hanidahlia

[hanidahlia]

𝙰 𝚂𝚃𝙰𝚁𝙻𝙸𝙶𝙷𝚃 𝙱𝙰𝙻𝙻 @ 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝘽𝙀𝙇 𝘾𝘼𝙉𝙏𝙊

We're ending the year on a grand note, and YOU'RE INVITED ! Join us for an evening of 𝘿𝘼𝙉𝘾𝙄𝙉𝙂 , 𝙎𝙆𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙉𝙂, 𝙂𝘼𝙈𝙀𝙎, & 𝙈𝙊𝙍𝙀! We hope to see you dressed to the nines for our very last event of the season!

𝘼𝘾𝙏𝙄𝙑𝙄𝙏𝙄𝙀𝙎

𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘋𝘈𝘕𝘊𝘐𝘕𝘎! 𝘢 𝘚𝘊𝘈𝘝𝘌𝘕𝘎𝘌𝘙 𝘏𝘜𝘕𝘛! 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘋𝘌𝘊𝘖𝘙𝘈𝘛𝘐𝘕𝘎! 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘰𝘳 𝘐𝘊𝘌 𝘚𝘒𝘈𝘛𝘐𝘕𝘎!

and other events at the whim of Mdme Fugorier. Forgive her. She loves this holiday. EVENT CARRD SOON TO COME!

｢ WHEN ｣ — SUNDAY, DEC 10th 8p-12a ET ｢ WHERE ｣ — BALMUNG, MIST W7—P15 ｢ MORE INFO ｣ — wine-xiv.crd.co/#special

@mooglemeet

[hanidahlia]

𝚂𝚃𝙰𝙽𝙳𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝚁𝙾𝙾𝙼 𝙾𝙽𝙻𝚈 @ 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝘽𝙀𝙇 𝘾𝘼𝙉𝙏𝙊

Name a better dynamic duo, we'll wait. Turkey & Stuffing doesn't count — come spend the holidays with us!

And bring your dancing shoes!

｢ WHEN ｣ — SUNDAY, NOV 26TH | doors open 8PM ET ｢ WHERE ｣ — BALMUNG, MIST W7—P15 ｢ MORE INFO ｣ — wine-xiv.crd.co/#events

@mooglemeet

[hanidahlia]

Flourish proudly presents our 5th Annual - Día de los Muertos: An RP festival based around the historic Mexican holiday. Experience several performances, food, and entertainment booths.

When: November 4th, 2023 4PM PT / 7PM ET Crystal Data Center - Balmung! 🌸

[hanidahlia]

Flourish proudly presents our 5th Annual - Día de los Muertos: An RP festival based around the historic Mexican holiday. Experience several performances, food, and entertainment booths.

When: November 4th, 2023 4PM PT / 7PM ET Crystal Data Center - Balmung! 🌸

[hanidahlia]

Flourish proudly presents our 5th Annual - Día de los Muertos: An RP festival based around the historic Mexican holiday. Experience several performances, food, and entertainment booths.

When: November 4th, 2023 4PM PT / 7PM ET Crystal Data Center - Balmung! 🌸

#ffxiv #ffxiv rp #ffxiv balmung #ffxiv event #crystal data center #EVENTS; balmung #balmung events #events; balmung #balmung

[hanidahlia]

Prompt #30: Amity

One hazy summer morning, Nuria sat cross-legged on the hardwood floor of his FC room folding his laundry. Holes in his boxers and unknown stains on his white shirt, he was thankful he'd remembered to wash his clothes this week or today's activities would've been...awkward, at the very least. His sleepy eyes wandered the room around him as he settled into the muscle memory of folding shirts and pants.

His blurry gaze ended up fixating on a certain spot. Among the many hunt posters and old request flyers was a collection of drawings pinned to his wall of himself, Hani and Dane. Often when he had no jobs for the day and was feeling bored, he would find himself splayed on the floor filling his notebook with doodles. Sometimes he'd draw strange monsters or costumed heroes, but he usually found himself coming back to what really mattered most: the memories he shared with his friends.

Life had never been easy for Nuria. Whether by fault of others or sometimes himself, he'd been dealt a difficult hand. But in recent years, he'd finally found comfort in the form of a couple of goofballs who decided he was worth keeping around. Even if he was a walking disaster of a man who ate snacks from his pockets and sometimes smelled a little weird. He smiled warmly as he looked over the assorted artworks, reminiscing on the even warmer memories that inspired them.

He still struggled to feel he was worth their time, and sometimes he felt like the odd one out because of his aloof personality. But he cherished the times he spent with them all the same. Someday for sure, he'd find a way to repay them for the immense kindness they'd shown him.

They were truly irreplaceable.

[hanidahlia]

Prompt #30: Amity

“Hi.”

The simple greeting pulled Dane from her daze. The miqo’te woman she had been staring at this entire time approached her and she was too caught up in her thoughts to notice. Was she too obvious?

“Umm… hello.” The woman didn’t even wait for Dane to respond before she plopped down next to her. Maybe she didn’t mind the grass stains either.

“What are you reading?” She leaned in close to catch a few words written in her tome. Her tail swayed behind her and rested over Dane’s. For some reason, the invasion of personal space and overwhelming scent of flowers didn’t bother her.

“Just.. a tome on herbs.” It felt embarrassing to say out loud, especially since the woman and her basket were covered in flowers. “...I was reading it for fun.”

“Fun? You didn’t seem too interested in it when I passed by.” Dane turned away as the anxiety crept up. Being teased was a sore spot for her– she never experienced the friendly kind.

“H-Hey, I was just messing with you. I’m sorry.” She placed her hand over Dane’s. “My name’s Hani. What’s yours?”

“...It’s… Dane.” She mumbled, still facing away from her. It took a few long moments to compose herself and finally turn back around. She was met with a smile as Hani stood up.

“It’s nice to meet you!" Her long curly hair bounced with every movement, stray petals falling to the ground in the process. “Wanna hang out with me for a while?”

Dane stared at her yet again, mesmerized by the sight. She slowly nodded and rose to her feet, realizing they were both nearly the same height. “Oh! Hold on.” Hani lifted the basket and began to comb through her collection of flowers. A blue dahlia caught her eye and she placed it above Dane’s horn before she had a chance to protest.

“Perfect.”

[hanidahlia]

Prompt #29: Contravention

Yet another meeting.

Azem drifted in and out of the conversation, allowing each and every thought to occupy her mind. The beautiful flower she saw along the path, the basket of apples left on her desk, the stray cuticle that had bothered her all morning. Which finger was it? Ah, that one. She looked down at her hand and began to pick at it.

Only four members were in attendance, herself and Hades included. And, once again, she was the only item on the agenda. She could tell by the way he was dominating the discussion. Something about breaking a rule. Hades always had rules.

"Those nymphs–"

"My companions," she corrected him, "do not concern you, Hades. Why press this matter further?" She stood from her seat and sighed. They both knew this was a waste of time. No amount of reprimanding would prevent it from happening again. Azem did as she pleased. Why did it matter if she traveled with her two friends?

“Hmm, are you acting out of jealousy?” She teased, poking a finger into the crease between his eyebrows. “If you wished to join me instead, you only needed to ask...”

Hades simply stared at her, patient and stubborn as ever. He didn’t take the bait. “Azem, need I remind you–”

“I understand perfectly, Hades. However, I refuse to acknowledge your pointless rules so long as you refuse to acknowledge my companions. As a friend, I expected compassion.” She turned to leave, lazily waving her hand as he would. “...Goodbye. I will be sure to send them your regards.”

[hanidahlia]

Prompt #28: Blunt

Nuria's stomach was killing him. He'd been tracking this boar for hours, but it was proving difficult. The hog would calm itself, begin to graze, Nuria would leap into the air with his lance driving him toward it, then the boar would shuffle just out of reach. Rinse and repeat. The crafty creature was large enough to provide meat for several weeks. This would be a godsend for Nuria's food supply if he could just hit the damn thing.

Another missed strike. This had gone on for practically the entire day and Nuria had become incredibly tired. He was trying to be as precise and humane as possible about this, but his temper was growing and his patience could only be tested so much. The hunt had gone on too long and Nuria's hunger was overcoming him.

The beast found another clearing and started to graze. Nuria, who was posted up beside an old tree, jumped up and snapped a branch from the trunk. It was practically as large as Nuria himself. He threw it over his shoulder, leapt toward the creature once more and swung the mighty branch into its head with great force. Its tusks shattered into pieces as it fell flat onto the ground.

Nuria, exhausted, dropped the mammoth branch to the forest floor with a loud thud. He sat down atop his kill, patting its blubbery body apologetically. "Sorry, big guy. World's gotta turn and I gotta eat."

[hanidahlia]

Prompt #27: Sole

A leisurely walk to the free company house turned into a full-on marathon as the rain swept through The Goblet. Dane and Hani had a little too much to drink that night, which voided Nuria's plan to stay dry.

Hani wasn't very coordinated, and Dane was too coordinated– she saw the ward's obstacles as opportunities. Climbing, doing backflips, every obscure parkour trick under the sun. The combination of the two proved to be too chaotic, so Nuria secured them on each of his shoulders and sprinted to the house.

That should work, right?

No. Not even close.

After setting them both down on the doorstep, Dane bolted inside without a word like a deranged toddler. Hani grumbled as she sat and fought with the straps of her sandals. Her worst enemy.

Nuria reached forward to help her, not noticing the puddle of mud by the front door. He took a step and immediately found himself lying flat on his back. The sheer speed of the fall stripped him of a boot, soaring high before landing directly onto his face.

He remained in his starfish position for a few long minutes, allowing the rain to accept its deserved victory. And speaking of wins, Hani had finally removed a sandal. Just one.

"Nuria, stop messing around." Hani slurred as she knelt down and removed the boot from his head, oblivious to everything that happened while she fought with her own shoe. It had landed perfectly on his face, like heaven personally stomped on him.

She began to laugh at the reveal. His blank expression, the comical imprint of the boot's sole on his face tattoo– the large, purple X. He sighed.

Well, at least someone found it funny.

[hanidahlia]

Prompt #26: Last

The final box was packed and ready to move. Instead of rushing through everything in the span of a few days, Dane gradually deconstructed the interior of the aquarium over several weeks. She still had a day job, after all.

Seaside Aquarium, her cozy little venue on the beach, came a long way in the past three turns. She was proud of everything she accomplished. And even though it was relocating to a bigger, more opportunistic area, she felt sad. Almost guilty.

As she flipped through the guest book, each entry brought back a surge of memories. Special moments were celebrated here. She made new friends, simply by chance. People took an interest in her passions, her dreams.

Dane tucked the book under her arm and stepped outside. It was another perfect autumn day, the final one she'd experience as a Mist resident. She'd miss the beach so much. The Goblet was beautiful, but it was... the opposite of an ocean. It wouldn't be the same.

She shook her head and smiled as she headed for the docks.

No, it would be better.

[hanidahlia]

Prompt #25: Call it a Day

Nuria crossed his arms in frustration. Hani's face was glum with disappointment. In an effort to spend more time outside of his FC quarters, Nuria had made it a habit to go out to lunch with Hani every so often. This time however, their favorite diner in the Shroud was unexpectedly closed. Nuria huffed, "Damn thing never closes, what kinda scam is this?" He leaned in to read a notice that had been stuck to the door. "C..Clooosed fffoorrr...Re...Repa...Reep..."

Hani sighed and placed her hand on his shoulder. "Repairs, hun. Something in the kitchen probably broke." Nuria instantly softened up, a little embarrassed. "O-Oh, okay. Yeah that makes sense." The two of them stood in thought for a moment, trying to figure out how best to salvage this hangout. Nuria tapped his feet anxiously, Hani simply scratched her head. After a while, she smiled at him and spoke up. "Do you wanna try again tomorrow? We could always reschedule!" Nuria puffed himself up and shook his head, "Nonononono. I dragged you all the way out here, I'm treatin' you to lunch and I'm doin' it today like I said I would." Stubborn as always, he was a man of his word if nothing else.

He patted her on the back and pointed in the opposite direction, "I know one more spot we can try. Best food cart in the Shroud, you'll love it!" Hani's eyes lit up. If Nuria of all people was praising food that hard then it had to be something special. She nodded excitedly, and the two of them got back on the trail.

The food cart was closed too. Nuria closed his eyes and clasped his hands in a prayer formation in front of his face, holding in his bubbling wrath the best he could. Hani stood beside him and offered her reassurance. "Really, Nuria...we can try again tomorrow. I don't mind at all." Nuria let out a heavy sigh, feeling defeated. He didn't want to have to cancel, not after all this trouble he put her through. Time for Plan C.

"Eh, screw it. Wanna just hang out at my room and I'll make us something instead? I can whip up something 10 times better than all these places woulda been anyway!" Hani snorted and went into a laughing fit. He really wasn't letting this one slip by, was he? Typical Nuria, doubling down and sticking to his guns to the very end. She smiled, wiping her eyes clear of giggle-induced tears.

"Sure thing, Nuria. That sounds perfect."

[hanidahlia]

Prompt #25: Call it a Day

An early start to the day also meant an early end. Something about winning a race against the sun every morning felt refreshing, at least to Dane. Without a set schedule, she was flexible in her work hours. And as much as she enjoyed quality time with her friends, being productive around them proved to be impossible.

After breakfast and a shower, she was out the door at sunrise. She flipped through contracts in peace, able to focus without any distractions. But today was different– she had to tackle the task she put off for a week. The one she always put off. Expense reports.

They had to be submitted and paid out every moon. And most of Dane's fellow free company members were rarely organized. Missing bills and receipts, or carelessly crumpled and folded. It was her least favorite part of the job.

A smudged parchment with the description, "Office Supplies". No, Theo.

A new leather jacket, Aria? Really? Oh, right. His old one got torn up by wolves on that dodo rescue mission. Nevermind. Approved.

A little card with crude drawings of pizza and flowers that read, "hi dane". Hi, Nuria.

As entertaining as it was, she really needed to focus. After many hours of sorting through each expense and questioning their credibility, she totaled up the cost. The make-believe number and the actuals. It was more fun that way. They never matched.

She filed the paperwork away and looked over at the chronometer on her desk. It was barely lunch time.

Yeah, no.

It was time to go home.

[hanidahlia]

Prompt #24: Free Day (Blur)

Dane plopped down in the field behind her aunt’s home. Even on her own, Akari’s efforts in maintaining her land seemed effortless. Windflowers of orange, red, and yellow sat below the brightest blue sky she’d seen in weeks, accompanied by a harmonious breeze. Maybe it was a sign. She leaned back, watching the clouds soar above her head. 

“...Lovely weather for a change, right? It rained nonstop until you arrived.” Her aunt stood next to Dane with a smile, plucking one of the flowers from its stem.

“It is.” She answered, watching her expectantly. She didn’t come out to comment on the weather. Might as well take the bait. “The sky reminds me of his eyes. My father’s.”

“Hmm.” Akari looked down at her with a smile, not expecting her to open up so quickly. “It does. And the sun reminds me of your mother’s. Her stares burned like it, too.” She chuckled, finally sitting down in the grass.

Dane smiled back– the only response she could manage– and looked at the ground before her. Two red bricks were partially buried in the earth together. A grave for each of her parents. It had been close to twenty summers.

“I miss them. My memories, they’re…” She trailed off, the smile beginning to fade. “...not really… vivid anymore. They’re becoming a blur. If not for your photos, I think... I would have forgotten them by now.” She brought her knees to her chest and hugged them. Akari wrapped an arm around her shoulder and sighed. She didn’t really know what to say.

A few long minutes passed, the occasional breeze reminding them of nature’s presence. That they weren’t alone.

“...That girl from Thavnair. The one you exchanged letters with.” Dane turned to look at her, curious at the change of subject. “You… saved that child, and her mother, from despair.”

“If there are days, like today, when the pain of missing them hurts a little more, think of her. She has a future and a family’s loving embrace… because of you. Fate was unkind to you, but you channeled that energy differently. You proved, time and time again, that people are worth saving. That they deserve to always have someone by their side.” Akari placed the flower above Dane’s horn and stood up to leave.

“...Over time, you might forget their faces. But you’ll always remember how they made you feel. And all the lives you’ve touched– they’ll remember, too.”

[hanidahlia]

Prompt #22: Fulsome

(Note: A sequel to Nuria's prompt.)

-

The sight on Dane's doorstep was one she hadn't seen in quite some time. Her angling days were mostly over outside of casual fishing trips, but she accumulated quite the haul of gear. The package before her was reminiscent of those times. Even if they were wrapped, the shape instantly gave away its contents.

She dragged it inside, plopping down on the floor to get to work. A set of one, two, three… seven identical fishing rods were bundled together. Dane was dying to know the context here, so she reached for the note stuck to one.

Happy Nameday to a real catch of a friend. That should be good, I think.

Dane stared at the torn parchment, noticing tobacco had been smeared on the edge at some point. And no name was mentioned. What the hells was this? The absurdity alone made her burst out in laughter.

Only one person could be behind this.

A few weeks later, Dane invited Nuria to her favorite fishing spot outside Gridania. She showed up fashionably late for the cause, dropping a familiar rod in his lap before greeting one another.

Nuria blinked and stared down into his lap. It was one of the seven fishing rods he bought for Dane's nameday. But… it was different. It was covered in stickers of fish, that obscure S-shape he scribbled all the time, a cat with white and orange fur, seashells, and of course– pizza.

He looked over at Dane's rod as she began tying a lure to the line. It was covered in a set of identical stickers. She noticed the way he gawked at the rod and smiled.

"Unfortunatelyyyy…" She began, bumping her shoulder with his. "...I don't have six other fishing buddies. Just one."

[hanidahlia]

Prompt #22: Fulsome

Dane's nameday was just around the corner and with only a few days to spare, Nuria was in a rush to find a gift. He'd gone up and down the markets of nearly every city for the past week and so far found nothing that felt right for her. However, here in Mor Dhona, it seemed he finally found the perfect thing.

An elaborate stall sat before Nuria, decorated with all manner of seafaring knicknacks and trinkets. Fishing nets, seashells, the works. Behind the counter was an old fisherman, hunched over on a stool with a toothy grin. He gestured to the curious Dragoon, "Come have a look lad, may have somethin' here that suits yer fancy!" The man looked about as old as the sea itself, so Nuria figured he must know what he's on about.

The fisherman took his time painstakingly showing Nuria every item he had on offer and explaining what each one was for. Truthfully, most of it went in one ear and out the other, but nonetheless Nuria knew exactly what he wanted now. He pointed at a beautiful ruby-colored fishing rod with glistening gold trim, "How much for that one, gramps?" The ancient angler looked Nuria up and down and scratched his chin, likely gauging what sort of money a man like him would even have. "Ye can take it off me hands fer 10,000 gil. 'Fraid it's the lowest I can go, sonny."

Nuria thought it over. He really had no eye for things like this, so for all he knew 10,000 was a steal. But what if it got damaged over the course of delivery? Anything's possible, after all. Maybe it was best to get an extra just in case. As the fisher took the rod off its rack, Nuria chimed in, "'Scuse me pops, you got another I could get as well?" The fisherman smiled, of course he wasn't gonna turn down more gil. "How many are ye lookin' to buy, lad? Got plenty of 'em in stock."

"Hmm...I'll take seven." Nuria replied. The old man's jaw dropped, practically drooling over the profit he was about to rake in. He eagerly wrapped up Nuria's goods and took his payment. "Ye takin' all this with ye? Or would ye like it delivered?" he asked. Nuria handed him a slip of paper with Dane's address, "Send it here, thanks. Oh, and could you have a note left with it too? Happy Nameday to a real catch of a friend. That should be good, I think. See it's like a pun 'cause of the fishing rods and the.."

Nuria kept trailing off for a while before the angler chimed in, "Alright lad, alright. I get it. It'll be at yer pal's door in two day's time. Happy doin' business with ye!" Nuria nodded and went on his way.

[hanidahlia]

Prompt #21: Grave

(My first jab at a future story, this is about 30 years from present events in Nuria's life)

The plucky young adventurer gazed in admiration at the wise older man sat beside him at the bar. Despite his wrinkled exterior he had a youthful aura about him. Blazing red hair and beard, and a deep purple X tattooed on his visage. A weighty cerulean robe like those the adventurer had only seen in Kugane, with one arm tucked inside. So far, the stoic warrior had only given the adventurer his name.

"Redgrave. Ain't the real one, but it's the one I go by."

What a name. Redgrave. They say a lot goes into a hero's name, what could his mean? Perhaps it was symbolic of the many armies he'd sent to their doom. Maybe he led a tragic life marred by blood and loss, and chose to carry the moniker with him as a reminder of what kept him fighting. It could even be that he-

The sagely fighter belched loudly and slammed his emptied milk tankard on the counter, having just downed it in one swig. He gripped the adventurer's shoulder with his usable hand and smiled.

"Just sounds cool. Doesn't mean nothin."

The old warrior laughed boisterously as he exited the tavern, leaving the adventurer sat in disappointment and disbelief. Maybe not every veteran warrior is worth glorifying.