Stranger's Galaxy

"I remember damage. And escape. Then adrift in a stranger's galaxy for a long time. But I'm safe now. I found it again. My home."

[buoyfriend]

Headcannnnnooooons, get your headcannnnnons heeeeeeere *:･ﾟ✧(ꈍᴗꈍ)✧･ﾟ:*

Hi everyone! I've been getting more HC requests lately so I wanted to make something official! Want to know your favorite NPC's thoughts on a topic? Send me a message and I will "ask"!

Submission FAQ and headcannon list below the cut!

Submission FAQ

Are submissions open?

Yes! I get a big dopamine rush when y'all send them so please do.

Which characters do you write for?

Any FFXIV character. Though I haven't written for all of them yet, I'm open to trying new characters. There is so much nuance baked into each NPC's story that we can dig into together.

What style do you write in? Do you write NSFW?

Unless asked otherwise, I'll write SFW in a bullet point/interview question and response with said NPC. I think of HC writing as a collaborative thing, so remember to include detail. Do you prefer specific pronouns? Every WoL is unique, and their personality may color how an NPC sees them (are they bold? are they shy? etc!) and that's always fun to work with.

If you'd like a different style or are interested in NSFW, please feel free to ask. On that note, I don't write NSFW for under age characters.

Where can I find existing HC posts?

I'm working on going through my posts and changing the tags for easy searches, but it is no easy task and I am ~quite lazy~ so it may be a while! In the meantime, I will post a masterlist below.

HC Masterlist

The Ascians/Ancients

The WoL's Birthday - Featuring Hades, Venat, and Hythlodaeus

Scions of the Seventh Dawn

The WoL's Birthday - Featuring the Scions in Sharlayan

Ishgardian Elf Husbands

Aymeric's Reaction to the WoL's Echo Abilities

Meeting A Stunning Older Woman or Our Elf Boys Meet A Milf

Parenting Perspectives from Three Very Different Elf Fathers

The Moment I Fell in Love with the WoL from Three Perspectives

The WoL's Birthday - Featuring Ishgard NPCs

A Surprise Birthday Gift ft. Aymeric & Estinien

Zenos

Zenos is A Very Fun Dad

A Surprise Birthday Gift ft. Zenos

Longer Form Stories

Part 3 of 4 is out! Lua is a traveler from another star, arriving in Eorzea with no memory of where she came from or where she is going. Yet, she presses forward to find out whether anyone can really return home or if the present is just enough.

Stranger's Galaxy on Tumblr

Stranger's Galaxy on Ao3

Happy Reading!

[terramythos]

sorry im never going to be over the fact that ffxiv dragons are space aliens it's the funniest way anyone has handled dragons in a fantasy setting

[terramythos]

space aliens ☝️ whose planet was destroyed by space alien robots. It must be said

[terramythos]

only survived because one (1) guy went. hey guys this space robot shit is stupid they're gonna kick our ass. i'm leaving with exactly 7 of my eggs BYE. then just raw dog flew through space until he found a planet

[shipperwolf1]

then he met God and she was like "hey wanna live on my special planet and raise your kids here? In exchange for protecting it from [redacted]?"

And he was all "fuck yeah, thanks God"

And that's how ffxiv got dragons

[buoyfriend]

hi! do you still take hc requests(●´ω｀●)?

Hello! I do! It's been a bit inactive for the last couple of years but a new HC request would be so refreshing 😌 Fire away!

[thatsthewrongwallcraig]

Write it shitty, write it scared, write it without a clue but don't you be so spineless and have an AI write fanfic for you.

[buoyfriend]

Hello again:)

As new season of coughs ans sneezes approaches I have a question of how would Scions (choose any you like), Aymeric and Zenos (where would we go without him?) react on WoL catching serious cold? Time period is at your liking from Heavenward to adventures in Garlemald:)

Thank you in advance:)

Absolutely, I love this idea! The WoL Gets a Cold is up now!

[buoyfriend]

The WoL Catches A Cold *a-choo* - feat. The Ishgard Elf Husbands, G'raha Tia, Ardbert, Hien & Zenos

@eidechsejaspis asked:

Hello again:)

As new season of coughs ans sneezes approaches I have a question of how would Scions (choose any you like), Aymeric and Zenos (where would we go without him?) react on WoL catching serious cold? Time period is at your liking from Heavenward to adventures in Garlemald:)

Thank you in advance:)

It is sniffles season again! Thank you for asking, this was a really fun one to get back into HC writing with!

Aymeric

In moments you think he's not watching, he is. He adores the way you wince when reading an unpleasant part of a book, how you fidget in Alliance meetings, even the little whistle of your snore. Aymeric notices your first sneeze. It's hard to get allergies in Coerthas, and he recognizes the hacking from your lungs a few days later. This comes for everyone sooner or later, and politely asks you to quarantine yourself for a few days.

He isn't one to miss work to care for a sick partner or spouse but has a very attentive nurse stationed nearby

He has given his full itinerary for the next several days so he can be alerted as soon as you wake up from a much needed, multi-day sleep

Aymeric wouldn't argue that he knows cooking well, but he does make a point to assist in the kitchen after work to make sure that you have soup recommended by the best chirugeon available

He will dodge kisses from you for days to avoid becoming sick himself, but it's too late anyways

When Aymeric finds himself bedridden for a few days, he decides that it was worthwhile to give you that forehead kiss as you slept

Estinien

Estinien is familiar with sickness. Long campaigns through the newly snowy Coerthas as a young knight taught him much of seasonal illnesses. He's seen many a friend drink their weight in bitter root soups, gnaw on wild herbs, and the like to push through it until they can get home. He's seen you sick before. Still, he has some lingering anxiety. You looked far worse than a little aetheryte sickness. He's lost much and more, the thought nags at him that more concern might be warranted.

Estinien has his hands full with travel these days and assures you that he will indeed make it to tea with Vritra tomorrow afternoon

He does not make it to tea with Vritra

Estinien deftly slips into the bedroom but there was no need, you had been out cold for hours by then

He would like to keep his friend from waiting, but not until he's sure that your breathing is steady and your temperature not too high

What a sight to see! Had you been awake, you might have heard Estinien's dress shoes pacing along the floor, his hand nearly to his linkpearl while paralyzed by indecision on whether to cancel or not

He cautiously leaves a glass of water and your linkpearl on the bedside table, just in case, though he may never admit that it was he who placed both there

When he does return home, perhaps an hour earlier than expected, he denies all concern as he settles into bed beside you

Haurchefant

While he's not a sadist, Haurchefant absolutely loves the sight of you ill. You're always off somewhere, but for this small bubble of time, you're here. You're sipping hot chocolate and letting him read poetry to you rather than mailing it off to some distant locale. He can watch your tired face grin and sigh rather than imagining it alone from Camp Dragonhead.

His favorite thing to make for you, of course. Hot chocolate, every day you're sick. No matter how hard it is to get chocolate in Coerthas, no matter how many tall tales he must tell to provision it, you wake up to hot chocolate beside your bed every morning.

"You don't need caffeine, anyways, you need something calming and a smile."

He knows he'll get sick if he sleeps next to you every night, but he's forewarned Camp Dragonhead. Emmanellain can hold his seat for a fortnight, it could be good practice for him.

Haurchefant watches you sleep, sliding his hand under the covers to grasp yours. For once, the cuts and bruises all over you are starting to heal. Days off the road, finally given rest. He wishes you both had more days like this.

G'raha Tia

Just as your new adventures together have begun, you fail to keep up. You run a little slower, stopping after a few paces to lean into a cough, heavy sneezes punctuating the blows you attempt to land on monsters. G'raha is quick to notice but slow to bring it up.

He frets, wringing his hands beside you as you ready yourself for the day, struggling to put on your clothes. As you sigh in failure, dropping yourself onto the bed, G'raha can't help himself.

"You can admit you're sick. I know you've been on the road for a long time. Even with the help of your friends, the path you walk is a lonely one. But you're not alone this time. Let yourself rest and let me take care of the other things that come along?"

G'raha fields the many requests sent your way, trying his best to fulfill them, wondering how you do it all at full health.

In quieter moments, he finds his way to The Last Stand to get your favorite dinner, absolutely purring as he watches your sleepy smile. Alas, your sense of smell is back! You knew exactly what he'd brought you as soon as he opened the bag!

He can't help but laugh to himself as you find yourself exhausted from the walk from your bed to the dining table, cracking jokes about his hero losing the greatest battle thus far.

G'raha's excitement knows no bounds when you announce that you're well enough to continue your travels together. The ruddy cheeks, the soft ear wiggle. No sickness can stop his hero for long.

Ardbert

(Assuming Ardbert is no longer a ghost!)

Ardbert is restless. He hasn't seen an open field, a forest, an ocean in days. He wonders if it's unsupportive to ask if you'd mind if he pops out for a fishing trip tomorrow. Perhaps if you're a little better in the morning?

He's not heartless, he left some hot tea beside your bed and made sure your medicines were in reach.

Though he did have some guilt by the third hour of his fishing adventure. The pangs of guilt grew until an idea sprouted from them.

He racked his mind as he navigated the markets. He had enough fish, but the right peppers...which peppers were correct. Tomatoes. Cream. Potatoes. Something was missing, some spice.

Ardbert has made a mess of things. He has put out the kitchen fire, somehow there are no more clean pots and pans. Yet, the soup is complete! It was his mother's recipe, it always had him right as rain after a day or so.

Though you tried your best to hold a straight face, the soup was...I don't know if it's fair to call it a soup. He looks absolutely crushed.

You fall asleep while he strokes your hair, his head pressed against yours as he told you stories. About Kholusia, fishing for cod with his father, his mother's miracle soup. He asks what they made where you're from, but it's too late. You've already drifted off, dreaming about magic fish.

Oddly enough, from a couple of sips of Ardbert's attempted soup, you feel some measure better. He, on the other hand, has the same horrible wheezing cough you had a day before.

Hien

Hien is not the biggest believer in staying bedridden in a sealed room while sick. He frowns, hating to see you suffer, but a thought springs to mind as he twirls your lank, sweaty hair between his fingers.

The clean air of the Azim Steppe is just as promised. During the day, he haggles in the markets for the best Dzo to make stews, the best leaves to make tea. All while you watch the clouds pass from the hammock outside of your yurt.

It's hard to leave the hammock, not only for the comfort. Where else could you see so many stars? Hien points to his favorites, the brightest, the funniest shapes some constellations make.

There wasn't much for entertainment, but watching Hien in the distance sparring with friends was a welcome sight.

After a few days, he encourages you to come with him. On a little walk, at least. Another day, just a little spar. How do you know you're well if you don't test your skills?

The break from all the noise, the responsibilities, becomes intoxicating to you after some time. Hien never has to rush to some meeting, you never need to leave to be flung at a new problem.

You've been better for a week now, finding yourself testing your sharpness with Hien and his friends every morning. Though you may have been hesitant to travel while sick, the time spent together was precious. Perhaps next time you won't have to be sick to convince yourself to take a break.

Zenos

He's seen you weakened before, brought to your knees by your own frailty. It disappoints him and yet, he's fascinated by it in a way he doesn't quite understand. How could someone so pitiful occupy every hour of his day?

Zenos doesn't agree with the chirugeon, you could power through this with sheer force of will and merely shrugs as the medicines are set on the table.

This could not be what ends the object of his obsession, his first friend. He regularly checks that you're still breathing. He leans in too close to hear that your heart is still beating, only to be rewarded by a wheezing cough into his hair.

His size is quite the advantage, it's not a challenge for him to carry you from place to place. He leans low to the ground, scooping you up as the sight of you exhausted from standing up only leaves him with disgust.

Still, when you fall asleep each night, he leans his head to your chest. Your heart still beats, your skin glittering with sweat. He knew he would see you like this on another day, performing the great feats that brought him to you in the first place. Though he never understood your reasons, he knew you'd be back to fighting the mesmerizing fights that led the two of you here. To share a bed, a home, a life.

[buoyfriend]

Update!

Howdy, I have been away from months while I process some big changes in my personal life. I've missed writing terribly but have had zero motivation to do it largely because my main story is drawn from my life in many moments. So in a lot of ways, I was busy writing it!

I am still taking requests for HC but will be working through them slowly. Excited to hear your ideas and collaborate together soon 💖

[sea-wolf-coast-to-coast]

FFxiv 30 Day Writing Challenge SEPTEMBER 1st - 30th, 2022

Welcome to YEAR 6 of our annual FFxiv 30 Day Writing Challenge, folks!

Last year we had 10,390 total entries! Which brings us to a total of 31,556 unique written entries over the last 5 years. That is just incredible! And something that I think that we should be super proud of as a creative fan community.

Once again, a quick thanks to you all for your patience with me last year as I was slow to communicate on a lot of things. I was working full-time, traveling, and very pregnant with my first kiddo - who came 3 weeks early, before I had a chance to wrap up all of the FFxivWrite2021 details. The very belated recap post can be found here if you missed it, and all winners have been contacted.

Now, without further ado, let’s get into how this challenge works!

Here’s the gist:

Runs from September 1st - 30th, 2022. During that timeframe:

Visit sea-wolf-coast-to-coast​ once a day at 12:00pm (noon) PDT for the prompt of the day. Convert to your timezone accordingly. All prompts will be one word or brief phrase that you can interpret however you please.

You have 24 hours to write something for that prompt.

Submit the link to your entry post via this Google Form: https://forms.gle/SxFpwkKPLqnUwAYD9

There are no length or skill requirements (short & sweet is fine!).

There will be no 24-hour deadlines for the first week, September 1st - 7th.

Makeup/extra credit days every Sunday.

Every entry posted within its 24-hour deadline will count toward a participation prize raffle at the end.

You can join any time with any prompt #! There’s no need for latecomers to start with prompt #1. Picking up with the most recent prompt is A OK.

If you’re an artist and you would like to volunteer to do a simple black & white illustration as a participation prize at the end of this challenge, you can volunteer here!

RULES & MORE INFO can be found here: https://ffxiv-write.carrd.co/

(( a new expac calls for new banner art - by @dantinmikannes ))

Rules & Info || Prompt List || #FFxivWrite2022 || kofi

[buoyfriend]

Guys, the first prompt is up today!!!

[sea-wolf-coast-to-coast]

FFxiv 30 Day Writing Challenge SEPTEMBER 1st - 30th, 2022

Welcome to YEAR 6 of our annual FFxiv 30 Day Writing Challenge, folks!

Last year we had 10,390 total entries! Which brings us to a total of 31,556 unique written entries over the last 5 years. That is just incredible! And something that I think that we should be super proud of as a creative fan community.

Once again, a quick thanks to you all for your patience with me last year as I was slow to communicate on a lot of things. I was working full-time, traveling, and very pregnant with my first kiddo - who came 3 weeks early, before I had a chance to wrap up all of the FFxivWrite2021 details. The very belated recap post can be found here if you missed it, and all winners have been contacted.

Now, without further ado, let’s get into how this challenge works!

Here’s the gist:

Runs from September 1st - 30th, 2022. During that timeframe:

Visit sea-wolf-coast-to-coast​ once a day at 12:00pm (noon) PDT for the prompt of the day. Convert to your timezone accordingly. All prompts will be one word or brief phrase that you can interpret however you please.

You have 24 hours to write something for that prompt.

Submit the link to your entry post via this Google Form: https://forms.gle/SxFpwkKPLqnUwAYD9

There are no length or skill requirements (short & sweet is fine!).

There will be no 24-hour deadlines for the first week, September 1st - 7th.

Makeup/extra credit days every Sunday.

Every entry posted within its 24-hour deadline will count toward a participation prize raffle at the end.

You can join any time with any prompt #! There’s no need for latecomers to start with prompt #1. Picking up with the most recent prompt is A OK.

If you’re an artist and you would like to volunteer to do a simple black & white illustration as a participation prize at the end of this challenge, you can volunteer here!

RULES & MORE INFO can be found here: https://ffxiv-write.carrd.co/

(( a new expac calls for new banner art - by @dantinmikannes ))

Rules & Info || Prompt List || #FFxivWrite2022 || kofi

[buoyfriend]

A little shameless self promotion, come dance with us at the Abberant Lounge!

Crystal Mateus/Mist/W7/P6

9pm-2am EST

Featuring DJ MIO MIO!

[buoyfriend]

Hi! This is kind of a fluffy HC ask, but say the elf husbands have had a bad day - what could their partner do to comfort them most? [not a nsfw ask per se but like. i do work from home ;)]

Love some good fluff! Bad Days ft. The Elf Husbands is available now!

[buoyfriend]

Bad Day ft. The Elf Husbands

Hi! This is kind of a fluffy HC ask, but say the elf husbands have had a bad day - what could their partner do to comfort them most? [not a nsfw ask per se but like. i do work from home ;)]

Aymeric

There are days that Aymeric rues his choices, sometimes the choices made for him. He had not asked to be Lord Speaker, nor had he expected to hold the title once it had been made. After all, he had taken a dagger to the ribs for his political stances, he had not anticipated that he would be trusted with this role.

Yet, he was chosen! He was elected without so much as a campaign speech. Aymeric could have rejected the offer to lead the House of Lords, but who was likeminded enough to carry out his vision? Who would meet the House of Commons as true equals? Who would sacrifice all want to safely bear Ishgard to the other side of the Dragonsong War?

On days like these, he sits among the mountains of paper on his desk. He remembers your dinner so long ago, the blush reaching his ears as you asked "Why not come with me on the next?" He had always wanted to come with you, yet here he was. Losing his days in contentious meetings, piles of rejected proposals.

He often loses himself in his imagination as he revises his proposals, choosing a warm fantasy over bitter rumination about his day. He reads each line three, four times, forgetting what he had intended for Section III, Part IX. He can almost feel the wind in his hair! In his mind's eye, his hands slide around your waist, he breathes in the scent of Yanxia's trees lingering in your hair. He had eyed the Yol you brought home, curious how high it might be able to fly. How fast it might go, the rush you must feel as you are spirited across the star to see your many sights.

He goes through the motion of dipping his quill in the ink. Smoothly, "Ser Aymeric de Borel" on the line, hearing his own name in his ears. Your voice, "Ser Aymeric, why not join me on the next?"

Did you ever get to go with them? On an adventure, I mean.

Aymeric laughs, smiling at the neatly piled documents stacked before him. I am not the tallest person, but the documents have reached my eye level. Aymeric seems to keep his neck above it all, peering over the documents to meet my eyes.

"Unfortunately, no. You know as well as anyone! After the conclusion of the Dragonsong War, our star faced new difficulties. We both found ourselves preoccupied for some time. I had hoped in the moments we shared in Ala Mhigo, perhaps...the Lochs aren't the most breathtaking sight, but an adventure all the same. I-we both had much to contend with at the time. I hold out hope that we will find a moment of respite, but-"

Aymeric gestures to his desk.

""The moment has yet to find us. Still, we make our time when we can. It means much and more when they drop by the Congregation."

He smiles before pulling a small jar from his desk drawer. He rolls it around in one hand, rich birch syrup catching the light.

"I admit, they have me spoiled. A jar of birch syrup and a bottle of my favorite wine. A few bottles if there is enough time for it. This desk has seen much merriment between the Warrior of Light and I."

He looks away from me, eyes trained on the desk as his lips curve into a grin. One I haven't seen before, a bit mischievous.

Estinien

Though he loathes to admit it, Estinien can be quite sensitive. He has always maintained his calm exterior in the face of crisis, this is true. Yet, those days come for everyone. The materia doesn't meld properly, someone tells you 10,000 gil isn't a reasonable price for your lunch, the only room left at the inn is downwind from the only washroom in the establishment.

It's not surprising how little someone who wears spikes on their armor is touched. What surprises Estinien is how badly he would like to be touched. Not just in all the ways he imagines when you're away from him for so long, but the small things.

He growls when you move his hand away from his coinpurse at the market or when he nearly misses his finger slicing a popoto. However, when you're not around, he does think of those moments when he misspends his coin on an overpriced hair tie or knicks his thumb slicing popotoes for a stew.

He regrets the growl even though it makes you laugh, he smiles thinking about your effort in making him feel cared for. He regrets making you think that you'd ever be an inconvenience, that you're in any way unwelcome when he's feeling low or walking into a mistake.

The most welcome surprise would be you, kicking down the inn room door to peel off his armor. Your hands in his hair, untying the elastic and running your hands through the strands. Your hands scrubbing the soap that smells like you into his scalp, running your fingers along his skin before your arms give him a squeeze with all your strength.

On these absolutely cursed days, he falls asleep thinking how much he wished you'd at least knock. He knows the weight of your hand against a door. He tells himself he is being ridiculous-that the moonlight streaming through this blasted window in this shameful inn with no decency to even set up curtains- is what's keeping him awake. He knows this isn't true. After the first hour comes and goes, he knows that it's because he's listening, waiting for the exact weight of your knuckles to hit the door.

You look terrible, my friend. No offence. But you look absolutely terrible. You didn't wake up early to go fishing, did you?

Estinien is too tired to let out his customary growl or scowl. Instead, he smiles down at me pleasantly as he holds his coffee mug.

"The opposite, I fell asleep late last night and woke rather late as well. I-I'd make this conversation quick, my friend."

Eager to get somewhere?

"The Warrior of Light will be here soon, it has been some time. They should be in the plaza shortly."

Estinien drummed his fingers against the table, slurping his coffee. Before our conversation has begun in earnest, he leaves far too much coin on the table at the Thavnairan cafe and shouts his goodbyes as the hum of a distant teleport sounds in the distance.

Haurchefant

Haurchefant is slow to admit that his job is hard. It's not the Holy See. He doesn't manage an entire city, his decisions don't trickle down to a far reach. Still, being Commander of Camp Dragonhead is no simple task.

Many knights have been lost during the war, and his duty to them weighs heavy as he writes notification letters to the families of the deceased. He bears that responsibility all his own, ruminating on what he might have done differently to keep just one more alive.

On easier but still challenging days, he counts himself lucky that the only problems are few. Still, he must delegate the tasks. He must figure out how to stretch supplies after the latest shipment was destroyed by heretics. He must break up the fight over Aurelle's promotion or the lewd photo of Jeantremont's beloved stolen from his trunk.

On these kinds of days, increasing in number, Haurchefant thinks about your face the first time he brought you a steaming mug of hot chocolate.

While it had been no easy feat to procure the chocolate, it had been more difficult to prepare the fragrant drink without a camp full of knights asking why it wasn't on the menu for them as well.

Still, he secreted the brick of chocolate into the camp. He looked over his shoulder as he stirred the milk and sugar in the pot. Carefully, he hid it in a drawer hoping to cover the scent as he awaited your return that day.

In his most difficult moments, Haurchefant chuckles to himself about his favorite phrase, "a knight lives to serve". For a man who has spent his entire day struggling through his duty to others, he realizes nothing would relax him more than doing something kind for you. Anything to see that look on your face again.

Haurche? How did you get the chocolate? I thought that drink was a rarity in Ishgard.

Haurchefant bellows his laugh, moving his hands to his hips as he shrugs.

"It was no easy feat, my friend! How did you know I brought the Warrior of Light hot chocolate? Did they tell you?"

Yes, apparently your recipe is quite delicious.

Haurchefant smiles softly with a soft blush that spreads to his ears. He looks around the room slowly, leaning in with a conspiratorial grin.

The House Fortemps does keep a small supply in the kitchens. Though I grew up there, I can't say that I am welcome to turn up unannounced. I wove an elaborate story about wanting to take Emmanellain out to "shop" for "party clothes" and snuck a brick of the chocolate out after we returned from an hours long venture to the Jeweled Crozier.

[buoyfriend]

The WoL's Birthday - Choose Your Own Adventure Headcanon

My nameday happened this past weekend (7/1, Cancer baybeee~) so I thought I'd switch things up a bit. Below is a choose your own adventure birthday celebration for the WoL! Pick where you think your WoL would celebrate their nameday (and with whom!)

Note: The scenes depicted take place after the end of 6.0, before 6.1 with a little creative liberty.

The Scions - Sharlayan

Thankfully, the Scions are led not by an Antecedent, but by their trusty secretary and coinkeeper. She knows all, including the namedays of each member of your party.

The details are need-to-know, but given the state of the star's affairs over the last few months, you may have not learned of your surprise party if Tataru had shouted it from the rooftops.

Sharlayan was the most convenient place to meet. Not geographically, of course. Simply because you were already in town for some short-term delivery work.

Though he is attuned to both the Thavnairan and Sharlayan aetherytes, Estinien finds himself queasy at the thought of traveling between the two again. Yet, he makes the journey as it's too late to convince Tataru to hold the celebration elsewhere. Besides, he hadn't the courage to convince Tataru of anything.

On the morning of your nameday, you awake to G'raha already in your room, pacing before a banner and a breakfast picked up from The Last Stand. He had questioned you the night before, attempting to surmise your exact "favorite breakfast" without arousing suspicion.

You are positively spoiled with food for the entire day. Between G'raha and Ameliance, you find yourself slowed down with a full belly and the tastes of rich dishes lingering on your tongue.

Still, your growing list of companions who are, conveniently in town at the same time as you, insist on pulling you by the hand to enjoy all Sharlayan has to offer.

As the day draws to a close, you are brought back to a tavern, to the same patio that you enjoyed a drink with your comrades before your storied trip to the far edge of fate. Everyone, Scions and friends, leap out from behind pillars to bellow "Happy Birthday!"

Despite your best efforts, Alisae and Alphinaud get into the wine. It is quite a sight. Alisae has been disarmed, thank gods. Forchenault is aghast and would like to take them home to reprimand them, but Ameliance would not miss the night for anything. Their children are safely tucked under a blanket and put to rest on the sidelines.

Though Thancred has put away his flirting for some years, you see a spark of his old self as he leans along the bar for half the evening to speak with the bartender.

Urianger never ceases to amaze. He is as light on his feet as he is eloquent with his words.

Y'shtola's laugh peppers the air the whole night, her eyes sliding over to you in a silent acknowledgement of the silliness of your friends, of the relief you share in seeing everyone together again for a moment. "When all seemed lost in Ultima Thule," she asks with her eyes, "Could you have imagined this?"

Ishgard Elf Friends - Fortemps Manor

Of course Count Edmont knows your nameday, that's silly to even ask. He knows all of his children's namedays, whether he was present for the birth or not.

He is quite pleased to finally plan such a lavish event for you. Though he expected your blushing refusal, he insists. Though he knew you would say something along the lines of "You've done enough for me", he has already ordered a towering cake with your name written in icing of your favorite color. Yes, he knows this too.

Aymeric had planned to give you a gift, perhaps even to invite you over for another dinner. Still, he was quite pleased to receive the invitation. As soon as he saw the crest of House Fortemps sealed in wax on the envelope, he grinned, imagining your reaction to such a gesture.

Estinien had not been home for some time, pleased to think of time spent among his oldest, most cherished friends. After so much had changed, he imagined himself toasting you with a fine ale. He set out to purchase a gift, begrudgingly asking for Tataru's assistance as he remembered your pleading eyes as you begged him not to overpay for the last drink you'd shared together.

Though Artoirel is a natural at stoicism, he is not cold. He smiles to himself as he helps place the banner bearing your name in the sitting room, curious what you will think of his gift. He had spoken with many at the Jeweled Crozier who had done business with you before, certain that he had found something you would like.

Emmanellain is delighted to spend a nameday with you, truly. When asked, he was "glad that they have made a home with us, yes, yes" and trailed off to look at his pile of papers. He has rejected any requests to assist in setting up and has absolutely forgotten your gift. He has spent a great deal of time poring over the guest list, thrilled at some of the names he sees on the list. He would like to get you something, the party is tonight, he genuinely believes that he still has time. Worst comes to worst, he will make a show of his dance moves as a gift to you.

Lucia is somewhat pressed. Truly, what is one to wear to such a thing? Lucia is not one for these kinds of events. Still, she is glad to see you hale and whole after all of the profound experiences you've shared together, and she's excited to meet you not on the battlefield or in a strategic meeting, rather in a room full of warmth and laughter.

Hilda is quite prepared. Though she had not seen herself as someone who might rub elbows with lords and ladies, she's looking forward to making a fool of them all on the dancefloor. She is equally excited to catch a little more time with you! In all your time together, you've surprised her with your earnestness and your commitment to no class of people, but all of Ishgard.

Your Ancient, Oldest Friends - Elpis

For the life of him, Hades cannot remember why his trip to Elpis was so important. He simply remembers leaving confused, angry, but so much more committed to the duty put upon him as a Convocation member. He had not accomplished what he wished, and there was some period of time, at least two days, in which his memory was only hazy images. Still, he felt drawn to return, with you.

He proposed to Hythlodaeus and Venat that they meet you here at the suggested date and time. He scoffed at Hythlodaeus' suggestion that he had given away his deep caring for you, "A vacation to a beautiful place on their nameday?" he laughed into Hades' blushing face. Venat smiled softly, refusing to betray her own memory of how events had unfolded on their last visit.

Still, Venat dutifully packed her knapsack and prepared Argos for their journey. She smiled thinking of you in the present and in the future, changed in countless ways but unchanged in all the ways that mattered to her.

Hythlodaeus gladly played his part in the surprise, holding his hands before your eyes as he walked with you from the Aetherite plaza in Amaurot, asking what you can feel, what you can smell. Wildflowers, warmer sun on your skin.

Hythlodaeus released you from his embrace as you opened your eyes to see the rest of your friends. A few faces from your travels across Etheirys, a handful of Convocation members, your favorite neighbors from Amaurot spread out along the grass unpacking rucksacks for a picnic.

You lay in the grass, eating and laughing. You share stories for hours, eyeing Hades' grimace and soaking in Venat's laughter at your deeds.

The sun begins to set and the heavens put on a show for you, painting thick rose pinks, purples, oranges, yellows before it fades to an inky black, spotted with a sea of stars. You lay on your back, grasping a friend's hand in each of your own as you wish to have many more days and nights like this. Vowing that you might do anything to keep things this way forever.

[sinnamon-bunns]

Is all of them an option? ;~;

Ok ok if I had to pick my WoL would definitely spend her nameday with the scions. They were her first family and I always felt she was closest to Thancred of everyone she's met and has unofficially adopted alisae and alphinaud.

[buoyfriend]

I love this (′ꈍωꈍ‵)

I like to think that parts of this can happen over different years or in the case of the last story, different lifetimes! Celebrate with your whole fam 💙

[buoyfriend]

Hi! I have been following your blog for some time and I like your writing.

I've always wandering about Aymeric's, Estinien's and Zenos's reactions at a gift given to them by WoL. And their realization that they've forgotten about their own birthdays:)

Would you like to write them?:)

I love this! Thank you for sharing this idea, fic is now available here.

Coincidentally, my birthday was on 7/1 so I'm gonna make this a double feature. Part 2, The WoL's Birthday - Choose Your Own Adventure Headcanon.

Thank you for reading, please enjoy 💙

[buoyfriend]

The WoL's Birthday - Choose Your Own Adventure Headcanon

My nameday happened this past weekend (7/1, Cancer baybeee~) so I thought I'd switch things up a bit. Below is a choose your own adventure birthday celebration for the WoL! Pick where you think your WoL would celebrate their nameday (and with whom!)

Note: The scenes depicted take place after the end of 6.0, before 6.1 with a little creative liberty.

The Scions - Sharlayan

Thankfully, the Scions are led not by an Antecedent, but by their trusty secretary and coinkeeper. She knows all, including the namedays of each member of your party.

The details are need-to-know, but given the state of the star's affairs over the last few months, you may have not learned of your surprise party if Tataru had shouted it from the rooftops.

Sharlayan was the most convenient place to meet. Not geographically, of course. Simply because you were already in town for some short-term delivery work.

Though he is attuned to both the Thavnairan and Sharlayan aetherytes, Estinien finds himself queasy at the thought of traveling between the two again. Yet, he makes the journey as it's too late to convince Tataru to hold the celebration elsewhere. Besides, he hadn't the courage to convince Tataru of anything.

On the morning of your nameday, you awake to G'raha already in your room, pacing before a banner and a breakfast picked up from The Last Stand. He had questioned you the night before, attempting to surmise your exact "favorite breakfast" without arousing suspicion.

You are positively spoiled with food for the entire day. Between G'raha and Ameliance, you find yourself slowed down with a full belly and the tastes of rich dishes lingering on your tongue.

Still, your growing list of companions who are, conveniently in town at the same time as you, insist on pulling you by the hand to enjoy all Sharlayan has to offer.

As the day draws to a close, you are brought back to a tavern, to the same patio that you enjoyed a drink with your comrades before your storied trip to the far edge of fate. Everyone, Scions and friends, leap out from behind pillars to bellow "Happy Birthday!"

Despite your best efforts, Alisae and Alphinaud get into the wine. It is quite a sight. Alisae has been disarmed, thank gods. Forchenault is aghast and would like to take them home to reprimand them, but Ameliance would not miss the night for anything. Their children are safely tucked under a blanket and put to rest on the sidelines.

Though Thancred has put away his flirting for some years, you see a spark of his old self as he leans along the bar for half the evening to speak with the bartender.

Urianger never ceases to amaze. He is as light on his feet as he is eloquent with his words.

Y'shtola's laugh peppers the air the whole night, her eyes sliding over to you in a silent acknowledgement of the silliness of your friends, of the relief you share in seeing everyone together again for a moment. "When all seemed lost in Ultima Thule," she asks with her eyes, "Could you have imagined this?"

Ishgard Elf Friends - Fortemps Manor

Of course Count Edmont knows your nameday, that's silly to even ask. He knows all of his children's namedays, whether he was present for the birth or not.

He is quite pleased to finally plan such a lavish event for you. Though he expected your blushing refusal, he insists. Though he knew you would say something along the lines of "You've done enough for me", he has already ordered a towering cake with your name written in icing of your favorite color. Yes, he knows this too.

Aymeric had planned to give you a gift, perhaps even to invite you over for another dinner. Still, he was quite pleased to receive the invitation. As soon as he saw the crest of House Fortemps sealed in wax on the envelope, he grinned, imagining your reaction to such a gesture.

Estinien had not been home for some time, pleased to think of time spent among his oldest, most cherished friends. After so much had changed, he imagined himself toasting you with a fine ale. He set out to purchase a gift, begrudgingly asking for Tataru's assistance as he remembered your pleading eyes as you begged him not to overpay for the last drink you'd shared together.

Though Artoirel is a natural at stoicism, he is not cold. He smiles to himself as he helps place the banner bearing your name in the sitting room, curious what you will think of his gift. He had spoken with many at the Jeweled Crozier who had done business with you before, certain that he had found something you would like.

Emmanellain is delighted to spend a nameday with you, truly. When asked, he was "glad that they have made a home with us, yes, yes" and trailed off to look at his pile of papers. He has rejected any requests to assist in setting up and has absolutely forgotten your gift. He has spent a great deal of time poring over the guest list, thrilled at some of the names he sees on the list. He would like to get you something, the party is tonight, he genuinely believes that he still has time. Worst comes to worst, he will make a show of his dance moves as a gift to you.

Lucia is somewhat pressed. Truly, what is one to wear to such a thing? Lucia is not one for these kinds of events. Still, she is glad to see you hale and whole after all of the profound experiences you've shared together, and she's excited to meet you not on the battlefield or in a strategic meeting, rather in a room full of warmth and laughter.

Hilda is quite prepared. Though she had not seen herself as someone who might rub elbows with lords and ladies, she's looking forward to making a fool of them all on the dancefloor. She is equally excited to catch a little more time with you! In all your time together, you've surprised her with your earnestness and your commitment to no class of people, but all of Ishgard.

Your Ancient, Oldest Friends - Elpis

For the life of him, Hades cannot remember why his trip to Elpis was so important. He simply remembers leaving confused, angry, but so much more committed to the duty put upon him as a Convocation member. He had not accomplished what he wished, and there was some period of time, at least two days, in which his memory was only hazy images. Still, he felt drawn to return, with you.

He proposed to Hythlodaeus and Venat that they meet you here at the suggested date and time. He scoffed at Hythlodaeus' suggestion that he had given away his deep caring for you, "A vacation to a beautiful place on their nameday?" he laughed into Hades' blushing face. Venat smiled softly, refusing to betray her own memory of how events had unfolded on their last visit.

Still, Venat dutifully packed her knapsack and prepared Argos for their journey. She smiled thinking of you in the present and in the future, changed in countless ways but unchanged in all the ways that mattered to her.

Hythlodaeus gladly played his part in the surprise, holding his hands before your eyes as he walked with you from the Aetherite plaza in Amaurot, asking what you can feel, what you can smell. Wildflowers, warmer sun on your skin.

Hythlodaeus released you from his embrace as you opened your eyes to see the rest of your friends. A few faces from your travels across Etheirys, a handful of Convocation members, your favorite neighbors from Amaurot spread out along the grass unpacking rucksacks for a picnic.

You lay in the grass, eating and laughing. You share stories for hours, eyeing Hades' grimace and soaking in Venat's laughter at your deeds.

The sun begins to set and the heavens put on a show for you, painting thick rose pinks, purples, oranges, yellows before it fades to an inky black, spotted with a sea of stars. You lay on your back, grasping a friend's hand in each of your own as you wish to have many more days and nights like this. Vowing that you might do anything to keep things this way forever.

[buoyfriend]

A Surprise Birthday Gift ft. Aymeric, Estinien & Zenos

I've always wandering about Aymeric's, Estinien's and Zenos's reactions at a gift given to them by WoL. And their realization that they've forgotten about their own birthdays:)

Aymeric

Though Aymeric is a shrewd and clever man, he is a busy one as well. [redacted] day of [redacted month] is always labeled "House of Lords Vote" or "Alliance Meeting" rather than "Nameday Celebration".

Ser Aymeric's nameday is quite the event in the Holy See. In the weeks preceding it, the price of dragoon blue dyes skyrocket at the Jeweled Crozier. Florists prepare their stocks of blue oldroses, always failing to estimate the number needed every year.

Lost in increasing responsibilities, he always fails to see the month of unceasing attention coming for him like snow tumbling down a mountain. That is, until it has arrived in the form of many, many gifts.

He ignores the notes praising the lustrousness of his hair and the richness of his voice. He sends his regrets, he will not be able to attend any banquets in his honor. He discards requests to meet in some dark corner of the Empyreum ward under the waxing moon.

Instead, he chooses instead to spend the night in his office, lamenting the strangeness of his culture. For as much political opposition as he had received, he had always received shallow admiration in equal measure.

On such nights, his thoughts trail off into the meaning of the day. This nameday, the very first day he was Aymeric de Borel was the first time he was chosen. It was the first time he was loved.

Imagine his surprise when you catch him lost in reverie! He doesn't give much time to reflect on his parents, but you've found him doing just that as he sips his tea before the fire in the parlor. As he shakes the thought of the very first time he was loved, he thinks on all of the love you've given him in the time you've known each other.

Your gift isn't a shallow attempt to earn a high house's title nor to win his political favor. It's simply a token of your appreciation, of your affection. To say he is moved is an understatement.

Aymeric, you receive so many gifts each year. Why was this one so meaningful to you? I'm told you "stuttered and couldn't find any words"!

Aymeric blushes, red spreading to the tips of his long ears. He gently clears his throat as he looks away from his interviewer.

"Truthfully, I did struggle in that moment. You know the ways of the Holy See, if not through your own travels through these interviews, I'm sure. Their gift was simple, but it meant all to me. Not a grand bouquet of oldroses, not jewelry crafted by the Crozier's finest artisans. It was not extravagant nor was it attempt to curry my favor. It was a small token, made for me by their own hands. The same hands that carried the burden of Ishgard's history, the same hands that rebuilt the Firmament.

Though you and I do share quite a bit of candor between us, the exact nature of the gift is not something I will disclose. That is between the Warrior of Light and I. But, know that as they presented the gift to me, I was quite overcome. My eyes glazed over with returned admiration as I thought of exactly where I might place it to see it every day."

Estinien

As his Temple Knights are wont to do, Estinien has long enjoyed excuses to celebrate over a pint! Despite leaving his company of warriors, he has not lost his interest in celebrating namedays at the Forgotten Knight.

But despite all interest, his attention has been split in the last several years. Since your arrival in Eorzea, his views have been shattered. On his life, his country, the world around him.

A man so committed to defeating dragonkind, driven to cast aside his family name in place of "Wyrmblood" has found himself in the deepest kinship with many dragons. His nameday is the last thing on his mind in light of the years' many events.

Estinien prides himself on being difficult to find, only appearing on the board at the precise moment that he would like to join the game. Alas, you have found him. The surprise does not end there.

Though he catches himself as the words tumble out of his mouth, he does realize that his tone was impolite, that your intentions were nothing but kind, he is quite taken aback that you have learned his nameday without him sharing it directly with you.

He softens as you extend your hands with a gift, surprised that you would make a point to find him at all, let alone on this day with a trinket meant to express your feelings.

It must have been quite a shock that the Warrior of Light found you. How do you think they did that? They are quite talented, you and I both know that, but you're a slippery one. How did they manage?

Estinien releases a low growl as he rolls his eyes. He sighs as he turns to look at his interviewer.

"Gods if I know. I would like to know to avoid a repeat of the incident. I do not enjoy being surprised in such a way. Though, I do admit, I enjoyed the rest of the surprise. In these last few years, I've had quite a bit to consider. My views on things have changed, as you can see.

Estinien turns his head to smile lightly at Vritra.

My view of myself has changed. The last time I celebrated mine own nameday, I was covered head to foot in a wyrm's blood, cheering many deaths at the Forgotten Knight.

He scowls, head hung low for a moment as if he's not proud to admit this in present company.

The Warrior of Light made a fool of me, of what I had believed. But in that, they made a better man of me as well. I was a fool, we all were. It was a nameday better spent, surrounded by the friends I couldn't have imagined having before we met. After all, the taverns in Thavnair aren't half bad."

Zenos

To say that Zenos is disconnected to the arbitrary ways people mark the passage of time is an understatement. He may have attended Garlean banquets for his nameday, but to say he "celebrated" them would ring false.

He has a singular focus, of course you know of it, he has told you many times. He has chased you across the star, to the far edge of fate, longing for the fulfillment that only a bloodstained dance with you can bring him.

He is not surprised when you refuse him yet again, but even more surprised when you offer something else.

At first, he is disappointed that you would speak of something so banal, a nameday. He had expected that you of all people would understand, it was simply the day one had breathed their first breath on this star, simply the day they were first known as who they are.

Yet, he must admit, he is...feeling something. An emotion he can't quite place, one wholly unfamiliar to him. He feels it strongly as soon as he hears your voice calling to him, watching your eyes hold his gaze. His first friend, reaching out to him simply because you remembered a fact from this history books: Zenos Viator Galvus, born [redacted] day, [redacted] month, Sixth Astral Era.

The Warrior of Light had long refused your company, rejecting your pleas for another glorious battle. Why do you think they came to you on this day?

Zenos is wearing a face that I myself have not seen before. He looks flummoxed, his expression shifting as he searches for words to define the emotion lingering within him.

"I had hoped when I heard them call my name in the distance that I would turn to see them, weapon drawn, hunger in their eyes. I was disappointed to find them marching slowly, comfortably. Not racing, leaping for the first strike. I had thought I had overcome disappointment,. It is hard to be disappointed when you have no expectations for mankind, knowing in your heart that they would never rise above their drive to satisfy base instincts. Yet, I felt deep disappointment to watch them stride closer to me, arms extended to present me with a gift.

A gift! A material trinket. I scoffed at it, yet found my hands grasping it, my arms clutching it to my chest as they said their farewells. We parted ways once again, our mutual friend once again leaving me with an emotion I never thought I would experience. Not simply the disappointment, but...

Zenos casts his head upwards to the moon, gazing at its' fullness. He is silent for a moment, forgetting that he had just been speaking with someone. He is lost then, imagining something I could not fathom.

Do you treasure this gift?

Zenos turns back to his interviewer, his lips spreading in a wry smile. His hand moves to his pocket as if it were a subconscious act, fingers curling against a shape in his pocket. He walks away without another word, as if the question was just as banal as remembering a nameday, of loving a friend deeply enough to share a gift. Yet, he smiles once more at the moon, a smile that slowly becomes a grin.

[finalgrrrl]

donate to an abortion fund rn <33

[finalgrrrl]

USA

a list of state-specific funds

national network of abortion funds

indigenous women rising; abortion fund

national abortion federation 

women’s reproductive rights assistance project 

INTERNATIONAL

international planned parenthood federation

partners for reproductive justice (africa, asia, the americas)

fondo de aborto para la justicia social (mexico)

mabia (ghana)

bangladesh women’s health coalition

abortion without borders (poland, uk, the netherlands, germany)

women help women (based in the netherlands, buts works internationally in europe)

abortion dream team (poland)

[finalgrrrl]

bringing this back :////