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storms-path · 8 months

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FFXIV Write 2023 Day 4 - Off the Hook

Infiltrate. Place the item. Disappear. Sanda repeated the mantra to herself as she slipped deep inside the great stone building. It usually helped calm her. Usually. But this was no ordinary mission, and the stakes were… frankly much lower than usual, but she had her pride to consider.

The voices from the foyer were growing dimmer, Stalwart and Y’shtola doing an admirable job of keeping their quarry tied down. It had been quite a surprise when the elusive sorceress had so readily offered her assistance, but according to Y’sthola it was enough of a personal matter for her to directly intervene. Which apparently meant taking one look at Stalwart’s plan, declaring it wouldn’t work and coming up with one of her own.

A few quick turns and the voices blurred into a meaningless murmur. Sanda was getting close now, thankfully undetected so far. But she was certain the target’s room would have its own defences. Sanda slowed her breathing as she crept closer, pressing her ear against the door just in case. No voices. No voices. No guards.

It was a simple enough matter to pick the lock and let herself in, slowly and carefully to avoid tripping anything. Sure enough, a razor-thin wire ran across the foot of the door-frame, likely linked to some unseen alarm. Or worse. Her target was the vindictive sort, after all. Sanda took a moment to get her bearings before moving further. The room was sparsely decorated. A threadbare rug just beyond the doorway. A few books scattered on a well-worn desk. A rack holding a gunblade and a pouch of ammunition to its side. A messily unmade bed and a tattered looking wardrobe. No other obvious traps, though. Simple enough to step over the wire, and…

Sanda froze. The rug. Hidden just barely within sight was a pressure plate, carefully disguised to look the same as the wood floor around it. Slowly, very slowly, Sanda put her foot directly beside the plate, followed just as slowly by the other. She’d have to thank Karasu for his… unorthodox training in the ways of trap detection later. Though given his particular nature, he might simply take it as a challenge to “reinforce” her learning.

Still, the prize was in sight. A tiny glass vial containing a measure of perfume. Not something she’d have expected from her target, but there was a special occasion coming up in the evening. With practised care and grace Sanda slipped the vial into her pouch and replaced it with an identical-looking version. Easy enough. Now she just had to-

Voices down the hall. Stalwart and Y’shtola, joined now by Alisaie. Trying to stall the target for as long as possible. Failing. No windows and only one door. Sanda was trapped. Only one thing for it then. Sanda dove for the wardrobe, swiftly opening the door and shutting it again behind her. Her small form gave her just enough room to hide inside it, though the clothes did not take kindly to being forced to accommodate her. A slim crack of light provided just enough of a glimpse into the room beyond as the door was flung open and Fareena Hagen stalked inside with a huff.

The viera cared nothing for the wire, smashing it with casual indifference and putting her foot directly on the pressure plate beyond it. As expected a thin wail began to sound, but Fareena made a frustrated gesture and it quickly dimmed to nothing. Sanda made a mental note of the gesture, just in case. Fareena quickly crossed the room to her bed, flopping down on top of it with a disgruntled noise. This could become a problem. If she meant to stay then Sanda could be in for an uncomfortable wait. Worse yet, she may decide on a change of clothes from her dusty travelling gear. Sanda was confident in her stealth, but not that confident.

Sure enough, Fareena spent several frustratingly long minutes doing nothing but staring at the ceiling of her room, apparently lost in thought. Then, quick as lightning she was on her feet again, suddenly full of energy. Crossing the distance to her wardrobe. Grasping the handles with intent. Sanda’s breath caught in her throat, tensing for the inevitable-

A knock at the door caught them both off-guard. Fareena paused for a moment, looking down at her clothes, then shrugged and went to answer the door. Thancred. Inviting himself in, making light conversation, offering a chance to catch up before the big night. Casting a subtle, knowing glance towards the wardrobe. Bastard. Fareena seemed pleased enough though, and soon enough the pair were out the door again.

Sanda waited for several more minutes, then shakily emerged. Too close. And she’d owe Thancred for that later, which always put a damper on things. How that damned rogue of all people could so easily notice her was the most irksome… Sanda forced a frustrated breath through her teeth. Focus. Get out first, worry about Thancred later. Taking care she didn’t need to take, Sanda slipped out of Fareena’s private room in the Rising Stones and made her way back to the foyer.

Stalwart and Alisaie were waiting for her, trying and failing not to look as if they were waiting for her. Y’shtola was doing a better job of it, looking remarkably disinterested in the arcane tome in front of her. “Well?” demanded Alisaie the moment Sanda was within range. Really, the girl had no concept of stealth whatsoever.

“It’s done,” she said, keeping her tone cool. She took pride in her work, but it helped nobody by crowing her achievements to all who could hear her. Alisaie’s eyes gleamed with excitement at the words nonetheless.

“Exceptional work,” came Y’shtola’s archly amused voice. “That concoction will take hours to wash off, and the whole time she’ll smell irresistible to every coblyn within a mile.” Y’shtola’s wicked smile was another warning never to cross her.

A lesson Fareena Hagen would soon learn the hard way.

#ff14 #ffxiv #final fantasy xiv #final fantasy 14 #ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2023 #sanda washi #fareena hagen #alisaie leveilleur #thancred waters #y'shtola rhul #stalwart mountain #had the idea for this but not the motivation #but today was a much better day for writing so here it is #hoping to do day 5 as well but we'll see how that goes #also behold a rare prompt where every wol except arashi is present #it won't last i promise you that

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plounce · 1 year

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thancred blames a lot of shit on himself wrt minfilia that aren't really his fault at all: not saving minfilia's dad from the goobbue (he wasn't the one that intentionally set it loose also he was 17 years old); not saving minfilia from being absorbed into the lifestream at the end of ARR (she very well could have escaped with the WoL and instead chose to listen to hydaelyn and run back); not saving minfilia from getting sent to the first (that was urianger doing Gambits for the Greater Good, and minfilia agreed to go along with it to help the first). and nobody's really mad at him for any of this (save f'lhaminn for not hanging out with minfilia more when she was a kid) and he has piled up all this self-blame and self-loathing about it all that this tangled mountain of guilt causes him to fail his "second chance" in ryne: he's really cold and distant towards her! she is so emotionally neglected by him, because he knows that he feels too strongly about the situation to treat her fairly, so he just doesn't treat her any way at all except for "defensive". i think it's interesting and cool how his self-perception of his "failures" boil over into becoming fueling his major character failure of the entire story so far. which he then of course resolves by nearly killing himself to give her the chance to be able to determine what she herself wants to do. but since ryne chooses to want to live and be with the people she values, thancred also gets to live, so her dad can give her a new name that is wholly born from their time together on the first. he's finally accepted that he did & has done all he can for the source's minfilia. being on the brink of death probably helps propel this acceptance lmao but ffxiv's themes mean that his loved ones arrive in time to rez him. ALSO he has to live because he never actually SAID any of the feelings he expressed during the ran'jit fight to ryne. he's just talking to his villainous paternal foil and himself. after constantly going "ill say smth when the time is right" he HAS to be able to SAY Good Dad Words to her to satisfy the character arc. anyway thancred don't be so hard on yourself except for the thing you directly sucked at for years

#chirps #ffxiv #i do think that the pacing of their story got a little wonky wrt thancred's inability to communicate #+ the fact that they were in that insane stasis for 3 yrs... i just have to think that the WoL arriving on the first sent thancred into #an even crazier mental spiral than his usual ones bc Oh God The Hour Of Reckoning Is Upon Her(s)#but (handwaves) the WoL was off fishing or smth during those conversations #thancred waters

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sjofn-lofnsdottr · 8 months

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So when I made Bjalla, he was initially Bunny Dusk, as I've mentioned. Dusk is pansexual, so I went in assuming Bjalla would be too, but as he started to assert himself as a real individual, I started thinking ... no. No, actually. Bjalla ... Bjalla is straight. He just seems straight to me.

Pity, I thought, because I am of the opinion FFXIV has way more shipbait dudes than ladies. And I don't think I feel this way entirely because I, myself, am a straight woman, although I'm sure it doesn't help. I've talked about this with people very much attracted to women and they seem to agree. The lady characters in this game are great! They just also seem very career minded, or have a fellow NPC they seem to have better chemistry with (SADU/CIRINA FOREVER), are way too smart for the WoL as they're written, that sort of stuff. And even setting that aside, Bjalla is a Rabbit of a Certain Age. He'd probably feel like he was super robbing the cradle with most NPCs, man and woman alike, and no thank you.

But it's fine, I said to myself, it's not like I need an NPC ship to enjoy a character! Errol doesn't have one and I love him! Strong friendships and found families and all that are great too. My brainworms will munch on just about anything.

But then Bjalla ran into a character I have always found pretty funny, because I am older than her canon age and she's coded as a grandma.

They always act like F'lhaminn is seventy years old. F'lhaminn acts like she's seventy years old. Lady is only 37 when ARR hits, for God's sake, and they have her in grandma glasses and grandma dresses and it is sillier to me than even the old man Thancred jokes that make no sense because the dude is only in his early 30's.

So you know what? I ship the hell out of it.

F'lhaminn has dead boyfriend baggage and dead daughter baggage and failed kinda-terrorist baggage and acts super old. Bjalla has forcibly separated from his family baggage and murdering unsuspecting trespassers baggage and dead children baggage and guilt about breaking the Green Word baggage and IS old. Neither of them have let that baggage rule their lives, but it's pretty heavy, and I think they both appreciate that the other gets it. They get that it hurts and is heavy sometimes, but they also very much understand that it's also not all they are, and they deserve to be seen as more than that baggage. And I think they see each other very clearly.

Well, except the age thing, I'm not sure Bjalla is aware how young F'lhaminn actually is. He got corrected 'no, that age is old, actually' so many times when he got out of the woods he stopped paying attention to age and coasts on vibes when trying to figure out if someone is old or not. He'll be pleasantly surprised how long she winds up living, I think.

Also, seriously, look at them. Look at them! How could I not?

#ffxiv #gpose #bjalla #let me tell you about my characters #also I feel like I often have her looking at him like she intends to climb him like a tree #and i think she should

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kicktwine · 3 months

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for the ffxiv specbio stuff, do you headcanon the people on the First as having physically different traits from the people on the Source, or are they pretty one to one? and if so, were there any strange looks/social faux pas regarding the scions while on the First?

THIS IS REALLY INTERESTING ACTUALLY I think… that the species are all the same, mostly, but since they evolved/grew/colonized in/from different environments, there are definitely differences because of that. Like, say, dwarves not having any of the lalafells’ adaptations to sand, and instead having darkvision in their mining environments and more of a mole snout than a slit snout. Maybe being fuzzier overall. Or elves not having that split between duskwight (colorful, variant cave animal) and wildwood (forest animal). Heck there’s not a lot of elves at all, are there? Was their homeland just so concentrated that most of them were wiped? Another hard thing about this is the complete lack of knowledge we have of the regions before the Flood outside of Norvrandt! Or maybe just knowledge I have. Lol. I don’t have encyclopedia eorzea 2 or 3 just the first one… if anyone can hook me up with a First Lore Historian. I’d love to learn. Or with 50 bucks so I can grab the encyclopedia

And then, even, after the Flood, a lot of culture broke down in favor of communication and survival, so people just souped together. In short… ok. I think the First had a very fairytale vibe, so their designs should reflect that. I know drahn and galdjent have like a kingdom thing going on. There’s probably WAY less sea imagery and ocean features on roe in the first. More puppies than sea puppies, vaguely. More mountainy? Drahn I think are much more draconic than most Auri people, think fairytale dragon guys. They have the kind of customs that fairytale dragons and fae have, too, so it’s historically easy to say something odd to them and vice versa. Giants and dragons! I haven’t met a single elf except Ardbert’s friend. That’s an exaggeration but like no important npcs were elves. They seem very isolationist to me, very used to solo travel. Humes seem to have been mostly in kingdoms as well, like Ishgard, but less Catholic. They’re probably the most same. Garleans as a race of people do not exist on the First which is interesting. Ronso seem much more family-oriented, work-oriented, still cowboys, but very similar. I think the coeurl type hrothgar would be replaced with something else. Viis we know a lot about! They seem to be very similar as well, though I think just for fun for me, they’re Bigger. Like, taller, they’re isolated in a warm forest with plenty of prey and big magic energy. Viis big. Mystel I don’t know about, but they don’t SEEM to be desert cats, so I actually think. They don’t have undereye markings. Some of them have fold ears or domestic triangle cat ears rather than wild cat features. Familiar-like, not a lion pride — so they don’t have the same family structure miqote do either, it’s more like wolves where location and family are top tier. And Dwarves for sure have more mole than mouse features - thick claws on their toes and fingers, a little snoot, and very reflective eyes that are a bit sensitive to light.

As for social faux pas… I think that Miqote, to show they’re unserious or apologetic, bunt or touch the other cat, lay down or sit next to them, put their tail on the other’s tail, something physical — and Mystel will lick their lips and look away and NOT touch, because further touching is To Fight. Ari FOR SURE tried to lean on and got smacked by Kai-Shirr and then smacked him back in betrayal. It took Alphy intervention to fix that. It is also way more common for humes to grumble and growl than it is for hyur (that’s bad manners. Imagine you bumped into someone at the store and they growled at you), so there was one point where Ryne actually (quietly like a kid swearing for the first time) grrrd at a monster and thancred had a whole 20 minutes of thinking to himself wether or not this was OK feral child behavior to let her keep doing or if he should tell her not to or. Or what. What do here. Is this OK. And lastly..,,, lalafellin alcohol is pretty strong, but their beer and mead taste great so it’s a popular party drink. dwarven alcohol is INCREDIBLY strong, it contains an ingredient mildly toxic to every other race except mord. You are SUPPOSED to, however you decide to do it, last a number of mugs (if you’re a bigger race, dilute the thing with soda or juice, you might get teased but it’s what you do). Some people were not aware of this and passed out after one mug, and got pitiful beards drawn on them (Urianger’s wispy stubble was quite silly to the rest of the party)

I’d love to compile more abt the First just in general. maybe my ideas would change with more info … anyways! Thank u for letting me drop a very large text bubble :]

#ffxiv #ask #vivinavina #shadowbringers spoilers #I like the first so much…….

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coldshrugs · 3 months

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talk me down

pairing: io laithe/estinien varlineau word count: 1.8k note: this is a modern au in which io and estinien are roommates but io has been offered an orchestra chair in a city across the country; she accepts it. estinien is grumpy about it. some cursing and alcohol mentions.

There’s nothing between them—not like that anyway—so why is he bothered?

Io would be stupid not to take this opportunity. Estinien told her that much. He insisted. And when it became real, well… it was easier to be excited about an application than the acceptance.

Now it's easier to hide.

Estinien shifts his weight and the fire escape creaks, another notch in his confidence that this place is actually suitable for inhabitants. The rent is cheap and the neighbors mind their business. That's always been good enough, because Io made it home.

The sounds of her going-away party stream from the window he crawled through. He tries not to think about each second bringing tomorrow that much closer. Focuses instead on the cars a few stories below, the wail of a siren in the distance, the glittering lights and warm breeze and none of it works.

Two years in this apartment together, a few years of therapy and studying and feeling each other out before that. “Friends” doesn’t feel like the right word, but it's the word he's got. The word they use.

Tomorrow he will take her to the airport and watch her fly east, and that will be that.

“Hey,” she says, more question than greeting. Io is already halfway through the window by the time Estinien turns around. “I thought you’d be out here. Everything okay?”

Last he saw her, she and their friends were getting a little rowdy during a drinking game, making the kind of memories he isn’t ready to accept as only memories. Each time she laughs, it’s a reminder this is finite. This isn’t how his life will be next week, or six months from now, and will they even be in contact next year? Just… fuck. So he came out to the fire escape (where it’s easier to hear her if he can’t see her), a reasonable behavior any of the people inside would expect from him.

Except for Io, who knew a going-away party was not his idea from the moment she walked through the door. And she knows he’s not out here just for a smoke.

Her hair has frizzed a bit with the sheer amount of body heat in their apartment. She wears an alcohol blush and a smile that says I can leave you alone if you want. But that’s the last thing he wants so he digs deep, past his natural inclination to run away.

“Just needed some air.” He lights a cigarette and leans against the rusted metal railing. An invitation if she wants it. “You know how it is. How I am.”

Io nods, and the sobering breath she takes, the mental armor she slips on to be around him right now... it kills him. He thought he was doing a decent job of keeping his sulking to himself. Her eyes flick to his, then out at the restless city as she says, “If there’s one thing I know, it’s you.”

But she decides to ignore the eggshells for now and pulls up next to him at the railing, their backs to the noisy street below and the bright lights beyond. Shoulder pressed tight to shoulder, and there's nothing between them.

They face the worn, brown-brick building. Their home. Tucked into the corner of the fire escape, Estinien catches only blurred glimpses of the party inside, but someone (Thancred) has found his guitar and a chorus of off-key voices squeeze out of the partially open window to join them in this already public hideout.

Io hums along for a line or two, then nudges him gently. “You like this song.”

“Alberic likes this song,” he corrects.

“And you like what he likes. Albie may not be your dad, but your taste in music? Something genetic about that.”

A tiny part of him wishes she would stop. That she wouldn’t put her blowout evening on pause just to stand in the dark with him. That she’d do him the service of pretending she doesn’t know his life inside and out.

But the bigger part of him is selfish.

He nudges back. “Yeah, well, you try being impressionable and depressed at fourteen, getting dragged to Blue October and Hinder shows every month. Not my fault it stuck.”

“I think it’s sweet.” Io shrugs. “It’s not just Albie, either. I like how you pick up things from people you love.”

What does he say to that?

His responses snag on "I like how you," trying to twist it into something... Something. So he takes a long drag from his cigarette and says nothing. As they stand there, listening to their friends (badly) sing this song, leaning on each other a little heavier than before, he wonders what she thinks he’s picked up from her.

The song ends in a round of cheers and whoops that cut through this little calm. Estinien shakes his head. Maybe they should go back in. He might be more fun after a couple of shots.

Next to him, Io laughs. The sound is small and out of focus, her real laugh. It’d be lost in the noise inside, so he commits to a few more minutes on this metal deathtrap.

“What?” He passes her the cigarette and she takes it without looking.

He looks though, watching the way their fingers graze, barely, handling something small and smoldering so delicately. Watches her follow some movement from inside, her smile creeping from lips to eyes until the skin on her nose wrinkles. A strand of dark hair blows across her cheek. She raises the cigarette to her mouth, pulls in a slow breath, and his smoke rolls between her lips and into the night.

She passes it back to him, still looking inside.

“Urianger just cleared the table for a tarot reading, but Tataru picked up his spread like he dealt her a hand of poker.” She mimics holding the cards, laughing again. Looks like her buzz is back, and maybe he’s catching it too. “He looks crushed. Ugh, I'll miss this. How am I supposed to do this without you guys?”

Estinien chuckles. He takes a final draw and stubs out the finished cigarette. “They'll be lost without you and you know it. You won't be left out of anything, whether you like it or not.”

“What about you?” She turns to him, breaking the line of warmth at their sides. Replacing it with a teasing smile. “Can't wait for me to go so you can finally have some peace and quiet?”

He looks through the grates under their feet, thinking about this apartment—this city—without Io: Never finding his clothes in her laundry, no surprise takeouts when he’s home late from work, not getting absorbed into her fucking obscure dramedy binge-watches. Her quiet hope, the music she radiates even in silence. The thing that’s taking her away.

How did she come to occupy so much space in his life, burning through him, like smoke in his lungs? Their friends won't be the only ones lost without her.

“That’s not true.” His lop-sided grin feels out of place in this sea of sudden nerves. Honesty has never been a difficult thing before tonight. “I’m gonna miss you like hell. I just—” he looks at her, and now he’s the one being watched. She holds him in those big, dark eyes, and maybe there is something between them. Maybe it’s always been there, dormant, or intrinsic and now he's forced to see it for what it is. “I just worry you leaving means we won’t… be like this anymore. That you won’t miss me like I’ll miss you.”

“Estinien—”

“Io—”

“Hey,” she says. Comfort, not a greeting. She surges forward, arms around his neck and waves of puffy blue hair in his face. He feels her cheek on his neck. Her breath, warmer than the night.

The railing is a sharp pressure against his back as he wraps his arms around her, squeezing her closer. The wind moves their hair and clothes, but they stay, swaying when one repositions an arm or chin. The lights and sounds fade to nothing. There’s only this.

Estinien isn’t ready to let go when Io loosens her grip and pulls back. He hasn’t fully etched the feel of holding her this close into his memory—then there's another feeling. Io presses a kiss to his cheek, so soft he isn’t sure it’s real. She turns her eyes on him again, and his are wide with surprise.

“Estinien." Her voice is low. It shakes. "All I can think about is how I miss you already.”

She lingers, too close to the corner of his lips, arms loose around his neck. Her full weight leans against him, trusting him to hold them both upright. What the fuck is happening? He hasn’t processed her breath rushing over his mouth or her half-closed eyes when she pointedly brushes her nose against his.

He doesn’t know when he started wanting this, but good god, he does. Whether she is in the next room or two thousand miles away isn’t going to change that.

He nods. Their faces glance. There is something comforting in the way even that new touch feels natural. They hover in the almost of it all, and Estinien wonders for the first and final time what Io’s lips will feel like against his, how she tastes.

They meet, then they sink. He follows her lead, the gentle press and the beginning of a hungry rhythm. Her hand drifting from his shoulder to the nape of his neck, and he shivers at the thought of her sliding it into his hair, fingers tangled and tugging—

Glass breaks, and so does their kiss.

“Shit!” Cid’s unmistakable voice is thick and slurred.

Io bolts toward the window. “What on earth did they do?”

“Hey,” Estinien says softly. She turns back to him and when they're eye to eye, he knows she finds his meaning without the need to spell it out. She’s confused like he is, and sheepish delight brightens her expression as she waits for him. “Are we okay?”

“We’re always okay.” She climbs back into the apartment and pokes through the window again. “Now please come back inside. I don’t want to be at the party you planned if you’re not there.”

She air quotes you and planned. Estinien laughs through his nose, but even this pulls him toward her.

“Fine. Move so I can get through.”

They rejoin their friends. Tomorrow still fucking sucks. The difference is now Estinien thinks about how his life will be next week, or six months from now, and how many times he will have kissed Io by next year.

#azia writes #io/estinien #io laithe #otwr au #i truly do not know what is happening anymore but #i'm having fun #i miss writing modern stuff like. the energy i had during the wayhaven days flowed through me for this one #i'm not editing this. it's just write and post. BYE #i feel like. they're not saying or doing enough in this #but that's fine because in the story of this au that's in my head all of this means so much a;sljfdlsk

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ainyan · 25 days

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Tomorrow!

From The Meeting:

“It won’t be like with Thancred,” Ameliance said unexpectedly. “The boy had already been living on his own for a few years before you found him. He had a healthy sense of independence and an ego to match. Well-earned, in his case. But she went from seeing her family slaughtered in front of her to being raised by a bunch of rough men who probably over-compensated for her loss by keeping her close at hand.” She sighed. “The girl will need help learning to be independent, and she may never understand her own self-worth.”

Fourchenalt sighed. “I wish we could take her,” he said unexpectedly, and Ameliance sat up, staring at her husband. “I cannot help but feel for her; she seems so lost, and yet so valiant. What bravery it must have taken to agree to go with a complete stranger, on the vague promise of learning. But we cannot,” he told his wife, who pursed her lips and nodded reluctantly. “She needs to be in Sharlayan and I cannot leave the colony, not when I stand as the Forum representative.”

Ameliance sighed. “A shame,” she murmured, but said nothing more. Her husband reached over, placing his hand over hers, and she gave him a slight smile in response.

Louisoix watched his son and daughter-in-law as they gazed at each other in the dim light of dusk. He puffed contemplatively at his pipe, then tamped it out, setting it in the ceramic dish set upon the table at his elbow. “I am going to go check on the children,” he said as he rose to his feet. “Pray, enjoy your evening. Tomorrow, we can set them to unpacking while we continue our earlier discussions. Thank you for not taking exception to my bringing yet another stray to your door.”

Thank you for the ask!

#ffxiv #kal'istae miurani #louisoix leveilleur #fourchenault leveilleur #ameliance leveilleur #au: woven souls #meme: find the words #asked and answered

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autumnslance · 8 months

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In 9/1/23's Tales Under the New Moon "Bringer of Shadow, Bringer of Light" we finally get long-awaited Ran'jit lore, as Thancred recalls the research he did into the General after Eulmore's liberation from Vauthry.

Part of the story details Ran'jit's father, Zal'bard, and his transformation into a Lightwarden after dealing the killing blow to one. And then I remembered Huracan.

Huracan is a Rank A Hunt target, a giant red flying snake creature, similar in appearance to Ran'jit's familiar (and the Alte Roite model out of the Omega raids). The lore entry from the Clan Nutsy guys is:

Are you familiar with General Ran'jit's familiar, Gukumatz? It is a creature born of forbidden foreign magicks, passed down from general to general. Familiars such as these are usually sustained by the aether of their master, which is why when they fall in battle, their minions fall as well. There are, however, certain notable exceptions. Ran'jit's father commanded a familiar as well, but when he was slain by a sin eater, Huracan somehow survived, and has been seen on several occasions since. One theory posits that since the master was transformed into an eater, the familiar endures, though it is no more than conjecture...

The old General's aether persisted in some form in Norvrandt while the Lightwardens were active.

Now, the Hunts are a gameplay mechanic and the Lightwardens are gone, but it definitely adds to the horror aspect of the sin eaters and the stagnancy of the Flood of Light for over a century.

#final fantasy xiv #The Rising 2023 #Tales Under the New Moon #Shadowbringers #Ran'jit #Zal'Bard #Huracan #Lightwarden #Kholusia #The Hunt #Lore #Backstory

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cinnabun-faerie · 1 year

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hello!! i wanna say rq i love ur writing sm skfjjenfk

i was wondering if i could request like. the accidental kiss prompt w estinien, uris her, g'raha, and thancred? i love them a whole lost!! tysm 🦐🦐

A/N: Thank you very much! Sorry I'm getting to this super late! I hope you like this regardless!

Warning: Spoilers!

Estinien

You were waiting by Estinien's bedside for him to wake up. Alphinaud was Alphinaud had cried, but you assured him that Estinien would be fine. Though you had not known him long, you knew that he wouldn't let this be his end. So when he finally woke up, you were so full of joy that you grabbed his face in your hands and planted a kiss right on his lips. Honestly it would take both of you a few minutes to register what just happened.

"Well, If I would have known this was what I would get for waking up, I would have done so sooner."

"I'm so embarrassed!"

"Don't be. Once we are alone, we can talk about this more in depth."

G'raha Tia

You are excitedly telling G'raha something while rocking back and forth on the balls of your feet when someone, probably Thancred, bumps into you (It's debatable whether it was an accident or not by the smirk on his face). With your lost balance, you fall into G'raha. However, his lips seem to catch yours before he can wrap his arms around you.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean-"

"G'raha, it's okay. While it was an accident, I'm thankful. I've wanted to kiss you."

"You have? Then I will admit that I have wanted to kiss you too."

Thancred

You and Thancred were very much head over heels for one another. It wasn't a secret. You two were very aware of the other's feelings. However, nothing was ever done about it as there was never a right time. Something seemed to always get in the way. But that was life. While it was not years for you, it was for him. And seeing you for the first time in a long time, he felt relieved. You were okay. But as he and Minfilia had been tracking down suspicious persons, he was worried that you were going to get caught. So, he did the first thing he could come up with. He grabbed you and pulled you close to him. However he didn't mean for you to be so close that you're lips are touching his (though he is not complaining).

"You can't say hello like a normal person, can you Thancred?"

"Hello to you too, love."

Urianger

So it was obvious that you and Urianger had a crush on each other. Well, obvious to everyone except the two of you. No, instead you two just figured you were friends and there was nothing more to it. With the amount of time spent on the moon, even the Loporrits were even aware of the silly pining. And the had a plan to help you two out. They were going to have you two fall for each other; literally. And so they scrubbed the floors where they knew you and Urianger would be frequenting. Neither of you seemed to suspect anything either. When you stepped onto the floor, you were the first to slip. Luckily for Urianger's sturdy grip on your waist, you didn't fall. At least until he stepped forward. That was when you both went tumbling down. And with nothing to grab onto except each other, you were standing up long enough to wobble and fall on each other again. And he was soon exhausted. So when you started to get up again, he simply pulled you back down. But you landed on top of him, your foreheads smashing against the other's and your lips brushing. When you felt his body freeze up, you felt the need to apologize.

"I'm sor-"

"Please allow me to kiss you properly this time."

#ffxiv #ffxiv reactions #estinien x reader #g'raha tia x reader #urianger x reader #thancred x reader

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dainesanddaffodils · 2 months

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(I realize, half-way through Heavensward, that I still have this in drafts so I'm going to post it now)

Finishing A Realm Reborn, I've decided to make a post about my warrior of light's relationships with the scions/major NPCs, which I'll then recreate at the end of each expansion as a fun way to track how she and these characters grow and change.

Without further ado - Cimorene Geneq's POST-ARR Relationship Vibes

Minfilia - her boss! a very nice boss, don't get her wrong, but her boss nonetheless. Would love to get to know her better but there's never a good time plus she feels like Minfilia is probably the type to be like 'you have to be at least a level 5 friend to unlock my tragic backstory' and Cimorene is like level 3 at best. still likes her though.

Alphinaud - the younger cousin that's closest to you in age that everyone groups you with at the family functions. She would kill anyone who looked sideways at him - and got very very worried about him when the Bloody Banquet went down - but also oooof did she want some space from him sometimes.

Y'shtola - at first incredibly intimidated by her, but that's faded and now she's probably the only scion she would call a Friend. still in like the work-friend sense but like, she would get a drink with her and listen to her talk shit any day of the week.

Thancred - an instant infatuation that faded just as quickly once she realized his charm was mostly surface level lmao Is a little unsure how to interact with him post-lahabrea nonsense as, more than anything, it drove home that she really didn't know him that well beforehand and, like with Minifillia, she feels like there's a barrier keeping her from knowing him better.

Tataru - I, Tangy the player, had a Boring Office Job for a while where the highlight was the very sweet receptionist who also knew all the fun gossip. This is what Tataru is for Cimorene. absolute joy to talk to, want nothing but good things for her.

Yda - a little too high energy to be a work-friend like Y'shtola or even Tataru, but similarly wants nothing but good things for her. will take her side when Papalymo gets on her for anything - in part just because it's kinda funny to watch his reaction when she does.

Papalymo: I, Tangy the player, adore him and therefor so does Cimorene. he and Yda were her first scion allies and she will always have a soft spot in her heart for that.

Urianger - he gives her the heebie-jeebies. he has nothing else to give.

Moenbryda - too good for this world. Cimorene is sad about her death but is also sad about the fact that everyone else is obviously SADDER about it. It's not the first time she feels somewhat isolated from the other Scions, but it does kinda push her to want to change that. (Then the Bloody Banquet happens lmao)

(outside the Scions)

Kan-E - similar feels-like-my-boss energy as Minfillia, except Kan-E isn't even Cimorene's boss. Respectful professional distance and happy to keep it that way.

Merlwyb - Cimorene loves the sea so she chose to join the Maelstrom for that alone. That being said, she does like and respect Merlwyb a lot and doesn't think she'll ever regret her choice.

Raubahn - Didn't know what to think of him early on, and already didn't like Ul-Dah BEFORE shit went down there. Regrets not getting to know him better earlier now that she knows he's a Real One (tm). Cares about him a lot by the end of... you know. Everything.

Nanamo - Man, Tangy the player doesn't know how to describe the relationship between you and someone you, once again, had a respectful but mostly distant relationship who then winds up getting poisoned in front of you, completely altering the trajectory of your life. And neither does Cimorene.

Haurchefant - Love At First Sight, genuinely. I've talked about this so much before but I cannot stress enough how much it took me, Tangy the player, by surprise. she knows he feels the same because as we all know he is Not Subtle about it, but she'd also still really like to have a moment of privacy where they can actually say - or do - something about it.

Aymeric - right now she considers him the Ishgard equivalent of the other city state leaders and, in spite his best efforts she knows, she remains somewhat intimidated by him. he's kind but just. Very Formal. in that very Ishgard way that she doesn't know how to respond to (which is in part why she is so taken with Haurchefant)

that's really the main ARR players that Cimorene has any real strong feelings towards so that's where I'll leave it.

We'll see what happens through Heavensward and I'll post again lol

#ffxiv #final fantasy xiv #ffxiv wol #a realm reborn #this is mostly for me but if my other like 3 final fantasy playing mutuals wanna see my character thoughts #here they are

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scionshtola · 3 months

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cringe corishtola lore. and also shb spoilers

making myself ill thinking about how cori’s recently realized feelings + shtola not being able to tell who they are bc of the light make cori withdraw from shtola some, bc cori doesn’t want to confess to shtola while they look like a monster to her. and then they don’t want to confess bc they think it would be worse for shtola if they confessed and then turned into a monster and she had to kill them. so once again cori is keeping what they feel from shtola.

meanwhile shtola is on the other side of this desperately wishing that cori would tell her bc she can tell they’re withdrawing. but she won’t say anything, will just keep working to save them because that’s doing something for them. but she’s very half agony half hope about them throughout shb i think. and despite cori’s worries she doesn’t see them as a monster but she can see the pain they’re in more clearly than anyone else except ryne. and that makes her want to tell cori so badly but with cori withdrawing it once again seems like not the right time.

also i think maybe thancred gets back at shtola a little for her comment about not sharing his feelings with ryne by calling her out on her not telling cori her feelings. not like maliciously but it is a bit like well you called me out so i’m going to return the favor because you need it. and shtola threatens turn him into a frog.

#many of you have probably read something to this effect from me before but i’m back in shb era fic and having a lot of feelings okay #also the way this is a reversal of their dynamic in affair au is really getting me #i promise cori does get better about this….she regresses after enw though but who wouldn’t!!#but she’s working on it #also sometimes i’m like would i write more fic if i kept these things to myself. and i think no i would just implode probably #good morning. agshdjskd #i need a text post tag #why did tumblr mark this as mature. agsjdks

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keicordelle · 5 months

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Chapter 8! Because you can't have an almost kiss without also having some aftermath. It's about time Thancred start to realize the fluttering in his chest when Urianger's around is more than just acid reflux.

Read it on Ao3 at the link above, or check out the first chapter on Tumblr here.

Urianger had been about to kiss him.

That had to have been what that was, right? There was no mistaking it. Except why would he lie about that? There was no good reason-

Well, no, that was a lie. Thancred knew exactly why he would lie about that. Could come up with a half dozen reasons why off the top of his head, and probably three handfuls more if he really thought about it. Because he was embarrassed. Because he'd changed his mind. Because he couldn't face the fact that he was attracted to his friend - to Thancred. Because Thancred had opened his damned eyes. Because Urianger was Urianger and wouldn't know physical attraction if it walked up and smacked him in the face.

Because he wasn't lying. Thancred discarded that last one before it could take root. No, he knew what he'd seen. The scarlet that stained Urianger’s cheeks and burned through his ears was proof enough that that hadn't been a simple accident.

So, okay, the real question wasn't: why did he stop? The real question was: why had he started? Did Urianger like him? Was he actually attracted to him? Was there even the remotest chance in the seven hells that he felt the same fluster in his chest around Thancred that Thancred did around him? Maybe Thancred hadn't been imagining the way Urianger’s gaze lingered on him or the rosy tint to his cheeks. Maybe all this time that Thancred had been stealing covert glances and accidental touches, Urianger’d be doing the exact same back to him. Maybe the same longing ached in his chest and kept him awake at night, sweaty and breathless and thinking about Thancred.

...Or maybe he really had been come to check on him. It sounded like nothing more than a flimsy excuse, but this was Urianger he was talking about. He was one of the most earnest people Thancred knew. Except, of course, when he was lying about something huge, like working with the Ascians and joining the Warriors of Darkness. But this wasn't life or death like that. Maybe he should just give Urianger the benefit of the doubt?

Thancred’s hand lifted to brush against his lips, the lingering feeling of Urianger’s breath on his skin tingling through him. A hollow regret filled his chest. I wish he'd followed through with it. I wish I could-

Ah fuck. No no no. If Urianger had wanted to kiss him, he would have done it. He'd been so close, it would have been easier to close the distance and steal a kiss than it was to pull away. Bare ilms had parted them. It would have taken nothing to lean in, to press his lips to Thancred’s until their mouths melded together and kiss him until they were both breathless. Thancred could have snaked his arms up around Urianger’s neck, slip his tongue past his lips in silent inquiry, to see if Urianger would let him in, let him kiss him properly and fully, pull him down against him until- Ahem. Don't get ahead of yourself, Thancred.

But would he have? Really? After all, it was Urianger. He could talk himself out of what he wanted to eat for dinner, let alone kissing someone. And Thancred had never seen so much as a hint of interest in romance from him, not directed towards anyone. Certainly not towards himself. Maybe he'd just gotten nervous. Damn it, if only Thancred had kept his eyes closed a little while longer.

Arg! What was he even thinking! He was disappointed his friend didn't kiss him in his sleep? What was wrong with him? Did he want to kiss Urianger that badly?

Yes. The answer rose unbidden from within, tolling like a funeral bell through his heart. He really did, didn't he? Aw, hell.

Thancred had kissed a lot of people in my day. More than he had bothered to count, and many for reasons he wasn't exactly proud to recount. For information, for favor, for a handful of moments of pleasure in a dark alley behind a bar. Their faces ran together into one big, jumbled blur, lost to time and cheap ale.

But none of them had ever made his heart flutter like pixie wings in his chest and his pulse rush in his ears. Gods, he was such a mess. He'd never even felt this way about an actual kiss, let alone the unfulfilled prospect of one.

The sudden crash of shattering porcelain at his feet startled Thancred back to the present, his hands as clumsy as his heart. On the other side of the room, Minfilia jumped, casting a worried glance his way. He hadn't even realized she'd been in the room. Damn.

"Is... Is everything alright, Thancred?" she asked nervously, her hands clutching the hem of her skirt. "You've seemed a little flustered all afternoon."

That was one word for it. Thancred waved off her concern, kneeling to pick up the shattered remains of his teacup. Bloody hells, that one had been Urianger's favorite, too. "I'm fine. Don't worry about me."

"It's just..." she started, but Thancred cut her off without bothering to look up.

"I said I'm fine. Don't you have drills to be practicing?"

"I... Yes, sir," she demurred. Her soft footsteps led out of the room, followed by the heavy clunk of the door shutting behind her.

Thancred blew out a sigh of relief. He couldn't bear to have her watch him when he was so out of sorts. This was hardly the face of the strong protector she expected him to be. Gods, he hardly felt like himself at all, his heart all aflutter and his ears hot. A kiss. That had nearly been a kiss. He wanted to kiss Urianger!

Only the sharp slice of pain across his palm reminded him of the porcelain shards still in his hand, now clenched tightly in his fist. He cursed, dropping the fragment onto the table instead. Blood oozed from the wound, scarcely more than a scratch, and hardly more than he deserved for letting himself get distracted by such flights of fancy. Daydreaming about kissing his friend was not going to help anything. He would just put the whole thing to the back of his mind and forget about it. If there was one thing he could count on, it was that Urianger would do the same.

(Just as certainly as he'd never try to kiss you in your sleep, hm? that wicked little voice in the back of his mind suggested.)

"Thancred? It's aught amiss?" Urianger's rich voice preceded the man himself, worry shading his tone as he drew to a halt a few fulms away. "I thought I heard a crash."

Thancred looked up at him, standing tall and beautiful above him, and he felt his heart skip a beat, heat rushing to his face. Aw hells. "I'm fine. I just broke a mug." He spread his hands to show him the pieces. "I'm sorry. I know it was your favorite."

Urianger frowned at him, and Thancred braced for his disappointment. It never came. "I care naught for the teacup, but for thy health. What hath befallen thy hand?”

Oh, right. Before he could stammer out a half-hearted excuse, Urianger took his hand in his own, his fingers light on Thancred’s skin. Gods, his hands were warm, his fingers long and slender. Scribe's hands, calloused only along the edge of his middle finger from holding a pen. Not leathered and unseemly like Thancred’s.

Magic flared from his palm, warm and soothing as it sank into Thancred’s skin. The cut sealed itself before his eyes, leaving not so much as a scratch to mark its place. "There. That's better." Urianger peered at him, gray hair falling into his eyes when he tilted his head. Thancred resisted the urge to reach up and brush it back for him. "Art thou certain that naught ails thee? Thy face is rather flushed. Perhaps ‘twould be best if thou were to rest for the remainder of the day."

He reached up to brush the back of his hand against Thancred’s forehead, and Thancred nearly tripped over his feet in his haste to draw away. Urianger caught him, his hands on his biceps to steady him, but the worried frown that furrowed his brows grew deeper. "You... may be right," Thancred said. "I think I'll do that."

As he stumbled away from Urianger in the direction of his makeshift bed, only one thought occupied his mind: Gods, if this doesn't let up, my stay here is about to get a whole lot more uncomfortable.

[Chapter 9]

#ffxiv #thanuri #urithan #thancred #urianger #thancred waters #urianger augurelt #ffxiv fanfiction #first for everything #my writing #~k

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ahollowgrave · 3 months

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Thinking about Odette's WoL AU and Prudence's Scion AU and I'm just --

They meet each other for the first time in Ishgard, ofc, when Odette as the Warrior of Light arrives.

Torn between Prudence inserting herself in the storyline from the start as a very obvious spy (for hilda though she's not named until much later). OR!! They don't meet until the Vault, when Prudence joins the group leading the charge there per Hilda's request.

Regardless of how they are introduced it does not go well. Prudence is Like That and Odette is too worried about Minfilia and the others to really care or stand up to her. Not to mention Odette very much meets people were they are -- which isn't to say she should let Prudence bully her, but it's complicated and she knows a wall when she sees one. Either way, Prudence is injured in a bad way at the Vault. As Odette finishes out Heavensward Prudence recovers. She decides she needs out of the city, out of Ishgard ASAP. Basically forces Odette to let her join up. If not as a Scion official, as Odette's retainer. Odette is a known grumpy person lover so I think she would eventually win Prudence over, but it is an uphill battle. I think the thing that helps the most is Alisaie's mutual friendship with both. They form a pretty tight knit little gang with three of them. Sometimes Lyse, sometimes Y'shtola, sometimes all of them causing mayhem (moving Urianger's bookmarks, stealing Thancred's shoelaces, going on missions together where nothing goes to plan but it somehow works out. normal stuff!) But the main trio is Odette/Pru/Alisaie post HW. Stormblood is hard for Odette AND Prudence. Odette, hit with the heavy loss of her first true love in Minfilia, knowing there is no real blame except on the Ascian's which is a convenient foe to hate through Stormblood. Prudence, meanwhile, is struggling to adjust to a new life and a suddenly MUCH BIGGER world while also coping with the constant reminder that she is but a mortal soul in a fragile body of flesh and bone. Odette has 100% given her a safe sex talk (probably while blushing furiously but sex health is important) and buys Prudence a costco sized container of dental dams and condoms, I'm certain. Anytime Odette tries to give Prudence the safe combat talk it goes poorly, though. And the build up to Shadowbringers!? Which sparked this whole thing!? Alisaie begging Odette and Prudence not to leave her too! Her soul getting hoovered up at the end of the ghimlyt dark, reaching desperately for Odette!!!! AHHHHHHH the way pru and Odette can but look at each other over her fallen form. Winners of the day but with only the recent losses on their minds. And then the voice comes again and Prudence drops too.

#WoL!Odette #Scion!Prudence #Shared AU Tag #I'll think of a cute one later probably (not)#Heavensward Spoilers #Stormblood Spoilers #this is just a lot of rambling and mispelling of names under the cut don't even worry about it #I don't even touch on how in this shared AU Odile would 110% be an Ascian #i wanna make her a sundered red mask even tho i know the redmasks were all part of the Convocation of Fourteen but LISTEN!!!!#she'd make a good one!!!!!!

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thelaughtercafe · 3 months

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All's Fair In Love And War

Tea Type: Half and Half with a lemon (Tickles with jealousy and some suggestive tickling)

Potential Triggers: Nothing except suggestive tickling, and speaking of it!

Pairing: Thancred x F!Mi'qote! Reader x Estinien

Length: 2.2k+

Summary: A sequel of sorts to my tword headcanons for FFXIV. You can gather it fine from reading, but I’d recommend giving them a gander if you want to get the full picture!

“So , who’s this Estinien fellow Alphinaud told me you bonded with on your travels?”

You flinched, looking behind you to see Thancred with a taunting grin on his face and glittering eyes. You hadn’t even heard him enter House Fortemps. It hadn’t been long since you’d found him and healed the Dragoon in question from Nidhogg’s all encompassing affliction and seeing Alphinaud’s cheerful grin behind his back you growled his way, ignoring Thancred for the moment.

“You little brat- he hasn’t even been back a full week!”

Your upset only amused him further as the Summoner took a casual sip of his tea, meeting your gaze from over the rim of his book, Refia chirping happily from around his ankles.

“And? I thought it would serve to cheer him up to hear of your exploits. Besides, it felt only right to inform him another was in competition for his affections.”

You went bright red and were left sputtering.

“I-how-whatever gave you that idea?”

Alphinaud’s eyes flicked behind you and he snickered with a hum.

“Oh? Am I wrong then? You’re blushing mighty hard for one meant to be apparently unaffected.”

“I-I don’t have to answer that.”

You huffed, crossing your arms and were surprised as Alphinaud merely shrugged and stood, beginning to leave.

“Alright then. I’ll leave you to it; do try not to kill her, yes? She does have duties to attend to in a day or so.”

With that he was gone and the back of your neck prickled which could only mean…

A hesitant turn of your head and you smiled nervously at Estinien, the unmasked Dragoon staring you down with the faintest of smirks playing on his lips. Thancred looked to be on the verge of laughter at your back.

“…Do I want to ask how much you heard?”

“Much and more than you would’ve liked I suspect, as seems to be customary in our relationship by this point.”

Amusement was thick in his deep voice and you hid your face in your hands as Thancred approached and slung an arm over your shoulder.

“Well I for one, should very much like to know more about this relationship you developed in my impromptu absence."

His grin was sharp and from the tightness of his grip you knew he was the slightest bit jealous of Estinien, not that he’d ever dream of letting the Dragoon know of it.

Estinien, for his part, remained stoic as ever save the smallest of smirks, his eyes taking in all and giving away nothing.

"Hmph. I’m surprised she hasn’t already told you as much. Well, I’ve nothing to hide in any case. I believe she should be the one to tell all, however. What say you to taking this somewhere more private?”

You nodded eagerly, desperate to not be caught by Emmanellain or worse Haruchefant . He’d never let you live it down if he caught you like this and you were already drowning in embarrassment. You looked to Thancred to see his smile had strained thanks to Estinien’s prodding. You opened your mouth to suggest your quarters but Estinien was already opening the door for you all to exit.

“We can retreat to my quarters. The Dragoon barracks are all but abandoned in the wake of our victory and they’ve moved back in with their families. The building is essentially mine to do with as I please, according to Aymeric. No-one will overhear us.”

The walk to the barracks was silent until you broke it, trying to distract Thancred from glaring into Estinien’s back and instead speaking of your other Ishgardian friends and the other Scions alike. That relaxed him and his grip around your shoulder loosened. Even Estinien’s shoulders relaxed and you swore you caught him glancing back with a fond expression more than once.

“I can’t believe Alphinaud truly fell for that hair-dye prank. Alisaie near laughed herself hoarse.”

You playfully nudged him as you entered the barracks.

“Don’t think I didn’t see you stifling laughter too in the corner. You’re not as slick as you like to think, sir thief.”

Estinien opened his mouth to quip and you cut him off with a knowing smile.

“…and you’re not any better. You act all broody but I catch you smirking at Alphinaud and I’s antics all the time so don’t even try to deny it.”

He seemed affronted as he led you both up to his room but by the time he was closing and locking the door he was smirking again.

“True enough. That scene where you laughed yourself hoarse and nearly came from my voice alone was particularly smirk worthy, if I may so.”

The smugness was thick in his voice and you coughed, laughing nervously as Thancred froze.

“Y-You shouldn’t joke like that Estin-”

“Oh I assure you I’m not. Your friend wished to be informed of our relationship. Besides, you and I both know there’s better ways to make you laugh.”

“I’m going to end you. What happened to keeping it secret or regretting it!?”

“I didn’t explicitly say it, now did I? It’s still up to you if you wish to tell him and be punished.”

You sputtered at that in outrage but when you finally looked up at him, the impassive look on his face ensured you stayed silent.

Thancred finally broke his silence, removing his arm only so he could cross them across his chest and stare down at you.

“I see you’ve developed a bratty streak in my absence. Hmph. A pity. We’ll have to see that remedied.”

His eyes glittered in competition and you swallowed, hard.

“Either you tell me plain this little secret you and the Dragoon are dancing around or I’ll deliver a punishment all my own. I suggest you choose wisely which of us you’d prefer.”

His hands moved to his scabbard, and belt deftly removing both and you looked away to see Estinien removing his heavy armor as well, revealing a white t-shirt just underneath along with black sweats.

Great. So you were to choose between a punishment you knew what to expect and one you didn’t. Unfortunately, you really wished their positions were reversed. Estinien wasn’t the type to change his method over jealousy- Thancred was and if you chose to keep your mouth shut you had no doubt he’d have no problem making you regret it. Thancred would never hurt you but he wasn’t the one who typically interrogated your enemies for nothing.

But say you did the opposite, and told? That’d just rile him up more you were sure of it. The fact that you explicitly told Estinien about your little kink before him? When he’d teased you with it for so long while oblivious? Gods you couldn’t take the embarrassment. You risked a glance at Estinien, now fully out of his armor who merely raised an expectant eyebrow in response. Asshole. He was calling your bluff. Of course, all that wasn’t even including the public humiliation of being absolutely wrecked to the point of tears, likely until you safeworded if you told. Like it or not, the choice was made.

“Eyes up here gorgeous.”

You blushed as Thancred drew your gaze back to his, an amused smile tugging at his lips.

“What’s it gonna be?”

“…I can’t. I’m sorry Thancred.”

You could feel the way Estinien stood up taller in pride, the huff of laughter under his breath and your cheeks burned brighter as Thancred took you in.

“So it’s to be an interrogation, is it?”

“…that’s not as scary as you make it sound. I know you’d never hurt me.”

You tried to play it off in some vain attempt to make him change his mind but he only shrugged, easily seeing through you.

“Of course not. Pain isn’t the most effective method anyway until the psyches been worn down some. Not that I plan on using that either. No, I think you and I both know what I’m planning to do.”

You tried not to let it show on your face but you were nervous and before you could think better of it, you were pleading your case to Estinien.

“I didn’t tell, aren’t you going to help me? This is your fault after all!”

Estinien snickered, shaking his head.

“My fault? Interesting phrasing. It’s not my fault you’re so frightened of a little tickling by my hands you opted not to confide in your long term friend. The only help you’ll receive is if he asks for it. You’ll like it anyway, I’m sure.”

Your mouth fell open in betrayal.

“But you said-”

“That you couldn’t say anything without punishment. Nothing about my end. In any case, I’d worry about your current situation before it’s too late.”

Your eyes widened and you whirled to look at Thancred but he was already staring back at you with wide eyes.

“By the Twelve… you really…? This whole time? Ha. And here I thought I was imagining things. You really do like it.”

Your eyes moved past him to the window but you startled as Estinien’s long fingers squeezed your shoulder.

“I wouldn’t try it. I’d catch you even if you did manage the jump and Thancred is too quick for you to run towards the door, not to mention it’s already locked.”

He mumbled into your ear, causing you to shiver.

Thancred cracked his knuckles and you flushed, ducking your head but he was there to corner you against the wall just behind, Estinien moving back to let him do as he wished.

His fingertips once again guided your eyes to his and this time he held it.

“Oh no. You’ve hid your reactions from me far too long as it is. I want to savor this. You’re going to tell me, truthfully. Do you like being tickled? Have you gotten off to the idea of me teasing you until you come undone as many times as I wish? Hm?”

The self-satisfied smirk was evident on his lips as you squirmed and just about melted in his arms; already giving him his answer. He’d never seen their Warrior of Light so red before.

You nodded and Thancred was content to let you go, but Estinien pushed you back by your shoulder, just behind Thancred’s own, his azure eyes burning into you.

“We both know he wanted a verbal response. Give it to him.”

At the familiar dominance in his tone, you folded, eyes rushing to Thancred’s.

“Y-Yes I have. More than once! To both of you!”

You squeaked it out before looking to Estinien for approval, to which he nodded, hand moving from your shoulder to your head where he ran his fingers through your hair.

“Good girl.”

It was a quiet mumble, but the praise filled you with warmth where the adrenaline once was.

“To both of us, huh?”

Your eyes flew open at the playful lilt in Thancred’s voice.

Oh Gods had you really said that?

You were still too content with Estinien’s soothing ministrations to move but you looked nervously to your favorite thief.

But he wasn’t looking at you.

“Estinien. What say you to a friendly competition?

"There isn’t many in Coerthas. What would it entail?”

“Who can make her come undone the most? Winner gets to stay with her for the night and the loser has to be on guard duty and stay awake.”

“Not very high stakes but I’ll take it. As long as she agrees to it, of course.”

“That goes without saying.”

They both turned to you and as sheepish as you felt, you still agreed.

“…Okay. But we’re obviously including the typical safewords. Lahabrea for you, Thancred and Nidhogg for you, Estinien. Still okay to use?”

You always checked, ensuring the words weren’t triggering for them and both nodded.

“You both have more in common than I realized, actually. Huh. So…how are we doing this then?”

Thancred looked vaguely amused as he shrugged.

“I can always run out and fetch some restraints. You’re awfully calm given your earlier flusteredness, you know.”

“No need, I have my own. It’s the hair. Makes her melt. Ears too, and those triple as an extra erogenous and ticklish area so I target it often. Her back will have the same affect.”

Thancred’s eyes lit up at that.

“No way; I didn’t even know she was ticklish there!”

“Wait don’t-eep!”

You yelped as Thancred moved before you could stop him, nimble fingers slipping underneath your shirt and drawing patterns into your back, occasionally spidering or digging in slightly to make you squeak. Nonetheless, you melted forward into Estinien’s waiting chest and sighed in content, small giggles slipping out now and then.

“So this is why you tensed and would jump away whenever I tried to massage your shoulders. Could you get any cuter?”

You nuzzled Estinien and grumbled weakly, taking solace in his warmth.

“This isn’t playing fair.”

“You’ve got a safe word darling. You need only say it if you need us to stop at any time.”

His deep voice rumbled in your ear before his teeth pulled, making you arch a moment before a purr escaped you, making you gasp, flinch away and cover your mouth.

The two men froze.

“…Tell me you heard that too, Wyrmblood.”

“Loud and clear. Naughty kitten, hiding such sounds from us for so long.”

Both men’s voices had deepened in their lust and it was obvious to see it in the way their eyes darkened as well.

“Now then, why don’t we find out what other sounds you can make for us. Shall we truly get started?”

Breathless you could only whimper as Thancred tongued your throat, while Estinien retrieved the restraints.

“I’m fucked aren’t I?”

“Not yet you aren’t. But you will be. Thoroughly .”

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