in, the scent of ice cream and pizza filled his nose and lone behold his future girlfriend, wife, and life partner - chatting with some freshmen who looked a bit nervous

> he flubbed up his order and couldn’t pull himself together with the innocent look you gave him, but he prevailed and mentioned cerigg and accidentally asked you out

> let me just say cerigg would never get off lue-reeq’s case about getting you both together and demanded he speak as his best man at your wedding

> EXTRA: he’s still so shy with you and there was no photo on his IG that didn’t include you both being cute, that of which his friend group wouldn't stop commenting embarrassing stuff on those posts

- x’ruhn tia

> he was your TA for one of your global studies classes - he was an anthropology major with a minor in global studies

> a lot of your classmates talked about how hot ruhn was and jokingly talked about how he probably is secretly strong and lean

> well...they’re right LOL cuzzzz you caught him at the gym lifting some dumbbells after your Zumba class with alisaie and Arya

> they apparently knew ruhn personally, and they knew about his little crush on you, since you frequently asked him about the class he TAs

> he finally asked you out to the upcoming social - thanks to Arya - and you ended up dating and becoming the school’s best power couple

> spoils you and proposes to you as soon as you graduate and let’s just say that your classmates we JEALOUSSSS *insert z snap*

[ferrocyan]

looked over cylvas scene too but its not that different from jp to eng i think. though she says she didnt see elidibus using ardberts body in his schemes coming, which isnt in the eng version i think. she seems to be more straightforward in jp imo from calling the bar patrons "the drunks" www and she calls ardbert a kind hearted person too ;w; its sweet

grabbing the jp transcripts of the 5.2 inn scenes and im drinking a glass of water every time the cutscene starts again and tart gets interrupted from having a glass of water www

[pippuns]

I want to write/someone else to write a fic of the ShB role quests but the WoL is doing all of them at once and dragging all the role quest characters along for one big badly composed sin eater hunting party.

I mean come on, if you're hunting sin eaters then you obviously group up with the 4 other people also hunting sin eaters.

That and the void quest crew has big found family energy can you imagine everyone taking care of Taynor, or visiting Lue-reeq's wet nurse, or helping Granson grieve over Melinda, and uhh... Giott is there too...?

📖~

holy shit this is so fantastically big brained and it makes so much more sense. i believe in void crew reluctant allies bordering on enemies in some cases to comrades to friends to found family supremacy!!! thats what we're here for!!!

i really like the idea of them all bundling up with taynor at luc reeq's wet nurses home and just. spending time together for whatever celebrations the first has. i hope they all went to ryne's festival together

[clea-dessendre]

ffxiv for the fandom ask?

tyyyyy sophie! <3

also asked by @gautiersylvain ty <3

blorbo: right now, my brain is bouncing between emet and g'raha like a pinball. since emet fits another (too well), let's go with the funky lil cat boi. shout out to the blorbo-adjacent: aymeric, the OG scions (urianger, thancred, y'shtola), venat, hythlodaeus.

scrunkly: the twins, my actual children. I (and maty) would die for them, we would kill for them, we would sign their adoption papers had their mother not been a saint and their father not finally shown them the love they deserve. sometimes I go and visit them in garlemald for the same dialogue just to see them happy and productive.

scrimblo bimblo: there's a whole bunch of characters I love who seem way underappreciated by the game itself in recent content, like cid, nero, and yugiri. then there's others who aren't appreciated enough by the fandom, like krile and lucia. but I might actually say tataru here. I adore her and she gets so little appreciation. single-handedly keeping the scions afloat!

glup shitto: soooo many of the job/crafter/gatherer quest npcs (I saw best himbo oboro in zadnor the other day and got excited). also mikoto, even if I have *issues* with the writing of her echo abilities. special shout-out also to the role quest npcs in shadowbringers, esp giott.

poor little meow meow: emet-selch is the definition of my poor little meow meow. genocidal garbage man. imperialist rat boy. ilu hades.

horse plinko: estinien. I just want to annoy him. all the time. that's my estinien-specific love language.

eeby deeby: asahi. honestly, they just really pushed all my enrage buttons with his characterisation (esp in directly contrasting him with yotsuyu! two people who do terrible, evil things that are never justified, but one's evil can be understood while the other's is loathed. genius!!!) and I am actually kind of impressed with it. also the entirety of the syndicate except raubahn.

[shardweavers]

Chapter Fifteen - A Man Rides Through

The two male Miqo'te quietly rode across the sands of Amh Araeng for a while. Angel seemed focused on his Amaro and the trip over the sands. He had worried that flying with the cargo might risk losing it, 'whereas,' he had argued, 'if they were riding on the sand, and anything fell, they could recover and continue'. Even the two Amaro had seemed to agree, and Ice had felt outvoted. At least, since it was past midday when they left, he knew the weather should start to get cooler as they headed south.

The Miqo'te Warrior couldn't help but continue to think about everything that had happened since yesterday. The whole thing was strange to him; the Warriors of Darkness having been shards of themselves, their supposed regaining of creation magicks, not to mention just accepting an Ascian as a traveling companion... It all just seemed completely unreal. The Warrior pulled one hand off the reins, then looked at it as they rode over the ridge; he stared as if something would magically appear before him like it had with Angel. Ice sighed a bit as he realized nothing was going to happen, then placed his hand back on the reins.

Speaking of the Ascian... Emet-Selch did seem rather interested in other means of reuniting the soul shards, but he knew better than to trust the word of an Ascian; he was sure his husband did too. He trusted Shoto, even if he didn't quite understand her thinking in this matter. She had Sumire and Yuki with her as well, and he was certain they would keep her safe. His mind continued to wander as they rode on.

Ice thought back to the final battle, as he closed his eyes to focus for a moment. He remembered seeing the Galdjent Paladin of the Warriors of Darkness. Branden was his name; he had been there with him in that moment of the final battle. The male Galdjent had consoled him when he thought all was lost. His strength joined with him to use the Light within to help restrain Hades. Could it really be that simple? 

"Ice..." Angel's voice broke the silence. Ice blinked a few times, then looked over to his husband on the other Amaro. “Are you okay?” Angel's concern was obvious in his tone. 

“Yes! I’m fine!” The Warrior smiled to reassure him, "Just... was thinking about a few things."

Angel nodded once, still unsure. He mostly stared at the feathers of the Amaro, apparently lost in his own thoughts as they rode on.

Ice let out a breath as he nudged his Amaro to keep up. "Angel...?"

The mage stopped, his ears perked up at Ice's voice. He then turned himself and his Amaro to look back.

Ice did the same, stopping his mount as he made a face. "I know... we said... we all saw one of the Warriors of Darkness. In that last fight with Hades."

"Right...?" Angel tilted his head confused. Ice fidgeted with the reins before he continued.

"I know it's a silly detail, but... well... I wondered who it was you saw?" He waved a hand a little, "I mean, it's fine if you don't remember or don't wanna say, I was just thinking about it again since..." Ice trailed off, his grin faded a bit, but he maintained a sort of smile.

Angel watched his husband fidget, then sort of lose his smile as he thought about things.

《That whole thing yesterday must be bothering him more than he's telling you... Now I'm curious where this goes.》

Angel nodded slightly in response to Anubis' mumbling. Ice seemed worried by his husband's silence... and his thoughtful staring. 

"Ahh ha ha nevermind! It was a weird thing to ask in the middle of the desert! You're... You're probably... hot."

"Lamitt," Angel replied. Ice blinked, then nudged his mount forward a bit as Angel reaffirmed his response. "I saw Lamitt."

"She was... the little White Mage, wasn't she?"

Angel nodded, "Though, she might take offense at the little part," he smirked a little. His eyes then focused on the Amaro beneath him, and he continued. "I don't know why you're curious, but... after my nightmare... and the memories it dredged up, maybe it would help to say it out loud."

"Angel...?" Ice looked both worried and apologetic. He was genuinely curious who they had each seen, he hadn't meant to upset his husband with unpleasant thoughts again. Angel seemed to realize his concern, or at least guess his worry, as he smiled and reached out to take Ice's hand.

"It's okay. It isn't bad. In fact, even in the face of destruction, she had a sense of humor."

"Oh?" Ice shifted his hand to hold Angel's properly, then perked his ears forward, curiously.

Angel nodded, "She pointed out that we weren't dead yet. That we can't do much for the dead... but the living... is another story." He chuckled slightly, as her voice had been almost playful when she said it. He'd seen the memory of her first meeting with Ardbert, when he'd been soundly beaten by the hobgoblins he'd run into. He recognized the humor of what she said now, even if the situation had been far more dire than a pack of hobgoblins. The White Mage seemed lost in thought as he recalled what she'd said.

It hurts.

Lamitt...?

I realize... he's been alone all this time. Wandering, lost, continuing on without us. Pushing forward, for our sakes. None of us ever thought he'd be left alone like that. I think the only reason we still had anything left behind was because of our crystals.

Your... crystals...?

Yeah. You know, the one you're still holding on to? Not yours?

...the Crystal of Light...?

Aye. That one. You saw my thoughts... my memories. They're fragments of who I was, what was left after everything was turned to dust and aether.

I...

I saw yours too, once. All the bad, and the good. You believe the same thing as I do, deep down. I'm certain of it. We don't live for ourselves, but for others.

. . .

Listen. Your sister, your mother... him. What happens to them if you don't get back up now...? You can still stand, right? Just one more time?

I... can... with some help.

Well, it took you long enough to say so! Ha! C'mon, we've got enough for one last push! For their sake!

After a quiet, thoughtful moment of looking at Angel's thoughtful face, Ice gently squeezed his hand. It was enough to draw the mage's attention, and the Warrior looked up to the late afternoon sky. It was still light, but it had gotten cooler as the sun started to go down; as expected. While that meant they were expected to arrive at the Inn soon, he wanted to finish their conversation. It felt important...

“I saw... Branden. The... Paladin. At first, I thought it was just because I chose to help Granson in the Crystarium. I know each of us offered to help with one of the Cardinal Virtues that had appeared...” A frown formed on Ice's face as he looked out over the dunes of sand.

The Cardinal Virtues; the twisted horrors that Vauthry had created from the fallen warriors' bodies. The fallen Paladin had been called Dikaiosyne.

Angel had wanted to help Giott, as they had been looking for 'someone skilled in the Healing arts' to chase one down. Shoto had gone with him as they chased the fallen White Mage, Sophrosyne.

Now that they knew what had happened, it seemed rather obvious that they had been drawn to help free each of the Virtues. Sumire had helped Renda-Rae by defeating Andreia, and Yuki had helped Nyelbert by defeating Phronesis. They had all gained their spent Crystals of Light, and had seen memories, but none of them had really talked in depth about what they'd seen, or what had happened... just that it had.

"She told me," Angel fidgeted with the eternity band on his husband's finger; the smile on his face was a bit sad. "We continue forward, even if we lose everything, because we don't live for ourselves, but for others." 

Ice wanted to argue, but something about the sentiment rang true... His own experience had been similar, with Branden. The memory he saw of Princess Sauldia's death, and the memories his Crystal of Light had triggered. Branden's promise to never hesitate again. The Galdjent's question about being his husband's sword and shield... wasn't that a similar sentiment? That he wasn't living for himself, but for Angel? ...For everyone...? It was Ice's turn to fall silent, as he once more heard what Branden had said to him.

Are you hesitating?

I can barely move.

I know you saw what happened to the princess. I replayed that time over and over. I wondered if I had just acted instead of thinking, could I have saved her? A simple pull or push might have dodged the spell. Maybe my shield could have stopped it.

Bran...den?

I hesitated to follow her order, even though I knew what would happen if I didn't. I knew there was no way to reverse that magic. I still made her suffer that transformation. I made her fight even after she had asked me to spare her that. Ardbert even volunteered to do it for me,  but I couldn't let him do that.

. . .

Hey now. What's that look for? You're trying to do the same thing, aren't you? You're trying to think what you could have done differently to save him from all this. You're wondering if there was anything you could have changed.

That's...

Nothing. There's nothing you could have done. But the fight...? It's not over yet. You're supposed to be his sword and shield, aren't you? This can't be all you've got left.

He...

If you keep thinking, you'll definitely lose him.

...I won't! I won't. . . . Branden help me. I can still be his sword and shield. I can be their sword and shield! I just... I can't do it alone.

Just promise that next time, you won't hesitate to ask for help. C'mon, stand up, there is still hope yet.

"Odd... I think I finally understand." Ice closed his eyes, then let out a breath. He felt Angel squeeze his hand in reply. Neither Miqo'te were paying much attention to their surroundings anymore, focused as they were on one another.

A white blur flew past the two on one side. It spooked the Amaro; they bucked their riders onto the sand as they bolted for some nearby vegetation. Angel rolled to a stop a few yalms down the slope as Ice managed to barely land on his feet.

"Angel!" Ice stood quickly as the white blur flew in front of him. He winced, then looked to his arm; that thing must have hit them as it flew past the first time. He clicked his teeth and drew his axe. Angel pushed himself to his knees and shook off the sand. Ice could see a similar slash on his husband's arm. The Warrior moved to go towards the mage, but a second white blur flew in front of him. "Two...? Angel, are you alright?"

"Just a bit... dizzy," Angel replied, as he stood and drew his cane. He didn't get a chance to look over to Ice, as he immediately held his weapon up to block one of the two white blurs that had gone right for him the second he stood up.

The blur was a sin eater; it was long, thin, and had very sharp claws on the ends of bony arms. The speed suddenly made sense, as did the slashes. The other blur made an attempt at Ice, who easily blocked it with his axe, and a frustrated growl. The Warrior was sure they could take them, but their speed, while fighting on sand might make it more challenging. Still, without a Lightwarden, the remaining stray sin eaters weren't likely to be more than an annoyance... right?

"Ice, behind you!" Angel called to his husband, as he yanked away his cane from the sin eater's claws. It pushed it aside long enough for the White Mage to cast a shield on his husband. A flicker of light blue and white hexagons appeared around Ice in time to deflect the slash of a gargoyle-like sin eater. Ice growled a bit, and heaved his weapon; with the serpentine sin eater still holding onto it; around to the gargoyle. It dodged his swing, but the serpentine sin eater went crashing into a nearby sand dune. A bright glare of white and blue light hit the hovering gargoyle in the face, and a flicker of green appeared around Ice's injury a moment afterwards. The Warrior glanced back and gave Angel a grateful nod, as the wound began to mend itself.

The serpentine eater that Angel had knocked aside was gone again, and the one Ice had thrown still writhed in the sand; it kicked up a small cloud. Angel tried to hurry across the sand, to get over to his husband, but a blur flew past him and stopped him from doing so. The White Mage gripped his cane a bit tighter as he jumped back a bit.

Ice made sure his footing was solid enough to go after the gargoyle, then leapt at the still dazed eater. He brought his axe up high, then let his momentum carry him down into a powerful Fell Cleave that managed to take off the eater's arm and wing in one hit. The sin eater cried out sharply as it suddenly flailed in a wild attempt to fly off, but could no longer manage it. It flailed its remaining arm at Ice, who had brought his weapon back to strike again. He felt a sudden, sharp, burning pain across his back that interrupted his Heavy Swing and let the gargoyle hit his leg. It was immediately followed by the soothing feeling of his husband's white magic.

"Ice, are you--" Angel's question was cut off by a sudden impact. The tail of one serpentine eater hit him square in the chest. Ice turned in time to see the White Mage collapse to his knees, gasping for the breath that had been knocked out of him. His cane had been nabbed by the eater when it hit him.

The Warrior growled loudly, and focused on the flailing gargoyle eater. If he finished that one, he could focus on the two swift serpents. A dark red aura began to swirl around him as he gripped his axe. A flicker of red appeared in his eyes, and his axe moved faster than before. It swung once and took the legs off of the gargoyle sin eater; it swung again, and through the middle. His last hit took the eater's head right off. Its aether dissipated quickly, as Ice turned to look for the two serpentine ones. In his currently heightened state, he caught sight of them both flying about, but still wasn't sure he could hit one fast enough. He moved towards Angel, and that seemed to get their attention. He took a defensive stance, and managed to hit the tail of one, but the other slashed at his side. The Warrior cried out sharply, then pivoted on his heel and swiftly brought his axe down onto the sand; the impact sent a wave of force out in a cone before him. It worked to stun the one he'd taken the tail from, but the other escaped.

Ice turned towards Angel, and spoke quickly as he gestured. A green barrier instantly surrounded the coughing White Mage, then the Warrior turned towards the flailing serpent again. It hissed loudly, then righted itself in an attempt to lunge at him; Ice lunged first. The Warrior closed the gap as he brought his axe around to behead the sin eater. It was still trying to recover, so his axe struck true, as did the three follow-up swings. The sin eater's aether dissipated slowly, and Ice turned toward his husband.

Another Warrior stood over him, the corpse of the remaining sin eater only ilms away from the White Mage's knees. Angel was still defending his face with his arms; braced for an impact that never came.

The mysterious Warrior pulled a blood-stained axe from the serpentine sin eater, then put it on his back. He had on a long, hooded traveler's cloak that hid his face from Ice's view.

Ice felt himself calm a little as he realized the sin eaters were defeated, but he was wary of this stranger near his husband. 

The stranger took a few steps away as the last sin eater dissipated into aether. He picked up Angel's stolen cane, dusted it off a bit, then walked over to kneel before the mage. Angel realized it was quiet, and lowered his arms a bit. He blinked open his eyes to see his cane being held out to him. He reached out to take it, then opened his mouth to thank Ice. He realized the one before him wasn't his husband, as soon as his hand touched his weapon. 

No words were spoken. The mysterious Warrior nodded, then stood, then turned to head off towards Mord Souq. The setting sun had made it hard to see his face, but Angel stared at the axe on the stranger's back.

《That axe looks familiar...》

Angel nodded to Anubis' trailed off comment. His chest still felt tight from the impact that had winded him. He couldn't remember where he'd seen an axe like that before, but the stranger had saved him... so... did it matter right now?

"Are you okay, love?" Ice's voice drew his attention. His husband knelt before him, worriedly. Ice reached out to touch Angel's cheek, "Are you hurt...?" The mage shook his head, then smiled gratefully and nuzzled against Ice's hand. "I'm glad... I couldn't get away from those two. I'm sorry," Ice frowned.

Angel shook his head again, his voice okay, but he sounded to still be winded. "Not your fault... They kept us apart. You took care of them." He smiled, then accepted Ice's help to stand.

"I wasn't the one who saved you." Ice sounded upset. His grumble and pout made Angel blush, then chuckle quietly. Ice pouted more, "What's so funny?!"

"You're jealous."

"I'm not jealous! I'm upset that someone else had to protect you!"

Angel's smile faded a little, but he maintained it as he nodded. "It's okay, love. I'm sorry I didn't pay better attention to things around me. You still saved me. I wouldn't have had the chance to cast anything if you hadn't kept their attention."

"That one seemed focused on you, though..."

Angel blinked, then looked thoughtful. It had felt like that, hadn't it... like each of the serpents had focused on each of them? It was probably nothing, though... after all, they were just prey to sin eaters, right? The mage looked over to the vegetation, then gently pulled away from Ice. "We should get to the Inn, we can rest inside."

"Good idea," Ice nodded, then followed his husband over to the still-spooked Amaro.

"It's okay now," Angel spoke quietly, with his hand out in front of him, "The danger's passed." The Amaro he'd been riding poked its head up, towards his hand. Angel continued forward, cautiously, then gently placed his hand on the Amaro's head. He let out a breath as the Amaro nuzzled gratefully against his hand. It seemed to settle as it smelled Angel, then shifted as if ready to let his rider back on. Angel smiled in relief, then stepped over beside the Amaro, lost in thought for a moment.

Ice similarly petted his Amaro, then got back in the saddle and petted its neck. "Thanks for the ride." He looked over to check on Angel, only to notice he still hadn't mounted up again. Ice frowned,  "Everything okay, love...?"

“Ice...? Everything... will be alright... right...?” He looked over to Ice.

The Warrior paused, then gave him a worried smile. "Yeah. Everything will be alright. Let's go meet our friends at Journey's Head. They're waiting for us and these supplies."

Angel looked relieved to hear the words. He let out a breath, then mounted his Amaro. Hr gently patted its head and neck as he spoke quietly. "I'm sorry you were spooked like that. You're safe now. Thank you for the ride."

The two Amaro seemed extremely grateful for the pets, then took off across the sand as the sun dipped past the horizon. Angel and Ice both spared a glance back to where the cloaked stranger had headed off, but there was no sign of any traveler in the distance. Angel turned back around, sure that meant he'd had a mount nearby, while Ice squinted at the empty desert. Something felt wrong, but he had no idea what it might be.

Sorry for the extra week’s delay on this one, it was mostly chaos IRL that caused it. Thank you all for your support and patience! The next chapter will check in with Shoto, Yuki, Sumire, and Emet-Selch on their way to Eulmore!

[novaeagle]

Y’Shtola x Casimir

Prompt: Y’Shtola falls asleep in Casimir’s lap while he’s talking to someone and strokes her hair like a cat. 

Y’Shtola found him on the steps leading up to the Exarchs office, talking with a few of the Crystarium residents. He was dressed plainly, in a half done button up shirt, and pressed slacks, his glasses perched precariously on his nose in the way that drove the Miqo’te wild because she was SURE that they were about to fall off his face. She was dressed differently as well, forgoing her usual Black Mage dress for a simple sweater, and jean bottoms, a much warmer attire for the oddly chilly land. Perhaps it was the fact that the Light absorbed all the heat, but it was much colder in Lakeland than it was in the Rak’Tika Greatwood. 

Casimir paused long enough in his conversation to shoot Y’Shtola a heart melting smile and a nod, before turning back and finishing his sentence. Y’Shtola didn’t mind, there wasn’t anything important for them to do just yet, and she wanted to take the time to spend a few moments with him, even if it was just to sit beside him as he spoke to the citizens. It was one thing that he had decided to do, just sit on the Crystarium steps and speak with the people, whoever approached him. Not many did at first, keeping a respectful distance from the Warrior of Darkness, but one day a group of children playing around wandered over, one brave soul asking him to tell them a story. Soon there was a crowd of more than just children sitting around him, adults too listening in rapt attention as Casimir spun tales of his exploits and his adventures in the Source and in Norvrandt. 

Now, groups of people came up regularly, many just wanting to talk about the weather, many wanting his opinion on items or ideas. He spoke to all of them freely, glad to put a smile on as many faces as he could, and happy to see the Crystarium grown and thrive in the absence of the Lightwardens and Sin Eaters. Today he had a small group, a few Elezen, a Miqo’te, and a Dwarf, surprisingly without her helmet on, when Y’Shtola walks over, sitting down beside Casimir and leaning a little on his shoulder. After one of the Elezen finished speaking, Casimir glances over at her, 

“Hey love, did you need anything?” Y’Shtola shakes her head, 

“Just wanted to come over and listen to the great Warrior of Darkness speak.” Casimir scoffs, rolling his eyes before reaching up and touching her nose with one finger,

“You and your silver tongue.” She narrows her eyes at his cheeky grin, before humming decidedly and settling back down on his shoulder as he turns back to the group. After a few minutes the Elezen pair say their farewells and leave, and the Dwarf runs off to get more alcohol, receiving a call from Casimir to bring him some as well. the Miqo’te stays, sitting cross legged a step down from Casimir, staring up at him as he asks, 

“So ya used ta be a Mystel as well? Wha’ happened fer ya ta turn into a Hume?”

“That, my friend, is a long story, so as long as you have time, I will talk your ear off about it.” The Mystel nods excitedly, and Casimir grins, launching into his story. Y’Shtola’s eyes begin to get heavy, the sun beaming down on her and Casimirs soothing voice droning in her ears making the woman yawn, sliding over and down a step to lay her head down on Casimirs lap as he spun his tale, talking of the many magical means by which his physical form changed. Her tail twitched at Casimirs touch, his fingers suddenly in her hair and running softly over her eyes, her body relaxing, and a purr or two escaping as his hands soothe her, making her fall slowly into sleep. 

Casimir glances down at the sleeping woman, his story over as both the random Myste and Giott the dwarf gaped at him. 

“By the gods, Casimir! I’m glad I grabbed an extra drink or thirty, that tale was wild enough to NOT be believable!” Casimir chuckles, 

“The stories are true, but a few names and places are left out, as they’d only bring more questions and pertain to where I and the Exarch came from.” The Mystel nods, a frown coming onto his face.

“Will... will you and the Exarch leave us?” Casimir shakes his head, 

“Not for good. I promise you, I will be back, and if I can help it, I’ll bring everyone back with me. My companions aren’t supposed to be here in the first place, they were drug over by inaccurate, desperate magiks, until the Exarch finally managed to pin me down and bring me over.” A soft, rumbling purr suddenly sounded out, and all three glanced down at Y’Shtola, Casimir with love and the other two in shock. 

“Aye, she really loves ya... Mystel don’ purr like tha’ unless they’re with someone they really love ‘r trust.” Casimir smiles down at Y’Shtola, his hands still slowly running through her hair,

“We’ve been through too much together not to trust eachother... I’d put my life in her hands any day, and she’s done the same with me...” The three watch Y’Shtola as she lets out another soft purr, and the Mystel stands up,

“Aye, well, Ah best git back ta work ‘afore I get yelled at. It’s nice speakin’ with ya Casimir.”

“You too brother, have fun!” The Mystel scoffs, but leaves with a smile on his face. Giott chugs the last sip of her drink, sighing appreciatively before nodding,

“I’m gonna go continue to get drunk, join me whenever if ya want!” Casimir nods to the dwarf as she runs off, leaving him alone with Y’Shtola. He turns his attention to her, gently rubbing her ears and running his fingers through her hair. 

“You know...”he speaks softly, not wanting anyone else to hear, and not knowing she’s listening in, “I’m really not the Warrior of Darkness, or Light. I’m just a man with an ability to survive being tempered by Primals, and can apparently survive absorbing massive amounts of Light Aether. I couldn’t have done anything I did if it wasn’t for you, and the rest of the Scions. You’re the real Warriors of Light, the ones who kept me alive and kept me fighting. You’re the one that helped me through Limsa Lominsa, who introduced me to the Scions. You’ve always been there for me, in the Steppes and in Ala Mihgo. It’s always been you behind me, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to repay the debt I owe to you but damn it if I’m not going to try my hardest... I love you Y’Shtola...” He kisses his hand, placing it gently on her cheek, failing to notice the growing smile she wore, or the lone tear that fell from her closed eyes.