Once, Twice, Three Times a Warrior

And an Apothecary besides. [FFXIV WoL (WAR class) Daigoro "Dogen" Kiyomori affiliated w Isola Radiale]

[nascentnolonger]

anglerfishnabe​:

Somehow finally able to get into hospital, Ogata has found that they’re busy. He’s on the verge of getting better but they’re saying ‘he can’t just leave yet’. He might be a patient man (pun unintended) but for once in his life he’s rather bothered about something else. 

Namely his cats.

Of course it’s not just the cats, he just wants to get out already. He’s  healthy in his mind anyway… or rather he thinks he can take the pain for couple of days with some rest. All by himself.

That’s how he’s there now, in an attempt to get out - sneaking about the halls , trying to manage without grunting in the pain of the broken ribs. All while still wearing nothing but the hospital gown with his cloak thrown over it.

“ … “

Heavy footsteps and grumbling eventually come around a corner. Large strides left unbothered by passerby with excuses of trying to find this or that. He wasn’t too bad off--though some would insist too far on escorting him due to this or that. Eventually getting one of them to shut up and let him go in peace for a bit was frustrating. All while...

“This damned gown is too short...can’t even properly tie this--” 

Dogen walks into Ogata directly, thinking himself safe at last, and jumps back, tugging down on the front with his face red. A long pipe clenched between his teeth, he’s likely hiding other similar things in his arm sling. The problem that it popped out of his shoulder a few times wouldn’t really fix itself unless it rested...he’d accept that much. But anything he could smell in this weirdly sterile place...augh! Awful memories.  

“Y’tryin’ to scare me, or get some fresh air?” he scowls. 

[nascentnolonger]

fuujinyumi​:

@nascentnolonger​ liked this post for a starter

Takumi has always preferred the outdoors to staying inside, despite being royalty. Outside he could hunt, and train, and enjoy the beautiful Hoshidan weather. This place… Isn’t Hoshido, but it isn’t so bad, either. So of course, he finds himself outside once more, even if he’s wary of pretty much everyone around him (he’s never trusted anybody he doesn’t know, and right now isn’t going to change that.) 

While on this particular trek, he comes across someone that would be particularly hard to miss.

Horns, scales, and so so tall… Takumi has to crane his head up just to look at him. He hates that.  

He does notice, though, that he seems to be surveying some herbs, and has a few picked out. As far as Takumi can guess… They must be for some potion or medicine, he figures.

“… You some kind of apothecary?”

A few things; Finding this world’s equivalent of the herbs back home wasn’t as difficult as he thought. Though in no familiar varieties, some that were named the same seemed like they were the same. A sort of bittersweet nostalgia tickled him regardless. Takumi’s odd expression goes unnoticed by his blind side. 

“...once was, aye. Though one thing to `nother, I became more useful on th’ frontlines of wars.” 

An unexpected smile downwards as he tucks away the herbs in his jacket’s pocket. An expression of someone who’s found peace with a sacrifice. Taking any closer looks at his scales would show chips and cuts. Not an easy feat on an au’ra’s natural armor. 

“‘m just grateful it’s somethin’ I can still do b`tween the chaos.” 

Not that the chaos ever ended. 

Taking out a tomestone--no, a phone? That’s what they’re called right? He quietly pays the merchant with a simple tap. It’s kind of handy, now that he’s figured it out. Finally he turns to the voice, eyes now unobscured by his curved horns. 

“Are ye in need of somethin’? Don’t know if I can be of much help.” 

[dangerous-pastime]

A SERIES OF HEADCANON PROMPTS INSPIRED BY DISNEY MOVIES

Hercules - Is your muse more physically strong, or emotionally strong? 

Cinderella - Did your muse experience any childhood traumas? Did they overcome them?

Bambi - What is your muse’s relationship with their parents like?

Pinocchio - How honest is your muse? What is their moral stance on white lies?

Fantasia - Does your muse believe in magic? What is their view on it?

Dumbo - Has your muse ever been bullied for a physical difference?

Mulan - Is your muse secure in their gender identity? Have they ever experienced sexism or transphobia?

Aladdin - If your muse had 3 wishes, what would they wish for?

Zootopia - Would your muse enjoy living in a utopia, or would they feel out of place?

Tarzan - How did the place your muse grew up in affect them?

Moana - Does your muse believe in fate or destiny? What is theirs?

Atlantis - Is your muse adventurous or do they prefer to seclude themselves?

101 Dalmatians - Does your muse have a large collection of any particular thing?

Frozen - What is your muse’s relationship with their siblings like?

Beauty and the Beast - How has your muse changed as a person over their life? Have they changed for the better or for worse?

Sleeping Beauty - What is the worst possible curse your muse could face?

Pocahontas - How does your muse deal with being exposed to unfamiliar cultures? Are they open and accepting?

The Jungle Book - Is your muse happy living off of the bare necessities, or do they need more in life?

Oliver and Company - Is your muse more street smart or book smart?

The Hunchback of Notre Dame - What is your muse’s religious beliefs? Have they ever experienced oppression at the hands of religion?

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - How trusting of strangers is your muse? Would they accept a gift from a stranger?

The Princess and the Frog - Would your muse accept someone else’s help in fulfilling their dreams, or would they want to earn it for themself?

The Emperor’s New Groove - What animal would you associate your muse with? Why?

The Lion King - Is your muse prepared for the responsibilities laid out for them in life?

The Little Mermaid - Would your muse change themself for love, or would they wait to find someone who loves them for who they are?

Peter Pan - Is your muse a child at heart? What is their mental age or maturity?

Wreck-It Ralph - What does ‘being a winner’ mean to your muse?

Lilo & Stitch - Does your muse have any pets? Do they want any?

Lady and the Tramp - What are your muses romantic standards? Would they ever fall for someone of a lower class?

Alice in Wonderland - What does your muse often dream of? Do they have strange dreams? Pleasant ones? Nightmares?

[nascentnolonger]

heclingmuzik​:

“Nope! Absolutely not!” She says, grin on her face. Okay, so…hopefully he won’t mind her sitting right next to him.  She’ll admit, while the tail is pretty cool, she’s also a little intimated AND he’s tall. 

“No, I don’t mind at all.” he’s already started and if she said she did mind, he’d be wasting whatever it was that he was about to smoke.  “Hope you don’t mind me sitting right here,” Ismael is already about to sit down. 

“So you were able to go back home? How did that happen? Why would they bring you back here? Do you know exactly what this place is?” 

“Someone else will always envy what you have. And assume you enjoy what’s in your possession, at that.” his voice smooths itself out in his recollection of a quote; the accent from before just about completely gone. In his thoughtful state, he lights his pipe quietly. 

A slow drag passes before he exhales the smoke opposite from her direction. Burning, it smells even stronger, and depending on your sense of smell (or lack thereof, in Dogen’s case) perhaps worse. 

“S’pose ye can sit there.” his accent falls thickly back into place. “I don’t know how it happened. Certainly no way I could recognize. Maybe someone else has that answer fer ya.” he leans back on the bench, it’s wood creaking. “Jus’ a city in some other world. Y’might find a person or two y’recognize.” 

‘But they might not remember you...’ rolls in his mind. No, he won’t mention that. That’s not everyone’s case, he hopes. 

[nascentnolonger]

anglerfishnabe​:

“ Terribly sorry for being born without some damn magic tricks up my sleeve “, he retorts.

“ And I have no damn diamond bullets either. “

He glances around. Somewhere here must be the staff area… Even smaller shops would have one so there’s no reason to assume this one woudln’t have it. The doors and the walls will break when that thing charges through but at least it should slow it down some.

“ There! “

He takes a run from the next corner through the bean shelves towards the sign.

“Magitek don’t work that way! It’s fer people who can’t--” Dogen shakes off the damage of being trampled over--gods he’s running out of equilibrium spells--and charges down another aisle to try and sprint his way past the creature. 

There! While the other probably made it far before him, he managed to slide underneath to get in. Only to watch the creature likely charge itself into the doorway anyways. 

“Seven `ells!” 

[nascentnolonger]

temperateskies​:

At the height of his divine prowess Ichimokuren could accomplish any miracle he set his mind to and with the support of his believers he had the necessary energy to do so. It had been centuries since the loss of his status and still he feels a sense of disgrace when he cannot grant wishes that are out of his hands or preform the simplest of tasks.

Breaking through should’ve been easy with their combined efforts yet here they stand having progressed no further than when they first began. Ichimokuren is forced to bite back his frustrations. A slow movement of his eye back up to Dogen indicated that perhaps he was right. His silence is yet filled with tranquility, a kind of softness to gently offset the severity presented to them. 

“If fire cannot melt it then we know it mustn’t be ice.” To test this theory he resolves to finally touching it and stands shoulder to shoulder with the warrior, cautiously reaching out he presses his hand to the reflective surface. Just as he thought; it isn’t cold.

“I doubt no weapon forged by mortals could penetrate it either. Throwing ourselves at it again is out of the question…” He suspects not even the great Oni King himself would have any luck in scratching the surface. With their options limited and the crystalized barrier not going anywhere he turns to finally address his other concerns.

“You’re still hurt” While it was subtle he noticed the slight tensing when Dogen moved. “If you aren’t opposed to it then give me your hand. I can heal you.”

Standing shoulder to shoulder with someone...

Dogen waits for Ichimokuren to move--before he smacks one of his horns against the stuff. Neither substance was changed by the impact. Putting an uninjured hand on it, he sighs. 

“Odd`n tough. Can’t help but wonder if there’s some secret way t`get rid of it.” 

Poking at it gently, it still remains still. It continues to pile itself higher and higher up the building. Soon the windows even on the top floor will be covered in a thick layer of diamonds. 

“There’s only so much healin’ I can do fer myself. I’d appreciate it.” 

He tries to force an amiable smirk, holding out his hand to the other. 

“Y’need me t’take off th`gauntlet?” 

[nascentnolonger]

heclingmuzik​:

“Mmm, I don’t know, man…” She’s not convinced at all that being tall had its cons. Still, she supposes that hitting ones head on lower objects than your height would be a hassle. She stands beside the bench, notices the man’s tail. Whoa, a tail too? She’ll try not to stare, “Being my height is pretty hard. I can’t reach things. Sometimes I gotta ask for help to grab stuff. I have lots of kids my age use my head as arm rests too.” She beats their asses all the time when they do.  “Bet you don’t get that being so tall.” 

“I’m Ismael! What’s your name? Did you just arrive here too? Or…I don’t know how any of this works, really.”

“Well, sounds to me like I can’t convince ye otherwise.” 

His tail twitches just slightly to and fro, matching the rest of his scales; Much like an alligator’s in shape and thickness. There doesn’t seem to be anyone but the two of them here. It’s rather strange, and he begins to reconsider the bus ride. Maybe it wouldn’t be too bad to just take a small break here. Just on the bench, just barely sheltered from snow. 

“Dogen. It’s m’second time ‘ere, somehow. S’pose I can take a guess as t`how, but it won’t make no sense t`you.” Words run into each other more often as fatigue continues it’s course. And habitually, he pulls a wooden pipe from his pocket, along with a tin and a half-empty box of matches. He packs it quietly and puts it in his mouth before he realizes he has company still. 

“Uh. Do ye mind if...? It’s not tobacco, if that’s yer worry...” 

The smell by itself is strong, almost smelling of wet earth and herbs, but it’s nothing recognizable to anyone unfamiliar with the Vath...

[nascentnolonger]

relansi​:

With a thud, Winni hits the ground. Lips stretch into an aghast scowl, not because she was thrown like a sack of potatoes, but because the Au Ra has turned his back to her, adamant on defending her. The thought of someone else getting hurt on her behalf is utterly unbearable, even if she is alone in this wretched city with no magick, no weapon, no armor and no physical combat experience.

The beast outside lumbers toward the store, closing in, but slow enough that there is still time to do something. Winni clamors to one knee and calls after the hulking silhouette: “Don’t just stand there! Get in! Close the door! We can hide!” Unaware that he already has the beginnings of a plan in motion.

Taking a deep breath, he positions himself much like a monk. With his own height and it’s combined...  

A glimpse of his past self in his mind. 

He waits for it to get closer. Though how close it ended up would make the whole ordeal clumsier. He can’t well afford to miss, so cutting it close is where he’ll strike. 

“YAH!!” 

Dogen throws his hat into the face of the creature and kicks upwards to it’s jaw.  Hitting it’s head into the awning, it collapses in an avalanche of diamonds and crystal snow. Unfortunately covering them both. 

[nascentnolonger]

smartdwarf​:

@nascentnolonger​

📚  Dortin is surprisingly fast for being so short. He is used to run from dangers, it’s instinct. But, there is quite a difference between outrunning a normal human and a monster that is built for running and hunting. 

The diamondized monster is closing up on him as he turns into another alley. He is running out of breath, literally.

“HELP… SOMEONE…!”

“The trouble jus’ doesn’t stop today.” 

Hearing the shouting, he breaks into a trot to try and listen to where it came from. And before he knows it, he’s scooping up what he can only assume is a lalafell. 

“’M yer problem now, ya beast!” 

Dogen points his makeshift weapon--just a higher chunk of lamp post covered in the diamond’s luster--but first comes first. The smaller one’s safety; he puts him down behind him and brandishes his pole defensively. 

[nascentnolonger]

heclingmuzik​:

@nascentnolonger​

She gasps. Maybe she overexaggerated on it, but really c’mon now. LOOK AT THEM!

“You’re really tall! What did you eat to get so tall like that? I eat all my veggies and drink A LOT of milk and I’m only 5′1!” 

“Amazing, man.”

Dogen stares blankly at first, and shakes his head. “I don’t think ye’d like the upkeep of a big body like mine.” Adjusting his cap a bit upwards he sits on the bench behind him. Waiting for the bus much like anyone else--as much as he didn’t like the enclosed form of transportation. There doesn’t seem to be an end to the amount of people who gawk at him. For one reason or another. At the very least, it was something as trivial as height that was the trend lately. 

“Ye’ve got yer own benefits, I’m sure.” he tries to smile, his tail sitting itself next to his thigh on the seat. “Not hitting yer head on low hanging objects, fer one.” 

[nascentnolonger]

relansi​:

“Well, I’d-” Whatever she’s about to say, it trails off into a startled ‘eep!’ as she’s whisked off her feet like a kitten and carried away from the strange shimmering goliath. “Wait!” She cries, “What if it goes after someone-” else, she’s about to say when that familiar jolting ache rattles through her bones, gathering at the base of her spine, choking out her consciousness for a brief, fleeting moment.

“Ngh!” She grasps at her head, nails meeting her scalp, and wills herself to come back into focus. The lightheadedness subsides, just long enough for her to follow through with the command. Look for somewhere safe. But all the buildings seemed encrusted with this impenetrable substance. All of them but… “There!” She says, pointing with a wild gesture to a shop up ahead, door protected by an awning that by some miracle had yet to collapse. A door not covered by this miserable ice!

“We can worry about fighting it when we actually can!” 

The second Dogen regains his wits he takes off sprinting again. He reaches the door and kicks it open, tossing the miquo`te inside before turning back to the surely charging beast. 

If he can get the awning to collapse on the thing...maybe it’ll be a two birds one diamond kind of plan. Adrenaline prevents him from thinking of any other option.  

[nascentnolonger]

temperateskies​:   

Ichimokuren took the time to patiently brush a strand of hair behind pointed ears as he waited for the curse that would no doubt tumble from Dogen’s mouth. As he did so a splatter of scales and brightly colored tattoos could be seen down the side of his throat that carried into his yukata.

“…” His silence is meditative, thinking of ways to breach the wall that doesn’t involve bodily harm while a flicker of concern flashes briefly in his eye. The words ’are you hurt?’ rests heavily on the tip of his tongue despite knowing the answer. He patiently waits for a second attempt at bringing down the wall and when that fails (the method used concerns him greatly) Ren soundlessly steps forward and gingerly places a hand on Dogen’s shoulder.

“Excuse me.” His company isn’t the only one who wishes to break through, the reminder begets a tremble in his aged heart but his expression yields no outward worry. The aircurrent that flows around them shifts and what was a light breeze twists violently in the sky, lightning and blades formed from the very wind itself strikes at the ice to no avail. Ichimokuren looks dejected and drops his gaze.

“I’m sorry, I wasn’t much help.”

Dogen didn’t respond to the gentle touch at all--he couldn’t really feel it, though he could start to feel the deep bruising of his shoulder. Rather, the sound of his voice close to his horns would catch his attention. The wind noticed by watching the other’s hair sway slightly. 

Tempest-like blades striking the barrier...even such a sharp magic couldn’t even scrape it. A blade would do no better, then. Not that he had one to try with. Dogen kicks it out of frustration. A mood that quickly turns to Ichimokuren; 

“Sorry fer what?! Nothin’ t`be sorry fer here!” 

Taking off his hat he slicks his hair back and tucks it underneath. While the other’s neck was adorned with tattoos in addition to the scales they both possessed, all that was noticeable of Dogen’s was his lack of ears. Wincing slightly as he reaches into his leather pouch for matches. Striking one alight, the flame dances in front of the crystal ice. Pressing the flame to it does nothing of note, either. 

He ends up staring into the reflection of the purple outer glow of his iris. And as he gazes into his distorted, sleep deprived face he avoids it. 

“So it don’ melt, can’t be cut even w`magic--gods! S’pose we can’t find a good hammer, either.” 

[nascentnolonger]

anglerfishnabe​:

@nascentnolonger​

He didn’t think it’d follow him all the way up here. Behind him Ogata can hear the glass breaking behind him as he runs through the grocery isle, pushing down what he can… He’s not sure if it’s any help in slowing down .

“ If you have any better suggestions I’ll be hearing them? “ he throws to the guy going before him. 

“Don’t you have a gun?! I’ve seen machinists break through golems with their magitek, why can’t you?!” 

Dogen leaps over one of the shelves and kicks one of the metal parts loose. 

“I’ll do my job you do yers!” 

A hard whack to it’s face only bends the makeshift weapon, and now he’s fully in it’s way, likely being run down into the floor. Such is his job, so he’s more than ready for it. Regardless, between him, the slab of metal shelf, and a beast made of diamond, it’s going to hurt. 

[nascentnolonger]

relansi​:

Maybe there’s something comedic about the sight of a woman holding an open book in front of her with a hand outstretched in the face of a diamond colossus two times her size in height and girth, only for her to take a few hurried paces back to try the motion again, to no avail.

But it certainly isn’t funny to her when the beast has her backed into a corner.

What is a warrior to do rather than thrust oneself into danger? Dogen has no clear plan, but such is not the way of the Warrior either. A family of samurai and monks past, an assassination style of old would have to mix in the controlled chaos. 

He can’t say he hasn’t tried it before in his own spare time, but what always held him back was the lack of depth perception. Thank the gods his hands and feet are armored--this would damage him more than he should be risking. 

With a hard kick to the back of it’s legs, he can only hope it works even a little like a human being. 

[nascentnolonger]

temperateskies​:

@nascentnolonger Shine Bright

It's.. fascinating. The crystalized sheet of "ice" that covered many homes and buildings captured his attention but he was apprehensive to approach it, Ren knew better than to trust appearances. There was something.. unnatural about the way it glistened underneath the suns rays. It was like ice, but quite unlike it too. He had a sense of foreboding about the evening snowfall and noted how the air felt abnormal.

"Do you truly intend to force your way inside? I think it most unwise." Lifting a slender finger to tap at his chin, Ren contemplates steering his companion away from their current trajectory when the awful sound of two solid objects colliding into eachother hits his ears. Heaving a tired sigh, Ren utters a silent prayer for the bones in Dogen's hand.

“Seven `ells...!” Dogen curses, shaking his hand off and staring at the scuffs left on the metal of his gauntlet. There’s only a few wrinkles on his face--a common sign that more damage was done than he can actually feel. 

“It would be a lot easier t`deal with if I could.” 

Gods knew what the stuff even was. He’s seen things similar before, and just as his companion said, force might not be the best option. Touching the scales that adorned his chin--notably with his still well functioning hand--a small glint of an idea. Quickly followed by a defeated grimace. No, he’s still going to try. 

“There’r people stuck in there. I got t`try what I can.” 

Backing up as much as he can with stable ground, armored shoulder first; he charges the wall of diamond again with great force. The sound of it is even more unpleasant than before. Dogen curses between his teeth. With some quick work he puts his shoulder back as it should be. Wincing as he rolls the shoulder and cracks his neck, a swirl of glittering light circulates up his body. 

Everything is back into it’s place, functioning (more or less) as it was earlier. Yet the way he treats his own body is concerningly casual.   

[nascentnolonger]

@temperateskies

The trunks of trees and the veil of fog over the Mistwood could not hide either of their forms in the opening. 

An entity opposite to him; Dogen knew better that they couldn’t be mortal--leaking eye socket aside. Dressed in fine silks he wouldn’t dare wear in the unknown like this. His gaze remained unmoved. Fatigued eyes staring both in awe and caution. 

“I’m like to sound rude yet I would rather ask--who are you?” 

Whoever they are, he’s sure he can take them on. At the same time...he almost wouldn’t mind if they took him. If there hadn’t been so many precious people still waiting at home...

[nascentnolonger]

@anglerfishnabe

It’s not the most pleasant sight, on a cold morning--a hand rising from the waters to grip the side of the docks, followed by the tossing of a white military-like cap onto ‘shore’. A horned figure with his hair all amess pulls himself up with the weight of light armor and wet soaked clothes and leather. 

Groaning, “Gods, since when couldn’t I breathe underwater?”

And as he stands, spitting aside water, he holds someone’s fishing rod, hook stuck in his hair. Looming tall over a stranger in a military uniform. One glowing red and purple-ringed eye staring down. 

“Is this yers?” 

Maybe not...