#WARRIOR OF LIGHT // ♦︎ — › asks.

[diademreigned]

Overheated. Because Data isn't always the best at listening when he's almost, almost got everything he needs this one node—

meme

His finger slid down the contents of the journal, noting just how many he'd managed to cross off on his list as he turned the pages to the very recent page, where things hadn't fully been checked off. Data was diligent in something like this, having to gather everything and knowing that once he'd taken into account something like this, it would be much easier to find.

The Botanist was even thorough enough to take note of the times when the unspoiled nodes had appeared, knowing that some were more time sensitive than others. Maybe it was weird that he found himself in The Fringes right now, and the change from the forest sensations, the caress of the trees to something that was so bare and barren. . . so exposed . . .

Data suddenly felt uneasy. He wiped his forehead as the moment he finished walking down the pathway toward the river, he'd began to sweat. Fantastic . . . he hadn't actually brought anything to mitigate the heat. He had water in his pack but he wasn't sure if that would actually do anything to help when the heat started to up the intensity.

For now . . . it was fine. This was fine.

He had found a tree to the west a little ways, or was it a long ways? He couldn't tell, Data had already been walking under whatever shades covered by the trees. However minuscule the population. "Okay . . . I just need a few of these nodes and then I'll be done with this page. That shouldn't be too hard."

The only thing keeping him afloat was the water. When he began to whack the hatchet against the bark, hearing it echo in the distance where there was surely nothing to bounce the sound off of.

Along the way, as the time began to slowly pass on and on and onward, his body began to coat itself in the lines of sweat he kept wiping away as he did so. The whacking grew a little hazy, further away, and there was a buzzing in his ears . . .

Was it bad that Data had already been grabbing for his water but hadn't recalled previously that he'd already drank it? The contents of whatever he'd harvested from the tree was shoved in his bag before clipping it shut.

"Gods . . . it got hotter didn't it?" Data wiped his forehead again, tugging on his white shirt, regretting that it had long sleeves. While the fabric wasn't thick at all, it was the length of the clothing itself was enough to conceal the sweat and stick it to him even more.

Vision began to spot, and that's when Data dropped the hatchet onto the ground, as though his fingers slipped against the neck and watched it collapse from his grasp. His breathing felt raspy and heavy, like he'd been holding his breath for awhile before he officially could start doing such normally.

He couldn't do this, he didn't want to do this anymore. His body began to pinch itself in a cold sweat, until he no longer was sweating. Data's vision began to polka dot from the corners until the spots grew and swarmed his sight despite rubbing his eyes.

Hands went nowhere, until he finally found his hatchet and he could slip it over his back and began to walk.

Out, out, out - he needed to get out of here.

Data's sense of direction had gone and slipped from his mind, and he found himself stepping over branches that made him trip, or smack into rocks that burned against his skin. He gripped for his head, shaking it to keep himself floating, upright.

"Shit . . . gods . . . I'm -" He knew it wasn't going to end well, he knew he had only seconds before the heatstroke thundered down on him and he collapsed. His body suddenly began to set itself into the weight of sacks, where the rocks on the walls were his only source of leverage. Down a path of unknown he went until there was shade.

The sound of water, a level sense of flooring. Sand, and the smell of food and gunpowder and . . . various other things he couldn't place. Data's body dropped to the floor, limbs shaking, head spinning. Someone was shouting for him.

At him.

Around him. He couldn't quite make out the form racing toward him, arms outstretched, for his body had already hit the ground, head smacking violently against the sands below, a soft "help me. . . help. . ." whispered from his lips, and then everything went dark.

#WARRIOR OF LIGHT // ♦︎ — › asks. #:: crystalmarred :: #you know exactly what this is #and the situation he went through is different than the original but it still SUCKS

[punkpandapatrixk]

🪷Sacred Lotus Within You ♦︎ Timeless Pick A Card

‘If you only do what you can do, you will never be more than what you are now.’

‘I don’t wanna be more! I like who I am.’

‘You don’t even know who you are.’

‘What do you— Of course I do; I’m the Dragon Warrior!’

‘And what exactly does that mean—Dragon Warrior?’

—  Po and Shifu’s conversation from Kung Fu Panda 3

SONG: Pure Imagination by Gene Wilder

MOVIE: Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016)

[PAC Masterlist] [Part 1] [Part 2]

[Patreon] [Paid Readings]

A hard Life is not always a divine punishment of sort⛈More often than not, the Universe’s most advanced Souls choose to be born—as Humans—into much sorrow and a perceived sense of limitation just for the joy of experiencing a personal breakthrough out of a cycle of—both—good and bad Karma🍄

Seen from a Soul’s perspective, all events in this mortal world are just drama. drama. drama~🎭It’s so exciting to co-Create massive stories with other Souls in this theatre of the Universe🎪This Play in itself, a spiritual evolution of sort for all beings of Love and Light🩰

This world is at best the dream of a Butterfly🦋Have fun; and have faith that in time all things bloom magnificently like a Sacred Lotus emerging from the mud🪷Ultimately, all of us, we bring with us only memories of our lifetimes when we are done playing our roles in this Grand Experiment of a Cosmic Drama💫

☆♪°・. ☆♪°・. ☆♪°・. ☆♪°・. ☆♪°・. ☆♪°・.

Pile 1 – Peace Maker

VIBE: Master Shifu asking Po to teach him inner peace

seeds of beauty in you – 10 of Pentacles Rx

Encoded in your DNA is the very gift of healing itself. You were born into this world of stupid carrying seeds of peace-making. Yup, you were the kid who was always able to tell when a grownup was lying. Like, OMG, so disrespectful…they think I can’t see through such obvious lies? In fact, too many things were obvious to you because you are gifted with a keen ability of observation. We’re talking superhuman-level observation, baby~

With that, the world around you was often terribly dull. You’re definitely the type that wants to travel and see the world for yourself. Wanting to see what other people of different nations and races, customs and cultures, even religions, have to share about what this Life is all about~ You had A LOT of questions!

Alas… You soon realised that most people’s perceptions, priorities, and overall ways of life are low-quality at best. Your interactions with people, your observations of them, gave you almost nothing but disdain. People…are not intelligent enough. But more disturbing still…people are not noble enough in their pursuits of a good Life.

In your eye, most of the time, people don’t have enough integrity, character, or personality🤷🏻‍♀️

blooming in spite of muddy water – 7 of Pentacles Rx

If you’re often distressed by the state of Humanity, it is because you possess this divine ability to pierce through bullshit and reveal the true essence of all things. You’re a deep diver. You truly are a scholar. You’re the type that seeks to bridge between differences and clashes, so that people find a common ground upon which they could build a harmonious society. You most likely have a significant placement in the 7th House or blessed with a strong Libra/Venus aenergy~⚖️

Essentially, you’ve come into this world with an almost specific purpose of bridging differences between generations. All because your Oversoul was sick of watching Humans being fools amongst themselves. So you plunged into this world of illusions in the hopes of elevating people’s spiritual intelligence. Your unique gift of observation is piercing and high-vibrational and the reason it can bridge generations is that the wisdom you will develop as a person is both universal and timeless💎

You are an Ascended Master, you know. Like Po returning to the mortal world after defeating Kai. Like Gandalf the Grey returning as Gandalf the White after defeating the Balrog. All because you’ve got shit to do in this world of stupid—your wisdom is gravely needed! I’m not teaching you to be conceited or anything, but by means of technicality, you’re not here to learn anymore; you’re here to…teach🤣

tulips of happiness – Knight of Cups

No matter your age or their age, you’re here to teach the infantile Humans about inner peace and true, everlasting, sustainable, manageable, actually reasonable sense of Harmony🌷You do that by setting an example; by first bridging confusions and calming down chaos within yourself; then you talk about the walk to anybody interested enough to listen to you🌾

In this lifetime, as an Ascended Master playing Human, there’s probably a lot of heartache you’ve needed to learn to forgive. If you’re in your early or mid-20s when reading this, you’re most likely just beginning to learn it. You don’t have to act perfectly though. Healing and forgiveness are not about being or doing perfect. It’s perfectly OK, too, not to forgive—certain cruelties in this world are simply beyond absolution, ya know?🤬

What does truly matter is that you forgive yourself. Just yourself. You can forgive the situation. You can forgive the fact you fucked your way into this or that mess. Where applicable, you can give thanks to the experience and then move on to the next thing. Be glad about the fact that you’re still alive after all of the fuckery, and that you’ve enough self-awareness, and how that self-awareness has grown you as a person. It is such a beautiful thing to have grown up in the mental and spiritual~🦉

ESSENCE OF BEING HUMAN🔻💜

the script you chose – Silver Alchemist (Ramon Llull)

path of self-transcendence – Priestess of Healing

Access full reading + cards on Patreon🌸

☆♪°・. ☆♪°・. ☆♪°・. ☆♪°・. ☆♪°・. ☆♪°・.

Pile 2 – Pink Radiance

VIBE: Master Oogway sending universe mail to Li Shan

seeds of beauty in you – III The Empress Rx

Oooh~ You’re pretty~ That much I can tell🙊You probably are blessed with some significant Aries, Aquarius, or any Cardinal aenergy in your birth chart; could also have Venus/Moon in the 1st or 11th House~ And do you know why you’re bestowed with an outer appearance that’s easily considered attractive in this realm? Because you’re meant to have an audience🎙

You’re meant to be heard; to have a platform and be some sort of a leader. And since being pretty in this world brings a lot of privileges, your Soul chose to be born with this specific setting in your birth chart wHoA~ A pretty face gets attention more effortlessly and that’s just how it is with this world~🙈

So, you see that there’s meaning in having some forms of privilege whether it’s your face or your family/economic background, or even heritage or some special lineage thing going on in your Life🎰And yet, it seems you could’ve been blind to all this ‘upper hand’ and not see much value in your existence.

None of this has felt all that special…well, because you were born with it. It’s not special; it’s normal to you; and you definitely want to feel special…not really grasping others would kill to have what you were born with…🐞

blooming in spite of muddy water – XVI The Tower

In spite of all of the privileges that seem obvious and enviable to others, you yourself have not felt all that blessed most of your Life. There is this thing that people don’t understand about you: EXPECTAFUCKINTION. Expectation could kill, depending on situation, and depending on where you are in Life. In many ways, you haven’t really ever felt FREE in your beingness. You don’t really know how FREE truly would feel like. You can imagine it, but you don’t really know if that’s even real🤷🏻‍♀️

Whether it’s status, prestige, or simply beauty, sometimes you’ve felt victimised by the very things other people wish they had. They literally don’t know how suffocating it is to be wearing your crown~ You often feel like you don’t have autonomy over your own Life. In some instances, you may even have experienced your autonomy getting violated. And it’s so heartbreaking.

At some point in Life, you will suddenly and gradually lose access to all of these beauties and privileges, maybe even some of your talents, babe. All these things that came ever so naturally to you, once you’ve lost ‘em, you will die in spirit, and be reborn with a renewed sense of appreciation for the fact you have always, ALWAYS, been extraordinary👿

tulips of happiness – King of Swords

Whether you are a girl or a boy or straight or gay or whatever, you are an ally of the world’s Divine Feminine aenergy. Do not worry about losing your glory; it will aaalll come back stronger and sparklier once you’ve graduated the University of Hell a.k.a Saturn Return🪐

It is part of your Soul’s Blueprint to experience losing privileges, perhaps money, talents, friends, freedom, hair, weight, and everything else, momentarily. This period of your Life—whether it’s your first or second Saturn Return—can be likened to a pregnant woman who’s now restricted from drinking, eating, doing, or even being near certain things. She’s not so free, but for all the right reasons; she’s protecting her foetus.

This Saturn Return period of your Life where you’re experiencing losing yourself is like a pregnancy where you’re gestating a newer, stronger, clearer, more confident version of yourself. The restrictions put around you are meant to suffocate you further, enough for you to want a breakthrough. All so you can become a pure Pink Radiance of a miracle this miserable world needs, for that is your purpose for being born🌷

Shine on, Pink Diamond~

ESSENCE OF BEING HUMAN🔻💗

the script you chose – Green Historian (Herodotus)

path of self-transcendence – Priestess of Prosperity

Access full reading + cards on Patreon🌸

☆♪°・. ☆♪°・. ☆♪°・. ☆♪°・. ☆♪°・. ☆♪°・.

Pile 3 – Magic Worker

VIBE: Po teaching the tribe to be THEMSELVES

seeds of beauty in you – 9 of Cups Rx

Within you are seeds of a luxurious lifestyle that you ought to nurture slowly throughout the course of your Life. You may have come from a background of lack just to make this whole scenario more exciting (to us as Souls contrasts are exceedingly attractive when thinking of a spiritual breakthrough). With that, you could’ve grown up with lots of daydreaming about feeling fulfilled—emotionally fulfilled.

Though you may have daydreamed about luxurious environments and things and situations, at the core of everything, all you yearn for is a feeling of safety; stability; of having just enough…of being enough, in fact…all because you weren’t emotionally nurtured as a child. You were the kid who were neglected by everybody, both the adults and your peers.

You felt unseen most of your Life. But even those who acted like they saw you, somehow the view was inaccurate. You felt this way because you didn’t understand yourself either. Children learn about themselves through the feedback of their environment; so the ones who were mostly neglected…how could such children even begin to learn to comprehend their identity?

Because you didn’t really understand yourself, it was difficult to manifest properly. In your psyche, there are way too many threads of wishes that are tangled up, causing you to manifest clashing Realities…and then disappoint you…

blooming in spite of muddy water – XXI The World

The reason for this difficulty is that you needed to learn and discover for yourself the true Essence of being alive. You are essentially God’s messenger to help Humans overcome their addiction to material possessions. Omaigosh if you know how TikTok shopping culture is making people poorer and more miserable in the emotional, I’m sure this will ring a bell in your Soul Memory.

People who grew up poor are the main target of evil marketing because they crave that feeling of ‘having’. Sometimes, it’s a feeling of having things—trendy things; some other times, it’s a feeling of having friends—cool friends; and some tragical times, of having someone to love—which usually only translates to ONS or casual hookups without any real emotional connection.

Anyway, back to talking about material possessions though, there’s this:

‘Trying to be happy by accumulating possessions is like trying to satisfy hunger by taping sandwiches all over your body.’ – George Carlin

This, is a concept, a Reality, you’ve needed to learn and fully comprehend, and then unravel by means of your personal spiritual transformation. That way you can be an example and a guide to others. Reminiscent of Uncle George himself, you’re somebody who holds an Elder Archetype aenergy about you. You’re ‘worldly’ in the sense that you’re based, well-thinking, and most of all, you can embrace perspectives that are UNIQUE. You’re able to hold a knowledge that encompasses the whole of the Universe itself.

tulips of happiness – 4 of Pentacles

In a sense, know that you are a born leader. Though I sense, you may be more interested in being a thought leader🧠You don’t seem that interested in leading an envoy or a movement of any sort hahaha You’re a loner; you like being in your own company. After all, people are stupid and it’s exhausting to have to interact with them. And that’s all fine~

In the future, when everything’s said and done, you’ll meet your Soul Tribe—people who are just as weird, misunderstood, deep, sombre (probably), wholesome, complex, and loyal such as yourself🫀Your Spirit Guides are really saying: it’s perfectly fine for you not to extend too much compassion for those who aren’t worth your while; hoping you’d calm down some clashing ideas about your personality.

It sounds cruel? No, really; not everybody is worth paying attention to or share affection with. If you do that you’re only going to be sucked dry of Life Force. It’s a similar principal with money spending. Just because you see a lot of items being displayed with attractive, persuasive DISCOUNT signs, doesn’t mean you have to give your attention, or money least of all, to ALL of that. Got it?🤪

‘Even if something is on discount, if you don’t need it, it’s too expensive.’ – Love Marie Escudero’s husband, Govt. Chiz

ESSENCE OF BEING HUMAN🔻🧡

the script you chose – Green Physician (Paracelsus)

path of self-transcendence – Priestess of Intuition

Access full reading + cards on Patreon🌸

☆♪°・. ☆♪°・. ☆♪°・. ☆♪°・. ☆♪°・. ☆♪°・.

[PAC Masterlist] [Part 1] [Part 2]

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#Punk Panda Pick A Pic #sacred lotus #pick a card #pick a card reading #tarot pick a card #pac #pac reading #tarot pac #future spouse #astroblr #tarotblr #writblr #witchblr #witchythings #spirituality #spiritualhealing #divine feminine #divine masculine #lightworker #starseed

[maid-en-gubal]

Gentle LFRP

"Then, everything changed when the WoL attacked the Great Gubal Library..."

The Basics --

Name: Rofan "Lesrekta" Age: Difficult to answer Race: "Veena, Viera" Gender: Technically genderless, but the female form truly is marvelous (she/they) Sexuality: Love At First Sight except there's always someone new Server: Leviathan

Short Synopsis --

A product of Sharlayan research, Rofan is but one of many denizens that call the Great Gubal Library home. Their present form is little more than a glamour, the visage that of a familiar figure from long before the Garlean invasion. Spun from words of ardor and admiration, they are an amalgam of the greatest literary works pertaining to love in all its many forms – Rofan is the very concept itself. After the library’s depths were unceremoniously plundered and her guardians slain by those that would call themselves the Warriors of Light, raiders continued to darken their doorstep, pilfering the vaults and potentially endangering the world with the “treasures” that have begun to circulate. Thus a small platoon of her remaining wardens have left the isolation of her hold, to fulfill their duties – detaining those that have escaped, or kill them trying. Lest they too awaken… But Rofan faces an even greater threat on the Outside: living. Their worldviews are constantly at odds with the reality of the rest of the world, and now they must contend with the fact that they’re not even real; where could a mere caricature possibly fit in the colorful tapestry of life?

About the Operator --

♦ As I’m 28, I would prefer to interact with anyone 21+; if that is not you, please do not perceive me. Everyone else, perceive me gently, I’m shy. ♦ I’m not new to FFXIV, but I am coming back from about a 2 year hiatus, and even then the farthest I made it was the end of the main story of Stormblood. I’m starting over from scratch with Rofan. Specifically so I can run through Heavensward again. I think you all know why. If you find yourself on Leviathan for whatever reason and you see me running around, feel free to say hi although I’m sorry if I run away right after. As a character, Rofan is infinitely more bold than I am, I swear. ♦ I haven’t RPed in a while so to call this an RP blog feels like a disservice to all of you. But I’ve got over a decade of it under my belt for what it’s worth! Honestly, I just wanted to share my character with others since I don’t have anyone else to talk to about this in my immediate friend group. And if anything comes out of it, neat! More than anything, I just want something to think about while I’m at work battling spotty wi-fi. ♦ SERIOUSLY, ASK ME ABOUT MY BOOK DEMON LORE I’VE GOT A WHOLE PAGE DEDICATED TO IT ON MY NOTES APP LIKE HOW THEY FEED ON AMBIENT AETHER BUT ROFAN ENJOYS LOVE LETTERS FOR DESERT – ♦ I should add I have no hard limits so I kindly ask that you communicate your’s as I would prefer to avoid needlessly upsetting you. ♦ I’ll do a more serious full scale profile at some point for Rofan as well as a carrd (no but seriously, where was this back in my RP heyday because this is rad as hell), when I’m feeling braver about dipping my toes back in the water.

#ffxiv lfrp #except not really #but kinda sorta #baby steps i'll get there eventually #i've got her whole character development loosely plotted out #lets cry about imposter syndrome together #did i mention book demon lore? #hear me out: a scholar but with origmai #this comes off as lighthearted but i cope with humor #i'm prepared to make you and me cry

[cornelianlute]

koko stuff

@/sanctiichor​ asked  ♦ picking up your character ( he carries her? these memes always confuse me )

kind gesture meme

The princess was used to such things. Everyone in Cornelia let on that they adored so hearing them speak such kind words was normal. Even hearing other royals and dignitaries speak of her in such a way was the norm. She was used to hearing kind words spoken to her and of her. Rarely ever anyone said anything bad about her.

Now it was known to those that knew her that Sarah was deeply interested in the well-being and care of the warriors of light who had rescued her from Cornelia’s disgraced knight, Garland. They were all enigmas; never been known of or seen before that dreadful time. They were unlike anyone Sarah had ever met, but also alike to so many she knew - which wasn’t many, but even so.

When one of the warriors gives her words of encouragement just now, it strikes her in the heart. It was one thing for her to hear such pleasantries for the people she had known nearly all her life, but another to hear it from someone who had rescued her once upon a time. It was special to her, too, because she idolized this group of people who had made Lukahn’s prophecy come true.

“Th-thank you!!” She breathes. “I shall take what you said to heart, truly. I wish…” To be strong like the four of you and protect my people with the light in my heart. “No. Never mind. Again, I truly thank you for your kind words. To think there are such kind people in this world!”

@/sanctiichor continued from here!

“I am certain. It may be a precious heirloom to my family, however you will need it on your journey, no?”

The lute of the Cornelian royal family… It had been around for countless generations and there was even a prophecy of sorts attached to it and was interwoven into the one foretelling of four people instilled with the light that would save them from the darkness that would threaten their world. Or well… It wasn’t spelled out in the prophecy, but in the many images contained in the royal archives and library, there were always pictures of the lute being used. In a way she had known the day would come when they must give up the lute - it was for the sake of the world, right?

“And I am sure the king and queen would not mind. They owe you much, but if it bothers you so, you can think of it… as being on loan until its services are no longer required.”

“What do you mean a lute can’t be used as a weapon?”

It contained mystical powers and had even helped him on his journey (how else would the light have returned?) so the logical conclusion would be that if she needed to defend herself in the future, then this lute of hers would be the most beneficial weapon to use. Someone out there was bound to know the secrets of it. Most likely there were texts at the castle but she didn’t want her parents or sister to know what she was up to. If anything it would cause them more worry about why she wanted to be able to protect herself than why she was trying to learn more about her lute - a lute that had been passed down for generations in her family - or at least that’s what she thought. Maybe Lukahn would know the specifics. He was the one who prophesied the coming of the warriors of light and the return of light to the crystals.

“Didn’t it help you when you were in danger? Or at the very least in your quest?”

“ N-No Princess that is not what I meant. “

Oh gods, it seemed the Warrior had stepped out of line and had offended the Princess no less!

He clears his throat to collect his thoughts, while yes the lute was an essential part of their journey…for the majority of it the four Warrior have found not much use for it, mostly due to the fact that…neither of them knew how to play the instrument to an extent. Not to mention it was a royal treasure and they surely did not wish to tarnish it so! Certainly there was no mistaking the magicks it bore within, it was a constant and comforting presence throughout their journey and the aide it provided in their final battle was their saving grace…

What he was worried about was the fact that Princess Sarah wishes to use it as a weapon and put herself in danger! But he will most likely sound like a fretting mother hen if he outright said it so the Warrior had to tread carefully.

“ It did indeed help us, and we are eternally grateful for it.”

The Warrior managed to collect himself, voice steady and yet his brows could not help but furrow just some…The battlefield can be very unkind, especially those who are new to it…part of him want to support the Princess fully but…he cannot help but grow concerned.

“ What I am trying to convey is…are you certain you wish to do so? Fight I mean. “

If there was one thing she wanted to do more than anything, it was to be able to protect the things that mattered. There was still a part of her that felt terribly guilty about Garland. Perhaps if she had not declined his offer of marriage then he wouldn’t have died, but she couldn’t say if the future would’ve turned out differently or much the same. And maybe it didn’t matter. All she knew at this moment was that she wanted to strength and the ability to protect those that she cherished like her family, her friends, and the people of Cornelia.

“I’ve thought about it in earnest. I’m not sure if Mother and Father would agree, but… I want that strength you all possess deep within you. I want to be able to do much more than sit around and wait. I only long to protect those I cherish.”

The world may be at peace but if ever a time should come, she’d want to be ready. But as she looks him over she knows he must worry about her safety after her kidnapping so she smiles and proceeds to tease him just a little bit.

“Besides should anything happen to me, I know that you and the other champions will be there for me! I almost wish to run from these halls right now and step right into the thick of danger! That’s the most efficient way to train, is it not?”

The starlit Warrior is silent as the Princess speaks and part of him almost feels proud and a growing admiration fester within the confines of his chest. While most royals would certainly not mind sitting back and let others do the fighting for them, the Princess Sarah, even after what had transpired with Garland, where such a thing would have brought crippling trauma, what it gave the Princess was a sense of strength and determination-it shone so clearly in her eyes.

“ Your determination to protect your people shows Your Highness, but as many things in this life, such a strength takes patience and time to gain. “ at her gentle jest, that earned her a quiet chuckle from the Warrior, “ And you would be right, though running headfirst into danger wouldn’t exactly be the best of options, even a seasoned warrior would know that. “

“ I would be more than honored to help you and I am sure the other champions would feel just the same but Princess–” he dares to take a step closer to the royal, not at all to overwhelm her with his presence but it was more to let her know that…he was here. “ Just remember that you are not alone in this journey and to never lose heart while in search of that strength. “ like with Garland, his strength, though hard earned yes– in the end corrupted him all the same…He worries still because he does not wish for the Princess to fall down that path.

Listening to his advice, she realizes that he has a point. Sarah was not trained in the ways of battle so if she plunged right in to battle… Well it would certainly spell disaster. That was not what she wanted at all. It was the furthest from what she wanted in fact. “Mmm… I suppose you’re right. I’m sure if Mother and Father heard me just then, they’d faint from shock.” Ever since Light and the other champions had safely returned Sarah from the Chaos Shrine, her parents had constantly made sure Sarah was not wandering off on her own and that someone was always with her. Sarah would take things into her own hands at times and enjoy a few moments of solitude but it never lasted. Her parents were just too protective now that the darkness had shattered the tranquility they held inside of them in the past.

A small blush tinges her cheeks and she hopes it goes unnoticed. She’s not used to him being so forward like this and she tells herself that is the reason for her pink cheeks. She’s just surprised that’s all. That’s all it was. “Thank you for your earnesty. It truly means a lot and I know I can count of you to help me should I ever need it in the future.” She smiles then. “You and the others possess such a strong will. I’ll admit that I’m a bit jealous. I wish I were that strong too but maybe I can learn as time goes on now that the world is not in danger.”

She began to imagine what it would be like to travel around their world, equipped for battle, and ready to take on the world. She imagined the wind and its finger undoing her carefully kept hair; the feel of the sea as they crossed it with a ship and feeling the salt splash against her cheeks; and the heat of the desert if they ever came to it and how blisteringly hot it must be. How much of this world lay out there waiting for her?

The library of Cornelia was home to many books of all kinds. Numerous bookshelves lined nearly every free space imaginable and tables and chairs were always littered with novels and scrolls. There was always a light on the library even at the oddest of hours and it was one of the places Sarah adored in the castle. There were many places to lose yourself in and get lost in a good book. It… was also one of the places Sarah could run off to and seek some solace away from any worried glances from other members of the court, her family, and even the townsfolk when she went into town. She wondered if it was because of what happened to her with Garland and how no one had seen it coming.

The stillness of the library was welcome after the clamor of the town and Sarah wonders just how much rest she can get before someone comes to find her for her daily lessons. She waves a hello to the librarian and sets off to the left. The other day she’d found a complete history on Cornelia and she’d left it propped up against another book about prophecies hoping that if anyone were to chance upon they wouldn’t move it. It wasn’t too far from the entrance. Just another left turn and after six rows she’d take a right, and it should be there in plain sight.

“Oh!” The princess lets out a gasp as she actually comes across someone she had not expected.

The warrior of light.

He looked quite immersed in the book he was reading so Sarah didn’t want to bother him, but she supposed maybe she had just a little with her outburst.

“May I ask what it is you’re reading? It must be quite good if it has you so enthralled.”

The Warrior was no stranger to the grand library of the Cornelia but it was probably strange to the outsider ( even the librarian did double takes despite nearly seeing him on a daily ) to see said legendary Warrior without his armor on. The only way was to know it was indeed him was the silver of his hair and those familiar sharp blue eyes but that was it for he was dressed in a black loose tunic, fitted navy trousers and simple traveler’s boots…such a strange sight to see indeed! But if one thinks of it logically, sitting in a grand library trying to relax and read a book in heavy armor isn’t exactly ideal.

Having picked out his read for the day, the silver haired Warrior situated himself on one of the comfy couches not too far from the entrance, his book propped on his crossed legs and happily immersed himself within its pages, allowing the world around him to fall away as the words took his mind to worlds unseen. Though he was uncertain how long time had passed for it feels that only a few minutes had passed before a startled gasp broke him from his reading and thus did he turn his attention back up–oh! It was the Princess!

He posture straightens just some , giving her his full attention but he remains seated- “Ah, Princess Sarah, my apologies for I did not hear you coming! “ of course, always one to give a quick apology for merely relaxing as is the knight. Her inquiry however, opted a surprised look from the guardian but it is quickly wiped away with a smile, though small it may be-

“ Merely a book of fairy tales from different parts of the world. It is a rather fascinating read.“ one would be surprised that such a man as he would read such a thing, well that is where many are wrong. He finds them quite fascinating, reading the various tales from all walks of life, for it truly gives on a perceptive what each culture is like…for the Warrior himself is still rather new to this world itself…so in a sense he wanted to learn more about it in any way he can.

“ And what bring you here Princess? If I may inquire? “ the Warrior rises to his feet then, carefully bookmarking his page as he ignored the slight strain on his back…goodness he must have been sitting here awhile….that or he’s old.

“Fairy tales? How curious.” It was not the answer she had been expecting. In fact it had been far from what she had imagined his answer to be. But as strange as it was to her, she begins to wonder if it is because they know so little about each other. “And it is all right. I hadn’t expected to see you here. I apologize if I’m interrupting you.” He had looked rather lost in the book he held and she felt guilt rising up within her over interrupting him the way she had.

“Me? Well… don’t tell Mother and Father, but I thought I’d sneak away for a while and come here.” After her return to Cornelia, her parents weren’t as lenient as they had been prior to her kidnapping at Garland’s hands. They were more adamant than ever to see her become a suitable princess for a suitable match and she wondered if her parents had learned nothing at all from her kidnapping. “I did leave a book nearby about Cornelia and was on my way to find it when you took me by surprise.”

“But… about your novel. Do you have a particular favourite when it comes to them? To fairy tales?” A part of her longed to stay and to chat but she was also anxious over whether or not the librarian had moved what she had been searching for and then there was the problem of if it had been moved where it could be. But she supposed those were problems she would have to face when she came to them eventually.

“I can feel it. You’ve returned the light to the crystals, haven’t you?”

She wasn’t sure how she knew or how she could tell. Maybe the crystals had blessed her or maybe it was because the world already seemed like a much brighter and happier place than before. Whatever the case, happiness bubbled inside her and a smile spreads across her face. “Thank you.” She says. For everything. Although the others were long gone, even if one still remained here, she still wanted to say those words again. Only… this time they weren’t for herself, but were said on behalf of the whole world, and everyone who had suffered from the encroaching darkness.

“I can only imagine the trials the four of you had to endure, but I am glad you are safe. If you should ever need a safe haven, please know that Cornelia will always welcome you.”

#old #replies #threads #sanctiichor

[diademreigned]

[ scars ] a gentle kiss on the partner's scar(s) (dataun'a 👀👀👀👀👀)

meme

"This is going to sting. . ." Data's spoke, dipping the alcoholic liquid against the towel, feeling it drench it just slightly as it soaked through before he set it right back onto the table. He could almost see the way the other's ears were already lying flat, preparing for the pain that came with it. "That was a nasty fall wasn't it. . ?"

And then, with a gentle touch, it pressed to the wounds, a reaction immediate. His fingers gripped tightly to the bed, body curling into itself as Liun'a attempted to ride through the shockwaves of disinfectant coiling through him.

Data's hand could only do so much to mitigate as he rested his fingers into the spaces of the other's, letting him squeeze should he need it. "I'm sorry," he whispered, looking away. "This was the best I could do. There's others more affective and more painful, but I figured this one would be the better option. . ."

The Keeper wasn't eyeing him despite no initial words were spoken, but when his head turned, Data saw the hint of concern written in the eye that dared to stare him down. It obviously hurt, though the worst seemed to pass, Liun'a relaxing his grip with his fingers and then pressing into the cold compression of the bed, sweat cooling as he hissed slightly.

"You really should be careful," he warned, cleaning off the remainder of the medicine once it finished through its stinging torture. "You were way too up high for it to be okay, and then when you fell I . . ." Data peered down, noting different areas of the other's back he almost didn't notice.

Not that he'd stared at Liun'a's back in the past at all, or even recently. Though since them becoming more affectionate and announcing their intimate status of relationship, they'd seen more than their fair share of the body. Not in the scandalous ways people would've thought. His finger traced a location at his back.

"These scars . . . they're not fresh are they?" Then he rested a hand against it. "Stop, wait, no - don't answer that. I already know the answer, that was . . . really insensitive of me. I'm sorry. . ." And without so much as gauging for an answer, much less wanting one, he pressed his lips to the slight pigmented skin, waiting several seconds before lifting away. He felt the other tense slightly and rise, only to fall back down. Surprise, that's all it was, surprise. "Sorry . . . I suppose I - . . . I may have gotten carried away."

What he hadn't expected, was for the other to gain some semblance of courage after Data had begun to pull away. A quick snap of his hand against the wrist to halt him, mouth opening and then closing in rapid succession as though attempting to speak something, say something. Want something. Data tilted his head before Liun'a found himself slamming back down against the bed, face tinting heavily.

"Yeah?"

No response. Data shifted against the bed and, with a hand against the other's shoulder, leaned just slightly. His eyes were beckoning the other with curiosity to state what he had been attempting to say this entire time. A chuckle lit the room before Data sat back up. Call everyone else a fool, Data almost assuredly knew what was being hoped for.

Fingers slid up and down the textured stitched skin, contemplating the moves he were about to deal. The next several motions were tender, soft, gentle, and steadfast. A kiss to the one on his side, then closer to the small of his back. Up there the shoulder blades were. Across the rib cage. Each dealt with a comforting pressing of lips that couldn't be denied any longer.

The springs of the bed shifted, Data's forehead against the other's shoulder, feeling the warmth that radiated so heavily against his cheek, he was almost certain that he were lying next to a furnace. Liun'a was getting better at it, this affection. Giving and taking, receiving and displaying.

He knew the other's heart was pounding, nerves itching and buzzing, mind swirling. It was a good thing he was situated on the bed, the last thing he needed was one of them to collapse. The both of them technically were considered collapsing risk, even if their circumstances were quite different.

"Can I do something stupid?" Data asked, after moments where he was certain the other's heart had slowed. Teal eyes met glimmering orange brown and a head tilt, which Data turned his attention from. "I'd like to kiss you somewhere else too. . . may I?"

An unsure, stuttered and nervous ' sure ' burned through his lips, and before he could even so much as understand, Data's hand move. Gentle, without force, to touch the edges of the eye patch. Liun'a froze, grabbing the other's wrist. Data moved no farther.

Don't. Don't, he wanted to say. Don't, he could hear himself shouting in his head. You don't want to see what's under there. "Sorry, that -" Data relented, lowering his hand, but it was Liun'a who worked to move his hand once more, until it was against the eye patch.

' It's okay . . . ' He breathed out. The cloth came off, falling down to the sheets below. Data's hand wove around until it touched the side of Liun'a's face, bringing him over, until he could allow his lips to find the gap against the socket, rest just above the eyebrow, just inches to the nose.

It's okay, he whispered to the skin. I won't hurt you.

#WARRIOR OF LIGHT // ♦︎ — › asks. #LIUN’A JAKKAYA * relations // ♦︎ despite everything; you’re still you and you’re still mine — › crystalmarred. #:: crystalmarred :: #:: queue :: #Liun'a is allowed these tender moments - hope this was nice ;;;; #sometimes one gets a little daring and allows the boyfriend to do a smoochie

[diademreigned]

hc + gathering (talk to me about tykha's hobby...)

meme

HC + GATHERING - TYKHA

Let's get one thing quickly out of the way, the order in which Tykha prefers to gather. It goes as follows: Botany, Fishing, Mining. While Tykha adores gathering in every aspect and every sense of the word, this is the order in which he prefers to achieve it.

Botany is super important to Tykha, and goes pretty hand in hand with his love of nature coinciding with his quick adaptation to conjury. He gets up really early in the morning to take care of plants and the garden, and no matter where he is, Tykha must have a garden, or at least some plants that he can take care of.

He can identify incredible amounts of plants, know which ones are poisonous and can be consumed, and often knows their beneficial properties, which helps quite as much in the long run.

Fishing is usually done more as a quiet thing as opposed to an intense passion, and a lot of times it's done when he doesn't have much energy. He'll spend countless hours with Marv, resting on a stool on a rock, almost nodding off while he does it.

Spear fishing isn't really a favorite for him, because he finds it incredibly inhumane because he's actually quite talented at it. Ocean Fishing is one of his many past times, when it's too dark to tend to the garden, sometimes Tykha will find himself on a boat to study the spectral currents. He recounts his stories often.

While Mining is the last on the list, Tykha still enjoys it, just less so. He's not quite a huge fan of the way the sledge hammer sounds against rock, and the vibration of the pick axe leaves his hands feeling numb. Don't tell anyone but he's more prone to blistering on a pick axe than anything else, and he's sustained a few injuries doing so.

Though he loves mineral collecting and stone hoarding. He's found many types of agates, crystals, and various rocks that he's since allowed to grind down into things like necklaces, rings, bracelets and hair pieces.

#WARRIOR OF LIGHT // ♦︎ — › asks. #WARRIOR OF LIGHT // ♦︎ — › headcanons. #:: crystalmarred :: #:: queue :: #here's some information about the beautiful best boy ;;; #he really likes to gather - hope this was nice #thank you for sending !

[diademreigned]

Hypothermic. Kijidata Ishgard Edition, you know what I mean—

meme

Ishgard. Probably one of the last places that some people wanted to go, especially after the war with the Dragons. There were still some people who had wandering thoughts about what had gone on and why would there need to be peace amongst those that lived around the city.

Even as the crafter strode up and down between the crozier and the Brume, he could still feel the tension. More so than he could feel the pressing of another hip beside him, though one of them was definitely more welcome than the other.

The two Alchemists had been sent here for one of their usual co-op commissions, and whilst Data knew that he had a good handle on the shifting of liquids and solids to make something potent but not dangerous, X'kijin had been the one to take the wheel with a much better stride. Supposedly, master the art of conjury came with the unnecessary chaos of vibrant mixes of elixirs and cordials and potions. Data felt better knowing that someone at his side would take the steps two at a time while Data fumbled at the top.

The taller of the two had been a good sport, making sure everything on their list was accounted for before they got started. Checking things off, even if it came with Data repeating the item several times, even stating what letter it came with, until he saw the twitch of an ear and a flick of the pen. Not a word of complaint, but he had noticed a few shuffles here and there and occasional twitches of fingertips.

So when X'kijin stood still as they were looking at something, Data grew worried. He knew that the harsh drop in temperature wasn't the most gracious to someone of Ala Mhigan origins, but when their fingers brushed together at one moment-

"Gods! Kijin your hand!" Data's own cupped around the clenched hand, burying it between his palms and moving it toward his lips. Any amount of warmth that he could expel, as his own body temperature had warmer than normal due to being an efficient Red Mage. "Why hadn't you said anything? Gods you're so cold . . !"

Did Data dare check and see what else about him had been chilled to his core?

He did. Reaching up, the other beckoned the taller Miqo'te to lower slightly, pressing his hands to the sides of his cheeks and then gasping. He could see the fine line of blue settling into the lips. No, no no no, this was bad - this was getting worse. "Dammit, okay - come with me, hurry!"

Data didn't waste a second, didn't think to hold off on something like this. With his hand secure greatly in his own, and body knocked against his, he made his way to the Forgotten Knight, assisting with the other as they walked. It had become clear that now X'kijin had eased into the idea of Data tugging him along, and simply accepted it, nearly teetering over him as the warmth hadn't taken over.

"Just a little farther, we're almost there," the Seeker coaxed on, until they got to the innkeeper. "A room please, immediately." When the innkeeper noted the arm tucked underneath Data's, there was no hesitation. Unfortunately there were no larger beds than the singles, but Data couldn't care less. "Remove your clothing, now."

' H- huh? ' The words were stifled by the shivers. ' Why? '

"Please just trust me, remove your clothes and get in the bed." The door hadn't even shut before he stated that. "Don't look at me, just do it. Please!" There was desperation and worry forming within those words, but they were obeyed. Though it could've been because Data had been doing the same, stripping his jacket and his necklace haphazardly onto the floor.

With the sound of the bed creaking, Data was quick to shuffle toward the unlit fireplace, snap his fingers and cast a hint of Verfire into the wood, lighting it immediately before shedding the rest of his clothes.

' I - I don't understand . . . ' He could hear the other's trembling voice, and knew he was probably in better hands now.

"You don't need to, c'mere. . ." And he'd slid himself into the bed, under the covers, until his body was behind X'kijin's. Without a word else, his skin was flesh against the others, and that's when it hit.

Warmth. Pure and utter warmth, slipping passed the cold tremors until the taller shifted, turned. His face now pushed into Data's chest as his whole form wove around him. ' You're like a f- furnace . . . ' It was muffled, but there.

"Try to relax," Data whispered, feeling the iced skin push harder into his neck, and looking down he could even see the blue tinge. His eyes nearly welled with tears, he'd just barely made it. "Relax, the shaking will stop, it's okay. . ." It felt like an eternity before he felt X'kijin's body begin to settle, hands once tight around him now easing. Shaky breathing now steady and soft. His tail dripped off the bed, head knocked against his shoulder, eyes shut; asleep.

Data took a breath, shifting the covers until they securely rested against their shoulders, and found himself drifting as well. The worst was over. . . there was no danger anymore, just exhaustion.

#WARRIOR OF LIGHT // ♦︎ — › asks. #X’KIJIN LYZEJ * relations // ♦︎ I’ve found a rhythm in you; my healing harmony — › crystalmarred. #:: crystalmarred :: #:: queue :: #;;;;;; well there we go with some soft again - what ever shall we do

[diademreigned]

sign, sender walks into a sign and receiver sees (dataun'a cause depth perception hard)

meme

They'd only been walking through Gridania for a little bit, the stars being the only thing that could possibly guide them. Normally this wouldn't have been any ounce of a bad idea. Data had simply wanted to show Liun'a to the archer's guild, as they were still open at this hour, despite the stars lining the sky.

"It's not too far from here, I promise." Data beamed, reaching his hand out in case the other wanted to come a little closer, take his hand - whatever suited his fancy. Data wasn't ever one to pressure someone like that.

Especially not Liun'a. As timid and easy to jump from anxiousness as he was, strikingly different from how he was when they had first met of course. Time really did change things like this, time really altered whatever you thought you had known before.

"They'll love you, I just know it. We'll make sure to get you everything you need too. I can only make so much out there in the Fringes with the Gatekeepers. We won't tell them what we're doing of course."

Did that sound a little fishy? Possibly.

Normally Data would've seen the other Miqo'te at his side by now, completely at his hip as though he were glued there. When he didn't feel the timid touch of a shoulder, Data paused, turning his attention back behind him. Liun'a was back there of course, just moving at an angle. Still in his general direction of course.

"This way sweetie," Data spoke, waving his hand. "Sorry it's a little dark to see. I got you covered. I -"

Then that was it.

There was a rather large banging sound that came from behind, the lavender-haired Miqo'te slammed face-first into one of the chocobo signs that were just in passing. Liun'a must've thought it was close enough to his side that he didn't need to worry about it. Though . . . it was also on the side that housed the eye patch.

"Whoa, hey!" Data raced over, hands outstretched as the other staggered back and then forward, face in his hands. "Liun'a, are you all right? I should've warned you I'm sorry. Let me see, c'mere. . ."

Data lifted his hands until they were resting against the now brightly red cheeks. Though he couldn't tell they were red, but he could feel the heat completely resonating right off the skin, it was a little embarrassing to say the least.

Though Data wasn't going to laugh, who would laugh at a situation like this? Pulling some hair back from the other's forehead, Data pressed against the skin for anything.

"Does that hurt? Any swelling? Dizzy? Do you need to lie down? How's your head. You're tilting hold on." Data looped an arm around the other's shoulders in case he didn't quite remain standing.

They should've been more careful.

"C'mon, let's get you to the plaza, we can rest there for awhile." They knew that, Data knew that. Liun'a had only one eye, and the eyepatch was nothing more than a nuisance, especially during the night. How foolish he'd been to make him walk here. "I'll carry you when you're feeling well enough, that's on me. . . here, lay down a little. I don't think you have a concussion, and you're not bleeding."

Good thing Gridania was pretty much abandoned right now. For Liun'a sake of course.

#WARRIOR OF LIGHT // ♦︎ — › asks. #LIUN’A JAKKAYA * relations // ♦︎ despite everything; you’re still you and you’re still mine — › crystalmarred. #:: crystalmarred :: #:: queue :: #I dunno who would laugh at his expense #THE POOR PLUM HE GOT HURT ;;;

[diademreigned]

propose, sender proposes to receiver (kijidata—)

meme

None of this was right, none of it at all. He was told by Master Matoya that Spring cleaning was one of the easiest things one could do with their humble abode. However, Data was under the impression that this wasn't the time and place for something like this.

He'd been tapping away at the desk with his finger for some time now, wondering if he needed to rearrange his books by color again as opposed to by the titles. Whilst there were so many, he preferred to have a few on display at all times.

His hand graced the edge of the small pot that sat a growing plant, the breed of flower visible but only on the other side. Wet. So it was watered recently. A smile pressed onto his face and he took a breath, knowing that neither of them would've forgotten such a treat when they used this desk quite often.

Figuring that he'd align the books by color, Data began the tedious but otherwise rewarding task of situating things to his liking. His hands made sure to grace the well-loved and well worn spines of books the most gentle, sliding them in and out of the cubby before placing them back in where they were meant to be within the color wheel.

Then his hand froze mid-air once he got to the furthest portion of the book shelf. Whilst it wasn't normally like any other bookshelf, completely aligned horizontally as opposed to winding upwards, he noticed that there were patterns etched across some holders resting along the wall. "That wasn't there before . . ."

After careful rearranging, Data began to notice that the patterns weren't patterns at all but rather formation of words, stitched together depending on how you moved them. What a strange contraption indeed. . .

Left, right . . . shuffle between two . . . right, left, another left and then a right, a shuffle of two, maybe three. . .

His palm rested against the edges of several of them, shoving them so that they remained secure, then he took a step back. "Oh . . . so they do spell words. Will you ma -"

. . .

Data squinted, rubbing his arm across his face several times, as though he'd grown tired for a moment or two. He had been working on this awhile. Blinking quickly, he moved to read it again. From the beginning.

"Will you marry . . . m-me?"

With a shaking hand, it pushed to rest trembling fingers against the words, tracing them with the tips. His breathing began to grow unsteady, willing it to keep calm.

Again . . . he - he had to read it again.

It was the same every time. Will you marry me? Will you marry me? Will. You. Marry. Me.

Data felt the tears well up in his eyes, his hand pushing to his mouth to make sure he didn't make a noise. Words had never looked so beautiful, sang so gloriously into his head. He wanted to touch them again, but it was met with something else.

A hand.

Calloused from years of constant practice with the weapons of a craftsman, worn like the steady hands of a caring healer. Protective, weaving around his like they were meant to fill the spaces in between. It took the one he was moving toward the bookshelf to curl in, warmth and affection seeping through the skin until blurred vision could find the emerald stars that burned only for him.

' I wanted to tell you that for awhile, ' he confessed, a whisper. Nervous, and yet so proud to say it finally, for real. ' Gods it took me forever to get it right. '

A hand came over, gentle in its movement, to smear away the tears that Data left behind. He could see the anxiousness in those irises, the curious look in that expression. Data felt his lips touch the base of his palm, curling into it.

"Yes," he sobbed out, and that smile that could get no wide began to shift into surprise, tension, and then realization. Say it. Say it again. "Y-Yes I will."

Yes I will marry you.

#WARRIOR OF LIGHT // ♦︎ — › asks. #X’KIJIN LYZEJ * relations // ♦︎ I’ve found a rhythm in you; my healing harmony — › crystalmarred. #:: crystalmarred :: #:: queue :: #that should be familiar to you and just as gooey #i am gooey-

[diademreigned]

“I’m fine. I don’t need your help.” ( from stupid dumb pirate man to sweet baby boy. baby. very on-brand of them. )

meme

The last of the men stumbled toward the sharpened corners at the very base of the Gold Saucer, ultimately landing on the sand with their faces pressed deep into the heated flooring.

One of them even felt his trousers slip from his hips as he clambered to get to his feet and find his Chocobo to make his disappearance and flee less embarrassing. Not that it did much, he completely slipped off the bird's saddle and landed once more against his face, wailing like a child when the two Miqo'te could only stand there.

A chocolate coated ear flicked to the side, hearing some snide comment as he watched the man scurry back into the saddle and take off, almost like a dog with its tail between its legs.

Something along the lines of : "You'd think a man who flaunts the whole sha-bang of mounting people like it's a sport, he couldn't quite find himself in that saddle could he? I was embarrassed for him. Kinda cute though, until that display."

He couldn't tell if those were the exact words, but it was enough of a mimic that his skin reddened at the thought. Scandalous.

Data found himself looking down, tugging his hat until it shielded his eyes, trying to find somewhere else to look but the other's eyes. Whilst he was grateful for the intervention, it didn't have to go that far. So this is what happens when someone finds out that you've actually cheated in Mahjong isn't it?

To be fair, Data had it completely under control, much like he normally did. His teal eyes as sharpened as a newly created dagger cut across the table as they watched. Judging his opponents as he anticipated their next moves. It wasn't until one of them caught on and had their hand against his throat.

His vision started to blacken and spot at the sides until the other, taller Miqote - A'atahni, that was his name; that's right . . . he always kind of said it with so much pride at his lips - came to his rescue.

His eyes looked down, and glared.

He made contact with the hand resting at Atahni's side, seeing the bruising that gripped at the knuckles and the reddening of broken skin and . . . that was blood wasn't it? It was even trembling from the effort. Then his eyes snuck up to peer into lavender visions hidden under braided tresses.

"You're shaking. . ." Data's expression grew grave, concerned . . worried. He reached his hand out. "You punched him really hard, maybe I can -"

The hand tore away from Data's grasp before he could feel the difference between their hands. However, he could note that it wasn't a malice retraction, though peeking through the other's glasses, he couldn't find any expression that warranted an emotion.

' I'm fine, I don't need your help. '

Data felt his mouth drop open and then slowly close. "You could've broken your knuckles from punching him as hard as you did. Please let me help you. I'm not just returning the favor from you having my back in there. It actually looks painful. You're not okay, and I know it. The shaking proves it actually."

He didn't even dare to turn away when A'atahni looked down at him, expression softly altering from what it was before. To the point he thought he could . . . possibly, raise his hands again.

"It's my fault you're hurt anyway, I want to see what I can do." The hand lazily made its way up into the air and, begrudgingly it seemed, to rest into his hands, and that prompted Data to assess the damage.

He winced, gnashing his teeth together. It looked awful, and had it been Data in his stead, his entire body would've been trembling. Or worse. His fingers were light against the skin, tapping against it as pulses of healing mana seeped from one fingertip to the opened skin, tending to the injury.

It was the least he could do. Though he felt better as noticing the relaxed expression that ebbed the pained grimace from A'atahni's features. It was something. . .

#WARRIOR OF LIGHT // ♦︎ — › asks. #A’ATAHNI TIA * relations // ♦︎ I’ll weather storms to seal the void in you — › crystalmarred. #:: crystalmarred :: #:: queue :: #this totally isn't a reference to him finding out Data is a dirty rotten MGP making CHEATER

[diademreigned]

[ SWAY ]  sender pulls receiver into a slow dance in the living room / kitchen / bedroom (i don't need to specify, you know)

meme

Softly.

That's how it had been, that's all it was. They always liked having the music on a quiet tempo when it was getting rather late. When the lights were on and the windows were covered in the dark of the night. The crackle of fire that cut through the silence between the notes, the smell of embers burning and logs cracking open.

It was something that others would simply fall asleep to, and maybe they would at some point, had things not taken another turn. This was a turn that wasn't regarded as bad, of course. Something needed and silently hoped for since what felt like the beginning.

When one would push the back of the chair into a bend to let the leg rests rise. Tome in hand, reading glasses pressed to the nose as the downing of evening came to a head.

The other resting with their head against the arm of the couch, fingers weaving through otherwise nicely kept feathers of a bird that had taken refuge on his chest. Swaying with whatever floated between the brain and the mind, as they seemed like two different things for the creature.

It mattered not.

This space between them, this silence between them, yet still remaining in the company that they cherished ever so much. It had been like this since the beginning, when words were spoken but came out as stutters and mumbles that the other had to lean over to hear. The sounds that were nothing more than fits of laughter, that rose the heart rate and quelled the soul that otherwise would be hidden in pain.

They'd come to welcome whatever cast forward for them, because they knew that they'd be there together to weather it all. Emerald eyes sought to stare up at the ceiling fan that rotated gently, but no breeze could be felt. They shifted to look to the lamp that burned bright, casting a glance to the sun-kissed skin that beamed spots across a face.

Eyebrows furrowed together, fingers dainty as they turned the page. Teal eyes that glimmered when the light caught them just right, before passing over to notice the other had been staring at him.

"Yes?" Rang out a loving voice, fingers moving to slide the reading glasses off their perch and onto his lap, bookmark slipping into the space that was meant for it, the tome shutting. "What is it?"

' I'm just looking, ' answered the other, flicking the tuft of a patch of hair upon the bird's noggin, watching it twitch and flail before retaining its position and its dip through the air. ' And thinking . . . '

The sound of the book resting against the table could only indicate that there was now full attention on the tall one that splayed across the couch. "Thinking? . . . about?"

Darkened skin smooths out into a smile, a shake of the head before black ears twitch at the sound of cushions pressing down. It would seem that the other had shifted in his seat, body pushed sideways, head resting into the palm of his hand. "You want to do something?"

. . . Emeralds flash, catching sapphires for a second before an eyebrow goes up, belonging to the freckled one, who can't help but smile, eyes softening. It brings out a rhythm in the other's heart he cannot place, but he refuses to turn away. ' Would you let me? ' He has simply fallen too hard to deny any touch that the man before him would allow him.

A laugh rang out, chocolate dipped ears twitching with excitement, with affection. "But of course. . ." A silly question, given their positions and their feelings. "You needn't ask."

Several seconds turn to a minute or two before the bird leapt from its position against the other's chest. A grunt is heard and chocolate ears twitch to catch the sound. Before too long, there is a hand that gestures outward toward him. Fingers calloused from works yet smoothed from the care of healing.

Teals focus before they meet the emeralds that they'd grown to love above everything else, their softening hues pleading without words to take the hand before him. And so he does, their fingers slipping through spaces to caress, to become tender. He's yanked from his spot, body moving to press into the chest that cages an ever-thumping rapidly organ. It beats just shy of bursting whenever he gets close, a soft sigh of affection to respond.

"So this is what you wanted. . ."

A hand moves this time, one freed from the other's touch, came to slip through the hair, combing it, earning a rumbling chuckle in response. ' How could I want anything else? '

Their hearts beat together to the tempo of their affections, a hand jutting outwards to up the volume of the music just a tad. That very hand finds the strength to rest against the steady and strong hip, but it can do no else. There is a fear and a timidness that wraps around it doing anything else.

Another finds it there, fingers wrapping around the spaces, pushing them closer.

"It's okay, it's just me. You know you can do this. I'm letting you, we've come this far together."

He heaved out a steady breath, an ear twitching that earned itself a laughter from below. And so they're closer now, hips pushing to remain as close as possible, so their legs can do the dancing. Data, that's one of their names, his eyes focused down at their feet. He never could quite the dancing right. No matter how much he'd improved since pushing those flowers into his hair and spinning with the skirt that flowed in the wind.

' Hey, ' the other, X'kijin is his name, lifts the chin so that Data can focus on him. How funny, that, when even just other gestures he felt as though he could not do. ' Focus on me, just me. '

"Like I'd do anything else."

It's X'kijin that took the lead, letting the sounds and beats and trills of the music that had upped its voice take them away. He'd done this plenty of times, he'd been a dancer that had crept into his heart from the get-go. Something, something, something, the rest is history they've been molded ever since.

His arm lifted up, twirling Data underneath before his back hits his chest, arms encircling him. Normally, they would've moved to resume their positions, but neither do not. "You're a good teacher." Data bent his head back to look upwards toward X'kijin, ears flicking as they'd always done before. He bows, once more, to capture the lips that could never be too far away.

' At least I'm doing something right with my life. '

"What, teaching me to slow dance?" They fan out from each other, then circle back to resume their original positions, this time, Data's head can now rest at his chest. It continues to beat, and another grumble of disagreement floods Kijin's throat.

' Having you in my life . '

#WARRIOR OF LIGHT // ♦︎ — › asks. #X’KIJIN LYZEJ * relations // ♦︎ I’ve found a rhythm in you; my healing harmony — › crystalmarred. #:: crystalmarred :: #:: queue :: #Me: I don't write romance #Me - when given my ships: hi so anyway #I KNOW THIS IS LONG OVERDUE BUT #sometimes I do this thing with my writing where I don't tell you who is who except through descriptions #and it's my favorite thing to do so ENJOY THIS SOFT FRUIT SALAD MY FRIEND

[diademreigned]

Touch-starved. That first hug Liun'a and Data share when Data finally, finally convinces him— 👀

meme

It had come unexpectedly, when nobody else was around. When the lights that beamed from the ever-exposing sun slowly dimmed as the sky began to dot the world with spots of stars. The campfires had slowly began to burn throughout all of Rhalgr's Reach, though they were not occupied by everyone.

Several had spotted the landscape, and it was the one that was closest to the infirmary that Data had decided to take up. The Bard had been overseeing a scouting expedition along the inner circles of The Fringes before he found it feasible to take a break, especially seeing as how the skies were beginning to overcast their shadows. The bow had slowly weaved under his arm and down onto the ground, resting it securely before Data reached for a stump to tug it over to the ambers that crackled.

Sprinkles of sparks lit the world as he sighed into the sight, breathing relief when he finally could stretch his legs. Had it truly been that long of a day? He hadn't realized as he was mostly so used to doing things by himself around Rhalgr's, though that never truly bothered him. Sometimes Bards were better off singing their tune when nobody was around.

A Ballad could only be perfected when in the right mindset.

Removing his gloves was the hardest part, the sweat that collected and the burns that he sustained from battle chaffing at the fabric as he tore them away; grimaces leaving his face.

' Mind if there was one more? ' Came a familiar voice, to which the Bard's ears twitched to catch the noise before turning to look at the other, almost hidden Archer from behind, near the infirmary. Liun'a and Data hadn't been on the best of terms, at least a few months ago; but that didn't stop Data from gesturing over to the empty stump on the other side.

"Of course, I wouldn't mind that. Is your eye okay?" That's right, he'd been ruffled about a specific irritation in his eye and had to spend a little bit in the infirmary as Data had run out of the supplies he normally used to help mitigate when things went awry. All the Miqo'te could do next to him was nod his head, seemingly just lost in the flames before them. "I'm glad, you had me worried there."

It was silent a moment or two, save for Data poking at the flames to make sure they stayed lit. Some of the fires elsewhere had been doused out, smoke rising through the starry world, indicating that some were heading off to bed. It had been a long day, the Resistance combing through their efforts night and day. The Gatekeepers wandering to make things better.

It had taken a bit before even some of those in the Resistance allowed a stay of the Gatekeepers, just due to the affiliations with the Ananta. Their captain had left the place a long time ago, but perhaps Data made them more compelled to allow a few when their scouting too them further distances.

' You said you could play? '

Data peered over at Liun'a, who'd been gesturing to the flute splayed beside the stump. How like Data, to always bring about his instruments when the need arose. "I do, did you want me to play something? I don't even think I've ever . . . played for you. At least not that the Gatekeepers, we've been so busy there."

There were nervous shuffles of the other's hands in his lap before he nodded, and a chuckle left Data's throat as he reached down and grabbed for it.

"I don't mind playing you something."

And play he had. Rising from his spot on the stump, Data pressed the mouth of the flute to his lips and began to play, standing just enough in the circle of light that he began to glow with the fire.

He didn't keep his eyes open for long, the slow drag of notes and the pitches of each sway of the tune. His body carried him left and right, a soft swaying of his hips like he were dancing. The music wasn't either too loud or too soft, a carry that only Liun'a could hear, could listen to.

When he finished, Liun'a was the first thing Data turned his attention to, the eye seemingly entranced by the music as his own mouth had dropped just slight, only to close again. "How was that? I realized it was late and didn't want to drag too much in the song."

' You're uh - you're really - that was really good. '

"Thank you, I didn't think I'd have a chance to do it since we've both been so busy with the Gatekeepers but tonight was as good a chance as any." Storing away the instrument, Data rubbed the back of his neck. "It is getting late though, tomorrow we promised Alpa we'd be back anyway."

This is where it was going to get harder, more difficult. Since meeting, Data had never approached the other in terms of affectionate touches, arms around the body - shoulders close, heads resting. He'd sensed that intense unease that came around the other Miqo'te, and never bothered to push farther.

Though there was something different this time. The way neither of them really backed away, and when Data walked forward ( probably to put his hands on his shoulders ) Liun'a remained where he was. Closer and closer he gapped the distance, closed the inches between one another. "A good night then?"

' Y- yeah . . . '

They didn't pull away, and when Data put his arms around him, the many times he'd been allowed with no reciprocation; it was finally received in kind. The arms were shaking, trembling, nervous against his body, but there all the same. Fingers clinging to his clothing as though he'd vanish before him. Head dipping into his shoulder, and the embrace tightened, desperately so.

"You okay?"

' Mm . . . '

"You needed this huh?" Data chuckled, bringing Liun'a further into the hold, encircling him with a protection that had been shoved aside, pushed away, refused in the past. Liun'a said nothing, shoving his head into his shoulder - earning nothing more than a chuckle from Data. They needed this, they both did.

#WARRIOR OF LIGHT // ♦︎ — › asks. #LIUN’A JAKKAYA * relations // ♦︎ despite everything; you’re still you and you’re still mine — › crystalmarred. #:: crystalmarred :: #:: queue :: #I love how this is their current dynamic but their lore hasn't gotten there yet #important blorbos...

[diademreigned]

you're safe, you're with me.-G’raha to Data

It's the stress, it's always the stress. Normally he would've been able to tackle it by slipping out into the wilderness with nothing by a hatchet and scythe to slice across the grasses and the trees. Or he'd take a nap to will it away for the time being.

What he hadn't expected, was the Echo to act with more intensity. About the same strength as when the Exarch had called him to the First.

He'd been searching through the rows upon rows of library books when it hit. The uncaring th-bump that jolted him forward, forcing a grip to tighten against the spine of the books. He could feel his breathing grow unsteady, before nothing else happened.

Th-bump.

Data's hand rested on his chest, feeling his heartbeat hammering in a speed he worried would send it up and into his throat. It can't be, it can't be right now. He had to get out of here. This was too much.

"Are you all right?"

Someone was speaking but he couldn't pin-point exactly where or who the voice was. The Echo was focusing on way too many instances where there could be memories.

"You're really pale. . ."

Was he? He couldn't tell. Data's head shot up so that he could track where it was coming from, but he was unsuccessful. Things begun to blur, pull apart and press together until his feet were taking control. Sending him background.

Th-bump.

"Wait, look out !"

The Miqo'te's back slammed against something and he flipped backward, vision turning dark before he was sure he'd hit the ground. Others were screaming, pain feathered and exploded up and around his body. Through the haze he thought he felt a protective arm lifting him up. A groan, maybe even a moan, left his mouth through the clenched teeth.

' You're safe, you're with me. '

Tears welled in his eyes as he opened them, letting his vision stop whirling until the double, triple faces became one face. One face that happened to be -

The Warrior's hand lifted, hoping to find another hand to hold, only to rest it with bent fingers at his forehead. "It hurts. . . It hurts so much. . ."

Normally he could deal with this. Was he sick? He had to be. The other hand lay splayed out against his chest, feeling his heart pounding through his clothing. His body sprawled forward, upper half lifted and resting against another.

"G- G'ra . . . G'rah - haa. . ." His mouth felt like there were cotton in it, upper half shaking suddenly from the overwhelming pain. Data swore he heard something about the infirmary, and the call for healers was abundant. Though at least he felt safe where he was. In the arms of the very person he'd set his eyes on for quite some time. He could rest, he could close his eyes.

The Sage took a breath, and let his head dip, as unconsciousness met him. It wouldn't hurt anymore, it would all go away. He was safe in these arms, he'd always be safe.

#WARRIOR OF LIGHT // ♦︎ — › asks. #:: oathofpromises :: #:: queue :: #I've established before that stress + the echo is big bad for Data #thanks G'raha for being there for him ;;;; #kinda reminds me of the small drabble I sent you but a little different

[diademreigned]

"My sweet, sweet faerie apple."

His voice is gentle, words barely above a whisper as he came up behind him. His hand settled on his hip, a smile on his lips as he leaned into him to press his words directly into his ear.

"Happy Name Day," he said, words he'd already said when Data caught him in the midst of cooking breakfast earlier and insisted upon helping him. What a silly man to join in the preparation of his own birthday breakfast, though it was likely better for Data's assistance. A'atahni was far and away from a brilliant cook.

"I am going to let you do what no man has ever done before..."

Words like honey, spoken against Data's ear.

"I'm going to let you take me out into the forest..." he said, smoothed the hair from his face to kiss his cheek. "And teach me how to do that botany you like so much..."

A grave mistake on his part, no doubt, for he would have no skill in it, but Data had asked him once, twice, then thrice before finally he'd given up. He could find the strength to share in the love he had for it, especially on this day of all days...

When the hand landed on his hip, Data couldn't help but let out a little surprised gasp. Normally he should've been used to something like that, but it had come whilst he was incredibly focused on cooking breakfast that he almost slipped himself into another world.

The sound of the bacon cracking against the pan, sizzling against the oil was enough to make him drool the moment he started smelling it waft through the air. At first it was A'atahni that had been working on breakfast, without a word, glasses gently resting against his nose.

Data had pressed a hand to his shoulder and asked if he would like some help, to which the other pretty much sobbed into his chest and begged him to. Not really, but he was grateful for the help. He could only have so much patience for turning bacon around in a pan.

His smile weaved onto his face when the other spoke into his ear, hoping that he'd have a good Name Day, though he quite nearly forgot, seeing it as a normal day. Likely that would've ticked any other partner off, wondering how someone could forget something that was meant to be considerably important to someone. "Thank you, seeing you up about as early as I usually get is a welcome sight indeed. . ."

Not to mention he may have sank into the hand against his hip, but who exactly was really looking when it came to that?

His ears twitched when the words dripping off A'atahni's lips did little to stop, fingers combing through the hair that covered his eyes so that they could finally look at one another. At first he wasn't sure if he had heard it right, blinking quickly to try and repeat it.

Over and over again.

His face heating up when the kiss could've easily silenced the questioning words that were about to grace his tongue. Botany, botany, teach me how to do that botany you like so much . . .

Data nearly found himself dropping the utensil he was holding to turn the bacon, mouth dropping just slightly when he met the other's eyes. They bore into him, emboldening him to keep their noses close by, practically touching. Surely he'd just been hearing things . . .

"You mean it?" Data nearly leaned against the stove out of surprise and confusion, and would've scorched his arm had A'atahni not taken extra precaution to keep that arm around his waist and draw him closer to his chest as though they were about to dance. The spatula loose in his grip. "You - you never went gathering. You . . . you were always wanting to fi - are you sure?"

Color him surprised.

Data's face heated up with the realization, glasses slipping off the bridge with a free hand as the pair met together, lips closing upon each other as if that would solidify itself as an answer. Maybe it had, maybe it did.

His heart picked up speed, eyes shutting; and with nothing but the sizzling sounds of bacon and the otherwise heavy breaths slipping through their noses, there was not much else.

"I - I would be honored. Y- yes ! Yes okay, yeah we can, we can do something really easy. Really - oh no the bacon!" Data turned quickly, bumping slightly into A'atahni's front to attend to their breakfast, earning a chuckle from the other before the gap closed again. The hand smoothed down Data's upper spine and then toward his hip, a calming gesture.

Maybe it was better if someone a little less uppity and excited tended to the bacon, but before anything could be said, it was finished and cooling on a napkin resting on a plate.

"We can go gathering for those faerie apples, don't you think? I think that's a good idea. They're in the Shroud though. Sorry . . . if they were in Limsa I think you would've jumped at the chance sooner."

A purr would suffice, letting him know that maybe it was okay, just this once. In fact, it likely wasn't a problem at all, but some had their preferences for the scent of the sea as opposed to the smell of wet dirt.

Handing A'atahni the plate of bacon, and gesturing to the pancakes set to the side, it was clear that their breakfast was finished. Data watched as the glasses were fitted back on, a press of lips once more before Data whispered:

"Maybe you'll be able to have your first taste of a faerie apple once you gather it." A twitch of an eyebrow, and a smile to compliment. "As a treat, if you understand. . ."

Suddenly things wouldn't have been a mistake after all.

#WARRIOR OF LIGHT // ♦︎ — › asks. #A’ATAHNI TIA * relations // ♦︎ I’ll weather storms to seal the void in you — › crystalmarred. #:: crystalmarred :: #:: queue :: #the idea of Data being like OH WAIT THE BACON is sending me #he would probably burn something if distracted enough #the whole image of Atahni moving hair out of his face is so beautiful ;;; #got a little spicy at the end - a wee bit - like sour candy

[diademreigned]

His finger runs down the bridge of Data's nose. A smile as his finger traces a path back along freckled cheekbones back to his jaw and down the length of it to find his chin. Atahni drug him forward, guided him with the finger under his chin as Data followed the motion.

The purr, a low rumble, as he whispered in a voice sweet and sultry, "Good boy."

Shivers, that finger trailing across his skin was giving him shivers. It was so delicate, so butterflies in its touch that it tickled even if it had barely graced his cheek.

His eyes fluttered, a sensation that looked almost tired, unable to keep them open, yet here they were remaining on the lavender seas that bore straight into his.

His head followed, his body moved, danced with the tracing to make sure it never ceased its movements nor lost its path until it could reach its destination. Whatever that may be.

"You - you like . . . you . . . Having a good time?" Data found himself unable to process whatever words flowed out of his mouth, as though he'd stumbled and tripped and played it off, even when the entire world had seen his fumble.

When Data found himself being drug forward, toes bending forward in his shoes, a hand jutted out with a surprised gasp. It didn't meet the air that floated between them, but rather an inviting hip that seemed so intent on catching his hand there.

It was placed there for a reason. A stepping stone for whatever was to come. Teal eyes shifted until a neck was all they met, head pushing against the side of said neck, where breathing could be heard between the two of them.

"Sorry, I -"

He chuckled, feeling the shuddering of his own heart after hearing those last two words that guided him here in the first place. It ricocheted off the walls of his chest, bounced in tandem with the purring that ensued inside his ear.

Twitch, twitch - it wouldn't. Stop, twitching - the air getting into the hairs within the ear that it jolted with the sensitivity. "Me? I should be saying that to you, you're not going the steps farther that you usually attempt." He needed a moment to breathe, just allowing the soft rhythms that poured into his ear to lull him forward.

Let his heart dance. Let it relax as he knew that it had been thumping a little too hard. The free hand, that very free - he felt it, where did it go - it lay against the small of his back. Pushing him forward, keeping him there when otherwise he wouldn't have wanted to move anyway.

Steady now, you're okay - steady. It's all right.

"You smell really nice, that's your favorite cologne isn't it? It is cologne right?"

Could be.

His eyebrow went up, as did the hand that rested upon the hip, moving up and over until it came to a darkened cheek, a smooth layer of skin that pushed into his palm.

"Perfume?"

An eyebrow went up, the corner of his lips burning into a smile. Like he'd give it away.

"Can I?" After a minute or two lapsed as he did nothing but gaze into the eyes transfixed behind the lenses. At first he was only given a grimace of confusion until a long and fluffed tail came over to thwap against an exposed leg. "You know what I mean. . ."

A hand moved up, watching a head bend forward, letting fingers dive against the base of the glasses and gently bring them off. The purring never ceased as Data tucked them into his shirt to let them dangle against the collar.

Finally. Two hands. The grip against his own seemed to burn into the clothing, tighten it, ball it up, bring him forward. But it never felt enough, never would be enough for the dizzying illuminations that were Atahni's eyes with the way they just kept seeking his own. Watching him, as though preying on him until he cracked.

"You're pretty with or without them I'll keep saying it."

That earned him a rather confident smile, though he didn't really need to state it to have it be believed. There was something about the confidence that would always win out, when he finally got the rhythm back. Reaching forward, Data cupped both hands to the face, feeling a tickle breach at the edge of his tail, earning a flick in response.

Their heads touched for a moment, foreheads willing to gap the space for a moment or two. Teal orbs focused on the burning red of the makeup around the eyes, searching until they found lips. "I feel like I don't need to ask for this one."

A deep, chest-bound chuckle breathed into the air.

Good boy.

And he got his wish, feeling the smooth lips to his own, with a gentleness that never stopped. One always did get the sweetest things from being so patient, now if only his heart would stop pounding until it burst, that would be fantastic.

#WARRIOR OF LIGHT // ♦︎ — › asks. #A’ATAHNI TIA * relations // ♦︎ I’ll weather storms to seal the void in you — › crystalmarred. #:: crystalmarred :: #:: queue :: #I act like that's incredibly spicy but it's not #just a little O<O

[diademreigned]

sun, sender rubs sunblock onto receiver's back (datahni 👀)

meme

He wouldn't be making this mistake like last time. He wasn't going to be making this mistake like many times before. There was no way he'd come back and make the same mistake that he was known for.

This is likely the most useless mantra Data had ever believed he'd attempt to repeat. Every time he dared to go out onto the shoreline, he'd find himself forgetting that sun protection was a thing. It was a harsh reminder when he couldn't be strong enough to deal with the searing pain against the back of his neck when it was burnt red.

He'd come back home to arms that looked as though they'd been dipped in reddened speckles, only to realize that they were in fact his freckles. Get spotted like a faerie apple, he was always teased with. Gotta take care of those freckles or you're going to lose them, he was reprimanded.

Though of course, these were all in jest, but he knew deep down there was some meaning of gentle suggestions. There wasn't anything wrong with not wearing sunblock, it was just that Data had spent so many hours of his time devoted to things that required the sunlight, that it was only fair that he remain safe within it.

Maybe that's why he felt so silly holding up the bottle for what felt like the first time ever, waving it over at A'atahni, who had just recently took off his glasses, grunting about being tired from seeing. What was he focused on anyway? Tsuru didn't need her lunch for another passage of time, he didn't need to worry about that.

However, one could not deny her that sweet apple juice she was craving. Good thing Data had gotten a recent batch of the apples from his last gathering trip. Homemade apple juice was so much better, and A'atahni knew how to make it just right.

' You finally remembered the importance of sunblock, Faerie Apple? '

Data's arms folded over his chest, a hint of a little bit of irritation molding over his features, though it was purely out of simple playing, as the lipstick stained pair of smoothed lips pulled into a smile. "I just need a little help getting it put on my back. I'm going fishing again."

' I know I said you were allowed to be hot, but this would be a little overboard. Let me see it. '

The sound of unclipping suspenders whisked through the air as the Miqo'te lifted his arms to yank free his body from the whitened clothing, letting it rest there at his hips.

A few digits began to dance against his spine, along his back, pressing against various locations that he knew were housing some freckles. His ears twitched when he felt it, like butterfly kisses against his face. "Having a good time?"

' Just admiring something worth looking at. A meal I'd say. '

Data's ears pricked and then he jolted his head behind him with eye slits bursting wider. "Behave yourself, Atahni!" Though there was laughter between the both of them before he handed the ex-pirate the bottle of sunblock. "I'm being good for once."

' You're always good. At least when we're -"

"Atahni."

The sound of the bottle snapping open startled Data slightly, his ears twitching backward to wait for anything else that may have sounded afterward. When there was nothing, the Miqo'te shut his eyes. The feeling of something cold rested against his shoulder blades.

Moved around toward his spine, downwards to the lower back, and then back up to the other side. Several times did the flush of cold reach him, feeling it get kneaded into his skin, a well-rounded rotation until the bottle snapped shut.

' How's that? '

"That was like a massage, thank you. . ." Data hadn't realized his head had been lulling to the side, exhaustion already setting in. He knew he had a long day ahead of him. When the bottle was handed back to him, a press of lips to his forehead met him, and an ear twitch came in response. "You're so sweet."

' You're sweeter, and so much better not overcooked. '

A finger tap to his nose was enough to feel it scrunch, his clothing slipping back on and his rod being reached for to set over his shoulder. It was time.

#WARRIOR OF LIGHT // ♦︎ — › asks. #A’ATAHNI TIA * relations // ♦︎ I’ll weather storms to seal the void in you — › crystalmarred. #:: crystalmarred :: #:: queue :: #I made this more fluffy than it needed to be #everything in between was just soft and then just 2 seconds of sunblock