Heavensward
May. 7th, 2018 09:48 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
arroganceandangst posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
hydaelynmakesmistakes
Coming to Ishgard
The Crystal Braves's betrayal still fresh in mind and only the Warriors of Light, Alphinaud, and Tataru accounted for, Cid Garlond whisks our heroes away to Coerthas to avoid detection of the crew they thought were friends. They find themselves in Ishgard where they are greeted warmly by House Fortemps and granted sanctuary, much to the displeasure of King Thordan and his Heavens Ward.
Alphinaud's despair about being unable to "Save Eorzea(TM)" comes to a head and Tatarus and the Warriors of Light set him straight. Together they move forward to find their scattered friends and allies and move forward. Meanwhile, the Dragonsong War begins to set back into motion after years of an unease and tense ceasefire.
Amongst the chaos a strange and desperate from another world slips into our Eorzea with the intent of saving their land at the cost of ours.
Welcome to Heavensward, I hope you packed your furs.
no subject
Date: 2018-05-07 03:42 pm (UTC)"I'm sorry little coerul man but it's time for the big dark knights to talk now." He directed his attention to Sidguru, starting off about how he'd started learning the ways of dark knight and was directed by his teacher to seek Sid out and request help for further training.
Nothing will ever be the same...
Date: 2018-05-30 10:04 pm (UTC)The pillars of the city reach into the unforgiving grey sky and everyone stares in hostility. She's never felt so small. The scions are scattered, and Ras managed to squirrel them out of their predicament but -
She feels the weight of the consequences. It was always... not fun or lighthearted before, but she hadn't ever been accused of killing her Sultana before. Piñara is visibly upset and spends the first few weeks curled up inside Foretemps manor infront of the fire, sipping on what smells like hot Cocoa but definitely has it's own spike to it.
no subject
Date: 2018-05-31 10:12 pm (UTC)Atha finally made it to the inn, damp, and halfway on the road to freezing, wrenches the door open and immediately ricochets off of someone's chest and stumbles backwards, slipping slightly on the snow.
"Get out of the way!" She snarls at the large figure stood in the doorway.
pretend the icon is O: which i apparently don't have
Date: 2018-06-01 02:25 pm (UTC)"Well, aren't you an angry woman." He peered down to her, studying her face. "I just kept you from falling because you weren't paying attention to where you were going! You should be thanking me!" His voice was not aggressive or patronizing - it was actually quite jovial. He moved to let her into the warmth, noticing her clothes were not properly suited for the environment. "Let me buy you a drink and, after you get settled in, get you some better suited clothes for the cold of Ishgard, friend! Something warm to keep the cold out!" He followed her in, but kept his distance so as to be non-threatening - a hard to achieve goal, wearing full plate armor with a sword that was longer than she was tall.
no subject
Date: 2018-06-02 12:40 pm (UTC)She was greeted by Edmont and they exchange warm greetings and speak a little about the arrival of the heroes as well as Business. They finish pleasantries and she enters the home proper, one of the house workers handing her a tea as she made her way to the fire, settling in an arm chair next to where Pinya is settled.
"How are you holding up?" Her voice is soft and kind, she watches Pinya's reaction carefully.
no subject
Date: 2018-06-02 08:24 pm (UTC)Now in the warm, she shakes the snow from her shoulders and whirls around to continue growling at the arsehole only to freeze when she takes in exactly who was blocking the door.
THIS FUCKING ARSEHOLE!
Oh Atha remembers him, it isn't exactly common to run in Xeala and this fuck was the first ever Au Ra she had ever encountered. She didn't put up with him drunkenly hitting on her the first time and she certainly wasn't going to this time either. Atha squares up and gets right into his personal space.
"Listen up you scaly bastard. Do not speak to me. Do not fucking follow me, and do not get you gil anywhere near me. I won't give you shit in return so go chase some bints somewhere else." A hand starts to creep towards the handle of her axe.
no subject
Date: 2018-06-02 11:42 pm (UTC)"What are you talking about? I wouldn't expect anything, that's the point of helping." He was genuinely confused and had absolutely no idea what she was getting on about. He noticed her hand creeping towards the axe and he tensed, ready to grab his sword to defend, if it came to that. He pretended to not take the hint. "What are you talking about? Chase some bints? I don't do the chasing, they chase me." He couldn't help it as a cocky smile spread across his face.
no subject
Date: 2018-06-03 09:12 am (UTC)She just about reigns in the urge to pull out her axe and hit him when that stupid bloody smile spreads across his stupid bloody face but she manages it, the lure of food and drink being the only thing saving Ara from bring cleaved in twain.
With a parting snarl, Atha whirls around and stomps down the stairs to the bar proper, and places an order with the barkeep scowl never once leaving her face.
no subject
Date: 2018-06-03 11:45 pm (UTC)He went to an armor fitter and chatted the salesman up, describing Athala based upon his short interaction, critically looking over the armor he had. He had seen her war axe and guessed she was at the very least a marauder, so she would wear plate armor. She also bought soft leathers and furs to wear under the plate as padding and to keep her warm in the event she stayed in Coerthas long. He put the armor away and then returned to The Forgotten Knight. He went down the stairway to the bar proper - she was still there, but was likely finishing up.
He caught the bar tender's attention and signaled for two warmed non-alcoholic ciders, pointing to Athala to signal the second was for her. He sat on the stool next to her, welcoming the glass of cider as the bartender put it down in front of him. He pulled the glass to him, mostly just to keep his hands warm. It had been quite a while since he had been in the colder regions of Xaela territory, so the warmth was very welcome. His voice was uncharacteristically quiet and calm when he spoke, staring down at his cider.
"Not everyone is out to get you, you know." He took a drink of the cider, glancing at Athala. His face had drawn into a serious expression. "Sometimes people do just want to help. No strings attached."
no subject
Date: 2018-06-04 07:08 pm (UTC)She just had to focus on her food, and then she could leave, when she spots the drink being placed in front of her. Her grasp on her fork and knife becomes white knuckled, and then he opens his damn gob and her faces flushes in anger, jaw clenching, and fucking hell this sod didn't even remember her did he?
"Fuck OFF!" She roars as she pushes herself up, chair toppling backwards. She slams some gil gil down on the table as she kicks out at the back-right leg on his chair, easily splintering it and feeling a little bit of satisfaction as the chair unbalances him. She doesn't care that at this point the entire bar is silent and staring at her. Fuck 'em. Fuck all of them. She'd just make her way back now, fuck it.
If her entrance into the bar was heralded by slow, stomping, her exit is one of silence and long, marching strides as she takes the stairs three at a time and slams out the door, back into the snow.
Back through Coerthas Central Highlands it is.
no subject
Date: 2018-06-05 09:46 pm (UTC)He paid for it all and the chair, then got up and left, giving a nod to Sidguru on the way out. He asked the locals what direction the "tall angry woman in ill-fitting armor" went, and easily followed her out the gates to the central highlands. He hoped he'd given her time enough to calm down at least a little, but not so much that she was in any real danger, but the wind was starting to kick up and the sun was down and he could feel the temperature dropping. He could feel worry gnawing at him as he wrapped a fur around his neck and lower face. Aragibal found some degraded tracks that looked like they may have been her size and quickly started to follow, hoping to find her before they were erased by the wind.
He found her wandering on a plain, clearly lost, clearly freezing. His limbal rings glowed softly in the darkness as he approached her. He hailed so as to keep from frightening her. "You lost? It's pretty hard to navigate out here after dark! Come on, let's find some shelter!" He had come up to her. She was pale, the color leaving her face. She was freezing. Aragibal immediately became distressed. He pulled a heavy fur from his pack that he used as a blanket while out adventuring in Coerthas and wrapped her in it, being somewhat forceful and ignoring her protests - verbal or physical. If she put up much of a struggle he couldn't help but growl at her. "Woman you're going to die out here if you don't calm down. Be angry at me after we make camp."
He ushered her into a nearby cave to get out of the wind and immediately built a small fire for them to sit next to and get warm. Aragibal fished the roast (still warm - he really knows how to pack) out from his pack and offered it to her, then dug out the armor and furs he bought for her. He also pulled out a small container, filled it with snow, and sat it next to the fire to melt it so that Athala would have water to drink. "I got you that armor anyway, despite you telling me not to. I also got you new leathers and furs to keep you warm out here. You can't be out here as exposed as you are. Especially at night."
no subject
Date: 2018-06-05 11:11 pm (UTC)Athala aims a particularly vicious kick at the snow drift she was currently knee deep in. She'd been fine leaving. Cold but fine. And the path had bee perfectly clear on her way in despite the constantly falling slow. But she'd been too busy cursing out that sodding Au Ra to pay attention to the road as the cloud cover thickened and the wind picked up and now she was lost.
Her throat tightens as her toes start feeling numb and she shouts at the snow. She hated this Coerthas place, why had no-one mentioned the cold when she'd been sent here on a damned errand?! She could feel her steps becoming heavier the more she trudged on, eyes widening as she started to panic. Shit where was the path?!
The shock of hearing the Au Ra's stupid voice and the cold vice of Oh gods he followed me here freezes her long enough that the prick is able to get right up into her personal space and -
"NO! GET OFF OF ME! FUCK! NO NO NO NO!" She spits and struggles even as he wraps her in the softest fur she has ever felt, which only spurs her to hurl more insults especially as he growls back at her. His irritation a small victory despite being swaddled by this man.
Athala can feel her heart hammering between her cold, cold ears as she's carted into this cave, eyes darting about in the gloom, trying to follow Ara's movements until he coaxes a fire to life and Athala realises how much everything hurts as the warmth of the first starts to lick at her skin. As he goes about his busy work, Athala shifts, keeping the fire between them at all times and snarling as she realises what he's done.
"I TOLD YOU I DON'T WANT YOUR HELP!" There is an edge to her shouts this time, barely noticeable, one that hadn't been there when they had been surrounded by people. The flickering flames highlighting other things about Atha to the keen of eye. Bruises emerging under her eyes from lack of sleep, and a hint of sallowness to the skin of her cheeks, like she hasn't eaten properly. "I WAS FINE! I DON'T WANT YOU HERE!"
Even with her shouting, her eyes remain unblinking as she refuses to look away from him, and her entire posture is rigid. As Ara settles down, Atha vows not to rest, to instead wait for him to relax or fall asleep and bolt. She couldn't stay here with him, it wasn't safe!
no subject
Date: 2018-06-06 01:35 am (UTC)"You sure do have a funny way of thanking people, you know." His voice was calm, a cheery tone to it. He noticed how tense the woman was and specifically avoided her gaze and generally did his best to appear nonthreatening - moving slowly, making sure to keep his hands visible as much as possible while removing his armor. "You were dying out there. Freezing to death.." He finished removing his armor, wearing nothing but his furs and leathers now. He slowly pulled out tools to maintain his armor, setting them out so she can see them and still moving slowly so he didn't startle her. He began working on his armor, moving deftly and working as if he's done this once or twice before. "No furs, your armor barely fits - your axe looks like you haven't sharpened it since I was an ankle biter." At the mention of her axe's blade, he pulled out a few tools and set them with the armor and furs he was giving her. Another gift.
He stoked the fire, glancing back to Athala to check her color. She was looking better. He had a feeling she would fly the moment he rested, so she wanted to be sure she was alright before going. He hoped that she would take the armor with her, even though she definitely didn't need his help and she was completely fine on her own. He noticed the markings on her face showing the lack of sleep and how gaunt her face was. He knew he would have to pursue her and make sure she was okay, but he would have to check in on her occasionally rather than keep tracking her down like this - her fear of him was unsettling. He would have to be careful.
"Please, eat." He motioned to the roast he'd brought for her. "I interrupted your meal earlier." He fell quiet and went to work on his next piece of armor, shifting his focus back to his armor.
no subject
Date: 2018-06-06 01:40 pm (UTC)Every flaw he pointed out rankled more and more because Twelve damn him she knew. Knew it wasn't good enough, and now knew it was too dangerous in Coerthas. Gods damn did she want to hurt him but...she wasn't suicidal, she needed to get back to Limsa and staying here on full guard was looking to be the only way that that was happening.
It was the food that got her, the smell hit her nose and all bets were off. She snatched it up with a snarl and wolfs the food down, glaring at Ara the whole time like he might try and snatch the food back.
Food eaten, she ignores the gear Ara had placed down for her in favour of continuing to wordlessly glare at him from across the fire as she waits for her opportunity to leave.
no subject
Date: 2018-06-06 10:53 pm (UTC)He moved a little further away from the fire and more towards the back of their shelter, away from the entrance, specifically keeping his sword close to him just in case she decided to get a little feisty. Folding a spare piece of leather he had, he rested on his back rather than his side due to his horns with his head on the soft leather he folded, folded his hands over his stomach, and closed his eyes. It wasn't long until his body was fully relaxed and his breathing was slow and rhythmic, obviously not faking his rest.
Even if she were to wake him, he wouldn't stir and would just keep pretending to sleep, letting her leave if she chose to do so.
no subject
Date: 2018-06-06 11:39 pm (UTC)Atha waits, and a couple of bells pass, marked only by Atha's frustrated growls at her own weakness whenever her head starts to droop ad her eyes start to slide close. But finally, finally the wind died down enough for her to be able to see the path when she poked her head around the tarp.
She pauses, glaring at the fur around her shoulder and the gear. Hated the fact that she knew she'd take them with her. It felt like a loss, like that arsehole had won somehow but as always she had no choice not if she wanted to keep clawing out an existence for longer.
Eyes affixed on Ara with an angry intensity Atha divested herself of her current outfit as quickly as possible without causing too much noise, Twelve only knew what would happen if he woke up, she certainly wasn't going to chance it...The insulating fur layer was thrown on and the metal of the armour swiftly buckled over the top. Nald's Balls it was so much better,although...
She glares at the pieces of her old armour, she couldn't leave it behind...Removing the large fur from around her shoulders, she lay the old armour onto it, wrapping it up and then tying the fur back around her like a bastardised rucksack. "Hope you're not wanting your fur back arsehole." She mutters, swiping the canteen now full of water from the melted snow.
As Atha makes her way past the tarp, she glances back briefly, and for a second her anger subsides slightly as she watches Ara continue to sleep, before the comforting familiarity of rage bubbles up renewed and she scoffs as she leaves. "Bastard."
*shows up 15 months late with Starbucks*
Date: 2018-06-07 04:54 am (UTC)The stone closed in his fist says he should be annoyed that Sidurgu killed them instead of O'rhok. There's the grumble of something in his blood and heart telling him that no, he should be mad that the soldiers he spared are dead at all.
It's all a lot to sort through, and that's what he and Sid are trying to do when another Au'ra man appears. He's armoured the way Fray's corpse was, arrays of black and gold with red tints and patterns that are unfamiliar to him. Ishgard may disdain adventurers but they certainly recruited a lot more foreigners from beyond Eorzea than the city clearly wants to admit.
The Au'ra gives his name to Sid, and starts in on a speel about desiring to be an apprentice to the Dark Knight and blah blah blah bl-
"I like your enthusiasm," Sid says, cutting off this Aragibal with about as much fuss as Ara interrupted O'rhok a few seconds ago, "But if you want my instruction then you'll have to take it alongside O'rhok here. I have my obligations to my brother in arms, and his successor seems in greater need than you." Now hang the fuck on.
The end of his tail lashes behind him, dented armour and mismatched pieces suddenly an embarrassment instead of a reality on his person. His gauntlets have clearly been mended by someone unfamiliar with the style, botching the overlap of the scales, which is to say nothing of the rent axe hanging at his belt with half its head missing, a notched iron sword sheathed at his back.
"If you're taking me on out of pity, then nevermind," he says with a bit of heat in his voice. This pleases Sid.
"I'm taking you on for conjuring as much of Fray and his abilities out of that stone as you did without instruction," the Dark Knight answers. "You said you want only for a teacher, so I will teach you." Then he smiles at Aragibal, and it's not a nice smile.
"I will teach you both, gladly. Aragibal, was it? This is O'rhok, an Eorzean from the south. Together, the two of you should combine to make at least half an apprentice for me, so let us begin with a simple trial. A creature known as Steropes has been seen stomping and pillaging about to the south of the city. A Dark Knight must often strike from the shadows, but sometimes it suits us to eliminate a threat before it even becomes known to the general populace."
O'rhok makes a face at this challenge, incredulous and almost alarmed. Sitting there with his lackluster arms and armour, he has his arms folded over his chest and looks up at Aragibal.
"So are we actually going to help each other with this," doubt. Doubt. O'rhok feels doubt. "Or are you just going to charge off through the snow to find him?"
((Working with the assumption that Ara doesn't know about the Boss Fate From Hell since he just arrived in the area for the first time.))
i mean at least you brought me some holy shit filling this out as much as you did holy cow
Date: 2018-06-08 12:06 pm (UTC)It's clear that Aragibal doesn't know what kind of a threat Steropes is, as Aragibal just gets psyched at the challenge, his tail excitedly going back and forth. He looks down to O'rhok cheerily as O'rhok addresses him. "Of course we're going to help each other with this - we're supposed to be training together. " His entire demeanor was friendly and cheerful, definitely a complete 180 from Sidguru's pouty brooding - not what one would expect from a dark knight. Aragibal's grin calmed down into a friendly smile. "I know that Sidguru already said my name, but I'm Aragibal Kha. I'm from the Azim Steppe in Othard. No particular part, we Xaela tend to be a wandering bunch. I'm sorry if I don't say your name correctly, I find Miqo'te names a little difficult to pronounce, but I'll do my best."
A very slight level of concern shadows his features, though he did his best to hide it. "Did you want to grab some drinks? We can get your sword sharpened while we get to know each other a little better before we go out to take on Steropes?" If O'rhok said he didn't have the gil for it, Ara would offer to spot him the gil. Otherwise, if he wanted to just get going, Ara would go along with it cheerily.
el threaderino closedero
Date: 2018-06-08 02:33 pm (UTC)Once the fire was started he pulled out some paper and a quill with ink and began writing a letter, taking his time since he was already comfortable. Upon finishing he packed up and returned to Foundation to send the letter off with a mail moogle and get some food for a proper breakfast.
no subject
Date: 2018-06-08 08:22 pm (UTC)Athala skidded back through the snow, axe scraping against the ground in an attempt at stopping her from sliding further back towards the towering Black Iron Bridge. Cursing as she pushes herself up, Athala quickly glances down at her stinging chest.
"Shit a fucking brick." There was a massive rend in the metal chest plate and blood was starting to seep out a lot quicker than Athala was comfortable with.
A deafening roar shakes the ground as Athala pushes herself up and sprints towards the bridge, heart pounding and refusing to look behind her. She doesn't break pace as she legs it across the entire length of the bridge, diving behind the large end pillars and flattening herself to the ground, as the roars started up again, a little further away but Twelve only knew how long that would last...
Ara Specific Continuation
There was one option, loath as she was to admit it. "Sodding monsters, Twelve damn it!"
She reached up to her ear and connected her Linkpearl to the only contact it had...
"Black Iron Bridge. Bring bandages."
no subject
Date: 2018-06-09 12:24 pm (UTC)"Black Iron Bridge. Bring bandages."
That was it. That's all she said. Surprise marked his face as he cut off the conversation with the woman and readied himself, giving Roroka Roka a buzz as he stepped outside of the Forgotten Knight. "Hello Roroka! ... Yes! I'm doing great! How are you?" He smiled as he talked to her. "That's wonderful! ...Great! ...Oh, congratulations! ...Roroka? Could you do me a big favor? Yeah, I need your help! Mhm. Meet me in Falcon's Nest. I'll pick you up. Mhm. Okay. See you there!" The line disconnected and he couldn't help but chuckle quietly to himself. He moved away from the door and teleported to Falcon's Nest, calling Sleipnir on arrival. He held onto the reins and talked to the horse quietly, petting it, until Roroka appeared. He grinned and greeted her heartily, then helped her onto the horse. He got into the saddle behind her.
They made it to the bridge without any difficulty, finding Athala with her wound, bleeding at an alarming rate. Aragibal dismounted and helped an incredibly shocked Lalafell from the horse. He stood back as Roroka rushed up to Athala, freaking out over the wound. "Roroka, this is that lass I told you about that I met in Foundation. The one I helped with the armor? I never did catch her name. Angry warrior woman? This is Roroka Roka, an incredibly talented Scholar. The healing kind and infinitely better than bandages! Roroka may be small but she sure does pack a punch!" Aragibal sent Sleipnir away, noticing the roars in the background.
Roroka was busy evaluating the wound, absent-mindedly talking about the wound and appearing to even occasionally prod at it. She chided Athala for moving and, more sharply, told Athala to, ahem, stop moving, please. Somewhere in there Aragibal definitely caught Roroka mumbling out loud the following: "aren't warriors the superior tank discipline anyways?" He couldn't help but smile and look away from the scene to try to see the source of the roaring of whatever it was that was pissed off. As he gazed off in the direction of the roars, Roroka's fairy Primrose aggressively flew up into Aragibal's face, ready to fight, likely angry that he brought Roroka so close to danger. She aggressively flitted about in front of his face until Roroka was ready to heal Athala. At that point the fairy went back to Roroka and helped her.
After Athala was patched up Aragibal held a hand out to her to help her back up. "I assume the thing roaring loudly out there is the thing that did that to you?" After she was standing he smiled cheerily. "I guess I should call in some help so we can take it down, it sounds like a big one." Before Athala could even protest he broadcasted his message to numerous linkshells he was in that were specifically for hunting big monsters down, should any be found. He finished his message, turning to Athala. "If we wait a few minutes pretty soon we'll have some people to help us take care of that with you."
What even is being concise? No short tags we write prose like men!
Date: 2018-06-10 11:37 am (UTC)Her breath hisses out between her teeth as she watches the blood from her chest wound start to drip onto the snow. She scowls as she presses her back against the masonry, keeping her gaze on the surrounding snow drifts, there were plenty of smaller beasts about who would happily have a go. She certainly doesn't relax when the looming form of the loud Au Ra appears in view riding some dark, four-legged thing, and she stiffens as the Lalafell woman accompanying him rushes into her personal space, hissing as the movement aggravates her wound.
"Fuck you." She bites out in the direction of Ara as she forces herself not to flinch away from Roroka, "You never said your name either you scaly prick. And what was I going to do, stand still and let the thing eat me?" The last sentence is directed, accompanied by her near permanent scowl at Roroka.
This was the first time that Athala had ever been conscious when healing magic had been used on her and it felt...weird. Like a Potion but more and deeper, it soothed in a way the Atha had never felt before and she stopped frowning at Roroka. "...Thanks..." It was quiet and somewhat begrudging but it was more than Atha normally graced people with, as evidenced by Atha regarding Ara's hand like you would if someone tried to hand you a pile of shit and slapping the offered limb aside and pushing herself to her feet.
"No fucking shit, what gave you that idea?!" She sneered disdainfully, "Wait, what are you doing?" She storms up to Ara and goes to shove him with a growl. "I wasn't going after it you moron, that giant fucking monster roamed onto the path and went for me. If you and your buddies have a death wish be my fucking Twelve-damned guest, I'm leaving."
Or at least she would have down if at that point well-equipped Adventurers hadn't started showing up, cutting off Athala as more and more people started to arrive.
no subject
Date: 2018-06-13 06:12 pm (UTC)"Hm." Is what she manages. A Non committal grunt and nothing more.
She doesn't really know. She hasn't been able to process it yet.
no subject
Date: 2018-06-14 12:01 am (UTC)He called out over the chatter, gathering everyone's attention. "Ho! Friends! Thank you for coming! I'm sure you all can hear the giant monster, searching for my friend here!" He motioned to Athala. "The big beast thought she'd be an easy snack - I'm sure the creature didn't expect her to come back with an army!" His voice became strong on the word army, and it was met with cheers from the Adventurer group. His tail was lashing about excitedly. He looked down to Athala. "Your move. You're leading this fight. We follow you."
no subject
Date: 2018-06-16 11:07 pm (UTC)"None of them should fucking be here!" She snaps at Ara as she flinches ever so slightly away from his and turns her head back to the group, teeth gritting together tightly as she completely ignores the opportunity to give her name in return.
Fuck.
She was going to kill him. She was going to bloody chop him into tiny pieces and feed them to an Avis. So many people staring at her and against all her control that old, familiar feeling wells up 'Be unseen, be unnoticed.
Atha beat it back with a snarl, "Let's just fucking kill the blighted bugger!" Axe in ready stance she starts running towards the roaring, skin prickling at having so many people at her back.
She really was going to kill him.
no subject
Date: 2018-06-18 12:51 pm (UTC)They came up on King Behemoth as he lashed about, looking for his prey. The giant beast noticed the group approaching and turned to deal with them, locked onto Atha. Together the group fought - healers making sure everyone was alright, Atha making sure that Behemoth went nowhere, Ara making sure Atha didn't take any unnecessary hits, and plenty of damage dealers hitting him with all they had. The battle went relatively smoothly until Aragibal noticed that Atha was not quite in top shape and Behemoth was about to do an extremely powerful attack. Unless the healers managed to get her healed before the blow landed, there was a very real chance she wouldn't make it through the hit. He quickly moved in between her and the attack, defending her from it. For once he actually did not make a comment of it, he just checked to make sure she was okay. The
It was a glorious battle - certainly one to write home about (he wouldn't). With Behemoth felled some of the adventurers took a moment to chat and share contact information, but for the most part the group dispersed. Aragibal grinned and looked to Atha. "That was some of the most fun I've had in a while. I'm glad to see Roro's healing fixed you up proper and that beast was put down." It was clear he had no intention on leaving her as the last of the adventurers took a teleport to somewhere else to resume what they were doing before being called out to kill Behemoth.
They Say Heroes Never Die
Date: 2018-06-22 06:52 am (UTC)Seven Warriors of Light against the Twelve Knights of the Heavensward and their Mad King Thordan. The aether pours like a tidal wave of energy from Nidhogg's stolen eye in the crosspiece of Ascalon, the great sword the King brings down on barriers of magic refined and strengthened by the precision of Felih's Arcanima.
But when that shield breaks, Sami's blood sprays hot and shocked from her shoulder. It doesn't kill her but her sword drops, outraged words in her mouth before Grinnaux the Bull slams his axe full across the face of her shield and sends the Keeper flying to land and skid hard across the glass floor.
Jets of warming wind are too distracted by the tank's distress- "Q'UiLA!" -and a lancer, Paulecrain? meets Q'uila's jump mid-air. He wins the split-second parry to get his lance between the Dragoon's and her body. With a spiralling twist Q'uila is sent flying to recover from her jump, do or die, and her weapon lands across the room with a metallic chink- sticking upright where it lands.
"I won't let you- I won't- Holly no!" A lance of pure Aether sings through the air and it misses Felih, but takes his fairy through her core and she shatters into motes of distressed light. It's in that moment of fear and anger that Adelphel's shield strikes the Scholar across his torso and Felih's head cracks hard over the floor, the glittering light of palisade's protection shimmering too late to save him.
"Get Sami on her feet!" Pinya is at his back, landing sharp and light from her jumping shot.
"I'm trying!" Connor's hands are cold around his staff, aether gathering thicker and thicker around him until he can barely see the chaos around him and he slams the end of his brittle staff against the floor: there's no stone here, but metal remembers what it once was and the panels under them rip and sheer upward in a makeshift shield against the charging terror of two more lance-bearing knights.
But then there's a terrible echo through the air and Connor feels the spirits screech in fear and they and their power abandon him. It winds him, a crippling pain in his chest that drops him to one knee, coughing for another breath.
"No you won't!" And Bri sees why because she's the only one close enough to Thordan to see the way he raises his sword and brings his hand to Nidhogg's eye. The corrupted aether pours out in such a blood red torrent that Q'uila feels a suffering pain scream through the partnering eye on her person.
Blades up and mudras flashing white and black over her eyes, Bri comes the closest to sinking a knife into the dragon's evil eye- but not before the shockwave of paralyzing magic rolls over all of them and sends the elezen woman flying like Sami before her. She slams into and then over Connor's barrier with a bloodied landing beside the two lalafell- and doesn't get up.
"I'm sorry-" They've never suffered a fight like this. Connor doesn't know why he apologizes but he has one hand on Pinya's arm and he's so cold, his fingers are so cold, and he's afraid. It's in his watery grey eyes and the pale sick look creeping up over him.
They can't lose like this, they can't die like this.
Adventurers die but Heroes don't. Heroes never die.
"I'm so sorry-" He grabs her in a hug and it's brief but there's a song that rises out of him. It's warm and it's real and instead of being borrowed from around him this time it comes right from his heart. It makes his eyes glow, and his clothes flutter. And Pinya will feel the ambient energy of the fight and the frightened voices of Azys Lla's much-abused spirits coalesce around the White Mage who is singing to them.
And then a blast of cold white water will pick Pinya up and hurl her away from him because time and battles don't stop for anything, not even goodbyes. She'll feel the harsh scrape of another energy lance- like the one that killed Haurchefaunt, burn against her arm and then straight forward through Connor's chest. He doesn't flinch.
His eyes are closed and his hands are fists, arms crossed in an ex just below the sizzling trauma of the lance. And he's on his knees but his eyes are still closed, and the glow is still rising, and the prayer is still pouring out of him. And he doesn't give up and he doesn't let go, even though it hurts.
Because Azys Lla is a cursed place but it was not always this way. These islands were not always haunted. Their waters were not always bitter. Their wind was not always toxic. There was a life and a joy in Azys Lla before the Allagans changed it and the Heavensward invaded it and there's a joy that needles through the fear and the pain and the loss because Connor can feel that faded memory of existence beyond suffering and life spiralling in an endless stream from this star to every other beacon of light in the sky.
And then it shines.
Light like the birth of a star forms from every surface, the air itself opens up with joy so brief but potent that it seals wounds and mends hearts. It brings back confused minds and balms the burning pains. And their friends will stand up and they'll be hale and whole and the fight will be there's and no don't look at him like that, Pinya, if she cries he'll cry and he's already crying but he's going to just keep smiling no matter how close those footsteps get because:
"Heroes never-"
The mad king uses both hands to slam Ascalon down through the White Mage's back. It cuts from between his shoulders down and out through his belly, dispelling the lance and making his smile go tight and forced as his eyes go skyward with an overwhelming fear.
And then the sword comes out and the White Mage falls.
"I WILL BURY EACH OF YOU AND YOUR BELIEFS."
((Idk if Monx is here but I counted her in the 7 and then didn't write her in? I'm not sure? I'll gladly add her if she's here though!
Simple format: each person gets a max 3 responses from Connor before you know what! Feel free to continue on with each other from there ;) ))
HNNNNNG Y DW SO HRD
Date: 2018-06-22 08:04 pm (UTC)And it’s exactly not what he gets, prompting an abrupt change in attitude from the older man. Aragibal might not know Miqo’te signs and tells, but the other warrior’s tail will stop flicking behind him, and his ears will rise from their down and back position, though remain turned away from the Auri knight for now. He gives a careful blink, and he hears out the rest of what he has to say before speaking.
“O’rhok Tia,” he says, and offers a hand for a shake. Do they do that in the east? “Hard on the O, it’s my clan marker.” He smiles? Sure why not, he smiles and then gives a bit of a wave. “I don’t drink but if it’s a hot meal you’re offering I won’t turn you down.” Hot food in a cold city is more of an essential than a luxury, and Rhok knows that the fare here in the Brume is decent for the price.
“The sword’s been sharpened about as far as it can be,” he says once they’re seated. He sets the balde down across the table and it’s clear the weapon is reaching the end of its hard-working life. It’s Ala Mhigan, so came from far away to begin with, and the edge has been chipped and finished and chipped again so many times the original decorations down the fuller are all but worn away. “A few more fights and it’s going to start warping if it doesn’t just break, but I’ve almost enough gil to replace it. The bounty on Steropes and his minions should be about enough.” Maybe he can get new gauntlets soon- or finally replace his axe.
“I’ve heard a fair bit about this ogre, but what about you?”
Oh hai x.x
Date: 2018-07-11 09:12 am (UTC)Or not. She thought as she watched him swap in to take a powerful blow she was unable to avoid, hating the cold shock of fear that ran through her as she watched him fight. He was good, really good, and oh god how lucky did she get that he was practically plastered to the wall in Aleport.
Behemoth finally dead, Atha paused as the other Adventurers teleported away, sucking in air and shaking out her aching limbs. It was when it became clear to Atha that he wasn't leaving that she swung her axe at him with a shout.
"How fucking dare you?! Who gave you the gods damned right?! You forced me into that fight!"
and thus she was returned after 3 weeks rest
Date: 2018-07-17 04:06 pm (UTC)"Most people want to put down giant beasts - and we all had your back!"
He was still irritatingly cheerful.
"If we didn't put it down here and now it'd cause quite a bit more trouble for others anyhow - we made a perfectly able team to bring it down!"
He meant specifically himself and her, not the entire group of people - though it could be taken either way.
"Come, let's go take a rest and get some food - after a fight like that nothing else is of more comfort!"
His grip on his sword had not loosened one bit, recognizing she may take more swings at him, ready to deflect them. He wouldn't attack her or attempt to disable her, just deflect.
big mood for this thread tbh :P
Date: 2018-08-01 11:07 pm (UTC)She steps back when he mentions the two of them resting and eating together. "You did it on purpose didn't you?" She shouts at him, accusing, "You did it so I couldn't leave!"
can you hear me screaming from campus
Date: 2018-11-27 06:11 pm (UTC)"I did it for the glory of the fight - your visage shall be spread as a hero now! You'll be recognized as the one who gathered everyone to put down the great beast! I had no intention in trapping you in a situation you didn't want to be in."
His voice softened, and his voice a bit more quiet, especially with the snow muffling sound.
"I apologize if that is what I did, m'lady."
SCREAMS I ALMOST FORGOT THAT ARA IS A SOBER BOI
Date: 2018-11-29 01:31 pm (UTC)The giant Au Ra took O'rhok's hand and gave it a firm shake, giving a friendly smile at the acceptance at a meal. They walked together to and found a warm place to sit. Aragibal listened close to what O'rhok was saying about the sword as he looked it over. His brow furrowed - it seemed okay enough for the mission ahead, but it definitely needed replacement. Aragibal didn't let his eyes linger over O'rhok's armor - O'rhok probably wouldn't have gotten here if he didn't know what he was doing.
Aragibal looked back up to O'rhok at the question. "I've been around Eorzea for a while, but I'm new to this area in particular. I haven't heard that much about the beast, but I have yet to find something that can best me." He conveniently left out that he often will call for help from some friends he'd met while roaming Eorzea. It also wasn't really appropriate to call them to help with a learning lesson, it felt like. Besides, O'rhok must have been worth something if Sidguru decided to pair them up together. It'd be fine. "...I assume that he's likely something nasty, though. I've noticed that Eorzean guards tend to leave the big game out for adventurers willing to take care of it for them." It wasn't really meant as an insult, but he probably could have worded it better. The same was true for the Domans, though they had the imperial occupation to deal with. Aragibal was almost more interested into what a Xaela was doing out here in the snow... but the same could be asked of him.
A woman came to take their order and Aragibal smiled warmly at her, perhaps laying it on a bit thick, as he ordered from her. As she left he turned his attention back to O'rhok, back to his more normal self. Interestingly, he ordered Ishgardian tea rather than anything alcoholic.
absolutely XD
Date: 2018-12-09 10:39 pm (UTC)It's clear that she's getting more and more worked up as Atha continues to fail to hit and with a final shriek, throws the massive battleaxe at him.
no subject
Date: 2018-12-17 02:42 am (UTC)"That sure is a new technique, hah. They didn't teach me that while I was learning the axe." It had distracted him enough to make him grin and be amused. He looked back to her as the axe landed in the snow, his smile fading as he came back to the reality of the situation. "Well, why wouldn't you? You're quite a talented warrior."
And not so hard on the eyes either, he thought to himself, though he knew this wasn't the time to say it.
How Do Make Friend
Date: 2018-12-17 09:11 pm (UTC)“Steropes himself isn’t the biggest threat,” he explains, taking an empty cup from the table and setting it up between them. “He’s big and he’s nasty with a wide cleave with his club, but the real danger are all his minions.” He takes the shakers and puts them beside the cup, “They circle him like dogs waiting for scraps, and the ones that can’t get close hide out in the trees and ravines around his stomping ground. They aren’t scouts so they won’t go out of their way to attack people unless he tells them to, but it means for every one of the inner minions you slaughter, two on the outside see their chance to prove themselves to him.” He sounds like he’s seen this happen before, because he has.
“About two weeks ago I watched a company of Temple Knights march right into the eye of the storm and get picked off by the small ones.” He takes a swallow of hot tea, barely tasting it and eyeing the small diagram of discarded utensils and napkins on their table. “I joined for long enough to help some of the stragglers escape but unless we come up with a way to deal with his little honour guard then the two of us won’t cut it. He hits as hard as you expect when you’re in front of him, but being surrounded on all sides by the little ones with no relief will get an off-tank swarmed and killed.” Which brings them to O’rhok giving Ara a patient look, still holding his cup by his mouth.
“Thoughts?”
the last bit is mostly just a poke about the plan we kinda mentioned in dm, feel free to ignore
Date: 2018-12-26 05:43 pm (UTC)He was quiet as he looked over the little display that O'rhok set up to explain the situation, listening carefully as O'rhok described the event with the Temple Knights. After being asked for his thoughts Aragibal took a drink from his tea as he took a moment to consider all of this information that O'rhok dumped on him. He set his cup down and tore a piece of bread in half and started spreading some butter across it as he spoke, not looking up to meet O'rhok's gaze as he spoke - more a sign of thinking rather than lack of respect.
"I am used to fighting big things that hit hard - the bigger and harder they hit, the better the challenge. Where I am from I had a group of friends that would always accompany me on the hunt. I cannot say I've ever been in the reverse situation - I'm in a handful of hunting networks so I always have had the ability to call for help if something was too large for me to do alone."
He took a bite of the bread, chewing and swallowing before speaking again. "This isn't a time to call for help, however, because this is a test for us. Normally I just hit the target really hard until it's dead. I could probably hold the attention of the minions while you take care of Steropes?" Aragibal either did not understand the sheer number of the minions, or he severely underestimated them. Either way, Aragibal was not the strategic planner - that was always his friends, he just always pissed the big bad things off so his friends could actually carry out a plan.
He gave a small smile, attempting at a joke. "The little ones aren't a problem if they can't hit me, right?" He meant mostly that he was just agile, but that may just spark an idea in O'rhok.