#and coming up blank for anyone who's as cute as aether

[goldenimpact]

this is it, this is them

#xiaoaether #xiaether #xiao x aether #魈空 #xiao #aether #paimon #got this from an incorrect quotes post from..... somewhere.. #i just have a bunch saved and no idea where they came from anymore #xiao in the second page is just. racking his brain thinking of all the people he's seen in his lifetime #and coming up blank for anyone who's as cute as aether #whipped. absolutely whipped #this is it this is how i do their dynamic #mod's gonna go take a 6 hour nap now catch y'all laters..........

[razorblade180-heated]

Yoimiya and Kazuha fluffy smut to celebrate you gettin her 😏

Festive reunion

[Warning, it’s smut, duh…]

Speechless, it was never a word in Yoimiya’s vocabulary. It also was the last word anyone would use to describe her. On a normal day she was the chatter box of any conversation bringing zest and joy to any topic. However, today was a bit different. The hot blooded extrovert was had prepared herself to meet tons of new people now that she had been summoned to fight alongside Aether and his companions. Yoimiya had failed to realize one of them was Kazuha. It wasn’t like she forgot him. Far from it. There wasn’t a day since his departure that Yoimiya didn’t think about him and his flowery words that contrasted yet complimented her straight forward thinking. Looks like the feelings were mutual, because the wandering samurai was showing a more direct side of himself she’d never seen. With her hand in his, Kazuha led her to his temporary home inside a magical teapot.

Yoimiya couldn’t help but blush. She had only just showed up! Not only that, but he had gotten permission to perform the wishing by himself, creating this alone time. What are the chances the others knew his intentions to begin with? Oh her poor heart couldn’t handle that level of embarrassment!

“Are you okay?” He asked.

“H-Huh? What’s up?”

“Your face, it’s bright red.”

Yeah no kidding! Anyone’s would be in this situation. Being swept into romance moments after showing up somewhere was a lot to process for her.

“I’m fine. Hehe Just a little hot outside and you know…stuff.” She smiled sheepishly, fidgeting a bit.

Kazuha gave his own gentle smile as he blushed lightly. “Guess I’m going a little fast huh? Sorry, we take things slo-”

“No! Uhh I mean…it’s okay, really. Actually I’m extremely flattered. I just never expected this as my welcome present. I was expecting more of a meet and greet.” She giggled, “but…this is nice too. Now I don’t have to wonder if you missed me.”

“Days didn’t feel nearly as bright without you.”

Great. Her face might as be as red as her vision. Her heart fluttered each step they took until they finally walked into the modest home Kazuha made form himself. It was obvious he had found interest in Liyue aesthetic, except a fireplace in the living room that felt slightly out of place, yet cozy nonetheless.

Yoimiya turned around to close the door behind her. The sudden feeling of Kazuha’s arms wrapping around her waist gave her a jolt. The young man held her close and Yoimiya could feel the heat from his face tickle her back as he pressed his head against it.

“Forgive me, but it’s hard to control myself. It’s…been quite some time, hasn’t it?

“Yeah, it has.” She could feel his lips kiss her nape, grazing her neck and nipping on pale flesh until a red mark was left behind. Yoimiya closed her eyes and exposed more of her neck for him to have, gasping from contact. She leaned forward slightly, pushing her butt against his pelvis for friction. Her left breast was soon claimed right after, his fingers slipping through the bindings.

“Mmmm Kazuha~” Another moan escaped her when Kazuha’s other hand made its way under her yukata, making short work of those bindings as well. The flustered pyro bit her lip when she felt two digits slip inside. Yoimiya braced her arms against the door while she let her lover take control.

Kazuha could feel her grip around his fingers and he ran them over her most sensitive spots. “To think you’re already this wet?”

“I missed you too ya know!?” She blurted out, blushing at her confession. “Please don’t tease me.”

“Bend over more for me.”

Yoimiya did just that. Straight forward Kazuha was something she didn’t know she needed in her life. He removed his fingers from her body and bunched up her clothes. Her face grew hotter feeling the bindings on her fall off her, exposing her body. Fingers gripped her plump rear and the chill of one running down her slit would’ve made her yelp if it wasn’t for what happened next. The heat of Kazuha’s breath.

“Kazuha? What- Aaah!”

He slipped his tongue inside her dripping core, lapping up her essence and getting lost in her scent. Both his hands help support her legs as they trembled from his assault. The sound of her moans only spurred him to completely devour her.

“KAZUHA!!” She yelled, moaning heavily. She could feel his tongue flatten out and swirl around to rake every spot. “I-I said no teasing!” His fingers dug into her damp thighs as he continued to eat her out. Yoimiya’s body instinctively bent over more to allow him deeper reach. Her moans turned to panting. Kazuha wasn’t gonna let her go. The sound of her own arousal and his dramatic slurping noises only turned her on more like he knew it would.

Yoimiya dropped her head and look to the floor. That’s when she caught sight of Kazuha’s position, on his knees and his length already freed. The member was already hard and dripping precum in anticipation. Was it always that big? In a few short moments, that was going to be…just thinking about it made her mind go blank and body tense.

Her first orgasm hit hard, making her scream as Kazuha continued tasting the wave of pleasure that came with her orgasm, until he licked up the majority. Kazuha stood up, wiping his face and catching his breath as he admired the sight of Yoimiya trembling and still bent over. Her skin had gotten redder and a thin layer of sweat had started.

“You’re so gorgeous…”

“Shut up. I don’t wanna hear that while I’m this.” She muttered. Yoimiya felt embarrassed enough to just die! They’ve been intimate before, but knowing Kazuha was seeing her like this was always going to be too much to handle.

“Do you wanna stay like that?”

She nodded, “looking at you right now would be too much.”

Kazuha could see the tips of her ears turn bright red. He wanted to listen, but found himself denying the mercy.

Yoimiya was ready for him to continue until she felt felt his hand on her chest raise her up enough for his face to come over her right shoulder. Yet again the girl was speechless upon staring into his eyes and seeing his playful smirk.

“I missed all of you. That includes your eyes.” Not holding back, Kazuha captured her lips.

Yoimiya felt her heart pound and head go into a haze. She openly invited his mouth to conquer her own. Not like she was really using it right now anyways. The heat of his member pressed against her entrance and with a few hip movements, slipped inside. Yoimiya whimpered from the feeling of being spread open so quickly. Kazuha’s hips begin smacking against her rear. Whimpers turned to yelps between the patient kiss. How long had it been since she felt full? Was Kazuha always this warm? Was his grasp on her this good? All these things made Yoimiya kiss him harder, wanting him to continue this assertiveness.

Kazuha was in no better shape. Distance had only strengthened their yearning. Kazuha added his own gasps and grown into the mix. Yoimiya had a grip on him that made his hips move on their own. The heat and wetness of her core made him ache in the best way. Their lips parted to only paint and whisper sweet nothings as their bodies gave into pleasure.

“Kazu~ more…more~”

“You’re everything when you beg like this.”

“Mmmph~ meanie. I-aahh…want another kiss.”

Kazuha obeyed, giving her what she craved without question. Yoimiya was always cute, but the blush across her face brought it to another level. Kazuha could only be weak to it.

“Yoi, I’m…”

“Me too.” She gasped, reaching the end of her rope. Yoimiya stole another, longer kiss; moaning heavily as she came.

Kazuha could only thrust a few more times before her tightness overwhelmed him. He gave one last thrust, cumming inside her. He pulled from the kiss to let her breathe while he peppered her ear with kisses.

Yoimiya’s entire body shuttered upon feeling his warmth shoot inside. The little nips and pecks Kazuha gave her made her giggle, putting a smile on het face as she continued to catch her breath.

“Kazu, that tickles hehe.”

“Now how am I supposed to stop with you calling me that, Yoi?” He teased, continued his kisses. He slowly lowered both of them down to the floor. Yoimiya held his face and the two were finally face to face properly. He smiled at the girl who smiled back with kind eyes and a pinkish red blush. “Your face is more beautiful than any sunset.”

Yoimiya couldn’t help but avert her gaze briefly before staring back. “It’s dangerous to spoil a girl with talk like that. Especially after what we just did.”

“Heh, I can’t name a moment more perfect to spoil someone than this.” Kazuha kissed her forehead. “I love you. I’m glad you’re here.”

“Glad to be here.” She put her arms over shoulders and around his neck. “More kisses please.” Her heart danced so much Yoimiya thought she was at a fireworks festival. “Let’s love each other here a little longer.”

xxxxx

“Hello everyone, I’m Yoimiya!” She said to her new teammates, placing her hands on her hips and glowing like the sun; her time with Kazuha only adding to her radiance.

Many waved happily upon her entrance, while I few people like Aether, Beidou, and even Hu Tao noticed the marks on Yoimiya’s neck. They looked at Kazuha with a cheeky grin he did his best to ignore, but even laid back samurai couldn’t help but smile sheepishly.

#genshin impact #kazuha kaedehara #yoimiya naganohara

[z3llous]

𝔾𝕠𝕠𝕕 𝔹𝕠𝕪 (6)

Sanji x gn reader

Masterlist

---

His fist lingered mere centimeters away from the door. Why? He didn't know, but his heart was pounding. He couldn't bring himself to move any further.

The door swung open. It startled him enough to pull away in a frightened pose, like a spider just crawled over his foot.

"Wow, you're so slow at knocking that I beat you to it. Hurry up, turtle boy. And close your mouth while you're at it. It'd be a shame if you swallowed a bug." They joke and motion for him to come in, a little flirtatiously, with a single finger.

"How do you know that's what I was doing? You can see through doors and walls now? Who are you, Saiki Kusuo?"

"Nope, my apartment has a camera and a lil monitor with a motion sensor. I just noticed lil San-chan staring off into the aether on the screen. My psychic ability is technology. Ooooh so scary. How will poor San-chan cope?"

"Alright. Alright. Would you stop with the silly nickname?" He looked away hoping they would take the bait and change the subject of how dumb he probably looked.

"Never, San-chan~" Y/n smirks and leads him inside with a hand against the small of his back.

His posture straightens abruptly and his face flushes a sweet, almost strawberry, shade of pink.

They pulled away to close the door.

He quickly moved to take a seat on the couch and placed his bag of things down next to the cardboard box coffee table.

They definitely hadn't lied about most of their money going into the apartment itself. The "table's" cute cartoon cat table cloth was undeniably an adorable touch.

"Like it?" They sat down close enough to be touching with only a little slide to the left, and placed down their notebook.

"The box table or the Meow Meow Kitty table cloth?" He said with an amused expression.

"Neither. The couch, dumbass. It used to belong to Shanks. I'm surprised he let me take it. The cloth is from Makino. I'd never pick something like that. Don't you dare tell her that though."

"I won't." He laughed.

"Promise?" They held out their pinky finger.

"Seriously?" He said taken aback by the sudden childish gesture.

"Serious. Makino would be sad if she thought I didn't like any of her gifts."

"Fine. I promise I won't tell." He sighed and reluctantly entangled his finger with theirs.

"and seal it with a kiss." Their thumb gently pressed up to his like two small lovers sharing a short peck before parting ways.

He erupted into a violent shade of red from the neck up, eyes wide, mind blank, the unsuspecting victim had ascended. Checkmate.

"Are you alright?" Their grip on his hand loosened. They didn't think he'd have such an intense reaction.

Wha-what was that?" His voice came out unintentionally high in pitch, practically a squeak.

"Huh? That's the way Makino does it. Is it bad?" A frown appeared on their face and they pulled away entirely.

"NO. No. No. No. It's fine! Just um... don't do that with anyone else ok?" As unexpected as it was he didn't quite dislike it. He just didn't want them to embarrass themself with someone else. (denial)

"Ok, I won't. We should get started. Which subject do you wanna go with first?" The smile returned to their face.

"Math?"

---

"Well, you think you're ready?" He leaned into the plush couch cushions, looked to the window, and saw the blackened inky sky.

"Yeah, if I don't pass it won't be my fault."

"Hopefully, you do pass. I'd hate if all your effort was waisted." He leaned back and stared at the ceiling.

"It'll be fine. You're really good at explaining things." They stood up and gathered all the dishes left from the late study snacking.

He shot up from his comfortable position on the couch and motioned to take the dishes.

"You don't need to do that." He said reaching again after having them pulled away the first time.

"It's late. Go ahead and get ready for the night. I'll do it." Y/n walked past him into the kitchen.

"Not without me." He followed.

"Alright, if you insist." It wasn't worth arguing over.

"I do."

---

He changed clothes in the bathroom and got comfy on the couch.

"What do you think you're doing there San-chan?" They walked out of their room wearing an oversized shirt.

"Sleeping?"

"Not there. I happen to own a queen sized mattress. It's one of the few luxury items I own." They leaned against the doorframe to their room.

"I-I can't intrude on you like that." His eyes traveled away from their form to prevent any wandering.

"I slept there before. It gets really cold and I can't sleep peacefully knowing you'll be shivering on my couch all night. Pleeeeaaase San-chan~ It's warmer in my room~" Y/n made a sad expression and beckoned him with a single move of their hand.

He sighed and gave in.

---

It got colder throughout the night. Even laying on the edge of the bed was a little cold. He was glad he listened and didn't freeze on the couch.

He snuggled in a bit deeper in hopes of driving away the mild chill.

"Cold?" He heard a tired whisper.

"I thought you were asleep." He tried not to show how startled he was.

"I was, but that's not important. Are you cold?"

He was silent for a moment.

"A little bit." He reluctantly admitted.

"Come closer." They gently tugged at his sleeve.

"A-Are you sure it's ok?" He hesitated.

"Yes. Come closer."

He finally moved and was pulled into their warm embrace.

His heart leapt. Sanji had never been more thankful for darkness. He would've hated it if they could've seen the look on his face.

"Better?" They asked unknowingly teasing him with the slight graze of their hand on the most sensitive part of his back.

"I-Y-Yeah."

"Good. Sleep well." They snuggled into him and proceeded to fall back to sleep.

After a few minutes he relaxed into the comfort of their hold and joined them in slumber.

---

Let me know if you wanna be tagged for upcoming chapters

Tags: @vemuabhi​

#sanji #sanji vinsmoke #love sanji #black leg sanji #cute sanji #kuroashi no sanji #blackleg sanji #sanji x reader #vinsmoke sanji x reader #black leg sanji x reader #blackleg sanji x reader #sanji x y/n #one piece #onepiecexreader #onepiece

[dylan-xiv]

☆LF: RP - Dylan Finn☆

☆ The Basics ––– –

Nickname(s): D2F as in Down to FUCK, just kidding, it’s Dill. Age: Twenty-Five Birthday: 5th of August Race: Rava, Viera Gender: Female Sexuality: Straight Marital Status: Adamantly Single Alignment: Chaotic Neutral

☆ What I’m looking For ––– –

Fun, excitement and adventure! Friends, enemies and everything in between! RP Groups

☆ What I’m NOT looking For ––– –

Possessive/rude/pushy/impatient partners. People seeking to ‘get with’ Dylan then leave.

☆ Additional information (OOC) ––– –

Dylan is just a baby, her story is practically a clean slate with a lot of potential to work with. I’d much prefer to work with bigger rp groups, but I’m still happy to do some 1x1 role play.

As for me, I’m Australian so my time online will be different, but I can be rather flexible. I can become distracted easily, but please don’t assume that I’ve become bored with you. I have simply forgotten and need a little poke~!

[In Character Tag] ☆ [Answered Asks Tag] ☆ [Aesthetic Tag]

☆ Contact Information  ––– –

You can message me here on Tumblr for my contact information or catch me in game~! I only RP through XIV as I found it to be a far less stressful medium for me. However, I would be delighted to discuss any potential RP plots through Discord.

  ☆ Character Profile Continued Under the Cut! ☆

☆ Physical Appearance ––– –

Hair: Dylan’s natural hair is a soft and sandy blond colour, but she will often dye it a random assortment of colours depending on her mood. The style of hair is usually a cute pixie style cut with a few longer pieces to braid a collection of beads through. Eyes: Both eyes are a bright, sapphire blue colour. Build: Lithe and athletic. Distinguishing Marks: A blueish grey marking on the ridge of her nose and a beauty mark just below her right eye. Common Accessories: A collection of colourful beads that she braids through her hair. Usual Attire: Whatever she finds lying on the ground wherever she’s staying. She has a preference for comfortable clothing in bright colours, usually paired with some cute shorts and bare feet. Check out her aesthetic tag for examples of her colourful tastes! [Aesthetic Tag]

☆ Professional ––– -

Languages: Common Tongue, Sign Language, Old Script. Profession: Professional Vagabond. Skills: ☆ Dancer: Dylan is a skilled dancer, it is her chosen disciple. She’s more of a hunter that prefers to stalk her prey rather than a fighter who challenges someone head on, but she will launch on the offensive if she’s been provoked. ☆ Water Control: A skill passed down through her family line, Dylan has the ability to control and manipulate water. However, traditionally the practice of this skill is forbidden outside the protection of her forest home and so she will only ever use this power when under great threat or stress. ☆ Painter: Dylan loves to paint, whether she is actually any good has yet to be seen. Her favourite medium is acrylic paint on any blank surface and applied with her hands. She thrives in this chaotic mess. ☆ Musician: Dylan is learning to play the drums to the great annoyance of anyone who has the displeasure of living under the same roof as her. ☆ Basic Grasp of Old Script and Ancient Teachings: Thanks to the knowledge passed down through her family, Dylan has a knack for deciphering old script and ancient ruins. However, never bet your life on this skill as Dylan is not exactly fluent! Gee whiz, the old script symbols for ‘exit route’ and ‘obvious trap’ are awfully similar, aren’t they?

☆ Personal ––– –

Birthplace: Fanow, The Rak'tika Greatwood Patron Deity: Azeyma because I forgot to change it when I fantasia’d from Kee. Residence: A small and run down garden shack on the beach in Mist (Her FC Room). Personality: Dylan is a bubbly and exciting energy! She loves stirring up trouble and making every mundane task an adventure. Dylan is still very much a child at heart and wants nothing more than to bring out the fun for everyone. Likes: Food, loud music, the beach, blue skies, flowers, dancing and making a mess. Dislikes: Working, boring people, shoes, lectures and ants. Favourite Food: There isn’t a food that exists that Dylan doesn’t love. Virtues: Overly friendly, bursting with positivity, optimistic, easily amused, fun. Sins: Naive, vague, obnoxious, abrupt, silly. Excitement: Dylan becomes excited for food, loud music, being near the beach and having fun with friends. Fear: Dylan is afraid of being alone for too long, getting lost and dark/tight spaces.  

Short Biography: Six years ago Dylan encountered a mysterious person, who at the time she believed to be the Warrior of Darkness, traveling through the Greatwood. However, trouble stuck when that person began to teleport away. The pull of their aether had been so strong that it dragged Dylan into the void between worlds and launched her across time and space! When she came to she found herself on a completely different world. A seemingly peaceful world, but one in constant strife much like her own. With no idea how to get back home she decided to wander this new world, learning whatever she could about it and helping the friends she makes along the way. Hoping that one day she would once again find the Warrior of Darkness and convince them to take her home.

OOC: Dylan landed in Eorzea at the beginning of 2.0 and has been living among its people for the last six years. She has a pretty good grasp of what’s going on within Eorzea, but some days she does suffer from a lapse in knowledge. Dylan’s primary goal is to seek out the mysterious Warrior of Darkness who launched her through time in the first place and convince them to send her back home. However, she seems quite content to delay that goal in order to enjoy her time in Eorzea.

☆ Relationships ––– -

Spouse/Partner: None Children: None Parents: Mother, Aníka. Father, Unknown. Siblings: Five sisters, all younger (Britt, Fía, Laíla, Ida and Grét). Pets: A Shoebill named Bill.

☆ RP Hooks ––– –

☆ An idiot has been breaking into your house and ransacking your fridge every night. You lay a trap and catch yourself a wabbit.

☆ You need a papsy and you happen to run into the most gullible fool imaginable. Convince Dylan she’s your only hope and watch her follow you to the ends of the earth.

☆ A flyer was found that calls for anyone versed in old text to apply for an open position, the only one dumb enough to go for something so vague is Dylan. Will she prove useful? Probably not.

☆ I honestly have no idea what RP Hooks to list here, but come talk to me and we’ll work something out! I would love to brainstorm with you and come up with something unique~!

☆ Thank you for taking the time to read all this! ♥ ☆

#lfrp #ffxiv #final fantasy xiv #OC #Viera #rp #Dylan Finn IC #long post

[alvaar-aldaviir]

Movement: Melancolico Part 1/3

Time Frame: Heavensward. Spoilers accordingly.

Notes: Trigger Warnings for a more personal and introspective look at grief and depression, as well as accompanying thoughts of suicide.

This is by far the darkest piece posted thus far, but it’s important to Alvaar’s character and I don’t like to gloss over the impact it left on him and his subsequent relationships with others. Scions especially.

Cross-posted to Ao3.

 -

Alvaar has never been the sort to give himself time for pause. There was too much to do as the Warrior of Light, too many wrongs to try and right as the world shifts under his feet after the Vault. But having ripped yet another tyrant from his throne and finally taking time to grieve...

Why is it the hardest battle he's had to face is the frozen state of his own blackened heart?

An introspection on grief and depression, and the importance of the people who stay by your side. Second chapter incoming.

 -

It was over. Thordan was dead, Haurchefant’s killer had been slain with him, and in the quickly growing pile of problems already stacking before the remaining Scions Alvaar only cared about one. He’d dragged another tyrant low and put more Primals back into aetheric dust, the world could hold a moment for him to attend the funeral of the man he’d loved when he’d put his own grief aside to see justice done. And somehow, for all the near brushes with his grief he’d had chasing after Thordan, when he’d finally given himself leave to let it wash over him...

Alvaar still hadn’t managed a single tear.

-

It spared the Count a scene at least, having only held the hand of his beloved when he paid his respects. A hand that felt alien and cold, stiff and somehow like it was hollow, empty of the vibrant and warm soul that had once been bursting within. A man that could ask him to smile on his dying breaths...

He’d dipped his chin, murmured his words of goodbye, and walked away feeling as though whatever warmth that had lingered in him now lay in that casket to keep Haurchefant company. He wouldn’t need it. Surely he’d never feel anything so warm again without him.

Tataru and, somehow surprising to him, Alphinaud, had lingered by his side. The Lalafell’s hands wrapped tight about his and he barely felt it at all. He’d only sat still and silent through the funeral before he found himself being guided away once the candles had started to burn out. Led through the streets like some dumb beast of burden by the small hands holding his and the slim arm at his back.

He didn’t know what words they’d said nor what they’d done, only that he’d fallen face first into a bed that didn’t carry a trace of the young lords cologne and somehow the absence of it felt both fitting and obscenely painful.

-

The next day passed like a haze as he stayed still and silent in the darkened room and remained relatively mute to anyone that came calling. His solitude was only broken when Alphinaud finally shoved the door in after the third unanswered knock to let Tataru nervously follow along behind him. Once he’d sulkily sat up to stare at them both he was immediately greeted to a bowl of stew being held towards him as the Lalafell chattered about it being her latest learned recipe at the Forgotten Knight. And with the Arcanist already clearing off the side table and dragging over chairs for himself and Tataru, he’d had little choice but to entertain them, listening quietly as Tataru brought up what bits of inane gossip she could, pointedly staying far away from the issues at hand.

-

The next day Tataru returned, this time carrying a cutely adorned basket along with his breakfast. He’d no sooner finished (more from the pressure of her stare than hunger) when she was pulling out her embroidery hoop and asking him to teach her a new pattern. After an overly long silence which she stayed determinedly, if not earnestly, expectant at his eventually reply, he acquiesced. With a small flourish of light his own needlework set appeared in his hands and he’d studied the blank fabric for a while mulling it over. He knew invariably she would want to embellish her clothes with something unique for her newfound workplace and pondered what designs might work as he wordlessly accepted the fabric pen she held over to him.

Opting against designs of the straight spires of the buildings around them (for they only reminded him of bloodied lances rising from a corpse) he settled for a heavy lined sketch that left the Lalafell confused until his thread and needle began to fly, stitching white over the swirl of icy blue ink lines. Her eyes immediately lit up with excitement, hopping up beside him to watch as the frost patterns were quickly embellished in with delicate stitches and raised knots.

“I spoke with an elderly woman at the guild here. Apparently, there’s a technique called thread painting that’s become rather popular with the ladies of estate. If you were to very carefully bleach out some of the color for your base lines, you can embellish them with silver floss like so. Think of it like fern reeds at first but add more swirls to the frond ends and a few straight fractals with your thread. Like frost on the windowpane,” he murmured, holding his fabric away so Tataru could watch him work.

“Oh! Alvaar that’s genius! I have just the perfect blue piece that could use sprucing up!” she chirped.

“If you can, try on a part you can’t see first. You’ll want to see how much the bleach spreads through the fibers,” he continued, reciting the pointers he’d been given.

They’d spent almost two hours with their needlework, the Bard patiently advising and even handing off his teaching piece and a few spools of cotton silver floss for her to use. As soon as she left in her usual scurry for work, he’d waited for the door to close before fitting another piece of fabric into the hoop, securing his needle, and banishing them back into nothingness.

Without the chatter or direction, he’d returned promptly into a defeated sulk for several hours, interrupted only by Alphinaud letting himself in after his knocks were ignored.

Alvaar didn’t bother to sit up, not fully certain why the young Elezen was there when Tataru wouldn’t be out from her shift for another four hours at least. Not unless he was here to be dragged along as both physical and mental muscle for another round of Leveilleur politics.

And if that was the case the boy was about to be terribly disappointed by his newfound depths of apathy.

What else would it be? A rousing speech to rise up from despair and fight for a better Eorzea? A plea or summons from yet another far off city needing their help yet again? Another return to conflict against the shade of Nidhogg that had claimed Esti-

“Drink.”

The flat no nonsense tone made him flick an ear as weary puzzlement pulled at his brow. Sliding his gaze over to the Arcanist he stared at him mutely and the thermos he held out to him.

“You have to keep your fluids up or you’ll get dehydrated and sick, now drink,” Alphinaud commanded again, though Alvaar could hear the faint nervous tone underneath. The sound of someone trying to be brave in the face of something unfamiliar he figured, as the boy had scarcely ever seen the Warrior of Light in any state that wasn’t still rock steady. Even in the face of Bahamut he’d kept his emotions under control and been responsive despite internal fear. And even after losing himself to rage fighting against Ilberd, he had quickly come back around and behaved normally once he’d been snapped out of it…

It was perhaps the most telling of how his mood must appear, given the youth had marched headstrong into each major city without so much as a pause of step to speak with political giants.

A faint snort left him, but he sat up anyway to continue pinning the Arcanist with that stare for a few moments more before holding his hand out. Accepting the container he removed the cap, staring at the pale liquid inside as a strong whiff of mulling spice reached him.

“.... Mulled tea? ... the scent is right, but the color is off. Did they substitute tea leaves?” he mused, taking another light whiff before tasting it.

“They didn’t have any Thanalan tea leaves, likely because the secular attitude hasn’t left much in the way of trade routes with Ul’dah. Hopefully that will change in the near future when... well. We finish what we’ve started.” Noting Alvaar’s flat stare, Alphinaud fidgeted, looking away promptly and finally moving to sit on the edge of the bed, staring at his shoes. “.... I’m sorry if it doesn’t taste right. I... tried my best to brew it the way you showed me,” he murmured.

There was a pointed silence that stretched out between them before the Bard took another drink in thought.

“It’s different. A bit weaker. Coerthan tea leaves don’t have as much flavor due to the harsher growing environment and tending to be dried from the cold instead of the sun. It’s not as oxidized as in Thanalan, despite being the same plant. It takes almost double the amount, but a weak brew is sometimes a better option than a strong one. You can sometimes brew again, but removing bitter flavors is difficult,” Alvaar mused.

“Ah... sorry...”

“Don’t be. It’s not bad, just different but a good enough substitute. In fact, it brings out more of the mulled spices as Coerthan tea has more of an earthy flavor. It’s also not bitter from over steeping. That’s usually the most difficult part,” he whispered, staring at the container. “I’ll have to teach you how to make Ishgardian tea. They use yaks milk here and steep the tea right in the milk. It’s quite a bit different from in the south. There the milk is a primary additive and not used as a base.”

Alphinaud blinked at him, tilting his head some once Alvaar had fallen quiet again. “You know quite a lot about tea.”

It got another snort. “I’d hope so. I had to get a real good eye for it given it sells pretty consistently. Nobles love their herbs and spices. It’s a lovely show of status to have foreign spices in your food or at your table. ...Did you know Y’shtola loves Coerthan tea? I’d usually harvest a bit extra for her.”

“Does she? Hm, I wouldn’t have guessed. ... so, what made you interested in botany? I confess, it was not a topic I went to at the Studium.”

The Bard was quiet for a spell, still studying the pale liquid intently. When Alphinaud didn’t seem to show any sign of leaving or pressing him further, he at last sighed and looked up.

“Money. I arrived to Gridania with little more than what I carried and maybe a thousand Gil. Just enough to stay a day or two and find some work.”

At that the teen stared at him in silence for a few moments, during which the Bard took another slow drink while maintaining eye contact.

“... Y-you’re serious?”

“I needed the money.”

“No that you only had access to a thousand Gil. Did you have a credit line or access to-”

“We don’t all have very accommodating rich parents Leveilleur. In fact, some of us don’t have parents at all,” he cut in flatly before taking another sip as he looked away. “It can’t all be heroic battles and cajoling with the big brass of foreign nations. It hardly puts food on the table much less pays the cost of raw materials to craft into some form of steady income.”

At that the Arcanist seemed a bit chastised, studying the floor again. “Weren’t you paid for your work with the Scions?” he asked softly, still a note of disbelief in his tone.

Holding up a hand the Bard began ticking things off his fingers. “Travel expenses. Lodging. Equipment costs. Repair bills for said equipment. Food and potion expenses... At the end of the day I break even Alphi. And that’s only sustainable if I show up to do great heroic feats every day, which you might forgive me if I find that a little disconcerting to be that needed. Besides, I have retainers and a chocobo to pay for. That’s the bulk of the reason I joined the Twin Adders and that was mostly to open up a way into marketplaces while being mobile.”

Alphinaud was silent for a short while, contemplating the idea of it and hanging his head a bit more. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

Flicking his gaze over to the snowy haired teen, Alvaar frowned slightly at himself before ruffling his hair and looking away again. “I’m not. At least it’s honest work. Besides, Scion work is sort of, you know... nonprofit. I can’t really demand more pay and I wouldn’t anyway. Keeps me busy. And I genuinely like many of the trades I’ve picked up. It sort of... grounds the adventuring. Reminds you of why you do the insane heroics.”

“Yes... I’ve certainly found that perspective is all important to what we do...” the Arcanist replied, managing at least a vaguely upbeat tone. “Still, I apologize for being ignorant of your situation.”

“Don’t worry about it Alphinaud. It’s not your problem and you’re in a very wide majority of people that don’t ask about my life. Most don’t really care about what happens to their neighbors much less the man under the mask and I don’t make a habit of supplying details anyway. In fact, the only person that really dug into my life was... well. Haurchefant.”

At that the mood grew even more dim, punctuated by a single soft and saddened laugh from the Bard. “He used to trade me folktales and history for stories about myself... I suppose I’ll never find out how the story of the ‘Moonstone Lanner’ ends...”

Setting the now empty thermos on the nightstand with a ringing thud, he rested his head on his drawn-up knees and wrapped his arms about himself, burying his face away from view.

“Damnit Greystone...” he murmured, voice faint and hollow. Even now... STILL... No tears would come to him and-

“Do you know anything about Sharlayan?”

The words were a bit rushed but they made Alvaar pause anyway, lifting an arm up enough to see Alphinaud’s expectant look.

“.... No. Why?”

“Would you like to? I still remember many of the things on its history from my time in the Studium. And even a few myths and legends if you prefer that instead.”

Staring at him flatly for a long beat, he finally sighed when the Elezen seemed content to wait for a reply and even more than ready to stay seated at his bedside. “Fine. Give me a myth. Something fantastical.”

“I can think of a few. Here, eat this. Tataru said she would bring you dinner but that’s still a few hours yet,” he answered, holding over a wrapped-up handkerchief containing some form of braided bread.

A deeper sigh left him but he accepted it anyways, rearranging a number of pillows back behind him before falling into them with a feathery thump as the arcanist began his story.

-

Another day and then a second passed in similar fashion, Tataru asking him about this craft or another in the morning with his breakfast and Alphinaud telling him a story or three with his lunch. In the late evening they both made an appearance with dinner, sharing whatever Tataru had been allowed to take with her (which he noted was a much larger and more complex portion of leftovers than any one Lalafell would need) and chatting or playing cards.

And in the times between he would lie silent and still in the dark as if in some waking dream with only the ever-present sound of the howling winds to accompany his depression.

On the third day, both maid and Arcanist had dutifully reminded him (no less than three times a piece) that Tataru would have a particularly late shift and he should definitely make sure he went to or otherwise acquired dinner. He’d offered mute nods and mentally brushed it off as the vain test it was. He didn’t want food or water.

He just wanted to be left alone.

-

If the winds of The Pillars were colder than anywhere else in Coerthas, Alvaar couldn’t tell as he stared down into the inky black. The almost ever-present snow remained, spiraling away out of even his keen vision as it dwindled out of the lamplight of the city and vanished into the obsidian depths below.

Once he wouldn’t have had much interest in studying so steep of a fall, leaned against the balcony of his loaned room at the Fortemps Manor. Once he would have had much more of an interest in being inside where it was warm, curled up under the arm of his lover. Once he would have shared stories of his travels and listened for hours as the Lord of Camp Dragonhead regaled him with the long history and folktales of Coerthas.

Once, Haurchefant wouldn’t be lying cold in ground that was colder still and would have been there to keep him warm both inside and out with his cheerful demeanor.

Now Alvaar wasn’t certain if he’d ever really feel the cold again with how numb his heart still felt. Like it hadn’t beat since Haurchefant had been run through. His insides colder still then the hellscape of ice and snow about him. Indifferent to the frozen winds that ripped at his loose cotton tunic and leather breeches.

He stared into the inky black, gaping like the maw of some colossal dragon intent to swallow all Ishgard and her people, and he felt nothing.

Three days and still...

He felt no outrage that often sparked in him after those he loved were attacked. He felt no sense of duty driving him to feats of heroic stupidity. No sadness to linger and mourn the loss of a man he’d truly come to love. There was a growing pile of bodies about him to avenge, a city stirring in unrest in the wake of a millennia of lies, Scions to track down, and a war to help end.

Even so he stared at that abyss and he felt nothing but a desire to be consumed in it. To let it swallow him up and put an end to the unyielding march of the Warrior of Light. The heroic figure of myth and legend that made a target of every mere mortal around him... until, inevitably, he would die standing alone. Haurchefant and Ysayle, both dead on this journey, and surely by now Estinien has been consumed in Nidhogg’s rage...

His friends were dying around him as he fought for a country that wasn’t his own. Hadn’t he done enough? Couldn’t he at least grieve for what had been lost?

It was bitter, and it was petty, but in his dark apathy he thought maybe if he let that yawning void consume him then he’d at last feel like he could break down and cry.

Finally shed the tears that had burned in his eyes as he held his dying lover in his arms. The same tears that remained hot and still refused to fall in the ensuing chase. When he’d battled Primals, and Garleans, and lost more friends. Even at Haurchefant’s funeral and afterward, when he’d felt the concerned stares of his few remaining Scions and the House of Fortemps who knew what the man had meant to him.

He’d told him the night before the Vault that he loved him... and now when he finally stole a moment of his own he couldn’t even shed the damn tears with this cursed icy heart in his chest.

It would be so fitting...

Just a step...

Just a short climb...

And he’d vanish into nothingness again…

#wol #named warrior of light #haurchefant x wol #haurchefant #haurchefant greystone #alphinaud #alphinaud leveilleur #tataru #tataru taru #trigger warning #dead lover #depression #thoughts of suicide #oc #dealing with grief #Melancolico: Melancholic #FFXIV #final fantasy 14 #final fantasy xiv #ff14 #writing #mywriting

[ala-mhinyan]

II :: Bargain

{{ TW: Extortion + Misgendering }} {{ Feat Mentions of: @monsutanokami, @talesfromthegameff14 and @dunrai-ffxiv }} The letter had arrived by hunting hawk around midday, right as C’tolemy was finishing up his chores to the village and was preparing to return back to Eorzea proper. The trip home had been...strange, to say the least. It was his first return back to home soil after the incident at the Pack company house that had turned his long, curly mane into a curly mess that barely brushed his shoulders. His kin didn’t look him in the eye whenever he addressed them, a silent blessing that both soothed his fraying pride and rankled deep his conviction. It had made the morning hard and midday harder. By the time he had everything ready?—He was more than willing to return home. It wouldn’t feel as though he had disappointed everyone who had even glimpsed at him there. 

There—Eorzea? Everyone thought the ‘new look’ was something cute or something he would settle into by the time the eighth sun had passed—not that that was anything better to feel anyway. He’d lost the one thing that was -his- when he fled Kushal. The one thing he’d poured himself into to maintain and had actually come to be a source of pride—gone in one night. One moment of battle. He can still smell the scent of burning flesh and hair every time he turns his head too fast, catching a section of curls that brush past his cheek. His stomach turns and he has to close his eyes.

They’ll never understand.

The details of the letter are more important; it was a parchment paper carefully rolled and tied off with a deep red string. A stamp on the far right end tells him all he needs to know—a wolf’s head holding a dagger. He retrieves the letter from the hawk, brushing it’s feathers with the back of one claw and thrusts his arm up to send the beast on it’s way. It spirals up and flutters away, headed toward Rhalgr’s Reach, disappearing beyond the spires long after Tolemy’s gaze has shifted back to the parchment in his hand. He unravels it with a sharp tug, reading the single line at the center of the parchment: ‘Kugane. Now. Bring your mask.’ C’tolemy resists the urge to grimace at what he reads, neatly rolling the parchment back up as he strolls to the center fire pit and tosses the letter into the flame. He watches until he is sure the trail burns away with that parchment before turning away from the fire, gathering his things and waving goodbye to his kin. A pull inward, a focus of swirling aether and he plunges into the lifestream.

< Kugane: Midday >

The ripple splits, black and purple aether crackling as C’tolemy emerges from the teleport—straightening up the Hingan wolf mask that hides his face. A quick pit stop home allowed him to bathe, change clothing and grab the dreaded mask before teleporting back here. There was no worry of anyone catching his activities at home; they weren’t home at this time. Never were. It’s what made these meetings so guilt-wriddlingly convenient. His attire would place him as a native of the land and at this point? He may as well be. The trips to Kugane to meet his ‘friends’ have been increasing in frequency lately and, as such, have made it known to his lovers that something is going on that the Seeker is hiding. Just the thought has his stomach churning again, a hand coming to rest over his gut in a placid attempt to soothe the guilt. ‘Soon,’ his mind whispers, ‘You will tell them soon.’ 

His feet take him through the well-populated city, navigating the crowd with practiced ease until he comes to a stop in front of an establishment donned ‘The Golden Rook’. A glance about him and he slips into the eatery, murmuring quiet acknowledgement to the greeter that meets him. The hyur woman gives him a once-over and guides him through the low-lit restaurant to the very back room and right up to, what appears, to be a blank wall coveted by a decorative plant. She brushes the fern aside, slips her hand into the small opening hidden behind it and pulls open the false wall, revealing a simple sliding door. That too, is slid open and C’tolemy bows his head in thanks, slipping through the dark entrance that leads him down a flight of steps into a darker room lit only by candle. In the center of the room sits a male miqo’te behind a low table, similar in size and stature to Tolemy, dressed in similar attire with a similar mask sitting on the table. 

The man doesn’t bother looking up at the sound of footfalls, busy working on a letter while C’tolemy comes and sits opposite to him, removing the mask and setting it to the opposite side of the other man’s mask. It’s a careful dance that he plays well. Finally, as if addressed, the man lifts his pale blue gaze to smile upon C’tolemy.

“Well met, Lupa. You made it here safely?”

“Yes. What is it you ah calling me ‘eah foah, Nameless?”

The man smiles politely at his long friend of many years, fox-faced and polite despite the hell he wreathes around his person. It is never a good thing when Nameless calls for you. He retrieves a rolled up parchment, similar to the one that was delivered to C’tolemy earlier and holds it out toward his golden friend. C’tolemy doesn’t move to take it. “You’ve been assigned to pick up another contract for The Syndicate. You’ve been doing well with the last three I gave you—despite the little mix up on your last kill. I assure you, no one will be there to rob you of your meal, Lupa.” A snarl pulls at the edge of Tolemy’s lips but he doesn’t let it show, golden eyes turning sharp. Akuno, that kill-stealing bastard… The Seeker breathes in deep and shakes his head.

“I ‘ave no desiah to pick up anothah contract, Nameless. I ‘ave no desiah to retuhn to being Lupa. That is behind me. I onleh did these few because you said you ‘ad no one else that could and I owed you a favoah. Th’favoah is paid, Nameless. I want nothing more of this.”

The Keeper sitting across from his doesn’t change his eerie smile, nor shift the parchment away from Tolemy. He sits unmoving, smile ever present, letting the silence grow. Just before it begins to unsettle, he speaks up.

“Are you telling me you didn’t enjoy the contracts I gave you, Lupa?”

“Theah wheah enjoyable, yes. But I do naught desiah that life anehmoah.”

Nameless cocks his head at this particular response, leaning back as he sets the rolled parchment onto the table. A curious look colors his expression, that smile still never moving.

“Tell me, Lupa. Does Gyr Abania mean so little to you now?”

C’tolemy stiffens, that snarl riding his spine once more. “What ah you on ab—” “It must be so. For you to deny contracts from me, from someone who has only ever had your revenge in mind. I was the one who signed you to the Ala Mhigan Resistance. I was the one who gave you every garlean contract that passed beneath my fingers. I was the one who has always given you special privilege to do what you must for your country without the consequences any normal person would face. It must not mean as much to you anymore, Ala Mhigo, that is.” The Coeurl shifts slightly in place, his long tail having gone from a slow sway behind him to lying still with the tail tip tik-toking behind him. He furrows his brows, responding curtly. “My allegiance to mine countreh, mine kin and mine tribe is th’onleh reason I still wield these blades. I ‘ave nevah failed a contract. I ‘ave nevah let you down. The wah is something I am monitohing caehfulleh mineself and ‘ave resigned mineself to th’moment th’sands need my blades. If anehthing, this is th’last thing I would be weak on.” Nameless bobs his head in an understanding nod, using his free hand to spread out the various papers he was previously writing on.

“Oh? Is that so, Lupa? Then, care to explain something to me? Should your tribe, your blood, your country mean so much to you… Why have you not been present in it?” The Keeper’s documents house a number of descriptions and sections of map. Upon closer inspection, the maps detail out various areas around Eorzea. The Goblet. The Lavender Beds. Shirogane and The Mists. Red circles are drawn on each map, an approximation of a point on each map; The Proving Grounds. The Haughty Mason. The Pack Company House and—their home in The Mists. Tolemy is still, eyes focused on each map while panic and rage build in his gut like bile.

“You spend much time in Eorzea, Lupa. You wander, yes—You explore, yes. But these locations catch me by surprise with how often you come and go from them. Particularly…” A claw taps the Mist map. “This one. Two Xaela, you, a child and a newborn. Is this the family you’ve made for yourself?” C’tolemy snaps his gaze up to meet Nameless’, that snarl finally riding along his tongue with such intensity it rattles the table. His tail is still and the air around him has shifted to something dangerous, the predator within’ waking up at the mention of his carved out existence and loved ones. Anything, gods above, anything but them.

“Leave them out of this.”

“I will leave your perceived family, even the others that you seem to hold so dear, alone—If you comply, Lupa. Take the contract.”

Nameless’ smile has fallen, the predatory gleam in his blue eyes threatening hell upon his future should the Seeker back down. The line of muscle along the Seeker’s shoulders and arms press hard against the cloth barely containing them, loving cradling each shift in muscle as Tolemy leans forward just a little—to be matched by Nameless’ lean as well. They have both gone still and silent, tension building in the moments before two monsters spring upon one another. The moment, however, never comes. Nameless abruptly smiles and straightens up, relaxing once more with that fox-faced expression. “You will, won’t you? For the children.” C’tolemy snarls low once more, nearly going blind with rage at the mention of his precious children. Their precious children. He’ll be damned if he lets this happen, damned if he bends and damned if says nothing. Terbish’s smiling face flashes in his mind and he relents, hand snapping out and taking the rolled parchment with a loud hiss. “Onleh undah th’condition that mine famileh and mine Pack be left out of this. Next time you bring theah names up at this table I will rip yoah throat out with mine teeth, undahstood?” The words leave no room for argument.

Nameless bobs his head in another good natured sign of understanding, chuckling out brightly. “Of course, of course! I am a friend, am I not, Lupa?” A screening smile pulls on the man’s lips, curling into a malicious smirk of a man that knows he has a dog on a leash.

“The details are all present there. Report back here once you have filled the contract. Happy hunting, Lupa.” C’tolemy rises without word, snatching up his mask and pulling it on roughly as he heads to ascend the staircase and leave his friend behind. Nameless watches the Seeker leave in a huff, long, jackal like ears tweaking as footfalls above him make it clear of C’tolemy’s exit. Only then does Nameless drop the smirk to a vacant expression, leaning forward on the table with elbows keeping him propped up.

A hand lifts and jingles the linkpearl dangling from an ear, the Keeper speaking softly.

“Your will has been carried out. Lupa has accepted the contract, though reluctant to because of his new family and responsibilities in Eorzea. How shall we proceed?”

A moment of silence before a womanly voice replies back, 

“I suppose it is time to paeh mine daughtah a visit.”

(( @sea-wolf-coast-to-coast ))

#My writing #ffxiv #ffxivwrite2019 #c'tolemy #lupa #tidbits

[wingedfabray]

you have me

Tagging: @trickstersantana & Quinn Fabray When: October 24th, Evening Where: Sciron Square, Santana’s Dorm What: A conversation about blackmail and Doomsday Scenarios ends in an unexpected way. Warnings: Blackmail

Santana let Quinn enter first in her room, and then closed the door behind her. She vanished her illusion. "Welcome to my super cool room!" She presented like it was great. And like, c'mon, she thought she did a good job with the little space she had. "Ok, I have to show you something in my computer so, wait for when it turns on." It would take a while, her computer had a crack in the corner of the screen for that time Rachel cursed her even when she says she didn't. "But meanwhile this turns on mmmmmm do you remember, you know, that thing about blackmailing Josh Coleman so he didn't bother Blaine and Elliott? What happened with that?"

Quinn entered the small space, ire at the chosen illusion dissipating as she looked around. It wasn't what she was expecting, but then she wasn't sure what to expect in the first place; something similar to her own, perhaps. It shouldn't have been a shock, but there were many things that shouldn't that were. The space was forgotten in an instant, as Quinn's gaze darted to Santana. Something cold and uncomfortable spread through her chest, her hands clenching and unclenching at her sides.  "I don't...I've no idea how he got around it, but I'm figuring it out. Who made Elliott kneel? Kurt didn't see."

"Got around it?" Santana asks, wondering how you get around the blackmail unless you delete the evidence or stop caring about it. "Did he burned the evidence or something?" The computer keeps loading. "Both. I mean, Phineas started, and Joshy added shit and technically 'didn't kneel him' as like, a loophole in case that's key for you." She says, because it was a loophole for her and Hunter.

"I don't know, Santana." Quinn bit about between gritted teeth. Phineas kneeling Elliott explained that loophole, but not Blaine. The fact that Josh was working around his magically binding promise at all was enough to infuriate her. Infuriate. That's the verb she was choosing. It was easier than acknowledging the cold pit in her stomach, or the way her heart beat just a little faster. It had been too long since she'd spoken with Josh Coleman, he was getting cocky. He was testing the boundaries, and she hadn't responded, and...She pulled in a breath, trying to calm the nerves. If her voice was quieter, if it shook in the least when she spoke again, it wasn't for lack of trying at composure, "I don't know. The...evidence, it's not something he can burn away. I didn't make this easy for him. And I'm going to figure it out, okay? I have to."

"Are you figuring it out alone?" Santana asked raising her eyebrow. "I mean, are you telling what you are doing, what you did or what you plan to do to anyone?" So many people told her already they were going to do something-still don't know what- and then never do anything she was more and more wary of that kind of blank statements. But also, bitch, teamwork. "By the way, this conversation isn't over but we can talk about two things at once." She says opening skytina in her computer. "Ok so, Marley told me there is a secret fae like, divination vision or something about the end of the world, but that if it gets out she said the faes will kill her or something?  " She said, not caring that much anymore about Marley's safety but inside she hated that she still cared the slightest bit . "She made a bullshit secret chat and you can look at all this shit. She is rosa canina." She said with the tone of voice of 'I don't know why we have code names' and letting Quinn look at the group.

Quinn could feel herself physically deflate, the tense set to her shoulders dropping, her breath leaving in a rush. It felt oddly reminiscent of a moment not too long ago, sitting across from a beaten Ryder as he asked her what she was going to do next. What's your next move, Quinn. How are you going to fix this, Quinn. But Santana's question felt different, somehow. It wasn't so much imploring, as offering. "Possibly. I might...I might need help. I'll let you know, but I need to figure some things out, first." She admitted quietly, and it sat on the air between them for a moment before she was forced to look over the group chat outlining the end of the known world. It was a lot to work through, Marley's vision, the Fae's call to arms. Her brow furrowed, "It doesn't exactly lend to sewing things back together, does it? Aether...she's been holding this in for a while."

"You got it" Santana says, pointing at herself. "Probably even more people would love to join forces for this. What do you need to figure out first? Maybe I know something or I know someone who knows something." She let Quinn read all of their shenanigans. "Are you sure? I thought it might be all connected. I mean, and hear me out on this theory of mine. Marley says that Point One: They don't want outside help. Point Two: They have surrender to their fate and Point Three: Tell faes to not tell other people. If they though it was impossible to stop it and are prepared for the end... who cares if others know? What's the worst that could happened? That they stop it by chance? Soooo the fae queen wants this to happened and she doesn't want to stop it." She says, with cute tiny illusions of a toy world breaking with a tree in her hand. "So, the link here is people approving these changes! Do you remember more of what the angel told you? Also, I assumed it was metaphorical but look at this!" She made another illusion of the world, a bit bigger this time, between her and Quinn. A big tree appears in the part of the map where it should be NY, and then the roots go everywhere. The roots work as strings joining continents and island togethers. "Like, it's probably not that but What If."

Quinn arches a brow as Santana points to herself; as though it wasn't completely implied Santana wanted to be in on tearing Josh Coleman down. A chill ran up her spine as she thought of her carefully contained situation blowing up in her face, as the entirety of NYADA's 'Stick Together' crew decided to seek revenge all at once. It was a thought to be filed away for later, however, "Let's focus on the Fae, and we'll discuss Coleman later. I just...I need to think. You all gave me time before, and I took care of it. I need time now, to make sure the situation doesn't completely implode. Please." She hoped her no-nonsense tone would be enough, despite her track record with Coleman. She turned her attention to the illusion between them, on Santana's explanation, and the way the roots wound through the Earth. "That's...an interesting theory." The illusion blurred, and Quinn blinked, "But..." It blurred again, "What does a tree, or the Fae have in common with the Angels? And where do the doors come into it?" Her words faded as an overwhelming sense of exhaustion overcame her, "I think we should talk about this later..."

"Alriiiight. But I mean, we can plan together too." Santana agrees but still she has to have the last word. Quinn is blinking much, but her illusion is getring a little weird. She is probably tired. "The world." She says as an answer. "I'm not sure, but I bet every-" She falls asleep middle sentence.

Quinn only has a moment to be shocked at Santana passing out right in front of her before she follows suit, slumping down beside her.

#paras #p: you have me #trickstersantana #tw blackmail

[batflowerghoul-blog]

The Chronicles of Wiesbaden & Munich

Okay, it's finally story time! I recommend you to make it yourself comfortable, maybe with a cup of tea or coffee, because this is going to be one hell of a long ass post. Here we go!

Wiesbaden, 09.04.17

For some reason I slept like a baby the night before, even though we're talking about my first Ritual ever! Anyways, I was excited as fuck, obviously and fortunately overcame dat ghost drama depression™ . I wanted to make sure to be front row, so I showed up pretty early in Wiesbaden and met up with the lovely @inamorata13, who I met through tumblr, and we settled at the venue. We were only a handful of people and it was like.. uh 12:30 pm, I guess. The weather was fantastic throughout the whole day, I even had to use sunscreen, especially on my new back tattoo, because I was only in my white summer dress at some point. White dress? Yeah, I dressed up as an angel just as I have planed for ages haha. Fun Fact: I refused to look at these ‘Ghoul's-identity-revealed-pics’ that have been going around in numerous facebook groups, because I mean, I know a lot.. lot about the old Ghouls, but the new ones??? Well, so I wanted to make the best out of this situation and get to know how it feels like to have no clue at all who's behind the masks. It didn't take too long, until I got to know how new Earth looks, though. He was basically strolling around the venue and I asked @inamorata13 “who dis” and I got my answer. He also waved to us and I waved back thinking like “I have no idea who you are, but he Earf”. (Okay, I guess I shouldn't write, while it's already past midnight.) Ma gurl's friends joined us soon and the wait was real chill with beer and keeping watch for Ghouls, who I had no idea who to look for (I could've suspected anyone haha) or him. At some point, apparently Fire made his way through the crowd and I missed him, good job Vanessa. I was shown a picture of him though and woah, dat boi's hot.

Nothing too spectacular happened then, until we finally got to be inside and BINGO BABY FRONT ROW. We were standing center-right, in front of Fire - whereas I was rather standing between Papa and Fire. The girls have seen Ghost a few times on this tour already so they knew their spot. The opening band Zombi was.. uh, okay. Not exactly my cup of tea. I really dig instrumental stuff, don't get me wrong, but I feel like something's missing in their sound, like a singer, who will lull you in some kind of daze with these hypnotic tunes in the background. But only the latter for 45 minutes was a little.. boring. Sorry.

Once they started playing Masked Ball, I had this "THIS IS REALLY HAPPENING RIGHT NOW"-moment and before I even could comprehend what was happenening, these fuckers already started out with Square Hammer. Saying that I was shook, is a bloody understatement. I honestly don't know, if I was "eye-fucked" by Papa or the Ghouls, I guess so (?), I was way too busy trying to take everything in though. Which is pretty hard with everything that is going on there. These ghouls are very animated and interact a lot with the crowd as well as with each other. Beforehand, I was really gutted, because damn, I got way too attached to the old ghouls (which is also partly Papa's fault for making them kinda important and establishing them as actual characters *cough*), so my heart got kinda.. ripped out? I would've given a limb to have gotten the chance to see these old nerds. I'd still do. But all of this shouldn't belittle how much these new ghouls kick ass. There's nothing to complain about - even Air wasn't sitting that much and played that Mummy Dust solo himself, well done.

However, around mid-show, there was a drunk guy pushing his way up to the front, until he was second row a little left from me. He was cautionend by the security numerous times (in my opinion they should've kicked him out right from the start) and finally, he was bad news. He would flash his finger at Papa and call him names, we even have him screaming "Stop fucking around!" on video, while Papa was giving a small speech (can't exactly remember which one - need to check on my stuff). Anyways, I got really mad at that guy, because sure, everyone is entitled to their very own opinion and if you don't agree with has been going on, that is absolutely okay, but nobody needs this bullshit. If you don't want to support Ghost, or more specifically him, anymore, no hard feelings buddy, you do you, but then just stay the fuck away from a concert, where people want to have a good fucking time. The show was sold out, he could’ve sold his ticket. Easy, eh? Oh, and he noticed. Papa noticed and I too noticed him noticing it. Notiception.

Like sometime inbetween he was kinda hissing, how was it, something like "I can see your face. Better change that." The sass is real. The sass got even realer, when one of the Mummy Dust bills fell on stage and Papa picked it up, folded it once, put it between his lips and was - what I would say - looking demonstratively at the crowd. Touché.

Also, Water was in front of us, and I was cheering at him and he threw his pick at me... aaaand I caught it! I'm really bad at catching things during concerts, but those were a+++ reaction skills of mine. Ah well, actually he threw it more or less right in my hands.

Ma gurl also gave me Fire's pick, because she already has one and ahhhh, thank you again ♥.

Overall, time has flown by and yes, apart from that fucktard on my left, I forgot about this whole drama llama shit and had the time of my life. Before Monstrance Clock came on, Papa asked, who was seeing them for the first time and I raised my hand, like "ye it me" and my friends also pointed at me. Then, he looked at me and started asking me questions how I like it and stuff and I was dying inside (the good kind). From there on, he gave his female orgasm speech (watered down though, his speeches weren't too long each, which is kinda understandable) and I still kinda felt addressed, being that red-faced, unsullied angel (these wings were annoying as fuck, even though they are super small). 

And then poof, the show was over.

After grabbing our stuff, we went to the bus, waiting.

Pretty soon, Fire came out and let's just say that he is very, very handsome to say the least. He actually recognized my friends, since they've been on his side a few times already and I, well.. poof, my social skills where gone. So basically, I ended up being an awkward bystander, hardly able to ask them if they can sign my stuff. I mean, I have spoken to band members before, like super casually (ahh Avatar come back), because I like having a good chat (as much as I like writing lol), but sometimes.. yeah sometimes, my social awkardness level is going through the roof and I can't even hold a normal conversation. Good timing, I would say. Aether was really nice and seemed to be that outgoing, approachable guy, Water stayed in the Bus after walking by us. I didn't see Air or Earth either. But then, he came out. I was not ready. 

In an attempt not to stare at him bluntly, I looked back at my friend and she told me to look at him as long as I have the chance to. He made his way through the - more or less - circle and he was about to reach us soon. I wasn't prepared, but I got pushed forward and from this point on things went downhill big time. He was looking at me and whatever was left from my ability to human correctly disappeared. I tried to tell him, that it was my first concert and very special to me (also, as an lowkey attempt, to see if he would remember talking to me in Papa-mode) and he was giving me the look. I have read a little about it already, that puzzled look. That "I-have-no-idea-what-you-just-said"-look. Ouch. I don't want to sound arrogant, but my english is pretty good, I've always had a thing for it and I've been living abroad for a little while last year, but I don't know man. I guess, I wasn’t speaking loud enough, or something. Ugh. The tragedy continued as - after signing my ticket - I tried to be funny and ask him if I may invade his personal space by hugging him. I tried. And fuck me - I got the look again, the look. That light forehead-wrinkle-look. I think, I tried to repeat myself and at least he got the word 'hug' and suddenly I was in his arms and I mean, that's super cute and the hug was tighter than I had expected, but I was just too confused from this whole situation and my mind has gone blank. If I would be a normal functioning human being, I would've enjoyed that hug a lot more, but I just wanted to die right at the spot (not literally, but I think, you get what I mean), haha. He thanked us all for coming out numerous times and from what I could observe (at least) he appeared to be just as I have heard. I would describe him as very polite and friendly, with some sort of professional detachment - if that's the right word. Sure, after current events, I would describe the whole atmosphere as kinda tense, not to speak of my apocalyptic mood on a side note. Anyways, it was a blessing to see him and to get hugged by him, but also kind of a curse - considering the 'how'.

I continued to whine about why I'm such a weird potato and that whenever something is really important to me I screw it up for a good 30 minutes, thank you friend for bearing with me. Now, that I'm typing this, I can't help but smile to myself. Eternally complaining about it will get me nowhere and it's kind of a funny story. A bit tragic, but peculiar. And that's where the ‘Wiesbaden’-part ends. Way to go.

Munich, 23.04.17

A bit more than a week before this ritual I had quite the accident and basically the whole left half of my face got bruised/injured – not to speak that half my left front tooth broke off, as well as a little next to it. They were reconstructed provisionally, at least – but I wasn't sure, how far my healing process would progress until the Sunday of the Ritual. Long story short, my bruises almost faded (except for the ones on my knuckles and knee), as well as my black eye, which is pretty good, but I got some sort of braces to stabilize my tooth (they will come out next week) and so, I involuntarily exchanged my angel costume with a 13-year old's costume, lol. They aren't too visible though, but let's just say that my self esteem sunk pretty much during these days and I wasn't sure if I could get all of this out of my head (thinking about the impact is still giving me goosebumps oops).

To get straight to the point: I had a fucking wonderful day! For this ritual I too met up with @inamorata13 and her partner in crime, as well as @music-is-the-passion and not least my brother. 

I was the first one to arrive at the venue from our group, which was around 1 pm, there were only 4 more there and we had no idea where to start the queue. Once things were settled, we saved our spot with our bags and I waited for the others to join. 

Apparently, Papa was seen by the others just a good minute before I showed up – once again, good job Vanessa.

An hour later or so, most of the ghouls went from their tour bus into the venue and passed by us. Water called us 'children', I think (cheeky much, huh), Aether took his time to sign some stuff and chatted a little with us, Earth came out again just to talk to us, which was a super nice surprise and I already got him to sign my ticket from Wiesbaden. He asked ma gurls (who have seen them a few times already on this tour) where they're from, whereas I was kinda deep in my thoughts, when I felt someone poking my shoulder. It was him and he asked me aswell, where I was from and guess what – this time I didn't fail on being a decent human being and gave him a comprehensible answer. We talked for a bit longer and damn, throughout the whole day my social skills where a+++ (by my standards) – nothing could stop me. Afterwards, he also went inside the venue.

Overall, the wait was super fun actually. The weather was a lot different than Wiesbaden, since it was windy and cold, but we had whisky and beer to keep us warm, haha. Also, despite everything that has happened recently, I was in a great mood and as bubbly as ever, so we were laughing a lot and took pictures, etc. Time was flying and the queue got longer and longer, but my spot in the front was saved anyway, so I still ran around like an idiot, because I couldn't sit still.

Sometime the window of the venue (2nd floor) was opened and I heard someone randomly yelling, before it got closed again. I haven't seen who it was, but somehow I suspect it to be Aether.

Shortly before they started letting people enter, I joked around because of my braces and asked the security guy, if I need to show my ID then, considering how young I look now. I didn't need to and we found ourselves at the same spot like in Wiesbaden. The stage was bigger though and a bit farther away from the barricade. It was also quite cold inside the venue, so we danced as much as we could during Zombi.

And then it begun. Finally.  Obviously, we went batshit crazy – my brother to my left, @inamorata13 to my right once again. Even writing a novel about how great their show is wouldn't do them justice – so let's just say that it was phenomenal. The light show was beautiful – better than in Wiesbaden, which most definitely sterns from the bigger venue, the sound crystal clear, so a big shout-out to Ghost's light and sound techs! You're doing a great job!

I also noticed lots of things, I didn't during my first Ritual: Papa's infamous air humping, Fire and Water carrying out a dramatic battle, and so forth. During his speech before Body And Blood, while he was explaining, that these Sisters of Sin would give us a physical gif, he referred to my brother, that it's not that kind of physical considering him smiling lika a Cheshire cat – it was too funny.

Towards the end, he came down near the pit to thank us all and I cheered pretty loud, which led him to point at me and nod, if I remember correctly. I didn't catch anything this ritual, but since I already own two picks, there's nothing to object to. Once the lights went out, I made my way to the bar and drank a coke, as if my life would depend on it. My circulations was pretty fucked, after all haha. 

Then, we went to the merch table and I bought the Monroe-shirt and I'm so in love with it! I also encountered two cosplayers (Papa Emeritus II and A Nameless Ghoul Air) and they looked so damn accurate that I asked them for a group picture, they were super nice and in this moment I felt like being at a Con.

Of course, we started waiting at the tour bus again and lemme tell you.. it was so fucking cold, holy shit. I thought, that I was warmly dressed, but nope, I've never been so wrong.

After a little while, Water came out and he actually signed stuff (???). He said himself that normally he doesn't, but he feels so sorry for us waiting in the cold and so there he was. I asked him to sign my brothers stuff, before he put the upside down triangle on my ticket (so I've got all of em.. except Air) and my nose was free enough to notice that he smelled like weed – not that I'm complaining. He also used my back numerous times  for signing this and that. Once again, not that I'm complaining. Dude's super chill. We thanked him and he thanked us, before heading into the tour bus.

Another while later, Fire came out – I don't know where to start. There was a woman, who gave him some sort of present, that was intended for Papa actually and didn't really understand what he was saying and.. uh, the situation was really weird, I could go more into detail, but let's just say that I cringed a little (and yes, this time I wasn't the reason for it weeeh). At the end, she took the bun by asking him if he could give her a kiss on the cheek. And he did. Like, I could hear the smooch pretty clearly and in fact, I was impressed – he's not doing things half-heartedly. Aside from signing stuff, he also gave hugs and laughed while saying “free hugs”. He's just super sweet, period. 

Once it was my turn, I asked him to sign the CD of my brother and I also whispered “I too am here for the free hugs”, being the creep that I am. He smiled and opened his arms. I hope, he didn't hear me gasp for air, because I was just so shocked (in the best way) about how tight I'd be embraced by him. Thinking back to it, makes my knees a little weak to be honest. Be assured, that if you ask him for a hug, it definitely won't be a half-assed one.

I can confidently confirm the same about Aether. He is just an ABSOLUTE SWEETHEART, hands down. Now, let me explain why: After Fire left, he came out and greeted us all, signing stuff, thanking everyone, etc. I too asked him to get my brothers stuff signed and (since I've got mine in Wiesbaden) I had nothing left to do, than ask him for a hug aswell, huehauheuha. He said “Of course!” and it was one of the greatest bear hugs I've ever been in. Like the ones, where you sway around a little, if that makes sense. Not to mention, of how good he smelled – woah, I should've asked him about what perfume he uses. He said that I was really cold, which wasn't a miracle considereing that we were standing for a good two hours outside already and once we parted, I could smell that nice scent on myself too. He stayed outside with us for so long and woah, we spoke a lot about various things. I don't wanna write out too much of it, because I rather want to treasure this more privately instead of screaming it outside into the world, if ya get what I mean, but I/we got to know quite some stuff about him and he is just incredibly nice and fun to be around. He talked about how difficult it was to remember the whole coreography onstage and during his first show as a ghoul he thought like ‘shit, I'm definitely in the wrong place now' and started to shuffle around, it was hilarious. 

After having spent a good 40 minutes or so (?) with us, he too went back to the bus – it was cold as heck after all and so we continued waiting for the one and only Papa.

And we waited. And waited.

And suddenly Aether came back out again with lots of beers in his arms and handed each and everyone of us one, plus opened them. It was Belgian stout, because it might could warm us a little, he said and that was the absolute kindest gesture, I was mentally in tears. So equipped with bear we carried on with waiting.

The metros didn't run anymore and at some point I had to give thought to organizing a taxi.. our train departed at half past 3 and the venue was a good 15-20 minutes drive away from the train station. 

Ultimately, my brother and I, we had to take the cab at 2:45 am and so we missed him unfortunately.   So yes, basically one hour wait was kinda for nothing and I couldn't feel my feet anymore, so where the heck was homeboi T??? @inamorata13 could stay longer and I got to know, that he came out shortly after 3 am and didn't expect people to be still waiting. So, he apologized a few times and signed stuff, etc. before heading to the bus shortly after.

Man, I wish I could've met him once again to make up for Wiesbaden, but oh well, life isn't always a bowl of cherries. Meeting him would've been the golden cherry on top of a big-ass, insanely-delicious sundae that this day has been, so for the third time: I can't complain. 

What followed was a heavy, fucking case of post concert depression, but I'm mostly over it now, especially since I've booked flights for Stockholm in September, huehauheuha.

Yeah, that's it. Thanks for reading, if you have reached this far. I've always loved reading these stories and now, that I finally got to seem them too, I just had to write these unforgettable experiences down :)

#ghost band #the band ghost #papa emeritus #papa iii #iii #fire ghoul #aether ghoul #water ghoul #earth ghoul #air ghoul #personal #took me forever

[imaginegladions]

I was just reading a v good gladion x reader fic somewhere on the internet, however one of the chapters turned into nsfw (as adults i guess) and even though it wasn't badly written i'm asexual and kind of need to forget about it. XD pls send fluff!!. Can you make a hc about their relationship, if it wasn't focussed specifically on the physical aspect of love, but more mentally bonding / gentle hugging etc? If you don't mind at least. (:

I totally hear you. I’m not asexual I think but I also don’t  really see the appeal of nsfw (which is why I wouldn’t write any unless people ask for it and even then it needs to be tasteful XD). I didn’t know that you meant so I based some of these off stuff I see from my parents.

RELATIONSHIP HEADCANONS: 

Being in a relationship with Gladion means dealing with those Family Issues.

Your relationship with Lillie is fine of course bc she’s super nice.

Your friendship with her actually ends up drawing both siblings closer together and it’s really sweet watching Gladion come out of his shell and finally opening up to her again not feeling like the older brother that has to hide all his pain from Lillie.

His pain though is yours too so you’d have to be really strong for him.

On the plus side, he’s strong for you too, because he knows the burden of responsibility.

If you feel like your role as Alola’s champion and saviour is too much to carry Gladion knows, he always knows somehow, and will drag you out of the League and give you a night off where you both just let off steam.

Letting off steam activities include: walks in Malie Garden, Battle Royale, or just plain laying about eating junk food lazily grooming your Pokémon together.

Gladion is actually very considerate and very easily picks up on your moods so he knows exactly when you both need space.

He’s not comfortable about pda in general but he’s v comfy with gift giving!

Like, you’d probably arrive at the League only to find like pots of flowers around your Champion seat (Gladiolus Flowers of course what a dork).

ALLLLL the Gracidea flowersssss.

You don’t really like shopping but Gladion likes to watch you try on new clothes and try new food just as much as he likes to watch you go to new places and discover new Pokémon. He likes the way you light up.

If he catches any Pokémon that remind him of you he totally gives you those Poké.

All the non-edgy Pokémon go to you tbh.

You have like five Luvdisc and one shiny Luvdisc. I get it Gladion you love me v much. So much, all the Luvdisc freaking flock to you. XD

You get mail from Aether via his Golbat all the time. Odd short messages like what you want for dinner or if the Elite Four are still stubborn about having teams of only one type of Poké.

Goes with you everywhere to complete your Pokédex probably.

If you’re into fitness, he would run and train your Pokémon with you early in the morning claiming he won’t be beat by your Pokémon but really he just likes spending time with you.

Is actually very good at braiding and hair styling, he’s also good at make-up. Probably does your eye-liner in the mornings.

All his clothes are just a little loose on you so they’re perfect for when you’re lazing about or short trips to the League.

In your spare time, you both go to the beach to see if you can toss any Pyukumuku back into the ocean for fun and always always end up tossing each other into the water.

Calling him Flower Boy.

Him calling you The Joker (because of that blank smile face). 

Being his girl/boyfriend makes you an honorary Team Skull member so no one dares mess with you.

Team Skull actually likes you better than him. He doesn’t really care for them but it’s cute seeing the Grunts crowd around you and glare at anyone who dares look at you wrong.

Plumeria is like “Wife/Husband that girl/ boy now.”

When you defeat the Elite Four with just bug types you become like Guzma’s fave. Gladion gets a little irritated that you’re spending all this time with Team Skull. XD

He flips out when they give you the Team Skull uniform, like no pls put on something else anything else here have my hoodie.

Possessively shoves his hoodie over your head. :”>

God Bless Him he loves you so.

And so does his doggo.

SO supportive of all your ideas on how to improve the League and Trial facilities. Gives great feedback on rules you can implement. 

Donates all of Lusamine’s frozen Pokémon so you can hand them out to new trainers who are just starting their Island Challenge.

You encourage him to take the Island Challenge too and properly challenge the League.

He’s like an unofficial Trial Captain kind of. When he’s free he hangs out at Victory Road, no one gets to you without beating him first.

The trainers actually have to go up Victory Road when he’s at Aether because if everyone had to beat him then not a lot of people would be able to Challenge you lets be honest. XD

You and he visit Lusamine once a month, at first it was just you since Gladion pleaded business with the Aether Foundation.

Eventually though, he decides to come with you and you are honestly so proud of him for it.

All four of you cry the first time Lusamine and him talk and she calls out to him softly and thanks you, it’s all very heartwarming and Lusamine is so grateful to you for taking such good care of her kids she’s defo approved of you wife/husband that girl/boy son or I will make u do it myself.

At home, you both cook mostly because while Gladion knows the basics you have more experience with harder dishes watching your mom but cutting things and actually computing cooking time? Yeah, Gladion can handle the mechanics. 

All chores are handled together unless one of you is busy.

You have about 30 minutes each of allotted time before bed to unload everything that’s troubled both of you that day.

Overall, you keep each other sane and Gladion is very dependable but you also pick up in the places he can’t cover. 

#Type: Headcanons #Type: Asks

[carina-debayle]

Carina & Shirayuri’s Venture Into the Clouds

Log date:  2/3/17

OOC Note: The text in these logs are strictly for the readers enjoyment. Anyone using the knowledge displayed within this text without the participants knowledge risks the potential of blacklisting from future communication and roleplay. Please do not meta-game!

Tags: None

Shirayuri and I’s venture into the Sea of Cloud was one that was long overdue and planned for quite awhile. I was quite excited to venture onto the floating islands, as to someone who had never seen such a place, it sounded like naught more than a dream. Though it was very much so real, and even scary at times... a very exhilarating emotion...

Shirayuri Toriko: "L-Lady De'bayle?"

Shirayuri Toriko approaches the woman, her hands wrapped around her slim torso.

Carina Roussos: "Ah, there you are Shirayuri," she smiles as she inspects the woman's garb, "I see you've come prepared. I would have dressed far more warmly myself, but our next location isn't quite so snowy. Though considering the altitude, I am sure it will still be cold," Carina moves over toward the Auri, placing a hand to her shoulder, " are you ready to go? I've got our tickets for Cloudtop."

Shirayuri Toriko nods, chancing a look beneath her puffy coat. "I c-c-can take this off when we arrive. It is s-s-so cold!" she exclaims, giving Carina a soft smile.

Carina Roussos: "I know it is... is this your first time seeing Ishgard? How is your first impression of the city outside of its temperature?"

Shirayuri Toriko offers another small nod, turning to look at the grand architecture behind them. "It is m-m-massive," she mutters with a hint of awe in her tone. "M-much larger than I imagined. Both foreboding and sec-c-cure at the same time."

Carina Roussos nods, "I can imagine how it might be scary to those they consider outsiders. Like a fortress. Though under us, perhaps it will bring more comfort than fear," pressing a hand to the Auri's back, Carina led them forward, "let us get going though, now is not the time for weather acclimation. There will be time for that on another day, the airship ride might be a bell or so."

The two purchased their tickets, boarding the airship for the flight into the skies above

Shirayuri Toriko: "If y-y-you'd allow me a moment to change, Lady De'bayle..? I fear I m-may overheat in this." Shirayuri chuckles sheepishly.

Carina Roussos stretches once exiting the ship, letting out a relieved sigh, "well that wasn't so bad... at least the view was rather spectacular. Did you see all the islands?" Carina nods, "by all means! There may be a room on the ship, or perhaps an inn nearby. Oh! Are thos garbs inspired by your homeland? They look wonderful on you."

Shirayuri Toriko returns with a few blank papers and a quill, smiling cheerily down at the woman. "Y-yes! Thank you, Lady De'bayle. I found th-this in the Gridanian market, so I h-had to pick it."

Carina Roussos: "It suits you," she nods, "I think perhaps I will take a look around Cloudtop a bit before travelling outside the town. It is not every day we get to see the wonders of a floating town and how they function!"

Shirayuri Toriko follows along dutifully.

Carina Roussos: "I notice there is a lot of vegetation being grown here... I wonder how the altitude affects its growth..." she considers, tugging out her own journal to jot in, scribbling a crude image onto the page. "There are no fences here either... I fear I would be nervous of falling to my death with such a layout..." she laughs, tapping her pencil to her lip.

Carina Roussos: "Do you fear heights, Shirayuri?"

Shirayuri Toriko: "..a worthwh-wh-while concern, Lady De'bayle. Mayhap th-the residents are accustomed to it?

Carina Roussos: "Perhaps... I suppose I can't help but wonder why certain areas are fenced off and this location is not..." she hums out, shutting her journal for the time being as she continued to wander about.

Shirayuri Toriko turns to look at the blonde, regarding the question with a slight teeter of her head. "..n-not necessarily the heights! They pr-provide gorgeous views.. I th-think I fear falling."

Carina Roussos: "Understandable," Carina glances over the familiar giant aetheryte, her eyes lowering to its wind-crystal base. "Mmm... I wonder how such a mass quantity of wind-crystals managed amass enough to lift the entirety of these islands into the sky. I would perhaps blame the Calamity... but these crystals are far different from the physical aether of Bahamut."

Shirayuri Toriko hums thoughtfully at Carina's musings, writing a few things on her blank paper--perhaps just taking note of Carina's words.

Carina Roussos lowers her eyes to the ground, taking note of the stones surrounding the crystal, along with the shadow it placed, "could it be... a sun dial?" she glances toward Shirayuri and the letter behind her, "it is also a compass. How every creative," she muses out, taking out her own journal again to furiously scribble into it as she continued on.

Shirayuri Toriko turns to look at the spot, noting it for herself. "Oh!" she exclaims in surprise, moving after Carina.

Carina Roussos: "I find such useful architect to be quite exciting! Are you ready to venture out a bit further?"

Shirayuri Toriko dips her head forward affirmatively.  "I hope m-my attire st-stands up to the elements.."

Carina Roussos: "I am sure you will be alright..." she smiles back, leading them along.

Shirayuri Toriko: "Everything is so gr-green! It re-reminds me a bit of Yanxia, b-but.. it seems so m-mystical here...and large!"

Carina Roussos: "It is actually quite surprising how green everything is.... I wonder if it even rains? Seems a bit high up to rain..." she considers, "the plants are quite different from the ones on the surface... perhaps they grow differently." Carina spots one of the big birds with a wide smile, busting open her journal to write on it.

Shirayuri Toriko keeps behind Carina, standing close by for security. "..is it a d-d-dodo?"

Carina Roussos: "The color is different from that of a Dodo... I will ask the natives here what they refer to it," she nods, "I think I also saw a flying cat around... how peculiar."

Shirayuri Toriko: "A fl-flying cat..?"

Carina Roussos: "Aha! Look there is one right there!"

Shirayuri Toriko frowns to herself, "How.. strange."

Carina Roussos jots this down as well, "I wonder what they eat... I can't imagine them being meat eaters... they are far too small to prey on any larger animals."

Shirayuri Toriko: "Perhaps there are also fly-flying.. Fish?" Shirayuri shrugs helplessly.

Carina Roussos claps her hands together, "Shira! You are a genius! There are in fact flying fish here, that must be what they prey one considering they can fly..."

Shirayuri Toriko: "..th-there are?"

Carina Roussos nods, "I read about them! That is apparently a very common food for the Vanu who live here, though they live in the far more uninhabited and wild parts of the islands, farther up," she points in that general direction.

Shirayuri Toriko follows the direction that Carina points in. "..oh," she says lamely, scribbling something down on her paper. "This is a st-strange place, Lady De'bayle."

Carina Roussos: "It is very surreal, isn't it? Like a dream. Everything here is so far out of the norm compared to the surface world..." Carina tilts her head some, inspecting the wide landscape before them, "perhaps someday we might be able to explore the more unhinged area's... with more protection of course. It could be very dangerous with the warring beast tribes afoot."

Shirayuri Toriko nods in agreement, glancing down once more to her outfit. "Wh-when I am better trained and.. more appropriately dr-dressed as well! B-but yes, I am sure we may d-do that in the future."

Carina Roussos smiles toward her, "your attire works for this outing, if something is to chase after us, we should be fine enough to simply run," Carina glances down toward Shira's shoes, "thankful for you, your sandals are tied to your ankles."

Shirayuri Toriko blinks, looking down to her sandals. "Oh, y-yes. These seem t-t-to be the main ty-type of sandal available, so.." she trails off with another shrug. "I suppose th-they know what I m-may be getting into! D-did you wish to find a fish? A fl-flying one?"

Carina Roussos: "Find a flying fish? I suppose we could try... though I'd imagine it might be out a bit off the islands... I'm afraid I do not have a rod with me. Perhaps the people here may have one." Carina bows politely to the Elezen woman fitted in armour as they approach one of the scouted camps just off Cloudtop, "greetings, we are travelling here to look at the different beasts of the area and had some questions regarding the Dodo's and flyings cats! Also if you all may have a way we can catch some fish!"

Shirayuri Toriko shuffles awkwardly on the spot, glancing between the Elezen and Carina after giving the stranger a polite bow of her own. She glances a few times out into the horizon to peer at the sky, bringing a hand to her temple and rubbing gently.

The woman glances between the two, her eyes not lingering on Shirayuri for too long before keeping most of her attention toward Carina. "The flying cats are referred to as Gaelicats. Though surprisingly to most who may look and consider them to be beastkin or even cloudkin, they are actually a type of voidsent. 'Tis a shame too, they are quite cute aren't they? Nasty little things they can be, though it is possible to tame them. The Dodo is is called a Gastrornis, their makeup specifically made for this sort of climate," the lady nods, "I am afraid we do not hand out fishing poles for tourists. You may be able to purchase one back on Cloudtop, but if you are simply looking to view a flying fish, there are some nearby fishers working at this moment."

Carina Roussos: "Oh! Thank you so much, you have been a great service," Carina nods, writing all about the beast down. "Why don't we go look for some fishers , Shirayuri? Maybe they will let us have a fish."

Shirayuri Toriko nods, smiling encouragingly at Carina. "Of c-course, Lady De'bayle!"

Carina Roussos: "Ah..." Carina glances ahead toward the hanging bridges, her eyes peering through the openings between at the endless abyss of clouds below, "these certainly don't put anyone at any sort of great ease..."

Shirayuri Toriko follows along slowly and carefully, keeping her eyes on the bridge beneath her steps before they come to a stop.

Shirayuri Toriko: "The re-residents here m-m-must be very confident.."

Carina Roussos glanced out over the side of the bridge over some land, spotting a few men with rods and nets, tossing them about into the clouds, "truly, it would take time to get used to such nerve wracking structures..." Carina watched patiently as the lines were casted and after a few moments dragged back in with a few winged-fish on their hooks, "oh! Look at that!" she smiles widely, getting to the floor of the bridge to look closer, her head hanging off the side, "that's amazing! I wonder if were to take one, if it would simply fly from our grasp, like a bird. Imagine how silly that would me. This place really is quite like a dream."

Shirayuri Toriko gasps as Carina takes to the floor, moving to lay a hand on the woman's back in case anything happened. She gave a great gulp, looking to where she saw the fishermen. "I w-wonder how they t-t-taste! M-maybe the air fl-flavors them differently than an ocean w-would?"

Carina Roussos: "I'd imagine so, considering the different location... different diet. I wonder how the meat's texture would be... I can't imagine it being slimy like a normal fish," eventually standing back to her feet carefully, Carina nodded, "maybe we can pick one up at Cloudtop later for cooking purpose, let us continue on while there is still daylight. I'd imagine the temperature must drop quite a bit during the evening."

Shirayuri Toriko clings to her papers tightly as they traverse back over the bridges, sighing in relief as she feels the solid turf beneath her feet again.

Shirayuri Toriko: "Oh!"

Carina Roussos: "Ah look! Dhamels!" she claps her hands, taking her journal out once more.

Shirayuri Toriko: "Th-they are so t-tall! How.. how did they c-c-come to be all the way up here?"

Carina Roussos: "They are herbivores! Evolution wise, in order to eat the vegetation from tall trees, they would need long necks to reach it..."

Shirayuri Toriko: "They don't have w-wings!...wh-what if they fall?"

Carina Roussos: "It must show that perhaps these islands were not always floating in the sky, their structure must be from when their kind was still on the lower ground. I suppose if they fall... well, then we'd have raining Dhamel."

Shirayuri Toriko gives a weak laugh at that, her face falling into an expression of fear and concern.

Carina Roussos: "Considering it hasn't been an issue brought light yet, I'd like to assume they simply do not venture close to the edge. Though I can't help but wonder what were to happen if this place suddenly... just fell from the sky... I wonder what is beneath..." she says out in her own concern, eventually spotting some Aurochs, "oh!"

Shirayuri Toriko: "Oh, m-m-my. They.. they are very large, like the ones in Vylbr-brand!...b-b-but scarier. I th-think they would all b-b-be scary to see fall.. is there an aether sort of b-b-barrier, perhaps?" Shirayuri muses aloud with a look towards the woman, biting into her bottom lip.

Carina Roussos: "I would think these would be far scarier to see fall from the sky then a Dhamel! I wonder what they are called here, I will have to ask when we return back," she nods, carrying on with journal in hand. Carina does however succeed in catching the Aurochs attention, swiftly running away as it begins its steady jog toward her, "eeyaah..." she cries out some, bolting up the incline as it rather quickly loses interest. "Aha... don't... don't want to get slammed off by one of those..." she pants.

Shirayuri Toriko hurries behind Carina, dropping a few of her pages onto the ground. They scatter in the wind quickly, carried off into the horizon. Catching up to Carina, she nearly topples into the woman and bends at her knee to catch her breath. "N-not.. at... all.." she pants, looking to where her papers had disappeared. "..dr-drat."

Carina Roussos pats a hand to her back, "perhaps I should invest in a journal for you as well. One with pages that can be removed. Might make some of the more exciting adventures a bit easier..." she laughs, trekking onward carefully.  "Ah, the Paissa! These are quite notorious here!"

Shirayuri Toriko: "P-Paissa?" Shirayuri squints as the fog rolls in quickly. "O-oh," she shivers involuntarily, wrapping an arm around one side of her.

Carina Roussos: "Yes, they are said to look like monkeys, chickens and some other... form of beast, mashed together into one thing."

Shirayuri Toriko: "Th-they're fat!"

Carina Roussos: "Aren't they! The look rather cute, but I heard they can be mean at time," she draws a very crude picture of them within her sketch book.

Shirayuri Toriko: "I still m-much prefer cho--" she sighs, choosing to not attempt the word. "H-horse birds."

Carina Roussos: "Chocobo's untamed are quite mean as well... I've been chased by one before," she sighs.

Shirayuri Toriko giggles at the mental image. "I am g-g-glad you made it!"

Carina Roussos: "I feel quite fortunate as well," she laughs out, rubbing a hand to the back of her neck before taking note of the wetlands of the area, "these parts I would presume might be more dangerous than others. How do you feel heading back now?"

Shirayuri Toriko: "If th-that would p-p-please you, Lady De'bayle! I d-doubt I would be much use in th-these areas. Th-the fog.. seems to b-be settling in as well."

Carina Roussos: "I agree, the fog settles and night approaches, best we return swiftly. I'd hate to see you freeze."

About half a bell passes before the pair return back to the town, dusk passing over their heads through the fog filled skies, "seems we were fortunate enough to make it back at a decent time... did you still wish to retrieve one of those fish before we take our leave?" she smiles toward Shirayuri, "also I took some notes of my own, though they are far more subject oriented, perhaps I can help you fill the holes of whatever sheets were lost to the wind. And my has the wind picked up."

Shirayuri Toriko peers up at the Hyur, gasping lightly for breath. It would seem the high altitude and thinner air is causing her a bit of trouble. "Um -- if y-y-you'd wish to, Lady De'bayle. I kn-know your interest is q-q-quite deep in this regard." She returns the smile, slowing her breathing into long exhalations. "Of c-course! And.. y-yes, it certainly has." She wraps her arms around her as if to emphasize the point.

Carina Roussos moves over to Shira, bringing a hand to her back to rub it soothingly, "take slow deep breathes, if you breath to quickly, you will start to hyperventilate. I know adjusting to this altitude is not easy, but we are almost finished," she smiles, "I will go and purchase one, if you wish to, you can dress yourself and I will join you back on the ship?"

Shirayuri Toriko smiles gratefully. "Y-yes.. if you d-don't mind, I will m-make for the ship to ch-change back. I f-fear my scales may freeze!" she jokes with a soft snicker, a shudder running along her body as she turns to quickly saunter up towards the ship.

Carina Roussos returns back with a box in hand, the fish presumably inside, "it is already dead they tell me, so we shouldn't have to worry about it flying off. Were you interested in preparing a dish with it?"

Shirayuri Toriko: "I c-can try! I'm certainly n-not a fant-t-t-tastic cook, but we c-can make it an adventure for the kitchen!" she proclaims, smiling brightly.

Carina Roussos smiles, "I fear I really only fair well in baking and soups. Perhaps it is the alchemist in me, come though, let us get you into warmer weather."

Shirayuri and I returned home that evening to prepare the fish, that was then eventually served to some of the De’bayle family and friends who wished to come and try it. Seared, it was really actually quite good. I felt fortunate to have found a friend in the Auri woman... I hoped to her I wasn’t just an employer.

#Journal #Shirayuri Toriko #Sea of Clouds #Bestiary