#wol: ayaka mizushima

[ayakamizu]

White Mage 🌸🌿🌷

#ffxiv #ffxiv gpose #ffxiv au ra #snapshots #wol: ayaka mizushima

[ayakamizu]

FFXIV Write 2023 Day 26 - Last

Last: Noun. A final appearance or mention; the end or conclusion. Characters: Ayaka Mizushima (WoL), Haurchefant Greystone Expansion: Heavensward Rating: G Notes: Takes place after the end of the main Heavensward MSQ. References to That Moment! So incoming angst is to be expected. I think listening to One Last Kiss while writing this was either the best idea ever (because it set the mood) or a mistake (because now I'm sad).

No matter the time of day, that final moment haunts Ayaka’s dreams.

For brief moments during the day, she can almost ignore the ache in her heart—the way it feels like it’s being cut down the middle. She’s reminded though when she steps through the threshold of the Fortemps Manor, or when she stares up at the spirling towers of Ishgard, or when she walks through Camp Dragonhead without him greeting her—

(Once, overcome with emotions, Ayaka found a corner of Camp Dragonhead and stifled her sobs. None of the soldiers stationed at the camp mentioned anything, despite Ayaka knowing a few of them saw her, and for that she was thankful.

It was bad enough in Ishgard when nobles gave their condolences—as if they ever cared a wick about Haurchefant. The concern from the people in the Brumes felt more genuine.)

She cannot escape it in her sleep either. That moment, replayed over and over again. No exaggerations were ever needed. Haurchefant’s bloodied smile begging Ayaka for one last smile always made her wake up in a cold sweat, a sob bubbling up. She would hide her face in her pillow those nights and let the tears flow, curling her arms around her body and desperately wishing they were replaced by larger, more muscular ones.

Haurchefant wanted one last smile. A reassurance that she would be fine—that the last thing he saw wouldn’t be her crying over his dying body. She gave him that and, as the light faded from those beautiful blue eyes, she placed one last kiss on his forehead.

“I love you,” she whispered into the dead of night, clenching at the ring he gave her. “I miss you. Why? Why did you have to—”

She wanted to spend more time with him. They had plans for after everything was over—to have him meet her family properly and not through letters. She would show him Kugane and he would show her parts of Coerthas that she hadn’t seen yet. They wanted to wake up to each other in the morning, basking in the dawning light together. 

But now they couldn’t have that. It was cruelly taken away from them. When the righteous anger burned out of her, she was left feeling hollow. Maybe some part of her died with him at that moment—the last fleeting innocence that came with the rush of your first love.

#ffxivwrite2023 #ffxiv writing #ffxiv #wolchefant #expac: heavensward #aya: writing #wol: ayaka mizushima #c: haurchefant greystone #ship: the knight and mage

[ayakamizu]

Straight from the Shape of the Heart 🫶💕

#ffxiv #ffxiv gpose #ffxiv au ra #snapshots #wol: ayaka mizushima

[ayakamizu]

FFXIV Write 2023 Day 1 - Envoy

Envoy: Noun. A diplomatic agent. Any accredited messenger or representative. Characters: Lyse Hext, Ayaka Mizushima (WoL) Expansion: Stormblood Rating: G Notes: Takes place during the beginning of the Azim Steppe portion of Stormblood, but no major spoilers found here.

Somehow, it hadn’t set in until they reached the Azim Steppe that Ayaka and Lyse were being given a more daunting task than either of them were used to.

‘We should have brought Alphinaud,’ Ayaka thought. She could practically see Alisaie’s grinning face as they left the Doman Resistance Headquarters. It hadn’t registered at the time what she had been so happy about, but knowing her distaste for politics it made more sense. Her brother would have made a wonderful buffer for whatever potential negotiations they would get involved in. Their time in Ishgard had served him well in that regard.

“I’m sure we’ll be fine,” Lyse whispered to her. The two of them were bringing up the rear of the group—Lord Hien at the front in a deep conversation with Gosetsu. Yugiri had disappeared somewhere up ahead, scouting the area no doubt. “We just need to act natural!”

“Act natural,” Ayaka repeated out loud, and then in her head as a mantra. She wondered if the nervousness showed on her face or not. “Act… Professional?”

That made Lyse pause in her steps, brows furrowed as she mulled over Ayaka’s suggestion. “Oh. I suppose that’s a good point…?”

Truthfully, Ayaka was just trying to think of what Alphinaud would do in a situation like this. Professional seemed right, yes? Although she didn’t know how to greet her Xaelan counterparts. She knew how to greet Ishgardian nobles, but Ayaka knew that couldn’t work here of all places. It would earn her strange looks. 

Was it too late to teleport to Ishgard and ask Sidurgu a few questions?

“Ayaka, we’ll be fine!” Lyse promised, resting one of her hands on Ayaka’s shoulders to try and calm her down. “I’m, uh, sure we can follow Lord Hien’s lead and hope for the best?”

“Right,” Ayaka said, soothing out the invisible wrinkles in her top. She resisted the urge to readjust the gloves—a match to the ones Lyse wore—Tataru had given her. “Right, that's true. By the gods, I’m a mess.”

Truly, this was the consequence of her letting Minfilia or Alphinaud or Aymeric play the diplomat—making a mess of herself in front of their allies and Lyse.

“Now, now, you’re just as put together as always!” Lyse reassured, going as far as brushing her fingers through Ayaka’s hair. Desperately, Ayaka told herself it didn’t mean anything. “Ever the reliable Warrior of Light and friend. Between the two of us and Lord Hien’s own experiences with the Xaelan Tribes, we’ll be fine!”

Ayaka smiled, shoulders slumped. “And ever the optimist. Thank you, Lyse.”

She answered Ayaka’s gratitude with a dazzling grin and flashing her a quick thumbs up before running ahead to Lord Hien’s side. It would seem that Lord Hien and Gosetsu had stopped speaking at some point. No doubt Lyse was telling him the decision the two of them came to.

At least following Lord Hien’s lead helped with maintaining the neutrality that the Scions of the Seventh Dawn were supposed to uphold. By all means, they wouldn’t be interfering too much in the local politics—or that was Ayaka’s hope. She didn’t quite know what to make of this plan Lord Hien apparently had, but perhaps meeting the Mol Tribe would help shed some light on things.

#ffxivwrite2023 #ffxiv #ffxiv writing #wol: ayaka mizushima #c: lyse hext #expac: stormblood #aya: writing

[ayakamizu]

FFXIV Write 2023 Day 28 - Blunt

Blunt: Verb. To become blunt or dull. Characters: Ayaka Mizushima (WoL), Estinien Wyrmblood Expansion: Shadowbringers Rating: G Notes: Just a nice little moment between these two during the Shadowbringers patches (post-5.3 essentially)! No spoilers are mentioned.

“I think my legs are going to fall off,” Ayaka complained, lying across the ground. Her lance was discarded somewhere on the ground nearby. “They feel like they’re on fire.”

“Is that not… your speciality…?” Estinien questioned, not even looking her way as he continued with his pushups. She could tell he was sweating from the excursion and wondered how long his particular brand of stubbornness would last.

“You’re hilarious,” she drawled, staring up at the clouds lazily floating overhead. Some of them looked disturbed from her and Estinien’s jumping attempts. The clearing they found on the outskirts of Mor Dhona was free of any wanderers or monsters, which made it the perfect place to practice their jumping. Unfortunately, that meant they had free reign to goad each other as much as they pleased.

Which is how Ayaka found herself wondering if her legs were going to buckle under her if she tried standing up. She was definitely out of practice with her skills as a Dragoon.

She turned her head and looked towards her companion. Ayaka noted the way his arms were starting to quiver and raised a brow in Estinien’s direction. “Are you not tired?”

“I’m fine,” he grunted, although his shaking voice gave him away. “I'm used to pushing through the pain.”

Ayaka refrained from mentioning that wasn’t something one should get used to, mostly because it would be hypocritical coming from her. Alphinaud—and now Alisaie, too—chided her enough on it. Instead, she took in the various scars that littered Estinien’s body. Most of them looked like they belonged to dragon claws and, while her time fighting against Nidhogg’s brood had been short, she felt herself wince in sympathy at a few of them.

“I suppose the rush of the battlefield does that,” Ayaka murmured, thinking of her own moments. The memory of that fight in Ghimlyt came to mind, her desperation overpowering the pain she felt from Elidibus puppetting Zenos’ body. She hardly remembered the fact that she collapsed on the battlefield.

She heard him grunt, this time with a bit more pain, and sighed. Ayaka tried sitting up—and immediately regretting it—and grabbed her lance. She twirled it around and used the pole to poke Estinien in the side, causing the man to give a tiny shriek (that neither of them were going to talk about ever) and lose his balance. He flopped on his side like an unimpressed cat before rolling over onto his back, arms spread out.

He looked over in her direction, a horribly displeased look on his face. “Are you mad?” he asked, glaring.

Ayaka shrugged, throwing her lance a little bit further away and flopping on her back as well. “Maybe.”

“That would explain a lot.”

“Twice now you’ve made a joke today! Is the world ending?”

Estinien groaned, a pained look on his face for a split second. “Knowing our luck? Yes.”

That got a laugh out of Ayaka, with Estinien soon joining in. True, they both were probably in much more pain than they realized at the moment, but for now she’d enjoy cloud watching to pass the time. Either the pain would dull more considerably or one of their friends would notice their absence went on longer than planned—whichever came first.

#ffxivwrite2023 #ffxiv #ffxiv writing #expac: shadowbringers #wol: ayaka mizushima #c: estinien wrymblood #aya: writing #when you're both idiots that like to goad each other #that's ayaka and estinien's dynamic for me

[ayakamizu]

FFXIV Write 2023 Day 19 - Weal

Weal: Noun. Well-being, prosperity, or happiness. Characters: Ayaka Mizushima (WoL), Meteion Expansion: Endwalker Rating: G Notes: Takes place at the end of the main story, so major Endwalker spoilers for this one!

Panting, Ayaka watched as the Endsinger crumbled—black feathers falling into the dark depths below them. She gave one last cry before light shined around her and the monstrous form gave way to the familiar form of Meteion that she knew.

Well… almost like the form she knew. Pity swelled up in Ayaka as she realized the poor girl’s feathers were still dyed in darkness.

“Meteion…” Ayaka murmured, slowly stepping forward. Behind her, she heard heavier boots land in the space they were in—but she’d ignore him for now. Determined, Ayaka sheathed her sword and shield, knowing that the fight was over. The real test came now with fulfilling Venat’s last request.

“Hear…the song of creation’s end. Feel…the sorrow of hope’s demise. Think…and find your way in the darkness.”

A seemingly difficult task, but despair was a close companion of Ayaka’s many times over. She had reached her lowest point on the First and overcame that… so perhaps she could help Meteion overcome her own despair.

“Teach her a brighter melody. Show her... Our journey is far from over.”

“Meteion,” Ayaka started, crouching down to her level. “Meteion? Do you remember me?”

Meteion didn’t raise her head. She seemed like her thoughts were somewhere far away—perhaps lost in the memories of what her sisters told her that fateful day.

“It’s okay if you don’t,” Ayaka continued, voice gentle as she reached out and grabbed Meteion’s hand. It was a tiny thing, but she felt the Entelechy’s hand twitch. “It was a long time ago… But I’m very glad to meet you again.”

“Meet…” Came the quiet reply, momentarily startling Ayaka. She clamped down on that feeling though, not wanting to startle the girl. “We… met?”

“Yes we did,” Ayaka answered, smiling. She hoped that she was projecting the right feelings—sharing candied apples and enjoying the Elpis scenery. “We were friends.”

“Friends… May we please… be friends?” Meteion asked, cautiously bringing her other hand up. Gently, Ayaka brought both of their hands together.

“Of course,” she answered, feeling both of their grips tighten. “I’ll always be your friend, Meteion.”

“Safe… Happy… You’re… happy?” Meteion asked, some of the darkness beginning to shrink back as the blue crept forward.

“I am,” she reassured. “I’m happy that my friends are safe—that you’re safe now.”

“Ayaka…” Meteion murmured, eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “Ayaka…! I…”

“It’s okay,” she interrupted, bringing the girl close. She wrapped her arms around her, letting Meteion hide her face in Ayaka’s neck as she gave a shuddering breath. “You’re okay. If it’s any consolation, I forgive you.”

Meteion didn’t say anything, but Ayaka hoped that all the happiness she fed into the girl could help calm her shaking.

#ffxivwrite2023 #ffxiv #ffxiv writing #expac: endwalker #aya: writing #wol: ayaka mizushima #c: meteion

[ayakamizu]

FFXIV Write 2023 Day 30 - Amity

Amity: Noun. Friendship; peaceful harmony. Characters: Ayaka Mizushima (WoL) Expansion: Endwalker Rating: G Notes: Endwalker spoilers for this one! Takes place right before the final battle. On another note, thank you to sea-wolf-coast-to-coast for organizing another year of FFXIV Write!

Ayaka loves her friends.

It didn’t start out that way. Back when the relationship was more professional, Ayaka wouldn’t say she felt the same way about the Scions that she did now. She cared about them, but she could only name a few Scions she felt close to at the time.

Then the massacre at the Waking Sands happened and Ayaka realized just how much she cared. The sheer terror that had gripped her had been like nothing she experienced before that.

Ayaka thinks that was the turning point in their relationship—at least for her. It wasn’t until they moved to the Rising Stones that, perhaps, the feeling had become mutual.

Even when they had been scattered to the winds, Ayaka thought about her friends everyday. She had been grateful for Alphinaud and Tataru’s presence by her side—she doesn’t know what she would’ve done had they not been there.

(She would’ve quit this place, followed the voice that whispered in the back of her mind and offered their hand out to her at the docks—a sincere promise made between them.)

After everything they’ve been through, Ayaka considered the Scions her family as much as her friends. A family that was ridiculous and just as self-sacrificing as she was—even if they would never say it.

“Ayaka!” Alisaie cried out, reaching out for her as she and the other Scions were sent flying into the air. She took in all of their faces—varying degrees of shock and worry meeting her own calm one. “Ayaka wait—!”

“I’ll see you on the other side,” she promised, giving her friend—her sister in all but blood—one last reassuring smile as the Scions disappeared through the portal.

“That was foolhardy,” Meteion—the Endsinger—said plainly, staring down at Ayaka with emotionless eyes.

“Maybe,” she agreed, sword and shield drawn as she approached her opponent. “But, you see, I have a friend to save and I didn’t want to risk them any further.”

She made a promise to Venat—to herself—that she would quiet this song of despair. She couldn’t save Hermes from his ultimate fate, but she’d do what she could to save Meteion from drowning any further.

A heartfelt, innocent question: “May we please be friends?”

‘Always,’ Ayaka thought, strengthening her resolve. Her friend would not suffer any longer.

#ffxivwrite2023 #ffxiv #ffxiv writing #expac: endwalker #wol: ayaka mizushima #aya: writing

[ayakamizu]

FFXIV Write 2023 Day 29 - Contravention

Contravene: Verb. To dispute or contradict (a statement, proposition, etc). Characters: Ayaka Mizushima (WoL), Estinien Wyrmblood, Alphinaud Leveilleur, Alisaie Leveilleur Expansion: Shadowbringers Rating: G Notes: Follow-up of my entry for yesterday, Blunt! Same spoiler (or really lack of) warnings apply!

It took until sunset for one of their friends to notice their absence.

“There they are!” Alisaie yelled and Ayaka closed her eyes. Oh, they were so screwed.

“I think I would’ve taken Krile,” Estinien murmured. He had a resigned look on his face though, like he saw this coming. Ayaka did as well, but it still somehow didn’t prepare her for the lecture coming their way.

“Alisaie!” Alphinaud called out next, sounding a tad bit further from his sister. “W-Wait up!”

“No, Alphinaud, I will not! Do these two have any idea how long they’ve been gone for— Don’t roll your eyes at me, Ser Estinien!”

Said man groaned at getting caught and Ayaka resisted the urge to laugh at him.

From her left, she heard Alphinaud’s cautious footsteps as he walked over her lance and knelt down beside her. “Are you quite alright?” he asked, peering over her. He was taking in her appearance—probably looking for anything in need of immediate care.

“Aside from my legs hurting, I’m fine,” she answered, flashing Alphinaud a reassuring smile. “Tis nothing to worry about. I’m just out of practice with my jumps and overtaxed the muscles…”

From her right, she heard Alisaie and Estinien speaking, followed by a pained hiss from the elder Elezen. She assumed Alisaie must’ve done something because she told him to hold still. A difficult endeavor—the man was the worst patient any cleric had the pleasure of trying to help.

“That’s still something to worry about, you know,” Alphinaud disputed. He still sounded fond though, if not a bit exasperated, by her. “Here, allow me.” He held out his hand and the familiar flow of healing magic appeared, entering her system. She groaned in discomfort before she started to feel her muscles relax.

“Did you warm up?” Alisaie asked next, coming over to Ayaka’s side next. “Before you and that fool started whatever ridiculous jumping contest you pulled yourselves into?”

The “fool” in question grumbled something. Ayaka wasn’t quite sure what it was, but a part of her agreed anyway. “Yes we did. As I told Alphinaud, I’m just out of practice.”

“Then you’d ought to be more careful!” Alisaie started, crossing her arms over her chest. “Maybe starting with something smaller before working your way up to whatever fancy Dragoon tricks you both have.”

Ayaka would concede that she had a point. The two of them, mainly Ayaka, got too caught up in having someone on their skill level to practice with again. As far as she could tell, the First had no equivalent to the Ishgardian Dragoons, so it made finding someone to practice with difficult. Likewise, Estinien had few people he felt like he could go all-out against in a sparring match.

So maybe they both were a bit too excited.

“Sorry,” Ayaka apologized, shifting her gaze between both twins. “We’ll try to be more careful?”

“Somehow I have a hard time believing that,” Alisaie drawled. Alphinaud hummed in agreement, which Ayaka felt like was a great betrayal. Surely they weren’t that bad! “I wish you both would understand that it’s not a good idea to keep pushing yourselves like this…” 

That part had been said quieter, but from behind Alisaie, she saw Estinien stiffen for a moment. His body gradually relaxed and his expression mirrored Ayaka’s own—twin looks of guilt.

“Alisaie…” Ayaka started, unsure of how to reassure the young woman.

“We’ll try,” Estinien interrupted gruffly, leaving hardly any room for argument. “We can’t promise much, but we’ll try. Aye, Ayaka?”

“Yes,” Ayaka agreed, hoping the smile on her face helped soothe Alisaie’s nerves.

“Well you’d better!” She pouted, looking over her shoulder at Estinien. “Or you’ll never hear the end of it from me!”

“Isn’t that already the case?” Estinien grumbled. That set Alisaie off, who spun around to face him completely and start their particular brand of bantering.

“Three jokes in one day,” Ayaka sing-songed, sharing a smile with Alphinaud. “The world is definitely ending.”

“Don’t jinx us,” Alphinaud chided playfully, laughing at his sister and Estinien’s antics.

#ffxivwrite2023 #ffxiv #ffxiv writing #expac: shadowbringers #wol: ayaka mizushima #c: estinien wrymblood #c: alphinaud leveilleur #c: alisaie leveilleur #aya: writing

[ayakamizu]

FFXIV Write Day 24 - Make-Up Day (for Day 20 - Hamper)

Hamper: Noun. A large basket or wickerwork receptacle, usually with a cover. Characters: Ayaka Mizushima (WoL), ??? Expansion: Endwalker Rating: G Notes: Take place sometime during the Endwalker patches, when things are happening all the time for these two! No real spoilers for anything related to MSQ or other quests, but be mindful of a certain characters from 5.3 and onward is featured here.

G’raha had this all planned out. From the food to the best time of day when neither of them would be too busy or when the Stadium students weren’t milling about the grounds. A difficult thing to plan with the way trouble seemed to find them and their companions, but G’raha had managed it.

All that was left was waiting for—

With impeccable timing as always, a knock on the door signaled the arrival of just the person he was thinking of. “Raha? Are you there?” Ayaka called out.

“Come in!” He responded, grabbing some of the silverware laid out in front of him and wrapping it in a clean cloth before placing it in their picnic basket. His ears twitched at the sound of the large door creaking open. “I just need to finish up a few things—Oh!”

G’raha nearly dropped one of the forks when Ayaka crept up next to him, catching the object before it hit the tabletop. He barely heard her approach, something that brought no small amount of amusement to her. Although her sudden presence was startling, and something he was slowly getting used to, it was the way the outfit she wore that made him pause. Truthfully, it was rare to see her in such casual clothing and the sight was something G’raha wanted to treasure for a moment.

‘She looks cute,’ G’raha thought, probably a hint of pink creeping up on his face. Judging by the amused look on her face, he was caught staring.

Saving him from the inevitable teasing, Ayaka looked over the food and smiled at the sandwiches already in the basket. “Now that’s certainly nostalgic…”

“Hopefully they’ll taste just as nice as you remember,” G’raha said, remembering the time he took putting these sandwiches together—both back on the First and here on the Source.

“As long as Archon Bread isn’t involved,” Ayaka teased, laughing as the amused huff G’raha gave. “Truly though, you’ve outdone yourself here with the food. I feel bad that I didn’t help you prepare…”

“Tis nothing you should concern yourself over,” he assured. “Though if you’d like to help, those biscuits need to be wrapped and placed in the basket as well. I can handle the silverware for the time being.”

Ayaka nodded, walking over to the other side of the table. He watched as she grabbed one of the pieces of fabric laid out—a cute, pink checkered patterned one—and began her task as G’raha returned to his own. They worked in comfortable silence as Ayaka reached over to store the biscuits in the basket and move onto fruits he bought as well. He saw the way her eyes lit up at the grapes he bought for the excursion and pretended not to notice when she snuck a few.

“Do you have a blanket prepared?” Ayaka asked, looking everything over. “I don’t see one…”

“On the sofa,” G’raha answered, gesturing to the large blue and white blanket behind them.

“Let me fold it then,” she offered, pumps clicking against the marble flooring as she approached the sofa. “Do you think everything is ready?”

“It should be!” He answered. G’raha folded the basket lids carefully, not wanting to squish anything inside. The wine bottle he got for the occasion poked out a bit, but there wasn’t anything much he could do about that. “I can carry the basket while you carry the blanket?”

“That sounds wonderful,” she agreed, neatly folding the last corners of the blanket before draping it over her arm. The two of them met at the doors and G’raha offered his free arm to her, which she gladly took with a fond smile on her face. “I can’t wait to see this spot you were gushing about.”

“I promise you’ll love the view,” he said, tail swaying happily behind him as they walked out of the Annex. “It has a lovely view of the ocean.”

#ffxivwrite2023 #ffxiv writing #ffxiv #wolgraha #expac: endwalker #aya: writing #wol: ayaka mizushima #c: g'raha tia #ship: my inspiration

[ayakamizu]

FFXIV Write 2023 Day 22 - Fulsome

Fulsome: Adjective. Disgusting; sickening; repulsive. Characters: Ayaka Mizushima (WoL), Estinien Wyrmblood Expansion: Endwalker Rating: G Notes: Takes place right at the beginning of Endwalker on the boat ride to Old Sharlayan, but otherwise no spoilers for anything beyond that. Just two (former) Azure Dragoons realizing their tastebuds are in trouble!

When Estinien was approached by Ayaka on the last leg of their journey to Old Sharlayan, he thought it was to go over whatever lie the two of them would need to tell the person manning the entrance.

He was not, however, expecting her to approach him with a warning.

“Surely the cuisine can’t be that bad?” Estinien asked, wariness evident in his voice. He’s never known Ayaka to be a liar, but surely…

“Have you ever had Archon Bread?” Ayaka asked in turn. His brows furrowed in confusion and Ayaka sighed at the sight. “It’s apparently quite popular with the scholars and students…”

“I’m afraid I’ve never had it then.” When would he get the opportunity for such a thing?

“Count that as a blessing,” Ayaka murmured under her breath, clearly not wanting one of their companions to hear. Fortunately for them, they were the only ones on the deck right now.

“It’s bread,” Estinien argued, even more wary now. “They can’t possibly mess up something like bread.”

“It’s designed to give someone the maximum amount of nutritional value… while also tasting awful,” Ayaka explained, shuddering. “Tataru offered me some once without telling me what it was and…”

“And it was awful?”

“The worst!” Ayaka hissed, burying her face in her hands. “Krile and the others called the tasteless flavor nostalgic.”

That didn’t bode well for them at all, Estinien thought. “Surely all the cuisine can’t be like that,” he reasoned. By the Fury, it better not be.

“I tried asking Raha and he did warn me to expect a similar mindset when it comes to other Sharlayan dishes…” Ayaka pointed out. Somehow she looked more forlorn than he’s ever seen her. “Supposedly, the only place to get good food is a place called the Last Stand.”

‘Fitting name,’ he thought. The last stand for weary travelers between the supposed nightmare that was Sharlayan cuisine and food with actual taste meant to be enjoyed. “So we’re doomed.”

“Almost,” she agreed. “By the kami, this restaurant better have Hingan dishes.”

On that note, Estinien agreed wholeheartedly.

#ffxivwrite2023 #ffxiv #ffxiv writing #expac: endwalker #aya: writing #wol: ayaka mizushima #c: estinien wyrmblood

[ayakamizu]

FFXIV Write 2023 Day 21 - Grave

Grave: Noun. Any place that becomes the receptacle of what is dead, lost, or past OR Death. Characters: Ayaka Mizushima (WoL), Thancred Waters, Ryne Waters, Minfilia Warde Expansion: Shadowbringers Rating: G Notes: Major spoilers for Shadowbringers and minor spoilers the quest, "One Final Journey".

How do you mourn someone that’s gone physically, but not permanently?

The “permanently” part was subjective—is Minfilia alive and able to return, or is she gone forever? A part of Ayaka doesn’t want the answer, if only to keep the guilt that’ll come and swallow her whole; as it has since fleeing Ul’dah that fateful night. It’s a selfish desire though, a denial of the truth laid out before her.

It’s hard though. The mourning feeling comes and goes—it wasn’t all-encompassing like Haurchefant’s own death is. That every waking hour is spent feeling hollow inside. Truthfully, Ayaka sometimes forgets that Minfilia isn’t here—in Eorzea—anymore. She remembers when she sees the look on Thancred’s face as he tries not to meet F'lhaminn eyes, or when his anger burns bright before snuffing itself out.

Ayaka remembers when she reaches for her linkpearl to ask Minfilia for advice on something trivial, only to stop herself and know that she won’t receive a reply. Ayaka remembers when she walks through the streets of Ul’dah and smells the perfume Minfilia used to wear at one of the stalls. When she catches a glimpse of blond hair and a knife on the hip in the marketplace. When her Echo activates and leaves her feeling debilitated, wishing for someone that understands to rest a comforting hand on her shoulder—

(To some degree, Ayaka understands why Hydaelyn couldn’t take her in Minfilia’s stead. But by the kami, she wished they could have swapped places, however irrational that wish is.)

So needless to say, meeting “Minfilia” feels like a bucket of ice was dropped on her.

“This is Minfilia,” Thancred introduces, gesturing to the blond girl next to him. “Minfilia of the First.” He clarified, as if he needed to. Beside him, she saw the way the young girl frowned at the descriptor.

Physically, she shared traits with their Minfilia. The same shade of blond, those same slightless blue eyes Minfilia had as Hydaelyn’s Voice, and a pink ribbon in her hair. Ayaka knew though that this wasn’t their Minfilia, but someone else. F'lhaminn had shown her pictures once of Minfilia at a young age and the teen standing before her didn’t quite match up with the image Ayaka had in mind.

“It’s nice to meet you,” this Minfilia greeted, voice soft and hesitant. “Thancred and Urianger told me a lot about you…”

“I hope it was nothing too embarrassing,” Ayaka teased, hoping to get the poor girl to feel less intimidated around her. Whatever Ayaka did, she didn’t want to make this Minfilia feel like she wasn’t welcomed. Or a replacement. That was the last thing she wanted to do.

But she’d count the shy smile on Minfilia's—and Thancred’s—face as a win.

(How do you mourn someone that’s gone? Forced into a cycle of reincarnation and fighting for a world that’s not her own?

To see Minfilia—their Minfilia from the Source—again is wondrous and amazing, but heartbreaking to know it’ll be the last time.

‘Thank you, Ayaka.’ Minfilia said, a smile on her face as she began to fade.

‘Thank you, for everything,’ Ayaka said back, trying and failing to keep herself from crying.

Closure. It’s closure—acceptance—but kami it hurts so much—!)

(“Hello again,” Ayaka greets, walking up to the lonely grave. Off in the distance, she could hear the sound of fireworks cracking in the air. The Rising was underway and Ul’dah was decorated for the occasion.

Amongst the wares being sold, a bouquet of Nymeia Lilies rested in the crook of Ayaka’s arms. It was half a dozen freshly picked flowers that caught Ayaka’s eye. One of the vendors—a Hyuran woman with blond hair, blue eyes, and a friendly smile—asked Ayaka if she wanted to purchase any for loved ones that have passed. 

Ayaka almost passed on the offer before remembering that the Church of Saint Adama Landama was barely half a day’s journey away from Ul’dah.

She placed the bouquet on the ground, murmuring a silent prayer under her breath before sitting down herself in front of the grave. Ayaka smiled, giving a respectful nod to the grave next to Minfilia’s—her father’s grave—and launched into her newest tale of what the Scions were up to now.)

#ffxivwrite2023 #ffxiv #ffxiv writing #aya: writing #expac: shadowbringers #wol: ayaka mizushima #c: minfilia warde #c: thancred waters #c: ryne waters

[ayakamizu]

FFXIV Write 2023 Day 15 - Portentous

Portentous: Adjective. Marvelous; amazing; prodigious OR ominously significant or indicative. Characters: Ayaka Mizushima (WoL), Hancock Fitzgerald Expansion: Endwalker Rating: G Notes: Takes place sometime after my Dowdy prompt! The same spoilers for that regarding Mount Rokkon apply here as well!

Ayaka can say with certainty that she wasn’t expecting the lamp to teleport them away from the storerooms—let alone the entire temple.

As a seasoned adventurer, she should have seen it coming and warned Hancock that there was no way this puzzle they uncovered wasn’t going to lead them somewhere. She’s been through this enough to see it coming. Truthfully, she was expecting to find them in some other part of the building they couldn’t access before.

Except when she followed after Hancock and opened her eyes to a land covered in mist and devoid of color, she could honestly admit she was a bit surprised.

“This feels ominous,” came Hancock’s voice from ahead. He was looking around, peering into the fog. “It appears the path that lies ahead is the only way out.”

That caused Ayaka to turn to see what was behind her. She sighed at the high stone cliffs blocking their way and realized that Hancock was, unfortunately, right. “We’d best be careful then… Who knows what spirit could be lurking.”

“Sound advice, my friend,” Hancock said, slowly making his way towards what appeared to be the stepping stones. As Ayaka took in their surroundings, she thought even the water looked still and murky. She sent a prayer to whatever kami could hear her to keep her from having to fight a monster lurking in the water. Ayaka really didn’t want to get her clothes wet today.

“You know…” Hancock started, pausing on one of the steps. “The monks informed me about the rumors of a sanctuary somewhere in the mountain… The way they described it made it sound more grand than this.”

Ayaka hummed, taking in the washed out scenery and frowned. Something about this place felt… off? She wondered if it was mostly the fog that made this secluded area more unnerving, but something in the back of her mind kept feeling like something was watc—

It was then that a roar shattered the tranquil air and the fog began to… move? Ayaka swore it seemed like the fog was moving and, when she looked over at Hancock’s startled expression, she realized that yes, it was moving.

“Behind me,” Ayaka ordered, drawing her rapier and pointing it towards the swirling mass forming in the clearing before him. From the dense fog, she could see a pair of red eyes staring at them. “I think we found the source of this fog.”

“Smoke,” Hancock corrected, pointing to the large pipe the beast was holding. “It would appear the smoke covering the area comes from that.”

‘An enenra then,’ Ayaka thought, pursing her lips as she tried to recall the stories her grandmother told her over a late summer bonfile. She didn’t think they were normally hostile, but as Ayaka was coming to find out, the corruption of the temple was making far too many spirits behave erratically.

As the beast gave another roar, Ayaka drew closer towards their arena.

#ffxivwrite2023 #ffxiv writing #ffxiv #expac: endwalker #aya: writing #wol: ayaka mizushima #c: hancock fitzgerald

[ayakamizu]

FFXIV Write 2023 Day 9 - Fair

Fair: Adjective. Of a light hue; not dark OR legitimately sought, pursued, done, given, etc.; proper under the rules. Characters: Ayaka Mizushima (WoL), Ardbert Hylfyst Expansion: Shadowbringers Rating: G Notes: Takes place after Mt. Gulg, so beware of late Shadowbringers spoilers.

Growing up, Ayaka had always been described as being fair skinned. Keiko would tease her for it sometimes, worried that if Ayaka stayed underneath the sun for too long she might become a lobster. Nevermind that Keiko was also fair skinned and, in fact, burned more easily than she did.

Right now though, as she looked down at her pale skin—almost ghastly in complexion—and washed out scales (and hair, gods even her hair was white—!), Ayaka would’ve preferred looking like a lobster over this.

It was disorienting looking in a mirror and seeing herself like this. Paler than she’s ever known herself to be—from her skin, to her scales, or her hair of all things.

“You’re panicking,” came Ardbert’s voice behind her. The man looked concerned—for either herself or for what she could do in this state, she wasn’t sure. “You need to calm down—”

“W-Why…?” Ayaka gasped. She was still looking at her reflection, unable to fully process what had happened to her. She hissed in pain when her vision suddenly whited out, a surge of violent aether going up her spine and making her whine. “W-Why?!”

“Your friends… That girl—Minfilia, I think—she did something to push back as much of the Light as she could,” Ardbert explained, approaching her slowly. She wanted to snap at him for acting so cautious around her, but she couldn’t blame him at the same time. “You’re… stable.” But not for long could be heard unsaid.

‘I thought it was just a dream,’ Ayaka wanted to say, remembering the violent coughs and the pain as she took in Vauthry’s aether.

The last thing she remembered was the Exarch—G’raha Tia, alive and looking at her once more with so much pain in those red eyes of his—and the sound of a gunshot and…

“Emet-Selch…!” she growled, gripping the edges of her vanity tightly. She could feel her nails (longer now, too, and sharper—) digging into the wood and carving marks into it. “He—!”

‘He planned for this,’ she thought, a different sort of pain bubbling up inside of her. Why? Given her track record, she knew better than to trust an Ascian, but she thought… Maybe…

Suddenly, Ardbert was behind her and looking like he wanted to grab onto her shoulders before remembering that she wouldn’t be able to feel whatever comfort that touch could bring. A forlorn look crossed his face before it disappeared quickly, masked by concern and determination.

“I know it’s not fair,” Ardbert started, looking directly at Ayaka through the mirror’s reflection. “Believe me, I know, but you gotta keep yourself calm here… You’re the only thing standing between that primordial Light inside of you and all those people out there! Don’t let that bastard win by giving him what he wants.”

What Emet wanted… a vessel for despair and the tipping point for the First to rejoin the Source. A monster. Ayaka didn’t want to hurt her friends, nor did she want to give Emet-Selch the satisfaction of seeing his plans come to fruition.

With considerable effort (because gods did everything hurt), she took deep breaths—trying to regulate her heartbeat back to normal and calm this gods forsaken aether within her.

“It’s not fair,” she repeated, more resigned than angry. “But… can’t say I expected an Ascian to play fair…”

Ardbert huffed out a laugh, throwing her a weary grin. From his own dealings with Elidibus and whatever Ascians might’ve been sent to the First, he probably knew just as well as she did.

“The odds are pretty stacked against us here,” he conceded, but he was still smiling.

“We’ve always worked a little bit better under pressure,” Ayaka sighed. The raging aether within her felt steadier now, but gods know how long that would last for. First thing she needed to do was find her friends and get a better reading—from either Ryne or Y’shtola—about her current… state. Then, it was off to stop Emet-Selch and free G’raha—and maybe have a nice, long sit-down with him afterwards.

#ffxivwrite2023 #ffxiv #ffxiv writing #aya: writing #expac: shadowbringers #wol: ayaka mizushima #c: ardbert hylfyst

[ayakamizu]

FFXIV Write 2023 Day 8 - Shed

Shed: Verb. To cast off or let fall (leaves, hair, feathers, skin, shell, etc.) by natural process. Characters: Ayaka Mizushima (WoL), Original Characters Expansion: A Realm Reborn Rating: G Notes: No spoilers. Takes place during the level 15 envoy quests in ARR. I realized after writing this that when you start in Ul'dah, the first city you visit is Limsa and not Gridania... But oh well!

Ayaka had found that Gridania was a nice reprieve from Ul’dah’s heat.

As one of her companions—an older Hyur with graying hairs—on this excursion told her, this was the best time of year to visit Gridania and the forest surrounding it. The weather was cooler, but it was worth the price if it meant witnessing the leaves changing color. He spoke about how grateful he was that the Calamity hadn’t changed the way the seasons worked in the Twelvewoods, even if their Ishgardian neighbors to the north hadn’t been so lucky.

A few of the children aboard the airship had listened to the man with rapt attention. From what their parents explained, they hadn’t known anything else but Ul’dah’s dry desert sands and heat. The family was moving to Gridania in hopes that the husband could find better work there, but they thought it was an added bonus that the children could experience more than one season in a year.

Eventually, the children turned their attention towards her. To their parents' embarrassment, they asked Ayaka if she got to experience seasons where she was from. They ended up getting a mild scolding from their mother for making assumptions like that, even if Ayaka wasn’t Eorzean, but Ayaka was more than happy to tell the children about how, where she came from, sakura trees would rain down pink flower petals once a year. She also explained how there were trees like the ones in Gridania that shed their leaves as the season grew colder.

“Truthfully, it’ll help with the homesickness,” Ayaka said to the older Hyur. The two of them were walking behind the family as they left the airstrip landing. They could hear the children excitedly talking about what they learned today and how they couldn’t wait to start living in Gridania instead. “Being in a desert… It was a completely different experience.”

“I’d assume so! Kugane’s a port city, right? You’d think a lass like you would’ve gone to Limsa instead!”

“I did consider it,” Ayaka sighed, shoulders slumping a bit. “But the Thaumatuger’s guild was more appealing.” Plus she hadn’t been sure how to feel about the idea of pirates—reformed or otherwise.

“Well the next stop after deliverin’ this letter to the Elder Seedseer is gonna be Limsa,” the man started, flashing her a bright grin. “Maybe you’ll get to see what you were missin’ out on!”

Ayaka could already picture it though. The smell of sea salt in the air and the tolling of bells as ships came to and from the docks. A part of her missed that—mostly the comforting scent of sea salt clinging to her clothes late at night—when she came to Ul’dah, but Ayaka was satisfied with her choice. 

Still, as the leaves were falling around them in warm reds and oranges, she thought that maybe Gridania would’ve been a good choice as well.

#ffxivwrite2023 #ffxiv #ffxiv writing #expac: arr #wol: ayaka mizushima #aya: writing

[ayakamizu]

FFXIV Write 2023 Day 3 - Free Day (Connection)

Connection: Noun. Association; relationship. Characters: Ayaka Mizushima (WoL), Allie Expansion: Shadowbringers Rating: G Notes: Takes place at the end of the Sorrow of Werlyt quest line, so spoilers for that! Also "Werlyt" is a weirdly difficult word for me to write? Not sure why.

When Ayaka made the offer to meet with Allie for tea in Werlyt, she was honestly expecting her offer to be turned down. The younger woman had just gone through a lot—losing each of her siblings one after another—and she might not be open to Ayaka’s desire to check up on her. Whether that was as a former soldier of Garlemald or as a grieving young woman, Ayaka would understand. So needless to say, this was why she was surprised that her offer was accepted.

There was only one cafe in Werlyt and the locals reassured her that it was a wonderful spot to meet someone. Ayaka had jumped on the opportunity to secure a time and day the minute Allie accepted her request. It would serve as a more neutral place compared to trying to find a room in the Ironworks branch here in Werlyt or the home Allie and her father were currently living in.

Selfishly, Ayaka didn’t want to have tea in the house where that man was living. The possibility of the Black Wolf walking in at any moment filled her with some level of dread. He might be a lighter shade of black compared to the rest of his peers in the Garlean chain of command, but Ayaka still trusted him as far as she could throw him. On top of that, she had no idea what the man or Allie might think about the offer Ayaka wanted to extend.

If the other Scions—or even Cid—were here, they’d probably tease Ayaka for her tendency to gain a protective streak for people she deemed a particular brand of lonely. The kind of loneliness that called out to her older sister instincts. Alphinand and Alisaie knew this streak quite well, especially back in the beginning of her relationships with both of them, and now it was rearing its head here. Except unlike the usual teasing remarks about Ayaka wanting to adopt the twins, that couldn’t exactly apply.

Allie was a grown woman, a few years Ayaka’s junior from what she could tell, and grieving the very recent loss of her siblings. Ayaka didn’t want to replace them—could never fathom the idea of doing so—but maybe…

Maybe Ayaka could be someone Allie could reach out to when things got too overwhelming. As much as Gaius wanted to be there for his daughter, Ayaka still thought it would be healthy if she had support outside of him. Ayaka knows all too well how it feels to drown in grief and something about the haunted look in Allie’s eyes when she was brought back to Werlyt was all too familiar. Ayaka had been so, so grateful to her friends for keeping her from drowning further the wake of Haurchefant’s death and Ayaka wanted to make that same offer to Allie.

Not as the Warrior of Light, the Champion of Eorzea, or the Eikon-Slayer. Just as Ayaka Mizushima, someone concerned with the well-being of the bright young woman in front of her.

So when Allie walked into the cafe, scanning the room for Ayaka’s familiar appearance with only the slightest hint of hesitation, she steeled her resolve and waved to her. Somehow it was comforting to know that Allie was just as nervous as she was.

Whatever her answer, Ayaka would respect it. Allie was a grown woman that deserved to live by her own choices after having so many of them made for her. If she wanted some sort of connection with Ayaka or not, then that was going to be her choice.

#ffxivwrite2023 #ffxiv #ffxiv writing #wol: ayaka mizushima #c: allie #expac: shadowbringers #aya: writing

[ayakamizu]

FFXIV Write 2023 Day 2 - Bark

Bark: Noun. The external covering of the woody stems, branches, and roots of plants, as distinct and separable from the wood itself. Characters: Ayaka Mizushima (WoL), Original Female Character (Ayaka's mother) Expansion: Pre-ARR Rating: G Notes: Takes place pre-ARR (by about 17 years, so Ayaka is six-years-old here).

As Ayaka’s mother explained, part of her duties involved tending to the entire grounds of the shrine. At six years old, the idea had seemed like a lot. Even still, she found herself confused when her mother had mainly tasked her with checking on the trees scattered across the shrine.

“Some of these trees are older than the shrine,” her mother explained carefully, gesturing to one of the larger ones found on the property. “It’s our duty to make sure the kodama are happy. After all, we’re their neighbor!”

“Then shouldn’t we serve them tea?” Ayaka asked, remembering one of the lessons her grandmother taught her. “It feels rude that we haven’t…”

“It’d be ruder if we didn’t make sure their homes aren’t well taken care of,” her mother answered, patting Ayaka’s head. She then pointed to one of the other trees, closer to the entrance of the shrine. “Do you see that one over there? With the rope? We want to make sure that rope isn’t too tight, otherwise it could be digging into the bark.”

“What does the rope mean, mama?” Ayaka asked, looking up at her mother. “And why do some trees have it while others don’t?”

“The ropes help people know that the tree is very old. We don’t want people to harm or cut the tree down. It would make the spirit living in that tree upset! They would suddenly be homeless and cause issues for the person that took their home away.”

“Oooh!” Ayaka eyes widening in understanding. She would be mad too if someone suddenly destroyed their home! “It’s really good that those ropes are there then!”

Her mother gave a quiet laugh, eyes twinkling with warmth. “Exactly, my dear. Now, can I trust you to make sure those ropes aren’t digging into the bark? I’m sure the spirit would be very grateful.”

“Yes, mama!” Ayaka exclaimed, vigorously nodding her head. “I’ll make sure the tree isn’t getting hurt!”

“Thank you, dear. If you need me, I’ll be checking the komainu for any damages. The storm we recently had was quite extreme…” Her mother trailed off then, looking over at one of the statues nearby. It was covered in leaves and, in Ayaka’s opinion, looked pitiful. “Call for me if you see something, okay?”

“Yes, mama!” Ayaka promised, darting off to the tree her mother gestured to earlier. Behind her, she could hear her mother’s clear laughter at Ayaka’s enthusiasm. But she would make sure the ropes were wrapped around the trees just right! Those spirits were their neighbors after all! They helped protect Kugane and the shrine from more malevolent spirits—it was the least she could do to give her thanks for their hard work.

T/N:

Kodama - Spirits in Japanese folklore that inhabit trees.

Komainu - Guardian lion-dogs.

#ffxivwrite2023 #ffxiv #ffxiv writing #wol: ayaka mizushima #expac: pre-arr #aya: writing