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What to expect: ?????????? And much more!!!! Auggie | Z'rhiki Irhi | Malboro Follow-from/Message-from blog: sparkyandsnarky

[pangolinheart]

B'rhiki (Birthday Rhiki)

[avalon821]

Day 2 of kiss week and it’s @pangolinheart ‘s Rhiki giving a kiss!

[pangolinheart]

"once you're stripped clean, what's at your core?" Quiz

I was tagged quite a while ago by @dragoon-mid-jump to do this quiz for Rhiki, so here it goes!

flightless bird

the thought of your found family is what motivates you in your own little world. you touch the clouds, and the soil gives way under your footprints... this is utopia. if you were to erase one thing, it would be your memory. experience is important, but ignorance is bliss. identity, in heaven, should give way to happiness. you'd give anything just to sit by the swings and eat ice cream, but this isn't that kind of world. you have to get up and wash the dirt off of your scraped knees. i think you have an escapism problem.

Since this is from almost a month ago I'm sure most people have already done it, so I won't tag anyone - but if you haven't, take this as your invitation to do so!

[pangolinheart]

22. Someone my muse is indebted to and 27. Someone my muse envies

Ooohhh these are good ones! I really had to think hard about these! 22. Someone my muse is indebted to rowena for all the weapon mats This one was difficult because Rhiki very rarely views her relationships and interactions with other people as transactional. She's the opposite of Zero in this regard. That's not to say that she's ungrateful for the help of others, nor that she would take without thinking to give something in return. It's more that she rarely contextualizes this as "repaying a debt". People who help her and offer her kindness are her friends, and she does nice things for her friends. She only thinks of this in terms of commerce when the person in question makes clear that they are expecting some sort of repayment for services rendered. And, of course, not many people demand favors from the Warrior of Light. The whole "saving the world" thing is kind of payment in advance....

At first I was tempted to say the remaining members of her parents' adventuring party for supporting her in multiple ways after their deaths, but they really do have a familial relationship, so while Rhiki is grateful to them and wants to make them proud, I don't know that anyone involved would see it as a debt. It's just what families doe for each other. If I had to choose the canon character Rhiki feels the most indebted to, it would probably be Edmont de Fortemps. Being forced to flee Eorzea virtually alone was really difficult on her, so while she wasn't quite as relieved to be granted passage into Ishgard as she was to find sanctuary at Camp Dragonhead, it meant a lot to her that he was not only willing to extend his hospitality to them, but to stake his reputation on their good character. His support during and after the events of Heavensward was invaluable. Then, of course, there's the other thing.... which Rhiki feels at the very least responsible for, though they've shared their feelings on the subject and he's made it clear that he doesn't blame her for it. "Indebted" may be the wrong word, as it's a debt that she feels she will likely never be able to repay, but she certainly feels a sense of obligation towards him. It may also be inaccurate because Edmont doesn't view her as owing him anything at all. 27. Someone my muse envies This one was difficult as well, but for the opposite reason! Rhiki is a little envious of a lot of people. She can find something she likes in most people, but as a consequence can be a little envious of of them. She envies Y'shtola's beauty, intelligence and resolve. She envies Urianger's composure. She envies Tataru's financial prowess. She doesn't envy any of them enough to allow it to affect her behavior towards then, but these are all things that she has at one point or another found herself wishing she had.

She's kind of envious of moogles. They get to goof off, play pranks, and eat kupo nuts all day. Plus they're fuzzy and cute. Sometimes she thinks it would be great to be a moogle.

The specific NPC that keeps coming to mind, though, is Minfilia. She's not really jealous of the responsibility she carried, or her eventual fate, obviously. But, at least when she was alive, she had lots of traits that Rhiki wished she had. She was beautiful and gracious and kind. All of the other Scions loved her and spoke highly of her. Later, on the First, she would also be reminded that Minfilia was strong. She was gentle and caring and unfailingly good -and she made it all look so easy. Rhiki definitely felt as if she could never live up to the standards Minfilia set as one of Hydaelyn's chosen, and she envied the grace with which Minfilia carried all of her burdens.

If Rhiki was sharing a universe with another Warrior of Light, she'd probably also be a little jealous of them. There's nothing particularly special or stand-out about Rhiki other than the fact that she's been granted the Blessing of Light. She's been kind of bumbling her way through being the WoL, just doing the best she can and hoping with all her might that it's enough. So she might find herself a bit envious of someone who's better suited to the roll than she, whether it's because they're more competent, better-liked, or more badass.

[From the Supporting Character Ask Meme]

[pangolinheart]

8 and 18 for the catted girl!

8. Someone my muse never met, but would have loved to. [!!! DARK KNIGHT JOB QUEST SPOILERS !!!]

It took me a few minutes to think of this, but I would have to say the original Fray. The "Fray" you meet in the Brume seems to have a little bit of the real Fray in them, but by the level 50 quests it seems, to me at least, like that's almost entirely gone. I don't know that Rhiki would have loved the experience of meeting the real Fray, because he had the standard Dark Knight chip on his shoulder, so who knows what their real dynamic would have been like, but she would have liked to meet him because he was important to Sid and Rielle, who are important to her. Plus, he probably has some embarrassing stories about Sid that she would love to hear. She still feels somewhat connected to him, despite having never met him, given that the soul stone she uses used to be his. If nothing else, it would be an enlightening experience. [/END SPOILERS] 18. Someone who can always make my muse laugh.

Early in her life, this would probably have been her dad. He was a lighthearted guy and was always making jokes and pulling little pranks. If she wasn't laughing at one of his antics, she was probably laughing at his expense when they got him into trouble. She gets a lot of her playfulness from her father.

Rhiki laughs easily, so there a few people who can usually get a laugh out of her, whether intentionally or not. Sidurgu often makes her laugh, but this is completely unintentional on his part. He thinks he's being serious, and probably doesn't appreciate her laughing at him. She can't help it, though. She just can't help but laugh when he says something corny and dramatic with an entirely straight face. She also thinks it's very funny when he gets flustered and annoyed at her and Rielle's teasing, so there's almost always a good time to be had when he's around.

Urianger also makes her laugh without realizing it, for similar reasons, Rather than by saying something brooding, though, it's usually by applying his archaic speech to something simple or inherently nonsensical. There's something both hilarious and endearing about his earnest attempts to understand some things through an academic lens. They've gotten a bit closer over the course of Endwalker, and during this time she's come to appreciate his sense of humor. He's learned how to catch her completely off-guard with a joke or bit, which makes her laugh all the harder at it. On the intentional side, there's Stephanivien. He has an upbeat personality that makes it hard not to like him and hard to be bummed out in his presence. If it's not his quips that make her laugh, it's his inexhaustible enthusiasm for machinery (and sometimes the mishaps that crop up because of it.)

When Haurchefant was alive, he was also good at making Rhiki laugh. She found his occasional melodramatics endlessly entertaining, and being around him just generally put her in a good mood. Neither of them mind a little mischief here and there, and had fun getting up to trouble together.

Though nothing like his brother, Emmanellain does a fairly good job of making Rhiki laugh, though somewhat like Urianger whether he meant to or not is always a toss-up. While his flippant attitude can be a little aggravating when poorly timed, when the mood is lighter it can make her giggle. And, if he hasn't made her laugh with his wit, he's never more than a few minutes and a few drinks from doing it by making a fool of himself. Between his "lessons" to the ever-patient Honoroit and his bickering with Sicard, being around Emmanellain makes for a good spectator sport.

[pangolinheart]

12. Someone my muse just gets!

Oohhh this is a good one! A few people come to mind!

The first would be Alisaie. The two of them have a lot in common - they have similar struggles in finding their place in the world, similar fears of being left behind, alone, and similarly strong convictions about right and wrong. They're both doers, not thinkers. They both sometimes let their emotions get the better of them. And they both care so much it hurts. Rhiki watches Alisaie grapple with a lot of the same things that she's had to face down in the past, or is still working through.

A good example is the end of the Stormblood postpatches, when the Scions start falling into comas. Rhiki understands on a deep, personal level Alisaie's desire to not be the last one standing. She's been there before, and she understands all of the things Alisaie doesn't say. What if it's up to me to save everyone? What if I can't? What if I'm not good enough? What if I can't do it alone? If it were anyone else - Y'shtola or Urianger or Alphinaud - they would have a plan. I'm not the one who comes up with the plan! How am I supposed to know what to do?

Being a bit older, Rhiki at least has the benefit of having more experience, so she tries to offer Alisaie what help she can. Usually, this comes in the form of comfort. She's more than happy to give Alisaie a shoulder to lean on, or a few words of encouragement. She doesn't try to give instructions or interfere in Alisaie's life, every once and a while she just tries to let her know that she's not alone.

[pangolinheart]

Stars Above, Sea Below

I completely forgot to post this on Tumblr! This was a short piece I wrote as part of a small Secret Santa exchange held by the FFXIV OC Swap. I was assigned the lovely @amons-hat-enthusiast. I decided to write a little exchange between their delightful OC Matheli and Merlwyb!

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

[occasionalrpmemes]

Supporting Character Ask Meme

Because it’s important to think about the other people in our muses’ lives, too, whether they’re NPCs or others’ characters. Send me a number (or the text) and I’ll tell you about:

Someone my muse met only briefly, but who impacted their life

Someone who influenced my muse over a longer span of time

Someone who likes my muse more than my muse likes them

Someone my muse likes, who doesn’t like them back quite as much

Someone my muse used to like / respect / love, but doesn’t any more

Someone my muse used to dislike / hate, but doesn’t any more

Someone my muse wishes they’d never met

Someone my muse never met, but would have loved to

Someone my muse hurt

Someone who hurt my muse

Someone my muse doesn’t understand

Someone my muse just gets

Someone who just gets my muse

Someone my muse hates

Someone my muse is afraid of

Someone my muse feels protective over

Someone my muse looks up to

Someone who can always make my muse laugh

Someone who gets on my muse’s nerves

Someone my muse would kill if they had the chance

Someone my muse would die for

Someone my muse is indebted to

Someone who owes my muse a debt

Someone with power over my muse

Someone who’s like a child to my muse

Someone who’s like a parent to my muse

Someone my muse envies

Someone my muse admires

Someone my muse holds in disdain

Someone my muse trusts completely

Someone who’s betrayed my muse’s trust

Someone my muse has betrayed

Someone my muse holds a grudge against

Someone my muse has forgiven

[Make up your own question and send it in!]

Note: because of how specific some of these categories are, not all of them will apply to every character. If there’s a slot that isn’t filled (for instance, no one who can always make your muse laugh, or no one who your muse would kill) think about why that slot isn’t filled.

[mimble-sparklepudding]

From @occasionalrpmemes

Feel free to reblog - I can think of several OC’s I would like to ask about!

[pangolinheart]

The last of the dusk dance gposes! (I also took some DRK shots in the same session but they don't really fit in this set and didn't come out as nice, so I'll post them later.) [ Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 ]

BONUS BELOW THE CUT: Rhiki's reaction when someone asks her why she's doing little dances all alone on the beach

[pangolinheart]

Dusk Knight

[pangolinheart]

More from my impromptu gpose session the other day! Still not sure what to title these [ Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 ]

[pangolinheart]

I think Rhiki accepts that she is going to get quite grubby during her time out in the wilds or in active combat - sweat (hers), blood (mostly other people's) and various other unpleasantness besides. However, once back to civilisation, she wastes no time in having a good scrub in the bath, before emerging fragrant and spotless.

I could be wrong though!

You're spot-on, there! I'm sure this is the case for most WoLs! Unfortunately, Rhiki doesn't have the magical aptitude or the ranged-combat training to stand outside of "the splash zone", and both ofher main combat styles are very physically demanding, so she tends to get pretty grimy when she's out saving the world. Added to the fact that she hates wearing clunky, stifling armor (but is told she has to "so she doesn't die" 🙄), this means that one of her first order of business when she's finished is stripping out of her armor and washing off all the filth. She doesn't want to be seen around town wearing an unwieldy tin can and splattered in gore, after all! She has an image to maintain!

[From the How do you perceive my OC ask meme]

[iingezo]

!! BIRTHDAY / MILESTONE RAFFLE !! ♥ ♥ ♥ Been inkling to do something my birthday month the day was actually yesterday & way back XYZ followers milestone what's gone due for confetti I WANNA ART ♡ I WANNA FULL ILLUST ♡ ART FOR YOU ♡ ♥ RULES TO ENTER ♥ ♡ (be) Following me (new welcome!) ♡ Reblog this post MARCH 1ST will randomly select & message one winner from the reblogs (match up w the blog you following from or leave a lil note about it in the replies if mismatched: o) & from there winner gets one full illustration from me !!

Full illust can be anything* !! the main examples you'll see on my blog been primarily horses but other kindsa OCs / such welcome <3 * "anything's" main limits are my typical commissions rules: single-character, personal use only, no NSFW — and a couple additional notes for the context of a more laid-back raffle vs. paid work re:reference/design:: ♡ If you comm me before ya might be used to reviewing outfits detail-by-detail — looking for this to prioritize the overall composition flow / vibes in a lil more freeform instead of a straight-on design reference-view like the flat bg comms ♡ Still happy to create unique looks !! and the illust might wind up highlighting the drip all the same, but a new design just won't be the prime Function of it yknow? ♡ v flexible on references / inspo on hand or not tho all in all <3

[starrysnowdrop]

Here’s a little ask game that started on the FFXIV Swap Discord a little while ago, and I thought it would be great to post here:

How do you (or your WoL/OC(s) if you prefer) perceive my WoL/OC(s)? What sort of impressions does my WoL leave you with? I will reply with how much it lines up with my own perceptions!

[pangolinheart]

I haven't gposed in a hot minute because I get tired of looking at Rhiki all the time, but I managed to catch some really beautiful lighting in Thavnair and felt inspired!

I may post some more pics from this set later if I remember!

[ Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 ]

[pangolinheart]

My second, less serious set of gposes from Ki'to (@humblemooncat)'s art party, affectionately titled

Fripon Looks at People

LOOKING at Y'dehlya (@dragoon-mid-jump

Communing with Nira (@sae-mian)

staaaaaaaaaaaare (@humblemooncat)

Staredown with Tyr (@avalon821)

Checking out Iris (@irisopranta)

(a bonus Tyr)

+ An Extra Shot

Making friends with the Road Sparrow. Thank you for tuning in to this addition of Fripon Looks at Things!

[pangolinheart]

I attended Ki'to (@humblemooncat - for whatever reason it won't let me mention you)'s art party last night! I can't do much in the way of art, but I love seeing peoples' characters all dressed up, so I took the chance to practice taking some gpose portraits! In addition to Ki'to, the other characters belong to @dragoon-mid-jump (Y'dehlya), @lilvulpix-alex (Raine), @avalon821 (Tyr), @irisopranta (Iris), @sae-mian (Nira), @umbralaether (Eisha), Elika, and @paintedscales (Nomin)

It was a fun time! I hope you all enjoyed them!